Yay! I'm back, my computer's fixed, and Dare to Dream is up and running! D Sorry I won't be able to reply to all you WONDERFUL comments, but I don't ahve time to skim through 3-4 chapters worth of it and reply every single one of you. Though I will say thank you for keeping up with thsi story and reviewing. And to all of you (there was a lot) who are asking what Oro is going to do with Sasu, I'm keeping that a secret 'till later. 3

Enjoy!

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In the midst of the pure darkness, three figures formed on the horizon. The grass spun lightly in the soft wind that traveled slowly in the area as leaves of many colors whipped around the shadow trio. The moon hung in the sky behind them, and so in turn anyone watching would not be able to tell who was who.

"Quick... Scan the area-" one whispered to the one on the far right. White bright eyes were activated, and that one person could see all.

"No one." The man answered, his voice low and serious. The middle figure shifted uncomfortably, "This isn't right... I sensed something here, I swear it!"

"We know your senses are far beyond ours, but if he says there's nothing there, I don't think-" the man who was on the far left was interrupted by the middle figure.

"I could feel them, Shika!" the middle one spat, his golden hair now shining in the sparkling moonlight. The far right man stepped forward, "Ah. You mustn't get so ill-tempered; I found someone..." The blonde man crouched low, signaling the two others to do the same.

"Can you see who it is Neji?"

"Yes." Came the short reply as the one called Neji turned his bright eyes on the blonde man.

"But you don't want to know who he is..."

"Don't be stupid- of course I want to know who he is!"

"Naruto-san, be quiet or he'll-" The one they called Shika was silenced by a swift movement to his neck.

"Shikamaru!" Naruto yelled in response then being pulled back by Neji, who growled in his ear, "Don't be hasty, Let's go soon, or he'll get us too!"

"Who's he? Why aren't-" Naruto fell to the ground as Neji let go of him as he was caught in a firm chakra lined net.

"Kukuku."

Naruto's eyes widened as he turned around slowly to see the one man he feared to meet on this mission.

"I was on my way to some business, but I see I've caught some food on the way."

And with those words, Naruto slowly faded into darkness; his fists clenching the cold emerald blades bellow him.

"Damn you Orochimaru."

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Raven tufts tickled her chin as her green orbs opened slowly.

"Sasu?"

"Hn."

So he was awake. Sakura had fallen asleep earlier, thinking that Sasuke would want to leave her soon but after she fell asleep. As it was, it looked like he had intended to stay the entire night. Sakura smiled softly in satisfaction as she jostled his hair and tried to sit up, only finding that he had draped one arm around her waist. Her cheeks flushed slightly pink as she poked his shoulder.

"Sasuke-kun, can you-"

"No." He grunted, shifting his head to face away from her. Sakura stared at him, trying to decipher why he would refuse to move. Suddenly her eyes widened as she felt mixed familiar chakras nearby.

"Sasuke-kun, I need to get up. I feel-"

"I know what you feel, but I'm not letting you leave." He replied slowly, already getting the habit of constantly interrupting her. Sakura boiled inside, "You know who they are and you're not letting me leave!" Sasuke grimaced then turned up his head to watch her eyes, "Don't you feel a fourth one?"

"No... I-"

"Orochimaru." That was all he had to say for Sakura to understand.

"Orochimaru? But Sasuke-" her voice was panicked as she squirmed under him, tyring to get up, but he pushed her down with one hand.

"Don't be stupid. He hasn't seen you yet and he's no going to..."

"Sasuke-kun..." Sakura warned with blazing eyes, "If you don't let me go or at least you go and help-"

"Quiet!" Sasuke hissed as he swiftly covered her mouth with a hand. There was voices on the other side of the hut as Sakura muffled against his palm, but calmed down when he gave her a serious look. There seemed to be two people talking just outside their hiding place and Sakura could feel the trio's chakra dim.

"Orochimaru-san..." a low whisper.

"Kabuto-" Sasuke answered Sakura's questioning gaze.

"Kukuku, Kabuto, It's a pleasure to meet you here at this moment. Will you take these three to the chamber room? Make them feel at home, you know, chains, torture, whatever you feel like. I don't think we have to worry a bout moving out anymore."

"What if others come look for them?"

"Ah. Don't worry, ku, we'll be ready for them in time."

The echoed sound of dragged bodies reached Sasuke and Sakura's ears then Orochimaru and Kabuto, along with the trio, seemed to have left the area. Sakura let out her breath that she had held in the whole time and grasped Sasuke's wrists, "We have to do something, anything!" she cried, practically pleading for help. Sasuke looked away and got out of her hold easily.

"I can't do anything except make the torture lighter."

"Sasuke! This is the leader you follow? This.. This..."

"Lunatic?" he smirked at her then sighed, frowning as he sat at the edge of the bed.

"Well... Yes in a way-" Sakura answered weakly as she crawled over and reached for his shoulder. Sasuke slapped it away, giving her a deathly glare over his shoulder. Sakura backed away, looking disappointed. Sasuke sighed and reached over for her hand and took it in his own, "I have to lay low for now... They're planning something. Against me no doubt."

"Why would they do that? You're their prized fighter..."

"Yes. But remember what Tsunade said before I left?" Tsunade. She seemed so long ago to Sakura. She figured she had only been here for maybe a week, or less, but Konoha and all the people she knew then seemed to have been erased from her mind. Well, of course she remembered their names, but a few, she found she forgot how the looked like. How did Tsunade put her hair nowadays?

Sasuke watched Sakura as she turned into her own thoughts. He shook her hand lightly so Sakura could snap out of her daze.

"Ah. Yes. She said that Orochimaru-"

"Wanted my body... Even when I knew this, I went with him for power. Still want it..." Sasuke's face turned dark as he let go of her hand to shift away. Sakura pleaded with her eyes as she reached over his shoulders and placed her chin by his turned head.

"All you want is to kill the man who betrayed your clan. Nothing else..." she reassured him. Before, Sasuke would have hurled her away and stormed out of the room at mentioning 'that man', but now in his weak state of mind, he let her hang on. She was probably right anyway, to drive to kill Itachi was the only thing that made him think more power was the answer.

"Sasuke-kun?

"Hn?"

"Do you... Do you think Naruto and the others will be alright?"

"For the time being. Orocimaru wouldn't want to kill them just yet."

"Why not?"

"Because they know that Naruto is who I considered to be my best friend." It was far too much talking for the Uchiha now. He had said plenty to her, but not as much as this.

"Sakura, I have to go now."

"Yes," she let go, looking down at the bed, "I know-" Without a rod, Sasuke stood up and locked his hands into his pockets. He strode to the doorway and looked over his shoulder as if to say something to her. But as it was, Sakura was already tucked under her sheets and not daring to watch him leave. Sasuke nodded briefly to himself, as if that was his goodbye to her and left the hut.

"Gomen, Sasuke-kun..." Sakura muttered as she rolled off the bed and reached for her kunai holster.