In The Name of Life

Chapter XXII

"Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special attention to those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstances, are brought into closer connection with you." ~Saint Augustine

Sakura's eyes fluttered open.

The wind moved her bangs against her forehead. The sense of being caught in midair came to her being in an instant.

She was falling.

Her mind suddenly remembered all of her last thoughts before she had fallen unconscious, and the pain on her side torso increased with the realization that she still hadn't healed herself. Blood stained Kakashi-sensei's flak jacket, reminding her that her gaze in and out of consciousness was due to blood loss. She wanted to give herself a quick diagnosis of her situation, but the sensation of not standing on solid ground took all of her attention.

It didn't feel like falling. Falling usually felt like letting everything go. Her limbs would be roaming free in the air, and she wouldn't have enough control to keep herself protected from the impact that came with landing. There was something different, though. Her limbs weren't fluttering around –in fact, they were held close to her chest. Something was holding them close to her chest.

The sound of a hawk's singing made her realize that she wasn't falling. No.

Sakura was flying.

The rays of sun appeared on and off. There was a figure that was covering her view of the clear sky. This same figure was the one that was holding her arms and legs close to her chest. She felt two strong limbs holding on to her weakened state. It was a familiar sensation, one that she hadn't felt in years.

"Sasuke-kun...?" she muttered, wincing at the pain that speaking brought to her sides.

The figure that was holding her directed his head towards hers. Sakura could now see the outline of his spiky hair and his fine features. Even though she couldn't make out his facial expression because of the lighting, Sakura knew that his blank state was hiding more than the naked eye could see. Her right hear caught the sound of a heartbeat, and it was enough to make her realize that her head rested on his chest while he held on to her body.

The hawk took a turn and started to dive down. They were about to land on safe grounds.

Sakura's memory still recalled her fight with Zetsu. Every moment of it; from the impromptu plan that Sasuke had devised in order to exterminate the clones' herd to her own fight against Black Zetsu. He was dead now, no more a threat. Just a bad nightmare. Black Zetsu had tried to take her down with him, but mistook her endurance. If she had survived endless days of imprisonment and torture by the Akatsuki, a fight against one opponent was minimal to her. Well, that would be a lie, seeing how important taking Zetsu's life had been to her.

Her eyes stayed on Sasuke's still form. He had taken his half of Zetsu as well, even though it hadn't been a difficult task to him. Damn her teammates and their endless abilities, her inner self pouted. However, he didn't interrupt her own fight. No, he stood in the sidelines, taking care of finishing the clones, while she finalized her revenge. She witnessed memories that she wanted to keep at the back of her mind. Zetsu hit her where it hurt the most. But now C could rest peacefully, knowing that the one being that caused them so much pain was dead.

And Sasuke... Sasuke had saved her from falling even further down. Even after all his attempts at attacking Sakura, at killing her, Sasuke saved her when she needed to be saved. Not because someone needed to get her out of a problem, or because she wasn't strong enough to deal with an issue by herself. He had saved her because... why had he saved her?

Was this the real Sasuke?

Once the large hawk landed on the same place they had camped last night, Suigetsu and Jūgo ran towards them. She heard the latter's gasp at her current state. She needed to rest, to regain her chakra, and then to heal whatever injury she had. It was bearable, just bothersome.

"I can take Sakura-san and ask the birds to find the right herbs," Jūgo offered.

Sakura felt how Sasuke's hold on her tightened briefly before she was transferred from his arms to Jūgo's. The large man placed her on the ground gracefully, and used his cloak as a pillow for her delicate head. She felt hazy, with a loss of direction with all the movements. However, Sakura was sure that it wasn't necessary to keep guard because Sasuke had saved her and it meant that they were no longer on the opposite side. They weren't on the same side either –yet. But there was a sort of truce between them.

"Sasuke-kun..." she said again, but this time the pain was less. Perhaps her body was already working on healing the open wound without her conscious permission.

"Ne, Sasuke, cherry wants ya," she heard Suigetsu, who was sitting on her left side, "Remember my nickname for you? It's 'cause you're like a cherry blossom."

The alluded boy stepped into her line of sight. He didn't kneel beside her resting form, but rather chose to stay standing and look down on her with the same blank expression. It was the last thing she saw before she closed her eyes and fell unconscious.

"What did you do now?" Suigetsu asked tiredly.

