Sakura No Yousei: Chapter 9- Curses Are Meant To Be Broken

Sasuke's feet carried him from each rain-drenched branch to the next. His mind ran with thoughts of Sakura. How could he have been so careless with her? Now he would have to fulfill his task of killing Itachi, knowing he would have to leave Sakura behind and possibly never return to her. The thought alone made his heart beat painfully. He didn't want to leave her, but he wouldn't let Orochimaru take her from him.

If he had ignored her, if he hadn't gotten trapped in his love for her, he might have had a chance to make things right in the end. But now it was too late. If he died at the hands of Itachi or Orochimaru, he knew Sakura would die of heartbreak. He cursed himself for ruining her, for this punishment she would be receiving when she awoke. She would find him gone and she would cry out for him, but he wouldn't hear her voice…..

He should have never told her how he felt. She would suffer the same, although he didn't know it. No matter if he returned her love or not, she would be there, always, waiting for the day he would accept her. How could he be so stupid to not realize this would happen? But there was no turning back, he was almost there…

" Oh Sasuke, what have you done," Sakura breathed as she ran recklessly down the winding path, her tears never ceasing. ' This is all my fault, if I had only asked him, made him tell me… He would be waking up beside me, his rare smile being the first thing I saw when I woke in his arms,' she thought distressfully. ' What are you talking about!' Inner Sakura chimed in at the most imperfect of times. ' He would have left you anyways. Sasuke never cared for you. All that concerns him is his damn revenge. Itachi is all that should consume his mind, you are of no use to him,' Inner Sakura stated harshly. ' Sasuke would never hurt me, he loves me…' Sakura responded, trying to focus on the road ahead of her, her blurry vision making it difficult. ' Then why is he gone,' Inner Sakura asked, causing Sakura to come to a halt, her breath heavy.

" He left… because he…," Sakura fumbled. She had no idea why he left. She shook her head. " No, no he needs me, you'll see, he loves me. I won't lose him to his stupid revenge..." she said bitterly, her feet pushing into the sand and her body continued to streak under the gray clouds. The trees began to grow sparser and she knew she was getting close. A creaking of the old bridge met her ears through the soft patter of rain.

Her eyes grew wide as she pushed herself to run faster, knowing Sasuke was just ahead. She broke from the tree line to find Sasuke's form standing hesitantly at the far end of the bridge. " SASUKE!" she yelled desperately, her voice echoing up the ravine. His body tensed and his head whipped around suddenly, the Sharingan blazing in his eyes. Her hand reached up to her mouth as she gasped, horrified at what she saw.

Half his face was covered in what looked like black ink, the intricate designs swirling about his left red eye and trailing down his neck. She slowly stumbled backward as he turned on the spot, the same maddening look in his eyes never leaving as he advanced on her. Fear consumed her body as her back met a tree trunk. ' I'm trapped… Oh God what do I do,' she though desperately as Sasuke walked toward her, his dangerous red gaze burning into her emerald eyes. She tried desperately to summon her chakra, but found it impossible. She couldn't concentrate and if she had to fight Sasuke, she would refuse to attack.

As he reached her, her eyes clouded with tears, her fright consuming her. His hand shot forward and gripped her arm tightly. Her eyes, wide in fear, searched his for anything familiar or comforting, but she only found hate, desire, lust, pain. Nothing she ever saw in Sasuke when he looked at her. " Sasu-Sasuke-kun, please don't," she choked out, her face turning from his as his hand slid roughly down her arm, taking her hand and pinning it over her head. Her eyes closed, a single tear trailing down her damp cheek. He leaned forward, his hot breath caressing her skin, her fright rising.

He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his soft lips touching her skin passionately. " Sa-Sasuke, please, I'm begging…" she stuttered in a meek voice, her chin trembling as the tears ran down her face. " Sa-ku-ra, what's wrong," he said, his voice low and seductive. " Don't you like when I touch you," he whispered huskily into her ear, his other hand inching around her back and taking the kunai from her hand. Her eyes opened wide as a lump formed in her throat.

' No, he knew what I was doing! Sasuke wouldn't hurt me, he wouldn't…. he loves me..' she thought desperately as Sasuke threw the kunai at a tree, its sharp blade embedding itself in the wood, his hand returning to her back. " Sa-ku-ra, don't worry, I won't hurt you," he said into her hair as he let his lips brush over her jaw.

She struggled as his lips pressed painfully against hers, nothing familiar in his kiss. She gasped and screamed against his mouth, but became silent as she noticed he began to speak. " Sakura, what the hell are you doing here," he said roughly into her mouth, almost too low for her to hear. " Wha-what?" she replied as his lips covered hers to muffle her voice. " Sakura, you have to run, understand," he said harshly.

Sakura's mind swam. Wasn't he just taunting her earlier, the deadly look in his eyes. She was almost sure he was going to hurt her. " Sakura please, we are both in great danger," he said into her mouth, his lips still on hers. She faked a struggle, desperate for him to tell her more. She figured someone he didn't want there was watching his performance, so she decided to play along.

" Sasuke, what is going on," she said as his tongue crept into her mouth. She suppressed a moan as he passionately kissed her. The resist to enjoy the kiss fought against her lust as his tongue caressed hers. " Leave Sakura, please," he pleaded before his lips left hers. He smiled maliciously at her before releasing her wrist above her head and stepped away from her. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him, disgusted at his desperation to get her to leave, just like when she used to be weak.

There was no way she would leave his side, no matter what danger she was in. " No," she replied, Sasuke's face instantly falling as she pushed off the tree with her hand and strode over to his side. " Whatever is going on, I'm not leaving you," she said defiantly as Sasuke's anger rose. He grabbed her arm and held it tightly, but she maintained her glare at the stubborn Uchiha.

