A/N: Thanks for your patience. Next time is the Epilogue.
Enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 50: Scars
Unlike her previous visits into her mind, the surroundings were much darker than they had ever been. Sakura's chakra reserves were dangerously low, yet she felt detached from whatever was going on in the real world.
Her own world came inside out after the agonosing pain she had mercifully felt for only a brief moment overpowered her senses, and then…
…nothing.
Sakura's carefully constructed mental barriers had crumbled to the imaginary ground, baring the vast emptiness of her rapidly vanishing conscience.
"Sakura," someone called her name.
Turning around, the rosette came face-to-face with her own reflection, yet it wasn't quite her.
Nefetari, having been freed from her prison, stood in front of her host. Her black eyes stared unblinkingly at the rosette.
"You're dying," she said gravely.
Sakura couldn't even find it within herself to be shocked at the news.
Another quick glance at her chakra pool showed that her reserves were continuing to decline at an alarmingly rate.
When the last drop of chakra was spent, her soul would depart from her body.
Sakura glanced back at her embryo. "What now?" She asked.
The Akuma took hold of Sakura's hands. "We spend our last moments together. You don't have enough chakra to activate your secret weapon, and I've been weakened since our merge."
Regret filled Sakura. "I don't want to die now; not when I've finally made peace with my past, and found happiness in the arms of a lover."
Nefetari gently squeezed the rosette's hands. "Don't burden yourself with regret of what could have been. Spend your last moments recalling the sweet memories of the Uchiha holding you in his arms, or the ectasty you've felt while you've made love."
Doing as told, Sakura brought up memories of sweet moments spent in bed as Sasuke held her close. She had felt secured and cherished in his warm embrace.
Whenever they made love, the rosette felt completed, as if she was meant to have the Uchiha stay inside of her and bring her to blessed release.
She thought about the peaceful look Sasuke's face would have as he slept, the adorable dimples that adored his face whenever he genuinely smiled, or the way his ears would turn red as Sakura showered him with affection. His pleased hum, however, would prove to her that he enjoyed her attention.
Even with the happiness brought on by the memories, the regret continued to twist itself in Sakura's soul like a poisoned dagger.
Without control, tears poured down Sakura's face as she sobbed.
A glance up informed her that Nefetari shared her pain and was also crying.
Of course she was. They were now one being.
"So you two have also merged."
Host and embryo were both startled, and whipped their tear-stained faces to the intruder.
Tsunade and her embryo, Nubiti, stood before them.
The Akuma appeared expressionless, yet grief aged the Slug Sannin's normally youthful face.
Nefetari growled in warning, whilst Sakura panicked.
"What are you doing here? Are you here to finish the job?!"
Tsunade shook her head. "No, child. I merely wish to say goodbye, and to beg your forgiveness."
The initial panic faded enough to allow confusion to enter. "What do you mean?" Sakura asked warily.
Tsunade gave a bitter smile. "I too am dying, and only now at death's door do I realize the consequences of my actions."
The rosette's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Your selfishness caused many deaths and heavy grief. You just killed me without any remorse! I was your student; I thought of you as a mother!"
"Don't blame her, human. My desire for revenge against your kind clouded her judgement." Nubiti at last spoke.
A childish part of Sakura desperately wanted to believe that was the truth, yet cold experience taught her that a person's actions were heavily influenced by their own will.
Nefetari had the same opinion. "Speak no lies! I've done all that I could to corrupt Sakura's mind, yet her will was unbendable! Your host's actions are solely on her conscience."
Tsunade closed her eyes, yet she offered no counter-argument.
Nubiti glared at Nefetari, whilst the latter hissed in equal dislike.
Sakura glanced once more at her chakra reserve, heart dropping as it lowered even more.
"Sakura," Tsunade called, pulling the rosette's attention to her. "I've done terrible things. I've lied to you and the village. I've manipulated your emotions to suit my agenda. And I've committed the unforgivable act of murdering you." A lone tear slid down her cheek.
The rosette stared coldly at her former mentor. "Unforgivable, indeed. You've wasted your time coming here."
