Stand By Me
Chapter 4 - This is How I Disappear
''Can you hear me cry out to you? Words I thought I'd choke on, figure out - I'm really just a ghost, I'm really not so with you anymore. I'm just a ghost...so I can't hurt you anymore.''
Kakashi-sensei...
Sakura didn't want to believe it. Impossible. Hatake Kakashi. Kaka-sensei. She couldn't let herself believe it. But the truth was right here in front of her.
''Aa, I'll handle it.''
Temari gripped her arm tightly. ''Should we run?'' she whispered right into Sakura's ear, but Sakura couldn't form a reply. It was unmistakable...that voice. The voice of her beloved sensei. He'd stood by them for so many years. He'd saved her when she'd been foolish...when she wanted to kill Sasuke-kun. He was willing to die for her that time.
Temari's head whipped around as the other men jumped away and only one was left standing.
''Hatake Kakashi!'' she said, pointing an accusing finger at him. ''What is the meaning of this?'' she demanded.
His hands moved so fast that neither Temari nor Sakura saw the moments, and then the ground swallowed them.
Ino, Shikamaru, Nami and Hinata walked through the streets of Konoha. It was an especially hot night. Ino had left Konohamaru in the hands of her mother, the boy was mostly healed and was eating like a horse.
A Shadow came down the road nonchalantly and Ino immediately recognized the walk, the stance. It was him. She'd come to assume he was the leader. Nami gripped Hinata's wrist, telling her that she would protect her - no matter what and Hinata felt a little at ease.
Ino's body tensed and he passed them, without a word about...anything. What did she expect him to say anyway?
She looked back and he had stopped, and was staring at her. She frowned and turned her head back, ignoring the chill in her spine.
''He didn't say anything.'' Nami whispered when they'd turned the corner and entered Shikamaru's house.
''What did you expect him to say?'' Shikamaru asked, flicking his cig out the door and closing it. '' 'give the kid back?' He knows we'll deny it, so why waste time with an argument about it?''
''He's definitely up to something though. They're not giving up without a fight.''
Hinata nodded to agree with Ino. ''T-They must be planning something, they w-won't just give t-this up.''
Nami ran a hand through her hair, clearly frustrated.
''Shikamaru! Get in here!'' came a bark from the kitchen.
Nami snickered, ''ooh, someone's in trouble.''
''Tch.'' Shikamaru walked past them.
''Im home.'' he drawled to his mother.
Ino and Naruto leaned around the corner to get a closer look.
''Have you been smoking again? Didn't I tell you to quit!''
''Hai, hai.'' Shikamaru said, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
''Shikamaru!'' his mother snapped, glaring.
''Darling! Get in here!'' she called.
A second later his father made his appearance.
Shikaku kissed his wife's cheeks. ''Yoshino? What's going on?''
''Our son has been smoking again! Do something.''
''Shikamaru is old enough to make his own decisions, we can only tell him that we don't approve-'' he cut off, noticing his wife's burning glare.
''Yoshino, hes already seventeen, why don't we just-'' he came to a halt and sighed. ''Shikamaru, your mother and I would appreciate if you didn't smoke.''
''Ok, dad.'' Shikamaru turned away and ducked out of the room. ''Come on.''
Ino glanced at the clock...it was past 8pm...she needed to get home and heal Konohamaru some more and make sure that he's doing alright.
''Actually, I have to get going, I still have a patient.''
Shikamaru turned around. ''Ah, I forgot. Do you want us to walk with you?''
She shook her head. ''I'll be fine. Its not that far.''
Shikamaru nodded and Ino said her goodbyes before she left.
There was a chill in the air that left goosebumps on her exposed skin. Ino shivered and sped up a little. The dark and deserted streets were scary this late at night.
She couldn't remember why she'd stopped, maybe it was the voice or maybe she'd sensed him following her. That Shadow...why did they always have to meet?
''Yamanaka Ino.''
