Author's Note: I'm beyond positive that there are many, many stories with just this scene. But the question is…. Why did we never see it? After reading chapter 319 and watching Sakura cry over the picture of Team 7 (with a chapter with the sole purpose of Sasuke), I couldn't help but wonder… is Sasuke remembering them, too? And if he is… is he picturing what happened with his meeting with Sakura at the gate? Then this idea spurred out.

Bench

"Sakura… thank you."

Sasuke's hand connected with the back of her neck, and within seconds she was falling. It was ironic how much it symbolized the life she had just finished describing to him—falling into darkness, falling away from what he wanted… from what he needed. He watched her hair catch in the air, twisting up as she plummeted toward the cold of the cobblestone street.

With mechanical movements brought about upon instinct, Sasuke bent his knees and braced himself for the weight of her unconscious body. She fell so roughly he almost lost his balance. He knelt on the pathway with Sakura draped over his right arm, watching cautiously as her head lolled toward his chest. Her tears continued to slide down her cheeks, landing gently on the fabric of his shorts and the skin of his arm. The image was tugging at his resolve, shrouding his decision with doubt and dark blanket of regret.

Now the question was, what was he to do with Sakura? He couldn't take an unconscious person with him out of Konoha—who knew how long she'd stay asleep. Sasuke didn't want her anywhere near Orochimaru to begin with. He was well aware he was walking into the lions grasp by going to him, and he wasn't going to drag anyone else into it.

His second option was to take her home and sneak into her bedroom. Unfortunately, he didn't have the time to travel back into the depths of the village—and carrying an unconscious girl would only make him appear more suspicious. Scooping her limp body into his arms, he turned toward the bench beside him. It wasn't the best choice, but it was better than leaving her lying on the street or in the grass.

Gently as he could, Sasuke set her down on the stone bench. He didn't move from his position near her face, carefully taking in the curve of her cheekbones and the way her hair splayed over tearstained skin. Blaming gravity for keeping him so close, he closed his eyes to block the view of the girl he knew would be broken upon sunrise. It was hard to deny that he felt guilty for the way he was leaving her behind, but one more second of her would have broken his resolve.

He hoped he wouldn't confront Sakura again when the Godaime was sure to send people to find him. If he saw her again… he knew he'd find himself back in Konoha, and that wasn't where he needed to be. To say Sasuke wanted to go to Orochimaru was a far cry from the truth. He needed to go to Orochimaru—he wanted to stay in Konoha.

Sasuke wanted to stay there, with her, on that bench.

Willing himself to stand straight, his eyes fell back down toward the pink haired girl lying before him. His hand moved unconsciously to touch her skin and register his final memory of her. Heavy hearted, he continued to watch her unmoving expression.

"I'm sorry."

He turned and walked away, promising inside that should he live, he would find a way to make it up to her.

Author's Notes: Be sure to let me know what you thought 

Love and hugs—

Crystal Renee