Chapter Four:
What's Left To Turn To

"I can try to pretend. I can try to forget. But it's driving me mad, going out of my head."

This village was no more than nuisance grounds to him. He loathed it here. Absolutely detested this place. And it was for reasons only he could understand.

There were just people here...places here...things that brought back memories. Unwanted memories. Things he wished he could put behind him.

Wasn't Itachi's death supposed to make all this anger and hatred go away? Wasn't he suppose to feel better now that he killed his brother?

Well...it was something completely different he was feeling. Not relief, no. It was almost...a superiority feeling. A thirst for more power. A chance to prove his strength. He wasn't just the only Uchiha left. He was now the strongest Uchiha...of all the ancestors before him. Or so he thought. And he still had a reason to keep going. He wasn't done avenging his clan yet.

It was a good feeling...but at the same time...it drove him nuts.

He had just managed to get out of the hospital...after having all those pointless, not to mention annoying, tests...and it was around 7 o' clock. Sunset.

Sure, the first thing he wanted to do was get the hell out of here. And he had every intention to. But then...why was he still here? Well...maybe because with recent events unfolding...security around this puerile village was on high. Everywhere Sasuke went...every inch of the village gates...it was all surrounded by shinobi. And most of them ANBU. It was ridiculous...and made it much harder for him to get out of here. He had learned that in Konoha...it was much better to try and bluff your way through things...than get up in somebodies face and start fighting. Sure...if he left by force he'd manage to get out...but he'd have shinobi trailing him for a good solid month or two. Not to mention...he had things he needed to do- and running from the Hidden Leaf Village was not one of them.

Nor was returning to it. Damn...

But that clearly didn't matter now. He was just walking around Konoha, killing time. He worked best in the dark. That was what he was waiting for. An opportunity at night to sneak away.

The cold, strong wind breezed through his hair, and also danced around the necklace hanging on his neck. The necklace he had taken back from Sakura. His necklace. Her necklace. He couldn't decide.

Sure he was almost completely heartless...but even he wouldn't just take the necklace for fun. He needed some way to show her he was serious about not caring for her anymore...and he also didn't want to keep giving her the false hope he'd return her feelings once again...because that's what that necklace was doing.

He was in his long black cloak, the one he wore the other night. It was warm...and sheltered him from the wind. But it made him feel...ominous. Like he blended in with the scenery in front of him.

And that scenery...was the Uchiha estate. That was where his 'killing time' had brought him. And here he stood, right outside the gates...staring in at what used to be his home. It harbored his most hated memories. Yet...when he looked in at it...for a second, his thoughts trailed to Sakura.

The night she had stayed there with him. How they had played something close to truth.

Truth.

Kalei.

He closed his eyes, trying hard to stop any other unwanted memories from flooding back. And for the most part, he was successful...until he heard someone shouting 'wait' behind him. He slowly turned around, his hands in the pockets of the long cloak. His face was impassive, staring at the sidewalk corner. There was a building there, so he couldn't see any further. But eventually he heard the shout again, and he heard footsteps. Somebody was running.

He simply watched...until he heard one more shout. But they didn't shout 'wait'.

They shouted some body's name. Somebody he knew. Somebody he didn't want to see.

His eyes widened a little bit as all of a sudden...

Naruto appeared from the corner. His eyes were closed tight...and once he reached the middle of the street, he fell clumsily onto his knee's, wrapping his arms around himself. Sasuke could only watch...wondering what was going on. He had never seen Naruto this way. It was strange. He didn't see any tears falling from his eyes...but it almost looked like he was crying. He was breathing heavy from the run, and his body was trembling. Sasuke just stared, wondering if he had realized his presence.

Then, Shizune appeared from the corner, running up behind Naruto. She too was out of breathe...but she, unlike Naruto, had seen Sasuke right away. She glanced at him for a moment, then looked back down at Naruto, a sympathetic look crowding her face. She knelt down behind him and rested her hand on his back.

"Naruto...be strong." She said softly.

And as he calmed himself down with one deep breathe...his eyes shot open fiercely and abruptly. They were glassy, no doubt...and he was staring straight at the ground in front of him. He was slightly slouched over, looking like a child from Sasuke's point of view.

But he could only guess now, that because he had calmed down...he noticed Sasuke.

And he was right. It was almost as if things had shifted into slow motion. Naruto's eyes slowly moved to his left, where Sasuke was. But his head never turned. As Naruto caught a glimpse of Sasuke, Sasuke eyes widened a lot, and his lips parted a bit. His face was one of shock. And more than likely, on his usually emotionless face...it was priceless.

