Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter XXXVIII: Flames to Dust

They'd watch until flames turned into dust, leaving nothing behind. No painful memories, no reminders of who he could have been. Just ash. Slowly untangling himself, noting that most Shinobi around were Mist-Shinobi. That Konoha-nin were heading home, to see what was left of Konoha, to see if their family and friends were alright.
He whispered they needed to get up but she remained unmoved, staring at the glowing embers. Inwardly he let out a sigh, crouching down beside her. Placing his one arm underneath her knees and his other around her small frame. Her small hand placed on his chest halted him, making their eyes meet for the first time.
'Not here… He can't stay here…' Her mumbles and clouded eyes told him she was still in shock but he just nodded in understanding, though clueless on what to do.
'Anything… to take him with us?' Her voice sounded rasp and her face was colorless and blank as was her expression. She wasn't shaking anymore but her movements were rash, pushing him softly away. Getting up herself now, she stumbled a little.
'I'll see what I can get…' Kakashi muttered back, not really knowing how to hold himself and where in these ruins he'd find something like that.

He found nothing but small wooden box, hardly efficient to keep place a man's ashes in. He found it a lurid thought but obeyed her wishes in hopes to speed up the grieving process. Then he mused at how he contradicted himself, he wasn't done grieving himself and yet he wanted her to be over it in just a matter of hours.
Sakura had taken the Kubikiribōchō and had placed it on her back, determination shone through her eyes. He quirked up an eyebrow, wondering if she had talked to anyone during his absence.

'Thanks.' Her voice sounded clearer now, and she grabbed the small box without commenting on its size, kneeling down she placed a small amount of ash in it. When she closed the box, he saw her shoulder go down, as if she had just taken a deep breath. Getting up, turning on her heels to look at him, she tilted her head to the side, 'Do you mind if we take a small detour?'

He simply shook his head, suddenly understanding what she wanted to do.

She stared at the white stone for the longest time, without speaking a word. The small wooden box held tightly in her hands. He wondered what she was telling them or if it were just memories flooding before her eyes.
When she moved, he straightened his posture a little, still silently watching her. She placed it down on the stone. Grabbing the huge sword on her back, using it as a shovel, digging a small hole next to the white stone. Softly grabbing the box, she put it down in the hole. Covering it back up, she simply placed his sword deep in the ground.
'They belong together.' She explained when he came to stand next to her. He simply nodded in agreement.
'The sword?' He asked.
'I don't know…' She shrugged, 'It just… He wouldn't be him without it.'
'I think he'd wanted you to have it, he gave it to you. You were his… apprentice, not?' He asked, feeling rather uncomfortable to talk about her captivity and her experience with the two criminals and how these strange event had ended with such results. She was an excellent swordsman.
'No.' She shook her head in disagreement, 'I was the extension of his arm…'
You were nothing but his tool, he finished in his head but stayed quiet and let the venomous words only cause ruckus in his mind.
'Zabuza Momochi, Demon of the hidden Mist! The Kubikiribōchō belongs with him.'
'He belongs with him.' She emphasized. 'Family.'
Kakashi nodded, family… it echoed in his ears bitterly.
'Let's go home.' He softly said, looking out of the corner of his eyes at her, seeing how her emotions were a mixture of grief and small content.
'Yes…' She nodded hesitantly, 'Home.'

'Sakura!'
Looking up, she smiled brightly at the boy before her eyes. 'Naruto!'
'Sakura! Are you alright!?' His bewildered expression and over excited behavior stood in contrast to the background of where they were standing. She looked around, it was where Konoha had once been. Home was gone. It had slipped out of their fingers during their absence. But Naruto was still here. So was everyone else. She smiled at their surprised faces.
'You saved everyone, Naruto.' She hugged him tightly and deeply, not wanting to ever let go again. She realized just how much she had missed him suddenly. His bright personality that, though it could annoy her, always managed to make her smile. He had changed quite a bit, not just grown in length, she could see some actual wisdom behind those blue eyes of his.
'Not everyone…' He muttered back, his eyes were glassy and he blinked away a few tears. When he withdrew, she squeezed his hand reassuringly. Suddenly understanding where his growth had come from. Knowing she wasn't alone in her sorrow, tasted bittersweet.
It made her aware she wasn't the only one with a story to tell.

'Kakashi-sensei!' He screamed enthusiastically, 'You kept your promise!'
Kakashi gave him half a smile, knowing that wasn't entirely true. Faith had simply decided otherwise, he didn't know if he would've succeed at all with how the situation was before he had gone to Kirigakure.

His smile didn't go by her unnoticed and she took his hand as well, giving it a squeeze. In a strange way, team Seven was still very much entwined with one another. Even in great distances, they had ended with the same result that made there bond stronger. It was sorrow and sadness that connected them but those were the same things that made them stronger, that made them a better team than any other. Looking around and seeing all her former classmates, she noted one face was still missing.

