Sasuke growled angrily tugging at his yukata. He wondered down the street along side Naruto who also wore one of those annoying robes. Sasuke's was a dark blue, given to him to wear by Naruto who wore a bright orange one. Sasuke had been forced to wear this until dusk when his patrol would start. He had hated how Naruto had just jumped him earlier that morning and threatened to tell Sakura his injuries were infected. The last thing he needed was two people pouncing on him for things he didn't need.
Naruto though had seemingly been acting in a nervous manner for some time now. Sasuke was curious as to why but then again had no patience to figure it out. They continued down the street of the Konoha, which was already booming with early birds ready for a day of fun. Everyone was dressed nicely to the occasion. Girls in elaborate kimonos and guys in plain yukata. Not even the ninja disobeyed this tradition so even those on patrol wore a yukata or something at least over their normal attire.
Naruto sighed as Sasuke continued his adjusting of his yukata somewhat uncomfortable with his attire. He hadn't worn one in years. Naruto whipped around and glared.
"COULD YOU STOP THAT!" he snapped.
"Whatever" Sasuke scoffed and pushed Naruto aside.
He wasn't in any mood to deal with Naruto who was in a funk. Sasuke continued walking Naruto behind him. He placed a hand in his shirt and walked around in his usual nonchalant way. Naruto however was on frits. Finally the Uchiha could put up with it no longer.
"What the hell is your problem Naruto, you're creating a scene!" Sasuke snapped quietly.
"Oh well um…" Naruto stuttered.
Sasuke and Naruto both snapped around at the presence off three strong chakras. Sasuke sighed and settled down as Naruto blinks and gaped at Gaara, Temari, and Kankarou. Gaara wore a plane dark green yukata while Kankarou chose the black. Temari however wore a bright purple Kimono with a huge Blue obi bow. All had their weapons strapped to their backs like normal. Naruto blinked as Temari chose to end the silence.
"Well well, look who it is…haven't seen you in a while Uchiha" Temari grinned.
"Humph" was Sasuke's reply before he turned and walked away. He wasn't very interested at the situation at hand.
"And Naruto, I heard your getting married!" Temari immediately questioned.
At this Sasuke lurched around and strolled back giving Naruto a look.
"So that's what's got you…stupid loser!" Sasuke smirked.
"Oh hey at least I have the guts unlike someone!" He shouted at Sasuke who didn't even have a date.
"This is pointless Temari lets go" Gaara groaned turning to walk away.
"You go ahead I'll meet you in a moment." Temari replied to her teammate.
"Ya she has to catch up with those two first…she might die if she doesn't" Kankarou added.
"So its true then huh?" Temari grinned ignoring her other teammate.
"Yah…to Hinata Huuyga…so what are you guys doing here?" Naruto asked.
"Well since our village is having a little war with the rain village we decided we should take a break. We just got back from the fighting…Sakura heard and invited us. Speaking of which where is the girl!" Temari questioned.
"Oh I think she is on morning patrol…she will be around later this afternoon." Naruto added happily, seemingly out of his funk.
"Well then I guess I will have to find her…see ya around geek" Temari smirked and walked off after her teammates.
Sasuke raised a brow towards Naruto who was grumping again.
"So you're getting married to Huuyga!" Sasuke asked in boredom.
"Ya, kinda just happened. Sakura was there you can ask her for the details." Naruto grumbled. He hated talking about this. He was still nervous seeing as he would be meeting up with his "fiancé" after her morning patrol. They would spend the day together he had planned.
"Whatever…speaking of which where is she…you said she was on morning patrol?" Sasuke questions obviously bored.
"Ya, she volunteered. She has done that a lot lately. I think it ended a few minutes ago which means ….oh crap!" Naruto blinked at a watch on his wrist! "Im late to pick her up!" and with that Naruto ran off into the crowd.
Sasuke sighed and looked around. He was now alone in the middle of a Konoha festival. What to do? He decided he might as well shop around a little. He was lacking on clothing lately. He wondered aimlessly through the crowd. Not looking for anything imparticular he found himself quite bored. He stumbled onto a back row of stores and decided to walk down it. He wasn't expecting to see Sakura there. Standing outside a window of a jewelry shop looking at a necklace as if spaced out. She then got up and walked out of the back row through the other side. Sasuke blinked then walked up to the window and stared the necklace.
