Hajimemashite and Konnichiwa, dearest reader-san! Apple Fairy here! . Thank you for all your reviews. They are the very thing I cherish and think of when I write. :3
Sarah Rebecca- Yay! The chapter was 'aw'-tastic! x3
Thanks, hun...and OMG O.O!
I have le updated. XD
01sweetxpnaii-Why else would Itachi be friends with fishy-boy? Like, duh.
Nah, j'k .XD
And sweet's Mr.Right, YOU COME OUT HERE RIGHT NOW, YOU PERFECT LITTLE ANGEL!
...Ah...He'll hear that soon. Just wait. XD
Yay! My cuteness and fluff pwns. X)
Glad you liked it, hun. :3
rainingblood666- Oh my...interesting name, dear. Right below BewareMySporks. XD
Glad you like it, hun. And look right here!
I have updated! x)
crescent moon at midnight- I like your name, sweetie! It's very beautiful and lovely. :3
I'm glad you like my story, by the way, and oh wows!
It's an update you're staring at. :3
kunoichi alchemist- You just might be my new favorite reviewer, hun. You and Silverstar that is. : )
Ah yes...I liked making him the jealous, awkward, and loving boyfriend. Now if only he could come back to the village, apoligize to Sakura, and treat her like a princess...
Alas, we can only dream. -.-;
And I love making Kakashi like that! It is so fun to write and it's partly a tribute to my friend Caitlen, who loves Kakashi. x3
He will probably be the only one who knows Sasuke and Sakura's relationship...I haven't decided yet...
Ha ha...Kakashi tis so silly. XD
Kakashi: You like Sakura!
Sasuke: Shut up!
Kakashi: La la la...Sasuke and Sakura sittin in a tree...
Sasuke: Shut up! throws shuriken
Kakashi: -catches shuriken- K-I-S-S-I-N-G...First comes love...
Sasuke: -attempts to punch him-
Kakashi: -dodges punch- Then comes marriage...
Sasuke: Gah! Shut up already!
Kakashi: Then comes Sasuke with a baby carriage!
Sasuke: It won't friggin' shut up!
Apple: Oh, be quite. He's singing a song about the revival of your clan. Be thankful.
Sasuke: -blushes- Idiots...
Lioness of the fire-So so so so glad you do. x3
Ur2tRoUbLeSoMe90- Shika-kun refrence, right? Love it, hun. :3
(Although it was hard to type what with the switched capitalization...)
Don't worry, hun, I'll cry with you when...you-know-who dies...-sniff sniff-
And lookie! I updated:3
Silverstar871-They are such an adorable couple, aren't they? x3
I'm going to update sooner these days to make you happier. And everyone else too. :3
Ah yes...thank you for your compliments again. Make'n me squeel, hun. x3
And hey! It's not like Sasuke knows he's causin' foreshadowed damage either! Those poor lovers...
-shoots Orochimaru- STOP BREAKING APART YOUNG LOVERS!
For some reason, when you mentioned dramafest I thought of some sort of Naruto soap opera...
Sasuke: I have amnesia!
Naruto: As I too, and I have a cancer!
Kakashi: Obito was my father this whole time!
Sakura: I'm pregnant with Kisame's child!
XD
How crack...
And look! No more non-waiting for you're looking at an update. : D
Twilight Dragoness-Mmm...he is adorable to the point of squee, isn't he? x3
And if you haven't gone that far in the Naruto eps...
SPOILER: Sasuke does actually leave the village...while Sakura tried to stop him confessing her love and crying the whole while...so it will be sad, hun...but don't worry that chapter's not coming anytime soon. :3
It's episode 109, by the way, if you're interested.
Thanks for your optimistic personality, hun! It's nice to see that shining sun behind the dark rain clouds, dear. :3
lilrockinprincess-Anytime, hun. And what you behold on this computer screen...
...is an update! XD
Sasukelover94-Aw, thanks dear. I guess it is a fluff, isn't it? x3
And 'almost made you cry'? O.O
Was that during the 3rd chapter or when the foreshadowed 'forever' cause the rest isn't meant to make people cry I think...-.O;
Unless, they were tears of joy,then that's fine. :3
I'm sure your story is fine, hun. Hell, it can't be worse then Mary Sue-crack. X )
You see the only problem with yours is that you used chatspeak in the summary. People won't take you seriosly if you do. It doesn't hurt to type out a few words; only a few nano-seconds of your life. So I suggest you use regular speech so as to get more fans. I hope that helped, hun. :3
And, my oh my, would you look at that...
...I think they call this an update. x3
Nara 3- Aww...you put a heart at the end of your name. That's just adorable, hun. x3
Thanks for the compliment, dear. If I stopped writing, imagine how much hate mail I'd get. XD
J/K. I really like writing my stories, so I'll write them even if they don't get fans. X )
Yah...the seventh chappy twas long...cause of all the sweet SasuSaku coupleness. x3
Ah...you like my stories? So did you read the SasuSaku one-shots too ?
Sasukes1fangirl- Cute name, hun. x3
Thanks for the compliment, dear! And OMG!
