*Gaiden: Hidden Nine*

THE PROLOGUE'S EPILOGUE!

Last Point!

by: WhiteGloves

If I might say- this is RAW!

Thank you for the continuous support!

I hope you enjoy the last BIT of ACTION from the UCHIHA CLAN!

FIRST HALF

A large explosion disturbed the tranquil desert, sending rubbles of rocks and dust in the silence of the night, wrecking half the lone mountain that stood ever so sturdy in the forgotten region, shaking its very earth.

Things happened so fast that all Sakura remembered was Sasuke's livid red eyes, a scream of a man, and the blow of the wind together an ear-splitting explosion—the next thing she knew was Sasuke appearing in front of her, grabbing her waist, wrapping her in his dark coat with his hand protectively holding her head; and then the sudden cold atmosphere that seeped in her skin, enveloping her altogether. Then she felt the familiar sensation of the tightening wind around her, forcing her to clutch on his chest and grit her teeth for she knew what Sasuke was doing—

They were transporting that very instant.

Opening her eyes seconds later and looking ahead she saw a different place than the last she remember— they were yet again inside that familiar clothed form of Sasuke's creature, Susanoo, in the midst of another dimension and flying in haste towards a direction she doesn't know with her husband, Uchiha Sasuke supporting her on his arms. They escaped through his space time dimension. They were safe.

Sakura quickly tried to grasp the situation as she felt the excitement of what had just occur with cold sweat running down her face— an unknown attacker assaulting her, her fear of losing her baby in matter of seconds—her husband appearing to save her—

She bit her lower lip and closed her eyes shut but then something struck her that made her tug on her husband's arm to catch his attention—

"Karin!" she blurted out sounding upset, "we can't leave her! And Suigetsu! We've got to help them!"

"We can't go back." Sasuke answered flatly without looking at her, "They have to take care of themselves."

"But they'll be in danger! The hideout's destroyed!"

"I'm not going back."

She managed to straighten herself and to gaze at the dark haired man with disbelieving eyes.

"No way..."

Karin and Suigetsu's face flashed in her mind. To abandon them after everything they've done for her. Sakura opened her mouth again, wanting nothing but to appeal but the expression on her husband's face made her stop.

It was because despite the man's cold behaviour, there was that familiar crease on his eyes and thinning of lips—

Sasuke was angry.

"Dear..." she whispered. He remained silent as he turned his back on her, all the while she could feel the intensity of his emotion—the way he stood, the way he gripped his fists...

And it occurred to her just how desperate he was to leave the place even though the enemies were nothing to him when it comes to power. It was not about battling the enemies on.

It was for her sake.

Suppressing her own emotion and feeling a bit guilty for misjudging him, the pink haired kunoichi suddenly walked closer to the man and embraced him from the back. She buried her face on his scent, leaning on him with a deep sigh as she remembered the enemy who had taken her by surprise... the man who had threateningly pointed a blade at their unborn child's life... Sasuke's child...

And just how relieved she was when he came along...

It made her pull him closer.

"That scared me..." she whispered with eyes tightly shut. "Thank you for coming back."

She felt him steer and turn, felt him put a hand at the back of her head and pull her even closer, his dark coat falling over her shoulders that she could feel his enclosed warmth.

He embraced her. He didn't need to say anything. Sakura understood.

To which she found herself utterly grateful for his love. There was no doubt about it.

Sasuke loves her... maybe even more than she thinks...

A lot of times she had misunderstood his feelings but right just now...

Time had flown unnoticed as the couple stayed with each other. The dimension cracks that Sasuke had been doing for the last hour was making Sakura dizzy but she ignored it knowing full well her husband was more tired as he forcefully transport them to the safest location possible. But she could not help pressing her eyes close from time to time and the constant touch of palm on her face.

It was a surprise as when she opened her eyes, she found Sasuke's feet—looking up she saw him looking at her.

"What is it?" she asked a little softly—

But then her eyes widened when the dark haired man suddenly pulled his coat off and placed it on her shoulders quietly. Sasuke then knelt in front of her and seemed to study her face for a second.

"I thought you looked pale... must be my imagination."

