The Darkness Within the Light

Chapter 3

The Branding

Okay...first of all you all have to know this chapter was very hard for me to write...it was very emotional...all of the emotions in this chapter...I have

felt...Sakura's especially. Oh and I have to warn you this chapter may offend some people...if would offend me...Naruto does some things to himself...that I

would never think of doing...unfortunately a few of my friends have done more than think about it...please understand that this is simply my way of venting...I'm

sorry if I offend anyone

-Sakura-

Sakura's pink colored hair hung in front of her, shielding her bowed, tear stained face. She clutched the seat of her wooden chair so hard that if she had tried, she wouldn't have been able to let go.

Her breaths came in short gasps and there was a stabbing pain on her chest...her heart. Was it possible to have a broken heart? Yes...yes it was. She could still feel his arms around her waist...her lips still tingled from their kiss. The tingling had become a painful burn...a constant reminder. He had unknowingly branded her...unknowingly bound them together...for all of time.

Across from her sat Tsuande. She had her face in her hands and she looked tired. She had never looked so much like her actual age, she sighed as she tried to think of something...what was the right thing to do?

On the window pane sat Jiraiya. Anger was etched into every detail on his face. He sighed and stood up and started pacing, mumbling. Only a few words were loud enough for the other two to hear. Those words included: dumbass, brat, idiot, and a few more curse words.

The door opened and Tsuande lifted her head to reveal worry filled eyes. Kakashi walked into the room, and a group of people filled in behind him. These people were Team Gai and the Nine Rookies. They all stared at Sakura, shocked at her condition.

Lee was instantly beside Sakura. "Sakura-chan what's wrong? Did someone hurt you? If they did I swear I will..."

"Lee...that's enough...it won't help here!" snapped Jiraiya. Everyone turned their gaze to the white-haired Sannin. Nobody had seen him this angry...they were all used to the idiotic, perverted old man.

"What's wrong?" asked Neji simply, he saw no need to say anything else. Although he was reluctant to admit it...he had no idea what was going on.

Shikamaru's thoughtful gaze swept across the room. "Naruto's not here..." he observed.

Sakura whimpered at the name and a horrible pain shot through her body. Her body shuddered as she tried to keep herself from breaking down...again.

"What did...?" asked Kakashi, trailing off, his eye on Sakura. He didn't want her to be a part of the conversation...not in the state she was in.

"Dumbass..." muttered Shikamaru, leaning against the wall. His eyes closed and he spoke no more. He, as usual already had everything figured out.

Kiba blinked, looking around the room. His gaze landed on Hinata, they were filled with concern. "What happened to Naruto?"

"H...he's...g...gone..." gasped Sakura. Everyone turned to her, shocked. Nobody had expected her to say anything, or do anything.

"W...what?" stuttered Hinata, her pale eyes wide with shock.

"Naruto left Konoha," said Tsuande softly. Sakura flinched at the name and Tsuande's gaze grew soft. "Sakura was there...apparently...he told her...he left to protect Konoha."

-Naruto-

Naruto bit his lip and closed his eyes. He felt a sting on his arm, but by now he was used to it. When he opened his eyes he saw a cut that ran from his elbow to his wrist. He watched, his eyes dull as the blood fell onto the bright green grass...bright red on green.

Scars covered his arms, some were half-healed, many more had already been healed. There were also a few scars on his face, which were slowly healing. In his right hand was a kunai, stained with blood...his blood.

He was punishing himself...he should have never left her...he had hurt her and he knew it...he also knew he'd never be able to keep his promise...he was never coming back. He brought the kunai down on his wrist. Again and again, more and more...he had to feel pain, he had to...it was the only way to get rid of the guilt.

He sighed and the kunai met his left cheek, leaving a cut that ran along his whisker. He watched the blood drip to the ground, and it seemed to move in slow motion. He watched the cuts on his arms mend themselves. Soon, he was clean of all scratches and he began again. This time, he cut deeper and the cuts took longer to heal.

What do you think you're doing!? You're going to get us killed...

Naruto ignored the growl inside of his head. Maybe it would be better that way...

He raised the kunai up into the air. When he felt the cold metal touch his throat the growling got louder, more violent. Naruto nether heard nor cared what the Kyuubi thought...he just wanted the pain to go away.

He was about to slash open his neck when his arm froze. He blinked confused...he couldn't move it. His hand dropped the kunai, which stuck into the blood stained earth. Then his hand slowly lowered to the ground. What the hell?

You didn't expect to me to let you kill us did you?

But...m...my arm...how?

The seal...it's loosening...you already know that.

But...this is my body...you shouldn't be able to...

But I can! I don't know why but I can!

The Kyuubi sounded angry, so Naruto let the conversation drop. He stared at his hand, not realizing that he was shaking. He was losing himself...the Kyuubi had a stronger will...the Kyuubi would win. His head bowed, admitting defeat. He was tired, depressed, and just wanted his life to end...there was only one thing...one person who could give him a reason to live.

Naruto closed his eyes and let her face come into his head. He knew he'd pay for it later, but he had to see her face...it would give him hope. The he took a deep breath and whispered the one name that brought him both unbearable agony and unimaginable joy. "Sakura..."

-Sakura-

Sakura stood at the gate, a backpack over her shoulder, she was leaving...there was nothing for her here...nothing but painful memories. She felt so weak...so powerless...even as far as she had come...she had not been able to stop him. During the past few hours Sakura had made a decision. She was going to be brave, she would not make the same mistake she did with Sasuke...she would search for Naruto...even if it killed her.

Ocean-colored eyes turned to look back at Konoha and one word escaped her lips. "Goodbye."

With that, she spun around and walked out the gates, a gleam in her eyes. She would find him...she had to.

She ran through dappled trees. Yellows, reds, and oranges swirled around her as she darted through the changing forest...fall was here.

She stopped, realizing she didn't know which direction to go. What would he have done? She knew he would go to the place he would least likely be found by Konoha. She also knew he didn't want to be found by Akatsuki either. She sighed and closed her eyes, wondering which way to go.

"Hey Sakura!" came a voice.

Her eyes flew open to see a squad of ninja standing on a huge tree next to her, but...they weren't just any ninja.

"Did you really think we'd let you go without us?" asked Kiba grinning at her. He, as usual, was sitting on top of the gigantic Akumaru. "He's our friend to you know."

Lee, Neji, Choji and Shikamaru stood behind him, all looking determined...especially Lee.

"Don't worry Sakura-chan! We'll get him back!" promised Lee.

With a jolt, she realized this was the team that had chased after Sasuke...the team that had failed. She didn't really want them to come...she had wanted to go alone...but could she really find him alone? Kiba's nose...Neji's Byakugan...no she couldn't turn them down...besides...Kiba was right...Naruto was their friend.

Neji must have seen the dismay in her eyes because he said. "Don't worry...we are all much stronger than we were during that last search-and-rescue mission."

She knew that was true...she had watched them all trained...and had even trained with some of them over the past two years...then a thought came to her. "Did Tsuande send you?"

It was Choji who answered with a simple. "Nope!"

She sighed. "That's what I was afraid of..." They would be in big trouble when they got back...if they ever got back. She knew she shouldn't be thinking that way...but she couldn't help but to be negative...so many things could go wrong. "Fine then...if you're going to do this...let's do it."

She spun around and darted away, full aware that they were following, despite her quick-pace. She wanted to get this over with soon...each second the pain grew...each second the burn, the brand from their kiss spread throughout her body. She would find him...and they would help her. She would die a thousand deaths just to see him again...if only to see his face. She would search for all of eternity if she had to.

Ok guys...that's it for now...let me know what you think...I would appreciate it