Yeah, here I am! It's been a while!
I am sorry to all of you that have left me a message wondering where I was at. Truthfully, I was a bit burned out and slightly disappointed with the feedback that I got during the last chapter, but after leaving it for a few months and re-reading it, omg! It definitely was not the best quality chapter that I have put out. So many typos, repeats, and overall lack of details.
Anyway, I do want to see this story finished, so I am going to finish it. I have also been super busy because of work, but I will do my best to try and update consistently till I finish this fic! I already have some ideas swirling around in my head for more stories I want to write, but I just can't stand the idea of having several unfinished fics. None of them will ever get done if I do that.
So, for you guys returning to read, I really appreciate your dedication and support, even through some of my not so great content. I still have a LONG way to go before I feel that I am a good writer.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or anything related
Chapter XI: The Choices We Face
Forge a new path
The future unknown
We now choose ourselves
The consequences we face
All of time had almost felt like it had come to a standstill as the words spoken with a dead seriousness from Naruto's mouth swirled around in Sakura's head. Naruto's gaze was intense while Hiashi observed quietly, his gaze almost piercing as he watched them. If he had any objections to Naruto's idea of even letting her go along with them, he was not voicing them and keeping his opinions to himself.
"Go… with you?" Words finally found their way out of Sakura's mouth after what seemed like an eternity of a suffocating serious silence.
"I will respect your decision either way, Sakura. I… should feel ashamed for even asking, but I know what you are capable of. Not to mention, I tend to be reckless so someone who could keep my stubborn ass alive -"
"I'll go." Sakura answered quietly, her voice almost a whisper. She quickly glanced over at Hiashi who still hadn't moved since he had stepped in on their conversation before her viridian eyes met with the intense cerulean eyes of Naruto. "I'll go." She repeated again, this time her voice a little louder.
"Seriously?" Naruto questioned as if in disbelief, his mood almost changing to something that was much more lighthearted and relieved in an instant. "I mean, it will be dangerous. We will be fugitives you know... you'd be giving up a good life with the Senju."
"I know what it will mean, Naruto. But you said so yourself - someone has to keep your stubborn ass alive, and I have a feeling someone is going to have to keep you and Sasuke in line."
"Yeah you seem to do a much better job at that." Naruto deadpanned, causing the pinkette to immediately give him a death glare and a punch to the shoulder.
"I'm being serious Naruto. You're so hot and cold sometimes." Sakura retorted with a frown.
"I honestly don't know how to respond to that…" Naruto trailed off, the reality of their intent settling into his thoughts. It was Hiashi that interrupted the silence that had followed however.
"If you are going to do this… Naruto, Sakura," He began, his voice was hushed, but the seriousness of it was easy to catch. "The sooner, the better. It will leave less time for the council to deliberate what to do with Sasuke, and catch them off guard. Naruto, I don't think that I have to remind of the position that I am in."
"I wouldn't dare." Naruto answered, his and Sakura's attention focused on the Hyuuga patriarch.
"I'm sure you can imagine the grim and difficult situation this puts me in, however, I would not support you if I did not think that you are right." Hiashi continued. "There is also… another private matter that I would like to discuss with you Naruto." Sakura looked at Hiashi and then at Naruto who had a somewhat interested expression on his face. No doubt it was probably best that they each go their separate ways so as to not raise suspicion of their late night encounters.
"Well, I need to go to bed. I am sure that we will have a lot to do in the next couple days." Sakura answered, respectfully bowing to Hiashi to take her leave. "Lord Hyuuga, once again please allow me to express my gratitude for your kindness and support. Have a good night."
Sakura shot one more glance at Naruto, his cerulean eyes holding a hint of uncertainty yet a calmness to them as well. She could only guess what the Hyuuga had wanted to discuss with the blonde, and she was fairly sure it had to do with his daughter.
"You know that in doing this, there is only so much that I will be able to do to protect you, Naruto." Hiashi began once he felt that Sakura was out of sight, and out of possible hearing range.
"I do… but the more I think about it, the more I think it's the only way." Naruto answered firmly.
"I overheard your discussion with Sakura about my daughter." Hiashi admitted. "I must admit that I have respect for you for choosing a better future for all of us, rather than your selfish ambitions." Naruto knew that Hiashi was referring to some of the selfishness he had portrayed in his younger years.
"Don't think it's something easy for me." Naruto sighed, his breath exhaling shakily. "But Hinata's happiness and welfare is all I have ever cared about. You've made it clear where you stand, and where tradition stands. I know I said I would commit to those traditions… but I know that I cannot now."
