Crossroads

Callista Miralni

Disclaimer: plot mine. Characters, not so much. You can find all the fun things I used as a reference to build this story on pinterest: /callistamiralni/crossroads/

Ino and Sasuke worked on campus together as desk personnel at the graduate housing center. Sometimes, Sasuke stayed past his shift to study in peace. For the most part, Ino was a good study partner, except when she started asking questions.

Ino twirled around in her desk chair. "Ne, Sasuke-kun, what did you want to be when you grew up?"

Sasuke looked at her. "That's a secret."

"Not fair! You told Sakura-chan!"

"And Sakura obviously did not tell you since you're asking me."

"Why not? I can keep a secret."

Sasuke snorted. "Can you? The last time I told you anything remotely personal, Hyuuga Hinata of all people came up to me and asked me if it was true that I cooked my own food rather than microwave freezer shit."

"That was trivial nonsense. I can prove I can keep a secret."

Ignoring her, he went back to his laptop.

Her cell phone went off, an exasperated text from Sakura about Naruto pestering her yet again in the library filling the screen. Some thing tugged at her memories and Ino wondered if she was insane to voice her suspicions aloud.

"Naruto-kun likes Sakura-chan."

Sasuke didn't even look up from his laptop. "What makes you think that?"

Suddenly, bringing it up seemed like a bad idea. "Just... the way he's constantly talking about her, hovering around her, and trying to catch her attention. He's mellowed out since his freshman year thanks to your influence as his mentor but he's matured even more in the past year since he and Sakura-chan got to know each other as friends."

Pushing away his laptop, Sasuke regarded her with a probing stare. "Does anyone else think the same way you do?"

"Don't be stupid. Everyone is thinking it, Sakura-chan especially. She thinks by acting like a bitch, she'll get him to give up on her."

Sasuke leaned back. "As always, nothing escapes you, Ino."

"Why did you call me here in the middle of the night?" Sasuke grumbled as he stepped over the threshold to her apartment.

Ino didn't even wait for him to slip off his shoes. Seizing him by the wrist, she dragged him to the kitchen.

"Look!" She giggled. "Studying has finally triumphed over Sakura-chan!"

Sasuke wanted to throw Ino off her balcony. She woke him up in the middle of the night just to see Sakura drool over her notes?

A flash of numbers caught his eye. 12:30 AM. For once, Sasuke wanted to sleep at ten and wake up at seven-thirty like everyone else in the universe. Would there ever be a night when he wouldn't be up until two am?

No, because people like Yamanaka Ino would drag him out of bed and halfway across En for the stupidest reasons.

The clock changed. 12:31 AM.

Suddenly, Sasuke knew why the whole situation seemed bizarre. In two steps, he was in front of Sakura and placed a hand on her forehead.

"She's burning up," Sasuke hissed at her best friend. "How could you not notice she was sick?"

Ino's mischievous expression morphed into concern. "Sakura-chan never gets sick. Everyone else does."

Brusquely, Sasuke knelt by her and slid her off the chair into his arms. "Pack her stuff," he commanded. "We're taking her home."

Sasuke stopped in front of her. "I need a favor," he said slowly.

Ino pushed aside her computer. "Shoot."

"Pick up this order for me? I have to go to Konoha for something this weekend."

Opening the paper he slid towards her, Ino looked at the pick-up time and date. It was set for three pm on Friday—she would be out of class by then.

"Sure thing." She smiled at him. "Do I need to pay for it?"

Sasuke shook his head. "Thanks. I'll make it up to you."

Friday at lunch, Ino hugged Sasuke goodbye and laughed at his discomfort with her open affection. Sakura shook her head in amusement, waving goodbye to him as she sipped on her smoothie.

When the time came, Ino walked into the shop alone. "Hi, I'm picking up something for Uchiha Sasuke-san?"

The shopkeeper nodded in recognition. "Make sure you refrigerate this as soon as possible," she warned. "It'll spoil and melt."

Ino had an idea what the order was but she was completely unprepared for the large arrangement of fruit skewers mixed with an assortment of chocolate dipped fruits.

The clerk wrapped it in plastic and offered to carry it to her car. Dazed, Ino mutely agreed, holding the door open and hurrying to unlock her car.

"Did... did Uchiha-san happen to mention what this was for?" Ino asked before the clerk went back inside.

