Pain of Love

Note: ME BACK!!!! hehe...feels great to be back among the living! The trip was such a drag...however our tour guide was HOT! *sigh*... neways I admit that the scenery was beautiful...but a bit dull. Oh yea...shout outs to all those lucky people that live in Montana, Utah, South Dakota, Wyoming...and some other ones...XD me fell asleep through half of the trip...

~*~

Sasuke sighed dramatically while he dipped his hands into the running stream. He watched the blood slowly flow off his hands...swirling slowly through the water. The blood of his enemies...the ones that had foolishly provoked his anger...the ones that were lying dead upon the forest floor. He would have done anything to somehow be able to control the curse seal. Once it was activated...his darker side would emerge...and dominate his mind and body. After all theses years of torturous training...sure he had improved so much physically...but he still wasn't sure if he was strong enough to defeat Itachi.

What would he do after he defeated Itachi? He had been declared rogue and had been banished from his village...and every village in the world. Sasuke glared fiercely down at the ground. Was it worth it? Giving up so much just for revenge? To be shunned by all his loved ones...to be hated and feared by all?

He shook his head decisively. There was no point trying to envision his future...to hope that he would ever see his friends again...to once again be accepted as one of them.

Sasuke closed his eyes in pain...while a vision of Sakura and Naruto teased at his mind. Would they hate him forever? Or would they forgive him? He roughly scrubbed his hands together...trying to rid himself of the stench of blood. After all...they've known each other since they were kids...and they were teammates...ever more...they had been friends. He stopped suddenly while he lowered his hands in defeat. Or were they? I've been so cold and cruel to them since the day I've met them. Never showing or displaying and sign of emotion...I hid everything from them. My identity...my obsession...my feelings.

More importantly what would Sakura think of him? She had been chasing after him for years...would she still want him...after she sees the monster that he's become? Sasuke shook his head violently. He was going crazy....why else would he give a damn about whether Sakura still had feelings for him.

He had been living alone these past few years...and it felt...so strange. Sasuke lips curled slightly at the ironic situation. When he had lived in the Konoha Village...he would always push others away...desperate for some sort of privacy and space. But now...he hated it...hated being alone. Although he'd never admit it...he was lonely and...he needed some human companionship.

Everyone in the Sound Village had a dream...an evil dream. Some wanted to become stronger...so they could kill...others mercilessly. In a way...he detested being here. Like the other ninjas here...Sasuke was also power hunger...but for different reason. He needed to avenge his family and clan by defeat his brother...Itachi. There was no honor here...and only the strongest could survive.

Sasuke stared towards the waning moon. The sun would be rising soon...and it would be best to return to the village. He had become a creature of the night. When the sun was down...his power was stronger then ever. He belonged there...creeping through the shadows in the dead of the night. It was a part of who he was...cruel and relentless.

He paused for a second. There would be a ball tomorrow night at the Konoha Village to celebrate the arrival of the full moon. A slow smirk played upon his lips. A masked ball. No one would be able to recognize him...no one. His eyes lit of with joy. He would be able to see everyone again...maybe even talk with them.

Sasuke slowly turned and trudged back towards his village. Tomorrow night...he had a mission to accomplish...to enter the Konoha ball without getting caught. He increased his speed...after all...he was one of the strongest in the country. Besides the Hokage was an old geezer by now...how much strength did he have left? That left no one in his path...no one with the power to stop him.

He was the strongest in Konoha...wasn't he?

~*~

Sakura just sat there cradling her knees against her chest. Had she made the right choice? Or was she going overboard? Sasuke hadn't even arrived in Konoha since the day he left. What were the chances that he would come back? Even more...slaughter them all...

She sighed while she stared blankly out her window. No matter what he's done...she didn't have the heart to kill him. Although she knew it was her job to find and destroy missing-nins...but it was so hard when she knew them. Throughout the past few years she had spill more blood then in the history of Konoha.

It was time for her to move on...Sasuke was an enemy...and she had her orders. She wouldn't fail...more importantly she wouldn't allow her feelings to get in the way. She smiled bitterly. It was a battle of life and death...and she needed couldn't afford even hesitating for a moment.

Sakura tensed and turned around slowly when she heard a soft rap at the door. "Who is it?" she whispered weakly. She was afraid that it was going to be Sasuke...and she would have to destroy him...her and now. Sure she would defeat and kill him...but not tonight...not anytime soon.

"It's us," chirped Hinata and Ino together, before bounding through the door.

Let's just say that Hinata isn't as shy as before...and Ino and Sakura have forgiven each other

"What's the matter?" questioned Ino when Sakura didn't respond. She exchanged a nervous glance with Hinata. Sometimes when Sakura returned to Konoha she was different. They all knew how she hated killing...and how her guilt could eating her alive. Since they were best friends, she would always try her best to cheer up Sakura.

