AN: I'm so touched by the reviews…thanks guys……
CHAPTER 3: Whispers in the Wind
Blood.
Bodies.
Clash of metal to metal.
A temporary truce had been issued about an hour ago. The Leaf Nins were currently taking a break in their camp.
The captain resting in his private tent.
He should be used to it, he was practically born with it. It shouldn't bring him to the brink of insanity. But this time, things were very different. The circumstance he was faced with would haunt him for the rest of his life. He tried to tell himself that there was no other alternative, it was war, and as the cliché goes…everything's fair.
Sasuke stared at his hands, they have always been stained with blood. But at this moment, the stain was too much even for him to carry.
He had just murdered a girl. She was an enemy, and her body was concealed by her armor. But when Sasuke decapitated her, her helmet flew away, her head faced him, eyes opened wide.
Green eyes, opened wide.
For a moment he thought he had killed Sakura.
With the memory still fresh in his brain, he dropped his face onto his palms. Willing the vivid image to go away.
"Still thinking about it? Her?"
He looked up and found Kakashi, one of his few trusted friends. The only person in the whole army who knew about Sakura.
"I can't get it out of my head."
"For the nth time Sasuke, it wasn't your fault. She was the enemy and it was your duty to kill the enemy. Besides, she doesn't resemble Sakura, except for the eyes. I believe Sakura is cuter."
"I'm not in the mood for jokes Kakashi."
"Stop sulking Sasuke, do you want me to show you my face?"
At this Sasuke's old self seemed to have resurfaced. He smirked at the older man, who in turn gave him an eye crease.
"Never mind. I might die of heart attack."
"You just turned down a great privilege. Well come on, get up and join the festivities outside. Thanks to you and your troops we seem to be winning."
"I want to sleep."
"You don't, you just want to brood. Let's go, it'll help you clear your mind."
Knowing that Kakashi won't let him be, he finally got up. As he went out of his tent, the wind ruffled his dark tresses. It suddenly reminded him of Sakura.
He looked at his hands once again.
I murdered a girl.
Hime, I am no longer allowed to hold you, even touch you. My stained hands shouldn't corrupt your innocence.
Please, forgive me…
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She was at her favorite spot again, the beautiful garden. Although instead of her dark haired body guard, a blonde one was there instead.
It wasn't that she wasn't fond of Naruto, it's just that…he's not Sasuke, and she misses him terribly. She could hear Naru-chan's bark and Naruto's laughter at the background. But she told herself to not care for a while. She'd be in her own world, dreaming of her and Sasuke-kun together.
It's so strange, how she felt so sad ever since he left.
At least, he promised…that he'd return.
"Naruto, what do you think Sasuke-kun's doing right now?"
"Him? Oh I bet he's just brooding somewhere…'meditating'…or maybe he's being a guy and having fun with a woman?"
Sakura's eyes suddenly widened and Naruto clamped a hand on his mouth
"Gomen Sakura-chan! That's something a little girl shouldn't know."
"You're lying! Sasuke wouldn't do that! I'm the only girl he loves! He promised we'd get married…"
The blonde gave a sad smile, Sasuke, she really adores you…I just hope you wouldn't break her heart…
"Then maybe, he's thinking about you."
If he could pat himself at the back, he would do so. Sakura smiled brightly, lighting her emerald eyes. She suddenly started running towards Naru-kun, lifted the wolf up and started twirling around.
Kawaii…she'll turn into a beauty one day, and maybe…Sasuke wouldn't find it hard to keep his promise…
A gust of wind blew in their direction. Sakura stopped twirling and looked up at the sky, a solemn expression portrayed on her face.
"What's wrong Sakura-chan?"
"My heart, it's painful, Sasuke-kun, I think he's calling me."
Sasuke-kun, are you in pain as well?
Come home soon…
Please be safe…
I love you.
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He was engaged in a deadly dance. Flying in the air, dodging kunais and jutsus thrown at him. Exhilaration filled his whole being, excitement…it was merely a hunt, he the predator, the pathetic enemy nins, his prey. He was suddenly surrounded, yet it doesn't seem that he was at a disadvantage.
One man dared to chuckle, assuming the lone man was meeting his doom. He was the first to go down, a kunai deeply embedded on his chest. The rest were a blur. He moved with a lightning speed. He vaguely recalled slashing the throats of each man, moving from one victim to another, with no emotion playing on his face.
Every enemy on the battle ground was exterminated, it was just then that he realized he was on top of a hill, bodies of both comrade and enemy littered everywhere. The sun started to rise. Sasuke just stood there, eyes closed and feeling the warm rays upon his skin.
I stand before death, imprisoned in my own cage…I can never be free. How did I come to this? When killing is as natural as my breathing, am I a monster? Until how long can I keep insanity at bay?
