Chapter 4

Sakura and Neji were walking toward the gates the next morning when they saw Naruto go whizzing past them. "Naruto, what's wrong?" Sakura asked a little concerned. "Nothing I was just running to the gates to go on my next mission." Naruto said huffing. "I didn't see you when Tsunade was telling us about the mission." Sakura said curiously.

"You two better hurry up soon, we're leaving." Neji called from a little ways up. "I was late, but when I got there Tsunade-sama explained it to me." Naruto explained while he and Sakura ran to catch up. "Oh, I see." Sakura said.

"Ok, I will make a plan when I know more about what were up against, but for know it's just the usual okay?" Shikamaru said. Everyone nodded their heads and started leaping into the forest outside of Konoha.

Sasuke watched as Neji and Sakura talked. Every now and then Sakura would laugh or smile, sometimes she would blush at something he had said. Sasuke was beginning to get irritated. 'Who said that no good bastard could talk to Sakura!' Sasuke thought as he continued to watch the two getting more furious every second.

"They're a good couple don't cha think?" Naruto said coming up to him. "What do you mean?" Sasuke asked not showing the emotion he was feeling. "Oh yeah, I guess no one ever told you." Naruto said. "They've been going out for almost 3 years know." Naruto said as if there was nothing wrong. But to Sasuke there was. 'They've been going out ever since I left ,how did that happen' he thought. As if Naruto had read his mind he said, "Yeah, after you left Sakura was devastated, I guess Neji noticed this and helped her through it. Sakura didn't tell anyone how he actually asked her out. She just said it was the usual." Naruto continued oblivious to the Uchiha's emotion, because if you looked really hard you could tell the Uchiha was hurt.

They were at the front of Suna's gates within another hour. Sasuke had stopped looking at the couple even though it was really hard.

They were led my some ninja to the Kazekage's tower which was almost as big as the Hokage's in Konoha.

"Are you all here?" Gaara asked a little annoyed as they walked in. "Yes." Replied Neji, coming in last and shutting the door. "Lets' get this over with." Gaara said impatiently. "3 weeks ago an item called the Horizon Amulet was stolen from Suna. The item is very powerful, but we think the bandits just stole it from us to sell it for money because it is also worth a lot." Gaara said. "So you know what would happen if it fell into the hands of Akatsuki." Everyone nodded.

Gaara continued to ramble on about details, but Sasuke kept noticing how he would always make eye contact with Sakura for a few seconds and then look back down at documents that had to do with the mission. Sasuke could tell by the way he looked at Sakura he needed something. Was Sakura two-timing? No, she wouldn't do that she's too nice.

"That's everything." Gaara said. "Now, could you all please go, except for you Sakura. I need to talk to you." Gaara said grabbing her wrist and holding her back. Sasuke looked at Gaara then at Sakura. He left quietly but decided to listen, masking his chakra as best as he could.

"Wouldn't try it." Naruto said giving the Uchiha a warning face. "Sakura and Gaara are close." He said "You mean shes dating him too?" Sasuke said a little shocked. "No way, she doesn't two time. I meant that she's Gaara's family doctor. One time when her, Gaara, Temari and I went on a mission, Temari got really hurt and almost died but Sakura treated her and they got to the next village in time to save her life. This was also only about two and a half months after she started training with the Hokage." Naruto said calmly. "So Gaara only wants the best for his family. Since Sakura is the best ever." Naruto said walking away. "Wait what do you mean 'best ever.'" Sasuke asked confused. "Oh yeah you don't know that either." Naruto said laughing. "Sakura surpassed Tsunade in medical skills about 7 months ago." Naruto said. "You're so lucky you have me to explain things. Now can I go get some ramen?!" Naruto said impatiently with a scowl on his face. Sasuke nodded his head and started to follow him. Naruto was right though, Sasuke was lucky to have him to fill him in.

"So what do you want, Gaara?" Sakura asked. "It's Kankuro, he's been complaining of dizziness, double vision, slurred speech an--." "You don't have to go any further I know what it is." Sakura cut him off. "Tell him to get out of the black clothes, take off the puppet, rest for a while and drink lots of water, Okay" Sakura instructed. "ok, thanks" Gaara said turning back to his papers. "There's something else isn't there." Sakura said noticing the expression on his face. "Just be careful out there. I don't want you getting hurt." Gaara said not looking Sakura in the eye. "You know I always am." She replied with a smile.

"When she got back Shikamaru had made a plan and explained it to them." They were heading out right after the got some more supplies.

An hour later the team was ready to go. They were to search for a least three days and if they didn't find anything they were to report back to Suna. The team had been searching for 5 hours. It was starting to get dark and they would have to set up camp soon.

Sakura made dinner for everyone and after they had finished everyone went to bed except Neji who had volunteered to keep watch first.

Sakura climbed into the tent she had to herself. She was exhausted and was relieved she didn't have to keep watch first. She laid in her bed for a long time, but couldn't fall asleep. No matter how tired she was. She didn't know how long she had been awake but it must have been about 3 in the morning by know. Sakura climbed out of tent deciding that she would watch the fire for a bit.

