Sakura had the best sleep she'd had since the war began. She smiled as she felt the warm sun tickling her skin and stretched lightly, her body wrapped in a swarthy blanket of contented laziness. She was just awake enough to think, and still asleep enough to blur reality with dreams.

Gradually, Sakura tried to enter the waking world, making a list of things to do for the day. She could start by cashing in Ino's rain check for a day at the market. Then she might find Naruto and Sai or any of the others and hang out. They could go for dinner at their favorite barbeque. Maybe she could invite Sasuke and he would come too…

'Wait, Sasuke?'

And just like that, Sakura was wide awake, memories of the last few days returning with a curious mix of sorrow and happiness. She looked around anxiously for Sasuke and felt like she had been punched in the gut by her master when she didn't see him. She then took a better look around and saw the supplies…both of their supplies.

Instantly she relaxed, even cracking a smile, knowing that Sasuke had not left her; he couldn't be far. She got up and stretched better, her body refreshed by a nice, quiet night's sleep. She grabbed a change of clothes and headed for the bathroom. Halfway through getting dressed, it dawned on her.

At midnight, Sasuke was supposed to have woken her to take over the watch. She finished pulling her clothes on in record time, panic and worry clutching her heart. Had something happened to Sasuke?

Surely, an enemy would have killed her in her sleep if they got past Sasuke, but still, for all she knew, Sasuke could have been killed or kidnapped or…

Then she saw him walking back to their inn from the window and let out the breath she didn't know she was holding. Of course nothing had happened to him, he was Sasuke! She felt embarrassed for having worried like that.

Sasuke was there within the minute, jumping through the window and nodding to her in greeting, his face placid, but his eyes softer than usual. She couldn't help the smile that blossomed on her lips.

She grabbed her gear and secured her packs and weapons, then waited for Sasuke to lead. He grabbed his things and handed her something to eat wrapped in a napkin. He then jumped back down to the ground, setting off for the woods.

Sakura kept up with him, but she started to fidget as she debated the merits of questioning him about why he had taken her shift and let her sleep in so long. It wasn't like it was that important or anything, and she definitely didn't want to jeopardize the peaceful relationship they were just developing.

But apparently Sasuke noticed her distress and said, "Just say it."

'Ever so tactful Sasuke,' she couldn't help thinking. She squirmed a moment longer, before plunging right in. "I wouldn't have minded taking the watch last night," she started, before blushing and hastily adding, "I mean, I just don't want to be useless is all."

'Smooth Sakura, real smooth,' she berated herself, feeling like an idiot for saying it like that. She didn't dare look at Sasuke but hoped he wouldn't think of her as an idiot.

He surprised her by saying, "You're not useless; I just wanted some time to myself, so I didn't wake you." Sakura was silent a moment as she contemplated the possible meaning of that.

Feeling brave enough, Sakura gently asked, "So where are we going next?"

Sasuke looked back at her, but answered, "We're heading southwest from here. There's a supply catch we can replenish at. It's a little over two days normally, but I don't plan on stopping again; it should take no more than a day."

Sakura nodded in agreement, but she felt a little disappointed. His plan could not be to go from one supply stop to another; there was a final destination they were headed for, but he did not seem to want to tell her.

Sasuke felt a prick of guilt for dodging her true question, but he wasn't ready to tell her. His resolve to go through with his original plan was wavering, and if he was honest with himself, he didn't even know for sure what his plan was at this point.

They traveled in silence for the duration of the morning, Sasuke brooding and Sakura saddened, feeling as if their progress was cut short. If she was honest with herself, she was scared that everything that had happened yesterday evening would unravel at the slightest nudge.

She wished that she could have something solid from Sasuke, some undeniable proof from him that he would not flake out on her. Was it really so much to ask for? She didn't think it should be.

Well, she might have spoken too soon. Sasuke was going through a lot right now, and he probably didn't have much solid to give himself, let alone something to give her. The fact that they were together now should be enough. It really should.

But the more she tried to convince herself, the more it sounded hollow. It should be enough, but it just wasn't. Didn't she deserve something after everything she had been through herself? Was it terrible to think that way?

Sasuke shot a glance behind them, looked back at her, and then tilted his head back the way he had looked. Sakura felt a familiar jolt of adrenaline as she prepared for whatever situation their new tail might cause.

Sasuke, without missing a beat, placed a genjutsu around the area they were passing. If she hadn't been alert because of the tail, she probably wouldn't have noticed he was placing a genjutsu.

She purposely misstep and fell into the brush below, her fingers flying through the signs for the clone jutsu, an iron clamp on the portion of chakra that was left behind and became her clone. The clone concealed itself in the brush with orders to dispel itself as soon as it identified their follower. Sakura leapt back up to join Sasuke, the whole exchange disguised as an accident in tree hopping. She had been extra careful with her chakra, so that should their tail be a sensor, they would not have seen her leave a clone, or be able to detect the clone as they approached.

Sasuke's eyes were able to see it, and as she took her place beside him, she could see the approval in his eyes. She fought a blush and settled for a smile.

They continued for an hour as if nothing had occurred. Then Sakura's clone dispelled and relayed her the information it recorded.

"It's a Zetsu," she said surprised, having thought they were well away from any of the fighting to stumble across enemies or allies (she couldn't bring herself to call them otherwise).

Sasuke's only visible reaction was the narrowing of his eyebrows and the clenching of his fists.

