Chapter 33
"I..I think I should go," she didn't wait for their reply. She turned away, briskly walking down where she came from, to find the door and dashed outside and into the street. She didn't stop.
She didn't stop until she reached her home. What was that? Leaning on the door, she was out of breath. Her heart was beating erratically, her mind blank of what to think. It's as if she has many questions but none at the same time. She let out a deep exhale and felt the tightening on her throat. Finally, she gave in. Her knees can't hold her anymore, she let herself slide down the floor.
No tears. Just hollow feeling. She can't find herself to cry. What for? She can't feel anything.
She waited for innerself to say something, for any rebuttal.
Nothing. She's gone, as if she didn't exist in the first place.
Hugging her knees and curling herself, she didn't know what to think or what to do. One thing's for sure…
It's over. Everything's over even before something started.
SxS
Brows furrowed, he has that dark look on his face. What had he done?
He can't remember.
"Karin," there was that silent warning on his voice. Suddenly he was on edge. It doesn't take a genius to know what is happening.
"I know. No strings attached Sasuke. We just both enjoy what happened," Karin said as she shrugged her shoulders, she didn't look at him. Her back was facing at him, her face hidden. "I'll explain it to Pinky. Or should I not? No?"
Sasuke did not answer. He brushed a hand on his face. He was trying to remember what happened last night…how he ended up with Karin and Sakura finding them in this situation.
"Get out," he said.
"'kay," Karin just said. He eyed her as she picked up all of her clothes on the floor. Before she left, she paused on the door. "I won't tell," then she close the shoji door.
Damn it.
Karin's hands were trembling. It took too much effort for her to act normal. She didn't know if Sasuke would believe what he saw…if he would believe that something had happened between them.
Nothing. She had only touch him, that's the closest she could carry out that moment.
She knew this would happen, Sakura finding them in that scandalous situation, of course she's a sensor-type. She had already sense the mednin on her way to the manor. And the timing was just perfect.
She was standing outside the door, her hands clutching the bed sheet on her chest. This will work. There's no going back now.
With a sigh to alleviate that heaviness she feels, her face was full of resolve.
She will win Sasuke, even if it means she has to do these things.
…now, up next is the 'evidence'. All she has to do was to wait.
She needed the proof to complete her plans.
The mednin decided she would skip any work today and just sent out a notice to the hospital staff that she's not feeling well. She doesn't feel like seeing any people today.
Later that afternoon, Ryuna arrived from their fieldtrip to the Fire Temple. She was in the kitchen when she heard her daughter's call. She was in front of the sink but she wasn't doing anything. The water from the faucet was running, there were vegetables on the sink, but she's just absentmindedly staring at them. She was just there…in a daze.
"Mom, tadaima!" little Ryuna shouted as she opened the door.
Startled, she was confused as to what she was doing there. Kami, what am I doing? "I'm here," she answered. Ryuna run towards her and embraced her.
Kami she needs this innocent embrace. She needs her daughter. She needs this right now. She wanted to make sure that her daughter is there.
"I miss you Mommy," Ryuna said, "The trip was fun! The Fire Temple was so big! And there were many bald people over there—" Ryuna paused as she felt the embraced was getting tighter, "Mom? Why are you sad?"
"I'm okay. I'm not sad. I just missed you. So…so let me hold you a little bit longer okay?" She won't break in front of her daughter. She's tough isn't she? "I love you honey. Just remember it okay? Always," Her daughter is her source of strength when the tough gets going. Somehow she felt at ease.
I still have her. I can hold on as long as she's here. Everything's okay.
"I love you too Mom," Ryuna said as she give her mother a tight squeeze
.
SxS
Days went into weeks and weeks into a month. The inauguration of the new Hokage was held exactly on Naruto's birthday, October 10th. According to Naruto, this day was to remember, not only his birth day, but the anniversary of his parent's death and the day the Kyuubi attacked the village, so to balance things out, he wants this to be remembered as the time he had become the Hokage. Tsunade had agreed.
The event was witnessed by Konoha's citizen. It was attended by Gaara as he wants to witness this moment. It was an epic history in Konoha as finally, the little boy who had sought everyone's attention by being mischievous, made it through all the hardships in life, trained hard to become a strong shinobi with iron-clad will and determination, made enormous achievements, and finally had everyone's acknowledgment, is now Konoha's new Hokage. The Rokudaime.
Sakura's happiness was not full to the brim. She was supposed to be happy, be there beside Naruto as he was inaugurated in front of all those people but she's not. Indeed, she attended the inauguration, but only the first part, and she was there when the sedge hat was finally passed down to Naruto. She can't stay around when Sasuke was also there but treated like he didn't know her. He won't even throw a glance at her. What did she expect? That he'll apologize? That' he'll explain what she saw that morning? C'mon, they're not even an official couple! Sasuke was not the kind of person who'll explain himself to others. So she leave the event, right after asking Naruto that she'll need to go to attend an important operation that day. The new Hokage, albeit a bit hesitant had let her go, so here she is, in the hospital, in her office, with the paper on her trembling hands.
