Sakura's view:

"Mommy, Daddy stopped to rest for a bit. We should do the same and keep a far enough distance, where he doesn't feel our chakras."

I ignored Emi. My mind staying completely focused on finding him. The whole group had halted at Emi's request, but I kept going.

"Mommy, please stop!" Emi called out to me. Again, I ignored her.

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto appeared in front of me, suddenly, blocking the way and catching both my arms, spinning me onto a large branch and holding me securely.

"Tch. Let go!" I thrashed as he held on tightly. He suddenly pulled me into a tight embrace and held me very securely, the way only Naruto, the closest thing I had to a brother, could. I stopped wrestling against him and gave in; tears began spilling as a pulsing headache of anxiety throbbed, a storm brewing in my own mind. I sniffed and fought back tears. Naruto loosened up a little in a comforting embrace.

"I know you're just worried about Sasuke. We all are, but we can't let it get the best of us Sakura-chan. Emi-chan is in just as much pain as you are. I can't even imagine all the things running through her mind at such a young age, with so much piled onto her at once. You need to stay strong for her Sakura-chan, and trust that your daughter knows what she's talking about."

The tears kept spilling as my breath came in sharply. I would have collapsed if it weren't for Naruto holding me up. I felt little arms wrapping around my waist from behind, and turned to see Emi tightly holding onto me, all teary eyed.

"Are you okay, Mommy?" She sniffed through sad tears, her broken little voice crushing me even lower. Her bottom lip quivered in a cute pout.

Naruto gave me a knowing look and released me. I turned around and bent down to Emi's height, wiping away my tears and forcing a smile.

"Yeah, Tenshi, Mommy's fine. Just a little stressed out, pregnancy does that," I did my best at a light chuckle and wiped away her little tears. She nodded and hugged me around my neck. I pulled her closer and smoothed her hair for a moment, then took her by the hand and gazed at the worried faces of the rest of the group.

"Sorry everyone," I looked down at the ground. Naruto came up and put a hand on my shoulder, smiling his comforting, Naruto smile.

"Let's set up camp," He ordered lightly. Everyone nodded and dropped to the forest floor.

Three large tents were set up around a small campfire. I would share one with Emi, Ino, Hinata and Ten-ten. In the one to my left was Kiba, Shikimaru, and Chouji. To my right held Neji, Lee, Naruto and Sai, though I doubt Naruto and Sai will sleep in the tent. They were more outdoorsy kind of guys. Naruto liked looking up at the stars and Sai just enjoyed the perfect, peaceful thinking scenery.

I laid out a large sleeping bag for Emi and I to sleep on as the rest of the girls rolled theirs out as well. I sat down and sighed, watching the girls get settled. Ino came to sit by me on my left and Emi was leaning on me, with her arms wrapped around mine on my right.

I kissed the top of Emi's head and turned to my best friend who gave me a warm smile and wrapped one arm around my shoulders, resting the top of her head against mine.

"We'll get Sasuke back, don't worry about that forehead," I chuckled at the ending of her sentence. Ino can be SO supportive when she wants to be.

"Yeah, I know, Ino-pig," I smirked as she snorted and lightly bumped her head against mine.

"So…" Ten-ten sat back and stared at us, a strange look in her eye. "How far along are you now?"

I looked down and rubbed my stomach with my open hand.

"About 2 months,"

Ino took my hand in hers, lightly holding it as she examined my stomach.

"You don't show at all for months, you disgust me," She rolled her eyes light humouredly. The girls all smiled and I smiled down at my abdomen.

Emi reached over and began to rub it. I looked down at her to see a sweet smile and loving eyes painted on the face of my little tenshi. It warmed my heart as she slowly rubbed it lovingly.

"I can't wait to see if I have two little brothers, or two little sisters, or one of each. I'll be happy with either," She spoke quietly, almost in a Hinata voice. The girls all bent their heads to the side and awed at the cute scene. "Emi already loves you too," I mentally cooed to the growing lives.

She pulled her hand back and looked up into my eyes with a sleepy expression.

"Time for bed, Tenshi," Her faced dropped.

"But I'm not sleepy!" She pouted and began to protest, yawning at the end of her sentence and finishing half lidded. We all giggled and Ino got up and went over to her sleeping bag as I scooped Emi into my lap, rocking back and forth with her in my arms.

