DISCLAIMER: I do not own "Naruto"
Chapter 30: Bonds
Sakura picked at the noodles in her bowl of ramen. Her eyes were distant and her mouth tense. Sasuke watched her with a furrowed brow. Why did she seem so upset these last few days? Wasn't she glad that he was going back to Konoha? This new, different Sakura was so confusing.
"Sakura," he said.
She looked up and sighed. "I don't know if I can face him."
"Him?"
"Naruto," she replied as she dumped the remaining noodles and broth onto the fire. Steam shot into the air and a crackling and popping erupted from the burning noodles. "I may have ruined our friendship."
Sasuke smirked. "I'm sure," he said sarcastically.
Sakura looked at him with narrowed eyes. "I didn't just leave him. I…"
A brow rose as Sasuke stared at her. "You what, Sakura?"
"I…I told him…" She looked at Sasuke and blushed. She averted her eyes and lowered her head shamefully. "I told him I love him," she mumbled.
Sasuke's eyes widened and then narrowed. He frowned. "You…love him?" he growled as he nearly failed to keep his anger under control.
Sakura nodded.
Sasuke couldn't stop the rush of anger and jealousy that surged through him. She had always loved him. How could she now love Naruto instead? He clenched his teeth. And then something clicked in his mind—she just said that she'd ruined their friendship. Had Naruto turned her down? He wouldn't…Naruto has always had a crush on Sakura. Or had that changed, too? Sasuke looked intently at Sakura's face—she didn't seem bashful about revealing her newfound love. She looked ashamed of the words she said, as if…
"You lied to him."
"Yes," she said meekly. "I really do love Naruto, but…not romantically."
"Then why did you tell him that?"
"Because Naruto made a promise to me that he would bring you home. But he's hurting and it's my fault. I couldn't hold him to that promise…especially since I knew that…" She took a deep breath and stared him sharply in the eye. "I knew that if you'd joined the Akatsuki, I would have to kill you."
Sasuke's gaze became icy. Sakura had said she wouldn't give him the easy way out. She had changed her mind during their battle, but why?
"I told him that there was nothing between you and me and that he didn't have to keep his promise anymore because you were so far from me."
"He knew you were lying."
She smiled. "He said he hates people who lie to themselves." A light dusting of pink appeared on her cheeks. "And anyway, you're not so far anymore. You're right here."
Sasuke glanced away uncomfortably.
"I'm just nervous about facing him. What if he hates me?"
"He doesn't hate you," Sasuke mumbled.
"You think so?"
He just looked at her and she smiled.
"You're right. You both left and I never hated either of you."
Sasuke frowned. He remembered feeling so angry at Naruto when he learned that he had left Sakura alone. Her letter had been full of bitterness…yet the end had still been signed with her love.
"Stupid."
Sakura looked at him with hurt in her eyes.
He looked at her in confusion for a second and then rolled his eyes. "Not you. Naruto. He shouldn't have left you behind."
"You shouldn't have left me behind," Sakura whispered. "It changed everything."
He glanced away. "I did what I had to."
"So did Naruto. He left to train so he could be strong enough to bring you back," she said quietly.
"I suppose at the time you were completely supportive." Sasuke looked at her slyly.
She lowered her gaze.
"Right."
"When you left, I was devastated. I kept hoping you would come back, but you never did. When Naruto left, I knew he'd come back one day…but I was still so angry at him. He knew how lonely I felt."
"I'm sure it was a difficult decision for him to make," Sasuke said softly.
Her jade eyes widened in surprise. "Sasuke?"
His eyes flickered to hers and then away. His whole body tensed. "It wasn't easy for me."
Sakura drew in a sharp breath. "Y-you seemed so…so determined."
He said nothing.
Sakura watched him expectantly and then seemed to deflate. She looked down at her lap and sighed. "Was it worth it?"
Sasuke was silent for a moment as he truly thought about it. Looking back, he remembered how conflicted he had been about leaving. He had wanted to remain with Team Seven and continue to protect them, but he needed to get stronger so he could defeat his brother. When the Sound Four had come, they proved to him that he wasn't strong enough. That's when he had made his choice.
He'd almost changed his mind when Sakura found him at the gates…but she was one of the reasons he had to leave. As long as Itachi—and Orochimaru, for that matter—lived, Team Seven wasn't safe. He had left to protect them and he was proud to say he had done just that…even if from a distance. His life had by no means been easy, but in the end, he had become powerful. He was a shinobi to be respected and feared—he had become strong enough to avenge…and protect.
Sasuke looked into Sakura's green eyes with certainty. "Yes, it was worth it."
She frowned, but made no reply.
She obviously disagreed with him and it was irritating. "You should be grateful, Sakura," he said arrogantly. "I've gotten rid of some of Konoha's biggest threats."
"No one asked you to."
"But I did," he growled.
"Are you expecting some sort of award?" she asked sardonically.
His eyes narrowed distastefully.
Sakura lifted a hand to her brow and rubbed it. "Look, Sasuke, I'm thrilled that you've gotten so strong, but it doesn't change the fact that you left me…that you hurt me." She met his dark, intense eyes.
