Hey there readers! Sorry for any mistakes. There are some minor spoils in this chapter. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, but I do own this fanfic.
Chapter 29: Discovery
Cerulean blue eyes stared at the white haired man laying on the hospital bed in a coma. The Kyuubi vessel felt helpless; he couldn't do anything to stop his best friend from leaving the village, he couldn't protect his teammate from being captured, and now he couldn't help his sannin mentor. He didn't understand why his life had to be difficult, he wanted to be just like everyone else and live a normal life like any other ninja in the village, but the fact that he had a demon sealed within him made it challenging. It was almost impossible though, for the idea of a normal life could only be lived in a dream.
He had friends before he started the academy, but he didn't fit it well with them; it was what he felt in his heart. He was an orphan while they had a family to go back to at the end of the day. Naruto would always watch in sadness as his friends' parents picked them up, leaving him behind and alone. The blond never had a real family to relate to; all he could do was image the feelings when he was out with certain people that he considered as family. Naruto's best friend was Sasuke and that was because they understood each other's feelings. In a short time the bond they shared turned into that of siblings and remained so even when they stood on different sides. Besides being the one that kept him in check during certain difficult times, Sakura was like a little sister that would rant at him if he never listened or paid attention. They were what started the foundation of the family he always dreamed of having and wanting.
After spending several hours sitting and staring at his coma instated mentor, Naruto couldn't stand it anymore. He couldn't' just sit around feeling sorry for himself and mope over what he couldn't do. He stood from his seat; bowed to his mentor, and then jumped out the window to the familiar training ground where everything had began.
Where the stories of team seven started….
—xXx—
As the blond legendary sannin returned to her office, she focused her chakra to sense if anyone was following her; the documents and the journal she had hidden between the pages of the large medical text book were important and may be the key to saving her precious daughter and the shinobi. Now that she had found what she had been looking for, certain mysteries may finally be solved now. Assumptions may finally be clarified, but open more questions to be solved.
Tsunade returned to her office, shutting the door behind her, locking it. After dropping the large medical book on her desk, she closed all the blinds, turned on the lights, and took her seat behind the large desk. The blond open the large medical book and took the journal and documents out to begin her research. The legendary sannin first looked at the documents to see what they were off. To her surprise, she found two genuine birth certificates, one with Sakura's name on it, the other with Sasuke's name. The Hokage was confused; why was there another birth certificate for Sasuke when the one in his files was an original one? It was already obvious that the one in Sakura's file was a fake. A birth certificate was the only logical evidence of Sasuke's true age, especially after she had seen the picture of Sakura with the two Uchiha brothers.
Gathering all the papers and the journal once again, she hid them between the pages of the large medical book, taking it with her as she left the office to her room. Something had to be wrong, the birth documentation wasn't a copy, it would have been stated if it was; there had to be a difference between the two if one was hidden away. Entering her room, Tsunade tossed the large medical book onto her desk and went to the bookshelf to get the files she had hidden away. She only took out three specific files then went to continue her investigation. The sannin had thought about calling Kakashi in to help her, but she knew whatever he found out could be used against him, stating he had stolen information. The safest thing to do was to find all the information she could and telling Kakashi some of the things she had come across.
She took the two birth certificates belonging to Sasuke and began the comparison. Everything between the two credentials was exactly the same, all the way down to the signatures, but then she finally spotted the small difference. The years stated on the two documents were different from each other, but it was only a year different. It didn't make any sense; Sasuke entered and graduated the academy the same during years as his two teammates, and therefore he had to be the same age as them, but the photo Kakashi had shown her said otherwise. The female Hokage carefully examined the paper that was in the file where the date was written. She spotted a faded ink underneath the one number and realized it has been tampered with; it was possible that Uchiha Sasuke was in fact a year older than his teammates.
Putting it aside for further examination by Kakashi, Tsunade took the birth certificates of Sakura's and began to compare. The only difference between the forged and authentic on was the name of her birth parents. It was unquestionable that the one hidden with the journal was original, but she was bewildered why the forged one contained different names. The surnames weren't different, but it didn't explain why the given names for her parents were different on the two documents. She had never heard about Sakura being adopted before and yet she had never met the young woman's parents either.
Tsunade placed the papers aside and began to look through the other credentials. She found a small stack of papers referring to Sakura's childhood that was missing in her files. She skimmed thought the papers and a specific phrase jumped out at her; arranged marriage. Trouble by the words, the legendary sannin began to read the document.
The Haruno clan suffered a terrible lost on the night the Kyuubi attacked the village. Most broken families in the clan deserted their life in Konoha and headed to the other counties to start a new life. Among those that did stay in the village were the head family and the two elders of the clan.
Sakura, the only child and daughter of the head family, was about three years old at the time and was the last generation of the Haruno Clan. The two clan elders knew the clan was going to die out and believed Sakura needed to wed into a prodigious clan. They sent out letters to the head and elders of each clan dubbed worthy, but most ignored the idea. As soon as the letter was sent out, the elders of the Uchiha Clan requested to see the girl and questioned the Haruno elders. Not long after, it was agreed that Sakura would wed into the clan when she was of proper age. The arranged marriage was between Haruno Sakura and the clan's youngest son, Uchiha Sasuke who was a part of the head family. Though they were only a year apart in age, their first meeting was enough proof the two would get together well.
The head Uchiha family welcomed Sakura into their home and treated her as a part of the family. About two and a half years after, things took and unpleasant turn. While Haruno Sakura was over at the head Uchiha house for the night, the head family and the elders of the Haruno clan were murdered. Those that had stayed behind before quickly fled the village in fear that they were going to be killed and changed their surname. An investigation led by Uchiha Fugaku, had the support of the Sandaime, suspected the village elders, but before anything could be proven, the investigation was suddenly called off by none other than the village council. The council proposed that Sakura's memories should be erased and replaced with false memories. She would live a different life and the arranged marriage would be called off.
The Uchiha Clan absolutely disagreed, knowing the village elders were behind the council's decisions. The Sandaime did all he could to convince the council that the proposal wasn't necessary, but the Sandaime wasn't in favor. Soon after, Sakura's memories of her clan, parents, and the Uchiha Clan were erased. She was put under the care of two villages that changed their surnames to Haruno to have her believe those were her real parents. The only other person that also underwent having their memories erased was Uchiha Sasuke; his memories of Haruno Sakura were removed.
Their memories of each other would never be unlocked unless someone entered their subconscious.
Tsunade couldn't believe what she had just read; Sakura had been living a lie most of her life. The young pink haired woman had a heart of an orphan. She placed the papers away in Sakura's file and skimmed the few lose papers left to see whose file they were suppose to go into. When she stumbled across the phrase mentioning memories being erased, she just had to find out who the paper was referring to.
