Hey, guys! I wanted to thank you for the amazing reviews on the previous chapter. I'm really happy that you liked the story. Here's the next chapter of the FF.
PS I do not own "Naruto" it belongs to Masashi Kishimoto ©
What do we have but illusions where one man's absolute is another's choice,
Giving in to confusion, till love and hate both tempt with the same voice.
Won't you take me to a higher ground, I need to see again the way I'm bound,
N' choose the uneasy redemption, run by fear and the flaws of attraction...
"Rewind" by Poets of the Fall
"What am I supposed to do now?", Tsunade buried her fingers in her blonde locks, gripping them tightly. Since she found out Kakashi's midnight disappearance from the hospital two days ago she hadn't slept at all. The Hokage couldn't help but think that there was something important that the Copy nin hid from her. He didn't deny the fact that he had met with Sakura. Was he protecting her because she did indeed commit treason or because she was threatened in some way?
"Well, I think you shouldn't tell about Sakura being alive to anyone, including the Raikage.", Jiraiya sat comfortably in the armchair across the desk, staring at the woman in front of him.
"But I'm the Hokage, I have to do it…", she grumbled in frustration, "If the Elders find out about it, they will lynch me. And even if they somehow magically ignored it, Danzo would make absolutely sure to convince them in the opposite."
"Just give Sakura a little more time.", the Toad Sannin sighed, "By the way… did you really have to break Kakashi's ankle?"
Tsunade humph-ed, "He wouldn't talk. And he got on my nerves. He can't just go whenever he likes after a S ranked rogue shinobi and a potential missing nin."
Jiraiya grinned, "Well, if you would like him to keep his leg maybe you should allow the medics to take care of it. Or else you might be forced to offer him an early retirement due to permanent disablement."
The Hokage waved her hand at the white-haired shinobi and stood up from her chair, "I'm going to bed."
"O~, do you want some company?", the man smirked alluringly.
"Do whatever you want.", the blonde walked passed him and exited her office.
Jiraiya widened his eyes in excitement and jumped around, grinning foolishly. He counted to twenty and followed the blonde kunoichi to her room.
Kakashi scratched his leg under the plaster around his ankle. That itching was so irritating and annoying. At least it didn't hurt. The Copy nin sighed and raised his look to meet the face of the Toad Hermit, "Did you mess things up with Tsunade again?". His nose was tumid and reddish-blue, he had a black eye and split lip.
"She did say "Do what you want." But then she threw a fit when I set up the cameras in her bedroom. ", the Sanin grinned as the other man rolled his eye, "I really needed some fresh material for my next book."
"You should have seen this coming, though.", Kakashi chuckled, "By the way, thanks. I supposed you have a hand in this...", the silver-haired jonin nodded in direction to his plaster.
"I only stated the obvious to her.", Jiraiya smiled and eased his back next to the window, "She is really worried about Sakura and your silence is not helping."
Kakashi tightened his lips, not uttering a word.
"I know you are protecting her. But…", the Hermit smiled softly at the younger shinobi, "…are you completely certain that this is the best thing for her?"
The Copy nin sighed uneasily, "No. Hell, I'm sure that she's making a huge mistake but she made me promise her. I can't betray her again."
Jiraiya nodded in understanding, " I know that but think about it from different point of view. What would you do if she is indeed mistaken and then things go badly for her… wouldn't you blame yourself for not stopping her?" The silver-haired jonin scratched again his leg silently not knowing what to say in response. "Either way you'll feel guilty."
"I will protect her with my life.", Kakashi whispered.
"I know you would. But wouldn't that be easier done if you had somebody else to rely on?", the Sanin smiled at Minato's student. Jiraiya remembered the first time he met young Kakashi. He was just a little prodigy boy who just had witnessed the suicide of his father. There was so much hatred and shame in his coal eyes back then. If he didn't know that the man in the bed was the same boy from back then, he would never guess it. He had grown not only physically but mentally too.
"What are you trying to tell me?"
"Talk to me, Kashi-chan.", Jiraiya grinned.
"Don't call me like that.", a vein popped on the jonin's forehead.
"I couldn't help myself. It felt nostalgic.", the Sanin chuckled, "I still remember the first time Kushina called you like that.", Jiraiya's face curved in a sly expression, "What did you called her back then? "Shaggy madwoman"? Oh, boy that was priceless. Especially the punch she gave you. Minato had to save your ass."
"What's wrong with you?", Kakashi popped his eye irritated.
The Toad Hermit softened his gaze, "Do you know the reason why your Team 7 has the highest score in successful completed mission?"
"Because they are the best shinobi that Konoha has right now. They have perfect teamwork and individually every one of them is a professional.", the younger shinobi answered without thinking.
"Not everything is about professionalism. They are the best because they have each other. Why do you think the team was disbanded after Sakura disappeared. Because Team 7 was like Christmas lights, if one tiny bulb didn't shine anymore, the others would just stop glowing as well.", Jiraiya pushed out from the wall and walked to the door, "No matter what the reason behind her behavior is, no matter if the problem she is facing right now seems unsolvable if she has you and Naruto by her side, I believe she can cope with everything."
Kakashi followed with eyes the older shinobi as he walked out of the hospital room. May be he was right. May be he should talk to Naruto, if he couldn't confess to the Hokage, at least he could share it with him. The Copy nin sighed heavily. What was she doing right now? Was she OK? Suddenly a wave of hatred splashed at his heart. That idiot better not lay a finger on her or he would definitely kill him next time.
