Flaming Heart

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto… blah blah.

A/N: Thank you for all the amazing reviews. I noticed some of you are really confused about how and why is Sasuke there. You will have all your answers answered in this chapter! I hope O.O

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

It was a sad time. Not just for Kakashi, but for the rest of the world. It was cold. It was dark. The sky, the life, the world around him had turned it's back on him long time ago. A small voice whispered in the back of his mind, nudged him to wake up. At this time, he would give anything to wake up. He would do anything to make sure it was a dream. But, it was no dream. No dream or nightmare could be this cruel.

The dark blue sky seemed to be darkening as time went by in a slow pace. The wind was not soft, it was harsh, like a whip that kept hitting him. Everything seemed to be in slow motion; as if time was scared to move forward.

Kakashi felt as if he was drowning in a sea of blackness. No sound, none at all. The silver-haired nin couldn't even hear himself breathing. He couldn't see anything, not a thing. Kakashi's lips parted, he tried to speak, his lips moved as he called for help, for her name. But, no sound came out of his mouth.

He could not even think, incapable of any coherent thoughts. His eyes started to water as a bitter coldness overwhelmed his body. Slowly he kneeled down next to the brown-haired medic-nin. His trembling hands pulled his famous mask and a single teardrop fell down his pale features, landing on Rin's forehead.

Kakashi gently held her body close to him. His arms tightened around her thin motionless form, ignoring the blood around him.

"Kami… p-please… Rin…" he whispered softly.

Sakura fingers tightened around the Uchiha arms when Kakashi leaned forward and kissed Rin's dry lips.

Sasuke's dark eyes gazed at the trembling form of his sensei with a blank expression. His expressionless features suddenly changed to a wincing one. He glanced sideways to the scared, wounded kunoichi, whose grip on him seemed to be increasing.

The pink-haired girl swallowed dry, feeling the soreness on her throat. She slowly took a careful step towards the copy-nin, a quiet sob escaped her as he gently placed Rin's body and stood. Kakashi turned and looked straight at Sakura and gave her a look.

His look was so fiery that penetrated her soul.

Sakura emerald eyes widened.

"K-Kakashi…" her voice broke the cold silence and the wind seemed to have slowed down along with the rain.

Kakashi eyes darted away from her and stopped on the figure behind her, "That's why you left?" he asked, finding his voice.

Sakura heart dropped at the accusing tone of his voice. She quickly noticed that he was glaring at Sasuke.

"No! That's not why-"

"You whore,"

A fierce slap made him jerk his head to the side. Sakura retrieved her hand and clutched on to her chest tightly. Her lower lip trembled as she stepped backwards still facing him.

"I-if you c-could only let m-m-me explain then I-"

"Save it," Kakashi dark voice interrupted her, "I can't listen to another word of yours anymore. You poisoned us with your lies, with your secrets. You killed Rin," Kakashi finished, his gaze falling on the several ANBU corpses.

She gasped as those words left his lips.

There was a noise somewhere near them. No one bothered to check what it was. They recognized their chakra signatures. There was a second gasp and the sound of their footsteps became clearer as they walked towards the silver-haired nin. Sakura heard Sasuke approach her with a grave look on his face.

"R-Rin…" Anko exclaimed while a hand covered her mouth.

A younger version of Gai crouched next to Rin's body, tears forming in his eyes.

Gemna placed a comforting hand on Anko's shoulder.

Kakashi slowly turned around and picked Rin's body. He started to walk away; the others glanced between Kakashi and Sakura with confused looks plastered on their faces.

Sakura darted forward, her numb legs gave away and she stumbled down. She let out a loud cry as she fought to stand up with no avail. All of her strengths had abandoned her. Her green orbs were blurry but she could see his distorted figure walking away. The pink-haired girl opened her mouth but nothing, not a sound came. Her mind screamed at her to say something, to make him stop.

"The ANBU were targeting Sakura,"

Sasuke voice surprised Sakura. She heard him crouch next to her; he snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her up effortlessly, "They fought side by side against a group of ANBU. They were trying to save each other lives,"

"S-Sasuke-kun," Sakura whispered as she saw Kakashi stop.

