Stand By Me
Chapter 11 - Wait for Tomorrow
''They say...that I can't change...without you, those nights I can't sleep, I'm stuck here. Lost in your dreams.''
''I...Im gonna head to bed.'' Naruto told them and then he mumbled a good night to both of them before he left the room. Sakura had finished washing the dishes. She knew why Naruto had agreed so quickly. He believes that the state of the world is his fault, because of his failure, and now he's willing to go to all lengths to make sure it doesn't get any worse. But, this plan was risky. Sealing the Kyuubi inside him - mostly, they'll be able to do it without dying as Sasuke had explained later, but then it all fell on Naruto's body. If he didn't accept the Kyuubi then...he would die.
Naruto had shrugged it off. Saying that without the Kyuubi, Madara would never be able to complete his plan.
Sakura, didn't want to even consider losing Naruto an option. She fully believed that he would be the one to stop Madara, no...Team 7 would. And a full Team 7 included all its members.
There was no telling if Naruto would survive, it could only be determined by fate.
Sakura emptied the water from the sink and dried off her hands before she turned and watched as Sasuke concentrated on the map, making more notes it seemed.
''I don't want him to die, Sasuke.'' she said, breaking the silence in the room.
The only thing that made him pause was the strange feeling he got, as his name left her lips, missing the -kun that he'd grown accustomed to.
''Ah.'' he said, of course he knew this, but in the end it was Naruto's choice, and as harsh as it was whether he lived or died - it was a win - win situation for the cause.
''I can't lose him...and neither can you.'' she said softly and Sasuke sighed, they never gave up, before he stood, but Sakura grabbed his arm, the same arm that grabbed her punch before and she sent some healing chakra into it, Sasuke narrowed his eyes and tried to pull his arm away but Sakura had the strength to keep him there.
''Don't be such a child, Sasuke.'' she said and continued healing him.
The silence stressed out between them as she healed his arm gently.
She could feel his eyes on her but she kept her eyes on his arm, until she felt nothing more to heal and then she dropped it, Sasuke didn't move though.
''Im sorry...'' she whispered, without looking at him.
''Hn...''
She looked up at him. ''Hm?''
''I know.'' he clarified.
Sakura closed her eyes and swallowed, she couldn't look at him, but she asked anyway. ''Why were you following me?''
When he didn't answer she looked at him but he had turned his head away.
''I needed to see how you adjusted that woman's Jutsu. The experiments Orochimaru had done on the others...did not end well. The Sakura I knew back in Konoha...would not have adjusted well under it-''
''What do you mean? What happened to them?''
She saw him swallow, his adams apple bobbing. ''Psychologically, they cracked. Nightmares, chakra burning away their systems, completely losing their minds. Most committed suicide, others...needed to be put down. Its a miracle that there seemed to be none of that with you.'' he said, his eyes staring at her in that calculating way.
''Nothing,'' she looked away. ''Mostly things have been the same, physically and mentally.''
''Sakura...you need to tell me if anything is different. I need to know what I'm dealing with.'' he told her seriously.
Yeah, like she was a thing that needed to be dealt with. No way she could tell him about entering the Void. Itachi. That would probably send him off the rails...
So far she had noticed nothing else but she was sure there was more to come and that scared her.
''Like I said Sasuke, I'm fine.''
Sasuke glared at her and turned on his heel, practically stomping from the room.
Sakura stared after him. If the Jutsu had so many fucking risks, why would he even consider it? Why not just...let her die?
These thoughts consumed her as she spent the night training in the frigid cold.
x-x-x-x-
When Sakura came in the house was quiet, it was just before sunrise. She was tired, but she still didn't feel like sleeping, her mind was like a hamster on a wheel. On steroids.
She entered the bathroom and shut the door, taking a quick shower before she went to check on Naruto. Leave it to him to actually sleep in such emotionally stressful times.
''Okaa-chan...mooore ramen-tebayo!'' he mumbled and turned over on his side, the drool running down the side of his cheek.
Sakura wondered if it was just a dream or if his mother and father were able to visit him from the Void. Maybe she'd ask Itachi if they could enter dreams?