Sasuke didn't regard his question, choosing to stay silent. He sat down beside Sakura's sleeping form, and decided that he wasn't going to move from there until she woke up again. It was a radical decision, one that didn't go with his plans. He was delaying his goals, just for her. Why? He didn't know. He just felt that it was his duty –his wish—to protect the last remains of the Sakura he once knew. She didn't need to engulf herself in the same darkness as him. It just didn't go with her character.

"We're near one of Orochimaru's hideouts. They," Jūgo pointed at a small group of birds that were carrying leaves on their claws, "were able to retrieve the necessary herbs. I'm not familiar with medical procedures, and neither is Suigetsu—"

"Hey!"

"—If Karin was here she would help her heal, but she isn't. I am not familiar with your medical abilities and I doubt that traveling to the closest town to find a healer is a good idea, Sasuke-sama."

It didn't matter, Sasuke thought. The birds had left the herbs on a rock on the opposite side of Sakura. He reached out and tried to identify them, to see what he could do with them. A flinch of frustration flashed through him knowing that even though he had the right tools, he didn't know how to use them. He tried to remember the flow of chakra that went through Sakura's hands as she healed him a few days ago. It felt like forever. Perhaps he could try and channel his own chakra the same way she'd done before.

He contemplated the large wound she sported on her side. It was dyeing her over sized flak jacket into a dark, deep share of red that contrasted with her hair and skin tone. Without realizing it, Sasuke had activated his Sharingan in order to find a solution to Sakura's unconsciousness. She looked so beaten up, so harmed.

So much like him when he had lost everything.

Sasuke carefully opened her flak jacket, finding that the moist red blood had already stained most of Sakura's undershirt. The wound was visible on the side, and he witnessed a large gash that ran across her right ribcage. It was not a normal would, he concluded. The tiny white bulbs that were building of Sakura's skin were similar to one of Zetsu's techniques. He silently cursed, hating how the Akatsuki member had left a mark on Sakura's body for her to remember. Sasuke was now familiar with the terrors she'd suffered, and he know how much she was going to hate waking up and finding remnants of Zetsu on her.

"Eww that's so gross," Suigetsu was peeking over his shoulder, "It looks like a pool of sp—"

"Shut up," Sasuke interrupted him.

After his teammate backed away, the Uchiha boy concentrated on channeling his chakra through his hands. It was a different approach as to when he used one of his Lightning jutsu. This time, he needed to find the ability to transfer some of his chakra to Sakura's skin and healing it. But the wound proved to be more complex than the normal cut.

The small bulbs of Zetsu's remains were starting to build up on Sakura's skin. It was at a gradual and slow pace, but enough for his Sharingan to notice. Soon, it would try and take over her whole body, from inside and out. It would suffocate her lungs and stop her heart beat. He needed to find a quicker solution.

"Jūgo," he called, "bring me the herbs. Ask the birds which ones are more suitable for this injury."

The large man was on the opposite side, passing him the right leaves silently. He was also worried, Sasuke found. Jūgo was one of the most sensitive shinobi Sasuke had ever met, much like Sakura. Maybe that was why the two had gotten along so well.

Somehow, Sasuke sensed that if Jūgo had to decide between staying with him or Sakura, he would choose the latter.

Sakura's fluttering lids drifted him away from his thoughts, though. Sasuke suddenly felt a warm sensation near him, and noticed how green chakra appeared on Sakura's wound. It wasn't coming from his hands or the herbs that Jūgo had brought him. It was coming from her. She was healing herself, getting rid of all the remains that Zetsu had left on her body.

"That's so fucking cool! Yet sickening, actually... Never mind, that's pretty disgusting." Suigetsu's reaction went along with Sasuke's new line of thought. It wasn't a pretty sight; the white bulbs that were forming on Sakura's skin were now turning into a spoiled shade of brown under the girl's green chakra. It was as if her own chakra system was trying to incinerate away the worse part of her injury.

He furrowed his brow. How much further did her medical abilities go? Sasuke knew that she was one of the best, but he wasn't very familiar with the success in medical jutsu. Kabuto and Orochimaru had only taught him the basics, just enough to make him last long in a difficult battle.

Sakura wasn't using her chakra just to heal her wound. She was also trying to regain consciousness, going against the demands of her body to remain sleeping for recovery.