Kakashi eyes widened in recognition. He came to a sudden stop and fought the urge to turn around.

"Then there was Sasuke… h-he was blind with vengeance… and and one day he… he left us in search f-for more power. He left us… Naruto and I…"

Kakashi's body was trembling as if he had slipped under cold water. His head was under a mass of grey clouds. Rin's limp body weighted more than ever.

"P-please Kakashi…" said Sakura as she held on Sasuke's arm for support.

Kakashi could feel the other's eyes on him. He stared at Gemna that slowly shook his head.

"We have to report this, Kakashi," said Gemna as he looked straight to the silver-haired nin mismatched eyes, "A group of ANBU acted on someone else orders… this is serious,"

Kakashi nodded slowly, and then he looked behind her shoulder. His jaw hardened as he noticed Sasuke's arm around Sakura's waist.

"You want to go so badly… then go," Kakashi then turned around and quickly disappeared from her sight. The others shot her an accusing look before they too disappeared.

"KAKASHI!" Sakura shouted as she stretched her arm. Her legs no longer managed to stay firm on the ground even with Sasuke's support.

The Uchiha arched an amused eyebrow as he quickly picked her up.

"You still let your emotions control you… pathetic," he whispered as Sakura closed her eyes and allowed him to carry her on the opposite direction.

A tall figure stood hidden by the shadows between the tall and silent trees. His blonde hair moved along with the soft breeze, his eyes were staringto the dark sky where the stars were lying and shinning down on him. The full orange-reddish full moon was high in the sky illuminating his surroundings as much as the stars were. The man deep blue eyes stared wonderingly to the mysterious moon.

Something in the air that night kept whispering soft warnings to his ears. Something deep inside of him was keeping him uneasy, warily to everything and everyone as if he was waiting for something to happen.

Because, he knew something was about to happen. He just could not press his finger at what exactly was going to happen, but he knew. The deepness of his soul screamed at the top of his lungs that it was not something good.

"Minato?" a voice whispered from behind him.

He did not need to turn around to see who it was, "It's coming," he told her quietly. His voice was calm and smooth. His blue eyes still set on the stars.

The young woman placed herself at his left side, her hand searched for his and she held tightly to it. Her eyes travelled towards the same stars he was staring at.

"What is it?" she asked softly.

"I don't know," he answered promptly, "But whatever it is that is coming..."

The young woman turned her head towards him. Her eyes filled with worry, "Let's hope that you're wrong," she told him softly.

"Hai," he answered as he slowly turned to look down at her. He offered her a weak smile and held the red-haired woman to his chest. She looked surprised at him. He hugged her tightly and she hesitantly hugged him back.

His hug seemed so different from all the others. It had a hint of urge in it. The hair of the back of her neck stood up as an odd thought crossed her mind. The hug felt more like a good-bye of some sorts.

"Let's go home," she whispered, ignoring the bad feeling on her stomach.

Minato nodded, "Let's go," he whispered back, for somehow he felt it was wrong to talk above a whisper.

They walked in silence; just enjoying each other company was good enough.

"Hokage-sama!"

Minato and Kushina both turned around to stare at a heavy-breathing Iruka. They both waited patiently for the boy to recover his breathe. Iruka slowly gazed at the Hokage's blue eyes.

"Hokage-sama… I bring bad news…"

Minato arched a blonde eyebrow, "What is it?" he asked as he heard Kushina gasp. Minato slowly turned around; his eyes stared at the Konoha's gates

He stood firm as he watched his student walk forward. Kakashi's eyes never leaving the small girl in his arms. Kakashi finally stopped, right in front of the blonde-haired man.

"Rin… Kami…" Kushina whispered fighting back a sob at the young girl's lifeless form.

Minato right hand gently tugged a lock of Rin's bloodied hair away from her face. His eyes scanned her peaceful face and then he looked up at his student. Kakashi avoided Minato's intent gaze.

