Chapter 15
Darkness was all that was there to greet him when his eyes slowly opened. His body acted and throbbed as if someone had dropped him from a 50 foot cliff. Realizing something was in his mouth he coughed and spitted. Blood.
"Looks like he's finally awake Itachi," Kisame observed from in the darkness.
Reality began to set in as Naruto heard that voice. That was right he had come with them willingly. Groggily he strained to open his eyes. They seemed so heavy…what was wrong with them?
"Kisame I told you not to be so brutal." Itachi mused from Naruto's right. Naruto's head instinctively turned towards his voice.
"Well you know how it goes Itachi, I couldn't restrain myself."
There was a rustle of a cloak as Itachi approached Naruto, who was tied to the wall. Naruto's eyes narrowed as Itachi came into his view of sight.
"You look very upset Naruto, weren't you the one that came with us willingly?"
"I didn't think you'd beat the heck out of me." Naruto was amazed he was able to speak at all. His voice was hoarse and weak but still hearable.
Itachi reached out his left hand and took a hold of Naruto's chin.
"You were the one that gave up so easily."
Naruto's eyes scanned the room and noticed that Kisame was nowhere to be seen.
"I thought you said you'd do anything in order to bring Sasuke back to the village. "I'm a better brother than you ever were," you stated. But now look at you, bleeding and about to have the nine-tailed sucked out of you forcibly." Itachi's Sharingan was spinning wildly.
A smirk came over Naruto as he looked into the Sharingan.
"You're really upset about this, why?"
Itachi reeled backwards on his feet. Never had Naruto seen him so shocked before and so…human. When Naruto blinked a blank expression was put on Itachi's face.
"Never thought you would be one to give up, weren't you the one always proclaiming that you would become Hokage someday? That you never went back on your word? Well…didn't you swear to bring Sasuke back to the village? To lead him away from the darkness that covers his heart and mind?"
Naruto hung his head, "Sasuke…has always been stronger than me, better than me. When I found out I was compatible with him I was…happy. Wind helps and aids fire, it didn't matter to me that I could destroy his lightening ability with Wind…all I cared about was being able to help him, being able to stand on the same ground as him."
Bile filled his mouth and he gagged and coughed in order to get rid of it.
"He was always there…in front of my eyes…aiding me…helping me get stronger. I wanted…I wanted to be like him. Sasuke was the first one to really see me. The first one to acknowledge me more than a failure who held the demon who destroyed the whole village."
Itachi adjusted his cloak while Naruto continued.
"Sakura ended up going to him…she's with him now. I never thought she would be one to leave the village but the more she's with him the more I know she won't want to come back. Leaving the village was something that only crossed my mind once. And that was in order to find Sasuke. But now..." he motioned with his hands upward, "I'm chained to a wall with blood coming up my throat every few minutes. I know that I'm going to be killed and yet you don't see me fighting my way out of here. It would be so easy for me to just turn myself over to the nine-tail and have him tare this place to shreds but I don't. Because I've decided that I don't want to deal with the pain of losing the people I care about. I don't want to have to go back to the village without Sasuke and Sakura knowing that they'll never come back. I can't stand the hurt of losing another family member."
"How touching," Itachi mocked once Naruto was finished speaking.
"Here I thought you were the one that never would let yourself give up, to lose hope that someday everything would turn out in the end."
Naruto lifted his head up in order to see Itachi.
"You were the one that caused Sasuke to become the way he is in the first place. You made him run to a monster that only wants his body in order to gain power. You are the one that condemned him to hell! How can you stand there mocking me when you're the one that destroyed your clan, your family, and by doing so you destroyed everything Sasuke held dear! I don't want to hear you're lame excuses, if I had it my way you'd be dead right now at my feet!" Naruto's eyes shifted from the hazy blue to threatening red, his pupils becoming slits.
Itachi snickered.
"Looks as if you've begun to lose that cool you've been trying so hard to maintain. You really haven't mastered any self control of the nine-tail. The only power you have to bring Sasuke back with is the power of the nine. Does it make you feel good knowing that without the fox you'd be nothing?"
Naruto gritted his teeth together in anger.
"And with my little brother, he's nothing but a baby that thinks if he tries hard enough he can defeat me. He refused to kill you in order to hold the same Sharingan as me, which alone proves he's a coward."
The whiskers on Naruto's cheeks grew more pronounced. It was one thing to mock him but to mock Sasuke…that was going over the line.
"Shut up!" There was a burst of chakra that followed the words.
Itachi was thrust against the opposite wall.
"You can talk crap about me all you want but you have no right to say anything about Sasuke! You have no right to act like you're a God given creature to this world. I'm going to show you how worthless you really are!" Red chakra began to swirl around Naruto as his anger rose to extreme heights. Itachi watched from his place on the wall with a slight smile.
