Chapter Twenty-Six

Be Silent

Previously in the Canon World:

"Is this some sort of game to you?" Sasuke's face hovered in front of hers. The heat of his body mingled with hers and his breath tasted of anger and hate as it brushed against her skin.

"I could ask you the same question," Saku said defiantly, not for one second even thinking of backing down from the powerful shinobi.

Sasuke pushed her away from him, growling angrily. Saku caught her balance and soon the two people from vastly different worlds were staring at each other across the space of the kitchen.

"It was not a request. You will do as I tell you."

"So you're under the impression that I am to be your slave? If so, then you are mistaken. There are countless lives at stake here. Can't you see that? Don't you know the fate of both our worlds hangs in the balance? I have people I care about even if you don't."

Sasuke stared at her silently. Saku hoped that he was truly thinking over her words and not planning to attack her. His body was tense, as if he was expecting to have to move suddenly. This man was so different than her Sasuke. This man was coiled tight, so tense and forbidding that nothing seemed to permeate the darkness around him. And then there was his chakra: thick and dark, boiling and venomous. It choked anything around it. This man was danger personified. Her Sasuke was relaxed and laid back. If he moved, no one would ever have expected it. His chakra was gentle and cool, smooth and relaxed. He calmed her senses and gave her peace. Saku eyed the dark man before her warily. She suddenly felt like a cornered rabbit about to be pounced on by a fox. It wasn't a pleasant feeling.

"If I stay, what will you give me in exchange?"

Saku blinked, confused. Sasuke's dark gaze never wavered. If anything he looked more intense in those seconds than he had when he asked to take him to her world.

"I…don't have…anything to give."

"Oh?" Sasuke said, raising a skeptical brow. "I'll let you think on that and we'll speak again later." Saku stood frozen as he moved past her and out the kitchen. The fabric of his clothes brushed against her arm breaking her out of the dark spell he had cast upon her, causing her to shiver.

He paused for a moment in the door frame before completely leaving. He didn't turn back to face her, as if knowing she wouldn't have moved.

"You will be here when I return." His voice held no hint of compromise or warmth in them. She was frozen in anger and a slight fear as his tone promised a swift and deadly retribution should she choose to disobey him.

:::

"Let's go." Saku slowly raised her head from where she was sitting on Sasuke's couch. She focused on his form, taking in the many differences between him and the Sasuke from her world. The first difference would have to be his eyes. They held no warmth, no life, and they only promised pain and sorrow. Those eyes of his raked over her like hot coals, causing her face to flame. She had been sitting there quietly since Kakashi's departure, just…thinking. A part of her knew what Sasuke wanted. He wanted her. He wanted her to attempt to take the place of Sakura. She would even think of the impossibility of the task. Rather she decided to focus on something else-the relationship between Sakura and Sasuke. Somehow, instinctively, she knew that there was something that had been going on between the two. She knew Sakura didn't love him—at least not in the romantic sense, but that really didn't mean anything, given their history. But what was so deep about Sasuke and Sakura that she would throw away her potential happiness just to stay at his side? It made no sense. Saku understood selflessness but such an action went beyond selfless and moved straight into stupidity.

Sasuke scowled when Saku didn't immediately rise to her feet. He was swift to reach her side. Saku found herself hauled to her feet unceremoniously and before she could think to complain Sasuke grabbed her wrist, tugging her after him. She practically had to run to keep up with him. Scenery passed by swiftly and she wasn't able to take it in. Dread formed in the pit of her stomach causing a knot so tight it was hard to keep from retching. Whatever was going on couldn't be good.

"Where are we going?" Saku asked as she began tugging to get her arm away from his vise-like grip. He didn't answer and Saku wondered again how her counterpart could put up with someone so quiet and tense. Her Sasuke had his moments, and he even ignored her, but he didn't frighten her like this man. She kept silent after that, wondering how much longer her patience would hold. How would this Sasuke react if she attempted to punch some sense into him?

Then suddenly she knew.

She knew where they were going and her heart found its way up into her throat. "Sasuke…" Saku began as they drew near to the field of flowers that had brought her to this strange world.

"I asked you a question earlier. Have you thought on it?"

Saku frowned. He had asked her what she would give him in exchange for steering clear of her world. She had told him she had nothing but she knew what he wanted. Her heart began to hammer harder and it wasn't a pleasant feeling…not in the least. Frustration bubbled up within her. This fear…was making her irrational because he made her feel helpless. How did you fight someone that you had pretty much promised to protect, to take care of?

