Washing my Cares Away...

[Sasuke-kun]

She ran her fingers through her hair before she started making her way to the locker rooms she was in earlier. Once she found her cubby hole, she took off her towels, rubbing her skinny pale body down with one of them to get herself dry. After her mini process, she set the towel down on a shoe bench nearby. Zetsumei looked through the cubby hole untol she found her underwear and pants. She put her undies on and such, then buttoned her pants. As she tightened the straps on them, her other hand pulled her shirt out of mini storage spot. She put her arms through the holes and pulled her shirt on, straightening it out so it would be less wrinkly. Then she pulled out her shoes and put them on.

She picked up her towels and walked out of the locker room, now fully dressed as well. She felt warmer and much more comfortable, like you usually do after you take a bath. "Yea, I'm all set." She answered, putting the borrowed towels into a hamper.

[Haruno Sakura]

Sakura felt better. She stretched her arms which were still a bit pruny, but other then that they were fine. She threw the towls and robe into a small hamper. She ran her fingers through still fairly wet pink hair. She brushed the stray hairs out of her face and behind her ears.

"Sooo..." She said boredly. "Now what?" She didn't want to go back to training. She had just finished about an hour ago. She really didn't want to have to go get sore and dirty again. Ugh. She thought about Sasuke, but the place just scared her. She shook her head and sighed boredly again.

[Sasuke-kun]

Stretching out a bit, to get used to not sitting in warm water that loosened your muscles and made it much harder to move around at times. "I... don't know." She said, putting her arms down. She really didn't know... but maybe they could go visit Sasuke in jail. I'm... sure she was thinking the same thing... I mean, she still cares for him right? She looked to the side with a slight smile. "......wanna go visit your friend?" She was, of course, refering to Sasuke. But she didn't know Sakura knew that. "Sasuke... I mean." Just to clear things up, "And... would uhm... Naruto want to come too?

[Haruno Sakura]

Sakura had slipped off into a light doze... or you could just all it daydreaming. Boredom made you do that. She snapped awake when Zetsumei spoke. Go visit Sasuke? Well sure she wanted to see him again, but the jail scared her... Hell that's what it was. Hell. Heck it could scare anyone. Naruto come? Perhaps.

Sakura ran her fingers once again through her hair. "Well... I guess..." She was reluctent to really do it, but it might be the best thing. Well she had to let out the turth. "It's just... that place does scare me... a little..." A little? Ha! She was basically scared to death of that place, but still.

(( Heck I would be scared of it. oo; ))

[Sasuke-kun]

((Oo; ))

"I don't blame you... that place is, uh... creepy." The raven haired girl mumbled, crossing her arms over her chest. "But... if you really care for him, maybe that wouldn't matter?" She said, half asked. Maybe it wouldn't, she didn't know. She's never cared about something or someone like that... ever. She was kind of glad about that too, less chance of a broken heart. She uncrossed her arms and ran her hand through her now somewhat what dry black hair. Well, they needed to do something soon, she was getting bored...

~~~§~~~

Cold black eyes looked side to side, as raven locks blew into his face from a slight breeze.The escaped Uchiha walked down the streets of Konoha looking for either bright pink hair, shocking blonde hair, or tall silver hair. Either would do him good, even better... if they were all together. Sasuke doubted it though, besides on missions, team 7 never really hung out unless they felt like it. He knew first hand, but you never know... things could've changed since then.

[Haruno Sakura]

She dropped her eyes guiltly. It was true. Should she really let the place get in the way of someone she really cared about? No... She thought. She knew it shouldn't, but it still scared her. Aw what the hell? She had been through a lot more then that once place and lived. She could handle it. Besides she'd see Sasuke... But how would be react to seeing her.

Her green eyes looked up as she spotted something... was that... Sasuke?! "Sasuke-kun?" She said as her green eyes widened. She could do one of the following:

A) Run up and glomp him with everything she's got.
B) Beat the living crap outta of him putting him in a coma for leaving her.
C) Go up and say "Hi Sasuke. You got out! I really missed you!"
D) Just ignore him.

Well answer A and D were out of the question. She deeply considered answer B, but it may not be good to put him in a coma right after he got out of jail. That left answer C. Ok so she would go up to him and say hi... The only thing was her left refused to move. Well that was strange... maybe she was just too nervous to face him really. She guessed he may have changed...

[Sasuke-kun]

Hearing his name spoken, he turned his head in the direction it came from. Who said his name? He couldn't make out the voice.. though it did sound somewhat familar. Dull, cold eyes scanned the streets, locking on a certain pink haired girl. Who was that? "....Sakura?" He mumbled. Though the exspression on his cold almost dead face did not change. It hadn't changed for anyone in the past 2 years. No one. Not even his old team.

His loose sound clothes blew in a giant gust of wind that came by. What a windy day it was. Windy indeed. Hair once again blowing into his face, he glared slightly at Sakura. She wasn't doing anything, though it seemed like she was looking right at him. Seemed... no he knew she was looking at him. The Uchiha turned the rest of his body towards them, moving his right to his hip once again. Another girl was with Sakura, but he had no idea who she was, though he could've sworn he'd seen her somewhere. Oh well, she didn't matter, if he didn't know who they were, they meant nothing to him.

Hmm... if she doesn't want to talk to me, thats fine. His cold eyes wondered to the side, as if he were looking at the dobe he considered his best friend all those years ago. Yes, Naruto was also on his mind. A lot of people were actually.

