Title: Rebuild
Full Summary: Somewhat AU. Following Pein's Invasion and Uchiha Sasuke's return, Haruno Sakura struggles to cope as Konoha struggles to rebuild itself. The terrifying, familiar poison of yesterday's past is back. Learning how to trust again is not an easy task - especially when her life is a spin-cycle of betrayal. Bang and beat, rinse and repeat.
Pairing: SasuSaku
Inspiration: 100 Suns & Night Of The Hunter - 30 Seconds to Mars, And Run - He Is We, Lights (Bassnectar Remix) & Under the Sheets - Ellie Goulding; Look - Sebastien Tellier
We're under the sheets and you're killing me, in our house made of paper, your words all over me.
I've seen you in a fight, you lost.
~ Ellie Goulding
Sakura shifted the weight of her pack, swallowing nervously as she looked up at the towering gates of Konoha. Anxiety choked her up as she leaned against the chipping paint, and she couldn't believe they were doing this. An overwhelming sense of deja vu and vertigo overpowered her senses, and she gripped the gate with paint-peeling fingers. Her knuckles bleached and her hands shook slightly, and she didn't know whether to smile with hope, cry with despair, or laugh at their own foolishness. Six long months after the war, and they were still running after flimsy dreams, chasing after a house of cards. Sometimes she admired their own perseverance, sometimes she mocked their foolish dedication. She gazed through the early-morning darkness to the path before them, leading out of the main gates of the village. She hadn't really been able to sleep all night. She sighed and rubbed her knuckles over her eyes, taking in the fresh morning air, hoping beyond hope that their mission would be successful. It was nerve-wracking, waiting for the others. Naruto soon joined her, restless and excited. She could tell by the bags under his eyes that he'd barely slept a wink as well. They stared at each other, understanding, and protected the tiny flame of hope between them. They leaned back against the gates and waited, butterflies fluttering in Sakura's stomach.
Team Taka arrived first, and Sakura could see the tension in Suigetsu's upper body, the tensed muscles in Karin's legs. Naruto raised a hearty hand in greeting, exchanging pleasantries and small talk as the others began to trickle in. Naruto could sense the pessimism in about half the group that amassed before them, but he wouldn't let it dampen his spirits. They were reluctant to come, but still had arrived and he was grateful beyond words. Support was what they needed - not literal backup, but just enforcement that they were doing the right thing, inspiration. The odds were stacked against them, piled high in what seemed to be a losing fight, but Naruto and Sakura refused to sink.
Naruto and Sakura pulled determination from thin air, like alchemy or magic. It came when they called upon it, easy as breathing. At least, that's what Karin thought. They could create everything out of nothing, and even when their backs were pressed against the wall they cut their own doors, cleaved escapes with nothing but sheer willpower. In Karin's eyes, they were indestructible, infallible, like stars. They would burn white-hot forever, even long after they were to die. It was inevitable. She felt so out of place, she and Suigetsu, standing uncomfortably next to the group of loyal ninja. They revolved around teamwork, trust, and support - something she and Suigetsu had rarely witnessed until Team Taka. They shared an uncomfortable glance after staring at Naruto and Sakura, who depended on each other so heavily, so completely it terrified them. Karin wondered if she and Suigetsu would ever be like that one day - and desperately hoped they would. Once she got past the sheer terror of putting faith so wholly into another, Karin found out that the prospect wasn't so bad - inviting, even. She stole another look at Suigetsu and felt warmth rush down her body all the way to her toes, fighting a blush. She watched the remnants of Team 7 once more, drawn to them like gravity. Their relationship was fascinating and captivating. Watching them was entrancing, Karin decided. The way they acted around each other, the friendly banter and deep undercurrents of bottomless trust and love made her ache for what they had. She chanced another quick peek at Suigetsu and found him staring right at her, unabashed and unashamed. She met his lavender eyes evenly, inwardly struggling to keep her composure. Their gazes were broken at the sound of light footsteps, and they all turned to see Sai approaching out of the darkness, ever-present fake smile plastered on his face.
"Morning," he greeted politely, to which Naruto rolled his eyes and Sakura smiled.
"It's not morning, it's the ass-crack of dawn," Naruto complained, wincing as Sakura slugged him.
"Shut up, Naruto," she threatened with her fist, sharing a look with him before they both pounced on Sai. Completely taken aback, the painter staggered a few steps backward, overcome by the weight of both his teammates. They'd rushed him with a tight group hug, Naruto at his left and Sakura tucked into his right. Sai tentatively hugged them back, patting both their backs with his hands.
"I believe our relationship has just ascended to a higher level," Sai proclaimed, to which Sakura gave a giggle and Naruto snorted. They slightly broke apart at the sound of Kakashi's telltale poof, smoke filtering through the air.