Kakashi smiled foolishly to himself and stared through the window. The sun was setting behind the roofs of the houses, bathing them in its warm golden light. Things would work out eventually.
They always did.
Sakura stopped and stared at the breathtaking view that was revealed in front of her between the trees, "What's that?"
"It belonged to my family long time ago.", Sasuke curved up the corners of his mouth.
The house hidden in the forest was standing proudly on the grass floor, its unusual big height was making it almost intimidating to someone who was seeing it for the first time. It was three storey with a couple of windows defining the different rooms. Once the building most likely was painted in pale yellow dye but now the laths were greenish from the moisture and the moss on them. The veranda in front of the house looked as if a green fleecy rug had been spread on the floor-boards. The moss and the grass had taken over whatever part of the house they could.
On its south side a tree branch had made its way through one of the windows which had been left open, and now it had become one with the house. Sakura noticed the triangular-shaped roofs with a small skylights. How many days had Sasuke spent here? How many memories were kept inside that garret? The kunoichi made a careful step forward, looking curiously around her, studying the plants and lichens.
"I didn't know your family had estates outside Fire country.", Sakura glanced at her companion.
"We don't.", Sasuke grinned at her and passed her by, heading to the front door.
The pinkette knitted her brows, "You're kidding me…"
The Uchiha pulled out kunai and used it to crack the door open, "Come on in. Make yourself at home.", the boy entered the old house, leaving Sakura staring at him with dropped mouth.
The medic crossed uneasily the doorstep and looked around herself – dusty photographs hung on the walls in the hall which lead to the living room. With every step a small dust cloud was forming from the carpet. Sakura studied the spacious premises – heavy, once crimson, curtains were wrapping the dirty windows, slightly tied in the middle, so that they didn't cover the whole glass; comfortably looking sofa with two armchairs were situated in the center of the living room surrounding a small wooden coffee table. The estate was well-appointed and probably modern for its time.
Sakura noticed the fireplace and the animal skin spread in front of it. The concept of the whole "floor-skin-fireplace" was conductive to naughty thoughts and the kunoichi licked her lips hungrily.
"I loved to sit there whenever there was storm outside.", the voice of Sasuke startled her and the girl turned around to look at him. The boy was just entering the room, carrying sticks in his arms.
"How long has it been since you last came here?", Sakura whispered and walked towards the sofa. Her knees started hurting from the pressure she put them under. She slumped heavily and sighed.
The Uchiha dropped the sticks in the fireplace, arranging them so he could easily fan the fire up, "I don't remember.", he answered quietly and made the hand seals for katon jutsu. A pleasant warmth and dull crackle filled the air. Sasuke sat on the animal skin and looked at the fire.
Sakura smiled sadly but kept quiet. He needed a little time to himself. The kunoichi eased her head to the back of the sofa and bended her legs under her, closing her eyes. She didn't intend to fall asleep but the fatigue and the pain in her legs drove her on the verge of total exhaustion. A forgotten slumber took her thoughts away and her breathing evened.
"Darui-taicho, we found suspicious footmarks with weak lingering chakra traces not far from here, very close to the Fire country's border.", the shinobi bowed politely.
The white-haired jonin smiled devilishly, "I knew he would still be wandering around here.", the Cloud ninja turned at his subordinate again, "What do you think? Did they belong to Sasuke?"
"Actually, there were two sets of footprints. As far as I think he wasn't alone. One of the sets was damaged, probably the other person was injured and they trailed his legs."
"That's the reason they risked being followed by walking. Good. Good.", Darui smirked, "Follow in their tracks. If one of them is unable to run freely, that means they're not in any condition to fight as well. We'll be stupid if we don't take this opportunity.", the white-haired shinobi ran fingers through his hair, "I'll inform the Raikage and the Hokage that there is a high possibility of confrontation on Fire country's territory. I don't want any troubles.", Darui pulled out a scroll from his vest pocket and stared at the shinobi in front of him who was still standing foolishly there, "What are you waiting for? Go!"
"Yes, Darui-taicho!"
"Sakura, wake up!", Sasuke poked slightly her shoulder and frowned as she only stirred and mumbled something incomprehensible, "Sakura!", he hissed louder. The girl pouted discontentedly and lifted slowly her eyelids, revealing her sleepy green eyes. "Your neck will stiffen if you sleep in this position.", Sasuke knitted his brows, pulling back to give her space to move.
"O~h…", the kunoichi groaned as she tried to stretch her legs, "I don't know about my neck but my knees are rigid.", the pinkette looked through the windows. The night had fallen and the light coming from the fireplace was reflecting on the glass, "How long was I asleep?"
"Few hours. I caught a couple of rabbits for dinner.", Sasuke scratched behind his neck, not knowing what to say.
"How are your eyes feeling after you used them in the fight with Kakashi?", the medic mumbled as she massaged her knees.
"Actually…like they felt few years ago when I first started using them.", the Uchiha smiled at her.
"That's good. It means that the treatment is taking effect. Though, now you might suffer faster chakra depletion because the procedures are not complete.", Sakura felt a slight tickling in her nose and before she could distinguish where it came from, the sneeze shook her body. She frowned and rubbed her nose.
"There is a bathroom upstairs. Go and take hot shower.", Sasuke frowned, "I hope you didn't catch a cold."
"Hot shower?", Sakura's eyes widened, "There is hot water here?"
