Here's the song listing :)
*Highly recommended download for all of em :)*
Chapter 11 - Wait for Tomorrow : Blessthefall
Chapter 12 - Strange : Tokio Hotel feat. Kerli (I got a review for this title! Yeah, love this song too! So beautiful :D)
Chapter 13 - I Follow Rivers : Lykki Li
Chapter 14 - Take Me Out : Anna Tsuchiya as Nana - Black Stones, from NANA
Chapter 15 - In the Mourning : Paramore
Chapter 16 - Decode : Paramore
Chapter 17 - Enchanted : Taylor Swift
Chapter 18 - A Drop in the Ocean : Ron Pope
Chapter 19 - Here With Me : Dido
Chapter 20 - Kuroi Namida : Anna Tsuchiya as Nana - Black Stones, NANA
Stand by Me
Chapter 20 - Kuroi Namida
''To live just how I am now, without changing - what is it that I need? If you can't even believe in yourself...what are you supposed to believe in...? The answer's too close; I can't even see it
Kazari tsukenai de kono mama no watashi de ikiteyuku tame, nani gave hitsuyou? Jibun saw shinjirezu nani wo shinjitara ii no? Kotae wa chikasugite mienai.
- -''
Naruto entered Tsunade's office, Kakashi, Sai, Sakura and Sasuke were in the office.
Sasuke and Sakura were standing close together, not touching but they may as well have been. He swallowed and went over, standing next to Sasuke.
''So what's the plan?'' he asked.
''I need to go meet up with my informants.'' Sasuke informed then and Tsunade's eyes narrowed, but she nodded. ''Fine, but Sakura goes with you. I find it hard to just jump right in and trust you, Uchiha.''
Sasuke's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing to meet Tsunade's.
''Sasuke, you must understand where Tsunade-sama is coming from.'' Kakashi said, ''I know you don't trust her either.''
''I will not take orders from Konoha's Hokage!'' Sasuke snapped. ''I am not a Shinobi of Konoha and she has no authority over me!''
''What?'' Tsunade roared, getting up out of her chair with such force that it fell back behind her.
''Sasuke-kun!'' Sakura gasped, as his hand went to his Katana.
''No!'' Sakura reached for his arm but Naruto was in front of Sasuke in the next second, grabbing his skirt.
''Tsunade Baa-chan is not your enemy.'' he growled, glaring at Sasuke.
''Sasuke-kun, I'm coming with you because I want to. Even if you refuse Tsunade-shisou.'' Sakura said, coming around and attempting to pull Naruto off.
''I know you hate Konoha, but Tsunade Baa-chan is Hokage in Konoha, but here she is our leader and this is not Konoha.''
Sasuke pushed Naruto off of him and turned away, making to leave the room, but he paused at the door, turning to look over his shoulder. ''Are you coming?'' he asked and Sakura nodded, following him out of the office.
Tsunade swore and sat back down. ''That fucking brat.''
''Well...considering everything, that went...well.'' Kakashi said and Tsunade threw him a glare.
''Naruto,'' she said. ''You need to return to Cloud and train with the Kyuubi again.''
Naruto hesitated. ''I think I should stay.''
''The further you are away from Tobi on the full moon the better. Hopefully, we'll have another month until he needs to try again.''
Naruto opened his mouth but Tsunade put up a hand to silence him. ''This is not up for discussion, Naruto. This is a direct order. Also, I'm sending a team with you.''
''No way, Baa-chan! I can't let you do that! You need all the Shinobi that you have here. I can't let you waste their power on me. I can protect yourself.''
Tsunade sighed, because once-again, he had a point. ''Fine. No team, but an escort, one,''
A compromise. Naruto couldn't argue with that. ''Fine.'' he nodded.
x-x-x-x-
Sakura followed Sasuke silently. He hadn't said anything since the scene in Tsunade's office, she knew he was seriously pissed off and she could understand, but she also hated the situation.
Sakura swallowed and put it out of her mind for now. Her hand went to the back of her neck to the cursed seal. ''Sasuke?'' she asked softly.
''What?'' he snapped turning his head to her. Once he saw her hand on the cursed seal he sighed. ''What?'' he asked again.
''I...why did the cursed seal...Revive me?'' she asked awkwardly.
Sasuke frowned and looked away. ''I think...Kalika liked you, as far as I can tell. The cursed seal seemed to be a fail safe, in case you died, it would activate and the dark chakra would revive you.''
Sakura blinked, she'd never gotten that vibe from Kalika, but she nodded. ''I see...''
''Orochimaru seems to think that Kalika used the cursed seal to stabilize her resurrection technique.''
Oh. This was news, but then again, Sasuke never was very forthcoming.
''You'll need to learn to control it.''
''No, not gonna happen.'' Sakura said, finality in her tone. ''Don't even try, no-fucking-way, Sasuke.''
