DISCLAIMER: This story is solely written for fanservicing. All known characters and plot lines belong to Masashi Kishimoto and the publishers of the Naruto series. I am merely a fan who wishes to write her alternate story to the Naruto manga. The title "In The Name of Life" is taken from Joe Hisaishi's soundtrack of the film 'Spirited Away', by Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. This fanfic is not intended for lucrative purposes.
In The Name of Life
Chapter XII
"Every age yearns for a more beautiful world. The deeper the desperation and the depression about the confusing present, the more intense that yearning."
~Johan Huizinga
The two young shinobi were interrupted by a third party arriving. From the branch of a tree, Naruto saw how Uchiha Madara materialized in a spiralling motion, setting his eyes on him and Hinata. His immediate instinct was to stand in front of the girl to protect her. Madara's mask had changed; it was a different colour and featured two more wholes. It was a lilac mask with three tomoes, like a combination between the Sharingan and Rinnegan. He was carrying a large war fan on his back, and his attire was more appropriate for fighting.
"Uzumaki Naruto," he said, "and Hyūga Hinata if I am correct. I've been following you for a while."
Naruto could feel the Kyūbi's rage stirring in his subconscious. The beast was significantly troubled by the arrival of the former Uchiha clan leader. The seal was trembling on his stomach, causing Naruto to feel uneasy about his ability to protect Hinata from Madara.
"You are looking for our guests. Quite brave of you, to come so close to my headquarters with no other company."
The boy knew that Madara specialized in his materialization; he probably kept a watchful guard under his chakra in order to not get noticed. Nonetheless, Naruto was still with his Sage Mode on, receiving as much chakra from nature as it was possible. In a swift motion, he summoned a Shadow Clone and prepared a Rasengan that was directed at Madara. Naruto then jumped from the ground and was ready to impact his jutsu with Madara's chest, but with the same result as last time; the Uchiha became untouchable, like a ghost.
Naruto ended up on the other side of the tree, with Madara's back facing him and his front facing Hinata. Luckily, his Shadow Clone was still standing with the girl with an arm in front of her chest.
"Uzumaki Naruto, you should know that those tactics do not work on me," said Madara.
The Uchiha disappeared in a spiral and quickly appeared beside Hinata. He knocked out Naruto's Shadow Clone, which disappeared in a poof, and then motioned his arm to Hinata's chest. The girl was quick enough to jump up to another tree branch, with her Byakugan activated. Even so, her face expressed fear like no other.
Hinata was truly terrified. She quickly grabbed a kunai and jumped down the tree branch, ready to attack their enemy.
"HINATA, STOP!" Naruto let out the scream just before the girl encountered Madara, who had once again become untouchable. She stumbled on her feet, and their opponent was about to attack her when Naruto made his way to him and stopped his arm from getting near Hinata.
The three engaged in a taijutsu battle that was beyond normal speed. Madara could easily hold up to both Naruto's and Hinata's quick attacks. He wasn't struggling. Fear came over Naruto at the realization that this encounter was not even half of Madara's real power. He needed to get Hinata out of the enemy's grasp soon, before Madara decided to take her as captive as well.
Hinata almost touched Madara's neck, but he dematerialized it. After that, Naruto tried to shoot up his knee on his back, but was once again unable to cause any harm on the Uchiha. Madara threw a punch at Hinata's chest, and sent her flying. It was a mirror image of when she fought Pain, only that now Naruto wasn't confined to any chakra poles. He let out a shriek when she hit the ground –still breathing, at least— and summoned twenty Shadow Clones to help him with Madara.
However, the Uchiha elder once again spiralled from his view and reappeared ten feet away from Naruto. The boy finally noticed Madara's new acquisition; while the Sharingan was on his right eye, the Rinnegan was on his left. Madara had gone to Nagato's grave and stolen his Rinnegan. The realization of his intrusive action dawned over Naruto, and he felt ten times angrier than before. Madara was truly an inhuman individual who only caused chaos. He was the reason why Naruto's parents were dead, why Sasuke could not live a peaceful life.
