Author's note – Here's chapter 3 for you guys! I'm really thankful for all of you who have rated the story, it always fills me with joy when I know that people enjoy my work! This chapter is going to be focused on Sakura's struggle with the Shimingakure laws and her attempt to avoid her dark fate. But it turns out that Sasuke also has reasons to be worried…
Without any further additions, go ahead and read the chapter!
Sakura's P.O.V
"Sakura Haruno is leaving Konoha in a maximum timespan of 3 weeks"
My heart froze upon hearing this. Was I actually hearing that? Was that the path that my life was going to take? Was I really going to spend the rest of my days working as a slave for the Kage of a foreign village? Having to leave my friends behind forever?
"Could my life possibly get anyone worse!?" – I let myself scream, unable to hold in my emotions. My parents stared at me, evil smirks on their lips.
"Your life is not bad, sweetie" – my mother said, as if outraged.
"No, it is bad!" – I argued, clinching my fists in frustration – "Wherever I go, it seems that trouble always makes its way to me! And you don't help at all! All you do is mistreat me, and act like I am the most shameful piece of scum! Now tell me, is my life half as great as you pretend it to be!?"
"Oh honey, don't say such things to me and your mother!" – my father stepped in, with just as much fakeness – "Everything will be alright! There's no need for you to stress up!"
"I am sick of this!" – I snapped, running out of that hellish room that I had been trapped in. My life was upside down and torn apart, and I didn't know where to head to anymore.
Sasuke's P.O.V
What the hell was happening!? Was Tsunade actually going to agree with the proposal of those two lifeless fools!? I couldn't even believe it, and so did Sakura, judging by the way she stormed out of the room. At that point, thoughts of violence-driven revenge rushed through my mind, but I had to swallow them down. I wasn't about to go full strike on Sakura's parents. They hadn't done anything wrong to me. Only to Sakura. And that was when I started wondering why the hell was I even standing there: in a place where I wasn't needed, in a case where I wasn't even involved. Why did I even guide Sakura to report on her situation? That had nothing to do with me. All I need in my life is training, so that I can spill the blood of the man that slaughtered my clan. Nothing else. But somewhere in my subconscious, I felt like I had to be there, even if it was none of my business. It wasn't like I was worried about Sakura or anything…
Wait, what did I just think!?
My breath got caught up in my throat, unable to leave it. Only then did I realize it. I was worried about Sakura, and that was the reason why I was there in the first place… It all seemed very strange and unusual. I usually don't much care for the sake of anyone else other than my own. That was of great rarity. But with that, did it mean that I…?
All these thoughts rushed through my mind at the speed of light, but they were suddenly cut down by something aching in my chest.
It was my pride. It had been wounded.
And before I knew it, I was screaming out useless squeaks that I had never imagined I would ever let out over anyone else other than me.
"What the hell have you done!?" – I screamed with all my anger, my eyes burning with hatred gazing into Sakura's parents'. They very noticeably shivered in fear, unable to let out a single syllable. That was just what I wanted. To seem them cringe, kneel before me, make them feel inferior like the filthy rats that they were, for once.
"Sasuke, calm down" – Tsunade tried, much to no avail. I was angry. Very angry. Too angry to even as much as hear straight. They wouldn't get away with what they had done if they even tried.
"No" – I replied, my eyes never leaving Sakura's parents' shivering figures – "I won't forgive them. They won't get away with this" – I continued. I felt the Cursed Seal, which Kakashi had apparently tried to suppress, take over my conscience as it slowly faded away.
Tsunade's P.O.V
"Sasuke! No! Calm down!" – I screamed anxiously, in hopes my despaired shouts would reach him. Needless to say, they didn't. The Cursed Seal had broken loose, and now there was nothing else I could do but to stop it somehow. Which I didn't know.
"I'm going to kill you" – he said in such a murderous voice that it caused me to tremble slightly. But I couldn't just stand there and listen to his bloody threats. I had to do something about it, and save the civilians of my village from being torn apart by the reckless, fury-driven Uchiha survivor.
"Stop it right there, SASUKE!"
But it was too late. Before I even had time to understand what was happening, Sasuke was already beating the living crap out of the two abusive adults, which I had to admit was fair, but I couldn't allow it to happen. Without a second thought, I stood up from my chair and rushed in to try to knock him off. It was the only way he could get back to his normal state of mind. But he was faster, and when I tried to grab him by the arm, he threw me away to the wall with all his strength, his possessed eyes sparkling flames of hatred and mercilessness. For a split second, I felt like I was going to pass out due to the knock that my head had taken. Luckily, I resisted and recomposed, returning to my fighting stance. As soon as I was heading out for Sasuke to knock him out, someone slammed the door open.