After a second, Naruto's head slowly turned, and now they were staring at each other. Eye to eye.

And it had to be the most awkward thing Sasuke had ever felt. He was very disturbed with seeing Naruto. Especially like this. If Shizune wasn't here, more than likely he would have taken advantage of this weak Naruto, and killed him. But he couldn't do that now. Tsunade would probably chase after him herself then...and in a terrible fit of rage. Not to mention...he was curious as to why Naruto was so...chaotic.

"Sa...su...ke..." Naruto's lips moved slowly. He was in complete shock as well. But as Sasuke heard his voice, he slowly snapped out of his daze...and right away, his face switched into a glare. It wasn't really a menacing glare...but it was a look of seriousness...and it, no doubt, spoke for itself.

I don't want to see you right now.

Naruto's eyes widened, and as he blinked, a small, single tear rolled down his cheek. Sasuke felt slightly disgusted. This encounter wouldn't be good.

"Uchiha, you should be at the hospital." Shizune's demanding voice broke the tension. Sasuke's eyes quickly shot to hers and his face shifted once again.

Now he was flat out glaring.

"That's none of your business." He retorted smartly, making her blink a couple of times. Apparently, nobody was used to this new bullheaded Sasuke.

"Excuse me?" She said, standing up and facing him. Her face turned sour...and after a moment, Naruto slowly, and once again, clumsily, got to his feet. He turned to face Sasuke as well, but his face was distressed. Confused...concerned...depressed.

It was all so weird. Sasuke couldn't take it anymore.

He let out a small...'hmph'...and started to turn around, fully prepared to walk away.

"Sasuke!" Naruto shouted angrily. Sasuke stopped, not bothering to look back at him. "What are you doing? Why didn't you come find me when you got back?" He shouted again, taking a step toward him.

Silence.

"I had no intention of finding you." He said coldly, causing Naruto's face to twist into a confused pout.

"Now, that's pretty rude."

Sasuke looked up to the top of the pillars on the Uchiha estate gates to see his old sensei kneeling on it, reading his perverted book.

Great...things couldn't get any worse.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed dangerously and he bared his teeth at Kakashi.

"K-Kakashi." Shizune stammered, looking up to him as well.

This was just getting weirder.

Kakashi flipped his book shut and stood up, looking down at Shizune. His open eye crinkled a bit, showing that he was smiling. "You go on back to Lady Hokage. I think she needs you right now. Leave these two to me." He said in a very carefree voice.

"Hn." Sasuke didn't want to deal with this right now. He needed out. Some form of an escape. But what?

"Right." Shizune spoke, turning around and running off in the direction she came. After she was gone, Kakashi jumped down from the pillars to the left of Sasuke, a little in front of Naruto.

"What happened to you?" Kakashi asked, eying Sasuke curiously.

He turned to face his former sensei and Naruto, a fowl glower on his face. "Ran into a problem. Ended up here." He responded icily.

"What problem? And what do you mean...'ended up'?" Naruto asked briskly.

Oh, how to answer...how to answer...

"A certain kunoichi. And by 'ended up'..." His voice trailed off, eyes becoming dark...malicious. "...I didn't mean to come back." He finished, making Naruto flinch.

"A certain kunoichi, hmm? You mean Sakura?" Kakashi asked, unaffected by Sasuke's dark composure. Sasuke nodded, feeling the gust of wind blow hard against his body.

Kakashi knew all too well that Sasuke was different. You could just see it in his face...his body language. His eyes. And he knew that he'd be a stubborn smart-ass...so it was only best to play his game. Show him who was top dog around here.

"Oh...I see. For a second there, I was thinking you meant the other one." He muttered again, getting Sasuke's full attention. Naruto's face twisted into a scowl himself as he looked over at Sasuke.

It didn't take some rocket scientist to figure out who he was talking about.

It was Kalei.

"They're both a problem." Sasuke mumbled coolly, not letting Kakashi get to him. Once again...he just needed to bluff his way out...don't worry about what they might say.

"That's not what you said back then." Kakashi declared.

Sasuke's jaw tightened. For some reason...that upset him. he didn't like thinking back on any of that.

"I didn't mean anything I said back then." He grunted, causing Naruto to raise a fist in front of him.

"What do you mean, you bastard?! You left here with promises! You have to keep those!" He yelled furiously, making Sasuke's body tense up. Wow, he was seconds from decking Naruto in the face.

