Gaara didn't make it very difficult for visitors to find him.

Sakura guessed that it was his own unquestionable power that insulated him against foreign dangers; there was no reason for him to hide, because there was no one threatening enough to warrant his suspicion.

He and the rest of the Sand Siblings resided in the tallest building in their city: Sand Tower. Sakura didn't think much of the name, but conceded that gangsters seldom had necessity for creativity.

Sand Tower lay in the very heart of the city, in an otherwise-empty square surrounded by high pink sandstone walls on all sides. You could see it from anywhere in Suna with ease. It gave new meaning to the term "hiding in plain sight."

Sakura was a little impressed. The city seemed to have thrived under Gaara's unofficial rule in the years that had passed since her last visit. The buildings hadn't been so high back then. The brick and mortar looked fresh on new structures throughout Suna. The civilians looked happy as they made their way home from work and school. There was nothing to suggest that this was a gang city like Konoha.

She thought of her hometown and her heart broke; there was a time when Konoha had gleamed as beautifully as Suna did now. The dilapidation and the decay…Konoha was a city unrecognizable these days.

And I'm here to beg for help on its behalf, she thought uncomfortably.

She and Sasuke had parked their car on the street, roughly five blocks away from Sand Tower. Despite encountering no men or women wearing the Sand Sibling sign, Sakura was certain that they had already been recognized. She doubted very much that Gaara was unaware of their presence at this very moment.

The thought did little to comfort her, even less than Sasuke, who hadn't spoken a word since their confrontation just outside the city limits. He looked surly, irritable; no doubt she still had that effect on him even years later. But he didn't look vulnerable, didn't look conciliatory. Even without his weapons and his crew, Sasuke was every inch the hardened gangster.

And that was the very last thing they needed right now.

She'd taken great pains to look nonthreatening. Granted, it was easier for her to do as a delicate-looking female than someone like Sasuke, who seemed to have left the womb with broad shoulders and a gun in his hand, but the least he could have done was put on a baseball cap or something.

"You look like you're gonna shoot everyone in the place," she muttered as they drew closer to the square. "Do I need to remind you we're here on a peace mission?"

"You look nonthreatening enough for both of us," he scoffed back without missing a beat, gesturing to her sweater and jeans. She hissed under her breath, but he held up his hand. "Dressing up like something we're not? It's not gonna win us any points with Gaara. Just be quiet and let me do the talking."

Sakura experienced a fury so great that her vision turned scarlet, and she longed for the Beretta she'd left back in Konoha if only to point it between Sasuke's stupid dark eyes. But she held her tongue; it wouldn't do to completely botch their mission by executing the very man she was supposed to be demonstrating a peace treaty with, and on Gaara's doorstep.

It's for Naruto, she thought. It's for Naruto and the Outer Ring and Konoha. Don't think about him. Don't let him get to you.

"We should've run into someone by now," Sasuke mumbled, apparently as ill at ease with their lack of hostile reception as she was. "A guard. Something."

"Gaara must know we're here already," she replied softly, keeping her eyes peeled for a sniper on one of the rooftops. "Odds are he's been expecting a subsequent visit after Kakashi and Shikamaru were unsuccessful."

"Doubt he was expecting us," Sasuke added, and she was a little taken aback to see him smirk out of the corner of her eye. Was he amused by this?

Was he – like she was – charmed by the nostalgia?

It hadn't been so very long ago that she'd walked at Sasuke's side on suicide missions like this. And there had been no animosity back then, nothing other than teasing smiles, sarcastic remarks…it had been dangerous, but it had also been fun. She'd trusted him so absolutely back then, and he'd had her back, and he'd trusted her to have his as well. They'd made a great team, once upon a time.

The thought made her chest ache in familiar longing. She hated him so desperately, but underneath that hate was a yearning that sometimes had her waking up in the night, eyes wide and heart splintered, hoping for something that wasn't there.

