Sakura's brow was furrowed in concentration her eyes clenched shut, sweat dripping down her brow as she worked. Dark marks wrapped around her skin like ribbons as she huddled in the back of the carriage. Itachi had taught her techniques that had helped her to learn to even better control her chakra and the chakra of those around her. Combining his lessons with her own medical ninjutsu they had developed a technique for a situation like this one where she was separated from Sasuke and being delivered to the enemy. She would protect her child no matter what the cost. Using the most delicate chakra control she'd ever managed, she gently weaved her healing power into the chakra that was being fed into the unborn child. Very carefully she coaxed the cells in the tiny body within her to divide faster, helping along the development process with gentle nudges of her chakra. As she worked new knowledge filled her and made her smile for a moment. The child she carried was a girl.

The carriage came to a quick and sudden halt and she gritted her teeth forcing herself to finish quickly and prayed that her child would suffer no negative consequences due to her rush to protect it. When the doors of the carriage opened, she breathed a sigh of relief as the last of her seal marks disappeared from sight and the diamond on her forehead returned. She had done it. Forced her body and the body of her child into the safe period of pregnancy cramming nine weeks of development into a few short hours. With the last of the energy that she could spare, she erected a powerful barrier around the life growing inside her. Her jaw clenched as Subaru and Raiden lifted her out of the carriage and forced her into a massive mansion. She had done her part to protect the baby girl growing inside her. Now all she had to do was keep her promise; stay alive until Sasuke came for her.

"Sakura! My beautiful cherry blossom!" Lord Sakamoto exclaimed as he laid eyes on her. "You're even lovelier than the last time I saw you."

"Flattery won't work on me." She said in a monotone voice. "Release me now so that I can return to my husband. He's hurt terribly and needs my assistance."

"Oh sweet Sakura. I can see he still has a hold on you. That's to be expected I suppose considering you've been in his clutches for more than a year, but there's no need to fear. I will free you from him, my angel." He breathed stroking her cheek.

She jerked her face out his reach and glared at him. "You are not my husband and have no right to lay your hands on me. Do not touch me." She snarled.

Lord Sakamoto's eyes narrowed before he shook his head and raked his eyes over her form. "You're filthy, injured and clearly exhausted. Wash up and then come have dinner with me. After that I assure you that you will be free to rest comfortably." He turned to Subaru. "See that she is properly clothed after her bath." He informed the shinobi.

"As you wish My Lord." The shinobi replied pushing Sakura from the room and down a corridor. "I suggest you do as he says." The older man whispered to her. "His sanity is hanging on by a thread."

"If you know that he's insane then why do you stick around?" She snapped back.

"Money. Everyone needs to make a living. Catering to that crazy man allows me to live quite comfortably." He replied opening the doors to a massive bathroom complete with stone columns, dragon and lion shaped fountains and more hair and skin products than she'd ever seen in her life.

Subaru removed her ropes and then slapped something on her arm before she could jerk it out of his reach.

"What did you just do to me?" She snarled inspecting her skin.

"I put a tracer on you." He replied. "This mansion is guarded by some of the most ruthless rogue ninja money can buy and the grounds are rigged with traps. Even so, if you attempted to escape that seal on your wrist would let me know right away." He reached out and gripped her chin. "If I were you I would just bide your time here quietly. Lord Sakamoto will not stop until he has you and he will kill every person you care about in order to do so. If you think your friends in the village are safe, think again."

Her eyes widened at the implications of his words before they narrowed again. "You bunch of spineless, murdering, cowards!" She snarled.

He merely shrugged and tossed her a towel. "I'll bring you a change of clothes in an hour." He told her before leaving shutting and locking the door behind him.

Sakura took a deep breath and reluctantly shucked off her dirty, torn clothes and slipped into the steaming water. She washed her hair as quickly as she could and then curled up into a ball at the edge of the massive pool of water her arms wrapped around her knees her chin tucked to her chest.