Sakura smiled and shook her head as Naruto went on about how delicious his Okaa's ramen was. It made her heart ache. She exited his room quietly and looked over to Sasuke's door. It was closed. She wondered if she should check on him, but decided against it. She wasn't ready to deal with more of his moods.
Breakfast seemed a good a thing to do as any so she went to the kitchen and got started.
When the first rays of sun began to peek out, the shower cut on and it wasn't hard to imagine who it was. Naruto wasn't one to be up early.
Sakura was more than apprehensive to deal with Sasuke, their few encounters had been less than pleasant and dealing with him had become somewhat of a pain in the butt.
Her feelings for him didn't soften the blow of how deliberately unbearable he was. It drove her insane, and sometimes she swore he just said things to touch a nerve. Like last night, saying she needed to be dealt with. Asshole.
Sakura looked up from what she was doing, speak -or in this case- think of the devil and he shall appear.
''Ohayo, Sasuke-k - uh, kay.'' Sasuke-kay, really? She couldn't come up with anything better? Fuck.
He gave her a weird look and sat down at the table.
It was a deliberate thing, for her to say his name with the unfamiliarity that she felt when she was with him. The -kun...was too familiar...brought too many bad memories. Honestly, not necessarily bad - it just hurt. Remembering the days when she was happy. The times when she'd be out with Team 7 and she thought that everything was right in the world.
''I'll go wake Naruto.'' she said softly, as she left the room. She hated thinking about things that were irreparable. Like the past. She couldn't heal it. And that was that.
''Oi! Naruto! Wake up!'' she called, knocking on his door.
Silence.
Sakura sighed, and opened the door.
Naruto was in a white vest and some ducky boxers. ''Naruto! Come on, breakfast is ready!''
He gave a snor and turned away from her. ''Naruto,'' she said, starting to get impatient, and walking over to him. ''Get up.''
She pulled the covers off of him and kicked him off the bed gently.
''Gaaaah!'' he cried and sat upright in a flash. ''S-Sakura-chan?''
''We're starting breakfast in 5 minutes! Hurry up!''
''Y-yeah ok!''
He got up, ready to follow her.
''Naruto...put some clothes on.''
''Ne, Sakura-chan, hold up,'' he said grabbing her wrist. ''How's everything? You know...being with Sasuke?''
Sakura blinked, he'd actually thought of that.
''They're...fine, I guess.'' she said with a shrug.
''And are you doing ok?'' his eyes told her exactly what he meant, considering her feelings for Sasuke...
Sakura looked away. ''I try not to think about it.''
''Sakura-chan...''
She turned to him and gave him a smile. ''Its fine, alls fine, ok? I promise.'' she left quickly, closing the door behind her.
So like him, worrying about her instead of his own problems.
Sakura returned to the kitchen and began setting the table.
''You didn't sleep last night.'' he said.
Sakura stopped and looked up at him, was he...no...no way he was concerned.
''In your weak state, sending you out would be a risk and now you're not even sleeping.''
There it was, he needed her for something.
''Im fine, and I'm not completely helpless since I was able to injure you just yesterday.'' she said with a glare.
Naruto fell down in his chair with a yawn.
''Ohayo! Wow Sakura-chan! This looks great!''
''Fuck,'' Sasuke cursed, glaring at Naruto.
''What?'' the blonde asked, clearly confused.
Sasuke shook his head and began to load up his plate.
''What the hell is your problem, Sasuke?''
Sasuke began to eat silently, hoping that if he ignored Naruto long enough he'd just drop it.
''Sasuke!''
''Enough! You're too fucking loud!''
''Stop being such a bastard! I was just thanking Sakura-chan for her effort! Maybe you should try it!''
For a moment, she watched them. The nostalgia hit her so hard she couldn't push away her tears fast enough. Her boys...
''Shut up, she's crying.'' Sasuke said, calmly and continued eating.
''Geez, Sakura-chan, I'm sorry.''
Sakura shook her head and sat down.
''Youre going to Cloud.''
Both Naruto and Sakura looked up at Sasuke.
''What?'' Sakura asked.
''After the sealing, Naruto will be the safest there.''
