On rare nights when I'd be trying to drift into sleep, I would catch myself wondering what it would be like if I ever ran into some of my old teammates. There are so many things I'd want to tell Konoha, so many things I'd want to finally get off my chest. But, eventually I would come to the conclusion that it would be for the best if I don't say anything at all to them. It would be easier for everyone, including me, that I just ignore them. Although, I knew that there's a huge difference between thinking about something and actually doing it.

I rubbed my wrists, caressing the irritated indentation the cuffs made in my skin. I glanced back and forth between Hinata, who looked uncertain to Kiba, who was attacking me with endless questions. Shino's face was half hidden from his black glasses and long overcoat; I can't tell what's going through his mind.

"-and you just left Konoha without a word of goodbye. Everyone was left in the dark, we were worried about you," Kiba finished, his voice finally starting to lower.

I stared at Kiba, unable to form the right words. It felt as if my voice box had been taken out.

Hinata rustled in her side pouch and pulled out a pill, "Here, S-Sakura. This is a s-soldier pill. I'm sorry, it's all I have to keep you awake right now." She handed it to me and I gladly swallowed it, not even considering that it could be poison.

"Thanks Hinata." I ignored the voice in the back of my head who continued to whisper to me, 'Konoha's been searching for you.' I shut my eyes and try to think about something else. I think about my own questions. "Why are you here?"

Kiba and Hinata shared a doubtful look.

"What?" I snapped, unable to control the anger in my voice.

Hinata was the first to speak, her voice soft. "Please S-Sakura, don't take this the wrong way. Hokage-Sama w-wanted this top s-secret."

The Canine Ninja huffed and rolled his eyes. "The Hokage sent us on a mission to destroy the Akatsuki," Kiba's voice was blunt. "They're killing off all the nine Jinchuurik."

Hinata gasped, "Were not s-supposed t-"

My eyes widened and my mouth dropped open. "Naruto? Is he-"

"He's fine," Shino interrupted, his tone dull. He said it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Hinata, Naruto and Sakura were teammates. She's not an enemy and she never has been."

Kiba finally released a smile that showed off a nice view of his sharp fangs. "Damn straight!

Akamaru barked.

"However, I would like to know how you happen to be mixed up in the Akatsuki."

All heads turned on me, their gaze on the edge of judgmental.

I frowned, "I was captured." Their silence was a sign to explain. "Well, it's a long story," I admitted.

"Then you can tell us all back in Konoha," Kiba suggested. "You might be banished, but if you have some information about Akatsuki I'm sure the Hokage will allow you in for questioning."

The unexpected statement left me speechless for a few seconds. "Go back?" I whispered to myself. Immediately the slim, multicolored feather popped inside my head. "I can't, not yet anyway."

"What do you mean? Why not?" Kiba's tan hands outstretched themselves, pleading for a explanation.

I shifted and the snow beneath my feet made a crunch. "The Akatsuki took something that belongs to me, I want to get it back."

"You want to get it back." Shino echoed.

I nodded.

A pause. "It is important that you tell us your story." Shino suddenly looked very authoritative and intimidating.

I wanted to roll my eyes but I kept my face pure of emotion. "What if I don't? What're you going to do?"

It was quiet for a moment, the tension seeping in.

Shino's glasses suddenly jerked further down his nose. Familiar coal black eyes and long eyelashes peeked up from behind the black lens. I watched him shove them back up with his index finger. "Why wouldn't you? Is there something to hide from us, Sakura?"

Kei. I froze in my spot, unable to mask the shivers that plagued my skin. I thought of the wanted posters that hung a picture of my face and many of my comrades'. My legs itched to run back to the hideout.

"I need to go," I whispered.

Kiba opened his mouth, about retort, but I spoke first.

"Listen, I'll work with Konoha and I'll tell you what you want to know. But right now, it isn't possible." Unconsciously, my eyes narrowed at Shino. "It's none of Konoha's business concerning what I've done or what I'm doing anymore. If you could please give me some time, I would happily make room for you in my busy schedule. "

Seconds ticked by. "Very well, but on one condition." His milky, white hand dug into his large jacket pocket and plucked out a headpiece. "I assume you know how to work this. Dial it to Channel 8. And of course, a few rules."

"Rules?" I repeated.

