Recovering Lost Memories

Wow, I am getting up stories up much faster now! I am very glad everyone is liking this story! I am currently in an extremely hyper mood, so that means I am gonna type until…well who knows, right?

I'm aware right now, that Sasuke is somewhat OOC. I don't really mind if Itachi is in this story for right now.

I will work on my other story right after I finish this story. I would like everyone to know that now, but since this story is almost over, there's no need to worry about it never being updated for a long time. :)

Great Songs to Listen to while Reading:

Within Temptation – Memories

Within Temptation – Stand My Ground

Within Temptation – Angels

Within Temptation – The Howling

Within Temptation – What Have You Done?

Anyways, to the story!


Chapter 11: Savior

Two shinobi lay on the opposite sides of the flame-engulfing basement, both breathless. They both were aware this could be very well be the last time they ever fought. The hole where one of them had fallen through was reduced to rubble and none of them had to the strength to even climb such heights. The smoke was all trapped inside, increasing their chances of certain death.

"You bitch…" The raven haired man growled, raising his head with much effort. "After all we been through…you chose him? The man who ruined your life?!" Sasuke snarled, coughing up blood in the process. Sakura laid on her side, near the burning wall. The fire was growing closer to her, but she didn't seem to respond to it.

"I hope you rot in hell, Sakura, with that bastard lover of yours." Sasuke smirked cruelly, struggling as he stood up and leaned on his sword for support. Sakura did not respond or move. He could barely feel her chakra signature at all; it was extremely low, barely traceable.

Sasuke slowly walked over to her, using the sword for support. Sasuke turned her body towards him with his foot, noticing she had her eyes closed shut. "Sakura, I can promise you, I will kill Itachi. These will be the last promise you hear before you die for once and for all." Sasuke raised his sword above his head, stumbling a little bit.

"I know Naruto may have never fulfilled his promise, but I sure as hell won't!" Sasuke growled, bringing the sword down to strike. Blood splattered onto the floor in front of Sasuke. Crimson widened in shock and fear. "No…"


Ino merely stared at the building from where she was seated out in the grassy fields. The building was definitely collapsing, and she couldn't help wondering what was going on in there. Ino shook her head, turning back to the task at hand. She smiled bitterly, placing a hand on the unconscious man's shoulder.

"Come on, Kakashi, hang in there…I don't think Team 7 can break much more…" She whispered softly as her hand began to glow light green with healing chakra. The chakra was carefully sent into Kakashi's wound, beginning to stop the light bleeding. Ino continued to focus on her work, wondering on how this all happened.

Where is Sakura?

Where is Sasuke?

Where is Naruto?

Where is Team 7? Ino often wondered that question. It had always seemed that Team 7 was never going to be reunited like old times. The Genin days, the simple days. After Sasuke left, Sakura and Naruto didn't seem to think they would ever join back together again. The whole situation between with them seemed…depressing and hopeless.

Everything always seems to be linked to Team 7. Every bad thing, every good thing. I guess, this must be the worst. Ino noticed the wound had finally healed as she switched over to searching for any other injuries. She searched carefully; glad she had found the sword wound and healed it already. If she hadn't healed that already, he would've have died within minutes.

Fortunately, there seemed to be only tiny dirt marks on him and that was it for now. Ino sighed wearily, and let her icy blue gaze drift back to the building. Smoke was lazily rising from several areas of the building, causing the sky to darken. The building was crumbling, and she was sure all the people she cared about were still inside.

A distant rustling was heard behind her, near the border of the woods that surrounded the building and the field. Ino didn't dare looking around, afraid of what she might find. Sakura…unlike me, you had better be safe. That's all I wish, and for the others too. Images of Sakura, Shikamaru, Naruto, Neji, and the savior appeared in her mind.

The rustling grew louder, then light footsteps swiftly running across the field. Ino closed her eyes, attempting to stay calm. She could feel her breathing speeding up as alarms and warnings went off in her mind. No doubt, she was afraid, but that wouldn't stop her from leaving her friends.

