Chapter 50

I stared at the ring on my fourth finger, absently brushing my pinky against it.

It's been five weeks since Tsunade delivered me to Yahiko and Konan. At first, I was terrified it'd all been a ruse and that I'd be murdered immediately, but that didn't happen. In fact, other than the occasional visit from Kisame, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and I are left alone in a large bedroom with multiple beds and bars on the windows.

With the blonde woman's healing and the large amount of blood I was being fed, the black webbing on my arms receded to just my hands, and the dizzy, painful spells almost completely stopped. I stubbornly don't want to admit it, but she'd been correct that surrendering was my only hope.

As it turns out, Orochimaru is not alive. Well, if he is, he's not in the company of the Amegakure vampires. The surviving royals from Ame happened upon one of his old hideouts and unearthed mountains of medical research papers. It was with those that Zetsu learned how to clone himself and alter his appearance, plus a massive quantity of my blood that they'd collected while I was their prisoner.

When I arrived at this unsuspecting house they'd purchased and made appear completely normal, Yahiko clarified that they intend to steal my children as soon as they're born and raise them as his and Konan's own. They'll tell them they're all siblings since they'll only be a few weeks younger.

If I survive the birth, by some miracle, the Amegakure royals intend to keep me as a glorified blood bag in hopes my blood will offer more gifts, like it had to Zetsu. They said they'd simply drain and dispose of my body if I die.

We'd made a mistake in assuming they had a big, intricate plan when, in fact, it was simple. Blackmail, kidnapping, and hostages are all things that we're used to already.

Sure, my health hasn't declined as quickly while my stomach continues to grow, but that doesn't mean everything is okay. This ring, its stone, plagues my mind every moment I'm not panicking about the swiftly approaching due date.

Sasuke's life is on the line just as much as mine; at least, that's what's supposed to happen since he gifted me with this ring. When I agreed to let Sasuke stay behind, the myth wasn't in my mind. All I can do is prepare to fight for my life and pray Madara can find a way to prevent it from happening.

I miss the prince more than ever before, even when I was Kaguya's prisoner. I'm terrified. Each morning, I wake up to find my stomach slightly more swollen and my energy level lower. If ever I needed him by my side for support, it's now. There's no one else that can take his place, either. Even Ino wouldn't be able to soothe my panic like Sasuke.

Now, I understand why she acted the way she did when pregnant. There's something so intimate and personal about the knowledge that these babies are ours, his and mine. We created life. It's like they're aware their father isn't with us and are just as upset as me.

"We have a problem," Tsunade whispered in hopes of not being heard by any of our captors outside the room.

I raised my upper body with my elbows on the bed and looked down to where the medic was checking to ensure things were normal.

She does these check-ups every four or five days, and it never becomes less uncomfortable, no matter how many times it happens. Jiraiya sat in a chair bedside near my head, his eyes averted, though he couldn't see anything from where he sat.

With my pulse rising steadily, I furrowed my brow, hissing, "What do you mean?"

Her topaz-colored eyes danced over to her lover and then back to me. She hesitantly expressed, "There's only one heartbeat, and the baby is much further along than expected. Have you been feeling more fatigued in the past week?"

Truthfully, I'm in a constant state of exhaustion, but the news that there's only one child was alarming because, up until now, we've been under the impression that there were two. Pregnancy is odd with angels in that it's challenging to hear a heartbeat. I thought since Ino had been able to pick up on Inojin's, I would, too, but that didn't happen. Shaking my head, "I-I'm not sure. Are you saying one of them died? What about-"

Tsunade shook her head dismissively, "I can't say for sure, but from the sound of this heartbeat, you're due to give birth any day now."

"What?! But isn't it supposed to take at least twelve weeks? It's only been nine!"

"I already told you not to have any expectations, Sakura. To my knowledge, there hasn't been a successful birth when the mother is the angel rather than the father," the medic warned.

Our timeline had been moved up substantially. None of us know how closely my masters are or if they've even located this house. Though slim, there's a chance they might stray because they're under the assumption there's almost an entire month left before things hit the fan.

