Chapter 35

My anger and discontent fueled me for hours as I ran through the seemingly unending desert. Near midday, judging by the sun's position in the sky, I came upon what appeared to be a massacre, and it worked wonders to make my rage morph into worry.

If the number of soldiers Gaara sent was fifty like he said last night, then almost every one of them died in this spot. The fort isn't even on the horizon yet, which means the others might not have even made it there. I frantically searched each corpse for clues on what happened and to verify whether they were still alive. Alas, none had a pulse, but I could deduce by their familiar-looking injuries that the Amegakure vampires had done this.

I sniffed the air as I walked around the vast battlefield, trying to pick up any familiar scents. When I caught a whiff of Sasuke's blood, my head snapped toward the southwest, not precisely in the direction of the fort but also not straying too far. They must've been in a rush.

My feet began moving again, less quickly, this time without my rage present to fuel me. I'm far too concerned to be capable of focusing on happy memories, either.

My mouth is dryer than ever, and I can tell my shoulders and face are sunburnt because I didn't bother changing into clothes suitable for traveling before fleeing the castle. I don't care, though. I'll heal the damage when this is over, or I'll die. Either way, it doesn't matter. What does matter is finding Sasuke and the others before something terrible happens.

Another two hours passed before the rundown fort finally came into view, and I knew upon arrival that I was too late. The stench of blood was hard to bear in my still-newly-turned state. Even so, as I crouched low to the ground outside the tall barrier surrounding the stone building, I couldn't hear or see anyone.

There are too many different people's blood to tell precisely who's is who's, but I know for sure that some of it is Sasuke's and Hidan's. They couldn't have done the damage to one another, or else it would've affected me, too, but that doesn't offer much solace.

I took deep breaths as I tried to calm down and focus. Happy thoughts. Happy memories. I don't know how, but I managed to cool the fire in my blood with the colder waters of my controlled energy.

With my heartbeat no longer flooding my hearing, I finally picked up on the soft sound of multiple people on the other side of the stone wall I'm leaning against. They could hear me if I could hear them, so I swiftly began moving. It was the right thing to do since the barrier exploded right where I'd just been, Kisame and Hidan coming through the massive hole to begin chasing me.

"Come on, baby! We've been waiting!"

I gritted my teeth, grabbing onto their legs with the sand and tripping them before turning tail and sliding under the barrier on the opposite side, where it'd been cracked and broken prior to my arrival.

I ran into Kakuzu's chest, and the two of us jumped back in surprise, only snapping out of it when Nagato yelled, "What are you doing? Grab her!"

I froze the tall man before me, whispering where only he could hear, "I'm sorry, but I need you to hold off those two while I kill Nagato."

Unable to defy my orders, the man exited the area via the entrance I had just used, leaving me to face the redheaded vampire across the clearing. My eyes darted around as multiple scents filled the site, but I couldn't see anyone except him.

"Surrender now, and we'll leave Sunagakure immediately. No one else needs to get hurt." I took a few slow steps forward, trying to order him to remain still, but I wasn't strong enough because he just winced as he disobeyed.

"I know Amegakure's plans, and I won't let it happen." His odd-colored eyes swirled as he studied me, but he didn't say another word.

Brow furrowed, I offered in a less threatening tone, "We don't have to do this. I know how he treats you, Nagato. We can defeat him together."

His eyes widened in surprise, and I was taken off guard by the almost grateful sound of his voice, "I won't betray Konan." Then he attacked me. We exchanged a few hits but mostly dodged one another's attempts.

"She's already betrayed you, though!"

A fist collided with my stomach, and I was thrown back several meters until my back hit the stone fence. The air was knocked out of me, and I watched as he whistled while turning to look at the tower door. It opened, and I choked on my breath when Zetsu and Deidara came out; Kankuro and Sasuke were shoved to stand before them.

"N-No!"

Pain shot through my spine as I struggled upright and crossed the ample open space, only to freeze when Nagato lifted a hand in my direction, a wordless warning to keep my distance. Sasuke's eyes locked onto mine, dark and tired, and I realized either they'd bled them, or Zetsu had poisoned them to the point that they couldn't fight anymore.

