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Shikyo no Amatsu Shinsei : hopefully you'll remember me!!! So so sorrrrry for another insanely long wait. So glad that you like the fic & review!! Hope you like this chappie. Your first look at Sasuke!!!!! OMJJJJJJ

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Several health issues have prevented by consistent return, some my own some from my relations. I had mono – yeah it sucked. If anyone has had it you know what I mean. I am still recovering a bit from it, but I am in pretty good shape now. I had the next chapter mostly done but it was a load of poop on a stick so I condensed it into this, and got right into the juicy stuff, ENJOY!!

*******MAJOR MANGA SPOILERS IN 1ST PART*******

Chapter 27: Betrayal

Saying that interrogating Kiki was difficult would be the most insane understatement one could possibly make. It took all the Konoha ninja who were present, and that included, Neji, Hanabi, Sakura, Kiba, Shikamaru and Shino to keep the situation from escalation into a full blown war between them and Mizukage Kanoko-sama, Tsuchikage Mamoru-sama, Kiki and Eiji. After much effort Shikamaru managed to catch them all in a shadow copy jutsu, long enough for Sakura and Hanabi to explain the situation to them before any fatalities occurred. After much protest from Kanoko, she eventually allowed Neji to check to see if Kiki had a mind seal placed on her, which did turn out to be the case. Once removed, the story out poured out, surprisingly without even the slightest hesitation from the Mizu girl. She told them that on the night of the banquet, when Emi, disguised as Cahiti came and cornered her in her room before overpowering her, and placed Mizuika's mind control seal on her.

Afterwards all the remaining Konoha and Suna ninja returned to Tsunade where she formed the teams that would go on the mission, which was practically everybody. Kankuro, against direct orders not to had already left in pursuit of his sister. The first team was Kakashi, Naruto and Sakura. Then there was Kurenai, Shino and Kiba along with Asuma, Shikamaru and Choji. Gai, Neji and Lee formed the final team. Gaara and Matsuri left in pursuit of Kankuro and with much persuasion from Matsuri Kanoko and Kiki agreed to join them as well. Each team moved separately from one another, though they were able to communicate with moderate success, as Kakashi placed at least two of his hounds in each of the teams.

It was only a day after their departure that Asuma's and Kurenai's team found Ino unconscious on the forest floor. Obviously she had managed to escape somehow, presumably with the help of the others who were captured. Shino and Choji agreed to return her to Konoha for medical treatment. It was shortly after that when Gaara's team found Kankuro, critically injured, and his puppets destroyed. They brought him back to Suna for treatment (the closest village at the time). Team Kakashi followed than so that Sakura would be able to heal him. After being healed he was ordered to stay in Suna, for they couldn't not leave Suna unprotected in Gaara's absence. Gaara's and Kakashi's team with the addition of Chiyo, a Suna village elder, and grandmother to Sasori, one of the Akatsuki members, then returned in pursuit of Akatsuki.

It was soon after that when Team Kakashi ran into the Akatsuki members Sasori and Deidara. Sakura and Chiyo managed to dispose of Sasori after a fierce struggle. Kakashi and Naruto managed to overwhelm Deidara but could not kill him because Naruto, allowed the Kyuubi to take over much of his body during his rage, and Kakashi was forced to subdue him rather than finish off Deidara.

As the groups continued to progress closer into Akatsuki territory there were increasing numbers or traps, and fights. Team Gai ran into Kisame, though once he was defeated they found that it wasn't the real thing, and that who they defeated only possessed a quarter of the real Kisame's strength. The following day Gaara's team was attacked by Emi and Mizuika, and what was left of Asuma's and Kurenai's team was attacked by Kakuzu and Hidan, resulting in the most tragic fights yet.