''What the hell? When the sealing is complete, Madara will be able to sense Naruto immediately! Our best bet would be-''
''To what, Sakura? Do you have any idea how Madara moves? No. You don't. Madara won't be able to sense Naruto until his body accepts the Kyuubi. When he awakens, Naruto should be somewhere where Madara can't get to him, mainly - Cloud.''
''What makes Cloud so special?'' Sakura snapped.
''Stop it!'' Naruto raged suddenly, standing up. ''Stop talking about me like I'm not here! This is my life we're talking about!''
''Madara has been unable to invade Cloud since the war ended.'' Sasuke said as if Naruto's outburst never happened.
Sakura's eyes widened. ''If that is the case...wouldn't Madara attack them hard once he believes Naruto and the Kyuubi might be there?''
''No, they have extensive means to hide Jinchuuriki's.'' Sasuke answered.
''You,'' he pointed at Sakura, ''Have to go meet with the Raikage and explain the situation.''
''Are you really planning on sending her alone? In her condition!'' Naruto demanded, his hands clenching each side on the table hard.
''You can't go with her. For obvious reasons, and I can't go there. The Raikage still wants me dead.''
''Why? You didn't kill Uncle Bee.''
''Maybe not, but I did cause the Raikage to lose an arm. He's probably not too happy about that.'' Sasuke said with a smirk.
''I'll go.'' Sakura said as she continued eating, desperate to avoid a fight between these two that she probably wouldn't be able to stop since she wasn't in top shape.
Naruto tried to argue but she stopped him with a look.
''What will you be doing?'' she asked Sasuke.
Sasuke gave her a side-ways glance. ''I'm going to find a way to contact Kakashi.''
x-x-x-x-
Sakura pulled her hood closer as a frigid wind blew over her.
''Stick to that path I planned out.'' Sasuke ordered.
Sakura nodded. ''I will.'' she said and for a moment she stared at him.
''We'll meet at the designated point in two days. From there we'll head to the cave.'' he instructed.
''I won't forget.''
''I know,'' he answered.
Sakura took a deep breath. ''Well...see you in two days, Sasuke-'' she snapped her mouth shut, cutting off the -kun before it could leave her lips before she disappeared.
Sakura cursed herself for how weird his name always sounded coming from her lips. Subconsciously, she wanted to call him Sasuke-kun. She wanted him to be their Sasuke from before. But it was impossible for him to stay the same after everything that had happened. So he was Sasuke. She could control whatever feelings she had for him, they didn't control her - not anymore. She wouldn't allow them to blind her any longer either. Sasuke was strong. Dangerous. She always believed that because of the history they all shared - that he wouldn't hurt them. Then he almost killed Naruto. And when they found him again, he tried to kill Naruto again. She found it strange that he didn't attack her. She wanted to believe that it was because of that night, because of what she'd said to him.
That made her laugh. The cold hard truth was - Sasuke didn't attack her because he didn't deem her worthy of his time. At all.
Maybe she wasn't in his or Naruto's league, but she was by no means weak. Soon, very soon. She would prove that to him.
x-x-x-x-
Since Kakashi had taken to training Sasuke more back in Konoha, they had ways of contacting each other. Like, the bird for instance or Pakkun (the least favorite - he was too opinionated for Sasuke's tastes).
There were many ways, but the bird was over used and would most likely draw Kakashi's attention.
Sasuke summoned a small hawk. It gave a soft screech and rubbed its head against Sasuke's hand before hopping up onto Sasuke's fore arm.
It looked at Sasuke and tilted it's head to the side.
''Aaguka, I need a favor.'' Sasuke told it.
''Whatcha need, Sasuke?''
''Find Hatake Kakashi, do not come into contact with him, but make sure he sees you. Areas 1 and 4, start there. After that head to the rest until you find him.''
The hawk screeched in affirmative and leapt off of Sasuke's arm and soared off.
Sasuke sighed. He couldn't head back to the house because he had no idea how to interact with Naruto. Sakura was hard enough with her constant mood swings, and suddenly secretive personality.
He knew something was different with her...why the hell didn't she tell him? He had more experience with this Jutsu than her. Dammit.
Sasuke decided to head to the nearest bridge. Kakashi would know to meet him there.
