A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews! I would like to thank mtm123 for helping me come up with this chapter! Liek a perfect layout and everything. Aaand sorry for the long update, school pretty much sucks.

Disclaimer: So ive heard that the Naruto series has finally stopped showing filler episodes...if i owned the Naruto seies THERE WOULD BE NO FILLER EPISODES IN THE FIRST PLACE..so there it is.

Please Enjoy!

Behind The Smile

Chapter 26: To Love Unconditionally

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Sakura watched as they battled. Despite their weakness and lack of chakra, the Uchiha brothers executed their attacks very well. Of course they would. They were pushing themselves beyond their limit, hurting themselves even more. Yet they were attacking relentlessly.

Any movement at all caused them to lose blood, looked like it caused pain, yet they did not wince, they did not falter, their minds were set on one goal. A goal that seemed impossible. Survival. Yet at the same time that wasn't really what they wanted, not for themselves. They were fighting for Sakura's survival.

With them fighting like they were, something in the form of a mistake was bound to happen, and it did. Sasuke had taken a glance at Sakura to see if she was still immobile. He didn't plan to look at her for more than a second, but that second was all Koizumi needed. He had shoved Itachi out of the way, which he was only able to do so, because of the condition the older Uchiha was in. But it gave Koizumi enough time to advance on Sasuke. The younger Uchiha barely managed to dodge the swipe of his kunai, which slightly sliced open his cheek. A lot of blood didn't come out, due to the fact that Sasuke had already lost a lot of vital blood.

He had been caught way off guard, and was unable to push the feelings of pain to the back of his head. Sasuke winced in pain from the movement and as he stepped back, trying to hold in a grunt of pain as his badly injured foot made hard contact with the floor. The pain stunned him for moment, sending a reaction throughout his whole body. He looked up, trying to refocus. Just as he did so, it seemed to go in slow motion as watched Koizumi make another swing for him. One he wouldn't be able to dodge.

She wanted to help, she needed to help. But her body was restricting her movements, this unexplainable feeling that had grasped her heart. She wanted to scream as she watched the events unfold. And as she looked at the people she cared for fighting, fear consumed her. Fear for them. Terror.

Sakura screamed as she watched Koizumi advance of Sasuke. Hey eyes widened even further as he fell to the ground, seemingly pushed. She let another sound tear from her heart. It was Horror that constricted her throat as she watched Itachi get impaled by Koizumi's kunai.

Sasuke looked at his brother in horror.

Sakura watched as Koizumi quickly took his kunai out of Itachi. The Uchiha dropped down to one knee, holding his hand to his abdomen, where the kunai had entered. He was drenched in cold sweat, his eyes squinting as he battled to keep his eyes open and focused.

"Why did you do that!" Sasuke exclaimed, enraged. He was furious that Itachi had taken the blow. He was furious that he had left himself that open for an attack. He couldn't help that streak of brotherly emotion that shot through him. He dashed at Koizumi aiming a strike, his hand armed with a kunai.

Koizumi easily caught Sasuke's hand, holding him in place, he slowly twisted Sasuke hand until he dropped the kunai.

"This is the path of all traitors," Koizumi started, his eyes moved over to Itachi. "Although, I am impressed. I had been aiming for your organs." Itachi had somehow maneuvered himself to avoid any damage to his organs, even though the kunai went deep. " Nonetheless you will die from the blood loss, I'm in no hurry for the either of you now." Sasuke, enraged, tried to use his other fist to attack Koizumi. But he simply moved his head out of the way, retaliating with a swift punch to Sasuke gut.

Sasuke was weak, disoriented, tired, but he kept fighting, kept trying to break free of Koizumi's grasp.

She had to do something. They weren't going to last without her. Not against Koizumi. She had to protect to protect them. Protect Sasuke.

Protect Sasuke? For what reason?

Because he always used to protect her?

Because he always did so of his own free will?

Just like it was his own free will to insult her in the middle of a life and death situation?

To express to her how much he hated her?

To remind her when she already knew?

For some reason the aching pain she was feeling for Sasuke, seemed to be numbing itself. The horrible feeling seemed to be hiding itself from her mind. Horrible. She couldn't help but think to herself, isn't that what Sasuke is? Horrible?

He always seemed to make it first priority to find ways to put her down. His words always accomplished that.

Annoying. The most common word of them all. Even after all these years that had separated them, it always seemed to be the first and last.

Horrible.