For Sakura's face had gone bright at his gesture.

"I- I'm fine." She managed to say as he stayed where he was.

Sasuke turned his eyes on the left side as if seeing something she can't and then said, "We're near a village around this part... I should move a little closer to gather some supplies. You can't go on without eating."

"I told you I'm okay... it's you I'm worried about." It was out of reflex, but the pink haired ninja had wanted to reach his face, which she did as she raised her right hand and caressed his cheek, "See? You look more dead beat than I am... you should think about yourself too... for my sake."

Sasuke's dark eyes met hers.

A playful tug at the pit of her stomach suddenly urged her to steal a kiss but then—the man suddenly pinched both her cheeks and stretched it—

"O-oww!"

Sasuke stood up and turned his back on her.

"I'm stopping here to get something to eat." He said as Susanoo began to change pace, "I'll find a place for you to stay."

"..." Sakura pressed her lips and tried to suppress a chuckle. For then she was sure—she saw the tip of his ears reddening.

And still the pink haired ninja could not help but think of her comrades as she watched their surrounding change after a final dimensional transport and they were out in the real world again among the trees. It was already midday, almost half a day since they were attacked.

"Those two..." Sakura said to herself as she walked behind Sasuke among the trees while looking for a good place to stay, her thoughts disturbed. How the enemies found them the Uchihas could only make a guess but one thing was certain, they could no longer go back to their hideout. "I hope they're okay..."

"They're not pushovers..." Sasuke suddenly voiced out without glancing back, "They can handle themselves fine."

"But the enemies—"

"Are nothing to worry about since it's them."

Sakura watched her husband's back and his unyielding confidence to his comrades.

It was enough to calm her.

"Will we see them again?"

"If they survived."

"Dear!"

Sasuke finally looked back with a smirk that Sakura found surprising.

"We'll see them alright."

"But they have no idea where we're going."

"They will when he gets in touch with them. We've already worked out a plan if things come to this."

"He?" Sakura remembered the emphasis on the word the last time and her eyes widened, "you mean the father of Karin's baby?"

"Anyways, he'll get in touch with them," the man pushed the bushes over towards the open ground, motioned his wife to walk ahead and followed after her, "and with him they'll find us. To that designated place."

He pointed on a wall of bamboo trees and to the kunoichi's amazement, saw that it was built like a small fortress in the inside or some sort.

"Stay here. Keep the coat on." Sasuke said as he stood by the entrance while she lowered herself on the ground with his coat still around her. "Don't leave this place. I'll get you as soon as I come back."

She nodded without question, knowing full well what she must do.

Sasuke glanced behind him for awhile before looking back at her again.

"..."

"?" Sakura blinked at him.

He closed his eyes. "Be on your guard. I'll come back soon."

"You too." And she watched him disappear on sight. When she was sure he was gone, she pulled the coat closer with the scent of Sasuke lingering by and sighed. Looking up, she noticed how the shadows of the tall bamboos were covering her from prying eyes. It seemed that Sasuke had really planned it out... except for keeping food in the bushes. She chuckled and shook her head knowing full well the risk if someone had spotted supplies of food in a sturdy wall of bamboos. Then again... didn't they build this near a certain village?

Sakura didn't notice when drowsiness hit her but she was shocked when she opened her eyes and realized her head had been hanging on her shoulder— she had taken a nap completely without her knowing!

Sitting up straight, she quickly and alertly looked around her, unaware of the time. The shadows of the trees were still on the ground, giving her the impression that not a long time had passed. Still, waking up and finding herself all alone gave her this initial reaction of choking and wanting to cry...

Tears began to well up in her eyes.

"So stupid..." she said as she wiped them away.

A man's shadow suddenly appeared in front of her—looking up with sudden rigidness, she found Uchiha Sasuke standing by the entrance of the doorway. He was looking at her intently.

Sakura's jaw tightened as she slowly stood up with a final brush of her hands on her cheek.

"Sakura," the man said quietly without moving, "we need to get out of here."

"Sasuke..." she whispered as she walked towards him, "why... all of a sudden?"

