Author's Note: Yo! So apparently, I won't be discontinuing this fic. I don't think I'll be satisfied with it when it's over but I suppose you never know until you try, huh? And I know I'll expect a bunch of hate mail (or at least ones in CAPS lock) for leaving this story for so long. Five months is a pretty long time to go without a chapter. Well, at least it's here now. But know this ever-faithful readers! It might be a while until Chapter Eleven comes up so don't get too hopeful.
Also, I don't exactly know what to think of this chapter... I feel like I have too many problems in the story and I can't seem to fix any of them... Too bad Sakura's the one who pays for these unresolved problems! :P Please don't throw things at me.
Anyway, thanks for reviewing my last chapter go out to (thank God I write this down) MyUsedRomance, rao hyuga, S.A. Hikari, minniemousemom, XxXTigerstarzXxX, The DANgeROUS one, darkreverie13, B.U.F.F, Tiger Priestess, sasusaku4ever, and the blanket. I will be very much surprised if I see any of you review for this chapter, but pleasently so. :)

Disclaimer: I tried to wait it out for five months, but I still don't own Naruto. :P

Chapter Ten: Final Secrets

Opposites collided and met in a silent show-down. Both parties knew they had gathered for a common goal but that fact did not make the first meeting less uncomfortable. Both were caught up with assessing impressions and comparing the other person to the little information that they knew about each other. After a time, the examinations were put aside – the mistrust still present – and the purpose of their meeting was laid open.

"This needs to stop."

"I am aware of that."

A blonde eye brow was raised suspiciously. "Are you? Really?"

Bright orbs from both directions clashed in a glare. "Despite whatever your preconceptions may be, I have never wished ill of her nor of him; and nor of you."

"Well excuse me for not jumping into your arms at first sight."

"You believe that I held or still hold less-than-pure intentions towards her?"

"No, I think you're a weirdo."

Daggers flew from smoldering eyes. "Be that as it may, I believe we did not meet to toss insults back and forth."

"Got that right," A brief silence cast over the small party of two and the gentle wind toyed with strands of both gold and cerulean. The same colors clashed visually as both Naruto and Araki continued their minor glaring fest. Naruto continued his little comment. "I want to know what Sakura-chan's been up to for the past three years."

Araki barely blinked before he proceeded to lay out the details to the rather forward and blatant blonde. He himself had seen the negative effects that Sakura's stress had caused and he wanted to at least be a small part of her cure. He only hoped that he was right in thinking that telling the Uzumaki everything would help and not earn him an earth-shattering punch to the head. Over the past few years, Sakura had only had him as a confidant; he knew all her secrets and her thoughts and frustrations of the past three years. But he had been unaware that Sakura had never entrusted those feelings and secrets to any of her other friends. Had Araki known she was isolating herself to Seiji and the hospital, he would have confronted the Uzumaki for help much earlier.

"Sakura has been -"

"It's Sakura-san to you."

Araki threw his eyes towards the heavens and made a small prayer for patience, tolerance and self-control. This was not going to be easy.

The gentle wind that played with the two men's hair had grown bored and discreetly exited the scene; only to blow across a separate field some distance away, where three people stood: a woman, a man, and a child.

Shielding her face from her hair as it blew in the wind, Sakura Haruno fought to keep the butterflies from escaping their trap in her abdomen. She had known that any kind of confrontation would be unpleasant for her but she had given it a full day just in case. Alas, the situation wasn't any less uncomfortable than as she first imagined it.

Sasuke Uchiha was staring at Sakura. When she had made her appearance in the training field, he had first been surprised that she had not stormed up to him earlier, then surprised that she had at all. Looking her over, Sasuke concluded that she didn't look well. Her eyes were bloodshot and irritated, her cheeks were void of any color, her hair was dry and flat, her face had 'exhaustion' written all over it, and she looked skinnier than he remembered her. Already, Sasuke could feel his protective instincts urging him to go over to her – to help her. But his stubborn Uchiha pride kept his feet grounded.

Seiji – was he a Haruno or an Uchiha? – wasn't sure what to think. His uncle and he had just been training together, mastering his Sharingan, when she had interrupted. Seiji hadn't even noticed that his Sharingan automatically deactivated when he saw who was walking towards him – he later concluded that his bloodline ability no longer recognized her as a threat.

"Sasuke." Sakura barked after minutes of intense silence. "Can I talk to you?" Sasuke's only affirmation was him walking towards her – keeping Seiji out of earshot. Sakura took a deep breath when Sasuke gave her a certain look; he wanted her to start.

"I'm… Listen, I really messed up – with both of you. And I um… I mean I just lost my temper you know, which I know is no excuse but…Well, that's why I wanted to say…" Sakura sighed. This was much harder than she imagined. But Sakura wasn't known for backing away from an uncomfortable situation. So, looking directly into Sasuke's eyes, she simply said, "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too." He muttered before quickly breaking eye contact. He had had just as bad a time with saying that as she did. God, what was wrong with them?

"You… You are?"

