Chapter 3: The Machine
(Welcome back, my lovely...seven subscribers...'sigh'...so in this chapter Sasuke tries to win Naruto back as his friend. This should be fun. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: did I mention I don't own Naruto? If I didn't here it is again. I don't own anything to do with the show or manga.)
Sasuke straightened his makeshift Akatsuki robe as he prepared himself for his run into town. Checking on his Sharingan once more before he turned to see Sakura standing in front of him.
"So...you still have it." She murmured and his eyes went back to black. "That's why you're doing this for Naruto."
"Yes." He moved to grab his knife, but she grabbed his hand.
"Sasuke...I can't lose you again. Please...don't." She whispered.
"I've been through this before. Their systems think Sasuke is dead and they'll recognize me as Itachi. I can do this." He told her, rubbing her shoulders reassuringly.
"I thought once that my eyes could no longer shed tears." Sakura muttered, looking away from him.
Sasuke took her chin and lifted her face up. "I'm not the child I was before. I'll come back to you, Sakura."
She smiled up at him and he tilted his head. He knew he shouldn't give her false hope, the machines could kill him instantly. But, he had to do what he had to do. This was the only way to gain Naruto's trust again.
Sasuke had no idea what compelled him to do it, but he leaned down and captured Sakura's lips. Fireworks exploded inside her body as she finally felt his lips on hers. Sasuke moved his head to the side, running his tongue against her lower lip. She granted him access and he explored her mouth. The kiss was so passionate, he almost didn't want to leave.
Her heart had been beating so loudly in her chest since their kiss began, that she didn't realize his arms curled around her body. She wove her arms around his neck as their lips moved against one another.
Sasuke had to break from her for air. "I'll be back soon." He whispered in her ear.
"Okay..." She said, a little dazed.
Sasuke pulled out of her arms and grabbed the knife, putting it up his sleeve. Then he gave her a hug and left for the door Shino guarded.
Sakura watched him leave, her heart in her throat. "Why now, Sasuke?" She asked aloud.
Naruto stood, not far from her, watching the whole thing with dark eyes.
...
Sasuke made his way to the tower in the middle of the village. There seemed to be a force field shielding the only part of town that was still somewhat alive. He walked up the machine that let people in and out of the town and his eyes flickered to his Sharingan as he approached.
The Machine scanned him the second he was close enough. "Welcome home, Itachi." It said with a mechanical voice and some of the force field shut down to let him in.
He laughed sarcastically at the welcome he got and started down the busy street. People were walking by him like they couldn't see him.
He stopped in front of a grocery store.
Walking inside, he was greeted by a woman, who appeared to be the store clerk. "Welcome. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"I'm having a small get together and I need food I can take back to my village. So preserves that'll last me the trip." He told the woman who greeted him.
She nodded sharply. "I'll get you some supplies ready, sir."
"Good. I'll be back shortly. I need to go to a clothing store as well. Any of them around here?" He asked.
She smiled brightly. "Of course, sir. There are quite a few actually. Stay on this road and there is one just a few blocks down. You can't miss it."
He left quickly. She had the strangest accent he'd ever heard.
He walked down the street and bumped into a person. They said a quick sorry and disappeared down the street away from him.
"This is not Konoha." He muttered and walked into the clothing store.
He purchased women's clothes and men's clothes. Everything he could carry easily. On his way back to the grocery store, he could feel eyes on his back.
After paying with the last bit of money he had, he held a few months worth of food and clothing. Hopefully he had enough for everyone. Now it was time for his journey home.
...
Naruto stood in the tent with Kakashi and Sakura. Kakashi was reading a worn out Makeout Paradise book with a few pages missing and Sakura was shuffling her feet a little.
"How do you two trust him so well?" Naruto finally asked. "His bullshit story doesn't make up for what happened."
Sakura stiffened. "You can't say it's bullshit. He really came back to help."
Naruto scoffed. "What if he's out there bringing them here? He's always been the bad guy. Even from the start."
"No he hasn't! He's just been clouded by revenge. I'm sure you know what that feels like!" Sakura shouted at him.
Naruto only raised an eyebrow. "How do you know he's good? Because he made out with you before he left?"
Sakura's face heated up more from embarrassment than anger. "You may not trust him, but Ino told me he almost died trying to get here. I believe he has a good heart. You used to be his best friend no matter how much wrong he did. What happened to you? I'm sure your mother didn't want to ever see this side of you."
Naruto growled. "Don't bring her up!"
"Uh-uhm...I-Is this a bad time." A tiny voice interrupted them.
Naruto looked over at the shy woman. "Hinata-chan, no it's okay. What is it?"
Sakura glanced at her. Naruto softened greatly when she entered their conversation.
Kakashi laughed, putting his book down. "Thank goodness, Hinata. I thought I was going to have to split these two up."
"S-Sasuke is back." She mumbled. "He brought a few things w-with him."
Naruto left the tent to see Sasuke hand some large bags to Ino and Shikamaru. Sakura came out right behind Naruto.
"Oh my..." Sakura trailed off.
Naruto walked over to Sasuke. "What is this?"
Sasuke looked up at him. "Clothes. Food. Better pots to boil water." He handed Naruto a ramen pack. "Naruto...I'm on your side. Please...believe me."
Naruto looked down at the chicken flavored ramen he held in his hands. His hands were a little shaky and he dropped the pack.
Sasuke stared at him, confused for a couple seconds until Naruto bear hugged him. Sasuke was a little put off. He thought Naruto would never trust him again.
"I have my brother back." Naruto pulled back and reached down to pick up the ramen. "Thank you, Sasuke."
Sasuke grinned for a second and then sighed. "So you forgive me?"
"Believe it." Naruto said.
Sakura burst into tears and tackled the two of them to the ground.
"Sakura! Don't break up my noodles! Please!" Naruto shouted.
Sasuke felt crushed under the two of them. "Gah! Shut up, you dope! And get off me!"
Sakura wrapped her arms around both of them. "We can do this! We can do this!"
Kakashi smirked as he watched his three pupils finally reunite. "Thank goodness." He breathed.
(I dragged this one out too long for there to be much of any citrus, so we'll hang on for the next one. Thanks for reading. I hope you all enjoyed it.)
