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Covenant
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Synopsis: Everyone is dead or hunted. The Allies lost. The war is over.
Treacherous seal marring her neck as a collar, Madara parades her like a victory trophy.
And though he gave her to his patriarch—betrayed her in the worst of ways—
Here, in The End, Sasuke Uchiha is all Sakura has left.
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2:20. Earth
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WIND CAME and went like its namesake. How many days she spent in the country—how many bases they visited—the number of times she returned to Orochimaru's lab—the prisoners Madara showed to his followers—Sakura didn't know. Hadn't felt or seen any of it. Wasn't sure if she'd even been awake.
Sasuke was called away more than ever. Most nights, Madara summoned him for meetings or missions. They weren't intimate even once in the desert. They rarely saw one another except during travels. This part she remembered clearly—
That after Kajura's attack, Sasuke stopped giving her his company. His comfort.
It's something like… A test, Sasuke explained once. She hadn't said a thing, but he must've heard it in her thoughts. If I react poorly or disobey Madara right now, things get more complicated for everyone. I need to pacify him for the time being…
His explanation rang hollow. What mattered was the fact that he wasn't there.
So it was Suigetsu by her side now. Suigetsu and Kahyo. Gengo and Kirisame kept their distance from her while maintaining the parameters of their bases. With Sasuke, they were the five guards left.
Renga fled with Kajura after his attack. Encased in metal caskets, Kahyo and Gengo were incapacitated when Sasuke left their tent to dole out punishment. Kirisame was on his hands and knees, begging for mercy. Promising he hadn't planned to do anything. Swearing he disagreed with Kajura but hadn't tried to stop it because Kajura could easily beat him in a fight.
A coward's answer.
That he didn't run may have saved his life in the future, though it didn't save him from the long, bloody, violent discipline Sasuke rendered that night.
After that—Sasuke was largely missing. He came back for only brief moments before leaving too soon. No matter how Sakura wished for it, there was nothing she could do to stop him. Nothing she could say to keep him.
But even in his absence: The world kept turning. And Sakura stood there in place, watching it turn by the minute, never once wanting it to slow down or pick up. Never once thinking anything about it. She was empty and silent. Eyes open, yet mind asleep. Body moving, yet not present.
Still as a rock in the wind; powerless as a leaf on a river; quiet as a corpse.
Then, one day, she blinked—and they were in Earth Country.
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"I made it to Earth. Kill me like you promised."
"What?"
"Kill. Me. Like. You. Promised," Sakura repeated from the sleeping mat, without any energy to sit up and greet him. Her throat was hoarse from underuse.
They'd arrived in Earth Country two days ago. Tonight was the first time she'd seen him since she realized that. Well, she thought it'd been two days...
It'd definitely been more than one. And...probably less than a handful.
Sasuke stood in the entryway, Akatsuki cloak halfway off, shoulders stiff. "I never promised I'd kill you."
"Yes. But it's the easiest way."
"Easiest way to…?"
"Well, are you going to give me access to my chakra to do it?" she asked rhetorically, annoyed. "Or a weapon? And anyway, if I do it myself, Madara will punish the prisoners. So it's best if you do it. You can think of an explanation afterward."
If Orochimaru's log was to be believed, it'd be difficult for Sasuke to kill her—not impossible, so long as she accepted it. Once the act was done, he might experience some pain, but Sasuke was strong enough to overcome that sort of side effect.
That was if Orochimaru's log was to be believed.
The Sannin had independent reasons to lie about the nature of the seal, after all. He benefitted from telling her that her death might harm Sasuke. Should she buy such a thing, she was more likely to avoid it—and even from the grave, Orochimaru had a stake in her survival. Even more so from the grave.
Entry 39 couldn't be trusted. Its author was a notorious snake.
Some of the words held logic, though. Sakura couldn't assume her death wouldn't somehow impact Sasuke and their seal.
"Mm…" Regaining himself, he shifted out of the cloak and removed his sandals. "I believe the agreement was to happen after we got to Hidan's base."
"Really, Sasuke? You said I just needed to reach Earth."
"Really, Sakura. I clarified that I meant Hidan's base."
Her eyes felt hot. Rolling onto her side to face the stone wall of their underground room, Sakura released a shaky sigh. What was the point of arguing? He would win. She'd just be frustrated—and still alive—when it concluded.
"How much longer till we get there, then?"
"...Exactly one week."
Sakura didn't reply. She didn't turn around to seek his embrace when he lay beside her a few minutes later, either; even though it'd been a number of nights since they'd shared a bed. And when Sasuke's arm slid over her waist and gently pulled them together as he seemed to like, it felt more like the bars of a cage than it ever had.
