Sakura's view:
It must have been the adrenaline. It must have been pure will. Nothing else could have explained how I bared the pain of continuing when I felt like I could pass out at any second.
"Huah-AHHH!"
The rock crumbled around my fist. A giant crater surrounding my petite hand.
"You are very strong indeed, but by the looks of it, you wont last another hour!"
The old man stumbled but regained composure as I fought to turn around and lean back, avoiding the sword and flames.
I jumped back and skid on all fours. Panting, my muscles shook from head to toe as the geysers around us steamed. He lowered into a samurai position.
I held onto one knee as I slowly rose up despite every nerve in my body and the full weight of gravity forcing me down. Sweat and blood oozed down both our bodies. This wasn't going to end with both of us standing.
"You're not so bad yourself." I spat through pants. He smirked, breathing heavily.
"You know, I haven't had a challenge like this in quite some time. If I were to die by your hands, I could do so with honor."
"If you talk so much about dying, why don't you just give up?"
His serious and pained expression returned.
"I promised myself I would kill you. Though I know now it is impossible for someone of my age, I must try my best even though in the end it wont matter. I know you will over power me, but I must put up a fight to clear my families name of weakness and dishonor."
"Then you are weak minded! Revenge is a sure downfall. Hate is a hard pill to swallow. Take it from me, I am not the one to speak with about revenge." I yelled at this fucker. Who is he to swear revenge on me, when I am only doing right by killing off his psycho ass of a brother?
"What you say it true. But it doesn't matter now."
He came at me, I dodged and swung around, kicking him in the back of the head as he tried to regain balance. He swung his sword around and it barely got my leg, burning my skin.
"AGH!" I crouched just in time to avoid him taking my head off and cooled the burning with healing chakra before continuing.
I jumped and tumbled before the sword nearly took my head off again, it came crashing into the unforgiving ground. He yanked his sword back up as I came from above.
"HELL YEAH!" his eyes widened as I came down on him. He lifted his sword in my path, I kicked it out of the way furiously and delivered my chakra filled fist straight to his ugly fucking face.
Smirking at the sound of bone cracking, I jumped back and regained my fighting stance while he pulled himself together.
"Doesn't look like you're putting up much of a fight."
He adjusted his jaw with one hand and turned his head back to face me, eyes BLAZING with furry. Half his face was swollen from impact. I couldn't help the smile snaking to my lips.
"Damn you demon!"
He bolted towards me, sword in both hands. Face full of madness and hatred.
I dodged every slash expertly. It wasn't even a challenge now that he's all flustered. I smiled the whole time which really got him steamed.
"Why can't I hit you?"
I caught his blade in one chakra protected hand and smirked up at him from behind my long strands of pink hair covering most of my face, eyebrows furrowed, a demonic smile covering my features. I felt the rush. I felt the blood thirst. And now is when the fun really begins.
"Because, you are no match for a Konoha Shinobi. Any way you dice it, your life ends here. You said so yourself, yet you continue to fight. You speak of honor, though you have none. You pretend to be something you clearly are not. I am the one who will take your life. I am the black reaper, the nightmare you fear in the back of your mind. You will spend an eternity in the hell you've created!"
I threw his blade aside and punched him repeatedly in the face, he fell backward as I took out 4 kunai, flinging them into 4 targeted areas. His hand and feet.
They cut into him, all the way through to the ground. His eyes bugged out as blood spewed from his mouth. The crimson liquid oozed from the blades punctures and into the cracks surrounding each limb.
The geysers set off all around him, he stared up at me with such bloodlust and hatred, he looked like an actual demon.
"D-Damn y-you!" I stepped toward him, his body jolted and he flinched. Wincing from the pain of straining the blades.
"In 5 minutes, this place will crumble to the core from the disturbances and lava we have upset below this surface. It's been a real pleasure, but you die here." I gave him one last cynical glare to match my smile and turned for the only exit.
