We're tied together by our souls

Chapter 25

Disclaimer; I do not own Naruto unfortunately :(

Sakura saw when Naruto left with Fukasaku to train. She had hoped that it would go well for him, but she had no doubts that it would be good for her blond teammate. Minato was shocked to hear his son would train sage art, but Sakura could see that he was proud, how far Naruto had come late academy. Sakura had laughed and told Minato how Naruto was in the academy. Sakura return to her studies of seals.

She has started to become better with seals and Minato made sure that she had heard it often. He wanted to increase her confidence and self-esteem. Sakura had started a small project with a seal, which he tried to help her, so far, it goes slowly but it was expected. After being told how Chiyo had used her chakra to restore Gaara's life, Minato understood what she was trying to get to. The technique that Chiyo used, could surely improve and if possible, perhaps they could come up with a seal which made it possible without sacrifice the user's life.

"Sakura how does it go?" Minato asked. He looked at the female Shinobi beside him. She was focused and had all of their attention on the task that she had. Sakura glanced at Minato. She was a little nervous, she tried to hide it, but she was sure Minato probably noticed that she was nervous. She didn't want him to find out why she was so nervous around him and now. She didn't want that conversation, it would be rather awkward since he is Naruto´s father and all, not only that, he was around twenty seven-eight so there was some age difference between them and it wouldn't work when he was sealed within her mind, but she couldn't deny the fact Minato was handsome and not so little either. Jesus, if Ino knew about this, she would surely squeal in happiness and telling her to take advantage of the situation, it's not every day you find a handsome guy in your head. Sakura felt his eyes on her but Sakura tried her best to ignore him.

"Sakura, you look flustered are you sure you're all right?" Minato asked looked truly concerned for her. Sakura took a deep breath and nodded. She looked up at him.

"I am all right, really Minato don't worry about it"

/

Sakura stretched her arms and sighed. She had sat and worked on the seal she was working on. She had hoped for some process, however, the seal is going to be more complex than she thought, but hopefully she would be able to help from Minato to finish it. Sakura puts down the scrolls on the table and headed towards the kitchen to get something to drink. Suddenly someone was knocking on the door. Confused, Sakura headed towards the door and opened it only to see her childhood friend, Ino standing there impatiently waiting for her to open.

"Finally, took you long enough. You're needed at the hospital, Shizune asked me to get you."

Sakura nodded

"Thanks, just let me get ready to go Ino-pig"

Ino nodded and waited for a while till Sakura come back, ready to head out.

"Let's go"

They were on the way suddenly they felt an unknown chakra in the village.

"What..?"

Suddenly they heard an explosion in the village and shortly after that, several explosions was heard after the first one.

"What's going on?!" Ino exclaimed, trying to sound calm, but Sakura could hear the panic rising in her voice.

"I don't know Ino, but we're about to find out"

Suddenly, out of nowhere a giant orange, black snake like creature with grey eyes with rings in them. It spotted them and headed straight towards them, however, they manage to jump out of line in time. Sakura focused chakra in her fist and punched the creature hard into the ground, making some pieces fall off.

Sakura landed beside the creature and looked over her shoulder, seeing Ino getting back on her feet.

"Are you all right?" Sakura asked, concerned for her friend. Ino nodded and looked up.

"I'll head towards where my father is, they are interrogating someone right now, and you should head towards the hospital"

Sakura nodded and they headed different directions.

"So we're in a middle of an attack? From who?"

"Probably the Akatsuki, Saki. It was only a question of time before they would come here to get the nine tails. The timing of Naruto's training had been perfect, wouldn't want to have him here right now"
"Right. Who knows what would happen if he was here"

"He would fight the Akatsuki no matter how dangerous it is for him, he wouldn't let them get away attacking the village. He loves the village even if the citizen of Konoha hasn't treated him nicely."

Sakura stopped there, she needed to focus right now. The Village was under attack and people was hurt. She was needed at the hospital right now.

Suddenly Sakura saw Iruka coming towards her.

"Sakura!"
"Iruka-Sensei, what's going on? Is it the Akatsuki?!"

"I'm not certain, but the barrier team reported only one attack from above however there is multiply attackers, so I would guess the Akatsuki"
Sakura nodded, her thoughts confirmed.

"Sakura, you need hurry to the hospital, there is many hurt and there will be much more if the attacks keep going on like this."

"Of course"

Iruka left her and Sakura continued her way to the hospital, this would be a nightmare, she was sure of it.

/

The hospital was full with Shinobi and citizens who got injured by the explosions. Sakura started work with the patients directly she comes inside. She was so focused on the task on her hand so she didn't notice the change of mood in the room. Sakura barely got a chance to finish to heal the wound she was working on, when someone pulled her and the patients backwards, Sakura was about to protest, but seeing a part of the building fall down where she and her patient had been, Sakura lets whoever dragged her do it without having her struggle.

