Tsunade aims a punch at my stomach that I barely dodge, jumping back I take a deep breath in and land on a tree limb. Another strike comes from behind but this time it's from either Naruto or Sasuke. A fist makes contact with my right side and I crash into the tree trunk, air escaping my lungs. That was a cheap shot Naruto, I move away from the tree just to be sent into another one by Sasuke. A groan comes from me and I send my fist into the ground to break us apart. Moving to a clearing I take in a breath and heal the internal injuries that Sasuke inflicted. Tomorrow we are leaving to start a mission, everyone figured that I could use some intense training before I left. Not only am I fighting against my husband, my mentor and my best friend but the others assigned to our mission are hiding in the woods waiting to get their opportunity to land a hit.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see a flash of silver coming at me. Dodging Kakashi's attack I send him flying with harsh kick to the ribs. But that doesn't last long before we are engaging in taijutsu, blocking and kicking when I can get an opening. He manages to land a solid hit right in the center of my gut earning a deep groan. A sharp pain radiating through me I stagger back until I land against a boulder. Now I only have two options, take a hit or try to escape in time since I'm trapped. The sound of lighting crackles through the air and my body freezes for a moment. Kakashi sensei isn't playing around, sending chakra to my feet I jump up to dodge the attack that pierces the boulder.
When I land across the clearing my body fall and I land on my knees, breathing harshly and trying to heal the area Kakashi punched. A shiver runs through me, the air around us is freezing. We've been out here for hours training and I've managed to keep up so far but I'm starting to get tired. Catching my breath, Tsunade and Sasuke come into view both moving to me. Her hands take over and the pain fades slowly.
"It's too early for her to be out here. She just gave birth a week ago." Sasuke isn't afraid to voice is unwanted opinion. Tsunade helps me to my feet once she's done and gives me a sympathetic look.
"She's doing just fine, there's only so much natural healing you can rush." She retorts back to Sasuke and I glare over at him, my back aches and I lean back to crack the bones to relieve the pressure. The others appear from the woods and they all seem to be beaten, looks like I wasn't the only target.
"I still think she should stay here in the village." Of course, he would voice this opinion in from of everyone. Ever since we came home from the hospital, Sasuke has voiced his anger towards the fact that Itachi is being left alone in the village without one of us. I know that he will be protected by Anbu and our close friends, I trust them with my life but Sasuke is still apprehensive.
Turning on my heels, I start to take off towards the gate. I'm not going to stand there and try to defend myself to the one person who should believe in me. Naruto yells at me and starts to follow me, but once he's close enough I suck punch him. His body is tossed to the group and I take off. The cold air is welcomed against my heated skin, civilian move away to make a path for my blurred pink figure. Kakashi will keep Sasuke and Naruto from following me, telling them to give me time to cool off or their going to be sucker punched. Sasuke's lucky that the council has that scroll in effect still or I would've punched him when he comes home.
My nerves are on edge for tomorrow, Shikamaru has spent the past six nights filling me in on the detail and strategy. We are going to attempt an invasion tactic; The Masters will be gathered in the town hall building tomorrow evening. An Anbu has been stationed to recover more intel and gain access by infiltrating their ranks. Shikamaru assigned me Asa as my target, she was able to manipulate me the last time we met. Asa was the one who altered Sasori's poison, but she knew that I would be able to render it useless. Part of me hops Hama is involved in all of this, she had such promise in the medical field. The other part of me is anxious for fighting Asa, she has skills that were hidden. It feels like I'm sixteen again and wanting to fight an enemy head on instead of staying protected in the hospital.
"I wasn't expecting you back so early. Itachi just woke up for a feeding." Ino greets me as I walk into the house, stealing the bundled newborn from her arms. I take the bottle and his eyes twinkle up at me as I feed him. My son has stolen my heart even more than Sasuke ever did, he's the living proof of our feelings.
"Did you behave for Aunt Ino?" I babble to the feeding infant, a hand reaching up for my shoulder length hair. A giggle comes from my friend and I move so I can awkwardly touch her growing belly.
"He's like his father, quiet." I already knew that, he's a very quiet baby. It seems that he inherited more than just Sasuke's looks, was Sasuke's brother the same way? That's still a touchy subject for him but he will tell me about him once he's ready. The front door opens to reveal Sai and Sasuke, ignoring my anger towards my husband for a minute Sasuke comes over and wraps an arm around my waist. I don't need to look to see that there's a small smile on Sasuke's lips.
