WOO!! Next chapter!! So you should know that I wrote this part before I knew I was pregnant. I had planned on this twist independant of my current life situations. I have been exhausted all the time and sleeping like 2/3 of the day sometimes, inbetween almost ending up in the hospital from heat exhaustion and dehydration and having a fever in there somewhere on top of my temporary transfer from upstate to long island for the summer to visit family and Pixie... As you can tell things have been majorly hectic for me. I have enough to post another chapter right away if I get at least 10 reviews And of course I'd bribe you for the next one cuz this is yet another cliff hanger. The next one will be a lot longer, but this was the only good place to leave this one in. Oh and as for the portable stretcher, they exist, www.ademcoindia. com/hospital-furniture/hospital-stretcher/stretcher.htm is the pic I based my description off of. Ypu just copy and paste the link and delete the space between the . and com cuz it deletes half the link if I post it all together. And on yet another side note, I have no medical experience, my only expertise if any comes from the discovery and health channels on tv, so, (takes a bow) I'd like to commend myself on making what I think is at least an acceptable medical scene. Read on my lovelies! I can't wait for your reviews!
All through the next 2 months Tsunade limited missions. She kept at least 5 of her strongest people in Konoha at all times. She had stepped up the security around the border and around the perimeter of the village. The elders voiced their disapproval upon not being consulted. Tsunade brushed them off until they became troublesome to her. She spat out that they disgusted her. That they took advantage of one of their own and turned him into a villain. When confronted with the claims of Itachi's innocence they scoffed, obviously never going to admit their part in that particular mission. They could only stand dumbfounded as she threw the proof in their faces, signatures and detailed mission scrolls on the Uchiha Massacre and Itachi's orders to get close to Madara.
Danzo argued that she was soft and she didn't deserve to be in charge. Tsunade scoffed at him. Better soft than heartless… She accused him of being the worst, and almost inscrutably the head of the decisions to steal Itachi and Sasuke's lives from them. She said that Madara was going to come one way or another, and she'd rather have Itachi as an ally with privileged information about their other enemies. She said she had already agreed to his return and she was going to expose the elders to restore his name. She didn't care what they had to say or their intentions.
Danzo argued that Itachi was more than willing to kill his tainted family to protect the village. No matter the orders they gave, he still followed them without question or hesitation. He said regardless of their orders Itachi was still a villain. Tsunade assured him that he would be commended as a hero for all his sacrifices and there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it. She couldn't do this until Itachi was making his return, but she would make sure she had her preparations complete. Orders to the border patrol were to let Itachi pass and make his way toward Konoha and let a team further in confront him. Once he was within half a day's journey, Tsunade would have had ample time to explain his innocence to Konoha, and have a patrol team accompany him until he arrived and could give her information on Akatsuki. All that was left was to wait.
Mitsuki was opening up to other people suddenly. She wasn't being reclusive and just tolerating others. She was chasing Naruto and laughing and giggling. She had picked up on quite a few words as well, like mama, dada, ok, yes, no, hi, pees in place of please, and foo instead of food. More often than not she was heard saying, "Mama ok?" She had also taken to pointing at the things she wanted. She was very explorative, losing herself in her home and Hinata's mansion, giggling when she was finally found. Some people in the village had even taken a liking to her sweet disposition, feeling ridiculous for believing her to be evil.
Since the day Sasuke had made his appearance, Naruto hadn't felt right. Sakura certainly seemed to be acting like her usual self, but… He often found himself looking for what seemed so off about her. Mitsuki asking her if she was ok all the time made him all the more worried. He even went to Tsunade to ask if she thought anything strange was going on, but even if she'd had the time to be around Sakura, she probably wouldn't have noticed anything. She was so busy with her duties and preparations she didn't have time to worry about anything else.
