Why Do You Fight For Love?
Well…Here is the final chapter! I know this is a few days late, but oh well. I had to change a few parts and I was kind of busy, but its here now.
Warning: This is going to be intense in some parts. Please, prepare yourself. I know at the end, it may be confusing.
Disclaimer: Alright, we already know that I do not own Naruto.
Chapter 12: One Final Farewell?
Naruto stared at Ino, not ready to believe what she had told him. It couldn't be the truth! "Sakura would never leave this village again." He argued back, hanging onto the hopeless belief that she was still somewhere in the village.
"Naruto, I know she loves this village." Ino began, placing her hand lightly on his shoulder to comfort him. "I'm sure there is an acceptable reason for her departure."
Naruto shook his head helplessly. "…I didn't even get to say good-bye..." He whispered softly, his blank gaze settling onto the floor. Ino opened her mouth to reply, but only closed it in silence. "…I…I just never would have thought Sakura would leave her home again after what had happened."
"…I'm…I'm sorry." Ino leaned against the wall near Sasuke's bed, watching the birds outside fly around peacefully. Naruto didn't answer her honest apology.
"…Naruto…I'm so sorry…"
Naruto turned to her, his hands shaking with unknown hurt. "Ino…" She turned towards him, silently wishing she could cure his growing pain. "I think it is time I told you what happened…"
"…because Sakura will not be able to tell you her side of the story."
The Last Night
Sakura silently walked beside Itachi towards the ominous Akatsuki hideout. Night had fallen on them, the bright stars shining down on the two partners. In only a few minutes, the pair of shinobi would be facing their undeniable fate. There were no longer choices to change the results in the matter.
Surprisingly, the atmosphere was calm. Sakura had no worries or regrets plaguing her mind now as she continued through the shadowed clearing settling at the hill.
The former Leaf shinobi did not regret leaving her home without saying goodbye. It would only complicate everything. If Sakura had stayed to say goodbye, she might never had made it out the village gate. It…is for the best. Naruto and everyone will understand once it is all over.
Sakura slowed her pace until she stopped, staring up at the beautiful vast range of night sky. Itachi noticed her delay, turning to watch her silently. "…This could very well be the end." She murmured aloud, her emerald orbs softening. Itachi said nothing, only following her gaze as well.
"…A final farewell…to everything." Sakura felt her lips tremble, trying to form words. Itachi remained silent, bowing his head slightly. "….but I do not regret anything now."
"The Leaf Village will live on without me and I'm sure the Akatsuki will as well." Sakura turned towards him, meeting his gaze evenly.
"You talk as if this is truly the end." Itachi commented calmly as he watched her peaceful expression. Sakura laughed softly, slowly making her way to stand next to him.
"…This very well may be the end to my life and you know that." Sakura hesitantly stared up at him before turning back to the hideout. Something encircled her wrist, holding her back from continuing any further.
"Yes…" Itachi murmured making no motion to release her wrist anytime soon. Sakura turned her head towards him, eyeing him questionably. "…I do know that."
Without warning, he pulled her back towards him. Sakura stared up at Itachi, crimson and emerald clashing intensely. Itachi bowed his head closer to hers, his mouth mere inches from her own. "…" Sakura couldn't speak nor think at these actions.
"I-Itachi…" Sakura breathed softly, shaking her head in disagreement. Itachi's warm breath hit her skin, sending shivers throughout her body. "You have taken care of me the last few weeks…and…" Sakura paused, not sure what to say anymore. "…You don't have to…"
Sakura stopped again, closing her eyes in silence. "You don't have to do this for me!" Itachi released her wrist as his hand instantly moved up to cup one her cheeks.
"…I'm not doing this just for you, Sakura." Itachi spoke softly, his voice calm and smooth. Sakura opened her eyes to his beautiful crimson orbs meeting her own emerald ones. She could feel his other arm wrapping around her waist, bringing her closer to his body.
Sakura searched his eyes for anything, anything that could possibly explain his actions. Uchiha Itachi has been changing this whole time…and I never noticed it until now…Why…has this been such a shock for me? Sakura couldn't find anything showing besides unusual warmth.
