Why Do You Fight For Love?
Hey everyone! Good news! First, Recovering Lost Memories has been completed and now I will be able to update this story more frequently. Second, this story will be completed in about…1-2 months. The third and last thing is that more stories coming your way!
I'll start the other stories when I'm on the few last chapters with Why Do You Fight For Love? You can look at my profile if you want details. It will explain as much as I can possibly give away before I begin posting the stories! Sorry!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. (Really wish I did right now…) :(
Onto the story!
Chapter 6: Return of Hope and Light
"…" Sasuke stared silently at the village gate, his eyes narrowed in disbelief. He felt as if his sharp eyes had betrayed him, but he knew that was not true. He felt his hand clenched tightly, his nails biting into his palm until they lightly bled.
"Old friends, Sasuke-kun?" He felt a hand on his shoulder, making him look up to see Orochimaru smirking darkly. Sasuke couldn't help it, but he felt a cold chill wash over him. His crimson gaze fell upon the gate again, his eyes squinting in distaste. They couldn't be here…They were supposed to be dead…
An explosion occurred near the group, every one of them escaping the blast in different directions. Sasuke narrowed his eyes further, attempting to see two particular shinobi. They sprang out of the dark, foggy smoke and jumped onto opposite roofs. They were lost…but…they are here now.
Sasuke shook off Orochimaru's hand and edged closer to the window. "They failed their mission of retrieving Sakura-chan, have they?" Orochimaru commented nonchalantly, watching the ruined village below with satisfaction. "I wonder how they will cope when they learn their precious village is crumbling to the core…"
"They will fight us." Sasuke replied without hesitation. Orochimaru raised an eyebrow at Sasuke's answer. "Naruto will not give up. It's only in his nature."
Orochimaru watched the Kyuubi boy avoid a barrage of kunais from one sound ninja. From their distance, they could observe the village and all that happened. Red chakra could be seen encasing Naruto and they could hear his roaring. Kakashi stood beside him, watching the burning houses and scattered motionless bodies among the streets.
"We shall see, Sasuke-kun. This battle is far from over. Naruto's determined will cannot hold out forever…and when Sakura arrives…" Orochimaru's smirk grew bigger and crueler. "...The real fun will begin."
Sakura watched dark, storm clouds blowing in softly towards the Hidden Leaf Village. Less than a mile away… Sakura could feel sick anxiety flowing through her veins when she could see the giant, ominous cracks spread all over the village walls. She sped up her pace, reaching the cracked walls in less than a minute. Her hand shook as she placed a hand against the once protective wall. Rumbling shook her hand, as the cracks grew bigger.
It was evident the Leaf Village was falling. Crumbling. Sakura could feel her blood boil with frustration and anger. Thoughts of torturing Sasuke and Orochimaru flooded her mind. Nothing seemed cruel enough to avenge her ruined village.
She could feel Itachi's impassive gaze on her as she shook with clenched fists. All she wanted now…was revenge. Nothing but revenge. She didn't care if Sasuke was her teammate anymore only that he paid for what he had done.
Sakura turned around abruptly and sprinted towards the village gate without a glance back at Itachi or the crumbling wall. They will pay…All of them…Every single last one of them will pay! She could feel her own hatred coming off her in giant waves.
As she reached the gate, she could see the damage that the village had endured. Emerald swept over all the scattered bloodied weapons, the burning buildings, and all the cold, motionless bodies lying in awkward positions all over the streets. Unexpected pain and guilt struck her heart in one giant blow, as she gazed at the scene in front of her.
Itachi stood next to her indifferently, his crimson gaze observing her in silence. His body was relaxed, almost liked he was enjoying this. It irked her in many ways that he could possibly get any pleasure out of watching his former village destroyed. Sakura spun towards him, and he blinked at her emotionlessly.
"Is it amusing that your village is falling, Itachi?!" Sakura growled furiously, glaring at him. Itachi merely stared at her in cold amusement. "You do, don't you?" Sakura threw a punch at his face, which he effortlessly caught.
