AN: Hey guys it's me again. I'm back with another update. I'm kinda disappointed by the lack of reviews. I've got like hat forty people who have favorited this story. Come on guys please show some love and review. By the way, please don't kill me and enjoy!
Not Enough Time
"You are so full of crap Sasuke!"
"What'd you say dead last?"
"Exactly what I said you freaking cheater!"
"Cheater, oh please I don't need to cheat in order to beat your sorry tail." Back and forth the insults flew between the two young nagas. And because of this, they were completely ignored. The girls playfully frolicked out in the deeper waters giggling about the sheer ridiculousness of their behavior. Really, they acted as if they were children instead of young adults and best friends. Despite their friendship, both of them were fiercely competitive.
Apparently, the two agreed to a race to see who could touch the bottom of the lake and back. But upon reaching the surface, the two had instantly erupted into an argument. The girls merely shook their heads and returned to their own conversation. Those two were hopeless.
Meanwhile, Kakashi chose to remain on the beach, reading his favorite naughty novel. He would have many new "tactics" to "show" Anko. A light blush colored his cheeks. The Icha Icha series was probably the thing he was going to miss most about the human world. He would have to talk to someone about starting a similar series. He heard master Jiraiya of the mer-kingdom was an excellent author of that nature. Surely he would appreciate such an idea. A sense of foreboding dread crept down his spine. He just couldn't let Anko find out. She would have his tail. A scary image of his enraged mate with flames in her eyes, popped in his mind's eye and Kakashi reminded himself not to get caught.
Anko…Oh he did miss her though. It had been so long since he had last seen her…touched her. What he wouldn't give to be with her right now. But…he had a duty, a task, he had to complete.
Glancing over at the unconscious Neji who was lying in the shallows swiftly reminded himself of this. They really couldn't afford to be sitting around like this. But Neji was out of commission and a part of his heart truly ached as he witnessed his students' temporary happiness. So much pain they had already been forced to endure and shortly, they would be compelled to endure more.
A small chuckle escaped him at the sight of Naruto and Sasuke bickering amiably. Those two really were something. Sakura and Hinata were saints beyond what they knew for putting up with those two knuckleheads. A wistful sigh escaped him.
"Yo!" he called. All four students immediately stopped what they were doing and made their way over to him, stopping when they reached hip depth.
"Ne, Kakashi sensei what is it?" Naruto's eager tone gave everyone a strange sense of urgency. Kakashi looked them all over serenely and this unnerved them all the more.
"…Eh…did I say something?" (cue anime fall over) Sakura grumbled something about crazy teachers and how smut must make someone go insane.
"Naruto, Sasuke,…stay…" His tone was sharp and low thus letting his students know that he had indeed called them over for a reason. There were weary looks cast between the two couples before the two girls slowly slipped into deper waters and out of earshot.
"Kakashi-sensei, what's going on?" The playful energetic was lost and concern was put in its place. Naruto tried to search the gray naga for any kind of an answer, but as always he was perfectly blank and unreadable.
"You gave her your fang." Kakashi's visible eye slid and pinned the naga prince with his stare. Immediately, Sasuke froze and pinned his teacher with a glare. Naruto was incredulous.
"You what?!" Sasuke was not repentant in the least. So that's why Kakashi called us over. To confirm a suspicion. The elder naga never did anything without a purpose.
"Yes, what of it." Sasuke remained perfectly cool while Naruto was slack-jawed. They were best friends and he didn't even know about this.
"A little hasty don't you think?" Kakashi's equally level tone was aggravating Sasuke. Who was he to question him and Sakura's relationship status?!
"No, is it really anyone's business?" Sasuke's tone was icy indicating restrained anger.
"You are royal; therefore it is the kingdom's business." At this, Sasuke, the naga prince openly bared his fangs. To heck with what was the business of the kingdoms, he loved Sakura and they would do what they darn well pleased. The only thing that truly mattered was how he felt about Sakura and how she felt about him. And he would let no one stand in the way of that.
His protective male instincts screamed that someone was threatening his relationship with his mate. At this point, politically correct terms like "mate to be" were disregarded in his mind. Though not officially, Sakura was his mate. He would have no one else.
Seeing the dangerous signs coming from his best friend, Naruto quickly placed himself between the two nagas.
"Whoa, whoa, calm down Sasuke. He didn't mean anything by it, did you sensei." There was a long pause seemingly contradicting the blonde's attempt at peace.
