A/N: *Sigh* Seriously, I don't even know what came over me. I WASN'T EVEN THAT BUSY! I'll try to make it up to you guys…. Just tell me any suggestions or stuff in the reviews as to the whole plot. Well, that's a good dose of self-loathing today! MOVING ON!

Sasuke: I can't even with you.

Tonkotsu: I know honey! (Sarcasm) And that's exactly why I'm adding fluff to this chapter! Also, to top it off, I'm going to make this chapter REALLY long! (Insert diabolical laughter)

Sasuke: Wait…WHAT?! No, that's alright, really, I understand! Y'know, school isn't too easy.

Tonkotsu: What do you mean? You got straight A's in everything, *snort* except positivity, cooperation, and teamwork.

Sakura: Please, not again! Enough of this evil teasing! All standard disclaimers apply! Enjoy *cough and we sincerely apologize cough*!

Sasuke flew through the trees, with Sakura following closely behind. Honestly, he didn't know what came over him when he asked Sakura to join his team. Sasuke wondered what would happen if she didn't accept. Would Suigetsu or Juugo possibly hurt, or worse, kill her? The answer to that question was lost in his sea of thoughts, and he didn't have a grasp on it. After learning the truth about Konoha, the first thing that popped into his mind was to attack Konoha. So here he was, with Sakura and his team. They were going to attack the Five Kage Summit. It was perfect, because that bastard Danzo was Hokage.

Sasuke was so lost in his thoughts that he failed to realize that a squad of ANBU was tailing them. It was to be expected, since Sakura was one herself. She proved useful in these types of situations, because she knew their weaknesses and their attacks. Sasuke shot her a look, and said in monotone, "We have a tail. ANBU. You know their weaknesses?" The look on her face was hard to miss, and her answer was interesting as well.

"Well, yes. They're my squad."

He sighed inwardly, because Uchiha don't sigh out loud, wait no, they don't sigh in general. These were just some unspoken rules that the clan had, and Sasuke still doesn't know why they did. They were like: Be really stoic, or, have a huge stick up your ass, or something along the lines of that. The only person with the exception to not follow these rules was his mother. She was like, the sunshine of the clan. She was the only person who wasn't emotionally constipated, but so was his aunt and some girl named Izumi or something. (Ha! I couldn't resist! I love them too much!)

Quickly, he performed a fire jutsu to stall them. "Sakura, hold onto me!" She looked at him, bewildered. "Just do it!" She latched onto him, and shun-shinned to the camp where the team was. They were knocked off balance (Hehe) and she landed on top of him, with theirs limbs tangled together, right in front of everyone.

She was blushing madly, and the color of her face rivaled Karin's crimson hair. Sakura quickly rolled onto the grass, and she could feel the scrutinizing stares of his team. Might as well introduce myself.

"Hi… I'm Haruno Sakura…Pleasure to be working with you." Suigetsu shone a toothy grin and pointed to himself. "I'm Hozuki Suigetsu. And I want to collect all Seven Blades from the Seven Swordsman of the Mist." Juugo simply smiled. "I'm Juugo. I am here to protect Sasuke, for he is my cage." A little bird chirped in agreement. Karin adjusted her glasses. "I…I'm Karin. And I'm here for other purposes…" Suigetsu whispered in her ear. "She's just his stalker. And when she's alone with him, she takes her glasses off and pounces on him… It's scary. Oh, and Juugo can snap at any moment other than when he's with animals. He'll kill anyone he sees and only Sasuke can stop these violent urges." Sakura nodded, and brilliantly smiled at him. "Thanks!"

Suigetsu started making some weird choking noise and Sakura's medical senses kicked in. "What's wrong?! Do you need CPR?! ARE YOU OKAY?!" Suigetsu abruptly stopped and waved his hand away. "No…I'm fine..."

"I'm going to get you water."

"Okay."

Sasuke was just watching this whole exchange, and a little vein popped in his temple. A feeling of possessiveness and jealousy swelled up in his chest. He didn't know why, but he had a need to get her away from Suigetsu and the others.

Did someone call me?

Oh no.

What do you mean 'Oh no'? You should be glad. Without me, she wouldn't be here.

I was originally planning to bring her here without you interfering.

Really? Interesting…

Sakura eventually set up a tent. She was up all night. How would Tsunade react? Would hunter-nins be sent after her? What about Naruto?

Just then, she saw the sun peak out, shining its bright rays, thus calling all to awake. She trudged out of her tent and headed towards a river or lake of some sort. As she neared the rushing waters of the river, she heard someone giggling.

