Chapter 1:

Chapter 1: Alive

Three weeks later.

Sakura-Chan, Naruto thought as he took up the picture of Team Seven. He looked at it. This was the first picture they had taken together. It showed him, Sakura, Sasuke, standing side by side, and Kakashi behind them. Sakura had been in the middle with himself on the right and Sasuke on the left.

Team Seven. Yep, you were definitely the strongest of us. You were always there for us and could stop all of our fights. Now I lost Sasuke-Kun…and you.

FLASHBACK:

"Sasuke, let's not do this now," Naruto pleaded with his dark-haired teammate. They had just gotten back from helping Idate win the race. It was along and rough race and, furthermore, they were without their sensei.

Sasuke stood at the other side of the hospital roof. Naruto was on the other. They stared at each other intensely. The air was becoming tense. Sakura had just run in on the scene before her. Her eyes widened, with tears filling them.

"Sasuke-Kun, Naruto-Kun, please don't," she pleaded. Everything about her was pleading. The way her eyes watered. Her hands were clasped together put in front of her chest. The wind made her tears slide across her face.

Sadly, they had not heard her.

I wonder if we had stopped then, Naruto began.

"Let's go," Sasuke said quietly as his eyes changed from onyx to crimson. Naruto's body tensed, but he soon regained his position. From there, he went to his fighting stance.

"Let's do this," he roared out as he ran to Sasuke. With a few hand signs he had made clones of himself. All of three of them began running at Sasuke with full force, with one in the middle having the Rasengan. Sasuke called for the Chidori and, he too, began running at Naruto.

Naruto…

Sasuke…

Chidori…

Rasengan…

…heading for a collision.

Two of the most powerful moves.

…going for it…

Two of the strongest elements.

…heading for a huge collision.

Nothing standing in there way.

…Yet…

Now I can only imagine what Sakura must have been thinking when she—

"Stop it!" they heard a distant yell as footsteps were heard. But how could they have stopped. They both wanted each other dead. They had no room or time to stop. They hand to end it. One of them had to win.

…and when you are thinking of winning you cannot stop.

It was a good thing Kakashi had stepped in, Naruto thought. Sakura would have been taken away…

Earlier than she was.

If were to have stopped then, would Sasuke still be here now? Naruto questioned himself. …Would Sakura-Chan still be here now? His eyes turned downcast.

More than likely…

Yes. If Sasuke and I had not had had that fight, he would have probably never left. If he had never left, Sakura-Chan would have probably never tried to seek out power. She would never had have to go and prove herself by chasing the Akatsuki, getting captured by them, and facing what she had faced?

Death.

Naruto stood up. I think I should go and get some fresh air. With that, he was out the door.

Sasuke was walking down the long corridors of the Otokage's building. My dream was just coming true, he thought as he past many doors absentmindedly. He stopped as he noticed something on the wall. He turned around to look at it clearly.

It was a picture.

Not just any picture, but a picture of Orochimaru, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Sarutobi. This must have been their team picture, he thought as he walked closer to get a closer look.

Tsunade was standing in the middle of Jiraiya, who was at the right, and Orochimaru, who was on the left. Sarutobi was behind them, standing tall and proud.

His eyes widened. It couldn't be…, he thought. In a flash he ran through the long hallway. He ran past many servants who just stared at him like he had two heads. He even ran past Jokurai.

"Daddy," Jokurai called, but he had run past him as if he didn't hear him. Strange.

Sasuke quickly opened the door of a room at the end of the long hallway. It was once Orochimaru's, but he had now moved his stuff in there. He slowly walked to the dresser as if he was on his way to his death. He picked up a picture and looked at it.

This is the same.

Just different people who are more alike than they know, Sasuke thought as he held the picture up.

Flashback:

Sasuke had been fighting Aoi, with the help of Naruto. This is what they get when they help someone try to win a race. Sasuke had just dodged an attack from Aoi, but instead it had hit Naruto. Sasuke landed on his and Naruto on his back.