~~~§~~~

Zetsumei looked in the direction Sakura was looking and raised a brow. "Is that Sasuke?" She asked, pointing to the raven haired boy. He looks like a jerk beyond all repair... well I musent judge a book by its cover. She thought, crossing her arms again. "Well that saves us a trip to the creepy jail place."

[Haruno Sakura]

She held back the tears that had tried to make it out of her eyes. She looked hurt, but happy at the same time. However she was afraid this wasn't the Sasuke she once knew as a young girl. Her eyes shifted to the ground again as she flashed a smile at Zetsumei. She pretty much gulped taking a few steps toward him.

Her eyes lifted to lock with his. It was hard not seeing someone for years and resist glomping them to death. Sakura wanted to run and hug him, but she was afraid. Afraid he'd push her away. She gave a sigh. "It's nice to see you again Sasuke..." No she couldn't think of anything better to say to him.

[Sasuke-kun]

Sasuke raised a brow slightly when his ex-teammate approached him. He took his hand off his hip and crossed his arms. His eyes scanned over Sakura exspression, he may be no Byakugan user but he could read her face so easily. She looks like she's going to cry... not a very good impression after two years. Cold hearted, no feelings, no sadness, no happyness, no fear, none. He may have admitted he couldn't look at team 7 anymore without keeping a straight face, but now that he was facing Sakura, he could keep one quite well. What was it that took his feelings away, that normaly when Sakura glomped him, that he had to give into her rampaging 'Sasuke-kun's"... what took that away? Oh right, Orochimaru. In fact. he was somewhat surprised that she didn't attack him with hugs. Better for him perhaps.

His lips parted as if he were going to say 'I missed you so much', but instead, something much less intreaging. "I wish I could say the same for you." He said in his dull, cold tone. Black coal eyes looked down at the pinknette, harshly, as if she were a bug. He couldn't help but look at people like that, but it seemed to scare some off. He didn't care for anything anymore... or did he?

[Haruno Sakura]

She had been scared and happy to seem him, but that all seemed to snap to somewhat of... anger. He really hadn't changed that much, but it seems he maybe didn't miss. Well that figured. She rose her eyes once again now filled with some happiness, hurt and a bit of anger. She had upset he had left her, yet she doubted he ever really liked her. Maybe just considered her a good friend or something.

"Well..." She began. "Guess you got out on your own. If you looking for Naruto or Kakashi I haven't seen them." She tried to say it all with a stright face and it somewhat worked. She wanted to show she wasn't the girl who once was obsessing over him. She had matured over the two years he was gone, but stil still missed him. Her eyes shifted slightly over to the side away from his gaze.

[Naruto]

Tossing and turning. Feet hit the cold hardwood flooring as stomps echoed throughout the silent halls. A one person apartment and so only one would live in such. The slamming of a door boomed, and then the sound of running water could be heard. The water came from a nice, relaxing hot shower to help tense muscles relax themselves. Uzumaki Naruto slipped on a white t-shirt and marched to his closet, scanning around till he found his black and orange jacket. Throwing it on, the blond-haired teen slowly did the zipper up. Blue orbs shone as he gazed out a small window in his room, staring down at the streets of Konoha. It seemed like it was a fairly busy afternoon though he'd slept most of it away.


Ah, it was so nice to be back home. Naruto, was least to say, happy now. He'd gotten Sasuke back to Konoha with the help of Yamato, Sai, and Sakura. So he couldn't help but grin as he walked down the widened dirt street, gazing in awe at the pretty summer scenery. There was a light breeze that he felt on his face, the wind ruffling his soft blond hair, and a light laugh escaped his parted lips. As he kept walking, the image of a pink blur caught his attention. Sakura-chan? Blinking, the Kyuubi container quickened his pace as he scuttled down the road in search of where this certain blur had gone off to. The boy took a deep breath as he stopped, seeing Sakura. And some other girl he didn't recognize. Now, who was that? Then his attention was drawn to another being. Sasuke. Slowly, Naruto's eyes widened. "H-hey! Sakura-chan!" he shouted, flailing his arms.

[Sasuke-kun]

The Uchiha uncrossed his arms and let them lay at his sides. "I wasn't looking for anyone in particular.... anyone from team 7 would've done me good." He said. It was no mystery, how his eyes looked side to side every second before he found Sakura. He actually wanted to find someone whom he'd hurt two years ago. Not so he could apologize, just to see them again. Though he could care less. He had changed over the years, though you may not see it.

