Erhmafap, guys. It's me. Remember me? Probably not. First of all; I'M SO SORRY IT'S LATE. Author's block. Life. Assignments. Stuff. This was meant to end differently, but well; it ended up like this. It's probably one of my most emotional moments, and I'm sorry the chapter is short, but I started working on it whilst I was really tired.

I also am starting a new Naruto story called 'The Uzumaki Seal'. As you can tell, my OC will be an Uzumaki. Not directly related to Naruto, though. If anyone's interested to know about it, PM me or something and we can talk. It's up now if anyone's interested.

Not going to reread and make you wait too much longer; so you know I have various typos, you live with it. Hope you enjoy.

He jumped, charging towards the raven haired ninja who almost didn't react in time; the jinchuriki's speed further increasing after having grown the demonic tail.

Sasuke's eyes widened when a blur of black smashed into the partially transformed boy, sending him flying and destroying trees with his body; causing him to pause in his intentions of dodging.

'What...?' His eyes focused in on the blur that landed on the branch he was on, its form becoming instantaneously clearer.

"Kuroki!" He called out to the black-haired female, who turned to look at him over her shoulder, her eyelids lowered halfway; giving off a lazy yet murderous glint as a sadistic grin plastered itself to her lips. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see her fingers twitching erratically, itching to dig them into something living and kill it.

At first the Uchiha had thought that the spirit within her had taken over again, but when he noticed how her eyes were their usual shade of dark brown, the mark under her eye left straight and left free from Jin's influence. He would've thought more on why the mark under her eye was jagged when Jin was in control, but the current situation didn't allow it. The only difference with her was the signature of her chakra.

It felt dark; insane and uncontrollable, but at the same time it had the familiarity of her usual signature. She eyed him with an unreadable look, causing Sasuke to step back warily.

Her eyes didn't fail to catch the small movement, and a snort was her response as she turned back to the red head who roared with insane laughter.

"Relax, Uchiha." She reassured him lazily, but her calm yet not demeanour and the following chuckle did everything but.

This wasn't Jin, or whatever, Sasuke knew. The bonded spirit's presence alone caused him to freeze with fear; but the Kuroki in front of him gave off a dangerous yet calming effect to him; as if the entire reason she was like this was to protect him, and reassure him that she wouldn't hurt him.

Gaara smashed away the broken bits of the trees he smashed with his body, standing on what was left of a tree that stopped his momentum. His eyes instantly glued to the form of Taidana Kuroki, the girl who did nothing but haunt and confuse him.

She gave him a large grin that reminded him of himself, and he unintentionally fully noticed the similarities she had with him.

Realising his unconscious thought, he snarled, shaking his head frantically in anger.

"You're a plague!" He accused her, pushing off the surface her was on and darting towards her. "And I'll kill you!"

She shifted in her footing, leaning forward before abruptly leaving her spot on the branch in a flash. The Uchiha's eyes widened at her speed, his sharingan the only thing allowing him to catch her moving.

Kuroki appeared in front of the red head almost instantly, her body leaning to the right as Gaara threw his transformed arm at her. It expanded, shifting on its own to redirect itself around and continue its pursuit. She jumped up, dodging it again before weaving around the tail that too aimed for her.

"I thought I told you," She stated softly, her breath touching his still human ear suddenly, "that if you pissed me off, it'd be demon against demon."

A growl escaped his half-human, half-not mouth, turning to face her; but before he was able to react in time to attack; her fist smashed into his right shoulder.

Lightning ran through his entire body, causing him to yell at the abrupt feeling. He heard a sickening crack as he was forced to smash down to the ground below the trees, her punch forceful enough to create a crater underneath him as he landed.

A laugh that only could be described as deranged echoed from up in the trees as he stood up, a painfully large grin forming on his partially transformed face. Soon, he felt himself laughing wildly, finding the sensation to be exhilarating in a way he couldn't imagine.

He wanted to so very much kill Kuroki; because she reached out to him; tried to give him what he wanted so badly deep down.

She was going to hurt him if he let her, she'd betray him and tell him that she never cared about him in the first place.

Gaara threw his arm forward when he felt her coming towards him, trying to grab her. She managed to dodge, but he managed to injure her left arm, a gash now on her upper bicep. The fabric was torn as blood began to rapidly spread around it, but she paid it no mind as she continued her descent upon him, both their grins never ceasing. He inhaled the scent of her blood when she threw a kick, his tail blocking and absorbing the powerful force.

The smell was driving him over the edge, he wanted more, more of her blood. He'd rip her heart out so she wouldn't be able to torture him with thoughts of her anymore.

