A/N: It's been a while since I've updated this story, but I didn't want to post anything stupid, so I just sat around listening to music waiting for plot bunnies... they don't come often.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or it's plot/characters.

It was midnight.

Night had fallen, and the stars that hung above in the cloudy sky glimmered softly. The moon was but a slither of a crescent and a gentle breeze swayed through the trees, sending up fallen leaves, dancing with them under faint moonlight.

Sasuke was sprawled out in a forest clearing, looking up at the sky. His black eyes were empty. No hatred or the dire need for revenge. Not even pain or longing. His lips were slightly parted and his face was ashen.

He was fully aware that every ninja in the village were looking for him, and that no one was to leave or enter the village until he was found.

Where am I meant to go? Why do they think I've run off?

Sasuke sat up and frowned.

The forest of death is rather easy to get into, yet no one has searched this place yet…

Looking around him, Sasuke noticed beady red eyes spying on him. Holding out his hand wide, a pair of beady eyes began to float about. Then, out of the darkness, came a crow. It flew over to Sasuke's outstretched hand and hopped about on his arm. The crow cawed at Sasuke as he stroked a finger along the crow's feathers. Lips forming a broken smile, Sasuke threw his arm up into the air, the crow immediately spreading its wings and flying free.

The other pairs of beady eyes began to emerge from the shadows and followed their brother into the night sky. Sasuke looked at this black cloak of phenomenon and felt envious.

I envy them… why?

Sasuke sighed, his arms crossed over his chest.

They live in darkness, but are still free… are still loved by each other…

Kakashi looked at the mass of black emerging from the forest of death. His single eye creased into a slit. Kakashi stood still for a moment, doubting himself. Looking up at the crescent moon, Kakashi's features softened, remembering the first night team 7 were in the forest of death, under the full moon.

Kakashi sat up in his bed and looked at the clock on his bed side table.

Eleven o'clock.

Kakashi sighed and rubbed his face, scratching his fingers against grey stubble. Moon light shone in through the window, and as Kakashi stared out at the clear night sky, he dressed himself into his ordinary ninja attire and left his three bed room flat; far too much room for a man who'd rather not live in solace.

Walking around the nearly silent village Kakashi thought about how Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura were fairing in the forest of death, having heard all sorts of rumours about gruesome tragedies. Kakashi pushed these rumours to the back of his mind and replaced it with confidence; confidence in his pupils, confidence that they would come out of the forest a better team than before.

After wandering for some time, Kakashi found himself in the forest. About to leave, he heard whispers amongst the trees. Listening harder, he could distinguish two voices, male and female. His curiosity piqued, Kakashi crept closer to where the voices were coming from. When he could finally the origination of the voices, Kakashi smiled.

Kurenai and Asuma sat together, looking out at the full moon. Kurenai was in Asuma's arms and they were both talking about the chuunin exams.

"Kurenai, you were the one who put them forward for the exams, and you did that because you had confidence in them. You shouldn't doubt them now. They would never doubt you" Asuma smiled down at the crimson eyed kunoichi and kissed her forehead.

Kurenai smiled. "I guess so… but they would never doubt me because I'm there teacher… and if they aren't ready for these exams then they could- ow!" Asuma pinched Kurenai, stopping her from voicing her pessimistic thoughts. Kurenai pouted, but then smiled warmly. She took the cigarette out of Asuma's mouth and kissed him, for a few bliss moments. "You really should stop smoking! It'll be the death of you, I swear!"

Asuma smiled and took his cigarette back. "We'll see."

Asuma stole a glance back to where Kakashi was standing in the shadows, winked and shushed. Kurenai looked at him questioningly but shook her head, and relaxed into Asuma's arms.

The full moon's glow was soft and warm, yet somehow ominous…

Kakashi smiled sadly, and began walking towards the forest of death, on an assumption with no logical evidence.

Naruto lay in his bed on top of his bed covers, Hinata snuggled by his side. His azure eyes stared out of the open window, counting all of the stars he could see. Every time a breeze wafted in through the window, Hinata would shiver slightly and get goose bumps. Naruto looked at her and smiled, stroking her head gently.

Being sure not to wake her up, Naruto took his arms off of her and removed his sweatshirt and placed it in top of her. Getting up out of bed, he went in search of an extra blanket. Walking through the hallway, Naruto spotted the framed picture of team 7 when they had first become genin.

When did I put that there…Sakura!