Though at a young age, Uchiha Sasuke was arranged by the clan elders to marry Haruno Sakura when she reached the proper age for marriage. The Uchiha elders wouldn't let any outsiders marry into the clan unless they were worthy and the being the last of her family generation, the Uchiha elders didn't turn down the offer placed by the Haruno clan.
Once a year had gone by, the relation the two had gone by well and the Uchiha elders proposed to have Sakura marry into the clan at the age of either sixteen or seventeen. The elders of the other clan didn't disagree and things have gone well between the two families. After a series of dreadful events, the village elders and council had to force the cancelation of the arranged marriage and erase the memories he had of Haruno Sakura. Her own memories, including that of Sasuke were also erased.
Whether or not his memories of the girl will be restored when he is older is unknown.
The Hokage sighed; she couldn't believe what she had just read. To think the elders were behind many of the problems. The Sandaime must have taken the reports and hidden them for a reason. It wasn't possible for the Sandaime to have known before hand about what would happen to the two ninjas. Even though the man did believe in monks' predictions, it wasn't possible for something so far down in the future to be foreseen.
Though the documents she had just read were legitimate, Tsunade was baffled. Her chocolate brown eyes landed on the journal that sat in front of her; the log was all she had left to find out more about the unexpected. She turned her gaze at the remaining papers in front of her and assumed that there had to be more answers written down on the loose papers. Realizing that the hand writing belong to her mentor the Sandaime, the Hokage believed she was on the right path on finding out the truth.
When the Kyuubi first attacked the village of Konoha, three of the leaders, Koharu, Homura, and Danzou, suspected that an Uchiha was behind the incident. Whether or not it is true, there is no evidence to prove it. Recently before the attack had occurred, my advisors were dubbed the elders of Konoha. Due to their suspicion, they thought the Uchiha clan might be plotting a rebellion. The elders and Danzou had the clan closely guarded by the ANBU Black Ops when the clan was forced to live in a corner of the village. Soon after problems began to arise and the false assumptions became reality; the Uchiha clan was planning to take over the village. In order to gather information on what the elders and Danzou were doing, the Uchiha clan planted a spy, only to have it back fired.
Ever since the elders began to step into the business of the Uchiha clan, hatred brewed between the elders and the clan. Uchiha Fugaku was the ringleader and placed his oldest son Itachi as the spy for the clan. Unfortunately for the clan, Uchiha Itachi turned on his family in order to save both sides from destruction. As the Sandaime, I had been working on a truce with the Uchiha and when it was close to being compliant on both sides, the elders took things into their own hands. Danzou handed Itachi a secret mission and that mission was to annihilate the entire Uchiha clan.
When Itachi came to me informing that the mission had been completed, I was furious; I didn't expect the elders to use excessive measures. I was going to take matters into my own hand and get things cleared up, but Itachi pleaded with me to protect his younger brother, Uchiha Sasuke, from the elders and Danzou and to keep what had really happen a secret. I promised him, but told Itachi that when he died, the truth will be told to his younger brother for he had the right to know. I just hope when the time does come the elders will be stripped of their title. He didn't argue and agreed to my terms. Before Itachi left, there was one thing he said to me that I didn't quite understand; he told me to make sure Uchiha Sasuke remained a part of Konoha no matter what would happen.
Tsunade just stared at the papers in front of her, a sadden expression on her face. So many lies, so many secret, and they all connected together. What happened to Sasuke and Sakura when they were young were caused by the elders; the massacre of a great clan was caused by the elders, they marked Itachi a criminal just because of a mission they forced upon him. Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu assumed they were doing something good, but it only ended up fueling the hatred the Uchiha clan already had for the elders and Danzou. It extremely troubled her to know something this influential that could change Konoha or worse, throw the entire village into chaos. Now she was keeping a secret from the three young sannins when it was a burden just to keep the secret of Naruto's parents from him.
—xXx—
Naruto stood in front of the three stumps by the river, the very spot where things had begun, where the members of the original team seven first become known as team seven. The memories of when they were young came flooding into his mind. They were instructed by Kakashi not to eat breakfast and ended up with little energy. The first time they ever really bonded and became a family just because they screwed up the first time on Kakashi's test. Those cerulean blue eyes stared at the stump in the middle as memories flooded into his mind.
The blond walked over to the stump and couldn't help shake his hand. He saw his younger self tied to the stump as Sasuke and Sakura sat on the grass with a bento box Kakashi had prepared. A small smile formed on his lips; his two teammates offered some of the food in their bento box when they were ordered not to. That was the very first time he had bonded with them, it was when team seven became a family.
"Naruto-kun…" a lowly shy voice spoke.
The male turned his head to see the flushed faced Hyuuga heiress.
"Gomen Naruto-kun," the Hyuuga heiress said with a light blush on her cheeks as she fidgeted with her fingers. "I d-didn't mean to b-bother you."
"It's alright Hinata-chan," the Kyuubi vessel said turning his gaze back at what he had been staring at.
Her snow white orbs stared at the blond and noticed his troubled expression on his face. Ever since the three teams began their little investigation on team seven, the kunoichi couldn't help feel bad about what she was doing. She had a crush on the blond for so long, but never gathered the courage to confront the male about her feelings.
"Eh Naruto-kun," the young woman said, trying to hold back from mumbling too much like she usually would. "Is there something bothering you?"
"Iie," the male replied.
The young woman didn't believe him and wanted to help. "If there is something you want to talk about, I'm here to listen."
The sun was slowly beginning to set, making the sky a fiery orange. The blond didn't say anything and just stared up at the sky. A frown made its way across Hinata's lips; she felt sorrowful for not being able to help him and wanted to leave to blond alone. She was about to take a step, but Naruto began to speak.
"I wish they were back in Konoha…" he said in a low voice. "I want things to be how it was when we were genins."
"But it's not possible," the young woman said shyly, unsure of how the sannin would react.
"It's all because of that snake!" Naruto yelled out, startling the kunoichi. "If he hadn't taken Sasuke-teme in the first place and then kidnapped Sakura-chan, they would be here!" The blond clenched his fist tightly. "They're not criminals, they're ninjas of Konoha and I will do everything I can to save them."
"Gomen Naruto-kun," the kunoichi quickly said. "That's not what I meant. We've all grown up and matured, becoming better ninjas, therefore it's impossible for any of us to change back to the way we were in the p-past."
"Nothing is impossible! Rules are meant to be broken once and I will do so."
"We're s-suppose to follow the r-rules," the heiress muttered shyly, trying to argue the male's point. "No one can bend the rules."
