Summary: Sasuke made Sakura a deal she simply couldn't refuse. In exchange he could promise her the safety of the Hidden Leaf but what would she have to give up in return? Is she willing to go as far as to help him complete the last of his goals?
~Fade Away~
Chapter 25 - Down
Is there something inside me,
that I dont see?
Is there something wrong here with,
the way I love?
- Down -
You cant hold me down,
'Cause when no one is around,
I wont be standing here,
just waiting for you -
to come back home again,
- Down -
You cant hold me down,
because I finally understand that what you did is not so bad,
in fact - its better for me.
*-Safetysuit-*
Sakura knew the answer the moment that her patient had mentioned it. She'd been blatantly not thinking about it, because now just wasn't the time.
He will bring with him a great sorrow and then a great happiness.
- isn't that what the old lady said?
Sakura wasn't yet sure how this could be a great happiness. Hell, they were entering a war for kami's sake! She barely threw the stick on the counter a glance. It gave exactly the answer she expected.
Sakura placed it back into the box before she threw it into the basket in the corner.
For a second she stood very still, staring at herself in the mirror and then with deliberate concentration she focussed chakra on her hand. It flickered once, and then it came alive with a green glow, although a bit weak. She placed it on her stomach and closed her eyes. There was a small heartbeat. One that wasn't hers. Sakura let out a staggering breath, but no tears came to her eyes. She would make this work.
x-x-x-x-
The next day she was resolved to tell Tsunade first thing. She would march up there and just...say it. She hoped her mentor would understand, there was really nothing more to do but understand it. Yes, she was sure Tsunade would be furious, most likely due to Sakura's own negligence, but there was really no helping it. Sakura accepted the situation and she would make the best of it...somehow.
That's what she kept repeating as she stepped into Tsunade's office.
''Sakura, is that the weekly report? Just set it down anywhere.'' she said waving over her desk.
Sakura nodded and set it down, preparing to speak when Tsunade began first. ''Im proud of you, you've pulled your act together so quickly. I didn't expect anything less.''
Sakura's mouth opened and closed several times and Tsunade laughed. ''You're always so modest.''
Sakura managed a smile. ''Thank you, shisou,'' Sakura took a deep breath, ready to do as she had intended, ''I am-'' pregnant...again. ''-going back to work.''
Tsunade waved her off and continued with her work.
x-x-x-x-
The following two weeks passed with Sakura feeling more and more like a coward for not getting it out in the open. She'd see Tsunade and flake out everytime. How could she? After her mentor, after being so let down, finally started feeling a little proud of her again, Sakura knew - in the back of her mind, that Tsunade would be more disappointed but as always she ignored the voice, even if she tried - and failed, many times.
Geez, why did this keep happening? Since when was she comfortable hiding things from her mentor? She hadn't even noticed it, no that would be a lie. Sasuke had brought this secretive streak in her, this distrustful urge...and a part of her was grateful that he'd awakened her. Made her see the real world, but mostly she wished she could just tell her sensei.
What would change if you told her? A thought so cynical that Sasuke may have stood next to her screaming it seemed so logical.
''Sakura!''
Sakura turned around to see Shizune walking to her speedily, her thick heels clicking thudily on the wooden floor. ''Shizu-''
''Come! Tsunade-sama needs you!''
Shizune grabbed Sakura's wrist and dragged her along, making up for the Hokage's office.
A group of Chuunin ran past them, followed closely by a few ANBU. This shouldn't have seemed weird, they were fighting a war, but to Sakura, something felt very wrong.
The stepped into Tsunade's office, only catching the last bit of her order.
''I want that parameter secure! NOW!''
The bowed ANBU gave a nod and then disappeared.
''Sakura!'' Tsunade approached her. ''I know I said that I wouldn't send you out but this is an emergency. Our medical camp was ambushed. We've won the fight, but they desperately need supplies.'' Tsunade nodded to a backpack that had various scrolls poking out.
''Please deliver that to D2-207.''
''Shisou I-''
A new squad of ANBU entered and Tsunade turned to them, barking out orders.
Sakura turned to Shizune - who wasn't there anymore.
... She was going to have to to this...go out into the war...
It would be fine. Tsunade said that they'd won the fight so most likely the enemies were laying low and planning their next move. It would hopefully give her enough time to get in - and out quickly.
Sakura grabbed the backpack and ran out of the door.
x-x-x-x-
The trip was a short one, sector D was only a few hours away and Sakura (having mostly gained her chakra control back) made it there in record time. She passed an ANBU guard who nodded in acknowledgement and she passed him. She dropped down into the clearing where med-nin where scurrying around trying to help wounded soldiers - and she came to a sudden stop. The ANBU she passed...the tattoo was not where it was supposed to be...not to mention it was the wrong arm!
