Someone Screaming
Ayane Selznick
It could have been a very bad day when one had started his day with so much fuss. First was about his troubled mind. For the past years he had never obtained peace of mind. He was always thinking too deeply to the point that he had been arguing within his self. He doesn't have anyone to consult to that's why. Other than that, he lacked sleep. Indeed, he had freed himself from someone pestering his own schedule but it was very obvious that he himself was accustomed to the schedule he had lived with for more than three years. And the last pointer to give for someone to have a really bad day was, unable to get all the time to rest after a very exhausting day.
Right to this point, he has been followed by some intruders who he had known as a group of missing nins who wanted to obtain the Advance Bloodline of his clan.
…The Sharingan.
He thought he had lost them during his travel on the way here, but it seems like he had underestimated them.
As he spotted the one who he had fought before, he wished he could kill him immediately. However, because of his situation, a tired shinobi who had trained earlier, it may seem a little impossible. He could still kill him, but it won't be as fast as he wanted it to be.
Staring lazily at the opponent, he had calculated the moves he would be executing when he started attacking. Just like before, the opponent didn't have any forehead protector or somewhat for him to provide the proof to what village he belonged.
"Uchiha…Sasuke…" The opponent hissed, looking cockily the young man he was facing.
They were standing on each rooftop, studying one another for the second time. It had been a while since they've met in the battlefield, and yet this hunger that his opponent persisted was getting on the Uchiha's nerves. As if they could have his Sharingan right now.
"If you don't want any trouble coming ahead, I suggest you surrender now." The Uchiha's opponent added while pulling some kunais from his back.
The only thing that Uchiha Sasuke did was smirk at him, which hit a nerve or two. The adversary gritted his teeth and started throwing all the kunais in his hand. The young Uchiha just stood there, watching all the projectiles dashing to him. For a second, he saw the opponent disappeared on his former position.
Ah, so is this what they called trick?
Didn't he even recall how their fight ended?
Or was this opponent of him was just plain self-conceited and purely stupid?
Whatever the questions would be, they're just the same. Sasuke was confident enough to fight this weakling. Going back to the present situation, Sasuke had caught all the kunais in one hand. Then he felt the strong Chakra beside him. Indeed, the opponent was right there, attempting to deliver an attack.
In a blink of an eye, the Uchiha vanished before the foot even landed on him. The opponent had a difficulty registering what happened that he'd just forgotten that this Uchiha was the fastest shinobi he had ever encountered. While he was still thinking of where the Uchiha went, a stinging pain could be felt on his abdomen. He jerked from the pain and hastily looked to the origin of it.
Sasuke was touching the ground with his both hands and his foot extended to him.
Execute… Shishi Rendan!
Now that the opponent was thrown upwards, Sasuke disappeared from his position only to reappear on the opponents shadow. The ninja jerked yet again when he felt Sasuke's presence underneath him. He had never seen this technique before so he had no clue as to what will happen next.
Sasuke observed his opponent from below. Seeing as he was unable to move from this situation, Sasuke kicked him yet again to ensure that this ninja would never had a chance to counter him. Waiting for the right moment, the ninja was aghast when he was thrown in a fast pace. Sasuke flipped when he met the ninja and then gave him a strong series of punches only to break the free fall. Absorbed by his own desire to finish this once and for all, after delivering two kicks, he took all the kunais he grabbed a little while ago and stabbed it to the ninja's head… between the eyes.
Which finally ended this horrible, irritating interruption.
...Or so he thought…
As expected, he felt extreme fatigue when he unleashed his combo. It was like a déjà vu for him. He recalled the time when he first executed this very same technique and after that, he couldn't bring himself upright. Breathing like this, made him realize that he was truly in need of rest but he was certain that those dimwits were still around here somewhere.
Looking forth, the tallest tower in the village, the Tsuchikage tower, stood quietly on the ground. There's no point of going forward. Several ninjas are already there in case those idiots accidentally passed by. Then he checked his left and right. Studying the direction of this village, he finally recalled that those areas were safe, knowing that most of the ninjas would hang out because of the pubs and training areas. So, it's safe then…
However, he was sure that from his position, he was facing north; the south district would be the most ambushed place. Most of the time, there were no shinobis hanging around that place. It is said that the south district is where the tourists would stop by and rest. Why aren't there any shinobis?
That he didn't know…
Now that he's set, he slowly pivoted to the south and was about to jump to the nearest rooftop when a glimpse of a woman startled him. He could still see her clearly through the blazing inferno of some buildings. That's because… when he had his eyes on her…
He surprisingly activated his Sharingan.