No.

No, they'd never leave, not when I'm alone here. I must trust they'll be ready, no matter what happens or when.

That night, I lay on my side with pillows around me, but I couldn't get comfortable. On top of that, I couldn't keep my eyes closed. All I could see were images of what could've been playing on the insides of my eyelids.

I want it all.

I want to see Sasuke holding a tiny baby with that adorable, nervous look in his eye because he's afraid he'll make it cry. I want to be with them, both of them. I want to see my child learn to walk, talk, and enjoy life.

More than anything, I want Sasuke and our baby to live, even if it means I can't be there to experience it. Even if it damns my soul to hell, I'll accept that so long as the prince won't die because of this ring.

"You should rest," Tsunade suddenly said, making my glazed-over vision refocus. She was staring at me from the nearest bed.

I looked behind her to see Jiraiya sitting with his back to the headboard, a faraway look on his face. No books were given to entertain ourselves, and the white-haired man often zoned out like that. Not seeing his fun-loving grin for such a long time was odd. The frown on his lips didn't suit him.

Tsunade asked me not to mention her blood vow, and I agreed because if Jiraiya knew, he might try to stop it, and then my baby might not be rescued.

"I'm scared," I admitted softly. Until now, we've kept things somewhat professional, but I might die in the next week. Facing almost certain death tends to make people desperate. "What was it like when you gave birth?"

She seemed to understand how uneasy I felt because she hesitantly responded, "It was unlike any pain I'd experienced."

"Really? Giving birth is that bad?" Her honesty was appreciated, but it did not comfort me.

"No," the woman said, closing her eyes, "That was excruciating, but I'm talking about losing my children." Tears prickled at the corners of my eyes as I watched her emotionless face and waited for more, but none ever came.

Never had I wished to have Ino's mind-reading ability more than today. I'd be able to hear the thoughts of those in this house, but I might also be able to listen to those nearby the building.

Somehow, I fell asleep amidst my unyielding anxiety.

At some point in the night, though, a sharp pain rolled from my lower abdomen to my navel. Gasping, I sat up, peering down at the bed only to tear up, pulse skyrocketing, "No. No. No! This can't be happening! Not yet!" My water had broken.

The panicked sound of my voice must've woken Tsunade because then she was kneeling on the bed near my feet, pulling the blankets away with serious, topaz eyes, "Keep your voice down, or they'll hear. You have to stay completely silent, Sakura."

All our plans to sneak Jiraiya and the baby out would be ruined if Yahiko, Konan, or Kisame overheard and came to investigate.

She helped me move to the ground, laying down a blanket and claiming the flat, firm surface might help things go more smoothly.

Another contraction came over me, and I clasped a hand over my mouth, squeezing my eyes closed and holding my breath so I wouldn't scream. It was awful. That millisecond before death when I was tortured repeatedly in Amegakure's dungeon, where everything felt like lava laced with electricity, is the closest thing I can compare the pain to.

Tsunade knelt between my knees and checked, eyes widening as her brow furrowed a moment later. She hissed, more to herself than me, "It's happening now. There's no more time."

I burst into tears. All the bravery left my body as I saw the helpless look on her face. "I-I can't do this, Tsunade. I can't. I'm not ready. I need Sasuke."

Jiraiya came to hold my free hand, a determined expression on his face, but he said nothing and only focused on his lover.

"You don't have a choice, Sakura. I'm sorry," she met her partner's gaze sadly, "Be prepared. It's likely your condition will worsen quickly." The woman then spoke to him, "If she gets too loud, you have to muffle her voice, no matter what. Do you understand?"

Jiraiya nodded but asked, "What have you done, Tsunade?" Obviously, he'd picked up on the fact that we'd hidden something from him.

She glared, "As soon as this child is born, you're to take it to the Uchihas. Head South, and don't stop. They'll find you and take you to safety." The man released my hand, hissing angrily, "Tell me you didn't do what I think you did! What about you and Sakura? How can I leave you behind?"

