Flaming Heart

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Disclaimer: Naruto is not mine…

A/N: Not everything goes as planned. I planned to finish this story with the 25th chapter BUT my plot suffered a little change. Still the end is near!! Gosh! I just realized that this is one hell of a drama. Poor Sakura. Maybe I like to make the poor girl suffer –snickers- Nahh.. just kidding.

Anyway, as always I want to let you know that I am forever thankful for your wonderful support. You readers are my inspiration.

Thanks for reading! And please do not forget to drop a review.

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Sakura did not know anything anymore. She could not even tell if her heart was still beating, but it was. The pain reminded her and somehow it was keeping her alive. Her eyes were starting to tingle with hot tears as the black daunting flames consumed the landscape, blocking her view. Part of Sakura was screaming but she could not hear her own voice. It was as if she was drowning in ice-cold waters and her lungs could not provide her enough air. Her throat felt like a dead plant in a desert completely dry and helpless.

A pair of strong arms pulled Sakura to her feet. The young desperate girl promptly spun around locking her blurring eyes with his remarkable mismatched ones.

Kakashi could see the despair within her and Sakura could see it too, mirrored in his eyes. It took her some brief seconds to recognize herself.

"Sasuke…" her voice finally broke free making her wince at the croaky, sorrowful tone, "Sasuke!" she repeated strongly, tasting her own tears.

Kakashi held the breathless girl closer and nodded softly, "I know… I know…" he whispered into her right ear, pressing her face into his chest, shielding her from the abnormal heat of the strange dark flames.

Sasuke could feel the sweat dripping off his brow. The black flames that were surrounding him and the enemy were tall and thick enough to keep everyone away. Slowly, he darted his crimson eyes to the quiet creature that sat like a lost puppy wiggling its nine tails causing small earthquakes each time it hit the ground. Next to the enormous fox stood Uchiha Madara cloaked figure, staring back at Sasuke.

Despite the absurd heat, Sasuke was feeling cold. So cold, that his entire body was tremulous. The purest hate ran through his veins like poison as he stared ahead.

"We meet again,"

That cold God-like voice rang through the dead silent field. Sasuke did not reply. Instead, he pressed his lips together, biting his own tongue, stopping himself from exploding with rage.

Madara's hands pushed back his hood revealing his young-like features. Madara appeared to be in his twenties. He had his long raven-hair neatly secured in a ponytail and his crimson eyes seemed to be redder than any other sharingan.

"Did you have time to ponder on my offer, Sasuke-san?" asked Madara, as one of his gloved hands tenderly touched the nine-tailed fox enormous leg.

Sasuke eyes narrowed at the sharp insult.

"I already gave you my final answer," he answered, raising his chin defiantly.

A cold eerie laugh escaped from Madara's lips. Sasuke's response seemed to have amused him immensely.

"You are still a baby, Sasuke-san!" said Madara as he pointed his index finger at the younger Uchiha, "Can you not see? You are alone, with me! You have nowhere to run and no one to save your soul!"

Madara stopped petting the Kyuubi and elegantly stepped forward, "You should have accepted my offer!" Madara said, twisting his sharp nose in disdain, "You could have at least lived and watch the ones you love live," Madara paused, "You honestly think I'd have to ask for the seal, Sasuke-san?"

Sasuke eyes widened in absolute shock as the man in front of him disappeared in a mass of flames. The younger Uchiha forgot how to breathe as a strong punch collided with his back. Sasuke stumbled forward, staring at his own wiggly legs.

"Fuck!" Sasuke cursed loudly as he pressed his both arms on the floor, stopping himself from colliding entirely with the ground. He quickly pushed his body upwards and spun around in time to deflect Madara's kick.

"Oh!" Madara feigned surprise when the younger Uchiha blocked his kick.

Sasuke jumped backwards, ignoring the awful burning sensation on his back. A few locks of dark hair fell to his face, slightly blocking his view. Sasuke's trembling hand ran through his messy and sweaty hair as he glared at the tall Uchiha in front of him.

For some brief moments, he found himself thinking of his older brother. A sudden and odd urge of having his older brother fighting alongside him came down to him unexpectedly. Sasuke knew as he stared at the other smirking figure that he was not strong enough to defeat Madara. How could he bring Madara down when not even his own brother could?

