Oh noes, I'm procrastinating again. Ah well xD. Anyways, really quick thanks to all my reviewers! I didn't think I'd get that many reviews for one chapter...! I apologize in advanced for the OOC-ness. But to me, everything fits in pretty well :).

DISCLAIMER: Still don't own anything. Except this laptop I'm using. It's like...my prized possession xD!

Here's the summary again for reference: Sasuke left- five years ago that is. But now, as top kunoichi of Konoha, Sakura was sent on a mission and encounters an old friend. But this time, she has her own way of getting him to talk.

NOTE: I EDITED THE LAST CHAPTER; MADE SOME CHANGES. RE-READ IF YOU MUST, BUT IT'S NOTHING TOO IMPORTANT.

Sasuke's POV

Screw Orochimaru.

Screw this curse seal he gave me years back. Screw his butt-ugly face that makes children cry. Screw the fact that he had me leave Konoha for five (probably more, I didn't exactly count) years. I left known as Konoha's bastard of a traitor, lost most of the 'so called bonds' with my old team, and most importantly...hurt the only person who really cared about me. Argh, screw it all!

No, I'm not angry, thanks for asking. I'm pissed.

Completely robbed of my patience and 'so-called happiness'. Though I had just survived a deadly fight between snake-bastard and finally avenged my clan by killing my dumb-ass brother, Itachi- I still don't feel…er…right.

I'm in a forest right now, actually…on my way back to Konoha.

I've been anticipating this since before I left; what would they say to me? What would the do to me? Most importantly, how would they react to my return? I feel a little biased though. By they I'm mostly referring to Naruto, Kakashi and…Sakura.

I wonder how they are now…

Naruto had always dreamed of being Hokage; always challenged me on the way. He's probably grown: but his immature attitude would always be there. No matter if he already is the Hokage or not.

Sakura on the other hand...

Honestly, I wouldn't know what to think of her. She was always on my trail when we were younger: much like those fangirls. Which led me to the thought she was one of them too. Especially before the Chunin Exams. But she grew, somewhat. Not as "immature" as before that, and she actually made a commendable sparring opponent when Naruto was gone.

Much to my surprise I hear a faint rustling sound. It couldn't have been wind and the trees: it was fairly sunny at this time. Before I could come up with another theory as to what made the sound, I was startled with the presence of someone else before me.

It was a girl: or I could assume. Mid-length brown hair with a full-faced mask to conceal "her" face. She wore loose robes, red and gold. And a kunai knife rested in her right hand- but her stance was relaxed.

"Who are you?!" I demanded. Really, I'm not in the mood for a fight right now.

"I'm afraid I cannot tell you." Damn. "-yet."

"Then...what do you want?" I asked firmly. She shrugged. "Then get out of my way." I say while trying to push past the stranger. Surprisingly, he/she didn't stop me- physically at least.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" she spoke up. I could tell by now by the feminine voice.

"I'm not." I answer, but she doesn't fall for it.

"Then stay."

"I have no time..."

"Because you're in a hurry...?" Ugh! I lost this argument, didn't I?

"Seriously, what do you want?"

"Hm, nothing really." she answers. "But what do you want?" I sigh.

"What I want...is to go." I tried again.

"Go where?" Wow. She is really just trying to piss me off even more now.

"Nowhere of your concern."

"Oh really?" SEE?!

"Yes."

"But I want to know." she pushes.

"To a village." -was the best I could come up with.

"Which village?"

"You're in no position to ask." I stated.

"I'm asking anyway."

"The Hidden Leaf Village." I snarled.

"Really?"

"Look: as much I'd like to stay and play 20 Questions with you...I. Have. To. Go." I continued in the direction I was headed for. But it wasn't over here.

"Wait," she took a step closer and my defenses clicked for a second. Like lightning; one small flash then...nothing. "Hidden Leaf Village, you say?" I nodded, a bit suspicious about this. "I remember my clan and I at that village not long ago."

"...What?" I asked before I could even think about what she could be talking about.