Madara meant destruction to Naruto.
I'll give you my chakra and we will destroy him... The Kyūbi was equally enraged with the Uchiha's presence.
No! I will take care of him alone, you sit back and relax! Naruto charged his way over to Madara, with his fists ready to try and find a way of harming the legendary ninja. The attacked, on the other hand, quickly avoided Naruto's quick kicks and punches.
Madara skipped over to Hinata's injured body and grabbed her by the hair. Taking out a kunai from his cloack, he directed it to her left eye, "My collection is missing the Byakugan albeit the great number of Hyūga clan members. I could easily take hers and complete the Three Great Eye Techniques. I would be invincible with it."
"GET YOUR HANDS OFF HER."
Naruto was ready to attack Madara again, but the Uchiha elder grabbed him by the collar with a free hand before he could land another punch.
"I could also take you back to the Mountain's Graveyard. You could reunite with your friends before I take the Kyūbi from you," Madara suggested. He was painfully poking the near Hinata's eye, tantalizing Naruto, whose neck was being squeezed under Madara's tight grip.
"Nevertheless, the preparations are not ready," the Uchiha added, "The Haruno girl and her companion from Kumogakure are enjoying their time helping Kabuto. Do not expect to see her again."
With a final spiraling motion, he disappeared into thin air, leaving the two young shinobi still shocked.
Naruto caught up his breath; he hadn't realized that he'd been holding it in. Once the astonishment left his body, he reacquired the command of his limbs and knelt down beside Hinata. Rummaging through her pockets, he found the small container with her signature ointment and quickly applied it over the small bruise that Madara left near her left eye. He couldn't think straight. Hinata had been injured, and due to her unconscious state, she'd been briefly under the Sharingan's illusion. It was the same expression that Sasuke had when he'd been victim of Itachi's Sharingan; the look of being lost, almost lifeless.
He shook her by the shoulders, trying to wake her up. The Kyūbi was still stirring in his subconscious. Everything was too overwhelming; the beast's rage, his friend's injuries, his own instability.
"Hinata, w-wake up. Dammit!" he screamed in frustration, and then bit on his thumb, "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"
Naruto slammed his hand on the ground, making the seals appear before two small toads stood in front of him. Fukasaku and Shima had been summoned.
"Naruto-chan, what's wrong?" Shima questioned him, and directed her small eyes to Hinata, who was cradled in the boy's arms.
"She's hurt! Help her, Shima-sama! Please, I can't..." and then he lost it. His Sage Mode was deactivated and tears fell from his eyes. He'd never panicked like this before.
"Darling, take care of the girl and I will watch over Naruto-chan," instructed Fukasaku, who grabbed one of Naruto's hands with his front limbs and directed him away from Hinata.
Naruto could not keep his eyes away from the girl. This was the second time she had sacrificed her life for him. He'd never known that someone would go that far for him. But now, all he wanted was to save Hinata from any type of harm. Shima started tending her injuries, while Fukasaku tended Naruto's. The small toad released orange oil from his limb and applied it over Naruto's hands, healing the exterior scratches, and then moved on to close the rest of the bruises in the boy's arms.
"Is she important to you, Naruto-chan?" asked Fukasaku at noticing that the shinobi was looking over at Hinata.
He wasn't able to answer that question. Although his Sage Mode was deactivated, he felt that a group of five shinobi was nearing them. He didn't move nor flinch, and waited until the party arrived at the sight. They were five ninjas who were wearing the same hitai-ate as him, with the symbol of 'Shinobi,' and whose faces were covered by a mask similar to Kakashi's. The first one who spotted them brought a hand up to his ear and spoke, "We have them. Naruto and Hinata seem to be harmed, but nothing serious. Yes, we will bring them back."
He recognized that voice.