"Why haven't you given up on this village?" Itachi asked in a disgusted tone as Sakura struggled out of his grip. Sakura stared at Itachi in disbelief as her lips trembled in speechlessness. Itachi raised an eyebrow as his gaze lifted above them.
Sakura could feel her emotions about ready to unleash. Every emotion that she had kept inside her for so long… All her fears and weaknesses, and her anger and frustration… She had tried so hard to keep it inside, but today all those walls she had put up to prevent such a terrible event, were crumbling like the village.
"W-What happened to you?" Sakura shouted, her emerald eyes shining with genuine hurt. "Why-" Without warning, she felt Itachi grab her arm and fling her into the main street of the village. She heard an explosion behind her as she turned her head in midair to see smoke rising where Itachi and her previously stood. She twisted in the air and landed on her feet.
Sakura stared at the rising smoke before she felt pain shoot through her shoulder. A kunai sailed past her, grazing her arm. Her hand immediately clasped over her shoulder, feeling a small amount of blood drip down her arm. "Why, hello, Sakura-chan. Long time no see."
Emerald widened in sickening shock as Sakura turned her head towards the voice that spoke. Round rimmed glasses flashed briefly from the lightning that struck across the sky above them; the man's features showing nothing but wicked amusement. Sakura smiled bitterly, as she turned herself to face him. "Yes…It has been a long time, Kabuto…Mind telling me where Sasuke is?"
Kabuto shook his head in disbelief as he grabbed a kunai from his weapons holster. "After all this time, you are still obsessed with him?" Kabuto twirled the kunai around his index finger skillfully, his gaze still on Sakura. Sakura resisted the urge to sigh. Why does everyone think I'm in love with Sasuke?
"After all this time, you actually believe that?" Sakura shot back, carefully watching the kunai that Kabuto continued to twirl. Kabuto caught the kunai, his hand clasping onto the handle. He used his free hand to scratch his cheek briefly, looking slightly displeased.
"I think after all that's happened between you and Itachi…It's quite possible." Kabuto smirked with a knowing look on his face. "Oh, don't look at me like that, Sakura-chan. You would be surprised what I've learned about you." Sakura took one step back, her face growing slightly pale.
"Who-"
"There's no need to know such things at this time." Sakura watched several sound-nin rush past Kabuto. They were heading towards the gate, but before they could get past her, Sakura unsheathed her katana and blocked their way. They shot her death glares, which she returned. No one who has helped destroy this village will leave her alive…
"Where are you guys going? I thought you wanted to destroy Konoha." Before they could blink Sakura's form blurred until it disappeared before their eyes. Kabuto sighed as all of the sound shinobi dropped to the ground with large slashes across the chest. Blood gushed out from their wounds, all of the ninja motionless, dead.
Kabuto remained motionless as he felt Sakura appear behind him. She held her bloodied katana against his neck, her eyes narrowed dangerously. "I don't have time to kill you right now, Kabuto. I have many other things more important than you to deal with…" Sakura pressed the blade into his neck, leaving a faint mark in the skin.
"Tell me, Sakura…How do you intend to save this village when they think you have betrayed them?" His eyes gazed thoughtfully at the black sleeve with the small design of red clouds bordered with white. Sakura did not release her grip on the katana. Kabuto could feel blood trickle down his neck from the cut.
Kabuto did not struggle when Sakura increased her pressure on the katana. "I did what I had to do… This battle is not over yet!" Sakura whispered faintly, her voice lowering. Before she could blink, Kabuto's hand glowed brightly with chakra. Sakura cursed as she dodged too late.
His medical chakra enhanced hand brushed her thigh. Sakura bit her lip as she felt pain spread throughout her thigh, feeling it give out. Kabuto caught the blade in his other hand, throwing it away from Sakura as she dropped to the ground. "This is not simply a battle, you naïve girl." Kabuto crouched in front of her, lifting his glasses farther up the bridge of his nose.
