Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Candle in the Wind ❯ Life Goes On ( Chapter 7 )

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It's another update! Gasp! I still don't own Naruto or its characters. Such an honor belongs to Kishimoto. Thank you so much for the reviews. I won't make a habit of commenting on reviews but I giggled maniacally when one of my lovely reviewers called Sasuke “a bowl of crap”. He isn't being all that nice, I know. But then again, he isn't all that nice in the series either. Worry not; he is due for major character development. While he may play the role pretty well, he isn't very mature on matters of emotion. I will do my best to keep him in character and make him grow up too.

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Sasuke Uchiha followed the group of ANBU agents as the led him away from the village and deep into the forest. Although his face was absent of emotion, he was anxious to be free of those chakra draining manacles and his oppressive company. Before their trek into the woods, one of the agents adjusted the draining level of the shackles just enough that he could channel chakra to his feet to keep up with his guards. None of the ANBU bothered to speak to him or each other, a fact that Sasuke did not mind. He was never much of a conversationalist nor did he think the agents who once haunted his steps were interested in exchanging pleasantries. For the first time in years, he and Leaf ninja shared a common goal; Get him as far from Konoha as possible.

 

Within minutes the group came to a stop in a small clearing in the forest. One ANBU agent wearing a cat mask came to a stop before Sasuke, grabbing hold of his manacles none too gently with glowing hands.

 

“They will deactivate in a quarter hour. By that time you should be miles away. If you come within 3 miles of Konoha before your time is up, we reserve the right to hunt you down like a dog and terminate you.” The agent growled.

 

Not one to be easily intimidated, Sasuke only smirked as all of ANBU agents disappeared in a flash of smoke. He stood there for a moment, contemplating how it felt to be freer than he'd ever been before. Never one for sentimentality, he cut the moment short and with a burst of chakra, shattering the manacles encircling his wrists. Two minutes later a ragtag trio appeared in front of him, summoned by his flare of chakra.

 

Pushing aside his black cloak, Suigetsu's face split into a sharp-toothed grin before he spoke, “Look what the cat drug in? So they finally let you loose, eh?”

 

Sasuke offered nothing more than a grunt, “Hn...”

 

Karin sprinted forward, preparing to give Sasuke a thorough check up, “What have they done to you, Sasuke-kun? Are you hurt? How dare those bastards hold you this long.”

 

The Uchiha held up his hand, halting the red-headed kunoichi's progress. He was not in the mood for the groping Karin would undoubtedly give him. She was even more aggressive in her advances since he let her heal him with her chakra. She appeared to have enjoyed him sucking on her chakra reserves more than necessary. “I'm fine.”

 

Juugo stood a little back from the others, quietly observing the madness that was Team Hawk. He learned long ago that there was no need to attract attention. He preferred to let Karin and Suigetsu take the spotlight because he feared that undue notice would perhaps aggravate his tentative control of his sanity. Besides, he didn't want to be in Karin's line of fire whenever Sasuke turned her down. The pale haired missing Nin from Mist was already being pummeled simply because he chuckled.

 

“What the fuck, Karin!? Don't get mad at me because Sasuke doesn't want you even after a stay in the slammer.” Suigetsu muttered as his head and shoulders solidified once again.

 

“Damn it Suigetsu, must you ruin all of my moments!” Karin cried, flustered by her teammate's comments.

 

The frost haired ninja sneered, “Me ruin your moments? You do a damn good job of ruining it for yourself, you bitten up broad.”

 

Sasuke stood aside watching the commotion with a blank face. He contemplated locking the pair in a nasty genjutsu to shut them up and then shook his head. He could feel an acute headache coming on. Rather than resorting to outright violence like his companions, he resorted to intimidation instead. Projecting his chakra as a dark cloud and summoning snakes to restrain Suigetsu and Karin, the Uchiha heir barked a command, “Quiet.”

 

Instantly understanding that her team leader was in no mood for their follies, Karin quieted. Suigetsu, however, was never was one to take a point, “Aww come on. Is this how you treat the team who missed you so much?” He whined.

 

Sasuke unceremoniously dropped the pair and turned away, “We're going to Sound.”

 

Karin hopped up from the ground, brushing away bits of dirt and smoothing the straight side of her hair, “Now? I thought you wanted to destroy Konoha. What's the point of going back to Sound?”

 

Team Hawk's leader felt no need to explain. He merely strode in the opposite direction of the village. Juugo felt in line with Sasuke, easily matching his strides.

 

“What is the plan?” Juugo inquired quietly.

 

He answered, “We need to gather information on the current conditions in Oto and then strategize from there.”

 

“Strategy?” the tall man muttered more to himself than Sasuke.

 

“Team Hawk is taking over Otogakure.” Sasuke Uchiha replied activation his Mangekyo Sharingan with a smirk.

