Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A Mother's Son ❯ Deceit Carved Into Flesh ( Chapter 8 )

For full trained ninjas of a respected village, Sasuke and Naruto had left a trail a mile wide. Any rookie could've followed them, and Sakura was no rookie. Not anymore. She moved swiftly, if a little stiffly, the pain in her side tolerable, but very present.

When she came to the bottom of the impressive cliff, the trail stopped. She sighed, knowing she wouldn't be able to make the climb in her weakened state. Instead, she walked along the bottom, knowing that it would curve into more of a steep hill somewhere along the way.

She carried a small bag on her back, and the heavy fan inside bounced against her back as she walked. The shukusen was a small silk fan, harmless looking, but was anything but. Spring loaded blades hid themselves within the folds of silk, ready to appear in battle. Sakura treasured the weapon; it had been a midwinter gift from Naruto the year earlier.

She walked quickly, making good time. A few hundred meters above her head, Sasuke and Naruto were not faring as well.

“This isn't that hard!” Sasuke snapped, losing his temper. Naruto rolled his eyes.

“Says you!” he retorted, finally pulling himself up over the tricky out poking of rock that had hindered him. Behind him, Sasuke clambered over it easily.

“Guess you haven't been keeping up with training.” Sasuke said smugly, as the pair continued their climb. Naruto grit his teeth in anger.

“No, I really haven't. Been to busy taking care of your son!” Agitation made his voice harsh. He didn't look down at the man below him, but felt that a healthy evisceration was not out of order.

After this, Sasuke shut up. They were close to the top of the cliff, where the spattering of caves waited. after a small argument, naruto had agreed that Sasuke's assumption could be correct. Sasuke expected Itachi to be hiding out with Daisuke in the general area.

The man was stupid. He didn't want to play, he didn't want to sing. All he wanted to do was sit at the front of the cave and be quiet. Daisuke was bored. He missed his mommy, as was contemplating making a scene. He missed his daddy too. Daddy always knew how to have fun.

Not like the man. Stupid man.

Suddenly, a burst of yellow against the dark red dirt caught Daisuke's eyes. He stood on his tired legs, straining to see.

“Daddy?” Dai cried out. He was suddenly very tired and not interested in the man at all. He wanted to go home, and the visible burst of blonde hair was enough to make him run to the cave's mouth. But then, the man got to his feet, looking more alive then Daisuke had seen him the whole time they had been together. The man threw Daisuke backward, sending the toddler head over heels in the dirt.

Naruto left Sasuke to fend for himself at the edge of the cliff. The moment he had seen Daisuke, teamwork had gone out of the picture. He knew with perfect clarity what this was.

A setup.

Sasuke had used him, he had used them all. For the boy. For Daisuke. It became mind numbingly clear. Sasuke's knowledge of Itachi's presence was too convenient. The fact that Itachi sat out in the open, unafraid of any attack also let Naruto know that Itachi was expecting help.

Naruto tried not to think of that as he sprinted the hundred meters between the cliff edge and the mouth if the cave. He could see Daisuke, sitting in the dirt, looking bewildered. Itachi stood; relaxing against the wall of the cave, and Naruto could hear Sasuke's heavy footsteps behind him. The bigger man was catching up, but Naruto knew he could outrun him.

A child's voice rang out clearly in the afternoon sunshine. Daisuke called out to Naruto, struggling to stand upright on his chubby legs. Naruto sped up, skidding to a halt before Itachi. Sasuke stopped behind him.

“Naruto! Get Daisuke! I'll hold off Itachi!” Sasuke said urgently. Naruto scowled. Now that he knew the truth, Sasuke's pathetic attempts at being a team player were disgusting to watch.

“I think not.” Naruto said, turning so that he could keep both Uchiha men in his sight. Sasuke frowned, his brow mashing in sudden confusion. Then, his face smoothed, and he looked chillingly like his older brother. He understood. The game was up.

“So you know.” He stated, squaring his shoulders. He stepped closer to his brother, the two of them effectively blocking Naruto from the cave, from Daisuke.

“Dad!” Daisuke cried again, running towards them. Sasuke spun around and grabbed the boy by the front of his shirt, lifting him of the ground. Struggling, Daisuke started to cry. Naruto leapt forward, only to be struck down by a blow from Itachi.

“Why are you going this?” Naruto growled, spitting blood from his mouth. Sasuke dropped his son, forcing him further into the cave, before speaking.

“If you recall, our clan was slaughtered. We three, the last of the Uchiha blood, are all that is left. Did you really think that I would let one of my blood to stay with a weakling such as you?” Sasuke smiled slightly. “I had hoped…that violence would be unnecessary. The last time I saw Sakura, she had begged me to stay. Surely, she would welcome my return?” A deep frown appeared on his face. “But that wasn't the case. I came back for my son, and my lover, to find that you, of all people, had set up shop in the place where I had once stood.” Sasuke punched Naruto in the jaw. “Unacceptable.” He spat.

Naruto fell to the ground from the force of the blow. He looked up at the two men who towered over him. Itachi was silent, his face a mask of calm. Sasuke was less controlled, his eyes were wild. “How…” Naruto started, but needed to stop for a breather. “How did you find out about Dai?” he asked. Sasuke grinned at this.

