So not as big response as I wanted but oh well, maybe this will piss some people off hehe. Later daters

Chapter 34-I don't have the heart

I don't have the heart to hurt you

It's the last thing I wanna do

But I don't have the heart to love you

Not the way you want me too

Sasuke held her tight in his arms, not two inches away from her face. Her arms slid from around his neck and slumped on the bed, weightless. The power fell away from his eyes and his gaze paid no attention to anything other than her face.

Her features were soft and untainted by emotion as she slept. Sweat shined on her skin. The tears she had been shedding dripped down her cheek and soaked the pillow beneath her. Her breath was calming, her muscles released all the withheld tension. She was more relaxed then she had ever been in her life, he was sure of it. She would sleep for hours. Long enough for Sasuke to run away so she never finds him again.

Sasuke stared at her, taking in every part of her face for memory. This would be the last time. No more mistakes. He couldn't risk it. She proved he was still not where he needed to be. His heart wasn't unshakable.

It was a depressing fact. Knowing it now was perhaps the biggest blow he had received in a long time. He was still weak despite all the horrible things he forced himself through.

If he had kept her away, like he should have, he could have stayed ignorant and hell bent on meeting Itachi. Why did she have to care for him? Why the hell did she have to love him?

"I'm nothing, Sakura." He whispered, as if trying to make her understand while she slept.

He pulled away, covering her quickly with a blanket and sat on the edge of the bed. He stared at the ground wondering if what he was going to do, was what he needed to do. The answer was obvious for him.

He was going to leave her again. The same way he had left her before. But this time, she was not going to wake up in time to stop him. He had made sure of it. These damn eyes. He dropped his head in his hands. How much trouble he had gone through to get these eyes. And now he was using it against those that don't deserve the pain.

Sasuke wanted to scream at her. The same words that he had screamed to Naruto at the Valley of the End. It was too late. He was too corrupted with the desire of revenge to have bonds again. He did not need her. He had no desire for a future with anyone because like he told Naruto, he no longer dreamed. He only remembers. Only suffers.

He wasn't meant to live. He was suppose to have died when his clan did. And the only meaning he was suppose to have, was to seek vengeance. Nothing more. Nothing else held any meaning. Not even….his mother's face. None of it matter. For she was dead, and so were everyone else he had cared for.

Sakura and Naruto had to stay away from him. By himself he was going to face the biggest danger that existed. He couldn't risk their lives. Itachi would use them against him. Use them to give him pain. Itachi couldn't have the upper hand anymore. It was his turn to be victorious in battle. And that meant, ridding himself of friends and…

And yet, as he glanced at her, he thought for just a moment, to stay with her. To allow her help, her encouragement, her care. It was something his soul desperately needed. She was capable of making him feel so much more than he ever thought he was able, making life a bit more bearable.

Sasuke looked back at her. Pink stands drifted across her pale face. Her tears already dry by the fire. She wouldn't believe she had made an impact. Not this time. She would know that all of her attempts had been in vain even though it hadn't. By leaving her, he was destroying what ever bridges she had built with her own two hands.

Sasuke shook his head. His heart had to be dead. It was the only way he would be able to kill his brother. By leaving her, it will prove his heart wasn't his to give anymore. This was destiny. His destiny as an avenger.

Sasuke dressed quickly and quietly despite knowing that she would not wake. He watched her movements closely and leaned over to rise the bed sheet just a bit higher up her shoulder. "I'm nothing." He whispered. He turned his gaze away and walked out, closing it softly behind him. His hand lingered on the door.

Sasuke's movement awoke his teammates and they quickly met him outside, wide awake and ready to go. "Let's go." He turned.

"What about Sakura?" Jugo questioned. Jugo was the closest with her. He had taken to her as Jugo had taken to Sasuke himself.

Sasuke didn't turn to meet their eyes, "Forget her. Let's go." He jumped in the air and grabbed a hold of the first branch, continuing on caring not if they chose to follow.

