OMG my thenth chapter! I never thought i would get this far, but i do have to admit, it was tons easier thanx to the great comments ppl leave me! I want to thank:
DragonGirl77, sweetmaiden, Suicidal Butterfly, Morose Calamity ( love the long comments!), Shadow-Kunoichi-Yumi, daydreamer53221 and Arya Svit-Koha!
Without ur comments on how much you enjoyed the story, i would still be workng on chapter 8. lol Thanx aton ...now
ON WITH THE CHAPTER!
Sakura No Yousei: Chapter 10- Falling
Emerald eyes scanned the quaint village before her as she and her dark companion made their way through the alleyways of the Lightning Country, avoiding the villagers as they silently passed through. " We can't risk being seen so stay in the shadows and remain silent," her partner had said before they slipped stealthily into the town, no one wiser to their presence. She remained aware of his company next to her, seeking his hand in comfort. She stopped as her eyes met a joyful sight.
Her fingers gripped his wrist slightly, his eyes turning to see what was wrong. She remained motionless as a smile warmed her face. He turned to follow her gaze and met a trio of children scampering about out in the main street. A little girl ran about, chasing a small loud boy, who in turn teased a grumpy boy in the center of their fun. Sakura chuckled inwardly at how much it reminded her of herself and her friends. She began to grow glum though as she watched the loud boy who scampered to and fro. She missed that boy in her group now.
Her dark companion watched her face fall slightly to a sad smile. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and she nodded before letting her eyes leave the sight of the innocent children at play. " I miss him, you know," she sighed quietly as they continued through the shadows. Her face reflected her longing for the blonde fox boy who kept her in high sprits and a dangerous temper.
" I know," he said, the thought of the three of them together floated about his memory. He knew it would be hard on her to leave the familiar things behind, to feel sadness when departing from her friends. But this is how she knew it would be. She was loyal to Sasuke and she wouldn't leave him now, not after they had gone soo far. He turned a dark corner shrouded in darkness from the adjacent buildings.
" Sasuke, I have a bad feeling," Sakura whispered as the air grew tense, the visibility near zero in the alleyway. Sasuke felt the sinking in his stomach too and decided it was time to activate his Sharingan. Much like the Byakugen that the Hyuuga family possessed, he was able to see somewhat better in the bleak surroundings. Sakura felt safer as she noticed his eyes turn the blood red, knowing he was able to see around them.
She suddenly wished she were able to activate whatever hidden power she possessed on command. In the latter events when her eyes had become the eerie white, she realized she was able to see things clearer, almost slowed down and brighter. She regretted her lack of training, her guilty conscience scolding her for spending too much time with Sasuke and not enough time training on her skills.
Sasuke remained silent as they walked cautiously through the darkness, Sasuke occasionally flinching causing Sakura to panic and nearly crush his hand in her deathly grip. Sasuke turned to her as she wrung his hand tightly, his blood red eyes finding the nervous kunoichi in a state of paranoia. Her green eyes darted to and fro, although she could hardly see her hand in front of her face.
" Sakura, will you please relax, there's nothing to worry about," he said soothingly as her eyes frantically searched for his. He stepped closer, his face mere inches from hers. Her face remained tense as she gazed into his eyes, the Sharingan peering deep into her. She felt a calm sweep over her as Sasuke smiled slightly, letting his eyes return to normal. " Sorry," she said, half embarrassed for nearly breaking his hand in her fright.
" There isn't anything here, we should keep going," he said as he turned from her and walked slowly down the alley. Sakura followed suit and reached out to grasp his hand again when strong hands suddenly gripped her around the waist and covered her mouth. She fought and thrashed as the hands dragged her away from Sasuke, who continued to walk away. Sakura felt the helplessness return and let her cool tears spill from her wide eyes before ceasing her battle with the tight grip around her body, letting herself be devoured by the darkness.
" Sakura, come on. Soon we'll be out of the town and we can talk normally," Sasuke said as he stopped, waiting for the familiar warm hand to take his. When it did not, he began to worry. Reactivating the Sharingan, he turned to find Sakura was no longer behind him. His heart clenched painfully in his chest as he turned over and over again, trying to find any sign of her. His mind screamed her name, hoping somehow she would hear him, but his mouth could not open to say the words that would reveal her to him.
" Sakura…" he managed to choke out before falling to his knees. ' How could I be so stupid! I should never have turned my back on her! Damn, damn, where are you…' he thought frantically as he pounded his fist against the cool stone ground. His eyes suddenly caught a glimpse of white. He reached forward, groping in the darkness till his fingers closed over what seemed to be a piece of rough paper. His hand brought the note to his face, his red eyes scanning over the note carefully before burning it in rage in his enclosed fist.
" Itachi, you will pay… If anything has happened to her, you will pay," he growled before disappearing in a swirl of smoke. A dark figure on the rooftop above watched the smoke curl and dissipate in the cool air. " That's right Sasuke, look for your precious girlfriend. No matter what you do, no matter how you fight, her death is inevitable…" the deep voice whispered, the silent pink-haired girl bound by rope beside him watching with horrified eyes.
" So you saw them or not," Kakashi said as he held the frightened teenager by his shirt collar, his feet dangling over the ground. His eyes were caught by the Sharingan, his gaze not desiring to look anyplace else lest the silver haired man think he was being disrespectful. Naruto and Gentai watched with smirks on their faces as their sensai's normally cool temper ran short with the boys fumbling. " I-I-I think I-I saw t-them. Y-yeah; I-I'm s-sure I saw them," he spoke in a meek voice, his eyes darting to the two boys behind the man holding him for a brief moment before returning to the strange discolored eye.
