THE TRUTH UNRAVELS


6 Years Ago

Her lungs constricted widely in her chest. Every breath felt like fire and she could taste the blood in her mouth. The one thought repeating itself in her head, 'This felt good.' This was something she'd never imagine to happen, and yet hoped she could push through. And she could.

The wind brushed past her and she felt so alive. She couldn't count the number of times Sasuke and Naruto pushed themselves past their limits while she lazed around the training field practicing kunai throwing until she got tired and sat with Kakashi-sensei until he called it a night and the four of them would get ramen after.

She never understood why they pushed themselves so hard. Sasuke was the top in their class and while Naruto was dead last, he had skills. The both of them were so determined to get strong and never even thought to see how far they came. She hadn't understood why working for something made you want it more until she met him. Until she could feel her blood pumping through her veins from her own violation.

She wanted to get stronger after Zabuza and the Chunin Exams, but wanting only got you so far. She needed that push, someone who took her seriously and pushed her to get better. She lacked the motivation to do it herself, but she was dedicated now that she had a teacher who actually wanted to teach her.

She wiped the sweat from her forehead, while pumping more chakra to her legs. Moving with the wind, she felt free. The sun had set long ago, and yet she refused to call it a night until she physically couldn't move anymore. Nin-sensei, would scold her later, but she was ok with that. She needed to get strong fast.

Naruto and Sasuke were fighting, and the roof. Gods forbid the roof, they almost killed each other. And there wouldn't have been anything she could have done to stop it.

They didn't see it. The two of them needed each other, but Sasuke was too caught in revenge and power to notice them and Naruto thought he needed to be stronger than Sasuke for Sasuke to notice him. It was exhausting watching, Naruto and Sasuke both strived to be stronger and wouldn't take Kakashi-sensei's lesson deeper.

To be a team was more than fighting together. It was more than the battlefield. She envied Ino's dad's team. They worked well together inside the village and out.

And she knew her team could do it too, they just had to let each other in. She wanted to say she understood, but she didn't. She always had both parents, but she could empathize.

Which is why she didn't want her team to fail. The struggles they were facing were real. They had so much against them and yet they both worked their asses off to be the ninja they were today. And it took so long but she was finally putting in the work to be a decent member to the team. She was excited to be a better ninja, one Naruto, and Sasuke could rely on. She understood what Sasuke said earlier. This wasn't a dream. The reality was she's going to get stronger to work besides both of them. And then they together would help each other complete their goals.

She'd help Sasuke kill his brother with Naruto and together she and Sasuke would push Naruto's ass to become the Hokage. That's what being a team is all about. Helping each other become stronger physically and mentally.

"Sakura." She skidded to a stop. "What are you doing here? Who's with you?" Kakashi's frantic eye searched hers, the sharingan spinning lazily in place.

"Sensei? How'd you find me?" She instantly knew that was a dumb question, she knew about the Hatake genes, and how their nose surpassed the Inuzuka's.

But there had been a reason why she chose to train in the Forest of Death, not only did she need to overcome her battles but also, Nin-sensei figured it'd be better if they trained privately. And even though he wasn't there, it kind of became "her" time. She came here when she needed a break from reality.

"Sasuke left the village. Is he here with you?"

"Wha- WHAT? What do you mean he left? I- I haven't seen him since yesterday, I've been here… Oh gods where did he go? I- Is it Orochimaru? The curse mark?"

"The ninja who's been training you, is he here?"

"No! He gave me a training schedule…. Sensei what's going on?"

Kakashi sighed as he started walking back in the direction to Konoha, Sakura quickly followed.

"How long have you been here?"

She frowned as she tried keeping up with his pace. "Yesterday, sensei what happened?"

"Naruto's in the hospital." She gasped.

"You think it was Nin-sensei?"

"Just," he sighed as he glanced back at her, "keep an eye on him ok? I don't completely trust him."

"Should I… sensei I trust you, and if you don't trust him… is it wise for me to train with him?"

