Flaming Heart

Chapter 22

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto! But due to latest events that occured in the last manga chapter I could only wish I did :

Author Note: Yay, another chapter!! I can't believe I wrote it this fast. I could not recover the deleted one and it amazes me how different this turned from the previous one I had written. O.o

This chapter has not been edited yet, so you will for sure find a few mistakes. I hope is still readable xD!

I really should have been studying, but what the hell! LOL, here's my "study" result.

The air was so heavy, that it barely reached her lungs. Sakura opened her mouth, her dry lips parted and she sucked in a large amount of air, burning her throat as she did so. Her wide green eyes remained fixed on the dirty white ceiling while the unknown strength approached them by the minute. Her heart was speeding up at an abnormal velocity, a lately habit that she developed during the last months. Somehow, the frightening cold feeling that possessed every fiber of her being, told her that this was it.

There was no returning point now. She could not go back. All the thoughts, all the possibilities that she had until so far, were scattered without any ceremony.

Sakura tried to move as soon as she felt Sasuke and Tsunade's movements. However, her body remained glued to the sleeping bag, in a pool of her own sweat.

"Uchiha, what is the meaning of this?" Tsunade's voice was like a very far away echo that slowly rang in her mind.

Sakura swallowed dry as she sat. She turned her head toward the raven-haired boy, locking her eyes with an unfamiliar sharingan. The new shape of his bloodied eyes did not startle her, instead she reached a hand towards him, clenching to his arm.

Sasuke looked at the source of the cold touch; his red eyes stared at the frightening girl in front of him. Her long pink-hair was messy, some of her badly-cut fringe got in the way of her eyes, blocking half of her vision. Her lower lip shivered, whether with cold or fright, he could not tell. Still he suspected the latter. The Uchiha could read her so easily now. A flicker of emotion crossed his cold-hardened face as he finally comprehended what she really was scared of.

"It's him," Sakura whispered.

Tsunade slowly rose to her feet and looked down at the young pair. She pressed her blonde eyebrows together and opened her mouth but Sakura carried on.

"Madara…is here…"

A gasp escaped the older medic-nin lips. A deadly deep silence followed right after. Madara was coming.

"Don't trust in the old man, something's not right," Jiraiya's words came to her. His voice sounded so real, as if he was standing behind her whispering them.

Her shocked features faded away and a determinate look took over. Tsunade raised her chin and stared around the living room, spotting an old brown bag on top of the table. She reached it and opened it, not wanting to lose any time; she started to shove everything she could inside.

Sasuke took a deep breathe and looked away from the pink-haired girl. He slowly took her hand away from his arm and finally stood up. He ignored her gaze as he walked towards the hallway.

Tsunade turned around and hurried towards Sakura, lifting her up effortlessly, "You know what you have to do, Sakura,"

Sakura darted her emerald eyes from the Sasuke's back and stared directly at Tsunade's honey eyes. A glint of determination on Tsunade's eyes made Sakura gain instant life. She lowered her eyes to the small brown bag and nodded slowly.

"H-hai," Sakura spoke weakly as she accepted the brown bag.

Tsunade nodded and forced a weak smile, "We'll make it," she said nodding one more time, trying to convince herself this time.

"For everyone," Sakura added softly, her voice barely audible.

Tsunade eyes widened slightly at the pink-haired girls soft words. It still amazed her how great the girl in front of her was.

"For everyone," Tsunade repeated and walked towards the corridor, where Sasuke was waiting. She stared at his Sharingan and they both nodded at each other, as if they had just made a silent agreement.

Sakura walked closely behind her. Sasuke eyes went past Tsunade and stopped on the younger medic-nin. Sakura too nodded at him, surprising him as she stuck her tongue out in a childish manner.

"Let's kick some ass," Tsunade said as they headed towards the main door.

The unfamiliar chakra was closer than ever.

As soon as the door opened, the momentarily confidence dissipated away. Sakura found her legs hard to move. It was as if they had a life of their own and knew something that she did not. Yet, she walked forward.

A gust of gelid wind brushed through Sakura, whipping her long hair across her face. The moon shined down on the green field, looking down at the six shadows. Sakura found herself between Tsunade and Sasuke; she thought for a brief second that the fast rhythm of her heart had two other beatings racing, catching up to hers. She tried her best to look as calm as the other two did. Sasuke looked like a statue, illuminated by the moonlight, his bloodied eyes, a beautiful contrast.

