Disclaimer:Naruto characters are exclusive property of Kishimoto Masashi.
Chapter 2 – I'll always come back to you, I love you
"What do you suggest we do?" Kohei asked.
"You distract them, I attack" Ryu went ahead his partner. They knew exactly what it meant.
They were standing on the ground and Kohei knew which jutsu he'd use.
"Earth style: Ground in expansion jutsu" The ground below the unknown attackers started to shake up.
The unknown ones reacted fast and went to the trees to get into safety. But suddenly, the trees started moving as well.
They jumped away from the trees, but as they were on the air, somebody surprised them from behind.
"Fire style: Fire dragon jutsu" Ryu helped his partner. Everything seemed to be great for them.
Sakura's body felt heavy, as if she wasn't in control anymore.
"What will happen now?" Sakura thought.
She still couldn't believe she wasn't able to notice it. The ones who followed her partners were only baits, the real ones were now in front of her. The kunai they threw to her neck was just to move her over to the right spot so they would put a seal on her.
"We already have the information we needed, it was all in her mind. Now we only have to kill her" one of her attackers said.
"Yeah, yeah. I guess you're right. There's nothing she can do either way, she knows what'll happen if her chakra levels rise"
This got Sakura's attention. She thought for seconds. She made a decision.
She was going to use her chakra no matter the consequences. She'd even use her reserves if she needed to.
The attackers aimed for the last punch, but something happened.
Sakura's chakra level started rising up greatly.
They were shocked. Did she not hear them? If she'd keep up, she'd die for sure. After all, if anybody uses their chakra with this special seal, their body would turn into a detonator.
And the chakra level she was reaching was unbelievable.
Sakura started feeling the consequences of the seal. She felt dizzy and disorientated and a burning sensation was growing inside of her.
She knew what was happening.
She knew she'd die. But she was doing it for Ino's safety and the other jinchuriki as well.
She was going to die, but not without taking care of the ones who stole information from her. They'd die with her.
She knew what was coming, and could only hope Ino would forgive her.
"That was pretty easy, don't you think?" A wolf mask asked a tiger one.
"Yeah I know. Their chakra levels were much lower than expected. It even seem..."
They both stopped on their tracks and sharing the same thought they ran back to the last location of their taichou.
To think it was only a distraction to get her away from her team. They had all planed and knew her well enough to get her so easily.
An idea came up in her mind and then proposed something.
"If you tell me now who sent you, I'll consider sparing your life"
Loud laughter was heard. Sakura waited for an answer.
"Look, we're not going to lie. We're very impressed you were able to reach such chakra level despite the seal. But I assure you. It'll be impossible for you to do any jutsu"
The air turned dense to the point it was difficult to breath.
It was decided.
"I see. Then I'm sorry, but that was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Now... Why don't we test your theory?"
Curious gazes fell upon Sakura.
"Fire style: Great supernova of fire jutsu"
Shocked gazes were last seen and screams were heard at the moment all the place burst into fire only to leave ashes behind.
The twilight was almost over. Konoha been enlighten by the beautiful sundown. And a blonde blue - eyed girl was enjoying the view.
Ino was getting impatient because of her girlfriend's absence. But she was also remembering the most special memory she kept in this wide flower field at the highest hill in Konoha.
"Oh c'mon. It'll be worth it. I promise" a green emerald - eyed girl with a wide smile said.
"Is it really? Because we've been walking for over an hour now. Why couldn't we just run?" A blonde girl asked.
"I wanted you to enjoy all the way up. It's really beautiful. Don't you think?"
A curious look was all over the place.
"Yeah, I give you that. But won't it be the same at the top?" Ino asked with curiosity.
"Oh no. That's where you're wrong. Up the hill is a thousand times more beautiful than our surroundings. You'll see. Just you wait" Sakura said with an unique smile and excitement. Her hand holding Ino's firmly.
After ten more minutes, they only had to walk 200 meters to get there. Sakura stopped.
"Why did we stop?" The Yamanaka asked.
"Could you close your eyes? I'll tell you when to open them" was all Sakura replied.
"There's no trick, is there?" The Haruno laughed before that while shaking her head no.
Ino nodded. If there was anyone she could trust completely, that was Sakura.
