Chapter 3

In her Lifeless Form

"Sasuke-kun..."

Sasuke slowly opened his eyes. His dreams are so vivid he can swear he can still hear her voice out of his slumber. His eyes was sealed but he knew that he was still locked up in his cell. His dreams are filled with thoughts of her. Memories of her. Inside of him he truly wished that he would not wake up. It was only in his dreams that he can feel peace and comfort. Every time he regains his consciousness the feeling or grief and resentment immediately comes back to him. This intangible pain in his chest lingers.

Sasuke is lying on his side, he was on a straitjacket which limits his movements. He cannot blame them. After the stunt he pulled off he was actually surprised he was not killed. A part of him wished they had ended his life but a part of him tells not to give up for the sake of his family. Yes, he have a family. A proud father, a loving mother and an amazing brother but without Sakura, his life will never be complete. As if he can do something because of his current condition, Sasuke decided to spend the rest of his time asleep than being awake.

When he was about to be taken by the oblivion, Sasuke heard footsteps approaching.


It was already dark when Tsunade noticed the approaching hawk on the direction of her office. She recognized the hawk, it was a messenger hawk of the Uchihas. The hawk landed on her office's windowsill and she untie the note that was hanging in the hawk's leg. Tsunade ushered the hawk outside and proceeded on reading the note.

"Abandoning the mission. Sakura is critical. Heading to Sora no Kuni for immediate medical attention. Uchiha Sasuke."

Tsunade crumpled the paper as soon as she finished reading it. Sky Village is an enemy nation and she was sure that Sasuke knows it, which she then realized that it must be because Sasuke has left with no other options if he wanted to save Sakura's life. The graveness of the situation started to sink in to Tsunade. Momentarily biting her lower lip, she called one of her ANBU which quickly appeared in front of her kneeling down.

"Yes, Hokage-sama?"

"Tell Fukagu to come to my office, right now."

"As you wish, Hokage-sama." In a puff of smoke the ANBU banished in her sight.

Moments later, Fugaku is now standing in front of her.

"Hokage-sama, you wished for my presence?" Fukagu bowed respectfully before her.

"Yes, it is about Sasuke. It seems your son has crossed an enemy border." Tsunade informed him. "I contacted the Hoshikage for negotiation and he informed me that there are casualties because of the offensive attack made by Sasuke."

"I apologize in behalf of my son for causing this trouble." Fugaku once again bowed his head before her. "Rest assured that the clan will cooperate for the success of this negotiation by whatever means."

"We will be leaving at dawn, you are dismissed."


Izumi silently entered Itachi's room where he can be seen wearing his ANBU armor. She silently watched his back as he proceeded in wearing last of his forearm guards.

Itachi immediately recognized her Chakra signature. "What is it, Izumi?"

For a moment, Izumi refuses to speak and just wear a worried expression on her face. "Can I go with you, Itachi-kun?"

"You quit being a ninja, this isn't your life now." When Izumi was betrothed to him, they both decided that it is best for her to quit being a shinobi and focus on their future life as husband and wife.

"But you are my life... Itachi-kun." silent steps can be heard and then familiar arms wrapped around from behind as her tears started to wet the backside of his shirt. "I-I can't... I don't" Izumi started stumbling for words. She knew the pain of losing someone when her father died and she cannot imagine going through with it again if she lose Itachi.

'...I can't live without you... I don't want to lose you...' These are the words that she wanted to say and he knows it.

They both knew situations like this when one country broke a treaty with an enemy nation. To maintain peace, Konoha must make amends for what was done and sometimes life can be a price to pay.

Itachi was lost for words to comfort her. He really wanted to tell her that everything will be okay and he will come back but he can't. He knew the consequences and going back alive is sometimes not an option. As much as he wanted to stay with Izumi, he can never abandon Sasuke when he needed him the most. Itachi carefully removed her hands on his torso and turn around to face her. He raised his thumb to her face. Rough finger wiped the trails of her tears. For a moment he stared to admire her. She was so beautiful even when she is crying. He gently wrapped his arms around her. This may be the last time and he wanted to remember everything about her. Her warmth, her touch, her scent, her voice and her face. Her body shook uncontrollably from sobbing and they stayed like that until Izumi calmed down.

"I'm sorry, Izumi." Afterall those are the only words that he could think of. With that he let go of her and walked away from her.


"How are you doing?" her voice echoed from behind the bars. He knew that voice, it was the female medic from the hospital. Sasuke refuse to answer her question. As a matter of fact, there was no words to actually describe how he truly feels right now. Seconds later the familiar female medic spoke again. "I guess that's a dumb question looking at your situation and after all that happened."

"Sakura..." then he hesitates, "Is she- is her..." Sasuke is finding it hard to utter the words like if she really is dead or if her body was being taken care of.

The medic sighed heavily. "We did everything we can but we can't revive her, I'm really sorry." Sasuke can feel the sadness of her tone. "About her body, I put a jutsu on her to stop it from decomposing."

Sasuke contemplates on her words and felt his blood boil in mix emotions of sadness, grief and hatred.

"Can I see her?" Sasuke asked silently. Though it was almost a whisper, the medic heard him clearly.

"You know I can't do that even if I want to." The medic replied. "Don't worry, your people are coming to pick you up. If everything went well, you'll be able to see her."

'Yes...' he thought. '...In her lifeless form'


"Please bring our son back." Mikoto, eyes tearful begged her husband.

"I will." Fugaku's deep voice sound so reassuring it helped Mikoto calmed down a little bit. "I will meet you at the gates." Fugaku informed Itachi.

"Hai, Otou-sama."

Itachi began to leap from roof to roof heading towards his destination. A kunai flew in front of him which he catches mid-air and threw it back to the offender. No matter how dexterous he is in kunai throwing a Hyuuga can always see through those kind of attacks.

He landed in the silent street of Konoha where a male shinobi was waiting.

"Hayato." Itachi acknowledged his presence. It was his rival—Hyuuga Hayato. "I did not expect to see you here."

"Going to Sora no Kuni?" Hayato remove his ANBU mask revealing his face. He was still in his ANBU uniform, he must have came back from a mission.

"I never knew you were interested in my affairs." Although he was surprised on how he found out about the information his face remained calm.

"Only if it involves Izumi." Yes, he was also his rival in love. Hayato had feelings for Izumi long before Itachi realized his own feelings for her. It was all thanks to Hayato on that aspect. When the said Hyuuga began pursuing Izumi, Itachi became enraged with a foreign emotion called jealousy.

"I heard everything—not intentional. I was in the Hokage's office and from what I can see, looks like you are plotting your own death." Hayato explained like he just read Itachi's mind.

"If that happens I am counting on you." Itachi replied. He meant every word of it. It will give him peace knowing that someone will be taking care of Izumi when he's gone.

"Tch, do you think I will settle on being your replacement?" Hayato's brow furrowed, his Byakugan threatening to activate. "Listen—"

"You are the only one I can trust, Hayato." Itachi tap his shoulder and walk past him. He has no time for argument, Sasuke's life is in danger. He made his way on Konoha gates to meet the rest of the team.

'Wait for me Sasuke, I'm coming to save you.' his eyes full of determination.