Someone Screaming

Ayane Selznick

Sasuke was the first one to wake up in the morning. He didn't bother the girl beside him to wake up. Instead, he went to his morning routine and finally exited the door of their room. What he didn't know was that the person on the bed was already awake five minutes before he did.

Ever since yesterday, they've been having a silent treatment. She thought that both of them could've been adjusting from this uncomfortable situation, but it was really strange for the fact that the very person that she's been looking for had let her settled down with him. Never the less, she did not attempt to leave…

Who would be, now that she had found him?

After she let him leave the place, it was her turn to sit up. Snaking her hand to her forehead, she found out that she was perfectly fine. It was maybe her Healing techniques that relieved her condition, or maybe it was her sleeping hours, which took almost the whole day. Whatever the cause of her fast recovery, she didn't matter anymore.

Lifting the blanket and shoving herself from the bed, she made sure that the bed would be fix before she completely left the room. And she did.

It took her thirty minutes to finish her morning rituals. And before she got out of the bathroom, she realized that she has nothing to wear if she would take her old clothes to the laundry. She just took her undergarments and the mesh ninja outfit. Her red cheongsam would be put to the laundry and to this morning, after she had taken breakfast, she has to buy something to wear in replace of her clothing.

I have to stay with him… and confirm something…

She faintly smiled and dried her hair. While doing so, she took a sit on the edge of their bed, contemplating about the things that had just happened recently. Even though she noticed the silent treatment that Sasuke had been doing, she was never the woman who would press him more just so he would speak to her. However, a woman who devoted herself solely to the one she loved, of course, she would be curious. No one could withstand his silence when he was in Konoha. As a matter of fact, it was only the Team Seven, his former teammates, could withstand his attitude.

They're the only ones who could understand him.

But…

Why did he leave in the first place?

Didn't he have faith in them?

…That he must gave in on what iniquity that Orochimaru asked for him?

Just like the Godaime Tsunade mentioned, Orochimaru invited Uchiha Sasuke just so he could claim Konoha's powerful bloodline. An Advance Bloodline that only three people have.

Sharingan.

…The eye technique that only belongs to the Uchiha clan…

The clan that had been long lost forever…

As far as the information gotten in to her brain, Uchiha clan's Sharingan is a powerful eye-technique that has an advantageous ability to be able to copy a technique from the user's opponent. It made a lot easier to the Sharingan user to fight off an opponent because of the ability to predict the foe's movements. She'd heard some rumor about the said eye-technique that the user could hypnotize the opponent's movement. But as stated, it was because the Sharingan could predict the opponent's movements, not by hypnotism. When the user was under a Genjutsu, he could easily escape from it, because the user can see through illusions.

Simply put it, Sharingan users were not affected by Genjutsus.

However, just what Kakashi-sensei had told her about the Sharingan, one of the most feared techniques was when the Sharingan user already had the Mangekyou Sharingan. And as far as the history of Konoha is concern, only Uchiha Itachi, the other living Uchiha, was the only person who had obtained the said technique. Kakashi said that there's one technique that Itachi used in which he claimed as one of the high-leveled Genjutsu existing in the Ninja world. That's because he, himself, had experienced it.

Tsukuyomi.

The said Genjutsu lets the opponent be imprisoned inside the user's own little world. There, the user would do anything such as torturing. The torturing effect would make the opponent think that he was tormented for three days where in reality; the technique would only pained him in seconds. Kakashi added that only the Sharingan users could survive the technique, if you're not one of it, then… most likely…

"You'll die."

Genjutsus, as she had known, were only to halt an opponent or make it an advantageous move to create an opening when one was in the battlefield. She never thought that such Genjutsu exist.

…A Genjutsu that could kill an opponent inside his little world…

She wondered…

Did Sasuke already learn that Genjutsu? Did Orochimaru force him to learn it?

She stopped drying and let the towel placed on her messy hair. Letting her hands drop to her side only to relax it on the soft cushion of the bed, she measured how strong Sasuke would be if he obtained it. And just how powerful Itachi was even before his teen-age years.

