Disclaimer: I own nothing. I can't think of a creative way to repeat that.

A/N: You guys have been so good about giving me prompt reviews! I really should be either sleeping or studying, but here's another chapter for you! Ya'll might have some issues with this one, but I have to take risks every now and then! Here goes nothing:

Sakura stretched luxuriously on her bed of soft grass and wildflowers. The weather was very warm, but a refreshing breeze passed over her, lifting wisps of her hair so they played about her face. It was extremely comfortable, lounging in the grass as the sunshine warmed her skin, and she was feeling pleasantly drowsy.

To her right, Naruto lay in much the same attitude, with his hands beneath his head. The two of them had been lazing around in that meadow for…well, a while anyway. Sakura couldn't remember. She wasn't worried, though. Nothing in the world could possibly worry her in such a beautiful place!

She turned to Naruto, who was smiling up at the sky in contentment, blue eyes reflecting blue. His soft blond hair was rustling in the breeze and he looked as if he was recalling a pleasant memory…something private and mysterious. Sakura longed to ask him what he was thinking, but didn't want to dare disturb the peace that was emanating from everything around them. Every tree, every flower, every blade of grass seemed to be lit up from within, radiating beauty and harmony from each fiber of their beings.

Is this what heaven is like?

Naruto turned on his side to observe her, propping his head on his hand. He reached out and caressed her face with a smile that sent happy shivers down her spine.

"Sakura-chan…" he said softly.

"Hm?" she said. As he gazed down at her, his cerulean eyes seemed to hold untold depth and warmth. Once again, she recalled the fact that she had looked into these eyes so many times over the years, but had never really appreciated how beautiful they were…that bright, azure blue….it reminded her of the ocean and carefree summer days. "What is it?" she asked again.

"I love you," he said simply.

Sakura flushed pink with pleasure. I love you too! She opened her mouth to say it aloud, but he was already getting to his feet.

"Where are you going?" she asked, reluctant to cut short their interlude.

"Come with me," he said, helping her up.

They walked silently side by side through the wildflowers that carpeted the meadow floor. Sakura draped her arm through Naruto's and gave him a playful shove. He returned it with a grin.

"Hey!" she laughed, attempting to shove him back. Naruto dodged her and jogged away, grinning like a fox (;P Sorry! Couldn't resist!).

"Come and get me Sakura-chan!" he teased, blue eyes twinkling, and set off toward the edge of the meadow. Sakura laughed again and tore after him, so happy she thought she might burst.

After chasing him for about five minutes, however, her happiness was fading fast. It seemed like every time she almost caught him, he'd just reappear ten yards ahead of her! The trees around the edge of the meadow were steadily getting thicker now, and the air chillier.

"Naruto!" she called, having stopped to catch her breath. The trees around her were much taller and closer together than they had been a few moments before. She was definitely in the depths of the forest now, and starting to feel very cold indeed. The thick canopy blocked out most of the sun's light, throwing the whole scene into shadows.

"Naruto!?!" she called again after a few moments. It was seriously freezing in the woods now and Sakura was quite impatient to be gone.

She continued walking straight ahead into the darkening forest, calling for Naruto at random intervals. The air was becoming more frigid by the moment, and after five minutes, she felt the first snowflakes on her face. It was dark as twilight that deep in the forest, and her feet began to crunch on fresh snow as the ground was rapidly covered.

This is unnatural! It was so warm in the meadow!

Sakura stopped dead in her tracks, shivering. She'd heard the sound of movement behind her.

"Sakura…" a low voice whispered in her ear.

She jumped in alarm and whirled around, hoping to discover the voice's owner. No one was there.

"Who's there!?" she called, looking wildly around. There was no one to be seen anywhere! There were no footprints in the snow besides her own. She scanned the trees, thinking her assailant might have taken refuge there.

"Naruto?" she called timidly. "If this is a joke, it really sucks!"

"Naruto, huh?" The cold voice laughed softly, echoing strangely and sending shivers down Sakura's spine. It sounded distant, as if borne on the wind, yet a moment ago it had sounded close enough to have been right next to her.

"But—where? Who—"

"This way…" said the whispery voice. It sounded like it was coming from the thick grove of trees up ahead. There was something so familiar about that voice!

Sakura made up her mind and headed toward the grove. The unnatural snow was now five inches deep and her feet were numb in moments.

The cedar trees clustered around the grove were so thick, she had to turn sideways to squeeze through. Snow lay undisturbed on the forest floor, and she wandered briefly how so much of it managed to filter through the thick canopy. Long black shadows stretched across the white surface and clung to trees on the outskirts of the grove, making Sakura feel as if she was trapped in a heavily inked painting of some winter landscape.

She crept into the middle of the clearing, trying to peer through the inky depths at what might be lurking beyond the trees. She felt unpleasantly closed in…trapped almost.