Sakura opened the door to her apartment, closing it behind her without locking. She quickly moved over to the bathroom. Touching her hair she drew out the ribbon and her headband out. Gazing at herself in the mirror softly she sighed. Last night had been pitiful…another dream about Neji. She undid her clothing quickly knowing that everyone was probably out in town by now. She turned the knob in the shower holding a towel to her chest. Checking the water to see if it was warm she threw the towel aside and stepped into the warm water. She stared sadly at a blurred reflection on the tile of the shower walls. She sat their quietly washing her hair slowly and body. She got out not turning off the water.
This entire morning she had been in a daze. Thinking only of Neji. She missed him. Sitting down rapping a towel around her body. She looked back at the shower water still running. She placed her hands into the warm water again and watched in a saddened silence as the water rolled over her pale hand. Tears came out of her eyes uncontrollably as she sobbed.
"Neji…Neji…. Neji…Neji…." She repeated his name in a whisper, her voice growing louder with each time she spoke it. Suddenly she pounded on the side on the wall unintentionally causing her hands to bleed and the wall to crack.
"NEJI! Why…. why" She shuddered in sobs.
"He's gone" a voice spoke from outside the door. Sakura didn't even turn to the sound of Sasuke's voice outside her door she simply rose to her feet blood patting on the wood floor. Tears mixed with the blood as Sakura frowned.
"He's gone," Sasuke repeated.
"I know that…why are you here" Sakura asked calmly.
"I'll go then…"
"No…stay…. please" she begged in a whisper.
"Hm?" Sasuke replied.
"Please stay," She sobbed out…
"Im here" Sasuke said in a monotone voice.
Moments passed in silence as both leaned against the door that separated them. Sakura secured the towel tightly around her body.
"You know…how it feels. To be alone," Sakura, murmured.
"Hm…what's your point" Sasuke said
"Then…you know you're not alone…but inside you feel alone…so…is it wrong?"
"Hm?"
"Is it so wrong to…cry about it…but not want anyone to worry…but need comfort…want to scream about it…. it that so wrong?"
"What are yo-…"?
Sakura spun turning the knob and throwing herself onto an unexpecting Sasuke. Both fell to the floor Sakura sobbing on his shoulder. Sasuke didn't know how to respond. He was still shocked at the fact Sakura was in nothing but a towel hugging him and sobbing on him. He had never been on this end…never felt like he did now. His heart ached to see her cry…it reminded him of himself. So helpless yet no one cared…or reached out. He picked up one hand hesitantly and went to place it on the small of her back. Sakura sobbed uncontrollably whispering Neji's name.
Sasuke hated the sound of that name. He rested his hand on her back and pulled her close his face showing no expression. Sakura was to busy trying to stop crying to notice Sasuke embracing her. They sat there for a long moment. Holding onto one another. Sakura clutching onto his yukata. It seemed like hours had passed like that when Sakura finally managed to get a hold of herself. Sasuke looked at her patiently.
"You alright now?" he asked softly.
"Yes.thankyou…" She said still leaning her head on his shoulder softly.
"Then lets go…" Sasuke said helping her and himself to a standing position.
"Where!" Sakura asked forgetting the festival around her.
"Out there, hurry up and get ready…if I have to put up with it so do you!" Sasuke growled walking to the doorway. Sakura nodded and went to her room putting on the netting and armor under her white under kimono. She then put on a simple Red kimono with a Yellow obi. She put her hair into a clip with ribbon and a small white flower in the tangle of hair. She then placed on a bracelet Neji had given her and quickly stashed her kunai and other weapons in various places on her body. She then raced out grabbing her purse on her way to the door. Sasuke was outside adjusting his yukata again. She gave him a distant look as he was suddenly replaced with an image of a nervous Neji.
She sighed then walked out to greet him. Sasuke was very irritable about his outfit and found he was never going to make it completely comfortable. Sasuke turned and faced her with an angry face. His face softened and he took her hand. Sakura blushed and waited for a moment until Sasuke held it to her face.
"Your hand…is bleeding." Sasuke reminded her.
Sakura gazed at the blood on her hand. She sighed and went to take her hand back to go inside but Sasuke kept a firm grip. She whirled around looking at him with question. What was he doing? Sasuke unwrapped some of the bandages around his arm, which were merely for decoration and ripped them. He then rapped it around her wound and tied it gently.