Suigetsu cursed but followed anyway, Jugo looked back before he jumped after. Karin was the one that waited. Her red eyes were to the cave and then to the south, the opposite direction Sasuke was going. Itachi and Kisame were closer than before. Fifty miles, their chakra's hidden to every one but her. It meant that they had come this way in the past twenty four hours. If they left now, was it possible for Sakura to meet up with them? She would die. And it would be Karin's fault.

It was something she was going to risk. Sasuke couldn't meet up with Itachi. Not yet. She was going to sacrifice her first friend for her leader's well being.

Karin jumped in the air and preyed to a Kami she didn't believe in that Sakura stayed safe.

As usual the sun was just breaking over the horizon. Kiba watched it with disdain. The sun never faltered in its position in life, always so sure what it needed to do and where it needed to go. Why couldn't his life be like that? Now he was off to a place he's never been, helping people he's never met, and knowing not what danger lies before him. All the while, his heart broken and unresponsive. Today was possibly not the best day he's ever had.

Ino arrived looking just as forlorn as he felt. Her eyes swollen from crying yet she was able to smile and give a cheerful good morning to Kiba and the man that was their instructor. She even pet Akamaru who sneezed at her.

It all changed though when TenTen arrived with Neji at her side.

Ino rightly questioned "What's he doing here?"

"I'm coming. Is that a problem?" He replied sharply. His dislike of Ino as prominent as ever. Kiba hid a smile.

Ino shrugged, a bit intimidated.

They formed a weak line. Being put together as teammates was awkward for them, never had it been a team as this but none wanted to say it. They're trust was limited. It wasn't a best match but they knew what this mission entailed and were willing to have a go at it.

Their private thoughts and paranoia however were cut short. Three persons stepped from a darkness and their presence drowned their attentions. The power that leaked nearly consumed the entire radius.

Neji activated his Bloodlimit just to see what it was he felt exactly but even looking through his lavender eyes, he saw nothing. Their chakra was normal, perhaps even weaker then a normal ninja.

Their hoods were dropped and memories of the past drudged quickly back up. Ino was again the first to voice, "You guys!" She screamed in surprise.

The Trinity, as known as Raikou, Kaminari, and Arashi, the triplets of the Lightning Country. They bowed lightly in greeting.

Raikou responded as leader, "It is nice to see you all grown up."

Kaminari took a step forward grabbing Ino's hand, "It certainly is." He brushed his lips over her fingers. "I'm Kaminari , if you remember."

TenTen mumbled, "Vaguely."

His violet eyes landed on her and hurried to grasp her own hand and lay his lips on it. "No need to be jealous, darling." Neji grabbed TenTen's shirt and yanked her back a bit roughly causing her to stumble and twist to get her footing back.

"Very subtle." Tenten bit.

Kaminari put his hands up in surrender, "I get it. No harm done."

"Usse, Kaminari." Arashi reached a hand in thin air, grasping an invisible string and yanked him back to his spot by her. He only smiled at his sister. "Are we ready to go, or what?"

"Patience, Sister." Raikou smiled softly. "We are the safest we have ever been in three years. Won't you rest a moment."

"I'm done with resting. I want to kill these fuckers and be done with it." Arashi looked down at the four standing before her and winced, "This is what they give us? They're not even jounin."

Ino grit her teeth, "I'm sure I can kick your ass."

Arashi smirked, "Try it. I don't even need my power." She stepped up only to pull back when Akamaru came between them, growling and barring his sharpened teeth.

Ino giggled, "Scared of a little puppy?"

Arashi formed a quick lightning bolt in her hand.

"Arashi." Raikou didn't even raise her voice but it was a subtle warning that Arashi didn't have to be told twice. The power dissipated as fast as it came.

"Well," Kaminari stepped in, "Shell we go?

