Naurto stood outside her door, resting his head against the worn wood. What would he find inside? Would he find Sakura dead, murdered by his first true friend? Would blood ordain the walls, having already soaked into the upholstery and carpet? Could it be true that his once cold friend had taken the final plunge into complete despair and eternal guilt? Had winter arrived early or had spring been slain. Beautiful spring, slain on the day she had been saved?
The boy backed away from the door, shaking his head back and forth, muttering nonsense under his breath. Has his spring been destroyed and left only winter in its stead. But if that were so then why was the sun beating down, the birds singing there songs of sunny mornings past and happy days hopefully to follow? Maybe winter had tried to make spring come again, but the wound that was to be found where birth should begin had ended spring. Never to return, never to shine down again.
Naurto opened those ever familiar blue eyes and gazed into the distance. What would happen now? If she was gone, then nothing would ever be whole again. Not him, not Sasuke, not the village. The whole Haruno family would de terminated then, and the village would never know them ever again. Never.
But why, why hadn't he gotten there fast enough. He had seen the shark approaching fast, but he was too selfish, too selfish. As always. He had forgotten his Sakura when Hinata became his, and yet he was aware she was hurting. Did he really not care or was it merely that he was to happy with how well things were going. Nether the less, he had let the girl down twice know, first by letting her wonder the hallways of adolescence alone, fighting shadows in the dark, hoping somehow she was strong enough to take care of herself. But now, spring could be gone, dead and gone, slaughtered on the floor or dead because Naurto chose to cradle Hinata's dead body in his arms while Sakura was snatched away.
Why had Sasuke charged the man, so fast that Sakura was pushed aside and fell, forgotten as Sasuke killed the man, brutally ripping his flesh from his bones, tearing limbs and decapitating him. Why had nobody anything. Not the Hokage, not any of the remaining ninjas, not even Kakashi cried out to her as Sasuke pulled her up. Onyx eyes brimming with disgust and hate. He had just ripped her up and walked hard and fast to a place Naurto had spent all morning attempting to find.
Naurto brought his gaze once again to the door, the handle was gleaming in the sun, but it was still seemed so dense and worn. Slowly and quietly he approached the door, pushing it open, watching as sun beamed into the door, filling the entry way with light. Naurto walked in, eyes hard, ready for whatever unpleasant sight awaited the first person to stumble in.
Nothing, white , pure, clean, spring was alive here. Only here maybe. Naurto searched the kitchen, admiring the new food stains that had killed the dining room floor. Finally he walked over to the bedroom, opening the door slowly, but then slamming it open, rushing inside.
Spring and winter, such a common pairing, were asleep, together, knotted together in a mess of sheets. Sakura was whole, her pale skin pressed against Sasuke white flesh. He was quiet, but awake. His head resting on the top of here, his hand lying in her lap. She was grasping it with both hands, as if she was afraid he might attempt an escape.
They seemed at peace, and Naurto backed out, relief washing over like a warm breeze, in winter.
Sakura POV
When I awoke, he was gone. I knew that was going to happen, but I got up, silent, my face fixed in a smile I couldn't wipe off. Definitely gone, everything, from his clothing to atmosphere was out of the apartment. Slowly, purposely, I dressed in dark shades. Placing my forehead protector in my pocket and fixing the messy locks into a low pony.
"Oh Hinata," I looked way. As a ninja, we cannot cry. But emotion is what powers our chakra, we wouldn't fight if we didn't have a reason, and we get these reasons from feelings. I won't show emotion, but I won't deny it either. I hurry out of the house, guessing by the lack of damage and blood that the battle last night was small, and had finished quickly. To quickly. I knew it, and as I turned the corner and ran into Naurto, that he knew it to.
"Good morning Sakura. I hope you and Sasuke slept well," he winked at me, and a light blush crept onto my cheeks, "your wound, is it alright,"
"oh yes. Sasuke took take care of it. But tell me what happened to, to Hinata," his eyes followed mine, over the villagers repairing some broken signs and taking care of what the fight had done.
"Sakura. Hinata was like a bird. A bird that was to shy to approach. She fought bravely and because of her I realize that life has many things. Things to powerful to be realized, like Hinata, and things so obvious it hurts, like winter and spring. Hinata will not have died in vain, and let her message of self realization help you Sakura. She would not have wanted you to cry. SO please, spare those tears when I become Hokage. But let them be ones of happiness!" a smile broke across his face and I felt my own break out. We laughed and raced to the Hokage's office.
Laughing we arrived, climbing the stairs and rushing past her assistant, arriving just as Kakashi was. We smiled at him and he nodded, a small smile beneath his mask. Long bandaged legs limped in and we followed, closing the door.
"Good, I didn't even have to send for you. Unlike some people!" she muttered in Kakashi's direction.
"It seemed the villagers needed help fixing the gate that we had broken. I apologize but I couldn't refuse!" he sits down, and I can remember the days when he used the same lame excuses on us.
"Alright. Now, only two ninjas were lost. We will not grieve but learn from the deaths. It is obvious to you all and me that was a trap. A way to lure us out and loose power. Luckily we have very powerful ninjas. I have heard from several sources, that Orchimuru is alive," my eyes shoot open, starring hard at my sensei.
"Impossible, I killed him myself. I watched his blood soak into the forest floor and cleaned my sword with his shirt," Sasuke stepped out of the shadows, he was gripping the edge of her desk hard, but his eyes were unreadable.
"Yes, well apparently that wasn't him. I'm sorry, but he must have either lived or you killed a substitute. But, the fact remains he is alive and wanted to test our skills, hence the-"
"So he sent people he thought we in disposable! Why was that stupid shark man there leader?" Naurto interrupted.
"Well, if you would let me finish! After his leader was, shall we say, dealt with," she through Sasuke a look and he glanced down, griping the desk harder, "he joined the only other strong ninja available. He was meant to follow, never to lead his own group," She stood up and we shifted, letting her pass if she chose.
"Please, Hokage, what, what happened. I mean, what will, are we to track him down or just wait for the events to unfold?" I question carefully, watching as she raises her eyebrow at me.
"Exactly what I was about to suggest. Sakura, I want you to lead. Don't look at me like that. I want Team 7 to track down that snake and end him. I don't want another night like last. To much energy on such a pointless event," with that she turned, exiting the room. I glanced at Sasuke. HE was starring hard out the window, those eyes done into infant space. So uncaring, why was he so moody!
"So, shall we vamoose?" Kakashi limped over, leaning on Naurto's shoulder, as the blondes height threatened to over do his.
"No, look at the state you're in!"
"I'll be fine by tomorrow, if we leave now-"
"No! I'm team leader, not you Kakashi, she never said anything about you coming, so you are to stay and rest," He pouted beneath his mask, but limped out, leaving me alone with the boys. Naurto glanced over and smiled, showing large white teeth.
"Well, sense Sasuke swore he would never set foot in my apartment ever again after that dirty sock incident (Sasuke cringes, recalling when he awoke to realize he was lying in Naurto bed, a pile of disgusting laundry on him), and you to looked so cozy, I suggest we keep the sleeping arrangements untill we leave. Which will be when team leader Sakura?" Sasuke look at me, and our eyes met only for a secong, one long, sweet second.
"Tonight, tonight Naurto. We will meet at the bridge at midnight," I walked out then, trying hard not to glance at Sasuke. Had Naurto seen me and Sasuke in bed. A red blush settles on my cheeks. In bed, that's one of putting it.