Chapter Eighteen

It's big. It's heavy. It's wood.

"You've been staring at that wood for days. Why?" Naruto asked, staring at Saku curiously.

"Because it's better than bad. It's good." Saku said snidely, sarcasm rolling off her in waves.

Naruto, realizing that saying the wrong word could possibly get him knocked into next week, decided to proceed with caution. "There are rumors going around about you."

Sakura sighed heavily and shifted her body weight.

"That's nothing new."

Naruto nodded. Ever since she had started dating Itachi, Saku had been the topic of many conversations, none of which had been good. "Yes, but people are saying that there are two of you."

It was at this precise moment that Saku realized that she had not come up with a cover story for herself. What the heck was she supposed to tell people? She certainly couldn't tell the truth. To let spill her secret would cause an uproar that would be disastrous. Saku sighed and decided to take the easiest way out. "I have a sister."

"What?! And you never told me! Where did she go? Why is she back? What 's going on?"

"It's news to me too, Naruto." Saku's eyes couldn't meet his as she bit her bottom lip. Yes, it was definitely news considering she just made it up. "I really can't tell you much more than that." Saku said softly, still staring at the log.

"Is she like you?"

"No!" Saku snapped, pulling her eyes away from the offending object. "She's nothing like me."

Naruto let out a relieved breath. "Good. That means she won't beat me up all the time."

"I wouldn't put my money on that." Saku muttered under her breath.

"What?" Naruto asked, his attention beginning to wander the longer he sat still.

"Nothing."

"When can I meet her?"

Saku looked at Naruto. "You're just a million and one questions tonight, huh?"

Naruto just shrugged and grinned at her sheepishly. Saku shook her head.

"I don't know Naruto. I just--" The girl's gaze traveled once more to the object of her mockery.

"The Kakashi thing bothering you again?"

Sakura stuck out her tongue at him. "Yes, the Kakashi thing is bothering me again."

"I don't see why you don't just rape him and be done with it."

Saku reached out and smacked Naruto upside the back of his head. "Naruto!"

"Ow!" Naruto yelped, rubbing his head. "What was that for?!"

Saku hit him again. "That is for not knowing what you did in the first place."

Naruto pouted childishly, scooting just out of Saku's strike range.

"So which one are you?" Sasuke said eyeing Saku contemplatively as she picked over fruit she wanted in the market.

"You'd think you would know your own teammate."

"Ah, my almost-but-not-quite-sister-in-law," Sasuke smirked, realizing who he had just stumbled upon.

"What do you want, Sasuke?" The Uchiha sniffed in affront, turning the Evil Eye on his friend as he quipped,

"Is that any way to greet your almost brother?"

Saku's lips curled into a sneer that Sasuke in no way took seriously. "Don't you have something better to do? Something involving not harassing me?"

Sasuke paused, pretending to consider this as he studied his cuticles. "Nope."

Sasuke sauntered over to Saku and tossed an arm over her shoulder. He said nothing, simply walked along with her as she gathered her groceries. It should have been an annoyance--his arm flung around her, but she was too comfortable with Sasuke for it to mean anything more than brotherly affection. However, his silence was becoming more and more unsettling as he had to have come for a reason. Of that she was certain; plus, he was choosing his words carefully which meant the situation was serious.

"I'm a big girl, Sasuke. Just tell me the problem."

After a moment's hesitation Sasuke sighed and spoke.

"I came to warn you."

"Warn me? What's wrong?" Saku looked up at Sasuke curiously.

"Itachi told the parental units that the engagement is off."

"Did he tell them about the other me?"

"Not at all."

Saku groaned. "So when should I expect the pitchforks and torches?"

Sasuke shrugged. "I don't know. Where you're concerned they really don't tell me much of anything. I guess since I consort with the enemy and all it makes me untrustworthy."

A normal person would have been a bit bitter at such a pronouncement but the grin on Sasuke's face showed he wasn't the least bit bothered by his family's treatment. He was sort of like the black sheep of the family,though he was loved too much to be treated as an outcast.

"So, I'm the enemy now."

"You've always been the enemy."

Saku opened her mouth to say that she had never been their enemy, and that she had always tried damned hard to please those stuffy bastards, but nothing she did was ever enough. However, before those burning words could reach past her lips, a calm settled over her heart, a calm that came from knowing without a doubt that you are not crazy. The kind of calm that told you that everyone else might be a few kunai short of a full pouch, but you weren't.

