-14-
Whole lot of Leaving
"Hey, Kakashi- sensei!" Naruto greeted a masked man, whose left side of the head and eye was tightly wrapped in white bandages. A trade-mark orange Icha Icha Paradise book was lifted to the uncovered eye. As the shinobi entered with white box in his hands, Kakashi lowered the book.
"Oh, hey, Naruto" he smiled with the same eye.
"Here, Kakashi-sensei, I brought you some ramen!" Naruto smiled sheepishly and handed out the box "best by Ichiraku! You'll get better in no time!"
"You still won't understand the meaning of sala-um green stuff, will you?" Kakashi sighed, still taking the box.
"WHA! How can you even think about it when Ichiraku put all his best work in this ramen!!" Naruto flamed up.
"Alright, alright, I didn't say anything" Kakashi smiled and put the box on a little night table.
"Huh? You're not going to eat now?"
"In a while" Kakashi shook his head "I wanted to talk to you about something" Naruto instantly got serious.
"Like what?"
"Like what are you going to do about Akatsuki" Kakashi lowered his tone so no one but him and Naruto could hear.
"Well…I…" Naruto hesitated. He remembered talking to Sasuke about this just yesterday.
.::Flashback::.
Sasuke and Naruto were again standing on the same little dock, watching first snowflakes falling down onto barely frostbitten water and instantly disappearing.
"Listen to me, Naruto" Sasuke started the conversation "if elders get to you and extract the Bijuu, you'll die. And that's the last thing that is going to happen while I am around"
"Well, what do you suggest?" Naruto turned his look to the Uchiha.
"Think about this: you and I leave Konoha and join Hebi. That way we'll be able to act on our own accord and eliminate as many Akatsuki as possible. Who knows, maybe we'll find the way to channel your Bijuu so it wouldn't hurt you" Sasuke sighed "it's the best idea I can come up with"
"But…what about Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked carefully. The Uchiha's expression didn't change, but his eyes lit up with vigilance.
"What about her?"
"Stop pretending, would you?!" Naruto lost his nerve "it's only obvious that you like her. And care about her. And she does too! What are you going to do about her?" Sasuke remained silent for a while, again watching snowflakes falling down.
"I'm still working on it, but…worry about yourself for once!"
.::End of Flashback::.
Naruto smirked.
"I'm still working on it" he flashed his sensei a large smile "but this will definitely include Sasuke"
"So I thought" Kakashi sighed with a little glimpse of remorse "Naruto, if you two leave…Sasuke knows what kind of life waits for a rouge, but you…"
"Hey, come on, Kakashi-sensei, have a little faith in me!" Naruto showed him a thumb-up "I'll manage to run away from those cranky old antiquities they call elders. Believe it!" Kakashi couldn't hold back the laugh.
"I know, Naruto. That I know"
-x-
Sasuke was out in the woods, hopping from tree to tree. He had his black cloak all over his body, which was contradicting with already white surroundings of the forest: the winter has started. The shinobi was quite far away from Konoha…and headed to a new spot of Hebi's hideout. Sasuke stopped in front of a little frozen stream and looked around. Then he quickly did few hand signs put his hands on the ground: with a cloud of smoke, an entrance appeared in the frozen soil. Sasuke looked around once again and climbed down clay stairs, which appeared along with the entrance. As he stepped a little deeper, the hole in the ground shrunk and closed. Darkness lasted for few second, until candles lit up in the stone and clay hallway. Sasuke sighed and went on.
"Whoa, look who's back!" Suigetsu instantly greeted him as the Uchiha entered a spacious hall. It had a burning fire place and three little sofas and a table in front of it. Further in the corners stood desks, cupboards, filled with lousily organized scrolls and books, a larger cupboard with all sorts of weapons and fighting gear. Three other doors lead to other rooms.
"You sure made yourself at home here" Sasuke teased, hanging his cloak next to two others "Karin's here too?" the Uchiha asked, looking to another cloak, which most likely belonged to a female.
"Yeah. She's crashed in her bedroom" Suigetsu stretched himself and leaned onto sofa's back, taking a cup of water "so, what brings you to the rouge paradise?" he asked as Sasuke sprawled out in another sofa.
"Gotta news for you" he said with tired tone.
"Surprise me" Suigetsu chuckled and sipped his water.
"First, Akatsuki harried Konoha and now the village is in ruins"
"Well that's something I've been expecting" Suigetsu smirked "the roar of that Bijuu could be heard in every part of the country"
"Well, that's not all" Sasuke did a pause and then proceeded "Itachi has one of his eyes back" after the phrase Suigetsu looked as if someone slapped through his face (for real).