And when Sasuke arrived, someone was already waiting. By his height and build alone, Sasuke knew he was not Kakashi. With that established, Sasuke unseathed his katana and leapt in to strike the enemy. His attack, however, was stopped by familiar katana.
''That was the right way to block your attack, right, Sasuke-san?''
Sasuke narrowed his eyes and swung his sword again, but it was blocked once again, sending sparks flying.
''Kakashi-san sent me.'' the masked man explain, trying to push Sasuke back and once he realized that was impossible, he jumped back and removed his mask.
He was vaguely familiar to Sasuke. The pale face, dark short hair.
''You are my replacement,'' Sasuke said, suddenly wanting to kill him again for some reason. Which made no sense since those days meant nothing to Sasuke anymore.
''Sai.'' he said introducing himself. ''I wonder what kind of nickname I should give you, or maybe I should just stick with the old one...''
''Stop wasting my time! Get to the point! Where is Kakashi!''
''Kakashi-san is being watched, he sent me.''
''Somehow I don't believe you...''
''Sai! Is Kakashi-sensei ok?''
If Sai's face could get any more pale - it just did. He slowly turned to face the blonde.
''N-Naruto...?''
''Uh, yeah..'' Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
''You fucking idiot! Any one could show up here! I told you to stay put!'' Sasuke snapped.
''How-'' Sai began but Sasuke interrupted swiftly. ''Where is Kakashi? Why would he send you?''
''Kakashi-san is being watched since his team failed in capturing the ones who escaped Konoha.''
''Are they hurting him?'' Naruto demanded, but Sai shook his head.
''We're gonna re-seal the Kyuubi into me, we need Kakashi in the Jutsu, but if its too risky, you should come.''
Sasuke's eyes widened and his jaw clenched almost painfully. Was Naruto really that stupid to trust this fucking freak? To tell him everything!
Sasuke had to resist the urge to smash his face into a Chidori.
''If you do that you could die.'' Sai said, yes no fucking shit.
Naruto shrugged. ''Its happening in two days from now.''
''I will speak to Kakashi-san, but I will be here. I'm sure if its safe, Kakashi-san will come too.''
Naruto smiled his thanks.
''I should be going now. See you Naruto, Gutless Homo.'' and with that he turned away.
It took Sasuke a second to realize that Sai was referring to him before he launched himself at the fucker. He had no reason to be alive anymore.
Naruto grabbed Sasuke's collar and yanked him back. ''Whoa. Let him go...''
Sasuke turned back to glare at Naruto, his eyes spinning red before he forcefully pulled himself free and began walking away.
Naruto chuckled to himself and shook his head before following.
x-x-x-x-
Sakura spent the night half-freezing to death while she complained to Itachi about Sasuke's lack of care, and how he is willing to take this chance with Naruto without blinking. Itachi seemed to think that Sasuke knew Naruto would survive. Sakura, however, wasn't sure what Sasuke believed.
She'd spent the half the next day travelling through the snowy mountains and Cloud waited on the other side.
As soon as she stepped into the border, a kunai flew at her and she ducked just in time, it flew through her hood and it slipped off, revealing her now-shoulder length pink hair.
There was a silence that stretched out, and Sakura wondered what was going on, they're attack obviously had the strategy of exposing her and now that they had, they were probably wondering who she was, it was then that a man appeared before her. She recognized him, he was on Samui-san's team when they came to Konoha.
''You are that Medical Shinobi. The fifth Hokage's apprentice.''
Sakura nodded. ''Haruno Sakura.''
''Yeah...'' he looked her over trying to decide whether to trust her or not.
''I've met you before the war...''
Sakura nodded, she remembered, of course she did. The information he brought that day led her to make one of the biggest mistakes of her life. Or...she wasn't quite sure if she'd made a mistake, but she did regret it.
''Tell me about it.'' he prompted.
''You came to the village with two woman. Looking for information on Uchiha Sasuke, since he'd attacked the eight-tails, your Raikage's brother. You told us that he'd joined Akatsuki after we attacked you to try and protect him. Naruto, Sai and I. I only found this out later but...Naruto allowed one of your teammates to beat him up to protect Sasuke.''
He nodded. ''I heard you might have died, had to make sure you're for real.''
He nodded, ''What are you doing here, exactly?''
