As Sasuke instructed they prepared their camp for the night. They hid themselves from the main road not wanting to get bothered by late night travelers. Naruto had gathered the fish for their meal while Sakura set up their mats. Leaving Sasuke in charge of setting up the traps surrounding their campsite.
Naruto watched as his catch of the night sizzled and popped at the heat of the fire. From where he sat he could see Sasuke's form finally returned back into the clearing, and behind him he could hear Sakura shuffling in her bag on her mat. He looked over his shoulder and noticed how the mats were set up side by side and Sakura was sitting in the center mat. This could work, he thought as Sasuke sat on the other side of the fire.
"Well, Teme," he began, "Take your pick."
Wordlessly he took the fish closest to him, only for it to be snatched from his grasp, "What the-" he closed his mouth once he saw a frowning Sakura above him.
"Starting without me?" She said as she took a bite from the still cooling fish.
Sasuke turned his glare to the blonde, "He told me to!"
"I said take your pick, not start eating!" Naruto retorted back.
"It means the same freaking thing dobe!" Sasuke yelled.
"Not even close!"
"Shut up," Sakura said sternly, immediately both straightened up, "For now its your fault Naruto."
"How is it my fault?" Naruto yelled out as Sasuke snickered.
"Well, he's not used to missions yet so you can't say things too vaguely."
"How is knowing when to eat a fish part of a mission?"
Sasuke slowly reached for the second closest fish from his reach as he kept an eye on the two.
"Shut it and eat." Was all she said as she plopped onto the ground and continued to nibble on her meal.
The three munched on their fish in silence before Naruto, being the first to finish, stretched and crawled over to his mat.
"You were in the middle, right Sakura?" Naruto called over.
"Yeah," she said distractedly.
"Kay, then. If you guys don't mind, I'll take the last shift."
"Shift?" Sasuke muttered softly, trying his best not to gain the attention of the girl to his right.
She quickly turned her head away from the blonde fixing his blanket over himself. "We take turns sleeping, so one of us will take watch and the other two will sleep. After an hour or two we rotate."
Sasuke nodded, mostly because he was shocked at her non-commanding tone.
"So I'll take the first shift," she began.
"Why?" Sasuke finally said.
"I doubt either of you want to wake me up in the middle of the night," her voice deadly.
"Just do it, we made that mistake a while back," he heard Naruto mutter from his mat.
Sasuke simply gulped, "Then I guess I'll take the second shift."
"Good," Sakura smiled, before taking a final bite of her fried fish.
Sasuke watched her pack her gloves back into her tan pouch at her waist. He slowly nibbled on his own fish. His mind traveled back to what he had asked Kakashi. He knew that he had a mission of his own later on, but he didn't know who else to ask. During his stay in the village he hadn't really gotten to know much of the other ninja around. Sure the store owners and villagers around knew him and he happily greeted them whenever he passed by, but the people he actually called friends were limited to the old man, Naruto and Kakashi. Then there was Sakura. Whatever she was, he knew it was better than being her enemy. She would always frown at him compared to how everyone treated him. Originally it had bothered him especially with her still having his forehead protector, but after a while it just went to him trying to prove himself to not only her but to everyone including himself that he was good enough. One day, he won't see that frown on her face, one day she'll stop acting around him for Naruto's sake, one day she'll look at him with those big, sparkly, emerald green eyes, and she won't have that confused look on her face like she's giving him right…
Wait…
"What are you staring at?"
He blinked, was he really just staring at her this whole time?
"What a perv Sasuke," he heard Naruto snicker from behind him.
"Well?" Sakura pressed on.
Fuck, "Well you see," he began clearing his throat, "I was thinking of something else," He said nervously, "I didn't realize I was looking in your direction."
She crossed her arms, "That seems a bit unbelievable since you were looking right at my face!"
A frown made its way to his face, "I don't see a reason to why I would lie."
"Maybe to keep me from finding out how much of a pervert you are."
He stood before her, "First, if I was a pervert, Sai and Naruto have done things that makes me staring at you seem as common as breathing," he said ignoring the muffled coughing from behind him, "And," he took a step towards her, "I already told you that I wanted us to work as a team, so why would I even try to jeopardize that?" his voice low enough for only her to hear.
"Like I'm supposed to know, seriously," she whispered angrily, "I've been keeping my end to the best of my ability, but if you keep doing things like that,"
"Well it would be better if you wouldn't start assuming things that aren't true."
"I don't make assumptions; I look at things how I see them."
"And start making absurd implications in your head," he finished. He could see her face flushed with either anger and irritation or at the fact that their faces had gotten rather close to the other, he doubted it had anything to do with the latter.
"You know what," she said with a tight jaw, "I'm going to patrol the perimeter!" she said before stomping off.
"Fine!" he yelled at her, "Wake me when you're done!"
"That's what I'm supposed to do, Idiot!" she called over her shoulder.
"Just go already!"
"I am can't you see! You had no trouble before!"
He let out an angry sigh before turning back to the mat, only to find another disturbance there.
"I can really feel the chemistry between the two of you," Naruto said with a sly grin of his face.
