The fight was not going as well as Kakashi had hoped. Kabuto was a difficult man to fight with, especially being so underhanded. Considering who was evaluating him, being underhanded was quite the attribute. Kakashi was a master of concealment and infiltration, but Kabuto was simply a dirty fighter.
From the corner of his eye, he could see Sakura hovering over Itachi, her hands were bare, but she didn't seem to be hesitating. He had no time to ponder the actions any further though, because then Kabuto was in his face again, that smug grin stretching his features.
Suigetsu seemed to be struggling with Orochimaru, however, Kakashi could see that he was still holding on. The fight probably wouldn't last much longer though. Neither of them were very powerful fighters, but clearly Suigetsu would be taking a heavy hit for the cause. Kakashi just held out hope for reinforcements.
Sakura felt sweat trickling down her neck from the healing. Tears slid silently down her face as she memorized the haunting image of Itachi's empty sockets and slowly beating heart.
She couldn't let Sasuke see his brother like this. She couldn't.
The heart monitor told her that if he didn't get actual treatment soon, it would be a lost cause. Sakura's eyes roamed around the lab, looking for something to slow the bleeding. The operation had been successful in the most foundational of terms. They never had any intention of allowing Itachi to live.
His eyes were all they wanted, and once they transplanted them into Sasuke, then Itachi's existence would be a mere thing of the past.
But she couldn't let that become a reality. Sakura continued to curse herself. She should've known Orochimaru had more accomplices. At first, she thought perhaps they were still in the midst of surgery, but it was merely a front.
They had brutally removed their prize and left the body to bleed away. Orochimaru had been smart enough to send the cargo off with others. Sakura chewed on her bottom lip, not wanting to consider how far away Itachi's eyes had travelled by now. Surely, they planned to take Sasuke to wherever those eyes were as well.
Shaking away the thoughts, she tried to focus more energy into the healing process. Itachi would not die here. That was all she could cling to. Even if she had to drag him out of here by sheer force of will, she would do it.
Sasuke didn't deserve anymore loss.
In the background, she could hear the clashing of bodies and grunts of pain – pain endured for a cause both personal and global. She had assisted in the creation of a weapon. Those eyes could change the feasible world and she would bear the responsibility for discovering, developing, and refining "immortality".
But the pressure of her reputation and dignity were nothing compared to the bitter guilt chewing away at her heart.
"Sakura! Watch out!"
She whipped around just in time to feel Kabuto's unforgiving knuckles connect with her face. His backhand surged through her, and she flew, crashing into the cart of surgical tools. Everything crashed to the ground in a heap.
Kakashi swore under his breath, engaging Kabuto once more before the medic could hurt his young comrade anymore. His eyes strayed over to the pink haired woman, watching her slowly struggle to breathe air back into her lungs.
"She's really got all of you wrapped around her little finger, huh?" Kabuto spat, blocking a powerful punch.
"Even if that is true, she is equally tied to all of us," he responded coolly, dodging a lethal scalpel. "Though I wonder, just where did a medic learn to kill?"
"A medic who cannot take a life shouldn't be preaching the ability to save a life," he retorted, smiling lightly.
Kakashi hardly found the logic in those words, though he saw the deep held belief in his opponent's crazed eyes. Although he himself had also weighed the legitimacy of judging who gets to live or die, he rarely considered a medic's moral compass which said all life must be cherished. Though Kabuto seemed to think the opposite. Having control of both life and death appeared to be the meaning of "medicine" for him.
"Sakura is a much better medic than you, and I assure you, she has never taken a life," Kakashi mused, sweeping a kick.
Kabuto dodged. "On the contrary, her research took Itachi's life. I think that's a significant death on her shoulders."
"You're a poisonous little thing," he remarked, landing a blow on the younger man's chest. Instead of sending him flying. Kakashi latched on, throwing him to the ground and pinning his shoulders. Grinding either knee into the crunching joints, the silver haired man glowered down at the writhing medic. "Where did they take Itachi's eyes?"
Kabuto failed to answer, gargled cries bursting from his mouth each time Kakashi pressed down on his slowly bending shoulders.
"I need an answer now."
Sakura was gripping the side of the operation table, trying to gather her wits. Warm blood trickled down her forehead from where she had connected harshly with the tray of tools. Wincing, she looked down at Itachi once more, deciding that all she could do now was wrap his eyes up to try and contain the exposure. Based on Kabuto's treatment, she could be assured that her usefulness had reached its limit.
"Little girl, you're in the way."
A shiver raced down her spine and she spun around to see Orochimaru approaching. Suigetsu's limp body laid on the floor across the room. Sakura spread her arms protectively, blocking the snake's view of Itachi. "You're not touching him."
