I do Not own Naruto…I'm just not that clever…
Author's note: The following dream sequence will be much better for those of you who are familiar with the Sasuke/Itachi history in the manga and anime. I based it on actual images from those.
Chapter 12: Aftermath
Sasuke's dream:
His home.
Itachi sitting on the step.
Sasuke runs towards him. "Why? Why do you always treat me like a burden?"
"…Burden…?"
Blood. There's blood everywhere.
His brother stands over the bodies. No—he—Sasuke—stands over the bodies.
He looks over at the shocked image of himself.
But he's looking at Sakura.
Itachi sitting on the step.
Sasuke runs towards him. His brother put his hand up. "Why do you always treat me as a burden?"
"I'm sorry, Sasuke." But its Sasuke speaking. Sakura standing behind him.
Blood. More blood.
He runs into the room. A shadowy form stands over the bodies of his parents.
The light from the window illuminates the face.
She brushes the pink hair away from her eyes.
Sasuke looks through her eyes. The bodies are not his parents.
Their emerald eyes stare lifelessly up.
Pink hair spattered in blood.
"Why do you always treat me like a burden?"
Itachi smiles. "Even if you must hate me. That's what being a big brother is all about."
Sasuke sat up in bed. He brushed the sweat form his face, closing his eyes at the images still remaining in his head.
It had been a long time since he had had a nightmare. But Kabuto was no longer around to provide him with the drugs needed to suppress them.
He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.
Inwardly he still raged at the lost opportunity to avenge his family. But the day could have ended worse with more than just two casualties.
Sasuke turned to the window.
The sun was just starting to come up. It was almost time to get ready.
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Tsunade sat quietly on the hospital roof and watched the dawn preparations begin.
Dawn had been Shizune's favorite time of day.
It was only fitting that her ceremony would take place around that time.
A tear traveled down the Hokage's face.
I'm sorry, Dan. I did the best I could for her. She died an honorable death. But Tsunade's thoughts did not comfort her.
Shizune had been her last connection to the past. Dan's niece.
She felt like he had died all over again.
And what was worse—she felt like she had let him down.
I couldn't save you…and I couldn't save her. How am I supposed to protect this village if I can't even save those closest to me?
She stood, the black fabric of her robe swishing with the movement.
"How long have you been standing there?" She asked without turning around.
"Not long." Jiraiya leaned against one of the water tanks. "It's almost time."
The sannin nodded. "Does it ever get easier? Will we only see war and nothing else?"
"Tsunade…"
She heard him walk up behind her and stop.
It never gets easier. He put a comforting hand on her shoulder. But Shizunes death is not for nothing. She saw the bigger picture. She knew that those of us who die today do it so that the next generation has a hope at peace.
"We have a long way to go."
"Yes," he nodded. "But remember your faith in the younger members of Konoha."
Tsunade smiled as the image of Naruto popped into her mind.
"Thank you, Jiraiya."
He put his arm over her shoulder. "Come, it is time."
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Sakura leaned on Naruto and Kakashi for support.
Her wounds had not been hard to heal—at least not on the outside.
The internal damage was a little more difficult, but Tsunade had said she would make a full recovery. Now, she just had slight pain while walking and was forced to hobble hunched over as she made her way to the funeral line.
"Easy, Sakura-chan." Naruto supported her elbow. "Stop trying to walk so fast."
"I'm alright Naruto." She smiled at him.
"Sakura, Naruto is right." Kakashi held her other elbow. "We know you're strong, but let us help just this once."
The three of them walked together to the memorial for Shizune. A picture of the smiling young woman sat atop her casket.
Sakura shakily wiped away her tears. "Let me stand alone for just a moment."
Naruto and Kakashi looked at each other. After a moment, they took a few steps away from her.
Sasuke, who stood in line behind them, watched as Sakura placed her flower on the coffin. He could not hear what she whispered, but he saw her lips moving.
She took an unsteady step back and Naruto and Kakashi were instantly at her side.
"No, it's okay." She gave them a weak smile through her tears. "I don't want to be a burden."
Sasuke felt his heart stop for a moment.
Someone nudged him from behind.
"Go, you idiot." Sai whispered, pointing.
Sasuke glared at him but stepped up to take his turn at the memorial.