Sasuke's frown increased, "Delusional, idiot," he muttered.
"C'mon now," Naruto began, "I know you just want Sakura-chan to look at you."
Sasuke plopped onto his mat, his eyes gazing at the starry night before them, "And why on earth would I want that?"
"Because I know," he said smugly, "I have a knack for seeing these things."
Sasuke's looked at the blonde from the corner of his eye, "Really now? So you knew that Hinata always had a thing for you?"
Naruto stiffened. Even Sasuke, memory whipped Sasuke, was able to tell after one encounter with the Hyuuga that she was literally fainting over his best friend. "That's different! We're together now so that still means something."
"Whatever you say," Sasuke's eyes began to close.
"Besides, I'm sure there's a part of you that misses the old Sakura-chan from before."
This happened to get the teen's attention, "Care to enlighten me?"
"Oh right!" he laughed, "I just thought that after that first encounter you would've figured out that,"
"She used to like me," Sasuke finished.
"Pft, like isn't the word. She was head over heels in love with you." He sighed, "I hated you for getting all of her attention back then. Anyway, yeah, she loved you like, damn I can't even think of something for that."
"Back up a bit, Dobe," Sasuke began, "How can she possibly like me, or love me, if she can't even stand me?"
Naruto shrugged, "The way I see it she doesn't want to fall again, you," he hesitated, "You made her suffer a lot."
Sasuke laid there in silence. Going back to all the information he obtained since he arrived at the village; he was a killer, a wanted criminal, a perfectionist, he most likely left the village to begin with, and now that his psycho medic teammate used to love him?
"What did I do to her?"
Naruto stiffened. Could he afford to tell him this much? There was something in the blonde's head that told him that Sasuke already knew or had concluded that he indeed left the village. His memories were gone but his intelligence stayed… That doesn't seem fair at all.
"You left," he said plainly.
Sasuke stayed silent for a while, letting the statement sink in as well as listening to see if Sakura wasn't close enough to listen.
"So you're not denying it anymore."
He heard the blonde shrug against the mat, "Why not, all I'm saying is that you left, the hell I'm telling you why."
Deciding that it wasn't important right now Sasuke continued, "What does that have to do with Sakura?"
Naruto inhaled, "Well I don't really know, I wasn't there… but she was the last person you saw before leaving."
"So she and I had something?"
"Nope, well, kinda. It was more onesided. But yeah, she woke up on the bench crying all over again," he said grimly, remembering the sight of a Sakura crying back then.
Sasuke didn't know how to respond. How was he supposed to respond, the idiot was implying that he knocked Sakura out before leaving… and probably while she was crying.
How on earth was he supposed to make amends to that?
"I know you can win her over," Naruto continued, "It'll just take some more time."
A frown made its way to Sasuke face as he stared above at the dark sky. There was only so much time a person can have.
.
.
.
"Any luck?" Tsunade asked to her Team of Decoders. Its only been a few hours but she was growing impatient rather quickly.
"Please Lady Tsunade," her more timid member spoke, "Be patient, this isn't the easiest code to unlock."
The Hokage sighed, she knew she couldn't pressure them; breathing down their necks wasn't going make the situation any better. Her eyes shifted to Shikamaru, he was working with clear resent in his facial features. She knew that he wouldn't let his willingness to work interferr with his work quality. His eyes continually scanning the scroll.
The Uchiha knew well how to keep a secret. With Sasuke's memory being erased it was possible that this scroll would never be solved and he would ever remember of the memories and moments that team 7 held dear to them.
Tsunade grudgingly resisted the urge to ask again, biting down hard on her thumbnail.
Kakashi had left hours ago on his own mission so it was her and the team with the occasional drop ins from Shizune.
She had been clear; no one else who was related to this case was going to be allowed to leave this room for even a minute until they had ceased the information they were looking for.
Shikamaru was getting frustrated. He didn't know if Lady Tsunade had figured it out yet but since he laid eyes on this scroll any self righteous notion for rejection this mission went out the window. The contents on this scroll, to the untrained eye would look like plain random words put together in a column, he hadn't even noticed the hint of a pattern in this, it was infuriating him to new extents. He knew the Uchiha were a clan of intelligent people but seriously…
Some words were misspelled, nothing was adding together, taking the misplaced symbols proved no good, it was the first thing he tried. Reading diagonally proved useless as well. There had to be something.
Despite his angering mind he had to note that in the back of all the cursing his mind was exploding out, he was more excited to find something that angered him this much. All his games of Shogi with Asuma, even his father couldn't compare to the mental strain he was enduring right now.
This was a new challenge for his over excelling mind. He had to solve it, he won't let it beast him.
.
.
.
The fire in the clearing had been put out for a while now, the blonde idiot was snoring away on his mat and Sasuke was taking even breaths in his light sleep. He wasn't really fully asleep. He was waiting for Sakura to return from her shift, a little rustle in the leaves instantly woke him up.
The idiot's snores weren't helping one bit.
He laid on his side facing the direction where Sakura had left them. He silently wondered if she was in trouble, instantly laughing at that possibility. I'd be more worried about her attackers than her.