"Can't keep up with me, Naruto-Kun?" Sasuke asked smugly as he put a kunai up in front of him. This was his means of protection. He could move the kunai so fast it would dodge everything, or so they all thought.

"I was just making sure I wasn't going to fast for you," Naruto replied, but there was uncertainty in his voice. Sasuke caught it. Naruto had decided it was time to act. In an instant, he was running toward Aoi, calling upon the Rasengan.

Not wanting to get hurt when Naruto got hit or something, Sasuke took his position protecting Sakura and Idate, but mostly Sakura. He had always gotten in front of her in a time like this.

I never realized how nymph-like she looked and was, Sasuke thought, solemnly.

Instead of Naruto being knocked back, Aoi had snuck up on Sasuke. With a hit, Sasuke was sent down the cliff. Feeling numb, he could not get himself back up. He just watched the sky as he fell to his doom.

I didn't even remember when I hit the ground and stopped falling. All I knew was that she was there with me when I woke up. She was the one who helped me back up. Since then…

And

Since her last days with me…with the world. Sasuke didn't even notice, but a tear was falling down his eyes and down his cheek. He had not even noticed until a small hand was felt brushing it away. He looked down to see Jokurai. He had tears in his eyes, too.

"Don't cry, Daddy," Jokurai cooed. "I miss mommy, too," Sasuke gave a solemn smile and held Jokurai close.

"It will be okay…everything will be just fine," Sasuke answered in reply. At that moment, a Sound Nin came in.

"It's time, Sasuke-Kun," he said. And Sasuke and Jokurai walked through the door.

"I can't believe I survived," a feminine voice said to no one in particular. Green orbs stared at the spot in the bed beside her. She had just woken up since the tragedy and her and Itachi's kiss they shared. She didn't even know how long it had been since then.

Sakura slowly lifted herself up. Her body felt weak and useless. She didn't even have enough strength to yell for help.

It's not like I would if I could, though, Sakura said to herself. I just need to gather up my strength and stop being the weakling out of everyone.

When she had finally gathered herself up, she tried standing on the floor. Her legs gave out on her. It was a good thing that the bed was there or she would have been on the floor.

Sakura looked around to take in her surroundings. She was not in her room, but in Itachi's room. She noticed that they weren't in the last place they had stayed, but the one before it.

Her eyes widened. Where are they? Where are Naruto, Sasuke, and the others? She suddenly remembered where she was and what happened before she was gone in darkness. She had sacrificed herself.

Did the others make it? Were they all still alive? Did Sasuke and Jokurai make it back home? To their home? In Konoha?

Sakura's breath stopped for a minute.

Where were Hokurai and the rest of Akatsuki? Did they even make it out or was it just me and Itachi? If so, where are the others? If not, still, where were they?

Sakura walked into the adjoining room. This led to the bathroom. With a turn of the knob she was in the shower. During her shower, she had a lot to think about and a lot of time to think.

What led me to this? To sacrifice myself? For some reason, it just felt like I knew what I was doing. It felt like I was saving the world.

When I went in there, the whole world was on my mind. It was only me who could save those innocent people. It was also only me who could save those evil people.

Was I the bad guy or the good guy?

For some reason, it felt like I was saving my friends.

When I said goodbye, I had no regrets. It was me who had to save my friends. It was me who had to give them the life of immortality. But when I think about it, I also saved the lives of enemies. The Akatsuki.

Am I the bad guy or the good guy?

Sakura stepped out of the shower. When she went back into the room, she saw clothing laid out for her on the bed. She put it on, while thinking.

When I was saying goodbye and entering, I felt something else. I felt something much more than being the bad guy or the good guy. I felt something surge into my body.

Naruto-Kun and Hinata-Chan…

I felt a reason for me to go on.

Sakura walked out of the room.

Sasuke-Kun and Jokrai-Kun…

I felt a reason for me to share my love.

She turned down halls and halls.

