Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters.
I can't change you.
I can't make you realize what you want, has always been there.
I can't take away all your tears and sorrow.
All I can do, is close the scars you left bare.
Naruto looked around him. The once-so-full-of-life grounds where the war took place were now completely destroyed. His mouth hung open as blood ran down both sides. One eye was swollen shut, gashes and bruises covered his aching body.
Sasuke was in no better shape, in fact, he was on the brink of going under. He held on to his left arm which was broken by Madara.
Madara lay in a pool of his own blood. DEAD.
Naruto looked at Sasuke, Sasuke looked at Naruto. The mutual understanding they had come to in their fight just before Madara came into the picture and tried to capture Naruto was unmistakable. They were still best friends. Like brothers.
Sasuke had fallen into the blackness, but the new world Itachi's eyes showed him gave him a different side of the story. Sasuke in turn, betrayed Madara at the very end.
They stared at each other, analyzing each others injuries, gathering that neither had any chakra left to fight even if the desire aroused.
Naruto looked to his right. Hinata lay unconscious on the unforgiving dead earth. Her body beaten to the point of broken bones and a sure concussion.
Sasuke looked to his left and saw Sakura laying in the same position. Though she would only be out for a short time. She was beaten and gashed all over just as Hinata, no doubt all the others look the exact same way.
He looked at her long and hard. Remembering how she fought, how determined and strong she looked during every battle. This was the Sakura he hadn't seen. She was more a shinobi now than ever. Surely stronger than Tsunade.
Sasuke's eyes returned to Naruto's.
"Teme, it's over. Time to go home. Sakura-chan can heal you once she wakes up, please take her back while I get Hinata-chan."
Naruto spoke in sort of a low tone, dead serious about the order for Sasuke to return. Sasuke stepped back once, eyeing the pink haired kunoichi to his left once again before looking at his best friend, who gave him a serious glare.
Was Sasuke going to give into his best friend's demands? Was he going to give in to what they wanted just yet?
No.
Not yet.
"I need some time on my own. Goodbye Naruto."
Naruto opened his mouth to protest but Sasuke had already begun to vanish in flames. The last look they shared was one of complexity. Neither of them knew what to feel. What to think.
Naruto looked at all his fallen comrades and lowered his head.
"You can't keep this up forever teme.. You know where you belong."
And as the heavens began to cry along with Naruto's heart, Naruto summoned shadow clones to carry his friends back to the half rebuilt village, their home.
(One year later)
"Forehead, we're at location B, it's clear. Anything on your end?" the blonde haired kunoichi spoke into the headset.
Ino and Hinata looked over the wall of the land of waves.
"No sign of him. I'm guessing he's in the big tower. Dictators usually like to look over all their handy work with breaking the spirit of their villagers. it's a medieval thing." Sakura stated non-chalantly.
"So what's the game plan?"
"Ten-ten and I will get a closer view. You guys get into the village and quickly dispose of his guards before we breach the tower."
"Hai!"
"Hai!"
Hinata and Ino set out into the village. They took out the front guards, the patrol, and the guards by the large tower from behind as instructed. They smirked to each other.
"Targets eliminated. Where are you guys now?"
"Look up, pig."
Sakura and Ten-ten stood off the side of the tower above them, crouching with only one hand and both feet on the wall. They shared devilish grins and sped up the wall to meet their teammates.
"Now, we've spotted our guy at the very top of this tower. His assistant is the one that sent the hit in, and he'll give us a signal when we can move. It should be coming at any moment…"
Sakura informed the others as they all looked towards the sky. Waiting for a clear signal.
Within moments, a light flickered on and off 3 times.
"That's the signal! Move, move, move!" Sakura ordered. The girls sped up the side of the tower towards the top, avoiding every window. They were completely silent, and completely deadly.
"Ten-ten, Hinata, guard the top floor. Ino, go see the assistant and get information. Hokage-sama wants us to be sure this guy is legit to take over the village and wont be a replay of our target."
"Hai!"
"Hai!"
"Hai!"
Ten-ten broke into a window on the top floor, followed by Hinata and began taking out enemies with various summoned weapons, enjoying every second of it.
"Hey, forehead.-"
Ino turned to Sakura before breaching the building.
"Don't fuck up."
Sakura smirked and bumped fists with her best friend.
"It's you that needs to worry about fucking up, pig."
The girls nodded and went their separate ways. Sakura to the target, Ino to the assistant.
Ino warily looked through the bathroom window where the assistant was suppose to be waiting. Looking through the glass, he was standing there, sweating with a nervous expression written all over his face.
She tapped on the glass and he jumped like electricity had just gone through him. Ino couldn't help but giggle.
He turned and noticed her there, she waved and smiled brightly. Upon him silently opening the window, she entered and saw he had the shower running like he was instructed to do.
"Is-is it done yet?" He whispered.
"No. but our team leader is on the job. She'll be done in about 2 minutes, so talk fast."
"Ha-hai! He's been dictator for several years now. At first fair, then power hungry. The people have no free will and any complaints heard on the streets result in another corpse."
"So he's killing the innocent who defy him?"