What was she supposed to do? Escape on her own would be risky at best especially in her condition. She'd used a considerable amount of chakra coaxing her infant out of the fragile stage and creating a barrier around it. She simply did not have the strength needed to pull off a feat. She was also worried about Sasuke. When she'd seen him, she could tell right away that something was wrong. It wasn't his injuries that bothered her but a strange weakness that had seemed to overcome his body. If he'd died…

She shifted and the sound of metal scraping against metal caught her attention. Her eyes snapped open and she focused her gaze on the two bracelets on her wrist. They were imbued with Sasuke's chakra which meant as long as he was alive they would stay active if what she'd read about such specially made items was correct. Her eyes drifted closed and she focused on where the metal touched her skin and felt a small smile of relief touch her lips when she felt the comforting tingle of her husband's electric chakra. Her fingers lifted to the Uchiha crest around her neck and she fingered it gently a newfound determination coming to her. She was the matriarch of the Uchiha clan, a clan that had descended from the Sage of Six Paths oldest and most powerful son. She had sneaked up and punched an all powerful fucking goddess in the back of the head when she was sixteen years old! There was no way in hell she was going to let a pampered, delusional Lord have his way with her. She would fight as needed and bide her time until the time to act was right, then she would make him and all of the other despicable people in the anti-shinobi organization rue the day they had decided to form.

When Subaru returned with clothes for her to wear, she nodded and waited for him to leave before she rose from the bath and picked up the clothes; a beautiful kimono in light green with cherry petals and koi fish splashed across it. She dressed carefully and then made a split second decision. Though she'd originally wanted to wear her necklace the way she normally did, she realized that it might be visible while wearing the elegant garment. Part of her wanted it to show, to throw it in the insane Lord's face that not only did she not belong to him, but she belonged to a man more powerful than the little pig could ever dream of, but she worried he'd take it from her or worse destroy it. Though she knew Sasuke wouldn't mind and would likely just get her a new one in the end, she wanted to protect it. So she unclasped it from her neck and instead wrapped the chain twice around her ankle turning it into an anklet. There it was much less likely to attract unwanted attention.

"Are you ready Lady Sakura?" Subaru asked.

"Yes." Sakura replied.

And she was ready. Ready for battle that is.

SxSxSxSxSxS

She knelt beside Lord Sakamoto as he'd requested and ate slowly and carefully pretending to be absorbed in her food as she glanced around memorizing everything about the room and those in it. Subaru and Raiden appeared to be Lord Sakamoto's personal bodyguards but there were many others flitting about. Maids, cooks, and other staff. Whether they were aware of the situation or not she couldn't tell thought she did receive a sad, almost pitiful look from the young woman who had served her tea.

"Ah my beautiful Sakura." Lord Sakamoto breathed moving closer to her. "How I've longer for this day. You are finally back where you belong and you glow. I've never seen a more radiant woman in my life."

"All women in her condition glow." Raiden said with a smirk.

Sakura's blood went cold at that and she glanced at the man who merely shrugged. Subaru on the other hand looked pale as a ghost as he stared at his partner fear and exasperation clear in his features.

"Yes, being reunited with your true love tends to have that effect." Lord Sakamoto prattled.

Sakura breathed a sigh of relief and was about to resume eating when Raiden snorted.

"It's not that kind of glow." He said before he hissed, Subaru's sandal grinding into his foot. "What?!" He snarled.

Lord Sakamoto glanced at his two guards his eyes narrowing slightly. "What condition?" He asked. "Has Sakura been injured?"

"It's nothing to worry about My Lord." Subaru said quickly. "I assure you, she's perfectly healthy."

"What condition did Raiden speak of?" The green haired Lord asked again.

Sakura's hand clenched tightly around her chop sticks trying desperately to keep her fingers from shaking. If he found out and attacked her, she didn't have the chakra or strength to defend herself properly. She was still too drained from her exertions in the carriage and the battle before that.

"She's just pregnant." Raiden said casually.

Sakura's head dropped her bangs covering her eyes, Subaru covered his face with his hand, and Lord Sakamoto's eyes widened with shocked surprise.

