Sakura sighed as she ate the last cracker that she had taken from her mall escapade while staring at the sunset. She gripped the gun-sword in fear that someone might suddenly come out to ambush her. She glanced down looking at the dark city of Tani. She smiled at the memories of where she first took her first scilympics or Science Olympics in middle school where she met Temari and Gaara. She smiled at the thought that she had lost sadly to Suna but was rewarded with a new friend, Temari. In the silence of the night, she giggled and then sighed deeply. Thinking how will she be able to travel to Suna if she got no vehicle since it was 3 hours away from Tani in a vehicle and 1 whole day for walking. Walking in the desert or staying here long either will kill her.
She glanced at the gun sword and realized that just hours ago she was able to use the weapon while she encountered a crawling mutated beast in the alley. She thankfully felt the pulse of the gun-sword in her hilt and was able to immediately grab it swiftly then slice the head of the beast then made a dash towards the mountain where she had spent a long amount of time climbing and securing the area. She looked down at the gun sword and for a long time, she finally thought of Sasuke who she had almost forgotten due to her busy schedule and training. After months of her mind being plagued with the thought of the virus and the experimentation, she was able to think of the man who had tried to save her countless times. With a sad smile, she touched the carving of the emblem on the grip of the weapon, and couldn't believe that Sasuke was able to build the weapon that they planned and studied.
Despite being gone for months, Sasuke recognized her work by adding cherry blossoms to the logo of Sasuke's company. The wind blew past her, sending shivers on her skin. She slipped back the weapon on her waist and gripped her jacket closer to her while leaning under the tree then stared at the view before her.
Sasuke sighed as they all crammed inside Gaara's car going around town looking for safe buildings where they could spend the night. Juugo who had taken the wheel in order for Sasuke to rest, glanced at him and then made a stop in front of a little house just near the gates of Tani just a few kilometers away from the hospital.
" Why don't we stay here? " Sasuke raised a brow at Juugo who had only smiled softly at him.
" This is where I used to live, well technically my grandmother. It's the only memory that I have when everything was a blur. " Sasuke nodded at him and glanced at the back where he saw Kakashi reading his book, while Itachi was cleaning his weapons, and Shisui who was leaning his head on the window, sleeping soundly. At the back of the vehicle, Karin was scrolling through her phone while Suigetsu was talking to one of the citizens they rescued.
" Kakashi and I will check the house while you and Suigetsu scout the area. Karin wait for our signal then bring the injured inside, Itachi and Shisui- . . " He glanced at his brother who only raised a brow at him.
Sasuke grunted and turned around realizing he couldn't order his brother and cousin who were a rank above him. He stepped out of the vehicle to survey the building when he found Itachi walking with Kakashi behind him. He ignored them and entered the house with confidence, not fearing for monsters that might be lurking inside. He flicked the switch hoping for lights but received only a flicking light. He turned it off then pulled out the light ball then inspected the area.
" It looks clean as if the place wasn't abandoned for months. " Kakashi said as he ran his finger on the table hoping to see clouds of dust on his finger. Itachi emerged from one of the rooms after inspecting it.
" No doubt, Tani was able to evacuate its people only a month ago, but while looking at the bathroom, someone must have used this a few days ago. " Itachi showed a slightly damp towel.
" The bathroom has no vents and the towel is wool, could last a day or more for it to dry. " Sasuke nodded at his brother and then entered one of the three rooms while Kakashi took the room beside the room he entered and Itachi checked the room on the farthest. When he opened the shogi door, he was met with a clean room, with no beds or couches, he walked to one of the closets and found tatami mats in it, he patted it while giving distance, expecting to have dust flying all over the room which he found none. He pulled out the three tatami mats while pulling out clean pillows and covers.
He left it on the clean floor and walked towards the huge curtain, when he slid the curtains open he was welcomed with a view of the mountain and the desert leading to Suna. He looked through the glass sliding doors and found beautiful flowers growing through the picket fence while an old cherry blossom stood tall, shedding its pink petals under the moonlight. Sasuke slid the door open and walked onto the open balcony which was a step higher than the room's floor level.
Sasuke felt the cold wind rush inside the room and brushed its cold tails on his face. He looked around waiting for any sound or weird movements but found it serene.
" I see you had already chosen a room. " Itachi's soft voice echoed in the room. Sasuke glanced at him then closed the sliding door and walked outside the room where he met Suigetsu and Kakashi.
" I already scouted the area and it's safe, just behind the house, there's a huge forest, and Juugo and I were able to walk all over it and stopped in one of the protected areas where these huge steel fences surround it. " Sasuke nodded then looked around.
