Disclaimer (because I forgot to say it in chapter 1): I don't own Naruto!

Honestly, I only have the next 3 chapters written. I'm still trying to think of the best way things should happen without it being too AU and unbelievable.

Dilemma: I kind want to post all at once so everyone can read it continuously. When I read fics, I always forget what happened before when updates lag. However, it'd be cool to slow it down so I can get more readers and reviews!

Anyway, thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy it!
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Sakura stirred. She was on her back, on the floor...somewhere. With her eyes still closed, she felt the ground with her hand.

Dirt...straw...

It was cold.

She tried to turn on her stomach but was suddenly aware of the weight on her chest. Surprised, she opened her eyes, which immediately fell on the dark blue hair of Sasuke, sleeping peacefully.

Sasuke...

The events of the previous day came rushing back to her. First a disastrous ambush attempt, then an expectation of death, and finally a surprise meeting with her old teammate.

They had shifted during the night, and somehow he had settled on face down, covering part of her left side. Her heart beat faster when she realized where his face was rested. She felt his right leg too, in between the two of hers hers.

Good thing my blanket didn't slip off in the middle of the night.

She wanted to move but was afraid to wake him.

Well, it's not that uncomfortable...at least both my hands are free.

Sakura sighed and unconsciously started lightly running her fingers through Sasuke's hair, eventually moving down to stroke the back of his neck.

Sakura removed her hands momentarily, rubbed her eyes, and yawned. The movement of her chest must have woken Sasuke because he shifted slightly and slowly turned his body away from her and groaned. His brow was furrowed as if to say it was too early to get up.

He put both palms to his face, rubbing it for a few seconds.

"Hey, I'm cold," Sakura said. As he had withdrawn his weight from her, he had also taken the blankets with him.

Before she could react, there was a blur and the next thing Sakura saw was Sasuke on top of her with sharp eyes and even shaper kunai at her neck. One hand was near her head, supporting his weight as he leaned forward. His knees were bent and straddled her hips.

Sakura's eyes betrayed her shock and confusion. She could sense his intent to kill, and it was crippling. Her chest heaved up and down as she took deep breaths.

"Ss...Sasuke..."

Sasuke's serious face suddenly relaxed as he dropped his kunai next to her.

"Oh...it's you."

He removed himself from his position and sat down beside her.

Sakura put a palm on her head and the other hand over her chest. She was still breathing hard.

He looked at her and said apologetically, "Sorry, I forgot."

If waking up with Sasuke was like this, I shouldn't have looked forward to it for so many years...

Sakura kept her gaze on the ceiling, still recovering as her heart beat gradually slowed down. Then she heard him move closer to her.

His face partially blocked out the ceiling in her view.

"You okay?" He asked, slightly concerned.

She tried to smile reassuringly, "Yeah."

He seemed satisfied as his face left her view again. There was the rustling of bedding as he stood up.

"You should get up. Once I start folding these things there's going to be a lot of dirt in the air."

Sakura sat up.

"I'll help you."

Damn, I shouldn't said that. I can barely move in this stupid thing.

She noticed the blanket covering her had loosened a bit, though nothing disastrous was showing. Slightly embarrassed, she turned around and rewrapped herself.

"We'll go to my place, and I'll give you a change of clothes for the road."

She turned to him again, surprised.

How does he always know what's on my mind?

His gaze traveled from her face to the blanket around her body and back again. Something about the way he looked at her made her cheeks burn.

Sakura cleared her throat uncomfortably, "It's okay, I think my uniform is dry."

She stood up slowly and checked the pieces of her ANBU uniform on the table. It had definitely taken a beating during the mission.

"You can't wear that, Sakura. Not without your mask," Sasuke said simply as he finished folding the blankets and moved to return them to their storage place.

Argh, he was right again.

"I'll just wear it on the way to your place," she replied after some time, congratulating herself for a good save.

She sat silently watching him as he secured the latch.

"Fine. Tell me when you're done." Sasuke turned his back to her and proceeded to slip on his own clothes from yesterday that still looked damp.

Sakura quickly removed her blanket, feeling the sudden chill of the air on her exposed body.

Just the shirt and pants will do, she thought as she put them on as fast as possible. They weren't totally dry and she shivered.

"I'm done."

"Alright, take your stuff and come with me," he said as he walked toward the door, adding, "You can keep the blanket."

Sakura wrapped the rest of her uniform and cloak in the blanket and followed Sasuke out of the cabin.

The forest looked different in the morning. For one thing, she could actually see where she was going, which made it a lot less threatening. There was the same distinct, earthy smell as last night and and she could still see her breath as she exhaled into the chilly air. She admired the glistening foliage, covered in last night's rain, shining in the sun.

Her eyes eventually fell on the figure in front of her. He was a good ways ahead. She ran to catch up with him.

"What is it?" he asked as she appeared next to him.

Sakura was in a good mood. The cold air in her lungs awoke and refreshed her spirits. She smiled brightly as she clutched her belongings to her chest and said honestly, "I wanted to walk next to you."

She tried to read his face for a reaction but he didn't flinch, keeping his gaze forward.

A few minutes later, Sakura grew increasingly frustrated with his silence. Even last night, they had not talked very much. She felt like she had seven years worth of words to say, but he seemed not the least bit curious about what events had passed while he was absent.

Naruto...Lee...Ino...

And...Kakashi-sensei—did he even know?

Sakura frowned, Would he care?

She bit her lip as they passed through the forest at a brisk pace.