A/N: .Naruto ! ah

From Weasel-san with Affection

Princess of Ikana

Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto and its respective owners.

Chapter 15: Draining

Sakura felt more refreshed when she awoke the next morning, but at the same time, the rage disappeared and remorse had settled inside. She couldn't cry anymore for Sasuke. So instead she cried for the crumbling remains of their team 7 and how she couldn't save either Naruto or Sasuke...

She wasn't alone, Itachi appeared and gathered her into his arms, trying to comfort her sorrows.

"Itachi, I've failed them both" she cried into his chest.

Itachi said nothing in return but rested his head on top of hers and picked his fingers through her hair softly and began to hum quietly in a soft tune.

Sakura understood that nothing he could say would make anything better so instead he was just trying to be comforting. She cried some more and when her tears run out she lifted her head slowly and stared into the eyes of a man who loved her for her and had been by her side the whole time and she felt relieved and at peace.

Itachi closed his eyes and met her lips in a soft kiss before pulling away and waiting for her to say something.

"Thanks I needed that…. I'm okay now. We'll get Naruto back first and then ill figure out what to do with Sasuke." she said determined that no one was going to die on her watch.

Kakashi and Sasuke met Sakura and Itachi at the gates to the village and Tsunade came forth with some supplies.

"I have authorized this mission to leave immediately, Naruto may be alive still but I imagine he is quickly running out of time. We also don't know what the Akatsuki are planning now that they have gathered all the tailed beasts. I think the worst is still to come. The village is on notice for sudden evacuation if needed but I'm coordinating with the other villages to see if we can piece together a solid plan before anything knows to keep in contact at all times. Good luck" she told Sakura before giving her a brief hug and than the 4 man squad took off towards where Intel said the nearest Akatsuki base was located.

By sunset hours they had smashed their way through 3 bases and found no trace of Naruto. Tiny distant stars started to shine brighter as the dark washed over the land and Sakura's hopes and fears were running rampant.

She would not falter around her team though. Distractions were welcomed but not the one currently taking place.

Sasuke sat next to Kakashi, away from Itachi who was oozing distrust from the other side of camp.

Kakashi was trying to avoid getting caught up between the Uchiha brothers by reading his novel and ignoring her stares as she was trying to grab his attention as to what the heck was going on.

When that failed to happen she decided to go on a patrol. To Sakura's surprise, Sasuke arose as well.

"If we both go, we'll cover more of the weak spots." was all he said before disappearing into the night.

Sakura raised her hand to her forehead, feeling a slight stress headache coming on.

Itachi appeared by her side and put some healing chakra to her migraine.

"I know this is difficult considering what he's put everyone through but we need to find Naruto as soon as possible." he reminded her.

"I know what's at stake, I'll be back in one hour and we can switch" Sakura responded with a weak smile.

Naruto was sick of waiting around, he got up from his sitting position outside of Kurama's prison and spun around.

"Are we dying? And why can't I do anything about it? Teme better hurry up" he muttered angrily in frustration.

Kurama gruffed at his whining.

"This is what happens when you rush into situations before thinking about it:" he remarked unconcerned.

"I know you could care less about my existence but what about you? If I die we both are gone?"

Naruto went on.

"Oh I know, and well unfortunately I know we are relying on your team for rescue, I'm just biding my time." he replied turning away from Naruto still unconcerned.

Kakashi counted the days since they left the village and how many hideouts they had searched so far… he was beginning to think that time was up and Naruto may have been lost.

They were now travelling through waterfall country. Sasuke had woken up that morning with a sting from his moon clad hand and knew they were getting close.

The team rushed out as soon as he mentioned it.

It was afternoon when they reached an obvious entrance to a hideout with a sealed rock behind a torii gate.

"I'm certain he's beyond there" Sasuke said without hesitating.

Sakura charged up chakra and prepared to charge at the seal on Kakashi's signal.

Upon entry they prepared for battle but there was nothing left but Naruto's lifeless body on a pier.

Sakura rushed over and began to assess him for life signs but after a few moments she stepped back with tears streaming down her face.

"We're too late…" she uttered.

Kakashi wrapped his arms around Sakura in comfort while Itachi calmly turned to his brother.

"Are we?" he asked for confirmation.

"In a way we are… as the Kyuubi is lost to us," Sasuke replied grimacing.

He walked forward and clapped his moon clad hand to Naruto pale sun and closed his eyes.

The sage of six paths appeared and was shaking his head.

"Your much too late, Kurama was taken two days ago. Naruto can be saved still but you know what that means from our last conversation…" he spoke soulfully.

"Bring him back, we can still salvage this" Sasuke glared heatedly.

"Without the nine tails, you hold no power against Madara" the sage replied crossly.

"Do you really think that Naruto is one to give up and well I have a lot to atone for and I'm going to start now if you don't mind" Sasuke pushed on.

"As you wish, Indra…"

When Sasuke opened his eyes, he found Naruto staring right back at him with a smile.

~FIN