Slowly, he shook his head to the sides.

"Is something the matter, Sasuke-san?" asked Madara, his red eyes sparkled with mockery.

Sasuke did not reply. He quickly glanced around. He could see the Hokage and Jiraiya-sama standing on top of the giant toad. They were looking straight back at him. He nodded to himself, glad that they were not going to interfere.

"Tsk, Tsk," Madara spoke loudly as he too took a good look around.

The black flames looked like demons lurking in the shadows, dancing along with the soft breeze. Sometimes, Madara could distinguish a few Uchiha members behind the flames. He could also see small crimson dots staring directly at him.

His mocking smile disappeared from his features as he redirected his gaze at the younger Uchiha. A small flicker of surprise took over his slumber expression. Madara looked up to the source of the loud cry filled with rage. Sasuke was in mid-air with a maddened look all over his raged face. Madara eyes widened slightly as he stared at the Uchiha's hands consumed in lightening.

"DIEE!" Sasuke's voice echoed through the field as he launched himself towards the Uchiha.

Madara's lips curved upwards in a triumphant smile.

Sasuke finally came down; his lightening bolt went through Madara's skull. Sasuke's heart skipped a beat as he watched the older Uchiha dissolve into curls of smoke.

He did not have any time to blink, not even to wonder when Madara had replaced himself with a clone. Suddenly, he felt something cold across his shoulders. Sasuke was startled at the cold touch, jumping slightly. Yet, two strong hands kept him glued to the ground.

"Let me tell you something about the difference between our powers, Sasuke-san," said Madara in a quiet voice, "My sharingan sees everything, it can see through your miserable illusions, it can see through every step you make, it can even anticipate where you are going to run next,"

Sasuke clenched his jaw as his hand took a kunai from his waist holster.

"Please," Madara added in a bored tone, "You cannot defeat me; it's useless to move a muscle Sasuke-san,"

Madara quickly dodged and immobilized Sasuke's arm when he tried to land a hit. Sasuke yelped as Madara grabbed his arm, twisting it to an uncomfortable position, causing the younger Uchiha to drop the kunai. Then with a simple movement, Madara pulled Sasuke against him, turning him around, so that he could face the young boy. Madara's free hand slowly moved towards Sasuke neck.

Sasuke gritted his teeth together as he sagged in Madara's grip like a marionette without strings. Each breath was an open-mouthed gasp for air.

Both Uchiha's were facing each other, head tilted, foreheads meeting, Madara smiled again.

"It saddens me that things have to end here, Sasuke,"

Sasuke did not have time to avoid what came next.

A heartbreaking and painful scream escaped Sasuke's lips as the wheels of Madara's sharingan started to spin.

It was still very hard to breathe. Sakura was feeling as if someone buried her with no air to keep her alive. She looked to her left side, at Kakashi. He was leading her towards the giant toad. Sakura found her legs incredibly heavy as she walked forward. From all the curious and shocking looks, it was his that she dreaded the most. She could already feel his intense blue eyes staring at her.

"Sensei!" Kakashi's voice had a nervous timbre, causing Sakura's stomach to contort with uneasiness.

Minato's gaze spotted Kakashi as if he was not there, and then landed on the pink-haired girl. His focused and troubled features softened up, catching her off guard.

"Welcome back,"

Her green eyes widened at his simple words. Something warm swam inside her and for some brief moments Sakura felt like nothing in the world could go wrong.

"Sakura," the pink-haired kunoichi was suddenly brought back to the harsh cruel reality once again as Kakashi's voice rang inside her head. "Come," added Kakashi as he effortlessly climbed onto the giant toad. He extended his arm towards her.

Swallowing dry, Sakura took his hand. Her green eyes stared at his tired expression. She looked at him as if hadn't seen him before. She noticed that he looked somewhat older. There were horrible dark circles around his eyes. Kakashi, noticing her worried features gave her a small forced smile as he dragged her to the top of Jiraiya's summon. A few seconds later, both Kakashi and Sakura were standing on top of the giant toad.

"That Uchiha brat has some guts!" Jiraiya exclaimed, offering Sakura a wide strange smile.

Sakura eyes became soggy as she caught a glimpse of Tsunade-sama. The blonde-haired Sannin had a half-smile plastered on her stern features.

