Chapter Six

“Naruto, shut up!”

Glancing over his shoulder to where Naruto and Sakura were engaged in a rather heated talk, Sasuke frowned to himself seeing the mix of emotions on both faces as they argued in low voices. Naruto was looking smug, and stubborn over something, Sasuke could guess he was trying to convince Sakura of something, and she wasn’t agreeing, just as stubborn and clearly annoyed, and…sad.

They’d been like this ever since he’d woken up from their accommodations in the House of the Lightning country. He wasn’t sure what had occurred, but Sakura had avoided him, while Naruto stayed at her side, talking to her. Absently, he wondered if he’d done anything while he slept. He didn’t think so. But he’d noticed that he hadn’t had any nightmares, and slept peacefully for the time.

“Are they still going at it?” Kakashi wondered, also glancing back. “Hm.” Abruptly he dropped back, and in a moment, Naruto joined Sasuke at the front as they travelled.

The blonde looked irritated, an odd thing for him, but Sasuke said nothing focusing on getting back to Konoha. They’d set a hard fast pace since leaving, and had not stopped once. So far, Sasuke was mildly surprised that Sakura was still keeping up; apparently her endurance had strengthened, as well as her power.

Why am I noticing these things so late? He wondered frowning to himself.

“Teme.” Naruto suddenly called his attention. Sasuke glanced over. “Do you feel it?”

Pausing, the Uchiha scanned the area, and picked up the killing intent that hung in the air, they slowed as the scent of blood reached them. Sakura leapt halting next to Sasuke and her eyes narrowed as Kakashi let out a soft hum.

“Someone was killed here.” Sakura murmured softly as she spied blood below them. “But…” abruptly, without a word she dropped down, ignoring Naruto’s soft protest.

They kept her in sight as they moved forwards slowly, but abruptly she vanished, and her chakra faded.

Stiffening, Sasuke looked to Naruto, seeing a glint of red enter the other’s blue gaze. Kakashi stood perfectly still looking straight down, before he made a small signal with his hands. Understanding Naruto and Sasuke moved in complete silence, and fell down within the trees, searching for their teammate.

The killing intent rose surrounding them, but it was different from the first. Puzzled, the two males glanced at each other sensing the source just ahead, reaching for their weapons, they burst into view, only to skid to a halt, and stare.

A cry filled the air, loud and protesting, as kneeling before a woman holding tightly onto two children, Sakura held onto a baby tenderly as she allowed her healing chakra to flow over him. She was covered in blood, and off to the side, half hidden in the vegetation, were bodies bloodied, and filled with kunai’s.

“Sakura.” Kakashi called quietly.

The woman stiffened and a sound of fear escaped her. Glancing back, Sakura murmured softly to her, pouring her chakra over the woman as she did so. When she finished, she gestured to the males to come forwards. As they did, slowly, she took a blanket from her pack, and wrapped it around the baby, before transferring it to the woman. “A beautiful son.” She murmured.

“What happened?” Sasuke asked. “We lost you.”

Sakura frowned. “Lost me?”

“You just vanished.” Naruto frowned, elaborating to her blank expression. “Your chakra seemed to fade away. I couldn’t sense you at all.”

Comprehension filled her. “I see.” She paused, than shrugged. “I found Seika and her children here, her husband,” she jerked her chin to one of the bodies. “Had been killed by two nins hiding, they had sensed us coming.”

Her eyes flashed. “I surprised them.”

“You killed them.” Kakashi murmured.

Sasuke was studying the bodies with surprise, how had she done it so swiftly? And so silently? He didn’t think that she was able to.

He glanced over hearing Naruto’s low whistle and comment. “You must have been mad.”

“They were going to kill Seika, she was giving birth.” Sakura snapped.

“Lady…” the woman whispered faintly. Sakura turned to her immediately. “My children…they need food.”

“I have some.” Sakura answered gently. She looked at the others, her face hard. “We need to get them to Konoha.”

Kakashi stepped forwards and knelt beside the woman. “Will you allow me to carry you?” He asked gently.

She eyed him, before she gave a small shuddering nod. Kakashi smiled his approval behind his mask. “Sakura can take care of your baby, while your…” he paused and peered at the two small children clinging to their mother. “Daughters will be protected by Naruto and Sasuke.”

“You’re kind.” Seika murmured tiredly as Sakura safely retrieved the baby. She coaxed the two small girls to her side and murmured softly to them, as they leaned into her, watching as Kakashi rose with their mother on his back. “Miho,” Sakura spoke softly. “My friend Naruto is going to carry you, all right?”

The girls were twins, they saw, Miho had different coloured eyes, hers a misty grey, while her twins were a more darker blue colour. Miho cocked her dark head as Naruto crouched and gave an awkward grin. “He has whiskers like a cat.” She whispered.

“A cat?” Naruto complained.

“Not a cat, Miho.” Sakura smiled. “A fox.”

