**Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the quote below. I just own Sintary ^^ Also I do not own the other OC Kokuro. He's my friend's.
I hit 3,000 total views early this morning. I have to say: THANK YOU SO MUCH! You guys seriously have no idea how amazing it feels when I get the little notification saying someone favorited or is following the story OR EVEN REVIEWS! I mean it: THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. It made me push to get this chapter out for you guys. Ask and you shall receive!
How can you see into my eyes like open doors?
Leading you down into my core where I've become so numb
Without a soul my spirit's sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there and lead it back home
(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can't wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
Call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
Bid my blood to run
(I can't wake up)
Before I come undone
(Save me)
Save me from the nothing I've become
-Evanescence, Bring Me to Life
A moist tongue slid out and licked the dried, crack lips. The chains moaned and groaned as their wearer tried once more to break them. The old restraints held firm though. The prisoner whine in the back of their throat, unable to find much hope in this situation.
But… she had to find hope… because there was someone depending on her… someone that called her:
"Mom?"
Sintary screamed and curled in agony once they got her on a stretcher. Her water had broken only moments ago, and her contractions were coming rapidly now. Her little baby was coming now.
She gripped Kokuro's arm tightly. "Ko, I need you… I need you to guard my door… No one is allowed into my room until the head medic leaves the room. Do you understand?" She asked between pants.
Her best friend nodded firmly. "I understand." He said.
"See you soon," Sintary whispered and cried again in pain.
The nurses rushed the laboring mother into a room and started setting her up. The head medic entered, washing her hands and pulling on gloves.
"Weren't you just in for a checkup the other day?" She asked.
Sintary nodded, cringing. "Yep… the little sucker decided he or she wanted to see you again apparently."
She chuckled as she got situated on a stool in front of her client. She checked everything out and nodded.
"The baby is on their own out now." She said. "I need you to start pushing."
Sintary did as the older woman requested and pushed, trying to get her baby out into the world. It seemed to take forever, but the nurses assured her it had only been a matter of minutes before her little baby was in the world.
The nurses cleaned her baby off before wrapping him into a blue blanket.
She had a baby boy.
Sintary's heart swelled as she gently held the baby boy. He had a black tuff of hair on his little, ivory skin. He had his father's long lashes, but her eye shape – and eye color. Her eyes were a bright, sky blue were her baby's new eyes were more of a dark, ocean blue. She could see a tint of red if she looked hard enough. It was an indicator of his bloodline and a reminder of what she must do next.
"Can you hold him please?" Sintary asked the head nurse as she sat up in a better position.
The older woman held the small boy as his mother released her built up chakra and started performing the hand signs. She gently pricked her baby's finger and used the blood to draw the first part of the seal. She then pricked her own finger and finished the seal.
The newborn wailed at feeling a loss, but a loss of what, the poor thing didn't have a clue. He quieted down though once he was in his mother's arms again.
"You may open the doors now…" Sintary said quietly, tired.
The head nurse nodded and left. "You may go in now," she told Kokuro.
The shinobi nodded softly before peaking his head inside. "Sin?" he asked.
"Ko, come here. Meet your godson," Sintary whispered.
The young man slowly made his way over to the tired mother. He looked down at the blue bundle in her protective arms. He could immediately see the baby's mother and father mixed in him.
"He takes after his father, doesn't he?" Sintary asked quietly.
Kokuro slowly nodded. "They are dominant traits."
Sintary nodded softly. "He'll be so upset when he finds out he has a son, and he wasn't there for all the years."
"He couldn't have known though," Kokuro pointed out.
"I know… but I know him… he'll kick himself for not being hear for us." She replied softly.
"What's his name?" The godfather asked changing the subject.
"Kazuki." Sintary stated. "It means harmony, peace, hope… all the things I want in the world."
Kokuro nodded softly at that. "All the things you and Itachi love."
It was Sintary's turn to nod now. "Yep…" She whispered with a tight voice.
The serenity of the event was soon stolen from them. The two elders came storming in looking down right furious.
"Tell me you did not seal that child's chakra!" The older woman, Koharu squawked.
Sintary nodded calmly. "I did." She said quietly.
Kokuro blinked. "Wait, you did what?" He asked, but his question would be ignored.
"Why does it matter? He is my child." The young mother said defiantly.
"It matters because he's now technically the heir to the Uchiha clan. He can't be a civilian!" Koharu exclaimed pissed.