Looking over her shoulder, Sakura saw Shizune standing behind her, looking grim.

"Are you all right Sakura?"
Sakura nodded and tried to get herself, not thinking that she could have been crushed if Shizune hadn't dragged her and the patient away.

"Thank you" Sakura said. Shizune shake her head

"Don't mention it. We can't lose you Sakura. You're one of our best medics here, so be careful"

"I will"
Sakura smiled and looked over the Shinobi she had worked on. He was sitting up.

"Are you all right?" She asked him. The Shinobi nodded and smiled "you're really a great medic Sakura-San, no wonder, you're the apprentice of our hokage after all."

Sakura moved in unease, she wasn't used that people compliment her skills, however, she was grateful that people thought she was a good medic.

However, she wasn't only a medic, she was a Shinobi who were willing to fight on the battlefield.

Suddenly another explosion was heard and Sakura got a dreadful feeling and she didn't like it.

"Shizune, where is Tsunade-sama?" Shizune bit on her lower lip and spoke softly.

"She is at the roof of the Hokage tower, she had summoned Katsuyu"

Sakura nodded, but the dreadful feeling didn't let go, it was something telling her something bad was about to happen.

Suddenly a big invincible force knocked down the village, destroying everything in its path.

The last thing she heard was Shizune calling her name.

/

Coughing Sakura opened her eyes, first she saw something itchy on her. It took a moment before it was Katsuyu who had covered herself over Sakura to protect her from the blow.

"Thank you Katsuyu"

"Don't worry Sakura-chan"
Looking around, Sakura felt her heart break. The village was destroyed most of the buildings had taken a lot of damage. Sakura felt Tsunade's chakra not too far from her. It seems the attack had taken its toll on her as well consider how low Tsunade's chakra was.

Sakura wanted to get there, but her chakra levels was low, almost too low from healing all these people. Sakura wanted to scream out in agony however, she was too tired and the first thing that came to her mind was Naruto.

"Please… Naruto… hurry… just hurry and come back!"

Sakura closed her eyes for a brief moment when she heard someone landed beside her. It was one of the Hyuuga clan.

"Sakura-San, are you all right?" He asked. Sakura nodded and opened her eyes and looked at the huge, he had his Byakugan activated and looked forward.

"What's going on?" Sakura asked, seeing his eyes narrowed.

"The pain, was about to attack Lady Tsunade, however, Uzumaki Naruto stopped the attack and let one of his summoning to take Tsunade away from the battle. She looked exhausted."

Sakura nodded, she just hoped Tsunade-sama didn't overdo it or who knew what would happen.

Using her Yin seal too much, plus getting so low on chakra might result in a Tsunade fall in a coma.

Sakura shakes her head, trying to push those thoughts away. She silently prayed for her mentor's health and hoped everything would be all right.

/

It was a nightmare. Naruto fought Pain, however, in the middle of it, Naruto was pinned down, and then it was from there it went straight down to hell. Hinata jumped in from nowhere to protect and help Naruto and who could blame her, seeing her boyfriend being pinned down by the enemy, but still Sakura didn't know if it was brave of her or foolish for doing that. Hinata was struck down by Pain, and of course that made Naruto lose control and the Kyuubi was almost realized however when it was at the eight tails. Something had happened, stopping the transform.

Sakura had then felt a sharp pain, and she wasn't the only one. Minato had flinched in pain, but tried to not make any sound. Saki was sitting beside him and briefly wondered when Minato would give in to the sharp pain, however, the pain stopped quickly.

Sakura tried to regain her composure when the pain was gone. Then she realized the Kyuubi was gone and Naruto was back in control. The battle ended with Naruto used Rasengan and hit Pain in the stomach.

She wasn't aware of what happened next, however, she found out Naruto had located the leader, Nagato and confronted him about this.

In the end Naruto had used his amazing skill to make both Nagato and Konan believe in him that Naruto would find the answer and bring peace to the world.

Nagato died, however, he brought everyone who had died under the attack back alive by a jutsu he could use.

Sakura faintly remembered that she and the rest of the people of Konoha welcomed him as their hero.

That had made her smile.

Finally the people treated Naruto the way he deceived since the day he was born. A hero.

He bears a burden no one can understand, or even to try to imagine it.

Perhaps the people will start to see that now.

She and the rest of their friends lifted him up and throw him up into the air several times.

Naruto just laughed through it.

Sakura was exhausted and wanted nothing more than the rest. However, she felt there was no time for rest, but Shizune demanded her to go home and rest. Luckily that part of the village hadn't been damaged at all so, Sakura did what she was ordered and went home to get some rest.

When she got home, she went for a shower and then to bed. It didn't take much time before she falls asleep.

