I slipped on my clothes and turned to Sasuke who was putting on his boots and as soon as he tied them he stood up to tighten the belt around his waist. His black jeans had some specks of dirt on them, but I don't think he noticed. I spotted his white shirt on the floor and leaned down to pick it up before standing to my feet and walking over to him. I lifted it up and stared at his chest, I could feel my tears returning to my eyes as he took the shirt from my hands and slipped it on.

I felt him place his hand on my chin and moved my head up so I stared at him.

"Don't cry Sakura."

"You keep saying that but I can't help it." My shoulders shook as he pulled me into his arms. We heard a car horn and Sasuke looked outside to see Neji waiting in the Ferrari. "I have to go." I noticed it was raining outside. "Wait." I stopped him and went over to my closet and pulled out a hooded jacket.

"Is that mine?"

"Yeah, I took if from your closet. Are you mad?"

"No." He smiled. "But why don't you keep it?"

"Well it's raining, so I figured you could wear it." He nodded and took it from my hands. We headed down to the front door and he opened it as cool air met our cheeks. I could smell the rain and he turned to look at me as Neji honked the horn again. Sasuke slipped the jacket on and lifted the hood up over his head; he left it unzipped like the night he came to pick me up when my car broke down.

"This is it, isn't it?" I muttered.

"Yeah." He grabbed my hand. "Sakura, listen. I want you to go stay with your parents, or Ino, just as long as you're not by yourself." I nodded. "Okay." My lip quivered as my voice cracked.

He turned and was about to step outside. "Sasuke." I called out to him as tears escaped my eyes and he faced me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him roughly on the lips, he stumbled back but managed to catch himself, I felt his lips move against mine as he moved his hands to place his them on my cheeks.

I opened my mouth when he licked my lip and his tongue met mine in a battle for dominance. When we pulled away for air, I wrapped my arms around him to hug him tightly and I smiled slightly when he embraced me back. He let me go as his hand found mine and gripped it in his.

"You better come back." I bit my lip. "Cause if you don't, I..." I trailed off when I started crying. "Babe, I hate making you cry like this." He pulled me into his arms again. "I wish I could stay. But I have to do this, I can't ignore it anymore."

"I know, but I...I also know that this is something I can't stop you from doing." When I let him go he raised the sleeve of his jacket and wiped my face of the tears.

"Promise me you won't try to come after me, no matter what happens, no matter what call you get or what anyone tells you."

He was asking me not to do anything if something happened to him? How can he think I could do that? "Sasuke I...I can't..." I shook. "Sakura, promise me." I looked into his eyes. "I..." I hesitated. "I promise." I told him, but I knew I wouldn't be able to keep it. When he made a move to leave I grabbed his arm. "Will you call?"

"That's something I can't promise, but I'll try to be in contact." I nodded and dropped my hold on him. He smiled slightly and kissed me one last time before he ran out the door and headed over to his car. Neji had moved to the passenger seat so Sasuke could drive, and when he drove off into the pouring rain, I leaned against the door frame with glossy eyes.

Please come back to me.

If you don't...I won't hesitate to come after you...despite what I promised.

I shut the door and locked it before heading into the living room to sit down on the couch. I saw Shelly sitting on it as well as she lifted her back leg to scratch her ear. I smiled as I remembered when Sasuke gave her to me, I was taken by surprise but it was a very sweet thing for him to do. I felt my eyes stinging as a few tears escaped and I was shocked when Shelly walked over to my side and placed her head in my lap. "I hope he'll make it back Shelly." I said to her as I scratched her ear. "Because there's no telling what he's heading into."

"So he left huh?" My dad asked me as I sat by his bedside in the hospital. Sasuke had left three days ago and I already miss him. Tsunade said my dad would be able to leave in the next few days which I was glad for, but that still didn't feel the hole left by Sasuke's departure.

"Yeah, he's gone."

"I'm sure he'll come back Sakura."

"How do you know? He could die dad, I'm scared." I glanced to the floor and clenched my fists in my lap. "I know it's hard, but has Sasuke given you any reason to doubt him?" I looked up at him, I guess he didn't...but... I sighed and stood from my chair, talking about what I was feeling was sort of helping but I still couldn't seem to accept the fact that there wasn't anything I could do. Sasuke always saved me and helped me whenever I needed it. What if he needs my help and I'm not there? He could die because I didn't go after him.

