Third person POV ___

Naruto was on edge, The thought of Kumogakure going after her or her kids for their connections to Sasuke had her worried and she needed to do something about it.

"Kakashi sensei, do you think I could... Better the relationship between Konoha and Kumo?" She asked, they were at the campsite, she was watching her two kids from afar.

Kakashi side glanced at his student. "I don't know. Being how much Kumo hated your father it would be hard to make peace with them." He stated and Naruto gritted her teeth.

"I want to talk to the Raikage, They might think Sasuke knows about the kids and try and use them as leverage. But he doesn't even know they exist so not only would that not work but it could prove to be dangerous. Do you think I could go and personally talk to him? " she asked and Kakashi sighed.

"At the moment there is no real order keeping you here in the village, Danzo is keeping a close eye on you but that is it. I'm sure you felt the presence of the Root Anbu near you." He stated and I gave a curt nod.

"I could easily loose them, The problem is I do not wish to leave them here. I know it might sound paranoid, But they aren't safe here." Naruto grumbles and Kakashi nods in agreement.

"You could also send them to Mount Myoboku. The toads will keep them safe and you won't have to worry about anyone finding them." He stated casually as he flipped a page on his book.

We had been keeping our voices low to draw less attention. " Alright, You are going to take care of the other two, right?" Naruto says referring to the anbu.

Kakashi gave her a small smirk. "Consider them dealt with." He stated as he closed his book and stood up letting out a loud sigh.

She moved quickly. "Aki! Ryuu! Come here!" She called out for them as she took them inside of the tent.

"What is it mama?" Ryuu asked as they walked in. Naruto didn't say anything as she summoned Gamakichi.

"Any more conflicts?" Gamakichi appeared ready to battle. " Not right now. But I do have a mission for you." Naruto says and he loosens his stance.

"Mama, Is that a frog?" Ryuu asked and Aki stands quietly. Naruto grimaced, Ever since the attack Aki has been quieter. She was usually loud and curious. But now she always seemed to be wary of new things, She also did not want to leave her brothers side for any reason.

"He isn't a frog. He's a toad. I know you two have been through a lot. But mama has some things she has to take care of so I'm sending you with Gamakichi to the toad mountains where you will be safe. You will be staying with grandma and grandpa toad. Okay" She spoke softy and Aki latched onto her mothers ninja pants.

"Mama, I want to stay with you. What if the scary man comes back. " Aki stated as tears brimmed her eyes.

"That is why you must go. I know the people here would protect you with their lives. But I don't want you to be hurt so you must listen to me and go with Gamakichi. I will go get you and bring you back when it is safe." She says but Aki began to cry.

"But I wanna be with Mama and Ryuu. I want to stay with you." She cried out as she held on to Naruto's pants, Ryuu also began to start sniffling.

Naruto crouched down and engulfed them in a hug as she comforted them. "It's okay, I will try and get you back as soon as possible but I must make sure you both stay safe. " Naruto stated , Her eyes also started to swell up with tears as she knew that it would be a while before she got to see them again.

Kurama stirred within her, he too was frustrated but he knew better than keeping them around. At this point even the village wasn't safe and soon Minato's old enemies and Sasuke's enemies would come looking for them and neither of them were ready to loose either of the kids, at least not again. Ryuu was still alive due to an unprecedented miracle.

"Here, Kurama scavenged the area where our house was and was able to find you some more clothes. Make sure you stay together okay." Naruto sniffled as she wiped her children's tears.

She glanced over at Gamakichi and nodded firmly. Kurama decided that he didn't want them to leave without giving them a proper goodbye. He summoned himself and henged into a human and embraced the twins in a hug.

Aki and Ryuu began sobbing loudly not wanting to leave. "I'll miss you two. Make sure you behave, understood?" he stated and they both nodded as they wiped their runny noses on their sleeves.

"C'mon kids. I'm sure Grandma toad will be happy to see you." Gamakichi stated as they both climbed on his back. "Reverse summon." he croaked out and they poofed away.

Naruto stood motionless for a moment, she couldn't hold her tears back as she began sobbing. Kurama gently rubbed her back. "You'll see them again. Once everything calms down." He stated and she choked on a sob.