"Uchihas are born to be strong… no matter what the destiny gives them, they are forced to be strong."

Such power does one have if he's part of the clan.

But what intrigue her greatly was why did Sasuke really accepted Orochimaru's invitation. What were his capabilities as of this time? How much change had he undergone? How much power did Orochimaru gave him?

Unconsciously, she clutched her hand on the white sheet of the bed. Anger already seething at her face when she found out something upon her realization…

The root of all things… the reason why he was bound within Orochimaru's grasp…

The Curse Seal!

Just how long did that fucking Curse Seal linger within Sasuke's body?

In all truth, she never saw the black markings that so much resembled the Sharingan eyes because Sasuke already had a new outfit. He was wearing a black sleeveless turtleneck spandex that so much resembled the Jounin's uniform with an exception of the vest. On top of it was a fading purplish worn-out robe. One may believe that he came from the Hidden Sound judging from the color and the style of the said clothing. Other than that, he had wooden arm covers underneath it. It was, as she thought, rather a replacement from his white arm covers that he used to wear during their Genin days.

In short, for the past years, his taste in clothing had changed drastically.

And it made a lot of hassle just to figure out if that fucking thing was still in there.

On impulse though, she snaked her right hand to her left arm just so she could feel the imprint of an ANBU/Hunter Nin black tattoo with a Konoha ANBU/Hunter Nin symbol designed only for the chosen people of Konoha ninjas.

Chosen people who were willing to risk their lives to take A-rank missions…

Who wouldn't be thinking twice if the Hokage commanded them to kill some S-class criminals that had been wandering around the world…

Who were trained to conceal their emotions during the mission proper…

Who were believed to be able to do anything under the Hokage's command simply to protect the village and the people as well…

Truth showed that she has indeed become one of the feared shinobis living in Konoha. Most shinobis and kunoichis who were working under the ANBU or Hunter Nin title were said to be the high class Ninjas whom possessed great knowledge and skills to be able to perform greatly in the battlefield. The villagers, the ninjas and the Hokage herself would have expected them to work with their best because the lives of the people in Konoha lie in their hands.

She brought her palms upward to have a good view on them.

Yes. She's certainly part of that group.

…Part of that people who would never surrender because they'd willingly put down their lives for the sake of the village…

However…

"Are ninjas born to become as a tool in the battlefield? Didn't they have conscience more so feelings in front of the people they have to kill?"

It has been the question from her Genin years, but the teachers would always say that ninjas were taught not to show their emotions. They must think of the possibilities of further calamities that might happen if they didn't kill the person or people that had committed such crimes.

"People like them were sentenced to death."

She had been thinking too widely of these things.

But there's no doubt about being a Hunter Nin in this world. She's part of the group that had been given a task to hunt down S-class criminals. Nine came from the Akatsuki, while some wandered aimlessly.

And Sasuke?

She cast her eyes down to the floor together with her hands, which was already placed on top of the bed sheets.

Given the reports and information, Uchiha Sasuke, at an early age of thirteen, betrayed Konoha for the sole purpose of seeking power to which was granted by one of the Legendary Sannins, who had also betrayed the Konoha when he left years ago.

Orochimaru.

The said living survivor of the clan had vowed with his entire life to kill the mass murderer of his clan who happened to be the person with the same blood flowing in his veins.

UchihaItachi.

…Uchiha Sasuke's older brother…

Upon breaking the rules and trust of Konoha and by giving himself in Orochimaru's abominable purposes, it was then they declared Uchiha Sasuke as one of the Missing Nins who might have become a threat to the nation. He had no records of killing or plotting evil things yet, but being Orochimaru's puppet and having a deep and senseless revenge seething in his mind, there won't be any control to him. Therefore, he's part of the bingo book.

The Hokage was greatly disappointed to Sasuke's decision. Sharingan was very much functional skill. It was a great loss when Sasuke left, although they were three of them who still had the Sharingan.