Hinata went into the bedroom and pulled out a warm blanket. "Here," she offered handing it towards Sakura. Hinata sighed when Sakura didn't even move a muscle...so she wrapped the blanket tightly around Sakura.

They all sat down next to her and offered words of condolences. "Come one...you could tell us," coaxed Ino, "It can't be that bad...can it?" she asked when she saw Sakura's stricken expression.

Sakura turned towards them, her eyes devoid of any emotion. "The Hokage assigned a mission for me..." she paused slightly, taking into account Hinata and Ino's curious expressions.

"What's the mission?"

She took a deep breath before continuing. "I've been ordered to kill a young man...around our age," she said quietly. "This man had committed many atrocities...and his head is wanted to all five of the countries."

Hinata shot her a questioningly look. "Isn't it a good thing to destroy him? After all...it's amazing that all five countries want his head," she said timidly.

Ino jumped in before Hinata could finish her thought. "You've never had trouble with destroying any of the other missing-nin," she stated calmly. "What makes this one so special?" she demanded, watching Sakura carefully. "He's a murderer...and he deserves to die...a very painful death," she said cruelly.

Sakura winced at those words. "You don't understand..." she replied, running her hands slowly through her hair. "This one's different then the rest...." she said hesitantly. "Ino...Hinata....I want you to answer something for me....tell me the truth."

"Okay," Ino muttered nervously. Sakura was acting too serious...she was acting like as if it was a life or death situation. The only other time she had seen this side of her was when she was protecting Naruto and Sasuke from the Sound ninjas.

"Umm....sure," replied Hinata, sending Sakura a reassuring smile. "I wouldn't dream about lying to you," she promised solemnly. "Besides...what could you possible say that would make us want to lie to you?"

Sakura acted like as if she didn't Hinata's question. "If you had to choose between a mission and an old friendship...which would you pick?" she asked quietly. "And what if...this person was once really close to you...but has changed dramatically lover the years. Is it worth forsaking a mission...just because of friendship?"

Hinata and Ino both exchanged an uneasy look. It was obvious that Sakura was keeping something from them...no doubt it was about her mission. They couldn't help but feel lucky they weren't in Sakura's shoes at the moment...

Ino stood up and tossed her head behind her back. "I think the mission would be more important," she concluded stiffly. "That friend of yours...probably doesn't give a damn about you anymore. Since Love and Friendship dies..."

"I disagree," argued Hinata, crossing her arms defiantly. "I would choose friendship...since no matter what you can't kill the memories that you've shared with the person. No matter how hard you try...you'd never be able to rid yourself of them. They will always be alive in you. Besides...that's what friends are for...they're made to stand by your side through rain or shine."

Sakura looked at Hinata imploringly. "Would you choose it if death is the consequence?" she said slowly. "If I don't fulfill this mission...I will be destroyed."

Hinata's eyes widened in fear and shock. "You have to do the mission then," she urged persistently. "You can't die and leave us! You and Ino are my only friends..."

"Hinata...you promised that you wouldn't lie to me," she said sadly. "Tell me the truth...what would you do if you were in my position? Would you destroy something precious to you...or would you risk getting destroyed yourself?"

"I...I..." she stuttered silently. "I would save my friends at the risk of my own life," Hinata replied gallantly.

"You're kidding right?" said Ino staring at Hinata like as if she'd grown two heads. "You actually wouldn't give a damn about what the consequences were?" Hinata nodded in agreement. "WHAT ARE YOU?! CRAZY!" exclaimed Ino yelling at the top of her lungs. "WHY IN THE HELL WOULD YOU DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT? THE PERSON DESERVES TO DIE! IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER THEY WERE FRIENDS OR NOT! IT'S THE PAST AND IT WOULD DO YOU SOME GOOD TO LIVE IN THE PRESENT!"

Sakura sighed once again while she listened to them bickering. It made sense...both of their explanations. But the problem was...which one would she pick? What would be the right choice in this matter?

"Guys...I want to tell you something..." she said slowly, interrupting Ino and Hinata's argument. "The man that I'm ordered to kill," she took a deep breath. "You both are pretty familiar with him...he went to the same school as us..."

Ino grumbled and plopped herself down next to Sakura. "Who is it?" she asked cautiously, while Hinata silently urged Sakura on..."

"Sasuke..." she whispered softly. "My childhood crush...my teammate...my friend..."

~*~

Note: *sigh* well...that chapter was a bit weird...oh well...who gives a damn! XD me in a very very weird mood....lol...probably from the lack of sleep...XP Don't forget to REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!