Stand By Me
Chapter 7 - Nothing to Remember
''Strides I spend to the finish line, I'll give you those. Just don't make me go home...give me something to remember.''
Sakura stumbled back, her eyes wide and she tried to get out of his reach, not that he was trying to get to her. He just stood there, his eyebrows raised, expression bored but a little surprised.
''I...-uh...-wh-...'' she stuttered as she stared up at him, unable to form a coherent sentence.
''You...what?'' he asked, looking at her like she was a bit crazy. And maybe she was, a little.
Sakura couldn't think of what to say. This was Uchiha Itachi. The man who had caused Sasuke so much pain. After Sasuke left the village, she'd imagined meeting this man, telling him off, fighting him (and winning - a fantasy only of course, she knew she'd never be able to beat him), but then...Sasuke had caused her so much pain too.
''Relax.'' Itachi said, his voice kind...she had to replay it in her head again to make sure she'd heard right.
But if she had heard him then...then what would that mean? Was he tricking her? I didn't matter - she was afraid. She feared him, or what she knew of him. She was completely tense.
''Why...why have you come to me?'' she choked out.
Itachi's chuckled lowly, a sound that surprised her completely, and he actually looked...amused. ''You,'' he pointed to her, ''came to me.'' he pointed to himself with the same unconscious Uchiha arrogance that Sasuke always displayed. And it ticked her off.
Sakura's eyes narrowed. ''Ok.'' she said cautiously. ''And why would I do that?'' there was the slightest hint of sarcasm to her tone.
''You are looking for my brother, aren't you?'' he asked, all amusement gone - a seriousness overpowering his face.
Sakura also sobered her expression and stood straight, looking up at him. ''Do you know where he is?''
''I can point you in the right direction,'' Itachi said.
''What do you want...in return?'' Sakura asked apprehensively.
Itachi shook his head. ''I owe you, Haruno Sakura, lets leave it at that.'' he said, ''To find Sasuke, you -'' Itachi frowned just as Sakura began to cough. ''Tch. We don't have much time. Listen carefully,'' Sakura coughed more but managed a nod, ''Go to Sora-ku, there you will find an old Uchiha supplies shop. Speak to Nekobaa.''
Sakura coughed a 'thank you' just as she felt herself being pulled back and she awoke to Naruto shaking her. The forest was on fire. They were being burned out into the open.
x-x-x-x-
Naruto shook Sakura awake. She woke up as if she had just been resuscitated...her eyes wide, he chest dragging in a first breath. Naruto's blue eyes took her in for a second before he came to his senses.
''Sakura-chan! Come on! We have to get out of here.''
Sakura coughed and tried to see through all the smoke.
''We...need to get to Sora-ku!'' she told him, her lungs cried desperately for fresh air to breath.
Naruto pulled her up, and holding onto her wrist they stumbled through the forest.
''Were can we go?'' she asked, there was fire everywhere.
Naruto pulled her along, trying to find safety.
''No!'' Sakura stopped him. ''Its this way!'' she began running east. To Sora-ku. ''Sakura-chan! Stop! What's in Sora-ku?'' she didn't stop.
Sakura continued to make her way through the smoke and fire. She stumbled a run, shielding her eyes from the scorching heat.
''Sakura-chan!'' he sounded angry now.
She couldn't stop, how could she explain anyway? There was no way. Yup, Sasuke's very dead brother came to her in a ''dream'' and told her where to go. No - Way.
Naruto grabbed her shoulders, pulling her back against him just as a terrible scream came from the tree as it cracked and it fell, right where she had been.
''Funny meeting you two here.'' Naruto and Sakura spun around at the same time. ''Suigetsu.'' Naruto whispered menacingly.
Said man rolled his eyes. ''I owe someone a favor, come on, I can show you a way out of here.''
Sakura followed but Naruto pulled her back. ''Why should we trust you?''
''Do you have any other plans, smartass?''
Naruto let out a growl.
''That's what I thought,'' Suigetsu turned away and began to cut a path through the trees with his sword.
''Sakura-chan, no, we can't trust him.'' Naruto whispered.
''We have no other choice.'' she said and followed the path Suigetsu made.
It was strange, how she felt she could trust this guy. Maybe it was because he was a somewhat direct link to Sasuke.
Suigetsu came to a boulder, that seemed connected to the mountain side behind them, and looked up at Sakura.
''Do you mind, princess?''