"Don't you walk away! You fucking kunoichi! Get back here!"
He spat venom and glanced at his fire sword.
Next I knew, the sword his coming directly at he from behind. I glanced back to see it heading straight for my spine. Quickly I sprang as I whizzed past me. I jumped back and landed on both feet, one hand on the ground while one was up in the air, preparing to dodge it yet again.
It turned around and came back at me, I jumped yet again.
"This isn't going to work baka!" I spat furiously.
"Oh, it wont?"
It came back for me, I spun around and it missed but this time I knew it missed on purpose. Everything seemed to move in slowly motion as it turned immediately after missing me, plunging into my left leg.
"AGH!" I froze and looked down with one eye closed.
"BASTARD!"
The sword began burning the skin around it, it had completely gone through my leg. Blood dripped around the damned sword as my leg became consumed rapidly with flames.
He laughed cynically. Pleased with himself obviously.
I gripped the handle of it with both hands and began pulling it out, the force of magic posing against me. My leg was damaged beyond immediate repair. The burns have already gotten bad and there is absolutely NOTHING I can do for it right now.
"Tch, FUCK!" I screamed. It hurt like hell trying to pry this thing out!
"You wont get out of here alive. We now have 4 minutes until it explodes, and you will die with me!" he burst into laughter again.
With every ounce of strength left in me, I pulled on that motherfucker. It slowly came out, covered in my own blood. If this goes on to much longer, I'm stuck here. But if I don't get this out, I'm dead anyway!
Fuck I need help! Sasuke, why cant you be here this one time I really need you? You were always there to protect me, always! Now I'm going to die along with our children! The future of the Uchiha clan develops inside me, and you don't even know it. How ironic.
Half way out.
Well, since this could be the end. Sasuke, I never hated you. I've always loved you and I always will. I'm so sorry I'm to weak again. I'm getting in the way again huh?
¾ out.
3 minutes left. Babies, I know I Haven't had the chance to meet you, and at this rate I never will. But I love you. Both of you. You may not understand that now, but I wish you could.
Almost out! 2 minutes and 30 seconds left!
And Emi. I don't know to much about your past, but I know how much pain you must have gone through. I know you're being put through pain right now, and more pain once I don't return. But I know you're strong. You have to take care of daddy and keep going on. don't ever lose faith.
2 minutes!
Damn, I'm talking as if they can hear me. But I only have 2 minutes until it explodes, and there is no way I can get out in time.
1 minute and 30 seconds.
"HAH! You'll never make it! Why bother trying?"
With one more strong pull on the handle, it came out.
"AH! FUCK!" I panted, the guy stared at me, crazed.
"I don't give a fuck what you say!"
With the power of one leg I leapt toward him, the sword raised above me.
His eyes widened even larger, mouth opened to scream, but nothing came out.
I brought the sword down, thrusting it through his stomach.
"BURN IN HELL!" I screamed. The geysers spewed steam, turning red as I stared down at his dying corpse.
Blood gushed out of his mouth and from around the blade. I looked into his eyes, wanting to remember the look for the rest of eternity.
With his last breath I snapped back into reality, seeing the geysers glowing red.
"SHIT!"
I began limping back toward the open door, remembering all the traps. How am I going to get past those?
I have to risk it. I have to jump for it. One leg is completely useless, but I cant die here.
"Sasuke-kun, Emi-chan, babies… give me strength!" I prayed as I began my desperate attempt to escape.
I had just lifted off when the room behind me exploded, a wave of lava began chasing after me. I made it just past all the traps with the lava already halfway across them.
I limped as fast as I could toward the exit, my mind focused entirely on staying alive. I grabbed onto the wall and pulled myself along faster, praying not to stumble with lava practically on my heels.
"Sakura! What the hell do you think you're doing? don't you give up Sakura! don't fucking give up!"
Sasuke?
"Mommy! I need you! Please keep going mommy! You can do it! You told me you would come back, you have to!"
Emi?
