A/N:

I'm so so deeply sorry for the delay. It was two weeks I think. But I had been so busy with my job that I wasn't able to update. I hope it doesn't happen again! I promise to work harder to update like before.

Now I'll go to the reviews left the previous chapter:

Thanks to:

sasusaku779 (I'm sorry for breaking your heart every chapter! Ha, ha, and yes, sasusaku will be getting somewhere chapter after chapter, yeah! Ha, ha, thank you for your review and for all, thanks!!)

SunriseHorizon (New? Welcome! Thank you for loving my story! I hope that Karin doesn't end with Sasuke either! I preferred her with Suigetsu, ha, ha, thanks for your review!!)

LauryUchiha (Oh yeah, our Sasuke-Kun injured! Thank you for loving my story! Poor Sakura, tried to understand her, ha, ha, and don't worry I would do the same to him! You'll see since this chapter if Sakura stops being an EMO, ha, ha, I don't know still if Sasuke will die or not... I'm evil, he, he. Please don't stop stalking me! I read your PM, thanks to remind me to update and forcing me! And yes you can call me Monichan, I don't mind! Thanks a lot!)

lunaestrlla (Thank you for loving this chapter! You'll have to wait if he sees Miyu again! Thank you for your constant review!!)

LadyPadmeNaberrie (Hmm... I don't know if Sasuke will die at the end... I'm evil... he, he, and yes you'll see Sakura changing her attitude because at the end is precisely how you say. But you know, I had to make it hard and complicated to her! Ha, ha, thank you, thank you, thank you!!)

liljapangrl03 (Well you can start to see the answer you want from this chapter! Don't worry it will come sooner or later. Thanks a lot for your review!!)

xx-tenshi-xx (I'm sorry for the lack of love till this chapter but the story had to be that way, and it's about Miyu because Sakura thinks she's the only link she has with Sasuke. About the photo of Sakura I had thought about it before but at the end I didn't put it. In fact she was going to be in the picture with Miyu. I'll be waiting for your review about this chapter!! Ha, ha, Thanks a lot!!)

touchtheskies (I'm glad that you found more than what you're waiting for! Thank you for your sincere words, I'm glad you like it! I like intricated plots and I'm happy knowing that I'm doing a good job with the story. I hope too to end up with Sasuke and Sakura together as a couple and a family with their daughter. That will be so sweet and cute. Don't worry there will come chapters with more interaction between the three of them. Thank you for put me in all your lists, thank you, thanks a lot!!)

missyserena214 (Thank you for reviewing my story, thanks a lot really!)

jay-alexis (I'm glad your loving these late chapters. Happy days? Hmm... ha, ha, yeah, I know what you mean! Thanks to you for reviewing!!)

C.A.M.E.O.1 and Only (I never wrote from Sasuke's POV because if I did it, all the story will be revealed easily. That's why his story is seen through others especially Sakura. You're right in saying he's a major component but Sasuke POV will be used later in other chapters, I promise but not right now, he, he. I'll love that you're saying I'm writing a novel! Thank you, thank you, thanks a lot!!)

See you later then!!

Chapter 17

Protecting

"Are you sure of what you're saying Kurenai?"

Tsunade asked seriously staring at the red eyed woman. This one just nodded affirmative.

"The information given to us to complete this mission was incomplete. They were supposed to be only 5 of them and the only secure users of Genjutsu 3. But instead they were 10 and all of them were Genjutsu experts. That was why we were surprised and ambushed so easily. We weren't expecting that big change in strategy."

"I don't understand it. We supposedly recollect information enough to help and guarantee the success in the missions."

Gai expressed confused and thoughtful. Kakashi paused before speaking.

"I think all of us guess why this happened in this case in particular. Or I am wrong?"

He looked at the persons sitting there in the Hokage's office. Anko, Kurenai, Gai and Tsunade just didn't say anything but their common frown told everything anyway. Just Shizune was confused wondering about it.

"What are you saying Kakashi-Sensei?"

"We know why this happened. And not only by guesses Shizune." Tsunade said with her hands intertwined across her young face and her elbows resting tensely in the table. "This happened because Sasuke was in the team. This wasn't just a coincidence. That's what all of us thought."

Shizune seemed scandalized and amazed by her words.

"But… but why?! That incomplete data could have been the death to all the team! It put in danger not only Sasuke-Kun!"

"That's true. But I think they knew that I would be able to handle the situation if it turned bad. They knew I'm an expert in Genjutsu."

Kurenai said frankly serious.

"Still… The Council now must be going nuts because of Shino's near death. If his clan knew about the real purpose of this mission…"

Gai didn't finish the sentence but all of them knew already what was next. Anko sighed angry and serious.

"The real purpose of this mission… What was it? To let Sasuke die in completing it? To have him badly injured? To prove him?"

"In fact we don't have a clear answer to that and unfortunately we don't have real proof of what we're thinking and discussing. I don't have a clue of what they want with Sasuke and sometimes I have the feeling that all of this goes far from fear of him due his past sworn revenge against the institution of the Council."

Kakashi nodded looking fixed at the floor. He felt the same way as the smart Hokage. Shizune was still shocked by the things she was hearing. Tsunade finally let out a deep breath and put her tired back against her comfortable chair looking up at the ceiling. "We'll let this for now. The things said here are forbidden to be commented to anyone else. We need to keep an eye on the Council and on Sasuke." Then she turned at her dark haired assistant. "How are Shino and Sasuke by the way?"

"They're recovering very well in fact. Shino-Kun needs to stay a week for his complete recovery and healing but he's conscious. And Sasuke-Kun doesn't need to stay hospitalized anymore. He can go home right now. Ino-San and Sakura-San did a wonderful job treating them."

"Yeah that's true. I'm very proud of that two. Thanks to them our job was easier and there won't be scars left from their injuries."

Tsunade added smirking proudly while Shizune nodded smiling.

"By the way, that had to be an interesting scene to see between Sakura and Sasuke. And in the way back to the village I suppose there was another one to watch."

Anko said smiling sadly and thoughtful. They all didn't say anything thinking worried in the two young ones. Kakashi had noticed how difficult had been to Sakura to be near Sasuke who didn't seem affected at all at having her as his medic nin all the way back Konoha like if there was nothing special between the two. Gai and Kurenai had noticed too the heavy atmosphere around his two former students. The only happy and cheerful it had been Naruto who was excited to be reunited with Team 7 like the old times. Or almost.

They leave the Hokage's office and Kakashi went following Shizune to Sasuke's room to take him home. Being in silence and walking through calm and almost empty halls his mind wondered off to the hours prior this one when they were still in the forest planning a way to travel with a very injured Shino and a Sasuke who couldn't walk. They had decided to return immediately after Ino had stabilized Shino and Sakura had treated Sasuke and another team had taken care of the ten criminals. They didn't have time to lose if they wanted to help them. Kakashi was only feeling secure and certain about his decision of changing places with Kurenai. From what he had heard, he had done well leaving her the mission and leadership of the team. Asuma from wherever he was must be watching her very proud of the mother of his child.

Kakashi POV

When I reached Sasuke's room to take him home I got pretty surprised to find Sakura outside the room lost in thought. The melancholy and confusion in her face was so strong that I felt it burned a path inside my heart. She heard my footsteps approaching her and was slightly caught off guard and shaken from being pulled out of her reverie. I smiled calm at her standing by her side. She smiled back just for courtesy and I understood it.

"Are you going to talk to Sasuke?"

She lowered her distant gaze frowning and paused before answering me looking straight at the closed door.

"No. In fact I only came to do a last checkup in his leg before you can take him home. I'm a medic nin and he was my patient, it's a responsibility and I won't run from it just because it's him. I don't want to be that kind of medic nin."

She said firmly and I nodded proudly. Sakura had a secure and decided aura around her and was relying in the strength she was able to gather right now masked behind her career. But I saw the deep worry and hurt that her love for Sasuke was screaming at her ignorant state.

"That's very good to hear. But you could have asked Ino or Shizune to do it if you wanted it."

"I know it. Tsunade-Sensei told me something like that but I'm fine with it. Like I said, it's my job. I can't do differences between patients. Don't worry Kakashi-Sensei."

She smiled softly calmer. I just let out an "Hmm" and before entering the room she stopped me saying something more to herself than me.

"I can't be the one taking the first step for reconciliation… not now at least. Not until I know… until I have a clue about his intentions over Miyu. Because I know I would be a fool if I wait for know his intentions over me. We only had our daughter in common. That's why I…"

She couldn't finish her sentence due to the emotion taking control of her voice. She didn't want to force feelings out of Sasuke that he didn't in fact feel. I knew Naruto had talked with her and Sakura was still thinking about it. But it was soon yet to take a decision. And to tell the truth, I wanted Sasuke to give her a little clue, maybe insignificant, of being him taking the first step now. He was in better shape than before to do it. She wasn't Miyu. He never had a problem confronting Sakura.

I nodded at her in support and she got her firm and serious face again and together we entered at the room. Sasuke was sitting in the bed facing the open window distantly and coldly. When he heard us he turned slowly and just stared at us for a little moment till he changed his position facing now us and knowing perfectly well why Sakura was there. He seemed somehow a little surprised to see her there and didn't stop looking directly at her when she tried to avoid her eyes meeting his and sorted out the papers she had of his file and then took a chair and sat down in front of him. The little moments when she had to cross looks with him she didn't let herself to stay watching him. She immediately averted her emerald gaze like if she wasn't giving special importance to him. The unreadable face of Sasuke didn't let me know exactly what he was feeling and thinking from this situation. He just faced her like he faced anyone but his intense stare gave me the feeling that he couldn't comprehend why she was there and there was something strange in the way he was looking directly at her.

