Filled with hatred and killing intent, the flames of Sasuke seem to burn Sakura's soul and she can feel it very well. Her skin is not burning despite the deadly flames that have been eating her up. Sakura screams so bad… and she's starting to claw herself to relieve some pain that burns her internally. She looks at the guy… and the place starts to darken. Darkness eats everything and Sakura feels one thing…

It surely feels like…

Death.

Sakura collapses to the ground and the guy walks over the girl. Blood starts to swiftly flood the room… and the guy is still restraining himself from finishing off the pink-haired girl. Karin appears at the wall and earns his attention with a call, "Sasuke. Hinata took the boy here… again, what is she thinking?"

"Take them here. Lift her up so she won't drown." Sasuke walks away and says, "She'll wake up once she's out the place." Karin glares at the girl and frowns harder as the blood lifts up the unconscious body, 'If that boy likes her that much… then I can use her to stop Sasuke from getting too close to that boy.' Hands come from the floor and hold the regions under Sakura's knees, her shoulders and her butt up from the blood. She seems to float and Sai appears near Karin, "He'll punish you if ever he knew you'll be hosting a situation to take Naruto away from him."

"He should never make contact with humans. They… they will just be hurting him in the end. I won't let them hurt Sasuke one more time. He's been hurt for so long…" Karin drops her head and then she shoots glares at Sai, "If you ever get in my way, I. Will. Kill. You. Understand?" Sai smiles at her and does a curtsey, "Right on, Your Highness."

Dreamcatcher Nights

Rei Haruno

Night 4: Crossing Over?

'A little understanding… a big soul to save…'

"Sakura!" Naruto yells as Hinata pulls the chair towards a direction. Naruto asks, "Hinata, can't we get faster?" Hinata twitches and let goes of the handle. Naruto wonders and hands comes from the behind them. A pair grabs the handle and pushes Naruto towards their direction faster. Roller coaster speed and Naruto has to grab the armrest to ensure a no-fall ride. He looks back and Hinata stays behind with worried eyes. Naruto sits back and remembers that Karin controls those arms. Naruto gulps, 'Are they… up to something?'

He then reaches a wall of blood and the wheelchair stops. Naruto frowns and… stands up. He then walks through the wall and begins to swim in the red, odorous liquid. He gets hurt in every second and it seems to drain out his energy. He swims slower but then he pushes through to reach the top. He swims some more and it feels like the blood pool has no surface. He's starting lose much oxygen and he's going to drown. His limbs stops moving and he seems to drift down the red pool. Then he feels someone get him and raises him a bit. He looks down and sees Sasuke holding him. The raven swims up and nears his face to Naruto's while still holding him. Naruto begins to close his eyes as his consciousness drifts away. Sasuke kisses the blond and he completely gives in to unconsciousness…

'I'm sorry, Sasuke. Please… don't drag Sakura into this…'

000ooo000

"Minato?"

"Huh?" The guy wakes up and Kushina hugs him tight. He wonders and looks around to see the somehow relieved Kiba and Ino. He gazes at the bed and he twitches seeing no Naruto, "Kushina? Where's Naruto?" Kushina restrains her tears and she mumbles, "He went… to save Miss Sakura. He'll be back." Minato is about to say something when the lights starts to flicker. Everyone looks up at the twinkling lamps and Minato says, "Uhm, what's going on?"

"Announcement! We are advising everyone to stay in their rooms for the night. Visitors are requested not to leave till 4 am. I repeat, we are requesting everyone to stay in the rooms. Please do not wander at the corridors. We are having a problem with the lightings so the lights flicker. Please bear with us." The speakers boom and everyone chatters about announcement and Minato blurts out, "What is happening?"

"The moon will be full tonight." An unfamiliar voice speaks and Minato shrieks and accidentally crashes to Kushina. The woman manages to endure the impact and murmurs, "Miss… Hinata? Where's Naruto?" Hinata sits down the bed and Ino seems to get away from her, dragging Kiba with her. She smiles, "Naruto's… doing fine. He'll be back with Sakura anytime soon. And Sasuke asked me to stay with you for the night. Since the moon is full, the Realm of the Dead will fuse with the Human Realm. The spirits will attack every human that they will see. This room… produces a strong aura and many spirits will be trying to get in here."

"What?" Minato gets more confused and Kushina just embraces the guy and says, "This Sasuke… what exactly does he want?" Hinata twitches and smiles as she shakes her head. Ino then yells, "So is Sakura… still alive? Is she doing good?" Hinata refuses to answer and the lights continue to flicker. Kiba stares at the beautiful lady… forgetting that she is a ghost. Hinata then kneels down the floor and touches Minato's head, "You don't have to get so scared, Mister Minato. These experiences prove to you that your son is not hallucinating…"

000ooo000

Weird.