It was as though the very night itself was being suffocated in a dead, lifeless silence. No one dared say a word. There was nothing to be said, nothing that could ease the pain of their loss. Only the faintest tenor came from the erratically swaying trees in the whistling winds that were blowing through the densely covered forest. It was as though the earth itself was mourning over the loss of the two great ninja, Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuuhai. The last remnants of the teams were now reduced to measly eight, and all of them were now gathered around a comfortably sized fire, but the warming glow did nothing to lighten their moods. Everyone, even Naruto was looking grief-stricken and demoralized. In addition to the loss of the two senseis, Gai, Lee, Kiba and Akamaru had been forced to return to Konoha in order to treat their injuries and Gaara and Kiki had been taken captive by Akatsuki. It was certain that it would only be a matter of time before they would start to withdraw the Kazekage's biju. As for Kiki, everyone knew that Akatsuki was planning on using her subtle mind manipulation technique to control the group, and the only one who knew how to defend against it; Kanoko was still in a genjutsu coma, complements of Mizuika. Chiyo was attempting to heal her but it was to no avail.

Suddenly Matsuri went rigid, eyes widening. The sudden movement caught everyone's undivided attention immediately.

"What is it?" asked Sakura as she placed a steady hand on her shoulder.

She shook her head, taking a deep breath, her body finally relaxing. "It's him...Uchiha....Sasuke. I can sense him…he's very close." she said so quietly that most of the company had to strain to hear. She turned to her left, gazing into the East, her eyes glazing over, presumably looking in the direction that she sensed him, at something that no one but her could see.

"Oh…." mumbled Sakura as she withdrew her hand, lowering her eyes.

"No one is to go after him." said Neji's low steady voice with such authority it made Sakura wince. His eyes were pointblank, gazing over the entire group, lingering on Sakura and Naruto longer than anyone else. "It would be a risk to the success of the entire mission."

No one would dare object through Naruto looked like he wanted to say something, but for once held his tongue.

"We have to get some sleep. It would be no use to run into Akatsuki's base if we're all exhausted." said Shikamaru lightly, though he knew as well as anyone that no one would be able to sleep, himself included. He had never felt so grief filled in his entire life. He didn't want to think about the tomorrow or the day after that, when he would have to tell Choji and Ino about what happened, but what worried him the most, was Daichi. Asuma made him swear to look after him, which he would have even if he hadn't made it his deathbed request.

Chiyo nodded. "Who is going to stand watch?" she asked quietly.

"I will." offered Sakura a little too quickly. Neji and Matsuri both gave her disapproving looks. "I can also try and heal Kanoko-sama."

"I'll stand watch too." said Neji sharply.

Sakura scowled at him. 'Damn it…'

Matsuri gave a nod of approval towards Neji before making her way towards the tents as well.

Shikamaru, Kakashi and Chiyo got up wordlessly and followed in Matsuri's wake.

Naruto got up sluggishly, looking at Sakura with a look of forced indifference that only she could understand. She just turned her head to the side a fraction on and inch and he understood in return. Neji hadn't even noticed their wordless exchange. Then Naruto, just like the others, went to bed.

Sakura tried to ignore the sinking feeling of betrayal in her stomach. She felt like she was lower than dirt for lying to Naruto, especially after all that he had done for her. She did her best to shake it off. She knew that she had to do this alone, although Naruto would never understand. Hopefully he would forgive her eventually.

She withheld a sigh and scooted over towards an unconscious Kanoko and immediately got to work. She could feel Neji's piercing eyes at her back all the while. It wasn't hard to come to the conclusion that he didn't trust her one bit. She played the part, working to heal Kanoko, making little progress, for a lengthy amount of time, hours in fact, without even the slightest falter in Neji's glare. 'I guess I have to move to plan B…' she pulled out a long needle from her back pocket. She took off the top protective casing before grasping it in her right hand. She continued to examine Kanoko's body more thoroughly. She could tell that she was slowly loosing his suspicion.

"Neji…" she called. "Could you help me for a second?" she asked. Again she could tell that his senses were once again on high alert.

He sat deliberately on her left, keeping his distance from her needle. "What is it?"

"Could you look into her chakra circulatory system, and tell me where it is malfunctioning?"

He nodded and got to work, helping her pinpoint the problematic areas. She was in fact helping Kanoko, but that had only been a very distant second priority. It was frustrating actually. Because of her façade she was wasting far too much chakra. After a few times he was relaxing again, focusing more on Kanoko, than her.