" Good, and you saw them go into the village not far from here?" Kakashi asked in a gruff voice as the boy broke eye contact again to give a fleeting look to Naruto and Gentai. He shook the boy impatiently and his bright brown eyes rest on his once again. " Which way did they go?" he said menacingly, the boy cringing at his loud voice. " They w-went toward t-the town, I-I'm p-p-positive," he stuttered as Kakashi released him, the boy falling roughly to his knees.
Kakashi left the boy on the ground, walking around him to continue down the path toward the village, Naruto and Gentai sharing a muffled laugh before passing the boy. " You're ninja, right," the boy spoke up bravely. Kakashi paused as Naruto and Gentai turned to him. " Sure are! What's it to you?" Naruto asked, proudly fixing his forehead protector on his head as Gentai rolled his eyes. " Well I saw this guy go by after the other two and he asked me about them," the boy said, Kakashi turning as he heard this. " What did he look like?" Kakashi demanded as the boy rose to his feet.
Slightly afraid of the jouniin, he swallowed hard before talking. " He had a long dark trench coat and long black hair. He sort of reminded me of the boy you were asking about. He also had these weird red eyes," he said as he shivered at the thought. Kakashi frowned. ' So he's already after them. Damn, we'd better hurry,' he thought as he turned and walked on. " Naruto, Gentai. We need to hurry. We have a deadline to follow now," he said casually as the boys nodded and ran to catch up.
" It's Itachi, isn't it sensai," Gentai said seriously, his voice tense. Kakashi nodded and the boys grew edgy, knowing this wasn't going to be as easy as either of them had thought.
" So Itachi, have you failed me yet again?" a droning voice asked as the rouge ninja entered the room dimly lit. A pale man sat with his back to dark man in the trench coat as he preoccupied himself with a beautiful blonde woman. She faced him, her robe open, exposing her body to the pale man. Her bright blue eyes searched Itachi before spotting the pink haired woman in his arms. She nodded and the pale man turned from her to look over his shoulder at his partner.
His snake-like eyes fell upon the pink-haired woman unconscious in Itachi's arms, her light breath stirring her body. He smiled wide and beckoned the blonde to take the woman. " Now my dear, take our guest to her room and make sure to tie her up tight. We don't want any slip ups this time," he said as the blonde woman nodded. She briskly tied her robe about her slim frame before leaving the pale man and taking Sakura from Itachi's arms, leaving the room silently.
" Why do you keep her here, she only distracts you from your job, Oro," Itachi said coldly as the door closed. Orochimaru rose from his seat and smiled maliciously. " How can I refuse a gift from one of my favorite customers. Gato knows how to pick his women. Too bad she had belonged to his son. Pity really, I can still see the longing for that pathetic boy in her eyes. But she will learn like the rest," he said with a smirk. Itachi grunted an acknowledgement before seating himself in an armchair.
Moments later, the blonde returned, her delicate face peering through the door. " Master, she's awake, do you wish to speak with her?' she asked calmly as he beckoned her forward. Her spiky heels echoed across the floor as she stopped before him. He raised his hand, running his finger along her jaw. Her blue eyes watched him carefully as his smile faded. His hand quickly left her face, only to return to it forcefully, the impact of his hand across her face causing her cheek to ignite a deep angry red.
" That is for thinking about that damn boy again, Anka. I own you now, so don't ever let me catch that look in your eyes. Do you understand me?" he hissed as she turned her face back toward him, the same emotionless gaze in her eyes. " Yes master, I'm sorry," she said mechanically as his smirk returned. His hand reached up to graze the red mark on her face gently. " Anka, he thinks you are dead, he's probably happily married to some beautiful rich woman. Let go of him and serve me faithfully. I can give you a life he can't," he said as he trailed his hand down her neck, pushing the shoulder of her silky red robe down.
He lowered his head before resting his lips against her creamy skin, her sweet scent filling his senses. She winced slightly as his fangs sank into her skin, the dark ink spreading from his teeth embedded in her flesh. Her eyes glazed over as she remained still, his tongue licking the drops of blood from his teeth. " See, it's all over," he said as the dark tattoo consumed her rosy shoulder, the intricate swirls forming a seal upon her skin. She nodded as he released her and she walked silently away, leaving Itachi to watch her unemotionally.
Orochimaru turned to face Itachi as he interlaced his fingers, seating himself across from his partner. " So, who shall we kill today?" he asked with a devilish grin, the corners of Itachi's mouth rising in a smirk.
' Sakura, please be okay…' Sasuke thought desperately as he ran swiftly through the forest. He had read the note Itachi had left quickly, but he constantly saw it in his mind. The directions to Orochimaru were simple and easy to follow, but he knew it was a trap. He cursed himself for his carelessness. If he had only been smarter, if he had just left without Sakura… No she would have followed him, becoming even more of a risk.
But what good was it now. She was gone, taken, possibly dead… No, no, he refused to believe she was dead. He knew she was alive, he felt it deep in his heart. He could feel her fear, her pain, her confusion. He knew Itachi would want him to see Sakura being killed before his eyes, he knew it would destroy every last bit of his soul. He realized he could make no mistakes if he were to save her. He had to plan everything. But he needed time, and time was something he did not have.
His feet swiftly raced across the grassy forest floor before a clearing opened up, a large cocoon-like mansion stringing out among the trees. Sasuke quickly ran up the trunk of a tall tree, perching himself upside down on a thick branch extending over the complex. So far he had avoided being seen by lowering his chakra, but he didn't know how much longer he could keep it up and maintain his stealthy roaming. All he had to do was find Sakura and leave. He wasn't concerned with Orochimaru or Itachi at the moment, he just wanted to know Sakura was safe.