I didn't see Sasori anywhere, but judging by the way Deidara refused to meet my eye, I'm assuming he set him free before turning on us. I can't say I blame him, honestly. They treated him exactly how Amegakure did. Why would he fight for our side?

"I'm offering to end this now if you surrender peacefully, Sakura. What'll it be?"

I took another step forward, rage reappearing, "If you don't get your hands off them right now…."

Deidara's gaze hardened as he stared at the back of Kankuro's head, but Zetsu and Nagato didn't seem phased. I realized that it must've been the poison that immobilized the two princes because neither had said anything or moved in the slightest.

Suddenly, Nagato lifted one of each of their arms, biting into them once apiece. Dread set in as I realized what was about to happen, and I shot forward with as much speed and energy as possible.

It wasn't enough.

In the snap of the fingers, Deidara's hand shot through Kankuro's chest, and Zetsu's went through Sasuke's. Both of the princes' bodies fell lifelessly to the ground. My eyes widened, and everything froze as I stared at Sasuke's unmoving form, a pool of blood forming quickly around his body.

"I'm sure you understand the situation, but I'll say it anyway. I'll bring them back if you agree to come with us. If you don't, they'll remain dead," Nagato took advantage of my inability to function by explaining.

As quickly as time had frozen for me, it resumed, only for an unbearable pain to rip through my chest, forcing me to my knees as I choked and sobbed and tried to get back to my feet so I could go to Sasuke. I couldn't allow myself to faint like the time Hidan was killed.

They didn't say anything or stop me when I managed to crawl to the prince, rolling him onto his back. Lifeless black eyes stared at nothing, no matter how many times I shook him or how much of my blood I tried to force into his mouth after biting into my own wrist. The pain that'd been caused by my master being killed faded after a minute or two, but the unbelievable fire of grief continued to burn me alive.

No.

No!

Not Sasuke!

His name left my mouth repeatedly, more broken each time as I cupped his face and begged him to suddenly wake me up and say it was all just a bad dream. It must've been five minutes before Nagato finally said something as I sobbed against Sasuke's bloodied and empty chest, "Make a decision now, or we'll kill your other master as well. He'll be here in-" "Bring them back. Bring Sasuke back."

There was a pause before Nagato spoke again, "You're accepting my offer?"

I sat up, my lover's blood all over my front as I continued to cry and glared at the red-haired villain, "I don't care what you want from me. You can have everything, but you can't have him. You fucking bring him back right now, or so help me, God, I'll destroy everything you hold dear." My entire body trembled with grief and fury. The only reason I wasn't actively letting my humanity go so I could destroy these fucking monsters was that Sasuke would remain dead if I did.

Nagato motioned for me to get up, but I growled, "I'm not doing a damn thing until they're revived!"

The redhead motioned for one of the two behind me to grab me, and I shot to my feet, turning to throw my fist straight through Zetsu's stomach, the odd-looking vampire's body staggering back, before shooting Deidara a thick glare of warning that froze him in place.

Then I turned and grabbed Nagato's shirt, pulling his face down to my level and growling, "Bring. Him. Back." I could feel my hair whipping wildly around my shoulders, likely from my energy being amped up by my overwhelming emotions.

He looked scared; finally, "Allow Hidan to glow you, and I give you my word."

I nodded, "Fine, but I want to see you do it. Hurry up before Madara gets here." I mentally released the orders I'd put on Kakuzu, and the three Amegakure vampires that'd been battling outside the barrier soon arrived.

Nagato explained the situation after I released his shirt, and I made myself hold Hidan's gaze as he glowed me to be obedient. True to his vow, after having Kakuzu bind them, Nagato bit into his wrist and ensured Kankuro and Sasuke received a mouthful of his blood before stepping back to stand with the rest of us.

A minute passed as the wounds in their chests healed before Zetsu muttered, "Their reinforcements are nearly here. We need to leave if we wish to avoid confrontation."

I hissed, "No. Not until I see them wake up."

