What Happens Now...

Sorry for the long wait. As I said before, finals took a lot out of me and I had a lot to do before I graduated. Well, that's all in the past and as a bonus, I got a laptop!! Yeahness!! Anyway, I give you a new chapter! Granted, it's not beta'd but I didn't want you guys to wait anymore. Here you go!

(Naruto’s POV)
Something had happened last night after I had fallen asleep. I woke in the morning and found Sasuke already packing up with Sakura staying at least 20 ft away from him. I tried asking him about it, but he would just say that it was an uneventful night. Sakura wouldn’t say anything, keeping her eyes towards the ground. There was one thing I did know; there was extreme tension between those two. As much as I wanted to try and resolve their problem, there was nothing I could do. Even if I got the two to talk, it would only end in someone getting hurt. Sasuke was too proud to admit any kind of problem and Sakura was locking herself away from us despite what I had told her yesterday. All I could do was sigh and hope that they would work it out.

As Sasuke gathered the sleeping mats, I patrolled the surrounding area, not wanting to be ambushed this early in the morning. I had to push all of our personal problems out of the way. The sole thing I had to focus on right now was getting Sakura to the Sand. As I checked the perimeter of our encampment, the forest seemed to become more silent as each second passed. This shouldn’t be. The living things in these woods should be coming alive. My nerves started to get the better of me. I had to remain calm. If there was an enemy in these woods, I couldn’t tip them off that I knew that they were there. Slowly, I walked back to the clearing and stood next to Sasuke. He had already finished packing up all our equipment, handing me a pack to carry. Leaning in closer, I whisper into his ear.

“The forest is a little too quiet for me. We better play it safe by one of us in front and one of us behind Sakura at all times.” He barely glances over at me and gives a slight nod in an affirmative. This was going to be tricky. Not even 15 miles away from the village and we were already running into opposition. For all we knew, it could be the villagers themselves trying to put an end to our short lives. Breathing in deeply, I walk over to Sakura. Her eyes meet mine as soon as my hands lightly grasp her shoulders.

“Look, whatever happened between you and Sasuke last night needs to be forgotten about right now. I think we’re being followed and the last thing we need at this point in time is you being distracted. You may be a prisoner, but we need your skills as a kunoichi to help prevent any of us from being killed.” All Sakura did was stare at me. I had no idea if I had gotten through to her. Letting my hands drop to my sides, I turn back to Sasuke. He doesn’t show a reaction to my little speech either. It may have been directed at Sakura, but I think he needed to hear it too. If any of us are thinking about anything else than what’s happening currently, we’re gonna end up dead. Not wanting to waste my breath on trying to talk sense into them, I start heading towards the woods.

“Sasuke you take the back and Sakura, you stay between us.” I don’t look back to see if they understood my orders. We weren’t friends at this point; we were only two ninjas trying to accomplish a mission and a prisoner heading towards their fate. I leapt into the tree line, opting to travel through the branches to get to the Sand quicker. I soon heard the other two close behind. Spreading out my chakra, I search for the enemy. I really can’t rely on Sasuke or Sakura right now. As my chakra spread throughout the trees, I noticed all presence of life gone.

“Sasuke use your sharingan.” It was a simple order. I knew he must have felt the air change, even if he wasn’t paying attention. We had to keep moving. It didn’t matter that we couldn’t feel our enemy; we all knew they were there. Ignoring my order on our positions, Sasuke came up beside me.

“We’re stuck in a genjutsu and it’s a strong one.” I should have known. No matter how strong our enemy is, they couldn’t just silence every single creature. Plus, if Sasuke said the illusion was strong, even with his sharingan, a simple kai release wasn’t going to cut it. I had to think fast. The longer we allow the genjutsu to continue, the more time the enemy had to plan their attack. Sasuke, for once, isn’t going to be of much help. His chakra level is still too low and his sharingan can only see that we’re in a genjutsu, not release it. I am of no use either. I could never sit still long enough for Iruka-sensei or Jiraiya to teach me everything about genjutsu. My large store of chakra isn’t going to get us out of this one. Then it hit me. Sakura. She was always the best at undoing genjutsu and I’m sure training with Obaa-chan hasn’t hurt. Glancing over my shoulder, I wave to Sakura to signal I needed her. Her pace picks up, her feet barely touching the branches below her.

“What is it Naruto?”

“We need your help” Sasuke shoots a look to me as if to say ‘Are you sure there is no other way?’ I brush it aside and refocus on Sakura.

“Right now we’re in a genjutsu. I don’t know when or how, but that doesn’t matter. You were always the brightest when it came to this. Besides, Sasuke doesn’t have enough chakra and I was too hyperactive to even learn any of that stuff.” Her eyes brightened when I mentioned Sasuke, but it quickly subsides. Sakura turns her attention to the path in front of her. At first I think she’s ignoring my request, but then I notice the slight smirk on her face.