Sakura never knew he was gentle like that. He had always seemed firm. Sasuke finished and looked at her hand blankly then let it go. As he turned to walk towards the stairs. Sakura rapped her arms gently around his waist. Sasuke sat there a moment gazing at her strong arms rapped around him. He gave a slight smile.
"Thank you…Sasuke." She whispered
He didn't know why he liked hearing her say his name. It sounded so familiar…yet so new. He smirked then looked over his shoulder.
"Lets go Sakura." He said plainly his face returned to its bored expression. Sakura nodded and took his hand. He didn't hold hers back but that was enough for Sakura. She walked down the steps with him.
It only took a mater of seconds to reach the festivities. Sakura and Sasuke parted ways after a few minutes in the huge crowd. Sasuke went to sit in solitude in one of the back alleys while Sakura quickly found Temari who had taken the liberty of separating from her team. Her and ten-ten had been talking for some time. Even after their battle during the Chuunin exams they weren't exactly best friends but they never fought either. Sakura joined the girls with a smile.
"So there she is!" Temari grinned leaning back in her chair.
"Oh hey Sakura never thought I'd see you here!" Ten-ten grinned.
"Yes well…Sasuke came to get me…he kinda forced me actually." She sighed recalling his remark earlier that morning.
"Oh I see…prince charming huh..." Temari chuckled.
"So were you the only one to come or did Gaara and Kankarou come too?" Sakura smiled sitting herself down.
"They are here somewhere, but like everything they hate festivals." Temari grinned.
"Well you obviously love them! Seeing as you have already bought several things!" Ten Ten pointed out the numerous bracelets and hairpieces.
"Oh these…. hah well I thought they were cute…just a few souvenirs." Temari grinned.
"Well the stuff they sell here is always elaborate…I never go a year without buying anything." Sakura smiled.
"Ya but I can never find anything I like" Ten-ten protested.
"You just aren't trying hard enough" Temari grinned.
Sakura was gazing away when she turned back and tapped Ten-ten on the shoulder. Ten-ten stopped before she said anything and immediately started to giggle. Tsuande and Kakashi where sitting in a stand across the way already drinking up there fill. It was hardly even 2:00p.m. Yet. Sakura sighed as Ten-Ten giggled. Temari who was clueless obviously didn't give a rat's ass about the situation that had the other two so preoccupied.
"That lady can sure hold her liquor." She smirked.
Sasuke mumbled impatiently as the hours strode by. He was waiting till night shift so he could at least put on something underneath this goddamned thing. He sat against a tree outside the festivities area. Surprisingly Gaara and Kankarou where both sitting near him also bored.
Iruka walked up the hill in his own green yukata smiling at the boys. They all turned to look at him with eyebrows raised.
"What are you boy's doing up here!" He asked.
"Were bored that's why" Kankarou said being the only one to answer.
"Then why don't you guys go enjoy yourselves at the festival…it can't be to hard." Iruka said happily.
"Feh" was everyone's reply.
Iruka efforts were obviously in vain so he sighed and walked off to the festival. He waved at Naruto who ran up the hill Hinata at his side.
"SASUKE YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS!" Naruto grinned.
"What is it loser!" Sasuke groaned.
"SAKURA, TEMARI, AND TSUANDE ARE IN A DRINKING MATCH!" Naruto laughed.
Sasuke looked up with a weird look on his face.
"A drinking match?"
The drinks had already been half done by the time Naruto returned to the scene with the three boys. Sakura already was showing affects of the alcohol while Temari and Tsuande looked like they were just getting started. The blonde Temari gulped down her shot quickly pounding it on the table with a glare. No one knew quite how this had happened but it had.
Sakura took a look at hers then swung it to her mouth some drooling over the sides of her mouth. She whipped it away with her sleeve and grinned. Tsuande's turn, and she grabbed two shots at once powering them down. Sakura blinked then smiled at her sensei's challenge. Temari also grinned and reached for three shots gulping them down. Sakura took four to hand. Both sensei and friend blinked at her. Sasuke rushed to the front of the crowd.
Sakura drunk the last of four and founded it on the table. She was swaying side-to-side, vision already blurred. She reached for a fifth to beat her drinking rivals but Sasuke put a hand on her shoulder.
"That's enough Sakura…your going to kill yourself before the end of the night." Sasuke said demandingly.