"Lee?" Naruto asked, standing up with Fukasaku on his right shoulder. The alluded ninja took off his mask, revealing his jet black hair and thick eyebrows. He was also dressed with the Konoha flak jacket, and looked like a spitting image of his sensei.
"Naruto-kun, it's good to see you again," Lee replied while the rest of his party revealed themselves.
The only other shinobi that he recognized were Tenten and Omoi. The rest were from different villages.
"We came to retrieve you," Tenten explained, walking over to the still unconscious Hinata, "What happened?"
"It doesn't matter! Take Hinata back to headquarters, I'll continue looking for Sakura-chan!"
"I'm afraid that is not possible," interrupted a ninja from Kirigakure, "We're here to retrieve you back to Turtle's Island for protection."
"Uzumaki-san, if you will cordially follow us," continued another shinobi from Sunagakure, "We must bring you two back intact. Hyūga-san needs immediate medical attention."
Naruto was about to activate his Sage Mode once again and flee from the search party, but he felt Lee's roundhouse kick hitting the back of his head, and fell on the floor unconscious.
"Forgive me, Naruto-kun."
Naruto heard feet shuffling. However, the sound didn't come from his feet. In fact, he didn't even feel the ground under his soles; he was being carried by someone.
"We've got Hyūga and Uzumaki, Mizukage-sama," said a voice.
Was that... Lee?
The last events that happened before he fell unconscious crashed in his mind, giving him a painful headache. Sakura always had the best medicine for his headaches, but she wasn't around anymore. No, she wasn't, because they've failed in rescuing her. Naruto felt guilty knowing that he was close to saving his best friend and facing Sasuke. His efforts were put in vain by Madara's sudden visit. And his threat towards Hinata. Damn it.
Hinata!
Was she all right? He wondered. She'd fallen unconscious as well, after Madara had attacked her. He threatened taking her eyes –her Byakugan— because of its powerful sources. A pang of fear overcame Naruto's senses when he remembered the kunai that poked near Hinata's pure face. The desperation that followed after Madara had disappeared almost left him vulnerable. Nonetheless, the Kyūbi hadn't taken advantage of his state. He wished he could thank Fukasaku and Shima for coming in their aid.
"Ah, very well done," said another unrecognizable voice. It belonged to a woman, "I will fetch the Hokage. You may place them in the first aid room."
Naruto slowly opened his eyes. His vision was still blurred, but it gradually became clear. He saw a person's –Lee's— feet, taking steps on a grey floor. His Sage Mode was off, but he could still make out the presence of the search party that had taken him and Hinata back to the Alliance's headquarters. He wondered how long he'd been knocked out for, how much Sakura would've suffered for because of his sudden intrusion. He was sure that Madara was not going to let Naruto's appearance pass over his shoulder; bad guys always inflicted pain on a victim after an unsuccessful plan. Madara was no exception.
He tried moving his neck in order to look at the rest of the search part. There were Tenten and Omoi, the latter carrying Shima and Fukasaku on his shoulders. The two toads were in fine condition, but their expressions were stern. His eyes redirected to Tenten, who was holding Hinata's limp body on her back. Hinata... the beautiful, pure, selfless friend he'd put in danger.
Naruto felt so stupid. This was his entire fault. He could've –should've— rejected her plan, insisted that she returned to one of the Alliance's Divisions. She was so precious to him... How could he let this happen to her?
He heard a door opening, and then Lee entered with him inside a small, window-less room. The older shinobi carefully placed in on a hard mattress, one that was typical of a hospital room. Naruto's eyes were open, but he felt lost.
"Naruto-kun, you're awake!" Lee exclaimen, "Forgive me for the roundhouse kick. I didn't know how to stop you from losing it again."
