~Chapter 26~
Avenging Warrior
Sasuke was walking towards the gates of Konoha. It was now becoming a habit, as of the last four days he at least had a small ounce of hope that Kinata would return. It was childish and pathetic, but he couldn't manage himself.
However, as he strolled up, seven medical ninjas sped passed him. He stood wide-eyed in their direction, watching as they made their way to three covered bodies being hauled on carriers.
Sasuke froze.
"She left with her two guardians, so she should be alright." Iruka-sensei clearly didn't want to be telling the Uchiha boy all that he had to, but he had made a promise. The young kid, much like Kinata, had already been through so much. The chuunin couldn't go back on his word.
Sasuke was irked at the mentioning of that. So she was with the very guardians who had beaten her up, both physically and mentally? His fists clenched.
"She, well, she also told me, to tell you," Iruka-sensei nervously scratched the back of his head, feeling awkward about having to be the messenger of something so intimate between two young children.
"What?" Sasuke growled, annoyed by his teacher's hesitation. Whatever he had to say was important, especially since it came from Kinata. The older man sighed, eyeing the boy before him.
"She asked that, I relay to you, that, well she loves you, and always will."
Sasuke couldn't respond or move for a silent minute. Afterwards, he gave a small nod.
"Thanks." He muttered. He strolled passed his teacher, who allowed it, letting him walk away from the Academy before class had even started. The boy needed his personal space.
So three people were dead? He cringed at the memory and the images before him while the medical shinobi took the bodies away. If he'd been more attuning to certainty, he could've stopped them to verify his horrors. Yet the instinctive fear and unease building in his gut seemed to be enough proof. He darted off swiftly towards the Hokage's Office.
"What the hell has happened to Kinata!?" He screamed through a strained throat. The old man stared startled at the broken figure of a black-haired boy before him. The kid was breathing hard.
The Hokage couldn't believe, after literally just having heard the news himself, that the Uchiha had discovered something wrong as well. He sighed.
"And what is it you would like me to confirm?" Sasuke sucked in a quick breath.
"Is she…is she…?" He couldn't bring himself to say the words, his body shaking.
By the looks of the old man's despaired face, he had been right. All of his emotions swirled and then was mentally collapsing in on him. He wanted to fall on his knees right then and there in hopelessness.
Sarada observed the extreme impact of the boy's assumptions.
So Sasuke had no idea that Kinata had been kidnapped, not killed? He glared down at his paperwork. He knew exactly what he had to do to ensure that the boy wouldn't recklessly try to go and save the girl. Nonetheless, he despised his next move.
"Yes. She is dead." The words sounded harsh, even to the Hokage's own ears. To see the reaction in the boy's eyes – the complete sense of tremendous loss, nearly brought tears to the old man's eyes. He was well trained and kept his expression neutral, calming his nerves while eyeing the Uchiha boy. His body had gone rigged, casting down in a battle of control.
"As they reached the barrier of the Land of Fire, they were ambushed during the night."
No response.
The Hokage stood up, now concerned about the boy, but just as he did, Sasuke took off.
He was too overcome with the suffering. He continued to run, for miles, finally landing at a desolate terrain in the Uchiha compound, one that overlooked the very pond that he and Kinata had swam in.
He couldn't feel. He was numb again, but beyond any point he'd ever felt. He couldn't even cry.
That was at least until the memories of her flooded his mind.
He scanned the water that she had convinced him, in a way, to play with her in.
He thought of the kimono he'd bought her and how it had looked on her.
He reached for the necklace, her gift to him, recalling her words on the day of the Star Festival.
"But I'd like you to keep it. So you'll always remember me. No matter what happens."
He sobbed for a good ten minutes, clutching the object strongly in his fingers, forgetting his pride.
Sasuke felt as if he'd lost all of who he was…all that he had begun to stand for.
He tried to breath but noticed the oncoming signs of hyperventilation. He tried to steady his intake of oxygen, remembering Kinata's courage…her smile.
He stood up, wobbly. He had a light-headed sensation but did his best to ignore it.
The images of her wouldn't stop. His body couldn't relax.
Sasuke had no idea what to do or where to go from here.
"I love you…I always will." He fell on his knees again, losing his self-restraint. He wanted HER to say it to him, not through Iruka-sensei. Now, he would NEVER hear her voice again. She was beyond his reach, no longer living. HOW? How could he continue on? He'd officially lost everything he'd ever loved and cherished in his life. What was the point of living on?
"It's not fair. You did nothing wrong, but you're the one that has to suffer." She'd said it when she'd first moved in with him on the night he'd opened up to her about his older brother and his revenge. It was the only moment in his life he'd felt such doubt about his goals. Her words seemed to apply to him even though the situation was different.
Sasuke's hand trembled around the necklace.
"I have a new goal now."
"A new goal? What is it?" He had kissed her on the side of her head, having heard her light tone replying to his passionate declaration. He hadn't even felt like himself, but like a new person.
"You." She moved in closer to him, snuggling up to his body.
"Good, but I think you've already accomplished that." Her joke had made him laugh.
"Hardly. I have you now, but I intend to keep you."
"Thank you Sasuke. For being there…and for being here now."
"Why?" He whispered, not knowing how to bring himself back from the past of her to the reality of knowing she was no longer breathing.
"As a threat? So there are people still after you." He had washed away her wound from her fall on the steps, where she had finally opened up about her bloodline.
"Yes." He'd stood up after looking into her worried eyes. Deep down, she was scared. He had reached out his hand, and when she took it he'd been pleased. They were in this together.
"Best you have someone watching your back then."
She had been so concerned over his well being, yet she was the one who had ended up dead. He couldn't stay true to his commitment, and the thought was like a rigged dagger stabbing itself repeatedly into his heart.
"I, I'd have to leave. Because I can't have you pulled into my problems. You've helped me so much. Sasuke, you have given me a chance to have somewhat of a normal life. I have no choice BUT to assume it could happen again. And if so, I need to be prepared. Even if it hurts me more to have to leave." Her smile half-way through mirrored her gratitude. He had held her hand.
"Again, that won't happen. I don't need you to worry about me. I'm an Uchiha. I can take care of myself." He had been blessed by another sincere smile. It had made his heart jump.
"Yeah. You're right."
"I usually am." It was the first time his lust for her had exceeded his control.
"I want my prize now." The first time their lips had met…
It was right before they'd made it back to his house, where they had ended up making love.
He took in a long, shaky breath, slowly standing up.
Sasuke glared ahead, passed the large pond to the rest of the village of Konoha.
"I'll always protect you…"
He closed his eyes.
He would honor her memory…the hope that she had installed in him.
He would eliminate Itachi.
He would destroy ALL who were involved in Kinata's death.
That…
Sasuke let go of her necklace, his hands left with red marks from the dragonfly's wings digging into them. He gave a solidified nod to himself.
THAT, was who he was…that would be his goal again.
I…he took a deep breath, I'm an avenger…from now on…I have no other choice.