Forever

SasuSaku

summary: After Sasuke came back from Orochimaru, he found a note in his apartment. From her. It was always her. But, it wasn't what he expected. After 3 years, it still wasn't what he expected her to be. Black with red clouds.

I can't WAIT untill Im able to work on the 19th & 20th chapters...bwahaha. But I promise you'll like/love them. PROMISE!!!!!

NOTE:

Before you all slowly kill me with sporks and various other pointed objects, please note that this still IS 'SasuSaku' and Sasuke will come up later. I won't say what chapters, though I have already hinted. Or just basically gave it away. -points to text above- He will ESPECIALLY be important in the sequel, which will hold tons of fluffy-ish moments but I'm pretty sure it will make up for the lack-of-romance in this one. So, please, PUT THOSE SPORKS DOWN, ARE YOU TRYING TO POKE MY EYE OUT OR SOMETHING?!...oh, you are. okay. -runs-

-&-

On another NOTE, I need to know what to name the sequel! I'm thinkin either Vulnerable or Traitor, but if you have any suggestions please tell me!!

chapter 17

She Breaks

"Are you kidding, yeah?" Deidara's eye was wide in disbelief.

"I believe I am telling the truth. Leader-sama wishes to speak with you and Haruno." Zetsu nearly spat out. He didn't like Sakura. Last time he saw her, she was cheery. Too cheery. It irked him to no end.

"The Koritaka hasn't been spotted anywhere Deid-" Sakura muttered, looking up to find Zetsu standing before an angry Deidara. "Zetsu...why are you here?" Her cold eyes were calculating, taking Zetsu by surprise. Though, it was a good surprise. 'There can be no weak Akatsuki.'

"Seems as if you failed your mission." He sneered. Sakura was taken aback.

"What are you talking about, Zetsu? Get to the point!" She never liked the way he just...was. It unnerved her.

"Uzumaki Naruto is still alive." Zetsu smirked. "Leader-sama wishes your presence." All Sakura could do was nod. With a small chuckle, Zetsu went back underground. After a few seconds past, Sakura began shaking. She closed her eyes, still surprised about how much emotion came upon her.

"I'll meet you outside in a couple minutes, Deidara." Sakura said, sparing him no glance. He could tell she needed some alone time so he just walked out of the hotel room, heading towards the lobby.

"No...this can't be happening... Everything to get over that stupid mission was in vain. Sakura, get a hold of yourself!" She yelled, slapping herself. She could feel the red mark sinking into her flesh, giving her the stinging sensation. "He is in the past, Sakura. The past. Get over it!" She slapped the other cheek but it wasn't as effective. She opened her eyes, trying to decipher the problem. Her hand was shaking and a pale blue color slowly crept up her wrist. She tried to flex her fingers but they didn't respond to the comand. Her eyes opened wide and she felt a familiar substance swell up there. Tears. She had to admit, she hadn't felt them in awhile. And, in some freaky way, she kinda missed them.

The color spread throughout her left arm and it made her cold.

"Don't ever speak to him like that again. Ever." A deep, masculine voice snarled. The tone sounded strained, as if anger was never an issue with him. What she couldn't understand was, who? And why? "Oh, you know damn well who I'm talking about." She froze. 'He can read my thoughts...?!' He laughed. It was a somewhat calming laugh, the rage gone. Too bad it returned again. "I'm warning you Haruno." Still struggling to understand his words, the warmth flowed back into her body. Her arm no longer blue.

"What...the...hell" She breathed out, on her hands and knees. The saltine liquid carresed her cheeks as they fell in streams. She collapsed onto the floor, her sobbs filling the room.

---

((please read my note in my A/N, which is right above the chapter title, incase you haven't already. It is VERY important. Both the huge paragraph and the two lines below it. Also, REVIEW! 1 away from 100 so REVIEW!!))

"Naruto-kun..." Hinata continued to whisper as Naruto rubbed circles on her back. His chin rested on the top of her head.

"Don't worry Hinata-chan, I'm not going anywhere." He smiled encouragingly, holding her as tight as he could against his chest.

"Hey, Tsunade-sama! Whats all this comotion abo-" The voice stopped. Tsunade looked up to see Kiba frozen in place.

"Kiba, whats wrong?" Another voice yelled and Tsunade could see Neji, Shino, Shikamaru, Ino, Lee, Choji, and Sasuke coming right beside Kiba on the hill top.

"NARUTO!!!" They all yelled, with the exception of Neji, Shino, and Sasuke. They just said it in a regular tone. The ones that yelled ran down the side of the hill and embraced the blonde. After a couple minutes of slow-walking, the other three reached Naruto.

"Glad you're alive, dobe." Sasuke's hand rested on Naruto's shoulder.

"Aww...I love you too teme!" Naruto joked, getting Sasuke in an unwanted friendly hug.

"Dobe don't touch me." Sasuke muttered as Naruto released. ((no yaoi))

"Naruto, come to my office. You have some explaining to do." Tsunade said as she turned to walk to the tower.

"Wait! Can't I atleast have some ramen?!" He whined as everybody merely sighed.

"Yup. He's back." Neji slightly twitched. How his cousin could love this 'thing' was beyond him.

"Fine. Just come back when you're done." She continued, muttering something about her precious sake.

"I SAY THE RAMENS ON TEME!" Before Sasuke could retaliate, many agreed and Naruto was running, for his life, towards Ichiraku.