"First, do not go out of our range. It spans out 321 kilometers in all directions around myself. If you are further than 321 kilometers from me, I will know."

"Okay," I drawled. "What else?"

"Keep in contact everyday."

Taking the silver headpiece, I nestled it around my neck and put it in my ear. "Right, keep in contact."

"Maybe I should come with you." Heads snapped to The Canine Ninja who now had a measly smile on his face. "Yeah, I'll keep an eye on her. For, you know - conspiracy reasons," Kiba wiggled his eyebrow.

I thought for a moment, searching Kiba's face. "Conspiracy reasons. You can't be serious."

"K-Kiba, we are on a very important m-mission," Hinata reminded him softly.

The Canine Ninja shrugged, "It's over anyways. All we're going to do is wait for Kakashi-Sensei to come back and we'll all probably go back to the Hokage for the report. Which we failed, and I don't know about you, but I don't want to face an angry Tsunade. You guys can handle this without me, and if you can't - you can just contact me and I'll meet up with you."

"Do I have a choice in this?" I asked, half annoyed.

"Hmm? Did you say something?" Kiba smiled evilly.

"I don't remember you guys being this close before," Shino said dully.

"Hey, Sakura saved Akamaru's life when he wasn't looking good, not to mention mine. We spent a lot of time together in the infirmary tent back then. War brings people together," Kiba grinned and casually swung a arm across my shoulders.

I shrugged off his arm, a little embarrassed and uncertain of the close contact. "This is great and all, but if you're going to come with me I want you to pick up on that Akatsuki member's scent."

"Way ahead of you," Kiba swiftly pulled out a syringe from inside his jacket. "Stinks of blood, but there's no mistaking that awful clay smell."

"I'll inform Kakashi of your departure."

"Right, thanks Shino."

"And Kiba?"

"Yeah?"

Shino hesitated, as if he forgot what to say. "If you find the Akatsuki, be sure to let us know."

Kiba's lips tilted upward, "Not a problem."

I sighed and finally released a genuine smile. "Well, bye."

In the corner of my eye I saw Hinata's hand wave and Shino's simple nod of the head before disappearing into the snow coated forest.

Kiba and Akamaru sandwiched me in, our footsteps leaving patterns in the snow behind us. I stole glances at Kiba every few seconds, reminding that myself that he was really there. Beside me, Akamaru's tongue hung past his lips and panted out cloudy puffs of heat.

What seemed like a half hour of running blindly straight into snow, Akamaru jerked to the left.

"He's gone south," Kiba said, breaking the silence.

I thought for a moment, then it hit me. "Were are we anyway?" I said, confused.

Kiba rose an eyebrow, "Well, right now we're in Lighting Country."

I stopped abruptly, making Kiba and Akamaru turn around and halt. "Did you just say Lighting Country?"

The Canine Ninja nodded, suddenly looking tired. "Yeah, it's a long way from home." He paused, sticking out his nose and sniffing the air. "Sakura, I barely have a scent as it is, we need to trail him now before it either fades or the weather erases it," His brown eyes met my green ones, "Let's keep moving."

I settled my gaze on my red toes that were burning from the cold, trying to build up heat. I sighed and reluctantly started to walk forward, still trying to process the information.

A distant and echoed voice yelled, "Sakura!"

My head snapped to look behind me. White littered the ground. It was as silent as a cemetery. Akamaru's heavy panting was the only sound that hit against my eardrum for a few seconds. Kiba and I looked at each other, silently asking each other if we heard the same thing.

"Sakura!" The voice sounded closer.

"It's Naruto," Kiba said suddenly. The Canine Ninja turned to me, locking his eyes with mine. "I hate to do this, but we need to leave. Now."

I stared up at Kiba in confusion, unable to comprehend coming face to face with Naruto. "W-what?"

Kiba gripped my shoulder and squeezed it hard. "If you see Naruto now he will not let you go."

"Where are you!" I could make out the raw desperation in his tone.

"Naruto," I whispered, looking in the direction on his voice. I turned back to Kiba, who's face was serious and conflicted.

"Come on, we need to hurry." Kiba's hand grabbed for mine and he started to run, jerking me forward. I bore my eyes into the sheet of white, imagining an orange suited ninja come barreling out.

I really want to see him.

Will she? Anything's possible...