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Sasuke was gone for six whole days after that.
Sakura remembered little more than waking up and falling asleep while he was missing. Sunlight was filled with memories of home and friends and longing; nighttime was a mess of blood and failure and sorrow.
Reality rarely broke through. But when it did, she was in an unfamiliar land, surrounded by unfamiliar people, paraded around like a marionette. She'd close her eyes and recoil back into herself as soon as she perceived it.
When he returned on the sixth evening, he was wistful and strange, glancing her way occasionally. Opening his mouth as if to say something and closing it right after like a fish out of water. She watched impassively while he paced around their small travel tent, brows pinched in reflection.
As if making an impulsive decision, he abruptly stalked to the sleeping mat after half an hour, tugging off his outside clothes and slipping under the sheets.
Without questioning the odd behavior, she simply made room for him. And when the fingers of one hand snuck under her shirt, the knuckles of the other tilting her head back to capture her lips, she let it happen. When he kissed down her clothed stomach and buried his mouth between her legs, she didn't bother with her usual pleas that he not—that it was embarrassing, that she hadn't showered.
Sakura let him do as he pleased. Tried to let herself feel as much as she could. It—wasn't much.
She was trying, but…
They hadn't connected in a long time. Too long. Too late. He'd left her alone too much. He was all she had left and he knew that and yet he'd—
"Sakura." Lifting himself up, Sasuke settled his hips where his face had been. "Can we just…be together tonight without—all of that?"
It was in his dojutsu, only inches away from her now. A hint of melancholy. A spark of regret. He'd heard her thinking—heard that she was trying but didn't feel...
Anything.
"I'm trying," she murmured.
"Aa… I know. I'm sorry."
He kissed her again, slowly this time. Softly. She tasted herself on his lips, felt the yearning pulse on her neck. Heard an idea whispering through the seal, apparently too strong to be held beneath his chakra block.
Tonight is the last night.
Startled by the hushed words, she froze. Perhaps misreading her hesitancy, Sasuke instantly withdrew from the kiss, tugging her sleeping gown back down.
"I shouldn't have asked. We don't need to. I'm good with sleeping, too, so let's do that."
She locked her knees around his hips before he could move. "No, Sasuke. I didn't—that's not—" Hidan's base. They'd be at Hidan's base tomorrow. In her current state of mind, she'd completely forgotten about their last conversation and the timeline he'd given her. Completely forgot that tonight really was the last night. "I want to. I do, so... Don't pull away."
"It's okay. You don't need to force yourself." The corner of his lip twitched. "I'm really fine with sleeping beside you, Sakura. More than fine."
"But I'm not. It was just—well, it's been a while, but I'll get in the mood. I want to," she repeated, holding his gaze and nodding. Lifting her head forward, she pecked his cheek. "Really."
It wasn't a lie. She did want to. It was her last night to be with him, and she wanted to be with him in the way only she could. No one else in the world could have this. Not from him, not from her.
They should be together. Maybe in another life, they would've been. In this life, they couldn't be. They'd never be.
But tonight, they could have this. They should have this.
Pulling the hem of his shirt up, she pressed a chaste kiss to his mouth. "...Do you not want to anymore?"
That was all it took. Sasuke seized control immediately.
The sex was a bit different than what they usually had. Slower. More sensual. Not as rough as she'd come to expect. Rather than the wild touches he typically preferred, his fingers were soothing as they skimmed her body. His teeth were gentle where they grazed her skin. Their kisses were longer and deeper than she was used to.
It was something a little less like fucking and a little more like—making love, maybe?
She lacked the experience to name it. It was easier leaving it without one.
Although she hadn't been into it when he first propositioned, she came quickly as he held her tight. Then she came again—and he'd kept going until she was close to a third one, but he shuddered inside her 30 seconds too soon. Before she could be disappointed, however, his hand dipped between them and sank into her. Bringing her to climax a final time.
She collapsed on his chest, panting as his arm wrapped around her shoulders and tucked her closer.
It…felt like a goodbye.
For as much as she wished for her death, the finality of the moment shouldn't have hurt as much as it did. Sakura swallowed down the lump in her throat, pivoting her thoughts to her breathing and keeping it as even as possible.
She wasn't going to cry. Absolutely not. Not over this—and not right after sex.
It was a goodbye, one that she wanted, and there was nothing to cry about.
Eventually, Sasuke broke the increasingly uncomfortable silence. "I've been debating whether to tell you something or not."