"They're in danger." Kakashi's solemn comment disregarded the current argument entirely. The sudden shift caught both boys off guard. While Sasuke retained his stoic façade, Naruto was openly curious.
"Who sensei?" Kakashi pinned the boys with his icy stare.
"The girls." Those two words made the two best friends go on the defensive.
"Why, what do you know?" Sasuke couldn't keep the growl out of his tone. Sakura's protection was his main priority. Anyone or anything daring to pose harm to her would meet his end at the edge of his claws. The deep rumbling emanating from the blonde and the flickering colors of his eyes let Sasuke know he agreed strongly in his own right.
Naruto was insanely protective of his raven beauty. Even Sasuke pitied the fool who was dumb enough to invoke the wrath of his best friend when it came to Hinata.
"Calm yourself Naruto, no new danger is being posed." The crimson that was threatening to take over Naruto's gaze instantly diminished and the peaceful cerulean returned once more.
"But you said…" Naruto couldn't understand what was going on.
"The only danger the girls are in is the danger they pose to themselves." Now both teens were lost.
"You see when I placed the cursed seal on all of you, it transformed all of you into humans and effectively replacing all of your memories with false ones I created for your human personality." Naruto and Sasuke remained silent letting the heavy information sink in. Both boys reflected on the painful memories they were given.
"Why?" Kakashi knew at once what Sasuke referred to. Why did he give him such painful memories? Because of those memories, he had intentionally been cold to Sakura. If he had known the truth, then he and Sakura would've been together as humans.
"To make you stronger. My intention was for you to focus on your training entirely so that you would be ready for this journey. I had no idea of the unseen ramifications of my actions and for that I am deeply grieved and sorry." At this point, Kakashi actually bowed. Sasuke remained stoic. Because of him, Sakura's human heart still belonged to Neji. And for that reason, he couldn't keep the bitterness from his heart, or the sense that the blame rested with his sensei. Still…Sakura's protection depended on him so…
"If the danger lies within themselves then how are we supposed to protect them?" Sasuke's clipped question alerted everyone that he was at his boiling point and that everyone was on thin ice.
"The problem is this: the cursed seal is the only thing keeping them human. With the releasing of their memories, the cursed seal will quickly fade until it is no more. And when that happens, they will not be able to retain their human forms. No matter where they are, they will revert back to their true forms. Most likely, it will be lethal."
"So what are we supposed to do?" Naruto couldn't hide his panic. He had already almost lost Hinata once and he had been beyond repair. He couldn't lose her. She was his heart, his will, his life.
"Reapply the cursed seal." Kakashi was whispering but those four words would continue to echo through the boys' minds for several minutes.
"What! No!" Sasuke's unexpected outburst had Naruto confused.
"Seal her memories away again, how could you do that to her…." To me… "I won't lose her again." Sasuke ended softly.
Now it all made sense to Naruto. In order for them to be safe and human, the girls would have to lose their true form memories and lock themselves again in the minds of their human counterparts. Naruto couldn't help but feel the same way as Sasuke. He had just gotten Hinata to truly remember him not even twenty four hours ago and now he was being asked to give that all up again. The only reason he wasn't flipping out too was that the measure was to ensure Hinata's safety.
But could he really go back to being locked in his own mind while his other treated her carelessly. More so, how could he ask that of Hinata. It was her freedom, her body and her feelings after all. His tender heart was cracking again, but this time he was allowing it to happen. They weren't even mated yet and already he had failed her multiple times. But…what was the other option? Naruto's heart clenched further.
"How do we reapply the seal?" The handsome hyperactive ninja dropped his head in defeat, his messy blonde spikes of hair obscuring the vision of his eyes.
"What?! Naruto!" Sasuke couldn't believe this.
"You heard Kakashi-sensei, they'll die if we don't reapply the seal. I can't lose her again, Sasuke. I can't. I just…"
"Is it the only way?" Sasuke's solemn tone cut through Naruto's mindless chanting.
"Yes." The feeling of a knife twisting through his heart only intensified with Kakashi's gruff reply. How could this be happening? He had just gotten Sakura back and now he was being outright forced to let go of her once again to magics beyond his control.