Weak. Another word directed at her. In his eyes, all her training, determination, seemed like child's play. She was nothing compared to him, anyone. To him, that was weak. That's all she was to him. Weak.

Horrible.

He would often speak of her uselessness and inability to contribute anything to Team 7. She was the one that prevented them from being great. The one that wasted their time and breath, wasted their protection.

Horrible.

That unforgettable night. The night she gave it all to him. Confessed it all. Begged one little thing from him. Cried for him. He gave her completely opposite. Rejection. Coldness. That night he stripped her of everything. Broke her.

There isn't a word describable.

A strong emotion overwhelmed her. It burned in her stomach with an intensity that could burn water. It erased the pain in her tired legs as if it never were. All these emotions she had been feeling just one moment ago, were pushed to the back of her mind, as if they had simply disappeared.

She felt no regret, she felt no grief, no pain. She didn't feel anything. The only thing that burned within her soul was a silent, raging anger. Hate. Spite. He shed no tears over her, he did nothing for her. Saved her life a few times? That's only natural of a ninja to do. Tried to kill her a few times? That's what Sasuke had done. He had almost succeeded as well. He didn't give a damn about anyone else. He didn't care. Just like she didn't care. She was through, she was done.

Her hatred for him seemed boundless. It did something do her unexpected.

It set her free.

She had her motivation now. Her glowing pink eyes traveled to look at Koizumi. A deep fire was burning in their depths. A warm sensation, its source stemming from the pit of her stomach, spread throughout her whole body. It felt like butterflies. Along with it came this overwhelming sense of power. No limitation.

Unconsciously, pink chakra was focused into her feet. She leapt towards Koizumi with unimaginable speed. Her love. It was replaced by anger, indifference.

It was her turn to not give a damn.

An orb of pink chakra formed in her right hand as she slammed it into Koizumi. He had seen it coming. Though on his face was that of curiosity. A curiosity that wondered if she had finally tapped into her inner power. That which he had only witnessed in the firey depths of Radiant Garden. The answer was obvious as he gaze traveled to her face, examining it even as his ribs cracked under the pressure of her fist.

Sasuke was able to free himself from Koizumi's grasp, jumping a few feet away. He turned to Sakura, his brow raised. He was waiting for her triumphant grin. That statement that sought to get his attention.

I'm gonna prove to you that I've gotten stronger Sasuke-kun

It never came, the cold silence seemed deafening to his ear. She said nothing. She spared him not one glance. Made him feel as if he was no longer there..as if her were transparent..unimportant. Her eyes were trained on Koizumi..no one else. No one else seemed to matter.

"Koizumi." Her tone was final. It spoke of settlement. It called for battle, for an end to everything. It warned the fact that one of them was going to die. And she would fight her hardest so it not be her.

Koizumi's split second of hesitation was evident, as clear as daylight. The emotions flickered within the depths of his eyes. Regret? Guilt? Dread? She wondered if she was really seeing it as he came at her, with an assault of combos of attacks. She didn't understand. But she chose not to care, pushing the unnecessary curiosity to the back of her mind.

Their kunai's clashed, sparks igniting from the pressure. Itachi and Sasuke took this as a queue for them to rejoin the battle. But Itachi barely managed to stand up, and Sasuke was easily swatted away by Koizumi with ease. Sakura and Koizumi's paid to heed to them. It was then the brothers realized they were being excluded from the battle. They weren't needed.

For the first time, the Uchiha brothers had no choice but to the helpless bystander watching from afar. It was new and foreign to them. Sasuke had found he had never seen a battle from this view. He felt helpless. Dependent on Sakura. As if his and hers positions were switched. He didn't like it, he didn't like it at all. He hated it. He had no control. If Sakura died in this battle, he would die as well. If she lived, he would live. He had no choice in the matter. He had no option but to depend on Sakura. All three of their lives depended on her.

He hated it. Itachi hated it.

The Uchiha brothers watched as Sakura and Koizumi jumped to opposite sides of the room. They were serious, wanting to get the battle over with quickly, there was one thing they could do. Their stances were easily recognizable. This was the blow that would decide it. The blow that would decide if they lived another day.

Sakura gripped the wrist of her right hand, letting her palm face the floor. Crackling pink energy encircled her hand. Koizumi mirrored her stance. The glowing pink light was illuminating his handsome face, showing the slight frown that etched itself there.

"I suppose great minds do think alike." Koizumi stated plainly. Indifferently. She even noticed the frown in his voice. He wasn't happy at all.

