Disclaimer: Don't own.

Whenever tragic loss occurs, you either resist or you yield. Some people become bitter or deeply resentful; others become compassionate, wise, and loving. Yielding means inner acceptance of what is. You are open to life. Resistance is an inner contraction, a hardening of the shell ego. You are closed.

Eckhart Tolle

X.X.X

Sasuke probably only had about a couple of minutes before this ANBU called for backup which meant he had to engage in combat with the shinobi and effectively knock them out and maybe even erase their memory with his Sharingan. What he could detect from the person in front of him was that he noticed that their chakra was at mid-level which was good for his favor but he couldn't get too confident for if he let loose too much chakra, others would surely detect it.

"I asked you a question," the shinobi barked.

So the ninja was a female. He didn't have anything against them besides the fact that they could prove to be quite a nuisance but he knew that they could be slower than males and his speed was something definitely to be reckoned with. Oddly enough there was something familiar about the girls chakra but it had a tweak of something more as well and his curiosity was beginning to surface in solving the mystery.

Funny how with only being back in Konoha for five minutes his interest in everything arose so easily.

"None of your business," he retorted.

Clearly angered, the ANBU let out a small growl and took a defensive stance but still easily poised for an offensive attack if necessary. He could almost see her arm muscles flex from time to time as she gripped her kunai in hand and her other was balled into a fist, her calves taut as a bow and ready to spring with force and speed. It was silent in the village as everyone was fast asleep seemingly oblivious to the confrontation going on above their heads. The only sounds that could be heard were the flap of fabric from both shinobi as their cloaks shook with the light wind.

Like the striking shadow snake he remembers seeing his old mentor use often, the girl ran towards him and the clank of metal reached his ears when her kunai met his katana. It couldn't have been natural the way the moon was casting shadows that night as his profile was hidden from his opponent. He supposed he should consider himself lucky because if anyone recognized him he'd be taken in for sure. They were both at a stand still and Sasuke contemplated his next move.

Seemingly out of nowhere, pressure had him bending his knees and he had to slide his left leg behind him in order to get a good leverage. He felt himself slowly being pushed back by the woman as she placed more force on his weapon. Where had this strength suddenly come from? She was overpowering him and he couldn't explain how that was even possible. Her arm moved forward while her body was only slightly hunched –unmoving- as if it was but mere child's play to her.

A fist was aimed at his face but Sasuke was quick to move his head out the way and he used the opportunity to surge a bit of his chakra into his blade. What almost seemed like magic, the woman's weapon slid right through his grass cutter and her body jerked forward towards him from the lack of surface and the Uchiha swiftly flipped his weapon around so that the blade lined against his arm. He thrust the hilt of his sword up and under his enemy's chin making a harsh thud resound around them and while her head jerked up from the impact he took the chance to raise his leg and deal a strong kick to her stomach pushing her back and away from him.

The woman coughs as she holds her abdominal to catch her breath but she is quick to recover as she disappears but Sasuke knows she has not run away. He is on high alert for her surprise attack but he finds that he has a bit of difficulty finding her. He can't sense her chakra at all anymore, it was as if she had completely vanished, her chakra control was superb but nevertheless he was ready. In an instant she was in front of him with her fist cranked back to deliver a punch but Sasuke catches it in his hand, the force was so strong that a shot of pain went up through his arm so he grips her fist with all his strength trying to crush her hand.

The kunoichi knows what he is up to and as a counter attack she takes her other hand and wraps it around his wrist as she plants her feet on his thighs hoisting her up using the support of their linked arms, she leans her body back into a levitated plank as she twists her hips the perfect angle to bring a blow to his temple using her right knee and he lets go. When he stumbles to the left from her attack she doesn't waste any time in charging at him again with another attack as she once again cranks her arm back for a swift punch which he did not expect and she successfully lands her fist into his cheek sending him flying across the rooftop, bashing against a wall.

The raven haired man almost blacks out from her assault. Her strength was unlike anything he'd ever encountered. The only strong attack that ever sent him soaring at such a distance was when he fought Naruto. There is blood dripping from the corner of his lip and Sasuke can taste the raw iron flavor. He smoothes his aching gums with his tongue and spits out a bit of blood, he had to finish this fight. Now.