You can stop hoping cause I updated! XD
Aya Marie-chan-Aw...glad to hear that, sweetie. I never intended it to be fluff but I guess it turned out that way.
And, yes. When you have Ino as a friend you better have good health insurance XD
And, hun if you haven't seen the Chunnin final exam episodes...
SPOILER: The Third Hokage does die protecting the village.
If you wish to see the episodes they are 62-80. I would suggest Youtube to watch them. : )
I'm sorry, hun if you cry...I'll cry with you, okay?
This has come to my attention that many people might not be that far in the series. This story will contain spoilers since it goes with the storyline and shows what happens to the two behind the scenes. If you haven't seen all the episodes up to when Sasuke leaves I suggest to go to YouTube and watch the episodes. Thank you.
Oh boy...for this chapter I had to watch all the Chunnin episodes since I only knew of them from my sister's explanation. Never watched them. How sad. -.-;
Oh goodness did they make me cry. Sweet Sarutobi...may you rest in peace. T.T
And laughing child Orochimaru scared the kasooples out of me. O.-;
Also, poor Gaara! Poor sweety! I write him what his fans would perceive as being cruel, but really I'm just writing how he was acting.
Besides, this isn't a Gaara fanfic.-.-;
And I'm sorry folks, but the chapter will be more from Sasuke, Sakura, and even a bit of Naruto's point of view. Not much SasuSaku I could squeeze in. -.-;
Besides, I had an urge to write about some of the action that took place. I really love watching the action scenes. x3
Makes me happy the fillers are ending. Missed the big exciting action. O.-;
Also, Sakura, in the beginning of the story, acts alot like me. I would usually have an urge to run around in an empty place or lean toward someone for comfort if I feel un-easy. XD
And also...Inner Sakura makes an appearance! It's about time I wrote about that angry self-concious...
And if you notice the short summary this time Sakura is saying it. It has been Sasuke who always says it, but time for a change in pace in my opinion.
Also this is a very long chapter, I realize that, and I'm sorry if some of you are displeased.
Anyway, just giving you heads up.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.
Memories
Story by Apple Fairy
Everything was perfect...
Everything sane...
Everything was broken...
just the same...
That day changed my life as well as the village's...
It hurt my heart...
How much I cried...
And how long he held me as I did...
"See? I told you these were good seats!" Ino told her friend as she sat down. Sakura yawned and sat down next to her.
It's so early... Sakura noted, but already noticed people had come to the stadium for good seats. She herself also had to get up early. Sakura smiled at Ino.
"Thanks, Ino. You're plan actually worked." She complimented her. Ino grinned.
"Of course it did." She gloated.
Ino had proposed that Sakura get up early so as to get good seats with her. At first, Sakura didn't like this idea, but went with it anyway. At six a.m the two went to the stadium together.
And it was completly empty.
Sakura found it a bit fun to be in a place that was supposed to be filled with people. She felt like she could run around it and just laugh out of pure bliss.
But, she found that to be a bit strange and decided against it.
Sakura now found that to probably be good excersise. She silently chuckled to herself.
I can be such a weirdo... She chided herself playfully.
Soon, more people entered the arena and the place became more full of bustling, talking, and people. Sakura eavesdopped on conversations so as to preoccupy herself.
"Who do you think will win?"
"My money's on that Sand guy with the dark eyes."
"No way. The Hyuuga boy."
"The Uchiha will probably be the winner."
"What about the Aburame? I hear he's really strong..."
"It will probably be, Sasuke-kun! He is the stongest, cutest, and coolest after all!"
"Ami, looks have nothing to do with winning."
"I still think my future husband will win!"
"Dream on."
Sakura felt herself tense. As if Sasuke would give a ditzy girl like you the time of day! The Haruno girl yelled in her mind. Sakura felt her angry side get the best of her. The one that helped get Ino out of her mind during the Chunnin exam prelims.
Inner Sakura.
That stupid bimbo! She yelled angerly. That's my Sasuke-kun for your information, bitch! He wouldn't even look your way if you were right in front of him! So there!
"Sakura?" Ino called out skeptically. Sakura's head shot up.
"H-Huh?" She asked surprised.
"Are you okay? You look really ticked." She pointed out; a bit of fear in her sapphire eyes. Sakura blushed and gained a mask of emberrassment.
"S-Sorry..." She apologized. Ino cocked an eyebrow at her, but shrugged it off.
One after another, the contestants came.
The first ones being the three people from Sand, then Shino, next was Neji, a long while afterwards Shikamaru came; baring a face of utter lazy irritance as well. Ino furowed her brow.
"Oi...Shikmaru could atleast look happy about this. He is so lazy and troublesome, I swear..." She complained. Sakura rolled her eyes.
But you're talking like him... She pointed out.
Sakura heard a loud rumble and spotted Naruto running in the stadium panicked.
And she smiled.
Naruto...for awhile I was worried he was gonna be late... She thought relieved. Sure, Naruto was an idiot, but to Sakura he was still a friend to her.
Well, maybe like a brother even.
She heard the Hokage's voice boom and listened to his words although something nagged at her in the back of her mind.
Where's Sasuke-kun...?
The matches went on and Sakura watched them all with intensity.
