Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Witchblade. Naruto is a manga property of Masashi Kishimoto. Witchblade is a comic property of Top Cow Productions.
Summary: Storyline divergence during Sasuke Retrieval Arc (post-Chapter 296). Dark Sakura theme. Couplings: Potentially NaruSaku, but with subtle NaruHina and SasuSaku scenes.
A/N: I'm back! My first anime convention was a thrilling experience. At the event, I bought the first two DVD volumes (consisting of the first 8 episodes) of the Witchblade anime. Very good stuff. I plan to go to another before the summer is done! But, first, I must find a job to make some money and start saving up.
Anyhow, I've returned to continue this story. Well, I left off with yet another evil cliffie. Who knows how this chapter will end... we shall see, won't we?
This story already has 50 reviews and I know the count will continue to get higher. Yep, I have good confidence that this will be one of my most popular fics. This will something to tide me over before I consider updating my YuYuGiDigiMoon fics.
Now, let's get back to Witchblade: Sakura. Shall we? :)
xxxxx
Chapter 7
Naruto's Pleas of Tears! Sasuke Arrives at the Forefront!
xxxxx
Ground Zero Site of Previous Kyuubi vs. Orochimaru Battle/Opposite Side of Tenchikyou Bridge/Grass Country
Witchblade Sakura stood frozen as her eyes shifted a worried glance at two figures. The pair that witnessed her entire blood lusted scene were Uzumaki Naruto and Yamato.
Not moving his blue eyes away from Sakura, the blonde Jinchuuriki felt terrified at the very sight of his friend. She looked nothing like the kind and strong Sakura he remembered. All he was reminded of was Sasuke's Cursed Seal form... a corrupt and demonic appearance. Sakura looked exactly how a user of the Cursed Seal would appear minus the darker skin complexion.
Sakura's golden-yellow eyes narrowed as they stared at Naruto in the distance.
"Heh, well, look who decided to join the party. The Kyuubi boy and Yamato..." Sakura smirked, licking her bloody fingers. The blood was not hers. She had just cut off Orochimaru's left leg and right arm as the snake's blood stained her virgin hands. "So, did you come here to see me dissect dear Oro-chan? We were having some quality time together. Isn't that right, Oro-chan?" The Witchblade user chuckled, darting her eyes away from Naruto and onto the Sannin.
Barely managing to move on his own, Orochimaru cursed under his breath. The pool of blood spilled out from under him as he trailed his left hand across the blood. His eyes and mouth twitched as his body shuddered.
"...how dare you... you humiliate me like this?! YOU THINK YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH THIS?!" Orochimaru hissed, his voice booming and garnering Sakura's attention. "Mark my words... I'll get you for this..." His pale eyes narrowed as Witchblade Sakura appeared in his view.
The pink-haired Witchblade user smirked, licking the blood off her fingers. "Really? Funny. In your current state, there's not much you can do to anyone. Let alone me. I'll make sure to deny you any right to claim Sasuke's body. Besides, you can't possess him when you're sliced into tiny, little pieces." She giggled sadistically, placing her right-heeled foot beside Orochimaru's crippled body.
"You brat... do you... really think... you... have... full control of this new power... which you've acquired," the snake's lips arched into a wicked smile. "You... really... are a foolish... child... do you... really think... Sasuke... will go home... with you and the Kyuubi boy?"
"He's coming back home with us. Whether you like it or not."
"Heh... what if... he chooses to remain with me...? In order to exact... his revenge on Itachi... he will continue to learn... what I have to... offer him... I am the only one... to grant him such... power to defeat... his brother..."
"Well then, I suppose I'll have to drag him back myself. I didn't come all this way just to let Sasuke go. I won't let him out of my reach again."
Orochimaru barely managed to chuckle. "You... are still holding onto... foolish notions... Sasuke-kun is not... the same friend... you used to remember. He is bent on revenge... he has thrown away petty attachments like you... why don't you just forget about him? If you truly think he will return to Konoha... you're in for a great... disappointment."
Sakura frowned, her eyes glowed. "Believe me. I have other ways of convincing him to return home." As she moved her right arm forward, the long blade jutted out as she lowered it over Orochimaru's body. "I suppose I could cut off an arm or leg of his..."