But then he started to move his black eyes to his surrounding and sometimes he crossed them with mine or let them lay in some empty space or furniture in the room.

Sakura started to take off the bandage of his leg to change it before going home with me in silence. I felt awkward there seeing that tense and sad scene in front of me while I folded my arms and crossed them against my chest and laid my back against the wall. Sometimes I thought I caught Sakura looking hopefully at him by the corner of her nostalgic green gaze. And sometimes I thought I caught Sasuke looking confusedly at her by the corner of his stoic dark eyes.

And I sighed wondering what they wanted in fact to tell to the other but no one dare to say out loud. At least while we were running in the forest they had been more communicative and sensitive to the other's presence. Sakura had been by his side taking care of him even when I had carried him through all the way taking turns with Naruto. Every once in a while we stopped to rest and check Shino's state who was being carried by Gai and Lee in a perfect duo being careful to not hurt him unnecessarily with a dedicated Ino watching over his patient. But Sakura had been professional till the end and had asked and cared for Sasuke with bigger emotion being the boy she loved and he had been kind enough to answer her questions with nods and gestures even with his printed indifferent face.

But well, when you are injured you usually forget about all. The verge of death can open your eyes perhaps only for an instant.

For better or for worse.

Sakura POV

I checked, cleaned and healed his leg noticing happy that the injury was healed almost completely and that the possibility of a big and deep scar was gone thanks to Shizune. Tsunade-Sama had treated Shino who was worse than Sasuke and she had done a marvelous work on him too just like all of us expected it.

I bandaged it more careful and slower than always feeling the silence in the white room trying to suffocate me. I was grateful to Kakashi-Sensei for being there in fact, he helped me with his quiet presence to no feel completely going nuts with the position I had brought myself into. I can't deny to myself that I was happily sad for being able to be near Sasuke-Kun even in a dangerous situation like the one we had lived. I hadn't seen him since the kidnapping of Miyu and I had time to feel secure and strong again to face him. I can't erase the dreading feeling of thinking in the possibility of him taking away my little girl again but I somehow had found relax and confidence again thinking very hard that he had returned with her later. He hadn't disappeared with her like I had thought first in those damn horrible hours when they were missing. That was what made me feel secure and relaxed again in my daily life and in this current situation sharing space and time with Sasuke-Kun.

I was confused and upset of knowing he didn't want to have anything with Miyu again like months ago. I was still wondering concerned and full of sorrow about it especially now that she had started to ask for him frequently and I couldn't bring his dad to her. That broke my heart. I had plenty time to recover from the terrible fear I felt from the thought of losing my daughter in his hands and I somehow knew that he must had had his own unexplained and mysterious reasons and that it was probably he wasn't going to do it again. I wanted to believe in that so I can still go on feeling secure enough with him there in Konoha and so near from us. I had seen something that day when I had slapped him hurt and in tears and somehow I had related it with remorse.

But like I said, I was happy in my deepest feeling of the hopeful and innocent little girl inside me that still believe against all odds in a future with him loving me and becoming a family with Miyu. That was the dream that hides inside me fleeing when my rational and crushed one goes hunting for useless hope. I don't know still if it's good that it hadn't found it yet and if some part of me is helping it to hide deeper and marvelously inside my aching heart.

While I was working on him I took my time to observe him really. I hadn't had the right and peaceful time to do it till now. He was thinner and paler. I saw worried and pained the scars in his wrists and arms and I pondered sadly why he had done that to himself. We all still were pondering about it and because he had done them trying to perform some sort of jutsu of sealing Tsunade-Sensei and Shizune had been unable to remove them from his body and his pale skin was always wearing the misshaped scars. I was so damn preoccupied and depressed knowing of his health and every time I heard something related to it my heart hurt again and my soul cried out praying for him. I didn't want to see him suffering or hurting. I didn't wish otherwise for him even if he wasn't for me ever. But I had been strong enough to stay away the most I could since this entire crushing story between us began and I was sadly proud of myself and the power of will I had showed till now. Several times I had had the chance to run to his aid and I hadn't done it and I had stopped myself almost restrained me painfully and intensely with all the force I could gather in my sorry state.

This time it was different because we had met without planning it and I had to be near him and take care of him being the medic nin I wanted to be. So that's why I didn't feel guilty with myself or disappointed for breaking the promise of not meddling again with his life anymore or at least not till he wanted it and just because of our daughter. I know she's the only link the two of us have now, I can't deny that and I can't turn a blind eye on it. I'm probably nothing special in his world but just the girl who gave birth to his heiress and just that. Maybe he sees me as his former teammate or friend. But we aren't close. So I know that Miyu is the only reason between us to be connected forever.

I finished bandaging his still injured leg and then I wrote down some notes in his file without locking eyes with him. I feel myself shaking sadly feeling drained for the emotional outcome of the entire episode since the beginning of my mission with Kakashi-Sensei, Tenten and Naruto. I had had time to rest and sleep but I still felt the remains of the shock of what had nearly happened. I wanted so bad to just lay my emerald gaze on him for seconds and behold his presence and ironically I found myself unable to do it now. Inner Sakura was laughing sarcastically and sadly at me. I had him a mere inches from me and I couldn't bring myself to look at him and less talk to him or lay a sweet caress in his face and kiss those wonderful lips of him.

Was I waiting for a little clue of his true feelings for me? Even if they weren't romantic? Can I hope that he feels something for me and that's why he chose me to sleep with him?

Probably he wasn't expecting to knock me up in our first encounter; after all it was just plain sex for him. Perhaps he wasn't expecting Miyu's coming as I had expected it thinking in all the possible consequences.

But at the end of the day I couldn't stop to smile with sorrow and eyes brimming with unshed and little tears after being near him again even in the worst circumstances. I had been by his side, closely, taking care of him, watching over him, breathing the same air and under the same nocturnal and morning sky. I had never imagined it something like this could happen so soon. I have been avoiding it so much that it became some sort of ritual of mine every day the sunrise was there. But it had happened without me expecting it and I couldn't lecture me for feeling utterly happy and filled with the goodness of my love that it was there above the pain, sorrow and disappointment. I had been truly happy against all and more important, against myself those hours beside him. Happily sad.

Sakura POV

We hadn't taken a lot of time to stop and rest like we usually do when we're on a mission. It's a matter of survival and logic to take our time to rest, sleep, recover and treat our injuries in case we as shinobi need to. But Shino's grave state and Sasuke's dangerous wound had forced our teams to forget about the basics and put aside our own tiredness and necessities for their sake.

Our big team was lead by Kurenai-Sensei with Hinata side by side, and then it was the turn of Gai-Sensei and Lee-San carrying Shino in perfect synchrony and Ino watching over him constantly. Kakashi-Sensei followed them carrying Sasuke-Kun and taking turns with Naruto with me at mere inches from the boy I still love as his personal nurse and medic nin and behind us closely guarding the big group was Neji and Tenten. We hurried up through the forest knowing perfectly well that every minute could cost our friend's life.

We only stopped to check Shino's vitals and his and Sasuke-Kun's injuries and drink water or rest for the minutes Ino and I needed to check them up. Because Sasuke-Kun wasn't as badly hurt as Shino it only took me the half time Ino needed with our Aburame friend to check him up and I had time to just stay there beside the father of my daughter in silence waiting for the order to restart our way. Naruto knowingly had left me alone with Sasuke-Kun and a part of me wanted to be angry at him for abandon me knowing how I felt and how difficult it was for me all this (He just came to wrap the both of us in a joking bear hug proclaiming how happy and nostalgic he felt being there all Team 7 together again). But the bigger part of me was thankful against my own scolding for being there with him even with deadly silence and avoiding his stare and not letting myself to touch him more than the necessary. I could only touch him as his medic nin. I repeated that line inwardly like some mad mantra trying to not feel nervous or awkward or show him how sad I was, how wrongly hopeful I felt. How he had hurt me with his incomprehensible actions and made me suffer for my unreturned love even if it wasn't his fault his lack of love for me.

It was strange, you know. Now that I wasn't under the medic nin orders like the time when I had treated his leg and that we we're almost alone (all of the others were acting like Naruto, I know it, pretending to be busy and ignoring us) I found myself shying with his presence. Silly of me, I thought in our shared silence while the both of us were watching ahead in one time when we stopped. We had only stopped three times in our way to Konoha and this was the last one and the sunrise was near like our beloved village. The other two times nothing special had happened between Sasuke-Kun and me. I had spoken to him just for asking medical questions and he had answered me with nods and gestures with courtesy but just that. Nothing more than uncomfortable and aching silence between the parents of Miyu Haruno.

But like I said, after the demanding medic nin in me who had been forced to go out to take care of things had disappeared and only was left the normal medic nin I started to wonder strangely why I felt like this being with him. Why I felt shy and awkward? Why I felt nervous? I had already been with this young man, I had already left him undress me and I had seen him naked. I had already made love to him two different times and each one more than twice we had had sex. I had already left him be the first one in my life. I had known him in that precious moment, so intimate, so personal, so private. We had already been intimately connected. Now while I was pointing all this to myself and getting redder on my face I wasn't able to look at him.

