Clouds darkened the already dim sky, as they rolled in from the west. Sakura sighed as she watched from Ayame's balcony. The mission was taking longer than she expected. It has been over two days and no one has returned, she only hoped that they did not run into trouble on long the way. It still puzzled her how Ayame could be captured so easily, she appears to be so strong and almost invincible yet Kabuto was able to kidnap her without a fight. What if they ran into the Akatsuki! She thought and began to ponder on that thought. It was long before she felt warmth on her back. Sakura brought touched the object to find that a blanket covered her back. She turned around excepting to find Ayame, but Sasuke stood behind her with his hands in his pocket leaning against the house.

"Sasuke…" Sakura mumbled and he seemed to have heard her because he stiffened up. "Thank you."

Sasuke looked at her before focusing his eyes on the upcoming clouds. Sakura hugged the blanket tightly against her body. She went back to pondering situations in her head but did not get very fare because she felt eyes on her back. Also the silence was killing her. She has been so use to Naruto blabbing all the time that the past two days stuck with Sai and Sasuke, two men who never speak, was almost unbearable. Especially since she did not want to say anything to upset Sasuke.

"I wonder why they have not been back yet?" Sakura spoke out loud not excepting anyone to reply.

"They do have Naruto with them, they probably got into some trouble along the way." Sasuke sneered.

Sakura turned around letting the blanket slide off her shoulders. She did not know why she got so defensive but she marched towards Sasuke until her face was next to his. "Don't say that! As much as it pains for me to say this Naruto is a huge asset to the squad."

"What are you in love with him now. Was your little crush over me that fleeting," Sasuke began to snicker.

"How dare, you. I have thought of nothing but you since you left us three years ago." Sakura yelled at him trying to seem menacing. This was so unlike her, three years ago she would have agreed to what Sasuke said. But since Tsunade has trained her she learned to be her own person. Although she felt like her chances of being with him where slipping she could not help but be angry with him. No matter how much she tried she could not over tower him, he grew so much since he left and continue to tower over her. He stared at her and she back at him; her eyes were fierce and narrowed. Sakura's cheeks began to warm up as he inched closer to her.

"When did you get a personality," Sasuke leaned next to her ear whispering.

"The day you left," Sakura replied frozen in her spot. She could speak against him and yell at him but she still froze when he was around. Her heart began to beat faster the longer they stood closer to each other. All she thought about what Ayame's words 'You're relationship is similar to Itachi's and mine.' Sasuke chuckled a little before widening the gap between them.

"You're blushing," Sasuke brushed his fingers across her cheek, which made her blush even more. They continued to stare into each other's eyes when a loud bang came from the inside of the house. Naruto was inside with Neji but there was no Kakashi or Ayame. Sakura rushed inside leaving Sasuke out on the porch.

"Where is Ayame?" Sakura slammed the glass door open.

Naruto somberly walked towards Sakura. "She's with I-"

"Kakashi, they are taking on the outskirts of the village." Neji elbowed Naruto in the stomach and motioned his head towards Sasuke who now just entered into the house. "They will be hear soon, I think."

"So you guys rescued her?" Sai raised an eyebrow.

"No, she managed to do that herself we just met her on our way there." Neji said motioning Naruto to shut his mouth.

"Really?" Sasuke doubtfully looked from Naruto to Neji.

"Yep," Naruto chirped in. "Well I'm exhausted, so I will see you in the morning. Bye." Naruto left quickly.

"Yeah, we have had much sleep since she left I'd better go too, Sai come on I need to discuss something with you." Neji dragged Sai away before he could protest. Sakura just stared at the scene confused and could not help but think that they were hiding something.

Kakashi paced in the woods about twenty yards away from the village. In the distance he noticed Ayame walking towards him with another person besides her. He briskly walked towards them but soon stopped after he saw her being drawn into the other person's arms. They lingered for a while before the person disappeared and she continued towards Kakashi. When she came up to him she noticed his shocked expression on his face and quickly bit her lower lip.

"You didn't see that did you?"

"Yes, was that Itachi," Kakashi said his name with disgust.

"Yes," Ayame scrunched her face while letting it out slowly. Kakashi's one visible eye did not waiver from her and she could tell that he was mad.

"Is he quitting Akatsuki?" Kakashi said coldly.

"When he has finished a certain business, then he will quit."

"No matter what I say, it won't make a difference right?"

"I'm afraid so," Ayame gulped as she watched Kakashi hoping that his mood would lighten up.

"Fine, then it does not matter what I think. Only if he ever hurts you or betrays you I swear he will have to kill himself in order to get away from –" Kakashi could not finished because Ayame lunged at him wrapping her arms around his neck. He gagged a little but the hug soon relaxed and he hugged her back. "I just don't want to see you hurt."

"Thank you," She whispered.

Sasuke sauntered out of the basement finding Ayame in the kitchen cooking. He stopped and stared at her. She acted as if nothing had happened. Ayame noticed Sasuke and motioned him to sit on a stool next to the island. He grabbed a stool and leaned one elbow on the island watching her cook.

"Did they hurt you?" Sasuke broke the silence.

"No,"

"What did he want?"

"Kabuto wanted me to free himself from Orochimaru's remains."

"Did you?"

"Yes, now eat up we have a long day a head of us today." Ayame placed a plate of eggs in front of Sasuke. Sasuke stared blankly at Ayame. Something was different about her, she appeared more upbeat than normal.