A/N: well...after a trillion years we're finally posting this chapter. Thanx for the reviews, we would like to hear more! We've also started fanart so any of you guys interested in drawing for this story, we would loooooove to see it. Ok well onto the story!!
Disclaimer: No...we do not blah blah blah u know the rest
Chapter 12: Shattered
His breathing was deep and slow, profoundly confused on what had happened and what he had said. He had to get his thoughts straight. Leaning against the wooden door he felt Sakura's aura behind it. A few days ago his emotions were intact, nothing would have fazed him, concealed in his own world surrounded with a high wall, which no one could break. But now…
He bowed his head and shut his eyes tightly. The more he pushed these thoughts out of his head the more they came flooding in. This girl or woman or whatever she was, was the reason for his traumatic emotional tempest. This unwelcoming feeling gnawed at the pit of his stomach and there was nothing he could do to banish it.
Sasuke sighed, his fingers etching slightly toward the door's handle. He wanted to burst in the room and enlighten her on what she was doing to him and ask her how she could fix it. His hand stopped. This wasn't the time and blaming Sakura would only make things worst. Letting go another sigh Sasuke moved away from the door. The Uchiha wouldn't admit it openly, but he did not want Sakura to get hurt. Maybe the reason was out of habit. He and Naruto always had that job of protecting her.
He acknowledged the fact that he did mean everything he had said to his training partner. However he could not stop himself thinking this meant that he felt something more for her. He swallowed and softly cleared throat. He was only a man and he had noticed how much Sakura had…changed.
Sasuke violently shook his head; there was no time for this. He had more important things to worry about. This was just a phase and it would soon pass.
He stalked off pushing out those unneeded thoughts. The rush of anticipation gave Sasuke goosebumps. His chance to kill his brother was finally here and nothing could ruin it. Nevertheless he still remembered his promise that Sakura would not be harmed. Sasuke headed toward Orochimaru's chamber.
As she heard the door click shut Sakura fell to the floor. Uchiha Sasuke had left her once again.
Tears streamed down her face, her heart beat ferociously against her ribcage. Her calm façade felt as if it had dropped and shattered across the floor. No one was here to prevent her from falling apart. It was the matter of being alone again. It was the build-up over the years. It was that she felt weak and pathetic.
It was the fact that she still loved him.
A few moments had passed before Sakura ceased her crying. Her fingers laced into her pink strands. Her mind kept replaying the last thing Sasuke had said to her. A gasp left her parted lips. Was that the final thing he would ever say to her? Would Sasuke even come back? Once again her green eyes were filled with tears and Sakura didn't even bother to stop them.
A day had passed since Sasuke's departure and Sakura had not left the room. She spent most of her time under the duvet burying her face into the pillows.
The teenager was mentally and physically exhausted. Sleep was an impossible task. She slowly sat up. Turning her head toward the window, Sakura noticed shimmering light that indicated it was dawn.
Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed, she rubbed both hands with her face. Sakura stood and sauntered to the bathroom. She opened the faucet, which moaned from disuse. The water sped out and for a while Sakura watched it flow down the drain before sticking her hands underneath. She didn't bother looking up into the mirror, for she knew she looked like a wreck.
Cupping her hands, Sakura scooped up some water and splashed it against her warm face. The water felt refreshing and cool. She wiped her face dry and decided to go for a walk. Maybe wondering around aimlessly would help her clear her mind.
The hallway was empty and the silence made Sakura's ears ring, but she didn't mind the eerie emptiness, because it matched her mood. Trying to not disturb the protruding stillness, the medic made her way in the direction of the outside where she and Sasuke had previously sparred. As she arrived at the entrance she felt the crisp morning air wash over her. This may have been the best idea she had today. She stepped out unto the soft ground and awed at the amazing scenery.
"You're up early Sakura-chan," in a second her peacefulness was crushed.
" I could have said the same for you, Kabuto."
