Though I am totally caught up with the series, one question still bites at the back of my mind, and thus this fic was born.
Told from Sakura's POV, First Person
The Question without an Answer
By: Ikamaru
Today was the day. He was coming back. Naruto and I had finally succeeded on what was seemingly dubbed as "The Life-Long Mission". At one point, I started to think we would have to bring him back when he wasn't breathing. That didn't happen, though. The weird thing is, at times, I'm not sure whether I'm grateful for that or not.
I had been planning the day for so long in my head. First off, I thought I should throw my self at him, just to see his reaction. It seems I've picked up that habit from Temari-san. You should see some of the things she does to make her boy friend crazy. It makes me feel bad for Shikamaru-san. Anyway, then I thought I should just ignore him; it's what he deserves, anyway. But now, as we're walking to get him, to see him for the first time in half a decade, I have a question for him.
An important question.
We're walking in a bit of a procession, it seems, Naruto and myself are in the front, Kakashi-sensei and Sai flanking us on either side. They're behind us a bit, and silently I wonder why. It's not as if we're going to attack him senseless. Well, at least I know I won't. I can't speak for Naruto, though. Frankly, I wouldn't blame him if he did.
We've gotten closer in the time he's been gone, he's like my big brother, my shoulder to cry on. I don't know what I would've done with out him. I love him. But only as my brother, and he accepts that. I feel bad for him, though. No matter how often he denies it, I know he's waiting for me, but I can't ever be with him, not the way he wants.
I would never admit it, but the day Sasuke left he took more than his backpack. He took my heart, and he still hasn't given it back.
We're here, now, and I notice Naruto's breathing has hitched beside me. I can't say I blame him. I reach my hand over to his and a give it a gentle squeeze, then I smile at him. He smiles back, but I can see the hurt in his eyes. I can sympathize, personally. This day has been in both or nightmares and our dreams.
Two faceless ANBU are holding him; his katana, I notice, is at least three yards to the side. There are chakra strings binding his arms and legs, he can't move. We attempted to find a way to restrict his Sharingan, and with help from the Hyugga Clan, we've managed to limit its powers.
It won't be enough, though. I know it won't.
He's limp in their strong arms, and yet he has the most arrogant, malicious smirk I have ever seen in my life. It makes me sick. It shames me that I gave him my heart. He knows it, too. He feeds off of it, when he has no more chakra that gives him energy. I hate him for it.
But I know I don't mean it. I know I can't hate him. Not really.
"Dobe." He acknowledges with a wave, clearly spotting the beginnings of Kyubbi chakra leaking through. We both know him too well for his own good.
He makes a point of ignoring me, I see. Not that I particularly mind; I'm happy to be left to my thoughts.
He surprised I'm not fawning over him, and though he expertly masks it, I can see it as plain as day.
I turn, my back to him, and we begin our journey to Hokage-sama's office. I can feel his burning gaze, and instantly I know he's eyeing our intertwined fingers. Is that jealousy I feel? I smirk, and let go of Naruto's hand. We share a look, and I know he understands. I have a plan, and he's happy to aid in it.
Operation Show-Sasuke-What-He's-Been-Missing is a-go.
With a smirk of his own to match, he puts an arm I around my shoulder, I walk closer to him as a result. We talked about it with Kakashi-sensei before we came, and he approves. "It'll only add to his torture." He said. I don't think any of us mind.
We're arriving at the tower, now, and I can see the frown lines on Shishou's face. They're so deep that even her jutsu can't hide them. She's getting older, as is Jiraiya-san. The wrinkles make me angry. It's not that she's getting old, everything must, and I'll probably cry when they pass, but the thing that enflames my heart in fury is that I know Sasuke has caused them. It's his fault they're older than they should be.
He stumbles in his step, and the ANBU roughly make him stand at attention.
"Old hag." He greets, that dammed smirk that I hate so much still there.
My master says nothing; instead she speaks, staring him down the entire time.
"Uchiha Sasuke. You have betrayed the village of Konoha countless times. You have attacked four of our best shinobi," she's referring to us here, that time we met him in Orochi-bastard's lair. "You've nearly killed three of them. You've launched an attack with team "Hawk" meant to destroy Konoha." Suddenly, she loses her cool, and her grip on the wooden desk tightens. I know that before this is over she will need a new desk. "What do you have to say for yourself?!"
Oddly enough, that bastard's head is hung, and his black tresses are framing his face. He looks up after a time, and initiates the staring contest once more.
