Only a few hours have passed since Sasuke and Sakura left the village. They passed the time asking and answering questions about the years they've been apart.

"So what was it called again?"

"At first, it was Hebi, with its main goal being to kill Itachi. But after I learned the truth about my brother from Madara, Hebi became Team Taka. Our goal changed to destroying the Leaf, because of what they made Itachi go through all these years..." Sasuke explained.

"Itachi... That's right, your brother..."

"He was forced to eliminate the clan and gave his life as a villain so that I could live to restore the clan." Sasuke gazed up at the sky.

Sakura felt guilty. She wished she could've known sooner so she could do something for him, "so... Taka? Is that the three others that were with you?"

Sasuke nodded, "Suigetsu, Juugo, and Karin. They're a strong team."

"I'd love to meet them some day." Sakura grinned, "you know, that's not in battle... I've met Karin once, but... That was under different circumstances, you know?"

"Yeah." Sasuke smiled slightly, then pursed his lips, "how about you?"

Sakura rubbed her elbow, "not good. Naruto's been training to get you back. I've also been doing my best and all, with Sai and the other teams, but things happened, and eventually those run-ins with you... They've only led to problems that couldn't be solved right away."

"I see..." Sasuke looked at the ground.

"Ah..." Sakura purposely sidetracked, "b-but that's the past, and today we can restart our lives from scratch, you know?"

"I guess." Sasuke shrugged.

Sakura took quick glances around her before she gathered the courage, "so where are we going?"

"I dunno." Sasuke shrugged, "where do you want to go?"

"Well..." Sakura tapped her chin, "I've always wanted to visit the Land of Waves, again. You know, Inari and Tazuna did come back to the village when you were out. They were really hoping to see you too, but... It was after Pain had attacked the village."

"Yeah, I remember that."

"Inari had really grown up!" Sakura chuckled, "also, I've always wanted to go to the hot springs there, I heard it was definitely one of those nicer ones."

"Eh, Sakura."

"Huh?"

They stopped and Sasuke turned to face her, "I know we're married and all, and I want to spend all this time on this journey with you, but that doesn't mean that everything about my past has changed."

"What do you mean?"

"Everything I've done in the past is still on my records. There will still be other rogue ninja and assassins after me. Your safety is my number one priority, but we can't be vulnerable. Do you understand?"

Sakura smiled, "yeah."

"Good." He leaned down and kissed her forehead, "so, the Land of Waves?"

"Mhm!" Sakura grinned excitedly.

"Okay. We probably can't stay long, but we can definitely pay a visit." Sasuke smiled as they continued on in silence.

The tension between the two of them remained the same, and neither of them said a word until they reached a cleft in the path.

"This way should lead right to the Land of Waves. Just up ahead." Sasuke pointed to the right direction, then glanced up at the sky, "but it's getting dark. So we can hunker down until morning, or we can brave the dark and get to the village late."

"I think we should hunker down. No use in trying to get through the dark." Sakura replied, "not to mention who could be out there."

"You're right." Sasuke nodded as they sidetracked to the side of the path, then he rose a brow and spoke with amusement in his voice, "so you're saying you're not strong enough to fight back if we do get ambushed?"

"No, of course not!" Sakura denied, blushing madly, then she crossed her arms defiantly, "I... I can defend myself. I'm not the weak child you knew in our Genin days..."

"I know that." Sasuke smirked, "you can sleep. I'll take first watch."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, of course."

She smiled as they sat against a tree. She used the white cloak she brought along as a blanket for herself, and she leaned on Sasuke's shoulder.

"Can you sleep like that?" He asked, looking at her awkwardly.

"Uh..." She jumped away from him, "is there something wrong?"

"No, just didn't think you'd be comfortable like that." Sasuke shrugged as he grabbed her shoulder and pulled her so she was laying sideways on his lap, "you should lie down. It's easier to sleep."

She looked up at him and smiled, "okay. Thank you... Good night, Sasuke."

"Good night." He watched as she slowly drifted to sleep. He was surprised by how quickly she was out and noted the fact that she must've been really tired, but didn't want to stop or make him worry about her. He smiled as he ran his fingers through her pink hair. It was soft, and he admitted to himself that he really did miss her. He watched her unmoving face, and it immediately reminded him of six to seven years ago, so far back, to when he left the village.

"Please! I'm begging you! Stay! Sasuke!!" Sakura yelled, tears stained her face. But he kept walking, "if you don't stop! I'm going to scream! And--"

That's when Sasuke vanished, then reappeared right behind her, "Sakura." He smiled, "thank you."

He did what he had to do. When she was knocked out, he caught her and held her in his arms. He'd never been this close to her, and when he smelled her, he was so close to changing his mind. But he squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head, "no going back now."

He picked her up bridal style, knowing that this would very much be his last moment with her and hugged her tight to his chest as he watched her unmoving face. It was so calm and not distorted with sadness or anger. He smirked as he walked over to the stone bench and carefully laid her down. He felt her hair one last time before finally pulling away, as much as it really hurt him to do so. He walked a few feet, then turned back to look at her. She hadn't moved as he sighed sadly, then turned away from her and continued on. There really was no going back now.

"Sakura..." He whispered as he felt the same, soft, pink hair from that night, pulling her closer to him. Her face was the same calm, unmoving face from that night. Only she somehow smelled a little better, now. As he pulled her closer, he did notice that there was something about her face long ago that was very different about her face now, with the exception of the jewel on her forehead, which he was very proud of her for. Her face back then was sleeping, but she looked very distraught and sad. Now, sleeping here with him, she has a small smile on her lips. She looks happy, and this somehow made him happy, too. He never realized anything could ever make him feel this way, and he loved it.  He swore to himself that he will help her, he won't hurt her, and he will protect her, because she's all he has now, and he's never letting her go. Ever again.