Because I Did Not Stop For Death
.:Chapter 2 - The Strength of the Stubborn:.

The carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality

(Emily Dickinson)

There wasn't anything particularly special about the day. It was partly cloudy. The temperature was on the cool side, but Sasuke liked it that way. His morning routine was just that – routine. He woke up before his wife – just before the sun. He shuffled quietly into the bathroom and relieved himself before brushing his teeth. Once he was slightly more awake, he grabbed his training gear and popped out the front door (he had left through the bedroom window once, but Sakura quickly put a stop to that – "We have a front door for a reason! What is wrong with you and Naruto?!") to his favorite training spot. The training was smooth. He had recovered from his inactive probation period and was nearly at his old level. Even as he walked on the sidewalk towards his home, he did not notice anything out of place. The idiot still tried to get him to eat ramen. People still stared at talked behind his back. Others still ignored his existence – those were his favorite type of people.

So, when Sasuke stepped into the front door and Sakura greeted him with a smile and his favorite meal, he was not in the least bit suspicious.

It wasn't until he had finished half of his tomato and cheese sandwich and most of the soup did he observe the woman across the table – or rather, he observed her acute observations. Her undivided attention was not unusual in itself. He found that she would often steal stares when she thought he wasn't looking (or didn't care if he knew because she had to know that he sees everything) – probably amazed that they were together like she'd always dreamed. It wasn't even so much the observations that tipped him off. It was the observations and her careful smile.

While Sakura had indeed gotten better at hiding her emotions, Sasuke could still read her easily. Her smile now was real, but happiness was not the only emotion represented. She was nervous, careful.

After contemplating the favorite food, the nervous smile, and the less than subtle staring, Sasuke decided that something was wrong.

He did not vocalize his observation. He stopped eating, dropped his spoon into the soup bowl with a clatter, let out a long suffering sigh, and set his elbows up on the table. He finished his unspoken question with a raised eyebrow.

"Did you like your meal?" Sakura avoided his subtleties. He obliged her for now.

"Aa."

There was an uncomfortable silence. Sasuke waited patiently while Sakura began to fidget. He watched as she shuffled in her seat and her eyes began to move around the room.

"Sakura, what the hell is wrong with you?" Sasuke's patience never lasted long.

"I went to the doctor's today."

The questioning eyebrow was back up. "Are you sick?"

"No-well, I was – sort of. I mean I thought I was. Well –"

"Sakura." Sasuke frowned, his eyes perusing his partner's form, taking in details. She seemed normal, perhaps a bit pale, but nothing seemed out of place. The piercing black eyes met green again. He waited.

"I am okay." Sakura breathed out.

Sasuke nodded satisfactorily. She still fidgeted, so he still waited. His impatience won out. "Why did you go to the doctor's, Sakura?" He encouraged.

"I've been puking a lot."

Sasuke immediately felt his eyes narrow. "How a lot?" And why didn't I notice?

"It usually happened in the morning when you were training." Sakura answered the question he did not dare ask. "I'm also late. So…" She trailed off, her green eyes were now boring into his. Her teeth chewed into her bottom lip.

It only took a moment before Sasuke's narrowed eyes blinked and widened. He was not ignorant to what she was implying. "And?" He demanded – he realized probably harsher than he should have when she looked to the side.

"I'm pregnant."

Sasuke let out a breath and leaned back into his chair. His eyes closed. Gears twisted and turned inside his head. A father. He was going to be a father. He could revive his clan. He could start anew. Would they be able to continue to live in their apartment? Should they get a house? Money wasn't much of a problem. Would he be a good father? Sakura would be a good mother. He could -

Shifting feet made his eyes snap open again. Sakura was still biting her lip and gripping the side of the wooden chair.

"Is…" Sasuke paused and cursed his hesitation. "Is this not a good thing?"

Sakura's eyes snapped up to meet his. "Of course it's a good thing, Sasuke-kun!"

"Then what the hell is wrong with you?"

