Chapter 18

Tear stains lined her face as she lay curled up in a tight ball. Her heart felt like it was crumbling all over the floor. Sound of water falling from the faucet came from the kitchen. Kakashi was humming softly to himself as he washed the left over dishes from the light breakfast they had had. Looking out of the corner of his eye he saw Sakura's shape on his bed.

"Sakura are you going to stay there all day?"

When no answer came he strode over to her. Touching her forehead to check for a fever he chuckled.

"I thought you would be up to searching for Sasuke yourself. You after all know him better than anyone else."

Sakura shifted slightly so she was looking up at her Sensei.

"He left me…I'm alone…" he hand fell down to her stomach where she creased it.

Kakashi followed her hand with his eyes.

"C'mon Sakura you know you're not alone. Look I'm going to head out to search for Naruto soon…I think I can leave you in the hands of the other Jonin."

Sakura jumped into a sitting position, she gripped onto Kakashi desperately.

"Don't leave me! Don't go!" she yelled frantically. Kakashi looked at her with surprise. Sakura had always been one that was strong, that wanted to be left alone so she could prove how far she really came. For her to cling to him so desperately was unnerving.

Hiding her face in his chest she continued to mumble.

"I just can't be left alone right now. Sasuke is on a rampage and I don't want to be left here alone when I know I might do something really stupid. I have to keep this baby safe no matter what but I can't help but want to leave the village behind and go to him. His mind used to be so clear…now its hazy, he's covering me…"

Kakashi didn't move as her words sunk in.

"Wait…you could see inside his head?"

Sakura nodded her head against his chest, her tears sinking through the material. Stiffing she pushed herself away from Kakashi.

"Yeah it just started a few days ago. I didn't understand it before but now…" she trailed off as she touched the back of her neck, "I need to go to him…even though everything in my head is screaming at me telling me it isn't smart, isn't safe."

When Kakashi didn't answer she continued.

"He turned away from everything good that was in his heart, in his life. He turned away from me. I was watching it like you watch a movie. And even though I frantically screamed out to him he still turned away. Still decided to leave, something had to have happened to him to make him that way. I need to go to him."

Kakashi put his finger to her lips to silence her.

"Shh, you know you can't do any such thing. You're carrying his child and it wouldn't be smart to run off on a mission right now. Who knows how long it would take you to track him down anyway. You don't want to be out there about to give birth, do you?"

When she didn't move Kakashi walked over to his desk that held his Ninja gear.

"Don't worry about anything Sakura. I'll be setting out to find Naruto but I won't stop until I find Sasuke as well. Naruto will just have to come along, which I don't see him minding."

Sakura bit her lip as she watched her Sensei attach all his gear to his body.

"I feel useless…I should be going with you, what if Naruto needs medical attention? I'm the best Medic Ninja there is besides Tsunade-sama herself."

Kakashi finished latching the last knife. "You let me worry about that. You need to stay here and rest. I'm sure Lady Tsunade will put someone of high rank to take care of you. I'm sorry to leave you but this feels more pressing at the moment."

Sakura stood up awkwardly as she followed Kakashi towards the door.

"I should probably go home anyway, thanks for letting me stay the night Kakashi- Sensei. I'll be all right now. Be safe while you find them, I don't want to get word that you died along the way."

Kakashi turned and grinned at his ex student.

"I won't die that easily Sakura. Take care of yourself and that baby." He motioned to her stomach then he casually pulled the door shut behind him. Sakura was left standing in her Sensei's apartment. Walking over to the small window she fell down on her knees.

"Why Sasuke? Why did you leave? You really aren't coming back this time…are you?"

Looking out from between her fingers she seemed to see something else. What she was seeing wasn't coming from her eyes…it was coming from Sasuke's.

Naruto flinched as the whip made contact with his back. How he had gotten knocked out from his fight with Itachi he would never know.

'Good going nine tails, I thought you were supposed to be unstoppable.' He thought darkly.

'The Uchiha's have cursed blood that flows through their veins. I cannot go against one of them without those terrible eyes getting in the way. His eyes they were…'

Naruto gritted his teeth as the whip made another cut across his flesh.

"I'm surprised you aren't screaming in pain by now." A voice spoke from behind him. Naruto moved his head slightly to try to see who it was talking. He heard the person pick up something from the floor and the next thing he knew was the searing pain that shot through him.

A scream left his lips as the salt water sank into the wounds on his back.

"Ah, there it is. Maybe now you'll tell me what I want to know."

"I'll…never…tell you…anything…scum." Naruto replied through the pain.

Stepping into the light the girl sneered.

"Well I guess we'll have to keep at this for a while, won't we?"

Naruto's eyes were slits.

"You might as well; I'll never tell you a thing!"

"You won't betray a friend that left you? What's wrong with you? Sasuke Uchiha doesn't care about you or anyone in his past life! Why in hells name are you defending him?"