And here he was, and it was just like old times, and nothing like that at all. The same and unrecognizably different.

He was a stranger.

"He doesn't view us as a threat, obviously," Sakura murmured. "Which is why he's letting us march right up to his home like it's nothing."

"All the better."

She hated the waiting aspect of it. She hated the uncertainty. She would much prefer a squadron of a hundred gun-toting, hostile Sand Siblings than this uneasy lack of any action whatsoever; at least then she would have something to do. She'd always performed best under pressure anyway.

They reached the square, and still no one came to meet them. Sasuke tsked under his breath, clearly irritated with the lack of reception; doubtlessly, he'd expected his own fearsome reputation to be enough to warrant some kind of opposition. The fact that Gaara was letting them walk straight through the front door without trying to stop them seemed to rankle Sasuke's ego. She rolled her eyes.

Just be grateful he hasn't murdered us both, she thought irritably.

"I think he expects us to just knock on the front door," she said, as they drew up to the Tower.

"Tch," Sasuke scoffed, pissed off. "As if we're not even strong enough to warrant his attention."

Sakura bit her lip to keep from giggling – it appeared she still knew Sasuke pretty well, even after all this time – and swallowed her heart and any misgivings. No doubt there was a reason for Gaara's passive reception. Perhaps he would welcome them right into his Tower – and shoot them on sight.

This is what you came for, she thought, hardening her resolve and softening her expression at the same time. She pasted a brilliant, stunning smile on her face, and caught a glimpse of her reflection in the glassy front doors. She looked like a college student, bright and unassuming, about as intimidating as a Girl Scout.

This better work, she thought.

And she pressed on the buzzer.

A silky, feminine voice greeted her over the intercom; Sakura took note of the security cameras pointed directly at her and Sasuke on the doorstep.

"Well, well, well. It's been a long time, Sakura."

"Hey, Temari!" She was grateful to recognize the other girl's voice, and a little hopeful; she hadn't left Temari on bad terms after their interaction a few years prior. And she wasn't exactly in the position to turn her nose up at potential allies. "I was hoping to run into you."

Temari chuckled over the line. "C'mon in, then. You can bring that mutinous, traitorous piece of shit on your left as well."

Sakura dared not glance at Sasuke to gauge his expression at being called such; she waited for the door to buzz and unlock itself before rushing inside.

Four Sand Siblings were waiting for them in the foyer. Sakura had expected that, and raised her arms in conciliation for the pat-down. Sasuke grunted his disapproval behind her as he was frisked for any weapons or recording devices, but they were both deemed clean and guided forward through the foyer.

The Tower inside was even more magnificent than outside. Sleek, modern furnishings peppered the lobby, with a massive, solar-powered chandelier at the very top hundreds of feet in the air. A sparkling marble fountain gleamed as the centerpiece beneath the chandelier. Sakura took note of how very many Sand Siblings were inside; they peered at her from the balconies up above, too far away for her to tell if their expressions were sinister, or merely curious.

"It's beautiful in here," she said brightly. One of the Siblings who held her arm tightly in his hand grunted an assent, and his grip on her loosened marginally. She flashed him a dazzling smile and was pleased when he let her go completely, his cheeks red.

"Gaara's been expecting you," the Sibling informed her.

"Figured as much." She let a girlish giggle escape her lips. "For how long?"

"Since you two made it on the interstate."

"Same old Gaara!" she laughed, even as her stomach flipped uncomfortably. Gaara had had she and Sasuke under surveillance for hours longer than she'd originally thought.

No wonder he didn't bother sending out the goon squad to take us out, she thought. He's had us under his thumb since we were two hours outside of Konoha!

They were led through the massive lobby and up a winding staircase. Sakura felt more and more vulnerable as they left the very open atrium and were guided towards a cramped-looking elevator on the fourth floor.