She had finally seen an opening. She held her breath, and reached back with her left hand to her back pocket, withdrawing another needle, that she had already filled with powerful painkillers that could knock anybody out almost instantly. She looked at his fully exposed and vulnerable back and hesitated. It was a mistake. He started to turn back to face her, when she plunged the needle into his upper back. His eyes went wide in outrage at realizing what she had just done. Sakura clambered forward, and did all she could to hold his mouth shut, to prevent him from calling out to the others. He was unconscious instantly but not before he managed to knock two of her chakra points. His body fell limply forwards onto Kanoko, a look of betrayal etched upon his face.

"I'm sorry Neji." she mumbled as got up. Her lip was trembling fearfully, just now fully realizing what she had done. She clenched her eyes shut as she stood up. She took a deep, calming breath and took off as fast as her legs would carry her in the direction that Matsuri had been gazing. 'Sasuke…I have to find you…no matter what…'

She could feel her heart pounding in her ears, the goosebumps on her arms and the chill of her breath in the frigid darkness of the thickening midnight forest. She was anxious about what her comrades would do when they found out what she had done. She shuddered at the thought. Neji and Matsuri would definitely be the most cross with her, but she knew that everyone would be livid. A low groan escaped her lips as she thought of Naruto. She tried not to picture his betrayed face, but it was no use. She shook her head vigorously doing all she could to justify her actions. She had to do this alone. If Naruto had come, it would surely have resulted in a fight. With her alone, there was a much smaller chance of that occurring. She just wanted to speak with him after all.

As she continued through the forest she slowed steadily, in part because of her mounting exhaustion, again she cursed having used up so much chakra healing Kanoko, especially when she didn't have much stamina to being with, and also in part because of her inability to see adequately in the gathering darkness. It was times like these when she wished that she had some kind of dojutsu eyes or night vision goggles, or even some sort of tracking ability. Suddenly she came to an abrupt stop, sighing melodramatically. She was become increasingly disoriented, and was beginning to lose her sense of direction. She turned, and leaned her back against a thick, chiseled barked tree. "Where could he be…Sasuke…" she mumbled closing her eyes softly.

"Sakura."

She inhaled sharply, her eyes shooting open, darting frantically to find the source of his voice. She finally found him standing, hidden in the dense shadows of several nearby trees directly in front of her. He looked just as she remembered him, only older and more mature, but he also had a darkness about him, and his eyes were harder and colder than before.

She was in shock. She couldn't move, as he began making his way towards her. "Why are you here Sakura?"

She let out a breath that she didn't know that she had been holding. "Sasuke…I-I had to see you."

He smirked inwardly. 'No –kun eh?' he thought lightly. "It was too big of a risk. You should not have come here." he said frowning.

"But Sasuke-"

"How did you get away?" he asked abruptly as he came to a stop a few feet away from her.

"I-I was on watch with Neji, and I knocked him out when he was distracted…" she tailed off weakly because of his sudden change in expression. His eyes were wide, eager and excited for some reason, but all of that vanished almost instantly.

"Neji? You must have gotten much stronger Sakura."

She smiled hesitantly at the compliment. He had approached her again. He was very close to her, she could have reached out and touched him, and it took all her restraint not to do just that. She could feel his breath; see from his face, to his midsection. Everything was now rushing back but still she could tell that something was off about him. His body language was offset and abnormal from what she remembered.

"Sakura what do you want?" he asked as he took another step towards her. "You really should not have come here."

She took an involuntary step back, only to realize that her back was right against the tree that she had been resting on. "Why Sasuke…?" she said fighting to keep her voice even. "Why do you keep on saying that?" she stumbled. Something definitely wasn't right, but she still couldn't quite put her finger on it. She was now beginning to regret not brining Naruto with her.

He took a final step towards her so that they were now literally nose to nose as he eyed her with a slightly threatening gaze. She leaned away from him, plastering her back against the tree behind her, but it was still too close to him. He raised one of his arms, placing his hand directly beside her, blocking her way. "Well, I guess I am telling you to warn you that coming to find me…alone was a horrible mistake. Not that you had much of a choice though." he said smirking.

