Wow. This was a (somewhat) fast update! (My fastest one yet!...I think) Anyway… I was really motivated to get the story moving along. Time for some review replies:
Fragments of Hope: xD Suspense is good! lol. It was fun writing the chapter with the manaka-san thing from the old chapter.
NarutoSakuraSasuke4ever: I'm glad you enjoy it. and your question was answered, right? xP
Jami16: xDD thx for reviewing and telling me what you think.
Mist of Regret: xD lol
x3rawr: -smilies- thank you!
Missysillivan: lol I gotta write more, damn it! ;)
Akuinnen: Humour is good, no?
Random me: why thank you. :)
Cherryblossom222: sad yes, but I'm one for happy endings (hint hint)
Fragments of hope: Yeah... sasu-kun is hard to keep in character. Man, writing his dialogue and actions take a lot of thinking! xD
Yuki san1: D well, here is the update!
Sakura Uchhia: Yes, definitely continuing! xP
Akuinnen: Thank you for sticking with aTofF the whole way!
...and special thanks to Jami16 who sent me a pm as a review for ch. 9 because of some technical problems with the reviews. :)
Of course, thank you all for reading the fanfic. D
A Twist of Fate
Chapter 10: Wish
The afternoon sun shone brightly onto the field in front of the Hokage Tower. Excitement was in the air. The jounin exam had ended and results were being given out. The contents tested this year proved to be broader than everyone thought. (And to Naruto's relief, most of the tasks were marked on performance level…not intelligence of the test taker.)
The exam takers all gathered on the grass in front of the Tower, awaiting their futures. Many were excited, anxious, and nervous. The volume of the group was bustling sky-high. Friendly chatter was buzzing in the air.
The Godaime Hokage peered at them from her office windows, a proud smile on her lips. Konohagakure held many young talents and determined shinobi. The results of the jounin exam would soon bring them happiness and fruit for their hard work.
This year's exam had a total of three components. The preliminary part was the entry form. The questions posed on them had tested the basic knowledge of the exam taker and judged whether or not the nin would be allowed entrance.
The first task was individual. Shinobi were tested for basic jounin level skills as well as techniques from ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu. Nin who wish to go into the medical fields were required to perform preliminary medical jutsu on top of the other skills.
The second test was a group effort. Shinobi were sent off in previously determined three-man cells to demonstrate co-operation and group abilities. The cells went through combat with other cells and, through matches, were to show teamwork, planning, and the ability to watch each other's backs.
The last challenge was also executed in cells. It required trust and thorough understanding amongst team mates. This time, the nin were put through genjutsu, mind games, and puzzles. These tests purposely attacked weaknesses and emotions. Shinobi must form strong bonds with one another for power to defeat the enemy.
This exam not only showed the takers what they were capable of but also allowed them to find themselves again. They were challenged in real life-and-death situations where one wrong move would end it all.
The instructors, sensei, and upper councils were also able to gather information about their ninja through this exam. And the outcomes of it brought glory to their names as well as the village hidden in the Leaf.
Tsunade-sama sat down in her comfy arm chair. She, along with various members of the upper council, will have to make an appearance in an hour when the midday sun shone brightest. At exactly twelve noon, the chuunin would hear word of their results.
Grabbing the stack of exam outcomes, the Hokage decided to look through them for the umpteenth time and sort them by cells. At the topmost of the pile were the reports for the original rookie nine and Gai-sensei's team (except Neji, who had already become jounin.) Her smile bloomed as she recalled old times. It was only a bit more than five years ago when they first held their titles as Konohagakure's genin.
xXxXx
"Oh come on, Sakura-chan! Let us in on what you heard from old Tsunade-baachan!" begged none other than Uzumaki Naruto.
The newly reformed Team Seven sat sprawled about the grass under a shady tree. Sakura, who had just come down from the hospital five minutes ago, was already bombarded by the loudmouthed blonde.
"Naruto! What makes you think she told me anything?" the pink-haired girl asked him.