Sasuke sighed, shrugging and that ended that conversation.
''Sasuke-kun, there's something else though, that I need to mention. I know how you feel about Konoha, I do...but what happened back there, I really understood what you said, but Tsunade-sama...is my shisou, and my leader. I hate being put in a position where I need to choose a side, so...if-''
''Why? Because you're afraid you'll choose me?'' he asked with a smirk and Sakura fell silent, because yes...she was. Sasuke looked back at her with a frown as if he hadn't been expecting that but he said nothing.
They continued on in silence and Sakura's mind -being over active today- drifted to the events of the previous night. Honestly, despite healing herself, she was still a bit sore. Sasuke's size had exceeded expectations, she completely underestimated him, she'd by no means imagined him being small but she was still pleasantly shocked. She'd underestimated him in a lot of things. When she'd told him to stop fighting what he was feeling, she honestly hadn't expected it to lead to that...Kami, he'd made her feel amazing. She really wanted to do that again. She wondered if he...enjoyed it as much as she did. He sure seemed to have been, but you never knew with him. The thought of asking him sent a deep flush over her face.
''What is it?'' Sasuke asked, noticing her expression.
Their eyes met and held for a second as exactly what she was thinking registered in his eyes and their heads whipped away at the same time. Completely embarrassed. Oh, geez.
They came to the clearing, Sasuke's informants had yet to arrive. Sakura looked around feeling awkward and embarrassed. She'd heard sex was supposed to take away the embarrassment and awkwardness. Clearly not.
Sasuke leaned against a tree casually, but she saw a flicker of annoyance in his eyes, probably directed at his informants who were not as punctual as his expectations held.
Sakura leaned on the same tree next to him. She could feel the heat radiating off of him and seeping into her skin, dispelling the bite of the cold air. He was so close that if she moved, they would brush against each other. Sakura's thoughts took a frustrating, yet sill completely pleasant turn. Kami, how she wanted to feel his lips against hers, that tongue mingling with her's sensually, his body...moving against hers. She heard his sharp intake of breath and her head whipped to him, red eyes were staring into her's. The Sharingan, could not possibly read thoughts. She'd never heard anything like that...and yet, here he was...staring into her eyes like that, like he knew what she was thinking. Sakura swallowed loudly and licked her lips, watching as Sasuke's eyes flicked down to them and leaned in.
''Well, well, well, I'm not right often but when I am, its this good.'' Suigetsu laughed and Sasuke and Sakura separated almost instantly.
''No, no, don't stop on our accord, I wanna see where this leads.''
''Shut the fuck up, Suigetsu.'' Sasuke snapped, running a hand through his hair, only causing Suigetsu to laugh harder.
''If you guys are done, we have trouble.'' Karin snapped, not even acknowledging Sakura as she stepped into the clearing.
''What is it?'' Sasuke asked, just as two more figures stepped into the clearing. Sakura waited for a third, but it never came.
''Gaara...Kankuro..., why isn't Temari with you?'' she whispered, taking a step towards them.
''We got separated. When we finally heard her screams...when we got to her...they'd beat her so bad.'' Kankuro was pulling at his hair he opened his mouth but nothing came out and he turned away.
''They distracted us and...took her.'' Gaara finished.
''What does Tobi want with her?'' Sakura demanded, turning to Karin.
''The same thing he wants you for.''
Sasuke turned to Karin. ''How long have you known this?''
''Why did he take her?'' Kankuro demanded.
''Relax Sasuke, I did some digging while Tobi was distracted.'' she eyed Sakura and shook her head. ''He needs a living sacrifice for the Jutsu, one for each Bijuu. It had to have been someone close to the Jinchuuriki. He only needs one for the Kyuubi now, not that it matters since he's missing two Bijuu and the full moon is in two nights.''
''He wants to sacrifice me...?'' Sakura whispered.
''Not gonna happen.'' Sasuke said, clearly dismissing it.
''What else?'' Sasuke demanded.
''Orochimaru wants to see you.'' Juugo said and Suigetsu scowled.
''Fuck him.'' Sasuke said, shaking his head.
''We're going, Sakura.''
''Gaara and Kankuro should come with us. He is the Kazekage. Tsunade-sama will give him and his family refuge.''
Sasuke shrugged. ''Whatever.''
''Sasuke, Orochimaru said that he wanted to change the deal you made, he wants what he originally did, he said that due to 'recent events' you would understand.'' Juugo said and Suigetsu snorted, ''Whatever that means.''
Sakura saw Sasuke tense, his jaw clenching. ''What?'' she whispered.
He hopped up into a tree and Sakura followed with Gaara and Kankuro in tow.
The traveled in silence for a while. Sakura's thoughts turning into a mad cycle. Sasuke made a deal with Orochimaru. That day when he approached them, when he wanted a 'word' with Sasuke. Fuck, it was all too much, just when she thought she was beginning to trust him something had to come and screw it all up.