"I'll prove my existence with your death!" He announced as he threw his arm into her side, throwing her into the trunk of a tree and destroying it. Unperturbed by the way she quickly regained herself, they stared at each other wildly, both wanting to kill the other. She was wounded in multiple places, but she stood tall, her expression never changing from the deranged exhilaration she felt.

It was a sight he thought she looked best as, but to see her dead and surrounded by a pool of her own blood and flesh seemed more appealing. The voice in his head urged him to tear her apart.

Purple chakra began to visibly form around her, an ominous glow to it as her physical appearance morphed. The mark became jagged; her eyes glowed in a way that Sasuke could identify as Jin.

But something was different. The killing intent was more overwhelming than the last time; it was uncontrollable.

He immediately froze, the intense aura of that...demon was almost too much. The Uchiha growled inwardly; 'How can I be so fucking weak?!'

It pissed him off. It infuriated him that whilst Kuroki and Naruto were surpassing him; he was stuck being a coward.

'Power...'

That's what he needed. What he was striving to gain for his precious people and himself.

Whilst he had been stuck in his head; Jin, who was now in control, was fighting viciously with a partially transformed Gaara.

Jin kicked the redhead's stomach with a sickening force, but his arm had managed to snag Kuroki's body; sending them both crashing through numerous trees with Gaara trying to use Kuroki as a short of shield.

How many minutes past?

Temari and Sasuke couldn't tell, but it felt like forever. Two demons fighting each other in the middle of the forest; wreaking havoc.

Kuroki's body had gained more wounds, some severe and some not; but it seemed like Jin was forcing it over the edge, not bothering to keep an eye on her body.

Temari was sure that the girl should've already been dead with that many injuries, but she kept running at Gaara like a maniac.

'What the hell is she?'

When the two opponents flew past Sasuke; he noticed just how bad of a condition Kuroki was. His eyes widened.

What the hell was Jin doing?!

"Jin!"

Kuroki's eyes shifted towards the Uchiha for a millisecond, giving Gaara enough time to smack her straight into a particularly thick tree.

Upon impact, a crater formed as Kuroki gasped; all signs of Jin leaving control as blood escaped her already bleeding lips.

Sasuke panicked.

He was going to kill her at this rate!

A strange feeling engulfed him as he sprinted towards her; desperate to have her in his arms before the jinchuriki could get to her.

"Kuroki!" He cried.

She didn't respond as gravity began to pull her back down at an alarming rate. If that hit didn't kill her; this would've.

He was so close; so focused on her that he didn't see the tank of a creature smash into him.

The Uchiha yelled in pain, unable to do anything as Gaara pinned him to a tree with his transformed arm.

Sasuke was winded and confused for a moment, ignoring the blood seeping from his mouth. He grunted at the sand arm angrily, before realizing that he didn't catch Kuroki.

In an over panicked state, his eyes immediately searched for his other half; unable to hear the blabber coming from the crazed redhead.

Then...

His world stopped.

He didn't notice as his blonde teammate smacked Gaara away from him; or that he'd been released. He couldn't hear Sakura's worried calls or the argument going on with the two jinchuriki.

There she laid; on the forest floor; motionless.

A growing pool of blood was surrounding her beaten body.

No.

No.

"K-...Kuroki." Sasuke's small voice cracked as he tried to call her name. "Kuroki."

Sakura looked to Sasuke in a panic, before looking in the direction he wa-

Her eyes widened. "Kuroki-chan!"

The pink-haired girl was over at her side in less than a second.

Sasuke looked on from a distance, watching as Sakura seemed to fruitlessly revive her.

The raven-haired boy couldn't see as Naruto pummeled into a bewildered Gaara.

Why did he stay rooted where he was?

Because he thought that the sight before him wasn't real. It was an illusion. A hallucination, right?

RIGHT?

No. He shook his head and shakily laughed.

"I'll just go over there...and I'll see it's an illusion."

...

But it wasn't.

He was kneeling now, her blood soaking his pants.

Sakura looked up in alarm. "Sasuke!"

He didn't hear her. He didn't register the green chakra emanating from the pinkette's hand, only...

A sob broke out of his throat.

"Kuroki." Sasuke's voice broke as he slowly went to cup her dirtied cheeks. Had he noticed he was crying? "Kuroki...?"

"Kuroki..." Sakura's heart clenched at the sight of Sasuke placing Kuroki's head gently on his lap, running his hand through her hair and repeatedly calling her name. She continued to try to heal the girl.

Each time, she didn't answer.

Pakkun felt sorry for the poor Uchiha.