"We have a long day tomorrow, it's best we all got some sleep," She yawned again.

"Okay, Mommy,"

I looked down as she closed her eyes. Pulling the pillow over to where I would put her, I gently laid her down and brushed the hair from her face. With her up against me for warmth and comfort as she fell asleep, I closed my eyes and began to hum.

For 2 months I missed this feeling terribly, relieved to finally have her with me again. Surrounded by protection where nothing could possibly harm her. She must have exhausted a good amount of chakra doing that jutsu she told me about. No wonder she's so tired.

But right now all I could think of was how good it felt to finally have my daughter back, though I felt the impact of Sasuke's absence harder than I would let show. Oh, did I feel it though. I missed him. I missed his onyx eyes that I could stare into deeply; they held an endless universe full of stories and secrets to be revealed. I missed his heartbeat; it was the only sound in the world that could be the ideal lullaby for me. I missed his arms wrapped around me, how I felt so warm and protected in them, like nothing could ever harm me ever again. I missed his lips, how they melted me from the inside out.

Most of all, I missed putting Emi to bed together. Those sweet moments when I would see him smiling, actually smiling down at her as she fell asleep. It was a rare moment, but well worth the wait.

I sighed and looked down at the peaceful sleeping Emi, then down at my womb, placing my hand over it and rubbing my thumb across the bare skin. I thought of the little Uchihas forming inside, but mostly about the one who helped create these lives.

"Sasuke."

"I dream of your arms around me, as I tuck the kids in bed.

I don't know what you're doing.

And I don't know where you are.

But I look up at that great big sky,

And I hope you're wishing on that same bright star..

I wonder..

I pray..

And I sleep alone.

I cry alone.

And it's so hard living here on my own.

So please…

Come home soon…

Come home soon."

Sasuke's view:

I looked at the still, lifeless child lying next to me. Never in my life did I want to see her like this. In fact, I did all I could to make sure something like this couldn't happen. Where did I go wrong? Should I have waited up all night, protecting her? As impractical as it sounds, I couldn't help thinking like that.

I grunted and slammed my fist on the ground in frustration. The ground crumbled beneath my hand. "Where the hell is Kabuto's little messenger snake? I won't know where I'm fucking going if it doesn't show up soon," I growled to myself.

Looking back up at the black sky, filled with bright stars I spotted one in particular, the brightest. It stood out from every other, as if it were calling my attention. Suddenly, a face popped into my mind of a beautiful pink haired, green eyed kunoichi. I recalled the night I had first left.

Flashback:

"I'll never be like you and Naruto," I finished my speech and awaited whatever desperate plea she could conjure to beg me to stay. It was right then I knew I could never be in the same mind set as them. Never share the same goals or morals they shared. I would never know what the happiness of a family and friends would feel like. My path wouldn't allow it.

She raised her voice a little, tears spilling from both sides of her emerald orbs. "Don't do this, Sasuke! You don't have to be alone! You told me that day, how painful a thing solitude can be!" She took another step towards me. I wanted to move, needed to leave, but I couldn't. Something in me wanted to hear this, but the majority said it wouldn't matter in the end. "I understand that pain now…" tears spilled onto the unforgiving pavement.

"You have no idea…" Was all I could say to myself, "What would you know about seeing EVERYONE you love die in front of you? Having no power to even avenge their deaths and not being there to try to prevent them? Having the burden of an entire slaughtered clan by your own blood weighing down on you since you were a child? You know nothing about it!" I screamed in my mind. Though nothing in me wanted to scream that to her. She's torn up enough as it is, her voice was already shaking. I had to pity her at least that much so I quietly listened to what she had to say, never losing my blank stare ahead.

"I have family.. and friends. But… If you were gone, Sasuke, it would be the same thing, for me, as being all alone!" At this I felt strange. I knew all along she had a pathetic crush on me, but this began hitting deeper. "I need to make her let go," I decided.

"This is a new beginning. Each of us has a new path lying before us," I stated it as a fact. A cold fact and she broke down.

"Sasuke! I'm so in love with you I can't even stand it! If you would only be with me, I promise I'd never let you regret it! Everyday would be a joy! I can GIVE you happiness! I'll do anything for you Sasuke! So please, I'm begging you! Don't walk away! I'll even help get your revenge! I'll do whatever it takes to make it happen! I swear! So stay here… with me! And if you can't… then take me with you, Sasuke!"

