CHAPTER 6: The Sudden Change
Steam drifted away from him as he blew on the hot mug of tea he was holding. The tea shop wasn't really crowded but he chose to sit outside on a wooden bench, underneath a tilted red umbrella. It was much comfortable where he sat.
Contrary to what Sakura told him, they didn't see each other today. She and her team were sent on an impromptu mission according to what Kakashi told him when they ran into each other.
"Ohayo Sasuke-kun"
Sasuke turned his attention to a nearby tree where his teacher was lazily sitting on a branch, reading his favorite novel.
"I ran into Sakura and Naruto earlier. She left me a message for you", he lowered his book to face the Uchiha.
"Which is?"
"She told me to tell you that they were suddenly sent out on a mission…just in case you'd come looking for them"
He made an audible 'hmp'.
"Unlikely"
Why would she think he'd go looking for them anyway.
Kakashi gave a knowing smile, "Well, I'm just the messenger"
"How come your not with them?"
"It's my day off. Team Seven is with Yamato and Sai on this one", he shifted from his position to prop right leg on the branch and dangle his left one.
Yamato and Sai? So those two must be the ones accompanying Sakura and Naruto when they went looking for him at one of Orochimaru's hideout.
"I see"
He sipped slowly from his mug to test if it was fine enough to drink.
Still a bit hot, but tolerable.
When he walked out of his house today, he actually was expecting to see Naruto and Sakura since it was almost everyday that it happens. It was like a mutual understanding that they'd see each other whenever they can.
So when Kakashi informed him about the mission, he berated himself for trying to meet up with them even though he wasn't really conscious about it.
Has he grown attached to his former teammates again?
Unacceptable.
A reunion was not his reason for coming back here. He has his own goals and priorities. He mustn't forget that.
Maybe when he has accomplished every single one of his goals he can rejoin them. But for now, he must focus and finding the truth about Itachi should come first.
He took another sip on his mug.
So what will he do when they come back from their mission?
Remind them the reason why you're here of course! Or better yet, just do nothing. Ignore them. You don't have to explain yourself to them anyway. This business is your own, they have nothing to do with it.
But knowing those two, they will be persistent. He'll just have to take no notice of whatever it is they want. They'll get tired eventually and leave him alone.
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"How's your arm Sakura-san?"
She looked at the bandages that wrapped her left arm into a sling, "It's healing perfectly well. If you hadn't been there to slow the impact of the enemy's attack on me it could've been worse" She smiled appreciatively to her comrade, "Thank you Sai"
He returned the gesture, "You're welcome. What I did helps strengthen our friendship, according to that book I read..."
"Yeah yeah" the blonde said, weary of how Sai is totally dependent on books with regards to building relationships and managing social etiquette, "Why don't you just go with the flow and ditch reading books"
"I haven't got the hang of it yet but when I do I'll definitely..uh..ditch the books" the pale-faced ninja replied self-consciously, "You, on the other hand should read more though. I can see you need it as much as I do"
"What did you say you bastard!"
"Now now Naruto" the jounin in charge pulled the blonde back before he could lunge himself at Sai between shouts of protests of "I'll kick your ass' and 'let me at him just this once Yamato taichou!'
"Sai is actually right you know"
"S-Sakura-chan…" he stopped struggling and mumbled gloomily at the pink-haired kunoichi's remark.
Yamato sighed. They are hopeless, but I guess this is better than the first time they met.
He then turned to the pink-haired kunoichi. "Sakura, when we arrive at the village I suggest you go immediately to the hospital and have your arm checked"
"Thanks but I'll be okay. My arm doesn't even hurt anymore. I've taken care of the little fractures with my medical jutsu"
"Are you sure about that?"
"Yes"
He exhaled. "Very well"
The mission they got as escorts wasn't really that tough. And after a week, they're glad to be finally nearing home.
"I wonder if Kakashi-sensei was able to tell Sasuke about our mission?" she addressed Naruto.
"Of course he did. I bet Sasuke's waiting for us right now"
"Yeah maybe" she then turned to Sai and their Captain, "I just realized you and Yamato taichou haven't been introduced properly to Sasuke-kun yet"
They both nodded.