The next step she took sent her flying back as an explosion went off. Her back hit a tree and spit flew from her mouth, she wasn't sure if the tree broke because of the explosion or her. Grogilly she pulled the backpack off and clutched it to her chest. Her legs were on numb and felt like they were on fire...luckily it was just the feeling and not the reality. She couldn't say the same for the tents around her.
Pain vibrated through her body as her eyes fell shut, somewhere between awake and unconsciousness she heard more explosions and slashes as kunai hit each other.
''Nakuri! Look!''
Sakura didn't dare open her eyes, not that she could even if she wanted to.
''Pink hair...hmm...could she be the one?''
''Lets take her back to camp and contact Madara-sama-''
''Are you insane? Take her there? We're fighting a war, we don't need this hassle. Just leave her here. She'll die eventually.''
''Yeah? And have Madara kill us for this later. No thanks.''
There was an exasperated sight. ''Whatever. She's your problem. We're running out of time. If you're taking her, do it. But lets just get the fuck out of here before we blow this motherfucking forest to hell.''
''Got it.'' Sakura felt her body being lifted, none too gently and thrown over a large man's shoulder. And then then she let go and drifted into darkness.
x-x-x-x-
No one paid any attention to the sun that was setting in the distance. The Konoha ANBU leapt through the trees, securing the area while those of the med-nin who were still able, tended to the wounded. The end result of the attack was...a bloody massacre. A major setback to Konoha's war effort and to the Fire Country's intimate survival.
The old camp lay in ruins, they had managed to put the last of the flames out only a few minutes ago. They had set up a few new tents, but if serious reinforcements did not make it soon, they would not survive the night.
''Hikori-sama! I have just received news from Hokage-sama!'' a girl, a Chuunin no older than 14 years ran up to the head of the camp, her face though, showed no hope - as her news had, instead she looked terrified.
''What is it Nana-san?''
''Hokage-sama sent word that Haruno Sakura would be bringing supplies. This letter was sent just after sunrise. Haruno-sama-''
''Would have arrived here during the battle.'' Hikori let this information sink in, and for a second he prayed silently. Too many things had gone wrong today. He hoped with everything he had that they had not lost a talent such as Sakura.
''I want this entire camp searched. Let the ANBU know. If Haruno Sakura is here, we will find her.''
Nana nodded and turned on her heel and left the tent, to her luck there was an ANBU perched in the tree not far from her, to her left.
''ANBU-sama!''
The mask turned to her and for some reason her body froze.
''A-ANBU-sama, Hikori-sama wanted me to inform you that Haruno Sakura has gone missing during the battle and we are to find her immediately.''
After a second the ANBU nodded and then disappeared.
x-x-x-x-
Sakura woke up with a start, but not visibly so. She knew better than to make a scene. She kept her breathing deep and even as she stretched out her senses to determine her surroundings. Beneath her was a soft grassy texture, straw probably, and a wooden, musty smell filled her nose. From another room she heard wooden floors creaking beneath someones weight. She was in a barn most likely, which was not too strange during war times. She took a chance sending a small surge of chakra, as it went through her stomach she felt the small heartbeat, just as strong as before.
The door slammed open and Sakura forced herself not to jump.
''Madara replied to the message.''
There was a sarcastic bark. ''That was quick. She must be special.''
''We are to keep this information contained. No one is allowed to see her. Especially Uchiha Sasuke.''
x-x-x-x-
The ANBU leapt through the trees, away from the camp, his feet hitting the trees with heavy thumps. He dropped onto the forest floor where two trees made an arch. With deliberate steps, he stepped through the arch, there was a shimmering and the scene changed. He was now in a cave. The news he had just gotten brought an excited smile to his face. He'd wanted to test this theory for a while, it actually gave him a shiver. And come on, he was known for 'rocking the boat' and 'stirring the pot'. He turned the corner. Sasuke and Juugo looked up as he entered.
''Why are you back so early, what happened?''
Suigetsu threw the ANBU mask aside.
''Konoha lost the fight. Severe losses.'' he reported.
''Were you discovered?'' the Uchiha demanded.
''No.'' but Suigetsu couldn't contain his smile.
Slowly, Sasuke frowned. He was sure the fucker was hiding something.
''What is it, Suigetsu?'' Juugo asked slowly, hoping the look on Suigetsu's face didn't bring on another fight. That was all Sasuke and Suigetsu had been doing these days.