I had confronted him before. That was true. But if was just to attack him and defend myself and my little girl or for saying goodbye. It was never in some sort of "normal" situation like this. Now I didn't have to yell at him for something or make a reclaim. I hadn't to push him through a window or kiss him goodbye. There we were the two. In a normalcy we hadn't had before since our sad story had begun. It was the first time I had time to think perfectly well what had happened deeply and really between us.

Was that the reason of my actual behavior?

I had tried to show me strong and secure and even confront him glaring and treating him like if he wasn't nothing to me when my body and mind had betrayed me treating and healing his injured left leg with more carefulness and dedication than usual. He was just acting like I know he would, cold and distant and like if there was nothing special going on between us. We had had a daughter together. We had had slept together.

But I had been the only one who dreamt about the else.

I told myself inwardly that I needed to recover from the impact of the normal life between us even in these circumstances and I breathe deep calming myself. I felt stronger and confident with me and I didn't felt anymore the nervousness or shyness. Or well, that was until he turned slowly to me and I felt it and I was pulled out by the magnet hidden in his dark eyes and I locked my green shaking gaze in his face.

And I was again bared naked just with that intense and tired black stare that submitted my emerald weakened one and I found myself with all my attention and being fixed at his indifferent look.

And if I had thought that I was stronger and more confident after noticing and going out from my reverie caused by this normal situation between us, I was badly wrong. Just that locking of stares between him and me was enough to make my shyness to return with the nervousness and awkwardness.

Damn it. I was sure I had a slight rebel shade of red in my cheeks.

And damn it. I could swear I caught him smirking inwardly at that.

Why on Earth this had to be discovered by me now in front of him? I had known that normalcy had never been present in my terribly painful experiences with him.

I lectured myself telling my inner me to stand up and confront his inquisitive stare and order my face to stay calm and it its normal color. But well, I was the submitted here. I never felt so intensely like this before when we were kids or later, of course he had shaken my world every time we met but this was unexpected and uncomfortable and embarrassing. Was it because we had slept together already? It shouldn't be the other way around and shouldn't I be feeling more at ease and comfortable?

At least I could gather enough will power to glare at him demanding him to acknowledge me the reason why he was staring at me so intensely even with his now normal distraction. I knew that there was a light trace of the red in my cheeks still but I didn't feel quivering under his onyx eyes like before. I was going to ask him straight what he wanted but he surprised me extending his right hand to my forehead and I slightly flinched shocked by the new gesture.

And the damn red was again more intense. Even than before.

I opened wide my eyes and my body tensed up and I couldn't find my voice. He had gotten so closer to me that I had his face at mere inches and I could take only one movement forward to take that damn kiss I had been craving for since I had treated him hours ago. The only thing that stopped me was to know that that kiss wasn't related to anything romantic or at least felt at heart. That saddened me and made my lips to curve in a half smile full of melancholy. I was still gripped in the shock of having him so near and just in seconds, when I felt he had directed his perfect fingers to my hair and he had taken a big and green leaf from it letting it later to be blown by the fresh wind with a playfulness that amazed and moved me.

He had been almost calm and content while he was doing it.

I turned my gaze to the ground feeling somehow calmer but still shy, nervous and awkward. I wasn't acting like Hinata did before with Naruto when he didn't have a clue about her love for him but still I was quite surprised to discover this thing on me brought out for the unexpected situation we were facing. By the corner of my eye I saw him looking straight again in front of him and I smiled sadly and gladly accepting just the fact.

He still had the power to make me feel like that.

I peeped on him again but I got worried when I saw him paler and with blurry eyes and his breathing a little uneven. I saw at his leg and I saw the blood staining the white bandage slightly. The demanding medic nin in me was back and serious and controlled I sighed glad when I heard Ino saying that it was time to go. We were near Konoha. I approached him and took a look to his injured leg but I was sure and glad that the bandage was holding pretty well the bleeding. It seemed there was some sort of venom on the deep gash that it was preventing it to be closed and healed. I needed Shizune or Tsunade-Sensei's help and the clean environment and accessories.

"Don't worry Sasuke-Kun. You'll be alright, I promise."

I told him sincerely meaning it with the full medic nin in me. I didn't want to talk as the girl in love to him. He just nodded trapped in his inner pain and I nodded in response waiting Kakashi-Sensei and Naruto to come over and restart our way back to the village immediately.

Sakura POV

I turned serious and lost still in thought but disguising it with professionalism at my former sensei. How long I had been distant in my fresh and aching memory?

"You can take him home, I'll tell Shizune about it."

Kakashi-Sensei just looked sadly at me knowing I hadn't had the courage to say it directly to Sasuke-Kun. I kept myself busy with the sorting of papers and by the corner of my eyes I saw Kakashi-Sensei approaching the bed and helping him to stand up and walk. I sensed that my beloved dark haired boy had lingered longer standing behind me but I couldn't know why. My heart pounded hard in my chest and the beats were ringing roughly in my ears and my breath was taken away. I wanted so bad to turn around and face him but I controlled myself. I heard them later going to the door slowly and carefully and before hearing them going out I couldn't help to speak my heart out.

"Don't walk too much. You need to rest to heal completely. Take care, please…"

And after long seconds of deadly silence I heard them going out and closing the door leaving me with unshed tears of concern and a little smile of happiness knowing he was going to be fine and he would recover soon from this.

Kakashi POV

Before I took Sasuke home we decided to pay Shino a visit. When the two of us arrived to his room Hinata, Kiba and Kurenai were there visiting him and talking and laughing lightly and relieved. Shino had been so badly injured and almost in the edge of dying that now seeing his old and main team there trying to cheer him up and accompanied him and telling him with that mere act that they cared deeply about him was touching and made me smile. Shino was in good shape and even when he was going to be hospitalized more days he was recovering fast and good thanks to Tsunade. His family had come earlier since yesterday and all his friends had done their visits too. Even Sasuke, who had been strangely thoughtful and distracted since we left Sakura, was contemplating the scene before him serene. That moment in the room with Sakura had burned its path in my mind and heart just like that moment I had witnessed between the two and a trapped leaf in the pink hair of the young medic nin.

"Kakashi, hi, what brings you here?"

"Only came to visit your former student before going home."

I smiled at Kurenai who was formal as always but with eyes shining with happiness at seeing Shino conscious and alright. I gestured at Sasuke when I spoke my words and she nodded with a sincere smile and concern at my quiet and distant company.

"Going home, right Sasuke? I'm so glad that you're ok. I was so worried that I almost lost two of my partners this time. How's your leg?"

She lowered her crimson gaze to his left leg preoccupied just a second before meeting Sasuke's dark eyes and his gesture of shrugging her question. She just smirked at his indifferent face knowing pretty well him. Always resting significance to important matters. But I saw respect and gratefulness in his stare directed at my friend and she saw it too and half smiled calmly and thankful.

"It was a pleasure working with you. I hope it could be repeated some time."

He just nodded at her kind suggestion and I helped him to approach the bed where Shino was lying staring (yes with his glasses put on) at us serenely. Sasuke was capable of walking almost on his own but he still needed help to let his leg to recover properly and sooner. He wobbled when he tried to walk by himself.

"Oh man, you all made me damn worried!"

Kiba said half jokingly and half serious. He laughed trying to release the tension he had been feeling since our return and when he had heard what had happened. Hinata was just smiling sweetly and tranquil.

"Come on Kiba, get a grip on yourself and don't start crying over me again like if I was dead already."

Shino spoke with a little smirk on his face teasing his friend and making Kurenai and Hinata to laugh entertained with the joke. Kiba grow several layers of red of embarrassment in a couple of seconds and his brow was furrowed with annoyance.

"Hey! That's how you respond when your friend is dead worried for you?!"

It was my turn to smile widely at Kiba who was somehow angry and taking offense. He didn't want to be pointed out when in fact it had been completely natural to anyone of us to react that way when one of our friends were badly hurt in a mission. I knew Shino was only mocking him and somehow Kiba knew it too. It had been so terrible the image of Shino lying in a pool of blood almost torn in pieces when we had barely reached the hospital. Kiba just wanted to keep his "coolness".

"And besides I wasn't that one. Hinata was. I just shed a few tears of courtesy for your sorry state."

Kiba said still taking offense joking. It was the turn of Hinata to blush after being pointed out as the center of the conversation but she just smiled shyly at his bedridden friend.

"Aha. Yeah Kiba, whatever."

Kurenai just said half laughing accompanied by Shino and even the Hyuuga girl. After the laughs died and there was a comfortable silence in the white room Shino looked directly at Sasuke.

"I wanted to thank you Uchiha. You saved my life even putting yourself in danger. I'm sorry for forcing you to do that and be harmed when I had promised Naruto to take care of you."

The last words provoked a funny reaction in Sasuke. He was caught off guard and a very slight red of annoyance was shown in his pale face with his confused dark eyes. I chuckled like Kurenai seeing that gesture so genuine and honest and feeling glad to see him acting more active than usual. Kiba just was somehow confused and Hinata smiled kindly at Sasuke. Quickly Sasuke recovered his posture and narrowed his eyes calm and collected shocking his head at the Aburame shinobi. Shino seemed to understand his silent respond and nodded before asking.

"Thank you anyway. I'm glad knowing you're going home."

"Then we're going now. Take care and rest. See you later guys."