Back within the crowd, he watched the seemingly endless line make its way by the casket as one by one the ninjas of Konoha paid their respects.
Last in line was Tsunade.
The silence was complete as the Hokage stood in front of the picture for long moments, her back to them.
Her entire body was quivering, but when she turned around, there were no tears on her face.
Her expression was grim. "Today, we honor a fallen comrade and friend. Shizune died doing her duty to Konoha."
Tsunade's fists clenched. "Everyday I ask you to risk your lives for the sake of this village. And all of you, without exception, do that willingly—"
"—I sense dark times coming to the Leaf. War is coming again. And now more than ever I will need your help!"
She punched the air. "But know that I will ask nothing of you that I will not do myself! If we must fight—then we will fight! I will NOT live in the shadow of Akatsuki!"
Every shinobi present stood a little straighter, pride written on their faces.
Tsunade hung her head. "We will honor those that have fallen by making the ninja dream a reality. We will live in peace, or we will not live at all!"
She walked back to her place next to Jiraiya.
For the rest of the ceremony, no one said a word.
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"I don't want to be a burden."
Sasuke sat in thought. He couldn't get those words out of his head. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the image of Sakura saying them earlier that day.
And he couldn't forget his dream.
He hated Itachi.
But he also hated himself. There was always a part of him that still wanted his brother to accept him. Just as he had wanted when he was a kid.
He had always felt like a burden to those he loved.
His father. His brother. Only his mother had ever tried to comfort him.
And he—most especially he—had always treated Sakura as a burden. Even if it was the furthest thing from the truth. And he knew, beyond a doubt, that he and Naruto and Kakashi had all contributed to Sakura's feelings of uselessness. She truly thought that was all that she was.
Everything she did was to prove to them that she could stand on her own.
Just as he had once done.
So…
Did she hate him? How couldn't she?
Would she grow to hate him as he now hated his brother? Were the reasons that closely related?
The reality of it shocked him. The fact that she didn't hate him at that very moment was unbelievable.
He had unwittingly done to her what had been done to him so long ago. The circumstances were completely different but the base emotions were the same.
He had almost become the thing he wanted to destroy.
But he didn't think anything could crush Sakura's spirit. That was why she didn't hate him. She didn't have that weakness like he did. She was able to forgive him so easily because she cared about him.
Even Naruto had forgiven him.
That's what caring about people does. It allows you a freedom revenge will never provide.
But he had his friends back. He had the missing piece.
All he had to do now was kill his brother.
But he had something he needed to do first.
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"Damn," Sakura whispered to herself. Her sandal was unlaced. She would have to lean down to fix it. Taking a deep breath, she slowly bent forward, preparing for the pain.
"Uh-umm…Sakura-chan?"
A timid voice made the pink-haired girl look up. "Oh, Hinata. Hey."
"Let me help you." Sakura had no time to protest before the Hyuuga girl knelt in front of her and quickly laced up her shoes. "I didn't mean to sneak up like that. I wasn't trying to be rude."
Sakura smiled warmly. "Don't worry, I needed the help. Thank you."
"I just wanted to tell you that I'm glad you are okay." Her pale eyes looked kindly at Sakura. "I know Naruto-kun was terribly worried."
Poor Hinata.
Sakura knew Naruto was clueless about the heiress's feelings for him.
"You know, Hinata," She gave her another smile. "Tsunade-sama talked about war. That means we're going to be in a lot of tough spots in the future."
The girl nodded.
Sakura's expression sobered. "And people we care about will be in danger. Don't you think…Naruto would like to know you're going to be worried about him?"
"O-oh…n-no, I couldn't. I mean," Hinata's face was bright red. "I could never tell him."
"But what if something happened? What if you never get to tell him?"
The Hyuuga girl looked shyly at Sakura's kind expression. "Thank you, Sakura-chan. I…I will think about it!"
She turned to go and Sakura gave her a wave in thanks.
Naruto should realize how lucky he is to have someone like Hinata. She'll think of nothing but him till the day she dies.
She continued on her way down the street, hoping to avoid running in to anyone else.
It had been embarrassing enough to know that she had risked her life for a phony ring. But as mortified as she was, she was grateful that it had not ended up in Akatsuki hands.
