Sakura went inside through the window. She had to make a post-mission report to the Hokage.

When she looked ahead, she noticed Sasuke sitting at the desk. His back was all tense. It was obvious that he hadn't rested for the past few days.

"Did you find anything?" he asked in a deep voice.

"No. No marks." she noticed that his hand twitched "Next time-"

"Nothing has changed for a year." Sasuke was furious "People are starting to get worried. Then they start blaming it on me, and then..."

"Sasuke-kun." Sakura approached him, but Sasuke stood up and backed away.

"I have to do something about it."

"Sasuke-kun!"

Only now did he turn his attention to her. Sakura waited for him to respond with something unkind under the emotions, but Sasuke simply waited for her to continue the conversation.

Sakura walked up to the man and put her hand on his cheek.

"Stop, everything is fine."

Many emotions flowed through Sasuke's eyes in succession - irritation, anger, embarrassment and sadness, until finally he just looked tired of it all.

"I need rest, Sakura," he confessed, in a voice drained of all energy.

"I know, Sasuke-kun." she hugged him tightly around the neck, giving him a sense of security "Let's go home."

"I'm already home." he murmured very quietly into Sakura's hair.