If it came to it, she would fight to stay here. The footsteps slowed until they were mere yards away from her. She could hear someone panting and someone else coughing harshly. Ino felt low chakra signatures, too low to recognize. Ino shakily grabbed a kunai, ready to defend herself.

The footsteps stopped as if waiting or halted. Ino spun around quickly, a determined look on her face. The kunai she held dropped to the ground, her eyes widening. "How…?" Ino stopped, lost for words. Realization donned on her as she ran over with arms wide open.

"Shikamaru! Neji!" Ino hugged both of them, aware of their groans. Neji gave a faint smirk, holding his side quite tightly as blood slid down from the spot. Neji was panting softly, his face paler than usual. He stumbled slightly as he made his way over to Kakashi, his eyes slightly narrowed.

"Is he…?" Ino shook her head as she helped Shikamaru over to the where Kakashi was. Shikamaru was bleeding heavily from a cut that ranged from his shoulder down to his elbow. Neji flopped down softly onto the ground, while Shikamaru sat next to him. Ino immediately started to work on Neji carefully, making him remove his hand.

"If Kakashi is here, where is Naruto?" Shikamaru asked curiously, beginning to calculate possibilities of saving them all. Ino remained silent, her head down. Her eyes narrowed, feeling a guilty feeling swept over her.

"I don't know…All I know is…Kakashi is here." Ino softly whispered, watching the wound in Neji's stomach healing process.

"That doesn't make sense, Ino. We were behind them, there's no way Naruto wouldn't be here now." Shikamaru argued logically, frowning. Ino stayed focused on her work instead of answering him. She didn't want to think of losing anyone else. It was bad enough worrying about Sakura and the savior, even if she really did care about Naruto.

"Ino, why won't you-"

"Please, stop!" Ino snapped, tears beginning to form. "Please…just let me work." Ino desperately begged, wanting to take her mind off this whole ordeal with her work. Ino could feel both of their worried gazes on her, but she chose to ignore them.

Neji grunted in pain when Ino began stitching the wounded skin back together carefully. "I know it hurts…" Ino whispered, forcing herself to smile at Neji. Neji merely blinked, and turned away, focusing on the burning building. After a few minutes of complete silence, excluding the rumbling from within the hideout, Ino had finished Neji and moved onto Shikamaru.

Shikamaru stared at her, a blank look on his face. Ino swiftly healed his arm, stopping the blood as quickly as she could. As soon as the cut stopped bleeding, she wrapped it in bandages swiftly. Ino couldn't help looking up, catching Shikamaru's slightly annoyed gaze.

"I didn't mean to snap, it's just I so worried about them." Ino heard Neji mutter something, causing her to turn around. "What did you say?" Neji wasn't looking at her, his eyes transfixed on one part of the building. Ino followed his gaze, followed by Shikamaru. All three of them tensed, feeling another chakra signature. It felt familiar but they couldn't analyze it.

Before they knew it, they could see something that gave them all relief. Ino smiled faintly, feeling the tears finally falling. Neji closed his eyes, lying back down with a small smirk on his face. Shikamaru couldn't help smiling as well, even if it was remote. They watched as the figure ran towards them, with a shocked gaze on his face.

His footsteps stopped a few feet in front them. Compared to him, they all looked beaten up and wretched. Ino stood up, walking over to him with even more tears falling. "Compared to us, you look ready to fight a whole army of shinobi." Neji commented, eyes still closed.

"I will do that if I have to, Neji." Dark cerulean eyes glowed with worry and excitement. "If I have to fight the Akatsuki and all the shinobi that opposed my friends, I will save Sakura-chan and Sasuke-teme."

"Hurry, Naruto. The hideout is almost completely destroyed." Ino urged firmly, glancing over at the burning hideout. They heard a muffled explosion from inside the compound, immediately turning towards that direction.

