A/N: Thanks to everyone who continues to read, review and add. It's all very much appreciated by this authoress. Also, this version IS raw. I decided to post it as I very much would like for this to be completed. Once the beta is done I will swap out the corrected bits.

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Naruto or Blizzard's World of Warcraft Sin'dorei, or the few Thalassian words I've borrowed for this fic. I am just not that much of a genius people.

Summary: The Great Ninja Wars had ended more than a decade ago. But that wouldn't stop a country supposedly in a state of peace from searching for greater power to hold over other countries, or even a clan from another. Itachi Uchiha, a cold and calculating ANBU captain, and prominent and rising prodigy of the Uchiha Clan, captures Sakura Haruno an elusive "Sin'dorei", something many believed to be nothing but a childhood fairytale.

Thanks to the beta: HarmonyRose; Pyrodarkangel

Suggested Listenings: "Harvester of Sorrow" – Metallica;"Hymn of the Fayth" FFX (Fan arranged by Katethegreat19 is the best!)

Chapter 26:

Previously:

Just beyond the horizon the sun began to rise. The soft light kissed their features and Itachi's breath caught in his throat at the emotion that Sakura held in her eyes just for him. She caught his hand and pressed it against her cheek shutting her eyes at the sensation of his callused skin against hers.

Then Sakura felt it, the insanely powerful ominous chakra that could only be attributed to one being. The sensation skittered up her spine causing her to stiffen in his arms. Her whisper caused the hairs on the back of Itachi's neck to stand straight on end, "He's here…"

-oOo-

Kaji spoke up from his spot beneath the canopy of trees, "Sasuke you may want to go ahead and give the signal…" sharp red eyes fastened themselves onto the leader of their group.

The Uchiha sent a sharp glance in the direction of Naruto's 'cousin', "What are you talking about? I don't see anything…"

With a disgruntled sigh the redhead jumped down from the lower branch of the tree and strode straight over and placed a hand on the black haired male's shoulder. Sasuke stiffened beneath the touch and found himself suddenly being pivoted in the opposite direction. A clawed fingertip shot past his point of vision and directed his eyes, "He's coming… your inferior senses may not be able to sense his chakra signature…"

Sasuke wanted to bark out a sharp reply but instead he tried focusing his sharingan enhanced vision in the direction Kaji pointed. After a few moments he could see a speck in the distance, his eyes widened when he realized the insane speed at which the black dot was coming for them. His eyes blinked thrice.

"Sai," the dark haired male bit out tersely, "It's time to give the signal."

The expressionless shinobi came forward followed by Naruto. Sai pulled out his scroll and inked several lions. Within moments they leapt from the parchment and darted away in several different directions.

Sasuke's eyes widened as he could finally begin to make out the shape of the beast. The dragon, white and black, writhed through the sky like a snake traveling through sand. The brilliance of its scales shimmered beneath the morning sun. The menacing roar echoed in the distance causing goosebumps to rise on his flesh.

Naruto glanced at Kaji, "Do you think the plan will work?"

The nine tails snorted, wry amusement twisted his lips, "Not a chance in hell," his red eyes turned to glance at the other three boys, "it will all come down to Sakura…"

"Sakura? What are you talking about?" Sasuke choked out in disbelief. Was Kaji talking about that strange little pink haired woman?

"It was silly of Itachi to put his mate in the shelter. It's a good thing she was smart enough to get back to Konoha in time," Kaji shook his head, his crimson bangs swinging with the movement.

"M… mate," the young Uchiha half choked out the odd term. He knew Itachi was interested in the pinkette. After all he'd witnessed their passion a few times but he didn't realize it was quite that serious between the two of them.

Sai interjected them his cool voice laced with slight annoyance, "The signal has been returned. It is time to get into position."

The four males took their assigned locations and waited. They turned their heads realizing that the dragon was coming close enough to begin their jutsus. Each began to do a set of hands signs with the exception of Kaji who just watched with a half lidded gaze.

Sasuke felt a shudder tremor down his spine when the massive dragon was close enough for him to see its hate-filled eyes. Sharingan. He whispered in disbelief, "What in the…?"

Before he could finish his sentence the second signal, a sharp bang was heard in the distance and the three males crouched ready to release their jutsus at the final command. The four boys' eyes widened when the dragon's maw opened and a large golden ball of crackling energy began to form between its teeth. It was still too far for them to release the attack and it made them nervous.

Then the beast's mouth opened wider for a moment and its body stiffened as it released the tawny chakra. It spiraled through the air and before the stunned shinobis' eyes it whirled ever faster through the atmosphere hitting the Hokage tower square on. On impact there was an explosion of brick and mortar and the entire earth rumbled violently. Even those on the precipice of the cliff felt the reverberations.

