Tsunade took one look at her niece the next morning and heaved a great sigh. She could easily recognize what had happened the night before from Sakura's rumpled hair, beestung lips and the dusting of small bruises along her neck and collarbone. She didn't even have to look at Sakura's eyes, the deadness reflected within. Discreetly, she brewed a quick contraceptive potion from her trove of supplies and passed it to her niece without a word. Sakura smelled it, recognized the ingredients and their purpose, sighed, and drank.

"I should have known something like this would happen," Tsunade said quietly. The pair of them sat together on an overturned log, watching the sun rise over the valley. Most of the others gathered at the camp were still sleeping; those who had woken as early as they did were preoccupied already, gathering food and firewood, making plans. Gaara had brought more soldiers with him than Tsunade had anticipated, a happy inconvenience as they shuffled to accommodate the newcomers.

Sakura rubbed her mottled neck and stared at the forest floor. "Do you hate me?" she asked miserably.

Tsunade was surprised. Sometimes, especially at times like these, it was easy to forget the enormous responsibilities that had fallen on her niece's shoulders. It was easy to forget that she was a fallen sovereign, the horrors they'd all endured, the struggle to establish her as queen. She was, after all, a young girl.

A besotted young girl who'd chosen the very worst time to fall in love.

"Do you think I could possibly hate you?" Tsunade shot back, folding her arms. "Do you think I have that capability? Do you really think I of all people would judge you for sleeping with your fiancée?"

"He's not my fiancée," Sakura said automatically.

"I'm not a fan of your timing," Tsunade continued, ignoring Sakura's knee-jerk denial, "but given what you both have endured, what you both have lost, it makes sense that you would seek physical comfort in one another."

There was silence, and Sakura whispered, "He doesn't love me."

She looked despondent, pointedly avoiding her aunt's inquisitive gaze, staring unblinkingly at the thick, dense forestline just below the sunrise. She spoke with such conviction, with such certainty, that Tsunade was amazed. What must Sasuke have done, what must he have said, to convince her of such an egregious lie?

"Doesn't love you, huh. Tch."

Tsunade could tell she had affronted her niece with her sarcastic little tsk, but she didn't much care. The very last thing they needed right now was Sakura doubting Sasuke's devotion to her.

"He told me he couldn't give me what I deserved," Sakura said hotly, sounding angry for the first time. "He said all he wanted from me was one night, and I loved him so blindly, so completely, that I gave it to him. Any scrap he'd give me, I took, and now he's gone. And what have I done? I've ruined everything because he's never coming back!"

Tsunade stood abruptly and gathered the medicinal supplies she'd been toying with.

"Where are you going?" Sakura asked, bemused that in her great stress, the one woman who'd always been there for her was abandoning her.

"Somewhere else, where smart girls aren't saying stupid things," replied Tsunade tartly. "Now you listen to me, young lady, and you listen good: Sasuke is many things, but a user of women is not one of them. That he asked anything of you last night at all should indicate his deep regard for you. You have only to look at him to know how he feels for you, it's pathetically obvious in his every word, every action. But he hasn't lost sight of why we are doing all of this, and his dismissal of you last night is nothing more than a postponement. It is not a rejection."

Sakura was silent, stunned, staring up at her aunt like the little four-year-old she'd once been, clinging to a roll of bandages and asking how they worked. Tsunade was a little pleased that there were still a few things she could teach her favorite girl, but didn't let herself smile.

"It would not do for the woman he lives to protect to doubt him, not with this horrible danger he now faces," she said firmly.

Sakura blinked, and seemed to come back to life. Tsunade could tell she still had a few reservations about Sasuke's feelings for her, but the tacit reminder that she had to be strong for him brought her back to her senses. There was much to do while Sasuke conducted his mission with Orochimaru; she had to trust him, for now.

"You're right, Auntie," she said, standing as well. "I'm sorry to have lost myself like this."

"You can always lose yourself in front of me," Tsunade replied, smiling at last, and brushing a stubborn pink bang out of her niece's beautiful eyes. "But remember they need you at your best." She jerked her thumb in the direction of the rebel camp. "There is much to do today, darling. Change your clothes and leave what happened last night to another time. It will do you no good to ruminate on such matters right now. I will be meeting with Gaara, his lieutenants, and Kakashi in the general's tent now. Join us when you are ready."

When Sakura joined her aunt in the general's tent ten minutes later, she looked fresh and composed, clean in a pair of trousers, boots, and a collared shirt that hid the telltale bruises on her neck. Her hair was pulled back to hide nothing of her face, and her eyes were focused and clear. Tsunade couldn't help but grin, amber eyes full of pride, as she said, "Just in time, Princess. Now let us make our move!"

Fear was something Sasuke had come to respect early in his life.

He did not feign fearlessness, because it was a fool's conviction to never have concern for one's own life. And Sasuke was many things, but he was not foolish.

He did not particularly relish the idea of returning to Orochimaru without Sakura in tow; he'd seen his old master behead men with even less cause. Sasuke knew he was gambling – not only his own life, but that of the rebellion – as he rode boldly to the front gates of occupied Konoha.

But it was a risk – one of countless others – necessary to take in these twisted times. Sasuke could only roll the dice and hope that he was a pawn in Orochimaru's game too valuable for the madman to sacrifice.

