Well… sorry for such a long wait. I started watching way to much anime and got reeled in; hook, line, and sinker. I started and finished the entire Prince of Tennis series, and then started in on Death Note. Both of which are really great. Then I watched the Bleach musical, then the tennis musical, then this, and than that. Goodness me, it's a good thing that I think I fell out the cycle. Or else you probably would never get to finish this…
Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto, I doubt I would write fanfiction about it. How lame would that be, writing fanfiction about your own story. Geez, lame….
The Price of Freedom
Chapter 9
Sasuke groaned and fanned himself with his gloved hand. He hadn't anticipated the forest to be hotter than the scorching desert. Unlike the desert, the trees blocked any wind or breeze that could carry the hot air away, and retained most of the suns rays. He could see the beads of sweat forming on the flanks of his horse, indicating that he wasn't the only one suffering.
They had been in the desert forest for hours, and traveled down the obviously well used path in the direction of the nomads. Sasuke chuckled to himself when he thought of how easy it would be to take out a band of idiots. He couldn't believe they left themselves so open.
He was pulled from his self honoring thoughts as a runner from the front lines approached. "What news?"
He took a few moments to catch his breath before proceeding. "Your majesty, we have encountered a rock cliff. It is not very high, and there is reason to believe the rebels have scaled the walls in an attempt to flee."
"Well, they must think they are very clever don't they? An army this size could never get up as quickly as they could." With a flourish of his hand he continued, "No matter, half our troops will rise and defend our country. Have the first 500 men scale the walls. I will not let these baboons get away."
Hushed murmurs flitted through the crowd as the runner raced back to the front lines to deliver the orders. Sasuke smiled to himself as he imagined the victory dinner he would feast upon in another three days time.
This really was much too easy.
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"Sasuke is heading towards the wall, just as Shikamaru predicted."
Gaara seated himself on a nearby rock covered in shadow. "He really is a genus," He stated in amazement, "Well, all we have to do now is wait for the signal. It shouldn't be too far off."
Looking across the dirtied faces of his men, he saw hope shining in their eyes and determination etched in their brows. There was no longer any room to make any mistakes, and if all went as planned, this would all be over quickly.
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Anxiety shook the hearts of each and every woman and child as they all hurried into the forest caves. Fear ruptured the animals as they lost their footing due to the lack of light. Inside the air was dank and musty, yet cool none the less. This provided no comfort to Sakura as she stumbled onward into the darkness.
Though she had followed along with Gaara's plan, she still longed to be by his side on the battle field. She knew she could be of more use to everyone if only she didn't have to hide away in some dark, smelly cavern. Glancing over at Tamari, Sakura saw only worry for the people she was to protect. 'Why can't I be useful? She doesn't need me here.' She thought to herself.
Chancing a glance back at the entrance to the cave, Sakura saw her chance. Stealing away in the cover of shadow, she made her way towards the light avoiding being seen by any of the nomads. She stumbled out and shielded her eyes from the bright light she was still adjusting to.
Hearing a noise to her left, Sakura froze in place for fear of being caught running away. She released a sigh of relief when she a large bird abandoned its perch on a branch. 'Calm down. No one saw you; all you have to do is go back the way you came.' Continuing to think reassuring thoughts, she ran forward heedless of the branches and vines that tried to hold her back.
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Shikamaru gazed over the massive sea of men that approached the cliff and prayed to whatever god that was out there. This was the only plan he could come up with, considering time and accessible tools. Each nomad carried a sward, but was not skilled in using it. This, the ex-General thought, could be somewhat helpful. None of them were too anxious to get out there and actually fight, so stalling was their best bet. Being the bait or distraction if you will.
"Well," he said as he gestured to the rows of large stones and logs place near the ledge of the cliff, "I'd say it's about time to get this show on the road."
The men cheered wildly and rushed forward gathering in groups of two or three, preparing to push the stones off the cliff. "On my signal!" Shikamaru raised his hand high above his head as he stole a glance down at the enemy. They buzzed with confusion and those climbing the cliff paused in bewilderment. "Heave!" He lowered his arm and the stones where shoved randomly. Another cheer was roused out of his men as they watched the frightened soldiers fall from the cliff. Some where only slightly fazed from not falling far, while others were crushed underneath the boulders. Anxious shouts of commanders were riddled off endlessly as they tried to maintain order.
A knowing smile flitted across Shikamaru's lips as approached the edge of the overhang. He watched as all order was lost down below, while his men where dragging up the heavy logs for round two. As he gazed intently upon the scene below, his attention was drawn to a rustle in the trees not far away. Focusing more clearly, he saw a flash of pink between branches.
His eyes widened in amazement, "She disobeyed orders. We have to finish this quickly or something is bound to go wrong."
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Gaara crouched down, his figure hidden by the cover of the thick foliage just yards away from a raging Sasuke. He could just barely see the hopeless soldiers scrambling for their lives as they hurried aimlessly down the rock face. Glancing again at Sasuke, Gaara followed his gaze to see Shikamaru leading the excited tribesmen as they hurled various large objects over the cliff. Ah, that's why he looked so upset.