"Sometimes I wonder when that time will come." She stated, her voice raw from crying. Kurama sighed, to be honest he felt the same way. When were things going to start getting better?

_____

Naruto was geared up in her winter attire, Kakashi and Captain Yamato were at her side. Yamato apparently was tracking the Kumo nin that had arrived the day before and they were currently in the Land of Iron were Danzo had left to.

Meaning that they were meeting with Raikage in this area. Probably went with him to accompany to the Five Kage Summit. Or at least to be on standby and wait to see what was going to be done about Sasuke and waiting on orders on how to proceed.

Fresh snow had started to fall and they were getting closer and closer.

"That's them." Kakashi stated as The Raikage was walking with to ninja flanking him. Naruto rushed forward but came to a halt when the two ninja by the Raikage got in a battle stance when they sensed her presence.

"Who are you and what do you want?" The Raikage asked, his face twisted into a frown as he looked at her, He inspected her features and eyed her wearily.

"I am Naruto Namikaze Uzumaki, And I only came here to request something to you Raikage-sama" she bowed deeply as the Raikage snorted. "Bowing to a kage that is not your own. How disgraceful." He hissed, once he heard her name he knew exactly who she was.

He made sure to memorize her face, The daughter of his arch nemesis. Minato Namikaze's daughter, his living legacy.

"I am sorry if you find me disgraceful, But I only came here to make one request Lord Raikage. " She stood up straight her posture and demeanor not showing an ounce of fear.

"What is it child?" he asked in annoyance but at the same time in amusement. She was young, really young . The daughter of his nemesis, a young teenage mother who was the lover of a rogue ninja and international criminal.

"I know that Sasuke Uchiha has cause harm to the Hidden cloud, I ask that you not seek retribution from me or my children. They might carry his name and blood but we have not had anything to do with him nor does he know of their existence either. And I would like to keep it that way." she stated.

"If you must, Do what you want with him. Be it send Hunter nin after him or deal with him yourself. But please don't involve us with him. There is enough with that Akatsuki that I do not wish to be personal enemies of the Cloud." she stated, her voice was stern and serious.

But inside Naruto felt as if she was betraying Sasuke, But what else could she do? She wasn't willing to see any of her children die because Sasuke strayed too far and became an international criminal. She wasn't willing to put her children's lives danger for a man who she no longer knew and who showed her no love.

The Raikage was silent for a moment. "Your father was Kumo's most hated man. Your beloved following in that suit. So your children were born related to the people most hated in an entire ninja village. I can't say that there won't be ninja that won't go out of their way to cause you trouble in the future. But I will say that I won't personally go after you or your children nor will I send ninja after them." The Raikage stated as he turned to walk away.

Naruto fell to her knees and into a deep bow. "Thank you Raikage-sama." Tears blurred Naruto's vision. It wasn't a complete reassurance that her family was safe. But it was enough to give her peace of mind.

The Raikage grunted in annoyance and ordered his ninja to go as he glanced at her  one last time.

Naruto remained in the same position for a while, Kakashi silently crouched down and urged her to get back up. "Let's go Naruto." He grumbled and she slowly nodded.

Her face was red, The snow had caused her cheeks to flush and her body was slightly trembling.

Kakashi sighed "Lets get an Inn, you need rest." Kakashi stated glancing at his student. It wasn't that Naruto was physically exhausted but this was more like a mental toll.

Kakashi nor Yamato were with Naruto as she tried to rest in the bedroom. She was resting, with everything that had happened she had hardly had a second to relax.

She laid in the Futon nearly falling asleep when she felt someone reaching out to grab her shoulder. She moved quickly and rolled away from the intruder.

"Fast reflexes." The man chuckled as she pulled out a kunai.

She eyed the man, he was the man they had met when they went to retrieve Sasuke. The one with the ability to let things pass through him. She didn't let her guard down.

Her eyes slightly scanned the area to find an exit.

"You know, I have been patiently waiting to come collect you, Kyubii."The man's voice was deep and his tone and words sent shivers down her spine.

