Save me

Ahh… I had so many misfortunes while writing this chapter! First my cat; she jumped on the keyboard and BANG, the whole chapter deleted and I didn’t save it. Second, a power outage and again I didn’t save. I had to write this chapter three times now O.o gah! Oh well ^_^

Everyone, thanks for the kind reviews =^.^= It’s always kind of exciting when you publish a new story, because you never know if the readers like them!

Ps, I am still looking for a beta ^.^”

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Disclaimer: Naruto is still not mine, I am too poor to buy the rights! Understand? Yes? Then go on and read!

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Save me ~ Written by Callisto

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The raven haired boy jumped from roof to roof, avoiding as much people as he could. Something told him that the Hokage might send people after him to make sure that he wouldn’t do anything foolish. After jumping from house to house he halted a few buildings before his dorm. He stood as still as a statue and closed his eyes. Somewhere far away he could hear the breathing and jumping of other ninjas. Sasuke reopened his eyes and frowned deeply.

“ I am being followed, “ He said.

And then, like the death was on his heels he charged forward with all the speed he had in his body. Houses, trees, and birds… everything went past him as he flew forward. Behind him he could see ANBU closing in on him, it wasn’t a surprise because ANBU were trained like elite soldiers. With a sliding he went to the left and accidentally fell off the roof. With a loud bang he fell into a container and was stunned for a moment. What seemed like an accident was now his lifesaver; the ANBU continued their search for him and they flew past him. Sasuke could his heartbeat loudly but even so he smiled.

“ Not the most graceful escape, but I’ve lost them “

Sasuke climbed out of the container and removed some spoils of food out of his hair. He decided it was for the best if he went by the ground and not by roofs anymore. If he walked through the crowded streets he could hide his face much better. Before leaving, he grabbed a large brown sheet out of the same container and put it around his body. Now he was completely covered and no one could see anything from him. The youth began to make his way to Naruto’s house and now and then he noticed some ANBU jumping from roof to roof, or they were hiding in alleys. The raven haired saw Naruto’s house coming nearer and nearer. He began to run slowly and smashed the door open.

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Naruto was once again staring out of the window, but this time he wasn’t staring into nothingness. Now and then he saw ANBU appearing and disappearing. It almost seemed like they were searching for something.

” Ugh! “

Naruto fell out of his chair and grabbed his head. Suddenly his whole body began to burn like it was on fire. It was Kyuubi, and he wanted to get out! Naruto grit his teeth and began to focus. He couldn’t let the demon fox take control of him, not now! He crawled to the table where his kunai was lying on, and with trembling hands he took it off the table.

” Eat this fox bastard! “

Naruto got onto his knees and with a loud yell he stabbed himself in the stomach, exactly at the same place where his seal was. The boy screamed in agony and pain for a moment, but the burning was luckily gone. Blood streamed out of the wound and Naruto began to panick – what had he done? He ripped a rag off his large shirt and bandaged it around his wound. The bleeding didn’t stop and the blonde knew that he needed to get help, so he crawled slowly to the door that seemed miles away from him.

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” Stay the hell away from me! “ Snarled Sasuke and he punched an ANBU right in the face.

With a beautiful somersault, he jumped past another ANBU and ran up the stairs. Sasuke was breathing fast and heavily. This entire running and escaping madness was taking his toll, and he began to wonder if he had enough strength and chakra left to escape with Naruto. Stumbling he walked trough a dark corridor and made it to Naruto’s bedroom door. He swung it open, only to find Naruto groaning and bleeding on the ground.

” Shit! What happened to you? “

Sasuke hurried to Naruto and kneeled next to him, examine his wound immediately.

” Kyuubi… tried to get out so I… stopped him “

” Idiot! “

Sasuke knew that Naruto needed treatment, but as things where he had no time for that. He had to take Naruto with him, and quick!

” Naruto, climb onto my back! We have to get out of here. I can’t explain why…you just have to trust me ok? “

” I’ll trust you “ Said Naruto in agreement and he climbed onto Sasuke’s back.

Wanting to avoid the stairs, Sasuke jumped out of the open window and landed softly onto the sandy ground underneath him. Now the only thing that he needed to do was making his way as quick as he could to the entrance gate, go through it, and then hide in the forest. However, it was easier said then done. An ANBU had spotted him and within seconds he had at least nine ANBU following him and Naruto.

