Im passionate about one pairing per Anime, I've had major fights with people who disagree lol XD mainly sasusaku and ICHIRUKI (you know who you are XD lol)
I love other pairings too but those to are just my favs lol.
Anywayzzz... On to the chapter!
Summary: Sasuke made Sakura a deal she simply couldn't refuse. In exchange he could promise her the safety of the Hidden Leaf but what would she have to give up in return? Is she willing to go as far as to help him complete the last of his goals?
~Fade Away~
Chapter 19 - Promise
I never thought I'd be the one to say...
Please don't...well, please don't leave me.
I feel like I've lost everything when you're gone,
Left remembering what its like to have you here with me,
I thought you should know - you're not making this easy.
*-Matchbook Romance-*
Part 2
7 hours before
Sakura walked up to the Hokage tower, Ino was working at the flower shop and demanded to spend some time with her 'niece'. This worked out perfectly for Sakura. She couldn't have any distractions.
The ANBU guarding Tsunade's office turned his masked face to her. ''What is your business?''
Neji. It seemed to be her lucky day.
''Shizune asked me to drop this off in Tsunade-sama's office when I finished it.'' Sakura showed him the file she held.
''We were informed.'' he stepped aside.
''I'll only be about ten minutes, I have to file it...and you know Tsunade-sama's desk is almost always a mess.''
''Ah. Ten minutes.'' he opened the door and she stepped inside. Neji closed it behind her.
Immediately Sakura began to look through the files on the desk. She knew exactly what she was looking for, a report from Mitarashi Anko's team. Her hands were shaking as she found it.
'Please don't be encrypted...' she repeated in her head.
It wasn't. Which means it was either already viewed or hand delivered.
She scanned through it. Coordinates! Perfect. It was to the...Akatsuki base...they saw him...Madara.
She bit her thumb and wrote the coordinates on her arm below her wrist before she pushed chakra into it, watching as they disappeared. She set the file back where she found it, and put her's on top before she opened the drawer, finding Tsunade's seal there. She was told only to use within an emergency. Sakura sighed and hid it in her breast bindings.
The door opened. ''Almost done?'' Neji asked.
Sakura smiled and nodded. ''Done.'' she said goodbye before walking past him.
-.- x-x-x-x- -.- present.
Sakura kept pushing her chakra into him, making sure he was really asleep and then she allowed herself to cry. She held him, whispering how sorry she was for the longest of times before she stood up, his limp member leaving her, she whimpered at the loss feeling more alone than ever.
She got dressed, making sure she had all her equipment before she got her backpack from her closet and opened the window. She looked back at Sasuke one more time before she closed her eyes and jumped into the night.
When she got to the gates she was stopped. ''No one leaves the village, Sakura.''
Sakura pulled the seal from her jacket. ''Tsunade-sama has requested me at the summit.''
''That's the Hokage's seal!'' the other night guard whispered.
''Alright, you're clear to go, good luck.''
Sakura smiled and returned the seal to her pocket. ''Thanks.''
x-x-x-x-
Sasuke's eyes snapped open. The forced sleep had finally worn off. He didn't even have to look. She was gone. His heart sunk deep. Miki's cries pierced through his thoughts and he got up and dressed before going to her.
She calmed down a little when she saw him. Awkwardly, he picked her up and held her to him.
She'd abandoned him. Sakura. Even if it made no sense, she was gone. The one person he believed would always be there. But why? Why the hell would she leave...what would there be for her if she left Konoha? The world was on the verge of a war, what could she possibly...
Sasuke held Miki to his chest. Sakura had left to prevent it. Oh fuck.
Sasuke clenched his jaw. He never thought Sakura was this stupid.
Without thinking he was out the door and running down the street, ignoring the shocked looks from the citizens.
He arrived at the dingy apartment building and began knocking hard. Sasuke looked down at Miki's face, it was scrunched up, as if she was in pain.
Sasuke knocked again, faster and harder this time.
''hunh, Yeah...I'm coming!...geez...'' came the muffled voice.
The door swung open. Naruto blinked, focussing on the scene in front of him.
''Sasuke?''
Sasuke glared at him impatiently.
''Where's Sakura-chan?'' Naruto asked, looking around with a frown.
Still, Sasuke said nothing, he still gave Naruto that same impatient look.
''Well?'' Naruto demanded, a strange foreboding look coming over his face.
''Her stuff is gone.'' Sasuke finally said.
''Her stuff is gone, as in 'she left you' or 'she left'...?''
Sasuke's jaw clenched and unclenched twice. ''The last one.''
Naruto turned back into his apartment and got dressed as soon as he could.
''Come on, we need to drop Miki with Ino and then find Shikamaru.''
x-x-x-x-
Together with Neji, Shikamaru, Hinata and Naruto, Sasuke paced back and forth in the Hokage's office.
''We need to go.'' he said eventually. ''Just sitting here is time wasted.''
''Look, Sasuke, I'm worried about her too but...we don't even know where she went!''
''I've already sent a letter to Hokage-sama, we have to wait here until she contacts us.'' Shikamaru told them, his usual bored tone had an edge to it.