"We're heading out Sakura. The others and I will be here bright and early." I nod to them walking back to my bedroom, Sasuke brought in a rocking chair just in case I didn't want to sit in the small nursery. Relaxing into the soft chair, my legs slowly push starting a nice rhythm and a pair of crimson eyes are memorizing the moment.
My friends are coming to stay in our home tomorrow, Tsunade figured keeping Itachi in his own home would be better. Anbu will be stationed around and in the house until we return. It took a lot of convincing to get Sasuke to agree to the arrangement, but after a few pleads from me he agreed. Moving the empty bottle from my son's lips, I bring him to my shoulder and start to pat his back lightly. My eyes lock onto Sasuke's left wrist, he seems to have sprained it earlier from the way he's rubbing the skin. A small burp hits my ear and I move over to the bed, laying Itachi beside his father I take Sasuke's hand in my own.
"We need to talk." My eyes never leaving our hands, the silver bands shining under my healing green glow. His other hand is occupied, playing with Itachi's smaller fingers. A sense of pride washes over me and I look up to his face, there's pride as well but a hint of pain and fear as well. This past year has been an emotional journey, Sasuke came back and we were forced into an unwanted marriage. But we managed to repair our bond to a certain extent and now we have a meaningful relationship. The past week has been trying for sure, there have been times when it feels as if genin Sasuke is here. Annoying has been his favorite word and he's been more reserved too, that would've caused me to go crying in my younger days but now I just let it go.
"Ah." It's almost breathless, Sasuke won't openly admit that he's scared. After so long, he has a family again. A wife and son to come home to after a long day of training or a rough mission, but now he in a conflict. Sasuke doesn't want to lose either one of us, so he thinks it's a better idea for me to stay behind but he also knows that there's no way I'm sitting this one out. These scumbags have targeted me and my friends for long enough.
"Nothing is going to happen to me." A wince of pain spread across his face as I stretch out the wrist. This is the one part I hate about being a medic, sometimes you have to injure the patient slightly before completely healing them.
"The last time you said that Hiroku got his hands on you." Scoffing, I finish healing the injury and dissipate the healing chakra. Itachi has fallen asleep holding onto Sasuke's hand tightly, but Sasuke can't bring himself to move away from the small infant.
"I was pregnant then, I know I'm not at full strength but I can handle this mission." My voice is soft but there's conviction in my words. I didn't spend so much of my time training just to sit on the bench while the one's I love go into battle, I'm a ninja because I want to protect them. Two crimson eyes lock onto mine and I can see the fear.
"If I think you're in too much danger for a second, you retreat and come back home. Promise me that." Desperation in his voice makes me nod and reach to plant a small kiss on his lips. As long as he doesn't keep me from going, I can agree to this promise. Our foreheads rest against each other and everything outside our room fades away…
(The Next Day)
Every muscle in my body is aching to burst into that building, my temper is getting the better of me now. The Anbu that went undercover sent a hawk letting us know that everyone was in the main room of the building, the same room where I was stationed. Our best bet is to take out any enemies on the main floor and work our way up but keep two men on the roof just in-case they try to flee. Shifting on my feet, my green eyes watch Shikamaru closely for the signal to move. Sai and Neji have been partnered up with, much to Sasuke's dislike, and the others have been split into two-man teams to capture or kill as many members as possible.
Tightening the collar of my com, I swallow the knot in the back of my throat. Guilt is starting to get the better of me, but I can't afford to think about it now. If I let it control my thoughts, then I won't make it home from this mission. Sasuke must notice the change in my mood and he gives me a side glance 'Are you okay?' is the hidden question. Looking down to the ground below, I shake my head before giving him a small weak smile 'No.'. No one seems to notice our silent conversation, I'm thankful for that.
'It's time. Let's make this quick.' Shikamaru's voice fills my right ear, my muscles tighten and push me from the tree. The building coming into view, I notice Neji activate his Byakugan to scan over the floor. Storming into the main floor, there's no one keeping watch which makes me even more alert. Sai draws a dozen mice to scurry along the floor and under the doors as we move up the stairs to regroup with the others.
"Sakura!" Before I can look to over to Neji, my body is being pulled into a room. The heavy door shuts with a loud thud and I hear a few fists hitting against the object. I turn to meet Asa and there's a wide smirk covering her face, my stomach churns and I reach for a kunai. There's no one else in the room with us, but there is a connecting door on the back wall. If I could take her out then that's my exit strategy.
"If only Hama hadn't said a word to you…that brat makes things more difficult than they should be." She's circling me like an animal getting ready to pounce its prey. Narrowing my eyes, she just laughs and moves closer locking onto my abdomen.