"Idiot." Subaru hissed under his breath. "Get ready."

"For what?" Raiden asked.

"Sakura, is that true?" Lord Sakamoto asked the pitch of his voice darkening as a manic gleam burst to life in his eyes. "Do you carry the spawn of that demon? Are you carrying another monster?!" He demanded.

Sakura's hands closed protectively around her stomach her jaw clenching at the effort to keep the words 'Don't talk about my husband and daughter that way' from leaving her lips. She couldn't risk provoking him. Not now while she was still so weak.

Lord Sakamoto seemed to take her silence as confirmation and shoved the table out of the way before he launched at her tackling her to the ground.

"You betrayed me!" He howled like a crazed animal. "How dare you!? Filthy demon loving whore! I'll kill him and that demon spawn living inside you!" He screamed slamming his fists into her petite body.

Sakura curled herself into a ball as best she could, her hands tinged with chakra acting as another barrier between the violence and her baby as she fed the barrier with what was left of her chakra her vision swimming as she did nothing to defend herself and everything to protect her baby.

"My Lord! You must stop this! Remember the plan. We need her alive!" Subaru exclaimed leaping forward to pull him off.

"I'm not going to kill her. Just the monster inside her." He snarled elbowing his guard in the face before grabbing a knife that had fallen from the table twirling it between his slightly pudgy fingers. "Everything will be fine after that. I'll release you from his curse I'm promise." He crooned.

Sakura's eyes widened and then clenched shut as she curled into an even tighter ball tears pricking at the corners as she increased the barrier around her child.

"No! Don't!" She screamed. Lord Sakamoto forced her onto her back holding her wrists in one hand over her head.

"Don't cry." Sakamoto said softly as he lifted the four inch blade high above his head. "It will all be over soon." He plunged the knife downwards and Sakura screamed as it slid through her skin buried to the hilt in her abdomen.

Sakura's eyes went wide and strangled scream left her throat. "Sasuke!"

Raiden rushed forward and smacked the crazed Lord in the back of the head and pulled his limp body off of the gasping medic.

"Sorry, I didn't think he'd go crazy like that." He said a little sheepishly.

"Idiot!" Subaru snarled kneeling beside Sakura. "I'll remove the knife. Can you repair the damage?"

Sakura narrowed her eyes at him. "Why should I trust you?" She asked her breathing labored as she used her chakra to keep her child away from the deadly blade of the knife.

"We need you alive." He replied simply.

She nodded knowing that there was no other choice and cried out when he pulled the knife free. Her hands glowed green as she healed the damage from the inside out making sure the placenta was completely whole before moving on to her own body tears streaming down her face as sobs left her throat.

'Sasuke." She whimpered in her mind as her energy drained down to nearly nothing the world beginning to darken just after she finished her task.

'Sakura!' The anguished voice of her beloved answered before she slipped into unconsciousness, completely spent.

SxSxSxSxSxSxS

"Don't cry." Lord Sakamoto crooned as he lifted the knife high, its silver blade glinting dangerously in the candle light. "It will all be over soon."

Sasuke's eyes were wide, his heart hammering painfully against his ribs, his breaths coming out in short pants as he watched the insane man above his wife. Her jade eyes were wide and tear filled, her wrists strained against the hand that held her captive. There was more fear in her eyes now than he'd ever seen in them before, even when faced with opponents like Madara and Kaguya on the battlefield.

"NO!" He screamed leaping as Lord Sakamoto slammed the knife into his wife's stomach, to the place he knew his child rested.

He went right through the mad man and could only watch in horror as Sakura's eyes widened in shock and pain her muscles going rigid with the intensity of it before her mouth parted.

"Sasuke!" She screamed the sound filled with fear, desperation, and anguish.

He could not help but answer her call, the fear and anguish in her soul resonating with his own frustration and anger.

"Sakura!"

Sasuke bolted up right in bed. "Sakura!" He screamed again.

