Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 4

Just few minutes after the break of dawn, they heard the distant yet definite rumbling of horses' hooves. Sasuke knew that they are a few hours ride away from their camp. Hearing this, Sasuke became elated at the possible confrontation that he will have with the enemy. He was about to shout orders to his men, but his elder brother interfered.

"It is not wise to engage in a fight with them." Itachi cautioned him. "You must take into consideration that the men had a long day yesterday. They were able to rest for a few hours during the night but they are still weary. And to thrive into battle now, is parallel to committing suicide. The loss will be too heavy."

"These men are trained soldiers, they are not women raised in the confines of their home," Sasuke contradicted.

"Yes, I can see were you're argument is headed, but little brother even men have their limits. They are humans, and to exhaust them will only bore mediocre results."

Sasuke was about to argue with his brother but Itachi continued.

"If you still endeavor to avenge your wife, you have to value the virtue of patience. At the rate your edginess is nowadays, you might be killed in the battlefield because of your over - eagerness to kill the enemy; this might backfire and kill you instead. If you're killed, your revenge dies with you too. Keep in mind Sasuke, one has to adapt the pace of nature. And one will learn that her secret is patience."

Sasuke then realized the wisdom behind his brother's caution. And thus, he deemed it that it is indeed better to just continue their travel towards the Fire Kingdom capital rather than indulge in a battle for the time being.

On the way to the capital, they sent men informing the villages near the border of the kingdom to heighten their defenses, as war is already inevitable.

The night before, Itachi told Sasuke that he sent word to their father about the events that occurred. Along with the letter, he informed him about the information gathered by Sasuke as to what happened to his daughter – in – law. Thereby, justifying Sasuke's brutal slaughter of that village under the Earth Kingdom's rule and in a way, sealing their father's support of the upheaval he started. Yes war, a de rigueur war, all for the name of retribution, for his wife's death.

By this turn of events, Sasuke knew that when they reached the capital, he is certain that they will be met by their generals and war tacticians who will assist now certainly him in combating the enemy instead of affronting him for his recklessness.

Gradually, he will crush everything that there is in the Earth Kingdom. But for now, he has to appease his yearn for revenge through his lovely captive, after all she is from Earth Kingdom and anything from that accursed territory is his enemy, thereby making her his enemy by default.

Throughout the travel, his captive remained asleep. She was too peaceful in his arms. There were times when she will dose but immediately her lids will close once again. He was tempted to taunt her but for now he knew that he must keep his senses sharp.

He needed to concentrate on the upcoming war that he authored. He knew that his cause will be greatly supported by his father, as his brother does, and so will be the other nobles of their country.

When the enemy touched his wife, it meant, as an insult to his name, thus an affront that also attacked his clan. And in doing so, it was an invitation of war against them, the Uchiha, the most powerful clan, the clan ruled by his father, the clan who ruled the Fire Kingdom, the kingdom, which is considered to be the most powerful nation in the world.

He knew that the Uchiha clan would never let the insult thrown at them to bypass. They will wreak revenge until they are assuaged. At the same time, this war will not only uphold their pride it will also provide more gold and treasure to their coiffeurs from the loots of this upcoming war.

He doesn't crave for any gold and lands to add to his wealth. His aim is vengeance. He has a score to settle. He owed that to his wife. He will kill that vile man but before he does that, he will shame him first. He will make his existence too pitiful that he will long for death himself. And only then will he achieve a sense of peace. And henceforth, his wife will be at peace too.

The ride towards the capital of the Fire Kingdom was tough for Sakura. She was too exhausted that throughout the journey she just leaned towards his captor's broad chest. Ironically, she finds comfort from him, the very man who authored her misery.

She knew that once they reached the capital, she will suffer even more than what she had by this man's hands and among his people.

War is already inevitable considering the loathing that lurks from this evil lord's enmity. This man already broke the 20 years of truce that was agreed by her country and his. She might not know what triggered this new hostilities, but she knew that this man beside her is bent on revenge and he will not stop until he achieve it. And thus, his revenge started with her.

If only he knew, I am of no use to him. Not anymore.

At this thought, she knew that she has to find a way to escape from this captivity. She has to. She will have to.

She was contemplating on what her future actions must be, that she did not notice that they have already arrived at the castle. Looking at it, Sakura was awestruck at the beauty and grandeur of the castle.

This astounding structure represents the power and wealth of the Fire Kingdom. Just looking at it, one will cower and think twice of defying anyone who ruled it. Yet, her country did try to defy it, and that act will only brought torment and anguish to them. And paradoxically, it is she who suffered the initial humiliation of this war, brought upon by her country that renounced her.

Despite what happened then, she cannot bring herself to hate her motherland. There were people there whom she loved and loved her in return. No matter what the past was, her only option is to move forward. But before that, she must flee from his capture first.

Come what may, she must live until she fulfills that promise. A lot of sacrifices were already laid and she will not have those to be just blown by the wind.

Sasuke put Sakura down from his horse, and he as well, get down from it. At the entrance of the castle, several soldiers met them.