"Once I finish with you, that child is next on my list." Lunging for her, my hand wraps around her neck tightly. The pulse underneath my fingertips is unusually normal for someone who's being choked. Although if she's dealt with the same torture as the other women then she's built up a tolerance of fear and pain. There's a shit eating grin plastered on her face that only irritates me more. A hand pushes me away with more force than I thought she would possess.
"You won't be anywhere near my child." I growl out at her before taking another lunge but this time I'm sent flying into the wall, cracking the wood. I reach to touch my com, the only thing I can hear is static, they are smarter than we have given them credit for. They spent months following us and learning our tactics, our weaknesses and habits.
"I wouldn't be so sure, when you were here last time you got a little too close for comfort." Last time…the last time I was here I was locked in a room with Asa, Hama and Takeshi. Takeshi came into power because his father was murdered by the gang, but maybe he ordered a hit so he could take over and continue his unethical practices.
"Where is he?" The words come out in a snarl. A chuckle comes from her lips and the back door opens revealing Takeshi. So much for an escape plan, I'm going to have to fight my way out of this one. Now that I'm looking at him fully I can see a strong resemblance to Hiroku, the corner of my lips moves upward in disgust. Hiroku must've informed him of our encounter after I left, letting him leave with the purpose of capturing me.
A loud eruption makes me turn to look at the still intact door, the others will handle the light work. For now I need to distract them long enough and by them more time so I can get some backup. Naruto and Sasuke won't stay away for too long once they learn that my communication has been cut off.
"Your filthy husband murdered my younger brother." His voice is dripping with distaste as a hand reaches to rub his forehead. My body reacts on its own and I go straight for the lungs, landing a harsh blow dead center on the chest. His body goes flying back and for a second I forget about someone else being in the room leaving an opening. A swift kick to my knee and I buckle into the wooden floor, a grunt of pain leaving my lips. There's no way I'm going to let someone like her defeat me and go after my child, Takeshi needs to be eliminated as well. Any person that would allow the suffering of others to take place is a monster in my eyes. Pounding my fist into the floor, the wood crumbles from underneath us. I brace myself for the rough landing as brick rains down on us.
Dust fills the air and I hear the others screaming in the background, it takes me no time to jump to my feet and head at Asa. Takeshi will have to be handled by my teammates but for now I need to stay aware of his presence. Charging at her I don't give her enough time to read my movements and my knuckles make contact with her jaw. Not leaving any room for recovery time, a kunai is sent in her direction and it barely misses. A gas of poison begins the fill the room so I take a harsh intake air and jump back, pulling out a paper bomb to disburse the gas. The burning sensation hits me and I feel my body being pulled from the smoke. Cracking open my eye, a blur of black is pulling me.
"Sai, let go." His pale hands move from my shirt and I go back to continue my assault on Asa. She's threatened my friends, my family, my village and now she wants to poison me with Sasori's concoction. My knee is pulsing still but the pain is nothing compared to my rage. As if she can sense my movement, our fist clash together and the air between us is thick. Sweat forms on our faces as we continue to exchange blows, bones snapping and muscles tearing. The pain is excruciating, it's not going to keep me from completing my mission.
'We're on our way! We finished up here.' Kakashi's voice is a relief, Neji and Sai need more backup than I do. Takeshi must've been suppressing his chakra when I was healing him. The amount of chakra that he holds is almost comparable to Kakashi's, although he's smarter with is attacks. While we have been fighting he hasn't once used a jutsu, saving his power for the real threats. Our fight needs to be finished that way I can heal any of their injuries, my body is trapped between a larger frame and the wall. Takeshi made his way from Neji over to me, his hand wrapped tightly around my throat.
Breathing is becoming nearly impossible, I kick my legs but he knees me in the stomach to cease my squirming. A white hot pain radiates through my and I can feel blood threatening to trickle down my legs, it may have been too soon for me to come back. My eyes are starting to water and my lungs begging for oxygen, this is just like when Hiroku had me pinned.
"You're weaker than my brother said. The only ability you have is to heal. The Uchiha could've picked someone stronger to carry on his clan." A hand is driven into my stomach, every part of me begins to feel numb as my chakra is drained. If he takes too much chakra it will knock me unconscious or kill me, looks like I have no option but to access my reserves and activate my seal. Locking my eyes with his, I move my hand up to grasp the wrist close to my neck.
