Chapter 10

Pain...

That was the sensation Sasuke currently felt...

He doesn't know how long he is in this darkness...

Weeks? Days? Hours? Minutes? don't know... But one thing clear is his body hurts...

"You are waking up..."

Huh? That voice was... familiar...

He slowly moved his eyes and... suddenly, a ray of light appeared

His response was, of course, to close his eyes again. After that darkness, it was just logical that His eyes were not used to the light that engulfed His sight.

Slowly, Sasuke opened his eyes again, at first, everything was blurred, only thing Sasuke saw was a blur and the light still hurt his eyes. Sasuke dilated his pupils to make his vision better and it worked as everything started to clear.

"Mnghh..." Sasuke grunted as he opened his eyes widely and blinked to get accustomed to the light.

"You are finally awake!", Came the voice of a red-head

"Ugh!"

"Are you alright, do you need anything", said Taiga

"Water", replied Sasuke

"Where is everyone?", asked Sasuke

"Well, Yakumo and Kai are gone to help whoever is in need, Naruto and Sakura decided to do the same, and since Gato faced public execution and villagers are given a huge load of money... Kakashi sensei and Genma Sensei are talking business with Tazuna... So that leaves me alone with you for the time being", answered Taiga

"Taiga...can I ask you a question?", asked Sasuke

"Sure", grinned Taiga

"How did you get so strong?", asked Sasuke

"Well I Train very hard every day, that's why", said Taiga in a duh tone

"I train hard every day too", said Sasuke in a dead-serious tone

"Well... I trained with grandma since very young"

"I am an Uchiha, I trained since very young as well"

"Really, so sad you didn't get to live your childhood always training... what a tragic childhood"

"YOU IDIOT YOU ARE THE SAME"

*Blink*Blink

"I guess you are right haha..haha...hahahah", Taiga was trying hard to laugh off and forget this embarrassing moment

"Tch, forget I ask you anything", he turned to another side ready to sleep again

"I don't Know why Sasuke, but... Grandma always said If you fight to save something or one that's precious to you at that very moment you become genuinely stronger"

"I do have something to fight for!" he roared.

"Revenge isn't enough," Taiga told him.

Sasuke glared, "what do you mean?"

"I heard what happened, Your brother, the massacre. But Tell me something Sasuke, if you do manage to kill your brother, what next? What's your reason for living?"

Uchiha just barreled on, "after I kill him, I'll work to restore my clan!"

"You don't care about anything else but yourself Sasuke, and that's not really a bad thing. It's good, you need to be selfish once in a while or else people will just roll over you. But... you will never become powerful alone, you need help, and you can't use people and throw them away, you do that and you'll have enemies rather than friends. Do that... and after your revenge, there will be nothing to look forward to."

"What do you know?" Sasuke asked, "My vengeance is all I have left, everyone I knew is dead! And you're telling me my vengeance is pointless?!"

"I never said it was pointless," Taiga said, "But, The dead are dead Sasuke, and you can't bring them back. But...you can live for the future in order to ensure something like that never happens again.

"Since I was at the mere age of 3, Grandma spent every single day training me to get stronger with only one purpose in mind. Peace. My dream is for peace, for people to stop killing each other for a foolish reason, for father's burying their sons, for brothers crying over their sister's corpse. For brothers to stop killing brothers. I have never stopped trying to achieve that goal, and that is why I've surpassed you."

"Because of something that happened in the past, you refused to live in the present, and because of that past you have nothing to live for, you have nothing to protect Sasuke and that's why You are not strong enough"

"How can I forget everything, He took everything from me, my bonds, family, everyone, how can you understand the pain of losing someone that's precious to you, HOW CAN YOU EVER FEEL THE WAY I EVER FELT"

"Yes Sasuke, I can't...I can say that I understand your pain but I really don't... Your story may not have a happy beginning, but that doesn't make you who you are. It is the rest of your story, who you choose to be. If you continue on your current path...you will find yourself...at the bottom of the stairs."

However, a new voice called out, "that was brilliantly said," Both turned around and saw two ninjas approaching.

"Sensei is the meeting done already?"