"Aa. I was with him from the beginning and always looked up to him, but enough is enough. The people need someone with compassion and understanding who will be a strong leader!"
"The Hokage has ordered that it be you who takes over."
"M-me?"
"Aa. You are already second in command, and after tonight, you will be asked to take over, and accept. don't make your bosses mistakes or we may be back, for YOU." Ino warned.
"H-hai!" he shook, terrified of the events taking place as we spoke.
Poor guy… He looks scared shitless. Though, it assures me that he wont fuck up the village like Lamia has. The villagers will rejoice this night. I looked at him as his eyes pleaded for answers.
"Don't worry. You will do fine as leader of this small village."
"Arigotou!"
Ino exited through the same window silently and crept up the wall.
"Sakura."
"Target eliminated. All shinobi meet at the front of the village."
Ino smirked.
Sakura looked down at the corpse laying on the silk sheets. His eyes bugged out and mouth hung open in death. She closed his eyes and mouth, cleaning up the blood spilling in the corners.
Seconds later she dove over the balcony to meet with the rest of her team.
Hell, it feels so good to be ANBU captain.
The others waited for her at the front expectantly.
"Has everyone completed their tasks?" she asked as she walked up.
"I spoke with the assistant, he's ready to take over. I'm convinced he wont make the same mistakes." Ino proudly exclaimed.
"All guards on the top floor should wake up and not remember a thing." Ten-ten explained.
"Good, then this should look like he died in his sleep and no one knows what happened. Nice work ladies!"
Sakura patted Ino and Ten-ten on the back as she passed them.
"Time to go home."
And they set off. All four girls were satisfied with a mission well done.
"Aa. Welcome back girls. I trust everything went as planned?"
"Don't insult us Tsunade-sama." the girls entered the office smirking. Ino and ten-ten shared an evil smile, then looked to their pink haired leader who stepped further toward the Hokage's desk.
"And he agreed to take over?"
Sakura looked back at Ino and winked.
"Everything went flawlessly."
"Good! Now, tomorrow you will go to elder Chiyo for a mission. She will give you all the briefings when the information arrives."
"Hai, Tsunade-sama."
"Here's each of your pay, dismissed."
The girls picked up their pay and exited.
Walking down the empty streets of Konoha in the middle of the night no longer frightened them. NOTHING really frightened them anymore. After the war, the girls decided to do something with themselves, deciding teaching a group of genin didn't sound like something they wanted, so they formed their own ANBU squad. Selecting Sakura as squad leader. Ino didn't even protest, knowing that Sakura was by far the best kunoichi out of them all. Hinata came in close second, but she's way to shy anyways.
"What do you think the mission will be?"
"Let's wait till we get back to my apartment to discuss this." Sakura ordered. The girls nodded and continued in silence.
When they got back to the black apartment they began removing their gear.
"So, do you think it will be one of those perv missions where we seduce guys for information then kill them, or something a little more.. Entertaining?" Ten-ten questioned, a wide grin spreading on her face.
"Well seducing and assassinating are what we're best at." Ino winked. Ten-ten chuckled.
"We are being assigned by an Elder. Usually when this happens, it's something important. Not just one of our usual missions that take 2 days to finish. So it must be good."
Sakura smirked and Ino put her hand on her hip, throwing her top to the floor.
"I bet it's something to do with some invaded city. Crawling with zombie shinobi or some shit." the girls cracked up.
"Ino-pig, I highly doubt that."
"It could happen!"
"They wouldn't need US for something like that. This is big. Really big."
"Well what are your thoughts?" Ino plopped down on Sakura's bed, only wearing her boy shorts and bra. She let her hair down and began running her fingers through it thoroughly.
"I… don't know." Sakura looked down at the floor contemplatively.
"Hey uh, anyone remember what today is besides me?" Ten-ten looked at the beach calendar hanging on the wall beside her, then back at her comrades.
"What?" all the girls turned to the brunette.
"The one year anniversary of the end of the war."
The girls all looked at each other, blank faced. They remembered the scenes from that war. All the shinobi they lost.. All the land destroyed. Sakura especially remembered one dominant result of that war.. Sasuke didn't come home along with them.
"Wow.. Where has all the time gone?" Ino placed her head on her arms and kicked her feet in the air. A sad expression crossed her face.
"In-in a month it'll be the one year anniversary of our team forming." Hinata tried to brighten the mood. Smiling weakly at her sad teammates.
"That's right.. We'll need to figure out a way to celebrate eh forehead?" Ino looked at Sakura. Sakura was lost in thought. She stood, staring at the floor in front of her open closet.
"Sakura?" Ino got up and waved her hand in front of Sakura's face. Sakura immediately snapped out of it, looking at her best friend.
"You okay?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah… I'm alright." Sakura did her best at a fake smile. Ino saw through it.
"Sakura, it's been a year. He's not coming back.. Time to move on." Ino tucked a piece of soft pink hair behind her best friends ear and sympathized with her teammate. She too, at one point, loved the black haired demon. Unlike Sakura though, she didn't try everything possible to get him back, only to have it all blow up in her face.
