Disclaimer: Naruto is not mine! –Sniffs-
A/N: Once again, I would love to thank you all for reviewing! Each one of them means a lot to me and brings me to sit down more often to write another chappie. I know this one and the latest ones are somewhat short. But I promise! Next one will be a big big big chapter!
Flaming Heart
Chapter 23
"I will give you my word, Sasuke-san,"
Sasuke lowered his head, fixing his gaze at his feet. He could taste the red liquid in his own lips, his own blood mixed with sweat. He closed his eyes for some brief seconds completely unaware of Madara's pleased look. With his eyes closed, Sasuke could think clearly. Because then, he could see them as clear as crystal water.
He could see a whiskered smiling face and intense bright blue eyes looking straight back at him, reminding him of a promise that was still to be fully completed.
He could see a smiling dark-haired woman holding a young boy. A stern looking man walking closely behind, his dark eyes fixed on his wife and son.
There were no other options left.
Slowly, the young boy raised his head and wiped the blood away from his lips. Red bloodied eyes met another equal pair.
"Well, Sasuke-san… what do you say?" Madara tilted his head to the side in an expectant manner. Slowly, he pressed his lips firmly together as the raven-haired boy in front of him narrowed his eyes.
Sasuke lips curved slyly, "Thank you, but I will have to pass on your offer," he answered, skimming his right leg forward.
"Oh?" Madara questioned, raising an intrigued eyebrow, "You can't actually think that you stand a chance, boy," a strange and unfamiliar tone graced the older Uchiha's voice. Madara's eyes narrowed slightly as Sasuke stretched his hand, sputtering of lightening surrounding it.
He did not even want to think what would happen if the last seal landed on Madara's hands. What damage would he cause afterwards? What were his true intentions?
"Sasuke-san…" the older Uchiha spoke with a warning pitch present in his cold voice.
Sasuke raised his chin confidently and knitted his eyebrows together; a war cry escaped his lips as he sped up towards the tall-cloaked man. At every step the boy took, he could hear his own heartbeat buzzing in his ears. The ground shook beneath him as he readied himself to jump.
Madara remained motionless as his red eyes read the young boy every move. There was no reaction present in his statue-like features. He watched calmly as Sasuke descended towards him, his lightening hand stretched, more than ready to strike.
Time passed painfully slowly. Sasuke eyes widened as Madara quickly stepped backward. Madara stretched his own arm, holding tightly onto Sasuke's hand, immediately stopping his chakra course.
Sasuke gasped quietly just before Madara kicked him in the chest. A loud cough escaped his mouth as his wide eyes locked themselves with his opponent ones.
Without warning, Sasuke's world became pitch black. He watched as his own hands started to melt; Madara's figure was standing right in front of him, simply watching.
The older Uchiha allowed the tiniest flicker of surprise etch its way onto his face.
"A Bunshin?" Madara inquired. Softly, he shook his head and dismissed his illusion.
Madara walked towards a panting Sasuke, "The fun ends here, Sasuke-san,"
Sasuke coughed once more and then there was a brief following moment of silence. Sasuke managed to stand up and stared at the cloaked man with a shrewd smirk decorating his beaten features.
"Aha," said Sasuke, feeling his entire energy die away. The fast rhythm of his heart slowed down to an odd relaxing beating.
Madara nodded to himself as a wide creepy smile took over his face. He leaned forward and stared at the dead man in front of him.
The white vestment, the tattoo and the headband deceived no one.
A leaf ANBU.
"Seems like I underestimated you," said Madara as he turned around, his long cloak billowed behind him.
Sasuke blinked a few times as he let go of the seal. Small drops of sweat glued his raven-hair onto his face. His lower lip trembled in anger but more particularly in desperation. The moonlight lightened up his somber and troubled features. Copying and mastering the technique that Hanabusa-sama taught him had proved to be harder than he thought. Sasuke knew the exact seals, the exact amount of chakra needed to perform the technique and yet, it had exhausted him more than he expected.
Slowly, he stood up from the cold moist grass and stared straight ahead. He was not far from Konoha and he could only hope that Sakura would be able to arrive soon. He hoped that he was able to buy her enough time.
Sasuke took in a deep breath before he dashed away through the depth of the forest. He blinked softly as his thoughts floated away towards the dead old man. It was thanks to Hanabusa-sama that Sasuke achieved such advanced jutsu.
Suddenly, Sasuke narrowed his eyes; his right hand curved into a fist.
He still could not believe he lost so easily. There was no way he could defeat Madara based on skill alone. Madara was on such a different level, one that Sasuke needed a pair of wings to be able to reach it. The young Uchiha onyx eyes became blood-like as frustration got the best of him.
