Sakura sat through the ride, squeezed between Sasuke and Sasori. Up front, Kakashi, Itachi, and Shisui exchanged quiet glances, though Sakura caught their eyes on her more than once. Sasuke, sitting beside her, looked visibly annoyed, his eyes narrowing occasionally as he glanced toward Sasori, whose casual flirting had started to irritate nearly half the team.

For two long hours, they searched the area for survivors, finding none. The subsequent three-hour journey to Suna dragged on. Karin's loud complaints about the injured passengers filled the vehicle, her voice rising in exasperation. Suigetsu's incessant teasing of her only made matters worse, while Sasori's relaxed, almost languid flirting added to the tension. Sakura, too drained to care, drifted off to sleep soon after they left the jurisdiction of Tani, her head unconsciously resting against Sasuke's arm.

Sasuke glanced down, his lips twitching as he noticed the pink-haired kunoichi using his bicep as a pillow. She was completely out, her breathing steady, as if unaware of the ongoing mission. Across from them, Sasori had also fallen asleep, leaning lazily against the window. Sasuke's irritation softened as he shifted his arm, careful not to wake her.

"Don't get used to it, Sasuke. We're only a few minutes from Suna HQ," Shisui teased from the front, his voice light and playful. He shot Sasuke a knowing glance through the rearview mirror.

Sasuke grunted, barely acknowledging him.

"Well, if you ask me, three hours is enough to give him a hard-on," Suigetsu chimed in, his tone filled with amusement. The words barely left his mouth before a loud smack echoed inside the vehicle—Karin's palm had met the back of Suigetsu's head with perfect precision.

Sasuke smirked at the exchange, inwardly thankful for Karin's intervention. Meanwhile, Jugo, ever the peacekeeper, was quietly trying to diffuse the bickering between Karin and Suigetsu.

"Wake up, everyone. We're finally at Suna HQ," Shisui called out, his voice carrying a note of relief as they approached their destination. Sasori stirred first, stretching lazily before sitting upright. Sakura yawned and blinked sleepily, slowly realizing where she was. Her eyes darted to Sasuke, who was still watching her. Flustered, she shot up straight, her cheeks tinged with pink.

"S-sorry," she mumbled, her voice sheepish. Sasuke merely shrugged and stretched his arm, feeling the lingering numbness from where her head had rested.

Outside, Suna HQ loomed ahead, a massive mirrored building gleaming in the desert sun. Sakura's eyes widened in awe. It had been years since she last saw this place, and it had transformed beyond her expectations. Under Gaara's leadership, Suna had evolved from a struggling village into a renowned city.

As the vehicle passed through the steel gates, the dark interior of the compound gradually illuminated. Sakura peered ahead and immediately spotted Gaara, standing tall beside Temari and Ino, whose familiar figure brought a smile to her face. She had missed her best friend more than she realized.

Once everyone disembarked, the group made their way toward the trio.

"Good to finally see you, Forehead," Ino greeted, her tone laced with fondness as she enveloped Sakura in a tight hug. Sakura returned the embrace, her smile warm and genuine.

"It's been a while," Sakura sighed, stepping back just as Temari grabbed her arm with a grin.

"You scared me there again, Pink. I thought Tsunade was going to rip our heads off," Temari teased, her voice carrying a mix of concern and humor. Sakura laughed, the sound light and relieved.

"I hope everything's fine, Sakura?" Gaara asked, his voice low and calm, though his gaze held a deeper layer of concern. Sakura glanced at him and offered a soft smile, nodding in response.

Temari and Ino, however, were quick to drag her inside, their playful giggles making Sakura chuckle as she hurried along with them. Gaara's eyes lingered on Sakura for a moment before a subtle throat-clearing behind him broke his focus.

"Sasuke," Gaara acknowledged with a nod. Sasuke met his gaze briefly and handed him the key to the vehicle.

"Not a scratch," Sasuke remarked, his tone dry but carrying the faintest hint of a smirk. Gaara's lips twitched into a small, approving smile as he accepted the key.