This is about as stupid as it gets, she thought gravely, as she stepped into the elevator with Sasuke and the four Siblings escorting them. They can do anything they want to us in here and we'd never be able to put up a fight.

Even as she thought that, she knew it wasn't true. Even unarmed, Sasuke was a force to be reckoned with, and she knew that she was no easy win, either. Even if it killed her, she wouldn't go down without a fight.

Relax, she thought, as they rose higher and higher into the Tower in the rickety elevator. If Gaara wanted you dead already, you'd be fucking dead. He's had more than enough opportunity by now.

Beside her, Sasuke was impassive. It was impossible to discern his expression; he didn't move a muscle, but she could tell how angry he was at being gripped up by the Siblings. He hated being touched, but his lack of resistance earned them brownie points for complicity. At least, she hoped it did.

The elevator stopped at the top floor, and the doors opened to admit them all into a vast, windowless hallway. The feeling of claustrophobia grew stronger and stronger the further they headed down the corridor. Sakura hated being so far away from light and air. Her body hummed in unease, which she masked under a cheerful smile and playful comments.

"I feel like we've traveled miles in this building already!" she laughed. "This must be how you all stay in such great shape here!"

The blushing Sand Sibling blushed even harder; behind her, Sasuke scoffed under his breath. Most likely, he was unimpressed with her flirty, coquettish demeanor – regarded it with disdain, beneath the honor of a gangster – but Sakura couldn't bring herself to care. She had to win these people over, however necessary.

At the very end of the hallway, their Sibling escort brought them to a halt outside of a set of massive cedar doors.

"Gaara has been expecting you," the blushing Sibling reiterated. "He's just beyond these doors. You'd do well to show him respect, and in return, he will hear your requests."

Sakura felt Sasuke bristle beside her and hoped he could keep his temper.

Remembering the debt Gaara owed Naruto, Sakura suppressed her own anger, and prayed she could keep her temper as well.

The doors swung forward.

They were shoved inside.

Gaara looked almost exactly like she remembered. The same fiery red hair, the same sunken eyes, and most noticeably, the harsh red tattoo on his forehead. And he was every bit as intimidating as the Gaara from her memories.

You'd better appreciate this, Naruto, she thought angrily, as she flashed Gaara the friendliest smile she could conjure.

"Gaara, it's nice to see you again!"

He smiled. It was mirthless, cold; she fought the impulse to whimper.

"No need to put on airs, Sakura," he replied from his seat at the head of the table. He regarded her over steepled fingers, as if analyzing a wily opponent in a high-stakes game of chess. "All the same, welcome to Suna. We are honored that you saw fit to bestow upon us a visit…"

His gaze swiveled to Sasuke, who'd been unceremoniously shoved into the room after Sakura and who didn't look pleased about it.

Gaara's smile widened. "And welcome to you as well, Sasuke Uchiha. I should have expected Naruto to throw me a curveball."

"Gaara," Sasuke greeted. His tone was openly hostile. Sakura wanted to smack her forehead in frustration, but didn't think that would look too impressive to the Sand Siblings, and contented herself with a stifled hiss before diving into her speech.

"I wish I could say we were visiting your lovely city under happier circumstances," she said, and she let her smile drop off her face as she regarded the gang leader. "But we've come here in Konoha's darkest hour. We need your help, Gaara. I can't beat around the bush and pretend like it's anything but that."

The room was silent. Sakura hadn't bothered to take a look around. Her focus was entirely on the man sitting before her, whose expression remained frustratingly impassive. She didn't like the way he was smiling at them. She didn't like the feeling of isolation, the vulnerability of facing a possible enemy unarmed, the helplessness of knowing that Sasuke, her only ally, was every bit as untrustworthy as Gaara and his crew. She'd never felt so alone, never felt so far from freedom.

"You two were sent to me," Gaara said finally, "to show me that, like my old friend Naruto has claimed, the Outer Ring," he nodded to Sakura, "and the Hawk," he nodded to Sasuke, "have joined forces against Madara's crew, yes?"

