Stand By Me
Chapter 12 - Strange
''A freak of nature, stuck in reality, I don't fit the picture, I'm not what you want me to be...sorry.''
''Come now, Sasuke-kun, why so shocked?''
''The final battle?'' Naruto echoed.
Orochimaru's snake-like eyes moved to Naruto. ''Sasuke-kun has another disgusting secret. Are you going to tell them, or can I have that honor?''
Sasuke said nothing and Orochimaru took that as confirmation.
''Before any of the fights began, Sasuke-kun found my old...friend,'' the word was sneered. ''Kabuto. Killing him would most likely have put victory in the joined army's hand, no?''
A deadly silence had fallen over them and Orochimaru continued.
''Sasuke-kun had a chance to kill him, but he didn't. Kabuto made a statement that the little Uchiha simply could not refuse. What exactly was it that he'd said... 'Stop! Don't you miss them? Fugaku-sama, Itachi...Mikoto-san?' Kabuto told Sasuke-kun here that he had perfected a new Jutsu, that could permanently, and perfectly resurrect them.''
''You hesitated...'' Naruto whispered.
Orochimaru laughed. ''Kabuto has no such Jutsu, and you let him get away. This,'' he mentioned around him - the world. ''Is your fault.''
Sakura's eyes widened. Kabuto had played a big role in Madara's success. As far as she knew, Kabuto had a card up his sleeve that had been realized too late, he'd been powering the White Zetsu army up with chakra he had been stealing from the Bijuu statue. Meaning they were all incredibly strong, having a mixture of all those chakras.
Sasuke whirls around, his glare burning into Naruto's wide eyes.
Naruto had seen that look before...''Just shut up for once! What the hell do you even know about it? Its not like you ever had a family in the first place! You were on your own right from the beginning, what makes you think you know anything about it? Huh? I'm suffering now because I had those ties, how on earth could you possibly understand, what it feels like to lose all that?''
The worlds roll around in Naruto's head. He'd like to think he understands more now...that he's met them. His parents. But maybe Sasuke will always believe that Naruto is incapable of understanding his pain...the thought unsettled Naruto. His eyes narrowed.
''Its human...'' Sakura whispered and all eyes turned to her. The confusion of Sasuke's face made her hesitate. ''Hesitation...in that situation...is human.'' she said, softly. Only a dull throb was left on the back of her neck.
Naruto's blue eyes watched Sakura for the longest of moments before his head dropped and a ghost of a smile played on his lips.
''Orochimaru,'' Naruto said and when he looked up, determination burning in his eyes.
''If your tactic was to turn us against Sasuke, you've probably lost your touch. That's not going to work.''
Sasuke's eyes widened. ''Didn't you hear what he said?'' he raged. ''It is my fault!''
Sakura's heart sank. He felt guilty.
Naruto closed his eyes. ''Sasuke, I understand, or I think I understand why you hesitated.''
Sakura saw Sasuke's jaw clench visibly.
''Are you that stupid? See me for what I am!'' Sasuke screamed, his eyes moving from Naruto to Sakura.
''I met my parents. They left some chakra behind when they sealed the Kyuubi into me.'' Naruto's hand went to his stomach where the seal used to be.
Sasuke seemed to still, his eyes turning back to Naruto.
''Jiraiya never told you, about the Yondaime and Uzumaki?'' Orochimaru sneered a smile.
Naruto leveled a stare on the creep, snake-sannin. ''He never got the chance to.''
He watched Orochimaru's eyes narrow, thinking over what he had just said.
''I've met them, and lost them.'' Naruto said, turning back to Sasuke. ''So I know what it feels like, and I wouldve hesitated too...''
Sasuke said nothing. For a moment he stared at Naruto before he shook his head. ''You will never understand. Its not the same. They weren't murdered.''
Sakura saw Naruto tense. ''Ero-sannin...Jiraiya...he was killed by Akatsuki!'' he growled and then it turned into a full out scream to match Sasuke's previous tone.
''My parents...Madara...Tobi...hes responsible!''
''They died...'' Sasuke hissed, ''Sealing the Kyuubi into you.''
Sakura watched, as they fought pointlessly. Her heart dropping. Orochimaru, who had previously been preoccupied thinking over Naruto's words, now heard the words loud and clear, the anger in his slits of eyes palpable.