"Yes, the boiler heats up from the fire in fireplace", the Uchiha smirked.
The Pinkette's face lighten up and she quickly stood up, ignoring the stabbing pain in her knees. It's been three months since she had the chance to bathe with warm water. And that came as a gift from heavens. Sakura hurried upstairs. Suddenly her vision blackened and she froze in her steps waiting for it to clear.
"You OK?", Sasuke asked from behind her.
"Yeah, yeah.", the girl continued and walked in the bathroom, closing the door under the boy's nose.
The young shinobi shook his head, "She didn't even let me give her a towel…". Sasuke sat on the floor next to the door, knowing that when she was finished, she'd probably realize that she didn't bring clean clothes with her. It happened the first time she had used the bathroom in their hideout as well. A grin formed on his face as he remembered her blushed face as she peeked from behind the door asking him to bring her the backpack from her room. The Uchiha chuckled to himself and eased his head to the wall behind him.
He got used to Sakura. He didn't realize it until it was too late. For the past three months, he got used to seeing her in the morning as she prepared her breakfast in the kitchen, rubbing her sleepy eyes, waiting for the coffee to boil. He even caught himself staring at her. The kunoichi's reactions to different things amused him and confused him sometimes. When she was with him, he could see a small sparkle in her green irises. But three months weren't enough for him to figure out what conceived it. Sometimes she was too kind and thoughtful, that it seemed almost suspicious. She had once said that to her, he wasn't an enemy. Was it true or she just tried to lure him out in her net? As the time passed he stopped worrying about such things. He began to trust her. Not fully but at least more than he trusted Tobi and Zetsu.
As the image of the freakish Akatsuki member came to the surface of his mind a sudden wave of anger swept him over. What would have happened if he hadn't showed that time? What if he decided not go and help her? He still remembered the inner contradiction he tried to solve at that point. She was a kunoichi – she should have been able to take care of herself. Moreover she was brought here for a certain purpose. She wasn't on a vacation. But then he heard her desperate scream and something in him snapped. A pair of blue eyes invaded his mind and he asked himself a question which he hadn't even considered before. "What would Naruto do?" Then his body moved on its own.
Sasuke sighed closing his eyes. When he chased Zetsu away and looked at the lying kunoichi the Uchiha realized that the tears that poured from her emeralds were heavier than they looked. As they escaped from the corners of her eyes and fell to the sides of her face, the young shinobi felt his defensive wall cracking under those tears. Maybe it was that exact time that changed him. And not because he became trailer but because he felt something that he had never felt before – content. He was happy and proud of himself that he did something good. "So that's how Naruto feels every time he saves someone.", up until now he considered risking your own life for another's sake a foolish thing to do. But since then he realized that those feelings didn't make you weak and fragile, they gave you a never failing source of strength.
Too bad it took him so many years to figure that out. Too bad it was too late for him. He still had a chance to save Sakura though. He couldn't imagine himself killing her. Most likely Tobi and Zetsu would murder her if he refused to do it. But…
"Is there something I can do to help her?"
"Are you going to talk?", Tsunade frowned and sat in the chair next to Kakashi's bed.
"…"
"Hatake…", she growled under her breath, "Do you understand the condition I'm in? I have to…" The door cracked open and interrupted her in the middle of her sentence. A woman from the deciphering unit stormed in the room, handing a letter to the Hokage. The blonde read it with blank expression. Then she rumpled the paper, looking at the man in the hospital bed, "Darui's squad has found Sasuke's trails." Kakashi's eye widened but the man said nothing. "The tracks show that there is someone else with him as well."
The Copy nin's pupil enlarged and jerked barely noticeable, "What is he going to do?"
"Well. Apparently one of them is injured and Darui suggests confronting them.", Tsunade stared at the paper ball in her palm.
"Are you going to allow it?", Kakashi choked on the words.
"Yes. I think that…"
"YOU CAN'T!", the man jumped on the bed, trying to stand up but the plaster stopped him and he only cursed. His pupil was moving chaotically and the irregular beating of his heart echoed in the quiet room.
"Why?", Tsunade answered slowly, narrowing her gaze.
The silver-haired jonin gulped nervously knowing that he had exposed himself, "No reason. I think you need a little more information before you take on such drastic measures."
"No way.", the Hokage shook her head and stood up in attempt to walk to the door.
"Hokage-sama… don't give your permission for a full-scaled attack.", Kakashi insisted with a stare fixed on the back of the blonde.
"Sasuke is a missing nin. His face is in the bingo books for years. There is no reason for me not to allow it.", the Slug princess replied and pressed the handle of the door.
Kakashi bit his lip under the mask and yelled after her, "Sakura's with him…"
Tsunade stopped in her tracks and slowly turned around with a shock in her eyes, "She's with him? Why?"
"She's the injured shinobi…", Kakashi whispered, "Don't allow the attack, Hokage-sama."
"Don't avoid the question I asked you, Hatake.", she growled.
"I can't give you the answer you seek, Hokage-sama.", the Copy nin averted his gaze.
"I can't call off the attack either, Hatake.", Tsunade exited the room, leaving him with popped eye, nailed on the door.
The silver-haired jonin took a deep breath and bit his thumb feeling the blood on his tongue. He made a hand-seal and after a dull poof Pakkun appeared before him. The dog waved its tail and barked in greeting.
"What do you need, boy?"
"Bring Naruto to me.", Kakashi said hurriedly.
