Chapter 20

The ice rain cut across his face. His black bangs covered his eyes as he pushed through the extreme weather. Her green eyes wouldn't leave his mind as he made his way across the waves.

"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."

Her words wouldn't leave his mind no matter how hard he tried. His jaw tightened as he realized that she had become his greatest weakness. An image of Itachi flashed through his mind and he stopped in his tracks. No, there was no reason for him to love or have someone loving him in return. He had a goal and that was all that mattered.

He lifted his head when his feet hit solid ground. His eyes searched the area as he looked for a place he could take shelter. This storm was only going to get worse before it got better and he didn't want to be out in it longer than necessary.

After a few moments he came upon a cave and entered. Sitting down he was able to pull some stranded twigs together and used his fireball Jutsu to keep him warm. The fire crackled and warmed the small area around him.

'Looks like this is as far as I go for now. Tch, why does she have to be so annoying? Why can't I get her green eyes out of my head? What in hell is so special about her? And why does Naruto still care? I've done nothing but hurt him and yet…he still won't give up. That loser.'

He flinched; there it was again…the aching pain that filled his head every so often. It had been happening a lot more recently, ever since he saw Sakura at that base that Naruto was held. Rubbing at his temples he took a few deep breaths.

"I'm not letting you see inside my head. You won't like what you see." He mumbled to the nothingness that was around him.

The aching didn't subside which made him groan. "Get it through your head woman; I'm not letting you see."

Leaning his head against the cold rock wall he allowed his eyes to drift closed. 'A little shut eye won't hurt anything…I just hope I don't dream about her.'

Itachi stretched his legs out in front of him. His Sharingan was shining brightly as he gazed at the map that was in his hands. Kisame clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"Why wouldn't you let me get you that remedy? What is there to die for? Why would you want to die?"

Itachi silently contemplated the map, his eyes never leaving the canvas. Kisame slumped where he was sitting. "Itachi seriously, what is it that you're thinking? You must have some sort of plan if you're studying that map the way you are."

Slowly Itachi raised his eyes to lock with Kisame's. "I know where my brother is, I need to go and have this final fight with him, but first…I want to meet with someone."

"Who could you possibly want to meet with?" Kisame asked flabbergasted.

Itachi lowered the map and put it in front of his partner. Kisame looked at it and then a wicked smile overcame his face. "Konoha? What are we going after there or I should say who."

Itachi intertwined his fingers. "We're going to go see a certain girl…one that my brother saw fit to be the one to carry on the Uchiha's blood."

Kisame opened his mouth in an 'o' shape when understanding fell upon him. "What are we going to talk to her about?"

"I need to see for myself how far along she is and if her child has the potential to truly carry on the Uchiha name. If she passes my inspection great, if not…well I guess my brother will hate me for yet another reason." Itachi remarked with a shrug of his shoulders.

Kisame watched Itachi's face. With a sigh he opened his mouth, "When do we head out?"

"Now." Was the reply he received from Itachi.

A slight chill washed over her tanned skin, shuddering she pulled her comforter closer to her chin, once again trying to fall back into her restless sleep.

"Sakura! Good morning!"

"Ugh…you have got to be kidding me." Sakura moaned as she hid her face in her pillow.

There was a loud thump and then she felt it, someone standing right above her. "Sakura you need to get up, it's a beautiful morning!" Naruto's voice rang in her ears.

Naruto heard mumbling but he couldn't make out what she was saying. Leaning down closer to the pink haired girl he tried to listen closer.

"Can't hear you when your head is in the pillow like that, you can sit up and talk to me can't you?" to add to his question he reached out and poked her shoulder. Sitting up straight and quickly she glared at him.

"Naruto why are you here this early? Don't you know some of us actually like to sleep in every once in a while?" she asked in annoyance.

Naruto folded his arms across his chest as he grinned.

"C'mon Sakura I knew you wouldn't want to get out of bed this morning so I thought I'd come over and offer some help," his smile faded as he watched her, "besides with everything that's happened with Sasuke I didn't want to leave you alone."

His sweet intentions melted her heart and she was able to forgive him about waking her up. She smiled softly at him as she raised her arms up in the air to stretch out her tired muscles.

