DISCLAIMER: I have absolutely no claims on Naruto, never have, never will…sigh
AUTHOR"S NOTE: Hi! This is my very first Naruto fan fiction. The characters may be OOC.
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The night grew cold as the moon cast a silver light on the village. As its people slumbered peacefully within their houses, a lone figure was walking out of that village and that part of his life forever.
I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Sasuke Uchiha was walking out of Konoha's gates but he saw somebody already there.
'Sakura?" he stopped momentarily surprised. Not looking at her, he continued to walk right past her. Go back to sleep," he said emotionlessly.
Sakura just lowered her head. "This is where people go to leave the village." Raising her head, her tears fell silently down her cheeks. "Is that what you're doing, Sasuke- kun? Are you leaving us?" she whispered softly.
Tsk. Annoying girl…she doesn't understand. Sasuke thought remaining silent.
Raising her voice, she said with a hint of anger, "What about Naruto, Kakashi- sensei… what about me?"
You think I want to leave? I have to Sakura. I have to kill my brother no matter what. Sasuke stopped walking and looked at the moon. "I can't follow the same path as you guys. I'm not like you and Naruto."
So if you're mad, get mad
Don't hold it all inside
Come on and talk to me now
Hey, what you got to hide?
I get angry too
Well I'm a lot like you
For a while there was only the sound of the crickets chirping, "Sasuke- kun? Do you remember a long time agowe talked on this bench? You told me I was annoying." Sakura chuckled sadly.
"Hn."
Sakura continued sadly, "Well… you taught me that day how painful loneliness was and I hated that feeling," she said quietly but she knew he could hear her clearly. "I know that I'm not alone. I have my friends and family...BUT without you here, I am as alone as you…"
"…" Don't make this harder on me than it already is, Sakura. Sasuke thought clenching his fist as a feeling of guilt washed over him.
"I LOVE YOU SASUKE!" Sakura cried out not able to hold it in anymore, "and I don't CARE where you're going," she sniffled, "just take me with you." He just couldn't leave her… he just couldn't.
When you're standing at the crossroads
And don't know which path to choose
Let me come along
cause even if you're wrong
I'll stand by you
"Hn." Sasuke finally turned around with a smirk on his face but his eyes softened as he looked at her. "You're still as annoying as ever," turning back around he continued to walk away, "go home."
Taking a step forward, Sakura cried out, "Stop, Sasuke! If you leave…if you leave... I'll..." she had to come up with something quick, "...I'll scream and I'll wake everybody up." Suddenly, Sakura saw Sasuke disappear and reappear behind her. Her breath hitched at the sudden closeness.
"Sakura…thank you." Sasuke said before knocking her out.
As Sasuke gently laid her down on the bench, he softly kissed her forehead. "Forgive me," he whispered.
I'll stand by you
Take me in, into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you
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2 years passed since she saw Sasuke again but who she saw wasn't Sasuke, at least not the Sasuke she once knew. The Sasuke she knew wouldn't have turned his back on her and Naruto. The Sasuke she thought she knew wouldn't have tried to kill Naruto, his former best friend. But this Sasuke did. As Sakura watched her first love leave again with Kabuto and Orochimaru, she couldn't help but think. You've changes so much, Sasuke-kun but then again… Sakura glanced at the injured Naruto… maybe I never really knew you.
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2 more years later…
Stopping his training, a pair of onyx eyes narrowed as he saw the white- haired medic come into view.
"What do you want?" he asked coldly.
Kabuto smirked, "Now, now, Sasuke- kun. No need to be so rude. I'm just here to inform you that Orochimaru- sama is requesting your presence."
Now 17- years old, Sasuke narrowed his eyes even more as he sheathed his sword. "What do I care? I don't come running when he calls. I'm not some lapdog." He started to walk away. "That's your role."
Leaning against a tree, Kabuto smirked wider and chuckled. "Oooh, that hurt, Sasuke- kun. But I must say that you'll be quite interested in this mission. It concerns Konoha." Keeping a close eye on Sasuke, Kabuto noticed the Uchiha prodigy tense when he mentioned his former home.
