A/N: So here we are! Getting closer to the end of LITR. But don't worry – there's still a few chapters left – I'm thinking it might get to 30 chapters – maybe a couple more. I'm not sure yet because I don't know how much detail will be required for what I have planned for my characters but we will see. I hope you all are excited about the upcoming revelations! Even if you don't know what they are, I'm sure you'll like them. I hope lol. Either way, congrats and a huge thank you for making it this far in the story.

Chapter Start: 2/18/15

Chapter Finish: 2/27/15

Edit: 4/8/15

Previously:

She couldn't raise her head.

She couldn't make her fingertips jerk.

Her legs were lead on the floor.

Her breath fanned like a feather on the wall.

In only twenty minutes she would be dead. There was too much chakra loss. Her body would never be able to make enough in time for her to live.

But there was something Akemi didn't know about her. And that, Sakura knew, would save her life.

Chapter Twenty-five

Naruto groaned, his head pounding. His mouth was dry and his tongue thick, and his whole body shook. What had happened? He remembered Chisoku, discussing Takai's motive and running towards Sakura. After that, everything went blank. He lifted his right hand to move to his pounding temples, but a sharp rustle of a chain made him snap his gaze around.

He groaned again. "Bad move, bad move," he whispered. He opened his eyes, slowly moving his head around. Both of his hands were shackled to a device that cut off chakra, but he didn't feel the least bit affected. What was going on? He searched for the link.

Kyuubi? he asked.

The demon stirred, a rustling of his fur against the bars of the seal, but no answer seemed forthcoming. Kyuubi chuffed, and Naruto felt dread settle in his stomach.

Kyuubi? What is going on? Why aren't you answering me? How did we get here?

Still, the fox didn't answer. Naruto felt him turn his great head away from the bars, and panic gripped its icy hand around his chest.

KYUUBI!

One large, red eye turned to Naruto, and a growl rumbled deep in Kyuubi's chest. Must you have so many questions, Twerp?

You need to help me.

Soon, you won't need it.

Naruto threw up his hands. The hell is that supposed to mean?

Kyuubi blinked. You were always special, but you never realized that, did you?

Kyuubi… Naruto warned.

For once, the demon sounded tired when he sighed. He chuffed again, twitching all nine of his tails. I am tired. I am fading.

Naruto could tell that this was something Kyuubi had been planning to say, but definitely not this soon. And when the words left the demon's mouth, they were just as shocking as this whole conversation. It was supposed to happen.

For several moments, Naruto couldn't speak. What? No, it couldn't be. It couldn't…

Kyuubi's gaze was intense. The demon looked at his host for as long as possible, never taking his eyes off of Naruto's blue ones, and the blonde hesitated, his thoughts swirling in a confusing circle as he wondered what in the world Kyuubi would say. His red eyes were completely sincere as Naruto saw him open his mouth to rephrase his statement.

I was always meant to become a part of you.

Naruto looked around, confused. But I…

Your father was wise. Tricky, but wise. He had always meant for me to become a part of you…eventually. The seal is special. Every time you've used my chakra, that part of me has become a part of you. So now that you've used enough of me, breaking the seal is the final part to me joining you. They can't rip us apart or we'll die.

There wasn't anything for it. Naruto's knees buckled, and he sat on his butt, facing Kyuubi. Oh God… He thrust his hand through his hair. They were right. They were after me. After you.

Correct.

Tell me how it happened. Naruto swallowed. He needed time to digest all of this.

The one who ambushed us was smart. We were all tired. I barely recognized it. I don't have as much chakra as I did. I didn't notice it. He used poisoned darts. We were struck first. I pumped my chakra through us, trying to help, but it must have done…something. I could only keep you awake while everyone fell. Eventually, even I couldn't do that any longer. I don't know what they put in that dart.

Naruto clenched his fist. So they want me because they want you. They want to extract you. Like Gaara.

Yes. But that can't happen.

Why? Why could they do it to Gaara but not to me? Why am I the exception?