Once the smoke and bits of debris cleared, Naruto's mouth was hanging ajar. It was as if the Hokage tower had never existed. All that was left was a darkened crater where it once stood. Then the dragon spiraled upwards into the heavens and then undulated as it came down and landed in the center of Konoha with a force that shook the very foundations of the ground. The beast skid through the city, it's back half utterly destroying Konoha stadium and the Yamanaka clan's district with nary a swish of its whiskers.

Their squad was pulled from their trance as the signal to attack sounded in the distance followed by the echo of jutsus being performed and released.

-oOo-

Itachi held Sakura against him as they were thrown to the ground by the force of the dragon's landing in Konohagakure. The sound of several explosions and the fierce reverberation of the dragon's roar followed. The pinkette looked down into Itachi's drawn features as he said, "Doesn't sound like the first wave attack worked…"

"First wave attack?" Sakura queried softly.

"At least a hundred shinobi are on top of the monument at this moment. We were to release a series of syncopated attacks," Itachi sat up with her in his arms.

Sakura hurriedly got to her feet and held a hand out to Itachi. The Uchiha gazed into her face and his heart sank at the look on her face. He knew that expression all too well and he didn't like it. He was half tempted to knock her out again, but there was nowhere safe he could leave her unconscious body.

The Sin'dorei turned her head as the voice of the dragon could be heard past the now crumbling wall, "Uchiha…"

Immediately Itachi spurred into action and crouching like a tightly sprung coil he jumped high into the air leaping from branch to branch until he was able to reach the top of the Konoha's city wall. Sakura was right on his heels and she landed next to him, bright eyes thoughtful.

Itachi's eyes widened as he took in the destruction left in the demi god's wake. Yakamura's District, the arena, and a large portion of the Naka forest were completely gone, shattered into nothing but rubble. The Hokage Tower was non-existent at this point along with half of the academy. It was nothing but a smoking crater in the earth. The shinobi on the cliffside were releasing so many different elemental jutsus at once the flashes were bordering on the point of blinding. It wasn't even bothering the beast as it's massive triangular head glared up at them with nothing but annoyance.

Black tendrils were pouring off the dragon's scales as he moved, just as it did in the cave. Each step that it took shook the ground and civilian homes were crumbling like sandcastles beneath the tide. Lifting his great head golden energy began to gather at his teeth. Within moments the dragon released the huge ball of tawny chakra. It whirled thundering through the air hitting the second Hokage's face on the cliff broadside.

The sound of shattering rock was deafening and even though they couldn't see after the impact Itachi knew that at least half of cliffside would be gone and a decent chunk of Konoha would be buried. After the debris began to settle he removed his arm from his eyes. The damage to the cliffside was more than he had first estimated and only a fragment of the fourth Hokage's and the Godaime's visage remained unscathed. The Hyuga District was completely buried in rubble and the western edge of the Uchiha District as well. His lips thinned, by the time this was all said and done there wasn't going to be any Konoha left.

Averting his chin to glance over at Sakura crimson eyes narrowed when he noticed that the woman was no longer at his side. Swiftly moving to the edge of the wall he looked over and into the city. A muscle jumped in his cheek as he caught the sight of telltale blurring pink streaking through shattered rubble. Cursing under his breath he blazed after the obstinate woman.

-oOo-

Sakura knew it was a bit underhanded of her to get a head start while Itachi wasn't looking but it was for the best. She couldn't allow him to stop her. Whispering a wind weave beneath her breath, her speed picked up exponentially and she streaked through the rubble dodging bits of flying debris.

The Sin'dorei headed directly south straight for the Uchiha District spurred on by the Lord of Dreams thundered words. As she passed through the gates she could only pray that those on the top of the cliffs had gotten out of the way safely. After that attack from the dragon the barrage of elemental jutsus had stopped.

A deep male voice halted her in her tracks, "What are you doing here?"

Fugaku gazed at the young woman his son had taken an interest to in the past few months. There were no injuries on her person but her pink hair was stained with blood, her clothes were torn and also stained with blood. She looked like she'd been through a war zone.

Her voice was surprisingly level as she tilted her head and assessed Itachi's father with concerned green eyes, "I could ask you the same… it is dangerous."

The Uchiha male's cool mask slipped. He was surprised by her response to his query. An eyebrow shifted in a manner all too familiar to the young woman as he glanced behind her, "Son… what are you doing? You're supposed to be…"

Sakura stiffened slightly as Itachi replied coldly from behind her, "I was following orders… but as you can see… I have to deal with a distraction."

She chewed on her lower lip abusing the tender flesh. He was obviously angry with her but that was soon forgotten as she felt the stifling chakra signature of the Lord of Dreams drawing nearer to them. The ground vibrated under her feet and she shifted uncomfortably. The pinkette brushed her bangs away from her face, "You need to get the elders…"

"What do you need to do with us…?" a wizened voice interrupted coldly, arrogantly.