"No way! But you've got both of them" he showed to Sasuke's head.
"Idiot, of course I do" Sasuke jacked up a little "it's my former sensei's Sharingan that he ripped out"
"Whoa! Now I'm surprised" Suigetsu mechanically sipped more water, his wide eyes still stuck on Sasuke "but something tells me it's not it"
"Good instincts" Sasuke said not without irony "you should prepare. We soon are having new members of Hebi joining us"
"New members?" a feminine voice asked with sleepy voice "what's this all about?" both shinobi looked to right, where in the middle of the door Karin was standing, her body only covered with black shorts and (very) short tank top.
"Look who's up" Suigetsu smirked to the kunoichi fixing her glasses "we will have some guests, so you should really look better than that"
"Shut up, you idiot. Try to look in the mirror for once" Karin retorted, yawning sleepily "so, what about new members?" she walked to the sofa where Sasuke was sitting and leaned on its back.
"Few people from Konoha will come and join us for two reasons: protection and offence" the Uchiha explained.
"Hey, but ain't these two things sort of contradicting themselves?" Suigetsu noted.
"I could hardly imagine those people sitting calmly in this hideout and waiting till everything has calmed down" Sasuke smirked, thinking about Naruto "anyway, that's how it's going to be" the Uchiha stood up and walked towards the exit.
"Alright, but who are those ninja?" Suigetsu stood up with anxiety and eagerness "or at least what are they like?"
"Well" Sasuke wrapped himself in the cloak again "one is from ANBU Root division, quite a quiet guy with no social orientation. The other one is a number one brainless knucklehead, hopelessly chased by Madara and an entire Akatsuki" the Uchiha smirked again "and the third one…well, let's just say that's a whole different story"
"Oh, let me guess" Suigetsu gave him a shrewd and evil expression "it's that Haruno girl, with amazing looks and cool fighting techniques and you should really pay more attention to her middle section, 'cause-"
Suigetsu's 'wet daydreams' were interrupted with Karin's fist colliding with his face, which (again) recomposed into water. At that moment, Juugo opened the door and stumbled in, bringing a handful of snow along with him. The big guy sighed to the sight of both fighting.
"They're at it again" he complained.
"After all these years, Juugo" Sasuke said with irony and a little glimpse of reluctance "you should've gotten used to it"
"I still can't, Sasuke-kun" the big buy smiled a little sadly "by the way, I have news about Akatsuki. They're gathering their forces again, to strike Konoha" Sasuke's eyes narrowed as rage boiled in his veins (Karin was still trying to hit Suigetsu in the background).
"How much do we have?"
"About a day or two" Juugo reported.
"Alright. I'll be going then and when I come back" he looked up at Juugo "we're going to stop them" the big guy smiled.
"No quarter?"
"No quarter"
Sasuke left in much better mood than he came. As he made his way through soft snowy wall, a small smile crept on his lips. What the- why am I smiling? And why do I feel so…no matter. What matter is now to end up convincing Sai and Naruto to go and then…Sakura. Time to talk to her as well. Tonight. Yeah.
-x-
Sakura was in the kitchen of her house, making another batch of chocolate triangles. Man, it's good to be back! I've missed this, honestly! Two days since I've returned from hospital…Sasuke wouldn't like me moving around anyway. Sakura chuckled to the last thought. But then a darker thought crept in like a shadow. He cares about me. I know that. But would he really take me with him wherever he goes? Am I important to him enough? It's hard, but maybe Madara was right: Sasuke is a rouge. And there will be nothing for me here if he leaves…I won't have home anymore…again. She sighed heavily and lifted the tray and carried it to the parlor, which was packed with people wearing warm winter cloaks and chatting happily. Hinata was attending clients behind the counter, smiling cheerfully to them.
"Everything's fine?" Sakura asked as she stopped next to the Hyuuga.
"Perfect" Hinata shot a short smile to Sakura and handed the customer another box "looks like your popularity hasn't decreased a bit"
"So it seems" Sakura laughed softly while putting sweets on a shelve behind the counter. The kunoichi was about to return to the kitchen when she heard her name being called.
"Haruno-sama?" a soft and childish voice reached her ears. Sakura turned around, her long dark green dress whirling after, and smiled to the little boy. He was wearing warm cloak and knitted hat. His big black eyes looked cheerfully up at Sakura.
"A message, Haruno-sama" he said happily and handed out a small piece of paper. Sakura took it and smiled kindly to the boy.
"Why thank you" she took few sweets, wrapped in a golden paper and gave them to the boy "here you go, these must be your favorites" the boy took one sweet and unwrapped it, throwing it into his mouth.
