Chapter 2
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or the song below. These songs really sets the mood for the chapter so it would help to read it. Sakura's kinda bitchy in this chapter and it's really intense so brace yourself! Can't say I blame her though, lol for one I wrote her in here and the circumstances are stressful. Enjoy!
I looked
away
then I looked back at you,
You tried to say
the things
that you can't undo,
If I had my way
I'd never get over
you,
Today's the day
I pray that we make it through.
Make
it through the fall,
Make it through it all.
And I don't
wanna fall to pieces
I just wanna sit and stare at you.
I don't
wanna talk about it
And I don't want a conversation
I just
wanna cry in front of you.
I don't wanna talk about it
'cause
I'm in love with you.
You're the only one
I'd be with till
the end.
When I come undone
you bring me back again.
Back
under the stars,
Back into your arms.
And I don't wanna
fall to pieces
I just wanna sit and stare at you.
I don't wanna
talk about it
And i don't want a conversation
I just wanna cry
in front of you.
I don't wanna talk about it
'cause I'm in love
with you.
Wanna know who you are,
Wanna know where to
start,
I wanna know what this means.
Wanna know how you
feel,
Wanna know what is real.
I wanna know everything...
Everything.
I don't wanna fall to pieces
I just wanna sit
and stare at you.
I don't wanna talk about it
And i don't want
a conversation
I just wanna cry in front of you.
I don't wanna
talk about it.
And I don't wanna fall to pieces
I just
wanna sit and stare at you.
I don't wanna talk about it.
And
I don't want a conversation
I just wanna cry in front of you.
And
I don't wanna talk about it
'cause I'm in love with you... I'm in
love with you, 'cause I'm in love with you.
I'm in love with
you... I'm in love with you.
Lxl
If you're
not the one then why does my soul feel glad today?
If you're not
the one then why does my hand fit yours this way?
If you are not
mine then why does your heart return my call
If you are not mine
would I have the strength to stand at all
I never know what
the future brings
But I know you are here with me now
We'll
make it through
And I hope you are the one I share my life
with
I don't want to run away but I can't take it, I don't
understand
If I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me
that I am?
Is there any way that I can stay in your arms?
If
I don't need you then why am I crying on my bed?
If I don't need
you then why does your name resound in my head?
If you're not for
me then why does this distance maim my life?
If you're not for me
then why do I dream of you as my wife?
I don't know why you're
so far away
But I know that this much is true
We'll make it
through
And I hope you are the one I share my life with
And I
wish that you could be the one I die with
And I pray in you're the
one I build my home with
I hope I love you all my life
I
don't want to run away but I can't take it, I don't understand
If
I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am
Is
there any way that I can stay in your arms?
'Cause I miss you,
body and soul so strong that it takes my breath away
And I breathe
you into my heart and pray for the strength to stand today
'Cause
I love you, whether it's wrong or right
And though I can't be with
you tonight
And know my heart is by your side
I don't want
to run away but I can't take it, I don't understand
If I'm not
made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am
Is there any
way that I
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Izumo was panting, no, that was an understatement. Tsunade had been out of Konoha for two days, and as the Hokage's assistants, him and Kotetsu had to carry the truckloads of paperwork in the office to a much larger storage facility……… after they completed it. Needless to say, the task was futile. After working for twelve hours a day for two days they had barely made a dent in one corner of the overcrowded room. No wonder she's always drunk. At least she has an excuse. Though, a pathetic excuse it is.
Tsunade had been back in Konoha for all of five minutes before she demanded that Kotetsu and Izumo summon all the anbu currently in the village, without activating the tattoo seals. They had been running around all day trying to track them all down at their various training grounds. Now, he had only one left to go.
"Oi, Sakura!" Izumo pounded on the door of an apartment in the downtown area of Konoha. "Sakura! Tsunade-sama is calling a meeting for the anbu! You have to be there in ten minutes." With that he ran off. It was common knowledge that Sakura could be scarier than Tsunade, even when she wasn't in a drunken frenzy.
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Sakura looked vacantly at the few dozen or so people milling about on top of the Hokage Memorial. It was hard to believe that this was all that was left of the anbu. After Orochimaru and Akatsuki's previous attacks Konoha had been deeply hit. Although an outsider would never be able to tell the attacks had hit hard, cutting the list of active shinobi in half, then half again. Sighing, she made her way to an empty seat, trying to hide herself from the rest of those present.