The first thing she saw was similar to the last one: Sasuke's outline. His spiky, black hair, his jawline, his clothing. It felt like she hadn't been out for very long. Perhaps she hadn't, perhaps it was just her imagination. Even though her eyes had closed to fall unconscious, this was the first time that Sakura had actually ventured into sleeping since she escaped from the Mountian's Graveyard. She dreamed of nothing, of just a blank space between her imagination and reality. Her mind figured that it was better to go back to reality, being aware of Zetsu's last mark on her body.

Once Sakura felt that her arms had enough strength, she moved one of them in search for something. When she felt her own fingers rest atop another set of five, she knew that she had found Sasuke's hand. A small smile broke on her tired face, aware that he hadn't retrieved from her touch. This was the first time since they reunited that she had ever held Sasuke's hand. She didn't know why she did it. Her mind told her that it was wrong, wrong for her heart.

But still, the warmth of his touch was enough to bring her back to her senses. Sasuke's eyes had returned to their original black, and she was staring right at them. It felt that, for the split of a second, she could see the real Sasuke, the one that was covered up with a blanket of darkness. The one who feared, who lost, who feared of losing again. And it made her think, with the way he was looking at her, was he also able to see that she was feeling the exact same thing?

"What... what were the last... words I told you..." she struggled, "b-before you left... my village."

It was hard to speak; her right ribcage still felt like it could shatter into pieces. Nonetheless, the intimate question had caught them both off guard.

"That you would scream if I left," he responded with simple words. Yet those words were enough for her smile break larger.

"Heh... then this is you... not a clone... just you. Sasuke-kun."

She gave his hand a light squeeze. Her right side wasn't as painful as before, but she was aware of the complexity of her wound. That damned Zetsu wasn't going to go down without a fight. She was able to heal enough of the wound to let her sit up. Now, Sakura was at the same eye level as Sasuke, their hands still linked. If this had happened before the Chūnin exams, she would have blushed uncontrollably. Now, however, after all she'd gone through with him and without him, she knew better.

At least the Alliance wouldn't have to deal with a new batch of clones coming against them. That was a huge advantage that she would owe to Sasuke. He had been the one to exterminate the last herd of the enemy's army, despite being officially allied with Akatsuki.

That was when Sakura wondered if there was a clear line between the good and the bad. Between black and white. Her side and Sasuke's.

"You should rest."

Sasuke removed his hand from her hold and stood up. Somewhere deep inside, Sakura felt that a little part of her departed with his touch, but her shoulders welcomed Jūgo's coat. She thanked the large boy quietly and lied down again. It had been a long day. Judging by the colour of the sky, it was probably around the afternoon. She had killed another Akatsuki member, and it took her all morning. It hadn't been an easy fight, though. The memory of her parents' and C's imitations swam in her mind, causing a large rock to fall in the pit of her stomach.

Sakura wanted to forget. She would never forgive Zetsu for what he had done to her and C. Heck, she didn't even know if she could forgive Sasuke for all the catastrophes he had cause despite his random outbursts of kindness towards her. She just wanted to forget. To close her eyes and pretend that nothing happened; that she would wake up as a genin again.

But closing her eyes only made the memories more vivid.

"Sakura-san, would you like to drink water?"

It was better to keep them open and wait until reality turned her way –if it was ever going to.

"I would, Jūgo-san. Thank you."

The girl knew that she couldn't stay with Sasuke and his companions for much longer. She contemplated the dark cloak that was on her shoulders, trying to distract her thoughts from what lied ahead by focusing on the warmth it brought to her body. Distraction was unattainable, though.

It was her duty to go back to the Shinobi Alliance and report for her disappearance. It had been more than a month already. And amidst all the darkness and horrors, she had turned seventeen. Another year older, wiser, harmed. She realized she had never used her age to her advantage as a genin; she could have bossed Naruto and Sasuke around because she was the oldest of the three. It wouldn't have been a good idea, knowing that Naruto would have called her an old geezer like Tsunade-shishou.

A small chuckle escaped from her lips. Naruto could make every situation lighter than what it really was.

"What's so funny?" Suigetsu asked.

He offered Sakura his water bottle and sat beside her. The girl propped up to her elbows again, taking a sip of water and feeling ten times better.

"I was just thinking about something funny."

"Ha, we're in need of jokes here. Aren't we, Jūgo?"