I smiled at the still sick young and he nodded grateful and then I helped Sasuke out of the room. We had heard from Hinata what Sasuke had done to help and save Shino during the battle and I wanted to believe he had done it not only as a part of the job. I wanted Sasuke to open up more than he had done it in his young life or at least like before. I knew he isolated himself and more now that he had returned and had stayed finally in the village. I was happy to know that at least he tried to go out with Naruto when the last one invited him dinner. But that was not the only thing I wanted for Sasuke and Naruto agreed with me and the both of us knew we needed to take things slowly regarding Sasuke. I didn't want him to feel the rest of his life as the pointed out in Konoha, as the traitor and once enemy, as the freak born from a freak clan as some people considered even knowing all the truth.

When we were outside the hospital someone called my name and I stopped our tracks and turned around.

"Kakashi-Sensei!"

It was Shizune. She was breathing hard due to her effort to reach me in time. I smiled calmly at her while she recovered herself.

"What is it?"

"Tsunade-Sama wants to see you before you go."

She said finally breathing normally.

"Hmm… alright." I turned at Sasuke. "Please wait for me here Sasuke. It's pointless to bring you with me when you shouldn't walk." I took him to a bench and left him sat down there under a tall tree that had a pretty good shadow from the sun. He just obeyed me distant and cold as usual. "I'll be back in a moment. Wait here and please don't try to walk by yourself even when you can do it."

He nodded annoyed by my lecture and gestured me to go impatient. I smiled scratching my head until Shizune hurried me up and I followed her quickly casting a last and reassuring glance at the Uchiha who was staring in front of him at the empty space.

The man saw the silver haired sensei entering the hospital behind the Hokage's assistant. Just minutes before he had seen sad, angered and frustrated his daughter going out from the building lost in thought and with a face full of sorrow and ache. Her green eyes weren't the bright color they usually were. Seeing her so pained and hurt walking without even noticing him had left him in a state of fury and deeply concern.

Even not agreeing in how she was living her life and how she was handling it that didn't meant he didn't love her with all his might and being. She was his only and dearest daughter even if she had failed him and he had cut his familiar ties with her and his own granddaughter.

He couldn't forbid his wife to stop seeing her or the little girl or helping them out or caring and loving them. That was what he couldn't bring himself to do and he didn't have any right to force his wife to act like he felt and wanted. But at least he could try to force destiny and he could try to keep away the cursed dark haired and eyed boy that had torn his smart and pretty daughter's life in such a terrible way destroying her bright future.

And then he had seen him going out from the building too accompanied by Kakashi and he observed them in silence and rage and frustration behind other big and tall tree. And now the Uchiha was alone sitting on a bench in front of him. He couldn't let go that chance to protect and defend Sakura even if she didn't know it and even if she was mad at him for the restriction order he had put against the Uchiha regarding Miyu. His wife was mad at him too for it and had lectured him saying that it wasn't his decision to make. But still the two women of her life hadn't convinced him enough to remove it. He was after all Sakura's principal and legal tutor. He had done it for their sake.

He missed his family. He missed his cheerful and hopeful daughter who had all the time and opportunity in her future. He couldn't stand to see the sadness in his wife's eyes every time she looked at Sakura's room empty. He hated how the life of Sakura had changed all of them and how she suffered behind her smiles that couldn't exactly disguised the hurt she felt and all because of that damn boy.

That was why he left his spot and approached the Uchiha with firm pace and deadly serious look. The young man didn't see him coming over because he was just lost and distant with serene facade looking at the street until the shadow of the big and tall man falling over him made him to turn around and face him straight. He narrowed his eyes with coldness and calm and something else in that face of him. The man didn't say anything in some minutes and just glared narrowing his own despising eyes and his furrowed brow. Sasuke now was just looking at him indifferent and intensely but without any kind of glare.

"Why you don't go? Why are you in Konoha? Last time I remember you wanted it destroyed."

He said freaky serene and controlled and sat down beside Sasuke staring ahead. Sasuke just saw him by the corner of his obsidian look fixing his tired eyes in the tree across him.

"Why are you here? You don't have any right reason to want to stay in the village. You must know you'll never be welcomed as before. Why do you want to torture yourself with it?" He paused with restrained and deep voice. The young dark haired man was staring distant at the empty space. "You didn't return to make things right not even with my daughter. At least if you had married her… but no. And thinking it again maybe it's better if you keep away from Sakura. You only hurt her and make her suffer intensely. You only make her cry and feel unworthy, stupid, sad and wrongly hopeful. You don't have interest in Miyu either. You aren't groveling about it. So let me ask you again, why the hell are you in Konoha?"

Now his voice had slightly risen and took an angry tone.

"Just go away. Let Sakura to have a life on her own and meet a good man who can provide her what you would never can. Let her in peace and stop tormenting her with your presence here. Have some nerve. Nobody wants you here. Nobody cares about you really. Do you think that sensei of yours and your friends and the Hokage and her assistant and other sensei really feel something meaningful for you? Come on. You're bright, aren't you? They all had their own life since you decided to leave Konoha years ago. Who would want to care about some strangely sick traitor and enemy? Do you really think that the people of Konoha could trust again in the one who betrayed them and preferred power and revenge over? Do you really think you are worthy to Konoha? You're not even as good as your first years as a genin. You're only causing problems like a damn constant danger and to tell you the truth, you're a hopeless shinobi who cannot be counted for all you are now. You're sick and despised. Have a little decency and retrieve to the place where you came from."

The man got up without glancing back at the Uchiha who was like a statue just looking straight lost in thought and freezing serenity.

"I hope to not see you around anymore."

Then he just walked feeling proud and secure. He had done right to protect and help his daughter and his village. He was pretty sure about that. And no one could ever convince him otherwise.

Kakashi POV

I noticed immediately that something strange had happened to Sasuke when I returned from my meeting with Tsunade. I noticed just looking attentive at him sitting on that bench with a lost gaze far away from the real world. There was so clear exhaustion and melancholy and thoughtfulness in it. I came over him and put myself in front of his lost look blocking the light and letting my shadow to cover him and claim his attention while I smiled.

But he didn't react at it.

I got concerned and wondered why he was suddenly so immerse in his isolate and inner world. He hadn't been like this since days ago.

"Hey Sasuke, it's time to go home. You need to rest."

My voice did finally the trick and he lifted up his dark eyes to me just for seconds nodding slightly and then he lowered his distant look locking it with the ground. I had been with him for a long time now and I, like Naruto, had come to understand him in the way he was now especially being silent and distant. I know that he wasn't really affected by his constant and undying hallucinations. I had come to distinguish when the situation was related to them and now it wasn't, I was very sure about it. But I knew him so well that I had to let go this now and don't try to force him to share what had him like this.

Calmly I helped him to stand up and I took him home in our common and comfortable quietness. Sasuke was never a talkative person anyway so I was used to not hear him a lot talking and chatting and least if it was personal information related. But now I didn't hear him at all and I had come to get used to be with him in utter and mysterious silence. I wondered if the moment shared with Sakura in the hospital was the matter that had put him like this. I wanted it to be.

So knowing him when we arrived home I left him alone in his own room laying in bed and resting his still injured leg. I suggested him to try to sleep. I know he had to sleep every time he took his hallucination's pills (he had to take two of them every day and they made him sleep two hours) but I was worried for the stress the last mission had put his body through. I was glad he hadn't had migraines since weeks ago and he only had to take two pills once a week as prevention and two when he had the migraine. I had to be watchful and observant in keeping him under his treatments to help him do his trainings and later the missions the best he could. Some days he woke up or went to sleep with fever but with simple rest and common medicine he got over it gradually like a normal person would do. His movements and pace were still slower compared to his former vitality and other person's but he still could manage with it. We had seen him showing even barely emotions and pain in some circumstances. His look wasn't as lost as before now that he was an active shinobi again and I had tried to teach him tricks to improve his lack of orientation in the village and when he was out due to a mission with his team. He still couldn't and didn't want to write and his reading was just like before, pretty slow and concerning. But I had been more worried about his last symptom that endangered his life any minute without me expecting it to strike him. His seizures. Every once a week Tsunade did her checkup on him and give him the shot she had told us to keep him away from that dark possibility. I got scared and preoccupied from time to time when I caught him sometimes focusing and unfocusing his look unconsciously or when he was completely absent for just seconds like in the first case and he didn't see or hear anything. Tsunade had explained to Naruto and me that they were like little seizures and that they weren't bad enough to be terrified or worried about Sasuke's health. They were common in his sickness and were inevitable.

Watching him lying in bed and after tucking him very amused for his annoyance showed clearly in his onyx eyes and pretty light red of embarrassment I just chuckled and retrieved to a corner of his room to wait till he could fall sleep. He, knowing that I would not go till he fall sleep indeed preferred to ignore me and turned his back on me lying in bed and facing the wall. He had to be very tired and drained from the tension originated from the mission and Shino's near death because he was slept almost immediately and without any kind of meds.

Sasuke didn't like to sleep. That's something I still found interesting and concerning. I still could remember him that night when he had returned to Konoha and Sakura's father had hit him for the first time and I was watching over him while he was hospitalized. Sasuke had needed to take meds to sleep. Some nights I had difficulty to put him to sleep and Naruto had been very worried because he never noticed this when his friend lived with him. I know that eventually tiredness won over Sasuke and he ended slept finally. But that wasn't normal and good to him. Only hard training and doing missions left him exhausted enough to make him sleep just like now.