Kyuubi knew the reason for asking, but Naruto was grateful the demon didn't say anything of it. He did not have your father. Minato was cunning and genius. He created this seal. Do you know how much chakra of mine you have gathered over the years? Kyuubi looked almost resentful for a moment. Every time we talk together, we use chakra. Every time I give you eyes, there is chakra. In almost everything that involves my help, you are sucking my chakra out of me. Minato created it that way so that no one would be able to separate us, and I would truly die someday.

He was speechless. His father sounded…ruthless. Naruto knew it couldn't be completely true, but he'd never known his father. Kyuubi was going to die. It would be different if Naruto had never known him. But Kyuubi had become…a friend. Nothing made sense. Kyuubi, I… God, I don't know what to say.

The demon shrugged. I have mostly come to grips with it. Recently I have felt myself fading. I have so much chakra it will take time, but with all the chakra that machine is attempting to drain from us, it is pulling that much more chakra of mine into you. Your coils are used to my chakra. It won't hurt you if you only have my chakra running through you for a time.

What about others? Anything away from the morbid thoughts of his father.

My chakra is caustic. Your body has had seventeen years to grow accustomed to my chakra. It will kill others. Do you remember Sakura on that trip with Orochimaru?

Naruto rubbed his arm.

The silence was deafening.

Your father was not ruthless, Kyuubi whispered. He protected his people. I was angry. I was bent on destruction. I'm glad Minato stopped me. I will fade, but I won't die until you do.

So wait, Naruto murmured. What will happen to you? How will I know what to do? What's going to happen?

The demon smiled slightly. I'll still be there. I'll be the small voice in the back of your mind. My chakra, since it will be bound to yours, will keep me alive because I can't fully go away… I will when you die, but I won't quite be with you in the sense you're used to. If it is important, I will try to say something, but it will be hard. My mind will be a part of yours. You will have my memories, but they will be different – as if you had lived a past life. But you will be on your own. I don't regret being trapped inside you, boy. But I want you to live, to save Sakura… because she's your mate. I wasn't able to save mine, and I do not want you to live through the same pain I did.

Naruto never thought he would be sad that the demon was leaving, but he had gotten to know Kyuubi, to sympathize with the fox that had always helped to keep him alive when there had almost been no hope to survive. How will I know the voice is yours?

Kyuubi shrugged. I don't actually know. It might be my voice, but it might be in the form of a memory, or an idea that you would have no way of thinking, but because of my knowledge and my chakra, the answer was presented to you.

He gripped his hair. But it's like my dad meant to kill you…

Haven't you killed others?

Naruto swallowed, and he understood what the demon was saying. It was in defense.

But now you know the other side of things. It always changes everything, doesn't it? Never settle for one account, Naruto. You have a gift to change others. Use it to see two sides to every story, to sympathize with others because you won't always be able to empathize. I won't be here to give you chakra or make an impression. It'll be all you, now. You will have unlimited – and impressive control – of your chakra with the addition of mine. You must rely on yourself. I won't be able to help you anymore like I used to.

I don't like this Kyuubi. I don't want this to change. We finally started… We finally started to get along. We're understanding each other. We've helped each other…

You are Minato's son, are you not? You will know what to do.

Naruto slammed his fist against the wall, the rattling chains reminding him that there was still a him outside of this conversation with Kyuubi.

Why does everyone keep saying that? So what if I'm his son? I'm not as smart as him; I don't have his talent; I don't have his calm; I don't have anything of his!

Kyuubi rested his head on his paws and turned both eyes on Naruto. You look like him. You created new jutsu did you not? Rasenshuriken is deadly. Once we merge you will be able to use that without detrimental harm to yourself. You managed to get Hiraishin did you not? Do not sell yourself short, Naruto.

He looked at the blood red eyes, dimmed with sadness and resignation. Why are you on my side? Why are you calling me by my name?

Emiko, Kyuubi whispered. I think of her more often. You are like her in ways. It's why I hated you at first. You have many differences, but similarities as well, and I wasn't able to help her. So I'm going to help you. And Sakura. I must. Emiko would want it.

He gave Kyuubi a look, and the demon shrugged.

I want to help you for you, too, idiot.

Naruto smiled slightly. This is happening for real… isn't it, Kyuubi?

It is, Kyuubi sighed.

"Well, well."

