SNOW GLARE

CHAPTER 7

Tsunade stared at the back of her office door uncomfortably, The ANBU squad should have reported back to me by now. Perhaps Sasuke set a premeditated trap. A gust of icy wind boomed from behind Tsunade, catching her by surprise as Sai suddenly appeared in the open window behind her.

"Lord Hokage there has been a disturbance at the front gate involving Uchiha Sasuke," he called from behind her, shock evident in his usual mono-toned voice.

Pressing her eyes shut she took a deep breath, "Casualties?"

"None as far as we know," he reported back obediently. "However it has been reported that the ANBU retrieval squad was targeted. It is unknown as to whether Sakura was involved in the planning behind this attack, but she has been accounted for."

Rising from her chair Tsunade reached for her Hokage hat, placing it on her head before turning to face Sai. "Get Kakashi to meet me at the gate since Sasuke has graced us with his presence," the blonde states sternly, her once pleasant features turning into a mask of complete distaste.

Nodding, Sai vanished into thin air, a heavy load of snow fell from the roof above the window.

Exhaling loudly, Tsunade rubbed her left temple. Sakura I told you that the next time he approaches the village unwilling to undergo a trial he will officially become an enemy, that time has come. No more excuses. No more holding back. I'm sorry. Turning to look down at her desk she eyes off a small red button, pressing it without hesitation as a tower bell rang throughout the vicinity as she vanished, Its war.

The sound of the village's war bell rang through Sakura's ears as her eyes widened, shocked. She said the next time she will try to kill him, is that time now? Panic set in as the medic took a deep breath and tugged at her beloved's cloak, bright orbs shifting from side to side as she tried to piece together a plan."You need to leave Sasuke, they will be here in a matter minutes," the pinkette urges as gazed up at him desperately.

Silence befell the two as Sasuke smirked; "I think it's time I faced reality," he stated as he lifted her chin, their eyes locking. The Akatsuki won't know what hit them.

He can't be serious! Gripping his shoulders tightly Sakura shook him; "Tsunade told me that you've used up your lifelines Sasuke, they will aim to kill you! You can't face every shinobi in our village and honestly expect to survive, Sasuke!" Fighting back the urge to cry, her eyes tensed fearfully; You need to place more value in your existence, she thought to herself, anxiety setting in as acid rose in the back of her throat.

Grabbing Sakura's left hand Sasuke's expression remained blank. It was clear that she was going to blame herself if anything happened to him, but he was certain it wouldn't come to that if he played things out the way they wanted him to. "Trust me," he whispers huskily, the grip he held on her petite hand tightening slightly.

Heart racing, Sakura felt her entire body prickle with discomfort, What's happening?

Lunging forward, Sasuke leapt from tree branch to tree branch gracefully, before leaping up onto the enormously large gate of the village hidden in the leaves; Konoha. A smirk crept across his lips as he eyed hundreds of silhouettes converging on their undisclosed location, "Such a negative welcome home."

Body stiffening, Sakura's hair fluttered over her shoulders as an Antarctic gust smashed against their bodies in synchronised timing. Tightening her grip on Sasuke's hand, she attempted to swallow her fear as she suddenly found herself gripping her kunai in her free hand by habit; the cold metal of the familiar object stinging her purpled finger tips.

There was no doubt about how frightening their current situation was; hundreds of her comrades would gladly lay down their lives just for a chance to come face to face with Sasuke, let alone for the opportunity to slay him; the man she couldn't help but love. Shaking, the medic pressed her eyes shut, a strange warmth spread through her body, filling her with courage as she stepped forward taking a deep breath before calling out to her beloved teacher and leader; "TSUNADE!"

Sasuke's eyes widened, not daring to look across at Sakura as he felt her chakra levels rise steadily. Was that necessary? What is she planning? I told her I'd handle this.

"Sakura!" Naruto bellowed, promptly landing beside Sasuke; his bright blue eyes narrowing as he noted their entwined hands.

Eyes darting from person to person, Naruto fought to contain his anger at their proximity; violently shaking he reached forward slapping Sakura and Sasuke's hands apart. "What are you doing with him Sakura? He kidnapped you!" he snapped furiously, "If I didn't know you any better I would believe that you were his accomplice." A warm hand graced upon Naruto's shoulder, silently interjecting, as Tsunade's piercing eyes locked on Sasuke's unphased expression.

The Hokage stood beside Naruto silently for long moments, staring over at her student with complete and utter disappointment as her golden ponytail whipped over her shoulder. "I have to admit I've considered thousands of possible scenarios where your try to penetrate Konoha, Sasuke. However, I never believed that you would come without proper reinforcements," she noted coldly before looking back at Sakura, "I never thought you would assist him either Sakura. I'm disappointed."

