Chapter 20: The Seal Can Be Lifted

A few days passed that Sasuke did not come to visit Sayuri with Naruto and Sakura. Sayuri wondered if he was avoiding her. Then finally he came with Naruto and Sakura. He didn't talk much and seemed keen on avoiding eye contact with Sayuri. The visit was short, since Kakashi had started their training up again.

Over the next two weeks Sayuri showed major improvement on her condition. Even Kakashi was surprised that she could move, and walk freely after just one week of hospitalization. The nurses could not hold Sayuri back. Sayuri would often leave to go for runs out around the hospital. She had healed quickly. Then finally the day of her discharge came.

Sayuri stood at the counter of the hospital in the lobby. Sakura, Naruto and Sasuke were waiting outside for her.

"Hey Sayuri-san," Naruto called as Sayuri walked out of the doors.

"Hey, Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke,"

"We have to go train now, so do you want us to drop you off at Sasuke's house?" Sakura asked.

"No I'll come," everyone gave her surprised look, "I'm fine really,"

"Sayuri-san, you really shou…" Sakura started

"Are you going to try and stop me?" Sayuri asked playfully.

There was no response.

"Let's go then," she said.

Kakashi was a little reluctant to let Sayuri train but Sayuri insisted. He seemed to come to the realization that she needed to be in shape for the next time Kirakazuka came around. She needed to be ready.

The training was no problem at all. With Sayuri's natural ability it seemed that she had not missed a day of training. She worried still. There was no possible way that she could do any full out training. This was not enough for her; she needed to be prepared for the worst.

The days passed in the same cycle that they always had. Wake-up, train, go home, eat, and sleep. The only thing that had come out of the week was that Sasuke seemed to be more comfortable around her. He still didn't get too close and they did not talk at all about what had happened in the hospital.

"You're healing is remarkably fast Sayuri-san," Sakura stated.

They were all standing outside after completing a minor mission to clean up some old lady's yard.

"That's because she's like me," Naruto said as he pointed to himself and smiled.

"Except not as annoying…" Sasuke said as he smirked.

"WHAAAAA!!!!!!"

"Naruto-kun, how about I take us out for some ramen again? It's been a while hasn't it?" Sayuri offered.

"Ramen? I'd love too Sayuri-san," Naruto said, getting teary eyed with joy.

Sayuri smiled, "I'll meet you back at the house, Sasuke-kun,"

Sasuke nodded and they parted ways.

Sayuri and Naruto walked along in silence for a while.

"Naruto?"

"Hmm?"

"You really like Sasuke don't you? I mean I know that on the surface you guys don't look close, and you always argue, but you guys are like brothers aren't you,"

Naruto looked indecisive over whether he wanted to tell the truth or not. Then finally he just nodded.

"What a world this is," Sayuri said, "So many have to suffer, there are so many left alone in this world,"

Naruto stopped and looked at her. Sayuri stopped and returned his gaze.

"We shouldn't have to suffer like this," Sayuri said, she started to cry. Naruto just looked at her. Then after a moment he awkwardly moved towards Sayuri and wrapped his arms around her.

"We are not alone," he said, "We have each other,"

"I don't want to lose you," she said, sobbing as she wrapped her own arms around Naruto.

Naruto was left speechless; he did not know how to react.

"We're the same, you and me. We both do not know what it is like to have parents or siblings. We both know what's it's like to be feared and hated because of what we are,"

"How touching," came a sarcastic voice from behind them.

Naruto and Sayuri let go of each other and turned around. Kirakazuka was standing there. They stood there all completely still as the wind howled.

"You know Sayuri, me and you are not that different either,"

"I AM DIFFERENT FROM YOU!" Sayuri screamed.

"You might think that you are, but you are not. Deep down you truly know what you are, a killer. You cannot ignore your thirst for blood and power. You are truly as strong as I am so I am here to make a proposal,"

Sayuri just stared at her, "There is nothing you could possibly give me,"

"Oh but there is," Kirakazuka said with an evil smile, "I have found a way to lift the seals that we bare. I know how you suffered from it for all those years. You would give anything have it removed would you not?"

Sayuri was silent.

Kirakazuka smiled, "Yes I see that I have caught your attention. If you would like I could remove it for you, if you could do something for me…"

"Sayuri would never do anything for you!" Naruto yelled.

"Shut-up Naruto," Sayuri snapped, Naruto gave her a shocked look, "What do you want?"

Kirakazuka smiled again, "Show me that you are strong Sayuri, return to me within a week with the Mangekyou," then she left.

"Sayuri-san?"

Sayuri stood paralyzed to the spot. For so long she had longed to have this seal removed from her neck. For too long she had wanted true freedom. Would she be able to acquire Mangekyou?

"Sayuri-san," Naruto said nervously from behind her, "You are not actually considering this are you? I mean Raikou is dead you don't have to listen to him anymore anyways and…"

"Shut-up Naruto," she said again, "This is none of your business,"

"But there is no need to get rid of it…" Naruto said.

"You wouldn't understand. It doesn't matter that Raikou is no longer alive to order me around. This thing has haunted my every step for my whole life. Just to know that it would not be there," Sayuri placed her hand on her seal.

Naruto was quiet.

Sayuri started walking back to Sasuke's house. She was lost in thought but she was also aware that Naruto had chosen to follow her. So long, she has had to live with it. For so long she did not know what true freedom was. This was her chance, but at that cost?

As Naruto and Sayuri approached the house they saw Sasuke walk out to greet them.

"Hello Sayuri," Sasuke said.

She said nothing but walked right past him and into the house.

"Naruto what is wrong with her?"

"Sasuke…Mangekyou is a form of sharingan, right?"

Sasuke looked surprised at the question but nodded.

"How do you get it?" Naruto asked as looking fearful.

"Why do you…?"

"How Sasuke?"

"You must, you must," Sasuke did not know how to spit it out.

"Spit it out," Naruto said angrily.

"Kill the person closest to you," Sasuke spit out quickly.

Naruto eyes widened in horror. He stood stock-still.

"What? I don't understand…what's going on,"

Naruto said nothing. He turned and started walking away. Sasuke, confused, watched him go and then headed back into his house.

Is she really seriously considering this? Naruto thought to himself as he walked away.

"No Sayuri would never…" Naruto said aloud to himself, but he doubted his own reassurances.

She had really been considering this. Naruto thought that he should tell someone what had happened, but decided against it.

"She won't, the offer just…it just…it just caught her off guard is all. She'll come to her senses," Naruto said aloud to himself again, still not fully convinced.