It was playful now, their silent traveling. She smiled and laughed, sometimes getting Sasuke to smile with her, a little a time. They would chase and race each other, little contests of speed or cleverness entirely for the amusement.

There were still some lingering misfeelings, mostly from Sasuke, but Sakura found she didn't mind. He had a lot more to work through then she did, and she would never expect him to get over it in one night. There would be hard times, and recurring doubts, she knew. But she also knew there would be happy times, like now.

Especially right that moment, walking on the ground holding hands, in no hurry.

Sasuke hadn't told her everything, and the few things he did tell her were vague. But he had divulged his conflict over what exactly to do, and the fact that he had said that at all made Sakura feel like she'd died and gone to heaven.

It was getting dark, and Sakura wondered if they would make it to the outpost he told her about. It wasn't like it was a big deal. They still had two sleeves of crackers each and the three instant ramen cups.

Secretly, whenever she saw them in her pack, she wished that Naruto could join them, just for that meal, like it was Team 7 all over again.

She fidgeted slightly, thinking of Naruto again. Out of everyone that was sure to be upset over what she had done, Naruto would be the first one to understand. She hoped.

Sasuke glanced over at her, the raised eyebrow asking about her change in mood. Feeling like now was as good a chance as any, she gingerly broached the subject, "I was thinking about Naruto."

The words visible effected Sasuke, and she felt him withdraw from her, just a little.

She was willing to let it go, and changed the subject, not wanting to cause him any more pain than necessary. Naruto could wait, this was the member of Team 7 she was most worried about right now, "How far away was the outpost again?"

Sasuke seemed not to hear her, focused on something in his thoughts. His brow was creased, and he had a small frown etched on his lips.

Nervously, she waited, hoping he would at least say something.

"Does the ramen make you think of him," Sasuke asked finally, his voice detached and monotone.

Sakura hoped it was a good sign and answered, "Yeah, it makes me think of old times."

Sasuke nodded slowly, his voice faint, "Me too."

They said nothing for a few more minutes but continued to hold hands. Sakura could not find the words to describe how hearing him say that made her feel. Being in heaven was too cheap a description

"I don't know where we stand," Sasuke confided, quietly, but still coolly.

Sakura hesitated, wondering if she should say anything, "I don't think he would like anything more in the world than to just be your best friend."

Sasuke squeezed her hand once but didn't tell her why he felt Naruto could never be best friends with him. Not after the Valley of the End, and definitely not after their most recent fight.

He purposely thought of other things. It was best to ignore the memories of that fight for now.

With Naruto

Sneezing suddenly, Naruto vaguely wondered if someone was talking about him. Shrugging off that old non-sense wives' tale, he settled down to draw natural energy once more, the sun slipping further down the horizon. He needed to get Sasuke and Sakura's bearings again, to make sure he didn't pass them in the growing darkness.

He also wanted to check on Madara…that guy got around quick.

A few patient moments later, Naruto picked out his friends' chakra, and smiled. They weren't that far away.

But then he frowned sharply. Madara was close to them…way too close.

Naruto set as many clones as he could manage to gather natural energy for him as he sped off. 'Don't do anything,' he willed Madara, 'Don't mess with them. Not know, not after everything.'

He knew, if no one else did, that Sasuke was well on his way to getting better. He also knew how precariously Sasuke was perched. It wouldn't take much to push him back down the slippery slope he had been struggling so hard to climb up.

With Madara

He faintly smiled a bitter smile, watching the young couple sprint the remaining miles between them and their destination for the night. It brought unbidden memories of years too long ago.

He didn't smile often anymore. As Tobi, he had many times made himself smile behind his mask. As Obito…

That name meant nothing anymore. He was no one; he was the representative of Madara. That was his name and his purpose.

He felt a wave of sickness now at the cutesy game they made of it, racing one another playfully. He wanted to hurl, and he would have, if it weren't so undignified.

He was made of tougher stuff. He would not be so easily swayed away from his goals, like so many of the fools that he had been working with. Itachi, Nagato, Konan, and oh the list went on, especially Sasuke, that little weak-willed excuse for an Uchiha. If it weren't for his eyes, he would long ago been put out of Madara's misery.

And that girl!

The more he watched her, the more he hated her – despised her very being.

What kind of a kunoichi was she! She came from a family – a little-no-one-knows-or-cares-about family – with no good ninja to speak of. What gave her the right to become a ninja in the first place!

What gave her the right to get herself kidnapped over and over, always forcing her teammates to worry and die trying to save her…

He meant - How did this slip of a girl wind up on the team with both the jinchuriki and the brat?

It shouldn't bother him so much, he knew. She was nothing, and no matter what she did or didn't do, she would never make something of herself. She would never get the chance. Being dead assured that.

He was not ashamed to admit that he had actually daydreamed of killing her.

He sighed, shaking his head, and letting it go. As much as he took pleasure in the thought, it had to be Sasuke that killed her.

And kill her Sasuke would.

It was for the best after all. No one would forgive him for that, not even the obstinate Naruto would be able to look at him again.

She would be just as dead, and Sasuke would never again stray from his control.

He would watch some more, while waiting. (And it was just a matter of waiting now.)

They both had insecurities, doubts, and Madara could manipulate them so easily into turning on each other, he almost laughed.

They would fall asleep, with or without his intervention, and they would fall under his jutsu. They would see what he wanted, do what he wanted, and attack each other.

Sakura would die, and Sasuke would never trust another person, returning to his blind killing rampage. He almost smiled again.