“They’ll never know what hit them when I’m through.”
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(Sasuke’s POV)
I was going to kill Naruto. Unlike him, I had little trust for Sakura. Not after what she said last night. She told me she would kill for Naruto. What she really meant was that she wouldn’t let anyone get in her way, prevent her from getting Naruto. Now she knew that my chakra levels were low. She could use that against me. The odds were not in my favor. I really don’t know the new Sakura. The only things I do know is that she is extremely protective of Naruto and that she has become as strong as the current Hokage. I had to learn more about this girl. Somehow, I had to figure out her darkest secrets. Yet, she revealed her biggest secret in front of me, Naruto, and the Hokage. What other secrets could she possibly have? Right now wasn’t the best time for pondering. We just needed Sakura to release us from the genjutsu. I could just take this time to observe, to look for weak points.

“Naruto, Sasuke, I need you two to stand behind me.” I glance over at Naruto, seeing if he was going to follow her order. He did it without a moment’s hesitation. I conceded and moved myself next to Naruto. I didn’t want to seem suspicious. Naruto couldn’t find out that I didn’t trust one of his closest friends. Though, he probably already knows. By the way he was acting this morning; I think he figured out that Sakura and I aren’t on the best of terms. It didn’t matter. I wasn’t about to let my guard down only for Naruto to get hurt by this girl again. Returning my eyes back to Sakura, I realize she’s starting to gather a massive amount of chakra into her hands. Then in a blink of an eye she flew through at least fifteen different hand seals. Just as suddenly, her hands clapped together and then she thrust her hands palm forward into the air in front of her. Not a word was uttered. I had no idea what kind of jutsu she was performing or where she had learned it, but I copied it all the same with my sharingan. My focus on Sakura was broken by a gasp from Naruto. I scanned our surroundings. The forest started to shimmer, like the rooftops in summer time. The genjutsu was broken and so was whatever jutsu that was concealing our enemy’s chakra. I flew towards the source. I could handle whoever this was. Their chakra signature was weak, despite the level of genjutsu they just used. It also didn’t hurt that it was only one person.

“Sasuke wait!” I heard Naruto shout. I ignored him. Time for talk was over. As a shinobi, I am supposed to disable any enemy that dares to stand in the way of my mission. I see a blur to my left. Perfect. I whip around and throw a couple of kunai at the disappearing figure. They hit the mark. I expect a poof to sound off, revealing a clone jutsu or a replacement, but it never happens. The figure drops quickly to the ground. Naruto shows up just in time to catch the person and land on the ground. I fly to his side, not wanting him to fall into a trap. I reach him just as Sakura shows up. I pay her no mind; my full attention is on the person I just attacked. They are fully masked, not one inch of skin is showing. I look them over, searching for any sign as to the sex of our attacker, but even that piece of information eludes me. Naruto is studying this person just as hard, cradling them carefully in his arms. My kunai had hit their mark perfectly. Two were in their abdomen, penetrating deep; while the third was piercing the vein in the underside of their knee. They were going to die of blood loss and nothing was going to save them. I reach to pull of their mask, wanting to know the person before they pass.

“SASKUE NO!!!” It was too late. The mask slipped off easily. A river of pink hair flowed out from under, framing a delicate female face. Her light blue eyes were already starting to glaze over. Death for her was near.

“Why did you attack us?” I questioned. I needed answers before it was too late. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Sakura slowly walk over. She then does something unexpected. She walks beside the dying woman and drops to her knees. Her arms fly out to grasp the woman and buries her head into her shoulder. It’s then that I realize that Sakura is crying.

“Why mom? What the hell were you thinking?” Naruto’s eyes widen in shock. I’m just as surprised, but I couldn’t bring myself to show those emotions. Sakura pulls away from her mother and stars into her fading eyes. Her mother takes a deep breath, possibly her last one.

“Those two boys have brought you nothing but trouble. Getting you banished was the last straw. I couldn’t let my little girl go like that. I know what your father did to you was wrong; I should have stopped him. I don’t blame you for killing him. You did what you had to do to go after what you wanted. Yet, I will never forgive you for what you went after. You deserved so much better than that fox. As for the Uchiha, he never would have been a good husband. He was always too caught up in himself to love another. No, I will never forgive them for killing my daughter.” Confusing covered Sakura’s face.

“Mom, I’m right here. I’m not dead.” Her voice was breaking; more tears flowed down her face.

“No Sakura. You died the day you professed your love for the demon. I could never love a daughter that would give herself to something that killed so many of our comrades. I wasn’t just trying to kill the Uchiha and Uzumaki; I was going to kill a traitor, you Sakura.” Sakura just sat there, dumbfounded. How could she do anything else? Her father had forced her into a life that she didn’t want and in the end, her own mother disowned her. I laughed bitterly to myself. Now she knew what it was like to have family betray you. Sakura started to shake, grasping her arms to comfort herself. Instantly, Sakura’s mother launched herself at Sakura and both hit the ground with a thump. It was then I saw the explosion tag attached to the older Haruno’s chest, already activated. Naruto saw it as well and was already acting upon it. He grabbed the nearly dead Haruno and dashed away. He disappeared and a few seconds later, we heard an explosion that could awaken the dead.

