{Hunter Au, Dark}

"Scatter!"

   That was the only word that I could get out. I grabbed my partner's hand and we ran. We dodged and ducked around the trees. I'm not afraid to admit that I was terrified, for not only my safety but for hers as well.

   The police sirens could be heard quite well in the distance. If it was one thing that I taught them properly, it was to never look back.

   Rule #1: Never look back.

   I gripped her hand tighter. No matter what, I would not let them get her.

   And fate has it out for me. Her hand slipped from mine and she fell. "Shit.," I mumbled. I ran back over to her and tried to help her up but she screamed in agony.

   I quickly let her go and I scanned her for the source of her injury. Her foot was in a deep hole, I didn't see it that well before because the hole is almost all covered in roots. "This might hurt a little. Please bear with me.." I mumbled as I got a hold on her ankle. I slowly shimmied out her ankle and I felt it swelling in my grip.

   I sighed as I grabbed her and began running once more. I held her close to me as I ran for my life and hers. The sirens got louder but I saw the log cabin in the distance. We had a setback, so maybe the others are already there.

   I felt my partner grip my vest, she laid her head against my chest. She was listening to my heartbeat.

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

   "I'm only slowing you down..leave me." She said to me as she looked up at me. Her piercing gaze staring into my very soul, but I refused to look. I refused to leave her behind.

   Rule #2: No man left behind.

   I ignored her, I could feel her frown. "You can't protect me forever.." She whispered, sadness lacing every word.

   I gripped her tighter as I let her words sink in. "Like hell, I can't.." I seethed. I know the same frown was still on her face.

   I burst through the cabin door, "Open the hatch!" I yelled. My voice echoed throughout the whole cabin. I closed the door quickly and waited there with Sakura in my arms. I soon heard the movement of a machine, in the very back behind the bar the floor was rising up.

   From my peripheral vision, I saw a familiar blonde jump down from the side of the stairs. "Good to see you again." The blonde said with a smile.

   "Shut up, dobe.." I said as I shoved my partner into his arms. He gave me a questioning look. "I need you to get everyone out of here. Naruto, do you understand me?" I said with urgency.

   The blonde nodded as I ran around the cabin gathering everyone else. They soon all stood in front of me with their arms at their side. "Protect her with your lives! Operation: Protect Sakura is a go!"

   "Hai!" They all replied.

   "I'll buy you some time.." I muttered to myself.

   The sirens were extremely loud now as I turned towards the door. I pulled my katana from its sheath and stood my ground. I looked over my shoulder one last time to see Naruto climbing down into the hatch with Sakura in his arms.

   The police burst through the door and immediately opened fired.

   "SASUKE!!!!"

   Sakura screamed my name as the hatch closed.

. . .

   I was sobbing as Naruto held me close. I looked around as our team ran through the dirty tunnels.

   Naruto looked so calm, he just lost his best friend.
   Hinata looks as if she is shaking in her boots but she is trying to hold up her composure.
   Neji, of course, is as stoic as ever, not showing a hint of emotion but I know, deep down inside. He really, truly cares.
   Tenten looked pale, tears were silently streaming down her beautiful face.
   Sai, just like Neji. I know that he cared. Our boss was killed for crying out loud.
   Ino was crying, she didn't care who heard her. The only thing that filled the tunnel of sadness was Ino's sniffles.
   Kiba, a man was he. He was leading our pack, I know that he was making sure that we got out of here alive.
   Then we have Shino, a man that shields his eyes behind a pair of black rimmed sunglasses. He couldn't fool me, I could see the tear stains on his cheeks.

   I sighed as I closed my eyes, I tried to sleep but I couldn't. I just couldn't. My thoughts were filled with Sasuke and how he was protecting me to his very last moments.

   We all had our very own connection with our boss, so it was hard for us to accept the fact that he was gone now.

   "Can we go back for him..?" I asked lightly, my throat was hoarse.

   Everyone stopped, the sound of the movement of feet died down. They all looked at me with disbelief.

   "We need to go back for him.."

   I was struggling to push myself out of Naruto's grip.

   "Sakura..he's gone.." Neji said as he stared. All they could do was stare.

   I felt my face get flushed with anger. "I refuse to believe that! Our boss wouldn't give up that easily!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. Everyone's eyes widened and they were the whole time. I didn't think anyone blinked.

   I heard a single sighed, it was very much feminine. I looked towards the source and I saw Ino with her hands on her hips. "Look, Sakura, honey. It's time that you let go.." She said lightly. "Sasuke wouldn't want you to sulk over him like this... He wanted us to protect you to the very end and that's exactly what we will do."

I let Ino's words sink in. My lip began to quiver as I stared at the ground. My heart felt like it was going to pop out of my chest as I pictured Sasuke now. His body was laid lifeless on the wooden ground of the cabin that we just escaped from. His beautiful, dark hair was beginning to get stained from his crimson blood. His eyes...lifeless.

   To me, he looked so peaceful.

   I thought I got all my tears out, but I felt something warm and wet stream down my cheek. I touched my soft skin lightly and it was confirmed that I was indeed crying.

   Naruto adjusted me in his arms, "Let's keep moving.." He started with a sigh. "We don't know how much time we got until the Fuzz finds the hatch.." The blonde moved forward ahead of the group. He didn't say anything as he began to run, the others followed suit.

   Goodbye...Sasuke...

- bakurokii