The pinkette's eyes widened as several old men dressed in black robes approached. Their sleeves had the emblazed Uchiha symbol etched at the tips and the icy cold masks of their face gave off an intimidating air. Sakura shrank away stepping closer to Itachi. She recognized them from her dreams and the rest of her words only came out in a gush of choked air.

They however did not intimidate Itachi. His voice was icy as he ground out tersely, "The Hokage gave strict orders to evacuate. Why are you still inside Konoha…?"

"Rude as ever I see… Fugaku… the sons you have raised," the head elder clucked his tongue and shook his head as if disappointed.

Anger shot through Sakura like wildfire but she only bit her lip and turned away. The Sin'dorei was shaking with anger, "If you do not leave …"

The words stopped in Sakura's throat as she lifted her head only to look straight into the eyes of Shisui. He was standing on top of the battered wall that was meant to keep the rest of Konoha out of the prized Uchiha District. He was no longer in the form of the nearly hundred foot dragon but in that of a man. He jumped off the edge and began to stride towards them. The swell of power from every step he took was so full of malicious intent it made Sakura nearly sick to her stomach.

The pinkette choked out almost painfully, "I thought… I thought you were consumed… How are you even able to?"

Shisui smirked at the stuttering girl bewildering her even further when he addressed her in Thalassian, "Bal'a dash…" Then continued in the human tongue, "If I had only known what you were little girl…" he paused and then turned the dark amusement in his eyes made her cringe, "The Lord of Dreams and I had come to an agreement long before… my flesh was consumed…" he lowered his head to gaze deeply into her eyes causing a shudder of dread to tremble down her spine, "You wonder how I know your native tongue…. During our emergence I gained infinite wisdom. I know all about you and your people…" his tongue snaked out to lick his lips, "They will be next after I decimate this…"

"Shisui," the head elder addressed his grandson interrupting the two of them, "Is that you…?" nervous obsidian eyes darted between the strange young woman and the man.

Sakura sucked in a breath as Shisui blazed past her to peer into the old man's eyes. The crazed Uchiha tilted his head, "You mean you don't recognize the mangekyou sharingan you asked me to buy with the blood of another… hrm…?"

"You did it…" the elderly man gazed into the eyes of his grandson with awe, "this is… the mangekyou…" Sakura was sickened by the greed in the old man's eyes.

The other council members began to back away fearfully. Shisui's head shot up and he peered at them coolly before sneering, "What? Don't you want to a closer look…? After all it was your suggestion…"

Fugaku couldn't help but ask, "What in the hell is he talking about?"

"They had him kill Hiroko Kuroki, one of his teammates in order to obtain this mangekyou in order to surpass your son," Sakura replied softly.

Itachi's father stiffened at the softly spoken words from the woman. Apparently Shisui heard her as well. He turned to look at her a moment, a curious glint in the depth of his hate-filled eyes, "So it's as I suspected… I thought your behavior was odd… that you seemed to know too much…" He then sneered at her, "and then there was that little self righteous lecture of yours…"

Sakura met his eyes but said nothing. She couldn't even begin to think of what she could possibly say to one such as him. She knew beneath all that burning hatred the true man lay beneath the surface hurting.

"Then… if you acquired the goal we worked for then… Why didn't you ever come home? Why are you destroying Konoha?" his grandfather asked him, his wrinkled hands splayed out, "You are bringing shame on your clan…"

Shisui's response was to throw back his head and laugh. The dark sound coming from his throat was utterly bone chilling. He fixed his gaze on his grandfather, his lips twisting bitterly, "So how does it feel to be looking at your biggest mistake…?"

The old man's adams apple bobbed nervously, "I don't know what you're talking about. Didn't you get what you wanted? The power that you sought to surpass the rest of the clan…"

Shisui's chin dipped low, the madness taking over the visage of his features alarming the Uchiha council members. Sakura watched as Itachi and Fugaku tensed next to her. She could feel the sweltering rise in Shisui's chakra signature as he growled, his chest thrumming with a dragon's snarl, "You are the biggest mistake here…"

Before any of them could react Shisui lifted his hand and swung his arm outwards. Crackling tawny energy arced from the movement and shot outwards hitting the old man in the center of his torso knocking him back ruthlessly against a stone wall that was twenty feet away from where he'd originally been standing.

The rest of the council scattered like scared rats. Shisui tilted his head cracking his neck as his eyes settled on the man Sakura recognized as the one who suggested that he kill Hiroko. Reaching out his hand he shut it in a fist and the old man crumpled to his knees gasping for breath. Suddenly the elderly council member's body was engulfed in darkness. There were several pained screams before stark silence.