"SASUKE-KUN!"
Sakura's P.O.V
I could hardly think straight. My whole body was frozen. But suddenly, I was snapped out of my own thoughts upon hearing:
"I'm going to kill you" – it was Sasuke's voice. Colder than I had ever heard him talk. I panicked inside, because I knew he actually meant it. Upon realizing this, I ran through the hall, struggling to get to the Hokage office in time before something bad happened.
When I was finally a few centimeters away from the door, I heard what appeared to be a hit on a wall and a groan of pain with Tsunade-sama's voice. With this, I slammed the door open, fearing for what I was going to witness when I opened the door.
"SASUKE-KUN!"
And then I saw what he had done. I couldn't even believe it. Sasuke had lost total control of his conscience because of me? The entire room was upside down, broken objects scattered through the floor. Sasuke was completely out of control, his body covered by dark marks. I then saw that he was consumed by the Cursed Seal.
"Oh no! The Cursed Seal!" – I screamed in worry. But Sasuke wasn't even listening to me. He was consumed by wrath, and I was struggling to get an idea to return him to his normal state… until suddenly, when I didn't know anything else to do, I relied on my instincts and suddenly…
I was embracing Sasuke tightly.
"Sasuke-kun… please stop…"
With this, Sasuke stopped trembling, and seemed to calm down. The Cursed Mark left his body, and before I noticed it, he was back to his normal state.
"Sa…ku…ra…" – he whispered weakly, falling to the ground, unconscious, making me lose my breath.
"Sasuke-kun!" – I screamed in despair, lowering myself towards him, my hands supporting his head.
"He's okay now, Sakura" – I heard Tsunade say. She seemed to have recovered from her collision – "It is natural that he passes out after using the power of the Cursed Seal with such intensity. Your parents are only slightly damaged, and they will be fine within a few hours in the hospital – only then did I notice that my parents were okay. I was too worried about Sasuke to even care about them – "I'll send them to the hospital, you go and rest for a while" – I nodded my head in agreement.
"And don't tell anyone about what just happened here. If anyone asks you, pretend you weren't aware of anything" – she said, suddenly.
"I'll do that… but why?" – I asked, confused.
"Rumors spread quite fast, Sakura" – she stated, with a severe expression – "If this reaches the earshot of any Shimin citizen other than you or your parents, they could easily report on Sasuke to their leader and get him - and Konoha - into a lot of trouble" – my eyes widened in shock. I was actually feeling ashamed of being a descendent of Shimingakure…
"You have my word, Tsunade-sama" – I vowed politely – "I'll pass by the hospital later today to check on Sasuke-kun and my parents".
"Fine… and… about The Document…" – Tsunade hesitantly started – "I'm sorry you had to go through all of this, Sakura. I've already assured your parents that you're leaving Konoha, but I'll still try to do something about it one last time… As long as this event remains between us, there is still a chance that you won't need to leave the village" – my eyes shone brightly with hope upon hearing this – "But don't get too excited just yet, we don't know what's ahead of us".
"Arigato, Tsunade-sama!" – I thanked her, on my knees out of respect.
"You welcome. Now go and get your so deserved rest, farewell".
"Hai".
With this, I left the room, on to my house, trying to forget the horrible incident that had taken place only minutes before.
Scene Skip – Naruto walking around Konoha at the end of the afternoon (Naruto's P.O.V)
I couldn't help but think that Sakura-chan had been acting very strange in the morning. It was everything but normal. She was usually always cheerful and happy, but that morning she seemed so sad and… defeated. I was very worried and confused. I had to find out what was going on with her, and quick!
Suddenly, I stumbled against someone while I was walking.
"Agh! Watch it, -ttebayo!"
"Oh! Gomen!" – it was a female voice… a very familiar voice. I opened my eyes only to reveal none other than Sakura-chan, who still seemed distant and saddened, just the way she was in the morning.
"Oh, it's you Sakura-chan! I was thinking about you just now, ya know!" – I said, grinning.
"Is that so?" – she asked while pulling me up, looking somewhat worried. What for? – "Why?"
"You've been acting strange ever since morning, and I couldn't get that thought out of my head all day – I admitted, massaging the back of my head.
"Oh, Naruto…" – she said, somewhat upset by my comment – "It was just a tiring day. There is nothing wrong with me, really. So don't worry about me, okay?"
"Huh… but you seem so upset… how am I supposed to believe you?" – she sighed in frustration at this, much to my confusion.