She cheered happily for Naruto.
She got shocked at the end of Shikamaru's.
Well, Ino was still complaining at the end of his match...
"THAT IDIOT!" She screamed "He could of won that match! Why! Why, did he just quit like that!" She continued and shook Chouji. Chouji merely smiled and said "He's just being who he is."
Sakura sighed.
Shikamaru...you are such a space cadet... She remarked and shook her head.
"Hey, Sakura-chan." Ino called. Sakura looked to her.
"Yeah?" She asked, curious.
"Isn't Sasuke-kun's match next?" Ino inqueried. Sakura flinched.
"I-I...guess it is..."
"So where is he?"
Sakura turned her head down. "I wouldn't know..."
Ino looked to her friend sadly and patted her on the back.
"Sorry...I'm sure he'll come! I mean, he is Sasuke-kun after all!" Ino said happily; attempting to cheer up her friend. Sakura forced a smile and nodded her head. "Y-Yeah...you're right...He will come..." Sakura agreed half-heartedly.
...Won't you Sasuke-kun...?
Ten minutes.
The life-span of ten minutes would have to be six-hundred seconds as well as twice as many nano-seconds.
Ten minutes is probably longer then one has lived in a lifetime.
So what's wrong with waiting a mere ten minutes? A mere six hundred seconds? A mere twice as many nano seconds?
When your waiting for someone who was needed very badly, then yes, it did feel long.
Sakura clasped her hand in prayer and waited for Sasuke to come.
Sasuke-kun...please come...Please let me know the rumors aren't true... She hoped in her mind.
The crowd uproared and yelled. Sakura was fearful there would be a riot. She leaned toward her friend Ino for comfort.
"Hey, Ino...?" She asked with terror lacing her tone.
"Y-Yeah...?" She replied in the same unsure tone.
"Do you really think he'll come...?"
"Of course...why do you ask...?"
"I think there might be a riot if he doesn't..." She explained. Ino smiled at her half-heartedly.
"Don't worry. We're ninjas after all! What harm can they do to the three of us?" She cheered. Sakura smiled at her.
"You're right..." She agreed.
Sakura knew Sasuke was probably okay.
He had visited her last night.
Sakura laid asleep in her bed. She startled awake when she heard a knocking at her balcony's glass door.
The kunoichi got up lazily and stretched her arms, yawning the whole while. She glanced to the door and her eyes widened.
It was Sasuke.
Sakura scrambled out of bed, wearing an extra-large T-shirt and red shorts. She climbed out to her balcony and looked into sweet midnight eyes. He cast her a lazy smirk that just made Sakura blush.
"Sasuke-kun...what're you doing here?" She asked him curiosly and tilted her head to the side. Sasuke wrapped his arms around her waist.
"I wanted to see you before the final matches..." He explained and kissed her on the cheek. Sakura's heart sped up and she looked into his eyes when he parted.
"Are you going to be there?" He asked rhetorically. Sakura smiled at him and nodded cheerfully.
"Mmhm. I'm going to cheer you on, okay?"
Sasuke smiled to her and pulled her closer. Just holding her there under the pearl's light and the sweet diamonds of the sky.
"Sasuke-kun..." Sakura called out.
"Hm?"
"Are you growing out your hair?" She noted as she parted enough to be standing face to face with him. Sasuke looked to his long bangs.
"I hadn't notice. I mean, I've been training so much, I just didn't have enough time to cut it..." He explained; a bit of embarressment hinted in his voice. Sakura smiled to him and ran her fingers through his hair. Sasuke's face went a deep crimson at the sudden affection.
"I think it kind of looks cute..." She whispered and reached up and kissed him on the lips sweetly. Sasuke's eyes widened, but he soon closed them and kissed her back.
Sasuke broke away and laid his forehead on hers. Sakura noticed he wasn't wearing his forehead protector.
"I was going to cut it tonight when I got home, but I guess I'll just leave it like this for tommorow's match, okay?" He told her. Sakura smiled.
"I hope it won't get in the way..."
"Don't worry. It's not as bothersome as you'd think it'd be."
Sakura smiled again. "You should get going. You've got a big day tommorow." She pointed out. Sasuke nodded and let go of her.
As Sasuke began to get on the balcony's ledge she grabbed his shirt, turned him around, and kissed him full on the lips. Sasuke was a bit taken back, but kissed her in the same fashion again.
When she parted she looked into his eyes.
"Be careful..." She whispered. Sasuke nodded.
"I will be." He reassured her. Sakura let go of his shirt and before Sasuke jumped away he looked to her confidently.
"Forever." He reminded her. Sakura smiled warmly.
"Forever." She agreed.
Then Sasuke left.
The two had been doing that everytime one of them had to leave. They promised each other 'forever'. Sakura felt her face go warm at the promises.
Then she heard the screams get louder.
Oh no...Sasuke-kun...please be alright... She prayed once again.
And leaves began to fall in the stadium.
Sand jutted out like lethal spikes; as if it was hungry for a taste of blood. Sasuke dodged these with fluid movements.
Everytime I try to break his barrier of sand... He noted ...spikes keep coming for me. Damn! This is one good defense...