The alluded boy nodded in agreement, repositioning himself beside Suigetsu while keeping an eye of Sakura's movements. She was rather touched by his constant vigilance; it wasn't meant to keep her at a disadvantage, but to ensure that she didn't hurt herself more.

"I just figured out that my birthday passed. I'm a year older now. It's not that funny when I say it out loud, but it was in my head," she chose to respond, not entirely sure why. Perhaps mentioning Naruto to Sasuke's companions wasn't the greatest idea.

"Well, congratulations on surviving another year in this shit world. It doesn't get any better, but I guess you already knew that," Suigetsu congratulated with a sarcastic tone. It was clear that his brusque words were only superficial; Sakura had noticed how the members of Sasuke's team had gotten along with her.

During their following conversation, Sakura noticed that the fourth member of their cell was absent. She wondered where Sasuke had gone, but decided against the idea of looking for him. Her body needed to recover fully before she returned to the Alliance. Much to her fortune, her chakra was making great progress in healing Zetsu's wound on her ribcage, so the wait wouldn't be very long.

Nonetheless, a part of her heart really wished to go and find Sasuke.

Sakura was surprised at how fast the day had ended. The sun was already setting. It was one of those days where the morning felt like it happened ages ago, but at the same time it had ended so soon that one hadn't realized. She was still lying on her back, getting a few extra minutes of rest before her departure.

She still wasn't sure how it was going to happen. Sasuke had been coming in and out of their campsite, much like Suigetsu and Jūgo. The three had accompanied, albeit in different manners. Whereas Jūgo and Suigetsu sat down beside her and brought up a conversation, Sasuke hung around keeping a vigilant eye. He was still a person of few words, obviously. Sakura was not expecting that to change. Ever.

The idea of staying on the campsite for one more night before returning to the Alliance had passed through her mind. It would be more convenient to part in the morning. Nonetheless, the idea of traveling at night while there was a war happening –and the White Zetsu clones that had been released before Sasuke had exterminated the herd—would be to her disadvantage. Sasuke and his team could not escort her to a key point of the Shinobi Alliance. They were still enemies on official terms. Besides, she didn't need a group to accompany her; she could fare very well alone.

"There was someone else in Zetsu's cave."

Suigetsu, who had been drawing on the soil beside Sakura's sitting form, shot up a confused glance at Jūgo. Sakura felt her old teammate's presence appear from her right side corner. It had caught his attention as well.

"They said that another chakra was present, but dormant. It's a shinobi from Konohagakure," Jūgo continued with two birds perched on each shoulder.

"What!? How could we not notice another person in there?" Sakura stood up abruptly in shock. She no longer felt motion sickness, but even if she did, it would not have mattered. She quickly looked at Sasuke's expressionless face. It changed once he furrowed his brow. He hadn't felt another presence either.

"According to them, it's hidden in a corner and..." Jūgo hesitated at his next words, clearly disturbed by them, "it is apparently merged with the rock wall, as if the body was part of the cave."

"Madara or Kabuto are using it for a jutsu," Suigetsu contributed, scratching the bottom of his chin.

Sakura's mind was speed racing. If there was a shinobi from Konoha trapped inside Zetsu's cave, it meant that they needed to go back and save her comrade's life. She was not going to leave an ally behind, whether he or she was stuck on a wall.

With her head shaking, she concluded, "The shinobi must have been used for the White Zetsu Army herd. We must save—!"

"No."

The girl turned her body fully towards Sasuke, who was still standing on the off side. He'd already caused enough damage to his bonds. She was not going to let him continue breaking hers!

"What do you mean—"

"You cannot go," he interrupted again, "You must recover. Jūgo, try to get more information. If this shinobi was used to produce the White Zetsu Army, then his chakra must be special."

"And if his bottom half is sucked into the wall, does that mean I get to cut him up in half?" the bloodthirsty tone of Suigetsu sent shiver up Sakura's spine. What the hell happened to the boy who had accompanied her why she healed her bruise?

And why in the world would Sasuke want her to recover? She understood the message; he no longer cared about her and the village. There was no need for him to pretend.

"Or oooh, we could use him as bait against both Madara and the Shinobi Alliance and Taka will lead this war!"

"You will not do that, Suigetsu!" Sakura yelled, "This shinobi is my ally and will return to the Alliance's base with me. You will not get near her –or him."