Sasuke didn't answer.

"Exactly," Sakura replied. "Sasuke came back to Konoha to help us, and in return we can help his gang. We ask that you join with us as well, Gaara."

"You have the might of the Outer Ring and the Hawk at your disposal," Gaara said stonily. "That should be more than enough to ensure your victory against Madara, and Akatsuki."

"It isn't," Sakura argued, wishing that Sasuke would back her up a little instead of standing beside her like a statue. "I wish it was, or we wouldn't be here. But…"

Gaara held up a hand, and Sakura fell silent as if gagged.

"If this danger is as great as you and Naruto have claimed," he said softly, "then merely contacting me – and my crew, as you have done – has endangered us all. Madara has shown no interest in Suna as of yet, has done nothing against me or mine. It is ill-advised to intervene in a battle on someone else's behalf, when there would be no benefit in it to the Sand Siblings."

"But-"

"I know of your intelligence, Sakura," he interjected, the smile gone from his face at last. He looked terrifying as he rose to his full height, flanked by armed guards and holding her life in his hands. "Which is why I am puzzled as to your presence here. You thought that I could be swayed by this? By dressing down and pretending to get along with the man who betrayed you and Naruto?"

Sakura's temper was rising in perfect unison with her panic. It didn't look good, and it wasn't the right time, but she couldn't help it.

"Don't you dare invoke Naruto's name against us," she hissed. She felt Sasuke's hand close tight around her upper arm, right over her tattoo, a warning, but she ignored it. "You owe him your life, Gaara!"

She hadn't meant to play her trump card so soon in the negotiations. Powerful men like Gaara needed to be wooed, convinced, eased into making their own decisions when confronted with a favor like this. She doubted very much that bullying him into submission would work in their favor, but she was so angry at Gaara's stubborn isolationism that she couldn't stop herself.

"If you are referring to the circumstances of our last meeting," Gaara said icily, "then…"

"That's exactly what I'm referring to," Sakura snapped. "The Ringers would have blown you half to hell if he hadn't intervened!"

Memories came flooding back to the surface. Shikamaru had struck up an illicit romance with Temari, back when the Outer Ring and the Sand Siblings were well-known enemies. They'd kept it a secret from absolutely everyone, but Gaara, Temari's brother and the leader of the Siblings, had discovered them. There had been a chase, and a fight, ending with Gaara surrounded by Ringers and ready to die.

Naruto had arrived, and stopped the firefight. Cheerful and optimistic, he'd convinced Gaara that Suna and Konoha stood to gain a lot more from an alliance than a rivalry. His mercy was the bedrock of their tenuous agreement.

An agreement that Gaara was choosing now not to honor.

"Naruto needs you right now," she argued. "He needs you the way you needed him years ago. We're all under a death sentence unless you help us out. You're in the perfect position to pay back the debt you owe him!"

The Sand Siblings gathered in the room began to murmur amongst themselves. Sakura couldn't be bothered to listen to their discussions; she was only interested in Gaara's response. He regarded her silently for a few moments, before he said softly, "A debt, huh. You'd know a lot about that, wouldn't you?"

Sakura bristled. Sasuke's grip on her arm was nearly bruising.

"It is common knowledge," Gaara continued, "that the Outer Ring's lieutenant is as loyal to her leader as a puppy…but I can't help but wonder if that loyalty is based on mutual trust and respect…or if you're merely chained to Naruto and the Ring by the debt you owe him."

"I'm not chained to Naruto," she whispered, a half-truth if anything ever was. "I am in his debt. It's a debt that I'm repaying by being here right now, talking to you civilly, when all I want to do is jam a knife in your stomach for so much as hesitating to answer his call."

There was immediate outrage at her threat. She found herself yanked out of Sasuke's warning grasp and held fast by two Siblings; the familiar, frightening feel of cold, heavy metal against her temple told her, without looking, that one of them had drawn his gun on her.