"Sasuke Sasuke Sasuke Sasuke Sasuke…"

She saw a head of bright red… what was that? Oh no, I think this is what Suigetsu warned me about. I think I should go back now…

Sakura slowly stepped back, only to snap a twig. The head slowly turned around, emitting a murderous aura. "Who is it?! Show your face!" This voice was completely different. It was in a very serious tone, unlike the giggling and fan-girlish voice before. Sakura nervously laughed, scratching the back of her head. "S-s-sorry for um… interrupting you. I'll just head on back now…" She was very sure that she was going to get murdered. Karin readjusted her glasses. Clearing her throat, she said, "It's fine. I wasn't doing anything important," She said in a clipped tone. Suurrrrrrrreeee, and I wasn't hearing any rabid fangirling…

"Oh well… Thanks! I was just going to wash up before we headed out."

Karin simply nodded in approval.

Sakura walked back to the camp with Karin walking behind her. The air between them was rather stiff. Karin, sensing this, tried to make some small talk. "So, why are you here?" Sakura immediately tensed.

"Well, we were… friends from some time ago. Acquainted. He asked me to join as the medic and as the person with info on Konoha, though I doubt that's why. 'Cuz I hear that you're the medic, so why would he need me if he can easily interrogate someone for the info he needs using the sharingan?"

"Good point." Karin was growing increasingly suspicious of Sakura's role on the team. Why was it hard for her to say the word 'friend'? She inwardly gasped. Was she… Sasuke's EX?! NO WAY! DID HE WANT TO GET BACK TOGETHER WITH HER?! SHE NEEDED ANSWERS!

Sakura stopped and Karin snapped out of her thoughts when she bumped into her. "We're here."

Karin suddenly distrusted Sakura. She was her rival for Sasuke's love. (Reminds you of someone? I thought so!)

She went to her tent to go pack her things. Of course, she took Sasuke's torn up clothes. Who in their right mind wouldn't?

Sasuke walked over to Sakura. "Come." She stared at him, it was as if her eyes were asking why. He simply started walking, and she followed. "The main reason why I brought you here is because you are the 'prized' apprentice of the fifth Hokage. You also have the Byakugou seal, or the seal of 100 healings. (Just imagine, okay! I had to.)That would prove useful in the case if one of us is severely injured, including our other medic. You also have an arsenal of taijutsu, genjutsu, and ninjutsu." Sakura was blushing, she was so flattered! How did he even know that stuff? She only had a few secret genjutsu, and rarely used it. How did he know? Sakura was racking her brain for answers.

I didn't even use it that much. And I never sensed him around. So how'd he know?

If I wasn't mistaken I'd say he's obsessed.

Well, you're always mistaken, so he's not obsessed. I guess he knows a lot about his comrades if he's gonna recruit them.

Denial, honey! DEE-NII-AAL.

Sureeee….

Sasuke was satisfied with his answer. She was blushing from flattery, which for some reason made him smug inside. "Let's get going."

"Tell me, where are we going again?" Karin's excessive complaining was starting to get on everyone's nerves. "We're scouting out the area for Danzo." Suigetsu replied, with a look of dread on his face. It's getting really cold. And I'm thirsty. When are we stopping? He felt that, he too, couldn't go on.Sakura had a thoughtful look on her face. "Well, the Five Kage summit is being held in the Land of Iron, so Danzo should be there with the other Kage. That explains why it's getting so cold." Suigetsu was content with her answer. Sasuke kept his eyes straight. After Itachi dead, he was going to right this wrong that tore his clan apart. Killing Danzo was top priority, so he'll try to avoid as many distractions as possible. Sharingan activated, he awaited for the best to come.

Pretty soon, flurries coated them as snow enveloped all the buildings around them. A huge structured dwarfed everything around it. The sky, colored a soft grey, shedding tears of flurries. Lines of samurai surround entrances. Figures with powerful chakra enter. One of them, Danzo, wearing the "Fire" headdress. Sasuke spat out, "There he is."

The group had a successful infiltration. Karin sensed out the other shinobi. Sakura inwardly gulped. She knew that this was going to be hard. All Five Kage in one place? Not the best place to be when you're labeled a rogue. The more she thought about it, the more monotone her life was. The same, dull, missions. Faces pitying her for her life. Even her closest friends knew she was different. Ever since Sasuke left and Naruto came back in a devastated state, something in her faded away. She couldn't genuinely smile or laugh as easily any more. She decided it was just a phase, so she drowned herself in her work. Thus, becoming an ANBU captain. That's when it hit her. Being a rogue felt exhilarating. No more loyalties, attachments, everything is just by will. Sakura thought she won't be coming back anytime soon.