"I will bend it! I will make sure nothing happens to them as long as I'm here!"
The lavender haired woman couldn't stand watching the young man in front of her suffer so much. As shy as she was, Hinata walked up behind Naruto and wrapped her arms around the male, hugging him from behind. She knew very well Naruto was hurting, not just mentally, but physically as well. His slightly trembling body stopped and relaxed; just being hugged by Hinata made him feel slightly better, but the pain deep within him was still there.
The Kyuubi vessel clenches his fist tightly, what Hinata said was right, that was exactly what they learned when they were in the academy; as a ninja of a village, one must follow all the rules or end facing the consequences. When he became a part of team seven, following the rules at all times wasn't the case anymore. The very words Kakashi said to them had sunk into his mind and he would never forget as long as he was a ninja; it was a part of his ninja way.
He unclenched his fist and relaxed himself. "A ninja must see underneath the underneath," Naruto whispered. "Those who break the rules and codes of the ninja world are trash, but people who don't take care of their comrades are worse than trash."
Hinata continued to hold the male in her arms; the last time she heard those words was when they were returning to Konoha on a fail mission; the mission meant to capture Sasuke and Sakura. She knew those words meant a lot to the blond; it's a part of Naruto's belief for living his life as a ninja. When she first heard it, she didn't understand why the sannin would say such a thing; the blond admitted he would break the rules to help two criminals, to help his two teammates, to help his family. Hearing it a second time, she finally understood what the words meant now, the true meaning of being a ninja. The lavender haired woman finally realized why she was fond of the blond; it was because of his everlasting determination in life.
Hinata released the blond and stood at his side. "I believe Sasuke-san and Sakura-san will return," the young woman said turning her gaze up to the sky. Her hands were behind her back, her facial expression showing confidence. "They will come back home. We just have to believe in them."
"Yah," the blond said.
—xXx—
The chocolate eyes of the Hokage were in a daze as she headed to the hospital. She took the elevator up to the top floor and saw Genma and Yamato playing a game of Shougi and Anko heading toward the elevator.
"Where is Kakashi?" the blond legendary sannin asked.
"He went to look for Naruto," Anko answered. "I need to head down to get the contraceptive shot."
"I'll give it to you," the Hokage said.
The purple haired special jounin entered the elevator and rode it down to the second floor. When the elevator doors opened, Anko followed the Hokage to an empty room to get the needed contraceptive shot. The sannin opened the small cabinet at the corner of the room and took out a clean sterilized syringe and a small bottle with clear liquid in it. All the kunoichis in the village had to get the shot and can refuse to get it whenever they wanted to if they had a reasonable reason. It was a yearly thing for all kunoichis, especially for those that went on missions that involved seducing the target.
"I've kept watched over the three teams," Anko said as she removed her left arm from the jacket sleeve. She took a seat on the bed and waited. "There isn't any new activity going on now."
Tsunade nodded as she stuck the needle in the bottle and drew out a certain amount of the liquid. After doing so, the woman placed the bottle back where it first was. The Hokage took out a sterile wipe and cleaned a certain spot on her upper arm before puncturing her sink with the needle to inject the liquid. When all the liquid in the syringe was gone the blond removed the needle and placed a cotton ball over the injection sight.
"Just apply some pressure onto it and it will soon stop blood from flowing out."
Anko took hold of the cotton ball and did as instructed. "I'll be heading out to check on the rookies to see what they're up to."
"If there's anything suspicious, inform me right away," Tsunade said after tossing the used needle and syringe into the disposable bind. "Beware of your surroundings; the elders may have placed Root members to tail you."
"Hai Tsunade-sama."
The purple haired jounin tossed the cotton ball into the trash, inserted her arm back into her jacket sleeve, bowed to the Hokage, and then left the room. Tsunade turned to wash her hands at the sink and spotted a chart with a list of names of kunoichis that needed to get the vaccination. Her chocolate brown orbs scanned the chart as she washed her hands. As she dried her hands, she spotted Sakura's name among those that needed the vaccination. She was supposed to get it when she returned back from the mission, but unfortunately Orochimaru had captured her.
After seeing the name of her apprentice there, Tsunade knew to expect a possible pregnant Sakura coming back; that is if they do return. Knowing Sasuke wanted to rebuild his clan and Sakura would want to have some happy memories, it was inevitable. The painful feeling of losing Sakura along with an unborn child would greatly affect Tsunade; it would be another heartrending event engraved in her heart. Tsunade walked out of the room and headed toward the elevator to return back up to check on Jiraiya. The Hokage's mind wondered to the pink haired kunoichi; she had a feeling the young woman was pregnant and feared for her future. She had watched Sakura grow from a genin with limited abilities into the strong woman she was now. Just thinking of Sakura's life coming to an early end really hurt Tsunade. After being around for so long, she saw things differently than before. When she reached the doors of her teammate's room, she entered quietly and sat in the empty chair Naruto was in earlier.
"You would never believe what the village had turned into after Minato's death…" Tsunade said to the coma instated man, holding onto his left hand. "We probably shouldn't have left Konoha like we did all those years ago." Tears began to gather in her eyes. "I left because of my past memories while you went to chase after Orochimaru; the three of us were complete idiots. Konoha wouldn't have been like this if it wasn't for our absent."
It was late in the evening and Sakura was already asleep in the arms of her lover, tired from their previous activities. Her steady heart beat assured Sasuke she was alright. The onyx orbs of the male stared at the beauty knowing that within her was a growing life he had helped create and always wanted. He ran his hand over her smooth flat belly, his mind completely unsure of what to do.
He didn't want to abandon his ravage for his own selfish desires nor did he want to risk the life of the person that meant everything to him. Leaving the cherry blossom was an option he had, but he knew the pink haired woman well enough to know that if he headed out on his own she would eventually chase after him. Sakura's stubbornness and love for him was what held her together. Taking her with him only increased the changes of her being a target and he wasn't going to lose the only person he cherished. Uchiha Sakura was the only woman he would ever love, even after death.
Sasuke held his sannin wife closer; his only option was to let faith take its course.
Hinata had left when the sun had almost completely set, leaving the young blond sannin alone on the training ground.
"What do you say to a meal at Ichiraku's? My treat," Kakashi said. The sliver haired man was leaning against the other side of the very log Naruto was leaning against. "We haven't been there for a while."
The blond stood up and faced his sensei with a grin on his face. "Three bowls each. Both of us will eat one for Sasuke and one for Sakura."
"Now, now Naruto," Kakashi said lowering the book he was reading. "You know I can't eat that much."