Naruto smirked. He picked up a blanket off of the cream and chocolate coloured sofa and trotted back to his room. Placing it on Hinata, Naruto began to ponder. He was worried about Sakura. She had suddenly become distant ever since she learned of the news of Sasuke's return. And he was worried about Sasuke…

What is that fool doing disappearing? He's still in a lot of trouble, and goes and does this…

Hinata took hold of Naruto's hand and squeezed it. Naruto looked down at her smiling. "I woke you."

"It's okay." Hinata's voice was small and tired, but still very comforting. "Everything will be okay."

Naruto's face became sad for a moment, but perked up slightly as Hinata began stroking his face. "Yeah… I know." Naruto spoke with a raspy tone. Looking at the crescent moon, he sighed.

Sakura sat by the stained glass window in the old church crying. An empty bottle of sake stood at her feet.

If I wasn't tipsy last night, I will be tonight.

Sakura thought about how she was foolish, how she shouldn't have shunned Sasuke in such a way, how she was just being selfish…

Annoying…

New tears emerged from her jewelled eyes as she thought of that one word. She touched her cheek, the cheek that somehow, still stung. "He had every right to hit me… How could I say such things to him?" Sakura moaned at herself through sobs.

A cold gentle breeze embraced her, causing her to shiver as she remembered what had happened recently.

"I'm not letting you walk away." He whispered into her ear.

"You already did the day you walked away!" She spoke through gritted teeth, obviously irritated. And tired; oh so tired of being hurt by this one man, tired of letting him break her heart over and over again.

My heart will always belong to you…

Sasuke looked her in the eyes. The wind flew by, whispering to the trees, taunting him. His heart began to break as harsh words rolled out of Sakura's mouth. His heart broke like hers.

I still love you!

"I'm content with loneliness. Love has only caused me pain. It pained me to see you leave."

I've always waited…

"It pained me as Naruto devoted his life to bring you back. It pained me to watch as you destroyed my village…"

It isn't home without you…

"Our homeland."

The memory stung, but was permanent. Forever burnt into her mind. She has driven him away… And now all of Naruto's efforts would have gone in vain.

Sasuke came back for me… but I denied him the one thing he asked for: Love. Something that had been denied from him for so long. I even knew of his brother's motives and sacrifices, sacrifices which caused Sasuke pain then and now…yet I still…

Sakura wailed.

Kakashi swept through the forest of death, his sharingan revealed. He pushed through tree branches that had begun to weep, and finally spotted Sasuke.

Sasuke was lying on his back, his eyes shut. Kakashi stood still for a moment, and taking a deep breath, walked towards Sasuke. He knelt down and gently tapped his shoulder. When Sasuke didn't stir, Kakashi prodded him harder. Sasuke groaned.

Sighing with relief, Kakashi pulled Sasuke up from off of the hard ground and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Everyone is worried about you."

"Of course." Sasuke huffed sarcastically.

Kakashi frowned. "Well, not everyone. Only me, Naruto and Sakura; why are you out here?"

Sasuke's heart jumped at the mention of her name. "Sakura… she's worried about me?"

"Of course."

Sasuke shook his head and frowned. "No she isn't. She hates me."

"What makes you think that?"

"She just does." Sasuke replied quietly.

Kakashi stayed silent. Patting Sasuke on the back reassuringly, he pulled Sasuke by the arm, heading towards the Hokage mansion. "How did you find me?"

"Teacher's intuition." Kakashi smirked under his mask, winking at Sasuke.

Sasuke didn't know whether Kakashi was winking or blinking.

As they emerged from the forest, Kakashi embraced Sasuke, who taken aback by his former teacher's abruptness. "Team 7 is like family to me, and when you left, that family fell apart. We all worked hard to make sure you came, and now that you have, you better not do anything stupid, like hurt Sakura again." Sasuke flinched.

It's too late for that…

Kakashi patted Sasuke on the back, and began to walk off, stuffing his hands into his pockets. Sasuke followed suit.

Naruto had finally decided to shut his window when he saw Kakashi and Sasuke walking towards Hokage mansion. He grinned, his eyes coming to life. As he was about to jump out of the window to greet the two of them, he looked down at Hinata and decided they could wait.

A/N: This chapter just popped into my head when listening to some music, so I just typed it up as quick as I could, making sure to go over it as much as possible. Please forgive me for the previous (2?) sucky chapters T_T The next chapters will make up for that^^

Hope people are reading and if so, hope you read the next chapter when it arrives (if it has when your reading this, ignore this)!