Disclaimer: Belongs to Masashi Kishimoto-sensei!
Eternal Light
Chapter Three: Your Presence
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Naruto and Sakura didn't talk to each other to the way back to Konoha. He didn't ask about her about Sasuke either. Sakura had kept quiet; it was their first time to fail a mission so important. "Naruto, I'm sorry." Sakura said.
Naruto lifted his head, frowning. "What?"
"I know, it's my fault that we didn't bring Uchiha Sasuke back." Sakura said softly, "I-I don't know why I didn't fight him, I don't why I talked to him. I'm sorry, Naruto. When Shishou asks, I'll take all the blame. It has nothing to do with you."
"Sakura-chan… It isn't your fault." Naruto managed to say. "It's true that we haven't seen for quite a while."
"It's not that!" Sakura said, her fist clenched, "I-I…"
"Are you going to take the deal?" Naruto asked quietly, cutting her off. He noticed her expression, she didn't reply. "I know, you said you're not going to take it. But do you really feel that way? Sakura, if you do something against Konoha… I won't forgive you."
Sakura tightened her frown. "I-I know, I won't take the deal. I won't do anything to Konoha." Naruto glanced at the pink-haired kunoichi, "I know you won't, Sakura-chan."
Three days after"Sumimasen, Shishou…" Sakura bowed deeply. "It's all my fault. They were too fast." Naruto bowed politely beside Sakura. Tsunade stared at those two, sighing. "The mission might be a bit harsh on you two Chuunins… I'll send some ANBU to get Sasuke."
"Shishou, I-" Sakura opened her mouth, but stopped. Her teacher stared back at her, eyes widening. "Yes?" Sakura clenched her fists. Naruto watched anxiously beside her. "N-Nothing…"
"Did Orochimaru say something to you?" Tsunade asked, closing her eyes. Sakura blinked. "No! He didn't… We didn't see him. We only saw Uchiha Sasuke. Don't worry about me…"
"Sakura!" Tsunade said sharply, standing up. She glanced at Naruto. "Naruto! Out." Naruto blinked, giving Sakura a final anxious look, before closing the door behind him. Tsunade sighed, bending down, staring at Sakura's eyes. She staggered backwards. "Sakura, tell me the truth. I can help you." Sakura put both of her hands over her ears. "You can't help me! No one can!" I'm always alone… Everyone rejects me…
Tsunade took her thin shoulders. "Sakura! Orochimaru said something to you, didn't he?" She asked sharply. Sakura shook her hands off, she forced back her tears, "It doesn't any more!"
"Sakura! You have to tell what happened! It's important! Calm yourself!" Tsunade said seriously. Sakura looked at her teacher, she sat down slowly, wiping her tears away. "Shishou, I-" She was interrupted by an ANBU man opening the door without knocking. Tsunade send him a glare. "You! Knock before you enter! What is it?" She snapped.
The man bowed apologetically. "Sumimasen, Godaime-sama! We found a number of injured and dead people from Konoha from the Forbidden Forest!" Sakura and Tsunade both stood up. The man took a glance at Tsunade, and then continued. "We placed the injured patients into the Konoha Hospital. We need both of your help, Godaime-sama! Sakura-sama!" Tsunade pushed the door open. "Tell me where it is! Sakura! Follow me!" Sakura stared at the man in horror. The name crossed her mind. Orochimaru… She grabbed the man's arm. "Show me where they are!" He blinked back at her. "Follow me."
When they reached the hospital, there were around thirty people in the big room, Sakura ran to the nearest patient and asked desperately. "Tell me who did this to you!" The woman, held her hand up, opened her mouth painfully. "Konoha… is… in… danger… Orochimaru…" She choked, blood spluttered everywhere, Sakura sank into a chair. She stared at Tsunade. "Shishou…"
"It is Orochimaru isn't it?" Tsunade said solemnly. The room became restless. The ANBU man said desperately. "Is it really Orochimaru! Tsunade-sama! What does he what?"
"Calm yourself, Yoji." Tsunade snapped, she took a glance at Sakura, who was avoiding her eyes. "We don't know what he wants, yet. We will find out. Don't tell the other villagers yet. I don't want to offend them. What we need to do is take Uchiha Sasuke back."
