Sasuke and Sakura sat across from each other in the main floor of the inn. The table was small and in the corner. Being shinobi, they preferred to have their back to none and to be able to see all of their surroundings. Sakura had laid out a map of fire country, they needed to decide their next move.

Sasuke made a hand sign and a fog of sorts surrounded their table and the sounds of the room were now incredibly muffled. Perfect for strategizing in public.

"So we're here," Sasuke pointed on the map. They were a few days south of Konoha.

"And when I was tailing her villages she was… along here." The line of villages seemed to be moving toward their current location, if not slightly more north. "She was moving quickly."

Sasuke nodded, sullen. He had already made up his mind to kill her, but that didn't make the choice any easier. His thoughts were interrupted by Sakura's hand being placed over his, "You don't have to be the one to do it. I can, Naruto can, anyone else can."

"Anyone else can, but I have to."

He was the reason she was doing this. If he had only been stronger he could have… he could have nothing. If he hadn't 'killed' her, he would have been dead. He wasn't the only one attempting to kill in that fight. The feeling was mutual.

Sakura sighed. He was right, or at least he was determined to do it anyway, so she had to let him.

"Well, we at least need back up. There's no guarantee she doesn't have minions." Sakura took out a scroll and began to scribble to the Hokage.

"One team," he interrupted.

"One team," Sakura sighed.

Kakashi could honestly probably only spare one team of Jonin. The village wasn't as short on shinobi as they had been, but sending more than four Jonin out on a single mission wasn't usually the best practice. Sasuke called his hawk and inserted the scroll. He hawk was swift, they'd have back up in time even if they left now. He dispelled the fog.

Sakura and Sasuke bounded through the trees as dusk began to fall. Sasuke made a hand signal, indicating they should set up camp. Sakura obliged as they neared a clearing. The clearing wasn't large. It was just big enough for them and maybe another team if they were joined.

Their descent to the ground were graceful and unison. Without discussion, they immediately began to set up camp. Their teamwork was stunning as Sakura sliced up wood and Sasuke ignited. Sasuke chopped up vegetables and small dehydrated pieces of meat as Sakura began to heat the pan and water. Not a single word had been spoken. It wasn't until dinner was served that Sakura broke the silence, "They should be arriving shortly, since we headed more toward the village."

As if they had been summoned, three shinobi landed in front of the fire. Sasuke noted two very familiar faces and one he had either not seen or bothered to notice before. Naruto, Ino and this man greeted them, but Sasuke's world was silent as he sensed the new shinobi in front of him.

There was something off about him. His hair and eyes were brown and average. He was about Naruto's height, if not shorter, so average. He didn't even wear any identifying clothing other than standard issue shinobi attire. He was just so average.

"Sit, sit! I made enough for a group in case you guys arrived this evening," Sakura beamed. She was always so accommodating. The new man sat next to Sakura and Sasuke felt himself glare. He quickly caught himself, she wasn't his. Or was she? He scowled, not helping his attempt to not glare at the new shinobi.

"Yo, Sasuke, what's with your face?" Naruto teased.

Sasuke's scowl was immediately redirected to his spiritual brother. "What's Kaii ever done to you?"

"Nothing. I just don't know him," Sasuke announced flatly.

Kaii suddenly reached up to wave, but almost knocked over his dish in the process. Sakura reached over and steadied it brushing his hand. They made eye contact and her hand retracted quickly.

"Uh-heh-hi. Sorry, I didn't introduce myself. Kaii." Sasuke nodded as his face hardened even more. He was missing something.

"And this is Sasuke," Ino noted. "He doesn't like to talk." She grinned at her old crush. She had long since moved on from obsessing over him, but she could still tease and appreciate him.

"Hn," was all he grunted. He earned another confused look from Naruto.

"Ay- uh Sasuke. Why don't we go – uh- grab firewood!" Naruto jumped up from him seat in the grass.

"Oh, we have so many logs!" Sakura gestured to the substantial reserve behind her.

"Oh, just in case, Sakura!" Naruto dismissed as he practically dragged Sasuke into the forest.

