WOAH! Been so long! I am so sorry, but I was busy. Hehe. Anyway, I haven't forgotten this story. I know it's a little short & not much happens, but I'm really posting this so you know that I AM ALIVE
Sasuke couldn't find the strength to breathe. His chest was heaving as he finally got to his shaky legs. His head was pounding, the world was spinning and he felt his stomach churn in anguish. He steadied himself by placing a pale hand against the rocky wall. He felt Jugo get to his legs as well. Jugo was still partially under the effects of the sleep smoke. His eyes refused to focus on anything, but he could feel Sasuke's uneasiness beside him. He reached a large hand out to touch the younger male, suddenly hearing Sasuke empty the contents of his stomach. Sasuke felt even weaker after he threw up. He fell to his knees, placing both hands on the ground and let his head dangle.
He had failed to protect Itachi.
"Sasuke?" Jugo spoke softly.
Sasuke remained silent, as tears welled in his black eyes.
"Sasuke what happened? Who was that woman?" Jugo felt a bit more relax as his eyesight returned to normal.
Sasuke's hand formed a fist, and he slammed it into the ground. Then Suigetsu appeared in the doorway. He was still heavily under the influence of the sleep gas, and could barely hold himself up. He seemed panic and concerned when his glossy eyes fell on Sasuke. He couldn't force himself to focus, and cursed under his breath.
"Sasuke…" Suigetsu began, steading himself by grabbing hold of Jugo's strong arm. "Is… is everything okay? Were we attacked?" The question hung in the air.
Sasuke turned his sad eyes towards the white-haired male.
"What the hell were you doing out there!? I told you to keep a look out, and this happens!" Sasuke screamed, trying to get to his feet. The misery he felt kept him down and he emptied his stomach again.
Suigetsu looked panicked as he turned towards Jugo, who was almost completely rid of the sleep gas effects. The two older males stood awkwardly as they watched their leader crumble before them.
"What happened?" Jugo asked.
"Sakura… Sakura took Itachi!" Sasuke yelled once he finished and had wiped his mouth.
Suigetsu mentally cursed himself. He had to assume that the pink-haired woman was this Sakura. Suigetsu looked at Jugo who looked completely ashamed of himself. The older males watched in silence as Sasuke's cries became louder.
"We need to get the boy back." Jugo said to Suigetsu.
Suigetsu's eyes never left Sasuke as he nodded.
"I'll kill that bitch." Suigetsu said.
Sasuke tried to stop the tears, but the fell regardless. He could hear Jugo and Suigetsu speaking to each other softly, but their words were drowned out by the anger and sadness that was building in Sasuke's head and heart. He couldn't stand the idea that Itachi was going to be used again by the village. He wasn't going to let that happen, either. He finally silenced himself when he felt both Jugo and Suigetsu place their hands on his toned shoulders. He looked up at the two, and he knew he was going to get Sasuke back. No matter what.
Itachi couldn't help but feel sad for what had just transpired. He clung to Sakura, but couldn't help glancing back. Sasuke scared the child, but he felt almost as though he knew him. He was quiet as Sakura made her way towards the village.
Sakura on the other hand, was in a sort of daze. She kept frantically looking around. She knew she would have to move fast to escape Sasuke and those men with him. She glanced down at Itachi, who stared silently back at her.
"What happened?" Itachi finally asked.
Sakura almost snapped at the boy. For the moment she couldn't stand him. She averted her eyes and remained quiet.
"Sakura?"
Sakura huffed angrily, jostling Itachi a bit more roughly than necessary. The child instantly picked up on Sakura's short temper. He whimpered in sadness and confusion. All he wanted was to be home with his mother and father. He missed them so much. But, he had felt a sense of home being with Sasuke. Tears welled in his dark eyes, but she fought them off. He needed to be brave. He let out a sad whimper.
Sakura knew she was being harsh on the child. He was so young and had no idea what was going on. This wasn't his fault, so why did she want to blame him so badly? She knew it would be easier to say her plan failed because of the child than to admit that it was her fault. She wanted to speak to the child, to bring that innocent glow back to his sad eyes. But, she remained silent.
