Sasuke looked around the room and found it silent as usual. 11 days had already passed and they were getting closer to Sakura, making Sasuke use his time on training and making plans and strategies. He could feel his body getting tired but he couldn't waste his time by sleeping when he knew there are far better things to do. He did his usual morning routine, like taking a bath, reading Sakura's journals, taking a 30-minute nap, since he couldn't sleep well with nightmares haunting him.

When he started thinking about the pinkette and could feel his chest ache, he sat up and looked around, and stared at her bed. He started reminiscing about a time when he tackled the pinkette on the bed after she did a sneak attack on him when he emerges from the bathroom. Sasuke had to smirk at the thought then look down sadly. He remained on the bed while staring at her side of the room.

Feeling the guilt slowly crawl up to him, he immediately stood up and walked out of the room. He locked the room and turned around and was greeted by Team Taka who were submitting their daily report to Sasuke. Sasuke sighed and grabbed the portfolios from the trio. He glanced at the trio then back at the portfolios. He scanned through it and nodded at the trio who bowed at him and walked away. Sasuke walked out of the building and was welcomed by the cold wind and chirping birds. Sasuke walked over to Shikamaru and Naruto and sat beside the blond.

" Morning Teme! " He nodded at the lazy genius and the blond idiot and busied himself with his breakfast by stirring his black coffee and eating his toast. He scanned through the report that Team Taka gave him and read their daily routines and some details they were able to recall during their stay with Orochimaru. When he heard someone talking he looked up and saw Neji sitting beside Shikamaru, Neji nodded at him then went back to talking to the lazy genius and the blond. Sasuke was about to sip his coffee while reading the reports and stopped in mid-air when Kiba, Choji, Lee, and Shino dragged their table and chair beside them. Sasuke sighed and looked at them.

" Sasuke-san, do you still want your bread? " Sasuke glanced at Chouji then shook his head. The brown-haired man smiled and took his other toast. Sasuke looked down and went back to reading the report back to the start because of the interruption. He again was about to sip his coffee but was stopped when Naruto stood up and smacked Kiba who was sitting beside him. Sasuke's left eye twitched at the commotion and placed his mug on the table, he breathed in deeply to calm his nerves and closed the portfolio, and placed it inside his coat. He picked up his coffee again was about to drink it when Lee declared his competition to Neji who completely ignored his presence. Shikamaru leaned his head on his palm and moved to converse with Chouji who was munching his food way too loud for Sasuke's liking.

" Troublesome. " Shikamaru muttered for the 6th time. Sasuke could feel his veins popping. He only wished to drink his coffee this morning since he didn't sleep well because of his reports. When the table finally calmed down, he took it as an opportunity to drink his coffee, when he felt the black liquid roll on his tongue, unfortunately, it was cold and it tasted bland, not that he had expected great from the cafeteria coffee. He sighed and he slammed his mug on the table, spraying the coffee all over Naruto who was trying to hit Kiba. The table was then filled with laughter, Kiba's voice excelling everyone else's. Sasuke was about to ignore it but found the blond soaked with coffee amusing, he smirked at the blond.

" What the hell teme! " Naruto glared at Sasuke and sent his fist towards Sasuke who dodged it flawlessly.

" You deserve it dobe. " Sasuke smirked at the blond haughtily.

Naruto puffed his cheeks and looked away, and when the laughter turned louder. He stood on the table declared a match to Sasuke, who said person, ignored him and found the trees in front of him much more entertaining than the blond. Sasuke looked around and found the people who cared for Sakura huddled up at one table. He sighed and leaned back on his chair and listened to Naruto telling everyone a time where Naruto beat Sasuke in a match. Sasuke snorted at it and shook his head.

Itachi glanced at the loud noise and found his brother with a few soldiers at one table. Itachi inspected the people at the table and realized they were one of Sasuke's batchmates. Shisui laughed at the commotion that Sasuke made and slung his arm around Itachi's shoulder.

" Remember the time when Itachi was even grumpier than Sasuke whenever we threatened to take his dango? or take his bike? " Itachi rolled his eyes and drank his tea. Kisame chuckled while Deidara laughed louder.

" I recalled it correctly, Itachi went on a tantrum when he opened his fridge and found his dango gone on its spot, not even realizing we only moved it in a different shelf. Or when Deidara held up his keys and threatened to throw them away if Itachi doesn't come to our party. " Kisame glanced at Itachi and avoided his glare.

