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chapter four

"Okay," Sasuke said slowly, processing what she just told him. "Can you tell me where you're going?" His mind probably automatically went to 'Sakura's leaving the village'.

Sakura sighed, knowing that Sasuke would tell Naruto, and Naruto would worry. She would be scolded fiercely when she returned if Sasuke said anything. "It's not on a mission or anything. And I'm not planning on leaving the village yet." She assured him. Sasuke's brow furrowed at the 'yet'. "I'm just leaving for a few days, and that is just to go get a new summon. I need Kakashi to come with me because the place I'm going to is dangerous, and my body is five years old."

"I see." Sasuke drawled, shoving his hands into his pockets. He was wearing white shorts, similar to the ones that he used to wear. He had a jonin shirt that was about three sizes too big for him on. Sakura assumed that was Itachi's shirt. "If you're going, I'm coming with you."

"... but... you're not ready to go," Sakura said, trying to find reasons to stop him from coming. The two of them were very awkward around each other, both knew the reason for the tenseness, but neither of them was going to act on it.

"I can get ready faster than most people, Sakura," Sasuke said, looking at her. He'd already seen through her and knew she was trying to avoid traveling with him. "And I'm coming. You and Kakashi need backup, you can't just go by yourselves."

Sakura's eyebrows raised. She crossed her arms over her chest. "You're saying you don't think we can do it by ourselves?"

Sasuke sighed, leaning on the doorframe and bringing his hand up to massage his temples. "No, Sakura, that's not it. What I'm saying is, I need a break, and I'm being driven stir crazy cooped up in my house all day. The whole purpose of me coming over to Kakashi's is to loosen up. I've been snapping at everyone." Sakura's skeptic expression never changed. Sasuke sighed again, running his hand down his face. "Let me rephrase. Can I please come with you?"

Sakura didn't know any other reason to say no. None that were good, anyway. "I..." She stared off into the side of Kakashi's house for a second. "You can't-"

"What're you two doing out here?" Kakashi asked, walking up behind Sasuke. He was rubbing the back of his neck. He looked confused to see Sakura standing at the door. "Sakura?"

"Kakashi-sensei, sorry I didn't give you a warning that I was coming." Sakura looked at him, noting that Sasuke's eyes didn't avert from hers for even a moment. It appeared that he was serious with his wish to travel with them. "I need your help. Do you think you can help me go to Tsukinoyo?"

Kakashi was now paying attention. "You want to go there? Why?" He asked, suddenly sounding rushed.

Sakura sighed loudly, stomping her tiny feet in impatience. "Because, Kakashi-sensei, I have some business there that I need help with, and if you're coming with me, we don't have a lot of time. I can sustain a clone for a few days, but I have to leave now if I'm going to get to Kumo in time."

"In time?" Sasuke asked, brows furrowing. No one had mentioned a timed escapade.

Sakura barely looked at him. "I'll explain on the way."

Sasuke's lips quirked into a small smile, and he looked away so no one would see. Kakashi nodded and disappeared in his house. Sasuke did the same, and Sakura was left standing at the doorway, tapping her feet impatiently. She kept her chakra masked because if Naruto sensed that all three of them were gathering, he would think it's an emergency.

Sakura winced. She wished she could bring Naruto, now. Since all of them were going, she might as well invite him too. She knew for a fact that before Naruto went to bed, he performed Senjutsu to make sure there weren't any known Akatsuki members in the village. Sakura looked towards his house and flared her chakra. Naruto would sense her chakra right away. If he didn't join them, she was leaving, and he had lost his chance. Sakura was losing time with every minute they wasted, and she only had a two-day window that was starting tomorrow at sunset, and by now it was the middle of the night. Getting to Kumo took around three days of constant running at high speeds, so she had to leave right now if she was going to make it in time.