Author's Note: Just a little FYI--I don't know team Hebi character's at all so I'll probably be way off on their character profile. So forgive me. And I think I exaggerated Sasuke's power a bit and by a bit i mean--alot! I hardly doubt he can slow time. If he could- that would make him way hotter. Anyways.

Chapter 21-Monster

So it's come to this, my loneliness, my broken heart cries out. The tears that you caused, you had the world in your hands, you threw it all away. I wish you could change, I wish you could change yourself, turn it inside out. But inside I know you just kill and you kill and you kill…

--

Sakura was still at the river's edge. The moon was too low to see but the light it gave off was bright enough for her to watch the water flowing gently in the river. It was cold, her body shivering and her breath visible as she breathed through chattering teeth. She wrapped her arms around herself to somehow give her comfort but she knew it was useless.

A whine came from behind and Akamaru sauntered up laying behind her to give her some warmth from his fur coat. She smiled and leaned back into him, looking up to spot Kiba looking down at her. But it was sympathy he was giving and that made her turn away.

Kiba sat next to her with a sigh, "We're going to get them back, aren't we?"

Her response was stretched by the silence and he watched her with his diamond eyes, studying, trying to figure out her hushed thoughts. She was calm, serene, was she stared at the full moon, untroubled by her teammate's departure. It was an expression that bothered him the most. "His curses won't allow him to travel very far. I bet they're setting up camp right now."

"When do we leave?"

"Iie. I want to go alone." Akamaru growled at that response. She smiled and snuggled deeper against him. "I don't want a fight. Just me is less intimidating."

"You'll come back, won't you?"

Sakura stiffened. "Of course." She responded instantly. Even though her heart told her different. She was quick to reassure him. "It's not him anymore. I know that, you know I know that."

He sighed through his nose and turned away to watch the stars, saying nothing to her blunt lie.

"How's Hinata?"

"Broke a few ribs but she's fine. She used her own chakra to help with the pain."

"I can help you know."

"She doesn't want you to waste your chakra. Incase something bad happens…" He stopped himself.

Incase something bad happens. Everyone else seemed to think that Sasuke was capable of hurting others. But Sakura didn't think so. She believed Naruto was right about him. He wouldn't hurt anyone.

Yet still…she quickly saw the flash of his chokuto going through Naruto's heart. Sasuke's face had been unresponsive and uncaring as the blood poured down and created a puddle at their feet. And she was also reminded so strongly of their own battle and his stab wounds to her own body.

That however, was different, she told herself. They were his teammates, he knew their strength and weaknesses inside and out just as they knew his.

Sakura's brows knit as she suddenly realized she knew nothing of his weaknesses, nor apparently of his strengths. Naruto's voice came back to her, 'Do think Kabuto was right? Do you think we don't know the real Sasuke?'

Mentally, she shook her head. It didn't matter to her. Not anymore. She was in love with him. And somehow, nothing mattered more than that.

--

Shikamaru pulled back his hair and quickly wrapped the band around it. He looked over at Choji who stood next to him, but no food was occupying his hand like usual. This may be a stressful situation but nothing would satisfy the over sized ninja at the moment. Shikamaru whispered, "No fighting. Just grab and go." Choji nodded once.

"What's going on?" Temari stepped in through the entrance, stalling at their stance. Shikamaru shot a glance to Choji and he quickly walked out of the tent, shutting the flap behind him. "Iie." She quickly shook her head with hidden rage, gritting her teeth. "You are not going." He stuck his hands in his pockets allowing her to finish her rant. "It's too dangerous. Besides, you heard what Naruto said. You can't. He'll kill you, Shikamaru. That kid is not your friend anymore."

"Tch. He was never my friend." Shikamaru rolled his eyes, the very implication upsetting him.

"She's fine where she is. He said he wouldn't hurt her."

"Trusting the enemy?" he shook his head grabbing his pack off the ground.

"What if you go and he sees you? He'll kill her."

Shikamaru lifted his eyes to her, "I'll take my chances. I can't sit here and do nothing."

"It was an order."

"It was a stupid order, given by a leader that wants to protect him. Ino is my teammate. I won't leave her there."

"It's more then that."

