A/N: So...it's been a very long time since I posted something. I'll still continue with Bortherly Rival, hope you guys will like this too! And please review!
"Keep going..."
The low voice ordered them warningly. It was understandable as they were now crossing probably one of the most dangerous territory they ever walked on. All heads bowed down but everyone could paractically feel the aura of danger radiating off the area.
"Are we there yet?"
They kept walking.
"Ne, Kakashi-sensei, are we there yet? I'm so hungry...I want some ramen!"
The group graned and braced themselves for another whining.
The young man who was complaining ripped off his white porcelain mask and took off the hood of his cape. Out came the wild blonde hair and azure eyes that closed briefly for a moment beforescanning the area curiously.
"You shouldn't be doing that Nauto. Someone might reognize you."
The blonde teen just grinned and continued taking off the rest of his cloak and put it inside his backpack. "Nah, we're almost there aren't we? Besides, I can protect myself!"
"Maybe you can, but we're still going to be outnumbered." A female voice said now. "I hate this fucking land."
As if on cue, everyone tensed. Apparently, Otogakure was still being rebuilt after the war. Dead bodies still scatter the almost deserted streets, buildings that are needed of repair.
Everything from that fateful day almost two years ago came back. When Team Kakashi just came back from a mission, and they were ushered immediately to the Hokage's office.
"They're coming. He's coming."
Was what she said. Three groups of ANBU spying and gathering information of Akatsuki was ambushed last week, only a messenger bird came back barely alive. And on the bloodied note was the messy writing of the captain only saying 'We failed. They're moving.'. And no one knew how much they're going to lose just three months after Tsunade's announcement. The Kages held an emergency meeting at Konoha later that night, everyone preparing for the possible brewing war.
The war that will end all wars.
And it did.
Five battalions consisting of ninjas from the five great nations were dispatched to the front lines at dawn. And in came the Zetsus, the Akatsuki, and their unexpected ally, Kabuto and the rest of Oto. Everyday was a struggle to live; dead bodies were being rushed in and out of the hospital like a drive-thru in a ramen shop. Diplomats were sent every week to the other villages, Team Kakashi was scattered throughout the battlefield. Naruto stayed in Konoha for his own safety and vow to protect the village. Kakashi was with the Raikage to protect Killerbee, the eight-tails jinchuuriki, Yamato and Sai were at the front lines, and Sakura was sent to Suna to help with the growing number of dead and medical assisstance by the request of Gaara himself.
Naruto said that it was instantaneous, that they didn't felt a thing. It was another crazy day at the Suna Medical Center when Temari gave the pinkette a scroll from Konoha. Her family was dead, their house was along with the others who was wiped out from the village by a very powerful lightning technique that left Konoha almost crippled. Along with her family, the Hokage Tower was severed and half the village was covered with nothing but burnt wood and rocks for almost a week. It was a long time before the streets were cleared again.
Then Killerbee was captured, and they have no choice but to let Naruto to the battle, not that they wuld've done anything anyway. All of them last saw each other the night before the open war. The Raikage was fuming and threatened to kill ever one last of them if the Akatsuki or any of them touch his brother.
They got a reply three days after and found the Jinchuuriki in his beast form and raging against his village. He killed his own brother. Sakura remebered the day so well, when the near-death Raikage thrust the last of his strength and chakra into the eight-tails' form in an attempt to calm his brother down. Kakashi was the one who free Bee from his Sharingan hypnosis only to find his older brother dead at his feet. It was a heart-wrenching scene that angered the Kumo even more.
More deaths of her friends occured. Chouji died in the arms of his teammates, protecting his father from enemy-nins. Shino, Yamato, and Anko sacrificed their lives, sending every insect, wood, and snake they can to shield everyone from Pain's Edo Tensei. And Sakura thought that was the end of it. She had been naive, she knew it. But in this world where there's nothing but darkness, she wasn't just forced but she had no choice but to move forward and never look back.
