Yeowza. So after a couple of months, I'm finally able to update this fic again! Yaaaay. Thankfully, this is the only fic at the moment that I'm working on, so I'll be able to concentrate solely on it, which makes me a very happy girl indeed (:

I gotta say, I missed Naru x Saku.

Anyways, if you've just joined us - new reader, I suggest you go back and read Betrayal and Betrayal 2: Danger Rising or you won't get a great deal of what happens in this story xD Im thinking of doing some fanart of it for my DA account, Hrrrrrm..

Ahh I've set myself a little task to update every Sunday if possible, although there may not be one THIS Sunday, 'cause I've uploaded it now, understand? :D

Please review/fave/alert - thankesh :D

"... Blah ... " - Speech

" ... Blah ... " - Thoughts and flashbacks

" ... Blah ..." - Kyuubi and Haekeri


Betrayal 3: Destiny's Darkness

Chapter Four: Team..Seven?

-&-

"Are you finding everything alright, Ashi?"

"Yeah, thanks." He sighed happily and dropped the cardboard box he was holding, down onto the floor. Sakura followed him into the small cream bedroom and dumped her box on the worn mattress.

"Good," she smiled. "I'm sorry the room isn't bigger though - I've been trying to get Naruto to extend it."

Ashi chuckled. "But he never gets round to it, right? Yeah that sounds like Naruto," the boy flipped the darkish hair playfully hanging around his eyes and he began to tear the boxes open and retrieve the items inside. "And don't worry - this room will be fine for me."

"You've had worse?"

"Definitely."

The woman gave a small smile and gingerly leaned against the doorframe as she watched him sort his stuff into small piles and pack them away into his new room. She admired the way his broad shoulders tensed when he put weight onto them, from the back, he looked exactly like Sasuke.

And Itachi too. She added mentally.

She remembered all too well when Team 7 were called on a mission to try and capture Ashi and prevent him from causing any more trouble back in his home village of the Rain. It turned out that when they'd arrived there, it wasn't Ashi that was causing trouble - but the Akatsuki, who were trying to obtain him for the special jutsu he had. After a long chase and many obstacles along the way - Ashi's mother and their new friend, Kimoko, had been killed by the father - Itachi. Sakura didn't know why. They could only guess for now.

"Are you worried about Sasuke?" She suddenly blurted out.

Ashi's brow rose. "I don't even understand it myself because I only know parts of the story," he sighed. "I was lying when I told you the other day that none of this was my business, it bothers me that my uncle is going to kill my father."

"So it should," she whispered. "I feel so bad for you."

He snorted. "I don't need pity, but thanks. Anyway, aren't I used to these kind of hardships by now?" He paused. "My clan is apparently dead, my mother died and my uncle is going after my criminal Dad."

"Stop - Ashi, you don't have to say all of this-.."

"No," he hissed. "My hardships are less then what you're going to experience. According to Tobi.. Stop worrying about me and concentrate on your destiny."

Sakura clenched her fists and her brows furrowed. "I'm not even sure what my destiny is. I still don't quiet believe it."

"Well, you'll know soon enough won't you? It seems like you haven't even thought about it that much since you came back from the mission with me four years ago."

She bit her lip. "I haven't," she confessed and flopped down onto the hard mattress. "I guess.. Well I don't know.. I've been sort of - numb."

"Numb?"

She nodded. "I've been slacking at work - even Tsunade has noticed, and I guess I've been avoiding my friends more than I should have. I hardly go out and socialize anymore. I don't know what's happened to me - what the heck have I become now?" Sakura grimaced and placed her head in her hand. "I don't want to particularly be like this, you know."

Ashi shrugged. "Yeah I can guess. So why are you acting like this anyway? I kinda figured something was wrong at Sasuke's house, you seemed.. Off."

"I did?"

"No offence, but you're a sucky actress."

She chuckled and tapped her chin thoughtfully. "In case you haven't noticed, thing aren't exactly the same as before. Team 7 kind of .. Died out and we hardly see our friends anymore - everyone is busy with their lives.. I can't even remember the last time I went out on a mission!"

"Then go out on one."

"It's not just that," Sakura fidgeted on the hard bed and bit her lip. "As I said everything - everyone has changed. Sasuke has become bent on revenge again, so much that I'm scared he'll lose himself, just as he did when Naruto and I were with the Akatsuki. And Naruto.. He's not the same."

"Does Naruto still dream of being hokage?"

"With everything that's happened, I think he's kind of losing hope." She could feel the flat toneless edge in her voice. She was being honest though - Naruto was less carefree and cheerful these days. A while ago, they used to be inseparable all of the time and stay up late in to the night talking about random pointless stuff. Now they argued every week and sex was completely off the table. She inwardly rolled her eyes at the thought. As if she could talk about that to Ashi. She didn't even know why she was telling him this stuff in the first place. But it was nice to have someone to talk to.

Ashi silently packed away his box quickly and tossed the cardboard to the side of the room. He leaned back onto his cabinet and closed his eyes thoughtfully. "You need to talk to Naruto about that," he muttered. "I can see he still loves you."

Sakura made up her mind and stood up in a swift motion, she quickly shot Ashi a smile and thanked him for his advice, and then she returned downstairs, wondering when on earth - she'd started listening to teenagers.