'Yes there you go Naruto, get angry with me—fight me to save Sasuke. Bring Sasuke out of the darkness he has lost himself in.'
The chains that restrained Naruto began to melt with the extreme heat that was emanating from Naruto's skin. The wounds Naruto had received from Kisame began to heal at a vigorous pace. When the chains had melt into nothing Naruto landed on his feet, the red chakra swirling madly.
His eyes locked with Itachi's as Itachi moved so he would be ready for any attack Naruto would inflict.
A growl escaped Naruto's throat as he made his advance towards the man in front of him. The thought of Sasuke being hurt by this man filled his mind. It was three years ago when Sasuke had been beaten to a pulp by his older brother. By the man that killed everything that Sasuke ever loved.
Back then Naruto had been able to do nothing, but it was going to be different this time around. This time he was going to make Itachi pay for what he did; for everything he did to Sasuke.
Itachi held up his left hand and motioned for Naruto to come to him. That enraged Naruto further. Without any delay he lunged towards the man that had become his enemy the moment he took a swing at Sasuke.
Itachi dodged the frontal attack and thrust a Kunai into Naruto's side. His eyes widened slightly when the kunai seemed unable to penetrate the skin. Naruto's eyes dilated even more when he turned to glare into Itachi's dark eyes. The red chakra became more intense as the second tail began to form. Itachi noticed this drastic change and hurled himself backward, away from Naruto.
"I'm….gonna…kill you!"
Itachi's Sharingan whirled around the room analyzing everything that could be used against Naruto. The door banged open and Kisame stood in the doorway, his sword lowered from his back ready.
"Itachi what trouble has happened here? Surly you didn't mean to get him like this."
Itachi glanced back without turning his head toward Kisame.
"Hardly, he got worked up when I mentioned something about my baby brother."
"Sasuke was it? What is it that has Naruto so set on getting him back? Orochimaru has him in his clutches and no one but you could save him from that fate and everyone here knows you wouldn't do such a thing." Kisame pondered out loud, clearly forgetting about the nine tailed Naruto that was seething with anger.
"Kisame behind you!" Itachi yelled out a warning.
Kisame turned his head and barely had time to dodge a chakra arm that was coming towards him fast. With chakra enhanced speed he ran to Itachi's side.
"You made him dangerous. You have to remember never to mention your brother to this kid."
Itachi merely smirked in response as Naruto leaped at the pair. With two chakra arms he grasped onto Kisame and Itachi and smacked them into each other. Itachi swore under his breath as he activated his Mangekyou Sharingan. Kisame rubbed the back of his head and smiled.
"You finally mean business do you? About time."
His hands flew and made hand signs that were hard for the human eye to catch. He ended on the last sign and smirked at the enraged Naruto.
Lifting his hands to his mouth he blew out a black flame like fire. Naruto's eyes dilated. He had seen this fire before, back when Pervy Sage had saved Sasuke from Itachi's genjutsu three years ago. Flipping backwards and away from the fire he began to think of a way to get past the black flame that was coming towards him.
'What would Sasuke do in order to get away from this? There has to be a weak spot in this Jutsu! What would Sasuke do?!? Oh boy do I wish Sasuke was here right now.'
Naruto stumbled when he found himself in a familiar place. The floor was wet and you could hear drops of water falling from the ceiling. Gulping he looked straight in front of him to see a huge cage with a tag with the world 'seal' on it. A growling was coming from the cage as the animal made its presence known.
"Give yourself over to me. Together we will finish this fight. Without me you have no chance in seeing this thing through to the end."
Swishing noises were made as Naruto took a few steps away from the Nine-Tail.
"I won't do that. I'll finish him with my own power. I hurt people when I give in…"
"You want to save Sasuke don't you? I can help you achieve that goal; all you have to do is come to me."
Darkness covered Naruto's eyes as he looked down into the water that was ankle deep. His eyes widened when he saw a reflection begin to appear. The image came into focus and Naruto found himself looking at his best friend, his brother.
"You can see him again. All you need to do is take this seal off."
His eyes shook with emotion as the image of Sasuke began to blur and fade. Raising his eyes towards the fox he smirked.
"This is Itachi Uchiha we're dealing with. He has the most powerful Sharingan that has ever been in the Uchiha clan. There is only one known thing that can control the likes of you and that's the Sharingan he possesses. I'd be an idiot to turn myself over to you only to have you be controlled by him."
The fox growled loudly at Naruto's response.
"I will not be taking lightly by the likes of them again! Let me make our power one and we will destroy them together!"
Naruto shook his head.
"No."
Naruto was suddenly swept back into reality as his body hit against the wall, hard. The black flame was coming at him at high speed.
'I guess there's no hope in getting out of here alive. Might as well take them down with me! Sasuke…you better take care of Sakura cause if you don't I'll come and hunt your sorry ass.'
When the fire was about to latch onto his cloths he jumped up into the air. Itachi watched with mild interest.