I sighed thoughtful, sad and glad because the incident in the mission didn't take someone's life. I closed the curtains to leave the room in almost complete darkness and went to the door casting a last glance contemplating him sleeping peacefully. I couldn't help to remember the scene between Sakura and him in the forest. I couldn't help to remember the scene between Sakura and him in the hospital's room. I felt deeply sadness and concern and I wanted to believe that they had meant something for my former and still unreachable student.

Neji POV

We understood the real meaning and power of the seal imposed by Hiashi-Sama until now. In fact we didn't give it a lot of importance because even limiting Sasuke (more than his own illness was doing it anyway) it didn't show a strong hold for him and we were glad for that. During training and missions he was totally capable of using his abilities and power in the way he could right now due to his present state. So the beautifully designed crimson seal was more a tattoo or accessory painted in his forehead than something that had a great effect on any of us.

Of course, that was until now.

I had always dreaded to really testify the power embedded in the seal because I know my own clan and the capacity and wisdom of my own flesh and blood. I knew Hiashi-Sama had done it not only just because it was pretty to the view or something like that. He had been ordered by the Council with some specifications that we didn't know yet. So I knew we had to expect something great from that ceremony over Sasuke and the real goal behind designing and putting the seal in him.

We had agreed in having a picnic outside the boundaries of Konoha in the forest. In fact it had been Ino's idea who wanted us to know the whereabouts and matters of every one of us. There were days and weeks when we couldn't see the others because we were out doing missions or special trainings and when all of us casually were in the village we had tried to stay in contact and reunite to chat and share. We had been trying to do it since more a year ago. I wasn't particularly a party or reunion person but I was content to know about my friends and Tenten seemed to have really fun and entertainment when we came to one and she always laughed and seemed happy.

I like seeing her laughing.

This noon we agreed to reunite at the limits of the village and brought whatever Ino had ordered us to bring to the picnic. Tenten handled mine. The only one who couldn't come was Sakura and the weird thing was that she indeed wanted to come but she had a commitment with Tsunade-Sama that she couldn't break. We were quite surprised to know that she didn't mind that Sasuke was coming too. It seemed that since the last mission of him, Shino and Hinata she had accepted finally that she couldn't hide from or avoid Sasuke forever.

So I was the first one in arrive on time at the selected spot. Then Ino, Shikamaru and Chouji came, later it was the turn of Lee and Tenten, the still recovering Shino with Kiba and Hinata and finally at the end and late like I expect from Naruto, he came with Sasuke. The trivial and common chat was there and then laughs, smirks, teasing and mocking too. We had food, we had drinks, we were ready to enjoy our picnic and day of rest and calm and as a compact groups we started to walk going to the forest and leaving behind Konoha's limits. Ino, Shikamaru and Chouji were leading the way followed by Lee, Tenten and Kiba. I was talking with Naruto and Hinata (he was talking to us in fact very cheerful and noisy as always while she just admired him like some sort of god) and Sasuke was closely behind us with Shino at his side. It didn't surprise me at all to see them comfortable with the other. In fact I think the only one missing there was me. From all of our friends I always find more similarity in personality with Sasuke and Shino. We didn't talk a lot and we were observant too.

When the first little groups had passed the limits of our village and we crossed them leaving only the two quiet shinobi to pass them something happened that made my dread about that crimson seal in the Uchiha to be reawaken suddenly with such urgency that blew my mind in worried and final understanding.

Shino POV

I was walking beside Sasuke when it happened.

When our pair of feet crossed the last limit of Konoha I noticed something weird rising from his being. He had suddenly stopped his tracks brusquely and I glanced back at him when I didn't see him coming with me after our other friends.

And I saw confused and shocked that Sasuke was somehow paralyzed and he was clutching his head and exactly covering his forehead where the red seal was imprinted with force and screwing his eyes shut intensely like feeling a very deep pain. He bended over a little and I approached him immediately worried for him. Even when his pale face couldn't show properly the physical suffering he was going through his tightly closed eyes and clenched jaw were enough to imagine it. I grabbed him by his shoulders before I spoke to him feeling utter shock and concern. I didn't understand what was happening.

"Sasuke! Are you alright?!"

He had been stiff and tense like being trapped by some force invisible to the eyes but he nodded at me still slightly bended and clutching his head intensely with his hands. I tried to help him to walk and somehow I forgot about the others and I managed to help him to take few steps slowly and painfully in the direction of the forest. I could see my other friends a little away. The two of us had been the last ones because we still couldn't walk properly and we weren't healed yet completely. I wanted to call their attention seeing Sasuke like that but he after seeing my attempt shocked his head in denial.

He didn't want to worry them and least in this peaceful and cheerful moment. I don't know if he didn't want them prying over him and worrying endlessly or if he didn't want to bother them with his problems.

I knew he was doing a great effort to walk and when I tried to help him to walk more I knew we weren't succeeding as I had hoped for. Sasuke was stopped again by the invisible force that paralyzed him and tensed his body and hurt his head and I saw him gasping for air and shaking violently trying with all his might to move forward. That was when I got pretty worried and shocked seeing him battling whatever he was trying to vanquish and I turned quickly to the others and called them in high screams to come over. I was so damn scared without knowing what was happening to our friend. I heard them returning and running to us and I looked back putting all my attention to Sasuke who was still in the same position as seconds before.

And then it was when it happened. The invisible force that was gripping him in its mysterious claws won over him and Sasuke was pulled out without any will or strength left to the village we had left behind with so intensity and violence that he literally flew the way back before the main gates and the entrance of Konoha and landed hard and brusquely on the ground just a meter before the first limit of our village like a marionette who had been cut out of its strings.

Neji POV

Seeing Sasuke flying in that way like if he had been kicked pretty hard by some strong shinobi scared the hell out of us and shocked us immensely. In a thing of minutes we watched the spectacle with wide and terrified eyes and open and confused mouths. When he finally landed badly on the ground and didn't move at all the shock and the confusion were gone and we hurried to him running the fastest we could until we reached him and encircling him pretty damn worried and freaked out. I was pondering rapidly and deeply what had happened and I had a slight idea of it. But it wasn't till Ino told us serious and concerned to give her and him space and she started to check him up that I finally knew exactly what had happened with Sasuke.

"Don't come so near! I know you're worried but give him space to breathe!" The blond medic nin ordered sincerely to us and we obeyed her trapped in silence and shock. Naruto was so horrified staring at his best friend lying unconscious. Ino checked his vitals and removed his hands and black jet hair from his face and she gasped when she saw what all of us saw with her in that moment. "What the hell?!"

I knew it. I narrowed my eyes while the others opened theirs wide and shocked still studying the crimson seal in his forehead shinning brightly and constantly in all its magnificence. Just seeing it for the very first time acting its way let me understand and guess some things. I knelt beside Ino who had forced herself to continue her medic job and I looked closer at the tattooed seal which was losing its glowing little by little.

"It was the seal. Somehow it's made to prevent him to abandon the village without having a mission or training assigned. It has to be one of the specifications made by the Council to Hiashi-Sama. It's a way to know where he is probably and certainly to stop him to left Konoha again for his own decision. Very smart and effective. Very effective."

I said despising my last words. The way the damn thing had stopped Sasuke had been cruel to me and to all of us I was pretty sure. It hadn't to control and hurt him severely like this. Ino was checking up if he had some sort of fever and I closed disgusted my eyes before saying the next I had discovered.

"It was made with his own blood to function better. That was why it is red instead of the common black."

I heard some gasps from some of my friends.

"He has a slight fever but his vitals are fine."

Ino said with a voice shaken with emotion and touching tone.

"How long he will be out?"

Naruto asked with sad and preoccupied voice kneeling beside Ino just like I had done before. Our blue eyed medic nin was going to answer when Sasuke suddenly flickered open his eyes and looked straight lost and with blurry and dark glance. He closed his obsidian eyes tightly like if he was still feeling a sharp and unbearable pain some times and others he opened them and focused in the empty space in front of him. He could barely move for being hurt for the unexpected and violent fall and he had some scratches in his body.

"Hey Sasuke, are you alright?"

Naruto was the first one in react with a little smile and deep concerned eyes and Sasuke turned slowly his blurry look to him. The seal wasn't glowing anymore.

"We need to take you to the hospital."

Ino explained him preoccupied but Sasuke shocked his head with still shaking force and tried to sit but failed. He screwed shut his eyes once more and clenched his jaw still gripped by the pain he seemed to still be feeling. We were touched about how hard he had tried to do it. Naruto deeply preoccupied stopped him when Sasuke tried again.

"Don't overwork yourself! Wait a little, ok? And by the way, Ino is right, we need to take you to the hospital!"

Sasuke denied it again this time still in the ground and with his distant look. He didn't want to go to the hospital. It was kind of sad and ironic he had left it just some days ago for the injury on his left leg. Naruto didn't say anything and just stared worried and moved putting a hand in Sasuke's left shoulder. Ino sighed concerned.

"The better will be to take you to the hospital to do some tests and know what was affected by the seal's functioning. That's the best idea. But for I can check you just have a fever that will run out with rest and time. The other is just caused by the fall."

"Then, can I take him home?"

Naruto asked hopefully and the blond medic nin just nodded seeing sympathetic at him with touched clear eyes.

"I'll check him up again just to be sure."

She made some sort of test using her chakra while we were waiting Sasuke to recover a little from the fall. He was breathing almost normally and his eyes were somehow crystal and tired from the fever and his cheeks were slightly red but he seemed a little better. After Ino finished her job Naruto and Kiba helped Sasuke to first sit and then got up and he couldn't help to support his weakened self on them while they were holding him by his arms. He was very affected by the Hyuuga Seal.