"Just... what are you...?" Orochimaru asked, his eyes widened in horror at the long blade hanging over him like a pendulum. The blade swayed back and forth as the tip was inches from touching his face.
This was only one of the few instances of Orochimaru expressing fear.
He had no idea of what Witchblade Sakura was capable of doing next.
"Heh, better yet, I think it would be appropriate to continue your dissection. After all, your screams bring such lovely melody to my ears. Oh, yesssss!" With that, she licked her lips and caressed her buxomous chest. "Ooooh, yessss. Continue to scream like your life depends on it!"
Naruto overheard everything Sakura shouted from where he stood. He still couldn't comprehend what caused her to transform into this dark, twisted form. The voice he heard was nothing like the Sakura he remembered.
As more images of Sasuke's Cursed Seal form replayed in Naruto's eyes, he shook his head and looked back to Sakura. Now he has another friend that has become corrupted by a dark source of power.
"Sakura-chan!! What's going on here?!" The yellow-haired Genin shouted, calling out to his teammate. "What's happened to you?!"
Before Naruto tried to dash ahead, Yamato extended his right arm to stop him. The Genin growled as he shot an angry look at the man.
"What's the deal?! Let me through!"
"Naruto... Sakura-chan is not herself. I don't know how this happened, but if what Kabuto said is true."
"What?"
Yamato lowered his head, taking a deep breath and sighing with regret. "Have you been listening to Sakura just now? She mentioned something called the Witchblade."
"Witchblade?"
"I couldn't tell you what it is. However, it's obvious it's given Sakura a power... a corrupt power and now it has taken complete control over Sakura."
Naruto didn't take his eyes off Sakura. Tightening his fists, the blonde resisted the urge to not let the Kyuubi take over. "Are you sure this isn't that bastard Orochimaru's doing? He didn't plant the Cursed Seal on her? Did he?!"
"No, he didn't, but this Witchblade..."
"Witchblade. I have to know more about it and I'm going to find out!" Naruto snapped, slapping Yamato's arm away as he dashed off.
"Naruto!! Wait!!" Yamato shouted as he pursued the Genin to keep him from getting near the blood lusted Witchblade user.
SLASH!!
As Sakura brought down her blade, she severed off Orochimaru's right leg.
"RAAAAAAAUGHHHHH!!" The snake's howls echoed as his voice nearly screeched. He drew in deep breaths while wheezing. Nearly all of his body strength escaped him as he was left crippled and limbless - save for his right arm.
However, that right arm was going to go bye-bye soon.
Witchblade Sakura threw the snake's right leg aside as the limb continued to twitch on its way. Blood spilled out from the stumps of each severed limb, which brought a cruel smile on the pink-haired girl's lips.
"Mmmm, you know I just might have second thoughts about tasting your blood." Her eyes darted toward Orochimaru's right arm, which moved over the puddle of blood. Sakura licked her lips as her mouth quivered with delight. "Ooooh, yes. I want to hear you scream MORE! Ha, ha, ha!"
"Mark my words... I won't stay like this for long... once I've taken over Sasuke's body... the first people I'll be coming after... will be you and that Kyuubi child... yes... won't it be sweet irony to have your lives denied... by your former teammate?"
Growing irritated by Orochimaru's idle threats, Sakura slammed her right foot down on Orochimaru's left arm.
A cruel grin formed on the Witchblade user's face as she lowered her blade over the snake's only limb.
"Heh. It's such a shame I won't let you get that chance. Sasuke is no longer yours to keep, dear Oro-chan, because this is where you..."
"SAKURA-CHAN!!"
Paying no attention to Naruto's cry, Sakura grabbed Orochimaru's left arm. Her eyes transfixed on the snake's only limb as her tongue hung out like a hungry dog. Orochimaru's eyes widened in horror as he struggled with every last ounce of strength in his body. He struggled until he could no longer gather anymore strength.
Sakura lowered her head as her eyes were hidden by a dark shade. Then, as she lifted her head, her eyes glowed a purely golden yellow light.
Then, raising her blade, Sakura brought it down swiftly...
SLASH!!
"ARRRRRRRGHHHHHH!!"
SQUISH!!