"Sasuke." Karin said rushing to his side setting one of her small hands on his shoulder. "Calm down." She urged him gently.

"Where is Sakura?" The ink haired man demanded.

The redhead flinched the removed her hand looking down at the ground.

"I won't ask again." Sasuke said his voice laced with malice even with how out of breath he was. "Where. Is. My. WIFE!?" He snarled.

"She's gone." Suigetsu said softly stepping closer to his bedside. "You went down, they were closing in on us from all sides. Karin was taking care of you and the next thing we knew, she was gone."

Sasuke went completely still, his expression a blank mask his eyes staring straight ahead of him. Karin and Suigetsu flinched and took a step back instinctively recognizing the deadly intent in his ice cold gaze.

"What were your orders?" He asked in a calm clear voice.

The pair of shinobi shifted uncomfortably but didn't answer.

"What were your orders?" Sasuke repeated again his voice just a touch louder.

"To protect Sakura." Suigetsu said softly.

Sasuke turned his ice cold gaze on Karin. "What part of those did you not understand Karin?" He demanded.

The redhead blanched and shifted nervously. "Well, you were seriously hurt and nearly out of chakra. I thought that pinky would be able to hold her own until I got you fixed up." She replied.

"You thought that my pregnant wife who had just used a high chakra consuming, experimental jutsu would be able to hold her own against a pair of fresh S Class criminals working for an insane Lord who has been pursuing her obsessively for years and even joined a worldwide criminal organization in order to get to her?" Sasuke repeated in the same cold tone.

Karin bit her lip nervously and looked down at the floor. "It sounds bad when you put it that way," she admitted. "But yes, I did."

"Do you think I'm stupid Karin?" Sasuke asked quietly. "That I wouldn't realize that your diversion from my orders had nothing to do with your perception of my wife's abilities and everything to do with your feelings for me?"

The redhead's eyes widened at that and her skin paled further.

"Hold on a second." Suigetsu said putting his hands out palms up. "It was a pretty heated battle and everyone makes mistakes." He said moving closer to the redhead. "Neither of us meant for this to happen."

"A mistake?" Sasuke said a small slightly insane smile touching his lips his hand rising to cover part of his face through his parted fingers. "My battle weakened, wife is now in the clutches of a lunatic. A crazy man who believes that she was made for him by his god and that fucking her will save her soul and that I'm a demon who has taken human form." His eyes flickered to the two anxious looking shinobi next to him. "How do you think he'll react when he finds out she's carrying the spawn of said demon?"

Karin swallowed noisily. "Sakura is strong. I'm sure she'll be fine. I mean-" She shrieked and jumped when a bolt of lightning leapt through the space between her and Suigetsu, splintering a nearby table sending singed papers and medical equipment flying through the air.

Sasuke lowered his hand, electricity crackling between his fingers as he laid it in his lap.

"Get out of here." He snarled.

Karin stood rooted to the spot, tears gathering in her eyes.

"Sasuke, I'm so sorry." She whimpered a tear sliding down her face.

"Get. Out." He hissed again.

"Come on." Suigetsu said grabbing her by the arm and half carried her out of the infirmary.

Sasuke waited until he heard their footsteps headed in the direction of the kitchen before her curled forward ignoring the pained protest of the gash across his back that was healing and gripped his hair in his hand. He tugged at the inky locks and pressed his forehead to his knees as he fought to keep his sanity. Sakura was his warmth, his home, his heart. Knowing that she was facing terrible danger all alone was eating him alive. He knew she was afraid and in pain. He could feel it in his soul. How could he sit here safe and sound while she was fighting to stay alive? Why had he agreed to let her come along? Why couldn't the stupid redhead use her head instead of thinking with her libido for once? Why!?

"I will never leave you willingly. I will keep fighting, keep breathing, keep living until you come for me. I am not going to die and leave you alone. I promise you."