"Indeed." Hiashi answered sharply. "However, I want you to know…" Hiashi paused for a moment as if trying to figure out how to best speak the next few words that would come from his mouth. "If you make it out of this alive, if peace was brought about after such a long time of hatred, I would not hesitate in accepting your hand for my daughters marriage, regardless of traditions. At a minimum I would owe that to you - Hinata loves you. I do not think she would ever look at anyone else. You would be worthy to me."
Naruto's eyes widened with the honestly that Hiashi shared in regards to his daughter.
"You mean-" Naruto was at a loss for words, struggling to form a coherent sentence in his brain. If he made it out alive, the one other thing he had ever wanted in this life, he could have. Hiashi was willing to let him have a life with his daughter.
"Yes, but Naruto. I do not want you to give my daughter false hope. I would rather her be left wondering where you both stand, than you to give her a false promise and never fulfill it. In regards to that, I will leave you with a family gift. Whether you hold on to it to remember your promise, or give it to her now, I will not intervene either way… just consider your resolve, and Hinata's feelings."
The look of dumbfoundment was written all over Naruto's face as he tried to comprehend what exactly Hiashi was implying until the Hyuuga reached into the left pocket of his pants, holding out a small black box to him, his face stern, but a soft glint in his eye. Naruto looked at the box for a moment, blinking as if he was trying to dispel whatever illusion was before him.
"Are you going to take it or not?" Hiashi finally asked, seemingly impatient at Naruto's stiff form.
"U-um yeah, sorry it just… wasn't what I was expecting." Naruto admitted sheepishly. He reached out, gently taking the small box from Hiashi, stashing it away safely in a pocket of his own pants. He would take a look at the contents of the box later in private, but he had some suspicions as to what it was already.
"Good. Do not speak of this to anyone else. As far as the Hyuuga elders are concerned, my daughter is still open for a amicable marriage. Let them think that for the time being." Hiashi instructed. Naruto nodded.
"Thank you, Hiashi."
Hiashi gave Naruto a curt nod of acknowledgement before turning to leave. "I think I will retire for the night. You should as well." With that, the Hyuuga patriarch was gone, disappearing back into the mansion, leaving Naruto alone in the gardens. The moon was nearly full this night, both beautiful and eerie in a sense as it's glow illuminated what flowers and leaves remained.
Even with Sakura willing to aid him on his more than risky, and most likely suicidal campaign, just breaking Sasuke out of prison was going to be a feat in itself. Typically he would think that a new moon would be the best time to attempt an escape with the cover of darkness, but the risk of that is them having to use other means to light their way if they need. They also didn't have time to wait for a full moon. A full moon would allow them to escape without any other sources of light, but it would mean that they would be more visible. If he were to guess right, they would have a full moon in two nights.
Naruto was going to have to come up with a plan to escape in two nights, as well as wrap up his business and tie up any loose ends for the meantime.
Would Hinata accept him like this? Would she understand that this was something that he had to do? Naruto fumbled with the small box in his pocket, remembering the fresh words of Hiashi in his mind. Would it be better to leave her wondering where it was they stood?
Sasuke really hated prison cells. In comparison, the Hyuuga had a much nicer prison than that of Uchiha castle. He had noticed it when they had first thrown him into a cell as their prisoner. A bed, blanket, and pillow was more than Sasuke felt he deserved. Though disgruntled by their own grudges, even the guards were civil though they would probably have been happy to let him sit there and starve to death and afterwards, rot away. He would probably have been thrown into some ditch after the stench was too much.
Instead however, here he was, getting a bed to sleep on, food to eat, and even the courtesy of being there for the burial of the brother he had never known.
He was a mess. His mind was a mess, and he wasn't sure if he was ever going to sort out the overlapping trains of thought that haunted him. It was taking time for everything to fully come to his understanding.
He had a brother who had been alive.
Madara murdered his family.
He was a prince...
But, also a murderer. His body was stained crimson with all the blood he had spilled. If there was a hell, he was sure that it was waiting for him without mercy. His soul was the color of the sins he had committed.
The lies he believed his entire life… the thoughtless acts he committed, and the emotions he suppressed...
And then there was Naruto, who was still willing to help him all this time. He had stayed around like the worst parasite, despite Sasuke's feeble attempts to push him away. The one good deed he did years ago when they were young, perhaps it was the only saving grace he deserved.