The youngest person who had ever mastered Sharingan at young age had wiped out his whole clan with an exception of his little brother, Uchiha Itachi…

The youngest last surviving member of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Sasuke…

And the person who was famed as Copy Ninja, Hatake Kakashi…

Then again, Kakashi's Sharingan does not belong to him. According to her sources, the left eye Sharingan belonged to the person who truly belongs to the Uchiha clan and was very unfortunate to face death at young age. The said eye was being transplanted by a medical ninja whom she could remember as Rin. And the owner of the Sharingan was…

Uchiha Obito.

Kakashi himself told her and Naruto that even though he was so advantageous to gain that eye, he was still inferior to the Sharingan Master, Itachi. Having the Uchiha blood flowing in your veins makes it easier to obtain the real secrets and scariest techniques that that clan has. Sasuke has all the potentials to learn it but just what fate delivered him, he must have learned the technique and used it in evil things.

Or he hasn't discovered it yet.

That's why I have to know what's with him now…

While he was having his sole training within the sea of valleys that was located a few kilometers from the village they were staying, all he could think of was how he would be able to find his brother. He had destroyed a not so large slope in front of him using Chidori. As much as he wanted to admit, the said technique was one of his favorite killing skills, which in fact, it truly was a skill to kill. The mentor and the person who had this original technique said that Chidori was used in his ANBU days, specifically for assassination. It was indeed a valuable technique only for those who had been a master of Ninjutsu and had practiced Taijutsu. If a person doesn't have any of them then the technique would come out as a weak power.

Later he was soon creating mass shadow clones in which would act as his sparring partners. Everyone who had his face started attacking him from one corner. Planting on his mind that he would not use any Ninjutsu, he powered up his physical skills to open the Gates that only a Taijutsu specialist has. Smirking to all his clones the frightening aura emitted around his body.

A vicious black and purple aura…

When he stood in a fighting stance, he slowly opened his eyes only to reveal the crimson eyes…

Sharingan…

With three swirling black small flames in each of his eyes…

Afar from the location he has taken for a spar, a woman sat quietly at the edge of the valley with her eyes narrowed on the person whom she knew as the real Sasuke. Not wanting to wait any longer, she slowly stood from her relaxing position and clasped her hands together.

Zoom.

Half of the clones had been vanished to the strong strikes of the original Sasuke. With enhanced speed and reflexes, his attacks were very sharp. After throwing a clone to the two clones behind it, he dashed to another crowd of clones. Turning sharply, he delivered a spinning kick to the clone in front of him. Sensing another attack coming from mid-air, he swiftly put his pressure to his foot and raised it up together with the clone he just kicked. Putting his hands to the clones' shoulders for support, he kicked two clones that came from left and right directions. Satisfied upon hearing the poof sound, he gripped each clones' necks and brought down his body as it barely touch the ground. The clones simply pushed backwards but didn't disappear yet. With Sasuke almost lying on the ground in between the two clones, he gave them both a direct powerful chest breaking attack.

As another group of clones came dashing him, he pushed his own body backwards and lifted his lower torso again. Narrowing his eyes to calculate his movements, he pushed his hands from the ground and twisted his body only to land on ground with a number of clones surrounding him. Breathing for a second, he resumed to his usual dynamic speed and grabbed a clone's arm, locked it, and hurled himself to kick another incoming clone that attempted to attack him from behind. When the clone disappeared, he turned sideways only to have himself standing in front of the clone he used to propel himself earlier. With their arms still locked, the real Sasuke used his free arm to attack him using a back fist attack.

As soon as the clone disappeared with a classic sound of which would clones usually do, four clones threw him projectile weapons but he easily caught and even threw it back to them.

Three clones left.

Looking at the standing clones with only few meters away from his position, he steadied his body for a while, checking if some of his muscles were still okay to be used in his next maneuver. He wiped the threatening sweat from his forehead as he breathed in. Smirking to no one, he flipped open his holster to get a standard looking kunai and started dashing his way to counter the clones that simultaneously ran towards him.