The grin on the still genin ranked ninja grew wider. "Then I will eat it!" the blond yelled out. The young man turned to head toward the ramen stand. "Come on Kakashi-sensei, I'm starving!"
The white haired man only sighed, but his visible eye show content. "It's good to see you back to normal Naruto," Kakashi said to himself as he walked.
—xXx—
Tsunade had spent the rest of the day telling the coma instated man what she had learned. It was difficult to keep those secrets all in and voicing it out to the white haired man made her feel better. It didn't matter to her that teammate couldn't hear her; voicing out her worries was good enough. She didn't have anyone else to turn to and venting her mixed emotions out all she needed. Memories when she first became a ninja in a team with Jiraiya flooded her mind; those good old days were all she had and would slowly diminish as time pass.
"Get back on your feet soon Jiraiya," she said before leaving the room.
Sasuke couldn't sleep one bit no matter now how long he laid in bed. He slowly slipped out of the bed, not waking the cherry blossom that was in deep slumber. The male sannin went into the bathroom, grabbed his boxers, and dressed in the clothes he had worn in the day. Sasuke covered the young woman with the large comforter and headed out the room. Sasuke entered the kitchen and began to make a simple meal. When he was done, the sannin was leaving the kitchen when a voice stopped him.
"When do you plan on leaving Sasuke?" the elder asked.
He gripped the tray in his hand tightly. He had originally planned for them to leave in four days, but now the sannin didn't know. If he was going off on his own, he would reached the supposed area and face Itachi. Now that he had learned of Sakura's pregnancy, he wasn't going to risk the life of their growing child and his wife.
"Tomorrow or the day after," Sasuke answered.
"I shall see you out personally then," the elder said.
"There is no need to," Sasuke said. "You've done more than enough for my family. I don't wish to burden you anymore."
The elder cat nodded, even though the male couldn't see. "Just know you and Sakura-san are always welcome back here if anything happens."
"Aa…"
Sasuke walked the halls back to the room and entered seeing the pink haired sitting up, rubbing her sleepy eyes. Emerald orbs turn toward him and the young woman blushed. Sakura took the thin covers and wrapped it around her figure, covering herself. The male sannin headed over to the bed and placed the tray of food on bed between the two of them. The kunoichi studied her raven haired husband carefully; she found it odd that his face was written with no emotion, but his eyes showed worry. He picked up one of the onigiri he had made and held it out to his wife. Sakura smiled sweetly at the man and took the food he had made.
"Ne Sasuke-kun," she said lowly.
"I'm going to leave tomorrow…" he said bluntly, his back turned to her. "You're going to stay behind."
Sakura placed the onigiri in her hand back down and got off the bed, wrapped in the bed sheet. She faced him with an angry face, disliking that he made a decision without her consult. He looked at her emotionlessly, confidence written all over him. She was a child being ordered around by man that didn't know enough about her; she was inferior because she was a woman.
"We're not going to stay behind and wait for you Sasuke!" she yelled out, speaking out not just for herself, but also for life that grew within her. "I don't want to be given bad news about you! I don't want to become a single mother and raise our child on my own! I want our baby to have a father to look up to!" The man didn't move or speak a word and continued to stare down at Sakura. Unable to contain her built up anger, the female sannin grabbed the front of Sasuke's haori. "Why won't you say anything? You have no right to make that decision! I'm capable of defending myself; I don't need you to protect me all the time!"
"This battle has nothing to do with you," Sasuke said, grabbed hold of her wrist. "You will be in my way and I can't have that. I've been waiting for the day I would kill Itachi to get the revenge I had chased after for years."
Sakura clenched his haori tighter. "Ever since you left the village, I've always waited. I waited for you to get your revenge and come back home to team seven, to me!" Tears were beginning to gather in the emerald orbs. "Do you know how much pain you caused me when you left that night?"
"You gave me no other choice Sakura."
"You ignored those choices!" she yelled at him. "You completely ignored all the given choices! I'm not giving you the opportunity to do it again! I don't want you to leave me! You said you wouldn't leave me!"
"You still don't understand," he said, his anger slowly beginning to rise. "After all this time you're still naive."
"Then why did you promise me?"
"Promises are meant to be broken eventually," he answered, annoyed.
"Did you forget who I am Sasuke-kun?" she asked, frustrated and sadden. "I'm not the weak twelve year old girl you left out cold on the bench that always needed to be protected! I am a kunoichi that knows how to fight; I am a medic that has saved lives! I'm not Haruno Sakura anymore, I'm Uchiha Sakura and that makes him my brother as well!"
"Just stay behind like I told you to," Sasuke snarled. He slightly narrowed orbs stared down at her.
"I won't do it! I'm not going to let you die out there!" Sakura screamed out. "What are you trying to prove?"
"I'm not strong enough!" he growled at her.
"And killing Itachi is going to make you stronger!" Sakura yelled out. "Is this what it about?"
"Iie!"
"Then what are you trying to say?"
He grabbed her shoulders tightly. "I can't lose you again!"
Those words shattered Sakura's anger, her face written with surprise. For those very words to be said out loud by Sasuke showed her what his feelings for her really were. The tears in her eyes fell on their own as Sakura stared into the onyx orbs in front of her. Sakura's hands released the haori and cupped his face. All his repressed emotions were slowly beginning to surface; he was gradually opening up to free his heavy heart.
"I rather go through the risk than to sit around waiting," Sakura said. Wrapping her arms around her husband, Sakura held onto Sasuke, never wanting to let go. "Being apart from you is more painful than any physical wound possible."
Sasuke slowly wrapped his arms around her frail form. He felt hurt; an argument between them tore them apart yet oddly brought them closer together. They are an unusual yet unique puzzle pieces that would only fit one another's.
"I will follow you wherever you go, giving you everything of mine" she whispered. "We will go through life together, step by step."
The night sky created a soothing environment for Tsunade as she started up at the mountain at the faces of the past Hokages. First her grandfather, her great uncle, her own sensei, and then Minato. The four great leaders were all known for something great, but her chocolate brown orbs were mainly focused on her own past mentor and the man that saved the village.
"Were the two of you working together to relieve Koharu, Homura, and Danzou?" Tsunade asked. A gentle wind blew pass her as if answering her question. "It seem you were unable to do so until now and I will make sure what you had set out to do is completed." Tears slowly gathered in her eyes. "I will protect them just like you would have done, Sarutobi-sensei, Minato."
Her face upon the cliff wasn't going to be a meaningless carving.