"You must be truly mad to come here both begging and threatening me," Gaara said stonily. "Truly mad, or truly desperate."

"Which do you think?" Sakura snarled. "Why do you think I'd risk my life like this? Why do you think I'd team up with him?"

She jerked her head towards Sasuke, who had yet to speak.

So much for maintaining their cover. She was supposed to act as though she and Sasuke were friends again, but in her anger, she'd gone and blown that façade straight to hell.

Gaara seemed to notice that as well, because he folded his arms and chuckled to himself.

"I'd ask you if you had any last words," he said, "but I'm sure you'd give them to me regardless."

Sakura opened her mouth to give him the cussing out of her life, ready to die with a 'go fuck yourself' on her lips, but Sasuke finally opened his mouth in their defense.

"We are that desperate," he said, his deep, thrilling voice echoing throughout the vast hall. "The alliance that the Hawk have established with the Outer Ring is temporary. It's a testimony to the severity of our situation, and yours."

"Mine? Don't make empty threats, Sasuke. Madara hasn't shown a whisper of interest in Suna."

Sasuke smirked; Sakura wondered how he could appear so composed, so entirely aloof, when they were both seconds away from hot, metal death, and sort of hated him for it.

"Do you honestly believe that, once Konoha and Oto are out of the way, he won't come gunning for Suna?"

There was a ringing silence after Sasuke's question. The man holding a gun to Sakura's head lowered it slightly, just enough for her to see Sasuke's face properly.

He was staring at Gaara in direct challenge, nearly amused, as though he held all the cards in his hand instead of the other way around. He didn't seem remotely ruffled by the gun another guard held to his temple.

"If you believe that," he scoffed, "then you're too naïve to be responsible for so many people."

"What do you know of it, traitor?!"

Temari had joined the conversation at last, stepping out of the shadows, her expression nearly incandescent with rage. She looked different than Sakura remembered, taller, scarier, much more beautiful, and she was staring at Sasuke as though she'd like nothing better than to feed him her own gun.

"You've got some nerve showing up here, tossing around accusations like that, when you're the one who turned your back on your own fucking Family! How Sakura trusts you enough to even stand next to you is beyond me, you backstabbing piece of shit!"

Sasuke's smug expression didn't falter.

"I haven't forgotten what he did to us," Sakura said quietly, and all eyes turned to her. The weight of Sasuke's stare was nearly oppressive, but she deliberately avoided eye contact. "Neither has Naruto. And whatever his reasons for leaving were…Sasuke came back because all of our lives are at stake here. Madara isn't playing by the rules. And you'll be next, once we're gone.

"The only chance any of us has, is to join together while we're still strong. Together, Oto, Suna and Konoha stand a chance at taking him out. But if we're divided…he'll pick us off one by one. And when they come for you, you'll be sitting there watching your loved ones die, wishing you had two powerful allies to protect you from the destruction you're condemning us to right now."

A twisted grin split Temari's painted lips, and she dug an elbow into Gaara's side.

"She's got you pegged there, doesn't she, Gaara?"

At her words, the tension in the room lessened notably. Gaara sat back down, heaving a sigh and snapping his fingers.

At once, the guards holding Sasuke and Sakura let them go. Gaara gestured to the empty seats at the table before them, and tentatively, the pair of them sat down as invited. Temari joined them, along with their brother Kankurou, and a few other Siblings.

"I needed a sign from Naruto," Gaara explained, "some token of good faith that Oto and Konoha can work together. Committing my time and my men to your fight…it's a very high risk, even in payment of a life debt. I couldn't afford to do so lightly."

"Then you'll help us?" Sakura hardly dared to believe it. Negotiations had broken down thanks to her bad temper and her inability to get along with Sasuke, but had their sloppy teamwork actually achieved something?

