Hi guys I'm back, sorry for not being able to update as quickly as usual. I was having a lot of trouble writing this chapter after getting out of the hospital, guess I'm missing Haruai too much lol. Anyway I'll let you read the new chapter that you guys have been waiting forever for lol.
Oh and I was reading the other chapters and I saw a stuff up, I made them 13 when they were genin instead of 12 so they are a year older for everything and in this chapter they are all 20 except Tenten and Neji they're 21. Okay so on with the story I hope you enjoy it.
Disclaimer: What would I do if I owned Naruto (taps fingers together and thinks evilly) that would work mwhahaha
Chapter 6
"You were too weak to save them" a voice whispered "You were too weak to save her" a lone figure came into view shadowed by the darkness. I was about to order them to show themselves when emerald green eyes shot out of the darkness "You left me to die" the figure stepped out of the shadows to reveal a thirteen year old Sakura.
My eyes widened at the condition she was in, she was as pale as death and there was blood trickling from her mouth down her chin. Her chest had been slashed open and the wound was oozing blood "Sa..Sakura" I managed to stutter as the girl looked at me with emotionless dead eyes "You let me die" she said taking a step closer to me and raising her hand and pointing at me.
"You let me DIE!" she screamed and she rushed me, her eyes wide with anger. I closed my eyes and waited for the attack but it didn't come. "Sasuke?" I hesitantly opened an eye to see Sakura standing there very much alive and unhurt looking at me with a raised eyebrow "What are you doing?" she asked tilting her head with a confused yet amused look.
At this point I was a little confused "You were dead" I stated dumbly, there was a moment of silence as Sakura stared at me before a glare appeared on her face "Gee thanks I know I look like crap but you don't have to rub it in" she growled "Next time I'll make sure to look pretty for you after training" I could almost feel the sarcasm hitting me in the face before she started to walk away.
I watched her for a moment trying to figure out what was happening when she stopped and turned to me "Are you coming or are you going to stand there like an idiot and miss the one chance of Naruto paying for your food?" Okay so this must be a dream, Naruto pay for food...yeah right.
"Why is Naruto paying?" I asked and the answer I got was Sakura laughing at me I could feel the annoyance building in me as she collected herself "Do you not remember that you bet that if you could beat his ass at training he had to buy lunch today...Sasuke where has your head been today?"
I huffed at her amusement...Uchiha's do act like children when they want. "Fine" and I started walking, but I couldn't help looking at Sakura every now and then. Was I daydreaming when I saw her like that...it had to be, she was just a step behind me and safe, but I couldn't help the feeling inside me telling me otherwise.
"SASUKE!"
I turned as fast as I could almost giving myself whiplash to the scream, Sakura was being held by a cloaked figure. My heart was trying to break out of my chest. Sakura looked at me with wide tear filled scared eyes "S..Sasuke help me" she pleaded but I was frozen in place as those oh so very familiar eyes of that bastard were revealed "I'm sorry but my foolish little brother doesn't have enough hatred towards me to help you" Itachi said as he looked at me with emotionless eyes.
Why wouldn't my body move? I wanted to save Sakura and kill the bastard. "You are still too weak to defeat me little brother" Itachi said as if he were talking to a 5 year old, I could feel my anger boiling over and my sharingan activated "You are not my fucking brother you asshole!" I screamed Itachi just laughed and continued to speak as if I hadn't spoken at all.
"They are still waiting for you to avenge them" As soon as he said that more figures began to come towards us, my gut told me who they were before I even saw their faces. It was the clan, mother and father were standing beside Itachi staring at me. There was nothing I could do but stand there.
"And she will be joining them" my eyes left my mother and shot to Itachi. "SASUKE HELP ME...SA!" Sakura was cut off from her plea when a katana was plunged into her chest and through her heart "Forget your bonds and hate me...that is the only way you will become stronger and avenge them" Itachi said as he dropped the girl to the ground and began disappearing.
"YOU FUCKING BASTARD I'LL KILL YOU!" I screamed as loud as I could, "Sa.." My infuriated sharingan eyes turned to the girl on the ground, her hand moved a little. She was still alive but I couldn't move "Sakura" her hand raised a little then dropped "Sakura" I said a little louder but there was no movement.
"SAKURA!"
"SASUKE!"
"Sasuke wake up will ya" A voice said while shaking the life out of Sasuke "Dude come on Karin is pissing me off with her ogling" he now knew who the person was that he was going to kill, "I am not ogling you idiot" she sounded pissed. Sasuke sat up and held his hands to his head as pictures of a pink haired ex-team-mate flashed through his head.
"Sasuke do you have a headache...I'll make it all better for you" and with that Karin was attached to his arm, she was his team-mate from the northern hide-out that was more of a prison where Orochimaru kept his test subject. Sasuke had asked her to join him after he beat the snake within an inch of his life three years ago, but only for her tracking ability and nothing more which she didn't understand.
"Karin get off me" he growled, his eyes still closed. It only took a glare-sharingan or not- or a threatening voice to get them to leave him alone but it never stopped them from coming back again to either smother him or just plain annoy.
"So who were you dreaming about?"
Suigetsu slung his arm around Sasuke's shoulder as he smirked at the Uchiha, Sasuke glared at the man with pale blue almost white shoulder length hair and purple eyes and sharp shark like teeth making him look scary to some people. Sasuke just thought he was a freak, he had been the first to join Sasuke after Orochimaru's downfall. He was able to turn his body into water when attacked making him a very formidable opponent, along with the sword that once belonged to Zabuza Momochi.
"He wasn't dreaming about anyone!" Karin yelled at Suigetsu, her magenta coloured eyes looked like they were about to combust with the fire in them as she glared at Suigetsu who laughed "Well tell me Karin whose name was he saying?" Sasuke looked at him with hidden wide eyes "He wasn't calling a name...h..he was dreaming about a...a tree" there was a moment of silence before Suigetsu doubled over in laughter.
