The Curse
Chapter Sixteen: Defense
Pain was the only thing that registered in Sasuke's clouded mind, shooting agonizingly through his body like the deadly electric current he was so keen on using during battle. The uncomfortable dampness of crimson blood was soaking into his shirt and heavy cloak, seeping alarmingly fast from the gaping wound in his abdomen. That same thick liquid was clogging his throat, trickling past his pale lips and trailing across bruised skin.
He was dying. Uchiha Sasuke was dying.
Strangely, the thought didn't bother the Avenger. His muscles were unwinding, the injury was becoming a dull throb to his senses, and his eyesight was steadily darkening with unconsciousness.
It felt nice – to let go, to not worry about who to kill, to not think about sacrifices made by older brothers, betrayals made by a Village he once called home, the extinction of his entire Clan, and a brutal war that he helped instigate. He could now close his eyes – eyes that didn't even belong to him – and pass on with the ironic thought that it was Uzumaki Naruto who had brought him to his demise – after vicious exchanges of fists, feet, and Ninjutsu – it was Uzumaki Naruto who dealt the final, fatal blow of a spinning Rasengan to a careless opening.
His tightened fist relaxed and he blinked his hazy vision, seeing nothing but blurred shapes in shaded colors. His hearing was also muffled, but a familiar sound was pulling him back into focus – even through the deafening noises brought about by Naruto's and Uchiha Madara's continued, destructive battle.
"…suke…Sas…ke…Sasuke! Stay with me, damn it!"
The Uchiha blinked slowly, vision slightly focusing to see disfigured outlines of pink and green above him. He blinked again, trying to clear the haziness in his view, flinching as an unexpected yet gentle contact pressed near his abdominal wound.
Muttering followed, feminine and angry, but mainly concerned.
"Stupid Naruto, what was he thinking? He said he was going to immobilize you, not put you on the brink of death!"
Warmth began to seep into Sasuke's wound, yet despite the caution of the healer, the pain and discomfort of his skin knitting back together was not lost and a soft groan left his lips.
"Hang in there, Sasuke," The faint voice urged, nimble fingers gently caressing his sweat-slicked forehead.
After several minutes, Sasuke could feel himself gaining sharper awareness, his vision clearing and allowing him to blink up at Haruno Sakura as she silently yet efficiently poured glowing, green chakra into his recovering injury.
Although his mind was sluggish, when realization hit Sasuke, he directed a fierce glare at the Hidden Leaf kunoichi crouched beside him. If he had chakra, his Sharingan would have undoubtedly begun spinning.
"Leave," Sasuke rasped around the blood in his mouth, pure anger and hatred laced with his single, spoken word.
The young woman's emerald eyes briefly flickered his way before returning her complete attention to his bleeding wound, pink hair swaying with the determined shake of her head.
"No, Sasuke. If I do, you'll die."
"Leave," The Uchiha repeated forcefully – stronger – straining to lift his arm to swat her hands away from him, irritated when he found that he couldn't.
"…I've paralyzed your body," Sakura explained upon his frustrated confusion; she looked at him again, her entire expression serious, "It's for your own good."
"What would you know?" Sasuke spat – hissed – beyond angry; enraged that he was still alive, furious that the feelings of treachery and hurt and sadness were returning to the forefront of his mind, irritated that he was helpless to the whims of the woman above him, and annoyed with the soft, compassionate look that she was directing at him, "You don't know anything! Nothing at all!"
She stared at him then, her hands still glowing green, flickering with her momentary lapse in concentration, yet her irises had darkened – dulled even – before her brows furrowed with internal pain and struggle, a sad smile stretching across her lips, "Is it really my fault that I know nothing, Sasuke? I'm not ignorant because I choose to be and I don't desire to not understand your pain. What I do know is that you're suffering…And what I want you to know…Is that despite my unawareness of what's causing your pain, I still want to help you. We – Naruto and I – care about you." She turned away, blinking away wetness against her eyes that baffled Sasuke – why would she be crying? – and finished her healing of his injury, "So yes, I don't know anything. I know nothing and I don't understand. But I do care about you, Sasuke. I just…I just hope you can accept that at least…"
Sasuke wanted to retort. He wanted to sit up, push her away and leave – just run and never look back at her and her pained expressions. Her words left him mute as he watched her quickly swipe away stray tears while she examined his sore abdomen. What was there to say? She was…right. Although she knew nothing she still chased after him – her and Naruto. Did he ever stop to consider how much he really meant to his former teammates? Did he ever consider how much his abandonment and defection had affected them as much as Itachi had once done to him…?
His head was beginning to hurt with the tumult of thoughts now bombarding him, his eyes also beginning to throb with the emotions that were beginning to overwhelm him. He needed control. He needed to remember his initial mission – to destroy Konoha, to avenge Itachi, to kill anyone who had wronged him and his Clan.
An agonized scream yards away snapped the Uchiha from his thoughts, watching from his paralyzed position as Sakura's head whipped around, her glassy, emerald eyes fearfully darting about before she sucked in a sharp breath.
"Naruto…" She whispered, struggling to stand up, even with the drain of chakra used in her effort to heal him. She looked back at him, reluctance painted on her worn and weary features before she curled her hand into a tight fist, "…I'll be back."
And Sakura took off, running into the fray of battle, leaving Sasuke immobilized and alone as he stared at the grey clouds above and heard the distant sounds of wounded cries, strained grunts, and the demolition of his surroundings.
As Sasuke laid there, his body numb to his own use, he couldn't help but think. Was this what Itachi had wanted of him? For more destruction and a shattered peace that he had worked so hard to prevent? Was his revenge misguided and warped by the sadness and anger revealed by the truth of his brother's sacrifice?
"I'd die before you take everything precious away from me," Naruto's deep vice growled loudly with vindication, "I'm going to protect my Village, my home, and all my friends…including Sasuke – especially Sasuke. He's not yours to manipulate anymore!"
"…Pitiful," Madara responded with mock, "All you Konoha shinobi are weak. No self-preservation at all. Just misguided beliefs of protecting people you love. Useless."
A fury built up within Sasuke upon those words. Itachi was not pitiful – far from it!
"It's you that's weak…" Sakura whispered angrily; her voice barely audible from the distance.
Madara laughed, condescending and amused, "Are you really so ready and willing to die, kunoichi? You've exhausted your chakra with all the healing you've performed – an impressive feat yet stupid action. You stand tall beside your companion hoping to defeat me but you and I both know that you are the burden. You are the weak one here. You'll die if you continue to confront me."
"Don't listen to him, Sakura-chan, you're not weak," Naruto assured strongly, "Not weak at all!"
Madara laughed again, still amused, "Let's put it to the test then. Your mentality first. Mangekyou Sharingan!"
It may have only been a few seconds but Sasuke could hear Sakura collapse with a cry, Naruto's worried call of her name echoing in the air, her pained whimpers drowned out by hasty footsteps that rushed for her.
"Sakura-chan!"
"Strong mind, that one," Madara observed, "Strong will too. But you have a glaring weakness, kunoichi. You are reckless, just like the Jinchuuriki. You both have the pointless and irritating will to never give up; you're both too emotionally driven," He laughed, "But you, kunoichi…You don't have the strength to carry through. So many insecurities. So many things to prove. So many ways for you to be exploited. Weak."
"Shut up!" Naruto snarled, although his tone turned worried and had softened, "…Sakura-chan, you shouldn't move."