This wasn't even the worst part of the scenario. How was he even supposed to bring this up to Sakura? He could never bear her tears. It would kill him to do this now. The thing was, Sakura didn't give a flip about her own safety. The only thing that seemed to matter to her was his happiness. So how was he supposed to lie to her and pretend that this was exactly what he wanted for her?
It would have to be the greatest performance he would ever give: to be able to remain strong, to be her soldier, her fearless protector, when all he wanted was to scream and tuck her close to him. It was almost unfair how he had to be strong in the face of such adversity. But he was her mate, and her life was his priority, not the kingdom or even his own life compared.
"Alright." The naga prince's voice was full of grief. Every male was looking in his direction. Each boy looked like you had given him his own death sentence.
"If it helps, there is one thing that will, if you so desire to be different…"
"What is it?" Sasuke's tone sounded unimpressed and miserable. He really couldn't see an upside to this situation. Kakashi was patient nonetheless.
"You two can retain your memories and become truly whole once more. Though for the girls' sakes, I will teach you the illusionary transformation jutsu which will conceal your true forms."
"Really…well that's good I guess." Reliable Naruto, always looking for the positive in negative circumstances. But Sasuke wasn't satisfied.
"You say that for the girls' sakes. Will they lose all of their memories again?" Hmm, if that meant she didn't remember Neji then…
"No, only of the time since their true selves awakened." Darn. So she would only forget the wonderful night they shared together as well as having her true self locked away. But he would make sure that he wasn't frigid towards her. He would pursue her relentlessly, so that his intentions would be known clearly. He would let no man, merman or otherwise take her from him, if he so could help it.
His jaw clenched as his fist tightened. He had failed her before. He would not do so again. It was like Naruto could feel his determination.
"Alright, so what do we have to do?" His ocean gaze was intense and you could practically see the fire that burned behind them. In response, a ghost of a smile appeared on Kakashi's features. Now these were his students, the determined fighters who would let nothing stand in the way of their dreams. Minutes later found the three ninjas in a meditative position, their tails loosely coiled about them.
"Alright, now focus your chakra. Seek out every part it touches. Now scan it, find the chakra that isn't yours." Kakashi's deep voice was barely above a whisper. Kakashi looked on as the two boys continued to concentrate and focus on their chakra.
Unconsciously, the two were enveloped in bright blue flames of chakra. Kakashi was amazed those two held such immense power. If anyone could defeat Orochimaru, it would be them. Eerily, in answer to the rising chakra levels, the cursed seals burned bright purple; Naruto's on his stomach and then on the back of Sasuke's neck. With the more chakra they exuded toward the specific spot, the more the cursed seals began to crack. Until finally…
In Sasuke's Mind
White. Everything was white. Sluggish, tired, it was like he had fallen asleep for a long while, and was still in a hazy trance of trying to awaken. The last thing he remembered was sprinting through the forest, finding Kakashi and Neji unconscious, then hearing Sakura scream. Upon rushing to her side, things became dizzy and out of focus.
"That's because I took over." The human Sasuke froze at the sound of his own voice coming from somewhere else.
"How…what's going on…" The fog of whiteness parted and from it came what he feared most. It was himself in naga form. The human Sasuke couldn't tear his gaze away from the massive coiling dark blue tail.
"How…but you can't be…" The naga Sasuke rolled his eyes and slithered forward.
"But I am you…at least…a part of you… I am what you truly are." The human version shook his head in denial.
"No…it's not true…I'm not some…"
"Freak." His other half supplied before he had the chance to finish.
"You see, I am you and right now you know I'm right."
"But…"
"Look I…we don't have time for this. Sakura's life is in danger." At the mention of her name, the human Sasuke automatically stiffened. Ah that's right, it was him so of course he loved Sakura….This was good.
"Who, what…why is she in danger?" His human self was just as determined as he was.
"That's irrelevant at this point." He watched his human side scowl and narrow his gaze. He sympathized. He was always suspicious when information wasn't forthcoming. It was just funny how he literally didn't trust himself.
"The point is that if we don't become one, she will die." The other's eyes widened a fraction behind the mask of ice.
"How can I trust you and know that this isn't some sort of trap." The naga was silent a moment before locking gazes with his human half.
"You and I both know that we would never lie when it pertains to Sakura." The human remained unresponsive for a moment. The naga was ready to strangle him when…
"Alight…I believe you…so …I'm really a freak huh." The naga prince rolled his eyes before smirking.