Naruto jolted, wrenched from the scene with Kyuubi so suddenly he had to blink his bleary eyes. Pain lanced up his arm, and he realized he must have damaged something in the hand he'd slammed against the wall. It pulsed, but with a warning from Kyuubi, he tried to tamp down the demon's chakra. This person needed to think that his chakra was blocked.

His eyes focused, and everything in him plummeted. Dear Kami…

"Akane," he whispered.

Her laughter tinkled through the silent chamber, but the sound rattled inside his skull and grated against his ears. He sucked in a breath.

"Why?"

She huffed. "So much on the why. It can't ever be a mystery, can it? Besides, I told your teammate it all anyway. I'm bored with the story. I still wish Daichi had chosen correctly before I'd had to kill him, but he knew too much anyway."

He nearly gagged. The smell alone had been horrendous. And from Hinata and Kiba's expressions, it was ghastly. How could she talk about this with such alacrity? Naruto swallowed. There was only one other time he had ever seen this look in a person's eyes.

Cheeks had been hollow. His eyes had been dead. There was no sparkle in those eyes after Jiraiya died. Naruto remembered. It had been like looking at a black hole. There was nothing – absolutely nothing in his eyes.

Akane's eyes were a void of death. But where Jiraiya's soul had died inside of him, the darkness had borne something twisted and wicked inside her. It glinted in her blue irises, a madness that reveled in its malevolence.

This was someone with which to tread lightly.

"Akane…" Naruto started.

Her poisonous laugh rang like bells in his ears again. "Oh, dear. I suppose I must explain again. I didn't want to tell you, but I must. I cannot bear my weak and despicable sister's name anymore. I am Akemi, and I have bested you, Jinchuuriki. I will have your beast, and with him I will be unstoppable. I will be more powerful than anyone alive."

Evil shimmered once more. It made him shudder. He'd never seen anything as bad as this.

You're wrong. I recognize her. I recognize what's inside. It's what festered inside of me until it would no longer be contained. Until I unleashed decades of fury. You know what I say is true. You witnessed it.

But you changed. Naruto didn't take his eyes off of her. You loved Emiko. You…aren't like her at all.

I was.

His eyes roved the room as panic filled his chest. What the hell was he going to do? Even Kyuubi was admitting Akane – Akemi – whoever she was – was mad. Psychotic. You didn't get through to that. Sure, he'd gotten through to Kyuubi, but over years. He didn't have that. He had minutes, maybe a few hours if he was immensely lucky.

He would have to think through this. But he knew his time was up when he looked at Akemi again. And he saw his end in her ruthless eyes.

No. This wasn't fair. His whole body protested the certain death. He wasn't ready to die yet! He had only managed to kiss Sakura. He was going to marry her, dammit! Being Hokage was once more a palpable dream! He wanted it again! With Sakura he'd begun to want so much more than he had as a genin.

The clack reverberated through his skull as he felt his teeth slam together. He was going to fight this until he no longer had chakra – until he no longer had breath. A low, animal scream bounced around the room, and he belatedly realized the sound had come from him when he saw Akemi raise an eyebrow.

Something other than psychosis filled Akemi's face, and there was awe and yearning there. Naruto growled louder. She was not getting power. She was not!

The chains were yielding. His strength hadn't even begun to be tapped. Kyuubi's power roiled within his gut as if it were its own living fury. She would pay.

Yet the superior look on her face didn't go away. She merely flipped a switch, and he felt his strength falter. Kyuubi's chakra jumped inside of him, heating his limbs, and his strength returned.

Ah… She should not have done that, Kyuubi chuckled.

Naruto paused. The malice that dripped from Kyuubi's voice was pure venom. He was no longer sure of the demon that lived inside of him. What would happen if Kyuubi got a hold of him once their chakra was merged? The wrath that had set him on fire slowly iced to horror.

Kyuubi?

The demon chuckled darkly. By turning that machine up, she merely is making my chakra flow to you faster. She still believes we will be separated. We will not! I will die first.

Dread dropped like lead in Naruto's stomach.

You will receive everything from me, Twerp. Not only will you receive my chakra, but you will also receive my anger, my malevolence, my evil. You will see my memories and they will become a part of you. You will not be immune to it. Irrational anger will be yours for a while. But beware you do not follow in my footsteps. Control my anger and the demon you could become. But I beg of you, son of Minato, you unleash every bit of me to crush this ant that would dare come between my host and his life!