Onyx orbs slowly reveal themselves when Sasuke felt the woman in his arms stir. He felt the weight upon his chest shift before it was gone. Still wrapped in the bed sheets, Sakura sat up and stretched her stiffen muscles. A small smirk made its way across the male's lips as he watched his wife unwrap the sheet from her body. When her back was revealed, his right hand reached out and traced along her spine. She moved her shoulders slightly, giving him the sign to stop. Knowing she was going to ease her sore muscles with chakra, he sat up and pulled the woman into his chest. Sasuke entwined his fingers with hers and began to pump chakra into her hands. Sakura smiled as she led their chakra infused hand along her body, healing the discolorations on her skin and easing her muscles.
Sasuke rested his head on her shoulder, his eyes focused on her lower abdomen where another life was developing. He had doubts about his decision of letting Sakura go with him, but he couldn't deny her one bit. The raven haired man felt her change the chakra flow between their hands as she placed them over her lower abdomen. He felt a strange chakra within Sakura pass by their hand and held her closer to his body.
"Can you sense the presence there?"
"Aa…"
She moved their hands along her abdomen. "I think there might be more than one."
"Hn."
Sakura freed her hands from Sasuke and turned around to face him. He leaned back, supporting his weight on his arms. A smile came across her cherry lips as she leaned forward and kiss him passionately. Sasuke returned the kiss, his right hand cupping her cheek. He leaned back, making the woman crawl closer to the point she was right over his body. Their naked chest pressed against each others as Sasuke wrapped his free arm around her waist.
She broke the kiss and smiled at him. "Aishiteru Sasuke-kun."
Sasuke kissed her again on the lips then trailed along her jaw to her neck. He flipped them around as he continued his actions. Sakura let out a low moan, her hands placed on his chest, trying to push him away so that things wouldn't get too heated between them.
"We shouldn't Sasuke-kun…" she spoke out between her moans.
He stopped what he was doing and stared lovingly at Sakura. She smiled at him, pecked him on the cheek then got off the bed, heading into the bathroom. Sasuke sat up, grabbed his black haori from the ground and placed it on. He stood from the bed and went to the door to go to the kitchen to get breakfast and a supply of food that they would take with them.
As the warm water showered down on her body, Sakura kept a smile on her face. For the past few days, they lived a life like any other couple; arguing over things, making up, worrying about each other. Now the honeymoon was coming to an end and they were going to face the reality of being a ninja once again.
His hands unfolded a small piece of paper and poured the white powder into the mug of steaming hot water. Itachi's onyx orbs stared at the curtain covered window as his hand picked up the mug. The older Uchiha was going to make sure he didn't go near either of the two. Itachi slowly sipped the hot bitter liquid then stopped when he felt the strong chakra presence he had kept alert of vanish.
He knew something wasn't right and quickly drowned the warm bitter liquid. He threw the Akatsuki coat over his clothed body and quickly left the room, covered by a jutsu. Time was quickly running out and this was going to be his only and final chance to finish his own mission.
The sun shined brightly into his room, the intense ray shined directly into his face until a figured covered the opening of the window. Annoyed that the sunlight was blocked, he opened his eyes and an indistinct figure met his waking eyes, too close to his liking. Naruto quickly shot out of the bed, falling onto the hard wood floor and pointed a finger at the man.
"Yo," the sliver haired man greeted.
"Don't ever do that again Kakashi-sensei!" the blond yelled out.
"Gomen, gomen Naruto," Kakashi said. "But it's about time for you to get up; Tsunade-sama has summoned you."
"Why this early in the morning?" Naruto placed his right hand under his chin. "Why-" The sliver haired shinobi was already gone. "Damn you Kakashi-sensei."
—xXx—
"Gomen Fukasaku-san," Tsunade said. "Naruto's late habits come from Kakashi."
The toad elder only croaked in laughter. "He doesn't just from Kakashi, but from little Jiraiya as well." Tsunade smiled; it was true that the young blond did take after his two mentors. "Bringing him to Myobokuzan to train will motivate him to strive higher."
Naruto suddenly burst through the office doors, huffing for air. "Why did you call me in for Tsunade-baa-chan?" the male said between breaths. "The old toad is here too."
"Be more respectful to your elders Naruto no baka," Tsunade said.
"Actually I requested your presence Naruto-kun," Fukasaku said. "How would you like to be trained the way little Jiraiya was?"
"But I thought the perverted sage taught me everything he knew," Naruto said.
The toad elder croaked. "There were a few things he wasn't able to teach you though Naruto-kun." The blond male just stared at the toad. "I will teach you the powerful sage technique that may come in handing during tough battles in the future."
A light bulb went off in the young shinobi's head. Naruto pumped his right arm into the air. "Then we're off to Myobokuzan!" he yelled then walked out the door. A second later he popped his head through the doors with a sheepish grin of embarrassment. "When is Myobokuzan at anyways?"
Everything was packed away; clothes, pills, ointments, antidotes, weapons, and food. Both had showered and were eating a few of the onigiri Sasuke had made. He was already fully clothed in dark clothing, wearing his black sleeveless haori, dark pants with the cloth around his waist held together by his navy blue stash, and his high ninja sandals. The tattoos on his forearms were covered with bandages, but would be easily removed if he needed. Sakura was dressed in her regular attire, but instead of the red shirt she normally wore, it was Sasuke's white haori. She was given his forearm protectors to wear as well and she didn't argue with him, knowing his intentions were good.
When Sasuke was done with his last piece of onigiri, he stood and grabbed the two large cloaks. He secured one over his shoulders and brought the other one to Sakura, putting it on for her as well. Sakura said nothing and just smiled at him; she was worried and terrified, but she wouldn't show it.
"We will leave soon," Sasuke said before he turned his back toward her. "We will travel mostly in the dark."
Sakura knew he was avoiding eye contact with her because he felt guilty. She stood and wrapped her arms around his from behind.
"Arigatou Sasuke-kun," she whispered. "Every moment with you was my happiness."
A knock on the door make the pink haired kunoichi free her hold on her husband. She went to the door and opened it. Sasuke just shifted his eyes over to try to figure out who was at the door and what Sakura was saying to the person at the door. He heard her thank the guest and take something before closing the door.
In her hands were three swords, two of which were identical. One of the blades looked very similar to that of Kusanagi, down to the very detail of the hilt and sheath. Instead of the white and blue patters on the sheath and hilt, it was a blacks and red design. The two identical ones had a dark scarlet sheath and hilt. They were shorter in length and light weight, but blade was made by a well experience blacksmith.
"The cat elder gave them to us," Sakura said, looking up at Sasuke. "It's a farewell gift from her."
Sasuke took the three blades in one hand from his wife and used his other hand to draw her into his waiting body, embracing her. "I have too much to regret," he whispered into her ear. "Yet everything I could ever cherish is all right here." Sakura sniffed; the cold hearted man on the outside was only breaking open for her for just a small moment. "I will always treasure our every memory."
