Chapter 4

Sasuke and Sakura walked down the streets of Konoha in comfortable silence, she felt at peace ever since her heart to heart with Naruto, she felt confident in her relationship with Sasuke now, after all Naruto did know Sasuke better than anyone. Although she did still wonder about the reasoning behind his return to the village. Her thoughts were interrupted by someone else yelling her name.

"Sakura"!! Yelled a high pitch voice. Sakura turned around to find Ino waving like crazy and running towards her. "Ino, what's up"! She yelled as her best friend practically tackle/ hugged her to the ground. "Ow, damn it Ino, What the hell!" Sakura exclaimed. "Oh stop whining forehead", Ino said as they both stood to their feet and dusted themselves off.

She, looked to Sasuke, smiled shyly and said, "You don't mind if I borrow her for a few hours do you Sasuke-kun", then winked, Sasuke said nothing in response. "Ok great, come on Sakura". "Huh"! Sakura exclaimed

"Im here to kidnap you" Ino said proudly. "Kidnap me what for"? Sakura groaned, she dreaded Ino's, "kidnappings", it was always for something Sakura didn't want to do. " I have you doll you up for Shikamaru and Temari's engagement party later on duh"! Ino said this as if it were obvious. " Ugh no... wait why", Sakura whined.

"Because, your eye candy and you need to start showing it off, I've been meaning to get a hold of you for months, you know put you in something sexy, show off those legs of yours Ino said eyes closed shrugging her shoulders. "Come on", in a blink of an eye Ino dragged her away from Sasuke, she mouthed sorry to him as she tossed him the house key, he simply smirked and caught it in his hand.

"Sakura your being silly, you look amazing"! Ino yelled loudly waving Sakura inside the party, she was hiding behind a wall to horrified by what she was wearing. "Come on everybody is waiting, Ino's voice echoing throughout the bar then she whispered, "Sasuke-kun is here too, I'll bet he'd like to see you, Ino giggled. Sakura's face grew bright red, (oh no not looking like this, not after this morning.. )Then faster than she could think Ino grabbed her and drug her inside, she was about to run when she heard

Naruto yell "Sakura-chan, is that you"?

Her face grew even redder. She looked up to see Naruto, Sasuke, Hinata, Shikamaru, Temari, Lee, Choji, Ten Ten, Sai, Kiba, and Shino. All staring, Sakura stood in a, skin tight, short, red plunge back dress that stopped right above her behind , black high heel sandals and Ino had insisted on putting makeup on her, she waved nervously. "Come on" Ino pulled her again. "I hate you" Sakura growled. Ino plopped her down besides their friends, Sakura glared at her harshly. Sakura gave a shy smile and congratulated Shikamaru and Temari.

"Wow Sakura", Temari said coyly. "I've never seen so much of you". "Let me guess Ino, Shikamaru said not surprised. Sakura sighed "Yeah", she said hanging her head in embarrassment. "Lighten up Sakura, it's about time we saw that body of yours, I swear, do u ever wear clothes that fit right"? Sakura glared at her, " Ino"! Sakura said through bared teeth, Ino smiled and flipped her hair and sat next to Sai.

As the night went on all her friends became very drunk, Ino and Naruto especially, Sakura was feeling a little tipsy but nothing to bad. She looked to her left and spotted Sasuke sitting by himself( as stoic as ever) she thought. She took a deep breath and walked over and sat next to him, "having fun" she asked already knowing the answer. "Hmph", Naruto getting wasted and being an even bigger idiot is entertaining, he said with a crooked smile. Sakura giggled.

"Sakura", come on let's dance, she heard Ino yell running to her. "Oh no, I am not dancing dressed like this", Sakura retorted. "Oh what's wrong forehead afraid someone might throw money at you, Ino teased. Horrified Sakura's face twisted then yelled, "Did u just call me a stripper, these are your clothes"! "Stripper a prude like you, Ha,we'd need a pry bar to get your clothes off," Ino said.

Isn't that right Sasuke-kun", Ino winked at him.

Sakura's mouth hung open, as she stared blankly at her best friend, with her heart pounding she stole a glance at Sasuke, who had turned his face away from them, but she saw enough of his right cheek to see the faintest hue of pink.. he was blushing. No doubt in her mind Sakura knew Sasuke's mind had flashed back to the incident this morning.

It seems Ino noticed his blush too, because she looked back and forth between the two, then smiled slyly at Sakura, "Or have you two already broken that barrier"? Ino said smirk deepening.

Sakura jumped to her feet and grabbed Ino's arm, "Ok Ino, I'm sure Sasuke-kun wants to be left alone, let's go get some more sake, then we'll go dance, huh, sound like a plan"? Sakura rambled nervously.

Sakura dragged Ino to the bar far away from Sasuke. "Alright forehead, I know there's something going on with you two now spill", Ino whispered in her ear. " It's nothing Ino really" Sakura said trying to wave it off as nothing.