"Us. As in the Hironoshi Clan." Okay, what the hell?! Never heard of that clan before. "We were sent, on a mission, to massacre the village of yours." My eyes widened. Could she mean...? "And let me tell you, it was fun."

"Wh-What the hell?!" I practically yelled. I mean, how could someone (besides Itachi-baka) find going on a killing spree fun?!

"Is...that a problem?"

"Uh...n-no." I stammered as she crossed her arms across her chest.

"So you wouldn't mind me telling you about it…?" she inquired. I stayed silent. "The innocent civilians were taken out first. And let me tell you, no challenge at all." her tone had a countenance of its own- a combination of rolling of eyes and a smirk. "Then there were the academy students from the ninja school."

"...Why?" I choked.

"See, this is where you're gonna ruin it, just listen." she says and goes on. "After those little brats were taken care of, we proceeded to the Genin of the village. Then, of course, the Chunin. A little bit of a challenge, but still pretty easy. Then the Hokage- Tsunade, I think was her name."

This person's dangerous then. Able to take down the Hokage of the village. Of course, either that or the people have gotten weaker there. My hand subtly moved to the handle of the katana on my back- but it didn't go unnoticed for her.

"Is this making you uncomfortable?" she asked gently. I looked away.

HELL YEAH!

Who could go through merely listening about the wipeout of their village?!

"...No." I lied.

"Anyway, while the rest of my clan took on the rest of your little village, I came across a a few significant people." That had definitely caught my attention once more. "One with...spiky silver hair."

"Kakashi-sensei...!" I whispered to myself...I'm sure she heard, but she disregarded it anyway.

"He fought for his life. Pretty good, I may say. My breathing got harder. Could he have made it? "Too bad I had to kill him..." Gah, spoke too soon. "Then there was this annoying blonde." She sounded a bit irritated. But it hit me after a while.

"Naruto?" I confirmed.

"That's the name!" she piped up. "He also put up a good fight, really." She sighed. "He told me not to kill him- when he was on the verge of dying. When I asked him why, he said simply, 'I have something to settle with someone'. I'm assuming he meant you?"

So he hasn't given up yet, huh? "Hn."

"Anyhow, there were also a bunch of other students and their sensei's. Leaf Village has some really dedicated fighters." I say, seemingly impressed. I'm guessing he meant the rookie nine and their Jonin teachers.

"Anybody else?" I ask, looking back up at her calm, rested stance.

"There was...this one other girl." she kicked at the dirt. "She was…rather unusual. Innocent, green eyes. Lovely choice of clothing. And, long, flowing, pink hair."

Shit.

Sakura?!

My tempter clicked and before I knew it, had her trapped against a tree with my sword dangerously pointed at her neck.

"What did you do to her?" I asked firmly.

"Why? Is she that important to you?" she still seemed calm as ever, while I was really on the verge of temptation to thrust that sword into her body and laugh at the unmoving corpse as 'revenge'. You know, kind of like my brother.

"Just tell me." I resist the temptation for a while.

"You want to know?" she asked, and I nodded. "Of course, we fought." she explained, but that wasn't enough. "She was, I have to admit, a much harder opponent than your blonde friend or your Jonin teacher. A challenge, I should say."

Really? Sakura?? The Haruno Sakura?! The one who was...rather weak before?? My absence had probably encouraged her more to become a better ninja. Somehow, I found that as both a good and a bad thing.

I remained silent.

"But still weak." she spat. My glare hardened. "Then…before I could deliver the final blow, she beseeched for mercy. Begged me not to kill her like that. She refused to die in my hands." The grip on my katana tightened drastically.

"'Why', I asked. She said… 'Because I'm still waiting for someone.' Again, with you influencing the people of Konoha, huh?" Ouch. I have to admit- that was a kick between the legs. I loosened up this time.

"Is that it?" I was hopeful she'd stop there. That she had spared her life...though I wasn't exactly sure why I care so much.