"We let her die," Minato whispered, "by allowing that girl to stay…"

"Now now, Minato," another voice joined in, "you didn't know this would happen. No one could have known,"

Kakashi eyes stared at the old man, "You know… you know why she left don't you?"

Sarutobi nodded shortly, "Now is not the time,"

"Rin…" Minato whispered as his both hands covered his face.

Sakura opened her eyes when she realized that Sasuke's speed began to falter. She shifted slowly and carefully in his arms, her emerald scans his pale features as if she is staring at him for the very first time. Sasuke is otherworldly and pale, his dark hair had grown more since the last time she saw him. Her jaw hardened at that thought, her eyes hardened as his dark eyes suddenly became crimson in the moonlight.

"Why?" the simple question fell like stones into water in the silence. Sasuke finally stopped and gently placed her down. Sakura stared at his chest somewhat hesitant to look straight at his red eyes. After a few seconds of an unbearable silence, she looked up. Sasuke meets her gaze, impassive and unchanging.

"Please," Sakura added, feeling lost and confused.

"It's…" Sasuke paused as he stared at the pink-haired girl. He wondered how much she had changed while he was gone. He wondered how much more she changed during her time here, in the past, "It's a long story," he finished, walking past her.

Sakura turned around and stared at his tall silhouette. He had his back turned on her.

"Sasuke…" Sakura voice was above a whisper, her breathing was becoming heavier and she fought with all of her strengths not to close her eyes again, for she knew as soon as she closed her eyes, she would fall to a deep sleep.

She was injured, though it was nothing that serious, she was still out of chakra and the fight with the ANBU nins left her weak, and desperate for some rest. Rin's death was also something she wanted to forget, the image of the brunette girl… the kunai on her neck still came to Sakura's mind. It was driving her mad. Even though she wanted to close her eyes and sleep forever, she also needed to hear what Sasuke had to say.

"After… after I succeeded in taking my revenge I came across another Uchiha," Sakura's face twisted in deep confusion. Far as she knew, the only remaining Uchiha's were Sasuke and his older brother. She pressed her lips together and allowed him to carry on, "Uchiha Madara,"

Sakura's eyes widened at the revelation. How could it be? She had heard many stories about Madara… but to think that he's still alive.

"Madara?" she whispered softly and watched as Sasuke nodded. He still had his back turned on her.

"He told me the reason why Itachi murdered my clan…" Sakura bit her lip as the dark-haired boy carried on, "Konoha elders ordered my brother to kill his own clan," Sakura gasped at the shocking revelation, "He wanted me to kill him… he wanted me to be a hero,"

Sakura shook her head at his revelation, "Ordered…" she repeated, her hand covered her mouth, "b-but…"

"Don't you see?" Sasuke turned around, his face emotionless as he stared at her, "The village you love so much it's corrupted. The same village that Naruto expects respect from," Sasuke snorted, "I must confess that my plan was to destroy Konoha, to bring it down to ruins,"

Sakura took a step back as Sasuke offered her a satisfying smile. Her mind started to spin around at the piece of information he had provided her. Her vision darkens, her stomach a lake of acid clawing its way back up her throat.



"That's when I came across the secrets. I found his hideout, I found the ancient scrolls he had in his possession. One of this scrolls contained the answer to all of my problems, all of our problems,"

Sakura lips parted as she stared at the boy in front of him. She realized now, that she was not as lost and confused as he was. Despite of what had happened, Rin's death… everything she went through so far… it was nothing compared to the pain he carried within his soul.

"You…" Sakura choked out a silent sob, "You… found a way to turn back time?"

Sasuke nodded shortly, "I followed the instructions closely and I needed just one last thing to complete the final jutsu. My chakra was not enough and I happened to know the right person with an incredible amount of chakra,"

"You used Naruto…" Sakura hissed angrily, "You used him! How could you? WHY? WHY would you do this? Just for the sake of your clan?! Why would you sacrifice the lives, the futures of others…" Sakura stops, her eyes wide open as Sasuke moves, so fast that she can't see it. Sakura is suddenly enfolded in a crushing, one-armed embrace.