Naruto rolled his eyes. 'I'm so lost. I thought I was with Itachi…now I'm with someone who wants to find Sasuke? I really must have hit my head hard.'

"Sasuke's my friend…and no matter what you do to me…I'll never rat him out."

Fire erupted in the girls eyes.

"You will tell me, even if I have to use your pink haired friend to do it."

'Sakura…I haven't even thought of her for a while. I hope she's okay…I'm going to make sure this girl doesn't place her hands on her!'

"In fact I know her exact location as we speak. It wouldn't take long for me to have her here. She's been worried about you…"

"Leave her alone!"

"So it appears you have feelings for her after all. Too bad she doesn't return them for you. I must say you really are good looking…"

Naruto began to pull against the restraints that held him bond.

"All you have to do is tell me about Sasuke, his strengths, weaknesses, you know, the basics."

Naruto struggled against the chains. "And why would you want to know such a thing? What has he done to you?"

"What has he done to me? He broke apart my family! Took them away to be used by Orochimaru! He deserves to die for what he did to me."

Naruto smirked.

"Sounds like you and him have a lot in common. You both want revenge for your family. That's the only reason why he went with Orochimaru, to gain power in order to kill his brother. What's your name?"

"Why should I tell you?"

Naruto groaned as he pulled against the chains.

"Because…it's nice to have a name to put with the…voice."

"Kira."

"Well Kira you know my name already. How 'bout you let me down and then maybe we can talk."

Kira scoffed, "Yeah right! I'm not about to let the nine-tailed down. Besides my boss told me not to, said you were too dangerous to have loose."

"So you work for Itachi. How fitting that your working for Sasuke's older brother. You could just ask him where Sasuke is. He can track Sasuke easier than you can say Ninja."

Kira's face fell. "He won't tell me. He says his brother has a destiny to fulfill."

The chains began to scream against his skin. 'Almost there…'

A kunai was thrust into his side, causing him to scream.

"I don't think so. I'm not about to let you escape, fox."

"I'm…not…the fox. I'm Naruto…there's a difference."

Kira shook her head. "Oh no that's where you're wrong. You are the fox, that's all you ever will be. You depend on its power, don't you?"

She spun Naruto around so he could see her.

"I'm going to call for your little girlfriend now. Once she's here and screaming I'm sure you'll talk."

Fear seared through Naruto. He began to fight more against the restraints.

Kira made hand signs as she began to call her Jutsu.

"I wouldn't finish that if I were you." A cold voice spoke from the darkness.

Kira fell back a few steps.

"Who's there?"

Naruto's eyes widened. Could it be? Was it possible?

Feet scraping across the hard floor was heard as the figure emerged. Naruto gulped when he saw the familiar hair style.

"Sasuke…"

When Sasuke opened his eyes they were a deep red, cold red.

Kira got in a fighting stance.

"So all I had to do was torture him and you'd come? I should have thought of it sooner."

A dark smirk lined Sasuke's face.

"You aren't going to say anything are you? You are so much like him it's scary."

Sasuke's eyes roamed the room until they landed on Naruto.

"Sasuke…she's going to hurt Sakura." Naruto whispered, blood pooling on the floor.

"We can't have that…can we?" Sasuke asked as he took a few steps closer to Kira, "might as well finish her before she has the chance."

Naruto shook his head, "don't be like that Sasuke. Just leave her alone, there's no reason to kill her."

Sasuke was gone in a blink of an eye to only turn up behind her. With one move he had her in his grasp.

"I'm not going to take any chances. She dies here and now."

"Sasuke what's happened to you? And how is Sakura? She was with you last…and if you're here shouldn't she be too?"

Sasuke's hand tightened around the girl's neck, causing her to gasp. Naruto began to pull again at the chains.

"Don't do this; I know you aren't a killer Sasuke. Leave her alone, just let her go and we can go get Sakura."

"I'm not going near Sakura." Sasuke hissed darkly.

Naruto froze his blue eyes locket with Sasuke.

"Stop it Sasuke. You don't want to be like this…you've completely changed. Sakura was with you for months…did you treat her like this the whole time?"

When no response came Naruto's eyes narrowed.

"Do you have any feelings for her at all? Or did you treat her like the cold bastard you are?"

Sasuke tossed his prisoner to the side. Stalking up to Naruto he pulled his blond hair.

"You better watch your mouth fox." He spat darkly, voice laced with venom.

Even through the pain Naruto was able to look him in the eye.

"Make me."

An evil smirk graced Sasuke's lips.

"If you insist."

"No!"

Blue eyes looked away from onyx when he heard her voice.

"S-Sakura?"

"It appears the girl you are madly in love with has arrived." Sasuke stated, tilting his head slightly to the left.