Ino closed her eyes and then Sakura took the lead. None of them hesitated on their steps, they trusted each other enough.
After several minutes, Sakura stopped and so did Ino.
"All right. Open them now" Ino's eyes widened.
It was a flower field. Probably the most gorgeous Ino has ever seen in her life. She was so impressed she missed Sakura's wide smile towards her. She knew Ino had loved it here.
"I call this our special place" intriguing blue eyes turned towards emerald.
"I found it not that long ago. I was looking for a quiet place because I was having a tough day. So I got here" Ino still didn't get it.
"I know you love flower fields, and since here is a good example for those I wanted to bring you as soon as possible. Also, I thought it'd be nice, you know? To have a place of our own. Just the both of us" Sakura's cheeks turned crimson. Ino could only smile with a blush on her own cheeks. And she knew exactly why.
They had started dating just over a week ago. And they were both getting used to it.
"It's perfect. I love it. It'll be a great place" she said while reaching Sakura's hand. The pink - haired smiled.
Suddenly, they both got lost in each other's eyes and before they knew it, the gap between their faces started to disappear. And finally, it happened.
Their lips met one another in a warm and soft kiss for the very first time.
It was kinda clumsy and didn't last long, but it was filled with love.
And ever since, their relationship consolidated.
Ino grinned before the memory while looking around. And thinking about it, she didn't have idea how they agreed Sakura was the one wearing the pants. But the blonde didn't mind. She loved being spoiled by her gorgeous girlfriend.
The jinchuriki was still lost in thought when her father contacted her through her mind. Nobody knew about this place but Sakura and herself after all.
"Ino, Ino sweetie! You've been summoned to the hokage tower. Sakura's squad just came back"
Ino didn't waste more time after those words.
"Thanks dad" she almost yelled and afterwards ran towards the hokage tower.
"Ino wait, wa..." But that was it. She was so excited to finally have Sakura back that she didn't allow anything else into her mind.
Little did she know, those words would've prepared her for what she was about to hear.
Tsunade's jaw was tensed, her eyes widened and her body was shaking. Three anbu agents were supposed to be in front of her. There were only two.
"Tsunade - sama?" Ryu called for her, begging for an answer.
Nothing happened.
"We're ve-very sorry. There are no words to describe how ashamed we are because we didn't see it coming. We should've stayed with her" Kohei supported his teammate.
Still nothing.
"Hokage - sama" the godaime barely reacted. A tall man, blonde, green - eyed, and in jounin attire was beside her, with a hand over her shoulder so she'd say something, anything.
He knew something had happened when the hokage sent for him. But he would've never expected this.
Inoichi could only think about his family.
How would they take the news? He was having a hard time assimilating it himself. He was close to Sakura too, and couldn't help but think he had failed them.
Sakura's parents passed away when she was four years old, and their last petition to Inoichi and his wife was to take care of their little daughter for as long as possible.
It seemed he had ran out of time.
He took his gaze towards his wife, who insisted in coming as well when she heard it was about the child of their closest and best friends.
Haruno Misaki and Haruno Tenshi.
Her face remained calmed, just like his. Her eyes on the other hand, showed what he was feeling as well.
Deep sadness and failure.
"Akiyama, Hashimoto" the Senju said at last.
"Hai Tsunade - sama" they both replied.
"I'm proud of your hard work shown in battle, even though it didn't turned out as expected" her eyes saddened.
"Also I'm really grateful you've completed your mission... and I'm very sorry about your loss... Our loss" her voice slowly fading away.
Everybody in the room kept silent. Just for a second.
"But I will also tell you this..." The godaime spoke getting her voice back... "Sakura was a very honorable person, dedicated and kind. And the best kunoichi I ever had the honor to train. Even better than myself. So I tell you now, don't feel shame for what happened. My apprentice was very proud of you, so don't you dare disrespect her with such a thing" her firm voice and filled with pride.
The rest of the anbu were shocked after those words, but it was all it took so they would go back to their proud and brave selves.
"Thank you Tsunade - sama" they said in one voice.
The godaime nodded and was about to speak again when someone came in.
Getting her breath back after the run, a blonde girl with bright blue eyes and showing enthusiasm was standing right next to the door.
Ino's gaze looking for the one person she's missed so much the last days.
She didn't find her.