No, quit thinking like that, if anything, you'll only do more damage by getting involved.

But...

I have to do something.

I growled angrily and my dad raised a brow at me and I laughed nervously after I turned to him. "Come here." He held his arms out and I went over to him. He hugged me as I wrapped my arms around him to return it. "It'll be okay." He rubbed my back in a comforting manner. But I doubted his words. I pulled away and wiped at my eyes since I felt a few tears escape, he smiled softly at me and grabbed my hand. "Just give it some time, he'll be back." I hope so, I don't know what I'd do if Sasuke never came back, if he never held me in his arms again and kissed me in the way that sent my heart racing. If he would just call, just to let me know that he is okay.

I sat in my parent's kitchen with the phone pressed against my ear; it rang several times before it went to voice mail. I sighed and listened to Sasuke's recorded voice before I hung up. Still no answer from him. I dialed his number again, deciding this time I would leave a message. When it went to voice mail I to a breath in as it beeped.

"Hey Sasuke, it's Sakura, I was just calling to make sure you were okay. I wish you'd call or answer just to let me know. I hope to see you back home soon and I want to tell you that I love you, so...bye." I hung up and set the phone aside and stood to my feet.

I was going to head over to Naruto's place to see how Zeus was doing, hopefully better than I am but he was shot in his leg so he must be in pain. The poor pup didn't deserve that, I just hope he'll get better soon. I hope everything will get better soon.

I sat in my living room trying to read the medical book in my hands, but I couldn't focus. I sighed and set it aside and looked up at my mom who was browsing my shelf for a book to read. I had stayed with them since Sasuke left, but I came home sometimes as long as my mom came with me. Sasuke's parents were currently at his house, and I would go over to talk to them, but I know the conversation would just end up being about Sasuke. My mom sighed and turned to me and saw that I had been staring at her.

"Sweetheart, are you okay?"

"No." I admitted.

She walked over and sat down by me on the couch. "It's about Sasuke isn't it?"

"Yeah."

"You're father told me you're worried about him."

"I do, I just don't know what to do with myself, I try to take my mind off him, but I can't."

"Honey, you need to have faith in him."

"I know." I sighed and stood up to stretch. "I'm going to go for a walk."

She nodded and I went to put on my shoes. If anything, maybe getting out for some fresh air would help calm my nerves, I let out an exhale of breath as I glanced at my mom.

"Sakura!" Naruto burst through my door before slamming it shut behind him and I ran over to him with a worried look.

"What is it?" I asked worriedly.

"The fight Sasuke and Neji went to with Kakashi has turned into an all out gang war." He stated quickly and my eyes widened. "Is Sasuke okay?"

"Kakashi said he was captured by Orochimaru." No!

"Mom." She came over to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulder as I started to shake.

"It'll be alright." No...it won't. I knew I should have gone with him. I knew this was going to happen. "What else did Kakashi tell you? Do they know where he is?"

"They have a few places they are going to check out, but Sakura, he was wounded when they took him and for all we know-"

"He could be dead." I finished for him.

He nodded.

"How bad were his wounds when they took him?" I asked even though I was afraid of what the answer would be. "I don't know, Kakashi didn't tell me that."

"Oh god." I felt my heart racing as I fell to my knees. I have to go help him, I have to... I stood up and ran to my room as my mom called after me. As soon as I came back with my keys and a jacket in hand I ran for the front door. "Sakura stop, you don't even know where you're going." Naruto yelled at me but I thrust the door open only to be stopped by a tall man with gray hair. He wore all black attire and a mask covered his nose all the way down to his neck.

"Uh hi?"

Naruto came to the front door with my mom right behind him.

"Kakashi?" Naruto asked unsure.

"Kakashi?" My eyes widened. "You're that government official officer." I pointed at him. "Yeah that would be me." He grinned from underneath the mask. "What are you doing here?" Naruto asked. "I came here to find you guys, I need to talk to you."