"Haha a...a tree haha g..good one Karin"
Karin screamed and stomped her foot before giving Suigetsu a kick to the head, lucky for Sasuke he saw it coming and moved his head, but he wasn't lucky enough to get out of the road when Suigetsu's head exploded into water drenching him. "Hey that hurt you know!" he yelled as Karin walked off in a huff...very pissed.
"You better take your coat now...I ain't gunna thaw you out after we find you frozen stiff!" Suigetsu yelled as she walked out of the cave they were staying in. They were in snow country following rumours that Akatsuki had business in the land of snow, and it just so happened that the princess Koyuki was unable to completely get rid of the snow.
Sasuke got up and made a move to exit the cave and go into the white forest to clear his thoughts when an arm was once again stung around his shoulder "So" Sasuke glared at the forest ahead of him "Who is Sakura" he could see the trees burning now "Was she an old girlfriend...is she hot?" Sasuke's glare turned to sharingan and he looked at Suigetsu "Don't" was all he said shrugging off Suigetsu's arm and walking into the forest, leaving a very confused Suigetsu behind.
"Someone got off the wrong side of the ground"
Sasuke was glad that he was left alone, and for a few hours he trained and destroyed a large portion of the forest and turning the ground that was once white to black charred earth with his chidori and chokuto sword, he felt sorry for the forest but he needed to get the girl out of his head. But the memory of seven years ago when she was taken wouldn't leave his thoughts, ever since she had been taken he dreamt about her death along with his clan's murder. It was different every time but the outcome was the same, she would be killed before his eyes and he couldn't do a damned thing to stop it.
Sasuke looked around him at the damage he'd done and found a lone cherry blossom tree in the middle of the burnt field, he walked over to it and placed his hand on the trunk and looked up at the pink flowers that were falling like snow down around him. Again pictures of the pinkette flashed through his mind, he clenched his fists and was about to punch the tree but something stopped him from doing so.
He sighed and opened his hand up again and replaced it on the bark "I'm sorry" he whispered. That was the one and only time he would allow the emotions and weakness to overcome him, he took his hand away from the trunk and it began to spark blue as his famed chidori formed. "Get out and stay out of my head" he growled before his hand found itself shoved through the tree and the tree exploding as his chidori coursed through it.
he closed his eyes for a moment and relished in the fact that she was no longer in his head, when he opened his eyes a gasp left him mouth and his heart quickened for a moment before slowing down again. There standing not a foot away from him was a young woman with long pastel pink hair blowing in the breeze and sorrowful emerald green eyes, she wore a long elegant red dress that swayed with the breeze as she hugged herself closely.
Sasuke took a step back not taking his eyes off the beautiful woman before him, her eyes started to water as she locked eyes with him but no tears fell. Sasuke felt a strong urge to gather the woman up and never let anything hurt her, but he tried to push that feeling back as they continued to silently lock eyes with each other.
The woman broke eye contact first as she brought her hands up to her chest and looked at the destroyed cherry blossom tree before looking back at Sasuke as a single tear slid down her porcelain cheek. The sorrow in her eyes was then joined by disappointment as she turned to leave, the wind picked up and the blossoms swirled around the woman as she walked away.
Sasuke reached out his hand and stepped forward not wanting her to go "Wait!" the woman stopped and half turned to face him, the only emotion that marred her face was disappointment as she shook her head. The petals swirled around her faster before fully enveloping the woman, Sasuke's heart sped up "Wait!" he called again "Don't go!" but as the petals fell away and were carried in the wind there was nothing left of the woman not even a sign that she had been there in the first place.
After a few more moments of staring at the spot where the woman had just been Sasuke retrieved his cloak and black shirt before putting them back on and returned to the camp to find Suigetsu and Karin at it again and the third member Juugo back from where ever he went. Juugo was a gentle giant with orange spiky hair and deep orange almost red eyes, that had the ability to communicate with animals. But within him was a dangerous bloodthirsty monster that was only controlled by killing or Sasuke's sharingan.
The origins of the cursed seal came from enzymes in his body and Orochimaru was happy to take Juugo in when he showed up on the bastard's door asking for help to control his bloodlust.
They packed up and left the camp, Sasuke and Juugo in the front with Karin and Suigetsu bringing up the rear fighting as usual.
A few miles away
"We found him" was heard over the radio as an ANBU raced through the trees on top of a large white dog following a scent that had been picked up and lost for the past five days "How far away?" came another voice through the radio "About 2 clicks to the left of my position" the ANBU stated "Okay everyone regroup" came the assertive voice of the captain and a "Roger" from the others before the snow covered forest became quiet again as the ANBU dismounted from his dog. "We're goin to get him this time hey boy" he said patting the dog who barked his agreement.
A few minutes later six other ANBU were standing in front of the first ANBU, "How fast are they moving?" the ANBU with an owl design on his mask with dark brown hair tied in a short spiky pony-tail asked "Not very fast...two of them are lagging behind a little" the first one said who had a wolf design and scruffy brown hair hanging everywhere.
There was a male with a hawk design and long brown hair that was tied in a low pony-tail, standing next to a female with a tiger design with deep chocolate brown hair that was in two high braids at the sides of her head and joined at the base of her neck forming one single braid that reached mid back.
Beside them stood another female with a cat design and long platinum blonde hair in a braid with her hand on her hip and almost impatiently tapping her foot. Standing beside the owl ANBU was a male with sun-kissed blonde spiky hair that reached his neck and bangs that reached his jaw-line covering the fox mask. Standing closely beside the Fox was a female with long midnight blue hair in a braid and an eagle mask.
All seven of them were in heavy white cloaks, the majority of them had the standard ANBU attire under the cloak. All except for the blonde male who had long white pants that were tucked into black closed in ninja boots, a long sleeved black shirt that of course had orange pockets on them. But the most cherished item he had was a coat that was orange with black flames that were at the bottom of its sleeves and at the bottom of the coat, it was given to him on his 18th birthday from Jiraiya and Tsunade who were given it by his father.