He walked carefully out across the branch, his Sharingan searching the area for ninja. He spotted two Sound nin guarding a door sunk into the wall of the complex. Figuring it was his best choice of entry, he carefully focused his chakra on a rock he spotted a good distance from the two ninja. Upon feeling the chakra spike, they quickly abandoned their posts to search the area. As soon as they were out of sight, Sasuke dropped lightly to the wooded walkway and forced the door open. It was dark and musty, but the wall sconces lit the narrow hallway in an orange glow.
Cautiously making his way through the corridor, he neared a room where muffled shouts could be heard. ' Sakura…' he thought instantly as he listened to chains rattle, the muffled voice growing louder, words beginning to take form, her loud cursing meeting his ears. The sound of footsteps could be heard nearing the door and he quickly pressed his body against the shadowed wall. A blonde woman came into view, no chakra emanating from her body as far as Sasuke could tell. She wore a red silky short robe, not even near enough clothing to cover her thin body. Sasuke sneered in disgust, knowing only Oro would disgrace a woman to wearing such provocative clothing.
She reached her hand into a small pocket at her side and removed a ring of silver keys. Separating them neatly with her fingers, she lifted one and slid it into the main lock upon the door. He waited till she unlocked the door before stepping out of the shadows and pulled her inside the room, his hand covering her mouth as she struggled in his arms. He quickly closed the door with his foot and held his hand tightly around the blonde as she twisted weakly in his arms.
He carefully turned her in his arms, his calm eyes letting her know she was okay. She instantly ceased her struggle as she peered at him intrigued. Sasuke continued to watch at the blonde studied his Sharingan eyes, lifting his bangs gently with her hand. " You… you are Sasuke Uchiha, are you not?" she asked as the truth dawned on her, her heart racing uncomfortably. She had heard Itachi and Oro speak of him once before, linking him to the pink haired woman that Itachi had brought earlier.
He nodded as she gripped the front of her robe in hope. " Oh thank God," she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and embraced him closely. Sasuke, caught extremely off guard, pushed her away and looked at her questioningly. " Forgive me," she whispered as she blushed," but I believe you are here for the young woman in that room," she said happily. For the first time, he noticed something familiar about her. She looked no older than Sakura, and something about her nagged him uncomfortably.
" I'm sorry, but who are you?" he blurted out as she turned, beckoning him to the large steel door, the ring of keys in her hands. " My name is Anka," she said quietly, the realization of who she was hitting Sasuke. Anka, Gentai's Anka, the girl his father supposedly killed. " Wait, wait you're Anka, the one Gentai speaks of," he said suddenly as she removed a pad lock from the door. At the sound of Gentai's name she froze.
" What of Gentai?" she asked as she rounded on Sasuke, her face dangerously close to his. Sasuke searched her hopeful eyes as he sought words, finding it hard as her body was practically pressed against his. " Well, we, as in my team, saved him from the village in the mist. He's part of my team now. Anka, he thinks you're dead… what happened to you?" he asked as she backed away, tears flooding her blue eyes. " Gentai," she whispered as she fell to her knees. Sasuke instantly went to her and knelt, seeking answers.
" I was never killed," she said through gasps of air, "his father just told him that so he would forget about me. Instead, I was kidnapped and my parents were murdered. I was given to Orochimaru and a "gift"," she said through clenched teeth. " I've been here ever since. I can't leave him, I have his curse, but if Gentai were here, I could break the seal, I could be free," she sighed as she broke down. Sasuke eyed the keys hanging limply in her hands. " You may be saved yet," he said as he took the keys and inserted each one into the last lock on the door.
Finally the handle turned and he stepped into a dim room, the only light spilling from a tiny window above a bed. Chains extended from the walls, the cuffs locked around a dark form's wrists. Her face was bowed, silvery tears catching the light from the window as they fell on her bare legs. Her head lifted solemnly as she met Sasuke's frightened gaze. Her eyes were puffy and red from crying, her face covered in black ink that stretched from her exposed chest to her left eye. She let her head fall again as Sasuke ran to her side.
He gently lifted her head with his hand, finding her shirt ripped open, revealing half of her breast, two punctures seeping blood from her soft skin. Sasuke gasped as she turned her face from him, her tears ceasing as she gazed coldly at the dark wall. " Sakura, can you hear me," Sasuke whispered as she remained unaware of him. " Sakura please, talk to me," he begged as she returned her distant eyes to him. " What should I say Uchiha, that I hate you? You left me Sasuke, you walked away… I'm glad Itachi will kill me. I would rather die than have you save me again," she said in a monotonous tone.
Sasuke was shocked at her cold nature. His eyes darted to her wrist, finding his token still in place. He quickly took the keys and unlocked her wrists, letting her limp body fall into his arm. He moved her to rest her head in the crook of his arm, her eyes gazing up at him. His hand moved down her arm to raise her hand with the bracelet upon it. Her eyes instantly darted to the emerald bracelet, the light from the window illuminating the writing on the heart that dangled on her peach skin. Her mind suddenly snapped as the word met her eyes.
" Sasuke…" She sighed as she turned in his arms to embrace him tightly, relief washing over him. " Oh Sasuke-kun, forgive me," she whispered into his chest, her words mumbled as her body shook with sobs. " No Sakura, you did nothing wrong. I should never have left your side," he said as he stroked her pink strands. He realized they were no longer alone and looked up to find Anka watching them. Her face shimmered with tears as she smiled at them. " Sakura, we have to leave, I'm sorry," he said regretfully as he rose, pulling her up with him.
She stood weakly on her feet, regaining her strength as she walked forward. Her eyes met Anka's for a fleeting moment and she smiled. " Gentai misses you," she said, knowing fully who the girl was the instant she saw her. There was no denying this was the golden girl Gentai had spoken so fondly about. " I miss him too," Anka said as she linked her arm with Sakura's, leading her and Sasuke from the room quietly. She nodded as they reached the hallway, letting them know the coast was clear.
