Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.
The morning air was crisp and silent. Sakura staggered to a thicket of trees, supporting the deadweight of a still unconscious Sasuke. Shortly after she had finished healing him, Sakura had carried his body down the flights of the destroyed tower. Getting through the ruined clearing had been the tricky part. It wasn't the weight of Sasuke's body that held her back, her superhuman strength was more than capable of carrying his limp form. In fact, if it hadn't been for the kunoichi's strength they may still be in the death-trap. The tricky part had been making sure none of his dangling limbs had set off a paper bomb or similar trap. She had gotten them through though, and brought him into the clearing for rest.
The ANBU operative hated to admit it, but she was in dire need of a break. Sakura wasn't exhausted by hauling Sasuke around - it was the lack of sleep over the long spans of night and day that was doing her in. She had shoved the feelings of being drained to the back of her mind, as Sakura knew how much still loomed ahead. She tried not to think of it - the thought of all she still had ahead of her was overwhelming, and she refused to succumb to the pressure. The pink-haired kunoichi had worked diligently over the years to improve her reserves of stamina.
With a small groan, Sakura lowered Sasuke's form to the ground. Even though she had healed him, Sasuke's body remained malnourished. There was no way she could repair that kind of damage - regrowing healthy fats was something even Sakura had no knowledge in. 'He should barely be able to walk, let alone carry on with the speed, endurance and power that he demonstrated. Where is he getting all the vitality from?' Sakura thought grimly to herself.
The pink-haired kunoichi pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Even though her body still had a small amount of stamina left, Sakura did not want to push too hard in the beginning of their journey back. Konoha still lay five days away, and that was if they traveled at full speed with minimum breaks. They would have to rest here. Trouble was, Sakura didn't know if Sasuke had anyone planning to meet up with him. Or even worse, if anyone was heading in the direction of the tower.
'Oh well. I'll have to find a way. It's better to rest now - even if enemies do come, I'll have energy. If we keep on and we're challenged, we'll be done for.' Sakura sighed and carefully began scanning the area around them. She had brought Sasuke to the very same thicket that she had stayed carefully while vigilantly observing the tower. Everything still seemed the same as before. There was nothing around them. Not even any animal life. Normally this would be suspicious, but with everything that had filled the air these past few days, Sakura concluded that wildlife would avoid this area for awhile.
Sakura sat underneath an expansive tree, leaning against the rough bark. She placed her small pack behind her, giving some relief to her aching back. Some tension melted from her small frame as Sakura forced herself to relax with some techniques she had learned from Shizune. Whether she was comfortable with it or not, Sakura would have to lower her guard enough to sleep.
Jade eyes flickered to Sasuke's still form, skimming the dark-haired man's features. It was strange, but in a way he looked as he did nine years ago. No, perhaps not. There were lines around his eyes and large dark circles underneath them. His cheekbones were starkly prominent in thin and hollow cheeks. The rogue ninja's dark hair was long and unkempt, reminding her of the days when he had gotten back from Kakashi's training. Sakura frowned, watching the rise and fall of his chest. She hated that she would be the one to bring him back.
Sasuke had been a constant source of pain and anxiety for not only her, but the entire hidden Leaf Village for nearly nine long years. Sakura almost didn't believe that this was him in front of her. Only a few short years ago, Sakura would have been thrilled to have found him. Her past self would have called it fate. Now though, the kunoichi had disillusioned herself of such foolish nonsense. After four years of hopeless longing, Sakura had come to her senses. What she had felt for Sasuke in the past hadn't been love, couldn't have been. Longing and delusion was what it had been, and it had hardened her heart. What Sakura felt for her former teammate now was more akin to loathing.
A wave of exhaustion washed over her, making the tired kunoichi yawn soundlessly behind a slim hand. She let her head fall back against the tree, feeling some tension drain away. If only Sakura hadn't been sent out on this mission alone, she could have someone watch her back..
Sharp rocks pressed into his back, arms and legs. He could feel cool shadows stretching over his body, which felt more well rested than it had in a long time. Sasuke lay there with his eyes closed, still and listening. He wondered idly if Sakura had abandoned him, or called reinforcements to handle him. The avenger's eyes opened slowly, staring up into a thick overhang of leaves. So, she had transported them out of the tower.
