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Chapter 6: Reunion of Lovers
Naruto's P.O.V.
RING RING RING
"Shit," I groan as I roll over to grab my alarm clock. It reads 6 o'clock am; time for me to get up and get ready for my mission.
I place the alarm clock back on my nightstand before standing up and doing some stretching.
"You ready for this?" Kyuubi ask with a smirk on his face.
"You know it. No matter what, I'm bringing him back today!"
"That's my boy. Go get em, son,"
With excitement bubbling in my stomach, I race to the bathroom to shower. I take the shampoo and lather my hair and tail with it. Next, I take my washcloth, load a small pile of body wash on it and use to scrub every inch of my body, making sure to not miss a spot. Satisfied with being covered head to toe in soap, I lean forward and let the hot water wash over me. I stare down at my feet and watch as the soap runs down my face, torso, tail and legs before finally going into the drain. During this time, my thoughts are full of nothing but Sasuke.
How much I miss Sasuke. How much I love Sasuke. How much I just want to hold him in my arms. How lonely I felt most nights, wishing that I would rewind time. Wising I was stronger back then so that he wouldn't have left. How much I hate myself for everything that has happened.
"Stop it," Kyuubi growls warningly.
"Sorry,"
Shaking my head free of those thoughts, I reach forward to turn off the water and step out of the shower. I shake myself free of some of the water before grabbing a towel, an annoying habit Sasuke used to hate about me. I chuckle at the memory of the times he would scold me for doing it as I walk out of the bathroom and into my bedroom, grabbing a brush along the way.
I sit on my bed with the towel wrapped around my waist and start to brush my tail. That was one thing that really made me miss Sasuke. He loved brushing my tail. It was like a relaxation technique for him. But, h mostly would do it because I would always complain about having to do it or if I didn't do it then my fur would knot up easily.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
"Hm? Who could that be?" I put the brush down and reach into my drawer for a part of my orange jumpsuit pants and boxers. The person knocks again. "Hold on a second," I call out. I manage to put on my pants and boxers and slip my tail into the hole in the back before answering the door. "Oh Sakura, it's you?"
"Naruto! You're half naked!" she shrieks with her hands over her eyes.
"Well, you were the one who knocked on my door when I was getting out of the shower. Would you have preferred I answered the door in my bath towel?" I laugh while crossing my arms over my chest.
"I guess that's fair," she sighs as she removes her hands.
"So, what are you doing here anyway, it's not time to meet Yamamoto and that asshole Sai yet is it?"
"No, I just wanted to come by to talk to you. Do you mind if I come in?"
"Sure," I step aside and let her into my small apartment. "What's up?" I say as I close the door. I notice that Sakura does not say anything as she looks around my place. "Something wrong?"
"I've never been in your apartment before, it's so small," she says before looking at me and apologizing. "Sorry, I didn't mean~"
"It's alright," I interrupt her with a smile. "I've lived here since I was seven years old. It's been my home all these years, so it's fine. I know it's small,"
I watch her white ears droop along with her face at the situation. "I know but still"
An awkward silence fills the air. I clear my throat to change the subject. "What did you want to talk about?"
"Why were you so offended by what Sai yesterday?"
"Are you kidding me? He's a rude asshole. Why aren't you offended?" I ask while walking to my bedroom to finish getting dressed.
"I was, at first, but then I realized that with his past, maybe he does not understand how to interact with people. He told me he never had any friends and everything he learned about people he had to learn from books," Sakura informs.
"Wow, I had no idea. But I still didn't like how he insulted Sasuke and my friendship like that,"
"I agree, but we are still teammates with the same goal of rescuing Sasuke, so we have to get along. And besides, doesn't it feel like we have Sasuke back kinda?" Sakura giggles.
I walk out in my black tank top and fishnet shirt with my jacket in my arm. "What do you mean?"
"Sai, I know he doesn't act like Sasuke, but doesn't h kind of look like Sasuke?"