" Sakura this isn't a joke, we could both die, I refuse to let that happen," he hissed as Sakura turned her eyes from him. Her eyes clouded again as she tried to maintain a steady voice. Her intense green eyes turned to his, catching him a bit of guard. " I would die for you Sasuke, if it came to that," she said solemnly, a tear sliding from her eye. His face lit in a painful frown, the Sharingan disappearing from his eyes as he looked at her. " Sakura….," he whispered as his hand released her arm.

" I made that vow long ago. I wouldn't let anything happen to you, because… because I love you," she managed to say before the tears consumed her, but her gaze remaining steady on the shaken Uchiha. " Sakura, no, I won't let that happen. I swear I won't let that happen. Sakura please go," he urged, her face remaining determined as ever. She stood defiantly, her face steady and set.

" SAKURA NOW!" he yelled, his fists flexing at his sides causing her eyes to return to their intense glare. " NO!" she screamed in his face, her eyes lighting an intense white. " I will never leave you!" she yelled, advancing on him. Her hand reached up and grabbed his collar and pulled him to her face.

" Why could you even think that I would listen to your mindless chatter? It doesn't matter anymore, Sasuke! Hell, it never mattered. You left me, without a goodbye, without closure. You were just..…gone. What the hell was I to do! I wouldn't lose you Sasuke, not after I had managed to get through soo much with you by my side. I refuse to go back to being defenseless, having you protect me all the time. I'm not weak anymore Sasuke! I don't need you to protect me damnit!" she yelled as the silvery, glowing tears streaked from her eerie white eyes. Her hand released him as she stumbled backward, her eyes still set on his, her gaze focused on nothing but him.

" Sakura…" he stuttered as he walked forward but he came to an immediate halt as a dark figure appeared in the trees above Sakura. His eyes went wide in horror as two red eyes lit in the shadows. " NOO! Sakura move!" he screamed as the eyes narrowed, still focused on the kunoichi below him. " I know Sasuke," she said silently, her head lowered, a malicious grin spreading across her face.

Sasuke inhaled painfully as a kunai flew from the branches above, aimed right for Sakura. She simply chuckled as her hand flew behind her, grasping the kunai inches from her neck and bringing it to her side. Sasuke gaped at how casually she was taking the danger they were in. So she had managed to block the kunai, she would need more than that to fight Itachi. " Why don't you come out of hiding, we both know you're there," Sakura said, her head bowed, a dark shadow cast over her eerie white eyes.

Itachi fell silently from the trees, his head lowered like Sakura's. He lifted it slowly, exposing his Sharingan eyes. Sakura lifted her head mechanically as he stepped forward, turning to meet an exact likeness to Sasuke. Her eyes widened a bit, but maintained a fixed gaze.

She was taken aback at how handsome he was, but she wasn't fooled. No matter how much he resembled Sasuke, they were nothing like each other. He was evil and twisted in every sense of the word. Sasuke would never even think of the things that probably flowed through this man's head. She smiled crookedly, her eyes still ablaze. He returned her smile, figuring he would be able to destroy the pathetic creature before him without any effort needed.

But something in his gut told him it was dangerous to tangle with this girl. She looked fierce at the young age of 17, ready to kill at that. He was surprised at how ruthless the girl's appearance was. Sasuke watched the two stare each other down. For some reason his brother refused to simply kill her. Perhaps he was just toying with him, or maybe he couldn't attack something so pure….

" I expected Sasuke's girlfriend to be… darker," Itachi commented off-handedly as Sakura let out a haughty laugh. " Is that what you expect. Too bad you don't know any better," she spat back with a gleam in her eyes. " Hn, you would expect pink wouldn't be his color," Itachi said in response, his eyes darting tauntingly at Sasuke.

Sakura simply laughed loudly at this. " Cha, you really didn't turn out like I though, Itachi. I know about you and your escapades. Not so tough looking though, a bit stringy if I say so," she said as she eyed him carefully, noting his long black hair and expressionless gaze. Oh how he reminded her of Sasuke, but she had to steer clear of making that mistake. Itachi simply looked her head to foot.

" Not bad, looks like Sasuke can manage in getting a proper looking woman," he said venomously as he eyed Sakura hungrily. Being used to this look from her fellow male Genin, she smiled. " Isn't that sweet, Itachi-san. Though I doubt you've been with a woman in quite some time, am I correct," she said as she placed her hands on her hips provocatively and tossed her limp pink hair over her shoulder.

" It would seem that way, but who's to say Sasuke wouldn't mind sharing," he said, a smirk gracing his hardened face. Oh how she hated that smirk. It was the same look Sasuke got when she gave him what he wanted. The same smirk that made her desire bringing her hand across his face.

Her smile faded and resumed her scowl. " Strike a nerve?" Itachi inquired as his devilish smile ripped her self-control to shreds. Sasuke simply stood watching as Sakura shook, her fist clenched, the vein on her forehead throbbing menacingly. Itachi let his face fall to its usual expressionless façade, perhaps a bit too quickly as he could feel the air grow thick, Sakura's anger rising. " How dare you," she growled, just loud enough for the words to reach Itachi's ears.

" SASUKE WILL DESTROY YOU!" she screamed as her eyes flashed, her chakra visible in the pale moonlight. Itachi, caught off guard from the immense power emanating from the slight girl before him, stepped back. " W-what… what is this," Itachi stuttered as a bright orb enveloped both her and Sasuke, the air swirling madly about them. His long black strand swept past his face as the images of his brother and Sakura disappeared into the blinding light.

