AN: Oh wow…I got some long reviews….thanks so much…
..I agree, that last chapter was really full of emotions…Sasuke was ooc…and might continue to be in here, but only with himself…oh well…I'll try to keep him in character in the next chapters…
More new characters coming right up!...
Please enjoy!...: )
Chapter 6: A Fool's Journey
If I were to look back on that day, would I be able to find an answer?
When I was with you I was so close to feeling alive.
Your heart was always beckoning to me.
I couldn't help but think…if I were a simple man would I have to bid mine goodbye?
I left to seek victory…
I came back and found I have lost.
But I won't say goodbye.
Because I have found a reason not to give up.
Charcoal eyes met the twinkling night sky. Unconsciously, Sasuke's hold tightened on the red, silky object in his hand. He had a dream about her again, although this time it wasn't bad as the others. Yet when he had woken from his light slumber, he had never felt so burdened. She was happy in that dream, happier than when he last saw her. Happier, and seemed not to remember a thing about him. He recalled she had looked at him with questioning eyes, as if asking who he was. That alone gave him a pain not even the sharpest of swords could give.
Another two years have passed since they started searching for Sakura, they went to every village, walking with blind faith, silently wishing that she was just around the corner.
But the villages they have not yet visited are slowly diminishing in number. Right now, they were currently riding a ship headed for Snow Country, the farthest they have gone since their journey began.
His other companions were not saying anything, but he could feel their hope waning. He had tried to tell them numerous times that he could go on alone, but they were stubborn, saying that they could never live with themselves if Sakura wasn't found as soon as possible.
"I want to find her as well Sasuke, this is the only way I could repay Jiraiya, for all the training he has given me." Naruto told him.
"Same here, that man always gave me free Icha-icha whenever a new issue arrives. It's the least I could do." Kakashi said in a muffled tone, his nose buried in the said book.
Even Naru-chan barked at him in indignation.
He sighed, but felt lighter. Sasuke would never admit it to them, but their presence made this ordeal a bit easier to take on.
He leaned on the railings, his hands outstretched towards the sea, still holding the ribbon tightly and stared at the waves underneath.
"Another dream?" Kakashi suddenly came up behind him.
"Hn. How did you know?" Sasuke's eyes still remained on the water.
"You always hold hime's ribbon whenever you have a bad dream." He didn't look at his masked friend, but Sasuke knew Kakashi was smirking.
"Hn."
"We'll find her." Kakashi hoped his voice sounded more confident than what he was feeling.
"Of course." There was no doubt in Sasuke's hardened mind that they will.
The dock was close. The pair could now see the glittering lights of the Snow country. Snow was slowly falling down from the dark sky. Behind them Naruto and Naru-chan approached. With renewed strength, the group awaited the anchoring of the ship.
--------------------
If I were to look back on that day, would I be able to find an answer?
I was found lying on the grass, when I awoke I was in this village.
With nothing but my name to give.
Everywhere I look I see white.
I suppose I am contented, but there is something that tells me white isn't my color.
Though I never say it, I want something vibrant.
But for now I rest until I remember.
If I were a simple girl would I still say each day of my life is faceless?
I refuse to give in.
Because I know, out there, is something I must reach.
Flakes one by one fell on her fingertips, vanishing the moment it made contact with her skin. Still the girl kept her arms extended, her futile attempts caught the attention of a young man lounging nearby.
"No matter what you do ugly, you could never catch them."
Sakura whipped around quickly, her red face and pink hair stood in contrast with the snow surrounding the whole village. Her eyes narrowed dangerously when it focused on the underdressed man.
"Still as rude as ever, Sai."
"I'm just trying to tell you a fact." He countered, a fake smile on his lips.
He was somehow surprised (he quickly checked his book if he got the right word for the said emotion), when Sakura merely turned her back to him and reached for the snow flakes once more.
"I know that, but…it's something I wanted to do. I don't think you'd understand." She said quietly.
She was a bit cold, but she didn't mind at the moment. Her breath suddenly hitched when arms wrapped around her frame. Sakura looked up at the sky if pigs were flying, because what was happening right now was in her list of 'impossible things to happen.'
"S-sai? What are you doing?"
"I believe this is called an embrace." His breath tickled her ear.
"But, why?" she asked. Unknowingly comforted by his warmth.
"It's something I wanted to do. I don't think you'd understand. Because even I don't." He tightened his hold.
"Thank you." She retracted her hands from its outstretched position and placed it on Sai's bare forearm.
"I'm a much better choice than the snowflakes, I won't disappear like they do."
He sounded like a child that she just have to laugh. They stayed that way for a moment longer. Ignoring the sly looks of the villagers. Then Sai released her. Sakura couldn't help but feel disappointed at the lack of warmth, but brightened up when Sai offered to take her home. They walked in silence.
"You might catch a cold." Sai said for the sake of conversation.
"Look who's talking, aren't you feeling chilled? Why do you always wear that hanging shirt anyway? You look like a girl." Sakura smirked.
"At least I'm more attractive than you, ugly." He returned nonchalantly.
He flew a few feet forward when he received her punch.
--------------------
The villagers looked at them with suspicion in their eyes. But Sasuke and the others didn't mind in the least, after all, who would think that a group of three dangerous looking men together with a huge black wolf, was normal.
