"So odd..." Sakura spoke to herself after Sasuke, once again walked her home without so much as saying a word. This had been the third night this week Sakura walked out of Konoha hospital after a busy shift to find Sasuke waiting. He never said anything, Didn't ask about her day or how she was in general, however in his defense Sakura was just as quiet.

The two would just walk side by side with one another until they made it to her apartment door, Sasuke then would leave and bid her goodnight without a second glance...

Sakura sat in the warm bath tub questioning Sasuke's possible motives to why he, has yet again, shown up to her office and silently walked her home tonight. Could it be maybe this was his way of seeking forgiveness from her? Sasuke seemed to have made up with all of the rookie nine (Eight now...)except her, why he hasn't said much too her since his release. Even when Sakura joined Naruto and Kakashi-sensi in the front of the prison to welcome him home he didn't say a word to her, just simply nodded when she gave her greetings.

"No...Sasuke could not possibly be looking for my forgiveness he knows who I am and knows how weak I am, he must be for certain that I've already forgiven him for his actions, besides why would Sasuke even care about my forgiveness?." Sakura muttered.

Maybe Kakashi-sensi had mentioned to Sasuke how tired she looked from the previous week and hoped that he could be a good teammate and check up on her? "Hmmm seems more plausible but Sasuke never was the one to let anyone tell him what to do or influence him, an beside despite Kakashi's worries it doesn't mean he would be agreeably worried enough to decide an check up on me. I doubt I even pass Sasuke's mind very often." Sakura began think more and decided that the Kakashi scenario couldn't of been right anyways, surely Naruto or even Sai would have volunteered first before Sasuke. Sakura sank deeper into the tub and looked up at the ceiling that had a layer of steam hoveing. She wished Sasuke and herself were friends enough for one another to check up on the other when something seemed wrong, ones that could talk and train together...instead she was practically a stranger to him and that seemed to be the way he preferred it. But still, what was Sasuke secret intentions with showing up late to walk her to her apartment that was less than ten minutes away ? Additionally why wouldn't even answer her simple question, the previous night, of the reason for his actions...?

The next evening Sakura was about to head out of work, hoping Sasuke would be waiting. Her hands were full of books and files to take home with her, as she had the next couple of days off, and could barely see around them . She looked to her right then her left and she didn't see Sasuke walking towards her like he routinely had been , how disappointing...i guess all good things must last.

"Huh I suppose it's just me tonight." Sakura muttered to herself, when all of a sudden she felt her files being lifted from her arms relieving them of their heavy weight. Finally having better visual she then saw that indeed Sasuke was there to meet her and had taken all of her belongs in his strong hands in the purpose of carrying them for her.

"Oh Sasuke-kun I didn't hear you. Please I can carry those, I'm sure you've probably been doing your usual training and must be sore. " Sakura insisted. Sasuke instead narrowed his eyes at her as if he was trying to read her.

"I'm fine, come on it's almost midnight." Sasuke replied, beginning to head down the path towards her home. Sakura hesitated momentarily and then began moving her feet forward to walk side by side with her new companion.

For the first five or so minutes there was the usual silence that hovered between the two, making Sakura feel nervous and awkward. Yes only the wind made noise has its wisp when run threw her hair. She sorted threw hundreds of subjects in her head that Sasuke could possibly be interested in and maybe even hold a conversation with her. Unfortunately the social anxiety of the situation got the best of Sakura and not even a typical "How's the weather?" seemed to want to slip off her tongue. "Ugh stupid nerves! Just ask him how training was or if he's had any missions!" Sakura yelled inside of her head. Crazy how this man could have such an effect on her that it could make her brain shut down, the brain of a doctor no less.

"How was work?" Sakura nearly jumped out of her heels! Who had just said that? Did Sasuke just speak to me? With the usual quietness that came between the two it made her heart race with the sudden noise entering into her ears. Sakura looked up at Sasuke's who eyes still remained focused on the journey ahead, with his hands carefully carrying Sakura's items.

"It was fine..." Sakura said so quietly she feared that Sasuke might not of understood her short response. "Come one Sakura get yourself together! Sasuke is actually talking to you voluntarily and you're blowing it off! SPEAK.

"H-how about you Sasuke? I mean not work! But training going well?" Sakura questioned, man she was starting to feel like Hinata ! And no not in a good sense, no one liked a stutterer that just means they're so weak they can't even hide it from the other person.

"Same as usual."

"Ah yes, I need to get out an train soon before the weather gets too cold. Do you prefer to train in the summer or winter months?" Wow she's actually having a conversation with Sasuke!

"I prefer colder climate, it is what I'm accustomed too."

Sakura then looked down with sad eyes. Ah yes Sasuke spent years training in the cold gloomy hide outs of Orochimaru, where there was no light to bring in the warmth of the sun. Bringing this old realization to light it made Sakura remember what life was like without Sasuke around. It also seemed just as cold and gloomy, did he ever think of her during his time away ? Even if it was just for a moment did he wonder how she was? What she was doing? Probably not...

Sakura and Sasuke arrived at her apartment shortly and Sasuke genitally handed her the many files that awaited signatures.

"Good night Sasuke-kun, thanks for carrying my belongings." Sakura spoke with a small smile on her face.

Sasuke nodded in return to her and turned to make his way back home as well. For a moment Sakura stood there under the porch light admiring Sasuke. His shoulder were so broad and his arms looked warm and strong, she could only imagine what it would be liked to be held so tightly in them while sharing a bed. The closest she could recall of the warmth was a distant memory now in the, FOREST OF DEATH, where after being introduced to Orchimaru the first time they had been were paralyzed from his jutsu, Sasuke then forced himself to move and put his arm under her legs and his hand on the small of her back in a bridal-style like fashion to get her to safety from that Snake sanin. Sakura then looked at her books with a blush appearing on her face, Sasuke had never done something so nice for her despite how small the gesture was. That's when Sakura realized...

"Sasuke-kun! Wait!" Sakura called out, her right arm flying up.

Sasuke did his usually acknowledgment by stopping in his tracks and glanced slightly behind his shoulder blade waiting for her explanation.

"I just wanted you to know I don't have work tomorrow and I just didn't want you waiting for me."

Sasuke's brow arch up at her as if she was really that stupid. "Oh no he probably wasn't even planning on walking me home tomorrow night, ugh now I look so stupid! He proba-"

"I'm aware." Sasuke then replied started his walk back home.

Sakura stood there, mouth wide opened. He knew already? But how and who did he ask? So many questions to go unanswered. It made Sakura sad to realize that tomorrow she would not get to see Sasuke as she rather enjoyed their late night walk...