"I don't think he took Sasuke."

Sasuke was gone. Naruto was hurt and she had been here the entire time. She didn't even know her team was being split apart. She wanted to get stronger for them and in the end she let them down.

She let Sasuke leave the village and made Naruto deal with the consequences.

"Where are we going?" Her voice felt little, and the knot in her stomach grew. She hadn't helped in the Waves, was useless in the Chunin Exams, and hadn't been there when her team needed her.

"To the hospital."

"I can't! I need to go, umm I have to go home." Every bone in her body burned, what could she say to him? "Sasuke's gone? He left? I- I can't sensei. He doesn't need me-

"Maa, Sakura-chan, you know Naruto will be happy to see you."

She scoffed. She didn't need Kakashi's overly cheerful voice.

"Just tell him to promise me we'll get Sasuke back! I- I have to train, or go home. He doesn't need me."

She spun in the other direction before sprinting back off into the forest. She didn't bother wiping her tears, she wasn't focused on anywhere she needed to go. She didn't care.

Her legs gave and she sank to the ground, before pulling her knees to her face and began sobbing uncontrollably into them.

"Haruno." A kunai embedded itself into the tree trunk beside her. She snapped her eyes to Nin-sensei, before quickly scrambling to her feet.

"Nin-sensei! I-" Something was wrong. Nin-sensei always looked composed, but now his eyes were a little bit wider. His appearance was more rough, the closer you looked.

"If you're going to cry, make sure it is a place you're familiar with."

The cloak he wore, black with red clouds. His eyes were hard, and she knew those eyes. It was the same her teammate had. The same thing was in Kakashi's head.

She was staring at the sharingan.

Itachi Uchiha, Sasuke's tormentor for the past 5 years.

She didn't move, didn't rip her eyes away, there was no point. She saw the damage he'd done to Kakashi and Sasuke within this past month. She was going to die a failure who didn't fight.

"Why are you here?" She whispered, her voice barely leaving her mouth. She surprised herself.

"I see you realized who I am."

"Why are you here? Sasuke's gone! And there's no way in hell you're getting within five feet of Naruto." Maybe she had a little fight left in her after all. Whatever it was, she could at least try to protect them.

"Do you think I want to harm your team?"

She laughed, sounding more like a sneer than anything, "Do I think you want to harm my team? You DID harmed my whole team, you killed your parents." Her legs shook but she refused to move. "You're a murder. A clan killer. It doesn't matter what I think because you are worse than scum." His sharingan reverted back to onyx grey and that alone didn't make her relax. This man single handedly slaughtered his entire clan in one night. Killing a 13- year-old child would be nothing to him. He's done worse.

"Scum," He chuckled, "I suppose you can say I am. Becoming your worst enemy is a job only meant for scum." Onyx met emerald before he tilted his head and a flutter of crows fled the clearing.

She sank to her knees before the crows cleared. She tried to force down the bile but to no luck.

She didn't know what just happened. Couldn't explain it if she wanted to. Itachi Uchiha was Nin-sensei. The same man Kakashi-sensei had warned her about.

She thought back to the time she told Kakashi-sensei about the man who tried to kill her / save her at the chunin exams, he's always been weary. Which could only be negative things, yet when she asked him if she should take it to the Third, he said no. He hadn't mentioned much, never discouraged or encouraged her from training with the unknown ninja, just told her to be careful and reminded her she was the practical one among the team.

Did Kakashi know Nin-sensei was Itachi?

She never would have given the man a second thought if she knew he was the reason Sasuke didn't sleep at night.

She stayed for hours crying until she forced herself to wipe her eyes.

Gods look how pathetic you look. Crying because you no longer have a sensei to teach you.

No, Sakura shook her head ignoring what Inner said. That wasn't true, she was sad she was deceived. Sad her teammate left and the other was hurt.

She quickly stood on shaky legs and pushed herself to run to the hospital.


THE TRUTH UNRAVELS


"Dobe" he hissed. It was too fucking early to be dealing with this crap.

