Here is another chapter!!!
Sakura winced as Naruto pulled out a needle from her back. Sweat trailed down her angelic face as another needle was forced out from her back. Naruto threw the unneeded needles aside as he carefully pulled the sharp item out. The needles stay stacked on top of each other unwanted as Sasuke sit next to her, holding her hand and slightly wincing at her crushing his hand in hers.
Idate sit a few feet afar, thinking of what had happened before.
Flashback:
"Naruto!! Look out!!" She yelled. Needles came flying out. Sasuke, Naruto and the clones all dodged them. Sakura quickly knocked Idate on the ground and put her back to the needles. The needles struck all at the back side of her body. Idate gasped.
"Sakura!!"
End of Flashback
Idate looked sadly at his hands. How could he have doubted them? Sakura almost died because of him. If any of those needles hit a vital point… she would have died instantly. He sighed. What was this feeling…?
Sakura glanced over at him, hearing him sigh.
"Idate… are you ok?" She asked as she winced as Naruto took out another needle. Idate looked at her, and then glanced at his hands.
"Thank you…. Sakura-chan…." Idate said sadly. Sakura looked at him curiously. Sasuke glared at him when nobody was looking at him.
"….Idate?" Sakura asked curiously. Idate look up at her beautiful green eyes and mentally shuddered.
'Her eyes are so beautiful… why can't I look away?' He thought. His eyes saddened.
"I just wanted to thank you… for taking the hit… and I'm sorry…" He said sadly. Sakura stared at him curiously, along with Naruto and Sasuke. Though Sasuke giving him a curious glare…
"I shouldn't have doubted you. And I'm sorry for that too…" He said looking at her. She gave him a beautiful smile that made the angels jealous. Idate mentally gasped at her beauty.
"Don't be sorry Idate-san. It's my ninja way to risk my life for the people that I care about." She said smiling. Idate gasped, taking her words the wrong way. Sasuke noticed and glared at him. Idate didn't notice. Naruto saw and mentally sighed. He's not THAT much of an idiot. Naruto took out the last needle as Sakura gasped from the upcoming pain. She winced and placed her hand where the needle once was. Sasuke looked at her, hands still inside of her own.
"Are you ok?" He asked. She smiled while nodding.
"Yeah, just didn't feel it coming… I'll be fine…" She said. Sasuke rubbed her hand and sighed.
"Alright." Sasuke said. Then Naruto stood up from his spot.
"Teme, I need to talk to you for a minute." Naruto said seriously. Everyone looked at him curiously. Sasuke let go of Sakura's hand and followed behind him. Idate mentally smiled at their retreating backs and smirked.
'Finally some alone time with Sakura-chan…' He thought to himself.
Sasuke and Naruto made their way outside the cave and stopped when Naruto thought they were a good distance away. He turned to the curious Sasuke, though with a stoic face.
"Teme…." Naruto started off. Then he sighed. How was he going to say this…? Sasuke huffed.
"Get on with it Naruto…" He said. Naruto glared.
"Hold on teme!" He yelled. Sasuke rolled his eyes. Naruto sighed once more.
"You need to stop being so jealous Sasuke-teme…" Naruto said to him. Sasuke glared.
"I'm not jealous." Sasuke said with an unreadable expression. Now it was Naruto's time to roll his eyes.
"I'm not THAT much of an idiot teme!!!" Naruto yelled again. Sasuke sighed.
"You make it too easy dobe…" Sasuke said. Naruto have him a questionable look and then replaced it with an angry look.
"Stop trying to change the subject!!!" He yelled. Sasuke huffed. "You need to lay off Sakura-chan!! You're always on her like I am on ramen!!" Naruto yelled. Sasuke glared.
"It's none of your business idiot." Sasuke said turning the other way. Naruto glared at his back before running in front of him.
"If it has to do with Sakura-chan, then it is my business!!!" Naruto yelled. Sasuke stared at him.
"She's like my little sister, teme!!! I don't even like her having a boyfriend in the beginning!!! Let alone have all these other guys trying to get her!!! Just let her take care of herself teme!!! She loves you more than anyone, and you should be able to trust her enough to let her take care of things without you breathing on the back of her neck!!!!!" Naruto yelled angerly. Sasuke winced at his words and glared at the ground.
"Love is about trusting the other person teme! Trust Sakura-chan like she trusts you!!" Naruto yelled. Sasuke's eyes softened at his words. Naruto sighed.