"Eh…? Sakura-chan, the old woman must have told you something! You are her apprentice after all. So spill! Or at least tell this little Uzumaki Naruto the goodies!" Naruto fought back, determined to get some info out of the girl.
A few steps away from them, Uchiha Sasuke remained motionless. Sitting on a large rock with his hands intertwined before him, and elbows propped up by his knees, he watched his team mates while reliving the exam.
He was confident that he had performed well, but one thing was eating away at him. During the last part of the exam, he realized that something was tugging at his heart. The first genjutsu techniques they were put through were torturous, but he – being a cold, emotionless avenger – stood through it without even battering an eyelash.
What showed him a weakness that had he possessed was through the last test.
Genjutsu specialists, including Kurenai-sensei, utilized complex, high-level techniques which drew out each nin's worst fear and brought it to life. Obviously, each person was different with different dreads. So, the illusions that they had to endure were all quite different.
Predicting that something like this would happen, Sasuke was somewhat prepared. Having had nightmares about this multiple times, the Uchiha was pretty confident it would be put against him…
The Uchiha massacre.
To see his beloved mother, father, and relatives limp and lifeless on the ground, bathing in pools of their own blood was far beyond terror. It was like cutting himself with his own blade... And to see his respected brother standing in the middle of their bloodied bodies, covered in crimson stains was like pouring salt onto the raw flesh. It was a fate that he would give anything to change. It was a scene that he would do anything to erase.
Right from the beginning, Sasuke was sure that that would be the moment of his life he would have to relive. In his dreams. In his fears. In his soul.
That memory was his fear, but he wasn't afraid. Uchiha Sasuke was an avenger. That memory was also his fuel.
Positive that he would have to suffer through those bloody memories again, Sasuke was completely taken by surprise when it was Sakura's lifeless body he saw…
xXxXx
Without warning, the skies darkened. Sasuke tensed, knowing that the final genjutsu test was about to begin. Naruto and Sakura, who had been standing beside him, both disappeared out of sight, blending into the darkness.
It was fine. He was alone in the pitch blackness – something he experienced very often.
Before his senses adjusted, his surroundings became visible. This time, however, his world was not how he had left it. Thorned vines pulled tight at his arms and legs. No matter how much he thrashed at them, they would continue to tighten.
There was a feeling of unease resonating from the depth of his heart. He was sure that the Uchiha massacre would soon happen before his very eyes…again. Remembering that this was merely an illusion, Sasuke calmed down. Summoning some chakra, he performed rapid seals.
"Katon, Goukakyuu no jutsu."
Instantly, a fire ignited as the boy exhaled, simmering the vines to ashes.
Knowing that it was advanced genjutsu, a simple release would most likely not work. But it was still worth a try.
Pulling his hands together and forming a seal, he whispered, "Kai."
Against this high-level technique, the release only worked to an extent. It had only cleared him of obstacles blocking his view. Looking far off into the distance, the Uchiha manor that Sasuke had expected was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, amongst the dark red and black shades was a flash of pink and a painful yell.
That piercing scream was all it took
Frozen, you wait in this deafening silence
Eternity consumes your very soul
Shattering the only hope left in your world
The raven-haired boy's heart quivered for the first time in a long while. He cursed under his breath at the twinge of emotion.
The Uchiha narrowed his eyes, pushing to see beyond the limit of his vision. Slowly, he began to walk toward the scream. Within seconds, the walk evolved into a jog, and then to a reckless run.
While making his way to reach his goal, he managed to convince himself that the eagerness pounding against his chest was only because he wanted to quickly get the last test over with. And the swiftness of his legs was only because the test will only end if he encounters and endures the memories drawn out to challenge him.
As the seconds passed by, the raven-haired boy started to believe his own reasoning less and less. There was something else to his sudden desire to find the origin of the scream.
Sakura…
At the mere thought of the name, Sasuke's legs increased in speed. He knew it was only genjutsu, but his heart willed him to go and find her.