"…I'm doing this for both of us." Sakura didn't even have time to reply as his lips descended upon hers. The kiss was so passionate yet loving. She tried to keep her eyes open, but they slowly closed shut to the newfound sensation.
When Itachi finally broke the kiss to give them both oxygen, Sakura's face was flushed. "…I love you…" She whispered, still trying to catch her breath. "…And I know you cannot love me back, but it is the thought that counts."
Sakura kissed him again, tears threatening to fall. There is only one regret now. Sakura thought dully, wrapping her arms around him in embrace. …That I couldn't have met Itachi sooner and lived on with him…
They remained intertwined with one another for what seemed like eternity. Sakura trying her hardest not to cry. Itachi silently comforting her without any soothing words.
Finally, Itachi broke the silence. "We must meet Leader now, Sakura." Sakura still refused to allow herself to cry in front of Itachi. …I will not cry! I will not!
Itachi released his grip on her waist as his hands dropped to his sides. Sakura rubbed her eyes, trying to smile confidently. …I don't want you to think I'm weak in the end, Itachi. "L-Let's go." She started up the hill, still fighting the tears away.
"Sakura." Itachi murmured softly, following close behind. The kunoichi stopped, not turning around. Itachi bent down close to her ear from behind.
"…Crying does not make you weak."
The tears couldn't be held back any longer as they streamed down her face. They fell to the ground as she began walking up the hill again. Itachi merely stared after her for a while before following her with a small smile gracing his lips.
…Thank you, Itachi. You don't know how much that means to me…
Sasuke and Naruto were seated in the Hokage's Office watching the clock on the wall silently. Only five minutes until the end of the night. In other words, five minutes until Leader would decide their friends' fate.
"Do you think she will come back alive?" Naruto whispered painfully, his eyes searching the clock for any slowed movement to deem time would stop for his sake. Sasuke watched the clock somberly.
"I don't know, Naruto." He answered back truthfully, his tone darker than usual. "We only know one thing that is highly possible."
"What's that?" Naruto asked as he turned to his friend.
"…The Akatsuki leader may be merciless when he decides their fates."
Sakura and Itachi calmly stood in front of the doors to the building. Itachi had closed his eyes in silence, awaiting their entrance into the Akatsuki hideout. Sakura wiped the last few tears away, relaxing as much as possible.
After a few minutes, the doors began to open creakingly. Only pitch-black darkness met their vision, the cold from inside the building blowing towards them. Sakura bitterly smiled when the doors opened fully.
"I…I have a feeling this is the end."
"Probably because this is nothing but the end."
Itachi and Sakura walked side by side, as they walked slowly into the inescapable oblivion. The doors were following them, shutting behind the fated pair. Neither of them looked back as they continued their journey into the great unknown.
As the doors finally slammed shut, leaving them in pitch black, Sakura closed her eyes. This is the end…and there is nothing I can do to change that fact.
Good-bye everyone…
Hope to see you…
Someday…
Ino felt tears beginning to run down her face, embracing the 7-year-old boy that her childhood friend had saved from the ruins of war. Hikaru stared at the clock, unable to comprehend what was happening to his savior, his best friend.
Despite the unknown, he cried against Ino's shoulder to try to stop the pain that had started to consume everyone in the village.
Naruto bent his head down in silence after midnight had struck. Sasuke could feel his hands trembling with grief and sorrow. Both of them had tears falling onto the floor as they tried to cope with their newfound pain.
"Team 7 will remain shattered forever now." Kakashi whispered from behind them, watching his grieving students.
"No amount of crying will solve that."
3 years later
The land where the Sound village used to be now was under the control of Konoha. Many people were skeptic of whether to trust any of the citizens for fear of another invasion. Yet, others were rejoicing for the gain of land and control. Even if the land was captured, it did not mean any original Konoha citizens could not live there quite yet.
