Chapter 28

Thanks for your reviews, i got some really nice compliments and I am so greatful for them ! and for those who wanted to tie me to a tree and make me watch while you all eat sushi (worst torture) you have to admit...cliffes are necessary but a pain in the butt and thanks for the advice sasukerules XD! (there's a lot of skipping between characters again but like I've said before, it isn't confusing)

Sakura could hear a noise...a faint thudding sound. It was her heartbeat...Sakura paused. 'It...'

The leader grabbed her by the neck and threw her into a wall, sending rocks crashing into an oblivion. She fell amongst the debri, a cut on her head and bruised legs. She shook it off and went for the leader as he tried to take Naruto away. "STAY AWAY FROM HIM!" She screamed, lunging forward and rolling to the ground with Pain. As they wrestled, Sasuke was able to knock Kisame unconscious, before running to Sakura's aid. He skidded to a halt when he saw Naruto's body. Lying there...helpless, the same face the day he lay before Sasuke at the valley of the end.

Sasuke knelt beside his old friend and checked his pulse. Nothing. Sasuke lowered his head so that his bangs dropped over his face. His eyes began to sting.

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Isamu could see Sakura was in trouble. He ran to help her, raising a fist to Pain. He managed a punch but it did less damage as Pain brought a harder blow back, sending Isamu to the ground. He flipped back upwards again and used an earth style jutsu to tie the leader's legs. It was a powerful jutsu and Yamato had taught him it.

Sakura gazed at him with sadness. "Isamu..."

"Save your friend," he told her, struggling.

Sakura ran to where Naruto lay, trying her best to ignore Sasuke who was just opposite her.

"Who is he?" Sasuke asked, still hiding his face.

Sakura glared at him as she attempted to try and heal Naruto internally. "We're close..." That was all she could say. She pressed her hand against Naruto's chest. "Wake up godamnit!"

Sasuke stared at her, his heart ached as he saw her desperation and resillience. 'She won't give up.'

"Wake up!" Sakura shouted again.

--

Pain smirked at Isamu. With one simple hand movement the jutsu faded away and he controlled his chakra before punching Isamu in the jaw. The noise of the crack was ear-splitting. Isamu was sent crashing straight through a wall and hurdling down one side of a cliff which led to a lake below.

Sakura saw what happened. Her heart lurched. 'Kuh...what can I do?' She darted her eyes from Isamu to Naruto.

"Go," Sasuke said. "He'll die otherwise..."

Sakura stared at him in surprise but had no time to argue. She ran to Isamu's falling body and dived straight into the river after him...

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Kakashi had gathered a powerful paper bomb that could explode this place apart...the question was when to set it off. He had to get Naruto out...but Sasuke? Kakashi lowered his eyes as he dodged another attack. He had no choice. "Sasuke, get Naruto out of here!" Kakashi had no idea if he would but to his relief, Sasuke hauled Naruto over his shoulder and ran out of the cave, dust skittering behind him.

Kakashi nodded to his fellow ANBU before opening up a scroll and doing several hand signs, then ran off to the nearest exit.

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Sakura felt the collision of the icy water as she opened her eyes. Her hair tangled around her face as she frantically searched for Isamu. 'Left...right?' She looked below and could see a pale hand sinking to the depth. She swam down, kicking her legs and moving her belly like a serpent in order to reach him faster. She could see his jaw was bleeding. She grabbed ahold of his hand and turned to face upwards. The water was cold and made her wounds sting. Suddenly, from above a large cloud of dust filled the air and plunged into the lake, hurting her eyes. An explosion had been set off and she could only fear the worst. Her eyelids flickered. 'I'm losing breath...'

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Sasuke felt the heat of the explosion as the force took him and Naruto off their feet and sent them crashing into a tree. The tree toppled over. Sasuke lay with Naruto on top of him (not in a rude way narusasu fans, lol) and was crushing his bladder. He winced as he rolled Naruto off of him. His body was as limp as a rag doll.

Kakashi jumped to where they were both lying. "That explosion would not have killed them...but it will be enough to buy us some time..." He watched Sasuke pull off his brother's ring and throw it over the bushes. He then ripped off his Akatsuki cloak to reveal his normal attire underneath.

"Why did you do that Sasuke? Team up with Tobi?"

