Light Shaded Dream

Chapter 11 – Bittersweet Departure

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

-:-

Weeks past before Sasuke was fully healed. By this time, the Konoha ninja squad had regained their trust for him, and many things returned to normal. They still went on their patrols to make sure Orochimaru was not in sight, and Sakura went with Sasuke in the forest to train.

However, the days between Sasuke and his Konoha ninja friends soon had to close. He had realized he was not strong enough to completely kill Orochimaru, and that meant he was nowhere near killing his brother, Itachi. Sakura noticed his, but did not let her time with him dwindle.

Sakura and Sasuke were both in the forest, this time farther away from the village, making it easier for them to sense any presence and making it harder for anyone to find them. Sasuke resumed his usual training with at tree trunk, and Sakura began practicing her already-perfect chakra control, and began to brush up on her medical jutsus. Sakura noticed Sasuke's change of behavior over the weeks of her recovery, and smiled upon them. He had opened up more and more, and usually never said "Hn" to her for an answer. But of course, that was still his usual answer for many others. However, today, she noticed he was distracted, his mind thinking over things, his kicks and punches doing more injury to him than to the trunk.

"Sasuke-kun?" She asked.

Sasuke stopped, and turned to face her.

"Yes?" He asked.

Sakura took a deep breath. She sat down, leaning on a tree, and closed her eyes.

"Are you okay?"

His eyebrows rose in confusion, and a frown graced his lips. He sighed, and walked over to her.

"What made you think I'm not okay?" He asked, sitting in front of her.

Her eyes stared into his, and she looked at him, worried.

"Your training. It's harsher. You aren't reserving your chakra like you usually do. And," She said, "you have more injuries on your body than the tree trunk does."

Sasuke stared into her emerald eyes, and he looked away. This is when Sakura knew something was wrong. When he couldn't say something directly to her face.

"Sasuke-kun?"

Sasuke looked at her, his eyes crestfallen.

"You and everyone else needs to leave, Sakura," He said.

Sakura stared at him, unable to process what he was asking of her. Sasuke noticed this, and continued.

"Orochimaru isn't finished yet. I need to train; I need to get stronger. I barely made it alive when I first fought him. I'm still...weak," He replied.

Now, Sakura understood. Her heart fell, and she closed her eyes in attempt to stop the tears from falling.

"Oh...I see," She said, her voice cracking.

She felt Sasuke's arms wrap around her, and she returned his embrace, knowing that this may be the last time she may seem him. Thinking that he may die and she may never see him again just encouraged the tears to increase, and she was no longer to maintain them. They rolled down her face, flowing like rivers being rushed by the wind. She didn't want to leave him again. She didn't want to feel alone. Sakura felt warm hands brush away her tears, and she looked up and her eyes were locked into his. He smiled at her, and she attempted to smile back, but failed. Her head dug into his chest, and he could only hold her closer in an attempt to get her back to her bubbly self.

"It's okay, Sakura..." He said.

"N...no...I'll be...alone again!" She cried.

Sasuke's face softened; they had gone through this talk before. But he assumed that this time, it'd probably be the last time, for a very, very long time.

"Sakura...remember what I promised you?" He whispered into her ear.

Sakura nodded her head in his chest, and he continued.

"I promised you, that I'd come back to you after I killed Itachi. Remember that?" He asked.

Sakura once again nodded.

"Then you know that I'd never die if I made a promise like that with you," He whispered.

That seemed to take its effect, and Sakura stopped her crying and looked up at him. He smiled at her, and she managed to smile back this time.

"So then, you know, that you'll never be alone..."

Sakura closed her eyes, and nodded.

"...Because if you feel alone, then I will too."

Sakura managed to giggle, and she wrapped her arms around Sasuke's neck, playing with his raven locks on the back of his neck. He snuggled into the crook of her neck, both content, all the words that needed to be said, said.

-:-

Nighttime fell over the Village of the Sound. Sakura's squad had long since retired to sleep in their beds, tired from their day's work of patrolling the area. Sasuke and Sakura stood next to each other, standing in front of the only cherry blossom orchard in the whole village. The stars shone above them overhead, and they enjoyed the tranquility of the night. Their fingers were laced together; their hands locked with each other.