''N-Naruto-kun, why not ask Kiba-kun's help?'' Hinata offered.
''Sakura-chan wouldve covered her tracks.''
''No,'' Sasuke shook his head. ''She needed to move quickly. She wouldn't have had time.'' he turned to Hinata. ''Get Kiba.''
''A-Alright...'' Hinata nodded and left the office.
''Sasuke should stay,'' Neji said calmly.
''What?'' Sasuke snapped.
''I have to agree with Neji on this one.'' Naruto said, his eyes displaying how sorry he was. ''You're here hiding from Madara, you can't use your chakra - meaning you'll only slow us down.''
''I don't care about Madara anymore! He probably already knows I'm here! I'm going.'' he said glaring at both Naruto and Neji.
'''Probably' isn't good enough Uchiha. We can't risk it.''
''Sasuke please.'' Sasuke said nothing.
''You said she was going after Akatsuki , what makes you think that?'' Shikamaru asked.
''I don't have any proof, just a feeling.'' Sasuke muttered.
''Did she say or do something?''
''Oh shit...'' Naruto whispered, rubbing his palm over his forehead.
Everyone turned to him.
''She said something yesterday. Sasuke's right, whatever she's doing, she's gonna try and stop the war.''
Sasuke pushed the panic he was feeling down. He wouldn't lose his cool. Not here. He blinked slowly.
''All the more reason for me to join you.'' he told Naruto.
''Sasuke, you should wait for Tsunade-sama's word on this, we might have to rely on a surprise tactic to win the war. You might play a crucial part in our success.'' Shikamaru told him and Sasuke's scowl deepened.
A bark was heard down the hall as Kiba, Akamaru and Hinata neared.
Sasuke wanted to say something, his mind was screaming that success was worth nothing without her, but of course he didn't voice it, it sounded crazy anyway.
''Naruto, you should leave with Kiba, Neji and Hinata. Sasuke and I will wait for word from the Hokage.'' Shikamaru said.
Sasuke said nothing but stomped out of the office, making sure to bump his shoulder into Shikamaru's.
Naruto gave a heavy sigh. ''Sorry about him,'' he told Shikamaru, ''He's just worried about her.''
''I know.'' Shikamaru closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose like he had a headache. After taking a deep breath, he spoke, ''You'll leave at sunset.''
''Sunset?'' Naruto demanded, ''Why not right now?''
''We want Sakura to get comfortable. She'll expect us to leave immediately. If we don't, she'll think we're waiting for orders from Tsunade and slow down. That's what we want. Because she left at night, its safe to assume she's traveling at night and resting during the day.''
''Makes sense.'' Neji nodded.
Kiba and Hinata had entered during Shikamaru's explanation. The Nara turned to Kiba. ''There's something I want to discuss with you.''
''Sure.'' Kiba nodded and Shikamaru followed him out.
''We should prepare for the mission ahead.''
Naruto opened the window behind Tsunade's desk and sat down. ''Yeah...I'll be out in a minute.''
Hinata smiled sadly at Naruto's back. She knew how much this must have been effecting him.
''W-we'll meet you by the gate at sundown...'' she said kindly.
Naruto gave no sign that he'd heard her.
When the door closed behind them Naruto stared out at the village for a while. Watching the villagers go about their normal days, like they didn't know what exactly was waiting for them when Tsunade returned. He let out a long breath and turned back into the office. He looked down at the desk and noticed one of the drawers slightly open. He knew he should have ignored it and left...but he just got that feeling. He reached out and slowly pulled it open. The file had 'Uchiha Sasuke' printed on a white sticker. Naruto frowned. Ok, its Sasuke's file. Whatever, he should ignore the feeling and...
But he didn't, he pulled the file from where it laid, took a seat and flipped it open.
x-x-x-x-
Sasuke fed Miki a bottle. Ino prepared a few for him and showed him how to feed the baby, who was now fast asleep, snuggling her small body closer to his chest. As Sasuke stared down at her, a warm feeling began to bubble in his chest. He couldn't explain it, it felt like so many things: there was warmth, love, hope, care...home...family.
He swallowed and pushed the feeling back, taking one last look at her before he took her to her crib.
Miki frowned a bit as she lost his heat but then sighed and slept contentedly.
Sasuke watched her, but his thoughts went to Sakura. He wondered when she would reach her destination, and if they would reach her before then? He knew if they didn't Madara would kill her. Unconsciously, Sasuke's hands tightened around the rails of the crib.
It was that moment that the front doors banged open.
''SASUKE!''
Sasuke frowned and quickly stepped out of Miki's room, closing the door. ''Naruto! Keep it down, she's sleeping!''
Naruto didn't miss a beat. ''You were planning to fucking kill me!'' he whispered harshly.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. ''You don't know what you're talking about.''
''Don't bother. I read your file.''
Sasuke glared, deciding to keep his mouth shut.
''So its true.''
''Orochimaru wanted the Kyuubi, I wanted Itachi dead.'' Sasuke said simply, like it explained everything.
''That's it? You're not even gonna say you're sorry?''
''I didn't kill you. Why should I apologize?''
