Watch My Back As I Move On

Chapter 45: Mistakes

"Your goal is to tell the others you are worthy to be called strong, worthy to be appreciated, and worthy to protect those important to you when the world tries to take them away." He said, giving Sakura a small smile. With that, Itachi undid the genjutsu.

Itachi opened his eyes and saw Sasori check Sakura's pulse. "It's stabilizing for now." He said. "What did you do?" Sasori asked. "Hn." Itachi simply answered.

A few minutes later, the group reached their base. They rushed Sakura to her room and grabbed all the supplies they need. Sasori and Kakuzu asked the other to go out of the room for now. A few hours later, Sasori and Kakuzu walked out with a satisfied look. "How is she?" Kisame asked. "She's fine for now." Sasori said. "We're not as good as her but we did good enough to make her live." Kakuzu said, walking towards his room.

"Those f**king Konoha nins." Hidan growled. "We'll get back at them, un." Deidara said, walking away with his fists clenched. "Itachi, Kisame, tie up the kyuubi with chakra ropes. Make sure he lives until Sakura gets better." Pein said, handing Kisame the fainted Naruto.

A few weeks have passed before Sakura showed signs of waking up. In those few weeks, the gang made sure that Sakura is not left alone. Sasori was checking Sakura's slowly healing wounds. His eyes widened when he saw Sakura's eyes flutter open. "Sasori." She whispered with her raspy voice. "Wait, I'll get water." Sasori said, walking away. Sakura waited patiently for Sasori. A few seconds later, Sasori walked in with a glass of water at hand.

Sakura took the water with one gulp. Sasori helped her sit up, earning him a groan in pain in the process. "How long was I out?" Sakura asked. "8 weeks." Sasori answered, sitting on Sakura's bedside. "I was in the verge of dying." Sakura said, laughing slightly. "That's not something to laugh about, moron." Sasori said. "I know. Besides, I promised not to die." Sakura said, making Sasori smile.

"Can you call the others for me? They might be dying in worry right now." Sakura said, making Sasori chuckle. With that, Sasori walked away to call the whole gang. A few seconds later, Sakura heard a series of heavy foot steps running for her room. "Sakura!" They shouted, jumping on Sakura to hug her, save for Pein, Konan, Kakuzu, Zetsu, Sasori and Itachi.

"Don't squeeze me!" Sakura shouted in pain as she hit everyone over the head. "You're too f**king reckless!" Hidan shouted, rubbing his bump on the head. "Yeah, un!" Deidara said. "You nearly killed yourself for Pete's sake!" Kisame said. "But Sakura-chan promised not to die." Tobi said, grinning under his mask.

"I was in the verge of giving up actually." Sakura said, smiling. "But someone decided to visit me, right before I can go for the light." She said, making everyone look at her confusedly as she sent Itachi a smile.

"Alright, everyone. Let's leave her to rest for now." Pein said. "Off you go." Konan followed, watching everyone walk out. Pein was about to walk out but stopped abruptly. "When you get better, I'll have to tell you something." Pein said, making Sakura look at him in wonder as he walked out, closing the door behind him.

"What a troublesome vacation." Sakura said, sighing as she leaned back. "I went here with a flawless skin. But right now, I think I'm full of scars." She said, smiling. Sakura stayed silent for a whole minute. "Alright. Boredom strikes. Time for a small adventure." She said, grinning as she tried to stand up. "Oh, you're not going for an adventure." Kisame said with a joyous tone as he entered the room.

"But boredom hit me like bricks." Sakura said, crossing her arms over her chest. "I made a new jutsu." Kisame said, grinning. "What kind?" Sakura asked, raising an eyebrow. "Eh. More of an entertainment jutsu ratther than a killer jutsu." He said, scratching the back of his head.

"I wanna see." Sakura said, grinning. "Alright. But promise me not to ask for an autograph after I do this." He said, grinning. "Like I'll ask for an autograph." Sakura said, laughing. "Alright." Kisame said, making handsigns.

Sakura felt a wave of chakra around her and a few seconds later, butterflies made out of water came flying all around them. "When did you learn this?" Sakura asked as she stared in amazement at the scen before her. "I had 8 whole weeks." Kisame said, grinning. "So how does this jutsu work?" Sakura asked, poking a butterfly. But her finger slipped right through the butterfly.

"It's made out of the water vapor. In battle, the butterflies suck in the enemies' chakra. But right now, all it does is fly." Kisame said, undoing the jutsu. "By the way, I'm also here to lend you chakra. Enough to heal your big wounds." Kisame said, grinning.

"That would be a great help." Sakura answered, slapping Kisame's shoulder. Kisame grabbed Sakura's hand and channelled chakra through her system. A few seconds later he let go. "Thank you." Sakura said, smiling at Kisame. "No prob." He answered.

With that, Sakura proceeded on healing the wound Kakashi inflicted on her. Not enough to heal it completely. She left a scar. "You had enough chakra to heal it completely." Kisame said, raising an eyebrow. "It'll serve as a memory of a mistake. A mistake of killing and a mistake of being nearly killed." Sakura said, smiling as she closed her eyes. Her eyes snapped open when she felt a stinging pain on her forehead. Kisame flicked her forehead. "You shouldn't keep yourself drowned in your mistakes. Swim away from it and learn from it." He said, grinning. Sakura smiled at him. 'To think that he'd say something like that.' Sakura thought.

To Be Continued...