::I can't believe I'm already on Chapter 8…
::Oh, thanks for all the reviews, author and story alerts! I really appreciate it!
Chapter 8: The LeavesIn The Breeze
It was daybreak. The sun shone brightly through the tall trees in the forest. Up ahead was a small village, where the leaf-nin decided to stay in for a short while, they didn't exactly get the good night's rest they wanted, coupled with the injuries they sustained from last night's battle. Looks like their rescue mission will be held up again. They'll never be able to make it to the Mist by the afternoon.
"How are we going to get there on time now?" a worried Naruto asked.
"Sorry Naruto, but I doubt we'll be easily successful at this rate. We've all got minor injuries, and Sasuke got more than that. We'll need to rest up and recover today." Kakashi replied.
"But what about Hinata!?!"
"She'll be okay. Don't worry too much. They won't kill her. They probably know we're on our way there already, remember, it's not her they want. It's you."
"So we're just gonna stay in that village the whole day! Resting up while Hinata suffers!" Naruto said, enraged.
"Listen Naruto." Sasuke intruded. "There's nothing more we can do. They've most likely prepared for an attack already. They know that Deidara is dead, they'll be ready with a welcoming party once we get there. We'll certainly have a hard time dealing with that considering our conditions." The Uchiha was the teams greatest casualty, he was the most greatly injured, and he doesn't enjoy it. Uchiha's aren't the type to be the burden.
"…" Naruto couldn't say more. They were right. There's nothing more they could do. They'll have to stay in that village for the day.
They neared the little village, there were small houses, and no people outside. You could tell they were nearing the mist, because there was a thin layer of fog and a slight chill in the air already. The ninja stop by a small tea shop somewhere in the middle of the town. They get a table, then order some tea and some food.
"Don't worry too much Naruto. Hinata has grown stronger in two-and-a-half years. I've seen her improve." Kiba, who was Hinata's teammate spoke.
"Okay, but really, I can't help but worry." Naruto said.
"We can take them. We'll bring her back." Kiba replied.
"We can do it!" Naruto said, feeling better, taking a bowl of ramen.
"I'll just go out for a walk, I'll be back soon." Sasuke said as he began to exit the tea house. He wanted to be alone for a while, he had to think. He'll be facing his brother again soon, and he's not in the best condition. Sure, he can move, but still, those cuts and bruises can take their toll in a battle.
"I'll come with you Sasuke-kun." Sakura said, Sasuke had already left the restaurant.
The Uchiha walked silently through the towns empty streets, gazing uninterestedly at the ground.
"Wait a minute Sasuke-kun!" Sakura said as she caught up to Sasuke.
Sasuke said nothing, he just continued walking.
"Sasuke-kun? Are you okay? Don't worry about it, your injuries are sure to heal up fine."
"It's not the wounds I'm worried about." He said emotionlessly as he continued up the road.
"What is it then?" She asked worriedly.
They reached a bridge crossing a small stream, the leaves on the trees on the other side were rustling, being blown by the slight breeze.
"It's my brother…" he paused, leaning on the bridge's railings.
"…and if I could protect everyone, prevent them from getting hurt –from dying…" he continued, gazing at their reflections in the water below.
"…especially, if I can… protect you." He gazed into Sakura's emerald-green eyes.
"Sasuke-kun…" Sakura was surprised.
Sasuke was finally opening up to him. THE Uchiha Sasuke, the same Uchiha that never talked about himself or his problems, the same one who left Konoha three years ago. He's only been back for a month, it's like he's changed ever so much.
"I'll be fine, I can take care of myself. We can do it together. I'll be here for you Sasuke-kun."
"I won't let anyone hurt you Sakura. I'll do anything to protect you. I can't bear to lose another important person. Not you." Sasuke said. You could see the sincerity in his deep dark eyes. He embraced her tightly.
The breeze grew stronger, leaves were being blown into it. The crystal clear waters of the stream reflected the two lovers' silhouettes.
