Disclaimer Naruto & Bleach is not mine.
Chapter 9 is done.
The cover picture, not mine.
Thanks for reading.
Author notes I just cross post AO3 via name biott789 as backup.
Fix some grammar in the previous chapter.
Chap 9
On the road (Afternoon)
Sakura Haruno
She trudged through the muddy, uneven path, the dense forest trees surrounding her. Her pink hair was damp from the mist that clung to the air, her eyes were clouded with worry and exhaustion.
She hadn't slept well in days, and her nerves were on edge, but she had no choice but to keep moving. The journey back to Konoha from the Land of Waves felt longer and more difficult than it should have, especially without Kakashi-sensei or Naruto.
She cast a glance at Sasuke, who walked silently a few steps ahead of her. He hadn't spoken much, his mind occupied with whatever internal struggles he was facing.
*He must be still injured, that's right!*
Sakura understood—things hadn't been easy for any of them—but the silence between them weighed heavily on her. Normally, she would've tried to engage him in conversation, maybe offer a word of encouragement or express her concerns, but now, with so much uncertainty, she didn't even know where to start.
Pakkun, Bull, and Urushi Kakashi's summoned tracking dog padded alongside them, leading the way back to the Hidden Leaf Village.
Pakkun the only dog can talk. His short, stubby legs moved quickly, but Sakura could tell he was also cautious, his nose constantly sniffing the air for any signs of danger. Pakkun had taken charge after Kakashi had been separated from them during the mission's chaotic aftermath.
Now, Sakura and Sasuke had no choice but to follow the tiny dog as their temporary leader.
Sakura sighed heavily, the thick canopy above blocked out most of the sunlight, casting long shadows over the forest floor. Every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig made her jumpy, her senses heightened from the lingering adrenaline of their last battle.
"Pakkun," she called out softly, her voice strained with concern. "How much longer until we reach the village?"
Pakkun glanced back over his shoulder, his sharp eyes meeting hers. "Not much longer if we keep this pace, but don't get too comfortable. We still don't know if we're being followed."
*Flashback*
"Um, Tsunami-san," Sakura began, her voice hesitant, "we need to talk."
Tsunami looked up from her task, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Sakura-san, is everything alright? You've been so quiet since you returned."
Sakura's heart twisted in her chest as she tried to find the right words. How could she explain everything that had happened and the fact that they needed to leave without offering any real answers? Her gaze flicked over to Inari, who was still sitting by the fire, his wide eyes fixed on her, waiting for her to speak.
Sakura cleared her throat, trying to steady her voice. "There's been… a change in the situation. We've been ordered to leave—immediately."
Tsunami's eyes widened in surprise, and she set down the dish she had been holding. "Leave? But… what about Naruto-kun? And Kakashi-san? Are they…?"
She hesitated, biting her lip. "They're not back yet, but Pakkun received orders from Kakashi-sensei. Sasuke and I have to leave now for our safety. It's too dangerous for us to stay here any longer."
Tsunami's expression faltered, and she exchanged a worried glance with Inari, who had abandoned his spot by the fire and was now standing beside her. His eyes welled up with tears, and he looked away, his shoulders trembling. "Is… something happened to him? Naruto-niisan doesn't come back?"
Stepping closer to Inari and kneeling so that she was at eye level with him. "Naruto will come back. I know he will. But right now, we have to follow Kakashi-sensei's orders. It's for everyone's safety."
The mother's voice was soft but filled with concern but she fought to keep her composure. She placed a gentle hand on Inari's shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly. "Naruto is strong, and he's not alone. Kakashi-san is with him, and they'll be fine. We just have to trust them."
*End flashback*
The worry that gnawed at her didn't ease. The possibility that enemies could still be pursuing them made her stomach twist in knots. She wasn't sure how much longer she could keep up her guard like this—her nerves were frayed, and the weight of Kakashi's absence pressed down on her like a lead blanket.
Without her sensei, everything felt uncertain. He was their sensei, their guide—the one who always knew what to do, even when things seemed hopeless.