"I do… it's just… I don't like how they look at her… it's like I'm losing her to someone else just when someone else just looks at her wrong…" He said stuffing his hands in his pockets. Naruto eyes softened. "I don't want to lose her… I just can't…" He said. Naruto closed his eyes and sighed once more. They he looked up.
"You're not going to lose her teme. She loves you too much, and you love her too much. Glances from any other person can't break that bond. Nothing can." Naruto said. Sasuke looked at him.
"You're like a brother to me Sasuke. You can tell me anything. That has to do with Sakura-chan or not." Naruto said while smiling. Sasuke curved his mouth into a pure smile and hugged him.
"Thanks Naruto." He said. Naruto hugged him back.
"No problem… teme…"
Idate slowly got up and sat next to Sakura. She slowly leaned against the cave wall, carefull not to hurt herself. She sighed and then looked at the boy next to her. He was obviously deep in thought. Sakura stared at him curiously.
"Anything you want to talk about?" She asked him. He looked back at her curious face. Then he stared at his lap.
"How do you know when you love someone?" He asked her. Sakura stared at him curiously. Did he ask her this question three years ago…? She stared at the opening of the cave.
"Well… it's kind of hard to explain… but I'll do my best…" She said, not taking her eyes off of where Naruto and Sasuke walked away from. He stared at the side of her head.
"When you love someone… you want to protect them with your life. Even if it means risking your own…" She said. Idate gasped. Didn't she do that for him…? "When you love someone… you never stop thinking about them. Your heart aches when you think about them. Or even when you are near them. And your heart feels like it's going to break if you're not near them. It's kind of a lonely feeling… like there's a place missing in your heart that only that special person can replace." She said, not taking her eyes off the opening of the cave, thinking of Sasuke with every word…. Even though Idate took it the wrong way.
"Do you know your special person?" Idate asked her. She turned back to him and smiled.
"Actually… I do…" She said, not taking the smile off of her face. Idate felt his face heat up.
'Sakura-chan… loves me…?' He thought. They were interrupted when Sasuke and Naruto walked back in. Sakura looked at Sasuke and smiled.
'My special person…' She thought to herself.
Heh. Thinking again to yourself I see. Sakura mentally winced. Just great. HER again…
Don't act like you hate me.
'I'm not acting.'
Ouch. Your words hurt me Sakura…
'Damn straight.'
So cruel…
'Where have you been anyway?'
In the back of your head, watching all of this drama.
'What are you talking about?'
Can't you see that Idate AND Kiba like us?
'Us? Reprase your words.'
You're right. They really like ME.
'Pfft. Oh please, the only thing you've done is get ME into trouble.'
That's my job.
'Oh shut up.'
Make me!
'Fine!' Sakura thought while stuffing Inner Sakura into a tiny box in the back of her head.
'Finally.' She thought while coming back into realitly. By this time, Sasuke was sitting down beside her while turning her around to see her back.
"Are you feeling any better?" He while tracing her shirt slightely. She winced at first, but calmed at his touch. Idate glared at him when no one was looking.
"Yeah, I'm better. We should really get going…" She said standing up. Sasuke nodded and stood up. Naruto smiled, returning to his happy go self.
"Alright Team Naruto! Let's head on out!!!" He yelled, pointing in a stupid way. Idate, Sakura and Sasuke all sweat-dropped. Sasuke sighed while hitting him upside the head.
"Dobe…" Sasuke said. Naruto's eyes widened angerly anime-style.
"Teme!!" He yelled while pointing at him. Sasuke rolled his eyes. Sakura stepped in between them.
"Alright alright enough already…" She said, obviously annoyed. Idate laughed at their antics.
"Do you guys always fight like this?" Idate asked Sakura. Sakura rolled her eyes.
"Unfortuanetely… yes." Sakura said with her eyes closed, with her face giving off an annoyed look. Idate laughed again. Then Sakura looked at the sun, almost half way above.
"We've waisted a lot of time! Let's go before the other clan wins the race!" Sakura yelled. Idate nodded while getting a head start. Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura began running behind him.
The other racer stopped short, breathing hard. Then he saw a spa house open for customers and smirked. It wouldn't hurt right? They are probably miles behind him.
Idate stopped short because of the green haired man that stood in front of a large bridge. Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura cringed at the memory. The green haired man smiked while taking out a large sword. Team seven cringed once more. Idate gasped.