Sasuke nodded. "I should have told you about Seiji and me." Sakura mentally agreed. "It was wrong of me to keep it a secret from you for years."

Sakura flinched. "I understand. Sometimes, secrets just have to be kept hidden."

Sasuke looked at Sakura. She didn't look at him. "Sakura?" She backed away at the sound of her name. Sasuke grew angry; something was going on with her and she hadn't told him. "Is there something else you're not telling me?" His voice practically hissed.

"Yes." She mumbled.

"Tell me what it is." It was a command. Like one a master would give to his pet. It disgusted her – Sakura was nobody's pet.

"No." She rebelled.

Taking a breath, Sasuke tried – really tried – to calm down; he was impatient as it was. "Sakura -"

"No – Sasuke!" She yelled while snapping up her eyes to meet his, "I'm not going to tell you!"

"Why not?" He seethed.

"Because you don't need to know!"

Perhaps logic would win her over. "You're still my teammate, Sakura. If something is troubling you then I have every right to know what it is!"

"You have every right?" Then again, Sasuke Uchiha had been known to be wrong. "You, who have been working behind my back for years, have a right to know what's going on in my life?! You have no right! No right at all!! You wouldn't understand!"

"Try me!!"

SLAP.

Freeze.

Glare.

The two ninja had no idea how much time they spent staring each other down. They had lost all sense but survival instinct within the tense atmosphere between them. Both were just waiting for the other to make a move, a flinch, a twitch… anything to instigate a physical fight – where only one of them could walk away alive.

"Sakura-chan!!!" came a distant cry. It wasn't very loud yet but it was enough to break the two angry ninja from their death glares as they both turned to where they could see a spot of orange in the treetops coming closer towards them.

Just before Naruto got within audio range Sasuke quickly muttered to Sakura, "This isn't over."

Sakura stared at Sasuke with a watchful eye. Was he threatening her?

"SAKURA-CHAN!!!!!!!!" Sakura didn't even have time to brace herself before Naruto back-handed her and sent her flying across the field. Landing harshly on her left arm and rolling back another couple meters to collide with a tree's trunk, Sakura found she couldn't move or breathe – the wind had been royally knocked out of her. She could also make out the pain ebbing from her left arm; it wasn't broken but it also was not happy about having to break her fall. Her right arm wasn't much better off, pinned between her and the tree's rough roots.

"Mom!" Sakura didn't even realize that she had flown to where Seiji had been standing. She didn't notice her adopted son kneel beside her and hesitantly reach out towards her nor did she take notice of the tears welling up in his eyes.

"What the hell Naruto!!!!" a harsh voice screamed. Sakura's dizzied mind recognized it as Sasuke's. Slowly opening her eyes, Sakura was able to make out the blurry form of Sasuke activating a Chidori and blocking her from Naruto's red-eyed fury. She could barely make out the animalistic growls, snarls, and threats being exchanged between her teammates but she could hear them all the same. The next thing she heard was the familiar ring of the swirling Rasengan. Sakura winced as she was reminded of a beautiful day on the hospital roof. They were scaring her now just like they had then. This had to stop. They were stronger now. If their two attacks clashed… Sakura shuddered to think about it – especially with Seiji so close by.

Managing to raise her left arm and letting out a painful cry to stop – just like the last time – Sakura channeled her chakra and slammed her palm to the ground, effectively splitting it into several pieces and forcing the two ninja to create some distance between them.

Her attack had created the desired effect; both lethal techniques vanished and the wind blew peacefully once more. However, the raw rage that was contained in both men's eyes hadn't disappeared – both still glared at the other with blood red eyes.

"Have you lost your mind?" Sasuke seethed. "That was Sakura you attacked, you idiot!"

"That wasn't Sakura-chan," Sasuke hissed but Naruto continued, "The Sakura-chan that I know, would have never done that to herself."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Trust me Sasuke, you really don't wanna know."

"Stop it, Naruto," Sakura wheezed. Both men turned their heads to see their friend standing on her feet. Her right arm clutched her left and she was bent over with having trouble breathing but she was standing. Seiji had a tentative hand on her waist and the other in front of her, as if he were afraid she were about to fall and was prepared to catch her. Seeing her in such a condition, both pairs of eyes immediately returned to their original hues. Even after so many years, Sakura was most important to them.

Rushing to her side, Sasuke carefully touched and examined her body for injuries. "How badly are you hurt?"

"Don't fuss, Sasuke." Sakura attempted to brush him off, "I'm fine."

"No, you're not." Naruto interrupted. Looking at their teammate, Sasuke and Sakura tried to determine exactly what had gone wrong with their friend. A cold but simmering hate shone in the man's blue eyes and they were zeroed in on Sakura. Naruto continued, "I don't think you've been fine in years." Sakura's green eyes widened in shock and fear. He sounded as if he knew that… But he couldn't have found out!

"Just what has gotten into you, Naruto?" Sasuke defended. Sasuke may have, moments ago, been in a confrontation with Sakura but he definitely did not like the look in Naruto's eyes – those eyes that had never directed such hatred at such a close friend.