The man's dark eyes met hers quietly but it was enough—it irked the pregnant woman who, without warning, suddenly raised her powerful fist she had been saving since the night she was attacked—and made contact with the dark haired man's pale cheek— into a death defying blow—

"—Shanaaaroooo!"

"—Ughhh!"

The man's head twisted backwards with his face deforming— and Sakura left him to dust as she gazed over its unmoving body—

"Your copying technique won't be any good if you're not fine with details, geez," the pink haired woman said with an angry expression, "My husband just happened to leave me his coat!... and he's more handsome dammit!"

And she strode away swiftly but lightly as she supported her bump, leaving the fake Sasuke whose body was covered in this dark coat Sasuke usually wears... which happened to be also on the kunoichi's shoulder.

Sasuke... with a sweat drop on her cheek, the pink haired ninja moved on, and her eyebrows creased. How do the enemies keep following them when they used space time dimension to escape? Just how do the enemies know their exact location? What was going on?

Finding answers won't be easy, Sakura thought as she pressed her foot on the ground into a sudden stop as somebody yet again blocked her way. This time, it was—

"Karin!"

"There you are!" the red haired woman shouted looking concerned, "I've been looking for you for ages, Sakura! Let's go! We've already met up with Sasuke!"

Doubtful, the pink haired ninja frowned with her fist ready.

"What are you doing, Sakura?"

"No..." the Uchiha woman shook her head as light-headedness struck her, "it can't be you..."

"What are you talking about?" the bespectacled woman crossed the distance between them and then reached a hand to her, "if we stay here we'll be in danger!"

"Shut up..." she raised her fist again, only to be overcome by so much head ache, "..."

A hand suddenly struck her on the cheek, making Sakura stare into space as her head whirled in pain.

Wha...? She touched the cheek where she was struck. It made her think straight.

"Stop dillydallying and let's go." Karin said with a frown at her, "faster!"

Sakura grinded her teeth and was about to strike back when something suddenly came walloping from her left side into the figure of the red headed woman who screamed in pain as she was thrown away with a loud bang—

Sakura gave a huff as she saw Uchiha Sasuke yet again, in front of her, who had his eyes on the enemy. The look in his eyes was enough to assure her that he was the real deal. And his coat was off too.

"Dear..." she reached a hand on his arm, making him look at her. "It's you."

Sasuke took a good look at her, and then seemingly his eyes fell on her swollen cheek. Quietly then, he looked back at the enemy and walked towards its body. Sakura watched him till he was on the body lying on the floor. She watched Sasuke took the fake Karin by the neck and raised her up. He said something to her.

Seconds pass and then the Uchiha leader consumed the enemy into his dark flames.

When he returned to Sakura, the kunoichi noticed that he was again, angry.

"Something's wrong." He told her looking grave, "the enemies know our movements... it's too suspicious."

He touched her cheek as he said so.

"How do you think they know?"

"... never mind. We can't follow the plan. We're going to another place."

"But you're still tired..."

"Staying here is dangerous. I left our supplies with Susanoo. The other dimension should be fine." His eyes started triggering again, making Sakura close to him while he put his hand around her waist.

"Did you meet any other fakes around?" she wanted to know as he prepared his eyes.

"I saw your fake."

"You beat me down didn't you?"

"You did mine. Good thing I knew you'd keep my coat on."

"Eh? Couldn't you have said coz I looked more beautiful?"

" ? What did you say?"

He didn't wait for her to respond as in a blink of an eye, they were inside his dimension again.

They were never seen for a long time.

SECOND HALF

With the sun high up, a puffing white haired male appeared behind a giant rock, complaining.

"Dammit tsk! The hell they doin' in this place?" his foot reached the flat ground and turned behind him to look at the red haired woman who was just behind him, "I mean—how'd yah describe this place? Like the end of the world, eh?"

He gestured his arms into the surrounding and we see in the large view—the vast blue ocean in the middle of the day where the sun was up the sky. They were standing at the tip of a rocky island where there was nothing save the sea and its unending horizon.

The bespectacled woman looked at where he was pointing and then nudged him to move on. Both were wearing traveller's coat, the same one they often used whenever they were out searching. It had been two weeks since they started their journey to find them. Those people they have lost that night of the attack.