When the two clones extended their arms in attempt to attack him with their kunais, Sasuke found the blind spot in which both clones have. Settling the kunai on the ground without taking his hand off of the grip, he used the momentum to land his feet on both coming attacks forcing them to drop the kunai. To add the damage, his right foot that was on the left opponent was used to kick the adjacent clone. The same happened when he used his left foot.

One more to go…

The last remaining clone took almost his arsenal of weapons and threw it all to Sasuke. The latter immediately disappeared from his location as he dashed his way to the last standing adversary.

Flipping in the mid-air he attempted to land his heel on the clone's head, only to realize that the clone had immediately gone as his foot barely touched the head. Following the clone's movements by his keen eyes, he recomposed himself as soon as he touched the ground. With his one knee touching the ground, his hands landed smoothly on the ground as well. Slightly amused at the silent agreement and supposed-to-be clone behind him, he couldn't help but smirk.

"Shadow Clones do not bleed." He said while pushing himself upwards.

Due to his keen observations, the latter actions before they split up had proved that he was right. Before half of the clones attacked him, he had sensed someone had changed to look like himself and joined the crowd. Although he ignored it, he never expected it to be the last one standing.

"What the hell are you trying to do?" He added, sensing that the worthless reason would be up.

His clone just smiled at him and soon he heard a poof sound.

A pink haired kunoichi in her red cheongsam appeared behind him. Her lower right arm showing a small gash smeared with her own blood.

"I thought you would take me lightly." The girl said, healing her wounded arm with her left. She pointed out that she has to ignore his questions to cover up her main reason.

"If I weren't a knowledgeable ninja, you could have fooled me." He stated the obvious while turning his face to hers.

She took this as one of his rare praises and finished her healing. Facing him might have been too hard earlier, but those nights that he allowed her to stay with him proved that he was okay with her presence, lest she does something suspicious or something he disliked.

"You've been training almost the whole day. Don't you want to take a break?" She asked trying to have a topic to begin with.

It was kind of weird, but Sasuke was slightly having fun to converse with someone he knew and throw back an answer with a question. But his question turned out to be a mocking statement.

"Did you come here to stop me?"

She thought she would be offended of some sort, but in her face and deep inside her, she felt absolutely nothing for his supposed-to-be offending question. Just so she convinced herself that she felt nothing, she answered him using her natural tone of voice.

"No." She tightened the lasso in her hair so that the wind wouldn't easily destroy her fixed hair. "I came here to see how much you've grown." Then she smiled and started walking towards him. "And it proved to me that you did grow enough to be strong, yet, something haven't changed."

Uninterested in this matter, he turned around and crossed his arms over his chest. But it did hit his nerve, sending him a message that tells him what is that something that haven't changed yet.

"There is no need to change." He countered, allowing the wind passed his black long bangs and felt how cool it was to feel the fresh air of the afternoon atmosphere in Hidden Stone.

"I think, there is." He heard her stopped her tracks and felt her presence near his back. "Though I know you wouldn't listen to what is supposed to be changed."

She felt it, too. The cool and foreign wind of the Hidden Stone… though as much as she wanted to relax with it, she must continue to what she had started.

"I tell you this again," breaking the awkward silence after the kunoichi's statement, he was sure that he has to knock all the sense in her to go away and stop her fruitless ways to annoy him. "Just what the hell do you want from me?"

"What do you think?" She countered and almost mimicking his way of conversing with her. Somehow her tone made him think that she's mocking at him. She tilted her head to add the drama.

Aggravated as he sensed the flow of this discussion, he grunted inwardly and tried not to appear as if he was totally annoyed by her presence.

"It's understandable for a Hunter Nin to interrogate someone such as myself. You're making such a fuss with those unreliable questions that you threw me earlier." It seems he certainly know what she's trying to get at and mindlessly filling up what she has to do in this case.

"I'm just trying to make the atmosphere comfy between you and me." She reasoned out, applying the truth as she defended her questions and herself as well.

"Hn. As if I don't see what exactly you're doing. You wanted to trap me in one corner. I know how your mind works, Sakura." Smiling triumphantly at his own statement, he turned around to her once again, with a smirk as if challenging her to fight back.