Positive.
Yesterday, she saw Karin in the hospital premises. She didn't know what she felt towards the red-head, was it anger? What for? Was it jealousy and envy? Why? Or did she feel pathetic on herself for thinking these kinds of things? Sadness envelopes her heart upon remembering the last time she was in the manor. Yes, she did not return in the manor after that incident. But there was still that pending issue with the Sharingan study, but the next day, she had received a notification from Sasuke that the study is enough and should be stopped. And all that pretend ended the time he declared that the sharingan session ended as well. According to the notes, what had been gathered and learned regarding the sharingan should be enough, thus he's requesting for a cease on the study and asked for the full report about it for his approval. She understood right away. This is for the best, isn't it? She sends her report to Sasuke and told him he needs to sign it before they can catalogue and archive it and consider it complete. The report was returned to her, with his approval and that was it. He hadn't seen him after that. Nor she wanted to see him either.
So, curious as to what was Karin doing in the hospital when there was no scheduled examination for her this time, she saw her in the OB-Gyn section. Her heartbeat went fast as ideas came flooding on her that moment. No, she already has an idea, and it is gnawing in her guts. Good thing, the Gyn doctor was a friend. She asked her to view the results as she knew Karin anyway. Dr. Asano trusted her and handed her the test results.
And now, the fact was slap to her full blown like a bomb.
Karin's positive. She's seven weeks pregnant
It's getting hard to swallow every moment as it feels like there's a big lump on her throat. She stared at the paper, reading it over and over again. But no matter how many times she blinked, no matter how many times she'd flip or rotate the paper, it's there.
She's pregnant.
Karin's carrying Sasuke's child.
No doubt.
The calculations is right.
The second Uchiha.
She wanted to laugh. Look at how fate played at them. Isn't it ironic?
With trembling hands, she folded the test result and inserted it once again in the envelope.
"Sakura-san?" Dr. Asano, the Ob-Gyn peeked at her door.
"Hai?" she answered, trying to act normal as much as possible.
"Can you hand it over to Karin? Or if you're busy, you can assign it to any Genins. I saw three of them in the hallway anyway, I think their mission was done and are just waiting for an ok from the admin,"
"Ah, yes! Thank you,"
"Okay,thanks," Dr. Asano left. She was left contemplating on what to do with the test result. She was actually itching to throw it in the trash bin, or burn the damn paper. At the end she decided what to do. Grabbing her scrubs, she went down the hallway and found the three Genins. She talked to the tallest one and assigned him to deliver the letter to Karin.
She doesn't want to see Karin. Nor be told what she already knew. In fact, she doesn't want to be associated with any of these issues anymore.
It's over.
"Sakura-san?" She turned around to see Kuriyama Shou, just a few meters away from her. How long has she been standing there? In that empty hallway? She shoved the idea that she must have looked silly standing in a daze and staring at nothing. She looked at Shou who was holding a bouquet of lilies. His face was a bit hesitant but in the end, he chose to approach her, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing!" she faked a smile, "I was just thinking of things…silly things like back when I was still a Genin, we used to be doing a lot of D-Rank missions which now that I think were actually just odd jobs," she shrugged as she laughed, "So…what is it?"
Shou's face turned serious as he handed her the bouquet which she accepted silently. She muttered a small thanks. "Actually, I wanted to talk to you…if—that is if you're not busy!" Shou immediately said.
"Of course, I have time," she looked at the clock in the hall, "My next round will be an hour from now. Until then I don't have anything else to do,"
"G-Great! I mean…I mean..can we talk? Privately! Please?"
She looked at him with that smile that assured him it's all okay, "Yeah, where do you want us to talk?"
"Everywhere's okay…just as long as there's no one around,"
"Hm, let's go the garden then," she said as she led the way. The garden is located at the back of the hospital where most patients spend their time to relax, to breathe some fresh air or simply kill time by looking on the foliage.
They went straight ahead to one of the gazebos in the garden, "What is it Shou?"
Shou exhaled, "I'll go straight to the point, Sakura-san," Shou said. He was looking at her with intense eyes. Sakura stared at him as he grabbed both of her hands, "Marry me!"
What?
Shou Kuriyama is proposing to her!
What did he say?
He wants to marry her?
Wait! What?
Eh?
"Marry me, Sakura-san! I love you," no pause. No hesitation, with stern determination wrapped in honesty. Shou loved her! "Marry me and I'll take care of you! You and Ryuna-chan. I'll be his father she never had. Come and live with me,"
"Shou, wait—" she tried to take back her hands but Shou was holding her firmly , "…this is so sudden," she whispered her mind in conflicting emotions.
Thinking back on the things that had happened to her, especially the most recent, isn't this a blessing in disguise? Here, a man was offering marriage to her, a man who loved her despite everything. If only things were as easy as feelings be changed in an instant. If only she could tell her heart who to love. There are a lot of ifs, but things won't happen that way.