The blond feels weird as soon as he wakes up in the room. His hand flies to his lips… remembering about the kiss Sasuke has given him again.

Naruto then sits up and find himself in a bed… a bloody bed. He knows where he is and he looks around for a certain someone. He sits up and gets off the bed. He opens the door and looks around the dark hallways. A flash appears above him and he looks up to see a flickering lamp. He proceeds to a direction and it seems like he is getting too deep to actually walk with ease. He then sees a man standing in the dark. He calls, "Sasuke?"

The figure vanishes and he runs to where the guy was standing. Then an eye-popping scene lies before the blond. He sees Sakura covered with blood and burnt clothes marked with cinders. She is hanging from the ceiling like a puppet and she is held by the bloody hands. He runs to Sakura and yells, "Sakura! Sakura!" He touches her knees and the hands drop her to Naruto's arms. The blond wakes her up with a shake, "Oi, Sakura! Wake up! Please wake up!"

Heels click against the floor as a nurse rushes towards them. Naruto twitches seeing a nurse and she says, "Oh my! What happened to her? Haven't you heard the announcement? Please be in your room, now." The nurse assists Naruto carry Sakura back to his room and the door opens. Kushina stands up and Minato carries the unconscious Sakura to the bed. Kiba and Ino wonders seeing Naruto walking fine again. Naruto twitches as Hinata waves hi at him… and then he smiles back. The nurse talks to Kushina about the problem and tells them to keep everyone inside. She leaves and Kushina closes the door. Minato covers her with the blanket and Ino goes to Sakura and shakes her, "Sakura! Wake up, please!"

"Uhh…" Sakura is starting to wake up and Ino hugs her tight. The pinky opens her eyes and sees a teary Ino hugging her. She smiles, "Ino! I thought I won't be able to see you again!" The best friends hug each other and Kiba sighs, "Oh dear." Kushina smiles and Minato scratches his head and then seriously asks Sakura, "What happened to your clothes?" The pinky twitches and looks away. Ino gives a worried expression and Kiba comments, "You don't look like raped to me."

"That… guy Sasuke." Sakura darkly speaks and everyone listens to her. She glares at Naruto, "He tried to burn me alive. Do you even know how painful it is? I thought I would be dead by now." She then turns to Hinata, "And you… you are also here to kill me. Why does everybody want me dead? I'm not doing anything wrong!" Ino holds Sakura tight but the pinky continues to yell at Naruto and Hinata, "Oh, I remember what they have been talking about! They're all fucking dead-set to kill me… because of Uzumaki! But he's just—"

"Say another word and I'll kill you right here." Hinata snaps and the pinky twitches. Naruto looks at Hinata and the brunette drops her head as she stands up. Then she bares her bloodshot eyes and scary face, "You're right. Everybody wants you dead… but not just because Naruto likes you. It's also your attitude that makes us… lust for your head in a platter. Remember, tonight is a full moon that's why you don't feel the after effects of Sasuke's flames. Once the morning sun comes out, you… will be begging." She disappears and Minato looks at Naruto and then to Sakura. He thinks, 'They'll be back at their normal states when the sun comes up?'

000ooo000

Sasuke is sitting at his bed as usual and is waiting for the morning sun. He cannot endure the thought that they co-exist with the other humans right then. But something else is bothering him at the very moment. He takes a deep breath and then the walls begin to wriggle. Karin comes out and she greets Sasuke, "How're you feeling?"

"Not good." The raven answers honestly and Karin knows why. She seems to sit at the edge of the bed and she embraces the raven, "I have told you, Sasuke. Humans will only hurt you… just leave them alone. They are just… good at making good impression. They would never help you…" Sasuke looks over his shoulder to see the red locks and say, "Karin… don't dare to do what you're thinking…"

"What do you mean?" The redhead looks at those onyx eyes and seems to reach for the guy's lips, "I would never hurt you, Sasuke. That's a promise of a lifetime…" Sasuke looks back at the window and says, "Then leave Naruto and that girl to me." Karin twitches and let goes of Sasuke. The raven smirks maliciously and his bloodshot eyes appear after days of being hidden, "Then I just have to convince Naruto to leave that girl."