"I'm…okay, Naruto," She answered, though her soft response betrayed the verbal reassurance.
"You're an annoying duo," Madara scoffed; however, Sasuke could hear the smirk in his voice as the older male continued, "And I know a quick way to remove one of you from the equation."
Everything happened quicker than his mind could process. The sound of metal cutting through air, the slide of footwear against stone, the desperate and fearful shout from Naruto, and a heavy weight falling against his unmoving body.
"Sakura-chan!"
Sasuke stared, eyes wide at the mop of pink hair obscuring his vision, onyx irises never straying from the long, silver blade protruding from her back. She coughed into his neck, warm liquid hitting his skin, and he could only lie there in stunned surprise.
"Just as I suspected," Madara stated, patronizing, "She'd risk her life, even for a traitor to her Village. What stupidity. Don't you see, Sasuke? Weak."
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto cried, running towards them, only to be intercepted by Madara, "You bastard!"
"Now," Madara responded smoothly, "To continue our battle."
The sound of Naruto's outraged, murderous shouts were multiplied by his Shadow Clone Ninjutsu, steadily moving away from Sasuke and Sakura as he engaged Madara once more into an unrelenting, fierce battle. Sasuke, however, couldn't pay attention. Sakura's shallow gasps were thunderous to his ears, lying on the cold ground, waiting with his own bated breaths for her next one to pass through.
She – Haruno Sakura – had saved his life at the risk of her own. She had…sacrificed herself to see him safe.
"Why?" Sasuke hissed unknowingly, anger and confusion and disbelief coloring his question.
Familiar warmth filled his veins, his mind absently registering a weight against his shoulder; her voice soft as she answered, "…Because I still care about you, Sasuke-kun. I will…always care about you…"
"…But why?" Sasuke repeated, anger fading, confusion growing – how could she care about him, after everything he had done?
She whimpered as she shifted, bringing the long blade away from his view, replaced by her tired, green eyes, and weak-smiled expression, "…Because I've known you, because I grew up with you, because you've protected me…Because at one point in your life…I know you cared about me and Naruto too…"
Again she shifted, lifting the hand resting on his shoulder to touch his cheek. Sasuke was surprised that his body reacted to the gentle touch – his hand had curled out of reflex and had almost lifted to take her hand into his own. She had removed his paralysis.
"I'm not entirely ignorant," Sakura whispered, closing her eyes, "…I know what happened to your family, Sasuke-kun…I know what happened to Itachi…"
His brows furrowed at the mention of his family and older brother, fingers clenching even tighter.
"But…not everyone in Konoha is at fault for what happened…" She continued, "Not everyone wants to hurt you or see you suffer. Especially not Naruto…And Kakashi-sensei…And me. Just know that…Please know that…" Another explosion sounded followed by Naruto's pained cry and she winced visibly, opening her eyes to connect with bottomless obsidian, "So please…Help Naruto…Please…Come back…"
Her eyes closed and her body went lax against his.
Sasuke didn't move for the longest time – and when he did, it was to lift his hand and cradle Sakura's head against his shoulder. He listened intently to her thin breaths until the sound of footwear hitting the ground just a meter away from him alerted him to a new presence.
"Hey, what are you lying around for?"
The form walked closer, hands already outstretched to remove Sakura's body from him when Sasuke allowed himself to glare heatedly into amethyst irises.
"Don't touch her," He commanded darkly, slowly sitting his sore body up yet still being mindful of the woman in his arms and the blade still protruding from her back.
"Why?" Suigetsu grinned, crossing his arms over his chest, "What's she to you?"
Sasuke didn't answer, his dark eyes instead scanning the area to see Naruto's and Madara's fight had moved even farther, the blonde's chakra fluctuating with the Kyuubi's power.
"Are you going to head back into battle?" The sharp-toothed male asked, "Do you want Juugo and me to back you and Madara up or do you just want us to deal with the Leaf Ninja?"
"…No," Sasuke finally answered after a short, contemplative silence. He stood, eyes cast on Sakura before he reluctantly removed the blade from her back, quickly staunching the wound with his torn cloak. His eyes narrowed before meeting Suigetsu's confused stare, "Change of plans. We are not to attack the Leaf…Madara is the enemy."
The pale-haired Missing Ninja's eyes widened, "Wait, what?"
"Hn," Sasuke grunted, wrapping the woman tightly in dark-clothed warmth before reluctantly handing her to his companion; he fixed him with a steady, warning stare, "Leaf is not the enemy; you will tell Juugo this."
"And her?" Suigetsu asked, bewildered as he stared at the woman in his arms.
Sasuke followed his gaze, his chest pulling at the sight of her blood-covered features, "…Take her to a safe place…And keep her safe. No harm will come to her."
Still baffled, Suigetsu stared at the Uchiha, "…And what are you going to do?"
The Uchiha remained silent, picking up his wayward Kusanagi before shifting his gaze to the battle still occurring yards away, his eyes slowly bleeding red and his fingers clenching tightly around the hilt of his weapon, "…I'm doing what I should have done a long time ago…"
Before Suigetsu could further question, Sasuke was already running into the destruction of two powerful forces, his shining blade arching in the air to catch the steel meant for Naruto's flesh, taking in the furious expression of Uchiha Madara and the astonished yet hopeful, happy grin of Uzumaki Naruto.
'Now I know where I belong…'
Sasuke blinked and the vivid memory began to fade away with the returning of his awareness, dark eyes taking in the dimmed surroundings of the Patrolling Facility. His body was stiff from hours of disuse sitting in the same position – on a cot with his back against the cool wall, right leg bent and right arm resting on his raised knee.
The Uchiha sighed, stretching out his rigid muscles and craning his head back, gathering his wayward thoughts.
When Sakura, Sasuke, and Souta had emerged from The Pit, Naruto had been strained from his usually exuberant personality. His grin was a little less bright, his shoulders were a little more hunched, and his royal blue eyes were a little dimmed – haunted even. Silence was Naruto's chosen demeanor during the introduction process of Akiyama Raiden and Takeshi Isamu, and the Uchiha clearly remembered Sakura's increasing worry for their blonde teammate's unusual behavior. However, the two didn't press the subject or question it – automatically assuming that Naruto's odd disposition was a side-effect of the incident that occurred in The Pit and the results that came from using the Kyuubi form.
Akiyama Raiden, Sasuke internally recalled, had presented himself first; his hand had outstretched, his shake had been firm, his eyes were hardened and professional, and his lips had been pulled slightly downward into a serious frown. Their introduction had been brief – names were exchanged, gratitude professed for their presence and aid, and a light smirk shared as he stated his admiration of Team Kakashi and their adventures. Both Sakura and Sasuke had been curt, but Raiden's sharp stare had probed them with knowing eyes, and a kind smile was offered as he thoughtfully suggested that they get some rest. Then he smoothly pulled Souta aside and led the younger boy away – most likely to find out exactly what had happened during their time in The Pit. Sasuke and Sakura weren't oblivious to the man's intentions; however, they were grateful that he was giving them space and not pushing for answers of what they had witnessed during their short time in the circular – and suffocating – room.