"Hell no! Sasuke looks way better than that robotic moron. And at least he acts like a real person. Sasuke had real emotions. He cared, he protected, he loved~" I trail off, thinking about how much I miss him again. Shaking it off, I move to get a thing of cereal from the cabinet. "Besides, they're not even the same animal technically. Sasuke's a cat. What's Sai? A Puma?"
"A panther actually. A Black Panther to be exact," she corrects.
"See, how can you think them the same?"
"I don't know. I just really miss him. I wish he'd come back to us," she sighs as she sits across from me as rests her head on her hand.
"Yeah… I miss him too…"
"But we'll bring him back soon!" she smiles.
"Right!"
I quickly finish my cereal and pack my stuff before heading out the door with Sakura.
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We meet up with Yamato and Sai by the gate.
"Well good morning to you two," Yamato smiles. "I remembered that we never got a chance to properly introduce ourselves to each other. Tell us your name, what species of animal you are and what is your main role is. You call my Yamato and as you can tell from my flat tell and slightly buck teeth, I am a beaver and a wood type ninja. Now, who's next?"
"I'll go. You can just call me Sai. I am a Black Panther and an art style ninja,"
"I'm Sakura Haruno. I'm a bunny and a medical nin,"
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki. I am a fox and I'm a wind type. One day I plan on being Hokage," I smirk.
"Good," he says before pulling out a map and playing it out for us. "Alright, from the information I received from Lady Tsunade and Master Jiraiya, Orochimaru's hideout is somewhere underground in this area. It'll take us about a few days to reach there, so we'll have plenty of time to get acquainted with each other," he smiles as he looks around at us, none of us saying anything back. "Right, let's get going,"
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Sasuke P.O.V.
(3 Days Later) (Meanwhile)
"Damn, I'm still not strong enough," I thought to myself as I sit on my bed and stare at my hands.
Three years passed since I left The Leaf Village and Naruto to serve Orochimaru. I use to wonder what they thought of me: Sakura, Kakashi, and most importantly Naruto. Am I traitor in their eyes? It doesn't really matter I guess. Well, except for Naruto. What does he think? How does he feel? Does he still love me? Has he moved on yet? Can't say I blame him. I wasn't the best boyfriend. I choose power and revenge over love, if you want to look at it that way. At first, I thought that, if I killed Itachi, then I could come back to the village and to Naruto. But as time progressed, I soon grew cold, calculating, and callous, except for Naruto. I will always have a soft spot for Naruto. I will always love him.
I reach into my kimono top and pull out the red jewel Naruto got me and held it in my hand. Whenever I wanted to give up or quit, I would look at the jewel and feel his love course through my veins and it would keep me going through these three years. I miss him dearly.
"Sasuke," Orochimaru says as he enters my room.
I sigh while putting the jewel back in my shirt. "What did I tell you about coming into my room unannounced?"
"I just wanted to tell you how proud of you I was. You've come so far in your training. If you keep this up, then you'll soon be able to defeat your brother and then your body will be mine,"
"I remember our deal. Is that all?" I glare.
"Hmm? Feisty today, aren't we? You must be cranky. Why don't I have Kabuto bring you some tea to help you relax? Would you like that?"
"Hn. Do as you wish," I say before turning my back towards him.
He doesn't say a word as he exits my room. Again, I am alone with my thoughts of avenging my clan and Naruto, the love I'll never get back. The situation I placed myself into was one where I was never going to come out as a winner. It was either let Itachi live and risk him coming after Naruto or kill Itachi: avenging my clan and protect Naruto, while also losing Naruto. I would rather lose him to protect him then to lose him to death. I regret losing him at all, but there was no other way; no other way I could see.
I start to lose track of how much time I spend lost in my thoughts of Naruto only to have the sound of my bedroom door open again. Thinking that it was Kabuto or Orochimaru again, I get ready to turn around and glare at them angrily, but something stops me. I slightly lift my nose into the air and take in the new scent, but before I can give the new scent any thought, three ink snakes attack me. I quickly unsheathe my sword and strike them down. I turn my head towards the door where a young black panther is standing there with a glare on his face.