"Really? Then I don't have to question you further, I guess." She easily caved in and let him do what he pleases.

Somehow, her antics could be compared in this place. Foreign. Unknown. He couldn't easily say that he could still read her thoughts for all he knew she had something else plotting behind this talking. He wouldn't drop the first impression that she would be trapping him in one corner, forcing him to answer her. But what's beyond his hypothesis is something he couldn't easily admit.

She's trying to act like a sadist interrogator.

Or was this conversation a natural thing for her?

He might be paranoid at some point, but given her title, who wouldn't be so much paranoid to be confronted such as herself? Like he mentioned, if he wasn't any Ninja with vast knowledge, he could've been fooled by her looks. One may say she's nothing but a low ranked Ninja where in fact, she's one to be feared of.

"Aren't you going to say something? You said you know how my mind works." She dared, placing her left hand to her hip and slanting her body for a bit as if striking a pose.

"There's nothing to be told." He firmly stated and lied as a fact, narrowing his dark eyes to her soft green ones.

Her lips curved upwards and put her right hand to her hip so that both of her hands are on that place.

"You and I both know you're lying. Well I guess, let's have the traditional method. I ask," She emphasized the last two words by jabbing her chest, "you answer." She pointed him as an emphasis.

"Depends on the question." He immediately said, relaxing his nerves for a while.

Just answer, Sasuke…

She allowed him to rest himself by inclining his back on one of the slopes of the valley. When he found one, he walked to it and slowly rested on it. She, on the other hand, followed his suit but did not leaned back. Instead, she just stood almost beside him although there's some distance between them. She watched him for a moment, accumulating proper questions for her to gain proper answers from him.

With Sasuke found a way to relax a bit, he noticed that Sakura had taken so much time to think of the questions for him to answer.

"Aren't you going to start?" He said with a clear irritating tone.

The woman barely smiled, "Don't get too excited…" And then she looked up on the sky. Shortly, she returned her attention to him. In all truth, she was just supplying some courage to start the interrogation with him. "So… Sasuke," She had called his name more than once without putting the suffix just like she used to. "Does becoming a Sound Ninja differ from a Konoha Ninja?"

At first he stared at her, wondering how pathetic her first question was.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I get stronger from them, I get weaker from you."

"How so?"

"They gave me power, you gave me reason to be weaker."

"Like what?"

Sasuke sighed. Was this really the questions and information she wanted to know? She's so irrelevant if she was. "Don't ask me something that concerns your emotion, Sakura."

"I'm not. So answer it." She strongly said, ignoring his pathetic excuses to avoid the said question.

"You think I'm giving all the information that easily?" He mocked once again as he tried to cover up his past from the Hidden Sound.

"I know you wouldn't, but I'm asking you now."

The Uchiha smirked. "Stop being persistent."

"We're just starting and you're quitting already. Did Orochimaru teach you to do that?"

The snake-bastard's name was spoken which hit some nerves of the Uchiha. His jaw was twitching, attempting to mock her once again. He knew he shouldn't have caved in her persistent demand to interrogate him, but he was sure he would be able to answer some, but not entirely everything she has to ask.

"I think that's a pass. Okay, I'm giving you chances for that. Let's move on." She knew the question will eventually get all his attention and would probably the reason for him to hate her more, but she won't turn around with her tail between her legs like a dog, "Are you still going to get your revenge?"

He tensed up.

All those things that happened to him for the past years were his responsibility. All the miserable things that happened to him were because of that very man. All these sacrifices he surrendered to gain power to defeat him were because of him.

It's always because of him.

Why?

Because Uchiha Itachi took everything from him…

He took everything from Uchiha Sasuke.

And after what he did thirteen years ago, the young survivor had wholly vowed to kill him. He would find several ways just to obtain power in order to kill him. He will eat the devil's fruit just so it could give him a devastating power that will surely give him all that he wanted so that he could kill his God forbidden brother.

And there's no way he would quit.

