Chapter 10 – A Nostalgic Feeling
Sasuke was taking a huge risk standing out in the open but shrugged it off immediately. Some old memory, some nostalgic feeling compelled him seek out this old monument to the beginning of his life as a shinobi. He stared at the three poles stuck in the ground as the memories of his first day with Team Seven played within his mind. The image of Naruto sitting tied to the middle pole while the Uchiha clan member and Sakura ate lunch seemed so real to him that he thought he was watching as it was happening. How far have I come from that day? The young ninja wondered as he took a final look at the landmark.
"Time to go to work," he said to himself. In an instant he had vanished, headed through the thicket that concealed Konoha Village from the rest of the world. Even the trees seem familiar. Sasuke thought. It wasn't long before he had a view of the village in his sites and all at once the memories of a past life flooded his thoughts. Konoha… my home.
A strange peace washed over the Uchiha heir as he made his way over the walls that surrounded the Hidden Leaf Village and protected it from the rest of the world. Even though he stuck to the back streets and the shadows as he made he journey, he still felt like he was home. After over two years living with Orochimaru in his underground palace Sasuke still felt like he belonged to the place where he was born. He passed the shopping district and heard the crowds of people still bustling about as they looked for the best deals. Shopkeepers stood outside doors of their businesses trying to convince people into viewing their wares. Sasuke heard the yelling of the stand owners as they shouted their daily specials to the passing customers. The familiar aromas of various restaurants invaded his nostrils. The shinobi quickly recognized many of the signs hanging above the food stands and for one brief moment, he wanted to let his guard down. However, he pushed his warm thoughts of comfort to the back of his mind. "I didn't come here to stroll down memory lane," He muttered to himself as he approached his destination. The dark-haired boy stopped on a roof overlooking his target and smiled to himself. Time to visit an old friend. He thought as he looked upon the home of Naruto Uzumaki. I don't know what you wanted with Naruto, Itachi, but I know you still want whatever it is. I suppose I'll have to be in place when you come to get it.
It didn't take Sasuke long to pick the lock of the window. He quietly slid into the bedroom and slid up against the wall. A quick scan of the room told him no one was in the bed, so he crept towards the door of the room. The young Uchiha boy almost grinned to himself as he walked around. This is the first time I've ever visited Naruto's home. Too bad it couldn't be under better circumstances. Sasuke shook his head. I'm sure kidnapping won't make me look too good in the eyes of the Hokage.
"N-Naruto? Are you back already?"
Sasuke snapped his head around at the sound of a sleepy, feminine voice coming from the other room. He sucked in his breath before he gasped out as he recognized the voice. What's SHE doing here? The ex-Konoha shinobi thought as he slid his body underneath the bed. Silently he waited from his vantage point and watched the door to the room. Light crept into the room from underneath the door, telling Sasuke someone had turned on a light on the other side. The door opened slightly and revealed the silhouette of a female figure. Before the figure turned on the bedroom light Sasuke already knew who it was.
"That's funny. . . I could have sworn I heard someone. . ." Sakura mumbled as she looked around the room in confusion. The young girl stood in the doorway seemingly unaware of the pair of red eyes watching her.
She looks more mature. Sasuke thought as he apprised her. This girl standing before him was transitioning into womanhood; she was nothing like the one he remembered. Sure, the obvious similarities were there; the pink hair, the emerald eyes and even a more mature version of the outfit she wore when they were children. But Sasuke saw maturity and experience behind those eyes. Her posture was more assured and confident. His old teammate was never this self-assured. His eyes poured ever inch of her and as he ginned to himself. It looks like I'm not the only one who's come a long way.
After a few moments of standing in the doorway, a confused Sakura shrugged and turned off the light before walking back to the front of the apartment. Sasuke silently counted his breaths for what seemed like hours before he made his move. Without disturbing the shadows around him, the Uchiha boy slid from underneath the bed. He hadn't gotten his body fully upright when he sensed movement in the room. His reflexes reacted with time to spare as he blocked three kunai flying towards him from the side. Sasuke however barely had time to dodge a kick aimed towards his head. He quickly exchanged blows with his assailant, both he and his opponent succeeding in nothing but blocking each other. He instantly realized that his mystery attacker was highly skilled. He had even more respect for his opponent when he felt his legs being swept from underneath him as he tried to flip out of range and regroup. He felt the weight of a body on top of him and the cool metal of a blade at his neck before he hit the ground.
"You must think me a very poor ninja to walk away without thoroughly checking the room," Sakura said as she sat on top of her unknown captive. "However, here's a hint for the next time; never leave the window open behind you when you come in."
"You always were too dammed observant for your own good." Sasuke responded. Sakura felt her breath leave her lungs as her instantly recognized the voice. It can't be! Her mind told her. I must be loosing it. With a quick flick of her wrists, she sent another kunai flying towards the light switch on the wall and she found herself face to face with the former third member of Team Seven. "Hello, Sakura." Sasuke greeted her. His words were calm and relaxed, as if she didn't have a kunai at his throat.