As expected, Naruto was lazily spread out on the sofa in the living room with Shu sleeping on his torso. Naruto's arm dangled onto the floor holding a book called 'When ninjas gained power' Sakura gently eased the book away and dumped it on the table. She folded her legs next to the couch and poked his face until his eyes flapped open.

"Whaa?" He took a moment to survey her, before groaning and shutting his eyes again.

"Naruto," Sakura hissed. "Wake up."

"What's the point?" She couldn't tell if he was still asleep or not, his mouth sagged and his brow furrowed.

"Naruto, we need to talk." She said firmly and shooed the ferret away, who seemed to understand and scampered into the next room. Sakura sat herself down next to her husband and gazed at him with steely eyes. He must have sensed the tension, because in the next moment, he was fully awake and watching her.

"What's up with you?" She said, voice breaking slightly. "What the hell is wrong with you, Naruto?"

"Nothing."

She growled and pushed him downwards into the cushions, pinning him there. "Do. Not. Lie. To. Me - ever since Kakashi - yes, Kakashi died, you started to turn weird. I was SO happy yesterday at Sasuke's house because you were acting normal for once," she could feel the hysteria rise in her throat. "I love you more than anything Naruto, but if this keeps going on.." She trailed off. "I'm going to have to leave you."

It was as if she'd slapped him. Naruto's eyes widened and his expressionless face now held hurt and guilt. He slowly reached his arms around her neck and pulled her down beside him and pressed his body close against hers. She said nothing and kept her jaw hardened, now face to face with him. He took a moment to stroke the pink tendrils away from her eyes and then leaned in and crushed his lips against hers.

Something inside of Sakura exploded like a Chinese firework. She felt a surge of intense emotions rush through her body like an electric current and she openly welcomed the sensations that felt so darn good. She suddenly felt very alive - his lips were warm and inviting just the same as she remembered, and his arms were around her body - in her hair - on her back. She felt the her anger fizzle out.

He made a small sound of contentment and she ran her fingers through his blonde spikes, smirking as she felt a pleasurable shiver run down his spine. They were moving with each other continuously like the beat of a song. Their heats beat against their chests like metal drums in a parade.

Sakura felt his tongue innocently slid against her bottom lip innocently, asking for permission. She was only too happy to oblige and soon, their tongues were dancing in each others mouths and daintily sliding against each other. She was pressed to close to him that their shadows were completely merged in the early evening sunlight streaming through the window and glass doors. She felt him leave her lips for air, but he still ran them down the sides of her face and down her neck gently. She closed her eyes and inhaled the sweet spicy scent of the young man.

"I hope you didn't kiss me to shut me up," she mumbled as her cheeks grew pink. "I would have just accepted a simple apology you know.."

"And how fun would that be?" He met her eyes and smirked sexily. Sakura almost smiled back, but she caught herself just in time and lightly pounded his chest with a fist.

"I was being serious," she said quietly. "That must have been the first time we've kissed in a while.. I want to know the truth about what's happening with you, Naruto. I didn't marry you so you could be cold and lie to me-.."

Naruto growled. "I'm not lying about anything! Dammit Sakura, things are tough at the moment."

"You bet they are!" Sakura was hurt that he'd used that tone with her. "And guess who it's hard on most of all? I'm the one with this fucking prophecy hanging over me! Damn, I can't do this," she left the sofa and Naruto's warm arms to begin pacing around the room and fanning herself with her hands. "Plus Tsunade's getting up my ass about my medical work.."

Naruto sighed and watched her worriedly bite her lip and continue her list of never-ending worries. He slowly got up and wrapped his arms around her small frame. She tried to wriggle away but sighed and accepted him.

"How bad have I been?" He mumbled on her shoulder.

"Very," she whispered. "What's bothering you? Surely it couldn't be Kakashi's death - that was so many years ago!"

"It's not, although I do regret not being able to save him-.."

"Arggh, dammit Naruto - you can't save everyone!"

"I know," he said quietly. "But I do regret not being able to say goodbye Sakura. And don't lie that you don't dote on that too - I see it in your eyes," he placed a finger under her chin so she's look at him. "I'm scared to death, Sakura."

"Scared?" She repeated. Naruto was the bravest person she knew!

"I'm scared for you, idiot," he teased. "For what you'll see in the future. I'm also worried about Sasuke."

"You could have gone with him!"

"And left you?" He snorted. "When I was thirteen, I made a promise to myself that I would protect you forever, no matter what would happen - I'm still sticking to that promise nearly ten years on. Just accept it, you're stuck with me." And he grinned.

Sakura held back a small sob and tightened her grip around the man. She couldn't believe it - Naruto, her Naruto was being normal again. She was secretly still glad that he loved her. For one second in the past, she'd thought that he may have been bored with her or something.

"Why?" She croaked. "Why have you been so cold to me?"

He paused. "I don't really know," she could hear the pain laced in his words. "I've been an idiot to try and keep you away though. Maybe I thought that distancing myself would help you? I don't know.."

"Help me? How would that work?"

He chuckled, she could feel the laughter ripple through his broad chest. "Again; I don't know. You're the smart one here, cherry blossom."

She laughed quietly and once again gazed into those mystical blue eyes of his. She reached up and extended her pale arms around his tanned neck, she leaned forward and teased his lips.

"Bedroom?" He whispered against her mouth.

"Yes." She snarled and let herself be swept up into his arms and carried upstairs.

She felt better now.