Sakura groaned as she stretched, a smile playing on her lips. A hand reached out next to her, but she knew Sasuke was probably already up. He was always an early riser. She sighed softly, nearly giggling like a school girl at the thought of last night and the wonderful feelings it had brought to actually making love instead of just sex. And with Sasuke! She hugged her pillow, biting her lip, replying it again. He had been so wonderful and so amazing, just as she'd always dreamed it would be. And his body, Kami, Sakura smiled wide. The hardest abs, the softest hands, the smoothest lips; she could go on forever. Sakura giggled shaking her head.

She wondered what he had thought of herself. Pride filled her chest. She had handled him pretty well she knew. His groans of pleasure filled her with the same desire she experienced last night. To hear such sounds from him was a proud accomplishment and so enjoyable! Sakura's smile couldn't widen anymore.

But the best, and the absolute jaw dropping moment; he had said 'maybe'! 'Maybe' he'd like to spend his life with her! That admittance, even though it was just a 'maybe' was the biggest step Sasuke had ever taken toward her. Toward her, not away.

And then-

Then what? Then nothing? There was no memory. She couldn't remember.

Sakura snapped open her eyes, and her smile wiped away.

His Sharigan

Sakura sat up, her gaze flipping this way and that but finding no reminiscence of his presence. "Iie." She breathed, swinging the blankets away from her naked form and hurried to put on her clothes, "Sasuke, iie." She whimpered, zipping up her outfit even as she ran out the room, down the hall, looking in doorways this way and that, searching desperately. But emptiness was her only greeting.

"Iie." Tears were forming while she dashed out side.

Her eyes grazed over the landscape, her head shaking finding nothing but swaying trees and chirping birds. "Iie." She whispered and hung her head. Tears dripped off her nose. How could he leave her? After everything, after their night? She had thought she had gotten through. She could have sworn she cracked at the armor that circled his heart. She wasn't slowing him down, she wasn't deterring him for his path. She just wanted to walk beside him. And he wouldn't even allow that.

"Why?" She chocked out. "Why?"

Her knees dropped to the ground, her fists smashing the earth below splitting it in many directions, tremors rocked the area around and the distant trees tumbled from their rooted position as the earth gave way beneath. "Why!" She screamed, her voice echoing even as trees continued to crash over and rocks split and rumbled.

Sakura buried her head in her thighs as she cried wretchedly. Her mind replying the events of last night so crudely. She should have never left. Why did she think she had any sort of influence over him? He had left her three years prior the same way. She had no effect then, how could she believe that she would have an effect now?

Her hand curled over her stomach. She felt so betrayed it was making her sick. Her heart didn't want to beat anymore. Her body wanted to die.

She fell to her side, curling into a tight ball, caring not for how pathetic she looked nor for the dirt that was sticking to her skin. She stared out into the trees, tears blinding her and her body racked with sobs.

"Gomen, Naruto." She whimpered, she had failed him. She had told him she would take care of Sasuke but she had failed. Now all she wanted was to be home with him. To be with her friends, her family. "kasan.. Tosan…" What had she done? She had left them all and now there was not a chance to return. She abandon them all.

Being completely and Utterly alone was a horrible and dirty feeling.

Karin stalled on the branch, causing all around her to stop. She looked back in the direction of their camp. She glanced over at Sasuke but he didn't meet her gaze as he turned in the direction they had been going.

It wasn't Sakura's chakra that had just exploded that bothered her. It was Itachi's sudden attention. They were going to pass Sakura quietly and not notice her but now their direction took a ninety degree turn toward her.

Karin bit her lip continuing as Sasuke moved on. Her gaze constantly looking back. Sakura wasn't moving. She wasn't planning on following. She probably knew that Sasuke had made it impossible.

Jugo questioned, "What if she's in trouble?" He whispered worried.

"She's a strong git," Suigetsu answered, eyeing the back of his leader's head. He had a strong suspicion of why they had suddenly left her but he wasn't planning on dying today so he kept his thoughts to himself, "She doesn't belong with us anyway."