"Sakura! Oi, is this seat taken?" said Shikamaru, shuffling along the aisles until he reached her. His usual grin was absent from his face. He look pale, tired, and overworked, only more so than the others present. He had been promoted to anbu captain and strategical advisor, sitting on the council of elders, though his age wasn't yet half of most of the rest.
Sakura gestured absently to the seat and returned to her vacant staring. I wonder if I should apologize to Sasuke-kun. I should, but it'd probably only blend into the other background noise he hears. Does he even hear me? Probably not……I thought I stood a chance, being the only one to stick with him all these years. Kuso! I can't cry. Unconciously she started clenching her fists as the tears began pooling in her eyes.
"Hey, are you alright? Tch, troublesome girls, always crying about something. Woah! I didn't mean to make you start crying more…….Sakura, are you alright?"
In response, Sakura's shoulders started shaking and she leaned onto Shikamaru, her tears starting to get him wet too. She tried to convince herself that she was strong for the past two years. She was seventeen, an adult by Konoha's standards. She kept telling herself that she didn't need Sasuke to help her, pick her up when she was down. But, after all the events that had taken place, she needed comfort. Real comfort, and she turned to Shikamaru for it. He, in return, slowly put his arms around her and mumbled comforting words in her ear, interjected by "how troublesome" or "damn women".
"Shika-kun? Sakura-chan, what are you two doing?" asked Ino, seemingly appearing from nowhere, with Sasuke.
Great, just what I need now, of all the god-damn times they could have shown up it had to be now! Kami, why me? Why does this hurt so much?
Sakura and Shikamaru slowly drew apart, a faint blush apparent on both of their cheeks.
"S-ssakura? I-I didn't t-tthink that yyou'd aactually take me seriously….and I didn't think Shikamaru would either. HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?" screamed Ino, in a blind rage, coming from nowhere. Tears were falling down her face as she stormed out of the meeting. Sasuke turned and followed after her. The remained two sat still, staring after their retreating backs with blank expressions on their faces.
What the hell was that? I always knew Ino was moody but never that moody…………what's going on with her? Maybe it's that time of the month, Ino-pig always did get it really bad. But still, it's not like Sasuke-kun to go running after someone. Maybe………maybe I'm not the only one who could change him. If I really made Ino cry then I should go and apologize, kill two birds with one stone.
Sakura stood up and followed after Sasuke and Ino, who had long since disappeared. Oh shit, now what am I going to do? It's not like I'll be able to find them in all of this. She sat down again just as Tsunade yelled for all of them to be quiet. The reason for this mysterious meeting was about to be revealed.
"As you all know I visited Sunagakure to discuss treaty specifics with the other countries that have decided to enter into the alliance. This should have been a happy meeting, but unfortunately, it was not. We have learned that several powerful nuke-nin from the other countries have formed an organization that they use to control and subjugate the people in Kirigakure." Tsunade glanced into the crowd, staring repeatedly at Sakura and Shikamaru before continuing.
"Kirigakure, is the smallest and weakest of the shinobi countries. They lost three-quarters of their ninja strength in the recent war with Orochimaru and Akatsuki and because of this, they simply do not have the strength to push these nins out. Simply put, we are the only country without nins in this group. As a result the organization will not be familiar with the upper echelon of our ninja personnel. They have requested that we send a team of two ninjas to infiltrate the organization and destroy them from the inside." She let her words sink in before continuing. "Going on this mission would be completely voluntary as it would most likely involve torture and death. If it were a success, the participating nins would be away from Konoha for a minimum of three years. It would undoubtedly take that long to infiltrate, gain the trust of, and then destroy them. We need one female and one male who would pose as brother and sister mercenaries from the outskirts of the country, If you would like this mission you can speak to me privately at any time. If no one comes forward in two days we will be forced to randomly select two of you. That is all."
With that the entire group stood up and started walking away. As Shikamaru and Sakura started to leave they heard repeated "That's suicide! Who the hell would volunteer for a mission like that!" or "Three years? How could anyone want to be away from here for that long, if they even came back."
They knew why Tsunade had kept looking at them. It was no secret about Sasuke and Ino, and certainly Sakura and Shikamaru's feeling were no big secret either. The whole village had been sending pitying glances at the four, wondering what went wrong between them.