"Roger that.", the pub jumped out of the window running on the roofs of the houses nearby.
The Copy nin tried to stand up but once again he realized that as long as he had a plaster around his ankle he couldn't be of much help. The shinobi cursed and buried fingers in his silver hair, "Damn it."
Sasuke's eyes snapped wide open as a loud thump was heard from inside the bathroom. He rubbed his temples and sighed. He had fallen asleep. How much time had it passed? The Uchiha shook his head and stood up realizing what had woke him up. The shinobi knocked on the bathroom's door.
When nobody answered he yelled, "Sakura?". The only noise that could be heard was the sound of the falling water from the shower. The Uchiha narrowed his eyes, something was wrong, "Sakura, are you OK?". A small ball of nerves formed in his stomach and he pressed the handle. The door was locked, "Seriously? She thinks I'm going to barge in…Sheesh." Sasuke made a step back, "Sakura, I'm coming in…", he kicked the door, breaking the lock. As the door cracked open a thick cloud of steam left the bathroom. The Uchiha entered cautiously looking around himself. Suddenly his eyes noticed the naked female body lying on the tiles under the hot water drops coming from the shower.
The dark-haired boy rushed and stopped the tap, kneeling down to her, "Sakura…", he shook her shoulder gently but her lifeless body didn't gave out any sign of movement. Her face was flushed and Sasuke's heart jerked as he pressed his palm against her forehead, "She has a fever.". The boy slipped his arms under her knees and back. As he moved her a small trickle of blood mixed with the water on the tiles, draining away to the sewer pipe.
"Damn it.", the Uchiha cursed carrying her out of the bathroom. His eyes lingered on her bare skin but he forced himself to avert his travelling gaze. As if it wasn't enough that his hands were touching her soft smooth skin.
Sasuke bit his lip and put her gently on the bed, covering her with the blanket he found folded on the nearby chair. He needed to stop the bleeding first, then he'd think about the fever. A guilt crawled under his skin and stuck its sharp nails to his insides. It was his fault that she was sick now. Hell, her injuries for the past three months were all his doing as well. Some of them directly, some not but he stood always in the core of her problems ever since he left Konoha that summer night.
How could Naruto not hate him for what he had done to her? He liked her right? If he was in his shoes he'd probably even try to kill him…
Sasuke smiled sadly. Well, then, thank god it was Naruto…
Darui opened the scroll and his lazy eyes lit up from excitement, "We have permission, boys!", he yelled to his subordinates and attached his weapon holster to his belt. The Cloud shinobi cracked his neck, "Let's go!"
The shinobi jumped on the trees and ran, following the tracks. Darui smirked to himself in anticipation. He waited for this moment for months, ever since he found out that Akatsuki had wiped out a village near Kumo to lure out B-sama. If they were going after the Raikage's little brother, they deserved nothing but painful death.
They continued to run for nearly two hours when suddenly the tracks vanished. Usually that meant that the shinobi had abandoned the walking and started running on the branches but in this case that was impossible. The trails disappeared in the middle on a vast plain. The team leader raised his hand in sign for the others to stop and looked carefully around. Something was definitely weird. Did they teleport? But one of them was injured so it was impossible. The other option was for them to just fly away but as far as he knew the only Akatsuki capable of flying were Deidara and that purple-haired chick, Konan, and they were both dead.
Darui scratched his forehead thinking. Suddenly a tiny flying object in the night sky caught his attention and the shinobi raised his gaze. A small owl flew above them, crossing the plain, but then somewhere in the middle, it change its trajectory as it was zoning something. The Cloud ninja chuckled under his breath. There was a genjutsu placed there. They were hiding something.
"Everyone stay alert! They are under our noses!", he shouted and turned to his men, "Is there a genjutsu expert here?", one of them stepped forward and Darui nodded in content, "Can you reveal what's hidden here?"
The man drew closer and kneeled, placing his palm against the ground. The shinobi closed his eyes and sent a little chakra through the soil, "It's a very complicated jutsu. It's not just genjutsu that we're talking about here. It's a combination between genjutsu and fuinjutsu. The illusionary technique is keeping the object hidden from our sight and the sealing is providing it with a protection. Nothing possessing a chakra level higher than that of a civilian can trespass its border."
Darui cursed, "We can always suppress our chakra."
"The jutsu cannot be fooled.", the shinobi stood up and faced his captain.
"Can you break it?", the team leader sighed irritated. There was no way he'd just walk away with tail between his legs because he had put some weird jutsu around their hideout.
"I can try but even with the people we have here it would cost us at least two hours non-stop work and considerable amount of our chakra. I can't guarantee that we'll be in condition to fight after we're finished.", the shinobi frowned.
Darui took a deep breath, "OK. Everybody start working. Once you're done those of you who feel that they won't be of any use in the fight have my permission to leave." The shinobi dropped their backpacks and surrounded the genjutsu expert who began explaining the procedure. The white-haired shinobi sat on the ground and pulled out a kunai. Two hours and Sasuke will be in his hands. Two hours.
Sakura stirred slightly in the bed and opened her eyes. At first everything was blurry but then her vision cleared. She heard footsteps and the sound of an opening door. Her head was pounding and she frowned.
"Ah, good. You're awake.", Sasuke's voice reached her ears and she turned slightly her head so she could trace him with her eyes.
"My head feels like hit by a hammer.", she complained and tried to sit up in the bed but her vision blackened and she froze in her movement.