The Hokage had ordered that no one could live there until the land was deemed safe and protected. It had to be checked and searched for any suspicious activity from the former Sound shinobi and other dangers. Naruto had sent many shinobi including Hikaru and his sensei, Sasuke.
Hikaru walked silently through the frenzied streets of one of the towns that dwelled within the small piece of land. Markets covered the road as street vendors desperately tried to sell things to the different searching Leaf shinobi. The frightened citizens watched as all different ranks of ninja ran through their homes and businesses. They feared of losing not only freedom, but also their lives.
Sasuke was beside him, brushing past other shinobi casually. "This place is chaos." Hikaru commented, watching the citizens panicking and screaming frantically. Sasuke nodded in agreement.
"Yes. I guess…Somewhere must be in despair." Hikaru felt his gaze switching from citizen to citizen as they pushed past him.
"…This looks more like an invasion then anything." Hikaru spoke quietly, his voice growing softer when he said the word that reminded him of a certain kunoichi. Sasuke grew silent, narrowing his eyes on the people of the crowd.
"I suppose so." Sasuke murmured, watching an ANBU member drop in front of him to catch his attention. The ANBU member wore a familiar mask that immediately identified him as his close friends and former sensei, Kakashi.
"Sasuke, you are needed elsewhere. There is very suspicious activity north of the town." Kakashi's slightly muffled words reached Hikaru's ears. Sasuke's gazed down at Hikaru through half-lidded eyes, his face expressionless.
"…Inform me on the way, Kakashi…Hikaru, will you be alright by yourself?" Sasuke seemed hesitant to leave Hikaru. The younger genin understood exactly his reasons to leave the boy in such a dangerous place.
Hikaru was one of the most precious people to the girl that had saved them all. Sasuke had seemed determined to have him as a student and after much argument, was finally granted the right to be Hikaru's sensei. Many people did not know that Sasuke especially wanted a special bond, a link to someone else that had spent the time with her during the last few days of her life that knew the pink-haired girl as well.
Hikaru merely nodded, smiling confidently. "Go on, Sasuke-sensei, I'm sure I'll be fine without you for a few hours." Sasuke patted the boy on the head, messing up his hair slightly.
"Alright." The older man turned to the ANBU member. "Let's go." Without forming hand signs, their images disappeared as they blurred before the younger boy's eyes.
About an hour later, Hikaru sat silently on an unoccupied bench near the edge of the village to make sure no true trouble would be caused near an entrance into the town. Unfortunately, from where he was sitting, he could smell that aroma of fresh fruit at a nearby vendor's market. A few people nervously picked around the fruit, their eyes darting back and forth for trouble.
He watched the customers nonchalantly, watching every unfamiliar person carefully picking fruit. They all seemed nervous and troubled. No wonder…Their home is being torn apart because of all the chaos and panic. It was nothing but the truth. The villagers' home was being destroyed by the searching shinobi and its own citizens.
Thankfully, Hikaru had a reached the end of the village that was not in as much panic. Hardly any one was causing trouble at the moment. The only thing that really concerned him was the one calm customer casually buying fruit as they dropped it into a wooden basket. There's something different about that one buyer over there…and it can only mean trouble.
Hikaru sighed, standing up to go investigate his suspicion. The customer had a straw hat over their head, hiding any features for identification later. As he grew closer, something unusual and startling caught his fixed gaze. The genin couldn't believe he could miss something so memorable as an Akatsuki cloak hanging limply over the figure's shoulder.
"E-Excuse me?" Hikaru stuttered slightly, tapping the customer on the shoulder. This figure could be the girl that disappeared long ago for unknown reasons. He could feel his breath catch in his throat. …Sakura…Is…Is that you?
The customer seemed to ignore him, only continued with picking fruit. "M-May I have your attention for a moment?" Hikaru asked politely, trying to calm his nerves. How couldn't he be nervous? Hikaru could be meeting the girl from 3 years ago, the girl that saved him!
The customer's motions stopped slowly until they came to a halt. Hikaru could feel his anxiety about ready to squeeze the life out of him. Everyone missed Sakura-chan, why couldn't she just come back? Must she hide from the world or is this only another look alike that he has mistaken for the real girl?
