Chapter 13

There had been much debate on who would bunk with whom. Initially, Naruto and Sakura were to stay close to the fissure the nomadic village preoccupied. If need be, Sakura might convince them to help. Karin and Suigetsu were to stay put, and Sasuke would travel with Jugo to the edge of the frozen plain. Each group would have a flare to alert the others, should something come up.

Karin could not stay with Suigetsu. He annoyed her.

"Everyone annoys you, so what difference does that make?" Naruto asked, throwing his hands up into the air.

"Sasuke doesn't!"

The image of Karin curling up against Sasuke, seeking his warmth, sent a wave of unease through Sakura, twisting her stomach into knots. It felt so wrong, so painfully trivial, yet the thought consumed her. She was a kunoichi of the Hidden Leaf, hardened by battles and trained to withstand far greater challenges. Yet here she was, grappling with an emotion that felt so juvenile.

Clenching her fist tightly, she fought to push the feeling aside. "Sasuke and Karin, take the outer edge–"

"That's so far," the woman complained.

Sakura steeled herself. "Yes, but Sasuke is the fastest. You're the only one who can sense the chakra effectively, so even if Sasuke has to leave you behind, he'll at least know where to go."

"And I guess I'm with Jugo?" Suigetsu asks.

"I think it would be best. If either of you get captured by the chakra, at least there's a chance of defending yourselves."

Naruto crossed his arms. "What if I'm the one who gets my body taken over? What if I hurt you, Sakura?"

Smiling and capturing his whiskered cheek in a pinch, Sakura gave it a good wiggle. "I've dealt with something like that before."

"He shouldn't be near the village." Sasuke sighs. "And if it's able to take control of me, Karin is in danger. Naruto and I should be the ones at the farthest area."

It made sense. Though Sasuke and Karin would make a better team on paper, Sasuke's idea was safer.

"There's no way in hell I'm going anywhere with her."

"Well," Suigetsu began with a shrug. "I don't disagree with you. Last thing we need is another catfight."

The moment erupted into chaos as voices collided, each person trying to be heard over the others, the sharp tones escalating into a cacophony of shouts. Overwhelmed by the noise, Sakura felt her energy drain away, her instincts urging her to cover her ears to block out the din. Just when it seemed the discord would spiral out of control, Sasuke stepped forward with an intensity that silenced them.

His presence commanded attention, an unspoken authority that cut through the chaos like a knife. "Suigetsu, Naruto, head towards the village. Kurama should be able to fight off whatever ancient chakra enters you."

The two men exchanged a fleeting glance, a silent understanding passing between them before they nodded and moved on with purpose.

"Karin, you and Jugo will stay here. Use your chains to keep him restrained until I arrive," Sasuke commanded, his tone leaving no room for debate.

Karin opened her mouth as if to protest, her frustration bubbling beneath the surface, but instead, she let out a low snarl and turned away. The shift in Sasuke's demeanor was palpable as he narrowed his eyes, the weight of his stare demanding a response.

Karin straightened, her eyes wide with both defiance and something else—perhaps curiosity. It had been too long since she had felt the power of his authoritative presence. She licked her lips, gathering her thoughts. "It's just that…well…he's so massive, and neither of our tents could possibly accommodate the two of us comfortably."

"You have the luxury of a tent. Accept it," He said, unmoving.

Karin took a deep breath, her defiance simmering beneath the surface. She had always been one to push back, but Sasuke's unwavering presence made her reconsider. With a reluctant sigh, she crossed her arms, her posture shifting from confrontational to begrudging acceptance.

"Fine," she conceded, her tone clipped. She cast a sideways glance at Sakura, gauging her reaction. There was a spark of challenge in Karin's eyes, a silent warning that despite the tension, she was still ready to play her part. She would comply—for now—but she wouldn't let Sakura forget the potential complications of their situation.

Sakura was behind Sasuke once more. Snow fell in thick sheets the farther they traveled, so both ninja carefully balanced on the thin crust above with their precise chakra control. Every so often one would dip low due to an air pocket or a shift in the wind on the surface, but they made good time regardless.

Sasuke had his hood up, concealing much of his figure. If he were wearing the jacket she wore, he'd be difficult to keep track of. With the sun at its highest point and everything shining so brightly, Sakura had to use chakra to keep her eyes from straining. The tears that leaked out quickly turned to ice, gathering on her lashes.

Two fingers raised in the air, Sasuke motioned to veer right. Something large was buried under the blanket of white.