"Nope." she answered confidently, as if my weapon wasn't just about to kill her. "I asked her who she was supposedly waiting for. And replied with your name. Uchiha Sasuke, am I correct?"

I didn't answer.

"It was a pretty good distraction for me; somehow I got her to confess her 'feelings'-"

"What did she say?" I interrupt- once again not sure why I care all of a sudden.

"About you? She told me she…still loved you. All those years that were wasted, she was still hopeful of your return from Sound and resume your previous relationship- which I know nothing about…" I gulped. Was it just me, or did it seem like she had somehow meant all this? As if her words were drenched in emotion. Yet, she continued, "-That you tore her heart into a million pieces, blew it up, stepped on it, and left it there to rot: but her feelings remained still."

I screwed up. And I knew that. But I couldn't react, no matter how hard I tried. She had gotten to me- and there was nothing I could do now.

"...I..." My throat seemed dry. The words I was planning on saying were choking me.

"I answered her; emotions are for the weak. But she refused to believe me." she boldly pushed away my sword and sidestepped to stand beside me. "Realizing I had wasted too much time, I apologized…"

"What?"

"Let me finish." she commanded. "I took a kunai like this-" she pulled out a knife from her back pouch and displayed it. "And drove it right through her. It got pretty bloody, I'll say. And emotional. But alas, our mission was complete."

Oh, hell no.

She was...killed too?

So...what now? What do I do now?! I'll admit now, she was partially (maybe most of it) the reason of my return to Konoha. But...that's gone now.

"Why?" I choked. "Why are you as emotionless as my brother? Going around killing people who mean a lot to others…?!" my tone got fiercer with every word as I was hit by memories of my clan's murder. I was helpless once more. I wasn't able to do anything about it…just like before.

"Aw, what's the matter?" she asked, sweetly. "Tell me; what did you think of her? In general?" There was no use in lying anymore...so I shrugged.

"A good friend…helpful teammate…determined ninja…" -she said in general, right?

"Appearance wise?" I could feel my cheeks get hot. I mean...Why the hell is this stranger asking me random questions about my former teammate? "And honestly."

"She had…unusual hair- like you said. But it complimented her green eyes. She was…beautiful." Ugh, I confessed. Something that I never thought I would say.

"Skill-wise?"

"She used to be weak..." I shrugged again. "But things change." I knew that for sure.

"Personality-wise?"

"Just another fan girl." he sneered. "But somehow, she was also different. Besides Naruto, the only one I could really open up to." It was true- I recalled, accompanied with only a million more flashbacks.

"Hn," she used my infamous reply. "You liked her?"

"...Yes." I inwardly groan. Since when had I decided to show emotion?!

"You care about her?"

"Yes." I answered with less hesitation.

"You...love her?" my cheeks heat up again; she was right. Her words echoed in my head as I considered it. Realization struck me: I love Sakura. Err...I did.

"Don't push it."

"I'm not." she retorted. Who is this, genius at debate? "Do you love her?" she asked louder.

"...Yeah." I let my thoughts loose. "I did..."

"Well then," she stuffed the stiletto back into her pouch. "I apologize to you. What I have done…was wrong."

I stood, frozen, somehow deprived of words or movement. I felt her staring at me- watching my every move. Waiting for me to do something besides stand here, motionless. But what was I supposed to do? It's not like I can anymore; my 'friends' were murdered, my old team was slaughtered, and now I'm drowning in an bottomless ocean of guilt.

Useless, I also felt. I couldn't have been there to prevent any of that from happening. Instead, I was out trying to achieve retribution for my brother's reckless behavior long ago. But…even I alone probably couldn't have defeated them. Which brings me back to where I started: I didn't know what to do.

"Well, I have to get going." she says. Wait, I can't just do nothing.

"Before you go…fight me." I started. "It's the least I could do."

"Ah, revenge?" she inquired. "Just like your brother…?" Wait, how the heck does she know all this crap about me?!

Stalker??