This is when I finally figured out her love was genuine. She would leave everything behind for me. Sadly, it wouldn't be enough. She could get hurt, she's not strong enough. And she doesn't hold the same hate. Just the same love sick mentality she had when we first met. I cocked my head back and gave her an icy smirk. I need to end this quickly.

"You haven't changed, you're still annoying."

She gasped and stared at me wide-eyed. I began to walk away, hoping by some miracle she would stop right then and there.

"DON'T LEAVE ME!"

I kept walking. She ran closer to me desperately.

"IF YOU GO, I'LL SCREAM AND-"

I appeared behind her and everything stilled, except the wind which picked up and blew leaves around us as I stood closely behind her. Her cries and pleads even became silent, tears still streamed from her emerald eyes.

"Sakura." I said her name lowly, making sure she was listening to me carefully. I bit my lip, unsure of what exactly to say to make everything okay. I wanted her to stop crying, I didn't want to hear that shaky voice anymore, and I didn't want to leave her without her knowing I cared for her. For all her effort and time she spent on me. She was the one to keep light in my eye when none seemed to exist. The one who reminded me of who I was when I had completely lost it. She risked her life for me, in turn I did the same for her. She was nothing, if not a true and loyal friend to me.

Had my path been chosen differently, this could have turned into something more perhaps. But the facts have already been written in stone. I could only think of a few words to explain to her a million meanings.

"Thank you for everything," She gasped.

I hit a pressure point on the back of her head and she came down. I quickly caught her before she hit the ground. Picking her up, I laid her down on the concrete bench and walked away.

When I first met her, I never dreamed I would actually grow to care for her this much. But now, a new path begins. And Sakura cannot be a part of that path.

End of flashback.

Now, looking back on it, I saw how foolish we both were. I didn't like how Sakura tried to make it all about her, as if guilt tripping me into staying, just to be with her. Back then, I hadn't even thought of love for a woman. And Sakura was not the woman back then, that she has grown into now.

Back then, the love was ultimately one sided. Though I never denied caring for her, I never would have imagined loving her as I do now. I'm proud for at least one turn out of that night, Sakura became strong.

This time, she didn't make it all about her. She made it about our daughter, and our life. She included herself, but tried to give me other reason to rethink myself. If the circumstances were different, there's no doubt I would have stayed. For her.

She even tried to fight me while being injured. Had she collapsed with that injured leg, I would have caught her. I know it wouldn't be intentional, but automatic. I didn't want to see her get hurt ever again, yet I'm the one hurting her more than anything right now. I can't bear to imagine the pain and shock she'll feel when she wakes up on that same bench.

I picked Emi up and set her between my legs as I was propped up against a tree, her head laid on my stomach and I wrapped my arms around her securely. Then I rested my head back against the tree trunk and let my thoughts run free. There was still something I needed to make clear to myself.

"I'm sorry, Sakura," I let a tear slide down my face.

"I'm sorry I let it get this way, I should have never gone back. I realize now that I always loved you ever since the first time you stood up to me in that damned Sound village. I saw a side of you I didn't know, one I wanted to figure out and couldn't for the longest time. That's what drew me to you in the first place. Then I missed the old Sakura that was always kind hearted and gentle, and saw that you still had that side. It was brought out by Emi. But I wanted to tie myself with that side as well. I got use to the new you, and the more I knew you, the more I became attached. Now I regret not knowing it before, for all the times I wasn't there when you needed me, and for pushing you away when all you did was try to help me. One thing I can't bring myself to regret, is loving you. I love you, Sakura Haruno. That will never change now."

And with that thought, a white snake slithered up to me and looked me dead in the eye. My sharingan spun as it neared. It sat up and became eye-level with me. Its eye twinkled and sent a hidden message into my mind.

A place appeared, a very familiar place. I knew exactly where I was going now. And without a word spoken, the white snake slithered away and I rested my head back, knowing I had a few hours left of rest before I had to go.

The last image I saw before falling asleep was the one of Sakura's torn face from earlier. I wish I could wipe that pain away, but I can't. I squeezed my eyes shut and dug my fingers into both sides of my arms until they shook. My whole body tensed and even made Emi start shaking along with it. Then the tears came. When I clenched my teeth and did everything possible not to let them fall, ultimately failing.

