Chapter 37: It Isn't Over
But was it really over?
Sakura looked back at the building which was engulfed in violent, angry flames that not even the pelting rain could subdue. Thunder continued to roll in that dark gray sky which added to the deep rumble of unease she was feeling from within.
Was it really over? She asked herself again as her eyes followed the fleeting outline of the buildings and lamp posts they passed by and the very minimal number of cars on the highway because of the storm. But as she turned to look forward, eyes focusing at their car's wipers which were busy clearing away the heavy droplets of rain, she knew that the answer to her question was in the negative.
At the back of her mind, she no longer needed any explanation on how and why the people she knew—the people she grew up with were involved. She saw how Sasuke and Kakashi worked; saw how Naruto made his grand entrance; remembered Kiba and Shikamaru from the background, and of course, Anko. All the blood, the gunshots, explosions, and all the other things she wished she could only attribute to nightmares...she knew.
She watched them silently as understanding unraveled within the deep recesses of her mind. And even when at that moment her eyes shifted from the wipers to her friends, watching how Naruto was chastising Sasuke to stop bleeding inside the car, and Kakashi wrapping his arm around her, she also knew…she knew that there was something else she still had to do.
"I'm sorry." She apologized and she felt Kakashi's hold on her tighten...But then she heard Naruto scoff.
"What are you even apologizing for? Do you have any idea what we've done to you? We should be the one apologizing! Hell, begging for your forgiveness for a lifetime isn't even enough!" He seethed. "And for the love of god, Kakashi! Could you move away from Sakura? She already has a boyfriend!" Shouted Naruto and he was clearly annoyed.
Sakura looked at Kakashi whom she saw was trying his hardest not to burst into laughter while Sasuke pointedly stared at Naruto, clearly dumbfounded at what the blonde just said before shaking his head.
"What? What?!"
"For someone who miraculously saved us just a while back...How dumb could you possibly be?" Sasuke asked.
"Huh? What do you mean? What are you talking about?" Naruto asked back.
"Why don't you take a guess?" Sasuke deadpanned as he clutched at his wounded arm while trying his best to tie the loose end of his tourniquet successfully.
"At what?!" Naruto asked again but all of them remained quiet as they sped through the highway. And when Naruto still couldn't get a response and the frustration of not knowing was eating at him, he began demanding for answers…
"Tell me, dammit!"
"Kakashi is the boyfriend, idiot." Sasuke remarked which made Naruto's jaw drop in utter shock. A mixture of surprise, indignation, and joy passed his face all at once that it made Sakura chuckle a little bit.
"I—I wasn't informed!" Naruto yelled.
"Maybe if you hadn't gone and kidnapped my girlfriend, you probably would've been." Kakashi stated calmly.
When Naruto got over the initial shock and embarrassment, he took a gigantic gulp of breath before asking again what Sakura was apologizing for.
Sakura inhaled carefully as she could feel the effects of the adrenaline shot slowly waning. She could feel the prickles of pain under her skin but she chose to ignore it because what better time to disclose her closely guarded secret but now? With Sasuke, Naruto, and Kakashi listening. She may never get another chance to explain given her luck in this godforsaken world, and she really wanted them to know the truth, so she began.
"It's not over yet. I know. And that this wild goose chase would never end until someone gets his hands on the Topaz."
The whole interior of the car grew eerily silent when Sakura mentioned the item. Only the heavy pitter patter of the rain could be heard when Sasuke asked the question while Kakashi remained silent in order to listen.
"Does this mean that you know about the Topaz? That you know of its whereabouts?"
Sakura looked at Naruto on the rearview mirror then looked at Sasuke after, and she saw the look of bewilderment and reverence in their eyes. She knew what was running through their minds at that particular moment—because if she really did know where the Topaz was all along, how was she able to keep it a secret? How was she able to keep her mouth shut even after everything that was done to her?
Sakura inwardly smirked. But instead of looking at them to answer, she looked at Kakashi with sad eyes and answered.
"There's no golden disc. It doesn't exist. Because the Topaz…is me."
"What?!" Naruto and Sasuke simultaneously retorted while Kakashi only held her gaze. She could see the wheels in his head turning and she continued with her story.
She told them what her parents did to her—about the microcapsule in her head and what would happen if she died. Then she touched Kakashi's face as gently as she could, and with tears in her eyes, she spoke.
"If for some miracle we get to get out of this alive. I want this thing removed inside of me, and I want you to do with it what you think is best. Help me, please. I need your help."
Kakashi held the hand that Sakura used to touch his cheek and kissed it. He was gently wiping away the tears in her eyes and assuring her that everything will be alright, when the two-way radio in their minivan crackled to life and Sai's voice came through.