Figures that Shishou would think the best way to deal with this would be to leave and hope it goes away while we're gone. I'm not leaving though, that would only make things worse. I doubt that Shikamaru will leave either. He may be the laziest ass on the planet but he wouldn't be able to leave Ino either.
"Ne, Shikamaru, are you going to that party tonight? Ino-pig practically threatened me into….oh" She stopped, noticing the pained expression on his face. "I'm sorry, I forgot about," she struggled to find the right word, "that." Nice, very tactful. She could practically see her inner self rolling her eyes.
"It's fine. Ino threatened me too so I guess I have no choice. We all know what she's like when she's ticked off." They both cringed at the thought. 'Ino' and 'angry' were two words that meant trouble if heard together. "She's so troublesome. This whole thing is troublesome!" He jammed his hands into his pockets and continued walking.
"Sure is," Sakura muttered darkly before turning the opposite direction. Why do I have such a bad feeling about this?
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Just down the street from the party was a small restaurant where the former rookie nine and Gai's team had agreed to meet and eat before going in. Actually, everyone had agreed to Naruto's yelling and screaming without knowing what it was about until Hinata explained it to them later. She really was good for him.
Everyone other than Sasuke and Ino sat around the table boredly, waiting for them to show up.
"Sasuke-teme, thinks he's cool with his smirking and chicken hair but now he's fashionably late? When I see him I'm gon-"
"Ssshh Naruto-kun!" said Hinata, her cheeks bright red, "You're disturbing the other customers!"
Before Naruto could say anything back Sasuke and Ino walked in. Sasuke had a dark look on his face, his hands were in his pockets and he was glaring at the floor, radiating a dangerous aura. Ino's eyes were red and puffy from recent crying though she gave a weak smile as they walked in, fake though it was. She kept twisting something around her ring finger as well, as though debating whether or not to throw it away. Once they reached the table, the waitress came up, took their orders, and went to the kitchen to tell the chef.
"Ino, why were you late?" asked Tenten her eyes staring curiously at the couple who had just entered. "I mean, you practically brow beat us all into coming and now-"
"I-iit's nothing! Sasuke and I just have something to tell you after we get our food, that's all."
Something to the effect of 'I'm not doing the telling' came out of Sasuke's mouth but everyone was too preoccupied with Ino to really hear, everyone but Sakura. I wonder what the hell is wrong now. As if things could get any worse. How wrong she was.
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After everyone had finished eating they poured out the sake and Sasuke and Ino stood to make their announcement. Sasuke jammed his hands in his pockets and looked so sad that it was all Sakura could do not to ask what was wrong. He gave her one longing, fleeting glance before Ino began to talk.
"We're going to make a toast." Said Ino without a hint of joy.
Everyone stood, as was traditional, and raised their glasses, expectantly looking at Ino.
"Ne, what are we toasting teme?" asked Naruto, elbowing Sasuke, who strangely made no attempt to stop him. He simply looked at Sakura before Ino continued.
"Sasuke…….Sasuke and I………..we're getting married." She finally got out before she sank into her chair and started crying.
The glasses were halfway to their mouths before anyone realized what was said. Naruto almost choked on his sake before asking what the hell was wrong with Sasuke. Hinata and Tenten both looked at Ino with concern, nobody should be crying when their announcing their wedding. Neji simply stared incredulously at Sasuke and Ino, shock and disbelief written all over his face. Then a crash was heard.
Shikamaru had thrown his glass into the closest wall. His head was bent so that no one could see his face. He ran out of the restaurant with Ino screaming after him. Then everyone's attention turned to Sakura, who surprisingly stood very calmly, staring into her glass.
She picked up her glass and downed it. Then looking straight at Sasuke, with a dam of tears threatening to break, she added "Have a nice life," before she ran out of the restaurant too with Sasuke on her heels.
"Sakura, god damn it Sakura stop!" Sasuke ran out of the restaurant, trying desperately to catch up to Sakura before he lost her in the crowd. Sakura just kept on running, the tears pouring down her face.
How the hell? Why would they do this? Don't they know? Her thoughts refused to form sentences, she couldn't think straight. Finally she stopped and sank to the ground, sobs wracking her body. She turned and stood when she heard Sasuke approaching her from behind.
