Fading Light

Chapter 4: Flames of Hatred

"Sasuke…" Sakura managed to say.

She winced at her pain. Sasuke took off his shirt and slipped it over Sakura's maimed form.

"What the hell happened to you?" Sasuke asked.

Sakura gave him a weak smile.

"You came…" Sakura whispered.

"Of course I did, now what has Itachi done to you?" Sasuke asked once more.

Sakura whimpered at the memories.

"So many things Sasuke…"

Sakura's eyes were half closed with much tiredness reflected.

"Just rest Sakura, just rest." Sasuke said.

Sakura nodded meekly and then closed her eyes.

There was a sound of someone clearing their throat. Sasuke turned and noticed Kakashi.

Kakashi was leaning against the door.

"We have to hurry, Sakura looks as if she needs medical attention immediately. Let's go Sasuke," Kakashi said.

Sasuke nodded, they exited the room. Just when they were going leave the cave, a kunai knife was implanted into a wall, only millimeters from Sasuke's face. Their heads turned, and saw

Itachi.

Sasuke growled.

"Little brother." Itachi's face twisted into a withered smile.

"Fight me." He said.

Itachi didn't need to repeat himself, Sasuke was already charging at him with full speed. Throwing one punch after another, Sasuke's eyes were on fire. Itachi's smile turned into a psychotic grin. Itachi fought effortlessly while Sasuke struggled to keep up.

Itachi's grin soon faded into the usual cold expression, and he punched Sasuke, forcing him to skid backwards. Sasuke wiped his bleeding lip.

Itachi looked dissatisfied.

"Brother, you have been weakened by that repulsive wench. What happened to the hatred? Is it still there? Or have those burning flames of hatred, been tamed by her?" Itachi said, his eyes turned to Sakura.

Sasuke glowered and growled.

Suddenly Itachi was there, and then he wasn't, suddenly, next to Sasuke. Itachi leaned down next to Sasuke's face and whispered,

"If you keep this up, I will kill you."

Sasuke shuddered in fear. Itachi was gone. Kakashi walked over to Sasuke while holding Sakura.

"Are you alright?" Kakashi asked.

"I'm fine," Sasuke replied coldly.

Kakashi handed Sasuke Sakura's body. He carried her, and they were off.

(scene change)

Sakura was lying on a bed, most of her wounds had been healed, but there was still quite a bit of damage on her. Tsunade wiped her forehead, and approached Sasuke.

"She will be fine, but in her coma-like state, I don't know how long it will be till she wakes up,"

Tsunade looked at Sasuke's expression and then continued, "She isn't pregnant, but there has been quite of bit of damage, along with her severe case of pneumonia. Almost enough for her to stop being a shinobi. But we will only know after she wakes."

With those last words, Tsunade left Sasuke. Sasuke walked into the room, touching her pale cheek, Sasuke pulled out a chair and sat. Waiting for her to open her eyes and give him that cheerful smile she always had, filled with so much joy… So much forgiveness…

(Flashback end)

Sasuke sat there motionless, just watching. Those words from Itachi repeated in his head over and over again.

If you keep this up, I will kill you.

Sasuke felt himself flinch.

If you keep this up, I will kill you.

Sasuke's knuckles turned white, and started to bleed from all the force. Relaxing his muscles,

Sasuke sat back in the chair, and watched the steady breathing of Sakura's chest as he lulled himself to sleep.

(End Chapter)

AN: I am so sorry for not updating in so long! You'll see in the paragraphs below why.

I know this chapter is short, but I have a big case of writer's block, so it'll be awhile. Also, Fading Light, will have a change of plot, but of course, what I have written will stay the same.

Updating Issue:

Updating will take awhile. My body is over exhausted. Please bare with me, I'm trying my best to do something, but my medical problems are getting severe, and my friend is being matched (arranged I guess you could say) by some woman that isn't ever her own mother, and she's only thirteen!

Well, my eye-sight is getting really bad. For those of you who don't know, I may go blind in a few years, so please bare with me. I get lots of headaches, and I'm sleeping for only 2 hours everyday.

I have a job, and I'm never home, I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm making one excuse for another, or worrying you wonderful reviewers, but I may not be updating for awhile. I'm so sorry, I think I might cry because of what's going on.

I know you may not be able to really understand, but I'm losing touch on my writing, and summer break is going down the drain. I'm really sorry, to keep you guys waiting for awhile, but I can't update for awhile. I'm very exhausted. Once again, I'm sorry about not being able to update. Until later.

Mourning Fox