" Where's Juugo? " Suigetsu sent him a sad glance then looked at the kitchen window, showing a view of the backyard.
" Sadly, he just found out his grandmother had died not from attacks but from health complications. We found her grandmother sitting on one of the garden benches dead, but she was smiling. He gave her a proper burial. We arrived a day late sadly. " Sasuke glanced at the window and saw Juugo hunched on the ground while holding a shovel.
" Should we call him? " Sasuke shook his head at Suigetsu and handed him the key.
" Go get Karin and her patients, we'll have to discuss who stays with who while taking shifts for tonight. " Itachi said and glanced at his watch.
" Well, it's already 8 pm, Kakashi can you cook for us? " Kakashi nodded at Itachi who nodded back at him.
" Good, I'll go wake Shisui. " Itachi walked out of the room leaving Sasuke and Kakashi alone.
" Why don't you go check the garden, I saw some growing vegetables and you might find some ripe tomatoes. " Sasuke nodded at him and walked out of the room.
" Didn't know you can cook this good Kakashi. You're much of a wife material than Karin who had no skills at all. " Suigetsu said as he slurped the tomato soup in the bowl while taking a spoonful of rice and shoving it in his mouth. Karin glared at him and took a bite of the fried veggies.
" Idiot, don't speak while eating. " Suigetsu rolled his eyes and continued eating. Sasuke indulged his time in the tomato soup that Kakashi had prepared while listening to Itachi and Shisui planning for tomorrow's execution.
" So who sleeps with who? " Kakashi said as he felt out of place where Karin and Suigetsu started arguing while the Uchiha prodigies were planning and Juugo was still in the backyard mourning.
" Hmmm, It's best if Kakashi and Karin stay with the injured since the two of you have medical backgrounds, Juugo and Suigetsu can stay in the other room, while Sasuke, Shisui, and I will stay together since we'll have shiftings to watch over the place, two people at a time. " Itachi said then drank his water waiting for objections. From his peripheral view, he saw Karin grunt and pout at the thought of the room arrangement.
" No objections? " Shisui said as he closed the holographic map that he and Itachi had studied. When the room was silent he clapped his hands and stood up.
" Good, then the first shift goes to Juugo and Suigetsu, followed by Itachi and me, then Sasuke and Kakashi will go last. We'll have two hours each, Karin you don't need to watch over since you'll be checking the patients once in a while. " Everybody nodded at Shisui then all stood up and cleaned the table while the others got prepared to sleep. After a while, Juugo entered the house and walked to the kitchen, and ate the food that Kakashi had set aside for him.
" My sincere condolences Juugo. " Sasuke said and patted his shoulder. Juugo looked up and gave him a small smile while everybody present in the room gave him sad smiles.
"It's okay, my grandmother at least died naturally so it hurts less and I already knew about it just didn't expect it to happen this soon, " Juugo said as he took a sip of the soup.
" You gave him a proper burial? " Karin asked as she paused on washing the dishes. Juugo nodded at her and took a bite of the fried veggies.
" Death will always come for everyone but what makes it less sad is that we were able to make memories and love before the sad occurrence. " Kakashi said and smiled as he pushed a letter he had found in one of the rooms to Juugo.
" I'm pretty sure it's for you. " Kakashi whispered then walked away followed by Itachi and Shisui, leaving Suigetsu, Sasuke and Karin. Sasuke turned his back on Juugo and started looking around the room, when he finds the decorations not intriguing, he opened the door and walked outside.
" Karin, call me when Suigetsu is done with his bath. " Karin nodded at him and watched him close the door. She then glanced at Juugo who have stopped eating and was reading the letter. She silently left the room, to get extra clothes from her room and a towel.
When she entered the room she saw Kakashi, sitting by the window while the patients have already fallen asleep. " After this catastrophe, its best if you go home, enjoy your life. " Kakashi whispered then gave a brief glance at Karin.
" You have been through a lot, I know, but its best to enjoy you life, fall in love and have children or chase your dreams. " Kakashi said and went to stare at the view outside.
" Funny, I have always wanted to do that before, not until I met him. I want to be with him always, even if he doesn't know about my feelings. " Kakashi chuckled and faced her, holding on to his book, ready to leave the room anytime.
" I'm sure Sasuke knows about your feelings- . . . " Karin gave him a laugh and made him rethink his words again.
" I used to have this obsessive crush on Sasuke, well, I still do find him attractive but its- " Karin looked around and whispered softly.