Sakura was terrified. He was on the brink of death, yet he was cloaked in the purple Susano'o. He barely had any chakra left, and she wasn't there to heal him. Sasuke had blood trickling down his left eye, with blood slowly coming out of his mouth, too. No, she was fighting off some samurai. Sakura didn't even care if any of them died. She needed to get to Sasuke. She took out a katana she found and sliced her way through the crowd. Screw morals, this is a matter of life or death. "Sasuke!" He shot an arrow from the Susano'o, now the ceiling was starting to collapse. She reached out to him in a desperate attempt to save herself, but she was too far. A Susano'o hand caught her. Madara appeared before them. He looked at her. "You're a medic." The question was more of a statement. At a loss for words, she simply nodded. He could tell by the purple diamond on her forehead. Using Kamui, he transported them to a different dimension. "Heal him." He left shortly after he issued the order.

Sakura let her chakra roam through his body, searching for damage. She was terrified yet amazed that he wasn't dead yet. Sasuke had such fatal injuries, including a pierced lung, broken ribs, chakra exhaustion, and his eyesight wasn't any better either. All of a sudden he started coughing up blood. Sakura had no choice, his condition was not getting better. She let her seal on her forehead unravel. A surge of healing chakra was pumped into him, as she slowly mended his bones together. She then started on his lungs. After clearing that, she worked on minor injuries. Sakura felt drained second after second, but she didn't stop. No, she wouldn't let him die like so many failed patients. No, she was going to stand by him and support him through and through. Finally, he regained consciousness. She fell back, panting from the chakra loss she used to heal him. Her seal receded. Sasuke looked around. "Where are we?" Sakura blinked. "You shouldn't be walking. Rest. I just healed you." She simplified her talking, she was too tired. "You didn't answer my question." Sakura sighed. "Guy with mask. Took us here. Told me to heal you." Sasuke knew exactly who she was talking about. Madara. I guess he wanted me to recover before I kill Danzo. But, just how roughed up did I get? He took in account Sakura's exhausted state. She was trying her best not to look tired, but it was hard to believe when she couldn't even make full sentences and was panting. He guessed she used the seal on her forehead to help. Aside from that, he felt a renewed strength. Like a clean slate. Full chakra, not a scratch or bruise on him. It was like he came from that battle unscathed. Looking at her though, was a different story. It bothered him that she go as far as nearly using up all her chakra to help him. Didn't she care about herself? Sasuke realized something then. It was because she still loved him. She would dive headfirst into something as bad as this if it meant she could be there for him.

Sakura felt like she was on the brink of fainting. Next thing she knew, everything was all black.

Sakura woke up. Her head was pounding, and her body ached. She sat up. Sasuke was still there. "You passed out." It was more of an act of pointing out the obvious rather than a statement. "I know." Shortly after she confirmed his earlier statement, a swirling vortex appeared, and soon enough, Madara (Actually, should I say Obito? I don't know. Oh, and sorry for the spoiler) appeared again. "It's time. He is here." Sasuke nodded, and Sakura slowly stood up, suddenly distrusted this man. His ominous chakra and enigmatic nature of speaking didn't play well with her. They were shoved out, and took a minute to adjust to the sudden bright light. It was midday, and they were on a bridge. Sure enough, there was Danzo and his two guards. Sakura had enough chakra to fight them, and she knew exactly who these two ANBU were. Foo and Torune. One from the Yamanaka clan, and the other from the Aburame clan. Both have amazing chemistry together, so it wouldn't be easy to defeat them. But, it seems like the masked man already was taking care of them. He probably noticed her low chakra levels. Sakura stood there, as she watched the hateful exchange between Sasuke and Danzo. As each painful minute passed, she noticed something. Every time Sasuke "killed" Danzo, one of the sharingan eyes on his arm closed. "Sasuke! Every time you kill him, one of his eyes close!" Sasuke spared her a glance and slightly inclined his head to let her know he heard her. Danzo squinted at her. She got a bad feeling. He shun-shinned to behind her. Sakura didn't have enough reaction time to escape out of his hold. "Move and she dies." Sakura was at a loss for words. Was she really gonna go like this? Sakura smiled. "It's okay Sasuke-kun. Go ahead." She recognized those hand seals. Chidori stream. He was going to chidori through her to Danzo. Smart move. "No matter what, Sasuke-kun, I will always be there for you. Never forget that I love you." Sasuke looked hesitant, but then he shot through her, getting Danzo. Immense pain surged through her as she coughed up blood. A bloody smile directed towards Sasuke before she fell. A loud thump resounded throughout the bridge. Sasuke shun-shinned to her. He held her, careful not to touch the gaping hole in her torso. Blank eyes met clouded eyes. He was blanking. What had he done? He can't live like this. "Sasuke…kun." He realized he didn't want to lose anyone important to him again. Without her, no one was there to love him. "I'm sorry." The words came out of his mouth. She just smiled. Sakura knew that she was going to die some point or another, with the dangerous lifestyle she lived. Sakura was satisfied with her life. Even if she didn't particularly enjoy her time in the village, she had so many friends. Naruto, Ino, Sai, and so many more. "Don't…be. I told…you. I will al…ways be with you. Don't…worry. You…have so many…people who lo…ve you and…care about you. Your…team, Naruto, your…late brother…and family. Never…forget them." She shone him a brilliant smile. "Can't you heal yourself? You have the Byakugou seal. You can heal yourself, right?" She shook her head.

