Healing

Jealousy

Sasuke and Sakura sat across from each other in the main floor of the inn. The table was small and in the corner. Being shinobi, they preferred to have their back to none and to be able to see all of their surroundings. Sakura had laid out a map of fire country, they needed to decide their next move.

Sasuke made a hand sign and a fog of sorts surrounded their table and the sounds of the room were now incredibly muffled. Perfect for strategizing in public.

"So we're here," Sasuke pointed on the map. They were a few days south of Konoha.

"And when I was tailing her villages she was... along here." The line of villages seemed to be moving toward their current location, if not slightly more north. "She was moving quickly."

Sasuke nodded, sullen. He had already made up his mind to kill her, but that didn't make the choice any easier. His thoughts were interrupted by Sakura's hand being placed over his, "You don't have to be the one to do it. I can, Naruto can, anyone else can."

"Anyone else can, but I have to."

He was the reason she was doing this. If he had only been stronger he could have... he could have nothing. If he hadn't 'killed' her, he would have been dead. He wasn't the only one attempting to kill in that fight. The feeling was mutual.

Sakura sighed. He was right, or at least he was determined to do it anyway, so she had to let him.

"Well, we at least need back up. There's no guarantee she doesn't have minions." Sakura took out a scroll and began to scribble to the Hokage.

"One team," he interrupted.

"One team," Sakura sighed.

Kakashi could honestly probably only spare one team of Jonin. The village wasn't as short on shinobi as they had been, but sending more than four Jonin out on a single mission wasn't usually the best practice. Sasuke called his hawk and inserted the scroll. He hawk was swift, they'd have back up in time even if they left now. He dispelled the fog.

Sakura and Sasuke bounded through the trees as dusk began to fall. Sasuke made a hand signal, indicating they should set up camp. Sakura obliged as they neared a clearing. The clearing wasn't large. It was just big enough for them and maybe another team if they were joined.

Their descent to the ground were graceful and unison. Without discussion, they immediately began to set up camp. Their teamwork was stunning as Sakura sliced up wood and Sasuke ignited. Sasuke chopped up vegetables and small dehydrated pieces of meat as Sakura began to heat the pan and water. Not a single word had been spoken. It wasn't until dinner was served that Sakura broke the silence, "They should be arriving shortly, since we headed more toward the village."

As if they had been summoned, three shinobi landed in front of the fire. Sasuke noted two very familiar faces and one he had either not seen or bothered to notice before. Naruto, Ino and this man greeted them, but Sasuke's world was silent as he sensed the new shinobi in front of him.

There was something off about him. His hair and eyes were brown and average. He was about Naruto's height, if not shorter, so average. He didn't even wear any identifying clothing other than standard issue shinobi attire. He was just so average.

"Sit, sit! I made enough for a group in case you guys arrived this evening," Sakura beamed. She was always so accommodating. The new man sat next to Sakura and Sasuke felt himself glare. He quickly caught himself, she wasn't his. Or was she? He scowled, not helping his attempt to not glare at the new shinobi.

"Yo, Sasuke, what's with your face?" Naruto teased.

Sasuke's scowl was immediately redirected to his spiritual brother. "What's Kaii ever done to you?"