"Perhaps I'll have to pay my brother a visit. It has been a long time since I've seen him. It'd be good to…catch up."
A growl left from the depths of Naruto's throat.
"Uh…Itachi I know you know what you're doing but is it good to push him to his limits?" Kisame questioned quietly his eyes darting around trying to keep a lock on Naruto.
'It's the only way to ensure that he doesn't give up on Sasuke…I need him to go through with his promise.' That thought made something click in his head.
"Wasn't it true Naruto that you promised Sakura that you'd bring back Sasuke? From what I hear on the rumor reel is that she is now a prisoner of Orochimaru herself…are you going to abandon her along with your "brother"?" Itachi asked as blood began to slide down his cheek from his left eye.
Naruto's lip began to quiver.
"So I take it you're going to leave her there with Orochimaru him doing God can only imagine to her? And you should know that my brother wouldn't do anything to stop it. That isn't his style."
"Shut up!"
"Hit a nerve again didn't I? Do you still have an undying love for the pink haired girl?"
A chakra hand whipped out and caught onto Itachi's torso.
"Ugh, I guess I'm right after all."
Naruto threw him across the room where Kisame caught his partner before he could get seriously hurt. Setting Itachi on his feet Kisame held up his sword.
"Perhaps it's time we stopped playing around. As you can see the third tail is about to appear since you had to remind him of his so called 'promise'" Kisame retorted.
Itachi turned away from Kisame where a small smile played across his lips, it was hardly recognizable but it was still there.
The slits in Naruto's eyes narrowed even more if that was possible. On all fours Naruto moved his weight to his arms and sprung towards the pair.
There was a crack that sounded through the room and then everything fell dark.
'Can I really give my life to Orochimaru? Could I honestly leave the village behind and all my friends and family that love me? All for the sake of love that might never exist? I'm crazy, utterly insane.'
Sakura walked around the space that would now become her new 'home'. She thought the last base was bad but this one had it beat by a mile. There was no green around them at all, just sand. She hated sand, how it got everywhere and never seemed to leave. When it got in your eyes it hurt and if it ever ended up in your sandals there was no way of getting it out. It was just plain terrible.
Touching her stomach she sighed. So much was changing so fast and this new power she was acquiring was nothing to push to the side. It scared her how when she let it consume her how much it changed her, changed her thought process.
'I'm becoming so…evil and twisted. Just like Orochimaru. Ugh! How could I have let things get this far? I need to get away from here fast…even if it means leaving Sasuke…'
Her eyes fell downcast at her own thoughts. Leaving Sasuke would be the hardest thing she'd ever have to do. There was no way of getting around it though. The longer she stayed here the more she changed. She couldn't risk changing into a completely different person.
'But Sasuke…could I really leave him after everything that's gone on between us. Can I leave him now that…'
Sakura shook her head not wanting to think about it. This was Orochimaru's nest, who knew if he could be listening to her inner thoughts.
There was a light knock on her door; she instantly froze fearing it was the man she last thought of. The door swung slowly open revealing Sasuke Uchiha with his hand still on the knob.
Sakura gulped, "Well I'm glad it's you and not someone else…"
Sasuke closed his eyes and opened them as he entered the room and allowed the door to shut behind him.
"Did the training with Orochimaru go all right?" Sakura asked in a dead voice. Her eyes had fallen downward as he approached her.
"Tsk, same as usual."
A flash of guilt washed over her as she thought about her thoughts she had a moment before he entered. In one fluid motion she creased her stomach; green chakra glowed from her palm. Sasuke's eyes followed the motions of her hands.
"What's going on…you're hiding something from me."
A drop of sweat slid down the side of her face.
Sasuke noticed the way she bit her lower lip, she always did that when she was nervous. He smirked, he knew her so well that he could tell when she was hiding something.
Sakura jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking at the hand on her shoulder her green eyes locked with onyx ones.
'Please don't make me tell you…if I can't bear to stand the thought I'm sure you won't be able to either.'
Sasuke's eyes softened slightly as he gazed into hers.
"…tell me."
Forcing herself to look away she put her head in her hands, fisting her pink hair in her hands. She had to lie…she had to tell him anything but the truth.
"I thought…I really thought I could leave everything behind to be with you but…the end results are too much to bear. And Naruto…Orochimaru handed him over to Akatsuki I know he did. Naruto has been nothing but faithful to me and honest. He's part of my family and I can't just leave him behind like you did. I…I can't do that to Naruto and now I'm worried about him, all I can think about is what could possibly be happening this moment. Anything that happens to him is my fault. I should have never followed you when you were in town—I should have just stayed behind and let you leave my life—again, but no I had to be stupid and follow you and so now I'm here." She motioned with her hands to the room.
"I don't know if you even care but if Naruto really is in the Akatsuki's hands then he most likely will be killed."