"Shut the hell up teme." Naruto groggily groaned while putting a pillow over his head to cancel out the knocking.

The knocking continued. When Naruto made no attempts to answer it, Sasuke muttered out a series of curses. The first thing he did was rush to the toilet and emptied his stomach. Cursing his being out of existence, as he countlessly began praying to his ancestors that he would never drink again if they gave him strength to make it to and open the god forsaken door.

If he told Naruto that guests weren't supposed to open the door- he'd go on a rampage saying how this was his home now too. He groaned.

"What." He demanded as soon as he threw the door open.

"Ehh I guess the rumors about the crazy ass Uchiha brothers being back is true." The moron- Inuzaka called out in a laugh. Sasuke gripped the door handle. Inuzukad raised both hands

"Relax relax man. Anyways, Tsunade-sama said to summon Team Seven to her office… so could ya, ion know like… get Naruto for me?"

He bit back his urge to tell the idiot to fuck off as he politely slammed the door in his face.

"Teme who was it?"

He made his way back to the couch before flopping face down. Getting drunk was easier when you had a medic to cure the hangover.

Getting back to the topic at hand, the council should be getting ready to vote. Before the day was over Itachi would be sentenced to death. It was unnerving, seeing how someone else would be deciding Itachi's fate. While the thought didn't sit right with him, there was little else he could do. Besides killing Itachi himself, but as hard as it was, he was putting that chapter behind him. If Itachi thought he couldn't have peace, he'd prove him wrong. He would become the most peaceful, least hateful- he'd become a fucking pacifist just to prove that bastard wrong. And sure, maybe this course of action was still allowing Itachi to have an input in his life but he had to start somewhere.

He had to defy Itachi's wishes. And then he could be a better man. He wanted to be someone his parents could be proud of. Someone Sakura could be proud of.

It was going to take a while, but he wasn't going to give up. Hell he couldn't give up as long as Naruto was around.

He sighed as he pushed himself upwards. Today Itachi's fate would be decided. They should be getting word any minute now.

"Naruto! We have to go." He quickly said all the while dragging Naruto's body out the door.

"What the fuck teme!" Naruto bit out as he yanked his arm back. "Where are we going?"

"Itachi." He grunted while dodging Naruto's arm.

Naruto threw his arm around Sasuke's shoulder and the two of them made their way to the hokage's office.

"Do you ever get the feeling of DeJa Vu? But- but you know it's bad?" Sasuke raised his eyebrow as he disregarded Naruto's comment. He had bigger things to worry about than Naruto's philosophy. Today he was going to officially be the last Uchiha alive. He fought down the knot in his stomach. He waited 10 years for this day, and while it wasn't how he pictured, he was still glad to finally get revenge.

….

Naruto frowned the moment he stepped into the office and Tsunade did everything to not look at him but stare into the wall behind him.

"Traitor, I didn't think you'd join us." She could tell Sai was trying to clear the tense atmosphere, she appreciated it.

"What the hell did you call me?" Naruto rolled his eyes before shoving past Sasuke and lining up with them all.

He looked so mature, different from the boy she was used to seeing months ago.

"What's going on with Itachi, granny?"

"The votes were unanimous, however, it's getting put on hold. Naruto…. we got word from the toad sage…." She tore her glaze away from the wall, before focusing on Naruto's cerulean eyes.

This would be the second time she'd watch those eyes be gifted with news that could end him. She failed her student and her best friend, and now she had to look Naruto in the eyes and tell him that.

"Jiariya died in battle, Naruto." Sasuke's eyes widened as he quickly turned to look at Naruto who stood rooted to the ground. His face was blank. "There was information about the leader of the Akatsuki he went to check it out and I-" She was interrupted as Naruto's retreating figure left the room.

Her own eyes widened as she looked to the closing door. She told herself she was ready for his reaction.

She was tired of being Hokage. Tired of being in a position that forced her to close her emotions off to focus on the village. And most of all she was tired of this village taking away her loved ones.