"Juugo," Sasuke ordered. "Bring my captive to my room. My mother will be distressed if she sees her."

"As you wish, my lord."

Seeing to it that his captive will be secured, Sasuke proceeded to the meeting hall along with his older brother.

Itachi entered the hall first as was customary since his rank is higher than that of his younger brother, Sasuke.

They were welcomed by their father and his astute advisers.

His father carried a stern face when he saw him. But no matter, Sasuke was used to it and he was determined to illustrate the rationality of his actions.

"You've been reckless, my son. What were you trying to accomplish, Sasuke?" Fugako, their ruler remarked, his voice calm yet filled with authority. He was seated in the high chair at the head of the long table. Once he uttered those words, his tacticians and generals that were also seated in the table looked at Sasuke immediately.

He strides towards his father, his king and his sovereign. Looking at him, he bore the few lines of time, however, he is still handsome and good - looking, a trait common to all Uchihas, despite the problems and burdens he encountered since becoming a king.

"Father, it is good to see you." Sasuke greeted his father and he kissed the ring that was on the king.

"I wish I could say the same, my son. Under normal circumstance, I would have shown you my approval for your victorious return. However, at present, what you did was beyond comprehensible. Do you have an explanation for this so that I myself will be able to grasp that logic of such ruthlessness you bestowed those innocent individuals?"

"I was under the information that Itachi had enlightened you already of my motives for such exploit."

"Has he now?" the king questioned him testily. "Yes, Itachi did inform me about it. However, I want to hear it from you personally."

"Yes, it is true, I attacked that village near the eastern border. I did not only attacked them, I massacred all living and breathing creature that dwelled in that forsaken land. And I am going to extend the carnage until everything that is associated to that foul country will be gone from this planet. I did those atrocious deeds and will continue doing so until I exact my revenge. Revenge for the pain, suffering they have inflicted to my wife." Sasuke explained to his father in a low voice yet one that emanates pure loathing.

"I see," Fugako sighed. Perceiving the determination from his youngest son, he knew that there is no way that he will be able to stop him. "You know that what you did had brought an end to the 20 years of truce that we had and it sparked the beginning of a bloody war."

"Forgive me father, but it was not I who ended the truce, it was not my doing that will start this upcoming war." Sasuke defended. "It was they. When they killed my wife, they ended the peace that we were all benefiting. Their crime does not only involve murder but their action was an insult against us, against our country, against our clan, against you the very sovereign of this great kingdom. I was only acting on behalf of the grievances that we all experienced."

"Forgive me, Lord Sasuke." Yudai, the primary councilor of the king interrupted. He stood up slowly. "We knew how hard it was for you when your wife was killed. We were also saddened by the untimely and brutal way the princess had died. But I believe that we have in no way any substantiation in your claim that it was they who harmed the late princess. And if it was one of those people in the Earth Kingdom, don't you think that you are fighting on a base revenge. If her killer was a man from their nation, it was probably by one of those brigands or highwaymen whose beliefs adhere only for stealing and earning a few pockets. Yes, it was gravely wrong and that they have to be punished. Then, do so my lord, but to indulge in a war over this is inconceivable for many. You might be a prince, but the monarchy and the nobility owe this peace to the commoner. Nobody wants war. War is a vile and abominable calamity that hunts man. Many doesn't want it especially the common people. They would rather enjoy the peacefulness and serenity that we had experienced throughout the past 20 years that was brought by the treaty that we agreed with the Earth Kingdom."

Sasuke wants to shout at the intrusion of this old man. However, he held himself. It will not do him good if he argued with the oldest yet wisest and respected man of the king's councilor. Yes, one can soothe a horse with honey not with vinegar. Hence. He spoke in a calm manner.

"What will you do if I have proof? I have substantial evidence that my wife was murdered under the guise of starting an upheaval to spark this war? I have solid proof of who that person is?" Sasuke cunningly taunted.

At this, most of the councilors were shocked. And then, murmurs and whispers started in the room.

Hence, Yudai answered the prince once again. "Are you certain about this, my prince?"

"I am absolutely certain. Why did you think that it took me six months after my wife's passing to take action? You had thought that I was in isolation, mourning for my lost. Yes, I was bereaving but I was also reflecting on what happened then. I searched and searched for possible reasons why she was killed. I thought at first that it was a simple robbery. However, there were loopholes that pertain the crime to be more than just a murder and theft. There was a conspiracy that took place. My wife was killed to arouse anger upon me so that I will rally a cause of revenge. I sent my spies to scout near the vicinity of the crime and scout some evidences. And there were several proofs the will verify my claim."

And Sasuke can still picture the state of the crime scene then. The details and particulars were all in his head. He can never forget any of those, never for as long as he lives.

He was on a panic. His wife went to visit her parents' home. He was adamant then to not let her go for he was settling some disputes in his land. His wife however, had swayed him and unfortunately for him, he could never say no to her.