"He's the son of a prodigy. He could have the same talent as his father." The man, Homura, said
Sintary glared. "You and the clan exploited Itachi's talents and mind! You worked him to the bone and exposed him to horrors too early on! He was a tool for you and the clan to use and you didn't care about his feelings or his mental state!" Sintary yelled at them holding her baby protectively. "Clan heir is not a random title you can toss around. It means something to the Uchiha family, and to Sasuke more than anymore. Sasuke is clan heir now, and until he has his own children he will remain clan heir. He deserves the position more than anyone." She added on. "My child will not be made a weapon of destruction and hate, and until you two roll dead, he will not be a shinobi in the Leaf village." Sintary snapped at them.
"The rule of thumb is that the title gets passed down from the father to his oldest son. Fugaku passed it down to Itachi, and –"
"And Itachi's not here." Sintary cut off Homura. "Meaning the title goes to the next eligible blood relative: who is Sasuke. Itachi never wanted that position meaning it would have gone to Sasuke anyway. Sasuke is clan heir, and that's all there is to it."
Koharu pushed the other issue. "You are doing this village a disservice by sealing that boy's chakra. You will remove his seal at once! That is a direct order, kunoichi." She demanded.
Sintary 'hmph'ed and smirked. "I cannot remove his seal even if I wanted to. Only Itachi can remove the seal now. Oh wait, he's not allowed near the village anymore. Pity." Sintary said feigning remorse. "Besides, he didn't even know the baby existed. Even if he did, he wouldn't risk the journey back here to remove a seal to help you two." Sintary looked past the duo to two ANBU. "Can you please remove them from my room," she said recognizing the masks
"What? Who are you to remove us from this room!" Koharu exclaimed as the two black ops ushered them out
"We've been appointed by the Hokage to aid and protect Sacuna-san. She is currently not taking any more visitors and has a right to her privacy. We advise you to leave the room swiftly." One of them said politely.
The two elders scowled at being removed from the room. The Hokage was certainly going to hear about this. Once they were removed, Kokuro looked at his teammate with a hard expression.
"What did you do?" He asked.
"I sealed Kazuki's chakra." Sintary repeated for him.
"Do you really think that's best? He can't defend himself at all now." Kokuro said.
"Kokuro, I will not have him become a pawn to be at the village's beck and call." She said firmly looking at her best friend. "He will have a different future than what his father and godfather have had."
Kokuro could only nod and accept what she had done. He didn't agree with it – not one bit, but the deed was already done. Only Itachi could reverse this supposed curse.
Sintary was kept in the hospital the next couple of days for observation. Kazuki was going great as well. He was such a quiet and curious baby. It was on her final day there, waiting for her discard papers to go through, that she got an unexpected visitor.
"Hey," Sasuke said standing in the door way.
Sintary smiled seeing him. "Hey yourself," she replied. "I see you're up and moving finally."
Sasuke nodded standing with his arms crossed. "They released me just now. Kakashi said I could come see you before we leave for training."
The young woman nodded softly at that. "Do you want to see him?" She asked softly
The boy nodded slightly, uncrossing his arms and heading over to her. She offered the small bundle to him so could hold his nephew. Sasuke was very gently with the infant as he looked the small boy over. The first thing he noticed what that the boy looked a lot like himself and his brother from their baby pictures their mother had displayed proudly. Sasuke didn't know how to feel about that… having a reminder of his brother right in his arms. The second thing the older Uchiha noticed was that this one didn't have any chakra.
"What did you do?" He questioned quietly.
"I've sealed his chakra. Only his father can unleash it now." She answered him quietly.
"He'll never know his father," Sasuke said firmly. "It's better this way."
Sintary gently peered at her baby. "Uncle Sasuke's calling all the shot apparently, Kazuki." She told her baby.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. While the baby didn't understand a word his mother said, Sasuke certainly did. His eyes then softened as he looked down at his nephew.
"He'll never have the Sharingan then." He stated.
Sintary nodded, confirming what he said.
"Will he be able to produce children with the Sharingan?"
She nodded again. "He'll have children who will have chakra of their own as well as the bloodlines."
"Will he be able to teach his children if he doesn't have chakra or the Sharingan?" Sasuke continued.
"I'm not sure." Sintary told him honestly. "But there's only a twelve-year difference between you two. You should be around to teach them if he can't."
