Light Shaded Dream

Chapter 6 – The Sound of Snow Falling

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

-:-

Many weeks passed since the squad's arrival in the Sound Village. Naruto, Hinata, Neji, Tenten, Shikamaru, and Ino all continued their patrolling in their designated areas. None had seen Sasuke even once yet. The only member that has was Sakura. Sakura and Sasuke began to regain each other's trust, but Sakura still wasn't able to give him his former nickname of 'Sasuke-kun'. Regardless, Sasuke was able to familiarize his nickname of 'Uchiha', so it didn't matter to him. Sasuke's senses have became sharper during Sakura's presence for her protection; Sakura's emotions were able to quickly hide. Autumn slowly changed to winter. The village had started to be covered up in snow; it wasn't quite the same as Konoha.

-:-

Sakura sat on a branch of a tall tree, gently talking to Mr. Blue Jay. She whispered and giggled a lot, as if the blue jay was actually communicating with her and she could understand him. Sasuke continued his harsh training even in the snow, muttering curses about Sakura and her immaturity.

"Hehehe, really? I didn't know that, Mr. Blue Jay!" Sakura giggled.

Sasuke looked up to Sakura's perch and moaned in irritation.

"Sakura, honestly, grow up."

Sakura pouted at him, and continued talking to her friend.

"Oh, don't mind the silly Uchiha! He's colder than this snow! Uh-huh! You better believe it! Uh-oh. Now I'm starting to sound like Naruto! Heehee!"

Sasuke slapped his forehead, and sensed his comrade coming, so he gave Sakura a signal and she immediately shut up.

"Kabuto, I swear it is like you are stalking me," Sasuke said in irritation.

Kabuto emerged from the snow-covered trees, and wiped his frozen glasses on his shirt. He had been giving Sasuke and Sakura daily visits.

"It's not my fault your friend Kaiu is so intriguing," He teased.

Sasuke glared at him with such hatred that his glasses seemed to melt.

"Jealous, are we? Where is she?" Kabuto asked.

Kaiu/Sakura jumped down from the tree, and spotted Kabuto.

"Tch. You again? How many times have I told you that you're annoying?" She asked, annoyance coming out of her voice.

Kabuto smiled at her, and waved.

"I'm sure you don't mean it, Kaiu."

Sasuke began to kick his trunk so hard that the trunk began to split, and Kabuto continued to flirt with Kaiu to get on Sasuke's nerves.

"No, I mean it. Go away."

"But Kaiu..."

Sasuke couldn't take it anymore. He turned around, and glared at his comrade. He took Kaiu/Sakura, carried her bridal style, did hand seals, and soon they disappeared. Before the jutsu took effect however, Sasuke hissed at Kabuto.

"Stay away," He hissed.

Kabuto wholeheartedly laughed as his 'comrade' disappeared within the snow.

-:-

Sasuke and Sakura found themselves far from the village, very far. So far, it'd take them at least a day to get back to the village.

"Oh nice, Uchiha, now we have to camp out in the snow," Sakura said.

Sasuke glared at her, and looked around, making sure that they were not followed.

"What, would you rather have Kabuto flirting with you back there?" He asked.

Sakura thought for a moment, and shivered at the thought.

"Thanks for taking me here, Uchiha!"

Sasuke sweatdropped and began gathering wood for a fire. Sakura was making makeshift mattresses out of leaves, much like the one she had before arriving at the village. Sasuke eyed her, and shook his head.

"You ought to hide those before we leave tomorrow," He said.

Sakura looked at him in confusion. Sasuke caught the look in her eyes, and sighed.

"Before you arrived, I saw those same type of mattresses scattered about...what I assumed was your camp?"

Sakura nodded.

"So hide them when we leave tomorrow."

Sakura nodded again. By this time, Sasuke had been able to start a fire, and Sakura cuddled next to it for warmth. She was intrigued by the winter's beauty, but Sasuke hated the cold. Ironic though, since he is colder than the snow (well, if he wants to be). He noticed Sakura taking in the winter scents, breezes, and beauty.

"Why do you like winter so much?" He asked.

Sakura looked at him, and smiled.

"I love the snow. It's almost like the stars to me, except...well...different. I like to believe that every piece of snow that reaches this earth has a reason, much like a person. And whenever I catch a piece of snow in my hand, I think of the person that I want to be with the most...Do you ever hear it, Uchiha?"

Sasuke looked at her in confusion. Sakura caught the look in his eye this time, and went on to explain.

"I always believe that snow has a sound to it as it is falling. A melody of sorrow, playing gently as the snow falls."

Sasuke remained silent, and Sakura began to laugh.

