~CONTAINS SPOILERS~

Universe: Naruto Shippuden

Title: Falling With You

Pairings: Sasuke/Karin

Rating: PG-13 (for now)

Summary: During the fight between Sasuke & Danzo...the bridge collapses...plunging Sasuke and Karin into a fight for their lives.

Chapter 11 – Adrenaline

(Sasuke's POV)

"We need to leave."

As soon as the words left Karin's mouth, an ear-splitting bang rocked the ground which we stood upon. The house creaked and things fell from the walls. Floorboards cracked, windows shattered, dust and dirt choked us. My knees had given out from the force of the shaking. My still sore wounds were re-opening. I looked over to Karin to see that she too was on the ground. Her eyes were clenched shut…I had a hard time trying to figure if it was from fear or pain.

The shaking began to slow down…soon coming to a complete stop. The house was still standing, but for who knows how long.

Regaining my composure, I swiftly made my way over to Karin who looked unharmed except for a couple scratches.

"You alright?"

She nodded her response and I breathed a strong sigh of relief. Her eyes were suddenly glued to a spot across from where we were. The hairs on the back of my neck raised on end.

Katashi was covered in blood. Emi was staring at him with her eyes wide, her mouth open in a silent scream. The he fell hard to the floor. A large, solid, black pipe was sticking out of his back. A pool of crimson liquid began to soak the floorboards around him. Emi just sat there...not moving, not blinking.

I felt Karin move beside me. She moved into my vision as she raced towards the carnage. I felt anger bubble inside me. My knuckles had turned white as the adrenaline was pumping through my veins. On instinct, I myself followed Karin's footsteps over to the where Katashi and Emi were. When I reach my place by Karin's side, I truly see the damage that was done. I knew…there was nothing we could do for Katashi. He was gone.

Another loud bang startled us. Karin looked over her shoulders to me. Her eyes showed panic.

"Sasuke…grab Emi…the house is going to collapse!"

As if on cue, the house began to crumble. The ceiling started getting closer and closer to our heads.

Doing as Karin yelled, I grabbed Emi and threw her over my shoulders. The walls began to fall. Karin was in front of me. Her hand reached back to grasp my shirt. Then she began to guide us through the chaos. I never really realized how valuable she was to me…until this moment.

Suddenly…everything stopped. A bright white light blinded us…followed by a loud bang. I was thrown to the ground while Emi was still on my shoulders. Karin was detached from me and then all became dark.

Konoha

"HOKAGE-SAMA!"

Shizune burst through the tent flap disheveled and out of breath, Tonton in her hands looking quite dizzy.

"There…gasp*…has been…gasp*…an attack!" Shizune fought to catch her breath. Once stable…she began again. "About three hours ago, and massive explosion wiped out a small village in the Land of Iron. Kumo-Anbu is investigating…they seem to think Akatsuki is behind it."

The well-endowed Hokage stood with her back towards Shizune. She seemed to be pondering something. Her tall profile stood as still as a board.

"What do you expect me to do about it?"

This was not the answer Shizune was expecting.

"Things have changed Shizune…we are vulnerable right now. Do you expect me to put Konoha in danger by sending out teams to investigate the Akatsuki, when we need every goddamn shinbobi here!" Tsunade turned on a dime to face her distressed aid…her face in an unreadable grimace.

Shizune was speechless. Her head lowered to find something interesting near her feet. Tsunade ran her hands through her golden hair, a small sigh of frustration escaping her lips.

"Prepare Team Asuma for a briefing."

Shizune perked up instantly…as if new life was running through her veins.

"Yes Hokage-Sama!" In an instant…Shizune was out of the tent.

Tsunade collapsed into her chair. Her eyes glued to the ceiling. Thoughts of the past week race through her mind. News of Akastuki's attack at the summit, the capture of two terrorists who were apparently affiliated with Uchiha Sasuke, Danzo's defecting from Konoha. It was all too much for the woman who had just awakened from a coma not 2 days ago.

"I need a drink…"