Her voice full of confidence and conviction filled his head and those jade eyes filled with fire entered his mind's eye. She had promised him that she wouldn't die, that she would wait for him. He'd hold her to that. The memory of her fervent promise slowly began to push away the pricks of mania that threatened to invade his mind and bind his soul. His breathing began to calm and his grip on his hair relaxed. Sakura was still alive. He knew it. He couldn't quite explain it, but he just knew that if Sakura was dead, he would feel it deep in his soul.

"Sasuke, you have a visitor." Jugo said softly.

The ink haired man's gaze flickered back to him. "A visitor?" He repeated. "Who is it?"

"A woman. She claims she's been corresponding with Sakura about the cure she's been working on." Jugo replied.

"It must be Aria." Sasuke said softly. "Send her in."

Moments later, the woman with olive toned skin, silver eyes, and dark mahogany hair burst in the room. She rushed to his bedside, her strange eyes wide. "Sasuke! Thank goodness you're alright." She breathed. "Tell me, where is Sakura? I have something urgent I must tell you both."

Sasuke's body tensed. "Sakura isn't here." He replied. "She was captured while we were investigating a village that appeared to be a victim of a biological weapon's attack."

Aria's eyes widened and then softened brimming with tears, her fingers lifting to partially cover her mouth. "No." she breathed. "It can't be."

The ink haired man nodded and then glanced at the woman. Something about her made him want to confide in her. Perhaps it was the knowledge that she had once been his brother's confidant that prompted such a feeling within him. Regardless of the reason, he acted on the feeling.

"She's carrying our first child." He said softly.

The tears in her eyes overflowed and slid down her cheeks as she suddenly fell to her knees at his bedside her hand covering her quiet sobs.

"No." She whimpered. "This cannot be. This is all my fault."

"How could it be your fault?" Sasuke asked. "No one but Sakura and I knew of you. Even if you were helping Sakura with her research, there was no way for them to know that."

Aria shook her head. "No. You do not understand." She said rising shakily to her feet. "The one leading, financing, and encouraging the anti-shinobi faction is King Farid, the King of Solaris."

"That name." Sasuke murmured. "I remembered one of the victims heard a woman mention something about reporting back to Lord Farid."

Aria nodded her hands clasping together before her. "Sasuke. I know of a way to get your wife back."

"What? How?" He demanded.

"Offer me in exchange for her." The woman replied.

Sasuke's eyes widened and then narrowed. "I don't understand. What makes you think that this King Faird person would be willing to make a deal like that?"

"Because I'm the reason he's doing all of this." She replied. "He believes that his actions will force me to reveal myself and it enables him to get the revenge he thinks he's entitled to."

"I still don't understand." Sasuke said. "You told me that you were from Wafir a nation across the sea and that you were the most wanted person in Solaris."

The woman took a deep breath and nodded. "Those statements are both true, however I believe you will understand when I introduce myself properly."

She lifted her eyes and met his her posture changing slightly as she straightened her spine and her chin. She slipped the black cloak from her shoulders revealing a short sleeved royal blue colored top that came halfway down her midriff. A floor length trumpet style skirt in the same rich tone started at her waist and hugged her curves, a small section of her midriff was bare. A wrap in the same rich blue wrapped around her body and draped over her shoulder. She didn't look like the common traveler they'd met before. A former slave and current fugitive. She looked like so much more, a regality seeping from her form that he hadn't noticed before.

"My true name is Amira Rad-Ganem. I am the first princess of Wafir." She said lowering her head slightly. "King Farid was my betrothed. I fled on the day before our wedding. That is why he is after me, that is why I am the most wanted person in Solaria." She explained.

Sasuke stared at her in shock before focusing on the other half of the equation.

"Why target shinobi in a different continent?" He asked. "Wouldn't attacking your people prompt you to act faster?"

"An excellent deduction." She replied. "However in order to explain that would take some time. Send a message to the anti-shinobi faction. Tell them that you have captured Princess Amira- Rad Ganem of Wafir and wish to do a hostage exchange. Then while we wait for their reply, I will tell you my story."

"Very well then." Sasuke replied summoning in a hawk. "Let's talk."

