Authors note: This chapter will be brief. I haven't had as much time as I would like to write. It may be a while before the next chapter is done, but I'll try to work on it as soon as possible! I Promise!

Chapter 5

Akari didn't hesitate. Her body moved before her mind even registered what was happening. Her feet flew across the water, closing the distance between them. Sasuke waited with his arms wide open. In seconds she found herself wrapped safely in his embrace. They didn't speak. No yet. He held her against him with as much force as he could muster. One arm at her waist and the other stroking her hair as he pressed his lips to her temples. Akari reveled in his touch. This is where she wanted to be. Forever and always.

Then he pulled back but only slightly. Just enough to see her face but still have a firm grip on her body. She could feel him watching her, but she was afraid to raise her eyes. She was afraid that this was some kind of genjustu. That once she looked up, he would be gone. Sasuke's hand roamed from her hair, to cheek, to chin. Gently he lifted it so that she was forced to look at him.

Akari didn't get the chance to take him in. His lips instantly found hers and everything else was forgotten. There was nobody but them. She reacted to him, pressing closer and melting into his kiss. Her arms found their way around his neck and her fingers combed through his hair. He kept his arms around her waist, squeezing her against him possessively. It seemed like hours had passed before the kiss slowly ended. Still, they stayed in each other's arms.

Akari could feel her heart beating rapidly in her chest. Every nerve in her body was still tingling to his touch. Her face was red and she was breathing heavily. She had never felt this way before. Smiling, she bit her lip hoping to savor the taste of his on hers. He stared down at her with a smirk on his face. She giggled, because it was just as red as hers. Clearly, she caused the same reaction in him.

"Come on." Sasuke's said huskily.

Taking her hand, he led her behind the waterfall. There was cave which he took her in. In the very back were a couple of supplies, including a lonely bedroll. This is where he was keeping himself hidden. Taking a look around her face fell. How could he stand being here alone, away from Naruto, away from her?

"What's wrong?" He stroked her cheek.

"I…I wasn't expecting to see you around here. I figured you were rooming with Orochimaru somewhere."

She said the man's name with distaste. The man who lured Sasuke away with his promise of power. Akari rubbed her shoulders and roamed the small cave. Biting her lip she took in his living conditions. It only upset her more.

"Well? Has he made you stronger? Given you everything he's promised?" She muttered.

"I'm not as weak as before that's for sure. But, Orochimaru has been planning to take my body. I'm going to kill him. "

He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She leaned back into him and he placed his chin on her shoulder.

"Does this mean you're ready to come back?"

"No. I must first find Itachi and kill him. To do this I must create a team. One with the ability to help me in my revenge." He stated.

Akari bit her lip. It he managed to kill the snake, then that's one problem solved. But it still leaves a bigger one. She couldn't allow the two brothers to fight to the death.

"Well? Does that sound good to you? Once it's over I'll find you and we can leave together."

Akari turned to face him. She stared at him in surprise. Leave?

"What do you mean? You don't want to stay in the village?" She asked.

"I don't think that's an option anymore. I'm technically a traitor. I doubt they'll welcome me back with open arms." He rolled his eyes.

"Yes they will! Once we explain your reason for leaving! Naruto and the others will vouch for you too!" She told him.

His eyes hardened at the name of his old friend.

"Naruto's word won't matter to them. Besides, he should have learned by now that I'm not who I was before. He continues to come after me, but it's a fool's errand. I won't be returning to that village."

"He keeps coming after you because he cares about you! He's your best friend!"

"He's an idiot. I ran into my former teammates not that long ago. They are both still weak. I made sure they knew it. I would've killed them too if Orochimaru hadn't stopped me."

Akari stepped back in horror. What was he saying? Shaking her head in disgust, she ran out of the cave. She only managed to reach the lakes shore before he appeared in front of her. She didn't look at him, only staring at the ground.

"You're right. You're not the same. You're colder, indifferent to the feelings of your friends. You were willing to kill them because you felt superior to them." She stifled a sob.

"They don't mean anything to me. Not anymore. But you mean everything. Don't let them or the village get between us. I still want you by my side. Together, we can rebuild our clan." He said.

"Is that all you care about? Rebuilding your clan? Do you even love me? Because frankly I don't think you have the ability to truly love anyone. Not anymore." She sobbed.

She felt him come closer. He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her against him in a tight embrace. She didn't hug him back. She couldn't bring herself to.

"How can you say that? I love you Akari. Even before I knew you were an Uchiha. That fact that you are only made me love you more. It made me feel less alone." He whispered.

Akari pushed him away. He seemed hurt by this but only briefly.

"The reason you feel alone is because you choose to alienate yourself from those who love and care for you. You continue to follow your path for revenge. Even though you have the choice to be happy alongside me and the others."

He didn't say anything. He only watched her with an unreadable expression.

"I'm leaving now. If you do manage to kill your brother, don't come looking for me unless you plan to stay. I love you too Sasuke, but I can't see myself leaving the village. Not with someone so willing to hurt his friends." She whispered.

Then, without waiting for a response, she left him. She ran for what seemed like hours. He didn't follow. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she leaped from tree to tree. Finally she stopped, only to fall to her knees. She clutched at her stomach and sobbed hysterically.

Sasuke was changed. She knew he wouldn't be that same. Three years is a long time, but she never thought the change would be so drastic. She lost the boy she fell in love with.

No. This wasn't true. He was still in their somewhere. She felt it in the kiss they shared. He wasn't the same person, but he wasn't lying when he said he loved her. And she loved him.

Pulling herself up, she wiped away her tears. She would find a way to save him. First she would get rid of the Akatsuki. Once they were gone, Naruto and Gaara will be safe. Itachi would no longer be a part of them. Then she could convince him to live. She would unite him with Sasuke and keep them from killing each other. Sasuke will know the truth. He would renounce his revenge.

Feeling better, she continued home. She would act as if everything was okay among her friends. But, she would meet the Akatsuki in secret. She will grow closer to them and bring them down. At the same time, she would find some way to keep an eye on Sasuke. Can't have him finding Itachi just yet.

Akari picked up her pace. As soon as she was back home she would prepare for what lied ahead.