Sasuke stepped into the dim corridor with Sakura at his hand, Anka following close behind the two. They walked the short distance to the door, Sasuke using his Sharingan to check for the Sound nin just beyond the wall. They indeed were still stationed by the door and Sasuke frowned inwardly that they might not leave without a fight. But Sasuke felt the cool air invade his empty hand and he turned to find Sakura, eyes glowing, her white orbs staring clearly at the two ninja just on the other side.
" Anka, I need weapons," Sakura whispered and Anka quickly pulled needles from her robe. " Orochimaru doesn't want me to be hassled by the sentry around the mansion, so he keeps me armed," she said shyly as Sasuke stared at her quizzically. Sakura's fingers greeted the cool metal pins and smiled as she missed the rush and anticipation of the sneak attack. She moved slowly toward the door, but Sasuke stopped her before she could grasp the handle.
" What are you thinking, Sakura? If they escape, Orochimaru will be after us," Sasuke said through his teeth, his obsidian eyes searching hers for any faltering. But there was none in her bright eyes. " Sasuke, I know what I'm doing, I only need one shot," she said, the black ink running from her chest up her neck and swirling around her eye. Sasuke backed away as her eyes illuminated to a deep glowing green.
Her delicate fingers wrapped around the slender door handle and she forced it open, the Sound nins on the other side leaping back in surprise as the door swung on its hinges. Sakura only needed seconds to react. Her finger slid down the smooth needle and she flicked her wrist, driving the needle into one of the nin's forehead, his body instantly slumping over. She quickly tossed the second needle, its pointed tip meeting the remaining man's neck. He fell to the ground as Sakura searched the first for vitals, then searching the second.
Her head turned to face the two, her eyes their normal emerald. " Sakura, how did you do that, you've never used needles before," Sasuke said as Anka smiled at the pink haired kunoichi. The ink around her fade faded as it crept back down her neck and disappearing as it sunk into the punctures in her neck. " I suppose it's the curse," she replied thoughtfully, feeling the tingle on her skin vanish as the seal faded completely. Sasuke frowned as she stood and approached him. " Sakura, we have to find a cure. It's bad enough I have it, and now you… this is all my fault," he sighed as Sakura stopped before him. He turned away, ashamed to meet her eyes, the same eyes that saw everything about him.
" Sasuke, there is a cure, we will find it, I promise. Together we'll rid ourselves of this," Sakura said as she watched him regretfully. Sasuke's mind wandered to earlier. Itachi taking Sakura, having to rescue her, Anka as Orochimaru's slave… Wait. Anka, she was bitten too, but she had said… Gentai! He was able to free her, maybe he could help them too. Sasuke lifted his head suddenly, startling Sakura and Anka. He briskly turned to Anka, his dark eyes meeting hers.
" Anka, earlier you said Gentai could cure your curse. Can he help us too?" Sasuke asked, Anka suddenly laughing outwardly, stunning both Sakura and Sasuke. Her laughter ceased as Sasuke watched her swipe tears from her eyes. " Sasuke, I don't think he can," she said through slight hiccups. He frowned deeply and narrowed his eyes. " Why is this funny, Anka. I'm serious. If he can't help us, who can?" he demanded, his frustration at himself and the situation causing his voice to rise.
She grew quiet and her eyes fell to her hands, a blush creeping into her pale face. " You two have no idea how the curse works, do you?" she said weakly. Sasuke looked at Sakura, her head shaking in clueless-ness. Anka sighed and chuckled. " The curse is broken through… love. It is the only way to break the seal. Since Oro feeds off of hate and desires, love is the really the only way to cancel out the hold the seal has over the cursed," she said simply. Sasuke was taken aback. Something so simple and yet… he couldn't remember how it felt to love any longer. He glanced over at Sakura who appeared just as stunned as he was.
" Sasuke, I… don't know how… I can't remember," Sakura stuttered as she realized the same haunting truth. " The curse," he whispered. It had sucked out all the positive feelings he had ever felt. All that remained were fear, confusion, uncertainty. Anka nodded. " I too cannot feel love any longer, but if you find the one that completes you, frees your soul from its prison, you're undone," she said. Sasuke and Sakura shared a nervous glance. There were no longer butterflies, no more console in the look they shared. Only the uncomfortable silence remained.
" Kakashi, leave now or be destroyed," the dark boy yelled, gasps escaping the village women's throats as they rushed their children from the dangerous street crowded with the 5 ninja. The silvered haired jouniin remained standing his ground, his previously missing students staring him down. Sakura stood beside Sasuke, a kunai grasped tightly in her hand, her eyes glowing white, Sasuke with his Sharingan swirling in his red eyes, the curse upon his face.
" Sasuke, think of what you're doing," Kakashi said, desperately trying to avoid the fight that was forming in the deserted village street. Naruto and Gentai stood their ground beside their sensai, waiting to defend attacks from their former friends. Sakura stepped forward, laughing insanely, her malicious laugh ringing through the street. Her seal spiraled up her peach skin, staining her face with Orochimaru's curse. " Ah Kakashi, We are more powerful now than ever. Step aside and we won't have to kill you," she said as she narrowed her eyes, a sly grin on her face. Her blonde companion behind her backed slowly to the side of the fight, not wanting to get in the way.
Gentai suddenly dropped the weapon in his hand. His heart raced as the girl turned to face him, her shocking blue eyes rising in wonder. " Gentai," she whispered as she stepped forward. He felt his throat close tightly, his breathing becoming a struggle. " Anka…" he choked out. He blinked, praying to God this was no illusion. She reached forward, her fingers beckoning him to her warm embrace, her sapphire eyes filling with tears.