"Yup"

-------

There was comfortable silence in the room as Yakumo and Taiga were alone in a room. She was staring at Taiga while He only looked out of the window and saw the birds chirping on the tree.

"Taiga..."

Yakumo called, her voice was low and quite weak.

"Yes?" He asked.

"On the bridge... I... Actually was afraid of you..." she murmured and taiga's eyes widened. "To be honest... I'm not bothered by it, I know, being Shinobi means to walk with death as a constant companion... But..."

"It's okay..." He cut her and she stared with sad eyes. "I know you were afraid of me and it is normal. We all are still young, to see someone committing massacre like what I did...

"Taiga..."

Yakumo's face softened slightly after that. Taiga could tell she seemed to understand His words and accepted it.

"But does that matter?", he said

!!!

!!!

"I won't hurt you, Yakumo-san. You may be scared of me and that's alright by me, but you don't need to be afraid that I am going to attack you, Yakumo-san, because you are my friend, he finished with a grin.

"Idiot, you think I am afraid you will attack me?"

"Huh? You aren't"

"No you damn Idiot, I was just afraid that you wouldn't be my best friend after what happened"

"B-But Why would I stop being your best friend"

"After that incident, I thought you changed, you wouldn't be that always smiling naive idiotic team-mate of mine"

"B-But"

"Taiga please don't speak and destroy our beautiful friendship moment"

Yakumo stared with a slight scowl, she was annoyed. But the scowl turned into a slight smile.

"At least you are still the person I know... Next time if you are going to do something like that, wait for me..." Yakumo said

"Well, I trust you to cover my back next time then," Taiga stated with a grin.

"Anyway, Taiga," Yakumo coughed slightly and she blushed for some reason.

"There will be a small celebration held by the village due to the death of Gato and also their freedom. The village decided there will be a festival in the next few days..."

"Really?" Taiga asked in surprise. "But what about their food condition?"

"Well, apparently, Gato's hideout got crowded by the mob. And there was so much food and drinks in there. The village took them all and its numbers are actually large enough to hold a festival, so..."

"I see... And his money?"

"After they were done with Gato, people in Wave took over his company..." Yakumo responded. "Currently, Wave has enough money to make this country back to how it was before, they just need time, but..." she slightly scowled. "The money on that hideout got stolen..."

"Stolen?" Taiga asked with furrowed eyebrows.

"Yeah... There was more than half a billion money there. While it is not all the money Gato has, that was still a large sum. We assume it was remnants of Gato's thugs that took it and left from Wave after what you did..." Yakumo explained to me and Taiga hummed. "A-Anyway!" Yakumo's blush was back again as she stared ahead, she coughed a few times before continuing, "S-Since there will be a festival held. I want to ask you to do something for me..."

"Sure"

"Bring Ken, at the festival wearing something good", she asked with a blush

"Tch making me a delivery boy for your date message"

"I-It's not a date"

"Yea yea, you should do it yourself"

"Do it, and next time it will be my treat at Ichiraku"

"It's a deal", he said with stars in his eyes

"..."

"..."

-------

Taiga marveled at how lively the village looked right now. The sun had just set, signaling the start of the festival. The street was illuminated with numerous paper lamps hanging from every rooftop, all the vendors that usually only opened in the day had made an exception and brought stands of every kind of snacks one could think of like cotton candy, ice cream, dango, daifuku, onigiri, and too many more for Taiga to count.

The streets were filled to the brim with people of all ages and walks of life, from parents to children, from the young to the elderly, and civilians. It was almost as if all the people in the village had decided to attend.

Taiga had seen the village this busy before but never in this light. watching all of Konoha's Shinobis including both sensei cheering, laughing and all-around having a good time warmed him on the inside.

He and Ken passed yet another food stand, and Taiga couldn't help his mouth from watering at the delicious smell. He didn't want to eat yet and risk getting his new clothes dirty so soon after just buying them. He had settled for buying a black Kimono with a black Hakama. As for Ken, he was wearing a gray Kimono but was also wearing a black Hakama.

''Taiga, where is Yakumo? Do you know where are we supposed to meet her?'' Asked ken

"Oh, so you are so much in a hurry to see her already?"