"He...told me...that he could destroy Akatsuki. But the only way was if we used their weapon against them. We needed Naruto so I decided if Akatsuki were gone it would be better...right? I thought it would be better off for everyone if you knew Naruto was dead. But at least the statue is destroyed."

"It isn't destroyed. They can use a special transfer jutsu in order to use it in different locations. We are not that fortunate, it is not that easy," Kakashi said. He lowered his head. "Is Naruto..."

Sasuke widened his eyes. "Sakura? Where is she?"

"Sakura...ch...chan..." Naruto whispered. His fingers twitched as he slowly opened his eyes. He tried to move but Kakashi stopped him.

"You are too weak to move and you may be like that for a while...try not to move..." Kakashi felt so relieved to see Naruto gazing back at him after so long. He could not believe...he was here.

"Sakura..." He said again. He stared up at Sasuke, he raised a brow only slightly. "I'm...really...confused n-now."

Sasuke smirked. "A dobe like you is always confused.

"I'd punch you...if i could move my hand...teme..." Naruto smirked back. "Asshole."

Sasuke gritted his teeth. "Yeh...If you weren't lying on my knees I'd kick ya."

Naruto reacted to that. "Gah! G-get me off...I'm...not lying on you like...some girl..."

Kakashi stopped him once again. "You can't move."

Naruto groaned.

"Nar...Naruto...?" Came a voice from ahead of them.

Sasuke looked up to see a very wet Sakura and Isamu leaning against her shoulder, his eyes half open. Tears filled her eyes. "Is it..."

"H...hey...Sak-ura-ch-chan...come over here so I can...see you..."

Isamu allowed Sakura to run to Naruto and skid onto the floor by his side. Sasuke caught the smell of her hair as she wrapped her arms round Naruto's neck and cried onto him. "Naruto I'm so gonna get you for dying!"

Naruto chuckled. "Yeh..."

Sasuke now had two people on his knees. Now he really needed the toilet.

"Don't ever...go on a mission without me," Sakura said, her voice muffled.

Sasuke lowered his head.

The rest of the squad gathered round them. Kakashi cleared his throat.

"Take Naruto..." He said.

Sakura stood and allowed them to lift his body gently and head off. She wiped her cheeks and smiled. "Well...we shouldn't stay here..."

Kakashi nodded as he began to walk forward. Sakura went back to Isamu and linked arms with him for support. They walked straight past Sasuke. Sasuke glared at the ground.

"Sasuke...are you coming?" Kakashi asked.

Sasuke widened his eyes and turned round. "Uh...yeah..."

Sakura frowned at this, Isamu noticed it. Sasuke turned round and watched Sakura's back.

"Sakura," he called to her.

"Isamu, I'll catch up," Sakura whispered. Isamu nodded as he headed off with Kakashi instead.

"I'm...sorry I didn't tell you about Naruto," Sasuke said, giving in to his stubborn pride.

Sakura did not face him. "You were going to kill him."

"In order to stop Akatsuki," Sasuke said quickly. "I've done a lot for you-"

"Yeah, you've done a lot, you bastard," Sakura yelled at him, facing him. "Kakashi may want you to come back but I don't...I'm not waiting for you anymore...it's done."

Sasuke reacted to this. He had no one else if he didn't have Sakura. "But...I..."

"What?" Sakura asked him, turning back away from him.

"I think I'm in love with you Sakura...this constant need to protect you...I never realised all this time-"

"I told you I loved you more than anything Sasuke. How we could have revenge together...but that was a forgotten dream. How can I trust you now?" Sakura began walking ahead.

Sasuke was once again losing anything he ever loved. "It proves my point, doesn't it!" He shouted to her.

"What...?" Sakura paused.

"That you can't love without losing it afterwards...so what's the point? This is why I shut everybody out, so I wouldn't have to go through this again." He waited for her reply. She seemed to stand there for so long. The wind caught up, the leaves were ripped from their branches...still nothing. The sky ahead became clouded.

"Sasuke...we cannot stay here..." She headed off into the shades of the woods so that she was out of site.

Sasuke sat there on the ground, shaking with anger. Now, he was deciding whether he should follow...or just walk in the other direction.

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Whoop! this is a reasonable sized chapter I think, see you on chapter 29! Please review because I'll update tomorrow if you do!!!