"Hn. I broke my bond with that village four years ago. I don't give a ---"
"Tsk. Tsk. Sasuke – kun. There's no need for such language." Kabuto raised an eyebrow, "I just thought you'd be interested to know the mission has something to do with your old teammate, Sakura – chan."
Sakura froze. Sakura? What the heck does Orochimaru want with her?
Chuckling, Kabuto said, "Judging by the surprised look on your normally emotionless face," earning him a glare from Sasuke, "you do remember her." Turning he gave one last look at Sasuke, "Orochimaru – sama is waiting." Making a quick hand sign, he disappeared in a poof of smoke.
BACK IN KONOHA…
17- year- old Sakura Haruno walked in the hospital as she visited her patients. It was pretty quiet today until…
"SAKURA – CHAN!"
That loud a voice can only belong to Naruto- kun. Sakura thought grinning. Turning around she saw her 17- year –old best friend running in the hallway with his arms open and a big smile on his face. She was about to tell him to stop running in the hospital when Naruto suddenly slipped and landed on his face.
"Ooww!" Naruto whined rubbing his face.
Sakura sweat- dropped but grinned as she helped him up, "Baka!"
"He he…" Naruto grinned sheepishly rubbing his blond head. "I guess I got too over excited. It's just that it's been over two months since I've last seen you."
Sakura smiled as she hugged Naruto, "I missed you too, Naruto." He was surprised at first but soon hugged back his best friend fiercely. Sakura had missed Naruto's warmth and smiles when he went on the ANBU mission 2 months ago. She still remembered the day when he was named an ANBU a month before she was named one. She was so proud of him. He really did grow up from the 13- year-old goof he once was. You're just a step closer to your dream of becoming Hokage, Naruto.
Smiling, Sakura stepped back from Naruto, "So, what's up? You just came here to say hi?"
Grinning, he just shook his head, "No, Hinata-chan planned a little get together. You know? Sort of a welcome back lunch. She was wondering if you waned to go. It's ramen." He looked at her expectantly waiting for her to say yes.
Glancing at the clock, she saw it was only 10:13 AM. Frowning she replied, "I'm not sure, Naruto. It might be busy at the hospital later."
Naruto nudged her giving her a sly look, "Neji will be there," referring to the Hyuuga prodigy and his ANBU captain.
Sakura blushed at Naruto's insinuation. She and Neji weren't officially going out but it was true that they were really close. Neji was the only guy that she had any sort of romantic feeling toward since… you know who.
"Um…okay. I guess I can make time." Sakura muttered still blushing not looking at the triumphant smile that she was sure was on Naruto's face. "I'll see you the, I guess." She said giving one last hug to Naruto before returning to her hospital duties.
"BYE! SAKURA – CHAN!" He turned around and started walking out of the hospital. He was going to meet up with Hinata- chan and Neji. Neji… it sure was a shock at first to learn that he and Sakura- chan had feelings for each other. Neji wasn't exactly the type to open up to people but trust Sakura- chan to get him to talk about his feelings. Naruto grinned. No wonder Neji always paired himself with Sakura- chan during their ANBU missions. His childhood crush on Sakura grew to become a lifelong friendship while he grew closer to the Hyuuga heiress. Thinking back to the time 2 years ago when they met Sasuke again and how depressed Sakura was, he frowned. I never want to see you like that again, Sakura- chan. You deserve to be happy.
Sakura looked at the clock again and noticed that it was a quarter to twelve. Guess I'll get going now. Sakura decided to stop by the stone memorial before heading to the Hyuuga mansion. She always went there ever since the incident. I miss you, she thought as she traced the name of her parents who were killed during a mission.
Suddenly, she sensed another chakra. It was so familiar. Her eyes widened as recognition set in. No, it couldn't be…
"Nice o see you again, Sakura," a deep voice but familiar voice said.
Turning around, she was face- to face with the man she had once loved.
"Sasuke?!"
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Well, that's it for now. That was probably on of the longest chapters I have written. Hope you guys liked it.
Toodles!