Sasuke nodded at this. "I hope so. I want to make this clan great again."
"Well, don't go on a suicide mission then." Aka going to kill his older brother.
His eyes narrowed again at this. "I'm too powerful for that."
"Hey, no one's invincible, Sasuke." Sintary told him. "And didn't you just almost die on a mission?"
Sasuke handed Kazuki back to his mother. "I'm not starting an argument with you. I'm going to find Kakashi and we're leaving."
Sintary nodded at that. "Good luck training." She wished him well.
The Uchiha boy nodded and left the room without further delay.
The young mother sighed quietly. "I really hope you have your father's temperament." She prayed.
A month of preparations flew by for Konoha. The third round of the Chuunin Exams would take place on this very day. It was a very exciting event since the Kazekage has been invited as a sign of good faith between the two villages. They sat above the noblemen. The Hokage had insisted Sintary sit with them, but not wanting to intrude, Sintary offered to sit below with the noblemen. She would still be protected if any danger occurred.
The battles so far have been intense, but as Sintary listened in on the gossip, she learned most people were here to see Sasuke.
'Go figure,' she thought rolling her eyes.
Majority of them had seen his brother's examination fight many years before. They wanted to see if the status of the Uchiha was still as good as it was. Just as Genma, the proctor, was about to call it, Sasuke and Kakashi showed up in a whirlwind of leaves.
"Better late than never," Kokuro commented coming up beside her.
Sintary nodded. "It's Kakashi. He's late for any event." She stated.
The duo watched in amazing, having trained with the young Uchiha themselves. He had improved drastically under the Copy-Cat ninja. The ultimate shock was when Sasuke showed off his chakra control and speed: unleashing the Chidori.
Okay, it was a huge shock, but everything after that became an equally massive shock.
The screams of pain, the freaky giant arm, and then smoke bombs going off above them. As the Genjutsu started to fall upon the crowd, Sintary and Kokuro easily released it, watching as the scenes unfold.
"Go! Protect the Hokage, Kokuro. You're jutsu will be of more use up there," Sintary insisted.
"But what about you and Kazuki?" Kokuro paused.
"We're going to head to the mountains for protection," Sintary told him. "Go!"
Kokuro hesitantly left his comrade behind while he went to see what he could do to help the Hokage. He'd regroup with her after the mess gets settled.
Sasuke returned to the village with Naruto, taking him and Sakura to the hospital. There were tons of people already there. He then left them to find his remaining family. He found his distant cousin easily.
"Kokuro!" He called out catching the older shinobi's attention.
He jumped down in front of the younger boy. "Sasuke, are you alright?" He asked immediately.
"I'm fine. Where's Sintary?" He asked cutting to the chase.
"She should be with the civilians and the children. They're coming out now." Kokuro explained.
They watched as people filed out of the hidden tunnels, but found no trace of Sintary.
"Iruka-sensei!" Sasuke called out seeing his Academy teacher. "Have you seen Sintary?" He asked.
Iruka shook his head. "No, she wasn't in the tunnels with us at all."
Both boys looked concerned at that. They spent hours searching high and low, but once everyone was accounted for, it was clear she was missing. Sasuke wanted to go after her right away, but Kokuro advised him that they didn't know who took or where she was being held. They waited days, but no new information came through. The mission became loss in the sea of missions to rebuild the weakened nation.
Team Seven began to break apart as Naruto started his own training, and as Sasuke's thirst for power grew. Sakura and Kokuro could only do so much to sate the avenger, but without Sintary, there wasn't much hope.
Kokuro became a punching bag for Danzo, and there wasn't a person to save him. He only had a gleam of hope left after his pseudo-sister had vanished: Kiba. The Inuzuka boy knew none of the horrors that the older boy faced on a daily basis, but he was always there for him. They were actually on a date when both ninja had gotten called off on separate missions.
Kokuro returned from his only to hear Kiba had returned in intensive care. He wasn't near death like two of his other teammates, but he was pretty close. Kokuro had chewed off all his finger nails trying to keep his worries at bay. He sat with Kiba's sister, Hanna, the whole day while they awaited the news. It was there that Kokuro realized that he was in love with Kiba. They had only been together for a short while, but he was a distant relative of the Uchiha and the Uchiha's love was deep and unwavering. He didn't know what he would do without the younger boy, but he simple could not live without him. When they received news that Kiba would live and was awake, they both rejoiced and immediately went to him. It was later that night when Kiba requested Kokuro to stay with him over night that he would feel some sort of peace. Kokuro laid next to Kiba in the bed, gently caressing his hair when Kiba said it.