"Where is Sakura?" Her genuine confusion reached everybody there. They all remained quiet.
Ino didn't know what was going on, and she was getting impatient that nobody would say anything.
But then, she noticed something. Her parents were there as well.
She felt her heart shrinking. Her first thought, something happened.
"Tsunade - sama. What is it, where's Sakura? Is she hurt?" The Senju stiffen due to the girl's questions and avoided her gaze. She couldn't find a way to tell her. The anbu in the room had their eyes on the ground and shoulders down.
The green - eyed man watching his daughter carefully, feeling a guilty because he wasn't able to prepare her for such news. Maybe it was best he'd say it instead of the hokage.
He was about to speak when his wife's voice, Aiko, stopped him.
"Ino honey, before anything you need to calm down" the firmness in the voice of the woman with blue eyes and light brown hair surprised everyone, but they could tell about the sadness in it as well.
"I thi-think I'm good mom, there's nothing to worry about" the youngest of the Yamanaka replied, but her voice gave her away. Her heart was racing waiting for the worst, or so she thought.
"My child, we all know that a shinobi's life is always unsure and hard. We can't know what's going to happen. So we must be prepared for e-everything" her voice finally giving in. Ino started to panic.
"I know that mom, but I don't understand w-what this has anything to d-do with Sakura" the girl was finding it hard to speak now, she didn't want her suspicious to get confirmed.
The silence was there once again. No one was able to find the needed strength to talk.
The Yamanaka girl was more than scared now. Her orbs begging for somebody to talk.
"Ino, the mission has been a success, but Sa..." Aiko thought she was strong enough to say it, she was wrong. The following words got stuck in her throat refusing to go out.
When she noticed this, the godaime decided to take over. It was her duty after all. And she could only imagine how hard it was to tell your own children something like this.
"Ino, as already said, the mission was successful. Unfortunately, there were some complications while fighting unknown enemies" the blue - eyed girl's attention was now on the hokage. She could feel her own heart buzzing in her ears.
"Everything seemed great for the squad, but at the end it only turned out to be a trap to get Sakura away from her teammates" her voice was firm, but her eyes were sad. Ino noticed a she started talking.
"Noticing this, Akiyama and Hashimoto rushed back to her last location, when they suddenly felt her amount of chakra rising incredibly fast and right afterwards there was a huge explosion" the Senju knew she was taking too long. But she thought it was best to give Ino many details as possible.
"When they for there, everything was destroyed, consumed by flames. It seemed Sakura had performed a fire style jutsu, defeating her enemies but destroying everything as well, which means..."
"Does that mean she's hurt? If so, I'd like to see her immediately. After all, it's been days since..." While talking, the girl turned around to go to the hospital but the hokage made her stop.
"Ino" her voice was so hard she didn't know what to do. She was still next to the door, her back facing the others. She wouldn't dare turn around. She was shivering.
"Sakura is not hurt Ino, not this time" the godaime was ready to make it clear, but the blue - eyed wasn't ready to hear it.
"Tsunade - sama. What are you trying to say?" Her voice barely louder than a whisper, but it was enough for the Senju to hear. Breathing in and keeping calm, she spoke.
"Sakura died"
Ino felt her heart stop and her body stiffen. Her gaze on the ground now. She felt everyone's eyes on her, but she didn't turn around, she couldn't. She stopped breathing for a moment, her world was falling down slowly, those words echoing in her mind.
Sakura, her Sakura... Dead? That was impossible, she promised, she said she'd be back no matter what, and Sakura had never once lied to her, never failed her. She has to come back, must come back. This couldn't be happening. Sakura always finds a way out, her way back home, her place next to her.
"Ino?" After several minutes in silence, Inoichi got worried, so he called for his daughter. The girl's body trembling.
"Dad, whe-where's Sakura?" Inoichi got confused because of the question. And sighing deeply he replied with sadness.
"Sakura isn't here anymore. She..."
"M-Mom, and Sakura?" Ino interrupted her father not wanting to hear anymore. She wanted to know where Sakura was, she couldn't be dead. Anything but that.
"Mi little girl, I know it hurts a lot. But we'll always be..."
"G-Guys?" They were her last hope. She wished so hard they would say the opposite to that. It had to be a lie.