” This is no good! I can’t escape like this! “

However, just as Sasuke said those words Kunai flew through the air into the direction of the ANBU, and the pursuers quickly stopped running to avoid the kunai’s. On the roof, a few houses away from Sasuke and Naruto, stood Neji and Shikamaru. They both held a scroll and numerous kunai in their hands.

” We’ll take it from here! “ Yelled Neji, waving a hand in the air. “ Hurry up and escape, we’ll be joining you two later! “

” Don’t make it too troublesome! “ Shouted Shikamaru loudly.

Sasuke smiled and gave a nod. “ Thanks guys “

The two gave a nod, jumped into the air and landed before Sasuke and Naruto.

” Let’s show the ANBU what we’re made of! “

” Heh “ Snorted Shikamaru.

Not wasting a single minute, Sasuke began to run towards the entrance gate. He avoided quickly all of the civilians that lived inside Konoha, but failed when he tripped over a basket full of apples. Luckily he could maintain his balance and saw behind him how the apple salesmen began to yell angrily. If Sasuke had his hands free, he would’ve surely showed the man the finger.

” It hurts… “ Muttered Naruto softly, his warm breath tickling Sasuke’s neck.

” Hang on little one, as soon as we’re out of Konoha I will treat you just hang on “

With two big steps he left Konoha village and ran until he though that his lungs would snap. Totally exhausted he let Naruto slide off his back, and laid him gently against a tree. For a moment, Sasuke stood still to catch his breath a little and let the dizziness slowly fade away due to the lack of oxygen. Then, he kneeled in front of Naruto and examined the wound for a moment. He sighed in relief when he saw that no vital parts were damaged. But that didn’t mean that this wasn’t dangerous stuff! Naruto was still bleeding like a madman.

” Sasu…ke… why did we leave Konoha? Why is… the Hokage… why won’t he do anything against…Kyuubi? “

” That I don’t know “ Replied Sasuke honestly. “ But the Hokage told me that there is a way to stop Kyuubi from getting stronger. Somewhere in Orochimaru’s territory there is a place where we can recharge your seal. The Hokage didn’t want us to go there because that would mean we had to set foot in Orochimaru’s place and that can cause a war “

” Figures “ Groaned Naruto. “ Then why did you… why did you bring us here? “

” I… you are my teammate and I can’t let my teammates die, or getting possessed by a stupid demon fox “

Naruto grinned. “ Is that so… OUCH! “

” Sorry “

” Hey Sasuke… where exactly is that recharge place? “

The raven haired shook his head.

” I don’t know, but we’ll find it… one way or another “

After Sasuke stopped the bleeding, he told the boy that he would go off for a while to find something to eat. During his escape he didn’t had the time to buy something, so now they had to eat something that the nature would offer to them. Thanks to the survival lessons, he knew exactly what they could eat and what not. In a short time’s work he had gathered some blueberries and mushrooms. The only thing he needed to do was to grab some fish in a nearby river. But just when he wanted to walk into the water he heard the rustling of the leaves and reached for his kunai.

But his expected battle would never came.

Two exhausted boys came into his vision and when they saw Sasuke, they both gave them the thumb.

” We’re safe and sound “ Smiled Neji.

” Somehow “ added Shikamaru softly when he discovered that he had used up all of his kunai’s.

” How did you two escape? “ Asked the raven haired when he grabbed a fish out of the icy cold water. When he decided it was big enough he threw it on the grass behind him, but almost threw it into the face of Shikamaru.

” I honestly think that the Hokage gave the ANBU the order to not harm any of us. We kind of take advantage of that and we beat them without sorry into the ground. This way we’ll saved time, but I don’t know when they will continue perusing us. Thanks to the rain it’s hard to follow our scent, but it won’t rain forever “ Said Neji with his arms crossed, his face awfully serious.

Sasuke threw another fish on the land, and this time saw Shikamaru it in time. He quickly took one step to the left and avoided the fish.

” But we know where the recharge place is “ Said Shikamaru, joining in on the conversation. “ However, the bad thing is that it’s at least one week travel. And then I mean traveling as fast as we can without taking breaks “

” That’s a problem then “ Sighed Sasuke.

When the raven haired saw the two puzzled looks of his teammates he began to explain what happened to Naruto. He told them how Kyuubi wanted to get out, and that the blonde had stabbed himself in order to prevent the demon from breaking loose. Then he explained the seriousness of Naruto’s wound.