At that moment, Itachi, Shisui, and Kakashi approached Gaara, their expressions shifting from casual to serious as they closed in.

"We've got news," Itachi said quietly, his voice steady but filled with urgency. Gaara's expression hardened as he turned to face them fully.

"Karin, take the injured to the infirmary. Suigetsu, Jugo, assist her. Once you're done, complete your regular checkups," Gaara instructed, his tone authoritative. The trio nodded and swiftly made their way through a separate door.

Gaara then led Itachi, Shisui, and Kakashi through another door, leading to a secluded part of HQ reserved for high-ranking personnel only. As they entered the quiet, dimly lit hallway, Kakashi spoke first.

"I trust you received the report Sasuke sent?" he asked, his voice low but direct.

"I did," Gaara replied, his tone clipped but controlled.

Itachi exchanged a glance with Shisui before continuing, his voice steady and measured. "Shisui and I discovered something while we were ambushed."

The weight of his words caused Kakashi and Gaara to tense, their attention sharpening.

"But it's best if Minato and Jiraiya are present as well," Itachi added. Gaara nodded in agreement, and they moved swiftly toward the conference room where Minato, Jiraiya, and Tsunade usually met.

Upon entering, they found only Minato and Jiraiya present. Tsunade was noticeably absent.

"Well, finally you're here," Jiraiya greeted them with a grin, though his tone was laced with impatience. Shisui shot him a faint smile but remained somber.

"We're here with far worse news," Shisui said gravely, his voice cutting through the air. The atmosphere in the room shifted immediately. Kakashi quietly locked the door and shut the windows before taking a seat next to Itachi and Shisui, their expressions grim as they faced Gaara, Minato, and Jiraiya.

"We were in Tani's sewers," Itachi began, his tone calm yet grave. Gaara's brow furrowed slightly, and Shisui couldn't resist a small chuckle at his reaction. Itachi, however, continued with precision. "We followed the sewer pathways, but we discovered an undocumented tunnel. Its direction—straight toward Suna."

Itachi projected a holographic map in the middle of the table. As the red lines lit up, Kakashi and Jiraiya exchanged glances. This was beyond their typical jurisdiction. Minato and Gaara, however, leaned back, their expressions darkening.

"Was it newly constructed?" Minato asked, his voice level but strained.

"No. It feels old, like it's been there for at least a decade," Itachi replied. Gaara's hand moved to his temple, massaging it as his thoughts raced.

"Tani may have deliberately left it out," Kakashi suggested, his voice thoughtful. But Shisui quickly interjected.

"Or they're involved. Itachi and I have been wondering how Suna was breached so quickly, despite the security protocols. It's possible they used the tunnel to smuggle the infected into the city without detection."

Shisui's voice dropped lower, the weight of his words sinking in.

"Before Sasuke found us, we left a drone in the sewers. It followed the hidden pathway, and it led us here—to Suna General Hospital. The tunnel connects directly to the hospital, which explains why the outbreak spread faster here than anywhere else."

As the holographic map zoomed in, a red dot pulsed over the hospital's location. Gaara clenched his fists as Minato spoke, his voice grave.

"Unfortunately, someone in Suna might be a traitor," Minato stated, the implications clear in his tone.

Gaara grunted in frustration, the tension in the room palpable.

"Itachi, Shisui, Kakashi—I need you to investigate. I'll discuss this with Chiyo-sama and Tsunade-sama. They know the hospital staff well and might help us identify the traitor." Gaara's voice was firm, decisive.

The three nodded in unison, standing to salute before exiting the office to begin their investigation.

Sasuke felt the adrenaline still coursing through his veins as they returned to Suna. The mission to Tani had been sufficient, but it hadn't drained him enough. He craved something more challenging, something to release the leftover energy pulsing in his body. After dropping his gear in the living room of his penthouse, he rested briefly before changing into his training outfit. His gun-sword strapped to his back, he glanced around the empty space. Naruto wasn't there—probably out training as well.