"You speak as if he's still alive. A mere corpse must be disposed of quickly otherwise we risk contaminating the area," he hissed, sadistic grin lighting his face, "didn't Tsunade teach you that?"
"Don't talk about her," Sakura bit back, "you have no right to speak of her."
"You are also in no position to speak to me like this, child," Orochimaru murmured, displeasure clear on his features. "Will you remove yourself, or will I do it for you?" He took a step forward.
Before she could utter another word though, a cold hand touched her own. Sakura whirled around, seeing Itachi shifting up onto his elbows. Ashen lips pressed and parted silently before finally uttering a single, "Go."
"No!" she shouted, clasping his hand tightly. "You are Sasuke's brother, but you are also my cherished brother. You are Naruto's precious brother, and Kakashi's irreplaceable peer. You will not die here."
Itachi said nothing, but it surely had more to do with his incapacitated state rather than a resignation to her boldness.
Sakura glared back at Orochimaru who was clearly tired of their banter. "I'm done with these games." He hissed, coiling his fingers around the young girl's throat. Yanking her away from the operating table, she soon felt the press of his vile mouth against her ear. "Was I a kinder man, I would kill you now. But that would be too easy."
He threw her aside as a new fist came hurling toward him. Catching it with some effort, Orochimaru glowered at the blonde haired beacon of light, whose sky blue eyes were fierce and burning. "Don't you dare touch her!" Naruto snarled, allowing his momentum to carry him into a flying kick.
Orochimaru failed to dodge, bracing himself against the crack of a muscled leg against his jaw. Stumbling backwards, he caught himself against a countertop. In a split second, electricity shot up his spine, paralyzing him immediately. Slit eyes lifted up to see the flaming scarlet irises of the youngest Uchiha. A crackling Tazer was tightly gripped in his white-knuckled hand.
Immediately, Sasuke was turning his attention to Sakura who lay unconscious on the floor. Her hair was in disarray, bleeding forehead pulsing angrily. It seemed the last impact had finally knocked her out. He lifted her gently, biting back the fury boiling in his veins. At the very least, he was able to down the man who attacked her. Though he was hardly satisfied. From his periphery, he could see his unmoving elder brother, but didn't dare look at him directly.
How could he? Did he even have a right to lay eyes on a hero of that caliber? He was ashamed for his weakness, for Itachi's sacrifice, and so much more.
The only shameful failure he refused to let himself run from was the chill of Sakura's skin against his own, telling him he had been unable to keep his word once again. If he couldn't protect his precious people – or even just this one girl who loved him – what arrogance did he have to try and save someone as miraculous as Itachi?
Naruto was at their side in an instant, concern etched into his features. "How is she?"
"Alive," Sasuke grunted, disapproval unmasked. He brought her a bit closer, before turning to Naruto and offering her limp body. "I can't carry her properly right now."
Nodding silently, the blonde picked up their friend, his grip firm and steady. Turning around, his eyes narrowed. "Where are Kakashi and Kabuto?"
"They disappeared through there," Suigetsu croaked, pushing himself up to a sitting position and pointing toward another door at the opposite end of the room. He was clearly still out of sorts, but he seemed to be gaining a grip. "Fuck, Orochimaru got me good." He was sure a couple of ribs had been broken. Thankfully, he was pretty adept at dealing with pain.
Sasuke nodded, getting to his feet. "I'll follow them."
Naruto immediately shot him a steely glare. "No way in fucking hell. You aren't going anywhere. Kakashi can take care of himself."
"He came to save me and Itachi. I'm not going to leave him behind." The determination on his face spoke volumes.
Before the blonde could butt in again, Suigetsu was getting to his feet as well. "I'll come along too." Sasuke's distaste was immediate. The ex-experiment smirked, coming over to stand by the disgruntled Uchiha. "Calm down, Sauce-kun. I'm not here for you. Princess would be real upset if she found out you went solo and left her behind."
Despite the intent, the same thought crossed everyone's minds. Will he come back?
Sasuke averted his eyes from Naruto, instead turning to linger on the unconscious girl. Was it fate to keep them apart? Was this their story – their ending? His lips curled bitterly. Had his future always been so bleak? For a moment there, he thought perhaps things were aligning. Sakura…Itachi…
He could almost taste happiness.
"You're coming back, teme."
Dark eyes met the sky. Naruto glared at him, confidence embedded in sapphire. Sasuke smirked, disguising his thoughts with a nonchalant shrug. "I'll do what's necessary." Turning his back, he headed toward the door. "Let's go, Suigetsu."
The pair disappeared through the doorway.
In the meantime, Naruto glanced down to see Orochimaru paralyzed on the floor. Setting Sakura down for the moment, he cautiously approached the mad scientist, jumping back when spindly fingers twitched. His neck rolled back in stiff ticks, slit eyes and sharp features always cold and cruel.