Sasuke flinched slightly but covered it quickly, not quickly enough since Sakura now was leaning towards him.
"You still care, don't you? If you came with me we could go and find him and save him. We can be team 7 again, a family again."
Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"Now you're going to start rambling about bonds aren't you?"
Sakura hung her head low as she fidgeted with her blouse.
"I know this is the last thing you want to hear but everyone at home wants you back. If anything happened to you when you came back to the village you can guarantee that Naruto and I would run away with you. He still believes in you and thinks of you. As long as you have someone thinking about you it's the place you'll return too."
Sasuke sighed exasperated, "You're really serious about this, aren't you?"
Sakura raised her chin slowly forward her long bangs still covered her eyes.
"I can't stay here any longer. The more Orochimaru touches me…the more I change. You've seen me when I get in those modes when I'm someone completely different. If I stay here any longer I don't think I'll be able to hold onto the person I am. I'll become someone I'm not, someone evil…twisted."
A pit formed in Sasuke's stomach as he listened to her describe what was going on inside. The thought of her changing forever was something he wasn't sure he could quite accept. He began to chew on the inside of his cheek as his thought process kicked in.
Sakura felt unease as Sasuke didn't reply. There was something going on inside his head and she was positive he wasn't going to fill her in on what he was thinking.
"I know you have to kill Orochimaru and that you won't forget about Itachi but…," she trailed off as she took a deep breath, preparing herself.
"Sasuke there's something you should know about…"
Sasuke's hand froze where it was currently in his hair. What seemed like slow motion he turned so he was facing her completely.
"…."
Sweat began to make its way down Sakura's brow. What if he thought she was dirty, thought that she was good for nothing.
'What if he doesn't want anything to do with me? What if…he thinks I'm just like Orochimaru? Will he even look at me the same again?'
She bit her lower lip as her eyes bounced around the small room. Was this really a good idea, telling him what was going on with her? Was it right to tell him when it could possibly end everything they had?
"Sakura, what is it?" He snapped softly.
Sakura jumped slightly at the harshness of his voice. So far this wasn't a good sign at all. If he wasn't pleased right now then there was a strong chance that he would be furious by the time she was done talking.
'Maybe it's best if I just don't tell him. That might be the only way to keep things hush, hush. Besides there's always that chance that is isn't his…that it's…'
As Sasuke sat silently watching her, a new kind of pit formed. He found himself slightly sweating as the time slowly passed by. What could it be that had Sakura so panicked and worried? Had there ever been anything that had her so worn down before? Ever since she had been brought here she had shown great strength. She hardly cried and when she did it was only when her walls couldn't support her anymore. Sakura had really changed in the short time she had been with them.
"Has that pain come back?"
Sakura's head snapped but as she brought her knees to her chest.
"It did…right before you came into the room…"
"…Do you know what it means?" Sasuke asked carefully.
Sakura hid her face in her knees. Shaking her head she mumbled something but Sasuke couldn't quite make it out. Reaching out he placed his hand on her head. She jolted slightly at his touch but soon rested into it.
"Tell me."
Bringing her face up so he could clearly see her green eyes she inhaled.
"I think I know what it means. It's still a little shaky and hard to make out since I haven't really dealt with this before. With all my training with Tsunade you'd think it'd be easy for me to diagnose things but…when it's something that goes on with me it's harder. And I've listened to your warning and haven't gone to Kabuto about it," frowning she continued, "The signs are different then they should be when someone is but…I think I'm…I'm…I-I'm pregnant." It took her longer than it should have to say the word. Once she finished she hid her face back in her knees.
Sasuke was numb as he slowly let his hand fall from her head. She was…what?
'This is unreal…she's…what?'
Leaning his face on his hands he exhaled. This was serious if this was Orochimaru's plan from the beginning then they both were done for.
"Whose is it?"
Sakura flinched when he asked the question she had been dreading.
When she didn't answer him he began to lose the cool he once had.
"Is it mine or is it Orochimaru's for hell's sake!" his voice hadn't raised any but it was filled with anger, loathing.
Was it loathing towards him or her she couldn't tell.
"I—I don't know. That's the only thing I can't determine. I mean…the symptoms are different from normal symptoms…"
"…So you're saying it could most likely be," he swallowed hard, "bright eyes?"
"I hope to everything holy that it isn't. I don't know what I would do with myself if it turned out to be his. I don't know if I could live with myself…" Sakura exclaimed while crumbling onto the mattress.
Sasuke's eyes followed her form as she fell down on the bed. If this child truly was Orochimaru's then he would have no choice but to be rid of it.
Sakura placed her hands over her eyes as she began to shake her head. "I could make myself have a miscarriage but every time the thought crosses my mind it makes me sick. How can I destroy something that is innocent in all of this? They didn't do anything, all they did was exist, and it isn't like they planned it. I've murdered before sure, but they were all bad guys that had done something wrong. This child hasn't done anything wrong."