"I'm glad to see you're finally all getting along so well," the Jounin proclaimed, lone eye crinkling in a smile. This time, Naruto's and Sakura's devious smiles could not be contained and they rushed Kakashi as well, dragging Sai with them.
"We're bringing Sasuke back home, Kakashi-sensei," Naruto whispered, just so that the four of them could hear. They all stood in silence for several moments, holding on as tightly as they could before they broke apart. Just as they were readjusting their clothes and sliding back from the group-hug, the rest of the retrieval team came into view with blank faces and yawns. They all greeted each other warmly, ran swiftly through their plans, and passed through the giant gates with tension in the air.
Sakura stood high over the camp, half-concealed in the trees, looking eastward with her back to the team. The rest lounged in tents or around the fire pit, talking idly amongst themselves. Tenten, Hinata and Neji sat in a small half-circle, staring at Sakura's back. She blended in with the canopy and the darkness around them, the only thing standing out the bright circle wide across her back.
"You think she's holding up okay?" Tenten murmured, low enough so that her voice would not carry.
"I imagine she's very anxious," Hinata mused. "This must be very hard for her - and Naruto," the heiress sighed, white eyes darting off in the direction Naruto had taken. He'd gone to bathe several minutes ago, but they all knew it was hard for the two to sit still when they knew where Sasuke was - when he was at their fingertips. Neji admired the back of her profile for several seconds, staring at her rigid form.
"I'm surprised she or Naruto haven't taken off already," Neji admitted, "look at her. She's ready to take off any minute." He said this without any warning implied, just casual observation. Sakura and Naruto were itching to run deep into the hours of the next morning, but they knew they needed their team and time to come up with backup plans. They were smart enough to hold back - after all, they'd been chasing Sasuke for years. They could wait a little longer.
Neji stared at the slowly dying fire, long after Hinata and Tenten had disappeared into the maze of tents around them. Sakura's stiff form was still there, half-shrouded in darkness, gazing out through the canopy at the distance before them. With silvery eyes fixated on her back, Neji silently stood, and in one graceful, powerful jump, tucked his legs beneath him and soared up to Sakura's side with a burst of chakra. Sakura didn't acknowledge him at first, her gaze never roving from the rolling hills outside the forest.
"There's no rush, Sakura," his smooth voice assured her, low and calm. "Come back and eat something. He won't leave. There's nowhere else for him to go," Neji placated her, and she finally turned to look at him, jade eyes apprehensive and just a little sad. He offered her a shadow of a smile, silver eyes gentle and kind. There was no derision in them, and she allowed him to figuratively take her hand and lead her from her perch. They landed with twin thuds, and Sakura never thought she'd have a pleasant companionship with Neji - let alone even talk. He wasn't mean, but they'd never really had opportunities to interact, aside from the rebuilding of Konoha. He'd protected her several times, and she him in the war, and had exchanged a few pleasantries in the aftermath, but they'd never really exchanged conversation.
"Hungry?" he asked, and she nodded mutely, stunned that he was even making dinner for her. He stoked the winding-down fire and threw in several more logs, uncovering the pot hanging over the fire. He stirred it around and ladled it into her bowl, handing her his canteen and patiently waited. Sakura devoured the meal, astounded by his display of kindness. She wasn't shocked by his gentle spirit, but more the fact that he was doing this for a person he barely knew.
"It must be hard," he remarked, and she lifted her eyes from the beef stew to follow him. "You and Naruto are really admirable," he told her, and Sakura was glad the night hid the faint dust of pink on her cheeks. Neji was no doubt a highly attractive and powerful man, and to have him upright tell her she was admirable was butterfly-inducing. Sakura knew, of course, that he and Tenten were bound to end up together, so the butterflies weren't romantic - more of delightful surprise and embarrassment at his bold claim. That, and he was very attractive. Nothing on Sasuke, though - at least to her. She harrumphed quietly into the bowl, scowling at a swirling carrot. "Is something wrong?" Neji asked, bringing her out of her thoughts, a confused frown on his face.
"Oh, no," Sakura stuttered, laughing lightly. "I was just thinking about Sasuke." There was a slight of heaviness in her words, but Neji looked over it like a true gentleman. She inwardly bemoaned the fact she hadn't fallen for someone else, like the Iwa-nin, or even Lee for example. Like that would've ever happened. Sakura allowed herself to wallow in misery and self-pity for several seconds before digging back into her meal. "I think I'd have a better chance with Gaara than Sasuke... nah scratch that, Gaara would be a piece of cake compared to him."
Across the campfire, Neji was slowly getting a handle on Sakura and Naruto, and their relationship with their traitor teammate. At first he hadn't understood at all. How could they support, defend, and even love a traitor? Sasuke had gone above and beyond the definition of ultimate betrayal, and yet they were both still head-over-heels for him. They believed they could save him from himself. At first, he had regarded their ideologies with contempt and pity, but as time wore on his opinions shifted.