Sakura had enough. She dropped down onto the forest floor. Sasuke's curse reached her ears and he dropped down. Gaara and Kankuro followed suit.
In a curt tone she told the Suna-nin directions and they, sensing the two needed a minute, nodded and went forward.
After a brief silence filled with Sasuke's glare, Sakura closed her eyes, her tone tense. ''Why are you still keeping me in the dark?''
''Drop it.'' he answered after a beat, his tone flat.
Frustration made Sakura's throat tight. ''I thought you wanted me to trust you?''
She wasn't playing fair, Sasuke thought, bringing that up. Something he'd told her when his walls were involuntarily lowered.
''This has nothing to do with that,'' he said simply, ''This has nothing to do with you.''
Sakura could feel her hands shake in anger. She bit back her nasty retort and spun around, slamming her fist into the tree behind her, it cracked and crumbled, falling in on itself and Sakura pushed it away with a finger, letting it fall in the opposite direction. Her breathing low and harsh in her anger.
Sasuke was at that moment glad he was a moving target. A cloud of dust floated around them until it dissipated.
Their stares held, neither wanting to relent.
''Did you know he was alive? Were you playing us all along?'' she asked.
''Fuck, Sakura, .''
''Answer me!'' she half-screamed.
''Yes, I knew he was alive, ok?'' he growled out, ''but I wasn't playing you. I don't know why I did that...-''
Sakura waited for him to continue. His eyes narrowed, silently begging for an explanation.
''I was just beginning to get you guys to kind of trust me, I didn't want you to think I've been in contact with him...because I haven't been.''
''But you made a deal with him? What do you want me to think!''
Sasuke's eyes went dead. ''We're not discussing that. Lets go.''
''No,'' she said stubbornly. ''Im not going until you tell me.'' Childish? Yes. Effective? She hoped so.
Sasuke turned to her fully his eyes narrowed. ''Sakura...-'' there was a warning in his tone.
Sakura glared at him, and then she flopped down into a sitting position in a very un-lady like way. Firmly stating that she wasn't going anywhere.
''Sakura, we are going back now, one way or the other, either you come willingly or I can carry you. Its up to you.''
Ha! Not fucking likely.
''I chose none of the above.'' she sneered and squared her shoulders.
Sasuke shrugged and approached her and a slight fear shot through her. He wouldn't...
Yeah. He would. Sasuke leaned down and made to grab her but she slapped his hand away. The action shocked him momentarily. Slapped his hand. What the fuck.
His eye twitched as he went in again, this time taking no chances as he dived right in. Sakura fought him off, which resulted in a sort of wrestling match. Sasuke above trying to get a strong enough hold to lift her, while Sakura evaded him and made attempts at shoving him off.
''Sasuke! Get off.'' she groaned, if it was another situation she may have been laughing, but making deals with Orochimaru was not laughable, absurd but not funny in the least.
He didn't give up, getting a hold of her hips he pulled and she twisted, causing them to tumbled over. Sakura sat awkwardly on his hips trying to get her bearings as he tried grabbing her again. ''No-'' she grabbed his wrist. ''Sasuke! Enough!'' and then she became dead weight.
''Sakura-'' he huffed.
''Tell me.''
''Not up for discussion.'' he drawled, now apparently bored.
''If you don't tell me, I'll find Orochimaru and ask him myself.'' it was a completely absurd statement, she knew she'd never do such a thing, but he tensed beneath her, and suddenly, she was on her back, Sasuke hovered over her in the most intimidating way, his eyes burning.
''You will stay away from that man.''
''Then tell me.''
''No, Sakura. NO.''
Sakura pushed at his shoulders. ''Then I'm going to do it. I warned you.''
Sasuke pushed her down. ''Goddammit Sakura! Just let it go!''
''Why are you so intent on hiding it!''
''Because I won't let him have you!''
Sakura went utterly still beneath him.
''He...wants...me?'' she whispered fear and disbelief in her voice.
She'd seen the lengths he would go to, to get what he wanted first hand during the Chuunin Exams years ago. When he'd wanted Sasuke.
''Sakura-''
''Why?''
Sasuke seemed hesitant.
''Why, Sasuke?'' she pressed.
''Experimentation.''
Sakura's eyes widened and her breath left her. ''Because of the resurrection and cursed seal?''
Sasuke nodded.
''I won't let him get you, Sakura. Trust me.''
''What deal, then?''
Sasuke shook his head. ''Don't worry about it. I won't let him near you.''
The look in his eyes told her what she wanted to know though she hoped it wasn't true. She was sure she knew what Sasuke had bargained something Orochimaru had wanted from the start.