Blood splattered across the ground as Orochimaru's blood-curling screams caused Naruto to freeze in place. Sakura's right arm blade was stained with the snake's blood. Blood drops splattered from the tip of the blade and onto the ground.
The sound of soft flesh and blood splattering aroused the Witchblade's bloodlust.
Sakura giggled, licking her lips and smiling with cruel pleasure. Nothing made her happier than severely crippling the snake that destroyed the bond of her team.
Now, Orochimaru felt the pain of a girl who has waited long to get her hands on the one. The one man that was solely responsible for causing Sasuke to leave Konoha.
Looking down at Orochimaru, Sakura smelt the blood that spilled out of his severed limbs. Lifting her right-arm blade, she darted her tongue across and licked the snake's blood like sweet nectar. "Mmhmm, oh yes." Purring like a cat, she grinned. "On second thought, snake blood doesn't taste too bad. I wonder how yours taste, Sasuke-kun."
As he barely moved his head, Orochimaru felt pain shoot out through his body. Although, he could no longer feel his limbs... he continued to cry out as if pleading for someone to save him. Without his arms, he could no longer perform any hand seals or execute jutsus to help him escape from Witchblade Sakura's wrath.
If only he had listened to Kabuto's advice, the snake wouldn't have been in the situation he was now. He had no one else to blame, but himself. He gravely underestimated Sakura and the Witchblade. For that, he paid the ultimate price... and he was still fatigued following his struggle with Four-Tailed Kyuubi Naruto. With his already weakened body, Orochimaru had to find another body soon.
Witchblade Sakura placed her right foot on top of Orochimaru and raised her right arm. "Let this be a lesson, Oro-chan. Never... EVER... cross a Witchblade user. We tend to get a little bloodthirsty. Not to mentioned we wanted to test our power against yours. Too bad... you had to lose your limbs. Awww, poor baby."
Naruto was horrified by what he saw.
If Orochimaru wasn't intimidating enough, Witchblade Sakura was truly a frightening sight.
Even so, he was looking at the cruel actions of his teammate. One of his best friends. A girl he had a crush on.
Now, all that he remembered fondly about Sakura was thrown out the door.
As he shivered out of fear, Naruto tried to remain as still as he could.
Sakura still didn't pay any attention to the Genin as she continued to taunt the crippled Sannin.
"What's happened to you... Sakura-chan?" Naruto's mouth gaped as he did not even blink. Not once. His heart nearly stopped beating as chills went down his back and all the way down to his tailbone area. "Sakura-chan..."
Yamato briefly stopped as he watched Naruto glancing at Witchblade Sakura's direction. His biggest concern was what Naruto was planning to do... which would most possibly endanger his life. Or, worst case scenario: force the Kyuubi to come out.
"Naruto... whatever you're planning... don't..." The man murmured, carefully observing the blonde-haired Jinchuuriki and the Witchblade user.
xxxxx
Away from Ground Zero Site/Forest Area/Grass Country
Meanwhile, as he continued his pace through the trees, Sai desperately tried to reach Orochimaru's current hideout. Realizing he had a mission to fulfill, he was determined to carry out that assignment without question.
And it didn't take Sai long to realize that he was being followed.
Kabuto was already hot on his trail.
"Hm," Sai turned his head. Before he reached into his bag, Sai noticed a figure leaping across tree branches in the distances. His eyes widened as he caught sight of a young man with dark blue hair. Is that... him?! He stopped as he leaped toward the opposite direction and turned to pursue the man he was looking for.
Kabuto, too, saw who it was and bit his lip. "Sasuke!" Just what the hell are you doing out?! Wasting no time, the silver-haired man followed after Sai and rushed as fast as he could to stop the Uchiha boy. Don't tell me. You know where your former teammates are.
Narrowing his eyes, Sasuke glided across each branch while moving toward his destination. The strange presence he sensed was well within a few miles. He couldn't recognize the source of energy - since it was nothing like chakra.
His questions would soon be answered once he arrives to find out what might have beaten Orochimaru.
xxxxx
Ground Zero Site/Opposite Side of Tenchikyou Bridge/Grass Country
Sakura removed her foot off Orochimaru's chest as she caressed her own chest. She marked some symbols across her breasts with Orochimaru's own blood and purred. She gave herself self-pleasure while slowly moving her hand over and across her buxomous chest.