Before Sakura and Sasuke could question Naruto's welfare, Takeshi Isamu had suavely stepped forward and made his own preamble, charming grin gracing his angular and handsome features. Sasuke couldn't help but narrow his stare in distaste when the Rain Ninja winked a single grey-blue eye in Sakura's direction – earning an unsure but polite smile from the Leaf Kunoichi – his mouth opening to strike up a conversation, only to be interrupted by Akio, who called Isamu from Ground Level to help with Weapons Inventory. Both Sasuke and Naruto watched the taller man leave with similar scowls while Sakura tiredly rubbed at her temples.
With a weak smile, Sakura was finally able to ask how Naruto was doing and the blonde answered a hesitant affirmation of his satisfactory welfare – Sasuke, however, was a little more suspicious with Naruto's unconvincing grin. Sakura, nevertheless, was placated; she smiled in tired relief as she patted his soft, blonde tresses affectionately and then vocally announced that she needed some time to think – alone – and that they should all get some rest.
That had been about four hours ago.
There was still an ample amount of time – about one or two more hours – until daylight arrived and Sasuke sat quietly in the Rest Area of the Patrolling Facility, still awake, leaning as comfortably as he could manage against the cold, concrete wall, his dark eyes now trained intensely on a single form across the massive room. A few cots down, snuggled up in a thin blanket was Naruto, who had finally succumbed to sleep just a few hours prior.
Sleep, unfortunately, was elusive to the Uchiha as he instead periodically lost himself to memories of the past – curiously recalling moments that were vital to the person he had now become.
Sasuke silently questioned why that particularly recollection – the turning point in his return to becoming a Leaf Shinobi once again – had unexpectedly taken the forefront of his thoughts.
Uchiha Itachi was long dead and avenged. Uchiha Madara – after numerous and irritating encounters during the Fourth Ninja World War – no longer boded a problem. Naruto showed no signs of being overcome by the Kyuubi and its power. And Sakura…
Sasuke blinked again, focusing his vision on the silent form sitting across the large room of the Patrolling Facility. Her shoulders were hunched, arms wrapped around her knees as she stared solemnly out into the late night through the panoramic Viewing Deck Window. Sleep seemed to be escaping her also and he could almost see a considerable weight resting on her petite shoulders.
Uchiha Sasuke silently admitted that Haruno Sakura would always be someone to be concerned for. For a young woman of her fragile build – yet full heart – she had no qualms or reservations when it came to protecting someone she cared about, or even protecting those she hardly knew. Sometimes she was too kind, sometimes she was too forgiving, sometimes she was too trusting…
…And sometimes, she was just too important to allow any harm to come her way…
Unconsciously, Sasuke's jaw clenched as Madara's taunting words echoed in his head.
'You have a glaring weakness, kunoichi. You are reckless, just like the Jinchuuriki. You both have the pointless and irritating will to never give up; you're both too emotionally driven. But you, kunoichi…You don't have the strength to carry through. So many insecurities. So many things to prove. So many ways for you to be exploited. Weak…She'd risk her life, even for a traitor to her Village. What stupidity. Don't you see, Sasuke? Weak.'
That single observation from years ago was bothering Sasuke as his onyx eyes traced over Sakura's delicate silhouette, brows furrowing with his pensive expression.
'She isn't weak…' Sasuke thought, 'But she isn't prepared either…She needs the means to protect herself when Naruto and I can't…She needs another option that won't have her resorting to sacrificing her life.'
Sasuke's lips pulled into a determined line. His mind was made up and the memory of her receiving a fatal attack for him was now justified.
He knew what he had to do.
Sakura tiredly leaned her right cheek against her raised knee, emerald eyes slowly blinking as she stared out into the darkness that was the Tri-Point Forest's dangerous edge. Occasional movement beyond the foliage could be discerned yet the kunoichi couldn't find herself analyzing any suspicious activities the creatures could be performing.
She felt too drained. She felt so powerless. She felt so…weak.
"I could have saved him…" Sakura whispered as she turned her head, leaning her forehead against both knees and clenching her eyes shut, "Why didn't I save him…?"
Her fisted hands drew inward to rub against her weary eyes, body aching for much needed rest but her mind once again betraying it in favor of processing numerous strategies and hypotheses and growing questions and concerns.
Sighing, she raised her head, blinking sluggishly before something through the Viewing Deck Window caught her gaze. Again, she blinked to clear her blurred vision, leaning forward and narrowing her stare as if the additional actions could help her distinguish the white form standing still at the Tri-Point Forest's border.
"…What is that…?" Sakura whispered, unsure if there was another…girl staring straight at her.
Sakura could have sworn the tiny form had just tilted her head and…waved.
"What're you looking at?"
Startled, Sakura whipped her head to the left, staring wide-eyed at Takeshi Isamu, the Rain Ninja's grey-blue gaze also directed where hers was previously settled. Instantly, the Medic shifted her stare back to the Tri-Point Forest, only to find darkened woods and the form, which had captured her attention, gone. Disappointed, Sakura leaned back into her chair, staring at the empty spot in bewilderment, wondering if what she had seen – a glowing-white girl – had been real or simply her imagination.
The apparition hadn't even resembled the Little Girl; it had actually looked more like a wispy, ethereal form rather than a solid mass of a corpse. A…ghost…?
"I need some sleep…" Sakura moaned softly, shaking her head as she leaned it against her raised knees again.
"…There are plenty of open cots," Isamu offered; Sakura's head lifted and she was met with the Rain Shinobi's charming and kind grin.
"…You didn't see it then?" Sakura asked instead, brows furrowed with worry for her own sanity.
Isamu's grin lessened, slight confusion and curiosity breaking through his expression, "See what?"
The Medic studied him, eyes narrowed in critical scrutiny, as if to determine whether he was lying to make her crazy or telling the truth which meant she was crazy; she frowned and turned away, "Never mind."
Isamu stared down at her, grey-blue eyes softened as he took in her tense and restless posture, "You know…" He started conversationally, gaining her attention, "…I'm glad you're here…" He smiled when she raised a brow in puzzlement, "Takeru isn't going to pick on me as much anymore. He'll have you and your teammates to bother and scoff at too."
He flashed her a wide grin and Sakura blinked, regarding Isamu with confusion before his light-hearted joke finally settled into her sluggish mind, "…Oh…" His grin faltered with her blunt answer and Sakura managed a weak smile, a small part of her grateful for his effort to cheer her up, "…Glad we can help."
Seeing the tiny lift of her lips Isamu took it as a positive sign, taking a seat beside her and gazing out the glass window with a thoughtful smile, "Would you like to talk about anything, Haruno-san? You don't seem very…happy. Care to share? Or vent?" He shifted his stare back to her, expression softened into that of empathy and open comfort.
Sakura answered with a sigh, turning away from his probing gaze to look upon her fisted hands resting on her lap, "…It's hard to be happy considering the situation we're in…Everything about this Mission is so…frustrating."
"You're telling me," Isamu agreed, leaning back in his seat, eyes directed on his own lap, "I've been here longer than you have and I know basically as much as I did when I first got here…Which, really, isn't much."
Sakura's brows furrowed, "Nothing? I'm sure you have to know something more…"
"I'm probably as informed about everything as you are, Sakura-san. Eh," His broad shoulders shrugged carelessly, "I'm not told too much. It's no surprise though. I'm an outsider and a guest to these borders, so I'll play by their rules."
"But if it's getting you nowhere, why keep following those restrictions?" Sakura asked; she turned her head to stare at him, confusion still painted on her features.