 

***

Three days had passed since Sasuke's sentencing and immediate exile. Sakura knew that her days in Konoha were numbered, that soon she would have to return to her duties in Suna. Tsunade seemed to be rather lenient, giving her apprentice the time and space she needed. Rather than succumb to sadness and hide in the darkness to nurse her wounds, Sakura spent her time holed up in the hospital with Kakashi. She was determined to make some progress with her former teacher, determined to save him from the everlasting darkness that was his life. During her prolonged sessions with the renowned Copy Nin, she discovered that sending minute pulsing shocks of chakra through his central nervous system elicited changes in his stagnant brain activity. It was not huge alteration but still enough to giver her hope.

 

During her healing sessions, sometimes she talked incessantly. Today was different, in an attempt soothe her own anxiety about her eminent departure she eschewed chattering for humming a simple lullaby her mother once sang to her when she was small. She wasn't a talented vocalist but she at least learned to hold a tune as was required by her kunoichi classes. At the time, she thought music lessons strange but one always had to be a prepared if they had to go undercover.

 

She hummed for hours, alternating between tunes and working on Kakashi diligently until she felt her chakra reserves begin to wane. Deciding it was best to take a break, the young kunoichi perched on the hospital bed leaning over the prone man to adjust the bland, white blinds covering his window. At that moment, Naruto came bustling into room.

 

“There you are Sakura-chan!” he boomed.

 

Sakura jerked mid-reach and turned toward the source of all of the commotion. Unable to maintain her precarious balance, she toppled unto Kakashi. She quickly scrambled away from the hospital bed, a mortified blush blooming on her smooth cheeks.

 

“Damn it, Naruto. This is a hospital, don't you know how to be quiet.” Sakura groaned as straightened herself and smoothed Kakashi's sheets.

 

“What are you doing to Kakashi-sensei? If you need someone to hop all over, I could...” Naruto leered.

 

“Quiet fool...” the kunoichi sighed, “and get your mind out of the gutter. I'm just here to help.”

 

The Jinchuuriki sighed, “You've been hiding in this gloomy place for three days. I'm dragging you out of here. You need some sunlight and the company of friends.”

 

Sakura rubbed her temples, “Naruto... I...”

 

“No Sakura. I won't let you hide. Come with me. Just for a little while. Please...” He pleaded, his bright blue eyes reflecting his worries.

 

Sakura focused her leaf green eyes on her best friend. She could see the concern etched into his features. She knew he wanted to talk, knew that he most likely wanted to vent about Sasuke and his exile. She'd been avoiding him and everyone else in a futile effort to avoid droning on and on about Konoha's recent events. At least here in this room with Kakashi, there were no expectations to meet. She could be happy, sad, angry or just plain rude without the pitying glances and patronizing conversations. But Naruto was right, she couldn't hide forever. It was inevitable that she would have to face reality or it would come barging into her life whether she wanted it to or not.

 

“Fine...” She sighed, “Where do you want to go?”

 

The blond shinobi brightened instantly, “Let's do Ichiraku's!”

 

Sakura frowned because she knew that the ramen stand suffered the same fate as most of Konoha. “But...”

 

“It's already rebuilt and better than ever. He even enlarged the place so there are tables and chairs too. Isn't that awesome?” He exclaimed.

 

Swept up in his brilliantly energy, she couldn't help but to smile, “I can't wait, Naruto. Lead the way.”

 

The whiskered blonde's face split into a wide grin as he crooked his arm and wiggling his eyebrows at the young woman. Sakura couldn't help but to giggle at his antics as she rest her small hand on triceps.

 

“Aren't we being chivalrous today?” she asked.

 

“Well I am destined to be Hokage one day. It doesn't hurt to escort and protect pretty ladies.”

 

“I don't need an escort, I will have you know.” The kunoichi quipped.

 

“I could think of quite a few things you definitely need...” Naruto sighed as he led her from the hospital room. A cry of pain quickly followed his remark, “Damn it, Sakura-chan... I didn't mean it like that. Honest!!!”

 

Sakura growled, “Naruto!”

 

The sounds of the quarreling duo faded from the room leaving the unconscious silver-haired man to his own devices. There was no one in the room to witness the tremulous shadow of a smile touch his lips before it faded once again.

 

***

The affair at Ichiraku's was not as difficult as she imagined. The current gathering was tame. Sai, Hinata and the two Suna Jounin, Masao and Eiji, sat at the counter waiting for their food to arrive. As soon as Sakura and Naruto entered, the group greeted the pair rather calmly. Seeing as most of Rookie 9 was still in Suna, she didn't have to deal with the constant ribbing from the motley crew. Ino was definitely the main culprit of Sakura's psychological interrogations and frequent prying. The kunoichi knew quite well how much Sasuke's abandonment of Konoha affected Sakura. Because of that, Ino Yamanaka was never was one to hold back her opinions if she thought her friend was in need of her harsh brand of advice. She'd spent many days and nights distracting the pink haired girl from the onslaught of depression and tear filled nights. If she were here, Ino would feel it was her duty to poke and prod until Sakura lost her mind and her temper. In her steed, Sai made it his duty to taunt the kunoichi a bit.

 

The pale young man sidled over to Sakura as soon as she sat down. Sliding an arm over her shoulder, he leaned in slightly and peered into her face. “Ah Hag, you look more haggardly than usual. Can I be of assistance?”

