A cold wind chilled her face as she ran through the dark forest with only one goal in mind. His chakra was getting closer, Sakura could feel it. Sasuke's presence was everywhere.

She bounced off the branch, accelerating. She couldn't afford to lose him, not this time. Sakura had spent two years preparing for this meeting. Two years and three months, learning of the terrible wrongs done by the village she'd been able to give her life for not so long ago.

A raven flew over her head. She jumped down, landing gently on the grass. Sasuke stood still, breathing steadily. She knew he was aware of who she was. She purposely did not hide her chakra.

"What are you doing here, Sakura? Won't Naruto and Kakashi be looking for you?"

"I came alone." She took a step forward; Sasuke still didn't turn around "I left Konoha."

At these words he looked at her. Red eyes shone in the darkness, sending shivers through her body.

"You left Konoha?" he laughed mockingly "Don't lie to me, Sakura. You love this shitty village too much."

Gritting teeth, she gripped the kunai tighter as her former friend began to move towards her with a hostile expression. The clenching and loosening of his hand indicated his annoyance at the situation.

"I'm not lying, Sasuke." she didn't add the ending to his name, showing the seriousness of the moment.

He leaned over her, smearing his breath over her cheek.

"How am I supposed to believe you? Why were you looking specifically for me?"

"I know what they did to your family and more. I also know that you joined the Akatsuki and that you could so easily introduce me to them. We are fighting on the same side from now on." she explained.

Sasuke's lips twisted into a smirk.

"So you'd betray Konoha for me?"

"I'm not doing it for you."

Silence.

True? Not true?

They measured each other with eyes, the atmosphere thickened. They both tried to steady their breathing, without success. Invisible sparks were forming between their bodies.

"One suspicious behavior and I'll kill you." he threatened.

Sakura pressed the sharp tip of the kunai to Sasuke's chest, pushing him away.

"You try that, and I won't stop myself from killing you either. I'm not the same girl you left on the bench back then. One try and you'll be dead before you know it."

Sasuke stepped back, running his tongue over his lips. His expression changed; he became more pleased.

"And that's the attitude I like."