Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto
AN: Heheh. My one shot got more hits than this story. Funny. Oh well. At least I have SOME fans right? ;)
Suna,
Streets
"And this is where we ha-…."
Naruto tuned the voice out as they walked. The Suna Chuunin ahead was currently giving Naruto a tour of the different districts within the village as ordered by the Kazekage. It was more out of formality than anything else. He knew this village almost as much as he knew his own. Naruto just nodded now and then to maintain the illusion of paying attention.
The Chuunin, Raki, continued to sprout useful information, but it flew over Naruto. The blond's eyes and thoughts were on the person to Raki's right.
Sakura's attitude had been slightly depressing since their talk. It was not like she was sulking around and crying her eyes out, but she seemed to always be deep in thought and avoiding unnecessary conversation with him. He didn't quite understand. Sure his words had a little bite behind them but it had seemed she didn't even notice. In that case shouldn't she have been happy there were no underlying feelings to complicate their friendship?
Trying to figure out what was wrong with the Kunoichi just made Naruto feel guilty. He wondered how she would react. Two nights ago he relieved her of her fear of losing their friendship. How was she going to feel next week when she finds out she was right all along? That he loved her, and for his own sake needed time away from her. That her fears were coming through and she would lose him, if only for a period of time.
He sighed.
"Huh? I'm sorry if I'm boring you Naruto-sama."
Naruto shook out of his daze and saw the dejected look on Raki's face. This kid was one of Naruto's biggest fans and had practically begged Gaara to be his escort, and yet, here he was being ignored by his idol.
Ignored. A feeling Naruto knew well.
He slipped on an apologetic smile. "Eh…Gomen nasai Raki-kun. I just had something on my mind."
This response seemed to be enough as Raki's face lit up and he grinned from ear to ear. Naruto saw Sakura's eyebrows raise in question out of the corner of his eye. They turned together, and for the first time in two days, their eyes met.
The rest of the world melted away in a blur of random shapes and colors, leaving the two of them alone in each other's eyes.
'I hate his eyes... They're always so innocent.' thought Sakura.
She had not been herself since the talk with Naruto. She had been sad, and disappointed for the past two days. She never thought it would happen, but Uzumaki Naruto had given up on her… and she was hopelessly in love with him.
But that was not the main reason for her sadness, no.
It was bad timing. He liked her for years and she always ran after Sasuke. Even after seeing the longing in his eyes she could no sooner change the feelings in her own heart back then as he could in his. No, life played them a messed up hand and she would deal with it.
What was saddening her though, was the thought of saying goodbye. Naruto never took the loss of his precious people very well. He struggled through his childhood, earning those bonds by sweat,tears and blood. It would be even worse since it would be losing her for a while. She wasn't foolish enough to not realize that she was his best friend. His most precious person...Although that had been changing the past few months hadn't it? She swallowed.
In any case she knew what she had to do and plans were already made. She sent a message to Konoha yesterday and received her reply this morning. In the message, she informally asked Tsunade for an A to S-ranked mission for an extended period. She also requested that Naruto not be on the team.
The reply was an informal one as well. Not from a Hokage, but from a mentor and motherly figure.
Sakura,
If you are wasting my time and sent me that letter after something idiotic Naruto did then so help me Kami, you will be working shifts in the hospital that you never thought possible. On the other hand, the only reason that you would have would be if you told him…and he rejected you. I can't see Naruto do that. I really can't. None the less, I just happen to have a mission that you would be perfect for. However, I am not guaranteeing that you will get it. When you are back in Konoha, come see me and we'll talk. If it's a good reason, and that you're not just running away, I will grant it. Think this over properly Sakura. For this mission, begins the night you arrive home if you are on time. You won't get a chance to say goodbye to anyone, including Naruto.
Shishou
Sakura couldn't help but feel sad thinking about it. Especially when Tsunade wrote she really can't see Naruto rejecting her because she couldn't see it either. But Naruto said it himself. He no longer held those feelings for her. That was as good as a rejection in her eyes.
"Sakura-chan."
She snapped out of her thoughts and realized she was now, in the middle of the road, facing Naruto.
She looked around her quickly, and noticed that Raki had since left, and they were close together.
"What's wrong, Sakura-chan?"
She looked into his eyes. The intensity in them, near palpable.
There was a change in the air as well. It felt heavy, but warm. Her heartbeat sped up a little.
