Flaming Heart

Disclaimer: Naruto… isn't mine.

Author's Note: AHHH! Over 100 reviews!! I love you all so much! –hugs everyone- Right! Enough with the affection display. Here it is… damdadammm 7th chapter!

Kakashi groaned as he managed to stand up. His whole body cried in pain as he held Rin in order to support her fragile body. Not only was she badly injured as her chakra was reaching its limits. The silver-haired jounin knew he had overreacted. He was still training his sharingan and his Raikiri technique still took a lot of his strengths seeing that he had only completed his technique not too long ago and he still needed time to get used to exercise it.

He looked down at the brunette medic-nin who forced a smile on her tired and swollen features. A wave of guilt washed over Kakashi as he took in the seriousness of her condition.

"Kakashi… t-take… care… of Rin…" Obito's straggly voice replayed over and over again in Kakashi's mind.

Rin brown eyes gazed worriedly towards Kakashi whose arms were supporting her weakened form when he barely could stand on his own. A long sigh escaped her dry lips as they finally made it to the door.

Kakashi came to an abrupt stop causing Rin's face to collide with his shoulder. The medic-nin opened her mouth to ask what was wrong when a cold feeling traveled up her spine. She slowly jerked her head and gulped. The silver-haired jounin felt her thin body tense, her knees became weak with despair and she would have fallen on the floor if his grip on her hadn't increased at the moment he noticed the three enemy shinobi.

The three shinobi seemed to have been waiting on them to walk out the door. The tallest of them, a dark-blue haired man had a long katana on his hand. He stepped forward with a smirk visible in his dark skin. The other two remained behind watching their comrade with blank expressions.

"Seems like Hitoshi was lacking skill after all," the dark-blue haired man spoke mockingly. The other two snickered and fell silence after a few seconds.

Kakashi narrowed his eyes at the dark-blue haired man. His grip on Rin increased again and he could now feel her erratic heart beat which only angered him further.

"Silly of me! I haven't introduced me properly!" the dark-blue haired man said as his grin widened, "The name is Ryu…" he paused as he looked expectantly at the silver-haired nin.

Kakashi said nothing as he studied the man position. Nothing indicated that he was going to attack soon.

Ryu'sgrin disappeared and he raised his arm, pointing his katana blade at the silver-haired ninja, "I said my name boy! It's only fair you tell me yours," his tone of voice was no more mocking but grave.

"My name does not concern you," Kakashi replied as he adjusted Rin's body against his own.

Rin let out a small yelp as Kakashi pulled her close to him. Her ribs were not fully healed. Kakashi ignored her cry of pain never taking his gaze from the three men in front of him.

"Pity," Ryu answered as he stepped forward, "I always like to know my opponent's name before I kill them,"

Rin bit her trembling lip as she stared at the dark-haired blue man who was now walking towards them, his long katana still pointing at them.

"Hurry up boss…" one of the other two men said as he looked behind his shoulder, "Someone is comi-"

A loud crashing interrupted Ryu and Kakashi's staring contest. Rin gasped as she stared at one of the walls, the dust was still evaporating but Rin could clearly see her pink-hair.

"Sorry!" a familiar voice reached Kakashi's ears. His jaw hardened as he stared at the pink-haired kunoichi that was walking through the broken wall, "I couldn't find the door to this room," Sakura added as a small smile adorned her features.

Immediately the two men stiffened and turned to face Sakura with bewildered looks stamped on their faces.

"What the hell?" one of them replied as he stepped back, obviously scared by her monstrous strength.

Ryulooked at the pink-haired girl and snorted, "Hn… seems like things are getting interesting," he said as he turned his back on the silver-haired nin and walked towards his comrades, "Who are you?" he asked as he swung his katana to his shoulder.

Sakura eyes traveled towards Kakashi and Rin while she permitted herself to sigh in relief as she noticed that they were still intact. Sakura emerald eyes shyly stared directly to his mismatched eyes. She felt her heart pulse on her throat as he glared at her, his eyes clearly screaming that he wasn't happy to see her at all.

"I knew it… you traitor. I'll make sure I kill you too,"

Slowly, she shook her head away as his cold words replayed in her mind. He was so different from the Kakashi-sensei she knew. She wondered when did he started to change and deep inside her, she wished that he would change soon because she completely detested the younger copy-nin version.

"Oi! I asked you a question!" Ryu's voice brought Sakura back to her present situation.

Her green orbs gazed at him, more accurately at his katana, "Hi there," she said as her eyes gazed towards the other two nin who had no weapons on them.