She felt badly that she had to call Shikamaru back to the Leaf Village, but he was one of their best and they needed his expertise. He had to postpone his wedding and return to his village as instructed. Gaara sent Kankuro back with him to help with the battle, while both he and Shikamaru demanded Temari stay in Suna. It was far too dangerous for their young son to be in the middle of such a battle. Temari wasn't happy about it in the least, but with both her brother and husband to be against her she had little choice in the matter.
Another month passed bringing them the news they had waited for. Itachi had entered the Fire Country with Kisame, who had willingly allied himself with his long time partner. Tsunade's announcement was initially received as a falsity. As the circumstances of his defection were revealed some started to come around. It was thoroughly explained that Sandaime had been trying to make peace with the clan and the elders acted against his wishes to eliminate the threat. Itachi had taken all the responsibility because he loved his home and did not wish to see it destroyed. He was now coming home again to defend against an even greater threat and that they must all be prepared for an attack in the near future. There were still some who called her a liar, but she said that if they wished for the proof she had the mission scrolls and similar documents to exonerate him.
She told them that as the Godaime of Konoha, she would not have taken this circumstance lightly and reviewed it thoroughly before making a decision that would affect them all. She managed to convince all but a few older members of the town, who were stuck in their ways and beliefs. Even though the majority was convinced, she knew he would not be trusted completely by any until he proved his loyalties. Even after that he would probably be held under intense scrutiny but it was something he had to accept upon being welcomed home.
"Do you think they'll roll out the red carpet for their savior?" Kisame joked. They walked together in front of their escorts and Itachi snorted.
"I doubt that very much," Itachi answered. "We're not going to make it to Konoha," he said softly. Kisame raised his eyebrows with a smirk.
"Are we in for a battle with SNAKE?" Kisame asked in amusement.
"This is between me and Sasuke. Don't hurt the rest of them. Do only what's necessary to keep them from interfering," Itachi instructed.
"Are you sure you want to do this Itachi?" Kisame asked to which he received a nod. "What about Sakura? Have you thought about what it'll do to her-"
"She doesn't have to know. You're the only one aware. I love Sakura, and I wish that I could see my daughter again as well… I never meant for things to become so complicated. But I've taken so much from Sasuke already. He deserves to be at peace," Itachi said.
"Were you lying when you told her you were coming back?" Kisame questioned. He knew Itachi to some extent, but after all these years his partner was still a total mystery to him.
"I had my reasons," Itachi said.
"That doesn't answer my question," Kisame interjected with a toothy grin. Itachi stopped. He closed his eyes and let himself remember her warmth, her touch, her smile… He could still see the tears in her eyes and the pain she tried so hard to hide when she was walking out the door. She hadn't given him a choice in the matter. Sasuke and her would heal each other's souls as they found solace in one another. He opened his eyes and looked at Kisame who had found the answer to his question.
"Are you satisfied?" he asked. Kisame sighed and shook his head.
"Aren't you the one who taught her that trick Itachi?" he asked, implying that maybe Sakura wasn't as gullible as he believed.
Of course she had been so wrapped up in her emotions that she had missed it. The months that passed, and the nightmares she had were enough to reveal the truth. He didn't intend to come home to Konoha. She had seen in her dreams how he had given a good performance for Sasuke but as he kneeled before his impending death, it was obvious he had lost on purpose. She didn't intend to let him give his life. Sasuke would finally forgive Itachi, and Itachi would be able to come home. They would fight fiercely against any and all threats to their home, together, and protect the one person who connected them to each other still. For Mitsuki, and for Sakura's memory, they would be brothers again…
"Mama is going away now baby. Your dad and your uncle will be home soon. You keep them in line for mama ok?" Sakura whispered to her daughter. Mitsuki started to sniffle and tears leaked from her innocent eyes. She shook her head and clung to Sakura.
"No," she said pitifully.