She promised when she came back things were going to change. Yet here she was all over again, losing everyone she was close too.

"Kakashi I need you-

"Maa I have to go. Sai, report the rest to me later." After Hatake's abrupt exit the room fell into uncomfortable silence.

"Uchiha, make sure Naruto doesn't do anything." Sasuke stuffed his hands in his pockets as he evenly left the room. Naruto had come to him in his time of need. Refused to let him be alone, but Sasuke wasn't Naruto. And he had a more important task at hand. The Akatsuki had killed Jiraya. And the one person they could get answers from was sitting in a cell in T&I.

….

Everything was dark.

He grew up with nothing, nobody. And then he graduated from the academy and finally formed a family. Yet in less than two months he lost the two closest people to him.

"You're not alone brat."

He laughed.

"Look around Kurama, it's just me."

It all seemed for power, what was the point? His heart hurt, and it was taking everything in him to control his anger.

He was fine though. Sakura was dead, Jiraya was dead. Hell his parents were dead, everything was fine. He was used to being alone anyway. He walked the streets of Konoha, stopping to stare at the families playing together at the park. He never had that fully. There were times when Sakura and Sai would find him on his swing before they dragged him to an actual park and they'd stay for hours playing. It became their ritual on how to cheer him up, and while he always acted annoyed when they dragged him to the park, he knew they were showing they cared for him and he loved it. Like the time he came home and Iruka was waiting for him.

He hadn't know what the word family meant for the longest. That was until he became apart of team 7, and even then it was iffy. Like they were trying so hard to make it fit when so much was going on around them. And they- no he hadn't been ready. There been times when he was younger when Sasuke came to him and had he said something different- had he told Sasuke what he was- but he wasn't used to people wanting to known him. To people not judging him and when Sasuke showed interest- when anyone showed interest he got defensive. Had he just- Sasuke wouldn't have left- and Sakura wouldn't be dead. If he wasn't trying to find Sakura's murderer he would have been with Jiraiya and he... Jiraiya would be here.

"N-Naruto-kun!" He paused his walking before turning to Hinata. He had half a mind to run, but he could use the distraction.

"Hey Hinata." He stuffed his hands deep in his pockets as she approached.

"Umm I- I heard you were back home. Ahh Kiba-kun told me!" He cringed slightly and tightened his hands into fist. His grin was wide though, broadcasting all his teeth.

"Yeah, Sasuke's home."

"I didn't get a chance to talk to you a- after Sakura-chan's funeral. I'm s-sorry for your loss, Naruto-kun."

He cracked his head to the side forcing his grin to widen a little more. No one could tell when he was faking, he was good at it.

"You're fine Hinata." Kami the sky was so blue. These used to be days he loved, now all he felt was cold, bitter fury.

"I um, we're all getting together for lunch. We'd love it if you came."

"Yeah, that sounds great." He walked off before she could say anything else.

He walked past the villagers until he made it to his fathers head. Everything was fake. The villagers smile, their words of encouragement, their congratulations on finding Sakura's killer. They told him his father would be proud of him, it was all a lie. How could they know what a dead man felt?

His father had forsaken him to this life. And sure he could handle it. He did handle it, but he didn't want to.

This wasn't hell, but it sure as fuck felt like it.


THE TRUTH UNRAVELS


FIVE YEARS AGO

As hot as Suna was during the day, it was freezing cold at night.

"Forehead, did you set the traps?"

"Yes pig. Choji you're in charge of the fire and Ino you're on first watch." She pulled her sleeping bag closer to her and tuned everything else out. The second Chunin Exam was a piece of cake compared to the first one. To her knowledge everyone who entered so far was still alive.

Team seven seems to be gaining luck.

Why the fuck would you say that, Inner? Damn it, Sakura thought before pushing herself up from her sleeping bag.

"I'm taking first watch forehead, go back to sleep." Sakura looked at Ino, who was filing her nails, before turning back to the desert. The wind harshly whipped against her skin as she stepped out the cave.