What was wrong with him, he did not know. Neither did he have time to ask himself.
Finally reaching the seemingly endless length to his goal, the Uchiha witnessed his heart's true fear.
Memories flash before your lifeless eyes
Dwelling upon the lines that time could not erase
There, in the centre of the clearing was a small fragile body. A pool of blood caught in moonlight glistened. The one thing that captured Sasuke's attention were those strands of pink hair.
That pain reawakens, those scars bleed again
And all you could do was endure
Legs refusing to move, he slowed down…walking to his inevitable fate. The heaviness in his chest grew more and more grave as every heartbeat sounded.
Upon your shoulders, a burden you carry
A weight…heavier than life itself
You inch towards that restricted freedom
But its grasp continues to pull you back
His destination seemed farther and farther away. But Uchiha Sasuke was determined. His knees gave away with a dull thud as he lowered. Sasuke extended his hand toward her face but realized that he was afraid to see the truth. Shaking slightly, he touched her hand. It was cold as ice.
All of a sudden, the raven-haired boy felt that his world would collapse.
Gathering strength, you struggle for life
Nothing put a whisper made it past your lips
"Sakura…" was all he could muster.
Summoning resolve, his hand made its way to her face. More gently than he thought he could manage, the Uchiha lifted her head. What his eyes took in tore at his heart.
And there you remained, chained to your fate
Wondering when the hands of time will stop
The pink-haired girl's eyes were closed and her face was bloodstained. Even after what looked like a lot of hardships, Sakura's features were peaceful. Sasuke closed his eyes, a frown on his brows.
Winds flutter by, engraving into your mind
The torturous pain all must feel
You reminisce, imprisoned in your thoughts
The innocent world, tainted with crimson regret
Resting her head in his arms, the raven-haired boy was deep in thought. There was a mix of strange emotions brewing inside him. Having little experience with them, he was really quite confused. What did it all mean? Who really was this girl to him?
The only thing that he knew for sure was that there was more to it than what he knew about her.
"Sakura…wake up." Sasuke pleaded.
He hoped for her to open her eyes. Anxiety pounded with every heartbeat. After waiting for what seemed like forever, the pink-haired girl's eyes remained shut. For once he possessed fear. Or maybe he had possessed it all along and had just not realized. Uchiha Sasuke was scared to even think that she was…dead.
The emptiness erodes your tattered heart
Slowly, bitterly you fade away
Until nothing is left but a faint twisted beat…
Echoing throughout the stilled blackness
A small faint whisper sounded.
"Sasuke…kun…"
Suddenly alert, the Uchiha turned his attention back onto the girl in his arms. Her emerald eyes were lifeless and she seemed to be at unease.
"Remember…" was what she told him. For a moment, the raven-haired boy was able to see the world more clearly than ever before. He did not know why, but it felt as if his heart had understood.
"Remember…please" she repeated as her lips formed a soft smile. And not giving him even a second longer, Sakura's eyes dropped shut and her body fell limp.
Those last seconds pass, all is lost
And for once in your life, you understood
Untold truths feed your heart
Contradicting everything from the past
"Sakura!" he yelled, his voice traveling to the ends of the earth. Sasuke still did not understand what her final words meant, but at that moment, he didn't feel like living anymore…
You close your eyes, welcoming defeat
Satisfied with the taste of reality
Letting yourself fall into the dark,
Bit by bit, you disappear
What did it mean?
"Remember…"
Somewhere among the mixed feelings, Sasuke had forgotten that it was only an illusion. And now, he was lost in the infinite darkness…wandering…
Then suddenly, he felt someone grab his hand. His eyes widened, trying to see who it was, but he could not make out anyone in this pitch black world. Sasuke closed his eyes and tightened his grip on the person's hand.
"Sasuke?" a familiar voice called out.
The Uchiha's eyes opened. And holding gently onto his hand was Sakura. That same soft smile on her lips, but a lively light shone in her emerald eyes.