She thought she coud bear it. The day when everything was wrenched away from her. The war has been going on for two months, and Sakura was directed to the battleground along with the Kazekage and his siblings, and the rest of Suna. And there they assembled with the others. It was partly joyful and partly sad reunion actually, seeing his sensei for the first time in months made her almost dissolve into tears, but before any of them could say one word to each other, the people responsible for everything popped up and decided to end the fighting once and for all.
The Akatsuki lost many members during the war too. All of those who were resurrected were sent back to the hellhole where they truly belonged. Naruto defeated Pain and his partner Tobi after the Raikage's death with the help of Bee himself and the young Tsuchikage. Kabuto was also defeated and left them with nothing to fight back with but the remaining few hundred of Zetsus, some Oto-nins, and Uchiha Sasuke and his team.
Sasuke stood at the top and looked down on Naruto as the former teammates began sizing their opponents. Their battle was yet to be written in history books. Whatever happened at that mountain was something that no one, not even Sakura or Kakashi has imagined before. It left the both of them incapacitated and totally beaten up.
Then in came Sasuke's team who was more powerful than any of them had imagined. The orange-haired man went mad and began tearing any ninja who came at his vicinity. The red-haired girl along with the sharp-toothed guy was dealt with shortly, but it was the group of another three Oto-nins with the deadly aura that they won't rest to their feet just yet.
They killed them. First it was Sai, he died like a true Konoha shinobi: he died protecting his friends. Next was Kiba who had his head separated from his body, his dark brown eyes that used to hold so much warmth gazing up at her emotionlessly, and the man who just cut it off grinning like a maniac. And it hurt her even more when she couldn't do anything, not even summon all that monstrous strength she's famous for and held on to the hand of her bestfriend. Ino fell down a hundred feet cliff after the woman in the opposing side threw a a dozen advanced explosing tags at them. Shikamaru threw a raging fit and went on to avenge his wife, the first time that he acted before even thinking, Asuma and Gai tried to stop him, but the Nara was too blinded with anger and fought until his energy has left him. His teacher saved him. It was four days after the war that Shikamaru woke up from his coma and learned of Asuma's death.
They were telling her to run, all of them. She was being dragged away by their voices, but she was frozen on her feet and can't say anything or do anything but watch as her lover finally stumbled back and fell down on her arms. Blood was trickling down to his chin; his bloody hand came up from his wounded chest and to her face, wiping away the tears that somehow managed to run down her face. Sands began surrounding them like a protective wall, her widened emerald eyes looking into his equally dark green orbs, her hands subconsciously stroking his dark red hair. Kissing his bloodied lips and taking in the kanji writing on his forehead for the last time.
"Gaara..."
And he died in her arms. Just like that, the Kazekage and her lover was gone.
She doesn't even want to remember what happened after that. It was full of tears and screamings, of blood and of struggles.
And with one document, everything was back to where they started. After the peace treaty was signed, everyone came back to their respective villages. Those who were suffering the most were those without their Kages, Killerbee then stood up to lead Kumo, and Kankuro for Suna. Otogakure came into terms with Konoha, seeing as Sasuke has no plan of ever going back to the village that betrayed him, decided that it was best to take over Orochimaru's place and be the Otokage. It'd be a good start, and the alliance between him and the Hokage is something to look out for.
They were all just picking what was left of their lives, trying to act as if nothing has changed, that everything that has hapened was for the better.
Tsunade was alive, Naruto's safe, Konoha's still alive. It was enough.
And as a sign of peace, representatives were sent out to Oto to help for the reconstructing and cleaning the remaining of Orochimaru and Kabuto's labs and helping the economy grow.
So here they are, back again. Team Kakashi who has been officially disbanded after they all joined the ANBU, was sent to be the so-called representatives along with Squad 3 consisting of what used to be the Team Gai, and Hyuuga Hinata, and Nara Shikamaru.