Hikaru searched the customer's motionless figure. "I need to talk to y-you." The customer raised their head, turning slowly towards the younger boy. Shock chilled over Hikaru's veins.
"Yes?"
Hikaru felt his breath and thoughts leave him. The young woman's emerald gaze watched his expressions change in mere seconds. Joy spread across Hikaru's face as he tried to prevent tears from falling the sight in front of him.
"Sa—Sakura-chan!" Hikaru couldn't help himself as he jumped into her arms. The fruit basket landed on the ground, the variety of fruits rolling around in the small wooden container. The pink haired woman gazed down at him, her face expressionless. "I can't believe you are here! You're alive! Alive!"
Hikaru squeezed her with all his might, refusing to let go. He could feel an ominous fear in the back of his mind telling him it was nothing but an illusion, yet he only pushed it away. Haruno Sakura was here in the flesh and was not in any condition near death.
"Hello…Hikaru-kun." Sakura's voice sounded slightly strained, soft and low. She gazed down at the boy, the smile on her face strained as well. Hikaru could feel his joy slowly draining away, his grip beginning to loosen. "How…have you been the last 3 years?"
Hikaru stepped back, staring at the woman, his brow knitting in confusion. Why was Sakura so…dead? Her face seemed paler than usual, her voice sounding less cheerful. Something…Something isn't right here.
"Is something wrong?" Hikaru asked immediately, ignoring her casual question. Sakura genuinely smiled at him, covering up any unhappiness in the way.
"We don't need to worry about that, Hikaru-kun." Sakura assured him quietly, her gaze settling on the unconvinced genin.
"Where have you been the last three years?" Hikaru countered her question with one of his own. "Everyone thought you were dead. Yet, you appear in this town and act as if nothing has happened."
Sakura picked up the fruit basket in one hand as she brushed past him. "…I know a lot of things have changed, but—"
"Yes, many things have changed." Hikaru responded, his voice rising in frustration. He turned to Sakura, adding louder, "…And yet I never expected you to change as well."
Sakura continued walking, towards the town entrance. "Everyone changes in time." Sakura murmured softly, not bothering to explain herself. Hikaru darted after her, grabbing her shoulder firmly.
"You shouldn't have changed at all when it comes to remaining loyal to your village. Why be here…when you can come back to the village with everyone else?" Hikaru whispered in a harsh tone, turning her around to face him.
Sakura's eyes flared with long suppressed anger and disbelief. "…Don't you ever, ever, accuse me of betraying the Leaf Village." Hikaru couldn't help but flinch at her glare. "Am I the only one that has really changed, Hikaru? It seems you have become more judgmental like the others."
"Then why are you still here? Why aren't you at your true home?" Hikaru whispered, his anger beginning to give away to frustration and curiousity. Sakura opened her mouth slightly, but closed it a few seconds later as she grew silent.
Her emerald eyes brightened shortly before they dulled again. "…I have no home anymore." Sakura whispered back, her tone below a whisper. Hikaru blinked at her, dumbfounded. He could feel his eyes searching for any explanation, but found none.
"What?" Hikaru's dark chocolate eyes grew wide in shock. "What did you say?" Sakura lowered her head slightly, a bitter smirk growing on her lips.
"It's true." Sakura's eyes had a faraway look. Hikaru could only guess she was remembering something from the past. "…I cannot call the Akatsuki or the Leaf Village my home anymore. It's impossible." It took a moment for her words to register in Hikaru's mind.
"How?" Hikaru's anger was dying away now. Only hurt and wonder remained.
Sakura didn't respond at first, uncertainty spreading across her features. Hikaru waited patiently as the anger finally disappeared.
"It may not be a good reason to you, Hikaru…" Sakura wouldn't let her eyes meet his own. "…But…" Sakura bit her lip as she forced her lips to stop from trembling. "I cannot call one place my home if I leave something precious to me behind. I will not allow it."