"So what are we going to do today then?" she asked as she pushed her covers aside. Naruto placed his hand under his chin as he pondered.

"Well…I guess we could train for a little bit or we could take a walk and just talk. We've been apart for a while so it'd be nice to just catch up on things." He answered.

Sakura pushed him into the hallway and proceeded to shut the door in his face. Naruto scratched his head in confusion.

"Uh..what was that for Sakura?" he asked through the closed door.

"I need to get dressed and I wasn't going to do that with you in the room!" she hollered back. Naruto smiled to himself as he put his hands in his pockets and began to look around the small living room. 'She really does keep her place clean. Mine can never stay this clean for some strange reason. Well I was gone for a long time and living alone means that there is no one else there to take care of the place while I'm away. Note to self: clean house when I get finished with hanging out with Sakura today.'

After a few bangs and shouts of frustration Sakura came out of her bedroom fully clothed in her non work related cloths. Naruto stared at her, when he noticed her looking at him strangely he shook his head and turned towards the small window.

"It really is a nice day. I'm glad I got you out of bed otherwise you would have stayed there for hours wasting the day away." Naruto grinned excitedly.

Sakura rolled her eyes as she began to pick up the small living room. "Yeah well sometimes it's good to stay in bed on days like these. When I was with Orochimaru it was days like these that Sasuke and I would go out and train together. I never thought I would say I missed training like that—but I do. Naruto…I just want him to come home. I don't want to be without him when I bring his child into the world. I know it's all just wishful thinking but I really want him to…want me, for real."

Naruto listened quietly as Sakura spoke, after a few seconds he started to help pick up the little mess that she had left behind from the night before.

"Sakura I'm positive that he wants you. So don't worry about it so much, everything will work out."

Sakura paused midstride and flashed him her best smile. "Thanks Naruto. Now since this is finished do you want to go out on a walk and maybe get some ramen?"

"Are you serious? I'd love too!" Naruto yelped in joy.

Sakura grabbed a brown purse from beside the couch and started to fill it with some snacks. Once she was finished with that she turned and headed towards the door.

"All right then let's get going."

Naruto followed after her with a grin on his face.

A chiming of bells was heard in the far off distance. The straw hat covered the men from the harmful rays of the sun.

"Do you really think your little brother will be okay with us going to visit his woman?" Kisame questioned out loud.

There was silence for a moment and then he received his answer. "We've been over this. It doesn't matter what my little brother wants or thinks. I'm here to see if she is truly worthy to bear an heir to the Uchiha."

"R-Right, and if she isn't then," he made a slicing movement with his hand against his neck. A small smile appeared on Itachi's lips.

"You are correct. Now that we are getting closer to the village it will be much easier to sense her chakra signature. We must also hide ours so we do not draw any unwanted attention. This is only supposed to be a quick errand, try not to make it more than that." Itachi warned as the village gates came into view.

Kisame grumbled in agreement even though he was itching to cut something or someone up. They disappeared into the darkness and made their way into the village with being undetected. "It appears Kakashi isn't in the village at the moment. Good for us, it'd be a pain if he was still here." Itachi noted.

Kisame cast his eyes around the village that was once Itachi's home. "Do you sense her anywhere? I don't really recall what she felt like the last time I ran into her."

Itachi stopped midstride and closed his eyes. Kisame waited patiently by his side as his partner searched the surrounding area with his Uchiha power.

"She's heading towards the training grounds, although she is not alone. The nine tails is with her."

"The nine tails! We can't let him go again Itachi; you know he is our catch. We need to carry out our orders." Kisame spoke up.

Itachi shot a warning glance in his direction. "There is plenty of time to do that later. For now we are here for the girl and only the girl. Do not get sidetracked Kisame."

"Yes." Kisame replied reluctantly.

Itachi walked down the path to the right and Kisame walked behind him. After a few minutes and turns they ended up in one of the many training grounds. Hiding in the shadow the trees they were able to see a pink haired girl and Naruto.

"Stop it!" Sakura shouted in laughter as Naruto splashed some of his water on her face. She covered her arms and giggled as more water fell on her skin. Naruto was holding his sides with how much he was laughing. Falling down beside her he placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Are we going to make our move now?" Kisame whispered to Itachi.