Sakura could no longer deny that she needed to stop. At least to tend to the child who had been silent for hours. Sakura suddenly stopped when she came upon a cave. It wasn't very deep, and hardly protected them from being seen, but she couldn't deny that she needed a break. Sakura placed the child on the rocky floor of the cave and stood awkwardly as the child immediately took his seat on his knees.
"I'm sorry for earlier." Sakura began, feeling even more awkward.
Itachi kept his head low, but nodded.
"I… I just want…" Sakura smiled bitterly to herself, tears flowing freely from her emerald eyes.
"Sasuke." Itachi said dryly, looking up at her.
Sakura rubbed her eyes, ignoring the child. She opened her pack and handed the child a rice ball she had save from the village they stayed in. Itachi took it and the two sat opposite each other. Sakura felt embarrassed and completely avoided looking at the child. She could hear the child finish the rice ball, and his stomach growl. He was still hungry, but that was all she had to give. Sakura drew her legs to her chest and sat for a while just thinking. She felt unconsciousness pull on her eye lids, begging them to close so she could sleep. She fought it off as best she could, but in the end sleep overcame her.
Naruto's heart was fluttering as the zeroed in on the cave. From where he and Kakashi were positioned, they could see Sakura leaning against the cave wall, and a small child sitting not too far from her. Naruto's fingers twitched. He wanted so desperately to run down and shake Sakura awake, beg her to come home. Kakashi sensed Naruto's anxiousness and placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder.
"Calm down." Was all Kakashi said.
Naruto nodded. The two advanced on the cave slowly. Kakashi could tell that Sakura was asleep. She was leaning against the cave wall, legs stretched out before her. Her hair fell messily over the flushed face and her arms lay beside her. The child on the other hand was sitting calmly within the cave. He was amusing himself by drawing in the dust. He suddenly turned to look at both Kakashi and Naruto. They froze. They were both hidden completely by the foliage, but Kakashi knew the child was looking right at them. Kakashi slid his hand in front of Naruto. He made a slight gesture and the two closed the distance between themselves and the cave. Within a moment, Kakashi had scooped the child into his arms and Naruto was bent over Sakura.
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto yelled, grabbing hold of her pale shoulders.
Sakura's eyes fluttered open and she gasped as Naruto came into focus. She struggled against him.
'Sakura-chan, please!"
"Let me go!" She yelled, throwing a punch at his head.
Naruto dodged it and fell to his side. Sakura scrambled to her feet, looking wildly around for Itachi. She felt the blood drain from her face when she saw Itachi in Kakashi's arms. Kakashi smirked through the mask.
"Game over, Sakura."
Sakura grimaced and let her head fall. Naruto stood next to Sakura, looking hurt.
"You have a lot of explaining to do." Kakashi said.
Itachi was supported by one of Kakashi's strong arms. He held onto his vest as he stared at Sakura. He felt so strange. He felt so confused. His eyes fell to Naruto. He knew he hadn't seen this man before, so why did it feel like he did? Naruto's blue eyes met Itachi's black ones and Itachi felt his head throb. He rubbed it slightly. He turned his gaze back to Kakashi. Yes, he knew Kakashi as one of Obito's teammates. But, this Kakashi was much older. Itachi's head throbbed again. Something was off-putting about these two. Itachi closed his eyes, suddenly feeling dizzy.
Kakashi glared at Sakura who remained silent before him. Naruto was staring at her was well, imploring for her to defend herself. To do something.
Sakura stared at her dusty boots. Her body and mind too tired to think of anything. She looked up at both Naruto and Kakashi. In Naruto's eyes she saw pain, and though she found his overbearing attention towards her annoying, that pained look in his eyes made her feel ill. She looked at Kakashi who looked utterly displeased. Sakura's gaze returned to her dusty boots. She noted her knees were trembling.
"I told you I would do anything to bring Sasuke home." Sakura whispered.
Suddenly, Sakura's body gave out. She had been awake for days, malnourished, dehydrated. She was a mess. He vision blurred and she felt the sweet caress of sleep as she fell to her trembling knees. She fell forward, only to be caught by Naruto. She felt Naruto turn her over so that she was facing up, and she could distantly hear him speaking to her. But, his words were muffled and she blacked out.