Sakura Momochi Hatake || Naruto

Chapter 54

I charged at him with Kubikiribocho in my right hand. I swung my sword, but it only clashed with his Samehada. I jumped to kick his face, then he arced his back to dodge it. I stepped on his sword and hopped onto the ground. Without wasting time, I charged again but it was only a clone with a copied sword. I appeared behind him and swung my sword to his shoulder vertically, but it was a water clone. I swung my sword behind me, sensing he is there but on my left, his Samehada stroke from behind. I turned to face him with my sword almost chopping off his neck as his Samehada stopped a few centimetres away from my neck. I bit my lip knowing I couldn't kill him.

"Nii-san.."

"You are quite good." He smiled. "I'm proud of you."

I broke into tears hearing those words.

"I believe Tou-san is proud of you too. In Heaven." He said while gazing at the clouds.

"You know..?" I asked.

"I was there when he died. I'm lucky I talked to him before he went after your team on the bridge. It was my last chance."

So the presence I felt..was him and Itachi. It wasn't my imagination then.

"I can't believe I can't kill a puny little squirt like you." He laughed.

"I'm not a puny little squirt!" I glared at him and pouted; he only laughed more. I sighed and smiled at him.

"I missed you, aniki."

"I missed you too, imouto-chan." He pulled back his Samehada and I did the same. He ruffled my hair and said,"Till the next time we meet."

I looked at him with determination and nodded.

"Kisame, we have to go. They brought reinforcements." Itachi said and vanished with Kisame before he gave me a smile.

I shrunk Kubikiribocho again and attached it to my necklace. I turned around and ran over to dad.

"Daddy, are you okay?" I asked as I kneeled next to him.

"Yeah.. I'm just exhausted." He said and fainted in my arms.

"You always overuse your Sharingan.." I whispered and hugged him tight waiting for the reinforcements to come.

They carried dad away to the hospital while I headed to the Hokage tower.

"Have you found what they need from the jinchuriki?" She asked.

"No, but I believe they will be hunting down all of the jinchurikis for power. I don't know for what, but I'm certain that all of them are in danger." I said.

"Why so?" She asked.

"Remember you told me the jinchuriki with the Two Tails has gone missing?" I asked. She nodded and lean on her chair. "Gaara is in danger." I muttered.

"He has a team with him. I believe they can protect themselves. With the ruckus they caused today, it will take a few days or weeks for them to strike again. Until then, we have to plan."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

"Rest well. I have a feeling we will be going all out. Inform Gaara about this and I'll send a letter to the Kazekage. Dismissed." She said.

"Hai." I bowed and left to find for Gaara.

I walked to the place where he was staying in and knocked on his door. He opened the door and looked at me with a curious face. He stepped aside to let me in. Then, he closed the door and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Gaara, be extra cautious when you leave tomorrow. The Akatsuki are probably be after you." I said.

"Why would they want me? And why wasn't I informed earlier?" He asked.

"I don't know, but my guess is they are after your One Tail Beast. All of the jinchurikis are in danger. Just a few moments ago, my team encountered two Akatsuki members. They were after Naruto, but they left when reinforcements came." I said.

He looked at the floor with hundreds of thoughts running in his mind.

"Don't worry, I don't think they will cause any trouble for now. But be careful in your village. I'm afraid they might attack your village to get you."

"Right, thank you Sakura." He gave me a small smile. That warm and sincere smile managed to melt my heart, it provided me comfort.

"You're welcome." I said with a bright smile.

He got up and embraced me. My eyes widened in shock and blushed.

"G-Gaara??" I called.

"It will be awhile till I see you again." He said softly and snuggled his head in the crook of my neck. I blushed harder and wrapped my hand around his waist. Taking the chance, I snuggled into his chest. We held each other for a very long time until he pulled away.

"I'm sorry." He apologised looking away.

"N-No! I-I-It's okay!" I laughed sheepishly and reach for the door. I turned and said,"Good bye, be safe!" And walked out nervously.

I sighed in relief and decided to visit my dad in the hospital.

Published: December 2014
Edited: 31 January 2017