Sakura couldn't argue instead passing out in her chair. She obviously wasn't a big drinker and Temari shrugged and grinned at Tsuande who was grinning back, having her head resting happily on her hand.
"Well the means it's just us two!" Temari grinned.
"So it would seem," Tsuande remarked back as Sasuke picked up Sakura and walked out of the crowd passing Gaara who only glanced his way. Sasuke set down the unconscious kounichi whose cheeks were red from the affects. He took some cold water that he had bought earlier and poured it slowly over her face. She didn't budge. He grumbled then opened her mouth and poured the cold water into her mouth.
Sakura jolted upright and her almost being drowned. She clutched her dizzy head as the world spun around her. Everything continued to spin for several moments. She glanced around to see Sasuke who glared at her.
"You really are stupid aren't you!" He glared.
"Wh-…heh was only silly maytch" She slurred out obviously.
"God, your hopeless."
"Hahaha" She began to laugh
Sasuke grabbed her mouth and pulled her down.
"Shut up…and follow me…" He sighed grabbing her hand.
He lead the slow Sakura to the outskirts of the festivities were he had been previously. He set her down letting her take everything in. Sakura was obviously regaining some composure but not enough to participate in that nights patrol. The best thing would be to get her home and rest, seeing as the next day she was a guaranteed grump do to a serious hang over. From the looks of it she was bed ridden for two days.
Sasuke began to laugh at the delirious Sakura. He had obviously thought she was a lot smarter then to enter a drinking contest with people who knew how to hold their liquor. Sasuke sat in silence and miss pink regained enough composure to sit herself up. Suddenly tears fell from her eyes and Sasuke simply raised a brow to her. She was smiling!
"Hm that was dumb huh," she whispered.
"Hm"
"maaaaan I am so drunk right now I feel like I could fly."
"What where you thinking?"
"I really honestly haven't the slightest idea in the whole Konoha!" She giggled
"Can you see straight or do I have to knock you out."
"Oh no im fine now…just a little dizzy." She waved frantically.
"Whatever"
"It will be night soon…the whole festival will be lit up and…I can watch it from the perfect spot. Neji showed it to me last year." She hugged her knees glancing at the Sasuke who seemed to dislike where this was going. She quickly went to change subject, reaching into her obi bow for something. She pulled out a simply Ninja Headband with the Leaf symbol engraved into it.
She smiled and handed it to him with a smile. Sasuke looked at her with a questionable look.
"What's that for!" he asked
"This…Tsuande-sensei told me to give it to you…you've earned it on your first mission!" She grinned giggling.
"Hn" Sasuke grinned and took it placing it to his forehead and rapping and tying the band securely to his head.
Sakura watched him intensely as her eyes began to close slowly. Sasuke put a hand on her shoulder to sit her up straight. He shook her as her eyes had been closed they now popped open.
"Your not going on patrol tonight" He commanded picking her up.
"But I have to…. I have to see the fireworks…. Neji…. promised ….erm" Sakura was cut off by Sasuke hand over her eyes. He closed them for her as she went limp in his arms. He raced towards her house opening the door and placing her on the bed. Watching her for a few moments as she slept soundly he quietly reached into his pocket pulling out the necklace she had been looking at earlier.
He smirked and tossed it to her hand on the side of her bed. He then turned and left for patrol happy with the day's events.
Sakura opened her eyes to the sound of fireworks going off outside her window. She looked outside and smiled. Her dream had been good. Sasuke had given her a gift and Neji had said he was all right in heaven. Sakura suddenly felt a crunch in her hand as it clutched tight at the memory of Neji. She looked at a necklace she had been looking at earlier. H-..Had Sasuke given that to her? She stared in astonishment then sighed happily putting it on. She turned back towards the window thinking of first Sasuke then Neji. Sakura gazed longingly into the fireworks.
"This is beautiful isn't it" she whispered to the invisible Neji.
"Konoha's Fireworks are always the best this time of year!" a voice rang out behind her.
Sakura whipped around to find Itachi standing at the end of her bed. She reached for her shuriken, which weren't there. She went for the window but Itachi quickly grabbed her arm. She grinned and smacked him across the room. He hadn't been expecting her to be that strong and she leapt out the window. She meant to land on the rail below but she slipped and fell to the ground hugging her.