"...Why wouldn't you tell me?"
She was thankful for the promise of conversation. Anything to distract her from the growing chasm in her chest was welcome.
"It goes against what I agreed to. I don't like going back on my word, but…"
"Agreed to with whom?"
"With you."
Peering up, she caught his gaze with a frown. "So you're thinking of going back on your promise? Sasuke… I'm done. Really, this time. I know you feel it too. I can't survive like this much longer, whether you let me die or not…"
"That's not what I'm talking about." Sighing, he brushed her hair off her cheeks and slid his sights to the tent's ceiling. "Tomorrow…"
"Yes…?"
His jaw flexed. "There's... An attack planned tomorrow. On Hidan's base."
"The speech is tomorrow, though... Isn't it?"
"Aa. If it goes as planned, it'll begin when the speech starts."
"You're going to attempt your coup in front of all his followers?" Sakura hoped he wasn't serious. Even if she'd be gone, Sasuke should live on. He was strong—but battling Madara, a not-insignificant number of generals and lieutenants, and thousands of loyalists? "You'll be struck down trying to face that many alone, Sasuke. That's just—foolish."
"I won't be alone, and the stadium isn't the target. They're attacking the prison."
Her heart stopped. Her lungs hitched, mind blanked, muscles tensed.
The turning world came to a halt.
"They?"
"Aa… The Allies."
"Sasuke—" Lurching up, she pinned him down to the mat by his shoulders, legs still tangled in his, regarding him with desperation. "What? What did you say? Say it again!" She shook her head in disbelief. "No. You're lying. You can't—how? No. How do you know?"
"Breathe, Sakura. I'm not—"
"How do you know!" she shouted. "Stop ignoring me! Explain yourself or—"
Hands wrapping around her wrists, his thumbs smoothed over the tendons on their underside. "Breathe. And listen, okay? I'll explain."
Nodding, she tried to reign in her gasps. "O-okay. But—"
"This has been the plan all along," he confessed. "Since the Allies fell in Lightning, they've been biding their time to attack the final coordinate. Hidan's base was built over the last of Hashirama's cells… Remember?"
"No. No, you're lying. It can't—everyone is dead. The rest are prisoners. There's no one left to free them—everyone's dead!" She felt the way her voice edged up in a scream. "You're lying! They're all dead—why are you saying these lies?!"
"Okay. Come here. Lay down." Sasuke opened his arms wide, encouraging her into them. He let her resist for a moment before tugging her down onto him anyway, guiding her head to the crook of his neck. "You've seen how many Madara's caught in the last few months. Plenty of Allies escaped into hiding safely. Even some who were captured and cut down managed to survive. They aren't all dead."
All she could manage was a bewildered, "What?!"
"I know it's sudden for you. I would've told you a long time ago, but I made that stupid promise, and Shikamaru—"
"Shikamaru? Sasuke—is Shikamaru alive?!"
"...He is."
She was shaking against him. None of this made any sense. It'd been half a year—over half a year. And they—they were alive? They were planning an attack? It was impossible.
If they were alive, why did they wait so long?
Why did they leave her here so long...?!
"What about—" But the names of those she most wanted to know the status of caught in her throat. It was a question she couldn't handle the answer to, so it was best left unasked. "No. Nevermind. I—I don't understand. This doesn't make sense. How do you know? You, of all people? You betrayed the Allies! So why now? And why are you telling me? Is this—is it just some ploy to keep from having to kill me tomorrow, or to stop me from killing myself?!"
"It's no ploy, Sakura… It's a strategy that's taken months to develop. It's been changed so many times. It'd take hours to explain everything. You'll just have to trust me. I'm not lying."
His words tumbled in her thoughts like clothes being washed. They didn't sound like lies. His tight hold didn't feel like it bore any deceit.
But it still made no sense. Because if he was telling the truth, and the Allies had planned an attack on Madara for months, and Sasuke knew about all the changes and details, then that meant—
"...Are you working with the Allies, Sasuke?"
"I've been working with them since last February," he conceded, smoothing down the hair on the crown of her head. "Our agreement was never dissolved...and you're still here as my contact."
"This whole time...?"
"The whole time."
"Why didn't you say anything?" she asked incredulously. "How can you expect me to believe that when you've acted like you abandoned them since the war ended? You've been working with the Allies this whole time? Sasuke—you acted like you'd betrayed me when I got here!"
He hesitated. "It—wasn't what I wanted to do."
She couldn't accept this. It was utterly insane. What game was Sasuke trying to play? What advantage was he vying for in telling her such a thing? In making up such a ridiculous story?