Naruto had found out by the two sannin that his father was the fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze who he got his looks from and his mother Kushina Uzumaki a beautiful woman from whirlpool country who had long red hair and beautiful bright blue eyes who he got his personality from. At first Naruto was shocked and angry that no-one had told him about his parents but then he couldn't help but feel so prideful of what they had done to save the village from the beast that now resided in him.
"Come on Shika can we get this over soon so we can go home" whined the cat ANBU, the one with the owl mask sighed as his cover was blown, he pulled up his mask and glared at the female "Ino you aren't supposed to use our names" the girl huffed and pulled her mask off to reveal angry annoyed blue eyes "Well you just gave mine away you idiot!" she screeched.
"Lucky for the both of you there is no-one other than the target around for miles" the hawk stated as he took his mask off to reveal an annoyed Neji, the others followed suit and pulled their masks off. The others were Tenten, Hinata, Kiba and a snickering Naruto. Naruto leaned into Hinata and whispered something to her which caused the girl to giggle. Sadly for him Ino heard him and he soon found himself flat out in the snow nursing a sore jaw with Hinata worrying beside him.
"I'm sorry my hormones are running wild!" Ino snapped at them "You try giving birth and see how your hormones are" she glared at Naruto before her glare moved to Shikamaru who held his hands up in defence "What did I do now?" he asked, Ino growled and her glare intensified "You and your devil sperm are why I'm like this!" she almost yelled before stomping off.
"Maybe it wasn't a good idea to have a hormonal mother on this mission" Neji stated before he turned to Tenten who shook her head "I don't think so buddy" she crossed her arms over her chest and glared, Neji sighed and mumbled something along the lines of "Infuriating women"
Shikamaru started walking in the direction of Ino "I'll get her, she's my wife as troublesome as she is" and he disappeared into the forest. Naruto snickered "It was nice knowing him" Tenten and Kiba joined in while Hinata worriedly looked in the direction of a screech and Neji leaned on a tree keeping an eye on the target with his byakugan, a smirk marring his face as a "What a drag" was heard from the couple's direction.
A few moments later Shikamaru and a smiling Ino came back into the clearing, Kiba couldn't help the remark "Ewww you did the dirty" that was the end of the smile as Ino walked over to the dog boy and punched him in the face "You idiot I just had a baby two weeks ago...you are such a pervert" the smile was replaced as she watched the boy quiver from her punch.
"Okay settle down, we still have to finish this mission" Shikamaru said gaining everyone's attention, they all made a circle "We have to detain the target as quickly as possible...remember there are others with him and we have no idea of what their capabilities are...got it?" there was nods all around. Shikamaru was about to talk again when Neji swore, they all turned to him "He's been joined by another four and are engaging in battle"
That got everyone into action "Remember what we have to do and be safe" Shikamaru said as he looked Ino in the eye giving her a silent message which she got and gave him a nod, their masks were back on and nothing was left but the ruffle of leaves from their movements not a second after Shikamaru had spoken.
As they got closer to the target there could be sounds of fighting and grunts of pain, Naruto stopped dead in his tracks when a familiar sound that he had last heard four years ago resounded around the forest, the others stopped and looked at the blonde with hidden confused expressions.
Hinata was the first to approach the blonde and placed a hand on his shoulder, when she did she could feel the tension and his body shaking. This worried the woman greatly "Naruto...what's wrong?" she asked as the others gathered around him. For a moment he didn't speak but when he spoke it was so quiet that they missed it "What?" Tenten asked.
Naruto didn't stay to answer for he was now running, he looked back at the others with a determined look "I'm not letting him go this time" and with that he was gone. The others looked at each other for a moment Shikamaru was the first to speak "Not let who g...oh shit" the others got more confused before it also clicked and they were after him "Naruto get your ass back here!" Shikamaru yelled "What an idiot to go into the fight on his own" Ino said as she bounded alongside Shikamaru.
~O~
As soon as he heard that noise he knew who it was that was waiting for them 'I won't let you get away this time' he couldn't let him get away again not after so long of trying to find him and bring him home where he belonged "I will bring you home...Sasuke"
~O~
"Sasuke!" Karin called from the back of the group, Sasuke looked over his shoulder but didn't stop "What?" Karin made a move to get closer before she spoke "There is three charkas in front of us, and they're heading straight for us"
All four stopped, and Suigetsu once again slung his arm around Sasuke's shoulder "We haven't had a fight for weeks" Sasuke glared at the shark-boy "Aw come on Sasuke I promise I won't kill them...much, pleeeeaaassse" Sasuke shrugged out of his grip "Hn"
"Oh yeah thanks man" Suigetsu was almost bouncing around like a kid in a candy store as he latched onto the hilt of his cleaver and took off towards the three chakra's. Juugo trailed behind him leaving Sasuke and Karin alone "Hey Sasuke" she said as she came up beside him "We don't need to follow them...let's keep going and leave them behind" she made a move to latch onto his arm but Sasuke moved away from her and began walking in the direction of the other two.
"Fine...I guess they can stay with us!" Karin called as she ran to catch up to the others.
Team Hebi came to a small open field when the three people Karin had sensed came into view, one was a tall round forty-something year old man with rich red velvet clothing and jewellery hanging everywhere. The other two were ninja with their faces hidden behind masks, the slightly taller one had black hair and dark green eyes. The shorter had blonde hair and blue eyes, they both wore the same white clothing almost concealing them in the white snow and no head-band was seen on their person.
They faltered when team Hebi came into view, "State your name and purpose" the blonde ninja said in a gruff voice as he and the other stood in front of their large friend who pulled out a chocolate bar and started eating it as if there was nothing to worry about.
Suigetsu smirked as he tightened his hold on his cleaver "We are..." he was cut off when Sasuke stepped forward "None of your business" as soon as Sasuke spoke the fat man's head shot up and a smile was plastered on his face "Ah I know that voice...an Uchiha?" he pushed past the two ninja to get a look at Sasuke.