"The records and sources I have on you do not lie. You are just as good as they say you are, Sasuke Uchiha," he speaks.
I can feel my ears fold back against my skull and my tail flicking violently as I return the glare, "Who the hell are you?" I ask in calm voice. As he walks into my room, the panther puts on the fakest smile I've ever seen, making me glare harder, "I won't ask again," my hand tightens around the hilt of my sword.
"My, my, the records said you can be a little impatient I think that's an exaggeration. My name is Sai and my mission is to bring you back to the Leaf Village,"
"Hn," I loosen the hilt of my sword, but never release or sheathe it as I stand up to face him. "They sent a runt like you to bring me back to the village? They must be desperate for help if they think that someone like you, alone, is good enough to bring me back," I smirk to myself.
"Ah, but I'm not alone. I can see you haven't heard the news. I am your replacement on Team 7, I have been working closely with Naruto on this retrieval mission for a while now,"
This shocks me. Not only have they thought that this person was good enough to replace me, but that he's been working with Naruto to bring me back?
"Naruto's still looking for me? After all this time, I thought he gave up on me, but he spent his time putting his dreams and aspirations aside to come find me and bring me back? Hn, I guess I've been on his mind too all these years,"
On the inside, I can feel myself give a little bit of a smile at the thought that Naruto is trying to save me. On the outside, I try to keep my cool and remain emotionless. I guess the smile slipped through my mask slightly.
"Ah, I see I have your attention. It's a shame though. Naruto is a good spirit; bright and cheery. Too bad he wants to waste it on saving you,"
"What ae you talking about?" I glare at him in annoyance and anger.
"In the time that I have spent with Naruto, I can tell that he cares deeply for you. Hell, I would even go as far as to maybe say that he loves you from the passion he expresses whenever you're brought up. But, the reading I'm getting from you is selfish. You only seem to care about yourself and your needs. You abandoned someone who has put his entire life on hold just to bring you back and for what? Nothing, that's what. It's simply pathetic and if I were Naruto, I would move on with my life instead of wasting it on yours. You don't deserve him and you never did,"
"Shut up!" I growl at him, my hold tightening back on my sword. "I've had enough of you and your "observations". You don't know anything about Naruto nor I. You don't know why I did what I did or what Naruto is the way he is. I know more about him than you could ever hope to think about, so you can just shut up about us. However, you are right about one thing: I don't deserve Naruto. I don't deserve his time, his kindness and certainly not his heart. I makes life so easy for anyone who encounters him while I can destroy it in seconds. I regret everything I am doing to him, but it's something that I must do and if I hurt him so that he can move on in the process, then so be it. Being with him was more than I could ever hope to ask for out of both life and a significant other, but it's over now… just like your life. I'm going to kill you and keep running until Naruto can no longer nor wants to find me. But at least there is one thing that I had that you'll never even begin to comprehend and that's what love between two people truly is,"
He brings his hands up and starts to slowly clap, "Excellent speech Uchiha, too bad I don't have a reward for you. You know, my original mission from Danzo was to kill you, but thanks to Naruto, I have decided to spare your life and the bond you formed with him. You should thank him for that. But, despite what you think of me or my skills, you're coming back with me one way or another,"
"I'd like to see you try," I threaten
He quickly draws a scroll from his backside and draws a lion that comes to life. I jump back and use my sword to defend myself. Using my strength, I push the drawn lion back before cutting through it. Once it is out of my way, I rush towards Sai. I bring my sword down, but he blocks it with a tantō. We stay like this for a little while until I notice that he pulls out paper bombs from his back pouch. I jump back in time to save myself, but I can't say the same for the wing my room is in.
