A/N: So this takes place pre-shippuden but Sasuke already has an outfit change and is in sound. So I'm going to say this takes place about a year and a half since he left the village. Thank you ChildOfSea, Dina Sana, whenthesheepsaysbaa, and Mistiously for reviewing! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Sasuke was annoyed.

He had been at in Sound for a while now and not once had Orochimaru bailed on their training sessions. He knew the snake sanin was still keeping some of his most powerful jutsu's to himself but Sasuke knew he would soon begin to learn them.

From day one, Sasuke began a strict training schedule with Orochimaru and not a single day was missed until a couple of weeks ago, his teacher began missing a few days. Sasuke assumed that he was working with Kabuto and collecting dead bodies again for their experiments. But when Orochimaru didn't show up for an entire week, it irritated him. He couldn't waste any time and he just lost a week of valuable training.

Sasuke realizing Orochimaru was not going to show up decided to go searching for him. He wandered the corridors of the sound lair making his way towards Kabuto's secret chamber.

He felt both their chakra signatures behind the door and was ready to barge in. His hand hesitated when he heard something that sparked his curiosity. Usually Sasuke didn't care when his teacher and Kabuto discussed classified information but one word caught his attention..Konoha. Interested to find out what their involvement with Konoha was, Sasuke masked his chakra so he could listen in.

"Orochimaru-sama I finished my research on the leaf village" said Kabato.

"Aa so how are the rest of team seven? Are they all grown up now?" questioned Orochimaru in amusement.

Sasuke's eyes widened at the mention of his old team.

What does Orochimaru want with team seven?

"I could not obtain much on Uzumaki Naruto for he has left the village" stated Kabuto.

Naruto left the village too huh...that idiot was always to reckless for his own good. I wonder what became of team seven...and Sakura...

"Oh yes to train with my old idiotic teammate Jiraiya. What about the others? " asked Orochimaru.

"Hatake Kakashi is constantly on missions but from what I gathered our information on him has not changed" replied Kabuto.

"And what about the girl?" questioned Orochimaru with a hiss.

Sasuke's ears perked at the mention of Sakura. He too wondered about Sakura. How was she faring without him? Could she defend herself? Was she even still a kunoichi?

Is she still in love with me...?

Sasuke had so many questions regarding his former female teammate. The last time he saw her was when he left her on the bench in the middle of the night.

Sasuke stopped dwelling on the past when he heard Kabuto respond.

"Interestingly enough she has become a strong kunoichi who is studying medical ninjutsu and is currently training under Tsunade" replied Kabuto.

"Interesting...it seems the little cherry blossom has grown...isn't that right Sasuke" said Orochimaru with a grin. He knew that Sasuke had been listening in from the beginning but Kabuto seemed surprised not realizing that Sasuke had been eavesdropping.

Sasuke clenched his fists at the way Orochimaru spoke of Sakura. He didn't like the tone in his voice when he mentioned her. He was also angry he got caught eavesdropping but he was no coward so he opened the door and walked in.

"Why are you gathering information on my teammates?" demanded Sasuke not even realizing his slip up.

Orochimaru just grinned. "I'm just curious is all..besides I thought you cut your bonds with Konoha."

"I did" replied Sasuke repressing his emotions. He couldn't let Orochimaru rile him up for his amusement.

"Then it shouldn't matter to you if I choose to research them but since you seem so interested I'll have Kabuto explain it to you."

Kabuto cleared his throat before responding. "Orochimaru-sama is ensuring that no one from the leaf village becomes a threat to his future plans. So he wanted to research your old teammates and analyze their strengths."

"Yes..and their improvements have interested me. Especially the cherry blossom" Orochimaru added.

Sasuke's body tensed at the mention of Sakura and his eyes narrowed.

"She's become a fine medic...we could always use another medic..right Sasuke?" said Orochimaru with a grin.

Sasuke stayed silent. His hands clenched into fists but they remained by his side. He was now glaring openly at his teacher.

Orochimaru didn't have to get an answer to know he had aggravated Sasuke. The pink haired medic seemed to bring out his emotions. He would have to remember this for the future. Orochimaru smiled at his discovery. He now had another thing to use against Sasuke, something unrelated to Itachi or his revenge.

"Forget about training, I'm going to bed" said Sasuke before leaving the room. "Just think about my suggestion Sasuke" said Orochimaru.

Sasuke just ignored him and slammed the door.

He didn't know what he was doing but there he was...back in his home village. He wasn't here to stay though...he was just paying a visit and keeping out of sight.

It was the dead of night and everyone was either asleep or inside their homes.

He didn't know why it bothered him so much but he had to make sure she wasn't harmed. Something about Kabuto spying on Sakura irritated him immensely.

Sasuke arrived at where he remembered her apartment to be. He sat on the rooftop across from her place with a perfect view into her bedroom. He saw her peacefully sleeping, her chest slowly rising and falling. Her hair was still short, and a few strands fell on her face. She was safe and sound, not a scratch on her.

Sasuke wasn't satisfied with just watching from a distance. In a blink of an eye, he appeared next to Sakura's bed careful not to wake her up. He glanced down at her body sprawled across her bed.

He wanted to reach out and touch her but didn't want to risk her waking up.

"Sakura..." he whispered with a sigh.

"Sasuke-kun..." mumbled Sakura in a sleepy state, her eyes slowly opening.

Sasuke didn't waste any time as he quickly left her room and the village. He didn't want Sakura to see him, it would only complicate things.

He was now on top of the hill that overlooked the village. He gave his old home one last glance before making his way back to sound.