Fugaku took a step forward but it was obvious he wasn't quite sure what to do. He was an accomplished shinobi but how was one to combat such power. As the blackness cleared there was nothing left in its wake. It was as if the man had never existed. The same darkness swallowed Shisui's grandfather. However Shisui took his time with him and the seemingly never-ending pained screams were utterly horrifying for Sakura. She wanted to clamp her hands over her ears, but her arms hung uselessly at her sides.

Large green eyes watched all that transpired before her. Sakura's brain was completely numb by the ruthlessness that she was witnessing. It occurred to her that if he had wanted to that he could have already destroyed all of Konoha and its residents. Sakura realized that he was enjoying inflicting the pain and suffering on them. He liked their fear, their helplessness. It was that day they had dragged her to the Lord of Dreams cavern all over again. He wanted to savor the blood of his prey. The pain.

The anguish filled cries were finally silent and the obsidian strands of chakra dissipated leaving no evidence of the head council elder's existence. Then after several heart stopping moments he finally turned to gaze at the three of them his lips curled into a dark smirk.

Sakura bowed her head and shut her eyes praying for any deity that might be listening to hear her heartfelt pleas. Even though the elders manipulated their will upon him, the way Shisui killed them was far too cruel. As he strode towards her Itachi and Fugaku both moved in front of her, their bodies crouching at the ready. Already Itachi had an escape route plan ready to go. However he knew if he just grabbed Sakura and ran they'd never make it.

Shisui just lifted his hand and slapped at the air in front of him. The two Uchiha's were thrust violently aside by an invisible force. They were flung bodily ten feet away from his intended target in exact opposite directions skidding painfully over the hard dirt. At Itachi's pained groan Sakura's head shot up and she attempted to sprint to her mate. Shisui was immediately in front of the pinkette blocking her path to the fallen male.

Sakura took a step back glaring angrily at him.

The amused chuckle that escaped him made the hairs on her neck stand on in. He tilted his head and asked her coolly, "I must ask… to whom do you pray?"

The pink haired woman's hands curled into fists at her sides as she met his eyes trying her best to not show her fear but she couldn't help the blood red tears that ran down her cheeks, "I just don't know. I just don't know what more I can say to you. How much more destruction… how many more will you kill… before you are satisfied?"

"Haven't I already answered that?" he smirked down at the trembling woman.

Sakura's glare deepened even further. She hissed between clenched teeth, "Then… what's keeping you Shisui? Enjoying the pain of your prey just a little too much?"

Before the pinkette could properly react she felt strong fingers grip her neck and lifting her into the air. The dark haired male chuckled at her, "Don't tell me you're in such a hurry to die… Sin'dorei."

Sakura heard Itachi call her name and she met her mate's eyes a moment seeing the fear for her in the crimson depths. She coughed as he began to crush her windpipe with his forefinger. Her hands gripped Shisui's wrist but she didn't struggle. She managed to get out, "I thought we had this discussion before… I already told you," she gasped paling, "I'm not afraid of you…"

Shisui glanced back at his cousin with an amused smirk, "This is quite the woman you've found for yourself cousin. Too bad I'm going to kill her…" Itachi had stumbled to his feet but Shisui only swept his free hand once more and knocked him off him down once again.

The pinkette didn't struggle or panic as Shisui's hand ever so slowly began to tighten over her small neck. Instead she shut her eyes and began to concentrate. Could she get off a weave without speaking out loud? It was supposed to be possible.

Focusing as best as she despite the pain she began to chant mentally as her hands gripped his wrist tighter, "Neph'o, king of the void and the darkness of night. Eyes of blood and terror, a heart of obsidian… heed my plea…" Sakura felt Shisui's hands loosen slightly in surprise at the dark chakra beginning to encase the woman's form. It wouldn't be much, or very powerful but maybe he would at least release her, Sakura hoped fervently as she gasped out, "Nepho's breath!"

The black chakra sparked from her hands as she'd hoped. It surged and spiraled out and knocked the surprised male back. He lost his hold on her, leaving her to crumple on the ground as he stumbled several steps. Coughing as she hit the hard dirt she bent over in half, trying to breathe in deep drags of air into her lungs.

"You bitch!" Shisui ground out angrily.

His eyes widened as two voices, father and son called out, "Katon! Goukakuu no jutsu!"

Shisui suddenly found himself encased in two large balls of fire. Sakura was swooped up in a pair of arms. Fugaku and Itachi ran side by side as far from the Uchiha district as they could get. The angry roar of a dragon followed in their wake. Sakura felt the surge of power, her eyes widening as an explosion went off in front of them, flinging the three of them into the air.