Over the next several hours. Amira told her story. She was the daughter of the former King of Wafir's mistress, and the pair of them had fled the palace shortly after her birth and the announcement of her betrothal to King Farid. After returning to the palace as a child, she took on the duties of princess, protecting her older brother as best she could. Her brother eventually married and had a son and it soon came time for her own wedding to King Farid. The day before the wedding, the palace was attacked and her sister in law was killed, her nephew was severely beaten, and her brother was assaulted though not severely due to the quick work of Amira and her servants. Her servants led her brother and nephew to safety while she stayed behind as a decoy. The mercenaries that had attacked the castle kidnapped her and she was tortured for several days before her servants managed to locate her location. While leaving the hideout that had been her private hell for more than a week, they informed her that the one who had hired the mercenaries was her fiancé, he had hoped to kill off the main royal family, 'rescue her', have her ascend the throne and then merge their two countries. Outraged but realizing that she needed to leave the continent, she followed the advice of her longest serving and most trusted servant Hisame and secretly boarded a ship bound for the continent where the five great nations resided.

"Hisame?" Sasuke repeated. "That sounds like a name from this continent."

Amira nodded. "Yes, Hisame was originally from this continent. In fact, he told me that his father was a shinobi. From a clan called Yamanacha if I remember correctly."

Sasuke's eyes widened. "Yamanacha? That's a Leaf Village clan."

Her eyes brightened a little. "It still exists?" When Sasuke nodded she smiled. "He'll be happy to hear that, if I… If I see him again." She said lowering her head a little before shaking it and continuing her story.

She explained that a couple of Solaris spies boarded the ship and her servants left to deal with them. Unfortunately, all three of them were forced off the ship and she became separated from them. Upon learning that it was a slaving ship, she tried to leave but was caught and added to the merchandise. After arriving in The Land of Water, she tried to escape the auction and in doing so ran into Itachi. When she explained her plight to him, he agreed to help her as best he could.

"I don't understand something." Sasuke said. "Why would Itachi tell you about what happened with our clan? He never revealed anything that personal to anyone, not even me."

She smirked at that.

'Because there was no fear of us being overheard.' Her voice came in his mind.

His eyes widened and she tapped her temple lightly.

'My mother's people called it mind speak. A rare ability that one could use to speak directly into the mind of another.' She explained. 'It's not perfect and doesn't always work across long distances but Itachi and I connected well. It may be due in part to the similarities between this ability and the sharringgan's genjutsu capabilities to manipulate the psychic plane since it's quite easy to do this with you too, but I'm not entirely sure.'

"That makes sense." He answered aloud and she nodded.

"What proof do you have that you are the Princess you claim to be?" Suigetsu asked from where he stood against the wall still wary of Sasuke's anger with a cowering Karin by his side.

Jugo and Orochimaru sat on chairs near Sasuke's bedside.

"Of course." The young woman replied standing to her feet.

Amira turned her back and slipped the royal blue wrap off her shoulders. She then reached up and pulled the zipper on the back of her top and shifted it away from her back using the wrap to maintain her modesty from the front. She gathered her waist length hair into a tail and threw it over her right shoulder baring her upper back to them.

Between her shoulder blades, the image of a large bird of prey with an abnormally long neck was tattooed into her skin. The ink was a shimmering metallic silver that shouldn't have been possible with current tattooing technology.

"It's an Al Anqua'a, a mythological being that is said to protect the nation of Wafir. Every royal is tattooed with its image. The metallic ink is a special blend that is passed down from King to King. Not even the artist knows the formula. The king mixes it himself." She explained before pulling her top back into place and adjusting her clothes.

"Her story is legitimate." Orochimaru said. "I did not detect a single scent of lie as she spoke."

"Agreed." Sasuke said. "Tell me Amira, what made you think that Sakura and I were in danger?" he asked.

