Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Sasuke can't remember how long it's been.

Chapter Text

They spent the whole night trying to make distance from Leaf. They reached a town close to the border of Fire, Hot Springs and Rice just as the dawn breaks.

Sasuke had noted then that Sakura was looking nervous. He doesn't blame her at all. Even though she had offered to come with him, and even though he doesn't doubt her sincerity, he knew this must be a lot to take for her. With how he was at this time, she probably didn't even expect that he would actually take her with him.

"We aren't going to Orochimaru." He tells her, to ease some of her nervousness.

He had already told her so last night, but he thought he ought to clarify it since they're nearing Sound Village.

"But Konoha would think I would." He adds. "We'll go to Hot Spring instead." He promised.

Sakura looks at him and nods. She still seems nervous, but it seems that that had helped her relax somewhat. Sasuke could understand. Their last encounter with Orochimaru wasn't exactly an experience one would be fond of, nor would anyone want a repeat of.

As they entered the center of the town, Sasuke had asked Sakura to use transformation jutsu with him to keep themselves inconspicious. Both had transformed into an elderly couple and masked their chakra. They were still young at this time, but Sakura had always had almost perfect chakra control, and Sasuke still had knowledge of his abilities from his last life so they were able to manage it.

Once inside, Sasuke had lead them to a clothes store and they bought set of clothings and toiletries for both of them.

They then bought some food, but didn't linger in town. Soon, they were back in the forest, with Sasuke still leading.

They hopped from tree to tree for a while, until they reached a clearing where a river was.

"Do you trust me?" Sasuke had asked Sakura this time.

It was a little surreal how Sakura had been quiet for the whole night. Even more so, that it was Sasuke who had mostly talked throughout their travels. But Sasuke didn't try to let it bother him. Sakura is probably still processing everything that's happening. Sasuke was just thankful she still hadn't express intention of going back. She seemed nervous, but determined. It doesn't seem like—he was hoping, that she wouldn't change her mind. Though of course, if she did, he would also understand.

He knew he was asking her for a lot.

Sakura looked at him at his question, again looking quite nervous. But she nodded at him.

"Of course, Sasuke-kun." He tells her.

"Then please wash and try to mask your scent as much as possible. When you're done, wear one of your new clothes. I'll do the same. We'll have to get rid of our old clothes. They'll probably get some Inuzukas to try and track us." He tells her.

He knew he should explain his plans to her, so she wouldn't be going through this completely blindly.

And with that explanation, Sakura looked enlightened. She looked even more nervous, but she nodded and took one set of the clothes she bought for herself.

They went to different areas of the river and did their tasks at hand. Once they were done and in their new clothings, Sasuke told Sakura of their next plan of action which was simple enough.

They'll be using kagebunshin now. Each of their shadow clones would be bringing with them one of their old clothings and things, and each would be going to different directions—a distraction. This way, even with a team who can both track chakra and scents, they wouldn't be able to easily pinpoint them. And with Sasuke's knowledge from the past timeline, he knew they wouldn't risk not following their decoys, either.

They had a number of their clones go to the direction of Rice Country, towards Hidden Sound—that's where they are expecting him to go after all. And a few more to other directions.

Sasuke knew that Naruto and the others are probably already on their tracks. But he tried not to panic. He can still vividly remember what happened in his past life. He can avoid it.

He and Sakura, still in their transformation jutsu and now in their new clothes and scents to mask their own, had proceeded to go to the Country of Hot Springs.

"We'll go to Haran Bay." Sasuke tells her. "Then, well, we'll see what boat we can have a ride on."

They could go to the Country of Lightning or the Country of Water. There were also nearby autonomous islands—he didn't know much information about them since these set of islands don't have Hidden Villages, but that might also be an ideal alternative. It would be easier to hide from ninjas in islands where no ninja systems are set.

They reached the Haran Bay soon enough, and Sasuke knew Konoha ninjas might soon cross paths with one of their decoys. If ever though, they would know once their clones vanished.

It would be a little later than the previous life, but that was because Sasuke had learned of different routes during his time as a missing nin. He was able to use that knowledge. Unlike his past self, he also had a plan this time, and he wasn't hesitant unlike before. He didn't waste time wallowing on self doubt as he traveled. He didn't even let Sakura have time to rethink her decisions.

Which he now reflects on as he watches the still uncharacteristically quiet Sakura. She was transformed as a young woman now. Her hair brown and long, her nose a little different, her eyes a different shape, but still the same jade green—it always takes a little more chakra to change the eye color. That was also why he still retained his dark eyes, but he currently have red curly hair, darker skin and longer nose.

They probably looked like a married couple to others.

