Inspired by the song Fight Inside by Red

(I recommend listening to it while reading this, acoustic version).

Disclaimer: Naruto, in all facts and facilities belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. I just borrow them for awhile. All emotional rollercoasters, heartbreaks, and pent up suspense, plotlines and what have you belong to me. Enjoy.

Fight Inside

Foot falls audible only to the highly adept sprinted through the lower branches toward a predetermined destination. Blurs of silver, blonde, purple, and black streaked through the darkness invisible to the untrained eye as they forged forth enduring muscle strain and exhaustion toward their intended target. No words were uttered in direction as three of them followed dutifully behind their silver-haired leader.

Two days prior the Fifth Hokage had come to the reformed team seven with a very specific mission. One they'd been waiting for. The retrieval of one Uchiha Sasuke. He'd been spotted in a nearby smaller village three days ago. It was a rare sighting. One the Hokage wasn't going to let slip by if she could help it. This was the reason that the four man squad was running full force toward the small village.

The purple haired, silver eyed female of the group studied her black haired teammate. He'd slowed down considerably during the last three hours or so. Quickly dropping her hand into her pouch she retrieved a fruit pill and tossed it to the ex-root member who caught it deftly and swallowed it soon after. He nodded in thanks before they both refocused on the task at hand. They couldn't afford to be distracted. Especially now.

Naruto glanced back at the newest member of his squad. The girl's name was Tsuki. She'd replaced Sakura after 'the incident'. He flinched at the memory and turned forward again. He knew it would be something he'd never forgive himself for. Something Sasuke would never forgive him for.

The silver haired Jounin looked over at one of his original students and felt the urge to ruffle his hair; however, the shinobi was far from the days when he was allowed to show such affection. He had grown up fast and hard. His eyes narrowed slightly in thought. It had been hard on both of them. Including himself.

Inwardly sighing he faced the front again hell-bent on getting as close to the village as possible before day break.

The obsidian haired male was waiting leaned against a tree on the outskirts of the random village he had chosen to reveal himself in. He could feel the signatures of Kakashi and Naruto approaching in the distance. Then there was that other male that they had "attempted" to replace him with. He nearly scoffed.

Normally, he would avoid attention as much as possible because they would be sent to intercept him. It was a nice play on the Hokage's part. Sending the people he'd had the closest ties to hoping that would keep him from killing them, or possibly be enough to persuade him into returning. That was no longer an option however. Or perhaps she thought he'd just gotten careless. Him careless? Not likely. No the reason for his sudden appearance was quite simple: he'd heard whispers across the lands about the death of his pink haired teammate. Rumors he wanted answers to.

Onyx eyes narrowed. He may have been hell-bent on revenge village-be-damned in the process; however, it didn't mean there wasn't a part of him somewhere that at least acknowledged that he had ties to those three specific people. He had rationalized to himself that he didn't care for the girl. The weak, annoying girl he reminded himself. He was just...curious. She could rot for all he cared. At least she wouldn't annoy him anymore. He smirked slightly at the thought. If only Karin were so expendable...

From what he'd heard, she was taken under the tutelage of another legendary Sannin herself. With that kind of training, it had to be some unforeseeable force to have taken her life. One he wanted to be weary of even if he far surpassed her strength on many levels. He was nothing if not cautious. It was why he was still alive after training under Orochimaru of all people. Being calculating was just in his nature. It was something he chalked up to being an Uchiha.

He'd closed his eyes when a fourth chakra signature registered on his radar. It was smaller and less assuming than the other three by far. Almost as if it were hiding itself. His brow furrowed. It wasn't Sakura's signature. This was far different from the medic's calm flow. This chakra reading was erratic almost. Unnaturally so.

He rose from his position by the tree. They were maybe thirty minutes out from his position, and he wasn't going to waste any time by letting them try to find him. For once, he'd go to meet his "team" head on.

"Jugo, Karin, Suigetsu," he said quietly, "don't interfere."

Three shadows in the trees vanished after he'd finished speaking. He knew they'd obey especially with this particular look in his eyes. One that promised death.

Something wasn't quite right. However, on these missions nothing ever felt right to the Copy nin.

Kakashi's eyes narrowed as he lifted the hitai-ate to reveal his sharingan. Something was definitely amiss. He could just feel it.

Signaling his squad to stop he scanned the scenery. A huge chakra signature was coming straight for them. A signature he knew to be Sasuke's.

"Get ready. He's coming," he intoned quietly while his squad got into formation.