Sasuke sat up slowly, taking in his surroundings while doing so. Not only were they out of the tower, but they were past the inlaid traps of the entrance-way. She had taken him up the cliff and into the overgrown forest where she first began following him. Yes, Sasuke had known the very moment his former teammate had started tailing him. Not only was her chakra signature one of the most familiar to him, but the new food pills Sasuke had developed increased his senses to incredible levels. Unfortunately, using them as his only source of nourishment and energy for nearly eight weeks straight had resulted in a skeletal like appearance. 'It had been worth it in the end.' Sasuke concluded, stretching his worn limbs.
Sensing movements, Sakura startled awake. Her jade eyes flew open and she was in a fighting stance before fully aware of what was happening. "Jumpy, are we?" Sasuke's hoarse voice invaded her ears, quickly dissipating the cloud of panic.
A scowl immediately contorted her features as Sakura bit back a snarky reply. Years with Kakashi, Naruto, and Ino had helped in holding back comments. Instead, the medic-nin pulled out her pack and began rummaging around its contents. She focused her eyes onto his and asked, "How are you feeling?" Despite the fact that he was Sasuke and a rogue shinobi, he was still her patient.
"Fine." He replied curtly, ignoring her ministrations as she monitored his pulse and heart rate. Sakura moved to listen to his breathing, pausing as she counted his breaths. A frown marred her face. The knowledgeable kunoichi moved away, stowing her medical tools back inside of the pack.
She was surprised that he was letting her get close enough to touch, let alone examine him. Sakura wondered if Sasuke was trying to lull her into a false sense of security. 'Too bad for him, I've long since abandoned my trust for him.' The ANBU operative pulled out a container and tossed it to Sasuke. He caught it, raising an eyebrow in question.
"Food pills. These ones are rich in nutrients for your body - they don't do anything for chakra." Sakura told him, folding her slim arms over her chest. "By the looks of things you've been pushing yourself too hard for too long. These will help you get on track. Normally it's one pill every six hours, but you should take two."
Sasuke eyed the contents of the container before unscrewing the lid. Two small, dark pills slid into his hand when he tipped it upside down. A part of him wanted to ask if she intended to poison him, but Sasuke thought that would seem weak. He slipped the pills into his mouth, chewing slowly. Sakura nodded in satisfaction, taking the container from him.
"Konoha isn't exactly close by, as I'm sure you know." Sakura said, taking a pill out and putting the container away. The pink-haired kunoichi swallowed it easily, never taking her eyes off of Sasuke. "Are there any.. Friends of yours that we may come across?"
Sasuke consumed his pills, crunching them slowly between his teeth. The shrewd shinobi considered his options carefully. He could reveal to Sakura, who he was certain had only been sent to spy, that he was entirely alone. That would leave him weak if she decided to enforce a capture. Or, he could pretend he had allies waiting for him. Sasuke didn't like that option either - deceit wasn't how he wished to start the second chapter of his life. It would be a gamble. Although really, what did he have to lose at this point?
Sakura's eyes narrowed as a familiar smirk settled onto Sasuke's face. She was suspicious of what was going on in that cunning mind of his.
"I'm alone. I've killed off anyone that could have hindered me." Sasuke said, flicking dark bangs away from his onyx eyes. "If we run into anyone, it's not because of my doing."
"I'm so sure." Sakura muttered under her breath, shrugging the pack on. "There's a creek not too far from here. It's pure, we can hydrate there before continuing on."
Sasuke stood, making Sakura much more aware of the height he had on her. She barely reached his shoulder. "Did you burn the bodies?" He asked, looking down on her with unreadable eyes. When they were younger, Sakura used to think it was so mysterious the way he seemed above everything and everyone. Now though, Sakura detested his aloof attitude. It was even worse because she didn't know whether he was an enemy or not.
"No. I was more focused in getting to a safe zone in order for your healing sleep to continue uninterrupted." Sakura nearly growled at him. 'The least he could do is say thanks!' Sakura sighed, rubbing her temple. She knew that they would have to go back, as much as she didn't want to venture back into that death-trap. "We can double back and torch the place, then go to the creek."
"In order to save time, I could go back to do it while you go gather some water." Sasuke suggested, his torn shirt hanging loosely around him. "Fire-style is my specialty."
Sakura pretended to consider the offer as she thought over her options. Clearly this was Sasuke trying to give her the slip, and the pink-haired kunoichi was determined not to let it happen. She couldn't let him out of her sight. "We'll both go. It won't take long."
