Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter Twelve: How the Heart Rages

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. His whole body hurt like hell, and his ragged breathing made it even worse.

The sand tightened around Sakura's small body, and she gasped in pain. She was already unconscious by then.

Sasuke turned to her, a determined gaze in his black eyes. "Naruto, listen to me. You have to save Sakura, if it's the last thing you do."

Naruto turned to him, confusion written on his face.

Sasuke continued. "Once you've got her, I want you to take her and flee as fast as you can. It's all up to you."

"Sasuke…you…"

Sasuke struggled to stand up as he took several shallow breaths. "I can…hold him here…a little longer…" He finally stood, and he summoned his strength to take a stance. "If it ends here, it just means this is as far as I was meant to go. I lost everything once. I don't ever want to have to see that again." Sasuke's fists were clenched at his sides and his tone became more passionate. "My trusted comrades falling…right in front of me."

Naruto looked surprised. "You're…comrades? Sasuke…"

Naruto seemed lost in thought before standing up. "I get it now. Of course. He's no different than I am…going through life with the exact same sadness and loneliness that I had to carry. He fought only for himself, never relying on anyone. And because of that, I thought that he possessed strength. I really did."

"Naruto…"

"I don't know. I guess I should've known better. That's not what real strength is. If you never fight for anyone but yourself, you'll never be strong, no matter what you do."

Naruto put his hands together and blue chakra began swirling around him.

Sasuke put his hand over his eyes to shield them from the bright light. He's releasing a massive amount of chakra! How is he doing it? Sasuke thought.

Sasuke saw Naruto look at Sakura, who whimpered in pain. "No matter what happens, I swear I'm going to protect you!"


Sasuke's eyes shot open. He quickly took in his surroundings, and then tried to remember why the hell he was lying on the wet ground.

A flash of Sakura's pale face in the darkness went through his mind. He remembered now. They had been talking, and then had shared a passionate kiss. What happened after that he didn't know.

He closed his eyes in thought. The last thing he remembered was…Sasuke…thank you. Sasuke clenched his jaw in anger. How dare she do that to me! He ignored the voice that said,You did it to her!

He angrily got up off the ground and brushed himself off with as much dignity as he could muster.

"Sasuke! Where have you been? I've been looking for you for forever!"

After a steely glance in her direction, Karin stopped whining and sobered up.

"We've got information on Akatsuki."

"What is it?"

Karin grinned. "We know where they are."

"Good. Collect Juugo and Suigetsu. We're leaving in five minutes."

Karin nodded and disappeared.

Sasuke sighed. Sakura…you gave me your word. How could you do this to me? Damnit, I need you! You were my ace in the hole…

His thoughts strayed to his dream that he had. Why would I dream of that? It was so long ago…and so insignificant…he felt a slight stirring in his chest. He remembered how he had felt that day, like his friends were the most important thing in the world. He would've done anything to keep them from harm. And then he had turned around and betrayed them, tried to kill them, and betray them yet again.

Sasuke had no explanation of how he felt about that. His twelve-year-old self would call himself a scum bag for doing that. He sighed and folded his arms across his chest. They just don't understand. They don't know what I've been know…what it's like having absolutely no one left in the world. Naruto was alone as a kid, but he's got Hinata now. He's probably forgotten the meaning of the word 'alone.' And me…I've still got no one.

For once, he didn't ignore the voice in the back of his head that said,you could've had Sakura.

Yeah, I could have. But then where would I be? Somewhere in Konoha now, paying for my betrayal by doing some community service, probation, maybe even a death sentence. I would be no stronger, my life's goal wouldn't have been fulfilled, and I would be under the command of a crazy lady. But I would have Sakura.

To be completely honest with himself, he still would choose his freedom over Sakura. He couldn't help it. He didn't like to be told what to do, to be bogged down with rules and restrictions. He liked holding nothing back in a fight. He liked it when he could prove his worth by beating his opponent. He liked the feeling of power that came with it.

It wasn't Orochimaru's curse seal that made him crave power. It was his Uchiha blood. It was sort of like a bloodlust within him. He wanted, no needed, to be the strongest he could be. He knew he couldn't have done that if he had stayed in Konoha.

He didn't regret his choice. He was glad that he had deflected away from Konoha. He bore no grudge against it, for it had been his home for twelve years. He couldn't say that he missed it, though. The only he missed were his…friends.