Naruto stopped and Sasuke looked at him with his usual deadpan. He felt like a child again, it was not a feeling he was fond of.

"Yes?"

"Yes?! You're asking me questions! What's wrong with you? Even you're not that rude!"

Sasuke placed a hand on his hip and sighed. "Nothing."

"Nothing, bastard? Nothing? Is it Kaii?" Sasuke stiffened at Naruto's assumption.

Naruto grinned, realizing what was occurring. "It is Kaii."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed at the blonde. Naruto leaned even closer to his face and while it seemed impossible, his grin grew.

"You're jealous."

Sasuke felt his ears heating and thanked god he had let his hair grow out. "What do I have to be jealous of?" He grunted.

He wasn't unaware of how attractive he was, women swooned where ever he went. If he wanted to, he could even be charming. Not that he ever wanted to.

Naruto's grin dropped and he glanced around for a moment. "You don't…nevermind." This peaked Sasuke's interest. He didn't what?

He narrowed his eyes at Naruto. "If you don't finish that sentence, loser…"

Naruto smirked. "If I don't what?" Sasuke threatening him was unusual, but he could use this as a way to change the subject since he'd backed himself into a corner here.

Sasuke snatched Naruto's collar.

"Finish. Your. Sentence."

Naruto elbowed Sasuke off of him and shook his head. "I told you, Sakura may have gotten laid before."

Sasuke backed off and nodded. "I know that."

Naruto nodded. He could now count three times in his life he felt smarter than his best friend. Who knew Sasuke was so clueless about women? Who knew Sasuke could be so clueless about Sakura?

"She was with him."

Sasuke's eyes widened. Sakura had been with…him. He was so average. He was a shinobi who couldn't balance a plate and she dated him. He nearly growled out loud. His chakra points which were previously blocked had been disintegrating rapidly during this mission and he could almost feel fully again.

"She broke it off when you came back in town, though," Naruto added to try and console his friend.

It made it worse. Yes, he was happy she wasn't with him anymore, but she had just broken up with him because he was around? That was dishonorable. It was like she was using him, a trait unbecoming of the kunoichi.

As dinner finished and the two other members of team seven were still missing, the remaining three relaxed and watched the fire pop. Kaii kept peeking over at Sakura with subtly of a drunk elephant. Sakura, being disgustingly oblivious, didn't notice. Ino could have groaned out loud. How did anyone accomplish anything without her around?

"I'm gonna go set up my sleep sack. All the way over here, it's so far I won't be able to hear you two talking, so yell if you need anything." She giggled at her clearly flawless attempt at escaping the awkward scenario.

"She wants us to talk," Kaii nearly sighed.

"Hn," Sakura responded blandly. She didn't know what to do or so she stole Sasuke's famous neutral response.

"Is that him…Sasuke?"

"Is that who," Sakura sighed. She knew damn well what he meant.

"Is that who you dumped me for?"

Sakura gulped. Yes, she wanted to mutter, but couldn't. Everything she had done to Kaii was cruel and she knew it.

"We were never dating, so dumping you isn't a thing."

'Good job, Sakura,' she mentally hissed. Another tally in the unusually cruel category. She had to stop letting Sasuke rub off on her.

Kaii moved to face her, startling Sakura. Shit, he'd be provoked. "We spent everyday together unless you were on a mission. I paid for your meals. I bought you flowers and packed your lunch. You watched my kitten when I was on missions. We…we slept together, made love. You said you could almost love me. We may not have been official, but don't say you didn't dump me."

Sakura could feel tears welling up. She wasn't upset with him, she was furious. She knew she was a bad person. She did think she could have loved him, until Sasuke came back. Then she knew she had been lying to herself and him the entire time. She wasn't loving anyone except Sasuke anytime soon. She stood up.

"I'm sorry, I'll take first watch." she muttered before heading toward the edge of the clearing to find a tree to take post in.

Sakura laid on the branch and looked at the stars. She needed this, two hours of long thought. Was she really a bad person? Well, no. Did she do something incredibly awful? Yes. It was a fun night when she met him out at a bar with Ino and Tenten. He had offered to buy her a few shots and she, of course obliged. He had been different than the other guys who offered her drinks however, he was funny and not trying to feel her up.