The air grew still before everything erupted in terror. The orb burst forth, engulfing everything in its path and ripping the terrain into pieces. The bridge shuttered before being ripped from the posts and flew through the air. Itachi watched as the light rushed at him, sending a spray of earth at his feet. The last he saw was Sakura's eyes, a pure green shining in the wake of destruction.

" Sasuke, please wake up!" Sakura pleaded as she knelt over Sasuke's writhing form. His hands clung to his neck, the black ink concealing half his face burning into his skin. His mind twisted with pain unimaginable, the searing throb wracking his body as he tried to inhale, the hot fire in his neck causing him to go mad. His eyes opened to darkness, bright lights flashing before his eyes. He restrained as the urge to scream was suppressed much to his body's dismay. " Sasuke-kun, hold on!" a voice said above him. His will was slowly diminishing as his mouth opened to let out an agonizing scream. " Sasuke!" the angelic voice rang through his ears as everything blanked from existence.

" Sakura, you should go home, you've been here for hours," Kakashi said as he looked over at Sakura's weary form. Last nights " activities" had drained her body of nearly all her chakra and she still refused sleep. It all began when Sakura had burst into the end of the White Ribbon Festival around 1 am carrying a screaming Sasuke. His body squirmed in her arms as she pushed past the fellow Genin that watched in horror, Sakura in search of the third Hokage. Her body was weak, her eyes lit white, her efforts to carry Sasuke using every last bit of chakra she had left. It had been quite a show.

He had only just returned after healing his almost broken nose he received from her earlier that night. As soon as he had seen her with the anguished Sasuke, he rushed them both to the ANBU infirmary. Sasuke, with tremendous effort on Sakura's part, was finally soothed into a calm slumber, but she remained by his side, watching the rhythm of his breath, to frightened to leave him.

So there she sat, silent, almost comatose. " Sakura, really. Sasuke should be just fine," Kakashi urged as he moved to lay his hand on her shoulder, but she instantly tensed, causing him to pull his hand back. " You have no idea what happened sensai. I cannot leave him, he needs me," she said fondly, a hint of extreme fatigue in her voice as she stroked a stray hair from Sasuke's face.

He inhaled at her touch and a light smile crept across his face. It warmed her heart to know he was back, safe, with her. She couldn't shake the thought of what would have happened if Sasuke had been trapped with Itachi. But there was something else out of place. She had sensed someone else there. But who?

She figured it wasn't important, as she didn't encounter anyone, but she had seen a pair of eyes watch her as she rushed back to Kohona with Sasuke on her back. It unnerved her. Those unsightly red eyes. She shuttered slightly and pulled her hand away from Sasuke's face. Then there were the two small punctures in his neck. The black ink had vanished when his Sharingan had disappeared, but on the side of his neck he had what looked like bite marks form a fanged being. Not one of the medic-nins could determine what did it to him. Sakura shook herself from the disturbing memories.

" Kakashi, can you leave us. I'm sorry to be so rude, but I would like to be alone with Sasuke," Sakura said, her head bent in exhaustion. He nodded and disappeared in a puff of smoke. Sakura smiled at how understanding her sensai was, willing to allow her time with Sasuke. He had stayed the whole time with her, sitting in a corner chair. Surprisingly, he never once read his dirty book. She was grateful for his respect on her part. Her eyes glanced up to meet Sasuke's peaceful face. He looked so… happy when he slept, but she knew he would be distant the next few days.

Something had happened she hadn't intended. She had lost control, almost killing Sasuke along with herself when her chakra had spiked, causing the energy burst that destroyed half the ravine, along with the frail bridge. Afterwards she had encountered the frightful task of soothing Sasuke's unnerving fit of agony. It was the most nerve-wracking sight she had ever witnessed. Besides that, she had ruined Sasuke's chance at avenging his family. Her eyes fell to her hands in her lap.

" I'm soo sorry, Sasuke. I should have just left," she whispered as hot tears stung her eyes. She had been dying to let the pain out, but knowing Kakashi was there, it made the tears burn that much more behind her eyes as she refused to cry in front of her sensai. But now that he was gone, she was willing to let her pain take her over. Sobs shook her frail body as she lifted her hands to her face, the tears filling her empty palms. " A shinoibi shows no emotion.." she said through gulps of air as the tears fell from her eyes, angry at herself for being so pathetic.

Although Sasuke thought it brave of her to show such a strong emotion, she thought it weak and useless. There was nothing brave in crying. She was a child, a baby. She could be no great shinoibi. She let her arms rest on the bed as she laid her head in her arms, weeping onto the clean white sheets of Sasuke's bed. She hadn't even noticed Sasuke's eyes had opened as he listened to her every word.

" I'm so-sorry, S-Sasuke. I should have never gotten in your way," she muttered into the sheets, her face damp with tears. Sasuke's breath hitched as he silently listened to her confession again. He had awoken when Kakashi-sensai had left, but felt it inappropriate to surprise Sakura in her current state. But when she had started to cry, he couldn't bring himself to disturb her.

The sorrow she felt killed him inside as her unsteady breath caused her back to rise and fall unsteadily. His eyes watched her tears subside as she wiped her eyes and sat up. Her puffy eyes met Sasuke's in an instant and her face instantly turned red, her misty green eyes going wide. " Sasuke.." she whispered, but she seemed lost on what to say to excuse her behavior.