Isamu smiled, catching her gaze as he wagged his index finger, "Ah-ah, I didn't say I was going nowhere," That same index finger tapped at his temple, indicating his deep, grey-blue eyes, "I watch," He tapped his right ear, "I listen," He winked, "I observe, Haruno-san. There's a lot to be learned just by being immersed in the environment," He shrugged again, returning his gaze through the Viewing Deck Window, "Granted, I still haven't learned too much," He grinned, "But I keep anything and everything in mind. I think that'll count in the long run."
Takeshi Isamu's playful attitude, infectious grin, and optimistic outlook – despite his limitations as an outsider – caused Sakura's own disposition to loosen. Her tense shoulders had slackened, her clenched fists had relaxed, her eyes were shining a little brighter than before, interested with the Rain Shinobi's little speech, and her lips had lifted into a more distinguished smile.
Seeing her smile, Isamu beamed, "Ah, there's the smile I was working for. And I must say, Haruno-san, you are quite a beauty," The statement earned a surprised look from the pink-haired kunoichi, a light blush dusting her cheeks. Isamu chuckled, "It's nothing to be embarrassed about, Haruno-san. I find it quite refreshing. There aren't many gorgeous women in The Group; and while Akemi-san smiles she tends to hide behind them with a tough exterior. And Kasumi-san never smiles – and if she does, it's very, very, very rare," He laughed, resting his hands behind his blonde head, leaning back comfortably, "You know Haruno-san, I may need to rely on you to help brighten up gloomy days."
Sakura chuckled, leaning her cheek against her palm as she stared at her charismatic companion, "No promises, Takeshi-san, but I suppose I can try. If not, I'm sure you can ask Naruto to help you out."
Isamu laughed, head falling back, "Uzumaki-san! Yes, I'm sure he and I will get along brilliantly! Good kid; I wouldn't mind a challenging spar with him either."
"He'd probably jump at the chance," Sakura agreed, "He'd readily accept a challenge."
"And what about your other teammate?" Isamu asked, grey-blue eyes shining with amusement, "You think he'd spar with me? I have a feeling he doesn't like me very much."
"Sasuke-kun?" The Medic asked, confused once again, "What makes you think that?"
Isamu only smiled a secretive smile, shrugging his shoulders once again, "Oh, just a hunch."
Before Sakura could open her mouth and question further – desiring to sate her curiosity – a smooth, deep baritone cut through their placid conversation, "Sakura."
Emerald eyes shifted, switching from brightened grey-blue to darkened obsidian, blinking up at Uchiha Sasuke who towered, intimidating, over her and Isamu's seated positions, "Sasuke-kun. Is something wrong?"
The ex-Avenger remained quiet, regarding the Medic apathetically before switching his stare to the innocently smiling Rain Ninja, his own lips pulling downward fractionally when Isamu casually waved at him in greeting.
"Hey there, Uchiha-san."
Sasuke offered a noncommittal grunt in response before returning his attention to his female comrade, pinning her with a firm stare.
"We should head back to the house and get some rest," He answered in reply of her bemused expression, "There's nothing more we can do here; at least not tonight. The sooner we get back, the sooner we can get some sleep."
Sakura couldn't help but agree. The tests in The Pit had been run and since then all she had been doing was brood in solitude for the lost life she hadn't saved. The memory of the tragic moment caused her frown to return, emerald irises switching to the Rest Area to see Naruto already tiredly sitting up and rubbing his hands through disheveled blonde spikes – ready and waiting to return to a quiet abode and more comfortable beds. Guilt for her Team Seven Comrades' experiences in The Pit had also returned, churning uneasily within her stomach.
"The frown again?" Isamu asked solemnly. Sakura looked up and watched as he leaned toward her and tapped the underside of her chin, "Chin-up, Haruno-san. Tomorrow – or rather, today – is another day. Don't stray to the past. Look to the future and we'll all work to solve this problem. Sadness and frowns will get us nowhere but smiles and positive attitudes can give us hope," His smile lessened, his playful tone containing a more serious edge, "Deaths and tragedies will happen but we can't let it deter or stop us – it should only push us forward…"
Slowly, Sakura nodded her agreement, allowing his words to settle in her mind, her lips lifting once again into a grateful smile and earning a small grin from him in return.
With a heavy exhale, Sakura stood, dusted off her pants, and took a single step to follow Sasuke, stopping momentarily to smile a little wider for Isamu as she whispered a soft, "Thank you."
Isamu closed his eyes, leaning back in his chair, arms resting behind his neck in a posture of complete relaxation, "Anytime."
Sasuke watched as Naruto stumbled haphazardly up the stairs and into the first room on the left of the narrow hallway, not even bothering to close the door before falling unceremoniously onto the futon in the corner of the room. The blonde was asleep before he hit the pillow and the Uchiha could only surmise that the Kyuubi's emergence in The Pit had taken a lot more energy and chakra out of him than they previously realized.
Sakura briefly stopped at the room's entryway, her eyes drifting from Naruto's snoring form to the child-sized vanity and bed on the other side of the room, brows scrunched together in an expression of sadness and underlying determination.
Sasuke brushed his hand against her shoulder, gaining her attention, and gently applied pressure, veering her away from the occupied space and towards the Master Bedroom at the end of the hallway.
"Get some rest," Sasuke muttered, opening the door to the simply-furnished room, the curtain-drawn windows already displaying the steadily lightening skies of dawn.
Sakura nodded her head tiredly, "…Right."
Sasuke stepped away from her, heading to the last, unoccupied room and opening the door to the sparsely decorated space. He heard Sakura's door click shut and with a tired exhale of his own, Sasuke entered his room, sealed the entryway and slid into his own futon – not caring that he was still garbed in his shinobi gear – and allowed his body to finally relax with content security – away from low hisses and agonized screams, slightly comforted that his teammates were in his range, Naruto's and Sakura's respective chakras dormant with sleep and steadying with easing tension.
Sasuke closed his eyes and laid there.
Silence.
It was quiet. Too quiet.
And that fact bothered her. The silence actually disconcerted her.
Only two nights being surrounded by the constant hissing and moaning and taunting that the Corpses, Creature, and Little Girl provided that Sakura couldn't help but feel that something was wrong when she was finally able to attain a peaceful night of sleep.
The silence was deafening. And with every creak that sounded, every wind current that hit the loose shutter, every groan of the plumbing, every occasional loud snore that sounded down the hall from Naruto's room only caused Sakura to tense with anticipation, waiting for the distant haunting noises to start their irritating yet chilling routine.
Kami, she was so paranoid.
Shifting in her bed, sheets twisting around her legs, Sakura blinked, unsurprised to see that her room had lightened with the sun's rising. She had been tossing and turning uneasily for hours, unable to close her eyes and allow unconsciousness to consume her. Instead, her body clock was in chaos, recalling that she was an early riser but noticing that her mind was in a fatigued state – ultimately putting her in a sluggish yet wide-awake condition.
And as nice as a gesture it was for Sasuke to have helped her sleep the night before, the circumstances were different. Loud noises had been bothering her before and using silence as an excuse would only be…annoying. And as tempted as she was to crawl beside Naruto – since he'd never deny her that comfort – Sakura couldn't find herself sleeping in a room that might have belonged to a deceased child, even if she was accompanied by a friend.
Sakura groaned into her pillow before sighing and sitting up.
