yeah neonkun, sasuke's a little OOC but in the actual anime/manga…can u picture him in love or in a couple OO scary ish if he isn't ooc… well I'll try my best.

Heres chap 8

The Start of the Journey

Tsunade opened the door, and found Sasuke and Sakura sitting together, talking about some book or another.

"11:30, up we go!" she yelled, then disappeared as they heard her already walking down the stairs to the village below.

Sakura exchanged a glance with Sasuke, and they got up together, and left for the Village Gate where they saw Naruto off that morning.

But as they approached the Gate, Sasuke saw Sakura's eyes darken to hide emotions. Then, she went on tiptoe and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"The mission starts now, Sasuke. Our duties are the priority." She said to him.

Sasuke sighed, and replied, "Alright, flower. See you." And he watched as Sakura moved away from his side, though only by two feet. He realized that although Sakura loved him, again, her changes had made her more responsible. He remembered the day when she had snapped at Naruto for complaining about her leading practices that first day, and her hard look at Sasuke when he tried to reproach her. He should follow her example. After all, if he continued thinking about Sakura 24/7 he wouldn't be able to improve. He needed to train more. Itachi flashed through his mind. With this, his face became flat. Forget Sakura for the mission, the point was to protect Hokage-sama and gain strength. To kill him.

Tsunade, who had arrived several minutes before, was standing at the gate with two very tall ninjas. She instantly saw the space between Sasuke and Sakura, Sakura's black eyes, and Sasuke's impassive face. She smiled to herself, good, Sakura.

The three ninjas watched the two younger ones approach them.

As Sasuke and Sakura reached the trio, both kept their eyes on the ground but said in a clear voice together, "Hokage-sama. Yuzuru-kun. Kirari-san." Then, they looked up.

Tsunade was turning a stubborn red, telling Sakura that she was so going to pay for this. But still, Tsunade continued with the introductions. "Yes, that's Yuzuru and Hyuuga Kirari. Yuzuru, Kirari, this is Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Sasuke."

However, Sakura was looking at the man and woman beside Tsunade. She thought that for a mission that considered transporting the Hokage, more than such a small team should be used for safety's sake. But then again, Tsunade was a formidable opponent. Plus, Yuzuru-kun and Kirari-san were two of the best ninjas she knew.

Yuzuru had no last name. The handsome ninja had arrived in Konoha four years ago with a forehead protector that did not have any village's symbol scratched into it and had simply announced that he wished to join the village. After undergoing multiple truth tests and questioning, they arrived at the conclusion that he did not mean Konoha any harm. After undergoing multiple test battles and spars and technique displays, they also arrived at the conclusion that he was one of the most skilled ninja, Jounin level. He quickly rose through the ranks of ninja in terms of respect and fame around Konoha. He was very tall, and his black hair lay flat and long, to his chin. He was also village-known as one of the most blunt speakers and he wasn't afraid to express opinion. Kind of like Sasuke, Sakura thought, looking at Yuzuru-kun's proud face.

Hyuuga Kirari was also very tall, respected and dignified and a little odd looking. However, she was Hyuuga Hiashi's younger sister, and was a powerful Byakugen ninja, so what did her looks have to do with her?. Her faded white eyes actually seemed a little light peach colored. She had a strange hair color, a very dark green that was tied back in a high ponytail, with her bangs hanging over the forehead protector.

Sasuke thought he liked Yuzuru-kun. He looked strong.

Until…

"They look small… Hokage-sama, are you sure you want these two coming with us? They don't look like they'll add up to much." Yuzuru spoke up.

"Oy, now, Yuzuru." Kirari chided softly, "That's no way to greet fellow ninja, is it?" Sakura automatically knew she liked Kirari, she seemed wise, but Yuzuru was something different.

"Looks are deceiving in this case, Yuzuru-kun." Sakura retorted angrily. Sasuke's eyes narrowed and he thought, Tch, Sakura what are you doing. Damn, you never did this before! He shot a look sideways at Sakura, who continued to stare straight at Yuzuru.

"Prove me wrong. I'll believe it when I see it, flower." How condescending! The inner Sakura roared, begging the Outside Sakura to try and beat the crap out of the tall man. But then Yuzuru continued, "And what of the Uchiha boy? Not speaking up, are you. Wise, but I heard that the genius boy ninja was more hotheaded."

"Sorry to disappoint, Yuzuru-kun." Sasuke kept his eyes lowered. Nevermind, I really don't like this guy. What an idiot.

Tsunade was looking seriously pissed now. "Yes, Yuzuru, I'm confident in their skills. Play nice, will you? You too, Sakura."

They started off down the road into the world beyond the village.

"How many days' traveling?" Sakura asked.

"About two weeks to get there. We might stop for a day at other villages though, because our journey takes us through Rain and Grass." Kirari said.

"How come we're only visiting the Hidden Light? The Land of Day has Hidden Night, too."

"The Dark declined to a peaceful meeting." Tsunade responded, her face darkening.

"Wait…that's not right!" Sakura protested. "They're representing the same country as Light! Why would they country of Day let that happen? One village says yes, the other no?"

"The Countries trust the Ninja Villages with their own business. They don't, nor do they have the time, to hang over the Village's shoulder constantly." Tsunade said, shortly.

"Hm…. Light and Dark are going to have a disagreement one day. It won't be pretty, probably over favoritism." Yuzuru mused.