” This is indeed a problem “ Sighed Shikamaru. “ Bothersome kid… Then instead of one week, the traveling will take probably two to three weeks. Konoha will be pretty angry with us and I think we can expect the worst, aw man why the hell did I decide to tag along? “

” Because I asked you to come remember? “ Snorted Neji. “ Well, this is our update. Are you sure you want to go through with this? We’ll be having ANBU following us, and Orochimaru’s henchmen that want us dead. And not forgetting, your seal Sasuke. “


Sasuke reached for his neck and could feel Orochimaru’s seal. Neji was right, should he go through this? He knew that Orochimaru was after him – he didn’t give his seal for nothing. And could he return to Konoha after everything they’ve done? Believe it or not, but this was a hard decision. Ever since Sasuke was a little kid he wanted to become a great ninja, but now as things were he couldn’t. If they didn’t accept them in Konoha anymore, then he could never take the last exam… What is he thinking?! Naruto is too important than a stupid exam! To hell with it, he was going to save the boy no matter what.

” I’ll be fine “ sneered Sasuke. “ Let the ANBU follow us, it doesn’t matter! If they try to harm Naruto I will kill them “

Neji looked a little worried to Sasuke. It was for the best if he didn’t think like that for a while. Thoughts of hate and revenge triggered the seal on his neck. Every time when that seal got released Sasuke lost more humanity. Both Neji and Shikamaru knew that they had to keep a close eye on the boy with pitch-black eyes.

” Let’s head back “ Said Sasuke when he handed Shikamaru the blueberries, and Neji the mushrooms.

The two nodded when Sasuke took four fishes from the grassy ground and as silent as they could be they headed to Naruto’s place.
Naruto was still sitting on the place where Sasuke had put him down, but right now he was sound asleep. His breathings were soft and slowly, and that concerned Sasuke a little.

” I think we should spend the night here “ Said Shikamaru while looking around. “ It’s already getting dark, and this place is covered in leaves so we’ll be hard to notice if we stay here “

” You’re right. But we need something to keep us dry and warm. It’s raining all day and we’re all soaked wet. Let’s try making a small campfire, and I will collect some materials to build a small hut to keep us warm “ With that said disappeared Neji into the trees above them.

In one minutes work, Shikamaru succeeded in making a small fire and began to roast the fish. Sasuke was waiting for Neji to come back so that they could begin building the hut. When he checked up on Naruto he saw the boy shivering in his sleep. The raven haired watched him for a second, and then he took off his blue shirt and put it around Naruto. The little one needed it more then he did. Thankfully he wore a white shirt underneath the blue one or else he would freeze to death.

” You’ve sure changed “ Said Shikamaru suddenly.

Sasuke looked up and raised an eyebrow. “ What do you mean? “

” Just as I said. You used to be an annoying bastard that whined over everything, completely consumed by your own arrogance. This is the first time I see you worrying over something else beside yourself “

” Thanks “ Said Sasuke annoyed.

” You’re more then welcome “ Snorted Shikamaru. “ Anyway dinner is ready, could you go look for Neji? I’ll wake Naruto up in the meantime “

To be honest, Sasuke didn’t want to leave Naruto alone with Shikamaru. He was afraid that if he left something would happen to the little one. But for now he needed to trust Shikamaru, so with a faint nod he jumped into the trees and began to look around. Where could Neji be anyway? He didn’t tell them where he was going to gather materials. To think of that, it sounded kind of fishy. He didn’t return to Konoha to inform the ANBU where they were right?
Sasuke landed on a branch and frowned. What if that was true? What if Neji had returned? That meant he was betraying everyone. But would Neji do that? As far as he knew he saw Neji as a very loyal and kind ninja. Sasuke reached for his pocket and grabbed a kunai – you can never be too sure. If Neji was indeed a spy he had to take drastic measures.

” What’s that? “ Whispered Sasuke when he saw some white down in the bushes.

He jumped down from the branch he was sitting on and landed soundless on the muddy ground. The raven haired tightens his grip around his kunai and wanted to charge into the bushes. However, suddenly he tripped over something and fell with a soft yell on the ground. When he wanted to get up he felt a hand on his head.

” Ssht “

It was Neji. His breathing was fast and his left arm was bleeding. Did he got into a fight? What has happened?

” What happened? “

” I got into a fight with some ANBU and injured myself while I was escaping. They are near, so we should hurry back to the others and make a run for it “

Sasuke gave a nod and together they began to run back to the other two.

~To be Continued~