Naturally, Naruto spear-headed the group being able to take the most damage from Sasuke as was proved time and time again. Much to the older nin's chagrin. He use to be able to handle Sasuke in the adolescent's younger years, but that was no longer the case. Sai being the long ranged fighter he was, was stationed in the back while he and Tsuki made up the middle of the formation.

He wasn't exactly up to speed on the fourth member's abilities. Although, he did know that she was Anbu which meant she had to have some sort of superior jutsu. So much so that the Fifth had permanently assigned her as a part of team seven.

He stole a glance at the purple haired kunoichi who now adorned her Anbu mask probably out of habit. She was in an ambiguous defensive stance that was a signature of no one. Her taijutsu seemed mediocre at best, and so far he'd seen no spectacular ninjutsu. It was possible she was a genjutsu specialist since they lacked that on the squad altogether. The only reason being that the Uchiha, that had filled that void once, had abandoned them.

He looked forward once again as regret passed through his mind. Regret that something had happened to Sakura. Something he could have prevented. However, as black hair came into view he pushed those particular thoughts from his mind. What was done, was done. No turning back now. He did feel guilt that this was the only way that the third student of his would find out.

"Teme," Naruto greeted with gritted teeth and balled fists.

The Uchiha was unusually quiet as he studied the squad obviously noting the absence of his other team member. A slight smirk played across his features before he spoke.

"I guess you got smart and left Sakura at home after our last encounter? It is rather annoying to have her trying to get herself killed each time we meet," he said watching his former sensei and teammate's body language for tales.

He was impressed that Naruto, for once, gave away nothing. Maybe a different strategy.

"I was hoping to finally get rid of her this time since she seems to be so keen on throwing her life away. Figured it would save us all the trouble. You in defending her and me from her getting in my way," he spat glaring at the blonde whose expression sharpened significantly.

"Shut up, you don't know anything!" Naruto thundered throwing his arm out to the side but he still remained stationary, "Sakura-chan was stronger than you ever gave her credit for-"

"Naruto," Kakashi warned softly.

"All she ever did was try and train. She was focused on being the best she could be in order to catch up to us. A feat that even you know is impressive. She's the only one in rookie nine who ever came close to our level Teme! And every time you saw her you always had to undercut her progress! Her hard work! That she bled for! That she earned!"

Kakashi's expression softened slightly at his student knowing there was no stopping him now. He watched as he embodied the mantra that Kakashi had burned into their beings from the age of eleven.

'Those who break the rules are scum, but those who abandon their friends are worse than scum.'

"You weren't there when she fought Sasori nearly single-handedly! But she was too humble to say so telling everyone that Granny Chiyo did most of the work and she just helped. Even though we all knew the truth! She's been training under the Fifth Hokage and nearly surpassed her in strength! So don't tell me that she's weak. Or that she'd never reach our level. You don't know anything you damn Teme!"

By the end of it, Naruto was a huffing mess. His torso was shaking and his eyes were sharp but he hadn't recklessly moved to attack Sasuke like he would have before. Kakashi was impressed that even his nine-tailed beast was in check.

The Copy nin turned an eye to the wayward student before them his face a perfect mask of anger and hostility. Although, he hadn't moved either. He seemed to be mulling something over. Taking in the information given him. It almost seemed like he was memorizing it, storing it for later. Like he almost cared.

Then the moment was gone in a flash as he scoffed and put on his smug mask, "If she has come so far, then why isn't she here Naruto."

The one sentence silenced them all. Sasuke's face hardened once more as Naruto flinched and looked away. His eyes narrowed. So it was true.

"She's dead isn't she," he demanded boring holes into his blue eyed teammate.

Naruto's gaze returned to the onyx eyed male still sharp but it was soft around the edges.

His attention was diverted from the shinobi when the purple haired, he noticed, kunoichi shifted her weight slightly. The mask of a tiger covered her face from view. What irked him the most about her was that she wore her hair in a similar fashion as Itachi had when he had been in Anbu. It made his eyes narrow and somewhere, subconsciously, he noted that he approved of the Hokage's choice to put an Anbu member on team seven's squad. The only skill level that could possibly keep up with both Kakashi and Naruto.

"And this," he said darkly, "Is her replacement. Just like that baka over there is mine."

To his credit, Sai didn't even blink as Sasuke's gaze met his. He didn't flinch. He was gutsy if anything. However, the Uchiha's attention was solely upon this newcomer.