Then there was vibrant pink hair and defiant viridian eyes - they haunted his mind far more than he liked, but it was like he was attracted to something he knew now would never be in his reach. Sakura unknowingly had reached into him and pulled out the only bits of humanity that had, and he was unsure of why.
Even with his eyes bound, he felt as if he was seeing all these things that he could not before. For the first time, he felt… ashamed - remorse perhaps. He felt as if he did not care whether he lived or died, even if deep down he knew that those thoughts and feelings were a lie.
No, he didn't want to die. He did not want to rely on anyone, especially the words of the most idiotic blonde that he had ever met, but he was the only person along the lines of friendly that he had. Even if Sakura had been there too, even if she had come to see him on her own accord before taking him to the burial of his brother without telling anyone else, it did not mean anything, it couldn't mean anything.
Irritated, Sasuke clenched his fist as he sat on the small bed in his cell, trying to steady his breathing to an even pace, and calm his racing pulse. He had gotten worked up in all of his frustrations without realizing it.
What is it, that Naruto could do for him at this point? Why did Naruto make him swear to take down Madara and take control of the Uchiha? What could he do to end this war? Naruto had told him to make something better of his life, but how much of that life did he even have left? He knew that without a doubt, he would be sentenced to death if he were to stay here and let the Senju decide what to do with him. Even that would hardly bring justice to the lives he had taken from the Senju and from the innocent.
Even if they were successful - and there was a very slim chance of that - if he became the rightful ruler of the Uchiha and ended the war on that end, would that guarantee that the Senju would not want to wipe them off the face of existence? Would the cycle of hatred continue?
He would never be worthy of anything. Even if he somehow was able to right some of the wrongs of his life.
What would Naruto risk, just for someone like him?
Even with as exhausted as Sakura knew she was, she slept terribly that night, her mind racing nonstop as if it was determined to torture her. With the adrenaline gone from the Uchiha invading the Hyuuga, Itachi and Sasuke, the funerals done, and her decision to help Naruto, her body was realizing the toll - physically and mentally, that everything had taken on her.
She had probably made the worst decision of her life, and even if every logical part of her was screaming to take it back, to back out and forget about it, she could not. She would not.
Sakura needed to see this through. Naruto was someone that she cared about deeply as a friend, a brother that she never had. He had been a supporting pillar when she had lost everything. She owed it to herself, her father, and her family. Never in a million years did she ever think that her life would end up like this. An orphan, the last of her clan, and with special abilities that would die out with her. If this was her fate, her destiny, she would see it through.
There was also her dangerous curiosity towards Sasuke. Time and time again, there was something that drew her to him like a moth to a flame. It had taken her a long time to admit it. In reality, she should be absolutely furious about him, she should despise him and everything that he had done but… she wanted to help him. Sakura knew that there was a good man deep down underneath everything that he portrayed, everything that he was taught.
She hated her curiosity.
Aching all over, Sakura decided to take a hot bath, letting the heat soothe her muscles. Even with the healing abilities she had learned from Tsunade, she knew that she could dull the pain, but she was too tired to care to do so. She needed to save her energy for what she knew was coming in the near future.
The sudden scene of Naruto pinning Sasuke to a wall, making him swear to something with hardly any details played over in her head. The words that tumbled from Sasuke's mouth echoed in her head. That he swore to do something with his life. To right the wrongs that he did, or maybe at least attempt to.
Maybe that's what compelled her to accept Naruto's request. Even if Naruto didn't see it, she saw the slight change in Sasuke's eyes that day, a small flicker of hope, and it gave her a small amount of hope too. She gave a small smile. Naruto seemed to be good at that. Despite all odds, that idiot had something special about him. She felt it the first time that she met him. He befriended people easily, and had a straightforward sense of wrong and right, even if that made him idiotically stubborn sometimes.
A new day was beginning, and she was unsure of what the future held.
Squeezing the water from her short hair, Sakura felt some relief that the hot bath had given her aching body as she climbed out the bathing tub, ready to get dressed for the day. It was still warm, but the weather was beginning to get chilly in the early morning and nights.
Heading back to her room, she decided to wear practical clothes for the day. The fact that her hair was short made it easy to deal with, and instead of parting it down the middle like she had done for so long, she had began sweeping it to the side. It made her feel like she looked a little older - perhaps a little more mature. She had matured she felt, quite considerably over the last few months.