"Maybe we could arrange a meeting sometime so you'll get to know each other"
"Sounds good" Sai replied.
"Yes, when we're not busy and have recuperated maybe we could" their Captain agreed.
After a few more walks, they finally arrived at Konoha. Sai decided to head straight to his apartment to rest while Captain Yamato proceeded to the Fifth Hokage's office to foreshow their arrival which left Sakura and Naruto.
"Should we check on Sasuke-kun?"
"I thought I'd go get some ramen first" Naruto scratched his blonde head, "but okay!"
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"Maybe we should come back later, Naruto. I don't think he's home"
They had been knocking outside Sasuke's door for awhile now but still no answer.
"I dunno. I get the feeling he's inside, besides we didn't see him anywhere on our way here. Let's just try to - huh?" the click of the doorknob stopped him mid-sentence. Naruto had tried opening it unconsciously and they were shocked to see that it wasn't even locked at all.
Naruto grinned at her mischievously.
"I-Idiot! You can't be serious!" her eyes bulged in a horrified expression, "We can't just go in there uninvited!"
Inner Sakura was punching the air in excitement though, "I get a kick out for things like this! Cha!"
But the blonde already tiptoed naughtily inside ignoring her calls. She followed him inside despite herself nonetheless.
They checked his living room but it was unoccupied. The same goes for the kitchen.
"Let's just go Naruto" Sakura whispered, "he's obviously not here"
"We'll check that part", he pointed to a sliding door that led to the veranda, "and if he's still not there we'll go"
They tiptoed towards the sliding door and opened it, the afternoon air greeting their faces. They followed the path of wooden veranda walking towards its end until they made a right turn on the corner.
There they found Sasuke sitting on the wooden floor staring absentmindedly at his yard, the part they helped him clean up. His back was against them, leaning on one of the pillars.
"Oi!"
Sasuke's head snapped up to face Naruto when he heard him.
"What the hell are you doing here!" He spat, pissed at the sudden intrusion.
Sakura knew Sasuke's reaction should be expected but it still caught her off guard.
"We just got back from our mission and decided to drop by" the fox-faced ninja replied unflustered.
"I don't recall ever telling you to drop by when you returned" Sasuke said icily.
With the way he spoke, Sakura could tell immediately that they we're not welcomed. Of course they aren't welcome, they just barged in on his house!
But that isn't the only reason. She could feel it. Sasuke acted differently now and she couldn't understand why. They had been talking comfortably last week. What just happened?
He has started to put up his wall again.
Feeling the tension, Sakura placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder and tried to tug him "I don't think this is a good time after all Naruto, we should just go".
She ignored Naruto saying 'He's just pissed he wasn't able to go with us that's all' and facing the Uchiha she said, "I'm sorry about this"
Sasuke didn't notice at first since she was slightly behind Naruto's right but when she tugged the blonde, he saw that her left arm was on a sling and completely covered in bandages.
He frowned.
Don't you dare ask Uchiha Sasuke! You don't care about what happened to her or even Naruto!
"W-what…" he stammered, trying to stop himself from asking, "..happened to your arm?"
Dammit!
"Oh this?" she looked at her bandaged arm briefly, "Just some injury I got from our mission. I got careless but Sai managed to help me though. It's nothing"
Now's your chance! Prove that you feel no attachment to them or to her! That you don't really care. You came here because of Itachi, not because of your former team! Or have you forgotten that?
He smirked "And you speak about how you wanted to be of help to your comrades, yet you still got in their way. You can never get by on your own now can you? You wanting to protect and be useful was all talk"
His words stunned her. Her eyes questioning what made him say such things.
"What the hell is your problem teme!" Naruto was quick to grab him by the collar.
"My problem? You just trespassed in my house!" he pushed the blonde away, "Both of you are my problem!"
Sakura placed herself between the two before Naruto could tackle the other, her good arm on his chest bracing him.
She could see the fury coming from the blonde's face, "Naruto please…let me talk to him"
"Like he's one to listen!"
"Just let me try okay? I don't want you two fighting again" she pleaded.