''No! If that fucker Tobi hadn't interfered then my mom would still be the Jinchuuriki! They died protecting me...they entrusted the Kurama to me...that's why...thats why...''
''This is pointless. What exactly was your aim?'' Sakura asked, suddenly feeling power soaring her veins. It left her feeling breathless and empowered at the same time.
''I want a word with Sasuke-kun...alone.''
Sasuke hesitated before he disappeared into the trees, Orochimaru followed.
''What the fuck?'' Naruto made to follow but Sakura's voice stopped him.
''Whats going to happen now...some people may not think the way we do about what happened with Kabuto and Sasuke?''
Naruto nodded, he knew. Of course he knew. People would grow to hate Sasuke, soon they would blame their own situations on him and soon he would be tracked down.
''Naruto?'' Sakura asked when he didn't answer.
''This...will stay between us, Sakura-chan, ok? No one finds out.'' he said, his voice strong and demanding.
Sakura licked her lips nervously. ''No one.'' she agreed with a nod.
It was that moment when Sasuke returned, his face unreadable, but his mood clear - furious.
''Where is he?'' Naruto asked but was ignored as Sasuke began to move on.
The blonde and pinkette teammates shared a mutual look or apprehensiveness before they followed Sasuke.
x-x-x-x-
Soon, they are in the treeline surrounding the cave. Sakura noticed tension in both Naruto and Sasuke, she herself - very stiff. Shit, the time had come. Naruto looked resolved. Not at all fearful like she was, but she hid it well...Sasuke would see no weakness from her. The weird and frankly unwelcome meeting from Orochimaru had left them all on edge, Sasuke more so. She had no idea what this 'word' was that Orochimaru wanted to have with Sasuke, but it had completely soured the Uchiha's mood. If that was even possible since he seemed to have permanent rollercoaster PMS.
''Naruto, Kakashi and the rest of them are about 3 miles west from here. Go rendezvous with them, we will be there shortly.'' Sasuke said curtly.
Naruto narrowed his eyes. ''We can all meet up with them together.'' Naruto's blue eyes flicked to Sakura for a moment and she saw worry in his eyes. Was he worried to leave her alone with Sasuke? Or was it that he noticed something about Sasuke's mood that she'd missed?
Sakura frowned but Naruto was already looking but at their other teammate.
''Naruto, this isn't up for discussion. Sakura and I will cast the Genjutsu and meet up with you guys in a while.''
Naruto frowned, seemingly uncertain, he swallowed. ''Sasuke-''
Sasuke whirled on Naruto. His eyes glaring daggers.
Naruto sighed. His eyes went pointedly to Sakura and back to Sasuke.
Sasuke sighed, his eyes closing as he shook his head.
Naruto seemed to accept that.
''See you soon, Sakura-chan.'' Naruto said and as he passed her, she swore he whispered. ''Don't take any shit from him.'' before he disappeared.
Sasuke stood, until he was sure Naruto was gone before he moved.
Sakura didn't see or expect it, she found herself pinned to a tree, Sasuke's arm on her chest, holding her in place.
She tried to fight him, but he held both her wrist awkwardly between their bodies, his chakra binding her there.
''Sasuke!'' she hissed breathlessly, not sure if it was because he'd knocked the air out of her or because he was so...close. Oh Kami.
''You fucking liar!'' he seethed through clenched teeth.
Sakura blinked. She had not expected this. ''E-Excuse me?''
''I asked you! I asked you straight about Kalika's resurrection! And you fucking lied to my face!''
Sakura squirmed, feeling herself grow cold.
''Is this about the bite?'' she whispered.
Sasuke stopped, his eyes flipping to hers. ''..what?''
''The pain...in my neck...the bite?'' she pressed softly.
''You...you don't know...'' he pushed off of her. ''Fuck...''
''Kalika gave you a cursed seal. Orochimaru infused it with his chakra.''
Sakura felt the life drain from her face. This wasn't a joke. Sasuke didn't joke.
''What the fuck is that woman thinking?'' Sasuke slammed his fist into a nearby tree and Sakura felt herself wince.
No tears came to her eyes and she was glad for it. No crying.
Fuck, a cursed seal? This was news that she really didn't need right now.
''We don't need this right now.'' he growled.
Sakura nodded numbly. ''Lets not deal with it.''
