The holding cell was cold and dark. Everything was stone and steel and there wasn't a single soul in sight.
Of course, as an S-rank criminal, Sasuke supposed it made sense to be locked up in the most isolated and best protected part of the prison.
That didn't make it any less irritating, though.
He had returned to Konoha voluntarily. He had helped bring down one of its most dangerous threats. It was obvious he hadn't made that decision so that he could be thrown into a filthy cell and forgotten by the world.
Bored, and with all the time on Earth to brood, the Uchiha glared at the black void stretching in front of him. There was only a faint source of light at the very end of the long corridor, and it was clear it wasn't there for his benefit, seeing as it helped him none.
Resting his hands on the cold bars that separated him from the rest of the world, he heaved out a frustrated sigh. No one had come to see him in almost a day, and in the meantime, his anger had been slowly but surely building up.
If this went on for much longer…
In the distance, a heavy door was pushed open. The distinctive sound of steel against steel echoed in the empty space, and he looked up, curious.
The light was now more intense, and he took a wild guess and assumed the door had been left open.
Slow footsteps approached him, a deliberate firmness resounding through each and every one of them. Soon enough, he was able to make out the shape of a woman. The pink hair was the next trait that stood out, and that was enough to prompt his recognition.
Clenching his jaw, he looked away again.
Of all the people…
"Sasuke," she greeted, and he found it hard to place her voice and the sound of his name rolling off her tongue. From the corner of his eye, he watched as she came to stand at the other end of the cell, her slim fingers wrapping around the cold bars as her forehead came to rest against them.
He remained quiet and still. There was nothing he had to say to this girl—or woman.
A minute was spent in silence.
He could sense her heavy gaze upon him, but it was cold; it was thoughtful and insightful. It wasn't warm, nor was it loving; it wasn't teary, either.
"Tsunade may call you in tomorrow," she announced at last.
He raised an eyebrow.
May?
He had been able to make connections and realize that he wasn't allowed visitors because a certain hyperactive blond hadn't set foot in front of him, so if she wasn't there on orders…
"Are you breaking rules, Sakura?" he asked in an almost mocking tone, gaze sliding over to her figure and meeting her eyes for the first time.
The green in them seemed to sparkle as she smirked. Not smiled, not grinned; but smirked.
"I always do," she answered in a smooth voice. "After all, the game isn't fair."
He was silent for a long time after that, spellbound as he watched her.
She had grown, there was no doubt about that. She was taller; her body was lean and slim, but still had subtle curves in all the right places. Her pink hair was long once again, wrapped in a braid that tumbled down to her mid-back. Her facial features were more defined; the line of her jaw was stronger, her cheekbones stood out more, her lips were fuller. Her eyes, if possible, were even brighter.
"Why are you here?" he finally asked. His mouth was dry and he wondered why that was.
Sakura shrugged, her nonchalant attitude never wavering. "I wanted to be."
"Why?" he pressed.
"There's no other reason," she said. "I just did." Sighing softly, she moved away from the bars and raised her hand in a sign of silent greeting. "See you, Sasuke," she said, before turning her back to him and walking down the corridor, towards the light.
Sasuke followed her all the way, until the door closed behind her, and he was left in darkness once again.