The woman seemed to be stunned, too. Nonetheless, she reminded him of his ex-teammate. From the wide eyes that he gave to her, it slowly narrowed as if scrutinizing her. They may be distant away, but ninjas like them could easily analyze one another even if there's a huge gap between them. And this was not an exception.
However, it looks like the time had stopped ticking between them as they gaze and study each other. They just couldn't believe themselves that in this place, at this time… they've found one another.
…They've finally found one another after eight years…
Sasuke may have been frozen in his place as he kept on asking himself as to what she's doing in this place. The events this morning instantly triggered his thoughts, having this conclusion that both events, including this one, were absolutely connected. But…
This is too impossible!!
He was tempted to escape… to runaway… to go far, far away from her. But… the question is…
Why?
He remembered the time when he was about to leave Konoha and she was there, trying to stop him. Begging him, at the very most. She cried out loud and even confessed her feelings. But for him, it was nothing.
She was nothing.
She cannot and will not be a hindrance to him, and she was. Just looking at him now, it proves that that certain event was just thrown on to a near by trash bin. Yes, she couldn't stop him, even Naruto. It just so happen that he was in extreme need of power…
What a selfish desire…
For some reason, he cannot easily forget about them. Konoha, the people of the village, the rookie nine, some teams that joined the Chuunin Exams… but most importantly…
Them…
…Team Seven.
As much as possible, if there would be a time that he accidentally bumped into them, he would surely runaway. He didn't want to hurt them but, for sure, his fully developed Cursed Seal will do the killing even if he refuses to do it. He was sure that when they meet again, one of them, particularly Naruto or Kakashi, would make him engage into a fight. But he won't fight them, in fact, he would just runaway that's because…
That's because…
They're his family…
A betrayed family…
It came to the point that he noticed that he was having an emotional problem deep within him that he had to shake his head to clear everything in his mind and he never attempted to look back to her. His head remained lowered on the rooftop that he was kneeling at, save for the fact that his hands begun clutching and his body began trembling.
Go away… Just go away!
Indeed, it was a very bad day for Uchiha Sasuke.
Thud. Thud…
Thud. Thud…
Thud… Thud…
Heart beat… It was the only thing that she could hear clearly, and nothing else. She kept fighting with this emotion that she's been dealing right now. This isn't the right time to let it go or something that would make the matters worst. And for that reason, she keeps on telling herself that she's a kunoichi…
She knows the way of the ninja…
She knows the rules…
She's part of the high level ninjas of their village…
…And her childish desires should have been gone…
At least for a while…
But… This is Sasuke in front of her! And she's been waiting for this moment! No…
No… I'm…
"You don't have to pretend… just do whatever you have to do." The inner self finally saved her.
…You're right…
Closing her eyes, she began to think that if she showed her past self, then it means that she's not letting herself go. And she was sure that he would be calling her annoying again. She didn't like that. She didn't like the notion of him calling her weak again. She'd grown to satisfy herself and make her strong. She didn't even sulk in one corner and cry out her tears for him. All she did was train herself. She'd empowered herself. It's enough to drive her back to reality…
It had to…
In one fleeting moment, she stood upright as if nothing had happened, but his presence still bothered her so much it could have been breaking her heart. She was keeping a straight face when they locked gazes again only this time it went passed through them.
Enemies were already launching themselves while their backs were on them.
She noticed that Sasuke still had his Sharingan on and she was not expecting him to activate it on her. She cleared her thoughts again just so she would be busy to think of a plan. They're surrounded, the two of them. Actually, she doesn't have to create a plan. These thugs would be easily defeated since she's a Hunter Nin and the other was Uchiha Sasuke. However, she noticed something that she wasn't expecting to see in Sasuke's condition.
He was breathing hard… was he… tired already? Was he hurt?
As a trained professional medical nin, she knew everything even the simplest things. And as said title, she would help him in whatever way she could. She would come near him for that reason alone. But she doubted it. Before she could even make a move towards him, he would surely leap away and be gone forever. She won't risk that.
She just wanted to stay with him…
…Even at this time where both of them were in the battlefield.
Swift movements were caught in the corner of her eyes. Instinctively, she clasped her hands to perform hand seals. At this moment, she had calculated all the moves she would perform once the said jutsu had been completed. And in short second, she looked back to Sasuke, whom had been watching every single movements that she's been doing.
I appreciate that I've amazed you… but… don't just stand there, Sasuke! Move!!
The last hand seal has been completed…
Earth Element: Mud Spear Prison!
The moment the final seal was completed, the minerals from the stony ground transformed into mud and rose up as if in pursuit of victim. It was a quick transformation wherein the mud just shaped into a new substance called spear. Then soon after, the ninjas, three to be exact, were imprisoned in a strong Ninjutsu that this woman had executed.