By the end, Kyuubi's roar filled Naruto's head and he wanted to cover his ears from the sound. The horror bled away, but fear still pricked at his chest. How could he have forgotten that Kyuubi was a demon? The nine-tailed fox was nowhere near tame.

There was so much Kyuubi had done for him. He was right – Akemi needed to be gone. He didn't want to kill, but he could feel the pleasure it would bring as Kyuubi's chakra wound throughout him more thoroughly.

I will, he said quietly.

Leave it to me, Kyuubi growled. I will take care of everything. But first, you need to disappear for a while.

The terror that suddenly gripped him spread through his body like wildfire. He fought the fog clouding his mind and his limbs.

No! No, Kyuubi! Don't do this, Kyuubi! Please!

I am helping you, Kyuubi said forcefully, but he didn't look at Naruto. His blood red eyes stared out from behind the bars, utterly focused on one last execution.

00000

She couldn't pass out yet. Everything was blurry and hurting, but she couldn't give up. She just needed to fall against her hands and she would be fine. Sakura groaned. Not one part of her body remained free of pain.

Fall right! Fall right! her Inner screamed.

A small prick of satisfaction spread in her chest when she felt her left hand next to her head. Her head exploded in agony when she tried to move her fingers. She could hear her tears plopping on the concrete, and despair crushed the small drop of satisfaction.

Move. Move you coward. Are you not used to pain? Did not Tsunade nearly kill you during training? You disgust me. Get up. MOVE! Or have you gotten so far in your training only to give up?

Her lips twitched. Always the motivator.

I'm not kidding. MOVE!

Then help me, you worthless voice! Sakura cried. If you want me to get up then you help me for once in our life or you are useless!

Her Inner growled, but she sent a sort of strength through Sakura's limbs. It tingled, sparked like being struck by lightning. Sakura tried to think about what it was, but her head was throbbing too hard. Yet she felt her lips stretching slowly into a smile. She always knew her Inner was something other than a voice.

Nails scraped the concrete. Her arm ached as if broken. Her fingertips trembled. But they made it to the back of her neck. She touched the bone at the base of her neck and began to whisper.

"Dragon of the flame, keeper of chakra, spread your wings and fly. Release that which is held captive in your image. Open your mouth and release what is mine."

Her skin tingled as she felt the dragon shiver to life. Then, it opened its mouth. The fire that spread down her spine and through her veins encompassed everything in its path. The pain she had felt before was nothing compared to this unbearable heat that was searing her from the inside out. She felt the dragon's breath as if it were a tangible flame.

So this is what it was to burn alive.

There was nothing except that all-consuming inferno. She couldn't feel her body shaking convulsively on the floor. She didn't hear the inhuman scream fill the empty room. It spread to her toes, wiping all thought from her mind.

Just bear it. Bear it! she cried, her face wet. And in her mind she felt her Inner put a comforting hand on her shoulder, and whisper in her ear.

How long it continued, Sakura didn't know. But finally, it was over. Now she noticed what she hadn't before – her whimpers, her tears, her aching body. And suddenly the hand on her shoulder was real.

Sakura made a sound in the back of her throat and tried to jerk away, but only managed to flop onto her back.

The pain of before was nothing compared to the terror that gripped her when she glanced Samanji's head over hers. This couldn't be happening. She'd had enough of this!

And still he leered. "You're coming with me."

The chains that snapped off her wrists brought her thoughts to greater clarity. Her chakra was still dangerously low, but that would explain why it was so painful when she had released the bit of chakra she had stored up in that dragon tattoo. But she had enough to live, maybe enough for a jutsu or two. It would be close, but she would need to bide her time.

The chakra coils within her veins sighed in relief at the flow of chakra. Yet it didn't get rid of the disgusting itch where Samanji's arm touched hers. She knew what he was going to do with her. There was no doubt about that, but it still made bile rise up in the back of her throat. There was no way she would let him get away with it.

He believed her incapacitated – without chakra. She had to keep up the façade. While her stomach roiled in protest, her mind flipped from option to option. What jutsu? When?