Omoi. His name came to her suddenly and as she took him in, he was kind of attractive.
''I need to see the Raikage.'' she said after a second.
He gave a short laugh. ''Youre kidding, right?''
''Its important.''
''It always is, but I cannot allow it.''
''Please, Omoi-san! I have information that could be very advantageous for all of us.''
''Omoi!'' came a voice from behind that. It was a blonde. Samui.
''Raikage-sama wants to see her.'' she turned her attention to Sakura. ''Come.''
Sakura nodded and followed. Slowly the cold began to disappear and the summer heat touched and warmed her skin.
''Why have you come here, Sakura-san?''
''I have important information for the Raikage.''
''There was a rumor that you had died, I see it wasn't true, what of the Hokage?''
Sakura shook her head. ''She hasn't been seen since the final battle.''
''Tch...Madara...not cool.''
They entered the village and Sakura was amazed at how it seemed like the war never happened. It was alive, happy even.
''Raikage-sama made sure that we'd never have to worry about anything.'' Samui explained and Sakura was too shocked to reply.
The Raikage himself had always scared Sakura, he was a large, intimidating man and she knew it was ridiculous, but she'd become convinced that he had fangs...
His office was a large room with windows that held a beautiful view of the village, not unlike Konoha. He stood when she entered, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.
''What is your name again?'' he demanded and Sakura took a deep breath, she could not show weakness to this man.
''Haruno Sakura.''
''You were Tsunade's apprentice. What do you want?''
''...A favor, if I may, Raikage-sama.''
''You want to stay.'' he said as if expecting that to be it.
''No. Cloud is the only safe place left. You have means of hiding Jinchuuriki.''
''There are no Jinchuuriki left.'' he growled, as if she was testing his patience.
''No, but-''
''How did you know about Cloud since Madara has taken extra precautions to keep our resistance from the rest of the world.''
Sakura wondered if she could tell him about Sasuke...he seemed easy to anger so she decided that was not her best option.
''Who told you?'' he demanded, towering over her.
''Uchiha Sasuke -'' a deep growl started in his throat and she stuttered to continue, ''but Raikage-sama, its important that you hear me out, Naruto is alive!''
He stopped altogether. His eyes widened.
''Sasuke has found a way to re-seal the Kyuubi into Naruto, and...he has agreed.''
''You want to bring him here so we can hide him.''
''Yes, Madara can't know that Naruto is alive, to execute his plan, Madara will need the full moon to complete his Jutsu, the next full moon will only be next month, and without the nine tails, he won't be able to do it.''
''How can you be sure that Naruto will survive this sealing technique?''
Sakura closed her eyes. ''There's no guarantee. Its up to Naruto's body to accept it, I am hoping that because his body is accustomed to housing it that...it will accept the beast easily but-''
''I will hide Naruto after the sealing.'' the Raikage said.
''You won't be hiding him alone, yeah!''
Sakura spun around, and she felt her knees go weak.
''Killer Bee-sama...you...you...''
He was supposed to be dead. But then again, so was Naruto.
''Im hard to kill, yhay ~''
''Bee! What are you doing here?'' the Raikage demanded.
''She's gonna seal my eight-tails back into me, bro.''
''No! I-''
''I was born to be a Jinchuuriki.'' Bee said seriously and the Raikage watched him for a second before he called for his assistant.
''Get Shee and Darui, now!''
''Whats going on?'' Sakura whispered, mostly to herself.
''We're gonna go, whee!'' Bee answered and Sakura's eyes widened.
Sasuke was gonna kill her. Not only was an escort not part of the deal, but another host was completely way out of what he had planned. Shit. He was gonna lose it...probably.
x-x-x-x-
Sasuke had almost had it with Naruto. Almost. The idiot was comment on everything, from the weather to birds to fuck knew what else!
''This road looks so familiar..'' there he went again!
Naruto began to chuckle as he bent down, forcing Sasuke to stop and turn.
Naruto was crouching, his hand touching what seemed to be a permanent crack in the road.
''This is where Sakura-chan punched Sai.'' he explained.
''What?'' Sasuke asked before he could stop himself.