"I love you Mitsuki," she said, scooping her daughter up in her arms. She held her tighter than she ever had before to quiet her screeching, sobbing infant. She soothed Mitsuki until she fell asleep and placed her in her bed. Sakura ran her fingers through Mitsuki's short black hair and kissed her gently on the head. "I love you," she whispered, holding back her tears. She had to be strong. She slipped out of Konoha and concealed herself in a cloak. She zoomed off through the trees toward the direction Itachi had been reported.
"Tsunade!" Shizune shouted.
"What is it?" Tsunade asked, rubbing her temples.
"Sasuke and SNAKE have entered the fire country. His subordinates took out the border patrol and he's commenced an attack," she said urgently. She shot up from her chair.
"Have Kakashi, Naruto and Sakura sent to the area. We can't afford for Sasuke and Itachi to end up seriously injured," Tsunade replied. Naruto and Kakashi came as summoned, but the medic nin could not be found.
"Where is Sakura?" Shizune asked.
"It appears she left already," Kakashi said. Naruto went pale.
"What's wrong?" Tsunade demanded.
"She… After she had that dream… she said, 'I won't let all I've done be in vain.'" Naruto said in shock, finally starting to realize what she meant.
"What dream?" Kakashi asked.
"She was screaming like someone was murdering her… When I finally got her awake and said that to her, she said someone was. Then she said 'I won't let all I've done be in vain.' She's been acting strange these past 3 months on top of that. Don't you see what's she's planning? We have to go now! We have to stop her!" Naruto yelled, not waiting for a response.
Kisame was standing with Sasuke's group. He'd instructed them to do the same thing Itachi had. Kisame frowned at the noises in the distance. Two of Sasuke's subordinates were viciously arguing with each other while the other stayed silent like himself. Kisame let out a sigh and plopped down on the ground. Flashes of red and white lit up the afternoon sky while smoke rose from the explosions the attacks were causing. The fighting paused which made Kisame cock an eyebrow.
Red eyes bore into red eyes. One set held anger and contempt; the other held sadness and regret, diverting from the first.
"You took everything from me!" Sasuke shouted across the crater that separated him from Itachi. "You abandoned me and left me all alone! Did you think your explanations were going to keep me from taking my revenge?" he shouted. "Every person that's loved you, you leave broken and in pain! You left me! You left Sakura! You even abandoned your own child! Do you think you deserve to be forgiven?"
"She made me think it was possible," Itachi said softly. Sasuke barely managed to hear him.
"Wasn't the pain you caused me when I was 7 enough? Or you had to add insult to injury by stealing Sakura as well?" Sasuke shouted. Itachi diverted his eyes. "Don't look away from me! You don't get to feel guilty!" he shouted. His attacks commenced with just as much fury and anger as they had started with.
Sakura could see smoke in the far distance, but it wasn't like she needed to see it to dictate her direction. Her dreams had shown her the place quite clearly. She forced her mind to be calm and blank as she made her way toward the battle.
Kakashi had taken off after Naruto while Shizune searched for Yamato. It was never a good sign when Naruto got emotional. He pushed himself to impossible speeds to catch up with Sakura, even though he only had a vague idea of where they were heading.
Kisame and SNAKE looked curiously at the dark clouds forming over the battlefield. They could only speculate as to what was going on between the Uchiha brothers. "Three people are heading in their direction from Konoha. One is almost upon them and the other two are chasing the first," the girl said suddenly. Kisame smiled a toothy grin and let out a laugh. It looked like his prediction about Itachi's lover had been accurate after all.
Sakura forced herself to go faster. Their battle was almost at its end. She didn't have much time.
Both brothers were covered in blood and bruises and drained of chakra. Sasuke's hand went unconsciously to the back of his shoulder. He turned his head to find the curse seal was gone. He had let his chakra fall so low that he could not contain Orochimaru. Itachi's countered with Susano'o who carried the Sword of Totsuka, the counter to his Sword of Kusanagi, which ripped the snake man's soul from Sasuke's body and sealed him in a genjutsu that caused an everlasting slumber.
