"..." Normal chat.

ABC. Thought.

Chapter 21

A week after.

Since the village's heavily understaffed and its security's weakened. The leader has to gather anyone available to cover the missing spots and at result, I'm left with more freedom than ever.

However it also comes with a bad side, which is that I'm not allowed to accept any mission, even the simple ones to earn money. All due to being a low ranked shinobi, whose team is in the verse of breaking apart and our supervisor is still deep in coma.

It also means that leaving this place will no longer be difficult. Except that...

Will that be the right thing for me to do? Leaving everyone during the utmost chaos situation?

Especially Sakura, she's been very depressed about Sasuke's condition nowadays. It's already painful enough to watch them suffering, but it's even worse when I can't do anything to help.

We have no choice but to sit around, be patient and wait. And I hate just that.

So I choose to move on. It maybe a rough decision but I have to do it. For myself.

Because not so long after this incident, Sasuke will leave the village to seek for more power from Orochimaru to kill his brother, Itachi. Encouraging Naruto to follow Jiraiya to enhance his abilities to get his best friend back. And to prove herself worthy for both of them, Sakura will train under Tsunade to become stronger.

So then... What will become of me?

That question's once again sent a shiver down my spine.

From the start, my mind has already set on searching for a way to return to my own world and find my origins. However, with these limited abilities, traveling alone is definitely going to be dangerous.

Therefore I need to be better prepared. And in order to to so, a good guidance is required.

But who should that be?

And Kakashi's image is the first to pop up in my head. Makes sense since he's been my supervisor ever since I've been stuck in this place...

Although it's going to be more troublesome than its worth. Considering all the procedures, and I doubt that he'll be willing to spend his precious time tutoring a suspicious stranger like me.

Ugh! If only I was born genius, or too overpowered to seek for any trainings. Then I wouldn't have to wreck my brain thinking for a way to grow up properly...

Then, I realize that I've been missing something important. And after spending a while searching under the tatami, I finally find them.

Good, the seals are still intact.

There are three scrolls in total. Green, blue and red stands in following with beginner, intermediate and expert stage. They are prepared by Ryu for my upcoming Ninpo control lessons, which can't happen thanks for the accident that bring me into this world.

Therefore green scroll is the only one I'm allowed to have my hands on for the meantime. While the other two are meant to be kept away until I'm advanced enough.

Alright, let's start with this one.

So I open up the green scroll and give it a try. Hoping that I'll be able to get a clue of what kind of technique that Ryu's trying to teach me.

Soon, hours passed and I still have no idea of what's being written inside.

Shit. I don't even know what these words mean even though they're Japanese...

It's too soon to be panic. There's still plenty of time for me to research and perhaps Konoha will have the materials that can help with translating these strange symbols.

Sigh... So long my peaceful, lazy days...

And the beginning of my long term plan, which is to hit the library and old book stores all over the village...

In one morning.

"Hi, Sakura."

"Nina-chan. Hello."

Like usual after visiting Kakashi, I pass by Sasuke's room and find Sakura's sitting on the chair next to his bedside. There are always fresh flowers and fruits available on the table, results of her coming here everyday to check on him.

"You're here early."

She smiles a little when I comment on her punctuality.

Sometimes I find Sakura talking to the unconscious Sasuke, even though there's a little to no chance that he can hear her speak. Perhaps she's hoping that he will be awaken by her voice or it's a way for her to kill loneliness.

"Still no improvement?"

As I touch his forehead to inspect. There's no fever or reaction.

"...Uh huh."

And Sakura sighs. She looks as depressed as the day we hear about the news of Sasuke's being hospitalized.

"Cheer up, I'm sure that Naruto will get Tsunade to cure him."

"Yes, I hope so too."

Then, I remain talking to her for a little bit more before heading home to continue with my research on those damned Ninpo scrolls.

Days and nights continue passing by for us until one day, Naruto shows up at the hospital with Tsunade by his side.