"What happened in the bathroom?", Sasuke place the plate with two bowls on it on the night table near the bed.
"I was shaving my legs when the room span and the last thing I remember is that I was falling.", Sakura sighed and took a deep breath as the delicious smell of just-cooked food reached her nostrils.
"You hit your head and now probably you'll have a terrible whirl. On top of everything you had a fever but I somehow managed to drop the temperature a little and now you'll only feel exhausted.", Sasuke sat on the edge of the bed and grabbed one of the bowls with a spoon, "Sit up so you can have dinner."
Sakura carefully obeyed and took the bowl from the Uchiha's hands. Suddenly she realized that actually she was wearing clothes. Male clothes. A heavy blush spread on her face and her green eyes widened, "Did you dress me up?"
Sasuke smiled without looking at her, knowing that probably she felt embarrassed. He reached and get himself the other bowl, "Yeah. You are sick I can't just let you sleep naked or your condition will worsen. But don't worry, I didn't do anything perverted.", the boy played with the spoon between his fingers, "I hope you don't mind that I gave you some of my clothes. Yours were a little too light for this weather."
The kunoichi sighed and stirred her soup with the spoon, "It's fine. Thanks."
They ate in silence, stealing glances of one another. When they finished and Sakura handed him her empty bowl her eyes studied his face. He was so young. Sometimes she forgot that he was at the same age as her. Despite the rough life he was living, his features remained as handsome as ever. The medic smiled and chuckled under her breath.
"What?", he asked lifting his gaze to her.
"Nothing. I was just thinking that this life hasn't changed you much.", Sakura pulled up her blanket, settling herself more comfortable.
"I guess you've always seen me as a criminal, ha?", Sasuke teased with smile.
"Kind of. You stole my heart back then, remember?", the kunoichi played with the hem of the blanket, feeling a slight blush spreading on her face.
"Do I still keep it?", the Uchiha placed his bowl on the plate again, afraid to look her in the eyes.
"Nah.", her immediate reply pierced his ego, demolishing it to little pieces, "You lost it somewhere along the way. I had a hard time finding it, though.", Sakura fixed few of her fallen locks, combing them with her fingers.
"Someone helped you find it or…?", Sasuke forced himself to look at her. He didn't know how their conversation turned into this direction but it was unhealthy to have your curiosity unsatisfied so he just decided to see it to its end.
"No, actually.", Sakura split her hair to three parts and started plaiting it, "Of course if you consider being with Naruto every single day, help...", she giggled.
Sasuke bowed his head down, "Did you two date after I left?"
"Why would you think that?", Sakura knitted her brows in confusion.
"I don't know. He had always liked you."
"He grew up.", the kunoichi smiled sadly, "Unfortunately he had to do it the hard way. After he lost you he changed very much. He realized that friendship was more important that any rivalry. He felt abandoned and lonely.", Sakura finished her plait and held it with hand. Realizing that there was no rubber band to tie it, "You were his only family, Sasuke. You lost yours and look where it got you. It took him everything to continue to walk in the light. And I'm proud of him." Sakura glanced at Sasuke and met his black eye. The light coming from the lantern was reflecting in his pupils.
The Uchiha buried his fingers in his dark hair, "Sometimes I regret leaving you two behind.", the words rolled heavily from his mouth, "I regret hating my brother. But I was so young…so naïve.", Sasuke's head hung down in defeat, "I took his manipulative words at their face value. I had never thought that he did this to protect me."
"What are you talking about, Sasuke?", Sakura's voice trembled.
"I forgot. You don't know the truth, don't you?", the Uchiha smiled sadly, "The leaves might be bathing in the sunlight but every tree has its roots.", the boy stared out of the window into the darkness of the night, "But never mind this. You should rest.", he tried to stand up but Sakura's hand stopped him.
"Don't go.", she whispered, "Tell me the truth."
"I…", his voice hitched in the middle of his words. Sasuke turned his head in direction to the window again and his face frowned in a worried and nervous grimace.
"What?", Sakura stirred uneasily under her blanket.
"Someone is trying to break the jutsu that's around the house.", Sasuke stood up, rushing to the cupboard in the other side of the room.
"What jutsu? What are you talking about?", the kunoichi pushed away the blanket and tried to stand up but her vision blurred and she slumped on the bed again.
"Every Uchiha compound has a protective jutsu that can be activated if needed.", Sasuke rummaged in the cupboard, looking for something, "I activated it because I thought we'd be followed so we could buy ourselves a little more time.", the boy pulled an old large chest locked with a padlock.
"What are we going to do?", Sakura carefully stood up stretching her legs and arms. Every bone in her body was hurting her.
"You – nothing. I'm going to fight.", Sasuke broke the padlock and opened the chest, pulling out kunai, shuriken and explosive tags.
Sakura frowned, "Hell, no. It's my fault for this whole mess."
"Don't be stupid. You can barely stand.", Sasuke shot her angry look over his shoulder, "You'll wait here until I'm finished with those guys.", he pulled out a ninjato and some black clothes that Sakura couldn't recognize what they were.
"But you don't even know who you will face out there!", the medic growled annoyed as she looked around herself to find something which could help her tie up her plait. She noticed a drawer on the night table next to the bed and opened it. The girl rummaged and found a tiny elastic.
"If I waste another minute, they'll break the barrier and this whole house will become a battlefield.", Sasuke took off his shirt and trousers, throwing them on the floor.