Summoning susanoo, the vibrant purple appendage began to sift through the slushy clumps. Sakura took her place to his left.

"What could it be?"

Several feet long and buried even deeper, a magnificent structure began to emerge from the earth. Sakura stood in awe, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the sight before her. It was unlike anything she had ever encountered—a grand granite carving shaped with large, branching features that resembled a mighty tree, its trunk thick and sturdy, stretching upward as if reaching for the sky. The craftsmanship was astonishing; the lifelike details gave it a sense of vitality that made it seem almost alive.

As Sasuke continued to dig, the intricacy of the sculpture revealed itself layer by layer. Small figures, expertly whittled into the stone, came to life before her eyes. They depicted humans, each captured in a moment of reverence, their bodies bent in prayer. The figures were varied in size and posture, some with hands clasped together while others held their arms outstretched, as if in supplication to the towering tree above.

At the base of this monumental creation, a serene scene unfolded—a gathering of worshippers, their faces etched with devotion, gathered in a circle, enveloped by the roots of the tree. The craftsmanship was so exquisite that Sakura could almost feel the power of their faith and the warmth of the sacred space they occupied. It left her with an overwhelming sense of awe and curiosity about the ancient story it told.

"Shinju," Sasuke realized aloud. "The God Tree."

In this depiction, the tree was merely a sapling, yet it exuded a stately presence that was both imposing and intimidating. Its slender trunk rose confidently from the earth, branches reaching out like skeletal fingers, casting long shadows over the figures below. As Sakura leaned in for a closer look at the intricately carved details, a sense of unease settled over her.

The people depicted in the stone were strikingly gaunt, their frames malnourished and gangly. Their limbs appeared frail, and their faces were drawn tight with desperation. Each figure was etched with a haunting expression—eyes wide and pleading, mouths open in silent prayer. It was clear they were not just worshiping the sapling; they were clinging to it, believing it to be their salvation.

"They did not know it was killing them," Sakura murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, as she traced a finger along one of the figures. "They prayed for it to help them, and it ended up making things worse." Such was the tragic irony of their devotion.

The juxtaposition of their hopeful prayers against the stark reality of their plight sent a shiver down her spine. The deeper Sakura looked, the more she felt the pulse of a story intertwined with sorrow and misguided trust, leaving her questioning the true nature of what lay before her.

Sasuke nodded, appreciating the sorrow in her voice. "It's no coincidence we've come across this."

"Should we alert the others?"

"No. Not until there is an obvious sign of chakra."

Making her way down the large cavern Sasuke had created, Sakura began to inspect. There was a lost language etched in various places throughout the chiseled object, seeming to depict instructions. Every section had an example–a figure raising their hands, then falling to their knees. Bending, pressing their lips to the ground with their palms face up, it ends with various types of flowers encasing the body.

"Strange," She murmured to herself.

Sasuke ran his hand across the indentions, making his way towards Sakura from the other side of the trunk.

"What kind of flowers are those?" Sasuke's sharingan spins quickly, taking in the residue of white paint that had long since worn off. Only a few specks remained in the grooves between petals. "It looks like your Miracle plant."

Blinking, Sakura leaned closer. He was right. The peculiar inward curve of each petal was expertly cut, and each leaf had exactly seven hatches. Could the Miracle flower be related to the God Tree–or even its fruit?

"That flower only grows under certain conditions, and chakra is one of them. The God Tree was said to absorb the blood from battles passed. It drains the natural energy of everything around it. Were these people praying for the blossoms?"

Sakura removed her traveling gear and cloak, laying them carefully on the ground. Sasuke's eyes sharpened, curiosity piqued as he watched her mimic the worshiping practice depicted in the carvings. She raised her hands gracefully, then fell to her knees, pressing her lips to the earth. Her back arched like a cat, a delicate yet powerful pose that captured his full attention. The rapid spin of Sasuke's tomoe slowed, fixating on the scene unfolding before him.

"Do you see anything happening?" Sakura's voice cut through the charged air, breaking his reverie.

As he made his way toward her, Sasuke kicked a clump of snow aside, the crisp sound echoing in the stillness. Crouching down, he gently turned her palms upward, his touch deliberate and firm. The sudden flush of heat that spread across her cheeks did not escape his notice. He brushed aside the fallen strands of hair from her face with his knuckles, his fingers lingering on her skin longer than necessary.

There was a tension in the air, thick and electric, as he tucked back the tendrils with a careful precision that seemed to draw them closer. Finally, he looked upwards, breaking the intimate moment.