"If I'm going to be awake, I might as well be productive," Sakura muttered, "If anything, I can always take a nap later."
So with an irritated huff, Sakura stood and, as carefully and as quietly as she could, crossed the hallway and made her way downstairs to the Study, intent on researching everything she could and hopefully coming out with possible theories and hypotheses that could get her on the right track for The Curse's mystery.
Sasuke hadn't gotten any sleep. Rest would probably be the better term: he had been far too alert to have even succumbed to unconsciousness, having woken at the slightest of noises – and with Naruto in the next room, loud snorts occurring every few minutes, Sasuke's moments of respite weren't long enough for him to fully enjoy.
It was when Sasuke heard Sakura's door open before she quietly crossed the hall that sleep completely left the Uchiha. Curiously he followed her chakra signature, making sure she did nothing reckless – like leave the house to conduct more experiments – assuming that she was going down to the kitchen to get some water.
When enough time passed that water retrieval was out of the question, Sasuke debated whether or not he should join her – since he didn't seem to be getting any sleep himself – or go down and force her to get sleep since she undoubtedly needed it. However, he internally argued that the kunoichi could still desire for her solitude just as she had at Patrolling Facility – thoughts which led him to scowl as he recalled the Rain Shinobi and his more-than-friendly attitude towards his female comrade.
Sasuke didn't want to analyze his anger towards Takeshi Isamu. Instead, Sasuke justified his ill feelings as wariness – caution that the Rain Shinobi was another liability towards The Curse's mystery. Sasuke clearly sensed he was a strong shinobi, had honed and controlled chakra, seemed witty yet clever, though even with his charming, charismatic, and friendly personality, he was still an ambiguity in his own personal motives, his skills and abilities, and how he was able to handle himself with The Curse.
Sasuke did not want to believe that he was angry with the knowledge that the Rain Shinobi had easily slipped through Sakura's defenses, breaking through her reclusive state and lifting her up from her downward-spiraling mood – even managing to make her smile and laugh.
Sasuke scowled even more when his own arrival on the merry scene had resurfaced her solemn frown. And her smile hadn't returned until the Rain Ninja had spoken to her yet again.
The Uchiha shook his head, scowl fading, lips instead forming a grim line. Takeshi Isamu was a new variable in The Curse's problematic equation and Sasuke was going to be sure to keep a careful eye on him.
Sakura flipped through the files in her hand with a sigh before closing the folder shut and throwing it carelessly back on the desk. When Akemi said that they didn't have a lot of information, she literally meant that they didn't have a lot of information. Sure, the stacks Sasuke and Naruto had carried to their temporary living arrangements had been numerous but not entirely helpful. The Medic found interest in past reports of ventures into the Tri-Point Borders but they all ended the same: retreat or squadron annihilation. Nothing more was gained except another failed attempt to adapt on for future efforts.
"…Stay clear of shadowed areas…" Sakura read and inwardly noted, "…Some creatures bleed into the darkness…" She turned to the next report, "…Stay together in large groups…They're more careful when numbers are larger…" Pink brows rose with the bit of information, "…So they're capable of strategy, they're aware…"
The Medic rifled through a few more reports, jotting down significant notes in her own notebook, eyes flying across the coarse parchment and its scrawled characters.
"…Creatures retreat to the Northeast, towards the Twisted Valley," Sakura whispered, reading through another testimony, "Forest is too dense with foliage to follow…Tried flying overhead – still too dense to enter or obtain any visuals…" The Medic blinked, her gaze unfocused as her mind whirred with various possibilities, "Why the Northeast? What could be there that makes them return there?"
Sakura closed the report before reaching for the stack of deceased or missing persons, "Origins," She muttered, "Who is The Little Girl? Who is the Creature?" She frowned, eyes scanning every single picture in the given profiles, trying to find any resemblances to the creatures that haunted the Tri-Point Forest, "…Are they even Bird Country originated? Could they be Earth – or even Rain – born?"
A headache was beginning to throb at her temples with her new invasion of questions.
"And what the hell is it about me that they want?" Sakura muttered, snapping the folders shut when she found no photos that could help her, "What do I have that they need?"
Asking the questions aloud didn't help Sakura obtain the answers she desperately wanted but it helped her organize her thoughts, remember what she needed to look up and study, and figure out what strategy she was going to follow. Her gaze panned to the far corner of the desk where her Inventory Scroll laid, filled with her collection of evidence acquired during her brief time at the Rain Border Village. Her lips curved downward, already knowing that it would be pointless for her to try and examine what was stored inside since she didn't have the proper tools for a thorough study.
"I'll have to make that trip to see Osamu-san today," Sakura sighed, recalling the Civilian Physician from the day before, "He may not have the advanced Medical Supplies that shinobi use but even basic tools will be more helpful than nothing…"
Staring critically at the stacks of files sitting on the desk in front of her, Sakura knew that while the information wasn't much, at least she had more of a grasp of the situation. By reading through past reports of previous exploits into the Tri-Point Forest it gave her a small sense of readiness when it came to facing the darkness of the Forest's depths head-on.
Figuring out the mystery, however, was going to be entirely up to her.
Exhaling a long, resigned breath, Sakura pushed the stack of folders away from her, stood up, and eagerly determined that it was time for some coffee.
When Sasuke finally decided to head downstairs to join Sakura – feeling unproductive as he lay quiet in his bed – he found her moving around the kitchen, making coffee and a breakfast consisting of toast, eggs, and bacon. A single, silent glance was shared between the two Leaf Shinobi before Sakura resumed her cooking and Sasuke took a comfortable seat at the Dining Room table.
"Morning Sasuke-kun," Sakura finally greeted, albeit softly – tiredly.
Sasuke replied with his usual, "Hn," though his dark eyes regarded her intensely, noticing her slumped shoulders and the lethargic way she moved about the tiny kitchenette. He shifted in his seat, "You didn't sleep."
The kunoichi stilled momentarily, before she turned her attention from the bacon in front of her to pierce him with dulled, emerald irises; her smile was forced, "…I couldn't. It was too…silent." She turned away, back to the sizzling meat, and laughed – though it was without humor, "Weird huh?" Her heavy shoulders lifted in a short shrug, "So I decided to get some research done instead."
A part of Sasuke wanted to reprimand her, tell her that she needed sleep, demand that she march back upstairs and into bed and that she wouldn't be allowed out until she got at least a decent six hours of reprieve. It was obvious that she was exhausted by the pallor of her skin, the lacking shine in her pink tresses, the dullness of her once-bright-eyes, and her poor posture – so used to seeing her walk gracefully and confidently only to be replaced by a gait weighed down by too many problems and rushing thoughts.
But, Sasuke wouldn't do any of those things. He knew Sakura. She would fight, she would be stubborn, she would deny, and she would continue working her hardest even at the cost of her health. Sasuke had no power over her actions and he was in no position to judge and order her when he himself hardly achieved any sleep either.
"Find anything?" He settled for responding.
She sighed, transferring the food in her pan onto a clean plate, "No…" She shook her head, "At least not a lot…I'm hoping that The Plan in a few days will help me figure out something…"
Sasuke's brows lowered skeptically at the mention of The Plan, hands rising to curl under his nose, and elbows resting on the hardwood table, "What they're planning is dangerous…We have never gone willingly through the Forest and experienced a full-on attack. We're in their territory; they can pick us off one by one if we're not prepared."