His caring eyes, so full of concern, so full of….what was that emotion?
She found herself caught in it, unable to look away. It was so fierce and overwhelming. So all-consuming. And yet it warmed her body. Inviting her in to make herself at home. But she knew if she entered that shining white door, there would be no escaping.
"Sakura!"
They both snapped out of the trance and saw Temari running towards them.
Naruto tried to avoid Sakura's eyes after the… well…..'Intimate' moment.
He failed however and glanced in the pink haired girl's direction, and though shocked, was happy he did because she too was turning a nice shade of red.
'Sakura-chan.'
"Sakura! You need to come quickly!" Temari shouted. She dropped in front of the pair putting her hands on her knees, supporting herself as she tried to breathe.
Sakura could sense the state of urgency in the older woman's voice and actions. "What's wrong?"
The blond Kunoichi's speech was impeded by her lack of breath.
"Shika….. his team…hos…pital…Kiba…bad state."
Before Temari say more, Sakura was but a blur on the rooftops of Suna. Naruto stared at the retreating figure before turning a concerned eye to Temari.
She seemed to read his mind. "I'll catch up."
Naruto disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Naruto watched Sakura work on Kiba. Her hair done up in hastily thrown together bun/ponytail thing and her gloves removed. Nostalgia filled his senses and he remembered the time she saved Kankuro all those years ago, in the same room. From the look on her face and and the medics assisting her, Kiba seemed to be out of the danger zone.
Pride spread through his body as he watched Sakura save one of his friends. And as the pride had swollen, it deflated just as quickly. Now a sense of longing filled his body. He wanted to go and hug her from behind and say good job. To be honest, this was the most attractive he'd seen her in a long time. Face set in determination, confidence brimming from every pore, tone with authority. It made Naruto shiver.
After about ten minutes with Kiba breathing silently, Sakura tried to wipe her forehead with her shoulders while finishing up. She was then surprised when a small towel was patting her forehead dry. She looked at her 'rescuer' and blushed.
"A-arigato..Naruto," she stuttered with a small blush on her face.
"You're welcome…." He stated with intensity behind his words and eyes.
Sakura blushed even more and turned to the sleeping body of Kiba while she finished up. She concentrated on her work but she could tell that Naruto had not taken his eyes off her. In fact, from her peripheral, she could tell he was staring intently. She shook her head and tried to concentrate on her task.
When that was done she walked over to Ino who was in a bad state, but would have lasted longer than Kiba without attention.
"What happened to her?" she asked Shikamaru.
The shadow Nin, who was being bandaged on the arm by Temari, turned to look at Sakura.
"She didn't stop."
Sakura's eyebrows rose. "Nani?"
Shikamaru gazed at Sakura with intensity that she had not seen before in his eyes.
"Kiba started to bleed out more than a day ago. We had no more clotting pills. Ino was already drained from the fight and had barely any chakra left. Instead of seeing about her own leg, she kept pouring whatever chakra had replenished every hour into Kiba's wounds."
Shikamaru tore his eyes away from Sakura and rest them on the prone form of his long time teammate. "I'm surprised she isn't dead from chakra exhaustion."
Sakura's eyes were slightly wider than normal, but soon, they were glistening. "A medic Ninja's second most important goal…..never lose a patient," she whispered as a smile graced her face.
Seeing her smile, Naruto had to fight to keep his mouth from dropping open. 'Beautiful.' Sakura then turned to him, and Naruto jumped and started to sweat. 'I hope I didn't say that out loud!'
"Naruto," said the angelic voice. "Come here for a moment please."
'Oh shit…I'm dead'
At first, Naruto just stood there, frozen. But after a while he eventually starting advancing towards Sakura …..albeit slowly. At the end of his short trek He was now standing on the other side of Ino's gurney, which was separating him and Sakura.
"Do you trust me?"
Naruto looked up from Ino and stared at Sakura in the eyes. To his relief, he saw the happy, cheerful Sakura that he had always known. The fact she was proud of Ino must have made her forget whatever was troubling her for the past few days. This made him relax and he answered her with sincerity.
"With my life…..Sakura-chan."
If he thought her smile couldn't get any bigger he was wrong and the pink haired girl beamed brightly.
"Do you remember giving your chakra to Chiyo-Baasama?" she asked him.
