Summary: Sasuke made Sakura a deal she simply couldn't refuse. In exchange he could promise her the safety of the Hidden Leaf but what would she have to give up in return? Is she willing to go as far as to help him complete the last of his goals?

~Fade Away~

Chapter 7 - Turning In My Sleep

Maybe I lost persistence,

Maybe I lost my way,

Its something I must live with,

Live with everyday,

Turning in my sleep, again.

*-Prime Circle-*

-6 Months Pregnant -May-

''What are you talking about?'' Sasuke snapped.

Madara waved it off. ''All in good time.'' and then he left.

The room was packed with boxes that seemed to be filled with weapons and ninja equipment. From what Sasuke could see, a few rooms were stacked.

Tens of thousands of boxes. Enough for a war.

His blood ran cold. Could it be...?

A war.

XxxxxxxX

Sakura stared at her ceiling. She felt panicked. She shouldn't have sent Sai alone. What if it was dangerous? What if something happened?

He fears were set aside when someone tapped lightly on the glass of her sliding door. It slid open and she immediately recognized Sai.

He dropped some files on the floor.

''I hope its worth it.'' he said.

''What?''

Sai ignored her and left.

Sakura picked up both files. One was simply titled 'Uchiha' and the other 'Sharingan'. What a way with words Danzou had...how original.

Sakura sat down on her bed with the file titled Uchiha.

Inside was a plan to obtain the Sharingan.

So then the meeting with Uchiha Fugaku was...

'Met with Uchiha Fugaku today. Threatened him with the youngest brat' the next part was erased, Sakura felt over it with her fingers...it was a layer. She brought it to her face, it smelled bitter and hot. Makagen? It was a substance used in secret letters/files. Only the recipient knew the formula to allow it to react in the right way. '...Meeting did not go as planned. Plan B will commence soon.'

The next few pages were of no interest to Sakura, but something caught her eye. 'Hatake Kakashi.' she stopped and read. 'Hatake Kakashi controls the Sharingan well for one who isn't of Uchiha blood. He only had one eye and it has given him tremendous power. Imagine the power I can have with more that one...'

Sakura felt uneasy that Danzou had notes on Kakashi.

The next page had her hands shaking. Every detail of Sasuke's life since the massacre seemed to have been documented here. 'ran away from the hospital the morning after the massacre, I thought I could kill him then, but the Third interfered. No matter, I will just have to wait until the Third isn't a problem anymore.' Sakura felt sick, Danzou had wanted to kill Sasuke when he was just a child.

'The brat was placed on the same team as the Kyuubi,...' again the name was erased, 'thinks the Third plans to have Sasuke control the Kyuubi soon, I cannot allow that to happen, the Kyuubi will be mine to control! With my Sharingan!'

His...Sharingan...so he succeeded?

'Our plan failed miserably, even with the Third out of the way, I still couldn't take the boy out. Uchiha Itachi made an appearance and gave me a warning, I also received a very unwelcome visit from...' the name was erased, 'he also gave me a warning against killing the brat. Orochimaru has given Sasuke the cursed seal. He won't be staying in Konoha much longer anyway.'

The next page held detailed reports on Sasuke's progress with Orochimaru...even photos, Sakura dragged her fingertips over one. ''Sasuke-kun...''

The reports went on and stopped near the time Orochimaru died. Sakura flipped the file shut and grabbed the next, but she wished she hadn't. Inside, was a detailed plan on how he planned to take the eyes of the dead Uchiha that Itachi had killed. As revenge, he planted Uchiha Fugaku's eye into his own...he wanted Fugaku to watch as he killed his youngest son. Sakura snapped the file shut. She couldn't read anymore. Danzou was an evil, cruel man. She wouldn't allow Sasuke to fall that far.

XxxxxxxX

''Hokage-sama, its done.''

''Did you read the files yourself?''

''I did, it contained no information that would harm Konoha in any way, just detailed information on Uchiha Sasuke and Danzou's Sharingan.''

''Danzou's Sharingan?''