Sasuke smirked.
Fine with me...I can use that move then. He concluded. Sasuke leaped back onto the stadium walls, keeping himself there with chakra and forming the proper handseals. He thrust his hands down and summoned his chakra, waiting for it to form.
This was it.
The move he had been praticing for weeks.
Chidori.
The lightning came.
And he ran.
Sakura felt chills go up her spine. What an amazing move... She complimented.
Sasuke had seemed to get through Gaara's sand defense as his arm was through it. Sakura smiled.
I knew you could do it...Sasuke...
Then a scream errupted from inside. Sakura jumped a little. Sasuke sent another blast of lightning and more screaming came.
He finally decided to retreat and tried to get his arm out.
And when he did some sort of limb of sand scattered with blue veins held it.
It was like a scene out of a horror film.
The limb dragged itself back into Gaara's sand ball. Sasuke's crimson eyes widened in horror as some sort of eye stared back at him from inside.
What...What is he! He yelled in his mind. Another, more inhuman scream erupted from inside only making Sasuke more terrified.
The sand finally dissolved showing Gaara, hunched over in pain, gripping a bleeding shoulder, breathing ragged, and dull aqua eyes dialated showing an intent to kill.
Sakura was shaking.
Sasuke...! She thought worried.
But before she could continue, sweet delicate white feathers fell.
She began to grow sleepy.
"Dispel!" She yelled and the feathers backed away from her as if she had formed some sort of barrier around herself. A feeling of uncertainty came to her.
What's going on...? She thought panicked.
Sasuke glanced at the crowd. What is this...? He asked concerned. Something's not right here...
There was an explosion.
And the destruction of Konoha began.
Sakura's green eyes widened.
Orochimaru? What's he doing here! And what about Sasuke...? She wondered panicked and glanced to the stadium to see the midnight-haired boy.
But he wasn't there.
Sasuke...where is he! Sakura thought panicked.
Suddenly two Sound nins lept for her and Sakura ducked hoping she was not to be hit.
Oh no... She worried.
A clang was heard and Sakura lifted her head to see Kakashi blocking them. He fought them off and ducked under allowing himself to see his student. A cheerful look was on his face.
"Sakura..." He addressed. "...stay like that for a moment. I'm going to decrease the number of enemies." He informed her gleefully. Sakura cast a dumb-founded look.
"Wh-Wha...?"
But before she could continue, battle errupted around her and Konoha and Sound ninjas clashed. Kunais being deflected and justus being used were the sounds.
Sakura ducked her head from worry of being hit.
"Sakura!" Kakashi called. Sakura lifted her head so as to listen to her teacher.
"I'm glad I taught you about illusionary techniques during survival training. You have talent in that area." He explained to her.
"What?" Sakura asked confused. Her mind was clouded with fear at the moment.
"Dispell the illusionary technique, and wake up Naruto and Shikamaru." He commanded. Sakura glanced to the sleeping boys.
"Naruto will rejoice. It's his first mission in a long time." Kakashi commented.
"Mission?"
"Proceed with caution. This is an A-rank mission, just like the mission in the Country of Wave." He explained. Sakura's face took on a look of terror.
"Huh!" She asked panicked. A Sound nin lunged for Kakashi, but he hit him away like some sort of fly. Sakura dodged the Sound nin's body.
"Sensei! What do you mean an A-rank mission in this situation? What are we supposed to do?" Sakura demanded to know. Kakashi glanced to his female student.
"Sasuke went after Gaara of the Sand and the others." He explained. Sakura felt relieved.
Sasuke wasn't taken then... She concluded.
"Dispell the illusionary techniques on Naruto and Shikamaru and go after Sasuke." He explained as he cut his thumb.
Kakashi told Sakura that it was wise not to bring Ino or Chouji into this and summoned a small pit bull.
Pakkun.
Sakura looked to the dog skeptically.
This dog can help us...? She thought concerned.
Following her sensei's orders, Sakura crawled through the aisle cautiously.
She finally realized it.
This wasn't a nightmare.
Konoha was under attack. The village was in danger.
She wasn't safe.
Sakura's heart pounded fast with fear. I'm scared... She noted. ...but I've got to do this. Take up my title of a Konoha ninja and help the village anyway I can... She told herself. But it was hard to stay courageous in such conditions.
Sakura felt the tears sting her eyes.
I can't cry... She commanded herself. Shikamaru will be fine...right?
Sakura's heart ached. She wasn't used to these type of missions.
I've never been on a mission where someone sacrificed themself! Why does it have to be this way! She demanded to know.
It was true. The usual missions she got with her team were errands or something. Maybe it was because Kakashi wanted to protect his students, or maybe it was because they were the only missions they could get, no one knew.
But it protected Sakura from the pain a shinobi would endure.
The most pain she had suffered was when she thought Sasuke had died on the Bridge.
His limp and cold body had convinced her. He wasn't breathing and needles scattered on him like lethal quills.
Sakura couldn't believe her eyes.
He was gone.
Never to come back.
She was to never admire this boy from afar again.
She was to never look into his midnight eyes as she had that starlit night.
For he was gone.
Gone.
