Love is War

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Chapter Ten

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DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto

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Exhausted and abused as I was, I felt completely alert as my eyes took in Sasuke, just in the doorway. I'd never seen such a look of shock, disgust and anger. There was only an instant that I was able to see him though, before the Akatsuki bastard came around me to stand just in front of me, as if to keep me out of sight.

"Finally grew the balls to face me, little brother?"

"Itachi. You're a fucking dead man."

His voice had an unmistakable tremble that had me swallowing hard. If this guy had a weapon on him, which I was certain he did, it was hidden. If I wouldn't have been restrained by my ankles as well, I would have done a number on him, even being in as much pain as I was.

There was a flurry of movements that were quick enough to have me struggling to keep up. Fast and heavy footsteps came closer just as Itachi lunged at Sasuke. For the first several seconds a series of punches were thrown and blocked until Itachi landed the first hit, with a hard right hook across Sasuke's jaw.

I winced, finding it hard to watch and yet impossible not to. But just after being hit, Sasuke caught Itachi right in the gut and the instant he doubled over from the impact, Sasuke grabbed a hold of his head and kneed him right in the nose.

"Fuck!" Itachi hissed, clutching his face only to be caught by an uppercut right after than sent him to the floor.

Watching as Sasuke fell on top of him, wailing on his head as his Akatsuki brother fought to block the hits, and fight back at the same time, a shiver ran over me. Sasuke was pissed, and there wasn't any sign of his aggression easing up.

It seemed like the longest moment passed before Itachi threw Sasuke off of him, getting to his feet in just enough time to block a swift kick aimed at his head. No words crossed between them and the longer they fault, the more their hits started to land.

Feeling weak and hurt, I was fighting hard to stay awake, needing more than anything to see the outcome of this fight. My eyes opened back wide when Sasuke kicked his brother to the floor and finally pulled his gun, cocking it before pointing it straight at his head.

"Gonna make it quick… really?" The bastard smirked, as if amused by this turn of events, as if he wanted the fight to last forever.

"You don't fucking deserve it, and it wasn't my intentions. But, Sakura needs medical attention- and she comes before my own selfish desires."

I held my breath as a single shot followed his words. My ears rang but I didn't flinch as I watched him gaze down at his brother after the face. There were so many questions to be asked later, but right now… I just needed to sleep.

"Sakura," Sasuke called, standing before me in the next instant.

He'd already found the keys and wasted no time in freeing me. My body was so worn down that I couldn't support my own weight, standing was impossible and he had no choice but to hold me up. I groaned in pain as he carefully sat me on the floor before taking off his vest and T-shirt.

My eyes closed as he pulled the shirt down over my head and helped me get my arms in place. The cotton material burned against my raw skin, but I was thankful to be covered. Once he had his vest back on, Sasuke lifted me into his arms and walked to the door, but I was out of it before we ever made it there.

I was woken once again after being placed in a car. Jumping with a start, I looked around wildly until my eyes settled on Sasuke who was just pulling his arms away from me. A breath of relief left my lips and I closed my eyes again. All I knew was I was safe. I'd been saved, and I honestly thought I was going to die.

"You're okay. Kabuto is here to take you back. We've got everything under control here. There will be no more Akatsuki after today."

"Mm." I nodded, unable to form any words.

Honestly, there were no words that could have expressed my joy anyway.

"Don't worry. Sai and Kakashi will be following you back while we clean up here. Then we'll be there. Okay?"

I nodded slowly, losing myself to sleep once more.

…

"She really fucking took it. The bruising has already started. She's swollen and there are whelps all over her body. Not to mention the missing skin."

"Will she be okay, Kabuto?"

"With the right pain meds she will be fine in a couple weeks. However, her mental state could be another situation entirely."

"Sakura is a strong woman. That little Akatsuki bullshit ain't enough to bring her down."

"Naruto. All that matters is us being here right now."

"Whatever Sasuke. I don't know why you're being such a prick anyway."

Annoying. I couldn't believe I was finally getting some much needed and peaceful sleep only to be interrupted by those two bickering. My eyes opened slowly to look at them and I found Naruto and Sasuke glaring at each other, while Kabuto was looking over a paper of some sort.

"I don't know what you're talking about, loser."

"Ugh, bastard-"

"Quiet." I croaked angrily.

They both turned to look at me then. "Sakura, for fuck's sake!" Naruto shouted, coming closer to lean over me. "You ever try some shit like this again and I swear to-"

"Shut the fuck up!" Sasuke smacked Naruto in the back of the head, glaring sharply at him. "She just told you to be quiet."

"Shit. Sorry." Naruto rubbed the back of his head, frowning deeply. "I was so worried though."

"I'm fine. This is nothing." I told him, but even I didn't believe my words. Even knowing I'd been given something for pain, I was still hurting, a burning and nagging pain endlessly stabbing across my whole body. I'd never been more thirsty and just tired. All I wanted to do was sleep.

"You are not fucking fine and this is a lot more than nothing!"

"Contain your voice or step out, dumbass."