For the first time, Suigetsu sent her a threatening glance. Sakura tried to not feel intimidated by her companion's sudden change of demeanour, but based on everything he had told her about his life before Orochimaru, Suigetsu was no one to take lightly. In fact, the three shinobi in front of her could kill her at any second. She would be dead before she knew it.

However, the thought continued in her mind. Duty before honour. Duty to her village, her allies. It did not matter if she died a ridiculous death so long as she helped the Shinobi Alliance. C's face appeared in front of her, reminding her of when she could not save him. It pained her to no end, knowing that her medical training hadn't come in hand on the most pivotal minute. This was not going to redeem the loss of her friend, but it would help her cope with it.

"Cherry, I like you," the boy's sharp-teeth were at full sight. He looked more like a shark than a human at that point. "But you do realize that it's three against one. You've just recovered from a bad wound. And we're on opposite team."

Jūgo suddenly hid his head in between his hands, cringing in pain. He started screaming out of control, catching everyone off guard. Then, the same mutations Sakura witnessed the other day appeared on his body. His skin darkened, his limbs grew out of proportion, deforming his back and arms with weapon-shaped mutations. Once he released his head off his hands' grasp, Jūgo's eyes were of a dark, sadistic, macabre colour. He let out a loud and maniacal laugh.

Then, he ran towards Suigetsu with the full intention of splitting him into small pieces.

"HAHAHAHAHA!"

"Shit! A little help in here!"

The boy turned into a small pond of water right before Jūgo stepped on him. Sakura knew what was coming next. Jūgo would attack anyone else, and seeing her proximity to him, she would be his next target.

Without thinking twice, her fist glowed in blue chakra and she ran towards him. Jūgo was not able to counter her attack, and he was sent flying backwards, destroying the surrounding trees. Several tree branches fell off to the ground, causing debris to build up and blind Sakura's surroundings. She hadn't punched that hard in what felt like a long time. Although her vision was restricted by both the debris and the darkening skies, she still felt a presence flash beside her.

It was Sasuke. He was running at an almost lightning speed towards Jūgo. Without saying a word, Sakura let down her clenched fist and waited. It was still glowing blue; she would prepare another attack just in case the uncontrolled boy appeared out of nowhere and attempted to kill her again.

"Nice punch, cherry." Suigetsu appeared beside Sakura, propping up his elbow on her shoulder casually. It was as if his threatening words hadn't happened at all.

Sasuke came back with an unconscious Jūgo slumped on his back. The girl stiffened when she felt her old teammate's aura. He was not satisfied with Jūgo's sudden urge, and much less with the altercation between Sakura and Suigetsu. The water boy also tensed up at the return of the Uchiha, probably fearing for the same thing as Sakura.

She felt the impulse of running towards Jūgo's unmoving body once he was laid down on the ground. Even though he was the most sadistic out of all three, Sakura sympathised with him the most. As a medic, it was her duty to heal the injured.

"There will not be a battle taking place in here," Sasuke announced, looking directly at Suigetsu.

Sakura might have thought that Suigetsu's disappointed face was rather odd, but then again, she had encountered enough twisted people for a lifetime.

"We can't come up with a plan while Jūgo is unconscious," the water boy said, changing the subject. "I mean, who else could ask the little forest animals to go inside that cave and retrieve a full grown body? I'm pretty sure it would be too heavy duty for the pretty butterflies and the furry bunnies."

"I'll go," Sakura offered. It was a stupid attempt, but she was not getting anywhere by just standing on the sidelines. And it was better to return to the Alliance with someone else. At least that way everyone's attention would not be focused on her.

Without hesitation, she took off.

Sakura didn't know how her stamina hadn't been affected by a month's worth of torture, a battle, and an almost fatal wound. She would have to look into that when time came –if it came. Her legs were running as fast as they could. Even though it was a silly idea, one that was almost laughable, she kept going. It wasn't going to be long before Sasuke caught up to her. There was still the possibility that he would simply let her go. She probably was a burden to him, like she had always been.

The sound of tree branches scratching her arms didn't bother her, and the stinging feeling was numbed by her determination. Sakura would find her way back to the cave, even though she was not entirely sure what direction it was in. This time, Sasuke would not knock her out. He would not catch her off guard and attack her mercilessly. He would not join her in fighting and then save her life.

Stupid. Stupid and annoying.

Sakura thought she could outrun him in speed. She knew better than that.