"Sakura-chan! Are you willing to give up just because times are tough, huh? I thought you were stronger than that! Pull harder, push yourself farther! Get it together Sakura-chan!"
NARUTO?
I saw their faces, heard their voices. It may have just been my imagination, but it's the push I needed. The tears swelled, I fought them back with blinking but they were persistent little fuckers.
At last, as Sasuke's pissed off face was the last to fade away in the distance down the dark hallway I was desperate to catch up, crawling with one leg and pulling myself faster with my hands with lava behind me, threatening to consume me.
"SASUKE-KUN! DON'T LEAVE ME! SASUKE!"
"Here you are,
Down on your knees again!
Trying to fight it,
To breathe again!
And only surrender will help you now!
I love you, please see and believe again!"
Airi's view:
"Hitoshi, the whole ground is shaking! It's coming from where Sakura-chan is!"
He looked panicked, staring behind us where Sakura-chan ran off. Then he looked back at me, knowing what I was about to do. He nodded.
"Hurry and get her, then get the hell out of there!"
I handed him our other unconscious comrade and turned around, bolting with all the speed and force my body could provide me with.
It rumbled, trees came crashing down all around. I found the entrance to the cave. I felt Sakura's faint chakra coming from inside. I didn't hesitate and sped down there toward the familiar chakra.
I reached her rather quickly, it shook violently as the rock started to crumble around us. I saw her crawling towards me, her eyes pleading as the lava reached just below her feet. I quickly ran to her and hoisted her up.
"AGH!" she yelled, cupping the side of her left leg, it was badly burned and completely useless. Shit!
"Lets get out of here!" I yelled with a pitiful attempt at a smile, trying to comfort her.
I helped her hop on one leg, though I could see she was completely exhausted and leaned her full weight on me while fighting unconsciousness.
At this rate, the rock will crumble down on us!
"We have to go faster Sakura-chan, I'll carry you!" I picked her up bridal style, careful not to hurt the babies, and ran as fast as my legs could carry us up the winding dark tunnel.
"You're so cold!
But you feel alive.
Lay your hand on me,
ONE. LAST. TIME!"
Emi's view:
I practiced on the zombies from a different area where they were more alive somehow. I pumped chakra in large amounts into them. Healing 2 at a time while Elder Chiyo watched in amazement.
This was to easy.
"Is this really necessary? I know how to heal pretty well."
"I just needed to be sure that you could handle this. Now, bring your clone over here and begin practicing this jutsu on her, but don't go to far with it."
She gave me a scroll to copy and abide by.
I would practice this until I had it down pat.
Sakura's view:
We made it out a split second before the entrance caved in. Airi is now officially my freakin hero. She gently stood me on one foot and held my waist with one of my arms slung over her shoulders while my other hand clutched my torso over my abdomen.
I forced open my eyes and raised my head off her shoulder to look her in the eyes.
"Airi, arigotou. Please just take me back and don't stop now." she took her mask off and looked at me contemplatively.
"Sakura-chan, we need to go back to Hitoshi and he'll decide what to do, you could die if your wounds aren't treated."
I had no energy left to complain, so I just lowered my head back down to her shoulder and closed my eyes.
"Sasuke, I'll come back as soon as I can."
"Hitoshi, where are you?" Airi turned on her headset.
"I found a safe house about an hour away from your location. Meet me there, I'm waking the team up and there's lunch for Sakura-chan when you get here."
"It's not food I'm worried about Hitoshi."
"What do you mean?"
"Sakura's beaten up pretty bad."
"I'm getting the medic up now, he'll take care of her when you get here."
It felt like it took an eternity to get there as I fought back sleep. I was scared to go under for fear of never waking up. The will of a mother was the only thing to push me forward, thinking about how if I died, I would take the babies lives with me.
"Hurry, the medic has everything set for her."
I felt the weight of my unoccupied side suddenly lifted, Airi and Hitoshi carried me inside. I heard gasps as I entered.