" Sakura-chan," he said simply as he held out his arms to her. She let out a sigh, the tears threatening her again as she lunged into his arms and embraced him tightly. He stroked her hair gently as she rested her head on his chest, the steady sound of his heart calming her. " Sakura, thank you," he said into her pink locks tied with a white ribbon. Sakura's eyes went wide as she pulled back to look into his eyes. " For what, Sasuke-kun?" she asked as he smiled warmly at her. " For being there," he said before kissing her forehead and pulling her back into his warm embrace.

" Hey Hey Sa-su-ke!" Naruto yelled as he burst into the room, the door slamming against the wall. " NARUTO," the two on the bed yelled in unison as Naruto quickly recovered from shock. " Eh hehe sorry bout that," he said meekly as he Gentai, and Hinata walked into Sasuke's room. " We brought you some ramen to help you recover," Naruto said happily as he placed a steaming cup of noodles in Sasuke's hand. Sakura sat up, Sasuke's arm still on her waist, the other holding the cup.

" Hi Hinata-chan, hi Gentai!" Sakura said. " Hello Sakura-chan. Ne, Sakura-chan, have you not slept, you look so tired," Hinata said, a hint of worry in her voice. " Oh no I'm fine," Sakura added quickly as Sasuke looked at her weary face. " Sakura, did you stay up all night," Naruto asked as he sat beside Gentai in one of the chairs gathered around the bed, pulling Hinata onto his knee as Gentai frowned at Sakura's weary face. Sasuke gave her a stern look as her face lit red. " Well..um, yes," she said quietly.

" Sakura, you need sleep. I think I can leave, I feel fine," Sasuke said as he slid off the bed and placed the noodles on the small table at the bedside. He rose stiffly, raising his arms above his head to stretch his weary body. He scratched his head, noting his forehead protector was gone. " Arrg did I lose it? Damn me and my luck," he said as he turned to the others, smiling. Sakura gave him a curious look as he shrugged and moved over to his things sitting in a vacant chair.

' This is weird,' Inner Sakura said as she rubbed her head thoughtfully. " Um Sasuke are you feeling okay," Sakura asked as he hummed a tune while tying his satchel around his shorts. " Yeah actually, I feel great," he said with a wide smile. Sakura eyes went wide in wonder at what would suddenly change his whole attitude. ' This is really freaking me out. What the hell has gotten into him?' Inner Sakura asked. ' I have no idea,' Sakura replied while shaking her head.

" Sasuke, maybe you should stay here a bit longer. You're starting to scare me," Sakura said as he walked over and took her hand, pulling her up from her seat. " Sakura-chan, really I'm fine," he stated simply before leading her out the door, his fingers linking with hers. " Sorry Naruto, Hinata, Gentai. I think I should take Sakura home so she can sleep. Oh Naruto you can have the ramen, but thanks anyway," Sasuke said happily before dragging a bewildered Sakura down the bright whitewash hallway and out of sight. Naruto and Hinata watched, each confused as the other.

" That was.. weird," Naruto mumbled. " Yeah. I have never seen Sasuke smile before, let alone call Sakura Sakura-chan. I'm worried," Hinata replied as they pulled their heads back into the room. " Oh well, free ramen!" Naruto exclaimed as he picked up the steaming noodles, looking quite triumphant. Hinata suppressed a giggle as Naruto downed the cups contents hungrily. " Man Naruto, you really are weird," Gentai said as he and Hinata watched in amusement.

" Sasuke, really, you aren't yourself. Perhaps we should go back to ANBU and get a medic-nin to look you over before you go home," Sakura said, eyeing Sasuke quizzically and his eyes roamed over the summer settings. " It's so nice out here. Isn't summer nice, Sakura-chan," he said as he inhaled deeply. ' This isn't right, this isn't the Sasuke I know. Sasuke hates the summer. What is going on,' Sakura thought as Sasuke exhaled happily and smiled.

" Uh yeah Sasuke-kun. Look, maybe you just need more sleep," Sakura offered, the confusion apparent in her tone. Sasuke glanced over at her worry stricken face. " Sakura, we need to talk," Sasuke said, his attitude changing in that instant. The dark empty look returned to his eyes and his smile faded into his usual scowl. Sakura was taken aback and stopped in her tracks, her hand pulling free from his grasp.

" Sasuke, what is going on? First you act really weird, happy yes, but really weird. What has happened to you?" she asked as he bowed his head in silence. " Sasuke, please talk to me," Sakura pleaded as he stood still, his eyes scanning the ground. How was he going to tell her this? He wasn't able to fool her, he just wanted her to be happy before breaking the news to her. How was she going to take it? Would she still want to be with him?

He shook his head before looking up into her emerald eyes. " Sakura, lets go somewhere more private," he mumbled as the crowd of people made their way around them. Sakura felt her throat constrict. ' Whatever is going on, it's not good,' she thought as he took her hand again and pulled her through the throng of people. For some reason, she didn't want to be alone with him. She had a bad feeling sinking in her stomach.

His eyes remained focused on the road while she studied his backside, anxiety overriding her senses. Eventually they reached the Uchiha mansion. Sakura was surprised. Of all places, why here? They entered the gated part of the town leading to the deserted main house, an ominous silence settling over them. She had never been in the Uchiha residence. It was so stark here. All the houses were boarded up, the Uchiha fan above each door worn and weathered.

This had been the home of the entire Uchiha clan. It was one of the largest residences in Konoha. But now it was empty and desolate. The air was thick and held a discomforting feel. Her eyes went wide as they walked on, some of the walls on the wooded houses streaked with what looked like… dry blood. Sakura shuttered and sidled up to Sasuke as she avoided looking around. She didn't want to be here, it was so horrible.