Shikamaru huffed in annoyance, "I do not have time for this now." He stepped around her, being as cold and callous as possibly, he knew. But with Ino in the enemy's hands, he didn't have time to be careful of anyone's feelings. It was too much damn trouble.

Temari turned before he could exit, "If you go, I'll tell."

He stalled turning around to face her. "She's my teammate, Temari. If it were you I would be doing the same damn thing."

"That's suppose to make me feel better? That you treat her the same way you treat me?"

"Why are you acting like this?"

"How am I acting?"

"Like a jealous little girl."

Temari set her jaw tight, her cheek muscles clenching at his admission. She hands fisted at her side, keeping herself back from punching him. She straightened her spine. "You go and we're over."

"And now you're making me choose?" He said this with a bitter smile, a small chuckle mocking her. "Would you be acting this way if it was Choji that was taken? Because I know I would be. I'm going after her not because of any other reason then the one I have already given you. She's my teammate. While I'm gone, get over it." He didn't look back.

--

Sakura watched Naruto through the darkness of the trees. The full moon allowed her to see his miserable expression and though she would give anything to go to him, to help him escape the terrible thoughts the monster inside him was no doubt causing, she stayed hidden. The blame she felt had been too unbearable for the past hour. She could no longer take it. She was going to save Ino and TenTen.

Sakura knew when Naruto finds out where she's heading, he was going to feel very betrayed. But she had to. She had to leave without telling him. All she wanted to do was go and get Ino and TenTen back, no battles, no threats, just to get her friends. She wouldn't be able to do that if Naruto knew her decision. He would detain her for whatever reason. Why he wasn't going after Sasuke himself still confused her and angered her so she would take it upon herself to get them back.

Neji dropped down behind her and she caught his gaze. He said nothing, needing nothing to say. His lavender eyes white in the moonlight showed no emotion or thought but she knew him better then that. She smiled softly, sorrowfully and nodded.

When she took a step forward Shikamaru and Choji revealed themselves from behind the trees. With a heavy sigh she nodded. There was nothing she could do to deny them either.

They disappeared quickly.

--

After an hour and a half of being wrapped around a tree, Ino was getting restless. She observed with narrowed eyes as the three members of the group ate their dinner, yet the giant name Jugo had recently been tied to a tree after removing all curses from Sasuke's body except for one. She sighed exasperated, "I can't believe I got caught." Ino complained, hanging her head in shame, whimpering when her stomach growled hungrily.

"You?" TenTen growled, "I've never been caught. At least it's nothing new to you."

"You still think you're so great after all these damn years."

"I am."

Ino snorted, "Whatever. I could kick your ass any day."

"Who are you trying to impress? The guy you pathetically worship isn't here."

"I don't worship him."

"Oh, come off it. You go around wearing that sickening little outfit. How old are you? Wear some damn clothes, for kami's sake. Nobody wants to see that."

"You're such a prude, you and Neji are perfect for each other."

"Shut your mouth, Kyapi. At least I have a boyfriend."

"Oh yeah, he's a real winner."

"Onna, Damere." The sword wielder was laughing in hysterics as he walked up to them, circling like prey. "A little cat fight, is it?" He chuckled, knelling in front of the blonde. "What's the problem, gorgeous?"

Ino smirked, "I'm perfectly fine." Her eyes connected with him and instantly her jutsu was whispered off her lips, too silent for the man to figure out what she was doing until he felt himself drop to the floor. Ino snapped open the man's eyes, completely taking over his body.

"Suigetsu?" Questioned a female from afar.

"I'm fine. This ama just tripped me." He scrambled to his feet, ignoring the narrowed eyes of Sasuke. He kicked her body, "Baka onna." He gripped a knife to her throat, "You try that again and I'll rip you apart." He walked around the other side of the tree and looked down at TenTen, "Don't you try nothing either, Debu." TenTen narrowed her eyes in malice but felt the knife drop between her legs.

He took a seat, glaring at Sasuke and his counterpart. "Aho." Karin shook her head, before flipping her head to the other side, along with her personality, "Would you like some tea, Sasuke-sama?"