How did you fight darkness itself and come out unscathed?

"Yes, I have."

"And?" He said not pausing in his stride, continuing to drag her along.

Before she could answer a figure appeared in front of them. Sasuke stopped moving and Saku almost slammed into his back before she caught herself.

"Going somewhere, Sasuke?" Kakashi asked, his eye creasing slightly. The pleasant look on his face belied the tension that centered on the three of them. It didn't fool Saku in the slightest.

Sasuke stopped and dropped Saku's arm. Saku pulled it close to her rubbing her wrist. Red fingerprints encircled her thin wrist like a bracelet. They would bruise if she didn't see to them soon. Sasuke's face took on a bored look before he turned and looked at Saku. "I don't know. Are we?"

Saku saw the question for what it was—a threat. The man was insane. Saku had no idea how Sakura put up with him. How was it that she didn't live in constant fear that one day he would turn on her and kill her? Where was the good that she saw in this man? Was there any of the Sasuke she knew in there? His eyes were so dark and angry. His chakra was spiking slightly, and just the feel of it make Saku sick.

"No, we're not." Saku answered, meeting Sasuke's gaze unflinchingly. Before he could make some sort of scathing retort, he froze. His body stiffened and those fathomless eyes began to dart from place to place, looking for something. Saku didn't understand it at first, but then the feeling of being watched crashed over her. She noticed that Kakashi was scanning the surroundings with practiced ease. If she didn't know what to look for, it would seem that the Copy Ninja was oblivious.

"We should head back." Kakashi said, but his hands slowly slid to his kunai pouch. Saku mentally swore as the reason for her staying here in the first place brutally came to the forefront of her mind. Someone had been trying to kill Sakura, but they wouldn't attack her—not while Kakashi and Sasuke were present. That wouldn't make sense…unless they wanted them to know what they were up to. After all, what good was her death if it was made to look accidental?

Kakashi casually moved closer to the two of them, but Sasuke didn't even bother with pretense. His Sharingan blazed to life like a pair of bloody rubies. His hand was snake-like in it's speed as he grabbed Saku and pulled her out of the blast range of a kunai with an exploding tag. The ground erupted from the explosion and smoke filled the air making her eyes water slightly before she jumped away and hid herself.

She took the time to note that Sasuke and Kakashi had done the same thing and while she was relieved it also made her uneasy. She had only trained with them once—and that had been a one on one battle with Kakashi. They were very different from the team she was used to working with. She hoped it wasn't something that worked against them.

Sakura's eyes scanned the area looking for her attackers and found none. They were extremely well hidden and it seemed as if they would bide their time and wait for the opportunity to strike. It was like they had all day to play this game.

Kakashi appeared then, his hands flying into a jutsu before he slammed his hand to the ground. Saku realized immediately what he was about to do and gave up her hiding spot to cover him while he finished summoning his dogs to flush out their attackers.

Someone appeared suddenly. He was clothed in the standard black and grey gear. Saku's heart pounded as she recognized the man for what he was—an ANBU operative. If there was one then there was more. She knew for a fact that they wouldn't send only one ANBU if they knew Hatake Kakashi was around. It wouldn't be enough—not by a long shot. Saku slid in front Kakashi just as his nin-dogs appeared. She didn't hear the instructions he gave them but as they disappeared, she knew he was already formulating a plan of attack.

Instead, her attention remained on the man before her, who slowly pulled out his katana. Saku's eyes narrowed, waiting for some sign of hostile intent before she attacked. He could possibly be on their sign as backup but she was crazy enough to simply fall into that illusion so she prepared herself for the worst. ANBU was very fast and very unpredictable. Forcing this one to move first would allow Saku time to gather her wits for defense.

'It was a sad thing being right', Saku thought as he swung the katana in a downward arc with the sole intention of removing her head from her shoulders. This was no friend as she had foolishly hoped for a second or two. She mentally prepared herself to block an attack that…never came. Suddenly a broad back blocked her view. She glanced behind her to see Kakashi locked in a fierce battle with two other ANBU members. She looked forward once more as her brain registered that it was Sasuke standing before her. She jumped back a few feet and saw a sword in Sasuke's hands blocking the operative's strike. Kusanagi, the demon sword of the Snakes. Such a weapon was too dangerous for someone such as Sasuke, but the Uchiha had no problem wielding it.

Her thoughts raced as she watched him effortlessly fend off the attacking ANBU. Why would he defend her? Hadn't he been ready to kill her himself? She had no more time to think on it as another ANBU attacked her from the side.

