Chapter Two: The Forest of Regrets!!

After leaving Lady Tsunades office Sakura went to the store then headed home, the entire time making sure she didn't run into Sasuke.

Once home she made dinner then went out for a quick after dinner work out.

Sakura headed off on her usual running route sinking into her usual groove.

After about half an hour she took a small break in the local park.

"That was a good work out... I guess I should be heading home, its getting late!" She decided that she would jog home so she set off, but on her way there she ran into...

"Kakashi-sensei!? Shouldn't you be home getting ready for your mission tomorrow??" asked Sakura a look of surprise on her face.

"I should say the same thing to you Sakura. Why are you out this late??" asked Kakashi.

"Just out for an after dinner jog, you?"

"Just a walk to clear my mind" replied Kakashi.

That wont take long. Laughed inner Sakura

'Hey don't be mean.' scolded Sakura but she couldn't help but smile at that thought.

"I'd better get going I need to start packing or I'll never get it done. See ya later Kakashi-sensei."

"Yeah... see ya Sakura" 'Somethings bothering her she looks so tense, I wonder what it could be...Oh well...Oh! Look at the time I'd better get going.' And with that Kakashi poofed out of sight.

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Sakura awoke the next morning took out her pink journal and started to write.

Seeing You!

Seeing you again brought back so much pain.

But my love for you could never be the same.

Those words I wanted to say just wouldn't pass my lips.

But when you stand this close to me my heart beat seems to skip.

Boy you know what I thought that you were mine.

But my broken hearts been shattered one to many times.

I spent so many hours just crying over you.

But to mend my broken heart there's nothing you can do.

There's one thing you should know that's absolutely true.

I really truly thought that I was in love with you!

After she finished she took the journal and tucked it away in her backpack then went and took a nice hot shower since it was the last one she would get to take for the next couple days.

After her shower she changed into her mission cloths which was a skin tight black long sleeve shoulder less shirt that (like the rest of her shirts) stop after her ribs, black spandex short shorts with a shuriken chain belt and her black ninja shoes and then she tied on her head band.

She grabbed everything she was taking with her and headed for the door.

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Sakura was walking slowly through town towards the main entrance into the Leaf village and saw Sasuke waiting there for her.

'Great of all the people in the world to be paired up with why in the hell did it have to be him??' wondered Sakura.

Oh get over it, you and I both know you always wanted to go on a mission alone with Sasuke, and now its happening. Said inner Sakura.

'No.. that's what I wanted back then but not now, not after everything I've been through, and definitely not after everything he did!!' argued Sakura.

Whatever you and I both know that's not true. Commented inner Sakura

'OOOHHH JUST DROP IT!! OKAY??' yelled Sakura at her inner self.' You always know just what to say to piss me off!'

Its what I do! Said inner Sakura smiling. By the way, Sasuke is looking at us.

'What!?' Yeah look for your self. Said inner Sakura pointing in his direction

And sure enough Sasuke was looking directly at her with those onyx eyes she had always loved.

"What are you looking at?" barked Sakura.

"N-Nothing." replied Sasuke pulling himself back together. 'Wow she looks fantastic. Damn!!' thought Sasuke turning a very faint, barely visible shade of pink at his own thoughts.

'What the hell is up with him?? He never use to act like this. Oh well..' "So are we going or what?" asked Sakura.

"Yes... of course." replied Sasuke slightly flustered.

The gates opened and they leapt into the forest surrounding Konohagakure.

"Lady Tsunades assistant said that the rouge ninjas are somewhere to the south of the village." said Sasuke as they were jumping through the trees, every once in a while sneaking a glance at Sakura.

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"Lets stop here for the night." suggested Sakura. They had been jumping through the forest all day and had skipped eating breakfast and lunch, so they were tired and extremely hungry.

Sakura started up the fire and set to work making their dinner, which in the end came out tasting great.

Since Sasuke left Sakura had also become a great cook, which was a blessing on a long journey.

So instead of eating fish-on-a-stick like they did way back when, they could eat something different each night if they wanted to.

"This is great... When did you become such a wonderful cook Sakura??" asked Sasuke finishing his second helping and going back for a third."

"Just one of the many talents I've gained in the time you were gone." Replied Sakura coldly. "Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to bed. Goodnight!"

"Good night Sakura." 'Wow a lot has changed since I left...and Sakura has changed the most.'

Sasuke looked over at Sakura who had already fallen asleep and sighed. 'She's definitely not the Sakura I left behind in Konohagakure four years ago, she's changed so much...'

Sasuke disided to sleep up against a tree about five feet from Sakura with a blanket draped over his shoulders and as he started to doze off he felt something move next to him.

He opened his eyes and saw that Sakura had moved from her spot five feet away to right next to him. He realized that she's asleep and that she's shivering.

In her sleep she seemed to be looking for someplace warmer to sleep and had even brought her blanket with her.

Sakura moved a little closer and Sasuke instinctively put his arm around her and pulled her closer to stop her from shivering.

"Sasuke... don't leave..." she mumble in her sleep.

"Don't worry Sakura... I'll never leave you again... I promise." he whispered in reply, as Sakura snuggled closer to him, Sasuke's heart rate sped up a little. Holding her close he grabbed her blanket and draped it over their legs.

Sasuke looked down at the cherry haired kunochi, a smile crept across his face and he fell asleep with Sakura cuddled next to him and the smell of cherries in the air.

End of Chapter Two