"Why did you do this?" Naruto demanded.
A dark chuckle fell from his lips. "For man's greatest desire. That is why." Orochimaru sneered, still trying to gain strength in his arms.
"Immortality will give you happiness? Is that it?"
"Happiness is not my aim," he growled, "what innocent dreams you still hold. Knowledge. Power. Those are the only meaningful things."
Naruto ground his teeth. "You ruined their lives for this. You destroyed all that they had!" His mind flashed to the experiments still roaming around in labs within the base. "So many lives have suffered because of your ambitions. Does that mean nothing to you?"
"Morality is not universal, nor does it apply to all people." Orochimaru gazed at him blandly, unaffected by the emotional appeals. "The loss of a single life is incomparable to the immortal existence of a single life. Even if millions must die in order to attain immortality, then it is worth it. That one immortal will live enough for those millions who could not."
His fist was connecting with the man's face before he could control himself. Naruto shouted angrily, the words garbled as he took pleasure from the pain caused by each resounding blow. "You worthless piece of shit," Naruto raised his fist once more, but froze at the sound of drumming footsteps preceding the doors bursting open to reveal a police force. Paramedics came through the center, flanked by heavily armed officers.
Naruto slowly climbed off of the bruised and battered Orochimaru, ignoring the way blood trickled from the snake's nose and mouth. "Just in time," he greeted the reinforcements.
"Where is Kakashi?" the head officer demanded.
"He's chasing another assailant," Naruto reported. "Uchiha Sasuke, and another young man have gone after them. They went that way." He pointed toward the door his best friend disappeared through minutes ago. "Furthermore, Uchiha Itachi requires immediate emergency medical attention. Haruno Sakura has a possible concussion as well." Naruto indicated the two figures in the room. "Sasuke was heavily bandaged as well. It seems he sustained heavy wounds earlier at the hands of Orochimaru." He shot the snake a pointed glare which was equally ignored.
"Understood," the officer nodded curtly, getting on his communicator and repeating the information more succinctly.
In an instant, paramedics were wheeling Itachi into a different transport, taking note of his condition rapidly. The blonde felt some relief, but knew it would be short lived. Itachi was in bad shape, to say the very least.
Two men had been assigned to apprehending the scowling scientist. Naruto watched that procedure closely, not budging from his spot until it seemed safe. His eyes flitted over to where a medic was examining Sakura and dictating notes to an assistant.
What both officers charged with restraining Orochimaru failed to notice was a certain sleight-of-hand so smooth, it would've been missed by near anyone. It should have been obvious though, considering the desperation of the situation.
A harmless ending was not a designated ending, nor would the conflict be resolved without sacrifice.
"Shit!" Naruto lunged the moment he realized what was going on. His eyes were wide with knowledge, having known deep within him that things never panned out smoothly – especially when this snake was involved.
Orochimaru merely chuckled. "Foolish child. Can a mere electric shock do anything in this situation?" And then his thin, cold finger tapped the trigger.
Naruto felt rather than knew what was about to happen as the room shook. He dove toward Sakura, shielding her as the paramedics scrambled about, terrified of what was happening. Holding her tightly against, him, he gritted his teeth against the explosive bursts of concrete and tile. Lacerations tore through the entire base, destabilizing every surface and person.
"GET OUT NOW!" the officers shouted, guiding the paramedics handling Itachi toward the still intact hallway.
Naruto's eyes adjusted to the smoke and debris, scanning the room. Orochimaru had vanished. Lifting Sakura up, he searched for the nearest officer. "Please, take her outside!" he shouted over the sounds of ticking bombs preparing to explode.
"You're coming too!" the officer snapped, juggling the young girl as she was forced into his arms. "Civilians—"
"—my brother and teacher are still in there," Naruto cut in, turning away, "I'm not abandoning them." And then he was running off, not waiting for an answer.
The narrow hall was clearly an emergency escape. Marks of fighting were clearly painted in the scratches on the walls. Naruto sprinted as fast as he could, wondering how far they could've gone. Knowing the layout of the labyrinth, it could easily be miles long – he just hoped that wasn't the case.
Turning a corner, Naruto was dismayed to find yet another long corridor. It seemed the explosions were not yet affecting this area. He was thankful for that at least.
Corner after corner, turn after turn, and still it seemed like he was merely getting lost in the darkness. What felt like a year passed before he saw light. It was faint and probably an illusion, but it got his adrenaline pumping.
Pushing on, Naruto burst through the tunnel, emerging in—
"A cave?" he blurted, looking up at a looming waterfall. A pool of clear water shone through the darkness of the very real, very natural formation. He didn't have very long to awe at the sight as he heard sounds of fighting deeper into the cave.
