NOTE: The previous chapter, 7, Liar, has been edited

So this might just be the last chapter to this story! I haven't really decided yet, but I'm not too sure since I stuffed up the previous chapter and then had to go back and redo some of it. This chapter is hopefully much better!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Chapter 8

– New Divide –

Rain poured mercilessly.

Lightning violently illuminated the sky.

Thunder echoed superiorly.

"Oi Naruto," Tenten called through the raucous rain, "I've got those extra-grip tyres out back," she finished, crouching to his level. 'This is the worst weather for a race,' she thought dismally while watching the blonde work. He expertly modified his Hayabusa, working meticulously. 'I hope his bike will be-able to bear the mud,' she thought, passing him a spanner. 'I know it's his baby.'

"Nah," he responded, "This ought to do it." He sighed while working the bike, making essential adjustments. 'If I do this, then it should…' he drifted, squinting as lightning flashed viciously. 'I need to make all the changes I can before the race,' he thought, 'I haven't ridden in a raining race for a long time now.' He then rolled himself from under the expensive bike and sat upward, shaking his head.

Tenten smiled weakly, "Is it done?" she questioned, shivering. The howling wind was iced-cold. 'It's such short notice to completely rig it,' she frowned, 'The race starts in 3 hours and we have to leave in about 1.' She stood and stretched, yawning temporarily. They'd been up early fixing the bike and then it'd begun pelting with rain. She'd suggested they do whatever they could and thus they'd been working non-stop for four hours. 'I'm going to sleep so well tonight.'

"Well I've done all that I can," he responded while frowning. "It's not the best but we'll make it through without serious damage. I'll just have to take her to a garage afterward," he stated before stumbling to stand. Tenten caught him, holding him securely before releasing. He smiled gratefully before somewhat steadily stepping forward. 'I'm so tired from last night,' he thought, recalling his insomnia.

He sighed, remembering his haunting nightmares. They'd been reality to him as they were all of him losing Sakura – something that'd happened. Eventually he couldn't take the disturbing dreams. He couldn't take being next to Hinata and he couldn't take being away from Sakura.

Thus he'd escaped here. Tenten had arrived swiftly and they'd worked without pause. He'd not wished to ponder his emotions. Tenten respected this and they'd worked silently.

"Hey Naruto," Tenten sang, interrupting his revere. "You seem better today than yesterday," she offered, smiling warily. Naruto nodded encouragingly. 'Whew,' she breathed, 'He isn't as depro as he was yesterday,' she reasoned, noting his healthier skin. 'His eyes aren't as clouded. Maybe after crying last night he feels better.'

"Yeah," he replied warmly, "I'm feeling much better today. Told ya it was just a bug that'd pass," he teased, illuminated by lightning. 'Or maybe I'm just a better liar than I thought,' he added. 'Yep, probably am a better liar than I thought.'

"Well I'm glad," she returned, "I don't want some emo riding me to victory today." She outstretched her hand and they hi-fived. 'I was worried over nothing,' she thought happily. 'Naruto is fine,' she glimpsed him, seeing his grin, 'And today will go flawlessly well.'

"C'mon," Naruto motioned, "We've got to leave." He grabbed his helmet, mounted the Hayabusa and revved the engine. Tenten followed, clasping her helmet and gracefully leaping upon the revved bike. She wrapped her arms round his waist and sighed blissfully.

Then the bike shot forward, into the ominous atmosphere outside.

------

'I'm going to have to hide these really well,' Sakura thought, bandaging the numerous wounds littering her left wrist. They varied in shape, size and depth yet they pleased her greatly. They prohibited emotional pain, while encouraging physical agony. Exactly what she'd wanted. 'If mom, dad, Sasuke or Hinata found out they'd send me to rehab.'

She lovingly clipped the bandage closed, admiring her work. She'd say she bumped her arm – everyone would believe her. 'Mmm,' she thought as she lightly traced the sensitive area, small bouts of pain momentarily numbing her.

The pinkette flexed the muscle, moaning as the pain intensified. 'This is exactly what I wanted,' she thought blissfully. 'So much physical pain,' she continued, 'So much better than emotional pain.' It felt good to 'feel' again, to feel 'alive' again. Sakura sighed blissfully, contentedly as the bandage began colouring red, the wounds re-opened.

