Chapter One

Angels Fall

When angels fall with broken wings

I can't give up, I can't give in

When all is lost and daylight ends

I'll carry you...

Lightning and thunder clashed. The rain hit hard, no brakes, no slowing for the impact of the ground. Harsh winds whistled through an old, wooden, abandoned building, and it wasn't letting up.

Another thundering bang sounded as the doors to the entrance hit the walls as they opened and a figure of a man, soaked and panting, limped inside. He removed his fox decorated mask, blue eyes darting around the damp place, and he ran a hand down his whiskered face.

It wasn't much, but it would have to do. "In here!"

Harsh breathing followed as the young man moved aside, allowing two more to enter, both breathing and struggling. A young man, dark haired, and mismatched eyes did not falter as he entered, carrying a pink haired woman bridal style.

"Naruto!" The blonde man turned to face frantic eyes. "Take her; she'll get pneumonia if I don't start a fire."

"Okay!" Naruto quickly made for her and settled her against a nearby wall. She winced as she was set down, and Naruto let out a soft apology. He couldn't tell if she shivered from the cold or from the wound. "Hang in there, Sakura. We'll get you fixed up."

Tired, weary emerald eyes glanced at the man, who, no matter what happened, was always a ray of sunshine, her sun, and smiled faintly. "Yeah…" and closed her eyes as another wave of pain shot through her body.

Horse. Serpent. Ram. Monkey. Boar. Horse. Tiger.

Fire shot out a few feet away as warmth enveloped them. A good look around and the abandoned building was definitely a little worse for wear. The windows would need to be boarded, especially if the storm was going to keep up. Still, the dark haired man counted their blessings. It was better than nothing. He moved to the couple in the corner, bent down in front of them, searching for her medical pack.

"I'm going to take a look around. Make sure we lost them." Naruto put a comforting hand on his shoulder before taking off into the night.

Aside from the rain, quiet enveloped them. After searching through Sakura's medical pack, he pulled out some gauze and some soldier pills. "Here."

Sakura slowly reached for the pills, taking them one by one. "That will help for a little while," she stated, "…I've got to get this out of me…" She shuddered again as she reached for the arrow that was embedded in her abdomen. He shoved her hand away, and Sakura stared, feeling a jab to her ego. "Wait for Naruto."

"Sasuke, I need to do this now…" She breathed, trying to hold back another wave of pain.

Sasuke watched as she stiffened and tensed. "Sakura…"

"I can do this, I'll just.." She paused, regretfully accepting her incompetence. "…I'll need your help."

A frustrated sigh was heard. He was in no way a medical ninja. "I don't think…"

"Sasuke, you can do it."

Another frustrated sigh and he ran a hand through his hair. "What do you need?"

Sakura struggled as she explained. "We're going to have to….push the arrow. It didn't pass through. After that, " she swallowed thickly. "I'll need you break the arrow head, and then remove the shaft."

Sasuke nodded.

"Sasuke." He looked up.

"You'll have to try and stop the bleeding. Something was in that arrow. It's stopping my chakra reserves. I…I won't be able to heal myself."

He stared into her eyes as he listened, his face unreadable. "Alright." It was his turn to swallow hard. She helped him remove her top and with her guidance, his single hand used a kunai to cut some of her bindings away from the arrow, not noticing Sakura's blush as the tip of his ears tingled red.

He moved closer, his hand unsure, as he reached for the arrow. Sakura reached for the belt attached to the medical pack and bit down. His eyes searched hers as he mentally prepared himself, and Sakura nodded, shutting her eyes tight.

A scream filled the building as he pushed the arrow through her body, and he reached for her shoulder to hold her down as her body convulsed, rejecting the pain. She tried to remain still as he quickly snapped the tip of the arrow, throwing the abomination to the side as he returned his attention to his pink haired teammate, searching her tear-filled eyes for any reassurance.

"What's going on?!" Naruto rushed in, tossing heavy blankets behind him as he rushed to Sasuke's side.

"Hold her down," he shouted over another thundering roar. Naruto reached for Sakura's hand and held it, and after assessing the situation, he reached for her, moving her hair from her face.

"You're alright, Sakura-chan…"

She could only nod as she remained tense, and locked eyes with Sasuke, as if pleading to hurry and get it over with.

Sasuke once again gripped the arrow and tried to slowly pull the arrow back out, trying to cause any less pain to Sakura that he could manage. Sakura bit down harder on the belt, closing her eyes as she felt the intrusion of the weapon moving through her, gripping onto Naruto's hand, though cautious enough to not break it. Sasuke gritted his teeth, trying to block out Sakura's cry of pain as he pulled.

Relief washed over him as the arrow broke free of her and he set it away as he ripped off a piece of his clothing to try and stop the blood that poured from the wound. Sakura slackened against the wall and Naruto moved for their bags. He grabbed a sleeping bag and laid it out. "We can move her here after she heals up."