Him? Working with the Allies? Since the beginning?
Without telling her? Worst than that—actively making her think he'd stabbed her in the back?
Then why had he killed Tsunade? Why did he follow Madara's orders all this time, knowing there was still a resistance out there opposing him? Why was she still here?!
"I'm not lying, Sakura," Sasuke insisted earnestly, grip tightening on her waist.
...But what if he was telling the truth?
If she ruminated on it—beyond the absurdity and shock—he didn't gain much from telling her such a blatant lie, destined to show its falsehood in less than 12 hours. She was already beholden to his whims and orders. Nothing held him to any promise he'd given her in the past, no matter how many times she reminded him of it.
He had no reason to foster this sort of hope if it didn't hold some truth. He wasn't so cruel that he'd do it for entertainment, nor so heartless he'd do it out of spite.
She at least knew him that well, after all this time.
So—what if he was telling the truth?
"The Allies are… They're coming?" she queried, eyes darting up to his. Frightened by the emotions birthing within her. A hope that could've crushed mountains pervaded every cell. Joy that would've brought an army to its knees saturated her. "Really?"
"They're definitely coming."
"Tomorrow? To Hidan's base?"
"Aa." There wasn't any hint of deception in the spin of his Rinnegan. "Tomorrow."
"Are you telling the truth? You're not lying to me?"
Hope was so dangerous. All it could lead to was devastating disappointment, yet—
She wanted desperately to believe him.
"I've gotten you this far, haven't I?" Sasuke dipped his head down and kissed her. "So trust that I'll get you to the end."
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She'd wanted to get more answers out of him, but Sasuke managed to put her to sleep before she could ask anything more—as was likely his plan. That last kiss had morphed into a second round of heated embrace before she could stop it, and that one faded into another shortly after it was done.
By the time he'd nudged her awake, it was already time to leave.
The dosage of calmative he handed her was half the amount she usually took in the mornings. Probably for the best if she was to be part of some alleged battle, but risky given her…state.
Sasuke rushed her through washing and dressing and pushed her out of the tent in minutes.
She still wasn't sold on the story he'd tried to sell last night, but she couldn't deny the jittery air that hovered about his person. Something was clearly in the works, be it the Allies' or his own plan.
Their travel party reached Hidan's base in less than two hours. Sasuke sent the other guards away without any instructions except to report for the speech in 30 minutes. Once the last one left, he motioned for her to follow, approached the nearest open food stall, and bought them breakfast.
The two of them made their way through the streets leisurely after that, hiding their identities in the deep hoods of their cloaks. Although she had no appetite, Sakura dutifully ate the sandwich handed to her.
The growing city looked nicer than she remembered it. The buildings were a bit more polished, the streets a bit more even with use. From the clothes of those wandering about, it seemed more civilians moved in since winter. Vendors lined the sidewalks selling everything from food to trinkets to weapons to home goods.
She was noticing more than she had in weeks. Feeling more than she'd felt in months. As if she'd woken from a coma and re-entered the real world.
Sweat trickled down her spine as the sun beamed against her black robes. The scent of grilled chicken and fried eggs wafted in the breeze. The murmur of a crowd buzzed in the direction they walked towards.
"Is it August?" she heard herself asking, vision jumping between the buildings they passed, studying their color and shape and the items in their windows.
"Not yet. Almost. It's July twenty-ninth."
The date tickled something in her brain. July. Something was near the end of July. Something important that she hadn't wanted to forget. July... Twenty-something. Was it the twenty-ninth?
No, that didn't sound right. The twenty-fifth, maybe? Or the twenty-th—
Her feet stuck to the dirt path as she whirled to confront him. "I missed your birthday."
"Doesn't matter. I haven't celebrated in many years." Crossing his arms, he nodded down the road. Even with his face hidden, she could visualize the exasperation on his brow as he spoke. "Let's not be late."
Sakura resumed her march, matching her steps to his. Whether he celebrated it or not, he'd remembered her birthday. Those small words had been like a small salvation back then—the least she could do was acknowledge his.
"Happy belated birthday, Sasuke," she whispered, voice low so no one would hear.
As she expected, however, he said nothing in response. And by the time they reached and took the stage, she'd forgotten about his birthday again.
Her thoughts were racing as she stared out into the crowd. If the Allies came—would all these people die? She was never one to wish death on strangers, but imagining these sneering enemies who'd cheered over her imprisonment torn apart and lifeless suddenly tasted sweeter than it ever had before.