"But I'm back now, just like I promised—" his eyes widened. That was a very impulsive thing to say.
Sakura's lips parted in shock and a hand hovered over her heart. "Just like you promised?" she whispered and her hand moved to touch a spot on her cheek.
Sasuke watched her carefully as a small, hopeful smile spread across her face. He couldn't believe she was making him drop his guard so easily. He was acting so stupidly lately and he was having a hard time controlling what he said. It was all Sakura's fault. She was so annoying.
"Sasuke," she said slowly as her eyes narrowed. "You were just waiting for the right time."
He looked at her fingers, how they softly touched her cheek exactly where he had kissed her all those years ago. He wondered if she knew or if her reaction was merely a subconscious one. He remembered that night so vividly. He could hear every word like an echo in his head. He could feel those very emotions as if they were planted in his soul. He knew that night had impacted Sakura as well, but he wondered how much of it was lost due to the fact that he had knocked her unconscious.
His charcoal eyes bore into her. He had already spoken impulsively, what did it matter if he said a little more? "I didn't want you to get hurt," he said so quietly Sakura had to strain to hear him over the crackling fire. "Orochimaru…along with his promises, he made many threats. My decision to join him was as much to protect my team as it was to gain power."
Sakura's eyes softened. "It must've been terrible living in Sound."
"I don't regret it."
Sakura stood, walked the short distance to where Sasuke sat, and plopped down beside him. He looked at her quizzically a second before her pink lips landed a chaste kiss upon his cheek. It was soft, quick and made a blush redden Sasuke's ears. She looked at him and smiled her brilliant smile.
"Sasuke, thank you…"
~.~.~
The remainder of the journey didn't go by quickly enough in Sasuke's opinion. He just wanted to get to Konoha and carry out his plan. Every second he spent with Sakura slowly chipped at his resolve. He noticed that her pace had slowed considerably and that her hands were restless. When Konoha's gates finally came into view, Sasuke actually felt her hands grip his arm. He looked down and saw apprehension and disappointment in her eyes. Her constant worry was wearing on him. He just wished she would smile. But he understood that she considered this a march toward judgment.
Sasuke growled and Sakura looked up at him with a frown. He stopped in his tracks and his shoulders became rigid.
"Naruto," he whispered.
Sakura's grip on his arm tightened and he felt the sudden movement as her head whipped to face forward. Just ahead of them, Sasuke could make out the figure of an orange-clad shinobi with bright blond hair. The blood drained from his face when he noticed Naruto's tense stance. He wasn't quite sure whether the hostility was aimed at himself or Sakura. He stepped in front of Sakura, intending to take attention off of her. And then a cry erupted from Naruto.
"SASUKE!"
He walked up to them steadily, as if he was forcing himself not to run. Sasuke dug his heels into the ground as if preparing for impact and Sakura's fists clenched in anxiety. Naruto didn't stop until he was an arm's length from the two of them. That's when Sasuke noticed his face. Naruto's blue eyes had lost much of their vividness and red, swollen skin trailed from his eyes to his jaw. He had been crying. A lot. And right now, he looked furious.
"You're with them?" he yelled. "You're with Akatsuki?"
"Naruto," Sakura said softly.
"Shut up," Naruto snapped without looking at her.
Sakura flinched and Sasuke's jaw tightened.
"They killed him," Naruto said through clenched teeth. At their confused glances, Naruto lost his temper. "The freakin' Akatsuki killed Jiraiya-sensei!"
Sakura gasped when, a second later, Naruto's fist smashed into Sasuke's face. The blow wasn't enough to knock him from his feet, but he did stumble backwards a step. He righted his footing and squared his shoulders. He stared at Naruto with a furrowed brow and something akin to annoyance on his face. Naruto growled and leapt at him, but Sasuke side-stepped him.
"Naruto, stop it!" Sakura yelled frantically as he swung another fist at Sasuke.
"Shut up, Sakura!" Sasuke said through gritted teeth as he blocked Naruto's punch. "This is between us."
"Don't talk to her that way, you jerk!" Naruto grunted as he lunged.
Sasuke allowed Naruto to grab him, but used the momentum to flip him backwards. As he jumped back to his feet he frowned. "Didn't you just say the same thing to her?"
Naruto wiped the dirt from his face and snarled, "I'll kill you."
"Just try it," Sasuke taunted.
They ran at each other, fists ready to fly. As Naruto's punch rushed at him, Sasuke caught it in his free hand, just as Naruto caught his. He snarled as he tightened his hold on Naruto's knuckles, making them crack. He dropped down and swept his leg out to trip Naruto, but the blond jumped and avoided Sasuke's leg. They released each other and began another onslaught of punches.
Suddenly, the ground began to quake and a chasm raced between Sasuke and Naruto. Naruto lost his footing on the broken ground and stumbled into the hungry mouth of the earth. Sasuke snarled in annoyance and his eyes followed the fissure to its origin. Sakura stood, legs planted at the end with dirt falling off her form. Sasuke flash-stepped to her, caught her around the waist and took her high into the branches of a tree. He gazed at her with solemn eyes.