"It's me who you have to worry about," Ryu said as he watched the girl study his comrades. A grin graced his amused expression, "Well then, I was just telling your friends here that I like to hear my opponents names just before I give them the final blow," the pink-haired girl raised an unimpressed eyebrow and showed no visible emotions at his words. Ryu's grin disappeared at once. Normally his words would always bring some furious reactions on his victims giving him the opportunity to see through their attacks and then finish them off as quickly as possible, "So… what's your name?"

"Are you going to stand there asking my name or are you going to strike me down?" Sakura asked as her left leg skimmed forward, her both hands closed into fists, "Let me see what you can do with that sword of yours,"

Ryu narrowed his eyes at the pink-haired girl nerve. He eyed her as if she was completely stupid. She could only be stupid after all. What could she do against his katana?

"S-Sakura-chan…" Rin whispered as her brown eyes lingered on the pink-haired girl form. Sakura's face was now a complete blank mask, her emerald eyes were fixed upon her target. Rin swallowed dry as she held tightly to Kakashi's sleeve. Sakura looked completely confident of her abilities. Rin eye's then lowered to Sakura's left leg; she noticed the intensity of the burn marks, "She's injured…"

Kakashi looked down at his teammate when he felt his sleeve become heavier. Rin's gaze was glued to Sakura and Kakashi knew that Rin was worried beyond limits. It always amazed him how Rin grew attached to strangers even if she only knew them for a couple of hours. It was her greatest weakest and that is why he still thinks that her place is at the Konoha's hospital. She was not cut out to fight.

"Hn… very well. I'll dig my sword in your flesh and make sure you still live to tell me your name before your blood runs out," Ryu said as he ran towards the pink-haired girl.

Rin gasped and Kakashi found himself hypnotized to what was going to happen. The scene seemed as if it was happening in slow motion except for his heart beat which was threatening to stop anytime soon. A sick feeling took over his stomach. His eyes widened at the unexpected will to move forward to stop the dark-blue haired shinobi.

"SAKURA-CHAN!" Rin screamed with all her strengths left as Ryu swung his sword towards the pink-haired girl who didn't seem about to dodge his attack.

Kakashi eyes widened and he felt a pang in his heart as the katana cut through the air directly at Sakura's figure. Rin's scream only made the sick feeling increase.

Then, multiple gasps of surprise were heard through the room.

"H-how…" Ryu eyed the pink-haired girl in absolute shock.

Kakashi blinked a few times as he looked at Sakura's gloved hand. She had stopped the sword with her hands. Not only she stopped the sword but also broke the tip of the blade with pure strength.

"How did you do that?" Ryu questioned as he jumped back, his eyes rested on the pink-haired kunoichi.

"I've eaten a lot of spinach," Sakura retorted smiling.

Ryu groaned angrily as he threw his useless katana to the floor. One of his men stared at him as if waiting for orders.

Sakura stepped forward and stared at Ryu. She knew he was livid and she could use his rage to win. However, her chakra hadn't fully refilled and she knew that she didn't have a lot left.

"Cocky… aren't you?" Ryu straightened himself up and grinned. He would have to play carefully from now on. The pink-haired girl merely stared at him.

Sakura tried to calm down her inconsistent heart beat. She did not know why but the man's smile sent jolt of frightening feelings through her whole body.

"Sakura-chan!" Rin yelled as one of Ryu's men ran towards Sakura.

Sakura jerked her head towards her left and her lips parted as the man disappeared and reappeared again right in front of her. There was no time to dodge. Nothing could have prepared her for that man's speed.

The pink-haired girl gasped as the man kicked her stomach sending her flying a few feet away. She cursed under her breath as she pushed her shaky body up. She had been careless! She focused only on the blue-dark haired man forgetting the others completely.

"Dammit…" Sakura whispered as she coughed blood.

Kakashi tensed as he slowly glanced to his right. The other man was running towards them. Rin gasped as she noticed it too. Her attention was divided between Sakura and the running man who was ready to attack them.

Rin gasped as Kakashi held tightly on her. Both of them eyed the running man impotently as neither of them had any strengths left. Kakashi barely could hold Rin as his strengths were completely drained by the use of his Sharingan and Raikiri. Rin closed her eyes tightly as she expected the blow to come but it never did.

Instead, the whole room started to tremble. Parts of the roof started to give in. Rin opened her eyes and watched as Ryu and his other two men fell on the floor. The man who tried to attack them was smashed by a part of the roof and died instantly.

Kakashi pushed Rin away making her fall on the floor with a loud cry as he jumped backwards. Part of the roof fell down and it would have fallen on them if they didn't budge.

Sakura felt the knuckles on her fist crack and she closed her eyes in pain.

"Shit," she mumbled as she knew that she had no chakra left.

