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.Heaven's Gate: Princess.

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Fifteen: A Speck of Hope.

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Sasuke arrived at the palace and, as he had predicted before, everyone was there. Including the normal palace's guards. Sakura sat in the middle of the group, pointing here and then on the scroll that looked the same as the one Kakashi carried.

He stood by the door, leaning on the wall, watching her. After a while, she finished and looked up at him. She smiled and stood up.

"Kakashi-sensei, you know what to do," Sakura turned to the ANBU captain. "I think you better do it now, before it's too late. They might come sooner; we all know how much mistake Kankurou can actually make…"

Kakashi nodded. Gaara and Temari sighed at the sad truth.

"We better go and help out," Gaara turned to the other Gods. All three of them nodded and they leaped off. Naruto grinned at Sasuke and then continued his way out of the palace.

Sakura turned to Sasuke and took his hand. They walked to the secret garden.

Sakura knelt in front of her mother's grave and prayed. Sasuke knelt in front of his brother's grave and hoped he was there to help him, to help all of them…

Sakura stood up not long after; she stood in the middle of the garden, looking up at the blue sky.

Sasuke watched her. Afraid… terrified on the thought of losing her.

"Sasuke-kun," Sakura said suddenly, making him alert. "Are you afraid?"

"No," Sasuke said truthfully. Sakura smiled.

"Matsuo Tabi really had done a good job," she said. "Guys are always the stronger… unlike girls. My mother taught me to be tough, even when the utmost crisis fell down hard upon us. It's my duty to be the one not afraid. Because I am their Princess, and if I'm scared… it would mean that all hope is lost."

He saw her shoulders shook and it hit him hard on the chest.

"I… keep on thinking," she said, her voice shook, thick with tears. "What if I die? What if we lost this war? What will happen to all the villagers, and to the country that my Father has been trying to defend all his life… worst yet, what would happen to him?"

She sighed; her emerald eyes stared straight into the sky. She wiped away the tears, but more were coming.

Sasuke's eyes tightened as he heard her pain, as he understood how much pain she had to suffer all this time.

"I'm scared," she said, more to herself that to him, "to die…"

"Sakura…" Sasuke spoke; his voice was merely a whisper.

"I love you, Sasuke-kun," she said. "If I die… will you ever find me again?" a big lump rose on her throat. Sasuke's chest hurt even more. "Why is this happening? When everything is perfect… something bad will always come. Is it… bad for us to be happy? The Gods and Goddesses up there are protecting us, that's why I have my Keepers. Then why…"

Sasuke closed his eyes. He wanted to shut his ears and just go away. Just leave all this pain behind.

Because what she said was true.

What if she died?

Will he ever be able to find her?

"I'm scared, Sasuke-kun," she choked out. "I don't want to be separated from you… but what if… what if…"

Sasuke grabbed her body and hugged her from behind. Her eyes widened as she suddenly felt his warmth against her. She could feel his breath tickled her neck as he battled his own pain.

"I will find you," he whispered into her shoulder. "I will find you."

She cried and gave up, she let him hugged her until it was hard for her to breathe.

"But you will not die," he growled. "We will all be here to protect you. I will never leave your side."

She nodded, sobbing.

"So, please, don't cry," he hid his face on her shoulder. She felt his tears and cried along. "I will never let anything happen to you."

She nodded again.

"Sasuke-kun," she muttered, her voice cracked. "Do you think there's hope?'

"Even in the darkest place…" he spoke. "There would always be hope. Even if it's only a tiny speck of hope."

She nodded and kissed his palm. He hugged her and they stood there, hoping for more miracles to come.

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Another chapter :)

I guess I could add another one before the exams are coming.

By the way, are you guys holding on okay? I heard about the Swine Flu entering America and I know most of you are from the States. You guys okay?

Keep on fighting the flu, eat lots of fruits and healthy veggies ^^

It's entering Asia right now; I just hope it won't get to me or my family and friends.

We have to fight back. So take care of yourselves.

ButterCan'tFly.