"Well, I may sometimes appear to be upset when I get tired. That's all there is to it" – she didn't fool me, but I decided not to pressure her any longer. I knew there was something bothering her, but whatever it was, I was going to have to find it out by myself later.
"If you say so…" – I gave in. In her face, I could clearly see a look of relief – "Hey, where were you heading to?" – the relieved expression was rapidly replaced by a look of hesitancy.
"Erm, nowhere in particular. Just a walk to breath some fresh air" – she was clearly lying.
"Well, I was going to Ichiraku just now, if you haven't had dinner yet, why don't you come and eat with me?" – I asked, in hopes she would accept.
"I haven't eaten yet, but… I didn't bring my wallet" – she said, quite unhappy.
"No problem, -ttebayo! It's all on me" – I said, giving her a 'nice guy' thumbs-up.
"But… is it fine with you?"
"Yeah, of course it is!" – I reassured her, with a grin, trying to cheer her up" – Come on, let's just go and get ourselves a bowl of ramen, dattebayo!"
This seemed to cheer her up slightly. "Hai, arigato Naruto"
"Heh! It's all good, Sakura-chan!" – I said.
Scene Skip – Naruto and Sakura eating ramen in Ichiraku (Naruto's P.O.V)
"Itadakimasu!" – I screamed, before starting to devour my pork ramen.
"Itadakimasu" – Sakura-chan said as well. She took small, long bites of her miso ramen. Girls are always so weird with their food! Why don't they just eat it all up at once? Much easier.
None of us said a word during the meal. Me because I was too busy swallowing my ramen, and Sakura because… well, who knows… When we were both finished with our bowls, I tried to break the ice and ask her the first thing that came to my head, which wasn't that good of an idea…
"Ne, have you seen Sasuke today again?" – I saw her blush, and I immediately guessed the answer.
"Hai..."
"Really? What was he up to?"
"Just training" – she said, with a small smile that was clearly faked – "You know how he is".
"Yeah" – I also faked to agree, not convinced at all.
Then, I decided to do something risky.
"Sakura-chan… ya know, I've already got it that you don't want me to know whatever is bothering you, but… if you still don't want to say what it is, at least tell me what I can do to help you out" – her eyes widened slightly, but she quickly recomposed.
"Well… so you really want to know that much?"
"Yeah!" – I said almost instantly. That was my biggest chance to know what was wrong with Sakura-chan!
"Please be aware of this, Naruto: by telling you this, it means that I trust you deeply, and I expect you not to reveal this secret to anyone… So please promise me, from the bottom of your soul, that you will keep this between us" – she said, looking very serious. It was kind of worrying me, but I figured it must have been of great importance for Sakura to care about its privacy so much.
"Hai, I give you my word".
"Well, let's just get out of here then" – she said, standing up from her seat. Only then did I remember that I had yet to pay for our meals. I checked my pockets for my trusty wallet - Gama-chan – and prayed that I had enough money to pay for the two bowls. Bad for me, I was missing 1 stupid ryo.
"Geez, you've got to be kidding me -ttebayo! I should seriously start checking how many coins I bring inside Gama-chan…" – but the problem was another. How was I going to pay?
"So, Naruto and Sakura-san! How were the meals?" – Teuchi-jichan stepped in, scaring the living crap out of me.
"They were great as always, Teuchi-san" – Sakura replied way too politely for my own liking.
"Erm… g-good!" – I replied, nervously.
"Oh, why thank you! Huh, is something the matter, Naruto?" – damn it. Teuchi-jichan noticed…
"Weeeeell… I'm afraid I haven't brought enough money to pay for the two of us…" – I admitted. I felt my cheeks get hot… was that what Hinata always felt in her daily life?
"Oh! That is no problem! We all forget money once or twice, don't we? I'm giving you a small discount this time. It's all on the house, so keep those coins stored inside your wallet, will ya?" – God, I love Teuchi-jichan. In a completely innocent way, of course, hentais… (Dreamer's brief note: Now Naruto, stop breaking the fourth wall, okay?)
"Arigato Teuchi-jichan! I owe you something for this one!" – I screamed out loud, high-fiving him.
"Ah! No need! Well, thanks for stopping by, have a good evening!"
"Bye!"
When we were out of earshot, Sakura immediately began to talk, much to my surprise.
"Okay, let's walk a bit more. Absolutely no one can hear this apart from you".
"Hai, where are we headed to?"
"We can choose the most discreet path to the hospital. The one that goes through the forest".
"To the hospital?" – I asked, confused – "Why that?"