The alluded could make out Lee's mushroom cut, his jet black hair, and his thick eyebrows. Despite his exaggerated features, Lee looked truly sorry for knocking him unconscious. Naruto was aware of the boy's infatuation with Sakura-chan; if it wasn't because of orders, Lee would have followed him to the Mountain's Graveyard and fought every enemy that came in between him and their imprisoned friend. He was a really good friend, Naruto thought. He would've liked to see Sakura-chan with someone as good as Lee. He could've made her happy, made her forget of the pain that came with being part of Team 7.
"It's fine, Lee," he heard his voice say automatically. Naruto was never one who liked to show his suffering in front of others. He preferred showing his bright side while keeping his ongoing sadness for times when he was alone.
A pair of medical nins entered the first-aid room and took care of examining Naruto's state. The seal was something they were skeptical about, though.
"Lee, do you know where Yamato-taichou has gone?"
His friend's serious expression was the only answer he got. Naruto didn't need words in order to know what he meant.
Great. Now he had to add the captain of Team Kakashi to the list of people who've gone missing during the war. Naruto had to suppress his emotions; he wasn't going to lose control in a small room like this one with an injured Hinata and unprepared shinobi. Regardless of their skills, they would not be able to handle the Kyūbi's seal like Yamato-taichou could. This was his fault, Naruto thought. His parents had entrusted him the peace of the Shinobi world, but he was only bringing the loss of loved ones.
"We better transfer him to a different room," one of the medical nin adviced.
Naruto felt how Lee picked him up once again from his bed along with Tenten. The two of them held each of his arms, giving him support while he walked. Omoi followed behind them with Fukasaku and Shima. Before they exited the first-aid room, Naruto turned his head for one last glance at Hinata. The girl lay on another bed with the remaining members of the search party and another pair of medical nins. He wanted to go back to her, embrace her, and ensure that she was fine.
I love you. Hinata's words kept repeating in his mind.
She'd done so much for him. She tried to protect him against two powerful opponents. Although her shinobi skills were underestimated by many, the Will of Fire lived inside her. Hinata was a strong kunoichi because of her Will and Ninja Way. She took her career seriously despite her lack of confidence. Naruto appreciated that of her.
Lee and Tenten guided him down the hallway while Omoi had taken the lead. He directed them into another room that was a few doors down from Hinata's.
"You can place him here. Your Kage should be on her way."
He opened the door and the party entered a room exactly like the first-aid; it had two beds and no windows. Lee and Tenten placed in on a bed once again and then they both sat on the edges, keeping him company. Naruto realized that he'd never allowed himself to be seen in such a state. His team had been an exception; they've seen his ups and downs. But the rest of his friends were still unfamiliar with a saddened Naruto. He had wanted to keep it that way, but due to the current situation, the sadness overwhelmed him. He couldn't hide it.
Fukasaku and Shima, who've been place on the other bed, did not look away from him.
"Naruto-chan, you better explain yourself really well once the Hokage gets here," Shima said. She hopped on to his bed and with one of her limbs, she stroked his hair. It was odd; he was getting affection from a toad.
Lee and Tenten started talking about the status of the war while he listened distractedly. There had been a lot of casualties already, and the recently graduated chūnin were already starting to enter the battlefield. The Medical Division was swarmed with injured soldiers, and Shizune was struggling keeping everything in order. Zetsu's clones kept appearing, but the source remained unknown. The Five Kage have sent investigation parties all around the Five Great Countries in order to find their nest; their army was slowly losing more numbers as Madara's increased.
Naruto turned his body away from the rest of the occupants in the room. He felt like he needed to be alone in order to organize his thoughts. He hadn't felt this kind of depression since the incidents in the Land of Iron; the current situation gave him more things to worry about.
The door opened once again, and he felt Tenten and Lee stand up from his bed, "Hokage-sama," they announced, bowing to Tsunade's presence. Naruto's eyes were still glued to the wall, trying to isolate him from the reality he was about to face. His stomach was full with lead, and his heart weighed like a stone. Fukasaku and Shima also acknowledged his visitor with an informal 'Tsunade-chan.'