Sakura smiled feeling empty inside as she informed Tazuna of why she couldn't cry.
But dear God, how that girl wanted to cry.
She couldn't fight them off, those tears.
They came burning and stinging as they did. She laid herself down on his still chest and cried.
Cried as if the world had ended.
Cried as if the joys in her life had died.
Cried and wishing she was dead just so she could join him.
Dear God, she wanted to tell him one day of how she felt when he had whispered in her ear under those shimmering diamonds of the night.
And now she couldn't.
She was to never be able to tell him.
For he was gone.
And for that, she cried.
Sakura's heart ached again. Dear God... She prayed. Shikamaru...please don't die...
She really did hope that for the lazy boy. She had seen him in a new light.
She had more respect for him then she previously did.
Please be safe... She hoped and fought off those bothersome tears again.
Now when Sasuke was assigned the mission of chasing the Sand team, that was fine with him. He was expecting a battle of wonderful calibur; a chance to test his strength.
Now when Temari challenged him and fought him, that was okay with him too. It was a short, but challenging battle. Sasuke liked the challenge of trying to contain his chakra as well as defeating her. It was interesting.
And when he was to fight Kankurou, but Shino stepped in the way, that was quite alright. He could of cared less for the help; it just meant he could fight Gaara more sooner then expected. That excited him.
But when he found himself face to face with Gaara who had grown blue-veined limbs of sand on his right arm, crazy on the sense that he could kill Sasuke...
...that just scared him.
He was yelling like a maniac trying to provoke Sasuke out of hiding. I can't face him... He told himself ...he's too strong...He could kill me...
Hell...I don't even think he's human... He realized.
Prey...he had called Sasuke his prey, that crimson-haired shinobi did. Sasuke backed closer to the tree feeling unsafe and frightend for once in a long while.
Gaara crouched low to the branch like some sort of hungry wolf...which he might as well been. He shifted his eyes wondering where that Uchiha-heir hid. He let out an angered and demented scream.
"You're not getting away...You're not getting away...Uchiha Sasuke!" He yelled crushing tree's with a violent swipe of his deformed sand arm. For no reason apparent but the joy of demolishing his opponent, the sand ninja thrust forward, flying and crushing trees cruelly. He turned his head and let out another demented laugh. Sasuke felt a shiver go up his spine.
What the hell...What's with his monsterous strength? He wondered with concern. Gaara continued to look around for his opponent.
"Are you afraid of me?" Gaara asked him, seeming to know Sasuke could hear him. Sasuke gritted his teeth. He's too strong... He explained.
"Uchiha Sasuke! Are you afraid...of my existence!" He asked looking around. Sasuke looked to the dark-eyed boy with uncertain fear.
He recalled that time when he interrupted his training.
Eyes that knew true solitude...
Eyes that knew that loneliness was the world's worse pain...
Eyes filled with hate for the one that had harmed him in the past...
Gaara was good at seeing through people, Sasuke had realized that day. His existence...
Sasuke already knew his existence.
The eyes that were filled with fear glared with anger.
"What's wrong! Uchiha Sasuke! Are you afraid of me!" Gaara yelled once again. Sasuke leaned against the tree he hid behind and lost himself in thought.
"Did your hate and murderous intent cower because of fear? Is your existence that weak?" He asked with smugness. Sasuke thought of the words Gaara spoke.
"Fight me...and confirm it!" He persuaded.
"Your value and existence, that is! Experiment, if you want an answer!" He provoked him further. He was trying to chase Sasuke out by hurting his ego.
It was working.
"Fight me!" He yelled once again in a twisted tone sending birds flying as he did.
That did it.
Sasuke stood up with a determined look in his eyes.
He kept me alive...Just me alone. He thought as he made the proper hand signs, held his hand down, and gathered the energy again. Why?
No...I know the answer...He kept me alive...because he wanted to be tormented...He continued as the lightning gathered. ...by a living embodiment of the guilt he felt from killing the entire clan...
The chakra came more rapidly, growing viciously with power, and glowing an electric blue.
Itachi wanted an avenger to kill him...and he chose me for that job! He finished with a serious look in his now crimson Sharingan eyes.
Gaara heard the chidori's wild electic chirping and noticed the blue light. Sasuke stepped from behind the tree with a confident look on his face. Gaara let out a little laugh.
"Let me have fun...Uchiha Sasuke!" He commanded. Sasuke did not flinch.
I'll finish you off in one strike! He promised himself. The two charged for each other, both knowing a hit from the other could kill them.
Sasuke never knew that harming the possessed boy would hurl him into even more danger, as Gaara grew a tail of sand and an even larger want for Sasuke's death.
He tried to defend himself as any battle-ready shinobi would do; but no matter what he tried to do, it was easily deflected by Gaara and his sand.
He had finally decided it. The move that must defeat Gaara.
The chidori.
He had already used it twice, he had recalled, and Kakashi told him that was to be his limit.
The third will not happen. Remember that. He had told his raven-haired student. He said he could die if he tried it forcefully. Sasuke remembered everything as Gaara once again provoked him into fighting him.
"What's wrong? Is this all your existence is worth? Let me make this clear...you are weak!" He critisized. Sasuke flinched a bit.
