Location Unknown

I was drifting in blackness, or was I floating? It was too hard to tell. I didn't know where I was, all I knew was that I was dead. This black abyss was never ending, never starting. It was just cold and dark.

As I floated, or drifted, in the blackness my hair swayed around me. I felt tired and sore. Considering I knew I just died I guess it made sense. My body didn't have any wounds; no it was just my smooth pale skin. I was in the attire I was in before I died, and it wasn't in tatters either.

I tried to move in the darkness. I couldn't help to wonder if this was Heaven or Hell. Or was it neither? Was I forever destined to stay in this place of no light?

So many questions with no answers. I hugged myself in the darkness, trying to keep myself together. I closed my eyes and tried to cling to the warmth that wasn't there. I stayed like this for a while, not thinking, not feeling, just being.

I peeked open an eye, looking around in the never ending darkness, or so I thought. At closer inspection I could see the tiniest hints of a small light, as large as a needle at least. I uncurled myself from my ball and tried to move, or I guess swim over to the white light. The darkness was so thick, so hard to move in.

But I didn't care; I had to get to that light. Something in me just felt the need to go to it; I yearned to go to it. So I willed my body to move through the darkness and towards that small needle of light.

I could see it getting closer as I moved, so I swam faster. I was close enough now to feel the faintest hint of warm heat coming from it. It was so much better than this dank darkness, I only wanted that white light to envelope me in an embrace, even if it would only be for a second.

I was so very close now, so close. I used all the energy I had and stuck out a hand. As soon as my fingertips touched the needle of light there was a bright flash of the white light. It blinded me, so I shut my eyes and waited for the light to go down.

When I sensed it was over I slowly opened my eyes, and now instead of being surrounded in blackness I was surrounded by light, and beneath me stood water. I walked on the water, taking notice that it was easier to move in this light than in the darkness. As I walked on the water, small ripples went out from my feet. I kept walking and a small piece of paper caught my attention.

On the water right in front of me there laid a piece of paper, with what looked like a seal. I crouched down to pick it up and inspected it closely. As I narrowed my eyes at it I remembered where I had seen this seal before; on the bars within my mind.

My demon's seal.

"Look who finally made it," a voice sneered from behind me.

My head shot up, I then stood up and whirled around to come face to face with what looked like a women with fire licked wings. She had long choppy red hair, her eyes golden, and she adorned a red, orange, and gold kimono that had fire patterns on it. Her face was fierce and demanded attention. She looked at me with something akin to confidence.

She walked forward at me and said in a wispy voice, "You remember me right Saku?"

Her wings then lowered and simmered out, as if she was extinguishing her own wings. I was still slightly in shock at her sudden appearance as I said, "My demon right?"

She walked across the water and poked my forehead and said proudly, "Correct."

I looked at her and said, "We're both dead aren't we."

She crossed her arms and backed up from me as she said, "Yes, sadly you got the both of us killed by that Uchiha bastard, but he's gone now." I took the hint; what she just said meant that Naruto and Sasuke killed him.

I sat down on the water and propped my head on my knees as I said, "So you're a fire demon…why am I not surprised."

She sat down in front of me and waved an elegant hand in front of her face. "Oh please, why do you think that you are so great with fire jutsus when your real affinity is wind? Me of course."

I shook my head and asked, "So are we stuck here forever?"

Her golden eyes pierced me as she said, "Well, Saku that may be true, but it may also not be true."

"We probably are," I answered in a sigh, "Nagato could have never gotten to me in time with how far away we were from each other…guess I broke my promise to him."

"Well if you go back to the world of the living, I won't be coming back with you," she said. I gave her a questioning look so she continued saying, "Why the hell would I go back into the seal to be trapped behind those bars inside your mind? I'm finally free you dummy."

"So we just sit here and talk for all eternity?" I said with a giggle.

At this she scoffed and said, "Not if I can help it. I have been stuck with you since you were seven, freaking seven years old Saku! Do you know how annoying it is for demons to be stuck in vessels who are kids? I feel bad for One and Nine-Tails, they were stuck with their own idiot children since birth."

I laughed and said, "Oh come on I wasn't that bad," she growled at this, "and plus I think it's better than having no one."

She just nodded at that and then her expression became serious as she looked off into the never ending light. I too looked around me as I put my hands behind me to support myself on the water, moving my legs in front of me. It was a comfortable silence we had between us, and I could say that I was truly content with spending the rest of the afterlife here with my demon.