"They are!" she exhaled happily, eyes full of gratitude and childish happiness "thank you, Haruno-sama!" he whirled around and disappeared into the crowd. Sakura followed the boy with her look for a while then turned her attention to the message. She unfolded the paper and read what's inside. Six words were written in strangely small, but curly handwriting, which Sakura couldn't identify. However, those six words instantly revealed the author of the note:
Wait for me after you close.
A happy smile crept onto Sakura's lips.
-x-
Sai was at his room, packing his usual backpack. Same painting he has done so far still hung on the walls around, only now each and every one of them had a name, written on a tablet under it. Sai lifted a little drawing book and his still gaze fixed on a white-haired boy, who was drawn on the cover.
"Getting packed?" a voice startled Sai and he turned around, kunai already in his hand.
"Senpai" Sai greeted the man with ANBU mask, standing in his room. The man had a light cover of snowflakes on his shoulders and now they were slowly melting.
"You have a mission with Team 7 again?" he asked. Sai stared at the man for a while before answering.
"Yes. It is prolonged mission and I do not know when I will come back"
"It's something about Akatsuki?" senpai demanded. Sai only eyed him with cold look. But then, a fake smile curled on his lips and eyes.
"I am sorry, senpai, but the contents of this mission are complete secret. That is a request of Tsunade-sama"
"I see" the man nodded "well then, no matter for what you are working, failure is unacceptable"
"Of course, senpai" Sai nodded and watched the man disappear. His fake smile slowly and you could say carefully turned into sincere and true one.
-x-
Naruto was overlooking all framed photos that he had. During his life, he managed to collect few of them. But they all were important. One and the first that he had was of the original Team 7: him, Kakashi and Sasuke. It was since the academy that they had one member short. Now it's filled more than enough. Naruto chuckled to the second picture, where he, Sasuke, Sai and Sakura were all perpetuated nearby Ichiraku's ramen shop. Another picture was of Naruto and Jiraya's. Wish you were here, Ero-sennin. I still haven't proved to you that Sasuke is nothing like Orochimaru. Heh, but I guess where ever you are, you already know it. Believe it! Naruto smiled sheepishly to the laughing face of an elder man, with two frogs on his shoulders. One hand was pressing Naruto's blonde hair and his expression was the least from happiness.
Then, Naruto's look traveled to the last and most recent picture…yesterday's to be exact. Him and Hinata, sitting on the bench, foreheads rammed into one another, snowflakes slowly whirling down around. That day, one man, obviously a photographer simply took their picture by surprise and promised a double copy. Good man. At least I'll have one picture of her…to always remember. Just in case that is. Naruto smiled softly while tracing his fingers along graceful face lines of Hyuuga Hinata. Man, I'm so deep into her. What the hell happened to me?
Naruto took the picture out of its frames and slid into inner pocket of his black and orange jumper. The shinobi then shook his head and started packing the backpack.
-x-
Sakura was sitting on her bed, arms wrapped around legs, which were covered by dark green skirt. It was already an hour since she closed the shop and yet no sign of Sasuke. Maybe something happened? But no, maybe he's just purposely late. Yeah, that's it. Knowing him, he'd probably wants to make sure no one sees him. Can't see the reason though.
"Sakura" a deep throaty voice startled Sakura and she lifted her head to face Sasuke. His shoulders and hair were covered by slowly melting snowflakes.
"I thought you might not come" the kunoichi said worried and walked to him, pressing her lips softly to Sasuke's. The shinobi, however, put his hand on the back of her head and deepened the kiss. They only retreated from one another, when there was no air in their lungs. Sakura rammed her forehead into Sasuke's and for a few moments both were exchanging exhaled breaths.
"Sakura, listen" the Uchiha started, feeling (for the first time, really) how his insides wriggle around from thrill and a certain form of fear "there something…I want to ask you to do"
Sakura opened her eyes and retreated her forehead from Sasuke's, fixing her demanded and unsure gaze into his.
"What?" she whispered, not sure if she wanted to hear an answer.
"You see…I…" Sasuke was stuck. How come this is so hard?! Damn it! Get the hold of yourself, man! Are you Uchiha, or not?!!
"Sasuke, tell me whatever it is you're trying not to" Sakura brushed some drops of melted snowflakes off Sasuke's shoulders "it's ok. If something terrible happened-"
"You might say so" Sasuke nodded and sighed heavily "Sakura, I, Naruto and Sai must leave the village for the time being"
Sakura froze in place. Her green gaze lowered and stared into nothingness for a while. No! This can't be happening! He can't…leave me! I-I don't want him to leave me. Not now when…finally…he's my…home. Few tears rolled down her face. Sakura started trembling a little.