Tsunade looked back unflinchingly. "No, I haven't wasted time. Now's your chance to ask me questions before my soul departs."
Realizing the opportunity before her, Sakura seized the chance. "How was I impregnated?"
The Slug Sannin's eyes narrowed. "You were fourteen. A farmer requested our services to investigate the reason behind the disappearance of his livestock. I sent you on our behalf."
Sakura's breath quickened as memories of that day flashed before her.
"You don't remember, but you arrived to see the farm burning and its inhabitants dead. That's when you were ambushed."
The rosette swallowed a thick lump. "By whom?"
Rage burnt through Tsunade's eyes. "Danzo's men." She hissed. "A small group of ANBU Root survived the Black Death, and escaped with that bastard into the wild."
Sakura recalled Shizune's revelation to her all of those days ago. "Danzo got hold of some Akuma eggs, and you were among the first that he, along with Orochimaru, experimented on."
Her former mentor stared at her in disbelief.
The rosette stared back coldly. "Shizune-san told me everything." She said. "Were you held prisoner in Kirigakure?"
Panic flashed through the older woman's eyes, but she took a shaky breath and spoke. "Danzo was always a man of opportunity. He envied my sensei when he became hokage, and has done everything possible to undermine the hokage's orders. When the Land of Whirlpools was attacked, Danzo's men overpowered me and took me to a secret base on an isolated island off of the coast of the Land of Water." Her eyes snapped shut. "Please don't force me to tell you the horrors that was done to me!"
Sakura nodded in agreement. Despite the anger and hurt she felt, the rosette couldn't help but feel pity towards her former mentor. "What happened to Danzo after you escaped?"
Tsunade's golden orbs opened once more. "He went into hiding, and it wasn't until I rescued you from his men that I saw him again. I made him suffer slowly and agonizing before I took his life."
Sakura was relieved to hear that another dangerous man was out of the picture and couldn't harm anyone else again.
She spoke. "What happened to the Akuma in that base?"
Tsunade shrugged. "I imagine that they too escaped. That day was chaotic; I only focused on getting back to the main continent."
The rosette's eyes narrowed. "Is there any chance that they made it to the main island? The Land of Water has been unusually quiet for the last twenty years."
The Slug Sannin sighed. "You're wondering if I had any involvement in a possible Akuma infestation of that country." She stated. "The truth is that I don't know. My hive only expanded upon this continent. If there is an Akuma presence in Water country, their hive link is closed off to me."
"She speaks the truth, Sakura." Nefetari confirmed grudgingly.
Sakura let out a long, quiet exhale. "What about the Newborn?"
Tsunade cocked her head. "Newborn?"
"The abomination," Nefetari said. "The one that smells like you."
The rosette whipped her head to face her embryo, before she glanced back at her former mentor.
Tsunade refused to meet her eyes.
Her embryo snarled. "How dare you bring up that abomination?! Hosuto does not…"
Nubiti gasped, while her host clenched her head.
Sakura stared at them warily. "What's happening?" She asked her embryo.
Tsunade and Nubiti started screeching, prompting the other pair to back off slowly.
"What's happening to them?" Sakura repeated.
Nefetari was about to offer a reply, when the Slug Sannin's head whipped up. Her darkened eyes searched for Sakura's frantically.
"Sakura!"
A pleasant breeze brought the sweet scent of water lilies to the traveler's nose. A green kimono hugged her luscious curves as she silently walked barefoot towards her destination. She had a target in mind, and she planned on satisfying her desire until she saw fit.
At last, she arrived, and carefully opened the sliding door, before pulling it shut.
She quietly made her way down the hallway, until she arrived at the first room.
The bedroom was decorated with traditional furniture, and a large body slept on the mattress.
The mysterious woman entered the bedroom. She tread carefully to not awaken the potentially dangerous figure. The woman knew that once he recognized her he would be at ease, but it was a fool's game to wake up a shinobi without expecting reflexes.
So far so good, and the woman stopped when she towered over the sleeping man.
Desire heated her blood as she hungrily took the sight of his exposed pectoral muscles and biceps. His sculpted chest was riddled with scars, yet that only made the sight more appealing to the woman.