"I don't have to do anything." He spoke through gritted teeth. Naruto bared his teeth at Sasuke and his eyes were blazing with anger.

"Oh yes...of course you do! Don't tell me you're going to pull that bull again! Stop running away!"

And that was almost enough to completely push him over the edge. He was about to lunge at Naruto...when he felt a sharp pain run through his head. His eyes slowly started burning, and he could feel a small throbbing in the back of his head.

Great...it was happening again. And without Karin...there was nothing to help ease the pain.

He closed his eyes, hoping to stop the pain from increasing too fast, and he took a deep breathe. So, he calmly needed to exit this situation...

"What makes you think I'm just going to leave?" He asked...trying, pathetically, to sound sincere. Naruto dropped his fist to his side.

"I can see it. I know what you said was too good to be true." Naruto's voice was beginning to shake. He had enough to deal with right now. He didn't need more.

Sasuke turned around, focusing on deep breathes. "If you know that so well, then stop listening to me every time. You can't always believe it." He grumbled mockingly, starting to walk away.

Naruto started fuming, when Kakashi placed a hand in front of him, telling him not to waste his energy. "Where are you going?" Kakashi shouted to Sasuke. But Sasuke only shrugged.

He had managed to walk away from that one without causing too many problems. With a few hand signs, he disappeared, leaving an upset Naruto and a confused Kakashi to themselves.

All he needed to deal with now, was this coming episode. He needed help somehow. These weird pains would be the end of him, no doubt. But what could he possibly do?

Damn-it...it was looking like things were going all wrong. At this rate...he'd never get out of the village!!

"Master Jiraiya? No way! I don't understand...he was one of the Legendary Sanin!"

Sakura was talking to her teammate, Taru, on a deserted street, underneath the streetlight. She had just told him the news about Jiraiya...and he was as shocked as anyone else.

"Yes, but...it was the leader of the Akatsuki he went to get information on. Who knows what could have happened. But still...I can't imagine he'd be taken down." Sakura said, leaning against an old brick building. Her arms were crossed her front of her. She was staring at the sidewalk, a serious expression on her face. This was too...troublesome.

Taru leaned against the light pole, looking up into the sky. He was as tall as Sasuke, and had hazel eyes, like Tsunade. He also had hair like Naruto's, only it was a dark brown, longer, and a little more unkempt...kind of frazzled. He was skinny, but well built...and had his left ear pierced. He was very very cute, to say the least. He was always polite, and extremely fast. He had been part of the ANBU for about 2 years now...which was pretty neat, considering he had just turned 17 about 2 months ago.

"What kind of information did Lady Hokage receive?" He asked curiously, crinkling his nose.

Sakura shook her head. "Not sure. I think just that some rain ninja found his body around some old deserted building. According to reports...he was...in rough shape." She mumbled, feeling a gust of wind frolic around her short white skirt. She got a spring of goosebumps and held herself tighter.

Taru looked at her and cracked his knuckles. "So you're saying a rain ninja reported it?" Sakura only nodded.

"Yeah...they returned his body...but Lady Tsunade refused to go see it. You know how she gets..." She looked up to Taru, raising her eyebrows at his questioning expression.

"That's odd. Rumor was that Pein happened to be in the Hidden Rain Village. Not to mention...a big part of it. So wouldn't that mean the shinobi there were on his side?" Sakura stared at him, thinking over his words. She slowly nodded. "So then, why would they report his death? Would it not be better to leave it unknown? It would cause more of a panic, wouldn't it?" He asked again, tugging at his vest. He was wearing a long sleeve white shirt with his shinobi vest, and long baggy black pants. Also, he wore his headband on his right upper arm.

She scratched her head. "No...it would have caused panic but...this caused distress. It's going to mess up Lady Tsunade's emotions. And with her being rattled...our village could fall into ruins as well." She sighed. This was a lot to worry about. Stupid Akatsuki.

"Yes...I guess that makes sense." Taru said, now pulling at the long chain around his neck. He weaved it around his fingers, and then unwove it...completely amused with the silver chain. He was a crazy one.

Sakura watched him for a minute and then looked up at the streetlight. It was dim, and flickered every once in a while. It was a lot like her hope. Just fading away...

"This is horrible. We're already short handed on shinobi...and very short handed on talented shinobi. On top of that...the workload was enough to completely throw Old Lady Tsunade off task...this will make it so much worse for her. And we've been stacked with missions already. This will only get worse for us. Especially if we start fighting close to home." He adjusted the chain on his necklace, now looking back to the ground.