She then looked at me and said, "You know…I really do miss my kind sometimes. When you were with that blond idiot I was able to talk to Kyuubi, but that was all the interaction that I had with demons."

I looked at the beautiful women sadly and said, "I can't really imagine what it would be like to not be with your own kind…I guess it would suck."

She scoffed, "To put it bluntly yes. Being a demon tossed around from vessel to vessel isn't exactly everyone's dream."

I played with my long locks as I said, "Sorry about that I guess."

She waved a hand in front of her face and said, "You were actually the first vessel I kind of liked actually Saku."

My eyes widened a bit, and I gave her a questioning look. She answered my look saying, "I found you pleasant sometime. Hell, you were my only interesting vessel. I mean come on, sister to the leader of Akatsuki, Amekage, medical genius, monster strength, hot-headed like me; you have all the traits that make a demon's life interesting."

I huffed and said, "Well what about that one time when you decided that you wanted out of the seal when I was on that mission in Snow with Itachi and Kisame?"

She laughed and said, "Hey I was bored, so what?"

I then shook my head to her and asked, "What's your true name?" I don't know why I didn't ask before; I guess it just slipped my mind.

She stared at me blankly and said, "Houou."

I pondered her name for a moment before saying, "Phoenix Demon? Well I guess it suits you."

She then smirked a bit and said, "You know that the phoenix is known for rebirth right?"

I nodded and then she said, "Well I think someone is coming to our little realm, maybe to bring you back or something," she shrugged with a glint in her golden eyes and said, "How am I supposed to know."

Someone else coming? What did that mean, did someone I know die? How did she know that someone was coming here? Before I could voice my questions there was a sudden red spark in the air between me and Houou. I don't know what came over me but I reached out towards the small spark and before I could touch it, Houou said with a smirk, "Going back it is, have fun Saku."

Barely registering what she was saying I touched the small spark.

And that's when the red light engulfed my entire being.

Forests between Sound and Leaf

My eyes snapped open and I lurched forward. I didn't feel the hands that were now on my back trying to steady me, I didn't notice all of the people standing around me, I just kept blinking over and over trying to figure out what the hell just happened.

One moment I'm with Houou, then I'm touching a red spark, and now I'm in a forest. Didn't all of the crazy stuff end when you were dead?

I got in control of myself as I felt the sudden pain of my stomach and moved my hand to it. I then felt arms wrap around me suddenly. I was met with red hair.

The person holding me in their arms pulled back as I gave a gasp, still in pain from my wounds that were now very apparent. I then slowly this time, looked up into the concerned eyes that mirrored my own. I whispered, "Nagato…did you die too? What's going on?"

Nagato was full and healthy again, something I hadn't seen since Yahito was killed. The face that resembled our father was right in front of me, I was confused. Is this what Houou meant when she said that someone else would be joining us? Did he die?

Nagato shook his head and said, "Sakura I need you calm down please."

I nodded slowly and took deep breaths. Seeing that I was calm now he said, "You died…you were killed by Madara," I nodded knowing as much, "Your friends killed him, and brought your corpse to me. I brought you back."

"But, but, you're in your real body, not the Path," I sputtered, "What's happening?"

I sighed and held my head, then looked at my brother who was right in front of me. I studied him closely and saw that he had water in his ringed eyes and a small smile on his smooth face. Finally understanding everything he did for me, I grabbed him and wrapped my arms around him, hugging him as much as I could even though I was still in a lot of pain.

He responded fast by holding me as well; putting his head on my shoulder and I put mine on his chest. He then whispered in my ear, "You had me so scared you know that?"

"Sorry," I said lamely.

We stayed like that for a while, and when I pulled back I was rubbing tears from my eyes. I was just so happy right now.

Since we were still on the forest floor, Nagato took my hand and helped me up. We got up slowly, and I once again felt my stomach. It was hurting but nothing I couldn't fix, for my body was already reacting and healing itself, my chakra levels now full with the rejuvenation and all.

I looked to in front of me to see Konan with tears falling down her face, and a real smile on her face. Sasori was grinning with his arms crossed, and the Uchiha brothers were standing next to each other with wide eyes; they both had actual genuine smiles on their faces while looking at me. But someone was missing…

"SAKURA-CHAN YOU IDIOT WHY DID YOU HAVE TO GO AND SCARE ME AND TEME LIKE THAT?" was a shout from behind me.

I felt pressure on my back as I fell forward. Naruto was now hugging me so hard, and the smooth grass beneath me rubbed against my cheek. I heard him saying over and over how big of an idiot I was and that I should never worry him like that again and that he missed me.