"I know, you're probably wondering why I have such...childish beliefs. I don't know...maybe when I was still a genin, I'd always wish for the impossible..."

Sasuke understood about what she meant, and suddenly felt a weight on his shoulder. He looked over, and found that Sakura had dozed off and her head was on his shoulder. He lightly blushed, but didn't want to wake her, so he just let her doze off next to the fire.

-:-

"WHERE IS SHE? HOLY SHIT! WHAT IF SHE'S IN OROCHIMARU'S CLUTCHES?" Ino screamed.

She was basically pulling her hair out due to worry about where Sakura was. Everyone sighed at her exaggerating antics, and Tenten finally went over and clamped her hand over Ino's mouth.

"Ino, shut it. Other people staying here will probably wonder why the hell a crazy girl is screaming about their leader will definitely get them suspicious!" Tenten harshly whispered.

Ino struggled to get out of her grasp, but Tenten's grip was strong. Shikamaru sat down on his bed, trying to analyze the situation. Neji and Hinata were searching the village with their hidden Byakugan, and Naruto was having an argument with himself inside his head.

"She's not anywhere in range of our Byakugan," Neji and Hinata said, entering the room.

Hinata looked extremely worried, and began to cry. Naruto went over and comforted her, telling her that everything was alright.

"I...d-don't...understand...i-it..." Hinata sobbed.

Naruto rubbed his hand over her back, hoping to soothe her.

"The only thing I can think of is that she's with Uchiha," Shikamaru finally said.

Everyone looked at him in shock, well, the boys at least. The girls, however, were not surprised.

"I'm not worried," Tenten said.

"M-me e-either...I j-just h-hope U-u-Uchiha...d-doesn't h-hurt h-her..." Hinata said.

"He won't," Ino reassured.

Neji remained silent, but Naruto looked at the girls.

"How do you know?"

Hinata and Tenten gulped, but Ino answered for them.

"She still loves him. And besides, have you noticed that Sakura's been happier lately? She's not zoning out as much anymore. She has no new wounds," Ino said.

Tenten and Hinata nodded, and Hinata finally gathered up her courage to say something.

"And her patrol area is where Uchiha trains, so she's been seeing him everyday."

Everyone looked at Naruto's reaction, knowing that he would have something to say about this. Naruto took a deep breath, and smiled.

"That's good then. Teme's been knocked to sense," He said.

Everyone looked at him with confusion, and he noticed this. He wasn't up for an explanation however, as he just went straight to the bed and closed his eyes.

"Teme won't hurt her."

With that, he slept. Everyone trusted his judgement, due to his brotherly relationship with Sakura and Sasuke, so they just calmed themselves down, and slept.

-:-

Sakura awoke in the middle of the night, and found herself dozing off on Sasuke's shoulder. She blushed, and began to stir, but was stopped when she felt a sturdy hand keeping her in position.

"No. You'll make too much noise if you go onto your mattress now," He said.

She obliged, and began to stare at the dying fire.

"Why aren't you sleeping, Uchiha?" She asked.

The Uchiha looked at her, and averted his gaze to the fire.

"I can never sleep," He gruffly said.

"Why?"

"Watching. Watching to see if Orochimaru's pawns will ever betray and kill me."

"Don't your eyes get tired?"

"I close my eyes, but I never actually drift off into slumber. Sometimes...I wish I could."

Sakura stared at him, and smiled.

"Why?"

"I wish to dream again. I don't care if I'll dream up a nightmare. I just want to...relearn the events that go through my head."

"I understand."

The snow was still falling, but it was slowly falling. It created a serene atmosphere for the two. Sakura felt content, since the cold-hearted Uchiha's wall of ice was beginning to melt. Sakura began to shiver from the cold, and this went unnoticed by Sasuke. Hesitantly, he put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer to him. Sakura blushed at his movement, and inwardly smiled to herself.

"Er...Uchiha?"

"You're on a mission. You don't want to lose your arm or leg or anything...and I don't think you want to die either."

Sakura nodded, and leaned into his shoulder, closing her eyes. She listened carefully, and she heard it. The sound of snow falling...She drifted off to slumber, the sorrow theme ringing through her ears.

Sasuke watched as Sakura drifted off into slumber once more, and smirked to himself. Inside, he felt his heart beginning to melt away.

Yes Sakura, I always have felt that sorrowful tune when snow falls...

He looked at her dozing form, clinging to his body for warmth.

But that was only because...everything was so far away...

He envied her closed eyes, and the content smile gracing her face.

I wish I could dream again...

He knew she was dreaming, and held her even closer.

Because I always wish to dream of you...

-:-

Er...cheesy chapter? xD;