“How do you think? Sakura told me.”

Though the hike up the steep hill was not an enjoyable one, Sakura found it easier than having to climb up the cliff face. She was making good time; she would reach the top within fifteen minutes. The caves that Kakashi had mentioned were close by, and she quickened her pace, feeling her determination speed up her mission to reach the hill's top.

As she walked, she felt herself drift into memories. It was as if she was asleep again, and every minute was real, like it had happened only moments ago.

“You can't get rid of it!” he had shouted. They were standing outside a café, three months into Sakura's pregnancy. Naruto had just found out her intentions.

“I'm fifteen years old! There is no way I can give this child any life! At least, with another family, my baby can have some security. That's all I want.” Sakura whispered. She reached out, her hand slipping around Naruto's arm. He wrenched himself away from the contact, his eyes wide in disbelief.

“You're just gonna give up? Before we even try?” he asked, his voice rising, not caring about the stares they were getting from passersby.

“It's not like I have much of a choice!” Sakura cried. “I'm all I've got, and I'm the only one who has to make these choices.” Her voice lowered and she looked to the ground. “You have no idea how hard it's been to make this decision.”

Naruto sneered at her, the hurt on his face more than apparent. “And you never thought that maybe this might affect me too?” he snorted. “Of course not. All you've been doing is thinking of yourself, and your precious Sasuke.”

He turned away from her, chucking the grocery bags he held to the ground. Sakura started after him, then paused, calling out to him. “He left, Naruto, and you're still here! Who do you think matters more to me right now?”

Naruto didn't turn around. “Spare me.” He spat, over his shoulder. He stalked off, leaving Sakura in the middle of the sidewalk, nervously wringing her hands.

Time had passed, and Sakura was near the top of the hill. She felt her mind enter her body again, and she was aware of shouting close by. Pushing her weary body into a run, Sakura moved towards the noise.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

Sasuke grinned. “Did ya really think I was gonna leave her, alone, with you, without something to keep me updated?” Sasuke asked. Naruto frowned.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“He means that he's been spying on us. He's been keeping tabs on us.” Sakura's large eyes bored into Sasuke, making his grin falter. “You knew about Dai, but you had no idea, until we told you, that he was yours. You thought that Daisuke was Naruto's. That's why you stayed away so long.” She paused, her face hardening. “You didn't want anything second hand, especially me.”

Naruto moved towards Sakura, but Sasuke blocked his path. Naruto lashed out at him, the blow making the larger man fall to the ground. Itachi spoke at this, his voice startling Naruto after being so silent.

“You'll not succeed. We'll take the boy, and most likely the girl. Not even Kyuubi can help you now.” Itachi turned and picked up Daisuke, slinging the boy over his shoulder. “Come brother. I grow weary of this. Take your wife and let's go.”

Sasuke stood slowly, rubbing his jaw. His arm darted out grabbing at Sakura. It was then that Naruto snapped into action. He launched himself at Sasuke, causing the two to fall and roll away from Sakura and Daisuke. Sakura leapt towards Itachi, making a grab for Daisuke. The toddler squealed, struggling to get free.

Against just a toddler, or just Sakura, Itachi would've needed to expend no effort. But with Daisuke wailing in his arms, and a furious mother scratching at his face, Itachi lost his temper.

Daisuke went sailing through the air to the horror of Sakura, who launched herself after him. She caught her son in midair, turning as she fell so that she would take the impact. Landing on the sharp stones, Sakura cursed, feeling the blood drip down her face. Daisuke was crying, which she took as a good sign, meaning he was awake. “Baby…are you hurt?” she whispered frantically, turning Dai in her arms. He was bruised, with blood coming from his mouth, but he reached for Sakura when he saw her face.

“Mommy!” he sobbed, and Sakura clutched him tightly to her chest. Over his mop of jet black hair, she looked for Naruto. Naruto was holding his own with Sasuke, but would not fare well with Itachi, who was approaching the two fighters.

“Sakura!” Naruto called, throwing her a look. “Take him and go!”

Sakura shook her head. “I'm not leaving you!” she cried, struggling to stand.

“This isn't a debate!” Naruto roared, throwing a punch that sent Sasuke to the ground. Itachi pounced then, taking Naruto from behind. “Go!”

Torn, Sakura did the only thing she felt she could.

She ran.

She ran the way she had come; she sprinted down the hill, Daisuke held against her tightly. The boy was still crying quietly, burying his face in the fabric of his mother's shirt. Sakura ran away from the fight, from her lover, from her principles. She ran away, against her better judgment. Adrenaline and fear brought her to the cliff's base quickly, in under five minutes. She didn't stop to marvel at this, but instead, took off for the village.

Naruto struggled against Itachi, but knew he was no match for the stronger man. He had seen Sakura run, and was grateful that she had listened to him for once. Sasuke was nowhere to be seen, presumably chasing after his son. Suddenly, Itachi came into his view, a sick grin on his face. “Goodbye!” he smirked, before he brought the rock down on Naruto's temple.

Naruto didn't feel the impact; all he knew was the sweet black oblivion that came afterwards. He floated in memories, and begged himself to wake again. His efforts were futile, and all hope was lost as Naruto sank further into unconsciousness.