He didn't know why it angered him so much that she had been so easily replaced with this Anbu member but it made his blood boil. The hatred he'd reserved for Itachi alone was now also placed upon this thing in front of him.

Kakashi cast a wary eye at Tsuki who didn't see it. Her entire attention was focused completely on the Uchiha which was a smart move on her part. She didn't have the endurance that he or Naruto had garnered over the years of fighting Sasuke repeatedly. She'd need all the help she could get if he attacked her, and it looked like she was going to be the unfortunate recipient of his anger this time.

"Sasuke," Kakashi tried as he moved to block Tsuki from Sasuke's line of fire.

The Uchiha spared a glance to his former sensei who held a drawn kunai before him defensively.

"Everyone dies. It was just her time to move on," he said sternly as if talking to an unruly child.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he drew Kusanagi. "As it will be your time to move on if you don't get out of my way!" He roared as he charged forth sending his electric chakra into the blade.

Kakashi's eyes narrowed as he prepared to counter Sasuke's strike, however, Tsuki had moved from his side and drew Sasuke's attention away from him as he charged the kunoichi.

'Damn it,' he inwardly swore as he took off after the pair knowing he wouldn't be fast enough to deflect the blow. He was stunned however when his help wasn't needed. Weaving several signs the kunoichi raised her mask slightly and blew in between her fingers a move that was reminiscent of the Uchiha's signature move, the Phoenix Flower Jutsu, and was further surprised when a powerful gust of wind charged forth to her defense instead of a ball of fire. This seemed to also throw off the Uchiha who had thrust his blade toward her.

He had to reinforce his footing lest he be blown away by the jutsu. This only enraged the Uchiha more. He began weaving the signs for the Grand Fireball Jutsu as the kunoichi stopped short and began weaving signs as well. Kakashi's eyes widened slightly as she finished just as Sasuke had. Her speed was incredible especially without his added benefit of the sharingan. A moment later his eyes narrowed as he realized he recognized those signs.

The Uchiha mercilessly threw the fireball at the kunoichi as a giant water dragon came to her aid shooting over her shoulder and swallowing the fireball extinguishing it from existence. They were evenly matched for the moment.

Kakashi glanced at their newest member with something akin to respect. Perhaps he had misjudged her in the past.

This was short lived as the Uchiha growled darkly at the woman who seemed to be able to counter his every move. It only intensified his desire to kill her.

The growl seemed to shake the other members of team seven into action that had been seemingly dormant during the exchange of jutsu.

Kakashi began weaving signs of his own as five shadow clones happened into existence beside him courtesy of Naruto. He glanced to the right to see a giant lion blocking the Uchiha's path to the kunoichi with Sai standing nearby. He nodded to the ex-root member.

Those moves may have not phased the raven-haired male, but, although she concealed it well, he could tell that the kunoichi was slightly fatigued from the encounter. If the slight rapid rise and fall was any indication. In any case, her hands were still raised before her ready to weave more signs if need be.

"Alright Teme," Naruto growled successfully catching Sasuke's attention, "this time I will bring you home. I made a promise."

Crazed laughter was heard shortly after that had the blonde widening his eyes, "Isn't that rather pointless now dobe," Sasuke said rolling his neck to glance back at the jinchuuriki, "especially since the one you made that promise to is dead?"

Naruto clenched his fist, "Just shut up!"

"Naruto," Kakashi chided sternly. This seemed to snap him out of his rage enough to focus on the task at hand: apprehending Sasuke.

The Uchiha seemed to sense this as he sheathed Kusanagi and gripped his left wrist. Kakashi's eyes widened as he threw his kunai into a nearby tree and charged up his own chidori hoping to diffuse it. Glancing to his left he saw Naruto forming his own rasengan.

"Naruto hang back," he ordered as he charged at the Uchiha. This seemed to catch the blonde off guard enough that he hesitated giving Kakashi enough time to charge forth and intercept Sasuke.

As he neared the ninjutsu specialist his eyes narrowed. Sasuke's eyes were on his instantly as they neared each other. Kakashi's eyes widened as Sasuke changed the trajectory of his chidori in the last second, but he was going too fast he wouldn't be able to dodge the lightning cutter that was now aimed for his face. He shifted his body in attempt to sacrifice his shoulder for his face.

Kakashi's eyes widened as he saw the Anbu member rolling off of Sasuke's back her hand just releasing his wrist that she had redirected. It all seemed to happen in a split second. It was too fast for him to follow.

