AN: Ooohh…some long reviews again…thank you so much everyone…I get so in the mood whenever I read your reviews…well anyway…I know that cliffy made you want to kill me so here's the next chapter…: )

Oh yeah…I almost forgot, for those who were asking…in this chapter 'til the end:

Sasuke 30

Sakura 20

I know, I know…too much gap…oh well…enjoy!...…

Chapter 7: Strangers in the Dark

Flashback

As they stood up, the front gate opened. Ino yelled something like 'you're early.' Then as if he was possessed, Naru-chan barked loudly and ran wildly towards the gate.

They next thing they heard was a loud crash, Naru-chan made contact with someone.

The three shinobi quickly followed the wolf.

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They fall as I drift away.

Each lamenting at what I have become.

Do they seek to purify my soul?

But I am beyond saving…

I couldn't even feel the snow.

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Upon hearing the wolf's loud bark, Ino came hurrying after the three men. Truth be told, she was apprehensive of the animal, but seeing that it meant no harm, she quickly became accustomed to its presence. Now though, she wasn't so sure. Fear gripped her chest when she realized it might be her friend under the mercy of the huge beast.

They all reached the gates at the same time. The sight that greeted them was much less gory than what they had in mind. Naru-chan was happily licking the face of the person sprawled on the ground. Said person finally spoke:

"Ino, would you get this stupid dog off of me."

"S-Sai! I'm terribly sorry! S-sasuke, could you please?" Ino looked at him pleadingly.

"It's a wolf." Naruto said stupidly.

"I don't care, get it off me." Sai stated passively.

Sasuke whistled and Naru-chan went to him immediately, tail still wagging. When he finally stared at the man named Sai, charcoal eyes collided. The wind seemed to have stopped blowing, and the snowflakes were suspended in air as the two of them continued with their secret battle.

A powerful emotion erupted within Sasuke.

He recognized it immediately…

Hate…

Why though? He couldn't help but ask.

Then Sai smirked at him before turning his gaze to Ino.

"Ugly said she'll be dining at the Hyuuga's. Don't wait up for her." He left as soon as he said the message.

"Ok, thanks Sai!" Ino called after him.

Without further ado, Sasuke, Naruto, Kakashi and Ino went back in. Naru-chan lingered for a moment before following.

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Dinner came quickly.

They sat around the table as Ino placed the food. Naruto quickly grabbed his chopsticks while Kakashi and Sasuke did the same with a refined manner.

"I wonder what came over Naru-chan to do that. That Sai guy didn't look friendly to me." Naruto asked his friends while eating as fast as he could.

"Maybe he thought Sai was a girl? Naru-chan seems to have a soft spot for the fairer sex." Kakashi replied.

"How about you Sasuke-ku…Sasuke? What do you think?" Ino turned to Sasuke, hopeful eyes searching his face thoroughly.

"Hn." He placed his chopsticks back on the table.

He stood up and went out of the room. Leaving a disappointed Ino behind.

Sasuke headed for the garden, a place he secretly associated with Sakura. It was this thought that gave him comfort despite the biting chill.

Again he found himself going back to the events earlier. Deeply troubled at his reaction to the dark haired man. Sai was a ninja, that much he knew. Sasuke could tell by the way Sai's chakra was flowing throughout his body. But what had caused him to loathe the man on sight? After a few more attempts to figure out the puzzle, he stopped. Saving the riddle for another day.

Instead, he thought of a more pleasing memory.

He closed his eyes as he allowed the snow to fall on his face.

Wondering if Sakura was feeling the same cold sensation.

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Every time I see them they perform a different dance.

Compensation maybe?

For their lack of color…

They tell me to stay.

Why though, do I find myself stepping out of bounds?

I see the snow, I feel it…

Yet perhaps it is not my wish to do so.

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A single figure stood underneath the moon. Seemingly like a decoration for the pale color that surrounded her.

Sakura and Sai came across Hinata and Neji on the way back to Ino's house. The two of them were invited to dinner in the Hyuuga household. Sakura said yes immediately.

"It's not everyday I get to eat in a mansion!" she whispered to Sai excitedly.

Sakura asked Sai to tell Ino the news as she helped Hinata with her groceries.

When they reached the manor, she immediately searched for the mini garden outside Hinata's room. Whenever she comes by to visit, that was where she would always go to first.

She had found no answer as to why the place gave her, her peace of mind.

She was predictable when it came to that, and so Sai found her without trouble.

"I figured you'd be here." A male voice said from behind.

"Have you told Ino?" a feminine one asked.

"Hai. You have interesting guests by the way."

She looked at Sai with her eyebrows raised. Then her face relaxed, giving Sai a very wonderful view of her face as she smiled at him.

"You're…beautiful." He found himself saying, looking as surprised as Sakura when the words slipped from his tongue.

"Sai, are you feeling alright?" she placed her fingers on his forehead.

He could feel his face heating up, then red hues appeared on his pale face. He quickly turned around before she could see that though. A blush…(he double checked on his book)

"Let's go ugly, Neji said dinner is ready." He said, emotionless once again.

"Now you're back to normal." She said sarcastically. But she smiled secretly when he wasn't looking.

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She had a wonderful time that night.