Sasuke ignored the transaction. Ino couldn't perform her mind jutsus without her hands. There was nothing to worry about. The female beside him took his mind away from his thoughts and he glared, "Go get more wood." He demanded, sending her far from his presence. He could only stand her voice for a certain amount of time. Sasuke looked back over his shoulder, Jugo was chained up and sleeping. The giant had missed him apparently and had not slept for days on end. No matter that the thing was a destructive killing machine, Jugo was capable of acting just like a child sometimes. It was an odd thing, to be missed.

The familiar chill of a blade to his throat stalled Sasuke from eating further. He rolled his black eyes up the length of the sword to find Suigetsu glaring down at him, "Let them go, Sasuke."

"Since when do I ever take orders from you. Ino." He flicked his chopsticks with just a tense of his fingers and it embedded swiftly into 'Ino's' shoulder.

The man smiled however, "I learned quite a few tricks. I don't even feel it anymore. You can kill this body and I'll be just fine."

"What if I kill your body then?" The 'Ino's' eyes widened, snapping his eyes to the tree. Sasuke was there with a knife to her throat, unamused. 'Ino' looked back down to where his sword still hung in the air, but the body of Sasuke was no longer there.

"An illision?"

Sasuke smirked, "I learned quiet a few tricks myself."

"Kuso." He groaned, coming back over to stand before Ino's body. "Well, that was plan A." With a quick shift, Ino came back inside herself allowing the unconscious body of Suigetsu to drop. Upon which the man promptly woke, glaring and panting obscenities. She stuck out her tongue childishly.

"Time for plan B!" TenTen announced , cutting through all the wires that held her place.

Sasuke only smirked wider at this. They sure were trying. He wasn't even going to kill them and here they were fighting for their lives. Well, why not take in all of their fighting skills. He blinked swiftly allowing his Sharingan to take over.

"Sasuke-sama!" Karin's voice sounded as she trampled through the trees, "They're coming!" Sasuke narrowed his eyes and with one slid of his foot he was behind TenTen, his chokuto slid from his scabbard and he had it pointed at her back, one hand on her shoulder to keep her in place.

Suigetsu grabbed Ino's foot before she could run away and lifted her with a knife to her already damaged throat. He backed up to be beside Sasuke. "They are a persistent bunch aren't they.

"It's only four." Karin announced, detaching Jugo from the tree and running to take her stance beside Sasuke

They dropped down, not bothering a sneak attack. Sasuke tightened, analyzing the four that now stood in front of him. No visible weapons and no chakra building. It was plainly obvious they were not looking for a battle. Which just upset him more.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed when Naruto didn't show his face. He glanced at Karin, "This is it?"

"Hai."

"Sasuke." Sakura whispered gently, trying her hardest not to seem threatening. It was particular hard to do with her two best friends being held in such a dangerous position. "We just want them back. We don't care about our mission. We're not here to fight. Just give us them back. We'll leave you alone, I swear it."

"You should have stayed away." Sasuke growled, narrowing his black eyes as he glared at Sakura from over TenTen's head. His nails dug into the woman's shoulder, keeping her struggling body steady and pressed the tip of his blade more threateningly into her back. Hurting her was the only way to hurt Sakura. He hated how she was treating him so friendly, as if she knew he wouldn't kill them where they stood. Again, it was that damned love that blinded her.

How to damage that love?

"Please. Don't." Sakura whispered momentarily catching Tenten's nervous gaze. The woman's brown eyes darted from her to Neji and then back again, silently begging them to do something but no one moved, too still with fear.

"Who does this ama think she is?" Karin growled viciously. Her red eyes blinked from Sakura to Sasuke. She narrowed her gaze dangerously. Karin took a step forward to rip out the woman's hair.

"Stay back!" Sasuke bit warning her with a quick glance. He moved his eyes back to Sakura. It was then that it hit him. A way to destroy whatever connection she still felt. A way to prove that he was no longer what she once knew. "You can have them. Sakura. But let's test that love of yours." He smirked though it faded instantly as he shoved his sword straight through.

Neji's eyes widened, TenTen was looking to him, her mouth agape, seemingly mindless to the bloody metal point that was in front of their connected gaze. A half a beat and she sucked in a violent breath of air when the sword was swiftly yanked from her.

Suigetsu had taken that as a silent demand and with just a flick of his wrist, slashed Ino's throat. Shikamaru and Choji's eyes dilated in their shock, breathless and lifeless when blood splashed out and splatter the dirt floor.