" He is so annoying that I want to choke him but now his antics are getting through me. " Karin said as she stood up and turned around.
Kakashi blinked a few times while staring at Karin's hunched back, ready to leave the room.
" Oh. " Karin sent him a smile with his short reply then left the room, carrying sluggishly her clothes and towel.
Kakashi, blinked a few times at the new information then shook his head and stared at the window again.
" Ah young love. "
Sakura sighed as she walked around the mountain while staying on edge to look at the view from the top. It was already 5 am and around 4 am she decided that she should just start moving where it is still dark since by daylight she will be in full view for the monsters to see her. She had just reached the other end of the mountain, where a small desert mountain had formed giving a transition between the woods and the desert.
As she reached the cliff, she saw a crashed helicopter at the edge, ready to trip and fall at a height. She looked around then gripped the gun-sword and approached the helicopter. At the far corner, she saw the doors wrecked and removed from the body of the helicopter. She flashed her light inside and saw a redhead man bleeding leaning at the pilot's seat.
She stepped closer to give more light to the face when she recognized the physique. She gasped and ran to drop all her guns at the end near a big tree and looked around for ropes, when she did find one, she approached the tree and tied the rope to the thick trunk and tied the other end to her waist. She then brought a small light and approached the helicopter again.
" Sasori! " She half whispered and shouted as she neared the plane. She flashed her little flashlight to the helicopter. After a few times calling his name, he finally stirred and lifted his head when a creak was heard underneath the plane.
" Shit! " Sakura then cursed as she flashed the light. Sasori who was now half awake, looked at her direction giving little movements.
" S-sakura? " Sakura smiled and nodded.
" It's me, don't move, your plane is at the end of the cliff and I need you to slowly unbuckle your seat belt and just jump out of there and grab my hand, okay? " Sasori's eyes widened then looked at the window and realized the plane is indeed hanging at the cliff.
" O-okay. " He slowly unbuckled his seat belt and sighed deeply as he stretched out his hand towards Sakura.
" Okay, now give me your hand and just jump out, okay? Are you stuck or what? " Sasori shook his head then moved his leg but felt a sting.
" Fuck, my right leg is broken, I can't move it. "
" Just ignore the pain, I'll heal it later, just jump with all your strength okay? " Sasori nodded at her and gave a deep breath.
" On my count. " Sakura started with outstretched hands towards him.
" one! " Sasori exhaled as she heard her count.
" two! " Sasori then inhaled and prepared his leg and stretched out both his hands.
" Three! " They both shouted, as Sasori gave a jump, while Sakura reached out her hands even more. The plane made a creaking sound and the ground beneath them cracked as the plane, tipped off the cliff and fell down to the ground. Sakura sighed as the two of them are hanging at the end of the broken cliff, both of Sakura's hands holding Sasori's left hand.
" What the hell was that?! " Kakashi glanced at the back and saw Sasuke running outside to where he was standing at. Kakashi leaned at the vehicle and pointed out at the cliff, behind the house.
" The cliff broke and the helicopter dropped. " Kakashi said and handed the telescope to Sasuke.
" I saw someone moving, could be a person or a bear, so it's best if we wake up everyone right now and get them ready. " Kakashi said and stood up straight and glanced at Sasuke who was still looking through the telescope.
" Hnm, it's a Konoha ANBU Helicopter, have Suigetsu and Juugo check out the area since we need to prepare. " Sasuke said. Kakashi nodded at him.
" You know Sasuke, I have a higher rank than you. " Sasuke grunted at him and turned his back to Kakashi.
" You're my sensei and used to be my guard, no need to act who's much more superior, plus you never complained " Kakashi chuckled and nodded his head.
" Well, wished I was still your sensei. " Sasuke sighed and faced him with his hands crossed over his chest.
" You ARE my sensei and teammate. Though we are currently at the same rank. " Kakashi sent him a shocked face.
" Since when did you- " Sasuke smirked at him and just jogged inside letting Kakashi put clarification to his own thoughts.
" Damn that brat. " Kakashi chuckled and jogged inside following the raven.
" Can you still keep up? We're going downhill this time, down there, there's a small house. " Sakura whispered as she helped Sasori walk whose arms were around her shoulder.
" It's better if we get off here right now and just fucking heal this shitty leg. " Sasori whispered and dragged his other leg.
" I can't force you to do that but it's downhill, we might fall down and roll down the hill. " Sakura grunted and heaved up Sasori's heavy body.
" I thought you got super strength? " Sakura glared at him and Sasori sent her a chuckle.