"Uchiha Itachi is dead." He tells her, a strange hollow-like quality in his voice. "Orochimaru is dead. I killed them both."
She still hasn't been able to calm herself; I imagine it's difficult for her. "And you think that makes it all better?!" She demands, and suddenly her desk breaks. Exasperated, she puts a hand to her forehead and sighs heavily. She waves him away, down to the dungeons where he will stay until she can decide what horrible fate to bestow him. Whatever it is, I know it will be too good.
Naruto and I move to leave, but she beckons us back.
"Naruto?" She asks seriously, brows knit together in fierce concentration.
"I want to rip out his liver and hang it on the flag pole." He replies honestly, his fists at his side clenching.
"Sakura?" She asks, and immediately I notice her voice has lost some of its stone. She thinks I'm weaker than Naruto. That I'm more affected. I clench my teeth.
"I'm fine." I manage to rasp out. Kakashi-sensei moves forward and places a hand on my shoulder. I calm instantly. He's the father I've never had. I want to say more, so much more, but I stop myself. She excuses us, and we all bow before leaving.
Together, we three, the only true members of Team Seven, go to Ichiraku's. Can you guess whose idea that was?
We eat ramen and talk quietly amongst ourselves. (Some eat more than others.) I finish last, it's hard to eat. They're a staring at me with concerned eyes, the eyes of family, and I can't take it.
"I'm going." I say suddenly, and I know they both know what I mean. We're the only ones in the shop now, and politely, Oto-san and Ayame have taken to themselves in the back.
Kakashi opens his arms and I run to them. I hug him tightly and he returns it. I need fatherly love right now. It's not complicated. Very soon, Naruto joins us and I feel safe, safe from the world. Kakashi is his father, too, and I'm his sister. We're a family. After a time, we break the hug and leave, paying for our own meals.
"I'm coming with you." Naruto says, his never-ending confidence shining through. I simply smile, and nod my head. We bid Kakashi-sensei farewell. Even though Naruto and I both are now chuunin, I can't bring myself to stop calling him that.
Sooner than I would've liked, we're at the cells. We're let through immediately; they know we won't do anything. Silently I wonder if they should be so sure. We're holding hands again, and it gives me some comfort. There must be fifty cells down here, but only one of them is occupied. Smartly, I notice, his cell is all the way in the back. Less chance of escape, I assume.
He looks surprised that we're here, like he suspected the grim reaper. In retrospect, I muse, maybe he did. Naruto gets the message and stands a few cells down, watching us with eagle eyes. That makes me smile. I love him like a brother.
We locks eyes in an instant, and thankfully I notice he doesn't have his Sharingan activated. He probably doesn't have enough chakra for that anymore.
I take a deep breath, never breaking the eye contact. I can feel the question slipping off my tongue.
"Thank you for what?"
He stares at me as if he doesn't know who I am. Maybe he forgot.
"On the day you left," I clarify, as I begin to feel my temper slip, "you told me thank you. Thank you for what?"
He doesn't respond. Frustrated, I walk out of there, determined not to let him see me flustered. I'm amazed I lasted as long I did. We made it out of there, past Ichiraku's, to my apartment, and in the door before I cracked. Naruto seemed to know it was coming, he had his embrace ready.
He hugs me tightly, and I return it with the same closeness. I can feel it. We're both trying not to cry. We last about a minute after that. Together, we cried in the darkness of our apartment. We're living together, yes. Once he brought me to his home, I was appalled; I nagged him until he came with me.
Soon, I can feel myself falling asleep in his arms; after all, they've been my source of comfort for how many years now? Soon, I'm asleep. He picks me up, one arm under my knees and the other under my back, and he takes me to my room, holding me close to his chest. Even though I'm unconscious, I know he's attempting to shield me from the world.
He lays me down in my bed after pulling the covers back, and then he puts the sheet on me. It's light pink, and he thinks it fitting. Sleepily, I'm thankful he knows I only use the sheet. Though my eyes are closed, I'm awake. I can't fall asleep until I hear his snoring.
Soon enough, I hear it. With a smile on my face, I melt into the pillow and let dreamland engulf me.
Should I continue? Was it bad? Good? Pointless?
I would like to point out now, incase I didn't make it clear, Naruto and Sakura are nothing more than friends! They love each other like siblings. And the bit with Kakashi, he's their father-figure.
This story is SasuxSaku, and though their wasn't much in the first chapter, with your reviews, I'm hoping to change that.
Remember the law of Hay. ;3
-Ika