Quietly, she stripped off her kimono, and stepped out of it. Goose bumps formed all over her naked body, yet it was out of anticipation rather than the cold.
The woman carefully layed down beside the sleeping figure, and pressed herself up against him.
She sucked on an earlobe, causing the man to shudder in his sleep.
Amusement filled her soul, and she blew warm air into his ear. "Wake up." She whispered.
The man grumbled, but remained asleep.
Boldly, the golden-haired woman peeled off the blankets, before crawling on top of the man, and straddling him.
Abruptly, the man's eyes shot open, and they widened at the heavenly sight above him.
The woman smiled teasingly down at him, and his dark orbs looked over her naked body.
"Ts…Tsunade?" He gasped out in disbelief.
The kunoichi's smile became tenderly. "Yes, it's me."
The man blinked repeatedly as if trying to convince himself that this wasn't real. "This must be either a dream or a genjutsu. You've been missing for four years." His eyes narrowed and his body tensed.
Wanting to calm him down, Tsunade rubbed her genitalia against his, while kissing his neck. Both actions had the man quietly gasp out in shock and pleasure.
She left a trail of kisses up to his ear. "I'm back now, but let's not talk about what happened. Tonight, I want you."
The white-haired man groaned in strangulated pleasure and his eyes drooped as if in a trance. "Ts…Tsunade. I thought you didn't…"
The woman cut him off by planting a firm kiss against his lips. The man's eyes widened comically, before they closed as he gave in.
The kiss quickly became steamy as both shinobi ran their hands over each other's bodies.
Tsunade mewled into the kiss as the man rubbed her perk nipples. Secretion began to leak out of her sacred place, and her body tensed up in impatience.
Their constant touching and rubbing excited the man too, and the evidence poked at Tsunade's abdomen.
The woman pulled away, and leaned down.
Without hesitation, she took the long and thick member in her mouth, whilst the rest that couldn't fit were massaged by her delicate hands.
Her lover chocked out her name as she sucked hard.
Pleasure vibrated through the woman, and more secretion leaked out as her groin burned with need.
The man roughly pulled on her hair, not wanting her to stop the delicious sensation her tongue caused him.
It didn't take long for him to release inside of her mouth, and the woman eagerly swallowed it all.
Momentarily spent, the man leaned back against the mattress, and breathed hard, though a dazed and satisfied look was fixated on his face.
Not done yet, Tsunade crawled on top of him again. "Jiraiya, we haven't finished yet," she said seductively.
Eyes darkening with lust, the white-hard man swiftly flipped their positions, and slammed Tsunade into the mattress.
She was momentarily surprise, before her lips curled into a smirk.
She glanced down at her lover's member which was hard once again.
The man spread her legs wide, and placed the tip of his member against her entrance, causing the woman's breath to hitch. "Say it, Tsunade. Tell me what you want." He commanded lowly.
The blonde snarled at him in impatience. "Fuck me, Jiraiya. Fuck me hard!"
Giving into his own desire, the man slammed hard into her shaft, causing both to moan loudly.
Jiraiya set up a hard and fast pace, causing his lover to leave scratches along his muscular back.
He himself gritted his teeth in a mixture of pleasure and pain as the woman's tight and hot core squeezed his member just right.
The couple grinded against each other, both wanting to satisfy the beasts within.
At some point, Jiraiya placed the woman's slender legs on his shoulders, intensifying the penetration.
The golden-haired woman pulled him flush against her, and attacked his lips hungrily.
She cried out in pleasure as a hot mouth latched onto her breast, and sucked hard.
Her core clenched around his member, and her abdominal muscles tensed up as an orgasm quickly built up.
Sensing her need, Jiraiya quickened his pace even more, and soon Tsunade cried out.
Her lover was quick to follow, shouting her name as he released himself inside of her.
Both lovers shuddered quietly during the resolution.
Jiraiya's dark eyes shined with affection as he looked down at the woman of his dreams. "I love you, Tsunade," her former teammate confessed. "I always have, since we were kids."
Hesitation and guilt plagued the woman as she looked back up at him.