"Shut…your…arrogant…mouth." A rush of chakra comes through me and I use my single hand to send him flying into the main lobby of the building and he crashes into the stone wall. Huffing, I climb over the crumbled wall healing my throat in the process. Running full force at him I land a damaging blow straight to his gut then another powerful punch to the jaw. Blood spilling from his lips, but a smirk still on his lips. Jumping back, Naruto and Sasuke coming running to my side as I take a knee to heal my injuries. The pulsing pain from my knee is becoming too much. Shikamaru must being staying upstairs to contain any criminals they left alive, Sai has Asa under control and is passed out on the floor. She must've breathed in the gas on accident and underestimated the effects.
"Whoa Sakura…" Blue eyes lock onto my forehead and I just shrug my shoulders. This isn't a time to boast or celebrate my newly formed seal, once my knee is healed I stand back between Naruto and Sasuke. Takeshi manages to make is way out of the crater I created, a murderess look meets our eyes.
"We've managed to eliminate all threats upstairs and we captured a few. All that's left is him." Sasuke says as he looks over me, trying to assess my wounds for himself. Naruto breaks the moment and starts to run head first towards Takeshi, rasengan forming in his right hand. The impact causes the wall to crumble and they fall outside into the dark. Looks like this battle is over, almost uneventful. As Naruto walks back to us with a triumphant smile, Takeshi regains his footing and comes charging at Sasuke. His blade moves fast enough to slice open the man's arm, a curse of pain coming for Takeshi.
"You're the bastard that killed my brother." His breathing is rough, even though he has more chakra than anyone in this town it's nothing compared to us. Since he hasn't used any jutsu's means that he isn't trained to preform them, he may have picked up on a few throughout the years but this man is used to using brute strength to get his way.
"Hiroku was a weak, disgusting human that deserved what happened to him." Sasuke spits out going in for the kill shot, but stop the blade just short and presses the blade tightly to his throat. Kakashi comes moving down the stairs with bindings.
"Reinforcements are here." Neji voices as his Byakugan locks onto the Anbu fast approaching. Kakashi knocks out Takeshi with his Sharingan and we all breathe a sigh of relief. It's finally almost over, now we need to interrogate them for more information. At least fifteen Anbu come rushing into the building and I climb over the rubble to the cold fresh air. It's been hours since we entered the target area but it feels like minutes. Collapsing on a bench across the street I take my hand to heal my stomach, I know that his punch has ruptured something in my womb. Tsunade's going to want to look me over when I come home, it was too soon for me to come back. My fingers move to my forehead to touch the place where my newly awakened seal is formed. I shouldn't have had to access my reserves but it was inevitable, sooner or later I was going to activate it.
"The Anbu will take the criminals to the prison, others will stay here to help rebuild." Sasuke seems to have followed me outside, a sigh of relief crosses my lips and I lean against the back of the bench.
"Then let's go home."
"It's late, Itachi is already asleep by now. Why don't we go into the next town for the night?" A weak smile forms on my face as the others join us in a small huddle.
"Tsunade already arranged something for us, the next town is about thirty minutes away." Kakashi snickers under his breath, eavesdropper. Jumping up from the bench my feet stumble and Sasuke catches me in time. That punch did more damage than I thought.
"I need to walk." I whisper to him and he notices me clutching at my stomach. He takes a knee motioning me to climb on his back. The others have already started walking out of town, leaving the Anbu to finish up. A groan of pain and a whisper of curses cause Sasuke's grip to tighten on my thighs. The cold air is welcomed after fighting against those two, now all I want is a good night sleep before heading back home to by son.
"You're going to Tsunade once we get back." Nodding into his back, the tension in his shoulders fades and I let my face rest against him. Tomorrow morning I'm going to be back home with my two boys and I'm going to pull out all of my decorations. Christmas is in a week and it's Itachi's first holiday which will make this one even more special.
"We're here." The inn is small but there are more than enough rooms for our group. My feet touch the ground outside our door and I'm ushered in with the door slamming shut. I'm pulled towards the bed and forced to lay down as Sasuke removes my mission gear and cloak, leaving me in my shirt and spandex shorts.
"What are you doing?" I practically scream at him, trying to move from the small bed. But instead he keeps me down and begins to undress himself.
"Hn. We're going to bed." Rolling my eyes I snuggle further into the covers seeking warmth. Sasuke laughs at my childish actions and joins me, our bodies very close together since we are in a smaller bed than normal. Our arms wrapping around each other sharing our body heat, I kiss at the exposed skin of his throat. Sasuke can try to act angry all he wants with me but I know that it's just an act. Smiling again I close my eyes and let the exhaustion take over