But not only her thoughts; her blood, her nerves, her muscles: They were all restless with anticipation. She hadn't felt so alive since last winter. Hadn't felt this human in ages.
It'd been months since she expected anything—since she'd believed in something.
Were the Allies really coming? Today?
Could she truly hope for such a miracle?
The excavated stadium was as she remembered it from Madara's first victory speech. A row of masked Akatsuki lined the back of the raised podium. Thousands of shinobi filled the seats before them. Even the air smelled the same as its memory—even the Sasuke to her right donned his familiar static and apathetic demeanor.
On the surface, there was no change in this place. Only she was different.
Madara arrived minutes later. Sakura bit down on her tongue to settle herself, hard enough to draw blood. His hubris blinded him to many things as of late, but Madara wasn't a stupid man. She'd been little more than a mannequin through Fire and Wind—he'd grow suspicious if she looked too awake.
Her worries were empty. The Uchiha patriarch barely inspected her before smiling at the gathered crowd.
And why would he? she belatedly realized.
For quite a while now she'd assiduously followed him. Healing him whenever he called, disclosing bases whenever he asked, meekly standing by his side for these speeches. Even if she appeared more lively than usual, Madara would likely attribute it to Sasuke's attentions and puff it up for the crowd. She played the part of defeated prisoner so well that he had no reason to doubt her when nothing seemed amiss.
Before last night, it hadn't been a part to play; rather, it was the truth. Such a convincing performance through acting alone would've fallen flat in her hands.
She'd always been a lousy liar.
"It's good to be back at this grand base! Building seems to be coming along well since I last was here," Madara began. "Since that time, our army's been hard at work. As the base responsible for housing all that hard work, I'm sure I don't need to go into too much detail. But I would like to make note of some key points that everyone here should be proud of. To date, we've captured—"
A masked shinobi body-flicked to Madara's side, interrupting his words. Madara greeted him with a sour bearing as the intruder leaned forward and whispered something in his ear. Grasping her shaking hands behind her back, Sakura tried to quell the growing tension threatening to give her nausea.
It's started, declared Sasuke. Stay calm.
As the hormones of the order washed her in comfort, she trained her expression to stone, staring out into the crowd blankly. Caged her mind as best she could so it wouldn't spin out of control with excitement or stupefaction.
"So they've finally shown themselves. I knew they'd come out to play eventually." Madara turned to Sasuke with a feral grin. "Hide our prized captive and round up the troops, nephew. Then report to the prison." Facing the crowd once more, his voice boomed: "Your base is under attack! The cowards who've hidden away for months choose today to die! The moment we've been waiting for has presented itself to us after such a long wait! Everyone prepare for battle and report to the prison immediately, kill all enemies you encounter! Quickly now!"
The crowd stood as one, the promise of battle rippling over them. Shinobi lived to fight—and there hadn't been a real fight in nearly eight months.
Madara vanished only a second before the pops of ports and body-flickers filled the stadium. Sakura looked to Sasuke, eyes wide and sense scattered.
He was already kneeling, offering her his back. "Get on!" She fast obeyed. "Suigetsu, come! Everyone else—follow Madara's orders!"
The remaining shinobi on the podium jumped away, leaving her, Sasuke, and Suigetsu statue-like in the frantically dispersing crowd.
"What's my orders?" Suigetsu asked.
"Stop as many as you can before they get to the prison," Sasuke instructed lowly, jostling her into a better position on his back. "Then as many as you can inside without being seen."
"Got it."
"Stay clear of the Allies for now. Kill them if you must—"
"Sasuke!" she hissed.
"...Try not to, but most don't know your loyalties. If you get caught, tell them you're under my protection. All jonin should've been briefed about my cooperation before the attack."
Suigetsu scoffed. "Like that'll stop them. I was in the bingo book before this war even broke out."
"Just do as I say," Sasuke growled. "Find me when it's over. Go!"
"Maybe our medic can tend to me if I get any boo-boos?"
"Go."
A cloud fell upon the stadium seats, shrouding the area in dense fog. Shouts of confusion from those who hadn't left yet rang through the air.
Suigetsu winked at her. "See ya later, kid."
Then he lept into the mist. Sasuke jumped in the opposite direction, landed behind the podium, and took off into the flat, barren land of uninhabited Earth Country. Away from Hidan's base.
"Is this it, Sasuke?" she shouted in his ear, against the wind. "The Allies' attack?" He nodded. "Then where are we going? Why aren't we headed toward the prison? Or is the prison in this direction?"
We're meeting with someone who can keep you safe while you channel.
In the rush, she'd forgotten she didn't need to yell for him to hear. Who? Channel what?