Itachi-Kun and Hokurai-Kun…

…I felt a reason for me to love, go on, and have strength.

She got to the door where she felt familiar chakra. She put her hand on the knob.

…And most importantly…I felt like the strongest person in the world.

And she turned the knob.

The wind blew calmly as leaves rustled around. Ever since Naruto and his friends had returned home, it had been raining. It was like even the earth was crying over Sakura Haruno, just like her friends.

Currently, they were all doing nothing with their lives. It was as if they lost their heart when they lost Sakura. They could not go on.

Hyuga Neji was currently walking down the street he and Sakura always took together in the morning. How he missed her. Anywhere he turned he would see her. She looked so real.

I guess a cage bird one day has to go and spread its wings, Neji thought as he walked absentmindedly. He was walking so absentmindedly, he did not even notice when he bumped into someone. He did notice when he was on the ground, though.

"Sorry," he whispered as he got up and extended a hound to help his victim. When he looked down he noticed it was none other that Uzumaki Naruto. They looked at each other for awhile.

Like the rest of the gang, they had not talked to each other in forever. The whole group had split up in three weeks. They were set to meet tomorrow for…

"How've you been, Neji-Kun?" Naruto asked his eyes still blank of emotion. That just wasn't like him. Silence filled the air once again.

"I have been good Naruto-Kun, what about you?" Neji seemed to ask with interest in his tone for once. He never really cared about Naruto's life that much. Sakura was the only Team Seven member on his' mind. "This must be really hard on you out of all of us," he stated.

Naruto nodded his head. "It has," he agreed. He looked at their surroundings. "You want to go for a walk?" he asked. This time Neji nodded. They began walking and Naruto continued.

"This has not been just hard for me," Naruto began again. "It has been hard for Sai-Kun and Kakashi-Sensei, too. Even Lady Tsunade," Neji was shocked when he had heard Naruto say this. I mean, he knew they would have a rough time with this, but Naruto actually called her "Lady" Tsunade for once. He was serious.

Neji rested a hand on Naruto's shoulder. He felt Naruto's body shake. When the Hyuga turned to look he saw Naruto crying. They continued walking, but slowly. Neji did not feel like it was his place to say anything. Finally, Naruto spoke once again.

"Neji, why did she have to go?" Naruto asked sobbing. At first, Neji did not understand what his young friend said, but he soon interpreted it. He put one arm around Naruto, helping him walk straight.

"Am I the magnet for disasters?" Naruto asked as he stared straight ahead of them blankly. Neji saw his' hand clench.

"Do I not deserve happiness, either?" he asked. His eyes turned into slits. Neji grew worried as they kept on walking.

"Do I deserved to be locked up in a cage and—

Neji cut him off. "A cage bird must grow its own wings and break the cage," Neji spoke calmly. This helped Naruto calm down.

"What do you mean?" he asked. Neji shook his head as they continued to walk. They had not even been looking where they were going. They were just going wherever the wind would take them.

Just like Sakura.

"A cage bird must break out of its cage," Neji repeated. "Once they do this, they must learn to fly on their own."

"That cage bird you are referring to was Sakura-Chan," Naruto said. Neji shook his head.

"When Sakura was younger, she always had you, Sasuke, and Kakashi, protecting her from everything," Neji continued on. "It was like the cage that kept the bird locked up. It was hurting her," at this Naruto's eyes went solemn.

"So I was always hurting Sakura-Chan?" Naruto asked to himself more than Neji.

"Yes, but not intentionally," Neji answered. "You did not know and I don't think Sakura-Chan even knew," Naruto nodded in understanding. "When Sakura-Chan was with the Akatsuki and sacrificed herself she had no cage…she learned how to fly."

Naruto smiled.

Neji smiled, too.

The crown cheered loudly at the man and boy standing before them. The new Otokage…Uchiha Sasuke. Sasuke merely looked down at them from his balcony. Jokurai was right by his side, along with some Oto Ninjas who acted as guards. He merely sighed.