Ino's blood ran could and she wanted to run, turn around - anything! But she was frozen, not even when she heard the footsteps could she move.
''You shouldn't be walking alone, anything can happen in the cover of night.'' he passed her and came around to face her.
''Silly girl. Wearing this shirt. Mistake on your part.''
Ino was wearing her usual purple shirt. The one that left her abs exposed.
He reached out, dark, gloved fingers skimming her stomach.
Ino's spine curled in a attempt to get away from him, but her grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her against him, his hand going flat against her stomach. Ino knew what this was about. She'd healed herself.
''That hit I gave you shouldve left a bruise.'' he whispered into her ear, his whisper deep, low and husky.
She couldn't explain it, but his hands - his voice, sent a heat through her and straight to her core.
''I find your resistance annoying,'' he paused, his hand going around to clutch at her lower back. ''And somehow...incredibly sexy.''
Ino's breath left her, and her mind was blank. She didn't understand what was happening, was she going to die? Now...after she'd managed to survive.
He reached up and Ino gasped, making him hesitate before his hand grasped the mask. Ino took the opportunity to push him away and create some distance. He pulled it off. His dark hair fell free, and before she heard the mask clatter to the stone floor, the moon lit up his face. Her eyes widened. His skin was tanned, making her think that he wasn't from the Fire Country. His blue-grey eyes stared down at her and he was smiling slightly. He was...the most beautiful man she'd ever seen, it was wrong to think it. She knew that, but she couldn't stop herself.
''What are you doing?'' she whispered, for the first time in her life unsure and self conscious.
''Ino...I'd think that was obvious.'' he took a step towards her and Ino stepped back, her back hitting the wall...he wouldn't do this, he wouldn't force her. This wasn't happening.
''Please...'' she whispered and he smiled.
Then - he kissed her.
Sakura stopped screaming and opened her eyes. The world around her was dark and smelled earthy and muddy. They were underground.
She realized Temari was still holding onto her wrist and that left Sakura with some relief. She took a deep breath and then she lit her hand with chakra. A small light lit up the room just enough for her to see Temari and Kakashi-sensei.
She tried hard to keep her face emotionless, but she was sure she just looked sad.
''Kakashi...-sensei.'' she said softly.
She couldn't be sure, but somehow she saw him tense.
''Sakura...?'' he asked after a moment of silence.
''Its me.'' she confirmed sadly.
''I'm relieved to see you alive.'' he said and took off his mask.
Sakura's eyes filled with tears and she nodded. ''Im glad to see that you're ok too, Kakashi-sensei.''
She was sure he smiled.
Sakura looked away. ''Are you...did you...''
''Im looking for Tsunade-sama.'' he said and Sakura's head whipped to him.
''This was the only way to do that.''
''So you joined Madara to find the Hokage?'' Temari asked.
Kakashi gave a nod. ''The most information travels through us. If there's any hint at all, I'll know.''
Sakura nodded. ''Any news yet?''
Kakashi shook his head. ''None. Its like...shes just disappeared.''
Sakura bit her lip. ''She can't be...''
''Gomen, Sakura. I'm trying.''
''That's ok, Kakashi-sensei. I know. What about Sasuke-kun? Do you know where he is?''
Where else would she go now? He was he only option. She would bring him home...in Naruto's memory.
Kakashi shook his head. ''No information about him either. But I can tell you he's alive. Madara's dead set on finding him...you too. Although I don't know why.''
Sakura nodded. ''He won't get me. Or Sasuke-kun.''
''Ah, thats true. Don't stay in Konoha too long.''
''I know.'' she said sadly, ''I won't stay.''
Kakashi came forward and ruffled her hair. ''We'll get through this, somehow.''
She nodded. ''I know...somehow.''
''What will you tell the others?'' Temari asked.
''Leave that to me.'' was all he said as he put on his mask again.
''Take care of yourselves.'' he said.
''You too Kakashi-sensei.''
Temari nodded.