Fear clawed at her throat as Itachi hit the ground below her, a pain groan leaving his throat. She grabbed at the lapels of his collar and was relieved when she could see that he was still breathing but he was at best half conscious. She glanced at his father who was laying a good fifteen feet away from them, he was stirring but it was obvious he had been injured as well in that blast.

Sakura heard the laughter following in the wake of the man who strode towards them. Her hands clenched suddenly with anger as she found herself once more staring into his cold eyes. Her brain was struggling for the way she could save them. A powerful weave that would at least hold him at bay for a while.

The whispered word across her brain caused her to stiffen, 'forgiveness.'

Slowly she stood to her feet and stepped in front of Itachi ignoring the weakened protest behind her. She tilted her head and met Shisui's sharingan eyes and a thought struck her, "Why haven't you used the sharingan on us? It's obviously much more powerful now that you have the Lord of Dreams… aiding you…"

"That's simply because…" the corners of his lips drew into a wider wicked smile, "I want you to be aware of all the pain that I'm going to inflict on you all. There's no point if you don't even realize your dying…" the tenor of his voice held an edge of menace as his head turned to gaze out to the east of him, "The shinobi of this village are fools… they've surrounded the perimeters… do they not think I cannot sense them? They probably plan to launch another pathetic attack like before… maybe I should keep you alive long enough to watch everyone die first…"

The words left Sakura's lips before she could think to stop them, "I won't let you!"

At that proclamation he sneered at her, "That's what I don't understand about you… you keep challenging me when you're completely helpless…" in a black blur he was in front of her gripping the back of her neck and staring down into her face with a snarl, "It … irritates me…"

Sakura licked her chapped lips tasting the coppery flavor of her own blood. Despite her situation, she was no longer afraid. If she didn't figure something out soon, everyone was going to die. She blurted the only thing that came to her brain, "I… I don't hate you… despite… all that's happened…"

Shisui didn't expect those words to come tumbling out of her lips and he blinked down at her. However his grip on the back of her neck didn't loosen. Sakura continued softly, "I didn't… I didn't want to know your past. It might have been easier for me if I could have been allowed to hate you... but I… can't…"

The way he tilted his head at her made her toes curl in her scuffed sandals, "Oh … and what's your point…? Do you got another little lecture for me?"

Sakura mumbled under her breath, "Hate… love… forgiveness… hope exists between them…" she tilted her head and gazed up into his eyes. She saw past the enraged twisted person he'd become to the man who was hidden within. He'd given up his body just to have the power to destroy everything, even if it cost him his life. Once more she was reminded of the saddened soul beneath the exterior that he hid behind. Sakura could understand why Hiroko had not been able to pass on in the after life. If the same had happened to Itachi, she would have not been able to leave him even in death.

Soft luminescent eyes gentled and her hand raised and touched his cheek tenderly. Hiroko's soft whispers urged her forward. She felt him tense beneath the soft touch. Her actions confused him and his hold on her loosened. As soon as his hand fell away she surged forward and wrapped her arms around him. The words that spilled from her lips caused him to recoil beneath her embrace, "I've already forgiven you."

Immediately she was shoved away violently. Sakura hit the ground sprawled out painfully on the hard dirt. He glared down at the strange woman his chest heaving as if he'd been in a fight, his eyes wild as he surveyed her, "What in the hell are you doing?"

Before Sakura could respond several jutsus came flying out of nowhere and struck the Uchiha male. His head dipped and his shoulders started to shake with laughter. When he lifted his head he mumbled hoarsely, "I will kill you all…"

Sakura watched as suddenly shot up into the air. Elemental jutsus followed him into the heavens. They struck their intended target but it was obvious they were still not doing any damage to him. The man, Shisui bent over in half and dark smoke curling around wisps of white billowed from his body and engulfed him. The dragon's body surged from the strands and the man was no more. It was at that moment Sakura knew they were out of time. She had to figure out something, quick.

His red eyes surveyed the remnants of the village below while his maw began to open wide. The golden ball forming between his teeth was coupled with the tawny barrier beginning to develop around his body. She remembered seeing this in the cavern before he had attacked the Akatsuki. The color drained from her face. He was going to take them all out at once. If that attack hit them, they were all finished. There would be no Konoha left on the map for the civilians to even return to.

Sakura glanced at Itachi who was sitting up behind her. Their eyes met and Sakura felt her heart squeeze in her chest. Firm resolve filled her slender frame. No! She could not allow this to happen even if it cost her, her life. She would not.

Raising her hands to the heavens Sakura beseeched Alah'ni, her mind pleading with the phoenix god. She prayed silently, "I do not care what happens to me. I want… Shisui's soul to know peace, but not at the sacrifice of so many! Please! Please save these people… especially… I do not care… what happens to me."

Her eyes met Itachi's once more and she mouthed, 'I love you.'