Her heart yearns for something like this to happen, but with Sasuke. If it did, she would be the happiest woman in the world. But that dream was broken and a wish was something she can't hope anymore. Kami, she wanted to cry, to burst into tears. Still, she promised she won't cry right? She had done it five years ago.
Shou was offering her eternity, trust…and love…the sun and the moon…happiness. What could a woman ask for more?
…but her heart was shouting for someone else. Sasuke.
Her mind was telling her take to this chance. Her heart says the other.
I don't love him.
She looked down. It would be unfair for him, "S-Shou…I can't—"
He stopped her before she could even utter the next words, "You don't have to accept this now, Sakura-san. I fully understand," Shou whispered. When she looked at him, his face was calm. He was smiling, "I'll give you time to think, I'll wait till this week," he said then he let go of her hand.
"Why?"
"I need to go home. My task here is completed,"
"I..I-I see…o-okay…"
Shou stepped out from the gazebo and walked towards the grassy ground, "I'll wait for you at the end of this week, in the Red Bridge," he said before he run off and vanish from her sight.
He had given her time to decide.
SxS
Few days had pass, Naruto officially seated as the Hokage and started doing his job in the Hokage tower. Tsunade didn't left his side as he still has a lot of things to learn, though she refused to become one of the councils. She said, she better stay in the outline and would do good as an advisor. Speaking of the council, Tendo had resigned when Uzumaki Naruto seated as the next Hokage. And the subject that involves the Uchiha's restoration and his scheme of marrying him off to a Daimyo's niece was forgotten. According to Tsunade, the girl had eloped with her true love and was never seen again.
"The council was requesting for a meeting in the 20th. They wanted to discuss a few things about the terrains in the east. Also, there's the issue in the northern boundary that needs immediate attention. It seems more and more nukenins are spotted in the area and are creating disturbances in the nearby village. Up to the list is the year's roster of Genins-" Shikamaru stopped as he eyed Naruto already slumped on the table, "—are you listening?"
"Yesssss," he immediately answered, dragging the 's' on his tiongue as he balances a pen between his nose. He slumped again, this time his face on the desk, "Actually no,"
"Get a grip Naruto. This is a Hokage's true job," Shikamaru said as he put down the scroll on the table.
"I know!" The Jinchuuriki mumbled, "It's just that…paperwork and I don't combine! It's just-"
"That's why I'm here," Shikamaru scratches his head, "Geez, this is troublesome,"
"You don't actually do the paperwork," Naruto pouted.
"And that's why Shizune is still here," Shikamaru retort.
There was a long pause between them. "I wish there would be some actions out there," Naruto whispered.
"Better be careful on what you wish for," Shikamaru said.
Sasuke, who was standing in the corner of that room, leaning in the wall decided to walk and headed towards the door. He's been here since this morning as Naruto requested for his presence to discuss a few things. "Sasuke, where're you going?"
"Training,"
"I want to go with you," Naruto whines.
"Hn," Sasuke smirks.
"No you don't, you are the Hokage now. Remember,"
"Haaaiii~" Naruto pouted.
Sasuke left them. He could still hear Naruto's whining even if he had closed the door. As he turned to his left, Karin was in the hallway. She was leaning on the wall. She peeled herself from the wall and adjusted the rim of her glasses.
"Can I talk to you?"
"If it's not important, don't," he said as he passed her.
He had not seen Karin since that morning, which he was grateful. If he were to asked, he didn't know what to do or to say in that exact moment that morning he had found themselves in that awkward situation. One thing's for sure, he wanted to reach out to Sakura when she had turned and ran out. But what should he say to her? And why would he bother to explain?
"Oh it is," Karin said which made him snap back.
"Then start to talk,"
"I wouldn't do it here,"
He glared at her, "Fine," then he flashed. Karin exhaled. She can follow him, as Sasuke's chakra signature flared as he flashed. As a sensor-type, she located him immediately. He flashed himself near Training Ground three. As fast and swift as she can, she followed his trail and arrived in the training grounds in no time.
"I won't be beating around the bush, I just wanted you to know this," Karin said as she handed him the envelope, carefully assessing for any reaction from him.
Sasuke grabbed the enveloped and tore it open, he reads...
And slowly eyes widen a bit.
That's the most reaction got from him, "What's the meaning of this Karin?"
"Just what it says Sasuke. I'm pregnant, and you're the father, simple isn't it?" He didn't answer, he just looked at her, "I know what you're thinking. Of course I have considered a lot of things. I know you don't love me, nor like me. But there is no doubt I am carrying your child Sasuke," Karin's face hardened, "I don't expect any marriage, but you can't deny that what I'm carrying is an Uchiha,"
An Uchiha…Karin's carrying a child!
Sasuke swallowed. He doesn't know what to think. Nor feel this moment. Somehow, the fact that a child was on its way…a child…was making him…what?Surprised? Confused? Happy? Afraid? Anxious?
A child…
He's going to be a father…
He's not alone anymore…
Sakura.
Oh Damn, why did she suddenly crossed his mind?