Not knowing what to say, nor wanting to hurt him, Tsunade pulled the man down for a kiss which was eagerly returned.
Jiraiya grunted as he pulled out of her, and laid down on his back. He gently wrapped his arms around Tsunade, and pulled her against him.
Tsunade tensed at the more intimate contact, though the shallow breathing indicated that the man fell asleep.
His strong embrace ensured that Tsunade would not be leaving anytime soon. Feeling exhausted herself, the woman decided to surrender herself to sleep.
X
Tsunade woke up to the feeling of a large, calloused hand gently caressing her left breast, while a warm tongue lazily licked her neck.
The primal actions had her smiling.
Behind her, she felt her lover's member hard and throbbing against her lower back.
The woman slightly leaned her head back. "Hello to you too," she teased.
Jiraiya chuckled lowly, and ran his hand over the woman's delicate curves until they found what he was looking for.
He sucked on Tsunade's neck as his fingers finally met the slick entrance that was more than ready for him.
Tsunade's breath caught in her throat as the man slipped in a finger, swirling the digit inside of her warmth.
Reflexively, her legs opened for him, and she soon found herself held down onto the mattress.
Jiraiya's massive frame hovered over her, his eyes greedily drinking in the sight of her magnificent body.
His head leaned down, and he took in a breast into his mouth, while he gently massaged the other.
Tsunade closed her eyes, and moaned at the sensation, whilst running her hands through the man's thick hair.
He continued the same treatment on the other breast, before he began to leave a trail of hot kisses down her belly, and hovered over her aching part.
Tsunade moaned loudly as her lover eagerly licked her. She panted and mewled helplessly, her legs trembled at the intensity of the moment.
Just as she was on the brink of a wonderful orgasm, he pulled away.
Tsunade growled in displeasure, but quickly gasped as she felt the man's throbbing length enter her.
For the rest of the night, and part of the early morning, the bedroom was filled with the various noises of ecstasy.
Sakura gasped as she returned to her mindscape.
Nefetari was supporting her since Sakura nearly collapsed from the vision. Her black eyes shined down on her with concern. "Are you alright?" She asked.
The rosette nodded, and looked out. She noticed that the intruders were gone.
"Where did they go?"
"Their souls have departed their body." Was the simple reply.
Surprisingly, Sakura felt remorse at her mentor's passing. Despite the betrayal, the rosette couldn't help but remember the fond memories of her mother-figure throughout the years.
"Comfort yourself with the memories." Nefetari said. "Your mentor may have lost her way, but she did love you."
Sakura looked up at her embryo. "Is this the end?" She asked.
"Not while I'm here."
The pair turned around and saw a red-haired male staring back at them. His eyes glistened like a thousand stars shimmering in the night sky.
Nefetari gasped in shock. "Amenaru?"
A smile graced the Akuma's face as he regarded the females with a soft expression. "Hello, most beautiful."
Slowly, he approached the pair, and Nefetari stood.
Tenderness softened her face as she stared at the Akuma. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm going to pass on my life-force to you." He glanced at the still-seated rosette. "Your mate grieves your death."
Pain panged through Sakura at the news, and fresh tears moistened her eyes. Oh Sasuke, she thought.
Amenaru wrapped his arms around Nefetari, and pulled her close.
The Akuma closed their eyes as they held onto each other.
Immediately, a rush of energy filled Sakura, and she stared in amazement at her now increasing chakra reserves.
The rosette looked back at the male. "Why are you saving my life?"
"One way or another, I'll die. I'd rather pass on by doing a noble cause than simply be slaughtered like mindless prey."
Sakura hesitated. "But, you and Nefetari…"
"Even if you had bore her, we'd never be able to create our own hive. By saving your life, I'll also be saving hers."
The rosette bowed her head. "While I don't regret having put a stop to your threat, I'm sorry about what happened to your homeworld."
Amenaru cracked an eye open to glance at her. "Your sincerity is unexpected, but appreciated. Our species may die out here, but Nefetari will live on in you. Whatever children you bear will be hers, and partially, mine as well."
Sakura stared at him in shock, completely moved by his words.