Shut up. That's…stupid. I nodded hesitantly and drew my katana.

It only took five minutes. Five well-wasted minutes for this ninja to completely immobilize me against the tree. I was trapped under layers of chakra string (how do you get that much chakra anyway?!) and surrounded by five other clones (Again with the chakra question). I still struggled through the trap, though I was well aware in my current condition there really was no point, as the clones merged into one of the bodies.

Several times I activated my Sharingan, which had gotten weaker over the years. In addition, I had shoved a load of chakra up to my neck, desperately trying to trigger the curse mark. Only to eventually remember Itachi had gotten rid of it for me as well.

I followed the clones to finally see which one was the real person.

"Heh, they told me the Uchiha Sasuke was a prodigy." She was making fun of me now- adding insult to injury. Throwing salt into a cut. Laughing insolently at me. "You could have entertained me more." So now she's just underestimating me. Though…she does have a point with where I'm positioned right now.

"Damn it," I growled while continuing to get out. "I can."

I froze as soon as I felt a light, cold pressure on the side of my neck.

"You're pushing your luck," she snarled. "You've gotten your 'so-called revenge'. You fought me...but you couldn't do anything more." I looked down, being thrown lower into that bottomless pit of guilt. She was right, I was unable to kick her ass like I normally could have. Perhaps emotions really are for the weak.

Without another word, I was freed.

"You still haven't told me who you are." I stopped her from getting away at the last moment.

"Aa." she shoved the kunai back into her pouch. "I'm a ninja."

"That's not what I meant." I sighed, really not in the mood for any more smart-ass remarks.

"You mean, you want me to go through a whole introduction?" she asked, and I nodded. "Very well then."

Her posture slumped as she began by removing the first mask, revealing sparkling (somewhat innocent) emerald green eyes. Then removing the second mask, which resembled Kakashi's mask, showing the rest of her face. Beautiful…and yet so familiar. Lastly, her hand went up to her hair and gently dragged off the brunette wig, having her long, pink hair fall down to her mid-back.

"Nice to meet you, Uchiha Sasuke." she held her hand out. "I'm Haruno Sakura."

Shit…

…

…

…

SAKURA?! Are…are you serious?? Wow, I'm pretty slow. It took me a minute to realize all this.

She played me.

I had confessed.

But most importantly, she's still alive.

"S-Sakura?" Never in my life have I been shocked like this. She smiled widely at me, her eyes softly looking up to mine (she was actually almost as tall as me now, compared to before) as I barely resisted the temptation to take her and kiss her like there was no tomorrow.

Oops too late.

Her hand was still in front of me; so I had done the predictable. I pulled her close and completely closed the distance between us. It was her turn to be consumed by shock. She stiffened for a while. My left hand released hers and made its way around her small waist while she dropped the 'disguise' in her hands, causing her mouth to open as well. I had taken advantage of that and deepened the kiss. Probably not something kids would want to see…

We edged to that tree again as my right hand went up to support both our weight. I shifted down to her neck, knowing well she was enjoying this just as much as I was. "Sakura…" I whispered.

"Hm?"

"Don't ever scare me like that again." I was sure she smirked at the command, but I stopped her from replying.

"Uh…Sasuke-kun." she abruptly stopped, probably just remembering something. Honestly, I missed her calling me that. I mean, Orochimaru calling me that was just plain creepy. And Karin-bitch adding it to my name sent chills down my spine. "I'm still on a mission."

Oh yeah.

"Is it required?" she nodded. Damn…I'd have to wait? Hn, no. I hate waiting- everyone knows that.

"But…we can go home first." she sighed and I pulled her with me, my signature smirk playing on my lips.

YEAH! Finally!! So…whatd'dya think? Tell me! Or I will. Cut. You. (HAHA, Bon Qui Qui. Anyone watch that?). I feel as if a great weight has been lifted from my brain with this. Hope you liked it!!

PS. Do you think I need a new title? Or is it fine as it is??

FilipinaChick29
"Proud to be Pinoy"