He needs to think, he needs to decide.. fast, but why should he when he knew the only option? When he knew what he should do?
"I-"
BOOM!
Both of them turned towards where that loud sound came from. It's from the village. Shortly after that, smoke rises in the air as another explosion went off somewhere. Then another..and another.
"The village is under attack?" Karin said.
Sasuke did not answer as they heard the warning sirens from the southern wall, followed by a warning bell being rung frantically by whoever was in that post.
"Karin, locate any unfamiliar chakras around the village," Sasuke commanded, as he run towards the village's Hokage tower.
Karin wanted to stop him. They still have an unfinished discussion but when she heard another explosion again, she decided, this will come later.
At least now he knows, she's pregnant…
…and it's his child.
SxS
Shinobi's were running here and there in the hallways, another explosion can be heard in the background. Obvious panic from the civilians can be heard as well. Tsunade was walking in the hallway, stomping her feet, followed by confused Shizune as shinobis and other workers in the Hokage tower passed them by. All of them work efficiently in a calm but quick manner, doing things they need to do in cases like this. No need to tell them what they must do.
Tsunade opened the door to the Hokage room, "What the hell is going on?" she yelled at the people she found in the room; Kakashi, Sai, Shikamaru, Naruto and Ibiki. Naruto, Kakashi and Ibiki were at the window overlooking the whole village as smokes were rising from everywhere, their faces surprised and worried.
"That's we're about to know now," Shikamaru replied immediately. A cloaked ANBU appeared in front of them, "Report," Shikamaru barked.
"Six individuals are running amok inside the village, in different areas," the ANBU said. He went towards the table and brought out the map of Konoha, he encircled the areas under attack.
"Only six-? How could we not spot them? I mean, have we subdue them already?!" Tsunade barked. Her question was answered when another explosion was heard nearby, "Goddamit!"
"We have known where they are now, but we don't know their skills and ability. As we speak, various platoons are after them. Evacuation is in process and most civilians are already evacuated. Do you know what village they came from? Or what faction?" Shikamaru asked.
"None, they have no significant marks to identify them," the ANBU answered
"Nuke-nins? How could they have infiltrated Konoha without detection?" Ibiki said.
"To be honest, security in Konoha has been laid-back," Sai commented.
"Mendoukusei…" Shikamaru mumbled, "Do we have anything else to know about the infiltrators aside from their numbers? Skills? Abilities? Their goal?"
"Nah everyone, doesn't this remind you of the six Pain attack?" Naruto said.
Everyone was silent as each remembered that attack. How could they not forget it, when it was the first time that Konoha was destroyed to rubles?
"Baa-chan, let me go out there," Naruto turned around his face hardened, eyes flickering with anger, "They can't do this to Konoha again. Not when im the Hokage now!" the Jinchuuriki said as he started to marched towards the door.
"Sit right there young man!" Tsunade grabbed his wrist and flipped him towards the blue chair, "And stay put! You are the Hokage, that's why you're needed here the most, in this room, in that chair!" Tsunade glared at him when he tried to open his mouth, "Remember, you are the center of power in the village. Everyone needs you, everyone will follow your command, and this is how the system works. If the center of that system is missing, how do you think the rest will function? So leave it to shinobi under your command, to the people who placed their life to you. In return, trust them," Tsunade said as she pointed out to the people inside that room. Naruto widened his eyes upon looking towards Kakashi-sensei, Ibiki, Shikamaru and Sai.
Naruto clicked his tongue in desperation. "I know…but..."
"I know how it feels. But hold on to that trust," Tsunade said as he ruffled his hair, "It's what I did…"
Naruto slowly nodded his head. "Clear your head child, and decide on the best action," Tsunade said as she smiled. "Me and Shizune will go to the hospital. We will take care of that area. Shizune, let's go!" Tsunade said as she marched out of the room.
"Hai!"
"Well, I guess it's time for me to check things," Kakashi said as he opened the glass windows, "You coming Sai?"
Sai nodded, preparing his scrolls on his back.
"Kakashi-sensei, please take care," Naruto said, with worried on his face.
"Don't worry Naruto, what happened in that attack won't happen this time. I assure you that," his eyes crinkled with a smile. Then he jumped out of the window followed by Sai.
Another ANBU appeared in front of them, "Reporting! One of them had been killed, the one located in southeast. It was the Hyuugas,"
Shikamaru smiled, "Well, that's good news,"
"Hinata? How is HInata?" Naruto shouted.
"Hyuuga Hinata is fine," the second ANBU said.
"Good, continue with the good work! Find and help the others. Make sure civilians are evacuated and decrease any casualties! Convey to others what happened in the southeast!" Naruto said.
"Hai!" The two ANBU chorused then vanished.
"Well, that leaves me to take care of things as well," Ibiki said then disappeared.