Sasuke's group vanished from existed.

Both the females' bodies dropped to their knees. Ino's hands quickly covered her severed neck, blood was soaking the ground before her, the only inclination to her brain that something was wrong besides the fact that she was unable breath. Shikamaru and Choji jumped to her side, cradling her as they laid her down, speaking words of comfort even though they were beyond hope and could only thing of her impending death.

Neji caught TenTen before the rest of her body hit the floor. He held her tight in a moment of weakness but hurried to lay her on her back. Her body was shaking from fear and a hand grasped tightly to his arm. Her white shirt was quickly soaking up the blood, matching the color of her pants. In desperation Neji pushed his hands down on her stomach to try to stop the bleeding but it was then he realized how pointless it was. Whatever didn't seep out the front, poured the hole in the back. Her hand rested on his and his eyes lifted. She was questioning from the look in her eyes, 'What about the baby.'

He activated his eyes instantly and searched.

Sakura was motionless.

She would have been completely unfazed, if it had been just one. She would have been able to save, just one.

Her heart pounded in her chest. Ino's injury was most severe in the time it would take for her to die. But TenTen was with child, she needed immediate care. How to chose between two most important friends, whose lives meant the same amount to her?

She shook her head, Tsuande's voice was shouting at her. Ino was most severe. She would be able to save both of them. She was capable of saving both of them. She would just have to hurry.

Sakura ran to Ino, ripping her gloves away and clearing her mind with ease. Her hands were on her neck, glowing green with chakra. Her heart raced but she paid no mind to it. It would take a whole minute: thirty seconds to cut off the blood flow, thirty seconds to repair the damage. Ino's eyes were staring fearfully wide at her, begging her silently to save her life. The lack of breathe was taking it's toll, and soon all oxygen would be cut off to her organs. But Sakura would not let that happen. She pushed harder, shoving her healing power in the wound.

The moment Ino took a deep panicked breath, Sakura's chakra ended and she rushed to TenTen. Sakura dropped to her knees, making a sickening, chilling splash in the bloody mud beneath her. Her glowing hands pushed through the blood that was gushing and she shoved her power in the hole. Since this went straight through, it would take much longer to repair. Ino's had been more life-threatening, but TenTen's was by far the worst out of the two with the damage that had been done.

As she worked, her mind got sidetracked. Her eyes went to TenTen and the fear that was present was not because she might die. But because of the child growing inside of her.

The child, that was not growing anymore.

Sakura took her eyes guilty away. She had never been taught how to fix something like that. True she had been there watching and helping other women give birth and helped performed the necessary procedures for all types of complications. But never a stab wound.

Either way, it was too late.

Maybe it was seeing the guilt that flashed across her face, or the loss of blood, but TenTen was unable to keep consciousness anymore.

That sent panic into Sakura's heart. She pushed harder. Sweat poured down her face, her healing palms was sucking the life out of her. Two fatal wounds, within seconds of each other, a dangerous complication on everyone's life, including her own. But she pushed her strength through, forcing her energy to continue no matter the impact it would have on her.

Tears and sweat intermingled and she could feel Neji's eyes on her, saying all the things he couldn't. 'Save her' they were whispering, begging. But failure was coming up fast. TenTen's lifeforce was fading. Too much blood, to little power. Sakura felt a sob rise in her throat.

Ino suddenly dropped unceremonious to her knees on the opposite. Shikarmaru and Choji had helped her over and even knelled with her to help. Her shaking hands, soaked with her own blood, pressed down upon Sakura's. The woman's emerald eyes shot up and met Ino's smile. "You're not about to give up, are ya?" Her voice was hoarse and barely above a whisper. But Sakura heard her and her eyes widened when Ino pushed her chakra through her hands to help the healing. How the woman could still have any power left was beyond her but she was so grateful for the help, she smiled weakly in appreciation and tears spilled over.

Together it took them less then five minutes for the wound to heal. Sakura felt the woman's heart beat and looked to Neji, nodding to him. He shifted his eyes to TenTen as if to see if she had awaken even though he knew what a long shot that would have been.