My tears started to run freely now as I wiggled under Naruto laughing. He pulled off of me and helped me up and rubbed the back of his head saying, "Sorry Sakura-chan."

I lunged forward at him and hugged him tightly burying myself in his chest, "I missed you too Naruto, sorry."

He rubbed my back and said nothing.

I then pulled away once again wiping the tears away from my eyes. Naruto then was hit in the head by Sasuke as he said, "Dobe, she's still injured."

I shook my head at them and said, "I'm fine Sasuke-kun."

Then I was in another embrace, a gentler one at that. Sasuke then whispered, "You know if you do anything like that again I will kick your ass."

I laughed and said, "Yeah I know."

Then there was another pair of arms around both Sasuke and I. Naruto was holding the three of us together, and I was being crushed in the middle of my boys. Naruto then said, "Take that Madara! Team 7 kicked your sorry ass. You stupid old man!"

I shook my head and wiggled out of the hug. Naruto let go of Sasuke and rubbed his head as Sasuke once again hit him in the backside of the head. I shook my head at their antics.

My eyes then turned to ebony ones, clear black eyes. Itachi stared at me for a second before walking, more like gliding, over to me with his arms at his sides. He stopped only inches away from me and said, "Why do you do this to me Sakura?"

I looked at the ground ashamed and said, "Madara's dead that's all that matters."

Itachi shook his head at me and put a finger under my chin raising my head. He then said, "But you still died, like you did in my dreams...I almost lost you."

I then grabbed his hand and said, "And I'm sorry for that, but I'm back now. I'm sore and tired so can we save the lecturing for later. I'm sure that I will get plenty of it," I grumbled.

Itachi then kissed me on the lips gently. I kissed him back, leaning into the gentle caress. He then slowly raised his hands so that one was wrapped around my back while the other rested on my head. By doing this the kiss broke and he was now embracing me saying, "I love you."

It was muffled in his chest (I hate being so small), but I was able to say, "I love you too my little weasel."

I heard Itachi snicker at his nickname I had for him. But he still held onto me.

When we broke apart Nagato came up to Itachi and said, "Uchiha, if I find out that you hurt her in any way I will personally dismember your entire body."

Itachi looked at him passively as he said, "Hn."

"Damn Uchiha," Konan said from behind Nagato.

Then Naruto shouted, "Yeah Itachi! If Sasuke and I find out your doing bad things to our Sakura-chan we'll kick your sorry ass. Plus I bet Kakashi will help us too!"

I sighed while leaning on Itachi for support. Itachi then whispered in my ear, "Why am I starting to get the feeling that my love for you is now a hazard to my health?"

I snickered and said, "Because it is considering who my brother is as well as adoptive father and teammates."

Itachi just shook his head and kissed the top of my head gently. I smiled a small smile and looked at everyone I loved, everyone who loved me. Being brought back to life and thrust back into my body was still a shock, but I think I could deal with it. I had everything anyone could ever need, ever want.

I leaned into Itachi more as I said, "Let's go home."

Joint Shinobi Force HQ: One Week Later

It has been a week since my revival, and a lot has happened. The Kages, which included Nagato and me, were doing our best to clean up the aftermath of the war. Good people had died, and we needed to tell their families all that they did for them. We still were tending to the wounded; Tsunade and I took care of most of it while the other Kages did the other work.

We were also still getting the civilians out from the underground village in Suna and sending them back to their respectful village. Divisions 1, 2, and 4 were taking care of that.

After everything was picked up at the Joint Shinobi Force HQ, all the Kages would be signing a peace treaty with each other. This is what I, and most of the other ninjas, were excited about. Finally there would be peace between the nations, and with the treaty the Akatsuki and Ame would be accepted and welcomed into the pact of the Five Great Hidden Villages. Ame would finally have peace from the constant struggle and crime, and Akatsuki would have its goal; peace.

I remember when we came back; I was being held in Itachi's arms while the rest followed. As we entered HQ, Tsunade, Kakashi, Kisame and Deidara were the first to greet us.

Naruto and Sasuke told them that Madara was dead and it was over. They all had smiles and smirks on their faces. Then their eyes turned to me. I rubbed the back of my head, knowing that I was going to get a lecture. And boy did I get one.

All four of them, even Deidara, lectured me about how stupid I was and reckless. But then they smiled and said that they were glad to see me alive and with a hole-less stomach. It was a great moment at first, but the other Kages returned and Gaara broke the news to us that the Kages who went after Kabuto couldn't find him.