Without him here, Sakura felt exposed, and vulnerable. And with Naruto missing, the team felt incomplete. Normally, The loud, brash energy would have filled the silence, giving her something to focus on. But now, without his relentless optimism and his constant chatter, the quiet was suffocating.
She glanced at Sasuke again. His face was impassive, his eyes forward as if he were deep in thought. There was something distant about him now, something that hadn't been there before.
She had seen how hard the battle had affected him, how close to death he had come during the fight against Haku. She had thought she'd lost him, and even now, the memory of that moment filled her with dread.
Her mind wandered back to Naruto—her other teammate, who had always managed to surprise her. He had fought so hard, so recklessly, in that final battle. The strength he had shown against Haku had been unlike anything she had ever expected from him.
It was almost as if Naruto had transformed into something else during that fight, something stronger.
The unease in her chest grew, knowing that Naruto was out there somewhere, possibly hurt or lost, and she couldn't do anything to help him.
Pakkun's voice broke through her thoughts. "We'll stop for a short rest up ahead. There's a clearing where we can keep an eye on our surroundings."
Sakura blinked, pulling herself from her worried thoughts, and nodded. "Okay."
As they reached the clearing, Pakkun sniffed the air again before giving a satisfied grunt. "It's clear. But don't let your guard down."
She sank to the ground beside a tree, leaning her back against the trunk as she exhaled shakily. Her body ached from the days of walking, and her mind was clouded with anxiety. She looked over at Sasuke, who sat down a few feet away, his expression unreadable. It was like there was a wall between them, one that she didn't know how to break through.
Pakkun sat down as well, his small frame seeming out of place in the tense atmosphere. He glanced up at Sakura, his sharp eyes softer now. "You're worried about your teammate aren't you?"
Her eyes widened slightly at the question, but she didn't deny it. She nodded slowly, biting her lip. "Yeah… I can't stop thinking about him. What if something happened to him?."
Pakkun huffed, his nose twitching slightly. "All shinobi have to deal with that emotion for once. You will get through it."
Sakura tried to smile, but the worry in her heart didn't fade. "I know they're strong, but… it's hard not to think about what could go wrong. Especially without Kakashi-sensei here."
Pakkun's eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of Kakashi.
"Your sensei will be fine. He's dealt with worse. You need to focus on getting yourselves back to Konoha in one piece. Kakashi gave me a job, and that's to get you and Sasuke home safely."
Sakura nodded again, but the knot in her stomach remained tight. She knew Pakkun was right—Naruto was resilient, and Kakashi was a skilled shinobi—but she couldn't shake the feeling that things had changed, that their team had been shattered by what happened on the bridge.
The sound of leaves rustling nearby snapped her attention back to the present, and her hand immediately went to her kunai, her body tensing.
"Relax," Pakkun muttered, his nose twitching again as he sniffed the air. "It's just a bird."
Sakura let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, but the tension in her muscles didn't completely fade. She felt like a coiled spring, ready to snap at the slightest provocation. This wasn't how she had imagined their mission ending.
She had thought that once the battle was over, they would return to Konoha together, with Kakashi leading them, Naruto joking around, and Sasuke… well, Sasuke would be warmer, but at least they would all be together.
Instead, she felt more alone than ever.
After a few minutes, Pakkun stood up, shaking his fur. "Alright, break's over. We need to keep moving."
Sakura stood up slowly, her legs stiff from sitting, and she adjusted the strap of her pouch. "Right."
As they resumed their journey, the forest seemed even quieter than before. The only sounds were the occasional rustle of leaves and the soft padding of Pakkun's paws on the ground. The silence gave Sakura too much time to think.
She had always felt safe with her sensei, even when things seemed dire. He was calm, collected, and always had a plan. But now, without him, Sakura felt exposed, like a ship without a captain. She was the only one who seemed to be worrying about their team, and the weight of responsibility pressed heavily on her shoulders.
Pakkun led them through another winding path, his nose constantly twitching as he tracked their way through the forest. Sakura followed silently, glancing over at Sasuke from time to time.
He hadn't said a word since they left the Land of Waves, and his silence was beginning to worry her. She knew Sasuke was struggling with something, but he wasn't the type to open up about his feelings. It was frustrating, especially when she wanted to help him.