“NARUTO!” I screamed. I couldn’t lose him, not now. I could care less about Sakura’s safety. Naruto should have never saved her if it risked his life. He should have stayed put, by my side. Why did he have to do that? I already knew the answer. Naruto wasn’t one to sit by and let someone he cares for be put in harm’s way. He would have regretted letting Sakura die and I would have one very different Naruto on my hands. I ran at full speed towards the blast sight, hoping against hope that Naruto was ok. Smoke blocked my vision, but I didn’t care. I was going to find Naruto. I started to search for his chakra. If I couldn’t find him that way, there really was no hope of ever finding him. I picked it up almost immediately, though it was very faint. I had to find him quick. My eyes were starting to burn and the heat from the blast set my skin ablaze, but I had to find him. Finally, the smoke cleared enough that I could look for him. It didn’t take long; he was right in front of me. His body lay crumpled and bloody; his face hidden by his arm. I stumbled towards him, my body wanting to run away from this horrifying sight. It was too much like the night of my clan’s murder. Again, I was unable to save the one I love. Rage and fury wanted to burst through me, but they weren’t as strong as my sorrow. Reaching his side, I kneel next to him. Gently, I turn him over and I almost lose it. There is a gaping hole in his chest, probably where he clutched onto the damned Haruno. His face was in better condition, only sporting a couple of gashes. I look to his limbs and my brain screams in horror. His arms are totally shredded, no longer of any use. His legs were twisted in ways they were never supposed to bend.

“Oh my god… Naruto.” I couldn’t take it anymore. My head landed on his bloody shoulder and I cried, exactly as Sakura had only a couple of minutes earlier. There wasn’t anything I could do. I could barely feel his breath on my chest. He was still fighting so hard to stay. Why couldn’t I do anything? I wanted to protect him so badly, wanted him to stay with me always, but neither happened. He was going to die in my arms. Another sob rattled through my chest. We were supposed to live our lives together. It wasn’t fair. Neither of us was ever granted one moment of happiness. He deserves so much better than any of this.

“Sasuke….” Naruto whispered. It sounded gurgled, almost like blood was seeping into his windpipes.

“Naruto, I’m right here. I’m so sorry…” He cut me off with a slight shake of his head.

“It’s not your fault…I should have used my head a little more. Sasuke, I love you. I’ll wait for you forever.”

“Don’t talk like that, please. Don’t leave me Naruto. I love you.” This couldn’t be happening. He gave me a slight smile at me saying I loved him. I will always treasure that smile, that it was directed at me. I hugged him closer; I knew it was going to be our last moment together. Footsteps were behind me, though they sounded very faint compared to my sobs.

“Sasuke, move so I can heal him.” It was Sakura. I didn’t want her touching my dobe, but if she could save him, it had to be done. I placed a light kiss to Naruto’s forehead and laid him down on the ground. I stood, never taking my eyes off of him.

“You had better save him Sakura or you’ll never make it to the Sand alive.” I didn’t even bother to turn towards her as I stated this. She knew I was serious. Sakura got to work straight away, starting with his chest first. Her hands glowed with healing chakra.

“Sasuke, I need you to make two clones of me and tell them to follow all my orders. Naruto’s in worse shape than I initially thought and I can’t do it alone.” She stated while she kept working. I obeyed; I’d be an idiot if I didn’t. I quickly formed the hand seals and performed the shadow clone jutsu; the one Naruto was famous for. I then henged them into Sakura, sending them orders to obey Sakura.

“Clone 1, you start working on his arms. There’s too much blood loss from that area. Clone 2, you check for internal injuries. The force of the blast has probably ruptured some of his organs.” I stood there in awe. This girl seemed so weak only a couple of years ago. She could do little more than follow me or spout out information about chakra control. Now, she worked quickly and proficiently; not letting a moment go to waste. I still didn’t trust her, but I did have to believe in her abilities; for Naruto’s sake.


So was this chapter good enough? The only way I know is if you review! This chapter actually had me crying. I felt like such a bad person doing that to Naruto! It has come to my attention, thanks to Bookworm, that what Sasuke's clones for Sakura wouldn't work like I planned. I have to admit, I'm not an expert on jutst. I do as much research as I can and every once in a while I fudge a couple of details. I just didn't want Sakura to waste any chakra on making any clones. So, I appreciate the help Bookworm, but I really don't want to change that aspect of the story. For future chapters though, I will try to be a little more careful on how I have the characters use their jutsu. Oh well. Until next time kiddies.