"My body…can heal minor…injuries. That's… why I can speak to you...But this…I can't…Not enough…chakra. I used…it all for you." She started coughing up blood. Sakura held her hand to her mouth. Blood spilled everywhere. The pain felt worse. "I don't have…a lot of… time. Sasuke-kun… Please don't hate…yourself. It's okay…Because…I love you." She cupped his cheek, her hand covered in blood. Her once viridian, bright eyes, faded into a dull forest green. Sasuke was beyond scared. She was telling him all of these things. Everything that he missed. Sasuke was looking for someone to help her. No one. "Sasuke…kun. Don't look…for anyone. Just…leave me…But before…you do, I…have one request."

"Tell me."

"Don't…fight Naruto. You'll…kill him. Or…he'll kill you. Then…there'll be…no more… of the Uchiha name."

Sasuke's eyes widened a fraction. How did she know these things? He didn't know.

"Also…tell Naruto that he'll…be an amazing…Hokage and that…I'll always be there"

Sasuke doubted that he'll be able to deliver the message. He probably won't see him until a while. She hissed in pain. "It's time. I… will always…love you." She smiled, and then going into a coughing fit. Blood was everywhere. She planted a kiss on his cheek, smiled, and then coughed again. Why prolong what is going to come? Death was at her door, yet it only was creeping in. Sasuke was getting desperate. He never meant for her to die. He just wanted her by his side. He just wanted her. That's when it dawned on him.

He loved her. He forgot how it felt how to love someone. He forgot how it felt like to be genuinely loved by someone. And now, it was too late. Nothing he could do to help her. Sasuke felt her body go cold. She fell limp in his arms.

She was dead.

A single tear spilled out. It fell on her cold, bloodied porcelain face. Even in death, she was beautiful. It started to rain. Soon enough, it was pouring. He stood there staring at the grey clouds. Blood staining his clothes, Sakura's blood. What is going to do now? When he first saw her, he could tell she was miserable. The village, the village, the village, the village. Nothing but misery and despair there. That's right, misery and despair. He's going to change that. Yes, he's going to become Hokage. It was decided.

All he had to do was take care of Naruto, and he'd do it in Sakura's name.

Naruto quickly jumped through the trees. It's been almost a month since Sakura was confirmed as a rogue. Why, why would she leave?! He racked his brain for answers. Indeed, for some time she was miserable. She lost a patient, and Sasuke recently attempted to kill Naruto. But, would she leave by force. And then, he was shocked along with Kakashi and Yamato when they heard the truth from the masked man known as "Madara". Sakura was with Sasuke, and they attacked the Gokage summit. They set out. As they arrived at the bridge, all he could think about was Sasuke and Sakura. Were they okay? He would need to take them home. Naruto thought about how happy and glad he would feel when he would see Sakura and Sasuke.