"No,"

Sakura knelt back, flustered by his touch, confusion swirling within her. Sasuke dropped to the ground beside her, the air thickening with their silence. She focused on the intricate carvings in front of her, trying to push thoughts of him aside.

If Naruto were here, he'd have been restless by now—learning was his least favorite subject. A smile tugged at her lips as she reflected on how some things changed, while others remained the same.

Sakura knelt back, flustered by his touch, confusion swirling within her. Sasuke dropped to the ground beside her, the air heavy with their silence. Shaking off her distractions, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead.

With renewed determination, she turned her attention back to the carvings, ready to uncover the secrets hidden within their ancient lines.

"This just… isn't making any sense," she muttered, furrowing her brow. "

"I mean, it seems really unlikely that if this has anything to do with the Ootsutsuki, just transferring chakra could actually thwart something as strong as the sharingan…" Sakura murmured, her fingers tracing over another inscription. Stealing a glance at Sasuke, she noticed he seemed lost in thought, his brow furrowed. "Is everything alright?"

He paused, the weight of his thoughts evident. "You thwarted me."

Sakura scoffed, unable to hide her disbelief. "Oh, sure. It was me who overpowered you—definitely not the chakra that controlled my body."

Her eyes widened as she realized her snark might have been uncalled for. "Sorry…"

"Why?"

"Why, what?" she asked, taken aback.

"Why are you sorry?"

"Why am I…sorry? I was being rude."

"And you're not allowed to be?"

She inhaled sharply, exasperation bubbling up inside her. It was frustrating; Sai had trouble with societal norms due to his training—he didn't express emotions, he was just a tool. But Sasuke? He hadn't had that problem. Why was he acting this way?

"This may be a new concept for you, but when people act inappropriately, they apologize." Sakura rubbed the chill from her skin and stood, looking at a new section of wall.

"I don't want your apologies." Sasuke droned, righting himself as well. "I want your first thoughts. Not your seconds."

"I recall you calling me annoying for my "first thoughts". Several times."

"Three."

"You've kept track? That's flattering." Sakura turned on her heel, deciding she could no longer stand the cold, nor their conversation.

With it getting darker, they set up camp for the night. Sakura watched as Sasuke's glowing susanoo parted more of the fallen snow as they made their way downwind. They were not close enough to touch the statue, but it remained well in sight.

The traveling gear she used was light, containing only a few blankets wrapped in her bedroll and various other necessities and toiletries. Naruto's duty was to bring the tent, after all. Damn him and Kakashi for their silly ideas.

Sasuke moved with purpose, his body free of any cumbersome gear. Instead, he reached for a summoning scroll, his fingers deftly unfurling it with a practiced flick. In an instant, a bundle materialized in a puff of smoke, landing softly at his feet.

With a few quick motions, he assembled his tent, the fabric snapping into place with ease. The interior soon transformed into a warm refuge, layers of bedding unfurling like petals in a flower, ready to shield them from the biting cold of the frozen ground.

Sakura stumbled inside, her body feeling like a cube of ice. She hesitated, glancing at the cloak Sasuke had offered her earlier. The thought of sweating made her uneasy; she knew too well how quickly wet skin could turn to frigid discomfort, risking hypothermia. But her winter gear was proving inadequate against the relentless chill.

Sakura pulled down on her long sleeves and adjusted the length of her top, tucking it into the leggings she wore beneath her split-side skirt. Night had yet to fall but she felt so exhausted.

Sasuke secured the tent's opening with swift, precise movements, his fingers working the threads deftly despite the chill in the air. He manipulated the fabric with a practiced ease, the task completed in a blur that left Sakura momentarily in awe.

Once finished, he returned to the bedding, settling down across from her. He kept his boots on, the worn leather a stubborn barrier against the cold ground; shedding them would only invite more discomfort and take too long to remedy.

His gaze flicked from the tangled laces at his feet to Sakura, who was still trying to shake off the remnants of the cold.

When Sasuke left Konoha, Sakura was a spunky brat with a sharp tongue and a fierce spirit. Beneath that bravado, her compassion and intelligence burned bright, but now, the fire seemed to flicker. He realized too late how much that spark had dimmed.

Bits of her old self occasionally returned—like the time she had slammed her hands on the table in a crowded restaurant, her voice echoing as she berated him in front of everyone. It was a rare flash of defiance that reminded him of the girl he once knew. She had even stood up to Karin after days of silence, but Sasuke couldn't help but think that twelve-year-old Sakura would never have let that disrespect linger for so long.