Gaara smiled at this and signaled for the archers to ready their bows. This was all going rather smoothly, and he was sure that it would be over within minutes. That was until he lowered his signal arm just as a blur of pink tumbled out onto the pathway just to his left. It went unnoticed by Sasuke until it let out a piercing cry of pain as a stray arrow lodged its way into their arm. Sasuke's head snapped to see what this new enemy might be, and smiled savagely when he found a moaning Sakura grasping her arm in pain.
Grabbing the rains, Sasuke shifted position and charged the girl. This surly would bring out any potential saviors. His smile grew as he saw Gaara leapt out of the nearby bushes and landed on top of Sakura, rolling them both out of harms way. "What the hell are you doing here?!" Gaara shouted as he panted for breath. Sakura lowered her eyes, and then gave a cry of surprise as she was thrown into the bushes once more. "Never mind, just stay out of the way!" He then stumbled over to an archer quickly and grabbed his bow, "Sorry, but I need this!" Jumping out onto the open trail once again, Gaara knocked the only arrow he had and aimed for Sasuke's horse. Just as Sasuke charged at Gaara, the Suna leader let his arrow fly. The massive beast let out a pathetic cry as it hit the ground and Sasuke tumbled out of the saddle.
By now, Gaara had caught the attention of the surrounding soldiers and they turned from the scene at the cliff to attack. "Now!" Gaara yelled and a flood of angry nomads rushed out upon the soldiers. In the midst of all the confusion, Sakura sat helplessly in the cover of shadow and watched the horrific scene play out before her. Gaara and his men where hopelessly surrounded with no means of retreat. But strangely enough, although the nomads where all huddled vulnerably in the center of the mass of soldiers, none of the soldiers attacked.
It became clear when the mass parted to reveal Sasuke approaching, his sword drawn headed towards a helpless Gaara. He was suddenly grabbed from behind and held still by two soldiers. "Well, you've put up quite a show indeed," Sasuke commended sarcastically, "But this little game of hide and seek ends now." He charged at a wide-eyed and helpless Gaara his sword piercing right through his stomach.
"NO!" A scream was heard as Sakura left all caution to the wind and ran into the crowd, straight for Gaara, "No, stop! Gaara!" Just as she had reached the bloody heap that was Gaara, she let out a painful screech as she was pulled back by her hair.
"Tsk, tsk. We can't have you getting all bloodied up and messy now do we?" Sasuke hissed in her ear.
She writhed and wriggled, trying desperately to go save Gaara, "No! Let me go! Let me save him!"
Sasuke let out a sharp bark of laughter, "But my little desert flower, he's as good as dead. You can't do anything for a dead man."
"No! Let me go! I can-" She was cut of as he clamped a hand tightly over her mouth. Tears of anguish poured freely down her face as her muffled cries were left unheard. She felt a jolt of pain in her side and the weight of Sasuke on her back as she tumbled to the ground no longer in his grasp. Turning around sharply, she gasped as she saw a blood stained blade of an Imperial soldier protruding out of Sasuke's chest. "What…" Her gaze traveled upwards to see the whiskered face of the soldier whose sword saved her. "Who are… what… I don't…" she muttered in confusion.
She shuddered as he pulled the blade out of the fallen Emperor. "Are you alright?" The man asked as he extended a hand to help her up.
"What… Why did you?" She stared at him in confusion.
"Don't be fooled, this rebel group of nomads aren't the only ones who know the truth." He explained as she took his hand and stood, "This has all been planned from the beginning. But we hadn't planned on killing the true king…"
"Gaara!" Sakura gasped as she whirred around and ran to him, "Gaara, please still be alive!" She rolled him over and placed her hands upon his neck to feel for his pulse. His heart still beat, albeit very faintly. Her heart soared with hope as she quickly started pealing away layers of his clothing.
"Hey! What do you think your-" The whiskered soldier started but was cut off by a knowing nomad.
"Don't worry. Just watch."
A collected gasp of awe ran over the watching crowd as Sakura's hands began to glow an eerie emerald green. She watched as the torn flesh mesh back together slowly. The main dilemma was that he had lost so much blood, and recreating blood was much more difficult than repairing what was already there. Beads of sweat poured from her brow and dripped from the tip of her nose as she shook with the strain of concentration. Slowly the light receded and she collapsed onto his now mended chest.
Gaara's eyes shot open and he let out a gasp as new life flooded his veins. He sat up with Sakura in his arms and looked down at her in surprise, "Is it over?"
"Yes, its over," she sighed out, "and most importantly, you're alive."
Looking back down at her, he shot her a soft glare, "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be with the rest of the women and children? You promised me you would go."
With a soft smile, Sakura leaned up ever so slightly and brushed her lips over his in a chaste kiss then replied, "I lied."
Well, I hope this climactic was all you hoped it would be… It's sorta half assed because I'm sorta getting bored with this story. But don't worry, I promise you I will finish it!!! It just might take a while, and plus, I only have one more chapter left anyway…