Author's Note: Hey guys! Hope you enjoy the chapter! R&R, please! :D

Chapter 11

Naruto and everyone else were back on the path of going after Sasuke. As always, it's never easy. On the way, they ran into another member of the Akatsuki named Tobi who decided to just give them a hard time.

Which wasted their time.

Sasuke was on his way to the Uchiha hideout, where everything will take place and finally come to an end. He prepared for this day all his life. He wasn't about to be defeated.

He entered the ruin and in front of him was a stone throne.

He stood there, staring at the throne. Eventually, Itachi appeared in it.

"So, you did come."

Itachi didn't move his gaze from Sasuke. Sakura was also in the room, hidden very well. She had to watch the battle about to ensue as she was told to do. Ryu was outside, waiting for Sakura to give him the signal.

Before the battle, it was all talk. Itachi told Sasuke about Madara and his secret and all that, which actually worked on Sasuke, Sakura thought. Itachi had to scare Sasuke. She knew that.

When the battle started, Sakura found it hard to keep watching as Itachi got weaker. She was full of mixed emotions but she had to keep it under control. Otherwise, Itachi planned all this for nothing. She can't do that to him.

When the battle continued outside, Sasuke began to control lightning. Sakura's eyes widened, "Use Susano!"

Itachi heard her, but was already ahead of her. He thought she'd blurt out something eventually. He was more surprised she was quiet the entire time.

As the thunder came down on him, he activated his Susano.

"Let me introduce you to Susano." Itachi said as he got to his feet. Sasuke was out of chakra and was now at a great disadvantage. He threw shuriken but it all bounced off of Itachi. Susano's shielding protected him, which was all he needed for his last act.

Itachi came towards Sasuke. Sasuke backed into a wall, frustration and panic taking over him.

As Itachi finally reached him at arm's length, he poked Sasuke on his forehead.

"Take care of Sasuke, Sakura."

Itachi collapsed, and Sasuke stood there, feeling shocked and relieved. He looked down at his brother, smirked, collapsing right beside him.

Sakura, tears flowing, ran to them both, signaling Ryu as well. Ryu took Itachi in his arms and ran off as fast as he could as Sakura took Sasuke and followed.

During the time Tobi was playing with Naruto and the others, Zetsu appeared and told them that Itachi is dead and that Sasuke prevailed.

Tobi and Zetsu then said their goodbyes and left to go retrieve Itachi and Sasuke.

"We have to get to Sasuke before they do! Let's move!" Kakashi and the others went off in the direction of the smoke that rose high in the air. Hinata made a comment that she saw black flames. Kakashi thought to himself for a moment then shouted, "Hurry!"

Tobi and Zetsu arrived at the ruined Uchiha Hideout. Tobi searched the perimeter, but saw no sign of Itachi's corpse and Sasuke's body.

"Are you sure you saw everything, Zetsu?" Tobi turned to look at him, his tone not friendly.

"Why would I bother you if I hadn't? I didn't, however, see anyone come here. It was just me watching the entire battle." Zetsu glanced at Tobi.

Tobi's head snapped up, then he started laughing, "You've got to be kidding me! Agh, this is just too much to take in," He doubled over and sat down on the nearest rock, "Well, this sucks."

Zetsu stood beside him, "What is it?"

Tobi didn't turn to look at him, "Looks like Sakura and Ryu are no longer a part of the Akatsuki. Hurry, we got to look for them."

With that, Tobi and Zetsu disappeared in pursuit of the two.

Soon after they left, Naruto and the others arrived as well and took note that there is nothing there. That they were too late.

"Naruto…" Kakashi turned to look at him, only to find him wear a look of complete frustration full of disappointment and emotional pain.

Hinata put her hand on him, silent.

Sakura and Ryu escaped into a far away hideout that they and Itachi built for this day especially. There could be no way that they could be found. Sakura made sure of that.

Ryu took Itachi into the room they made for him. In it was an engraved stone coffin. Sakura watched Ryu place Itachi in the coffin, feeling utterly horrible. She tore her eyes away to lay Sasuke in his room. She closed the door behind her and put him in bed. She grabbed bandages and cloth and began tending to Sasuke's wounds.