"Sakura doesn't seem to think so. In fact, I'm beginning to think she has a thing for the fangs." A light blush covered the human's cheeks as he frowned.
"Whatever…" Satisfied with his trust, the naga came forward until they were mere inches apart.
"It is time." The prince held out his hand to the ninja warrior. The white clad human stared at his mystical self. He knew that when he took the other male's hand, both of them would merge to become his true self. He was hesitant. Despite the fact that he did know that it was his true form, it meant that he would no longer exist, or that he would have to change permanently into that form. A flash of cherry locks flashed in his mind's eye. Without another thought, he grasped the naga's outstretched hand firmly, followed by a blinding light.
He would do anything for Sakura.
When the light faded, the youngest Uchiha blinked several times. Looking downward, he was met with his claw tipped hand and the low line on his hips where flesh melted together with naga scale. He was whole again. He wasn't trapped and no longer sensed the presence of another in his own mind.
"Feels weird, doesn't it." Naruto was sporting a soft grin. The twinkle in the blue depths told the raven haired ninja that his best friend was complete as well. Sasuke merely nodded. No words were exchanged as they looked forward to their sensei. The easy part was done. Now it was time for the real challenge. Kakashi nodded.
"What do you think they're doing? Kakashi looked so serious…." Hinata had been listening to her best friend worry for the past thirty minutes. She couldn't blame her. She was pondering on why it was that Kakashi needed to be so secretive. It usually meant something bad was about to happen. By her frantic worrying, Hinata knew Sakura knew it too. But what would the price be this time…She could only pray that it wasn't too bad…but then…if that were the case, they too would have been invited to the meeting…There was a shift in the energies.
"Sasuke! Naruto!" Sakura's exclamation alerted Hinata to the fact that their beaus had returned. But at the sight of them, she pondered whether or not that was a good thing.
Sakura shared her thoughts exactly. She needed only to see her beloved's guarded expression to know that something was drastically wrong. To all others, it would seem that Sasuke's scowl hadn't changed, but Sakura could tell, those onyx orbs spoke to her in volumes. And the only other time when Sasuke wouldn't meet her gaze like this, was the night when all of their memories were sealed. Her eyes widened. No…it couldn't be as bad as that. She had to believe in Sasuke. Still, she couldn't shake the strong foreboding feeling that was weighing upon her heart.
Anxiously, she kept silent as she watched the two best friends exchange a solemn nod. This really made Sakura nervous. She had never seen Naruto so serious in all of her life. Abruptly, the two boys split, and each guy swam to his respective girl. No words were needed between Naruto and Hinata, which was a feat in itself, seeing as how Naruto couldn't seem to keep quiet if only for a moment.
Her faith seemed to crumble.
And when Sasuke's piercing gaze found hers, she almost succumbed to crying out. Instead, her fear manifested itself in the quivering of her tail fins. She never could quite conceal her feelings when it came to Sasuke. Part of her hated herself for it, and then valued it for the fact that she knew Sasuke would never doubt how she felt, not when she was so transparent.
Sasuke felt his heart drop like lead. Her fins were quivering. It meant she was afraid and yet was too timid to say anything to him. He wanted to visibly cringe, that or crush her to him and whisk her away so he could whisper privately how it would be ok. That was his instinct as her mate, and it was the desire of his heart. But…his mind was telling him that the best and only way to protect her was to do this. In these moments he would have to have enough strength for the both of them.
"Sakura…" His voice was hoarse despite the fact that they were underwater, and that he had not spoken at all for a while. Trying to be the strong woman she knew she should be, she bit her lip and kept her gaze downward.
Her compliance was heartbreaking. What could he say to her…he couldn't? Instead, he reached out his hand. He was almost ready to throw out the whole idea when he felt her tiny hand tremble in his. She had to be so scared, but then this was his princess not his kunoichi. True, she could be fierce, but this was the more softhearted of the two.
Silently, he led her until they were sitting half-submerged on the sandy bank of the lake. In the far off distance, Sasuke could spot Naruto and Hinata on the opposite shore, and who on earth knew where Kakashi was. Many moments were spent in awkward silence because every time he went to speak, he would look at her and the words would die on his tongue.
"So…what did Kakashi want?" Her voice was soft but insistent. There would be no deception now.