Instead of answering, Sasuke increased his speed until it was hard for her to breathe—hard enough that she couldn't think of much else. Minutes later, he came to a stop, depositing her at the base of a large rock. Although it hadn't been her running, she hunched over, gulping in air. Trying to catch her breath.
"Listen carefully, Sakura. There's no time, so I can't answer your questions." Hands on her shoulders, he tugged her up and spun her around. Then fingers were in her hair, combing it into a ponytail. "You'll have to do as I say for now, alright?"
"Y-yes. Alright."
When he finished tying it, she felt him bend down. Glancing over her shoulder, she watched him zap off her suppressors. Warm and eager chakra swelled within her.
"Summon your slug and prepare yourself to channel Hundred Healings for as long as you can," he ordered, straightening himself. "...If you want."
It'd been so long since she summoned Lady Katsuyu. Longer since she channeled Hundred Healings.
"For...for how many?"
"How many can you manage?"
Casting her gaze to their sandals, she admitted, "I don't know. It's been a long time, Sasuke. I don't know if—"
"You can do it. I've seen it myself."
She caught his stare again. Of course, it was simply the words he needed to say in the moment...but still—they sounded sincere.
"So? What about ten thousand? Can you handle that?"
Ten thousand?! "Are there that many Allies coming?"
"More than that, but that number is sufficient." He observed her carefully. "Can you manage it?"
"...I can," she said, holding her breath. She'd been confident in such a number at the war's end. It was painful and challenging, but she'd been confident nonetheless. And she had the chakra to do it now. There was no reason she couldn't do it. Why was she so apprehensive? "Yes, I can," she repeated.
"Is it possible from here, or do you need to be closer?"
"How far away is the fight?"
Sasuke squinted into the distance as if he could see the battle. "About three miles."
"Lady Katsuyu can move through the ground, like Zetsu. This distance should be fine." That reminded her—"What about the Zetsu army? Where have they been? Do the Allies have the numbers to counter them?"
"They're out of commission in Fire. Madara keeps them locked away when there's no fighting. They aren't a problem if we finish this swiftly."
She wanted to ask more about that, but it wasn't the time or place. "Okay. Should I summon Lady Katsuyu now?"
"Wait for your guard to arrive."
Wiping her sweating palms on her robe, Sakura closed her eyes and started counting her breaths.
She was nervous. And not just about the battle, though that was the largest part of it.
What would she say to Lady Katsuyu? After all this time…
There were many opportunities she could've called upon Lady Katsuyu and chose not to. Was that something the summon could feel? Would Lady Katsuyu even cooperate with her anymore—even respond to the summoning jutsu? In the first place, Sakura was only permitted to make the contract because of her shishou. Now that Tsunade was—
"Stop that," Sasuke chastised. When she refocused on him, he was calmly wrapping sealing scrolls on his wrists. "Summons always remain loyal to those they contract with. It'll be fine. Your worrying is just a distraction."
She studied his work for a beat, letting his words sink in.
He was right. She'd gotten distracted. And there were numerous other things waiting to distract her further. Her throat was growing itchy with want of more calmative. A shadow of panic was clouding the back of her psyche, waiting for release. Hundreds of questions lay unanswered between her and Sasuke.
But right now, she couldn't afford to spiral. Worrying about those things wouldn't change the outcome, so she shouldn't let them derail her mind.
Turning in the direction Sasuke looked earlier, Sakura tried squinting, too. Tried to see the alleged battle breaking out in the distance. But aside from the shapes of buildings far on the horizon, hazy with the day's heat, she saw nothing.
Sasuke's irritated tone interrupted her thoughts: "You're late. And you—why are you here? You're supposed to be at the coordinate."
"Apologies. The enemy's positioned scouts outside the base. We had to come a different direction to avoid detection."
Sakura recognized that voice.
Spinning on her heel, mouth open in surprise—she met someone she assumed she'd never see again. Two someones.
The owl-masked ANBU bowed lowly to her. "I'm glad you're safe, Haruno."
And beside him—
"SAKURA!" A blond-haired, pig-tailed woman ran at her, their arms wrapping her up and lifting her off the ground with ease. "Sakura, oh my God, I've missed you—I missed you so much—I was so worried! You're okay! You're okay—there wasn't a day in these whole eight months I wasn't thinking about you—"
"Focus on the matter at hand!" Sasuke snapped, yanking the body away by the girl's collar and holding her at arm's length. "Have your reunion later! And what's with this appearance!"