He broke out in a run, Sasuke and Sakura watching him as he ran towards them. They did not move but watched as Anka left their safety and leapt into Gentai's outstretched arms, her happy sobs filling the still air. " Oh Gentai!" she cried as he held her to him, his own tears filling his eyes. He spun her and set her gently on her feet, holding onto her as if she might slip through his arms any moment. He leaned back, desiring to look into the eyes he had thought he would never see again. " Anka, I-I … w-where, how are you…" he stuttered as her finger pressed against his lips. " I'm alive, Gentai, this is no dream. I'm really here and I'm never leaving you again," she said before removing her finger.
Her eyes closed, her lips coming to rest gently on his. He leaned to take her lips fully, but felt her go weak in his arms. His eyes opened to find her limp, her eyes fluttering open.
Dark ink began to spread over her skin as she winced in pain, her shoulder beginning to burn from the curse. " Orochimaru…" Gentai whispered as his face grew dark in her vision and she faded from consciousness. Sasuke and Sakura collapsed too, their seals burning their flesh intensely.
Sasuke lifted his eyes to find Sakura holding her chest in pain, the ink raveling up her neck slowly. " Sa-Sakura… hang on, I love you," he whispered, his hand reaching out to her, his fingers wrapping around hers before he passed out on the cold ground. Sakura felt the sting intensify with his touch, but clung to his hand desperately. " Sasu-Sasuke, I l-love yo-you t-too…" she managed to say weakly before her eyes closed and her grip on his hand lessened.
Sasuke's eyes opened to meet a brilliant white light that invaded and stung his eyes. He flinched at the light and blinked before sitting up, his eyes scanning the sterile settings of the white ANBU infirmary room. He let his head fall back onto the pillow, his eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. " Unfamiliar," he whispered before turning on his side. His eyes searched the bed next to his, a sleeping Sakura's breathing breaking the silence. His hand reached outward, the feel of her hair in his fingers bringing back the comfort he longed for. She stirred slightly before turning from him, her back replacing his view of her face.
He sighed happily before rising from the bed, lazily slinging his legs over the bedside. Leaving the warmth of his sheets, he crosses the cold floor to Sakura's bed, sliding into the sheets beside her. He turned to face her, her hot breath warming his face. She moved forward, her hands groping outward before tangling themselves in his nightgown he was wearing. He smiled before letting his hand drape over her back, pulling her closer to his body. She muttered before letting her steady breath commence again. He simply let his eyes close, the smell of Sakura blossoms filling his nose before drifting into peaceful dreams.
" Kakashi, do you think it wise to let them commence like this. I mean the curse is extremely dangerous. Are they sure they, well… are in love?" Genma asked his silent fellow jouniin. Genma, Konoha's best-known womanizer, was blunt as usual in Kakashi's mind. " Look, I've practically raised these two. I know everything about them. If this isn't love, I don't know what is," he said with slight amusement as he turned from the window that opened up to Sasuke and Sakura's room. " Hn, let's hope for your sake you're right, Kakashi," Genma replied as his eyes lingered on the pink-haired kunoichi in Sasuke's arms.
" Hey, what are you two doing?" Gentai asked as he approached the two men. Kakashi turned to see his two other pupils walking towards him, Naruto stuffing his face with ramen, Gentai looking weary and slightly more pale than normal. " I should be asking you two the same thing," he replied as his eye wandered back to the window. The two on the bed in the room shifted slightly before continuing with their peaceful slumber. " You know Kakashi-sensai, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you're a pervert the way you've been watching Sakura the last couple of weeks. Sasuke said he caught you watching her bathe in the hot springs," Naruto stated with a wide grin as he stood beside the window.
" Now Naruto, you know me better than that. She is my student and a strong kunoichi. I wouldn't mess with her, especially since she's with Sasuke," he said simply, his hand reaching into his pocket and pulling out his characteristic orange book. Naruto rolled his eyes and elbowed Gentai. Genma laughed heartily as Kakashi cleared his throat, slightly embarrassed as his students whispered. " I don't know about you three, but that Uchiha has got himself one hell of a girlfriend. Have you seen those legs?" Genma blurted out, Kakashi turning to face him, his exposed eye wide. Somehow Kakashi wasn't as surprised this came out of his mouth, but just the same he felt it wrong for him not to defend Sakura.
" Now Genma, you are what, 22 about. That's a tad wrong to be saying about a girl that's 17," Kakashi said evenly, though the prospect of a younger woman always intrigued him. Genma removed the toothpick in his mouth and carelessly tossed it into a trashcan beside the door. " Hn, there's nothing wrong with that at all in my mind Kakashi. Maybe that's why you don't have a woman yet, looking in all the wrong places," he said as he placed a fresh toothpick in between his teeth. Kakashi merely grunted and returned his eye to the book.
Turning to the slightly disgusted boys listening to the conversation, he nodded and walked down the dimly lit hallway and out the swinging doors. " Man, he is such a perv, I swear it," Naruto said, shaking his head in repulsion. Gentai nodded and walked the opposite direction toward Anka's room. Noticing his friend's absence at his side, Naruto turned hastily and ran to catch up. Kakashi lifted his eye from the book to watch his two students amble down the hall and disappear into a room before returning his gaze once more to the room in front of him. For some reason, a nagging in the back of his mind persisted as his exposed eye roamed over to the pink-haired woman.
" Sasuke, what are you doing?" Sakura asked as Sasuke sat on the edge of the hospital bed, staring out the window at the bleak morning. Sakura had managed to wake after being persistently bothered by Sasuke's movements and grunts as he tried to make himself comfortable beside her. But now he simply stared blankly out the window, his eyes never wavering from the blood red sky, the pink and orange clouds sweeping over the harsh rays of the sun, making the sky glow. She studied his backside, the light blue nightgown hanging limply over his shoulders as he slumped further to block his face from her eyes.