Gray clouds floated above, the sun hidden within the eerie sky. A strong yet cold wind blew, making the leaves rustle loudly and loosen ones fly with the breeze.
The two sannins stood at the entrance of the abandoned area. Sakura started back at the place; it held some of their precious memories. Sasuke shifted his eyes toward his wife for a second before focusing up ahead; it was difficult to never look back. He removed part of the bandages on his left forearm, revealing the snake tattoo. After smearing a bit of blood on the tattoo on his arm, he made several hand seals then slam his palm onto the ground.
"Kuchiyose no jutsu," he said.
A large puff of smoke appeared beneath the two sannins and they rose up. They stood on the head of a midnight blue snake.
"Sakura," he called out softly.
She turned to look at Sasuke and nodded slightly, informing him that they can leave now.
Naruto stared up at the stars above as he lay on the back of the now large Gamakichi. He had just taken a long hot shower and was only dressed in his pants, taking advantage of the nice warm weather. Even though it was his first day training, he had learned much, mastering things quickly.
"Oy Naruto," the large young toad said. "Are you planning to use your clones again for training tomorrow?"
"It's the only way for me to master the sage technique fast enough," Naruto said.
"Fukasaku-san hates it you know," the toad said. "I had to help because you made too many clones. I'm tired from jumping around and knocking your clones before they turned into a toad."
The blond laughed. "If it weren't for all the clones, I wouldn't have gotten as far as I have," he said. "I just want to finish this training as soon as possible, get back to Konoha, and start searching for Sasuke-teme and Sakura-chan."
"Have fun with that," Gamakichi said.
"It's not an easy task so you're going to help me Gamakichi," Naruto said.
"NANI?"
Against the dark skies not one star shined brightly; the moon light barely visible behind the dark thick clouds. Water drizzled down from the sky above, giving the land below a colder air to breath. Within the dark trees, a large snake slithered through the thick forest; its golden orbs glowed in the complete darkness.
"Where exactly is our destination Sasuke-san," the snake asked its master.
The questioned person held the flower in his arms closer. "The borders of the Waterfall Village," Sasuke answered.
Sakura was fast asleep, her head resting on Sasuke's chest. The hood of their cloaks was up, keeping them warm. She sat between his legs, her hands resting on the black blade given to them by the cat elder. The other two swords that were given to them were placed away in Sasuke's traveling pack.
Time passed slowly and it was difficult for him to fall sleep. The dense forest was never safe to be in when it was dark for what lurked behind every hiding spot was unknown. Sasuke didn't want to take any risks, especially when he had seen the papers of their bounties. He knew very well that Sakura had hidden them from him, afraid that it would make him do something foolish. With his wife pregnant, it made him worry more about her; the idea of losing his own unborn flesh and blood along with Sakura sadden yet anger him.
"The travel will be long Sasuke-san," Riku said. "Sleep if you must."
"Hn."
Sasuke summoned Riku because he was the most reliable when it came to long distance traveling in the dark and was more aware of any possible dangers than any of the other snakes he could summon. Though Mandan was next in line to take the position of head snake summoning after his father Manda, Sasuke refuse to dub the title upon Mandan. The male sannin would rarely summon either of the two unless the situation called for them. Riku was his first summoning when he started and ever since then he was the most reliable and loyal toward Sasuke.
His tired eyes were half lidded, but he fought against the need for sleep. Sakura began to stir and snuggled closer to her lover. Her emerald orbs opened and looked up at the outline of the tired man. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, Sakura saw the dark bangs forming under those onyx orbs. She knew he hadn't sleep and it was going to affect him greatly when he went against Itachi; it would give the older Uchiha the upper hand of causing more injuries.
"You need to sleep Sasuke-kun," she said. "Resting will help you conserve energy."
"Daijoubu," he said. "I have to stay awake. Itachi could strike when we least expect."
She stared worryingly at him. "Onegai," Sakura pleaded. "Get some rest; I'll take the night watch for a while." Sasuke shook his head, refusing her request. "I'll be fine Sasuke-kun. I have Riku up and if we sense anything, I will wake you up right away."
Knowing there was no use arguing against her, Sasuke gave into her demand. Sakura changed her sitting position and motioned for her husband to lie his head down on her lap. He moved his position and laid his head down on Sakura's lap; he knew she wanted him to rest comfortably so when he awoken he wouldn't have too many stiff or sore muscles. Soon after the young Uchiha male was fast asleep, his face written with calmness, no other emotion presence upon his face.
"If you need to stop and rest Riku, just say so," Sakura said to the large snake. "Don't tire yourself out."
"There is no need," the large midnight blue snake said. "I've been resting much for his travel."
'He planned ahead…'
'Well, he has been waiting years to get his revenge. What would you expect from a determined man like him?'
Sakura didn't say a word to reply back to her inner; her determined husband was going to close the book on the great Uchiha clan and let it start anew with her at his side. Whether the story of the great clan would begin a new was unknown and it scared her.
"I yearn for your well being at the end Sasuke-kun, more than anything."
Thick dark clouds loomed over the village of Konoha and rain poured heavily down upon the quiet village. The wind howled as it blew violently, blowing anything caught in the gust. Small trees were ripped off the ground, flowers were tossed around, and soaked debris were on the streets. The roads were almost empty, except for the few citizens that struggle to get through the streets and the ninjas that took the weather opportunity as a training exercise. The academy was close with the young genins to be at home with their families.
Tsunade stood out on the roof top of the large red mansion with a thick large white cloak covering her body to keep her dry and warm. The weather was the perfect display for her feelings and mind; everything was filled with uncertainty. She couldn't help feel the gloomy weather was trying to tell her something; to warn her about the ominous future up ahead. A storm always occurred before or during the time something horrible happened to someone close to her; it was the same for her past as well. Both her little brother and the man she first loved died during a stormy night. Long before Jiraiya and Naruto seek her out, she lived through a two day storm in an inn with Shizune; it was also the day before her mentor, the Sandaime, had died saving the village from destruction. On the day Jiraiya was brought back injured, there was a storm in the morning. The downpour she stood in now was no different from any of the others; it was a definite sign something unpredictable was going to happen to something to someone close to her. Deep down she knew that someone was possibly going to be Sakura.
The sun was rising in the distance, but was hidden behind the morning mist. The air was moist and bitter, but Riku continued to slither through the forest. Sakura's eye lids were half lidded, tired from the lack of sleep. She knew very well rest was important for a pregnant woman, but Sasuke needed to rest more than her.
"There is a river bank up head Sakura-san," the snake said.
"We'll stop there to rest a moment," Sakura reply, yawning.