"I suppose.." Sakura answered. There was an odd air to the tone of their shortconversation. It was silent acceptance. Sakura was accepting what Koizumi had done. The things he had done since the day he left her. She accepted him. She felt no trace of hate or malice for him. She had nothing to fuel her will to kill him, only that she knew it had to be done. So she would do it. Sakura was hoping for a miracle, hoping she didn't have to do this. But she knew there would be none.

Koizumi accepted Sakura's need to fight him, need to end her own pain. He accepted that he could never be forgiven, that the only way to free himself was through death. But it was a natural reaction for his body to fight back. He needed to fight back. He hadn't completed his goal yet.

"I can't, I have to find them, make sure they are all gone. I don't care how many there are, I will kill them all."

"Those Sound don't deserve to live."

But they accepted each other at that moment for a simple reason. After this blow one or both of them was going to die.

They both refused to die without closure on their tragic history. On their past, things had become so difficult. Why did they become so difficult? So complicated? And as they both ran at breath taking speed towards each other...Theyeach were secretly wishing that things would go back to the way they were. To live the simple life in Radiant Garden. Together.

And as they clashed at the center of the room, they knew that it wasn't meant to be.

It just couldn't be.

..ooo000ooo000ooo..

Tsunade, the Hokage of Konoha, had no time to think. She had to save Naruto, there was no other option. No other option. He was going to live.

She would use a technique that she knew would most likely rob her of

her life. Yet it would give life to Naruto. Save his battered body and soul. He wasn't gone from this world, she was barely holding on to a piece of him. Preventing the tired shinobi from leaving the world. God damn her if she let go.

She began forming the powerful hand seals, despite the constant shrieking and begging from Shizune. They both knew this was dangerous extremely dangerous, this would most likely be fatal to her. Take he own life away.

But, that's whys she was chosen to be Hokage. She was Hokage. Because she loved Konoha and it's people.

It's why she would put up with all of that paper work that she hated so much.

It's why she wouldn't spend her days sipping her favorite sake and flirting with the local men at the bar.

It's why she worked so hard everyday. It's why she was doing whatever possible to save Naruto's life.

And as the last strips of her chakra flowed into Naruto, she smiled.

Her smile reached even wider as she saw him wince in pain as the life streamed back into him. His breathing becoming steady. She was glad she got to see his beautiful, deep cerulean eyes open, immediately focusing on her.

He was in the motion of sitting up, forcing his tired body to move, his wide eyes to reveal shock. To look at her as if she was crazy, confused. He bolted from his place, trying to reach for her, but his human body restricted him. It was too much strain for him as he fell unconscious again. One the medical ninja's caught him.

She smiled as she knew he would be safe. Whatever happened after this, it would be for him to decide.

Her smile didn't fade as she hit the ground.

It stayed in place as the world around her faded.

Because after this, whether she lived or died, she could truly call herself, a great Hokage.

..ooo000ooo000ooo..

Beep … Beep … Beep

The constant sound of beeping filled his ears. It wouldn't stop. The continuous sound seemed to try and lull him back to sleep. But the distant sound of crying reached his ears, pushing his will to stay awake, to open his eyes.

Uzumaki Naruto's eyelids slowly lifted up, revealing his deep cerulean orbs. She seemed to glitter as light in the room hit them. The sound of crying was instantly louder to him. The source was very close to him.

He tried to sit up, but found that it was nearly impossible. His body rippled with a sore pain. As if he had been completely reconstructed. He literally felt like he had been thrown back into his own body. Yet his mind was foggy and he could not remember what had happened recently. He knew it was something important, but he just couldn't' place it. He just blamed whatever drugs they had used, yet it unsuccessfully numbed his pain. He had no energy whatsoever. But he was content just to move his head towards the sound of the silent crying.

He was surprised to see Hinata, her arms resting near his shoulder. Her face was completely hidden from few as she cried into her arms. Why was she crying? He didn't know how to react, so he stayed silent, contemplating. When she cried it made him feel helpless. No amount of thinking let him know what to do. He smelt a very familiar smell as his eyes traveled to the nightstand. It was his favorite ramen, A slow grin made its way to his face, he was touched. Hinata had brought it to him. Yet his eyes traveled back to her form. He didn't care for the ramen right now, he would skip it for her.

He attempted to find his voice, noticing that it only came out as a whisper. He frowned at his inability to speak right. Hinata must have heard his continuous attempts to find his voice. She seemed to be right on time as she heard,

"Hinata, why are you crying?" His voice croaked, reaching a little bit higher than a whisper, but it was enough for her to hear.