This of course put a damper on our success, but not for long. When the ninjas were told of Madara's death there was a celebration, where Rain, Leaf, Sand, Rock, Mist, and Cloud nin rejoiced together all prejudice lost. It was an amazing sight to watch in my opinion.

At this current point in time I was finishing up with helping to pack away the medical tents. We finally finished with healing the injured and we were going home.

I looked behind me to see Tsunade looking at me with proud eyes. The busty blond came up to me and clamped a hand on my shoulder saying, "I'm very proud of what you have done here Sakura. I could have never asked for a better student."

I smiled up at her and put a strand of hair behind my ears. "I learned everything I have from you," I said, "Without your teachings I probably would have never been able to do any of this."

She lifted her hand to ruffle my hair and said, "Well you are a fast learner lucky for you. And thank you by the way, I actually won a bet."

A little shocked I looked at her wit wide eyes. Tsunade winning a bet? Really? "Huh?" was my well thought out answer.

She took her hand off my head and put her head down to my level smirking, "Some of the ANBU and myself decided to make a bet. I said that you would be able to make the Akatsuki ally with us, some said that you wouldn't. And it looks like I won."

I shook my head and said sarcastically, "Thanks for having so much faith in me."

She turned around and said, "Oh and by the way, Jiraiya and I have something to tell you, Naruto, and Sasuke later."

Not knowing what to say I just nodded, and she walked away.

1 Hour Later

I wiped my hands together seeing that all of the medical supply was packed and ready to go. I sighed a bit as I leaned on the back of a lone pole, thinking about what Houou said. I was glad that she thought of me in as a friend in a way, and that we got along while we could. She was right about the phoenix being the rebirth, I did come back to life after all…I just can't help to wonder what happened to Houou.

Another thing I noticed that was strange was the silence. I was used to hearing the sounds of minds buzzing all around me, but now I couldn't. I thought it over and deduced that I had my mind reading ability from Houou. I think that I might miss it, even though it was a pain in the ass sometimes.

I looked up at the sounds of footsteps to see Sasuke walking over to me.

Sasuke. Things have also changed between us, I actually trusted him. During the fight with Madara I kept an eye out on him just in case he went to Madara's side; turning his back on Naruto and me once more. But he didn't, no he stuck with us and delivered the final blow to Madara. After that battle I felt that Team 7 was once again full, a family as we used to be. I even started to call him Sasuke-kun again; his name no longer felt bitter on my tongue.

He was now a foot away from me so I said, "Hey Sasuke-kun…what do you need?"

"Sorry."

My head jerked at his word, the one word he hated to say, the word he used to think meant weakness.

I said slowly, "What are you talking about?"

He ran an irritated hand through his hair and said, "I said sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you," he finished turning his head away in shame.

I took in his words, thinking that he had no reason to be sorry. I was alive and running, not dead and in the ground. He shouldn't be sorry for something I chose.

"Sasuke-kun, don't say you're sorry," I said and his head shot back up, "I chose to sacrifice myself so that you and Naruto could finish Madara off without dying. You have no reason to feel guilty, and I already told you and Naruto this."

His onyx eyes bore into my own emerald ones as he said, "You don't understand…I was scared at the thought of losing you. You said for us to cry at your grave, and that's when I couldn't stand it. You're like a sister to me…and I lost you because I wasn't strong enough to protect you..."

I shook my head and walked forward saying, "Well now you're babbling, and that's not the Sasuke Uchiha I know and love. I know that whatever your feeling won't go away so quickly, but at least know that no one blames you for anything. Hell, you're the hero. If you keep wallowing in self-pity I'll have to ask Itachi to talk to you."

At this his eyes narrowed, "You wouldn't."

I smirked and said, "Well…actually no I would."

I put a hand on his shoulder and said, "We can talk about your little guilt trip later, for now we have a meeting with Tsunade and Jiraiya right?"

Sasuke ran a hand through his black hair again and said, "Hn," as he walked forward waiting for me to start as well.

I shook my head and walked besides him with my hands behind my back, and he with his hands at his sides.

Our silent walk led us to the Kage building where Naruto was waiting by the front waving at the two of us. I waved back at him and Sasuke nodded his head. Naruto then ran up to us and said, "Granny Tsunade told me to wait for the two of you, so let's go!"