Thanks to her, Sasuke had successfully passed the last test. But through it, he understood that perhaps there was something his heart knew that he didn't.
xXxXx
"Um…Sasuke?"
Hearing that voice call his name, the Uchiha was pulled back into reality. He looked up. Sakura sat on the rock beside him, a concerned look in her eyes. Naruto was on the grass in front of them.
"So, what about you teme?" the blonde asked, that sheepish grin on his face.
Sasuke stared, and tried to recall what the dobe had said. Unfortunately, he was a bit too concentrated on what was going on in his mind, and had absolutely no idea what was going on in the real world.
"What about me?" he grunted, emphasizing on the 'about.'
That made Naruto's face rearrange into a wide gape.
"Ahh…?! Sasuke-teme, did you hear a single thing I said?"
The Uchiha faced him, a passive look on his face.
"No." he told him a little too frankly.
"Ahh…?!?" the blonde yelled, obviously pissed off. His jaw dropped lower.
"Close your mouth, Naruto. We're not catching flies!" Sakura told him through laughs.
"Now you're helping the teme, Sakura-chan? Don't be on his side!" Naruto pouted.
The pink-haired girl smiled, it was back to the old days. Sasuke would be silent, Naruto would be loud, and she would be…happy.
Sakura looked around, hearing Naruto starting to argue in the background. All of the rookie nine and Gai-sensei's team were here (even though Neji had already become a jounin, he was still there to see his old team mates.) Everyone seemed content, and was chatting loudly.
Faster than she could blink, the volume of the group had significantly decreased. Before long, all of the exam takers had stood up, gathering with their team mates.
Not quite sure why, Team Seven followed suit. Finding Hinata, Shino, and Kiba, the two groups joined.
"Hinata-chan! Kiba! Shino!" Naruto called out loudly even though the trio was right in front of him.
"O-oh…Na-Naruto-kun…hi" Hinata stammered, a visible blush sweeping her cheeks.
Following the kyuubi vessel's first greeting, the others said their own salutations to each other (along with a happy bark from Akamaru) and turned to face where everyone else was facing – the Hokage Tower double doors.
Standing front and centre, with Shizune and Tonton on one side, the Godaime Hokage Tsunade-sama waited for everyone's attention. Filed up neatly in a single row behind her were five of the upper council members, all dressed uniformly in their robes. Every one of them, including Tsunade, held papers in their hands.
Right away, traces of chatter subsided and all attention was gathered on the individuals with the important-looking papers. Quickly, the cells assembled in their arranged locations.
Seeing this display of orderly formations, a broad smile appeared on the Hokage's face.
"Welcome, everyone, to the jounin exam result assembly! Your performances have all been judged, and the outcomes will be handed out within the next moments." The blonde woman spoke out firmly. "These papers that we hold in our hands," she began again, raising the sheets in her hands for emphasis, "hold your evaluations. Whether or not you become a jounin will be listed in these reports along with reasons to support the decision. They will be given out in cells by age group in ascending order."
For dramatic effect, the Godaime paused there to let the information sink in.
"Firstly, former Team Seven: Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura, and Uchiha Sasuke, please step forward." She read aloud from her papers.
Following the order, the three took one step out of the line in unison. Their faces were grim for that this was a serious business.
"Next, we will have former Team Eight: Inuzuka Kiba, Hyuuga Hinata, and Aburame Shino come forth as well."
Following suit, team eight took one step out of the line.
"Finally, for this age group, Team Ten: Nara Shikamaru, Yamanaka Ino, and Akimichi Chouji please join the previous two teams."
The mentioned three stepped forward.
With a big grin on her face, the Hokage announced, "As of today, the original Rookie Nine officially become Konohagakure's Jounin. Congratulations!"
xXxXx
"We just become jounin, and right away we have to go train. At least Tsunade-no-baachan should give us a day off." Naruto protested.
