Chapter 6: How to Save a Life
His hand constricted tighter around her neck as she heard what resembled a strangled growl. He released her as if she had burned him. Sakura coughed as she fell to the ground, her hand rubbing her neck tenderly. Karin stood up and walked behind Sasuke once more.
"Can I kill her now?" she asked impatiently as she absently drew figures on his arm.
Sasuke rubbed his eyes in frustration, "Karin, sit down and shut up."
Karin growled and stomped her foot, "Sasuke-kun! Why do I have the feeling that this girl is more important to you?!"
"Than what, Karin?!" he yelled at her, "More important to me than what?! You?! Sit down and shut the hell up!"
She pouted at him before looking at Sakura who was staring at Sasuke lifelessly.
"Just get it over with Sasuke," Sakura said lowly, "Kill me. If you can come this close," she gestured with her thumb and pointer finger, "to killing Naruto; why can't you just kill me? I swear, you're becoming more and more like that dear older brother of yours everyday. It's funny how I'm beginning to respect Naruto more than I do you each passing day. I mean, at least he could get the job done."
His eyes snapped to her, "And what's that supposed to mean?"
She smiled wickedly at him, "What do you think Sasuke-kun?"
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Ino's POV
I had to do something, I had to stop him and quick. Right now, at this moment, I am no longer Ino-pig. I'm not his woman, I'm not his anything. I no longer need the protection of a man or woman for that matter. I'm not arranging flowers or brushing my long blonde hair. I'm no longer my mother's little girl. I am Yamanaka Ino: kunoichi of Konohagakure. Right now, at this moment, I am my father's daughter.
"Ninpo," I choked out as I brought my hands, now in the form of a seal, in front of my face, "Shintenshin no Jutsu!"
Shikamaru turned to face me slowly as my body sagged to the floor like a rag doll, "No! Stupid!"
I looked up at him, now in the opponents body. The kunai in our hands were shaking as he looked back slowly, then they fell to the ground with a thud. I watched as his shadow began to slowly, but surely, recede back to his body.
"No! Shit!" he cried frantically as he began making hand signs.
I smiled sadly at him and reached into this man's pouch to grasp a fresh kunai. Blue clashed with chocolate brown...Can I really do this? Damn it Ino, we're running out of time! Make a choice! Make a damn choice! I mouthed three words to him causing him to pause all together. Quickly now, I raised the kunai in front of me before thrusting it into this man's stomach.
"NO!"
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Hinata didn't have time to usher a warning before Naruto ran smack-dab into Neji's fist, sending him flying three feet back and at her feet. Her eyes widened as she knelt down beside him and sent Kiba a disapproving look at his loud laughter.
"Naruto-kun? Are you alright?" she muttered shyly as he sat up and shook his head.
"Neji! What are you doing here?!" he yelled, dismissing Hinata's concerned questions.
TenTen popped up behind the male Hyuuga and smiled lightly at them, "Hey! You guys worried us there for a second."
Neji cleared his throat, "Worried you..."
The chestnut-haired girl glowered at him, "Neji..."
"So, do you have any idea what's going on?" Kiba asked as he walked up until he was in front of TenTen, hesitating as he passed Hinata.
She shrugged, "Nothing...Well, Neji thinks it has something to do with Sasuke..."
Naruto growled, "Of course, that stupid teme. He's always fucking up. Ne, TenTen, Neji, have you seen Sakura-chan?"
"No," TenTen answered, "Maybe she's..."
Naruto's eyes widened, "Shit."
"Naruto, matte!!" Kiba yelled after him as he ran off.
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Sasuke stared at the kneeling, pink haired Haruno in front of him. Before she could react, he kicked her in the stomach, causing her to double over.
"Well," he said softly, "I knew it'd happen sooner or later. The dobe is persuasive."
She coughed, digging her nails into the carpet before looking up at him, "No persuasion needed baby."
To her surprise, he smirked. Slowly, he bent down until he was at her level, "No, not for you baby."
She glared at him fiercely before spitting a mixture of blood and saliva in his face. Again, he smirked before wiping it off. Standing up, he turned his back on her and cracked his neck.
"Really, I need some fresh air before this damn seal starts acting up again," he muttered as he clutched the seal.
Karin smiled, "So, you finally ready to go?"
"In a minute."
He turned back to Sakura and gave her a wicked smile, "You've finally embraced the fact that you mean nothing to me...I'm proud of you."
She could slowly feel her chakra draining from her, "What are you-?"
"Paralysis jutsu," Karin piped up.