"Sasuke, you do know that the Uchihas are nuts, right?"

"Someone has to be. Everyone has to have their place in the grand scheme of things."

Saku rolled her eyes. "Thanks for the warning, Sasuke."

"No problem. And if you see the other you tell her to lay low until after they've killed you."

"…bastard."

A flashy smirk had her shoving an arm into his side.

"You know you love it."

Of all the people to come and represent the Uchiha clan the last person she expected was Uchiha Shisui. She had finished grocery shopping and had just dropped the food off at Naruto's apartment. She had just begun heading back out in search of a certain ninja that shall remain nameless when suddenly he appeared before her.

"Shisui!"

"We need to talk." His eyes were dark and serious as he took her arm in a no-nonsense grip.

Saku frowned. He was generally a flirtatious bastard who couldn't seem to stop mooning over her, but this man was a stranger. Sakura blinked slowly and took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself for what he had to say.

"Do we need to go somewhere private?"

"That would be for the best." Saku nodded and began walking. He glanced at her with eyes that saw more than they let on.

"You don't look all that surprised to see me."

"It was only a matter of time before one of you guys came to see me. You're very simple in your dealings with people outside the Clan."

Shisui narrowed his eyes, unsure of whether or not to be insulted. He looked around and noticed that Saku had led them to a small park. He gently steered her to a small bench in the park where they could sit and talk quietly. The wind blew and leaves flew past their faces and two small children ran past them giggling joyously. They watched the two for a while as one tried to steal a ball from the other.

"So talk." Saku said, breaking the silence. She was impatient to be going and really didn't want to deal with the Uchiha Clan.

"We want you to stay away from Itachi."

"Shisui, it's over between Itachi and I. I have no plans on mending our relationship."

"You may not have plans but he does."

Saku sighed, knowing this had everything to do with her double. Why did she have to have this conversation? He had the wrong Sakura and she wanted to tell him that, but if Itachi hadn't told them she certainly didn't think he'd want her to spill the beans. The last thing she needed on her hands was an irritated Uchiha Itachi. Kakashi's anger was enough for her to deal with.

"I can't stop Itachi from doing what he wants. He's his own man. Perhaps you should be talking to him."

"There is no talking to Itachi. You know that."

"Shisui…there are things you don't know."

"And there are things you don't know. I have been sent because I'm the one who can be the most peaceable."

Sakura paused and mulled over that statement. She didn't like the way it sounded. It sounded like—

"Are you threatening me?" Shisui's eyes widened but his voice was calm as he said,

"No--but there are others who would have no problem doing such a thing."

Saku stood up then, her eyes flashing with barely concealed anger. "You can not order me--none of you Uchiha can order me to do anything! I will do what I please. If I don't want to marry him then I won't marry him. If I want to speak to Itachi then I will speak to him. If you have a problem with it take it up with the Hokage and leave me alone."

"I didn't come to make you angry…just aware. And if it comes to going to the Hokage then we will do what we must."

"You know what, Shisui? …fuck off." She left a very stunned Uchiha in her wake as she marched off, doing her best not to create craters as she moved. She wouldn't allow them to make her completely fly off the handle. The nerve of them! Saku was suddenly very glad at the recent events that led to her break up with Itachi. She did not want to deal with the Uchiha Clan for the rest of her life. They were no better than thugs, warning her off like she was some dirty little secret. Hell, for all she knew the next person was going to come to her with money trying to buy her off. Saku paused. If they did that she'd take it. She'd take the money just to be ornery because she knew--

Saku frowned when she felt the earth tremble beneath her feet. It was a small tremor but she couldn't recall ever having been in an earthquake before. She was far away from the training grounds so that couldn't be it, but just to be sure Saku began to search for nearby chakra signatures. If some shinobi were out fighting then she should probably stop them.

Her search turned out to be in vain because she found nothing. So what was the cause of the quake? Icy dread began to form in Saku's heart. Something wasn't quite right and she could only think of one person to go to.

"What's going on with you, Kakashi?"

Kakashi looked up from his trusted orange companion. "Did you say something?" he seemed unfazed as his droopy eyes alighted on Kurenai's irritated visage.

"Why did you ask me out if you were just going to ignore me?"

"Is there anything wrong with lunch between friends?"

