HI HELLO IT'S BEEN A WHILE

Writer's block is a huge bitch I've had the hardest time thinking of what to do with the Killer Bee and Five Kage summit parts in the story. I know exactly what to do for Danzo vs Sasuke and everything after that but I just need to get over this one hurdle. Pray for me as I continue to brainstorm.

It explains this super short drama filler chapter. I hope you don't get too mad at me for it!

If any of you have any ideas about what I should do PLEASE let me know, constructive criticism is greatly appreciated and welcomed.

I love you~ xo

It had been a couple of days since the formerly named team Hebi, now named team Taka had set out from the Akatsuki hideout en route to the land of Lightning with the goal of capturing the elusive Eight tailed beast. The host of the Eight tails was known as 'Killer Bee' and all Taka knew about the man was his appearance. Thanks, Madara… They were being thrown into this mission with minimal information. Nothing but a photo and a location. And then, after capturing Bee, Sasuke had the brilliant and nonpsychotic plan to return to the village hidden in the leaves and destroy it and its elders. Right, because four misfit shinobi, two s-rank criminals and a man who should have died forever ago can achieve such a thing without a plan. The whole thing was ominous and unsettling in Karin's mind. Part of her hoped these plans would not come to fruition. Self preservation had always been part of her, and she knew Sasuke's plans were fatal to the team. Maybe not him, but surely part of Taka would fall, and she would be damned if she were the one to be sacrificed.

The entire journey Karin had been feeling sluggish, often falling behind her team to the point Suigetsu had to urge her to quit complaining and to hurry up. How the tables have turned. For the worst. The only real food the team had managed to muster up were whatever small fry Suigetsu managed to catch in the ravines along the border of the fire country. The lack of nutrients is probably what made Karin so lethargic, at least that's what she would use to justify herself, and it was true. Even though it had never been a problem and during her time as a test subject, she was often starved. So, going this long without much food shouldn't have bothered her, but it did. And she knew why. But denial raged through her. Denial and fright. With the way Sasuke had been acting and the way his chakra had been turning, Karin was becoming more afraid. The entire situation was getting out of hand and she was powerless. Literally and figuratively. But she had no other choice but to keep going along and following her lover.

Taka finally reached a small village on the border of Fire and Lightning. This bordering village wasn't highly populated, nor did it have much. Nothing but an inn, a tavern, and a few houses for the workers. It seemed like it was only made with the goal to house passing travelers and nothing more. The team wore blank black cloaks over their Akatsuki gear as to not alert anyone of their presence even if there were no high-ranking ninja in the midst, they wanted to get to Killer Bee undetected. Upon entry to the small village, the team of four quickly decided to leave Suigetsu and Jugo in charge of fetching dinner while Sasuke and Karin figured out the sleeping arrangements as well as give Karin the chance to rest. All three men obviously noticed their comrade falling behind and weaken. She made sure to tell Suigetsu what foods she wanted to eat and rushed back to Sasuke's side as he left her there to go to the inn and both duos separated. Sasuke and Karin secured the only bedroom available much to Karin's chagrin. She didn't have the energy to fight with Suigetsu over who got the bed later.

The two went up to the room and set their things down upon entry. The room was probably the smallest they've stayed at yet. It was only furnished with a double bed, two nightstands and one small chair in a corner. No dresser, not television, no appliances and the closet was nothing but a square. The walls and the floors were wooden, the only thing on the floor was a rug at the door. It was no wonder it was so cheap. Karin made her way to the bed and sat on the edge of it and gazed over at Sasuke who set his sword down in the corner of the small room and removed his cloak, neatly hanging it on the hook beside the door. As she stared at the man she loved, Karin felt somewhat uneasy. It was the first time since being alone with the man she felt truly uncomfortable. There was a bizarre tension in the air. Their relationship was often up and down but it had never hit such a low. The entire way here Sasuke hadn't spoken a word to her. He never asked her if she was okay. He didn't even as much look at her and here she was, following him to what could be her death while she felt ill. I need to say something. She thought. Now was her chance. The redhead spread her pink lips and opened her mouth to speak when much to her shock, he beat her to the punch, and she flinched at the sound of his voice.

"What's wrong with you?"

The raven-haired man stood across from her with his arms crossed, his dark eyes showing no emotions, his lips in a line. Stoic as ever. Karin's crimson eyes were looking up at the standing man and soon lowered to peer down at the floor, her lips turning into a frown as she moved a hand to her stomach. Say something.

"I…I don't know, I think…"

"Are you sick?"

The Uchiha took some steps forward to come stand before the seated woman and brought a hand up to her cheek and she flinched, jerking away from his hand involuntarily. His chakra. It was frightening. Sasuke sighed and tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear before sitting beside her and loosely wrapped an arm around her shoulder. Was he trying to be comforting? Neither looked at each other. Karin was so afraid of being vulnerable, so afraid he would leave her behind. She shook her head and finally spoke after the pregnant pause in the room, her voice so low it was nearly a whisper.

"I'm scared, Sasuke. Can I ask you something?"

"Hm?"

"If I…Was unable to fight or use my sensory abilities, would you…Abandon me?"

There was a long pause and a silence that dragged on way too long. And once again to her surprise, Sasuke removed his arm from her and stood up, walking away from her as he spat his answer.

"Yes. I can't have you slow me down on my mission."

Just like that. Karin's heart dropped and tears began to pool in her eyes as she watched Sasuke enter the bathroom. She turned her head and stared at the wooden floor as she wrapped her arms around her stomach, letting a tear trickle down her cheek.

I need him to need me.