Summary: Through absence, Uchiha Sasuke begins to grasp the true value of Haruno Sakura. Post-562. Drabble series.

Disclaimer: Naruto is (c) Masashi Kishimoto and Shueisha, Inc.

IN ABSENTIA

The Significance of a Minute

The sharp edge of a kunai pricked the neck of Uchiha Sasuke, causing a rivulet of blood to flow along the smooth column. He cursed himself as ten kinds of fool at being caught unawares by the opposition. Due to his own ineptitude, the sharingan-wielder now found himself in the unfamiliar position of being held hostage. He was mortified.

Bruised pride made Sasuke grateful that a certain blond-haired jinchuuriki had not been named his partner for this two-man mission. If Uzumaki Naruto had witnessed his gaffe, the last Uchiha was positive he would never have been able to live it down. That is, if he were to find a way out of this predicament with his life.

Sasuke took in the surrounding ambush site and searched for a method of escape. He noted that numerous bodies littered the ground, lifeblood and innards covering much of the terrain with a slick film that would require concentration to steadily traverse. It was frustrating to see that, even after so many adversaries had been eliminated, their count continued to swell. The bitter truth was that he and his teammate were sorely outnumbered by elite enemy shinobi and their chances of retreat or victory had become overwhelmingly bleak.

"Sasuke-kun!" Haruno Sakura's anxious cry overrode the clang of weapons and other raucous sounds that were commonplace to a battleground. She purposefully razed her way through antagonistic ranks to reach him, deceptively feminine hands mercilessly pummeling any foe brazen enough to enter her path. Admittedly, it was an impressive sight to behold.

Only a few yards separated them when Sasuke's captor threateningly pressed the kunai deeper into his flesh. The villain was a heavily built man, especially for a shinobi, with a network of angry scars brutalizing the right side of his already unattractive face. There was no forehead protector to identify his country of origin but, when he spoke, the inflection of his gruff voice indicated that he was from Ishigakure or thereabouts. "Stand down, medic. One step closer and your comrade will suffer the consequences."

Sakura always put the safety of her allies first and, therefore, it was unsurprising when she halted at the power play. The pink-haired kunoichi was promptly swarmed by rival nin, and Sasuke could not help but grit his teeth when unwelcome hands roughly seized her arms in restraint.

Though she was detained as well, Sakura eschewed intimidation. "What do you want? We're on a medical assignment and mean no harm. To my knowledge, we have no quarrel with your group."

"You don't," the unidentified spokesman confirmed. "Retribution isn't a lucrative business."

"Money," Sakura spat, and her viridian eyes slid toward Sasuke with obvious concern. It was no secret that many Bingo Books had placed a significant bounty on his head – dead or alive.

A single course of action remained.

"If you let her go, I won't fight," Sasuke bartered while trying to maintain a semblance of his customary apathy. "No doubt, the sum for bringing me in alive will be considerably higher than the alternative."

His female counterpart immediately protested. "Sasuke-kun, no!"

Sasuke studiously disregarded the vehement objection and asked, "Are we agreed?"

The response to his proposition caused Sasuke's blood to run cold. "Uchiha, whoever said that we wanted you?"

His chakra-depleted gaze returned to Sakura and, when realization fully set in, he was unable to conceal the dawning horror. They did not want him, they wanted her.

Any thoughts of self-preservation dissipated and Sasuke started to furiously struggle in his nemesis' grasp. He could not... would not... let them take Sakura. It was a futile oath and a fruitless effort. The kunai that had been keeping him at bay was brutally plunged into the throat before being ruthlessly drawn from left to right. Words were lost to him and dearth of blood made his head spin. However, even as oxygen deprivation took hold, Sasuke stubbornly refused to break eye contact with his too oft ignored companion.

Sakura's terror-stricken expression was the stuff of nightmares, only to seamlessly merge with shock when overlarge roots unexpectedly breached the soil's surface. The roots encircled her legs, edging ever upwards with the intent of swathing her whole. The arresting ninja released their guard when the monstrous roots began to take possession of her upper anatomy. After all was said and done, there was a momentary stillness ere the rooted entrapment delved back into the earth from whence it came.

One minute Sakura was there, and the next she was gone.

TO BE CONTINUED