Sasuke's mind was going into overdrive as he tried to come up with a reason why Orochimaru would try something so risky. There were so many things that could go wrong if he tried to have offspring that it made things not add up.
"Sasuke please say something." Sakura grumbled after a few moments. Sasuke moved until his back was resting against the wall the bed was pushed against.
"…what do you want me to say?"
"Say I'm evil that I'm a monster for letting something like this happen," Sakura replied without missing a beat.
Sasuke chuckled without any humor.
"How can you control this? It wasn't like you asked for him to do you every night. Orochimaru had this planned since the moment he brought you to the hideout. I just should have seen it coming."
Moving her hands so she could look up at him she frowned.
"Don't you dare start blaming yourself for this! There's no way you would have been able to see this coming. You were just doing what you were told; he made it so you wouldn't have any clue to what was going on. He was the one that played you so you shouldn't blame yourself, you should be upset and angry at him."
"It could be mine."
Sakura's eyes locked with his as he spoke.
Her cheeks reddened slightly when she nodded, "Yeah it could be."
Sasuke ran his hand through his hair which he seemed to do a lot when he was thinking.
"It's possible that that was his goal in the first place."
Sakura moved so her weight was resting on her elbows so she could look at him fully.
"Why would he do that? Did he really think that we'd get together? He must have been playing on a fly because
there was a huge chance that that might not have worked."
"Which would be why he messed around with you as well. He would have a backup plan just in case his initial one didn't play out."
Sakura moved so she was sitting Indian style, not caring that she was in a mini skirt.
"But that still doesn't tell me why he'd want me pregnant."
Sasuke smirked, "You haven't caught onto it yet? He wants to have insurance that he'll have another body that can replace mine once it gives out. So what better way than to make sure there's another Uchiha to fill the order?"
The color drained from Sakura's face.
"And if he couldn't have one of your children then he would create one of his own that he'd use. But could he really do that? Could he use his own child in order to survive longer?"
Sasuke gazed off into the distance.
"Orochimaru wants to learn all the Jutsu he can, so if he has to kill his own in order to fulfill that dream then he won't hesitate."
Bile rose in Sakura's throat.
"He makes me sick, someone needs to finish him off once and for all."
Sasuke was winding an invisible thread around his pointer finger.
"Don't worry I have that part covered. Right now we need to get you out of here. When he finds out that you're pregnant he'll put heavy guards to watch over you morning and night. It will make it almost impossible for you to escape."
Sakura straightened up.
"Wait…it sounds like you're planning on staying here…I can't leave you behind." She leaned over so she was grasping his shirt. Sasuke's eyes hadn't moved from the spot he was looking at.
"Sasuke please don't do this…I can help you finish him off…please…"
"If this child is mine I don't want you doing anything that can put you or it in danger. Do you understand?" His voice was so hard that it left no room for arguments.
Sakura's forehead hit into his chest as she collapsed into him, she began to tremble after a few moments. Sasuke was still numb from the reality of the situation that it was hard for him to lift his arms and hold her to him, but with some effort he was able to hold her, gently.
"I don't want it to be his…" a sob broke through her throat, "I want it to be yours…only yours."
Sasuke closed his eyes as he held her more tightly.
"Me too…" he whispered so softly that she couldn't hear it over the sobs that were slowly beginning to take over her.
After a few minutes that seemed like an eternity she pulled herself away from him. Wiping her eyes she smiled,
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to fall apart like that."
He shrugged, "It's reasonable. You're…so you're entitled to have mood swings."
Sakura swung at him playfully at his answer.
Sasuke turned serious a second later.
"We need to get you out of here and to Konoha. Once you're there you have Tsunade check you out and you find out who that child belongs too. You hear? When I see you next I want to know if it's mine or his." He hissed the last part severely.
Sakura nodded her head indicating that she understood.
"But how am I going to get out of here?"
"Simple, whenever we arrive at a new base Orochimaru and Kabuto go out and investigate the area to make sure there are no Ninja's camped out anywhere nearby. Once they leave that will be the time we leave."
"Don't they usually take you along?" Sakura questioned.
Sasuke shook his head.
"I don't go; I usually give them the glare and a cold shoulder when they ask. They know not to ask me to do things that don't interest me."
"Rrright, they're afraid of you, they always say you're cranky."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, "well in our case it's good and well they believe that."
"Believe? They know." Sakura snickered.
Sasuke rolled his eyes as he stood up.
"They'll be leaving shortly so get ready. You should only take a small pack that way you'll be able to move quicker. The faster we get out of here the better."
Sakura stood up as Sasuke tossed her a small pack. Holding onto it she smiled.
"Thank you Sasuke."
"Hmm."
When she looked up she wasn't surprised to see he was already gone.
A few minutes later she had finished packing. She only had essential things that she could get by with until she reached the village. Swiftly and silently she swung her pack onto her shoulders. Taping her foot against the stone floor she waited. How long did it take Sasuke to get ready?