Kira slowly rose from the ground. Gulping in fresh air she spoke, "It appears the summoned worked. Now I'll be able to take my revenge."

Sakura looked around the room slowly, then her eyes fell on the two boys in front of her. Her heart plummeted with the scene.

"Sasuke…what are you doing? Let go of Naruto."

"…No…"

"No?"

Naruto began to wither under his strong grasp.

"Sakura get out of here!"

Taking a step forward she shook her head, her hand held to her chest.

"Sasuke don't do this, I felt it when you pulled away…I need you Sasuke, now more than ever before. I can't go through this alone."

Finally Sasuke turned his eyes to her. The coldness of them made her shiver.

"Need me? Come now Sakura you know that isn't true. You have people in the village that are more than willing to lend a helping hand, not to mention your parents." He hissed out the last part.

Naruto looked back and forth between the two of them. A big question mark filled his expression as he watched the exchange taking place before him.

"Even though I have all of them I'll still be alone. I need you without you there isn't any point to this. I don't want to have to go through this without you. Please come back with me Sasuke…I don't want this to end…"

Sasuke hissed as he was forced to drop Naruto.

"What in the…"

His eyes focused on the now red fox eyes. Naruto disappeared from view to suddenly end up behind Kira, who held a sword above her head about to strike at Sakura. His hand met with the back of her neck to successfully knock her out. Once that was finished he looked at Sasuke and pointed his finger at him.

"What in the world is going on with you and Sakura?"

"Tch, you can be so annoying."

"Shut up and tell me!"

Sakura looked worriedly at Sasuke.

"Sasuke…" she tried to warn him but he simply shrugged his shoulders.

"You really want to know? Even though you'll probably lose control when you find out?"

"Spit it out." Naruto stated through clenched teeth.

"She's pregnant, with my child."

Sakura bit her lip as she watched Naruto slightly began to shake but when he suddenly let his head slump forward she frowned. Naruto chuckled lowly, sadly.

"It's what would have happened anyway. Aren't you happy she's having your child? And shouldn't you want to go home with her now?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes.

"Things have changed. I no longer need her, she did her purpose."

Naruto's head shot up.

"You just used her?! Don't you have any feelings for her? Can't you see the love she has for you written all over her face? She's been thinking of you ever since you left!! I can't believe how—"

"Naruto! Please… you don't understand everything that's happened." Sakura cut him off quickly, "Sasuke has been nothing but kind to me while I was with Orochimaru and him. Well as kind as Sasuke can really be. The fact of it all is that he loved me…even though I never thought he could. Something happened though—just before he was going to come to me. And now he won't open up…he's closed himself off…"

"…" Sasuke didn't say anything to Sakura's words.

Naruto walked slowly over to Sakura's side.

"Well if he won't be there for you I will. I'll help you raise your child Sakura; you won't go through it alone. At least this way Sasuke won't be able to get to it and make it worse off."

Placing her hands on her hips she shook her head. "Sasuke will always be this baby's father. This baby is going to be an Uchiha no matter what."

Naruto put his hand on her shoulder and gazed at Sasuke.

"Hear that? Even though you're going to abandon her she is still going to name this child after you. Even though she could have it named after herself. Do you still fill nothing? Sasuke what happened to you?"

"My eyes were opened." He finally spoke, his voice cold.

"Opened? Their closed now! Don't you want to see your baby's eyes? Its tiny hands and feet? When it first walks…all the things that happen when a baby grows?" Naruto questioned.

"I don't have time for this nonsense. Now that Sakura is here I suppose I can allow you to leave. I need to find Itachi." He turned his back to the two of them. He was surprised when he suddenly felt arms around him from behind. Sakura's face was pressed into the middle of his back, between his shoulder blades.

"Don't go." He could scarcely pick out what she was saying. A small twinge began to press at him. The urge to stay in her hold was slowly becoming overpowering. Closing his eyes he pushed the feeling away. There was nothing in this world except to finish his revenge. Once that was finished maybe he would seek her out, but until then he would keep her away. He couldn't afford this distraction any longer.

"Sakura…" Naruto watched as she clung desperately to the boy she loved more than anything. 'If only I could get you to return my feelings…I'd never leave you like this…never make you feel hurt.'

He watched as they both stood like that. With Sasuke's small amount of hesitation he knew there was still hope for him. Naruto smiled sadly as he watched the slight change in Sasuke eyes. No one else would have been able to see it but he could. He knew Sasuke, more than anyone else did. Sakura knew him but she never could fully understand him, Naruto could.

Sasuke's cold hands made contact with Sakura's that held him at the waist. His fingers began to pull apart her grasp. Her hold became tighter as he tried to get her to release him.

"No…I can't…not again."

Naruto knew instantly what she was inferring too. He walked up to her and placed his hand on her back.

