Pain of Love

Note: this chapter might be a bit on the weird side, since me in a pissed off mood at the moment. I just got back my CAT 6 scores and me parents have been bitching at me the whole day....*sigh* why me...

~*~

"What?!"

Ino gaped at Sakura looking horrified. "You mean that...that Sasuke-kun is..." she trailed off softly. "But...how could he be so cruel? Sasuke-kun would never do such a thing..."

"...would he?"

Sakura sighed painfully. "I don't know...I don't know what to believe in anymore..." She stared down blankly at the ground. "The Hokage himself told me..."

"He might have made a mistake..." suggested Hinata hopefully. "After all...he only has a hunch that Sasuke was the one that actually committed those crimes."

"No, the case was thoroughly investigated," she paused for a moment, trying to force down the bile in her throat. "And it wasn't just this incident...but so many throughout the country." Sakura threw her arms up in frustration.

"But...that doesn't prove anything..." added Ino frantically. ""The only evidence he has is the witness's word. He should know better then to randomly trust someone," she scowled.

"Every member of the ANBU believe it..." replied Sakura. "It doesn't matter whether or not he's innocent or not. He is still a missing-nin...and has to be taken down..."

Hinata shot Sakura an understanding look. "So you have to destroy him." she stated.

Sakura bowed her head in shame. "Yes..." she murmured while a single tear trickled down her face. "The law is my hand. If it should be soaked in blood...then so be it."

Ino and Hinata exchanged a nervous glance. "Look Sakura...if it'll make you feel any better...we'd always be your friend no matter what road you decide to take..." said Ino softly.

"That's right," exclaimed Hinata, holding up her soda can. "Friends Forever..."

"Friends," they all exclaimed, dunking down a huge gulp of soda.

Sakura sat back down and settled back comfortable against warm couch. "Do you think I'm making the right choice?" she muttered absentmindedly. "Sometimes when I really think about it...I regret becoming a hunter-nin..."

"I hate killing...especially when it's someone I once knew..."

Hinata sighed while she stomped over to an empty chair. There had to be something that they could do...something that could cheer Sakura up. But what? What could possibly be exciting enough for her to forget about Sasuke?

There was nothing...was there?

She tossed a glance and Ino and found out that she was thinking along the same lines. Hinata stared out the window. No...she wouldn't give up until she found a solution. Sakura had been her first real friend...and she would do anything to repay her for showing her the true meanings of friendship.

All her life, Hinata had been timid, and withdrawn. She was the heir of the Hyuga clan, and yet she was weak. Whenever she looked into her parent's eyes she saw their shame and disgust. She wasn't worthy of being their daughter...she was nothing...

But Ino and Sakura changed her whole life. They show her that there were things other then strength and power.

Hinata narrowed her eyes with determination. She wouldn't fair now...she couldn't...

Ino jumped up in excitement. "That's it!" she shrieked cheerfully, her eyes snapping with excitement. "I've got a great idea!" she exclaimed turning towards Sakura who politely tilted an eyebrow questioningly.

"What..."

"Tomorrow night is the winter solstice...the night when the blood moon shines," stated Ino, pulling out her professor's hat and a pointer. Hinata couldn't help but giggle softly at the sight. Ino in a teacher's outfit...she would have killed to see this...

"Since you've been away for so long...you probably weren't informed that we're having a ball tomorrow night," she muttered, her eyes sparkling queerly.

"A masked ball..."

~*~

Sasuke emerged slowly from the shadows...almost as if he'd appeared from thin air. He tilted his head and sniffed the air...and winced. The meadow here was scented...so that it smelled like...flowers.

His blood red Sharingan eyes glared out of the dark...like a predator seeking out it's prey. Sometimes he'd wondered how different his life would have been if he hadn't accepted the offer. If only he hadn't been so power hungry...

He violently shook his head, clearing it of any negative thoughts. The past was the past...and he had the present to think about. A slow malicious smile curled his lips. The ball was only a few hours away. How unfortunate for the village...how very unfortunate. If they discovered who he was...if any of them learned his true identity.

The smiled widened to show his pearly white teeth. Then he'd have no choice but to destroy them...after all he didn't need any gossip to reach the ANBU. How foolish they must be...to sent out all those hunter-nins after him...when he was right under their noses.

Yes...the citizens of Konoha were foolish...too stupid to understand what was right before their eyes. He bent down and plucked a rose out of the ground.

Sasuke studied it carefully. It had blood red petals which ended at a black tip...it looked deadly...just like himself. He gracefully plucked off one of the petals and watched it fall to the ground...then another...

One for friendship...one for loyalty....one for trust...one for honesty...and...one for love. By the time he was finished the ground was littered with crimson petals.

He had enough with his past. Tomorrow night...he would come in terms with his destiny. No more regrets...no more...he'd finally be able to release the ones he once loved. His eyes sparkled with savage delight. Yes...then he'd be able to become the best that he could be...and nothing...could hold him back.

The past were chains on his soul...he was bound by duty and honor. He couldn't break it...not yet...

Sasuke stared at the ground...at the petals. He gathered his charka and shouted, "Fire Flower!" Almost instantly the whole clearing was engulfed in flames. It would end soon...the pain of friendship...loyalty...every falsehood he'd been taught in the past.

The blood red petals withered in the fire...before turning into ash. Just like he was planning to do with everything...and everyone in his past...tomorrow...Konoha would either experience it's most painful and exciting day ever...

He turned on heel and trudged slowly towards the woods...where the shadows loomed with a cruel and dark insanity. And Sasuke once again disappeared into the darkened abyss.

The fire continued to burn feverishly...but for some reason...a gentle wind blew through the clearing. Drops of dew trickled off the cherry blossoms and soothed the flame.

Everything had a price...the question was whether it was worth it...

~*~

Note: *sigh* well that's that...a bit weird...especially the metaphor...oh well...me sad XD

Don't forget to Read:

Survival of the Fittest:

They're finally on the damn ship...and are heading out on a tropical cruise. Shikamaru is accused of raping Ino...what would happen to him? What about Ino who's in a comma? Read and find out! Characters: Sasuke, Sakura, Ino, Neji, Hinata, Shikamaru, Kin, Rock Lee, Ten-ten, and Naruto. DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW! REVIEW!