She sank onto her plush, silken bed-sheets and felt her frame tremble with adrenaline. Her eyes rolled slightly as she gazed upward, greeted by her cream white ceiling. The sound of pelting rain echoed within her mind, filling her thoughts. Lightning flashed vividly, illuminating the grayed sky and was visible from her large, sliding windows. The thunder rumbled untamed, unlimited as the stormed raged wildly.

She felt the inner fleece of her thick, soft jersey against her skin, warming her. She felt her tight skinny jeans clinging to her legs, emphasizing the lean muscles. Her striped pumps enclosed her feet, protecting them. Her pink locks were loose, uncombed and dirtied. She wore no make-up, no base, no blush, no mascara and no eyeliner. Nothing. Those materialistic things no longer mattered.

'Naruto,' she whimpered, tears welling. 'Why?' she questioned the imaginary boy. 'Why can't we be together?' she asked rhetorically. 'Why'd things turn out like this? Why'd you leave me alone when I woke up? Why was I alone? You said you'd never leave me or push me into anything.'

'When you stood by me on my birthday you made me realize how in love with you I really was,' tears began welling. 'I'd have given you everything, my entire heart and body. I'd be only yours and yours alone,' she thought, wiping the cascading droplets. 'But when you left I became so depressed, so lifeless despite going back to Sasuke.'

'Our worlds weren't meant to collide,' she reasoned, smiling bitterly. 'I wasn't supposed to fall in love with you; I wasn't supposed to begin loving you. We come from two opposite worlds. What's worse is you used to be part of my world but you strayed, becoming the man I adore. Maybe if you'd stayed part of my world we'd be together now, we'd be happy. I know you're with Hinata now but is that really by choice? Are you willing to change?'

Her eyes widened with shock as she robotically sat up. "Change," she whispered, "Are you willing to change?" she asked herself aloud. 'All this time I'd wanted him to change to be part of my world and I ignored the fact that he might be unwilling to be part of my corruption.' She sniffed loudly, "All this time," she paused, "I should've been the one changing for you. I should change myself to be part of your world."

She tilted her head sideways, glancing at a recent photo placed nearby. It was of herself, the glamorous, elegant, and materialistic her. The girl she no longer wished to be. Bringing her wrist to her face she winced, regretting the incisions she'd made, regretting the self-harm. 'Am I that pathetic?' she questioned herself, 'So pathetic I had to resort to this?' She shook her head with disgust. 'I'm stronger than this,' she reasoned.

If she wasn't stronger, she'd force herself stronger. She'd be stronger for Naruto. She'd change to his world; she'd be what he wanted. With resolve she stood. She didn't know if it was worth fighting for, but she'd find out. She'd find out if her love was worth fighting for.

'Watch out Naruto,' she thought, head high, 'I changing for you.'

------

Naruto wiped the rain from his visor, well Tenten's visor while waiting for the race to begin. The Hayabusa's handles were slippery beneath his hands, the rubber soaked with never-ending rain. He wore Tenten's leather racing jacket, the pink prohibiting the rain from entering the fabric. They'd made sure his hair had been covered properly and thus he'd been ready to race.

'I gotta do well in order to help Tenten,' he thought, lightning streaking. 'If I win this race then Akatsuki will leave her alone,' he continued, glimpsing sideways and greeted by Akatsuki's colours. He grimaced as the rider zapped him, chuckling wickedly.

"You won't win today girl," the figure rasped mockingly. "You won't ever escape us," he continued, his laugh increasing. Naruto shrugged, attempting to ignore the ranting buffoon. Naruto knew he'd win, easily.

'How has Tenten put up with this for so long?' he queried, sighing before revving the bike accordingly. It purred, showing its eager willingness. He grinned wildly as the flag was raised. He poised himself, waiting for the jump as thunder rambled loudly, drowning out the cheering crowd.

Instantly the flag dropped and Naruto burst forward, mud streaming, engine roaring as he jostled for a place. The Akatsuki wasn't within range so he relaxed somewhat, passing the competition effortlessly. Some gave him trouble, some were nothing while some played dirty – trying to push him to the curb.