"I love you Sasuke," Itachi said, violently coughing up blood. He fell to his knees. Sasuke was overtaken with rage and somehow forced his Chidori Current through his Sword of Kusanagi. He started running toward his brother, deaf to the screams that came from the distance. Itachi let his eyes fall closed, breathing shakily, accepting his fate. It started as a whisper, and grew louder and louder. Sakura's voice… He opened his eyes and turned his head ever so slightly and saw her form in the distance.
"No!" she screamed, holding her hand out. Her tears were blinding her and her heart was pounding in her chest. Her body was aching. She had a thin sheen of sweat covering her body. Her legs felt as though they were going to shatter with every heavy footed step she took. "Please stop!" she screamed again.
"No!" Itachi yelled, eyes filled with fear looking at the approaching girl. She skidded to a halt between them, stretching her arms out to protect him. Sasuke's eyes widened in shock at her sudden appearance.
"Sakura," he murmured, trying to stop his attack. He had already put so much momentum behind him there was no way he could stop. A memory of something just like this happening with Naruto flashed through his head. A high pitched scream echoed for miles and miles, chilling the blood of all who heard it. Sakura groaned in pain, forcing herself off the sword, holding the wound in her stomach. She stumbled back and fell into Itachi's embrace as the dust settled from Sasuke's attempt to stop.
"Heh…" came a familiar voice. Her jaw dropped open as she saw the scene revealed to her. Sasuke was frozen in shock at what he saw as well. "I was almost too late," Naruto joked. Sasuke had taken his sword in both hands above his head and intended to plunge it downward through Itachi's chest. What he had really done was narrowly missed Naruto's heart by mere centimeters, and plunged it downward through the blonde, whose hands were sliced to shit because he had grabbed to sword to stop the momentum and protect Sakura.
Only Sasuke had pierced Sakura, just below her ribs. She could feel one of her lungs and her liver had been punctured. Blood filled the lung and Sakura started to cough up blood. Kakashi looked off into the distance, waiting for someone to appear. Sasuke pulled the sword out of Naruto, who fell to the floor. He dropped to his knees beside Sakura with tears in his eyes.
"I wanted to be your salvation," Sakura managed, inhaling unevenly. She looked from Sasuke to Itachi. "Please forgive him," she pleaded, coughing violently. She shook in Itachi's arms as she breathed.
"This wasn't your battle! You weren't supposed to die Sakura!" Itachi yelled. Sasuke clenched his fists as he started to cry.
"Sakura, I'm so sorry," Sasuke wept. "Itachi… I'm sorry…" His tears burned as they rolled down his cheeks. "Sakura don't die!" he pleaded, taking a hold of her hand, squeezing it tightly. She managed a smile. Kakashi helped Naruto sit up. He bandaged his hands as quick and as best as he could. By all rights, he would've been dead, or at least seconds from it, if not for the Kyuubi forcing Naruto to cling to what little mortality was left in him.
Finally Kakashi saw Yamato and Shizune appear in the clearing, along with a group of 3 others. Team 10 had been the ones meant to escort Itachi to Konoha, and had come to aid the group upon seeing Yamato and Shizune racing toward the scene of the attack. Shizune shoved Sasuke away from Sakura, and Itachi helped lay her flat on the ground. Ino moved to Naruto, to help speed up his healing. Shizune summoned chakra to her hands as Itachi unzipped Sakura's vest to expose the wound.
As painful as it was, she pulled the scraps of Sakura's burnt clothing from the wound. She wiped her forehead as she set to work. "Fuck! Kakashi, please put her to sleep." she yelled, eyeing her medical bag. Kakashi did as she said.
Shizune gave Sasuke instructions to set up three bowls of water, one with some disinfectant. She started healing Sakura's liver first, because when it came to it, she had the tools to do an emergency surgery if necessary to remove Sakura's lung. It would be a huge risk to take, but she would survive long enough to get to Konoha's hospital and have Tsunade take over. Once her liver was stable, she moved on to the lung. She healed the exit side of the blade so blood stopped gushing in through both sides.