Before anyone could respond, both men suddenly gasped and coughed. Tears of relief flooded my eyes to the point that it was nearly impossible to see, but I could recognize Sasuke's look of realization and dread when he sat up and saw me. I stood between Nagato and Hidan, the latter having a strong hold around my upper arm in case I tried to defy his orders.

"Sakura, no…."

I sobbed, smiling softly despite knowing my fate had been sealed, "You're alive."

"Alright, time's up. Let's go."

My feet began moving against my will at Hidan's order, and I gasped, turning my head to meet Sasuke's panicked gaze, "I-I love you! I'll be okay!"

"Don't!"

I forced my feet to stop moving, just a couple meters from where Sasuke and Kankuro were trying to free themselves from their bindings, the former appearing to nearly be in tears as he watched me tremble in pain. I heard the sound of many footsteps approaching and knew it was Madara with more soldiers from Suna. I shook my head at Sasuke, who said my name in the most awful, gutwrenchingly desperate voice.

"Sakura, I'll kill them again."

And then I turned and joined the vampires from Amegakure fleeing the scene, body pulsating with pain as I disobeyed the Uchiha prince's orders.

~

"At this rate, they'll catch up to us." I simply glared ahead as I continued sprinting beside Hidan, ignoring Zetsu's emotionless warning.

They're useless, I know, but I can't get my tears to stop falling.

While frantically searching for Sasuke, Kankuro, and the others, I was pissed and ready to chew them out for the awful thing they'd done, using Deidara as bait. Now I'm cursing myself for allowing my emotions to take control of my actions and cause me to act recklessly. Sure, they'd have been hurt either way, but if I'd stopped and convinced Madara and Gaara to send me with reinforcements, no one would be in the place they currently are.

My chest tightened as I choked back a sob. No. I don't regret this. Regardless of what happens, I can die knowing the man I love is alive. I won't allow these monsters to use my power to harm innocent people. When we arrive in Amegakure, I plan on killing Nagato and Yahiko. If I fail, I'll try again. They'll have to kill me to stop me, over and over. I'll eventually succeed, even if it takes centuries.

I'm not a complete fool. I know it's going to hurt like hell. The suffering will be unlike anything I've experienced, but I can't give in. Thousands, maybe even millions, of lives are at stake.

"Deidara, Kakuzu, can you hold them off?" Nagato asked from my other side.

My eyes widened as I realized the red-haired vampire planned to sacrifice the two less-obedient advisors to secure my capture and our escape, "No! Let me do it."

Hidan scoffed, "You really are a dumb bitch."

Nagato ignored his statement, oddly-colored eyes narrowing suspiciously, "As far as escape attempts go, I must admit this is disappointing."

"If you send those two to their deaths, I'll stop being so docile."

He and Hidan shared a hesitant look before he suddenly changed the plan, "Zetsu, mask our scent and use "that" technique."

I turned my neck as we continued running as a group so I could watch in awe as the vampire in question split in two, the dark side falling to bring up the rear while the white one seemed to melt down into the sand and disappear completely, "Where's he going? What technique are you talking about?"

"Shut her up, Hidan."

My gaze hardened at Kisame's irritated tone, but my hair was pulled until I was forced to turn my neck and meet my third master's eye, "Go to Amegakure as fast as you can. Don't stop until you get there, even if your feet bleed."

The breath in my throat got stuck as my energy shot down to the soles of my feet, and suddenly I was sprinting more quickly than ever before. The world around me was almost a blur with how fast I traveled. I couldn't even think about stopping.

Ten minutes passed before one of my sandals broke, and the other followed suit barely thirty minutes later. Burning sand singed the bottoms of my feet with each step, but I kept running. Soon, the sand morphed into the forest floor, and small twigs and stones cut me.

Minutes turned into hours, and hours turned into days of agony. My lungs all but gave out hundreds of times, but my body would heal quickly enough for me not to stop moving or pass out. When I arrived at the entrance of Amegakure's castle, I was relieved to see Konan and Yahiko staring down at me as I collapsed to the ground and wheezed for air. I heard the queen begin to speak but fainted before I could comprehend a single word.