"You are too soft...because your hatred is weak!" He went on. Sasuke soaked in all his insults.
"The power of hatred is the power of murderous intent. The power of murderous intent is the power of revenge! Your hatred is weaker then mine!" He continued.
"Shut up." Sasuke whispered in an angry tone.
"Do you know what this means?" He continued without faltering.
"Shut up!" Sasuke ordered not wanting to hear the end of Gaara's evil insult.
"It means you are weaker then me!" He concluded. Sasuke got up once again; convincing himself he wasn't weak.
Sasuke charged a forbidden chidori.
And the two charged for each other once again.
Sasuke knew it by the time he landed on a branch.
The Curse Seal had sprawled on his skin like a vicious disease.
Gaara let out a hurt cry as sand covered his left arm for another sand limb to replace the one Sasuke had obliterated.
Sasuke, feeling woozy and weak, collapsed feeling ragged.
It's the Cursed Seal again... He noted as he reached for it. When Sasuke's fingers touched his blackened skin he felt excruciable pain course through his body. Gaara turned to his 'prey' and lept.
Sasuke knew it.
His body wasn't moving.
This was it.
The end.
No...I can't die here... Sasuke pleaded. He probably felt angry and sad that he had not killed Itachi yet.
But he wasn't thinking that.
He was remembering beautiful pink-rose hair and sweet emerald eyes.
Sakura... He called out her name sadly. An image of her smiling happily at him flashed in his mind.
Sasuke-kun... She called out lovingly. Sasuke closed his eyes and felt his heart ache.
Sakura...I love you... He said waiting for the claw to kill him.
But he saw a flash of orange and heard a kick.
Naruto.
Gaara flew back and skidded across a branch, stopping himself with his sand claw. Sasuke looked to Naruto surprised.
What's he...? He thought confused until a person landed next to him and called his name in a worried tone. He caught a wiff of her sweet smell and already knew who it was.
It was his sweet Sakura.
Sakura... He called out her name, unable to see her because he was feeling much too weak.
But, nonetheless, his first love's presence reassurred and comforted him.
Sakura looked down to Sasuke with concerned emerald eyes. She placed a hand on his back and felt him shaking. Sasuke...
Sasuke struggled his head up.
"You guys..." He began, wondering what the two were doing there. Sakura's eyes widened.
These marks...he probably got reckless...Just like that time...She recalled back to the first time she saw those marks cover his body. Sasuke struggled to get up and gritted his teeth. It was obvious he was in immense pain. Sakura leaned closer to the boy.
"Sasuke-kun!" She called out worried. Kakashi-sensei said the bruise was no longer a problem. She remembered. She turned her head as Naruto called her again.
"What do you want!" She snapped. Pakkun explained how that monsterosity they saw before them was actually Gaara. Sakura was shocked to hear this.
How...What happened here? She wondered. Sasuke let out another anguished scream. Sakura turned her head back to him.
Sasuke...oh God...What happened to you! She asked in a terrified tone. Sasuke attempted to return the seal to what it once was, but kneeled over in pain again.
"Sasuke-kun!" She called out scared. She leaned to him closer. Sasuke looked to her with shameful and pained eyes.
"Sakura..." He whispered so that only she could hear him.
"Sasuke, don't talk. You're in too much pain and-"
"I'm sorry."
Sakura grew confused.
"For what?" She asked softly.
"I broke my promise. I said I would be safe...remember?" He reminded her. Sakura nodded her head.
"I know, but that's fine...as long as your with me; it's fine." She reassurred him with a happy tone laced with falseness. Sasuke's eyes grew soft.
I love you... He wanted to say, but another wave of pain hit him preventing him from doing so and he ducked his head..
"We're going to run everyone!" Naruto yelled knowing the situation was dangerous.
But it was too late, as Gaara rushed to Sasuke; still driven to kill his 'prey'.
Sakura turned her pink head and looked to the rushing Sand nin with horror.
"Die, Uchiha Sasuke!" He yelled and swung his sand claw back for a hit to the defensless raven-haired boy.
Sasuke was too rigid with pain to dodge it. Oh God...I'm really going to die aren't I? He concluded sadly.
But Sakura jumped in the way holding a kunai in her hand; a determined look on her face.
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto yelled for his friend.
Sasuke-kun...I'll protect you...because I love you... She whispered in her mind; unfazed by the blood-thirsty shinobi that thrust for her without hesitating.
The sand hit her hard and thrust her back.
It was as if she was watching a movie and not actually being there. It felt so numb and unreal to her that she didn't realize she was hit until her back met the tree harshly.
"Get out of my way!" Gaara yelled with an annoyed tone. Sakura let out a pained scream when she felt the impact. She closed her eyes and slumped her head.
She wavered between unconciousness and awake. She could only feel the crush and binding of the sand on her chest keeping her concious.
Gaara gripped his head in pain and recalled old memories as Naruto took Sasuke to a safer place. Sasuke looked down angerly and shook with pain.
That idiot! Why? Why did she protect me like that! Sakura! He called out confused. ...You fool...You beautiful fool... He finished; worried for once in his life for that lovely girl.