Sai nodded. ''What would you like me to do?''

''Nothing. Leave her be for the time being. I'll find out what she's up to.''

''Hokage-sama, I trust Sakura, I doubt she will act against Konoha.''

Tsunade sighed. ''Love changes things. I want to believe in Sakura, but right now, she's making it hard.''

''Do you think she will betray Konoha for the Uchiha?''

''I hope she doesn't have to choose.''

XxxxxxxX

The tension between Yuya and Renshi grew tenfold. Sakura sighed. The papers in between her breast bindings weighed down on her. She had taken the things that Sasuke needed to know. Somehow, she couldn't tell him about his father's eyes. It seemed to cruel.

The Hokage had summoned them for a mission.

''Master.'' Sakura greeted as they entered the office.

''You 3, wait outside, while I discuss the mission with Sakura.''

They nodded.

Tsunade waited until the door clicked to a close.

There was a moment of silence.

''Its a simple mission, babysitting and cleaning some higher-up's house.''

''...Hai...''

''Sakura,'' Tsunade met her green eyes.

''Think very carefully about this.''

''Tsunade-sama?''

''Don't play dumb Sakura, I know.''

Sakura frowned and looked away.

''I won't betray you, Shisou.''

''What you've been doing! Snooping around! Its treason!'' Tsunade whispered harshly.

''Its not! I only want to bring him home!''

''Snooping around in classified files. What were you thinking?''

''You've read them haven't you? About the massacre.''

''I didn't find anything I didn't already know.''

''Did you check Uchiha Itachi's ANBU records?''

''I can't say I have.''

''While I'm gone, please Shisou take a look and then try and tell me what I've been doing is wrong.''

Tsunade sighed. ''Don't do anything reckless.'' she handed Sakura the mission scroll.

XxxxxxxX

The small town wasn't far from Konoha. Once they arrived, Sakura left, telling them she had a few errands to run.

Now, she needed some way to contact Sasuke. She had hoped that he would find her, but that didn't seem to be the case. Usually Kiba tracked Sasuke, and Kiba wasn't here right now. She also had no way to summon Pakkun.

She sighed, folding her arms over her chest. 'Please, Sasuke-kun, find me...'

The sooner she gave him the information, the sooner he would return.

She placed a hand on her baby bump.

''Oh, deary, its going to rain, what are you doing outside?'' an older woman asked at the front door of her home. She seemed to be returning with groceries.

Sakura offered her a polite smile.

''Husband at work too?'' she asked with a sigh.

''You...could say that.'' Sakura replied a bit awkwardly.

''That's all they ever do.'' she laughed fondly.

''How far are you along?'' she asked, gesturing for Sakura to enter the small home.

''Five months now.''

The woman smiled fondly. ''Sit down, would you like some tea?''

''I can't stay really.'' Sakura said politely.

The woman went ahead and prepared some tea.

''You seem so young to be a mother, dear.''

''Well, I am sevent-...eighteen.'' she corrected. ''Its not an uncommon age for a kunoichi to have children.

The older woman only nodded and handed Sakura a cup of tea.

''So, is your husband also a Shinobi?''

Sakura tensed. She knew she was supposed to lie.

''Im not...we're not married...''

Yes, she avoided the question but at least the attention was diverted to a new subject.

''Oh my...''

It was a disgrace in the Fire Country to have a child out of wedlock.

''It happens.'' she gave Sakura a smile.

''Do you love him?''

Did she? Still?

Sakura hesitated. Did she? ''I-''...Really?

''More than anything.''

XxxxxxxX

Sasuke prepared to leave the base for the time being. Akatsuki headquarters unsettled him greatly for some reason.

''Oi! Sasuke! Wait!'' Sasuke didn't stop at Suigetsu's voice. ''Sasuke!'' he called again.

''That was really mean, you know!'' Suigetsu laughed.

Sasuke regarded Karin with a cold glance before continuing outside.

Juugo was silent as always.

''So, Sasuke, where are we headed?''