Naruto raised an eyebrow in question. 'Well that was random,' he thought. He then thought back to the time she was referring to. It was their fight with Akatsuki, trying to save Gaara. Gaara had already been lost to them and it was Chiyo, who brought him back with a technique, with the help of Naruto's chakra.
"Hai," was the simple response.
Sakura tucked the hair in front of her behind her ear while smiling. She put her two hands over Ino's chest area.
"Would you please lend some chakra to Ino?"
Naruto's eyes widened and he looked at Sakura like if she grew a new head. Shikamaru and Neji also raised eyebrows at this.
"Wouldn't that be dangerous Sakura? I mean, Naruto's chakra isn't like ours."
Naruto silently thanked Shikamaru for voicing his concern out loud.
"I didn't mean Kurama's. Naruto still has his own chakra reserve. The Uzumaki chakra has a vitality quality that would help heal much faster."
Sakura looked at Naruto. "Daijoubu," she whispered with a sweet smile.
Assured, Naruto let out his own smile. "What do I do?" he asked. As he looked at Sakura he got confused. She suddenly looked surprised. She bit her lip slightly and brought her gaze to her hands on Ino's chest. "Um…J-just put your hands on mine..." she whispered.
Now it was Naruto's turn to look a little surprised. He stood still. He just stared at Sakura's hands, as though evaluating them. But after a while, he slowly reached out and gently placed his hands on Sakura's.
He released some chakra into her hands and both kept looking at the point of joining. Neither was willing to look up lest the other see the blush on their face. Everyone in the room either, smiled softly at the interaction, looked away, or muttered 'mendoukse'.
'His hands….his chakra…..it's so warm,' Sakura thought.
The chakra was spreading through Ino's body and she was already starting to look a little better. It was then Naruto realized that he only had a few more moments before she woke up and he would have to stop holding Sakura's hands.
'Might as well make the most of it.'
With that, he slowly, inconspicuously, caressed the top of her hand with his thumb. He swallowed and closed his eyes. It felt heavenly sliding across her smooth skin. But little did he know that his actions were getting stronger by the second.
Sakura concentrated on healing Ino, but she knew what she was feeling. Naruto…..caressing her hand…
She wondered if it was out of concern knowing Ino was her best friend…or if it was something else.
After all, weren't they having a moment before Temari interrupted them?
Sakura looked up. As sensing her, Naruto's eyes opened.
'Oh shit…..she caught me…..'
But even as Naruto thought this he did not panic. This was because it was overwhelmed by sadness at the question in her eyes.
But before he could sink into a deeper sadness, Sakura placed her bottom hand on top of his so hers were sandwiching his. His eyes quickly snapped to her hands, then to her. His eyes, searching for something…something looking like acceptance. And it was then Sakura realized… no matter how much he denied it….she knew it would be a lie. He still had feelings for her. It may have been small, hell it may have been in his subconscious. But they were there. And Sakura was happy.
'Maybe….there's still hope,' they both thought.
"Fore….head….."
Sakura's eyes dropped to her long time rival/friend.
She released the hold from Naruto's hands, albeit reluctantly and lightly pushed back the blond Kunoichi's hair as relief and joy flowed through her body. "Hey there Ino-Butta," she teased playfully while staring fondly at her friend.
Ino half smiled, before looking down her body. She realized that she still had the gash on her thigh. "Sakura-chan, my leg…," she whined like a little child.
Sakura just smiled. "One of the med Nins put a little ointment on it already. Don't worry about the internal injuries. You've got some 'special chakra' flowing through ya," she replied cheerfully with a wink.
It was then Ino looked to her right and saw Naruto, smiling down at her. She half chuckled half snorted. "Well the blond baka to the rescue again. What do you know?"
Naruto simply chuckled and kissed her forehead.
"Naruto."
Naruto spun around. "Kaka-sensei? When did you get here?"
Kakashi merely leant on the wall next to Shikamaru and folded his arms. "That isn't important. Shikamaru has something to tell you that is."
Naruto cocked an eyebrow, silently waiting for Shikamaru to explain.
"They've got her."
Naruto was now confused as hell. 'Got who?'
He looked around at the four Anbu looking for answ-…wait….four?
"Hey….where's Hina-" he started. But when his eyes travelled the room and landed back on Shikamaru he got his answer for both of his questions.
"Who has her?" he yelled with urgency.