Gaara looked up to Naruto with that demented look in his eyes.
"What's wrong? I thought you were going to run..." He reminded in a sick tone. Naruto was at a loss for words.
"Sasuke-kun...Naruto..." Sakura called out helplessly. Naruto threatened Gaara, which only led him to be provoked and squeezed Sakura.
Sakura felt the wind be pushed out of her and her insides be forced inward. Her lungs and heart felt like they were being crushed. She let out another pained scream. Sasuke flinched.
Sakura...! He called out worried and longed to save the Haruno girl.
Naruto charged for Gaara, but was swung back by his tail of sand. He recalled the darker parts of his past and squeezed Sakura harder.
No screams came from her for she was already unconcious.
"The sand on this women won't be released until you defeat me. Not only that, the sand will constrict her tighter as time passes by and will eventually kill her." Gaara explained as the sand covered his body making him appear as an animal. Naruto looked to his pink-petal haired friend with concern.
Sakura-chan... He worried.
He realized it, that bright blonde boy did, that Gaara was just like him.
He was scared what he could've been without friends and without love.
He knew he could've turned out like Gaara.
Sakura let out a whine of pain as the sand squeezed harder. Naruto looked to her worried.
Sakura was a cheerful and kind friend to have, although she would hit him a few times. But, nonetheless, he cared for his friend and wished to save her.
And to do that he would have to fight Gaara, a boy who was now unbelievably strong...
But fight him, Naruto did.
Sasuke willed himself up and threw himself where he was to land. The impact of Naruto's body increased the pain he was already feeling.
"Sasuke!" Naruto exclaimed.
"You did all that, but still managed one hit?" He asked in tired smugness. Naruto glared at him.
"Shut up." He complained turning his head away.
The sand gripped Sakura tighter and she let out another whine of pain. Her face grimaced. Sasuke heard her and felt his heart ache.
"Hey, Naruto." Sasuke addressed. The kyuubi boy looked to his teammate.
"...You better rescue Sakura no matter what."
Naruto looked to Sasuke curiosly.
"And once you rescue her, take her and run. You can do it." Sasuke reassurred.
I won't be able to save her in my condition... I would only put her in more trouble... He thought ...Naruto is the only one who can at this moment...
"Sasuke...Are you..." Naruto began to ask. Sasuke began to get up.
"I can buy you some time. If it ends here, it will mean that I was only capable of getting this far..." He explained. "...I have already lost everything once. I never want to see an important friend die in front of me again." He finished. Sasuke's eyes softened to sweet midnight like they did that starry night.
I never want to see anyone I care for die...defiantly not the girl I love... He thought as he felt his face begin to warm, but calmed his body so as to not let emotions get in the way.
Sasuke listened to Naruto's speech and defintion of strength.
He was an idiot...but a really good-hearted idiot.
Not that Sasuke would admit that.
But when he summoned a mass of flesh-and-blood shadow clones and told Sasuke to leave the rest to him...
Sasuke was shocked and amazed. He never realized how strong he was.
He's...that Naruto...? Sasuke thought impressed.
What he remembered was an idiot that messed up alot and that talked much too much.
But now...he was different.
He was stronger.
A worthy rival.
Naruto launched for an attack.
And within short time the two witnissed a truly terrifying spectacle.
Gaara's final form.
A death lock tug-of-war.
An eerily glowing blue sword cut through the frail Hokage's body a mountain monkey holding it, so his companion would not die too quickly.
Sarutobi coughed up more life-liquid.
Blood.
But he was not letting go; no matter the pain and hurt that stung him. He had to...for the village...
...he had to take Orochimaru's soul to protect the village.
My time's running out...I don't think I can do it... He thought wearily. He glared at the old student of his. ...If I can't do that then I'll have to do the next best thing... He decided a fitting punishment for the evil sannin.
"It looks like I do not have the power to drag out all of your soul." Sarutobi began. Orochimaru thought there might have been hope for him.
"But your ambition ends here!" He continued; quickly dashing that hope.
"It's not over yet! My ambition will not die yet!" Orochimaru protested. He was fearful of the Death God that was to consume him... he did not want to die that way.
"I will hand down your punishment for drowning yourself in techniques. I will take away all the techinques you have!" He informed him. The snake shinobi couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"What did you say?" He asked.
The Third was surely bluffing...right?
But Sarutobi didn't answer as he used all his strength to pull out Orochimaru's soul. The Death God raised his blade. Orochimaru looked with horror.
"Are you...? Stop!" He commanded, knowing that alone would not help him.
The sword sliced taking the soul's arms.
Sarutobi fell back and finished the justu.
A bright light emmerged from the Third's body and the seal appeared on him. Orochimaru's arms became purple and lifeless.
Sarutobi had done it.
The destruction of Konoha was stopped.
Sarutobi smiled as Orochimaru yelled at him.
From the Third's point of view, the yelling stopped from the enraged sannin, and all Sarutobi saw was his young, ambitious student full of potential.
Sarutobi closed his eyes, a peaceful look on his face.
Where the leaves dance, the fire burns...
The shadow of the fire will flash over the village...