Kakashi's head jerked towards Sakura who was crouching on the floor. She had hit the floor like she had done before, but this time with an incredible strength. He couldn't help but to think as he slowly moved back to Rin that she reminded him of someone.

Sakura heart almost stopped as she noticed the dark-blue haired man fidget.

"Kakashi!" The silver-haired jounin helped Rin to stand up when Sakura's voice erupted through the room. He turned around to stare at her and waited for her to carry on, "You and Rin go ahead," she said softly as she stood up.

Rin shook her head, "No!" she whispered as she stared at Kakashi whose face was seriously considering the pink-haired girl words.

The silver-haired nin jaw hardened as he watched Ryu standing up. The man seemed half shaken by the impact but he didn't look half as bad as Sakura did. As much he wanted to let her there to her own luck, something odd told him that he mustn't.

"Well… Well," Ryu said as he tried to balance himself, "That was certainly interesting!" a cold laugher escaped the man's bloodied lips as he stared at the trembling pink-haired girl.

Sakura ignored the man's laugher and glanced at Kakashi who seemed reluctantly in leaving her. She glared at him, "What are you waiting for you idiot! Get out! Rin needs medical assistance!"

Kakashi groaned as he knew she was right. Rin did require medic attention at once. Quickly he picked Rin up, carrying her in his arms. Rin quickly snaked her arms around his neck and buried her head on his chest as her ribs pain decided to pay one more visit.

"Don't get yourself killed," said Kakashi as he started to walk away.

Sakura looked up at him with evident surprise in her emerald eyes. She then nodded and Kakashi stopped to stare at her, "Don't get me wrong… is just that Rin wouldn't want something bad to happen to you," he finished as a slight smirk formed underneath his mask.

Sakura let out a shaky laugh, "Jeez… and here I was thinking that you were actually human,"

"Really… just don't die," Kakashi added surprised by the seriousness in his voice. Then he nodded shortly and stepped away.

Sakura didn't have enough time to think or watch them disappear as something hit her side. A loud cry escaped her lips as she rolled back. Her green eyes widened as she watched Ryu crouch next to her.

"That was so nice!" he said with feigned excitement, "You think that after I'm done with you, I won't go after them?"

Sakura glared at the grinning man and pressed her lips together. Ryu laughed at her and closed his hands around her hair pulling her face close to his, "Such pity… a pretty thing like you…" then he stuck his tongue out and licked her closed lips.

"Fuck you," Sakura hissed and spat right on his face.

"Bitch!" Ryu exclaimed as he slapped her hard across the face and let go of her hair. He stood up and cleaned his face with his sleeve.

Sakura took the opportunity to kick his both legs, tripping him. Ryu fell down on the floor with a loud thump. Immediately she hurried and crawled towards him, she straddled him and punched him on the face. Ryu eyes widened as she kept punching him over and over again.

"Gah.. I.. st-stop…"

But she couldn't. She couldn't stop.

It was horrible, the empty sensation in her stomach. It was horrible… the feeling of weakness that took place in her heart. She couldn't allow herself to be weak.

Sakura raised her fist again and landed a hit on Ryu's face. His nose started to bleed.

No… she needed to save them. And if she couldn't defeat this single man, how on earth she would be able to stop the others? How would she be able to stop Orochimaru? How would she be able to stop Akatsuki from rising?

Her heart beat was so loud, she could hear it go 'thump thump' in her ears. She could feel her pulse on her throat. Her gloves were soaking wet with his blood. A loud cry escaped her lips as she landed one more punch, droplets of blood landed on her pale features.

"It's enough," a strong hand held her arm.

She recognized the soft smooth voice and immediately relaxed. She bent her head and shoulders down, her pink-hair hiding her tired and wounded features.

Sakura emerald eyes widened at Ryu's bloodied face. Tears fell down her face as she noticed that he wasn't breathing anymore. Something told her that she should be happy that he was no longer alive, but then why her heart felt this heavy? It suddenly became hard for Sakura to breath. She panicked as the air seemed to be vanishing.

"Sakura calm down,"

"Minato… Minato step aside,"

Sakura only noticed now the red-haired woman who kneeled on the floor next to her. The pink-haired girl tried to breathe in but the air didn't seem enough. Her chest ached and tears still fell freely down her face blurring her vision.

Suddenly something hard hit her across the face. Sakura sobs faltered and she stared at the red-haired woman in shock before she fell unconscious.

"I didn't hit her that hard!" Kushina said as she stood up alarmed. Minato merely shook his head as he gently picked Sakura up.

"She's in shock," he said as he stepped forward with a curious Kushina next to him.

"Are you aware of what you are saying?" Minato questioned as he covered his face with his hands. He was confused and tired beyond limits.