Sasuke shook his head, reaching for the gauze, watching as Sakura focused on staying awake. "She won't be able to."

"What?!"

"Evidently the arrow was rigged. It's stopping her chakra flow." He reached for Sakura to help her sit up and Naruto moved behind her to help her up, helping as Sasuke gently wrapped the bandages around her torso and helped to lie her down on the makeshift bed.

"Sakura…" Naruto whispered and reached for her hand again.

Sakura smiled weakly through half lidded eyes. "It's okay…you did good."

"Are you…?"

Sakura shook her head. "I'm fine. I just need some rest. Once this effect wears off, I'll take a look at that ankle. Then we can go home."

Naruto scoffed. "Don't worry about me. I can take anything! You just get your rest." She smiled softly.

Sasuke ran another hand through his hair. "C'mon dobe. We need to set up. We're going to be here for the night."

As Naruto moved to help, Sakura took time to herself. She berated herself for the situation she put her teammates in. If only she was a bit faster. Better. She was always holding them back, always watching them. Had she not proved herself in the war? Why did this have to happen? Especially now? She quickly wiped a tear away and breathed. No more. She would train harder. She would push harder. This was not going to happen again.

~ Several hours earlier ~

"Naruto…"

"I'm fine."

"C'mon let me take a look at it." Sakura persisted.

"Dobe, don't let pride get in the way. You tried something, and you failed." Sasuke smirked. "It happens."

Naruto grumbled. "You're one to talk, teme."

"Naruto, you're being ridiculous."

"It's nothing serious, Sakura-chan."

Sakura stopped and put her hands on her hips as she continued to watch Naruto limp ahead, shaking her head in disbelief. Of course, her boys just had to get into a measly competition. Of course, Sasuke and Naruto just had to push each other's buttons. They were due back from their mission by the end of the day and Naruto was slowing them down because he refused help. That ankle had to have been swollen by now and it wouldn't do any good if they had to stop frequently.

Medic mode kicking in, she waited till he was far enough ahead and grabbed for his ankle.

"OW!"

Sakura raised an eyebrow. "Good thing it's nothing serious."

"That doesn't hurt!"

"Already too swollen, huh?" She stated as she tried to get a closer look before Naruto pulled away.

"I'll walk it off."

Sakura sighed and put her hands on her hips reaching for her medical pack. "I'm not going to tell you that you shouldn't have tried that…"

"You'll work it in." Naruto said.

Sakura shook her head as she glanced up at Sasuke, who was still smirking, and smacked him in the shoulder.

"What the hell was that for?"

"You're as much fault as he is for goading him into racing!"

"Hn." Sasuke looked away from them, reaching for a kunai and throwing it towards the irritating blonde. Sensing danger, Naruto ducked to the ground, and looked back just in time to see the kunai rip the side of his boot, tearing it loose, exposing a purple, blue, swollen ankle, and hit the dirt.

"What the hell you ass!"

Sakura immediately moved to his ankle and Naruto adjusted his position on the ground. "Now you owe me a nice pair of boots!" He reached for said boot in question, hugging it. "Look at it! Ruined!"

"You'll live." Sasuke stated and picked up the kunai, placing it in its holster. "And for the record, it was Naruto who challenged first."

Naruto, childishly, stuck his tongue out at him. "Naruto, you'll have to keep this foot elevated for a while." Sakura stated as she poured some of her cold water onto his food. "It's not ice, but it'll have to do until we can get back home, there's a stream nearby I think. We can use it to freshen up. We'll need to hurry, I think a storm's coming."

"How am I supposed to keep it elevated?" Sakura stopped as she glanced up at Naruto, who was suggesting that someone carry him.

They both looked at Sasuke. "No."

"I'm not carrying him!"

"Aw! Sakura-chan!"

"No! It's your fault we got into this mess."

Sasuke tensed as their argument became background noise. Someone was following them and they were catching up. "Put your masks on." He stated coldly and reached for Kusanagi, placing a hawk painted mask over his face.

Sakura straightened, helping Naruto to his feet, a cat decorating her mask.

"Two to the right, two to the left and two behind us," Sasuke stated before the three of them jumped to the trees. He glanced over to see Sakura and Naruto making it to their respective trees, Naruto staggering a bit, and waiting for his signal.

He motioned to mask their chakra and to wait.

As if on cue, six men rushed into view.

Sasuke frowned before turning his gaze to an excited Naruto, who was motioning to attack. Sasuke motioned to stay put.

Naruto motioned again to attack. Sasuke, irritated, motioned to 'stay the fuck put'. Naruto flipped him off. Sakura rolled her eyes.

"Did you hear that?"

The team stiffened. A kunai landed beside Naruto's ear.

Sasuke motioned to attack and the trio jumped down behind the group, surrounding them. Naruto slightly tripped, but recovered before punching a fist in his hand, grinning behind his mask. Sakura stood in a battle stance, gripping her gloves on tighter, while Sasuke pointed his sword.