I laughed then at Sasuke's calm words. It hurt like hell to laugh, so I stopped as quickly as I started and settled from smiling at the two of them. "It's okay Sasuke. This is just how he is."

"Annoying." Sasuke tusked.

"Very. But he means well."

"See." Naruto stuck his tongue out at Sasuke.

I sighed then. "If I had my gun I probably would have shot your ass, Naruto."

They laughed with me but it wasn't long before I started feeling bad and in need of sleep. "We'll get out of here so you can sleep." Sasuke said, pulling Naruto along with him towards the door.

"Don't worry, I'll be here to keep everyone updated. Right now she needs rest more than anything anyway."

"Thank you guys." I whispered, eyes closed as I drifted off.

…

It wasn't until the following day that I woke up again, thanks to the drugs Kabuto had me on. Thankfully, I felt good upon waking. I was coherent and my pain level was low. There were no bad effects to the medicine I was on, so I felt more myself than anything. It was nice not to be in extreme pain, but I still couldn't move. My body was so stiff and sore that the last thing I wanted to do was move even an inch, so I just laid still as my eyes adjusted to the light and I looked around the room.

My lips parted in surprise when I noticed the room was full. I couldn't believe how quiet it was in the room being that so many people were crowding it, but the first thing I did was start counting heads. When I found that not a single member was missing, tears filled my eyes. I couldn't believe we hadn't lost a single man after they infiltrated the Akatsuki hideout.

They were all here, and I was the only one down. I was so thankful, so ecstatic. All I could do was cry, but damn it I didn't cry, ever- especially not in front of my men. Biting my lip, I closed my eyes and willed myself to suck it up. I already looked like a piece of shit as it was, I didn't need to go all emotional on them.

Movement sounded next the foot of the bed and I opened my eyes to see Naruto walking towards me, a bottle of liquor in one hand and a short glass in the other. Already on the verge of tears again, I shook my head and laughed as he poured half a glass. While he did, Kabuto carefully raised my bed a fraction so I could take the offered drink. I took a moment to gaze at it before turning my eyes to my family.

I loved every one of their dumbasses.

"You gave us quite a scare there, boss." Shikamaru spoke up with a sigh.

"No fucking kidding." Neji huffed.

Gaara leaned over me next. "Don't ever pull some shit like that again."

"Leaving alone was quite unlike you." Sai commented.

"Damn right it was. I know you've been stressing lately, but you never leave without backup. Ever." Naruto grumbled, arms crossed and eyes looking around at anyone but me.

The next half an hour was spent with the guys hounded me endlessly. I knew they were worried, and they had every right to be pissed as well. Happy as I was, I didn't mind it this time. They could scold me for hours and I wouldn't complain. I completely deserved it.

"Now, take your drink. And enjoy it, because you won't be getting another until you're back on your feet."

I glared at Naruto at his words. "That's a damn lie." I killed the liquor and licked my lips. "Your bitch ass ain't telling me when and when not to drink."

Naruto glared back at me and we stayed just like that until Sai started ushering him out of the room, with everyone following. The room cleared out, even Kabuto, until there was nobody else besides Sasuke. He stayed just where he'd been leaning against the wall for a long moment until he finally came over to me. It was only then that I noticed he hadn't spoken a word all this time.

It was only then than I noticed the sad, dead look in his obsidian eyes, downcast as they gazed at me.

Resting my head against the pillow behind me, I met his gaze, my eyes full of wonder. There were still so many questions, but I just felt that now wasn't the best time for them. No matter my curiosities, Sasuke saved my life once again. It was his job, his life- but still, he had to end his own brother's life. While he had been my worst enemy, I couldn't help feeling some sort of guilt knowing things happened like they did.

"Are you okay?" I asked quietly, unwavering eyes taking in his as they narrowed.

"You're the one we're worrying about, Sakura."

There was a cool, detached tone to his voice and I found myself frowning. "Believe it or not, not matter what happens to me, my men will always be a concern to me."

"Yeah?" His jaw tensed and his eyes fell away from mine. "Then no, I'm not fucking okay. I was so worried about you, I was sick. Finding you like that…" He just shook his head as if he couldn't go on and then he turned his back to me. "I better get out of here."

"Wait," I called, hating that he'd leave me at all, though I loathed myself for feeling that way. "don't go."

"I need some air… But, I'll be back to check on you."

I sighed as I watched him leave the room, leaving me alone and wide awake. There was too much time on my hands to think, and I was glad to have a clear mind. I needed it as I played over Sasuke's words in my head, I felt so bad for making him worry, for making any of them worry so much. I hated that he had found me like he did, that he saw me at my lowest. Naked and fucked up. The situation was so fucked up that I couldn't even be embarrassed about it.

The most important thing for me to do for now is get myself back healthy, put this all behind me and get back to business. The guys needed me, I needed to stay on top of things. More than anything though, I really didn't want to be any more of a burden to them. I couldn't wait to get back to normal. There were many things to discuss, and celebrations to be had.

I couldn't fucking wait.

A/N:

Thanks for reading.