"I overheard some Solaris officials speaking of King Farid's sudden decision to travel to this continent. They mentioned that he had taken Mina and Abu with him as some of his top medical officers, those who specialized in biological warfare. I had just received one of Sakura's letters regarding her frustration with the mutated version of the parasites that caused Scarlet Hand and immediately made the connection. I hopped on the next boat I could." She replied.

"Did you warn her?" Sasuke asked.

"No. I honestly thought that I'd arrive before something like this would happen and I didn't want to worry her needlessly. I apologize." Amira said.

"It isn't your fault." Sasuke replied. "Are you sure that you want to go through with this? You're walking into a den of murderers and lunatics. As second in line to the throne, you should value yourself. You're not a warrior."

A sly smirk touched the young woman's lips at that. "Now Sasuke, what on earth gave you that impression?" She asked. "My mother and I outran Wafir's military for eight years and I've been running from the armies of Solaris for nearly seven. A papered, proper princess never could have managed such a feat. I assure you, I am more than capable of defending myself."

Sasuke's curiosity was suddenly piqued. "Show us." He said. "Solaris and Wafir use similar combat tactics correct?" The woman nodded. "Very well then. Demonstrate your fighting prowess. It will give us an edge when we take on the forces King Farid have brought with him."

Amira tilted her head reagly. "As you wish." She replied standing up a fond smile touching her lips as she looked at Sasuke. "You truly are his brother."

SxSxSxSxSxSxSx

Sakura huddled up in the corner of the comfortable, western style bed of the room where she'd found herself when she awoke. The moment she'd regained consciousness, she'd thoroughly checked on her baby and sobbed in relief when she found the child strong and healthy, its development exactly where she'd wanted it to be. Subaru had arrived not long after with a tray of food and pitcher of water for her, apologizing for his master's behavior.

She'd eaten after checking the food for containments only because she knew her child would suffer without it. After filling her stomach, she'd promptly passed out again, her chakra still too depleted for her to move for very long.

"Sakura!" she heard her husband shout. "SAKURA!"

She turned around searching for him, his voice seeming to come from everywhere at once. Her heart pounded in her chest as she looked around the empty field of grass and flowers around her unable to see a sign of her beloved.

"Sasuke?" She called out. "Sasuke! Where are you?"

"Sakura!" Came a different but familiar voice. "Are you alright?"

She whirled around and found Itachi rushing towards her with arms outstretched to her, his dark eyes focused, his brow knit together. The obvious concern in both his expression and body language somehow had all of the tension from the past twenty four hours leaching out of her system and all of the fear and anxiety came rushing back. Without a second thought, Sakura threw herself into the arms of her brother in law.

"Itachi!" She cried out tears streaming down her face. "They took me away from him! They tried to kill the baby!" she wept clutching at the sleeves of his kimono tightly.

"I'm so sorry, Sakura." Itachi replied sinking to the ground with her in his arms stroking her hair lightly.

"They tried to kill my baby!" She whimpered again.

"I know." He replied holding her closer. "Even so, you were able to protect your child and yourself. Well done."

She cried and trembled in his arms for a little while longer before she pulled away and met his eyes. "Sasuke! Is he alright? Do you know?" She demanded, her jade eyes full of anxiety. "I… I can hear him. It's like he's calling me but I can't find him."

Itachi nodded. "His body and soul are both injured and his mind is in chaos, he isn't able to hear you." He replied tucking a section of her hair behind her hair.

Sakura's eyes widened. "Oh no, you don't think…" Images of Sasuke covered in wicked looking black marks, an evil smirk on his lips as he snapped the arms of his enemy flashed before her eyes, a second image of his electrified hand coming for her heart shortly followed, along with an image of her lover laughing hysterically with blood dripping from his eyes as he threatened the life of his teacher.

"Calm down Sakura." Itachi urged her gently bringing her focus back to the present with a light brush of his fingers through her hair. "He isn't that far gone. As long as you're living, he will never stray that far again. That being said, you're not in a safe situation now. I can sense your chakra is quite depleted."

Sakura nodded. "The barrier techniques you taught me worked perfectly, but they're quite draining." She admitted. "Protecting both of us is going to be a struggle."