Ino smiled but her strength was all but gone, along with all the blood loss, she was incapable of staying awake any longer. She collapsed but Shikamaru grabbed a hold of her before she could fall.

"Take them quickly back to camp."

Neji carefully lifted TenTen, cradling her in his arms. Blood soaked him and dripped along the floor as he slowly walked behind Shikamaru. Choji was the one that stayed behind. "Do you need help, Sakura-san?"

She shook her head and smiled weakly. "I'll follow in a minute." He nodded and vanished.

Her hands caught herself before she could collapsed on the floor and panted with great severity. Her whole body was trembling and tears were dripping off her nose, mixing with the blood that soaked the ground. Her eyes shut in her fear.

Had she just witnessed that? Had Sasuke just done that?

She sobbed loudly but quickly sucked it back in, afraid someone might just hear.

Sasuke had tried to kill TenTen. A woman he barely knew. A person that was not his teammate or his friend. A stranger that meant nothing to him. It was action Sakura did not believe he could commit.

Her heart was breaking again. The light that she had seen earlier in the cell with him was now a pitch black hole. The confusion, the hesitation, the truth; had it all been her imagination? Had it been just her hope that caused such reaction?

She had wanted so desperately to see the Sasuke that she had once loved that she must have manipulated this man into him.

The flash of his sword blinded her again and she clenched tight her eyes to get it from her sight. Disgust was filing her stomach and the smell of blood was only making it that much worse. Everything was that much worse.

How could she lie to herself? How could she pretend? She had been so adamant when Naruto got stabbed that it was not the real Sasuke. Why had she changed her mind so completely to be as crushed as she was now? How could she allow her heart to be taken so easily again! How could she love a man who was no different from Orochimaru?

--

Sasuke flew through the trees, his eyes going to the corner of his socket but he dared not look back. Not with the others watching him. He could not appear weak. He needed their presence to find Itachi. If they thought him weak they would betray him, which would mean he'd have to kill them. And then he would have to find new recruits. Which was a big setback. Meaning he couldn't allow it. He couldn't let them know his thoughts. Sakura could save them. He knew it. He knew her limits from the battle he had with her.

Karin's laughter was distracting him and his eyes switched over to her in annoyance. "That was absolutely brilliant. Sasuke-sama you are the most magnificent villain." She smiled flirtatiously in his direction. He narrowed his eyes. She knew something he did not.

It was Suigetsu who questioned, "What makes him so damn evil?" He jealousy glared at him.

"Should I tell or should you?" Karin looked at him but he ignored her, not giving her the surprise of having no clue as to what she was talking about. "That female Sasuke-sama stabbed was with child!" She laughed hysterically, smiling like a damned fool.

"Nani." Sasuke gripped the branch beneath him, stalling himself in going forward. The crew was unprepared but stopped at the next branch they hit and looked back at him. "Kuso!" He bit, back flipping and swinging his body around landing on the branch behind him. He was now facing away from his crew. "Go ahead. We will meet at the south entrance of the cave."

"Sasuke-sama?"

"Go now," He bit pushing himself off the limp nearly breaking it with his strength. He dashed from branch to branch, dodging and dipping underneath here and there before dropping to the earth. He peaked out from behind a tree trunk. Only to find her there.

His presence was felt he was sure of it for she pushed up off her hands and slowly stood on shaking legs, while wiping the tears from her face with the side of her sleeves, almost displaying her blood soaked hands as she did so. Her back was to him. "I deserve…" She whispered, straightening herself to stare out ahead of her, still not looking back at him. "To know, if you did that on purpose." She turned to him finally, caring not about the tears that still held in her orbs.

He revealed himself, unsure of what he was doing. "Will it make you stop chasing after me if I said hai."

"Iie." She smiled harshly, "In fact I'd devote my life to it."

"I did not know."

Her eyes looked away. "I need to believe you."

"You understand nothing." He stated with a bit of disappointment but otherwise unbothered, turning his back to walk away.

"I understand, you're need for revenge. I understand, your pain. Sometimes, when I think hard about it, I even understand why you left." She grit her teeth but it was only to hold her tears back. Her eyes were too involved with the blood she stood in. "But tell me you kill to gain power, and I will never understand that!"