Then, quickly, Sakura jerked her head to the field where Sasuke was standing. All of her remaining strengths were threatening to leave her at any minute. Her big emerald orbs widened as she saw the nine-tailed monster more clearly. It was colossal.

Sakura was already having a hard time to breathe due to the amount of red chakra in the air mixed with the abnormal heat of the dark flames. Then suddenly, it became harder for her to breathe when a dark cloaked figure walked across the field.

"Madara," she whispered, feeling slightly dizzy.

"That man is crazy," she heard Jiraiya say, "Even if he -- does he expect to walk alive from all of us?"

"He has the Kyuubi under his control," said Minato as if he was pointing something that Jiraiya had missed, "Even if we kill Madara, I suspect that we will still have to deal with the Kyuubi,"

Sakura bit her lip, trying to ignore them. Why were they assuming the worst? She jumped slightly when she felt Kakashi hand brush against hers.

"Sasuke!" a painful loud scream escaped from her as Sasuke jumped with his hand consumed in lightening. For a moment, when the lightening hit the enemy a small light of hope filled her heart, but then again, things were too good to be true. The pink-haired girl shook her head in sheer desperation as Madara disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Her eyes widened in horror at what happened next.

Even from where she was standing, she could see Madara's malicious smirk.

Sakura wanted to run towards the cloaked figure and strangle him. She wanted to make him scream and plea for forgiveness. She wanted to watch him suffer; she wanted to make him suffer. She wanted to make him pay for everything he made them go through.
She wanted to break his fingers, his arms, his legs, she wanted to cut every part of his body, heal all of his wounds and do it all over again and again.

Sakura closed her eyes as Sasuke scream echoed through the dead silent field.

Kakashi swallowed dry. He quickly pulled the pink-haired girl towards him, placing his arms protectively around her. Sakura buried her head into Kakashi chest. Her hands clenched to his white vestment.

Several voices erupted through the cold air. Some were wondering and asking many questions on what the hell was going on.

Sakura slowly raised her hands and covered her ears. She could not stand it anymore. Sasuke scream ceased and she finally opened her eyes. Hesitantly, scared of what she was going to see, Sakura turned around. She watched impotently as Madara let go of Sasuke. He threw Sasuke away as if he was nothing but a mere piece of garbage.

"Sasuke!" she screamed at the top of her lungs. Her voice was forgotten in the air, replaced by a loud roar.

The ground shook as the Kyuubi stood up, opening its mouth letting out more red chakra into the air.

Sakura broke free from Kakashi's tight embrace and stepped forward in shock. Her gaze fixed only on Sasuke's unmoving figure.

"Sakura,"

The pink-haired girl stopped as she felt a pair of strong hands on her shoulder. She turned around surprised to see Minato instead of Kakashi.

"Why don't you let the grown ups handle this?"

Minato's smile stunned her.

"S-S-Somebody help!" Kenji called out as he dropped on his knees. He quickly placed the suffering red-haired woman in a comfortable position. His small brown eyes widened at the quantity of blood. Kenji bit his lip in sheer panic. He didn't know what to do. More streams of blood seemed to flow down Kushina's leg and form a bright pool at her feet.

Kushina was panting heavily. She could feel someone move her; she could hear hurried footsteps, people screaming and talking but could not see anything. Her vision was blurred and her breathing was irregular. There was a sharp pain in her spine every time she took in too much air.

"Shit," Kenjiro cursed as he placed himself next to his brother.

Kenji's hands were trembling violently as he struggled with Kushina's vestments. Her long blue coat had too many buttons and his small fingers did not seem able to do the job. Kenjiro stepped forward and pushed his brother. Kenji fell behind and watched as Kenjiro ripped Kushina's coat apart with a kunai.

"Kushina-san!" Kenjiro called out her name as shook her arm.

Kushina's eyes shot open and a loud scream escaped her lips. She tried to move but Kenji hurried towards her and held her down.

"My baby!" Kushina cried as she gritted her teeth together.

"Calm down!" Kenji whispered as he fought to keep Kushina still.

"What's going on?"

The twins turned their heads and stared at a tall man. He was fully dressed in white and had the symbol of the Hyuuga clan on his white shirt.