Her pearl eyes widened, filling with tears.

"N-Naruto-kun!" She didn't think. It was totally unlike her. She couldn't' stop herself as she threw herself into him. Naruto felt her body heat as their bodies made contact. He could feel the way her tired, relieved body relaxed into his. The way it shook with even more tears. For some reason he didn't feel the pain her weight must have been causing for his body. The contact with her made him feel warm. It made him feel things that he couldn't' understand. He didn't try to. Because he liked it. They way she fit perfectly into him. The way his heart was racing and the feeling of his adrenaline pumping through his veins.

He couldn't get enough of it.

He felt her body stiffen as she realized what she was doing. She immediately separated herself from him, a huge blush rising to her cheeks.

"I-I'm so sorry! I d-didn't mean to w-wake you up!" Naruto smiled at the stuttering that had once again claimed her voice.

"I'll leave! I'm sorry!" Naruto felt panic seep into him for some reason as she said those words. He immediately reached for her wrist as she began to hastily stand up.

"No no stay. Please." He added in quickly. His voice was still rough and hoarse. Realizing how he was holding her, Naruto immediately let go of her. He looked back at her, letting a slow, shy smile make its way to his face. He used that same arm to scratch his head in embarrassment.

Hinata flushed at his soft smile, how cute he look when he was embarrassed. She slowly sat back down. Tying to get over the warm feeling of being in his embrace. She was embarrassed.

"I brought you Ramen." She said quietly too break the warm silence that was between them.

Immediately Naruto's eyes lit up, as he seemed to have forgotten about the ramen, which was totally unlike him. "Is it the kind you make?" He asked excitedly. He seemed to have finally found his voice. Hinata blushed. When she slightly nodded her head, she watched as his eyes lit up even more. Despite his grown, handsome looks (much like that of Yondaime) he seemed like a little kid.

"Thank you Hinata-chan!" He said brightly. The ramen had already been placed in front of him, the medical tray that easily swung over him supporting it. She watched as he struggled to sit up, with his newfound energy. He clumsily reached for the chopsticks, unsuccessfully doing so. His arm was numb, not really moving much. Yet with determination, he tried again and again. He strained until her warm, soft hand touched his shoulder.

"Please d-don't strain yourself, Naruto-kun." He noticed the confidence coming back to her voice, the many years she had worked on eliminating her shy stutter seemed to be intact. "I'll feed you if you w-want." She blushed further and Naruto felt his own cheeks burning pink. Butterflies seemed to fill his stomach as well.

When she fed him, there was a silence in the room. It was a comfortable silence as his eyes never left her face. The silence in the air seemed to tell Naruto all he needed to know. Surprisingly, he realized he had already known it. He just hadn't seen it. It was a wonder how clear and evident it was now. A new warmth seemed to fill him, warm the pit of his stomach where the butterflies were still dancing wildly.

He couldn't explain it. But this felt right. There really wasn't anything else he could use to explain it. It just felt right. He wanted to hold her again, feel the warmth of her body. His heart raced even as he thought about it. Their time was sadly cut short as a voice filled the room.

"Visiting hours are over Miss. I'm sorry but you must leave."

Naruto looked to Hinata, he could hear the sadness in her voice as she replied with a quick "Hai.".

As there eyes made contact for the last time that day, Naruto wished he could leave move so he could leave with her. His thoughts were broken as she embraced him gently, of he own will. It bothered him that he wasn't able to lift his arms, returning the embrace as he had done so earlier. His heart beat picked up again almost immediately. He figured it would be that way every time she touched him. He felt bereft as she left him, his eyes stayed trained on the door even as she no longer stood at its entrance.

He was going to ask her to come back tomorrow, but he realized he didn't have to. He kinda knew she would come again. He didn't realize how tired he felt until now. He coudlnt' help but fall into sleep's embrace.

He had remembered nothing of Sakura or Sasuke that day. And it was best. He need to relax and heal properly. The nurse slipped medicine into his water to keep him calm and tranquil. He of all people needed it. He had much news to take in.

..ooo000ooo000ooo..

The explosion was loud, deafening. All that could be seen was the shattered pieces of the stone from both the floors and walls. Smoke and dust had risen up, surrounding the whole room.

The Uchiha's were forced to shield there eyes until the bright explosion had subsided.

Sasuke found himself looking around wildly, a sense of dread and worry coursing throughout him. If Sakura died he would never be able to forgive himself. He would be losing someone he cared about again. He couldn't, he wouldn't let that happen. He was up and about, wildly searching for pink hair, the most prominent thing that would catch his eyes. And he saw her.