Naruto's senses tingled as he suddenly stopped laughing. Sakura looked at him in concern as he held up one finger telling her silently to stay quite.

"It appears we have been noticed." Itachi stated normally as he stepped out of the cover of darkness. Kisame was quick to follow. Naruto stood up and flung around with a Kunai in his outstretched hand.

"Itachi Uchiha…stay away from her!" his blue eyes became slits. Itachi gave him a sideways glance before turning his Sharingan eyes to the girl on the ground. Sakura wrapped her arms around herself.

"You protect the small life that is growing inside of you. I am here in order to determine if you are worthy to bear such a child." Itachi explained to the young girl.

Sakura's eyes narrowed as she slowly got to her feet. "Sasuke will be upset when he finds out you're here."

"No doubt, but he isn't anywhere near so there is nothing to worry about."

Naruto stepped in front of Sakura once Itachi made a move to advance towards her.

"I won't let you touch her." He hissed darkly. Itachi faltered slightly at the determined look in the boy's eye. With a sigh he shook his head.

"Do you wish to come back with us as well? What if I told you I mean her no harm? Would that satisfy you?" Itachi asked simply.

Naruto cocked his head to the left, his eyes never leaving Itachi or Kisame.

"You can't be trusted I know that much. Sakura is none of your concern so you should just high tail it out of here before word gets out that you're in the village."

Sakura gazed at Itachi curiously. A feeling inside of her prompted her to walk towards him. She found her feet slowly moving in his direction. Naruto briefly looked back at her before turning his attention to the two males in front of him.

"Sakura what are you doing? You need to get out of here before they do something to you."

"Naruto…I think he's telling us the truth. Think of it, why would he want to kill me? I'm just a insignificant girl that has no real value. Yes I'm having an Uchiha baby but…I have a feeling he really wouldn't want to kill me." Sakura replied to her baffled best friend.

Naruto slowly lowered his Kunai but his eyes still never left the two men in front of him. "Fine…but any funny business and I'll have both your heads rolling on the ground."

"I can guarantee yours would be the first to fall." Kisame answered with a toothy grin.

Sakura stopped walking once she was in front of Itachi. He gazed down at her with the same eyes as Sasuke's.

"Is there something I need you to do in order to finish this quickly?" she asked with a hint of fear in her voice.

Itachi shook his head negative as his eyes scanned throughout her body. Using both his hands he placed them on her stomach and a small smile formed that was hidden beneath his cloak.

"It appears that everything is well. Your child is healthy and should remain so. But…if Sasuke continues to walk down the path he has chosen I cannot say things will stay this way."

"W-What do you mean?" Sakura asked flabbergasted.

"There is another reason why I came here. To warn you of the things that could come to pass if the father of your child does not change his ways."

Naruto's eyes widened at Itachi's words. "You mean…with Sasuke's choices it will ultimately determine the fate of Sakura and her child?"

"That is exactly what I mean." Itachi answered bitterly. "If my kid brother doesn't make the right choice when he comes to it everything will be over."

Sakura gulped as her eyes fell down to her stomach. "My baby won't be safe? I don't care about me I just want my baby to go on living!"

Itachi looked her deeply in the eyes as he tried to gauge how serious she was. Content with what he found he responded. "There is one way I can make that happen. But it will mean your demise."

Naruto's mouth fell open. "S-Sakura you can't actually be thinking to go along with whatever he's suggesting. There must be another way…something else we can do!"

Sakura met his worried eyes. "Naruto…there isn't another way. This is what has to happen." Meeting Itachi's eyes she spoke.

"What do we have to do?"

A/N: Okay, Okay I know you guys probably want to shoot me for taking forever to update but...I've been having writers block major! So the ending to this chapter totally wasn't planned but I have to say I like where this is going. I hope you guys don't mind the rough draft...I didn't want to go through and edit it myself and I thought I'd made you guys wait long enough as it was that it'd be okay that I just post it. I hope I'm right! Please review and tell me what you think, pretty please! I tend to write better when I know people are reading and enjoying it. Thank you guys so much for sticking with me on this story. Means the world.