Turning in a circle, he spotted a smaller tunnel, echoes of grunts and shouts coming from within. Bracing himself, Naruto entered the cave, only to be knocked down by Kakashi's flying body. Yelping at the force, he skidded back, managing to catch the older man.
"Naruto?" Kakashi blinked, surprised.
"Are you okay?" he quickly asked.
"Well, relatively," he responded wryly, nodding toward Jirobo. "Kabuto had his rather large friend lying in wait. I should've known such a rat would be the most troublesome of opponents." Kakashi steadied himself. "I'm more concerned about Sasuke and Suigetsu. They chased after Kabuto."
"Why are we always chasing that man?" Naruto sighed.
"He's a slippery one," Kakashi mused, stretching his muscles and warily eyeing his waiting opponent. "Anyway, as much as the idea grates on me, go after Sasuke. He's in no condition to beat Kabuto and get out of here alive."
Naruto nodded firmly. "I'm on it. But if you die here, I'm gonna curse your grave for years to come."
"Don't worry," he smiled behind his mask, "I've already devised a winning strategy."
He grinned at the confidence, squeezing his old mentor's shoulder in a way that meant more than it appeared. "Treat us all for ramen after we get out of here." Naruto watched Kakashi wave him off, and then they were going their separate ways once more.
Venturing past the opening in the tunnel, he was led into another natural corridor, eyes narrowing with concern as he followed a trail of blood. It was tracing a war path and he just hoped it wasn't Sasuke's life lighting the way.
As he reached the next opening, he had to shield himself against the rippling waves of an explosion. Cursing, Naruto pressed forward, coughing and straining to see what was going on. "Sasuke?!" he shouted, hoping that maybe his voice would reach someone.
"What are you doing here, idiot?" a strangled cry burst through the fog.
Wading through the dust, Naruto managed to find the center of the room, nearly running into a collapsed Sasuke. Suigetsu's silhouette leaned against one of the cave's walls, and the slight rise and fall of his chest was the only indicator of life. "I came after your sorry ass!" Naruto snapped, kneeling down. "Where's Kabuto?"
"Right here."
Naruto flung himself around, blocking a lethal scalpel with the quickly dulling knife he had robbed a guard of. "Were you trying to blow yourself up along with them?" he demanded.
"I was just opening up a path," Kabuto responded coolly, parrying each blow, "and welcoming some friends."
A vicious leg came ramming into the blonde's backside, sending him across the room. Naruto rolled to his knees, ignoring the shooting pain. Tayuya waved cutely at him. "Long time no see," she snickered.
As the dust finally cleared, Naruto zeroed in on Kidomaru and Sakon supporting their Orochimaru-sama. What caught his attention more than those old faces was their clothing. His bones chilled at the paramedic uniforms and Uchiha Itachi's body lying motionless on a gurney.
No… Naruto launched to his feet, but was quickly knocked back down by Tayuya.
"Sasuke-kun, you wouldn't leave your brother all alone, would you?" Orochimaru hissed, watching the horror stretch across the youngest Uchiha's features. "It would be in everyone's best interest for you to come quietly."
"Don't listen to him, teme!" Naruto cried. He writhed under the woman, shoving her off for only a second before Kabuto made himself know again. The violent surge of electricity froze his limbs and send him crashing down.
"Really quite the handy little tool, hmm?" Kabuto chuckled, twirling it lightly. "Perhaps I'll show Sasuke how to use it more effectively." He stepped over the paralyzed blonde, edging over to Orochimaru. "Tayuya, grab that unruly Suigetsu. Perhaps with some re-programming, he'll be a useful fighter. He shows promise."
"Agreed," Orochimaru murmured, "he held his own quite well."
Naruto watched helplessly as Suigetsu was slung over Tayuya's shoulder.
The silence did not ensue as Sasuke stood up, the back of his shirt soaked through with blood. The shake in his exhausted muscles was obvious, yet that damned stoic Uchiha façade remained in place. He looked emotionally drained, a dull ache of bitterness lighting maroon irises.
"Itachi wouldn't want you to go!" Naruto pleaded, cursing his body for refusing to move.
Sasuke's shoulders seemed to sag the slightest bit, the weight of words finding physical form. Tilting his head back, he eyed his oldest friend – his greatest friend – soberly. They were always best at communicating through fists, but even Naruto could understand the heavy choice that had been made.
His heart dropped.
"No, no, no, I swear to fucking god, you can't do this!" he cried, clawing at the dirt angrily. Tears pricked his eyes – a mixture of fury, frustration, and sadness.
"Usuratonkachi."
Naruto looked up, seeing Sasuke standing over him. That annoyingly cool smirk graced his pale features.
"Take care of Sakura."
And then he was turning his back on him. On them.
"You can't do this to her—"
The last explosion brought the roof down, closing the path his best friend was now on.
"—SASUKE!"
.END.