Sure. Deep inside, Sasuke knew. He never expected that a mere sacrifice with only thirty percent of his chakra would be capable to inflict any serious damage against Madara.
"I want a group of five men to secure the villagers; right now our priority is to evacuate everyone," Minato paused; his breathing was irregular as he stared at the ANBU battalion. His stomach contorted painfully as he stared at a special ANBU man who was standing in the first line.
Five men stepped aside and nodded shortly before they disappeared.
Minato sighed deeply as he ran a trembling hand through his messy blond-hair. He cleared his throat and looked back at the same ANBU man.
"You," Minato extended his arm and swallowed dry as he pointed at the ANBU masked man, "You and three others will patrol our borders,"
Even though, the ANBU had his features concealed with a mask, Minato could imagine perfectly his expression. He could see shocked look, the widened eyes, and the parted mouth.
"Hokage-sama! I—"
"Go!" Minato half-shouted startling a few men.
Everyone looked up at the Hokage with new eyes, finally understanding the seriousness of the problem in their hands. They had never seen the Hokage as they were seeing now. The desperation that swam in his usual bright blue eyes made the strongest man shiver with sorrow. Anxiety grew inside them at an incredible speed as they stood still, waiting for orders to come. Their thoughts often darted away towards their loved ones. Were they okay? Were they going to make it? If so, the last question that rang inside their head, the most painful question was… am I going to see them one last time?
That question too rang inside the Hokage's head.
He had his soul split between his family and his village.
The ANBU man finally nodded, turning around to pick a few man to follow him.
Minato watched him and a few other ANBU go. His blue eyes seemed to shine intently and if someone could have a peek closer, they would think that Minato was about to cry. However, they could not be more wrong.
The Hokage arrived to a new conclusion. His soul was intact. His soul was still in one piece because his family was his village.
"Listen up," Minato said as he stepped forward, raising his head towards the mocking sky. The sky was colored with vast amounts of orange and red, marking the start of a sunrise, "take your masks off," Minato added as he stuck his trembling hands inside his pocket.
There were a few shocked murmurs. The ANBU nins stared at each other in confusion, some even asked if they had heard the Hokage correctly.
"Take your masks off," the Hokage repeated, not taking his eyes away from the sky.
The ANBU nins, slowly complied. One by one, they took their masks off.
"Now take a close look to the man who's by your side," there was a deafening silence after the blond-haired man words, "Look closely, for that man's face might be the last one you'll see today," there was a small noise from Minato's side, making him look away from the colorful sky.
His blue eyes met dark ones. Right beside him stood a white-haired man. Jiraiya nodded at Minato and forced a smile on his face. Minato shook his head; a small smile decorated his features.
"Danger has come knocking on our village door. It killed many women, many honorable men and many of our children," there was a knot on Minato's throat as he carried on, "We will fight the Kyuubi. We will raise our heads and look directly at the beast eyes. We will not succumb in vain," Minato stopped; his hands were no longer inside his pockets. They were not trembling anymore. Somehow, having Jiraiya by his side, made things easier, "we will defend our home, our family, our friends,"
"H-hai!"
A short dark-skinned ANBU nin yelled, raising his fist.
Minato nodded at the dark-skinned ANBU, "Are you ready?" he asked loudly, feeling his frantic heartbeat.
"Hai!"
Many shouts filled with hope echoed through the cold deadly air. Suddenly the shouts faded away as a louder sound took over. A terrifying loud roar licked their bones and froze their blood.
The ANBU man could feel his heart stop as a loud roar interrupted the unendurable silence. The other three ANBU men stopped behind him and turned around with wide eyes. A soft relief sound escaped their mouths as they realized that the beast was nowhere close.
"This is…" one of the three ANBU men started as he turned back around, "This is the end, isn't it?"
The other two gasped, horrified that the man spoke aloud their own thoughts.
The other ANBU man, the same ANBU-nin that Minato ordered to leave to patrol the borders, slowly turned around.
"This is not the end!" there was scorn and hatred present in his voice. The other three tilted their head to stare at him, "You should be more confident. You should trust in the Hokage,"
"Easy there!" one of the others interjected raising a hand, "We weren't-"
"What the-"
"What is that?"
"Shhh! Silence!"