Leaving the penthouse, Sasuke made his way to the training room, but it was empty when he arrived. He sighed in slight disappointment, dropping his bag and laying the gun-sword on the bleachers before starting his warm-up stretches. It was becoming harder to train with regular people—being mutated meant his strength far surpassed anyone else's, and he didn't want to accidentally injure the team members Suna and Konoha were carefully building.

He was resigned to training alone, hoping to work through a few maneuvers with his gun-sword. As he picked it up, inspecting its weight and balance, a small smirk crossed his face. This was the original version; the polished one was with Sakura. They looked different but functioned the same. He aimed at the target 50 yards away, narrowing his eyes, focusing. The blade sliced through the air with precision, piercing the target's head cleanly.

"Oh—" A voice interrupted him, soft yet clear.

Sasuke turned, finding Sakura standing at the entrance of the training room. She was in her own training gear, her gun-sword slung over her shoulder.

"I didn't know you were— I'll just leave—" Sakura started to backtrack, feeling awkward about interrupting. But Sasuke's sigh stopped her.

"It's fine. I need a training partner anyway," Sasuke said, his tone calm but inviting. He glanced at her with a serious expression, as if sizing her up.

Sakura hesitated for a moment, biting her lip, unsure if he really meant it. But when his gaze remained steady, she nodded.

"Sure—do you want to use that or spar?" Sakura asked, gesturing to the gun-sword in his hand as she dropped her own bag next to his on the bench.

Sasuke shrugged, placing the weapon beside his bag as well. "We can spar," he replied, glancing at her briefly before stretching his neck and rolling his shoulders.

"If it's fine with you," he added, his voice dropping slightly, as though he was offering her an escape if she wanted it.

Sakura smiled, a confident glint in her eyes. "Of course. It's no problem for me."

They both stepped into the sparring area. The air between them shifted—serious, focused, but with a hint of anticipation. Sakura knew how strong Sasuke had become, and Sasuke knew that despite her petite frame, Sakura's inhuman strength could crush boulders. They'd fought alongside each other before, but sparring was different—this would be a true test of their skills.

Without further warning, Sasuke darted forward, his movements so fast he seemed to vanish from sight. Sakura barely had time to react, but her instincts kicked in just as his fist came flying toward her. She blocked with her forearm, the impact reverberating through her body like a shockwave, but her inhuman strength allowed her to stand her ground, barely shifting.

He disappeared again, Sharingan eyes glowing crimson as he reappeared behind her, aiming a powerful kick at her side. Sakura twisted, narrowly dodging, her pink hair whipping around as she retaliated with a swift punch aimed at his midsection. This time, she was ready. Anticipating his next move, Sakura caught him as he flickered to her left. Her fist connected with his forearm, sending him skidding back across the floor, his boots dragging lines in the training room mat.

"Not bad," Sasuke grunted, shaking out his arm with a smirk. His eyes, sharp with focus, glinted with something deeper than competition.

Sakura cracked her knuckles, stepping forward with an air of playful challenge. "Come on. I know you've got more than that," she teased, her voice brimming with confidence.

They clashed again, fists and kicks moving in a blur of speed and strength. Sasuke's movements were quicksilver—darting in and out of her reach, his form barely visible as he flickered from one side of the room to the other. Sakura's blows were the opposite—heavy and powerful, shaking the ground beneath them with each hit. The room echoed with the sharp sounds of their sparring: the harsh exhale of breaths, the dull thuds of fists meeting flesh, the occasional scrape of feet pivoting for the next strike.

Sakura launched a back handspring, twisting mid-air and sending a kick toward Sasuke's chin. He dodged just in time, narrowly avoiding the strike, but Sakura landed perfectly, her eyes locked on his next move. Sasuke flickered in front of her, his speed unmatched, and with a swift motion, he grabbed her wrist before she could retaliate.

For a brief second, time slowed.

Sakura's eyes widened as she found herself inches from Sasuke's face, their breaths mingling in the small space between them. His grip on her wrist tightened, not enough to hurt, but enough for her to feel the tension in his body. Their proximity made the air around them feel electric, charged with an intensity neither had expected. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, the closeness overwhelming her senses.