Nonetheless, she sufficiently rejected his attention after the first night. It was her tactic to keep things casual. As the weeks went by, however, they kept bumping into each other. In the grocery store, in the shops, and then finally again at the bar. She'd gone home with him that night and it had been lovely.

She groaned audibly. Kaii was right. They had dated. They had never explicitly announced their bond, but if they weren't why did she feel the need to speak to him and cut things off? If they were just 'friends' that wouldn't have been a problem.

Sakura outside Kaii's door, fidgeting. He opened the door and a grin spread over his face at the sight of her. This was going to be difficult. He went to hug her, but noticed her sullen expressed and opted to touch her arm softly instead. Sakura shuddered at the touch. "W-we need to speak," she sputtered out.

His face fell in realization. He wasn't a stupid man, he knew. "Yes?" He asked, dropping his hand from her arm. He gazed down at their sandals, admiring Sakura's painted toes.

"I can't do this anymore. Something has come up and we need to stop whatever we're doing."

She was curt, as if delivering a mission report. If she put any more emotion into it, she wouldn't be able to do it.

"He's back," Kaii responded, nodding. Konoha was not small enough to evade gossip spreading. He knew Sakura was previously in love with the infamous ex-rogue nin.

Sakura's eyes widened. "No no. That's not it. I just-"

Kaii touched her arm again, squeezing it softly. "I understand. Just be careful and be happy, Sakura. Best," he gave her arm a small rub and closed his door before Sakura could even react.

Tears began to fall at the memory for Sakura. She had been so cruel. Not only had she broken up with him, she had tried to lie about it.

"Tears are unbecoming of a kunoichi on watch," a husky voice noted from the ground.

Sakura wiped them quickly and jumped down in front of Sasuke, going to nuzzle herself into him for comfort. Sasuke stiffened as she began and brushed her off of him. "I'm here to take watch. Go rest."

Sakura glanced at him, confused. They had just been so…close the previous night. "What's wrong, Sasuke?" She blurted out before she could decide if she wanted the answer.

"You," he grunted. Goosebumps. The tears welled up again, but she pushed them back. Sasuke, who had taken her spot in the tree, glanced down at her.

"Naruto told me. I need time to think."

Sakura felt a new emotion grow inside her, anger. How dare Sasuke Uchiha, of all people, ask her for time. After the years she waited for him.

"How dare you," she snapped. "How dare you of all people ask me for more time. I've given you plenty!"

Sasuke leapt down from the tree, landing inches from her face. "Not every is about you, Sakura. Other people matter too."

Emeralds met onyx and they stared at each other. Sasuke's were full of mystery and depth, unable to be understood. Sakura's, though, were filled with rage, but then sadness.

Anger won.

"I spend my days running a hospital. I am the director and founder of a clinic of mentally ill children! I barely eat and sleep-"

"You seemed to find plenty of time to sleep with Kaii," Sasuke hissed, interrupting.

Sakura's face dropped. "So you do have a problem with me having slept with someone else. But you know what Uchiha Sasuke? Screw you. I'm an adult woman. I can make my own choices and still be respectable."

Sasuke shook his head at her. She wasn't getting it. "I don't care that you had sex with him, Sakura," he growled.

"You used him. It's disgusting."

"And you betrayed your entire village-"

She stopped herself, knowing she shouldn't have said that. She was met with a look on Sasuke's face she hadn't seen before. His face was sullen, his eyes were downcast. Hurt, she noted. She had truly hurt him. She reached out to comfort him, but her hand was swatted away.

Sasuke jumped into the tree, looking away from her. "Get some rest."

Sakura nodded and walked toward camp. There was little she could do anymore, she'd intentionally hurt him. She had left an intentional mark on his heart. She cringed as she laid out her sleep sack.

A/N: This is one of my favorite chapters in the entire story. I hope you all enjoyed! Reviews are greatly appreciated!

Thanks for reading!