It was an hour after the assembly, and the new jounin were told to remain in their teams and reunite with their former sensei (except Team ten…we had lost Asuma-sensei to a battle a few years back.) Most of the chuunin who took the exam were able to become jounin, and Konoha's military forces this year were going to be exceptional.
"Quit complaining, Naruto. Just think of this as a reformation of Team Seven. Besides, we haven't trained with Kakashi-sensei in a while." Sakura told him while the three walked towards their old training grounds.
Making their way to the polls where they had first trained, Sakura smiled to herself. She turned around to face Sasuke and Naruto.
"Time to show off our new moves, right?" she joked with a smile.
"Hn." came Sasuke's trademark reply.
"Yeah! Believe it!" Naruto exclaimed.
The pink-haired girl giggled. It was like old times again.
"Anyways… Where is the old pervert?" the kyuubi vessel questioned, looking around for signs of the copy-nin.
Team Seven had been apart for so long that they had forgotten that their Kakashi-sensei wasn't the best at arriving on time.
Sakura sighed, "Late. As usual."
How nostalgic…
xXxXx
It was almost an hour later when the silver-haired jounin showed up. With a little poof of smoke, he appeared. Like always, his face was buried in his little orange book.
Peeking out from behind it, his one visible eye closed in a smile.
"Hi guys, good to see you again. Sorry I'm late…On my way here, I saw an old woman with a heavy grocery bag so-"
"LIE!" Naruto and Sakura cut him off.
It was really like the old Team Seven again. But this time, the three shared the same rank title as their sensei, and have grown tremendously in strength.
xXxXx
The sun had set behind the mountains of Konohagakure. Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke have just shown their former sensei their new techniques. Truthfully, Kakashi was really impressed with their progress. And if they had to go through the bell test again, he would definitely have to put down his Icha Icha Paradise.
The skies were midnight blue. Team Seven lay on the open fields under the canopy of stars. Feeling the atmosphere between Sasuke and Sakura, Kakashi decided to take some action.
"Naruto, didn't you say you wanted to see some fireflies?" he began.
The blond looked up sleepily, "Huh? What fireflies? Who said I wanted to see-"
At that moment, he received a sharp elbow in his side.
"I think I saw some over there. Let's go." Kakashi quickly said, getting up and pulling Naruto along with him.
"But, but-"
Seeing that the blond had still not gotten the hint, he had to use force. Clamping his hand roughly around Naruto's mouth, he began to retreat into the bushes.
Sakura sat up, looking at the bushes where the two had disappeared.
"Naruto? Kakashi-sensei?"
Sasuke sat up too, glancing over his shoulder at the same place.
"Where have they gone off to now?" the pink-haired girl wondered out loud.
"Hn." The Uchiha grumbled in disapproval.
Sakura turned back. Realizing that they were alone, the atmosphere soon grew dense. Awkward silence stretched between the two. The pink-haired girl cleared her throat, trying to think of something to say.
To her luck, the sky suddenly lit up.
Swiftly glancing towards the light, a smile bloomed on her face. The Uchiha looked up as well. Zooming by, a shooting star cascaded across the deep velvet skies.
"A shooting star!" Sakura exclaimed, her hand gently touching Sasuke's arm.
"Quick! Make a wish!"
Sasuke watched in amusement as the girl clasped her hands together and closed her eyes. Sometimes she could be so naive. The Uchiha chuckled silently to himself.
Quietly, Sakura whispered into the night…
Sasuke…Please remember.
So? What do you guys think about this one? xD
That big section in italics was Sasuke's flashback (as you all probably guessed) and the bold italics in that section were some verses I randomly wrote on a night that I suddenly felt like writing something emo. xD And very coincidentally, the verses depict perfectly the scene I wanted Sasu to remember. (So lucky for me, it became my guideline. )
The end was somewhat predictable I guess – with the shooting star and all. xD I felt like putting an oldie in here. D
Anyways, same drill…tell me what you think and review!