"Have you found Sasuke?" I couldn't stop myself from asking. "No, my crew and the government have checked in all the places we thought Orochimaru might have taken him." He sighed. "Neji is checking the last remaining places, but-" His phone suddenly rang and he pulled it out to check the id before he answered.

me. "Ho"Hey Neji what's up?" I saw his eyes widen and a rush of fear shot through my heart when he looked at w bad?" He nodded. "I'll be there as soon as I can, call an ambulance but don't move him until the medics or I get there." He hung up and set the phone into his pocket and I didn't like the look on his face.

"What's wrong?" I hesitantly asked.

"Neji found Sasuke."

"Okay and?" I was afraid.

"He's in bad shape, I mean really bad, Neji doesn't know if he's going to make it." I saw that he swallowed. "Neji said that he looks as if he were tortured and from how I know Orochimaru, I wouldn't put it past him."

"No." I whispered to myself as my mother tried to hug me but I just shrugged her off. "I have to go."

"I'm going with you and don't even tell me I can't."

"If she goes I go." Naruto put in. "Sasuke is my best friend and I'm not going to sit by and let him die." Kakashi looked at each of us and nodded. I turned to my mom and she looked worried. "Can you go talk to Sasuke's parents and inform them of what's happening?"

"Alright, but you guys be careful." I nodded. Naruto and I headed out to Kakashi's car and as soon as we were inside and seated he blared the siren and flipped on the lights before speeding off down the road. Hang on Sasuke.

I'm coming.

We arrived to a building that looked like a worn down parking garage. Were all of Orochimaru's hideouts worn out buildings? I shook my head and got out of the car and followed the two males I was with up to the building. When we walked inside, we heard the sound of a gun click. "Put your hands up." I turned suddenly to see Orochimaru standing there with a gun, the same gun he pointed at my friends and family the day he came to take us hostage. Now it looked as if it were going to happen again. This was all a trap!

"Where are Sasuke and Neji?" I blurted out before I did anything else. "They're fine, for the moment." He snapped his fingers. I turned to see four men in all black attire as they held onto Sasuke and Neji; they had been silenced with white towels wrapped across their mouths. Sasuke tried to fight against them, but I gasped when one of the men pulled a knife and held it to his throat, which Sasuke didn't seem to care about as he continued struggling. My eyes traveled down to his white shirt and I saw the blood that stained it and from the looks of it, he was still bleeding.

There was some dried blood on his temple that trailed down his cheek as well as a few dark bruises around his eye and on his arms. I wanted to run over to him, but when I made a movement Orochimaru fired the gun at my feet causing me to jump back.

"Stay where you are?"

Naruto moved to stand in front of me as Kakashi stood in front of him. "What do you want?" Kakashi demanded. "Oh it's very simple." I saw his gaze move to me. "I want her." I saw Sasuke try to yell but the man that had a hold of him pressed the knife into his neck as it drew a small amount of blood.

"What do you want with her?" Naruto butted in rather angrily. "The same thing I did to Suki, I want her dead." I felt my heart racing as Orochimaru nodded his head for two of the men to come at me. They charged and I turned to run as Kakashi pulled out a gun. Orochimaru shot at him as he dodged to the ground and rolled out of the way since Orochimaru fired at him again. I heard someone cry out in pain and I turned to see the man who had a hold on Sasuke lying on the floor.

Sasuke was in his…monster form? He ripped the towel from his face and turned to attack the guys that held Neji. Sasuke struck one of them with the knife he had taken from the man on the ground before punching the other causing the man to stumble back.

I glanced back as I continued running as Sasuke chased after me, I knew he was trying to get to the guys before they got me. I was surprised when he lunged at the closest one to him. He tackled him to the ground and wrestled with him; he took a few punches to his face before he elbowed the man and kneed him in the stomach. He rolled over in pain as Sasuke picked himself up off the ground and took after the other man, but before he could reach him the guy grabbed me and pulled out a knife. I screamed when he lifted it to strike me with it, Sasuke jumped in and took the knife to his arm before throwing the over-sized man to the ground hopefully knocking him out.

I fell to the ground as Sasuke turned to me. "Run!"

"But-"

"Now!" He yelled at me as the guy he threw to the ground stood up again to go at him. They engaged in battle and with one swift kick Sasuke knocked him to the ground. Sasuke turned to me again. "Get out of here Sakura!"

