Meltdown

A/N: I really need to get better at continuing my fics, after I finish up these few it's gonna be one or two-shots for a while.

I honestly don't even remember where I was going with this, here's hope to a better outcome than my last plot. I hope now that I'm older I'll add something different here, different tones and add a better quality to this fiction. Anyways, enjoy.

Breathe. Breathe she told herself. Sakura struggled to open her eyes in bed, her throat in a vice. A hand cut off her only access to air, precious air not only for her but her child. Breathe, see, look Sakura look! Emerald eyes focused on the dark looming shadow above her. No face could be seen, it was so dark. White spots covered her vision before she could be allowed oxygen again.

"Good, you're awake." The figure spoke, a man.

"Wh- who are.. you?" She managed to ask, coughing immediately after.

"Oh that's a shame, you forgot me so soon? My dearest it's only been a little while." She knew that voice, but her mind wouldn't process as she gasped for air. "I'm the one and only father of your child, the only Uchiha worthy of you."

"Mada-" She couldn't finish out the rest of his name for lips crashed down onto hers, suffocating her again. He was cold on touch, but strangely it felt nice against her heated skin. She didn't want this, she knew she didn't want this. So why was Madara kissing her in any way pleasing at all? Sakura was repulsed by her own mind and knew if he continued this.. onslaught, she wouldn't be able to stop him. "Please" She mumbled against his possessive lips "Stop."

"Why my dear? You seem to be enjoying it so much. I wish to pleasure you they way you pleasure me." He nuzzled her face with affection Sakura didn't even know he was capable of. "Ah, Dengen feels to be growing strong. He will bring honor to the clan." Madara inspected her bump with light chakra, she felt a little violated from it. Why was he even here? How did he get inside her home so easily? Was he planning to kidnap her? Sakura hoped to any god that he wouldn't.

"Why are you here?" Sakura asked hoarsely, her throat would be sore for at least a day.

"I told you I was going to visit did I not? Sprite, you should be a little bit more careful. If I were any other ninja I would have killed you so easily, if you don't care about yourself at least care about Dengen. Being the heir to the clan, you birthing him is most important. It is essential, your safety." Madara got up from the bed and walked around her room, observing her decor. "There is no one here to protect you in your most vulnerable state... tch. That will not do, I will see to my child's safety.. and of course you my dear. I can't have the mother of my child dead, no. You are far too precious, and must bare me more children."

"Then what are you going to do?" Sakura knew he was right, she was too vulnerable right now, her strength was still ever present but being with child made her unable to fight in fear of a miscarriage and besides that she had no energy by each passing day. She was helpless, to anyone, and Sakura didn't want to be at the mercy at Madara but.. he was crazy and could kill her right after she gave birth. With only about five months left and Itachi still deployed.. Madara could very well kill her once she was not needed if she didn't play along. So that was Sakura's plan.. keep your enemies close, right?

"I will be overseeing your health for the time being, soon I will have a body guard so I can continue my plans. If everything goes as smoothly as I hope, Konoha will be mine when Dengen will be but only a few months old. Becoming a prince of a new land. Beautiful isn't it?" Madara held up one of her photos on her dresser, it was team seven in their youth, all smiling proud in a ramen shop. It looked as if they were on a mission, for the ramen shop wasn't Ichiraku, the colors were faded as if the paper were stained before framing. Many photos like that were decorated on the shelves and walls, it was obvious Sakura felt strong about family and friends. "We'll be sure to take some photos ourselves." He said softly, turning to her, his eyes were warm.

"Sure." Sakura mouthed more than spoke, her voice lost to her. Tears pricked at her eyes, Sakura couldn't believe her situation. Where was anyone to save her? Sure she hated being a damsel in distress but this was one of those exceptional moments where she would gratefully thank the person and hug them till they turned blue.

"Get some sleep Sprite, it's late. I'll see you soon, have a pleasant night dearest." Madara strode over to her bed, planted a kiss on her forehead softly and then climbed out the window. He was gone before he hit the ground.

Sakura brought her knees to her chest as close as possible, and sobbed till she couldn't find the tears anymore.

