Chances of Regret
Summary: It's been years since he last saw them… Did they finally give up? He then knew that he never wanted his bonds severed and now that it was, he wanted them back. What were the chances that he'd actually regret something he was so sure was good for him?
Disclaimer: I don't know own and never will own Naruto even if I wished on a thousand shooting stars.
CHAPTER 1: THE TAVERN
They were sitting at the very corner inconspicuous yet striking at the same time. They sat side by side, the deep blue eyes and sun golden hair bringing light to the dim corner while the green eyes and soft cream cloak gave an air of calmness and happy times. The pair was attention grabbing yet none of the other patrons even dare look at them, in fact they seemed to shy away every time they even came close to that invisible line that separated us from them.
She knew who they were… How could she not he saved her life when her leader nearly killed her and who could ever forget the infamous Team Kakashi considering who the man she followed was, she knew them very well.
'It's weird how he's so far away from Konoha' Karin thought and wondered when her leader would notice the two, she didn't dare disturb him when he was in such deep thought frankly speaking she'd follow him but mixed with the infatuation from before was a deep seated fear that he would run his sword through their backs.
She picked up her drink and turned to face Juugo as he was ironically the most calming among her companions.
He raised the cup to closer and watched as the clear liquid sloshed around. He downed the drink in one gulp and ignored the somewhat bitter taste the liquor left in his mouth. He raised hid head to look around the dark and dreary bar that he and his companions decided to stay the night at.
He was Uchiha Sasuke. A former shinobi of Konoha from Team Seven under the tutelage of the famous Copy-nin Hatake Kakashi. He was teammates with Uzumaki Naruto, the loudest genin around who proclaimed himself as Sasuke's rival and Haruno Sakura, one of his fan girls.
Years after the war everyone preferred to forget the dreams of a madman until sketchy details was held as truth and the truth faded into obscurity. The blonde disappeared and rumors regarding his circumstance ran rampant. The medic was said to have disappeared along with him. Some say he was so injured he couldn't return to active duty, others say he tired of war and was now living as civilian, other rumors were too ridiculous to even mention.
He cringed at the direction his thoughts were headed to and wondered why the heck he thought of the people he left behind… He had left Konoha and gotten stronger, he had avenged his clan, and he had no regrets… But sometimes… sometimes he wonders what could have been…
He mentally sighed at the bickering between two of his teammates and proceeded to drown them out but realized that there was no argument going on. No insults or death threats and jokes or shrieks when he opened his eyes he saw that Juugo was staring off into some other space while Suigetsu was leering at the barmaids. Karin was looking straight at him then looked quickly to the far corner of the room.
Curious he turned his eyes in the direction she was looking at and felt a jolt run through him.
There sitting in the corner of the dark tavern was the shinobi he was just thinking about, his teammate Uzumaki Naruto, the vivid blonde hair and piercing blue eyes were unmistakable but there was something quite different about them instead of being determined and pleading, it was resigned and accepting almost as if he had already given up and was finally accepting the fact that they really wasn't going to be a Team Seven anymore…
He didn't break eye contact as did the blonde instead they were staring each other down. Sasuke felt his insides churn as he interpreted the meaning behind the eyes of his closest friend. Was he really giving up? Had he finally broken the bonds that his teammates were struggling to hold on to?
The young Uchiha observed the Kyuubi container, pleased (that he finally had the chance to see the change that Naruto had undergone) and miffed (that he was unable to fully grasp the full power of his former comrade).
Naruto has undeniably grown and Sasuke could sense and see that: he was no longer a short child with equally boyish features instead he was taller almost as tall as he was and his features were sharper and more defined with his whisker-like scars on his cheeks. He was still yet definitely more muscular and his eyes… his eyes still held some of his childishness and denseness yet if you look deeper you'll be able to sense the maturity and wisdom… It was safe to say his life was full of experiences that definitely changed him.
'You're probably one those experiences…' a voice in the avenger's head whispered.
He ignored the small voice and then Sasuke noticed a small figure leaning against the blonde. The hood of the cloak was kept up so he was unable to see any features but he deduced that it was female from the build the way Naruto's arm was casually placed around her shoulder with her head leaning intimately against her companion's shoulder.
Their eyes met blue clashing with black and as if it was a switch memories of the night he left ran through his brain.
~FLASHBACK
He walked down the gravel road, obviously not in a hurry. Possibly, trying to memorize every detail of the village he had been raised in... Breathing in every scent...taking in every small imperfection or over perfection...The Uchiha stopped a few feet away from the pink haired girl who was staring sadly at him, a knowing look in her emerald eyes.
