Naruko's POV:

I stepped back, slapping his hand off of me.

"You're already a part of Team 7, Team Kakashi, remember?!"

"Naruko, I'm building the strongest team this world will see. If you come with me, no one could beat us."

"No, you're becoming like the Akatsuki."

"I'm planning on getting rid of them. You know they're going after the jinchuuriki. We can help you stay away better than the Leaf."

"But..."

I couldn't think of a comeback. If I do join, maybe I could convince him to come back with me. Maybe I won't be chasing day after day, wondering when I will see him again. I need something to give Granny Tsunade though. Dammit!

Oh wait!

"Okay. But I need to see how strong everyone is."

He chuckled. "Huh. You learned to be on your toes. Give me a week. They should be here in less than a day and you can have at them. In the remaining time, you can decide."

"A week?"

"Yes."

If I find out more, I can give this back to the village. This should work.

"Alright. One week. And if I feel you have a gang of losers, I'm not going."

"Whatever."

He's always so nonchalant about everything. He's been that way since he was a kid and it's always irritated me.

I yawned and my eyes felt heavy. I haven't gotten any sleep tonight.

"Are you tired?"

"What! No! Of course I'm not, you idiot! I can stay up all night if I wanted to!"

It was so warm when I woke up. I pulled the blanket closer to me and it smelled just like-

"-Sasuke..."

"Whoa. Looks like you got some competition Karin.

"Shut up you weasel!"

I heard a slap. "Ow!"

"Enough."

That was Sasuke. I opened my eyes. I was still in the cave he brought me to last night. I guess I did fall asleep. I was laying on a blanket and there was one over me. I was by the burnt-out fire. Before I fell asleep I was at the entrance of the cave...

Three newcomers surrounded me while Sasuke leaned on the wall.

The man that was talking was rubbing his head. He had white hair and pointy teeth. I think I recognize the sword on his back from somewhere...

The woman seething at him must be Karin. Everything about her was red, her hair, her glasses, her eyes. Even her face.

There was another really tall guy behind them with orange spiky hair keeping to himself.

I sat up and stretched.

"Is this your little tag team Sasuke?"

"How dare you call us that, you brat! I'll have you know-"

"Karin. Stop."

Sasuke walked up to me and grabbed my shoulders from behind.

"I'm being nice and letting you have a taste of them. If it was me, you'd be done for."

"I have gotten way stronger since the last time we met," I growled.

"Prove it."

He pushed me forward.

"Alright, let's go! Shadow clone jutsu!"

All of us were pretty beat and breathing heavily. Granted, this was a three on one, I think I did pretty well.

"Okay Sasuke. They're good. Can I go...get some water now..?"

"Hmph."

There's that slyness again. I sneered before I left.

I stumbled out of the cave but looked over my shoulder once I left and straightened up. I stopped pretending my breathing was ragged and jumped into a tree to get a good distance away.

So the girl can identify chakra networks similar to Hino and the fish boy has water style jutsu and can wield that familiar sword. The big guy has mighty strength like Sakura. But for some reason, it felt like they didn't go at their full strength. I felt like I was practicing or something.

I wiped off my brow. I am kinda sweaty. Gross.

I hopped down from the tree and thank goodness there was a stream nearby.

I let my hair down.

"So you think you're a hotshot with Sasuke, huh?"

I glanced up. It's the redhead. She hopped down from the tree she was in and glared at me.

"I'll have you know, I know more about Sasuke now than you ever did then, blondie," she hissed at me.

I grimaced. "I don't know what you're talking about."

She rolled her eyes and folded her arms.

"Don't get in my way fox brat. If, or shall I say when, you betray Sasuke, I will kill you."

She left me quickly. What was that about?How can Sasuke stand that pestering woman? I didn't come here to actually fight anyone really. I didn't know what to expect when I came here. Well, maybe a trap... That's probably why Kakashi-Sensei gets so mad when I do stuff like this.

I slipped off my jacket and shirt when I heard Sasuke calling for me.

"Naruko?"

I spun around. He was just standing there like I trapped him in a genjutsu.

"What?"

I slipped my shoes and shorts off and started walking down into the water.

Hasn't he seen women undress before? I'm pretty sure he's seen me in my underwear before too. Well, now that we're older... but doesn't he have that Karin girl? That fish boy said I was competition so they must be a couple.

"So what do you think?"

I blinked and glanced up at him. His arms were folded, waiting for me to give my final judgement. His teammates had very special skills. He must've put a lot of thought into who he wanted.

I shrugged. "Eh, I've seen better."

I heard him chuckle as I started to float on my back.

"Still as disinterested as ever." I could hear the sarcasm in his voice but I decided to ignore it. My attention was caught when the water started splashing on the bank.

I glanced upward and Sasuke stripped as well, joining me in the water. What?! I tried to avoid looking at him. What the heck is he thinking?

"This spring feels nice."

I watched him wade to me.

"Yeah." It felt strange. He was acting like nothing has happened in three years whereas I'm still stuck after every encounter. I can't let go like him.

"Um Sasuke?"

"Yes?"

I wanted to ask why he is being nice to me or why he could consider me so wholly. I didn't get it. Why does he forget our past?

"Uh, never mind..."

"Yes, Naruko?"

He was getting close and I inched back. He got closer again and I moved back again.

I felt something poke my butt and I glanced around to see what it was.

His arm hooked around me and I yelped. My face was steaming up. I was ready to push him away and start yelling at him but his face was very gentle and kind, unlike I've ever seen, even as kids.

He's changed, just as his brother has said. He's moving forward. I should too.

"I... I want to fight you tomorrow."

That's not what I wanted to say but better than what I was thinking.

"You do? Well it'll be a quick fight."

"You're right. Because I'm going to win."

He rolled his eyes. "Please. You don't know what new jutsus I've learned."

"You don't know mine!"

I splashed water at him and chuckled but he just pulled me closer to him.

Sasuke..?

My hands were flat against his bare chest.

He closed his eyes, leaning down to me.

I found myself reaching for him too.

"Woohoo!"

A wave rolled between us, knocking us apart.

"Ah!"

I swam up and popped my head out of the water. Sasuke was strangling Fish Boy.

Karin was yelling at him and the big dude was dipping his feet in the water.

I shook my head and swam to shore. I grabbed my clothes and ran back to the cave without looking back.

I got dressed and put my hair back up into it's two tails.

Was there something in my eye and I didn't get the memo? Maybe Sasuke was just teasing me.

He's always a jerk.