Ryu soon joined her. Neither spoke a single word the entire time. Both felt horrible, and couldn't find the words to speak anyway. They continued tending to Sasuke until they were satisfied he would be okay.

They sat in their chairs, silence enveloping the room.

After for what seemed like hours, Ryu cleared his throat, "What do we do when Sasuke wakes?" Ryu thought about it and honestly had no idea what they were going to tell Sasuke.

Sakura sighed, "Who cares? I honestly feel we should tell Sasuke the truth, but we promised not to. So I guess we could tell him our truth instead. The reason why we joined the Akatsuki and…about what I am. What we are," Sakura took a deep breath, "I just hope he listens, or is willing to even speak to me."

Ryu nodded, "Yeah. I'm going to go wash up and get some rest. You should do the same."

Sakura nodded as Ryu left the room. She sat there, her eyes never leaving Sasuke for a moment. After Ryu was asleep in the other room, she decided to wash up as well. When she finished and returned to Sasuke's room, he was still asleep. She wore her black outfit, zipping on her sleeves. She already threw away hers and Ryu's Akatsuki cloaks. After all, they decided it was time to finally leave. Even though they left, they found it hard to, seeing as they found almost everyone a friend.

Sakura sat back down in her chair beside Sasuke, crossing her legs. She watched him as he slept. He was breathing normally and should be waking up soon. He was recovering quickly, Sakura thought. She began to feel nervous. She wasn't afraid of Sasuke. She was more afraid of what he thought of her when she joined the Akatsuki, and how she worked with his brother and how hard it is going to be having to explain it to him without telling him Itachi's truth. She tried to go through it carefully in her mind how everything will be explained. She just hoped he would believe her.

Hours passed when Sasuke finally woke up. He jerked forward, startling Sakura awake, "Jesus, Sasuke, don't do that. Holy shit," She adjusted herself in her seat yawning, "So, how do you feel?" She silently thought to herself that she hoped he felt horrible, but she knows that probably won't be true. Sasuke only stared at her in either disbelief or confusion, she couldn't tell. She leaned forward to reach his forehead to feel if there was a temperature. Before she could, Sasuke grabbed her arm, which she was expecting.

He stared at her hard, not taking his gaze off of her. She assumed he was taking it all in. The realization that he killed his brother finally, why she was there, and noticing how much stronger she is now. She returned his stare, "You going to keep staring at me or what?" She yanked her wrist out of his grip. Sasuke continued staring at her, but his gaze fell to his lap. She figured he needed some time.

"I'll bring you some food and water. Wait here," Sakura stood up and left the room. Sasuke was still in a daze when she came back with refreshments. She placed them on the nightstand beside the bed, "Here, eat something. You'll feel better." She sat back down in her chair, waiting for Sasuke to snap out of it. He sat there for 30minutes before he could even bring himself to eat.

When he finished, she cleaned after him. She returned to find him sitting up, feet over the side of his bed.

'He's finally going to speak up, huh?' She brought the chair in front of him and waited.

Sasuke inhaled deeply, "Why are you here?"

"I'm the one who saved your life. I kind of have to be here," Sakura sighed, "but while I'm at it, I'll tell you everything."

Sasuke stared at her and waited. Sakura yawned. It was actually really late, "I and my friend made this hideout to keep someone from finding you. That's the gist of why we're here in general."

Sakura grabbed the water Sasuke didn't touch and took a swig. Sasuke looked at her questioningly, "Someone?"

Sakura nodded, "Yep. We need to keep Madara from finding you otherwise everything would have been for nothing." Her expression grew dark and sad, thinking of Itachi.

Many questions popped into Sasuke's head, "Why would he be looking for me?"

Sakura's expression didn't change, "Why? Because he would've fed you stupid lies to turn you against your home: Konoha. And knowing you, and knowing what he would've told you, you would've bought that bullshit; which is why I made this place so I could warn you about him."