Sasuke caught up to his old teammate's footsteps in mere seconds. Sakura was still not looking back at him, but was surely aware of his overpowering presence. She jumped on a tree branch and continued her journey going from tree to tree, Sasuke following suit. He was beyond annoyed with her behaviour. She couldn't just take off thinking that no one was going to catch her. What a stupid, annoying brat.

He was finally able to grab Sakura by the arm and cause her to stop on the same tree branch as him. They were standing on one of the tallest trees in the forest. Sasuke took notice on the geography that surrounded them in that moment. There were more hills and uneven grounds around their premises. Sakura had tried to travel as far as she could from their camp site, and had succeeded in getting closer to what Sasuke remembered as the cave where they'd killed Zetsu and his clones.

"Let-me-go." Sakura's cutting words had taken him off his mind. She was angered by his interruption.

He realized he couldn't let go of her.

"Where do you think you're going?" His grip on her bicep tightened. He could feel the bone under her flesh with ease and was sure that his grasp was going to leave a bruise.

Sakura did not wince at his aggressive action. She was used to worse. "To rescue my comrade."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. Of course, she thought that is was brave to go and rescue an ally and then return to the Alliance with hands full of glory. That was not how the real world worked. Sakura's determination didn't leave her features, though. She was giving him the type of look he'd only seen in Naruto; to never give up, to keep fighting until the end.

It gave him a weird sensation in his stomach and reminded him how much Sakura had changed since she was kidnapped by Zetsu.

"You do not even know where the cave is," he retorted.

Why was he trying to keep her by his side? She was no longer of use to him. He'd already eliminated Zetsu and his herd of damned clones. Taking down the elders who commanded the massacre of his clan would not be as difficult. He would be less merciful on his next encounter with Naruto. In fact, he could kill Sakura in that moment, send her memory into oblivion, and move on with his own ambitions. But he couldn't. He'd told himself that if Sakura were to die in this war, it was not going to be because he shed her blood.

"You do, though," she defended, "And by the way you scanned around this place, it seems that we're near it."

With more than normal strength, Sakura yanked her arm out of Sasuke's grip and jumped on to the next tree line. Once again, her attempt at escaping failed miserably. Sasuke had caught up to her for a second time, but refrained from straining her. Instead, he decided to lead her towards the cave while his mind tried to make something out of the contradictions he was thinking. She was bound to leave him behind anyway. There was no point in making her stay for much longer.

Perhaps this was where their paths parted. Perhaps this would be the last time he would see her ever again. And there was something –something strange—that urged his stomach to turn and his chest to tighten. It couldn't be the old bonds he once shared with his former teammates. Those were gone long ago. Naruto and Sakura had tried to kill him before, and he had tried to kill them as well. However, the last time he saw Naruto, he couldn't truly understand the reason that kept them from dying at the other's hands. And now, strangely, he stood beside Sakura in close contact. She was not afraid of him anymore. His intent on killing her in cold blood had been replaced by the resolution that she was not going to die at his hand.

"After all this time I spent with you, and all the missed chances, why didn't you kill me?" Sakura asked in wonder.

It was a thought that had crossed her mind several times. Sasuke could have done it without her noticing, ending her suffering in less than a split second. He also seemed a little taken aback by her sudden question. He guessed that she was finally taking her chances and shooting out questions.

"You're not for me to kill anymore, Sakura."

Sakura could have guarded her confusion, but this situation was just as strange to her. She wondered if there was a way of mending the broken bond they once shared, or if it was better to start anew. The second option sounded more appealing. However, all the tears and blood she'd spilled for Sasuke couldn't let her start all over again with him. It would be too painful to ignore all the fuck ups they had together. Not to mention that he would never be willing to be her ally, much less her friend.

But his next movements caught her off guard. Sasuke didn't reappear behind her and knocked her out. He didn't unsheathe his blade and sliced her neck. He merely shoved one of his hands inside his robes and took out an all too familiar garment of hers.

The red of her forehead protector was unstained, in perfect condition. The plaque that read 'Shinobi' reflected the light of the moon, making all the scratches visible to the naked eye. She quickly recalled her unexpected urge to give him her hitai-ate. She had done it because, somewhere deep in her state of insanity, she had found a glint of hope in Sasuke. Sakura had thought that if he took her hitai-ate, then it would mean that he wasn't as deep into darkness as everyone thought.

