Mercy.

Shall I spare you? Should I leave you at peace?

You beg it of me. You plead for me to stop; to give it to you.

I would have killed you. I would have pryed the life from your hands. I would have ruined you forever.

But look now. You're alive. You're free. You are allowed so many things.

I am still here.

And you still live.

Naruto felt nothing. No wrenching pain came. Sweat ran down his cheek and onto his neck. Naruto looked in horror at what had occured. "Sakura...no! Stop!" Sakura was holding Sasuke's arm steady and would not let him move it. She had built up all of her chakra in her arms and had prevented Sasuke, for the time being, from killing her comrade. "So, you intend to act this time Sakura? Too bad you're a few years too late!" Sasuke whirled around letting Naruto loose, grabbing Sakura by the neck. Gripping her tightly, he pulled her close to him. "I do admit Sakura, it's good to see you after so long. Have you changed at all since I last saw you?" Sasuke smirked as Sakura glared at him. "S...S...Sas...Sasuke...kun...put...m...me...down!!!" Sakura focused chakra in her feet and kicked at his sides. Dropping her, Sasuke sheathed his blade. His stance changed to ready himself for combat. "Show me, Sakura." Sasuke ran after her. She stood her ground, then ducked and landed a kick across his jaw. Blood soared through the air and Sasuke finally smiled. This is going to get interesting.
Sakura rushed to him and grabbed the purple rope around his waist. Intentions of throwing him in the air were blocked as Sasuke grabbed her arm with lighting quick reflexes. He pulled her arm back and punched her shoulder downward. "Ah...AEEHHHHHH!!!" She screamed---her arm was dislocated.
Falling to the ground, she screamed in pain. "You? A challenge? That will never happen!" Sasuke glared, smirk on his face, directly towards her. "You end here." Sasuke drew his katana once more and slashed it into the young kunoichi's hips. Drawing back, her looked at what he had done. "You never once begged my to stop, Saku---" Sasuke's words faded as Sakura disappeared into smoke. Nothing was there. It was an illusion...and..."Hmph. Kage Bunshin-Shadow Clone Jutsu..." Sasuke turned to face Sakura in front of him. "Good work, Naruto!" She shouted. Naruto was directly behind Sasuke. "Didn't see it comin', did ya?" Naruto grinned and landed a well deserved punch in Sasuke's back. This pushed him forward, causing Sakura to act. Hands packed with chakra, she landed several punches over and over in Sasuke's stomach. Sasuke grabbed one of her punches and threw her to the side. She quickly got back to her feet and ran head on into Sasuke. "Nice try." He stared at her lifelessly. "You jerk! You left us, your best friends, as if we meant nothing to you!" Sakura viciously pounded her fists at him, while he blocked every single one. She wasn't building up chakra anymore. Tears stained her face. "That's not true, Sakura." Sasuke grabbed her hands and held her in place. "I left so I could find a way to destroy my brother. He killed my entire clan, with no mercy. When it came to me, I was too 'precious' to be killed by his hand. He let me run. He told me that if I wanted to kill him, I would have to hate him. But not just him, everyone else. I need power to kill him. Once he dies, I have no reason to live. I am...an avenger."
Sasuke's voice wavered with hate and sorrow so strong that Sakura couldn't bear to hear him speak any longer. Tears burned her cheeks. "Sasuke...Sasuke-kun. Do you hate me?" Sakura released her strength. Sasuke looked deeply into her longing eyes. Naruto stood in shock of what was occuring. You could say he kept his mouth shut, but that wouldn't be entirely true. His mouth hung open as if it's hinge had been bent sideways.
"Sakura. How could I ever hate you?" Sakura's eyes deepened, and the dim light from the setting sun shone in them. "Sasuke-kun..." Sakura choked back her tears and held the rest in. "I've missed you...it's been so long..." Sakura lowered her voice; her tone steady. "It's been so long." Sakura searched Sasuke's vengeful eyes. "Too long." He whispered.