'Sometimes I wonder if he's secretly like a girl.'
The doorknob turned and Sakura couldn't help but hold her breath. Was Sasuke telling her the truth when he said Orochimaru would leave to scout the area? What if this was him coming into her bedroom to take advantage of her?
A smile formed on her lips when she saw who was staring blankly back at her.
"What? It's not like you won the lottery or anything." Sasuke stated without emotion.
Sakura ran so she was standing in the doorway directly in front of him.
"I'm just glad it's you and not snake face." She said giggly.
One eyebrow rose on Sasuke. Sakura put her hands on her sides, her smile vanishing.
"Gee what's your probably mister stern? I swear if you weren't helping me get out of here I'd punch your face in."
Sasuke found the statement amusing. He smirked in return.
"I doubt you'd be able to reach that high."
Sakura huffed about to come up with a comeback when he turned around so she was looking at his back.
"If we're getting you out of here we need to leave now. Orochimaru left a few minutes ago and he'll be gone for a
few hours. It's going to take us at least that much if not longer to get you there."
Sakura twisted a strand of pink hair around her index finger.
"I'm not that slow you know. I've been training with Orochimaru as well so don't think I'm the same as I was before I got kidnapped. I can keep up with you."
"I doubt that."
"Sasuke you better watch it!" her voice began to steadily rise.
"…."
"Oh you have nothing to say?!" she stated sarcastically.
"You're defiantly pregnant."
"WHAT? Now you're dissing me because I'm carrying something in the oven?"
"Interesting wording."
Sakura pulled her fist back; blue chakra began to build in her fist. Hitting out with extreme force she aimed for the center of his back.
He vanished in a blink of an eye and ended up behind her. He tapped her lightly on the shoulder and looked down at her. Anger welled up inside her causing her cheeks to turn red with fresh blood.
"Enough of this banter; we need to leave, now."
Sakura sighed as she was forced to call truths with this man she found herself madly in love with.
"You're right, we don't have much time and here I am wasting it."
"Exactly."
A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she followed Sasuke out of the compound. They added chakra to their run as they dashed across the sand exterior. When they were about 15 miles away from the base Sasuke stopped short.
"We'll never make it at this rate. This is going to use a lot of chakra but I don't see any other alternative."
Sakura gazed at him quietly, waiting for him to fill her in on what was running through his head.
"We'll have to teleport."
Warning bells flew off in her mind.
"Wait…doesn't that take a lot of chakra…if you do that then you won't have any chakra left to get back."
Sasuke was silent which made her panic a little.
"If that happens Sasuke then Orochimaru will know that you helped me escape…I don't want to find out that you're dead."
"I'm not going to die, I have a revenge to handle don't I?"
Sakura bit her lower lip.
"I don't know, maybe I should teleport us and that way you'll be able to get back…"
"No! You haven't completely mastered it. You could end up leaving a body part here. I'm sorry but I don't want to take that risk." Sasuke snapped.
Sakura groaned. There was no changing Sasuke's mind when he made it up. That was one of the things she loved about him, except when he did stupid things like this.
"What are you going to tell Orochimaru hm?"
Sasuke shrugged.
"I could care less what I come up with to tell him. I'm going to be killing him soon anyway."
He walked over to her and pulled her unexpectedly into his arms, bringing her close to his chest. Blood rushed to her cheeks from the close proximity.
"Now enough arguing. This is the only way, I'm not going to have Orochimaru find out about your condition."
Sakura leaned her head against his chest. Sand began to rise around them as Sasuke activated the chakra that was necessary for the teleportation.
There were only a few times that he let emotions show. Was it possible that he wanted this child to be his? Was a baby the one thing that could bring Sasuke back to the village? Back to team 7?
'I hope more than anything that this child that is growing inside of me is his. This could be the last thing to finally bring him back home where he belongs. Back with me…we're we can be a family. Or at least I hope we can be a family.'
As fast as it happened it was soon over. Sakura opened her eyes as Sasuke's arms dropped from around her. She blinked a couple of times to help her eyes adjust to the new area.
There were millions of green trees around. When she inhaled she recognized the scent. She was back, she was home! She smiled up at Sasuke and jumped slightly so she could fling her arms around his neck.
"Thank you, Thank you!"
After all that he had been through with her he couldn't help but notice how truly happy she was. Bringing her back home was the only thing that made her really smile. A sharp pain went through his heart at the thought. Perhaps there wasn't a way for them to be now. He couldn't return to the village…not after all he had done.
"I can't believe I'm finally home. I've missed it so much…" Sakura rambled on for a few moments. When she felt the change in the air she turned back to Sasuke.
"You're exhausted. There's no way you can get back to the base."
Sasuke shook his head.
"I'll start back on foot. After a few hours I should have enough chakra to make the jump again."