He turned his gaxe over to the left when he heard a certain dobe. "Ah... Naruto." He said, turning his direction and started walking towards him. He took slow steps, but not slow enough to look slow motion, towards Naruto. He sped up just a bit after a few seconds... Once he stood in front of the blond, he reached a hand out and grabbed his black and orange shirt. He pulled him in close so his mouth was next to his ear. "You and me need to talk." He whispered in a cold, bloodlusty voice. He didn't know why, but ever since he'd been put in jail, he was itching to see Naruto.

He let go of the blondes shirt and turned his head to look at Sakura. His coal eyes locking on her for a moment. Then it hit him...

~Flashback~

"Naruto... Sakura... lets go." "Wanna go back?" "Yea!!" "Sasuke!... I want to fight you too." "Sasuke-kuuun!!!" "I've nominated you into the Chuunin exams." "I hate you Sasuke." "Whatever." "You have no idea what its like to lose someone you care about!" "You're right, I wouldn't know about having a family."

~End flashback...s~

The Uchiha's eyes saddened as he looked down. He mentally bit his bottom lip as his hand popped his middle finger. "I ruined all that." He randomly said. He looked up, with his dull exspression once again. Oh great... he could feel his emotions coming back. He didn't want this, he doesn't want to go back to team 7, not when he was strong enough to practially surpass Kakashi. Not when Naruto could surpass him. Not when Sakura was as strong as Tsunade. It wouldn't be the same, the years while he was gone messed with his mind, and him completely. Now he began to hurt inside. Coming here was a bad idea....

[Haruno Sakura]

She wanted to cry, but told herself she couldn't. No she was no longer weak. No longer the little girl she was two years ago... Ok she wasn't really little, but still. Shaking her head she wanted to let it all out until a voice reached her ears. She turned her head and smile. "Hey Naruto." She said and she had to admit she was happy he had come. Sakura truely didn't think she could really face the 'new' Sasuke on her own.

She blinked seeing Sasuke who grabbed Naruto and whispered something. She guessed Sasuke wanted to fight him for real this time, but he looked hurt all of a sudden. She tilted her head to the side wanting to keep her mouth shut, but that didn't work. "Sasuke-...kun?" She said softly. Her green eyes shifted to Naruto then back to Sasuke. "I did miss you."

[Naruto]

Naruto's eyes narrowed at the mere sight of former member of Team 7. His teeth clenched together as his muscles tensed. "Sasuke." The blond stated the name simply. "Why.. Why are you out?!" He almost felt like his blood ran cold when he was grabbed by the collar of his shirt. Growling lowly, he pushed himself back, stumbling a bit but quickly fixed a glare on his face. Head swivelled to gaze at Sasuke, not caring if he looked upset or not. He was right; he did ruin everything. "About what, teme? What is there to talk about!" There were visible tears in the blond's eyes but he blinked them away as he emitted another frustrated growl. His hands clenched into tight fists as he snorted then finally relaxed, staring blankly down at his feet. "You're not the Sasuke I once knew. You've.. changed. Too much."

"I...hated you."
"Then why? It doesn't make any sense. Why did you...protect me?"

"Sasuke's gone! Look what you've done! You're gonna pay for this! There's nothing you can do to stop me, and there's no turning back! You destroyed Sasuke's dreams, and now...I'm going to destroy you!"

Drops of cold liquid hit Naruto's face as he blinked and gazed up at the sky. It had turned into a dull stormy gray color and the clouds were moving much faster than before. And it was raining, all right. Just a light drizzle, though. Still such a great way to add to the group's mood. The Kyuubi container shifted until his back was facing the Uchiha, hands into fists once again. "I can't forgive you for that." He stated in quite a cold tone though there was a hint of hurt in it. "You took that Sasuke away. I can't forgive you for that! I just.. can't.." He turned again with a sigh, eyes briefly drifting to Sakura and the girl he still didn't know. Naruto guessed she was one of Sakura's friends, though.

[Sasuke-kun]

The Uchiha looked back at Naruto, his eyes hardening on him like a lion hunting its prey. He felt like punching the blond out right now, but decided it wasn't the best idea.

A younger Sasuke stood in the shadows, looking around under a huge shadow. He looked up, only to see his older self, the self he was now. The young one's eyes widened and turned to run away from the increasing size of the older Uchiha. He kept running, but a long shadow casted toward, ungulfing the young one in darkness. Young Sasuke opened his mouth to scream, but nothing came out. His body got uncased in the forever darkness that today's Sasuke was overtaken by. The saddened exspression washed away, as he looked to the side slightlym gaining his cold features once again. He popped another finger, glaring at the blond while his head was tiled down. "I never asked for your forgiveness... you should be blaming yourself for not being strong enough to get be back in the first place." He hissed out, cracking another finger. "Stop crying." He ordered.

The Uchiha turned to face Sakura and her friend. He glared at Zetsumei and opened his mouth for a moment. "....Who are you?" He asked rudely. A commandment nerve snapped in his mind, making his rude orders take control of his normal speech. "Sakura... get rid of her." He ordered, turning his head back to Naruto. "I said stop crying, it shows your weak." His eyes narrowed down more. Ice cold.