Kei-Kei Yuki: Gotta tell you guys I have started another new story, Eternally Yours and it can be read on Goodnovel and Wattpad. So please check it out for me, especially if you love hot vampires and werewolves~! So this chapter was hard as hell to write, but I hope I did it some type of justice!
I Can't Lose You
Before Sakura's battle with Sasuke, Sai appeared before Naruko, revealing her teammate's true intentions. "Sakura wishes to take on the burden you have carried since Sasuke first defected and began his crusade for revenge. The way I see it, just like Hinata, she can no longer see you destroy yourself due to your obsession with Sasuke. It's breaking you, and if you keep chasing him, without a doubt, it will kill you. Hinata, the others, I, and even Sakura know this."
Sai's revelation shocked Naruko to her core. She recalled Sakura in their younger days and the devotion of love she held for Sasuke. "No... You gotta be lying. Sakura-chan loves Sasuke!"
"Naruko, Sakura has grown up and moved on. Something you should do too," Sai advised Naruko, watching how she shook her head and tried to deny the truth.
"No! This—This can't be right! Sakura-chan loved Sasuke-teme with her entire heart! A love like that just can't vanish! Besides, she would've told me—"
"How, Naruko? You're right. Sakura loved Sasuke with her entire heart. Keyword, loved, meaning past tense." Sai recalled the scene of Sakura sitting alone on the tree, eyes far off and deep in a trance.
It was strange, considering she had just announced to the other members of their team her intentions of taking out her old teammate. Triggering Sai to remember some gossip that Sakura was once in love with the same man she just announced she would eliminate.
When Sai asked how she was taking this so easily, Sakura burst into laughter. "Easy? Sai, my decision was anything but easy. But after watching Hinata's confession, it hit me to what lengths Naruko is willing to go for Sasuke-kun. She's willing to risk everything, including her own life, and I can't just stand on the sideline and watch her do it. I love them both too much to see them destroy themselves. I once dreamed of fairy tales and romance, but now I only have one wish."
Sakura's faced Sai with a wistful smile, "To see Team Seven happy again! I want things to be how they used to be. I'm willing to fight for it. Sasuke-kun is not just Naruko's responsibility, but mine as well. I was the one who cried and did nothing the first time Naruko risked her life to bring back Sasuke-kun. It's time for me to repay that favor."
Sai watched those emerald eyes glimmer with determination, and that was when it hit him. "Sakura, do you really intend to kill Sasuke-kun?"
Gaze straight ahead, Sakura was sitting straight forward when she answered Sai's question. "The only way those two can truly be happy is with each other and I'm willing to achieve that goal. Even if that means forfeiting my life."
"Sakura cares for Sasuke, but she's willing to forfeit her own life to bring Sasuke-kun back to you!" Sai's words forced Naruko to recall the scene years ago after Sasuke first left the village. Sakura stood at the village gate, begging her to bring Sasuke-kun to them.
"You did good, Sakura-chan, but now leave the rest to me! I'll bring that teme back! So just be a little patient for me!"
"S-Sakura-chan..." Naruko felt touched and brokenhearted at the same time, unable to believe Sakura was willing to go to such a length for her.
Sai left, leaving Naruko to contemplate Sakura's decision. The sand trio arrived next, dropping the bomb shocking news that Sasuke attacked the Five Kage Summit— of course, Sasuke just had to be involved. After notifying Kakashi how he was being considered the next Hokage due to Danzo's actions, Gaara was the first to notice how motionless Naruko had become and walked up to the blonde.
"Naruko, I know Sasuke means a lot to you, but you should ask yourself: Do you mean the same to him? Can he really be saved at this point? He has completely descended into darkness. His eyes show nothing but hatred and revenge. I care for you, Naruko, but if you really wish to become Hokage one day, then you must be prepared to face these types of tough decisions." Gaara wanted to say more, hoping to at least bring life back into those beautiful azure orbs he first fell in love with, but he knew that the blonde needed to hear the truth.
Soon after the Sand Trio took their leave, Naruko's ears blocked out the entire situation happening behind her. The only thing on her mind was Sasuke. If he knew the truth, the same masked man told them about the Uchiha Clan massacre, Naruko could only imagine what he was going through. Her heart wept for Itachi and the burden he carried. All for the precious little brother that he so dearly loved.
Feeling a weight settle on her heart, Naruko's hands clutched at her chest. Her nose sniffed as old memories of Team Seven flashed through her head. They might not have had a long run, but they shared a bond. She remembered Sasuke and how they were before they became teammates. In these memories, the two were either bickering or fighting.
Flash forward to fond memories of her breaking into Sasuke's apartment and his annoyance with her made the pain in her chest hurt worse. Naruko saw the darkness in his eyes from the very beginning, but she failed to stop him from going down this path.
"S-Sasuke..." A cry of his name escaped her lips, unable to breathe when she imagined the many nights he cried with no one to hold or comfort him.
"Naruko?" Kakashi sensed something wrong with her. Naruko had lost people who were precious to her, and the thought of losing Sasuke sent her crashing to her knees. She desperately tried to scream, but no sound would come out.
'I can't lose him! I can't lose Sasuke! Please don't take him away from me!' Tremors shook her body as hot tears fell from her eyes. Reaching a hand out, an image of Sasuke appeared before her. She couldn't give up on him! If she was the light to his darkness, then Sasuke was the darkness to her light! Neither could survive without the other. Team Seven was her family, yet why was it falling apart?!
"Damn it, Kakashi, she's hyperventilating!" cursed Yamamoto.
"Naruko, hang in there!" Kakashi's concerned voice reached Naruko just as darkness started to swallow her even as her eyes started to close, Naruko could still see Sasuke's back facing her.
'Sasuke... I can't lose another precious person!'
End of I Can't Lose You