"She's in pretty bad shape, lay her down gently."
I was carefully laid on the floor, feeling body heat an inch away from my left side. Not finding the strength to open my eyes, I listened to everything happening. Airi and Hitoshi were on my right while the medic was on my left. I felt the eyes of the shinobi 10 feet away from my head.
Next I felt chakra being pumped into my leg. They probably wont be able to heal it completely. But I'm grateful to have a team for once. I had forgotten how useful it could be when your life was on the line to have someone you can trust taking care of you.
I smiled and let exhaustion take over.
Kabuto's view:
Now that Karin is hooked up to the machine that's pumping the antidote into her, I can complete the other part of the plan.
I made my way to the leaf village, getting more and more excited to see the bright face of the child whom I've missed dearly.
Of course I wont make my move on the first night. I must watch and wait for the perfect opportunity.
I couldn't help the snicker pealing at my face with the thought of a plan well thought out. Everything is being set, now I watch and wait.
Emi's view:
"Child, you are catching on rather quickly! As expected of course.."
I panted and raised my head to meet her gaze, wiping the sweat off my forehead and smiling weakly. Gosh this is difficult! But I'm getting better with each try. At one point, I had almost completely brought the clone to life but felt I was going to far. Ever since then, I knew exactly how far to go and it got so much easier!
"Do you think I could be home by tomorrow?" I stood up and clasped my hands together, looking up at her with pleading in my eyes. I want to go home so badly!
"Hmmm.. The way I see it, you should be finished by about then if you train a little longer throughout the night. Do you think you can handle it?"
"Of course! Arigotou sensei!"
"Emi, child.." I looked back at her, her face became softer.
"You are by far the best student I have ever had." She closed her eyes and smiled, turning and walking back toward our cabin. I stood and watched her walk away, feeling the pleasant aura her chakra gave off, giving me a sense of peace for the first time in months.
"I hope though…. Sensei… when the time comes for me to meet my maker, I'll be enough to rid everyone of this burden.. Especially mommy and daddy.." I looked down at the ground and whispered to myself.
I didn't have time to second guess myself. I only have 18 hours left till I plan on leaving and I cant waste one more second of it fearing the worst.
I looked back down at my clone, she lay lifeless and still as if it were my own corpse. A scary sight. Shaking the thoughts off, I got back to work.
"I told the world,
One day I would pay it back.
But I don't even know if I believe it when I'm sayin that.
Doubt startin' to creep in,
Everyday it's just so grey and black."
Sakura's view:
"How long has she been out now?"
The voices were like muffles, my eyelids felt like bricks unable to be moved. My head was clouded with a thick, black fog and all my other senses seemed even more hazy. I felt a tight constriction around my injured leg, recalling the event just hours previous. Though, I felt no pain in any other part of my being.
"5 hours…. God I feel awful. But thank god I'm still alive. How do I open my eyes? Ugh! And my HEAD!"
"Hey! She's waking up!" I felt loud clumps on the floor coming towards me.
"She is…..! Sakura!"
"Airi?" her voice started coming in clearer, I felt fingertips lifting my head, then a softer surface supporting it.
"Come on, Sakura-chan, you can do it. Open your eyes!" She ordered in a soft tone.
"Can't you see I'm fucking trying? YOU try being stabbed and burned and almost swallowed by lava after a tiring fight and see how you fucking like it!" I wanted to scream.
"Tch. Uhhhg.." I spat, my muscles tensing as I clenched my eyes tightly before slowly prying them open, thankfully nightfall didn't allow blinding lights to torture my already sore as hell orbs.
There was blackness at first, I opened them a little more to finally see outlines of dark shadows surrounding me.
"That's right Sakura-chan. You'll be fine!"
I finally opened them fully to let in the full extent of the darkness, the shadows were slowly becoming distinguishable. Finally, I began to see Airi's sweet features. She smiled warmly down at me, I realized my head was in fact resting on her lap.