She decided to dress in an all black tunic for the day with a mock neck. It was sleeveless, and she completed her outfits with black leggings and boots. Her tunic had slits that went from mid thigh up to her hip. Perhaps the monotonous color was a little boring, and she did like the wear red the most, but black just seemed appropriate for what was to come.
Heading down towards the main dining hall, she figured she would get some breakfast, maybe talk to Naruto for a bit before offering to help with any soldiers or civilians that were still wounded, or help rebuild the damage to Hyuuga village. Right now, it was a waiting game. Whatever Naruto was planning, she would have to wait until he divulged the details of his plans to her.
Waiting was making her anxious.
"You want to interrogate the prisoner?" Hiashi asked, his eyebrow raised as he looked at Naruto's serious face. Two other Hyuuga guards stood with them. Naruto was hoping that Hiashi would read between the lines of his request.
"Considering that I was the acting general of the Senju troops that were dispatched, I feel that I should do a preliminary interrogation. After all, we still aren't quite sure of what happened. The fact that the Uchiha General surrendered so easily is something worth being investigated." Naruto persuaded, doing his best to act like someone would with his status. Hiashi grunted, but the quick flicker of his eye immediately gave away to Naruto that Hiashi understood why he was going under this pretense.
"Fine. I suppose I should allow it. It might yield us more information to present to the Senju council when they convene in a couple days." Hiashi conceded. He made a quick gesture at one of the guards in the room. "My only stipulation is that he take the ocular potion once again."
"Sir." The Hyuuga soldier greeted.
"Let General Uzumaki through to interrogate the Uchiha prisoner. Go fetch a vial for him and relay to the guards at the prison that I am allowing this." Hiashi commanded.
"Yes sir," The soldier confirmed before looking to Naruto. "This way please, General." Naruto nodded, giving Hiashi a knowing look before following the soldier out of the room.
Naruto had been tossing and turning most the night himself, thinking of how exactly he was going to execute the prison break and escape, and what they might need. Their first focus would have to be escaping successfully. Even if Hiashi was in on their deception, he would have to do everything in his power to treat it like a real betrayal. It would not be easy for either of them. Hiashi would not go easy, and Naruto would be prepared for that.
He had decided that the first thing that he needed to do was find a way to talk to Sasuke privately once more, even if it was under false pretense. If there was ever a time that the fact that Naruto had a history was Sasuke to bite him in the butt, it was biting him a little in the butt right now. No doubt to some it might be suspicious that Naruto would visit the Uchiha.
With the ocular vial in hand, Naruto continued to follow the guard that escorted him towards the prison building. It was a little brisk this morning, and Naruto was slightly regretting dressing as lightly as he did. He was wearing an orange tee and black pants and shoes, his katana slung around his back. Even if he was a General, the fancy clothes and things that went with that were not his thing.
"Lord Hiashi has allowed General Uzumaki some privacy to do some preliminary interrogations of the Uchiha prisoner." The guard stated as the two of the reached the prison area in which Sasuke was being held.
The two guards who were guarding the prison looked at each other, as if dumbfounded at the suddenness of such an unofficial investigation, but made no voice to object.
"Well, if Lord Hiashi commands it, then we will abide." One said, stepping out of the way. "If General Uzumaki needs -"
"I will be fine on my own." Naruto intervened, his voice serious, but lighthearted. The guards once again looked at each other, seemingly unsure, but shrugged before handing Naruto the keys.
"Here are the keys then, sir. We will wait in the guard's room and give you your privacy."
The three guards then left. Naruto overheard one of them mumbling about needing a drink and the other about how he was excited about getting a damn break for a moment. He heard them mention the Uchiha as their voices disappeared down the hall, but he was unsure of what they were saying in regards to it.
"I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you are here, Naruto." Came Sasuke's low voice as Naruto approached the cell.
"I didn't throw you into a wall, and make you swear to something for nothing." Naruto retorted in a hushed annoyance. Sasuke grunted.
"What are you planning, you idiot?"
Naruto began unlocking the cell door, realizing that Sasuke's eyes were covered again.
"One of the stipulations of me meeting with you is that I have to give you that nasty liquid again." Naruto warned, as he stepped into the unlocked cell. Sasuke was sitting on the bed, hunched over as if he didn't give a damn about anything.
"Hand it over then." Sasuke demanded. "At least I can take this damn blindfold off for a while." Naruto was pretty sure that he heard Sasuke take a deep breath and hold it as he snatched the vial from Naruto, popping the top plug off before gulping it in one swig. He set the empty vial down on the bed beside him before reaching up to take the blindfold off, revealing onyx eyes underneath the fabric.