Before she could call this time a relief, another ninja jumped into her. He was using katana. In her mind, she stated that there would be another idiot who would like to confront her into a sword fight. As expected from this attack, she grabbed the same weapon on her back and disappeared right in front of the opponent's sight. She gave her presence away when she thrust the weapon to the side of the ninja, which was anticipated to be block. She lifted her foot and spun her heel to emit a strong kick directly to his face. Pulling the katana, she magnificently twirled it in her hand and attacked the opponent once again which was directed in the right shoulder. All was done in a blink of an eye.
Blood spurted out from the spot where the katana was implanted.
Still, she didn't end there yet; one of her free hand grabbed the handle of the katana, twisted it, and slice the remaining flesh of this ninja. The other reason was to pull it off of the hard flesh.
And again, blood rain down like hell.
Ha…ha… ha… I should watch out my condition, too… I can't fight better… yet…
Unknown to her, a stealthy ninja dashed at a high speed while slowly completing his hand seals, particularly a jutsu. It must have been meant that the said jutsu would be an offense and an elemental one.
Slash!
She saw droplets of blood showered her ground and she could feel some blood being splattered on her flesh, too. Something had invaded her thoughts when that scene happened. At first she doubted the thoughts that swirled in her mind, but when she slowly tilted her head to the side, she saw the very person who she least expected to protect her.
He was panting very badly.
He didn't exactly know why his body moved just like that, but he was sure he didn't want to see a woman being killed right in front of his eyes without him doing something.
Sasuke was sure that he felt the familiar Chakra within her. He expected that it might have grown a little stronger, and it did. However, he was also certain that she was recovering from the other night's battle. It had fixed in his head when those thoughts and those gossips had converged into one and there's no doubt about it. The subject of both thoughts was in front of him.
"If you're not ready to fight, go back to your bed and rest." He mocked, while throwing the dead body as if it was nothing to him.
The woman in pink hair had completely turned around facing him. He was expecting something like: she'll grab his arm or hug him or something lovey-dovey. But all he received from her was a steel look that made him think that all his beliefs were wrong.
"Same goes for you, Sasuke." She replied, struggling to keep a straight position and moved her eyes from left to right for observations.
He must have erased his doubts. Indeed, this person right in front of him was really Haruno Sakura.
…The girl who had been so devoted to him…
…The girl who would risk everything just so he would stay…
…The girl who confessed her love for him…
Before he continued all his thoughts that had been forming in his head, he was interrupted by her instructions.
"We still have to deal with eleven more Missing Nins around here. Were they after you?"
He decided to answer, she seemed very business-like, "Yeah. They're after the Sharingan." His tone never changed, it was calm, cold and straight.
"Oh. Don't risk using any high level Ninjutsu or opening the gates." She shifted for a moment and prepared her hands for another set of hand seals. "Your body's still adjusting."
After hearing all those instructions from her, all he did was to smirk. "Hn. You sounded like you know everything."
Was he trying to offend her?
But it seems like she wasn't offended by him, instead considered it as a comment, "I am." She started and proudly added, "I'm a Hunter Nin after all."
Sasuke smirked again at her. Didn't expect to see you like this, Sakura.
At the completion of her hand seals, water erupted from her hands. It created a strong barrier for the both of them right at the moment when several kunais and shurikens darted towards their position. Sasuke and Sakura looked above simultaneously when they both felt a strong Chakra being released and were ready to strike them inside the barrier. Instantly, Sakura formed another set of seals to counter the attack.
Earth Element: Stone Bullets!
It looks like Sakura was in great advantage in this battle. She knows a lot of Earth and Fire Ninjutsus and most of it are for defense.
When the jutsu was called, the ground below rose up and turned into a shape of a long and pointed lances just like the first Earth Ninjutsu she just executed, but this time, it didn't create a huge prison-like Chakra. It directed, at least, to attack the ninja behind the Ninjutsu that he performed. At the exact moment when the Ninjutsu was performed, the barrier she just created slowly dispersed.
And again, Sakura was panting badly…
Bad move…
She knew she's been nearing Chakra depletion. Damn her condition for not being able to recover quickly.
And since Sasuke had been away and was surely trained so hard for the revenge he wanted to attain, his sensitivity for this matter had also grown. He looked at her by the corner of his eyes.
"Why don't you apply your knowledge in yourself? Don't you even know that when a shinobi is-"
She interrupted him, "I know. It just so happened that I don't have a choice. I suggest we stick together so that we could watch each other's back."
"You know that I'm not the kind of person who would fight alongside with someone such as yourself." He rigidly replied while preparing himself for the upcoming attack of the two ninjas.