"Ooooh, yes. That feels good. The smell of blood... turning me on!" As she closed her eyes, Witchblade Sakura became satisfied with her slaughtered prey. Looking back to her right-arm blade, she watched as it jutted out further. "How about we dissect your chest wide open? I'd loooove to see what a snake's intestines look like. Mmmm."
Naruto trembled as he recalled memories of Sakura prior to her current Witchblade form.
Sakura-chan. No, I can't lose you either. Not to the darkness. The blonde-haired Jinchuuriki closed his eyes, shaking his head. He visualized fond memories of his pink-haired friend from their first meeting. Back when Sakura was a wild Sasuke fan girl and when she had longer hair. Then, an image of an older, shorter-haired Haruno Sakura became etched in his mind. "Sakura-chan!"
"Don't fear me, Naruto-kun. Don't you feel it? My power..." Sakura raised her right arm and smirked. "The Witchblade's power. We are one. As one, we're unstoppable. Not even this pitiful excuse of a demon could stand up to our mighty hand."
Naruto remained still in his position while listening to Sakura speaking in a completely dark, terrifying voice.
"I feel strong. REALLY strong. Yes, I remember when Sasuke-kun told me that day he awoken with his Cursed Seal activated. Now, I understand... just how invigorating power can be. Look at what I've done," the pink-haired Witchblade user pointed to Orochimaru. "I've severely crippled the snake bastard to submission. He can't even do a single jutsu without his poor arms!"
"Sak..."
"Aren't you pleased? I helped bring down Orochimaru all by myself! Well, the Witchblade helped a bit, but I did it. Now, we can find Sasuke-kun. Just as we planned to do, right?" Sakura smiled, putting her right hand out. She offered Naruto a hand as she shifted her eyes back to Orochimaru's limbless form. "Hang on a second."
"Wait! Sakura-chan, I..."
As she glanced back at Orochimaru, she raised her right-arm blade and prepared to impale it through the snake's chest.
Once Naruto started running toward, he visualized every moment and time he spent with Haruno Sakura. From the time they first meet to all the times she's physically beaten him and to the moment when he promised to bring Sasuke back.
As he inched closer, Naruto was just within reach of Sakura.
'Naruto... This is... my wish of a lifetime... Please... please bring Sasuke-kun back. I couldn't do it! I couldn't stop him! So, now... now the only person who can stop him... save him... is you. Just you, Naruto-kun.'
'Sakura, you sure do care about Sasuke. I know what you're going through. I know all too well.'
"Naruto, thank you.'
'It's okay! I'll bring Sasuke back for sure! I never go back on my word! That's the ninja way!'
"Sakura-chan!!" Naruto opened his eyes, which became filled with tears.
'Sakura-chan... I'm sorry.'
'What are you apologizing for?'
'Sakura-chan! I... I will keep my promise! It's... my promise of a lifetime! I meant what I said!'
'It's okay, Naruto-kun. Forget it.'
'It's like I always say. I never go back on my word. That's MY ninja way.'
'Naruto-kun, I'm sorry. You'll need to wait for a while. But, next time I'm coming with you.'
As he came closer, the Genin visualized a split image of Sasuke's Cursed Seal 2 form and Sakura's Witchblade form. Two of his best friends now engulfed by the powers of darkness.
And his greatest fear is losing them both at the sametime.
He couldn't bear to stand to lose anyone else.
Not even another one of his teammates.
"NO!!" Naruto shouted as his voice finally reached Sakura.
The pink-haired girl gasped as her eyes widened. She felt arms embracing her from behind as Naruto put two arms tightly around her waist. The boy's eyes streamed with hot tears.
"STOP!!" Naruto cried out, his voice reaching out to Sakura and breaking through the Witchblade's hypnotic control. "Sakura-chan, please stop!! Stop this senseless violence!!"
The Witchblade user snapped her head back as her glowing golden eyes stared into Naruto's blue pupils. The terrifying gaze was enough to make Naruto shiver in terror, but he refused to relinquish his hold of Sakura. The girl growled as the Witchblade's bloodlust nature started to take over once again.