"Didn't the breeze pick up with the leaves just like this back when he first got angry at me, when I commented on Naruto not having parents? And, didn't it also happen on the night he left Konoha?" The thought just slipped through Sakura's mind. She was caught in the moment.
She was caught in his arms, then she felt something at Sasuke's back, it was wet. She looked at her hands, drops of red liquid were on the tips of her fingers, it was blood.
"Sasuke-kun, you're bleeding!" Sakura cried out. She immediately told Sasuke to sit down as she performed the healing jutsu.
"Thank you again Sakura…" He said as he received the healing. His white shirt stained with his own blood.
" I hate being a burden." He said with a sigh. This was true. Uchihas are the proud type, they weren't known to be burdens in battle.
"You're not a burden, without you, we would all be dead by now." Sakura said, finishing up his bandages.
"We better get back there. They'll be wondering where we went." She continued. They needed to get back so Sasuke would get some proper rest. She helped him get up.
"Thanks." Sasuke said, taking her hand to stand up.
They began to walk back through the road, to the tea shop.
Back in the tea shop…
Kakashi was resting at the next table, sipping tea while reading another chapter from Icha-icha.
"Relax Naruto. She'll be fine, she's stronger than you think." Ino said, trying to cheer him up.
"How can I relax when I know Hinata's been trapped in a cell in an Akatsuki hideout?"
"Just try to get some rest. You'll need it." She said. She then walked out of the tea house to a nearby tree outside, where Kiba and Akamaru were already sleeping, she leaned on Akamaru and began to fall asleep herself.
"Listen to Ino, Naruto. You'll be better of fighting with full energy." Kakashi said.
"Yes sensei." Naruto said, resting his head on his hands trying to get some sleep.
Sasuke and Sakura finally reached the shop. They took seats next to Kakashi's table.
"What happened to you Sasuke?" He asked, half his head buried behind the book.
"One of my cuts just opened up. It's nothing, I'll be fine." He said.
"Now you really need to get some rest. Sakura, I think there's a room back there, he'll heal up more if he lies down properly."
"Yes Kakashi-sensei." The kunoichi replied, motioning Sasuke to follow her.
Sasuke stood up, and followed Sakura to the room. It was small, with room enough for one person to sleep in. Sakura helped him lie down, and did some more healing jutsus.
"Rest up Sasuke-kun. You'll be fine in no time." She said as she began to stand up.
"Thanks again Sakura, I'll be fine. Take care." He said, grasping her hands before she stood.
"Sleep well Sasuke-kun." She uttered silently before closing the door behind her.
"How's Sasuke doing?" Kakashi asked, as Sakura entered the room.
"He'll be fine. He was bleeding, but he can handle it. It's nothing serious, but he does need to get some rest…" Sakura said with a sigh.
"Good we'll be able to continue the mission by tomorrow, Naruto has no need to worry. But, Sakura, is there something else you want to tell me? Is something bothering you?" the Jonin asked, he sensed something wrong.
"Its just… that…" she said hesitantly.
"Yes?" Kakashi said encouragingly.
"It's Sasuke. He's way too troubled right now, I mean, he just got back to Konoha, the Akatsuki kidnapped Hinata, he got injured badly in a mission, and he'll be facing his brother soon. He's worrying about us getting hurt, about someone dying in front of him again, and if he'll be able to get his revenge." She said staring at the jonin with a look of confusion and worry.
"I see. He's afraid of experiencing the death of those close to him, and not being able to prevent it, coupled with the thought of not attaining his hard-worked revenge…" The jonin said with a tone of understanding.
"But, it's strange that he's actually telling others about his problems, and that he actually admits worrying if he'll ever kill Itachi." He said truthfully.
"It is isn't it Kakashi-sensei? He's changed so much. I wonder if it's for the better…" the kunoichi replied.
"We'll have to wait and see. Right now, you need to get some rest, we've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow."
"Yes Kakashi-sensei." She replied and took the seat at the table next to Naruto's, and rested her head on her arms as she began to fall in the clutches of sleep.
::Thanks for reading… sorry for the long update!
::Please review, and feel free to suggest anything, I'm getting into a writer's block!