Hope For The Future

A/N: The beginning of this chapter will begin with Naruto's POV. It will then continue with third person as it did in the prologue. Please enjoy!

Chapter 1: Support

"Sasuke…"

The slow passing minutes had blurred and resulted in hours. It was unmistakably past midnight with the gray, dreary clouds, which seemed to cover all of the universe. No light was cast down by the tiny stars that dotted the vast range of sky or the small sliver of moon that usually glowed in the darkness. In fact, it almost appeared that my dreams themselves had been covered by this dark veil as well.

Feeling the navy cloak that adorned Uchiha Sasuke slip beneath my fingers as he moved away from my touch was enough to prove my theory.

I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Sakura had dropped her arms to their designated sides. I'm sure if I took a glance at her, moisture would be glistening in her emerald eyes. But I didn't look. My own gaze was too preoccupied boring into my former teammate as he silently drifted away.

I knew he had had enough of our comfort. He expected nothing but pity from us, and to him that was what he had gained. His corrupted mind couldn't understand that we just wanted to help him soothe his pain.

Unfortunately, Sakura –not even I— could change this tragic truth.

"So, you're going to leave us again?" Sakura whispered in a soft tone. There was no accusation or anger in her words. It was only a simple question that I feared would be asked in this meeting.

Sasuke did not reply. He only continued to walk, avoiding the spilled blood on the ground. Sakura and I were not on top of his priority list to speak with at the moment; in fact, I believed we were among the lowest.

A deep sigh escaped my lips.

"Is that how it is, Sasuke?" As expected, there was no answer. I laughed softly at the absurdity of it all. "You only saw us as tools before and it still remains like that, doesn't it?"

Sakura started to murmur her protest, but I gently placed a hand on her shoulder. She stared at me for a small moment in silence, hurt laced into her gaze. I nodded in understanding, but ignored it as I noticed Sasuke's pace start to slow.

"…But it won't solve anything, now will it?." I paused slightly to watch him for a reaction. His figure appeared slightly more rigid. He had almost completely halted, but his back remained towards us.

I swallowed to wet my throat before continuing.

"You can continue to ignore us your entire life so you can endure this pain on your own…but it will only leave you alone, even more hurt than when your journey had begun."

My mind hadn't registered that a few tears had fallen onto the ground. However, I could feel Sakura's worried gaze watch me as my body mechanically started to walk towards Sasuke.

"I know you honestly don't care where your life leads anymore, but we still do." My voice dropped to a soft whisper. "And you know as well as I do that Sakura and I are not the only ones."

Sakura stepped up beside me, a sad, reassuring smile directed towards me. I smiled softly towards her before turning back to Sasuke. If I had Sakura's support, maybe breaking through to Sasuke was remotely possible.

Unfortunately, the hope that once flourished for such a possibility disappeared instantly.

"Naruto…" The first words that left his mouth were distant and cold. It sounded more of a dead, monotonous murmur than actual words. I tensed slightly as his chakra flared momentarily as if to warn me. But it didn't matter.

Yes, perhaps my life was in danger, but so was my bond with Sasuke.

And nothing, absolutely nothing would matter more to me now.

I was only a few feet away from him now, keeping just enough distance to be safe although I knew I was already pushing his patience. My arm raised as I offered my hand to him even though he faced away from me.

"As I told you before, you are not alone." My words were barely audible, but they held strong meaning. Not because I had said that phrase many times, but I had made it a promise.

"This—" I motioned towards the bloody scene to my left with a light jerk of my head. "—does not change anything because…" The corner of my lips twitched slightly as the next words left my mouth. I couldn't help the small, genuine smile that graced my concerned expression.

"…Because I am still here, remaining by your side."

"…Sasuke."

The only thing that I could comprehend next was Sakura's small intake of breath as the dry grass crunched close behind me. Crimson eyes watched me through hooded lids. I felt a light pressure on my neck.

A thin line of blood ran down my neck, dipping into the hollow of my neck before continuing its journey under my clothing. I didn't flinch when the pressure increased slightly, but I did refuse to let my eyes waver from my teammate's own.

"Bonds are useless and make you weak…" He whispered in his cold voice. "They are nothing but burdens to my life."