She had heard of the Uchiha Massacre and she understood how hard it must be for Sasuke; that would explain his distant attitude and sullen nature. She wanted so badly to leave. But she continued to walk with Sasuke, still unsure of where they were headed. Finally they reached the largest of the houses, the main Uchiha mansion where she knew Sasuke had lived when his parents were still alive, before Itachi…

" Sakura?" Sasuke's voice snapped her back to reality. She realized she was standing stock still, her eyes wide in fear as she gazed at the brightly painted Uchiha fan above the doorway. 'Sasuke must have repainted it recently,' she thought. She suddenly felt something cold slip down her cheek and raised her hand to see what it was. Her eyes moved from the door to her fingertips that gleamed with traces of salty tears.

She hadn't even realized she was crying. " Sakura.." Sasuke said again, her eyes now darting to his as he moved forward to take her hand. " Don't be afraid, I'm here," he said quietly as he smiled faintly. She warmed a bit and nodded, swiping the remains of the tears from her face and followed him inside.

It was dark and musty. The whole aura of the house constricted her breath. Again she noticed bloodstains upon the walls and floors, but these looked as though someone had attempted to scrub them from the wooded floors. She felt the urge cry again but restrained when she looked upon Sasuke hard set face. He seemed to be affected too by merely seeing the house, but being in it again, she knew he was hurting deeply.

Although his face refused to show it, he wanted to cry out and let himself succumb to tears. It brought back the horrific memories, the days he spent trying to wash his mothers blood from the walls, the years spent in seclusion, preparing himself for the day he would avenge his families death and murder Itachi.

Sasuke walked ahead, Sakura slowly falling behind, not sure if she wanted to go where he was leading her. Noticing her absence from his side, he stopped and turned to face the frightened kunoichi. Her eyes where cast down, her arms wrapped around her shaking body. ' This is too much for her, maybe I shouldn't… No I have to tell her this, no matter how she'll take it,' he thought before stepping up to Sakura.

Reaching out, he lifted her chin with his finger, his heart stopping as he saw the pain in her eyes. Insurmountable tears cascaded down her pale cheeks as she turned her face away from. " Sasuke please, I… I w-want to leave this place," she whispered. It surprised him painfully how this was affecting her. It was as though she was sharing his loss. He smiled faintly and took her in his arms, holding her quivering body as she cried.

" Sakura, I'm here, please don't cry," he said gently into her ear as she rested her head against his chest. She nodded slightly as he wiped the tears from her face and took her hand, leading her up a dark stairway. At the top, they encountered a black door. Sasuke shuttered before wrapping his fingers around the doorknob and turned it carefully, the sunlight filling the landing. Sakura's weary form followed him as he led her onto the rooftop, all of Kohona sprawling out on the valley before them.

It was so beautiful. She wiped her eyes and stepped up to the roof ledge and took in the sight of the village she adored soo much. " Sakura, I have to tell you something important," Sasuke said behind her. She nodded as he came up beside her, wrapping an arm around her slim waist. She turned her face toward him, his gaze falling on the tiny village. " I'm leaving," he said simply, no emotion in his voice. Sakura felt her heart race as her mind registered what he said.

" Wh-what!" she exclaimed, bewildered at his statement. He sighed before turning his empty gaze to her. " Sakura, I'm leaving. I don't know if I'll ever come back, but I have to do this," Sasuke said as her wide eyes searched his for any hint of insanity. She pulled out of his hold on her side and backed away from him slowly. " Sakura, please listen. I.." Sasuke stuttered as her wide eyes narrowed, a scowl replacing her shocked expression. " How can you.. I love you Sasuke, don't you understand that! If you leave, I will come with you!" she yelled, still backing away.

He didn't expect for her to take it this badly. He had expected her to cry and beg him not to go, but she was taking the offensive. " I won't let you leave us Sasuke! You, you just got out of the hospital and your not well and… There are others here that care about you! What about Naruto, what about Kakashi-sensai, what about… me… oh Sasuke," she sighed as her face fell into solemn despair.

Her hurt eyes studied him before she turned her back on him, ready to leave him, ready to leave everything behind. She couldn't take the torture of having her heart ripped out, but that's what was happening and there was no way to stop it. She knew he wouldn't stay with her, he would leave and die and she would remain broken.

She walked forward, preparing to leave him with her words, too consumed with shock and hurt to cry. She was done with crying, she was done with feeling like this. Sasuke stumbled forward and caught her arm before she leapt off the roof. He spun her to face him, his other hand gripping her arm to hold her in front of him. She struggled without success as he gazed into her eyes.

" Sasuke, let me go! Please, I can't take this.." she said as she ceased the struggle against his strong grip. Her eyes avoided him, not wanting to see his face, not wanting to break down completely in his arms. " Sakura, look at me," he said sternly. She refused silently and kept her face turned away. His grip tightened, causing her to wince, but she remained defiant and kept her face downcast.

" Sakura, I'm not leaving you damnit," he hissed, his anger rising at the stubborn kunoichi. " Did you hear me! Sakura!" Sasuke yelled, feeling desperate for her to acknowledge his words. Her head rose to look into his eyes, still narrowed, but a hint of calm in her emerald orbs. " I heard you,' she said coldly. " Sakura.." Sasuke sighed as he released her arms. She remained standing before him. " Why.. how can you leave?.." she asked as her eyes peered into his own. He stood silent before finding the words to say. " I have to kill Itachi. I realize it's the only way if I want to live without worrying about.. about you," he said quietly. Sakura's eyes went wide as he muttered the words.