Now, he found himself wrestling with a troubling question: how had she become so different? What had caused her to disconnect from that fire within? Or had they ever truly shared that connection? Watching her now, he couldn't shake the feeling that somewhere along the way, she had become… meek.

Sakura sensed the intensity of Sasuke's stare, an almost tangible pressure that made her fidget. She curled her knees to her chest instinctively, but quickly regretted it as insecurity crept in. The way her shirt hugged her stomach in that position made her feel exposed, prompting her to adjust the fabric nervously.

"I'll take the first watch," she said, her voice soft and tentative.

"I don't mind staying up. You were knocked out yesterday," he pointed out.

"Yeah, thanks to you," she retorted, rubbing her face in exasperation. A groan followed as she realized how her words sounded. "I'm sorry! That wasn't what I meant. I don't want to seem ungrateful. I don't know what I'd do if I'd actually…hurt someone."

Her mind raced with apprehension. The ancient chakra lingered ominously in her thoughts, casting a shadow of dread. There was a peculiar emptiness in her chest that wouldn't fade, and Sasuke's presence only heightened her anxiety.

Pulling out her bag, Sakura dumped its contents and began to roughly organize everything to pass the time and preoccupy her head. Sasuke had that far-off look in his eyes again, but he did offer her a slight nod of thanks when she passed him some of the dried meat they'd prepared.

Sakura bit into the jerky, savoring the smoky flavor, but the quiet didn't last long. "It was… fun hunting with you," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I've never tackled large game before. I usually fish or forage."

Sasuke lifted a piece of jerky to his nose, inspecting the spices that clung to its surface. "I'm not great at foraging." I'm better at killing.

Sakura raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile creeping in. "That's surprising. You notice so many details. You spotted the etchings on that statue as the Mermaid's Miracle flower almost instantly! You'd easily tell the difference between wild carrots and poison hemlocks. And mushrooms? They can be tricky—"

She clamped her mouth shut, catching herself mid-ramble. A nervous, self-deprecating giggle slipped out. "Okay, I get it—I can be annoying sometimes—"

"Sakura, damn it." Sasuke's voice sliced through the moment, his scowl deepening. He tossed his food aside, the sound ringing in the tense stillness. "I said that to you when you were badmouthing Naruto—"

Her cheeks flushed, warmth flooding her face as she realized her words had struck a nerve. "I know! That wasn't my intention—I don't mean to start a fight! I get it; I sound bitter. I deserved that."

His expression shifted, the harshness in his eyes softening. "You… didn't deserve it the other times, though," he said, his voice quieter, more sincere. "Not at all."

Sakura couldn't mask her surprise.

"I called you annoying when I left the village," he began, his mind drifting back to that night. "I can recall every moment, every step toward the gates." He shifted, bending his knees slightly, resting back on one palm as if grounding himself in the memory. "It wasn't my teacher who showed up, or my best friend—It was you. I thought I had everything mapped out, everyone in their roles, but you were a barrier I… hadn't anticipated."

Sakura felt the sting of his words, as if he were aiming an accusation straight at her. "A barrier? Im what way? You didn't stay. You never stay, no matter how much I beg or what I offer—"

Sasuke let out a quick, sarcastic laugh, each syllable sharp. "You think I didn't weigh your words? I faced a God who couldn't even make me reconsider my choices."

Rage began to simmer within him, a tempest of regret, embarrassment, and shame swirling in a dark cauldron. A fragile girl, named for blossoms and the promise of spring, who seemed to embody gentleness and light, had caused Uchiha Sasuke to falter.

He didn't harbor hatred for her, nor did he assign blame. No, his fury was directed inward, at the unseen puppet-masters who had orchestrated his fate. He found himself on a path where Sakura could never belong, a road he traversed despite his yearning for something else, something more.

Sasuke didn't like to think of that—wanting more. Yet, in the glow of Sakura's presence, those thoughts slipped past his defenses, weaving their way into the fabric of his mind uninvited.

With every shared glance and soft laugh, the ideas took root, blossoming like wildflowers in the cracks of stone, vibrant and defiant. She became a gentle catalyst, igniting a flame he thought extinguished, stirring a longing that danced tantalizingly on the edges of his consciousness, impossible to ignore.

"So why didn't you stay?" she demanded, her voice sharp as glass. "Why didn't you even try? You didn't ask for help, or look for other ways. Naruto and I would have fought alongside you if we'd known."

