Author: Cheza-chan
Rating: PG/PG-13
Summary: No one should try to hold onto the past. You cause yourself even more hurt and pain when you do. Look to the future and start anew.
Disclaimer: Alas, I do not own Naruto. I can always dream that I do though.
A/N: EDITED CHAPTER!
Apprently there's some confusion about what's happening. As I said in the first Author Note, I haven't watched Naruto past episode 100 and I haven't read any of the manga at all. I want to put an end to the Akatsuki and Orochimaru, so I killed Akatsuki in another three-year time skip I created myself. (holds up three fingers) That's three years gone. Another year goes by and during its passing, Naruto finally finds Sasuke and the two hunters find them both.
Chapter Two – Broken
Tsunade thought it was pointless to send anyone out to look for the missing children, but she was being double-teamed. She buried her face in her hands with a deep sigh.
"Hokage-sama!"
"I heard you," she groaned. "I heard you last week, yesterday, and I hear you right now."
"Then do something!"
The Godaime raised her head, eyes narrowed. "Watch yourself, Iruka. Sarutobi might have had a soft spot for you, but to me, you're another ninja." She did have a soft spot for him; she had a soft spot for all her ninjas, but they were all under a lot of duress right now.
Iruka scoffed and turned his back to the woman. Kakashi stepped forward. "Did Sakura say she was leaving with Naruto?"
"No. Naruto would never have allowed her to, either."
"So she's out there by herself? A medic-nin?"
Tsunade pinched the bridge of her nose as she laughed dryly. "I can't feel any worse than I already do, you know."
"I'm only trying."
It had been almost two months since Naruto set out and there was no sign of the boys and now, Sakura. Tsunade was still holding off on sending out a squad because she couldn't stomach the thought of her apprentice being caught in the crossfire. There was something else she could do, though. She caught the Jounin's eye and Kakashi touched Iruka's arm, turning the young man back around. They understood their Hokage's silent request and gave identical bows at the waist before disappearing.
Tsunade leaned back with a deep groan then began searching for her stash of sake. Had she something to warm it with, it would've eased her nerves a considerable amount.
§§§
The two cloaked figures moved silently through the treetops. Zooming from branch to branch with skilled grace, nothing went unseen by them. The only decorations on the white porcelain masks were the Leaf emblem and two stripes, each on the opposite cheek. The shorter of the two stopped and fell into a crouched position. The action was mimicked and both found themselves staring down at two shinobi barely hanging onto their lives.
"Missing-nins from Kumogakure," a soft voice stated. "I'll finish the job. You go on ahead." He dropped down with nary a sound while his partner continued on. Placing a foot to the chest of the blonde-haired shinobi, he was reward with a pained gasp and a gurgle. "Who did this to you?"
"De… demons… Two… Please, end my misery…"
The hunter pulled the katana from the sheath on his back with an echoing ring. "What did they look like?" he asked, the weapon dangling from his lax grip.
"Both had… glowing red eyes… Please… Hurry!"
"Kami-sama be with you."
The Cloud shinobi closed his eyes, barely emitting a gasp as the sword pierced him and his partner beneath. The blade was slowly removed but not replaced.
"Naruto," the hunter breathed softly, masked face staring up at the sky. The information received proved that Sakura was still missing, possibly dead. The katana-wielding ninja disappeared, eager to give the found news to his partner.
After a year of following the trail of dead bodies left behind by his prey, Naruto was able to confront the missing-nin Uchiha Sasuke. He found him standing over the mutilated body of Orochimaru.
Sasuke twitched at the sudden presence and the flow of blood down his arm hastened slightly before resuming its run in slow rivulets. With the man's life force decreasing, the power he'd been given because of the curse did also, so it had taken all of his rage, stamina, and chakra to complete the job. The Sharingan was activated for what the young man hoped was the final time. His left arm was just about useless. Sasuke snatched a kunai from the ground and spun, flinging it.
The blade was stopped inches from the hunter's masked face. Naruto ran out and stood before the Uchiha, arms spread. "Tsunade-no-baachan told me she wouldn't send you!" he yelled, expression furious.
"By order of the Godaime Hokage of Konohagakure, we—Kyoushu and Shugo—were sent to bring you back," the smaller of the pair stated softly.
"Unharmed," Shugo added.
It was apparent by their given names who did the "taking care of". Naruto grinned as he sighed in relief. "Sasuke—" The hunters dropped from the tree, Kyoushu's katana unsheathed. Naruto's wide, blue eyes sparkled with unshed tears and his hands hovered over the brunet's.
"I don't want to go back," Sasuke whispered, forcing the kunai deeper. "Not now…"
Naruto coughed, his blood trailing down his chin and flowing from his wound. "Sasu…ke… I promised Sakura…" He grabbed Sasuke's hand and yanked it away. The Uchiha spun out of the grip and stood with his back to the blonde's. In his right hand, in a firm grip, was the bloody kunai. His Sharingan gaze was locked on the two hunters.
"We weren't sent to harm you," Shugo said firmly, standing before his partner. The Uchiha smiled sadly. "…I can't go back." He charged ahead.
Naruto turned, a hand over his wound. "Sasuke, no!"
Kyoushu raised his katana instinctively. Using the Shunshin no Jutsu, Sasuke concealed his disappearance with a swirl of dirt and leaves. He appeared between the two men, the kunai grazing Shugo's mask as the hunter jumped back. Kyoushu turned sharply.
"Sasuke!" Naruto screamed, his and the kyuubi's chakra flaring.
A/N: For those of you that read this chapter already, I tore out the last part with Sakura because it just really didn't seem appropriate being there... Sorry.