"This is war."
Orochimaru gazed down at Kabuto, a frown forming. You had better not kill that girl, Kabuto. Orochimaru glanced at Sasuke, who had his eyes narrowed in displeasure. We need her to accomplish our goal…
"Sasuke-kun, I have a simple mission for you…" Sasuke glanced at him in confusion, his eyes widening a bit. Orochimaru stepped towards the boy, a smirk growing on his features. Sasuke did not back away, but cautiously watched the man in front of him.
My boy, you may not know it…but you also play a major role in my plan.
Piercing, calculating eyes gazed down thoughtfully at the village below.Orochimaru…you idiot. Are you already losing sight of your goal? The eyes glanced up, seeing more lightning streak across the sky.
The dark, swirling clouds showed nothing but danger ahead. Rain began to fall, but the fires on the burning village below did not extinguish. The storm was just beginning, as was the war. The dark, shadowed figure standing on top of the Hokage faces merely smirked.
Thunder roared across the sky, as lightning streaked down into the streets of the village. The figure turned its back on the village. This is only the beginning. Much blood will be shed and many sacrifices lie ahead…
"Enough, Kabuto." Sakura recognized the familiar voice, but she wasn't removing her cautious gaze on Kabuto. He wasn't moving away nor was he moving closer. Either way, Sakura did not feel any safer.
"Last time I checked, Sasuke-kun, you weren't giving orders." Kabuto drawled, his voice hinting mockery. Kabuto turned his head slightly, staring at Sasuke expectedly. "So why should you be commanding me now?"
"I don't have time for this. Talk to Orochimaru about what orders he gave me." Kabuto blinked, saying nothing. Sakura couldn't believe this. Of all people to save her, why Sasuke? Sakura could feel a twinge of annoyance at being saved by the man who helped destroyed the village. Not only did she feel annoyance, but shame and pain.
Kabuto turned back to Sakura, his face showing bitterness. Kabuto stood up abruptly, his hardened gaze lingering on Sakura. "We will finish later." Kabuto whispered menacingly, his voice so low that Sakura knew she was the only one that heard him. Without warning, Kabuto formed hand signs and disappeared before she could react.
Sasuke saved me…and Itachi didn't. Sakura felt Sasuke's hesitation when he outstretched his hand to help her to her feet. Sakura warily gazed at his hand as if it may be a nasty trick or trap. Saying nothing, she gripped his hand lightly as he pulled her up to stand by herself. Pain shot through her injured thigh in protest, but she simply ignored it.
"You joined the Akatsuki." Sasuke stated blankly, his crimson gaze sweeping over the design of her cloak. Sakura said nothing as she tried to walk towards the Hokage Tower. She couldn't waste much more time. The duty to protect her village in this war seemed more dangerous than she had originally thought.
Sakura bit her lip in frustration when the aching in her thigh grew undeniably painful. She was aware of Sasuke's emotionless gaze on her figure, but she paid it no attention at the moment. "How do you plan to save the village if you wear something that will deem you an enemy of the village?" Sakura felt her body tense at the question, feeling nothing but bitterness towards the younger Uchiha.
"At least I am trying to save a village, not destroy it." Sakura retorted venomously, as she carefully balanced herself enough to walk. She lifted one green chakra enhanced hand as she proceeded to heal her injuries.
"I am not the one destroying the village, now am I?" Sasuke replied without hesitation, his crimson gaze hardening on Sakura. Sakura glanced at him briefly before continuing her work.
"You might as well be. You truly have betrayed us, Sasuke." Sakura heard his footsteps as he walked to stand beside her, watching her heal carefully. Sakura resisted the urge in sigh in frustration. She had wanted to kill Sasuke, but that objective seemed pointless now.
Once she was done healing, she immediately moved away from him. "That may be true, Sakura, but I am not the only one." Sasuke watched her stop rigidly. "I am only speaking the truth."