"Sakura," the familiar voice said again. However, it didn't sound remotely faint or whispery anymore. In fact, it sounded as if it was coming from right behind the nearest tree.

"Show yourself!" Sakura ordered. She felt at her hip for a kunai, but found nothing. Cursing herself for being unprepared, she waited for the owner of the voice to emerge.

She didn't wait long. There was a crunching sound of feet on snow, and every muscle in Sakura's body tensed as a tall figure emerged from the shadows.

It was Sasuke.

"Long time no see," he said coldly, smirking slightly at the look of shock on her face.

Sakura stood rooted to the spot. She couldn't move, couldn't breathe…the voice had sounded eerily familiar, but she couldn't have prepared herself for standing face to face with Sasuke.

"What's wrong?" he asked, amused. He crossed his arms. "Aren't you happy to see me?"

Sakura took a single sharp step back, but couldn't make herself move any further.

"Oh, relax," he said, sounding bored. "I'm not going to kill you."

"Then wh-what do you want?" she asked softly. This was not how she imagined her next reunion with Sasuke would be—he, all heartless amusement and she, a shivering, cowardly wreck.

"What do you want?" he returned, pulling out a kunai. "That's the question, Sakura."

Sakura swallowed nervously with her eyes on the cold blade. She'd never felt so defenseless, either emotionally or physically. He simply surveyed her through deadened black eyes that looked hollow and ghostly in his handsome pale face.

"What do you mean?" she asked, trying to figure out an escape route. She knew she'd been training for this for years, but seeing Sasuke again, face to face…she new she couldn't take him alone.

"What I mean is…" he flicked his dark hair out of his eyes and fixed her with a piercing gaze, "You don't seem to know what you want."

Sakura stared down at her feet, now completely covered in snow.

"Right now, you're starting to think that you want Naruto, but…"he paused, waiting for her to meet his eyes. She did it in an instant, as if compelled, heart beating fast.

"You'll never escape me," he finished darkly.

In a flash, he was behind her, twisting her arms painfully behind her back. She cried out in pain and he pressed the kunai edge to her throat. Hot tears began to leak from her eyes as she felt the cold steel against her skin. This was all wrong!

"Say you want me, Sakura," he whispered in her ear, pressing the dagger even harder to her neck. A single drop of warm blood sprung from the tip.

"I…" Sakura tried to speak, but she was now sobbing too hard to get any words out. How could this be the Sasuke she'd known and loved!? It just couldn't be true!

As if he could read her thoughts, Sasuke whirled her around to face him. They were mere inches apart.

"You know you want ME!" he growled dangerously. Sakura tried to step back, but his grip on her was too tight.

"Just say it!" he whispered coldly, his black eyes boring into hers.

"But…but you don't want me," she pleaded softly, shivering violently in his arms.

"I don't have to want you," he said, his handsome face now twisted with anger. "You're already mine!"

Sasuke crushed his lips to hers and tightened his arms as she struggled against his vice-like grip. Sakura clamped her eyes shut, screaming on the inside. No!!!! This isn't right! This isn't how it's supposed to be! His lips weren't warm and inviting, but cold as ice as he kissed her fiercely…violently, even. Forcing her lips to part, he savagely thrust his tongue into her mouth.

Tears continued running down Sakura's face as she tried to wrestle her way free, but Sasuke had her and refused to let her go. For a moment, a thousand images seemed to swirl in front of her eyelids all at once. Naruto and herself sitting on the bridge in the snow…drinking sake at Ichiraku's…holding each other in his lonely apartment…walking in the village streets…arguing with Tsunade…

"Naruto…" she whispered, as he broke apart to draw breath.

Sasuke forced her chin up sharply and glared into her eyes. "I'm not Naruto," he hissed, and reclaimed her lips, shoving her against a tree and pinning her there with his weight. It was no use! She couldn't escape!

As he started tearing at her clothes, Sakura tried desperately to recall those images of Naruto and herself together. If she could just do that, she could transport her mind away from what was really happening! The two of them sitting in the training grounds, watching the starts come out…his smile…his voice. Sasuke bit her lower lip hard and Sakura tasted blood in her mouth.

Suddenly, all of those images crumbled into dust and Sakura's brain seemed to switch off. Barely aware of who she was or what she was doing, she stopped struggling. Bringing her hands up to Sasuke's jet black hair, she began to return the kiss with as much strength as she could muster…

---------

"Sakura-chan!!!"

Sakura awoke with a start, gripping the bedsheets with fear. She looked wildly around the room as if expecting to see the snow and trees of the grove she had just awoken from in her dream. No, there was no Sasuke. Nor was there a cut on her neck from the kunai. There was, however, a lingering taste of blood in her mouth. Feeling ill, she realized that she had bitten the inside of her cheek in her sleep out of distress. Naruto was perched on the edge of her bed, looking alarmed. The window in her bedroom was open; he must have climbed through it to get up there.