There's no way he would die…

He will carry out his vengeance for the sake of those who died by Itachi's hands.

Clenching his hands, he hoarsely answered, "Of course. Everything I did was because of him. I will hunt him down even if I have to cross Hell… I will kill him."

Even if she tried not to be affected by his unearthly and life-long goal, she could feel that her heart had been squeezed within her ribs. Something that grabbed it and squeezed it...

Perhaps that was the thing that never changed him.

The path of revenge…

He was still in that road… He had been walking in that road ever since that incident happened. She knew for a certain that no matter how many times his friends would try to convince him not to go on that path, they will surely fail in the end. Sasuke had been sticking with his own goals in life. Somehow, deep down inside her, she felt that those were the only things that will keep him alive that no matter how many times they try to stop him or prevent him from doing it, he would still do it.

"To kill that man and to restore my clan."

She shut her eyes momentarily as something struck her mind, making her remember their first Genin days with their chosen Jounin, Kakashi. The three of them sitting on some low stairs and Kakashi slanting his back on the metal railings, asking them about their names, likes and dislikes, hobbies, and the ambitions. It was at that time she knew that Sasuke wasn't any ordinary kid.

Because at his young age, he had experienced a tragedy which involves him and his brother…

At young age, his mind had been transfixed to his so-called revenge.

And with that, his whole being had changed. It changed to something inhumane. He created himself a demon inside him. A demon thirst for blood and power… And she was scared. She was afraid that those things will cause him blindness… but…

She was too late…

Sasuke was already blinded by revenge.

And none… could heal him…

The deafening silence had enveloped them once the answer had been said. Neither one of them tried to continue with the topic that Sakura left hanging. Though even if she didn't ask for more, it was obvious that he hasn't changed for one bit. However, those earlier questions were something that could help her determined his current situation. And if he didn't cooperate with her, just as the more times he would make a 'pass', she will forced him in any ways that she could.

Right now, she has to be serious. She has to make all the points she wanted to know just so she could finally end this heart piercing conversation.

"The Curse Seal…" She swallowed some liquid substance called saliva when she blurted out that term. "Is… is it still there?"

She looked at him with her keen eyes, watching how his reactions would work. She knew it was some sort of confidential and sensitive topic, but just to make sure that everything would be fine, she has to ask it.

The next thing he did was unexpected. But she has to expect the unexpected since she didn't know him any longer… Uchiha Sasuke gave an empty laugh to her question. The laugh that echoed the entire valley of nothingness…

What the hell…

"So that's what it is ha? Hahahaha!!" Then out of the blue he returned to his normal stoic persona, "You need to learn more, Sakura. Why don't you just go back to Konoha and practice more for interrogation?"

That hit a lot of nerves in her being. Just what the hell is he trying to portray now? A highly rank ANBU Interrogation Officer? What?

"Sasuke, I'm asking you. Is that Curse Seal still there?" There was venom in her voice when she repeated her question. Sasuke had annoyed him now.

The Uchiha stood up from his relaxing position and even gave her his challenging glare. "You think this fucking Curse Seal would disappear easily? Have you no brains to judge that?" Then he started walking off of his position, trying to conceal the fact that he was obviously escaping the topic.

…About the Curse Seal and its power…

In a moment, Sakura was provoked to stand up and gave her infuriating statement. "I know it's still there! But I wanted to know if that fucking seal had been giving you pain! That seal showed me how it works! It gave you pain, Sasuke!"

He turned back sharply and glared her for the first time, "Why does it matter to you ha!? Haven't you recognize me yet!? Why are you still following me!?" His voice, it was his first time to use it on her. It was terribly horrible and powerful.

She was indeed taken a back. Not once she did dream of this but she has to expect this kind of retort from him. In truth, her question was stupid and even if she didn't ask for it she knew it was still there. But what more she has to expect from it? She didn't want that damn Curse Seal be intact with Sasuke's flesh for his entire life nor the pain he must endure whenever it activated.