Nothing was clear. She would stop it before it got too far, but she would need to distance herself. Close herself off. A flutter of panic rose in her chest. Would she be able to do that? She had only ever kissed Naruto.

You have to, her Inner argued. I can help. I can bring you into my world, and I can separate you from it.

A shudder ran through Sakura's body.

No. I need to be there. I need to find something to incapacitate him before it goes too far. But he needs to be fooled. I think I know his weakness. I have to give it a try!

To say her Inner didn't like it was an understatement, but there was nothing else Sakura could do. She didn't think she had ever been so scared of anything before.

The scream that pierced through the walls in that moment jolted her tortured body into movement. She had never heard such an unearthly sound, and her heart stretched against its cage towards the noise.

"Naruto!" she cried, her voice scratchy.

Samanji's arms tightened around her like a vice, and his vicious growl echoed in her head. She bucked again, but the movement was weak and he was able to hold her easily.

"No! Naruto!" she tried to call louder. Her head cracked to the side, and only after the lights dissipated behind her eyes did she realized Samanji had just punched her in the face. If she hadn't already been contemplating his death, this would have had her raging Inner voice screaming in her mind for his demise.

She felt the cold floor underneath her clammy palms. There was but a moment where she tried to push up, but Samanji grabbed the back of her shirt and dragged her. She tried to protest again, but she knew her struggles were powerless. Besides, if she used her chakra for this, she wouldn't be able to hurt him long enough for her to escape.

Her Inner grinned. He will pay.

Yes. Sakura knew he would. Killing was not generally in her repertoire, but she would do what was necessary – just as she had with Sasori.

The pain that erupted over her scalp caused Sakura to cry out, all thoughts scattered. Samanji's thick hand had a hold of her short hair and was using it to haul her up on to what looked like a bed. When her hair didn't do the trick, he gripped her arm – hard.

The bed bounced underneath her weight. One look at Samanji's face and her limbs were no longer frozen. She scrambled back against the headboard, her heart pounding frantically. What was she thinking? There was no way she could separate herself from what was about to happen.

Naruto screamed again, and Sakura's attention whipped towards the wall next to her. The move cost her. Samanji jumped forward, pinning her wrists with his massive fists. Everything within her protested, but she forced herself to swallow her panic. She needed to maintain her wits. She needed to plot and to conserve what little chakra she had left.

Samanji's head came too close, and she couldn't control her head's movement away. He smelled, too, his breath rank and the stench of body odor pungent in her nostrils.

"Ah," he purred. "I was afraid you wouldn't recover. But it looks like Shuhan-sama didn't take away all of your chakra."

The sound of his voice felt like worms crawling on her skin.

"That's good. You can fight me like I've been dreaming."

A sob rose up from her throat. She couldn't help it. She would never let it get far enough, but at least she understood a little bit now of what those girls went through that came to the hospital in Konoha. They were helpless without chakra, but right now, she was not.

Think! her Inner yelled at her. Plan! You know what to do.

No, I don't! I can't think!

Can't you? I know you know the jutsu. You got it better, didn't you?

The outside world faded as Sakura's brain focused on her inner voice. You can't be talking about that jutsu. It's not perfected! I don't have enough chakra for it, anyway!

What's the other option: to not try? Will you accept that? I won't!

Sakura panted, squirming again when she suddenly remembered Samanji's hands on her arms. She imagined she could feel the grime on his hands wiggling over her skin like maggots. She had to do this quickly. Pouring as much strength as she could into her legs, she thrust up, using her knees first and twisting him off the bed.

The movement exerted her tired, aching body, but she forced it into submission. She needed to remember the feeling of her newest jutsu. She needed the exact formula flowing through her hands. She thrust them in front of her, but before she could finish the thought, ropes burst through the air and wound around her hands.

Scrambling back, Sakura cried out, kicking at Samanji again, but he was relentless.

Dammit! she screamed. With one final twist, he secured her wrists to the top of the headboard.

"Now you can't use hand signals," he growled. "You will submit to me."

But the first part of what he said resonated through her mind. He thought she'd used hand signals to do that?

Do you think I can do it?

Her Inner's eyes were like steel. If anyone can do it, you can. You have the control. Think. Do it.

She could do this. She could. Sakura closed her eyes.