When he saw him the smile dropped slightly "I was hoping for the other one but you will have to do" team Hebi looked at each other than to Sasuke. Suigetsu snickered "You're in for it now" he said in a teasing tone as the Uchiha clenched his fists as the fat ass Kept talking "From what I hear Itachi Uchiha is far more skilled than his younger brother and far more valuable, but you my boy are worth a pretty penny and my daughter would love to spend some time with you" he said suggestively "Kill the others but the Uchiha needs to live" he ordered.
There was a snicker from beside Sasuke and a sound that was almost a screech from behind him and muffled "I'll kill you and your daughter too" as the two ninja prepared for battle "Juugo, Suigetsu he's mine take the other's Karin stay back and keep lookout" Sasuke growled out as he unsheathed his kusanagi, his tone left no room for argument as Juugo, Suigetsu and the two ninja charged at each other.
Sasuke stepped slowly towards the man who was backed up against a tree, he had no reason to hurry and cause the man's downfall any quicker. He stopped and waited as the dark haired ninja went flying past him thanks to a half transformed Juugo before he continued on his path. He walked past Suigetsu and the blonde ninja, he would have laughed at the look on the ninja's face when he tried to punch Suigetsu in the stomach but his hand went straight through and Suigetsu was snickering as he said "Ow that hurt" in a fake hurt tone, but Uchiha's don't laugh.
Juugo and Suigetsu were really only playing with the two men as they weren't dead yet.
Sasuke reached the man "Pl..please don't k..kill me I'll give you m..money" he was a blubbering fool, as his hands shook as they reached into his pocket and pulled out a bag of money and a...candy bar. He looked at the candy bar than as Sasuke's scowling face than back to the bar with a nervous laugh before offering it to Sasuke.
Sasuke glared his famous death glare at the pudgy man before knocking the food and money from his hand and within seconds the man found himself slammed against a tree with his feet dangling and struggling to breath from the hand that was blocking his air-way "You can give me your death" Sasuke said in a malicious tone as he brought his kusanagi up with the sound of chirping birds.
"Sasuke!" Karin called but he didn't take his eyes off the crying poor excuse of a man whose eyes widened as Sasuke activated his sharingan and pulled his katana back to lash out at the man.
"SASUKE! DON'T!"
'That voice...oh fuck no' Sasuke looked over his shoulder and saw a yellow blur exit the forest, and standing a few feet away from him was a Konoha ANBU with blonde spiky hair, Sasuke raised an eye-brow at the ninja 'You have got to be kidding me' ran through his mind as he looked at the man. Not even a minute after he had landed another six ANBU leapt out of the forest landing in defensive stances around the group, two next to the blonde.
"Why should I...Naruto?" Sasuke asked tightening his grip around the man's throat, Naruto stepped forward and took his mask off "Because...if you kill him I'll never find Sakura" Sasuke's eyes widened at the mention of her name.
"I knew it, he was dreamin about a girl" Suigetsu snickered, Karin glared at him before she punched him and started walking in the direction of Sasuke and the blonde ninja before a kunai landed at her feet. She looked up to find an ANBU with chocolate brown hair in braids in front of her "I don't think so" the ninja said as she pulled out a battle axe and twirled it around as if it were a toy.
Sasuke's grip on the man loosened a little as he stared at the tree he held the man too 'he killed her...she can't be alive' His grip tightened on the man's throat again "What makes you think I care whether you find her or not?" he could feel Naruto move closer to him.
"Please Sasuke, he is our only chance to get her back...please" Naruto whispered hoping Sasuke wasn't the monster the rumours said he was. It seemed to work as Sasuke let go of the man and stepped away from him, his back turned away from the one person who he considered family once.
"Even if she is still alive...what makes you think she will go back with you?" Sasuke asked not even bothering to look at the blonde. There was silence for a moment before Naruto spoke "She will come home because that is where she belongs...where you both belong"
Naruto didn't see the scowl on Sasuke's face at that as he continued to speak "I know you both will be accepted back into the village...no matter what either of you have done" Naruto made a move to step towards Sasuke when the Uchiha spoke stopping him in his tracks "I will never return to that pathetic village as long as Itachi lives and even with his death it would be very unlikely of my return...and if she is still alive Sakura would be smart enough to not return either"
As Sasuke's back was turned he didn't see the hand signs one of the ANBU was doing until Karin tried to warn him but found herself on the ground in pain, and Sasuke caught in the trap "Sasuke Uchiha, by the order of the Hokage you and your team are hereby under arrest and will be taken back to Konoha to await a trial for your crimes" the one with the owl mask said who sounded like a certain lazy ass ninja.
Sasuke glared in the direction he was stuck in and tried to get out of the shadow possession jutsu he was stuck in. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the other team-members of Hebi either knocked out or in Karin's case curled up in a ball crying like a baby as a ninja twirling a huge ass axe stood over her.
"You had better kill me now Nara because when I get out of your jutsu you will be first to go" Sasuke growled as he tried to move, he was finally able to get some movement back when Shikamaru yelled to Naruto "Hurry up Naruto...he's getting free!"
The last thing Sasuke heard before his world went black was "I'm sorry teme but I can't let you get away this time."
~O~
Naruto felt like a traitor to his friend for knocking him out, but he had to do it to keep Sasuke from getting away from him. All of Sasuke's team were fitted with chakra absorbing cuffs that gave them enough power of a civilian, and each of the males were tied to a tree when camp was set up, the red head who was known as Karin was under Tenten's charge as she was scared shitless of the weapons mistress.
He sat by the fire and watched the dark haired male who was scowling at anything and everything that came near him, Naruto was so happy to have the second member of team seven back with him again when they first caught Sasuke in Shikamaru's trap, but after the dark haired male woke up was another story all together.
FLASHBACK
Naruto heard a groan and was in front of Sasuke in an instant "Good you're awake" he said a little too happy and loud for the Uchiha's taste "Could you talk any louder?" he growled and opened his eyes again to glare at the blonde with his sharingan but found he couldn't "Sorry teme we had to take your chakra away from you" Naruto said with a bright smile on his face.
