Sleepwalking Past Hope

Chapter 10: Thank You

My hell begins from the 10th and descends to the circle
Six hundred threescore and six.
From there I crawl beneath Lucifer's claws just for one last kiss.

-HIM

"Uchiha." Tsunade called and Sasuke stopped to turn to her. "You better bring my student back here alive." She threatened, but her eyes were pleading.

Sasuke nodded in agreement, his face serious and his voice hard he said. "I will." A promise to bring Sakura alive no matter what.

Sakura could feel her heart beating loudly as she turned corners in the hideout. It was silent, as if there were no one there, but she knew better than that. Somewhere lurking around was Kabuto waiting for her knowing since even before killing her parents that she would come for revenge. She knew it was predictable, that she was doing exactly what he wanted her to do.

As she turned around the next corner she could feel his presence, just a little more and they would come face to face.

It was then that she started to wonder how her team would feel about her leaving. Would they understand? She wasn't sure. She knew Sasuke would, but would he agree with her choice to go after Kabuto? Would he tell Tsunade? She didn't know the answers to those questions. But somehow she thought that Sasuke wouldn't care enough to go to the trouble of telling Tsunade, or at least that's what she kept telling herself.

Sasuke had been there for her in her time of need and although she would have preferred it to be anyone else she welcomed his comfort knowing that he understood her.

Turning another corner she paused for a moment as she saw the light of a candle in the distance, she knew that he was there. The thought to run and not come back passed through her mind but it was gone a second later, she knew she had to face him. She knew that if she didn't end the game he would continue to hurt people close to her.

She never understood Kabuto's obsession with her, she wasn't anything special. She was pretty plain, not the most beautiful kunoichi and not even the smartest one. The only thing that made her stand out was her pink hair and not often in a good way. Sometimes she would thing that his obsession was more than anything else to hurt the people who cared about her; to hurt Naruto, Kakashi, and Tsunade, but she couldn't be so sure.

She walked toward the end of the corridor where she could see the light of the candle in the distance, her pace steady; wanting to get it over with. With every step she took she could feel him closer and closer until she could feel him around the corner.

She took a deep breath, readying herself as she turned the corner, but instead of being face to face with the Kabuto she remembered there was what seemed to be a completely different person. He wore a dark hood that covered his body but not his face. A face that was as white as it could ever be, purple around his eyes and snake eyes.

The only reason she knew it was him was because of the silver hair and glasses, but aside from that he looked too similar to Orochimaru and she was frozen in place. He had a smile plastered on his face and it made her sick, this wasn't what she had prepared for.

"I knew you would come my dear Sakura." He spoke, and his voice Sakura noticed, sounded weird. It was like it was half Orochimaru's and the other half his.

She didn't know from where she got her courage, but with a hard voice she spoke. "If I knew you were still alive I would have come long before to finish you off. But don't worry I'm here to do it now."

He laughed and she felt it run down her spine telling her it was trouble, that he was dangerous. "I've been waiting for this day Sakura." He spoke her name in a way that made her feel disgusted. He took several steps forward until he was close enough to whisper to her. "You don't know how excited I am." He breathed out a grin spreading on his lips.

"You killed my parents, something you'll have to pay for with your life." She spoke and although she recognized her own voice she didn't recognize the words as her own. She was never one to favor revenge and here she was seeking her own. It was hypocritical on her part, years ago she had told Sasuke that revenge didn't bring any happiness and now she wouldn't listen to her own advice.

"For a moment there, you reminded me of a certain Uchiha." He chuckled and then added in a mocking voice. "Are you trying to follow his footsteps to see if he finally notices you?"

The words didn't hurt her as they once would have and she smiled grimly. "As if." She spoke as she reached to her pockets and took out her gloves. "I'm just searching for a peace of mind." She placed the gloves on and in a swift movement sent a punch his way.

He was barely able to dodge it, not expecting her to initiate the battle so quickly. He took a few steps backwards until he was out of her arms reach. "You'll have to be careful with those fist of yours, darling." He spoke in a mocking manner and she cursed under her breath.

She hadn't thought well about her plan, her need for revenge had clouded her judgment. They were in one of Orochimaru's old lairs which he probably knew inside out. On top of that, they were more than a few feet underground if she wasn't careful with her strength the whole place could cave upon them. She had walked right into his trap with no more than an invitation from his part.

"We'll never reach her on time!" Naruto complained loudly as they neared the village gates. His expression worried, he never thought Sakura would do something like that.