"I'm worried."

"About?"

"About a lot of things. If we are ready. If I'll be a good mother. If…" She paused to look at the floor, ashamed, "If you'll stay."

Sasuke frowned. His arms crossed over his chest. "You don't trust me."

"I do!" She did not look up at him. "It's not even so much that I worry you will leave the village like last time, but, you're an ANBU now. What if you don't come back from a mission and I'm left alone…"

"Sakura, that's part of being-"

"I know that!" She snapped. Of course she knew. "That doesn't make me any more assured! I worry about you! I don't want our child to grow up without a father! I don't want to grow old without you!"

Sasuke sighed heavily, shifting in his seat and uncrossing his arms. "You've been worrying about this for a while." He observed.

She nodded slowly. "Since you became an ANBU two weeks ago."

A contemplative silence settled over the room. Sakura, unwilling to look him in the eyes could only keep her gaze glued to the table. It wasn't until she heard the scraping of wood against wood as the chair was pushed back did she look up to see Sasuke making his way towards her.

He did not kneel in front of her and declare his love and devotion. He did not hug her or take her hand. He sat in the seat closest to her and waited for her to meet his eyes. When she did he spoke, "Sakura. I promise that I will come back for you and our child. You are what I fight for and what I will continue to fight for. I need you to trust me. Do you understand?"

Sakura's wavering green eyes watered. Sasuke did not hug her, so she took the initiative and lunged her body foreword latching onto him. With her head buried in his now stiff shoulder, he heard a muffled, "I love you."

"Aa." His arms twitched slightly, unsure if he should return the hug. Instead he let the tension leave his body and gave her back a light pat, "Aa."

The high-pitched long sound echoed around the room. For just a split second, everyone paused. Some stared at the patient on the table, others stared at the horrified lead doctor. Said doctor let out of screech that held a hint of anger, a touch of pain, and not a little frustration which set the rest of the team back in motion. Glowing green hands were slapped back onto the wound. She continued to mutter to herself and to the patient. 'If you die, I'll bring you back and I'll kill you myself.' 'I have to heal him!' 'Don't leave me alone!' 'You promised me!'

Forty-five seconds passed and nurses began to look at each other. One nurse made the decision and began to back away. Her shoulders fell. Another nurse stepped over to the doctor, hands poised to pull her away. "Don't you dare touch me." The doctor growled. Her voice was heavy and scratchy and the threat did not need to be said.

The nurse backed off quickly – hands held up with palms out.

"I will not give up!" She continued on, even as the high-pitched monitor deafened her ears. Even as her green hands became a misty blur. Even as fear and a gut-wrenching sense of loss began to eat at her core. "Sasuke-kun!"

"Hello."

The voice was deep. It came from the cloaked being in front of him as well as from all around him – even from inside. It was a deep yet soft bass that screamed a calm, but powerful presence. Sasuke could not just hear, but feel the voice.

There was a beat of silence while the other waited for movement. Finally, the hood of the deep black cover shifted to the side. "I believe it is customary to respond when greeted."

Sasuke's lips tightened to form a line. He resisted the urge to raise an eyebrow in question. There was more silence before the being lifted slightly then fell – almost like a sigh if it could do so.

"Well, you never were one for such pleasantries." The being's voice still resonated all around Sasuke. "It is a pity." There was a slight shift and the darkness began to move foreword a bit. "I do rather like the formalities. It keeps things in order and makes people seem much nicer." The black paused as a sleeve raised and a bony appendage appeared. "Then again, it can be such a fake thing. I suppose that was one thing you were always good for, Sasuke Uchiha – you were not much of a liar." The appendage disappeared when the sleeve fell back to the side and seemed to blend in with the rest of the dark matter.

"I didn't know Death would be so talkative."

The shoulder-like shapes lifted and fell. "It can get a bit lonely at times. When their time comes, all humans want to talk about are their lives and problems. I know all of these things. I see everything. Now, I suppose the really interesting part is seeing who will talk about what." The scythe shifted from one side to the other. "Now, tell me, Sasuke Uchiha, what do you have to say?"