He undid the Jutsu and Sakura gave him one last nod before she and Temari walked off.
Ino let herself lay into him, before she knew it her hands were in his dark hair and she was pulling him closer as he kissed her.
What was going on...why was this man - the enemy - kissing her? The thought nagged at her as she let him lead her inside a door, as he pulled off her shirt and then pulled away to look at her, but he didn't look at her body at first, he stared into her eyes, as she stared at him through lowered lids.
She wondered about him. Where he was from, how old he was, his name-
''Ren,'' he whispered, as if reading her thoughts.
''Ren...'' she said, testing it on her tongue. It sent tingles down her body.
Then Ino knew exactly what she was doing. She allowed him, not because she wanted him, because it was for her. Something for her. Everything she'd done upto now...what had she been doing?
Having a crush on Sasuke? Because he was popular and everyone liked him. Becoming rivals with Sakura, because of a superficial crush. Becoming a medical ninja - to keep up with Sakura. What had she done for herself? Her first kiss had been for show, her first time was so she wouldn't get left behind.
But this, doing this was...because she wanted to, it was wrong, dammit it was so wrong...but she'd always been selfish.
''Why?'' she whispered, looking at him with that same expression.
He lowered his head, brushing his lips against hers as he tightened his arms around her waist.
''Because...you have lonely eyes.''
Ino pulled away and frowned slightly. Did she?
''And I am lonely too.''
Her eyes found his, and she saw it...his eyes looked lonely. Was that was her's looked like?
It didn't matter, he was right, she was lonely.
''Kiss me.'' she told him, feeling almost shy. He did kiss her then, and waves of heat went down her body. His hand went to her hair, pulling it free and letting her blonde hair fall down her shoulders.
Sakura and Temari could just make out Konoha's gates, Sakura was happy - but not as happy as she wanted to be. She was afraid of how much Konoha had changed, and mostly - living in a world without Naruto. Now, she'd finally have to face it.
''Gate guards.'' Temari whispered and Sakura saw them too.
They were immediately on guard as they came closer.
''State your business.''
''Im here to...visit a childhood friend.'' Sakura said, and hoped that Ino was ok.
''Name?''
Sakura was already creeped out by the masked man.
''Yamanaka Ino.''
The two guards exchanged a look. Sakura clenched her fists, her body teasing up.
''ID.'' he demanded and Sakura fished hers out and showed him.
He glanced at it and handed it back before turning to Temari.
''Business?''
''Im visiting...my...boyfriend.'' Sakura noticed a slight twitching in Temari's eye.
''Name?''
''Nara Shikamaru.'' Temari's eyes were strained as if she was trying to stop the twitch.
After demanding her ID and checking it, they reluctantly stepped aside and let Sakura and Temari enter.
Once they were far enough in, Temari stopped Sakura.
''Akaya, you should head home, your injuries aren't fully healed and you must be tired.''
''Ah, no, Temari-''
''Sakura,'' Temari whispered, ''Go home. I'll report to Shizune.''
Sakura took a shaky breath. ''Ok.''
''Do you have a place to stay?'' Sakura asked and Temari nodded. ''At the visitors apartments.''
''Ok...i'll see you tomorrow?''
''Yeah,''
Sakura gave her a hug. ''Thank you.''
''Don't mention it.''
Kiba sulked on his way home. How dare they do a mission without him! He could have helped! He hated being out of the loop. At least they could have let him know, but noooo.
He sighed and Akamaru nudged him.
''Yeah, they're bastards.'' he said, mostly to himself.
Akamaru stopped, Kiba only noticed a few steps ahead.
''Akamaru?''
The dog seemed alarmed, sniffing the air.
Kiba took a deep breath and then he smelled. That perfume. The heavenly perfume that always made him dizzy. Ino's perfume.
He took a step back, stepping on something hard, it cracked beneath his weight. A mask. One the Shadows wore.
''Akamaru! Where is she?''