"I hate to say Naruto's right but… He's right. For all we know she might already be there, by the time we get there it can be too late." Kakashi spoke a frown on his face, his thoughts going the same direction as Naruto's.

"I have a solution to that." Sasuke spoke and proceeded to walk faster without sparing a glance at either Naruto or Kakashi.

"Any idea of what he's talking about?" Kakashi asked Naruto raising an eyebrow at the blond.

"Not a clue." Naruto replied a moment after, feeling more lost than normal.

Kakashi and Naruto shared a look of confusion, having no idea what he was talking about but followed right behind Sasuke. Sasuke walked quickly through the gates of the village paying no mind to Genma when he called out to the raven haired shinobi.

"Hey, Uchiha!" Genma called and when Sasuke didn't turn to face him he added. "I don't think you're supposed to leave the village." The Uchiha didn't show signs of even listening to Genma and said shinobi turned to Kakashi for help.

Kakashi dismissed it with his right hand. "We're on a mission and he's coming with us. Tsunade's orders." Kakashi informed him and Genma nodded in response, knowing better than to question Kakashi.

"Teme, wait up!" Naruto yelled at Sasuke who stopped when he reached a clearing not because Naruto had called as the blonde immediately thought.

"So what is your solution, Sasuke?" Kakashi asked Sasuke as said shinobi turned to face both Naruto and Kakashi.

"A hawk." He answered plainly before turning once again his back to them.

"I don't get it." Naruto's frown of confusion deepened, still having no idea what he was referring to. He didn't understand how a hawk could help them; a little hawk couldn't do much to help them save Sakura.

Sasuke performed the necessary seals and Naruto's silent questions were immediately answered. What appeared before them was a hawk, but it was a huge hawk; huge enough for it to fly with them on top.

"Get it now, dobe?" Sasuke turned to him a slight smirk on his lips and then proceeded to jump on to the bird

"Show off." Naruto muttered a grin making its way to his face before he followed Sasuke's actions.

For a moment Kakashi saw them and was reminded of their rivalry as kids of how it used to be between them and their protectiveness of their pink haired team mates. They were rivals, but when it concerned Sakura they set their rivalry aside to act as a team.

Kakashi too got on the hawk. "Let's get Sakura-chan back!" Naruto yelled and Sasuke nodded in response. The exchange brought a slight smile to the silver haired shinobi. Maybe, just maybe, everything would turn out for the better.

The fact is that the fight wasn't going too good on her end, she had walked right into his trap and she was paying heavily for it. Her fighting style relied mostly on her fist, her strength which was only matched by Tsunade herself. But now that she couldn't use her strength freely there was not much she could do. She was in constant worry with every punch she threw his way.

He grinned her way feeling of course superior and threw three senbons her way, she easily dodged two of them but one slightly grazed her arm. He was playing with her which made her all the more furious. He had been going like since the start of the fight mocking her with every move he made.

He could have killed her by now, that she was fully aware of. With her current handicap she couldn't do much, he knew that as well. But instead of taking advantage of it he was only toying around with her, making it clear who was in charge.

She wanted to wipe that grin off his disgusting face.

Her hands started glowing green, quickly forming her chakra scalpel and she lunged at him. He dodged her every move and kept throwing senbons her way. She tried dodging as much as she could but some grazed her arms and legs anyway. It wasn't easy trying to land a decent hit to a fast opponent while dodging something barely visible as senbons.

"I don't think you're trying hard enough." He spoke in a mocking manner and laughed at her while sending a kick her way which she easily dodged.

She sent a kick his way which he evaded and then another which he once again evaded, trusting in her timing she sent a chakra filled punch his way hitting him right in the stomach, he was sent flying to the wall a few feet away.

"You're a coward, this is hardly a fair fight." She hissed through gritted teeth.

"No one has ever accused me of being a fool." He replied standing up, but instead of the cocky grin he'd been wearing since the start of the fight there was a frown on his face. "I shouldn't give you any more chances like that." He told her and it was then that she knew the real fight would start. He had just been playing with her until now.

He took out more senbons that she could possibly count and threw them her way; she made a great effort in dodging them and mostly succeeded. Just three of them hit her. She gritted her teeth in anger she didn't get what he was playing at. He was now serious but his form of attacking her didn't represent that, after all he kept throwing measly senbons her way. Surely this wasn't all he could do.

She rushed at him sending a chakra infused punch his way which he easily evaded and just when she was about to throw a kick his way he threw more senbons at her making her jump backwards to dodge. She was hit by quite a few of them but knowing she didn't have the time to get them out she stood up to once again rush at him.