Kurenai frowned, recalling the way Kakashi had leaned down and whispered a suggestion for lunch in her ear. There was nothing 'friendly' about his invitation. The appropriate word would have been 'sensual'. "You know, only bastards lead women on. I didn't take you to be the type, Kakashi."

Kakashi sighed and closed his book, preparing for a slap across his face. "I knew it was a mistake after I did it. I apologize Kurenai."

"That was really rather insulting to say asking me out was a mistake." Kurenai growled, narrowing her ruby eyes at the Copy Ninja, who looked embarrassed and contrite. She was feeling a bit forgiving so she decided to let him off the hook. "You can make it up to me by telling me why you would even consider asking me out in the first place." Kurenai could tell immediately that Kakashi was closing himself off, but she wasn't letting him get off that easily.

"Oh no, Mr. Broody. I'll have none of that. Tell me what's going on Hatake, and you'd better tell me right now."

"Saku…" He trailed off, not saying anything more. However Kurenai saw where this was going and became confused.

"So she finally sees you. What's the problem? Why are you here with me when you should be with her?" Kakashi's aura darkened quickly, which made Kurenai shiver involuntarily.

"Maybe she's not what I want anymore."

Kurenai laughed immediately, letting go of the small iota of fear that had crept into her heart. "That's a load of crap, Kakashi. You have what you always wanted in your grasp. Why are you running? I never thought of the Copy Ninja as being a scaredy-dog."

With a sniff, Kakashi opened his book once more and began to ignore her.

"Okay, Okay." Kurenai held up her hands in order to placate him. "So you don't want her anymore. That's fine, but prove it. You asked me on this date, so then you'd better treat me like a date." Kakashi glanced at her and saw the challenge in her ruby eyes. She really didn't believe that he was done with Saku. The man was known to live and breathe for her. So to say she was shocked when his book snapped shut and he reached for her hand and brought it to his lips was an understatement.

Kakashi began to kiss each one of her finger tips. "I can treat you like my date, Kurenai," He growled between kisses, "But I don't think that's what you really want."

"What do I want?" Kurenai asked as her heat began to pound and she became little breathless.

"You want to be seen with me in order to make someone else jealous." Kurenai gasped when he took one of her fingers into his mouth. The feel of the mask stretching around her finger and feeling the warm moisture of his mouth was incredibly erotic, but she didn't really feel comfortable with such a public display of sensuality.

"I don't think--"

"Of course not. Why should you?" Kakashi murmured. He glanced up at Kurenai's face and noticed the surprised look in her eye. He opened his mouth to question her but didn't quite get the opportunity to.

"Oh! There you are. I'm so glad I found you."

Sakura smiled at Saku, thinking she had something exciting to say about Kakashi. "What's going on?"

"Did you feel it?" Saku asked anxiously.

Sakura frowned. "Feel what?"

"I felt an earthquake. I need to know if you felt it too."

Sakura shook her head. "I've been in surgery all morning. My mind has been a little preoccupied. If it didn't shake the building then I'm at a complete loss."

Saku nodded. "It wasn't a major one but we've never had earthquakes in Konoha. At least not ones that I didn't create." Both Sakura's smiled at each other. "I'm worried. Kakashi said that there had to be balance. What if this is a warning sign?"

"You said it was a light one? Are you sure it wasn't just your imagination? Have you come across anyone else that has felt it?" Sakura fired off questions a mile a minute.

"Yes. No. No. I came straight to you."

"Then there's only one thing left to do," Sakura said.

"What?"

"We find Kakashi and Itachi."

Saku began shaking her head immediately. "That is not a good idea." Saku suddenly remembered the threat that was not a threat that Shisui had delivered.

"Of course it is. Let's go." Sakura reached out and grabbed Saku and began dragging her along. "Have you seen Itachi? I haven't. Not for days." Saku picked up on the irritated yet sad note in Sakura's voice but decided not to say anything about it.

"No. I haven't." Saku replied prying her hand free. "And I have no intention on doing so."

Sakura frowned at her counterpart. "What's going on with you?"

Saku sighed. "You haven't run into Sasuke, have you?" Sakura shook her head. "Itachi told his family that our engagement is off." Sakura look at Saku blankly.

"Okay." Sakura said, not sure where Saku was going with her statement.

"You know nothing of the Uchiha Clan, do you?"

"There is no Uchiha Clan where I come from. You should know that."