Sasuke glared some more "You What!" Naruto fell on his butt at the ferocity of Sasuke's voice and looked at him with worried eyes "W..we couldn't let you...I couldn't let you go again teme" Naruto said in a pleading tone "Not after so long of finding you and losing you again and again and again...I just couldn't this time" it felt like Naruto was begging for Sasuke to understand at the way he spoke.
"I don't want to go back you fucking idiot!" Sasuke roared earning the attention of everyone in the camp, Sasuke struggled to get free but the rope was too strong and he was too weak without his chakra, his glare intensified and a flicker of red passed through his eyes before disappearing "I will kill you!" he growled struggling more. Naruto had the look of an abandoned puppy as he watched Sasuke struggle to get free and likely try to strangle him "But teme..." he was cut off "Just get the fuck away from me!"
Naruto felt tears welling up in his eyes as he did as the Uchiha asked and moved away from him, no-one dared say a word as the blonde re-joined the camp with Hinata wrapping her arms around him and comforting him. It was silent for an hour before Shikamaru spoke "We will get the information about Sakura Haruno from Itsuki Ieyasu tomorrow and send the information on what we find and the capture of team Hebi before we head out again" There was nods from all around the fire before they fell silent again.
Naruto made a move to get up "I'll take first watch" he said and moved away before jumping into the tree's to take first watch, the others watched as he went. "Is he going to be okay?" Tenten asked as she leaned into Neji thankful that she didn't have to go through what Naruto was going through at this very moment "He'll be fine" Shikamaru said as he stood and held out a hand to Ino "He just needs some time to get around everything" he said as he started to walk away "Everyone get some rest Neji take over watch after Naruto, I'll go after you" the Hyuuga nodded his head before he and Tenten made their way towards their bed rolls and settling in for the night leaving Hinata at the fire looking in Naruto's direction "I hope your right Shikamaru"
FLASHBACK END
Hinata had been so worried about him that night and even sat up with him, Naruto was glad that he had asked her out on a date when they were 17. She was the light of his life and soon she would be his wife and all he needed was Sasuke and Sakura back home where they belonged, then his life will be complete.
It took 3 days for Ino to interrogate Itsuki and get the information that they needed, everyone was up and sitting back at the fire waiting to be told what was found out and where their main target was. "So what did you find out?" Tenten asked looking at Ino and Shikamaru, "Itsuki said that he gave information to Sakura about her cousin a week ago and sent her to a village called Manjidani, it's a day's travel east of us" Shikamaru said but the look on his face told the other's that he had more to tell them.
"What else did you find out?" Neji said looking at the genius who was eyeing a scowling Sasuke off, a sigh later Shikamaru explained "The fat ass failed to mention to Sakura that he was sending her into a trap with bounty hunters and that most of the Akatsuki including one Itachi Uchiha are also in snow and the fucker sent her straight to them"
The camp fell silent, eyes plastered on Naruto as he clenched his fists causing them to turn white. A dark killer aura fluctuated around Naruto which gained the attention of everyone including team Hebi who were now curious of the events unfolding. Naruto stood from his spot without a word "Naruto you may have gained control over the kyuubi...but calm down before you do something you'll regret" Shikamaru said as he, Neji, Tenten, and Hinata stood.
Naruto ignored the deer herder and turned to Itsuki Ieyasu and started walking towards him "I'll kill that BASTARD!" he yelled as he ran towards the quivering man with a rasengan forming in his hand, he was stopped an inch from driving his jutsu through the man when Shikamaru caught him in his shadow jutsu "If you don't stop Naruto I'll have no choice but to send you back to Konoha."
Sasuke raised an eye-brow at the spectacle 'Wonder what's gotten the dobe so worked up?'
Naruto's usually bright blue eyes began to turn red as he glared at the tub of lard "The fuck I won't stop!...this ass-hole sent someone that is like a sister to me into a trap!" he yelled "If it was just the bounty hunters she would have a chance" he said as he closed his eyes. Shikamaru moved Naruto away from Itsuki "Shikamaru she is going to get killed if the Akatsuki get to her before we do"
This got Sasuke's attention.
"Are you in control?" Shikamaru asked Naruto as he forced the blonde to sit at the fire again, Naruto nodded his head before putting it into his hands "She's going to die" he whispered before tears were seen falling down his arms "Oh Naruto" Hinata whispered as she wrapped her arms around the man who turned to her and wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his head into her neck. "Shhh...it will be okay, we'll get to her before anything happens to her" Hinata said as she raked her hands through his hair.
"I don't know if we can" Shikamaru said as he watched the pair, both of their heads shot up to look at him "W..what do you mean?" Naruto asked a glare forming on his face. Shikamaru sighed and crouched down before the pair "Look, we are a day's travel from that village and Sakura is probably there already depending on where the fat ass gave her the information.." he was cut off by Itsuki "She was in Sound!" he called hoping to right the wrong he did and keep his life.
There was glares shot at the man before Shikamaru spoke again "Okay so she has a few days to catch up but she will still get there before us" confusion was on the group's faces "With the new information about the Akatsuki...not just one or two but all 10 plus the 3 new recruits. We are outnumbered and before we do anything we have to return to Konoha with the prisoners and get back-up if lady Tsunade agrees to a mission in the first place...don't look at me like that Naruto, that's the way things go...I'm sorry"
Naruto glared at the lazy genius before taking a step in the direction of the village where his team-mate would be in a few days, he was stopped in mid-step "Naruto I will bind you if I have to" Shikamaru warned. If he could Naruto would have glared at the dark haired captain, "I can't just let her go there and be killed Shikamaru...she is my team-ma..." he was cut off "Was Naruto, she was your team-mate." Shikamaru chided "She stopped being your team-mate and a ninja of Konohagakure the day she decided to kill those leaf ninja and almost kill Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane!"