"I mean..." came Suigetsu's voice again as he walked behind Karin this time with the strong waves resounding in the background and sprinkle of water coming from every direction, "are we even sure the both' of em' are here?"

He then noticed that Karin had stopped walking. Looking up, he saw the reason why.

Amidst what appeared to be an inhabited place stood a one storey white building made of pure stone, its roof the color of the rocks that could be found around. It was standing behind a couple of trees and then the forest right behind it with two windows in front and a wooden door.

Karin did not waste any time as she made her way towards it, her expectations up in the sky.

"Oi, wait!" the white haired man called as he too dashed after the bespectacled woman.

As soon as they reached it, they saw more things around. Despite being in a rocky island in the middle of the large ocean, flowers were blooming. Karin and Suigetsu saw pink flowery petals on the trees too that made them stare in awe. The place was quiet except for the noise from the ocean waves; everything was still except for a woman whom they nearly overlooked at for the color of her long hair was so much alike the trees around. She was wearing a long white loose gown while sitting in a chair on what appeared to be a porch; she was sewing what looked like white clothing on her hands. Her stomach was more distinct than the last they saw her.

It was the nine months pregnant Uchiha Sakura.

Karin bit her lips and started running towards her.

"Sakura!"

The long pink haired woman raised her head and saw her come. She froze and then stepped out of the porch.

"Karin?"

The red haired woman closed in the distance with her eyes blurry, her attention only focused on that kunoichi she hasn't seen for a long time. With her feet carrying her, she nearly reached the surrounding trees when she felt somebody grab her arm and held her back—it was Suigetsu.

"Oi! Watch out!"

Karin was halted back thanks to the white haired man and the reason became apparent.

For then something tall and dark came shooting out of nowhere with a kunai at hand ready, completely blocking the view of the woman with his body and intimidating red eyes.

Karin gasped as she found him looking at her with daggers in his eyes. He had gotten taller with his hair almost covering half his face, his eyes the same—

"S-Sasuke!"

"You gotta be kiddin..." came Suigetsu's voice as he stepped in front of Karin sounding annoyed, "we didn' comere' just to get killed ya know!"

Sasuke's eyebrows furrowed for awhile, his eyes scrutinizing them, and then he straightened up, his eyes reverting to its dark color.

"You guys are alive, huh?" he started as he put his kunai out of sight.

"Ya don't sound relieved at all!" the white haired man pointed at him, "Listen—d'youknow how a pain in the ass it was to wake up with enemy ready to chew me neck? And then the next thing I know everythins' comin apart! On your doin'!"

The dark haired man only gave a smirk.

A vein appeared at Suigetsu's head. "Dammya' bastard!"

"Dear...?"

Everybody looked behind the Uchiha clan leader and saw his wife walk slowly toward them her green eyes falling on their old comrades when Sasuke stepped out of the way. Both Karin and Suigetsu were looking at her too as she stepped forward, her hands clutched on her chest.

"You guys... Karin..." Sakura breathed, her eyes filling with tears as she took steps toward the red haired woman and fling her arms around her neck, "you're alive...!"

The bespectacled woman looked shocked for awhile at how tightly she was being held, but then her expression softened as she too, embraced the crying pregnant woman.

"Sheesh, you're still the same cry baby," a tear fell on her cheek, "stop crying already... you're making me emotional too! And I'm not even susceptible to mood swings!"

The men stood there watching the women's reunion quietly, till Suigetsu gave a snort, shook his head and then put a finger on his ear.

"Pooey, women..."

"You're one to talk!" Karin turned to the white haired man as she wiped her tear and Sakura too did the same, "you were the one so worked up in finding her when you realized we were being attacked, stupid!"

"I ain't NOT!" Suigetsu's whole face turned bright red as he found Sakura smiling at him, "whatcha smilin' about, stupid! I ain't not worried... bakka! Who'd worry about a beastly onna, keh!"

Sakura's eyebrow rose up. "Eh?"

Suigetsu looked away, but then suddenly scratched the lower side of his left cheek using his index finger and said—

"W-well... you were a cry baby... howya doin?"

The pink haired lady stared at him for awhile, and then gave a smile.