Sakura directed her gaze at the three silhouettes that were standing in a perfect line, right in front of them. Her green orbs fell on the old man's figure, Hanabusa. There was no walking stick supporting his weight. A dark, wide smile decorated his wrinkled features, sending a cold shiver down Sakura's spine.

Her eyes continued towards left, stopping on the dark figure. He was wearing a long dark coat with a long hood covering half of his features. She carried on staring, mesmerized by his powerful aura. The stranger moved his head and the other half of his features were now uncovered. She found herself trapped in two bright red eyes.

Tsunade heart was pierced with a loud agonizing scream filling the dark night. The trees shook as several birds flapped their wings, flying away. Her eyes widened as the pink-haired girl fell to her knees, her both hands pressed on her own neck.

"Sakura!" A guttural scream came out from Tsunade while she turned towards the yelping girl.

"Don't touch her," Sasuke's grave voice spoke above Sakura's screams.

"What are you talking about?!" asked Tsunade; her eyes wide with incredulity.

"Do not touch her," Sasuke repeated, more darkly this time, "She's done for,"

Tsunade slowly shook her head as she stared at the Uchiha, "What do you mean!?"

However, just before Sasuke could answer, Tsunade felt the hair of the back of her neck stand up. She watched by the corner of her eyes as Hitori and Hanabusa made their way towards her, in full speed. She then sprinted backwards, narrowing her eyebrows as she stared at the pink-haired girl lying form. She could have sworn that she saw Sakura look back at her.

Tsunade did not have any time to ponder on that. She came to a sudden stop and crouched just in time, dodging a dozen of poisoned shuriken. Her nostrils flared up instantly as she recognized the scent of the poison. It was one, considered to be the most deadly poison in the market. She placed herself in a battle stance, skimmed one of her leg forward; chakra flowed through her nicely and strongly. Her eyes fell on the two figures in front of her. It seemed that she had to fight them both. The blonde Sannin lips curved into a smirk.

Sasuke fought the urge to stare at Sakura whose screams seemed to have died down. Instead he stared straight ahead at the shadowed figure. Sharingan met sharingan. The cloaked man opened its arms wide and smiled. It was not a deceiving smile filled with malice or like Sasuke had expected. Instead, Sasuke eyes met a warm happy smile. He narrowed his eyes in disdain and pure hatred.

"You must be Sasuke-san," the man voice flowed like a melody to Sasuke's ears. Sasuke said nothing; he had the foreign feeling that Madara was not finished, "there is no need for me to introduce myself, is there?" a short laugh followed his question, "It seems that we have already met."

There was a loud noise behind them; neither Sasuke nor Madara seemed interested in what was happening with the already occurring battle. Sasuke hand reached for his sword. Madara tilted his head in amusement while he dropped his arms down.

"You are lacking manners, Sasuke-san," said Madara. Nothing in his voice indicated mockery, "Well, matters not," Madara added waving a dismissing hand. "I did not come here to fight. At least I have no intentions to… it really depends on you Sasuke-san,"

Madara smile widened as his declaration seemed to have wakened some interested in the raged boy.

It felt so good.

The pain was finally gone, replaced by an odd warming and relaxing feeling. Everything felt a lot lighter too. The racing heartbeat was finally back to normal. Her hands were clutching to her chest and a soft smile decorated her features.

Why didn't she always feel like this? So peaceful... this is what she deserved. She had the right to close her eyes and think about herself too! Hadn't she always put others first so far? Now this was her moment.

Yes.

She could feel it. The air too, seemed brighter, cleaner, and lighter. This was heaven. She wanted to feel like this forever.

Yes.

She would stay like this forever. Her soft smile grew as her body became warmer. It felt wonderful; the empty feeling inside her seemed to vanish along with her.

Wait...

There was something else… something that still had her trapped. She couldn't flap her wings and fly away just yet. Why? She wanted to go now. The smile vanished and the warming feeling disappeared.

She opened her eyes, her lips and screamed. There was no sound. There was no one there to help her. She stared at her hands, covered in blood. Her green eyes widened as she stared at the limp body next to her.

A nasty cut across her throat.

Empty brown eyes stared back at her, accusingly.

She shook her head, tears fell and fell, she wanted to scream the pain away, but there was no sound. Why? Why couldn't she scream?

She closed her eyes as she tried to stand up.

She stumbled.

She forced herself up again.

Stumbled again… and again.