Yes, so even if he didn't admit it, he stopped denying it...he was in love with Ino. To him, she was an angel, a beautiful blonde angel. One of the reasons he wouldn't admit it. Everyone would laugh at what he thought. Like he needed that, and Naruto would never let it go.
Akamaru jogged over to a door a whined.
Kiba clenched his teeth and put his hand on the knob. What was he going to do? He had no idea what was going on anyway. He had a feeling though, he was known as reckless anyway. Kiba kicked open the door and saw something he would never forget, something that broke his heart, even if he didn't show it.
Just for a second, they were kissing, and they both pulled away at the noise. Ino's face drained of all color.
''Kiba!''
''Get off of her!'' Kiba growled, and Akamaru immediately joined him.
The man, Kiba had never seen him before and he never wanted to again, got off of Ino easily.
Kiba reluctantly looked down at Ino. She had no shirt on, and her hair was sprayed our around her.
He looked away and took off his jacket. ''Put it on.'' he demanded.
''Kiba...'' she whispered and did as he asked.
''I don't know what you planned on doing, but if I see you near her again, I'll kill you.''
Kiba grabbed Ino's wrist and pulled her out of the room, Akamaru gave the guy one last growl before he followed.
Kiba didn't stop, didn't let go, just continued to his house.
Ino kept her eyes on the ground, stumbling after him. She felt like a naughty child, but somehow...she felt like she could never undo what she'd done...or almost did.
Kiba shoved open the door and pulled her inside, he immediately headed to his room and waited for her to enter before he slammed the door shut.
The room fell into silence, Kiba's heavy breathing filled the air and Ino could only stare at his back.
''Ki-''
''What were you thinking?'' he breathed.
His words stung and Ino's eyes narrowed.
''This is none of your business!''
''No? Do you have any idea of the consequences of your actions!''
''I don't need you to judge me! I know what I'm doing!''
''Clearly! I could see that!'' he growled back.
Ino's eyes widened and she flinched back, her hand coming up to cover her lips.
''Why do you even care?'' she snapped brokenly.
''He's playing you! He's the enemy!''
''Why do you care?'' she screamed, finally angry enough to take him on.
''Listen to yourself!'' he said coming closer and grabbing her shoulders. ''You're avoiding the subject!''
Ino fell silent, the truth was, she had no strength to fight him.
''He wanted to take away my loneliness...'' she told him.
Kiba stared at her in disbelief. How could she have believed that guy?
''But you're not alone.'' he said. ''You, have all of us.''
''I know, but somehow...its not enough.''
He knew what she meant, and Kiba had to stop himself from taking her into his arms. He couldn't get the image from his head...he thought he wouldn't care. But he did.
''Youre so selfish.'' he said darkly. Ino looked up at him. ''Kiba...?''
''Always thinking about yourself...never thinking how your actions affect others.''
Ino closed her eyes. He was right.
''Is this really about Konoha?'' she whispered. ''Or is it about the way you look at me...?''
Kiba went cold, his body stilling completely.
''You don't know anything.'' he said, his dark tone becoming even more gloom and doom.
''Don't I? I've seen you, when you think I'm not-''
''Stop it. Don't talk about that right after you were about to fuck the enemy.''
''So whats gonna happen now? You're gonna regret this. Even when Konoha might go down any day.''
''Youre using the 'we might die' excuse?'' he asked softly.
''I want to do this for you.''
''Im not substituting for what you really want. Get some sleep Ino,'' he said, indicating to his bed.
''I can go home.''
''Its better that you stay.'' his eyes told her that he didn't trust her at all and Ino sat down on his bed slowly, watching him sit by the window and stare out at the starless night.
Sakura slowly pushed open the door to her apartment. She closed it behind her with a soft thud. It was dark, empty and seemed alone. For a moment she stood in the darkness, wondering where she should be and what she should be doing.