"Well, I will get straight to the point." Naruto began, crossing his arms as he faced Sasuke who remained seated on the bed. He positioned himself to lean back onto the stone wall behind him. "Sakura and I are breaking you out."
"Don't play stupid jokes on me, you dumbass." Sasuke snorted, not buying any of Naruto's words one bit. Naruto frowned, glaring at the Uchiha.
"I'm not."
"What makes you think that I would believe you and Sakura are breaking me out of jail?" Sasuke scoffed.
"Why are you so skeptical about Sakura?" Naruto retorted with a frown and a questioning eyebrow. There was a glint of mischievousness in his cerulean eyes that instantly made Sasuke feel like punching him in the face for. It was almost as if Naruto was insinuating that he knew some secret.
"She has nothing to do with this, and she shouldn't have anything to do with your idiotic ideas."
"Idiotic ideas or not," Naruto answered. "It doesn't change the fact that she did get pulled into this mess, actually no thanks to you in the first place, so the least you can do is play nice. She wanted to come." That part might have been a little bit of white lie, since it was Naruto who had asked her to come, but Naruto knew that only an absolute fool could not see the obvious unspoken relationship between them.
Sasuke huffed.
"Fine. You and Sakura - breaking me out of jail. So, if this is possible, what's your big idea?" Sasuke questioned, his mood a little sour. This was just great. The idea of Sakura coming with them was not at all what he expected, and he was finding himself more flustered about it than he was willing to admit.
"Well before I go into that, Sasuke," Naruto began, his demeanor changing back into seriousness, "I need to know that you have my back. That you have Sakura's back. It will just be the three of us."
"I think you know that at this point - what would I gain from betraying you?" Sasuke pointed out.
"Well first things first, maybe you should directly answer a question, instead of diverting."
"I would have your back, Naruto - as well as Sakura's, though I know that I am the last person she probably trusts."
"She doesn't know you like I do… but I think that she sees that there is a good person underneath all of that... Uchiha." Naruto remarked, gesturing to Sasuke, "Otherwise…"
"Your plan, Naruto." Sasuke interrupted, finding himself wanting to discuss something other than a certain pink haired woman.
"Two days. Well, I guess more like tomorrow night," Naruto continued, not pressing Sasuke's persistence in them avoiding talk about Sakura. "The full moon. We will use to the light of the moon. Sakura and I will bring a pack for you with travel supplies. Our best bet is the drug the guards and slip out before anyone notices."
"It will be obvious who is to blame when you and Sakura are clearly gone with me." Sasuke pointed out. "That's seriously like the most predictable play in the book."
"That's a blame and a price on my head I am willing to pay for, Sasuke. So long as you keep to your word. You know that I keep mine. This isn't going to be a walk in the park. We are going to be hunted by Madara I am sure since he will want to kill you, we will be refugees from the Senju because no doubt they will consider me to have committed a capital crime for betrayal. Sakura belongs to neither, but I'm sure that she would be considered a criminal just as well." Naruto shared.
"So, you have put some thought into this."
"Of course I have. Which brings me to part two. Once we escape, we are going to have to make our way North until we are out of the Senju territory."
Sasuke's eyes widened a little in surprise as he began to realize Naruto's plan.
"The free clans? Most of them are known to the East…"
"There are still many free clans that have been untouched by the war of hatred between the Senju and Uchiha, Sasuke. This is where you are going to have to trust me. What do you think I have been doing all these years? Obviously, I haven't spent them all with the Senju."
"So you know someone." Sasuke concluded. Naruto nodded.
"One of the few people I trust without restraint. He trained me for a long time, mind you. Hence why you haven't been able to kill me." Naruto taunted with a egotistical smirk. Sasuke rolled his eyes at the blonde's words. "We will need to see him first. Sasuke if we have any chance of righting the wrongs that have been done, of changing the future, then we are going to have to go to the free clans. This is a war that we are going to have to wage ourselves."
"What makes you believe that they would follow someone like me into battle?" Sasuke scoffed. Naruto's plans almost sounded like a fantasy.
"You're going to have to find a way to make them believe you, Sasuke." Naruto answered seriously. "I don't know the answer for that. You have to find that answer yourself. After all, if Sakura and I can believe in you…"
"You are willing to die for this?" Sasuke asked, his voice low and quiet. He was having a little difficulty wrapping the idea of all of this around his head.