'Could it have been…following us this whole time,' Sakura found herself thinking. She never believed that Madara would have let them leave so easily, but for it to still just be following them…

A cold knot formed in her stomach as she prepared herself for the possibility of Sasuke being checked up on by this Zetsu because he was working with Madara. She would hope for the best but had to be ready for the worst.

Another hour passed before anything happened. Both were silent and stoic, and both were ready and waiting for any opponent to reveal itself.

A kunai flew passed where Sakura's head would have been had she not reacted to the faint glint of metal and the almost silent whistle of a projectile flying through the air.

Without needing to think, Sakura returned fire with a volley of shuriken, all senses devoted to finding the enemy. Her months on the battlefield had served her well.

But she needn't bother finding Zetsu, Sasuke had already incapacitated him, holding him at knife point and glaring.

The Zetsu didn't cower; it just smiled up at him and licked the blood from its cheek. Sakura stood beside Sasuke, making the staring contest a two on one.

Finally, the Zetsu revealed his impatience, "You could have been to your destination and back, Sasuke. Why bother bringing the girl? I doubt you will be injured to the point of needing a medic with your eyes to stop enemies, and all she has done is slow you down. I would be doing you a favor by getting rid of her."

"Besides, I'm hungry and I bet she tastes good."

Sakura fought a scowl, a little disgusted by the thought of being eaten by this…creature. Her eyes flickered to Sasuke against her will, craving to know what he was thinking. She knew he wouldn't do what it wanted, but she was afraid that she really was just slowing him down.

Sasuke used his sharingan for the rest of the interrogation and decapitated their detainee the next second.

Sakura hesitated a moment before clenching a fist and asking, "What are you doing Sasuke?"

He almost glared at her, but then turned away and shrugged his shoulders, "You're free to leave any time you want."

Sakura felt hurt, hearing that her company was so disposable to him, but brushed it off for later, "I said I wasn't going to leave you again and I meant it. No matter what you are going to do, I'll be there every step of the way. I just want a little trust from you, and I want you to start by telling me what you're doing."

Sasuke stayed with his back to her for what felt like an eternity, before looking back at her with penetrating eyes, a vague question in them.

And suddenly she understood. The little pieces finally fit together for her: Sasuke was more uncertain than she was.

He didn't have any reason to believe her when she said she would stay.

Sasuke had been betrayed by everyone – his family for planning a coup and creating the situation that led to all his problems, his brother for lying to him and killing their clan, Konoha for condemning his family, and herself when she tried to kill him. Sakura had to fight a sob as she realized that she had betrayed Sasuke as much as the rest when she gave up on him, and every time she doubted him after.

She walked up to Sasuke with tears just beginning to pool knowing what she should have done the first time they were together again. She wrapped her arms around him and pressed herself as close as she could get, allowing the first few tears to escape, and choking out her long over-due apology, "I'm sorry Sasuke. I'm sorry for giving up on you and trying to take your life. Please forgive me."

Sasuke was stiff in her arms, not moving and barely breathing. She squeezed all the tighter and let a few other tears out, remembering the heavy weight of the poisoned kunai she had aimed at his vulnerable back. She hoped he would understand and forgive her. She hoped he could feel just how sorry she was and just how much she meant what she said. She knew it was a good sign he allowed her to be this close, but she still but feared that he would send her away.

Then slowly, as if some shock had worn off, Sasuke moved. He snaked his arms around her and buried his nose in her hair. He whispered the words so quietly, Sakura was sure she was just imagining them, "Of course I forgive you, even if there's nothing to forgive. Could you forgive me?"

She nodded, a happy laugh contrasting the floodgate of tears that cascaded freely down her face, soaking Sasuke's shirt.

"I love you; I love you so much," she finally managed to say, her words nearly strangled by the intensity of her feelings. She had the most delicious feeling of peace and happiness wash over her, and the only thing that made it better was the fact that she was sharing it with Sasuke.

"I know," he whispered back, allowing his fingers to stroke her hair.

Embarrassingly close and still undetected

He clenched his teeth and his fists, a surprising amount of disgust settling in his stomach as he watched the two of them from a distance.

Managing a bitter smile, Madara found he was at least glad Zetsu's suicide had revealed Sasuke's true colors. Their first try to re-convert him had clearly been unsuccessful, but it should just be a matter of more extraordinary measures to get the troublesome boy back on track. Sasuke was unstable, even now, and he could still use the boy for his endgame.

The war was not going well, and most of his army was dead or indisposed. His plan had been delayed, but he knew he could still pull this off. He would get his hands on the last two tailed beasts when his enemies began to relax, overconfident in their feeble victory. Much to his regret, he knew he had to have help if it was to work. Sasuke was ideal because of how easily his emotions (and therefore his will) could be manipulated.

He would still try to use Kabuto, who had managed to offer something in exchange for his life, but he could not be relied on; he was far too crafty and loyal to himself alone. Madara had a reserve of Zetsu to use as well. And yet he could not shake the feeling of defeat. This girl…

Sakura was like a corrosive acid, slowly dissolving and wearing away at Sasuke's hatred and confusion. She was like a cancer, growing steadily in Madara's side, delaying his plans further. He wanted so much to wrap his hands around her pretty little neck and wring the life out of her slowly, but he could not. Sasuke would not be swayed if he did.

He had a plan, and if it worked, he would not have to raise a finger against her. She would certainly be dealt with, the sooner the better.