The ravenhead sniffed. He was panting now, his tears were clouding his vision of her. He was touching her, but she was cold. Why was she so cold?

"Kuroki...Kuroki...you can't be dead. You can't be." He shook her lightly, but he received nothing. "Kuroki! Wake up! Wake up!"

"Sasuke!" Sakura chided desperately. "Don't move her so much! I'm trying to heal her."

Pakkun shook his head. "She's gone, Miss Sakura."

Sasuke's eyes snapped towards the small dog, startling him. "She's not dead!" He denied angrily, holding her tightly against him. The tears were flowing harder. "She wouldn't leave me like this! She couldn't! I...!" He choked, trying desperately to keep holding on, that was alive and he needed to believe in her.

"She can't leave me by myself!" He cried, burying his face into the crook of her neck. "I can't...I can't live without her. She's..."

"I'm sorry." He sobbed. "I'm sorry that I was taking my anger out on you! I'm sorry! So come back! Kuroki!" The Uchiha stared desperately at her closed eyes; hoping to God that she was just sleeping.

When she remained still...

That's when he screamed.

He screamed to the whole world. He sobbed harder than he had when his clan was wiped out.

The girl he loved. The girl who he swore he would protect.

She was in his arms. Dead.

Sakura cried, he was so broken. She cried because she felt his pain, and she felt the pain of losing one of her best friends. She couldn't save her.

Naruto stepped forward; eyes wide and disbelieving.

Gaara had snapped out of it. He kneeled beside the blonde; his shocked eyes on the girl who reached out to him.

Pakkun remained silent out of respect, but he saw the way the Uchiha's eyes changed.

'The Mangekyou Sharingan!'

The moment Sasuke finally took in his surroundings, his eyes instantly locked onto Kuroki's killer. Temari, who stood next to him; didn't matter.

No. The Uchiha burned with hatred, the one who took the only thing keeping his life together was right there.

Setting Kuroki's head gently in Sakura's lap, the Uchiha stood up.

And then he was smashing Gaara in the face. Repetitively.

The bastard didn't even resist!

Naruto tried to pry his teammate off, only to be shoved back roughly. "Hey, you fucking jackass!" He snarled, but Sasuke wouldn't listen. "We're all grieving too!"

After moments of struggling, the Uchiha had fallen unconscious due lack of chakra and gaining the Mangekyou Sharingan. Naruto pulled the damn bastard off Gaara, who remained still even when Temari kneeled beside him.

"I'm sorry..." Was what he whispered.

Genuinely, after regaining himself (thanks to Naruto); he deeply regretted everything he did to the girl who merely wanted to be his friend. He let Uchiha pummel him because he deserved it.

It was silent for the longest time.

"Gaara..." Temari frowned, worried. "We should go."

"No." He frowned, sitting up. "I will stay here and let them decide my fate."

Naruto sniffed, glaring at the redhead. "We won't kill you. Kuroki-chan wanted to be your friend for a reason...and she..." He sobbed once. "she would've wanted us to forgive you and...and be friends."

Gaara's eyes widened. "You're like me, right? You were treated like a monster and feared even though you wanted friends, right? I know what exactly how that feels...and..." Naruto looked at the ground solemnly, "she became my friend, even though everyone else avoided me. Because of her, I now have so many precious people...she wanted the same for you, so...I hope we can be friends."

"Guys! She's alive!"

Kuroi leaned against the door frame, his brow furrowed with thought.

Kuroki was laying in the hospital bed, covered in various bandages and IVs attached to her.

Both he and Aonami right about panicked at the state of her when her Naruto, Sakura and Pakkun brought an unconscious Uchiha and a brutally wounded daughter.

After Sasuke woke up and found out that she was alive, he hasn't left her side once; always holding tightly onto her hand like she'd leave if he didn't.

The jounin sighed. So much happened in such little time.

The third Hokage was dead. They had his funeral not too long ago. Thanks to Kuroki, though; the village only suffered minimal damage, and Orochimaru was heavily incapacitated.

Sand surrendered the moment it was revealed that their Kage was already dead, and accepted that they were being manipulated.

Kuroi frowned. In truth; the reason for Kuroki's apparent death wasn't entirely because of her injuries. It had to do with inside as well. Though the Uchiha rarely talked nowadays, the only word he got was 'Jin.'

Frankly, that meant that Jin must've forced Kuroki into letting him surface; which caused a great strain on her because of the imbalanced duo. He wasn't sure just what exactly happened, but Kuroki must've shut down to cope with the excessive mental and spiritual stress going on within her. The injuries didn't help, either.