Sakura took slow steps to her bedroom. The door was open and she stepped over the threshold deliberately. Her room seemed so unfamiliar, unpersonal. Sakura sat down at the vanity table, looking at her reflection. She was a familiar stranger, she was Haruno Sakura - but somehow not. With a frown, she looked away from her reflection and down at the vanity. There stood a lone, white porcelain music box with cherry blossoms hand painted onto it. Sakura slowly wound it up, it made a soft ticking nose when she turned it.
When she opened it, the balerina turned, round and round as the melody played. It was a sad song. The more it played the more her tears welled up and the heavier the pain in her chest became.
''Im here waiting for you...'' she sang softly and with the music, not sure if she meant Sasuke or Naruto then a sob escaped her lips as she pulled off the wig and laid her head on the top of the vanity.
The bathroom door ripped open and Sakura jumped up, only to freeze.
''No...'' she whispered. ''Impossible...'' She must have been dreaming, because Naruto stood in the doorway, his eyes were as wide as hers felt.
''S-Sakura-chan?''
''Is it really you...?'' she asked, she could barely see him, and she tried desperately to blink her tears away.
Naruto took a hesitant step towards her and then he ran, not caring about her usual reaction and taking her into his arms.
''Naruto...'' she choked as she finally let her tears out and grabbed him. ''Im so glad you're ok,'' she cried. ''I don't know what I wouldve don't without you...''
Naruto said nothing, he simply murmured that 'its was ok' as he held her, and somehow Sakura thought she felt, where his face was pressed into her shoulder, his tears wet her shirt.
Soon, Sakura wasn't sure exactly when - they fell asleep...
When Sakura opened her eyes again, she was back at The Valley of the End, for a moment she thought it had all been a dream, but it was then that she noticed it...looked different. The trees around her were smaller than before, and many flowers bloomed around her. Before her, on the first Hokage's statue sat a figure. Slowly she walked forward, ''Um, excuse me?''
The figure didn't reply and Sakura frowned, continuing forward until she was just behind it.
''Excuse me?''
He turned to her and Sakura froze, the color drained from her face and she took a small step back. ''Y-You...you are...''
''Haruno Sakura, I was saddened to hear that you'd entered the void.''
''H-Hokage-sama-'' she sputtered, still in her floored state.
He smiled. ''Tsunade-chan has grown quite fond of you, I believe she unconsciously adopted you as her daughter. She was always afraid of having children...afraid of losing them to the world.''
Sakura swallowed, unsure of how to reply, she also couldn't stop staring at him, this is...unbelievable.
''Come, sit down.'' he patted the space next to him and Sakura obeyed immediately, sitting down neatly in the spot he provided.
''H-Hok-''
''I am Hokage no longer, I believe Shizune-san is currently holding that honor.''
Shizune...was the Hokage? That made sense...if Tsunade wasn't around anymore...
''Hashirama-sama...am I...dead?'' she asked slowly, was it possible that it all had been a dream? She just couldn't fathom that.
''Not anymore, no, but a Jutsu such as the one used on you to resurrect you has certain...consequences.'' he answered vaguely.
Sakura's heart dropped. ''Consequences?''
Hashirama nodded. ''You have entered The Void.'' his arm spread out, indicating that -this- was The Void. ''And even being pulled out by a force such as you were, a small part of your essence remained.''
Sakura nodded, it made some sense.
''Your body, as a Vessel, forces your soul into its cage when you are awake, but when your body is asleep, it does not have the power to hold your soul, and it will then be pulled back to its essence.''
''Into The Void.'' Sakura concluded.
''That is correct.''
For the moment, Sakura couldn't see that as a major problem, so she would come here in her sleep every night. She could handle that.
''But, what are you doing here, Hashirama-sama?''
''My essence was pulled into The Void by force.'' he told her simply.
''What do you mean?''
''My body, in the living world, was reanimated, and so, my soul returned and was trapped here.''
''Reanimated...by Orochimaru?''
Hashirama nodded. ''Yes, he used me to fight Sarutobi.'' a saddened, dark look passed over his face.