“Really?” She moved closer to Naruto regarding him.

He looked uncomfortable. “Climb on my back, kid.” He told her.

She readily did so as Sasuke moved closer silently. Sakura stroked the other twin’s head softly. “This is Sasuke, Yuki, he will take you.”

“Can I trust him?” She asked, eying Sasuke as he regarded her.

Sakura nodded. “I trust him with my life, so can you.”

Sasuke glanced at her, but she focused on Yuki, finally the little girl gave a nod and walked to Sasuke, climbing on his back settling comfortably. He rose looking uneasy, but said nothing. At an unsaid signal, they leapt off and continued on.

Swiftly they crossed the boarder into the Fire country, and stopped to make a camp for the night.

While Seika her children were fed, Sakura took the time to clean herself off at a source of water. Watching the blood mix in the blue, her eyes darkened, and hurriedly she finished, before washing her face.

Pausing, she regarded her reflection within the ripples. Her face seemed pale, her eyes took large, and her hair was definitely a mess. Sighing, she swept back her hair carelessly before she stood and rejoined the others.

Kneeling next to Seika, she watched them carefully for any signs of illness, but so far, all four were fine. Seika gave her a small hesitant smile. “I thought you were a citizen at first you know,” she spoke softly. “Until you moved.”

Sakura gave a rueful smile. “I suppose I should have put on my hitai-ate.” She murmured. “We hadn’t expected to run into any trouble…” she glanced at the other three, who were also dressed in citizen clothing, their hitai-ates and regular ninja clothing packed away out of sight for the trip.

“I am in your debt.” Seika said softly, watching the pink haired girl before her. “You saved my children. And myself.”

“It’s my job.” Sakura returned mildly. “I’m sorry about your husband though.”

Seika hesitated, than sighed. “Truthfully, he wasn’t my husband. Just a neighbour insisting on coming.” She stroked her baby boys face as he slept. “My husband died just after I found out I was pregnant with my son.” She looked to Sakura. "It was a mistake on my part, but I wanted to return to my old village to give birth to my son."

She smiled faintly. "Perhaps it was chance that we met, I am grateful to you, and am glad to know we will return home safely."

"Konoha is your home, then?" Sakura asked curiously.

"Yes." Seika nodded. "I left when I was young, and met my husband. I haven't been to Konoha since."

Giving an understanding nod, Sakura looked to where the twins had grown more comfortable, and were running around the three males hiding behind them as they sat playing hide and seek tag. Amused, Sakura watched as Miho darted out from behind Kakashi and pounced on Yuki, who squealed and ducked behind Sasuke before they both ran around Naruto in circles making him dizzy.

The three men stayed perfectly still, because they didn’t want to scare the girls from their play, or because they were scared to move, Sakura wasn’t sure, but it amused her all the more even so.

In truth, the girls didn’t disturb Kakashi at all; he was just as entertained. Naruto got over his discomfort soon, and casually swept out a hand, making the twins shriek happily to avoid him while still chasing each other. Sasuke…Sakura sighed sadly as he remained unmoved, tense, and a dark wary look mixing with other fathomless emotions within his eyes as he watched on.

He had no idea how to handle himself around children, which, she could understand perfectly, but it still pained her to see he could not afford to relax even around two little girls.

How would you handle your own children if you cannot learn to open up? She asked mentally.

The two girls ran laughing over to where Sakura knelt by their mother and squealing danced around her chattering nonsense as they plucked at her hair and clothing before running off playing. Watching them go Sakura felt a momentary pang within her, and was unaware of the longing that crept into her eyes as she watched the girls.

“You like children.” Seika murmured softly, seeing the expression.

Sakura glanced over and a smile touched her lips. “I didn’t always.” She confessed. “But something changed…” she trailed off helpless to explain it.

Seika smiled knowingly. “There comes a time in a woman’s life where she will be plagued with the want of having her own children.” She murmured softly. “Even if she knows it is not the time. I was like that myself, I yearned for children, but I was stubborn, thinking my duties where far more important.” She smiled as she touched her son’s small face. “But, I found that a family of your own is much more important, no matter what anyone says.”

“Family is important.” Sakura understood that. “But it also matter’s if you find the right person to commit to, to build that family.” She sighed softly.

Seika regarded her curiously. “You’re a beautiful girl, have you not had suitors?”

Sakura smiled lightly. “Not really.” She wasn’t going to count Lee, although it was tempting. Seika frowned confused. “I was sure that male was a suitor of yours.”

At Sakura’s surprised look, she continued hesitantly. “Your teammate, the dark haired one. You seem close, and he’s been watching you the entire time, like a suitor would.”

Blinking Sakura wondered if she should be in any way shocked, and looked over and felt her pulse jump as her gaze met onyx for an instant before he averted his face casually.

She bowed her head as well a small, sad smile playing on her lips. “It’s complicated with Sasuke,” she murmured. “He cannot take love, or give love to anyone until he has completed a personal goal of his.”