"What are you doing down here so late at night? Just out for a stroll?" he asked her as if it was every other day and he wasn't about to betray his village...he wasn't about to betray her...
She looked down, "In order to leave the village...you have to take this road..."
He bowed his head once more, walking around her, "Go home," he commanded in a strong voice.
She bowed her head, taking a deep breath as a solitary tear made its way down her face, "Why?" she turned to look at his retreating form, a depressing tinge to her voice, "Why won't you say anything to me?" He continued to walk. "Why do you shut everyone out? Why won't you say anything to me-?"
"Why do I have to tell you?" he asked in an angry voice, stopping in his tracks but still not facing her. A waterfall of tears were now making their way down her placid, pale face as she stared at him, he could feel it "I'm telling you that you meddle too much. Stop bothering me all the time."
He could almost see the sad smile making its way on her pale face, "You always act like you hate me Sasuke-kun." She smiled fully now and looked up at him, "Do you remember? When we became genin? The day the three-man teams were decided and we were alone at this very spot." Taking a small pause, she continued in a slightly amused tone, "You were angry at me weren't you?"
(flashback)
Twelve year old Sakura smiled smugly, 'See he doesn't have any parents!' she said about Naruto in a prissy voice. Sasuke looked at her angrily at this comment but she continued on, 'Being alone, he doesn't get yelled at by his parents. That's why he is so unruly.'
There was a brief silence until Sasuke spoke, 'Loneliness.'
'Huh?'
'You can't compare it to how you feel after you get scolded by your parents,' he continued.
She looked slightly frightened as she backed up, "Wh- What's the matter?'
He turned to look at her angrily, 'You are annoying.' She recoiled at this with a shocked look on her face, staring as the Uchiha walked away from her.
(end of flashback)
Sasuke never forgot but all he said was, 'I don't remember.' Once again he could feel her emotions in the air, the mixture of hurt and shock, tears continuing to stream down her cheeks. He heard her give a slight laugh and could swear that he heard one of her tears fall to the ground, causing a wet spot to appear on the once seemingly perfect ground.
She looked up at him with hope still shining in her eyes, the fond gaze returning, 'But it started on that day. You and I, and Naruto and Kakashi-sensei...' Their minds began to reel with images and memories of them training together...Team 7. 'The four of us have done a lot of missions together. It was difficult, and it was terrible but... But...Even so...' she smiled, her eyes shut tight to block tears, 'It was fun!' She opened her eyes and shrugged sadly as his lips drew a thin line. Staring at the ground, she continued, 'I know what happened to your clan. But with revenge alone, you will not be able to make anyone happy.' The kunichi looked away from him as the midnight cloud's shadow began to cover her face, 'No one...' she continued in a hoarse whisper. She took a breath, 'Neither you...nor me.'
'I know that,' he finally said, causing her to look up, 'I am different from you guys. I follow a different path from you guys.' He paused briefly, emotions beginning to stir in his core, 'The four of us together...It's true that I have thought of us as one possible path.' A slight venom and harshness filled his voice, 'But despite the four of us having been together, my heart has chosen revenge.' His brow scrunched, the thick saddening sound of an oncoming sob filled his voice 'It's why I go on living.' Sakura looked at him as he continued, 'I can't be like you or Naruto.'
Her hand flew to her chest as she jumped forward, yelling hoarsely, 'Aren't you going to be lonely by yourself?!' She cried as she held her hand to her heart, 'Sasuke-kun, you told me that being alone is painful.' He stared down at the ground with pain filled eyes as she yelled again, 'I understand that so well it hurts!' Her tears had made a slight just-rained resemblance on the ground as they continued to fall, 'I have family and friends. But...' she stepped forward once, 'If you leave, for me...' She clutched both hands to her chest as she tucked her chin into her neck, her eyes closed tightly, 'To me, it's the same thing as being alone!'
His eyes saddened as he remembered the picture of his team, 'From this point on, new paths will start,' he said softly. She didn't let him finish as she stepped forward, shouting hoarsely, 'I...I love you more than anything!' she sniffled, 'If you are by my side, I will make sure you will not regret it. I will make everyday more enjoyable,' she pledged emotionally, 'and you will be happy!' She breathed deeply, 'There's nothing I wouldn't do for you! That's why..." she took a deep breath as she yelled, 'I'm begging you! Please stay! I will even help you with your revenge!' He still stayed silent. 'There must be something I can do!' Her tone turned more pleading, 'That's why...Please stay here with me...' She finally opened her eyes, 'If that's not possible, then please take me with you...'