Sakura nodded with understanding, taking the seat across from him, putting the breakfast plate in the middle of the tabletop, as well as setting three separate dining wares, "I know what you mean. One experience a few nights ago doesn't make me an expert and you and Naruto haven't even physically been out there. Before we go out there we'll have to speak with Dai-san and create our own strategy given the information we already know."
"Which isn't much," Sasuke interjected, frowning.
Sakura sighed, but agreed nonetheless, "…Which isn't much."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed fractionally, losing himself in thought as he mechanically took some breakfast for himself. He didn't like the situation he and his Team were in. No information, no strategy, no advantage, nothing. He didn't like being so defenseless and he especially didn't like his teammates being just as defenseless also – it put everyone at risk.
He felt like he was entering a suicidal assignment.
Preparation was key, however, and he would honestly admit that Team Kakashi was probably one of the most dynamic and accustomed Squads in the Village Hidden in the Leaves. They adapted easily with each other, were so in tuned with one another that they didn't need visuals to know where their comrades were, communication could be made silently with the simplest contact of the eyes or flick of the wrists. Team Kakashi's flawless teamwork was going to be essential to completing this Mission.
Now, Sasuke had a plan of his own to carry out.
However, before the Uchiha could voice it, Naruto came stumbling into the room, eyes half-closed in sleep and nose turned up in the air as he followed the aroma of freshly cooked breakfast.
"Mmm, morning…" Naruto mumbled before stumbling into a chair with an empty plate before it.
Sakura smiled, amused, "Looks like someone got a good night's rest."
Again, Naruto muttered incoherently before shoveling the remaining contents of breakfast onto his own plate – earning a small scowl from Sasuke.
The amusement in Sakura's stare faded and she leaned closer towards the blonde, "How are you feeling? From yesterday?"
Hearing the evident concern in her tone, Naruto's blue eyes shifted towards her, a small grin forming on his tanned features, "I'm feeling much better, Sakura-chan; thanks for asking."
Sakura's smile returned and so did Naruto's attention on breakfast; he scooped a mouthful of egg and bacon into his mouth before glancing between his two best friends, "So, what's the plan for today?"
The Medic leaned back in her seat, hands grasped firmly around her warm mug of coffee, "…More research, I suppose. Get information about The Plan from Dai-san. And I need to visit Osamu-san to get some medical supplies and tools to examine the evidence I have."
"…Sounds so boring…" Naruto grumbled earning a sharp glare from Sakura, which caused him to move his hands up in quick defense, "Busy…Sounds so busy is what I meant!"
"Tch, dobe," Sasuke commented.
Naruto frowned, "What was that, bastard?"
Sakura put her mug down and rubbed her temples, "Seriously, guys, now? You're fighting now? It's too early to fight. Knock it off before I knock you both out."
"But Sakura-chan–!" Naruto began to protest.
"Let's spar."
Emerald and royal blue eyes snapped towards Sasuke, one surprised by the offhand suggestion while the other grinned widely with poorly suppressed anticipation – beyond excited, especially with the lacking action for the past few days.
"Not a bad idea, teme!" Naruto agreed wholeheartedly, sleep completely gone from his eyes as he pumped a fist in the air, "Your best idea yet, actually!"
Sasuke glared at him before switching his attention to Sakura – expectant.
The kunoichi offered him a weak smile, "…I really should continue researching–"
Sasuke's stare sharpened, "All of us."
"Yeah, Sakura-chan!" The blonde added eagerly, "It'll help! Release tension and stress and all those other bad things!"
Uncertainty was clearly painted on her features and her green eyes darted between Sasuke's impassive – yet still uncannily persuasive – expression to Naruto's widely grinning – and widening even further if that was possible – countenance. It was clear she didn't want to let them down and that the chance to exercise was very tempting, but she was also torn with the opportunity of doing her job and getting as much as she possibly could done in as much time as she was able.
"We'll need to strategize," Sasuke stated firmly, "If we're going to be heading into that Forest, we all need to be prepared."
Several more seconds of silence passed before Sakura exhaled a soft sigh and allowed a small smile to grace her lips – Naruto whooped loudly and Sasuke smirked smugly, already knowing her answer,"…Alright, let's go."
Team Kakashi – used to training on Grounds surrounded by trees and other forms of foliage – traveled towards the Western Forest of the Bird Border Village, directly opposite of the Tri-Point Forest and close to a trail that led towards Bird Country's Capitol. Unlike the Tri-Point Forest, Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke could literally feel a difference in their surrounding environment. The greenery was more welcoming and lush, birds were chirping brightly, the early afternoon sun was beating warmly on their backs – it almost felt like they were back home.
"…I wonder how everyone else is doing…" Sakura murmured softly as they trekked leisurely towards a suitable clearing for practice, "I hope Shishou received my message without trouble…"
"Eh, I'm sure Baa-chan has got Kaka-sensei on his way right now," Naruto grinned, hands behind his head, "Can't miss the opportunity of a full Team Kakashi on an S-Ranked Assignment, can we?"
"…I kind of hope she sent Shikamaru too…Or even Neji…" The Medic thought aloud.
Naruto scoffed, "We don't need them, Sakura-chan! You're super smart; you'll definitely solve this mystery! We'll solve this mystery! Believe it!"
She chuckled lightly, green eyes a little brighter than hours prior, "You and your optimism, Naruto. I'm not sure what I'd do without it."
"You'd do fine," Naruto grinned, winking a mischievous, blue eye; he then clapped a rough hand against Sasuke's back, earning a scowl from the silent Uchiha, "Can't say the same for the Teme though."
"Admit it, loser," Sasuke sneered, "I'd do phenomenal without you around."
Sakura rolled her eyes and sighed, though she couldn't hold back the slight upward twitch of amusement from her lips, "And here we go again…"
"Care to prove it?" Naruto grinned, challenge sparking his entire expression as he jumped away from the dark-haired male and brandished several kunai and shuriken from his pouch.
"Gladly," Sasuke accepted with a smirk of his own, Sharingan already spinning dangerously before he completely blurred away with admirable speed.
Sakura sighed once again, already hearing the tell-tale grunts, clangs and the occasional insult hurled across the adequately-sized clearing they had stumbled upon. Ignoring the typical, masculine behavior exhibited by her two teammates, the Medic comfortably settled down at the edge of the clearing, bringing her hands together in a seal of concentration before beginning her usual routine of chakra control and training, working her way slowly but steadily up to the different procedures and techniques used for Medical Ninjutsu and Battle Tactics.
To her immense relief, the feel of her chakra flowing freely and soothingly throughout her body relaxed her tensed muscles and eased her tumultuous mind. The peaceful nature around her – warming sun, cooling breeze, soft grass, singing birds, even the sporadic shouts from Naruto and Sasuke – lulled her into a deep, meditative state.
Sakura had finally found the rest that she was looking for.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he crept stealthily through the thick boughs of the leafy trees, keeping close to the shadowed canopies. A bruise was already forming at his left temple where the blonde idiot had gotten a lucky kick yet the Uchiha smirked with the remembered satisfaction of his immediate retaliation – a fisted throw into Naruto's gut.
The exhilaration of a good spar was pumping rapidly through Sasuke's veins and his fingers clenched with anticipation as he crept silently towards a well-hidden perch, chakra subtly fanning out to locate his hyperactive opponent.
A chakra search was unnecessary.