"I'll explain it to you on the way…" – she said, with an unreadable expression. Girls really are hard to understand…
Scene Skip – Naruto and Sakura walking in the middle of the forest, their destination is the Hospital of Konoha (Sakura's P.O.V)
And then, I told Naruto everything. From my parents mistreating me, to The Document, to Sasuke's Cursed Seal rampage. He actually seemed to be quite understanding, which was something that surprised me a bit from someone as childish as Naruto.
"Wow… you sure have been through a lot, -ttebayo…" – he commented, still stunned.
"Yeah… I'm sorry for not telling you any of this sooner… it's just… it's all so hard to me… I mean, they're my parents. The people that brought me to life… and I know how much you wanted to have your parents back… that was the main reason I didn't want to tell you anything—" – I was interrupted by Naruto grabbing my wrist, a sober look on his face.
"You didn't have to think that. I… I do wish I knew my parents, but… you're more than right to not like your parents when they treat you like that. And I'm sure Sasuke would think the same" – I gasped.
"What? Why?"
"Ya know, he is the biggest teme I've ever met in my life, but… he knows the true meaning of pain. He has been through a lot of stuff, too. Sure, he only thinks about training and getting stronger but… I know that he cares for his friends, deep inside".
"Is that so…?"
"Of course, dattebayo! Why else would he wreck an entire office because someone did someone he cared for wrong?" – it was strange… he was right… Sasuke wasn't the reckless type at all. I could probably see Naruto doing something similar, though not that violently, but… Sasuke was way different. He wouldn't do something like that unless he really cared about someone.
"Hai… I guess you are right…"
"Yeah… and I think he likes you way more than he admits to…" – I blushed furiously at this. Was he implying that Sasuke-kun… liked me!?
"W-What are you saying all of a sudden!?"
"Hey, quit the faking. I've already got it all, -ttebayo!"
"But… how can you be so sure that…"
"I just know it" – he said decisively, his intense gaze never leaving my eyes – "And ya know, if even somebody as clueless as me noticed it, you must have been really distracted lately, Sakura-chan!" – he smirked slightly. Words couldn't even begin to form sense in my mind. Sasuke-kun liked me and Naruto was aware of it before me!? And he wasn't jealous!? In what alternate world had I gotten myself stuck into!?
"Yeah, there are some signs, now that I think about it… But like you said, Sasuke-kun cares deeply for his friends… maybe he thinks of me as just a regular friend, ne?" – I said, faking a small smile.
"He doesn't, Sakura-chan!" – he shouted, suddenly frustrated… Well, good job upsetting your annoying yet strangely wise teammate, Sakura! – "Just face it for once, will ya? He likes you. Period".
"But… what should I do about it?" – I asked, sincerely not having about what to do with my life.
"Well, I'm no expert in this stuff but… I think having a face-to-face talk with him would do" – he said, scratching the backs of his head in embarrassment. Since when was Naruto a relationship adviser? Was I stuck inside some weird dream? What the hell was wrong with the world? Ugh, I don't even know anymore…
"Maybe that's what I'll do when he awakes in the hospital…" – I whispered, thoughtful, half unaware of the words that came flying out of my throat.
"Yeah, good… Well, I'm going then. See ya, Sakura-chan" – I sensed a sparkle of sadness in his voice that gradually distanced from me, and only then did I notice what I had said.
"Wait, Naruto!" – I snapped out of my thoughts suddenly.
"Huh?" – he turned around to face me, his blue eyes quite cloudy from the sadness that he – in vain – tried to cover.
"I'm… I'm sorry for talking about this with you… I know how you feel about me and…"
"It's okay. I've known about this for a while now, it's no surprise, really".
"But… aren't you hurt…?"
"Me, the future Hokage of Konoha? Hah! Never!" – he said, with a forced grin.
"Yeah, I am well aware of your famous achievements, future Hokage-sama" – I kinda dumbly tried to cheer him up – "But… are you sure you'll be fine?"
"Hai. Seriously, don't get all concerned about it. I will move on. Now go and get that teme, that you, for some reason beyond me, love so much" – he said, with a small smile that I knew was coming from the bottom of his heart.
"Will do" – I said, while approaching him. When I was standing right in front of him, I wrapped my arms around him – "Arigato, Naruto". I released the embrace soon after, and I rose my head only to find Naruto's cheeks burning red. Maybe I shouldn't have done that… He could get confused. But I wasn't going to let him go without thanking him for everything that he had done for me.
"W-Well, see you Sakura-chan!" – he waved from afar – "And tell that baka I want him to get better soon, so I can smack him for good after all the reckless stuff he has done!" – I giggled discreetly.
"I will. See you, Naruto".