"Sas-suke…wha-t's wrong with you? What is it?" her voice shook, as she reached a slightly trembling hand towards his face.

His smirk just grew. He grasped her outstretched hand in his own. "I was told that you were a selfless person Sakura, but concerning yourself with my wellbeing when you should be fearing for your life." he said smoothly, refusing to release her hand despite her protest.

She was confused and distressed beyond recognition. "Sasuke, what's going on, what are you talking about? I am in danger? You're talking as though you don't know me-"

"But you see I don't really know you - well I do, but not as much as you would like to think I do. It is you however who doesn't know me. You have never known the real me. Though I am sure you have heard countless stories."

She winced weakly as his grip on her hand tightened. She was becoming increasingly anxious and uneasy. He was right against her, one arm blocking one side while his other hand was holding hers tightly. His head was looming a head over her own. "You're scaring me Sasuke…"

"About damn time you stupid girl!!" he roared. Both his hands shot towards her forearms and held her in a viselike grip. He lowered his head so that it was level with her own. "I was beginning to think that you didn't have an ounce of self preservation in you…not that it will do you much good anyway."

"Wha-!! Sasuke-!!"

She was cut off when he slammed her back first into the tree. She winced in pain at the feeling of the now thickly flowing blood from her head, back and from his grip which had broken he skin. She looked up at him terrified, shaking in fear. "You…you can't be…you're not-t Sasuke-kun-n." she stuttered, her eyes blurring over.

He smirked chillingly. "That was what I was waiting for." He took one of his hands off her forearm, moving it towards her hair, stroking it back affectionately, holding it at the base of her neck, enjoying her shudders, before finally transforming into his true identity.

"You-!!" exclaimed Sakura in a mix of anger and fear. Her shudders turned to violent trembles. She knew that she couldn't get out of this one.

He smirked down at her. "It's amazing really. Of all the people who I have revealed myself to, not one has used my name." he mumbled offhandedly as he caressed her hair. "Now why do you suppose that is Sakura?" he leaned towards her, she could feel his warm steady breath on her neck and that is when she snapped.

"Get the hell away from me!!" she hollered. She pushed him back as hard as she could, her inhuman strength, taking him by surprise. It only forced him back a few feet but it was enough to break free. She took off immediately as fast as she could. She could hear him swear colourfully behind her but she was already in full flight through the pitch black darkness. She knew that she had no chance of outrunning him when she heard him hot on her heels after only a few seconds. She groaned low, knowing full well what was coming. She made a split second decision, turning, to face him, already blindly propelling her arm in a punching motion, which he easily ducked, before he grasped her around her midsection, pushing with such force that she lost her footing, and collided unforgivably onto the forest floor behind with a dull thud. She could feel his heavy weight on top of her, holding her down as he sat across her waist and clenched an arm in either hand.

"Feisty aren't you??" he asked raising an eyebrow mockingly. She struggled in vain to get free, cursing all the while. "Oh, now Sakura, I am not going to fall for that again. If you get any momentum you would be able to throw me off, but I am not going to allow it." he said in a smooth, mildly sensual voice. He moved both her hands above her head before clasping them with one of his own. "Better isn't it??"

She glared daggers at him. "If you want to hear me beg you are going to be disappointed you disgusting, pathetic, worthless excuse for a ninja!!!" she exclaimed, her breaths now coming out in heaves.

He scoffed comically before leaning in towards her. "You know…I was going to wait until later…but I am not sure if I can…you might be almost as fun as Temari." he laughed cruelly when he felt her body tense under his. "I was beginning to wonder if you did fear me…I am glad that I didn't disappoint you."

Her eyes widened slightly, as she continued to fight frantically, but it was no use.

He raised his free hand to the base of her neck and stroked in affectionately. "You know that-" but he was cut short, as his whole body froze. 'Those damn…how dare they do this now…' He made a disgruntled noise under his breath.

Sakura tensed as well, unsure as to what had happened to cause such a sudden change.

"Let her go."

She could have died with relief at the sound of his voice.