It was at this moment, the first time in history, that a human had shed tears for a demon.
Unexpectedly fast, Sakura's main reserves reached their maximum peak, and her extra one filled up as well.
"Sakura, use your seal!" Nefetari urged.
Shaking away her sensitivity, Sakura manipulated her chakra to spread out from her forehead towards the area of greatest damage: her chest.
Precisely, her medical chakra sent electrical currents through the cardiac muscle fibers to start her heart, at the same time, mending broken bone, torn muscles and lacerated blood vessels.
It was difficult work, but Sakura directed the donated chakra wisely to do her bidding.
A familiar chakra entered her system and sped up the procedure.
Despite being occupied, Sakura was aware of the emotional goodbye between the two Akuma.
She felt pity for Nefetari as she held onto the male's form until he disappeared.
The Akuma slowly slid down, and curled into herself, silently crying to not disturb her host's concentration.
Otogakure was a mess.
Several fires had to be out quickly before they threatened to burn down the entire village. Numerous buildings had collapsed, or were on the verge of collapsing. Bodies, both human and Akuma, littered the grounds, their blood mixing with each other.
Survivors of the Black Death stared at the familiar sight with grim faces.
Minato ordered to keep the civilians in the safehouses until further notice. Every capable shinobi were ordered to aid in the clean up.
Within two days, the graphic evidence of death was cleaned out, but the damaged buildings couldn't be easily fixed.
Thankfully, the hospital remained intact, and it was packed with injured shinobi.
Despite the chaos, Sakura was placed in a private room on the top floor with a view of the fortress in the background.
Her Byakugō no In had indeed saved her life, yet even after five days, Sakura was still in a coma.
Her skin was awfully pale, and there were purple bruises under her eyes.
The hospital gown hid the irritated new skin that had grown back to cover the gaping hole in her chest.
The heart monitor showed a steady beat, and it, along with the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest, were the only indications that she was alive.
Sasuke never left her side.
The young man was absolutely exhausted, both physically and mentally, by the time Sakura was delivered to the hospital.
The group were stunned that an Akuma had willingly given its own life to save the rosette.
Surprisingly, Sasuke honored the sacrifice by burying the Akuma in the nearby forest, instead of leaving its body to rot in the sewers, or merely burning it.
Throughout the past five days, Sakura's closest friends came to check on her.
Ino was always close by, having volunteered to tend to the injured since there was a great lack of skilled medical ninja.
Naruto and his father often visited. The first time, Naruto brought a single white daisy that bloomed under his care and that of Hinata.
Secretly, the blond ninja frequently passed by to check on Sasuke.
The man's family also came often. Mikoto would always bring a new set of clothes and fresh food, while Itachi would sit and talk quietly with his younger brother, encouraging him to have hope and patience while he waited for Sakura to wake up.
Kakashi and his family arrived on the third day with more fresh flowers. "To brighten up the room." His wife said.
Kai also added in his ten cents. "Maybe the smell will wake Sakura-nee-chan up!"
Though the mood was gloomy, Kabuto and Shizune assured everyone that the rosette was recovering nicely, and that it was only a matter of time before she'd wake up.
Presently, Yūgao was at her temporary apartment that had miraculously remained intact.
She was resting after accompanying Jiraiya, along with other shinobi, to raid the Akuma hive and destroy their eggs.
As far as the shinobi could tell, every adult Akuma had been hunted down and killed, yet their work would have been for nothing if a fool managed to get himself infected with their young.
Hayate gently ran his fingers through the woman's hair, he too resting after an exhausting week.
Despite the horrors and betrayal they've suffered, Yūgao finally felt at peace for the first time in over twenty years.
It was over. The Akuma would no longer plague them.
On this continent, anyways. The woman inwardly cringed.
That issue would have to wait.
Hope bloomed in Yūgao's chest. Once they managed to clean up the mess in Otogakure, they'd finally be able to go back home. Both women and men.
Konoha would be rebuilt, and in time, it will feel like home once more.
Strong arms gently squeezed her, prompting the woman to smile.
Home was with Hayate.
