Chapter 7: Beautiful Goodbye

Kabuto charged and Sakura went into a defensive stance. Blue chakra glowed in his hand as he threw a punch at Sakura. It was stopped by a large tanned hand. Sharingan eyes stared down at Kabuto, who's eyes widened.

Sakura gasped softly. The others surrounded her, making a protective circle. Tobi gently touched Rin and turned her over. Her cheek had a nasty abrasion. His blue eyes darkened.

"You hurt Rin??!! Now its PERSONAL!" He charged forward and tackled Orochimaru, who was still holding his mouth. Itachi kicked Kabuto hard, making the sound nin skid backwards into the trees.

"That idiot. He's going to get himself killed." Deidara sighed, a sweat drop forming. Orochimaru and Tobi were wrestling on the ground like little kids.

Sakura would have giggled if the situation wasn't so life threatening.

Deidara spun around and threw clay birds at the large snakes; in which the snakes swallowed them. They exploded in a mass of blood, guts, and muscle. It was raining blood. Sakura grimaced.

Orochimaru won the wrestling match and threw Tobi off.

Orochimaru chuckled darkly and picked up his long sword.

"You think you have won??!!" Orochimaru let out another laugh.

The Akatsuki members stood solemn.

"I've come for you Uchiha Itachi." Orochimaru grinned nastily, forming hand signs. Itachi saw an afterimage of a snake behind Orochimaru. The sharingan eyes clashed with each other, Itachi closed his eyes then opened them. He'd turned on his Mankeyo Sharingan.

Sakura sensed what was going to happen. The snake sannin was going to transfer his body into Itachi's…. Not if she'd have any say about it. In a flash she dipped her hand into the river and grabbed a large fish. Hoisting it in the air she waited for the moment to come.

A blue orb shot out of Orochimaru's body, heading straight towards Itachi. She threw the fish at the blue orb and it disappeared into the gray scales.

The Akatsuki members eyes widened comically. The fish flopped angry on the ground. Sasuke's body crumpled onto the grass. All evidence of Orochimaru was gone, all that was left was Sasuke himself. Sakura made her way over to the younger Uchiha. He was still breathing, but it was labored. Sakura didn't know what she should do…. Her emerald eyes lowered and looked away from his face.

"Sakura-" Sasuke's weak voice spoke up.

She turned, eyes glazed with tears.

"I-I'm sorry." Sasuke's eyes grew heavy.

"No… Sasuke-kun." Sakura softly stroked his hair.

Itachi slightly flinched behind her.

"Y-You were ri-ght." Sasuke used all his remaining strength to bring his hand up to cup her face, wiping a stray tear that had escaped.

Sakura's mind flashed with images of the past.

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"I know what happened to your clan… it wont make anyone happy. No one…. Niether you…Nor me." Sakura turned away from him. Tears made a path down her face.

"I'm different from you guys, I follow a different path." His voice was soft.

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Tears now flowed freely down her cheeks. Sasuke's hand relaxed as he let out his last breath. Sakura bowed her head, touching his gray kimono. A silence fell over the members. A soft breeze shook the pink blossoms from their perch; floating down around them.

Kabuto watched silently, hidden in the trees. His eyes narrowed with distain, then grunted at the pain. The son of a bitch broke his arm. He was useless to his master now, so he faded away through the trees.

"Did you love him?" Sakura heard Tobi's voice.

She tensed, her shoulders were starting to shake in grief.

A groan was heard amongst the rubble. Tobi's blue eyes snapped to Rin's form as she slowly sat up. He came to her, kneeling down.

"Rin, are you okay?" He said softly. Rin glared at him.

"Of course not you idiot." She answered. Snake blood was dribbled over the rocks and all over herself. The pink blossoms attached themselves to the red liquid. She made a face and started to hastily wipe off the blood. Tobi's hand cupping her face stopped her.

"So beautiful." His thumb brushed over her scratched cheek gently. Rin's cheeks turned faintly pink. They gazed at each other; clearly lost in their own world.

Deidara looked at his partner. What a lovesick fool.

Sakura stopped shaking, she lifted her head and gazed at Sasuke. His eyes were closed, she smiled sadly. Once more she brushed his silky black bangs.

Sasuke… I'll never forget you. You'll be with me… forever.

"Hn, looks like were moving to another base." Deidara grumbled offhandedly.

"Can we eat him?" Zetsu asked, his eyes flashing dangerously.

They had almost forgotten the fish. Who was now flopping closer and closer to the water. Tobi stepped on its tail. He picked the fish up and grinned. The fish thrashed angry.

"Who would have thought, the great Orochimaru to end up like this." Tobi poked the fish, in which it inhaled his hand. Tobi waved his hand frantically and yelled: "Get it off! Get it Off!"

Deidara sighed. How did he get stuck with a pansy like Tobi?

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They had traveled to another base and settled in. They feasted on the fish and when a slice was offered to her, she politely refused. Inside her gut was twisting and turning, she tried her best not to look green.

One night Sakura was walking to her room when a figure over shadowed her. She looked up. Onyx eyes stared down at the pink haired beauty.

"Did you love my brother?" Itachi's baritone voice sent shock waves down her spine. Was he standing that close?? Sakura's eyes instantly filled with pain.

"Yes." She whispered, opening her door, she turned and said goodnight.

She went to close her door, when Itachi's hand kept it open. He slowly came forward and she backed up, afraid. He closed the door, locking it. Sakura started to really worry.

Itachi cupped her cheek, his dark eyes lowered to her lips.

"I've wanted you for a long time Sakura."

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End of chapter 7

hides Sorry Orochimaru fans… and I know you guys will prolly flame me. "Oro turning into a fish?? WTH??!!" I actually stole--borrowed--the idea from DBZ. When one of Frieza's squad (cant remember his name) went to transfer himself into another person and Goku (I think) threw a frog in the way. So in the end, the warrior ended up trapped in the frogs body… XD Kooky…. My story… LOL.

Please review!!!… waves a white flag for potential flamers

Lemon in next chappie!!