"I can see that…but how did Kakashi get here? I searched for him, but he was nowhere to be seen." Naruto glanced back at Kakashi with worry evident on his face. Naruto began to walk slowly towards the complex, listening for an answer.

"You may not believe me, Naruto, but a savior saved Kakashi." Ino murmured, just barely loud enough for him to hear. Ino looked up, noticing that Naruto hadn't responded. Naruto was sprinting with inhuman speed towards the hideout. Ino blinked slowly, and then a hopeful smile slowly formed.

"I know you can save Sakura, Naruto! I believe it!" Ino laughed softly, remembering all the times Naruto had used his famous catchphrase. She couldn't help it; it was actually quite contagious…


The only thing Sakura could hear as she woke up was the sound of rumbling and explosions. She couldn't force her eyes to open, feeling a light-headed feeling. She could barely remember what had happened, feeling a throbbing headache follow. She bit her lip in frustration, not able to stop the pain.

Sakura tried to move, but her whole body was numb and stiff. I want…to sleep. Sakura thought dully, the urge to sleep overbearing her. Sakura opened her eyes a fraction, vision too blurred to see anything. Her eyelids dropped slightly, the urge to simply fall asleep growing stronger.

Nausea seemed to also grow, causing her to groan softly. This was only another reason to drift back to unconsciousness, but she just couldn't. Her mind was restless even if her body was screaming in agony through the numbness. A small voice in the back of her head kept telling her to stay awake just for the savior.

Who was this savior? Was the savior the only reason to stay awake? Sakura's eyes closed again, trying to drift back into the nice, comforting darkness. She laid there for a few minutes, feeling the rumbling around her. It shook her hard, making her teeth rattle. Sakura faintly frowned, wondering what was with all the noise.

Sakura could feel herself drifting now, the rumbling beginning to cease. However, instead of rumbling, low murmuring voices could be heard around her. It felt almost like a lullaby. Before she knew it, yet again she was consumed by the awaiting darkness.


"Who saved you again, Ino?" Neji asked groggily with a hint of surprise, his voice beginning to drift away. Ino's icy blue gaze was transfixed on where Naruto had entered through the building. Her lips parted slightly ready to talk. Her gaze drifted slowly back to her teammates.

"The savior." Ino replied softly, sitting down beside them gracefully. Shikamaru stared at her in subdued shock, his fist clenching and unclenching. Shikamaru shook his head in disbelief, muttering something quietly. Ino lifted her gaze to him evenly. "The savior saved Kakashi and me."

Shikamaru shook his head again in disagreement. "That's not what I'm trying to say, Ino." His eyelids dropped for a few moments before opening again.

"Then, what are you trying to say?" Ino responded, still in a dreamlike state. Her mind, obviously, was elsewhere. Shikamaru answered anyways.

"What I'm trying to say is…" Shikamaru paused to watch Neji's sleeping form. Shikamaru merely smiled bitterly, his voice softening. Ino listened hard, not wanting to miss anything even if her mind was on other things. Shikamaru let out a small, short laugh.

"What is it, Shikamaru?" Ino urged gently, her interest growing. Shikamaru shook his head again, his head lowered now. She could see it was hard for him to speak about this matter. Ino scooted closer to him, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. She noticed a few tears roll down from his cheek.

"…"

"Shikamaru…what is it?" Ino spoke softly, carefully.

"You know how I promised to never put my team in danger after we tried to save Sasuke the first time?" Shikamaru coughed slightly, shaking his head in shame. Ino nodded, anxiety spreading throughout her. "After you left in the forest, Neji and I were attacked brutally. We both thought we wouldn't live to see Sakura saved or to see you safe and sound…" Shikamaru's voice softened, Ino barely hearing him.

"I thought I would break my promise in the worst way possible…" Shikamaru continued about Neji and his fight with the Sound-nin until he stopped suddenly. Confusion etched across Ino's face.

"The only reason we lived…" Shikamaru paused, looking another way with his head still down.