"Sakura."

"I know I wasn't there, when you needed me the most.

I know I didn't care, and was afraid to get so close.

Tonight it's getting hard to fall asleep,

Cause it's becoming clear that I broke all into pieces,

And I cannot reverse it.

So I've got one more thing to say..

I'm sorry for your pain.

I'm sorry for your tears.

For all the little things I didn't know.

I'm sorry for the words I didn't say.

But what I still do,

I'm still loving you.."

Sakura's view:

The sun peaked over the horizon. The clouds above showed early morning purples, blues and grays of a dawning day. hadn't had one second of sleep the whole night. I stared down at Emi's sleeping face most of the night, and over the rest of the kunoichi, peacefully asleep.

Half the night I silently cried, thinking of Sasuke…missing him more than words could describe. I'm not even tired right now, just worn out. Emi's eyes suddenly popped open and she sat up quickly. I sat up and opened my mouth to ask when she cut me off.

"Daddy's on the move. I know where he's going!" She jumped up and started yelling at Aunty Ino and Hinata and Ten-ten to get up. They shot up and looked at her half lidded, yawning as she rushed them to get up.

I stared at her in confusion.

"How do you know?" I wondered out loud. There's no way…

"I don't know, I just do! Hurry up everyone! Uncle Naru! Everyone, GET UP!" She yelled.

Everyone began grumbling, but got up and quickly started packing everything. We were back on the move within 5 minutes. Emi paced around nervously and impatiently the whole time, she seemed concentrated and deep in thought. Oh what I would give just to be able to read HER mind for once. I can only imagine what goes on in there.

"Ready?" Naruto smiled tiredly at Emi, she grabbed both our hands and started hauling us toward the tall trees.

"Yes! Now let's go!" She rushed. The group behind us sighed and we were off.

This time, Emi took the lead. I followed very closely behind on her left, while Naruto was close on her right. She sped through the trees and created her own wind tunnel just by her speed. Everything was a blur passing. "She's really in a rush , isn't she?" I thought to myself. She gained my full confidence in her to know what she's doing. Whatever happened while I was away with Sasuke and Lady Chiyo, thank god. She seems to be 10 steps ahead already.

Suddenly she stopped dead in her tracks. The rest of us stopped in confusion.

"Emi?" I called to her in a questionable tone. She didn't speak. didn't move a muscle though she seemed tense.

"There's something I need to warn all of you about."

I looked at Naruto, his eyes were wide and he shrugged.

"What is it, Kiddo?" Naruto asked in a serious tone.

"Kabuto still has some third world corpses of old and powerful shinobi set up around the perimeter. There are 6 of them; all of their chakras are equal to Daddy's. Meaning only Uncle Naru and I could defend ourselves effectively on a one on one fight. There are 11 of us, and the rest of you could die if we continue. Mommy, you are at the highest risk since you are pregnant. Many of us will die just trying to protect you."

The whole group went entirely silent. Tension rang high in the air. Emi sounded completely serious, and all of us knew she knew what she was talking about.

"What are you getting at?" Naruto finally broke the silence. I was still in shock. A moment of silence that seemed to last forever held through the air once again. Everyone on edge at the news.

"An assault from the inside out is the only thing I can think of that wouldn't hold as high of a risk," She spoke softly. "Is this really my Emi? MY 5 year old Emi? This sounds like someone our age with our experience trapped inside a 5 year olds body!" I screamed to myself, knowing what was coming next. I refused to believe it. Tears swelled up as my entire body locked up.

"What do you mean?" Naruto asked lowly.

"I'll go in.. I can switch into my clones body. I learned how from my training with Chiyo-sensei by accident. I'll become poisoned like my clone, but I'll be able to take the antidote only Kabuto has and recreate the affects until I work it off from the inside. I'll be inside of my own body, working on myself, then I'll be able to get to Daddy and explain everything, and he can help."

"You mean, you go in there, alone through a clone, and pretend to be poisoned while you get to Sasuke?" Naruto questioned.

"Yes."

"NO," I finally swallowed my lump and spoke against this insane idea. Maybe she doesn't know what she's talking about after all.

She turned and pleaded to me.