Sakura didn't turn around for fear Sasuke may see the pain showing brightly etched over her features. "I have not betrayed the village. I never will. This village is my home and always will be no matter what happens. I may have joined the Akatsuki, but that doesn't mean I will still try to save the Hidden Leaf Village." Sakura turned her head towards him.
"Just as all the previous shinobi before us, I will put my life on the line for this village despite the risks and dangers." Sakura promised with her emerald eyes shining with determination. Sasuke felt an emotion close to admiration fill him as crimson clashed with emerald.
"You are willing to risk your life for something as pathetic as this village?" Sasuke asked with mild curiousity. She has joined the Akatsuki and yet she still has not given up on this village. Sasuke thought, his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Have I really given up on this village?
"You may think this village is pathetic, but I think…it's actually the strongest. It is the strongest because we work hard for our dreams so they can become reality…because we have the Will of Fire that helps us strive for and defend what we believe in and what we make reality." Sasuke could feel the curse mark on his shoulder starting to ache.
"Don't give me that Will of Fire crap." Sasuke snapped abruptly, placing his hand over the curse mark as he tried to sooth the pain. Sakura blinked at him with bitter understanding. She turned around, starting towards the Hokage Tower soundlessly.
Without thinking, Sasuke bolted forward to stop her. Before he could reach her, Sakura turned around while making hand signs. Her hands glowed brightly with blue chakra, electricity crackling around her fingertips. Is that Chidori?! Sasuke thought, as his mind began to panic.
He dodged too slowly as he felt one of the deadly chakra enhanced hands brush lightly against his shoulder. He felt his body stiffen as he tried to move away. He dropped to his knees feeling his limbs lock in place. Sasuke could see blue sparks of electricity dancing across his body.
Sasuke's Sharingan forcibly deactivated causing him to flinch. "W-What is this jutsu?" Sasuke growled, as he felt himself fall backwards onto the concrete. He realized exactly what kind of jutsu it was when he couldn't move his limbs even the slightest inch. "A paralyzing jutsu…"
The blue chakra sparks diminished around Sakura's hands. "I've become stronger than you think, Sasuke. This isn't to stop you though." Sakura remarked as Sasuke winced when an electrical current passed through his nerve system. "It's to stop me from killing you. Don't get in my way." Sakura shot him one last glance as she turned around before Sakura walked on towards the Hokage Tower without looking back.
Kabuto watched Sakura advancing slowly towards the Hokage Tower. "Why did you let her live, Lord Orochimaru?" His onyx eyes narrowed on her figure, feeling the urge to kill her arise. Kabuto felt a cold hand on his shoulder.
"She plays the key role of the Leaf Village's destruction." Orochimaru laughed darkly, his gaze set Sakura as well.
"She is stronger than she looks…" Kabuto commented blankly, feeling slightly envious that she was Orochimaru's main attention. "…but she isn't the real prize you are after, is she?"
"No…"
"Uchiha Itachi? He is the main prize, correct?"
"Ah, yes. He will do nicely." Orochimaru added unexpectedly, "Sakura is more powerful than Sasuke now, ne?" Orochimaru's lips formed a malicious smirk.
"Hai."
"Perhaps, Sasuke-kun has grown soft because of the Haruno girl now…" Kabuto raised an eyebrow at his master.
"Will this complicate our plans?" Kabuto could see his master's smirk growing cruel.
"On the contrary…it will only prove to be helpful." Kabuto noticed Orochimaru beginning to mask his chakra. "I need a few more hours before this plan can proceed any further. Distract Sakura-chan until I'm ready."
Orochimaru ordered him before exiting the room without another word.
Kabuto sighed as his gaze locked onto Sakura again. Without relinquishing his watchful gaze on her, he broke through the window, sending all glass fragments down into the street below. Sakura stopped abruptly, staring up at Kabuto with annoyance. Kabuto dropped down into the streets, avoiding the sharp fallen glass on the ground as he landed in front of Sakura.