"Sasuke-kun..." She whispered.

Sasuke looked at her crestfallen form, and silently acknowledged her to continue.

"Promise...that you won't die fulfilling your goals..."

He smiled at her, and nodded.

"I promise."

Sakura closed her eyes and smiled, breathing in the fresh air. She could accept his departure now; she knew he would never break his promise to her. Her eyes opened with a new glint, fireflies adding a beautiful glint in her emerald orbs. Sasuke loved seeing this sight; it was too beautiful and goddess-like to ever forget.

"I need to go. Orochimaru will probably kill me when I show up. Hopefully, he's still weak, and I can try to..." Sasuke said.

Sakura nodded.

"Good luck," She whispered.

Tears were filling her eyes again, but this time she was able to hold them off longer. Sasuke advanced towards her, and the gap between them disappeared, the two of them locked into a chaste, passionate kiss. This time, Sakura's tears fell, full of happiness and sorrow. She pulled back, and smiled at her beloved.

"Good bye, Sasuke-kun," She said.

"'Till later, Sakura..." He whispered.

He gave her one last peck on the lips, smiled, and turned to walk away. Their hands slowly slid apart, and Sakura was left staring at his retreating form. She smiled in the darkness, the fireflies slowly moving away.

"Till then, Sasuke-kun," She whispered back.

-:-

The next morning, the squad was surprised to see Sakura sleeping alone. They all got ready, but was stopped from going on their patrol by Sakura.

"We need to go back to Konoha," She whispered, her voice low to avoid eavesdroppers from hearing.

"Why?" They all asked in unison.

"He won't be coming back until his goals are finished...so it would be pointless to stay here and put suspicions on our cover. No doubt the remaining Oto Nin that witnessed the attack will be sent out, though. I will explain to Tsunade-sama and take the blame for this," She said.

They all exchanged glances with each other, and found logic in her words, and nodded. Somehow, they knew why Sakura had come to the inn so late, and why there was no Sasuke sleeping next to her the next morning.

"Did he leave?" Naruto asked.

Everyone sweatdropped at his lack of common sense at times, and just left Sakura for the answering. She turned to face him, and smiled.

"Yes."

Naruto nodded, and he himself smiled at her.

"We'll see him later."

"Yes."

Sakura got into the bathroom to get ready, while the others made sure everything was neat and orderly before heading out.

-:-

They had made it back to Konoha safely a few days later. Everyone was surprised to see them in perfect condition, but there was no Sasuke to be found. The villagers were confused about this, but decided not to pursue it further, for they knew if it was a mistake, their Hokage would take care of it.

Sakura was immediately summoned to the Hokage's office to discuss the failed mission, leaving the others to continue on with their daily lives. She knocked three times on the door, and heard a faint "Enter", and opened the door.

"Tsunade-sama," She said.

Tsunade looked at her, and smiled. However, Sakura could sense she was in for a beating.

"Sakura. Take a seat," She said, motioning to a seat in front of her desk.

Sakura obliged, and remained silent, allowing her sensei to continue.

"Sasuke's not here," Tsunade said.

Sakura took a deep breath, and nodded.

"Yes. He won't be returning until later. I know you want to scold me for failing the mission, Tsunade-sama, but please let me explain...he has changed. He isn't so bad, Tsunade-sama. I helped him, and I know very well that could be considered treason against Konoha. But I give you permission to do what you want for my punishment, but please do not punish Neji, Tenten, Hinata, Naruto, Ino, or Shikamaru, for they did nothing wrong. It was all me," She said.

Tsunade stared at her, and sighed. She knew something like that would happen.

"It's fine...but if he threatens Konoha again, he may not be easily accepted. But please, Sakura. He was in your grasp. You could have brought him back. But I take it his ambitions is what made him stay, correct?"

"Yes."

Tsunade nodded, understanding the situation.

"Very well. You'll be resuming your hospital shifts tomorrow. That's all," She said.

Sakura smiled, and bowed.

"Thank you, Tsunade-sama," She said.

Her sensei returned the smile, and bid her goodbye as she walked out of the office.

It was only a bittersweet departure. She'd get over it while her mind was set to healing her patients. For now, he'd have to be pushed second in her mind, but she knew that he would always keep his promise.

-:-