"Quit hiding, you bastard!" Naruto yelled, the unmistakable flash of yellow and orange zipping passed Sasuke, unaware, "Come out and fight me!"
The Uchiha's smirk twitched a little higher as he quietly removed a windmill shuriken from his belt, the shine of attached wires brief in the afternoon sunlight.
"Tch. Idiot," He whispered before jumping forward and letting his weapon fly, pulling on the strings skillfully and manipulating it towards his oblivious target.
Naruto's peripheral vision caught the sudden movement, yelping in surprise before bringing up his kunai knife in defense, the clang of metal echoing in the clearing. Grinning with challenge, Naruto forcefully pushed away the spinning windmill shuriken, causing the weapon to fly back into Sasuke's waiting hand.
"That's not going to work against me," The blonde loudly proclaimed, earning a quirked brow from his opponent.
Sasuke's only response was an even broader smirk before he flicked his wrist, the shine of wire movement catching Naruto's attention before a barrage of kunai and shuriken soared towards him. With an excited laugh, Naruto jumped up and swiftly deflected as many projectiles as he could, some cutting through his black and orange jacket and narrowly missing skin.
"Is that the best you got, teme?" Naruto taunted, landing on a sturdy tree limb, royal blue eyes darting around for any more traps.
Naruto's answer was the sound of chirping birds, the clearing flashing bright blue as a stream of electricity shot towards him. Pushing chakra into his feet, the blonde jumped once more, off the bough he was perched on, just seconds before the electric current made contact, an explosion of bark and leaves showering down on Naruto's form.
Thinking quickly, Naruto landed on the forest floor in a roll, looking up from his tumble just in time to see Sasuke descending upon him, windmill shuriken outstretched to deal the final blow. In a desperate attempt, Naruto reached into his pouch and let fly a multitude of shuriken and kunai to slow Sasuke's approach, but the ex-Avenger smoothly removed his Kusanagi with his free hand and repelled the defense tactic.
"Dobe," Sasuke smirked as he released his windmill shuriken, the dark blades spinning rapidly towards the blonde.
Surprisingly, Naruto smirked back, "Bastard."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed suspiciously as he watched his weapon slice into Naruto, only to cleanly cut through, embedding into the dirt before his initial target waved mockingly and disappeared in a cloud of white smoke.
"Damn it," Sasuke cursed, dark eyes bleeding red.
"Got you!" Naruto shouted from behind, his voice multiplied by his Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Spinning around in midair, Sasuke watched two Narutos fly towards him, a Rasengan forming in one of their hands, triumphant smirk painted on both their tanned features. Thinking quickly, especially at the disadvantage of being airborne, Sasuke allowed his right hand to burst with electric energy, bringing his hand forward with Naruto just feet away from colliding into him.
Their hands connected and the explosion was immediate. Both shinobi grunted as they were blown back towards opposite ends of the clearing, landing on their backs with heavy grunts and sliding against grass for several feet before coming to a groaning stop.
Sasuke slowly sat up, limbs sore and cuts and bruises already forming from his less-than-graceful fall. Yards away, Naruto was doing the same, crawling on hands and knees towards a tree he could lean against. Obsidian and royal blue eyes met, both burning with challenge, refusal to give up evident in their hardened features, silence reigning over both.
Simultaneously, Sasuke looked away with a noncommittal grunt while Naruto grinned with growing amusement.
"…Eh, Sakura-chan probably doesn't want us blowing up the forest," Naruto stated as he pulled himself up, one hand scratching the back of his head, "How 'bout we call it a tie?"
Sasuke mirrored his movements, still looking away, "Hn."
They both knew Naruto's reasoning was an excuse – though there was some fact that Sakura would get upset if they got too carried away. Both were reluctant to call the spar a draw but they had been battling for a few hours now and rest was needed. They'd finish their match another time.
"But," Naruto started as he jogged up to the Uchiha, still grinning excitedly, "Maybe you can help me out with my speed. I would have had you with my Rasengan if I'd been a few seconds faster!"
Sasuke couldn't help but smirk, "Keep on believing that, dobe."
"You know I'm right, teme," Naruto jeered good-naturedly as they moved back towards the initial clearing where Sakura resided, "Stop denying it!"
"Idiot."
"Whatever," The blonde laughed as he slapped the Sharingan-User's back, earning an annoyed grunt from his companion.
Stepping into a clearing, the two ninja found their female comrade in the same position they had left her in: sitting cross-legged and in silent meditation at the clearing's edge. Both noticed that her features were smoothed of the worry-lines she had been wearing so frequently and that her chakra was flowing at a lot more peaceful pace than the erratic and turbulent rate of the past few days.
"So," Naruto started, cutting through Sasuke's thoughts and pulling the Uchiha's gaze from the serene Medic, "Let's keep practicing! There's still so much I need to work on, especially if we'll be entering the Tri-Point Forest soon!"
Sasuke's brows visibly furrowed with the reminder of their planned entrance into the Forest, his dark eyes trailing back to Sakura, "…Practice by yourself, dobe."
Instantly, Naruto pouted, "What? That's no fun!"
Sasuke graced the blonde with a level, deadpan stare, "I need to talk to Sakura."
There was a moment of brief silence and Sasuke didn't like the subsequent grin that began forming on the blonde's face. The Uchiha scowled as Naruto suggestively waggled his brows.
"Well, if you just said that in the first place…"
"Just go, loser," He growled in response, already walking away from him towards the quiet kunoichi.
Naruto watched him go with his wide grin before running off back into the foliage, cackling maniacally as he called up more Shadow Clones.
"Stupid dobe," Sasuke muttered as he stopped a foot away from Sakura, her calm meditation breaking with his close proximity; her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at Sasuke with confusion before a smile lifted her lips.
"Hey, Sasuke-kun. This was a great idea, by the way. Thanks for suggesting it."
"Hn."
Sakura chuckled, standing up from her spot on the grass, dusting off green blades and dirt from her clothes. When she was done she looked up to find Sasuke watching her in silence, his arms crossed over his chest and his dark eyes unreadable.
Frowning, her eyes zeroed in on a bruise forming at his left temple and a thin cut along the column of his neck; without warning, she brushed a single, green glowing hand along the injuries, satisfied to see them heal without trouble, "I hope you two played nicely."
Her fingers brushed against his pale skin, making sure it healed without any scarring; Sasuke closed his eyes, "Tch."
With a soft, amused chuckle, Sakura pulled her hand back, letting it fall limply to her side, "Was there something you needed, Sasuke-kun?"
His dark eyes opened, studying her with an intensity that made Sakura a little uncomfortable, before turning slightly on his heel, "Come with me."
The Medic blinked, "Sorry?"
Sasuke sighed, his eyes darting from her to the other side of the clearing before hesitantly holding out his hand, "Come on."
Still confused, Sakura allowed her hand to slowly slide into his, pleasantly surprised by the warmth and security the hold offered, allowing him to lead her wherever it was he wanted them to go, "Alright…"
The walk was several minutes long and Sakura watched the back of Sasuke's spiked head with a mixture of confusion and curiosity before switching her gaze to their joined hands. Unbidden, a blush began to form at her wayward thoughts and she began to shake her head to rid of them, pink locks flying with the movements.
'Neither the time nor place, Sakura,' She inwardly berated herself.
"Sasuke-kun, where are we going?" Sakura asked aloud, if only to distract her from unnecessary thoughts as well as remedy her growing confusion and questions.