"But when it does, hopefully the Country will interfere." Kirari said.

"Can we pick up the pace, just a little?" Tsunade suggested.

"Hai, Hokage-sama." Sasuke agreed, and all five leapt into the trees. He had been getting bored with the slow walking, even if only ten minutes had gone by.

"Sasuke, you will call me Tsunade." She said grumpily. Sasuke gave a "hmf" as they moved along quickly in the tree tops. Tsunade growled and added, "I command you."

Sasuke's face fell.

"H-hokage sama, that's rude! It isn't allo-" Yuzuru was interrupted by Tsunade.

"You too, Yuzuru. I'll punch the next person that calls me Hokage-sama or Tsunade-sama.

The four ninja accompanying her fell silent. A punch from Tsunade was not cool. After a few minutes, Sakura's sandal strap came loose and they stopped on a broad and massive tree branch.

"Though, of course I can still call the pretty little flower Sakura-chan, can't I, flower?" Yuzuru teased, a hint of malice in his voice. Sasuke, who was standing beside the kneeling Sakura, felt her bristle beside him. He felt himself snap at Yuzuru.

"Don't call her Flower." He snarled.

"Why not? Only you can? Is she yours?" Yuzuru emphasized the last word. Sasuke flushed. Sakura cleared her throat, nudging Sasuke. He ignored her warnings.

"Woah, hey guys, let's stop, alright?" Kirari tried to break it up.

Sasuke ignored her and went on, still a little red, "What if she is, Yuzuru?" Sakura slapped herself in the forehead.

"You guys sound like six year olds." Tsunade snorted.

"Tsunade, please. Hey, Uchiha, I'm your elder, where's my honorific? Hm?" he sneered.

"Let's say the respect needed for it is MISSING." Sasuke snapped.

The exchange would have gone on if Kirari hadn't come up behind Yuzuru and touched his shoulder. He twitched at the touch, then turned his head as Kirari whispered soft words into his ear. Then she smoothed the hair on the back of his head, patting it, and went back to stand beside Tsunade. Yuzuru apparently calmed down.

"Fine. Leave it without then." He said coolly.

Aww, they look cute together. Sakura realized the two were a couple (just going out, mind you). But how does Kirari stand him? Sakura thought. But then she remembered how quiet, terse and expressionless Sasuke was to strangers and even friends, but how he was so tender when he was with her. She thought she understood, as she wrestled with her sandal strap. It was acting up and wouldn't loop back through.

"These are new!" she complained, tugging at it. "I didn't bring any extra pairs!"

"Let me try, Sakura." Yuzuru used her actual name for the first time. Then, he stopped and looked at Sasuke. "Any problems with me fixing her shoe, midget?" he asked, both in a sarcastic but mild tone.

Sasuke didn't want to sound foolish saying 'a problem? Its her shoe, it's okay with me', so he replied, "Tch…three inches shorter doesn't mean I'm a midget."

Yuzuru fixed her shoe so well, Sakura said it felt new. Sasuke felt a tiny twinge of jealousy when Sakura thanked Yuzuru, but then reminded himself it was just appreciation. How jumpy he was…

The rest of the first day went reasonably well, and they traveled fast by tree-jumping or following a dirt road, always aware for attackers. Yuzuru stayed up front, Kirari stayed behind Tsunade, and Sasuke and Sakura were on the left and right.

At night, they found a clearing in the middle of a large clump of bushes. No fire was allowed. It may have seemed unreasonable, they hadn't heard any protests against Konoha at all lately, but hey, it was the Hokage, they had to take cautions.

Kirari and Sakura went to fetch some cold water to fill the water bottles all five carried. At a nearby stream, Sakura asked Kirari, "Kirari-san, didn't… didn't you think Yuzuru-san was a little mean today?"

Kirari sighed, but smiled, her peach eyes stood out in the darkening night sky. "A little, yes. He doesn't mean any of it. He could tell already that you two were 'more friendly' (Sakura blushed) with each other. He does that, you know, he plays with strangers. He's cautious when he thinks he needs to be, but if its someone who he doesn't know but he has to work with them, he has fun with them. He was playing with Sasuke, because he knew it would bother him. But when you earn his trust, Yuzuru's so nice. He's thoughtful and protective."

He IS like Sasuke! Sakura thought. "I see…" she said. "okay, I just wanted to check."

"Sakura, Sakura. I'm a Byakugan user, and like you notice with Neji… a lot of skilled Byakugans read faces and emotions relatively easily. I told you what you really wanted to know, you just wanted to know more about Yuzuru-san, didn't you?"

Sakura blushed, and her eyes went dark.

"Well, yes you're right, with that funny face control you have, it's harder with you. But when you're with Sasuke you tend to let it slip." Kirari smiled, kindly. Sakura blushed, and reluctantly let her normal eye color return again. They returned to the camp a few minutes later.

"Get some sleep, everybody. We're going to get started early, tomorrow." Tsunade said.

Sasuke unrolled his sleeping bag/futon/thing and lay down on it. He knew Sakura was just on the other side of the clearing, but he missed her anyways. They were too distant, and he had to wait two weeks until they could spend sometime together while waiting for Tsunade to finish her business in Light! He turned over, and heard a quiet scraping sound. A hand touched his cheek, and he knew it was Sakura. She put down her sleeping bag next to him, and lay down. He put an arm across her side and pulled her closer to him, feeling her snuggle against his body.