Wasn't it obvious? The failure to conceal her anxiety had finally exposed. Half of the questions were actually connected from her concern and the rest was just getting information. However, it seems like everything had vanished because of one question.

She didn't have to be more careful for the next statements because it hit her pride when he said those. Okay, so she was deeply concern in his condition, but she wasn't all that stupid. Behind all that talk was something he mustn't know.

"Of course I know who you are! You're that kid who once part of Team Seven and was known as the best rookie in our batch! You're that kid who had put down his life to save his teammates! You're that kid who had been adored by every girls in Konoha! You're that kid—"

"SHUT UP!" His hands balled into fists, shaking in anger for all she had been said. It doesn't really matter who he was in the past, "I don't care about that kid you once knew! I'm an avenger! I'm a Missing Nin!"

The last words had echoed the entire valley of nothingness. All they could hear was his breathing and all they could see was each other's eyes staring at one another.

The conversation had started and ended to nothing. It wasn't selfish for Sakura's part to know his condition and concealing her true intentions was her job but to Sasuke's part, everything was different. He was always selfish. Although his intentions in his life had been cleared during his teen-age years, the power he had obtained was now a mystery to everybody. Although they didn't know yet what happened to Hidden Sound and who's behind the killing, they had a speculation that Uchiha Sasuke was behind all of it.

Whether he was conscious or under Orochimaru's Jutsu…

Calming for a second, he had breathe out his last fury and opened his palms. He cast down his head and breath in slowly. Almost forgotten… he had almost forgotten that this person in front of him was the most delicate person he had known. Although she wasn't really that delicate, he was sensitive at her. And though most of the times he had hurt her, not physically, he still bore the sensitivity whenever she's around. Having enough of his way of calming his self, he took a last glance at her eyes and turned around.

"I won't allow you to question me further. If you still want to stay with me, it's fine, but I want you to leave as early as possible."

Then without another word, he disappeared.

Standing alone in the sunset was a girl who had longed to witness and caress the man who she had spoken with. The tears she had been preventing to flow had finally reached its peak as it started to tremble down in her porcelain face. Her sobs were heavy and the way she embraced herself was totally agonizing. The pain she thought would never struck her had deeply hit her.

Why Sasuke? Why can't you choose another path? Why must stay in that path…?

Looking up in the sky that had changed drastically as the time had ordered it to become dark, the rain of sorrow hasn't stopped. It was more painful than the wounds that had inflicted on her.

I just want to save you, Sasuke-kun…

To be continued...

Author's Note: Well, I think I'm very much surprised to myself. Why? Just look at this chapter. It was long and updated early as it was supposed to be! I guess I can't help but to answer your requests my beloved readers! MWAH to all of you!

So what points should I explain here? I guess Sasuke's thought about Sakura being a sadist interrogator which might have reminded you of Morino Ibiki. Uhm, to tell you guys and girls, I don't know how the interrogation works. I mean, I've never been in a case where I was put in a chair, where a light bulb hanging on the ceiling and is only above my head. So bear with me for that event.

You know what, I'm kinda enjoying Sakura's way of talking to him. Like I've mentioned from my last author's note, she had changed. And that was one helluva change for her. It was like I'm talking to Sasuke face to face. Ah.. heheh sorry to blurt out that fact, ok so there was some sort of self-insertion, but do you think she would be so candid and dainty as she was during her teenage years? Remember she's a Hunter Nin, a feared and respected and honored kunoichi.

The fight between Sakura and Sasuke wasn't pointless, but it was short, ne? But I do hope it satisfied both SweGuy and Akira-kun. I wanted to say that Sasuke is just a pain in the ass and is acting too bitchy for his own good. He's so selfish and he's letting his brother consumed his well-being. Well I guess if I'm in his shoes, I might've done the same thing, difference is, I would let my friends help me. Though I won't drag their lives down to Hell.

Author's Reply is open now! nn

kira-924 - Hey thanks for your wonderful comment there! You gave me encouragement to go on with my story. Thanks for riding with me in SS, uh... it's not yet a bye bye. Hehehe. You know, stories like this would always give you headaches...Thanks for your compliments!

