It hurt him, that he couldn't help her at all. It pained him because she would never care that much for him. The best he could do was promise to bring Sasuke back alive.

But after the fight, as Kakashi carried his limp body home, he knew that it was impossible.

The Sasuke Uchiha they had fought together and grown with was long gone, as soon as that tattoo thingy happened.

In their next fight one would have to die.

It would break her, he knew, if Sakura had to chose between her friend and her love.

But…he promised her…