That would mean that he would have to seal Jin. The risk of her actually dying the next time that happens is too much. Kuroi glanced at the back of Sasuke, who was laying in the bed with her and stroking her hair.

'Poor boy just about snapped.'

He wasn't pleased to have gotten the Mangekyou Sharingan, only caring about Kuroki.

It made sense. They were basically each other's halves, and one couldn't live without the other and stay sane.

A sigh escaped the elder Taidana. 'He's going to never let her go after that mishap.'

He'd probably kill the next person who so much as looked at her the wrong way now.

"Sasuke, it's past visiting hours." Kuroi called lazily, not exactly expecting the teenage boy to listen.

"I don't care. I'm staying here." Was the soft reply he received.

"She wouldn't want you neglecting yourself, now would she?" He persuaded, smirking slightly when the boy tensed.

"...Fine."

Sasuke reluctantly slid off the bed, lingering a little to soft place a kiss on her lips. He pulled back before turning around and walking out with Kuroi; shutting the door behind him.

The room was quiet, save for Kuroki's soft breaths and the monitor.

Swiftly and silently, the window to her room unlocked and opened; letting the cool wind brush against her cheeks.

Unknown by the Taidana, a certain male stood at the side of her bed.

He stared at her sleeping form for the longest time, before reaching a hand out and gently tucking her hair behind her pierced ears.

The corner of his lips twitched upwards at the faint fluctuation of her chakra.

"You still remember me...Kuroki."

His perceptiveness noted the slight furrow of her eyebrows.

"I apologise. You've grown..."

She knew he was there, even if she was in a coma.

He didn't speak for a while, instead, felt nostalgic. He missed her...and him.

In all the years he'd been gone, he'd always thought of them.

Taidana Kuroki was unique in so many ways, and he was glad he entered his life. He always thought she was a unique kind of beauty. Her appearance was one of honesty, and it was a rather endearing trait.

Even now, even though she's bandaged up and unconscious; there was something other worldly about her. She wasn't the prettiest girl in the world, but she didn't need to be.

She was like his moon; a necessary part to his world.

Her other half was his sun.

The place they watched over was Konoha.

"I have to go after your teammate; the fourth Hokage's son..."

Then he was gone.

Neji visited a lot, whenever he could.

Sasuke and Neji never spoke too much when he did visit, but today was different.

The Hyuuga was sitting on the spare chair beside the Uchiha, both remaining silent until one spoke.

"I thought I lost her."

Neji glanced at the raven-haired boy.

"I don't think I could handle something like that again." He admitted in a whisper.

"It would be a shame for someone as unique as Kuroki to leave us."

It was Sasuke's turn to glance at the other, seeing his eyes closed.

"Have you noticed? Kuroki's affected many of the lives around her. There's Sakura, Naruto, me, you."

Neji opened his eyes, turning to give the Uchiha a hard stare. "You're not the only one who treasures her, Uchiha." There was an underlying tone that Sasuke assumed was a vague threat, and in response, his eyes narrowed.

"I know that." He muttered. "I'm just selfish when it comes to her."

"Obviously." The Hyuuga agreed easily, earning himself a glare. "What? You gave her the cold shoulder for weeks because you were jealous of her abilities, and yet you're still territorial."

"Tch. That was my mistake. I was...being a brat." Sasuke grumbled out reluctantly. Neji gave a slightly triumphant smirk.

"Yeah, I know." He stood up, and began to make his way to the open window. "I hope you got your priorities straight, Uchiha because..." Sasuke's glared hardened at the way the Hyuuga looked to Kuroki's sleeping form, "I've got mine."

Then he jumped out the window.

'No way. No way am I letting him have her. Hell no.'

Kuroi, Aonami and Sasuke stood in Kuroki's hospital room whilst others waited outside.

Reluctantly, Sasuke stayed back whilst Tsunade examined Kuroki.

"Her wounds are healing well, it's just that she needs to recuperate mentally and spiritually, which is why she's been sleeping for so long." She explained after healing Kuroki's more serious physical wounds.

Kuroi nodded, having already come to the same conclusion. Aonami sighed in relief, her hands now loosening from their death grip on Sasuke's shoulders.

Tsunade raised any eyebrow as the Uchiha walked to Kuroki's bedside and sat on the chair. He looked worn out.

"Hey, brat. You look a lot older than you are, cheer up. She's fine."

Sasuke sighed. He, like any other teenager had been going through puberty and such. His birthday was spent in her hospital room, with Sakura and a few others.

He knew she was aware that he was there, since her chakra always fluctuated when he was around.

"We'll also have to inform her of her promotion when she wakes up." She looked to Kuroi, who merely smirked and nodded. Sasuke blinked in surprise.