"Hizashi-dono!" Kenji exclaimed in relief, "There's something wrong with Kushina-san!"

The man nodded, his long hair swinging softly, "How many months?" he asked as he kneeled next to the boys.

"I don't know!" Kenji replied in frustration, "Maybe six months? Seven?"

Kushina closed her eyes as a wave of dizziness took over all of her senses. She moaned Minato's name as darkness descended upon her.

"Hmm…" Hizashi Hyuuga checked the red-haired woman pulse. It was irregular and abnormally fast. With his free hand, he touched her forehead and frowned. She had a fever.

"Is she in labor?" Kenji asked as he stared at Kushina in worry.

"No," Hizashi answered as he locked his Byakugan eyes with the twin's brown ones, "She is not in labor. She is not having any contractions," after his short explanation, Hizashi pulled Kushina's shirt and he stared at her large belly. He placed a hand on top of it and focused his gaze.

Kenji and Kenjiro traded worried looks.

"It's the baby," The Hyuuga said gravely, "It changed to a complicated position,"

"Is she… going to be okay?" Kenjiro asked, hoping for an affirmative answer.

Hizashi stared at the twins and shook his head, "I am afraid that she needs some medical assistance,"

Kenji cursed loudly as he stared at the unconscious woman. There was no one able to help her. "If only… if only nee-san was here with us," he whispered as tears stung his eyes.

Kenjiro shot him a furious look, "Well she isn't!"

Hizashi stared at the two children, a curious expression on his usual inflexible face.

"We have to do this by ourselves!" Kenjiro stood up, "I'm going back,"

Kenji eyes widened, "What? You cannot go back! The Kyuubi is still-"

"So we run like cowards? We have to go back. There is no one here that can help Kushina-san!" Kenjiro replied shaking his head as tears started to fall down his pale features, "Tsunade-sama is the only one who can help us…"

"Kenjiro," Kenji looked at his twin with sad eyes. He was supposed to be the strong one, the one to protect Kenjiro now that nee-san was in heaven, "H-hai!" Kenji nodded, "We'll go together,"

Kenjiro opened his mouth to answer but the Hyuuga interrupted him. Hizashi was impressed with the will power of the young twins, "You both go," Hizashi said as he ripped a part of Kushina's blue coat, "I will take care of the woman. Go as fast as you can. Avoid the east side, it's covered in ruins and it will be a harder path,"

The twins nodded.

"Thank you Hizashi-dono," said Kenji as he stood up, looking one last time at the trembling red-haired woman.

Kenji turned around and walked towards his brother. They shared the same determination sparkle in their eyes as they hurried for help.

Sakura was at loss of words as Minato pulled her away.

"Kakashi,"

"Yes, sensei,"

Sakura eyes widened as she realized what was happening. She felt Kakashi strong arms hold her by the waist.

"NO!" She yelled as Minato walked forward to the top of the toad's head, "NO! MINATO-SENSEI!" Sakura struggled to break free from Kakashi's hold.

"Sakura," Kakashi could feel his throat die on him as he increased his grip on the pink-haired girl. He somehow felt like he was betraying her. Somehow, he felt like he was betraying himself.

"No… No!" Sakura moved all of her body. She swung her legs back and forward as Kakashi dragged her away. Letting out a loud cry, she dug her fingernails on his hands.

Kakashi winced but did not let go.

Minato stopped at the top of the toad's head and turned around to look at Kakashi and Sakura.

The Hokage serious face dissolved and a bright wide smile illuminated his previous grave features. He extended his arm and gave Sakura the thumbs up.

"Don't worry, Sakura," the soft breeze caressed Minato's blond hair, "I don't have any intentions to die,"

Sakura stopped moving at once. She felt as if she was twelve-years old again. It was as if she was staring at Naruto when he was about to leave to retrieve Sasuke.

The vivid-images seemed to be imprinted behind her eyelids, showing her a long distant memory.

"I… p-please… just please! Bring Sasuke back!"

Naruto remained in silence for a moment. He stood there, staring back at her with a look of compassion for her.

"Sakura," Naruto finally spoke. His voice was serious, something that she had never heard before.

"Huh…?" She raised her head to meet up with him, her eyes drenched with tears.

