When Sakura awoke, she was against a tree and the sun was rising and there were trees all around her. She was confused at her surroundings which caused her to panic. Had he left her? Was she finally alone and would she have to fend for herself?

"S-Sasuke!" She yelled and quickly got up. She had to run, she had a bad feeling in her stomach and she knew she had to run.

As Sakura found herself running through the trees and grass around her, she could only think about what Sasuke told her. Her uncle, the scientists, her death. How could this all have happened?

The ground under her right foot suddenly collapsed and she found herself rolling down the dirt and twigs.

"AH!" She landed hard against the floor and noticed her right arm was bleeding lightly. Scratches all around her arms.

"Damn it Sakura! What do you think you're doing?" Sasuke picked the girl up from the ground

"Sasuke?" Her emerald eyes focused on the collar of his shirt as he tried to get her to stand. A sharp pain suddenly travelled from her right ankle all the way up her body. She remembered that it was the ankle she had broken yesterday. She tried to keep a straight face, she couldn't slow him down.

"Don't try to hide things from me." Sasuke frowned and picked her up bridal style. Sakura's eyes widened and she quickly wrapped her hands around his neck.

"I don't like being carried. I run a greater risk of falling from someone's arms." Sakura pouted and she watched as the boy merely started walking back from where she ran from.

"Do you really think I'd drop you?" Sasuke asked in a very modulated voice, the girl in his arms almost didn't answer.

"I barely met you. I may remember bits and pieces, but I still cannot completely trust you." She stared at the ground. Sasuke didn't answer, he merely kept walking. Maybe she shouldn't have answered.

Unfortunately, Sakura still had no control over her healing ability and could not heal her ankle by herself. Sasuke stated that she would be healed by morning and he would just continue to carry her until their next stop. Of course, this made the rosette feel like a bother but did not argue.

"We can make it to the small village down there by nightfall, if we do this we can rest there and be at our destination by mid-day tomorrow. I have very little money, but it will be enough for one night" Sasuke showed Sakura the route he planned to take on the map he had drawn on the dirt and she nodded.

"Wouldn't we be able to skip the village and camp out farther out? We would make it to the destination late in the morning." Sakura suggested and Sasuke shook his head.

"It's best if we are not out too late. We would be at a disadvantage since I'm sure Minato and them have already started looking for us. They know my tactics and I would have done the very thing you just mentioned, therefore if we stay at the village we can buy ourselves a little more time." Sasuke said.

"Are you sure you want to carry me?" Sakura asked as Sasuke picked her up, once again in a very romantic way.

"Don't argue with me Sakura."

"Where could they have gone?" Minato wondered as he faced his boss. He new the man was not happy to have lost his priced possession once again.

"I believe that the boy might be working for the others sir." Shikamaru stated as he dropped a folder onto the boss's desk.

"You have until the sun sets to find them. Bring them to me."

"I'll take the couch." Sasuke stated as he placed Sakura on the bed of the small room they were provided.

"I can take the couch Sasuke, you've carried me all the way here. I want you to be able to get a good night's rest." Sakura smiled softly at the boy and he scoffed

"Don't be annoying."

Wait? What did he just call her? Sakura scowled at him.

"If I'm so annoying, why didn't you just leave me to be captured?" She stood and started limping towards the restroom. She was almost there, when she stumbled and Sasuke rushed over to catch her.

"You still haven't learned to ask for help." Sasuke smirked down at the girl in his arms and helped her into the restroom, "Let me know when you're done, I'll help you to the bed."

"Sasuke, if it isn't too much of a bother. I feel very disgusting and I am in desperate need of a shower." Sakura stated and Sasuke only raised his eyebrow.

"Okay, then do that."

"I need clothes Sasuke. If I shower and wear the same torn up, dirty, bloodied uniform, it defeats the purpose of the shower."

"Aa, I'll see what I can do."

Sakura closed the restroom door and carefully started a bath. She knew she had said 'shower', but her ankle was not yet healed and she wouldn't be able to stand very long.

As she laid in bed staring at the ceiling, Sakura thought about the memory she had just regained.

The man had shoulder length bright blue hair, although his eyes were covered, Sakura knew he was staring straight at her.

"Why do you continue to argue with me Cherry Blossom?" His honeyed voice would have fooled Sakura if she didn't know what type of man she was dealing with.

"Shut your trap, will you take my deal or not?" She growled

"So you want me to let Sasuke go?"

"I want you to terminate the contract. And I will give you my healing Charlotte, you would be able to live for years." Sakura stared at the man sitting behind the desk. She needed this to work, Sasuke needed to be set free.

"And if I say no?" He grinned evilly. Sakura tsk'd in annoyance.

"Reject my offer and find out." Her emerald eyes pierced through his soul. Although he would not admit it.

"You have a deal, you will stay by my side forever in Sasuke's place. I shall terminate the contract tonight." He chuckled

"When I see that his mark has been removed, I will be sure to report to you right away."