My hand quivered slightly as I lifted it further, towards Sasuke. In turn, he smack it away with his free hand, watching it as if it was cursed. My eyes narrowed slightly as the stinging began to die away instantly.

Despite Sasuke's first attempt to block my hand, I repeated my action more firmly. It wasn't a form of attack, but really, just to comfort him. The hand lightly placed onto his shoulder, brushing against the white sleeve of his kimono.

"See this, Sasuke?" I murmured aloud. His impassive exterior remained as I spoke.

My hand clutched his shoulder tightly to gain his attention, but cause no pain.

The pressure on my neck had only increased, but I simply ignored it.

Sakura appeared beside us, watching through suppressed worry. She held her hand closely to her chest, unconsciously, as if not knowing what to do. She fully knew what I had gotten us both into now. Either leave with our friend dead…or alive.

But those choices did not apply to me. In fact, my mind and heart had already convinced itself how we would be leaving.

With Sasuke.

Alive.

"As long as my hand is strong enough to clutch your shoulder, dying or not, I will stand by your side." Sasuke blinked once, his guarded expression containing mild surprise, but quickly vanished soon after appearing. "Until the end, Sasuke. Mine or yours…"

I chuckled softly and smiled warmly.

"Hell, if we're lucky, maybe both."

Sakura blinked once as she stared at the two men in front of her. One who remained confident after all these years his team had been shattered into pieces. The other who continued his impassive charade and didn't seem very affected by the separation. So different…yet so close together.

The warmth glowing in Naruto's cerulean eyes was contagious. She couldn't help the small smile that graced her lips, even though the situation was clearly inappropriate. They shouldn't have been smiling, but they were.

Sasuke's head had lowered slightly, his distant, calculating gaze unreadable. He seemed unaffected by Naruto's words. The smile faded away as she watched with a small fear beginning to bloom. Even before the question entered her mind, Sakura felt the anxiety hit her like a finishing blow.

What if this was the end? Not of Team 7, because that had already occurred—the mere thought caused moisture to form in her eyes--but of their lives. Their dreams.

Fortunately, the question was answered before it could further trouble her mind.

Unfortunately, it wasn't what she had expected.

Sasuke's sword left Naruto's neck, briefly stunning the pink-haired woman. Ignoring the blood dripping off the blade, he sheathed it without a second thought.

Naruto's hand slipped away from Sasuke's shoulder as he watched in silence.

Sasuke looked up from his sheath, his eyes meeting Naruto's. The air instantly filled with tension as their gazes met. Sakura shifted uneasily, glancing between the two. It was if she was experiencing the battle of their wills.

However, before she could clearly see the emotions exchanged between them, the moment ended.

Naruto's eyes seemed to brighten slightly as he smiled.

Sasuke showed no emotion, but simply extended his hand. What surprised Sakura was that there was absolutely no hesitation in his choice.

Grabbing the offered hand firmly, Naruto silently agreed to a deal that Sakura had failed to understand. Sasuke equally squeezed his former teammate's hand for an answer.

A deep sigh escaped her lips.

It didn't matter how long the deal would last. It didn't even matter that it could end by the end of their new mission. The three who had taken different paths were now together again, even if it was for a short time.

Besides, this mission did not really include her. She was simply the medic after all despite the insane amount of strength she possessed. And perhaps, Sakura did not want to be included as much as she originally had thought.

After all, it had been years since she had heard from Sasuke, let alone seen him. In all honesty, Sakura believed she didn't have the faith that Naruto had in order to trust Sasuke. To her, the bonds really had been severed between Team 7 in more ways in one. Each as painful as the next.

But somehow…Naruto's bond remained just as strong as it had been many years ago, perhaps, stronger.

Desperately hoping that Naruto had seen the pain dwelling within her emerald eyes, Sakura quickly glanced away towards the crimson stained ground. Grief suddenly weighed down on her heart – more powerful than it had ever seemed to be. Her composure, her fake mask, everything that she had purposely hid to relieve Naruto of any pain was finally crashing.

Moisture stung her eyes.

All from one meeting…one meeting…with Sasuke.

