Chapter 6
AN: sry I haven't updated all summer, with vacation and friends and all that summer stuff I really wasn't on the computer much. Also, my mom decided to be mean and blocked FanFiction so I had to finish this chapter and go to the library to upload it. Well here's the final chappy, hope you enjoy it.
Recap: It was early morning and Orochimaru and Kabuto were on the road. Their horrible plan already set into motion.
"Orochimaru-sama, what are you planning to do exactly?" Kabuto asked slightly unsure of what the answer would be.
In a slick voice that dripped with evil Orochimaru replied, "Nothing I wouldn't do on a regular day, kill an opponent."
As night fell on the sound village's strong hold Sasuke's plan finally took action. The rest of the base was sound asleep in their rooms, minus the guards on duty. Luckily, in Sasuke's room there was an air vent just above his door. He took the chair from his desk and quietly tried to put it in the right position in front of the door. Thump. Sasuke stopped in his tracks, had someone heard that? Was someone coming to check on him? He waited a few minutes before he stepped up on the chair and removed the metal crate in front of the vent. It was small but he could just squeeze through the opening.
After he had crawled to the opening on the roof, he punched the metal blocking his way and sent it flying. One step closer to his goal he began sprinting towards Konoha.
The sun was just peeking its head over the horizon and Sakura's alarm clock went off. "One more minute mom," she said in a groggy voice. Half an hour later it started to beep again and Sakura finally looked at the clock, "Oh no I'm gonna be late for training!!" She jumped out of bed and threw some clothes on before she ran out the door.
Waiting on the bridge for her was Naruto and Kakashi. She was later than Kakashi, now that was saying something. "Sakura-chan why are u so late?" the stupid blonde asked, slightly annoyed.
"Sorry you guys, I just didn't want to get out of bed this morning. Where are we practicing today anyway?"
"I got first pick this week so I choose Training Ground 9, we need to work on water fields." Kakashi stated as a small yawn escaped his mouth. He must have been up late last night reading Ichi Ichi Paradise.
As they headed for the training ground, Sakura had the eerie feeling that someone was watching her but since Kakashi didn't say anything to alert them, she thought she was safe.
From behind a tight bundle of leaves Sasuke watched in amazement at the friends he had called weak. Sakura was almost strong enough now to land a hit on Kakashi and Naruto had developed a new technique. How could he have ever doubted their strength and potential? But now wasn't the time to worry about past mistakes and misjudgments. He had to worry about warning the people he really cared about.
"Hey! I know you're there!" Naruto's obnoxious voice rang out. "Show yourself you coward!"
"Naruto, calm down, no one's there," Kakashi's smooth tone reassured Sakura that it was true. Still, it felt like someone was watching them.
"Kakashi-sensei, I think Naruto is right, someone's watching us" Sakura hadn't sounded this unnerved since the day after Sasuke had left and she had to tell Tsunade-shisou what she had seen.
This was going to be difficult but Sasuke had no choice. Without time for hesitation Sasuke dropped out of the tree into the sunlight. Before he could hit the ground Kakashi was at his throat. "Kakashi-sensei, I'm not here to…hurt anyone…I need to talk to…Sakura" he choked out.
"BULLSHIT!" Naruto yelled. His face was growing more and more fox-like.
"Naruto…you have to believe me…Sakura's in danger" Sasuke gagged. With nothing else to do, Sasuke kicked Kakashi behind the knee to loosen his grip. Sasuke squirmed away from Naruto and Kakashi only to bump into Sakura.
Sasuke? Is that Sasuke? Sakura fell to the ground with a soft thump as Sasuke bumped into her. Her balance was off, she was so surprised. Before she could recover, Sasuke was at eye level with her, talking to her.
"Sakura, you're in danger, you need to get out of here! Naruto! I didn't come here to pick a fight," Sasuke said frantically. "I only came to warn Sakura, Orochimaru is on his way. He intends to kill her. I can't let that happen."
By now Naruto's features were almost completely fox-like and Sasuke was sure he would have to fight his friend. As the thought ran through his mind Naruto lunged for him. He dodged easily and took a defensive stance. "Naruto, I won't fight you," Sasuke muttered "I can't"
At that, Kakashi stepped in just as he had when the two had gone at each other on the roof of the hospital. "Naruto, calm down," his voice was composed and eased Sakura's apprehension. "Sasuke, why should we believe your intentions are genuine?"
"You have every right to distrust me and there's no way that I can prove myself to you other than to give you my word," Sasuke's voice was low, unsure. They wouldn't believe him and he would be forced to fight those closest to him. A small tear came to his eye but only for a moment before he came to his senses and blinked it away. (OOC) He wasn't going to let his soft side get in the way of saving her. Self-doubt and uncertainty turned to determination and persistence. He was going to save her if it cost him his life.
