Naruto :: The Willing :: G :: no pairings
Title: The Willing
Fandom: Naruto
Pairings: None
Rating: G
Genre: General, drama
Word count: 531
Spoilers: None
Summary: Sakura never thought she'd understand his reasoning, let alone follow in his footsteps. Based on that rudeness meanness speech in chapter 458.
Sakura was used to the streets being quiet at night, but the silence that covered her muffled footsteps now was a different kind of sound altogether. It was an empty silence, almost of abandonment, because these days the night was a closing door on hours of bustling groups, backbreaking labor, and busy running back and forth; few had any energy left by the time the sun went down. That, she was sure, was why she saw no one as she went. That was why now was the best time to leave.
The farther she moved from the center of the village, the more carefully she had to tread, picking her way over and around the never-ending debris. At last, she made it onto the main road, and then a hundred yards and no interceptions later, she finally stopped.
Even with the trees fallen and the cobblestone underfoot covered in web-like cracks and fissures, the area was unmistakable. Slowly, the pain showing on her face, Sakura looked to her right, over at the lone bench that was now split messily down the center. It was a somewhat depressing sight even without the memories it held.
He came this same way.
Had it been this difficult for him? Had he wavered in light of what - of whom he would be leaving behind, but hardened his heart and kept going?
Did he regret it now?
Suddenly cold, Sakura crossed her arms, digging her nails into her skin when her throat began to thicken.
This isn't the same. I'm doing this...
For those who were still alive. So that they could live.
For Sasuke, who needed them now more than ever.
For Naruto, who... who had suffered enough for her, whose latest failure in the Land of Iron had so obviously broken him, just like every time before. Except that now, Sakura recognized just how badly that was, and why.
She'd once promised to come along, to help, but what had she really done for either of them since then? She hadn't fought Sasuke. She hadn't been beside Naruto when he had. Even now, after so much, she was still in the background. Worse, she was keeping Naruto tethered alongside her.
This was all she could do. For both of them. In going alone, maybe she could take back the burden she'd unfairly put on Naruto's shoulders for so long - and if she failed, if she died with it, then at least she would be taking it with her.
Sakura adjusted the bag on her shoulders as she straightened up, her expression grim but determinedly set. Breathing in deeply once, she prepared to continue, but then paused.
...Even he looked back.
After a long moment, she turned in place, looking swiftly over everything she could see, taking in anything she was able for a final, lasting impression. It wasn't much - crumbling buildings, part of that enormous crater - but it was home, and it was more than what she would have once she stepped beyond the gate.
When she resumed her path a few short seconds later, a light drizzle touched her face and covered her hair and arms in a fine spray. Right on time.
Fandom: Naruto
Pairings: None
Rating: G
Genre: General, drama
Word count: 531
Spoilers: None
Summary: Sakura never thought she'd understand his reasoning, let alone follow in his footsteps. Based on that rudeness meanness speech in chapter 458.
Sakura was used to the streets being quiet at night, but the silence that covered her muffled footsteps now was a different kind of sound altogether. It was an empty silence, almost of abandonment, because these days the night was a closing door on hours of bustling groups, backbreaking labor, and busy running back and forth; few had any energy left by the time the sun went down. That, she was sure, was why she saw no one as she went. That was why now was the best time to leave.
The farther she moved from the center of the village, the more carefully she had to tread, picking her way over and around the never-ending debris. At last, she made it onto the main road, and then a hundred yards and no interceptions later, she finally stopped.
Even with the trees fallen and the cobblestone underfoot covered in web-like cracks and fissures, the area was unmistakable. Slowly, the pain showing on her face, Sakura looked to her right, over at the lone bench that was now split messily down the center. It was a somewhat depressing sight even without the memories it held.
He came this same way.
Had it been this difficult for him? Had he wavered in light of what - of whom he would be leaving behind, but hardened his heart and kept going?
Did he regret it now?
Suddenly cold, Sakura crossed her arms, digging her nails into her skin when her throat began to thicken.
This isn't the same. I'm doing this...
For those who were still alive. So that they could live.
For Sasuke, who needed them now more than ever.
For Naruto, who... who had suffered enough for her, whose latest failure in the Land of Iron had so obviously broken him, just like every time before. Except that now, Sakura recognized just how badly that was, and why.
She'd once promised to come along, to help, but what had she really done for either of them since then? She hadn't fought Sasuke. She hadn't been beside Naruto when he had. Even now, after so much, she was still in the background. Worse, she was keeping Naruto tethered alongside her.
This was all she could do. For both of them. In going alone, maybe she could take back the burden she'd unfairly put on Naruto's shoulders for so long - and if she failed, if she died with it, then at least she would be taking it with her.
Sakura adjusted the bag on her shoulders as she straightened up, her expression grim but determinedly set. Breathing in deeply once, she prepared to continue, but then paused.
...Even he looked back.
After a long moment, she turned in place, looking swiftly over everything she could see, taking in anything she was able for a final, lasting impression. It wasn't much - crumbling buildings, part of that enormous crater - but it was home, and it was more than what she would have once she stepped beyond the gate.
When she resumed her path a few short seconds later, a light drizzle touched her face and covered her hair and arms in a fine spray. Right on time.