"I heard from Guy-sensei. Please... help Sasuke-kun."

The moment seeing our future Hokage, Sakura pleads her to save Sasuke and Tsunade comforts us with a grin.

"Alright, leave it all to me!"

Just as she says, Sasuke's healed from his mind damage and wakes up in Sakura's arms. While Naruto's standing beside me, watching their happy reunion until he cannot bear it anymore and leaves.

"Naruto, wait for me."

Since it's kind of awkward for me to stay during this scene, I take my leave as well.

"Sakura, take care of him. Okay?"

Perhaps still being overwhelmed with joy, she doesn't respond.

Huh?

Just then, I notice that Sasuke's staring blankly at me. Confused by his reaction, I remain by the door a little bit more to confirm whether he's going to say something to me.

However, Tsunade seems to have noticed the odd and turns her focus to me, her eyes fill with curiosity.

"A-Anyways, see you guys later!"

And I have to get away from those watchful eyes. Since gaining attentions from the Godaime is the last thing I want on my to-do list.

Once getting out of the hospital, Naruto's already nowhere to be found. Luckily, I've already known where he's going and head straight there. Saving me the time to look for him.

"Naruto!"

He's standing near the Ichiraku ramen shop, probably waiting for Iruka.

"Ah! Nina-chan!"

After calling for him almost nth times, Naruto finally looks back to greet me.

"What the heck! We haven't seen each other for so long and that's all you have to say?!"

I smack his shoulder as payback for all the running. While jokingly blaming him for acting heartless toward to his friend.

"Sorry, sorry. So many things happened, you know?"

As apologize, Naruto offers to treat me a bowl of ramen.

A couple of minutes later, Iruka arrives to the shop and the three of us gather up for some chit chat while waiting for our food to be made.

"And I used my new ultimate move, Rasengan, to send all the bad guys flying. It's awesome!"

Therefore Naruto spends most of his meal bragging to us about his power, which he learns from Jiraiya not too long ago. While listening to his stories, Iruka looks proud and happy for his student.

That night.

"Eh? Isn't that Nina-chan."

When heading back to Sasuke's room after changing towel, Sakura sees Nina passes by at the corner of her eye. And from the direction she's heading, Sakura figures that her teammate's going to Kakashi's room.

Did she return to find Kakashi-sensei?

Getting curious, Sakura follows her. Once managing to reach there without being noticed, she finds that they're already in the middle of the conversation.

"...You knew, didn't you?"

The first thing Sakura hears is Kakashi's voice. For some reasons he doesn't seem to be in his usual composure. There's a tint of nervousness and uncertainty in his tone, which is rare.

What's going on? What are they saying?

Taking a peek through a small gap between the doors, Sakura sees Nina's standing by Kakashi's bedside. Her face is hardly visible since she's having her back facing toward to her direction.

"Let's talk about that some other time. For now, I'm simply here to see how you're doing."

As opposed to Kakashi, Nina's strangely calm. And the way she talks seems to be different than before.

"Alright. I'll get going then."

The moment seeing Nina leaves the room through the main door, Sakura hides herself behind the wall nearby.

Is there something happening between them that we don't know about?

After making sure that she's gone out of sight, Sakura quickly makes her way back to Sasuke's room. Her mind fills up with unanswerable questions.

The next morning.

Sakura visits Sasuke early to bring him some fresh apple. Hoping that his mood will get better after eating them.

"Good morning, Sasuke-kun."

As always, Sasuke sits on his bed and watches the scenery outside. He doesn't respond to her but Sakura doesn't feel rejected. Then, she reaches for the chair nearby to take a seat and takes out a plate. After picking up the nicest looking apple from the basket, Sakura starts peeling it.

"Nina..."

Suddenly she hears Sasuke's whispering by her side.

"Nina-chan?"

The moment that name slips out of Sakura's lips, he looks at her.

"I heard from Tsunade-sama that she left together with Naruto yesterday, right after you're being healed."