There sitting on a log watching the fire was Sasuke. He had an emotionless expression on and was slouched over like he was about to fall asleep. "What time is it?" Sakura asked. "About 3:30." Sasuke said not sparing her a glance. "How long have you been out here?" Sakura asked another question. "2 hours." He replied obviously getting annoyed by her questions. "I see, I can take over know if you want. I haven't fallen asleep since I crawled into the tent." She said. "Hn." Sasuke said. Sakura walked up to where the bucket of water was that she had gathered from the stream and started washing her face.

Sasuke watched as Sakura got up and walked towards the bucket of water. He had never noticed before but she had grown curves in all the right spots. Just as Sakura turned around from washing her face Sasuke tore his glare away. "So is it okay if I sit here for a bit?" Sakura asked him wonderingly. "Hn." Sasuke replied.

'Why do I always have to be like that?' Sasuke thought, mentally slapping himself. 'All she's trying to do is ask a question and be polite but I have to go and say 'hn' like it's the only word in my vocabulary. Sht, sht' Sasuke kept mentally slapping himself.

While Sasuke was beating himself up on the inside Sakura was thinking about the conversation she had between Sasuke the night he had left

Sakura's Falshback

Sakura was out at night because she couldn't sleep when she saw Sasuke with his pack on and realization dawned on her.

"What are you doing down her so late at night? Just taking a stroll?" Sasuke said nonchalantly. "In order to leave this village, you have to take this road." Sakura said. "Go home." Sasuke said walking past her.

"Why?" Sakura said tears starting to fall down her pale cheeks. "Why won't you say anything to me?" Sakura said turning around to face his back. "Why do you shut everyone out? Why won't you tell me anything?" Sakura said the questions spilling out.

"Why do I have to tell you?" Sasuke said catching Sakura by surprise. "I'm telling you that you meddle to much. Stop bothering me all the time." Sasuke said annoyed.

"You always act like you hate me, Sasuke-kun. Do you remember? When we became Genin. The day the three-man teams were decided and we were alone at this very spot. You were angry at me, weren't you?"

Double flashback.

"See he doesn't have any parents. Being alone he doesn't get yelled at by his parents. That's why he is so unruly." Sakura said. "Lonliness… you can't compare to how you feel after you get scolded by your parents." Sasuke said dangerously. The naïve Sakura didn't understand what had happened and asked "What's the matter?" "You are annoying" he had said to her and then turned around walking away leaving a very shocked Sakura.

End Double flashback

"I don't remember." The Uchiha said. "Of course, it was a long time ago, but it started on that day. You and I, and Naruto and Kakashi-sensei…." Sakura said remembering the good days. "The four of us have done a lot of missions together. It was difficult, and it was terrible, but….but…even so…it was fun!" Sakura said tears threatening to start falling again. "I know what happened to your clan, but with revenge alone, you will not be able to make anyone happy. No one, neither you, nor me." Sakura said looking at the ground.

"I know that. I am different from you guys. I follow a different path than you guys. The four of us together… It's true that I have thought of that as a possible path, but despite the four of us having been together, my heart has chosen revenge. It's why I go on living" Sasuke said. "I can't be like you or Naruto." Sasuke said.

"Aren't you going to be lonely by yourself?" Sakura asked desperately hoping he would take her with him. "Sasuke-kun you told me yourself being lonely is painful! I understand that so well it hurts! I have family and friends, but, if you leave, for me… to me, it's the same thing as being alone!" Sakura cried out, fresh tears strolling down her face and hitting the ground.

"From this point, new paths will start." Sasuke said very calmly. "I…I love you more than anything!" Sakura confessed "If you are by my side, I will make sure you will not regret it. I will make everyday more enjoyable, and you will be happy! There's nothing I wouldn't do for you! That's why I'm begging you! Please stay! I will help you with your revenge! There must be something I can do! That's why… please, stay here with me...if that's not possible, then please take me with you." Sakura said ending on a quiet note.

"After all this time," Sasuke turned around "you're still annoying." Sasuke said and started walking away. "Don't Go!!!" Sakura yelled. "If you go, I will scream out loud and…" Sakura warned. All of a sudden Sasuke disappeared and reappeared behide her. "Sakura…Thank you." Sasuke said and then knocked her out gently placing her on the bench.

End Sakura's flashback

Sakura looked up to Sasuke, "What did that thank you mean the night you left?" Sakura asked. Sasuke kept staring and the fire. He had heard her and was thinking about the question. "Uchiha-san," she asked "Shh…" Sasuke said he had suddenly sensed a different chakra. Then Sakura sensed it too. They both got into fighting stance. Sakura didn't have a clue who it could be, but for Sasuke he was sure he had felt this chakra before.

Okay another chappie done. The flashback is right from the anime. Sienna Maiu your question answers.

1. Ya i meant to say dawn instead of dusk in chapter 3 and 2. The story i don't really know when it takes place i watch the anime and haven't gotten that far in the manga yet so sorry bout that.

Keep RxR'in and also sorry it took me so long to get chapter 4 up i was just REALLY REALLY BUSY!!

ttyl tata for know!!