I did what he said but as soon as I took a step, I felt a sharp pain go through my body. I turned to Sasuke as his eyes widened, I touched my side and lifted my hand up to see something red. Blood? I'm bleeding! I shook with fear as dizziness overcame me before I stumbled. "Sakura!" His voice rang in my ears as I fell back only to be caught in his arms. I can't breathe! I looked up at him and reached up to place my hand against his cheek. He was blurring from my vision and in that moment, I felt scared, lost and empty. I could feel myself fading as the pain erupted into a horrible burning throughout my body.

"Sakura, hang on!"

"I'm sorry." I muttered.

"Sakura! Stay awake!" He yelled. "Come on babe, you'll be okay." He pulled me to his chest but my vision faded to black. "Sakura!"

I'm sorry Sasuke.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

I know that sound. A heart monitor I believe, but where is it coming from? It sounds...close... I shifted only to be met with pain in my side. I hissed and forced my eyes open; I cringed from the brightness of the room and glanced around. There was an oxygen mask on my face, while IV's were attached to my arms. I blinked a few times until my vision completely focused as I tried to figure out why I was here in a hospital room. Everything suddenly came rushing back to me as my eyes widened.

I had been shot!

Looking around the room I turned my head to see Sasuke sitting on the chair against the wall, his head was against the wall as he slept. I noticed all of the bandages he had and that wasn't counting the ones I couldn't see on his torso. I'm pretty sure he was badly wounded from the blood I saw on his shirt before, but now he wore a clean white one. I grabbed the remote for the bed and made it angle up so I was in an upright position.

"Sasuke." I called out to him in a weak voice to see if he was awake, but I was sure he was asleep. I was about to let him be when he suddenly shifted and slowly opened his eyes. He stretched before looking over to me and his eyes widened as he jumped from his seat and ran over to me. He grabbed my hand gently and sat down on the side of the bed as his face showed relief but still held a bit of worry for me.

"I thought you'd never wake up." He muttered quietly.

"How long have I been here?"

"Three days."

"Really?" And he nodded.

"Tsunade wasn't sure if you were going to make it, the bullet came close to one of your vital organs."

"I'm sorry." I cried out suddenly. "If only I listened to your warning, I wouldn't have been put in this position. I hope you still don't think of me as a burden, I wasn't afraid at all, maybe a little worried, but I'm all right on my own." Sasuke sighed deeply.

"Sakura I told you already you're not a burden, If I didn't have you I'll probably be dead now your my will of fire babe, you're the one who convince me to talk to my parents. Sakura I am here because you were there for me. So please don't tell me you're alright own your own when I know from what Naruto told me you've been sad and depressed, so It's okay babe, I'm just glad you're alright." He leaned down to hug me before leaning back to leave a kiss on my lips.

Moving from my lips he sat back and placed a hand against my cheek, wiping away my tears.

"What happened with Orochimaru?"

"He got away, but we managed to capture his cronies, Kakashi has them in custody now." I nodded and reached my hand up to place it on his cheek as I ran my fingers over the bruises that lingered on his face. I was about to say something when Tsunade walked in with a small smile of relief on her face. She placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "Why don't you go get something to eat? You've been here ever since she was admitted."

I stared at him with shock. "You haven't eaten anything in three days."

"Well...not really, just some crackers that Naruto and Shikamaru brought me every now and again."

"Please Sasuke, go get something, I don't want you to starve yourself over me." I smiled at him as he nodded. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

As soon as he left Tsunade turned to me with a serious expression. "Alright Sakura we have serious situation."

"What do you mean?"

"Sakura, were you ever...raped?"

"What? Why would you ask me that?"

She pulled something she had in her sleeve and unfolded it. She handed the paper to me and I looked over it and my eyes widened. "Tsunade, this says that I'm..."

"Pregnant." She finished for me. "How did this happen Sakura? That's why I asked if you were raped, I know how you are with these sort of things and I want to be sure."

"Uh..." I blushed. "I wasn't raped, I promise you that, but Sasuke and I..." I trailed off.

"You don't need to say anymore, I get it, he's the only one you have had any sexual relations with right?"

"Yeah."