The weird thing was that he wasn't looking at any of us and was staring dizzy and distant at some invisible point with his dark glance lowered at the ground. Sasuke wasn't never someone who felt less or minored in other's presence or situation. I found that quite interesting to observe. I wondered why he wasn't looking at us and I put myself in his place and I understood it immediately but I didn't say anything.

Before forcing Sasuke to walk we let him sit down for a moment and Ino gave him water. She was the only one near him watching him attentive and dedicated. We all were watching over them a little away worried and still shocked by the experience.

"I don't know you guys, but I think it would be better if we take him to Tsunade-Sama or Shizune."

Chouji said worriedly and almost all of us agreed with him. Naruto was thoughtful and saddened.

"He doesn't want to go. Why?"

Tenten asked concerned and I glanced at her.

"Probably he grew tired of being in hospital so many times. And probably more in the future unfortunately."

Naruto looked at me but without anger or shock. And I knew he had accepted that reality and I found myself wondering how bad was Sasuke's condition in fact. Naruto's silence and seriousness worried me and told me about it without spoken words or truths.

"And besides" I continue looking back at Sasuke sitting with Ino checking his temperature. "I think he feels bad for ruining this to us."

"Yeah, I think so too. He didn't want me to tell you anything before but the seal won over his will."

Shino added sincerely. Naruto had heard us smiling sadly while Hinata held him by his hand.

"That's silly! It wasn't Sasuke's fault!"

"Yes but you know him. That's what I would be feeling about."

I said and Tenten looked half smiling at me and making me to stare paralyzed by her deep brown eyes. Naruto got me out of my reverie and secret embarrassment thanks to heaven.

"You're right Kiba. It wasn't Sasuke's fault. He indeed wanted us to have fun today and I was happy because he had accepted to come over. And this happens. How ironic, right?"

Naruto smiled sarcastically sad. Lee sighed serious.

"Well, we don't have to make him feel bad. We can still have fun and share our precious time of our blossom of youth! Just the place will be changed anyway."

"Lee's right. We take him home and let him rest and later if he feels better we can go to his room and stay some time. While he's resting and sleeping we could go to Naruto-Kun's place."

Hinata said confident and honestly and all of us thought about it and nodded agreeing it. In that way Sasuke wouldn't feel like he had ruined the day and we could spend time with him too. We approached the Uchiha and the blond medic nin and Naruto smiling still sad and worried explained them our plan. Sasuke immediately lighted up his expression a little knowing he hadn't ruined anything and I was glad I had been right since the beginning about it. I watched the red seal imprinted powerfully in his forehead and I narrowed at it disgusted.

We wouldn't let the Council to take away our day through that seal.

Kakashi POV

I had expected to happen something like this after being in the sealing ceremony and hearing of the specifications made by the Council. They had said that the seal will prevent Sasuke to leave Konoha against all odds.

They had been right.

Naruto and the others had agreed in leaving me taking care of him till he could feel better to have them visiting him again. When I had seen them coming with Sasuke in that state I became worried instantly and I calmed myself after hearing Ino and Neji's explanations. I agreed with them in the reasons that my former student had to not be hospitalized this time and I took the decision to stay and take care of him till his fever and side effects of the seal had run out of his body. They left sincerely worried and sad for not enjoying the plan they had since days ago for this specific day but I reassured them with a smile and telling them I would call them when Sasuke was feeling better. I didn't want him to lose this day either. Either way I called Tsunade and Shizune and told them about what had happened and the two came half a hour later and checked a sleeping Sasuke and gave him something special to free him from his persistent but not very high fever. Ino had healed the scratches originated from the hard fall but he probably would feel sore for a couple of days. He was somehow shivering under the covers but seemed fine besides that. We discussed about what Ino and Neji had told me and the other too and we got pretty serious and angry at the method the Council had wanted to control him through the seal. Hiashi-Sama had done only what they had ordered him to do so it wasn't his fault that the seal was functioning very well indeed.

Sasuke eventually get better as the day went by and by the afternoon he was fine enough to be visited by Naruto and his other friends like they had said at noon. Tsunade had forbidden him to leave the bed till tomorrow unnecessarily and he stayed there the couple of hours they spent in his room accompanied him. I was invited to stay and I accepted and even when I was attentive at the incessant chats and laughs, jokes and smiles I was watching the Uchiha carefully enough to not be noticed by him. He seemed to be enjoying the noise and the crowd in his unexplained silence with calm and collected stance. I think he was somehow trying to figure out what was happening in his room with all that people there.

I caught him sometimes looking longingly and sadly at all of them.

Then the fragile and eternal coldness was back in his pale face and his black eyes and I was left wondering if what I had witnessed was true indeed.

He ate whatever they offered to him (like in my case of course) and didn't seem annoyed ever and that was a big change in him. I found myself feeling glad and happy at seeing him trying to socialize and share and I enjoyed like the young ones that incredible moment without regrets.

It surprised me how they had tried to support him and believe in him again after Miyu's kidnapping. It didn't surprise me anymore coming from Naruto, after all, he was his best friend. And it was surprising too to know that even Sakura had let the circumstances to run whatever the path they wanted and that she wasn't trying to hide, avoid or run anymore. She still wasn't in complete peace with Sasuke but at least she was strong enough to confront him and be near him again. What had happened with Shino had made all of them to trust and give another chance to Sasuke and I was glad and hoping to stay that way. I prayed for not having another thing that could destroy again the new found trust and confidence, friendship and calm we had basked in that afternoon.

But perhaps I was unfortunately and sadly wrong.

Nobody knew why Sasuke Uchiha had left again Konoha days later. But that wasn't exactly the matter that had angered and freaked out the Council, or the fact that had confused and concerned the people who thought in the dark haired boy as someone important to their life.

The thing that was enraging the Council against the Head of the Hyuuga Clan was the failed attempt of the seal to control and stop Sasuke Uchiha in his last runaway from the village.

The specification had worked perfectly that afternoon stopping him in leaving his homeland for a simple picnic in the forest. The seal had worked perfectly in him without any sort of doubt. But right now it wasn't like that and the shinobi was missing again and nobody had a clue how he had freed himself enough from the seal's grasp to be able to leave Konoha, why he had run away and where he had gone. This morning Kakashi had entered in his room and he didn't find him. At first he didn't panic but as the hours passed by and there wasn't any sign of Sasuke and nobody had seen him the panic really was fueled and they were searching through all Konoha and near areas seeking him.

But still there wasn't any sign of the sick Uchiha.

Doing the investigation Kakashi and Anko had discovered that Sasuke had gone at the middle of the night and he had, this time, took the equipment necessary to survive and that represented a need in the shinobi's life. He had taken with him his pills and Miyu's picture and he was armed. He didn't go just by himself like the other times. This time was different and the sensei and the anbu wondered hard and worried what could this meant.

They discovered too that he had done something to affect the seal in his forehead and somehow it seemed similar to the failed attempt he had done in his arms months ago. There was signs of it in his room and they had found Sasuke's blood (not a lot) in the floor and a almost erased circle painted in it with the red liquid.

"I'm impressed for his knowledge in the matters of seals. Well I don't have to wonder a lot, knowing from his past experiences."

Hiashi said entering the room and staring serious and preoccupied at the circle.

"How did it go with the Council, Hiashi-Sama?"

"Well they wanted to cut off my head." The man said angrily but calm answering the anbu's question. "But I just said the plain truth. I told them since the beginning that a seal like that would not function as they wanted, not in Uchiha's case. But did they listen to me? no. I honestly think it did it worse."

"By the amount of blood spread here I think Sasuke wasn't gravelly wounded."

Kakashi said thoughtful and worried. He could almost remember how some days ago this room had been full of people and laugh. It was somehow painful to compare it with the view of now, the room empty and with the crimson substance there.

"You're right Kakashi. I think he knew exactly how much blood he could use to feel strong enough to go away. He just used it as ink to try to affect or reverse my seal. After all I used his own blood too."

"What do you think he did to be able to leave the village?"

"Surely he couldn't destroy the seal. I created it so I know better. But probably he just affected its functioning enough to leave Konoha without feeling the side effects he felt the other time weakening and defeating him. I really don't think he could get rid of them completely and he was barely able to leave Konoha in whatever state he could after crossing the borders of the village."

Anko sighed concerned hearing the words with fear. Kakashi felt the same imaging Sasuke and his current state at the time. Hiashi paused before saying what the three of them had in mind.

"Why did he leave in such conditions? He knew what could happen to him if he left Konoha. What was so important to him that he didn't mind in what state he would end if he dared the seal?"

No one of the three could answer that. No one knew the answer. They were in silence staring absently at the crimson circle in the floor till the door opened and Shizune peeped inside serious and worried. The three spun around to face the dark eyed young assistant.

"Tsunade-Sama wants to see you in her office Kakashi-Sensei, Anko-San."

The two mentioned nodded and said goodbye to the Head of the Hyuuga Clan before going after Shizune. He just nodded in response and turned his serious and meditative stare at the blood imprinted in the circle and almost fading away. He could just sigh concerned by the unknown sake of the boy he had sealed that day without his own approbation while the room was becoming darker minute by minute.

"Are you really sure Hokage-Sama?"

The blond and honey eyed woman nodded affirmative and serious at the anbu. Kakashi was just as confused, interested and worried as his friend and Shizune in fact.

