"Maybe next time..."

October 111:12 a.m.

———Kakashi and Sasuke sat alone in the small room. Kakashi filled Sasuke in on why he was being released and explained to Sasuke what he expected of him now that he was being released. Sasuke stayed mostly quiet besides his occasional 'hn'.

"Now tell me...what do you wish to do now that you're free. Or well...you'll be free depending on your answer." Kakashi said sincerely.

Sasuke frowned and looked to the side. "I want to help people in need...to make up for my past mistakes..." he replied, "But I would like to do this away from the village."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Why not stay?"

Sasuke stayed silent for a moment before responding. "That'd be too comfortable. It wouldn't feel right if I stayed after what I've done."

"I understand." Kakashi nodded, "But what about Naruto and Sakura? You know they wouldn't be ok with this. Especially not Sakura...you know how she feels about you, right?"

Sasuke felt a lump form in his throat and he grew uncomfortable. He hesitantly looked at Kakashi but quickly averted his eyes again.

Kakashi noticed his discomfort and leaned in. "Do you feel the same about her?" he asked curiously and teasingly.

Hearing Kakashi say that made Sasuke's heart drop to his stomach. His breathing became heavy and he looked Kakashi in the eye. "I don't." he said. Kakashi remained silent, making Sasuke even more uncomfortable. He looked away again as his face began to turn a light red. "I...don't..." he reiterated.

Kakashi sighed. "I know we can't stop you from leaving. But at least don't leave on a bad note. You've made a lot of progress with Naruto and Sakura; don't ruin what you guys have now." Kakashi sigh, "And don't be scared to open up to Sakura. You know that she cares about you...a lot. Don't take her for granted; otherwise, you'll regret when she's no longer in your life one way or another..." Kakashi reminisced on his own teammates that he lost along the way. As a teacher, he didn't want his students to go through that.

Sasuke stayed silent but nodded. Although he still didn't believe that he had feelings for Sakura, he knew that he didn't want her to hate him or give up on him....

—October 112:30 p.m.*Sakura's Perspective*—

Once again, Sakura and Naruto have been summoned to the Hokage's office. Knowing that it must have to do with Sasuke, Naruto met Sakura at her apartment before the two made their way to the office....

As soon as they entered the office, they saw Sasuke, with his usual blank expression, standing next to Kakashi. The moment Sasuke laid eyes on his teammates, he instantly looked to the side out of embarrassment as a light shade of red appeared on his cheeks. Knowing Naruto and Sakura, he guessed they would've freaked out which made him feel uncomfortable. Sasuke guessed right. The second Naruto and Sakura saw Sasuke, they immediately ran up to him.

Despite being super upset by the fact that Sasuke had been more distant lately, Sakura couldn't help but hug Sasuke tightly...burying her face in his chest. Sasuke's eyes furrowed and his lips tightened. He felt his heart skip a beat and his body was now paralyzed. He had no idea how to react so he just stood there, hoping that she'd let go of him soon.

Naruto, not even noticing how uncomfortable Sasuke looked, immediately started teasing Sakura. "Sasuke just got released and you're already clinging to him like a magnet?" Naruto chuckled.

Sakura looked at Naruto with tears in her eyes but a smile on her face. "Shut up! I missed him, ok?" she said with a slight quiver in her voice. After a moment longer of hugging him, Sakura backed off of Sasuke and wiped away her tears as she looked to the side. "Sorry Sasuke-Kun...I've just really wanted to hug you for a while..."

"Hn." Sasuke said quietly. Now able to move, he slightly shifted away from Sakura and closer to Naruto. It wasn't enough for anyone to notice but Sasuke need to do so to calm his nerves.

"How does it feel to be a free man?" Naruto said as he put his arm around Sasuke.

Sasuke looked at Naruto annoyed due to the sudden physical interaction. Naruto took the hint and backed off somewhat awkwardly. "I feel the same as always." Sasuke said quietly as he looked at the floor.

"Of course. Do you ever feel anything at all???" Naruto teased.

Sasuke sighed and closed his eyes, trying not to laugh. "Of course I do, you idiot."

Naruto laughed and Sakura giggled softly as she looked at the two. No one in the room said it but they enjoyed the nostalgic feeling having all of team 7 in the same room again like this. But unfortunately, Kakashi felt the need to ruin the nice moment...

Kakashi looked at Sasuke and Sasuke immediately got the message that Kakashi was signaling. Sasuke frowned and looked down. "I'm leaving the village again..." he said bluntly.

Sakura and Naruto's smiles faded. But after having a night to process the high possibility that he'd want to leave, they've already gone through all of the negative emotions of this news.

Sakura smiled softly but weakly. "We understand...if that's what you think is right for you...then we won't stop you..." she said quietly.

Naruto's smile returned after hearing Sakura being so contempt with this news. "Yea, as long as you don't go and on some sort of quest for revenge again!" Naruto chuckled.

Sakura's weak smile became more genuine after hearing that. Naruto has a way with words. He could instantly make a heavy situation feel bittersweet if he wanted. His teammates as well as Kakashi greatly appreciated this ability.

Sasuke looked at Naruto and then to Sakura. "Are you sure you guys are going to be ok?" he asked. Although he was addressing both of them, he didn't take his eyes off of Sakura. He subconsciously only cared about how she felt about his decision.

"We're going to be ok. Don't worry about us." Sakura giggled softly, "But at least write to us every once in a while..."

"Hn." Sasuke nodded....

Kakashi, Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto spent the next hour just talking to each other about random things. Sasuke was planning on leaving this very day and he was now ready to go after having this last chat with everyone.

The four headed to the front gates of the village. Everyone said their goodbyes to Sasuke and tried keeping the mood light despite the situation. But just before Sasuke was going to head out, Sakura stopped him.

Sakura looked at him shyly but struggled to make eye contact with him. "Do...Do you think that I...could go with you..?" she asked shyly. "You know...you might need a medic and well..." Sakura didn't know what reasons to give him to convince him to let her go. They've been distant the past few months but after their short talk today, she already forgot all about it. All she could think about was how much she wanted to be with him now that he's out.

Sasuke looked at her sadly. "You know I can't take you..." he said quietly. He wouldn't say it out loud but he did want to take her. But he couldn't bring himself to do it...for her sake.

"Why can't go?" Sakura pouted slightly.

"I'm leaving to atone for my sins and my sins aren't yours to bare. I have to do this on my own...to redeem myself..." he said sincerely.

Just before he could walk away, Sakura frowned and looked down, unsatisfied with his answer. She loved Sasuke with all of her heart and considered all of his problems her own.

Seeing how his answer affected her, Sasuke felt bad. His gaze softened and he approached her. He grinned softly and lifted his index and middle finger up before gently tapping her forehead. "Maybe next time..." he said before walking away.

Sakura blushed as her eyes widened. That was the first time Sasuke has ever done anything like that to her...and the first time he's ever acknowledged her in  that way before. Sakura's heart beat got faster but before she could say anything, Sasuke was already walking away. She couldn't help but smile as she watched leave while Naruto waved and yelled 'goodbye'. Even though Sasuke was leaving, she suddenly had hope that a future with Sasuke was possible...———

This is the end of the chapter! I hope you enjoyed!