Sasuke didn't answer. He was thinking about his plan. Even if necessary, telling Sakura had been a mistake. This whole situation with Sakura had been a mistake, a mistake he did not regret. One he didn't want to take back. He would just deal with it as it came.

''Sasuke...''

He stopped at Karin's voice.

''There...'' she began hesitantly, ''There seems to be 4 Shinobi inside the village.''

He turned around, as if asking why that was his problem?

''One of them,...I, uh, recognize it.'' she was afraid of him.

Sasuke lifted an eyebrow. ''Its a woman, she's usually part of the group pursuing you.''

Fate was a sadistic motherfucking bitch, Sasuke realized. Sakura.

''I'll be back.'' was all Sasuke said.

XxxxxxxX

''Wait.'' Kakashi said, stopping.

''What did you say Kiba?''

''Sasuke's inside that village, but the thing is, we smell Sakura too.''

''Sakura-chan!'' Naruto's eyes grew wide.

''Calm down Naruto.'' Kakashi said, before looking off to where the village was.

''All of you, go on ahead.''

''What? But Kakashi-sensei-''

''Go, Naruto, I'll make sure she's ok.''

Also, there was something Kakashi wanted to confirm.

XxxxxxxX

''Thank you so much for the tea.'' Sakura bowed.

''You simply gave me some company, think nothing of it.''

Sakura waved as she exited the house.

''Hn. Took you long enough.''

Sakura looked up, Sasuke was casually leaning against the wall.

''What are you doing?'' Sakura whispered.

''Someone might see you!''

Sasuke smirked.

Sakura simply smiled. ''Geez Sasuke-kun,'' Sakura pulled him around the corner where it was quiet.

''What happens if someone sees you?''

''Hn.''

''Geez.'' she shook her head.

''Sakura, what are you doing here?''

''Mission.''

''You should be off duty.''

''Im only five months along, its not like I can't move.''

Sasuke said nothing.

''I have something to show you.''

Sasuke frowned. ''What is it?''

Sakura pulled off her shirt.

''I've seen that.'' he stated in a bored tone, looking away from her breasts.

''They're bigger.'' he commented and Sakura blushed.

Biting down on her lower lip, Sakura untied her bindings. As they fell open, Sasuke saw her take out folded pieces of paper.

Sasuke waited in anticipation as they fell off, his whole body frozen in place. They fell off exposing her breasts that he was sure went up at least a cup size.

''Sasuke-kun! Are you staring?'' Sakura's eyes were wide and her face was glowing red.

''Hn.'' he looked away.

''As if you would,'' she laughed softly, without humor.

'Oh, Kami,' she thought, 'I'm definitely not bitter.'

Barely an hour ago she finally admitted her love for him out loud. Their situation was what it was.

Sakura covered herself up and handed him the papers.

Sasuke read them immediately.

Sakura felt his chakra spike his eyes narrowing in anger.

When he finished reading those.

''I never asked you to do this.'' he stated calmly.

''I know...I wanted to.''

Sasuke looked back down at the page.

''There's more...in Konoha's archives there's...a photo of the masked Akatsuki member meeting with Danzou just days before Naruto was born.''

''Before the Kyuubi attacked.'' he summarized.

She nodded. ''Although its nothing concrete. There's only one person who could give you answers right now.''

Sasuke said nothing.

''Naruto. He told me you did it once before.''

''The Kyuubi already confirmed to knowing this person.''

Sakura watched Sasuke as he fell deep into thought.

He was truly something. Kami, how she wished he would kiss her. She sighed, his eyes flicked to her but she didn't notice. She should stop thinking like she did. She needed to get over this.

''What is it, Sakura?''

Her eyes widened as she looked up at him. ''Nothing, Sasuke-kun.''

He didn't believe her, and he wouldn't ask again. It just wasn't in him. If it was important she would tell him. Although, if he knew her, he probably knew what she wanted.

''Is there something else?'' he asked, handing her back the papers.

''No.'' she didn't look at him. Sakura saw his hand move and she froze.

Sasuke grabbed her chin, making her look at him.