"Yeah. We discovered it just minutes ago. It seems Sasuke before leaving the village came to my office and searched something through the files of missions. The unlucky fact is that we still don't have a clue what he was looking through."

"Why Sasuke-Kun did that?"

"Well in his room are signs that he went away quite prepared like if he was going sent on a mission. And now with this I think that has more sense."

"I see. He left armed and equipped. I wonder what he wanted to know from the files."

Tsunade was frowning at the files displayed in all the surface of her big desk very concerned and serious. She looked up at Kakashi again with some softness in her usual intimidating eyes and Kakashi guessed why was the change in them.

"In fact I'm not so worried about this thing of the files. Of course I'm intrigued at it and it was a plain intrusion from his part and it's important but I'm more worried for him. He cannot go out there by himself. He's not prepared."

Kakashi nodded seriously too. She was right. Sasuke was pretty sick to be left alone and now the preoccupation for his health was bigger due to his last symptom showed in the last mission. His seizures. Realizing that made the sensei to comprehend the stare in the Hokage's eyes and why she was so tense and dreadful about Sasuke's whereabouts. Shizune lowered her gaze deeply worried too and Anko didn't say anything but guessed it by the hard atmosphere that had surrounded all of them.

"If Sasuke falls sick again like that there won't be anyone who can help him. It's a possibility that could happen again to him. The bad thing about his illness is that it's unpredictable. One day he could be fine and the other not. That's why I consider it dangerously serious. There's a big risk there."

"I know. That's why I need to find him immediately."

"We have another missions to attend to so I have to dispose of all of you including the young ninjas in a convenient way. I'll be dispatching small groups without forgetting our commitment to our clients till we find Uchiha. For now you can go on his search with Naruto, Neji and Shino. I already sent Kurenai with Shikamaru, Lee and Hinata. The others including Anko here had other issues to handle. Please do an exhaustive search in the places marked in the map that Shizune will give you and return if in a week you haven't found him. Then I'll send another two teams in his pursuit. I had made contact with the people in other villages without giving out important information of Uchiha. We need to find him the sooner we could before the Council take this as an opportunity to punish him more severely. I still can handle his situation but if the times goes by and he doesn't come back or is found I don't know what else I'll be able to do to help him."

"I know. Thank you Hokage-Sama."

Kakashi nodded with a reverence and Tsunade closed her eyes when he left with Anko and Shizune and she was all by herself again in the big office. She couldn't stop thinking in the reason Sasuke had to search in the files of missions and information of tasks. What he wanted so desperately to know?

She just sighed tired and thoughtful looking again the amount of papers dispersed in her desk.

What were you looking for, Sasuke?

The only thing that made everyone to distract from Sasuke's disappearance was another unusual and mysterious success that had happened ironically to the other alive Uchiha in the world.

Miyu had reached 1 year and 6 months on that days when his father was missing and nobody had news about his whereabouts and it had been bittersweet due to that. Sakura was trying so hard to be strong and not feel utterly desperate about Sasuke's sake. She was dying from confusion, worry, shock, anger and sadness all in one. She was confused as the others about Sasuke's behavior and didn't understand why he had gone away again after he seemed in peace living in the village. It was long ago the last time he had done it. She was so damn worried for his health and state and was shocked by the fact of finding herself unsettled by his absence from Konoha. She didn't realize before that she had gotten used to his presence in the same town with her and their daughter and in fact she deeply felt better knowing he was near and safe even if it reminded her the cruel reality than not knowing anything about him for being away from her. The sadness was so immense and she couldn't stop imaging the worst scenario when his face came creeping to her mind even in her busy moments. She was so depressed knowing that she and Miyu would never meant anything important to him to make him stay and change his habits. She was sad because she didn't want him to go on in his life running away every time he felt it. Without a home. Without important things that can hold him back. And sure she was angered at his unknown reasons, at his mysterious way in doing things, at his unexplained behavior. Didn't he know how much he worried all of them? Didn't he know how much all of they cared for him? Why did he like to hurt them unnecessarily?

But the plain truth was that she had cried to sleep night after night since his disappearance still drowning in the fighting love she felt still for him. She had smiled ironic at herself regretting the kiss she never dared to give him and that maybe she would never have again the opportunity to give.

The job and attending her home and her little girl had been her only escapes at the tormenting thought directed in anguish and pain at the boy she loved so much. They kept her away enough to control herself and think calm and cold about the circumstances and avoiding the turmoil of feelings and emotions that assaulted her aching heart day after day. One night her desperation was so big that she had accepted saddened that she didn't care anymore if Sasuke one day could love her. She only wanted him beside her and helping her to rise Miyu and just that. That could be her sole happiness. Just being near him even with a unreturned love.

That day she had done her routine of keeping tranquil and don't concentrate in the Uchiha but something had happened related with the daughter the both of them had conceived so many months ago that put again his image in her worried mind and her love in her trembling heart with unexplained might and fire.

Sakura POV

"Are you sure that happened Sakura?"

Tsunade-Sama asked me again serious and thoughtful. I nodded while Kakashi-Sensei was there after returning with his team like Kurenai-Sensei. This time Anko and Gai-Sensei were out of Konoha searching for my Sasuke-Kun. Gai-Sensei had taken Chouji, Kiba and Tenten with him and Ino was out with Anko and two other anbus. We were reunited in her office after the incident and with Naruto and our other friends. Shizune was there two standing right next to the Hokage and my mother was carrying Miyu silent in a corner of the big room. Mom was unusually quiet and distracted and was holding tighter and protective my little girl. Miyu was just looking at everyone and everything in the office with curiosity and calm, without speaking or doing noises like if she could comprehend somehow the atmosphere around her. She had a small kind smile clinging from her lips and was observant with a little and cute frown showed in her brow. That reminded me him. It had been so hard to try to explain to her being so little and bright at the same time why her dad hadn't come to see her. She kept asking for him sweetly and staring at me and at everyone with hope and question in her black and beautiful eyes breaking my heart again and again. She was such a nice little girl. She never cried if it wasn't necessary and she was smart and mature for her own age. I always felt like she was studying me while she was looking straight at me with her kindness and understanding. She could almost speak normally now and she could got up by herself and walk. She had crawled faster than other babies. She behave very well to be such a little thing yet. She even was calmer than any of us in some situations.

"Yes. I'm pretty sure about it. Naruto and Shikamaru were with me when it happened."

When it happened.

I remembered the day before when I had gone out from Konoha with my two friends and my daughter and we had been surprisingly ambushed by some low robbers. I had wanted to show Miyu another environment apart from the common village and I had taken her with us to a walk in the near forest. She had been delighted with it and I had smiled happily seeing her enjoying it deeply. The weird thing that had us here discussing with the Hokage herself was that before the men had ambushed and attacked us Miyu had started to feel uneasy and had said strange phrases with words like "who's there" and her dark eyes filled with tears and her little face was full of fear and concern. She didn't cry but it had been obvious she was scared of something and finally she had called Sasuke over and over. She even looked up at me saying "Mamma, dada?". Naruto and Shikamaru were shocked like me, we never saw her acting like that. And when the first ninja attacked it was directed at me and her and she had screamed scared turning to him since the bad man left his hideout. The man was so damn shocked to had been discovered that he got paralyzed and Naruto took care of him knocking him unconscious.

We couldn't know were the others were. They attacked us by surprise even to Shikamaru and he and Naruto were taken care of them while they didn't let me fight back. I was protecting my little girl who was now calm and observant tightly held to my arms. When another man that was hiding directed his attack to me and her again, knowing that my two friends were busy in their own fights, now it was me who strangely reacted first and I knew, I don't know how still, where that man was hiding and how he was going to attack us and I reacted fighting him and knocking him badly in a question of seconds. Naruto and Shikamaru just glanced smiling at me and I nodded proud still holding Miyu who was playing with the necklace that mother had given to her for her last birthday.

When that happened I recounted the scene and even when I found quite strange how Miyu and I had reacted first at the danger the men represented, I didn't give it a lot of thought or importance. Days passed and with Sasuke-Kun's disappearance I forgot it soon. But a couple of days something similar happened, this time the danger was some boxes that fell from a window under which Miyu was playing and giggling with Kurenai-Sensei's son, Asuma like his father, just some months older than her. The two kids were happy in their innocent world messing around with some toys when Miyu again reacted the same way and that attracted Kurenai-Sensei 's attention. She immediately seized the danger and took the both kids in her arms seconds before the boxes fell to the ground smashing its contents. I came worriedly with Ino hearing the scandal and my dreadful fear and desperation of knowing my little girl in danger minored at seeing her safe in Kurenai-Sensei's arms. My heart had stopped and my soul had paralyzed from the worry and fear I had felt in just some seconds of terrible uncertainty.

I swear I stopped breathing imaging the worst. I cannot lose my Miyu. She's my daughter and I love her so much and so deep that I cannot begin to explain it. I know I cannot protect her forever and that there are circumstances out of my hands that I would not be able to control. But still the pain, the desperation and the fear of seeing her hurt or worst haunts me horribly and made my complete being to ache in suffering. It's the same I feel when I think in him. My love for him and for the daughter he gave me are strong, immense and undying. That's the truth. It's just that they are different kind of love.

When I took Miyu in my arms from Kurenai-Sensei who was as scared shocked as me, I saw something weird shinning slightly and consistent in her chest. When I watched better I noticed that it was the necklace that was doing that and when Miyu was finally calm and watchful again the shining died slowly and left me wondering surprised, curious and shocked at it. I talked about it with Kurenai-Sensei and Ino and they advised me to go to the Hokage and explained it. And I had done it the next day.