Sasuke's eyes widened at being faulted and he moved to thrust the chidori at the kunoichi who was launching herself from the area, after rolling over him, using the palm that was on the center of his back as she slashed at his shoulder with a chakra scalpel. Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly as he turned and sent a swift kick to her gut as he jumped away sending the Anbu member flying farther than she had anticipated.

Kakashi watched as she soared through the air hearing a distinct crack from her chest before ascension. Turning his head back to Sasuke, he saw Naruto charging forth with his rasengan at his side. Grimacing he weaved more hand signs willing an earth wall to appear between them as they met partially diffusing the attacks at least in intensity upon impact. If those attacks met head on the results could be catastrophic.

The shockwaves still sent each user flying in opposite directions. Kakashi glanced over his shoulder to see Sai had caught Tsuki on the back of the lion he'd drawn before. He nodded before he ran toward Sasuke and Naruto.

Grunting Tsuki pulled herself up off of her back her right hand going to the center of her chest immediately. Green chakra pulsed in her fingertips as she snapped her sternum back into place.

Sai regarded her quietly before he turned back to the fight.

"If you keep this up, maintaining control will be harder," he intoned quietly.

The Anbu member adjusted her mask before jumping off of the feline's back. She turned toward the action replied quietly before jumping back into the fray, "I know."

Sai continued to watch the female who was currently on the close sidelines waiting for her moment to intervene again. Just as his understanding of emotions had grown in his time of being with team seven, his respect for that particular woman had as well. Seemingly understanding her reasoning for doing what she had to, a small smile graced his features as he knew he'd have done the same thing for his brother.

"You're still ugly."

Kakashi had just blocked the Kusanagi's swing once more as it came down on him heavily. Grunting he threw Sasuke off who kept coming at him harder than ever. He was so focused on combat that Sasuke's next words came as a shock to him.

"How did she die?"

He glanced up at the Uchiha's gaze to see something he hardly ever saw there. Muted rage.

Okay, that was normal, but it seemed to not be directed at him. That was the odd part. He opened his mouth to respond when Naruto beat him to the punch.

"She died defending us. She died protecting us," he spat angrily as his fist tightened considerably.

Sasuke paused in battle his entire attention now focused on the blonde.

"Defending you? From what?" His tone was demanding.

Kakashi's eyes narrowed. If he didn't know any better, it almost seemed like he was going to avenge her.

Naruto's teeth gritted and his eyes narrowed as he answered, "From that damn partner of your brother, Hoshigaki Kisame."

"Kisame," Sasuke sounded incredulous yet as if he recognized that name. The fact that Itachi was also somehow involved, if only by association, only lit the fire further. "Why did she die defending you?! When I left the village I told you to do one thing!"

Naruto turned his head in shame, "Do you think I don't remember that? That I wouldn't have done it anyway?!"

"The real question," Kakashi voiced calmly, "is why do you care so much, Sasuke."

The Uchiha's eyes narrowed at his astute former sensei's observational skills.

'Damn him,' Sasuke thought sourly. Truth be told he didn't know why he cared so much about who killed his ex-teammate, or even why he cared about the fact that she was indeed dead. However, every time he thought about it somewhere deep inside of him ached. The same place that fueled his fire of hatred with the death of his clansmen.

The muscles on the bridge of his nose jumped making him look like an angry wild animal as he levelled his glare on Kakashi, "I don't care! I just wanted to know who I had to thank for her silence," he spat slashing at Kakashi whose eyes narrowed again at his venomous words.

Kakashi parried once more but something inside of him didn't believe the falsified words pouring from the younger shinobi's mouth. There was something different this time. Uncertainty. His eyes widened at the realization.

'Maybe in death,' Kakashi thought as he eyes softened slightly at the, now so visibly, hurting man before him, 'You finally reached him Sakura.'

Hardening his expression once more Kakashi sent a swift kick to Sasuke's gut catching him off guard and sending him back several feet.

Sasuke's gaze narrowed as he charged Kakashi again only to meet Naruto halfway. The blonde seemed to be shaking he realized. It was not from anger. Or fear.

"I am the reason Sakura-chan is dead," Naruto intoned softly, "I am the reason she died."

Anger ignited behind the Uchiha's eyes as they widened and then narrowed. He threw Naruto back with a solid punch to the face.

"What do you mean you are the reason she died," he demanded his anger level nearing insanity. He stood there his body trembling in, what is best described as, pure, unadulterated rage.

Naruto pulled his body up to a standing position pain easily discernable in his blue eyes.