"Mommy, it's the only way! If we get to close… and it's still my clone, they'll think Daddy brought us here and kill him on the spot! He can't take ALL of them on his own! This is the only way! It won't take too long. Give me 3 days there and then I'll send a signal. You guys stay FAR away and don't come until I give you the signal. If you receive it on the third day, you know we're alive and alright and you can come. We'll make our move when you arrive. I promise it'll work out! Mommy, please believe in me!"

Her eyes swelled up in tears, her mouth hung open and her stain glass emerald pierced through me. My mouth gaped as I searched her eyes, not wanting to believe what I just heard. My own 5 year old daughter, going off alone with some psychotic sickos surrounding her, and she expects me to be okay with that?

"Emi, I can't let you risk yourself like that. I couldn't- none of us could bear to lose you if something went wrong," She ran up to me in rage.

"Mommy, There is no other way! I'll be fine, I promise! If I didn't think I could do this, I wouldn't have said anything! I need you to think I can do this though too Mommy!"

She bent her head down and let the tears run down her face.

"I need you to believe in me, more than anything. This is the only way," she whispered lowly.

I bent down and lifted her chin to meet my teary eyes.

"It's not that I don't think you can do it, it's just that I can't stand the thought of losing you, Tenshi."

She wrapped her arms around me and dug her face into my hair. I returned the embrace. Naruto came up and put his hand on my shoulder.

"Sakura-chan, let her go."

I looked up at him, furious he actually took her side when I just convinced her not to!

"Naru-!"

"No, listen to her Sakura-chan. Remember who she is. She's not an ordinary 5 year old. You brought her into your life knowing that fact just as well as the rest of us did. We have to accept it, even if we don't like it, and none of us like it. Let her go."

He grabbed my arm and pulled me up, nodding to Emi as she backed away, sharing a deep stare with me the whole time. She moved her miniature mission cape to the side and got into position.

The whole group came up and surrounded me. Naruto wrapped one arm around me as I turned and cried on his shoulder, watching Emi with one eye while she concentrated. Sai put a hand on my shoulder and Ino and Hinata held onto me in a light embrace from behind. We watched the 5 year old hero at work.

She bit her thumb and wrote a blood seal across her other palm, she closed her eyes and made several hand signs. Slamming her hand onto a branch, hundreds of symbols spread from a circle surrounding her. She glanced up at me as the seal lit up in a white aura, consuming her.

"I love you," She mouthed to me before the seal flashed and consumed her whole.

Then there was nothing as the symbols vanished, along with the part of me Emi held.

"EMI!" I cried out her name and reached for the place she had just stood only moments ago. The group pulled me back in.

I sobbed onto Naruto's shoulder, knowing she's now at the mercy of poison, 6 powerful otherworld shinobi, the snake himself, and Madara.

"Sakura-chan, it'll be alright," Naruto spoke sadly, worry detected in his voice no matter how hard he tried to hide it.

The group enclosed around me, yet I felt so alone.

First I lost Sasuke.

Now I lost my baby.

"Sasuke, you better not let ANYTHING happen to her!" I screamed inside my head.

I couldn't stop weeping. Tears kept streaming, pouring like a waterfall and no matter what, I had no will left to make them stop. So I just let them go. No sweet words would calm the aching burning in my heart and the full blown hurricane inside my head.

"Sometimes late at night I watch her sleep.

I dream of the girl she'd like to be.

I try to be strong and see her through,

But Sasuke, who she needs right now is you.

Let her grow old..

Live life without this fear.

What would I be, living without her here?

She's so tired..

And she's scared..

Let her know that you're there.

Can you hear me?

Am I getting through tonight?

Can you see her?

Can you make her feel alright?

If you can hear me,

Let me take her place somehow!

See, she's not just anyone..

She's my sun!"

Emi's view:

The last image I had of my mother's broken face as she cried into Uncle Naru would be forever engraved in my mind. That's all I could clearly see now since I'm now in the body of my clone, only it's not my clone anymore. It's actually ME.

I found out when I almost went too far with the jutsu during training that I could see and feel everything my clone felt, granted I only felt it for split seconds, but I remembered everything. Now, it came in handy.

I know I sounded so sure I could do this, but I don't even know for sure if I can. What if they did something extra to the antidote? What if my predictions on how I can heal myself faster are simply impossible? It was a thought, and as soon as I receive the first dose, I should know for sure.