Sasuke's lips tightened even further. His eyes lowered once in thought. He stared into the white at his feet, not quite seeing.

Death began to move when Sasuke's eyes shot up and he stared at the black before him with a death-like stare of his own.

"No." He growled out.

The head tilted to the side. "I'm sorry?"

Sasuke clarified. "I will not die."

"I do not think you have a choice in the matter."

"I don't care." Sasuke's arms crossed in front of his chest. In the back of his mind, he knew he looked like a pouting child right now and he was certainly going to be just as stubborn.

"That's not the tune you were singing not long ago. If I recall, you were even trying to die – wanting to be free from the pain of the human world. You begged for me in your dreams."

Sasuke's eyes twitched, a slight cringe. "…That was then." He grumbled out.

"Clearly, you have not read Emily Dickenson." Death stopped speaking and seemed to slump a little. "People rarely make this easy."

Sasuke felt a smirk spread on his face, "I suppose that is what humans do."

"Yes. I suppose you are correct. Many do not like change. The end of one's mortal life is a difficult change, indeed."

"One that I will not make yet."

"What makes you so sure?"

"I promised."

"Is a promise that strong?"

"This one is. I have been told I'm the most stubborn person in the world."

"That may very well be true. Which goes to show the true strength of one who is able to change you." There was a thoughtful silence, almost challenging. A deep rumbling sound came from the darkness that sounded suspiciously like a chuckle. "You are interesting, Sasuke Uchiha, and I have been a bit… bored as of late. I shall suggest of compromise. There is one whose time has long since passed, but he has escaped my grasp. I want you to find him for me and make sure he meets me."

"You can't do it?"

"I cannot interfere. People often try to outrun me, but they inevitably must meet me. This one, however, is long overdue. He is living unnaturally. It is… the order of things."

"Wouldn't letting me live throw the order of things?" The biting query was automatic, and Sasuke nearly regretted asking – unwilling to curse his chance.

"Some things are fixed and cannot be escaped. Some things are flexible. Once in a while, I like being amused."

This struck a chord is Sasuke. "I am not your play thing." He snapped, not caring to whom or to what he was speaking to.

"No." The response was patient and controlled, not in the least bit intimidated by the angered man, it knew who had the upper hand. "You are doing what you can to stay alive. I suggest you make your decision quickly." Like a switch had been flipped with those words, Sasuke was suddenly acutely aware of the lack of air in the white void. One hand clutched at his chest while his dark eyes both questioned and accused,

"The body can only handle being dead for so long." Was the explanation.

"Where is he?" Sasuke rasped out. He had little time.

"If I told you that, I would have to kill you. Is that not how the phrase goes?"

Sasuke fell to his knees. Perspiration began to form on his brow. The hand grasping his hest clenched harder, willing his heart and lungs to continue working. He wanted to snap at Death, but he could not find the wind to do so. Instead, he settled for a glare that would have, for anyone else, instilled the fear of death. It's too bad that doesn't work on Death itself.

"Really, I could tell you," Death continued. The darkness began to move closer to Sasuke, seemingly ignoring the suffering man before him, "but that would be in part half of the reason why I am allowing you to live. Now," The endless black being was now standing in front of Sasuke. Still on his knees, Sasuke Uchiha found that he to look up to face Death while it finished talking. "Do not let me rue this decision." A skeletal finger from the free hand stretch out towards Sasuke's forehead, "Wake up."

As the appendage made contact, Death disappeared, and the white void around Sasuke began to glow until it was so blinding that he was forced to close his eyes.

He still couldn't breathe, but he was aware of other things. A piercing screech deafened his hearing. Something warm was pressed against his side. Another sound, a familiar but garbled sound began to penetrate through the long constant screech. Someone was crying, begging. He felt wet drops near the warmth.