"Thank you for your services. Lee, Tenten, you are needed in the frontlines. Go back to your Divisions immediately; there are escorts waiting outside," Tsunade's voice sounded serious. The footsteps of Naruto's friends exiting the door showed that he was now left alone with the Hokage and the two legendary toads.
Silence fell over the first-aid room. Without turning against his back, Naruto knew that Tsunade was looking at him. Shima and Fukasaku were also quiet, acting as a third party to this discussion. The boy had never experienced a parent's scold, but he was sure that his mom and dad would not have been happy with his decision of risking his life –and the Alliance's current state— in order to rescue a shinobi, regardless of how close they were. He closed his eyes, getting prepared.
"What came into your mind?" asked Tsunade after a long pause.
At hearing the tone of her voice, Naruto felt that it was safe to finally face his superior. The Hokage stood near the entrance with her arms crossed; she showed a preoccupied expression. It was like a parent was about to scold him.
"Sakura-chan," was all he responded. That was his main focus; all he wanted was to save his best friend, the last sane member of Team 7.
Tsunade walked over to his bed before she turned to the other two companions, "Fukasaku-sama, Shima-sama, I am truly grateful for your services. You may return to Mount Myoboku." The pair disappeared in a poof, finally leaving Naruto with Tsunade. This was going to be a long conversation, he knew.
His saddened eyes locked with Tsunade's, who looked as equally worried, "Have you thought over the consequences of your actions?" she continued questioning.
"Yes."
"Damn it, Naruto! You never respond with one word," Tsunade raised her voice. With her signature strength, she picked up Naruto by the shoulders and shook him violently, "You knew you were going to encounter Madara. This war is to protect you, not to make you want to pay a visit to the enemy! You've put your comrades in danger –especially Hyūga Hinata!"
Naruto felt powerless. Numb. He wasn't going to blame Hinata for the idea; it was his fault that she'd been attacked. He should've protected her, just like she'd done in the past.
"I only wanted to save Sakura-chan," he said, looking past the Hokage.
The shame he felt was too much to look at his superior in the eye at the moment. Nonetheless, he heard her gulp a sob, "You're not the only one who wants to save her," she confessed. And much to Naruto's surprise, Tsunade embraced him in a bone crushing hug while she wept, "We're at war to keep you safe. Sakura would not have wanted you to run after her life that."
"But... Baa-chan, she's my best friend."
"Shinobi are dying to protect the future of our nations; she was —she's part of this army as well. Sakura will find a way of sticking to her duty, do not lose faith in her."
Naruto figured that Tsunade needed as much comfort as he did. Sakura had been her precious apprentice, her prodigy. He awkwardly returned the embrace, only holding it for a few more seconds before the Hokage let him free. She quickly recomposed herself, clearing away the paths of tears running down her cheeks.
"I've lost many important people in my years. Every shinobi who lives to be my age has gone through the same. That's our main purpose: to protect those we love," Tsunade made her way to the door, turning around to give him one last order. "You are to remain in the headquarters until we decide that it is safe to move you back to Turtle's Island. Bee is already there waiting for you. There will be two jōnin watching your guard at all times, so don't think of running away again."
"Then I will make sure that all my friends are still alive by the time I'm fifty!" he yelled back. A part of him knew that those words sounded crazy and almost impossible, but another part wished for it to happen. To be a happy, strong ninja. The strongest in his village.
She exited the room, finally leaving Naruto into solitude. Growing up without a family, Naruto had never liked being alone; he thought that, because of all the friends he'd made in the last few years, he would never be alone again. It was a mistake. He'd never felt more alone than now, and the only company he wanted was Hinata. However, she was injured because of his selfishness.