Sakura stared at the flailing woman in shock. It was a face and body she'd seen before—years ago. But the whiskers were unmistakable. The blue eyes, the blond hair—
"...Naruto?"
"Sakura, I'm so sorry! I'm sorry! Please, don't be angry with me! I didn't know Madara would come like that—I wanted to find you as soon as I woke up, I swear, but no one would tell me where you were and when I found out, they wouldn't—"
"Focus, idiot!" Sasuke barked again, placing himself between the woman—Naruto—and Sakura. "Why are you even here? You're needed in the fight. You can't be her guard."
Peering around Sasuke, Sakura gaped at the female Naruto.
It was definitely Naruto. It had to be. Her chakra moved like Naruto's. The characteristics were all Naruto. The pattern of speech—the ridiculous orange clothing—the way Sasuke was snarling at her. It had to be Naruto in his Sexy Jutsu.
But...
Naruto was dead.
She'd felt him lifeless in Lightning. He died. He wasn't breathing, his heart wasn't pumping, his chakra was leaking out of him like a broken faucet. She'd felt it...!
He couldn't be here. This wasn't Naruto. Was she—could she be hallucinating? A hallucination from not taking enough calmative this morning? Or a dream? Maybe she was still asleep in the travel tent and none of this was real?
Or maybe...
Had they...Reanimated him...?
It will all be explained later, assured Sasuke, glare never leaving the woman he dangled before him. For now, you must keep it together. I know it's shocking for you, but your army needs you… This moron does, too.
"The ANBU's the guard, but I needed to see her!" the woman shouted, sounding exactly like a higher-pitched Naruto. "It's been eight months, you bastard! Let me go! Get off—move!"
"No! Go to the fight immediately, where your orders are! This is our one shot, and we can't make any mistakes. I can't believe you came here, idiot. You're jeopardizing the whole plan right now. This took months to strategize, yet—"
"Is that…really you, Naruto?" she interrupted, vision watering.
"What?! Of course it's me! I use this form to get around, but—"
"It's him," Sasuke confirmed, addressing her. "But he's leaving now, and you'll keep your wits about you, Sakura. Neither of you can afford to lose focus. You should both keep your minds on the fight and forget about this for now."
"But Sasuke, I don't underst—"
"Focus." Searching her for a second, Sasuke rounded on Naruto with a growl. "Look. You've caused trouble. So leave now, or I'll make you leave."
"The Uchiha is right, Naruto. Get to your position. I'll keep her safe," said the owl-masked ANBU.
Words that would hold Naruto back stuck in her throat. The whiskered woman regarded her with such sadness and joy that tears leaked from the corner of Sakura's eyes. She quickly wiped them away, appraising the female-Naruto in awe as if seeing a ghost in the flesh.
For Sakura, it was a ghost. Naruto shouldn't be alive. He shouldn't be here. And despite what he and Sasuke proclaimed, she still couldn't accept it. Not like this.
If this was the plan all along, Sakura wanted to know who orchestrated it. Who'd decided it was best to keep her completely in the dark until the last possible second? Who supposed that throwing everything at her in the moment offered the highest chance of success?
What human alive could handle all of these revelations in a single day? No—in half a day? In less than an hour? They were flipping her entire reality on its head and hadn't given her any time to process.
She wasn't whole enough to handle this...!
"Fine! I'll go," Naruto relented. "But Sakura—I'll find you when the fighting ends. You won't go anywhere but with me this time. No matter what happens, win or lose. I swear it, okay?"
"Just go!" shouted Sasuke.
"Hold on." Both of them yielded to her. "If you're going to fight...N-Naruto... Take Lady Katsuyu with you."
Grinning, the girl nodded. "Okay!"
Sakura bit her thumb, kneeled, and pressed it into the ground. Taking a deep breath, she called upon her summon.
A massive slug, bigger than a store building, popped into existence.
"Child!"
Sakura felt her eyes water again. "Lady Katsuyu, it's been a long time."
"Too long, Sakura." Breaking apart without prompting, four small pieces of the slug's body landed on the four shinobi below her. The rest sunk into the ground. The piece on Sakura's shoulder nuzzled her neck. "Let's have a talk when this is over. There are many things that we can only share between the two of us, now."
Sakura patted the slug, swallowing back grief. "Yes...let's. But Lady Katsuyu..." It was strange that the summon acted without receiving any directions. "Do you know what's happening?"
"A visitor from the Ryuchi Cave found me and explained bits and pieces. The rest we can work out together."
Ryuchi Cave? she thought, gaze darting over to Sasuke.
He ignored her mental question. "Leave already, Naruto."