It had been three long days since he returned to Konoha with the pink-haired girl in his arms. He had hurried to the hospital where all of her injuries were treated immediately. All but one, her heart. The pink-haired girl was still in the hospital and didn't want to see anyone. She ate only the essential, leaving more than half of the food on the plate. She had been lying on the hospital bed for three days, simply gazing through the window. Her emerald eyes seemed empty and lifeless.

Not only he did not know how to deal with Sakura, but he also had to deal with the shocking and sad news of Hitoshi's betrayal. Not only that, but he also had to endure with the consequences of leaving Jiraiya in charge.

Apparently, the Toad Sage had organized a beauty contest which the first prize consisted in a date with the Hokage.

Kakashi uncovered eye gazed at Rin who seemed oddly quiet, "We both saw it…"

Rin lowered her eyes to the floor. She couldn't help to feel guilty as she and Kakashi stood in the middle of Yondaime's office. Something inside her kept nudging her as to stay quiet about what they witnessed that day.

Minato sighed and lowered his hands. His deep blue eyes beamed as stared at his students. Kakashi arched an eyebrow as he recognized that look on his sensei face.

"Now that you mention it…" Minato quickly stood up causing the chair to fall down. He walked towards his students ignoring the chair, "the day… that first day when she was found…"

"Are you deaf! I. HAD. IT. WITH. ME. BECAUSE. THAT. HEADBAND. BELONGS. TO. ME… where is Tsunade-Shishou? I demand to see her,"

"Tsunade? What are you on about? And who the hell are you to demand such thing?"

"I think that's enough, Hitoshi,"

Rin brown eyes stared at her sensei expectantly, "What is it sensei?"

"The day she was found… she demanded to see Tsunade," Minato said as he walked past his students and opened the door. He paused and stared at them, "you both keep an eye on Sakura," Kakashi and Rin nodded, "I go find Jiraiya,"

Minato stepped outside his office and hurried through the wide corridors. He had a small idea where Jiraiya could be. It was either the ramen shop or the hot springs. He decided to check the hot springs first.

She was tired… so tired. Sakura knew she was falling down to a black hole where no one could ever reach her ever again. She had been falling down for a long time now. Ever since he had left her on that bench and took her heart with him. She just wished she had never given it to him in the first place.

What did she get in return? Nothing… that's right… absolutely nothing. She had tried to save them all but who was she kidding? How could she do anything to save them when she needed to be saved as well?

All she ever did was sacrifice herself. She trained herself in order to become stronger, in order to bring Sasuke back, to make her and Naruto feel completed again. Now… she wondered if Sasuke returned… would she really feel completed again? Or would the feeling of loneness remain forever a broken hole carved in her heart?

When she realized she had been sent back in time, a bright light illuminated her. She would be able to save everyone. That was what she thought. But then… again… after what happened… she wasn't so sure anymore. Was she doomed to be alone forever? It was probably her punishment… her punishment for being weak.

Rin knocked at the door and waited for a reply. Kakashi rolled his eyes when they received no answer. Rin sighed and knocked once again.

"S-Sakura-chan?" Rin voice was somewhat hesitant.

"Here," Kakashi gently pushed Rin out of the way and pushed the door open. He was the first to step inside. His eye quickly gazed towards the bed where Sakura was lying. Her head was looking at the opposite side, her eyes fixed on the window.

Rin slowly walked towards the pink-haired girl bed with a now hesitant Kakashi behind her.

He didn't know why, but he kind of preferred the yelling Sakura to this quiet and empty one.

"Sakura-chan… how are you feeling?" Rin asked softly as she positioned herself by Sakura's side.

Sakura sighed softly and slowly turned her head towards Rin, "Fine," she simply answered. Her voice was deprived of any emotions.

"I'm glad…" Rin replied as she softly smiled at the pink-haired girl.

"When do you intend to leave the hospital?" Kakashi asked as he walked towards the window, "You know… there's plenty more to look at. Aren't you tired to look at the same view?"

Sakura green eyes gazed at the silver-haired boy who had placed himself in front of the window, blocking all the sun entrance.

"What do you want?" Sakura asked surprising both Rin and Kakashi with her shaky voice.

"Sakura-chan…" Rin whispered as tears formed on the pink-haired girl eyes.

"I… please…" Sakura carried on as she tried her best to suppress her tears, "I just want to be alone… is that much to ask for?"

"I'm sorry," Sakura stared quizzically at her future sensei. "I'm sorry… but when you're one of us… there is no way for you to be alone ever again,"

Kakashi turned his head to stare at Sakura. A smile was clearly visible underneath his mask which made all Sakura's efforts not to cry become useless.

A loud sob escaped her lips as tears fell down her pale features.