" I do but since I haven't slept nor eaten anything, my body is as limp as your- . . . " Sasori laughed at her closing her mouth and stopping her sentence.
" I get it. Though, I can handl- "
" Well, well, well look it's pinky and another perverted red-head. " Suigetsu emerged from the woods smiling while behind him stood Juugo holding a towel and a flashlight.
Sasuke stared at the two as Sakura got busy, making a first aid move on Sasori whose leg was jacked so bad. He glanced at Shisui who was standing behind Sakura and glaring daggers at Sasori while Itachi was in the kitchen looking pissed.
" Sakura-chan, I'm fine, no need to- "
" If you are fine, then let's spar outside, and defend my attacks, if you won't receive any damage from my attacks at this state then you can tell me you are fine. " Sakura mumbled as she wrapped a bandage around Sasori's leg.
" Will I receive a kiss if I win? " Sasori smirked as he brushed a lock of hair from Sakura's face.
Sakura who was focused on the medical attention ignored him and then stood up. Smiling with her hands on her waist.
" There, I've stitched it so, don't you dare move. Also, drink some antibiotics at the moment to stop any infection. I injected some anesthetics so it wouldn't hurt that much but after 3 hours, the effects will wear off, so expect some serious shit pain. " Sasori winced at the thought and nodded at her.
Sakura then glanced at him then ran up to Kakashi who was standing beside him.
" Sensei! I'm so happy you are fine! " Kakashi chuckled and embraced the pinkette.
" We are so glad you are okay Sakura-san. " Itachi spoke and ruffled her hair.
" Of course, I got great sparring partners. " Sakura giggled and pulled away from Kakashi and bumped Itachi's shoulder.
" I was worried that Shisui might be crying on my shoulder since he was worried sick about you. " Sakura rolled her eyes at Shisui who sent her a wink.
" I'm offended Shisui that you think I cannot survive. " Shisui laughed and shook his head at her.
Sakura glanced at him then smiled then went to the kitchen to grab some food.
" Why don't you rest Sakura-chan? We can feed Sasori. " Shisui said, Sasuke raised a brow at his cousin.
" You sure? "
" Yes, Karin can just feed him and watch over him while the rest of us needs to think of back-up plans. " Sakura nodded and bit the fresh tomato.
" Damn, that's good. " Sasuke could hear chuckles and turned around to stare at Sakura.
" Have you already eaten? " Sakura shook her head at Sasuke.
" No, I've been surviving for almost 24 hours with just water and my last drink was like 12 hours or more ago. " Sakura said as she grabbed another tomato.
Sasuke went to the cupboards and started pulling out pots and some cooking ingredients. He moved to grab some tomatoes near Sakura and started slicing them.
" Go clean up, I can cook you a big meal, that will get you through the day, go to our room, there are fresh towels and- " Sasuke paused at his blabbering after realizing what he had just done then continued slicing the tomatoes.
" Oh, okay. " Sakura bowed and went to the room he mentioned.
" Our room ey? " He looked up and saw Itachi, Shisui and Kakashi, leaning at the island counter, grinning at him like an idiot, except for Itachi who smirked at him.
After slicing Sasuke slammed the knife's tip on the cutting board.
" Do you want to cook? " The three shook their heads and moved to sit in the living room, talking in hushed tones. Sasuke heard some gushing about his recent action. Sasuke cleared his throat silencing the three.
Karin and Suigestu entered the room feeling the tension. " So, uhh, Sasori just fell asleep. " Karin whispered and walked to the kitchen surprised to find Sasuke cooking.
" Ey boss, first time to see you cooking in the kitchen, I hope you don't cause a fire. " Suigetsu joked and sat in one of the stalls facing Sasuke.
Karin looked around and glanced at the three who were now discussing while pointing at the map.
" What happened here? " Karin whispered to Suigetsu when Sasuke turned his back on the two. Suigetsu shrugged his shoulders and just stared in awe at Sasuke who was cooking.
" Am I seeing what I am seeing? " Suigetsu whispered in disbelief, Karin nodded and sat beside him.
" Well before getting to the mountain, this gun-sword Itachi gave, pulsed, so I had no choice but to use it immediately. Sorry, Itachi-san for staining your weapon. " Itachi shook his head.
"It's supposed to be yours. " Sakura nodded at him and then wiped off any visible blood on the sword.
" That's why the gun-sword immediately sent me your location, if you didn't use it, we wouldn't have thought, you all would be ambushed here in Tani. " Sasuke spoke and leaned back.