When he shouted he grabbed both of our hands and dragged us into the building. As he ran with Sasuke and my hands we busted through the doors and stopped right in front of all the Kages. Now when Naruto is running at high speed and is forced to stop there is a reaction and that reaction his him falling on the floor thus throwing Sasuke and I on top of him.

As I fell on top of Naruto and Sasuke fell on top of me, I groaned and looked up at the Kages, who all stared at us with slight shock, laughter, or just plain mirth. The Tsuchikage then whispered, "Young ones these days."

I forced a small laugh as I saw my brother peering down at me and my predicament. I then said in a sickly sweet voice, "Sasuke-kun if you value your life, get off of me."

At my words Sasuke quickly scrambled off of me and helped me up. Naruto then slowly got up and rubbed the back of his head saying, "Um…hi?"

At this I hit him on his head and said, "You baka, why did you make us all fall?"

"Dobe," Sasuke breathed out.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch why did you do that Sakura-chan? That was-"Naruto said but then was cut off by Tsunade when she shouted, "Shut up! I swear you three are more trouble than you're worth sometimes."

She rubbed at her temples and said, "Well Jiraiya how about you tell them since they are one second away from me punching them through a wall."

Jiraiya laughed and said, "Sure, Tsunade. Okay you three," He said pointing at the three of us (we were now paying attention), "We have some news to tell you, and I'm sure that you'll like it Naruto."

"You mean I get unlimited ramen for the rest of my life?" Naruto shouted in glee.

Jiraiya sighed as the Raikage spoke up and asked, "Are you sure that these three should be the new ones?"

Nagato glared at the Raikage and said, "I believe that my sister and her friends are fully capable."

Jiraiya ran a hand through his long white hair and said, "Okay back to what I was saying. Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke you know how me, Tsunade, and Orochimaru are the three Sannins right?" we nodded so he continued saying, "Well Orochimaru is dead and, no offense Tsunade, we are getting old," Tsunade stepped on his foot and he cringed but continued, "Well what I'm trying to say is that you three are the new Legendary Sannins."

At Jiraiya's words all three of us started a bit. I guess that it would make sense since our teachers were the Sannin, but it was still a slight shock. Nagato must have noticed so he added his two cents saying, "The three of you saved this world from absolute destruction, all of us believe you deserve these titles, wouldn't you agree Sakura?"

I sighed and said, "Sure whatever you guys say."

Naruto put his hand behind his head saying, "I'll be a Sannin and the Hokage once Granny Tsunade retires!"

Sasuke just smirked saying, "Baka."

I laughed as the two of them started to bicker, then I noticed a slight flicker at my right to see that Kakashi decided to appear. When Tsunade noticed that he was there she said, "Late as always Kakashi."

His eye crinkled and said, "Lost on the road of life I guess," He then turned to Naruto, Sasuke, and I saying, "I'm proud of all three of you, I don't think I could've asked for better students."

I grinned and said, "Well we are a handful, so someone needed to be our sensei."

Kakashi still had his eye crinkle as he put one hand atop my head and said, "Not only could I've asked for better students, but I couldn't have asked for a better daughter or family."

My smile got larger as I jumped up and hugged him, which he returned with arms entrapping me. He held me close and I couldn't help but to think just how amazing my family was. I had Team 7 and the Akatsuki, two of the greatest families in the world if you ask me.

It wasn't long before I felt pressure against my back and head Naruto laughing and Sasuke grumbling. Naruto had dragged him and Sasuke into the hug so that I was in the middle, Kakashi and Sasuke were on either side of me, and Naruto had all of us encircled in his long arms. I guess you could call it a Team 7 sandwich.

"Well," Tsunade said in a haughty voice, "If you four are all done with your team bonding I suggest you go and get some rest for the move tomorrow, we will be leaving at noon." As we untangled ourselves from each other she continued asking me, "Where will you go tomorrow Sakura?"

Really she meant are you going back to Ame or Konoha. The obvious choice was to go back to Konoha since the agreement I made with Nagato was now null and void. But I wasn't sure. If I went to Konoha and not Ame I would be leaving behind the responsibility of my Kage duties, my family, the citizens of Ame that I have come to love, and I would be leaving Itachi. Itachi and I just realized our feelings for each other and I wasn't ready to let go. I know that he would respect my decision to go where I wanted, and if he was ever let back in Konoha it wouldn't be pleasant. I could already see the villager's hateful glares at him; they would never know the truth of the Uchiha massacre so they would always blame Itachi. But Itachi was accepted in Ame, as was I.