Nothing was there, she was overreacting.

Maybe you should stop being a scared bitch and go back to bed, Inner laughed and it took everything in Sakura not to snap at her. Something was off.

"Forehead! I swear to Kami if you don't take your pretty ass to bed, I'll give you first watch!"

She wouldn't be able to sleep anyways, so she sat next to Ino and pulled out a kunai.

"Forehead…. is everything alright?"

"Yeah, no, I'll take watch, I'm good." Ino stared at her for a few moments before pulling out her own sleeping bag and laying down next to Choji.

It had been nine months since Naruto left the village. Nine months since she began training under Tsunade-sama. She was more than ready and qualified to become a Chunin. The past year had been hectic. Her daily training with Tsunade and Lee showed that she was taking her training seriously.

But she still had a long way to go. She had a new goal, she wanted to show Kakashi what he missed out on for abandoning her.

But that wasn't it entirely either. She wanted to walk besides Naruto and Sasuke, and she realized she wanted to be next to Kakashi's side too.

Becoming a Chunin before she saw Kakashi was on her next list. And then she'd dragged his ass back to team seven.

She didn't care how childish it was, but she wanted her sensei back and then she was going to see his face and brag about it to Naruto and Sasuke

She realized she wasn't overreacting a few moments after Ino went to sleep when she sensed a faint chakra signature a few miles away. The chakra was faint yet strong. It was beating in a steady rhythm and she knew she needed to get out of there.

We both know you're not doing that, Inner supplied and she hated to admit, Inner was right.

She hadn't told anyone what happened that night in the Forest of Death.

She refused to think about what happened and instead insisted on getting stronger to help Sasuke complete his goal.

And if she wanted to do that, she couldn't think of what exactly Itachi had told her that night.

She slowly stood up before leaving the cave. She cast one more look at her team before summoning a clone to watch over them, as she headed into the desert.

Her heart beat a mile a minute. The last time she saw him she thought he was going to kill her. She said really mean things- and she wouldn't take them back.

He murdered his entire clan. And now he's a dead man walking.

They were going to kill him. They were going to kill him. They were going to-

"Haruno."

She froze. She felt sick.

She opened her mouth and closed it, waiting for him to say something.

"Ni- Why are you here?"

He regarded her evenly before looking up to the sky.

"How's the jinchuriki doing?"

Her eyes narrowed as she slowly gripped her kunai.

"If you really think the Akatsukis getting to Gaara you're dead wrong."

"He isn't the only one."

"What?" There was another on here? "Who are you talking about?"

"You should be wary of who you met."

"Ohh says the clan murder who led me on."

"You need to pay attention to appearances as well. Bingo books will become your best friend."

"You came all this way to warn me I'm a bad ninja? Why are you here?"

"I've told you." She glared at him as he smirked. Fucking Uchihas.

"So there's another jinchuriki and you're planning on killing them?"

"Such a shame it isn't Gaara or Naruto."

He turned and she launched at him, grabbing his cloak.

"Why tell me?! Why come back and why would you help me? Who are you? Why did you kill your clan? Why are you-

"You ask a lot of questions, Haruno."

"You said only scum become their worst enemy. Are you saying your scum? Why would you become your worst enemy? It doesn't make-

"You're in no position to know. I apologize for dragging you into this mess."

"This is MY team! You aren't dragging me into shit. I'm going to help Sasuke get stronger and together we will kill you."

He stared at her before smiling and brought his fingers up to poke her forehead.

"I look forward to fighting you."

She was getting sick of him sending clones to talk to her. She waited until the last crow left before she sprinted back to the cave.

She was cold now that he was gone, and realized in the heat of it all, Itachi Uchiha had been sharing his chakra with her.

You could utilize your chakra to keep you warm. It made sense, there were ninjas in the Land Of Snow who weren't wearing coats. She paused mid run and focused on her own chakra. Bringing it out and into a layer until her whole body was covered and she was no longer shivering.