"Sakura I-"
"How could you do this to me? I've loved you ever since we were in the academy and now you're going to marry my-" she stopped, unable to speak anymore, the sobs once again controlling her.
"But I….damn it Sakura, it wasn't supposed to be like this!" Sasuke started to approach her but she kept her distance from him.
"What exactly is this?" she hissed, anger giving her the strength she needed, "I know you don't love her, and don't you dare try to tell me that you do!"
"I don't Sakura, it was all just a mistake!" Sasuke was desperate for her to understand. "That night at the club……..I started drinking and I ended up drunk. She, she was just so depressed over Shikamaru and Temari that she got drunk too and we ended up spending the night together. It wasn't supposed to happen we jus-"
"Y-yyou sssleept together?" her voice was barely above the whisper. She was begging him with her eyes, pleading for this not to be true. "You two….she…..then…..she's pregnant isn't she? It's the only reason you would still be together. Oh Kami-sama, I don't believe this. I can't believe this. I can't believe that you two would do this to us! I love you….I love you so much and this is what I get?" She started sobbing again but she turned back to the restaurant with a new purpose. She left Sasuke in stunned silence before he began to run after her.
When Sakura reached the restaurant she met Ino trying to leave. When she saw her, she couldn't contain all the anger and hurt that she felt. But before she could say anything Ino began to speak.
"Sakura…. I'm so sorry, this wasn't supposed to-"
"This wasn't supposed to happen? Save it, I've heard it before and you can't take it back." She left out a harsh and self-deprecating laugh. "Figures that you would sleep with him to make yourself feel better. How could you do that to me Ino, how could you do that to Shikamaru! God damn it Ino, he loves you! And you love him! And now….." her voice dropped off as the realization hit her. "Now, none of us can be together. I hate you .I hate you so much! We were never friends and we never will be. I never want to see you again!" With that she turned and ran in the opposite direction she had come as Ino sank to the ground, crying pathetically.
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Sakura fled to the place where everything began, the ninja academy. The place where she had met Sasuke, her one and only love, and Ino, her ex best friend. She still couldn't think straight. Ino-pig and Sasuke-kun slept together and now she's pregnant? What the hell is wrong with us? Are we really so dysfunctional that we couldn't admit to each other how we felt?
She thought she was alone until she saw a solitary figure sitting on a bench behind the main building.
"Sakura" asked Shikamaru, rubbing his eyes once he saw her approaching him. "I just can't believe it, I mean I never thought that…"
Sakura didn't even bother to hide her tears. Instead she simply grasped his hand "I guess Tsunade-sama knew. She kept looking at us during that…"
"She wants us to go doesn't she? Those two are trying to hide something with this ridiculous marriage."
They don't call him a genius for nothing. She thought with a sad smile. He deserves to know the truth too.
"They slept together you know? Actually, you probably already guessed that. Ino-pig's pregnant and life as we know it is over. She was depressed about you and Temari and I have no idea what the fuck Sasuke-kun was doing." She leaned against Shikamaru's shoulder and started to cry again.
"She's pregnant? Guess that bastard finally got to restore his clan. You know it's funny, the whole village was sure he would restore it with you and know it's your best friend."
"Ex-best friend, I never want to see or hear her again." Sakura mumbled, her face buried in his shirt.
"Then, there's only one thing we can do. We should accept that mission. Tsunade probably knew the reason behind Ino and Sasuke being together and she was trying to protect us by getting us to leave."
Sakura sat up and rubbed her eyes, still unable to stop the tears. Shikamaru too, had been unsuccessful in this department.
"You're right. We've given up everything because of them and look where it got us?" she gestured to their tears, smiling sardonically. "We deserve this….we don't have anything left here."
With that they got up and headed towards to Hokage's office, fully bent on leaving the village.
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Woooooo that was intense wasn't it? I hope you enjoyed this chapter…it certainly was depressing, to say the least. The next chapter will be the finale! If you have any questions or comments or what not drop a review! I really appreciate all those who reviewed the first chapter….it really helped a lot! In the next chapter we'll get to see everyone's reactions to them leaving, etc (trying not to give away too much here!) Also, I'm gonna do something really different with those two…I can't wait to write it and get it posted…anyways drop a review and thanks for reading!