Thinking that Sasuke's curious about their other female teammate, she tells him what happened. Completely removing the part where she's followed her up to Kakashi's room and eavesdropped on their conversation.

Yep! I did it this time. Sliced them nice and small.

Admiring the masterwork that she has prepared nicely on the plate, Sakura smiles to herself.

"Sasuke-kun, want some apples?"

When she offers the plate to him however, Sasuke tosses it away. And his sudden outburst confuses her greatly.

"Guys, it's me. Can I come in?"

Then, there's several knocking on the door and they hear a familiar voice behind it.

When walking to the hospital to visit Sasuke, I bump into Naruto, who is also on his way there. So we decide to go together and have a little chit chat while at it.

Upon arriving to Sasuke's room, I volunteer to knock on the door.

"Guys, it's me. Can I come in?"

There's no response so I turn the doorknob to step inside. With Naruto following right behind me.

Standing in the middle of the room is a troubled-looking Sakura. There's a plate on the floor, and apple pieces are scattered everywhere. While Sasuke's sitting on his bed with his head facing toward to the windows.

"What happened?"

The moment hearing Naruto's voice, Sasuke turns around to see him. His eyes burn with great hatred.

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

Irritated by his glare, Naruto asks him.

"Naruto, fight me."

Suddenly Sasuke steps out of his bed and demands a match with Naruto. Completely ignoring everyone's saying that he's just recovered from coma.

"Please, Nina-chan! Say something!"

Since her words can't reach him, Sakura asks for my aid and Sasuke glances at me. Though I can clearly see from those dark piercing eyes that he does not want me to interfere, under any circumstances.

"It's useless, Sakura. He's not going to listen to anyone."

In the end, both Sakura and I can't do anything but watch them lead each other to the roof.

Once there, Naruto and Sasuke starts insulting each other and exchanging their fists. Once Tatjutsu is no longer working, they switch to Ninjutsu and we begin to see hundreds of Naruto clones, which soon be engulfed in Sasuke's flame.

What's coming has to come, Rasengan and Chidori appears on each of their hand.

"Don't! It's too dangerous!"

Seeing that Sakura's about to dive in mindlessly, I grab her arm to stop her.

"But if I don't do something. They will kill each other!"

Yet she pushes me away and charges into the middle of the fight.

"Sakura!"

It's already too late for both Naruto and Sasuke to stop. Fortunately, Kakashi arrives just in time to toss both of them away. Saving Sakura's life within the last second.

"Are you okay?!"

As I rush over to check on Sakura, Kakashi scolds Naruto and Sasuke for their immature acts. Jiraiya also reveals himself behind the damaged water tower after having watched everything from the start.

"Don't worry. It'll be like it was before."

After having a little chit chat with Jiraiya, Kakashi confirms to us that everything will be fine before setting off to find Sasuke.

"Just now... that's Rasengan, wasn't it?"

Hearing me whispering by his ear, Naruto nods. Somewhat reluctantly.

"You weren't serious, were you?"

I'm curious to know what Naruto's thinking when using it against Sasuke during the fight. Beside the obvious reason that he's trying to prove himself worthy against Sasuke.

"...!"

Seems to have realized something as well, Naruto looks shocked and he turns away from me.

"What's wrong?"

Then Sakura comes in between us, her eyes are still red from the crying and she seems to be worried about us.

"It's nothing. Let's go back."

Not wanting to stress her out more than she already is, I decide to drop our conversation and head home.

The sound of leaves rustling behind his back instantly alerts him and Sasuke groans. If it's Kakashi who has returned again to lecture him, he will do whatever it takes to get away.

"No need to be cautious, it's me."

He's surprised to see Nina jumps onto the branch as his to take a seat next to him. And Sasuke wonders whether she's here to blame him for trying to kill her special friend from earlier.

Yet, Nina keeps staring at the scenery before them without speaking a word.

"Why are you here?"