Naruto stared outside, "I hope everyone's okay,"
SxS
Sakura was in the Riverside District, located in the east northeast of Konoha where the Naka River flows, when the blast reverberated in the whole Konoha. She's been in a call-in medical service for one of her patients who's already old, so instead of making the old man visit the hospital, she visits him regularly for checkups. After hearing the first blast, her shinobi instinct told her of danger, Konoha was under attack and her mind rapidly sets off about Ryuna and terror wraps on her heart. It's still noon, so her daughter's still in the Academy. Though the adults and teachers were Jounins, and the school is near the Hokage tower, still…
Ryuna!
After re-assuring the folks in that district, instructing them not to leave their houses, and after she saw that an ANBU was already in the premises shouting orders to everyone for an evacuation, she dashed immediately towards the Academy. Her mind was thinking of none other than the safety of her daughter first. Since it would take longer to cross the bridge, she decided to take the short cut route to the training ground three, passed along the edge of the Forest of Death then unto the back side of the Hokage tower…
She wasn't expecting to see Karin perched above the tree branch, battling a huge man…or was that a monster swaying a huge blunt object?
"Karin! Jump!" she shouted.
Karin jumped, even though she was surprised to see who shouted at her. Still she swiftly dodged the attack whooshing from her left. She landed swiftly on the ground, "Fuck, even though you're a big lump of blob, you can move fast!" Karin shouted towards the bulky man that wore a metal mask.
"Karin, what is happening in the village? Who are they?" The mednin asked, as she went near Karin and positioned herself in battle stance.
"How should I know?! The second thing I discern, there was an explosion and when I tried to run towards the village, this huge dumb appears!"
"A-re you okay?" she asked.
"Of course I'm fine! Geez do you need to ask everything?!" Karin yelled.
Sakura nodded. She looked at Karin, she seems fine. But they're in a tight situation. She knows too well that a pregnant kunoichi can't fight, worse, in a battle of strength like this. Her chakra flow will be abnormal and won't be much help. Not to mention that Karin is not an offensive type.
"Karin, I will take this one. I want you to run as fast as you can and see what's happening in the village. If you can, tell Naruto—"
"Shut up Pinky! I'm not going to take orders from you!" she shrieked.
Sakura opened her mouth in surprised, "But—" she can't finish her words as the huge man swayed his club again towards them. She grabbed Karin by the arm and both docked. The tip of the club landed and splintered the tree. Both took that chance to hide behind the trees.
"Look," Sakura hissed as she put on her training gloves and tied up her hair. Karin was sitting and leaning on the tree beside her, just four meters away from her, "I can take care of this one myself. I want you to run and tell Naruto what is going on here. We might be facing more than one enemy, and obviously this one is probably one of them. We need to know their goal, who they are—"
"Hmp, if you say so, then be my guess," Karin said then she jumped up in the tree branch, "Adieu!" she said, jumping from tree to tree, giving Sakura a grin.
But, that was the red-head's mistake. She was not looking in front her.
It was fast, but out of nowhere, another man came right up in front of her. He was wearing a Hannya* mask, he's hair was red and long and he was holding a chain. She hadn't sense him, even though she was a sensor type. This one had concealed his chakra impressively. He had grabbed her, in midair. She had no time to react. Then she was thrown forcibly towards a tree.
"KARIN!"
"No one leaves," the newly arrived one said as he slowly approached Karin who had tried to sit herself up.
"Bastard!" Karin cursed, her teeth clenching in anger. She got up and threw her poisoned-coated senbons towards the masked man but was easily deflected though, but gave enough time for her to run and suppress her chakra.
The man, just stood there, lifted his head high as if staring at the sky, then he too vanished.
But Sakura knew, he was just around. He too was suppressing his chakra. She must find Karin fast.
"Karin-!"she was about to run towards her but she felt the huge one on her back, instinct told her to move, so she docked. The tree she was hiding was torn in half, "You bastard, I have enough of you!" Lacing her fist with chakra, she dashed towards the big bulky man and then gave him one big punch in the gut.
There was a pause.
Then the man, started to chuckle. Sakura jumped out of his zone, the area where he could reach her with his huge blunt weapon, and glare at the man still maintaining the battle stance.
"That was ticklish," he just said, "Is that all what Tsunade's apprentice got? It's not what I expected," then he laughed.
"Oh no, this is impossible! That is my full force punch!" Sakura shouted, then she gave the man a mocking glare, "Shush, you're expecting me to say that huh?"
The man stopped laughing, "What?"
She looked down at him, "I know every anatomy of a human body, the system and how it works. And you don't wanna mess with a medical nin, because we can cut an artery in your body without you noticing it. I can just kill you with flick of a finger if I wanted to,"
"W-What are you saying—" he stopped talking because blood came oozing out from his mouth.
"Wanna know? That single punch feels just like a normal jab to you but my chakra will continuously flow within you, like a ripple. The shockwave it creates will destroy all your insides,"
Upon hearing it, bulging eyes, the bulky man vomits blood, then he falls on his knees before sprawling on the ground…out of life.
Not much of a challenge, isn't he? Her innerself commented.
Aa…usually big men like that are the easiest to put down.
Sakura looked at the corpse. Where did they come from?