Meeting Tsunade's eyes Sasuke's expression remained stern. "I'm not here to attack anyone. I've come to seek sanctuary," he stated bluntly; his cloak whipping against his legs as the wind howled wildly around them.

What? Is this his plan? Sakura wondered as she looked across at him, surprise printed across her petite features.

Tsunade laughed loudly as she scratched the nape of her neck. "You can't be serious? What on Earth would make us want to help you at all?"

Heart racing Sakura looked away, There is no way she will assist him without getting something out of it in return. Is he going to tell her what he knows in exchange?

"You have five seconds to convince me why I should help you, if it's not a decent reason then consider yourself dead Uchiha," Tsunade barked as her eyes narrowed, pressing her fists together she started to perform a jutsu, "Five."

Such a simple Jutsu. Does she really believe I'm afraid of her? I killed Orochimaru and my brother; she was no match for either. Raising his left brow Sasuke slipped both his hands into his side pockets, She still cannot control her anger it seems. Now I know why Sakura is an emotional basket case ninety-nine percent of the time.

"Four," she whispered as she performed another hand movement.

Pathetic. Flicking the hair out of his eyes Sasuke watched her calmly. Go on, kill me.

"Three," she continued as he hands whipped wildly past each other before freezing.

Sasuke! Sakura whimpered silently as her heart started to beat erratically. You can't just give up. Tell her what you have to offer! Please.

"Two."

Anxiously Sakura pressed her eyes shut as she reached forward, grabbing Tsunade's hands. "He has important information Tsunade-sama," Sakura replied quickly, looking up at her mentor anxiously.

Looking across at the younger woman Tsunade shook her head; "Hokage is my title."

Sakura winced as she felt a pang in her chest, I've hurt you. I'm sorry Tsunade-sama.

Scanning Sasuke carefully Tsunade nodded before quickly signaling for two shinobi to grab him from behind. "Honestly, I'm so sick of dealing with you Sasuke. You and your team will be in the cells until further notice."

Looking across at Sasuke, his angered expression greeted Sakura's worried eyes for short moments before he suddenly vanished along with those holding him back.

"I put my uttermost trust in you Sakura and yet you still were willing to help him?" Tsunade snapped furiously, her eyes stern and cold. "Have you lost all of your common sense? He is a mising-nin! How do you know that this isn't a trap organised by the Akatsuki?"

"He confided in me," she replied simply as she looked away, "If you speak to him you will understand why." He stole my heart, I never got it back.

Tsunade sighed as she walked off carelessly, I thought she had forgotten this kid.

Jumping down from the gate Sakura landed firmly on the cobbled path below. A second pair of feet landing seconds after her own, turning to look over her shoulder she sighed tiresomely; "Say whatever you want, Naruto."

"How do I fix this?" Naruto whispered as he met her eyes directly, trying to read her expression. "I thought you were starting to warm up to the idea of accepting my feelings but today I saw you holding his hand and risking your life to ensure his safety," he drifted as his knuckles cracking as he gripped them tightly at his sides, the blond's fragile heart breaking with every breath he took. Don't you understand how much I care for you?

Sakura sighed as she met his eyes, "You can't fix everything Naruto. Just forget about it." I'm sorry, but you completely misunderstood me Naruto.

Remaining silent, Naruto watched her carefully, taking a deep breath every few seconds to control the pent-up tears that were eager to be noticed. "Did you even want to return home?" he asked finally as he took small steps towards her.

Sakura straightened her posture as she slowly turned to face him properly; the icy crackle of the frozen dirt beneath their feet chattered with every movement they made in unspoken silence. I'm sorry but you need to let go of the idea of us, it's not going to happen. "I can't deny the feelings I have for him. I tried to live without him, but it was like living half a life. I'm sorry that it hurt you, it was never my intention. But deep down you know he was the one I loved, it was always him, Naruto and I can't lose him again," the pinkette whimpers as she met Naruto's tear-filled orbs, her heart growing heavy as she refused to look away.

A saddened laugh escapes him as he kicks the soiled snow beneath his feet; tearing his gaze away from the woman before him. "I knew that, I can't compete with when it comes to your feelings;" Naruto whispers as he smiles sadly.

"If you know that then you should realise that you're better off forgetting how you feel about me," she notes sadly, a sympathetic expression passing over her features as she turns away, slowly making her way down the cobbled footpath. I'm sorry, I thought you would realise on your own.