She didn't say it to anyone, but she had insecurities when she first realized where she was. After all, who would want to stay and chat with a girl like her. No memories to share, no personality to show. Her friends quickly threw her worries out the window though. Sakura was glad she at least, could make new memories with them.

Maybe I'm better off not knowing who I was…

After all, I wouldn't have forgotten if it was a good memory…right?

"S-sakura-chan? A-are you alright?" Hinata looked at her with worried eyes.

"Y-yeah, I'm sorry Hinata-chan, I guess I'm just sleepy." She gave them a cheerful smile.

No one was fooled though, but her friends let it go for the moment.

"You should go home, it's past midnight." Neji informed her.

Oh no…I didn't notice the time. Ino would kill me if I wake her up in the middle of the night.

"Why don't you stay here for the night? I'm sure Ino-san won't mind." Neji talked to her again.

"Uh, thanks Neji, but…I really have to go home."

"If that's what you wish." He replied.

"T-take care Sakura-chan." Hinata hugged her.

"I'll walk you home ugly." Sai went beside her.

After they said their goodbyes, the pair went on their way. Both were silent for a while, the only sound was the swishing of the wind and rustling of the leaves.

It was Sai who spoke first.

"You didn't want them to know, did you?"

"No. I don't want them to worry over nothing."

"Is them you really worry about? Or yourself? Because you know your nightmares might scare them away."

Sakura laughed without humor.

"For someone who doesn't know much about emotions, you seem to know a lot about mine."

"I don't know why, but whenever you're concerned, I get a little bit sensitive. Do you need an embrace again?" he looked at her questioningly.

She laughed as she shook her head.

"Good. It might ruin my reputation."

Sakura punched him playfully. Momentarily forgetting about her nightmares.

They reached an intersection, Sakura insisted on walking the rest of the way alone so that Sai wouldn't have to go out of his way. After much persuading, Sai finally relented.

Sakura watched as Sai slowly faded from her vision. When he was totally out of sight, she went on her way.

Like venom, her worries spread throughout her mind. Ever since she woke up from her long sleep, she had been plagued by those dreams. They were always the same.

Blood, fire, red eyes.

She woke up screaming every time she was haunted by them. Each night, fear was her only companion.

Sakura looked up and found herself in front of Ino's house, she had reached it without knowing. She sighed before she went in.

Instead of going in through the front door, she went at the back and prepared to slip in through her room's window.

She'd face Ino's wrath tomorrow, when she had more strength.

Sakura didn't know why, but she was suddenly feeling so tired.

As if something she didn't want had caught up to her.

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He couldn't sleep.

Sasuke's blood was screaming for 'HIS.'

Itachi…

Sasuke's sharingan suddenly activated. He shook his head and calmed himself. His eyes then returned to normal. He sat up, cursing himself for losing control. Sasuke knew there was something wrong with him lately, he hadn't felt this angry since that fateful day.

What is wrong with me? I haven't thought about that day in a long time. What had caused me to suddenly feel this way.

The answer hit him in a flash.

He's near…

Then underneath the silhouette of the moon, Uchiha Sasuke's face broke into a feral grin.

The hate you've cultivated in me is too great nii-san…so deep that I could feel you whenever you are near…something helpful since you hide your chakra so well...but I'm getting impatient… Hurry up and show yourself so I can kill you…

He stood up suddenly, the need to do something suddenly filled him. He put on his shirt and strapped his kunai pouch before going out of his room. He chose the last one, far from that annoying girl's room.

His gaze drifted towards the room in front of his, the door was slightly open. And for the first time, he let his curiosity dominate his common sense.

Sasuke went in and shut the door behind him silently. A familiar scent assaulted his senses the moment he did so. Without bothering to turn on the lights, he moved across the room.

Seeing the objects in there through his sensitive touch.

Then light suddenly spilled from the outside, the window opened, allowing few snowflakes to fall on the floor. A figure was stealthily making its way in.

Instinctively, Sasuke whipped out his kunai, pinning the intruder on the wall as his other hand covered the person's mouth, shouting silently under his hand. Judging by the soft curves, Sasuke was certain the intruder was a girl.

The girl trembled when Sasuke's eyes flashed red for a moment. When Sasuke made sure she was frightened enough to stop screaming, he switched on the lights.

Only to be surprised beyond anything else.

There in front of him, was a girl with an unusually pink hair and eyes the greenest he has ever seen.

"Sakura?" he managed to say.

She was still trembling, looking at him with so much fear in her eyes. He couldn't understand why she was afraid…hime? You know I would never hurt you…

"Who are you?" she asked simply.

And he wished he was asleep.

Because then he'd have a chance to wake up from a nightmare.

They serve as a barrier between you and me…

The snow falls as my fire dies…

Fate has played a cruel trick…

I can see you, almost feel you…

So close…yet still so far…

You have killed me as I have killed you…

AN: Tadaa!!!...you didn't really think that was Sakura Naru-chan tackled, did you?...I know you guys are confused…but…THE NEXT CHAPPIE WOULD REVEAL WHY NARU-CHAN WAS SO FRIENDLY WITH SAI….: )

Hmm…I wanted Sasuke and Sakura's meeting to be private…so I wrote it this way…hope you had fun reading!...…