Save Me | A Naruto Fanfic

Chapter Ten

Hia guys! So now that the Christmas break is coming to an end, I will be starting up chapter updates like usual. Sorry if you were confused about the gap in updates, I was just dealing with a lot of crap so now that I've had this relaxing vacation I can get back to writing! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! (Or happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Omisoka, Yule, etc...)

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~Naruto's POV~

Sai comes running up to us, a look of deep concern glimpsing across his pale face. He's panting, and there's a thick red mark running across his neck. Was that the enemy? Or Sasuke?

"Naruto! Shikamaru!" he pants, "It's Sakura!"

My senses perk up at this, "What's wrong?"

"She's cursed, and dying. Come, follow me," he says, taking off in the opposite direction. Shikamaru and I share a worried look before racing after him.

"What do you mean cursed?" Shikamaru asks when we catch up.

"There is weird script written across her forehead and neck. I think it's draining both her chakra and her life force. I don't know how to stop it.

We hear a sharp cry from up ahead, and we all freeze. Sai swallows loudly and says, "That's her."

I push past him and scramble towards the sound, worry creasing my brow and sweat forming in small beads along my hairline. I turn a corner and see Sasuke, crouched over a still figure, his sandy cloak just brushing the dirty road below him. He remains still as stone as he speaks.

"Naruto," he says, ever so quietly.

I take slow steps towards him, "Sasuke."

"She's dying, Naruto," he says, in a shockingly weak tone.

"I know."

"And there's no way I can stop it."

"I know," I repeat, placing a hand on his shoulder, expecting him to move away, or to shrug it off. But he stays put, not even flinching at the contact.

"What do we do?" he asks after some silence.

"We can't do much. Grandma Tsunade might be able to."

Quick footsteps approach from behind, and I hear murmurs as the group of medic nin turn the corner and spot us. Apart from the rest, I catch the sound of clicking heels, and I know Tsunade is there as well. She comes up to my side.

"Sasuke, we will take her now," she says gently, easing into a crouch beside him.

There is a long silence, and he finally releases his grasp on her. The medics rush towards Sakura, keeping a distance away from Sasuke as they pass by.

~Sasuke's POV~

I'm frozen in place, unable to move, unable to breathe.

For the second time in my life, I am utterly helpless.

The first was way back, the turning point in my life. The death of my parents, my friends, my clan. All the blood that stained my brother's hands that day... The trauma I suffered, the pain I endured. Only to go a full circle, and become helpless once again.

Naruto interrupts my thoughts, "Sasuke."

"What?"

He sighs, "You should go."

I hesitate, totally confused. I turn and get up, facing him.

Naruto reads the anger in my features and a smile cracks on his face, "No not like that. You should go after him. Bring him back to the village, he may be the only way to cure Sakura."

My anger subsides and I just nod.

"Want to bring anyone?" Naruto asks, though he probably already knows the answer.

I narrow my eyes, "Obviously not."

Suddenly, someone comes running up towards us, and I recognize the navy blue hair.

"Wait!" she shouts.

Naruto whips around, spotting Hinata approaching us, breathing heavily.

"What is it Hinata?" he asks.

"I want to go too."

~Shikamaru's POV~

Horror flashes over Naruto's features at the thought of Hinata chasing after someone so powerful that could beat Sasuke. I catch Sasuke snicker out of the corner of my eye, and odd show of emotion for him.

"What...?" Naruto stutters.

Hinata stands firmly in place as she takes a deep breath, clearly stressed from the confrontation of both Naruto and Sasuke.

"I want to go too," she repeats. "I want to help save Sakura."

Naruto can't believe it.

"There are many other ways for you to help Sakura, Hinata," he says quickly.

"Naruto," she breathes. "She's my friend. I want to help save her. I want vengeance as much as you do."

There is a long silence.

"No."

"What?" Hinata gasps.

Naruto looks away from her pleading eyes. "I won't let you go."

Definitely double meaning in that phrase.

"Naruto please," Hinata begs. "Let me go with Sasuke, let me save Sakura."

"You could get hurt, and I'm already about to lose Sakura..."

"But Naruto..."

"I can't lose you too!" he yells, his eyes becoming watery.

Hinata's eyes flicker to Sasuke's. Sasuke seems to be figuring when to step in, and it seems he's decided.

"Naruto," Sasuke says. "You won't lose Sakura or Hinata."

Naruto turns and looks at Sasuke slowly, "You agree with this?"

"I can't deny someone the right to vengeance."

Naruto looks dumbfounded. His eyes glance between Hinata and Sasuke, weary and helpless. Then, he just drops his head in defeat.

"Fine."

He turns on his heal and starts walking away without another word.

"Naruto!" Hinata calls after him.

He stops and looks over his shoulder at her, jaw set and eyes cold.

"No. You chose to go, I have to accept that. Go, and let me find my own way to deal with this."

We all stand still, stunned. What just happened...?

"Well, let's go," Sasuke mutters, and starts walking in the other direction, towards the city gates.

Hinata looks so lost, trying to decide between vengeance or safety and love.

After some silence, she turns and follows Sasuke.

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Wowie! I feel very dramatic for some reason so here's a drama-filled chapter!

Hope you guys liked, comment and vote if ya did!

It's good to be back, ain't it? I love writing soo much, but I needed that break.

Happy New Year! Hope you all had a great 2016 and have an even better 2017!

~Aleyna~