"She took a hit that was meant to be mine to take," he said softly, "after using most of her chakra to heal both mine and Kakashi-sensei's wounds. We spent her chakra. Then allowed her to continue battle. Like it was nothing. She acted like it was nothing," he looked away seemingly haunted by the memory, "we were so use to her being virtually indestructible that we forgot the most basic rule of any squad with a medic," he glanced over at Sasuke tears brimming in his angry eyes, "Always protect the medic."

Kakashi felt the throb of his loss echo in his chest remembering not only Sakura but also Rin. The two medics he'd allowed to die on his watch. Both of whom he'd grown to care for. The first death had come as a complete shock. He never thought Rin would willingly jump in front of his own attack: the chidori. However, Sakura had also jumped in front of an attack not meant for her. It just so happened to be Kisame's blade, Samehada that "doesn't slice, it shreds to ribbons" as the wielder so aptly put. He could still see her body shredded and bleeding on the ground.

"You're worthless," Sasuke spat darkly causing both shinobi to glance up at him. His true emotions were barely masked behind his hatred, "Worthless to allow a mere kunoichi to affect you so much. She was expendable even you knew that Kakashi. It's why you never focused on her in our younger years. She had no potential as a ninja."

Kakashi's eyes narrowed as his words cut deeply into his being. They were sharper than any blade against him could ever be for the sheer fact that he'd once believed those words to be true, and he regretted them, those thoughts, with every fiber of his being. Maybe if he had spent more time training her then she would have survived.

He was barely prepared for the attack that followed those words and raised the kunai to block Kusanagi when it was deflected with another katana. Kakashi glanced over to see the Anbu using her body weight, that hovered in the air over her blade, to push Kusanagi to the ground.

"You kunoichi are all the same," Sasuke spat glaring at her as he withdrew a kunai out of her line of sight, "None of you know how to stay out of the damn way!" He growled slicing at her mask.

She pulled back enough to avoid injury but the force had split her mask that fell in two pieces to the ground below her as she tucked her body throwing herself backward into a flip. She landed in a crouch with one hand trailing along the ground to keep her balance, and lowered her face hiding it with her purple locks before glancing up at the Uchiha with a glare on her face.

Kakashi took in her visage and didn't spot any visible injuries. His eyes lingered over her chest noting whatever injury she had sustained was now healed. So she was a medic. He inwardly groaned. Another medic.

Sasuke studied her facial features. There were slight similarities to Sakura, but to him most females looked the same. Her eyes were a unique color like molten silver otherwise she had no defining feature. Even the slight scar that ran across her face was insignificant. Average at best.

He smirked raising Kusanagi at her, "Since you seem to be so intent on dying," he started glaring at her, "I'll grant you your wish swiftly."

Tsuki stood at her full height and held her katana before her but didn't utter a word.

Out of curiosity, Sasuke activated his sharingan. She didn't move her gaze at first but after about five seconds she shifted her eyes to his chest. He smirked. She was ballsy. Still unimpressive. It was at this moment that he realized, with a frown, that there would never be a female that he found impressive, again.

This realization reignited his anger as he charged her with the sharingan analyzing her movements. She barely raised the katana in time to parry his over-the-head swipe that he crashed down upon her. Their blades shifted back and forth both swordsmen in equal standing and power.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he withdrew his blade and side-swiped at her legs that she jumped to avoid. Smirking he pulsed his lightning chakra into the blade. Apprehension appeared in her face. He could tell she was uncomfortable with it in close combat. As she should be.

Kakashi's eyes widened as Sasuke started swiping at Tsuki with the, now, chakra enhanced Kusanagi. He was shocked when instead of parrying with her katana, Tsuki raised her chakra scalpel and blocked the attack. His eyes widened in realization as he remembered the chakra scalpel was a wind release technique.

Glancing over his shoulder at one of Naruto's clones he grabbed its shoulder. Naruto glanced at him in curiosity and realized what he was doing as he hurled the shadow clone at Sasuke.

The flying body proved to be a decent distraction as Sasuke jumped back to dodge the incoming clone that slammed its fist into the ground where he had stood. He growled darkly as he sliced the clone in half.

Kakashi could see his frustration was surmounting. Sasuke hadn't anticipated fighting all of them at once nor had he expected the kunoichi's skill level to be so high in ninjutsu.

He glanced over at the purple haired nin who was melded into the perfect form of defense with her chakra scalpel at the ready. He had to admit even he'd been impressed with her. There was something that threw him off about her though.