"But…"
"No buts.", he put on a black ninja pants with the same black top and matching gloves, "Sakura, I'm trying to save your stupid ass. Don't be obstructive, please.", the Uchiha wrapped black leather belts around his chest, attaching the ninjato on his back and his weapon holster to the belts on his trousers.
The kunoichi observed the boy in front of her. She recognized that outfit. That was the traditional ninja uniform. It's black color was meant to help shinobi with concealing themselves. She had seen it only in pictures in her history books, "At least give me some weapons.", her voice was adamant.
Sasuke cursed, "Fine. I think there are more in the chest.", he put on his leather boots and stuck a kunai in one of them, "But you will only use them if I fail to protect you.", he straightened his back and sighed heavily, walking to her. He gripped tightly her upper arms and shook her, staring at her widened green eyes, "If I fall, you'll run away, saving your ass. Don't even consider rushing to save me! Am I clear?", she only gulped heavily not saying a word. Sasuke growled annoyed, shaking her again, "Am I clear?"
Sakura knitted her brows, "Fine!", she cut from his grip and sat on the bed glaring at him. Suddenly a electrifying chill ran through her body. Her heart jerked.
"Shit.", Sasuke rushed out of the room without saying a word, drawing out kunai.
The kunoichi stood up and looked through the window. The full moon was high in the sky, illuminating the grass field. She noticed dark figures crawling on the ground. The jutsu was released. Fear consumed her body but she shook her head, trying to sober her thoughts. What to do? Wobbling she reached to the lantern and put out the flaring wick. The room sank into the darkness and she waited for her eyes to get used to it before moving.
In the distance she heard the clash of the kunai and shuriken. The battle had started and her time was running out. She rushed to the chest across the room but trimmed on something falling heavily on the wooden floor. "Damn.", Sakura reached it crawling and pulled out another set of clothes and weapons. There was no time for her to be picky.
The suffocating smell of something burning filled her nostrils and she bit her lip nervously, putting on the trousers and the top. The battle was still continuing so it meant that Sasuke was still alive and kicking. The medic tightened the belts, holding the ninjato and attached the weapon pouch to her waist.
A sudden yellowish light coming out from the crack under the door attracted her attention. Sakura carefully stood up from the floor and walked to it. She placed her gloved hand over the handle and pressed it lightly. Once the door was open thick smoke made its way into the room. The girl covered her mouth and nose, peeking from behind the door. Her eyes widened and breath hitched. The hall was in flames. Someone must have used a katon jutsu inside the house.
She felt the floor under her feet trembling from the battle on the first floor. A loud deafening crackle echoed in the hall and burning beam broke off from the ceiling, falling only few meters away from Sakura. The kunoichi made a quick step back startled but her vision blurred and she stumbled nearly falling on the floor. The way to the stairs was cut off. She had to think of another option. The pinkette opened the door across the hall where the fire hadn't reached yet. The room was pleasantly cool and dark. She looked around and mentally made a plan of the house. There should be another room next to this one and then another one which door was leading exactly to the staircase.
Sakura stared through the window, the field was calm and peaceful only the dead or dying bodies of the shinobi retold what had happened there. She could escape without much trouble, leaving Sasuke behind, just as he ordered her. He'd be probably killed and she could only focus on Tobi and Zetsu. Not that she stood a chance against any of them. Zetsu maybe, at least until he used his poison. But that masked man was too strong for her.
A painful scream outcried all the other noise and crackle. Sakura looked at the wall behind her. Sasuke. Was she actually capable of letting him die in cold blood?
Her fist clenched and she rushed at the wooden wall. "Forgive me, Naruto.".The chakra-enhanced punch demolished the laths. The other room was already affected by the fire and few beams had fallen, blocking the way to the door. Sakura took a deep breath and held it in her lungs knowing that once she broke in the next room, probably it would be too suffocating to breathe. The temperature of the flames was drying up her skin. She wasn't even sweating but out of habit she wiped out her forehead, leaving traces of ashes on her face. The kunoichi clenched her fist one more time and rushed at the wall before her. This time it was easier. The fire in the next room had thinned out the laths.
Once she entered the room her eyes teared up. The smoke was hot and peppery. Her vision blurred and she fell on the floor. She could hardly see and every time she tried to breathe in the thick fume only stifled her. Sakura felt the temperature around her rising significantly and the kunoichi popped out her eyes, trying to clear her vision. A burning lath was nearly cut off from the ceiling and it was hanging above her. The medic's body trembled and she forced herself to roll to one side. Just as she moved away from her previous spot, the lath broke off and crashed on the floor. The fear of the near death experience pierced Sakura's chest and the kunoichi forced herself to stand up. It was dangerous to stay in here.
The pink-haired girl looked around her. The door frame was burning but the door itself was still in place. She stormed at it and kicked it open. She could see staircase. There weren't any fallen joists yet which meant that this may happen anytime now. Sakura rushed out of the room careful not to burn herself up. The kunoichi heard another loud crackle and she knew that probably a beam was going to fall. Not wasting any time to look around she ran to the staircase. The burning joist fell behind her, forcing her to threw herself forward. The medic rolled down the burning stairs, feeling the flames scorching her skin where they touched it. She couldn't think of the pain now. Getting out of here with Sasuke was more important.