It disappeared just as quickly as it came. ''I am a Walker, one of many, trapped here by force. You will also meet Wanderers, souls who cannot pass on and watch the living world from here.''
Sakura opened her mouth to ask more but Hashirama spoke up again. ''It seems our time is up. You took a long time to find me and light dawns on Konoha. Think well over what I've told you, Haruno Sakura.'' Hashirama squeezed her shoulder and then the scene disappeared and she felt like she was being sucked away.
When Sakura woke up, she blinked. Her dream was still fresh in her mind. She wasn't sure what to make of it, but the very fundamentals of it seemed...impossible. Beside her, something stirred - Naruto was next to her on her bed. His arm was thrown over his eyes and he was snoring loudly, a trail on drool running from the corner of his mouth.
Sakura watched him for a second, she still couldn't believe this was reality, and that she hadn't lost Naruto.
Sakura looked away from him and at the ceiling. But for him to be here...she'd lost Tsunade, but she wouldn't...couldn't blame that on Naruto.
A loud banging started on the front door that made Sakura jump. Naruto stored twice before he rolled over onto his side and continue sleeping.
''N-NARUTO-KUN! OPEN T-THE DOOR!''
That voice!
Sakura jumped up and practically ran to the door, almost tripping over the rug.
Sakura mocked Naruto's sexy-no-Jutsu voice. ''Are you alone, Hinata?''
''H-Hai!''
Sakura opened the door.
Hinata's eyes widened, ''S-Sakura-''
''Come in!'' Sakura hissed, grabbing Hinata's arm and pulling her inside and then shutting the door.
''Where's N-Naruto-kun?'' Hinata asked.
''Still sleeping, what happened?'' Sakura fired, wondering what Hinata was so shocked about.
''T-They're gone,'' Hinata explained. ''M-Madara's soldiers h-have left.''
It shouldve been good news but Sakura suddenly felt sick to her stomach.
''That's not a good thing, is it?''
Hinata looked like she was about to cry, but she held strong, taking a deep breath before shaking her head, no.
''I'll get Naruto.'' Sakura said and rushed back to her room.
Everyone found themselves in Ino's living room a small while later. All the active Shinobi were hauled up in her house as they waited for news. Sakura had found out that once all Madara's soldiers retreat, an all-out attack will be launched. The pink-haired kunoichi noticed tension between Kiba and Ino, the former sticking very close by latter. Neither saying a word. Sakura decided it was better to continue wearing the wig since she didn't want to become a target.
''Whats going to happen?'' she asked Naruto softly.
''They're going to attack Konoha.'' Naruto replied, his voice steady and his face grim, Sakura could tell he was trying to stay strong.
''What are out chances?''
Now, Naruto didn't answer, he simply averted his gaze out of the window to the overcast sky.
''What the hell Shikamaru? You owe me an explanation!'' Temari hissed from behind them.
Naruto and Sakura exchanged a look.
''Temari...'' Shikamaru complained.
''You kissed me, Shikamaru!''
The entire room fell silent and all heads turned to the pair.
Shikamaru sighed, grabbed Temari's arm and disappeared up the stairs.
Ino, on the other hand, sat silently next to Kiba. He hadn't spoken a word to her since he'd arrived, but she did saw him looking at her, and she wouldve felt some sort of...triumph if it hadn't been such a lost look in his eyes.
''Is all of this...my fault?'' Ino whispered to him.
Kiba looked shocked that she'd spoken and for a moment, he didn't answer, his body stayed tense.
''No, its not. He wouldve killed you anyway.''
Ino bit her lip. ''Kiba...thank you.''
''Don't. Don't thank me.''
''I'll thank you if I wanna thank you!'' she snapped, finally sick of it. ''Yes, I almost made the biggest, most stupid mistake ever, but you stopped me.''
''Is that supposed to mean anything?''
''It means I need you!''
Kiba barked a laugh. ''Right. Don't fuck with me Ino.''
''Don't you dare say that to me!'' she said stepping up to him.