That is until she slowly started to relax. Her body became less tense as Naruto buried his face against her face. The Witchblade armor was cold once Naruto's skin pressed against it and nearly numbed his sense of touch.
Witchblade Sakura looked up as she heard Naruto's crying pleas. She shifted her eyes to her friend as her eye color turned to normal. Then, she looked down at herself as she regained her frame of mind. Dropping her arms by her sides, Sakura quivered as she felt Naruto's tears falling down her body.
"Sakura-chan... no more... please. No more senseless violence." Naruto choked up, trying to refrain himself from crying anymore than he already is.
Sakura held her chin up as her eyes gazed up at the beautiful blue skies. Suddenly, she let out a choked gasp as she fell to her knees. Naruto fell down on top of the girl's back as the Witchblade armor quickly started to recede. The pink-haired ninja watched as her entire Witchblade form vanish as she returned to her normal form.
The armor shrunk down to the size of the small bracelet that remained locked around Sakura's right wrist.
The glowing, red gem continued to shimmer until its shine diminished. Its mystic powers suppressed for the moment until another danger presented itself.
Sakura took a few deep breaths as she gripped the ground with her fingers.
"Sakura-chan..." Naruto whispered into the girl's right ear. "Sakura-chan, is it you?"
"...N...Naruto?" Sakura looked behind her. She released another deep exhale as she fell back and let Naruto fall off her. "Naruto...?"
As he rubbed the back of his head, Naruto faced the pink-haired kunoichi and noticed that she was a bit shaken up. He wiped the tears from his eyes and crawled over toward her.
"Sakura-chan. Is it really you?"
"Huh?" She blinked, looking down at herself and at the bracelet clasped on her right wrist. "Of course, it's me, silly. Why are you asking...?" She stopped herself as she looked behind her.
She gasped and crawled back as she found Orochimaru laying on the ground... in a pool of his own blood and limbless. If someone told her that she was responsible for this, she wouldn't believe them for a second.
"What... what happened here?! Is that... oh my god... Orochimaru?!" Sakura jumped to her feet, closing her fists. Before she could move, she collapsed back on her knees. "Ugh..."
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto cried as he caught the girl and prevented her fall.
"Naruto... what happened here?"
"Don't you remember?"
"No... all I remember is getting hit by you and then... everything went black and I heard a voice... Oh no!" Sakura gasped as she touched the Witchblade 'bracelet.' "The Witchblade... Did the Witchblade do this?!"
"Witchblade...?" The blonde-haired Jinchuuriki was confused and bewildered. His eyes shifted toward the silvery artifact on the girl's wrist.
"Did... I really do this...?" Sakura gazed toward Orochimaru's body. "Naruto..."
"You did, Sakura," Yamato interjected himself into the conversation as he approached Naruto and Sakura. While closely monitoring Orochimaru, the man knelt over and examined the pink-haired kunoichi's right wrist. "So, this is artifact is called the Witchblade, I assume? Since, that's what it apparently called itself..."
"The Witchblade possessed me and made me do all this?" Sakura looked down at her hands. "What happened to me?"
"Sakura, you..."
Yamato abruptly stopped Naruto as he continued on. "If my assumptions are correct, the artifact triggered a reaction and transformed you into a creature. A creature with a lust for bloodshed and violence. This happened right after Naruto attacked you."
"What?!" Naruto and Sakura exclaimed simultaneously.
"That's when you transformed and tried to attack Naruto, Sakura."
"Wait, I seem to recall trying to regain control of my body... even for a split second. That's when the Witchblade regained control over my mind and body. So, it used me like a puppet," the girl touched the silvery artifact.
"That's when you pursued Orochimaru instead and... well... Naruto and I witnessed everything. You single handedly reduced Orochimaru to a limbless, bloody mess. Look at him."
As she took her eyes off the bracelet, she slowly moved her head and glanced over her shoulder. Her eyes gazed upon the limbless form of the Sannin. Sakura didn't know whether she should feel proud or horrified. For one thing, she did something that neither Naruto nor Sasuke could accomplish: humbling and leaving Orochimaru a bloody mess. She has always wanted to get her hands on the snake since the Forest of Death and now the Witchblade allowed her to exact revenge on him. On the other hand, the Witchblade turned her into a blood lusted, ruthless creature that was only fulfilling the sentinent being's lust for battle.