MINDSCAPE

Sakura opened her eyes and saw she was in her Mindscape. Looking around, Sakura saw Minato sitting under one of the trees, he looked tired as well. He looked up and saw her coming towards him.

"Hi, there, fallen asleep in the real world?"
Sakura nodded and sat down beside him.

"Do you know why we felt such pain earlier?" Sakura asked. Minato moved a bit.

"Well, I guess, since the Kyuubi almost got free, my chakra in the seal. I put my chakra into the seal to make sure if the eight tails of the Kyuubi appear it would stop it, it is also a chance for Naruto to meet me in person. I guess we reacted to that"

Sakura nodded. It made some sense at least.

"Sakura, are you all right?" Minato asked, worried about her.

Sakura sighed and smiled "I am fine"

"No, you have been nervous about something the last couple of days. I am getting concerned for you"
Sakura looked away, she knew he might have noticed something off with her lately, however, she thought she hadn't been that oblivious.

"No. really I am fine"

Minato gently took her jaw in his hand and turned her head towards him, looking him in the eye.

Sakura wanted to cry out in frustration. She wouldn't be able to keep her feelings in check if he keeps looking at her in that way.

Minato saw so many emotions in her emerald green eyes. Frustration, yearning and something else which he couldn't figure out.

Sakura fought to look away, but Minato wouldn't let her.

"Sakura what are you not telling me?

Sakura yelped and tried to move backwards only to fall backwards down to the ground, however Minato had his arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her back to him. Sakura gasped, she didn't want to be so close to Minato right now, it was the last thing she needed right now, but it did seem Minato had other plans.

"Sakura?" Minato asked, worried, seeing her discomfort.

Sakura bit on her lower lip and was in distress, she has no clue what to tell him, but she needed to tell him something, since the look he is giving her, told he wouldn't give up until he knew what's bugging her.

He was so focused on her, it was scaring her.

"Minato" Sakura murmured, sounded unsure. Minato was watching her with so intensely.

Why would he do that anyway?

"Why so interested in this?" Sakura asked.

"I know something is troubling you and first I didn't ask about it, but now since it has trouble you so long I want to help you"

Sakura sighed, she didn't want to admit that she had feelings for him, how awkward wouldn't that be?

"Trust me, I am just fine, it have been much going on lately."

"Why do I not believe that sa-ku-ra?"

Sakura shivered, feeling his breath on her skin.

"I swear there is nothing to worry about!" Sakura gets frustrated, however Minato didn't flinch or move at all and his grip on her remained. How could she tell him she had feelings for him? She was nervous she didn't want to tell him, knowing there is a big chance he will reject her and then she had made a fool of herself and she was afraid getting hurt again. Sasuke had hurt her.

Sakura wanted to scream out in frustration and put her hands on his shoulder to push him away from her. Minato pulled her closer to him, their chests touching. Sakura puts her head on his shoulder and breathed in his scent. And god he smelled good. Minato rubbed her back with his hand in circles, making her shiver.

Sakura breath hitched and held on his west.

Suddenly she felt a pair of lips on the side of her throat pressing gently.

Sakura gasped and leaned back, looking at Minato shocked, he however, looked at her calmly but she could see the mischief in his sea blue eyes.

"What was that for?!" Sakura asked, shocked that Minato had done that. Minato looked amused, but didn't answer.

Sakura frowned, trying to read him, but she wasn't able to, Minato had his poker face, which meant there was no way you could read his emotions.

He leaned forward, his head beside her, he whispered words to her.

"Are you nervous being with me Sa-ku-Ra?"

Sakura tensed, her emotions getting the best out of her.

"N… no. Why would I be that?" Sakura asked, cursing herself. Minato smirked and moved his hands from her back and upwards to her head, holding it still and making her look at him in the eye.

Sakura was about to ask what he was doing when he pressed his lips against hers. One hand rested behind her head and the other went down to her shoulder. Sakura was shocked, but she was even more surprised when she felt his tongue trailing lightly over her lips, asking for entrance, which she found herself giving.

Sakura gasped and her hand went up into his hair and grabbed a fistful of his blond locks in her hand. The other hand was on his shoulder. A moan escaped her lips, but it was muffled by Minato's mouth.

They broke the kiss and Sakura didn't get out any word. He had taken her breath and she was having some difficult to regain her breathing to normal.

Sakura knew one thing, she wanted answers

TBC

Hope you like it, I let some romance in this chapter, hope it made some of you happy and I hope you will show it by giving me a review. Please leave reviews and not only favourites or follow the story, I am asking you to leave a review, it would make me feel better knowing people actually like and read the story.

Yeah, I know not much detail about the attack, however I wanted it that way, so we can move on towards other stuff. See you in the next chapter