She grinned before returning to her run.

Upon entering the cave she quickly packed her bags, while waking up team 10.

"What's going on Sakura-chan?" There had been one odd ball out of the entire Chunin Exams. Someone who reminded her just as Naruto, wanting to make friends more than caring about the exams itself.

"There's another jinchuriki here and we have to find her before the Akatsuki does."


THE TRUTH UNRAVELS


PRESENT

Sasuke paced outside the room leading to the cells.

They moved Itachi into a cell. He didn't know why that shocked him so much. Itachi was a criminal, it's where he belonged.

But what if what Tsunade said was true? What if Itachi was… was ordered to kill the clan? But Itachi wanted to get stronger. He was competitive and he killed Shisui. But Shisui was stronger than Itachi and it never made sense.

They were best friends, and for the life of him, he couldn't bring himself to kill Naruto. So how could Itachi?

If Itachi really wanted to test his strength he wouldn't have killed Sakura. He would have let his child grow older and then test his strength against someone who could fight back.

But this was Itachi. And nothing Itachi does makes sense.

So why was Sasuke searching so hard for a silver lining? Itachi tortured him, time and time again. He never loved him, it was all an act.

Yeah, no one can order Itachi around. Itachi dug his own grave, and now it was time to face the consequence.

He didn't know what Itachi gained from Jiraiya being dead but it wasn't any of his business.

The door opened and Ibiki came out before leaning to the wall.

"Uchiha, where's your team?" Sasuke shrugged before he continued pacing. There was no reason to be here anymore.

"Are you going in?"

"No. I'm leaving" he spun around and began to leave.

"If you ask me, there's someone else pulling Itachi's strings."

"No one asked you."

Regardless if someone was pulling Itachi's strings, he lied to Sasuke over and over. Sasuke gave him a chance, if Itachi didn't want to take it well that was on him.

….

The smell of cooked meat filled the air as the remaining members of Konoha 11 sat around the table.

"Are we waiting on Naruto?" Kiba asked while munching on a piece of pork.

Ino rolled her eyes at him while smacking his arm from around her shoulder.

"Naruto told Hina-chan he'd be here, so he will."

"Ano Ino-chan, I um I'm not sure he really heard anything I was saying." The shy girl muttered while using her chopsticks to pick up a piece of beef before setting it over her rice.

"The whole point of this dinner was to reminisce Sakura, why wouldn't he come?" Tenten asked while roughly stabbing her meat.

"Maybe we should have invited his boyfriend." Kiba snickered, and Ino roughly shoved her elbow into his side.

"Where's Sai?" Choji asked while filling his plate for the second time.

"If you want to know so much, why don't you go ask him yourself." Neji said as he refilled Tenten's drink.

"Well maybe if the two of them could realize that we're fucking here for them and that just because Sakura's dead, doesn't mean they can count us out!"

"Kiba-kun!" Hinata gasped at him as Ino punched him in the shoulder.

"How unyouthful of you, Kiba-kun! Naruto and Sai are grieving, we can't begin to understand what they're going through!"

"Lee this isn't any of our business."

"No Tenten! Sakura-chan was very dear to me and now… we can't be mad at Naruto and Sai for not being here. All we can do is be here for them when they need us!"

"We all know Naruto is somewhere off with Sasuke. Honestly he's probably never going to hang out with us again." Kiba muttered, biting down on his own insecurities.

"Troublesome." Shikamaru muttered while placing his head down on the table.

Ino and Choji shared a look before glancing back at their friend.

"What do you know?"

"Shika, did you find out something?"

Shikamaru ignored them while glancing at Akamaru. He wondered how easier life would have been, if he were a dog.

"Shika!" Ino kicked his shin and he muttered out a series of curses.

"Nara if you know something, inform us." Shikamaru glared at Neji. They were supposed to be on the same fucking side.

"It's not my place to say." He mumbled.

"Don't make me read your mind, you inconsiderate, lazy sack bag."