Out of nowhere, blue flames enveloped the dead man's body. "W-What the—" Sakura turned around to see that the man wearing a masked was just on top of the branch.
"Our job is done," he mumbled, then he flashed.
"Wait! Who are-!" She turned around to see that flames was ebbing and that there's nothing left on the man she fought. No trace.
Sakura felt a déjà vu upon staring at the flickering bluish white flames. Famliar….so familiar….
But she snapped. Karin!
"Karin!" she run towards where she had saw her, "Karin, where are you!" she looked around, nothing. She dashed and tried to feel her chakra. Then a blurry red caught her eye.
Karin!
She was slumped against a tree, and she was bleeding. "Karin!"
Wait, she's bleeding? Horror struck her. She was instantly on her side. No, please. No! "Karin!" she called as she immediately assessed her, but her alarm heightened. There was a lot of blood in between Karin's legs. No, no, please. Please. Don't let it be! She's in panic. Karin stirred. "Karin, stay still…I'm going to check you…" she said turning to doctor mode. Her hands covered with the green chakra.
"How..do you know…that I'm…"
"I saw the results, okay? So don't talk!" She said as her hands focused on her belly.
Karin snorted weakly, as she eyed the glow of her chakra hovering on her stomach, "There's no need for that, I can tell…Pinky…'it's' gone. I can…tell. Tch, the bastard really smashed me there,"
And it's the truth.
Nothing. Karin's belly has no life on it.
The baby was gone.
"K-Karin…w-wh…t-the baby," she didn't know what to react about this. The baby…Sasuke's baby was gone! Snapping out of her trance, she was in medic mode again. She must stop the bleeding first and then bring her to the hospital—
"What is going on here?"
Sakura turned to see the owner of the recognizable voice.
Uchiha Sasuke.
SxS
"Are the all children here?!" Kurenai shouted, as she looked at the children being guided by the other teachers. They were in the evacuation area situated inside the Hokage mountain. Their location was just behind the academy so it was fairly easy when emergencies like this happen. They were accompanied by a few Genins who were assisting them and the civilians. Ms. Suzuka, her assistant was checking the children one by one.
"Kurenai-san, Ryuna-chan and Sachi-chan are not here!"
"What? But I saw them following the line awhile ago!" Kurenai said.
"They could still be in the academy," she answered.
"Okay then, I'll go back and will retrieve them. Please take over," Kurenai dashed and headed towards the
In the laboratory room, Academy
"Ryu-chan, let's go! Kurenai-sensei might be looking for us now," Sachi said.
"Wait, I'm almost done!"
The two girls separate from the line when they were evacuating. Actually it was Ryuna who had sneaked out and decided to break up from the line. Sachi just saw her and followed her. "I told you not to follow me," Ryuna said. Both went to the school's lab.
"But, what are you going to do? If they found out we're still here, they're going to get really angry," Sachi said.
Ryuna snickers, "I'm not afraid of those bad guys. I'm going to show them that I can also help. Here! I'm finish!"
"What is that?" Sachi curiously asked as she peeked on the stuff she's holding, "Those are—"
"Bombs," Ryuna beams, "Here, the blacks are the ones you throw to the bad guys. The reds are the ones that emits smoke, for escape,"
"How did you know how to make these?" Sachi said.
"I like to read Mommy's scrolls! And I saw her how to make one too. She made a lot of paper bombs once. The one she made were so pretty, like when they explode, pink petals were scattered everywhere. But those petals are also small bombs!"
"Ohh…"
"Here, you keep this," she handed one black and one red.
The door suddenly opened. "I thought I heard voices here. And I was right!"
"Sensei!" Both girls chorused.
The man who had found them is none other than the school doctor, Daichi Furuhata. The children called him Dai-Sensei.
"What are you two doing here? Everyone was told to evacuate,"
The girls hid the home-made bombs on their back. Sachi put her bombs on her pockets. The doctor gave them inquisitive eyes.
"W-We..uhm.." Sachi stuttered.
"We forgot something here and we're just wanted to get it. We're actually going to the evacuation area, right Sachi?" Ryuna said.
"R-right!"
The doctor adjustment his thick-rimmed glasses, "Is that so? Then, I'll go with you. Who knows we might run into the ones who's causing this uproar along the way," he said as he turned around towards the door.
"O-Okay!"
They walked down the hall and into the corridor, the doctor walking in front while the girls behind him. They could still hear roars and thundering sounds of something explodes from somewhere. In a child's perception, it was like they were in a war. Sachi walked closely beside Ryuna, holding her hands tightly.
"Hey girls," Dai-Sensei stopped, they're now in the forestry part of the academy, near the Hokage mountain's entrance, "Do you have an idea why something like this happens?"
"Huh?" Ryuna answered, "Actually nope. But what I'm sure of is that Uncle Naruto, the new Hokage, will defeat all of them. My Mommy is strong too!" she said, "They will be caught in no time. So don't worry Dai-Sensei, everything's go—"
"Ryuna!" Sachi shouted. Daichi-sensei was clutching Ryuna's head and gripping them tightly.