"That doesn't mean that they don't keep records of their history. Have you ever come across it?" Sakura shook her head, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. Saku sighed loudly in irritation. "They aren't very nice people. In fact, that's an understatement."

"That can't be true! your Sasuke--"

"Is the exception and not the rule."

"Then what about Itachi?" Sakura said, placing her hands on her hips. "How would you describe him?"

"Itachi reminds me of your Sasuke… only not quite as…." Saku trailed, off not able to find the right words.

"Not as tormented?" Sakura finished, to which Saku nodded. "What does this have to do with anything?"

"What is your Hyuuga Clan like?"

"Strict and anal but they are loving in their own way."

"Now take that strict and anal and multiply it by about twenty, add overbearing and prideful then take away some of the loving and you have the Uchiha Clan. The Clan whose future head I just broke an engagement with. The Clan who just sent a representative to tell me to stay away from Uchiha Itachi, the man who has every intention of pursuing you. The man whose Clan in no way approves of Haruno Sakura and will do everything in their power to ensure that such a union never occurs."

The duo stood on the street staring at each other. Understanding began to dawn on one and pity welled up in the other. Saku watched as Sakura squared her shoulders and stiffened her back.

"It doesn't matter. I will deal with the Uchiha Clan if and when it becomes necessary. Right now there are things that are more important." Saku's brow arched, impressed at her alter's determination.

"Let's go then," Saku said and the two walked down the street in search of their ninjas.

"There are two of you." Kurenai gaped, astonished. Looking back and forth between the two women, her hand lay in Kakashi's grip, limp and forgotten. "What's going on?"

"If you don't mind," The one spoke up that Kakashi knew to be the new Sakura. "Can you remove your hand from Kakashi-sensei's? We have something important we need to talk to him about."

Kakashi ignored Kurenai's startled look and rose to his feet. He glanced at Saku, noticing with a slight pain that she wouldn't meet his gaze. In fact, she looked rigid and cold. Kakashi sighed inwardly. This was the last thing he wanted. He didn't know what he was thinking when he asked Kurenai out for lunch. All he wanted was just for a little while to think about something other than Haruno Sakura. Then he saw one of the sexiest ninjas in Konoha: Yuhi Kurenai. His Y chromosome took over and the next thing he knew he was asking her out. Five minutes hadn't passed before regret began to form. Asking Kurenai out had been a mere whim that he should have let pass. Yes, she was nice to look at, but first off she was in love with Saratobi Asuma. Or at least thats what he thought. Second, she just wasn't the woman he yearned for. That woman was decidedly hurt by his actions.

Why should he care anyway? It wasn't like he had any attachment to her. They hadn't really spoken to each other in who knew how long. Just because she decided on a whim that she wanted him didn't mean he had to go out of his way and spare her feelings. She needed to grow up and realize that people don't always get what they want.

"Come on Kakashi-sensei! I don't have all day. I'm on my lunch break." Kakashi glanced at his housemate. "Perhaps you should go find someone else to assist you. As you can see I'm busy." Saku flinched but she covered it up rather nicely.

"Come on. We'll just go find Itachi." Saku said to her companion.

Kakashi felt anger flare through him at the name. He immediately turned to Kurenai. "My apologies Kurenai but I'm going to have to take a rain check." Kurenai nodded in response and Kakashi made a swift exit and joined the Harunos.

Saku looked at Kakashi out of the corner of her eye. Her heart was aching. It had never once crossed her mind that his constant rejection had something to do with another woman. She was too late and it served her right. It wouldn't take any normal woman any time to realize that the love of their life was right under their nose.

Saku's hands balled into fists at her side. It was over--over before it had even begun. Could she just accept that? Could she just walk away from what could possibly be the best thing in her life…or rather on the fringes of it?

"Saku?"

Saku shook herself out of her daze. "Yes?"

"Tell Kakashi about earlier."

Saku looked at Kakashi fully who in turn gazed back at her expectantly. Saku decided then to just keep it all business related. She wouldn't--couldn't deal with Kakashi's new relationship right that second. "I felt an earthquake not too long ago. Did you feel it?"

"…no."

Saku glanced at Sakura. "So was it only me? Maybe this is all my imagination."

Kakashi sighed. "Even if it was only you it's cause for concern. We need to go to the Hokage. She knows more about this than what she's letting on."