TsukiKage-Shiro - You're kiki tameishi right? Just curious though, why the sudden change of penname, huh sweety? smiles cutely Uhm to answer the "Sasuke's pursuers", they're nothing. Some bunch of thugs I just put in for the side events err, major events so that Sasuke and Sakura would finally meet. Sasuke killing Itachi... Well the answer is up there sweety! Thanks thanks sweety! Mwah!!

SweGuy - Hey I really appreciated your suggestion and it was used here. Although the idea was different, the fight came out to start Sakura and Sasuke's conversation. There's also a debate between them which I consider also a battle for the two of them. Thank you so so much!

BlueMarina - Thanks for staying with me!! I salute you!

LadyofDarknes - Yeah Sakura still loves Sasuke and the question is... you know what would the question be. nn

RoCkeRShiK028 - Hey I'm sorry kung lumabas na parang ang taray ata ng pagkakasabi ko dun sa Tagalog part. What's "pene scenes?" Nasabi ko na sayo about sa forehead protector right? And you know what? I smiled when I saw your review in Chapter5, parang gustong gusto mo talaga ng forehead protector. Sana nakuha mo siya nung Christmas. You were so desperate... hehehe.

Maya Amano - Glad you're here! Just wanted to say that I'm not making an outline for stories. For me, outline is used for research papers or something. nn And don't worry, the plot is still there. Nothing had changed and would lose its way. Thanks for being here!

direwolf1427 - Thanks for reviewing!

bl4ck-st4r - It doesn't sound funny to me, and I think I remember someone by the name of Mrs. Hyuuga... hmmm. Anyway, thanks for the compliments! I'm glad you're still there to read and review SS!

Liz - You're lucky because you didn't experience the so-called "the long wait". And I thank you for giving that compliment! I appreciate it! It gives me the power to continue with SS.

angel-roshiel - You playing Ragnarok Online? Coz you know I'm like this (/omg). You did have a long review and I'm touched when you did! Say what where you doing in Pangasinan? Layo naman napupuntahan mo. When you mentioned about the grammar and syntax, one thing entered my mind: "God, my stupid grammar problem again." Don't worry, I'm going to fix my grammar. I'm just relying on the fanfics I'm reading, from them I'm learning how to properly deal with my grammar. And one thing, you're not a dobe. I smiled at your third thought. I admit I write long, but I loved doing descriptions. And from what I've experienced years ago as a writer, I find it uninterested when I write without the descriptive details. I just hate it. By the way, you can adjust the font size while reading, lam mo naman ata yun eh. Thanks for giving friendly comments ate!

Naruto? He'll appear shortly. Nagkamali ako ng place, nabili ko pala tong hitai-ate sa Tokyo Kids sa SM Manila. Oh well, sister company/shop naman ata sila ng Comic Alley. Yung forehead protector talaga ang binili ko kasi I need it for future use. By the way, ano laman nung scroll? Some Japanese texts? If so, I will buy it, too. I don't know how much it cost for the shuriken and kunai keychains... but for the action figures... dapat lahat bibilin mo! And the price is 750 Pesos ata yon... Hay naku.. di kaya ng budget ko. Thanks again ate!

Akira-kun - Hey thanks! So glad you're still here with me! Hehe, don't worry you haven't demanding too much yet. :P Ugh, one question, how do you cure Writer's Block? wink wink

SoraKoi The Water Goddess - Thanks! I have to agree to what you just said. There are only few people who made her strong. I don't know, I wouldn't tell much. But for my opinion, I know Sakura isn't just your ordinary/typical kunoichi. She'll grow strong like Tsunade or better than her. Thanks again!

KristiexxNguyen - Thanks! Hope to see you in next chapters!

Ahem, I never expected to reach 65 reviews for Chapter 5. I REALLY LOVE YOU ALL!! To tell the truth, people, I hated the flow of conversation between the two. Well I guess that's because my mood in writing had changed to something worst. And I thought everything will be good as it was planned... sorry about that.