NejiSaku- The Other Pt.6

"No way," Sakura whispered, staring wide-eyed at the flames that were engulfing her home.

"Come on, Sakura!" Sasuke cried, grabbing her arm as they ran back towards Konoha. He wasn't sure what was wrong, but he was sure it had to do with Orochimaru.

"Sasuke, you don't think this is Orochimaru?" Sakura asked, reading his mind. Sasuke didn't answer.

"Iruka!" Sasuke called once they had reached Konoha. Their old sensei looked back at them.

"Sasuke, Sakura!" he called, running towards them. He had burns on his hands and cuts along his cheeks.

"Iruka, what's going on?" Sakura asked desperatley.

"Orochimaru and the Sound Ninja," Iruka sounded grim. A scream and crash from behind them made them all jump.

"KAKASHI!" they heard someone cry. Sakura and Sasuke exchanged frantic glances before taking off. They saw Anko, Kurenai and Genma crowded around a fallen building.

"What happened? We heard Kakashi," Sakura panted. Anko looked up.

"Sakura, Sasuke! The building collapsed on Kakashi!" she cried. Sasuke cursed  under his breath.

"The building collapsed on who now?" someone asked, amused, from behind them. All five turned around.

"KAKASHI-SENSEI!" Sakura moaned, slapping her forehead. He chuckled.

"Yo," he said, saluting them. Kurenai punched him.

"Ow, what was that for?" he asked, rubbing his arm.

"Stop fooling around Kakashi!" she cried exasperatedly. Sakura shook her head.

"I'll pound you later, sensei, for now we have to help," Sakura turned to Sasuke, nodding.

"Hey, what's that?" Genma asked, pointing at the sky. They looked up at what seemed to be a man.

"Hello Sasuke-kun," a voice so familiar hissed. Sasuke clenched his fist.

"Orochimaru," he whispered under his breath. He pulled his katana from it's case, taking his fighting stance.

"Now now, Sasuke-kun, I don't want to use violence," he said lazily. Sasuke grasped his katana harder.

"Behind you," a voice breathed in his ear. His eyes widened, jumping back and doing a flip in the air as he slashed at Orochimaru. Kurenai, Genma, Anko and Sakura gasped. They pulled their kunai's out but Orochimaru acted as if all were oblivious to him but Sasuke.

"Tell me, Sasuke, why did you leave?" Orochimaru asked. Sasuke spat on the ground.

"Bastard, what are you doing here?" he asked venemously. Orochimaru chuckled.

"Were you not happy with me and Kabuto?" he asked lightly. Sasuke slashed at him again but Orochimaru used substitution jutsu and dodged the attack.

"No, you wanted to see someone, didn't you?" he asked. Sasuke stiffened.

"And it seems that she has fallen in love with another," he said, binds wrapping around Sakura's hands. She struggled, trying to untie them, but they were too tight. The binds turned into snakes, pulling her towards Orochimaru.

"Sakura!" Sasuke said, stepping forward to help her but five kunai's blocked his way.

"Tsk tsk, Sasuke-kun, I can't let you near her," he scolded him. He looked sideways.

"If you want, you can have her back in pieces along with him," he shrugged at another bound figure.

"Neji?" Sasuke whispered. Sakura grunted, trying to grab a kunai, but the snake binding her hand but her, leaving her paralyzed almost instantly. She cried out in pain.

"No! Orochimaru, let them go!" Sasuke yelled, activating for the first time his Sharingan.

"No," Orochimaru said simply. He motioned for the snakes around Neji to tighten.

"I'm trying to do you a favor, Sasuke-kun, by eliminating the two people who hurt you," he said, his tone sounding hurt.

"If it's me you want, take me, not them! You don't need to kill innocent people!" Sasuke shook his head.

"Of course I don't have to kill innocent pople, but when has that ever stopped me?" he asked, smiling. The snakes around Neji tightened even more, He let out a grunt.

"Neji!" Sakura cried, struggling harder. Kakashi looked from Orochimaru to Sasuke.

"I think this is enough," he said quietly. He drew his own kunai, stepping forward to finish Orochimaru.

"No, Kakashi, this is my battle," Sasuke muttered, glaring at Kakashi. Kakashi glared back.

"Sasuke, if I don't stop this, Neji and Sakura will die," he said flatly. Sasuke shook his head.

"He won't kill them," he said certainly. Kakashi and Orochimaru gaped at him.

"And why will I not, Sasuke?" Orochimaru asked coldly. The snakes around Sakura tightened.

"Because if you kill them, I'll die too," he said, folding his arms. Orochimaru scoffed at him but his eyes were fearful.

"Why would you do that?" he asked. Sasuke smirked.

"They are my comrades, if they die, I die," he stated, turning his katana so the point was at his throat. Orochimaru's eyes widened. The grip on Neji and Sakura's bonds were loosening.

"Sasuke, are you saying you will give up your own life for these... people?" Orochimaru asked incredulously. Sasuke's gaze darkened.

"I used to care only for killing Itachi. I never cared for anyone else; to die for them would have been meaningless to me back then," Sasuke said softly.

"But I've changed," he said, looking up. He inched the katana closer to his skin.

"I will not let them die," he said. Orochimaru glared at him. The snakes loosened their grip enough for Neji and Sakura to slip out. Sasuke gazed emotionlessly at Orochimaru. He was so irritated, his face was red.

"Fine!" he screamed. And in a puff of smoke, he was gone. Sakura looked at Sasuke.

"Sasuke, I-"

"I'm sorry, Sakura. I'm sorry for tring to come between you and Neji. I see now that you truly love each other; I had my chance and I lost it, I don't deserve another one," he said, nodding at her. He turned around and walked towards his old apartment.

"Goodbye... Sasuke-kun..." Sakura whispered, smiling faintly.