She stiffens as she feels his cold peppermint breathe on her features, "When we fought, I told Naruto about my plan," Sasuke whispered on her right ear, "He asked me… to help him too,"

Sakura closes her eyes and leans forward, her forehead touched his chest, "T-the K-kyuubi…" she whispered softly in absolute understanding.

"I'm sorry," Sasuke said as he pulled her away, "I didn't want you to get caught up in the jutsu,"

Sakura shook her head, "It's all right," she said finding her voice, "We'll do this together,"

"Hn," Sasuke looked at the bright orange full moon, his arms tightened around the pink-haired girl by his side.

Sakura took a closer look at the Uchiha and closed her eyes, "So what happened in Suna?"

Sasuke lips curved in a small discrete smile. He knew she had sensed him there. He then opened his mouth to reply but when he looked down at the medic-nin, she was fast asleep.

The small group stopped on a small house's roof. The masked figures turned to stare at the blonde-haired man behind them. The Yondaime had a fierce look on his blue eyes that clearly told everyone how bloodthirsty he was.

Minato made a hand sign and two ANBU nins quickly jumped from the roof towards the ground. Once on the ground they ran, each in the opposite direction. He stared at the temple; his eyes spotted two ANBU at the entrance. His eyes narrowed in displeasure. He quickly took two kunais out and nodded at the other ANBU.

The remaining ANBU followed the Hokage as he made his way towards the temple. Minato unmasked his chakra to see if the other ANBU nins, the ones who were keeping watch reaction. His eyebrows furrowed further as they stood still.

The Hokage came to a brusque stop as he noticed the reason why. His eyes widened at the shuriken stuck in their lifeless bodies forcing them back to the wall.

"Hokage-sama?" one of his ANBU asked, his voice was filled with uneasy. Minato ignored him and walked past the dead nins and entered the temple.

He made his way towards the main room. He was surprised to find the door open but more surprised to see the room filled with dead corpses.

A sudden noise startled him. Minato quickly turned around and noticed the previous two ANBU that he had sent to scout the temple for any enemy threats.

"He still breathes," one of the ANBU said.

Minato walked forward. He placed himself between the two nins and stared at Danzou. Without any ceremony, the Hokage placed a firm foot on the man's wounded chest.

"Traitor," Minato spat out, gritting his teeth, annoyed by the fact that someone had gotten to the old man first, "Speak," he commanded at Danzou's dying form.

The Hokage pressed his foot further making the old man to cough blood.

Danzou eyes widened at the excruciating pain, "U-Uchiha,"

"Uchiha?" Minato repeated dumbfounded.

"Uchiha f-from t-the f-ffff-future," Danzou had a cough attack. Minato waited patiently and emotionlessly, "Pink-haired girl…" he smiled wickedly at Minato's curious expression, "from the future… as well,"

The soft whimpers around him put Kakashi on edge, part of him just wanted to waltz right out of the funeral. Away from everyone, away from all the sympathetic looks he was receiving, away from the concern glances people kept giving him. Why? He was fine, this didn't affect him at all. He was fine, damn it. He. Was. Fine.

What irked him the most was the fact of how fake and cynical these people were. Hadn't they spent most of their time saying mean things about Rin behind her back? Hadn't they looked down at her, making her feel like a cockroach, hated and unwanted, a bug that needed to be stepped down.

But before he could walk away...something stopped him.

Kakashi looked up, his irritated eyes getting lost in the calm blue above him. What stopped him from leaving? He peered at the sky, as though he expected to find the answer to his question floating there among the clouds.

"Why are you crying? Did something happen?"

"K-Kakashi-kun?"

"Yeah?"

"D-do yy-you love me?"

"Rin… you look tired. I think you should go get some sleep,"

"No! Answer the question!"

"Rin you know you're very important to me…"

"No… Kakashi… it's either you do or don't! J-just answer the question,"

Just as the words echoed in his head one final time, a chilling breeze drifted through the remaining crowd. The rays of the sun returned some of the missing warmth, but the cool air had settled upon them as if it could detect the melancholy state they were in and decided to keep them company.

The black coffin had finally descended all the way, a definite thud announcing the end of its journey. Hurriedly, two men began to fill the hole with neighboring dirt, brown engulfing the black.