---

"Failure of this magnitude is unexceptable." Pein stated in a business-like-tone, hands folded on his desk. Sakura and Deidara stood infront of his desk. Deidara knew his face could show hints of fear but, looking at Sakura, he honestly couldn't tell. He then just guessed that she released all her emotion in the empty room, so she wouldn't mess up here. Sakura could feel the intensity of his eyes, equiped with the Rinnegan, and it chilled her bones.

"You both have outlasted your use." They froze. Sakura visibly shook as unknown anger swirled inside Deidara. 'All those years I've served him...This is how he repays me?' He bitterly thought. "Now you must die." He said in such a simple tone, like this isn't the first time he had to kill some of his members. Sakura twitched. She knew Konan, Kisame, and Zetsu had their ears pressed against the wall, awaiting the blood and the smell of death. Itachi was in the training grounds while Hidan and Kakuzu were away on missions. Pein smirked. "Any last words?"

"I don't know how he survived. When we left him, his heart beat was almost gone and his supply of blood and chakra were draining fast. All I know is, no matter who he was able to see, no medic, simple or advanced, could have saved him. Not even one of the legendary sannin." Sakura stated, face serious. Suddenly, there was an iron-grip on her throat.

---

"How is his survival possible?!" A blonde paced around a neat office. Her hands were swinging wildly around her head and her facial expression was clearly disbelief.

"I do have a theory." The person sitting in the leather, comfortable swivle chair whispered.

"Okay, Gaara, let's hear it." The third occupant of the room said, leaning against the wall. He and the blonde's gazes fell upon the red head.

"It involves..."

---

An 'thud' was heard against the door. The people backed up and, even with their skill, did not see that coming. The wooden object flew off its hinges, past the three eavesdroppers. Looking back, they saw a pink-haired body laying on the door. They went over to examine the damadge. A handprint was on her neck, the color a deep red. Her face held gashes and bruises and...woah. I didn't know legs could bend that way! Her black cloak was stained with blood as was her pale complextion. Deidara looked through the doorway, completely shocked.

Running over to where Sakura lay, Deidara was unscathed. Konan let out a smirk as she could scarcely hear Sakura's heart. The only reason why Kisame was the least bit sad was that, if she died, he would have to drink alone or go to bars with Itachi, who was no fun whatsoever. Zetsu couldn't careless what happened to Haruno. Personally, it be better if she did die.

Sakura's eyes shot open as she attempted to sit up. She felt the pain in her broken, dislocated- scratch that- severely dislocated legs. Using her minimal amount of chakra, she numbed her legs then set the bones properly. It still hurt. There was no place on her body that wasn't in pain and soaked with blood. Zetsu sighed in defeat. 'Atleast she didn't get off easy.' His darker self thought with a chuckle.

"Kisame. Fetch Itachi." Pein ordered, walking out of the room and infront of the medic. "Sakura, Deidara. There are two missions pending completion. Once you are able to stand up again, you may return to my office." His face void of emotion as he returned to his room.

After a couple minutes, Sakura stood up on her own. Pain shot through her legs and tears welled in her eyes but went unnoticed. Kisame walked back, Itachi in tow, and Itachi followed Sakura and Deidara into Pein's chamber.

---

"Why won't you believe me?" Naruto whined, sitting in a chair infront of Tsunade's desk.

"I'm not saying I don't believe you. I'm trying to help you...refresh your memory. Thats all. If I didn't believe you, I'd hand you over to the interrogation unit." At her words, Naruto shuddered.

"But I'm telling you, I don't remember anything after my fight, until I was treated by medics in Suna after Gaara told me he found me." Naruto said, trying hard to remember.

"You're free to go now. If you know anything else, come back here." Tsunade rubbed the bridge of her nose as Naruto jumped up and slammed the door on his way out.

---

"What?" Deidara's eye was wide, looking at Pein as if he had five extra heads.((...does anybody get this one? here's a hint: its a reference to the manga! I just put it in here to see if anyone would get it right. The answer, and who got it right, will be displayed next chapter.))

"You heard me. You three will be sent on a mission to gather information about Orochimaru. After that is complete, Sakura and Deidara will be sent to Suna to finish off Naruto." Itachi slightly nodded in understanding. "Also, I need to confirm my suspistions so I need you to find out everything you can about the Otokage and Tsuchikage."

"Isn't Orochimaru still supposed to be the Otokage? And whats with the Tsuchikage, yeah?" Deidara asked, face filled with confusion.

"Would you care to explain your theory?" Itachi was abit confused himself.

"All I will say is that somehow, for some reason, the Tsuchikage is working with the Otokage and since I've heard of multiple sighting of Orochimaru in different countries, I've just been wondering." Pein said, choosing his words carefully. They didn't need to know. "You will leave as soon as Haruno's legs are repaired." They all nodded and Sakura was behind, limping, scowling.

tbc

PHEW! Thats done! -wipes hands- This chapter took longer than I expected. Now, if you'll excuse me, a baked potato and a hamburger is calling me. Ja ne! OMG: PS: I am 1 review away from 100! The next reviewer gets mentioned in the next chapter on the bottom(like where this is) so lets get REVIEWING!

Poll:

-Pein(1)

-Itachi(3)

your -MUNCH- -MUNCH- authoress...

kunoichixakura