The high pitched voice from before was no longer there, She felt a cold chill down her spine at the revelation

"What do you want, Akatsuki." She hissed and the man cocked his head. His body was relaxed as if he wasn't even threatened by her.

"You know what I am here for Nine tails." he spoke as he started walking towards her.

"Kit, Don't let your guard down. Now that I have a better view of him. I know. It's him." Kurama growled lowly.

'What do you mean it's him kurama.' Naruto asked him internally.

"The man who attacked your mother. He took you from the Thirds wife and killed her. He held you Hostage so that your father couldn't redo your mother's seal. He caused the attack. He is the man I told you to be weary of." Kurama growled as he paced impatiently as Naruto glared at the man.

"What, afraid?" He asked as he tried to get closer but Naruto tensed and bared her teeth at him. "Don't get any closer." She snapped.

"No need to be aggressive, Don't take it personal but there are things I need to do." He stated as his hand twitched slightly.

"Who are you, Why did you take Sasuke and what do you want with the tailed beast?" She asked and he snickered.

"Sasuke?" he asked with a mocking chuckle, She could hear Kurama wanting to lunge at the man.

"I told him the truth, about his clan and about the village. All of you lot are fools. As if pacifist little Itachi would just suddenly snap and kill his family. The village did that and then found someone to take the blame. Itachi thought I did not know that the village had sentence an entire clan to their death." the man spoke and she stood quietly and tensed ready to attack as soon as he moved to attack her.

"Sasuke has had quite a change of heart now that he knows the truth about you leaf scum. Now as for why I am here, No better time to capture the nine -" before he could finish the floor erupted with wood style and he quickly dodged the attack.

"Stay away from her." Kakashi hissed as he appeared along side Yamato to her aid to protect her.

The man hissed as he dodged the attacks. Naruto quickly began forming her Rasengan and chose to also fight them off.

Everything moved quickly from then on out, they all moved to attack now that they had the advantage of numbers. "You... You killed my father." Naruto gritted out her voice was low and her eyes narrowing as she pieced everything together. 

The masked mans lone eye slightly widened. " Very perceptive little girl. " He chuckled out lowly as he held his hands up his eye scanning over the ninja in front  of  him. 

" I killed the Yondaime and his wife. They were in my way. But I didn't deal the final blow, he easily managed doing that himself by sacrificing himself to seal the beast inside of you. But that is not what I came to discuss about. I came here to tell you  to forget about Sasuke." He snickered out.

"The boy has finally seen the light, Now that Sasuke knows that the Third and his council sentenced the Uchiha clan to their death, He will not be returning to Konoha." He mocked and they all glared at him. 

Kakashi glanced at her, They were going to kill the masked man before he could cause more mayhem and death. 

"The old man would never-" She was cut off. "Are you sure, The Uchiha clan was blamed for the attack, Isolated and shunned they began resenting the village and were planning to overthrow the governing body and cause the village to go to a civil war, do you think he would allow that?" He asked in a sneering tone. 

At that the three shinobi moved again, Kakashi attacked quickly moving to kill the masked man with his chidori, Yamato made a barrier behind the masked man to close off any escape and Naruto began making her Rasenshuriken. 

But it was futile the attacks simply going through him and he let out a roaring laugh. " Pitiful, but don't think this is the last you have seen from me." With those last words he vanished into a vortex and Naruto let out a growl. 

"He got away." She fumed. She closed her eyes but didn't sense him anymore. 

Kakashi stood silent and Yamato canceled his techniques. " I would say we should report this to the Hokage but at this point there are to many factors. Danzo would never admit if there was  an order to exterminate the Uchiha." He grumbled as he was tense and also looking for any signs of the man. 

"For all we know he is lying, So it would be best.... It would be best if we didn't mention that to anybody." Naruto grumbled as she looked around the trashed room. They would have to pay for repairs on the Inn room.

"We have to plan out our next move." Kakashi sighed .

______________

After talking with the inn owner and Yamato fixing the holes in the room where the attacks had passed through the man and paying for the damages caused they were outside getting ready to leave. It was obvious that the inn room they had rented was not safe anymore. 