 

Eiji and Masao watched the exchange with gaping mouths, wandering if the boy with the questionable fashion sense also had a death wish. After a pregnant pause, Sakura turned to look at her dark-haired teammate, huffing in annoyance.

 

Capturing him in an embrace that was more of a headlock than a hug, Sakura sighed, “Oh Sai, I've missed you too.”

 

The former agent of ROOT kept a stoic face even as his ability to breathe began to reduce in slow degrees, “Really Hag, I think we should leave these types of passionate embraces for private. I know how irresistible I can be but... Argh!”

 

Tiring of his nonsense, Sakura applied her knuckles firmly to his scalp and mussed his short ebony locks. “You sure do know to kill a sentimental moment Sai.”

 

Naruto let out a sharp bark of laughter and Hinata giggled behind her hand. Eiji and Masao visibly relaxed after realizing they were not in danger of being caught in one of Sakura's fiery episodes. Their anxiety lessened even more as Teuchi, the owner of Ichiraku Ramen Bar, sat steaming bowls of ramen before.

 

“You kids never change do you?” Teuchi laughed, long accustomed to Rookie 9's antics. “Ayame, bring Sakura and Naruto the usual.”

 

The conversation flowed easily as stomachs became full in content. After conferring quietly for a few minutes, Masao and Eiji thought it prudent to broach the subject of their eminent departure with their appointed team leader.

 

After picking at the remains of ramen, Eiji cleared his throat, “It seems everything is in the clear here. I think it's about high time we head back. Unless, there is something else that needs to be done in Konoha. We sent a missive to the Kazekage. I'm sure he wants us to return expediently.”

 

Sakura leaned against the bar, propping her head up on her threaded fingers, “Yes... Duty does call. I suppose we should leave before the week is out. It's just that with all the commotion going on here and ... Well... I've gotten myself caught up in a really delicate medical procedure. I hoped that...”

 

The young medic-nin's voice faded wistfully. She was hoping to make some kind of breakthrough with Kakashi before she left. It felt so wrong to turn her back on him now when he obviously needed someone to be there for him.

 

“I wish I was stronger. I wish I could be useful to someone. How can I leave something like this unfinished...?” Sakura heaved an inward sigh.

 

“I know how you are Sakura.” Naruto replied, his voice grave and serious. “Kakashi-sensei knew what he was doing. Don't go blaming yourself. He wouldn't want that and I don't want that either. It's not your fault, you know?”

 

Hinata watched the byplay between the two with a tinge of worry. There was something about the undertones of emotion in Naruto's voice that put her in serious doubt about his feelings toward Sakura. Shaking her head in dismay, she pressed her hand to her cheek and tried to chase away the awful feelings of dismay and envy flowing over her.

 

“Something amiss Hinata-sama?” Masao asked his temporary teammate quietly.

 

Turning abruptly, she laughed, “Oh no, I'm great.” A blush bloomed on her fair cheeks.

 

Hinata didn't want to feel this way. She knew that Sakura came first regardless of what the young kunoichi claimed. The Hyuuga heiress almost sacrificed her life for the man she loved, she could survive this too if she wanted to keep Naruto close. She liked Sakura. She bore the young woman no ill feelings but she couldn't deny that she felt insecure standing in her shadow. Willing herself to cease this line of thought, Hinata gave her head a brief shake. Turning her attention back to the members of Team 7, she found Sakura was engaged in animated discussion and sparkling blue eyes staring into her lavender ones.

 

With no preamble Naruto leaned forward and pressed his forehead to hers. “What's wrong? You're blushing. Are you well, Hinata?”

Despite maturing a great deal since her genin days, the sole female member of Team 8 was still cripplingly shy. Naruto Uzumaki's intense stare only succeeded in making her cheeks change a deeper shade of red.

 

“No, no... I'm Naruto-kun. No need to worry.” Hinata stuttered.

 

The Jinchuuriki tipped his head slightly, watching her with a thoughtful gaze. “You seem tired. Let me walk you home.”

 

Despite her protests, Hinata was quickly bustled out of the ramen bar and into the sunset tinged streets. Sakura watched the pair with a bemused smile.

 

“It seems Dickless is starting to be a little clueless.” Sai state dryly.

 

“Sai...” Sakura laughed, elbowing the emotionless man lightly.

 

Masao and Eiji couldn't help but to grunt in amusement at the nicknames Sai had give his teammates. Neither of the Suna Nin could figure out how he managed to remain alive around Sakura.

 

 

***

 

It's a filler! Don't worry kids. I think my readers deserve some light moments given the angst-driven interactions I've been forcing down all of you throats lately. Congrats Chantrea Moonbeam, Chapter 5 does contain the “unfortunate promise”. Sakura naively promised everyone's favorite Uchiha that she would help him anyway she could. You get that cookie. Who am I kidding? Everyone gets a cookie just for reading. Keep reading, keep reviewing (when you feel like it), and don't be afraid to ask questions (Except questions involving future chapters). I could answer but isn't it more fun to when you're surprised!

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