Sakura felt like she was nothing more than a puppet during this whole situation. She couldn't shake the thoughts of herself as a vessel for a wicked artifact.
To make matters worse, her actions frightened Naruto to no end.
"...guh... you little bitch... you don't even remember what you did to me..." Orochimaru wheezed heavily, spitting a mouthful of blood. "...mark my words... I'll get you for this... Once I take Sasuke-kun's body, you're the first victim... on MY list! You better pray for your life!"
"Fat chance! Look at you now!" Naruto snapped, shouting back at the Sannin. "Sakura-chan messed you up good! Now, you have no way of ever taking Sasuke's body!"
Sakura frowned, getting up on her own as she walked over beside Orochimaru. Closing her right fist, the red gem on her bracelet started glowing. An evil smirk arched on her lips. "You want to test me again? If the Witchblade made me do this you, I suppose I could finish the job and cut you into little pieces. It's over for you, Orochimaru."
"Sakura. That's enough!" Yamato raised his voice. "We're here to retrieve Sasuke, but you still have a lot of explaining to do. When we get back to Konoha, you will tell everything to the lady Hokage."
Sakura shook her head, her fists began to tremble. "No... I can't..."
"You'll have to and they'll want to know everything, especially what you did to Orochimaru."
As Naruto approached Sakura, he noticed that she was trembling... perhaps out of fear of what Tsunade will say. "Sakura-chan... I'm sorry."
"Why are you sorry for?" Sakura stopped as she exhaled deeply. "I'm the one put Orochimaru through the meat grinder. I'll bet Tsunade-sama will be proud of me..." Or, maybe she's going to chew me out.
"Foolish child... with your current state of mind... you'll never master your control of this dark power... which you call the Witchblade..." Orochimaru chuckled, giving his forewarning to Sakura. "...this wicked artifact... the darkness shall consume you... until there's nothing left of your humanity... you'll become just like your dearly beloved Sasuke-kun... you'll find someone to teach how to master the Witchblade's power..."
Gritting her teeth, Sakura closed her fists. "Shut up. I'll tame the Witchblade's bloodlust myself if I have to. I won't fall to the darkness like Sasuke-kun. I'll prove you wrong, you snake bastard. I don't need anyone's help... NOT EVEN YOURS!" Sakura roared angrily as she slammed her right fist into the ground as she punched a hole through the earth. Her fist was several inches from Orochimaru's head.
Naruto stepped back, keeping a small distance from the girl's wrath. Note to self: Never piss Sakura-chan off.
As she pulled out her fist, Sakura balanced herself and took a few more deep breaths.
She went through an extremely harsh day and her first Witchblade experience was something she would never forget.
Sakura carefully eyed the bracelet and clasped a hand over the red gem. Why... why did you do this, Witchblade?! I never gave you permission to use my body like a puppet!
'Heh, I couldn't resist the urge. You should thank your beloved idiot of a friend. If he didn't attack you, I wouldn't have given any reason to allow you to use my power.'
First of all, Naruto is not an idiot... he's well...
'An ignoramus?'
That's beside the point! You used MY body! I barely managed to resist you... but you turned me into a freaking butcher! Look at what you made me do to Orochimaru!
'He's your enemy. He's the one who planted the Cursed Seal on your beloved Sasuke. He's the main cause for the dissension of your team. I only gave you the chance to get revenge on that snake bastard. Without my power, you wouldn't have stood a chance. You would have been dead. You should be grateful to have found me. Now, you possess my strength. My wisdom. My bloodlust. Yes, this was only the beginning, Haruno Sakura. Sooner or later, you will have no choice, but to fight.
As a Witchblade wielder, you are destined... to seek the balance between ecstasy and ruin.
To kill, to live, to live, to die.'
Sakura lowered her head, tears beginning to stream down her eyes.
"Sakura-chan?" Naruto approached the girl as he put an arm around her.
"Naruto... I'm sorry... for scaring you..."