They all stared at each other.
"Uchiha Sasuke…"
"Isn't that the prodigy boy who followed Orochimaru a few years ago?"
"Why does Godaime-sama want him back?"
"He probably is dead by now."
"I don't want him back! All he will do is to cause trouble!"
Tsunade noticed Sakura's expression. "Be quiet all of you!" She shouted, her light brown eyes flashing dangerously. "Orochimaru wants to take over his body! If he does, he will attack our village first." A loud gasp was heard through the crowd. "But of course, we won't let him do that. I'll think of something." She looked through the crowd. "ANBU, Team number 10!" She said sharply. Around three or four young people appeared in front of Tsunade and Sakura. "Hai!" They bend down in front of her. Tsunade ran her hand in her light blonde hair.
"Seek for Uchiha Sasuke immediately! You must all depart now!" Tsunade ordered. They nodded, before disappearing. Sakura stared at the spot where they were. "N-Neh… Shishou." Tsunade turned her attention at the pink-haired kunoichi. "Is he -Are they going to be okay?" She forced a blush back. Tsunade placed a hand on her head. "Yes, he will. We won't let Orochimaru lay a finger on him." Sakura managed a smile. "Is there anything I can do now?"
Tsunade smiled. "Yes, help me with the patients."
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Sakura met Naruto on the way out at the hospital. "Naruto…" She avoided his eyes. Naruto grabbed her wrist. "Tsunade-baachan told me what happened. Is-is it really Orochimaru?" His sapphire eyes showed anxiousness and anger. Sakura hesitated, and then nodded. Naruto let her go slowly. He punched the wall, cursing. "What will you do?"
"ANBU is looking for Uchiha Sasuke now." Sakura said softly. "It doesn't matter, Naruto. I'm going home. Bye." Naruto stopped her. Sakura glanced back, annoyed. "What?" She snapped.
"It's about Sasuke…" Naruto began. Sakura's lips twitched. "Tch, I don't care."
"I'm really worried-"
"Don't waste your time and energy worrying about him." Sakura snapped, cutting the blonde off. "Hopefully the ANBU will bring him back. When he is back, Tsunade probably will execute him! He will not be saved. Why won't you all understand! He won't live!" Her voice rose. Naruto took a step back, looking nervous. "Sakura-chan…"
"Just drop this topic!" Sakura said, glaring at him. "See you."
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No one was at home, Sakura sighed, turning on the lights. She placed her bags carelessly onto the wooden floor. Entering the kitchen, she poured herself a cup of water from the tap. Sakura leaned on the table, looking up at the dark ceiling. She wondered why she is not interested in anyone right now. She told herself she would give up on Sasuke, and she did. She despises him; she hated him for betraying Konoha. It was true that she's popular with men. She had gone out with many guys, but she always dumps them on their first date. She didn't enjoy them, at all. Sakura didn't know why she agreed the first place. She smiled quietly to herself, if that goes on like this; she would never marry. She did swear to herself that she would never marry. Sakura is seventeen this year; her love life isn't good either.
"Have you decided?"
Sakura blinked, she spun around, she pointed her finger at the figure, opening her mouth, and no words came out. Why didn't I notice? She stared at the face of Uchiha Sasuke. He stuffed his hands into his pockets. "It's only me. You don't have to greet me with that horrified expression of yours, Sakura." He smirked. Sakura jumped back, dropping her glass, smashing it into pieces. But she didn't care. "What are you doing at my house! Planning to kill me?" He shrugged. "No, if you're dead, who's going to heal Orochimaru's hands?"
"I'm not doing it." She snarled, pulling out a kunai from her pocket beside her knee. Sasuke looked at it carelessly. "You know, that thing doesn't work on me, so don't bother taking it out." He stepped forward. She staggered backwards. "K-Keep away! What do you want?" Suddenly, she felt scared.
"He told me to check on you." He replied.