The fight proceeded like that for what seemed like an eternity, but in reality it was just over ten minutes. Sakura was breathing heavily; just by looking at them it was obvious who was winning. She was getting slower and every minute that went by it was even harder to breathe.

"You've held yourself together for longer than I expected you would, but it should be getting to you by now." Kabuto spoke once again the grin forming with his lips.

"What are you talking about?" She asked as she attempted to stand up from the ground but failing.

"The poison in your system my dear, it's my newest and greatest creation yet." He spoke proudly as he took various steps toward her.

Sakura wanted to curse herself, now it made sense, why he was throwing those senbons. She was ashamed to admit that she hadn't thought of it sooner, too immersed in trying to land a decent hit on him. She groaned as she tried standing up once again, but her strength was quickly fading. Her vision was blurring and she was sure that this would be her end.

"You sure this is the hideout dobe?" Sasuke asked impatiently as the hawk landed.

"Yeah, I'm sure; I remember this place well enough." Naruto nodded as they jumped from the hawk.

Kakashi turned to Sasuke. "Do you know your way through this hideout?" He asked the raven haired boy.

"More or less." Sasuke answered as he looked around him, he felt that there was something amiss.

"It's a miracle this place is still standing, with Sakura's punches I thought we'd find this place in ruins." Naruto joked but his brow was creased in a frown.

"A punch from her could cave this place in, killing them both." Sasuke informed his blonde teammate and his own eyes widened in realization. "Damn it." He muttered under his breath.

"No." Kakashi echoed beside him coming to the same realization as Sasuke.

"What?" Naruto asked, confused.

"She isn't able to fight." Sasuke told the blonde before running in direction of the hideout he had no idea where in the hideout they could be but he didn't care, the only thing he knew was that he had to find her.

Naruto eyes widened in realization before quickly running after Sasuke, Kakashi ran beside him worried for his former student. Both of them knew where they could find Sakura, they just hoped they weren't already too late.

He was just a step away from her when he knelt in front of her. "So beautiful, too bad I have to kill you. We could have been perfect together." He spoke as he placed a hand on her cheek.

She wanted to back away and slap his hand away from her and then kill him, but she couldn't. Her body wouldn't respond, it took everything she had to hold herself on the ground and not fall headfirst to the floor.

"I am sorry Sakura and though my excused is overly used I hope you do understand. If I can't have you then no one can." He leaned in as he whispered in her ear and she felt disgusted at having him so close.

"Step away from her." A voice spoke and Kabuto quickly turned to the person standing a few feet behind him. Sakura quickly recognized him, Sasuke, who she thought she'd never see again. After a moment she saw silver and yellow, Kakashi and Naruto and she mentally smiled. She was done for, and although she wanted to yell at them for treating her like a weak little kunoichi she was glad they were there.

She was glad to know that Naruto would come and chase after her too as he had with Sasuke. She was grateful to see that the sensei who neglected her as a young girl was there trying to make sure she was safe. And somehow even after everything that had happened between them she was happy to see that underneath it all there was still something of the boy who she had once fallen in love with.

"Sakura!" She heard Naruto scream her name but she could no longer see him.

"Don't waste your breath; no matter what you do to me you won't be able to save her now. The poison has spread through her system, she'll be dead soon." Kabuto spoke, pride easily recognizable in his words.

"You bastard!" Naruto yelled in frustration.

"I'll kill you." Sasuke muttered dangerously.

Sakura didn't want to die, but she knew she had brought it upon herself. Just because Sasuke and Naruto had been able to cheat death time and time again didn't mean she could. Her life didn't flash in front of her eyes in that moment, instead there were regrets. She regretted not being able to be beside Naruto when he became Hokage, not being able to surpass her teacher, and most of all not being able to be in Team 7 once again.

It was in that moment that she allowed herself to admit if only to herself that although she no longer loved Sasuke there was no denying that she cared about him, just as much as she cared for Naruto and Kakashi and it hurt her to leave them all behind.

She had been right, revenge doesn't bring any happiness, but nether less she was glad she tried because it gave her the peace of mind she sought.

Not being able to hold herself anymore her arms failed her and she fell to the floor. She couldn't feel her arms, her legs, and was barely able to breathe. She lost the battle against the poison and fell unconscious.

"If there's any chance to save Sakura we have to get her out of here now." Kakashi spoke to both Naruto and Sasuke.