He opened his eyes and saw the vast blue sky… "Sasuke-kun, come back home safe."
I may not be whole when I return, forgive me Sakura.
He turned his back from the peaceful scenery and was met with gore…Her head tumbled to the grass, stopped, her dead green eyes staring at him. He had murdered a girl.
I was told never to feel any emotions, it would only be a weakness, but I am weak, forgive me Sakura.
He searched his left breast pocket and found his source of comfort… "I made this for you, and that's my ribbon, you have to return it to me."
I can't help but blame you for what I've become, a mere child, and yet I allowed myself to care, forgive me Sakura.
He walked away from the battle scene, sidestepping each sprawled body…One by one, with a lightning speed, he slit every enemy's throats, blood splattered to his face and robes.
I wanted to be pure for you, afraid to soil your wings, but I am a demon, I could never be what I'm not, still I reach for you…forgive me, Sakura.
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Her life was nothing but boring. Same things happened everyday, except for the occasional healing of townspeople…and that time when Naruto saved her from the ninjas who were trying to kidnap her. Other than that, monotony ruled her life. She'd wake up, bathe, eat, study, rest, eat, then sleep again.
Her only source of enjoyment was Naruto, Naru-chan…and the thought that Sasuke would be coming back soon. Each day she looks at her calendar, marking down dates, telling herself that tomorrow…her Sasuke-kun would come barging in her room.
But months have passed, it was almost a year, after a hundred tomrrows…he still wasn't back. She felt fear once again, he went to war, he may have been killed. She shook her head vigorously.
NO! Sasuke-kun is the strongest! Surely, he'd come home.
She found herself facing a body length mirror. Sakura didn't like what she saw, a scrawny little thing with a big forehead.
Hurry up! I have to grow up soon, or Sasuke-kun may never think of me other than a little girl. I want to be with Sasuke-kun, I love him so much.
She looked out her window and watched as the sun started to rise… "Hime, I promise I'll come back."
I know he'll keep his promise, we'll see each other again…If you don't come back…I'll never forgive you Sasuke-kun.
Something moved beside her leg and she almost screamed, it was only Naru-chan… "Don't cry Sakura-hime…"
I can't imagine life without him, I was so used to him being around, his presence comforts me…You better be safe, if not…I'll never forgive you Sasuke-kun.
She wondered what he was doing at this moment, Naruto's words came to her mind… "Maybe he's being a guy and having fun with a woman?"
I won't be able to take the pain…you said we'll get married someday…If you won't love me…I'll never forgive you Sasuke-kun.
Demo, I'm just saying this to make myself strong. To keep myself standing up when I want to fall. Am I a liar then? A bad one at that, I can't even convince myself. Because Sasuke-kun, if you ask…then I'll always forgive you.
She laid her head on her arms and did what she had tried so hard not to do.
She wept.
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A majestic castle, atop the highest mountain of Konoha, camouflaged by the surrounding greenery…He has finally reached his destination at last.
Six years of a grueling battle.
He was home at last.
It was springtime and this day was just perfect. He started walking fast, almost running, he checked himself and regained his composure. He then started walking slower.
At this time of the day he knew just where his feet would take him. His report would have to wait for a while. A loud bark greeted him when he reached the garden. He was alarmed at first but realized it was a friendly greeting. Naru-chan was no longer 'harmless' looking. He bent down and scratched the wolf's ears, it laid contentedly and gave a soft 'yip.' He stopped suddenly, Naru-chan barked, apparently annoyed that his little treat was taken away from him. The man only chuckled.
"Still as demanding as ever. I'll give you more later if you tell me where Sakura is."
He inwardly berated himself for asking an animal. Was his joy upon returning addled his brain? But he was proven wrong when Naru-chan pulled at his cloak and ran off, telling him to follow.
"I guess Sakura did a good job on you." He gave a soft smile.
He was only a few feet away from his source of anxiety.
She looked like a descended angel when he found her, wearing a white dress. She was kneeling near the man-made pond. The glimmering water accented her profile, her back was facing him but he could tell much has changed.
Her shoulder length hair before now reached her waist, she was definitely taller. Naru-chan barked again and she turned around.
Her eyes widened and she suddenly stood in shock. Fully facing the man before her.
She wasn't the only one stunned though.
Sasuke stood their, rooted at his spot. He couldn't move, he was mesmerized.
Onyx clashed with emerald. And the world was their own.
An angel?
No.
A goddess.
He selfishly wished that even for that little moment he had forgotten that the 'goddess' was Sakura, his hime, the little girl he would give his life to protect. From everything, especially from him.
But he couldn't, the memory would forever be engraved in his heart and mind. So he stayed as he was, transfixed.
The little girl was now a woman.
There could be no other grave punishment for him.
There could be no other greater blessing.
AN: And hereon…the fun begins……