''Yeah,'' Naruto began, encouraged by Sasuke's response. ''Sai was saying shit about you, and I was ready to fight him but Sakura-chan stopped me and said we should work together and then she punched him!'' Naruto laughed as if he gained immense pleasure from the memory.
Sasuke started at the crack in the road for a moment. ''Lets go.'' he said and turned away.
Naruto watched him go before he followed.
Sasuke avoided him as much as possible, they'd spent at least a day together in that house and they didn't speak. Naruto didn't really expect hours having a conversation with Sasuke, since that never happened before, but they'd at least been speaking.
''You know,'' he began and he heard Sasuke's sigh. ''We have to talk some time, Sasuke.''
''I don't intend on connecting any ties with anyone since I will not be returning to Konoha when all this is over, now stop bothering me.'' Sasuke turned and walked away again. Naruto watched him go, was hee serious? After everything? After all the death and all the sacrifice...
Naruto clenched his jaw.
''You really are a waste of all that energy Itachi wasted on you all those years.'' Naruto muttered and he watched Sasuke stop, his entire body tense, and when he turned to Naruto, his sharingan stared back.
''Fuck you, dobe.''
Naruto's eyes narrowed. ''Don't call me that.''
''What did you say?'' Sasuke ignored him and didn't get side-tracked.
''I said - YOU - ARE - A - WASTE - OF - ITACHI'S - ENERGY!''
Sasuke let out a growl as he launched himself at Naruto, his hands circled Naruto's throat but Naruto threw him off, his anger getting the better of him. Sasuke hadn't had enough, and a chirping could be heard, Chidori.
''We already know which is more powerful, but I'm ready to give it another demonstration!'' Naruto jumped back and created a kage bunshin, but he stopped short of creating a Rasengan. A Shadow grabbed Sasuke's wrist and the Chidori was cut off.
''I told you Chidori was not a technique that you use against your comrades.''
''Whatever.'' Sasuke pulled his wrist free and took a step away.
Kakashi pulled off the Shadow mask.
''Kakashi-sensei!'' Naruto called and Kakashi turned to him, his normal mask wrinkled as he smiled.
''You shouldn't scare your sensei like that.'' Kakashi said as he ruffled Naruto's hair.
''Heh! You shouldve known I wouldn't die! Not until I become Hokage!''
''Can we keep this short, we have to get going?'' Sasuke said and Naruto watched Kakashi sigh.
''Where's Sakura?'' Kakashi asked and Sasuke didn't even glance at him.
''We have to meet up with her.''
Sasuke led the way while Naruto and Kakashi conversed in the back. For the most part Sasuke blocked them out.
He hated how they tried to make things like they used to be, when to so obviously weren't. His brother was dead. Sasuke blamed everyone. Irrational as it was.
Sakura hadn't tried to force the past on him at act like everything was ok, she attempted conversation yes, told him what she assumed was interesting facts of things that had happened in his absence. He would block her out for the most part too, but her attitude towards him, her reluctance to let him in, was something that he may actually respect about her.
In the distance, he could make out her pink hair, but what he expected would just be her, turned into a party of four.
''Sakura-chan...no way! Its Uncle Bee!'' Naruto said.
''Killer Bee...'' Sasuke whispered. He had been sure the Hachibi had been extracted before the final battle. He was also sure that Bee was dead, and yet, there he was.
''Whats the meaning of this?'' Sasuke demanded when Sakura was close enough to hear.
''Well...'' Sakura gave a nervous laugh.
''You see...um, can we talk alone for a moment, Sasuke?''
Sasuke nodded curtly walking ahead of her a distance away.
''Explain.'' he demanded.
''The Raikage would only agree if we sealed Bee-sama too...so...''
''So you agreed? Do you have any idea the complicity of the sealing Jutsu! Sealing Naruto would leave us all with little to no chakra!''
''That's why we have Shee-san and Darui-san, they are extremely strong, they'll be able to seal Bee-sama...'' Sakura replied, feeling intimidated by his hateful glare.
''If this fails...its on you, Sakura.'' he said with narrowed eyes attempting to walk past her but she grabbed his wrist.
''Fuck you.'' she hissed, squeezing his wrist until she saw a twitch of his eye.
''Do you really want to fight me?'' he asked, slightly shocked that she was even attempting it.