The woman paused. "I believe he said it was for someone's birthday. We're closed this weekend for a health and safety inspection, which is why we had him pick it up today."

Someone's birthday? A quick glance at her watch reminded her of the date. Ino smiled broadly.

"I see. Thank you so much for your help!"

She couldn't wait to see the look on Sakura's face when she delivers Sasuke's gift to her.

-sakura-

Digging through her purse, Sakura found the emergency cell phone. "Turn off your phone, Sasuke-kun," she reminded him as she did the same with her own phone.

The white iPhone lit up as she turned it on. Dialing a number memorized since childhood, she prayed he would pick up.

"Hello?"

"It's ready, right?"

The other person on the end of the line paused. "You know on nights like this we're ready to leave at any moment."

Sakura let out a sigh of relief. "We're almost there."

"See you soon Saki-chan."

Ino looked at her curiously. "Should I turn off my phone as well?"

Sakura nodded. "Your name was on the guest list. They'll be tracking all our cell phones."

"What the hell is going on? How can you be so calm about this?"

Sakura never knew her best friend to be prone to hysterics. "It's a precaution," Sakura explained. "A long time ago, the same thing happened. We were too young to attend galas so our aunt got into her car, went to Konoha, and took off in her helicopter to the safe house."

Naruto pulled into the Konoha Municipal Airport. "Head towards the private airstrip," she instructed before continuing with her story. "Since then, our family had a plan of action if the same thing ever happened again. We keep a helicopter ready for take off at the hangar for situations like this. Each of us have an emergency cell phone registered under our middle names and our mother's maiden name and we don't turn it on until we're clear of the danger zone. The safe house is the last place anyone would look for us since it's under a pseudonym. Park at hanger four."

A young man stood by the stairs. He waved for the gates to shut after they passed through. Sakura got out the car and ran into his arms.

"Kankuro-nii," she breathed her cousin's name out. "It's awful. There were so many of them with guns and smoke. My parents, Takashi-nii, Misa-nee, and Kazu are all still there."

Kankuro placed a hand on her shoulder. "Calm down. I'm sure everything is under control. I'll take you guys to the safe house and come back to handle the situation."

He led them to the roof and ushered them inside the helicopter. "Buckle up," he instructed. "I'm Kankuro, Sakura's cousin. I'm afraid the formalities will have to wait once this is over. Saki-chan, Temari is waiting with a cart for you. Sasuke-san-" Kankuro handed him a black bag. "-you'll need this."

He climbed into the pilot's seat and started the engine. "How does he know you?" Naruto asked suspiciously.

"Long story," Sasuke replied as he unzipped the bag and pulled out a handgun. Checking it over, he loaded the cartridge and engaged the safety before placing it in his waistband.

"All clear for take off," a voice said. "Your flight's been blacked out, Sunano."

Sakura closed her eyes as they flew across the sea.

The helicopter touched ground. "Firma terra," Kankuro announced.

Sasuke lifted her out of the helicopter before doing the same to Ino. Sakura shivered in the cool air before straightening her back and approaching the woman waiting for them.

"Itoko," she whispered in her ear as she held Sakura tightly. "I'm so glad you are safe."

Sakura breathed in the familiar and comforting scent of Armani Code, Temari's favorite perfume. "Temari-nee," she could feel the hysterics creeping in. "My parents-"

"Hush," her cousin scolded her. "Take the keys. You know your way. I will go with Kankuro-nii to handle the situation. You have the phone, ne?"

"Yes, but I'm so scared-"

"Shh." Temari put a finger to her lips, silencing her. "It will be alright. I will call you, okay? There are clothes you can change into and hot chocolate waiting in the kitchen."

Pressing the keys into her hand, Temari gave her a reassuring smile. She turned to Sasuke, kissed both his cheeks, and squeezed his shoulder. "Look out for them, Sasuke-san."

He nodded. Satisfied by his silent promise, Temari climbed into the co-pilot's seat. The helicopter took to the air, speeding back to the coast.

"Where are we?" Ino finally asked.

Sakura led them towards the ride Temari left for them. "Uzushio Island," she replied as she slid into the driver's seat of the golf cart. "Come on. I don't like being here at night."

Ino slid into the seat next to her. "Saki, I'm scared."

