Back to Breaking Down

Sakura woke up beside the faint glow of a campfire. The three of them decided not to put up their tents that night. Sitting up, she immediately started to take in her surroundings (a ninja reflex). Chuuko was asleep on the other side of the campground, separated from herself and Sasuke. Which brought the thought of the raven haired man to her awareness. Where was he? She scanned the surrounding area, their packs were laying next to the fire pit, there was nothing but trees behind her and next to her, and Chuuko was the only other presence in the opening. He wasn't there. She stood up from her mat and made her way out of the clearing. She followed the path through the winding forest, looking left and right for her teammate. Just as she was about to turn around, she spotted him by the riverside. He was sitting on the ground, elbows on his knees with his folded hands propping up his chin. She mentally debated on wether or not to join him. He might be in the middle of a personal discussion, which would be rude of her. Thinking better than to disturb his peace, she turned back towards the campsite.

"Sakura."

So much for not disrupting him. Knowing that going on like she hadn't heard him would be rude, she simply turned around to greet him. Things had been a little ... awkward ... since what happened three days ago. All she could recall was his arms wound around her waist. His voice stretching towards her eager ears, his breathe tickling her neck. She felt her checks warm up and she automatically knew that she was blushing. He had told her the same thing she said to him all those years ago and the very moment he did, all those memories, emotions, came rushing back to her as if a floodgate was broken down. There was no denying that she was in love with him, she always had been. What a stupid idea, it seemed, that she could try to convince people she didn't. For some reason, she listened to him. She didn't go after the man. Or woman, she didn't know for sure and probably never would. Thinking about it, she knew why she didn't go. She was in love with him. He could have told her to jump off a bridge and she probably would. She was practically pleading for him to say something, anything, to her. She craved his attention, she needed it. The very realization was not so much shocking as it was disturbing. She didn't want to think that, feel that. Thus, she had been avoiding him as much was permitted on a two man escort mission. Which, by the way, was not very much. At least durning the day she had Chuuko to buffer him out, not to mention he wasn't the world's greatest conversationalist. At night they were sleeping so she didn't even see him at all. The only times they had to interact were when they needed to decide something.

She had failed to notice that she was walking slowly towards him the entire time she was carrying on her own little mental chitchat. When she realized where she was, right next to the center of her thoughts, she instinctively sat down.

Damn, so much for not having any unnecessary contact.

A silence lingered in the air spanning about ten minutes. While it was silent outside, her mind was bursting with question. There where so many things she wanted to ask him. So many things she knew he wouldn't answer. She noticed a stirring beside her and looked to find Sasuke getting up.

"We should head back to camp before Furui-san wakes up and makes any assumptions."

He didn't even offer his hand, such a gentleman.

It was now or never. If she wanted to ask him she had to do it now.

"Why did you stop me?"

Sasuke froze. He was not expecting her to say something like that. Sure, she had been a little tense but has she been thinking about it that much?

Say something before she makes the wrong conclusion.

And what, dear Sasuke, is the wrong conclusion?

That I did it because I care about her.

How is that the wrong conclusion, again?

Shut up. If you're not going to help it doesn't mean you have to hinder.

It was a few moments before Sasuke had given an answer, leaving Sakura analyzing every pause he created.

"I did it because I couldn't afford to have an injured person on the squad."

The way he said it was full of such authority that Sakura was more than offended.

"So you think that I would have gotten hurt?"

Sakura was standing up now, trying to get on equal footing with him."I don't think, I know."

"Are you saying I'm weak?"

"Now you're just putting words in my mouth."

Sakura took a step closer to him. He hadn't moved at all, as if this wasn't getting to him on any level.

"No, I don't think I am, Uchiha."

Ah, so she was back to the whole last name regiment.

"All I'm saying is that he's stronger than you."

"And what, per say, are you judging that by?"

Sasuke had had enough of this conversation.

"I'm judging it by the fact that he killed your parents!"

It was out in the open, like a festering sore being prodded continuously.

By this time the two were right in each other's faces, close enough that Sasuke could see the tears welling in Sakura's eyes before they fell. He became conscious of the fact that what he said was completely out of line.

"Sakura, listen-"

She turned around, "Huh, how ironic that you say the same things to you that we told you all those years. The only difference is I let you go after Itachi."

His previous sympathy flew out the window.

"You never LET me do anything. Who was the one begging me to stay? YOU. You don't have any control over me, Sakura. Get used to it. There was nothing for me in that village, no matter how many times you dilute yourself into thinking there was. Nothing you said or say could change anything I do. Your approval wasn't going to make me go and, obviously, your disapproval wasn't going to make me stay. You begged me to take you with me. Why, Sakura, why?"

His words were sharpened, meant to strike her anger. Instead they struck her heart.

"Because I loved you, dammit! Because I love you! Because I didn't want you to leave, to be killed. Because I would miss you, be empty without you there."

Sakura had blurted out everything as if it was running up her throat and pushing out of her mouth like a bat out of hell. She couldn't bare to stay and see his reaction, his face. She had let her emotions get the better of her and she needed to leave. She ran back towards the camp leaving a confused Uchiha in her wake.

He had heard her say that when she was drunk, but it was different when she was completely sober and meant every word. He headed in the opposite direction, taking a walk before going back to their campsite. Her words echoing with every step.

______________________________________________________________________

Sorry, this was kind of a teaser chapter. Sakura will probably get hurt in the next chapter and some major fluff. If you have any ideas on how you want it to go let me know and I'll try to entwine it in somehow! Thanks, review if you wish (wish it people)! Come on, I can see your fingers twitching on that mouse, edging towards the review button! Don't resist!

Thanks (again)

musicXinXtheXdark