Suddenly the woman's head fell back and she felt an alien presence invading her limbs. It stole through her like quicksilver, quickly taking over her. She recognized the voice speaking soothingly to her mind. Alah'ni. She shut her eyes at the peace stealing through her. She whispered in her mind, 'I am your avatar am I not? I don't mind giving myself up to save all those I love…' Her last coherent thought before Alah'ni completely took over was simply a name, 'Itachi…' even in her mind it was a whispered caress.

Itachi watched horrified as Sakura's skin melted away into pink chakra. Her clothes burned away and suddenly he was no longer looking at the woman but at a pink phoenix. Her name died on his throat as she streaked away towards the heavens, leaving a trail of bubble gum hued fire whirling as she spiraled straight for the dragon that was about to wipe Konoha out of existence.

The ANBU captain watched as the Sakura sized phoenix clashed with the dragon. Her talon's raked at him smacking the golden energy, dissipating it on contact. There was a fierce roar from the dragon coupled with the shrill shriek of a phoenix. The very heavens shook at the resonance of the war cries that came from the two of them.

The Konoha shinobi all came from their hiding places unable to look away from the awesome sight above them.

-oOo-

Alah'ni/Sakura faced Shisui who resided in the body of the Lord of Dreams. The true king of the elements.

Shisui cackled at them, "So you came to stop me after all?"

The voice that came from the pink phoenix was a mixture of male and female as it spoke to him, "You who wishes for destruction… you shall be destroyed…"

The dragon sent a wave attack at the tiny phoenix. It dissipated just as it left the body of the Lord of Dreams. The red eyes of the phoenix blinked sadly at the one before him, "I, however shall grant you rest because there is one who loves you."

The entire body of the dragon stiffened beneath the perusal of the phoenix. The dragon roared struggling beneath the hold of his creator. The man Shisui was separated from the body of the Lord of Dreams. The dragon's form disappeared and a man who appeared to be asleep visualized before them.

Waves of navy blue hair and pale skin floated in the sky as he seemed to slumber laying flat on his back. Lucia appeared at the side of the phoenix. Her voice was gentle as she whispered softly, "My lord."

Eyes opened to gaze at the woman. The sound of the reply that left him was heartrending, "Lucia…?"

"Come… it is time for us to be at peace," the spirit woman's hand reached for him.

Tentively the king of the elements took his beloved's hand in his own. As soon as they touched, Lucia glanced back at the phoenix. She simply nodded her thanks; the once permanent tear below her eye was gone. The two of them disappeared in a rain of blue cherry blossoms.

Shisui watched this with wide eyes helpless beneath the burning gaze of the first creator. Alah'ni/Sakura's eyes closed once more and Hiroko appeared in front of him. Her lavender gaze searched his pained expression silently, tenderly.

"Hiroko," he reached for the auburn haired female, shock etched in his features. The woman readily let him take hold of her and wrapped her arms around him as he murmured, "Why?"

"I already told you that I forgave you… I waited for you love…" the female spirit tightened her hold around him and then glanced back at the blazing pink phoenix with tears in her eyes, "Thank you Alshara T'sa'e."

In a whirl of white pyre flies the two of them disappeared, whispers of thanks following in their wake.

There was stunned silence from the ground below. The phoenix returned to the ground below only to be surrounded on all sides by the shinobi of Konoha. The shape of the phoenix melted away leaving behind only the form of a woman still shaped in the pink chakra.

Everyone was watching her with some trepidation. Itachi cut through the crowd and stopped in front of the being that was once Sakura standing amidst what was left of Konoha. Naruto and Kaji followed close behind.

"Sakura…" her name left his lips.

Kaji spoke up and shook his head before kneeling respectfully before the glowing entity, "That is not Sakura… that is Alah'ni…"

"What?" Itachi whirled to face the Kyuubi, "What has happened to Sakura?"

Kaji only shook his head sadly.

The voice that came from the being was a mixture of male and the female undertones of Sakura's voice, "She summoned me here…" the head turned and Itachi stared straight into the red eyes, "to save those that she loved. Her soul has been swallowed by the never ending sea of order and chaos that dwells within me…"

Naruto shook his head in disbelief startling the teammates that stood at his side as he yelled, "That's not fair! Give her back!"

The dread that settled in Itachi's gut wouldn't leave as the pink spirit form began to ascend into the sky.

The growl that left his throat startled everyone around him. Springing into the air after Sakura, he refused to believe that she was gone. Ignoring the shouts below he grasped her wrists. Surprisingly the chakra beneath his hands was warm, he could feel the compassion wrapping around him and it firmed his resolve to never let go.

He heard his father's shout below, "Itachi! Just let her go! Don't…"

The ANBU captain only shut his eyes and did just the opposite. He held on for all he was worth. Opening his eyes he gazed into the sky wondering where they could actually be going. That's when he noticed that they were heading straight for a large golden bubble hovering in the heavens. Its hue reminded him of the sun but still his fingers held fast as he gazed into the place where Sakura's face would be.