Kakashi had been in and out of Anbu his entire life, and had yet to hear even whispers of her name. If there was an individual like this in Anbu, that came close to his level as a shinobi, he was surprised he hadn't heard anything about her up until now, and even starting out this mission with her he'd known next to nothing about her. His eyes narrowed. That would have to be remedied after this mission.

A kunai whizzing past his head brought him back to reality. Focusing he saw a Naruto clone was now kunai-less while Sasuke stood before him to run him through once again. He glanced off to the right to see Naruto charging up his rasengan again, but he wasn't the only one who noticed.

"How many times do we have to do this dobe," Sasuke chided condescendingly with a smirk on his face, "No matter how many times you charge that thing up and try to use it against me. You'll never land a hit," he spat venomously.

Kakashi's eyes narrowed. Not this again. However, before he could intervene the purple haired kunoichi blocked his path to the blonde with her chakra scalpel in place.

'No, move,' his mind practically screamed as Sasuke's face morphed into a feral grin. Naruto behind her voiced Kakashi's concern.

"Tsuki move! He'll kill you!"

"Too late," Sasuke intoned as he rushed her.

"No!" Kakashi's head jerked back to see a giant dragon streak through the air past him to intervene. Sai's eyes were wide with the first expression of fear he'd ever seen from the ex-root member. With widening eyes Kakashi looked over to see the dragon had curled itself into a ball before the kunoichi absorbing most of the impact of the chidori.

Seconds later, he saw the kunoichi's steaming body flying through the air. She was caught seconds later by one of Naruto's shadow clones. However, they were both surprised to see her body dissolved in the clone's hold. It was also a clone.

So where was she? Kakashi glanced around them for a glimpse of the purple haired woman to no avail. Chirping birds caught his attention as Sasuke threw the chidori into Kusanagi. His blood-red eyes were narrowed in anger intensely focused upon his person.

Kakashi braced himself with a kunai and Sasuke charged him once more. This time Kakashi hesitated. Should he just let him kill him? Did he deserve it with all his failures? To Rin...to Sakura. He closed his eyes to let fate decide. He waited for an impact that never came.

The all too familiar sound of flesh being pierced by a blade filled his ears, but his eyes opened in shock after the absence of pain became apparent. The sight that met him had his eyes widening.

Sasuke wasn't entirely certain how this had happened, but he couldn't say he was entirely opposed to it. The foolish kunoichi had somehow been fast enough to put herself in between he and his former sensei and now had his Kusanagi sheathed through her back which was to him. He had to say he was shocked at the very least.

Her body lurched a little as he imagined blood was pouring from her mouth, painting her pale skin crimson with her own life source. A smirk was making its way onto face as he contemplated jerking the blade from her body.

Kakashi was frozen in place. Blood was gushing from both corners of the kunoichi's mouth and he could tell she was struggling to breathe. However, through it all she managed a small smile at him.

"Why…"

The words were weak sounding even to his own ears, but it was the only thing that he could manage in his current state of being.

Silver eyes raised to meet his mismatched gaze and she coughed slightly as she began to speak.

"Those...who..a-abandon their friends…," she managed a snarl in pain marring her face, "are w-worse th-an sc-um."

Kakashi's eyes widened as a cry from the normally stoic ex-root member made their blood run cold, "Sakura!"

Sasuke's eyes widened as the edges of a henge on the kunoichi began to fade. The tips of her 'purple' hair began to fade into a light pink until her full head of hair was. It was the only transformation visible to Sasuke, but it was enough to know. He had just killed Sakura.

In shock, he released the blade and staggered backward from it his red eyes widening further.

Most thought the reason he left the village was to gain power in order to seek revenge on his brother, and most wouldn't be false in those thoughts. However, he'd also had a secondary objective when he left that night.

It had bothered the Uchiha that day when Naruto had been able to save Sakura from Shukaku and he had not. He wasn't strong enough to protect her. It's why he left her in the village that night instead of taking her with him like he wanted to. He couldn't ensure her safety. Naruto could until he returned. He cared for her.

Somewhere along his journey he had suppressed those thoughts from his mind deeming them a hinderance to his goal. It was a weakness no matter how true it may have been. He cared somewhere, deeply, for the pink haired woman that stood, now bleeding by his own hand, before him.

Sakura coughed again. 'Damn, he got me good,' she mused as she glanced down at the blade that her right hand now gripped. It was reminiscent of her fight with Sasori. Breathing at this point was difficult. She gritted her teeth against the pain as she looked up at her sensei with, now, viridian orbs to take in his horrified expression. She couldn't blame him. He'd just seen a ghost, and effectively was watching her die again.