"Welcome back Sakura-chan!" she giggled, I looked at Hitoshi who stared at her face, a content expression worn to show his happiness in her smile. I felt a small smile making it's way to my lips.
"Sasuke…"
"OH! And the babies are JUST FINE! You managed to somehow protect them the whole time even though you were on the brink of death yourself. You're truly amazing Sakura-chan!"
The smile grew as she helped me sit up. I brought up one arm and hugged my abdomen while my other palm supported the remainder of my upper body, along with Airi's help. She really is something special.. You can't help but love the girl, sort of like Hinata.
"Thank god." I whispered to my stomach, looking down at the exposed flesh of my stomach and subconsciously grazed it with my thumb, imagining for the millionth time the future Uchiha's resting just inside.
"Sakura, you really should rest some more. It's shocking you even awoke after just 5 hours, let alone survived a sure death, thanks to Airi of course but still, lets not push it.. We can wait till morning."
Hitoshi stared at me carefully. He should know by now his orders mean nothing to me.
"No. I have a place I need to be. The sooner we leave, the better."
"Sakura…" he began to protest along with Airi who stared at me disbelievingly.
"Don't 'Sakura..' me! I gave an order and expect it to be followed to the beat! I thank you greatly for healing me and taking care of me, but remember who the captain on this mission is. We leave NOW." I furrowed my eyebrows and yelled in complete defiance. Airi tensed beside me, her face full of confusion at my sudden anger. But damnit I wanna go home!
Hitoshi stared at me stubbornly for what seemed like a life time, then finally sighed and lowered his striking white eyes to the floor. A sure sign of surrender.
"As you wish… Sakura-san."
I smiled brightly in victory and looked to Airi kneeling beside me.
"I'm gonna need you to help me travel with my leg like this." I looked down at my bandaged and heavily wrapped leg.
She nodded and began helping me up off the floor. She lifted my arm over her shoulder and grabbed my waist.
"Arigotou Airi." she nodded and turned to the group.
"Let's go home." I beamed brightly.
"Hai!" they said victoriously in unison.
"Finally. Sasuke, Emi.. I'm coming back! You wouldn't believe how much I've missed you! And Sasuke.. I still don't know how I'm gonna tell you about the pregnancy, but I know you'll be so excited! At last, your final goal is becoming complete.. You have no idea how much it means to me to finally be a part of it.. It turns out.. Maybe we ARE meant to be after all.."
"I know I got a good thing right here,
That's why I say..
Hey..
Nobody gonna love me better,
I must stick with you forever.
Nobody gonna take me higher,
I must stick with you.
You know how to appreciate me,
I must stick with you, my baby.
Nobody ever made me feel this way,
I must stick with you..!"
Emi' view:
The sun started peaking over the horizon in the dome. Thankfully, though it is a false sky, it is on time with all the beauty of the real thing. The oranges and pinks beamed on the tree tops, signaling the start of a new day. I whipped the sweat off my forehead and analyzed my handy work. I had performed the jutsu several times perfectly now, and I'm finally on the verge of mastering it!
"Chiyo-sensei is probably going to be out here soon to observe and call me in for breakfast, so I should probably wash up." I said to myself. The air held a pleasant smell of fresh fruit and whatever Chiyo-sensei is making for breakfast. The aura of peace and sanctuary filled my being with a hint of bliss, knowing I'd be seeing me daddy again shortly, and soon enough, mommy to!
I tried imagining what it will be like to see her face again, but I know imagining could never compare to the real thing, not even close. I imagined mommy and daddy thinking the same, feeling anxious to reunite with one another.
I started walking to the little stream and waterfall to wash up. I felt AT LEAST 15 years old, mature beyond my years. A shinobi is suppose to be of course, but I realize I miss out on a lot as a kid..
That doesn't matter now though, I have EVERYTHING I could ever want, and more!
"Emi-chan! Breakfast is prepared!" Chiyo sensei called shortly after I finished drying off and changing into the clothes I had ready, waiting there for me.