"Why are you following us?"

"Tch. We don't need to tell you that." One of them boasted.

"Oh, but you do." Naruto growled before landing a punch on one of the rogues and a battle ensued. As the team paired off, leaving two enemies for each to handle, it was when the rain started. A thunderous sound was heard before rain began to plummet down.

Sakura grabbed the two guys in front of her by the head and clashed them together, flipped over them, kicked them from behind. Sasuke clashed swords with one, a dark line running across his face, the scar told of age, and the sound of steel surrounding them.

The man grinned at him as he witnessed Sasuke's strength through the sword. "Impressive. But it won't stop us. Our hatred burns and we will get our revenge."

Glaring at him but saying nothing, Sasuke went in for another blow, only to have the blade caught by ragged man. Not missing a beat, Sasuke jumped and twirled. He swung his foot out, causing him to let go of the blade. Red and purple eyes spiraled into view through his mask. A gray hue of chakra was seen swirling in the man's arm, and he noticed that the arm was covered in a metal. Sasuke figured this was why he was able to catch his blade without a scratch.

Naruto, using brute force and a couple of clones, managed to knock out one of the two of his share, limping around as he moved, the ground growing slippery as it turned to mud. As two clones poofed, Naruto whipped around in time to see the other assailant charge. Forgetting his footing, Naruto succeeded in blocking the attack, but the maneuver caused him to slip, and he landed with his back to the ground, gritting his teeth as he cursed his ankle.

Sakura rushed towards him to help, only to be stopped by the two she was dealing with. Just as she was about to pummel the ground with her strength, a bomb was thrown and a flash of light banged and she was thrown into the air.

Sasuke blocked another attack. Naruto kicked his assailant with his good foot in the balls. "Sakura!"

Her mask had fallen to pieces as she landed on the ground, revealing her pink hair, a bloodied nose, and a busted lip. She limped back to her feet and wiped at her mouth, her arms muddied.

The leader pushed off Sasuke's advance and grinned, "I wonder, shall I end you here and now? Or watch you suffer the same pain you caused me?" He then quickly revealed a small hidden crossbow that was attached to his arm, and before any of them could react, he aimed at Sakura and fired.

The arrow flew, surrounded by a soft grey chakra, mechanically turning to shape in midair, and landed in Sakura's abdomen. She felt the arrow head twist inside her body, and cried out, grasping her side and falling to her knees. As she reached for her chakra to assess any damage, a loud chirping noise was heard over the rain. A cry was heard before she felt someone lift her up.

"We need to go!" Sasuke shouted.

"Sakura!" Naruto shouted and limped to Sasuke.

Sakura winced in pain as she tried again to assess the damage. Why wasn't her chakra working?

Sasuke took one last look at the scared man. He was grinning from ear to ear maliciously and chuckled. Before his teammates could ask any questions, they wisked away from sight.

~Present~

Naruto sat next to Sakura, crossed legged, his elbows resting on his knees, his hands fisted under his chin. A knee was fidgeting up and down as he watched her sleep.

The rain had died down a bit and the sound of scraping steel was heard as Sasuke preoccupied himself with sharpening his blade. Though, instead of watching his handiwork, his eyes were kept on the sleeping teammate a few feet away.

"That was a lot of blood, Sasuke."

Chink.

"And she can't heal herself."

Chink.

"Do you think they'll be looking for us again?"

Chink.

"Damn it, can you do anything else right now?!" Naruto glared.

Sasuke stopped and fixed his eyes on his best friend. "She'll be fine." He said, and stood up.

"Where are you going?"

"Scouting. Watch her."

Naruto watched as Sasuke shielded his sword and grabbed for his arm, demanding his attention. "I heard him." He said, and if he wasn't staring at Sasuke's face, he wouldn't have caught the surprise and guilt and flashed over it before Sasuke masked it with indifference.

"I heard him." He said again. "What's going on? Did you know him? You've been quiet this entire time. Not that it's much of a difference as how much of an ass you normally are, but you're off. Something isn't right. You know something."

Sasuke looked away from his probing best friend and guilt washed over him as he watched Sakura. She was spread on the makeshift bed made for her. He could see her pale face, sweat dripping from her forehead as she slept. Her eyes dark and her breathing labored. Her body every now again quivered. This was his fault.

"Sasuke?"

He looked back at his teammate and ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "I knew him. At the time, I didn't recognize him, but I've met him before."

"Who is he? Why us? What does he want?"

"Revenge."

"Revenge? Against who?"

"Against me."

~Author's Notes~

AAAAANNNNDDDD, cliffhanger. ^_^ Don't hate me. Chapter 2 is pretty much done, so it will be posted soon! Thanks for reading! Please review! I know there may be some grammar mistakes. Don't hesitate to point them out so I can fix them! So, whaddya think? I hope I'm keeping everyone in character. This is my first time writing a Naruto fanfiction. :P