The unfamiliar feeling of warm, salty tears running down her cheeks was enough to turn her back on the sight of Naruto and Sasuke. It was too much to handle.

Severed bonds weren't meant to be repaired for a temporary time.

Teammates weren't supposed to join together after such a long time and believe they would leave unaffected.

And especially, three weren't needed when only two could finish a mission.

The next thought to enter her mind caused her to step forward. She couldn't simply watch Team 7 to break apart again. There was nothing in the world that could convince her to stay.

I have to leave.

Another hesitant step before Sakura's body was filled with anxiety as the muscle tension in her legs built up. Even her chakra seemed to support her as she sprang off in a sprint – carefully keeping enough distance between her and the bloodied scene.

If she could just disappear over the hill, maybe they would move on their mission. Her eyelids dropped slightly as more tears flew past her.

Just need to leave their sight…Just need to stay away from--

Sakura's eyes widened as an arm wrapped around her upper waist, pulling her into a solid object. She fell to her knees and forearms, hands tightly gripping the grass. Uncontrollable sobs already racked her body as she shook violently.

Naruto's somber gaze settled on Sakura as he gently, but firmly continued to keep her in place. Exhaling a deep breath, he dropped beside her without relinquishing his hold on the distraught kunoichi.

"Sakura…"

Carefully handling her as if she was glass, Naruto pulled Sakura towards him. He felt completely helpless to soothe her pain – but knew he could not allow his teammate to leave now. He glanced up at Sasuke.

The raven-haired man simply watched the scene play out from a comfortable distance of several yards away. His eyes held no emotion as usual, however, they did hold a strange, but distant glow that could in no possible way -- be explained.

Neither.

The word seemed to echo in his mind.

Neither of them will leave my sight.

…

Even if it kills me.

The next few hours were spent walking silently as they headed west towards the Village Hidden in the Grass. By morning, the small group would reach the halfway point and stop for a short rest in the nearest rural town possible. As in the Genin days, Sasuke was not expected to slow down for anyone, not even for emergencies.

However, Naruto had known this from the beginning despite the mission they were planning on completing.

The only logical reason the temporarily reformed 'Team 7' wasn't traveling to the Sound Village was simply because Sasuke had heard Orochimaru's plan to gain allies to take his revenge on the larger countries. It might have been misinformation to distract them, but for now, it was the only lead they possessed.

Naruto stole a concerned glance towards Sakura, who was walking up a little farther ahead of them. She hadn't improved much, if anything during the entire trip thus far. Ignoring the urge to sigh, Naruto increased his pace in order to catch up to his pink-haired teammate.

Sasuke noticed the Kyuubi-container drift away, but said nothing.

You can't keep what remains of this team together forever…

Naruto.

"Leave if you wish then, Naruto." Sakura murmured softly as she quietly slid into a booth in the isolated section of the bar. Yes, perhaps it wasn't the best place to rest with all the smoke lingering among them and horrible lighting, but it was this – or an over-expensive hotel room. As far as money and time wise, this was probably for the better.

Naruto shook his head in disagreement as he sat next to her. She scooted away until there was an obvious distance in-between them. The tension and mood remained from the conversation on the dirt road.

Sasuke silently sat down in front of them. His guarded expression boring into Naruto and Sakura as they continued to softly bicker.

"We're a team, Sakura-chan." Naruto countered, restraining his voice from growing in volume.

"Of course we're a team. Even after all the grief and emotional trauma we experienced, nothing has changed." The sarcastic tone in her voice caused Naruto to blink in surprise as his brow furrowed in frustration.

"Besides…I am merely the useless medic of this team. If it wasn't for my medical abilities, I would not be needed." Sakura narrowed her eyes painfully. This conversation was only recreating horrible memories of the last few years. All the pain she had to endure when she thought of Sasuke or the complete Team 7 seemed even stronger. Those years of enduring were pointless because now, the pain and grief was fresh from meeting Sasuke and Naruto's false belief that things would be the same again.

Well, it wouldn't be the same.

Not after Sasuke's departure from the village.

Not after the broken promises Naruto had made even though he desperately tried.

Not after the life-or-death fight between her teammates that left Naruto injured and Sasuke free to join ranks with Orochimaru.