Ever since he started hanging out with Naruto...he had called the Hokage...'old lady'... and 'grandma'...too. But at least he was always formal to her face.

"I don't know what to do. Lady Tsunade is going to need my help, but I can't juggle everything. Especially with Naruto and now Sasuke." Right away, her words were cut short as Taru cleared his throat.

"Sasuke? Sasuke Uchiha? The missing-nin that came home about a year ago?"

"Yes, that's the one."

"Well, what's to worry about with him?" Their eyes met and instantly Taru knew he was hitting a touchy subject. He just shrugged. "Or...we don't have to talk about it." He knew Sakura's anger problems more than anybody else...well besides Naruto, probably. And he didn't really want to upset her. Not now. She looked irritable.

But she just sighed and rested her palm on her forehead. "Well...the last mission I went on to go check in with the team that was to report of the recent Akatsuki sighting...I ended up meeting up with him and his band of missing ninja." She rolled her eyes, recalling how that meeting had gone.

Taru crinkled his nose again. "Ahh...how'd that go for you? All kissy, kissy?" He said, a small smirk lifting his lips.

Sakura shot up a look that clearly stated he was an idiot and then decided to give him a remark. "He shoved a sword through my stomach...and tried to kill me." She replied smartly. "Yeah, you could say it was touching."

Taru blinked thrice and stood up straight, his arms crossing over his chest. "Oh duh. I'd definitely say so. It just makes me all warm inside." His tone was light, making Sakura feel a bit better. She didn't want to have to worry about Sasuke. He shouldn't even preoccupy her mind.

"But then I'm confused. Why did he do that? Weren't you two friends?" Taru asked pruriently. Sakura sighed heavily again. She turned around to avoid any pitiful looks he might shoot her when she, much to dismay, seen a figure walking into an alley way just down the street. Her eyes widened...curious as to who would possibly be creeping around the village this late at night. She looked back at Taru and nodded her head in the direction of the stranger. Taru nodded, apparently seeing him as well, and they quickly started running down the sidewalk.

"Well...wanna surprise 'em?" Taru asked, a chuckle escaping his lips. Sakura just shook her head, not finding the situation so amusing.

"He wasn't walking fast. We don't want to startle him. Lets just find him." She whispered quietly. But no, Taru had to make this adventurous. He rolled his eyes and jumped onto the roof tops, leaving Sakura glaring at him angrily. But she just picked up her pace, and once she reached the alleyway she stopped in her tracks to see the back of the figure, walking very slowly through the alleyway. She bit her tongue instantly as she recognized the creeper.

Sasuke.

And she knew he noticed her, because he stopped walking and she seen him hold his hand up on the side of his head. Much like the action she had seen him do in the forest the other night.

Was he in pain?

"And here I thought I wouldn't see you again." He grumbled in a low, monotone voice. That same...rude, obnoxious voice.

She let out a little 'che' and took a step into the alley. "Here I thought you'd be gone. Why are you still here?" She asked harshly. She heard a sadistic chuckle come from him and she instantly stopped walking forward. She was just lucky she had Taru around here somewhere...because that same dangerous katana was by Sasuke's side. And it was obvious he wasn't in a good mood.

"Oh, just met up with some old company. Nothing to keep me long." He snarled through his quiet laughter.

Sakura's eyes shot open wide and her lips just moved. "Naruto!" She shouted unconsciously. She took another step, and then realizing this, took one back. She was just startled. She was hoping they wouldn't end up seeing each other. Not tonight. Naruto had it rough enough. Things really were just getting worse and worse.

"You need to leave." She demanded furiously, noticing his grip tighten on the side of his head. He slowly turned around to look at her...his eyes blazing with the sharingan. She took in a sharp breath and took a step back.

His look was so irritating...it had 'annoying' written all over it.

And sure enough...

"You're driving me through a wall." He said calmly, his glare...not so much.

She narrowed her eyes, now getting a little impatient. "No not yet...but I'm about to." She clenched her fists at her side, ready to lunge at him when she suddenly seen him bite his lip and tug a bit at his hair. He closed his eyes tightly and reopened them, barring his teeth.

No doubt, a rush of pain.

Just then Taru jumped down from the building roof, right next to Sakura. He had a kunai in hand, ready to fight...but his expression was just impertinent. He was curious. Was this the Sasuke she had spoke so much about?