"Then what do we do? We can't just leave we have to finish off this bastard." Naruto spoke glancing sideways at the copy ninja.

"You two go. I'll finish him off." Sasuke declared with katana in hand.

"No. We'll finish him; you're the fastest Sasuke you have to take her to the village." Kakashi ordered the raven haired Uchiha who seemed to be thinking about Kakashi's words, he didn't seem to want to leave. "I know you want to get back at him for what he did to Sakura, but your revenge could cost us her life. Think about what's more important."

There was a moment where Kakashi thought he would choose revenge as he'd always had, but a second later he sheathed his katana and nodded over to Kakashi, he couldn't have been more proud of his student. "Make sure to get her there alive, we'll catch up to you when we're done here." Naruto turned to Sasuke and without another word Sasuke rushed over to Sakura's side.

In one swift movement he took her in his arms. "Hang in there." He murmured before thinking to the unconscious pinkette in his arms before running out of the hideout as if her life depended on it, which in this case it did.

He ran through the corridors in the hideout like a madman, in his opinion getting to the exit was taking him too long and just when he thought he should chidori his way out he was greeted with the exit.

He quickly jumped onto the hawk still waiting for them there and gave it specific instructions to take them back to Konoha as soon as possible.

He turned to Sakura who he still held in his arms and proceeded to check her pulse, she was still alive but he was no medic and didn't have any idea who much time she had left. Her breathing was ragged and she was sweating, his lips turned in a grim line. He slowly took the senbons out, trying to be careful not to hurt her more than she already was.

Once he had taken out the last senbon he brushed her hair out of her face and just looked at her. She wasn't the same girl he had left behind on a bench that was for sure, but there were still traces of that Sakura in the one he held in his arms. He wasn't the same boy who had left her on that bench either, revenge no longer took priority in his life.

Back then he had thrown away his bonds for revenge and now he was doing everything in his power to throwing away revenge to keep the bonds he should have never thrown away in the first place.

"You'll survive." He spoke softly to Sakura who couldn't hear him, but the words were not for her, they were to convince himself.

He didn't want to be the one dealing with this; he would have much preferred fighting with Kabuto, not because of revenge, but because the situation was a little close to home. It was like the Uchiha massacre all over again, he could lose her. He didn't want to lose anyone else, he held on that thought as his eyes stayed on her form. His logic didn't make any sense but he thought that if he didn't take his eyes off her she'd stay there, alive.

Minutes later they finally landed just outside of Konoha and without wasting anytime he jumped off the hawk and ran. He ignored the shinobi stationed at the gate calling for him. He ignored stupid questions about the pinkette in his hands and just ran. Moments later he was walking through the doors in the hospital, Sakura in his arms but still very much alive.

"She's dying. Get the Hokage." Sasuke snapped at the woman sitting behind the desk looking over files.

She turned to him with a slight glare but upon seeing Sakura she quickly nodded and turned to a nurse nearby. "Get a stretcher and tell Shizune-sama to come down here, it's an emergency." With that she quickly left to get the Hokage.

Approximately two minutes later they were prying Sakura away from his arms and placing her on a stretcher. They took the stretcher away and when he made move to follow a voice stopped him. "Uchiha-san, I'll try to deal with the situation until Tsunade-sama arrives. Wait here for her so you can tell her what you know." She spoke quickly and without another word or a look his way she rushed after the nurses who took Sakura.

Sasuke stood there unmoving his mind blank, for how long he wasn't sure but it felt like forever. He was snapped back into reality by the Hokage's voice.

"What happened to my student, Uchiha?" She demanded firmly.

"Kabuto poisoned her and I brought her back here as quickly as I could; Naruto and Kakashi stayed fighting Kabuto." Sasuke informed her, not knowing what else to say.

"Is there anything you know about the poison?" Tsunade asked to see if she had anything to work with.

"Not really, Kabuto only said it had already spread through her system." Sasuke answered shaking his head.

The Hokage nodded grimly and opened her mouth to speak. "Stay here." She ordered knowing that he would probably try to follow otherwise.

Hours later Naruto and Kakashi burst through the hospital entrance; the hospital was mostly empty except for Sauske sitting looking rather impatiently on a chair and the nurses walking around.

"How is she?!" Naruto asked loudly and Sasuke turned to him and shook his head.

"No news yet?" Kakashi asked trying to get Sasuke to react and speak but to no avail.

