A/N:
Hey again! Welcome to chapter two of It's Only True. Lulz I
think this is the most I have ever managed to write for a story, and
it will definitely be the first that I have completed at this length.
I've already written 6,948 words(including this) now that for me is
a new record; and we're only 2 chapters in. Hurrah! –happy
dances-
I'm gonna be strange and dedicate this to my friend who
will never read this to know I did, regardless this is for you. I
could never explain how much you influence everything I do.
Kay,
read on! –strikes a pose similar to Lee and shouts something or
rather about the vigour of youth! - :'D
It's Only True.
By todo-mahem.
.:Chapter Two: Piece by Piece:.
1 Month.
"Oh fuck this." Sasuke muttered under his breath.
'Emotionless bastard I can admit to being, but I will NOT be reduced to alcoholic because my love ran away...'
'Got driven away...'
"By me...Fuck!" Throwing his drink against the nearest wall Sasuke stormed from the bar. Every night for a month Sasuke had sat at the counter, downing an almost deadly amount of alcohol before going to the blonds' vacant apartment where he would lie on the empty bed and think.
Kicking off his shoes at the door he stumbled into the dark room of the unlocked home. No one went there, not any more. Sakura used to come around to try and comfort Sasuke, but after three weeks of continuous glares and dodging kunai she gave up. She even stopped checking in on him at home. With Naruto gone, there was nothing between them.
Groaning allowed Sasuke slumped against the lounge room wall, falling to the floor; his back against the cold wall. Running his hands through his hair Sasuke pressed his face against his knees and prepared for the torture. It hadn't yet failed to come and he doubted tonight would be any different. For a whole month there had been no word from Naruto a fact which left Sasuke in turmoil. Not even a harsh letter, a death threat. No annoying long speals about how Naruto would beat Sasuke and become Hokage. Nothing.
At this point Sasuke would have given anything to fight with the blonde... to just see him; hear him. It wasn't enough to know he was safe; Kakashi kept both Sakura and Sasuke informed of that fact without revealing his source. No matter how hard Sasuke tried, who he threatened he still didn't know where Naruto was.
Even if he did know... what would he do?
'Ah...' Sasuke sighed with a level of relief. 'Here it comes.'
Wrapping his arms around his knees Sasuke seeked refuge in the only place he had, where Naruto remained. In his mind, his memories. Night after night almost as if it hit repeat the same stupid memories crept up on Sasuke. The ones where Naruto would smile and rabble on about something or rather; where Sasuke would smirk and dismiss him completely. No. Not completely, not inside. Inside, he heard everything. Noticed everything. The blonds increasing strength and determination; when he had stopped chasing Sakura and began chasing Sasuke. How that had felt inside... had just confused him then. Believe it, believe it, believe it. How pointless his words had seemed... but Sasuke couldn't help it now, believing those words that were now lost to the past.
In his one remaining refuge Sasuke surged forward into his pain. When Naruto and Sasuke had first had ramen at Ichiruka's alone. Sakura had excused herself, claiming to feel sick. For the first time Naruto hadn't paid any more attention to the kunoichi than he would a normal friend. When Sakura had left and he had turned to Sasuke and smiled that brilliant smile, Sasuke had to kick himself inside. It was as if all his walls fell from around him and a bright shining light was now shining into the darkness, focused on him.
It had started so simply that Sasuke hadn't even noticed. The time he spent with Naruto, how long ago did he begin to cherish it like this? As if it was precious; his own. Though he didn't show it on the outside, seeing Naruto was his relief in life. When Naruto wasn't there Sasuke seemed to seep back into his old habits until Naruto popped back into his world. The sun back, banished the darkness. Surly Sasuke vanished completely from inside even if the expression remained on the surface. He was happy... He just didn't want to admit it.
What would it have changed anyway? If I had have said... that to Naruto. Responded with whatever it is that I feel. Whatever it is.
'It couldn't be... because I'd know if it was... that.'
Right?
Leaning his head back against the wall Sasuke sunk even further into despair. He hadn't believed Naruto when it mattered and now look at him? Sitting here in this state.
"I'm pathetic, pining away." Sasuke mumbled. It wasn't what an Uchiha would do. An Uchiha would get up and fight.
... An Uchiha wouldn't have let it get this bad.
"ARGH!" Jumping to his feet Sasuke stormed from the vacant apartment. The sun no longer shined in there so why should Sasuke be there? He had his own dark place to wallow in. Sasuke almost made it to the corner before he stopped where he stood.
Slowly turning in his place Sasuke made his way back to the darkness. It was where he belonged after all. At least until the light came back and helped him up again.
---
3 Months.
He was worse than Tsunade when she had won a bet. Worse than Iruka when he caught his students sneaking out; worse than ten thousand highly trained jounin attacking the village. All of those would have been preferable to Sasuke as he drowned in angst.
It was as if the world had ripped him off and sold him short, leaving him in debt so far that he completely gave up. Only the logical thing which so many were sure would happen; didn't. The way they thought Uchiha Sasuke would go down; well they assumed it would be with his naturally stoic expression followed by his vowing to seek revenge upon the one who put him in this position. In that case the world would be lucky that he didn't do that. What giant rock could withstand full on depression accompanied with a Sharingan?