Stumbling slightly she glanced over to see her blonde haired teammate with a matching expression. It was Sai who came running up to her. The only one able to move due to the current circumstances.

"Ugly," he said obviously trying to catch her attention. She couldn't even pretend to be angry at him right now, but she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye as he braced himself against her bearing most of her weight.

"I-I have a mi-ssion t-to com-plete," she coughed out.

"I know," he replied quietly.

Sakura glanced over at him and their eyes met. So he knew, the entire time. She smirked slightly. At least she hadn't been alone entirely in this burden she bore.

Six months prior…

"Sit," the stern voice of the Fifth Hokage boomed and Sakura moved to comply sitting in the chair across from the Hokage's desk. Blue chakra lined every crevice in the room. It had been entirely sealed for any possibility of eavesdropping.

She glanced up at her Shishou who seemed to be studying her intently. "The henge is good. I'm not sure I'd be able to recognize it was you if I met you randomly on the street," she mused. The smirk displaying on her face was enough. She had done well.

Sakura allowed the practiced, cocky side-smirk to adorn her features in response. Tsunade watched her movements intently for any tales of who she originally had been. There were none. To say she was impressed with her student was an understatement.

"Now, will you tell me why you had my death faked Hokage-sama," Sakura spoke in a voice deeper than her own that still managed to sound natural.

Tsunade pursed her lips. This was the part she dreaded the most. Leaning forward on her desk she studied her student intently before speaking.

"Sasuke has been targeting you Sakura," she stared judging her student's reaction which was unnaturally schooled into a calm mask, "for what reason we don't know, but for your own safety, and the safety of the village, we decided that it would be best for you to lay low for awhile," Tsunade could see the many questions bubbling inside of her mind and continued quickly, "you will still be on team seven and go on retrieval missions for the wayward Uchiha; however, you can't tell anyone who you really are until the time comes."

Sakura soaked in all the information that she was given before speaking, "And when will that 'time come' where I may reveal myself."

Tsunade smirked, "When the Uchiha has been retrieved or…" Tsunade paused a grim look overtaking her features, "until the time comes that you are about to die. However, Tsuki," Tsunade said trying out her student's pseudo name, "let's avoid that if at all possible."

Sakura nodded and then asked the next question that had been bothering her, "If I am to conceal myself truly there will need to be a few things addressed. For starters, I will have to learn new jutsu and fighting styles. Then there's the issue of the Tsukuyomi that will undoubtedly reveal who I really am if I am caught in the Mangekyo Sharingan's gaze."

Tsunade nodded in response, "I have several solutions to those problems. Ibiki has offered to assist you in creating a strong mental barrier. You will be training with various Anbu members, who will not know your original identity, to hone your "new" skill set."

Sakura nodded before sighing heavily. Tsunade's eyes softened at her student. She was taking on a huge responsibility, and so far she was handling it admirably. She was giving up everything she had ever done just because she told her to. Her trust, her loyalty was blinding. Haruno Sakura, aside from Uchiha Itachi, was the perfect shinobi. Sacrificing all she was for a single cause: The Will of Fire. To protect her village.

"Don't worry Shishou," Sakura said replacing her Tiger Anbu mask, "I can handle it."

"I...I," Sakura started as she steadied her legs stood tall, "I...can h-handle..it.," she choked out pushing against Sai to regain her balance.

Once she was stable Sai watched on as she moved albeit unsteadily as she turned toward the Uchiha. Her left arm wrapped around her torso just above the puncture that still sheathed

Kusanagi while her right arm hung loose at her side. Stumbling she made her way towards him, her breathing was more labored from the loss of blood she was experiencing.

Sasuke just stared at her wide eyed as thunder rolled overhead. He took a step back as she struggled to move forward, "Sas-Sasu-ke-kun," she spoke softly her viridian eyes were locked on his visage. "P-Please."

A knot began forming in his throat as he watched her war with her body in order to move. In order to be close to him. He couldn't bear to flee from her any longer and he watched as she came within a few feet of him.

By this point blood covered her lower half. Her legs were soaked in crimson. Several spots of red plastered to her face and jaw. He couldn't believe this was Sakura. None of this seemed to phase the kunoichi who was driven by a single task.

In the last few feet she stumbled and her body lurched forward falling from her unsteady feet. He saw as she closed her eyes awaiting the impact of ground. He didn't know why he did it, but in that moment he reached out to her catching her by her shoulders.