Sasuke had inquired the locals in the bay about boats they can rent or else ships they can board on. There were several big ships on their way to both Country of Lightning and Country of Water, even one for Country of Moon—the longest journey. But as he expected, there were also those on route to the nearby islands.

He wasn't quite sure where exactly to go, so he had turned to Sakura to hear her opinion.

He was actually nervous of asking her, fearing she would tell her she didn't wanna go with him anymore, but she was actually more decisive than him of their destination.

She suggested they go to a nearby island, Hiraya. From the information they gathered it was a small autonomous island near the Country of Lightning, ruled by a King. There are no hidden villages there as their King have bushis rather than ninjas. The locals told them that the kingdom is open to travelers and settlers since they are of a small population and that was ideal for them.

Sakura also mentioned that their old.village would probably assume they had tried to get as far away from the Fire Country as possible and might overlook checking the nearby islands, especially Hiraya which has only been transformed into a kingdom a few decades ago. It wasn't even named in their official world map yet.

Sakura's analysis and suggestion was surprisingly comforting for Sasuke. It showed that even though she looked hesitant and nervous, she was with him. It seems like she hasn't change her mind.

They had negotiated with a ship they can board on, and paid for their travel expenses. The money Sasuke had bought from his bequest was quickly disappearing, but this didn't bother Sasuke. He and Sakura can get jobs once they find a place to settle. They are trained after all. The most important thing right now is to escape from Konoha's pursuits.

Before boarding, they went and bought food once more. It was already lunch time and Sasuke had felt a few of his clones disappearing. He had mostly seen Naruto as the information his clones got transferred to him, and he has no doubt that Naruto probably used his own clones to try and follow theirs. He had also seen Hyuuga Neji, Shikamaru and Inuzuka.

Fortunately, as he had expected and hoped, they had pursued mostly those clones on the way to Sound Village.

He knew Sakura would have also known all this details, since she would have also gotten information from her own clone. But they weren't talking about it.

Sakura was still quieter than usual.

So, as they were walking towards the ship they were to board, Sasuke finally breached the silence and addressed the elephant in the room.

"Sakura..." He started. He was surprised to hear his own voice sound so nervous.

But he tried not to get distracted. "If you change your mind... or if you're still not quite sure about this, you can go... back."

Sakura looked at him, her expression serious but not giving him any clue what she is thinking.

He frowned. He had noticed that even though he had given his hitae-ate to one of their decoys, she had kept hers. It was really what had had him feeling nervous.

It just feels like Sakura can change her mind anytime.

"You can just tell them that I took you by force, or deceived you." He tells her.

If she decided to go back, he didn't mind her using him as an excuse. He'd still be a missing nin, anyway.

"Sasuke-kun..." Sakura said softly, looking surprise at his words. "I told you I'll come with you, right? I was serious."

"I know." Sasuke says quickly. He didn't want her to think he was doubting her. He had done that enough in their past life. "But if you change your mind, I'll understand."

"I haven't changed my mind." Sakura says firmly. "Nor do I think I would. I was quiet because... I just... I guess I just needed a little time to... say goodbye to our village. It doesn't mean I wanna go back. I just... well, I guess you can think of me just needing time for some closure." She tries to explain as best as she could.

Sasuke nods, taking in her words. He understood now. Of course. She had left her village, her family, her life. She needed time to grief for it. She was mourning that. But she was still determined to come with him.

She still chose him.

He knew he really never deserved her.

But, he was selfish like that.

"I'm sorry." He tells her, knowing how much she was asking for her, but still not taking it back. If she wanted to go back, he won't stop her. But if she wanted to go with him, he damn won't try to convince her to leave him.

Sakura only smiles and nods, and then cautiously, she took Sasuke's hand.

Sasuke lets her. He knew she wanted comfort, and this was the least he could do.

They board the ship and they settled in the upper deck, getting seats for themselves. He lets her keep quiet, knowing now she was mourning her old life, and he lets her keep holding his hand, quietly trying to tell her that he was there. Telling her without words that it would be them now, and she would always be welcome to hold his hand if she needed it.

And then, when they were in the open sea, Sakura had dropped his hand and stood up. He then watches her go near the handrails and quietly drop her hitae-ate in the ocean.

When she goes back to her seat, it was Sasuke who reached out and took her hand. They quietly sat there and watched the scenery before them.

They both know Naruto and the others had now come across all their clones. They weren't sure if they were tracking them now as it is. But if they are, it would take them some time. Their clones had lead them in the opposite direction.

What they are sure of is that a new adventure was coming for them. And Sasuke knew he'd be alright this time, with Sakura beside him.

END