" Sasuke, are you okay," she asked again, finding his silence irritating. For some reason she felt her patience slipping rather quickly with him. Her hand gripped the sheets in frustration and she shifted to sit beside him, her legs falling over the edge to neatly cross. Sasuke cleared his throat and stood as he felt her weight move closer to him. " Sasuke, I'm in no mood to have you ignore me," Sakura said as he walked to the window, still refusing to take notice of her. She narrowed her eyes at him as he stood stiffly, the sunlight shining around his dark body. " Fine, if that's how it is, I'm leaving," she said haughtily as she rose from the bed and walked toward the room's door.
" Sakura, wait…" Sasuke suddenly said as she laid her hand on the cold metal handle. She froze, waiting for him to continue. He inhaled, almost painfully it seemed to her. " I don't want you to go," he said evenly as he turned from the window to face her. She remained facing the door, somewhat debating whether she should allow him to get away with ignoring her. But since he was speaking with her, she figured she might as well hear him out. " Why weren't you answering me Sasuke?" Sakura asked. He stood still for a moment before making his way over to her.
He stopped behind her, wanting her to take the hint and turn to face him, but she stood defiantly facing the door. " Sakura, I know the curse is changing both of us, and I know it's going to be a struggle for you to break it, but…" he suddenly cut his words short, finding it hard to speak when it seemed as though she wasn't listening. " Sakura, look at me," he demanded. Her gown rustled about her knees as she shifted to face him, but kept her eyes cast away from his, not sure if she wanted to look at him yet. " What are you saying Sasuke?" she asked as her voice caught painfully in her throat.
He thought over her words before attempting to speak, but found it more difficult than he thought. She slowly raised her head to allow her eyes to find his, the silence and stillness of the room creeping around them. He was different in her eyes. He looked drained of color, happiness, eyes darker than usual. It was slowly making sense now. They were traveling two separate roads, inevitably tearing them apart. While she desired to rid herself of the curse that chained her heart and freedom, Sasuke was hungry for power rather than salvation. Was it possible he was considering keeping the seal Orochimaru gave him?
Sakura felt a sudden emptiness. ' This isn't the way things are supposed to be, Sasuke. I-I thought I loved you and you loved me…' she though regretfully in her mind. " I suppose this is goodbye," she said, shattering the silence that bound them. She felt the harsh reality of this hit her full force as she slid the emerald bracelet from her wrist, letting the gems glitter in her palm before holding it out to Sasuke. His onyx eyes left hers for a fleeting moment to look at her hand containing the bracelet before returning his gaze to her. What seemed like an eternity suddenly ended in his mind. They were… falling. He felt his heart beat uncomfortably as his breathing became raspy and strained.
" Sakura, I don't want…" he felt her finger press to his lips. He noticed a shimmering tear slide down her cheek. He watched her cry silently, her breathing steady and calm. She removed her finger from his lips slowly and reached down to grasp his hand. She let her other hand drift over his open palm, her eyes examining the delicate heart that rest against her thumb. She suddenly inhaled air, feeling the loss of everything she held close. Carefully, she released the bracelet and let it drop gently into Sasuke's hand.
" Goodbye Sasuke, take care of yourself. I hope that this is the choice you truly desired," she said shakily before turning and opening the door, letting his eyes drift over her before she slipped from the room and shut the door quietly behind her. He nodded his head solemnly, knowing he had destroyed everything he had held so precious. The only chance for him to live free of the curse had walked away from him and he had no idea if he would ever be able to gain her trust again. It was almost too much for him to think about. Without realizing it, he reached up and wiped a tear from his damp cheek.
" Sakura, life without you isn't worth living…. God what have I done," he sighed as he collapsed against the door, his head hanging wearily as he stroked the fragile bracelet. Lifting his head, he let it rest against the door, knowing on just the other side, Sakura was leaning just as he was against the door. For that small barrier between them was enough to bring him to the brink of hopelessness.
It had nearly been 3 days since Sakura had returned home from the ANBU infirmary. Her first greeting to her house was the picture of Sasuke and her upon her small table beside the door. Regretfully, she let her fingers trace over his face before she set the picture face down on the smooth wood surface. She still felt so much for him and it was difficult to think about him, and it seemed she couldn't escape; he was everywhere. No one had visited her, not even Naruto. He was so caught up with Hinata, he didn't seem to notice she had secluded herself from almost everyone. And Gentai was busy rekindling everything with Anka. But she didn't care, she wanted to be alone. She realized once Kakashi started them up on missions and training, she would be forced to encounter Sasuke everyday. She shivered slightly.
It wasn't as though she was afraid to be around him, it was the simple fact she still loved him and he had taken a path she refused to follow. She never thought this would happen, not in a million years. But here was the ugly truth, staring her in the face, determined to make her accept it. She still hesitated in believing she had broken things off with him. It seemed to happen so fast. The blur of a memory had eluded her and been wiped completely from her mind, not that she minded. Thoughts of Sasuke only tore her heart further in two. Every time she thought she had healed, woken afresh with a new day ahead, a sudden memory of him would send her reeling back to depression.
She had finally managed to force herself to go out and get groceries. The stronger part of herself told her she couldn't stay hidden forever, that she would starve if she didn't go out. The humor in the sad situation brought a vague smile across her lips for mere seconds before a loud knock at her door stirred her from her thoughts. She paused before standing up, not sure whether she wanted to encounter anyone today. But she was never a rude hostess, so she walked casually to the door, plastering a false smile on her face before pulling the door open. She was surprised to find Kakashi standing on her front steps, but not too surprised. She figured it was only a matter of time before he came to see how she was.