"Wasn't talking to you whore," Sakura snapped.
Karin began to move forward, a fist raised but Sasuke's hand snapped out to grab it. He turned his head slightly to her, his eyes still on his former team mate.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"You heard what she- Uh!" Karin tried to pull out of his grasp but he held tighter.
He sent her a deadly look and she stopped, "I'm sorry Sasuke-kun..."
He nodded at her before letting go and looking back at Sakura. She was staring at the ground, her eyes slowly glazing over. He reached out a hand and gently stroked her cheek.
"Hey, don't pass out just yet," he said softly, "I'm not done talking to you," she looked up at him, "Isn't this the part where you start crying and declaring your love for me?"
It took every ounce of her strength to lift her hand and raise her middle finger at him. He smirked before backhanding her and standing upright.
"That's my girl," he muttered, "Let's go Karin."
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Hinata's POV
I fell back on my behind as Naruto stood abruptly to run off. Kiba yelled after him and growled in anger before reaching out a hand to help me up. I dusted off my pants and jumped as Neji and TenTen ran past me.
"You okay?" Kiba asked gruffly.
"Y- Yeah...Kiba-kun."
I began to head after the other three but Kiba's hand shot out to grab my arm, "Matte...someone's coming this way. This time that chakra ain't too friendly..."
I stilled for a moment as I began to feel the tingling sensation in my chest as the chakra neared. Shaking my head, I raised my arms to form a seal in front of my face.
"Byakugan!" I yelled and nearly toppled over at what I saw.
"Hinata!!" Kiba yelled at me as I began to sway and rested his hands on my shoulders.
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Kiba's POV
I grasped Hinata's arm possessively as I began to sense the unpleasant chakra get closer. It was familiar in a way but way too...unreadable. Hinata raised her arms in front of her, the seal that would release her kekkei genkai slowly formed with her fingers.
"Byakugan!" she yelled and stumbled clumsily.
"Wha-" I began, totally confused out of my wits. My female teammate began to sway dangerously and I began to panic, "Hinata!!" I grasped onto her shoulders to keep her from falling.
"Hinata, what is it?" I asked, holding her close to my body by wrapping my arm around her shoulder and pulling her to my chest. She was shivering uncontrollably, a horrified expression on her face, "Akamaru!"
I looked down at my canine best friend to find him whimpering softly in the direction of Hinata's horrified gaze. Then I caught it, the scent of blood; heavy blood. The most horrifying thing was that a familiar scent was laced in with it...
"Ino!!!" Hinata yelled, surprising both me and Akamaru.
She began to run towards the scent but I held her even tighter to my chest, "Hinata, stop!"
"She's gonna die, I have to heal her," she choked as tears cascaded down her cheeks.
My heart clenched at the sight and I had to gulp down a whimper. The chakra was getting closer, along with Ino's scent. Quickly now, I pushed Hinata behind me and got into a fighting stance. The person's footsteps were reckless and loud, his breathing raspy and choked. Again, a familiar scent hit me. Shikamaru came around the bend with a limp Ino in his arms, cradling her like a baby. My breath caught in my throat as I moved forward shakily, the scent of blood filled my senses; coppery and sickening.
"She-" Shikamaru began and looked down at Ino's pale face, "Why did she..."
"Wha- What happened?" I asked shakily, just like my steps, the sounds of Hinata mourns filled my ears.
"Help her," Shikamaru said suddenly, his eyes wide as he ran to Hinata.
I stared at him sadly as he thrust the blond haired girl at Hinata, "Shikamaru...she's-"
"She's gonna be fine!" he roared at me, his eyes pleading. He turned back to Hinata, "She's going to be fine...right? Right Hinata?"
Hinata choked on her tears and looked at me, "Shikamaru-kun..."
"No, just do it! Heal her," he yelled, "Please...oh Kami please..."
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Shikamaru's POV
"No, just do it! Heal her," I yelled angrily, "Please...oh Kami please..."
I know I probably look like some freak, my eyes wide, my voice hoarse and loud but I couldn't control myself. She nodded slowly and positioned her hands over the gaping wound in Ino's belly. Her warm, glowing chakra began to pour out of her hands, flowing into Ino. I watched in awe and hope. Kiba slowly knelt beside me and placed a hand on my shoulder. I jumped and turned to face him. He stared at me for awhile, slightly hesitant before gripping onto my arm securely.
"Come on, give them some space," he said calmly.
I looked from Ino's face to Kiba and gulped, "Do I have to?"