Kakashi looked up, footsteps coming nearer to his person, until the two pairs of eyes momentarily met. Kenji looked away, but Kakashi recognized a type of maturity lurking in the depths of his eyes. The kind that could only be attained by age. Kenji's eyes were changing now that Rin was gone. She allowed her little brothers the chance to be kids, she allowed them to laugh like they used to, allowed them to smile like if they were just leading a normal life.

But now, she was gone...and both Kenji and Kenjiro had to grow up.

Kakashi noticed the other twin. Minato-sensei had a supporting hand on Kenjiro's shoulder while the young boy sobbed silently. Kakashi looked back at Kenji, who had not cried once since they told him the news. He had always been stronger.

Stronger than Rin.

Stronger than his brother.

And Kakashi suspected that the young boy was stronger than him.

Kenji remained all by himself, staring at the ground with a hardened intensity, as if he was trying to see something than nobody else could.

"Sakura…" Kakashi whispered softly, feeling a pang in his heart. His stomach revolved uncomfortably as he wondered what was it that Sarutobi knew about the pink-haired girl that he did not.

White clouds soared above like outstretched blankets billowing in the wind. Sasuke stared at the tired pink-haired girl by his side. They had stopped at a small inn and he managed to get her wounds bandaged and treated. He paid for two rooms and made sure that Sakura would receive a hot bath. His concern about her condition dwindled as he noticed that her chakra was returning and that she was able to move without any efforts.

They left early in the morning and headed north towards their destiny. They had not changed a word since that night. Sakura usual bright green eyes had lost their sparkle; she had not eaten much, only an apple or two. The sight of food made her sick.

Sasuke knew she was still mourning and he knew that she was going to grieve until everything was over.

Sakura stopped and opened the brown bag that Sarutobi had provided her. She pulled the map out and stared at it.

"We're not far," she said taking her eyes away from the map, she looked towards north and spotted the small cozy house that stood on the top of the hill.

"Hn," Sasuke replied as he followed her gaze, "half a day if we walk,"

"Less if we speed up," said Sakura, looking at him, a strange and unfamiliar smile adorned her tired features.

Sasuke raised an elegant eyebrow, "I don't know… you're still recovering,"

Sakura rolled her eyes, "The last one reaching the top is a rotten egg!"

Sasuke eyes widened slightly as she dashed away, towards the top of the hill. He remained behind watching as she ran upwards with her eyes closed. He mused over her sudden change of mood. He sighed softly at her miserable effort to pretend that nothing was wrong.

Sakura could feel the gentle breeze caressing her face. She took a deep breathe as she increased her speed. She could see them as she ran. She could see his spiky silver hair, his hands stuck inside his pockets as he looked lazily back at her. She could see Rin at the kitchen table holding a mug of hot chocolate while she laughed along with her young brothers. She could see Minato-sensei goofy smile as Kushina passed by. She could see his whiskered face smile at her, the same boy who gave her the thumbs up and promised that he would definitely bring Sasuke back.

The pink-haired girl stopped and looked behind. Sasuke was still at the same spot she had left him staring back at her. Sakura gave him an impatient look and cocked her head to one side, waiting.

She smiled softly as she watched him hesitantly walk forward.

"Kakashi… I'm sorry…" she whispered and turned around to look at the small house, "For Naruto," she nodded slowly and her eyes flashed determinately as Sasuke placed himself by her side.

"I thought you said it was only one girl," the old man said as he stood at the door entrance. Hitori crossed his arms around his chest and glared at the two curious Sannin.

"Jiraiya…"

"Ahh, an Uchiha. How interesting," Jiraiya said as he stared at the dark-haired boy that walked close to Sakura.

Tsunade sighed in frustration as she saw the pink-haired girl wave at her, "I specifically ordered her to come alone,"

Jiraiya chuckled as he watched the blonde-haired woman walk towards the newcomers.

"Oi Sakura! Which part of coming alone you didn't understand!?"

A/N: YAY another chappie! I hope you enjoyed reading it!