"What's wrong!?" he asked, pulling the sheet away. Without warning, she dived forward and seized him, sobbing hard into his jacket and trembling.

"I'm sorry, Naruto!" she cried, "I'm so sorry!"

"Shhhh…" Naruto put his arms around her to quiet her, glancing nervously at the bedroom door. Her parents were in the other room.

"What happened?" he asked bewilderedly. "Bad dream?"

Sakura nodded miserably into his chest. Her sobs had quieted quickly due to his comforting proximity. You don't know the half of it, she thought. The cold, callous expression on Sasuke's face was still swimming before her eyes.

"What was it?" he asked gently, turning her face up to his.

She violently shook her head, and took his hand in both of hers, hugging it as thought she hadn't seen him in years.

"Was it Sasuke?" he asked again, very softly. Her whole body quivered as she nodded the affirmative. Naruto didn't ask anymore questions, but just held her and lovingly stroked her hair.

After a few moments of shivering, she calmed down enough to really take in her surroundings. They were in her bedroom…she'd come in there after having dinner with her family. She remembered lying down on her bed to read as she waited for her date with Naruto, but she must have fallen asleep. Yes, there was her book on the floor—1001 Medicinal Herbs of the Fire Country.

"I came by at eight, but I couldn't get you to come to your window," he said, letting her get up and locate her hairbrush (he hair was always a mess when she woke up). "So, I climbed up and saw you thrashing around in your bed…"

Sakura gave him a half-hearted smile through the reflection in her mirror.

"I'm just glad you woke me up!" she said, joining him once more.

Naruto glanced at the door again.

"What's wrong?" she asked, taking his hand.

"Well, I,…uh, didn't think your parents would be too thrilled to find out that I broke into your bedroom." He said sheepishly.

Sakura laughed outright. She couldn't believe he was worried about a thing like that after as long as he had known her!

Her laughter seemed to give him new heart.

"So, you still up for that walk?" he asked, jumping to his feet. "I mean, I understand if you don't want to go…"

Sakura considered for a moment. She didn't really feel like doing anything at all…the dream had left her feeling unsettled and frightened. However, being in Naruto's company would doubtless cheer her up and go a long way toward making her forget that wretched experience.

"Sure!" she said briskly. "Let me grab my coat."

They both snuck back out her window and headed out into the frosty night. Sakura had a heavy heart as Naruto took her hand.

-------------

On the other side of town, Hinata was rising from her cedar bathtub, feeling lightheaded from standing so abruptly after having soaked in hot water for an hour. During her bath, she had been mulling things over and not really getting anywhere. Her thoughts just seemed to spiral in on themselves until she arrived back where she started in the first place.

Wrapping a towel around herself, she exited the bathroom and approached her wardrobe. Drawing open the doors, she considered the beautiful rainbow of silk kimonos that were displayed. She needed to decide on one for the festival tomorrow night and send it down to be pressed.

Hinata selected a beautiful lavender silk with a pattern of silver leaves swirling in the wind. Hanging it next to her door for the servants, she let loose a small sigh. Dinner with her father had gone quite as ill as she had anticipated. When she informed him that she would not be riding on the Hyuuga family float, but with the delegation from Suna instead, Hiashi was most displeased. He had threatened to go straight to the Hokage and demand a change in plans, but Hinata had (after much perseverance) managed to convince him to stand down. After all, he was always saying that he wanted her to take her role as the Hyuuga heiress and as a Chuunin in the village more seriously. That meant sacrifices for the missions and assignments she was required to perform, as she reminded him. He then set off on a spectacular, long-winded rant in front of the whole household about his puzzlement at why Tsunade had selected her of all people for such a delicate, diplomatic assignment. She was too much of a failure; it wasn't wise to burden her with such expectations, he'd said.

Hinata wasn't sure if he was right or not. She certainly questioned her own ability to follow through with this assignment. What exactly had the Hokage had in mind, assigning her as Shikamaru's partner? It was true, she did have better manners than he, but that couldn't have been the only reason. Right?

Getting dressed, Hinata decided to go train for a while by the waterfall in the forest. There would be no one out there at this time of night, and she could use the exercise to clear her head. She'd have to sneak out, though, of course. Sliding open her door, she checked that the coast was clear before padding softly down the hallway. At the front vestibule, she grabbed her shoes and didn't put them on until she was safely outside the gate of the Hyuuga residence.

A/N: Please don't kill me! (ducks and runs for cover) Remember, Sakura is still trying to work out confusion about her feelings for Sasuke! I would like, however, to once again state that this is strictly a NaruSaku story, not SasuSaku. Any brief romantic interludes between Sakura and Sasuke will be strictly imaginary (so, sorry if you're a fan of the whole love triangle thing).

Next chapter: Sakura and Naruto have an important talk out in the woods, unaware that someone is watching them! Oh, snap! (Please review!!!!!!!!)