Ah, this is gonna be a fun one for me to write, I can tell already. Well, I really don't have much to say, so enjoy.

Sakura took a step closer to the limp figure ahead of her. Her eyes remained wide from pure shock, her arm slowly reached to her side pouch, with her fingers shuffling softly through, until one looped around a handle. She took another step forward. Her arm made it's way in front of her, her hand holding the kunai in an offensive position. The kunai in her hand began to tremble. The closer she got, the more violent the trembles became. She finally was within a few feet of Sasuke, standing over him as her entire body trembled, with the exception of her hands that shook violently. Her eyes welled with tears once again. She began sobbing, just like when she was younger.

I have to do it... she thought.

I have to be the one to kill him!

Naruto roamed around the training grounds.

"Sakura-chan? Sakura-chan!"

No reply.

Kakashi suddenly appeared in front of the loud blonde. He asked for good news, but Naruto simply shook his head. Sai was the next one to appear, telling that he could not find the pink-haired kunoichi either. They had all been searching the entire village since early afternoon. Seven hours had passed since then, and now, the sky was growing darker (besides already being dark from the grey rain clouds). The three sighed in unison, knowing what they had to do.

A few minutes later, Naruto, Kakashi, and Sai arrived in the Hokage's office. Tsunade remained turned away from them, looking out at the light rainfall. The three stood perfectly still in the awkward and tense situation.

"Did you find her?" she inquired, fully knowing the answer.
"No. We've confirmed she's not in the village."

She remained silent for a few moments.

"You are absolutely sure about this?" she asked.
"Positive."

Her head lowered. She released a somber sigh. She then turned around to face the three ninjas.

"I will give her three days. This is the most I can do for her. If she does not return within the time limit, she will be considered and labeled a missing-nin," she announced sternly.
"But then, what should we do?" Naruto shouted.
"You will do nothing," she said as she glared at him. "This is an order, you will now be allowed to go after her just yet. Now, dismissed."

Naruto mumbled angrily and stormed out of the office, with Kakashi and Sai calmly following. Tsunade sighed once more, placing her elbows on the desk and leaning her head against the side of her palms.

She just needs to cool off... she told herself.

Sakura... You better come back.

Sasuke opened his eyes slightly, which immediately shot open when his mind processed that he was in a different setting from what he last remembered. Instead of being in a forest as he remembered, he was now in a dark cave. He sat up sharply, noticing the bandages on his chest and arms, along with the mostly healed wounds. He looked to his left, seeing his kusanagi blade lying on the ground. Then, he sharply turned his head to the right, staring into the figure's eyes, despite the fact that he could only make out a silhouette. The only thing that was shown was a fair-toned flesh knee.

"You," he began in a deathly tone, "who are you?"

A small gulp was heard. The person remained silent.

"Perhaps I didn't make myself clear..."

Sasuke grabbed his sword and pointed it at the neck of the shadowy figure.

"Now tell me, who are you?"
"S-Sasu-ke...Kun..."

His eyes narrowed angrily as he recognized the voice.

"You... Why did you heal me? What are you planning to do?"
"N-nothing, I swear..."
"Oh, really?" he snickered. "Then where's Naruto and Kakashi? Aren't they going to drag me home?" he mocked.
"I'm alone... They're in the village."

Sasuke let out a dark laugh that frightened Sakura to her core.

"Hm?"
"I ran... Away..."

Sasuke laughed again, completely amused by the situation. Sakura looked at him in horror, seeing that his sanity seemed to have not been with him at that moment. He calmed down, seemingly going back to his more familiar mood.

"You may be of use to me. I've needed a healer to replace Karin."
"W-What makes you think I'd follow you?" Sakura yelled in an attempt to reassert herself.

Sasuke pushed the blade against her neck a bit more.

"Either that, or be killed," he stated.

She gulped. Knowing her decision, he put aside his sword.

Just what am I getting myself into...? she thought.

Two hours had passed, even though they felt like an eternity. Sakura remainded quiet, sitting in the exact same spot the entire time. She didn't dare speak, or even look at Sasuke; she felt any type of action like that would result to her immediate death. Despite how terrified she looked on the outside, she was furious on the inside.

Why did I do that? she thought. I could've killed him! No, I should've killed him! God damn it all...

Suddenly, she felt eyes staring at her. Trying her best to ignore it, she stared out of the cave opening, seeing that the rain had turned into a light drizzle. She stood up, hurridly walking to the opening.

"I'm going to look for some berries, or something edible to eat. Some herbs too. You'll need it."

She heard his sword fidget. She spun around, welcomed by the tip of his sword close to her chest. His eyes pierced into hers.

"Don't be gone long, the sun is about to set," he said sternly.
"Yea, I know."

She turned around to leave again, when he spoke once more.

"And remember, the only reason you're alive is because of this."
"Yea... I know."

She rushed out of the cave and walked far enough until she was out of his sight. She leaned against a tree and slumped down, letting out a relieved sigh. After a few moments of enjoying peace, she looked around in bushes for herbs and berries. As she looked, she couldn't help but ask herself more questions. It was true she didn't know what compelled her to save him, but she did know she was deeply regretting it. She knew if she did not make good use of herself to him, he'd kill her in an instant. And now, she couldn't even runaway.

She finished stuffing her bag with herbs and berries, and began to head back to the cave.

Dear, God... Let something good come out of this...

(A/N) Well, when I first wrote this, I was debating for a while if I made Sasuke a little too O.O.C. with the whole 'lost sanity' bit, but then I remembered the last time Sakura ran into him, and well, he snapped. In that scene, Sasuke was put in a very odd situation, and well, found it amusing to be saved by an ex-teammate when he fully knows she could've killed him. Just wanted to explain that little bit, hope you agree. ^^;