"Naruto!" Naruto turned around to see Sakura and a few other ninja. "W-what are you guys doing here? She asks shocked, They all glance at each other and sakura sighed.

"It's about Sasuke, we can't... we can't keep on protecting him." she started off and Naruto grimaced slightly, She knew what Sakura was going to say. She knew that there was still hope for him, but after three years if he hadn't returned even after accomplishing his goal there was little to hope for. 

"I know Sakura." She spoke her voice slightly wavering, her eyes slightly swelling with tears. "You don't need to tell me, At this point I know what we are expected to do. His actions as of late tell us all we need to know. Even if he did return it would cause more harm to the village than good." She stated as she looked away pushing through her emotions. 

"Sasuke is a rogue nin, and it is time that we accepted the facts for what they are." 

Kiba, Sakura, Sai, and Lee slightly stiffened at her words, Naruto had always been loving and forgiving but seeing this change stirred their emotions.

Sakura gritted her teeth, she couldn't help but feel resentment towards Sasuke, if he hadn't betrayed the village or become an international criminal then Naruto could have continued being as Naïve and as forgiving as she had always been.

If he hadn't betrayed Naruto, then maybe things would be different. "I see, So you understand." Sakura stated her voice filled with emptiness. Naruto didn't look at her but continued to look off into the distance.

"Then I guess there is little to be said." She stated as she turned away. "Let's go." She looked at her current teammates and they nodded slowly. 

They all understood, the silence  was all they needed to convey their thought. They were not going to protect him any longer. They had done all they could and he would face the consequences of his actions.

They all left without a single word. Kakashi placed his hand on his students shoulder. He could see the soft warm tears running down her cheeks. "Sensei. Why does it hurt so much?" She asked and Kakashi said nothing, just gave her a small sad smile. "Sometimes, we try but even then we don't always get the results we want." 

_

Garra had passed by and told them of Danzo's actions and how Kakashi was now the Sixth Hokage. It hadn't come to much of a shock considering everything that had happened .

Just as they were gearing up to go back to the village Sai appeared to be returning. " Naruto, There is something else Sakura was going to say." 

"Sai? I thought you left with them?" Naruto stated as she looked at him confused. "I am an ink clone, she was suppose to tell you but I guess she backed out at the last second." His voice was low and he had a look of concern on his face.

"What do you mean?" Naruto asked as she stiffened slightly. "There was a gathering, It was the Konoha Eleven. They all came up with the conclusion that they would kill Sasuke. We were suppose to come here and tell you that we were hunting him down. Sakura was suppose to tell you but she must've thought it would be best not to tell you. It's practically a suicide mission. I tried to convince them otherwise but they didn't listen to much of what I had to say." Sai stated and Naruto's brows furrowed.

"Why didn't- Sai he is going to kill them, Why didn't you say this before?! " She asked in shock. "I wasn't going to come back and tell you but knowing Sakura she might do something crazy or stupid, She loves you and I think it hurt her to see you this torn up about him." Sai stated his voice as monotoned as always.

"We have to go stop them or at the very least save them." Naruto muttered to herself as she glanced back at Kakashi who was frowning and he gave a curt nod. "I think she slipped something in our food bu-" and with that the clone burst. 

Naruto was taken back for a second before she moved. She wasted no time to follow them. She just hoped she wasn't to late.

_____

Sakura laid them down gently as she took a deep sigh, Fuck Sasuke. She was going to kill him. 

Everything had been building up, all the pent up emotions were finally crashing down on her, Ever since ryuu had laid dead in her hands she seemed to be loosing a grip. It was her fault, had she paid better attention maybe she could have kept the children safe.

She was tired and even if it killed her she would tear that bastard limb from limb. She had waived everything off like it was nothing, many fellow medical nin had asked her about her mental state and she had easily persuaded them to the false sense of assurance that she had been alright.

Seeing her precious people die infront of her as she tried to revive them and failed. The way her village had been razed to the ground and how her carelessness could have caused the death of those children. 

She was a shinobi and deception came to her like a second nature. The thoughts and ideas had been festering in her mind. At night all she could see was the dead bodies littered around her, the guilt gnawed at her every time she breathed. It was driving her insane. 