"But if you walk there's more chance that you'll be spotted."
Sasuke shook his head.
"I'm only seen when I want to be seen."
Her eyes fell downcast. Hesitantly his hand reached out as he placed it on her left cheek. She sighed and leaned into his touch.
"You send me word when you find out."
She nodded her head indicating that she understood. They stood like that for a couple of minutes. A sound of a twig snapping filled their ears. Sakura's heart sped up with anxiety as her eyes darted around the area. Sasuke was doing the same but more calmly.
"You need to go." Sakura spoke quietly.
Sasuke nodded once as he began to back up. Sakura watched as he began to walk away from her.
"Be safe…" she whispered to the empty space that was around her. With a new hope in her heart she turned around and began the short walk to the gates of Konoha.
The Ninja's stationed at the gates gapped in awe as she strode towards them. After recovering from the shock one of the stood up and ran to meet her.
"Is that you Sakura?"
Sakura smiled cheerfully at him. Her outfit was ripped and dirty from the sand and her face was smudged with dirt. Her hair was a swirl of disaster from the teleportation Jutsu.
"Alive and in the flesh."
"The Hokage will be thrilled that you have returned."
Sakura's green eyes gleamed as the Ninja waved to his partner at the post.
"I'll be back! I'm escorting Lady Sakura to the Hokage."
His partner nodded in acknowledgement.
"How did you escape from Sound?"
Sakura looked around at all familiar places she hadn't seen in what seemed liked ages.
"Shouldn't I wait to tell my tale until we're in front of the Hokage? I don't mean any disrespect but I'd like to only have to explain once."
The Ninja chuckled, "Yes, yes, of course."
They reached the Hokage's doors, Sakura found herself slightly nervous to see her Sensei again. Would she be able to tell that Orochimaru had added some of his powers to her own?
"Enter!"
The Ninja that was at her side opened the door.
"Lady Tsunade we have great news. Lady Sakura has returned from the clutches of the Sound."
Tsunade stood on her feet, her papers and books tumbling to the ground.
"What? She's back?"
The Ninja bowed his head respectfully.
"Yes she has returned."
"Let her in."
He stepped aside to allow Sakura access into the room. Steadily Sakura walked into the room. Tsunade gasped when she came into few. Sakura wasn't surprised by her reaction. She had changed quite a bit since she was taken. Her hair was longer than it was before and she had grown more mature.
Forgetting that the Ninja was in the room with them Tsunade ran over to her apprentice.
"Oh Sakura! I'm so happy that you are back safe and sound." Sakura smiled as she reached out and put her arms around her Sensei. Everything was going to be okay now; she had the best medical Ninja in the world right here to help her through the trials that were sure to follow.
"Sensei I was so scared…"
Tsunade held her close; her eyes fell onto the Ninja that was still there.
"Bring Kakashi here. He needs to see this for his own eyes."
The Ninja kneeled on the ground and covered his heart.
"Yes M'Lady."
Then he was gone. Tsunade turned her full attention to her pupil.
"Tell me everything."
So Sakura told her tale. She left out some of the details that didn't have any significant information.
"He would…touch me and…" she trailed off, trying to fight off the images that flooded her mind from bringing up the horrible.
Tsunade's expression turned dangerous.
"Orochimaru…once I find him I'm going to punch him until there is nothing left!"
Choosing to ignore Tsunade's outburst Sakura continued.
"But when he was with me Kabuto said he was transferring some of his powers onto me. Kabuto also said that I'd been the only one that can handle having Orochimaru inside of me physically…while I was there, there were times when I wasn't myself. I would lose control because of anger and…something would happen. Sasuke told me that my chakra turns purple when that happens. Sensei…what did he do to me?" Sakura's voice cracked at the end.
Tsunade placed her fingers on her forehead.
"Sakura I don't know, but I promise you I'm going to find out."
"There's another thing…I'm…I…" Sakura couldn't find the words to continue. So instead she reached out and grasped one of Tsunade's hands bringing it to rest on her stomach.
Her eyes bore into Tsunade's as Tsunade began to examine. Her eyes widened when Sakura knew she understood what she could not put into words.
"Is it?"
"I don't know whose it is."
"But you said Orochimaru…"
"…I wasn't only with Orochimaru…" Sakura admitted softly.
"Then who else?" Tsunade asked.
Sakura inhaled deeply, preparing herself for the possible outburst that could implode.
"While I was there I was able to grow closer to Sasuke…and…" she reached up to grasp the locket that hung around her neck. Pulling it out slowly she showed it to her Master.
"He grew to have feelings for me back. We…did things when Orochimaru wasn't around…it was a secret between us."
Tsunade was shocked into silence. Sakura bit her bottom lip as Tsunade continued to stare at her.
'Great, Tsunade was always telling me to get over Sasuke, that he was a dead beat so there was no point in holding onto my love for him. She's going to be furious that I slept with him…I just know it.'