" Mmmhmm, shit got weird before that, it's like someone knew our route, this was supposed to be a secret route, separating us from the others. " Sakura said as she bit her lower lip.
" We had already been thinking about it even before the final evacuation, we've made our own investigation for the identity of the mole, and here are the things we got. " Itachi pulled out the light ball, and turned it on, showing a 3D photo of three people.
" I'm sure most of you knew these three. Kazuya, Akira and Sai. We have been investigating for quite a while and they are the most suspicious. " Sakura leaned forward at Sai's photo and leaned back in shock.
" I'm going to kill him, if he's using Ino to get information from us. " Sakura whispered.
" Sakura- . . . " Kakashi whispered and stared at her.
" I just can't the gist to why our teammate would fucking betray us, he's the closest, he was under Danzo, he was the next in line, chief head under Danzo before he got transferred under you. I just-. . . he's not. " Sakura said as tears starts to form in her eyes.
" Or maybe it's Sasori? You know that perverts have been all over you. " Shisui joked that made him shut his mouth when Itachi glared at him.
" Trust Sai. " Kakashi said.
" I hope it's not him, or it will break my best friend's heart. " Sakura sighed and leaned back, letting Itachi continue the conversation.
"It's possible that it's Sai, but let's give him the benefit of the doubt. Okay? " Itachi said before moving on with the conversation.
As the conversation progressed, Sasuke kept stealing glances at the sulking pinkette.
" Well, aside from the current plan on staying in Suna, we are all mission-less at the moment. " Kakashi said and pulled out his phone. Playing a recording that was sent to him.
" Kakashi, when your team arrives at your destination, wait for my instruction, more or less though I don't need to, when you meet your team, you'll know what I mean. " Minato's voice echoed through the speaker.
" Well, that's the mission, go to Suna then meet the remaining of the team. " Kakashi said and leaned back, ending the discussion.
Itachi, Shisui, Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura all stared at each other then nodded, ending the meeting.
" We can stay another night or we leave ASAP? " Kakashi said as he approach Itachi and Shisui. Shisui looked up at him and then continued typing on the holographic keyboard while taking a sip of his morning coffee. Itachi leaned back and handed the tab to Kakashi.
"It's best if we leave right now, Shisui and I just made a quick survey through GPS and Tani is now empty as what we have expected. Except for humanoid monsters. " Itachi added as he leaned back waiting for Kakashi's words.
Kakashi scrolled through the tab to make sure of the GPS's data before handing it back to Itachi. " We can tape the whole city with those yellow hazard tapes especially the gates so no one will dare to enter the city, I'm sure the state of Suna doesn't mind us taping one of their cities. "
Itachi nodded while Shisui showed them a 3D map of the Tani and all the way to Suna Capital. " It's going to take us hours to reach Suna but Shikaku is fast, I heard that from Sasuke, so we still have the remaining time to go around Tani, do a double check, tape the whole place, and of course document the place. "
" Okay then let's pack up. " Itachi said and walked towards the room they were staying.
When he entered the room he saw Sakura sleeping soundly on Sasuke's Tatami mat while Sasuke was nowhere to be seen, so he silently rolled the tatami mats and slipped all his things inside his bag, and left a silent exit.
When Sasuke entered the house, Kakashi immediately approached him and patted him on the shoulder, " Go pack up, we'll be leaving in an hour or early. "
Sasuke looked around the team had started lining up for the bathroom while Karin was washing some handpicked vegetables and fruits for their breakfast and snacks on the ride. Sasuke walked towards his room and found it slightly ajar and the pinkette, sleeping unbothered by the noise outside.
He entered the room and kneeled down and slowly shook the pinkette.
" Sakura, wake up. " Sasuke whispered as he patted the pinkette's shoulder who was facing the window.
" Hnmm, 5 more minutes Sasuke. " Sakura mumbled and made a turn facing now the raven.
With the sudden movement Sasuke was shocked that he was now facing the girl with their nose almost touching. He pulled away and sighed deeply then went back to waking up the pinkette.
" We need to move now Sakura, so we can get back to Suna as soon as possible. " He heard another mumble before the pinkette sat up with her clothes disheveled and clothes wrinkled.
" Ugh fine. " Sasuke smirked and watched as Sakura marched outside while a towel was wrapped around her neck. He shook his head and started cleaning the room.
Late for a few months but you guys are still as ever supportive! Thank you for the love and support, I will keep writing until the end of the story for you guy!
Hope you are all doing great and doing fine.
Take care and stay safe.
lovelots,
Luna