"Hai!" I called back, and began running back.
The air around us was comfortable silence, she looked pleased with where we were at. And honestly, so am I!
"I watched you perform earlier today, you are almost there. Only a short time and you will have mastered everything I have to offer. You're quite an amazing little person! I'm sure Sakura-chan and Hokage-sama couldn't be more proud!"
I swallowed the bite of strawberry and beamed a bright smile.
"Arigotou! I'm just happy to have so many people looking out for me!"
"That reminds me, don't think of the Hokage's actions in sending you to me as anything other than protecting you. She knows your capabilities, and has asked me to speak with you. It's very important for you to understand something-"
She gained a serious expression, lowering her chop sticks and looking me dead in the eye. I swallowed my next bite and waited for her to continue.
"Everything you have learned, throughout your entire experience from day one in Konoha, you must keep to yourself. In the event that you may one day be captured by that god awful Madara and Kabuto, you must have the element of surprise on your side. You are powerful, but they are very dangerous as well. You will one day have to face them, it is inevitable. And believe me, they will prepare for anything beforehand. This is the reason for all this training, to prepare you for that day god forbid no one is there to protect you and you must fight them yourself."
She spoke each word carefully, and everything started making sense. I lowered my chop sticks and placed them on my plate. Lowering my head in contemplation and thought.
"Chiyo-sensei.. I understand. I have never had a childhood, never known what it was like to have a family either. I was a mere test subject from day one and all I knew were lies. Now, I have an even bigger purpose. I have people I love, that I want to protect. I appreciate everything that everyone has done for me, and I promise you, I will NOT fail."
I raised my head to meet her gaze with determination written all over my face. My emerald hardened. Her eyes widened slightly, then returned to a soft glare.
"I'm very proud to have had you as my student, Emi. But our time together will be over shortly. You should be finished with your training by later this evening."
Jumping up, I smiled brightly before leaping at her, wrapping my arms around her neck and giving her a big hug!
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
I rushed out and immediately began my training with high hopes of competing it in due time!
"Mommy, daddy, soon enough we'll ALL be together again!"
"All I know is,
You came to me when I was at my lowest!
You picked me up,
Breathed new life in me,
I owe my life to you!"
Sasuke's view:
I looked at the sun, beginning to lower behind the trees.
"Hn. Time to go home." I thought out loud.
The days seemed to drag on and on. I hadn't gone to the Hokage in the last few days, knowing she would tell me the same fucking story she did every time I asked about either of them. I haven't seen the dobe around.. I wonder what he's been up to..
I packed up my stuff and headed back to the house, feeling just as numb as every other day. Without Sakura or Emi, life seems dull. Nothing is beautiful as it was when I saw it through their eyes. There's no one left to talk to, no one around to make the air feel lighter.
Once again, I felt the loneliness of an empty room, nothing more, nothing less. Just like I was back as a rouge ninja all over again, only this time I'm trapped in my own house.
I cooked dinner for myself again. Ate slowly as I didn't even bother to turn on any lights in the house anymore. I just looked around the dark, gloomy house with narrowed eyes and spiteful thoughts. Every now and then, I would see a vision of me and Sakura on the couch. We were cuddling, she laid her head on my chest and sighed as I looked down at her peaceful face while she closed her eyes and drifted off into a light slumber.
I saw me watching her, her lips slightly curled up at the corners in a smile of contentment as she slept. A true sign of happiness. I watched me watch her breathing, listening to the soft intake and exhale escaping those beautiful slightly parted lips of hers. How badly I wanted to caress that soft, ivory skin of hers. Everything about her drew me in.
Then I would snap back to the cold reality of her absence. I looked down at my half eaten supper, and pushed the rest of it away, resting my elbows on the table and holding me face with my hands. I ran my fingers through my hair and looked down at the wooden table, my hands holding either side of my head.