"Tsunade-sama?" Saku asked, curious. "What could she have to do with any of this?"

"Nothing. Everything. That's for her to say. Let's go."

"Shouldn't we go get Itachi first?" Sakura asked.

Saku gave Sakura a sly look. "Anxious to see him much?"

"Shut up." Sakura replied, folding her arms across her chest.

"He's probably already at the Hokage tower. We'll come across him along the way."

Sakura glanced back and forth between Kakashi and Saku then made a quick decision. "You two go on ahead. I have to head back to the hospital. My shift isn't over yet. Later." Sakura was gone before either could tell her to stay.

An awkward silence descended between the two. Saku was out of sorts. She had no idea what to say to break the silence. At least, she had nothing to say that wouldn't involve her crying her eyes out and she certainly didn't want to do that.

Kakashi watched as Saku ran her fingers through her hair in a nervous gesture. She was upset and rapidly getting more and more worked up. He supposed he should say something to calm her down before they reached the Hokage's office. He had just opened his mouth when Saku spoke first.

"Itachi!" Saku waved her hand catching his attention just as he walked outside the tower. Itachi immediately changed course and headed towards them. Kakashi inwardly seethed.

Itachi immediately greeted them both or what applied as a greeting for him. "Hatake. Haruno. You two certainly move fast."

Saku flushed at Itachi's implication. "It's not like that. Kakashi's with--"

Kakashi cut her off. "We have some information that we need to share with you and the Hokage. Come with us."

"Hokage-sama is in a meeting right now. We can't disturb her."

Kakashi's brow rose suspiciously. "Why aren't you in there with her?"

"As of yet I am not the Hokage. I am not required to attend all meetings involving the village. In fact, I was just leaving."

"Wait. Don't leave yet," Saku started. Itachi stared down at Saku, waiting expectantly. "I need to know something. Did you feel an earthquake today?"

"Earthquake?" Itachi said sharply, studying Saku. "When did you feel an earthquake?"

"Over an hour ago. Was I the only one? Did you feel it too?"

"No. I felt no such thing. However, this is a problem."

Saku nodded. "I thought so. We don't have earthquakes in Konoha."

"It's not a common occurrence, but they have happened before. Given the recent events I worry that some action will need to be taken--and soon. I've spoken with Hatake--the other one." Itachi clarified when confusion showed on both of their faces. "They are having earthquakes in Sakura's original world. They started off small but they are getting worse. Hatake is of a mind set that the only way to get them to stop is for Sakura to go back home."

"Sakura doesn't want to go back. If anyone leaves it will be me."

Itachi glanced at Kakashi, wondering how he was taking Saku's announcement. It didn't look like he was taking it well. "Sakura's practically engaged to my foolish little brother there. You know that right?"

"That's only a small piece of the whole picture. Sakura can be happy here. I won't force her to give up a chance at happiness because I want to stay here as well."

"Don't be stupid Saku." Kakashi said harshly. "This is your home. You belong here."

"That's where you're wrong. I don't belong anywhere." Saku turned to Itachi then. "Please, tell Tsunade-sama what's going on. She'll want to be informed." Itachi nodded his head and Saku left the two of them alone. The two men watched her go.

"I take it there's trouble in paradise," Itachi mocked smugly.

"Mind your own damn business, Uchiha."

"She's not living with you, is she?"

"No," Kakashi hissed tersely, turning to leave. However, as he turned to go he saw an expression settle across Itachi's face. An expression that greatly resembled…rage.

When she finally reached home Saku threw herself onto the couch. Her shoulders immediately began to tremble as she let the tears that she had been holding back flow freely. Saku's chest heaved and felt like the life was being squeezed out of her. Maybe it was because that's what it felt like.

Kakashi and Kurenai?

Who would have thought that they would end up together? She certainly didn't. It was quite the curve ball that had been thrown her way. And she knew there was no way she could hit it.

A/N: Many thanks to BlueArticWolf for looking over this chapter for me and for her wonderful suggestions that helped clear my writer's block for this chapter.

Also, the title chapter (if you didn't know) refers to the Log song. If you want to hear it go to you tube and type in Log Song Ren and Stimpy.

...Kakashi and Kurenai. Why do I love Kurenai so much? It's like she's my own personal OC.

QueenOfHalf-BakedIdeas: I tried. I don't know whether or not I succeeded.