Scene Skip – Sakura entering the gates leading to the Hospital of Konoha (Sakura's P.O.V)
And there I was, in front of the gates of a building so white it would probably blind me if the sunlight was any brighter. I stepped into the entry, and only then did I notice that Ino and Hinata were standing in front of the door to the hospital, both staring at me, yet not showing the slightest clue of surprise. I tried to hide my true motives for being there.
"O-Oh! Hey Ino, Hinata! What are you doing here?"
"Sakura…" – I heard Ino say, in a way too serious tone of voice for her normal state – "We already know it all".
"K-Know what? What are you talking about?" – I nervously tried to hide my stutter, yet to no avail, praying that she wasn't referring to what I feared she was…
"We know everything about your parents, Sasuke, and the threat" – she said, her expression changing dramatically to that of compassion and pity.
"B-But how!?" – I asked, completely caught off guard – "Does everybody know about that now!?"
It was Hinata's turn to talk. "A few days ago, I came back from a mission with Ino-san at night. While we were on our way to deliver our report to Tsunade-sama, we passed near your house, and we heard your parents fighting with you..." – I immediately knew what she was talking about. The night before I left Konoha for my mission, my parents massacred me with their psychological torture, threatening that if I didn't have success in my next mission, something terrible would happen – "We were immediately concerned, so I activated my Byakugan and I was able to see everything that was happening inside… gomen" – she excused.
"And after this, when we delivered our mission report, we also denounced your situation with your parents" – so, they were the ones who reported on my parents' mistreatment… thank them so much… - "When we heard that you were coming back from your mission today, we tried to keep an eye on you, and well… we were able to see everything that happened today on live, thanks to Hinata's vision".
"So… that was how…" – I whispered, my eyes unable to leave my feet – "I'm… sorry for not having told you this earlier… and thank you for reporting it to Tsunade-sama…"
"It's fine, Sakura-san" – Hinata gave me a gentle smile – "We understand how difficult your position is, and you can always count on us to support you whenever you need".
"Yeah, and we will keep you in the village with us. I'm not sure how, but girl we will" – Ino said, with a comforting smile. With their support, I couldn't but to let a few tears go, jumping to embrace them-.
"Arigato, Ino, Hinata"
"You welcome, Sakura".
For a moment, we stayed there in our group hug, and then I left them behind and made my way into the hospital. I walked into a wandering nurse and took the best of the chance.
"Good evening, could you please tell me in which room Sasuke Uchiha is staying?"
"Oh, Sasuke Uchiha. That boy… he's staying in room 17. He suffered some relatively bad damage in his body…" – I gulped. I really hoped he was fine.
"Arigato" – I prepared to leave.
"Wait" – the nurse suddenly cut me off – "Could you please tell me your name?"
"Sakura Haruno".
"Oh, so you're the Sakura…" – the woman smiled, and I didn't understand why – "You're the only thing he says" – I felt my eyes widen abnormally and my knees weaken. Sasuke talked about me unconscious!?
"R-Really…?"
"Hai. Well then, I'll guide you to the room. Shall we go?"
"Hai"
I followed the nurse to room 17. She opened the door slowly, and I saw Sasuke lying in bed, his whole body covered by bandages.
"S-Sakura…"
To be continued…
That was the third chapter! I'm sorry this one came out one day later, but I got some important stuff in real life and it just wasn't possible to write in that moment. I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I did writing it, and thanks to all of you who have supported this fanfiction until now! I read all of the reviews I get, so be sure to send your opinion!
Thanks for reading my fanfiction! Cya! :3
Japanese Phrasebook
Teme – imbecile, idiot
-san – polite honorific used to refer to someone that you're not acquainted with. It's also a form of a teacher to treat a student, for example.
Hai – yes
Baka – idiot, stupid
-kun – used to treat mostly young males. It can also be used by girls who cherish a certain boy, mainly in a romantic way.
Kumogakure – a fictional Shinobi village in the Naruto universe, ruled by the Raikage. Its English translation is 'Hidden Cloud Village'.
-sama – an extremely polite honorific used only to refer to someone highly respectable such as a boss or a lord of some kind.
-sensei – used to refer to a teacher or an instructor.
Shimingakure – a hypothetical Shinobi village in the Naruto Universe famous for its endless number of civilians and strong military. It was created only for this fanfiction, and it is not canon in the manga nor the anime. Its English translation is "Hidden Civilian Village" (yeah, I know right XD).
Dattebayo – a slang term used by Naruto without any actual meaning in English. He uses it when he's amused, surprised, shocked or angry.
Gomen – sorry
Itadakimasu – a typical phrase used by the Japanese before starting a meal. It roughly translates to "Good appetite".