Mizuika smirked faintly. He leaned in towards Sakura, his cold lips pressing against her collar bone. "You will be mine." he mumbled just loud enough for the new arrival to hear. He could sense the other ninja's growing hostility as he felt their long sword like blade against his throat.

"I don't like repeating myself. I said let her go."

"I do not see how you have the upper hand on this, the weakest Uchiha. I can crush her instantly if I so choose."

His eyes darkened, and in a flash Sasuke sliced into Mizuika's neck, but he moved just in time, but not before he crushed both of her wrists with the hand that had been holding them. Sakura cried out in agony, but Sasuke was in front of her in an instant, blocking her from Mizuika.

She was forced to bite down hard on the inside of her cheek to stop crying out. She took a deep, unsteady breath, trying to block out the throbbing pain. "Sas-suke I-"

"Why are you here?" he demanded cutting her off. It took her a moment to realize that the question was directed at her.

"I-I uhh-"

"It was a foolish thing to do. Next time I will not save you."

Her eyes widened and she had a sharp intake of breath at the harshness of his words.

"You would think twice about that if you knew what I was and still am planning on doing to her." added in Mizuika smoothly.

Sasuke's eyes darkened. He could feel Sakura shudder behind him. But then something struck him. This wasn't Mizuika, or at least not all of him. He could tell with his Sharingan…that not all of him was there. "Mizuika…you are not at full strength…not even close to full strength."

He frowned at him. 'How did he…? That damn Uchiha.'

"If you choose to fight, we both know that I will win. I though am not looking for a confrontation with you at the moment. It would be useless to kill you at a quarter strength. I need the whole thing."

"Cocky aren't you?" he questioned raising an eyebrow as he withdrew a kunai and got into a practiced fighters stance.

"Sakura get back." he said sharply, as he raised his hands on either side of him, shielding her from Mizuika.

"No…I can fight too." she said as she got unsteadily to her feet.

"You will only be in the way."

"No, I won't hide behind you anymore."

"How has that worked for you over the past three years?" he shot back sharply.

She scowled at his back. She was outraged that he would mock her like that. She didn't even care that Mizuika was watching the exchange with avid interest. "I have been fine without you Sasuke."

"Didn't seem like that when I got here."

"I have gotten stronger."

He finally gave in. She wasn't going to buy it. He took a step back so that he was only marginally ahead of her. He turned to her so that only she could hear. "I know, but you are injured, and too slow to fight him, and I cannot fight him while protecting you too."

She had a sharp intake of breath. "Oh…Sasuke…"

"You do have a point there Sasuke…plus I have a similar problem. You on the other hand are at full strength but why kill you here Uchiha, with only one of your teammates here to watch you fall."

A low growling noise escaped his lips as he began to make his way towards Mizuika but he was stopped when he felt an unsteady hand being placed on his shoulder. "Don't do it…please…he is just trying to anger you…" He reached back to remove her shaky hand but made no move to attack.

"Hmmm…it seems that my time here is at its end. Tread carefully Sakura…if I ever find you again, alone or otherwise, I will not let you go this easily. Besides your friends are not far away." And with that he turned around and vanished from sight.

She exhaled an unsteady sigh of relief, but she could tell that there was something up. Why did he leave so abruptly? There was more than what Mizuika had let on. It was highly suspicious.

"Sasuke…thank you…"

He turned to face her, standing about a foot away, and it was then that she finally got a good glimpse of him. He was eying her disapprovingly. "Why did you come here and alone too? I don't remember you being this suicidal."

She looked away from the harsh gaze he was giving her. "I had to see you again…" she mumbled.

"Well now you have." And with that, he turned his heel and began making his way back the way he had came.

"No wait Sasuke! I have to talk to you. I need to warn you, please. It's important."

He came to a stop but didn't turn to face her.

"Sasuke…Kurenai and Asuma were killed. Temari, Hinata and Tenten are being held captive, and they also just captured Gaara and Kiki."

"…I know…anything more?" he asked, finally turning to face her.

"Yes…it's that Gaara, he's a jinchurriki, a host for a biju and Akatsuki are most likely already drawing it out now."