Remembering his words from all those months ago, a mental image of a brown-haired baby graced Yūgao's mind.
Her smile widened. Once they were home, it was damn time to start their family.
A knock at the door interrupted the couple's peace.
At first, they ignored it in hopes that the person would leave, but a second more frantic knock had the purple-haired woman climb out of bed, much to the dismay of Hayate, and make her way towards the door.
She was surprised to see Tenten, who was practically ready to burst from her shoes.
Before Yūgao could question her, the brunette interrupted her. "Sakura's awake!"
Sakura was overwhelmed by the various reactions of her friends and comrades due to her awakening.
They ranged from loud exclamations and cheers of joy, to sheer dumbfoundedness. Despite the relief of recovery, Sakura felt emotionally detached.
When Kakashi's son entered the room, he smiled cheekily at his father and said: "told you the flowers would wake her up!"
Sakura's friends greeted her individually to not overwhelm her. Despite having healed, the rosette was still incredibly weakened, and she tired easily.
The reaction that tugged at her heartstrings the most was Sasuke's.
When Sakura woke up the first time, she first noticed a warm solid grip on her left hand.
With some effort, the rosette turned her head and saw a thick curtain of black hair that nearly tickled her nose.
Its owner was sleeping, though the frown on Sasuke's face made it evident that his dreams weren't pleasant.
Mustering all of her strength, Sakura managed to give Sasuke's hand a light squeeze.
At first, he didn't even react.
Realizing that more needed to be done in order to wake him up, Sakura slowly adjusted her body to lie on her side.
With the better angle, she reached out with her free arm, and weakly caressed the Uchiha's hair.
He mumbled incoherently, yet he slowly regained consciousness the more Sakura massaged his scalp.
The Uchiha lifted his face off of the bed, and stared blankly at Sakura for a moment, before realization dawned on his face.
He stared wordlessly at Sakura with widened eyes.
She was disheartened to see the dark bags under the onyx orbs, and the seemingly permanent creases of worry.
The rosette gave a weak smile. "Hi, Sasuke."
Suddenly, the rosette found herself engulfed in a warm, but gentle, embrace.
Sasuke took various shaky breaths as he held the woman close. "Don't ever leave me again, anata." He said tensely.
Sakura's heart leapt at the term of endearment, and she returned the hug as best as she could.
Sasuke eventually pulled back, and pressed his forehead against the woman's. "You died, Sakura." He continued quietly. "I can't get that image of you out of my head."
Unable to provide him comfort with words, the rosette gently tugged his face closer and pressed her lips against his.
The Uchiha eagerly returned the kiss. He opened his eyes when Sakura pulled away prematurely, and frowned when he saw how exhausted she was.
Sasuke felt unease when Sakura looked down her hospital gown and stared blankly.
It seemed like an eternity had passed before Sakura adjusted the gown close to her skin, and closed her eyes shut.
The Uchiha understood her reaction. Having cleaned her body of the gore, he saw firsthand the gruesome, angry-looking scar that marred her chest.
He carefully pushed the woman onto the bed. "You still need to rest. You haven't recovered completely."
Sakura allowed herself to be pushed back, opting to stare at the ceiling as if it would crack and reveal this reality to be a sick genjutsu.
Sasuke gently brushed short locks of hair from her pale face. "Sakura," he whispered tenderly.
She sighed, and tried to get comfortable before looking up at him. "Will you stay with me? I need you close by."
Sasuke swallowed a thick lump at the rosette's usage of similar words to his all of those months ago. He nodded, and was about the sit down when a rather firm hold on his wrist stopped him.
"Share my bed with me. I'm cold."
Concerned, Sasuke went around the bed, and carefully slid into the bed covers.
He pressed himself against Sakura's back, and sure enough, she was cold.
The Uchiha wrapped his arms around her to allow her to suck in his warmth.
Slowly, the woman's shivering died down, with only occasional spasms.
"You're safe now, anata." Sasuke whispered. "No one will ever hurt you again."
Another spasm jerked through the woman's body, and Sasuke felt something moist accumulate on his arm.
The man tightened his hold. "I'll always protect you," he said soothingly.