" Shouldn't you all be doing your jobs right now, as I recall the only person not in their shift is Konan and Nagato? " Shisui chuckled beside him and waved at the group. Sasori sent Shisui a middle finger who in turn stuck his tongue out.

" Dang can't believe, they were your first team. No offense Konan and Nagato. " the pair only nodded and continued eating their breakfast. Itachi looked down at the Sakura's journal that was handed over to him, he looked up at Shisui who moved to sit on the table.

" I mean why aren't we a team? We've been together since we're infants, it's like the gods wanted us to get married. " Konan and Nagato paused momentarily and stared at pair with disgusted faces. Itachi raised a brow at Shisui who made a face at him.

" We're cousins, and we live in the same district, we go to the same school and we work at the same place. And please don't say such words in front of Izumi. " Shisui rolled his eyes and nudged Itachi, who in return snickered at him. He scanned through the pages and paused to glance at Shisui who raised a brow at him.

" Plus you forgot we were never placed on the same team because we were sent as a duo. Do I need to explain why we're a duo?" Shisui chuckled and shook his head. He placed his arm around Itachi's shoulder and looked down on Sakura's journal. Itachi pushed his hand away softly and continued drinking his tea while reading Sakura's journal. A few minutes passed, Itachi kept rereading it and finally sighed in defeat.

" The girl's smart. " Itachi looked up at the source of the voice and found Obito and Rin arriving at their table and sitting in front of them. Itachi looked around and found the other pair gone.

Stealthy as ever. Itachi thought and looked back at Rin who was eating her breakfast consisting of eggs and toasts.

" She read it first before Kakashi gave it to you, she's our military doctor. " Obito proudly spoke and slung his arms around Rin's shoulder. Rin blushed at the compliment and shrugged off Obito's arm and handed him his breakfast. Itachi nodded and glanced at the journal then looked at the pair.

" I've also heard from Tsunade itself since that old woman rarely compliments a person, so I guessed Sakura-san must be that smart. " Rin giggled and nodded at Itachi.

" Well if you have any medical knowledge you'd understand what she jots down in there aren't just details about the virus, she is breaking down the virus and counterattacking it with its own virus. Crazy and it's hard to explain. However she was having a hard time with it since you need to have complete equipment and time, so far she made those experiments just within 2 weeks. " Itachi nodded and looked down trying to understand the words below.

" Though based on her notes, the process on the counterattack is on pause since she lacked the equipment and ingredient she needed, instead she discovered something else. " Rin stood up from her seat to lean towards Itachi and pointed to a specific page.

" She created a poison and a weapon. " Itachi gave her an uninterested stare. Rin rolled her eyes and tapped her finger on the page. Itachi looked down and read the page.

Rin crossed her arms and held up her chin high, " the weapon, army pills, but they're not just ordinary army pills, youre body could survive for days without water, food and rest. Plus it could lessen the internal and external bleeding if you're injured. She was so close with it but hell broke loose and she got kidnapped. " Rin sighed and placed her cheek on her palm and glanced at Obito who was enjoying his meal then looked back at Itachi and Shisui.

" She made those this thing in just 2 weeks because she found a herb called sylleblossom, that I may add did not exist in Konoha. " Itachi fell silent and was amazed by the pinkette he glanced down at the journal and stared at it. He glanced up at Rin who was smiling sadly while poking the egg on her plate with her fork.

" We haven't tested that yet since the journal is incomplete, she must have ripped out the last page. " Rin spoke and glanced at Itachi, who nodded and closed the journal.

" Then we need to send this to Tsunade, we need it if Orochimaru plans to counter our attacks since we destroyed all his base. " Rin nodded and went back to eating. Itachi stood up and bowed at them.

" I shall take my leave and discuss some matter with my team. " Rin and Obito nodded. Shisui waved at the pair and jogged towards Itachi.

" You're niece is so polite. " Obito chuckled at Rin.

" Yeah, I recall before he knocked out that gang leader he apologized. That kid. " Obito and rin laughed at the thought.

Sakura woke up and looked at the medic that was pouring liquidized food into her tubes. Sakura sighed and looked around, all she did was sleep and eat and stare. She sighed for the umpteenth time and looked down. She was getting tired and she has been inside the vessel for like 4 days. Almost 2 weeks have passed after her abduction and she just can't imagine the pain that her parents are going through right now. She was about to close her eyes when she heard a knock on her glass, which she hated the most, it vibrates through the glass, making an irritating and loud sound.