Sasuke's expression grew skeptical, "Why would you warn me? Why should I believe what you say?" His body grew tense, as if getting ready to attack. Sakura noticed,

"Calm down, will you? Sheesh," Sakura rubbed her eyes, trying to rub out the drowsiness, "Because, you are my best friend. We're a part of Team 7 remember? You didn't actually believe I honestly joined the Akatsuki with true intentions to destroy the world, did you?" She shot a look at Sasuke. Sasuke was slightly taken aback.

She sighed, "I left Konoha for the same reason you did: to get stronger. So I used the Akatsuki for that purpose. They never found out about why I was there. I guess you could say I was a spy trying to gain benefits," She laughed, "That's exactly what I was. Not anymore, though. I left, escaped, from the Akatsuki. I'm thinking about going back home…"

Sakura's voice trailed off, but brought her gaze back to Sasuke, "I honestly don't give two shits if you believe me or not. But I thought I should warn you, and that you deserve to know the reasons for my actions because you are my friend."

Sasuke didn't look away from her. He believed her entirely, but didn't want to trust her right away. Actually, he was more curious as to how strong she really was. He can even feel her chakra radiate off of her, something he never felt before.

Sakura folded her hands, "I also feel you should know something else," She looked at Sasuke with complete pride, "You know those wolves we heard and read about as kids?"

Sasuke nodded, unsure why that is relevant. Sakura breathed deeply before continuing, explaining everything that she had found out about herself. Sasuke closed his eyes and nodded, 'So, something about her really was different.' He took a deep breath, 'I'll admit, that's actually pretty cool.'

Sasuke looked at Sakura, finally recognizing her and accepting her as she is. He looked at her with respect, "That explains a lot. It explains why I can feel your chakra so strongly." Sasuke took a deep breath, "So much to take in."

Sakura nodded in agreement, "I'll let you rest and think about all this after I ask you one question," Sasuke's head snapped up to look at her, "…What do you plan to do after this?" She made a gesture to refer to everything.

Sasuke didn't answer her right away. He was deep in thought. Sakura expected as much, "You can just tell me later. I'll leave you alone. Let me make sure you don't have a fever first." She stood and leaned over Sasuke to feel his forehead. Sasuke watched her, noticing that her scent never changed, not even her face. And he noticed how short Sakura's hair was as well.

'So she's really grown, huh?' He closed his eyes.

Sakura noticed something as she made contact with Sasuke. That Itachi had handed Sasuke his eye techniques. She breathed slowly, 'If only Sasuke knew how much you truly cared, Itachi.'

Sasuke felt something touch his face. He opened his eyes to see Sakura crying silently. It hurt her having to lie to Sasuke, knowing everything, and him nothing. The pain and knowledge was a heavy burden she had to carry. She couldn't control her feelings any longer, however. She suddenly broke down in front of Sasuke, who was surprised, and unsure how to act.

Sasuke stood up slowly. Sakura noticed how much taller he grew, even though they were only 17. 'Sasquatch,' she thought.

He reached for her face, gently brushing away her tears as he stared into her violet eyes. Sakura stopped breathing for a second, "S-Sasuke-!"He held her face firmly in his palms.

Never taking his eyes off of her, he pulled her in for an embrace. Sakura sniffled into Sasuke's shoulder, confused over his sudden intimacy. He put his arms around her, holding her. Sakura eventually wrapped her arms around him back. It felt nice to be held, she thought silently. Many things were running through Sasuke's mind.

He felt relieved that Sakura wasn't a part of the Akatsuki. That she had an ulterior motive all along. It impressed him greatly. For her to flat out cry so suddenly though, he couldn't figure out. Did she miss him that much? Or is it something else? He felt a pinch of guilt, and the only thing he could think of to do was to give her a hug. A real hug. She wasn't that annoying and useless shinobi anymore, and he understands that now. She was probably scared all this time for him and herself. He only cared about his goal and now that it's fulfilled, what's his next move? What is his new goal?

"Sakura," Sasuke whispered into her ear, "I'll come back to the village."

Sakura let out a whimper and hugged him tighter. He held her closer, unsure where to go from there.

What is his new goal?