The kunoichi allowed charka to flow directly into her capable hands. Her arm darted out to punch a hole into his back but at the last minute he whirled out the way almost causing her to punch a whole through Sasuke. Sasuke, upon seeing this, made no attempt to move but instead raised a single brow at her. She glowered at him and turned to fight off the rest of their enemy. She snarled at him to help Kakashi, and sighed when he made no move to leave her side. He wasn't any better than her Sasuke at taking orders.

She didn't have time to argue with him as more exploding tags flew their way. Saku barely dodged them and ended up being partially caught in the explosion. She swore softly as the pain from the burns on her left arm became the focus of her attention. Agony filled her and she wanted to scream, but she remembered an old trick Shizune had taught her. Deadening the nerves was a temporary relief, but it left her open to attack.

"Heal yourself." Sasuke demanded. "Then hide."

"In case you don't know it they're here for me and not you. No matter where I go they'll keep searching for me. So it's best to get this taken care of now."

Sasuke turned to her then and his eyes glowed with an unholy malevolence. "Why are they here for you?" Saku suddenly had a feeling that she had just made a mistake of dynamic proportions with her words. Her mouth formed a perfect O as she realized her mistake. It just wasn't very wise to tell someone who was obsessed with you—or the you from this world—that someone was trying to kill you.

"Now is not the time for this. Fight first. Talk later." Sakura turned then ignoring the heated glare on her back as she scanned the area. She expected an argument—it's what would have happened if he had been her Sasuke but instead she heard the imperious command, "Sakura! Move!"

Saku followed instinct and did as Sasuke bid her. She dove to the side, tucking and rolling her body as a volley of shuriken landed where she once was. Saku looked around realizing that somehow she had lost Sasuke. She didn't for a second think that he was dead. No, she had a feeling that that man was like a cockroach. The whole world could be destroyed but he'd someone survive.

Her thoughts of Sasuke immediately disappeared as someone appeared before her. His mask was that of a wolf that seemed to leer tauntingly at her. He was the one who specialized in the weapons and exploding tags. A part of her wondered if he was somehow related to Tenten. That same part wished she had trained with the weapon's mistress more than what she had in the past—which was hardly. Saku's eyes narrowed and she called out, "Why are you doing this? What do you want?"

"We want you to make the world a better place…by dying."

Saku rolled her eyes at the melodramatics and moved towards the Explosive ANBU swinging her fists with a swiftness that she had forgotten was there with all the recent drama in her life, but he dodged every single punch to a point of frustration.

Then….then…she landed a hit. It was just too bad it was an explosive one.

End Canon World

:::

He had no idea what he was doing here. It was a mistake. He should turn around and head back to his apartment and read his favorite novel in the comfort of his now quiet home. Yet there he stood, hesitating between stepping into another world to see a woman that he had for all intents and purposes shunned.

What was he thinking? This was beyond stupid, but all he wanted to see was if she was alright…if she was settling in well. It would be a brief visit. He was a ninja. She wouldn't even know he was there. And so after Kakashi convinced himself of this little piece of foolishness he stepped through the veil that separated his world from hers.

He found himself in a bloody battlefield. The ground was smoking and on fire. Visibility was near zero. He should probably step back and go back from where he came. This was none of his business and he truthfully had no right to interfere. And yet he hesitated and was suddenly glad that he did as the forest rocked with another explosion and a body was suddenly thrown into his arms. Automatically his arms wrapped around it tightly and once realization as to whom it was that had literally fallen into his arms. She groaned and he loosened his grip slightly.

Saku raised her head and looked at him. Blood was smeared on her face and her clothes were torn haphazardly exposing copious amounts of skin. She flinched slightly as his arms touched her back so he quickly adjusted his hold, but she didn't notice. Her eyes were cold and a hint blood thirsty. It was a look all ninja got during the heat of battle, but he was too angry that she was in danger to be worried about what her eyes were telling him.

"Kakashi, Sasuke and I were separated. I don't know if he's dead or alive. And this goddamned mother fucker and his fucking explosions make me want to kill the bastard! I can't see shit. Have you dispatched the two you were with?" She pulled herself out of his arms and landed on her feet that almost immediately went out from beneath her. Kakashi reached out and steadied her and he found himself speechless when she tossed him a grateful look. It wasn't a look that she had given him in some time. Before she left it the looks were generally forlorn, before that indifferent maybe hostile. It sent an odd pang through his heart and for a second he began to think that maybe he was wrong for letting her go, letting her leave him for a Kakashi that she could give 'grateful smiles' to. To some other him whose arms she felt comfortable in.