Shika groaned while stuffing his mouth full of meat.

"Maybe he can't tell us. I- it's ok Shika-kun."

"I was supposed to go to Suna today-

"To see your girlfriend?"

"But we got news, and I can't go."

"News about what?" Tenten question.

Shika sighed before glancing at them. "Jiraiya's dead."

Hinata gasped while covering her mouth.

"No. You're lying, fuck. How is Naruto?"

"He didn't look bad, he- he was smiling but… he wasn't there."

"Damn it! Damn it!" Kiba jumped up before quickly leaving the building, Akamaru followed him out.

"Should we check on him?"

"No, why? It's simple, because none of us can make him feel better right now. Sakura and Jiraiya were two of the closest people to Naruto. Now that they're dead the only thing we can do is offer our presence when he needs us. Making him feel bad for not coming won't help him or us." Shino spoke for the first time and everyone could agree with him.

They stayed silent for a while as they finished their meats and stared into the empty seats saved for Naruto and Sai, before Shikamaru stood.

"I should go. The next few days will be hectic, stay on your toes."

A series of "yeah" and "see ya later" filled the air as Shika left, slowly followed by everyone else.

"We'll see you later Lee." Tenten said while Lee offered her a smile and proclaimed to do 1,000 laps around the village on his hands in honor of Jiraiya and Sakura.

Her and Neji begin heading in the direction to her apartment.

"Do you think he'll be ok?"

"Naruto's strong."

Tenten sighed while interlocking her hand with Neji's.

"Sakura's really dead. I don't know, I just thought…"

"That they'd come back with her."

"Yeah" Tenten drly laughed, "The whole situation sucks, and I just wish Sakura didn't have to die for Naruto to finally bring Sasuke home."

"We have to look at the positive side."

"That being?"

"Uchiha's home, the others in custody."

"Please, if Sakura was here would you really think she's settled for Itachi being in custody? Remember when we got together with 7 and got drunk? What was Sakura rambling about hum?"

"She was drunk."

"We were all drunk and you didn't see me defending a clan murder."

Neji sighed as he pulled her into the building before pulling out his key and unlocking her door.

"Ten, 7 is fucked." He cupped her face while kissing her forehead. "Has been since the beginning of time. We can't try to understand any of that mess."

"All I'm saying is, if you ask me, they have the wrong man locked up."

"No one is asking you." He mumbled before pushing her into the wall.

"You should go see him. Tell him how we're on his side."

"Me? Hiashi would have my head." He gently trailed his hand up her neck, gripping her to look up at him.

"Nej, you said the votes were unanimous. You knew Sakura, you're ok with an innocent man dying?"

"He's not innocent, Ten. Regardless if he murdered Sakura or not he killed his entire clan."

"You're too smart to stop thinking there Nej. When does a ninja do anything that isn't for the sake of the village."

"Ten, Konoha isn't black and white."

"And we're not kids anymore."

"And it isn't our business. If Uchiha wants to take the blame for all of it, who are we to stop it?"

"Fine so fuck the Uchihas, but what about the Hyugas? It's not fair. We can't keep letting old people say what's best for Konoha. That seal-

"Is an entirely different situation."

"It's slavery."

"Agreed upon by the clan. There's no changing-

"Fuck that! Just because Sakura's dead doesn't mean the Hokage is no longer in your corner. She had a plan."

"Sakura's plan. She's dead, Ten. It's fine."

"It's not fine Neji!"

She roughly shoved him off her before marching to the kitchen and pulling him out a drink.

"Do you want one?" He asked while taking the drink from her hand.

"I want you to talk to your uncle. I want you to go to the Hokage. I want Sakura's plan to come into effect."

"It hasn't been a problem before. The clan is fine and I guess I am too."

"It'll be a problem in four years because I swear to God my child is not getting a seal placed on his head."

Neji's eyes widened as the byakugan appeared in its place. "You're pregnant."