His mind wandered again, exploring the thought of the progress Kakashi might be making, or if he decided to get help from the village instead. He let his eyes droop shut. He wasn't tired but God, it was more peaceful like this.
As his eyes remained closed, he felt Sakura's chakra approach the small clearing. He wanted to sit up, but something told him to stay put for now. Just how would the girl that used to love him try to wake him up now?
He heard her steps grow closer he let his breathes remain even, she was standing over him now. He didn't know why but he could almost swear that she was crouching over him. He felt a warm finger trail along the string of his chain, and finally when he felt her lift the pendant off his body that he decided to open his eyes. Coming face to hair with pink as her eyes glared at the small circle.
"What are you doing?" he asked, a bit surprised at how groggy he actually sounded.
Sakura immediately straightened her stance, her face revealing a bit of pink on her cheeks. He sat up cross legged trying his best to look as innocent as possible.
"Its your shift," she said stiffly.
He nodded, slightly amused by her reaction. He put on his nin sandals, grabbed hold of his pack and headed out. He looked at her again and stood there.
She had this perplexed look on her face, she clearly wanted to say something.
"Just say it already," he murmured.
She hesitated slightly, only when he took a step forward did she speak, "She must be special to you huh?"
He turned back, his eyes transparent with confusion, "What?"
"You don't have to hide it," She tired her best to force a smile, "You never accepted gifts before, I know you still haven't regained your memories but accepting a gift from a girl is a big step for you."
Sasuke's face squeezed further into confusion, his eyes now falling on the hollow, silver circle pendant that now hung exposed around his neck. "This?" his voice heighted as he said this. He was completely lost right now.
"Exactly," She was still holding that sad excuse for a smile, "You don't have to hide-"
"This isn't from a girl," he tried hard to contain his stubborn pitch.
She was startled by his interruption, "No, no, you don't have to be ashamed or embarrassed, I mean you're more human right now so-"
"No, listen to me," he said slowly, "I'm not seeing anyone, no girl gave me this, I have received offers to take gifts from girls all of which I refuse, this," he held up the chain, slightly becoming aware of how close he had gotten to her, "Was a gift from the old man who's shop is underneath my apartment, for luck."
Sakura didn't know how to respond, he had gotten too close to her, part of her wanted to shove him away, regaining her personal space; the other wanted to see how long she could stay this close to him. But one thing did register in her clouded mind; the necklace wasn't from anyone of his re-awakened fan girls, he hadn't accepted any one of them yet. She had to suppress a sigh of relief
After a few more seconds he finally to a half-step back, "Does that clear all this up?"
Not finding her voice quick enough she simply nodded.
As he walked passed her, he debated over lightly teasing her. He wasn't stupid; part of him knew that there was a part of her that still kind of liked him. But remembering how he was told how it all ended when they were still kids, he suppressed it.
.
.
.
Sakura watched Sasuke jump into the trees. As soon as the light rustling of leaves got farther and farther and soon became nothing, she jumped onto her mat. The little pillow she brought for herself was now being used as a muzzle as she tried her best to conceal her squeals. She'd punish herself later for being this happy, but she couldn't help it. At last she can finally relax, as much as she could during a mission.
Feeling her squealing dwindle down, she finally took her flushed face away from her pillow, only to be meet with bright blue mocking eyes.
"Having fun there, Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked.
Sakura's eyes widened. How could she not notice that his loud obnoxious snores had ceased. "For how long were you awake?"
"Long enough," that fox like grin didn't bother to leave his face, "So was our little Sakura-chan possibly a little jealous?"
She let out a shaky scoff, "Jealous of what? You probably heard him there's no one."
"So if there was someone you would be jealous?"
She stiffened, "How should I know?"
Naruto sat up then, turning himself to face Sakura's mat. "I would say yes, why are you denying it so much?"
She sat up as well, clutching her pillow close to her chest, "I don't want to fall again Naruto. It hurt once I don't want to have to feel that pain again."
Naruto's eyes soften, it hurt him as well, seeing her so broken for so long. But… "He's not the same Sakura." He said quietly, "Sure he's still Sasuke-teme in some part but that was unavoidable, but… he seems more human don't you think?" he let a gentle smile graze his face.
She let her lips lift a little, "I guess, it still doesn't change everything he did."
"He's been back for a while now don't you think you should give him a chance?"
Sakura shook her head, "What do you mean, I am giving him a chance –"
"A real chance," he interrupted, "Not one where you have to act like buddies."
"I,"
"Just try," he resettled onto his mat, "He could surprise you."
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I'm so, so, so, so, so sorry. My reason for taking so long is simple, I lost my flashdrive… [this thing is my life, I'm not even kidding, everything I do online is on this] I was devastated, but luckily I found it deep inside my sofa… I could explain what happened but I'm trying to speedily finish the rest of my chapter updates. A whole freaking summer that was supposed to be dedicated to updating my stories and digital art learning wasted cause of me losing my flashdrive… Sigh. So for now this is all I can give you guys.
-Ira