" Sakura, feeling better?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye. He apparently hadn't heard about her and Sasuke. " Um yeah, just a little tired, I guess," she said as her smile faded. Kakashi eyed her carefully before she sighed and let him passed. He gratefully nodded and stepped into her house, Sakura shutting the door behind him. " So what did you come here for?" she asked as he seated himself on her couch and watched her as she made her way to the kitchen. " What some tea?" she asked as she leaned outside the doorframe. He gazed at her, noting how un-Sakura like she was. Her eyes seemed dull and lifeless and her usual perky attitude was lost along with her cheerful smile. " Uh yeah, tea would be nice. Thank you," he said as she waited for his reply.
She disappeared back into the kitchen, lost from view. He took it as an opportunity to look around while she busied herself with their tea. Standing with ease, he walked over to the small table at her door cluttered with photographs he had noticed when she let him inside. He noted some of her mother and father, some of Ino, Hinata and herself, the group shot of Squad 7 and one lying face down. He lightly lifted it to see Sakura and Sasuke peering back at him, both wearing deliriously happy smiles. Somewhat confused, he let it rest back down on the table as Sakura entered the room with a tray of tea and cookies. She eyed him, her eyes dangerously narrow, looking from him to the picture beneath his fingers.
" What were you doing?" she asked in a cold voice. Kakashi, surprised at her sudden hostility, left the small table and walked up to her. " I was simply looking at your pictures. Why is that one turned face down, Sakura?" he asked as she angrily turned from him and poured tea into two cups, letting tea spill over the sides as she felt her hands tremble. " No reason, don't snoop through my house, Kakashi," she said evenly, her voice like daggers. Noticing her unsteady hand, he leaned forward and grasped her hand to stable it. Surprised by his actions, Sakura jerked her hand away, resulting in the teapot smashing to the wooded floor, its contents spreading over the oak slats. " Damnit Kakashi, what the hell did you do that for?" she snapped as he backed away from her as she wiped the mess up with her apron she had been wearing. She scrubbed furiously at the tea, her hand moving in vicious circles.
She slowed as her hands began to shake again, Kakashi's firm grasp upon her shoulder. She couldn't refrain from letting the tears fall from her eyes, they forced their way out. Letting the rag drop to the floor, the let her face rest in her hands as she wept openly in front of Kakashi. " Sakura…" he knelt and lifted her into his arms, her face buried in his jouniin uniform shirt, her whimpering subsiding as he soothingly stroked her back. " Sakura, tell me what's going on," he said as she wiped her eyes. Her shimmering face lifted to meet his worried gaze. Her emerald eyes swam with tears as she bit her lip. ' What is this that I feel? Why is this so strange, to have Kakashi hold me?' she thought as she looked at his masked face, the sudden desire to see beyond the fabric overwhelming her. She felt heat rise to her face as she noticed the fabric around where his mouth would be stretch in what seemed to her, a smile.
" Kakashi, I-I lost him. Sasuke… I left him," she said in a whisper. It felt good to tell Kakashi, the way he looked at her made her feel comfortable and safe. His arms wrapped tighter around her as she leaned her head against his chest. " I'm sorry Sakura," he sighed into her pink strands. She felt her heart flutter with excitement in the way he said her name. ' What's wrong with me, I just broke up with Sasuke and now I'm nervous and shy around Kakashi?' she thought as she pulled away from him to look into his exposed eye. " Kakashi, thank you," she said before she pulled back into him after sharing a brief smile. He nodded as he let his hands rest gently on her waist. ' What am I doing. This is one of my students, I shouldn't be here. But I can't stop thinking about her… Sakura' he thought as he felt her warm body against his, a yearning growing in his heart.
She regretfully pulled away, missing the warmth of another's touch. Kakashi let his hands slide from her waist and rest at his sides. She blushed and looked down at her feet. Noticing the broken shards of the teapot around her and Kakashi, she knelt to gather them. " Here let me help," Kakashi said as he knelt beside her to pick up the pieces with her. They spent silent moments, hands bumping each others, resulting in both of them blushing profusely, although Kakashi's went unseen. Finally they managed to find all the broken shards and carried them to the kitchen and dumped them in a trashcan.
They stood for a moment, eyes simply gazing at one another's until Kakashi cleared his throat, causing Sakura's eyes to dart to her hands. " I should go, I think I've caused enough damage for one day," he said with a chuckle, Sakura smiling up at him. She walked him to the door and stood on the porch as he stepped of the stairs into the sunlit street. She turned to walk inside but felt a hand grasp hers. Slightly surprised, she turned to find Kakashi in front of her. " Sakura, if you're not busy, maybe you want to do some training in the morning together?" he asked with an anxious expression playing around his eye. She felt a smile spread across her face. " Sure, I'd like that," She said as he smiled inwardly. " Great, should I come get you in the morning?" he asked, her emerald eyes searching his. " Yeah that would be nice, thank you," she replied as he released her hand, slightly embarrassed. " Okay then," he said casually as he walked away. Sakura stood still and watched him go, still questioning the stirring of butterflies in her stomach.
' What was that all about?' Inner Sakura suddenly asked, instantly snapping Sakura out of watching Kakashi walk down the street. " What do you mean what was that about. He just asked me to train with him, that's all," Sakura replied, turning to enter her house. ' Yeah that's a lie. If it was just training I might believe it,' Inner Sakura said with her hands on her hips. " Look you, Kakashi didn't mean anything by it so just hush," Sakura retorted, beginning to doubt herself about Kakashi's real intentions now that it was out in the open. ' Well if you ask me, I don't think training was all he had in mind,' Inner Sakura said as she smirked. Sakura rolled her eyes as she bent down to wipe up the last remnants of tea on the floor and threw her apron in the hamper.