"Th-that's…." Idate began. The green haired man smirked.
"You remember this right? You stole it for me, after all." The green haired man said, not taking his smirk off of his face. Idate gritted his teeth. Why I outta…
Naruto stepped in front with a hand sign, ready to start.
"Sakura-chan! Sasuke-teme! Get Idate across! I can handle him!" Naruto yelled. Sakura and Sasuke nodded, knowing his true strength.
"Kage bunshin no jutsu!!" Naruto yelled. Ten Naruto's appeared from thin air. They all yelled out a battle cry and charged at him. Sakura grabbed Idate's hand.
"Come on Idate!" Sakura yelled, starting to run. Idate grabbed on to Sakura's hand and ran next to her. The green haired man glared at Naruto before taking out his sword and swinging it until all of the clones were gone.
Sasuke stopped in his tracks on the bridge and turned around. Sakura and Idate stopped.
"Sasuke-kun??" Sakura said. Sasuke lifted his hand in the air.
"Take care of Idate and make sure he crosses the finish line. I'll help Naruto." Sasuke said. Sakura nodded before turning around.
"Sakura." Sasuke said. Sakura and Idate stopped again. "Be safe." He said. She smiled.
"You too." She said before turning around and running with Idate. Sasuke ran at the green haired man and started pumping chakra into his hand.
"Chidori!" Sasuke yelled. He jumped in the air and aimed for the man. The man cringed before quickly jumping out of the way. The man saw Sakura and Idate running on the bridge, away from them. The green haired man quickly swung his sword at the ropes that were holding the bridge firmly to the ground. The tight rope broke in half, and part of the bridge tilted. Sakura and Idate gasped, now falling.
Sakura grabbed on to the now leaning bridge and quickly grabbed Idate's hand. Idate gasped while looking up at her, with her teeth gritted together.
"S-Sakura-chan!" He yelled. She cringed at the weight on her weakest hand. She quickly closed her eyes. Oh come on….
Sasuke gasped and quickly ran over to him before he could cut the second rope. He aimed a fist at his face. He quickly dodged. Sasuke activated his sharingan.
Naruto gasped and did another hand sign.
"Rasengan!" Naruto yelled running at him. The green haired man gasped at the power before him.
'I've got to dodge!' He thought before quickly jumping in the air. He saw Sasuke jumping after him. He looked at the firm rope, holding half of the bridge together and the two people hanging onto the bridge in the middle. He quickly swung his sword while aiming for the rope. Sasuke cringed.
"No! Chidori!" Sasuke yelled, hitting the sword. It wasn't enough power.
"Rasengan!" Naruto yelled. They both hit the sword with all of their power. It broke into a million pieces.
"No!!!" He yelled out. By that time, the swords energy hit the rope, breaking it it half. Sakura cringed. She's got to save Idate!
"Hold on Idate!" Sakura said while lifting his arm up around her shoulder with her strength. She held on to the bridge tightly while it began falling into the other side of the dirt wall. She put Idate in front of her while her back facing the wall. Idate gasped.
They quickly made direct impact with the wall. Sakura gasped with her eyes wide and remembering the needles injecting in her back.
Flashback:
"Naruto!! Look out!!" She yelled. Needles came flying out. Sasuke, Naruto and the clones all dodged them. Sakura quickly knocked Idate on the ground and put her back to the needles. The needles struck all at the back side of her body. Idate gasped.
"Sakura!!"
End of Flashback
Sakura cringed at the pain in her back.
'My….back….' She thought while holding onto Idate and the rope tightly. Idate gasped.
"S-Sakura-chan!! Are you alright?!" Idate asked while holding onto her tightly. She had her eyes shut at this time. She opened one up and nodded.
"Y-yeah…" She said looking down at the waters below.
'If we fall, we're done for…' She thought. Then she looked up. Maybe she could… She quickly looked at Idate.
"Idate… do you trust me?" Sakura asked, still hurting from the pain. Idate gasped at the question.
"Of course, Sakura-chan!" He said. She looked up once more.
"Then hold on." She said while grabbing on to his hand and letting him hang by her hand. She rocked him back and forth, getting strength into her arm. She pumped chakra into her arm before yelling a battle cry and throwing Idate into the air. He gasped at her actions.