His missions were carried out with such a level of ruthlessness that even Tsunade had balked at him when he came back covered in blood two hours after he had been sent to dispatch twenty ninja's. The twenty minutes had included travel... it was a new record.
The anger in his eyes was enough to make even the boldest children of Konoha run ten thousand miles and their parents, who were made of tougher stuff, run one thousand. His aura was so terrifying it had convinced more than one elder that death was on its way when Sasuke passed.
The state of mind that Sasuke was in almost compelled Tsunade to contact Naruto... almost.
She had in fact just received a letter from the brat and he in short had told her of his progress. He would be back in nine months willingly or not but with that date set, she couldn't help but wonder if he would be too late.
---
5 Months.
Sakura yawned and stretched her arms above her head. Training was beyond boring these days. She could count on one hand the times that she had been beaten. Against Sasuke, that was unbelievable.
At least it would have been if he had been trying. In truth Sakura had admitted a long time ago that fighting Sasuke was like fighting a dummy. Not even pain reflected in his emotionless eyes. Besides, it wasn't as if he did this willingly. Tsunade had demanded that he continue his training even if she had taken him off missions. Four months after Naruto had left Sasuke had changed once more.
The anger had subsided into something far worse. Sasuke lacked even the capacity to throw a kunai straight let alone comprehend a coherent thought. Tsunade had called it the final stage, where Sasuke would either break it or make it. She had estimated that it should take him about one month to come to his conclusion.
If he didn't choose to beat his melancholy, well then steps would have to be taken... none of which were particularly pleasant. It had given Sakura chills just listening to her master explaining them. Lazily she threw a kunai with pin point accuracy at Sasuke head before throwing another to intercept her own. She had learned a while ago that Sasuke wasn't going to block her attacks; the scars were her proof.
He stood as he had every other training session, in the centre of the training ground. He stood facing Sakura, not even bothering to make eye contact. He was staring at the ground, arms hanging listlessly by his sides. Briefly Sakura wondered where he was before dismissing the thought. It wasn't impossible to read his mind anymore. It was written on his face. He was thinking of the past as he had every day for about five months.
And it was almost time for it to end.
Picking up her bag from the ground at her feet, Sakura walked from the training grounds, away from Sasuke. Next time they met it would be time.
---
6 Months.
'So this is it eh?' Sasuke had his back pressed against the tree, his body broken and bleeding from the various wounds that had been inflicted by the kunoichi. Reaching up to his right shoulder Sasuke plucked a bloodied kunai from his flesh and examined the tip. Through the blood the cold dark metal reflected the light of the sun as it shone through the clouds.
The light flashing across his face, Sasuke started. His body began to shake as if he had just awoken from a very long sleep. He felt weak. He felt tired... but more than that, Sasuke felt something new awaken inside of him. The determination that had slept inside of him for months slowly surfaced prepared to face the truth.
Pulling another two weapons from his body Sasuke pushed himself away from the tree, stumbling forward to take a defensive position. He briefly registered the flash of uncertainty on Sakura's face as she tried to perceive his emotions. He was ready to face it all, face the truth and face the past.
Ever so slowly Sasuke began to tear down the wall he had built inside. It amazed him how easily it crumbled, how unstable it had been. How had he not even have been able to see past it?
Little by little the light seeped through, shedding its warmth onto Sasuke. It was only a little compared to what Naruto would spread, but for now it was enough.
"Sakura..."
Startled the woman looked into his eyes. Over the years that is what she had become; she was no longer the girl that Sasuke despised. She had proven him wrong.
"Thank you." His words were small, his voice slightly cracking from the strain of holding back his emotions. It wasn't time yet.
From the side of the clearing Sasuke heard a low sigh, which he pushed aside to concentrate on Sakura. As if he had never stopped, Sasuke resumed where he had left off. He may have stopped training with determination; he hadn't let his body waste away. As fast as ever Sasuke preformed the hand signs and let out an inferno of fire at Sakura. She dodged the fire but did not manage to avoid the kunai which sunk into her flesh in three different spots. Falling to her knees Sakura stared dumbly at Sasuke before smiling. She looked so tired that Sasuke had to question how long she had been trying.
As if proof she silently fell backwards into sleep.
Sasuke walked to Sakura's side and slid to the ground beside her. Her wounds were not serious; in fact she had already healed them internally, allowing the bloody kunai to slide from her body with ease. This was it Sasuke thought as he sat beside the unconscious girl. He was ready.
"I'm ready now Naruto." Sasuke whispered to the silent clearing. Briefly he glanced to the side of the training ground from which he had heard the noise, but whoever was there was now gone. Grabbing hold of Sakura's hand, Sasuke looked towards the sky and watched and waited for the clouds to part once more and let the sun shine.
Cracking a weak smile Sasuke stroked Sakura's hands.
"...I'm ready to believe in it now Naruto." He whispered to the sun as it broke through the darkness.