''Konoha suffered more than one loss today,'' Suigetsu began.
''Get to the point.'' Sasuke said, already losing interest in Suigetsu's little game.
''Konoha sent one lone reinforcement.'' Sasuke mentally rolled his eyes. This would probably bring up Naruto's name.
''She obviously wasn't enough.'' before Suigetsu could take another breath his back hit a wall and Sasuke had a kunai to his throat.
''Say what you want to say, dont waste my time.'' Sasuke seethed, his eyes spinning red.
''She was most likely captured during the battle, either that or she's dead.'' the moment Suigetsu said 'dead' the kunai pierced his throat which exploded into water.
Sasuke took a deep breath.
''Leave. Now. I want to know exactly what happened to her.''
Juugo and Suigetsu both took off, neither having the nerve to argue with Sasuke in his current state.
When they were far enough away, Sasuke sat down heavily. Sakura had always been the same. Always ended up to be more trouble than she was worth. Well, that wasn't exactly true anymore, but she was trouble. Fuck, he'd hoped the Hokage would confine her to Konoha after Sakura's last stupid decision. No, he'd counted on it. Fuck, this was bad. He had no idea what Madara would do with her. Kami, this was really bad.
x-x-x-x-
Tsunade's office was silent, the sun had just lit up Konoha and the city was already alive as if nothing was wrong with the world outside the walls.
''Why am I only receiving this NOW?'' she thundered, throwing the scroll to the side.
''How long has she been missing?'' she demanded.
''About twenty hours, Hokage-sama.'' the ANBU reported.
A grim, dark look took over Tsunade's face and her eyes looked to where the scroll had been. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
''Shizune. Get me a meeting with the Raikage. Now.''
''Tsunade-sama, we can't do what you're planning...we can't-''
''Shizune. This is my call to make. Do it.''
Shizune frowned, a clear protest in her eyes, she suddenly hated her duty but nodded none the less, Tsunade was the Hokage and her leader. She had no other choice.
x-x-x-x-
It wasn't that Tsunade meant to immediately try to call Naruto back. It was the right thing, sending him away on that...mission. She had known what his reaction would be when he found out that he'd been kept in the dark about the events going on right now. She had to admit that she'd been feeling guilty. Naruto had become someone important in her life, she could admit that. He hadn't died on her. That's why she sent him away, to keep him alive and so Madara did not succeed.
Tsunade took a deep breath, trying to regret to meeting she was about to go to with the Raikage, trying to turn around, but she couldn't. It was time for Naruto to come home...because Konoha needed him and because...Sakura was the closest thing she had to a child...and now that she really could lose her. No. She would not even consider that. She would not lose anyone else.
x-x-x-x-
Sasuke stood up the second they returned. Juugo wasted no time in reporting while Suigetsu just rolled his eyes and took a sip of water. He would have preferred a bit of suspense...but...whatever.
''Shes in Oto.''
Sasuke's eyes narrowed into slits. ''What?''
''Apparently Madara sent out word that he was looking for a pink-haired Konoha Shinobi.''
''Why didn't I know about this?'' Sasuke demanded, frustration seeping through.
''He kept it very quiet. Purposefully keeping you in the dark.''
Sasuke growled, his fists shook with fury.
''They're holding her at B4. Madara has sent word that he is on his way and that no one is to see her...especially you.''
Sasuke spun around. ''Madara is busy with his attack plan on Suna. They're attacking tonight, aren't they?''
Juugo nodded.
''He won't leave there until they've gained half. We're closer to Oto anyway. Lets go.''
Sasuke passed Juugo but Juugo grabbed his shoulder. ''If you do this...Madara will see it as an outright act against him, are we cutting ties with Akatsuki?''
The room fell silent, even Suigetsu sat closer, eager to hear Sasuke's answer.
''Fuck...'' Sasuke cursed softly. His plan would be fucked if he pulled out now. Well...there was always that - work with Konoha to defeat Madara...nah, impossible. But as for right now, ''Yes. We're cutting ties with Akatsuki.''
Another heartbeat of silence followed and then Suigetsu's laugh filled the cave.
''Finally!''
Hiii!
Firstly, apologies time. So I got a job. 6 days a week 8-6. So I literally have no time for myself. On my off day Im working on my manga or catching up on anime, but today I said -enough- and finally went through this chapter, finishing it off etc.
Alot of important things happened in this chapter and will continue to happen in the next ones, that I can promise.
Im almost finished finishing the next one off so hopefully I can update soon. I promise to try.
Please review, theyre always motivating! :D
Zana-Lee
xoxo