A dark night sky with few stars looked down onto the village of the Leaf. A full moon shone down onto the gates of the village dully, showing down on two motionless figures. "Itachi...why?" The pink hair girl murmured softly, tears threatening to spill. The said man stayed silent, staring outside from under the gate into the Leaf village.

"I have my reasons, Sakura." Itachi stated blandly, still with his back to her. "…After all this time we've been together, I would've thought you would understand." Itachi whispered softly, almost to himself. Sakura shook her head helplessly at him.

"Itachi, I don't care what you did. I just…want to be with you." Sakura begged, watching him with a blurring vision. Itachi turned his head to the side, as wind began to blow softly. Akatsuki billowed against the ground momentarily, catching Sakura's gaze. "I'll stop you from joining the Akatsuki if I have to!"

His eyelids dropped a fraction, his crimson gaze narrowing. Sakura took a small step toward him, resisting the urge to run and embrace him. "If you won't stay for me…At least, stay for Sasuke!" Sakura cried out, tears beginning to stream down her face. Itachi turned toward her, with an emotionless look on his face.

She could barely notice the small flicker of curiousity in his gaze, but it was gone in before she could blink. Sakura lowered her head slightly, staring at the ground instead. Sasuke had told her not to tell Itachi about the curse mark, but there was no reason to keep that promise now. Despite the massacre, she wanted Itachi to take care of Sasuke if not her.

"During the second part of the Chuunin exams…Orochimaru tracked down Sasuke and forcibly gave him a curse mark…" Sakura began, a guilty look upon her face. "Orochimaru said Sasuke would leave for power…but if you were here, that wouldn't happen, Itachi!" Sakura voice rose until she screamed the last part. Sakura lifted her head until crimson met emerald. "So please…Itachi, at least stay for Sasuke…"

Sakura ran toward him, having no control over her body at all. Her desire to keep him here seemed to take over her body and actions. Itachi's form disappeared in an instant before she could get near him. Sakura stopped, aware of the risks that she was taking by trying to keep him here. If she did succeed, this could be the very last chance she would ever see him.

Sakura had never thought of the consequences of Itachi staying here after he had massacred most of the Uchiha clan. Her eyes narrowed in defeat, tears still falling. Sakura noticed Itachi outside the village gate, his back to her again.

"I understand, Itachi…" Sakura murmured softly, bile rising in her throat. She clenched her fists, her emerald eyes glazed with pain.

"I really wish…you didn't have to leave, Itachi." Sakura tried to rub the tears out of her eyes. Itachi remained silent, never turning back to her. "Is this the last time, I'll ever see you?" Sakura knew the consequences of asking that question. She may never see him again. He would forget about her in maybe a few years. He may have never loved her and had just used her all this time.

Itachi murmured something so softly, she couldn't even hear it. Sakura took another step forward, almost exiting the village. Sakura sniffed, tears rolling down even faster. "What did you say?" He murmured something again, a little louder. Sakura's eyes widened, her mouth opening slightly in surprise.

"Why do you have to leave?" Sakura felt her vision blurring as she cried harder. "No matter, what they say, I'll always love you! I promise…to find you someday and we'll be together!" The figure disappeared in a black blur before her eyes. Sakura fell to her knees as she broke down mentally and emotionally. I promise…we'll be together someday.


Ino stared at Shikamaru with her eyes widening every second he reported more of his story. Ino felt like fainting. Everything seemed to be crumbling right before her. Icy blue eyes stared at the teammate in front of her, still speaking.

Everything was becoming clearer. Everything revealed. Everything that happened from the very beginning. Ino's mouth dropped open, tears dropping onto the ground. She was speechless.

"We have to tell her, we can't let this-" Ino started only to be stopped by Shikamaru's finger on her lips. Ino stopped instantly, sending him a questioning gaze.

"We cannot interfere with this. It was already going to happen." Shikamaru argued mechanically, his voice dull.