"Ehh, I-Ino - San. We're very sorry, but she..." Akiyama couldn't say it out loud. It still hurt bad. Hashimoto's fists were tighten so much his knuckles turned white.
Ino was still trembling, not saying a word now. Uncontrollable tears starting falling of her blue orbs.
"Sa-Sakura i-is... S-Sakura..." Her legs gave in and fell to the ground. Tears were now meeting the floor, her body leaned to the front while her arms were supporting her.
"S-She ca-can't... S-She m-must... Sakura..." Her voice was fading with each word. The other people around didn't know what to do or say. They were crying now too.
Ino felt her strength leaving her slowly, and gave in to the darkness at the end.
"...happened"
Ino barely listening.
"...shame. Devastating"
The blonde kept listening.
"...a great kunoichi"
And she suddenly remembered what happened right before passing out, when she she was given the worst news of her life until the moment.
She had lost the one she loves.
Slowly she got up and more voices appeared, only to fade away one by one.
Her head hurt and it was hard to open her eyes. The Yamanaka felt herself weaken again.
"You're finally awake honey. You were gone for over a day" she heard her mother say.
"There were many people here, they worried about you. But we thought you'd like it better to have a moment for yourself. With nobody around" her father said.
The young Yamanaka didn't say a thing, but would only nod so her parents knew she was listening.
The couple exchanged gazes filled with worry. They thought they were ready to help their daughter, but they barely saw her and didn't know what to do or say.
Meanwhile, Ino remembered the conversation she had with the hokage, the gazes filled with sadness, everyone taking in what had happened.
"Ino?" Aiko was getting frighten, she was more than worried for her only child.
Inoichi took his right hand to his daughter's left shoulder and sighed. It appeared helping their daughter would be a lot harder than he thought.
"Listen Ino, we know it's not easy and that it hurts terribly, but I'm afraid there's nothing we can do sweetie, except honor her memory with dignity, she deserves it" the serenity was there on Inoichi's voice, but sorrow as well.
"We have to move on, it's maybe the most important part. Because we know that's what she'd want us to do. Don't you think?" Green eyes set in the blonde who sat on the bed with her head to the ground.
Ino felt her parents' gazes and she trembled. She knew her father was right and they only wanted to help. They didn't show it as she did, but they also felt their world falling apart due to the loss of someone as important as Sakura.
A moment later, Ino found her voice.
"I-I'm sorry dad, I know i-it's hard for e-everyone. But I'm having a h-hard time assimilating it" her voice weak.
"We know honey, but we will be by your side always" Aiko said putting her left hand on the girl's right shoulder supporting her husband.
Ino felt safer and directed her blue orbs to her parents.
"Th-Thanks a lot. Re-Really" was all she could say with a tiny grin upon her lips.
Inoichi felt fine and turned to his wife. It was the moment they were waiting for.
"It was harder than I thought, but it's already done Yahiko - sama" a redhead with light brown eyes said.
"Very well Sasori. I know it's hard, but I'm certain it's the best for us. So I'm grateful for your effort" the leader replied with certainty, his back facing his companion.
"Of course Yahiko - sama. Whatever you need" Sasori didn't have anything else to say, as strange as that sounds. He too thought it was the best.
The man with orange hair only nodded concluding the conversation. And the redhead disappeared.
It's been a few days since the encounter between Akatsuki and squad ten, and the pieces were already taking place.
"Step by step" was the last thought from the leader before disappearing and leaving s curtain of smoke behind.
"...We're here reunited to honor and show our deep respect towards an excellent apprentice, friend and kunoichi who sadly lost her life in action..." The hokage was talking with pride.
"Haruno Sakura was someone who always gave preference to other's well - being, even before her own..." The Senju was inspiring everyone with her words. But certain kunoichi was lost in her last memories.
"Th-Thanks a lot. Re-Really" was all she could say with a tiny grin upon her lips.
Inoichi felt fine and turned to his wife. It was the moment they were waiting for.
"Dear, there's something else you should know" Aiko started talking getting her daughter's attention.
"What is it mom?" Ino asked with interest.
Light blue and green found one another, and with a complicity grin, Inoichi carried on.
"After Akiyama and Hashimoto searched the entire place, they managed to find a couple of things. And after talking to the hokage, it was decided you were the right one to keep them" the blonde was listening carefully.