"Now…where do you think you're going?" Sakura stepped back a pace, a frown appearing on her features.
"I suggest you-"
Kabuto inconsiderately interrupted her, "Or what, Sakura-chan? You'll paralyze me? What could you possibly-" Before Kabuto could finish, Sakura ran forward and thrust a chakra enhanced fist into his chest. Kabuto coughed up blood as his body spiraled into the Hokage Tower walls.
"It's not polite to interrupt." With that said, she ran back down the main street without looking back. Her Akatsuki cloak billowed past her as she sprang onto the rooftops to provide some distance between Kabuto and herself. That should stall him for now…I have to find another way to reach Orochimaru.
Sakura could hear the voice of the disabled Sasuke shouting at her to cure him, but she ignored him. She didn't have the time or the desire to help the betrayer. Sasuke may have helped her once before but that didn't mean she had to return the favor. We may have been teammates once…but now we are enemies. It shall remain that way!
Her emerald gaze swept past the main streets and the alleys where small fights between shinobi had broken out. The clattering of weapons and deafening boom of explosions was enough to drive her away to the less populated parts of the village. Here the sounds of battle were almost inaudible, showing only the remains of recent battles. They worked their way in through the less secure sections of the village…
Sakura felt herself clench her fists when she saw the destruction and chaos that had been unleashed. Several little kids huddled under a beyond ruined roof of an old worn down house. They watched her with fearful, frightened stares as she passed by them. She was aware of their shocked, curious gazes on her unmarked leaf headband and her Akatsuki cloak.
Joining the Akatsuki was the best I could do to save this village and how much has that really helped? Not at all. It hasn't helped in the smallest bit. Sakura felt the Akatsuki cloak slowly slipping of her shoulders. The rain above lightly poured over her, like a waterfall.
She could feel herself smiling as she slowly took of the Akatsuki cloak, revealing her regular clothes. A black sleeveless shirt with the Haruno crest embedded on the back along with a crimson medical skirt over her black shorts. She turned to the curious, yet still frightened kids that stared at her nervously. "Hey kids…" She turned the cloak inside out so only black showed. "Keep yourself warm and dry."
Sakura smiled warmly at them before she threw the cloak over to them, which they caught and stared blankly at it. In a few seconds, they were covering themselves with the cloak without hesitation. "Hey lady!" Sakura turned her head slightly, watching as a young boy with disheveled short black hair and shining brown eyes waved at her for attention.
"Will you save my village?" The boy asked; hope beginning to show in his shining chocolate colored orbs. Sakura pulled her chakra enhancing gloves over her hands tightly, her surprised gaze on the boy.
"Yeah. I'll save ourvillage." Without another word, Sakura ran further down the soaked wet streets.I've truly returned to the Leaf Village. Not as Haruno Sakura of the Akatsuki, but as Haruno Sakura…of the Leaf Village!
Oops…Little cliffhanger there…Lol. O.o Sorry it's been so long since this story has been updated! I've been sick this whole week, and have got a lot of homework to get done. Besides the stupid sickness…I had to get Recovering Lost Memories finished, which it is now finished! –cheers- So, as I said, this story will be my foremost and only story to be updated for a while.
Who is looking forward to the next chapter? I am! I have something planned for all of you, so we'll just have to see in a few days. I'll leave you guys with something to think about…This isn't the only time we'll see the little boy! ;)
Anyways, I have just realized something very important. I have not really given any details about what Sakura wore before she joined the Akatsuki. As it says in the few last paragraphs in the story though…Black sleeveless shirt with crimson medical shirt over black shorts along with the black chakra enhancing gloves and black boots. I really wish I could've been more detailed about that in the first story The Fight For Love but oh well.
Was the chapter okay? I really hope so. Sorry for any grammatical and spelling errors! Besides that, I will see you guys soon!
Please review and thank you for reading:)
SharinganAnbuSakura