He wants to make sure of your safety." Sakura couldn't help the narrowing of her eyes. Sasuke was being cryptic just like his sensei.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Well, there was no getting around it now. And when he looked at her, Sakura could swear she was going to break right there. His whole countenance was saturated with grievous emotion.
"You're in danger, Sakura." He sounded absolutely convinced. But this was ludicrous.
"What danger? Sasuke I'm not…" His eyes closed and opened slowly.
"But you are… Sakura, you know about the cursed seal right?" Sakura almost felt her heart stop beating. Cursed Seal. So this is what this was about: their true lives, their memories. It was all she could do to keep from trembling.
"Kakashi says..." Sasuke could feel his throat constricting.
"He says it's weakening. He says we have to reapply the seal." At this, her eyes widened and all feigned strength was lost.
"What, why would you allow him to do that?" Her voice was but a whisper but each word still cut him to the quick. Locking gazes with her, he wanted nothing more than to reach out to her. But he managed to refrain.
"Because now more than ever I've realized how much I love you." Sakura shook her head vigorously. His pretty words sounded nice, but there was some sense of betrayal. So this is what they did, plan on her and Hinata's futures without consulting them at all. To the best of her abilities on land, she tried to back away from her lover. At the instant she started to move, Sasuke grabbed her wrist.
"No…how could you?"
"Sakura, if you keep your memories, the cursed seal would continue to fade until you wouldn't be able to retain human form. It would be the perfect opportunity for Orochimaru to…"
"Orochimaru would still come, my form wouldn't deter him." Instead of fear, she became defiant, fighting for him not to make the decision.
"And anyway, that's my problem now not yours, remember?" A deep growl erupted from the prince's throat. He had to release the grip he had on her wrist for fear of hurting her.
"No, I won't just stand back and watch you suffer maybe die."
"I'll fight, no we can fight together."
"Sakura, that's just it, you don't know when the cursed seal will wear off. I can't always be worrying when that time is going to come. It's a liability to us and the others in our group." Sakura was fighting to hold back tears. Sasuke was so stern and sure about this.
"So…what…you just took a whole twenty four hours to weigh the ups and downs of me having my memory back and decided it was better for you if I was human." Her words were venomous but he knew it to be a mask for her hurt. Her emerald eyes betrayed her with the way they beseeched him to tell her some other truth than the current one.
"You and I both know that isn't true." She remained defiant.
"Sakura, how could I justify being with you like this when the cost is your life or the lives of people we care about." The dam of tears broke and crystalline liquid orbs slid down her cheeks in twin rivers. He was right…she could be reckless with her own life but she could never purposely endanger those in her group. She felt horrible and her whole body was trembling as it was wracked with silent sobs.
Not even a second later, she was lifted and onto the lap and encased in the tight embrace of the Uchiha. His arms were firm and warm, and she could feel the hard muscle that lay beneath velvety satin. Instinctually, she buried her face against his bare chest, her tears staining him. Under any others circumstances she would've loved the physical contact but…this was too much.
"I didn't want to tell you." She could feel his hot breath against her neck.
"But, I wasn't sure if I could do it if I woke up next to you one more morning." He caressed her head and back in soothing motions. But maybe he was trying to comfort both of them.
"I understand." Her voice was meek and shaky. This was the genuine Sakura. Gathering her strength, she lifted her head and met his heartbroken gaze.
"So…what do we do now?" Gently he used his thumb to erase the tear that was sliding down her cheek.
"Kakashi taught us the jutsu, I just have to…you know…"
"When?"
"About another minute, Kakashi wants…" the tears flooded anew.
"What! No…no…it's not enough time. How am I supposed to go on trapped, knowing what we had?" Sasuke's smile was that of a broken man.
"But the thing is…you won't. The only one who will remember is me…"
"But all the time we shared…"
"It never happened."
"It did! I know it did…" The words died on her lips.
"Sakura…" In an attempt at something, she kissed him with wild abandon. Maybe…if she could make him forget…She would do anything to keep him. Breaking away, she had to tell him.
"I'll never forget. I'll never forget." She kept chanting it over and over. Sasuke could swear his heart was breaking. It was now or never. If he didn't do it now…Raising his hand that was around her back, he performed the last hand sign and called forth his chakra, bringing his hand to the back of her neck.
"I love you…"
And then…all was white.
Hey well, that's the end of this chapter. Please don't kill me! You had to see it coming. Anyways please please review. I loved writing this chapter and I hope you liked it too. Later days!