Grim Fate

Sasuke's hand was warm in hers and Sakura decided to focus on that and not the fact that Sasuke was holding her hand. She was so very uneasy, but couldn't find a reason to let go. He pulled her with him and Sakura noted that they were headed to the Uchiha District. She opened her mouth to ask him why, but thought better of it.

She'd wait and see exactly what it was that Sasuke wanted her to take note of because there was obviously something he wanted assistance with. The closer to the District they came the more Sakura noticed the rise in the noise level. The sounds of pain and outrage reached her ears, and her heart ached for the Uchiha because she knew something was not right with them. Sasuke's hand tightened on hers and Sakura felt her heart begin to pound in her chest.

As soon as they were within the District they took to the shadows, Sasuke leading her along so that they wouldn't be seen. It wasn't long before they reached his familial home. They slipped inside and dread began to form in the pit of Sakura's stomach, because somehow she knew what was coming.

Sasuke led her into his mother's bedroom.

She was laying in her bed, her hair as silver as Itachi's. Her eyes were open and it looked like she had much she wanted to say, but was struggling to simply breathe. Sakura had no doubt that she'd say what she wanted, she was stubborn like that, but was trying to build up the strength. Sakura glanced at Sasuke waiting for permission. Sasuke nodded his head, causing her to immediately move over to the bed, her hands glowing checking to see if what she had begun to think was true.

"You bring her here?"

"It's either her or you die. There is no one else that can be trusted right now." Sasuke's cold words cut through the air causing the Matriarch to narrow her eyes.

"Tell me…what has happened."

Sasuke's lips flattened. "I put things the way they should be." Sasuke fell silent and Sakura knew that his reticence was only making Mikoto angrier thus causing things to be harder than it should have been. That was Sasuke, though, of both worlds. He was never easy.

"Years ago…" Sakura began, but Mikoto sneered at her making her cut off her words.

"Get out!" Sakura felt the beginnings of anger, but they were washed away when Mikoto began to cough in a manner that sounded and probably felt painful. She immediately set out to ease her pain, but Mikoto swatted at her hands.

"Enough!" Sasuke walked closer to his mother and grabbed her hands to keep her striking Sakura. "She speaks for me and you will listen to her."

Sasuke and Mikoto locked eyes in a battle of wills. Sakura felt she shouldn't have been in the room for it and made a move to leave, but Sasuke's words forestalled her. "Do not move, Sakura."

Sakura sighed and waited out the Uchiha madness.

"You love her." Sasuke didn't reply and Sakura felt her heart begin to race once more. She glanced back and forth between mother and son. Sasuke's face was blessedly blank and she didn't even bother to try to discern what he was feeling. Mikoto, though, was enraged and it wasn't helping things in the slightest. "She's your brother's woman. You can't-" Sasuke cut off her words and released her hands.

"You will listen to her." Sasuke commanded then sat on the side of the bed with his back to his mother. "Sakura." Since she knew what he wanted Sakura began to explain everything.

:::

Sasuke left soon after Sakura finished her explanation. She stayed a while longer to do what she could to ensure Mikoto's comfort. Neither woman wanted to speak to the other as mutual dislike colored their thoughts, despite that Mikoto was determined to say her piece.

"You can't have both of my sons."

"You should rest." Sakura encouraged not allowing herself to think about Mikoto's meaning.

"And you should listen to me, little girl. Sasuke's not here to protect you and I'm not dead yet."

And yet she probably would be within a few days. Something about the worlds merging had worsened her condition and if she kept fighting Sakura with every breath she took she'd probably have even less. Her organs were failing her lungs weren't operating at full capacity. The sheer willpower it took for the woman to just speak was astounding.

"Sasuke will always be nearby to protect me if I need it." Sakura didn't know where the sudden certainty had come from, but she didn't doubt her words for a second. "I love your sons, and they love me. You may not understand that love, but that's okay. You don't have to, because nothing you can say will change that."

"Oh? And if I say Kakashi Hatake?" Sakura paled and Mikoto pressed. "Go to your Sharingan thief and leave my boys alone."

Sakura's spine stiffened at the derogatory named she called Kakashi and said, "And if I do leave your boys alone can you say they'll do the same to me?"

Before Mikoto could reply Sakura swept out of the room.

She was heading toward the exit when Sasuke appeared before her once more. She allowed him to take her hand and lead her out of the Uchiha District. The roar within the District had died down, but she knew that come the dawn trouble would brew.

When they were alone, and far away from others Sasuke spoke.

"How long does she have?"

Sakura sighed. "A few days at best."

"And at worst?"

"She won't last the night."

Sasuke bowed his head and Sakura reached out to touch him, but hesitated as visions both Sasuke danced before her eyes. She banished them knowing that neither would push her away.

Sakura reached for him and held him tightly, silently for several moments before pulling away. "You'll regret it if you don't spend her last moments at her side. Go to her. I'll send Itachi to you." Before she could pull away she felt Sasuke's arms slide around her and squeeze her slightly before letting her go. He turned his back on her, but before he walked away he needed to know, "Is there nothing you can do to save her?"

"If I could save her for you Sasuke, you know I would."

"I know. Just like you know I'd destroy the world for you, if you wished it."

The funny part was he already had so that she would live.