''You will need to control it.'' he muttered as he paced in front of her and Sakura shook her head. ''No, no way. I want nothing to do with it.''
''You can't just ignore it, Sakura!'' he hissed, grabbing the front of her shirt and pulling her to him none too gently.
''We don't have time for this right now you fool!'' she said and shoved him off with more force than he'd used. ''Lets deal with the Bijuu first, yes?''
Sasuke's eyes narrowed clearly stating that this wasn't over before he nodded one curt nod.
He showed her the seals for the Genjutsu, explained how much chakra it needed and the level of control.
''We only have one shot at this Sakura, try not to screw it up.''
She narrowed her eyes. ''No pressure.'' she said sweetly but the acid dripped from the simple two words dangerously.
Sasuke pretended no to notice and gave her a nod to start the Jutsu, she followed him easily.
Holding her breath, she worried, she had perfect chakra control, so if anything went wrong she would blame him. Genjutsu expert that he was...fuck.
She watched his Sharingan flick around and her heart rate accelerated. Please, please, please...dont let it fail.
Slowly, his eyebrows lifted and he smirked.
She sighed and visibly relaxed. ''Please tell me you had a plan b?''
''You shouldn't have done it if you weren't positive you could do it.'' but he's still smirking.
''Im usually a very lucky girl, Sasuke.'' she says neutrally - ok maybe she wasn't 'usually' lucky but whatever...he didn't need all the details, briskly she walked past him to get to the others. There was no hesitation. Sasuke followed.
x-x-x-x-
They made it into the cave quite easily. The Genjutsu completely concealed them and once they were safe and a seal was placed on the door, they relaxed.
''We have six hours.'' Sasuke said curtly.
''You two,'' he said, looking at the Cloud-nin.
''Shee and Darui.'' Sakura snapped, feeling exasperation in the dozens.
Sasuke gave her a look that clearly said he couldn't give a fuck about their names.
''Will seal the Hachibi.'' he continued as if her 'unwelcome' reaction never happened.
Sakura's fists were twitching, Sasuke was testing her patience and Kami knew she didn't have alot. How dare he brush her off like that!
Shee and Darui nodded.
''You two should be enough, but we will need more over here since the Kyuubi is stronger.''
''We'll be fine.'' Shee said.
''Sakura, induce a force sleep on them both.'' he ordered.
Why was he so bossy! Fuck.
''Sakura?'' he asked expectantly.
Sakura pressed her lips into a thin line and nodded, going over to Bee, who was uncharacteristicly quiet.
''See you soon, ne Bee-san?'' she whispered and before he could answer she poked his forehead and his eyes drooped and then shut as he fell back. She caught him easily and eased him into the place Sasuke mentioned her to.
When she approached Naruto, Kakashi had a hand clamped on his student's shoulder and Naruto nodded fiercely.
''Naruto...its time.''
He turned to her immediately, he blue eyes shining.
''Relax Sakura-chan, seriously, a very important position is waiting for me in Konoha.''
Sakura gave him a confused smile. ''Huh?''
''Hokage.'' he said with a huge grin, it was infectious.
''Well then, Hokage-sama.'' she gave him a small bow. ''The village hangs in the balance of your survival of this very important mission.'' -literally.
''You cannot fail your people.''
Naruto's grin faded and became serious. ''You're right, Sakura-chan.''
For a moment they started at each other, his feelings begging, reaching out towards her despite their friends all around them.
Sakura bowed again. ''Have a safe journey, Hokage-sama, and come back stronger than ever.''
Naruto launched himself at her, pulling her into a bearhug and holding her close. Sakura tensed, in shock before she forced herself to relax and slowly pat his hair, like she does with frightened children at the hospital.
''Come back, Naruto.'' she whispered. ''Never stop fighting. Promise me.''
''Sakura-chan...you know I can't keep my promises.'' he said, his voice raw. They were both aware of everyone's eyes on them.
Sakura could feel Sasuke's dark gaze on her, making her skin crawl with some untamed emotion deep in her belly. She ignored it.
''Promise me.'' she pressed.
''I promise, Sakura-chan.''
Sakura pressed her finger to the back of his head and he slumped against her.
She dragged him to the other side of the statue, avoiding Sasuke's eyes as she went.
''Lets do this.'' she said.