She had broken her leg she was sure of it and she couldn't run. Itachi appeared behind her and grabbed her wrist. She squealed in pain. He glared at her blankly and pressed her down to the ground. She couldn't move…couldn't breathe…. She tried to fight him but she felt so weak as he drew in closer.
"My dear brother wont even recognize you when im done!" Itachi hissed as Sakura's eyes widened in terror.
He wouldn't…but he would…he would do anything to ruin Sasuke forever even if it meant ruining her first. She cried out endless tears fighting with all her strength. She cried and sobbed but she could do nothing against Itachi's strong chakra, which now held her fast. She gave one last thrust of strength before letting out a painful pitiful scream into the night quickly being drowned out by fireworks.
Sasuke sat at the edge of the gate as Gaara and Kankarou who held Temari on his back, went to walk out. Sasuke escorted them about a mile off into the woods then gave his usually wave goodbye. He walked slowly back to the village thinking about going to check on Sakura after he got back.
He wasn't even four paces back when he caught the scent of smoke. She looked up to see half the forest on fire, more importantly…the Konoha was caught in a fiery inferno. He ran as fast as he could back to the village looking around. Ninja scurried everywhere trying to put out the huge fire. Sasuke ran into the mass of flames. He had to find Sakura. She would be burned alive otherwise.
What the hell could have happened to erupt this huge fire? People ran fleeing for the gates. Naruto caught Sasuke in his tracks stopping him.
"SAKURA ISNT AT HER HOUSE…I CHEAKED!" Naruto yelled at Uchiha.
"What! Where is she!" He growled back.
"Looking for this one," a voice crooned softly from a roof near by.
Sasuke's eyes widened in rage as he turned slowly. He looked up to find Itachi standing there holding a very beat up Sakura. He growled angrily his Sharingan activating itself. Itachi grinned as Naruto gaped at Sakura who was obviously unconscious. Both brothers and the fox glared at one another.
"It's been two months, Sasuke! And im back…. did you think you had really killed me!" Itachi growled.
"SET…Her…Down!" Sasuke growled back.
"Come now, where the fun in that!" Itachi smirked.
"LET GO OF SAKURA!" Naruto glared racing towards him.
Sasuke grabbed the fox's leg and pulled him back. Naruto looked up about to object but quickly decided better. Naruto put a hand on Sasuke's shoulder then turned and ran into the fire. Sasuke glared at Itachi who only smirked down at him.
"I'll settle this another time!" Itachi smirked
"GIVE SAKURA BACK!" Sasuke growled.
"You'll have to find her first!" Itachi said blankly his face returning to its natural scowl.
"GIV-…"
But it was to late. Itachi had already escaped into the flames with Sakura. Sasuke glared at him then raced after him using his Sharingan to find his tracks. But the smoke blurred his vision. Itachi appeared behind the unexpecting Sasuke and punched him into the roof two houses over. With that Itachi truly disappeared.
Sasuke lay in the burning house unconscious. He tried to remove himself from the burning house but in vein. He quickly fell unconscious to the sounds of shouts and screams of the Konoha burning in the night.
Author Note: I can't help but feel I messed up Itachi's character real bad this time! Just a really bad feeling. Lately I have been lacking interest in fanfic but after some boredom and the reading of several other fics I was able to get back into it.
Don't worry Sakura doesn't die . actually I don't think we will be seeing Itachi for a while. If anyone has hints on how to cure writers block or images you think might inspire my fic then don't hesitate to go right on ahead and give it to me.
Anyway I think I just screwed this chapter up real bad if you find anything that might help make my story better please tell me. Anyway erm ya…im just having trouble keeping this going.
I would also like to thank the people for reviewing and telling me what happened in the latest episode of Naruto. I cant believe lee got his chakra locked…. that sucks!
Anyway ya um…next chapter…I hope to have it up by Monday…but I seriously don't know. So here be the preview:
Winter fall upon the silent Konoha. Everyone pitches in to help the rebuilding process. The number of dead piles up as Tsuande is in over her head. In a desperate attempt to find her student and save the village she orders Naruto, Sasuke, and Ten-ten to find Sakura. Will Konoha survive the coming winter? And will Sakura be saved in time?
I plan next chapter to be very stressful and kinda tensiony but in the end im hoping more Sasuke and Sakura moments will come from it. Until then see ya!