Tsunade licked her lips to moisten them.
"Thank everything that is holy."
Sakura was shocked by her reply, "Um…what?"
"We better do some tests to find out whose child that is you're carrying. I pray to whatever is up there that you are carrying the Uchiha's child. If it turns out to be Orochimaru's we may have no choice but to abort it," she raised her hands in the air by the look Sakura was giving her.
"I promise that it will be the last resort. But if Orochimaru was planning on this happening that means it's bad for us if it goes down the way he wants it."
There was a popping sound and smoke as someone entered the room.
"Yo, I heard that Sakura had returned…now I find out that it's not only her but a baby as well?"
"Kakashi next time come through the front door like a normal person." Tsunade snapped.
"Kakashi- Sensei!" Sakura yelled as she threw arms around him. Kakashi smiled from under his mask as he returned her embrace.
"I tried to find you kid but for some reason we couldn't get close to the base."
"I know you tried your best Kakashi- Sensei…by the way…did you get Naruto back?"
Kakashi's smile faded from his face and Tsunade turned grim.
"There's been no word about Naruto, and we haven't had the resources to send a team out to look for him."
Tsunade answered before Kakashi could.
Sakura held onto Kakashi tighter.
"Kakashi- Sensei…we can't leave him there…we'll go and bring him back."
"Don't worry about it Sakura. Naruto will find his way back to the village, he always does." Kakashi answered, sidestepping the part about her accompanying him along.
"Right now we need to take some blood samples to find out who's child that is." Tsunade returned to all business. Kakashi let go of Sakura to allow her to follow behind Tsunade to the hospital. Sakura glanced over her shoulder.
"You better be there with me Kakashi- Sensei. You never know you might be proud to find out it belongs to the student that you couldn't help but allow the feelings of him being your son overwhelm you."
Kakashi waved to her but didn't reply.
'Yes I might feel that…but I also feel as though he used you for his purposes…and that is something I don't think I
can ever forgive.'
Sakura sat with her hands nervously in her lap. Tsunade had just left to put the blood samples to test. They wouldn't find out the child genes for a few hours at the least.
Entering the room Tsunade tossed the rubber gloves she was wearing into the trash.
"I'm glad we still had some old blood from Sasuke when he was still in the village. Of course there wasn't any of
Orochimaru's but I've known him enough that I'd know his genes anywhere."
Sakura didn't reply, her hands where twisting her red halter top.
"Sakura, calm down. Don't worry we'll fix anything that happens, all right? There's no reason for you to be worried like you are."
Sakura forced herself to smile.
"I know I just…I don't want it to be Orochimaru's…I'd give anything to know for certain its Sasuke's."
"I know how you feel Sakura. But the best thing for you to do right now is rest. Can you do that for me?"
Sakura nodded her head as she allowed herself to fall down onto the soft mattress.
"Just sleep and I'll wake you when the results are in."
Sakura grasped her wrist before she could leave the room.
"Thank you Tsunade-sama."
Tsunade smiled at Sakura while leaning down to place a small kiss to her forehead.
"Sleep well Sakura."
Sakura allowed her eyes to slowly shut, leaving her mind in darkness.
3 hours later.
Sakura swatted at the annoying person that seemed to find it enjoying nudging her. Groaning she flipped onto her opposite side to get away from the annoying thing.
"Sakura…Sakura…" the voice continued to call her name and the person that belonged to the voice began to shake her gently by the shoulders.
"Mmm…g'off…" Sakura muttered still in her dream world where her and Sasuke were living happily.
"Sakura, we have the results…wake up Sakura."
Sakura grumbled some more and the voice sighed.
"All right, you asked for it," there was another set of footsteps that stopped at the edge of the bed.
"It's all up to you Kakashi."
"Right…like I can do any better."
"Just do it."
There was a sound of the faucet letting water into a glass and then it was silent again. Sakura snuggled deeply into the pillows when she was suddenly thrust upon by cold tap water.
"GAHH! What? I'm awake okay? But why am I all wet?" She hollered.
Kakashi set the glass on the counter and pulled out his famous blue book. Sakura glared daggers in his direction but he didn't seem to pay attention.
Tsunade cleared her throat to bring Sakura's attention to her. That's when Sakura noticed the papers she held in her hands.
"You have the results?"
"Yes I do."
"…well?"
"Sakura…the father of your baby is…"
A/N: So sorry to cut it off like that. My beta didn't like that I did that either so she said I need to get the next chapter out to her fast, lol. No worries I'm only like five pages into that chapter but it should be done shortly. Tell me what you guys think! Please, please review, I have a lot of people adding it to their favorites but hardly reviewing...I know it takes me a while to get the story out but it's good to know I'm at least trying, right? Anyway I'm going to stop this note and let you guys push the green review button :D I hope you all have a great day!!