"I was wondering when you'd come out." Sasuke hissed through gritted teeth. Sakura glanced at Taru and back to Sasuke. So, he had noticed him around here. Which was impressive...because Taru was good at remaining hidden. But of course. Sasuke was no ninja to mess with.

"So you were? I was just flat out wondering who you were." Taru asked calmly, no threat in his voice. He was naturally a peaceful guy, you could say.

Sasuke only deepened his glare.

"But you're an Uchiha, obviously. I've heard rumors about you. I guess you finally killed your brother." Taru said, a smirk replacing the questioning look on his face. Sasuke let out a 'hn' while Sakura looked over to Taru, surprised. How did he know that?

"So it's already getting around." His tone was resentful. He hated somebody he didn't even know. That was so like Sasuke.

Taru nodded, twirling the kunai around on his finger. "I heard rumors you're after Akatsuki as well."

Now a smirk crept onto Sasuke's lips, causing more confusing to settle on Sakura's face.

"You know that too, huh? I'm curious as to how." Sasuke asked, his tone still dangerous.

Taru shrugged. "I'm curious as to why." And he stopped twirling the kunai, giving Sasuke a glare of his own. But it didn't matter, Sasuke couldn't have cared less.

"It's personal." Was the only reply he got.

"From my last mission I gathered some very interesting information about Akatsuki. Like about the leader." Taru muttered, eyes narrowing even further.

Sakura exchanged glances between the two and then spoke herself. "Pein, you mean."

"No." Taru said quickly, causing her eyes to widen.

"So you know." Sasuke interrupted, making Sakura look at him and grow angry. Why did they know something she didn't?

"The real leader runs the show from the shadows." Sasuke said again, his tone cooling off a bit. Sakura ran a hand through her hair, confused by his words. So Pein wasn't the leader? Who was? And how did Sasuke know?

"You know who it is?" Taru asked.

Sasuke nodded, and as he did so, he felt a sharp pain split through his head once more, and a numbness take over his body a bit. Quickly, the sharingan faded, and as Sakura noticed Sasuke backing away slowly, she unconsciously ran up to him. She reached out her hand toward his head, but he violently slapped it away, causing her to gasp and hold her wrist to her chest. She shot him a dirty look, mad with his actions.

"I can help you!" She said quickly, as he altered his steps to the right to lean against the building. Taru ran up next to Sakura, confused with what was happening.

"Sakura, is he okay?" He asked, causing Sakura to shrug.

"I-I don't know. Sasuke...let me help you." She reached her hand out slowly again, but Sasuke only opened his eyes, glaring at her again with the sharingan.

"You're after him too, aren't you? Tsunade knows, doesn't she?" Sasuke groaned through gritted teeth. Sakura blinked thrice. What was he talking about?

"Yeah." Taru answered from behind her. Her eyes widened, realizing there was something going on she didn't know about. But before she could think anymore on in, Sasuke let out a groan in pain and slowly started falling onto his knee's. But before he got close to the floor, Sakura caught him and his head rested on her shoulder. Her body started trembling.

She was scared. Was she going to lose Sasuke? What was causing these weird pains?

"Don't...do...that." He said angrily against her shoulder, not moving from her grip. She tightened her grasp on him.

"Shut up, would you? I'm trying to help..." She tried to focus on putting chalkra into her hands, but Sasuke seized the one she had resting on his side and held it tightly.

"There's nothing you can do." He spoke into her shoulder again.

Taru bent down, examining the chaotic Sasuke.

"I...I can stop...the pain..." She stuttered, trying to pull her arm from his grasp, but she failed. She bit her tongue, not sure if she was sad, scared, or angry.

But all of a sudden, his hand slowly slipped off her wrist and she felt his full weight on her now. His heavy breathing had stopped.

He had fallen unconscious.

Just like Suigetsu said would happen.

Sakura let out a heavy staggered breathe. She felt Taru slowly lift him from her lap and lug him over his shoulder. "Lets get him to the hospital." He said.

But quickly, Sakura stood up and shook her head. Taru just stared at her, confused.

"No...we'll take him to his house. It might do some good."

"But he needs medical attention-"

"I'll stay there."

"Saku-"

"I will." She said again, her face stern. He knew she wasn't going to budge. And she turned around, walking out the alley, hearing Taru drag his feet behind her.

She needed to get some things straight with him. Not to mention, with herself.

Maybe...in all reality...though she hated to admit it...

The best thing wasn't for Sasuke to leave.

But to stay.

Next Chapter

Mistakes To Make