She wondered about the 'contract' and 'mark' that had been mentioned. Turning her head to look at Sasuke's sleeping form on the couch, she smiled. He wasn't so bad. He had gone out of his way to get her clothes and even to get her to safety.

Sasuke was awakened by the scream that his companion emitted.

"Sakura!" He frantically jumped on the bed and saw that she was sweating and her expression was that of pain and fear. Her eyes were not open and this meant she was having a nightmare. Sasuke did not know if he should wake her, but she kept thrashing around as if something was attacking her in her dreams.

"S-Sasuke" her voice was brittle and hoarse, "Help"

The raven haired boy got under the covers and wrapped his arms around her. He held her head to his chest and stroked her hair, "I'll protect you, Sakura."

Holding her, Sasuke realized just how much time had passed. Too much time. The last time he had seen her, her hair was shorter and they were the same height. Not to mention that she was feistier back then. But now, her hair was past her mid back, he was taller and she was fragile. Even holding her too tight made him believe she would break. Meeting her for the first time in four years made him satisfied, but even now he couldn't help but think that he could lose her once again.

His arms tightened around her body. He had to make sure he wasn't holding her in the morning, she would most likely not like it. But she was sleeping peacefully now and he wanted her in his arms a bit longer. Sasuke never showed her this much affection, not even back then. His pride would not let him show too much care for someone, but back when he first admitted his feelings to her. He knew she would always know he cared, even if he didn't show it.

"It's almost time for her to arrive is it not, my Lord?" A young maid set the tea down in front of her master.

"It's been four years already?" His piercing honey eyes sparkled with satisfaction.

"Yes it has." The maid answered and in turn received a smile

"Please be sure to cut that long hair of yours and look presentable for her arrival."

"Yes, my Lord."

Sakura awoke to the sound of the shower. She noticed the window was open and two small blue birds were perched on the window sill. She always saw birds back in her village, her grandmother would let her feed them and she would be out with them watching them be free with their wings. Something she wanted to be.

"Grandmother, I wonder how you are." Sakura moped as she inspected her ankle. It didn't seem to be hurting anymore.

"How's your ankle?" Sasuke emerged from the restroom in dark blue joggers that looked like a nice fit and easy to move in. Yet what Sakura was focused on was his naked upper body.

"S-Sasuke!" Sakura blushed and covered her eyes.

"Sakura, you're old enough to know what a man's chest looks like." Sasuke sighed and zipped up his sleeveless dark grey shirt.

Sasuke helped Sakura stand and motioned her to the restroom.

"You should shower and change into the new clothes while I get breakfast." He pointed at an outfit laid at the edge of the bed.

"Sasuke, I bathed yesterday night." Sakura only laughed.

"Then just go change. I will be back in ten minutes." Sasuke left the room.

Sakura simply did as she was told and thought about the person she would meet today. What would they be like? Would it be a man or a woman? Sasuke didn't specify if they were heading straight to her uncle. This made Sakura very curious.

"What will become of me?" She whispered softly and caressed her long hair. Sakura reached for the clothes she placed on the sink, everything in front of her started to blur and breathing became a difficult task. She wobbled back wards and tried to rub her eyes. It was useless, she still could not focus on one thing, she suddenly felt a pain in her chest and she lost her balance. The world around her went black.

"Sakura, you're taking too long." Sasuke called out as he sat on the bed. He had gone out to get oatmeal for the two to eat before heading out. Although he was surprised to find the restroom door still locked when he returned, he thought she would be out by now.

Sasuke thought about their next destination and how to travel from the village to such a place without it being too dangerous. He stood and walked over to the door. He knocked about three times and when receiving no answer, he kicked down the door.

"Sakura!"

Her unconscious body was sprawled on the floor, she was in her undergarments and on her left wrist purple marks were beginning to spread and Sasuke's eyes widened.

"You.." He stopped himself and quickly picked her up, "Sakura, you need to wake up!" He yelled while shaking her in the process.

The marks began engulfing her whole arm and spreading to her neck. Sasuke then realized what he had to do. He raised his hand and slapped her once, hard across the face.

"Sa...su..ke." Sakura called out weakly and Sasuke shook her lightly.

"Order me to stop the spread." Sasuke watched as she stared at him through lightly opened eyes.

"What?"

"Order me, damn it!" Sasuke yelled causing Sakura to be shaken up.

"I-I." She stared at the frantic looking boy holding her, "I order you to stop the spread." She was still watching as he suddenly closed his eyes.

"Yes, my Lady."

Her emerald eyes caught a glimpse of crimson red eyes before she lost consciousness once again, only feeling a sharp pain on her neck.

I am terribly sorry for being away so long, things came up but I am back and kicking! I have decided that I will be updating every Thursday, I live in Texas so it might be a different day for some of you. Alright until next week!