Somewhere late in the night or early morning Itachi's squad made it to the main land. They struggled to find a little village off of the shore to take rest in but they did. An elderly couple took them in quickly, already awake and about working on their land. The farmers gave them all they needed, not asking who or what they were. Itachi guessed they knew an ANBU ninja when they saw one, he smiled slightly at their generosity. To help out a few ninja on only an assumption they were from Konoha, regardless Itachi was thankful and would remember to repay them somehow.

The group slept in peace for once in many months, it would take at least a few weeks for all of them to heal properly for Hoshi herself was in pretty bad condition even with her higher regenerative skills. Itachi decided they would make their way back to Konoha afterwards, ninja were probably hot on their trail now for the fake scroll. It was best if they just immersed themselves in this little seaside town for the moment.

"Are you okay Hoshi?" Itachi could hear Jun mumbling from inside the little house, the captain was currently outside on the porch resting.

"...Where's Itachi?" She choked out from her bed.

"Don't worry about him, he's outside somewhere. How are you, are you feeling any better?" Jun sounded pained, Itachi remembered he looked scared a few nights ago when Hoshi was held up by her hair by the enemy. Seeing her in tears, screaming for help must have shattered him. It was obvious to him that Jun had feelings for Hoshi, but she was oblivious to his affections.

"Is Itachi okay? I need to see if I can heal him." Noise came from the inside of the house, struggling.

"No, you stay in bed! You're in no condition to be walking around let alone healing anyone. He can heal himself up fine. Hoshi- stop!" More struggling was made.

"Just let me.. please, I need to see if he is alright." Hoshi sounded as if she were about to cry. Itachi took that as a queue to enter the home.

"Is everything alright here?" The Uchiha looked just as banged up as the rest of his team, bruises and cuts littered their skin, and he was pretty sure he had yet another concussion. It was nothing to fret too much over though, he was sure they would heal up fine here and it would be best if they rested while they laid low as is.

"Itachi! How are you doing? Do you need any healing done? I assure you I am able yo heal you, I'm feeling great!" Hoshi was clearly lying through her teeth, she looked the worst out of them all.

"I'm fine." The Uchiha eyes Jun who sent him a silent thank you, knowing he came by just to help.

"But-" Her eyes looked shattered, Itachi looked away in fear of seeing green.

"You heard him, he's fine. Now Hoshi please rest, I'll watch over you." Jun, grabbed a cup of water and fed it to her before she could protest.

It was around the afternoon Itachi guessed, too warm for the morning and the sun was if anything closer to setting within a few hours. They had been asleep for a few days straight, waking up at separate times to eat and bathe. Finally the Uchiha felt better enough to walk around and bask in the sea air, he didn't want to stay bed ridden. Hoshi would have to be for at least a week, her injuries were extensive considering a building fell on top of her and after that she was tortured. He only felt slightly bad for her, but it was a consequence for being a ninja. It was their way of life.

The generous elderly couple who had take them in a few nights ago could be seen packing up their tools and heading for the shed, working from early morning to afternoon to keep a living. They didn't seem to mind the farming life, it was simple and their land in the woods looked well kept and safe. They probably rarely had any kinds of incidents involving their crop. He was almost a little envious of them, but stopped himself. If he hadn't gone down the path he was set for, he would have never had met Sakura. The thought chilled him, to never know the love of his life, to never have had a chance for redemption.

Although his life was hard and didn't see an easy way out any time soon, he never regretted his decisions. This was how it was supposed to be, eventually he would catch a break but for now he would fight until his last breath for his loved ones, protecting them with all his might. He finally had a new purpose in life, a better purpose, to not die by his brothers hand but fight with him side by side protecting their family, their country, their ninja way.

"Oh you shouldn't be out of bed yet, you are too beat up to be walking around mister."The old woman chided and patted his shoulder as they walked up the steps to the house. "I'll be making dinner in just a bit so you better not wander off and break something."

"I promise I wont." Itachi smiled back at the joking old woman, he did not know her name and she didn't know his, but he figured it was best that way.

"Ninja." The older man beckoned Itachi to the bench beside him, the Uchiha obeyed and sat next to him.

"Aye?" His voice was soft, giving the man all the attention he needed.