"I don't give a fuck about him anymore. He's gone." Sakura furrowed her eyebrows. A stubborn expression. Ino twisted the conversation.
"THAT'S the billboard brow I know and love." She furrowed her eyebrows but wore a mocking expression. Sakura rolled her eyes and took her black shorts off.
"Shut up, pig."
"Dibs on the shower!" Ten-ten chanted and threw her bra behind her as she dashed into the bathroom. The girls sprung up and pounded on the locked door.
"Open this fucking door Ten-ten! You fucking called dibs last time!"
They could here her cackling on the other side, starting the shower.
"Suck my dick betches!"
All the girls backed up off the door. Crossing their arms over their chests and exchanging glares. They all were thinking the same thing.
Their brunette friend WILL pay dearly for this. Oh yes she will…
"Eh Sasuke!" Suigetsu looked at the half asleep form of the Uchiha prodigy. Sasuke's eyes snapped opened with furry. NO ONE wakes Sasuke Uchiha up. This better be fucking life or death important. Or someone's LIFE will pay the price.
"What the fuck do you want?"
"Always so manner minded. Yup, that's Sasuke Uchiha!" Suigetsu mocked and snickered.
"Hn."
"Hey, It's been a year now hasn't it?"
Sasuke knew exactly what he was talking about. He remembers every detail of that war, though he refuses to ever discuss it.
"So it has."
"Where do you think Karin is now?" Suigetsu questioned.
"Why does it matter?"
"Well… it's just boring without her to fuck with. You're no fun." Suigetsu pouted and looked to the side.
"Hn. Go back to sleep idiot."
"Hn. Fine. Not one for friendly conversation as always. Goodnight Sasu-cakes." Suigetsu laid back down and chuckled to himself, feeling pretty fucking clever if he does say so himself.
Sasuke's eyes spun viciously. The shark baka is even worse than Naruto sometimes. But it's late, and if he fights him now he'll lose moonlight. Suigetsu is just fucking lucky Sasuke is SUCH a forgiving person.
Pfft. He rolled his eyes at himself for that thought. Uchiha's don't have to forgive.
Ever since the war he and his team have gone around and killed whoever, whenever they felt like it. They lived for their own pleasure and really had no purpose. Sasuke had forgotten about returning to that damned village he once called his home.
No, he didn't forget. He just refused to remember. How could he go back? After everything that's happened? There was no option left. He's doomed to a fate of floating around as a known and powerful missing nin and criminal. And that's just fucking peachy with him.
Tomorrow they would attack another village. Not for any sort of purpose, but for a reminder that he is still alive and more powerful than ever. NO ONE would DARE challenge the Uchiha.
He smirked, settling back into a light but pleasant slumber at the thought.
Sakura looked around at her squad. They were all fast asleep. Ino slept on the other side of the bed, her arms stretched above her head and fingers linked with her legs crossed. Hinata and Ten-ten slept on the floor in puffy sleeping bags. Ten-ten snored lightly while Hinata slept peacefully, like an angel.
Sakura stared at the wall, her back faced her friends as she prepared for another sleepless night.
Every time she did sleep, she would see either visions of the war, or 'him'.
She closed her eyes and sighed, opening them again. Sometimes, when she looked real hard at the wall, she would hallucinate visions of him. He would look back at her, deeply into her eyes. Then his mangekyo would activate as he spit out a spiteful smirk, throwing her feelings back in her face as he turned and walked away until his figure vanished into the yellow drywall.
It was the only way she saw his face anymore. She hasn't heard anything about him since the war. And honestly, who cares. He made it pretty damn clear what she fucking means to him when he tried to kill her. Still, she cant help but feel like a failure, thinking about how she promised that she and Naruto would someday bring him back together.
"tch. Like that could ever happen….. Sasuke…"
"Aa. Looks like the whole group is here. Excellent."
Sakura stood tall and strong in the center of her squad. Her hand on her hip as she awaited the briefings.
"Now child, I must tell you what has been happening with the criminal this village is shunned to call its own missing nin, Uchiha Sasuke."
At hearing the name, the blood in Sakura's veins froze. Her eyes slightly widened, but she forced the rest of her face to remain calm. Though she was freaking out inside.
"what about Sasuke?"
"It seems he has continued his path of destruction by terrorizing villages. There is no motive, there is no drive. We were ordered to clean up the trash that our village has been associated with. Bring Sasuke Uchiha back, dead or alive. Do you accept this mission?"
The girls turned to Sakura. Her back was to them, so they couldn't see the expression on her face. Ino became worried.
"Do I accept this mission? Should I? I haven't seen that evil bastard in a year, suddenly this is sprung upon me. Why me? Why couldn't Naruto do it?… NARUTO. He would never forgive me if I actually killed Sasuke.. And I cant just NOT accept the mission. The only option is to bring him back. Though a little pain and torture should be quite satisfying."
I looked up from the floor straight at Elder Chiyo. Meeting her gaze, I filled myself with determination. I could feel the others eyes on my back, awaiting an answer. I smirked, never taking my eyes off the Elder, or mind off the prize.
"I accept."
A/N:
New story! Hope you like it (: no song lyrics unless I put a poem or something above.