His following words made her regret the decision of trusting her instinct. She had been wrong, of course. Nonetheless, that same hope had risen up once she'd found Naruto alive and in one piece. When Sasuke had taken her with him, fought beside her, and then rescued her. Those were all signs that he was starting to see the light. Despite all of the ups and downs they'd experienced in the last while, Sakura knew that something inside of her former teammate had changed.

"Take this. It belongs to you."

That declaration was enough for Sakura to know that he was letting her go. It somehow felt bittersweet.

Sasuke gestured the hitai-ate towards her but she shook her head. Sakura's softened features showed him the ghost of a smile. He couldn't comprehend the meaning behind it. He wanted to give her something that belonged to her. Sasuke was nobody's ally. He was not going to carry around a hitai-ate that was meant to protect the people he was trying to kill.

"Keep it. It's yours now," she replied. Sakura placed one of her hands over Sasuke's. The mere gentle gesture had sent a shot of electricity up his spine. "You didn't kill Naruto and you saved me."

There was an underlying message under her words that made Sasuke think of the dream Itachi had placed in his mind long ago; the dream of his brother slaughtering the members of Team 7. It was a connection he had yet to decipher. He remembered the reason why Sakura healed him after he had finished his fight with Naruto. Despite all of the claims he had made, he was still unable to kill those who were once important to him. It unsettled Sasuke, to know that blocking, cutting, shredding bonds was not enough to forget the memories.

"Sasuke-kun," Sakura continued. The white light of the moon was contrasting her facial feature against the shadows they created. "Your brother told me that you need help finding the light. I know that you two have to talk again. I also know that you –no matter what Naruto does or what I do—you will never willingly return to Konoha, let alone find the light living there."

There was a long pause. The quietness of the forest was enough to think that anyone could listen to their conversation –or rather, Sakura talking and Sasuke listening. His mind was holding back a thought, which sounded almost impossible. Nonetheless, the idea of asking Sakura to stay with him had somehow appeared at the back of his brain and it was making its way to the front at full speed. This was his last chance, he knew. However, it was Sakura the one who was leaving him to return to the happiness she deserved. He was just going to stay in the darkness, never truly understanding what his former teammate meant by finding the light.

At least they would part with a mutual understanding. Now, Sakura knew and experienced pain. She was no longer an innocent kunoichi who could pass by a World War unscathed. Sasuke wondered what it might have been had she never been kidnapped by Akatsuki. He would have probably killed her or made her suffer.

He was glad he didn't need to do that anymore.

"Just..." she turned her hands into nervous fists, "come out of this war alive, okay? Just don't... don't die."

Then Sakura extended one of her hands, relaxing her fingers.

It was an offer for peace; for truce between the two. Sasuke could either take it or leave it. She would not be offended at this last chance. It was small, insignificant enough to forget if he didn't accept her offer.

However, the moment he intertwined his free hand with hers, Sakura knew that they parted on a good note. In spite of all the murder attempts –she almost chuckled at that thought—, the usage of one another, the breaking and un-breaking allegiance, Sakura could finally leave without feeling remorse. After all, Sasuke was still one of her precious people, if not the most precious. And a world without Sasuke was no real world for her, as dependent as that sounded.

"I wouldn't be able to afford another death."

Especially not his.

Sasuke's version of Sakura was no longer the one of a weak link. As he watched her depart, the lingering feeling of her smaller hand in his prickled at his fingertips. Sakura's figure disappeared within the darkness of the night. He didn't need to protect her from falling anymore. She could stand her ground well on her own, much like he had learned after his clan's massacre. Now, she was probably one of the strongest shinobi he had encountered. Not in terms of physical strength –although she was well equipped in that—but in the strength that came with being a human being. Perhaps she wouldn't be able to move on from the death of her companion back in the Mountain's Graveyard, but Sasuke was going to ensure that he didn't meet the same fate.

Sakura couldn't afford another death. And he would stay alive; to prove her that he could also lived through the war. To prove himself that he was strong, even though his mind was already fucked up. To have another meeting with Itachi and find out the whole truth. To finalize the revenge on his clan, even though it may not mean a thorough purification.

But above all, he was going to keep living in order to understand the frustration that came with letting Sakura go.

Here's a full chapter featuring our faves yaaaa! Who's sad that Naruto's ending soon? I am. It feels worse than getting my heart broken.

Sincerely,

MSM