Sasuke.

She hadn't thought of him in a very long time. And she wondered what he was feeling at this very moment. If too was sadness and sorrow. Or perhaps… Her heart sank a little… It took so much time for her to understand what he had been feeling all this time… What he had always said she'd never understand. She did now.
She realized he was already a part of the connection long before she even thought of it.

'Sakura.' Kakashi squeezed her hand, staring at the ANBU-agents.

'Huh?' Naruto looked confused, 'What it going on?'
'A lot has happened…' Sakura spoke up, 'I've got some explaining to do.'
'What!?'
'Naruto, you're a real hero.' She nodded, winking her eye at him but took on a more serious expression when stepping into their directions, ready to face the harshness of reality. The brand traitor wasn't going to be washed away by war.
'It's not over.' Kakashi reminded them both, 'Akutsuki's true leader has yet to show his face…'

The orange masked man.

She didn't know why ANBU bothered to take her in for questioning. They had asked more about Akatsuki then about Zabuza and Haku. She was lost on what to tell them and what not, the results of her words could end up being dramatic for her. She was home and she wanted to feel home, not imprisoned.
So she told them half lies and half-truths. Her nervous mouth and inexperience gave away her true intentions. Being honest for the sake of Konoha, she told them as much as she knew about the Akatsuki. About Itachi and Kisame but also the masked man. Her fight with Kisame they found most interesting, even though she had lost. The question why she was able to wield Zabuza's sword stayed unanswered. Her lips sealed themselves when speaking about him or Haku. No details were given.

With too much going on, and the help of Kakashi, who had been in ANBU and recently left again, she managed to get out relatively quickly. Ibiki had been in charge of her interrogation, though he had a cruel reputation, she found him to be rather a rational and disciplined man and felt no resent for him asking such personal questions, it was his job.

Under his order she had to speak to some Medics, who wanted to hear her true story and examined her body, concluding that she was no longer a virgin. They diagnosed her with capture-bonding syndrome. Ironically she couldn't tell them they were wrong, she had bonded with them. To a point she even loved them.

Now after a good year, she lay in her own bed again. Safe and sound.
Well she was never going to be truly in her own bed again but it was the same house and she was sleeping in the same room as the one before the village got destroyed. Her eyes stayed on the ceiling, the words echoing through her head. Was everything she had been feeling a result of the situation?
Had she not loved them?
Was the agonizing pain not real? Was it just her mind telling her to feel these things? But… it was tearing her apart. Was she trying to destroy herself?
She felt hot tears roll over her cheeks, a painful ache in the back of her throat, suffocating her slowly. Her heart was racing so fast it frightened her. Rolling herself over, she let out a scream into her pillow.

Was it all just a lie? Did Zabuza use her? He had in a way forced her, she hadn't been completely ready yet… But she and Haku… Those feelings were real. They could not possible be not real.

But…
Again voices went through her head, why both of them? Chances were unlikely that both of them, cared… Don't you think so too, Sakura?

'They did…' She whispered back, 'They did care.'

The village was still half in ruins but it was starting to look like home again. Letting her eyes wander over the various houses and people. Stopping in her tracks when seeing a familiar blonde at the Ramen stand. She decided to take a slight detour, though she did not mind his company at all, today she just wanted peace and quiet, she did not feel like talking. Slowly walking around to nowhere, her mind still in complete chaos.

She cried. She screamed. Then there were times where she just felt angry. Such demolishing anger, it tore her apart. She had thought about going after Anji, track him down and kill him in cold blood. Avenge her friends. The idea brought peace to her mind.
She wondered often why he hadn't bothered killing her… If it was because of what she had done before, helping him, then she didn't want his gratitude. He would've thanked her better by taking her life as well and reuniting them in the afterlife.

Though a part of her also understood his point of view, like he had said, some stay unforgiven no matter what they have done. It reminded her of her always torn feelings towards the two men, unable to decipher what exactly it was that she felt for them.

Standing still, she let her eyes rest on the statues of the former Hokages, watching over the Village. This didn't feel like home. She didn't know where that was anymore. She didn't know what to do with her time or who to talk to.

Kakashi was the only person she could somewhat rely on, as if he had been with her the entire time during her journey and understood all her complex feelings. Though that was something she just told herself of course, she could see the mix of emotions in his eyes when she told him she still missed them. Frustration, sadness…hate.

She frowned, swallowing the sadness inside of her, perhaps time would heal their wounds…

'Sakura!' The blonde from before had managed to sneak up on her and find her.
'Naruto.' She smiled back, not being able to help feeling content when seeing him and hearing him scream her name.
'Granny Tsunade is awake!'