Thus, he was blaming himself for having little control of the situation during that time. He was outraged at himself; he should have never let her go. But there's no use of getting livid now. He has to take action. He needs to find her, soon before he goes mad.

She promised him that she would be back after two weeks; a week had already passed after her supposed return. There is still no sign of her. He dispatched one of his men to her wife's ancestral home to know what delayed her. Apparently when his soldier returned, he informed him that the princess left exactly on the day she had promised him. And considering the length of the travel, it will only take two days from her parent's home to that of his manor.

He was agitated by the minute that passed. He scourged the vicinity and any place where she could possibly trekked. Yet luck was too flighty for him.

"My lord, we have already searched every possible place that the princess could have been," Suigetsu, one of his men told him.

"Did anyone from the men in my manor send word about her? Has she returned now?" Sasuke asked him, ignoring his earlier statement.

"They did send word, however, I'm afraid my lord, that she hasn't yet."

"Then there is a possibility that she could be there . . ."

"Are you saying, my lord that she could have gone to the other side of the border?" Suigetsu asked.

"It is highly possibly. We have rummage around the practical areas that she could have been but we found no single trace of her. We will move out then. Ready the men."

"Forgive me, my lord, but if we cross the border at our state now, the people there might think that we are invading them. This might cause a detrimental effect," Suigetsu reasoned.

"They will know that I mean no harm. I am just there to find my wife not to inflict terror upon them." Sasuke replied in an irritated tone.

Hearing his lord's anxiety, Suigetsu, regarded it wise to just agree with his lord's words. He knew that his master is a just man, but when riled, there is no saying what could possibly happen. Hence, many feared Sasuke Uchiha yet like many of his clansmen, is respected and honored.

Consequently they moved towards the border passing through the Yasu Forest. The very forest that dictates the end of the Fire Kingdom's territory and the Beginning of the Earth Kingdom's, the men were troubled for the possible consequences that might occur. However, their lord eased them.

"Do not be troubled. We come in peace. I abhor war just like many of you. We are only here to search for my wife. I will speak calmly to them and assure them of our good intention."

Hearing his words, they relaxed.

They were ascending towards the forest and as the go deeper, darkness and mist penetrates the area, since most of the trees are towering, they blocked most of the sun's rays.

Inside the mist of the forest, they saw a silhouette of a carriage. It was rundown and broken.

When Sasuke saw this, he was praying and hoping that it is not what he was looking for. However, as they get near to it, a symbol was evident on it. It is a crest, a symbol that he cannot undeniably repudiate. There lies the fan of the Uchiha crest in the carriage. The carriage that he recognized was her wife's.

This time, he is afraid of what awaits him. He doesn't want to find out what he will see there but he knew that he has to know. He hopes that his wife is not there, that she is still somewhere alive and waiting for him to be rescued.

He nudged his horse towards the carriage, and he, he saw her.

There amidst the havoc lies his wife, his beautiful Aimi.

And when he saw her, he felt like something invisible punched him in his stomach. He felt so bad, yet at the same time he cannot feel anything.

No, no this is not true. This could not be happening. This is not right.

He kept on denying however, he cannot deny the truth.

He reached out to her. Carried her to him, hugged her. He put his lips on her forehead, urging her to open her eyes, yet he is already too late.

Tears continued to flow form his eyes. He was hoping and hoping that everything is just a strange nightmare.

As he touched her cold and lifeless form, he knew then no matter how hard he tries to deny it that Aimi is already lost to him.

As if coinciding with his emotions, the rain started to fall. The water gates of heaven plummeted expressing the same sadness and emptiness that he has.

He continued holding her, his soul. He refuses anyone to support him and pry him from his hold on her. For how long he was there, for how long he was holding her, he doesn't know. The only resonance that reached him was the heartrending reality that she is gone from him.

It was only when his brother, Itachi arrived that he was able to let go of her. He was too deep in his own sorrowful world that he did not know how his brother found him.

"Sasuke you to let her go," Itachi told him while he placed his hand on his shoulder as if giving him comfort.

He looked up onto his older, seeing the silent empathy. Only then did he realize where he was and the gravity of his lost.

Left with no other option to do.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"


He held onto her even more tightly and he shouted, and thus his voice rung in the gloomy forest. At the same time tears of lost kept on flowing from his eyes.

Some explanations:

Hello. This chapter was done a little later than expected. I started this one immediately after posting the previous chapter however I ran into a few old friends whom I haven't seen for years. We bonded more frequently as they will be leaving again which prevented me from finishing this chapter as earlier than expected.

And I hope this chapter answered most of your questions. And yes, Sasuke's wife is from a fickle of my imagination. I was debating on who is best suited to be Sasuke's wife from the Naruto characters, however I cannot seem to contemplate one. I was considering Hinata but then again I changed my mind. Who knows she might have a special part in this story. I'm sorry if it displeases you. I named Sasuke's wife, Aimi, which means love and beautiful.

Do send word on how you feel about the chapter. I will try to update as early as possible. And once again thank you for the reviews.

-athenedee-