She slowly opened her eyes. The body was gone. She stared aimlessly around; trying to find an escape, there was none. She was surrounded by darkness.

Tears carried on falling.

Her heartbeat started to race again. Footsteps behind her. Her bloodstream froze at the sound of his voice.

"You killed Rin,"

She wanted to turn around, but found that she couldn't. She was too scared, too fragile, too weak, too coward to do it. So she opened her mouth, "I didn't… I didn't…" she whispered. There was still no voice.

"You killed Rin,"

His voice repeated.

She shook her head. Her back was hunched and trembled with each sob.

"I… didn't!" she insisted, still soundless.

"You killed Rin,"

"I didn't!" She turned around, stared at his figure. His strict look almost made her heart come to a stop, "I DIDN'T!"

Her voice broke out, strongly and loudly.

"I didn't," she repeated, a mad look on her weeping face, "I didn't..."

Tsunade cursed as she dodged the old man's attacks. Her eyes were wide with shock at the incredible speed of Hanabusa. He was a lot faster than his apprentice and had many more tricks up his sleeve. Tsunade smirked as she dodged his kick, pushing chakra towards her hands. She watched as Hitori disappeared and reappeared right next to her from the corner of her eyes.

She deflected the poisoned senbons and jumped in mid air, placing a palm of her hand on Hitori's head, supporting her jump and avoided this way, Hanabusa's retaliation. Hitori body went numb as he felt a horrible pressure inside his head. Tsunade, landed right behind Hitori, their backs facing each other. She heard a loud thump and sneered.

"One down, one to go,"

Sasuke heard the loud thump and watched as Madara wide smile began to fade away. Madara narrowed his eyes at the blonde-haired woman who seemed to remind him of someone.

"Anyway, Sasuke-san," said Madara, the annoying expression long gone of his face, "let's make it simple, shall we? You have something that I want,"

Sasuke red eyes widened and his lips parted as realization descended upon him, like a thunder on a storm night.

"That's right," Madara carried on, "Imagine, it's an everybody win situation. I get what I want, you get what you want," Madara stepped forward, Sasuke clenched tightly to his sword, "No Kyuubi," he raised his eyebrow in expectation, "No dangerous seal," he stepped forward again, "No one needs to die," then he stared at the pink-haired girl, "think about it,"

"Do not listen to him, Uchiha!" Tsunade said as she rolled on the floor, blocking the old man attacks. The small battle was becoming harder than she thought. The old man, not only was he faster than her, he also possessed some highly advanced taijutsu.

She quickly jumped to her feet, her eyes widened as she stared at the spot where Hanabusa was previously standing. He was gone.

A sharp pain took over her right side. She cursed out loud as she stared at the source of the attack. He was gone again.

It was impossible… to be this faster.

"Think about it carefully," Madara insisted, ignoring the woman cries of protest.

"I didn't"

A soaring voice surprised everyone.

"Well… that is… not… possible," the cloaked Uchiha said, slightly taken back as he watched the pink-haired girl budge.

Sasuke raised an unimpressed eyebrow and smirked. He felt somehow highly surprised at the bursting feeling inside him. He was proud. He was really proud of the pink-haired girl. All the training hours under his Sharingan had really paid of.

"I didn't!"

Madara's sharingan gleamed as he stared at the young girl. Her hands were clutching to the grass and dirt, her nails snapped as she supported her weight on her arms. Her muscles trembled and ached, yet, she still managed to stand up.

Tsunade and the old man stopped on their tracks, their eyes stared at the rising young girl. Tsunade lips parted in surprise as she looked up at the old man. The blonde-haired woman arched a suspicious eyebrow as a small discrete smile played on his lips.

"Well Tsunade, this is it," Hanabusa said, turning his head towards her.

Tsunade shot him a wonderingly look as she readied herself to battle. Hanabusa smiled and then shrugged his shoulders. Tsunade hands curved into fists as she realized that the old man had no intentions to strike her.

Sakura finally managed to balance herself, digging her feet further in the ground. She tilted her head towards Sasuke and smiled. The weight of the bag reminded of the task she had in her hands.

A cold laugh pierced her soul. She didn't even dare to stare at the source of the laugher.

"You think you can stop it? By yourself?" Madara laughed on, "You won't get there in time,"

Sakura gasped and her eyes widened at what Madara clearly intended to say. The Kyuubi was already on its way towards Konoha.

