Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Italics = thoughts/flashbacks

Sakura (20) = present Sakura

Sakura (13) = past Sakura

Sasuke (20) = present Sasuke

Sasuke (13) = past Sasuke

Tsunade(past) = past Tsunade

Tsunade(present) = present Tsunade

Third Person POV

Team 7, older Sasuke, and older Sakura decided to go, while Jiraiya stayed behind and told them that he had business and would maybe catch up later. Lady Tsunade and Shizune had of course stayed—since they did not know of the events.

First Person POV- Sakura (13)

We had just recently left Konoha and I was already beginning to feel nervous, not just from the lack of knowledge on what challenges might come, but also from the constant stares that Sasuke keeps giving me. Sure, Sakura had reassured me that the thought—that Sasuke did not like me like I had assumed—was wrong; however, I could not get rid of the feeling that he does actually dislike me and think of me as an annoying and pestering fan girl that has no importance what so ever in his life. If what I had assumed was true, why does he keep staring at me? Why would he even give me a second glance? I shook my head.

Focus Sakura! We are on a mission right now. No time to worry about boys.

"What's wrong?" older Sakura had asked upon seeing my frustrated appearance.

"Nothing," I replied. "Just have some thoughts on my mind."

She nodded seeing that I did not want her to probe any further.

Naruto, as impatient as he is, questioned, "How much longer till we reach the destination?"

"Do you have to ask that every two seconds? We just left," Sasuke told him annoyed.

"It's taking too long. Besides, you're over exaggerating."

"Yeah, by about a second or two," Sasuke replied sarcastically.

"It's not. It's more than that."

"It is too."

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!

"Yes!"

A glare was followed after Sasuke's exclamation of 'yes'. Naruto mirrored his expression.

"Quiet, both of you. You might attract unwanted attention," Kakashi-sensei commanded.

"Yeah, yeah. Wah…," Naruto cried as he stumbled on a branch.

His mistake caused a domino effect causing everyone to stumble afterwards. Traveling had ceased as everyone stood glaring at Naruto.

"Why are you all looking at me? It was Sasuke's fault! He tripped me!" Naruto exclaimed.

Sasuke glare was stronger than ever. "Are you saying that I was the cause for your mistake?"

"Yeah. Who else would be mad enough to trip me?"

"I didn't do anything," Sasuke stated.

"Yeah, right. Sure y," Naruto started before he was interrupted by a groan.

"Would you brats shut up?" a mysterious, but close voice suddenly complained. "Some people are trying to sleep here. My mood is as bad as it is with some annoying pests waking me up—even more with the nuisance stepping on my leg to complete it. Now you want to keep me up with nonstop yelling? Do you want your heads attached to your puny bodies?"

"Who…," Naruto asked before he saw the source of the commotion.

A black silhouette was spotted by older Sasuke, older Sakura, Kakashi-sensei, Naruto, Sasuke, and I.

"It can't be…," older Sakura said surprised.

Older Sasuke also had an expression of surprise and one of dislike that came afterwards.

First Person POV- Sasuke (20)

Kisame.

There's no mistaking it. A man who had blue tinted skin, gills just below his round eyes, and an Akatsuki cloak around his body. His weapon was barely visible from the glint of the moon. Kisame—the one and only partner of him. Him—the man who had killed off my clan, my family, and my happy life as a child. The man who was the cause of my growing hatred.

"Are you ok?" Sakura asked as she laid a hand on my shoulder.

I relaxed my fist—unaware that I had been gripping so tightly.

"Who," Naruto started, before I had gripped his shoulders—stopping him from saying anything further.

He glared at me, but I didn't care. If Kisame was here, then he must be near. As if on cue, another silhouette appeared next to Kisame.

"Kisame, don't cause trouble," a voice, that I had once knew, spoke.

I was not the only one who was tense, younger Sasuke's form also froze. I felt a hand slip into mine—telling me it's ok. Even through the toughest times, Sakura had always been there for me. I relaxed a bit and a small smile formed as I looked at her supporting face. My need for revenge had always been my priority. I wanted—no—needed to become strong so that one day I could kill my once loved brother. However, that was before I realized my feelings. When I first realized that the feelings were reality, I tried to ignore them—deny them. To the contrary, they had just grown. I tried to stop it, but it just kept coming until I could no longer hide it. I had to use the final option. I had to leave Konoha. I was ready that night. I had even made it to the gates. However, things started to change when I heard the voice—the voice that I did not want to hear any longer, in fear that my feelings would grow even stronger. Without even realizing it, I had willingly come back. It was then that I accepted my feelings for her. I realized that hatred and revenge are not as important as Sakura. The feelings of hatred and revenge started fading as my feelings for Sakura grew. Now, I felt little to no hatred, but it still lingered in the back of my mind even though I tried my hardest to get rid of it.

"I didn't do anything. Those brats were the ones who caused trouble," Kisame told the figure next to him. "If anything, they should be punished."

"Calm down. Don't forget the mission," he told Kisame.

"Yeah, yeah."

Kisame stood up—whipping his weapon out to help steady himself. Naruto stepped back after taking a look at his samehada—breaking a twig. For the first time, he took notice of us. He looked from Naruto to Kakashi-sensei to younger Sakura and his eyes finally landed on younger Sasuke. A smile arose from his face.

"Sasuke," one of the voices called.

"Itachi," younger Sasuke replied with gripped fists.

I knew from his expression that he was about ready to blow if Itachi doesn't leave now. I gripped younger Sasuke's shoulders with my other hand—since Sakura is holding on to one—for support telling him to calm. It was then that Itachi had seemed to notice me for the first time. Shock was his first expression.

"It can't be…," Itachi said.

"So. How long are we going to stand here? I thought there was a mission we need to complete," Kisame asked.

He quickly masked his shocked expression into a neutral one.

"Right," he replied.

Itachi and Kisame left into the shadows. I had noticed that his eyes never left mine even when he went.

First Person POV- Sakura (13)

I watched the two mysterious ninjas leave. I couldn't help, but think that one of the two ninjas were all too familiar—like I had seen him somewhere before.

"Who were they?" I asked.

"Kisame Hoshigaki, a missing-nin from Kirigakure, and Itachi Uchiha, the ex-Leaf ninja who murdered the Uchiha clan," Kakashi-sensei replied. "Two of the nine members in the Akatsuki."

Uchiha?

A spark flickered in my mind.

It can't be…can it? Was that Sasuke's older brother that he sought revenge on?

I looked to my left to see him standing there in anger with his fists tightened. I reached my hand out to comfort him, but he pulled away.

"Are you ok Sasuke?" I asked him.

He turned around swiftly and glared at me.

"Is there something I can do?" I continued.

"Mind your own business," he replied.

"But."

His glare hardened.

"Shut. Up. You're so annoying."

My eyes widened at his reply. Tears were fighting to spill, but I kept them in.

"Oh, ok," I told him, glancing at the ground. "Um…I'll go ahead. I think I heard something nearby."

With that, I dashed out. I felt the first drop of tears sliding down my cheeks. I continued traveling, not knowing where I was going. Anything was fine as long as I have distance between Sasuke and I.

Thanks for reading the 24th chapter of "Strength of Love".

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