It wasn't like she wanted to die, no she had to many people she wanted to kill before she did that. But Sasuke was on the top of her shit list. 

Him and all of the remaining members of Akatsuki. They were all in her shit list and she was out for a bit of vengeance. 

She moved quickly to the bridge and it was nice seeing him. He was stumbling slightly, Blood dripping down his eyes. "Sasuke?" she called out her voice laced with worry .

He looked up at her his eyes narrowing. "What do you want." He snapped his voice was hoarse and he looked annoyed. She noticed the red haired girl barely breathing on the floor. Sakura walked up slowly her body trembling in what seemed to be like fear. 

"You're hurt." She mumbled as she eyed him. He lowered his guard remembering her crush on him from before. 

"Let me heal you, please. " She cried out pitifully as she shuffled slightly. He snorted. "You haven't changed." He sneered, she still seemed weak and frail, just like how he had last seen her back in the village gates. 

"I've gotten better at healing. I'm more useful now. Let me come with you. I promise I won't get in the way. I won't ask any questions.... I still love you Sasuke!" she proclaimed, her voice laced with such honesty and ignorance that Sasuke couldn't help but feel nostalgic. She had made a similar stupid speech when he had left the first time. 

He chuckled at her stupidity, She hadn't changed a bit. "Fine, you can come. But first you must kill her." he stated as he kicked Karin's side. The dying red haired girl grunted in pain as she panted trying to keep herself alive. 

"Sa-sasuke.. ple-please." She whimpered out tears forming at the corner of her eyes. "I-I don't want to die." She heaved out looking over at Sakura with fear in her eyes.

Sakura's face scrunched up in horror. "o-okay, for you I....I will do anything." Sakura walked forward. Her legs trembled and she broke into cold sweat. Her eyes filled with tears as she got closer to Karin. 

"Please, I want to live." The girl cried softly. Sakura positioned herself infront of Sasuke in a kneeling position. Her back was towards him and she lifted her Kunai up.

Sasuke watched in amusement, Karin on the other had could see it. The bloodlust written on the Pink haired girls features. Gone was the fearful pleading girl that was going to kill her.

A look of insanity seemed to replaced the look of horror that had once been on the girls face.

She didn't hesitate as she struck down, the kunai barely grazing the side of Karins neck. The girl closed her eyes and held her breath. 

Without a second to spare Sakura kicked Sasuke in the middle of his chest. The blow sending him back a few meters and crashing to a pillar. He coughed blood and was quick to get into a fighting stance. 

 He barely dodged the punch that destroyed the pillar he had been thrown to. 

"Sasuke-kun stay still, I'll make it quick." Sakura grinned widely as she moved quickly to land a killing blow.

She had discarded the kunai that she had nearly killed Karin with it wasn't coated in any poison so the girl still had a chance of living.

Sasuke was hard pressed to dodge, the kick had been enough to leave him disoriented.

He gritted his teeth and the bridge began to start giving out. The attacks were fast and precise. He could easily read it with the sharingan  but with how little strength he had left, he had to think quick other wise the kunoichi infront of him would kill him.

He used his chidori to try and stab her but with a kick to his leg he could barely put any pressure on it. He was sure that in one of the attacks Sakura had fractured it.

"Damn, Bastard." Sakura growled her green eyes seemed to be filled with resentment and annoyance a hint of insanity brimming in them as well. Why couldn't he just die? All he did was cause problems. Besides he would be one less Akatsuki to worry about if he just stayed dead.

Sasuke was trying to put distance between them. She hadn't been this good at close combat back when he was in the Village so it had come as a shock at how fast she moved and how her hard she could hit. Another direct blow and there wasn't a guarantee that he would get back up.

He took his katana out and made sure to keep her at a distance, He sliced through the air making her dodge his attacks.

All he needed was one hit and when he saw the chance he took it. He stabbed the Katana in her lower abdomen. He sent electricity through it and Sakura screamed in agony.

 For a moment he thought it would be good enough to stop her or at least slow her down but the Pink haired menace pushed through what ever pain she felt and went back to the offensive. 