She wished she could have seen the look on Itachi's face when he learned the truth.
She smiled to herself. There was at least some satisfaction in that thought.
"Sakura,"
She jumped. "Sasuke-kun! What are you doing here?"
He looked down at her from where he stood on a nearby tree branch. "I was thinking."
"Oh. Well…I'll see you later I guess. Kakashi said something about another mission."
"I'm not opposed to you joining me." He sat down.
Sakura looked at the tree. I don't know if I have enough chakra to climb that yet. She clenched her jaw.
Sasuke watched as she approached the tree and placed her hand on the smooth bark. She looked uncertain for a moment before she placed a foot on the base.
He saw a small glow of chakra. Too little. She won't be able to make it.
Sakura knew it too but she bit her lip and placed the other foot on the tree.
Kakashi had once said that it was the fighting spirit inside Naruto and Sakura that allowed them to overcome unbeatable odds. Both displayed the inability to give up.
And even now, as Sakura inched her way up the tree, she wasn't going to quit.
She had forgotten all about Sasuke and was focused on each movement of her muscles.
The Uchiha watched her slow progress. It reminded him of the day Kakashi had tried to teach them the tree climbing skill. Sakura had been able to do it instantly. No doubt she was frustrated now.
Just a little farther… Sakura was sweating. Just a little more chakra…
Her foot slipped.
Her eyes went wide but Sasuke reached down and grabbed her hand. He pulled her up onto the branch.
"You're still too weak," He was looking away from her.
Her eyes narrowed. "I am not—"
"I was referring to your recovery, not your abilities, Sakura."
Her expression softened and she glanced at him sideways. "I don't have the energy to throttle both you and Sai. I'll just have to save up for him"
"Hn." Sasuke almost smiled. "I am sure he needs it more than I do."
Sakura shrugged, "I'm not so sure." She chuckled at the look of bewilderment Sasuke gave her.
"Thank you—again…for saving me." She said quietly.
"There is no need to thank me. It is what friends do for one another. I haven't thanked you every time you've saved me."
"Right," Sakura frowned at him. "What's that been, maybe once? Twice?"
He didn't answer.
"Well, I should be going." She stood, looking down at the ground. Nuts. How am I supposed to get down from here?
"Sakura?"
"Sorry, I just was trying to think of a way to get down…"
"No. I have a question, Sakura."
She looked at him, her green eyes wary.
"Do you hate me?"
She was so shocked she didn't know what to say at first.
His brow was furrowed and his eyes seemed angry. "I asked if you hated me."
"Hate…you? No... no, I don't hate you… I can't believe you're even asking me that."
"I have only ever given you reasons to hate me."
"I don't hate you, Sasuke-kun. I don't think I could ever hate you." She whispered, nervous at the way the conversation was going.
"Even if I killed Naruto? Would you hate me then?" His eyes met hers.
Sakura stared at him. "I wouldn't let you kill Naruto. And if you did—I would hate myself more than anyone."
Sasuke looked down. "He cares about you, you know. He'd protect you with his life."
"And I would protect him with mine…"
Sasuke's look clouded over, but she continued.
"…just as I'd protect you and Kakashi and any one of my friends."
"And what if Itachi had killed you yesterday?" He stood, stepping closer to her.
"Then I would have known I wasn't strong enough to stand up to him. I would have given my life to keep that ring from him. If I had died—you would have known for sure that I would never have been strong enough—good enough."
She closed her eyes, shaking her head. "Is that what you wanted to hear?"
"Stop." He was an arm's length from her. "You're never to say that. Ever."
Before she knew what was happening, Sasuke grabbed her around the waist. He picked her up and leapt down to the ground where he set her down gently.
"Thank you, Sakura." He walked away from her.
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The Akatsuki leader stared up at the enormous statue before him.
Some of the eyes were lit, some were not. They had five tailed beasts… more than half of what they needed.
He squeezed the false ring in the palm of his hand.
Tsunade had made a good replica. It had taken even him a moment to realize it was fake.
Konoha will be the first to go. He continued to stare at the statue.
An idea was forming.
Five out of nine…
Perhaps…
He smiled. He knew exactly what he was going to do next.
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Coming sooooon
Chapter 13: Everyone's Battle