...and the leaves will grow once again.
The Hokage smiled all the way till the end.
Even as he fell he still smiled.
He was proud of his village and its people.
He was happy to have done what he did for it.
His fall resounded.
A great man had died that day...
...peacefully; ever so peacefully.
The sand dissolved slowly, releasing Sakura from its lethal bind and she fell like a lifeless doll.
Sasuke caught her and landed next to Pakkun with the fragile girl in his arms.
He looked down to her as he landed. Her face was peaceful, but not smiling, and her sweet pink-rose locks fell on her face softly framing the peach-toned skin.
I'm sorry, Sakura...I should of protected you... Sasuke thought as he laid her down gently. He looked down to her for awhile; just admiring how beautiful she looked as she slept and apoligizing to her in his head. His breathing was still pained, but it had subsided a bit.
He looked to her with soft midnight eyes.
"Take care of Sakura." He stated simply. Because I was unable to... He finished with shame on his mind. He jumped away from the two.
Pakkun held up a paw in protest. "Hey!" He said trying to stop the Uchiha boy, but it was too late.
The little dog let out a sigh.
That boy is obviously in love... He concluded wearily and looked down to the sleeping girl with tired eyes.
It was a dark and cloudy day and thunder rumbled in the distance.
Sakura stepped out of her home wearing a dark dress with a short skirt and long sleeves. She looked up to the omnious clouds sadly.
It was as if the sky was holding back tears too.
No words were spoken when the team walked together. There was an air of silence and no one dared to break the mist of sorrow.
The whole village attended the funeral, all clad in black and a somber look seen in every face.
All laid white flowers in remembance and respect.
All remembered their kind leader...his cheerful attitude and his caring personality...
All remembered only the best they had from their leader...all the memories they received from him...be it happy or comedic or painful even...
He would wipe their tears and comfort them...he would make them laugh and smile with no reason needed...
He would've protected them all again with his life if need be...
They would all remember him forever and finally.
They would all love him no matter what.
They would all miss him dearly.
The Hokage they loved and cherished was gone in body and soul...
...but the imprint he left would always be on every single one of their hearts.
Sakura walked to her house with sorrow in her eyes, making them appear a dull jade. She had smiled that time when she had walked with her team.
But now that she was alone she still held a sadness in her heart.
"Sakura..." a voice called out to her sadly. She already knew who it was before she turned around to see them.
Sasuke.
Sakura still held a somber look on her face as she just stared at him.
His emotionless face was there, but his eyes were that of sadness and concern.
"Sasuke-kun..." she whispered his name. Sasuke walked closer to her.
"Are you okay?" He asked. Sakura looked down. How had he known that she was aching with sadness?
"...No." She answered. There was no use lying to Sasuke, she had found out.
Sasuke walked to her so he was only a few feet away. Sakura rushed to him and laid herself on his chest. Sasuke wasn't affected by the show of emotion and held her there.
The two stayed that way for awhile, just thinking to themselves and not daring to break the silence.
"Can we go to your house?" Sakura asked out-of-the-bluely. Sasuke nodded.
"Sure." He answered emotionlessly and they walked there with Sasuke's arm over her shoulder.
Sakura looked over the apartment she had stepped into.
She had never entered Sasuke's house before and it looked just as she had imagined.
Silent and tidy.
Sasuke closed the door behind them and the two spoke of nothing.
It wasn't an akward silence, but a solomn one.
A sad one.
The reason Sakura suggested to go to Sasuke's house was because she wanted to go to a place where the two could mourn and be alone...not in the public and not something that'd give their relationship away. It wasn't as if they could go to her house. His had seemed the perfect place since he lived alone.
Sakura felt empty and numb. Without thinking, Sakura went with instinct and walked to the hallway. Sasuke followed without question.
She opened a door and found his bedroom. On impulse, she sat down on his bed looking down and Sasuke sat with her.
Sasuke did not question her actions, nor did he want to. He was filled with sadness just as she was and understood completly of how empty she must've felt.
Sakura fell against him and he put his arm around her wordlessly. Sakura's silent tears fell and no words were spoken.
"I'll always be here for you..." Sasuke whispered reassurringly, letting her know that she could cry all she wanted and he would be there to comfort her when she did. Sakura leaned closer..
"I love you..." She whispered back and Sasuke nodded.
"I know..."
The two sat there mourning for their loving Hokage. Reminiscing every moment they spent with that caring man.
Every citizen of Konoha would miss him dearly.
A funeral passes and tears are shed.
Tears are dried and memories made and kept.
The two remember a loved one as the storm has passed.
Everything is calm with a war stopped.
...But really it isn't.
A hateful past is brought into view and a cruel figure steps into the light.
He will remember his resentful existance...
But, like always, the time must be cut short. When Chronos smiles on us, you shall here the tale.
That's the end of Chapter 8! I hope you enjoyed it: )
A very sad ending...I'm sorry for that. T.T
Well, thank you very much for reading! I hope you have a wonderful day: 3
This has been a partial tribute to the Third Hokage, Sarutobi.
May your spirit live on in the hearts of the citizens of Konoha.
You will be missed dearly.
-Apple Fairy