Sasuke, Suigetsu, and Juugo exited Amegakure's marketplace and re-entered the Third District. Once they were behind the alley, they masked their chakra. Unfortunately, it didn't matter because the rebels suddenly surrounded them. The leftover members of the Akatsuki brought out their weapons, ready for combat.

Suigetsu uses his sword to fight his share of the rebels while Juugo (surprisingly) did well with his battle with nothing more than his fists and already low chakra levels. Sasuke, of course, had his Kusanagi handy and was slashing through the ninjas with a few quick strikes.

He jumped into the air and sliced through one of the Amenin's heart. The rebels were becoming one annoying enemy that never disappeared. Once he did the last slice, he noticed a sparkle of pink hair above. As earth pulled him back to the ground, he looked up at the level above and saw Sakura!

"Sakura…" he said softly and then his feet landed on the ground. "Sakura!" he yelled louder.

'Annoying'

He began to run towards the stairs and join Sakura on the next level. Many rebels blocked his path, and he slashed through them ruefully. "Out of my way," he growled at them. He finally was going to see his friend.

"Sasuke!" Juugo called after he saw the young man disappear.

"Where are you going?!" exclaimed Suigetsu. "There are more of 'em up there!"

Sasuke ignored their protests and continued running towards one of his precious persons. "Sakura!" he exclaimed once he was directly in front of her.

Sasuke panted, a smirk on his face at finding his friend again.

"Sasuke," Sakura said. The cries of the battle below still waged on, and Sasuke looked over the edge to his other companions.

"I have to go-"

Sasuke grabbed her wrist. "Come with me."

"My friends…"

"Your friends? What about the us?" Sasuke asked.

"It isn't like that-"

"Then come! They are strong enough to defend themselves."

Sasuke didn't want Sakura to feel obliged. Much to his distress, he hoped that his team would be all right. Sakura led them into the vacant house that was nearby. The house looked empty, but made for quick hideout.

"Long time, huh Sasuke?" Sakura started.

Sasuke stared at Sakura, then smiled. "Yes, it's been a while. Have you seen Naruto by any chance?" she asked in concern for her teammate.

Sasuke frowned. "Iie."

"Oh…"

"…"

"We will find him. Don't worry, I'm working on it," Sakura said with determination.

"Yeah, me too. I was looking all over for you and Naruto," Sasuke responded.

Sakura looked surprised. "Nani? By playing hero?"

Sasuke shook his head. "I heard that you needed help from the Hokage and my team and I were traveling through villages. I figured I could help in some way while looking for Karin."

"...You care for her don't you?"

"Well yes," said Sasuke, not seeing the point of their conversation.

"The replacements for Naruto and I."

Sasuke stared at Sakura with wide eyes. "Iie. No one can replace you and Naruto."

Sakura stepped forward towards Sasuke. Sasuke backed a step. "You seem more fascinated with making your toy stronger."

Sasuke looked down at the Kusanagi. "Iie…that isn't it."

"They're using you, since they have no where to go."

Sasuke head shot up. "They aren't!"

"How do you know?" challenged Sakura.

"Why don't you stop acting so jealous!"

Sakura chuckled. "Jealous? Of what?"

"Of me…" Sasuke stammered, unsure.

"Heh…whatever."

Silence washed over them for a second. Neither moved an inch. They were close enough that their bodies almost touched.

"Sakura…"

"This is the last time you'll see me."

"What?!"

"Deal with it."

Sakura then cupped Sasuke's hand and tilted his face up. Sakura's lips covered Sasuke's soft ones. Sasuke's eyes widened in shock. He dropped his Kusanagi on the ground. His body was in shock and unable to respond to any movement.

Sakura pulled herself closer to his body. He pulled his lips away from Sakura's and then rested his lips on her neck, and nibbled there.

"Sakura…"

Sasuke stopped nibbling her neck and pulled away. Sakura chuckled at Sasuke's expression and the disheveled look he had. He could always read her easily.

"Did you enjoy that?"

Sasuke nodded slightly, a smirk across his face.

"Aishiteru."

"I cannot be with you. Not now," Sakura's eyes stared hard.

Sasuke's head shot up to look at her. "Why?"

"Don't worry, some day we'll continue this koi."

Sakura captured Sasuke's lips with her own once more. Then, she exited through the door right behind him. Sasuke was still in shock, until the resounding of the door closing snapped him out of his senses. He quickly got up, and ran after her.

"Sakura!"

She swung the door closed. He pulled it back expecting Sakura's back, but instead, one angry fish greeted him.

"Sasuke! How could you leave us?!" exclaimed Suigetsu.

"Luckily, Itachi came to help us," said Juugo. "So, no one was hurt."

"How could you abandon your teammates?" questioned Suigetsu.

"Sakura…"

"Sakura is your friend you mentioned before, correct?" asked Suigetsu.

Sasuke nodded. "She was here. She just left…"

"We haven't seen anyone, and we were outside the whole time," Juugo said.

Sakura…Where did you go?

"Let's go inside. We need to talk," Itachi said as he switched on a light.

Sakura looked through the window and watched as Sasuke and his new companions conversed.

"Don't you see? He has betrayed you."

She nodded. Sakura didn't bother turning, knowing exactly who stood beside her.

Madara.

"He doesn't care about you or Naruto anymore. He has new friends, who have obviously replaced you, and isn't checking on his health. I can help you save him…for a price."

Sakura looked at Sasuke through the window and saw him laugh. Sasuke was still naïve as ever. I'm doing this for you.

"So, do we have a deal?" asked Madara.

Sakura nodded. "Hai."