" M-me? Sasuke, let me come with you, please. I'll die if you go," she said as she stepped up to him, taking his hand in hers. The feel of her warm hand in his made his heart race. " Sakura, I can't... you…, Itachi will try to kill you. He knows know what you are to me and he'll hurt you. I can't let you..." he trailed off as Sakura smiled. " He couldn't hurt me last time. Remember Sasuke, I would die for you, I would fight for you. Take me with you," she begged.

Sasuke looked into her determined face, her shocking words filling his head again. He pulled her to him and held her close, hearing her soft breathing, her hot breath on his flesh. " Sakura I couldn't allow you to do that,' he said as she sighed in his arms. " You can't stop me, you know. I'll track you down if you leave me behind. You may be stubborn, Uchiha, but so am I," she said quietly. He nodded in understanding. So they would leave Kohona together, this is the path they chose. They quickly left the deserted houses behind them, heading to pack their weapons and necessities, a new adventure ready to test their strength.

" Where the hell are Sasuke and Sakura. They are never late for practice! Gah I hate this," Naruto yelled through the empty clearing, He and Gentai sitting quietly for hours. Knowing their sensai would show up late, he figured he and Gentai would be alone for quite some time. Suddenly a poof in the trees over their heads signaled his sensai's arrival. " And where the hell have you been, no wait let me guess, you got lost on the road of life again!" Naruto said pouting as Gentai laughed.

" Actually, Sasuke and Sakura have run away together in pursuit of Itachi," Kakashi said bluntly. Naruto's mouth fell open in shock as Gentai frowned in confusion. " WHAT! THEY LEFT AND DIDN"T TAKE US!" he yelled, his voice frightening the birds in the trees surrounding the clearing. " Are they not coming back! Gah what the hell were they thinking?" he shouted. " Naruto, I think there are some things you both need to know first," Kakashi said as he descended from the tree and pushed his pupils towards the ANBU headquarters.

" Sasuke, where do you think we'll find Itachi?" Sakura asked as they walked through the forest, avoiding the main paths that led through the forest to evade running into anyone. Sasuke knew where to find him, but from what he had learned the night before, he wasn't sure they should go. " He's in the Lightning Country, with Orochimaru and the sound-nins," he said solemnly.

Sakura gaped at him, realizing this was becoming more dangerous with each step. " Orochimaru? Sasuke, he bit you didn't he," Sakura said, the words of Iruka-sensai filling her head from when she was still in the ninja academy. She had learned about Oro when speaking of demons and curses in class.

" Orochimaru was once a Kohona ninja, but he betrayed the leaf and became a demon. It is said once you are bitten by him, he will draw you to serve him through your deep desires," Iruka had said," He feeds off anger or remorse the most, and the cursed seal is said to bring the bearer great strength, convincing the victim he/she needs the curse to succeed. The only way to remove the curse is…"

That was all she could remember on account Naruto had fallen asleep next to her and snored loudly, distracting her from the rest of the lesson. She wished she had beaten Naruto to a pulp so she could have known the last part. It would help greatly now.

" Umm Sasuke, about this, I don't know if.." Sakura said before Sasuke cut her off. " Sakura, don't worry, Oro has no control over me, I don't need his seal," he stated as Sakura hesitated. She wasn't sure whether this was a good idea anymore. Orochimaru's control was powerful, what if… No Sasuke would never betray the Leaf. He would remain loyal. Orochimaru had no control over him, just like Sasuke said. And yet there was a steady worry growing in her mind as they continued through the trees.

" WHAT! WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR, WE HAVE TO SAVE SAKURA-CHAN!" Naruto hollered at Kakashi. " Sasuke may or may not fall under Orochimaru's control, Naruto. The best thing we can do is send tracker-nin after then, but that would raise the suspicion that they are missing-nin. Perhaps it'd be best if we went after them," he said thoughtfully as Naruto gaped at him. " HEELLOO! YES WE SHOULD GO AFTER THEM! God sensai, sometimes I wonder about you," Naruto yelled hastily, grabbing Gentai and turning to pack his things.

" Woah, wait Naruto, we have to think this through first, we can't simply charge after them. If Orochimaru expects Sasuke to act the way we think he would, meaning run off with Sakura in toe to kill his brother, he'll have a plan for an attempt at rescuing them. He's no lightweight, Naruto. He has highly trained Sound-nins under his control." Naruto simply smiled at the prospect of fighting strong ninja.

" Don't worry sensai, me and Gentai can handle it as I am the next to be the fifth Hokage and Gentai kicks butt, remember!" he said, his determined face ready and set. All Kakashi had to do was say go and Naruto and Gentai would be packed for the dangerous journey in mere seconds. His glimmering blue eyes pleaded with Kakashi before he finally gave in.

" Fine, fine, Naruto, but no one knows we left, got it," Kakashi added as Naruto and Gentai ran off. " Yeah, yeah I got it," he yelled as he ran to his and Gentai's apartment to pack their things. The excitement rushed through him. He was soo excited, he hadn't noticed Hinata leaving their apartment building and crashed right into her. Gentai stopped and watched as the two recovered. Naruto rubbed his head sorely as he sat up, looking around to see what he had hit. The instant he saw Hinata, he grimaced.

" Oh God Hinata, I'm soo sorry. Are you okay?" Naruto asked as he crawled over to her. " Yeah I think so," she said as she smiled at Naruto. " Sorry bout that, I guess I wasn't watching where I was going," he said quickly as he lifted her to her feet. " That's okay, Naruto-kun. I was looking for you anyways," she replied. " Oh, I'm sorry Hinata-chan, but I have something real important I have to do," Naruto said as he pulled her with him to his apartment, Gentai following.