There was a tense moment before Shikamaru closed his eyes and breathed a calming breath before he spoke again "Naruto I'm sorry" he said calmly "But just like Sasuke, Sakura is an S-ranked missing nin that will atone for her crimes and if we can get the Hokage to allow us to come back...I hope we find her alive" don't get him wrong Shikamaru did not want anything to happen to the pink haired woman, the same went for the others. But one of the ninja she killed was one of his friends, so it was only fair that he held a slight resentment towards the pinkette.
After that the group started heading back in the direction of Konoha with the five prisoners in toe, two of them being gagged along the way as they wouldn't shut up.
Naruto walked behind Sasuke who hadn't spoken a word to anyone after he woke up, he couldn't help but remember the first time he had found him when they were 16.
FLASHBACK
Naruto had a permanent scowl on his face as he trudged behind the three other members of his new team, Kakashi was in the hospital after battling Akatsuki, so his replacement was a freaky man named Yamato who he knew the old bag sent to freak the hell out of him. His actual team-mates replacements were that girl Sushi...Moshi...Yoshi...Hoshi yeah Hoshi who was a motor mouth and never shuts up 'She might be strong but she's got nothing on Sakura' Naruto thought as he watched the dark haired girl talk Yamato's ear off.
He looked at the other kid who was just plain weird, he had short black hair and eyes as black as his REAL team-mate he was just as pale too, Hoshi squealed when she first saw him and said "He looks just like my Sasuke...hey sweetie do you want to hook up after this lousy mission?" Naruto had gaged when she tried to shove her non-existent cleavage into the boy known as Sai's face.
He snickered when Sai just walked past her with a "No thank you I'm not gay" but that snicker abruptly stopped when "You should try dickless here" Naruto would have pulverised him then and there if it hadn't been for Yamato and his freaky look.
Sai was socially retarded and as emotionless as a rock, the only thing he did know was what was written in books which freaked Naruto out even more than the attire the boy wore which was a collared zip up black shirt that had one sleeve ending just above his left elbow and the other ending at his wrist where his black fingerless gloves were found and it ended just below his chest and a pair of black standard ninja pants hung from his hips enabling EVERYONE to see his snow white midriff that just screamed 'What is the meaning of the sun?'
They were on their way to grass country and the Tenchi bridge where information was given to them about a spy in Orochimaru's ranks that was to meet with Sasori of the red sand, one of the former Akatsuki who was taken down by team Kurenai with the help of Chiyo Sasori's grandmother who gave her life to revive Gaara who had his Jinchuuriki taken from him by Akatsuki.
When they arrived at the bridge, they set a trap for the spy and Yamato transformed into the puppet master. The spy showed up and was revealed to be Kabuto Orochimaru's shadow, before they could do anything the snake himself showed up.
"Ah the kyuubi vessel...but where is your little pink haired friend?" This simple statement sparked the power of the kyuubi within Naruto and all hell broke loose. Naruto transformed into the four-tailed form of the kyuubi and had literally pounded the snake down, but unfortunately Orochimaru didn't know when to die.
It took a lot of Yamato's power to hold the kyuubi back and get the old Naruto back, in which time Orochimaru and Kabuto got away taking Sai with them.
They were able to track Sai to the compound and retrieved the boy who had a change of heart about double crossing them after Naruto explained the bond he had with Sasuke and Sakura, which brought them to standing in a crater made by Sasuke who was standing at the mouth of the opening.
"Sasuke Uchiha, I was sent to eliminate you as a threat to Konohagakure!" Sai called as he looked up at the Uchiha. Everyone else was staring at him with wide eyes, Sasuke looked down at the look-alike with bored emotionless eyes "But I want to protect the bond that Naruto speaks of between you two"
"Hn, I don't have a bond with him to salvage anymore" Sasuke said as he looked down upon them with and emotionless façade "I have a new bond...a bond between my brother and I" Naruto looked up at his old team-mate and best friend with hurt eyes "That bond is the bond of hate"
"If...if that's true" Naruto said as he clenched his fists while glaring at the ground "Why didn't you kill me...why the hell didn't you just kill me and be done with it!" he yelled up to the dark haired boy. Sasuke smirked at the blonde.
"Don't worry it's not that I couldn't kill you, I just didn't want to do as he said" the smirk disappeared "I left you alive on a whim" the instant those words left his mouth, Sasuke was down beside Naruto facing the back with his arm around the front of Naruto and hanging over his shoulder.
Naruto glared at the wall of rock in front of him not moving an inch while the other three took a step back. "Wasn't your dream to become Hokage...Naruto?" there was a slight teasing tone to Sasuke's voice as he said that "Maybe you should have concentrated on that rather than chase me for the last two years...don't you think?"
Naruto closed his eyes and his head hung low "What's the point in becoming Hokage if I can't even save one of my friends?" he whispered but Sasuke was able to hear it.
"Oh Sasuke you are so strong and hot and..."
Hoshi was tuned out as Sasuke rested his hand on his kusanagi "I may have let you live on a whim" he said as he slowly unsheathed the katana, Naruto knew what he was doing but he stayed his ground. "But...I think I might kill you...on a whim" in a flash the katana was completely unsheathed and Naruto closed his eyes and waited for the metal to pierce through him, but it never came.
"That was the right way to block the kusanagi" Sasuke said looking at Sai who had a hold of his arm.
"Sai! Don't you dare touch Sasuke!"
All three males looked to where the yell came from, Hoshi had her hands in hand signs ready to use on the dark haired boy. "I'm sorry Mr Nankobo but I can't do that" Hoshi growled "I am NOT a boy!" she finished her hand signs and a green glow appeared around her hand "Are you impressed my love, I became a medical ninja"
Sasuke just looked at her with a raised eye-brow as Naruto whispered "Not a very good one" there was silence for a moment before the four men staring at her regained their composure. Sasuke grabbed a hold of Naruto's shoulder as his body was enveloped in lightning, Naruto and Sai both were consumed by the lightning as well. But unlike Sasuke they were both electrocuted.