"When I was out there… I thought I was going to die regretting something. And I realize it, I can't go another minute without telling you something," Kiba started and swallowed trying to gather his courage. "I'm in love with you Kokuro."
The Otsutuski boy's heart strings pulled. Could this be really happening? Was this another Danzo nightmare? Should he risk telling Kiba the same? Should he risk getting hurt again?
As Kokuro stared into Kiba's eyes, he realized the younger boy had just taken a risk in telling him that. This was –to Kokuro's knowledge—Kiba's first serious relationship, and with an older boy. Kiba was risking as much as Kokuro was now. It was then Kokuro realized Kiba Inuzuka was worth the risk.
"I'm in love with you too, Kiba." He whispered and slowly lowered his head towards the younger boy.
They were about to share their first kiss, but Kiba's heart started racing and well, the alarms went off. Immediately, Kokuro jumped out of the cot and held Kiba's hand instead. The nurses came in after Kiba's heart had resumed normal tempo, confused. They checked the younger shinobi all while the two were beat red from nearly being caught.
It was then that Kokuro's life slowly began to look brighter. While he had lost his former lover, his distant family, and his comrades, he was starting a relationship that was full of potential and love.
His outlook on the future was growing positive… however, another's was growing darker.
Sasuke was alone in his apartment. He had left Sintary's; unable to be in her place knowing he had failed her.
He had let another person down.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes and slammed his fist down on his desk.
He needed to get stronger, and there was only one way to do that: he needed Orochimaru.
With his mind made up, Sasuke headed to meet the Sound Ninja Four.
He was the only one who made it to the lair. The young Uchiha felt completely numb after the battle he had endured with his ex-best friend. All his bonds were severed. He had left everyone behind.
Or so he thought.
"Oh, Sasuke," his new sensei hissed. "I have a little surprise for you. It's like a welcoming gift."
The avenger allowed the snake Sannin to lead him down a series of blank, dark hallways that eventually turned into long rows of jail cells. They stopped in the middle of one hallway, and Sasuke peered in
There was a gasp from the prisoner. "Sasuke!"
The boy was taken aback.
It was Sintary.
"Sasuke, you've got to get out of here! He's twisted, he's cruel! He's just using you, Sasuke! Go, while you still have a chance!" She ushered with a hoarse voice.
Orochimaru laughed besides him. "He's here of his own free will, darling. He came to me."
Her blue eyes grew wide with horror. "No… Sasuke… what happened?"
"I saw Itachi."
Thank you to KnightsRoses, Sweet Petit, arigarciar, Ijustdon'tcare132, KyuubiNoPuma, pika-78, Rose 23527, ILurveManyAnimeBoys, xxRyuu-himexx, nathy13, HonestxxEyes, NinjaChipmunk, PityThoseWhoLiveWithoutLove-95, animefangirl0219, creven16, randomindividual467, darkxion, OrangeBeanGamer, terriblecupcakes732, Integral16, MickyLove, Elizabethcica, KHB123, FailingErin, MaidMaliya, Johana-98, ElephantLover220, Bananarock509, nacheell, LadyLunaTwilight, slowbro0609, CommanderCats, juury, Katelynn Snow Fox, sierra halle, Crazedstill99, for following/favorite-ing the story!
A special thanks to ILurveManyAnimeBoys, Rose23527, HonestxxEyes, bunnyguest, an unknown Guest, nacheel, and FailingErin for their reviews and requests for updates! You guys made me want to get this chapter out today.
Rose23527: As you see, with everything that's happened, Sintary's unable to tell Kokuro the truth. Soon though!
HonestxxEyes: Thank you again so much for your constant reviews. I do feel the need to explain myself a bit though. I called these few chapters fillers simple because there's not much going on with the SinXIta pairing. While everything is pretty relevant in moving the story line along, it seems as though I could take it out if I wanted to - not that I would want to. All this is building the drama up for the next couple of chapters. But that's the only reason I felt the need to call them fillers.
I do appreciate all the feedback I can get. Please, please, please leave reviews. It does help me write more when i know my audience is enjoying my story.