"Sasuke how could you even dare to show your face here! You've done more damage to us than you can possibly imagine!" Naruto's words were frail and holding back tears. His body was shaking, fighting to stay in control of the fox's chakra and fighting to contain his own emotions. Just as the black clouds started to roll in, Naruto lost his hold on the fox and went wild. The wind picked up speed and the trees shook. The sun was covered now and the training ground had become a lifeless wasteland, perfect for a fight. The air was thick with the smell of rain and with the growing tension between the friends. As Sasuke began to analyze the situation, Naruto attacked. His claws were bared and his eyes were a brilliant flaming red. Sasuke blocked the attack with his forearms but was slashed anyway. The gash in his shoulder was especially painful. Before he could register the severity of the wound, Sakura was at Naruto's side. What was she doing? She was…hugging him. The chakra that had engulfed Naruto's body was now cutting and burning Sakura's flesh. He couldn't stand the sight and sound of her pain. Without time to reconsider, Sasuke flung himself at her and tried to pull her off but before he could reach her, Naruto flung her into a tree with his arm. She hit with a solid thud and slid to the ground, she was unconscious. Naruto had already grown three tails and even Sasuke knew that was a bad thing. With nothing else to do, Sasuke made a move to knock out Naruto's legs but missed when Naruto jumped into the air. With his fist clenched, Naruto landed a solid punch square in Sasuke's jaw. Most people would have been out cold but Sasuke had dealt with much worse under Orochimaru's training. As Sasuke felt the extent of the counter attack a steady rain started. Not long after that the rain's speed and force intensified. At the peek of the downpour a puff of smoke appeared between Sasuke and his former teammates. When the smoke cleared, Sasuke's worst fear came true. Orochimaru's tongue was gripping a kunai while the sinister sanin stood next to Kabuto.
"Sasuke, I hardly expected you to be here," Orochimaru's tongue had released the kunai into his hand as the words slid out of his snake-like mouth. "Although now that we're in this situation I must say that I'm very disappointed that you would disobey me. You must remember who you're dealing with."
"Orochimaru, I don't care what you think anymore. I'm through with your training. I'm not going back with you" His tone was laden with disgust.
At that comment Orochimaru's eyes narrowed, making them even more frightening than usual.
"This is why we keep you locked up Sasuke-kun. It's for the best. When locked up, you aren't plagued by pitiful feelings like love. The only things that should matter to you are hard work and determination. Love is useless. It destroys the strongest and ensnares the foolish," he sounded like a mother disciplining their child. "With this disobedience you have forced me to punish you." Without another word, Orochimaru moved to Sakura's side. Sasuke's heart sank, it destroys the strongest. With his thoughts jumbled, Sasuke scrambled to get to her in time but it was too late. By the time he reached her side, Orochimaru had already plunged his sword into her chest and had begun turning the blade while it was wedged between her ribs. The pain must have been blinding. With a last smirk, Orochimaru and Kabuto disappeared as mysteriously as they had appeared.
A searing pain ignited in Sakura's chest as she began to come to. Before she could open her eyes, she had to shut them against the intense throbbing. The whole thing was almost unbearable until she heard Sasuke's voice.
"Sakura! Stay with me! Don't close your eyes!" he sounded distressed. What was he so worked up about? At that thought, she felt something familiar underneath her, blood. Why was she lying in blood? Who's blood was it? Her thoughts began to race as she panicked.
As Naruto came to, he saw Sakura lying on the ground in a pool of blood. His mind rushed as he began loosing control. He finally came to a conclusion. With no other ideas, Naruto leapt to his feet and hurried to where Sakura lay. His kunai was at Sasuke's throat when he asked, "How could you kill her? Why would you kill her?"
"Naruto, do you really think I could kill the woman I loved? Do you think that low of me?" Tears streaming down hiss face. In a last attempt to make her comfortable, Sasuke gently removed the sword from her chest and cast it aside. He was at his knees now, sobbing and writhing in pain. A sudden movement caught his eye. Her eyes slid open a few centimeters as she mindlessly gazed around.
"Sakura, I have to tell you something that I should have told you so many years ago. I love you, I always have. That's why I went to train with Orochimaru in the first place, so I could protect you. I'm so sorry I failed you."
"Sasuke…you didn't fail…you helped me to…to better myself. If you hadn't left…I would still be that good-fo…that good-for-nothing little girl that was…was always being rescued," she choked out with a smile.
He held her tight as she gasped for her last breath. Finally, her body went limp and he realized she was gone for good.
miirumiyuki./art/sasusaku-29-42442685
The clouds were now breaking to reveal a beautiful sunset. The sky was littered with splashes of gold, pink and purple. The sun itself was about to sink under the horizon. The sunset was dying.
Sakura taught me something that day. She taught me that the harshest things in life often make you stronger. And I know this is true because I lived it. After the woman I loved…no, after the woman I love died, I went on to become the strongest in the village. Although I was nominated to be Hokage, I graciously declined and let Naruto live his dream. From then on, I have been working with the children in the academy, telling them the story of the brave kunoichi that changed herself for the sake of a comrade.