And now I was again in front of her waiting for the results she had from her investigation. My mother had said that she really didn't have a clue about it but like I said before, she was acting pretty weird lately.

"Well in that case I think that all that weird thing that happened are related directed to the necklace she wores." Tsunade-Sama said firmly and narrowing her eyes at the figure of my mother carrying a smiling Miyu. Mom wasn't locking eyes with the blond Hokage. "That piece of jewelry has some sort of special jutsu that functions with Miyu only and for what you said, with you too in some level."

I was stunned and amazed at her words. All in the room were like me except Kakashi-Sensei and Shikamaru who just smirked like if he was just hearing something he knew already.

"But... how's that?"

Naruto asked immensely surprised standing beside me.

"Well it's like I said. That necklace has a jutsu that protects the user alerting when a danger is near and directed at the user. It doesn't matter if it is caused by a person or a situation as Sakura experienced by first hand. It warned Miyu in the two times she was near danger and it functioned in Sakura's too warning her. But for how it happened, I think it only did it in the first case because Sakura was carrying Miyu and she was near her. So I guess the jutsu is particularly created for Miyu but it can be extended to Sakura as her mother when the two are together."

I was pale after hearing it. I recalled the weird feeling I had that time when the second man tried to attacked me and my baby girl. That was what Miyu felt too first?

"The necklace has to have some connection to Miyu, either physically or spiritually. But I think it has the two."

"I agree, Shikamaru."

Tsunade-Sama just smirked proudly at her jounin while Kakashi had fixed his half stare in the corner were my mother and Miyu were. Hinata, Shino, Lee and Neji were silent studying all that was discussed with deep thought and shock.

"And the thing left here it can only be explained by the one who gave little Miyu that wonderful and powerful gift."

We all turn around to face mother who was distant and thoughtful with her eyes lowered and fixed in the necklace discussed. I approached her worried and confused still by all that had been said recently in the big room.

"Mom? Please, tell me what you know about it. You gave it to Miyu and asked me to put it on her always. Why? How?"

The plead in my voice and green gaze made the effect I desired. She lifted her head slowly and with something similar to dread and uncertainty in her pale face. She couldn't quite lock eyes with me. I put my hand in her shoulder as support and encouraging her to talk. I wasn't angry. That thing had protected and helped me and my daughter and I felt deeply grateful for that. I just wanted to know like everyone else in the room.

"The necklace isn't... isn't mine Sakura. It never belonged to our family."

She finally was capable of utter with soft and concerned voice but a look more secure and guilty.

"But you said it was a family heirloom!"

I said confused and somehow worried at how guilty she felt.

"I didn't lie in that part!... It is a family heirloom..." She paused before continuing with her eyes going to everyone in the room and landing at the end in me. "But I wasn't specific at what family it belonged."

Something inside of me snapped after hearing her but I didn't quite understand why. She was confronting my eyes sadly and pleading.

"Then it is a Uchiha heirloom, right?"

Shikamaru asked after the long and hard pause in silence and I opened wide my eyes in shock staring at my mother nodding. My mouth gaped without a sound. An Uchiha... heirloom?

"It was a gift from... him. Her dad. One afternoon when your father wasn't at home he came and found me arriving home. I think he was waiting for me to come. He didn't seem dangerous or something like that and he just extended the box with it inside. I was so shocked at it! You cannot imagine what I was feeling in that moment. Fearing that someone could see him there I let him enter the house and then I looked inside the box and I was amazed at the beautiful piece of jewelry. He was just standing there in front of me staring and pleading something I couldn't understand. First I thought it was for your father or me but he denied it to me with a shock from his head. Then I asked him if it was for you Sakura and he denied it again. Finally I got to the conclusion that it was for Miyu. First I found quite rare that he wanted to give it to her, you know, she was still small for a gift like this... I knew it was part of the heritage of the Uchiha because I had seen it being worn by Mitoko Uchiha, Sasuke's mother so many years ago. I asked him if he wanted us to make Miyu use it or if he wanted to sell it or something else. He let me know he wanted his daughter to use it." She paused giving all of us time to think deeply in what she was saying. I was still so stunned and surprised, so confused and shocked by the news. Mother looked at Miyu who was still playing with the necklace that hung from her little neck. "I asked him if he wanted me to say that he had given it to Miyu and he denied it. "Not even to Sakura?" I asked him again confused. He denied me again. He took my hands almost scaring the hell out of me and looked straight at my eyes like if he was asking me to keep silent about it and I asked him that and I was right. That was why I didn't say anything to anyone and I gave it to you like if it was a gift from my part. I'm sorry Sakura. I know I should had told you about it but I promised him... and besides, I didn't want to cause you any more pain just by saying his name to you. I thought it was fair that he was doing this for Miyu. She's his daughter. Please, forgive me, I hope you're not mad at me."

Her guiltiness over keeping silence since that day was sincere in her eyes. She feared that I could take wrong what had happened but honestly I couldn't bring myself to be angry or resentful at her. I was fixed in the idea of Sasuke-Kun doing all that in secret. Why? Why he didn't want anyone to know about his care for his own daughter? Why he didn't want me to know about it? I didn't want to keep her away from him!.. Did he think I was trying to do that?...

"That was why it functions only in Miyu. It's from the Uchiha Clan and it has to have some physical proof with the bloodline. But the jutsu connected it to her spiritually too but I don't know if Sasuke himself did it, I doubt it." Kakashi-Sensei said as a matter of fact meditating it. "But Miyu has physical connection to you Sakura too so when you're near her you are affected by the necklace and the jutsu too and it protects you."

I suddenly felt dizzy from the turmoil of doubts and feeling rooming inside me. Naruto held me tightly in his arms worried for me and shocked beyond amaze like me. I just had eyes for my mother and my daughter in front of me. I watched the necklace with tears filling my confused eyes and now I understand why I had found it familiar the first time I had seen it. It had the form of an eye. It had the form of the sharingan.

"Sakura... there's another thing I had to confess to you."

Mom said slowly and worried wearing the same guiltiness in her face and I felt dread at what she was going now to say. I could only see Sasuke-Kun carrying Miyu on that day in the hospital with my eyes opened or closed. My heart expanded painfully. Mother gave my little girl to Kurenai-Sensei and opened her big bag and took out a big and yellow envelop that seemed heavy with papers.

"I knew that today I had to tell the truth about the necklace... and about this. Especially now that he's not longer in Konoha."

She extended serious and sad the envelop to me and I take it with shaking hands and confused face. Even when my blurry emerald gaze I could see the papers when I opened the envelop and took them out and just by reading the titles I knew what they meant. I stopped breathing and my heart skipped beats while I was reading the titles of the main pages with shocked expression and eyes widely opened in realization about the significance of all.

"He... legally put you and Miyu as the legitimate owners of the actual heritage and properties here in Konoha of the Uchina Clan... he gave you and Miyu the power to use them as you want. And... he legally pronounced himself as her father. He changed her last name for it..."

I gazed with blurrier eyes at the paper that had written in big, clear and black letters the legend of "Miyu Uchiha" instead of "Miyu Haruno". I couldn't help anymore the tears and I started to cried shocked and affected with a hand covering my trembling chin and lips. Naruto took the papers from me seeing me so consternated. I was immensely surprised by all this, by all the care he had showed doing all this for Miyu and even for me being the mother of his daughter. He had tried to protect the both in his secretive and silent and maybe incomprehensible way. I felt really and deeply moved for realizing now the truth. The sadness and hope were asphyxiating my crushed heart and the pain and frustration I felt for not having him here burned my soul with the flame of the love that lives within me in its rebel path.

"How did Sasuke did that if he can't communicate?"

Kakashi-Sensei asked finally touched too at my own state and the situation we had discovered. Mother was calmer looking worried and guiltily at me without daring to comfort me and seeming heartbroken for it.

"He wrote it in a letter... his wishes... he tried day after day until what he wrote was understandable and meant what he wanted... the first times were difficult and he only wrote misshaped and wrong... I saw a lot of papers inside his bag when he finally showed me the final letter. It was short but it said the important... he came to me again another afternoon and showed it to me and I knew what he wanted... and I knew he was asking me to help him to achieve it. So I did it... it was for Miyu, it was for you Sakura... I wanted to protect you too as much as he seemed to do."

By that right moment I was freely crying my heart out without caring what they were seeing in me or thinking about me. I cried and cried and mother couldn't hold herself anymore and wrapped me in a tight embrace that I answered sincerely grateful and moved. I had gotten the definitive answer at my former useless hope of wanting to know what he felt about Miyu. He really cared about her. He really loved her. I didn't' wait in vain, I didn't do wrong letting that little hope living inside of me. It wasn't pointless to wish for this some day. Miyu had his father, perhaps not as I wanted it or expected it but she did.

And then I remembered that he was gone again from the village and our life and my heart ached incessantly suffering from the harsh and undeniable truth. Miyu was calling me from Kurenai-Sensei's arms and I carried her when she smiling sadly gave her to me. Mother smiled serene now feeling relief that I wasn't angered at her for her silence and I smiled happy at Miyu who stared at me calm and curious.

"Dada? Dada?"

She asked with her soft and sweet voice and I nodded at her hugging her little body with all the love I could gather in my arms.

I'll bring him to you sweetie. Even if I have to find him myself. Don't worry, he'll come back. I promise to you.

I promise to you. And to me too. To me too.