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DISCLAIMER: I do not own Naruto.

Sasuke POV

I had set a manageable pace through the trees. We were nowhere near full speed traveling through the trees. Suigetsu informed me I had been in the recovery tent five days. With that information, my concern for Juugo increased. Juugo, and Sakura, had been blasted away from the battlefield six days ago. I wasn't sure if they had even survived, but if there was any chance Juugo was alive I had to find him. I wouldn't let him down like I had Team 7, I owed that at least to him and Team Taka.

Juugo has not been separated from us and placed in a stressful situation since he joined Team Taka. I knew of his fear of going berserk and injuring an innocent. He had made great progress with controlling and using his curse since he has joined my team, but there was still a possibility that he could lose control. I was also slightly concerned for Sakura's safety.

Sakura and I hadn't left off on good terms, especially after I tried to kill her after the Kage summit. I had seen the terror appear in her eyes when she looked at me. I'm sure she thought I was up to no good, and possibly there to hurt Naruto.

I looked at the battle raging behind her and the moment I saw the ten-tailed beast turned toward her something in my soul shivered. I wasn't sure what she meant to me anymore but I knew if something happened to her, Naruto would lose it. There was no way I would be able to help her. I heard Juugo yell at her. He was much closer and I could see he was partially releasing his curse. At the moment I knew he would protect her somehow.

He increased his speed. He was so close but the ten-tailed beast was about to release the orb in his mouth. Sakura had managed to force chakra in front of her, like it was some kind of shield. The moment the orb hit her chakra, Juugo stepped in front of her and wrapped his arms around her body, and then they were blasted into the air.

Had Sakura been alone I would be sure that she wouldn't make it, but Juugo was unbelievably resilient and there was a good possibility they'd both make. Before I turned attention to my battle, I promised Juugo I'd find him.

"He's about two days ahead," Karin said, interrupting my memory.

"Hn."

"Can we take a break now?" Suigetsu asked.

"No, you idiot! Stop complaining. You always want a break," Karin argued.

"Do not! I just think we should conserve our chakra," he retorted.

"The sooner we ge—."

"He's right," I interrupted Karin.

"But… but…shouldn't we get there—," she started.

"If we get there and he is goes berserk, we can't stop him without chakra," I explained. "We'll stop and set up camp here tonight."

We made camp in the center of a thick forest. It was a little marshy around the area, not at all like the forests of Konoha. I was stoking the fire and adding more kindling that I had collect when we stopped. Karin was about, trying to make a make shift sleeping bed for the night. Suigetsu had taken off to the river to catch dinner, and probably an afternoon swim as well.

"Sasuke-kun, would you like for me to fix you a place to sleep?" Karin asked, whiling pleading with her eyes. As she blushed she offered, "Or you could share mine."

"I'm fine without one Karin. You take it," I responded.

"Oh, okay," she said obviously disappointed.

"Thanks anyway Karin," I said. With that she seemed to perk up a little. She turned back to her project and continued working.

A couple of minutes later, Suigetsu busted through the brush holding several fish in his hand. He had another fish in his other hand, but it had many chunks taken out and we soon learned why. He put the fish back to his mouth and ripped a big piece of the fish belly off. While chewing the meat, he tossed a fish Karin.

"Eww! Gross Suigetsu," Karin screeched. She scrambled to push the fish off her lap.

"What?" he questioned. "It's food! Eat it or give it back so it's not wasted."

As they continued to bicker, I skewered my fish and roasted it over the fire. I grew tired of their constant arguing. It reminded me all too often of Sakura and Naruto. While ignoring their insults, I grabbed Karin's fish and spiked it too. The moment I thrust the stick into her hand she shut up and that bashful, blushing look appeared. A random thought crossed my mind. Would Sakura still blush if I did something kind for her as well?

As quick as the thought occurred, it vanished as well because Karin's eyebrows suddenly scrunched up and a perplexed look crossed her face. She wasn't the only one with that look either. Suigetsu stood there gaping at me and what remained of his fish was lying on the ground.

"Th-th-thank you," Karin offered.

I didn't look at her, just stared into the flickering flame that scorched the skin of the fish. The skin puckered some and hissed. I didn't know how to vocalize my thoughts to them. With my revenge complete, it was time to find a new goal and start a new life. They were all I had left and there was no reason to keep them at an arm's length, emotionally that is. It was time I started to care for others again and time I stopped turning my back on my friends.

Although, I was determined to change, it didn't mean it wouldn't take some time.

"Eat up and get some rest. We need to get to Juugo before he hurts someone."

They both silently agreed. Once they finished their dinner, Karin curled up on her make-shift bed and Suigetsu leaned against a tree. I continued to watch the flames until they died off in the dawning light and I wondered what I'd do once I saw Sakura with again.

Sakura POV

The battlefield was nothing but a cloud of dust. Two figures were fighting in the distance, rapidly dodging and countering the others attacks. I walked closer to get a better view of the figures.

I got close enough to recognize the spiky blond hair that could belong to only one knucklehead ninja. The other figure was Madara. The battle seemed well-balanced, each of them landing hits as well as blocking attacks. They both had high stamina and it didn't seem as though they were going to finish their battle anytime soon.

Their movements quickened and I couldn't follow their movements with my own eyes. They were only a blur of bodies. In a moment's time, their actions stopped. They both stood face to face, and almost touching bodies. The battle was over, but from my distance I couldn't tell who to victor was.

"Naruto," I whispered. I prayed he was ok. I couldn't lose him.

Naruto stumbled a few steps back. As the dust cleared, I could see Madara still standing there but blood escaped from his mouth and dribbled down his chin. Looking further down his body, there was a massive hole in his abdomen. Madara wavered and fell to his knees before landing face down on the ground. Naruto had done it! He defeated Madara.

"Naruto," I yelled this time and began running toward him.

He turned to look at me. Once he saw me he turned and spread his arms open wide so that I could hug him. The biggest smile captured his face and his cerulean eyes twinkled.

I had almost reached him when the expression on his face changed. He began to cough and blood spilled to the ground in front of him. I didn't understand what was happening. I watched his lips as he mouthed words but not sound came out. I looked as though he had said my name and that he was sorry. That's when I noticed the fist sticking out from his chest. I screamed his name in horror. This couldn't be happening.

The figure behind Naruto retracted the fist and Naruto fell forward to the ground. The figure laughed hysterically. The sound of his laughter was so frightening, shivers ran through my body. I looked on in horror at the figure. At first I thought I was Madara standing there, but once my eyes met his piercing gaze I knew exactly who it was. I also knew with Naruto dead there was no one to save me and his power was beyond my level.

I couldn't stop my body from trembling from the pure evil his presence invoked. He stalked forward. I stepped backwards and tripped, landing on my butt. He did not stop his movement towards me.

"No," I pleaded. "Please don't do this."

My pleas went unheard as he continued to advance.

"No Sasuke," I begged.

An evil smirked appeared on his lips and he lunged towards me.

"Sasuke," I screamed.

I sat up straight in bed. My heart was racing and beating hard against my rib cage. I looked around the room and noticed I was still in the hospital. I let out a breath I didn't know I had been holding.

I had only been a dream, just a dream. The fear however was still very much real. As I lay back down, I was afraid Sasuke would appear out of the shadows and finish what he had started in my dreams.