Naruto and his team had been searching for Orochimaru for weeks but they still haven't found any significant clues of his whereabouts. And today, Naruto was called by Shizune to go to Tsunade's office.

When he arrived there, Tsunade showed him some papers.

"This is for you, Naruto," Tsunade said as she handed over to Naruto the papers she was holding.

"What is this?" he asked, and then he looked at the papers, "T—This is—!"

"Yes, those papers contain all the information you would need to find Orochimaru's hideout."

"T—Tsunade-sama…"

"That's all I can do to help you. Everything's up to you from now on."

"Th—Thank you very much, Tsunade-sama," he said as he bowed, "I'm really grateful. This would surely help us." Naruto was thankful for what Tsunade did. Though he couldn't express it through words, you could see his gratitude through his eyes.

"You're welcome, Naruto. I hope you'll be able to save her now."

"Yes, I'll definitely do that," he determinedly said.

As soon as their conversation ended, Naruto hurriedly went out to find Shikamaru and Temari to show them what Tsunade gave to him.

When the two learned about the good news, they immediately constructed a plan. They wasted no time. After finishing their plan, the three went to Tsunade straightaway and asked for her permission to carry out their mission. And Tsunade gave her authorization right away.

Traveling to Otogakure would take three days, so they were hurrying. Naruto was very silent, but Shikamaru could see that he was uneasy.

"Naruto, are you okay?" asked Shikamaru.

Naruto didn't answer. He just ignored Shikamaru.

"Naruto!"

Naruto stopped running, so the two also stopped.

Naruto started to talk, "I'm nervous, but I'm also glad. I couldn't understand what I'm feeling. But I know I really want to see her. And now, I got the chance. That's why I don't want to waste any time. I'm just extremely worried."

"Yeah… I know, Naruto. That's why we're here."

"That's right," added Temari.

----

After three days, the group finally reached Otogakure.

"We're here now," sighed Temari.

"Now, we need to use the information that Tsunade-sama gave us," said Shikamaru.

Naruto was quiet again; he was just looking around, saying nothing.

"Naruto, are we going to start looking for Sakura now?" asked Shikamaru.

"Yeah, we shouldn't waste our time."

"Okay. So…these documents say…," started Shikamaru, while showing to Naruto and Temari the map that Tsunade gave.

A few minutes later, the three of them already concluded where Orochimaru's is hiding. And they immediately headed out.

-----

At Orochimaru's hideout, Sakura was supposed to see his "gift" for her today.

"Follow me," said Orochimaru to Sakura.

Then she closely followed him. Orochimaru went to a dark corridor, and at the last door, they entered.

When Sakura stepped into the room, there was Sasuke.

Her eyes widened, "S—Sasuke-kun!!" she ran to him and hugged him, "I'm really happy to see you again… I've been waiting for this…" Tears started to flow from her eyes, "Sasuke-kun…!"

"Sakura… Why are you here?" said Sasuke as he took her hands off him.

"S—Sasuke…?"

He stepped away from her and said, "I don't want to see you."

Sakura was surprised, "D—Do you hate me that much?" she said sadly.

Sasuke didn't answer.

"That's such a harsh welcome, Sasuke," grinned Orochimaru.

Sakura tried to stop from crying, but she couldn't. "I don't want to see you…" These words kept entering her mind. It was very painful for her to hear Sasuke say those things. After being gone for a long time, that's the last thing she wanted to hear from the person she loved the most.

"Okay, let's stop this drama," said Orochimaru, "You have work to do, Sakura."

Sakura listlessly followed Orochimaru. They left Sasuke alone in that room.

While following Orochimaru, Sakura was talking to herself, "Why…? Why did he…? I thought our meeting would be fine… Why…? I did this just to see him… But…seeing him again…takes away the pain of his words…"