"It'll help," Hinata said quietly, calmly as if she was talking to a three year old instead of a seventeen year old genius.
I glared at her slightly, causing Kiba's hand to constrict tighter around my arm. Protective are we? I stood slowly and Kiba lead me to a seat.
Hinata suddenly choked, causing me to look up quickly. Her eyes were fluttering, definitely from so much chakra loss, her body was swaying, definitely from exhaustion, her hands were wavering, definitely from helping Ino. She retracted her hands for above Ino and let her eyes flutter closed, her body shaking. I began to panic and stood up abruptly, causing the chair to topple over. I headed towards the two females but Kiba held onto me.
"What are you doing?! Let me go!!" I roared, avoiding his gaze, tears were filling my eyes but I refused to let them fall. I had to be strong, I had to be strong for me and her.
"Hinata is going to die!" he yelled at me and I froze, "Hinata is going to die if she continues to heal Ino! Do you want both of them to die?!"
I paused and began to feel the wetness travel down my face, "I-"
Hinata began to talk sleepily, "I- I did the best I could Shikamaru-kun...Ino won't die...but she did. I'm sorry."
"What?" Kiba asked thoroughly confused.
"No...but...I promised...I said I would protect them..."
'What are we going to do Shikamaru?'
'You'll do nothing...just stay healthy...I'll protect you...both of you...'
"Shikamaru?" I heard Kiba call in the distance.
'A girl? A girl? Well, I always wanted to have a girl first...'
'Well...now you got one. Celebrate?'
'Tonight...after I get out of the hospital.'
"Shikamaru!!!" Kiba yelled as my vision began to fade.
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Sakura's POV
"No!" I shouted as I fought the jutsu that was slowly taking over me. The bastard turned towards me and the smirk on his face faded. As though he was just waking up.
"What are you doing baka? You'll kill yourself."
"Is that worry I sense in your voice Sasuke?" I asked bitterly as I stood shakily. The jutsu felt like there was a hundred pounds weighing down my arms and legs.
My muscles strained to work, letting me know that after this; there would be major damage. Sasuke stepped toward me and shook his head. I glared at him and ran at him as fast as I could. Apparently, it wasn't fast at all because Sasuke caught me against his chest. I began to punch him repeatedly on his chest but no chakra made its way into those punches. I must look stupid, hitting a man twice my size as if he was going to give in any moment. Sasuke grabbed both my wrists and trapped one of my legs between his so that I wouldn't try anything below the belt so to speak.
"Stop it," he grunted and I began to elbow him in his stomach.
"You stop!" Okay, now I sounded like a three year old but I had a right to, "Why are you doing this?! Why are you always doing this?!"
"You'll understand sooner or later," he said lowly and switched my wrists to his left hand.
He lifted his right hand and moved my bangs out of my face before letting his hand travel to rest on my collar bone, right below my neck. Sighing, he let his thumb trail up and down my neck slowly.
"Just forget me for now," he breathed almost painfully, "Just forget me Sakura."
His words confused me, "Why are you talking like this Sasuke?"
"I have a feeling I'm not coming back this time," his hand wound around my neck to play with my short pink hair, "Just forget everything..."
'Sasuke-kun... What are you-"
'Shh...'
"Everything..."
'Why can't they know?'
'They wouldn't understand...'
My breathing had become shallow before I realized what he was doing, "Stop Sasuke-kun...don't go."
'Don't go...'
'I have to...'
Sasuke sighed lightly and gently kissed my forehead, "I have to..."
"Will you come back?"
'Will you come back? Sasuke-kun?'
'Tomorrow...just wait for me.'
"I told you already."
"But-"
'I told you already...Sakura...just let it go already.'
'But Sasuke-kun...what are you scared of?'
"What are you so scared of Sasuke?" I asked lowly, memories flashing in my mind.
"You know what I'm afraid of. We've been through this before..."
"Humor me..."
'Destiny Sakura...I'm scared of destiny.'
'You're not like him...you'll never be like him.'
"Why are you doing this?" I breathed.
'Sasuke-kun!! Stop!!! Please!"
"I have to..."
"No you don't.."
'You don't have to do this Sasuke!!! Screw destiny!! Screw all of it!!'
"I'm different from you..."
'I can't be like you or Naruto...'
"I-" I choked.
"I know..."
My eyes widened, "No..."
'Sakura...thank you...'
"Thank you..."
I hope you liked it!! I know it was a bit confusing but it'll clear up. Please review!! I love to hear your comments or ideas.