"I'm willing to die trying the bring peace." Naruto affirmed. "Either way, death comes to us. I'd rather die trying, you know? Are you willing to do the same?"
Days had passed since the invasion of the Hyuuga.
How had Madara failed? How had he not taken the necessary precautions that he needed to prevent everything from unraveling? How had he not seen this coming?!
The Senju being ahead of almost all of his plans, the strange behavior from Sasuke, and that damned pink haired woman - the one who he would blame began all of this. If Sasuke hadn't been so smitten…
Angrily, Madara threw a clenched fist into the desk of his study, thrusting his chair back as he stood, beginning to pace. What would he do from now? How could he turn something like this back into his favor? Chances are, if the Senju caught Sasuke, he would no doubt be executed. Even with the truths that Itachi revealed, it wouldn't save Sasuke, not from the Senju. No, Madara had made sure of that. The blood on his hands would be enough for the Senju's hatred to end the life of the Uchiha prince. Madara would remain in control of the Uchiha.
It however, didn't change the fact that he had now lost his General. Sasuke had been young, but Madara had raised him himself. Madara had turned him into exactly what he needed him to be, and yet, he didn't foresee the faltering feelings and the hidden emotions that he held… No, that wasn't it. He had been blinded because he had been to confident in himself, in the way that he had raised the orphaned prince. He didn't think that a simple woman could instill such doubt in what he thought was full control.
Even if Sasuke was out of the way, permanently, that left him in need of someone else he trusted. The Uchiha army had taken a devastating defeat against the Hyuuga and the Senju. Madara did not take pride in the fact that he had retreat. He would have liked to end Sasuke's life himself for his betrayal.
For now, he would have to bide some time. Being hasty at this point would surely make it so that he would have no chance of regaining control of the situation. There were too many unpredictable variables to consider.
The more time that went by, the more Sakura felt herself stewing in anxiety of the events that were to come. She hadn't seen Naruto yet today, much less even heard what was going on with him, or their plans, but she was sure that he was busy at work. She hated that for the most part, all she could do was wait for him.
In the meantime, she did begin to think about what she should pack for the road ahead. Luckily, she didn't have many personal belongings, but there would probably be so many things that they would need just to survive.
Walking past the courtyard with a herbal book that a nice old lady from a little herb shop had given her, she stopped for a moment to watch some soldiers training in the courtyard, and it was there that she saw the familiar color of orange and yellow that was undoubtedly Naruto, training with the soldiers.
At first she wondered why on Earth he was doing such a thing, but then she realized that it was probably for him to keep up appearances, so as to not raise any odd suspicion. She stood there for a moment, mesmerized at the strength it took to wield such weapons… both Naruto and Sasuke were obviously very skilled - they had been trained for war after all - but doubt began to creep even further into her mind. They could fight, they had the power to defend themselves, and what they felt was important.
She had no experience with weapons. No, even now, she still hadn't been able to fully master what Tsunade had tried to teach her. She had come a considerable way in terms of healing and supporting, but if she were to get into close quarters, she had no defenses. How much of a burden would that put on Naruto? She knew without a doubt that he would do everything he could to defend her. Even though she didn't trust Sasuke, something told her deep down he would do the same, but probably not for the same reasons.
"Hey! Sakura!" She was snapped out of her thoughts when the familiar warm voice of Naruto called to her. Her head snapped up to see him running toward her. "Watcha got there?" He asked curiously, as he sheathed his katana.
"Oh this?" Sakura rhetorically asked, looking down to her book. "It's a herb book. The nice lady at the herb shop gave it to me. She said it seemed like something I could use."
"Huh. Well, maybe so! You are good at that sort of stuff after all!" He replied cheerily. Sakura couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed at his compliment, given the fact that she had just spent the majority of the last few minutes telling herself how feeble she felt in comparison to Naruto and Sasuke's raw strength.
"Yeah, I guess so!" Sakura replied, trying to match her friend's cheeriness.
"Okay, well I gotta get back to training. But, we will talk soon!" He promised before whispering in a low voice something about Sasuke before giving Sakura a quick pat on shoulder and turning to resume his training. Sakura watched him for just a moment longer before continuing on her way. Perhaps he sensed her uneasiness, as something in his expression seemed to suggest as such, but he was careful in voicing anything. Perhaps he was just as nervous as she was, but it would be unlike Naruto to act as such.
There may not have been much that he could say in the open, but if Naruto made it a point to mention seeing Sasuke, then she would do it. Maybe it would be best if she talked to him a little before what they knew was about to transpire.