Suddenly, the sharp constant piercing sound stopped and became a steady beat. Air, Sasuke could fill his lungs with air! He took a large gulp of it, trying to take in as much as he could. He could sense the pause in the room – but it only lasted a second before more bustling was heard.

Gentle words of thanks mixed in with soft death threats became one with the steady beeping of the machine, lulling him into a less permanent sleep.

The next time Sasuke became aware, the first thing he recognized was the beeping. It was familiar. It was constant. It was annoying.

Next, he was aware of his chest moving, taking in the blessed air. He resisted gasping for a deep breath. Besides the beeping in his ear, he heard the occasional distant footsteps along with fuzzy medical terms.

He felt warm and comfortable – aside from the tickle near his left hand. His finger involuntarily twitched. He felt something soft.

Finally, he allowed sight. A hospital room – as expected. He blinked a few times before his blurred gaze fell to his left. Pink splayed on the white sheets. His lips involuntarily curled up slightly. As if sensing his movement, the pink shifted and began to lift up.

Sakura rubbed her eyes while blearily gazing up at the steady and - most importantly – alive black eyes of her husband. Sasuke watched as she first grinned, relief splashing all over her face. Then she began to tear up, her face scrunching in an effort to block the water. And finally, came the anger. "You almost left me." She accused. Her voice was steady and soft.

"Aa."

"In fact," Sakura rubbed her eyes, whether trying to be rid of sleep or tears, Sasuke didn't know, "You actually did for a minute or two." He said nothing, letting her rant, "You're an ass."

"Aa."

They watched each other – Sasuke waiting patiently for her to finish like he learned he should long ago, and Sakura waiting to see if he had anything to say. At last, Sakura let out a heavy sigh. She grasped his hand, lowering her forehead to rest on the back of his palm. His fingers returned her desperate hold, "Don't do it again." He heard her whisper.

After another nap, Sasuke blinked his eyes open, pleased to find himself far more awake and alert than before. He tried out his fingers and toes – much less sore than before. Either he was on some fantastic pain meds, or Sakura was sneaking in some extra amazing healing time. The proud, possessive smirk on his lips showed his vote.

The sound of a page turn made his gaze fall to the woman next to him. She was curled up in the chair with her legs drawn up next to her. The proud smirk he previously wore quickly turned into a scowl; her doctor's coat was still on.

"Why are you still here?"

The book that Sakura's nose was buried in immediately dropped. Her glare was sharper than his kunai. "Where else should I be?"

"Home."

The piercing glare lessened into an uncaring mask as she shrugged and looked down at her book one again. "As your doctor, I need to keep watch."

"Are you neglecting your other patients, then?"

"I'm off duty." She said without missing a beat.

"Then you should rest."

"Do you not see me trying to read?" She still didn't look up from her book, "You're the one interrupting my rest."

Sasuke scowled, made a 'ch' noise that vaguely meant something like 'Do-whatever-you-want-I-don't-care-anymore' before turning his head away.

Something itched at his memory. Something he had to do. It was poking at the back of his memory. Like the sharp end of a scythe.

"Sakura, I need to talk to Naruto."

"Ah, yeah," Sakura raised an eyebrow, slightly startled at the request, "Sure." She placed the nearby marker inside her book before closing it and resting it on the table beside Sasuke's bed, "I was supposed to get him when you wake up anyway." She stood up and turned to walk towards the door, then stopped mid-step and swiveled around slowly, "Tell me, why do you want to see Naruto? You never want to see Naruto."

"I have to talk to him."

"You said that already." She crossed her arms.

"You don't need to know." In the split second after the words left his lips and before she reacted, he already knew he was in trouble. He struggled to not wince and internally braced himself.

"Don't need to know? Sasuke Uchiha, not only am I your wife, but I almost lost you. Not to mention, I know that look. No, not that, 'stop yelling at me' look," She pointed at his face, "but the 'I am a man on a mission – or going on a mission' look." Her arm returned to his crossed position on her chest, "Plus, there are very few reasons why you would ever want to see Naruto, and I have a very bad feeling that I'm not going to like it. Now tell me, Sasuke," His name was punctuated by the distinct lack of 'kun,' "Why do you need to see Naruto?"