All I could hear right now is a heartbeat. My father's heartbeat. It was comforting, and I could feel his arms around my shoulders and knees as we leapt through trees. Suddenly, the effects of the poison kicked in. I sensed my heart rate slowing, I felt sweaty and clammy and my body began to burn all over. My muscles went numb and there was nothing I could do to move, and I could hardly breathe.

Now I could see why he would say he has the only antidote. This isn't a regular poison. If I don't get that antidote on time, I WILL die.

"Once I DO get the antidote, if everything works as I think it will, I should be able to send out a clone when no one's looking and have her lead them into the base. That way, she can help them fight from the outside in and take most of the impact, while Daddy fights from the inside out and I also use my other clone and fight from both sides."

Somehow I couldn't shake the feeling something bad would happen. And for once I couldn't predict it.

"Look what the world has come to,

So now it's time to say "FUCK YOU!"

If you care, then they drug you.

And no one's there when they numb you,

Fill you with terror and crush you,

Pretend they care as they shove you.

So you look to me to find the truth,

And what I say is what you do.

But everyone you look up to is really as fucked up as you.

Time is getting shorter,

With these enforced disorders.

And we get blamed and pushed around,

Who's the fucken villain now?"

Naruto's view:

I've never seen Sakura-chan so broken up. Not even when Sasuke left. This had to have hurt her deeper than anything, on so many levels. She hadn't stopped crying for a whole hour, no matter what anyone said or did. Finally we set up camp and began the waiting game.

She sat across from me in the shade, her eyes low to the ground, face full of numbness. It hurt me to see her like this.

"Naruto-kun, I'm going to get some fresh water for everyone. Want to help?" Hinata came up behind me and smiled shyly. I started getting up and nodded, taking her hand and walking away from my best friend, who hadn't moved a muscle in almost an hour now.

"Naruto-kun, why do you think Sakura-chan didn't tell Sasuke-kun about her being pregnant?" Hinata finally asked after we got out of ear shot of the entire group.

"So you caught that lie to huh, Hinata-chan?" I smirked at her ability to observe people closely and call lies.

"Mhm," She smiled weakly

"Well… I think Sakura-chan didn't want him to base his decision off of that. I'm sure it would've made a difference and Sasuke would have ended up going crazy trying to figure out what to do now that we know the full story. Also it was a pride thing. At that time, she felt stupid for loving Sasuke and getting pregnant by the one who betrayed her time and time again. She was probably thinking of never telling him."

"How could she hide something like that?"

"She hid being an ANBU assassin from me for a long time, Hinata-chan." She turned her head back to face the north.

"I just wish things would work out right for Sakura-chan for once, Naruto-kun,"

Her head hung down in sadness. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer, kissing the top of her head. Her cheeks lit up red, I LOVE making that happen. It's so adorable!

"I know, everyone does," She laid her head on my shoulder and we continued on our walk in a comfortable silence.

"She's my kind of rain,

Like love from a drunken sky.

Confetti fallen down all night.

She's my kind of rain."

Sasuke's view:

I traveled throughout the night and ended up there a day early. I set my sights on the underground ruin Orochimaru once used as a lair. This place of chance happened to be where I saw Naruto, my replacement and Sakura again after 3 years. Figures he would choose this place, just to spite me.

On the way, I noticed several large chakras hiding around the place, knowing Kabuto had probably set them up to keep anyone else out.

Walking into the dark hallway of the open tunnel I looked down at the even bluer face of Emi. Something about her changed, it could just be my imagination though. Fucking father instincts.

"Aa, Sasuke-kun. You've finally made it, the child too! This is such a wonderful reunion, isn't it Madara?"

The slimy snake came out of the shadow of the cave and stood before me, followed by none other than Madara Uchiha himself.

"That it is. Sasuke looks as enthusiastic as ever," Referring to the cold glare I shot at both of them.

"Save the greetings for someone who cares. Where's this antidote?" I demanded coldly.

"Patience Sasuke-kun, right this way."

He smirked and turned, followed by Madara who stared down at the child for a good moment. I followed cautiously, fully on guard for an attack.

We walked through the maze of hallways until reaching the medical room. They led me inside and revealed Karin, whose head snapped up and eyes widened, filling with tears at the sight of me.

"Sasuke-kun!" She ran over and grabbed my neck, pulling me forward into a tight embrace, carelessly, while I still had Emi in my arms.

"Get off!" I spat and shrugged her away, readjusting Emi into a more comfortable position, AGAIN.