Several minutes passed by or maybe it was hours, he wasn't quite sure the amount of time that elapsed as they slowly floated upwards. The shouts below had long ago stopped. He shut his eyes as they broke through the barrier and suddenly he was forced to let her go.

"No… Sakura… please don't leave me," the man found himself swimming through the golden void desperately after the small pink body. In his mind he couldn't believe he sounded so utterly pathetic. He never thought he'd beg for anyone or anything in his life, he would never have believed he had it in himself to be honest. However he couldn't deny the feelings for the woman who had sacrificed herself for his village. They weren't even the same race and yet Sakura willingly gave up her soul… to save him. To save them all.

Tears burned in his eyes. It was an all new low for the ANBU Captain as he continued to cry out after her retreating form, his throat growing hoarse from the continuous shouting. The pink chakra that was left of her body was slowly traveling to a stretch of blackness at the edge of the golden light. He instinctively knew once she got to that point, he would lose her forever.

For a few moments he slouched in the free space around him feeling desolate and helpless. He glanced up at her retreating form having lost all hope of her returning to him, for no matter how much he struggled he was not able to get any closer to her. Itachi then realized he'd never told her how he felt about her. Just before her body disappeared into the blackness he yelled out, hoping that somewhere someway she heard him, "Sakura. I… I love you!"

His eyes shut, as time seemed to stand still all around him the words floating in the golden void. His heart ached in such a way that he couldn't help the tear that escaped from his eyes.

The pink chakra that was Sakura disappeared completely, however it did not touch the darkness of beyond. Itachi was startled when pink pyre flies appeared in front of him and his arms reflexively reached out to touch them. Then before his shocked eyes the pyre flies merged and a bright, blinding pink glow burst before his eyes. The bubble gum hue disappeared leaving behind pale, familiar skin.

The ANBU Captain suddenly found himself cradling Sakura in his arms. Green eyes fluttered open to stare into shocked, elated onyx. The woman reached up and touched his cheek, "Itachi…"

Sakura found herself being lowered into the golden space around them. She vaguely remembered Alah'ni taking over her body. Her hands held onto Itachi's as the floated in the space around them circling one another. The two of them couldn't tear their eyes away from one another.

The pinkette kissed his cheek, her eyes crinkling as she gently smiled, "They are salty…"

Suddenly Sakura felt the air being squeezed out of her as Itachi proceeded to hug her with everything he had before kissing her senseless.

-oOo-

The villagers didn't even know what to think when they emerged from the secondary shelter. They were lead to Konoha, but more than half of it was destroyed, not to mention the shinobi were tight lipped about what had actually happened. Those who had witnessed it were choosing not to speak about it and the civilians had reluctantly allowed themselves to be led back to the shelter along with fresh food supplies and water.

Tsunade stood at the apex of the gathered shinobi gazing out over their drawn, tired faces. She ordered them tiredly, "I want all chunin squads to spread out and find the buildings that are still inhabitable. The civilians may have to return to the shelter and stay until we can get this all cleared out…"

The squads in question saluted her respectfully and darted away in several different directions. The Hokage rubbed the bridge of her nose with her forefingers and then turned to the rest of the shinobi, "Divide yourselves… I want some to start working on clearing the rubble. Start with the east side and work your way south. The other half, I want you to go out and start gathering lumber. We are going to have to rebuild at least …"

The Hokage stopped mid sentence as the sounds of horns could be heard in the distance. Honey brown eyes widened in disbelief. It couldn't be. Kaji strode over to stand next to Naruto. Out of the clearing of the forest over looking Konoha droves of Sin'dorei emerged, their mounts shaking their great horned heads. There were at least a hundred Sin'dorei sitting there looking down on the remains of Konoha with luminescent blue eyes. At the forefront of them on a pure white talbuk with purple hooves sat Queen Sunstrider herself.

Tsunade met the eyes of the woman who was her aunt by blood. Slowly she dipped her head respectfully at the Sin'dorei leader.

Sasuke asked in awe his eyes wide, "What in the hell?"

Fugaku stood next to his youngest son and shot a glance at the Hokage. He was curious as well, but he would wait to see if someone would start explaining.

"Sakura's people," Naruto smiled excited, "I bet they're here to help!"

Kaji chuckled softly, "I never thought I'd live to see the day."

Sasuke glanced at his excited blond teammate, "You know these people?"

Kaji sent an amused glance in the young Uchiha's direction as Naruto started running up hill to greet them, "Where do you think we were for that week?"

The dark haired male sent him a startled look but Kaji had already started after the blond shinobi. It surprised him even further when Neji Hyuga suddenly strode past him purposely towards the strange people riding some unknown goat like animal before stopping to greet the leader respectfully.