Gaara nodded curtly. "I'll need the details," he said, "but if you are truly so desperate as to court the help of your enemies…you shouldn't need the same convincing of your friends."

With that, he smiled, and said, "You're right about what I owe Naruto, Sakura. And this is our opportunity to be the friend to Naruto that he was to us."

The meeting carried on long into the night. The Sand Siblings had limited intel on Madara, his crew, and their motivations. It took quite a long time to get Gaara and the others up to speed, but Sakura was so breathlessly relieved at their success, that she would have stayed up for days.

"And where's the money coming from?" Temari asked, knocking back her second cup of coffee since the meeting had begun. "An operation that large…inter-city…it's got to be coming from somewhere."

"We're working on that right now," Sakura said quickly. "You're right. It's a huge influx of cash. Whoever's financing their operation must be sitting on a goldmine."

"Odds are good that the cash is off the books," Sasuke added. "Illegal."

"We'd know a lot about that, wouldn't we?" Kankurou joked, and nearly everyone at the table – all of them, hardened criminals - shared a conspiratorial laugh.

"He's not playing by our rules, though," Sakura added. "What they're doing…they target civilians. We saw it firsthand. Shikamaru and I were attacked at a diner. They timed it deliberately so there would be people inside. They know our strictest rule: not to hurt innocents."

Temari shuddered at the mention of Shikamaru, but didn't say anything. Sakura bit back a smile and continued, "Shikamaru's fine, by the way. We took out the shooters before they took us out."

She pretended not to notice Temari's sharp exhale of relief.

"Track the money," Gaara said coolly. "When we find out where it's coming from, we can choke it off at the source. I'll put men on it as well."

"We have law enforcement in our corner as well," Sakura went on. "I've got a contact in the Konoha Police Department, she's doing some background on Madara at the moment."

"I spoke to Orochimaru," Sasuke chimed in. Sakura glanced at him, eyebrows raised. "In prison. He said Madara uses people until they've outlasted their utility. He's got a lot of loyal followers because he can afford to pay them, but he considers everyone who supports him disposable."

"Even Kabuto Yakushi?" Gaara pressed. "We've heard word that the two have formed an alliance."

"Especially Kabuto Yakushi," Sasuke said. "Madara doesn't have allies. He considers no one his equal. Kabuto's being used the way all of his thugs are."

"And he'll meet the same end," Gaara vowed; Sakura could only wonder what problems Kabuto had caused for the Sand Siblings to warrant Gaara's promise of destruction. "Is there anything else you think we ought to know?"

"We've told you everything we know," Sakura answered. "And…and seriously, we can't thank you enough for what you're doing. We know the risks you're taking. We know that not everyone's gonna make it out of this."

Temari giggled behind her hand. "Look, Sakura, I'll level with you. You don't look like much. You look like if I blew too hard in your direction, you'd just fall over. But after today? Girl I'll take your side on anything just so I'm not stuck in the unfortunate position of opposing you."

"Naruto couldn't ask for a more loyal lieutenant," Gaara agreed quietly. "Now. In the morning, we'll make preparations for our new alliance. I'll dispatch a squad to Konoha with you two when you make your return. Temari will accompany you. I daresay she's been eager to see how Konoha has changed."

No one missed the double meaning in his words; Sakura thought of Shikamaru, and wondered if he'd be happy to see his ex-girlfriend, or if he would consider it too bothersome to enjoy.

Her relief nearly made her giddy, and she accepted without fuss when Gaara offered her and Sasuke a room in the Tower overnight. Finally, she had accomplished something concrete. Finally, she had done something to help Naruto, to help her Family…

It was only when the door closed behind her that she realized she and Sasuke were alone.

Sasuke sat on the windowsill, a cigarette in his mouth, his hands in his pockets, and Sakura pretended not to notice his heavy, smothering stare on her as she brushed her hair. They hadn't spoken since they'd come into the guestroom; she had immediately preoccupied herself with a shower, and was content to pretend as though he were a part of the furniture now that she was dressed and ready for bed.