I manage to jump up on higher ground and wait for the smoke to clear. Below, Sai is kneeling in the rubble of what used to be the wing of my room. I watch his struggle slightly to stand while readying myself for another attack. I could sense that he was about to come at me, but something stops him. He turns to his left where a tunnel remains and sees Sakura running out.
"So, she's here too? I wonder where Naruto and Kakashi are?"
I think to myself while watching the exchange. The bunny angrily grabs Sai by the collar of his shirt and starts yelling at him about something. The only thing that comes to mind while staring at the two is that nothing has changed about the pink haired bunny except that she grew louder and stronger, I can feel her strength radiating from her. It makes me wonder who she studied under.
Deciding to break up the exchange, I call out her name, "Sakura,"
She slowly turns her head towards me as her emerald green eyes widen in shock. It really has been a long time.
"Sasuke-kun?" she whispers loud enough for me to catch it.
I was about to say something to her, but I stop when Naruto runs out of the same tunnel. Through the bright sun, I can see even brighter, longer blond hair blowing in the gentle breeze surrounding us. His bright, ocean blue eyes stare deep into my soulless black ones. Old emotions and feelings come back and begin to rise within my chest as we continue to stare at each other. I take deep breaths to control the urge to run to him. I am impressed by the man he's turned into. Just when I thought that Naruto Uzumaki could not get anymore handsome, I was wrong. The whisker marks on his thinned-out cheeks seem slightly darker than I remember. The coat on the tail I miss brushing for him seems to have gotten healthier over the years. And, even though we were a good distance apart from each other, I could tell that he's grown taller than me. I give a slight chuckle to myself at his outfit, it's good to see that orange is still his favorite color.
"At least that's one thing that will never change,"
"Sasuke…" he calls out, making my very bones shiver inside my own skin.
"Naruto… it's been a long time…" I finally muster up the courage to say.
"It has… Sakura-chan, Sai, Yamato, and I came all this way to bring you home, Sasuke," he speaks.
"Is that so?" I turn my head to see a man with spiky brown hair beaver standing next to Naruto. "You must be Kakashi's replacement, where is he anyway?"
"That information is classified to the likes of you. What you need to know right now is that you are to be brought back by us on the orders of the Fifth Hokage: Lady Tsunade," Yamato says as he takes a step forward.
Sai pulls out his tantō once more and holds it straight out in the air, causing Sakura to yell at him once more, "Sai, you bastard, we know all about your mission to kill Sasuke. But we won't let you do that without a fight. You heard Captain Yamato, we're bringing him back alive with or without you,"
"I know that and that's what I am doing. I know you know about my mission to kill Sasuke, but thanks to Naruto, I have changed my mind. I am acting on my own accord now. I will assist in the capture and return of Sasuke Uchiha. Maybe the bond that all of you share will help remind me of what it was like to feel again. Or at least, that is my hope,"
"This is touching," I interrupt. "Not only did the four of you come all this way to try and bring me back with this talk about bonds and love nonsense, but you actually think any of this will work against me,"
"Drop the act Sasuke. Remember, I know the truth of who you really are," Naruto says with a slight glare at me.
It only throws me off because it's not something I'm used to seeing, even when we were together.
Trying to remain tough, I throw a smirk on, "Oh really? You really think you can bring me back to the village without much of a fuss?"
"I know I can," Naruto says, asserting himself as well as his alpha status over me.
Trying my hardest to keep my bones from shaking in my skin, I take a deep breath before lunging at him. I only give myself enough momentum to land in front of him. With being this close, I can see that Naruto actually stands at 6"0 to my 5"9. A slight difference from the last time we were together, but just enough to where we can still be face to face
We were so close that I can feel his heart beating within his chest, just as I am sure he can feel the same from me.
"You know Naruto, I remember a time where you wanted to be Hokage… is that still your dream?" I ask.
I can feel him chuckle against me, making me quiver… I was not handling this closeness well.