She glared at the person and saw a smirking Kabuto waving at her. She glared harder and expected him to leave like he usually does but she was surprised when he started pressing buttons, she saw the water getting drained from the vessel. When the vessel was empty she felt the tubes and the restraints on her limbs loosen, next thing she knew, she was falling to the ground. She covered her head and braced for the impact, ignoring the fact that she's naked.

She was about to stand up when she found no strength. Kabuto grinned widely at her then looked at the medic.

" Get her a robe and help her walk, I'll give you a day to help her regain her strength again. " The medic nodded and went inside the vessel and covered her body with a robe. She looked up at the girl and found a metal collar around her neck. She looked away and glanced at Kabuto who was writing down on his notebook.

" Sakura-san, your official training will start tomorrow, so see you! " The white-haired man waved and walked away. The medic lends her a hand and pulled her up, luckily another medic assisted and pulled out a wheelchair, where she was placed for the duration of her travel towards her new room. They arrived in a room bigger than her old room. The place was all white and there was only one door, no windows, a kitchen in the corner was placed and an open bathroom to her right. She was laid down on the bed by the medic. The other medic nodded at them and left. The brunette medic remained and looked down at her.

" You should rest Sakura-san. " The girl was about to walk away when Sakura gripped the girl's wrist.

" I need to practice walking, or that psycho will do something bad to you if I won't be able to walk tomorrow. " The brunette nodded and helped her up. For the whole day, both women would exchange casual words but then would go back to practice walking and use her other limbs.

5 hours had passed and Sakura could feel her legs getting better, she was able to walk from her bed towards the kitchen sink, and she was able to lift a glass of water without shaking. She smiled and sat down, she looked at the medic that was preparing for her dinner. When dinner was served, Sakura walked slowly towards the table and sat down. She waved towards the medic.

" Eat up as well Yui, we'll be practicing my reflexes and when we're done you can go to your room and rest. " the brunette nodded at her then sat in front of her.

When Sakura was finished with her meal, she looked up at the girl and stared at the collar that was now blinking red. Sakura's eyes widened when the girl grabbed her knife and was about to stab her. Sakura made a yelp and dodged the sharp object.

" I-i'm sorry, I-i have no control o-over my b-body. " Sakura's eyes widened when the girl was electrocuted by the collar. Yui stood up again and sent a fist towards her, Sakura immediately dodged it and crawled under the bed rolled to the other side. Sakura held on to the bed and lifted herself, she glanced at Yui who was now running towards her, Sakura could only dodge and crawl under the bed then roll to the other side. Sakura had been dodging the girl's attacks for a few minutes, she could feel her limbs aching, but she could only dodge or she'll hurt the girl.

Yui was able to grab her legs and pull the pinkette to the ground. Yui kept attacking her and all she did was dodge the punches. Another punch was sent her way and Sakura didn't know what happened next, all she knew was that she blocked the girl's attack and flipped their positions. She was straddling the girl and she used the time to do a backflip and land on her knees. She breathed heavily and looked at Yui who lay tired on the floor.

She leaned on the wall and looked down at her hands. Just a few minutes ago, she couldn't walk straight and run but now she could do a backflip. She breathed in heavily and heard the speaker turn on.

" Good Job Sakura-san, Yui, you may rest. " Kabuto's voice resonated in the room. Yui immediately stood up and ran towards the door, looking tired and scared. Sakura dropped to the floor and looked at the wound on her arm. She ripped her robe and wrapped the would with the cloth.

' Yui must have landed one on me yet I never noticed it nor did it stung. ' Sakura sighed and was about to close her eyes when she heard a buzzing sound from the speaker. Sakura looked around and spotted the small speaker near the door.

" Good night Sakura-san. Rest well and see you tomorrow. " The lights in the room were immediately turned off. Sakura could feel the tears prickling her eyes, this time, she could feel it stain her cheeks. She pulled up her legs and hugged them feeling her own warmth protecting her from any harm. She laid on the ground, wrapped her arms around her body, and cried her heart out.

Sasuke slammed his hands on the table, everybody looked down and avoided his gaze, while Kakashi and Itachi stared at him.

" What do you mean she's dead? We were this close Nii-san and now you're telling me she's dead? " Itachi sighed and glanced at Shisui who nodded and typed on his laptop. The screen behind Itachi flashed a picture of a person, bloodied, and lifeless. Sasuke stared at the picture and found her body structure the same as Sakura. Sasuke stepped back in disbelief and sneered at Itachi.