"Kakashi, have you-?" Her words were cut off and she slowly turned around. Kakashi frowned as he stared at the three Leaf ANBU who that stared at them quietly.

"We need to move," Kakashi said quietly, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that these men were not there on friendly terms. It was also imperative that they did not breach the dimensional tear. Saku nodded her head slightly, although he wasn't sure she understood his reasoning. "Can you still fight?" Kakashi asked.

"I'm not ready to go down yet," Saku said with a cocky grin that reminded him of an orange clad ninja rather than the kunoichi before him. Kakashi took a moment to take in her appearance. Her hair was askew, her face was covered in blood, one of her arms appeared to be not working, and she was barely standing on her own two feet. Yet he knew that she was right. She was just getting started. She looked like hell but she wasn't ready to go down yet.

Years ago there had been a mission…a mission they didn't talk about, that they pretended never happened and yet always lay between them. She had been captured, tortured as a means to hurt him, to hurt them all. They tried to break her mind, not knowing that Saku was made of sterner stuff. If they did other things Saku never mentioned, and no amount of prodding, bullying, and flat out nagging would get her to give them any clue as to the extent of the damage done to her. Tsunade knew but all she had told them was not to worry and that Saku was fine.

They had rescued her in the end. But Kakashi thereafter had put her through some of the most hellish training that anyone had ever experienced. She hated him during those long months and she told him so frequently but he hadn't cared. He rather she was alive and hating him…than to be…

Kakashi brushed away the unpleasant thought which was immediately followed by another. It was something he hated to admit it, but Itachi had done a hell of a job smoothing out her rough edges. If there was anything that he was grateful to Uchiha Itachi for it was that.

"That's my girl."

:::

He was different. It was something Saku immediately noticed after he called her his girl. Even half dead she felt a blush stain her cheeks at the words, but she forced herself to pay attention to the situation at hand and not dwell on Hatake Kakashi. To start down that path would end up with her getting killed.

"Heal your arm, Saku," Kakashi ordered and moved in front of her.

"But—"

"Do it." His tone booked no arguments and Saku thought to mention that he might need healing later but from the looks of him he was perfectly fine and in prime condition. Saku blinked. To be in peak form after what she knew had to be a brutal battle had to mean that this man was one hell of a ninja or—

No. That couldn't be the case. It was crazy of her to even think it for a second. Instead, her mind dismissed it. Saku raised her hand and let a faint green glow appear in her hands in an effort to do enough healing to make her arm usable but she had barely done anything before she found herself dodging a swing. Her mind automatically blanked. Training and instinct took over like a hand fitting into an old glove. Move. Dodge. Counter. Counter. Dodge. Move. It was a deadly dance that she had moved to for the majority of her life. She may not have always moved well but she liked to think that she could hold her own. That is until the operative managed to connect several hits to her torso, they didn't hurt—not really, but they did distract her long enough for him to grab her useless arm. Saku heard the sickening crunch that heralded the breaking of a bone. Deadened nerves could only deaden so much pain as a scream bubbled up her throat and tore the air.

Saku heard her name shouted by several voices before she managed to come to her senses. The ANBU was behind her and in her momentary delirium had somehow managed to get her to her knees. Her head lolled forward and the effort to stop screaming drained her. She knew she only had seconds before the finishing blow came and she wondered briefly if she should let it.

It was just a passing fancy, though. Instead, she let her body drop as if she had passed out from the pain. For a brief moment he tried to hold her up by her now broken arm but Saku knew that such an action would be awkward. She'd make him come to her, let his guard down.

Then…

It was all going according to plan. He knelt down at her side and Saku quickly used her good arm to cut his legs with her charka scalpel rendering him useless. He fell back with a cry and Saku immediately pounced on him and took out his arms before he could attack. Once he was immobilized she took the kunai that he intended to use on her and slit his throat with it. Blood splattered across her face and she wiped her eyes of the hot, sticky fluid.

Saku sighed and looked around her, searching for Sasuke and Kakashi to see if they needed any help. She wasn't sure how much she could give them given how she was feeling but she'd do what she could. Her concern was misplaced though as when her eyes finally landed on them they were headed her way. Saku frowned wondering why Kakashi hadn't dispelled his clone.

Saku rose to her feet and slowly made her way to meet them. One of the Kakashi—Saku assumed it was the clone moved over to her and wrapped his arm around her waist, supporting her. Slowly they moved over towards Sasuke and Kakashi and Saku's attention was drawn to the fierce argument that they were having.

