Wazzup guys ^^?! Like that cliffhanger in the last chappy? Hope so. Here's the next chappy ^^.

"Speaking"

'Thoughts'

Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto the anime.

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"My energy ball was so strong it's impossible for Neji to stay alive." Sasuke explained.

"It's a miracle I guess." Sakura said.

"Oh I don't care." Tenten said as she stole a kiss from Neji. "I'm just happy Neji's alive."

"And I'm happy to know you're happy that I'm alive." Neji said and kissed Tenten's cheek. Suddenly, an explosion was heard around outside the hospital's window.

"What was that?!" Sakura said as she ran up to the window.

"That explosion, it looks like it came from the ruins." Sasuke said.

"You don't think Takana-sensei and Takeshi really is…." Sakura asked.

"I think they are. No one is able to escape if the only exit was sealed by Takana-sensei and Takeshi." Sasuke answered. "If they're…gone, then Chuichi should be as well. But I'm pretty sure Chuichi isn't the only Soul Reaper. There must be countless of them around the world with their shadow demons. We have to be more careful." Sasuke explained. Tenten let out as sad face.

"It's so sad. They have to die like that." Tenten said. Everyone turned to the door to see Mrs. Haruno enter the room.

"Sakura!" Mrs. Haruno called as she hugged Sakura worriedly. "Honey are you alright?"

"Yeah mom I'm fine." Sakura answered.

"Thank you Sasuke for protecting my daughter." Mrs. Haruno thanked.

"It's alright Mrs. Haruno. It is my duty to prevent danger to Sakura. I'll protect her until I die." Sasuke said. Sakura let out a sad look. Mrs. Haruno turned to Neji and Tenten.

"Neji and Tenten, they came with you didn't they?" Mrs. Haruno asked. Sasuke and Sakura nodded. "What happened to Neji?"

"He was blasted by my energy ball when a soul reaper deflected it to him." Sasuke answered.

"A soul reaper?! You two were fighting a soul reaper?! All of you could've been killed! A soul reaper and its demon are a very dangerous pair of opponents." Mrs. Haruno said.

"But the thing is Mrs. Haruno is that we killed its demon when it aimed to attack me days ago. You know, when Sasuke was…injured." Sakura said.

"My goodness but even without a demon, a soul reaper would still be very powerful. I'm amazed you were able to defeat it." Mrs. Haruno said.

"Well actually, Takana-sensei and Takeshi came with us too and defeated the soul reaper by…blowing the ruins we were in while the soul reaper and the two of them were still in there." Tenten informed. Mrs. Haruno widened her eyes.

"The explosion! Are you telling me Takana and her demon are…dead?" Mrs. Haruno asked. All of them slowly nodded. Mrs. Haruno put a palm on her chest. "Poor souls, I knew Takana and her demon were with you, but I didn't expect their fate to end so badly."

"Wait a minute. Did you just say you knew they were coming with us?" Sakura asked.

"Yes, Takana told me where you guys are going. She may have forgotten to mention Neji and Tenten though. She gave me this letter. I'm pretty sure it's for both you and Sasuke sweetie." Mrs. Haruno explained as she handed Sasuke and Sakura the letter.

Dear Sasuke and Sakura,

When we come to the ruins, I know there's a possibility some of us might not come back. So that's when Takeshi and I decided to sacrifice ourselves if that ever happens. I know you're probably wondering why we would make such a decision, but The Conquering is a very dangerous war. Not all summoners and sentinel demons will be powerful enough to win, but the power that existed countless years ago to win The Conquering has returned to both of your souls. And that power can help you win The Conquering. The power is said to be in every beings body, including mortals like humans. But somehow, that power grows strong with you and Sasuke. Value it and keep it safe. And if our paths ever cross again, just call me Takana. I may be your English teacher, but in life, you teach yourselves. I wish you good luck.

Sincerely,

Takana and Takeshi

"The Conquering, it sounds very dangerous. And the fact that it's a war, people can get hurt and killed. I don't even know how to win this war. I'm so confused." Sakura said.

"Don't worry Sakura, we are too. But we'll do this together. And let's just hope we can make it. But for now, let's just live our live and be prepared. We don't want to be caught off guard and we don't want to stress ourselves either." Mrs. Haruno explained.

*****

"Neji?" Tenten asked. The two were still in the hospital since the doctors want to make sure Neji was still safe. Tenten decided to stay with him.

"Yes Tenten?" Neji asked.

"Why did you take the hit for me? You could've been killed." Tenten asked. Neji kissed her on the forehead.

"Didn't I tell you on the night when we were under the stars on the hill? I'll protect you no matter what." Neji said.

"I know but I promised too. And I felt so weak when I saw you fall on the ground from saving me." Tenten said as she burst in to tears. Neji hugged her.

"You're not weak Tenten. You were just caught off guard that's all." Neji said. "You don't have to do anything for me Tenten. Just be happy to be with me and I'll be happy." Tenten snuggled to him.

"I am. More than you would ever know." Tenten said.

*****

"Sakura?" Sasuke asked at the girl next to him on the bed. The two were back in Sakura's house. It was already 2 am and Sakura was still wide awake with a scared expression on her face.

"Yes Sasuke?" Sakura asked.

"Why are you still awake? It's already 2:00 in the morning and you look scared. Is something wrong?" Sasuke asked.

"I-I'm just fine Sasuke." Sakura lied. There is something wrong. And she wasn't fine at all. Something is scaring her and Sasuke could tell.

"Sakura I know there is something wrong. You seemed to be afraid of something." Sasuke said. "Is it about The Conquering?" Sakura looked down. "Mrs. Haruno said we'll be fine in the war if we're not alone. We'll win the war Sakura, I promise you that."

"I'm not worried about winning the war Sasuke." Sakura said. "I'm worried about losing…"

"Losing what Sakura?" Sasuke asked. "If it's losing the war I already promised you--"

"I'm not worried about losing the war Sasuke." Sakura interrupted. "I'm worried about losing you."

"What do you mean by losing me Sakura?" Sasuke asked.

"The war hasn't even started yet we've already lost Takana and Takeshi, we almost lost Neji, and I almost lost you." Sakura said as tears streamed down her face. "On that day when the shadow demon tried to eat my soul, you almost died to save my life. I-I was so scared when I could feel your life energy drain. I was afraid that I would lose you already." Sasuke gave her a sad look. "I-I-I was so relieved and happy when Takana-sensei told me you would be fine, you would still be alive, you would still be with me. But I don't want to take that chance again. If that was one shadow demon, imagine how many shadow demons you would face in the war. I don't want to lose you Sasuke."

"Sakura you know it's my job to protect you. I have to die someday to protect you." Sasuke said. "And besides, if you die, I die too."

"But that's exactly what I don't want! I want to grow strong as well. So I can protect you too. I don't want to be weak Sasuke. I don't want you to die because of me." Sakura said. "Can't summoners have powers too?"

"They can, but rarely. I don't really know how summoners can have powers." Sasuke said.

"Then if I don't have powers and become strong, then I'll lose you." Sakura said worriedly. Sasuke wiped off her tears.

"No I won't Sakura. I'll promise you I'll always be with you." Sasuke said as he hugged Sakura and pulled her to his chest. "I promise." Sakura cuddled to his chest and finally fell asleep. Her last words made him smile.

"I promise too."

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