She looked up with glazed, viridian orbs. He'd forgotten how bright they were up close as he studied them for, what he knew, would be the last time he'd see them in this life. His eyes widened as, even through her pain, she managed to smile at him.

His eyes hardened and he jerked his face away from hers, but he never let her go. He never let her fall. He bowed his head to hide his turbulent emotions that flited across his face.

"Why," he asked not caring that his voice shook, "why are kunoichi so foolish," demanded the bite at the end of the phrase halfhearted at best. His body began to tremble unbidden as his shoulders shook from emotion.

"Teme," Naruto said softly his own blue eyes filling with tears.

"Dammit Sakura," Sasuke growled as he pulled her into his shoulder holding her as close as he could without touching the sensitive blade, "You were suppose to survive until I got back…," he spoke softly so only she could hear, "You were suppose to wait for me."

Sakura could feel the tears brimming in her eyes before she let her head rest against his shoulder allowing the few tears she had left to fall. She could feel his arm wrap around her torso and trail up to the base of her neck.

Sasuke's eyes filled with tears for the first time since his brother's death and he buried his face in her familiar locks - that still smelled of apple- to hide his shame. Why hadn't he noticed this before? They'd been close enough? If he had only paid more attention. His grip on her body tightened from his anger willing her not to leave him just yet.

He knew he was going to lose her. They were, at best, three days from any source of medical attention. A thought sparked in his mind. The seal.

"Sakura," he said suddenly, "Can you use the seal still?"

She shook her head, "No. K-Kis-ame. Same-hada ate a-ll my st-or-ed chak-ra."

Growling again he cursed the world for this moment. She didn't deserve this. She didn't deserve to die like this, twice.

As a last ditch effort he reached for his headset and pressed the button, "Suigetsu."

There was static for a long moment. He released his breath, thinking they were out of range, when a muffled voice came through on the other end.

"What's wrong Sasuke, you sound like shit," the snarky white-haired male commented.

"Have Karin find my location now," he demanded.

"But aren't you," Suigetsu started.

"Do it now," Sasuke growled.

There were no more responses.

His eyes widened as he felt her growing weaker in his grasp as her knees buckled. "Sakura," he called as she began to slip from him before he grasped her firmly once more.

Kakashi had watched the entire exchange with a pain filled heart. His right hand rubbed over the aching spot in his chest. No one had dared to utter a word during the entire time. Each shinobi knowing that Sakura deserved this. Her last moments with the one she'd been chasing ever since her genin days. The person she truly loved.

He chanced a glance at Naruto who looked at him in turn. The pain he was feeling was properly displayed on the younger man's face. Sai stood in between them looking solemn. Even he understood the significance of this moment. A person void in all understanding of emotion, understood.

His heart stopped as she began to slip from Sasuke's shoulder while he had been conversing from members, he guessed to be, from team taka. He felt his breath catch in his throat as Sasuke went down on his knees with Sakura whose right hand was still clutching Kusanagi.

"Sakura," Sasuke's voice sounded uncertain, scared, and very much unlike him, "hang on."

Kakashi's gaze was riveted on his female student. The sacrificial lamb of the group. She was always jumping in harm's way to protect others. Compassionate, sympathetic, albeit emotional, determined, driven, convicted to follow her nindo. To save, to protect those who were precious to her even if it meant her death.

He closed his mismatched eyes in sorrow. Whoever Sasuke had called wasn't going to make it in time. She was going to die.

Sasuke was experiencing barely contained hysteria. For all his power, for everything he had gained in order to protect her, to save her...he couldn't save her from this. He gritted his teeth. She was in pain and there was nothing he could do about it.

Well, almost nothing.

"Sakura," he said shakily, "Look at me."

"H-hu-h?" She responded her skin a new pallor from the blood she'd lost.

He placed both hands on either side of her head to center her gaze on him, "Look into my eyes."

Naruto's fist was clenched tightly. Nothing was ever fair. He gritted his teeth. Here Sakura-chan had finally gotten acknowledged by Sasuke only to die moments later, and to find out her loved her too the whole time…

"Dammit!" He cursed loudly. "Damn it all!"

The red chakra of the nine-tails began to form on his skin as his anger spiked.

"Dobe," the cold tone of his teammate cut through to the jinchuuriki faster than anything else would have in that moment.

Naruto's eyes widened as his gaze centered on the raven-haired male.

He didn't glance away from Sakura's eyes but his voice carried the intent well enough behind his next words, "If you ruin my genjutsu for her by losing your shit right now...I'll kill you."