Unfortunately, Sasuke didn't give her an answer. Instead they kept walking through the calm forestry, deeper towards the West, afternoon sun still warm and slipping past the thick canopies above. Sasuke's grip around her hand remained firm while hers stayed limp; though after several seconds of staring she experimentally – and quite hesitantly – enclosed her fingers around his, heart thudding loudly in her ears when he didn't pull away. In fact, she noticed his steps slow, his head shift as if to look back at her, but he paused his movement and his hasty pace resumed, stare directed ahead, yet their conjoined hands remained.
'Don't look too deeply into this, Sakura,' She immediately thought, 'You have a mission to worry about…'
"Sasuke-kun…" She called again, fingers tightening as if the additional action would help gain his attention.
Her silent companion stopped walking and she looked around to find they were now in another clearing, though twice the size of the one they had been in earlier. A frown twisted her lips when Sasuke walked forward – releasing her hand in the process – inspecting the spot before turning back towards her. Her hand felt colder but she ignored it, staring at the clearing with obvious bemusement before connecting her gaze with Sasuke's. He was watching her – analyzing her – with furrowed brows, dark eyes so intense that the Medic began to fidget with the hem of her shirt.
"I'm going to show you a Ninjutsu," Sasuke finally said, deep voice strong and cutting through her uneasy thoughts, "I want you to watch closely and memorize the seals."
Still confused, clearly displayed by the pinch of her brows, Sakura was about to voice her questions when Sasuke already turned and slowly began to perform the seals, forcing her to shut her mouth and examine him – still thoroughly at a loss.
The seals were familiar to her, but before she could rifle through her mental index, Sasuke had already inhaled a deep breath and blew into the open clearing, a stream of white-hot fire exiting his mouth and forming a gigantic ball of flame. Sakura stepped back, half in surprise and half from the intense heat of the Jutsu.
Sakura never saw the particular Jutsu outside of battle and witnessing the sheer size and power of it impressed her. She looked at Sasuke, his expression composed and concentrated, unaffected by the intense heat, his dark eyes glimmering against the burning orange of his attack. After several more moments the fire began to lessen until all that remained was a perfectly round ashen mark at the center of the clearing.
Sasuke calmly turned towards her and her eyes met his, an awed smile lifting her lips, "Wow."
He walked towards her, typically emotionless before casting his sights on the ash-covered floor, "Go."
Sakura blinked, "Wait–what? Sasuke-kun–"
"We've established that these creatures are weak against fire," Sasuke interrupted, turning towards her, "Learning and knowing this Jutsu will benefit you and will increase your chances of safety and survival."
Sakura stared at him, wide-eyed and stunned, "…But, it's a clan secret…"
Sasuke's eyes closed, quiet for several seconds, "…That may be so, but I trust you. And if by teaching you this Jutsu means you'll be more protected then I doubt sharing it with you will disgrace my clan," His eyes opened, piercing through surprised emerald, "You are…worthy of knowing this, Sakura."
Sakura couldn't help but feel honored and touched by his concern for her well-being, especially at the cost of sharing a secret technique reserved for the Uchiha Family, "…Sasuke-kun…"
The Uchiha looked away before stepping aside and gesturing to the clearing, "Now, try it."
Slowly, Sakura nodded her head, taking a step forward and a couple deep breaths. With a determined frown the kunoichi slowly but efficiently performed the seals Sasuke had shown her. Trying to emulate the movements she had seen Sasuke execute numerous times before, she inhaled deeply, feeling a heat buildup uncomfortably in the cavity of her chest, so much so that she wanted to cough it all out else her chest explode. Sweat began to bead at her brow and temples and she exhaled as steadily as she could, feeling the heat crawl up her throat and exit her lips, burning past her cheeks into a meager ball of fire about a third the size of Sasuke's. Her time limit wasn't nearly as long as his either, the Jutsu snuffing out and leaving her to gasp for much needed cool air.
Bent over, breathing heavily with her hands on her knees, Sakura looked up to gaze at the darker patch of ash over Sasuke's – not as big as she wanted it to be.
Sasuke took a stand beside her and he smirked when she straightened, his onyx irises also directed at the clearing's center, "Not bad. More practice is to be expected but I'm sure you'll have it down in no time."
"…It's a strange feeling," Sakura stated, her throat a little raw and parched, "Like my veins were on fire and my cheeks and chest would explode with all the buildup…" Her right hand moved up to her throat and cheeks, allowing healing chakra to help soothe the uncomfortable sensation.
"Like I said, it takes practice," Sasuke explained, walking up to her and touching her red cheek and fleetingly stroking her stomach, "Your body will adjust with time, it takes some getting used to but eventually it'll become a part of you. The trick is to stay calm – fire is dangerous and you can't let it control you or else it might turn on you. "
Sakura nodded, "Okay…I understand."
Sasuke looked at her, studied her in a way that was becoming more frequent to her notice, before he stepped back, "Go ahead; try again."
Sakura smiled before she started the seals, "…Thank you, Sasuke-kun, for teaching me this…"
Sasuke nodded, pushing her lower back in encouragement, "Hn."
With a wider smile and her determination growing with the desire to make Sasuke proud with her improvements, Sakura created the hand seals needed and let the fire build in her chest.
'Thank you for believing me worthy, Sasuke-kun…I won't let you down!'
A/N: HI EVERYONE! Um…So I'm discontinuing this story…hahaha, JK! So, the reason for my long absence is because I was really busy with life, school, and work. Summer started a while ago and I've been trying to write like crazy so I can update for you guys, I really hope you liked the above chapter, please tell me what you think!
I also haven't been updating because I have several more story ideas I want to get out and update as well as SasuSaku Month coming up in July that I signed up for. So check that out, sign up yourselves, and look out for a shitload of stories and updates during that month since there are some awesome prompts and numerous writers taking part in it! I'll try to put a link up in my Bio.
So, this chapter seemed Filler-ish but there was a lot of SasuSaku Romance, so I hope you liked that!
I really look forward to hearing from you and I thank you all for your support, reading and/or reviewing. You're all SUPER AWESOME!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and Company, only the PLOTLINE…And Isamu…And Takeshi…And Akemi and Akio…And Raiden and Kasumi…And Shin and Souta…And Reika…
Next Update: Next Week! (Hopefully!)
Please Check Out My Other Fictions! Including Psychotic, a Suspense/Psycho thriller/Horror!
UPDATES TO LOOK OUT FOR:
It All Started With – Chapter 17
False Façade – Chapter 2
Forbidden Bonds – Chapter 5
Missing In Action - Chapter 2
Vengeance – Chapter 2
The Road of Touch; The Road to Feel – Chapter 2
Psychotic – Chapter 1
Teamwork – Chapter 1
I'm sorry I haven't been updating the above stories like I've wanted to, it's just my Muse has been focusing so much on The Curse and I can't let that inspiration slip by, so please be patient with the other chapters of my stories, I will get to them, as soon as I possibly can.
And! If anyone is confused about the Mapping of this story, I'd recommend checking out the World Map at (www . leafninja . com) Just take out the parentheses and spaces, it's where I get a lot of my Naruto Information! :)
Oh! One last thing! Anyone got a Twitter? I made one for the sole purpose of making friends who have the same interests as me (Naruto, Inuyasha, Fullmetal
Len83