" No! that's not her. " Kakashi placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder to calm him down but Sasuke slapped his hand away. Sasuke glared at Kakashi then glared harder at Itachi. Sasuke clenched his hands and looked away, trying to hold back his tears.

" We took some tests and the results showed that it's Sakuras " Itachi spoke softly and pushed the document towards Sasuke. Sasuke picked up the paper and read it silently then threw it away. Naruto looked down and let out a silent sob. Shikamaru glanced at everyone in the room and felt that all hope was now lost. He glanced at the cool and composed Neji who was now looking sad and disappointed. Sasuke's voice vibrated in the room as he roared back at Itachi.

" Where did you get this? Why was I not informed of this mission? " Kakashi sighed and gripped Sasuke's shoulder. Sasuke looked at Kakashi in anger and disbelief, his own sensei, betrayed him.

" We only found the footage Sasuke and we only took the remains when we arrived at the area, we only found some blood and a few strands of her hair. It was enough evidence since the place was burned down. " Kakashi sighed and turned his back on Sasuke.

" She's not dead! She's not-. " Sasuke shook his head and pushed the chair away sending it tumbling on the floor. He slammed the door open and walked out. Itachi looked at Naruto who was crying silently.

" We're sorry Naruto. " Naruto looked up and nodded, he stood up and walked towards the door when he paused and let out a choked response.

" I'll follow Sasuke and m-make sure he doesn't wreck the building. " When the blond made his silent exit. The room fell into a deep silence. Kakashi walked to the door, not leaving a word to the people in the room and closing the door with little force. Itachi sighed deeply and sat on his chair.

" I-i'm sorry but we really tried. " Rin looked up at everyone. Obito brushed the brunette's hair and comforted her.

" Kakashi saw the footage and found the remains, out of us 3 he took the news worst. " Itachi nodded and signaled everybody to leave the room. Shisui was about to stand up and go after the younger Uchiha when Itachi shook his head.

" Give Sasuke time Shisui. Go prepare we'll be leaving in a few days and go back to Konoha. And make one last scout tomorrow and make sure that Orochimaru's not fooling any of us. " Shisui nodded and walked out of the door when he looked and smiled sadly at Itachi.

" Go rest Itachi, you of all people need sleep. Naruto and Kakashi are there to watch over Sasuke. " Itachi nodded and leaned on his chair. He looked up at the ceiling.

He couldn't believe the pinkette was dead, but he just wants to make everything sure, so he stood up and picked up his sword. He approached the armory and prepared the weapons he needed for tonight. He walked back to his room and found Shisui sleeping soundly. He sat on his bed and pulled out the phone from his pocket and called the person he needed right now.

" Itachi-kun? " Itachi smiled at the voice, he leaned on the wall and stared at the ceiling.

" ah, how are you, Izumi? "

" I'm fine, h-how did it go? "

" Ah, Sasuke's not taking it well. " Itachi heard her sigh and give him a hum.

" Just give him time, maybe longer than what you expected but give him time. "

" Ah, but I don't know, it feels like Sakura-san is still alive. "

" But the result says it matches Sakura-san's DNA "

" I know, but it's not enough. Even Kakashi doubts it. The results just shocked us most. "

" Well, how about make one last scout? You of all people can do it since you know, you're the best " Itachi chuckled and smiled. He glanced at the result paper of Sakura's DNA then looked up back at the ceiling.

" ah, you're right, well-"

" Go help Sasu-chan, he needs a brother right now even just in the shadows. "

" Okay, I'll do it tonight. "

" Good night Itachi-Kun, love you. "

" Ah, good night, love you too. " Itachi hung up on the phone and laid on his bed and stared at the ceiling thinking of a plan for his mission tonight. He just had to make sure the pinkette was alive for his little brother.

The next day Itachi knocked on Sasuke's room. He waited and was about to leave when a very tired Sasuke opened the door. Itachi looked at his brother whose hair was even messier and the bags under his eyes were darker, and his skin paler than his usual tone.

" What do you want? " Itachi stayed silent and waited for Sasuke to invite him in. Sasuke noticing his brother's silence, he opened the door wider and locked it when the older Uchiha was inside the room. Itachi looked around the room and spotted the pinkette's stuff packed neatly. He glanced at Sasuke who was observing him ever since he entered the room.