Naruto opened his mouth to speak, but Sakura spoke first. "Once I am not needed, you'll tell me everything is alright and leave to finish the job." Her emerald eyes held pain like never before. All the years of hiding the pain -- they were becoming unwound.

"Always leaving me behind to protect me from harm..." Her voice faltered and faded away into silence. However, it didn't take long for it to return. The tears that threatened to fall only encouraged her to speak, so she could remain strong.

"...But all it actually did was hurt me more than any physical blow. I didn't know if I would see either of you again and..." Sakura bowed her head in silence, unable to force the next words out. Her heart ached as if a heavy weight had dropped onto it -- crushing it.

I wouldn't know if it would be the last time I would see either of you...

For all I had known, you were both at the mercy of your target.

His concerned gaze was boring into her. He was worried and possibly, taking pity on her. Sasuke and Naruto had left her behind quite a bit, but it was only to protect her. Just as it would be this time…

Sakura's eyes shifted to the silent, but ever-present Uchiha across the booth. "And how am I to know you or Naruto will return this time?" Sasuke did not appear affected by her words, but she could clearly see that his mind was in deep thought.

Naruto unconsciously grasped one of her hands in his own to gain her attention. Her emerald eyes drifted to his and instantly locked. A strange familiar emotion dwelled in the depths of his cerulean eyes. She had seen it before somewhere…

Confidence? Trust? Seriousness?

Understanding finally hit her like a train wreck.

"Naruto—" She began to protest softly, but firmly. She didn't get the chance to finish. Her eyes widened as he spoke in an equally whispered tone.

The tips of Sasuke's lips twitched slightly. Those values Naruto displayed were the basic traits of a promise. It reminded him of the promises Naruto always made and managed to keep.

At first, Sasuke had thought it was merely a coincidence, but as the time came to pass and more promises were made, he realized it was the truth. Naruto was actually able to keep those promises and fulfill them. He was a man of his word, and would probably always be one.

How do you know we'll return, Sakura-chan?

Sakura found herself in Naruto's strong arms – ignoring some of the staring bar dwellers from their own booths. Tears ran down her cheeks, but not the kind she had expected. No, not the grieving kind. But when someone has promised you something, and you know, it will happen. To put it in simple terms…

She was relieved.

Because you will be there with us.

Her gaze slowly drifted towards the Uchiha who had been watching them the entire time. She knew he would not make promises to her to soothe her. He was too realistic, but she didn't mind.

Sasuke had his own goals to achieve and that did not include staying with Team 7. He was an avenger – who didn't care if he sacrificed himself to finish what had been promised – and this proved he would not give her any false hope. However, that's why she admired him, even now after the grief and hard years.

For now, she had both of them.

And no matter what had been caused in the past – they were all together in this with no exceptions.

Sakura relaxed slightly in Naruto's arms, allowing his warmth to surround her. She couldn't leave them because she would be left with an empty feeling. Even if she stayed with them, it caused pain – but she wanted to endure. Because an even stronger part of her wanted to see them both and keep together as long as she could.

Naruto glanced over Sakura's head towards Sasuke. Although the Uchiha had been silent the entire conversation, he was glad his teammate was still here.

Without speaking, Naruto mouthed the words he had been waiting to say for the longest time.

Thank you…

Sasuke.

A/N: The plot is starting to be revealed a little more as we continue, ne? If you read closely, you'll be able to find the target of the mission. As things progress further, all the clues will tie together into one final chapter.

I hope you have all enjoyed this chapter. I know the anguish was in here quite a bit, which matched my own because of all the rain I've experienced this weekend. We also got a little of Sasuke's perspective, although not much. That also reminds me of a question I wanted to ask all the readers…

Is Sasuke greatly OOC or just slightly? Looking at the situation, I believe he isn't entirely OOC, although I know I can't match his personality perfectly. Sasuke isn't the easiest character to portray, as we all know.

I'm also trying very hard to equal out the parts with the Team 7 members. However, for this chapter, I needed Sakura more than usual to bring out some emotions. I guess we just need more Sasuke, huh? :)

Anyways, please look forward to the next chapter. More surprises are coming up soon.

Until next update,

SharinganAnbuSakura