"Yes, Sasuke it still is my dream to become Hokage. And sure, I could have been studying to do that instead of getting stronger to bring you back. But someone who can't even save one friend isn't fit to become Hokage, right Sasuke?"
"Hn," I reach behind me and start to unsheathe my sword, "Then since you have failed in both, I'll just kill you and make it easier for the both of us,"
"Sasuke-kun, no!" Sakura screams.
I can see everyone running towards us to try and stop me, but Naruto is the one who grips my wrists with such force, even I am surprised.
"Stay back!" Naruto orders. "This is our fight. I will defeat him myself,"
He shoves one of my wrists away before elbowing me in the stomach. I bring my sword down but he back flips out of the way. He brings out a few kunai and throws them at me. I use my sword to block them, but he's already made a Rasengan and is now running towards me. Thinking quickly, I put my blade away and create a Chidori in my hand and ready myself for his attack. We run towards each other in what seems like slow motion. I can tell from the look in both of our eyes that neither one of us want this, but we had to do what needs to be done to still preserve what we had.
Just as we were about to connect, a few snakes grip onto me and hold me in place. I dispel my Chidori in favor of struggling against them. I can see the worry in Naruto's eyes as he sees me struggling. He also dispels his Rasengan in favor of trying to help me.
"Get away from me!" I scream at him, making him stop in front of me.
"But why?" he asks quietly.
"It's best you do as he says," We both look besides us to see Orochimaru approaching. Naruto jumps back from the two of us to get a safe distance from the snake himself. "It's good to see all of you again. It's been a long time,"
"What are you doing? I was just about to finish him off?" I say as I continue to struggle.
"I'm sorry to interrupt your little reunion, but we must be going. We have other matters to attend to and I have plans for these four. I cannot let you harm any of them until my plan has come to fruition. Now, if you quit struggling, I'll let you go," I do as he says and soon he dismisses the snakes. "Very good. Now, it's time we depart. Come Sasuke,"
I nod before jumping to the above ground level from before. With one last pleading look, I turn towards Naruto, "Go home and don't come after me again," and with that, we take off before anyone can follow us.
My only hope is that Naruto takes my advice and forgets me, despite how much it hurts.
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Normal P.O.V.
Everyone, with a sense of defeat, watches as Sasuke and Orochimaru escapes right in front of them. Soon their attention turns towards an angry, growling Naruto. The angry fox turns towards the boulder next to him, reels his fist back before thrusting it forward and destroying it.
Trying to comfort her friend, Sakura walks over to him and places a hand on his shoulder, "Naruto~"
"I'm going after them,"
"What?!" everyone gasps in confusion and shock.
"This is my fight. He is my friend. That is my bond. I'm going after him. You guys go home," Naruto orders.
"I can't let you do that," Yamato says, standing firm in front of the angry fox teen.
"Try and stop me if you think you can,"
"Don't make me do this Naruto," Yamato pleads with his hands slowly moving to form a hand sign.
Naruto turns to take off after Sasuke, but is stopped by Sakura. With a clenched fist, she delivers a powerful punch to his abdomen, making him fall to the floor unconscious. Before he could hit the ground, Yamato forms his hand signs to place him in a wooden box.
"You think this will hold him?" Sakura asks.
"Yes, just enough until we can get back to the village, even if he wakes up,"
"This does not bold well for us," Sai sighs as he moves to grab one end of the box.
"I know. We need to report everything to Lady Tsunade and the others as soon as we reach the village," Yamato says as he does the same.
"What exactly do we tell her?" Sakura asks.
"We'll figure it out on our way there. For now, let's just focus on getting back there,"
Sai and Sakura nod at Yamato before the trio takes off with a boxed Naruto in tow. The situation was not a good one nor did it look good for the Leaf Village. What was the plan that Orochimaru had in story for them and Sasuke? Did Sasuke actually leave on his own free will or was he kidnapped after all? Nothing made sense to them, but that was for them as well as the others to figure out later. For now, it was time to go home and rethink and regroup.
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To Be Continued…