"Well, you can tell him he's going to be a dad." She smiled. I placed my hand on my mouth as tears came to my eyes, I just realized how close I came to making Sasuke repeat his past. He would have lost me and our baby, how could I have been so stupid? I turned to Tsunade and she saw that I was crying. "Tsunade how close did I come to dying?" She bit her lip. "You came close Sakura, if Sasuke hadn't gotten you here when he did, we wouldn't be having this conversation." I saw that tears came to her eyes. "The bullet nearly tore you apart, one little centimeter more over and you would have died the second he shot you."

"Oh my god." I shook with fear.

I was on the borderline of death...

Tsunade left just as Sasuke entered the room again. I smiled slightly at him and just from the expression on his face I knew he figured out something was wrong. He walked over to me and sat down on my bedside as I grabbed his hand to hold it lightly.

"Sasuke we need to talk."

"What's going on?" He asked suspiciously. I took a slow inhale of breath before I looked him in the eye.

"You remember the night you left, and what we did?" I questioned. While blushing

"Of course I do, why wouldn't I?" he said with a smirk. "Well I'm going to be getting fat soon." He looked at me kind of confused. "Sakura I don't think sex makes you fa- Wait! You're?"

. "Sakura...are you?"

I nodded my head.

"You're pregnant?"

"Yeah," I let out a sob. "And...I realized how close I came to putting you through the same thing you went through with Suki." I felt my tears fall down my face. "I almost died, and almost took our baby with me." He listened closely to what I was saying. "I don't want to hurt you in that way Sasuke, I'm so sorry." I looked down. I was surprised when I felt his arms around me.

"Stop." He muttered. "Just stop." I don't know how I understood what he meant, but I did, he was asking me to stop apologizing for something that was out of my control, and from his words, I knew he wasn't angry with me. He was just concerned for me and I was grateful that I had him because there is no one else who could touch my heart the way he has.

So me and Sasuke agreed to tell everybody the news when we were altogether, so for the past hour we called Naruto and the other guys, Ino and the girl, our parents, and Itachi.

"So you know were going to have to choose Aunt and Uncles and God parent's right? I laughed as Sasuke groaned knowing Naruto will argue to be the number uncle or god parent.

About 20 minutes everybody arrived. After about another 20 minutes of cooing over me and making sure I was ok, Sasuke dad Fugaku cleared his throat getting everybody attention. "So what exactly did you guys call us here for?" Me and Sasuke looked at each other, he walked towards me and grabbed my hand.

"Guys." I called them and they all turned to me. "I know right now won't be a great time to drop this bombshell on all of you, but Sasuke and I have some news."

"What is it?" My mother asked me.

"Before she says anything, I want to apologize for that has happened." I squeezed Sasuke's hand as he spoke up. "I should have taken care of this gang thing a long time ago and I hate that all of you guys came so close to either getting seriously injured or even almost dying." He looked at me when he said that before turning back to the group in the room. "Deidara and Orochimaru's other gang members may be in custody now, but Orochimaru is still out there and I have no idea what he might do next, but I swear I'll put my life on the line to make sure you guys don't get hurt anymore."

"We don't blame you Sasuke, as far as I'm concerned, as long as we get this settled, things will be okay." Mikoto smiled as my parents and friends nodded in agreement. "So what is this news?" Mikoto asked suddenly, she seemed a little excited for some reason.

"Well..." I smiled nervously. "Um..." I hesitated. "I'm..."

Sasuke sighed. "She's pregnant."

My dad chuckled nervously. "You're kidding right?"

"No I'm not; Sakura is going to have our beautiful baby." Mikoto and my mother squealed suddenly and ran over to hug us, being mindful of our injuries. "Congratulations." They said in unison. My dad smiled and walked over to embrace me. "This will take some time to get used to, but congratulations anyway, I trust that Sasuke will protect and deal with mood swings."

"Don't worry daddy, you have nine months to prepare to be a grandfather." Fugaku shook Sasuke's hand before raising one arm to hug him which surprised even me, he didn't seem like the type that would show that kind of affection but he had and what also surprise me was that he hugged me also. Itachi on the other hand ruffled Sasuke's hair before Naruto grabbed him in a headlock which started an argument between the two of them.

I shook my head.

Everything was falling into place perfectly. But there was still one small thing.

Where was Orochimaru? And where and when would he strike next?