'Fuck off,' he mentally cursed, giving more gas to pass an annoying biker who tried to dismount him. Yet the opposition chased willingly, catching up to Naruto rapidly. Naruto's eyes narrowed as he slowed to take a corner. The maniac followed and Naruto sighed. He fed the bike more and it responded swiftly and gained him a length lead on his pursuer.

Yet now he rode beside the Akatsuki member.

The red, white and black clad member swerved toward Naruto, who anticipated this and dodged successfully, the Hayabusa trembling momentarily. He swore and leaned forward, pushing the bike mercilessly. He needed a lead; he needed to escape the hazardous racers.

The Akatsuki came again, forcing him inches from the curb. He swore repetitively while asking the bike for a miracle. It responded, reaching it's limit as they effortlessly passed the Akatsuki, gaining a rapid lead with the insane speed.

Too bad he was nearing a corner.

-----

Sakura sat, scissors in hand, body calm as she brought her long rosette locks into a ponytail. She hummed softly as she gazed into the reflective mirror. Her face still bore no make-up, no artificial beauty as she finished securing her locks. 'I'm leaving everything behind, all that fake happiness,' she thought, bringing the scissors to her tied hair.

Snip

…

Snip

…

Snip

Strands of pink fell to ground, no longer part of her as she snipped. She felt more relieved with each fluttering tendril, with each discarded lock. The old her disappeared with each cut hair until only messy shoulder length bangs remained, the rest littering the floor.

A smile graced her lips upon gazing herself in the mirror. 'Sure it's messy and unprofessional,' she thought, moving her head all angles. 'But I love it,' she thought gleefully. It suited her, the short bangs.

She nodded approvingly before releasing the scissors and rising. She felt refreshed, rejuvenated and renewed as she exhaled loudly. She felt free, like when she'd ridden with Naruto. It was blissful, untamable freedom.

The pinkette didn't notice the door's handle quietly turning before the door creaked open, revealing Hinata.

"Sakura?!"

-----

"Where is Naruto?" Tenten asked aloud, questioning the midnight-black forest enclosing her. "He should be here by now!" she groaned loudly while leaning against her Kawasaki Ninja. 'He really should be finished the race by now,' she reasoned, checking her watch.

After winning, he was supposed to continue driving and meet her in this secluded area of Konoha's forest. Then they'd part ways till they met again, till their paths crossed. Yet the daring blonde hadn't pitched and this worried her. 'I hope Akatsuki didn't get to him,' she gulped. 'Maybe they found out that he wasn't me?'

She prayed not. Akatsuki would kill him if they'd found out. She didn't want that, no not at all.

"So this is where you've been hiding," an ominously familiar voice called, "Tenten Kunai."

The girl whirled to face the voice, her body trembling, her heart pumping erratically as she faced her pursuer.

"Itachi," she responded, poison lacing her voice. "What are you doing here?" she viciously demanded, glaring dangerously. "Aren't you supposed to be supporting your fellow teammate?"

"Aren't you supposed to be in the race?" the blackette retorted, his crimson eyes emotionless. "Instead of some blonde idiot racing in your gear?" he questioned, unmoving as he observed her. 'She nearly deceived us,' he thought, sighing inaudibly. 'But that blonde fool made a mistake.'

"What do you mean by that?!" she commanded, "What did you do to Naruto?!" she cried hysterically, knowing he could be road-trash by now. She felt herself shaking uncontrollably while she denied the possibility.

"Oh so his name is Naruto?" Itachi repeated passively. "Although," he paused, "I don't think I'll remember-

He was interrupted by incoming headlights of a Suzuki Hayabusa, Naruto's Hayabusa.

------

"So tell me again why you cut your hair Sakura-kun?" Hinata queried disbelievingly, astounded by the pinkette. 'I don't understand,' she thought, 'This can't be the same Sakura that'd promised to never cut her pink locks. She'd always said that Sasuke liked girls with long hair.'

Sakura sighed, "I told you on the way here to your house didn't I?" she asked with slight annoyance. She liked her hair this way. "But as I said, I was tired of those dreary locks. They got way too long," she lied easily, knowing Hinata would believe her.

Hinata nodded curiously, "I thought you'd never want to change them."