"Hn." His reply was simple before he turned to the position he had before either Naruto or Kakashi entered the hospital

Naruto took a seat besides his best friend, for once quiet. Not in the mood to be loud and aggravating, not when Sakura's life was on the line. Kakashi on the other hand leaned against a nearby wall and took out his favorite book opening it where he had left off but even as he was reading, the book was the farthest thing from his mind.

About an hour later of silence they heard loud footsteps coming their way and turned their heads to see none other than the Hokage herself walking toward them. All attention turned to her hoping for news about Sakura. There was a frown on her face her lips set in a grim line.

"We stabilized her for the moment, but she's still not out of danger. The poison is still in her system we've yet to find an antidote." The Hokage spoke and all hope was gone from the faces of the three shinobi standing in front of her. "All of you go rest and come back tomorrow evening. I have a lot of work to do trying to find that antidote and all." She turned around and left them alone.

For a moment none of them spoke and the room was silent, there was nothing they could do to help Sakura. They could just wait.

"Let's go eat at Ichiraku, I'm starving." Naruto spoke but his voice lacked the normal enthusiasm.

Kakashi and Sasuke followed as he led the way.

The three of them sat at Ichiraku. Naruto had lied, he wasn't starving. The only reason he was eating was to distract himself from the current situation. He was still halfway on his first bowl of ramen. He didn't really have any appetite.

Kakashi hadn't even looked at the bowl of ramen with book in hand. To anyone he appeared to be reading but the truth was he was too worried about his former student to eat or even read his favorite novel.

Sasuke on the other hand was trying to force himself to eat the bowl of ramen he ordered but to no avail. He had barely touched the ramen.

In reality he felt guilty because it was his fault that Sakura was in the hospital in the verge of death. He should have killed Kabuto when he had the chance and none of it would have happened, her parents would still be alive and she wouldn't have felt the need to seek revenge. He should have also guessed she would go after Kabuto, he should have stopped her, but he didn't. He should have arrived sooner, and maybe if he had she would be sitting here with them instead of being in a hospital.

He didn't want to delve on those thoughts but it was no use. He knew Naruto and Kakashi were as worried as he was. Sasuke sighed as he took money out of his wallet and placed it at the counter. Naruto turned to him and Kakashi looked his way.

"Where are you going?" Naruto asked him.

"Did you finish him off?" Sasuke asked the blonde ignoring for the moment his question.

"Yeah." He replied not missing a beat.

"Good." He closed his eyes for a moment, pleased about Kabuto's death. "I'm taking a walk." He told him best friend before walking away.

Naruto paced back and forth in the waiting room of the hospital not being able to sit down patiently. Hinata sat in a chair watching the blonde with sad eyes. Beside her was Ino who was crying into Sai's shoulder who held her silently.

"I've read in books that when a person close to you dies people cry their death. Are we mourning Sakura's death?" Sai asked as oblivious as always but his question only made Ino cry harder. There was a frown on his face, because after all he too was worried about Sakura.

Kakashi would have chuckled at his stupid questions if they weren't in such a situation; he opted to shaking his head as he closed his eyes leaning against the wall.

Naruto decided to ignore his comment. He had been there for a few hours since six and it was well past nine. He wondered where Sasuke was he still hadn't shown up.

Sasuke on cue with Naruto's thoughts walked through the entrance looking as emotionless as ever. Yet Naruto could see that he hadn't slept and the frown on his face those were hints of how worried he was about Sakura.

"Where you've been teme?" Naruto stopped pacing as he turned to Sasuke.

Sasuke ignored his question and asked one of his own. "Any news?" His question was replied with a shake of Naruto's head. He hadn't even seen Tsunade since he got to the hospital.

"This is serious!" Ino wailed looking at Sasuke's direction. Sasuke only raised his eyebrows at the sight of her; she looked like she'd been crying for days straight. "Even Sasuke's worrying!" She cried even harder before once again turning to Sai's shoulder for comfort.

Sasuke looked back at Naruto who shook his head. Sasuke send a glance at who he knows was once his replacement and saw a smile plastered on his face. He turned around his hands turning into fist. "What are you smiling about?!" He snapped.

"A smile can help you out in a tough situation, even if it's fake." He replied calmly the smile still in place.

Sasuke couldn't help but wanting to punch him; wanting to take his frustration out on somebody. But before he could he felt Naruto's hand on his shoulder. "Calm down teme, he's worried about Sakura too. This is just his way of showing it." When Sasuke unclenched his fists Naruto went to take a seat besides Hinata drawing comfort from her presence.