"No, don't be," the Genin smiled softly, reassuring his friend. "I'll admit I was scared... of what you became, but there's no way I'm going to stay afraid. You're my friend and we're still going to bring Sasuke back together! I mean... you kicked Orochimaru's ass by yourself!"
Sakura felt flattered as she smiled. "I couldn't have done it without the Witchblade."
"That's beside the point."
Yamato turned around as he noticed a figure standing on top of a nearby hill. His eyes nearly widened with surprise. "..."
Sakura and Naruto noticed the man was facing the opposite direction. Then, they moved their eyes toward the figure as they froze with shock. Their eyes widened, too, as they made eye contact with the certain someone they've been searching for.
Finally, that search was over.
"Ah, it's Sakura."
Placing a hand across her beating chest, Sakura's mouth became dry. She looked as if she had seen a ghost. That voice... it's... "Sasuke-kun!"
"Sasuke..." Naruto murmured, keeping his eyes directly on the dark-haired Uchiha.
Uchiha Sasuke stared down at the trio with an emotionless, aloof expression. The older Sasuke was now taller by a few inches. He now wore the Oto-nin garb, including a large purple belt strapped around his waist. He wore a long-sleeved white, unbuttoned shirt and long black pants. On his back was a long, wooden black sheath with a sword concealed inside. He did not even acknowledge them with a formal greeting of the sort.
"And Naruto. You came, too. Does that mean Kakashi is here as well?"
Yamato addressed this to Sasuke's concern. "Unfortunately, Kakashi-san couldn't be here, but I'm here in his place. We, Team Kakashi, are taking you back to Konoha."
Sasuke didn't move or even blink. "Team Kakashi, huh?" He noticed the absence of a fourth-person of the cell unit. "And where might be your other member?"
Just then, before Sasuke could move, he felt a blade touching the tip of his neck.
Sasuke barely turned to find Sai standing next to him. The ANBU member held the weapon in hand, preparing to slit Sasuke's neck at any given moment. However, Sasuke as aloof as he was did not express any concern and shifted his eyes toward Sai.
"WHOA! SAI!" Naruto exclaimed. "What are you doing?!"
"To carry out my mission... this is part of my mission..." Sai announced, holding the blade against Sasuke's neck.
"Get away from him, Sai!!" Sakura demanded, threatening to jump in and stop Sai herself.
Sasuke scoffed. "So, you're filling in for me? You just seem to be one more pansy for the group. Quite the fit if you ask me."
As Sakura prepared to intervene, the Witchblade chuckled in her jumbled mind.
'Well, well, this is the Uchiha boy you've been telling me about. This is Uchiha Sasuke? Feh, he doesn't look like much.'
I'm taking him back to Konoha. Just you wait and see.
'Heh, I wouldn't count on it, girl. You're in for a great disappointment. I think it's appropriate to call upon me again.'
What?! You want me to attack Sasuke-kun?! Are you insane?!
'Trust me, Sakura. This boy has already chosen his path. There's nothing you can do. He will kill you if you interfere with his mission in life.'
NO! I'll stop him!
'How? You can't beat him by yourself. With me, on the other hand, you have a fighting chance.'
I'm NOT going to fight him! I refuse to believe he's going to hurt me!
'Oh, something's going happen right now! Keep your eyes open and prepare yourself. I'll be ready.'
Orochimaru chuckled as he lifted his head. "Ku, ku, ku... so... you've arrived... Sasuke-kun..."
The Uchiha boy scoffed as he noticed Orochimaru laying in a pool of his own blood. "Who did this to you?"
Sai gasped as he, too, noticed Orochimaru. Did Sakura... do all this?! Did she really slaughter Orochimaru?!
"You'd... be surprised... Sasuke-kun... Even I... was overwhelmed myself..." Orochimaru smirked, resting his head back.
"It is true. My top-secret mission was indeed the assassination of Uchiha Sasuke..." Sai proclaimed as he stopped and pressed the blade's tip against Sasuke's skin.
"Get away from Sasuke!" Naruto shouted.
As Sakura prepared to make her move, the Witchblade once again called out to her.
'Well, isn't this a surprise? That Sai kid obviously knew what he was intending to do all along. Very smooth of him.'
Sai has a lot of explaining to do! I can't believe this!