Sakura's body froze when Hikaru hugged her tightly, refusing to let go. His tears were finally falling, his emotions unleashed. "I understand." Hikaru's voice trembled as he tried to speak clearly. "Maybe not all of it, but I understand."
Sakura stared up at the sky, watching birds fly freely across the vast range of open air. After a few minutes, she closed her eyes in silence. The young boy she had once saved hugged her with all his might, unable to let one of his most precious people disappear.
"…I must leave soon." Sakura broke the comfortable silence with her horrible words. "I have spent too much time in this town." Hikaru stifled another sob, trying to stop his tears from falling.
After gently unwrapping the boy's vice-like grip on her, she placed a hand on his head with a halfhearted smile gracing her features. "I'm sorry, Hikaru-kun. ...My presence is requested elsewhere."
Hikaru tried to wipe the tears away in vain as more streamed down his cheeks. "Where? Please tell me!" Sakura grew silent again and Hikaru knew exactly why. Sakura couldn't tell him where she was going. It could place her and him in risk of danger.
"…I must meet the rest of the Akatsuki members." Sakura answered as she began to turn away, towards the entrance of the town. Hikaru grabbed her arm, refusing to let her go.
"I won't let you leave us again! Everyone desperately needs to see you." Hikaru begged, not caring if it made him sound weak. All he cared was that Sakura returned with the rest of the shinobi.
"…Everyone thinks I'm dead, Hikaru. They will believe I am nothing but an illusion." Sakura shot back, not meaning to be hard on the boy.
"They won't believe you protect the village anymore!" Hikaru growled in protest as Sakura freed her arm from his grasp. Sakura narrowed her eyes coldly on Hikaru, sending cold shivers throughout his body.
"I am still protecting the village in my own way." Without another word, she began to make her way towards the forest that surrounded the town. Hikaru only stared after Sakura's fading figure.
"You truly have changed, Sakura-chan!" The dark haired boy called after her. Sakura still had her back facing him as she continued to walk away. Tears still poured over his cheeks as the small droplets hit the ground.
"…I hope you haven't changed in one thing though." Hikaru screamed as his hands clenched painfully. Sakura seemed to stop, mere inches from entering the forest. "Sakura, you better still fight for love because if you don't, then I don't see why I ever thought of you as a great role model."
Hikaru waited in silence as Sakura's lips trembled with indecision. This could be the last time he ever saw her. Only one question seemed to enter his mind at the time and he could feel the irresistible urge to scream it out to the world. This question had been on his mind…ever since she had answered that she fought for love.
"Sakura…" Hikaru murmured, and he could hear her murmur his own name in return. "Tell me—you still fight for love."
"I do." Sakura whispered softly, but he somehow managed to make out her words. "I always will…I can guarantee that." Sakura stepped towards the forest but Hikaru called out her name to stop her.
"I—I need to ask you something." Hikaru gazed down at the ground, a bitter smile gracing his lips. "I planned on asking you this so long ago…but you simply weren't there to answer."
"I guess I can assume this will be the last time I will see you or hear from you…" Hikaru whispered, his tone showing nothing but hurt.
"If you truly believe this is the last time you'll see me, then I guess I can give up on ever returning to the village." Sakura interrupted him as her own tears threatened to fall. Hikaru could hear the hurt in her own voice. "...Just ask the question so I may leave."
Hikaru was caught off guard by her statement. Did this mean she would return someday? Maybe when everything was truly over? Stifling another sob, he finally prepared to ask his question.
"Of all things…Love? Why do you fight for love?" Hikaru felt relief and pain flow through him as heard her finally cry softly. Sakura seemed to have trouble answering. He didn't blame her at all.
"Truthfully, there is nothing left in the world to fight for anymore. I—I decided to fight for something that…that everyone deserves even if no one thinks they do." Sakura whispered, her tone soft and gentle. "Everyone I hold precious to me is loved, and they will continue to be loved and fought for even if it won't be me to do such things."
Hikaru stood speechless. This answer was unexpected.