''Sasuke-kun...'' she let her eyelids drop.

''Sakura.'' he said sternly.

''Its not important. Danzou is dead, right?''

''What is it?''

''Someone...someone promised him the Sharingan. After the Uchiha were killed he was promised their eyes...your father's eyes.''

Sasuke's hand dropped from her chin. ''What?''

''That's what the file said.''

''Who?''

''The name was covered up. If it matches up I'm pretty sure its the name of the masked Akatsuki member.''

She watched Sasuke tense up, he stood rigidly, his breathing deep and short. His nostrils were flared and his face twisted in pure fury...she'd never seen him this angry.

After several moments, Sakura reached for his face, but he flinched away from he touch as if she would hurt him beyond repair.

''Sasuke-kun...''

She put her arms around him. He didn't move in her arms.

XxxxxxxX

''I wonder what Sasuke's doing?'' Suigetsu asked as they walked around the small village.

''He doesn't want to be bothered, we should just wait for him to find us.'' Juugo told them.

''He's probably hooking up with some hot chick right now.'' Suigetsu said with a grin while looking back to Karin.

She scoffed. ''Sasuke's probably gay.'' she immediately felt guilty about saying that. Her heart still ached about what happened. How he'd rejected her. How desperate she sounded.

''No.'' his voice had echoed through the room.

''Sasuke-kun, please.''

He said nothing.

''Let me do this for you.''

''When I told you I needed you, it was for your skills as a shinobi, nothing more.''

''I want to give you more!''

''Impossible. You have nothing more that interests me.''

''I have my body. You can have it. Please, Sasuke-kun!''

''Move aside. This conversation is a waste of time.''

''Sasuke-kun!'' she grabbed his arm and immediately, his hand went for his sword. Karin jumped back. He passed her without another glance.

She needed to apologize...and tell him what she felt , she also needed to tell him about Madara's plan. Maybe then, he would reconsider. Maybe then he would touch her.

''Gay?'' Suigetsu laughed, ''just a few months ago, he came back smelling like sex and...woman, I think he's having an affair with some ninja chick from his old village. I overheard him and that mask guy talking about her too. Sasuke almost killed him for even mentioning her.'' of course he was only telling them about it to piss Karin off, and from the looks of it, it worked. She stopped dead in her tracks.

Why had Madara not mentioned it to her? If there was someone else she wouldve changed her approach...

''Im going to find a bathroom.'' she lied and ran off in the opposite direction.

''Shes definitely going to find Sasuke.''

''You shouldn't have told her about that.'' Juugo told him.

''She needs to back off, its obvious Sasuke doesn't want her.''

''Do you like her?''

''No, but as soon as she gets off her obsession for Sasuke, I can get some action.'' Suigetsu laughed at the thought.

''You shouldn't play with her feelings, Suigetsu.''

''Don't worry, her feelings aren't what I'll be playing with.''

XxxxxxxX

Kakashi sensed Sasuke's chakra, Sakura was right by him.

He jumped on the rooftops, already having hidden his chakra before he entered the village.

He stopped and jumped down, already beginning to hear their voices.

''Its not important. Danzou is dead, right?'' that was Sakura's voice. What was she telling him? The look Tsunade had given her bothered him. He had a feeling Sasuke and Sakura have been meeting up more and more. At first he believed it was for sex, with a sensei like him, he didn't blame them for being so...passionate, but he was starting to think maybe that wasn't the entire story.

''What is it?''

''Someone...someone promised him the Sharingan. After the Uchiha were killed he was promised their eyes...your father's eyes.''

Danzou had the Sharingan? Kakashi always had his suspicions.

Kakashi watched Sasuke's hand drop from Sakura's face.

''What?'' his voice was dead, disbelief dripping from the question.

''That's what the file said.'' what file was she referring to?

''Who?''

''The name was covered up. If it matches up I'm pretty sure its the name of the masked Akatsuki member.''

Why would that masked Akatsuki member promise Danzou the Sharingan? Kakashi was sure the information Sakura was giving Sasuke was classified.