" Wh-where are you going," she asked as he opened the door and allowed her in before scampering about, filling his pack with food, water and weapons. " I wish I could tell you Hinata-chan, but it's a secret," he stated quickly as he closed his pack and slung it over his shoulder, Gentai emerging from the back room with his pack on his back. " Oh… I see," she said meekly as he ushered her politely out the door and Gentai locked it hastily behind them.

Naruto turned to smile at her but faltered when he saw her lilac eyes downcast in sadness. He felt a weakness in her frown and instantly spoke up. " Well I guess it wouldn't hurt to tell you, Hinata-chan. Me and Gentai have to go after Sasuke and Sakura. They ran away last night," he said quietly into her ear. Hinata gasped. " Oh Naruto-kun, please be careful. You too Gentai," she pleaded as he beamed down at her.

" Don't worry Hinata, we will be,' he said before kissing her lightly on the lips and ran off. Smiling, she reached her hand up to wave as he looked back at her before he and Gentai surging into the massive crowd in the streets. Her hand lowered to her lips. " Please be okay," she whispered against her fingers before turning and leaving the apartment building.

" Sasuke, it's getting dark, maybe we should rest for the night," Sakura said as the last of the lights in the sky began to fade. However, Sasuke maintained his pace and ignored her. " Sasuke?" Still no reply. " Sa…" " Sakura, we aren't going to stop, okay," he grumbled, Sakura taken aback by his harsh words. Instead of getting upset, Sakura began to get irritated at Sasuke's lack of manners.

Crossing her arms grumpily, she stuck her nose in the air and walked faster, leaving his side. ' Great, now I've done it. How could this possibly get any worse,' he thought. A sudden streak of lightning caught his eye as cold rain drops began to fall on his head. ' God why do I even…' he though as the rain grew heavier.

" Sakura, we should find shelter," Sasuke said at Sakura's back. Inner Sakura suddenly popped up. ' Hn, now he wants to stop. What a…' " Sakura did you hear me?" Sasuke asked again as she ignored him. " Sakura, come on, you can't stay mad at me," he said as she maintained her brisk pace without sparing a glance at him. ' Gah women, why do I even…' he thought sourly as Sakura allowed her clothes to soak in the rain, never slowing her pace. He ran up to her side, matching her quick pace. He exhaled in frustration when she didn't look at him.

" Look, Sakura, I'm…uh, well… I guess I'm…" Sasuke stuttered, finding it hard to apologize when she refused to look at him. Acting as though she hadn't heard his half attempted apology, she walked faster, leaving him behind her again.

" SAKURA!" Sasuke yelled, not caring his temper was getting the better of him. This got her attention. He had never yelled at her like this, not even when she had refused to leave him at the bridge. She stopped in her tracks, her eyes narrowed in anger at his tone.

Spinning on her heal, she turned to face him, arms crossed at her chest, her scowl adorning her usually happy face. " WHAT!" she yelled back, the growing irritation between them rising. " God Sakura, why are you acting like this!" Sasuke said loudly, Sakura's mouth pursing in a tight frown as he spoke. " ME? ME! What about you!" she shouted. " What! I tried to apologize, but you're too stubborn to get it. Maybe if your forehead wasn't so big!" he barked heatedly. Her face fell as though she had been backhanded by him.

She felt her anger distinguish as her heart felt sore from his hurtful comment. She turned from him quickly and began to walk ahead. He instantly felt bad as he watched her move slowly from him. " Sakura, I didn't…" " No Sasuke, I get it, just shut up," she said in a weak voice, her head hung as she wrapped her arms around her shoulders, the drops of rain sliding down her skin in a steady flow.

She felt like crying so badly. She had never fought with Sasuke before and in their first harsh exchange, he had said the most damaging insult to her. He knew she was overly sensitive about her forehead, even if she had grown into it. For him to say that to her,… he must have really wanted to hurt her.

She felt her chin tremble as she stepped through the puddles, growing more depressed with each step. She wanted to go back to Konoha, she wanted to leave Sasuke. She didn't care about the stupid vow anymore. Why would she die for someone who intentionally hurt her? She felt a warm hand grip her shoulder, but she shrugged it off, not wanting to hear his excuses.

" Sakura, please, I'm sorry," she heard his deep voice whisper behind her, but the damage was done. " Leave me alone," she said coldly. She stopped short, realizing Sasuke was standing in front of her. She saw his hand reach forward to touch her face, but she turned away, wanting nothing to do with his affections. ' If he was really sorry, he would have never said it,' Inner Sakura said as Sakura avoided Sasuke's dark eyes.

" Why?" Sakura felt herself say as Sasuke blocked her path. " Sakura, I never meant that, I was just angry at…" " Me," she said, finishing his sentence as he frowned sorrowfully. " No Sakura, never at you. I was mad at myself. I shouldn't have yelled at you, it's just, I'm… scared," he said, slightly embarrassed at admitting his fear, even to her.

Sakura lifted her head slowly to meet his slightly pink face. Instead of finding cheerless eyes, he met a curious gaze. " Why, Sasuke?" Sakura asked as she allowed Sasuke's hands to cup her cheek, his warm hand comforting on her cold face. " I can't lose you Sakura, I can't. I would die if anything were to happen," he said, his onyx eyes piercing her soul. " Sasuke-kun.." Sakura breathed as she leaned forward and captured his lips with her own. He drank in the moment, not taking anything with her go for granted.

When she pulled away, he felt his heart race with desire to pull her back to his mouth, but he refrained as she began to speak. " I'll always be here, Sasuke-kun. You could never lose me," she said as he smiled and pulled her to him, his lips sinking into hers once more.