''Enough.'' Kakashi said, as he came up to them, the entire gang coming up behind him.
Sakura felt slightly embarrassed at the scene they were creating and she released Sasuke's wrist from her grip.
''So, what's the plan?'' Shee asked. ''We don't have much time, I can sense Madara's Guard approaching.''
Darui's eyes, though overshadowed with a bored look, flipped to the woods.
Naruto and Bee were off to the side, knocking their fists together.
''The Bijuu's are sealed within the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. Its heavily guarded. One Shadow checks in with Madara's second-in-command every six hours,'' Sasuke explain, taking out a map and laying it out on the ground, he pointed out where the Akatsuki cave was.
''We will cast a large Genjutsu over the entire cave, where we will conceal ourselves from the Shadows, they will not be able to sense us, and in addition stay away from the Statue. Meaning, we will have six hours, to seal both the eight and nine-tails.'' Sasuke finished and then looked around. ''Is anyone here skilled in Genjutsu.''
Sakura closed her eyes. No way, she couldn't step forward. She had some skill, but nothing compared to Sasuke.
Kakashi pushed her forward. ''Sakura knows some Genjutsu.''
Sasuke raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
''Show me..'' Sasuke instructed, a look in his face that clearly showed that he was mocking her.
Sakura put her hands together as if she was molding chakra, and then her eyes widened.
''Sasuke! Behind you!''
Kakashi dashed forward. ''Raikiri!''
Sasuke spun around, Kakashi had just killed the Shadows behind him. He activated his Sharingan and dispelled the Genjutsu.
Sakura had managed to catch him.
''Hatake Kakashi, I was never foolish enough to believe that you would actually pledge your loyalty to Madara-sama.'' came a voice from the trees.
Shee's eyes narrowed. ''We need to split up, our group is too large to escape.''
''We'll kill them,'' Kakashi said, ''Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura and Bee need to escape.''
Bee laughed and shook his head. ''No way, I'm staying here, thats my say, yeah!''
''Go!'' Kakashi said to his old team.
Sasuke was the first to nod, grabbing Naruto and Sakura and pushing them forward.
A Shadow blocked their path and Sasuke wasted no time in plunging his Katana into it's chest. Sasuke swung to his left, taking the next one out but the one to his right would get a hit in.
''Sakura-chan!'' Naruto called, she was closer to Sasuke.
''Right!'' Sakura nodded, giving an angry cry as she pulled her fist back and brought it to the back of the Shadow's head, he crumbled to the floor, half his skull dented in.
Sasuke turned, giving her a once-over, hiding his shock before he took off, crossing the bridge, his saw the ropes were beginning to give.
''Hurry! The bridge won't hold.'' he called back, as if he needed to. Sakura made it over but Naruto was about half-way through when a Shadow ambushed him.
He turned around, kunai in hand, slashing at the Shadow's face, who dodged, Naruto created a Kage Bunshin, readying Rasengan.
''Naruto! Aim for the heart!'' Sasuke instructed and Naruto nodded, his bunshin grabbed the Shadow as Naruto's Rasengan hit it's mark. That was when the bridge collapsed. Naruto grabbed on to one of the ropes, and with his other hand he held on to on of the wooden planks that formed the walkway of the bridge.
He moved fast, using it as a ladder, he could feel the creaks - it would give any second.
''Naruto! Hurry!'' he could hear Sakura calling as he climbed faster.
He saw her hand and grabbed it, she pulled him up effortlessly.
''Lets go.'' Sasuke said, beginning to run.
Naruto and Sakura looked back, their friends were fighting, but at least it seemed as if they had the upper hand.
''We'll see them at the cave.'' Sakura said and Naruto nodded, following her into the trees.
x-x-x-x-
They put considerable distance between them and the Shadow before they took a short rest in the small clearing.
''We'll circle around and meet them there.'' Sasuke said after a while.
''How do you know so much?'' Naruto asked and Sasuke shrugged.
''I spent a while with Tobi or Madara or whatever the fuck you want to call him. He's not incredibly hard to read if you're an Uchiha.''
Sasuke didn't exactly answer the question and Sakura glared at him. ''How about you try that again and this time you actually answer us?''