"That must have been why he left."

She nodded in agreement. "That's right. They need all of Akatsuki present to withdraw it. The withdrawal takes three days, and when it's complete the host dies. As for Kiki, she comes from a clan that specializes in telepathic jutsu's, and hers is the most evolved. She can manipulate people to do things subtly, without them even knowing it themselves. The only weakness I know of is that it cannot work of jinchurriki because there are two minds in the same body."

He eyed her seriously and took a step towards her.

"Mizukage Kanoko-sama, Kiki's older sister is with us but she is unconscious from the fight, what-what's wrong??" she asked as he came right in front of her, eying her strangely.

He didn't answer. He just reached a hand towards her neck.

"Sasuke…"

"Shh…" He held his hand at the base of her neck. "Is he able to use seals…mind seals to control people?" he asked.

"How did you…?"

"He put one on your neck."

"When?" she realized almost instantly. "Oh…"

"It probably enhances Kiki's ability. Do you know how they are removed?"

She shook her head. "No, but Neji does."

He frowned slightly. 'I doubt he will do it now.' His Sharingan eyes scanned it over as he ran his fingers over the seal, which it seemed that only dojutsu eyes could see.

"Do you know how to?"

He didn't respond immediately, still analyzing the seal. "I can guess."

She gave a small nod in response as she lowered her gaze.

He pulled back, frowning slightly as he formed several hand seals before he placed one hand flat on the base of her neck. "Release!"

"D-did it work?"

Again it took him a while to respond with another curt nod, but he seemed oddly confused. "Sakura…this mind manipulation that the Mizu girl has…could it have made you come here in search of me?"

She gasped, her eyes widening in realization. "Yes…" she responded breathlessly.

"Could it have convinced me to come here to protect you?"

She nodded wordlessly since her voice had failed her yet again.

"Could it be controlling us now?"

She didn't feel the need to respond. He knew the answer. "But it is a subtle jutsu. It can make the choice between two or more paths a person considers choosing, but it could not convince someone to kill their best friend."

He nodded again. This was bad. Akatsuki could basically predict everything they would do and choose it themselves so it fit their schedule. And with only Naruto who was immune to it, and the Mizukage unconscious, there was now a gaping hole for failure. "Sakura, heal the Mizukage as soon as you can, and force her to tell you all the weaknesses of the jutsu, and how to protect against it…and come meet me back here tomorrow."

"You want to know the weaknesses too??"

"Yes." he confirmed. "I will track you from your hideout incase if Mizuika or anyone else shows their face again." He looked down at her seriously. "You cannot tell them. They won't let you come."

"I know. I'll find someway. I promise." she swore.

He seemed to finally relax for the first time but there was still something that was bothering him. "Sakura?"

"Hmmm?"

"Why haven't you tried to convince me to return to Konoha?"

A low sigh escaped her lips. She hadn't expected him to bring it up. "I hope that you know that my wishes haven't changed Sasuke…" she said quietly as she lowered her eyes. "I do also understand your own wishes though, and I know that if you are even half as stubborn as I remember you, you would leave as soon as I brought it up. My priorities have changed for this mission. Before your return was always number one, but now it's the retrieval of Temari, Tenten, Hinata, Kiki and Gaara, and since you are also looking to fight Akatsuki, annoying you with my wishes would risk failure."

He smirked slightly at her before he disappeared from her sight. She could sense him directly behind her. It was just like the last time he had left her.

"Sasuke I-"

But she stopped when she felt his hand on her shoulder.

"They are nearly here."

"Ohh…"

"Remember, come here again tomorrow."

She nodded solemnly. She could hear them already as they approached through the trees. "Sasuke-"

Her breath was caught high in her throat as she felt his other hand being placed on her shoulder and his felt warm breath on her neck. "Thank you…Sakura."

And with that he vanished, but not before Naruto and Matsuri had just now burst through the trees caught a clear glimpse of him.

Hope you enjoyed!!!!!!!!!

I finally have probably gotten a beta that will help me go over the entire fic,

Till next time,

much love,

temariXshikamaruluva