As They Know It

Everyone knew it was coming or rather that something big was going to happen. When both worlds started to tremble with a force that hadn't before been seen most of the ninja world knew that it was time. They just didn't know what, exactly, it was time for.

Theories that it was the end of the world floated through the village and people were unaware of how close to the truth they were. It was the end of the world as they knew it.

Sakura was still with Itachi when everything began. As much as they just wanted to stay together they knew that they were shinobi first and they had to protect the village in whatever capacity they could. Together they helped the villagers to the shelter within the Hokage Monument. Itachi used a henge so that no one would know who he was, but Sakura was pretty sure that within the chaos, no one would be paying too much attention, but she didn't mention it to him.

It wasn't long before Sakura's vision started to blur and she began seeing two of…almost everything. Almost because there were times when as she helped with the evacuation she was with Itachi and others when she was with Kakashi. She blamed her anxiety for not quite realizing what was happening until the last minute.

Her mind blurred and from second to second her thoughts swayed from Itachi to Kakashi. It was like parts of her mind were fighting for dominance. When Itachi's henged form faded from view, her mind snapped to attention and she realized what was happening.

A scream tore from her throat as she yelled Itachi's name. She looked about herself wildly not finding him nor Kakashi. She didn't notice the odd looks that she got from people around her. Panic bubbled up in her throat and she whirled around looking at her home watching it change before her very eyes. Although, that wasn't what frightened her. What frightened her was that she couldn't find any of the men who filled her heart.

Sakura closed her eyes and crouched down. She tucked her knees into her chest and focused on her breathing in an attempt to keep from hyperventilating. It was happening. The worlds were merging and everything, including herself, seemed to be reforming and there was nothing she could do to stop it.

When Sakura finally opened her eyes Konoha was in ruins. It wasn't as bad as when Pein attacked the village—

Sakura frowned. Had Pein attacked the village? She wasn't certain. Her memories were a jumbled mess that she couldn't sort out. Slowly, she shook her head and rose to her feet. She couldn't focus on that without it ending with her going mad. Instead, she chose to zero in on her surroundings.

The earth no longer moved, but no one she knew was around. She wanted to go search for her loved ones, but knew that she couldn't. She had to help the villagers. She had to be the woman she had been trained to be. So when a little girl grabbed her shirt with tears in her eyes and said, "I can't find my Mommy." Sakura went to work.

Kakashi lost Sakura. They had been together moments before and yet when a wave of dizziness washed over him she was gone, and the world was different. Kakashi was having problems dealing with it, which bothered him more than he cared to admit. He found himself being beaten by an onslaught of feelings for someone he never had feelings for before. He had never thought of Sakura in that light and now he wondered why he hadn't.

Kakashi frowned. His thoughts weren't making any sense. It wasn't long before Naruto found him and Kakashi noted immediately that he seemed more powerful, and intense.

"Kakashi-sensei, what happened? Why-?"

"I'm certain that Hokage is going to explain everything later, but first things first, do you know where Danzo is?" Naruto shook his head. "Find him. Don't approach him."

"…and if he needs to be taken care of?"

"Find me…or Sasuke." Naruto started to nod then paused.

"What about Sakura? You know how she…"

A wave a feeling so strong washed over him that coherent thought wasn't possible. Kakashi shook his head.

"It's happening to you too?" Naruto inquired. Kakashi didn't reply, but that was answer enough for Naruto. "You have to focus on the now. Otherwise, it will overwhelm you."

Kakashi nodded, accepting the advice. "Go. Report back to me later."

"What are you going to do?"

The grim look on Kakashi's face made Naruto take a half step back. There was an intensity in the eyes of the Copy Ninja that he had never before seen…or had he? Naruto wasn't sure, but he knew something was about to happen and he thought it would be best if he were far, far away when it happened. "I'm going to find Sakura."

The tremors eventually stopped completely and eventually Tsunade came and told her to go home. It was getting late and there wasn't much more she could do besides clear out debris. Tsunade told her it would be there the next day and someone else could take over for her.

Without thinking it through, Sakura headed home. The only problem was when she thought of home she was thinking of the Uchiha District, and she didn't know whether or not she belonged there. She also didn't know if any of the Uchiha Clan had survived in the first place.

Itachi…was he alive? He never came back for her and that was something she was having problems processing. Her heart hurt so much and she couldn't, for some reason, accept that he was gone. He had to be somewhere. And it wouldn't hurt anyone if she just went to the District and found out.

She was more than half way there when a figure appeared before her. Her heart leaped when she realized he was whole and well. Her feet moved of their own accord running to him. Tears came unbidden to her eyes as she launched herself into Kakashi's waiting arms.