"I don't need your pity, Uchiha!" She snapped. "I'm not going to heal his hands. I'm not arguing." Sasuke didn't reply. She took a close look at his face, his expression was unreadable, "I'm not going to heal the filthy hands of his, and he sent you to kill me? Go ahead, kill me." She said bravely, handing him the kunai. Sasuke didn't look at it. He pulled her wrist towards him. She squeaked, unable to make another sound. His lips sealed over hers, one arm holding her wrist, another circling around her thin waist. Sakura's eyes widened, she wanted to pull away, and to her dismay her body won't listen to her.
Finally he released her. He smirked down at her. "I thought you hate me." Sakura slapped him across the face. He didn't move or make a sound. "Y-You bastard!" She yelled, covering her lips with her hands. "I'm supposed to be your enemy!" Silence filled the room. They both stood, remaining still. Sakura turned her head to glare at him, running her hand into her pink hair. She moved to the couch, sinking into the seat. "Why are you here?"
"I thought I already told you."
"Check on me? Okay, fine, checking on me. You don't have to do something disgusting." Sakura said, her voice shaking. Sasuke turned his gaze to her. "You think it's disgusting?" Sakura ignored the question. "Leave my house, Uchiha Sasuke."
"I just want you to know, Orochimaru needs your medicine skills." Sasuke said. Sakura could feel the Sharingan activated. She felt uneasy already, what is it for? She shuddered, while taking a deep breath. "Do not use any jutsus in my house." She ordered.
"I'm not, Sakura." Sasuke drawled, sitting down beside her. Sakura suddenly stood up. "Keep away from me." She demanded. Sasuke sighed. "You don't have to be so afraid of me."
"You're from Orochimaru, how can I not be afraid of you?" Sakura snapped. "Leave my house. Now." Sasuke took no notice; he stood up, looking around in the house. He picked up a photo from shelve. Sasuke smirked. "You still have this photo with you?" Sakura panicked, she snatched the photo out from his hands. "Leave my house! When I say now, I meant now!"
"Of course, what else would it mean?" Sasuke asked. He glanced at her. "Fine, if you dislike me so much. I'm going. But I'll come visit you everyday. That's Orochimaru's orders."
"Please don't." Sakura murmured. After a second he vanished. Sakura stared at the spot where he was. She put her hand on her forehead. She couldn't believe he was actually here at her house. What does Orochimaru want? She swore to herself she would not accept the deal from Orochimaru. A year ago, her Shishou told her about when Orochimaru asked her to heal his hands. In exchange, he will bring back her brother and lover. In the end, she rejected him. Sakura clenched her fists. I'll be like Tsunade-shishou! I won't let him take advantage!
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"You've seen her?" Orochimaru asked as Sasuke appeared in front of him, his hands in his pockets as usual. He smirked. "Yes, of course I did." Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. "What did she say?" Sasuke shrugged. "She said no and she wasn't really happy with it either."
"Attempting to kill you?" Orochimaru asked, a small smirk crossed his features.
"Yes, in a way." Sasuke said in bored tone. "Very determined, that girl." He took a look at Orochimaru. "Aren't you worried that she won't heal your hands? She is the last person." Orochimaru smirked. "You think she will reject me?"
Sasuke raised an eyebrow, keeping it quiet.
"I have you, Sasuke-kun. She won't reject me unless you're here." Orochimaru said. "She's not like Tsunade, that girl. Her brother and lover were already dead. But you're not dead, Sasuke-kun. I still have hope. If she really doesn't agree, I will force. Soon my hands will be healed, and we'll destroy Konoha together." He said, releasing a horrible laugh. He placed a hand onto Sasuke's shoulder. He frowned. "Godaime will soon be gone, and we'll destroy the whole village." Somehow, Sasuke felt that he didn't belong to the right place for the first time.
To be continued…
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(a/n: Finally finished Chapter Three! Thank you for the wait! I'm really sorry for this late update, I will update sooner for the next chapter. So please wait! –smiles-
I heard Watase Yuu's new Fushigi Yuugi: Genbu Kaiden is out. It's awesome I love it! The writer spends two years writing six mangas, and four of them are published. Six volumes on the magazine! Six! Why don't they publish them I wonder? Fans of Watase Yuu / Fushigi Yuugi, I suggest you read it! XD
Please review! See you in the next chapter! See you! XD)