He was by this time in the air. He extended his arms and hung onto the said of the cliff. He quickly pulled himself up. Then he looked down at the hanging Sakura.
"I'll bring you up Sakura-chan!" Idate yelled, grabbing onto the rope. Sakura looked at him.
"No! You need to win the race!! Go ahead!! I promise I'll catch up!!" Sakura yelled. Idate gasped. He would do that for her….?
"Are you sure?!" He yelled down to her. She nodded.
"Go!!" She yelled. He nodded back and began running in the direction of the finish line.
The other racer relaxed as a girl rubbed his back.
"Ahhh… a little lower… that's it…" He said, obviously enjoying his time. Then a man came through the door.
"Excuse me sir!! But Idate isn't far behind!! You have to hurry if you want to win the race!!" He yelled. The racer cringed and quickly stood up, putting his shirt back on and running out of the door.
Sasuke ran up to the green haired man and hit him one last time. The cringed at the pain. Little did he know that he was heading down to the waters below the bridge.
"Ahhhh!!!!!!" He screamed before falling into the waters. Naruto and Sasuke quickly ran over to see Sakura holding onto the bridge with her dear life.
"Sakura!!!" They both yelled. She looked up, while cringing at the pain in her arm.
"Naruto… Sasuke…" She whispered. The rope that she was hanging onto broke in half. They all gasped. Sakura began falling towards the waters. Sakura's eyes widened.
"Sakura!!!!" They yelled again. They were about to jump towards her when she quickly pumped chakra into her hands and feet and grabbed the inside of the cliff. Small pebbles fell from the side as she hung on. Her arm ached from hanging on to the bridge.
Sasuke and Naruto quickly jumped to the other side, skidding down to her. They were both standing on the side and lifted her up. She let out her breath that she had been holding.
"Thanks guys…" She said. Sasuke and Naruto also let out their breath.
"I told you to be safe…" Sasuke said. Sakura let out another breath.
"Let's catch up with Idate." Sakura said. Naruto and Sasuke both nodded before making their way back up the cliff.
Idate ran as fast as he could up the stairs.
'Did I do the right thing by leaving them all behind?' He thought to himself. Then he saw the orb that they were supposed to retrieve. He quickly grabbed it and ran in the right direction.
"Go Idate!!!" Some yelled.
"Boooo!!!!" Others yelled. He ignored both comments and ran even faster.
'I can't lose!!' He thought, speeding up.
It had been several minutes. Idate had been running and was getting closer and closer to the finish line. He couldn't lose!! Where was the other contestant?!
'Come on come on….' He thought. Then he saw him ahead, almost crossing the finish line. 'I can't lose!! I can't let Team seven down!! I can't let my clan down!!' He thought running even faster.
The other racer was slowly jogging. Proudly waving to everyone like he was Miss America.
"Heh. I knew I would win." He said do himself. Then he heard cheers behind him.
"Go Idate!!"
"You're almost there!!"
"GO GO GO!!!" He heard. He looked behind him to see Idate running full speed. He gasped while picking up the pace.
Ashlee: Go Idate go!!!
Juliette: Come on go go go!!!
Shannon: …. What are you guys doing?
Ashlee and Juliette: Err… nuthin….
Shannon: Oi vei….
Ashlee- coughs anways, back to the story!
"I can't lose!" He yelled. Idate cringed and ran even faster.
'No… no… no!!' He thought while running right behind him. The other racer gasped at his speed. How did he get here so fast?! They were now nose to nose in the race.
Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto stopped. Sakura's arms were around their shoulders and they were looking down at Idate and the other racer.
"Go Idate!!" Sakura yelled. Idate looked up at her.
'Sakura-chan's alright…' He thought. Then he looked next to him. He had to win!! For Sakura-chan! He ran even faster.
"Go Idate!!" Naruto and Sakura yelled at the same time. The finish line was right there….
And Idate won.
"Yosh!!!!" Naruto and Sakura yelled. The other people in the Wasabi clan screamed for joy. The people in the other clan screamed in agony.
Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura came down to Idate. Idate came up and hugged Sakura.
"Sakura-chan!! I won!! I really won!!" Idate yelled. Sasuke felt his jealously rise, but quickly hid it. Sakura lifted her arms that were around Sasuke and Naruto and hugged him back.