"Get me the large syringe," she ordered. "Ino, come here," she demanded, knowing Naruto was not in the danger that Sakura was. Ino took the syringe and kneeled on the other side of Sakura. She bit her lip as Shizune plunged the needle into Sakura just under her ribs. She pulled the plunger out, sucking out the blood that had filled nearly a quarter of her lung. "There should be a long needle in there attached to a thin tube," Shizune said, holding her hand out as Sasuke rummaged through the bag. He handed her the object and she had Ino replace the syringe with the needle, letting the blood escape from her lung in a slow steady pace, keeping it clear.
"Clean this," Ino instructed Sasuke. Sasuke disassembled the needle and poured the blood out. He dipped it in the water and rinsed it out, then placed it in the disinfectant water. He sucked up some of the water to clean out the needle and squirted it back out on the ground beside the bowl.
"We have to slow her heartbeat so she stops losing so much blood," Shizune said. Ino moved her hand over Sakura's heart, visibly trembling. "You need to stay calm or you'll stop her heart," Shizune scolded.
"I'm sorry Shizune. I've never done anything like this," she whispered.
"Just concentrate. Breathe in and breathe out. Imagine it in your head. Apply a little pressure until the pulsing becomes slow. Don't worry about her breathing, it will become more shallow," Shizune instructed. Ino nodded and did well enough. It wasn't as slow as Shizune wanted, but it was better than nothing. Sakura was becoming pale which alarmed Shizune. Everyone watched tensely.
Shizune turned her attentions to where the sword had entered her lung, which was much more difficult to deal with. The electricity that had been running through the sword had presumably stopped before it exited the lung, leaving just a stab wound to heal. The entry wound through her chest and lung had seared the nerves shut, almost healing it in a way. She bit down on her lip. The wound in her stomach wasn't bleeding which was a plus, but she was going to have to open the wound further to stitch
her lung shut. She didn't have time, or enough chakra to undo the nerve damage and close her lung. As it was Sakura had already lost so much blood…
"Get me the scalpel, 2 forceps and the stitching kit," she said grimly. Sasuke handed her the aforementioned items and went to work. She opened the wound and set the forceps to stop her from losing more blood. "After I finish this she has to be transported directly to Konoha, as she is. I can't remove the forceps or she'll bleed to death, and Tsunade will remove the stitches and heal the lung completely before sealing this wound," Shizune said. Kakashi dipped a rag in water and wrung it out, wiping it across her brow. She half smiled at him and got to work. Once the stitches were in place she pulled the needle out of her, healing the small puncture with a little chakra.
"Yamato and I will transport Sakura. The rest of you follow at your own pace," Kakashi instructed. Shizune assembled a portable stretcher, undoing the binding she spread it out and clicked the rods into place. They put Sakura on it and strapped her down, and as quickly and carefully as they could, took her to the hospital. By this time SNAKE and Kisame had made their way to the scene. Ino and Shizune hurried off toward the village with an injured Naruto, leaving Shikamaru and Choji with the group. Sasuke instructed his team to replace the border patrol they had injured upon entering the Fire Country. Shikamaru and Choji accompanied them. Kisame and Sasuke helped Itachi up and made their way to Konoha as well.
"So you guys made up huh?" Kisame asked. Neither said a word. Itachi started coughing up blood again and they paused for a moment. "We don't have any more of your medicine left Itachi. You'd better not die after all that girl sacrificed for you two," Kisame threatened.
"Medicine?" Sasuke asked.
"Yeah. Your brother's dying of illness. He's been taking all sorts of stuff to stay alive long enough for you to kill him," Kisame said, laughing at the irony. Sasuke narrowed his eyes as they continued.
"Itachi…" Sasuke whispered. "Itachi I forgive you," he forced out. A small smile appeared on his brother's face.