Sai and Naruto were flung backwards, almost hitting an awestruck Hoshi. It was then Yamato's turn to try and stop the boy "You are a very powerful ninja...I'll give you that credit" he said as he stepped forward while doing hand signs. Sasuke's now sharingan eyes narrowed at the man as he readied his kusanagi "But you will be brought back to Konoha, and unfortunate for Naruto...it will be by any means necessary"
Several wood pillars shot out of the ground and straight towards Sasuke who jumped backwards, both men ignoring the shouts and screams from Hoshi as one evaded and the other attacked. Yamato ran at Sasuke with his version of a katana attached to his arm made out of wood as Sasuke did the same with his.
"Sasuke!"
Both ninja stopped in their tracks at the voice.
"That is enough, we have other things to do" at the mouth of the new crater was none other than Orochimaru in all his eerie glory with a hand on his hip and smiling down at the group "Come" Sasuke glared at him for a moment before looking towards Yamato "Tell me one reason why I should stop" he almost snarled.
Orochimaru chuckled "My dear boy if they are allowed to live than they will be able to kill more Akatsuki members" Orochimaru said in a calm teasing tone "And if they do that than there are less obstacles in the way of your revenge"
"Fine...your lucky you are still useful" Sasuke said as he glared at the leaf ninja, Naruto and Sai were struggling to stand up as he turned and was about to join the snake.
"W..wait"
Everyone looked to the blonde as he swayed and held his left arm "T..tell me, where is...she?" Naruto's piercing blue eyes locked with obsidian eyes, a smirk appeared on Sasuke's face "She's dead" Naruto had shock written all over his face as those two word's circled around his head "N..no...how" his shocked cerulean eyes turned to a deep scarlet red as he glared at Sasuke, his lips pulled back into a snarl as his canine's protruded from his mouth and the whiskers on each side of his face became more pronounced and thicker as a red glow engulfed his body.
"YOU BASTRAD! YOU KILLED HER...I"LL KILL YOU!" Naruto screamed.
"Not again" Yamato said as he made hand signs and rushed at Naruto, hitting him with the palm of his hand and sucked the kyuubi power back into the boy. Sasuke was mildly interested in what he was seeing as the red glow disappeared from view.
There was a moment of silence before Sasuke spoke "I never touched her...if you want someone to blame for her death, than blame him for taking her the night I left...not me" and with that he jumped up to join Orochimaru who smiled at the ninja below as he spoke "Oh and thank my old team-mate Tsunade for our newest member"
Kabuto appeared with Hoshi next to Orochimaru, she moved and latched onto Sasuke's arm as they disappeared into flames leaving the three males to stare, glare or just plain look at the spot where the four just were.
END FLASHBACK
That was the last time any of them saw Hoshi alive again, they had found her body two weeks after she was taken. The only way they were able to tell who the mangled half eaten body belonged to was the tattoo of a dark haired warrior that looked like a certain Uchiha that was found on her chest just above her breast.
They had been travelling for a few hours in relative silence with a muffled noise from Suigetsu or Karin here and there, but a glare from Neji shut Suigetsu up and a twirl of a weapon from Tenten shut Karin up. The rope that held Karin to Tenten tightened and the weapons mistress looked behind her to see a wide eyed Karin looking ahead of her and trying to turn and run if not for the rope.
"Mabuchi!"
The muffled word caught everyone's attention and they all looked at the red head "What?" Tenten asked "Mabuchi!" Karin repeated, they all looked at each other shrugging their shoulders. Karin became frantic as she was able to pull the rope from Tenten's hand "HEY!" the brunette yelled as Karin ran to Sasuke and nudged her head towards him "Mabuchi!"
Sasuke looked at her for a moment, she was trying to tell them something 'Mabuchi what the fuck does mabu...fuck!' "If you want to live release us" Sasuke said in a dark voice as he glared in the direction to where Karin was trying to get away from, "You know we can't do that Uchiha" Neji said in a monotone. Sasuke glared at the Hyuuga "Than we will all die" he simply stated as a dark chakra suddenly filled the group.
More chakra signatures were felt coming closer to the group when Naruto swore and ran to Sasuke "CUT THEM LOOSE!" he yelled as he pulled a kunai out and slashed at the restraints, the others stood there for a moment shocked before Shikamaru cut the binds on Juugo and ordered the others to do the same for Suigetsu and Karin.
"Hinata!" Shikamaru called, the girl turned to him "Take Ino, Tenten, Karin the big guy and Kiba and find cover" the four girls and two guys glared or stared at him "But Shika I want to fight...I'm strong enough to hold my own!" Ino half screeched. "Ino I know your strong and before you throw that axe at me Tenten" Shikamaru looked to the weapons mistress as she was about to release the axe aimed at him. "I want you to find cover so they don't know our numbers and that will give us the element of surprise...now go!"
The group was mostly reluctant to go, Karin had already disappeared before the others even moved. Shikamaru stopped Kiba as he and Akamaru went past "Protect them" Kiba looked at the other two males as they watched their lovers leave before looking back at Shikamaru "With my life" was all he said before he too disappeared leaving Shikamaru, Neji, Naruto, Sasuke, and Suigetsu at the front line for the battle to come.
As the chakras got closer Naruto looked at Sasuke who glanced back at him "Are you ready dobe?" Naruto smirked at him "Hope you can keep up with me teme" the Uchiha smirked at the blonde "Hn" was his answer. "Just remember that they are the enemy...not us" Shikamaru said sending a glance to Sasuke as he unsheathed his kusanagi and all five got into fighting stances "I'll try but I can't promise you anything"
There was a yell and sounds of metal clanging with metal not too far ahead of the group as the chakra came closer, the five ninja looked at each other before looking where the sounds were getting closer "What's going on?" Sasuke heard Suigetsu ask. There was rustling in the trees above them, they looked up into the trees but couldn't see a thing as snow started to fall.
There was the sound of weapons clanging and a flash of black a few metres ahead of them in the trees, everyone tensed this was it. A grunt was heard closer to them before the sound of something falling through the branches. they protected their eyes as snow and debris fell from the sky, there was another grunt of pain as a dark figure fell from the canopy after colliding with a branch.