“Ah.” Seika’s eyes filled with sympathy. “You love him.”

Sakura didn’t reply as she gave another pained smile, and rose walking away from the group. She didn’t pay attention to Naruto’s warning not to go to far and slipped into the trees, her mind in deep thought, Seika’s words echoing. You love him. Silently she wondered if she really still did. It had been many years since she had confessed her love to him when they had been genin. Since then she had matured and grown stronger, changed.

And so had he. Was it actually love that she felt for him? It was a powerful emotion, just as hatred was.

Staring ahead with an unseeing gaze she seriously considered her true feelings. She had truly adored Sasuke when they had been genin, and respected him, but that had been nearly terminated when he had left. He had hurt her, over and over again, without care to her feelings, but she hadn’t let it defeat her, keeping true to her called love, even when Sai had joined the team. When Sasuke had confronted them…two and half years after he had left…

She closed her eyes. She still could remember the shock that had filled her, overriding the brief spark of joy before it turned to fear, and anger as he had hurt them. Again.

And when he had returned, and gone through his sentencing…she’d stayed by him. Not as the blind adoring girl, but as a friend, and defender to his actions. For all that he had done, she did understand why.

Leaning against a tree, she dimly felt the wind blow around her as she linked her hands behind her back, resting her shoulder blades against the rough bark braced on one straight leg, her other bent and absently scraping the ground with her boot.

For all that had happened in the years between them, she could recognize that a bond had grown between them. The others might not agree, but she knew it was true. And it had grown stronger from their genin days. Before, she’d been blind to only Sasuke’s looks, his skill, never looking further until later on, and when she had, her adoration had become more.

Lifting her chin, she peered through the branches of the trees above to see the sky dark and stars appearing. She’d at first adored Sasuke, perhaps loved, with a puppy kind of love, where it was all hormonal befitting that of a teenaged girl learning of attraction. But afterwards…

It’d grown. He’d left, and she’d still cared of his well being, doing all she could to become stronger, to be able to bring him back. And when he had returned, she’d realized that what he needed was not a fan girls dying affections, but a true friends loyalty and caring.

She’d accepted that, and given it to him as he needed it, but deep down, she knew that she still loved him. Not for just his looks, which had grown more handsome, or his skill, which had drastically grown better and stronger. She loved him for who he was, not what he was, an Uchiha, the sole survivor of the Uchiha Massacre, bearer of the Sharingan, and village prodigy.

She loved Sasuke for Sasuke. That was all there was to it. Purely and simply. Unconditionally.

“Sakura.”

Brought out of her thoughts, she found the object of her thoughts standing in the shadows a few feet away silently regarding her. Tilting her head, she silently looked at him, questioning. He studied her for a moment. “You should go eat.” He finally said.

She did nothing immediately before she looked back up at the sky. “Naruto’s orders?”

“…No.”

“Kakashi’s than?”

Sasuke mute no came back to her. She flicked a glance at him. “I’m not really hungry.”

“You didn’t eat earlier.”

He’d noticed? She looked back over. “Neither did you.” She reminded.

“I’m not Naruto.” He said simply. It brought an abrupt giggle to her as she straightened.

“Thank god.” She remarked lightly and stretched her arms above her head. With a small sigh she relaxed and moved back towards the camp, sliding past him, pausing momentarily to frown at him. “If I have to eat, so do you.”

He nodded agreeably to her mild surprise and joined her returning. A fire was blazing merrily with the others surrounding it as the night cooled and food was passed out in rations between them. As Sakura sat down, the twins flung themselves at her and hugged her, half climbing on her. “The dark man made the fire.” Yuki informed Sakura her eyes wide with awe. “He spat fire.”

“And didn’t get burnt!” Miho chimed.

Amusement curled Sakura’s lips upwards. “He tends to do that.” She agreed.

“Can you do that?” Miho asked curiously. Sakura kept her attention on the twins, but was aware that a certain gaze fell on her. “Not as well as he can.” She answered honestly. “I have my own skills.”

“Like what?”

“I heal.” Sakura replied simply.

“You healed mama.” Miho smiled settling firmly on her lap and hugged her as Yuki leaned into her side content. Not trusting herself to speak, Sakura nodded as she held them and rested her chin on Miho’s head as she stroked Yuki’s hair lightly. After a time, she rose with the two of them, and put them to sleep, watched by the males of her team. Silently, she joined them, keeping an eye on the family before she accepted some food from Naruto and ate absently, staring into the fire, before a sigh escaped her.

Exchanging looks, the males hesitated in what to do. She rested her chin on her hand gazing into the flames and spoke. “Naruto?”

He straightened. “Yeah?”

A smile touched her lips. “You were right.” With that, she went to her bedroll and slipped into it, falling into a light sleep immediately. Shock went over Naruto’s face as before he gave a wide grin and pumped his arm in victory mouthing, ‘YES!’