No Need for Love

C h a p t e r 27 - A Bittersweet Goodbye

Tears keep falling as I stand within the warmth of Sasuke's embrace. It seems as if my body has an endless supply of tears just waiting to spill over. At this point Sasuke's shirt is thoroughly soaked, but he doesn't care. I want to stay here. Stay with Sasuke, but that can't happen. He won't let me go. I have no choice now.

'Damn! I didn't want to have to use this... Please forgive me!'

"(Name)?" He calls out to me.

Instead of responding, I slowly lift my head. Now looking at Sasuke, I softly whisper his name while leaning closer to his face. Sasuke does the same, and soon enough our lips meet. The kiss is soft and passionate. It's warm and comforting. We briefly pull away before our lips reconnect for a second kiss. This one deeper than the last. Sasuke's hands are now placed on both sides of my face...our kiss continues.

'This moment is perfect...it can't stay this way, unfortunately.'

I decide to finally break the kiss. After catching my breath, I open my eyes and look directly into Sasuke's intimidating orbs. Our surroundings become completely still and so do we.

'It's done.'

Ripping my gaze away from his face, I watch as his body falls unconscious. I quickly catch him before he hits the ground. I lay Sasuke down as gently as I can. Now sitting beside him, I quietly say, "Sutomi's Shut Eye, complete."

This new ability allows me to make my target fall into an unconscious state when they look into my eyes. By focusing and enhancing the chakra around my eyes, I can create a genjutsu forcing my target to see whatever they desire. Which in turn forces them to lose consciousness. Right now Sasuke still believes he's holding me in his arms. It'll stay that way until someone wakes him up, and he realizes the harsh reality I've left him in.

Leaning down close to his face, I place a soft kiss on his cheek. Getting up, I walk away finally reaching the entrance gates. After officially stepping out of the village, I turn around; taking one last look at everything.

'I know you'll be confused and angry, but we'll see each other again. I promise, Sasuke.'

With my back now facing the village, I walk on the path in front of me. A path that will hopefully contain the answers I'm looking for. This is going to be a new journey for me, and I'll have to go back to where it all started. To the place that changed everything. It's all I can now.

I continue to travel through the forest with the night being my only witness. As more time passes, my energy dwindles down with every step that's taken. Feeling a change in temperature, I realize it will be dawn soon. Everyone will soon know that I'm gone.

'I wonder if they'll send someone after me. I hope they don't anytime soon. That'd be inconvenient and a drag.

As the sun's tiny rays begin to creep through the forest leaves, my mind remains clear. There's only one destination on my mind...

------------------------------

Naruto's P.O.V

Rushing out, I quickly gobble the rest of my toast down before zipping up my jacket. I'm running a little late. I overslept...again. Reaching the training field, I take a moment to catch my breath. Only to find that Sakura's the only one here. I take another look around before my gaze is fixed on her.

"Uh...where is everyone? I'm not that late am I?!!"

Sakura lets out a sigh before answering me.

"No, you're not that late. As for everyone else, I have no idea where they are. This is typical of Kakashi sensei, but Sasuke and (Name) are always on time, especially Sasuke." She concludes with another sigh.

"Hmm, (Name) has been acting kinda weird lately. I'm gonna see if she's still home. Sakura, maybe you should look for Sasuke while I'm gone." I say

"Yeah! That's a good idea." She quickly agrees.

Without another word, we both split up going in different directions. I get to (Name's) place after five minutes. I resist the urge to knock on her door when my eyes catch sight of a white envelope that's taped to the wooden surface. What catches my attention the most is the lettering on it. The letters spell out two words. "To Naruto"

'Why would she leave this for me?'

Opening the envelope, I find a folded piece of paper inside. It's a letter. Taking it out, I begin reading.

Hey Naruto,

I know you'll probably be the first to find read this, so I'll just address it to you. Although this letter has your name on it, what I'm about to tell you is a message that needs to be relayed to everyone.

Before you read the rest of this, just know that I'm sorry and that I didn't have a choice. Since you're here, you're probably wondering where I am. There's no easy way of saying this...but I decided to leave the village. Unfortunately, I can't tell you why.

Just know that it's something I have to take care of alone. And I can't come back until it's been dealt with. I don't know when I'll be back. This could take some time. Just have faith that we'll see each other again soon.

I know this is hard, but please try to understand. Be sure to tell everyone sorry for me, will you? I really wanted to say goodbye in person, but I knew you guys would never let me go. I'm truly grateful to have such caring friends. Thank you for everything. Take care of yourself.

Sincerely, (Name)

P.S. - I can't wait to see how powerful you become when I get back. So you better not ever give up! One more thing, promise you'll look after everyone for me, ok?

"S-she just left! But then where's Sasuke?... H-he couldn't have gone after (Name) on his own!?!? I need to find him!"