Uchiha || Sequel to Haruno

Seven : The Problems

Naruto paced back in forth in worry and uneasiness.

Sasuke remained silently seated beside one of the hospital beds.

Shikamaru was observing the two.

Shizune was observing the two.

Tsunade, who's still as young as ever, was observing another figure.

That figure being, Orochimaru.

Beside him was Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro.

Sasuke breathed out a long, somewhat quiet sigh, and looked at yet another different figure, which can only be seen by him.

"What exactly happened. . .?" He asked.

Naruto immediately jumped and blurted out,

"Gah! Sasuke's talking to the ghost!"

Indra stared at Sasuke as if to study him before starting to speak.

"I believe that they are trapped at another timeline, if the jutsu had the proper effect. Though I am sure that it had failed seeing as their bodies are here." He explained.

Pertaining to the sleeping bodies of Sarada, beside Sasuke, and Sasori, at another bed.

"Hmm. I have never sseen anything like thiss. They do not resspond to any kind of sstimuluss. But they have sstable heartbeat and vital ssignss. I believe we can call thiss a sstate of comatosse." Orochimaru mused.

"This isn't comatose." Sasuke stated.

"What iss it then?" Orochimaru inquired.

"It's not a state of comatose rather it is a soulless state. These are empty vessels without their souls. That is only a hypothesis as I haven't seen such an occurence before." Indra explained which Sasuke relayed to the others.

"Why has it come to this, Sasuke? What were you and Sakura planning?" Tsunade inquired.

Sasuke hesitated for a moment. He wasn't sure whether he has the right to explain everything. But this time, he believes he does. Sakura had decided everything, and had told him to keep it a secret as to not compromise the mission. But Sarada was now right here, apparently soulless. The plan has failed from point one.

"Sasuke. I know it is not my right to impose or tell you what to do. But as I'm the one who found the two of them. And it has been five days since then and they don't seem to be waking anytime soon. I think it is only proper for you to tell us what might be the reason for all this, no?" Gaara suggested in a rather serious manner.

He was one of this who were devastated by the news of Sakura's death. He's curious as to why it was even necessary for her to die. And what had caused such a powerful person's death.

Sasuke sighed again.

"It all started when all of us found out that he really is still alive and that he's planning to make a move. Sakura was afraid of what he can do to Sarada and so she devised a plan." Sasuke started.

"What plan, 'ttebayo?" Naruto questioned.

Sasuke was about to answer but they were cut off when a huge gash appeared on Sasori's left arm.

Sasuke stood up and the others went from relaxed to tensed.

"What's happening?" Gaara questioned.

Orochimaru and Tsunade glanced at each other. Tsunade quickly went to check Sasori's vitals.

"It's unstable. His heartbeat is erratic. Blood pressure is higher than normal. . .What is going on?"

"Ugh. . ." They all paused when they heard Sarada groan.

A rather deep wound appearing on her left forearm. Like it was caused by a kunai.

"Shizune! Check on her!" Tsunade ordered.

Shizune quickly studied the wound and frowned.

"It's poisoned. . .!" She growled.

"Well then, heal it!" Sasuke ordered frantically.

He can't understand the situation and thus he is panicked. Sakura had not informed him of what to do in case this has happened. He never took it into account either so he never asked. He had trusted Sakura's plans. She was smart. She's resourceful. And she's powerful.

Sarada is not his child so why should I worry? Simple.

She's the only one left for him.

In the middle of the commotion, Hinata barged into the room.

"I'm sorry if I'm interrupting something, but there's an emergency." She announced.

"What is it, 'ttebayo?" Naruto asked.

"I sensed his chakra signature 6-7 miles from the borders of Konoha."

***

'How has it come to this?'

'It was all going fine, so how did I get myself into this situation?'

Sarada thought.

It was all fine really. She woke up that day beside her mother's child form. Or rather she was woken up by her mother's child form.

And the day went on after that.

"Sarada! Wakey wakey~!" Sakura singsonged in an attempt to wake Sarada up.

And due to all the confusion, Sarada's sleep was rather shallow so she woke up easily.

She was shocked to see her mother's face, in her child form of course, only to remember all that had happened the day before.

"Come on, Sarada-chan! Let's have breakfast and I'll ask Papa to look at your memories!" Sakura cheered and dragged her down to the dining room.

There she saw Saizo sitting cross- legged on a dining chair while reading a newspaper. Kaguya had her hair tied up while putting the breakfast dishes onto the table. She removed her apron to greet her and Sakura.

"Good morning you two. Did you sleep well?" She asked.

Sarada gritted her teeth before nodding. She's starting to grow scared of the situation. She's alone in a timeline which she is unfamiliar of. And her supposedly partner was missing from day one.

Sakura say her down beside her and told her to eat.

"We slept well, mom. Oh, and dad, it seems that Sarada had amnesia, you can help her right?" Sakura inquired.

Saizo averted his eyes away from the newspaper and looked at the girls.

"Oh? Amnesia? That's terrible. But are you sure you'd want me to look at your memories, Sarada-chan?" Saizo asked.

"Ah. Actually--"

Sarada was cut off when Sakura answered for her.

"Dad. Of course it's alright. She's got amnesia! Who wouldn't want to remember?!" Sakura demanded.

"Alright! Alright!" Saizo chuckled.

'Shit' Sarada thought.

Saizo squinted his eyes at Sarada, making her tense up all the more.

"Hmm?" Saizo muttered.

"What's wrong?" Kaguya asked.

"That's strange. . ." Saizo muttered.

'Did he find out?' Sarada thought worriedly.

"I can't see anything before the events yesterday."

***
Oh my gosh. Sorry for the late update. I was super busy with school and then my birthday, then Christmas and then New Year and the coming exams.

But here it is. Sorry really!

I'll try to update more often from now on since it's quite nearing the build up for the climax of the story. But it's still got a long way. Anyway,

Thank you for the support!