"Taiga, where is she?", he asked in a deadpan manner

''Tch, You are no fun around, Naruto always gets a reaction when I Tease him about Sakura, anyway we were supposed to meet Around here. We are on time, so they should not take long to arrive'' Said Taiga as he and Ken stopped beside a stall

''They? What do you mean, 'they'?'' Inquired Ken with a puzzled look. Was someone else coming? ''I thought only Yakumo was coming and we three would hang out together''

Instead of an answer, Taiga shot his genuine smile, a devious one, which unsettled Ken.

However, Ken didn't have another chance to keep questioning Taiga, as a familiar voice called to them.

''Good to see you guys made it in time''

Ken and Taiga turned around to see Yakumo standing in front of them, she was wearing a purple Kimono with flower designs, red lipstick, and a white sash around her waist tied like a ribbon. Both boys could admit she looked good, Ken especially was blushing at the sight of the Kurama. Despite working with her extensively for these past few weeks, Ken had never seen her looking so pretty.

''About time. You are late, Yakumo'' Complained Taiga. After forcing him to bring Ken, she could at least have the decency to not make them wait.

''You could practice more patience, Taiga'' Said Yakumo. ''A lady takes a long time to get ready for a night out, so be more considerate. We came as fast as we could''

''And speaking of which, what do you mean by 'we'? You didn't come alone?'' Asked Ken in confusion.

''Obviously. Can't you see who is right there?'' Said Yakumo as she pointed behind her with her thumb.

There came a beautiful Tsunami and Inari

Taiga and Ken smiled, a kind genuine smile

-------

Yakumo eyed signal Taiga, he eyed to her and quietly left for Ken and Yakumo

During the festival, he tried searching for someone to stay with...

Two Sensei were having a good time being the Perverts

Naruto really like Festivals, since the only festival in Konoha is Kyuubi's festival and Sasuke alongside Sakura and Naruto was just getting dragged

He smiled and left...

-------

(Somewhere)

Taiga just stood there all alone in a festival while he continues to look at the beautiful scnery ahead of him as well as thinking about Grandma

"So beautiful", not knowing wheather it's for the scenry or the old lady in his mind

"Indeed, it's beautiful", said the voice behind him

He turned back, shocked but he quickly got over it...

"GRANDMAAAA", he rushed to hug her.

She hugged him too

"But How?"

"Silly Boy, Didn't I told you already, Grandma is seriously strong, I can go anywhere I like, anytime I like"

--------

He and Grandma sat on the grass looking at the beautiful scenery ahead of them...

"Silly Boy, Didn't I told you to make friends... See, aren't you alone now?"

He smiled and looked at her, "It doesn't matter until unless I have you, it's alright"

She smiled

"Grandma?"

"Yes?"

"That day, You wrote me a letter saying you are going somewhere and you might not return, are you done with your work"

"No"

"Then will you come back?"

"No"

He looked at her with wide teary eyes, "Did I do something wrong?"

She smiled, "No My child, But Grandma has things she needs to do in order for you to live a great life", she looked ahead with a smile, "Nothing is permanent in this world Taiga, not me, not you, not anyone... we get separated at some point, we get sad and we cry... but we move on, and live our life"

She gently caressed his face, "In my battle, I might die, I might not die, whatever the result might be... but this will the last time we are going to be together in this life..."

"I don't want this", he said with tears

She smiled, "Cry my child, cry, but after this, stay strong and live on a great life"

-------

Middle of the night, Taiga shed tears and slept in the laps of Grandma, who gently kept her hands his head and coaxing him to sleep.

"Live well my Child... Sigh... Getting the Celestial Body is it curse or Blessing I Don't Know, but they are getting near you, and I shall be the one who will protect you"

-------

He woke up early in the morning

He looked here and there, No one was in sight...

Last night's conversation came rushing into his mind as he began to search for her madly...

"GRANDMA... GRANDMA....at least say Goodbye Dammit

He cried for some time and looked at the beautiful scenery ahead of him for a very long long time until Genma Sensei managed to find him in the afternoon