"You should have told me he's been trying to kill her."

"And what would you have done, Sasuke?" Kakashi asked and the look on Sasuke's face was answer enough. Even Saku knew what that look meant. There was only one word for it—revenge. "That is exactly why I didn't tell you. Things were going according to plan. Thus far we've been keeping her safe."

Sasuke turned and looked Saku up and down and arched a single brow. "Safe?"

"She's alive, Sasuke. It counts."

"Had Sakura been here she would have died. She's not as ruthless as this one."

"She's not here and this one is ruthless." Saku wondered which she should take offense to first: them speaking as if she weren't here, or calling her 'this one'. "She can handle herself."

"No one touches Haruno Sakura but us. You know that. I know that. He dies."

Saku suddenly felt the need to speak up. Sasuke was plotting murder and she knew that if Sakura found out that she had let her boys run amuck…well she knew how she'd feel in the reverse situation. She be breathing fire-and not with the aid of a jutsu.

"Look, is this what Sakura would have wanted?"

"Sakura would have been overruled." Kakashi answered before turning to his clone but Saku didn't quite believe him. Naruto wouldn't agree to this. It would have been two against two. Then again there was the one they called Sai…and she had no idea how he'd react to the situation. "Take her back to your world. Keep her safe."

"What?" Saku asked stiffening. "Wait. What are you talking about?" Saku raised her head and looked up into the face of the 'clone' that was supporting her. "Kakashi?"

Kakashi slightly inclined his head at her acknowledgement of his presence. Saku immediately pulled herself out his arms and took a few steps back, catching herself before her knees buckled. "What are you doing here?" She asked incredulously.

"Just passing by." Kakashi said, shrugging his shoulders slightly unaware that an amused smile was on his counterpart's face.

"Kakashi, you can't be here. There must be stability. You can't just stroll through here like nothing's wrong, like it's okay. I-"

Saku broke off when she felt a warm presence at her back. Her eyes widened in alarm until he leaned towards her ear and said, "Sakura." Saku's heart stopped at the sound of the rich voice in her ear. He slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her back against his chest. "Be silent." Sasuke said before pain filtered her senses and sent her into darkness.

Sasuke picked Saku's body up with ease and walked over to the man who was waiting to take her back and slipped her into his arms. Sasuke paused for a second looking steadily at her face for a moment before moving away. The man looked at him quizzically but it was Kakashi who answered the unspoken question.

"Sometimes you have to knock her out to get her to shut up. When she wakes up, if I were you…I'd run."

:::

Kakashi and Sasuke stood together silently after the two passed through the dimensional veil. Kakashi had given several instructions to his counterpart; the main one being 'don't tell Sakura anything'. It was a hopeless endeavor because he knew that at the first opportunity Saku would tell her everything. So the second happened to be 'don't let Sakura come back'.

All that awaited her in her homeland was certain death and that was something that neither Kakashi nor Sasuke was willing to tolerate. If she wished it she could come home when it was safe and not a moment before.

"Are you with me on this?" Sasuke asked Kakashi. Truthfully, Sasuke expected to hear the older man say 'no' and have him run telling Naruto on him but he found himself surprised—although he didn't show it.

"We'll do this." Kakashi replied. "But we won't be stupid about it. We're ninja and stealth is a priority."

"Hn."

"Time is also of the essence. You know what will happen the moment Sakura finds out."

"Aa."

"Fine. Let's go."

The two ninja left after they had taken care of the bodies, dwelling on plans of ridding Konoha of Danzo.

Author's Log: I'm back and apologize for the long wait. A few things you should know: after this chapter there will most likely be no more separating of the Saku and Sakura chapters. I'm seeking to finish this story up and methinks to move this along expeditiously at this point I think it's time to combine the chapters. It should be easier anyway since both Sakura will be in the same world.

Why did it take so long to update? Honestly? Well, I knew six or seven months ago how this chapter was going to go down so I didn't want to write it. Instead, I chose to finish All's Fair and use it as a guinea pig for writing a fight scene. I'm more satisfied with the fight scene in this chapter than I was with the one in AF so hopefully it was satisfactory. I must also thank Rene2 because in AF she gave me a few suggestions on how to make my fight scenes a little more workable so yeah, thanks chica.

So as I said before I'm working to complete Reflection. It's time. Don't you think? So with the exception of writing one chapter of another story my sole purpose will be Reflection until it's completion. Thank you for you patience.

My thanks to BlueArcticWolf for betaing his chapter for me.

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-JnR