I felt my team's stares directed at me, waiting for an answer. So I said with a smile while looking at Nagato, whose face was also expectant, "I will be going back to Ame with my brother and the Akatsuki."

Tsunade smiled and said, "I had a feeling you would go back there."

Naruto sighed and said, "Well I guess when I become Hokage I will have to be making a lot of trips to Ame, and you can come too teme!"

Sasuke just said, "Hn."

I snickered a bit and said, "And when do you think you are finally going to be Hokage Naruto?"

He rubbed the back of his head, grinned widely and said, "Well Sakura-chan, Granny Tsunade said that she will retire in a month and during that month she will teach me everything there is to know about being Hokage."

I looked towards Tsunade for confirmation and she nodded saying, "The baka here will learn everything he will need to know, and he will do an amazing job just like his father."

The Tsuchikage then scoffed and said, "Why is it that we will be having three young teens ruling over countries?"

Gaara spoke up saying, "I would think that by now we have proven our worth to you."

The Raikage then slapped Gaara harshly on the back, sending Gaara stumbling slightly. The Raikage's voice then boomed, "I believe that having these kids will help bring our nations even closer, considering they are already friends it seems."

The Mizukage then got up in my brother's face, but Nagato remained impassive as she said, "I heard that those with the Rinnegan age slower than normal humans, so how old are you Nagato-san?"

"Technically I am 28 years old," he said in his monotone not at all imitated by the Mizukage's closeness.

Jiraiya then grinned and asked, "I remember that Sakura was only a child when I trained you Nagato, so how old is she?"

I put I finger to my chin thinking about it. I really didn't keep track of my age; I just knew that I was a year younger than Nagato. So I said, "Well I appear to look eighteen but I'm really 27."

At my words Naruto's jaw dropped as he screamed, "WHAT? YOU NEVER TOLD ME THAT YOU WERE OLDER THAN ME AND TEME!"

Sasuke, Gaara, and Kakashi just stared at me with wide eyes not saying anything. Tsunade then said, "I'm tired so how about you get out and go to bed all of you."

It wasn't a question but a command so we all listened and filed out of the Kage building and went back to our own tents after saying our goodnights. I walked back with a small smile on my face, and basked in the comfortable silence between Nagato and I. The wind picked up slightly as our tent came into sight, so my long pink braid swayed as well as Nagato's red hair. I was glad to see the red hair, knowing that I was not always looking at the shell of my brother but my brother's real self; it made me happy.

Nagato reached in front of me for the tent flap opening it for both me and him. I stepped through to see that everyone was up, either on their cot or standing up. At the arrival of Nagato and me all five of their heads turned our way. I smiled and said, "Okay guys we are going to need some sleep since we are leaving at noon tomorrow and we have to lead all of our shinobi home."

I yawned and walked over to cot, not even bothering to take off my black spandex shorts, red tube top with a fishnet one underneath. I was too tired from the meeting and the final cleanup to tell them that I had become one of the new Sannin, but that could wait till morning.

As I drifted to sleep the noise of talking died and slowly all of the Akatsuki was asleep, or so I thought. I was almost sleeping but the sudden movement of the cot next to me made my eye flicker open. I didn't see Itachi on his cot, and as I was about to sit up I felt pressure on top of my head. My eyes looked up to see black hair draping over me. Seems like Itachi wanted to kiss my head before going to sleep.

His voice then whispered in my ear, "May I lay next to you?"

At his sudden request my breath hitched a bit. Itachi has never asked for anything like that before, so I found it a little strange. Itachi must have taken it the wrong way because I could see his retreating form going back to his own cot. So I snapped my arm out to grab his wrist.

I then whispered while clutching his wrist, "You can."

I felt him stop moving for a second, but then Itachi turned his body back to me and I let go of his wrist so that I could scoot over some. He laid himself down next to me, turning his body to me. I smiled and closed my eyes at him, turning my back to him and said, "Goodnight."

As I was about to go to sleep again, once more something had to interrupt me. I felt arms wrap around my waist and pull my small frame close. Itachi was holding onto me now and his warmth flushed my body all over. I felt his hair tickle my ear as he said, "Goodnight Sakura."

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto just the plot.

~Okay guys what did you think? I didn't kill her off, but her demon is no longer with her so sad face :(

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura are the new Sannins so I thought that was pretty cool to throw in there, and when Sakura was dead I want to know you thoughts on that!

Oh and there is ONE MORE CHAPTER LEFT! That chapter will be the epilogue (Spoiler: Children will be involved!)

Thank you for all the reviews! And please review once more!