Sasuke continued his pace, keeping them going at break neck speed. Perhaps he was punishing himself for doing what he had done. He should have shoved her out the moment she showed up. He grit his teeth and clenched his fists but he felt no guilt. She should have just let him be. She should have given up a long time ago.

It was just too late.

Naruto smiled across the table, Hinata ate her meal quietly but quickly, keeping her eyes down upon her food. He rarely noticed how beautiful she was but sometimes when the sun hits her at the right moments, he finds himself speechless and staring. They were both tired still having stayed up the whole night watching the movie over and over again neither wanting to part from each other and yet neither ready for a sleep over. He had just barely gotten over the kissing stage though even that needed work.

They didn't talk much but perhaps they didn't need too. They had conversed the whole night, pissing off others in the theatre more times than not. It had been a grand adventure though, one he hadn't had since he lost Sasuke.

The name opened up bleeding wounds and his gaze shifted to the rising sun. He envied Sakura being able to be with Sasuke. She had been able to leave while he hadn't been. But perhaps there was another meaning to his life at the moment.

His blue eyes went back to Hinata, his pain fleeting quickly. She was helping him heal. A smile widened his lips.

Hinata lifted her gaze, blushing instantly when catching his eyes and dropping her orbs back to her plate.

"Will your clan be mad?"

He was understanding a bit more about clans now that she opened up the world to him. The more he learned however, the more he didn't like. She nodded softly, and her thoughts drifted to what they would do upon her return. "I'll go with you and back you up."

Fear straightened her back and she violently shook her head.

Naruto knit his brows, "Why not?"

"They won't listen to you."

"Well still I-"

"It won't work."

"Well what are you going to do then?"

She shrugged, sighing out her tension now that he wasn't planning on coming.

Naruto scrunched his lips. He didn't like how much her clan scared her. Maybe he needed to talk to them himself, without her knowing. She was possibly just overreacting. A clan couldn't be too mad about it. She was eighteen years old, technically they had no right to be mad anyway.

"Hinata-sama." A man flashed beside them suddenly and Naruto stood on instinct. "A request to return immediately."

Naruto watched question in his gaze as she stood and prepared to go, "Let me come."

The guard, whoever he was, shot a quick glare, "Denied." He swiftly said and grabbed Hinata's arm somewhat harshly. The woman did nothing to oppose him.

Naruto growled, "Oi! Let go of her."

"Naruto." She whispered sweetly and smiled, "I'll be alright." Her gaze soft and calming, relaxing enough that Naruto didn't fight anymore. But nonetheless, he was going to make sure she was actually okay, even if he had to sneak in to do it.

Sakura no longer knew time but the sun was high in the sky indicating that she had laid out here for the past few hours. And the pain had not lessened one bit. Her tears were dried and cracked on her cheeks. Vultures were circling over head, speaking amongst themselves in loud squawks wondering if she was dead. Birds and squirrels had come up close to her, checking out the new colorful rock on the dirt floor but she was mindless to it all. She stared out still at the trees ahead of her, as if waiting for Sasuke to realize his mistake and come back.

This was it. This was how it ended. She wasn't going to wait for him anymore. She wasn't going to love him anymore. She thought bitterly to herself that last night was her last goodbye. She had given it all, and he had taken it, just to betray her in the end. That was it. Never again. Her heart was now beating with a solid echo to it and tears could no longer fall.

"Matte." A voice from behind. Two sets of footsteps sounded but she could care less who it was. Death would be welcome if it proved to be such. She actually prayed that it was. She no longer had a village to call home. And she had no one to share a life with. It was just like being dead. This probably was what Sasuke felt like.

"She doesn't look familiar."

"Her pink hair."

That voice.

Her heart stalled and she shoved herself to her knees to turn around. Her breath caught in her throat. Her eyes widened in disbelief, catching sight of the black cloak and the dancing red clouds. She slowly rose her gaze, her mouth dropping open wider and wider with every inch her head rose.

Until she saw those eyes.

Uchiha Itachi.