She was crawling, her arm covered in blood. She looked hurt. Yet, he found himself rooted to the ground as he saw her crawling towards Koizumi. Sasuke looked to see Koizumi, lying in his own pool of blood. He was surprised to see her place Koizumi's head on her lap.

"Why?" Sakura started silently. She wanted to cry. There was even a slight cry in her voice. But she wouldn't cry. They had already known something like this was gonna happen. She wouldn't disrespect him. But still she was upset.

"Why did you do that!" She yelled.

It was then that Sasuke realized that the blood on her arm was not her own. It was Koizumi's, the big whole in his abdomen was evident. He had let her thrust her fist through him. He hadn't even touched her…

"I couldn't do it" Koizumi started. He couldn't harm her, end her life. Everything about it was wrong. He was willing to forget his purpose for living. He would not kill her. He tried speaking again.

"Sakura, I tried to change. I tried to forget," he paused as coughs racked his body. "About you..I couldn't do it," He admitted. "I was lying to you..I wanted you to hate me, maybe then it wouldn't hurt so bad." It was then that Sakura couldn't' help the lone tear that fell from her face. It was the first that led many others down the path of her face.

"Why? Why didn't you just stay with me!" She cried the tears coming at a quicker rate. She was started to panic as his eyes seemed to be losing their shine. His lips quirked into a ghost of a smile.

"I've destroyed too many lives, Sakura. I cannot live with myself. I cannot."

"Let me heal you Koizumi! I can save you!" She cried as she lifted her head off of his chest and raised her hands. He shook his head, all he needed to do to stop her. She respected him enough.

"No, it is my time to go. I will go willingly." His voice was becoming

softer and softer. Sasuke felt as if he could actually feel Koizumi's soul slowly departing from this world.

He felt a gut wrenching feeling as he watched the two. Something in the form of jealousy. But it hurt. That was the love Sakura needed. He could never give her that.

"This isn't your fault Sakura. Be happy when I'm gone. Find someone. Don't find reason's not to love him. Follow your heart, it is the only thing to do. I made the mistake of not doing that long ago. So find him Sakura. Through better and worse, love him." Koizumi already knew it was Sasuke, that why he didn't kill him. "Have babies, five, eight, ten of them. Remember what you always used to tell me?" He joked.

Through her tears, Sakura smiled letting out a little laugh.

"I promise."

"Good." With all the strength he had left, Koizumi let his hand reach for her face, gently cupping her cheek tenderly. Sakura looked shocked but did not stop him from bringing her lips gently over his.

Sasuke's eyes widened. He found this pain deep in his chest. He didn't know someone like Koizumi could love someone so deeply.

It brought back memories of when Sakura and he were in this situation. How he himself had almost killed Sakura. Koizumi, a cold, ruthless man, the leader of the Akatsuki himself couldn't bring himself to hurt Sakura. Yet Sasuke easily did so. He had done it without remorse at the time. Was he that cold? Maybe he really was lost. Maybe he really couldn't come back. The guilt of that battle doubled and Sasuke felt sick to his stomach for doing it. And even more sick as he saw Sakura return Koizumi's kiss. She needed that kind of love. He couldn't never give it to her. She would never accept it.

As Koizumi passed, leaving the world for good, Sakura just sat there, staring at nothing in particular. She wasn't crying, just sitting there. She was actually smiling a bit. She let happy images appear in her mind. Of her and Koizumi. She would continue loving him, till the day she died. But the love, she realized would be only that of a sister or brother.

She would love another. She did love another. It hit her as clear as daylight.

Sakura looked behind her to see Itachi. He was already in the motion of picking her up, despite his injuries.

"Sleep." He commanded, she did not want to, but she was at a complete loss of chakra. Staying awake wasn't an option. Itachi began to walkout of the tattered Akatsuki hide out and Sasuke silently followed. Sakura's vision blurred as the glide of Itachi's steps began to lull her to sleep.

She stared at Koizumi's corpse, then at Sasuke's troubled face. He walked behind Itachi to keeping an eye on her, despite his obvious pain. She looked at Koizumi's body firmly for a moment, then switched her emerald gaze to look over Sasuke. Their eyes met.

"I promise."


Thanks for reading!

I hope ya like it! and thank mtm123 for giving me such a good layout for this chapter! The ideas were amazing! Till next time! Ja! Adios!