Naruto wasn't aware of the time anymore. He'd been lying down on the bed for an eternity, waiting to be taken away to Turtle's Island for more protection. Finally, he decided to step out of the room. There were two jōnin guarding him, but he wasn't planning on doing anything stupid. He just wanted to see Hinata. He wanted to apologize and tell her to forget about him; he was too dangerous for her wellbeing. The possibilities of him keeping alive after the war were slim because of his promise with Sasuke. He didn't want her to hold on to a lost hope.
He wanted to end things well with Hinata before they never saw each other again. He wanted to embrace her one last time, to remember every feature of her face, the smell of her hair, the kindness of her heart.
If she were to give her life for him, then Naruto wouldn't forgive himself for ruining such a pure soul.
Naruto made his way to the door that led to Hinata's room. He could feel the presence of two jōnin following him, but didn't bother in looking back and seeing who they were. Biting his bottom lip nervously, he knocked on the door. He had no script planned in his mind, and only thought of speaking to her as it went.
After a few moments, a concerned Neji opened the door, "Naruto."
It was obvious that there was going to be a family reunion inside the first-aid room. Naruto should've thought about that before making himself present, "My uncle and younger cousin were here about an hour ago," Neji informed him. "I believe that it is necessary for you to speak with her. You haven't got much time left, and I am breaking the rules by allowing you in here."
Damn, Neji was always so stuck-up and square.
Hinata's cousin made a gesture, allowing him to enter the room. It was only occupied by him and the conscious girl lying on one of the beds. Hinata was shocked at seeing Naruto, but remained silent. Neji exited the room without saying anything, giving them privacy. Without knowing what to do, Naruto just stood there awkwardly. It was odd; how whenever he was alone with Hinata, he was the opposite of his normal self. She looked so weak and worn out. The bruise that Madara had left near her eye was gone, but there were several bandages around her arms.
Naruto walked over to the other bed cautiously, while his eyes kept a connection with Hinata's. He sat down, settling his elbows on his knees and leaning his body forward.
"I'm sorry," he said after a long pause.
Hinata reached out one of her hands to his, and he leaned forward in order to take it. She rocked their linked hands back and forth with care, as if they weren't inside an emergency room in the middle of a war.
"I don't regret it, Naruto-kun," she said, without stammering, "I was acting on my own selfishness, again."
He was quickly reminded of how she protected him from Nagato. How he screamed her name, ordering her to hide from Pain's wrath. But she hadn't; she stood there, and fought against a powerful opponent.
"You're so brave," Naruto confessed, and then transferred to her bed, carefully sitting at the edge, "I... I don't know what I'd do without you, Hinata."
Their hands were still linked. He wished they never separated. Hinata's face fell into a saddened expression.
"My father doesn't think so. He's sending me and my sister back to the Konoha refugee camp. We're forbidden from entering the battlefield."
A part of Naruto was expecting that to happen; the Hyūga bloodline should still stay protected during the war. Besides, Hinata's state –and her connection to Naruto— may put her in more danger. Nonetheless, every expectation could not fully prepare him for the sadness that took over his heart.
"I'm also forbidden from seeing you, Naruto-kun."
Those words crushed him.
He was not only missing his two best friends and his team's captain; now he was also going to lose the one girl he truly... he truly...
"It sh-shouldn't be like this," she continued, "N-Naruto-kun, I should be the one who's sorry—"
"Hinata," he interrupted her, "do you feel this?"
He placed her linked hand on his chest, over his heart. It was beating faster than usual and it wasn't because he was sprinting through the forest or tree hopping.
"It's happening because of you. You're making my heart beat like crazy because of how nervous I get when I see you," Naruto confessed, keeping his eyes locked with the girl's.
Hinata's pearly white eyes looked just as nervous as he was feeling.
"I... I'm glad that you pushed me to become a better person," he continued, "But I can't figure out these feelings."
"Naruto-kun..."
"This is silly, isn't it? I mean, my heart is like about to have an attack and I don't even know why! Has it ever happened to you before? It's so weird, it's confusing me and I can't figure out how to treat my feelings while this damn heart skips so fast." He didn't know where this conversation was heading, he was just rambling away because that was easier than confronting the true facts.