"She's getting promoted?" He asked incredulously.

Tsunade turned to him. "That's right. The third Hokage witnessed her capabilities and the council agreed." She smiled nostalgically at the memory of her old sensei, before grinning.

"Don't fall behind your girlfriend if you're going to be the guy in the relationship."

The Uchiha stared as the three adults left the room, before blushing like a drunk.

'I've never actually called her that before...god...how embarrassing.' He buried his face within his hands.

"My god, I feel like shit."

I kept my eyes shut because of the damn light, but moved to sit up on this uncomfortable fucking bed. I crossed my legs before peeking experimentally so my eyes adjusted to the light.

"Ugh..."

"KUROKI-CHAN!"

"Wha-hey!"

Naruto and Sakura pounced on me, clinging onto me with tears dramatically falling from their cheeks. Man, they're strong when they want to be.

"We thought you were dead, Kuroki-chan!" Naruto balled, his arms wrapped tightly around my waist whilst Sakura hugged my head.

"Yeah! You scared us, you idiot!" She agreed, sniffling angrily.

I groaned. If only you knew...fucking Jin and his issues.

"Yeah, my bad. Is Gaara alright?" I pushed the two off me. The both of them blinked, with Naruto soon grinning and giving me the thumbs up.

"Yeah! He's our friend now! Well..." He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, nervously avoiding eye contact.

"Sasuke wants to murder him." Sakura finished semi-calmly.

I cringed. "Why...I wonder."

"Because he believed Gaara murdered you."

Face to the palm.

"How did he...handle it?" She questioned unsurely.

Sakura's face became pained.

"He was devastated. He got the Mangekyou Sharingan in the process."

"Whoa, hold up." I raised my hands. "What?"

"That's right, I got the Mangekyou Sharingan." I froze. I feel the anger rolling off him.

Turning slowly towards the window, I was surprised by the sight.

"Puberty's doing a good job, so far."

Sasuke made a face that screamed irritation.

"You...you die...then you're alive again...then you're in a coma for about two months, you wake up and the first thing you say to me is 'Puberty's doing a good job, so far'?" The Uchiha basically growled as he leaned on the bed.

Sakura and Naruto glanced to each other when I glanced to them in a plead for help.

I made a sound of surprise when my face was suddenly cupped and I was kissed with a sense of desperation, relief and all sort of emotions.

"Agh! Teme's always kissing her! Gross!"

Sasuke pulled back to glare at his rival.

"Shut up! I think I have a right to want to kiss my now-awake girlfriend, whom before I thought was dead!" He declared almost territorially.

Naruto 'eep'ed, backing up at the intensity of the Uchiha's stare.

"Yeah, well..." Sakura mumbled awkwardly, before grabbing Naruto and leading him to the door, "we'll be outside. Take your time."

"I will." I sighed, grabbing the wrists of the hands still cupping my face before letting when I realised he was looking at me. I looked into onyx eyes, trying to remember just what his Mangekyou even looked like.

He rested his forehead against mine, closing his eyes and just...taking in my presence. He ran his hands down my shoulders, then brought his hands to my waist.

"Sasuke...you're shaking..." I pointed out as he wrapped his arms around my waist and nearly smashed be against his chest.

"Of course I'm shaking..."

Whoa. Uchiha Sasuke was currently crying with a smile.

"I'm sorry." He apologised, kissing along my jaw softly.

"For what?" I asked, confused.

"For treating you like I did...I didn't appreciate you, and I was jealous of you...that whole incident...it changed me. I don't ever want you to die." He tightened his hug, but I allowed it; bringing my arms up to wrap around his neck.

"And I don't ever want you to die." I sighed. "I'm sorry I put you through that. It turns out that having a spirit forcefully possess your body is really bad mentally and spiritually." I growled at the memory as Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "I had to sort shit out with Jin."

He pulled back, but kept his hands on my waist. "How do you mean?"

"Only when I want him to; will he be able to talk to me. I also am taking a break from his possessive blood-lusting shit, because last time was a good warning."

"Makes sense. I'm glad you're okay." This would be one of the rare moments Sasuke smiles. And it's so damn attractive.

"I love you, you mushy shit." I grinned.

"Love you too, even if you're insane."

"Am I interrupting something?"

Decided to end it here guys. It's short, it's rushed, it's unedited, but I posted it; which is an improvement. Hopefully I'll be able to update a little faster, but no promises. Hope you enjoyed, leave a review to show your appreciation of my awesomeness. c:

Much love if you check out my new story and give me some feedback on it. It's rather new and still in development, but I wanted to see what you guys thought first.