"Hmph, I didn't even know he was staying with you until ten minutes ago when Naruto told me, seems there's a lot you haven't been telling me, isn't there". Ino sounded hurt. " I'm sorry Ino, it's just..erm complicated". Sakura hung her head. Ino's face softened, she put her hand on her friend's shoulder. "It'll all work out Sakura, I know it will. Sakura smiled at her loud, crazy best friend.

The rest of the night was pretty fun, Sakura, Ino and Temari all got pretty buzzed and danced most of the time, Sakura caught Sasuke staring at her for a moment when her and Ino were dancing together, it made her face flush deep red.

After everyone parted and said their goodbyes, Sasuke and Sakura were the only one left. Sakura walked up and asked if he was ready to go, he nodded and they exited the bar.

They walked home together, Sakura's face flushed because of the sake, and feeling bold, probably also from the sake, she decided to ask Sasuke something.

" Naruto told me about the letter he sent you after you saved all those people from the exploding humans." Sasuke walked on silently for a few seconds when he replied with a "Aah". Pressing on Sakura added, "He said it's funny how he sent that letter, and a few weeks later you had come back to Konoha", She stopped walking, " Is it a coincidence, or did something in that letter make you want to come back", Sakura said hoping he'd answer her. Sasuke walked a couple more paces when he paused.

"No", Sasuke replied " It wasn't a coincidence". He turned to face her. "Im assuming he told you what he said", he spoke as if he already knew this conversation was coming. Sakura nodded looking into his mismatched eyes and with a knot in her stomach she asked. "Did.. did you come back because of me"? Quickly She looked down and added " because Naruto thinks so, but I.. uh.. She trailed off not wanting to say what she was going to say.

Sasuke looked at her face softening, " But you don't think so," he sounded disappointed. Still looking at the ground she rambled "Well I mean it's not that I .. umm.. it's just you had important things to deal with, like your journey for redemption, and .. uh, its silly for me to think you'd drop it all to come see me right, I.. I mean it's just wishful thinking-

She heard footsteps approach her it made her words drop right then and there, she looked up to see Sasuke face to face with her, in an instant his index and middle finger touched the diamond on her forehead. Sakura's face grew hot and her heart skipped a beat, his mismatched eyes looked down at her green ones, with.. that look again, that soft, gentle look. Sakura felt like she couldn't breathe, she finally understood, the intensity of his gaze said it all, he had come back to be with her. Sakura chalked up all the courage she could and extended up towards his face, she was surprised to find he was already leaning into hers, when their lips met quickly.

When they pulled away, they stared at each other softly for a few seconds. Sakura looked away, something else had been bothering her.

"What is it"? Sasuke asked worry in his tone. Sakura gave a sad smile. "I just realized, you left in the middle of your journey". She spoke softly, "That means your going back soon, doesn't it"?

"Yeah" , he said. Sakura could swear she had actually felt her heart break into a million pieces, tears formed in her eyes. " I thought so", her voice cracked. Tears spilled down her face. " When" she asked afraid to know the answer.

" In a week", he replied, " I've already informed Kakashi". Sakura bowed her head, tears coming hot and fast. "Sakura", he called softly. She looked up, shocked to see his face so gentle, then he said something that warmed her soul, "Come with me".

In the days leading up to their departure Sasuke and Sakura fell into a comfortable routine, waking up, making breakfast together, sharing each other's company, and they'd even sometimes fall asleep on the couch together, only for Sasuke to wake in the middle of the night, to put her in her own bed.

Her parents took the news hard, but they supported her decision, as did Lady Tsunade and Shizune. Ino and Naruto practically flew through the roof with excitement, both of course telling her they knew it would work out.

It seems Sasuke had already mentioned Sakura joining him to Kakashi before he even asked her, which meant this had been his plan since he decided to come back, to bring her with him.

The night they left was a calm full moon night, they had said there goodbyes hours earlier so it was time for them to head out. They walked slowly, bags on their back, to the village exit. Sakura's footsteps began to slow until they stopped completely.

She stared at the road ahead with a bittersweet smile, then she looked at the bench to her right, she thought back to all those years ago when Sasuke had first left the hidden leaf, her first confession, the first time he thanked her, before leaving and laying her on that bench.

They've come a long way since that night, so much has changed, and this time.. She was going with him.

Sasuke stopped and turned to see her smiling at the bench, she averted her stare back at the village, then to Sasuke.

" Are you sure about this, Sakura", he asked concern in his voice. " More sure than I've ever been about anything Sasuke-kun", she said smiling. He smirked, and they walked into a journey of their own.

The next few weeks were so different from any mission that Sakura had experienced, they traveled wherever they felt like, like true vagabonds, if someone was in need they'd help them, if they were tired they rested, if they were hungry they ate.

They came up on a small village in the land of stones it seemed quiet and and quaint, they decided to rent a room. The inn keeper was an elderly women. " Hello young ones". she greeted