"If I don't make it, tell Sakura I'm sorry. Tell her I loved her, and I didn't mean to deceive her…"
"How did you do that?" Sasuke asked.
"He told her he was going to return to Konoha and he wouldn't go through with letting you kill him. He knew you'd attack before we got there. He knew he was never going to see her again when he told her he'd come back," Kisame revealed. It wasn't like Itachi was going to tell him anyway.
"Sakura was going to die for you Itachi. Even it means she's going to choose you, I'll do whatever I can to keep you alive," Sasuke swore. "Maybe then, you can tell me the whole story yourself," he added. Itachi nodded.
The hospital staff was working overtime. Itachi and Sasuke were easy compared to Sakura and Naruto. They reset some bones and bandaged some cuts. They ordered them to rest, and put them in the same room. Kisame hung out with the Uchiha brothers waiting for news on Sakura's condition. Hinata had rushed in as soon as she heard what had happened, bringing Mitsuki with her. She was determined to help her lover, and offered her chakra and what little medical skill she had to do it. Before she went into the operation room, she brought Mitsuki upstairs to leave her with Sasuke for a while. She hadn't realized Itachi would also be in the room.
"Hinata?" Sasuke questioned, seeing the girl enter his room.
"Mitsuki has been hysterical this whole time. She only stopped crying when we arrived at the hospital," Hinata said.
"That's what babies do, ne?" he asked.
"Not this one. She only cries if she thinks Sakura is in danger," Hinata said. Sasuke thought back to when he had put his hand around Sakura's throat and out of nowhere his niece had lost it. How could she have known Sakura was in danger all this time? Hinata turned to Mitsuki who was clinging to the doorway. She stared at the bed by the window timidly, like she couldn't believe who was there. "Come on, your mama is getting fixed up. You can spend some time with Uncle Sasuke and your dad," Hinata said, entreating the girl to enter.
"Ok," she said. She took small steps into the room and looked up at a familiar face. She smiled at Sasuke and waved at him. He smiled and laughed at how cute she'd gotten, before waving back. She then turned toward the other bed, slowly approaching it. Itachi had been sleeping off some of his exhaustion. Mitsuki tugged on the blanket hesitantly until he stirred. "Dada ok?" she asked meekly. His eyes fluttered open and he looked to the left of his bed to see her.
"Mitsuki," he whispered, eyes filling with tears.
"Dada ok?" she asked again, with a pout.
"I will be now. Now that I have you," Itachi said. She giggled when she noticed Kisame in the room, which made Kisame laugh, which made her giggle again. She pointed up at her dad and the shark man placed her on the bed with Itachi. She stuck her thumb in her mouth and curled up next to him. Itachi couldn't believe how different she was. It had been 13 months since he'd last seen Mitsuki. She still had the same expression in her beautiful green eyes though. A look of complete trust.
"I've got to go to the operating room and help with Naruto's wounds. Will you be ok with her?" Hinata asked. Itachi nodded as he wrapped his arms around the small mass beside him. Mitsuki looked up and pet his cheek.
"No cry dada," she said, smearing his tears all over his face. He laughed which made her smile.
"I'm not crying because I'm sad baby. I'm crying because I'm happy," he said. She smiled again and then stopped touching his face.
"Ok, cry," she said, making Sasuke laugh in his bed. Now that everything was over, he couldn't believe that Itachi was going to give that up for him. He realized just how much he meant to his brother, and in turn how much his brother still meant to him. He still loved Sakura, and it hurt to know she'd fallen in love with someone else, but he would accept it. He had had his revenge to an extent and she had ended up hurt in the process. She had done what she set out to do however, save them both.
"I'm going to check on… her," Sasuke said, not wanting to mention Sakura's name lest it upset his niece. Itachi nodded. Sasuke pushed the pole with the IV attached down to the elevator and waited outside the operating room that she was in. He found Kakashi there as well.
"Thank you for looking out for her," Sasuke said.