It's not until Sasuke asks her that she speaks what's on her mind.

"In order to achieve your revenge. Are you willing to leave everything behind?"

"Everything?"

Leaving everything means abandoning his home, his closest friends and her. All in order to take vengeance for his clan and gain an unrivaled power, which he's been craving for so long.

*Both you and I have found precious companions.*

Kakashi's words from earlier rings inside his head. And it reminds Sasuke of the happy and peaceful days he has with the members of team 7.

*You are weak, because you lack hatred.*

But Itachi's voice is quick to shatter those beautiful images within him. That dreadful moment from before has once again returned and wrecked his mind.

Staying in Konoha means continue staying weak for the rest of his life and Sasuke will never be able to reach to Itachi. There will never be a day where he can kill his brother to take revenge for his clan.

*I'm no longer the loser you once knew me as. I've changed!*

Even a single thought of being inferior to Naruto is enough to drive him crazy. He's acting so full of himself and thinks that they're equal. Him, a proud heir of the Uchiha clan, losing to that ultimate loser. Never in this lifetime!

"I just want you to know that whichever path you choose to take. We will always be here to support you. Okay?"

Sasuke flinches when feeling her hand brushes against his left cheek. It's strange that simply a gentle touch can give such a soothing feelings to his mind.

Nightfall.

As I'm about to be done cleaning up the mess in my room, mostly books and scrolls that I can get my hands on to support for the self-study process. Suddenly there are knocking on the door.

The moment opening it, I find a awkward-looking Naruto's standing before me.

"Naruto? What's wrong?"

Needless to say I'm confused by his late visit.

"Say, are you... disappointed in me?"

And it takes him quite a bit to open up about his troubles to me. It seems that Naruto's been reflecting about his action and feeling guilty ever since.

"Not really. I'm sure that you have your reasons. Don't worry too much. Okay?"

Forcing a smile, I assure Naruto that he and Sasuke will soon make up. Despite knowing that Sasuke's packing up his stuff and ready to depart with the Sound Four at the moment we speak.

"Yeah, you're right!"

Innocent as always, Naruto believes in my lie.

"Goodnight, Nina-chan!"

Having been assured that everything will be fine, Naruto goes home while I'm back to cleaning my room. Once done, I take a bath and go to bed. Facing the cold dark wall and trying to sleep through the chaotic night.

In the next morning, I find my windows are opened and there's a neatly folded paper left on the table. Reading through the note in my hand, I notice that it's Sasuke's handwriting.

"Nina-chan! Wake up!"

Suddenly, I hear Naruto's voice echoing behind my door and quickly hide that note inside my shirt.

"Sasuke left the village last night!"

Right after informing me the news, Naruto, together with Shikamaru rush outside to gather other strong members to form The Sasuke Recovery Team. Hoping that they can to stop Sasuke from defecting to Otogakure in time.

There they are!

Once reaching to the village's gate, I notice that Naruto has gathered enough people for the mission. Neji, Shiba, and Chouji. There's an injured Rock Lee standing beside them and it seems that they're discussing about their strategy for the upcoming battle.

"Don't worry, I'm not here to follow anyone."

Knowing exactly what Shikamaru is going to say to me, I assure him that my intention for coming here is to wish them good luck.

"Wait!"

Just then, Sakura arrives and voices her wish to come along to rescue Sasuke.

"Our only recourse is to persuade him with force. Sakura, your role has ended."

Though Shikamaru's quick to stop her.

"Naruto... This is my wish of a life time. Please, bring Sasuke-kun back."

Therefore Sakura turns to Naruto for help. Leading to the beginning of his promise of a lifetime. And to think that is the end of our dramatic scene and the rescue team will depart, However...

"I know that it's selfish to ask but... Nina-chan, can you please go with them?"

In instant, Sakura's words turns me frozen in shock.

"Sakura, what are you even saying?!"

"Please! If it's you, I'm sure that Sasuke-kun will listen!"