Naruto greeted her with thumbs-up, grinning widely. His deep blue eyes sparkled with determination.

"You don't have to worry! ...I'll definitely bring Sasuke back!" He said to her without a hint of doubt. "It's the promise of a lifetime!"

Sakura throat was raw as she vented her pain.

"Sakura," Kakashi whispered into her ear. Worse than the unvoiced cries aching in the back of his throat… worse than the tears burning behind his eyelids, it was to see the one he loved break down that way, "Sakura… I…"

"Kakashi…" Sakura whispered back, too tired to do anything as he dragged her away, "Promise me…"

Kakashi waited for the pink-haired girl to carry on. When she did not say anything else, he asked, "Promise you what?"

Sakura watched in horror as Minato and Jiraiya jumped to the enormous toad sage tongue. The toad sage unrolled his tongue forward, high enough not to touch the tall flames. Both Minato and Jiraiya jumped to the ground.

"Are you guys staying there forever?" the toad asked them in deep and brusque tone.

Kakashi and Sakura ignored the toad as they stared intently to the field.

Minato eyed the lying Uchiha and felt a small relief wash over him as he noticed that the boy was still breathing.

The Uchiha boy had a special connection with his apprentice, Sakura. More importantly, the Uchiha was his son best friend. Minato realized how weird it felt thinking that way. It felt weirder believing that those two were from the future and met his unborn son.

The tall man that stood next to Sasuke's body was looking back at him with a mischievous expression. This Madara Uchiha seemed highly entertained. Minato felt relaxed, but still just to think that that man seemed to be enjoying himself by destroying his village, killing his citizens made him angry.

And Minato absolutely hated to be angry.

Minato stopped at a considerate distance.

"The mighty Hokage! Yellow-flash! That is what they call you is it?" asked Madara with an air of superiority.

Jiraiya only scoffed chuckling a bit before stretching out his arms. Madara crimson eyes darted away from Minato and stopped on the white-haired man.

"Well gentleman," Madara started, "I have far better things to do than stay and chat,"

"I don't think so,"

Madara's eyes widened at the deep, threatening voice behind him. In front of him was only the white-haired man. The Hokage was nowhere to be seen. Then, something unexpectedly happened.

The Uchiha felt something hard hit his back ribs.

There was something new inside Madara. It was something that he had not felt for a long time.

Pain.

Quickly, Madara recovered from the initial pain and skimmed his legs to the sides. He could feel his blood run down his back. His eyes flashed dangerously as he moved his upper body to side, his hands held Minato's wrist.

Madara inspected the unique kunai craved in his back. A few more inches and it would have reached his heart.

Minato smiled and Madara eyebrows arched in suspicious. He knew then, that he shouldn't have taken the blonde-haired man so lightly.

"You are incredibly fast," Madara said, ignoring the pain of his wound.

"Thank you," Minato replied, the smile still on his face.

Only then, Madara noticed the Hokage's free hand. A deep frown took over his features as he stared in absolute astonishment at the huge blue ball of chakra in the Hokage's right hand. With his sharingan, Madara could see the flow of Minato's chakra spinning at an incredible speed.

Madara quickly let go of Minato's wrist. However, Minato pushed the kunai deeper making Madara freeze in his place.

Suddenly another loud roar filled the air.

"MINATO WATCH OUT!" Jiraiya called out as one of the Kyuubi's tails was coming straight at Minato's direction.

"I guess we die together," Minato muttered as his right hand moved towards the Uchiha.

"No no, I rather not die today," Madara replied peacefully. His voice had a scary serious tone. His red eyes were alive, fixed on the Hokage with a meaning unreadable.

Minato blue ball of chakra hit his target at the very same time the Kyuubi's tail hit its own.

An incredible mass of dust rose to the sky. The dark flames were quickly extinguished. Everyone struggled to see what was beyond the mass of dust but could not see anything.

Jiraiya raised his arms to protect his eyes from the dust. His throat became immediately dry as a coughing attack took over him.

Minutes went by and everyone became like statues, waiting.

No one expected the sudden massive explosion of red chakra.

"COVER YOURSELVES!" someone screamed as the red chakra flew into the air at an impressive speed.

Sakura emerald eyes stared in horror as the dust started to dissipate away.

They were gone.