He flash steps and appears before her, his eyes bleeding red, "Itachi!" she gasps as Sasuke throws a fast series of punches and kicks to her. "Guess again," he says and he distinctly hears her mutter a "what?" when she is caught off guard when he punches her straight in the face effectively cracking her mask.

The woman stumbled back and is currently kneeled down on the floor her head bowed and the mask slowly slips off her face but before he can see her identity she once again disappears but this time it is a whirlwind of cherry blossoms. He feels the air shift around him and he knows that something about the atmosphere is off. Suddenly, the ANBU is above him as one of her legs is extended forward as her other is bent back. His Sharingan tells him that it is a genjutsu and as his eyes are dispersing the image before him he does not notice that the real kunoichi is actually just above her fake image and Sasuke doesn't have time to dodge as she deals him a blow that knocks him back as he hits the floor and the woman straddles his waist with a kunai to his neck.

They both crash to the floor with a loud boom.

X.X.X

Naruto arrived with the two bowls of ramen, his eyes glued to the steamy food, his mouth practically watering over it. When he looks up to address Sakura she was nowhere to be found and his eyebrows draw together with confusion. 'She was just here…'

Suddenly, he hears a loud explosion and the ground slightly shakes beneath his feet. He knows that the only person in the world who is able to cause such a strong quake, other than Tsunade is Sakura. Forgetting his precious dinner, Naruto runs in the direction of the explosion and where he senses not only her chakra but also someone else's.

X.X.X

There is debris flying everywhere from their heavy impact and Sasuke has to swallow a huge gulp of air so his lungs don't suddenly collapse on themselves. The wind picks up around them sending particles of soot and tiny rocks into the air. It blows through each of their disguises and finally there is no more hiding. Both of their hoods are blown backwards revealing two very familiar faces to one another.

"YOU!"

"Sakura."

The clouds shift ever so slightly allowing the moon to reflect each of their profiles in a perfect light. The years have been very kind to his ex teammate, she has grown out of her baby face and now she truly looks like a woman. Sakura can tell that he is definitely not the boy she last remembers seeing. His face is all sharp angles and he posses a mature face more beyond his years.

"Why the hell are you here?" she hisses.

"None of your business," he retorts as his eyes go back to its onyx color.

"Nothing you've ever done has ever been any of my business," she says bitterly.

"Where's Naruto," he asks.

Although Sakura knows that she is running low on chakra she knows that she must protect Naruto at all costs and in doing so her hands turn a pale blue color as she slams her fist into his chest. Her chakra paralysis will not last as long as she would like it to but if she could just deal with Sasuke before his able, perhaps she could protect her best friend.

Sasuke tries to move his body but it doesn't respond, "what the hell did you do to me!" he growls.

"I'm not going to let you get anywhere near him," she all but growls back.

"As if you could even try. They make just about anyone ANBU nowadays."

Her anger flares immediately at his declaration as she presses her kunai a little stronger at his jugular, "I am so sick and tired of you harping on about how weak and fragile you think I am! I'll put an end to your miserable life."

"Naruto would never forgive you."

"Maybe. But we'd be better off if you were dead…"

Sasuke begins to feel the familiar itch behind his eyes and he knows that he can move so quickly gathers up whatever available chakra he currently has and shocks Sakura with a Chidori Nagashi. A hiss leaves her lips as she drops her weapon to the floor with a light clank and he quickly switches their positions so he is on top, his sword poised above her.

His kekkei genkai is activated once again as he glares at the woman before him and she is stupid enough to glare right back knowing that he could turn her brain to mush at any given time. Tsking at the site before him he brings the blade down to finish her but is distracted when a loud. "Sasuke!" is heard and his sword falters hitting the cobble ground near her face.

The Uchiha looks to the right and smirks as he looks at none other than Naruto.

X.X.X

A/N: Guys, I am SOOOO sorry. Really I am. I was so busy with work that I had absolutely no time to post up this new chapter. I actually had it all typed up and ready to post, I just had to edit it a little bit and then when I look for it, it was gone! I was so upset. I've only had time and energy to post little chapters on my sasusaku drabble series. Ugh you all must hate me… I will try my very best to update more frequently and get you guys up to speed with this story again cause I know many of you were really enjoying this. Again, I am deeply sorry and I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Also, sorry if there are any grammar mistakes, I was in a rush to post this up. I'll do my best to come back to it later, k? I've missed you guys! xoxo Review?