AN – [If you're new to this story, then the first part of this AN doesn't concern you. You can just skip it and continue onward to the story!] UGH! So, I am finally fully caught up on the Naruto manga, and because of this, I have decided to discontinue the previous version of Crossing Lines. Now that I'm caught up, I have a MUCH better understanding of the plot development and character development, and I really want to make this story as close to the original as possible. The plot I have going will remain overall the same, but the way it's achieved will be entirely different. I'm going to put all of my time and effort into this story, so I really hope it turns out the way I hope it does! Also, if you have any input, I'd love to hear it! Flames, constructive criticism, opinions, ideas, I'll take all of it and do my best to incorporate it into the story. I hope you guys are impressed with the turn out! Oh yeah, and I'm not sure how far you guys are in the manga, but if you're not caught up to at least chapter 485, I strongly suggest you do so before attempting to read this story. You'll be lost if you don't! And don't worry, if you're concerned about the change up in plans, I can assure you you'll be a million times more satisfied with this version than the previous one. So without further ado, I give you the first chapter of the new and fully revised, Crossing Lines!
New Summary: Sasuke has been overwhelmed by the darkness in his own heart and it's slowly destroying him. Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi have arrived in a final attempt to snap Sasuke out of it, but are they too late?
Standard disclaimer applies for all chapters.
Crossing Lines
Chapter One
Sasuke stood before his former teammates, gasping for air, drenched head to foot in his own blood. Naruto gazed upon him in anguish. It seemed that the Uchiha was beyond his reach yet again, and it infuriated the blonde. He prepared his final attack that would drain him almost entirely of his vast chakra supply, and launched it full force against his opponent. Just as exhausted as Naruto, Sasuke didn't have the stamina to avoid it. He did his best to block the oncoming attack, but failed miserably as Naruto's last Rasen Shuriken hit him right in the chest. Hacking up blood, the raven haired man collapsed, not long before the blonde. Kakashi, who had been doing his best to let the two have their final battle head to head, stepped in. It seemed the two hadn't lost consciousness yet. They lay side by side, staring at the sky in silence. It was Naruto who spoke first.
"Sasuke, why can't you see it? Why can't you see that the revenge you seek is futile? Even if you destroy Konoha, it won't purify the name of your clan. You're only dragging it through the mud even further. You're doing more damage than restoration by taking this path," he choked out. The Uchiha's expression remained eerily vacant.
"And why is it, Naruto, that you can't give up on me?" he asked after a lengthy pause. The blonde smiled and tilted his head to gaze at Sasuke.
"Because, you and Sakura, you're the closest thing to a family that I've ever had. I cherish both of you, regardless of how you might feel about it," he answered truthfully. Sasuke's eyes fluttered shut, and his breathing became ragged. Sakura was on her feet in seconds, fully prepared to offer her medic skills, but Kakashi signaled her to wait.
"I see," the Uchiha breathed. "It still doesn't change a thing."
With a small groan, Naruto attempted to sit up. A terrible burning sensation shot through his chest, and he collapsed with a pained grunt. Sakura couldn't contain herself any longer. She ran to Naruto's side and forced her chakra into him, slowly healing him. His eyes flew open when he felt the sudden invasion of foreign chakra enter his body. Seeing it was only Sakura, he smiled gratefully and scanned the area for Kakashi. He saw his former sensei whispering into a headset. He pointed it out to Sakura, but she insisted he sit still. She finished quickly and was about to turn her attention to Sasuke when the silver haired Jounin pulled her back. Naruto followed as he led them out of Sasuke's earshot.
"I just sent a message to Inoichi Yamanaka. He's sending an ANBU team to retrieve Sasuke as we speak, but you are not to say a word of this to him. He's weak, and this is probably the only chance we're ever going to get to save him. He's going to be put into a high security prison cell, with restraints to suppress his chakra upon returning to the village. All we have to do is make sure he can't escape before the ANBU arrive. Sakura, do you have any more of those sleep bombs you used on Kiba, Lee, and Sai?" Kakashi asked. She blushed and shook her head.
"No, I used them all," she muttered uneasily. The silver haired Jounin sighed.
"Oh well, if he tries anything, Naruto can always beat the resistance out of him," he joked lightly. The blonde smiled and nodded. "I was joking," he added quickly.
"Right," Naruto mumbled sarcastically. Kakashi gave him a stern look and then walked cautiously over to the Uchiha, who seemed to be having serious difficulty breathing.
"Sakura, come here," Kakashi called. She sprinted over, and nodded when he instructed her to heal Sasuke's lungs. She knelt down and pressed her palm flat against his chest. She couldn't help but notice how he flinched when she touched him.
"Sasuke, I need you to hold very still," she said softly. He opened his eyes and watched her intently as she worked. She could sense his gaze burning a hole right through her, as if he were somehow able to see inside her head and hear her thoughts. She wouldn't be at all surprised if he could.
"Why are you helping me? I just vowed to kill you, you should be running," Sasuke coughed, causing fresh blood to spill over his lips and trail its way down his chin. She pressed a finger to his lips and shushed him. He closed his eyes and leaned away from her hand. Sighing, she finished healing his lungs and stood. She saw Kakashi point Naruto's attention southward and realized the ANBU must be close. She dropped to her knees and leaned over Sasuke until her mouth was next to his ear.
"Regardless of what happens in the next couple hours, I want you to know, it's because you are the most important thing in the world to me, Sasuke. You always have been, and you always will be. Nothing you do or say will ever change that, so you'd better accept it," she whispered, and stood. He stared up at her through hazy eyes, and fainted as the ANBU arrived. For a split second, she could have swore she saw a smile grace his bloodied lips, but one of the black ops picked him up and slung him haphazardly over his shoulder before she could get a better look. She winced and scolded him to be more careful.
Naruto placed a hand on her shoulder and beamed down at her. For the first time in weeks, she saw the happy; carefree Naruto she knew and loved smiling at her, and not a tormented shell of a man. She took his hand in hers as they traveled back to Konohagakure. Things were finally right again. Whether or not Sasuke liked it, he was home.
AN - K! First revised chapter's up. Review! If you have any questions I'd be happy to answer them!