She berated herself for being selfish. Of course Ino was scared; no one expects this kind of thing to happen during a party. Sakura always mentally prepared for the worst each time she put on a dress and donned a pair of heels. It was foolish to expect Ino to do the same.

"I know," she softly reassured her as they drove down the mountain. "Me too."

The lights were on in the front yard and Sakura mentally thanked Temari for her consideration. At least, it felt like she was arriving home after a long trip instead of fleeing to safety.

"Woah," Naruto said as they parked in the carport next to the massive house. "I know you guys have money, but this is ridiculous."

Sakura choked out a laugh. Fumbling with the keys, she found the right one for the front door and ushered them inside. "Takashi-nii and Kazuto's rooms are down the hall," she said. "Help yourself to their closets. Ino-chan, come downstairs with me. We'll meet back in the kitchen."

The men traipsed down the hall. Sakura waited until she heard them rummaging through Takashi's drawers before leading Ino down the stairs to her room. Flicking on the light, Sakura moved to the dresser and dug through it for comfortable clothes. She tossed Ino a t-shirt and a pair of shorts before pointing her to the bathroom. Locking herself in the closet, Sakura too changed into comfortable clothes, remembering at the last minute to pull a hooded sweatshirt off a hanger and throwing it on.

"Bathroom's open, Sakura-chan," Ino's voice echoed through the door.

Pulling it open, Sakura saw Ino had already removed her makeup and jewelry. She walked into the bathroom and did the same. Her hand felt strangely light without the weight of jewelry on it but the ring looked foreign on her. Sakura tucked it into her pocket in case she changed her mind.

Naruto handed her a cup of hot chocolate. "What a night," he murmured as he sank into the living room couch.

"I'm sorry you had to go through this," Sakura said.

Waving her off, Naruto gave her a light smile. "If anything, I got to speed through the city and not get pulled over. I'll never be able to do that again."

Sasuke turned on the TV and the news came on. Temari must have been watching it before they landed at the airport.

"We have a critical situation at the Museum of Natural History. A team of armed terrorists are holding the entire museum hostage. Tonight marks an important night for CEO of Bistouri Medical, Uchiha Mikoto, and Vista Heights Medical Center owner and CEO, Haruno Kizashi, as they announced a permanent partnership between their institutions and the opening of the Coeur Foundation. It has been an hour since shots were first fired at the Museum and the terrorists have made no demands yet. Reporter Sakaki Risa is live on the scene."

The camera switched to a young woman standing across the street from the museum. They saw the street blocked off and filled with police and Special Defense vehicles. An ANBU van pulled up behind her. The outside lights were still on.

"Thanks Ryuugazaki-san," Sakaki said. "As you can see, the entire Museum is on lockdown. Teams attempting to enter the building have been thwarted. So far, we have thirty injured and no fatalities."

A commotion from the front door of the museum drew all eyes. Sakura's heart lurched when she saw Kazuto dragged to the steps and forced to his knees.

"This is a child," the masked terrorist drawled through a megaphone. "And the best kind of human shield."

The camera zoomed in to the steps. With horror, Sakura saw blood dripping down her brother's face coming from a cut near his temple.

He could have a concussion or worse!

"We don't care about your silly auction, your money, or jewels. We're here for one thing and we won't stop until we find it."

The terrorist addressed Kazuto. "Boy, tell me where it is. Hand it over and this entire situation disappears."

Kazuto spat a mouthful of blood at his feet. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Frowning, he pulled a gun out from his waist. He cocked the gun and fired.

"Kazuto!" Sakura screamed. "Oh my God, Kazuto!"

Naruto was everywhere—hands tangled in her hair, rubbing her back, arms locked around her tight. She struggled against him, screaming for her brother into his shirt.

"Sakura-chan, he's okay. Wounded, but alive."

Those words calmed her down. She felt Naruto's grip loosen and she pushed him off, running downstairs and outside. Taking in deep breaths of air, Sakura hated herself for running away. She should have grabbed Kazuto when she had the chance.

Before, the ring in her pocket felt heavy with duty. Now, the weight of remorse made it impossible to carry. She drew it out, intending to throw it off the mountain, but she paused.

A lifetime of happiness.

Instead, Sakura slipped it on her finger.

Author's note:

In Japan, fruit is very expensive so a fruit arrangement like the one Sasuke ordered for her birthday would be extremely costly.

Ja ne!

Callista Miralni