The path of the avenger is a lonely one. After finally getting used to having companions again, they were gone. Whatever affection he held towards them disappeared to. He would find himself wondering about them from time to time, if only to satisfy his curiosity. But he had gotten over them.

And then they had to get to him again. They had to make him care again. He hated that feeling. It made him feel vulnerable…weak. That's how Itachi made him feel. That's why he never wanted to get close to anyone. But damn them…they'd broken through the carefully erected barriers around his feelings and made him…feel again.

Sasuke closed his eyes. He didn't understand the conflicting emotions running through him. He knew he was angry, he recognized that emotion right away. There was also…hurt. A sense of betrayal.

It disgusted Sasuke. He was an Uchiha, damnit! Uchihas didn't get hurt…at least emotionally.

The sound of a thousand chirping birds ramming into an innocent tree rent the quiet forest as Sasuke took out his anger the only way he knew how.

"Damnit!" He just kept cursing and demolishing tree after tree. Sakura…how could you. You promised…I knew it. This is why I wouldn't let anyone in. I knew that in the end, just like Itachi, they would betray me.

Karin, Juugo, and Suigetsu appeared as they witnessed Sasuke pouring out his rage. After he had summoned all the chidoris he could stand without losing too much chakra, Sasuke stood there panting.

Suigetsu, being impatient, spoke. "So Sasuke, what happened to Meddie?"

Karin tried to pretend like she wasn't listening, but Sasuke noted the way her attention was focused on his answer. Juugo, too, was curious.

"She left."

"Why?"

"I don't fucking know. But I'm going to find out."

Karin's mouth opened in disbelief. "You mean you're actually going after her?"

"I'm just going to reclaim what is owed to me."

Juugo frowned. "What do you mean? Did you lend her money?"

"No."

"Than what?"

Sasuke sighed. "She has a debt to pay off. She made a promise and she broke it. Now she must pay."

"What are you going to do to her?" Karin asked excitedly, imagining all of the horrific things Sasuke was capable of.

Sasuke looked back, his breath regained. "We're wasting time. Karin, find her."

"Hai!" Although reluctant, Karin did as Sasuke asked. Maybe Sasuke will kill the little whore when he finds her, she thought gleefully.


Sakura stood on the edge of the statue of the first Hokage, listening to the sound of the waterfall. The breeze stirred her pink hair as she was deep in thought.

She bit her lip whenever she thought of Sasuke. She (and neither would Sasuke for that matter) forgive herself for doing what she did to Sasuke. Even though Sasuke had done it to her, that was no excuse for her to do the same.

"Naruto…where are you?"

"Somebody say my name?"

Sakura gasped and whirled around. "Naruto!"

Naruto's tanned face was grinning ear to ear, and his bright blue eyes were shining. His arms were spread wide, and Sakura flung herself into them.

After an entire minute of them squeezing each other, Sakura finally released him.

Naruto smiled gently. "Sakura, we have to get going. Jiraiya…" Naruto shut his eyes tightly and pinched the bridge of his nose.

A pit of dread formed in the bottom of her stomach. "What do you mean?"

It took a moment for Naruto to compose himself. "Jiraiya found Akatsuki's lair. He went there by himself…yesterday one of his toad's popped up in Tsunade's study. Jiraiya was fighting the Akatsuki's leader, and he was mortally wounded. He…sent his toad there to inform Tsunade of his…failure."

"Naruto…" She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

After a moment Naruto composed himself again. They looked into the setting sun.

"Let's go."


Well, here's another chapter. I have no idea how much longer the story's going to be. I just plan and write as I go…I probably should have a clear idea of where it's going…but spontaneity has always served me just fine.

So the end of this chapter shows that Naruto, Sakura, and Naruto's team (and perhaps another person...hint hint) are on their way to the Akatsuki's lair. Sasuke is actually going to track down Sakura and...do what? Duh duh duh!

Anywho...so I noticed that I'm too lazy to go back and proofread my chapters and make sure they make sense...so if you see any mistakes or just don't understand something just ask. I do respond to reviews if they ask questions in them...OR if someone would want to...what's the term..."beta" I think...that would be cool too. You would get to read the chapters before they come out...and I would think of something else I could do for you...I don't suppose my eternal gratification would be enough, would it?

Well, I'm done rambling...for now!

-belle2990