"What was Tsunade-sama thinking?"
Sakura's attention was focused now to their blabbering brunette teammate. Even after the war, Tenten was still as lively as before, they wonder if this is one of those defense mechanisms from her parents' deaths.
"I mean, I know we're ANBU, but this Uchiha we're talking about!"
Kakashi was the one spoke. "Exactly why we're the ones sent. They're in need of a talented medic, and Tsunade-sama's only glad to let her apprentice go. I'm sure it would do a lot of good if Sasuke and Naruto were to remain friends too."
"Friends? So friends actually go and kill each other now, do they?"
Trust Tenten to make the atmosphere a tad uncomfortable. "It's a boys thing Tenten, just let it go."
The brunette whipped her head irritably at Neji. "And you would know?"
"Maybe."
"Tenten-san, Neji-san, you tow shouldn't be fighting. It's time to be youthful and show Oto-nins that we Konohananians are powerful! The Green Beast is here!"
He flashed a thumbs-up and smile which was gladly returned by his equally weird sensei.
"Fighting Lee!"
"Gai-sensei!"
"Lee!"
"Gai-sensei!"
Kakashi returned to his book, Hinata smiled faintly, and Neji and Shikamaru just continued walking.
"Konohananians?" echoed Tenten.
The gaping blonde nodded at her. "I know! Where does he pick up those words? Aren't we supposed to be called something intimidating like, um The Leaves!" And did an equally goofy pose.
The weapons mistress felt a patting hand on her shoulder.
"Don't ever think that Naruto's much better than Lee. Years with that idiot taught me that."
The two women just grinned and followed Naruto and took off their ANBU masks and cloak.
"Man, it's really hot around here!"
"Oto was focused more on obeying Orochimaru's commands than doing some good like planting trees in here. This place is not even a dessert like Suna, but they're already on par when it comes to heat."
"Suna huh...?"
Chocolate orbs narrowed for a fraction. "Gomen Sakura...I didn't mean anything by it."
The roseatte just waved her hands. "No no. You're right..."
The wind shifted, and a dozen ninja appeared without warning.
The ANBU appeared completely calm.
"State your purpose at coming here in our territory Konoha!"
Kakashi pulled off his tiger mask only to reveal his mask-clad face and Sharingan. "We're expected by Otokage-sama."
"I don't beieve yo-!"
"Stop being an idiot Ashi."
With a soft poof, a young woman with a voluptuous body and long black hair appeared before them.
"I'm Misaki, Sasuke-sama's head of defense. Of course, I apologize for my subordinate's insolent behavior. Please come in."
They tailed after the woman into the rather elegant mansion.
"I didn't know Sasuke has hormones."
Sakura sighed. "What are you talking about now, Naruto?"
"He has that hottie at his side everyday and he doesn't even thinking of giving it a go?"
And she bonked him. "We are here to on Shishou's orders, not to know about his lovelife." The medic turned to the blushing Hyuuga. "I don't know how you stand your boyfriend."
"Hey Sakura-chan! I can hear you! Why won't Hinata-chan love me?! I'm awesome!"
"Strength wise I have no problem, but you seem to be a bit loose here." And placed her two middle fingers on her temple for indication.
Naruto proceeded on chattering on and on about how awesome he is.
Sakura focused her attention on her surroundings and the woman at the front, the medic noticed the butterfly tattoo displaying on her left shoulder.
Sakura…
The pinkette abruptly stopped and held her shoulder. There was a ringing voice at the back of her head and a sharp pain that she can't point where.
Something flashed before her eyes and when she blinked, it was gone.
I'll let you live.
Sakura shook her head. It was something she needed to forget.
Get out of my head.
"Sakura, you okay?"
The medic looked up to see Kakashi glimpse at her with unreadable eyes.
She swallowed. "Yeah…"
She looked at Misaki again and decided then and there.
I'm going to kill you, you fucking bitch.
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