It wasn't until after Tsunade, the fifth Hokage, had woken up from her coma that Sakura was allowed to tell her story. The blonde woman had personally invited her into her office, Kakashi was in the room too, quietly listening.

She was going to be honest. She didn't want to use their reputation of crime to get herself out of trouble. Zabuza and Haku had thought her plenty of things, skills and abilities she wouldn't be able to explain otherwise. They had been so much for her. Done so much for her.

'Kakashi.' Tsunade interrupted her, 'Leave us.' Her eyes stayed fixated on Sakura's, so intense it made her heart waver. Kakashi didn't respond immediately looking at her first, he'd promised he stay with her the entire time and he wouldn't leave until she said so herself. She gave him a small nod of approval, though fell unsure of what the meaning of this could be.

'Did you have a relationship with one of them?' She asked, getting straight to the point.
'…y-yes.'
'Did they force themselves on you?'
'No.' Sakura answer quickly, watching the older lady nod and closed her eyes, something she did when she when into deep thought.
It occurred to her that she hadn't once asked if she had slipped information, though both were death, she still hadn't questioned about the possibility of information being exchange. Then again she had only been a Genin… still only was a Genin.
'I don't think of you as a traitor.' She concluded, making Sakura forget all her thoughts. Giving the woman a grateful smile, relief filled her chest.
'Kakashi took great risks to find you and bring you back home.' She noted, hearing a trace of disappointment and coldness in her voice. Sakura was unsure of how to interpret her demeanor. She fumbled with the hem of her skirt
'I know, I'm forever grateful to him…'
'He got quite the burden himself to carry…' She muttered, you could see her mind working hard to progress the information. 'I think it is better that both of you stay put. No missons, nothing—'
'No.' Sakura shouted, 'I mean… With the Akutsuki and all. I can't leave Naruto by himself. Especially now that Sasuke…'
'You're still only a Genin.' She pointed out. 'Sasuke was inevitably going to kill his brother and that doesn't change anything for you or Naruto's situation…'
'However,' Letting out a sigh, 'I don't have Shinobi to spare for the moment… From what I hear, you are impressive. If you train hard, you'll be a Genin in no time. Just don't leave Konoha. And I want us to keep meeting.' The last words were said with great concern, making Sakura feel as if she had finally found the one person who somewhat seem to understand her.
Nodding her head, her heart filled with the warmth for this great woman, who in spite of her status, still took the interest and time listen to a broken girl as herself, 'I think Kakashi wants team Seven to be reunited.' Sakura explained, 'I won't break my promise to him either!'
Tsunade gave her a smile, 'It is rare… The bond you have… You remind me of someone…' Her own eyes saddened for a quick moment but then turned bold again, 'Now enough of this! Move!'
'Wait!' Sakura felt a little nervous for asking this, 'I have a request…'
'What is it?'
'Would you consider training me?'

Kakashi overlooked the open fields, the fresh air did him good. He had tried to place his feelings but found it harder as time passed, the guilt and shame of what had happened had not faded away. Perhaps the outside world had forgiven him but he hadn't. To see the pain in their eyes every day, knowing he perhaps could have avoided all this…
Seeing how he had abandoned his other two students as well. Naruto had needed his attention just as much, and he had not been able to fill the gap of his former sensei, Jiraiya. Sasuke, who knew where he was.

After Sakura decided to become Tsunade's apprentice, he spend his days carefully watching over her and Naruto. Finally feeling he was being to guardian he was supposed to be.
For the most part Sakura was just Sakura again, a pretty girl who obeyed orders without protest. She had stubbornly held on the life she had recreated but what was truly going on behind those green eyes were a mystery.

Time did fly, today it would almost be three years ago since… he didn't know how to refer to it, Sakura's captivity. Two years since he had brought he back to the village, as the war hero he wasn't.
Either way, he had seen her struggle. Getting back into the Village, society, Shinobi, life in general. He knew she was hiding her feelings by pretending to be strong but sometimes she faltered and he could see her crumble. Yet she stayed determined. As if she had finally found her Ninja way. Like Naruto, she was quite stubborn about it. She was going to be the best medic in the world. And she would be, she was practically on the same level of Tsunade.

Naruto was well on his way of becoming Hokage as well. He had trained and endured many things along the way. But he was proud just being a part of the boy's life, who was already known as one of the greatest Shinobi.

His team Seven… was quite something else, he mused. His smile faltered at the thought of Sasuke, who had abandon them, branded as a traitor and held responsible for the murder of Danzō Shimura, after the Kages Summit. On top of that he had joined the Akatsuki and the masked man.