"Oh and…Hikaru..." Sakura withdrew a hidden item wrapped in cloth as she threw it over her head, towards him. Hikaru rushed forward, catching it in his hands as his carefully began to reveal what the cloth held.
Within seconds, he stared numbly at the gift. Her slashed Leaf Headband reflected the bright light of the sun towards him. "That should be enough proof that I will return one day." Sakura turned around and smiled brightly at him once he gazed back up at her.
"Keep it safe and make sure to tell all the others I will meet them again." Sakura began walking into the forest ahead, lightly carrying the fruit basket. "Once I return…I will stay with all of you and show you exactly why I fight for love."
Before Hikaru could even respond, her figure blurred before his eyes, leaving him with nothing but her gift.
Sakura bit into an apple as she watched her partner walk towards her where she sat on the ground in the clearing near the Akatsuki hideout. "You're late." Resisting the urge to sigh, Sakura nodded.
"Mind telling me why, Sakura?" Itachi sat down next to Sakura, gently stroking her cheek with his fingertips. Sakura paused in mid-bite, glancing towards him in confusion.
After taking another bite of the apple, she placed it onto the ground between them silently. "I met an old friend in one of the towns while picking fruit." Sakura murmured quietly, her eyes searching his for any reaction.
Itachi paused as he blinked at her in mild surprise. "Have you said anything of our plans?" Sakura couldn't help the bright smile that graced her lips.
"Yes, and they know what the rewards will be." Itachi grasped her chin gently, turning her head towards him.
"What about the consequences if we should fail?" A fiery determination sparked in Sakura's eyes.
"There shall be none. I will make sure of it." Itachi kissed her lightly on the lips as her hand moved up to cup his cheek.
"…How do you know we won't fail?" Itachi whispered, his warm breath fanning over her skin. Sakura could feel the cold shivers that ran down her body.
"How do you know we won't succeed?" Sakura replied softly, their gazes locking. Itachi pondered her question for a moment before a smirk formed on his face.
"…I think your village is in for a surprise very soon." Itachi answered as he kissed her once more as Sakura returned the kiss. Releasing his grip on her chin, he stood up gracefully. Sakura followed him as he made his way up slowly up the hill, leaving the fruit basket behind.
"...You mean our village, Itachi-kun." Sakura laughed gently as she withdrew several kunai as she rushed up the hill towards the hideout. Itachi kicked the huge doors open with a large thud as they fell to the ground. Nothing but darkness met their gazes.
"Are you ready?" Itachi didn't wait for her response as he threw a paper bomb kunai inside the entryway of the hideout.
Sakura's smile grew brighter and warm.
"I'm ready for a lot of things."
Yes, I know that seemed like a cliffhanger ending, but I would prefer if everyone used their imaginations to picture what would happen from there on. Please don't be mad, but that's how I decided to end this.
Thank you very much for reading and being patient with me throughout this whole entire story. I really enjoyed writing this story even if it took quite a while to finish and improve.
I have decided that I will not list the last two stories of the poll on here. If you want to view them, just go to my profile and you will find them.
The poll shall end on April 3, 2008.
I know that the ending was incredibly OOC. Right now, it doesn't matter to me because my first few stories were destined to be experimented with and now I am almost fully ready to begin making much better fanfictions.
I would like to thank everyone that helped me throughout this story. I enjoyed the reviews, appreciated the feedback and suggestions, and was incredibly thankful for all the alerts and favorites I received.
If anyone thinks this ended badly, I'm truly sorry. I had many ideas for the ending and had to revise it many times. Finally, I just decided to end with the last scene shown above to help move me on to future stories. (Yes, I'm also aware it was very rushed at the end as well as OOC.)
I apologize that the story was several days late. I've been consumed by sports and other busy activities that take up most of my free time.
Anyways, please tell me if you liked the story overall and I would really appreciate if I could receive feedback for future stories that could improve my writing. (Please also tell me if the ending was alright or not.)
-Showers readers with infinite amounts of candies and sweets-
Until my next story,
SharinganAnbuSakura