A/N Thanks 4 all the great reviews I got on my last chapter...I love you guys!!!! Especially xX-Arianna-hime-Xx, Rika24, rikku92 and so many others who have been faithful with this and my other stories. Hug Thanks!

What was Lost, What was Gained

Ch. 14

Naruto's POV

As I headed out of the tent Sasuke was heading into the woods to, a quick glance around I knew Sakura must have ran off like Hinata said. Though it did surprise me that Sasuke was chasing her, this was a blow to his pride to chase after someone else. And it's Sakura of all people, the one girl in the world who would spend her life going after him. We didn't say anything but ran beside each other, both knowing that Sakura wouldn't try to hide she just wanted to get distance between them. I wanted to talk to Sasuke but he had one of those looks on his face. But since when did I care what mood sasuke was in to yell at him...

"I hope you're proud of yourself."

"Shut up..."

I winced. Not that he said it harshly or anything, in fact he whispered it, I almost didn't hear it. Usually I say anything and he starts yelling.

"I'm still ticked off about what you did."

I warned. He knew I was talking about how he nearly had Sakura killed. His eyes dropped to the tree branches as we passed them. Though I wanted to say how stupid he was I couldn't open my mouth. I understand why he made his decsion, though I would have never chosen that myself but I can't bring myself to scolded him further. He had waited practically his whole life to get revenage and their was the moment his reward was his revenage. The only problem was that Sakura was the payment, but still he should have realized that she is to high of cost.

"It's not like you to be so quiet Naruto, or have you decided to stop talking to me all together?"

Arrogance was dripping from his words but my anger didn't rupture.

"I understand why you did it, I just wished that for once Sasuke, that you would have seen what was truly important."

"You don't know anything. You're just the village loser."

I crushed my teeth together and jumped in front of him cutting him off, we both stood on opposite branches staring angrily at each other.

'Exactly. And being the village loser makes me understand you the most. You want revenage for the fact that your brother killed your family, and caused you be alone pracatially all your life. I know what if feels like to be all alone. I know how much you want to full fill your purpose in life, like how mine is to be Hokage but..."

I turned away slightly trying to find the right words.

"I know you always hated being alone, if Sakura, the woman who loves you is gone, how is that going to be different from being alone before your revenage?"

"But if I don't get my revenage, then I haven't fulfilled my purpose in life. So wouldn't that mean I'm dead anyway.."

Sasuke was right. Him not getting his reveange was like me not reaching hokage, something niether one of us could fail at.

"I...don't...want her...to die..."

Sasuke said with tone drowing in sorrow. That was one of the few things Sasuke I had in common.

"Then from now on Sakura is out of this."

Sasuke's head snapped in my direction, a confused and slightly annoyed face staring back.

"I'm saying idiot, that we have to protect Sakura. We both know she's stubborn so we have to do it from a distance. The akatsuki has nothing to do with her anyway, so from now on its just going to be us...we have to let her go, let everything go right now if we want to have a purpose in life."

Sasuke looked softened, slightly.

"...yeah..."

We both stopped on a large tree limp both staring at our feet.

"You said goodbye to Hinata?"

"Yeah, in a way."

"But Sakura and I...we.."

"I know, I heard."

Sasuke looked off in the direction we were tracking Sakura, he sighed and composed his face.

"Naruto...do me a favor."

I nodded already knowing to a degree what he wanted, I bit my thumb allowing a little bit of blood to dripped.

Sakura's POV

I hated how I was feeling, I hated myself more. How could I have said those things to Sasuke, he didn't deserve it. Everything he said was true, I am a coward. So many things passed through my mind, mostly how I could ask Sasuke to forgive me. I hated the doubt my heart carried, that Sasuke would never forgive me, that he would never love me again.

"Might as well face the music."

I murmured, heading back towards the camp. I was nearly at the perimeter when I saw a...orange frog?

"Hey...you're that thing Naruto summons?"

I pointed kneeling down in front of him.

"Yeah, yeah. No need for introductions right now girly. Boss said I had to do a favor for that Uchiha kid."

"Sasuke? Naruto sent you for Sasuke?"

I asked tucking my hair behind my ear. The young frog nodded, instantly uncurling his tongue. What laid in the center was the silver band with the sparkling diamonds.

"But this...this is..."

I laid the ring in my palm my eyes jumping from the frog to my hand.

"Sasuke gave this to you?"

"Yep, he said to give it to ya but those were the only orders. Now I'm off duty see ya."

In a simple cloud of smoke he disappeared.

"Wait!"

But it was to late, he was gone. I sighed and looked down at the ring in my hand. Sasuke had told the frog to give it to me, did he forgive me? If he did then why din't he give it to me himself? I pondered this as I walked into camp. Surprised to see all the rookies cleaning up camp and making sure no one could tell someone was there. Hinata was walking by with shikamaru and Lee.

"Oh, Sakura? what are you doing back?"

Lee asked turning all their attention at me. I smiled.

"Where's Sasuke and Naruto?"

They all looked at me then back at each other.

"What are you talking about Sakura?"

"Yeah, Naruto and Sasuke left an hour ago."

"What?"

I asked, my heart began to pick up speed.

"Sakura. Naruto and Sasuke went looking for you earlier, they returned and talked to Neji about Itachi's tracks then left again."

Hinata said in a soft confused tone. I opened my palm and looked at the ring again, suddenly it all made sense.

"No! Those idiots!"

I took off back into the woods leaving very confused rookies behind.

Just when I thought they couldn't become more idiotic.

"You guys can't just leave me behind! We're teammates! Naruto! Sasuke! How could you!"

They let me behind to track the akasuki, to go after to Itachi...once again they left me to be on my own again, they would die together, and I would be alone. How could two people who know better than almost of the world how much it hurts to be alone continue to leave me alone.

"I swear Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha when I get my hands on you two!"

I wiped the tears from my eyes.

""You idiots are not going to be men when I'm done with you! Then you'll learn never to leave me behind!"

Next: Chapter,

Naruto and Sasuke meet up with Itachi--FIGHT! Sakura finds the hideout and helpful clues in how to destroy the akasuki...Please keep reviewing...