' Just listen here, I think there's more to Kakashi than we know. Maybe this is a way to forget about Sasuke. Who knows, perhaps Kakashi is the key to releasing the curse,' Inner Sakura said as she walked off into the distant darkness of Sakura's mind. Sakura simply shook her head at the thought. Kakashi and her? There was no way she would even consider dating her teacher. " But he's probably really attractive. I wonder what he's hiding under that mask?" she said aloud as she slumped onto the couch. " I guess I'll just have to find out," she said happily as a devious smile found its way onto her face.
Sasuke sat solemnly at the fireplace in the abandoned Uchiha Mansion. Ever since the day he and Sakura went their separate ways, he decided to move back into the haunting house. He no longer had comfort where he went or peace of mind for that matter. All he thought about was Sakura. Day and night, he would find himself daydreaming about her, finding it difficult to believe it was over. How could he have been so foolish? If it wasn't for his stupid ambitions, if he wasn't so stubborn…
The fire crackled and danced, the glow from the fire warming his face. It wasn't too bad to live in the house he had once shared his best memories with the man he meant to seek and kill. He wished he had a chance to make things right, to avenge those he loved. But with so many things holding him back, it was stressful making such a decision. It was either leave Sakura or kill Itachi. And he would never choose the second over Sakura. He knew he had to make things right with her, let her know it was wrong to even think he wanted to keep the curse, but he doubted she would take him back.
All wounds ran deep with Sakura. Nothing ever changed that. How could he expect her to forgive him of her heartbreak? But his own heart was shattered and she was the only one what could fix him. He rose from the wood floor and left the comforting heat of the fire to stare out the window. In the distance, he made note of a single light in the window of the only house he wished he could be in. Her house. He decided it was time to pay a visit.
Kakashi walked beneath the street lamps, unable to return home after all the thinking he had to do. The day's events had raised a realization in his mind and he was desperately trying to get to the bottom of it. If he seemed aloof on the exterior, his heart was racing madly within his chest. Sakura brought out the part of him that made him somewhat more obvious in her eyes. She was able to see him lose control of his emotions and it was frightening that she was the source of the sensations. He wondered silently if she had noticed.
As he continued down the paved street, he noticed a dark figure creeping across the rooftops, making its way over to a lit window, none other than Sakura's house at that. Somewhat anxious and worried, he leapt into a nearby tree. Making no noise, he bound onto the adjacent rooftop and followed the figure at a safe distant. He watched as it stopped just outside the pale light spilling from the window. His suspicion rose as he realized it was Sasuke. It didn't seem to calculate with the intelligent jouniin. Sakura had said earlier that she and Sasuke were separated, so why was he sneaking around her house at this late hour. Something wasn't right.
He was here. Just outside. Waiting. Watching. " Sakura," he whispered as she leaned out the window, finding him just below her. Her eyes widened and her throat clenched painfully. " Sasuke, what are you doing here," she asked quickly, fearing she would lose her voice any second. She retreated back inside as he crawled through the open window. To her, he looked worse off than she did. His onyx eyes were rimmed with dark circles, his lack of sleep responsible for that. His scowl seemed to have deepened and his body slouched slightly. " Sasuke, come and sit," Sakura said as she led him by arm to a chair in the lit room. He gladly accepted and let himself sink into the soft fabric.
He raised his eyes to meet hers, the weary droop of his eyelids causing her to frown in disapproval. " Sasuke, have you not cared for yourself. Have you not slept?" she asked as he gazed at her. If she had been worried before, she was definitely troubled now. He shook his head weakly before speaking. " Sakura, I can't do this anymore. I can't stop. Sakura, please forgive me. I never could forgive myself for what I said. I never meant it. I'm soo sorry," he said as he dropped his head in his hands. Seeing Sasuke like this scared her. He was frail and weak, exhausted beyond his body's will and yet he pushed it to move, to live.
" Sasuke, you are not well, please let me heal you," she said as she reached down to take his hand, but he pushed it away. " I don't need to heal Sakura, I need you! I can't live anymore without you!" he yelled in a strained voice, taking Sakura by surprise. " But Sasuke, the curse…" she muttered as he stood. His eyes bore into hers and he stared her down. " Sakura, I need power to save you, to save myself. Can't you see that? I have it now. Please come back to me, Sakura. I love you, … I love you," he said as she backed away. Her emerald eyes widened as he stumbled after her, but she was prepared.
" No Sasuke, I want to rid myself of this curse! I want to live… I can't follow where you are going…" she whispered as her eyes welled with tears. He stopped, his eyes watching her carefully, wanting to remember everything about her before he left. " Then I can't stay here any longer…" he said as he made his way to the window and turned to see her watch him sadly. " Where will you go?" she asked meekly as he crawled out the window. " You know where I have to go. Goodbye Sakura, I'll always love you…" his voice uttered as he disappeared into the night, leaving Sakura in her broken state. And that was just how he would remember her. Fallen.
To all the faithful Sakura and Sasuke romance pairing peeps, I am sorry, but their seperation was for the good of the story. No worries though, this is and always will be a SakuXSasu romance fanfic. Just improvised lol. Besides, everyone needs some Kakashi sexiness now and then( man is he a hottie! growl)! oh better shut up, giving it away. I will hopefully have the next chapter up by next week. Sorry for the wait, i recently find myself with, gasp, homework, but NEVER-THE-LESS, the 11th chapter will commence! Muahahahahah!
Next chapter: The Strength Within (so inspirational hehe)
oh for the peeps who love Gentai, i promise to have all gentai lovelyness in next chappy. It will rock ur sox! ehehe so cute, Gentai and Anka foeva!