"It's... it's o-okay."
He placed her hand back on her lap, without taking his away from it. Naruto felt his cheeks reddening, his mind spinning. He was so damn confused and the Kyūbi chuckling in his subconscious only made it more annoying. Maybe she realized that he was too much to risk for. She had already almost given her life for him, that was enough for once in a lifetime.
"It's okay, Naruto-kun," she repeated.
Your smile saved me.
Knowing that they didn't have much time left, he held on to her skin for as long as he could. He wanted to remember how her touch felt like, how her soft eyes looked at him full of sincerity. Naruto wished that he and Hinata could rewrite their story and start off without being alone. However, times were different; they wouldn't see each other again. And it kind of broke his heart.
"Well... I'll get going, Hinata! You need rest, so see you 'round!"
After he studied Hinata's face for one last time, Naruto walked over the first-aid room's door and exited, walking away from what could have been his happy ending.
And his first ever chance of having a ramen date.
He never thought that peace was going to return to him. The most interesting part is that it came personified as her. Her warm smile, her warm, hopeful soul.
His mind was finally at peace; however, his heart... his heart was still missing something. She was still far from him. There was a time when she would have followed his footsteps. But now, now she had finally forgotten his image. There was someone worthy of her constant watch.
And it hurt his heart like a thousand birds, one after the other, tearing apart every bit of his being.
Sasuke never thought that he was going to suffer because of Sakura. After everything, the only thing he wanted was for her to walk beside him, to reach out her hand, feel her presence.
But seeing her, enjoying the fire with that shinobi from Kumo, only made his heart shrink in anger. A heat of wave took over his chest as his blood started travelling faster around his body. His brow was sulking, his face was tensing.
That was jealousy. He hadn't felt jealous since... since he noticed how strong Naruto had become when they were genin.
The guy beside her suddenly tensed up, and Sasuke could see Sakura's expression changing into one of fear. They knew someone was watching them. Sakura gave a small nod with her head as the guy was giving her instructions. Sasuke could not hear what they were saying, but in less than a second he watched as they quickly took off.
Too bad for them, he was faster.
Securing his katana, he followed their steps. He kept a long distance so that they would not notice him physically, but as his step quickened, he found Sakura standing on top of a brand without moving.
'What in the world do you think you are doing!?' She yelled with an irritated voice. Sasuke would have never imagined such a tone to match with her usually annoying attitude.
He remained quiet, one tree branch away from her, and watched her breathing become louder and louder as anger took over her face. He had barely seen her angry before.
Her voice increased in volume, 'I said, what do you think you are doing, Sasuke!?' She quickly took a senbon out of her belt and threw it at him.
Of course, he dodged it.
'Kabuto and Madara will not let you travel that far.'
He found it strange how he was acting as his ancestor's guard.
Sakura's nose wrinkled at his statement. He was not going to answer her question. He did not even have an answer.
'Why would you even care about us? It's not like you want me to come back so—'
'Like I said, they will not let you escape.'
She turned around and jumped on the next tree branch, running away from him. Always so annoying...
Without hesitation, Sasuke followed her steps until he caught up to his old teammate. He aggressively grabbed Sakura's arm and yanked it to stop her from moving any further. His other hand was about to grab her neck as a threat, but he held it back remembering the last time he committed that action.
'Let-me-go.'
He couldn't.
'If you leave, then Itachi will not be around that much longer.' That was true. He still needed to talk to his brother, but Madara and Kabuto were keeping him away from his brother and the other resurrected. It was making him take desperate measures such as this one.
'Sasuke, you can't talk to him. Itachi is dead. You killed him—'
'You've spoken to him, haven't you?' His grip on her arm tightened as anger resurfaced.
'He's dead, Sasuke. Move on! Leave him with the dead and move on with your life, goddammit! He will be controlled by Kabuto, why would he want to talk to you?'