Naruto sped ahead of everyone in the search team, and crossed the bridge. It was when he saw he body, with a gaping hole, covered in blood with a smile that he stopped. This must be some joke she was playing. A nervous smile on his face, he knelt down. "Sakura, now's not the time to play games." He was getting anxious. "Sakura? Sakura, wake up. Sakura? Sakura, Sakura, SAKURA! PLEASE STOP. JUST COME BACK, please." A choked sob came out of him. But then, he heard that only Sasuke and Sakura came to kill Danzo. Yet, there was a wreath of flowers strung across a bloodied sword, issued by Konoha. The sword was stuck into the ground. The wreath was made of cherry blossoms, dandelions, and daisies. It was her sword. Sasuke left it there. And then it hit him. He saw the same hole in Danzo's corpse. It only took a minute to figure everything out. Did Sasuke kill her? Rage and confusion coursed through his veins. Before he could go any further, Kakashi arrived. Naruto sensed another presence. He went under the bridge, and there was Sasuke exiting through a vortex with Madara. "Sasuke!" He turned and stepped out. Sasuke plastered on an evil smirk. "Naruto." Naruto was startled at the sight. His left eye was bleeding, and blood was everywhere on his clothes. "I know the truth about Itachi." Blank eyes met his. He started laughing. It wasn't even humorous. It was full of pain, rage, and hatred. "You know the truth?" Then, his face changed. It was cold, so cold and filled with hatred. "You know nothing about him." He spat out. He immediately activated Susano'o. "Don't ever talk about him again." Naruto immediately made a rasengan. Kakashi held him back. "Don't. Look at him, he's not himself." Sasuke smirked. "Kakashi? Is that you? You know, I'm just about itching to kill you." (Please don't sue me! I don't even think that's the actual line. But to be safe, I'm telling you guys that I don't own that line.) Kakashi pulled up his headband, revealing his sharingan. "You have no right to that eye! I'll take it from your corpse if I have to." Kakashi paid no heed to what Sasuke was saying. They charged after each other. He stuck out an arm to crush him but Kakashi jumped out of the way. He threw a paper bomb at him, but the shield of Susano'o protected him. And then, all of a sudden, he screamed out in pain. His eyes were burning. He was blind, he couldn't see. Madara noticed and knew if Sasuke continued like this he would be dead. Madara shun-shinned to Kakashi. "You're not going anywhere."

Naruto had a rasengan in his right hand, and Sasuke had a chidori in his left. They charged at each other. As soon as both collided, they were transported to another dimension. Sasuke stared at Naruto. Naruto stared back. "So, did you kill Sakura-chan?" Naruto needed to know, if this bastard was worth saving or not. A million of emotions flashed through Sasuke's eyes. Naruto only saw the main ones; regret, pain, hatred, and suffering. But why regret? "Yes." It was that one word that changed everything. "She told me that, if we fight, there are only two possible endings. One is that I win and you die, and the other one is that you win and I die. Her last request to me was to stop fighting you. Sakura wanted us to live." Naruto's eyes widened, as he realized that Sasuke didn't want to kill her. He never hated her. Naruto was speechless. "I," He looked into Naruto's cerulean eyes, "I never meant to kill her." He was astonished. "Couldn't she heal herself? She's the best medic in the world after Tsunade." Sasuke's eyes were blank, but there was so much inner turmoil within him. "She said she couldn't. Earlier, she used almost all of her chakra healing me. She didn't have enough to save herself." There was a pregnant pause. They were both silent. Naruto was filled with rage. "Why didn't you protect her, bastard?! She loved you so much, and you couldn't do so much as protect her?! What type of person are you?! ARE YOU EVEN HUMAN?!" Naruto was so mad he didn't even realize that a single tear went down Sasuke's face. Naruto broke off from his rant and saw Sasuke's tear. "I…I'm sorry." Naruto was so bewildered. He didn't believe it. This isn't real, no it's not. It's not real, it's not real, it's not real. Sakura-chan is at home, and Sasuke's not crying. No, he didn't kill her. Naruto couldn't stop the tears from coming out. There wasn't a point anymore. She was gone, and there was nothing he could do about it. "I…I loved her." Sasuke was startled. He didn't know what was in him to say that. Naruto looked at him. "I'm so sorry Sasuke. I didn't mean to say that-"

"Sakura gave me a message for you."

Naruto shut his mouth and stared at him.

"She said that you'll be an amazing Hokage. She said she'll always be with you."

Naruto was crying. Why did she have to die? It was at that moment when they saw Sakura. She ran over and smiled, laughing. "What's wrong you guys? Don't be so sad." Naruto was astonished. "S-Sakura-chan? Is that you?" She smiled and nodded. He ran over and hugged her. She was crying. "Don't be sad. It hurts me to see you guys like this. Smile, live, and be free." She looked over to see Sasuke. She let go of Naruto and walked over to Sasuke.

"Forgive me."

"Don't worry, Sasuke-kun. Don't hate yourself for it. I was going to die anyways." She leaned in and kissed Sasuke on the cheek. Sakura started to fade away.

"Wait, Sakura-chan! Don't leave!"

"I have to. Tell Kakashi-sensei I said thank you for being like a father to me. Tell Tsunade that I thank her too, and to not drink so much. And don't ever forget, that I will always love you both." She reached her hands out to cup their faces. She kissed them on their foreheads and was gone.

Naruto and Sasuke were back in the real world. They got up, slowly, and walked together, and they felt that Sakura too, was walking behind them.

THE END

A/N: Okay okay, so that was sad and unexpected. I hope you guys liked it and I might write an epilogue. Tell me what you think!

Ja ne!

Tonkotsu-chan