She headed back to her room, placing her book down on the table of the desk that lay in the corner of it. Some of her other things were scattered there, as she absentmindedly made a note to herself that she ought to clean up and probably start prepping her travel bag soon. In the meantime however, her concern was visiting Sasuke. Her being a medic, it made sense that she would visit him to treat his wounds, even if he was just a prisoner, but something in the back of her mind was telling her that she kind of wanted to see him, just to see him. With everything that had happened, she couldn't imagine that he was in a great state.
Would seeing him ease some of her anxieties? Maybe. Or make them worse… she didn't know. But maybe at least she could hear some of his words herself directly.
Taking a deep breath, she steeled her nerves, before deciding to make her way towards the Hyuuga prison.
When Sakura got there, she found that two guards were on duty, different ones from the last time she had come, and immediately, her mind began to race with different excuses. They weren't going to just let her pass without a reason, and notably, it would be rather suspicious. The first thing that came to mind was that she was there to tend to the prisoner's health. She had so before. It was the most believable thing given her position.
"I'm here to attend to the prisoner's wounds." She stated, trying to sound confident as she approached the two guards. They looked at her, up and down, as if assessing her before talking.
"First that General, and now the medic…" One began.
"Well, I-" Sakura's brain immediately began scrambling for another answer, for another reason. If he mention the General, then that meant that Naruto had most likely found a way to come visit Sasuke earlier, and maybe that's why he had suggested that she go as well in the courtyard.
"Well he was given the ocular potion, so I guess if he was to have visitors, it makes sense to do it while it's still in effect." The other one shrugged, making a ready excuse for the pinkette. A small exhale of relief left her.
"I guess. Though I don't see why that criminal needs treatment if you ask me," the other guard remarked grumpily. Sakura frowned.
"Look, I'm just here to do my job, and follow the rules that were set by your people. All of your prisoners get medical treatment, and he is a prisoner just the same." She retorted before realizing the words that came out of her mouth. The guards gave her a surprised look in response to her outburst.
"S-sorry, we meant no disrespect to your job, and most certainly no disrespect to a guest of Lord Hiashi's…" One of them mumbled. "Do you want us to accompany you?"
"Considering that he had already taken the ocular potion, no. I am fairly capable of taking care of myself. Could one of you two please unlock the cell door for me?" Sakura asked as politely as she could, even though she was feeling rather agitated.
"Yes ma'am, right this way." Sakura nodded as the guards led her to Sasuke's cell, no words being exchanged as the noisy keys rattled in the lock, and the squeak of the cell door sounded as the door was opened a crack for the pinkette.
"Let us know if you need anything…" One of the guards mumbled, as if unsure of whether to insinuate that Sakura would end up being a damsel in distress or not.
"Thanks." Sakura replied, watching as the guards moved to leave, mumbling something amongst themselves as they did. She caught a few words such a 'scary' and 'strong' and 'i heard she' but she was unable to make out in full whatever it was that they were conversing about. Ultimately, it seemed that they had heard rumors about her though, and perhaps it had just worked out in her favor.
"You and Naruto in one day," Sasuke voiced from the corner of his bed. He wasn't wearing his blindfold, Sakura noted as she shut the prison door behind them, letting it close with an audible lock. "Why are you here?"
Sasuke was sitting casually on the bed, his back against the stone wall, one knee up with an elbow resting on it and the other leg rested. Sakura's eyes met the dark onyx of his, and she felt a little vulnerable under their piercing gaze.
"How… are your wounds doing?" Sakura asked, her voice trembling a little as she did.
"You came here to ask me about some scratches?" Sasuke ridiculed, as if it was the silliest thing he ever heard.
"Well even prisoners still get healthcare here." Sakura snapped back.
"I'm fine." Sasuke grunted in response.
An awkward silence fell between them when Sakura finally looked away from his eyes, trying to hide how uncomfortable she felt.
"Why are you leaving?" Sasuke asked in a low voice, surprising Sakura that he was the first the break the silence. Had his curiosity gotten the better of him? Though the wording was strange, she knew that what he was asking was in reference to her coming along with him and Naruto, or at least, that is what she deduced by the fact that Naruto had come earlier and talked with him.
"I want to help people that are in need." Sakura answered back cryptically, so as it make it seem that they were just having a conversation, if there were any listening ears. "Last I checked, you are the last person whom I need permission from to do so." She added, though that was probably a little much.