Sakura looked confused, as if she wanted to help him, but wasn't sure how.

Kakashi watched as she reached for him, he turned away and then she hugged him.

''Sasuke-kun...'' she had whispered.

After a while he surprised Kakashi by relaxing in her arms, and laying his face down into her hair.

XxxxxxxX

Sakura felt his body relax and him inhale her hair, she closed her eyes as she held him a little closer.

They stood still like that for what seemed like hours. Until Sasuke sighed and pushed away.

''Sakura,''

She looked up at him, her arms still around him, he watched her green eyes shine up as she looked at him.

He bent down and pressed his lips to hers, they lingered there before he brushed them over hers and then pulled away and out of her arms.

''S-Sasuke-kun...?'' she blinked, trying to convince herself that, yes, Sasuke had just kissed her.

''Hn.'' he had to smirk at her reaction.

''I'm going.'' he told her, she nodded silently. He turned to leave, but came to a stop.

''Sakura, I should tell you. Akatsuki is planning something.'' he told her, his back still facing her.

''What?''

''Something big. I don't know myself. Be careful.'' and with that said, he walked off.

XxxxxxxX

Karin slid down against the wall. She had seen it...Sasuke kissed that girl! That fat pregnant girl! The betrayal hit her hard. How could he do this...

She took off her glasses and wiped at the tears she refused to admit were sliding down her cheeks. Was this why he'd rejected her? For some pregnant bitch!...A bitch he'd probably made pregnant...

She wouldn't let things remain like this.

She stood up, head held high and returned to Juugo and Suigetsu.

XxxxxxxX

''What are you doing?''

Sakura jumped, her head whipping around to meet Kakashi.

''Kakashi-sen...sei...''

''Do you understand the position you have put yourself in? Sasuke is a missing nin, Sakura. By giving him information you have betrayed your village.''

''Danzou is dead, I haven't betrayed anyone.''

''Sakura-''

''Tsunade-sama knows that I came here to give it to him. The sooner he does what he needs to do, the sooner he comes home.''

''Did he actually say that?''

''...''

Sakura dropped her head and walked past him.

XxxxxxxX

''Sakura, by giving Sasuke classified information, you have put the village, yourself and the baby at risk.'' Tsunade said. Kakashi, Sai and Sakura stood in front of her.

''Do you realize the weight of you actions?''

''I do, Tsunade-sama.'' of course she knew, and while a part of her did regret it, another part wouldn't give in. She didn't give Sasuke any information that would endanger Konoha, nor did she lie to him. She only wanted him to come home. She wanted him to believe in Konoha again, and know that they weren't the enemy. That he still had a home here.

''Its still to dangerous for anyone to find out that Sasuke is the father, so as punishment-''

''Excuse me Tsunade-sama, I apologize for interrupting you, but have you read the file? You should realize that I didn't betray anyone, I will of course except my punishment, but there is a serious issue we need to address, Danzou was doing alot of illegal acts against Konoha, the Kyuubi attack being one of them.''

''You have no proof of that, Sakura.'' Tsunade snapped.

''There is so much evidence pointing to it.''

Tsunade's hazel eyes narrowed as she stood up and began to approach Sakura. ''What were you doing in the library, Sakura? Besides reading the file I gave you.''

''Are you planning on betraying our trust, Shisou?'' there was a sadness to Sakura's voice.

Tsunade slammed her palm down on the desk. ''Excuse me?''

''Naruto will never forgive this.'' Sakura whispered, her head dropping in defeat.

''As Hokage I need to do what's best for the village. I have decided nothing as yet.''

''I know what 'unstable' means, Shisou.''

Kakashi looked over at Sakura, she looked utterly defeated. He knew only Sasuke could have caused this argument.

''Hokage-sama, if I may, earlier I saw Sasuke, and from what I've seen there is an improvement in him.'' Kakashi supplied.

Sakura bit down on her lower lip to stop her smile, she couldn't help it. Improvement? Heh. Sasuke had kissed her. It still felt like some cruel dream, like she would wake up any second, but she didn't.