"DADDY, DADDY, DADDY!" I heard a small, squeaky voice becoming louder outside the walls of the mansion. My head shot up and looked around, I watched a shadow figure dancing on the wall from behind the blinds, it got larger and larger. Until it was out of view. A moment later there was pounding on the door.
"DADDY! ARE YOU THERE?"
"Emi?" I gasped and shot up out of my chair.
The door shattered into a million pieces that sprayed all over the living room as a tiny, raven haired figure came running in, she looked around and finally spotted me. Her vivid emerald clashed into my onyx as they glassed over. Tear swelled up as she mouthed the next words.
"I'm home!"
My heart stopped beating at the sight of her, this wasn't a fucking mirage, but the real thing! We both stood for a few moments, then I ran for her as she took off for me and leapt into my arms. I caught her mid air and hugged her to me tightly. All the emotion and fulfillment I had been lacking returned to me in a matter of split seconds.
"Daddy, I missed you so much!" she muffled into my bare chest, I felt the wetness of her tears spilling on my flesh.
We stood there for what seemed like an eternity. I embraced her as I remembered every little detail about the time we had spent together. All the memories came back, and I felt one hole in my heart scar over. Finally, I had my daughter back.
Moments later, I put her down and looked down at her bright teary eyes as she grinned from ear to ear. I inspected her physical progression, noticing her arms and legs were firmer, the muscles definitely bigger and more defined. Her knuckled were scared over from cuts that had once been present. So it wasn't all medical stuff, huh?
I half smiled, feeling the part of me I had been missing. Well, one part.
"Daddy, I learned a lot! And did really well! Wait till mommy comes back and sees how I've changed! oh, and I even mastered chidori while Chiyo-sensei wasn't looking!"
"Very good. As expected of my daughter." I mussed her hair with one hand and she cackled. I had imagined saying that to my kid since I was a kid. Now, I finally have a prodigy to put every other shinobi to shame.
I gave her the rest of my food and she told me all about the dome she trained in, careful not to mention what she learned, though, I could see she desperately wanted to. I chuckled to myself at how expressive she was with her hands and how her jade eyes would bulge when explaining how big it was.
When she finished she helped me with dishes and cleaning the dust off of surfaces. She bathed herself and came to watch a movie with me on the couch, the only light coming from the television.
She fell asleep on my chest, her wet hair sprawled out all over the place while I watched her sleep. She looked angelic to say the least, reminding me of Sakura.. No one could ever guess that she is probably the most powerful shinobi ever to live. I half smiled at the thought, brushing the hair from her face and picking her up. I put her in her bed and tucked her in. I kissed her forehead and stood there for a moment, wanting to remember the peaceful face she made forevermore.
I showered and laid in my own bed, contentment filling my being almost completely. Soon enough, my house will be full again. My life will be back to what it was, we'll be where we all belong. Together.
"My lover,
My life.
My shawty,
My wife.
She left me,
I'm tied.
Cause I knew that it just aint right.
I was thinking bout her,
Thinking bout me,
Thinking bout US..
What we gonna be?
Open my eyes, yeah, it was only just a dream.."
Sakura's view:
"Airi, Hitoshi, wait a minute."
"Sakura-chan, we're only 7 miles from Konoha, why stop now?"
"When we near the gate, put me down and go ahead to the Hokage, I want to see my family before I do anything."
They looked at me, I could see Airi smiling behind her mask as they nodded.
6 miles later we began walking, I got up enough strength to walk on my own almost normally, though every step felt like daggers shredding into every inch of my leg. I would bare it for this one special occasion.
"SO close! Just one more mile and I'm back where I belong! Oh I cant wait to see their faces again… I bet Emi is so much stronger from Sasuke's training.. And Sasuke.. I cant wait to look in your eyes and spend out first night together.. I cant wait to tell you about our little family turning into a bigger family!"
I couldn't help but grin at the thoughts as they came. Nothing on my mind but the two most important people to me in the universe. About another half hour and I'm finally going to see them..