"Yes, I heard you the first twenty times, asshole." Naruto scowled at Sasuke, then landed a smile back on her. "And Sakura—don't do anything stupid again. Don't make any decisions on your own. Wait for me this time."
Before she could respond, the woman saluted and sprinted for the base.
"Finally," Sasuke muttered.
"You should go too," said the ANBU. "You're needed as much as Naruto. If you're truly on our side, that is."
Sasuke crossed his arms, flaring his chakra in a warning. "You were supposed to be a squad of three."
"The other two are guarding the perimeter. I'll stay by Haruno's side."
"Aa. Very well. Turn around for a moment."
"What?"
"Did I stutter?" Sasuke's sharingan blazed to life. "Turn around."
Owl-mask flinched, then turned, giving them his back.
Sasuke reached out, hand resting on her shoulder. Thumb brushing the junction of her neck.
...The plan is to end this by tonight. Hold strong until then.
Okay.
Call for me if anyone comes for you. Immediately, Sakura. I'll come.
She nodded, filing away in her memories how bright the sunlight made his dojutsu. I will.
It looked like he wanted to say more. There were hundreds of things she wished to say. But his head was dipping down towards hers, his hand shifted to cup her cheek, and the unspoken words faded into the background.
Sakura closed her eyes, ready for the kiss—
This is Command. Prepare for orders.
Her sights flew open at the voice, meeting Sasuke's equally wide gaze. He'd frozen, inches away from her mouth. A breath passed between them, one of choice and fate.
Then he was leaning away from her, leaving her lips unclaimed.
She didn't like the shadow that passed over his expression as he stepped back. Didn't like that he was withdrawing so suddenly. Didn't feel at all settled by the space they were now separated by.
"W-wait! Sasuke, when it's over, where will you go?"
"Guard her well, ANBU, or you'll answer to me," he threatened, ignoring her. He pulled the cat mask out of his robes and secured it on his head.
Her guard spun to face them once more. "Yes. I'll guard her with my life."
"Aa. Good."
He was leaving. He was planning to leave. She could sense it.
"Sasuke!" Sakura lurched forward, gripping his arm with enhanced strength. "Where will you go when the battle's over? Tell me."
The sun was hot, the bare, rocky earth beneath them was hot, his body under her fingers was hot. But his presence was suddenly so—cold.
After a moment's pause, he gently tugged at her wrist. "...I'll come to you when it's over. Now let go. I'm late."
Although he wasn't lying, something told her that she shouldn't release him without more. But Naruto had run off all alone, and Madara had already responded to the attack. The Allies needed Sasuke there.
In the end, he was a shinobi. She was a shinobi. This was the life they'd chosen. They both had their roles to fulfill when the fight called.
After eight long months, the battlefield had found them all. They hadn't escaped it. They'd never escape it. No matter how many hours, days, months, years passed—it would always fall upon them once more. Always consume them another time.
They were powerless to it. Beholden to it.
She couldn't hold him here.
And so, despite herself: She released him.
"...Okay. Come to me, then. Don't forget."
With a single nod, he sprinted off in the direction Naruto had left. Sakura watched his silhouette grow smaller, something sick growing and tightening in her chest.
Owl-mask approached her quietly. "It's an honor to be your guard again, Haruno. I'm relieved to see you're alive."
She was relieved to see him too, but no sound came from her parted lips. It'd been forever since she'd seen the man who'd always kept her safe during battle—yet all she could think about was how silent the seal felt in her last moments with Sasuke. How strangely unfamiliar his back looked as he ran away.
How the goodbye didn't feel like it was coming from her, anymore.
The Katsuyu summon is en route. Find the captive medics first and tag them out immediately.
The voice stalled her blooming dread, yanking her mind back into reality. Reminding her why it'd frozen both her and Sasuke.
Until they set up field medical, leave the fallen. Maintain your orders. Only those in the Special Unit are authorized to fight Madara. Flee your designated area immediately if he's spotted and alert Command. This is our only chance, so everyone: Good luck. Stay strong.
It was Ino.
AND LET'S CLEAN THESE FUCKING BASTARDS OUT!
We are approaching the end of part 2, lovies...
most likely there is but 1 chapter left :) Thank you for your continued support, and I hope part 2 has not disappointed you.
It's been a joy writing this over the months and reading everyone's reactions has truly brightened my weeks :D
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there's a DISCORD for this story, if anyone wants to join to chat about it,
or just wants to chat about sasusaku in general!
the invite code is: WV62DCrCqM
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thanks for reading, as always.
and thanks to Leech for beta-reading