Tsunade's eyes watered, but she focused on me as another contraction trembled through my body, speaking over my soft whine, "There's a small chance Sakura will survive this, too. If she does, take her as well. I won't be able to follow."

Jiraiya allowed me to squeeze his hand when I panickedly reached for it but shook his head, "I refuse. I'd rather die. You know that."

At that moment, an odd, blood-red hue ran through the blonde woman's appearance, her chest heaving.

"W-What was that? What's going on?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"That's what it looks like when someone breaks a blood vow," Jiraiya spoke in a monotone voice, terror in his eyes as he watched the love of his life struggle to breathe.

I panicked, trying to sit up, "Break? Tsunade, what? How? But you-" "I'm sorry, Sakura," Tsunade rasped out, face contorted in pain.

Nearly sobbing, I shook my head, "Please tell me what's going on!"

Before she could respond, the pain in my body quadrupled to the point that a cry left my mouth, Jiraiya fumbling to cover my mouth. The medic near my feet shook her head, hissing, "I knew he'd never agree to leave. That's why I took the vow."

I could barely think straight with how much was going through my veins but clutched at Jiraiya's hands desperately, trembling and shaking in pain.

"Sasuke knows I've broken the vow. I'm counting on him to arrive before it's too late." Tsunade nodded, glancing at my face and then back between my legs, "Breathe, Sakura. In a minute, I'm going to tell you to push, and you have to give it everything you've got."

My back arched off the ground. I can't do this. I can't do it! The only thing that's ever hurt more than this is when I broke the crest on my forehead, but the difference wasn't much. It feels like a demon is tearing me apart from the inside out. It's claws raked and scratched, doing anything to get free.

"It's almost time, now. If you survive this, you don't have time to recover. I'll break the crest and get you three as far away as possible, but then it's up to you to keep moving, okay?"

"Tsunade, no! Stop! I won't let you do this!" Jiraiya released me to pull her away, and the two wrestled on equal footing while I grasped fistfuls of my dress. Their fighting was too loud. One of our captors will hear and check on us at this rate.

"P-Please, be quiet! They'll-" The raspy sound of my weak voice cut off with a choked sound as the pain returned, forcing me to return to writhing helplessly.

Tsunade shoved Jiraiya away and hurried between my legs again, eyes widening, "Push! Push now! It's time!"

I took a deep breath, feeling my eyes burn bright red as my body most likely felt my safety was at risk. Before I could obey the woman's orders, the door to the room shot open to reveal Kisame. He took one look at me before stepping inside, only for Jiraiya to intercept him.

The medic was crying but kept her composure better than me, "Hurry, Sakura. Focus. Push!"

I pushed.

I pushed as hard as I could, an ungodly scream erupting from my chest, "It hurts!"

An odd sensation arose amidst the unbearable ache. The energy in each of my atoms was being sucked, drained into one spot at the pit of my stomach. It had to be the baby sapping it. The sensation terrified me into stopping pushing, making the medic place a hand on my knee, "No, don't give up. You have to keep going! I'm sending all of you away if anyone comes to help Kisame. There's no time to be scared."

In my deliria, I couldn't comprehend a word she said. Covered in sweat, bleeding between the legs, and very much in labor, I covered my face and hyperventilated. I'm dying. I know I'm dying. It's happening. Where's Sasuke? I need to see him. He has to be here so I can say goodbye.

My entire being refused to cooperate without him like I wasn't in control of my own body.

One second, Tsunade's mouth was moving with words I couldn't hear, and in the next, she looked up toward the door. Then, a blinding light surrounded everyone and everything. There was nothing beneath me for a moment, and then I was on my side on the rocky ground.

When I opened my eyes, I realized what'd happened. Tsunade had broken her crest. There, in the distance, a tiny village was enveloped in a massive white orb of white. Everything inside slowly turned to sand.

"...No…." I jumped amidst my sobbing and trembling to see Jiriaya getting to his feet nearby with wide eyes directed at the scene. He took one step toward the village, then another, then he began running.

I called weakly after him, too terrified to have any pride, "N-No, please don't leave me!"

He didn't listen.