" Off on an adventure scary, Naruto the fifth hokage, Sakura and Sasuke probably dead already, my shoes are really soggy!" Naruto sang horribly off key, his lyrics slowly beginning to drive Kakashi mad. He had been faking a tune with the pathetic excuse of lyrics for the past hour and it was slowly causing his brain to bleed. " Naruto, please, shut up," Kakashi said as Naruto started up again after a deep breath. " But sensai.." Naruto whined as Kakashi rolled his eyes. " Either make up a real tune, or try to rhyme, whichever comes first," Kakashi said as Naruto pouted, Gentai laughing deeply at the look on Naruto's face. " I thought it was catchy, besides, we need a theme song…" Naruto mumbled as they continued down the rain soaked road.

" What do you mean Sakura and Sasuke ran away!" Neji blurted as Hinata shushed him frantically. " Neji-san, p-please be quiet, no one else must know about this," Hinata said quickly as Neji removed her hand from over his mouth. They stood in the large clearing he always trained in. He had been waiting for TenTen so he could train with her, but Hinata had shown up looking distraught.

" Look, what exactly did Uzumaki tell you?" Neji said in a faint whisper. Hinata wrung her shirt in her hands uncomfortably before speaking up. " He said that he had to go get them, that they had left last night," she said, her eyes watching her feet shuffle in the short grass blades. Neji thought over her words before coming to his conclusion. " You don't think… well I know that they had gone back to Sasuke's place and then came back with Sasuke screaming in Sakura's arms. Then he went to the hospital… this all doesn't add up…," Neji said thoughtfully before something clicked in his mind.

" The markings on his neck, you don't think he…," he trailed off as the truth dawned on him. " Orochimaru…," he whispered as TenTen approached the two. Her hair was up in the neat buns adorning each side of her head, her tank top and shorts hugging her lean frame, her many satchels upon her arm and thigh.

Neji felt his face grow red as he looked away when she smiled warmly at him and Hinata. " Hey guys have you two heard the news. It seems Sasuke and Sakura have gone missing," she said as she came to stand beside Neji. Neji glanced over at his teammate, a slight blush on his face. " Uh yeah, we have…" he said abashedly as TenTen shifted uncomfortably.

She eyed Neji carefully, noting his white eyes she loved so much, her face a light pink. She was struggling to speak, but had no idea what to say to clear up the stillness. Hinata took the brief silence as a cue to excuse herself. " I have to go talk with Kurenai-sensai, excuse me," she said politely as she bowed and left the two in the stifling silence. They shared a brief exchange of welcome before starting their training in silence, each of them silent, cautiously glancing at each other from time to time. Finally Neji decided to speak up.

" So umm how have you been?" he asked casually although he was having trouble concentrating on his hand seals. TenTen giggled before replying, Neji's face still the bright red when she looked over at him. " Apart from yesterday, I'm good," she said quickly. He nodded, the strange silence filling the space between them yet again.

" You know, I had a really good time with you at the festival, Neji," TenTen said suddenly, catching him off guard. He simply stared as she fixed her chakra and performed her seals in concentration. Looking over at him, she ceased her action when she noticed his eyes on hers. " Did I say something wrong?" she asked as she straitened up as he made his way over to her. He stopped inches from her, his face so close to hers.

TenTen caught her breath as his white eyes searched hers. " Neji are you okay?" she whispered as his eyes drifted from hers to her lips. He reached forward, her eyes going wide as his hand snaked around her back. " Neji-kun…" she choked out as his face came closer, his eyes still on her lips.

He leaned forward, his lips making a brief contact with hers before he pulled away. Her eyes remained opened as she looked at him in awe. His eyes closed again as he leaned in again and took her lips. TenTen remained motionless as his lips swept over hers, the tingle from his touch melting her slowly. His lips left hers slowly, regretfully as he opened his eyes to find her watching him.

Before he could react to her shocked expression, she pressed her lips against his and kissed him fervently, her hands wrapping around his neck tightly. He pulled her closer as his mind raced before he returned her kiss. ' Finally he understands,' she thought as she fought against the desire to laugh out in happiness.

Sakura and Sasuke walked alone beneath the dark sky, the sounds of thunder behind them now. Sakura shivered as a cool breeze swept past them, causing goose bumps to rise on her chilled skin. Sasuke noticed her shiver and slung his pack in front of him to remove his blanket. He sidled up to Sakura and wrapped the warm blanket around them both.

" Thank you," she whispered as she pulled the soft cloth tighter around her shoulder as Sasuke pulled her closer to him. They continued under the moonlight, each unaware of the dark ink spreading over Sasuke's skin, the curse slowly taking hold on his will and power, the cure all that would save him now. But that was the one thing they didn't have and they were running short on time.


So Sasuke is alittle off when he creeps Sakura out, its the curse i tell you! so cool. But Itachi is still alive and kickin and i hate to think what i'll come up with next cuz it could be bad oh well.

Um not much on Gentai this chapter, promise to have more, maybe a little surprise, like his long lost love Anka! ooh aawww i have no idea. Seems suspicious Gentai doesn't say anything about the night he saw Sakura chase Sasuke out of the village and yes he saw Sasuke leave too. hmm what is he up to...?

so anyways, looks like you'll have to wait for chapter 10, i started it already so it might be like a week or 2 before it's done, i promise to work my butt off, but if it takes longer, i'm terribly sorry, just got new classes at school and i'm a little swamped but i always stop for my fanfic! yeah so please await the next chappy, sure to be fabulous. just to hook your attention,Chapter 10 isaptly named "Fallen" . hope that keeps you hooked for the wait!