Her heartbeat quickened. She instinctively pushed against his chest, her palm pressing into the fabric of his shirt, but their touch lingered for a fraction longer than necessary. There was something unspoken in the way they held each other's gaze, as if both were acutely aware of how close they had become.

Sasuke's eyes flickered down to her lips for the briefest of moments, a silent hesitation passing between them. Sakura felt a rush of heat surge through her, startled by the sudden intimacy of the moment. She let out a shaky breath, but her body was frozen, caught in the charged air between them.

Just as suddenly as the moment had come, it passed. Sasuke released her wrist, stepping back with a grunt, his expression darkening as he refocused on their spar. Sakura blinked, trying to steady herself, her heart still racing from the unexpected closeness.

"Again," Sasuke said, his voice low, roughened with exertion, as if nothing had happened. But his eyes were different now—sharper, more focused, with an edge of something she couldn't quite place.

Sakura exhaled deeply, trying to shake off the lingering tension. She nodded, her expression hardening as she prepared for the next round. But the memory of how close they had been—how easily their hands had found each other—remained, simmering under the surface.

They resumed their sparring, Sasuke once again vanishing in a blur of speed. This time, Sakura was more attuned to his movements. As he flickered into sight to her right, she countered with a spinning kick. He blocked it, their forearms clashing with a force that sent shockwaves up their arms. Sasuke slid back slightly, his eyes narrowing as he tried to assess her next move.

Sakura wasted no time, surging forward with a barrage of punches. Each strike was calculated, powerful, but Sasuke matched her blow for blow. He ducked under a right hook, spun, and delivered a kick aimed at her legs, but she jumped, narrowly avoiding it. Her hand shot out to grab his wrist, twisting his arm in a joint lock, but Sasuke countered with a swift elbow to break her hold.

They moved in a brutal rhythm now—Sasuke's speed meeting Sakura's overwhelming strength, both pushing the limits of their abilities. His sharingan flared as he anticipated her next attack, but Sakura, adapting to his flickering movements, was no longer easy to predict.

As their fight intensified, Sasuke feigned a strike to her right before flashing behind her, aiming to sweep her legs out from under her. But Sakura was ready. She spun, catching his leg with her own, and for a split second, it seemed like she would flip him to the ground. However, Sasuke anticipated her counter. His Sharingan flared, and in a blink, he twisted midair, escaping her grasp and landing gracefully behind her.

Before Sakura could react, Sasuke flickered again, this time directly in front of her. His speed left her momentarily disoriented. He delivered a swift, controlled kick to her midsection, just hard enough to knock the wind out of her without causing harm. Sakura staggered back, gasping as she caught her breath, but before she could recover fully, Sasuke was already closing in.

In one fluid motion, he swept her legs from under her, sending her crashing to the mat. He moved swiftly, pinning her down with one arm pressed against her shoulder, his other hand hovering just above her throat—a clear signal that he had won.

"Yield," Sasuke said, his voice steady but laced with a hint of smugness.

Sakura exhaled sharply, her frustration evident, but there was also a flicker of admiration in her eyes. "Alright, you win," she muttered, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she caught her breath.

Sasuke released her immediately, stepping back and offering her a hand. She took it, and he helped her to her feet, their fingers briefly brushing against each other.

"Not bad at all," Sasuke repeated, his smirk returning as he brushed some dust off his clothes.

Sakura grinned despite her defeat, wiping the sweat from her brow. "You're still as insufferable as ever, but yeah, you got me this time."

Sakura glanced at Sasuke's bruised, bleeding knuckles and gasped, immediately grabbing his hand with concern.

"We need to clean this and put antiseptic on it, so it won't get infected," she said, her tone soft but firm. Her demeanor shifted to one of gentle care, catching Sasuke off guard. He looked down at her, ready to pull his hand away, but when she looked up, her eyes were filled with a warmth that made him pause.

"Ah, we can do this in my place," he suggested, his voice quieter than before. Sakura nodded, quickly grabbing her belongings and waiting by the entrance while Sasuke did the same. As they walked towards his penthouse, the silence between them felt heavy, almost palpable, especially after the tension in the training room.