"I was just wondering... forgive me if I offend you, but how can you hold on to him like this? Even after everything he's done to you?" Neji's eyes were searching, with honest intentions. Sakura gave him a wry, bitter smile, leaning back as she gave a chuckle. She licked her lips and shook her head, giving a little shrug of the shoulders.
"I don't really know. Well, I guess I do - but it's just uncontrollable. We know who he was, who he could be, who he really is, buried deep inside. And that's what keeps us going, I guess. Sasuke just took the wrong path, that's all. He's hurting so much that he's blinded by the insatiable need for vengeance, and for his pride. But not only that, he has to redeem the Uchiha. He has to make them untouchable, so that his very name is imposing, full of power. So no one will ever want to cross the clan again, or even speak badly of them. Sasuke pushed us away because he was afraid. He was afraid of losing everything he ever loved again." Sakura's eyes were serious, solemn. Neji drank in every word. "He really did care for us, you know. Like the way Naruto and I care for each other. He was always bad at showing it, but when it counted... he was there. He saved my life countless times. He hated himself and punished himself because he couldn't save me from Gaara when we were 13. He saved Naruto's life more times than I can count. Hell, he had so many opportunities to kill us both... but he never took them. He only really threatened. Why do we still care about him? We love him. We can't control who we love, or how we love them. Sasuke is like my rock. If I lose him, my anchor, I lose myself. He is my everything. To Naruto, he's his everything too. In the same but yet different way. We look like fools, I know. But none of that matters if we get him back, back where he belongs. Sasuke's family deserves justice, but not like this. Sasuke just doesn't know what to do, so he's turning to the only thing he's ever known. Hatred and revenge. He's too scared to love. He loved his back and because of it, he left us. He didn't think he was powerful enough to protect us - Orochimaru's mark and the exams only amplified what he felt. He left us because he felt weak, and because he wanted revenge. He's still Sasuke, he just hasn't come back yet. It's always the darkest before dawn." Sakura's words were earnest and resounding, surprising Neji with the depth of her lengthy reply. Twigs snapped beneath Sakura's shoes as she shifted her crossed legs, bringing her fingers down to dig into the fallen pine needles. She stared at him, trying to make him understand. She braced herself for a blistering putdown, but to her surprise, Neji reached out to touch her shoulder. The gesture was small, but meaningful beyond compare. Sakura gave him a small, fragile smile, which he returned. She set the bowl of food aside. "Thank you, for dinner. I appreciate it." Sakura said, to which Neji waved off.
"Don't mention it. I'm glad we talked, Sakura. I'm just sad we hadn't done it sooner." Sakura laughed, delighted to have found a new friend. It would certainly strengthen the team as well, and she'd found a new confidant. Who'd ever thought she'd find a friend in Neji? Not her, that's for sure. She hoped Naruto would take the new development without much complaint.
"So, you and Tenten, hun?" Sakura asked, a playful smile on her lips. She took great delight in the way Neji suddenly blanched, looking up at her with a swift deer-in-the-headlights look before vehemently denying the claim. He pursed his lips together and sent her a level, searing stare. Sakura only smirked, and raised a challenging eyebrow. "No matter. I'll pry the truth out of you sooner or later."
Neji repressed a shudder. All women were terrifying in their own right - Sakura with her brute strength and seemed to have picked up a few things from Ino, Ino with her brutal gossip and nagging techniques, Tenten with the sheer amount of deadly weapons and expertise she yielded, and Tsunade-sama with her enormous strength and infamous temper. Shikamaru's mother was a force to be reckoned with as well, and when Hinata was incensed and drew out of her shell... Neji vowed to stay single for as long as he could. Neji was loathe to be on the receiving end of any of their anger. He wondered how Naruto dealt with Sakura's temper and strength. He supposed the Nine Tails was the only thing keeping the idiot alive at this point.
"I'm going to turn in, I think. No use in tiring myself out," Sakura murmured, to which Neji agreed with. He was assigned to first watch, and was glad to see that Sakura was finally being rational. "I'll wait for Naruto, though. We're both going to bed... and if he refuses..." a terrifying glint came to her eyes, and Neji was suddenly very glad he was not Naruto, or any other of her teammates for that matter.
Ten minutes later, crashing and twigs snapping alerted them of the blond's arrival, loud as always.
"Naruto!" Sakura admonished. "People are sleeping!" she hissed, to which Naruto dodged a punch and hastily apologized in a whisper. "Now, we're going to bed. Don't be stupid or I'll throw you from here to Suna. You can try and catch up with us then." Sakura was in no mood to beat around the bush or banter with the jinchuuriki, and Neji watched with equal parts fear and admiration as she whipped Naruto into shape. The usually headstrong blond immediately acquiesced, obediently trekking into his own tent with reluctant submission. Neji found it hard to say he wasn't astonished. The kunoichi then slipped into her own tent, leaving the camp quiet aside from rustling of sleeping bags and the wind.