But what could she say? She had seen how close he had come to losing his life during the battle, and it had shaken her to her core. Sasuke was strong, but even he wasn't invincible. And after what Naruto had done—whatever strange power he had tapped into—Sakura wasn't sure what to make of any of it.
Her mind raced with questions. What was that power Naruto had used? How had he summoned such strength? And what did it mean for their team?
She had no answers, and the uncertainty gnawed at her.
"Sasuke-kun" she called out softly, hoping to break through the barrier of silence between them. "Are you okay?"
Sasuke didn't respond at first, his eyes still fixed ahead. But after a long moment, he finally spoke, his voice low and emotionless. "I'm fine."
Sakura frowned, feeling the sting of his cold response. She wanted to press him, to ask him what was going on in his mind, but she didn't know how. Sasuke had always been distant, but now it felt like he was slipping further away, and she didn't know how to reach him.
Sasuke Uchiha
He walked silently along the muddy path, each step sending a dull throb of pain through his body. His injuries, though mostly healed by now, still ached with every movement, a constant reminder of the brutal battle on the bridge in the Land of Waves. The weight of exhaustion hung over him like a thick, oppressive fog, but he ignored it. He had no choice. They had to keep moving.
Beside him, Sakura walked in uneasy silence, her eyes flicking toward him occasionally, filled with concern. Sasuke could feel her worry, her unspoken questions hanging in the air between them, but he didn't acknowledge it. He kept his gaze forward, focused on the path ahead, unwilling to let himself get lost in thoughts of what had just happened or what lay ahead.
The truth was, that Sasuke's mind was in turmoil. His thoughts churned endlessly, swirling with anger, frustration, and—though he hated to admit it—fear. Ever since the battle on the bridge, a deep, gnawing sense of failure had settled inside him, and it refused to go away.
Naruto had saved him. That fact burned in Sasuke's mind, stoking the fire of his frustration. It wasn't supposed to be like this. He wasn't supposed to be the one needing help. He wasn't supposed to be the one who was powerless. But there he had been, lying on the ground, on the brink of death, watching as Naruto unleashed a power he didn't even seem to understand.
*I don't care if he is dead or alive!*
*How did he do it?*
Sasuke wondered, his jaw tightening.
*How did Dope suddenly become so strong?*
He glanced briefly at Sakura, who was walking beside him, her eyes still filled with worry. She had been the one to care for him after the battle, tending to his wounds, and staying by his side as he recovered.
But even then, he could see the doubt in her eyes. She hadn't said it out loud, but he could feel it: she was starting to see Naruto in a new light. She was starting to wonder if Naruto was the one they should be looking to, the one they should rely on.
The thought made Sasuke's chest tighten, his frustration bubbling closer to the surface. He had spent years training, honing his skills, perfecting his abilities—and now, in one battle, Naruto had surpassed him.
*The idiot who barely passed the academy, the clown who couldn't even perform a basic transformation jutsu properly, had suddenly become the hero. And what had Sasuke done? He had nearly died.*
His thoughts were interrupted by a quiet voice beside him.
"Sasuke-kun" Sakura said, her voice soft but filled with concern. "Are you okay?"
He kept his gaze forward, unwilling to let her see the turmoil that was eating away at him. He didn't want her sympathy. He didn't want her pity. He needed to focus. He needed to think about how to get stronger.
"I'm fine," he said finally, his voice flat and emotionless.
Sakura frowned, clearly unconvinced. "Are you sure? I mean… after everything that happened… it's okay if you're not."
"I said I'm fine," he repeated, more forcefully this time.
*She didn't understand. She couldn't understand. None of them could. Not Naruto, not Sakura, not even Kakashi. None of them had experienced the kind of pain he had. None of them had lost everything. And that's why they would never understand why he had to do this—why he had to become strong.*
The road ahead seemed endless, stretching out before them like a path with no end. Konoha was still far away, and with every step, Sasuke felt the weight of his failures pressing down on him.
Sakura looked down, clearly hurt by his response, but she didn't press him further. She fell back into silence, walking beside him as the forest around them grew denser and the path more narrow.
To be continued.