[Main base to stupid, ugly minivan, can you hear me? Over.]
It was Sasuke who snatched the two-way radio on its receiver and answered.
"Yes, we can hear you, Sai. Over."
[Oh, hey! Sasuke! You're alive! Thought you were dead already!] Sai started. And just like most of the conversations anyone had with the guy, cold air seemed to pass between Sasuke and the radio as he allowed the static of the two-way to fill the awkward silence. But Sai continued to rant...
[Well, you lot might as well be dead because Naruto, yes I am talking to you, you fucking idiot, took the minivan which doesn't even have any spare weapon inside! Goddammit! Well, I think there are two or three guns at the compartment and a briefcase of knives under the seat...] Sai was already mumbling. [But just in case you guys haven't noticed it yet, you've got at least four black SUVs tailing you, so I suggest that you all better get that stupid, fucking, ugly-ass minivan to the address we'll be sending you because that's where we'll get you! OVER!] He yelled over the radio.
There was a second of silence inside the car when the radio crackled to life again.
[Look at the fucking LCD monitor, Naruto! Sasuke, do help our friend please. We have to get you guys out of there as soon as possible! We'll get you by chopper! Over and out!] And a definite click on the other end of the line was heard.
Naruto had that funny grimace on his face after Sai's scolding but when he looked at his rearview and side mirrors, there were indeed incoming vehicles that were gaining speed and catching up to them by the second.
It didn't matter that the rain was going down so hard and it made the road visibility poor, the four enemy vehicles were already a few meters behind them when Naruto once again took a glance.
"We have to get to the bridge." Sasuke said as he tapped on the LCD monitor to maximize the map that was sent to him which showed their relative location and the location and distance of their meeting place with the team. It appears that there was an unfinished bridge up ahead and that was where they had to be. Probably because the chopper needed a clear space to safely land and take off once they've been retrieved. He then instructed the way to Naruto while Kakashi searched for the briefcase Sai mentioned over the radio.
Naruto expertly maneuvered their vehicle, crisscrossing the express way and trying his best to gain more distance but that proved to be difficult especially when there were only a few cars on the road.
"Goddammit! Why did I have to take the minivan? This piece of crap isn't fast enough!" He complained when several shots were fired towards them, piercing the rear window glass.
Sakura screamed as the shattered pieces rained on them and more gun shots followed. But as they were about to pass a certain street, Naruto almost stomped on his brakes hard as two sleek cars suddenly appeared and swerved in front of them, showing Genma and Yamato in one, while Kiba and Shikamaru were on the other.
Time seemed to have gone into slow motion as they watched their friends drive past them in the opposite direction and blocked the way so their minivan could safely get to their destination.
"That. Is. So. Fucking. AMAZING!" Naruto screamed as he watched their team engage in the shootout against their enemies through his rearview mirror.
"Wait, is that a grenade launcher?" Sasuke asked to which Kakashi also turned to look. Distance steadily growing farther apart.
"Guess so." He answered and swiftly covered Sakura's ears as a thunderous explosion took place a few hundred meters away from them.
"Whooooo! That's what I'm talking about! YEAH!" She heard Naruto scream.
Sakura then opened her eyes after the sound of the explosion died down and asked Kakashi if their friends were going to be okay. But as she watched Kakashi's lips move, her eyes focused on something past him, made a grab for Kakashi as she held him in an embrace and screamed.
A four-wheeler cargo truck which came out of nowhere crashed into their vehicle which sent their minivan spiraling across the street, stopping only because they've hit a sidewalk establishment.
Sakura could hear the peoples' deafening screams as pain blinded her vision coupled with the droplets of rain hitting her face. All of their car's windows seemed to have shattered which allowed the pelting rain to seep through. She tried to move her head to look for Kakashi but only saw Naruto and Sasuke on their seats, head limping and bloodied. They weren't moving.
Sakura tried to move her fingers to feel if Kakashi was there but all she was able to grab was air. Where was he?!
"No. Noooo." Sakura sobbed weakly as she felt hot tears well up in her eyes because of the fucked up repeat performance life had given her. She knew she was going in and out of consciousness but she felt herself being carried away.
She forced herself to open her eyes and clear her vision but everything was just so painful, even the raindrops on her skin felt like shards of glass continuously assaulting her. But she was vaguely aware when the rain stopped falling on her face and only the sound of it could be heard on the pavement, heard it when the screams slowly died down, felt it when something soft and warm touched her lips... And before she completely lost her consciousness, Sakura heard Kakashi.
He's here. He's alive!
Joy and warmth spread through her chest as she tried her best to flutter her eyes and open her lips to utter his name but only felt a comfortable weight on her shoulder.
"Kakashi…" She bit out but she only heard him whisper in return.
"I love you."
TBC