She gave him a dead stare. ''I don't appreciate nicknames.''
''She really doesn't.'' Naruto grumbled as Sakura pushed the boulder aside and Suigetsu lifted the wooden door in the floor with a smug hoot.
He grinned and sipped water from a water bottle.
''Ladies first.'' he stepped aside.
Sakura watched him for a second before she dropped inside.
Suigetsu followed and Naruto after him.
''More tunnels.'' the blonde said sarcastically.
''Where are you headed?'' he asked, sipping more water.
''Sora-ku.'' -
''Suna.'' they answered at the same time, glaring at each other afterward.
Suigetsu turned his grin on Sakura. ''Smart cookie, or is it just coincidence that Sora-ku was the place Sasuke was headed when we parted ways,'' he pretended to wipe a sarcastic tear away, ''Just two weeks ago?''
''Sasuke went there.'' Naruto said, looking between Sakura and Suigetsu.
Suigetsu gave an amused smirk.
''Suna is that way, and Sora-ku would be that way. See ya.'' he turned and strode away calmly.
''Weird guy.'' Sakura muttered and turned, heading into the tunnel that would take them to Sora-ku.
''How did you know?'' Naruto asked, making her stop and turn to look at him.
''I told you, there's things that I can't explain, Naruto.'' what could she say? Nothing that he would believe that was for sure.
''Well, try.''
''I have nothing to say without lying to you. You just have to believe in me-''
''How can I believe in you when I have no idea what's going on?''
''I believed in you no matter what.'' she countered and Naruto clenched his jaw. ''Its not good enough.''
Sakura closed her eyes. ''Suna...is that way then.'' she said softly and then turned to walk away but Naruto grabbed her wrist.
''Please, Sakura-chan, just give me something.'' he asked, his eyes begging for something...anything.
''I can't...'' she shook her head.
''Whats in Sora-ku then?''
''An Uchiha supplies shop, someone there will hopefully send us to Sasuke.''
Naruto nodded and then he followed her. A man wouldve demanded answers, demand she tell him or to hell with her. But because he was such a sucker for punishment, he followed her.
x-x-x-x-
Temari always went through the back allies when she went from her home to see Gaara. She wanted no interaction with Madara's Shadows. She hated them and she would need no provoking from their side, she'd kill any one of them. She had no more patience left.
When Temari stepped out of the ally and on to the main street, all the citizens were been shepherded somewhere, by Madara's Shadows.
She looked around for any 'ex'-Shinobi that could give her some information...but there were none. She recognized no Shinobi among the villagers. There were none. What the hell was going on? Temari looked towards the Kage building and her answer was on the side of it, what looked like a simple sign...wasn't. It was an explosive tag. One with the same inscriptions as the ones from Konoha. It was time.
Temari made a bee-line for the Kage building ripping the tag from the wall. It didn't react like normal explosive tags, meaning they were responsive to the Shadow's chakra and the Jutsu.
Temari walked over to one of the Shadows, bumping into it, inconspicuously placing the tag under it's arm, when she stumbled back to steady herself.
''What the hell is going on?'' she demanded.
It was a quick and simple action. He backhanded her. Hard.
Temari fell back from the force and not expecting it. Her lip throbbed as she stood up, wiping the blood away.
''You will pay us the proper respect or you will be punished.''
''What is going on?'' she asked in the same tone, and she didn't even see the movement, his hand came down again - but it was caught!
Temari looked up to see Kankuro.
''Don't touch her.'' he seethed, shaking with anger.
''Kankuro...its ok, come on.'' she said, yanking on his wrist.
He glared at the Shadow and threw his arm aside before he followed Temari to Gaara's office.
''Gaara...its happening.'' Temari whispered when she entered his office.
''Where are the Shinobi!'' Kankuro demanded. ''We should be fighting back!''
''Over here!'' Temari called, pointing to the other side of the village through the window. The Shinobi were being separated from the villagers.
''Gaara? What is it?'' Kankuro asked as he saw Gaara's stiff form by the window.
He expected Gaara to be angry at the situation or something...but he wasn't, instead he spoke clearly, making both Kankuro and Temari tense. ''Madara is here.''
''What...but why?'' Temari asked softly.
''We're about to find out.'' Kankuro told them nodding to the highest building between the villagers and Shinobi.
Madara stood there, his cape blowing in the wind.
