CHAPTER 7: Leaving Behind
Yuri woke up and saw she was lying in a bed. She looked at her familiar surroundings and saw she was back home.
"So, you're awake." Sasuke said, not even looking up, tending to a fire. When she sat up, he turned to look at her.
"You really shouldn't strain yourself; you just got out of battle." he said monotonously.
"Yeah, but it doesn't really matter, right?" but a pain shot up in her side of her abdomen. She grabbed at her side which was neatly bandaged. She looked at him questioningly.
"Hmph, no big deal. I owe you one anyway."
She gave a smile, and as quick as a flash, she was behind him, with her arms around his shoulders hugging him to death.
"Awww, you're so nice!" she giggled.
"Hey, Yuri! Stop that!"
Yuri abruptly stopped and he turned around to look at her. Her face was unreadable, until a smile appeared on her lips.
"You haven't called my name out like that in a long time." She turned to him and added,
"It reminds me of the good times back then, doesn't it Sasuke?" She gave out a small laugh and hugged him even tighter. Sasuke knowing it was useless to fight her off, just smiled to himself. It did remind him of back then, when problems were so simple…
"Yuri, you got to take it easy. You're injured by the way, remember?"
"This seems familiar, except wasn't this how you were when I found you? I feel bad that I fought you right after though,"
"It's okay. I heal fast."
She smiled again. "That's right. You're the great Sasuke Uchiha. The child prodigy; the one that girls scream and swoon over."
He rolled his eyes in response. "Whatever" he muttered.
"What? I would think that one would like all the attention," She said putting an arm around his neck and the other poking his cheek. She really enjoyed teasing him. After all it was one thing she was privileged in doing.
"You know I don't like that kind of attention."
"Oh sure," She said sarcastically.
"Seriously. I only need attention from one person in particular."
"Really?" She questioned. "And who would that be?"
"Do I really have to say it? I think you already know who it is."
"Aww, you're so cute, Sasuke. Who knew you could be like that. I only wished I could see the faces of the other girls if you said that to them."
It was dark out now, and the two sitting on the bed were laughing and teasing each other like they have so many years ago.
"Yuri, you should really go get some rest."
"Fine, if it'll make you happy." She went and lied down on the bed with a warm blanket covering her. She looked and said more to herself than to anyone else, "This feels like a dream." However, Sasuke heard and turned to face her.
"It feels like a dream…." she whispered as she closed her eyes. "I've wished for this so long. I can't believe it's actually happening."
"Me too." he murmured, and started going outside
"Sasuke?" He turned.
"Yeah?"
"Could you reconsider my favor?"
He looked at her straight in the eye and said in a small voice, "Maybe." and walked outside.
The dark night had already swept over the sky. Outside the sounds of chirping crickets and cicadas were being heard. Yuri was lying awake in bed focusing on the ceiling. I small flame flickered on a candle, lighting up the dark room.
'Home. It's so close…'
She gave a small happy sigh, realizing all the years of patience were going to finally pay off. The possibility excited her so much, she couldn't go back to sleep. She sat up and flipped the covers over, and swung her legs over the bed and started walk out the door.
Her temporary 'home' was located in a small field and was surrounded by woods and terrains. It was nice place to stay. It even had a small river that led to a waterfall and a lake, where Yuri had showed him not too long ago.
A nice breeze filled the air, and as she looked up and she saw the pale full moon giving a good source of light, so she could clearly see the person standing not too far off. She slowly walked to the person and stood behind him.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"I could ask you the same thing." he replied. "You should be getting rest, especially after all the fighting."
"I'm fine. Hey, I'm still considered an Uchiha, right? I've been near the Uchihas long enough to act like one. I feel perfectly fine."
"Right…" he rolled his eyes and sat down; she did the same thing. They sat in silence enjoying the nice breeze and calming night. After what felt like a few minutes, Yuri broke the silence.
"Those battles… I don't think I would want to take them back."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean if I had a chance to go back in time and take back those battles I don't think I would want to." Sasuke just gave her a questioning look.
"I feel like I got to know you more through this; something that can't just be said. You've changed into a strong reliable shinobi."
Sasuke looked down in guilt. He was a missing-nin, a rouge ninja. He wasn't reliable at all.
"I know what happened. I already know you left the village. You had a goal, and did anything to achieve it. It broke my heart seeing you do that, but I had hope. You see, you never gave up. Just by knowing that, I didn't want to give up hoping. You're the reason I even had hope of going back. The reason I lived my life everyday since the incident."
It became silent again, and Yuri stood up. "I'm sorry. That was unnecessary. I'll just go back." As she turned a hand caught her wrist. She looked back at him, seeing his eyes not revealing what emotion he was feeling.
"Don't leave just yet." He stood up in front of her looking straight in her eyes. Then he caught her unexpectedly and pulled her into his arms. "Sasuke…what?..."
"Why?" he whispered so quietly that Yuri barely heard it.
"What?" she said utterly confused.
"Why, Yuri?" he said sadly. "Why do you always see the good in me? I'm not as great as you think I am. I hurt you in so many ways, and yet you still stay here with me, caring for me. The innocent me has left years ago. I can't see myself as the person you think I am. Why don't you hate me?"
She blinked for a moment and looked at him and answered.
"Sasuke, you have done so many kind things to me that I remember from so long ago. I feel I need to believe in you the same way you did for me. Even though you think that kind person is gone, I still see him. I saw him through our battles. Sasuke, you know I could never hate you. Not after what you've done for me."
She put her hand on his cheek and said quietly, "I see that person even now. 'My protector,' I used to think of you as." She hugged him lightly and added, "And I'll always think of you as the person I always knew as."
She pulled away and asked, "Sasuke would you please go back to Konoha with me?"
He paused for a minute before saying "yes".
Yuri packed a few things when she woke up. Outside was still dark with the sun resting upon the horizon. She didn't have many things so it was able to fit all in one big bag. She put it down against the bed and walked outside.
The cool morning breeze woke up her senses and she inhaled a deep breath.
'I'm finally going home. It's finally here.' She smiled and couldn't help but let a tear run down her face. 'It's been so long… I wonder how everyone's doing.'
She headed back inside, but found Sasuke outside the door looking at her. She quickly wiped her tears, and said, "I see you're up really early."
"You too." he said nonchalantly. "Are you ready?"
"Yeah, of course." she said getting her stuff from inside.
"Well, let's go then." and with that, they headed toward the direction of Konoha. But, little did they know that Konoha was being attacked right at that moment by an extremely powerful enemy.
