DISCLAIMER: ALLOW ME TO PUT THIS SIMPLY: I. DON'T. OWN. NARUTO. END OF STORY.

---------------------

Clouds had been gathering ominously throughout the day, making the darkness outside even darker than normal.

Is that even possible? Sakura wondered, slowing her pace to avoid colliding with anything that might be in her path. She couldn't see her hand in front of her face, so perhaps her caution was wise, especially since she nearly walked into a building more than once.

Even at a slower pace, it only took her ten minutes to reach the Uchiha compound.

This time, she was prepared. She'd stolen a rope from one of the fishing boats at the docks. The boat's owner had been drunk off his ass and had passed out in plain sight on the deck. She'd laughed so hard, her eyes had begun tearing up.

Once inside the grounds, she had to find her way to Sasuke's room by memory.

Not easy.

She was nearly blind in this pitch black darkness, and knew she'd stepped on several flowers, which meant the Uchiha would know tomorrow that someone had been inside their walls and be on high alert.

Finally, she found the correct window and pulled herself up, climbing into his room with more grace than she'd shown a day ago.

He was already in bed. She sighed, disappointed but relieved. She'd rest here tonight and take Sasuke outside the compound early tomorrow morning.

She closed the shutters and curled up on the floor beside his bed, on the side away from his door so that if anyone opened his door tomorrow before she woke up, she wouldn't immediately be visible.

His slow breathing put her to sleep more quickly than any lullaby.

---

"She went back to his room." Keigo said with amusement. "No sooner does she get the antidote than she goes right back to him. What a fool."

"Fools are easy to catch. You should be glad."

"When are we taking her?"

"I get the feeling the Uchiha is using her to get outside. So the very next time they leave the compound-"

"We take them both?" a grin worked its way onto Keigo's face as he savored the looks they would have on their faces.

"Exactly."

---

"Naruto, I think we're lost."

"We can't be, I know it's around here somewhere. Can't Akamaru-"

"It's starting to rain. The scent will have washed away by the time we get there." Kiba replied, glancing up at the sky.

"Fuck." Naruto glared at the sky, even though he couldn't see. Only the occasional flash of lightning provided light, and it was so fleeting it wasn't of any use. "Think you can get us home then? It isn't safe to be out when there's lightning."

"Yeah, I think so."

"I need to apologize to Tenten anyway, I kind of freaked out on her."

"That's why Lee stayed behind. Naruto, why were you so angry after Sakura punched you?" Kiba asked.

"I think it's just the fact that she's lying to us. She's never done it before." the rain had changed from a light mist to fat drops that pounded on them like the rocks the merchants would pelt them with if their hands wandered too close to their wares for comfort. "I feel- I feel like I'm losing her, you know? She doesn't hide things from us. Or she didn't, not if we asked. I don't even know her anymore."

"Yeah. But none of us really knows anything beyond her first name."

"I know her last name, but I still don't understand why she is the way she is. I've known her for three years. Not much has changed."

"What is it?"

"What's what?" Naruto practically had to yell over the peal of thunder that rang out just then.

"Her last name. What is it?"

"Haruno. She was a Haruno before."

---

"What should we do about her friends?"

"They don't know anything. She doesn't like to mention her previous life. They'll be of no use."

"Should I deal with them then?"

"If you like. Take Tamaki with you."

"That little-"

"He's your senior, Keigo, remember that. And I want you to take him."

"Yes, sir."

"Don't do it tonight. Wait a day or so. I want the drama to unfold."

"Yes, sir."

---

No sunlight could filter through the closed shutters, so Sakura woke later than normal. She could have attributed her oversleeping to her body recovering from the poison, but she preferred to blame it on the sun, the thing that hadn't been trying to kill her and nearly succeeded.

It was odd though, to have been affected by a poison. Her parents had given her small doses of every poison known to man to build up her immunity, so to find one that actually affected her was odd.

But, besides that, she knew the poison hadn't been meant for her. It had probably been meant for Sasuke, who'd commissioned the food from the cook in the first place.

Speaking of Sasuke, was he still asleep?

She sat up and peeked over the edge of the bed.

Yup, still asleep. Probably not a morning person.

Her stomach grumbled loudly, protesting the fact that the last food she'd eaten had been in her more than a day ago.

Sasuke stirred, rolling over so that he faced her.

In his sleep, his face was much softer, less lined. When he was awake, he always looked serious, which she supposed had been expected of him as the heir to such a prominent family. She brushed his bangs out of his face and he moaned softly, leaning into her touch.

He was just like her. Seeking contact but never receiving it. He was just as lonely as she had been-and still was. She may have been living with Naruto, Kiba, Lee, and Tenten, but contact and interaction were still her weak points.

She let her hand rest on his smooth cheek, enjoying his warmth. Her skin didn't contrast with his very much at all. Her porcelain skin was a few shades lighter than his white.

For a few moments, she sat there, not moving, not wanting to move.

It was nice, to touch someone and not have them pull away.

Sasuke stirred again, and she held her breath, but all he did was move his arm to place his hand on her hand.

"Sakura..." he breathed.

Her breath caught in her throat and she froze for a few seconds, startled.

The corners of his lips twitched, as if he was resisting a grin.

There were footsteps approaching and she withdrew her hand to slide under his bed.

"Sasuke, there's an intruder in the grounds, I've been sent to check on you." the door was flung open and a pair of bare feet approached the bed. "Oh for the love of- he's still asleep."

Sakura smiled from her position under the bed.

"Sasuke, get up!" Pause. "Get up! Seriously, I could be an assassin and you'd be dead!"

"What the hell, Itachi?" his voice was slurred with sleep, but his tone was still grouchy. "Get out of my room!"

"There's an intruder. I'm here to guard you until they're caught."

"Guard me while I'm asleep then! Don't wake me the fuck up!" Sasuke snapped.

Oh, yeah. Sooo not a morning person.

But- had he been awake when he said my name?

"Fine then! I'll be at your desk until then."

"Fine with me, just don't wake me up again."

"Can't even be concerned about my little brother. How messed up is that?" Itachi grumbled.

"Not as messed up as what I'm going to do to you if you don't shut up." Sasuke growled, his voice sounding muffled.

Must have the covers or a pillow over his head.

What am I going to do?

Itachi snorted at the thought of his little brother actually trying to hurt him and slumped into the desk's chair, sighing heavily.

---

"Now what? They know she's there."

"We'll just have to create an intruder then. Grab one of her friends."

Keigo saluted his boss before dropping the ten feet to the ground. He knew exactly what his boss was planning, and he liked it.

The man watched his crony leave before returning his attention to the Uchiha compound.

"She knows an opportunity when she sees one. She'll be sure to take it." He ran his fingers through his silver hair, anticipating his 'reunion' with the flower he'd plucked three years ago.

He couldn't wait to see her face.

-----------

A/N:

Maybe a few of you can figure out who it is by the hint I dropped?

R&R Please!