Itachi nodded. "It is, but do not worry, you will not have to do it alone for long. An ally is on their way to help you."

"An ally? Who?" Sakura asked.

"You've already met once." He replied. "A young woman I assisted once."

"Aria?" Sakura questioned her brow cocking.

He nodded. "Yes. She'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. Just hold on until she gets there."

The pink haired woman nodded. "What about Sasuke?" She asked sadly her eyes drifting downward.

"Have faith in him. He will come for you and even if he's lost his way, this time, I promise that you will be able to reach him. Your feelings are connected, even if it seems as though your voice is falling on deaf ears, he will turn back to you." Her brother in law said taking her hand. "You are strong Sakura. Both you, Sasuke, and the little one inside of you will be just fine."

Sakura took a deep breath and closed her eyes. A beautiful image spun out behind her eyelids. Sasuke was sitting in their house on the couch cradling a tiny ink haired baby in his arm, his eyes were warm and full of love as he gazed down at the little one before he turned his eyes to hers and smiled at her, jerking his head in a silent invitation to join him. That was what she was going to fight and endure for. Their family.

She opened her eyes and leaned her forehead lightly against Itachi's chest. "I know what I need to do." She said. "Even so, will you please watch over me? Over all of us?"

"Of course." Itachi replied patting her affectionately on the head. "What are big brothers for?" the world around them wavered violently and he frowned. "Someone is trying to wake you forcefully." He told her. "Be careful little sister. The danger is far from over."

She nodded. "Good bye big brother. I hope to see you again soon."

Her eyes opened and she found herself staring at the face of Subaru.

"Sorry for waking you. Our leader insisted on seeing you right away." He said pulling her to her feet and handing her a bundle of clothes.

Sakura nodded and waited until he left the room locking the door behind him again and pulled on the new set of clothes thankful the black leggings, and light grey sweater were loose fitting, hiding the tiny bump that was her child from view.

"Ready to go?" Subaru said opening the door again. Sakura nodded and gritted her teeth when her hands were bound. "Sorry, it's a precaution."

"Why are you being kind towards me all of a sudden?" She demanded as they walked down the dark hallway and up a set of stairs.

"I saw how desperately your husband tried to protect you and the lengths you went to protect your child." He replied. "I knew that Lord Sakamoto was a bit delusional about his relationship with you but part of me did believe that Lord Uchiha was manipulating you in some way. Now I see that you really are nothing but an unfortunate victim in all of this."

She cocked a brow at that. "If you believe that, then why not leave this place?"

"I cannot afford to." He replied. "I betrayed my own people to line my pockets with blood money. There is no place for me to return to."

They arrived at a set of prettily painted sliding doors. Subaru pushed them open and a dark skinned man with a goatee with a woman on his left wearing strange clothes and a man on his left wearing even stranger clothes, took up the majority of the space.

"Ah, so this is the little ninja girl Lord Sakamoto has been obsessed with." The man with a goatee said a smirk touching his lips. "I must say, she's quite lovely. I've never seen a woman with such unique coloring before." He extended a hand to her. "Come Lady Sakura, I've heard so much about you and your abilities." Sakura glared at him and his brow cocked. "Ah, of course you would be reluctant. It's only to be expected however you're not really in a position to refuse." He cocked his head and the woman rushed forward and slapped Sakura hard across the face sending her sprawling to the floor. "Now then, let's make this process as painless as possible, shall we?"

Sakura gritted her teeth and pressed her hands to her midriff. 'Don't worry.' She whispered to the tiny life inside of her. 'Mama will protect you, no matter what it takes. Papa will come and save us I know he will.'

Author's Notes: Thank you for reading, reviewing and such. I really appreciate your feedback. It seems like Fanfiction has been having some trouble as far as posting and allowing others to see what's been posted. I'm sorry, I'm a writer not a computer programmer so I really don't know how to fix it or why it's happening. All I can do is be patient and ask that you do the same even though it's extremely frustrating. Thanks again for everything!