What good is it to obtain something in the dream if you do not have everything?" he asked himself in his head. He was obviously thinking of Sakura. Now, in this time, his dream was nearly complete, except without her.

He had Jokurai by his side as his son.

He is starting his new life as the Otokage.

He lives in a beautiful home.

But…

He has no Haruno Sakura.

He felt a little tug on his Otokage outfit. He looked down to the source only to see Jokurai looking up, smiling with his beautiful teeth. "Don't forget to smile, daddy. We have to look nice and presentable," Sasuke smirked at this and let a smile out to all of his people. Jokurai had definitely learned from Orochimaru.

When the celebration was finally over, the eating took place in his new home. Both men and women cheered him on. Young children lined up to meet him and Jokurai as if they were some kind of rock stars.

When no one was looking, or so Sasuke thought, he swept away into one of the backrooms. He just had to get away from all of this. It was not him. Even when he was younger he had hated these things.

Mother would always dress me in the most expensive clothing, Sasuke thought. A navy blue suit that was tight, a beautiful, red bowtie, and nice, shiny back shoes. It drove me insane.

He looked on his dresser, which had a picture of his family when he was younger. He and Itachi were in the middle with both parents on either side of them. His mother wore her usual outfit, while his father wore his Abnu outfit. Sasuke was on Itachi's shoulders and they were smiling together.

Sasuke's eyes focused on his brother. He picked up the frame as if to get a closer look. His brother had killed everything that he had. Everyone that he had loved. He threw the picture down and it shattered at the feet of someone else.

He looked up to see the whitish-bluish haired man who's feet it belonged to. The man smiled at him as he crouched down to pick the frame, broken shards, and picture up.

"My name is Suigetsu," he said as he looked at the picture more closely. "You must be the new Otokage, Sasuke Uchiha," he stated. Sasuke nodded at him. He looked so familiar.

"Why are you here?" Sasuke asked in his cold but distant voice. "Answer me!" he demanded when there was no answer for a couple of moments.

"My, my, aren't you feeling the power in your new rank," Suigestu chuckled out. "Relax. I only came because I could feel your sadness. Yes, somewhere in there you need help and you are crying for it," he explained. Sasuke was surprised, but remained impassive. "Orochimaru created me and than locked me up in a place. I burned to kill him just as you do your brother."

"What are you getting at?" Sasuke asked, his voice high sounding skeptical. He sort of liked the way this was getting to. He wanted to hear more.

"I have heard much of you," he continued on. "Even through the sea of darkness, I have heard much. With your sharingan and other abilities, and my sword skills, we will be able to destroy your brother and get back Haruno Sakura, the girl of your dreams," he said in a sly voice. Sasuke did not even bother to think about how he knew all of this.

"It's a deal," Sasuke smirked as they both walked out of his room.

"Now," Suigetsu said, "let me tell you of some other good teammates."

"Mommy!" a high pitched voice screamed. Young Hokurai ran to door that just opened to go and hug his mother. She picked him and embraced him. "I missed you so much, Mommy."

Sakura smiled softly, trying to not let tears fall down her face. "I missed you, too," she answered back as he tightened his hold around her neck. "How long was I sleeping for, though?" she asked him.

"About three weeks," Sasori answered. Sakura looked up to see Sasori, drinking tea while looking outside, Kisame, drinking sake and smiling at her, Deidara, tears coming down from his face, and a newcomer, whom was currently looking at the boy and her curiously. She went over to him.

He got up from his current position and extended a hand toward her. "I do not think we have had the pleasure of meeting," the brown-headed man said to her. She took his hand and shook it. "I am Jai Itowai," he continued as he shook her hand. They let go.

"My name is Sakura Haruno," she answered back as she sat down with Hokurai in her arms, still. She looked at Sasori. "I still cannot believe I was sleeping for three weeks," she said absentmindedly.

"What's the last thing you remember, Sparky?" Kisame asked. Sakura looked up as if she was trying to remember. Itachi made his entrance in that second.

