On the whim of a stranger

Somewhere in between

Flashback

Sakura was on the way to hospital when she saw Naruto. He didn't have the usual bright smile. No. He had framed a frown instead. He was watching the ground as he walked, eyes distant. If you looked carefully, you could even see a small slip of paper flipping between his fingers.

She decided to go up to him.

"Naruto?"

"Oh, hey Sakura." He tried to smile but Sakura could see a hint of emptiness behind it.

She pointed at the paper he held in his hand. "What's that?"

"It's nothing-HEY! " she snatched the paper from his fingers and unfolded it. Her eyes just skimmed through its contents but she understood what it meant. She looked at him, a disappointed look on her face.

"You're not going... Are you?" She hoped he would say no but something told her he had already made up his mind.

"Well.." He looked down at the ground.

"I'm coming." She said.

"What?" He exclaimed. "Sakura, this is my-"

"No Naruto. I'm not letting another teammate leave me behind." Her face was downcast, as she received several waves of nostalgia and regret. "Not again."

"O-okay.." He finally gave in, his face downcast as well. Sakura was not the only one that missed him.

"Good. My shift ends at 6:00. I will meet you at the forest a few minutes later. " she walked away abruptly, leaving him standing in his thoughts.

Flashback End

Somewhere else..

"Naruto!" Sakura called. "You're moving too fast."

Naruto who was way ahead of her, turned his head to look behind him. In the slight moment, Sakura saw his emotionless face, almost as if he wanted her to be left behind. She flinched at the thought.

His face was replaced by a wide grin before she could think of anything else. "Oh! Sorry!" He laughed, slowing down slightly but not enough for her to take the lead. Suddenly, he frowned slightly before landing on another branch and throwing a swift kunai to the left of him. The bushes rustled as the eavesdropper evaded it.

"Get out of the bushes." Naruto ordered. "You know I won't hurt you anyway."

It didn't take long before a familiar face emerged from the bushes.

"Sai?" Sakura gasped. " Why were you following us?"

Sai gave both of them a fake smile. "Because, Ugly, your and Dickless's escape wasn't as full proof as you thought."

Sakura turned to where Naruto was. "I told yo- Naruto?"

Naruto wasn't even there.

She started to panic. "Naruto?" She called. "Where are you?!"

Even Sai had disappeared.

Suddenly, she felt something appear behind her. "I'm sorry Sakura but I can't let you come. Not where I'm going." It whispered in her ear.

"Naru-"

She blacked out.

~~~

Away from Sakura, Naruto's clone stood with Sai.

"Sai, I can't let you follow me. This... This is something I must do on my own."

Sai just stood silently, nodding in understanding. Naruto put a hand on his shoulder.

"Please keep Sakura safe. At least, until she wakes up."

Sai nodded again.

"Thanks." Naruto smiled, his first genuine one since his arrival back at Konoha. With that, he left them alone.