Naruto stared at Sasuke in disbelief. ''I never gave up on you and you wouldve killed me so easily.''
''I never said I was gonna do it. Just like I never planned to give him my body. Don't assume shit.''
''You're full of shit!'' Naruto raged before he turned and stormed out.
Ino entered shaking her head and frowning. ''Whats his problem?''
''What the fuck do you want?'' Sasuke snapped.
Ino's eyes widened. ''Lovers quarrel?''
Sasuke clenched his jaw and scowled.
''Im here to pic up Miki. Shikamaru said Tsunade-sama should receive the letter at any moment.''
x-x-x-x-
Kakashi and Shizune sat behind the curtain while the Kage's discussed and debated.
It surprised him that the Raikage was more...'emotional' than Tsunade. Well, he had just 'lost' his brother to Akatsuki, not that he was listening to reason that Bee was alive.
''Shizune-san?'' came the whispered voice from one of the samurai behind them.
''Yes?''
''This just arrived from Konoha, its urgent.''
''I'll accept it.''
Shizune took the scroll and rolled it open.
Hokage-sama,
I apologize for bothering you at such an important time, but something has happened. Haruno Sakura left the village last night. We are not sure where she is headed but her friends are convinced she is pursuing Akatsuki. Hyuuga Neji, Hyuuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba and Uzumaki Naruto have gone after her. The rest of us are awaiting further orders.
Nara Shikamaru.
Shizune handed the scroll to Kakashi. She saw him tense as he read it.
Kakashi turned to the samurai behind them. ''When will the summit break for the day?'' he whispered.
''In a hour, Hatake-san.''
Kakashi gripped the scroll. ''Im going.''
''Kakashi, you can't. Not much can happen in a hour. We'll just have to wait.''
x-x-x-x-
''WHAT?'' Tsunade roared. ''WHY DIDN'T YOU INFORM ME IMMEDIATELY?''
''We apologize, Hokage-sama, we only received word an hour ago.''
Tsunade took a deep, calming breath. ''Alright, I'm going to summon Katsuya and tell her to break a part off and summon to my office.''
Shizune and Kakashi nodded.
''Kuchiyose No Jutsu!''
Katsuya appeared, immediately greeting everybody.
''Katsuya, I need you to break off and use the traveling technique to summon yourself into my office in Konoha.''
''Of course Tsunade-sama.''
''And see if you can find Shikamaru.''
''Of course.''
x-x-x-x-
Sasuke paced around the Hokage office. ''What the fuck are we waiting for?''
''Tsunade-sama will find a way to contact us. Calm down.''
Sasuke grunted and continued pacing.
There was a puff of smoke, both Shikamaru and Sasuke stiffened automatically before they saw the small slug on the desk.
''Oh, good, you are already here.''
Shikamaru nodded at the slug. ''Hello Katsuya.''
''Hello Shikamaru-san and...''
''This is Uchiha Sasuke.''
Sasuke grunted a response.
''I will serve as a point of communication between you and Tsunade-sama.''
When Shikamaru nodded she continued. ''Tsunade-sama is requesting full information on the situation.''
''Sakura left at about 2am in the morning. Sasuke thinks she might be pursuing Akatsuki to stop the impending war, Naruto agrees with him. Naruto, Hinata, Neji and Kiba have gone ahead using Akamaru to track her scent.''
There was a few moments of silence, where Shikamaru presumed Tsunade, Shizune and Kakashi was discussing it.
''Tell Tsunade I'm going after her myself.'' Sasuke said. Shikamaru didn't speak he knew what the Hokage's answer would be.
''Tsunade-sama, Kakashi-san and Shizune-san are in agreement, Uchiha Sasuke stays in the village.''
''That's fucking bullshit! .going!''
''Calm down Sasuke! Have you ever thought that Madara may not have found out about what she's doing, and you, by leaving, might lead him right to her!''
''At least I'll be there to protect her! You have no fucking idea how I feel! Its not like Ino's run off to her death!''
''Maybe not,'' Shikamaru replied, an edge to his bored tone. ''But I do care about her. Her safety comes first.''
''Tsunade-sama's orders are that you should leave it to Naruto and his team. If, by the time the Kage summit has ended and they have not found her, Kakashi will start his own search. Sasuke will only be allowed to leave as a last case resort.''
Sasuke's jaw clenched, hard. So hard he thought his gums might start bleeding.
x-x-x-x-
Sakura stared up at the bright full moon as she took another soldier pill from her pouch. She'd been travelling at full speed all day. She wasn't planning on resting until she was about half way. Then she would crash from the high and find an inn. She would then have put considerable distance between herself and whoever was likely to follow her. She sat down heavily on the thick branch as she bit down on the black pill.
For a moment she just sat, and breathed. His scent stuck to her skin heavily and for the longest while she simply inhaled and hugged herself, trying to keep her tears at bay.
''Im doing this for them.'' she whispered to herself. ''If I do this, it'll all be ok.''
She took a deep breath, feeling the pill setting into her system before she set off again.
Yup! Its short! I'll update again in a few short days!
Review plz!
Zana-Lee
xoxo