"Have you resolved things with Itachi?" Kakashi asked.
"There are things we need to talk about, but yes," Sasuke answered.
"I'm glad to hear that," Kakashi said. "You know she did all of this for you. Before you think she only trying to keep you from killing Itachi, you should know."
"Know what?" Sasuke asked.
"She had intended to bury her feelings for Itachi, for you. She was going to let everything happen the way Itachi had planned so you would be at peace. It was only at my urging that she changed her mind. To live your life with regret, is not a way to live. She always had your best interest at heart even though you hurt her. Think about that when you talk things over with Itachi," Kakashi said. Sasuke nodded in understanding. They both turned to the doors as yet another visitor entered.
"Mr. Haruno?" Sasuke spoke in disbelief. The older man looked at the floor and nodded. He looked very tired and upset.
"Is she… Will Sakura be alright?" he asked. Kakashi and Sasuke couldn't believe what they were seeing.
"She's still in surgery; we should know something soon," Kakashi said.
"How long has she been in there?" he asked just above a whisper.
"A few hours," Sasuke replied.
"She was in critical condition when we brought her here. Tsunade is doing everything she can for her," Kakashi said. He stared with a hardened look at the older gentleman. He wasn't about to be rude, but Sasuke had no qualms with it at all.
"What does it matter to you? You kicked her out without even speaking to her," Sasuke growled, face reflecting the anger that was growing inside him.
"You can't understand what it's like being a parent. You want to raise your children with good values. When something like that happens, it makes you blame yourself. It drives you crazy. I can't speak for her mother, but I know she caused Sakura quite some pain. I was disappointed in her, but I wasn't the one to start all those rumors. I kept thinking in the back of my head, that there had to be something more that prompted her to do what she did. It's not as though I expect her to forgive me for being cold to her, or even for letting her mother say those things and standing idly by because I suspect it makes me just as bad as her, but I want her to know I still love her. It may be too little too late now, but she is still my daughter, and I don't want to see her life ended so abruptly," the man explained, trying not to break under the pressure of his depression and the obvious tension directed at him.
"I don't think there's anyone that hasn't hurt her in this whole ordeal. She's had to lie for nearly 2 years to protect herself, Mitsuki and Itachi," Kakashi said.
"Sakura always did have a big heart. She always wanted to help people. I never knew that she could be so dedicated to a cause," Mr. Haruno said.
"It wasn't just a cause Mr. Haruno," Sasuke said. The man looked up at him and the tension seemed to fade. "Sakura saved the bond between Itachi and I, and even managed to bring us back to Konoha together. There's not another person in this world that could have accomplished that. She was willing to sacrifice her life, to bring us back here to protect our home in the coming battle; she would be dead now if Naruto hadn't also stepped between me and Itachi in battle," Sasuke explained. The older man's eyes flickered with shock at his words. Him and his wife had never thought much of the blonde with the nine tailed fox inside him, but it seemed him and Sakura were just the same. Willing to give their lives for Konoha, and to protect the people they loved.
"I owe Naruto a debt of gratitude then," Mr. Haruno said.
"He's also in surgery, in the next room. He's in stable condition but they're having a difficult time closing his wounds. With Tsunade working on your daughter, it may be a while before Naruto is released to a normal room," Kakashi informed him. Mr. Haruno nodded in understanding. They all turned to the door as Tsunade exited with a weary look on her face. She was met with three pairs of expectant, anxious eyes. She looked straight at Sasuke when she spoke.
"You're lucky Naruto got in the way," she said with a dangerous edge. She was obviously very angry with him for what had happened, but she hadn't heard about what happened after the battle yet.
"If I had seen her coming-"
"If you hadn't been blinded by your rage you mean," Tsunade quipped. Sasuke turned his eyes away from her with a scowl. "Like I said, you're lucky Naruto got in the way. If he hadn't Sakura still might have survived, but not the baby," she said, with a small smile.
"What?" Sasuke asked in total shock.