"Sakura, stay out of this."
"But, Sasuke—"
"Please," he said gently as his eyes took on a strange tenderness.
He watched as her green eyes widened and a blush colored her cheeks. She nodded slowly.
"Ok…"
He flickered away with lighting fast speed. As soon as he reappeared at the chasm, Naruto, having just climbed from the depths of the earth, rushed at him. They continued their enraged attacks for some time. Sasuke knew that Naruto was venting, that he needed this to blow off steam. He was mourning. Sasuke remembered how angry he had been when his family had been killed.
"It's all your fault!" Naruto shouted.
Sasuke threw up his arms to block a right hook. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Naruto grunted as he tackled Sasuke around his middle. His back hit the ground and he blocked the continuous punches Naruto rained down on him. "You. Are. Aka…tsuki," Naruto said with each punch.
Sasuke pushed him off and flipped to his feet.
"You are as much to blame for Pervy Sage's death as Pein is."
"Like I told Sakura, I am not Akatsuki," Sasuke said calmly.
"Then why are you wearing that cloak?" Naruto shouted, a sneer upon his face.
"If it'll prove anything, I'll burn it right now."
"Don't be so cocky!"
Sasuke actually caught a glimpse of red in Naruto's eyes. He could feel Naruto's anger as if it were palpable. He could relate.
They continued to fight until he could fight no more. They never actually harmed each other. It hadn't been Sasuke's intention to harm Naruto and he hoped that he realized this as they sat side-by-side. They sat, exhausted, on the ground, knees bent skyward. Both were filthy with sweat and dirt. Naruto's face was grave. His eyes were empty and tears streamed down his cheeks. Sasuke kept his gaze on the grass at his feet. This was much different than he had imagined his reunion with Naruto would be.
"I wanted him to keep watching me…to be there when I became Hokage," Naruto said thickly. "I wanted him to see me do more than just screw up."
Sasuke sighed.
"I couldn't even keep a promise. I couldn't even bring my best friend home."
Sasuke closed his eyes tightly at Naruto's words. Naturally, he was making the blond feel like a loser. Feeling like a loser wasn't something a grieving person should feel. Sasuke knew that so well. He knew exactly what that was like. He opened his eyes and glanced at his teammate.
"Did you ever stop trying?"
Naruto glanced at him, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"The Naruto I knew never let anything get in his way. He never gave up." Sasuke's dark eyes narrowed. "Are you going to let one broken promise stop you from making your sensei proud?"
"He's gone, Sasuke, it doesn't matter now." Naruto's words were muffled and thick.
"You're such an idiot," Sasuke replied.
Naruto huffed and buried his face further into his arms.
The irony of it all. "I felt the same way…"
Naruto looked at him with wide eyes.
"It took me a long time to realize that my parents are still…watching me." Sasuke's eyes became shadowed by his hair as he bowed his head. He was quiet for a long moment before he lifted his head a fraction to look at Naruto intensely. "I've made my choices and I wonder if they're proud of me. Make sure you know that he'd be proud of you. Don't let his death stop you from trying to surpass me."
Naruto chuckled wetly. "Already have, jerk."
Sasuke smirked. "In your dreams, loser."
They sat in silence for a moment longer, before Sasuke made to get up and let Sakura know they were all right.
"Sasuke."
He stopped and glanced over his shoulder.
"Thanks."
Sasuke hesitated before he continued to walk away. He found Sakura instantly, and realized that she had been watching them. She had a sad smile upon her face and unshed tears sparkled in her eyes. They both walked back to Naruto and she extended her hand to him. He looked up. Slowly, he took her hand and got to his feet. After a moment of awkwardness, Naruto tugged on Sakura's hand and pulled her into his arms. She accepted his hug happily and buried her face into his shoulder.
Sasuke watched with a blank expression. Inside, his stomach twisted with jealousy, until Sakura's tiny fist reached out and, grabbing him by the shirt, pulled him into the embrace.
Awkward.
That afternoon, Sasuke walked through Konoha's gates escorted by his teammates. Maybe…maybe he wasn't really alone after all.
A/N: Chapter 30 is up! How do you like that, awesome readers?
Thanks for the reviews and as always thanks to Sakura's Indecision for being an amazing beta!
So how 'bout the latest chapters of the manga? Oh my gosh, I am so excited that stuff is FINALLY starting to happen. How long has it been since we've seen Sakura or Sasuke? Forever it seems. I think something really good is coming.
Anyway. I'm already thinking about the next fic I'm going to write. I'm not sure if it'll be a one-shot or a multi-chapter like this one is. What made me start thinking about it is the song "Here We Are" by Breaking Benjamin. I don't know why, but when that song played on my mp3, it seriously made me think of SasuSaku. Weird. So I think that'll be my next one.
Also, I think I'm going to change the description of "Alone." I'll come up with some a few different ones and post a poll maybe. And I may do some uber revision on the first 10 or so chapters...but that'll probably wait until I've finished the story, if I do.
Well, I'm done rambling. So...
PEACE!