"Good morning, Itachi-Kun," Sakura said, still thinking. He gave a nod toward her and took a seat next to Kisame.

"She is currently trying to remember what the last thing she saw was," he answered. Itachi flinched an unnoticeable flinch.

"Oh," Sakura gasped. She remembered.

"Haruno Sakura," Itachi whispered to himself. What he did not know was that Sakura was awake. "If I wanted to prove to you something," he began, "would I have to walk on water. Maybe, when we are older you will understand," he then turned to see her sitting up…not looking at him.

"How will I learn to understand if we cannot grow older anymore, huh?" she asked as she moved closer to him. They stared at each other. They were less than a foot away.

Lips crashed against lips. Itachi wrapped one arm around Sakura's waist and pushed her onto the bed. They kissed for a while, not caring about collecting their breaths, just hoping the moment would last.

Finally, they stopped. Itachi took his face from Sakura's and looked at her dead in the eyes.

"What is it, Sakura-Chan?" Deidara asked anxiously. He was waiting for her to wake up since day one. Maybe now he could have his chance. They had the rest of eternity.

"Nothing, I thought I remembered," Sakura answered taking a quick glance at Itachi. No one noticed. "Well, what have I missed?" she asked, trying to change the subject.

"Nothing much," Hokurai answered her. "But we all missed you and now you are like me," he replied. She looked at him quizzically. He explained, "You gave yourself up so we could all live forever."

Sakura nodded. "Oh yeah," she said quickly, remembering all that she went through.

I wonder if the others are okay?

"Sakura-San, Leader-Sama will have another mission for you soon, he said," Deidara told her. She nodded her head and smiled.

"Well, I am going outside to get some fresh air," she said. She got up and walked to the door. When she was outside, she sat on top of a Sakura Tree branch. Her head was full of thoughts.

"I'll give you anything for your thoughts, Haruno-San," Jai said as he stood on the same branch as her. She looked at him and patted on the spot next to her. They were sitting on the branch, side-by-side.

"I just wonder about my friends and if they are all okay," she answered him after a few quiet moments. "What if I led some of them into their deaths," she said, her voice going another octave lower.

"I have a feeling they are all fine. You just have to keep your hopes up. Maybe you'll see them someday," he answered with a smile. Sakura looked up at him. He was sweet and devilishly handsome.

"Thank you. I am going inside now," she said as she leapt off the branch. She needed to clear her head.

"Anytime, Sakura-Chan," he called. His mouth went into a smirk. Anytime at all. You are diving into my trap. Soon we will have all that we need.

When Sakura turned to go into her room, she was surprised to see Itachi inside. He looked up when she entered.

She sighed. "I remember, you know," she told him. She knew he knew what she was talking about. He merely nodded his head. Her frustration grew. "Why did you do it?" she asked. Neither a sound nor movement was heard.

He got up from the bed. Briskly, he walked past her, stopping when he was out the door. "Heal my eyes tomorrow," he said, and he was gone.

She sighed as she threw herself on the bed. Why does this always happen to me? She closed her eyes and waited for sleep to overcome here. She wasn't even up for two hours and she was already tired.

Are they all safe?

Do I still have friends and family?

Are they all…

Alive

Well, there you go, the beginning is here. So what do you think? Something is definitely up with that Jai guy. I wonder what he is planning and who is working for. This story will focus more on Sakura's past, and her and Itachi. There will be romance, deceit, death, and new beginnings. Even a few more new characters.

So, team Snake will be seen in the later chapters. I am going to take this slow. No need to go fast.

Also, Happy EASTER to you all. Consider this you easter gift! I love easter.

BTW...Onyx Waters will have a next chapter ot soon, possibly on Wednesday.

I love you all,

MissSakuraUchiha

P.S. visit my website or talk to me on aim at CrimsonBlossom95 and site info: www(dot)freewebs(dot)com(slash)misssakurauchiha

Love you all!