" Make it fast, I have things to do- " Itachi handed him an envelope and went back to looking around the room. He picked up Sasuke's kusanagi and inspected it.

" I did one last scout in where KOR7 found Sakura's blood and hair, Kakashi assisted me this time cause he also doubted it was Sakura's remains but we can't also deny that the remains matched Sakura's DNA. But just to make everything sure, I already told Minato-sama we'll be doing our one last scout on our last night. So save up your energy, we'll be needing it. " Sasuke looked up at his brother in surprise and nodded slowly. His mouth gape and his grip on the envelope loosening.

" A-ah Nii-san. " Itachi smiled at him and poked his forehead.

" But don't get your hopes up. Now rest. Sakura needs your strength tomorrow. " Sasuke rubbed his forehead and nodded at Itachi who waved at him and left his room. Sasuke sighed and laid on his bed and stared at the ceiling. He could feel his chest loosen at the thought that the pinkette could still be alive. Sasuke rolled on his stomach and closed his eyes and smiled softly when he remembered a specific occasional visit at the cliff with the pinkette.

" Oh my god Sasuke! What did I do to receive such cold treatment from you? You ignored me for the whole day! What did I do?! " Sasuke glanced at the pinkette who had marched her way up the cliff just to ruin his peace. He sighed and looked back at the sea, ignoring the pinkette who was now fuming.

" Sasuke! " Sakura moved to stand infront of him, blocking his view. He sighed and looked away avoiding the sea-green eyes of Sakura. Sakura bit her lower lip and was starting to tear up.

" I k-know, I-i'm not the best but no need to make me feel like I'm not worth the attention. You don't need to make me feel like I don't m-matter to you. " Sakura held onto her dress and bit her lower lip, trying to suppress her feelings. Sasuke sighed deeply, ignored her, and looked up at the moon.

" I-i must be annoying you right now, I'm s-sorry. " She placed a hand on her chest and was about to walk away when Sasuke grabbed her wrist. She looked at him and found him towering over her. He was looking away and was still avoiding any eye contact with her. Sakura bit her lip harder and looked down.

Sasuke glanced at her and sighed. He placed his hand on her cheeks and lifted her head, greeting her eyes with his deep stare.

" Stop doing that. " Sakura sniffed and looked at him confusingly. Sasuke slowly ran his thumb on her lower lip stopping the pinkette from her lip biting. The pinkette gaped at him and turn red. Sakura skeptically stared at him while Sasuke stood in place, admiring the pinkette's features up close.

" W-what did I do? for you to hate me? " Sasuke sighed and stared at her eyes and felt guilty when he saw the pain evident in it.

" Call my name " Sakura tilted her head to the side and stared weirdly at him but after a while, she complied.

" Sasuke- " Sakura spoke slowly but clearly when Sasuke cut her off while looking away.

"-kun. Call me that." It took Sakura for a while to realize that Sasuke was avoiding her because she called Neji with a suffix while she called him with just a Sasuke. Sakura had to suppress a laugh but instead let out a giggle. Sasuke glanced at her then went back to looking at the moon.

" Okay, Sasuke-kun. " Sasuke froze and felt his heart beating erratically. His head turned towards the pinkette who was smiling widely at him while staring at him. He stared at her and just like the magnetism he learned in science, he felt himself leaning down closer towards the pinkette. The pinkette in return felt the magnetic field and leaned towards him.

When she felt Sasuke's breath on her, she felt him pause waiting for her permission. So she looked up and just like that he leaned down and kissed her. She closed her eyes and felt Sasuke's cold but soft lips on hers. Sasuke wrapped his arms around her form and pulled her closer. She slowly wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. Slowly they pulled away and stared at each other in shock and nervousness.

" Don't call Neji with that suffix or anyone but me. " Sakura turned red and giggled. Sasuke glared at her and she nodded in response.

" mmmkay Sasuke-kun " Sasuke smirked at her and leaned down for another kiss which the pinkette returned happily and just like that, they shared their first kiss.

Sasuke opened his eyes and sighed at the memory. He looked around then glanced at the clock.

9:46 pm He rolled on his back and stared at the ceiling.

Now rest. Sakura needs your strength tomorrow. Recalling his brother's words, he closed his eyes and realized that maybe tonight he'll sleep right at the thought that there's a chance the pinkette's still alive.

It took everything in me not to squeal while writing their first kiss scene like fuuuuuuuq I hope you're feeling giddy like how I am feeling.

Take care and love lots

-Luna