Naruto's eyes widened. Sakura had never spoken to Sasuke like that...it was refreshing. He laughed.
''I made it my business to know, I have eyes everywhere.''
Spies. So that was how he knew so much.
Sakura let out a hiss of pain as her hand went to the back of her neck.
''Sakura-chan?'' Naruto asked, stepping closer to her. ''What is it?'' she was holding the cursed seal, her realized. Sasuke stood up in a flash and grabbed Naruto's arm. ''Don't move.''
Sakura let out a scream through clenched teeth as she fell to her knees.
''It hurts...'' she cried. Both hands gripping the back of her neck.
Sasuke felt a tingle in his neck, a strange cold reminder of what used to be there, his dark eyes turning to Sakura in disbelief. Impossible...
''I wasn't sure what to expect when I decided to seek you out, Sasuke-kun...but this was not it.''
Naruto froze...he knew that voice. That husky, slightly hoarse, sinister voice.
It was that moment that he appeared out of the shadows, his long hair blowing in the breeze. He looked as well as ever.
''Orochimaru!'' Naruto screamed.
Next to him, Sakura was rocking back and forth on her knees, both hands clutching the back of her neck.
Orochimaru's eyes were on Sakura, however, a smile on his lips. ''What a pleasant surprise.''
He took a step towards her, but Naruto's growl stopped him. ''Don't even think about it.''
''How is this possible?'' Sasuke demanded through clenched teeth. ''Itachi...he-''
Orochimaru threw his head back, and laughed, it seemed to go on and on.
''I cannot be killed,'' he seethed, anger clear on his features.
Then, he looked back to Sakura. Orochimaru made to go to her but Naruto stepped in front of her.
''I told you-''
''What was her name again? Hmm... Sakura, wasn't it?'' he said, ignoring Naruto.
Orochimaru went to her and Naruto was ready to attack when Sasuke pulled him out of the way.
''Let him get to her. She'll be in worse pain if he doesn't.''
Orochimaru smiled slowly, bending down and putting his index finger under Sakura's chin.
''Don't...dont touch...'' she said weakly.
Orochimaru's hand slipped to her cheek, slowly caressing the soft, cold skin.
Sakura tried to move away but the pain compelled her body to stay.
He licked his lips and bent down, whispering something into her ear, coming closer than necessary.
''Sasuke!'' Naruto growled in disbelief.
''Enough!'' Sasuke snapped. ''Finish it!''
Orochimaru smirked, lifting his head and running a hand down her arm, and back up again, tilting her head to the side.
''You never did pay the proper respect to your sensei.''
When he opened his mouth, fangs grew from his gums and he struck into Sakura's neck, hard.
She terrible scream left her throat as her body shook as she struggled against Orochimaru's hold.
''No!'' Naruto raged, jumping forward, but Sasuke held him back, staring into the distance, looking anywhere but the scene in front of him.
Orochimaru removed his teeth, his snake-like tongue coming out and lapping up the blood from the wounds.
Naruto growled and when he blinked, Sasuke was pulling Orochimaru from Sakura, and then he put Sakura behind him. Naruto ran to them, taking Sakura into his arms.
Her eyes opened hazily and she smiled when she saw him, already beginning to feel the strength returning to her body.
''What the fuck do you want?'' Naruto demanded, intense blue eyes glared at the snake-sannin.
''In due time,'' Orochimaru said, narrowed eyes on Naruto, noticing the whiskered lines have gone missing, and then he smiled. ''Sasuke-kun, first, why don't you tell us a story?''
Sakura saw Sasuke tense in front of her.
''Sasuke, what is it?'' she whispered.
''Tell us about the day of the final battle.''
Sasuke's eyes widened and Orochimaru smirked, his hair swaying in the wind.
''So swipe it and take it away, and never, never lie to me.''
x-x-x-x-
Okkkiii! An update! Finally! I thought I would never get this done! I originally planned for this to include the sealing but that wouldve just been an overload!
Soooo! Why is Sasuke so shocked? What is he hiding?
About Orochimaru...come on, sorry but I just can't believe he's dead lol -.-'' so here he is.
Please review! Next update...sunday! If i receive enough reviews *wink wink* lol
all thoughts appreciated!
Zana-Lee
xoxo