Sakura was safe. That was the most important thing now. He scowled as the memory of last night filled his head, threatening to distract him from his mission; he cursed his flawless eyesight, cursed himself for remembering her beauty so acutely. The things she'd said, the sweet things she'd promised, the feel of her skin in the lonely heat of the tent they'd shared…

Sasuke shook his head minutely, banishing these lovely thoughts from his mind. He would revisit those impossibly gorgeous last moments later, after his safety could be guaranteed.

"Who goes there?" demanded the Oto guard posted at the village gates. In the early morning mist, Sasuke doubted he would be immediately recognized.

"It's Sasuke," he called back coolly. "Let me through."

"Yes, sir! At once, sir!"

Sasuke did not further acknowledge the other soldier as the massive city gates swung forth to admit him. Without letting the fear that surged through him show in any minute way on his face, he guided his horse almost lazily inside. The clang of the gates shutting behind him, sealing him in, was a morbid comfort; Sakura was safe on the other side of that door.

If this was his last morning on Earth, he could die satisfied knowing that one simple truth.

"You've returned to me empty-handed, Sasuke-kun," said Orochimaru, sounding deeply troubled, as he faced his former apprentice in the throne room. "In all the years I've known you, this must be the first time you have failed me."

"The trail was cold," Sasuke intoned, folding his arms. "She must have been helped. Friends. Escaped citizens still loyal to the Harunos."

"I had rather expected this result from my other soldiers," Orochimaru murmured. "But not you. I confess I am disappointed."

"We'll need to regroup." Sasuke didn't acknowledge his old master's chastisement; he knew him too well. Orochimaru would not be impressed by meaningless apologies, hollow excuses. It would be suicide to capitulate now. "Whoever helped the princess escape…it's possible that there's a rebel faction even stronger than the small uprisings we've contained here in Konoha."

"Indeed it is," Orochimaru replied gravely. "It would take someone of considerable strength and cleverness to help spring her to safety…right from under the nose of my most capable soldier. Embarrassing, wouldn't you say, Sasuke-kun?"

"An oversight," Sasuke said stiffly, "that I will remedy as soon as I find that little whore."

They were alone in the throne room besides Kabuto, who never strayed too far from Orochimaru's side. If there were anyone whose death Sasuke anticipated more enthusiastically than Orochimaru's himself, it was his adoring lackey; Sasuke was under the impression that Kabuto knew frighteningly more about him than he would have felt comfortable acknowledging.

Despite his hatred of Kabuto, Sasuke couldn't help but feel like their solitude in the throne room was a good sign; if Orochimaru was leaning towards wanting Sasuke dead, surely he would have had the good sense to surround him with soldiers before making his move? Sasuke knew in a fight he could hold his own against Orochimaru, possibly even kill him, and Kabuto could not hope to present a challenge to him.

It seemed his gamble – that he was too indispensable to Orochimaru to execute – was paying off.

"Little whore, Kabuto," Orochimaru echoed, smiling, all traces of his previous disappointment forgotten. "Hardly a term of endearment, my friend. Sasuke-kun you wouldn't believe the theory Kabuto here has concocted in your brief absence…really, it's a riot!"

"I'm sure," Sasuke snapped impatiently. "We have-"

"No, no, really, Sasuke-kun! My funny friend Kabuto has this outrageous theory that…that…oh, it's too funny! Isn't it funny, Sasuke-kun? That Kabuto here would think that you, my most trusted subordinate, to whom I have imparted all of my considerable knowledge…that you might have been the one to help our pretty Sakura-chan to her loyalists!"

Here, Orochimaru paused to laugh, theatrically. Sasuke didn't move a muscle. Kabuto didn't, either.

Relax, Sasuke thought, forcing none of his inner adrenaline show on his face. He's got nothing on you. He's bluffing. Call it, now, and get back in with him. Everyone needs you.

Sakura needs you.

Finally, he smirked.

"Really."

"Yes, really! My silly friend Kabuto seems to believe – for whatever reason – that not only have you helped Sakura escape, but that the two of you are lovers!"

"He did bid on her at the auction, Your Highness," Kabuto piped up, never taking his eyes off of Sasuke.

Hating himself for what he was about to say, Sasuke allowed his smirk to widen and countered arrogantly, "A man would be mad, or a liar, to say he would not slide between her legs given the opportunity."

"Very true, my boy," Orochimaru agreed, and Sasuke hated him for an entirely new reason. "Wanting to bed such a creature hardly makes him disloyal to our cause."

Orochimaru stopped laughing abruptly, and Sasuke felt the timbre shift in the air between them, an unmistakable chill descending upon the nearly-vacant throne room. He squeezed the hilt of his sword reassuringly, but kept his expression aloof, guiltless.

"Failing to return her to me," he said softly, chillingly, "is another matter entirely. Were it left to any of my other soldiers, and had they come before me emptyhanded as you have done…you know I am not a merciful man."

"She thwarted you as well," Sasuke retorted arrogantly. "She's not without help. I underestimated her, as you have done." He blinked, and his conspiratorial smirk vanished, replaced by a smoldering glare of pure conviction. "I will not make the same mistake again."

The raven from Konoha arrived three days later. It bore no addressee, and no signature either, but Sasuke's jagged, careless handwriting was impossible to mistake. Sakura's eyes feasted on the simple, abrupt message, the first confirmation that their gamble had paid off: Sasuke was alive.

This letter was the proof.

"Konoha knows you're alive.

Stay safe.

I will, too."

note.. I know it's been awhile, this chapter had me stumped because boring chapters are hard for me to get past lolz. but now some action can pick up again. thanks for sticking with me, have a good weekend :)