Queen Sunstrider pulled up her mount in front of Tsunade, "Where is Sakura my dear niece?"

Fugaku Uchiha felt completely shocked by the stranger's words. The Hokage was her niece? She didn't look a day over thirty and apparently these were Sakura's people according to Naruto. It was almost too much for him to take in.

Kaji answered for her, "She…" then stopped only to shake his head sadly.

"I see," the queen bowed her head a moment and then, "We are here of course to give you assistance…"

Tsunade stammered still in shock, "T…thank you…"

"My niece… it is only the beginning," was the softly spoken reply as the sun began to set behind them.

-oOo-

The soothing sound of running water was the sound that Sakura awoke too. She was vaguely aware of a warm hard body entangled with her own. Green eyes fluttered open as a soft night breeze lifted and caressed her bangs. Lifting her head she glanced around and realized that Itachi was not only next to her but that they were in Konoha memorial area near the small stream that cut through the northern part of the village. Sakura was glad to see that Shisui's attacks hadn't touched this side of town.

Sakura brushed away the black bangs of the male at her side. After a few minutes Itachi opened his eyes to peer up at the pinkette. He asked hoarsely, "Are we alive?"

She couldn't help but chuckle, "I should hope so…"

When Itachi sat up he glanced over at the woman and a dark blush suffused his tan features when he realized that Sakura was stark naked. Standing to his feet he took off his shirt and threw the article of clothing down into her lap before looking pointedly away, "Put that on…"

Sakura took it in her hands and glanced down at herself finally realizing herself that she had not one stitch of clothing on. Quickly she shrugged into his shirt and stood to her feet as well. She threaded her hands together, embarrassment still painting her cheeks as she asked, "Do… do you remember what happened?"

Color suffused Itachi's cheeks as he opened his mouth to respond but an excited shout interrupted him. Naruto came bounding forward out from the forest canopy followed closely by Kaji. The blond shouted happily, "Itachi! Sakura! You're alright."

The red headed male came to look at the two of them. He glanced at Itachi with an amused smile twisting his lips, "It's a good thing that Alah'ni seems to have a capricious nature…"

"Sakura… you won't believe it! Queen Sunstrider is here! She brought a lot of people to help us rebuild Konoha," Naruto gushed happily his blue eyes bright with excitement.

The pinkette's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. She then whispered softly, "You're right… I can't believe it…"

"Well come on…" Naruto waved a hand at the both of them, "We need to let Hokage-sama know you are okay."

"Naruto, I'd like you to go ahead and report to the Hokage in our place. Sakura and I … we need to get decent first…" Itachi raised a brow at the male.

The blond blushed when he realized that Sakura was wearing nothing but Itachi's oversized shirt. He nodded before running off in the opposite direction, "No problem."

During all that time Sakura couldn't quite take her eyes off of the red headed Naruto look alike. Green eyes widened when she realized who he was, "Kyuubi? What? How?"

He chuckled at the pinkette's large shocked eyes, "Just call me Kaji... Queen Sunstrider … helped me with this… at a cost of course… but Alah'ni granted me this body… at least for the time being…"

Her expression softened with happiness, "I see…"

"Well I'd better get going to make sure Naruto doesn't foam at the mouth and scare everyone while he's trying to explain he found the both of you," he laughed before running off after the excited blond.

Sakura waved at his retreating form smiling. Her hand stilled when Itachi's voice said softly, "I do remember…"

The pinkette whirled around her luminescent eyes wide, "You do?"

"Yes… I told you…" he paused his long strides cutting the distance between them before wrapping her tightly in his arms, "that I love you," then he chuckled softly, "And you agreed that yes… my tears do taste salty…"

Sakura just smiled into his chest, hiding the bite of tears in her eyes as she snuggled closer to his body, "I love you too."

He released her and offered her his hand, "Are you ready to go home?"

The tender smile that adorned her lips caused his heart to squeeze painfully in the cavity of his chest, "I'm already home…" She lifted her head and melted at the look in his eyes as he bent his head to kiss her.

-oOo-

The End

A/N: All right everyone this is the end. There will not be an epilogue, as I like to leave some things left to the reader's imaginations, I personally feel that a good story wraps up the loose ends, but yet leaves some things for the reader's to decide…. I'd like to thank those who encouraged me throughout this entire fic. There are some of you who reviewed every single chapter and I'd like to thank you for not only your readership but also the happiness you left me with through your encouraging reviews, it was the mana that moved me forward.

Also, I'd like to thank my betas that stuck it out with me through thick and thin, not only for all their hard work but the encouragement and oftentimes brutally honest criticism.

And to the leechers who have never reviewed. Thank you for your readership as well.