Sakura reached the first floor with a heavy bump. She felt a stinging pain on her forehead and the medic instinctively reached her hand to check. Once her gloved fingers touched the hurting place she hissed. Definitely a bleeding wound. The kunoichi rose slowly to her feet looking around her. The fire on the first floor was weirdly weaker. Maybe whomever started it, their purpose was to cut the second floor off the first one.
The pinkette rushed to the living room and her heart skipped a beat as she saw Sasuke clashing his ninjato with Darui. What was he doing here? Wasn't this Fire country's territory? Both of the men were fighting on par. She noticed the small flesh wounds on Sasuke's body. There was nothing fatal but she felt her chest clenching at the sight of the two man fighting. Darui was strong. She knew the best. The kunoichi saw him forming unusual set of handseals. She remembered what had Kakashi told her about him. He was a kekkei genkai user. What was his release? She closed tightly her eyes, trying to remember. That's right – Storm – water and lightning.
Sakura's eyes travelled to Sasuke. She saw him doing the seals for Chidori. Her pupils widened and jerked. It wouldn't be enough. Chidori was strong but not strong enough to confront Darui's storm jutsu. The kunoichi rushed at them. She had to do something. She couldn't use her brute strength because the ceiling was fragile from the fire and she risked burying them under a avalanche of burning laths. There was no jutsu she could use that could actually stop Darui at this moment.
She saw Sasuke running at the Cloud shinobi with chirping jutsu. "Damn it.", her body shivered in fear. The girl slid her body on the floor, kicking Darui's ankles. The white-haired man lost balance and stopped his jutsu, falling on the floor.
Sasuke froze in his steps, redirecting Chidori to the side startled that he might hurt Sakura. His face was shocked and sharingan in his eyes faded. The Uchiha dropped on his knees panting. The kunoichi jumped on her feet and ran to him, wrapping her arm around his shoulders, "Get up. We need to go." She heard a noise behind her and quickly turned around. Darui was raising to his feet again. His face was curved in furious grimace.
"You, bitch.", his voice was wobbling from the anger, "I thought you were dead."
Sakura noticed him keeping his left leg up. Probably the collision with her kick had damaged him after all. They could try and escape. She gripped tightly Sasuke for his upper arm and forced him to stand up. The Uchiha obeyed and straightened his back. The kunoichi stared at Darui's eyes – he was going to attack. Suddenly a crackle echoed in the room and a cross-beam broke off from the ceiling, falling between the shinobi.
"Now.", she pushed Sasuke towards the nearest window, "Run."
They threw themselves through the glass, rolling on the grass outside. Sakura stood up and rushed to the woods, pulling Sasuke for the hand. There was a warmth spreading on her throat but she had no time to check what caused it. The boy behind her cut off from her and supported himself on his knees, "I need to catch my breath. My eyes are burning."
"There is no time for this!", Sakura turned around and glared at him, "Come on." Suddenly the sound of a breaking glass echoed in the air. Her eyes averted in direction to the sound and she saw a kunai flying at Sasuke. The kunoichi's body moved on its own and she jumped in front of him. The weapon stabbed her in the abdomen and she screamed in pain.
The Uchiha's eyes popped out as he saw her falling back. He stood up and caught her. His gaze studied her face. It was covered in ashes and small cuts. There was a bleeding wound on her forehead and Sasuke's heart jerked as he felt something sticky and warm on his palm that was holding her neck. His pupil widened as he saw the deep cut on her throat. Did she hurt herself when they jumped out of the window?
"You should get out of here.", Sakura whispered, "And don't make such stupid face.", her hand reached for the kunai stuck in her stomach. With one swift motion she pulled it out and the breath escaped her lungs.
Sasuke pressed the wound with hand and looked in direction to the house. Darui was making his way out of the burning building. They didn't have much time, "I don't think I have enough chakra to finish this fight. Sakura..."
"I'm sorry.", she whispered looking him with teary eyes.
"For what?", he pulled out a kunai from his pouch and placed it next to him, knowing that soon he would need it to protect themselves from Darui.
"I wanted to kill you.", Sakura smiled sadly, "That's why I was so nice the past three months." Sasuke was looking at her speechless, "I wanted to relieve Naruto from the burden I put on him. At least that's what I told myself."
"Why did you save me?", Sasuke moved a fallen lock soaked with blood from her face.
"Old habits die hard.", she smirked and coughed, spilling blood.
"Don't speak anymore.", the Uchiha looked away.
"I hate you, Sasuke, only because I loved you so much.", Sakura tried to took a deep breath bush she choked on the blood in her mouth and closed her eyes losing consciousness.
The dark-haired shinobi looked at her with pained expression but he didn't have the time to reply to her. A sudden burst of chakra sent chills down his spine and he put her gently on the ground grabbing the kunai next to him. The Uchiha stood on his feet, staring at the running Darui. The Cloud shinobi had pulled out his tanto. Sasuke's fingers gripped tightly the kunai's handle and he took a defensive stance, protecting Sakura from the other shinobi. Only a second and their faith would be written.
Suddenly a yellow flashed passed by the young Uchiha. The former member of team 7 stepped back startled with shocked expression as he recognized Naruto. His ex-teammate was gripping tightly Darui's arm immobilizing his movements. But that wasn't the same Naruto he remembered. His body was wrapped by golden-yellowish spirit cloak. Not the same red sinister chakra from before when he used Kyuubi's power. That was different.
"Thanks for protecting Sakura-chan, Sasuke.", his usual pumped up voice sounded strangely assuring and comforting in the Uchiha's ears.