''It came under my attention that quite a few escaped my grasp in the destruction of Konoha,'' he began, his voice carrying over both crowds on either side of him, Gaara and Kankuro stepped towards Temari on reflex.
''And that has given some of you hope. Well, I am here to tell you that its hopeless, you are completely at my mercy! And now...im going to show you just how powerless you are.'' he waved his hand and then the explosions began, buildings exploded and the screams of the villagers seemed to get louder and louder as the explosions and flames engulfed them.
the Shinobi were trapped inside a barrier and were trying desperately to get to the people they swore to protect.
''I know.'' Gaara said, ''I know my interference will only make it worse...but I can't! I can't just do nothing.'' Gaara made to jump through the window, but his brother grabbed his arm.
''Gaara, Madara will kill you!'' Kankuro said, his eyes clenched shut. He also wanted nothing more than to jump out there and put a stop to it. But he knew he couldn't.
''I am the Kazekage! I'm willing to die for my people!''
''They won't appreciate an empty death, Gaara! They would rather want you to die trying then to die for nothing!'' Temari said, grabbing his soldiers.
''We need to leave.'' Kankuro said.
Gaara wanted to fight them but what good would it do? Staying here will only cost them their lives. In the long run, avenging the village seemed like it would be the best decision.
''Right now.'' Temari agreed. ''He won't notice our absence while he's preoccupied.''
Kankuro nodded. ''We can escape through the caves.''
''We need to find Naruto.'' Gaara said. ''If anyone can kill Madara its him.''
''How do you find someone who's supposed to be dead?'' Temari asked.
''You don't, you find the person closest to them.''
All three were quiet for a second.
''Sasuke.''
x-x-x-x-
''I can't believe it...'' Naruto whispered, staring at the Uchiha symbol on the wall.
''Come on,'' Sakura said, walking into the building.
''Who gives you permission to enter our home?'' came a voice from the darkness. She sounded young by her voice.
''An Uchiha.'' Sakura said slowly.
''Sakura-chan, what are you doing?'' Naruto hissed, assuming that Sakura was lying to get them inside.
''There is only one Uchiha recognized by this house.'' the girl replied from the darkness.
''We're l-'' Naruto began but Sakura interrupted him. ''Uchiha Itachi sent me here.'' Sakura said cautiously, her voice quiet.
''Ha! Uchiha Itachi is dead!'' the girl replied after a pause.
''Im not lying. You know that.''
Naruto had taken a step back without Sakura noticing. He was staring at her with wide eyes, either she was an amazing liar or...she was telling the truth.
The silence dragged on and Sakura through they had lost their chance. When a girl appeared.
''Come on inside, quickly!'' she said, ushering them inside, taking a quick look around cautiously, and closing the door behind her as she went back into the shop.
She eyed Sakura, with narrowed, inquisitive eyes. She circled them.
''You're wearing a wig.'' she observed. ''Take it off.''
Sakura hesitated, staring at the girl who was staring back expectantly. Itachi had sent her here, and he trusted them so maybe...
Sakura pulled off the wig, her natural hair was dirty to say the least and she patted over it selfconsciously.
The girl smiled. ''Im Tamaki, welcome.''
''Haruno Sakura.''
''and then you must be Konoha's Hurricane, Uzumaki Naruto-kun.''
''How did you know that?''
''Its not much of a secret, since you're famous and all. But we make it our business to know the lives of the Uchiha, and since there's only one, keeping tabs on him has been fairly easy. Both you and Sakura-chan were in a Genin team with Sasuke.'' Tamaki explained with a smile as she led them deeper inside.
''Only one? What about Madara?'' Naruto asked and watched her face grow dark.
''Oh, we don't consider him part of the clan since we have no real proof.'' she told him curtly.
''Grandma, we have guests!'' Tamaki called as she knocked on a door.
An old voice invited them inside and Tamaki opened the door to reveal and old lady with cat-like features.
''Come in, come in. I am Nekobaa.''
Sakura felt a surge of hope. Itachi hopefully came through, she was finally meeting who she was supposed to.
Tamaki closed the door behind them and began searching around for new clothes for the pair.
''Uzumaki Naruto, you should not be here.'' Nekobaa said.
''It is not safe. Haruno Sakura, in a room down the hall you will find what you came for. Sasuke came her at least two weeks ago, you will find a clue to his location there.''
''Naruto, go the the edge of the forest and wait for me there,'' he began to shake his head but she grabbed his shoulders, ''its safer this way, ok? I'll come and meet you soon. Please,''
''No, how is it safer?''