It was pure reflex and luck that he dodged the kunai that nearly lodged itself in his head. He managed to jump back to see the new opponent . 

"Na-Naruto?!" Sakura gasped out as she jumped back as well. "Dammit Sakura, Did you have to try and kill him by yourself?" Naruto gritted out slightly eyeing the wound on Sakura's stomach Kakashi and Yamato were at Sakura side in a defensive stand ready to attack Sasuke if he moved towards them.

"He's a traitor and he is part of them, They all deserve to die!" She snapped, anger lacing her voice, tears of anger rolling down her face as she seethed in fury.

 "I know! But you could have died you idiot, you should have at least come with back up." Naruto gritted out as she glared at Sasuke.

"But they would have gotten in the way. At least like this I would be able to kill him with my own two hands. All of the Akatsuki scum deserve death." She snapped as she looked at Sasuke, she was seething in anger. Just thinking about it made her blood boil. 

All she could think about was the destruction of her Village and the his death. Ryuu might've been revived and lived but his death had been very real. It had struck a nerve in her and she couldn't seem to forget that the hatred that boiled inside of her.

"We should retreat, you are far too weak to continue fighting Sasuke." Tobi appeared behind the tired black haired man.

Sakura seemed trembled in anger at the sight of that coat, the Akatsuki clouds making her seethe. She charged forwards and Tobi moved quick to block. 

The Second Sakura's fist connected Tobi was sent flying back. The man sneered. "I said we are going." 

He didn't ask as he grabbed Sasuke and vanished.  Sakura fell to her knees and let out a scream. She didn't enhance her strength as she punched the ground with all the strength her muscles could muster. 

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck THAT DAMN UCHIHA!" She roared in anger as she broke down in tears cradling her head. 

If she could have just grabbed him and ripped an arm or leg off she would have been satisfied but he was still alive and whole. He would live, he would recover.

Naruto loosened her stance. "The girl is dying, She might have intel. You will need to heal her." Yamato stated as he checked on the vitals of the red haired girl.

"I'll do it." Naruto grumbled her eyes not leaving her friend. She wished for a moment that they could go back to a time.... where they had all been happy.

___

Naruto was quick to heal Karin, she had a lot of practice and although the wound was severe the girl seemed to still be conscious. "What's your name?" Naruto asked softly.

The girl panted and glanced at Naruto. "Karin, My n-name is Karin." She mumbled as her eyes trailed off to look at the crying pink haired shinobi.

"May I ask what happened?" Naruto asked as she tended to the wound. She was having a hard time ignoring Sakura who seemed to be calming down thanks to Kakashi.

"Danzo, he took me as a hostage. Sasuke found an end to my usefulness and stabbed his katana through me to get to Danzo." She mumbled out as she looked up to the sky staring off into the distance.

"We will have to take you as prisoner, but I will make sure that you aren't treated to badly. Or that at least your aren't killed due to no medical treatment or torture. " Naruto stated and the girl furrowed her brows. 

"Why, Why are you so so....... why didn't you just leave me here to die? You're suppose to hate me. I am a enemy ninja. I was in Akatsuki and we were hunting you down." She stated confused.

"So, am I suppose to swear my undying hatred towards you?" Naruto asked with a chuckle. "You could at least, your chakra... why don't you have any ill intent towards me?" She stated in a more direct tone. 

"I am not that kind of person, besides..... I can't just let a pregnant woman die infront of me on just a whim." She stated a soft sad smile playing on her lips. Karin's frown deepened as she slowly moved her hand beneath the heavy cloak.

_________________________________________________

Hey Guys, I am finally over my writers block! Honestly Sakura had to have had some pent up emotions about the Akatsuki. I didn't type it in earlier because I didn't know what I wanted to do.

This chapter practically wrote itself and as I said more drama was coming. Sorry about not posting earlier my life has been hectic and I have had so many bills pilled up and UGHHHHHHHHHH but  wanted to at least update this story this month after so long. Thank you guys for baring with my HORRIBLE grammer mistakes. FANFIC.NET readers have been chewing me out lol.

Rosymalik