Not too long after, the large snake slithered into a small clearing with fresh water; the some of the ripples in the water were reflecting off the bits of sun light, giving the liquid a majestic appeal. The roaring sound of the nearby waterfall echoed lightly into the distance. Animals that were hydrating themselves left the clearing back into the forest to hide from the large reptile.
Seeing that her husband was still asleep, Sakura removed her pack and slowly lifted Sasuke's head off her lap. She placed his head on her pack then got off Riku's head. Removing the hood, her weary emerald orbs stared at their surroundings. Noticing the area didn't fit for any ambush, her worries lessoned. She kneed by the bank and gathered some water into her hand and splashed her face. The cool water awoken her weary senses, pushing away the need for rest her body and mind were demanding.
"Are you feeling tired at all Riku?" Sakura asked turning to the snake. "We can rest here for a short while if it is needed."
The large midnight blue reptile swallowed the liquid in his mouth and shook his head slightly to answer the kunoichi's question. "Sasuke-san didn't want to stop too much unless it was absolutely necessary."
The pink haired kunoichi walked up to Riku's head and placed her hand over the tip of his mouth. "We're counting on you too much for something this trivial."
The reptile hissed lowly, feeling pampered by the way he was treated not just by Sasuke, but by Sakura as well.
The sound of the slashing water slowly woke him. Sasuke slowly opened his eyes lids, slowly letting his eyes adjust to the light. He sat up stretching his muscles, removing the stiffness in his back. He spotted Sakura and noticed the dark bags under her eyes. He felt guilty for having her stay up to let him sleep, causing her to risking her health and the developing child within her as well. Neither of the two noticed he was awake so he watched them from afar.
"Maybe in the years to come, you'll have someone new to summon you Riku," Sakura said to the snake.
"As long as Sasuke-san approves," Riku hissed. "I won't let just anybody summon me."
A small giggle escaped as she touched her currently flat belly. "Sasuke-kun will defiantly approve," she reply smiling.
Sasuke stared down at his wife, she knew the possibilities of their future, yet she kept a positive attitude about things. The guilt within him grew every second; he was the cause of her suffering, of their misfortunes, but Sakura never blamed him for anything. Deep down inside she may blame him, but would never express it out to him; it wasn't in her personality to do so, especially because of the love Sakura held for him.
"Ohayo Sasuke-kun."
Sasuke jumped off from the snake's head and landed behind his pink haired wife. Sakura turned around to face him and smiled. She removed the hood covering his face and stood on her toes, placing a chaste kiss on his lips.
"Did you sleep well?" she asked.
Sakura received a nod from him. "We should be leaving," Sasuke said monotony. "The borders of the water country aren't far from here." The kunoichi nodded and turned around to climb up on Riku's head, but she was stopped. "We'll traveled by foot for a while. Riku can go off for to find something to eat."
After getting their packs, Riku went off in search of a meal. Sakura reached into her back and pulled out a bento box. She opened it and took out two large onigiri, handing one to Sasuke. She took her time eating while Sasuke finished within a few large bites. The Uchiha matriarch knew very well her husband was eager; the sooner it was over, the better for Sasuke and maybe for her as well.
Sakura stared at her half eaten onigiri; she didn't really feel hungry, but tired. She covered her mouth and yawned quietly; carrying a developing live meant she was doing everything for two. From the corner of his eyes, Sasuke noticed her weariness. Knowing she couldn't finish it, he took the half eaten onigiri from her and ate it then kneed down in front of her, his back facing her. She stared at him, bewildered by what he was doing.
"You didn't get the chance to rest," he said, signaling her to climb onto his back.
The kunoichi wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders and placed her legs on either side of his waist. She rested her head on his left shoulder as he lifted her up and grabs their packs before moving on.
"We're a burden to you Sasuke-kun," she whispered as her tired eyes slowly began to close. "Maybe I should have stayed behind like you wanted."
The dark haired shinobi walked in silence and finally spoke when the young woman was asleep. "I rather have you here with me than anywhere else."
Trees were knocked over, boulders were in pieces, and the earth had cracks. The spiky haired blond lay sprawled in the dirt ground, trying to catch his breath. Sweat dripped from his body as the hot sun continued to shine over his drained body. Though tired as he was, a grim remained on his determined face.
"Well it seems you have completed all that I can teach you Naruto," Fukasaku said as he landed beside the blond shinobi. "You know how to gather and control natural energy well. Combine with the basic fighting skills I thought you, there shouldn't be any problems for you."
"Later, can we practice a bit more?" Naruto asked. "I want to prefect my techniques. That reminds me, I beat that perverted sage at mastering the technique!" the Kyuubi vessel yelled out loud up to the sky.
"That's because you cheated Naruto," Gamakichi said. "Jiraiya never used any clones to help him."
"Clones or no clones, I win the record of mastering the technique faster than him!"
Fukasaku just smiled; it reminded him of the old days when he was teaching Jiraiya and the white haired man would argue with Gamabunta. Time really did fly when one looked back at the past.
"What do you say about returning back to Konoha tomorrow?" the toad elder asked. Naruto sat up in disbelief. "I know you're eager to return back."
Naruto bobbed his head up and down. "I want to show Kakashi-sensei my new skills!"
The toad elder croaked. "We'll leave tomorrow right after a long good breakfast in celebration for your success!"
The Kyuubi vessel completely lost his appetite at the thought of what breakfast would be.
Taking a quiet walk through the forest with a sleeping Sakura on his back was somewhat relaxing for Sasuke. The surroundings of the woods brought his mind to peace, making him believe they were someplace else. As he walked, he heard Sakura mumble some things in her sleep and couldn't help look back at her sadly.
"Which do you think it is Sasuke-kun, a boy or a girl?" she mumbled. "What would you name our child?"
Sasuke's sadden eyes started straight ahead; after spending a short time with Sakura made him regret his choices and actions. Everything he did somehow got her involved, drawing her into the deep hole he had dug. Turning back wasn't going to solve anything; it could only cause more problems or worsen the situations. The only option he had was to move on forward in hope things were going to turn out for the better.
After walking for almost two hours, Riku came around and once again became the ninjas' transportation. Sakura was sound asleep still, her body leaning against her husband's. They were traveling along the borders of the Fire country; close to the borders of the other opposite nation, but away from large civilizations. They couldn't risk being noticed by anyone; it would only end up delaying their traveling and chase for Itachi.
Sasuke had his head against hers, his onyx orbs covered by his eyelids. His mind etched every image he had of her; Uchiha Sakura was his motivation to win and the life growing within her gave him a purpose to keep on living. The fact that there was a chance he may become handicap after the battle against Itachi didn't bother him; as long as he was alive with a family was all that mattered to him.