"I'll do it for you, Sasuke." The redhead says and the raven looks at her… waiting for any addendum. She continues, "I will do everything that you want!" Sasuke glares at her and continues to glare. Karin knows it is a big no and so she drops her head and submerges back to the walls. She speaks before completely leaving, "You will be hurting yourself. And I won't allow that to happen." Sasuke looks back at the window and whispers, "Let's see what YOU are going to do."

000ooo000

The clock ticks 3 am and Sakura feels something funny running in her system. They have spent the night talking and now the effect of the full moon is vanishing. Naruto starts to feel the raging pain within him and he lies down the bed. Kushina gasps and tries to help Naruto ease the pain by rubbing her healing hands at Naruto's back. Sakura feels weak in an instant and she falls to the floor. Ino catches her and she drags her to the edge of the bed. Sakura starts to feel suffocated and so Minato calls for a nurse. The humans seem to know… that this is what Hinata is talking about.

Unable to move.

A respirator locked at her mouth.

Aside from breathing, she can only hear… and cry.

She is much worse than Naruto and she is bedridden the whole morning. Her room is the one beside Naruto and Ino is with her for almost 24/7. Patients like her can't be left alone… based from what the doctors have advised. She is crying… crying and crying. She feels like comatose but she's wide awake. She can't even open her eyes to see Ino or the sun.

Pitiful being.

She describes herself… and her anger for Naruto has not been forgotten. The blame is on him and she will never forgive Naruto if she will continue to be like that for the rest of her life. He is the sole reason why she is burned— more like why her soul is burned by the hellfire-like flames of the raven guy. If only…

'If only I can leave this place now.' Sakura continues to cry. Ino wipes the tears coming out from Sakura's eyes and she remembers the fact that her friend is suffering because of the blond guy. The temperature starts to fall and Ino gets alert… knowing that it could be one of those who want Sakura dead. The walls start to wave and Ino gasps… it would be Karin, the wall girl.

"This wouldn't happen to you if Hinata knows how to listen." Karin appears from the ceiling and Sakura suddenly has the energy to open her eyes. She sees the redhead hanging from the ceiling. She smiles at the pinky, "Greetings, Haruno Sakura. My name is Karin and I will be giving you the ability to feel normal when I am around… much like what happens to Naruto when the other ghosts are present."

"Normal?" Sakura starts to talk… and gawd, she missed her voice. She cries some more and Ino embraces her as the both of them looks at where Karin is. She continues to talk, "When will I get out of here? I don't want to get near Naruto anymore! It's not like we're… so close." Sakura looks away and Karin smirks some more, "But that doesn't really mean that you are not interested in him."

"Huh! I had enough!" Sakura yells and Ino eyes at her, "I don't like getting near him NOW! After all what I had seen and experienced here! I am not going to date a ghost magnet!" Karin extends towards her and nears her face at Sakura to whisper, "To be honest, both of you are really in a comatose state. You are just awake because of the so-called curse of this hospital. The only way to get out of here is either to die… or to have somebody take you out of here. A hospital transfer will be ideal. In your case, you don't really give a damn to help us. But if you have a hospital transfer… you will be in a very good comatose state… never to awaken again."

"What?" Sakura murmurs and Ino looks at Sakura and then to Karin. She asks, "Then there's no way out… alive?" Karin looks at Ino and mumbles, "There is… but it'll be a… NO, that is not a choice. I won't let you take Sasuke away from me!" She returns back to the ceiling and says, "There is only one way left and I'm not giving you that choice. Sasuke is the most precious person in my life! I'd rather kill the both of you to save him!" She vanishes and Sakura whispers, "We… we need to…" The energy drains out and Sakura's back to the normal state. Ino gets the idea of the last way, 'But… how are we going to do that?'

000ooo000

Naruto is just staying at his bed… resting with his eyes closed. A caress from Hinata's hand wakes him up and he looks at her at the side of his bed. She smiles and says, "How're you feeling, Naruto?" Naruto smiles back and answers, "A bit fine… but whenever I think of Sakura's condition… I don't know what can I do?"

"Only Sasuke can help you with her. It's his flames that burned her after all. I'm sorry, Naruto. I did my best to help you… but Sasuke and Karin are desperate people. And even you." Naruto twitches at the mentioning of his name as Hinata continues, "When you know how to dispel the flames' effect. Nothing else will be stopping you. And it's going to be a sad ending." Naruto pulls himself up and sits beside Hinata, "Do I need to kill Sasuke to dispel the effect of those flames?"

"Not really… you just have to ease Sasuke's hatred. But doing so… might make him crossover and leave the place." Hinata runs her hand at Naruto's hair. She will be sobbing in no time, "Sasuke… might sound to be a very deadly ghost but… we share a beautiful friendship. And he's not suppressing everyone in this place. Discipline has been established and almost everyone will miss Sasuke if you decide to make him go away."