''I may have not been myself last night, but don't act like this with me. Now, Konoha is going to be attacked any time now, if youre gonna kiss me, do it now.''
''This again...Ino no.''
''If you'd made a move sooner-''
''You've known how I feel, you could have done something.''
''Fine!'' Ino pulled him around the wall, into the entrance hall and planted one on him. ''There...''
At night fall, the alarm sounded, the barriers were trying to be breached from the outside on multiple layers.
The Shinobi peeled out of the Yamanaka house in folds and rushed to defend their city. The rookie nine, Neji, Lee and Tenten decided to stick together.
''What is that?'' Tenten asked, pointing at the sky.
Neji and Hinata both activated their byakugans. The veins around Neji's eyes strained as he analyzed it. ''Its a barrier. Their blocking us in.''
''Fuck...'' Kiba cursed, getting up on Akamaru's back and trying to calm the dog down.
''Naruto.'' Neji said, turning to the blonde, suddenly Shikamaru was behind the Hyuuga and Naruto's eyes widened.
''You and Sakura need to go.''
''What?'' Naruto cried, outraged at the mere idea. He wasn't a coward.
''No.'' Sakura said, ''We can't just abandon Konoha.''
''I agree with Neji - Naruto, Madara believes you and Sakura to be dead. You may be our only hope at defeating him.'' Shikamaru said, stepping forward and putting a hand on Naruto's shoulder.
''Shikamaru! I can't leave Konoha.''
''Hurry up!'' Hinata called. ''Their barrier is almost half way.''
''Naruto, think logically and if you can't, think of her.''
Naruto closed his eyes. ''I promise we'll defeat Madara.''
''Naruto!'' Sakura said in disbelief.
Shikamaru nodded. ''Im counting on it.''
''Survive until then.''
Naruto watched his friends nod. He looked at them one last time.
''They're through the barriers!'' Kiba called, and then he and Akamaru took off.
Naruto grabbed Sakura's wrist and ran, pushing past civilians who hadn't evacuated in time, and running as fast as his legs would go.
''Naruto-'' Sakura tried to stop but Naruto wouldn't have it, he simply continued, trying to find a way out.
''NARUTO! Stop!'' Sakura pulled him to a stop.
''We can't just leave! This is our home, how can you-''
''You don't think I want to help, Sakura-chan? Do you know how hard this is for me?''
Sakura saw the tears in his eyes. She wasn't sure if he was frustrated, angry, sad...maybe it bit of all of it.
''But, we need to go.'' he pulled her along again and she knew he was right, they were the only ones who had any chance of defeating Madara.
''Naruto-no-nii! Over here!''
Naruto ran up to Konohamaru, the boy's face was still a bit bruised but all in all he seemed fine.
''I know a short-cut! Follow me!''
Naruto hesitated, looking up at the closing barrier. Time was almost up, following Konohamaru wasn't always a good bet, but there was no way they'd make it to an exit in time. Naruto looked at Sakura who nodded.
''Lead the way, Konohamaru-kun.''
The boy's eyes widened. ''Sakura-nee-chan! You're ok!'' he began running, Naruto and Sakura following.
''She arrived last night!'' Naruto yelled over the wind.
''Im glad you're alive!'' Konohamaru told Sakura loudly.
''You too!'' Sakura replied.
Konohamaru turned into an ally...but stopped. When Naruto and Sakura turned, the saw the Shadow launching an attack on Konohamaru.
Shikamaru grabbed Temari's wrist and began pulling her in the opposite direction.
''Shikamaru! What are you doing!''
''You're going home. This is Konoha's fight.''
''Suna and Konoha are allies! I can help!''
Shikamaru turned to her. ''Lets be honest. Konoha is finished. Don't go down with it, Temari.''
He turned away and pulled her along again.
''Report what happened to the Kazekage, that's all you can do now.''
Shikamaru stopped at the training grounds.
