Life Fading

There was so much blood and it was gushing from Yume's abdomen. She tried hard not to panic. She tried to control her chakra, to relax and breathe. All the things she knew from meditation, Shinobi training rushed through her mind. All her years of training were useless.

The leader of what was a group of people drawn together by their own vices fought long and hard but it was much too late she was too slow this time. The sword clanged as if dropped to the floor useless at her side. Tori grinned a sadistic grin and slowly pulled a kunai from her body.

Sasuke had Tori tied up before she could move to say another word. They were careful and they were precise. This was the woman that had eluded them all these months. Sasuke didn't have time to deal with Yume. For him she was a distraction despite fighting on the same side against Tori and her understudies. Sasuke's eyes were trained on Tori as Yume struggled with her injuries.

Yume held her abdomen as numerous fights were going on around her. No longer able to support her weight she slumped against the cavern wall. She didn't care much about the fighting anymore. In her final moments she was glad the Konoha Shinobi seemed to have the upper hand.

She placed her hand weakly over the hand of her lover who lay in a puddle of his own blood. There were so many things she wanted to tell him but he wasn't conscious and likely already dead. She sat beside him as the fighting continued never taking her eye off the raven haired Uchiha. Sasuke wasn't making any move towards her fully concentrated on Tori at the moment.

000

Sasuke was unsure when the mission had gone so sour. They had the location of the hideout and all the intelligence that they needed but the element of surprise was somehow taken away and Tori fought back with her understudies causing severe casualties in the group of Shinobi who were sent on the mission.

"My messenger hawk returned," Sasuke said to Suigetsu who was busy standing guard of Tori's latest body.

"Sasuke can she jump from this body," Suigetsu said staring at the twitching woman.

"She shouldn't be able to not with the sealing jutsu," Sasuke said.

"What's it say," Suigetsu asked as Sasuke read though the scroll sent by his hawk.

"We are to leave Tori to the second team and continue on to Mizu no Kuni," Sasuke said.

"Is Karin finished healing that woman," Suigetsu asked one of the Jounin in the cave.

"Yes everyone is ready for the next assignment," the pale eyed Jounin Suigetsu only knew was part of the Hyuuga clan said.

"Well looks like there's no place like home Sasuke," Suigetsu said.

"We're not going on a field trip," Sasuke said and put away the scroll, "we need to find the island group that is working with Tori and find her original body."

"I'm well aware of that," Suigetsu said and turned back to watching his prisoner, "Is Karin coming or not?"

"I find her of use," Sasuke said.

"Don't say it like that Sasuke," Suigetsu said.

"You try telling her to stay behind if you wish," Sasuke said.

"Shhh do you want her screaming at us," Suigetsu said.

"Well we do need to leave soon so if she's staying behind she better make up her mind sooner than latter," Sasuke said.

"The only reason she came along is to see you," Suigetsu said.

"Hn," Sasuke said seemingly without caring one way or the other. This was quickly becoming a problem because he did care. He cared very much and he was going out of his mind that his wife was here without his daughter.

"Some wife," Suigetsu said.

"What did you say," Karin asked appearing out of nowhere.

"Why don't you tell me why you really came Karin," Suigetsu said.

"Shut up it's none of your business," Karin said.

"Both of you," Sasuke interrupted both saying, "We're leaving."

"We have to wait for Rokudaime's orders," Tokuma said.

"Your team can wait for orders but we're going ahead," Sasuke said. He wouldn't ask about Miyako because he knew the less information that flowed the better. He was sure that Karin left her in a safe place although he wished that Karin was there with her now.

"I've healed your friends but some are too far gone," Karin said.

"I understand," Tokuma said and turned to Ranka, "Send in the report that Team Sasuke is going after the island group and that we've secured their leader once again."

"Understood," Ranka said.

"Sasuke should Kyouko meet us there," Suigetsu asked.

"This mission requires the upmost secrecy," Sasuke said.

"Trust me she understands. If you trust me you can trust her," Suigetsu said.

"That's a big statement. Just how close are you two now," Sasuke asked.

"We can talk about it some other time," Suigetsu said noticing Karin glaring at him.

Team Sasuke headed to Mizu no Kuni on a mission to locate the island group backing Tori. Minutes later Kakashi sent message that the remaining team were to support and back up Sasuke's team.

Yume lay on a cot being healed by medic-nin. It was clear the love of her life would not make it so she intended to go on to Kirigakure and turn herself in.

Karin turned to Sasuke they had a lot to discuss. Nothing was going to keep her from this mission. Something made her come here; a force she couldn't explain drew her towards this place. She was unsure about heading to the island with Sasuke because her child was in Konoha but she wanted to put an end to the Nightmare Jutsu with him. She wanted to team up with Sasuke once again and put a stop to what had plagued them for so long. Clearly written all over his face he wanted her to be at home with their child so they needed to talk before she went any further.

"So what is it going to be Karin you know I have to get going," Sasuke said.

"I am going to let you go," Karin said.

"Don't let this break us-

"It won't break us. I need you to end this for us. You go with Suigetsu and put an end to this nightmare then come home to Miyako and me. We can talk about the rest some other time but just come home for now and I promise I will be OK," Karin said.

"I made a lot of promises to a lot of people Karin…I will end this that is for sure," Sasuke said.

"All you have to do is come home," Karin said.

"That's all," Sasuke said.

"I don't ask for much," Karin said.

"I will come home," Sasuke said.

"Sasuke I love you," Karin said.

"I love you. I love our daughter. You should get home to her. You should be with her not here. We are going to beat these guys," Sasuke said.

"I know," Karin said.

"I got to get going," Sasuke said.

Karin held him in her arms for as long as she could before they parted. She watched as Sasuke grouped up with Suigetsu and headed down the road toward the island where Tori was last spotted. They were all headed on their way to put an end to the Nightmare Jutsu. Karin smiled thinking of the family life they would have when they returned to Konoha.