"Yeah, and I'd get an abortion before I doom my child to a life in confinement." She whispered. It was harsh and she knew it but Neji made the best out of a horrible situation and she'd be damned if she put her child through the same process.

"I can go to Hinata, being the heir and next clan leader she has more leverage."

"You went to her before."

"She's more mature now, and knows the clan polices better. She's in a position of power within the clan."

"Your uncle will shut her down again. Neji-

"If worst comes to worst we'll have to say they aren't mine."

"And when he comes out looking like you? You're eyes Nej, what then? A genjutsu wouldn't work. If you want this child you have to fight for a better Hyuga clan."

"I will. I swear I will. I just need time."

"Ok. Ok Nej." She wrapped her arms around his torso and tucked her head against his chest.

"I want you to take my name."

"Neji!" Tenten sputtered while pulling away from him. "You're uncle would really have your head if you tried to marry me- not that you were saying you wanted to marry me but-

"So be it. I love you Ten, and you're carrying my child. I want you."

"Fine, fine but not until after this is all settled. You can't have me or this child until that seal is off your head."

Neji chuckled before pulling her to the room. "It's not that simple. Getting the seal removed is a dangerous process that I only felt comfortable with having Uzumaki and Sakura do."

"Neji." She stopped walking and Neji looked back at her. "I love you too."

He smiled at her before opening his arms. "Come to bed, Ten."

The room was spinning. She swore to gods if the room would stop spinning for two minutes, she could come up with a plan.

But the room was so dark and nothing was balancing. That fucking bitch. She dryly laughed while spitting out blood.

She closed her eyes and tried to heal anything, something. In the end she was only able to access four percent of her chakra all together. And the little percent she had left was all directed to pancake. Some-fucking-how pancake was still alive despite all this bullshit.

It was entirely her fault. Gods she was so fucking dumb. What the fuck did she think was going to happen?

She glanced at the door just as it opened.

"Dr. Haruno, I'm here to give you an exam." The ROOT medic said, coming in. Sakura had tried to talk to her for the past weeks. She couldn't even get a name out of her.

Danzo had fucked up so many people's lives, the woman probably had a self given name like Sai.

"Are we still calling him pancake? He's healthy."

"You're convinced it's a boy."

She laughed while pushing her glasses high on her face. "Of course, the Uchiha heir. It'd be a shame if it were a girl. Though I suppose Danzo-sama could still use her of course."

"Tell Danzo I'm ready to see him." The medics laughed before pulling her chakra away from Sakura.

"Nonsense, when Danzo-sama's ready for you, he'll come."

She was left alone in the room again and couldn't help the tears from falling.

Her entire body ached. She couldn't save her chakra and escape like she wanted to, she was stuck. The chains dug into her skin and she was so fucking cold. She'd make him pay.

She laughed, sounding bitter and sweet. Danzo had a bounty on his head and unlike Itachi she was ready to get revenge.


THE TRUTH UNRAVELS


A/N: Everyone kept saying it, and I didn't want to disappoint! But sadly it will be a WHILE before our lovely family realize Sakura is alive. And also ok Tenten is the last person I'm making pregnant, and thats just because I really want her kid and sakuras (huyga and uchiha) kid to be on the same team lmao. And yes I know they are young but bare with me.

ALSO I confused myself on their ages so imma drop that here. Rookie nine- 19/18.

So when team 7 graduated the academy Sakura had to be 13 (I forgot Sasuke was also 13) while Naruto was 12 getting ready to turn 13. So for the point of this story imma say its after Sakura turned 19 but before Sasuke turned 19 (so like May) and yes this fact bothered the fuck out of me.

Yall so I had my friend read this chapter with me, and she was like is Nin-sensei Kakashi? *Insert eye emoji* This same friend said Itachi groomed Sakura, so question readers! Do you think Itachi groomed Sakura?

I want to hear yall answers and why! But now I'm trying to figure out how to make it not look like she got groomed because noooo lmao.

Thank you for the read loves! Stay safe!