"Sakura." His voice was low, his eyes were like a wildfire, consuming and fierce. "I'm not ignorant to the names they've called me—selfish, heartless, unfeeling. But I promise you, I do feel." Each word was a confession, a raw wound laid bare. "It is my tragedy to feel as deeply as I do. My curse."

In that moment, the weight of his anguish pressed upon her like a shroud, suffocating and relentless. She could see the scars etched in his soul, the shadows of a boy who had lost everything, yet still bore the burden of profound emotion. It was a haunting truth that resonated in the silence, echoing in the space between them, leaving her breathless and aching.

"I didn't stay because it wouldn't be fair to you."

"What about what's fair to you, Sasuke?" Sakura's voice faltered, defeat falling heavily upon her.

"Do you really think I wanted this? A life like this? I've thought about what could have been if I hadn't lost everything, if I wasn't so driven to kill my own brother. Who wishes for a life of solitude?"

"You may not wish for it," Sakura replied, her voice trembling as she fought against the sorrow welling in her chest. "But you certainly don't fight for a different life as fiercely as you did for your vengeance."

"And why should I?" Sasuke retorted, his voice sharp. "Do you really think being with me would be easy? I'm not good, Sakura. I don't think like I should. I don't act like I should. If you only knew what I thought about you—"

"Oh I think I got the picture—how annoying I am?"

In a swift motion, he captured the back of her scalp with a firm hold, pulling her close until their foreheads touched. His glare was intense, as if he could see straight into her soul.

Silence hung between them as he breathed heavily, fighting against the anger building inside him, struggling to contain the turmoil that threatened to break free.

"...how much I want to fuck you."

Sakura froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. Her mouth fell open, stunned by the harsh words that poured from his lips—vulgarity she had never expected to hear from him. She stood there, momentarily speechless, as he continued.

"Not make love, not flowers or dates. I don't want to meet your parents. I don't want to be your friend. I want you under me."

Sakura tried to shake her head, raising her hands to push against his chest, but he held firm, his grip unyielding as he watched her with a growing detachment in his eyes.

"You don't deserve someone like me. You should have been with Naruto—"

"I don't want NARUTO!"

Sakura's heart raced, each beat echoing like a war drum in her chest. Wrath surged within her, a torrent that threatened to consume her whole.

"I want you—all of you!" she shouted, her voice rising above the cacophony of her own despair. "I want you when you're unkind, when you're angry, when you push me away, when you're chasing after your heart—"

"My heart wanted you dead!" he roared, the words slicing through the air like a dagger, leaving a chilling silence in their wake.

"So did mine!"

In that moment they shared anguish, each word a brick in the wall that had built up between them. They reached a deadlock. Their breaths come out in hot clouds, contrasting with the chill of the tent as they try and absorb each other's truths. It is Sakura who cries, Sakura who breaks, and Sakura who speaks.

"So did mine. You were lost in your hatred, rotting from the inside, out. So many people I loved had turned to fight against you. I feared…I feared their blood on your hands. It was something you'd never forgive yourself for, if you came back to us. So I…"

She wept, turning because she could not stand to look at him. "You saw me as an enemy, when you attacked me as I healed Karin. A spur of the moment opportunity. But me, Sasuke?" A bitter laugh escaped, tangled with another sob. "I planned it. I cultured the poisons—"

Sasuke shook his head, still pressed against hers. She didn't understand. He was in no real danger. "I can't be poisoned—"

"By anyone else, maybe. Do you know who I am…what they call me?"

Sakura looked up at him, in her way. Not fearless, no. She stared at him, resigned to his whims. Helpless should he target her.

"I defeated Sasori of the Akatsuki—I negated his poisons and created one more powerful than he could have ever hoped to brew."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. He'd never known this of her.

"It would have turned your blood to jelly in five minutes. Five minutes exactly. That's all the time I wanted to give you—to come back home to us, to me."

"And if I would have refused?" Sasuke furrowed his brow. "Do you really think you could have followed through with it?"

Her shoulders fell. She looked down at her hands. They were rough from astringents. Calloused from wear. They weren't pretty like her peers, who had time to paint their nails and could wear jewelry without picking someone else's blood out of the crevices. The wind was quiet. The canvas that surrounded them hardly moved against it, keeping them nestled away from the world.

"Not alone." The words came from her heart. She'd stitched them up into it, long ago, swearing they'd never leave.