She stared up at me and let a few tears fall. She hung her head back down and moved to beside Kabuto who wrapped an arm around her shoulder as her eyes hit the floor.

"Now, now Sasuke-kun. Let's not be rude to the cure."

My eyes widened.

"What are you talking about?" I furrowed my eyebrows and forced my lips into a tight line.

"Our lovely little red-head will be our little Emi's antidote. Her blood and chakra has been fused with the only antidote. In other words, you need Karin."

Wow. This day just keeps getting better and better.. Fuck me…

"I'm not your boyfriend baby.

I'm not your cute little sex toy.

I'm not your lion or your tiger.

Won't be your nasty little boy."

Karin's view:

Sasuke scoffed and stalked off. I kept my eyes low and felt the pain of rejection, yet it reminded me why I like him so much. He's not like all the other men. Kabuto turned to me and smiled deviously.

"He'll warm up, just keep him company for a while. He's just in a bad mood."

I nodded and walked off to follow the man of my dreams. My hearts only desire.

He walked into one of the bedrooms and didn't bother to close the door all the way behind him. He carefully laid the little girl down on the bed and felt her forehead. Sighing and standing back up, he turned to the door and found me peaking over the corner. I was shocked he noticed me there already and didn't know what to do, so I just came out and stood in the doorway shyly.

"I-is there anything I can do for you, Sas-uke-kun?" I looked down and smiled sheepishly. Looking back up I saw his face unchanged, still stoic even through my cuteness. "What's up his ass?" I wondered. "Oh right, the kid."

"Karin, get over here and do what you have to do, then go get me some cold, wet cloths."

I walked into the room and he stepped aside to let me by the bed. I looked down at the sickly little girl and was afraid to touch her. She looks so brittle.. Yet beautiful. But at the same time I shunned the kid for not being mine, and Sasuke-kun already accepting her as his daughter. She would be one more thing standing between us. I sighed and bent down, scooping her head up in one hand and bending it forward.

I gently opened her mouth and placed my wrist between her teeth, feeling Sasuke-kun's eyes on my every movement, like a hawk. Making her bite down, blood started pouring into her mouth. Recalling how much Kabuto said to give her at one time, I looked up to Sasuke and smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

"I've missed you Sasuke-ku-"

"Just get done with it and leave. I'm in a very bad mood," He stated coldly. His eyes hardened and showed no sign of welcoming to the conversation.

"But Sasu-"

"Karin," He yelled, his eyes spun crimson and bore down on me. "I don't want to talk."

I bent my head back down to the pale little girl.

"Does it have something to do with that pink headed bitch that almost killed me?" I went there. Hell yes. Now Sasuke-kun can get sad, and I can be there to comfort him! And-!

"It has EVERYTHING to do with her," He spat back poisonously. I looked up at him in shock at how angry and sure he sounded. Like it wasn't even out of anger he said that, it was more a fact of life. But how? How could she manage to steal Sasuke-kun's heart when I hadn't even so much as touched it all this time? It made me wonder..

"What's so special about her? Didn't you leave her a long time ago or something? And last I checked, you two hated each other's GUTS and now suddenly you... you..."

"Love her? And she is everything YOU will NEVER BE."

The words hit me like a steel knife, right to the heart. It was the first time I had ever felt this way, the first time I've actually gotten my heart broken. And how could he be so sure of someone like HER? She almost KILLED me! Why would Sasuke-kun love her? It doesn't make sense!

I could no longer speak. I choked back the tears and focused on the kid. Only a few more minutes and this dosage would be over. I had to give it to her 3 times a day and it's only 6 hours until her next dose. I need to lie down.

I walked out of the room with the fog of heavy tension finally releasing me, but the storm in my mind never ceased.

"Tell me,

What makes her so much better than me?

What makes her just EVERYTHING I can never be?

What makes her your every dream and fantasy?"

Sasuke's view:

Karin has always been over obsessed. Maybe it was useful back then, but if I didn't need her, she would be dead right now.

"So Sakura almost killed her huh? Too bad she didn't finish the job," I thought darkly to myself.

I sat on the floor in front of Emi's bed and laid my head back, feeling her arm pressed against my head through the blanket. Tightly shutting my eyes, I held back images and memories from flooding this deafening silence. I can't afford to lose it now.