"I'm flattered you still remember me." The Sound-nin teased as he moved to stand next to the Kunoichi. Sakura stiffened a little by his action. The pair stood staring at the landscape for a while.
It was Kabuto who decided to ruin the quiet once more.
"I usually come out here when there is something bothering me and need to think. Something tells me that is why you are here this morning." Kabuto spoke calmly and Sakura clenched her teeth out of irritation because of the man's unwelcome presence. "You're worried about Sasuke-kun." the medicine specialist turned to face the girl beside him and smiled.
She had forgotten that her mask of calm demeanor was shattered on Sasuke's bedroom floor.
"Who said I was worried?" her voice was even with no hint of emotion. It surprised her that her tone of voice sounded so unaffected when she felt the contrary.
Kabuto chuckled, "because it's written all over your face."
The Kunoichi narrowed her eyes.
"Personally I can't blame you for being worried." Kabuto spoke as his index finger pushed his glasses up to the rim of his nose.
Sakura faced the grey-haired man, a heavy frown placed on her mouth. "What exactly are you trying to say?" she demanded, her eyebrows furrowing deeper.
"We both know that even though Sasuke-kun has improved greatly, he isn't powerful enough to destroy Itachi. He's going to go, fight his brother and is probably going to end up dead." a sinister grin began to form on he's pale face. "And when Sasuke-kun doesn't come back…there's nothing stopping Orochimaru-sama from doing whatever he pleases with you." Satisfied with what he had just said, Kabuto strolled back into the building.
He's wrong. He has to be. Sasuke is strong enough and he will return. Subconsciously Sakura balled her hands into fists. If Kabuto is telling the truth,what will happen then? Nothing that Orochimaru will do could hurt me more if he were to die. Before another thought raced through Sakura's mind, she rushed back inside. There was no helping it she had to go after him.
On the way to Sasuke's chamber she passed a Sound-nin that she recognised. It was the same guard that had told Sasuke Itachi's location. Perhaps he would be some help to her.
"Excuse me." the sentry stopped and looked at the petite girl. His mouth opened to make a rude comment, however stopped when he acknowledged who she was. It was the girl who had been with Sasuke when he had given the message to him. Everyone knew it wasn't wise to stir a commotion with one of Sasuke's familiars.
"Yes?"
Baffled by his response, it took Sakura a while to establish what she wanted to say. She didn't expect this man to be half as civilised.
"Where was Uchiha Itachi last seen?" Sakura sobered from the initial shock and spoke in a superior voice.
"At the border of the Rain country. What does it have to do with you though?" The sound-nin questioned rudely.
Sakura narrowed her eyes and answered in a low tone,
"…Everything."
In less than thirty minutes Haruno Sakura was ready to leave. After her encounter with the sound-nin she headed back to Sasuke's room in search for anything that she might be able to use. Unfortunately all she could find was a single kunai and an old first aid kit but figured that would just have to do.
Sakura carefully made her way outside, avoiding any detection. In a matter of seconds she had left the compound and was making her way through the forest. She had a fair amount of knowledge getting to the Rain country, but hoped she would find the right place. Sasuke was hard to track. Yet she would do anything in her power to catch up to him.
If I go all out I will be able to make it in about a day. Sasuke is already a day ahead of me so that means I have no time to waste. Sakura pushed herself faster and sped deeper into the forest.
Sasuke's chest moved roughly from his violently breathing. His body was constricted in pain, but was not going to give up. At the corner of his red eyes he saw Kisame's mangled body. Two down one to go.
He whipped his head back toward his brother's figure. Itachi stood unfazed, it did not appear that he was about to go into battle. Although the elder Uchiha did have a few injuries, it was not as many as Sasuke's.
" You have not improved much little brother. Are you sure you are capable in killing me just yet?" The Akatsuki mukin asked in his calm, velvet voice.
"Shut up! I will defeat you Uchiha Itachi and I will avenge my clan!" Sasuke shouted. Ignoring the pain, he sprang forward.
A/N: Done for now, pleeeeeeez let us know what u think, until next time.