Her voiced echoed in the emptiness of the forest and he stalled for a moment, turning his head slightly to the side, "I kill when I need to."

"What does that mean!" She begged, a tear fell, betraying her and she wiped it away with contempt. "If you are the same. As Orochimaru, I will fight you here," She whipped out a kunai, "now, and kill you."

Sasuke turned to her, glancing down at her blade with no emotion in his gaze. "With what strength? You can barely stand."

"With my will. Do not underestimate me, Sasuke. I have proven more then enough times that I am worthy of your attention. Help me understand. I'm begging you. I want to help you, with all my heart. But I won't help this. I won't help you become a monster."

He shook his head, "You haven't changed." he bit disgust. "You are still as naïve as you were when I left. There is no good and evil, Sakura. There is all that shit in between. I am not who you and Naruto want me to be, but I am not a murderer." He jumped to the trees and did not look back.

--

Naruto paced the floor before the fire, his eyes were bulging red with the power of the fox and with each turn the cloak was beginning to grow. He didn't know what to do. They were gone. Gone for an hour before anyone even fucking noticed. He gripped his blond hair in aggravation. There was no way to catch up, no way to stop them, no matter how fast he had gotten. He begged that Sasuke would prove to be the man he knew him to be and spare their lives.

The rest of the group looked on anxiously, they were all prepared to leave, all they waited for was the signal their leader needed to give. But yet he did not.

Hinata stepped ahead, her hand reaching out hoping to calm the blond boy, for his power was getting too dangerous. His tail was slowly developing and she knew better then to let it continue. But he whipped around with his teeth barred and his red eyes staring at her dangerously. She jumped back in fear and Akamaru came up in front of her, baring his teeth protectively.

Naruto closed his eyes and calmed himself. He needed to act like a leader. He couldn't dwell on the unnecessary things. He had to go after them. He had to fight against Sasuke and finally put an end to both their lives. His lids pulled back to reveal his blue orbs shining in apology. Hinata meekly smiled.

Movement behind him and his fox power was back, rising within but it disappeared seeing Choji and Shikamaru step through the darkness with Ino in his arms. "What happened?" Hinata whimpered, everyone following after her to catch a glimpse.

Dry blood had soaked her entire body and her face was pale, almost lifeless. Shikamaru knew it must have been an awful sight. "She's fine. She's just tired." He mumbled. Hinata hurried to pull out a sleeping bag to allow him to rest her in.

Neji came next and Lee was by his side feeling the woman's cheek, making sure she was alive and well. "How is she? Is the baby all right?" He quickly set up a mat beside Ino and helped Neji place her in it, feeling along her stomach as if trying to feel the baby inside. Neji did not meet Lee's gaze, it was not his place to tell him and besides he doubted that he was capable of saying such words.

"Where's Sakura?" Kiba questioned, hopping on Akamaru to go to her. But she fell through the trees and landed roughly on her feet, falling momentarily to her knee but straightening weakly. Naruto and Kiba instantly went to her side but she pushed them away.

"I'm fine." She assured but she only walked a few more steps before she collapsed. Kiba caught her before she hit the floor and Hinata hurried to put another sleeping bag out beside TenTen.

Naruto stood, staring down at three female's with fisted hands at his side. Sasuke had left them alive. He had proved again that he was not killing anyone. Wasn't that a good thing?

Before he could control it, he smashed his fist in Shikamaru's face, back-kicking Choji, and shoving a kunai right against Neji's throat. The man looked at him, emotionless. "You disobey me again, I will kill you." The power of the fox was building inside him, forcing rage to stretched its wings.

He closed his eyes, taking his knife away and shoving it into his thigh. The pain shoved the anger from his heart and the cloak disappeared. He panted, seeing finally without the constant shade of madness dwelling in his orbs. He looked around, everyone was staring at him, fearing him. Naruto gripped his heart before taking off into the woods.

:( No more baby. Bummers, huh? I didn't like it either but once I had it down i just couldn't change it. Don't be too mad.

Hope you guys are seeing More and More of my Sakura-Sasuke, many people weren't sure if it was going to be that type of fic but i made it work. Man already chapter 22 is coming up--and here I thought i would be half way done by now and I"m not even close. Hope you guys stick with it :) thanks for your support