''Follow this path to the Forest of Death from the Chuunin Exams. If you pass through it you'll be able to reach Konoha's limits and escape through there - but hurry.''
Temari grabbed his arm and yanked him to her. ''Don't you dare die. I'll never forgive you.''
Shikamaru gave a small wry smile. ''Good to know you care.''
''Shikamaru I'm being serious, don't-'' Temari didn't get to finish her sentence, Shikamaru pulled her against him, his lips moving against hers with an untamed urgency. Temari grabbed handfulls of his hair and pulled him closer. The kiss didn't last nearly long enough when Shikamaru pulled away. ''I have to get back.'' he muttered.
''Don't die.'' she whispered against his lips.
''Ok.'' he replied and pushed away from her.
Temari gave him one last look before she took off.
Shikamaru watched her until she disappeared from his view before he turned back to Konoha.
Sakura pushed past Naruto who was reaching for Konohamaru, trying to pull him away. She thought fast swinging a punch at the Shadow, it - being distracted - didn't have time to dodge, so instead only blocked, the punch did send him to the ground and in that moment, Sakura was on him. She smashed her palm down on his ribs, right over his heart. Stopping his bloodflow by blocking the veins with her chakra. She felt his heart beating...slower...slower and slower, until it stopped. Sakura ripped the muscles in his heart and then burned away the veins so he couldn't be healed - and then...he was dead. She...she'd killed someone.
''Sakura-chan...we need to go.'' Naruto whispered, touching her shoulder.
The rain began to fall then, it came down hard, with lightening lighting up the sky occasionally.
Sakura looked up at the sky, and when the lightning lit it up, she saw a figure on the roof above them. Another Shadow.
It didn't attack however.
''Kakashi-sen-'' he disappeared before she could finish saying his name, leaving her with a firm nod.
''Come on Sakura-chan, its ok.'' Naruto lifted her up.
''In here!'' Konohamaru lifted a metal grate in the street.
''Hurry, their barrier is almost complete.''
Naruto pushed Sakura into the hole and she climbed down the ladder.
''Take care of yourself, Konohamaru.''
The boy nodded. ''You too.''
After a handshake, Naruto dropped into the hole too and Konohamaru shut it after him.
Naruto didn't stop for a second, he grabbed Sakura's wrist and began running down the path. He could feel their small window of time drawing to a close and he pushed his legs harder. The walls around them shook and quivered with the force of the attacks from the surface.
''Almost there, Sakura-chan, just a little more.''
She stayed with him the entire time. They both felt it when they passed Konoha's censory barrier and then the next ones - the ones that don't allow anyone to enter them. Since both of them were leaving it was fine.
And then...they stepped out of Konohagakure's borders. There was a ladder to their left but the path stretched out in front of them and Naruto just continued running, Sakura in tow.
Soon they came to a place where the tunnel split in two.
To the left the tunnel continued, and to the right was a thick metal door, a faded Uchiha symbol painted onto it.
Sakura leaned against the wall, trying to catch her breath and even when she did, the burning in her chest didn't subside. She covered her face with her hands as she finally cried.
She'd just left them there...to die. She'd actually abandoned everything she'd ever known. She didn't even want to think of the chances that Konoha would be able to survive. A part of her still didn't want to believe this was happening. But she knew...it was the truth, no matter how she wanted to twist it.
Sakura dropped her hands from her face and let out a staggering breath. Naruto was sitting across from her, he was staring at the roof of the tunnel. He wasn't crying, but at his sides, his fists were clenched and they were shaking. When here eyes returned to his face, his eyes were clenched shut and his jaw was tight.
''What do we do know?'' she asked, her voice broken and miserable.
Naruto's eyes opened slowly. He blinked a few times before he turned his head to the door next to him. ''We find the one person who can help us.''
Sakura followed his gaze and her green eyes found the faded Uchiha clan symbol.
Sasuke-kun.
Sorry for the late update! Here you go! New chapter on next week!
Zana-Lee
xoxo