Sasuke paused, his face still expressionless. "You really intend to bring me in, don't you?" He slanted his eyes to hers, and Sakura thought to herself how dark they looked in his gaunt face. Determination flashed through her jade eyes as Sakura unconsciously put her hand on her hips. "Orochimaru and his little minions have been destroyed for awhile. Clearly you just avenged your clan. You're a rogue ninja, a wild card that could do anything. You're coming back to the hidden Leaf Village with me, got it?" Sakura said bluntly, hoping the adrenaline and anxiety pumping through her wasn't visible. Too much rode on his cooperation, and Sasuke wasn't exactly known as easy to get along with. After all, he'd tried to kill her twice in the past nine years.
"We'll both go then." Sasuke said brusquely, ignoring the statement. He had no intention of revealing what he had planned, especially this close to the beginning. The dark-haired rogue didn't care what Sakura thought - he wasn't trying to escape or anything as obvious as that. Sasuke knew a long and difficult path lay in front of him.
Sparkling clear water glinted in the afternoon sun as Sakura dipped her grimy hands in the running creek. To her surprise and astonishment, Sasuke hadn't been lying in the least. They had made their way to the tower silently, awkward tension between them. Nine years ago they had been teammates, and had learned how to read every sign given, no matter how subtle. His betrayal had changed that, broken the bond of teammates and her trust for him. It was obvious that Sakura was constantly on the lookout for a killing blow from Sasuke, though he acted compliant enough. They had gotten the job done, pausing to blow up the clearing around the tower and then stopped to watch it burn. Afterwards, they had made their journey to the creek.
Now the ashy kunoichi was washing up all while keeping an eye on Sasuke. He was filling a flask that Sakura had given him, pausing to greedily drink the water each time it was filled. Once the thirsty shinobi had been sated, he filled the flask one last time. Sasuke stowed it in a small bag, looping the ties around his arms. He sat on the edge of the creek, waiting for Sakura to finish.
Sakura ran her soaking hands through dirty strands of hair. It wasn't anywhere as clean as she wanted to be, but it would have to do for now. The jade-eyed kunoichi filled her water flask and put it away. She dipped her cupped hands into the water for one last drink before they began the journey back. Sakura stepped out of the creek, her porcelain skin pebbling from the breeze. 'If I'm getting cold from this, then how is Sasuke faring? His body had no fat to keep it warm, and that shirt is just a rag.'
"You should let me mend your shirt." Sakura said nonchalantly, pulling a thick blanket from her bag. It always worked to over-prepare for missions. "Wear this while we travel. It won't hinder any movement."
"Tch." Sasuke seemed irritated by her request. "Just because I let you heal me doesn't mean I'll let you fuss over me."
Sakura's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I am not fussing over you. If you would get your head out of your ass you would realize that you are my patient. That comes before any feelings I harbor towards you."
"You still have that idiotic crush on me? Is that why you haven't placed me under arrest or called in for backup?" Sasuke sneered disparagingly. "I could destroy you with a mere breath."
"No, you're a bigger idiot than Naruto ever was." Sakura told him in a calm voice. "If you knew anything, you would know that I don't arrest my patients. I also don't need any backup - it's been awhile Sasuke, and you clearly have no idea of what I am capable of. If you want to put it to the test," Sakura paused, looking coolly at him, "Then I'd be more than happy to oblige you. You're pathetic, and I have no desire to be anywhere near you. Unfortunately, this is how things worked out. As far as I am concerned, I am staying by you until you're fully healed and you've been delivered to Konoha. Now, get your butt up and let's start going so we can be free of each other sooner rather than later." Sakura finished, handing him the blanket.
Sasuke took it wordlessly, not showing how her words had made his temper blaze. He ripped the tattered shirt off of his body and gave it to the pink-haired kunoichi. Tension boiled between them. Sakura sighed and put it away, before saying quietly. "It will be easier if you don't try to fight me the whole time." She looked for some sort of acknowledgement, but Sasuke didn't even incline his head in agreement. She sighed again. This was going to be a long trip.
Author's Notes: I'm sorry it took so long to update. All I can say is that life got in the way! October is going to be so busy for me, but I am going to try to get another chapter up as soon as possible. Thank you to all the readers, reviewers, those who favorite and add my story onto their alerts.