The pinkette smiled, "Sometimes change is a very good thing Hinata-chan," she responded. "Sometimes change is a very good thing," she repeated, leaning into the leather-coated arm chair. 'I can't tell her the real reason I cut my hair. The poor girl will be crushed,' she thought.

"Change? I don't like change," Hinata mumbled softly. 'I don't want everyone changing around me. I like them the way they are, I don't want them to change. I want everyone to stay the same.'

"That's where you and I differ," Sakura replied, "That's a big difference between us," she remarked while glimpsing the silver wall-clock. 'I have to stop breaking off this friendship. Hinata will never forgive me for taking Naruto from her.'

"Sakura, why are you-

"Hinata-chan! Where are you?!"

Both Sakura and Hinata melted at Naruto's call and they turned their attention to the doorway, where the blonde appeared. He was covered in dust, blood and mud. His clothes were torn and various wounds littered his bare skin.

Naruto froze when his eyes landed on Sakura, her hair short, no make-up and looking absolutely beautiful. His heart began pulsating, overwhelming the pain as their gazes locked, emerald meeting sapphire while time halted. 'It's only been one day since we decided it was over and I already can feel as though I want to scream.'

Hinata hadn't noticed as she hurriedly stood and exited the room, saying she was going to fetch a medical kit.

'It's just me and Sakura-chan,' Naruto thought, entering the well-lit room timidly. Sakura stood, never breaking their contact as she neared him hesitantly. Naruto felt himself automatically move toward her approaching figure. 'Sakura-chan,' he thought, opening his arms as they increased their paces.

'I can't take being away from you,' they both thought as they were mere inches away.

The moment they met, time stopped.

Sakura buried herself within his dirtied chest, holding back tears as he embraced her, holding her tightly, relishing the emotions coursing through him. He held her tighter while fingering her short locks lovingly. "I like it," he mumbled, "I like your short locks," he finished.

"They're for you," she responded, releasing herself, slowly backing from him. "I realized something earlier today," she whimpered while caressing his bloodied cheeks. "I realized that I was asking you to adapt to my world. I was being so selfish," she whimpered, "I didn't stop to think that maybe you didn't want my world."

Naruto tried to interrupt but the pinkette halted him.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, "I'm so, so sorry Naruto." She began wailing, tears freely following. "So that's why I'm changing, I'm changing to fit to your world," she told him, smiling as she cried. "I'm sorry I had to begin cutting in order to see it but I'm yours Naruto so please, take me," she pleaded. "Take me because… because…"

"…I…I love you."

His lips crashed down on hers, preventing her speech as he thrust his tongue to her mouth. She allowed him, giving him permission to do whatever he wished. He threaded his dust-coated hands into her newly-cut locks, digging them deeply as he deepened the kiss. Sakura moaned loudly as she responded willingly, her moans driving him.

The pinkette was fearful when he left her mouth but before she could query, he'd clasped her wrist, undone the neatly tied bandage and was currently kissing each cut she'd inflicted tenderly, as though he'd heal them. Her blush increased as he moved up her arm and she whimpered softly. 'What's he doing?' she questioned, feeling the pain fade with each tender kiss.

'I can't believe she did this,' he thought, lips grazing the cuts. 'I can't believe she hurt her body like this,' he kissed up her arm, admiring the silken skin. 'But despite this, I love her. I might not be-able to say those words aloud yet but I love her.'

"Runaway with me Sakura," he whispered lovingly upon reaching her shoulder, "We'll be together eternally, we'll be untouchable."

'I want nothing other than to be with her,' he thought, nipping the skin upon her shoulder. 'I don't want Hinata,' he continued, 'I want Sakura. I want her with her flaws and imperfections. I want this girl I'd be willing to give up everything for.'

Sakura froze, reeling in disbelief and eyes wide. 'This can't be real,' she repeated. 'Naruto can't have just asked me to runaway with him,' she finished before gazing down, into his waiting sapphire eyes. Her tears restarted as her body wracked softly. 'This is real. He's asking me to leave with him, leave everything behind and runaway with him.' A smile began forming on her bare, puffed lips, 'Can I leave everything for him?'

The answer was simple.

"Yes."

Well how was that? Told ya everything would be all good in the end! Well um yeah... Anyway! So do you want me to continue? Or should this be the end?

Lorey*

REMEMBER TO READ AUTHOR'S NOTES!