"Ahhh, tsk. You really have no idea. Poor thing!" Daichi said then he gave off a very wicked laughed.
Sachi grabbed the arm that's holding Ryuna's head. "What are you doing Dai-Sensei!? Let go of Ryuna. Let go!" Sachi shouted, trying to scratch and peel his hands. Ryuna was kicking and grabbing the man's hands as well.
"What is the meaning of this Dai-Sensei!" Ryuna shouted, trying to kick him. Sachi bit him.
"Shit! You bitch!" He grabbed Sachi by the arm then tossed her hard towards a tree.
"Sachi-chan!" Ryuna horridly called out. Sachi fell unconsciously on the ground. Seeing that, Ryuna fiercely grabbed the man's hand from her head. "Don't tell me..don't tell me, you're one of the bad guys!" She shouted.
"Ah, I see you're smart. Clap, clap, clap! You inherited your parent's brains!" Daichi mockingly said.
Mom! No, she can't look for her Mom everything something like this happens. She will be a shinobi right?! She will fight. She will not be defeated with fear! Then she remembered the small bombs she created. Reaching into her pockets, she grabbed all of it and threw in the ground. Smoke enveloped them, which also puts Dai-Sensei in surprise. Ryuna seized the chance and run. She ran as fast as she can. She'll be back for Sachi. She's just unconscious. The important is to find someone and tell them that Dai-Sensei is one of the bad guys!
"Ooops," he appeared right in front of her "Nice bombs there. Cute,"
She stepped back with that glare on her eyes. She reached into her pockets again but this time, her hands were grabbed by Dai-sensei, "Now, now. That's dangerous you know," he said as he emptied her pockets. The bombs she made, one black and two reds fell along with her other trinkets, "Now little kitten, just set back and behave okay?" she raised Ryuna's hands in the air. She had kicked him instead. Furious with the little girl's tenacity, he slapped her.
The little girl fell in the ground. But she didn't cry. Instead, with she turned around, breathing heavily, blood on her mouth, Daichi laughed…maniacally laughed. Because, he saw what he wanted to see all this time….
…red blotches appeared on her eyes. The Sharingan!
"HAHAHAHA! That's it. Show that to me! MORE!" he grabbed Ryuna's hair, but the little girl didn't even cringe, "And I will show that to your f-a-t-h-e-r!" he said dragging the word longer. Then he flicked his arms on her nape and she fell unconscious.
Mom…help.
It was her last thought before darkness claims her.
And it was that exact moment that Kurenai-sensei saw them. Daichi grins at the woman, carried Ryuna and flew towards the tree branch.
"Daichi-sensei!" Kurenai called, as she threw kunais towards the man, "Daichi-sensei!"
He grins as jump from tree to tree, leaving the words, "The last Uchiha…will die!"
SxS
Sasuke looks at the scene, Karin slumped on the ground, blood around her, splintered trees. The man's face was dark, his brows sitting low and those obsidian orbs are so deep and cold. He was focused on the blood pooling on Karin's legs.
What should she tell him? That Karin had lost their unborn child while she, the medic famed to be the next Tsunade, was just around, and was not able to prevent it from happening? Her lips trembled, not because of fear, but because it hurts to imagine that an innocent life, Sasuke's child was gone.
This must've been devastating to know that his child was lost while she's around. What a skilled medic she is, in all its glorious sarcasm!
"S-Sasuke…I-can explain…there was—" Sakura started to say something.
"The baby's gone Sasuke," Karin beat her to it, "And it's all her fault," Sakura's eyes snapped to Karin's, questioning. The red-head ignored her and innocently, helplessly looked at Sasuke, "She knew I was pregnant, but she told me to take care of the enemy,"
"Karin! That's not—"
Karin let out a depressing cry, a heart-wrenching wail of a woman who had lost someone she holds dear. Sasuke walked towards Karin. "S-Sasuke…I'm so sorry. I tried to defend myself. I tried to take care of our baby, but…but…" Sasuke carried her instead without saying anything ans started to walk towards the Konoha Hospital's direction. Karin sobbed on his chest, as if she was hurting.
"S-Sasuke…that's not what—"
"Leave." He didn't turn around, nor look at her. There was heaviness on his voice a finality of the word.
"Listen to me! She's lying! You have to believe me! I…I didn't—"" Sakura shouted, why was she so in panic? Why was she seeing that what happened will finally sever the bond that had started to form again between them?
She too was frustrated and upset of her incompetency to take care of Karin, of the child. But did he really believed what Karin had said? Where was her place in this situation?
"Just stop," he said then he started to walk again.
There he goes, closing his emotions towards her all over again.
"Kami, how can you believe such a thing! How could you…I—didn't…I…." it's getting hard to speak, with that big lump on her throat
She won't cry.
She won't break.
She's not weak.
"Stupid! You're so stupid! Kami, I hate you! I so hate you!" Sakura shouted.