"I'm so happy for you Idate-san!" Sakura said smiling. Idate blushed at the contact with each other. Naruto saw it and cringed. He really needs to lay off. Sakura let go and smiled. This was finally over…
After all of the awards and cheering of the crowds, Idate walked back to Team seven.
'I've got to tell her how I feel…' He thought. He looked at Sakura's smiling face.
"Hi Idate-san!" Sakura said. Naruto and Sasuke looked at them. Idate ignored them and looked at her.
"Sakura-chan… can I talk to you?" He asked. She gave a questionable look before nodding.
"Sure." She said before following him. Idate stopped after he thought he was far enough away from everyone and turned to her.
"Sakura-chan… remember when you said… in the cave… about knowing when you love someone…?" Idate asked her shyly. She blinked a few times before nodding.
"Well… I love you…" He said looking at her straight in the eye. She gasped, remembering their talk.
Flashback:
Idate slowly got up and sat next to Sakura. She slowly leaned against the cave wall, carefull not to hurt herself. She sighed and then looked at the boy next to her. He was obviously deep in thought. Sakura stared at him curiously.
"Anything you want to talk about?" She asked him. He looked back at her curious face. Then he stared at his lap.
"How do you know when you love someone?" He asked her. Sakura stared at him curiously. Did he ask her this question three years ago…? She stared at the opening of the cave.
"Well… it's kind of hard to explain… but I'll do my best…" She said, not taking her eyes off of where Naruto and Sasuke walked away from. He stared at the side of her head.
"When you love someone… you want to protect them with your life. Even if it means risking your own…" She said. Idate gasped. Didn't she do that for him…? "When you love someone… you never stop thinking about them. Your heart aches when you think about them. Or even when you are near them. And your heart feels like it's going to break if you're not near them. It's kind of a lonely feeling… like there's a place missing in your heart that only that special person can replace." She said, not taking her eyes off the opening of the cave, thinking of Sasuke with every word…. Even though Idate took it the wrong way.
"Do you know your special person?" Idate asked her. She turned back to him and smiled.
"Actually… I do…"
End of Flashback
"Idate…" She said with sad eyes. "Do… do you think I was talking about you?" She asked. He blushed and looked away.
"Y-yeah…" He said shyly. Sakura looked at him with said eyes.
"I'm sorry Idate… but I was talking about Sasuke…" She said. Idate gasped while quickly looking back at her.
"B-but, you said I was your special person!" He said quickly. Sakura's eyes saddened even more, not wanting to hurt his feelings.
"By that I meant that you are one of my friends… not like I love Sasuke-kun…" She said. Idate's eyes saddened.
"O-oh…" He said before turning around. Sakura quickly grabbed his arm.
"Idate! Wait…" She said. He let out his breath and turned around.
"Idate, you're one of my friends. I don't want to lose that… we can still be friends… right?" She asked. Idate looked at her face.
'Do I really love her… or do I just want someone to love…?' He asked himself, even though he already knew the answer. He didn't love her as how he thought he did. He smiled.
"I'd love that." He said. Sakura quickly smiled back and hugged him with her arms around his torso. Idate hugged her back and took in her sent.
'I guess I just love her as my sister…' He thought to himself.
Team seven was now aboard the ship and ready to sail. They looked down at Idate.
"Bye Idate!!" Naruto and Sakura yelled while waving. Sasuke just looked down. Idate waved back while smiling.
"Bye guys!!! Make sure to come visit!!" He yelled. Naruto and Sakura smiled.
"You bet!!!" Naruto yelled. After a few minutes of sailing, they were out of their seeing range. Naruto quickly covered his mouth while running to the side of the boat and throwing up. Ewww…. Sasuke and Sakura thought. Sasuke looked down at her and grabbed her hand while pulling her out of everyone's sight. Sakura gave him a questionable look.
"What is it Sas- She was cut off when Sasuke quickly put his mouth on top of hers. She gasped. Sasuke took that to his advantage and slyly slid his tongue into her mouth. Sakura's eyes widened before resting and kissing back, showing just as much force.
After a gew minutes, they both let go for air. They both took a few breathes before looking into each others eyes. Sasuke wrapped his arms around her small form. Sakura did the same.
Sasuke kissed her forhead. Sakura relaxed at his touch.
"I can't wait until we get back to my house…" Sasuke said. Sakura opened her eyes and couldn't help but giggle.
"Me neither Sasuke-kun… me neither…"
R&R!!!!!!!!!!!!!