Shattered Pieces

Chapter 9 - Winter Bloom

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

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Sakura's POV
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Is this the end, Sasuke-kun?

"Foolish attempts, little brother..."

Are we both going to die?

"Shut up! You're going to die!"

Is death going to separate us once more?

"Do you really think you could kill me?"

I looked at the Uchiha brothers clashing before me. It was a frightening sight - power against power, pain against pain. I couldn't understand what Sasuke-kun had planned in this...I don't think he's ready to kill Itachi. He wouldn't become a younger Itachi, as their hearts and souls are complete opposites. But why was he so thirsty for blood? My eyes widened as Sasuke-kun took slashes into his body, and I felt his pain jolt throughout my body. I forgot the pain of my own wounds, and felt the suffering of his in its place. He fell to the ground, too weak to stand on his own. I saw Itachi advance on him, and saw the glint in his eye. He was going to 'accidentally' kill Sasuke-kun, I could sense it. I stared at the bloodstained snow around me, and I ran in front of Sasuke-kun, kneeling on the cold floor, using all the strength and chakra I could muster to stay standing.

"No...let me replace his life...I won't let you take his..." I said, my voice raspy and torn from the cold.

"Sakura! No! Get out of the way!" I heard him yell.

I turned around, my back to Itachi. I smiled at him, and coughed. My wounds were ready to guide me to death's door, but I was ready this time. So long I can die seeing Sasuke-kun with my own eyes, I could die willingly, die on my own accord.

"It's okay, Sasuke-kun...don't worry about me. Please, you can't kill him...you're strong, yes. But how are you...going to restore the Uchiha clan, without...an Uchiha?"

I saw his eyes widen, and I could forget all my pain as I saw the Uchiha Sasuke...crying. I smiled at him, and wiped away his tears.

"No, Sasuke-kun...you have to stay alive, don't you see?"

He held my hands in his, and I could see him force a smile on his face. He looked up in horror, and saw his older brother ready to kill me. I smiled, and stood up, finding strength rush into me. I eyed Itachi carefully, and saw that something was different.

"You want to replace his life?" Itachi asked me, grabbing my hair and pulling a kunai to my throat.

"Yes...but greater than replacing his life...I want to live my life...with...him..." I said, bearing the pain that Itachi's deathgrip brought me.

"Well, how about if both of you die...and just spend your lovelife dead...together?" Itachi whispered into my ear, and I trembled with anger and fear.

I could sense Sasuke-kun's anger rising, and saw his swift movements. How Itachi did not notice that with his Sharingan, I don't know...but in moments, a senbon jutted out of Itachi's heart, and slit across his chest. I gasped, and looked at Sasuke-kun. He looked down at the bloodstained snow, his tears drying up.

"Sa-Sasuke-kun?" I asked.

He raised his head and looked at me, and I understood. In his eyes was anger and confusion. I could tell how much he longed to avenge his clan, but to kill his own brother? It was a vengeance that had many pros and cons that were wrong in every way, but I still understood his feelings. I still understood, that deep inside, the young Sasuke-kun was crying for killing his older brother, the one who he looked up to, the one he longed to become. But I also understood that the older Sasuke-kun was confused about his own actions, how he got so far in life without getting himself killed by his own ambitions. I walked over to him, and I noticed him slump down onto the white snow. I knelt down and held his head to my chest, and held him in an embrace.

"Sasuke-kun, you did what you had to do..." I said.

I noticed his breathing return to normal, and felt his arms wrap around me.

"Don't worry, Sasuke-kun, it's going to be alright. You accomplished your dream! Isn't it...wonderful? See, Sasuke-kun? Everything's okay," I said, stroking his back to try and get him to understand.

He looked up at me, and closed his eyes.

"I'm...weak. I could have lost everything again...I could have lost everything..."

I looked at him, and cupped his face in my hands.

"You could have lost everything? Sasuke-kun...didn't you already lose everything? Your family? ...The people precious to you?"

He smiled at me, and our eyes locked. I understood now...it wasn't hidden anymore.

"No, Sakura...I once lost everything, but then...I still have you, don't I?"

I looked at him, and I felt tears welling up in my eyes. He noticed and began wiping them away as they continued to flow down my cold face.

"Sakura? Why are you crying? Are you okay?"

I began to laugh, and nodded. My body was overwhelmed with happiness, but then I saw his body, and smacked myself for forgetting.

"Sasuke-kun, let me heal your wounds. It'll only take a few minutes...I know you'll be cold but-"

Sasuke pulled me into his arms, and smirked. I blushed ten thousand shades of pink and red, and I didn't understand. He pulled off his shirt and pulled me closer. I didn't understand but began to heal the wounds on his chest and back. I tried to hurry as he could die of hypothermia or staying in the cold too long, and I finally finished. I felt exhausted and began to pant in his arms, my chakra too low for me to move. He kissed my forehead and whispered a 'thanks', and pulled his shirt on. He noticed my wounds, and he looked guilty.

"Sakura! If I give you my chakra, will you be able to heal yourself?" He asked, loads of worry bursting on of his voice.

"Y..yes..." I whispered, my chakra unable to keep me awake longer than a minute.

Then I felt his hands over my heart, and my chakra was beginning to restore. I smiled, and began to heal my wounds before they could get infected, or get infected any worse. When I was finished, I was exhausted once more, and I just let my head rest on Sasuke's chest. He smiled at me, his chakra low from giving me most of his.

"Th-thank you Sasuke-kun...I think...we should try to get back..."

"We won't be able to make it...but I know a shelter around here...I'll be able to get there with the chakra I have left..."

I nodded, and he took me in his arms, and he took us to a cave, where I was able to start a fire after gathering stray wood around the cave. He lay down on the floor as he snuggled close to me, and I stayed close to his chest.

"Goodnight, Sasuke-kun...I love you..." I said, drifting off into a peaceful slumber.

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Normal POV
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Sakura changed as she drifted off into her slumber. Her personality from her genin years slowly emerged, and she was a cherry blossom in winter bloom.
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I love you, Sasuke-kun.
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End chapter :D A few more chapters before this story is done! Does Sasuke love Sakura back! O: if it isn't obvious already...xD
Also! I apologize from any OOC that may have occured, so please don't flame me! D: I know it was shorter than the other one...but my computer time is almost up. Dx Hope you liked it!