''I made a clear choice. The child or him, and truthfully, I would rather incriminate him.'' Tsunade told them, sitting down. Sakura looked up at her mentor with wide eyes. ''So, you wrote that-''

''I was exaggerating of course, Naruto would not be...pleased if I decided anything drastic.'' they all knew how vocal Naruto could be.

''As long as the Uchiha keeps screwing up, the better for us. That way he'll be painted as the villain and those damned elders can drop their suspicions about the child and the further we keep you,'' she pointed to Sakura, ''away from him, the longer we can keep the elders in the dark.''

''About the elders, Shisou.''

''I read Itachi's ANBU file. I'm already working on a case to have them sentenced, but the case isn't very strong without an Uchiha as witness or someone who could testify.''

''Tsunade-sama...about that, Sasuke-kun has told me the truth, I know it won't help, but I can testify if it comes to that. I have already confirmed his story somewhat.''

Tsunade gave a wave of her hand in dismissal. ''Don't worry about that just yet. Now, as punishment, you are now officially off duty as a kunoichi, no leaving the village under any circumstances. You are still, however, active as a sensei and will fulfil your duties as such until further notice.''

Sakura nodded mutely.

''Kakashi you can report tomorrow. Dismissed.''

''Shisou,'' Sakura hesitated, ''about the library...what I did...''

Tsunade looked down at a paper on the desk. ''Like I told the ANBU, you had permission, I'm also the Hokage so I know what you were looking at.''

''Im sorry.'' Sakura apologized sincerely.

Tsunade took a sip of sake. ''I know.''

XxxxxxxX

Sakura sighed. Everything had become so screwed up since Sasuke came to her with the 'proposition'. (Hell, everything became screwed up since the Chuunin exams all those years ago). Now, that Sasuke finally begins to feel something again...it seems the closer he gets to coming back, the closer she gets to leaving. If it was anyone but Tsunade, Sakura would have been sentenced, possibly executed, after a long interrogation and a torture session with Ibiki, Kami knew how much he loved traitors, one can only imagine why. But that's not what happened, Tsunade was protecting her, putting herself at risk. Guilt welled up inside her. Had she made the right decision? Konoha had been in the wrong, although it was a long time ago. Had Sakura made the right choice now? Now that things had possibly changed for the better? She had no evidence of that. Konoha seemed to be doing fine. But didn't it always seem that way. The elders were still also around. As much as Tsunade wanted to keep them in the dark, there were still things that they found out and stuck their noses into. Was Konoha really what it appeared? What went on behind the scenes? Sakura stopped her pace and looked out to the small pond she was passing, she remembered in their Academy days, after the massacre, that Sasuke would sometimes just sit there, staring into the water. She would pass by here once a week after academy hours, running errands for her mother, she would see him sitting there and she would be unable to bother him, she would pass by silently, afraid, leaving him to his demons. There was no way she could help him, she always told herself.

Now, a part of her believed Sasuke should have his revenge. She didn't want him to destroy Konoha, she just thought he should get to kill everyone who had a hand in his pain.

Everyone. The elders, Danzou, the masked Sharingan-user of Akatsuki, and even Itachi. Sure, revenge wouldn't bring him peace, it would at lease give him freedom. Even if it did leave him with emptiness. That was an emptiness she wanted to fill so badly. She would kill for it. Madara needed to die.

Yay! I decided to update early, cz, well I'M BORED and reviews cheer me up -yup I'm kinda down too- me and my bro had a fight about the same shit. ''you're so unoriginal, all you can do is write fanfiction! With other people's characters, not like me. I'm a true writer! You'll never become nearly famous like this!'' (yeah, he's that kinda guy) but writing fanfiction makes me happy! and I love it here! So screw him lol!...anywayyy sorry for that lol!

This is a pre-bday thing for my (our) -lol- dearest Sasuke-kun...3, maybe I'll update again on his bday? What do you guys think?

Sorry for any mistakes etc...

REVIEWS are super appreciated :D

Zana-Lee

xoxo