"Of course that will not happen." Karin suddenly emerges from the ceiling and grabs Naruto. She pulls him up… through the ceiling. Naruto, being not able to move that much, can't do anything but to let the redhead strangle him. Hinata yells at Karin, "Karin! Put him down!" Karin eyes at her and smirks. Blood hands grab Naruto's legs and Karin starts to skid his back at the walls with intense speed. Hinata tries to help but the blood hands seem to keep her busy. She calls, "Naruto!"

"Karin… why… are you doing this?" Naruto speaks despite the situation and Karin glares at him, "You are the new source of Sasuke's misery! I shall eliminate you!" Naruto continues to look at Karin and he whispers, "You love him, don't you?" Karin stops and she yells at the blond, "No one… takes Sasuke from me. I can't let you… hurt him just because of that girl. I really plan on using her… but with her, having an idea how to heal herself? No. I have to kill the both of you then!"

"And Sasuke… he will… hurt you, too, in the end." Naruto whispers and Karin smiles, "I'm fine with anything that wouldn't hurt him." Naruto tries to move and holds her arm, "You must have lost the most precious person in your life before. And you're trying to protect the new one now with everything you can…"

"What does a human like you know of my sufferings?"

"Because you're a human before… and I know how it hurts to lose a loved one… more likely when you have something to tell him…"

Karin freezes… and her aura seems to lighten and she feels something… strange. She closes her eyes, 'What is this? It feels like…'

"Suigetsu?"

…

"Oi! Karin!" A guy calls and Karin twitches and gasps seeing the guy before her, "Suigetsu?" The guy raises a brow and asks, "Stop spacing out in the middle of the way. You might just step on a dog crap and or something worse." Karin looks down and she runs her hands around her waist. She feels good seeing her body whole again. She looks around to see the busy streets she used to walk at. The skies outside the MedCenter and the guy she had yearned for. Suigetsu flicks her forehead and asks, "Is something wrong? Karin, you suddenly started acting weird. You said you want to say something."

"Uh, that?" Karin murmurs and Suigetsu gets near her and repeats, "Yeah, that." Karin turns around and blushes, 'I know what will happen next? But to seriously blurt it out of the blue… will make him laugh. He might even think I'm pulling his leg. But when? When will I—'

Suigetsu hits her butt with his bag and she shrieks and yells at him with an utter blush, "Ahh! What do you think you're doing, Hozuki Suigetsu!" The guy smiles and laughs, "I see. I just need a little effort rather than words. Seriously, Karin, are you—"

"I love you, Suigetsu."

"Drunk?" Suigetsu appears to be surprised and stares at the blushing Karin. She looks up to the now laughing guy and she says, "And why are you laughing!" Suigetsu holds her head and pats it lightly, "There's no way you love me! Come on, girl. You got'ta be kidding me! Let's just go home—"

"Why don't you believe me?" Karin murmurs and Suigetsu turns to her… with a serious face, "Don't play around with me, Karin." He turns away and proceeds walking. Karin bits her lips and yells for everyone to hear, "I can't believe I really did fall in love with a— with a very— with a very STUPID AIRHEAD like you, Hozuki Suigetsu!"

"It's because it's not me!" he yells back and Karin yells again, "I will! I will— erase you now, you fucking bastard!" She runs away… not noticing that Suigetsu looks back at her. The guy seems to call out again and try to go after her. But she has run too far and fast… not entertaining another word from the guy.

She has run too far and cried well enough to banish the pain. She takes off her glasses and wipes her eyes. She puts on the glasses again and walks a bit farther. Then she looks back… not seeing any Suigetsu. She grinds her teeth more and huffs. She walks madly at the streets and she gets bumped into another guy. The guy smiles and says, "Karin-san."

"Who on Earth would you be?" she snaps and the guy reintroduces himself but Karin does not remember anyone with the name. She refuses to talk some more and leaves the guy behind. But he grabs her arm and she growls, "Hey! I'll yell maniac if you insist on holding me!" The guy smiles maliciously at her and lets her go. She gets scared suddenly and she runs away.

She reaches the dorm and she runs pass Suigetsu who just followed her with his eyes. She locks herself in her room and shoves herself at her bed, 'This feeling… that smile. It's him… he killed me!' She sits up and touches her waist and cries, "I tried to correct things! But he doesn't believe me… am I going to die again? Without him realizing that I am sincere when I told him… I love him?"