"Emi. I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you. Seems like the more I love someone, the more destined I am to lose them," I whispered out loud. Suddenly footfalls came into the room. I opened my eyes and looked up to find Suigetsu leaning on the doorframe, his eyes fixed on me with a serious face. I cocked and eyebrow and he came in, shutting the door and sitting against the wall across from me.

"So you're finally back with the kid. The price was rather harsh, but it's been so dull without you, believe it or not. Karin's been going crazy over trying to get you back. In the meantime she's just this little puppet for Madara and Kabuto to play with, so depressed and willing to do whatever it took. So not like HER," He sneered.

"Hn," I grunted, avoiding the subject.

"You know-" He lowered his voice to a whisper, looking around before deeply gazing at me in a serious matter. "I don't think what they're doing to you and that kid is right at all. And I'm not someone who really cares about fairness of whatever, but bringing a kid into this mess?"

"I had no other options. If I could have, I would have killed Kabuto the moment he stepped foot into my daughter's life," I said lowly, but with every drop of poison clear.

"I never figured you for a family man Sasuke. I gotta say, I'm really disappointed," He chuckled darkly. I huffed and turned my face to the wall. "But, I hope the old you is in there still. The one that thought of everything 10 steps ahead," He put one hand on one knee and pushed himself up, smirking at me as he turned to leave. As he was about to pull the door open, he stopped and turned his head to the side. "Just letting you know, whatever you decide to do, Juugo and I have your back."

And without another word he turned and exited. I was left in my thoughts. Never once did I think Suigetsu was that loyal, but for once he had a hidden meaning. He had my back if I chose to kill Madara and Kabuto. For that, I felt a little burden lifted.

Looking to the side of me I saw a medium sized bowl full of cold water and 4 fresh washcloths. I got up to replace Emi's warming cloth in an attempt to get her fever down, her next dose isn't for hours.

A thought crossed my mind. Something I hadn't done since I was a child. My mother always did this, being the perfect woman and mother she was, but I saw no reason to do this for years. I had nothing to say to him. Now, as I looked down at the sickly little pale girl holding onto my heart, looking so lifeless, I finally had a reason.

I got back down on my knees beside her bed, not taking my eyes off of her face. I placed my linked fingers on the edge of her bed and bowed my head, closing my eyes tightly and letting a few tears slide down my nose, becoming overwhelmed with emotion.

I was down on my knees, praying. I didn't know what to say, but if there was a god out there, he would know what I need. He would understand and make everything okay, because I've come to realize I can't.

Tears kept sliding down my face as I looked back up at her face and gently sat on the bed, bringing her into my arms and holding her tightly, crying into her hair and she soundly slept against my chest, barely breathing. Her mouth slightly parted.

My whole body shook, tears kept coming down and I did my best at keeping them completely inaudible. Uchihas aren't suppose to cry! Pride wouldn't allow it.

Does pride matter, when you're on the verge of losing everything else?

"I'm so sorry," I whispered. Over and over. Hoping by some miracle this would make it all better. Somehow.

"I'm down on my knees again tonight.

I'm hoping this prayer will turn out right.

See there is a girl that needs your help.

I've done all that I can do myself.

Her father is tired.

I'm sure you can understand.

Each night as she sleeps,

He goes in to hold her hand,

And he tries not to cry,

As the tears fill his eyes."

Author's note:

My beta is back in business haha (: thank you so much.

But yeah, sadness, depressing thoughts. ): what will happen now? Will Emi's plan work? And Sasuke prayed, will his prayers be answered?

Find out soon enough (: onto reviewers:

Niakay: I felt I just HAD to write you back. Lmfao. Your review made me almost pee my pants laughing. I was like GOSH I think she might actually kill me… BUT no worries, Karin will die a painful and horrible death once and for all! But um, dibs on that cookie! Not even kidding… deuces (;

: I'm sorry about that. But, a majority of the readers do like the lyrics for some reason. So skip over them I guess? Sorry /: my other story only has lyrics or poems at the very top and then goes into the actual story if you would prefer that. Hope it doesn't make it to bad for you /: thank you for complimenting my story though (:

To the other reviewers: sorry you don't each get a paragraph! ): but it would take FOREVER and I think I want to update quicker lol. Thank you everyone though! You guys are fantastic! Please keep R&R AND PLEASE check out my other story (:!