'Well, believe it. Perhaps, you should let him kill Sasuke. There's nothing you can do to save the Uchiha boy. Not a damn thing, girl.'
Just you watch me! I'll bring Sasuke-kun back to his senses! I came with Naruto solely to help him bring Sasuke-kun back home!
'Well, if I were you... I'd turn around right now. Your dear beloved Sasuke-kun is about to show his true colors!'
As Sakura twirled around, she saw Sasuke suddenly standing beside Naruto. It appeared as though Sasuke had 'teleported' from his previous position to where Naruto was standing.
Even Yamato and Sai were befuddled by Sasuke's speed.
"Heh, well... look at this... didn't think your close friend would even have second thoughts about killing you?!" Orochimaru managed to a choke out a snicker.
Sakura gasped as the bracelet on her arm reacted. Why did he...?!
'Now would be the good time to release me, Haruno Sakura! Do you want to see your dimwitted friend die?!'
"...Come to think of it, isn't becoming Hokage one of your dreams?" The Uchiha noted, remembering what the Jinchuuriki proclaimed three years ago. "If you have time to chase me around, you would have been better off training. Don't you think, Naruto?"
"Sasuke-kun...!" Sakura tried to interject herself. Again, she felt a sharp pain on her right wrist. Oh, no! Wait! Witchblade!
"And that's why this time..." Sasuke reached behind his back and unsheathed a long sword similar to Orochimaru's Kusanagi. The weapon resembled a chokuto - a type of straight and single-edged sword. "And you're going to end up losing your life all at a whim of mine."
Naruto stood frozen as he arched his eyebrows - almost frowning. "Like there's any chance someone, who can't save a friend, could become Hokage. Don't you think... Sasuke?"
"Humph," the Uchiha snorted as he prepared to impale his 'friend' with one strike.
CLANK!!
Suddenly, Sasuke's eyes widened as another blade came out of nowhere and countered his Kusanagi. Sasuke noticed Sai and Yamato were still in their places.
But, no Sakura to be found.
He just then realized and looked ahead.
That same power signature he sensed earlier.
The Witchblade had responded to Sasuke's attack and forced Sakura to transform.
Sasuke gritted his teeth as he glanced toward the already transformed Witchblade Sakura. Naruto, too, was overwhelmed with shock.
"Sakura-chan...?!" The blonde Jinchuuriki watched Witchblade Sakura from the corner of his eye. No! She's let the Witchblade take over again!
Sasuke's eyes quickly shifted to Sharingan as he glared at the Witchblade user. "Sakura...?! What is this?!"
"Heh, pleased to meet you, Uchiha Sasuke, but Haruno Sakura is not here at this time. Perhaps, you'd like to play with me for a while?" Witchblade Sakura grinned a sinister smile, licking her lips.
"...Sasuke-kun... be warned... she... she's dangerous... she did this to me..." Orochimaru pleaded, almost attempting to warn the Uchiha.
"So, you're the one who put Orochimaru through the meat grinder?" Sasuke addressed to Witchblade Sakura. "You're not the Sakura... I remember... who are you? You've changed."
"Just call me the Witchblade." Sakura giggled devilishly.
xxxxx
To be continued...
Next time
Chapter 8: The Sharingan and the Witchblade Meet! Sasuke and Sakura's Uneasy Reunion!
xxxxx
A/N: It feels so good to update this story again. Sorry for the wait, but I went to my first anime convention this weekend. Otherwise, I would have updated this chapter during this past weekend.
I hope this was worth the wait, but I leave you with yet... another evil cliffie. Haha. Better get used to it. There'll be more where that came from.
The scene where Naruto hugs Sakura was actually based off fan manga pages my friend drew for me. If you want, I can post a link to them on the next chapter. First, I just need to get her permission to do so. What do you think? Wanna see them?
Next time, we'll get to see how Witchblade Sakura fares against a Sharingan user. I mean she managed to catch Sasuke by surprise!
Anyway, next chapter should be up before the weekend is over. After this arc is done, I'll be working on an original story arc. And because of that updates might only come once every week like how the Naruto manga is serialized. Besides, I have other stories I really need to update.
But, don't worry you'll still get your Witchblade: Sakura goodness. ;)
Until them, read and leave me a review! See you in the next update!