I'll be home.
"I'm coming home,
I'm coming home.
Tell the world I'm coming home.
I know my kingdom awaits,
And they've forgiven my mistakes.
I'm coming home,
I'm coming home.
Tell the worth that I'm coming… home."
Emi's view:
"heh, you thought you could get away didn't you… I told you I would be back for you.. Come to me child."
Horrible golden eyes bore down on me from a large white serpent coiled around me, tightening its scaly body until I was constricted.
"Who-who are you?" I gasped out, feeling its slimy scaled all over me. Its menacing gaze lowered so it was parallel to mine.
"Your master.."
Sasuke' view:
An eerie feeling pulled me out of my state of sleep. Something didn't seem right..
I gazed around the area, searching for a chakra signature, finding only mine. ONLY MINE.
EMI!
I shot up and ran to her room. I saw a figure in the bed, and quickly ripped the sheets off of her. Her skin was paler and colder, her lips tinted a little blue. I panicked and listened for a heart beat, hearing only a faint one. She looked feverish, and on the verge of death.
"What the hell? Emi?"
What the fuck happened? A breeze rustled in through the open window, blowing a white sliver of something from the corner of my eye.
I turned and saw it was a piece of paper. I picked it up and my eyes bugged, heart stopped at the first few words.
"Sasuke-kun,
We have missed you tremendously back at camp. Though we feel hurt and betrayed by you, we are willing to forgive. You see, as you've no doubt noticed by now, your dear little Emi is on the brink of death. I have created an all new poison, incurable by any antidote other than mine which I also created. She will die in 3 days time if she doesn't get the first dose of antidote within that time span. Only I have that antidote. Bring her to me, and I will cure her if both of you remain here and finish what we've started. Be wise about this, don't bring your little girlfriend or anyone. Leave immediately. It will take you just over two days to travel here, I will send you the location once I am positive of where you are, and that you are alone.
Our family will be reunited once again,
Kabuto"
The note burned to ashes in my hand, swept away by the wind as I stood there, unable to even breath or think of breathing.
I looked over my shoulder slowly at the half dead being that was my world.
Going back to them meant leaving Sakura.. And the destruction of Konoha. But not going meant the death of Emi, and my reason for existance.
With a heavy heart, I forced myself to gather enough strength and block out the thoughts just enough to function. I packed our things and threw the backpack onto my back, picking Emi up bridal style and looking around the mansion one. Last. Time.
I was leaving everything behind again, making it seem as if I kidnapped Emi and went back willingly. "They will never forgive me for this.." I looked down at Emi's pale face.. "I don't care."
The gate to the entrance and exit of Konoha came into view. I hung my head low and continued on. Feeling the guilt of a thousand lies, a thousand heartbreaks crashing down on me.
A figure appeared in front of the gate. I glanced up swiftly to see the figure. Slowly my head raised as I began to realize who it was.
Long, pink hair. Vivid green eyes. Beautiful body. Wrapped up leg?
It was the LAST person on this Earth I wanted to see right now..
"Well isn't this scene ironic, ey, Sasuke-kun?" she choked out spitefully. Her eyes narrowed, her fist balled on her hip as she glared me down.
SHIT!
I stopped dead in my tracks. Careful not to meet her armed gaze.
"I tried so hard,
And got so far.
But in the end,
It doesn't even matter.
I had to fall,
To lose it all.
But in the end,
It doesn't even matter."
Author's note:
Probably my longest chapter EVER! Cliffie at the end!
BTW, I have a new story started (: I think you can only pretty much find it off my profile since it hasn't been submitted to any committees yet ):
Thank you everyone for R&R and those especially who have been with my story from the beginning (: I'm exactly where I want to be finally. Sorry it was a long wait, and you'll hate me for doing this but please just keep going! It'll be worth it I promise! :D
Please R&R AND! Check out my new story, vanity and love. (: thanks so much everyone!