Sasuke weighed the options. On one hand, he could ignore her and order her to get Naruto. It would probably work in that she would indeed get Naruto. She however would not speak civilly to him for a very long while and not to mention, she was his doctor. On the other hand, he could tell her and she would either think he is crazy and/or not let him go. He watched her fingers begin to tap her arm impatiently while the other hand clenched into a fist. Opting for the least painful, Sasuke chose his next words carefully, "I need to go on a mission."

"A mission…" Sakura repeated, doubtful. "You just came back…"

"I need to go as soon as possible."

"What could possibly be that important that you need to go right after you nearly died, oh, no, that's right. You did die for a short time!" Sakura threw her hands up.

"Sakura." His voice was low in a tone that signaled his annoyance.

"Sasuke." Sakura challenged right back.

"Sakura, I need to go."

"Why?"

"You don't understand." His patience and calm was disappearing. It was an impressive power that Sakura seemed to possessive over him.

"Then make me understand! Sasuke-kun, I nearly lost you! You don't need to go so soon. Not just for me, but for your body!"

"Just trust me."

"And I need you to trust me enough to tell me your reasoning!"

Sasuke ground his teeth. It wasn't a question of trust, but a question of explanation and sanity. "I don't know how to explain it." He answered, truthfully.

Sakura let out some of the tension in her form at his admittance. "Well, how about an easier question: what is the mission?"

"Find the person who is…" He paused, searching for the correct word, "Cheating death."

"Okay, now who gave you this mission?"

Sasuke resisted the grimace that he was feeling on the inside. He studied Sakura. She was focused, intent on hearing and getting the details. There was no way out of this. Black eyes stared straight into green as he tried to sound sure and not as crazy as he knew the answer would be. "Death."

It was dirty and smelly. A mud-crusted nose wrinkled in disgust as he examined brown tipped fingernails. Those fingernails reached up to scratch at a wiry beard. A tongue crept out to wet dry lips. He could taste the dirt and smell. After a shudder, the man pushed himself to his feet. Bones and joints cracked and popped, signaling a lack of use. When he was straight, he rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck. He looked down at the cloth that currently passed as clothing and frowned. He tugged at the brown mess. An unfamiliar sigh was heard. He blinked wearily, eyeing the clean up. Arthritic fingers popped when he positioned his fingers into the correct sign.

Before the words were spoken, his eyes fell onto the broken body stretched out on the ground. A smirk stretched the cracked lips. Despite the smell and the dirt, despite the cracking, weary body, it was all worth it.

"So…" Naruto stood, shuffling his feet at the entrance of Sasuke's hospital room. The wide grin on his face annoyed Sasuke, " Sakura tells me you talked to Death."

"I'm surprised she thought it was sane enough to mention it."

In truth, she had taken it better than he had thought. After he had told her, he watched as she first blinked at him, as though waiting for the punch line. Then she cocked her head to the side, slightly confused after which she must have decided that he was playing a cruel joke on her, because her eyes narrowed and her mouth began to do an impersonation of a fish. When she noticed he was still watching her and waiting (because, really, Sasuke rarely joked), her eyes widened and became glassy, nearly horrified. And finally, a calm spread over her entire being. Her face became void of expression. With a quick turn of her foot, she had swiftly marched out of the room without a word.

"Yeah, she did mention that she wasn't sure she handled it so well."

Sasuke snorted lightly, not mentioning how much worse it could have been. He raised an eyebrow and nodded his head slightly in Naruto's direction. An unvoiced 'what do you think?'

Naruto sighed heavily before plopping himself into the chair next to Sasuke. "I think it would be weird for you to suddenly have a break down after everything you've been through. So…" His blonde head tilted to the side, "I guess I believe you. Or," Naruto pushed himself foreword, a sly grin on his face, "You really could have finally cracked."