The woman in his arms stirred and snuggles closer to the warm his body gave off. Sakura opened his eyes and yawned; she was still tired, but her body wouldn't allow her to sleep too much. She turned her head toward his and saw he was in a trance. About to speak, his eyes suddenly opened with the crimson orbs of the Sharingan spinning slowly.
"He's close by," Sasuke said, gritting his teeth.
Sakura felt a strong chakra not too far away from them and she was familiar with it. The raven haired man freed his grasp around his blossom and stood up. Sasuke jumped off Riku's head and onto a large branch ahead. He began to jump from branch to branch, moving on head to see if the chakra presence he felt was that of Itachi's.
Riku stopped in his tracks several yards from where Sasuke had stopped, hiding behind the thickness of the trees. Neither of the two chakras moved and she was beginning to get nervous. Sakura didn't want to wait behind, knowing very well that was what Sasuke wanted. She knew that appearing the middle of their battle would cause problems: either Sasuke could end up getting hurt or worse, herself and the baby, but she wasn't going to let that stop her. She slid off Riku's head and the snake was about to protest for he was instructed to protect her.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure to come back very soon," she whispered.
She quietly yet slowly stepped through the dense forest to see what was going on.
—xXx—
Sasuke forced chakra into his feet, propelling himself faster through the woods. He could recognize that chakra presence no matter how well it was hidden; it had been imbedded into his mind ever since that night of the massacre.
A clearing was ahead and he spotted the design of the red clouds on the Akatsuki cloak. Clenching his left fist tightly, he jumped off the branch and soared out into the clearing.
"ITACHI!"
The blue lighting of Chidori Nagashi surrounded his body, his fist aimed at the Uchiha before him. The older brother stood his ground, extended his right arm out, and grabbed Sasuke's fist. Instead of being electrocuted by the blue lightning, it began to surround his body as well.
"I didn't expect to come across you this early otouto," Itachi said.
Grabbing the collar of the cloak he wore, Itachi flung his brother across the clearing. Sasuke turned his body around and gathered chakra into his feet. He landed on trunk of the tree then suddenly pushed himself off. Extending his left hand out, a chakra blade shot out and pierced the body of Itachi. Landing on his feet, Sasuke forced the blade forward, pushing Itachi back against a tree.
"You've gotten taller otouto," Itachi said as blood seeped through the corners of his mouth. "But you haven't changed too much though Sasuke."
"It's not like you changed," Sasuke said bitterly.
"You still charge straight at me," the older Uchiha said. "You never learn from your past experiences Sasuke, unless you are told to do so."
Sasuke calmed himself. "You know nothing about me…" He sent a short current of electricity down the blade, making Itachi cringe. "You don't know how much hate had filled and enveloped my heart. You don't know how it made me grow stronger and yet weaken me."
Taking one last look at his brother, Sasuke opened his fist and the chakra blade divided up and shot out of Itachi's body. Blood poured out of the wounds as the blades disappeared into thin air. The wounded body of the older Uchiha slumped to the ground, leaving a trail of blood on the dark. Sasuke walked over to his brother's body and stared down at him.
"You have gotten stronger otouto…"
Before Sasuke got the change to react, Itachi's body disconnect into many crows. Looking closely at the birds' eyes, Sasuke noticed they were the Sharingan orbs. Not too far from him the birds gathered together and the figure of the older Uchiha formed. Sasuke took a fighting stands and placed his right hand over the hilt of his blade.
"After all this time, you are still predicable," Itachi said as a sword slide out of his right sleeve and into his waiting hand. "You're not the only target otouto."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the man in front of him until he realized whom Itachi was referring to. There was a bunch of rustling behind the thick trees where the older Uchiha stood. Turning his back toward his younger brother, Itachi held the sword ready for an attack. The moment Sakura emerged into the clearing, Itachi moved in for his attack. When she saw the older male advance straight toward her with a sword in hand, Sakura froze in place, fear written all over her body.
'Hurry out of the way!'
'I can't move my body!"
Time seemed to slow down in their eyes.
'Itachi was stalling all this time!'
Quickly pouring chakra into his legs, Sasuke dashed toward his wife. Afraid he may be too late, Sasuke poured more chakra into her feet, knowing very well he was going to use up more chakra by doing so. His best chances were to either take the attack or to block it. Sasuke appeared in front of Sakura in time, with Kusanagi drawn out in front of him, blocking Itachi's blade. Both Uchiha brothers forced their blades forward, trying to compel the other to submit.
"Chidori," Sasuke gritted out as his left infused chakra hand reached out, trying to stab Itachi through the chest.
Unwilling to take any chances, Itachi jumped backward, away from the close range attack. The Akatsuki member stood up straight and started at the angry Sasuke. "Just as I expected from you otouto," he said putting his hand down. "You haven't just grown weak because of her, but stronger as well. You seemed to have gotten smarter on our attacks too." Itachi turned his gaze at Sakura and with his Sharingan orbs; he saw the other chakra within her. "I see you've already begun rebuilding our clan."
Snapping back into reality, Sakura placed her hand over her flat belly; she was going to make sure nothing happened to the baby or her. Sasuke stood in front of his wife, shielding her from the eyes of Itachi.
"You were no longer apart of the Uchiha clan ever since you killed everyone!" Sasuke lashed out.
With his free hand, Sasuke made several hand signs and a clone appeared, dashing toward Itachi. The moment the clone was in close range, Itachi swung his sword upward, annihilating the replica. Using the puff of smoke to his advantage, Sasuke rushed forward and plunge his sword through the smoke. Before the blade could pierce Itachi, the older male lifted the left side of his cloak and crows flew out. Unable to see his brother in the cover of the crows, Sasuke retraced his steps and stood by Sakura to protect her.
Using his Sharingan eyes, Sasuke saw his brother's body morph and separate into dozens of black crows, each with the crimson orbs of Uchiha bloodline. He was going to wait for the moment Itachi appeared to attack him.
"Return back to Konoha," Itachi's voice said. "We'll end this where it all started."
Special appreciation to my great fanfic buddy: animequeen100.
Hello again readers. Thank you to all of those that reviewed. It's another late update, but with a long chapter. Because I am in college, I have don't have as much time as I desire for writing my fanfic due to my major, but I will defiantly continue my fanfic work.
Hope the story about Sasuke's and Sakura's past makes perfect sense and fits for the ficcy. If there are any questions, please do ask away and I shall get back to you as soon as possible. More will be revealed very soon in the later chapters. The big battle between Itachi and Sasuke is going to be in the next chapter!
Please review! It is greatly appreciated!