Sasuke hopped up on to one of the hand statues and barked his next order. ''Hachibi will be sealed from the left hand, Kyuubi from the right.''
Shee and Darui moved into position wordlessly and while Sakura and Kakashi both took fingers on either side of Sasuke, he explained the hand seals and chakra dosages. Basically, the statue would draw out their chakra for the sealing of the Bijuu, once the Bijuu's chakra make it out of the statue, it will fight for freedom, and they will have to fight it back while sealing it into the host.
That's why the entire Akatsuki always took part in the extraction, which was obviously more difficult - though Sakura wasn't sure how it'd be more difficult than what they were about to attempt.
Sasuke gave them all a nod...and then it began.
It felt like a pull, but it was more than that...like a thousand small pinches all over her body.
Sakura gasped softly when it began but she held her stance. Naruto lifted up into eyesight. Limbs hung limply, mouth open, lids pulled all the way open, eyeballs rolled back to a scary white. Slowly, the red chakra began to drift out, and the fight began, Sakura ground her teeth together as the pull became stronger and the pinches intensified, becoming painful.
The Kyuubi's chakra was strong, and fought back with a vengeance, pushing their chakra away painfully. Sakura gasped again and she pushed more chakra forward, giving it the last push into Naruto's body. Sakura risked a peek at Sasuke and Kakashi, she could see the concentration and strain around their sensei's eyes, and she was shocked to see a bead of sweat running from Sasuke's forehead down his cheek and she was relieved to see that she wasn't the only one having a hard time.
Once a link had been created between the host and the Bijuu, the red chakra began to flow in a rush and enter Naruto's belly and the pain doubled, like being stabbed all over. Sakura let out a cry through clenched teeth, struggling to hold on..the pain was just too much. Unlike anything she'd ever experienced. ''Kami...''
''Sakura!'' Sasuke hissed in disapproval.
''Sakura...come on!'' Kakashi called and she looked up at him. ''I know you're strong enough for this.''
She closed her eyes and nodded. She could do this, no way they could fail.
She needed to do this.
x-x-x-x-
They endured the pain for 5 hours, until Naruto's seal was closed off and his body dropped to the floor. Kakashi jumped down and caught him. Sakura followed Sasuke down, she was shaking - feeling like she was shivering down to the bone.
To the side, Darui and Shee were seated, Bee lying at their feet.
''Who's meeting us?'' Sasuke asked Sakura and she turned to him, noticing a sheen of sweat on his face. ''Team Samui.''
Sasuke nodded, he activated his Sharingan.
Sakura saw him freeze. His entire body tense.
''Sasuke? What is it?'' she whispered.
''The Genjutsu...its dispelled.'' he said, his voice strained.
''What?'' Sakura hissed. ''What do you mean?''
The was a shuffle outside the cave and without hesitation, Sasuke grabbed Sakura and everyone disappeared into the shadows.
Sakura pulled Sasuke's hand off of her mouth and glared at him. They stilled when the cave opened and a hooded figure strode it.
Sakura felt a chill run up her spine. Somewhere in the cave there was a drip drip of water, Sakura could feel Sasuke's hand on her shoulder -which was a distraction- clench in anticipation. Their chakra was dangerously low, and even though everyone in the cave was probably Jounin level or higher, it was probably going to be tough battle.
Sakura watched, her body tense, as pale hands reached up and slipped the hood off.
What the fuck?...No...
x-x-x-x-
''You try to leave me. I don't get better. What's making you happy, is making me sadder...in your golden cage...all I feel is strange.''
Oki, new chapter! yuppp :)
Wouldve updated sooner but I got distracted by reading. My friend bought me a trilogy called Fifty Shades of Grey. Lol, I'd never heard of it before and after reading the back it seemed interesting enough, I guess. So I read it.
geez. A lot of sex scenes. And if you look past the creepy BDSM stuff, the story is good too :D
So that's why I only updated today, finished em all.
soooo please review! Thoughts on the chapter? Sasuke?
OMGGG who read the One shot manga that is supposed to go before Road to Ninja!
Sasuke is soooo sweet on Sakura in that one picture! Aww!
Oh right...I got a blackberry. I hate it, but if anyone here wants to invite me on bbm for spoilers lol? 29C5136A
REVIEW! Wahaha
Zana-Lee
xoxo