The wind slapped Sakura across the face. Her cheeks were becoming red, from the ruthless cold. Her whole body was shivering, now if it was due to the cold air or because she just finished trespassing Konoha's borders, she did not have a clue. However, she suspected that it was combination of both. The pink-haired girl embraced herself as she stared straight ahead. Tsunade-sama was not lying when she said that her slug was not an ordinary one. To be able to travel this fast and adapt to the unbalanced ground, was truly remarkable. Sakura darted her gaze away from their path and stared at Tsunade who was standing on her feet, arms crossed, blonde hair flying behind her.
At that very moment, as the beautiful colours of the sky bathed the blonde-haired woman, Sakura could not help but to admire her. Tsunade had a determinate glitter in her honey eyes, her lips were firmly knitted together and her narrowed eyebrows gave her a mysterious look. It was as if, the blonde-haired woman was marching towards war with a winning plan, under her sleeve.
Only that, Sakura knew that Tsunade winning plan relied on her. Sakura felt like she had a black hole in her stomach, consuming everything on its path. She hoped that the black hole would hurry up and consume her too. She knew, Tsunade knew… that she was not ready to do the seal.
Tears threatened to fall down as Sakura realized what would happen in case she failed. Everyone's hopes would crash down. Sasuke and Naruto effort would just be in vain.
Weak… she was weak until the very end.
"Sakura…"
Sakura blinked softly as she focused her stare on the blonde-haired Sannin.
Tsunade was still staring ahead, watching as her summon destroyed the trees as they advanced.
"I have never met someone like you," Tsunade paused, there was this uncomfortable weight inside her, "I thought… I thought that no one would be able to possess such qualities," Sakura's eyes widened, "that night, when I saw you at that bench… somehow, I knew… I could feel it…"
Sakura shook her head. She had her green eyes enthralled by the older woman.
"The look on your eyes when you first saw me, the way my name was pronounced… there was a part of me that recognized you…" Tsunade furrowed her eyebrows further, "you had this air on you, an air that you thought you were able to conceal... oh but I could see it all right! I could see it in your eyes. You were like a dying flower in winter,"
Sakura sniffed softly.
"You were covered in darkness… in sadness… then… t-then," Tsunade took a deep breathe, "Then he came into your life,"
Sakura held her breath, scared to let go of the crying sobs.
"Kakashi... he's a good kid too," Tsunade finished, tilted her head and stared at the fragile girl, "Young love has to be the best thing in the world. What makes the world worth of spinning," Tsunade paused, a sad smile made its way onto her face, "I'm so sorry, things went this way,"
Sakura nodded. She understood it now. Tsunade was saying her good-bye. Somehow, it felt like someone was strangling her heart.
Suddenly, the slug came to an abrupt stop, almost causing Tsunade to fall off. Sakura lips parted as she stared at the raven-haired boy in front of her.
"S-s-sasuke!" she exclaimed, her eyes widened as she saw no scratch on him.
"Uchiha!" said Tsunade as she jumped from the slug towards the ground, "H-how?"
Sakura eyes narrowed, "Tsunade-sama! Don't! It's not Sasuke-kun," there was no way that Sasuke could have caught up with their speed.
Sasuke smirked, "Sakura, Tsunade,"
Tsunade arched an eyebrow in suspicious as she studied the boy in front of her, "Prove it's you, Uchiha,"
"Hn," Sasuke grumbled in displeasure as he stared at the blonde-haired woman, "fine," he agreed after some brief seconds. Afterwards, he turned his head towards Sakura, "I fought Gaara of the desert in the chuunin exams,"
Sakura suspicious glare softened up, "That's the only thing you could remember to come up with?"
Sasuke shrugged his shoulders and opened his mouth to reply. However, Tsunade stopped him.
"Explain, Uchiha. How on earth did you caught up with us and how on earth you left without a scratch?" Tsunade asked, placing a hand on her hip.
"Shouten No Jutsu," Sasuke replied, ignoring the incredibility look stamped on the Sannin woman face. However, after noticing that Sakura has no idea what he was on about he decided to elaborate, "I learned it with Hanabusa-sama," Sakura winced slightly at the past memories, "it allows you to sacrifice a body that will take how you look like. The sacrifice will work as a host from the moment you inject some chakra in it,"
Sakura emerald eyes sparkled slightly as she stared at Sasuke. She had always known he was smart, but to be able to perform such technique… it was quite something.
"Tsunade," Sasuke sounded demanding.
Tsunade raised her chin defiantly as she stared at the raven-haired Uchiha, "What?"
"Please go ahead without us,"
Both Tsunade and Sakura blinked at Sasuke's words.
"Why?!" Tsunade demanded as she stared at Sakura from the corner of her eyes.
"There are some things that are needed to be said…before-"
"Alright! I get it," Tsunade climbed back on the slug. She stared one last time at Sakura before she disappeared between the trees.