The figure fell a few feet away from the group who had their weapons ready for an attack, the person landed with their back towards the boys so they couldn't see whether it was male or female. The black cloak they were wearing covered their whole body and the hood fell over the head. Naruto made a move to go towards the person when a groan was head and the black lump started to move.
Naruto stepped back next to Sasuke as the figure slowly shakily rose to their feet, with their back still facing them. The person slowly and very unstably turned to face them, they took as step as if not noticing the five men standing there ready to attack "Who are you?" Shikamaru asked.
The figure stopped and tensed before their body started swaying from the wounds as their head lifted, there was gasps from three of the five shinobi as empty emerald green eyes looked back at them and pink mixed with blood hair was revealed as the hood fell from the woman as her eyes began to close and her body started to fall.
Naruto made a move to catch the woman but was too slow as the raven haired Uchiha was there in an instant with her in his arms.
"Sakura?" Sasuke held the woman in his arms as he sat on the snow covered ground as the other four joined him, Naruto falling to his knees next to the pair and pulling off his cloak and placed it on top of the pinkette "Is she okay?" he asked not taking his eyes off her "I don't know" Sasuke whispered.
"We have other pressing matters to attend too at the moment" came Shikamaru's voice, the pair looked at him to find him looking ahead of them with his hand to a button attached to his radio "Kiba we need you...we have her" he said into the radio. Sasuke and Naruto looked in the direction of where he was looking to find a large group of ninja coming out of the forest.
"What...you found her...how?" came over the radio.
"Later...just get your ass out here...Hinata we need your medical help Sakura's pretty hurt"
"We're on our way"
In an instant the others were by their side save for Karin who was probably back in sound by now, Naruto stood in front of his team-mates as the ninja came closer, Sasuke handed the unconscious kunoichi over to the Hyuuga heiress "I'll keep her safe" she said as he stood up and held kusanagi in front of him and sent a chidori current through it "Hn" was the Uchiha's answer as Hinata and Ino worked on the girl.
"Give us the wench and we'll let you live" one of the ninja said with a sly smile, Sasuke glared and Naruto growled "If you want her" Naruto said in a malicious tone "Come get her" Sasuke growled in the same tone
"Fine with us"
And the two groups charged at each other, but what neither of them noticed was the chakra that the red head had originally felt was no longer there. Lucky for the owner of that chakra the red head had high tailed it out of there or he would have been spotted and his cover blown. His sharingan eyes looked to the pinkette in the arms of the blonde woman while the dark haired woman worked on her, his eyes than moved to his little brother as he slashed and cut his way through the bounty hunters.
"You have grown little brother" Itachi whispered as he left the area and headed back to where Noki and Kisame were waiting. The two sat in a tree waiting for Itachi when he landed right next to Noki, sharingan locked with tomokugan and the message was sent before they headed off to start the second stage of their plans
Bring down Madara Uchiha and the Akatsuki.
Okay so how was it, good, bad, terrible lol.
So the plot thickens Noki and Itachi are good guys?
The next chapter will mainly be what happened to Sakura in those 7 years before coming into contact with Naruto and Sasuke, and that will explain what Shikamaru said to Naruto about her killing leaf ninja.
From there more of Noki, Itachi and Kisame's plan will form along with why they did what they did, bet you can't guess the reason behind it;P
Anyway hope it wasn't boring and not too rushed, OOC or disappointing cos to me it didn't come out the way I wanted it to so yeah. Sorry if the part where Sasuke and Hebi meet up with Itsuki and the ninja was silly I just couldn't help writing those parts...want some candy:D
The updates will be a little erratic over the rest of the story maybe every two weeks as I can only update when I have time off from my job as it is very hectic at the moment and I have a lot to learn over the next three months hopefully after that it shouldn't take more than a week to update.
Okay to the fun stuff lol
Akatsuki-no-Sakura I'm happy you're enjoying this story have no fear 'If Not For You' will go until the end
ellenloveforever thanks for your review what I have in store for Sakura will be better than if she went with Oro, as they say the heart grows fonder when your apart...I hope lol
sunshinestar16 I'm happy to hear you love it ;)
bittersweetmusicgirl Thank you and yeah my little sister was too lazy to make her own account lol so she wanted to share mine and me being the good big sister let her lol but there is just me now until Haru gets back from the US. Sorry to confuse you lol.
Animelover1991 thank you for the review and I'm very sorry to hear about your sister, I had a really good friend that had anorexia but thank god she wasn't that bad. And as for the writing I would definitely suggest that you start writing again it does help when things get too much for you and your able to disconnect from the real world even for an hour, writing has always helped me especially when my little sister and Haru's twin died a few years ago.
Christiansrose lol yep we're true blue Auzzie's there isn't many Australian's on the site...well I haven't met many lol but yeah, I got a phone call from Haru the other night and she misses you too, I'm so happy that you are still loving the story and there is going to be one kick ass fight...okay maybe two next chapter for you
Tenchi thanks so much I'm back and ready to go, got to love telling other people what to do lol and here's another...hopefully just as awesome chapter for you^.^
And
WhatChuuKnowBoutMe the dude that was cooked to over perfection was one of Oro's wittle friend's lol he never got to show his real face did he? I never really thought of giving him a name or face cos his cameo was too short and you'll have to find out what happened to Sakura in the next chapter lol I'm bad mwhahaha, and yeah Sasuke is a fool isn't he but it wouldn't be our Sasuke if he didn't go;P
If you have any idea's that you think might help make the story any better just let me know in a message or in the review and I'll see what I can do with it, and same as always if you have any questions don't be afraid to ask and I'll explain it to you.
Thank you to everyone that reviewed faved and alerted either me or my story you guys rock and it made my day when I got out of the hospital to see them all waiting for me, big hugs for everyone lol
Okay I think I said everything I need to say...wait one more
Thank you for taking the time to read:D