Shikamaru just sighed, and put a gentle hand on Temari's, silently telling her to stop what she was doing. Temari hesitated for a moment as she had not finished putting a bandage on another slice. But in the end she knew it was a tense enough moment and she backed off.
Shikamaru looked to Naruto again.
"Akatsuki," he said bluntly.
Naruto's eyes widened, in shock, sadness, anger, frustration. He was simply livid.
"We have to go for her right now!"
He turned to Kankuro who chose to stay just outside the room. "Go and tell Gaara we require Suna's aid in retrieving one of our comrades!"
"You can't do that Naruto!"
Naruto's head snapped in Neji's direction. And boy was he pissed. "And why the fuck not?" She was his freaking cousin! For Kami's sake.
"Because he said he will kill her if anyone but you pass the forest's border. He also said you had three days, which means a day and a half from now. Tomorrow night."
Naruto just stood there perplexed. He looked around the room at everyone. Looking for some sort of clue as to what was going on. Quickly, he shook his head side to side. He did not understand all of this.
"We can surprise them! They won't know the others are there!"
Once again, Shikamaru shot him down. "He's too good for that. That's like saying Kakashi doesn't have the sharingan."
That was it. Naruto couldn't take it anymore. "WHO? THE FLYING FUCK! IS THIS HE?"
Shikamaru only stared at the floor for but a second before raising just his eyes to meet Naruto's, knowing this was going to hit home, and hard.
"...Sasuke."
'Sasuke?'
It was the most frightened anyone had ever seen Naruto. His skin was pale and his eyes were wide. His body trembled.
'Sasuke…has Hinata,' he finally registered.
He looked into the eyes of Sakura, and she in his. She had the same fear in her eyes.
The room was still. Not one sound could be heard except the breathing of a sleeping Kiba. All the members in the room, whether sitting or leaning against the wall, were solemn. Naruto, gaze set to the floor, was thinking deeply.
He had barely moved since he found out about Sasuke's involvement in Hinata's kidnapping. He looked so lost.
"I guess there's no other choice."
His eyes looked around at his friends in resignation. He slowly got off the gurney and stood still for a while.
"If I want to make it on time I have to leave now."
He let out a deep breath before his eyes steeled with resolve. Everyone watched him with incredulity as he headed for the exit.
"You can't."
Naruto stopped. It was but a whisper, but everyone in the room heard it.
"Sasuke, has no reason to fight fair Naruto…The rest of Hawk may be lying in ambush…there may even be Akatsuki…"
Naruto turned around and stared into Sakura's eyes. They were pleading to him, practically begging him, not to go.
Sakura was so afraid for him. She could not bear the thought of seeing Naruto as she saw Gaara five years ago. Because there was no Chiyo this time. No technique that could bring back the dead.
Naruto frowned at her. "I would never let a comrade die."
He looked away. Pain etched on his face. "Especially if it was for me."
Sakura shook her head. He was being unreasonable. She looked at him again using her hands to plead with her. "But if you go then you will die!"
Naruto's face contorted with anger. "If Hinata lives then it'll be worth it!"
Ouch. The rest of the group winced. Even Neji had a small grimace on his face. The expression on Sakura's face was near heartbreaking.
It was no secret that Hinata and Naruto had been spending more time together recently than even Sakura and Naruto had. And everyone in the room knew that Sakura was afraid of the implication but never found the courage to ask him just where Hinata stood in his life.
Sakura stood still and she could feel the sting in her heart. She looked at him with sad eyes, and he looked at her with angry ones.
She closed her eyes, swallowed, and tried to hold back any tears that wanted to fall. It hurt her so much. But she was a strong Kunoichi. And she would not let something as small as that statement break her down tonight. "Naruto…..if you go…..then not only will you die… with the Bijou chakra in Akatsuki's hands all of us will die…all of your precious people," she finished slowly.
She opened her eyes and stared into his. His face had somewhat softened but still held anger in them. She knew he realized she was right but he did not want to abandon Hinata.
But Sakura knew what would push him over the edge, and she went for it. "That's not something a Hokage would do….."
Naruto's eyes widened slightly as realization slapped him in the face. Even if he saved Hinata, with Kurama in Tobi's possession, he could carry out his plan and she would still die along with all of his friends, along with Sakura.