"Hate? You don't know what hate is. Is it enough to kill? Is it enough to destroy everything? Is it enough to stop the rage inside of a person's mind and heart? Or was it just plain words? You don't know what hate is, because you've never been there,"
He's walking away…again. Somewhere far away she could not follow him any longer.
She won't cry. She will not show her tears to this man anymore.
But tears won't stop.
"I…hate you…" she whispered.
But Sasuke did not stop.
Karin looked up at the mednin. The pinkette was trying her best to look straight ahead, not wavering. But her jade eyes tells her more than she needs to know.
She's in love with this man.
With head held high, the mednin turned around and started to march. The strongest kunoichi of Konoha did not stop to turn around.
Karin looked at Sasuke, then nuzzled closer to his chest. She sobbed, her hands clutching his shirt. She can't help it.
…because Sasuke was making that same face
…when he had lost Itachi.
SxS
The hospital was heavy guarded, there were a lot of injured people but when the hospital stuff saw Sasuke carrying Karin, they immediately brought a stretcher. Sasuke gently laid her on it, Karin was still crying.
"Are you hurt somewhere?" he asked as the staff led them to one of the rooms in the ER area.
Karin shook her head.
"Sakura-san!" they heard a shinobi, probably a Chuunin calling out her name, "Is Sakura-san here!? Sakura-san!" he's obviously in a hurry, probably someone needs her immediate attention that requires her expertise.
"Kamo-san! Lower your voice, remember you're still in the hospital," said one of the staff nurse.
"Ah, sorry! But have you seen Sakura-san!? The Hokage needs her immediately! It's an emergency!"
"Calm down, she's not here. She was in the Riverside District for a home call. What's seems to be the problem!"
"Please tell her to come quickly to the Tower. Her daughter…her daughter was taken by one of them!"
Karin's eyes snapped open in surprise, Sasuke's brows perked up…a little.
"O-okay! Kamisama…I-I'll tell her immediately once I see her!"
"Please! I'll look for her over there," said Kamo.
"Please take care on your way. Some of the enemies are still around,"
The shinobi nodded and left and the nurse muttered a few worries before attending the injured patients.
"Sasuke," Karin tried to get up but Sasuke stopped her, "you should go! Now!"
"No," he sternly said.
"Y-You don't understand!" Karin was crying, "You should go! Go and save her! Kami, I can't take this anymore. You and Sakura are both stupid! If there's a contest for the stupidest people, you two will be the winner!"
Sasuke glared at her, "What are you saying?"
Karin wanted to roll her eyes as she huffed "Nothing happened between us okay? NOTHING!" Karin shouted. "The sex, I just made that up! You were so drunk, I took that chance, I swear the only thing I ever did that night was touch you, that's all!"
Sasuke's eyes went wide with the revelation.
"Karin…the child—" there it is again, the darkness in his voice.
Karin could not look him in the eye, "...is not yours! I…I got it from my last mission. I was planning on taking care of it the moment I arrive in Konoha but I got occupied with a lot of things. I wasn't able to until that night. I..I thought that was my chance. But I just couldn't! I couldn't do it, not when you're moaning her name and not mine!" Karin said, as tears keep falling on her eyes, "I hate Sakura. I mean, why her? What's in her that you can't see in me? I was there in your darkest moment Sasuke! I was there with you, following you, believing in you when no one else does anymore!"
Astounded, he stepped back from her his expression dark and cold, he's eyes red. He had just activated his Sharingan, but she could not read what's on his mind.
"Anyway," she wiped the tears on her eyes. She's ready for whatever he'll do to her. "I tried didn't I? But even the child growing in me, my leverage to tie you with me was gone, hah. I really reap what I sow," she scoffs. "Here," She threw something to him. She glanced at him and he has that expression that told her he's going to kill her. "Something to compensate for my sin,"
He caught it effortlessly, he looked at it.
A small green scroll tied with a gold string. His brows scrunched up in annoyance, "I don't need this," he blandly said.
"Oh you do! Open and read it. The truth is in there...the truth that will straightened this mess, the stupid actions both you and Sakura did," she said. "Open it Sasuke. So you'll know what Sakura was hiding from you, the secret that was hidden to you all this time!" Karin said. I want to see your reaction. What would you do when you found out?
She saw he gritted his teeth, the muscle on his face twitched, his chin pulled up in arrogance. He was giving her a warning. That if ever this is something ridiculous, he will not hesitate to do something she won't like!
He pulled the string that tied the small scroll.
He's doing it without breaking an eye contact with Karin. Karin didn't back off.
Sasuke flipped the scroll open and read the contents.
Eyes widen slowly…emotions flooding in full force…his eyes activating the Sharingan.
…as he gripped the scroll tightly.
Registration of Live Birth
木ノ葉隠れの里, 火の国
Uchiha, Ryuna
Father: Uchiha, Sasuke
Mother: Haruno, Sakura
Hannya - is a mask used in Noh theater, representing a jealous female demon or serpent
木ノ葉隠れの里, 火の国 - Konohagakure no Sato, Hi no Kuni (Hidden Leaf Village, Land of Fire )