"I'm doing okay. I'm so glad you're okay too!"

To which the white haired man found himself blushing even more at her smile's expense.

Only to feel Sasuke's dark eyes boring on him intently it felt like he wanted to burn him.

"How did you find this place?" the pink haired ninja wanted to know as she stood beside her husband.

"It wasn't easy," Karin admitted, "it was a good thing he came along."

She motioned her head behind her and that was when they saw the third party of the group.

A man with orange spiky hair suddenly came out from the shadows of the trees, his skin dark and wearing the same travelling coat as the first two. His face was familiar to Sakura and if she wasn't mistaken and memory serves right, he was the man they call—

"Jugo." Sasuke finished her thoughts.

The group settled inside the white house which Karin found the inside adoring. There were plenty of shell designs plus some exquisite minerals from the sea. Most of their house ware was made from this product, though there were number of manmade wooden materials that Sakura said was by Sasuke's hand.

"Wow..." the red haired woman said in awe as she stared at the collection of what appeared to be pink shells resting by the table near the window, "what are these...? They're so beautiful..."

"Pink shells are rare," Sakura told her as she set tea on the table where the men were already seated, "you can only find a number of them under the moonlight. It's Sasuke's favourite night time hobby... we would walk along the beach side and gather as much as we can see... he's really good at spotting these babies..."

"Why? Can't keep him in bed during the night?"

"Shut it."

"But really... living a life peacefully here," she looked outside the window into the glorious view of the blue sky and ocean, "you made wonderful memories, huh?"

"Plenty..." Sakura smiled as she too looked at the window. Karin suddenly nudged her arm.

"Tsk. You just kept him all to yourself all these months, huh?"

Sakura laughed. "Well, he's my husband after all."

"Are yeh two done bein' chatterteeths back there?" came Suigetsu's drawling voice, "we're done killin' time here!"

When everybody was on the table did the whole truth come out about that night's attack.

"We were forced to back down as enemies swarmed the hideout." Came Karin's voice as the others listened quietly, "we thought it best to disappear since they were aiming to capture us when they realized the two of you were no longer there. It's more like they were planning to wrench out your location from our mouths. They were desperate."

"Then Jugo came and nailed them." Suigetsu grinned, "yeh lot shoulda been there."

"It was easy to tackle them once they were out in the open. As to how they managed to get closer without detection," Jugo's solemn voice was new to Sakura's ear. She liked it. "that would partially be blamed on the base's construction. It opened underground and they tunnelled their way inside. Coming from the earth itself was not a bad idea considering we were monitoring airborne. Also... I supposed you were attacked on your way to our second hideout too?" he turned his attention to Sasuke who gave a slight nod, "That'd be on me. The bird we were using for communication was being intercepted. I guess it ain't so smart leaving it to my critters."

"I told you it was not." Karin sighed and waved a hand in the air, "anyways, we can't keep mulling over the past, the important thing is Sakura is safe and sound... have you thought of a name for your baby yet?"

Sakura blinked at her and then exchanged looks with Sasuke. She then smiled meaningfully.

Karin's eyes widened. "Oh god—it's obvious you two've been talking a lot!"

"This ain't time for that jeezus!" Suigetsu scratched his white hair and pointed at Jugo, "We ain't supposed ta be followin' yeh two around anymore since this guy said it's already fine yeh were safe! But then he had to draggus' outta sensei's hideout sayin sumthin' dangerous was comin' and had to tell yeh!"

He pointed at Sasuke who in turn, gave the oranged haired man a look.

"What's going on?"

Jugo remained silent with everyone's attention on him—and then he closed his eyes and finally looked back at the Uchiha clan leader.

"It's as Suigetsu said... I was not planning on contacting you until you were in the better spot where your wife is already safe... but things were turning seriously I had to inform you no matter what. It's about this white zetsus."

Sasuke's eyes hardened.

"White..." Sakura whispered with a glance at her husband.

"Mysterious as it is, I could not find any other means to explain the unknown attack at the base and the ambush when the two of you were heading to our second hideout... the unknown chakra tracks that you've been telling me found around areas you told me to scout... and you told me that in some dimensions you can still find their tracks... you know what it means, don't you, Sasuke?"