For a fraction of a second, her eyes betrayed her and she looked at him with disbelief and surprise. She has spent almost three years preparing for the moment that she would come face to face with the young boy who had taken her heart. Never did she expect that day to come like now.
"Sasuke . . . You're back." She managed after recovering from her shock. His eyes watched her carefully and she tried to hide the growing fear inside her. Sakura had faced life and death situations alongside her comrades. Little bothered her anymore. But in front of the Uchida, she was still that scared little academy girl who followed him around.
"I'm not here for a social visit. I'm here for Naruto."
"What do you want with Naruto?" Sakura asked in a threatening tone.
"I don't want to hurt him, but I doubt he will come along quietly," Sasuke answered. "I only need him to find my brother. Somehow, I figure I will have to fight the dobe to do that."
"What does Naruto have to do with your brother?"
"Frankly, I don't really know and I honestly don't care. All I know is that my brother is looking for him and needs him for his organization." Sakura's eyes narrowed as she contemplated his words.
"So you're using Naruto as bait. . ."
"You always were sharp. I did miss that about you." Sakura stiffened slightly at that last statement. "Now are you going to tell me where Naruto is so I can be on my way?"
"If I knew where he was, I would most likely be helping him."
"And I'm sure you wouldn't tell me even if you did know."
The young girl nodded.
"You realize I can't allow you to leave here."
"Is that because of duty or desire?"
"You can be a real bastard sometimes." Sakura's voice nearly cracked and Sasuke raised an eyebrow at her sudden outburst. I guess some things do change. He thought.
"The old Sakura would never have put me in my place, I'm impressed." He told her.
"You've been gone a long time, something things had to change."
"This doesn't have to be this way, Sakura-san."
"I don't see how it can be any other way." Sakura's voice was horse as she spoke the last few words to him. Tears threatened to steam from her eyes as she knew what was about to happen. "Please don't make me do this." She begged.
"I told you years ago I have to go my own way." He reached up slowly to her face and caught a lone tear that managed to escape her eye. She did not resist his touch nor move to block him. "I have to do things just as you have to."
"I still love you. . ."
"I know you do."
His first strike was blocked; an open palm swipe aimed at her temple. It was quick, but he didn't expect to hit her. Sakura's eyes never broke their lock from his own, even as she attempted to trust a kunai into his throat. Sasuke blocked it with a blade of his own while at the same time managing roll her body off of him and himself on top of her. Their movements were nearly a blur, but there was no mistaking the ferocity of each blow. Sakura managed to kick him off her and was on her feet almost instantly. Sasuke was surprised at the speed she possessed. He barely had time to recover before she was upon him. Their blades screamed as they clashed and crossed each other. And while Sakura was using everything in her power to advance against the Sharingan user, she could tell in his demeanor and his movements that he wasn't using his full strength. He should see how his eyes never changed expression, how there was never any sense of urgency behind them. So she wasn't surprised when she took a swipe at him and he suddenly wasn't in front of her.
"Checkmate." Sakura heard as she felt his breath breeze her ear. It was the last thing she heard before she felt a blow on the back of her heard.
"No! Not again. . . Naruto." was all she managed to say before the darkness overtook her.
"You've grown, Sakura." He said out loud as he look down on her un-moving form. His finger found itself tracing the side of her face, passing over her eyelids and finally her lips. He felt her shallow breath and the warmth of her skin. The Uchiha hesitated as he bent over her body, his eyes shifting to the sides as he expected someone to be listening to him.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" The Voice asked him calmly. Sasuke's eyes widened at the words then clutched his head as the throbbing started again with a thunderous thud. The quiet of the room was broken by his deafening scream. "There is no time for this. . ." The Voice reminded him. "You have work to do." Sasuke violently beat his head against the floor, trying to drown out the pain and The Voice's words the seemed to echo throughout his entire mind.
"Leave me alone!" he shouted defiantly.
"I can't leave you alone . . . because I'm you." The Voice replied. "I'm apart of every aspect of you. That's why you can't hide yourself from me. How do you hide from yourself?" The familiar feeling of darkness and pain enveloped his entire psyche. "Embrace this side of you . . . the avenger. You have only one purpose, one true desire. Let nothing keep you from it." His Sharingan activated itself and once again the Cursed Seal crept over his skin like black tendrils until they merged themselves and changed his skin to a drab gray color. The screams stopped and were replaced by a maniacal chuckle.
"Naruto . . . we have unfinished business." Sasuke said. With unholy speed he was gone from the room, only leaving the unconscious body of Sakura behind. He was an avenger, a tool. The nighttime embraced him as he flew from rooftop to rooftop in search of his goal. I will find you, Naruto! And when I do, I will settle my things between you and me. Then I'm coming for you, Itachi!