"Fine"
"I'll talk to him…alone"
Cerulean eyes met viridian ones as he looked at her uncertain of what she's about to do.
"Trust me" she was confident.
"You better not do anything stupid Sasuke" he warned. He then turned to leave, "I'll wait for you outside, Sakura-chan"
"Okay"
She waited when Naruto was out of earshot.
Wistfully, she looked at him. "What happened to you Sasuke-kun? I thought you've come to accept us again…even if it was just a little"
"I did not come here for you or for Naruto. I only came because I have my own goals to fulfill"
"You left because you had a goal…and you came back because of yet another one. Can't you just have a goal and have us along side?" she said assertively.
"You will only slow me down. I don't need another hindrance"
"Have you forgotten what I told you back at the lake?" she said sadly.
He averted his gaze.
"I told you you don't have to do things on your own. Your remember that right? I told you you can count on us"
He pointed at her arm accusingly "You can't even take care of yourself how much more for me!"
"That's totally beside the point!" Sakura replied defensively, "And moreover, I gave you my promise. That I'd protect you and Naruto. I'd give up my life if I must just so you both can fulfill your dreams! Especially you…"
He has heard enough. This argument is not helping nor does he need any of it.
"Look. Just leave me alone"
It took a moment for her to answer, but she did.
"I…I can never do that…" she replied soberly.
"Why the hell not?" he frowned.
"I think you know why" she looked him straight in the eye, "It's because I love you -"
"And I don't!" he replied coldheartedly not wanting to hear any more, 'You annoy the hell out of me"
As if to indicate their conversation was over, he turned his back and started to walk away.
She stared at the wooden floor dejectedly, "I'm already aware that you don't feel the same way"
Turning sideways he asked, "Then what is it that you still want from me huh?" He really was starting to feel very much irritated.
Why is she so persistent?
"I want you not to be angry with Naruto anymore" she began to chose her words carefully, "…and still be my friend. You don't have to keep on hanging out with us 'cause I get that you don't want to. Just…keep me alive in your thoughts at least"
He glanced back at her, "If that's what it takes for you to leave now then fine'"
She tried to force a smile in spite of the anguish that's beginning to creep up inside her. But his acceptance to the offer gave her a meager piece of comfort.
Friendship is better than nothing after all. It assured her that she did not lose him entirely. That little bond she was able to make is still holding on, waiting to be repaired.
I thought I was able to reach you now…I guess I was wrong.
"Thank you"
He compelled himself to turn and walk again, wrenching his gaze away from her as if the glint in her tears might make him change his mind and take back everything he just said.
True to his word, Naruto waited for her outside Sasuke's house. He stood straight from his leaning position and unfolded his arms when he saw Sakura.
"How did it go?" He asked, "Did you put some sense in that bastard?"
"I…I'm not sure"
He studied her face. Sakura was looking downcast and he could tell what happened back there didn't entirely go out well as she expected. Her puffy eyes confirmed as much.
"Well, you tried everything you can" He scratched his head and smiled apologetically, "And it was my fault he wasn't in the mood, not yours, so don't worry about it. He'll be his old self again in no time!"
It's amazing how Naruto always seemed so cheerful. In every bad situation, he can always somehow see that things will turn out fine in the end. Like being able to see amidst complete darkness, having faith as his beacon.
I envy him for that.
She smiled weakly, "I guess so"
Knowing Sakura, she wasn't one to just give up easily. After all those times of being together as a team, Naruto knew she is a strong woman and not even Sasuke can break her spirit.
But now, he saw distinctly her defeated demeanor and it's in situations like this where he wouldn't be so sure about what to say or do.
What did Sasuke tell her to make her look this way?
Standing by her right and he placed one arm around her tenderly hoping that she could find strength in it and help her with what ever it is she needs.
"C'mon. I'll walk you home"
She was glad Naruto was there for her. He always was. But even his encouraging smile and his tender touch did not help ease the pain she was feeling.
How could it? The person she loves and cared for the most had just managed to break her heart once again.
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" i actually liked Naruto on this part, dont you? Hehe review please?" - silverwing 04