It seems like it hit a nerve to Sakura when she replied, "I know it's strange for a Missing Nin and a Hunter Nin cooperating. But we're having the same condition, here. If you head on with a condition like that, you'll be killed. These ninjas chasing you were not just any ordinary ninjas."
That shut him up.
Shit… why was she acting like a stubborn child? But she's right about that same situation. We're nearing Chakra depletion and if we keep on fighting like this without the other's assistance… Tsk… I hate this.
"Alright." That earned a surprised look from Sakura, "I'll cooperate with you. But don't get me wrong."
Sakura smirked and grabbed a scroll from her pouch, "Stop lying."
Sasuke's weapon had clashed to one of the ninjas and yet he was still aware of their conversation, "I'm not."
Since there are nine more ninjas waiting for them to commence this battle, Sasuke had decided to stay close to Sakura, agreeing to what she'd suggested. In their current situation, it's best to play defense rather than offense. They don't have to speak or say their plans that formulated in their heads because it looks like they know what they were going to do.
Sasuke took the position of taking care of the ninjas who had executed Ninjutsus. He allowed them to give their presence and let Sakura do the defenses for him. The said girl was crouching on the rooftop, where they were, and had finally completed another shield, acting as a defense. When the barrier rose up from the ground the moment the water jutsu attempted to attack them, Sakura put the scroll in her mouth and executed some hand seals, in which Sasuke knew would be of a great advantage of him.
After the set of hand seals had been completed, Sakura opened her eyes in a dangerous look.
Body Freeze Skill!
There was an obvious look in the eyes of those ninjas who had tried to attack them within the barrier. And since they were frozen in their position, Sasuke immediately whipped out of the barrier as he charged them with his favorite move.
The sound of thousand birds gave her the hint.
Chidori!
He wasn't even listening…
To be continued
Author's Note: Phew. Finally another chapter done and it seems like it was a cliffhanger, isn't it? Nah. It's not (hope so). It took me only three, err, two (?) days to accomplish this chapter. That's because yesterday was my free time and today is a holiday. I've got to get serious with my studies, and you have to agree with me because I'm dying not to get a passing grade, but higher. Ambitious am I?
I'm so sorry if I'm having a slow updates for this story. But I do hope I've compensated with you since I got you this chapter and An overnight stay was successfully finished. You know I was deeply engrossed into reading the stories in my Favorite's List that's because I want to get myself inspired. Other than that, I wished I do have time to read more books. But it seems impossible now since I do have a lot of researches and tons of plates to be submitted in a short period of time. Can anyone lend me a scroll of Time Binding Skill?! I'm in a desperate situation!! And where is Itachi when I needed him to kill my idiot cousin who infiltrated my data that caused so much problem in my researching!! (Started looking for Itachi)
Oh here's my reply to you my beloved reviewers! You, among all the people, have inspired me greatly!! You gave me power to hold on to this fic!! I salute you people!!
Mrs. Uchiha - here's the update for you! You know, I was surprised when your name appeared in my reviewer's list. I thank you for leaving your comment!
AKKI - Thank you for your comment And don't worry, I'm going to finish this. This is my favorite story so far and I'm giving everything for this one! As for the SakuraxGaara that you requested, I'm sorry to disappoint you but I'm more of a SasuSaku than that pair.
SilencedDreams011 - Hey thanks for supporting me here sweety! Thanks for keeping in touch, too!
izumi-17 - Aww gosh. I'm betting that the retrieval group would be more powerful than they were. I just hope Orochimaru's troops would have weakened. So far, I'm beginning to like the Kakashi Gaiden. I like Yondaime!!
inu-chan 613 - I hope you read this chapter. Hehe. Sasuke isn't the kind of person who would forget those people dear to him. But hey, I'm going to make him proud for Sakura.
Akira-kun - It's really nice of you to be here! (watery eyes) I'm sorry to disappoint you in this matter where you were asking for a battle between Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura. I think it would be better if they team up just like the plot I made in this chapter. But... you'll find out everything for the next chapters... (grins)
Kandi-4-Belldandi - Thank you!!
kira-924 - I'm sorry for the late update sweety. I'm glad that you're anticipating for the installment of my chapters. Heheh, I didn't expect that you would comment something on how I end up a chapter with cliffhangers. You know I'm not good at it, but because I've been working with An overnight stay, it just so happen that I'm used to have cliffhangers. I'm really really happy that you like my story
kiki tameishi - I hope you read this chapter. Honestly, there are no specifications as to what techniques the Haruno Clan have. So it's either expect to have my own version for their clan or there won't be any new techniques. I'm fond of creating elemental Ninjutsus..hehehe.
Lady Light - (nods) I agree, he needs to be love and he has to learn how to love. (started singing) He will be loved!! And he will be loooooooveee!! Err, I think it's the other way around...ne?