Naruto ignored Sasuke's question. "So whose is it Sakura-chan? Anyone we know? Or was it just some random guy?"

Sakura shrunk into herself. So he did know… "I…" but she couldn't muster any further response.

"Or is it possible that you don't know? That you just slept around so often you lost track of them?"

Fury caused her to react. "I never slept around!" Tears nearly came to her eyes. She couldn't believe that Naruto was accusing her of being a whore. Pulling away from those who had a hold on her, Sakura distanced herself from Naruto and his cruel voice. Being irrational, Sakura shook her head as if it would make this unfamiliar Naruto go away, "You were never supposed to find out!"

"Well I have found out Sakura!! And I want a damn explanation!!" Shrinking back in fear, Sakura shut her eyes and remained silent. She wouldn't answer. She didn't want to answer. She couldn't answer. Not in these circumstances with these people. Not when Naruto had left out the –chan to her name for the first time.

"Sakura…" Sasuke's soft but threatening voice forced Sakura's eyes and ears open. His head was bowed; eyes covered by his raven bangs. "What is he talking about?"

"So you didn't tell Sasuke either? What a surprise." Naruto spat. Sakura just shook her head. She knew there was no way out of this confrontation, no where she could run or hide. But she never meant for them to find out… not this way…

Naruto shook with anger. Why wasn't she talking? "Do you have nothing to say?! To me – to Sasuke? Who the hell have you become Sakura?" Naruto's voice finally quieted. But hearing the pure, sharp, cold pain in his voice grated worse on Sakura's ears than his anger. She had hurt him. She had hurt Naruto. "Are you… Are you even Sakura-chan anymore?"

Sakura didn't have an answer. She only stared at Naruto, pleading with her eyes for him not to walk away from her; begging him not to break her. But she saw the torn look he gave her, read the message in his eyes quite clearly and knew he was going to turn away. Sakura let her tears fall as Naruto's unspoken message rang in her head, 'You broke me first.'

Realizing she wasn't going to speak, Naruto scoffed and turned to walk away when a hand on his shoulder stopped him. He had almost forgotten that Sasuke was in the field too. "Naruto, what is going on?"

Looking directly into his brother's eyes, Naruto simply said, "She's pregnant."

Seiji was still very much in shock by the time his uncle brought him inside the house. Muttering to himself and constantly running hands through his hair, his uncle had managed to tell Seiji that he was going to make dinner before striding into the kitchen. Hoping to be distracted by watching him cook, Seiji sat at the kitchen's table and lost himself in thought.

Seiji couldn't believe what had recently transpired. Even at his young age of eight, he was able to follow most of the conversation and – from what he had gathered – he would be a big brother soon. This excited Seiji just as much as it frightened him. He had always wanted a sibling – he imagined having a brother more often than a sister but still – however, Naruto and his oji-san hadn't taken the news well. Even now, Seiji could tell that his oji-san was cutting up vegetables with a little more force than was necessary. But why were they angry?

The boy remembered when he was last angry. He too had been mad at Sakura, his replacement mother. Only, he had been mad at her because…

Seiji's little eyes widened in realization. "That's why…"

"Hm?" Sasuke looked at his nephew over his shoulder, thinking he was talking to him.

Seiji answered absently, "She wanted to move out, live in the town where my kaa-san is buried. I thought she wanted to take me away from you and I got mad. That's what we were fighting over but… I guess she just wanted to make sure the baby was safe. I never even guessed…"

Sasuke tensed. "Sakura wanted to move out?"

Seiji seemed to finally notice that he had been voicing his thoughts out loud and was startled at his uncle's tone of voice. Nodding hesitantly, Seiji replied, "Yeah, at the end of this week. That's why I ran away."

Clenching his fists, Sasuke tightly shut his eyes and began cursing Sakura under his breath. How much longer was she going to hide from him? How many secrets had she kept from him? How many years had he been cut out from her life? Why did he care?

Eyes opening to red – deep, bloody, overpowering, crimson red – Sasuke marched towards the front door.

"Oji-san?"

"I won't be long."

"But what about -"

"Stay here, Seiji."

"Tou-san!"

The door shut with a sound of finality.

"…You said you wouldn't let the red hurt me, or you, or anybody else. Are you breaking your promise?"

"I will expect monthly reports."

"Of course, Shishou."

"…"

"If that is all, I'll leave to prepare."

"I heard that you planned to retire from your position as Head of Konoha's Hospital."

"That is correct."

"May I inquire as to why?"

"The hospital will need someone to fill in my position when I am away."

"A temporary replacement would have sufficed. Why retire completely?"

"…"

"Running away is not going to solve things Sakura."

"I am not hoping to solve them."

"You are happy with your present conditions?"

"I fail to see how that is of relevance."

"…"

"Permission to be dismissed, Hokage-sama."

"…Permission granted."

The door shut with a sound of finality.

"And all this time, I thought it was Sasuke who was most like Orochimaru…"

Author's Note: And that's all folks! (Psst! Tune in next time for the end of 'The Training of the Child' and long-awaited kiss.)