"Naruto…", the dark-haired boy mumbled still shocked.
The Jinchuuriki turned his head to the Cloud shinobi again, "I think you should leave."
Darui's eyes flinched, "Don't be so cocky, kid."
Naruto released his hand and punched him in the face. The white-haired ninja flew few meters back, falling on the ground unconscious. The Kyuubi host turned around to face his teammates. The yellowish chakra dispersed and now his features were easily distinguished. His usually bright expression was now serious and pained, "You should get Sakura-chan and leave."
Sasuke couldn't believe his ears. Was this really Naruto? He kneeled down and lifted her up in his arms, "Why?"
"Kakashi-sensei told me everything.", Naruto looked down and his lip trembled. When he raised his face to meet Sasuke's again there were tears in his blue eyes, "I failed to bring you back, Sasuke, and it's too late now. But don't steal Sakura-chan away from me by forcing her to walk your path. That's why go, hide and save her. I believe a time will come when she'd be able come back home. In a month, a year or ten years… it doesn't matter when as long as I can see her where she belongs, where you belonged as well."
The Uchiha gulped the lump in his throat, "Thank you.", he turned around with Sakura in his arms and walked to the forest but then he stopped and looked back to the blonde boy who was still staring at his back, "Thank Kakashi as well."
Suddenly Naruto's expression lit up and a wide bright smile appeared on his face, "I will… If I survive after baa-chan beats me to a pulp."
Sasuke smirked and ran in the forest disappearing from the Jinchuuriki's sight.
Naruto sighed deeply and turned around to look at Darui. He walked leisurely to his body and kneeled down looking him with annoyed expression. The blonde slapped him through the face few times in attempt to wake him up. The Cloud shinobi's eyelid trembled and he slowly opened his eyes. When he recognized Naruto they popped out and he tried to stand up but the Kyuubi host pushed him down with hand on his shoulder.
"Let's have a friendly chat, shall we?", Naruto smiled with evil spark in his sapphire eyes.
Darui nodded shivering.
"I received your letter, Hokage.", the Raikage entered the office and sat in the armchair in front of the desk, "Did you get a report from Darui's squad?"
Tsunade shook negatively her head, "Still waiting.", the blonde bit her thumb nail nervously. Her guts were tied in a knot ever since she sent that reply scroll, allowing the attack. If really Sakura was with Sasuke as Kakashi said, most likely she'd be involved in the crossfire, "I asked you to come here for another reason…", the kunoichi licked her red-colored lips, "If Darui manages to bring Uchiha Sasuke alive, I want to receive all the rights over his life. Whether it's to kill him, arrest him or spare his life."
"I refuse.", the Raikage jumped on his feet with furious expression on his face, "He's international criminal, wanted in all of the five great nations…"
"Actually, Iwagakure doesn't have anything to do with him…", the Hokage smiled at the Cloud leader.
"Whatever…I can't allow it.", A growled bumping his fists in her desk.
"Listen carefully, Raikage.", Tsunade rose from her seat and drew her face closer to the one of the other man, glaring at his eyes, "I wasn't asking for your permission. I was simply being polite. If you try and interfere with my decisions, which have something to do with my subordinates and shinobi, I'll be forced to intervene with your village's business…If you know what I mean…", Tsunade's caramel eyes shot sparks at A.
The Raikage opened his mouth to reply but suddenly the air in the room trembled and twisted. Slowly the figure of a man wearing an orange mask and a dark robe appeared whirling. Both of the Kages took defensive positions and stared at him.
"Who are you?", Tsunade growled at the man.
"Are. Are.", the masked man chuckled, "Wasn't it easy to catch you off guard?", he made a step forward.
The Raikage unleashed his chakra and rushed to the intruder. As his arm was to collide with the Akatsuki member's throat, A just passed through him, stumbling. A quiet chuckle was heard in the office. The Cloud leader popped out his eyes and jumped back next to the Hokage.
"My Lariat missed?", his voice was confused.
Tsunade tch-ed and shook her head, "It passed through him.", she glared at the masked man.
"Bravo! You guessed right!", Tobi clapped excited with high-pitched voice. Then a strong intimidating chakra started emitting from his body and he growled, "I just wanted to inform you – I'm intending to get my hands on the Hachibi and Kyuubi." The Kages in the office shrieked from the drastic change in his tone but said nothing. The Akatsuki continued with low voice, "If you agree to hand them over willingly, I will spare the lives of your people. Else…I might be forced to take on more drastic measures."
The Hokage narrowed her caramel eyes, "Are you declaring a war to Konoha and Kumo?"
"Well if you put it that bluntly, yes. But personally, I'd like to think of it as suggestion.", Tobi shrugged his shoulders and raised his hand in goodbye wave, "I have to go now. I look forward to seeing you again…", his body twirled and twisted, disappearing the same way it emerged.
The two Kages stared at one another with shocked eyes.
"What the hell?", Hokage cursed and slumped on her armchair.
"Hokage…", A whispered, "Who is he?"
"Come with me.", Tsunade jumped suddenly heading to the door.
"Where are we going?"
"To see Hatake Kakashi.", the Slug princess murmured discontentedly, "He's fought with him before."
"Then why are we heading to the hospital?", the Raikage caught up with the blond kunoichi.
"He's there…"
"He got hurt in a mission?"
"Something like that…", Tsunade averted her gaze and scratched her neck.
TBC