I'll Follow You Into The Dark

Chapter 3: New Home

The whole journey had been dreadful. Between running away from home, dying once and joining one of the most notorious missing nin, Sasuke Uchiha was feeling quite irritable and exhausted. The only comfort he currently had was the warm weight on his back. His pink haired teammate whom, for a reason he did not know - or want to admit - was there with him on this dangerous mission.

Slowing down his pace to fall behind his new followers, Sasuke had plenty of time to think things over. It was incredibly clear to him that he needed to get stronger and it needed to be done fast, and in order to do that, bonds like the one he had with his team had to be cut off.

So, then, why was Sakura's breath currently warming the back of his neck? Sasuke pondered that question since he decided to bring her along. It was true that taking her along reduced the risk of getting caught, but he could have left her somewhere along the road to find her way back. It would have been enough.

She could be useful.

The thought crossed the Uchiha's mind briefly, but again, he knew that was not it, and as they neared the edge of the forest they had been running through, his eyes landing on what he suspected was the top of an underground base, he admitted to himself, reluctantly, that she was a comforting piece of home he did not want to let go of yet.

(✿⁠)

Eight hours have passed since Sasuke emerged from his container. They had taken only one break since resuming their journey. Now, after carrying Sakura for hours, Sasuke barely seemed out of breath. The pinkette climbed down from his back and looked at her teammate in awe, realizing perhaps for the first time the extent of his strength.

Sensing a sinister aura surrounding them, she knew they had arrived, and having to face the reality of it, she also realized that there was no assurance she would not be disposed of. After all, it was Sasuke that Orochimaru wanted, and she had no special talents to buy her a place by Sasuke's side. A pit formed in Sakura's stomach and she instinctively took a step closer to him, the only safety she felt was left.

As if on cue, two men emerged from the shadows of the trees. The threatening aura was not unfamiliar to Sakura, having felt it before during the chunin exams when she had to face Orochimaru, who was at the time pretending to be just an ordinary examinator. However, his appearance was different. He had short, light coloured hair, wore a simple, black robe and was covered almost entirely in bandages.

Hid almost entirely behind Sasuke, Sakura peeked over his shoulder at the other man approaching them. Yakushi Kabuto. Intelligent, strong and a good liar. That was all Sakura knew about him. He seemed uneasy, and as they came closer, the mood of Orochimaru's other followers changed to a tense one as well, and while the missing nin's eyes seemed clear as day, the atmosphere made her expect some sort of outburst.

"Sasuke-kun, how nice of you to join us." he spoke calmly while looking over at the rest of the group. "I see you brought along a friend."

Sasuke did not reply, only moving his head to look up at the man he came all this way to train with. Sakura could not see his face, but from his posture, it almost seemed like he was challenging Orochimaru.

"Nice to see you again, Sakura." said Kabuto, looking at her with a somewhat intrigued expression.

"Kabuto-san." she replied, too unsure to speak more than the one word.

"As you can see," Kabuto continued. "Orochimaru-sama was forced to go ahead and perform the jutsu early."

Sakon and the rest of the group, aside from herself and Sasuke, bowed deeply in response. Apologies were made for being too late, angry looks were exchanged, all of this leaving Sakura completely lost. After the short exchange, the four followers that had brought them here left quickly, leaving Sakura, Sasuke, Orochimaru and Kabuto alone.