"Certainly no more than you."

Instead of retaliating, Naruto fell back and laughed. "Yeah, maybe you're right. Only real geniuses can be crazy!" He stopped laughing while his face began to crunch up, "Wait…"

"Good job, Hokage-sama." Sasuke sneered.

Naruto waved a hand, dismissing the comment. "Anyway, you want to go on a mission, right?" Sasuke nodded, "And you don't know any details?" Naruto received a shrug in response. "You're not very helpful, jackass."

Sasuke couldn't help the smirk that crawled upon his lips.

Naruto leaned foreword, blue eyes narrowed and studying his best friend. Finally, he sighed and sat back in the chair, "I guess it's okay as long as you keep me updated. Aside from a few missing ninjas, it's been pretty boring. Are you going to take anyone with you?"

"Me."

The voice was new to the conversation. Both heads turned to towards the door. Sakura was leaning against the doorframe with her arms folded and a determined frown on her face.

"No." Sasuke scowled.

"Yes!" Sakura stepped into the room.

"You're pregnant."

"Brilliant observation." Sakura snapped. "I'm only at the beginning and I wont be able to go on a mission for a long time after this. This is my last chance – and who better else to go with than you?"

"No." Sasuke's scowl deepened. He was not putting his pregnant wife in danger. Especially not for a mission he knew so little about.

"Your argument sucks." Sakura sat on the edge of his bed and leaned in towards Naruto. She gave him her best smile. "Right, Naruto-kun?"

Naruto, for his part, leaned far back in his seat. A sweat drop began to form as he looked from the happy yet deadly Sakura to the scowling Sasuke. "Don't drag me into this, guys." He pleaded.

"But, Naruto-kun," Sakura pouted, "You're the great Hokage! I trust your decision."

Naruto could not fight the slight blushing and swelling pride that began to swell in his chest, even as he was pressed hard enough into the back of his chair as though he could go through it and escape.

"Idiot, she's only flattering you."

"At least she's trying." Naruto muttered. He looked at both of them, weighing the options. Really, he was in trouble either way. "I think..." He started slowly, "That is would be a good idea if someone went with you."

"No."

"Sasuke!" Sakura swiveled on the bed to face her husband. Naruto let out a heavy sigh, no longer the one under pressure. "Listen to me." The sheets crumpled in her fisted hands. "I know myself and I know pregnancy. I'm a doctor. And," She bit her lip before continuing, "I know we're ninja and it's part of our job, but you almost died. Besides," She leaned close, placing a warm hand over his clenched fist, "With me by your side, we can keep an eye on each other."

Their eyes met and Sasuke could feel his determination melting under her watering stare.

At last, he looked away and grunted. He had given in. From the corner of his eye, he saw Sakura give a small, but reassuring smile.

Naruto clapped once. "Great! Now where are you going?"

Sasuke's lips formed a thin line as the gears in his head turned. He wasn't given a lot of details, which meant that this person could be anywhere. Where could the start? Konoha? Maybe some research or scientist. Where would be-

"About that…" Sakura spoke up, interrupting his thought process, "I was thinking we should start with the most obvious place."

"Obvious, Sakura-chan?"

"Well, yeah." Sakura blinked, as though surprised that the other two hadn't caught on. She continued, "Who was the person most obsessed with cheating death?"

Realization began to dawn and the air inside the room became just a little bit colder. Naruto straightened and Sasuke's eyes began to show their old steely glint.

"Orochimaru."

(Chapter End)

So, I'll be honest, I didn't really like the second half of the chapter that much – you know, the boring information finding out bits. I had a lot of fun writing the death part and the operation room though. If anyone wondered, I got the idea of death from Terry Pratchett's discworld series.

Anyhoo, please give me your thoughts and opinions!

What do you think should happen?
Do you like where it's going?
Were you bored, interested…? I
s everyone in character?

Hope you all had a lovely holiday!