"Sakura…let him go. He has to go…"

Sakura turned so she was looking at him; her eyes began to fill with tears.

"Don't ask me to let him go. All he's going to do is kill Itachi, what good will come from it? With me he has a family…something that he's been wanting desperately, why does he want to throw that all away?"

Naruto was silent for a moment as he thought of what he could say. Finally he decided to tell her what Tobi had told him.

"Sakura…Itachi was ordered to kill his clan by the Elders."

"Wha? That's not possible." Sakura stuttered, clearly shocked.

She noticed how Sasuke stiffened under her hold.

"Sasuke…is it true?"

"….yeah…"

Slowly she let her arms fall limp at her sides, her face was covered in darkness as a tear landed on the floor.

"What if you aren't strong enough? What if I lose you? I don't think I'll make it again if you leave me."

Sasuke turned to look at her.

"Sakura you remember what I told you. You need to keep that baby safe from me. Now I'm letting you go so take the chance while you can. You never know if I'll change my mind."

Sakura cringed at the darkness of his voice. He really meant all he was saying. If she and Naruto didn't leave now he would probably kill them. Swallowing she acknowledged what he was saying.

"Okay Sasuke, we'll leave," she turned towards Naruto before stopping in her tracks. Without turning back to look at him she spoke, "Just…be careful. Itachi is dangerous as you well know. But…there's something else that's strange about all this. I can't help but wonder if everything that's happened is a part of his grand scheme. Be cautious...c'mon Naruto let's go."

Naruto watched as Sasuke suddenly vanished from sight. Taking one of Sakura's hands he gave it a light squeeze.

"Don't worry Sakura, we'll get through this."

She didn't even look at him as they made their way out of the corridor. Naruto watched as the light slowly left her eyes.

'She's not going to be the same…not until he comes back. Sasuke I hope you know what you're doing…I hope you realize just how much she loves you…before she breaks and is never able to heal again.'

The cold dark hallway greeted the two as they walked in the house. Kisame placed his sword at his back.

"Why are we here again Itachi? Shouldn't we be going back to Naruto and taking him to the boss?"

Itachi opened the door to their left and entered the room with Kisame close at his heels.

"You know the reason why we aren't doing that. My plan is falling into perfect place. All the pieces are doing exactly what I thought they would do. Now all we have to do is wait for my precious brother to arrive."

Kisame scratched his head.

"Are you really going to let him kill you? I mean after everything…I just don't see why you'd want that."

Itachi sat down at a chair that was at the far left of the room. Coughing he reached into his cloak to get a small towel he carried with him. As he coughed into it blood appeared. Glancing at it he sighed in pain.

"There isn't much time for me anyway. I'd rather have Sasuke defeat me and be able to give him powers to fight my worst enemy then to simply die from this disease."

"But you could be healed so easily from that woman we meet in the last town. Why don't you let her heal you? You can live and keep protecting your little brother. Once you're gone who's going to protect him from the boss?"

Itachi's hand began to shake without his consent. Stretching his left hand he pressed it to his body to stop the shaking.

"Sasuke is strong...he'll be able to…" Coughing overcame him and Kisame raced to his side.

"I'm not going to stand and do nothing."

Itachi closed his eyes in pain as the coughing continued to rack through his chest. Kisame stood up to his full height and looked down at his partner.

"You no longer can stand this. Sasuke isn't anywhere near and I'm not going to let you die like this." Turning so his back was to Itachi he stomped out of the room. Itachi had raised his hand to stop him but let it drop limply at his side.

"It appears Sasuke has done something…looks like there won't only be two Uchiha's, now there will be three."

An evil smirk came over his face as the darkness settled in the room.

"Perfect."

A/N: So sorry about how long it has taken me to get this out. I finished it like a week ago and when I went to put it on here the format was completely wrong from what i had it as on Word. So I didn't feel like messing with it but today I haven't been feeling well so I decided why not try to fix the formatting? I hope you guys like the chapter...I tried to make it longer than the last one but I don't know if I manged it. Please leave a review!! Again sorry for the grammatical mistakes, just decided to post the chapter. Hope it's to your liking.

Sorry I had to update this again. Thanks to pharix for letting me in on the little mess up I did. They noticed that I said this in an earlier chapter: "he can help me raise your child. I need him Sasuke just as much as I need you." and then I messed up and said something completely differen't in this chapter. So sorry for the confusion!! I meant what I first put. I don't have time to go through this chapter and change it but I really wanted to thank Pharix for letting me know what's up. I may do this from time to time because it's been so long since I last read my own story. I'll have to make sure I do something different from now on. I'd go change it but I'm studying for a final right now...so I'm super sorry!! Thank you so much pharix!

And for everyone else, please don't be shy to tell me of those discrepancy's, they're bound to happen. But if you just didn't notice or care that's fine by me. :D But if you do see little things please let me know :D