---
Sakura just stared dumbly at Sasuke as he spoke his words. He had changed so months in the six months since Naruto had left. His depression had hid most of his changes though and when he had looked back into Sakura's eyes she could hardly believe what she saw. When did he become... so handsome?
Sasuke's face had grown slimmer, and his hair which draped shaggily across his face was a deeper black if possible. His eyes, which had once held nothing but a superiority complex now showed some emotion, not all, but who expected that?
He had grown taller and leaner and if possible even more irresistible. Though it wasn't desire that Sakura felt as she stared into his dark eyes. It was happiness and relief. Sasuke was back, he'd be ok.
Sakura hardly tried to dodge the blaze that erupted from Sasuke before he threw the kunai. She had been fighting with Sasuke for two days now, never once stopping for rest. Ever so slowly he had started to respond to the violent attack and when he first dodged her punch she had almost cried with joy at the flicker of anger in his eyes.
Now all that was left to do... was to get Naruto back. Sakura for one did not want Sasuke to return to how he had been. She had decided long ago that it would be her mission to convince Sasuke to chase Naruto. Two years ago to be precise when she had faked illness to leave to two alone. Glancing back over her shoulder to smile reassuringly once more at the blonde, Sakura had noticed the look on Sasuke's face even if he hadn't realised it was there.
She had watched as slowly Sasuke had changed and revelled in Naruto's warmth. The blond had to have carried around the sun for it to have alighted Sasuke, but he had somehow managed it. He had finally caught up to Sasuke. When he had brought Sasuke back to Konoha that was only the half way mark. Now, after he'd chased Sasuke as far as his heart could bear, he had finally given up. It was the saddest day in Sakura's memory as she remembered the look on Naruto's face as he stood out front of the Hokage's office. He had never looked so broken... Sakura was glad that she hadn't seen him after Sasuke and his confrontation. She could only imagine his expression. It could have convinced the world to stop turning.
Feeling warmth on her face Sakura wondered when she had gone to sleep. She couldn't have been out for long. She could feel hands embracing her own and slowly she registered the words that seeped from Sasuke's lips.
Slowly she let one eye open a fraction as she glanced at the sky. It looked like the clouds were finally leaving.
Letting her eye droop shut again Sakura began to sink once more into unconsciousness. It had been so long since she had slept.
'...This is so utterly corny... so hopeless... Sasuke... Naruto...'
Her last thoughts mixed with the swirling mist that had been creeping into her dreams. Slowly the sun parted the mist, walking hand in hand with Sasuke.
---
Tsunade walked slowly back to the village humming to herself. She didn't break stride as Jiraiya appeared at her side. Briefly she explained the Sakura's progress with the Sanin and allowed a small smile to break out on her lips as she concluded.
"So now, all that's left is for Naruto to come back." She said.
The white haired man laughed at Tsunade's expression linking his arm in her own.
"That... has been taken care of." Jiraiya said before laughing again.
Ripping her arm from his, Tsunade halted in her steps and glared at the man.
"What did you do?"
"Nothing." The frog man smirked.
"I'm warning you Jiraiya. I will not hesitate to kill you if you interfere with Naruto."
Reaching out Jiraiya petted Tsunade on the head. "No need to worry Tsunade, I have everything under control."
Before Tsunade could even react Jiraiya was already running full speed from the Hokage. She didn't need excuses to try to kill the man. Physical contact was enough.
Not wanting to let the man down, sure that was why, Tsunade cracked her knuckles.
---
Naruto sat with his back against the wall of sand. The sun warm against his skin Naruto glanced briefly at the storm clouds in the west. Gaara had said that it would never reach the hidden village. Trying not to doubt his friend, yet not wholly believing him Naruto couldn't help but feel nervous at the sight. The huge clouds were rolling closer by the second and with them came an unease that had Naruto sweating.
'Six months...' Naruto thought to himself.
It had only been half of his time and yet Naruto couldn't help but feel like this was it. He wasn't making any progress despite his latest letter to Tsunade. What more could he do? Naruto was beginning to wonder... if he was cut out for running away.
Sparing one last glance towards the west Naruto stood up and went inside. Naruto needed advice.
In the west thunder broke the calm of the desert.
A/N: ... and it's done. It is now 3:50am and as I have been for the past two weeks... I am still awake at such hours. Perhaps it's not the best idea to be writing this now. As you can tell it's so unbelievable angsty and corny that I can't help but want to start again. But I won't. Que Sera Sera, and well as far as I can tell its how this damn chapter is meant to be.
I promise the next one will be better... ok well I will try. :\
It's surprising how this came out actually. It wasn't planned at all. I already have the next chapters plan done, in my head it's already written. Not this chapter though. Oh no, it had to play hard to get. The freaking flirty idea's left me hanging and this is the result. Surprisingly though; it wrote itself.
Please review, I'd love some feedback. This time around, reviews will receive my eternal love and devotion + my best friend as your slave for a week. (Don't tell her I said that D: )
Lulz Cheers ~
It's Only You – by todo-mahem .:Chapter Two: Piece by 10