Minato-sensei, Madara and the Kyuubi… gone.

Kakashi could feel his heart drop as he stared at the now empty space. Not his sensei… not the only man close to him like a father!

"Sakura!"

All of her senses seemed disconnected with the world. She didn't know what emotion was running through her at that very moment. She felt numb.

Kakashi remained in his place staring at empty field, his mismatched eyes were wide with sheer disbelief. His heart was refusing to accept that Minato was gone.

A strong hand slapped Sakura across the face.

"Sakura," a stern voice brought the pink-haired girl back to her senses.

Sakura shook her head as she adjusted her sight on the blonde-haired woman. Tsunade wore a shocked and stern look on her tired features. Sakura noticed that Tsunade's summon had multiplied into smaller slugs and were now healing the wounded.

"Their gone," Sakura whispered softly.

"Sakura, listen to me-" but she wasn't listening. Tsunade mouth was open and moving but she could not hear a word.

They were gone.

Would everyone in her life disappear? Would she stay all by herself? All alone?

Her worried and distressed eyes ignored Tsunade's presence as she spotted Jiraiya. He was carrying Sasuke in his arms.

"He's a-aa-lright," Jiraiya spoke softly; his dark eyes shared the same emptiness, the same sheer disbelief, the same refusal to accept that Minato was gone.

There were no words to describe how he was feeling. Nor a coherent thought formed in his mind to conjure a plausible explanation to what had just happened.

Sakura was not listening anymore.

Kakashi could see she was not registering anything it was being said to her. By Kami. The guilt was tearing her apart, eating her alive. He needed to do something, to say something. But what? What could possible he do to ease her pain?

He felt useless. Kakashi felt numb as he watched the scenes unfold in front of him.

Minato-sensei was gone.

Sakura and her teammate could not save their future teammate's father.

"Hurry up!" Kenji complained as he turned left listening to his brother heavy breathing.

Kenjiro gritted his teeth as he focused on going further. His deep brown eyes watched his twin brother turn left and he mentally cursed his lack of speed. He wished he had taken Jiraiya-sama and the academy sensei advices as a sharp pain got his left side.

Kenji half-turned around frowning in concern. Kenjiro was bending forward with his hands on his knees. His mouth was wide open as he sucked in a large quantity of air.

"I…" Kenjiro started feeling incredibly useless as his brother waited for him to catch up, "Y-You g-go with… without m-me,"

Kenji narrowed his eyes; "I'm not leaving you,"

Kenjiro opened his mouth to counter-argue but the look on his twin brother eyes left no room for arguments. Then, nodding to himself, Kenjiro conjured up his last strengths and launched himself forwards.

His mind was set on saving Kushina-san's baby no matter what.

He wanted to see and get to know the Naruto that Sakura-chan spoke about so often.

For a while, they ran without changing any words. They avoided looking at the detritus. The broken houses, the crushed trees, the countless lifeless bodies on the floor made their stomach twist. Kenji felt sickened to the point that he had to stop to throw up a couple of times.

The twins finally came to a stop as they arrived. They watched in absolute awe at the many shinobi that were still standing. Their petit eyes darted from man to man; searching for the person, they needed the most.

Finally spotting her, Kenji elbowed Kenjiro's hurting side. The twin bit out a curse word and glared at his brother.

"She's back,"

Kenjiro eyes widened at his brother's words. Slowly, he turned his head and followed Kenji's gaze.

Not too far away, he could see her unique pink-hair.

Sakura was kneeling next to someone's body. Kakashi was standing behind her, looking completely dazzled. Tsunade and Jiraiya were standing side by side looking at the strange trio.

The lying unconscious boy, the pink-haired girl and the masked nin.

"S-S-SA-SAKURA!"

Kenji ran forward avoiding colliding with a tall dark-haired man whose crimson eyes were fixed on the small group. The young boy gasped as he tripped on a dead body, falling flat on his face.

Her hair had fallen around her face; her eyes were swollen and red. Slowly, she raised her head and looked in the direction her name was called. Tears immediately sprang to her eyes as she watched Kenjiro help his brother up to his feet.

"Sakura-chan!" Kenjiro called out as loud as he could, "Tsunade-sama! Kushina-san.... we... we have to hurry! Kushina-san... she's hurt!"