Put him from your mind. Concentrate.

In her mind, things were easily visualized. She didn't have the use of her hands anymore, but the concept had to be the same. If it wasn't, she would die. But she needed to risk this.

Sakura let her chakra concentrate in the ball of her foot, to whir and mix in controlled swirls of energy. First, the scalpel. She sensed her chakra tighten, contract, and sharpen. Next, the sutures. Woven threads of chakra twisted next to the sharpened scalpel that continued into five more medical tools.

Sakura sank down into the bed, carefully controlling the chakra in her right foot. Her chakra hummed around it, swirling the droplets of cold sweat between her toes. She breathed in deeply.

Hold it.

Look! You need to look!

Green eyes opened quickly, and she was glad for her Inner's alert. Samanji sat straight between her legs, angry at her lack of fear and participating the way he wanted her to. He loomed over her, a dark shadow, and Sakura knew it was now or never. The anger on his face tightened, and he dove towards her.

Hold it, hold it, hold it! she screamed at herself. As quickly as she could she swung her right leg up.

Everything seemed to shift into slow motion. She saw the surprise flit into his eyes. He tried to move, but he wasn't going to be in time. Her leg thrust out and connected solidly with his chest.

Samanji froze, choking. Her chakra sizzled from her foot and embedded itself into Samanji's chest. Blood trickling out of the corner of his mouth was the first thing she noticed. Her heart was pounding and she was breathless, but she scooted back. His eyes rolled, and he collapsed in a heap on the bed.

For minutes Sakura stared, expecting him to get up. Her eyes moved from him only when the ropes fell from her wrists and disintegrated into dust on the bedspread. It was only then that she saw the blood leaking from under his chest.

With shaky hands she turned him over, and nearly vomited. She stared in horror, wanting to look away but unable to. Her jutsu had completely pulverized Samanji's heart. There was nothing left of the fist-sized organ. It had been destroyed so completely that it had broken his ribs and drilled a hole completely through his chest cavity.

Shit, that's awesome, her Inner murmured. We did it.

Sakura jolted. How the hell is that awesome?

Look. We made that. We came up with it. The same techniques that heal can be used to kill. Aren't you proud of your creation? We've always been smart. We did it, she repeated.

I can't believe it, Sakura murmured. How was it that the first time she really got it right was when she was shoving her chakra through her foot? For all intents and purposes, it shouldn't have been possible. But medical jutsu didn't need hand signs. So this, merely the reverse technique, should be the same.

The low, eerie growl that reverberated through the walls woke Sakura from her daze.

"Naruto," she whispered. Her brows collided. She might be exhausted and nearly chakra depleted, but she was going to save him.

"I'm coming."

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Wanna see art of Sakura's dragon tattoo? Check out my deviantart page here: themeefler . deviantart art/Sakura-Haruno-Dragon-Tattoo-535169293

IF YOU ARE CURIOUS WHEN I WILL BE UPDATING THIS STORY, PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT MY PROFILE FOR INFORMATION AND AN EXPLANATION.

A/N: So, what's your opinion, guys/girls? I think I finally got into a writing groove with this one and was able to start writing like I have been recently in my other projects. As for Sakura killing Samanji… I really wanted to write Sakura growing up, making better choices and getting smarter (although we all regress sometimes lol). I have been sorely disappointed in Naruto with characterizations, so in my story Sakura and even Hinata are on their way to becoming badassed like Katara and Toph in ATLA. Those girls rule.

Edit note: Half the time I was editing this, I totally forgot I was supposed to be editing lol. I was totally getting engrossed in this chapter. That hasn't happened in a while! I hope it happened for you guys, too.

In case you wanted to listen while you read, here's what I listened to while writing this chapter. Playlist:

Papa Roach's new album FEAR

Disturbed: Overburdened

Three Days Grace: I Am Machine

Pop Evil: Torn to Pieces and Beautiful

Sixx:A.M.: Stars

A big thanks to all my reviewers! You guys seriously make my day when I see you wrote something. So thanks aej1085, St3rfire, Winter Knight, Freakishlist, The Whirlwhind Jinchuriki, Chocobunny, LizardLover, DoughtnutBear and samaraipanda85.