Chapter Three

Silence surrounded the area as Sakura's teammates soaked in the information that was given. Kakashi was deep in thought with his arms crossed over his chest and his head bent so that his natural grey hair covered his left eye. Naruto was finding the ground interesting to stare at while he tried to understand any of what Sakura had said. His deep cerulean eyes matching the look on his serious looking face.

It was strange for Sakura to look at Naruto as a serious person, sure she had seen him angry and throw childlike tantrums whenever an unforeseen problem arose; but never had she witnessed this serious form of Naruto. The scars on his face were more prominent with his frown, his blonde spiky hair was hanging lower than what she had ever seen, and he just wasn't smiling. What was worse was the fact that she had caused this reaction out of him. It was her fault that he wasn't grinning like some happy person would.

Kakashi was the first to speak, his deep charcoal eyes boring into Sakura's striking emerald.

"I wish you would have told us sooner, then we could have done something about it. But since we are in this predicament I suggest we meet this person who did this to you and sort this mess out." Sakura let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, but before she could say something more, blue eyes met green and she forced her words back awaiting Naruto's reply.

"I agree with Kakashi. I mean did you think that we would have just written you off as some kind of freak just because you were different? Come Sakura you know us better than that." There was the smile she was waiting for, that beautiful smile that could brighten up anyone's day. Sakura found herself smiling back.

"Thanks guys, I knew you would understand." Kakashi nodded.

"So how are we going to find this guy?" Sakura thought about it for a moment then shrugged her shoulders.

"I have no idea." Naruto reached over to Sakura and placed a hand on her shoulder. She smiled and lend into it a bit before standing up and placing her hands on her hips. "But I know that this is where I first met him."

"Good, let's suit up and try to find him." Kakashi said while standing up and reaching for the gear that would protect them from any poisonous gases that could abound. Naruto followed suit. Before Sakura started to get ready she looked over her shoulder feeling accusing eyes watching her from a distance, but she couldn't see them. She wished that he would just show himself, that would make her and her teammates life much easier; but as fate would have it the moment she looked she couldn't feel them anymore. Shaking her head she proceeded to follow the examples of Kakashi and Naruto so that they could finally start their search.

He could feel her eyes search for him as he watched her from a distance. In truth he was quite pleased that she had returned, but he was slightly annoyed that she had brought her companions along. As if that wasn't bad enough she told them his secret, she had broken her promise. Well, not the hole promise, just the part where she wasn't supposed to tell anyone. Closing his eyes Sasuke slinked his way over to the closest rock formation so he could get a closer look.

Her appearance hadn't changed all that much from when he had last seen her. Her haired was still red, hinting at pink in certain lights. Her eyes were still the stunning emerald green that had forced their way into his memory. Pale delicate skin still wrapped itself around her body, and her face was one once made for goddess'. Yes she really was a creature of self-confidence and beauty. Now to be rid of her friends.

Close enough now to their location Sasuke could make out the conversations that had arose between the grey one and the blonde as they busied themselves with changing into those ridiculous suits.

"You think that story Sakura just told us, was something she made up?"

"No I don't." The blond looked over to his companion.

"Why?"

"Because the Sakura I know wouldn't come up with something like that unless it actually happened."

"But she could have been dreaming. I dream about a lot of crazy stuff whenever we go on missions, but I don't let them bother me." The grey one sighed.

"She wasn't dreaming." The blonde stopped in his process to get a better look at his companion.

"And how would you know that? Sakura doesn't exactly tell anyone about her dreams."

"And that is precisely why she wouldn't tell us this unless it was real." The blonde shrugged his shoulders.

"If you say so Kakashi." Kakashi stopped to get look at the blonde.

"Why so little faith Naruto? You have been Sakura's friend much longer than I have. I am honest to God surprised that you would doubt her like this." Naruto lifted up his hands in a sign of surrender.

"Hey I'm not doubting her, I'm just saying that her story is just a little unbelievable." Kakashi nodded.

"I understand what you're saying. Now all you have to do is see it in order to believe it." The blonde smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of his head in a nervous gesture.

"Is it that obvious?"

"Why yes, yes it is." Kakashi finished with putting the suit on walked over to Naruto and ruffled his hair in a show of affection. "Don't let it bother you too much though; a lot of people feel the same way you do." Naruto's smile widened as he put on the remaining pieces of the suit.

"Let's go find Sakura and get this show on the road." Kakashi rolled his eyes, then made his way over to the camp site. Once there he started to pack a few items into his little backpack and waited for Naruto to do the same.

Sasuke couldn't help but let a breath of exasperation escape his lips as he shut his eyes and rubbed at his aching temples. He just couldn't understand how she could tell these two people about what she had witnessed while exploring the surface of his home. Just listening to her two friends was enough to give him a slight pounding head ach that he would have preferred not to have. Did they have to be so loud?

Shaking his head hopefully to rid his mind of troubling thoughts, Sasuke sneaked his way over to the three teammates and settled down so that he could hear more of their conversations. It was easier listening to Sakura, for she had a beautiful voice that wasn't loud and obnoxious; and when she decided to get in an argument with that silly blonde, it was almost a melody to his abused ears. Thinking it over, he was convinced that it probably wouldn't be the end of the world if he showed himself to them, but watching them from a distance seemed like a better idea. He didn't really want to get involved with the others; he just wanted to talk to her.

Was it too hard to ask the universe to work things so that it would be easy to get things working his way? The answer, yes… yes it was. Sighing quietly he noticed they had started their descend down one of the long passage ways, heading for one of the many dead ends that surrounded the area. He would let them poke around awhile before he showed himself, that way they would be somewhat exhausted by the time he came. That would put the odds in his favor if Sakura's two teammates decided to pick a fight with him. Not that the advantage would work well for them, being it two verses one, but they were in his element so the advantage had managed to tip over to him. However, it was still two against one.

AN: Not a very long chapter and it took me forever to crank it out; but moving right along. I hope to complete the next two chapters either today, or the next day, depending on the homework load I get from my teachers. I would very much appreciate to hear your thoughts; it could spark some interesting ideas.