Sakura opened her mouth to say something but was not fast enough.
He ignored the chaotic scenario in front of him. He had his eyes fixed intently on the two remaining figures. He stared and took a mental photograph of the pink-haired girl. Her hair was longer and held tightly on an improvised ponytail. Her messy and long fringe was dancing along with the wind.
Suddenly, his eyes widened as the raven-haired boy disappeared and reappeared behind her.
He heard the three other ANBU-nins move quietly behind him. "Wasn't that Tsunade-sama?" he heard one of them ask.
"Who are those two?"
"How should I know?"
Everything stopped at that exact moment.
The wind ceased instantly, her fringe covered her wide green eyes. Her skin began to prickle, painfully slowly, accompanying the slow beating of her heart.
Memories came back to her at an incredible speed. It was like a puzzle inside her head. One particular piece was more prominent than all the others were. She could see herself, a younger Sakura, tears falling down like a waterfall.
"Why Sasuke?" Sakura asked as she started to cry, "Why won't you ever tell me anything? Why is it always silence with you? You've never shared a single thing-"
"Why should I have to tell you anything?" Sasuke interrupted, "Just keep your nose out of my business. It's none of your concern…"
Sakura swallowed dry and tasted her own tears.
"I know you hate me. Even in the beginning, you could never stand me. Do you remember? Back when we made Genin and we were assigned to our three man squads, we were alone together right here on this very spot. You got so mad at me that day,"
"It was so much fun," Sakura finished, "I know about your clan Sasuke, I do, but seeking revenge, that wont bring anyone happiness, nobody at all. Not you and not me."
"I knew it," Sasuke said, "I'm not the same as you. I am travelling a path the rest of you cannot follow. I know that the four of us have worked together, and for a while, I thought I could take that road instead. However, in the end, I have decided on revenge. That has always been my reason for living. I'll never be like you or Naruto."
"Don't do this Sasuke! You do not have to be alone. You told me that day how painful solitude can be and I understand that pain now! I have family, and friends. However, if you were gone Sasuke it would be the same thing for me as being all alone," She finished, her knees were starting to become weak. Her heart bled internally.
"Sasuke," Sakura pleaded, "I'm so in love with you I can't even stand it! If you would only be with me, I promise I would never let you regret it!" she sobbed loudly before she carried on, "Every day will be a joy, and I can give you happiness! I will do anything for you Sasuke! So please I am begging you! Do not walk away! I will even help get your revenge. I will do whatever it takes to make it happen I swear! So stay here, with me and if you can't, take me with you Sasuke!"
"You haven't changed, you're still annoying," Sasuke answered, his dark eyes penetrated her soul, sucking in every warmth left in her.
"Don't leave me!" Sakura yelled as despair rose inside her, "If you go I'll scream and-"
Sasuke appeared behind her, "Sakura, thank you."
"Sakura…" there was a long pause and yet she did not move. Her legs would not budge; her heart was slowing down more and more, "Thank you,"
"For what?" Sakura asked, surprised that her voice had come out intact.
"For believing in me,"
Darkness claimed Sakura.
The ANBU mask fell down hard on the ground as he ran towards the unconscious pink-haired girl. The other three ANBU remained in their spots, staring at the silver-haired boy as he dodged the thorny bushes.
"It's the Hokage apprentice," one of the ANBU said.
"Nah, yah think?!" another ANBU-nin added sarcastically.
The silver-haired boy slowed down as he approached her sleeping form. His dark eye widened slightly as he watched her pale features. There was a single teardrop falling down her face.
"Sakura…" he whispered softly as he kneeled down. His arms quickly surrounded her body, bringing her close to him. Kakashi took in her scent and smiled foolishly to himself as he realized that she smelled exactly like in her dreams.
"Hatake!" one of the ANBU nin called out startling the copy-nin.
Kakashi slowly stood up, pressing the unconscious girl to his chest. He stared wonderingly at the three ANBU.
"Shouldn't the girl be evacuated as well?"
The question got Kakashi completely out of guard. He stared at the three ANBU men with completely new eyes. They were not a bunch of incompetents as he had labeled them before.
"Hai," Kakashi answered, "I will take her myse—" he stopped talking as Sakura shifted slightly. He almost forgot how to breathe as he stared down at the pink-haired girl. She had to stay unconscious as long as possible, "myself," he finished with a whisper.
The others nodded shortly, "We will take over, do not worry,"
Kakashi nodded back, "Thanks,"
A/N: I'm searching for some capable ninjas to go to Japan with me. Target: Kishimoto.