Whoever this Madara Uchiha really was, frightened him. And he knew today he was going to find out just who exactly it was. That thought frightened even more ever since their first encounter. His mind wandered back to the past, wondering if today he'd also see Sasuke again.
These weren't good thoughts to have before heading into battle, shaking his head. Yet he could help it. Sasuke had succeeded in his goal already, defeating his brother. It hadn't satisfied him and turned him onto something else… the enemy.

Itachi…was actually a hero. He had been true to Konoha till the end… It seemed he got tricked by Madara, who had used Kirigakure's war nothing as a distraction to attack Konohagakure without his knowledge. It was uknown to him what had happened between Kiri and his death.
Madara's hate for the village was deeply rooted and he seemed above all cruel and ruthless towards any person who defied his ideas.
Itachi had tried to warn him for it, in cryptic messages at the time his head was most confused…
He had failed.
Sort of.
Sakura was back. That was what he had wanted right?
But not what was necessary. Konoha should have been his first priority. A place to bring her home to.

Feeling a presence behind him, he let out a sigh, vowing to stop dwelling on the feelings he kept inside. He turned around, greeted by her warm smile and her green eyes that held deep thoughts of their own.

Today was a bright warm day, the rays of the sun that were resting on her cheeks, had given her a pinkish blush. Sighing, she took a step forward, walking toward Kakashi. Feeling the long grass blades tickling her toes. She took a look at a sea of green, the strong tall trees in the distance, heaving from side to side, leaves dancing through the sky, greeting her. The wind tickled her hair. Giving the sight a small frown, sighing, What a deceitful view.

Sometimes… The cold she felt inside her could not be warmed by the sun. It felt as if the nice sight was nothing but a blatant lie to her. This peaceful sight wasn't a view of the daily life one lived, not in this world. She closed her eyes, memories flooded her mind, like a tidal wave. So far the sights she had seen had been of death, blood and gore. How people could be so cruel to one another was beyond her. She had never thought of it much when becoming a Shinobi. She never had thought about much now that she reckon on it. What had she been thinking? She had been such a silly girl back then.

The manslaughter that came with it, the hurt, the pain. The blood… So much blood. Her hands had tried so many times to stop the bleeding, but all to avail. She had watched them close their eyes forever far too many times; her hands that would briefly have to touch their eyes to only then close them for eternity. Empty and hollow, closed forever to never be opened again, it made her tremble. Having to hear them take there last breath, echoed in her ears.

Opening her eyes again, determination shone like fire in her green eyes.
She would save them. All of them. She had vowed to never give up.
She nodded to herself, agreeing with her resoluteness to fulfil her self-made promise to her lost loved ones.

I will keep my promise!

I will never run out of chakra, falter or fail again. I promise you both, I won't do it. Every day I work harder and harder. To simply be a fine Kunoichi. To be a good medic. I love taking care of others, Zabuza…

She smiled a sad smile, I still try not to cry too often, Haku. I know you really hate it when I cry…

She had many promises to keep.

Turning to look back at Kakashi, who was just smiling at her inward held conversation. She didn't know if he always understood her feelings or not. But he understood her for a great deal, and most of the time she tried to understand him.

She promised she'd help him reunite team Seven. Though it seemed impossible, the pit of her stomach told her otherwise. She didn't know what exactly it was that made her feel this way but she didn't argue against it.

'We'll soon see each other.'
'Naruto is supposed to be safe on some island—'
'You don't seriously believe he'll stay put?' Sakura asked amused.
'Not at all.' He smirked. 'But we don't know where this will all lead to…'
'We'll see.' Grabbing his hand out of his pocket and giving it a light squeeze. He squeezed hers back reassuringly, together watching the now still peaceful open fields before them.

Oh my gosh… Well, I don't really know what to say other then I stuck with the original ending I had planned. I know this might not be the most happiest ending but I felt it fitted the story really well.
What is yet to come is always unknown and trials are always going to be around the bend but the ties that bind us is what makes us strong. Yes, Sakura and Kakashi still have a lot of darkness creating havoc inside of them but the vow they made others push them through it. They have each other.

I first like to thank all my faithful readers, yes, you! Most of you are silent but that doesn't matter, you all made me so happy just being here, reading and following. Thank you so much!

My reviewers, now some of you have been with me from the very beginning, I think it is amazing that I managed to keep your interest for so long. And I'm looking forward to reading your last (sobs) review.

BUT! I want to hear of you, all of you! So please leave a review or comment!

Also, small Note: I know my time-line is a little messed up but, hey, this is fanfiction. I'm sure you read worse. I know I have… We'll place it under AU.

On another note, I'll probably write a sequel, taking place after the war. Might be a just a one-shot though, I don't know yet. Keep an eye out for Open Fields, if you're interested.

Once again, THANK YOU!

Love,

Aurvelia

Comment/review!