"It wouldn't matter." Sasuke answered, and while to anyone else it would seem like a cold response, Sakura had conversed enough with Sasuke to know what the meaning was hidden beneath the words.
He was saying that he knows she would do whatever she wanted.
For now she decided she would at least take that as some sort of small compliment.
"Do your eyes burn?" Sakura questioned, once again diverting away from that topic. She caught a quick look of surprise on Sasuke's features before he controlled his expression.
"What do you know about it?"
"I read about the ingredients. The feeling of your eyes burning is a common side effect. I noticed that it seemed to be bothering you when we…" she paused for a moment, as if contemplating how to finish her sentence. " paid our respects."
"They burn, but I can see fine." Sasuke divulged.
"I know you think I'm a burden, but I am here to help you." Sakura finally said, mustering up her courage, as she took steps towards him. Sasuke watched her intently as the spaced closed between them. "I don't know what will lie ahead, but I will do my best to make sure your health is taken care of…" She was close enough to touch Sasuke, when his hand shot out, firmly, but gently grabbing her wrist as if to stop her, catching her by surprise. His grip was strong, but it didn't hurt. He was no longer looking at her, his face covered by his other hand as if he was clutching at his eyes in pain. He was sitting hunched over on the bed, his elbow on his knee.
"Sakura, I said I was fine." He repeated, his voice low, as if he was almost trying to sound threatening, but Sakura noted the tone of panic that was underneath it that was uncharacteristic of him. He released his hold on her wrist, leaving nothing but the sound of their breathing between them. Sakura hadn't realized that her heart rate had spiked when his hand had shot out to stop her from closing any more distance between them, but despite Sasuke's sudden defensiveness, she didn't find herself feeling threatened… only frustrated at his lack of cooperation.
"Okay." Sakura breathed, pulling away from the Uchiha, unsure of where to take their conversation next.
"Tomorrow, these scratches won't be bothersome anyway." Sasuke stated, once again meeting her gaze as he seemingly regained his composure as Sakura created a little distance between them. Sasuke never said anything unless it was important, so she assumed that maybe that's when Naruto was planning to break Sasuke out, and it was probably why Naruto wanted to meet with her that evening. It left them with hardly any time...
"I will have to trust your judgement then…" Sakura replied softly. She turned to as if ready to leave, as if there was nothing else to say between them. She stopped though, slightly turning to him though she did not let the viridian of her eyes meet his.
"Sasuke, I meant what I said," She reiterated. "When you asked me that question days ago, and I answered. It... hasn't changed."
She called for the guards to come unlock the cell, and one of them did so promptly, as she exited the room, the cell door once again closing loudly behind them. She didn't dare look back at Sasuke with her back turned to him, and a witness beside her, but she contemplated on the last words that she spoke to him.
For some reason, she just felt that he needed to know that she had meant those words that she had told him.
Sasuke had been harsher than he had intended, but she had been too close.
Sakura scared him in more ways than one. Not just because he was undeniable attracted to her even though he was doing everything he can to deny it, to put up walls between them, but because she threatened to tear those walls down. Her mere presence was a threat, and he fought desperately to keep those walls up.
She also scared him because he doesn't know how to respond to her persistence. He doesn't know how to respond to someone who was willing to continue forward with him, despite who he was, who he is. He doesn't know how to accept the offer of her forgiveness. She had uttered it so easily, that she would forgive him because she saw a good person in him, even though he had done nothing to prove such a change.
Sasuke grit his teeth in irritation. This was why he wasn't okay with Sakura coming. No, he was scared of Sakura coming - because she represented change, and change was something that Sasuke hadn't had in a very long time.
Sakura was hope, and hope terrified him.
Phew! It took me a looooooong freaking time to write this chapter, and it still wasn't my favorite, but necessary as we move into part 2 of the story! I can't believe that I haven't updated this since August! So for those of you that are still with me, thanks so much! I really need to see this story finished, despite all the picking apart I've done with it. It's not perfect, and won't be, but I hope it's been able to take you into another world when you read it.
Anyway, I have started work on the next chapter which will be the prison break of course, so things should be interesting! I know that the development between Sasuke and Sakura have been slow, but please bare with me! They are making progress, and they will make much more progress now that part 2 is starting. In this story, I've decided to make Sasuke more the initiator, and while I think I tend to think that Sakura has always been more the initiator in their canon relationship, I wanted to give this a little bit of a twist between their dynamics. So, I hope it won't end up putting them too out of character.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you will look forward to the next chapter!