Their temporary union was one of necessity. She didn't trust him. She had no desire to speak to him, and…

"I knew you'd lose your temper," he said softly.

Sakura threw him a filthy look before turning back to the mirror. Just ignore him, she thought. It's not worth it. Think of the good you two accomplished here today…

"As I thought, you snapped the second he brought up Naruto and it was only thanks to me that he didn't kill us both for it."

"If you're trying to goad me into an argument," she said coldly, "you're wasting your time. I'm a bit busy at the moment, focusing on how I'm to save my own Family and yours, and…"

She didn't notice Sasuke was standing behind her until she heard him whisper in her ear, and the sound of his voice made her hair stand on end.

"I've known it for years," he murmured, "and you prove it every day: you weren't meant for this life, Sakura."

She hated him. She hated him as much as it was possible to hate someone. She hated the way her body sang in such close proximity to his. She hated the warmth of his breath on the back of her neck. She hated the icy cruelty in his words.

She hated their ringing truth.

In a second, she was on her feet; she'd spun around to face him and in the same sleek, effortless movement, brought the switchblade she'd kept concealed in her cleavage to his throat. She was rewarded by the flash of surprise in his eyes, and she bared her teeth like a jaguar as she pressed the blade harder against his neck.

"It's not the life I would have chosen for myself, you're right," she said silkily, enjoying the way his eyes narrowed in hate…and something else, something harder to define. "But I'd say I'm fabulously well-suited for it all the same."

"Tricky girl," he murmured, his cool breath fanning across her face, the smell of tobacco both bitter and enticing. "Brought that all the way from Konoha, and here I am unarmed, like we promised Naruto."

"Like I'd ever show up without any defense to an enemy city," Sakura scoffed. "You underestimate me, Sasuke. You always did. You always will."

Sasuke grinned, the glint of his sharp white teeth catching the light, and his hand raised to her necklace like it had the night before. Had it only been one night ago? It felt like decades, but time ceased to mean anything where Sasuke was involved.

"I know you too well to underestimate you," he murmured.

"You don't know me at all, anymore. Don't act as if you do!"

She forgot her grip on the blade at his neck; the skin parted slightly, a droplet of blood sliding down the scratchy, unshaved column of his throat. She traced its progress with her eyes, surprised at her own daring, and her eyes flickered up to meet Sasuke's, only to find that his were locked on her mouth.

Her stomach flipped – in anxiety and desire, desire winning out – and she was too entranced by their closeness to fight back when he knocked the blade out of her hand. His free hand drifted from the necklace at her throat to the back of her neck, his fingers sliding through her long, damp pink hair like they had years ago…

"I knew you'd lose your temper," he repeated softly, but when she opened her mouth to hiss something hateful back at him, he added, "and I also knew you'd be enough to convince him."

Paralyzed at his unexpected praise, Sakura was powerless to do anything but stare up at him, at the shocking softness that settled in his expression, at the tenderness in his touch as his fingers slipped to the back of her neck.

"You were always better than this life," Sasuke told her quietly. "If I'd had my way, you never would have known it at all. If things were different…"

"Then what?"

Sakura was taken aback by how dead her own voice sounded, but she was exhausted now. It was a weariness that ran marrow-deep; she looked at Sasuke and felt decades older than she really was.

"Then we'd be together again?" she finished softly, as she reached up and removed his hand from her neck.

He let out a growl of displeasure, but she didn't have anything left in her now. With a shake of her head, she sidestepped him and lay down on the bed in the corner.

"You left, Sasuke," she said quietly, not bothering to look up at him. She gripped the pillow tightly, forbidding the tears in her eyes to fall. "You burned these bridges. It's too late to cross them again."

There was silence in the room after that.

note.. it's been almost three years to the day since i updated this. i am the weak link of the holy trinity. let me know if you liked it!

xoxo daisy