His face softened and he looked quite lost. He looked around the room at everyone trying to draw ideas from them. He got nothing from the blank stares and solemn faces. Eventually he just shook his head and sat down dejectedly.
He stared at the ground and cursed his weakness. "Some Hokage I would make…."
This time, that statement didn't sting Sakura alone, but everyone in the room.
He sighed and put his hands together. His hands went through his hair, pulling it lightly and massaging his scalp.
He looked up at Shikamaru, and he knew the shadow Nin figured out the only move available long before Naruto even wanted to accept it.
"There's only one choice then," he began.
He turned to Sakura and looked her straight into the eyes. "I can't guarantee Hinata will come back alive, but I need to try. At the same time, if I die, we can't have my chakra being extracted by the Akatsuki."
Sakura felt another pang in her heart, hearing him saying 'if he died'.
Naruto turned his head and once again looked to the members of the group. Kiba and Ino were out. Shikamaru, Neji, Kakashi and himself. All of them were some of the strongest Konoha had to offer, but not strong enough to take on the combined might of Akatsuki and Hawk. He dropped his head again, and he sighed. He thought about Sakura. He would prefer have her strength if Hawk and Akatsuki attacked. But in a mission like this where grievous injuries were almost assured, it would probably be best she stayed in the village and awaited their arrival. She'd need to be the one to heal them all. Not to mention Kiba would probably need her attention for the next few days.
"Kankuro."
The puppet master turned to the blond haired shinobi.
Naruto kept his gaze forward, while addressing the Suna Nin.
"On behalf of Konoha, I would like to have three squads of your best hunter Nin and Temari to accompany us on our trip."
Kankuro raised an eyebrow. He was about to protest but Naruto's voice got deeper….and it was frightening.
"Kankuro…send my request to Gaara…now….."
Kankuro stammered and his hand shook. That voice…..it sounded like…Kyuubi…
'….It's fine... Just Naruto's emotions acting up.'
But that didn't stop his fear. Instead, he bowed quickly and stammered out a yes and left.
Naruto's eyes were slightly red and his canines were enlarged. "Kaka-sensei….you and the others will accompany me as far as the border of the forest. There you will wait until you can't feel my chakra anymore."
Kakashi merely closed his eye, for he knew this was the only option available to them.
Sniff
The sound was as loud as a gunshot in such a tense atmosphere. Naruto looked out the corner of his eyes to his left and saw what he expected. Her tears, streamed down her face, and she made no attempt to hide it from everyone. She slowly, turned, and walked a few steps before disappearing in a swirl of Sakura petals.
Silence engulfed them once again. After a while they turned back to Naruto who started getting up from his seat.
"If I die, you must make sure my body doesn't fall in the hands of Akatsuki. My information tells me that if you delay them for an hour after death my chakra would be lost to the world and they won't be able to use it. The edge of the forest is far but you should be able to catch up to us. If it's one on one I'm sure Sasuke will be in no shape to fight after our battle, and he won't be able to go too far with his injuries while carrying my body."
"And if it's not one on one?" asked Ino, who was still glancing at the spot Sakura had disappeared from.
"Even if all of team Hawk is there, I will take out the leader first. Cut of the head of the snake and the body is nothing. No matter what happens, even if I die, I will save Hinata."
He looked around the room and stared at his friends. All of them, looking at him. Their heads raising up in the air.
"As cool as that sounded, I'd prefer if you didn't die."
Naruto smirked. Everyone turned to Shikamaru, and when he noticed, he let out a groan. "Mendoukse."
After a little grumbling, he turned to Naruto, serious. "Naruto. Sasuke's had time to recover from our fight. We've been going non stop since then. None of us can take Sasuke in our current states. Not even Neji. Much less take on team Hawk and Akatsuki."
Naruto took this in and nodded slowly at Shikamaru. "You're right. In the state the rest of you are, a team Konoha vs. Akatsuki would result in certain death."
The Konoha Nin dropped their heads, cursing their weakness.
But Naruto still had a smirk on his face.
"But Sasuke won't be unscathed at the end of the fight. Also..."
He turned to Shikamaru.
"... do you really think, even if Sasuke was fresh, he would be assured a victory againstthe original Rokudaime candidate?"
Kakashi smirked.
AN: Well…..I don't know….I just didn't know what to do with this chapter…BLAH! I really don't like it but I PROMISE to make the other chapters better. Sorry again. Oh. READ AND REVIEW!