"What are you waiting for? Sakura, remember everything I taught you,"

Madara spared the old man an amused look as if he had been expecting the old man to switch sides.

Sakura slowly turned around and stared at Hanabusa who spared her a wide smile. She heard Tsunade call out her name and watched as a quick shadow ran past her. She didn't have time to even think or see what was happening. She felt herself being lifted and pushed away. She fell hard on her back.

"Sakura!"

Sakura quickly sat up and watched Sasuke swing his sword at the cloaked figure. He saved her. She didn't even see Madara. That was how fast he was. She swallowed dry as she pushed herself upwards.

Tsunade reached Sakura and turned around to stare at Hanabusa, making sure he was not moving.

"Sakura, go!" Tsunade ordered, not looking away from Hanabusa.

"B-but-" Sakura tried to protest as she watched both Uchiha's move in an abnormal speed.

"You should go too, Tsunade-sama," Hanabusa said, the smile on his face vanished for the first time, "Sasuke-kun and I will make sure we buy you some time,"

Tsunade's eyes narrowed instantly. Sakura shook her head, "Hanabusa-sama…"

Should she go? Would Hanabusa really stay on Sasuke's side and delay Madara? Or would he play along with the older Uchiha and quickly defeat Sasuke? Even so, if she did go it would only offer the pink-haired girl more advantage. Even if Madara and Hanabusa caught up with them, she would make sure that she bought more time for the young medic-nin.

Hesitantly, Tsunade nodded and held Sakura's arm, dragging her along towards the wild woods.

"Tsunade-sama!" Sakura protested, peeking behind her shoulder. Even though she could not see them anymore, she hoped to see a certain raven-haired boy catch up with them.

"Listen up, Sakura," Tsunade said as she stopped looking straightly at Sakura's eyes, "Sasuke might not return,"

Sakura shook her head, fighting back tears. There was no time to cry.

"And if they come, then you will have to carry on without me,"

"Tsunade-sama I don't-"

"Yosh, let's speed things up, shall we?" Sakura opened her mouth to reply but didn't had enough time, as Tsunade performed a couple of seals and pressed her palm on the ground, "Kuchiyose No Jutsu!"

Sakura watched in awe as she always did when Tsunade-sama summoned Katsuyu. Then she blinked, "Tsunade-sama, a slug… I can't really see how it will make things faster-"

Tsunade sighed and glared down at the young girl, "Sakura, this is not an ordinary slug,"

Sasuke disregarded the old man dead body and stepped on it as he dashed forward. Madara smiled wickedly at the boy weak attempts to capture him on an illusion.

"Tsk… Tsk…" Madara mocked as he easily deflected Sasuke attacks.

Sasuke clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes in deep thought.

"I can make the Kyuubi disappear… just give me what I need Sasuke-san…" Madara whispered as he appeared right next to Sasuke, startling him, "You still have a lot of years to go, maybe then; you might actually stand a chance,"

The younger Uchiha moved his right arm towards the cloaked man, stabbing the air instead. Madara was now on his other side, "Too slow," and he chuckled, before sending Sasuke flying across the field.

Sasuke stood up, shakily. His katana was nowhere to be found. His chakra was half gone. Whether he liked it or not, things weren't looking that great for him.

"I just need the last seal…" Madara said as he stopped in front of Sasuke, his serious voice was replaced with a more serious one. His patient was becoming to fade away.

Sasuke coughed, small blood particles flew away onto the floor.

"You'll make the Kyuubi disappear?"

Madara smiled, "I'll give you my word, Sasuke-san,"

The fire seemed an art piece sketched by the hands of God.

A few people remained still, frozen by the destruction of their surroundings. Not one limb of their bodies obeyed to their scared instincts, to the need to turn their backs and run away. Cries echoed through the village making the most insensible person shiver. Wounded and lonely children cried and tried to look out for a familiar face. Frantic parents looked in the chaos of broken walls and trees for their dear ones.

A red-haired woman stood in the middle of the street, her watery eyes fixed upon saddened and heart broken blue ones.

"No! Minato! P-p-please!"

"Kushina…"

The blond-haired man dared his guilty eyes away from the woman he loved the most.

His wife.

With a short nod of his head, the other two figures pressed their arms around the struggling woman. She stretched her hand as she screamed for his name; tears blurred her vision as she could no longer feel her feet on the ground.

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A/N: OH MY GOD! Have you people read the latest chapter of Naruto? HE CAN'T! HE SIMPLY CAN'T! –dies-