Sasuke for his part took as seat as farthest from them as possible not trusting himself near the 'replacement' without punching him.

There they waited, it was quiet except Ino's constant crying for her best friend and Sai's occasional dumb comment which only serve to make Sasuke angrier and get Ino crying even louder. Just when Sasuke thought he couldn't take it anymore Tsunade stepped in the room.

All eyes turned hopeful to the Hokage, she looked tired, after all she hadn't slept at all trying to find the antidote for Sakura. "We were able to find an antidote, she's safe." When Ino heard that she immediately stopped crying. "She still hasn't woken up and I'm not sure when she will, but at least she's in no danger, she just needs rest. Only three of you can go see her tonight, who will it be?" As soon as the question left her lips Naruto and Ino stood up. "Which one of you got here first?" She asked and Ino sat back in her seat in defeat.

Naruto followed Tsunade and Ino started after him before turning to Sai. "She won't die, she won't die." A smile graced her features. "Now I feel kinda stupid for having been crying so much." She chuckled and Sai's fake smile widened to what could be considered a real one.

Around six minutes later Naruto emerged with Tsunade and Ino quickly stood up and left with Tsunade for her turn. All eyes turned to Naruto. "H-how is she?" Hinata asked timidly.

"She's alive and right now that's all that matters." There was a smile on his face and Sasuke felt himself relax.

After seeing her Naruto was going back to his normal self. He was happily chatting with Hinata and the tension that was previously in the room seemed to disappear.

Sasuke tuned out most of their conversation, but it did no good to keep him distracted from his thoughts. Thoughts of how everything was his fault, he brought her back alive but just barely.

He was pulled back to reality minutes later as Ino and Tsunade came into view again. Ino had a big smile on her face meaning Sakura was alright. "Who will be the third?" She looked around to see that no one stood up. "What about you Kakashi?" He asked the silver haired jounin who smiled from under his mask.

"I'm glad she's alright, but I can't bear to see her guilt would eat me alive." He turned to Sasuke who had already been looking at him. "Sasuke, would you go see her for me and tell me how she is?" Sasuke blinked twice before understanding and nodding.

There was a smile on Tsunade's lips as she led the Uchiha to Sakura. Sasuke silently thanked Kakashi. He had known Sasuke wanted to see her, but that he would never express it out loud.

"I'm grateful to you for bringing back my student alive." She spoke, her voice filled with gratitude, gratitude he felt he didn't deserve. "As I told Naruto I expect a mission report once she's out of the hospital." She stopped in front of a door and Sasuke nodded before he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

Sakura laid on the bed her eyes closed and her face looking peaceful. Now he knew why Naruto and Ino looked more relieved after seeing her. The only thing that could remind him she had been on the verge of death was the hospital scenery and the memories of the day before. But she looked as if she were having a good night's sleep.

"You're alive." He spoke, but only he could hear. Saying it out loud made it all the more real, she had escaped death and he was eternally grateful at her for it. He didn't know what he would have done if she had died. It was something he hadn't left himself think about because the thought of losing her had terrified him.

It was then that he was forced to admit to himself that he cared deeply for the pinkette; he didn't know how much that was though. All he knew is that somehow he had always cared about her but hadn't been able to admit it to himself.

It took almost losing her for good for him to realize that he would crawl through hell and back just for her.

"Thank you." He spoke in no more than a whisper. Words filled with meaning, thank you, for not dying, for always being there and for things he still couldn't quite come to terms with.

~To be Continued~

A/N:

Thanks to the 25 people who reviewed for last chapter. And of course to all of those who reviewed and read this story. :D

I can't believe I finally finished it. The first one I ever finish! Of course it will probably have a sequel but let me know if you all want it. This is the longest chapter I've ever written, like 13 pages that's the reason I took so long with it.

For those of you who didn't understand the point of this story it wasn't for them to end up together it was for them to realize that even after everything they cared for one another. The sequel would be for them to develop and learn about these feelings.

Oh and thos of you who hate me for Sakura not being the one to kill Kabuto let me just excuse myself saying that I needed her to be hurt for the story to end how I wanted it. And I didn't want her taking revenge because that's just not her, that was part of hurt and impulse. But her actually having tried will maker her understand Sasuke better.

I feel pretty good about how this turned out all things considered. :)

For those of you who review for this chapter I'll PM you to let you all know when the sequel is up, I'm still not sure how long that would take though. I still have to plan it out.

Please let me know what you thought of this story and this last chapter. And again thanks for all the support throughout the whole story.

Make my day and review! ;)