I'm sorry I don't have time to thank and comment on all your reveiws because my Finals are coming up. Don't expect so many updates and good ones at that from this point on until the tests are over. The last part of this chapter was just somthing I came up with at 11:30 at night today, so don't think it was throughly thought through. I'm very busy and my writing ability is lowering because of it. Sorry again.

--------------

The evening had dawned upon them earlier that day and it was time for Sasuke to leave. He pondered upon this moment as he made his way towards the main hut of the temporary Sound Village.

After that certain remark to her, she had merely smiled and handed him back his chopsticks. The rest of their time together was filled with gaps of silence and a few mutters of old memories.

Sasuke sighed as he brought himself back to the present. He half expected her to hug him tightly and tell him how much he meant to her. That girl he knew before is long gone and now he felt slightly disappointed that she ended up like this. Sakura rarely smiled anymore he observed that day in her dusty room. Sure, a few giggles here and there, and some small grins she tossed to him were enough, but he couldn't help to feel those emotions were empty.

As Sasuke knocked on Orochimaru's door, his head buzzing, he realized that Sakura had only given him one true smile. That was when-

"Ah, Sasuke-kun," the creature who opened the door hissed pleasantly, "So nice to finally come to one our weekly meetings…"

"Hn." He pushed himself through, seeing that practically everyone who was left alive was here. Kabuto, obviously was sitting in the corner, sharpening some kunai grinning at him knowingly. Sasuke decided privately he'd personally rip his limps off. Zaku, the man he had already cut arms off of was sitting in the other dark corner, glaring at him. Serves Zaku right to not be able to use any more jutsu anyway. After all, he had attacked Sakura- Sasuke winced at the faded memory and pushed it aside. Misumi and Yoroi where sitting at a table playing cards, and Dosu was arguing with them about who was winning. Tayuya wasn't here on account of a mission. Mizuki was sitting with Sakou in another corner talking aobut other things that he couldn't overhear. Mizuki had recently just escaped from some prison and joined them. He thought he looked familiar though. Kiminaro was alone on one side of the room, staring at the floor.

"So we've finally come to a conclusion then?" Orochimaru asked, closing the door behind him, "We're going to move out to keep ourselves a secret. We can't have them finding out about our plan."

"This is so cowardly," Kabuto muttered, his frown returning, "Though we'll do as you wish. Orochimaru gave a look of distaste then smiled to Sasuke, "So Sasuke-kun. Have you told your friends anything- Important."

"No. I didn't say anything-" He replied, pulling his hands into his pockets and heading to a chair to sit down on.

"Not even about what we were doing in that village against the Yukatzi?"

"No." He answered truthfully, leaning against the wall. The reason why they were there was simply for power. The Yukatzi were slowly climbing to the top and they couldn't have that. Before they had a small negotiation meeting, trying to get the two groups to join together, but they resisted.

"Pity-" Mizuki started with a smirk, "They seemed to be good enough for us."

"Shut up newbie! You know nothing of our power-" Kiminaro snapped.

"Please, why can't we all be friends here?" Kabuto snorted, ending his sharpening.

"This argument is so annoying," Misumi mumbled while setting a card down. Yoroi groaned and folded, "I bet you cheated.

Sasuke had the urge to roll his eyes. This was what he had joined? Why hadn't he realized before they were a bunch of idiots. Although deep within him he had been planning to leave for the longest time. He thought he was strong enough now to face… That man. He also had a gut feeling that Sakura would not be safe here for long. Naruto was looking for her after all. Of course, he didn't mind her leaving whenever she wanted, but the real danger was Orochimaru. He knew she was there and there was no telling what he would do.

"Something troubling you, Sasuke-kun?" Orochimaru asked devilishly as he walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I don't like coming to meetings…" Sasuke said simply, shrugging his hand away. Orochimaru didn't look pleased.

"You may leave now. I have to discuss something with the rest of us anyway-"

Sasuke nodded and started to walk towards the door when something hit him. Why would Orochimaru need to talk to the others? He always included Sasuke in everything. Was Orochimaru planning something against him? Sasuke contemplated this as he opened the door and walked out, fully aware that all eyes were on him.

No use in turning back now he told himself as he found himself in front of Sakura's hut. He took in a deep breathe and opened the door, "Sakura?"

He half expected her not to be there, but there she was. Her pink bubble-gum hair flowed over his face, strands misplaced on her cheeks. 'Fast asleep' he observed as he closed the door and walked over, watching her chest move rhythmically to her breathing. He kneeled down beside her and pulled up his clasped hands to his mouth, his decsisive eyes watching her slowly bring her hands up and grip the pillow. Sakura made a small noise, and clenched her eyes tighter.

"Nightmare-" Sasuke whispered as he placed a hand on her forehead. No, she didn't have a fever, but she was close to it. It was predictable, with her cooped up in a damp small room after all. Sakura suddenly gripped his wrist that was drawing away from her.

"Don't-" she murmured in her sleep as she pulled it to her shoulder.

It would have been a hilarious moment if it weren't for the seriousness behind it. Sasuke's eyes were wide open as he was pulled forcefully to her. He quickly pushed his hand onto the mattress, stopping himself from hitting his head with hers. He could feel her warm breathe against his cheek as he tried to recline from the source. Sasuke felt Sakura bring up her other hand and start cuddling his arm. He felt his cheeks turn a very light shade of pink as he glared at her, shaking his arm. She kept on him mumbling random drabbles of words as she tugged on him hardly. Sasuke lost his balance and found his face flat against the mattress. He sighed into the soft material and gave up, leaving his hand to go numb by her hug to it.

It was going to be a long night.