"I see" she whispered, her grip around Sasuke's upper arms tightening "so you're…leaving"
"I have to. So must Naruto and Sai. It's the only choice for us if we want to avoid from Konoha being harried like this again. Sakura, I-" he was cut off when the kunoichi hugged him tightly around the neck. All he could do was hug her back around her waist. One by one, Sakura's tears joined the water drops on Sasuke's black cloak.
"Please" she whispered "please, don't. I don't want you to go. I don't want to be alone. I don't want to…be left homeless again" Sasuke listened to her and his heart broke in two. For the most part, he would be glad having Sakura staying here, at Konoha, where it's safe and somebody would always have an eye on her. And Konoha seemed like a perfect place to hide from Madara, especially when Hebi will be fighting off Akatsuki.
But.
The Uchiha Sasuke, number one, cold-hearted teme couldn't force himself to leave Sakura here. It just went against all his morals. He felt responsible for her. He also made up quite a few excuses why he will ask Sakura to go with him. Something along the lines that Sasuke himself would be much calmer and certain if she was around, safe and protected. Naruto, you idiot. For once, you are right. About most of things.
"I know" he whispered, hug around her waist tightening "that's why I want you to come with us. Tonight. Two hours from now"
"But…Tsunade-sama…" Sakura retreated from him a little, her teary eyes fixing on his serene look.
"It's ok. She…sort of gave us her blessing" Sasuke barely held back the smirk, but immediately got serious "Sakura, I'm not letting Madara hurt you in any other way. And as far as I'm concerned, the safest place for you is by my side. My and my team, Hebi"
"So, you're going to them?"
"Yeah. They're good shinobi and trusted comrades. Besides" Sasuke flashed his trademark smirk and brushed few tears off Sakura's silky cheeks "I can't imagine myself anywhere without you anymore"
"I guess it's the same here" Sakura smiled softly "I don't think I could stay here longer if you left"
"You don't have to. Come with me. We will meet at the western gate in two hours. Pack up and come there" Sasuke gently pushed few strands of pink hair from Sakura's eyes.
"Looks like I don't really have a choice" she smiled.
"True. Because if you weren't, I'd take you by force" Sasuke smirked, his tone overflowing with irony.
"That's really something you would do" Sakura laughed a little. Then her eyes lit up with a certain gleam, which Sasuke could identify only as chocolate lust. Their lips met again and Sakura's hands untied Sasuke's cloak, pushing it away from his shoulders.
"Sa-kura" Sasuke said silently, between kissed.
"We have two hours" she retorted, pulling him after herself towards the bed.
"But, Sakura-"
"We have time" she whispered to his ear, her fingers already sliding under Sasuke's white shirt "and do not pretend you don't want it" Sasuke tuned his head to meet her eyes and he stared at them: burning emeralds, begging for him to give in.
"The hell with it" Sasuke swung in and kissed her. A moan, mixed with cat's laughter escaped Sakura's mouth.
-x-
Two hours later
Sai, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura met at the top roof of western gate, where no one could spot them leaving.
"So, everyone's ready?" Sasuke asked, overlooking his teammates.
"Yeah" Naruto nodded, but without a smile "hey, Sasuke. Is this feeling of insurance always comes up when you're leaving?" the Uchiha sighed.
"Yes. Or at least it lasts as long as you see the village wall. Turn around and you won't anymore"
"I see" Naruto gulped. He had broken many ruled during his life (especially at Academy), but it never came to the point where he would actually risk to be punished as a criminal.
"Don't worry, Naruto" Sai shot him a fake smile "as you much like to say, everything will turn out to better"
"He's right" Sakura seconded "do some positive thinking"
"Hey! I'm the one who's supposed to say this!" Naruto flamed up "but I'm sure going to miss Ichiraku's ramen" he sighed "and Sakura-chan's chocolate…"
"Enough with the nostalgia" Sasuke cut him off "forget and live on"
"Easier said than done"
The four stood immobile for a while, looking at the dark and white scenery of Konoha, lit up by moon. Then, starting from Sasuke, one by one kicked off the roof and disappeared into white woods.
Naruto was left standing the longest. I will come back! Even if I had to crawl back, I will come back! And bring all of them back with me! Believe it!
-----------------------------------------------------
A/N: Holidays are here! Halleluiah, baby…highway to Hill's…Highway to Hill's! Achem, sorry (turns off AC/DC). Anyways, I think I might be bringing this to an end. I have another idea and I don't want it to run away from me. By the way, thank you guys, for all the reviews, C2s, alerts and favorites. Never expected this much, honestly. Now then, see you later and thanks once again.