''Uzumaki Naruto, you hold the key to ending this dark era. You must take her advice.'' Nekobaa petted a cat the strode past her and Naruto shook his head.
''I'll come meet you soon, I promise.'' Sakura urged, hoping that he would realize.
Naruto turned and left, Tamaki went after him with some winter clothes that would fit him and Sakura turned back to Nekobaa once his footsteps disappeared.
''You have been in contact with Itachi.'' it was not a question.
''Briefly, yes, he directed me here.''
''Then you have been to the spirit world.''
''Something like that yes, I think its a place between the earth and the farplane. I met Itachi there...I need to find Sasuke.''
''I thought as much,'' Nekobaa said.
''You must also know that they're coming here. Madara's men.''
''Then I've got to hurry. Will you be safe? Shouldn't you go somewhere safe?''
''Do not worry about us, child. Denka, please take her to the library.'' Nekobaa instructed and a Shinobi cat came forward and asked Sakura to follow it.
The library wasn't a large room. Probably only held emergency and important information for the Uchiha that Nekobaa and the cats have been guarding for them.
''He was looking through the maps for a long time.'' Denka told Sakura and then padded away.
Sakura returned her wig to her head and picked up the large pile. How would she be able to find the one map that he'd been looking at?
She would maybe be able to feel if any traces of his chakra had stayed on any of the maps, the one he'd studied the longest should still hold traces of his chakra. There was a slim chance, but she had no time to think of any other ideas. Sakura activated the Jutsu that would be able to sense his chakra, Tsunade had taught it to her, it was supposed to be able to be used on medical document that was suspected to be falsified, and that way they could find the culprit. Sakura dragged her hands down the pile, there was a faint signature, but it was impossible to tell which exact map it was. She began to file through them as quickly as possible. Time was also on her shoulders but she couldn't speed up, she needed to make sure on every map that it wasn't the one Sasuke touched.
A scream alerted her that time was up. It wasn't Tamaki's voice, so Sakura assumed there may be someone else here.
Heavy footsteps came down the hall. Step by step by step.
She stopped on the map she was touching, it was faint, but familiar. Sasuke...
She set it aside and felt down the rest of the pile, there was no chakra signatures left.
She grabbed the map, this was the one. But if she left now...she'd lead them right to Naruto.
Sakura created a clone. The footsteps came closer and closer.
''Take this to Naruto, to not get caught!'' Sakura shoved the map into her clone's hands. ''Go now!'' she hissed and the clone escaped out the window just as the door opened. And across the room a Shadow stood in the doorway.
Sakura made for the window, and pushed herself through the tiny space, but a large hand grabbed her ankle and pulled her back. She pushed forward using her strength, causing the window to shatter and she was thrown forward into the glass. Thick pieces cut into her flesh as she fell to the ground. She forced herself up and began to stagger away, but he was there, kicking her down. She rolled away from the force, the glass pressing deeper into her skin.
When she opened her eyes, three of them loomed over her.
''If she tries to get up...break her legs.''
x-x-x-x-
A hooded figure walked through the quiet streets of a village. The sun had just set and after the war ended, people just tended not to want to be outside, a sixth sense probably, since the worst monsters came out after dark apparently.
''There he is!'' a girl whispered.
The hooded figure stopped and turned.
''I know we promised not to seek you out-'' Tamaki began.
''A promise I expected you to keep.'' he said and turned away, continuing on his path.
''Something happened, a boy and a girl came by the shop!'' she told him, the two ninja cats Denka and Hina looked troubled next to her.
It was her words that made him pause though.
''Madara's men showed up, they...they killed my grandma...''
''Not my problem.'' he turned away.
''They captured the girl!''
He froze.
The silence stretched out and Tamaki waited for him to speak.
''What are you going to do...?'' she asked softly.
He ignored her and began walking away.
Tamaki stared after him with wide eyes...how could he just walk away?
''Sasuke-san!'' she cried desperately.
He turned his head to look at her.
''I'll take care of it.''
Ok there you gooo!
Thanks for all the reviews! Love you guys so much!
So yup...its Sasuke! I originally planned for him to make his appearance another way but I liked this idea more.
Farplane - Got that from Final Fantasy X :)
Please review! Reviews bribe a quicker update...*hint hint* ;)
Zana-Lee
xoxo