"She'll be hurt! I can't see her hurt anymore, Shikamaru!" Ino shot back helplessly. Shikamaru shook his head in disagreement. Ino stared at him, having the urge to run into the burning building.

"As I said, this is out of our hands." Shikamaru repeated gently, though firm. Ino fell back onto the grass, covering her face with her hands. Shikamaru stared at her in regret and pity. Shikamaru laid back on the grass, closing his eyes, just wanting to sleep. No matter how much he tried, he couldn't sleep.

Ino's muffled cries were enough to keep him awake.


I need my savior.


Sakura woke up drowsily, though fully awake. The only reason she had waken up was that her senses had alerted her of danger. Sakura opened her emerald eyes, vision still blurry. She could feel heat behind her, but she didn't mind it.

Her gaze, though blurry, was gazing in front of her. Sakura stared straight ahead, anxiety along with shock setting in.


Let my savior save me from the danger and darkness.


Red and black blurred before her, thinking her eyes had betrayed her. Sakura carefully pushed off her arms from the ground so she was in a sitting position. An explosion blasted from one of sides, though it didn't startle or scare her anymore.

All her previous memories were coming back to her like a massive tidal wave splashing over her. She wasn't aware who was in front of her, yet she had a pretty good guess.


Not only from the darkness and the danger, but also from the pain.


Sakura felt a small burst of hope grow within her. Pain had dulled to a low ache, including the headache. A small smile formed upon her lips.


Please keep the promise that you made to me so long ago.


With newfound strength, she tried a few times to stand before she succeeded. "Thank you…" Sakura softly murmured, only for the one in front of her to hear. Sakura's vision cleared completely, revealing the one in front of her. Sakura coughed up a great amount of blood in front of her, falling back onto her knees but she still smiled.


I know you will keep that promise cause…


Sakura heard rustling, looking up to see the one turning around to face her. She looked up at him warmly, even though the pain was returning. The one bent down in front of her, ignoring the opponent that was shouting at them now. Even if the pain was wrapping around her, she still smiled. No matter what, she would smile for her savior.


…you are the savior…


Sakura felt lips descend down on her forehead, even if there was a small amount of blood smeared there. Emerald eyes continued to stare at the savior. No, No, not only the savior…


…my savior…


"Thank you for keeping your promise after all this time." Understanding spread across the savior's face, already knowing what she was talking about. The savior stood up, but not before murmuring something that didn't surprise her anymore.

The words echoed in her mind, as the pain completely took over. If I make a promise to you, Sakura, I will always keep it. Sakura watched himturn around to face the opponent, finally ready for the fight. The fight that would change their relationship and lives forever.

"Good luck…" She whispered softly, aware he wasn't listening to her anymore. Yes…you are my savior, but not mine alone…


Uchiha Itachi.


I already knew many of you would be very clever, and already have guessed who the savior would be. I am aware this may be a shorter chapter then usual, but this idea was stuck in my mind for the last few days! I just couldn't ignore it because it was the perfect for this far in the story. :) Anyways, I have decided this is the third to last chapter. Only two chapters left, who can believe it?

I really hope everyone enjoyed the chapter. Now, I know I kinda of left a small cliffhanger, but at least we all know who the savior is now eh? I am quite happy now, since I am ready to start the next chapter! I really hoped everyone enjoyed this chapter . I certainly loved typing it up and posting it, lol.

Thank you very much for reading. I hope everyone is looking forward to the next chapter since it will be one to never forget. Who else can not believe this story is almost finished? I am actually shocked which some of my friends find very funny.

Anyways, I know that seemed maybe a little corny. I thought it was a little corny, even for me. Oh well, I am not changing this chapter now! I seemed to forget this a lot but i do apologize for any spelling and grammar errors!

I would like to thank all the people who have alerted, favorited, reviewed, and read this story! I was so happy when I saw I had so many reviews and hits! Reviews have always inspired me to work harder and faster on stories.

Please review!

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