"I-I see. What d-did they find?"
Inoichi nodded to his wife, who gave Ino a couple of white katanas and what it seemed to be a piece of an anbu mask.
The mask of an eagle.
Ino felt her eyes watering again while receiving such things.
"T-Thank you" was all she said before sobbing.
Right after, the girl felt completely safe in her parents' shared hug.
"...her legacy will continue to inspire future generations" the blonde hokage finished with crystal eyes.
Her gaze was now upon Sakura's closest friends.
Naruto and Sasuke both had their eyes on the ground, but she knew they heard every word because, wel... It was Sakura. She still remember their skeptical eyes when she gave the news to the team, none of them spoke. And what to say about the team leader. Kakashi was the same or worst than his students, since he felt guilty he wasn't able to protect her. Sakura was like a daughter to him, just like Naruto and Sasuke.
The others weren't any better, since the shinobi of this generation were so closed to one another, despite the teams.
After all, this kind of loss is never easy to endure.
"Well?" A hard emotionless voice asked.
"We were in position just like you requested. It seemed you're team had done great, but at the end the girl did something we could've never anticipated" another authority voice said back.
The first voice snorted with obvious annoyance. This wasn't what they planned at all.
"So you're telling me we have nothing" more than a question it was a statement.
"I'm afraid so"
"DAMN IT! After all we did to study her properly and come up with a plan to put the seal on her" a man with bandages on his body and his eye snorted furious.
Meanwhile, a calmed leader would just observe.
"This is not right. You were supposed to be there in case anything went wrong or if my idiotic and pathetic squad couldn't handle it. And now you come and tell me we have absolutely NOTHING? Don't fuck with me!" Shimura Danzo couldn't believe his ears.
"After the explosion we tried to interfere, but the damage was too much. There was nothing left" Yahiko continued talking with patience and serenity.
The deal Shimura Danzo had done for this one time with Akatsuki was simple.
Get the required information and make sure Haruno Sakura dies.
At least the last part was done, but not having the information would only get things complicated. And the worst, the one person holding such was now dead.
At least one of them. Now he'd have to find a way to get the information out of her.
They needed more time.
"Mhm, whatever. We'll have to come up with something else. I'll contact you as soon as possible" was the last thing the bandaged man said. Yahiko only nodded and left. He didn't have anything else to do there.
It's been hours since the emotional speech the hokage and mother figure of the love of her life gave, and certain blonde was back at her most special hill in Konoha.
Their hill.
Ino was still processing things.
She'd never listen to the sweet voice that would make her get up every morning, would never see such gorgeous and perfect face while smirking and saying everything you'll be alright, would never feel safe in the warm arms that would encircle her slender waist every chance they'd get, would never kiss those so soft lips.
But over all, she'd never hear her say what got her heart racing.
"I love you"
With a smirk that didn't reach her gaze, Ino was remembering the last time she shared with the one who was supposed to be by her side the rest of her life.
Taking her hand to Ino's chin, Sakura leaned slowly and kissed her. At the beginning it was a small touch, but they continued and deepened it to the point of gasps due to the the air lack. Sakura's arms now in Ino's waist.
Recovering the breath, gazes settled in one another and faces to mere centimeters from each other. Sakura told her what she always says before going in a mission and what makes Ino's heartbeat speed up.
"I'll always come back to you, I love you"Sakura's voice barely louder than a whisper.
They both smiled and just with a gaze their feelings were told, as they always were.
After a moment, one last gaze and cherry blossoms in the air, Ino left her arms fall on her lap.
"I love you more" Ino smiled, her mind still in the in person who occupied her heart.
The blonde occupied herself admiring the wide dark blue sky filled with stars as tears fall down her face.
Those were the last tears she'd ever cry out due to her lover's loss. Because she knew Sakura would've wanted her to move on with her life and to be happy, as hard as that could be.
"I guess this is it, ne. I'm grateful for the time you were with me and how much you loved me" the last tears were falling.
"Now I guess, I'll keep getting stronger to become the greatest kunoichi I can ever be" a genuine smile appearing on her lips at last.
"Until then my love. Ja ne" was the last thing said closing her eyes. Her smile widened as a something echoed in her mind.
"I'll always come back to you, I love you"