She yanked her arm from his hold with unimaginable strength. Her eyes gave him a defiant look, but she did not move from her spot. 'His resurrection is for the purpose of killing my comrades and your old friends.'
Huh, he had no friends. His world revolved around the new purpose of destroying the village that took away every precious person he once had. The thought of letting Sakura go now just like he lost his family and Itachi would haunt his mind until he died. He could not lose her. She had become too important to him. It was contradicting, really. She was his source of peace, yet the only messenger who could lead him back to his suffering.
'Itachi needs to answer me.'
'Dammit, Sasuke, he will not!'
She pushed him out of her way. Sasuke felt his feet leaving the ground as he was pushed out of the tree branch. However, he quickly recovered and before he hit the ground, he sped up and came back to Sakura's side as she was about to take off again.
This time, Sasuke decided to grab her two arms and twisted them behind her back. She grimaced in pain but did not try to fight back. He knew she was not using her full potential; it was obvious. Knowing that she will not escape a second time, Sasuke loosened his grip.
Sakura turned around and looked directly at his eyes. 'Please, Sasuke-kun, let us go.'
Everything spiralled in front of him. They were no longer in the middle of a forest, but back at his old house in Konoha. It was the same scene as before. Sakura, Naruto, and Kakashi knelt down side by side, while Itachi stood behind them. He slashed the members of Team 7 into pieces, letting their blood create a large pool in front of Sasuke's eyes.
'No, stop! They're innocent!' his seven year old voice screamed. He ran, he ran as fast as his short legs let him. But it seemed that Itachi and Team 7 were moving farther away from him with every step he took.
'You can't kill them, please!' Tears were rolling down his eyes. Crimson red tears.
Tap!
Two fingers connected with his forehead, and suddenly the scenery took another turn. Itachi's last smile before his heart stopped beating appeared in front of Sasuke.
'I'm sorry, Sasuke, this is the last time.'
And everything enveloped in darkness.
Sasuke woke up with a swallowed breath.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Inhale.
Exhale.
The bandages were still around his eyes, but judging by the atmosphere that his other senses picked up, he realized he was in his room. Those dreams kept coming. They confused him to no end. The feelings, the reality of it. This dream made no sense in his head; it was probably a scare result from his encounter with Sakura. He really needed to get his information together. The lengthy process of his eyes' recovery was making him an inpatient person. He couldn't afford to sit in the shadows for much longer. The flames of darkness needed to consume him, but his eyes weren't ready to use Amaterasu yet.
That dream haunted him for the rest of the night. He hoped that the following night would not bring another one.
Woohoo another chapter done! What did you think about it? Liked it? Hated it? Thank you for waiting until September. I said I was going to post it and lo and behold, a new chapter!
Props to those who guessed who cockblocked Naruto and Hinata :D And it's AMAZING to see how many of you actually analyze this story in your reviews. I get all giddy whenever someone is interested in knowing more, in finding their own interpretations of the content. You've all made me write up until the twenty eighth chapter, seriously. And they're not getting any shorter.
A lot of you have pointed out how you like the two plot lines in the same chapter, like a half and half. This is a much better idea, I've decided. The next chapters will be VERY heavy on Sakura and Sasuke's plot line. The story is going to get more intense from now on, heehee. We're kind of taking a break from the NaruHina side of it, and Sasuke's dream is like a small snippet of what is about to come. After all, this story is under SasuSaku, right? It's about time they start getting more screen time together!
Just to clarify this, Sakura is NOT in love with C. This is a SasuSaku story. There is a reason why C is there and you will see very soon. I am trying to make it as realistic as I can while not veering away from canon.
Anyway, like always, if you have any questions or concerns just review them away. I accept all kinds of reviews, the good, the bad and the ugly. To those starting school, have an amazing year and check out this story when you want to kill some brain cells. I do it more often than I should.
Sincerely,
MSM