"Teme, I'm hungry. Let's go eat." Naruto whined.
"We're not here on a vacation dobe. We've got to keep moving." Sasuke said.
"Sasuke, it won't do us good if we search for Sakura with an empty stomach. We need food to store energy." Kakashi reasoned.
"Hn. Fine, but hurry up."
They entered the closest restaurant they could find. Naruto went ahead of them and sat near the bar. They followed suit.
"ONE BEEF RAMEN PLEASE!"
Sasuke tried not to roll his eyes.
"What would you want, sir?"
He looked up and found a young woman with blonde hair. By the look in her eye, he knew she was trying to flirt with him. He sighed, not really happy with the thought.
"The same as that idiot."
"Me too." Kakashi told her from behind his favorite book.
Fortunately, Naruto was already eating his ramen to have heard what Sasuke said. Their orders came a moment later. All the while they were eating, the blonde waitress never left Sasuke's side. He was slowly losing his patience.
"Look girl, I have no time-"
"Oh my name is Ino!" She interrupted him, apparently thrilled that Sasuke finally paid attention to her.
"Fine, Ino-san, please stop wasting my time."
"Stop playing coy Mr.?" she batted her eyelashes at him.
Naruto and Kakashi choked on their soup, both trying hard not to laugh openly. Was it his imagination? Or was Naru-chan looking at him with amusement.
Sasuke became more incensed.
"Sasuke." He replied through gritted teeth.
"What a very manly name, just like you Sasuke-kun."
He stopped cold. If he looked at his side, Sasuke would see that Naruto and Kakashi stopped eating as well. Sasuke suddenly stood up and slammed his hand on the bar, the money crumpled. Ino trembled as she saw his eyed turning from black to red.
"Never use that suffix again. Ever." His tone chilled the spine of every person who heard.
Sasuke stalked out of the premises. The others were left apologizing to the manager and the people there, they gave Ino a generous tip as compensation.
When they reached Sasuke, he was still in a bad mood.
"That was harsh." Naruto said under his breath, Sasuke heard it nonetheless.
"Yeah, even for you that was too much of a rejection." Kakashi said, Naru-chan followed with a bark.
"Hn." Was all he could say.
"Sasuke-ku…I mean Sasuke-san, I'm really sorry about that. I didn't know it was a sensitive subject." Ino looked at him with pleading eyes.
It had no effect on him whatsoever, but he knew he was rude, so he stayed loger to hear what else she had to say. He looked at her coldly.
Ino looked at her feet. She was intimidated and had second thoughts if she'd still continue, but she really was attracted to the man, so she took a deep breath and spoke again.
"I-I've offended y-you, and I-I'm terribly sorry. S-so as payment, I'll l-let you stay at m-my place. I-it's really huge, w-we have lots of r-rooms. Free of charge of c-course. T-that is if you have no where else to stay." She looked at Naruto and Kakashi, asking them to back her up.
Before Sasuke could reply, Kakashi had already grasped Ino's offer.
"Arigatou Ino-san. You' really saved us from being bankrupt. We happily accept."
"Wait. I have-" Naruto stuffed snow on Sasuke's mouth.
Ino watched as Sasuke somehow managed to sputter gracefully before glaring at Naruto.
"Well, it's settled then! Follow me!" Ino skipped happily in front of them.
On the way towards Ino's home, Naruto kept on tripping face first on the cold ground. Looking around, he saw no one. Completely bewildered, he stopped trying to find out what's happening. Kakashi and Naru-chan could only snigger at Naruto's frequent 'accident.'
And Sasuke, half of his face under his cloak, managed to hide his very satisfied smirk.
--------------------
They reached the house within a few minutes, it was a traditional Japanese house, they saw a koi pond as they passed the front yard. The stone steps lead them to the house's foyer then they left their footwear there then proceeded in the house.
Ino ushered them to the living area, then she disappeared into the kitchen. After a while, she went back and served them tea and some biscuits.
Naruto happily chomped on the biscuits while Kakashi sipped n his tea. Sasuke however, remained aloof and distant. Looking outside the opened shoji doors as white filled his sight.
"S-so! You can choose which room you want to sleep in, except for the last room in the right side, it's already occupied. And um, mine's the first one you see." She looked pointedly at Sasuke, but he continued to ignore her.
"O-okay, why don't you guys get ready for dinner? By the way, I have another friend living with me. She's out though, but she'll be here in a little while, she always returns before dinner." Ino informed them then disappeared once again in the kitchen.
"Oh another friend? I hope she's hot too." Naruto grinned.
"Hn." Sasuke glared at the blonde. As long as she doesn't bother me.
"What are you two waiting for, let's do as she says." Kakashi intervened, sensing hostility.
As they stood up, the front gate opened. Ino yelled something like 'you're early.' Then as if he was possessed, Naru-chan barked loudly and ran wildly towards the gate.
They next thing they heard was a loud crash, Naru-chan made contact with someone.
The three shinobi quickly followed the wolf.
If I were to look back on that day, would I be able to find an answer?
Now that I have stepped forward, do I still want to know?...
AN: Hmm…I think my story needed a little break from all that heavy drama…so I made this one a bit lighter…sorry for the cliffhanger, couldn't resist…: )