"From what country do you hail?" He lit up his pipe beside Itachi, the smell faintly reminded him of home back in the compound.

"Fire sir." He felt no need to hide from the old man, he did save their lives after all and pressed no threat to them.

"Why are you here, so injured in your own country but not able to go back to your ninja village?" He sounded suspicious of their motives.

"We came from Mist, and could not make it back to Konoha, it is still too far away for us yet." The man didn't press why he was in Mist.

"How long do you plan to stay with us?" He puffed his pipe a little more.

"As long as you will let us sir." Itachi bowed his head a little bit beside him.

"You can stay until you're all healthy enough to fight whoever's on your backs." The old man was definitely sharp.

"Thank you." He said just above a whisper.

"Just don't cause us any trouble while you're here, stay out of your uniform." The man looked off into the horizon.

"Will do, thank you."

"Aye." Itachi took that as permission to leave, the man kept smoking his pipe.

The shore was relatively close to the house, so the Uchiha padded his way onto the sand and let his feet soak in the water. Eventually he wanted more and stripped down and jumped into the waves, relishing the feeling of the cold crisp water hitting his overheated body. Being sure to not float away, Itachi made a small chakra tether from his feet to shore, connecting him there so he could float blissfully while the ocean lapped underneath him.

The sun began to set, and Itachi woke up from his nap. A whistle caught his attention, the old man was walking back into the house. Where he had his bloodied ANBU uniform was a dark blue kimono. He swam to shore and put on the new garb, entering the house just in time to see the rest getting seated at the table.

They ate in silence, quickly, they were all starving again. The food was delicious and often Itachi caught the old woman giggling at the three, Hoshi gushed about how much the food was good after the meal. Jun hovered over her protectively, which he found kind of strange considering at the beginning of the mission all he wanted to do was kill something and not worry about the well being of his partners. War changed people he guessed, he found a purpose in her. Jun was now going to protect her with his life, it was a shame Hoshi didn't know such a kind of man was devoted to her when she was too busy hounding him. Pestering him with those sapphire emerald eyes, that ebony hair that flickered to pink in a weak moment.

"Thank you." Itachi bowed to the couple and exited outside to the cold air, the sun had set and left the moon to shine for it. He missed Sakura, there was no doubt about that. The Uchiha looked at his photo of Sakura so many times now the edges began to be frayed and split, if he weren't careful with it the photo would tear in half by accident.

He wished he was home, protecting his love and child... what if Madara took her within the village? Surely he was skilled enough to do that, and no one would find out till a day or so later, giving him enough time to flee the country to anywhere he wanted. Augh he just wanted to kill that man, he ruined his life at least twice already. The man had to have anything he ever had, claim it as his own. The selfish bastard cheated death, he just wouldn't die. How do you kill an immortal? He wasn't sure, and the man had taught him almost everything he knew so going after him alone would just be a suicide mission.

"'Tachi?" A light voice came up from behind him, a feminine voice.

"Hm?" He didn't dare turn around.

"Do.. you hate me?" The voice became a little louder, she was getting closer.

"No Hoshi."

"Then why have you been avoiding me all this time?" A hand rested on his back, it burned right through him.

"..." A few steps forward separated the contact and he felt able to breathe again.

"Itachi-kun-" She was cut off by the man turning to face her.

"Don't." His charcoal eyes plead, his face revealing for once all the stress he was under, the anguish, the hurt, the betrayal. In his hands held the worn wallet sized photo of Sakura. He fisted his hands and looked down and to the side, hiding his face by his bangs.

"I can help you Itachi-kun." He heard Sakura say, and envelop him into an embrace he yearned months for. His arms hung to his side, limp. He knew his mind was playing tricks on him but we wanted to live in this fantasy a little bit longer.

"I'm sorry Sakura, I'm sorry I wasn't there." He whispered into the night sky.

DUN DUN DUUUUNNN.

Okay so how was that? Let me know in that helpful little box below, anonymous or not I would appreciate a review.

The closer the due date the worse it seems to get.

Oh well.

Any ideas, comments, and concerns are welcome.

~Much love, LadyMarrowind.