"..."

Suigetsu whistled as if he understood everything. Even Karin looked threatened by this talk.

Only Sakura remained looking from one person to another.

But then, Sasuke suddenly closed his eyes quietly as if making up his mind. His wife looked up at him again and was a bit surprised to find her husband's determined eyes when he opened them.

"I guess it's time to chase them."

"That's what I thought. They've been active since they've started hunting you down. Especially around the South. A mission to take track them down in these times can be very productive. We might even find evidence of their whereabouts. Even more... of their plans in the future. This cannot wait that's why we came."

"I know."

"Wait, what's going on exactly?" the pink haired woman stared at her husband with accusing green eyes. "Dear?"

The husband turned to her and explained his theories about Kaguya's dimension he had been coming in and out to, and the threat of a new army building around Konoha that may endanger the future.

"Time is essential," he said with a meaningful look at her, "this kind of opportunity may not come in a long while and I don't think it can wait... I'm sorry, Sakura... I have to go."

He turned to Karin and Suigetsu.

"Will you stay here with her?"

The sincerity in his eyes what more with his voice made the two quietly nodding.

"No..."

Sasuke's eyes widened as he found the voice coming from his wife. He slowly turned to her.

"..." he found her green eyes stubbornly looking down at her closed fists. "Sakura..."

"No!"

Everybody else was silent as the husband and wife turned to each other and Sakura's eyes were brimming with tears.

"I understand you have to go but I don't want to be alone... no, I... I don't want to be separated... please, just take me along!"

"That's stupid!" an angry Sasuke slammed his fist on the table that rendered Karin gasping while Sakura merely shut her eyes close, "You think I'd let you tag along in your condition? This mission is dangerous! I won't let you!"

"I know it's dangerous but I want to come!" the stubborn wife was adamant, her cheeks damp, "You... I want to be by your side when our baby comes and sees this world you are trying to protect!"

Silence. Sakura's unstoppable sobs were the only thing that could be heard in the room.

Karin wanted to reach an arm on her shoulder feeling vexed.

The dark haired man was staring at his wife with his dark eyes unblinking.

Seconds later he sighed and closed his eyes.

"Don't cry."

"I- I'm not crying!"

Suigetsu made a face and received a toe on his crotch courtesy of Karin.

"I can't let you come." Came the man's voice again as he walked toward her who was now sitting on the chair wiping his eyes, "Stop crying... stop making that face... Sakura."

He reached a hand and wiped her cheeks. Karin suddenly whirled to Jugo and Suigetsu and strangled them out of the room to give the couple space—exactly as Sasuke did it—raise his right hand and tap the pink haired ninja's forehead gently and let his fingers stay there for a long while saying—

"I promise you I'll be back..."

Karin stopped to look just in time to see Sakura squirm in her seat, her whole face red from both tears and emotion as she let her eyes stay looking at the ground.

"Keh..." Suigetsu muttered under his breath, his eyes on the two also, "cheeky bastard... he knew this technique will always make her shuddap, eh?"

"No..." came Sakura's strained voice.

"Or not." The white haired man grinned and was forced out of the room with Karin.

The last time the red haired woman looked, she saw Sasuke lowering his hand and listening to Sakura say something about some person called Asuma... Sasuke's hand then fell gently on the pink haired woman's head before shutting the door close.

Even then she knew that Sasuke was already defeated. She knew Sakura will have to come and she, Karin, will have to take care of Sakura. It doesn't matter where their journey will lead them but as Karin went out into the front porch where the sky was as clear as her mind, one thing was certain. She will see Sakura and Sasuke's baby through. She will make sure their baby will come into this world with both her parents to greet her.

This world is cruel... she thought as wind from the ocean started blowing her hair,

Happy endings don't come often...And Sasuke's already gotten his share...

I at least, want to make sure something good does happen to him...

For Sakura... and Sasuke's sake.

~THE END~

A/N: We can all guess what happened after that :)

Still, I want to see moree... moaarr from the CANON...

Kishi-sensei! This finished story is for you!

THANK YOU FOR READING!