His body.
x-x-x-x-
Sasuke and Sakura moved on a while later, Sasuke was glad that Sakura finally dropped the matter, but Sakura was frightened. She was afraid of the answers to come. It scared her, how far he would go to protect her. If Orochimaru didn't want him anymore and now had his sights on her, what will he do about a vessel? Unless...no. She wasn't near perfect enough. There was nothing special about her, not like she had a bloodline-limit or anything. Well...she was the first one to survive Kalika's resurrection Jutsu and have the cursed seal. Although she had no interest of ever relying on it.
A few feet forward, Gaara and Kankuro were waiting.
''Uh, guys?'' she asked.
Kankuro eyed Sasuke, Gaara at least had the good sense to have some tact.
''Just wanted to be close in case you needed us.'' Kankuro said and Sakura smiled, ''No need, if Sasuke wanted to hurt me, I would be dead already.''
Sasuke scowled, but he knew it was the truth.
''Lets go.'' he snapped, taking off. Sakura sighed and followed.
x-x-x-x-
''Kazekage, we have living arrangements set up for you.'' Tsunade said when they entered her office.
Naruto, Shikamaru and Kiba were there. Naruto was probably just hanging out, giving Tsunade a hard time from the looks of the sake bottle. Shikamaru and Kiba were giving Tsunade their reports.
''Gaara!'' Naruto greeted, going forward, fist extended, knuckles forward.
Gaara gave a small smile and knocked knuckles with his friend. Naruto shook hands with Kankuro.
''Whats up?'' Naruto asked after inspecting their expressions.
''Madara has Temari, he intends to use her as a sacrifice.'' Gaara told them, his voice strained.
Sasuke saw Shikamaru pale, his body went completely tense.
''What?'' Tsunade barked out, looking around the room for an immediate explanation. Sakura stepped forward, retelling the information, carefully omitting the part about Orochimaru. She wasn't sure whether to tell Tsunade or not, but if she did, they would have to be alone.
''So, that's why he originally wanted you.'' Tsunade mused. ''The full moon is in two nights. He won't be able to get the eight and nine tails within that time. Until then-''
''What about Temari!'' Shikamaru asked suddenly, coming forward.
''Rescue and extraction is too dangerous, Shikamaru, you must realize.'' and as Tsunade said that, she hated the reality, Gaara and Kankuro said nothing, so they must have known it too.
''If it was Sakura or Naruto or Shizune you would have sent someone in immediately!'' Shikamaru slammed his hand down on the desk, the sake bottled rattled and Tsunade reached out with narrowed eyes to steady it.
''We need all the Shinobi we have here, Shikamaru.'' Tsunade said, she understood where he came from but...it was just too dangerous.
''Then you can spare one, send me.'' he said, straightening up.
''Shikamaru can't go alone.'' Naruto said, but Tsunade fixed him with a glare. ''Don't even say it. You are not going anywhere near that place. That is final.''
''He won't go alone.'' Kankuro said, Gaara nodded in agreement. ''We're going with him.''
Tsunade sighed.
''Give me a few hours to think of something. Sakura,'' he said turning to her. ''Where were you held?''
Sakura swallowed. ''In the basement of the Kage Mansion. He's transformed it into some kind of holding cell.''
''Would he be keeping her there?''
''Maybe, but if Karin is right, and he has a sacrifice for each Bijuu he might be keeping them together. The ANBU interrogation cells seem like a secure place. They have the chakra restraints to keep them at bay.''
Shikamaru nodded, of course, the ANBU cells were secure and secluded.
''Since Konoha doesn't have its own correctional facility. The ANBU interrogation cells are a good bet or the cells below the Hokage Tower.'' Sakura concluded.
Sasuke stared at her, he'd always knew she was smart but somehow he was shocked to see Sakura in full mode. Seeing her as the Hokage's apprentice, seeing the Hokage nod and agree. It was something he wouldve never expected.
Shikamaru nodded again. ''I'll need a few hours.''
Tsunade sighed. ''I guess there's no forbidding this. Fine.''
The Nara left the room in a rush, clearly going to create a plan. Temari was coming home.
x-x-x-x-
Temari's blue eyes opened , she felt weak...she hurt all over. Summoning strength on will alone, she pulled at her arm. Restrained.
Her head slumped against her chest. She wasn't sure how long she'd been here. Every hour felt like an entire day.
Kami, the shock and desperation on the faces of her brothers burned her, but they were smart, they wouldn't come after her, and for that she was...grateful.
She would die, it was inevitable, and somehow she felt like there was something that she still needed to do.
''Black tears flow, inside of me there is nothing else - just sadness. I can't even put it into words, my whole body is releasing pain...and I can't face it all on my own.
Kuroi namida nagasu, watashi ni wa nani mo nakute kanashisugite. Kotoba night sae nara nakute, Karadajuu dark itami dashite...Taerarenai hitori de wa.''
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