"Seriously, Karin! Die again?" Karin twitches and looks at the door. Suigetsu is standing there with a lock pick in hand, "What exactly are you talking about? Are you getting crazy?" Karin frowns and looks at the mirror. She grinds her teeth once more, 'This must be… one of that cursed brat's tricks! But we are the only ones to can do this!' "That blond has no power to take me back here!"

"Karin!" Suigetsu holds her when she starts to punch the mirror. Her hands shatter the mirror and she still wants to ruin some more things. Her hands run to the walls, leaving prints of bloody hands. Karin breaks free and runs out the dorm. Suigetsu follows her and she gets to the streets…

'My legs… won't stop moving. STOP! The car will come!'

The scenes start to move slower and Karin is well aware of the next things to come. Like in her memory, a car is dashing towards her. She stands in the road… waiting for the car. The guy yells but it's not getting into her. He tries to save her but it is too late.

Splatter!

A certain red liquid splatters and the place and every witness gasps at the scene. The car crashes to the tree but the wood is too sturdy to be moved. The sharp bumper had done its damage and Karin starts to let blood flow from her mouth. Suigetsu runs to her and cries, "Karin! Hand in there! Please!"

"Suigetsu… run… he's gon'na kill you, too…"

"Who?" Suigetsu asks and the guy earlier gets out of the car. He aims a shotgun at the guy's head and he laughs, "Adios!'

Bang.

No.

Yes…

The gun gets aimed at her face as well and another shot is heard. The by-standers run away from the utter crime scene and the household people hide inside their homes. Half of her face gets broken and she seems to be dead. But her eye moves and stares at the man. He loads the weapon yet again but a police fire gets to him. He collapses at the side of the car and the rescue has come. Suigetsu is hopeless so they are trying to save the girl.

'Everything played just as I remember… but I thought I can alter it by telling him— wait…'

"Have I already told him?"

The place starts to break and she reaches for Suigetsu's body at her side… "Why? Why you, too?"

…

She twitches as the view resumes to Naruto and at the MedCenter. She looks at Naruto and he says, "Can you put me down now?" Karin let goes of him and Hinata tries to catch him. The redhead looks at her hands and she seems to start fading. She cries, "Hinata! What's going on!"

"Karin, I—" Hinata murmurs… not knowing why her fellow ghost starts to fade. Karin cries, "I… I don't want this to happen! Sasuke! I want to stay longer with him! What did you do to me!" She charges to Naruto and he seems to be clueless as well. She continues to cry and she fades away completely. Hinata cries, "Karin…"

"What happened?" A squeak from the blond and nothing else has been heard.

[End of Chapter Four]

Izuna: Rei-san have dismissed the idea of making Hidan and Kakuzu host the end comments for now… since Kakuzu is requesting so much talent fee. Well, that's the first one she wants me to say *ignores the paper I gave him*. And since she is still collecting money for Kakuzu-san's talent fee, I'll be hosting this part alone. And if you don't know me, I'm uhh… I'm not exactly sure how to introduce myself. She noted that… you guys can just google my name, Uchiha Izuna. What is google? Is that a jutsu?

Rei: *places a paper at Izuna's hands, taking the first one, since he didn't read it*

Izuna: She says… huh? *scratches his head*

Rei: *smiles* It's an information gathering jutsu, Izuna. The fastest one you can do. Not much chakra is needed. *returns the first paper to him and taking the other one*

Izuna: It's quite good I have Rei-san with me. I don't really understand everything that's written here. The first ones are verbally explained, fortunately.

Rei: It's because it's written in romanji, dear.

Madara: How dare you make my brother look so idiotic?

Rei: *smiles from ear to ear* Hey, Maddie! Want to help me annoy Kakuzu to do the end comments at the next chapter?

Izuna: Cute nickname.

Madara: I don't have time for that, Rei Haruno. And don't call me Maddie.

Rei: Do it or I'll make you wear BIKINI! *displays a two-piece female's bikini picture at the board behind*

Izuna: *ROTFL* or *ROFL* or *RTFL* (whichever you can understand)

Madara: *pissed off* I am quite surprise my rinnegan and sharingan couldn't even work on someone like you. You don't look special as well.

Rei: You know I'm joking, Maddie! Here, read this! *gives a paper to Maddie, I mean Madara*

Madara: This is the real end comments. There is nothing much to say… but…

Thank you for reading Dreamcatcher Nights. Watch out for the appearance of these brothers in later chapters.

And thank you for laughing with her if you find this part stupid, she says funny. Smiling face…

Rei: PS. No need to google, I had told enough.