He turned to face her and tilted his head to the side with a slight smile, saying smugly, 'After all this time,' his smile widened, 'you're still annoying.' Her eyes widened as she gasped. He turned and continued to walk. She shook her head and yelled after him, 'Don't go!' Running forward she threatened, 'If you go I'll scream out loud and-' She paused as, in a blink of an eye, Sasuke materialized behind her. It was as if time stopped as the wind tussled their hair back and forth. Sasuke was the one to break the silence as he said in a gentle, yet firm voice, 'Sakura...thank you...' She gasped and all was silent before a quiet thump was heard...he had knocked her out.
END FLASHBACK~
Naruto grinned and raised the glass in a toast to the missing nin seated a few tables away from them. Sasuke nodded cautiously and reluctantly turned away from the blonde who downed his sake in one gulp. As if sensing the change in the blonde the hooded person turned their head up as if to whisper something in Naruto's ear and he grimaced.
Sasuke turned his gaze back to his team and saw them looking back at him, Karin was looking at him head on her eyes serious and piercing, Suigetsu was expectant while Juugo gave the two a considering glance before turning back to him "Sasuke-san?"
He slipped at glance behind him and saw Naruto and Sakura whispering quietly to one another.
"Well?" Suigetsu asked him expectantly.
Sasuke dragged his gaze away from the pair and turned to see the almost childish look on the swordsman's face he felt strange as he saw the image of his best friend behind that look "Well what." He sneered.
"What're we going to do now?" the white-haired nin clarified "It's obvious you know them! Are we gonna be playing?"
"No."
"What!? Why!?" Suigetsu failed to whisper. His face showed his eagerness to fight.
Karin scoffed "Figures you'd forget you nitwit. That's Uzumaki Naruto he'd flatten you in no time"
"OI!"
Sasuke drank from his glass and heard Juugo whisper quietly "He is not to be taken lightly…" he saw Suigetsu about to make a comment but the red head quelled him with a harsh glare.
"Will there be problems Sasuke-san?" the giant timidly asked also glancing towards the whispering couple in the corner of the not-so-respectable establishment they were currently staying at.
The silence spoke for itself.
Silence reigned at the table as each contemplated what could possibly after this unexpected yet not-so-thoroughly unwanted (on one party's side) development.
Karin suddenly sat up straighter and shifted her gaze to the corner. They saw the figure stand and along with that the bar seemed to have frozen in place. The people turned their attention to the slim figure heading for the door. The person ignored them completely and swept through the battered doors with the regality of a well-bred aristocrat.
Another few moments of silence occurred before each of the individuals in the room eased back to their comfort moments before she stood though some of the more experienced ones kept their guard, their eyes darting to and fro on the door that the ninja passed through.
Sasuke and his team couldn't keep their eyes from the corner where the kitsune now sat alone. Naruto drank the last drop and saw that Team Taka's eyes were still on him. He looked them straight in the eye –more specifically Sasuke- and stood from, his seat.
Team Taka visibly tensed when they saw the blonde get up from his seat and made his way to the bar. This wouldn't have been a problem but the fact that he seemed to purposefully pass by their table on the way there was quite disconcerting.
As Naruto passed Sasuke's table he diligently kept eye contact with the onyx-eyed nukenin, conveying a message with his eyes
The Uchiha caught on and stood up as well only to be pulled back down by Juugo's gentle grip "Sasuke-san?" the gentle giant asked. Sasuke looked at his team again and saw that Karin was still looking at the entrance while Suigetsu sat there looking pleased at the turn of events.
"Stay." he ordered "Do not and I repeat DO NOT leave this table unless I specifically tell you to do so. Understood?" his no-nonsense voice prompted the team to nod their heads in affirmation and watched as their leader make his way towards the counter on the darkest side of the bartender's station.
Sasuke stood in front of the stool beside the one where his best friend sat at. Naruto was motioned for him to sit on the empty seat and two drinks slid in front of them "Been a long time hasn't it Teme?" the blonde asked drinking from his newly acquired drink; he gave a quick look at his former comrade who had also taken his drink.
"You're drinking too much Dobe." Sasuke smirked at looked at him directly "I'm not carrying you to your room when you're wasted."
"I see you've gotten more of bastard than before, Teme."
"And I see you're even more of an idiot than you were before Dobe."
A/N: This was a story I published way back then but some stuff happened and I couldn't update when I picked it back up I noticed that my writing sucked and there were loads of stuff that just didn't add up. Hopefully this one is better.