Sakura bit her lip, debating whether to break the silence, but this time, Sasuke spoke first.

"How have you been?" he asked, his focus on unlocking the door to the penthouse.

Sakura laughed nervously, surprised by the question. "Just fine. Tired, but we're all tired, so who am I to complain?" she replied, her voice light despite the fatigue in her words. Sasuke chuckled softly and gestured for her to enter first.

"I'll grab the first aid kit," he said, disappearing for a moment. Sakura nodded and sat down in the living room. The penthouse was spacious yet practical, much like the one she shared with Shizune and Tsunade. She admired the open kitchen space before Sasuke returned, carrying a small red box.

"Here," he said, handing it to her. Sakura took it with a nod, her expression focused as she motioned for Sasuke to sit down.

"Let me take a look," she said, holding out her hands. Sasuke hesitated briefly, but then placed his hand in hers. Without waiting for any protest, Sakura began inspecting his knuckles. She clicked her tongue in disapproval as she saw the extent of the bruising.

Carefully, she poured antiseptic onto a cotton pad, dabbing it gently over his wounds. Sasuke watched her closely, his intense gaze following every delicate movement she made. Her concentration was palpable, and she didn't seem to notice how closely he was observing her. When she finished cleaning the cuts, a satisfied smile spread across her lips, one that made Sasuke's heart skip unexpectedly.

Sakura wrapped his knuckles in gauze with precision, still holding his hand gently in hers. "There. This should help," she said, her smile still lingering as she looked up at him. But Sasuke couldn't seem to tear his eyes away from her, something about the moment holding him in place.

Sensing the weight of his gaze, Sakura leaned back slightly on the sofa, releasing his hand. Trying to shift the mood, she asked, "So, how have you been? Naruto mentioned you took the same elixir your grandfather used. At first, I thought you were wearing Sharingan contacts, but you didn't take them out. Does that mean it's permanent now?"

Sasuke leaned back, his expression thoughtful as he processed Sakura's question, the unspoken tension between them still lingering from their earlier interaction.

"Ah, just a month after Naruto got injected with the mutation. Tsunade administered mine and monitored me for a month to ensure there were no significant side effects," Sasuke explained, his tone steady. But Sakura just stared at him, her gaze intense. Sasuke raised a brow, unsure of her sudden scrutiny.

"Would you let me take a closer look?" she asked, her tone gentle but insistent. Sasuke's brows furrowed in slight confusion, but Sakura smiled, reassuring him.

"I know Tsunade-sama already examined you, but I can't shake this feeling that there's more to it than just how fast you can predict your opponent's next move," Sakura mumbled, her concern apparent. Sasuke nodded, glancing briefly at his watch.

"Come by tomorrow at 10 p.m. It's the only time I'll be free—Naruto and I need to train some newly hired Anbu," he said, standing up. Sakura smiled and nodded in agreement, standing to gather her things. She hesitated briefly before reaching for the gun-sword.

"Would it be okay if you returned this to Itachi? It's his—"

"Sakura, it's yours," Sasuke interrupted, his voice firm but not unkind. "I lent it to Itachi for him to use, but originally, it belongs to you."

Sakura blinked, taken aback by the gesture. She smiled warmly, accepting the weapon from Sasuke as he handed it to her. With a final nod, the two walked towards the door together.

"Sasuke-kun… good night," Sakura said softly before turning her back and heading towards the elevator. Sasuke watched her retreating figure for a moment before closing the door behind her.

That was the longest conversation they'd had since her disappearance. As the door clicked shut, Sasuke couldn't help but think that maybe patching things up with Sakura like this wasn't such a bad idea after all.

Finally posting something! Here's the thing, aside from work, I lost the files to this story. That's why I wasn't able to upload any, but I had just started rewriting it from scratch, that's why here I am posting Chapter 24 after a long long long long (23 years later) time.

I'll try to finish this, but I won't rush it as I wanted to give you good quality stories.

Take care and stay safe.

lovelots,

Luna

XOXO