Naruko's POV:
"I've made my decision."
I raised my head hopefully.
"You have?"
"Yeah. I won't destroy the Hidden Leaf with one condition."
I'll do it! I'll do anything to get him to come back.
"You'll be with me."
Except that.
He took steps forward and grabbed me in his arms. Sasuke touched his forehead to mine.
"We can leave it all behind and run far away. Just you and me."
I didn't know how to form words. He was looking at me expectantly. I can't answer him. Now I have to make a choice.
It's easy to say no to his team but rejecting him...?
I stepped back stiffly.
"I can't."
"Why not?" His voice was on the edge.
I shook my head. "I've got duties to fulfill at the village." I cut my hand through the air. "I won't abandon my comrades."
He faced me with his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"And if there's nothing left?"
I clenched my fists until I was shaking. "Then I'll rebuild it. And fight."**
I raised my head with cutting eyes and a hard expression. He's serious. And so am I.
Other than the shake of the leaves in the trees and the sound of the water running, there was silence between us.
"Why can't you just come home with me?"
"I already told you. I'm not going back to a place that used my family as sacrifice."
He has a point. If I could persuade him.. but how? He's too smart and too stubborn. He'll figure out my ploy.
This sucks. I have responsibilities I've been ignoring because of him. I have a team waiting for me that's also looking for him but I can't say that I know. I'm lying to everyone, including myself.
I thought it'd be so easy now that we're together. It's the exact opposite. I stepped forward and grabbed his fingers in mine.
"Please let me think about this."
"Really?"
There was disbelief in his voice.
I rested my forehead on his shoulder and nodded.
"Yes. I can't do this right now. I can't think. Let me decide."
He sighed. "Fine."
I stepped back and he let go of my hand slowly until both our hands were apart.
I ran away into the forest. He's asking too much of me. Everyone is counting on me to bring him back. What am I supposed to do?
I slowed down and started pacing. He is quick and smarter than me for sure. I'm so tired of fighting. When will a day come when I'm no longer worried about him? I want it to be tomorrow but...
I could leave with him. Start a new life. Make up new names. But how fast would the Leaf or even the Akatsuki find out?We'd always be on the run no matter how well we hid.
Sasuke knows me better than anyone. I'm not going to let this chance slip away.
I have a plan. And it may be drastic but I don't have any other choice. I'm willing to do it if it means he'll stay.
—
** refer to Pain'assault on the village and Naruko eventually fighting him