What Was Lost: A Naruto Fanfic

Prologue

Two babies had been born to Sakura and Sasuke Uchiha, and both parents were eager to meet their newborn children.

Sakura lay, waiting impatiently to see her babies. "Karin! Where are my babies?!"

"Calm down, you'll see them soon." Karin huffed. "Jeesh. So impatient. "

"These are my children. I want to see them now!"

"Ok! Ok, don't worry, you'll see them soon. " Karin relied, trying to reassure the new mother. Sakura was already on edge, do to Sasuke trying to complete a dangerous mission for the Hokage, so Karin wasn't to annoyed with Sakura's insisting to see her children.

Sasuke rushed over to his wife's side as fast as he could. He couldn't wait to meet his newly born children. While his mission for the Hokage was important, his wife and newborns were all that mattered now. Sasuke wished Sakura hadn't insisted on coming with him when she was so late in her pregnancy but there was nothing that could be done now. Somehow Sasuke had known from the beginning that her coming was a bad plan, and it turned out that he was right.

Sasuke felt fear and panic rise. Something told him something wasn't right. He feared for the lives of his children and Sakura. They were the most important thing in the world to him. He couldn't bear the thought of losing his family again.

Sasuke rushed to Sakura's side and cupped her face in his hands, kissing her forehead. Sakura gave him a pout.

"Nice job, Sasuke! You missed the birth. " Sakura puckered her lip even more into a pout.

"Sorry," Sasuke replied breathlessly. "Where are my children?" Sasuke feared the worst. "D-dont tell me.."

Sakura punched Sasuke's arm. "Why do you always assume the worst? No they're not dead. Does that have to be the first thought that comes to your head?" Sakura jabbed him in the forehead playfully.

"Well then where are they?" Sasuke batted away Sakura's hand, irritated. "Where are my children, Sakura?"

"Right here!" Karin replied brightly, bringing in a baby girl. She nestled the baby gently into Sakura's arms.

Sakura smiled down at her baby, gently running her fingers on the baby's soft pink cheek. She had never seen anything so precious or wonderful as the tiny gift of life nestled in her arms.

"Sasuke." She whispered. "Have you ever seen anything so wonderful?"

Sasuke didn't answer. He was too busy marveling at the tiny baby. This precious gift of life that he and Sakura had been blessed with was the most important thing to him. Sasuke swore to protect her, no matter what. Even if it meant laying down his life for his precious little girl. But.....where was the other? Sakura seemed to be asking the same question.

"Karin? Where's the other one? Where is our son?" Sakura asked, her smile fading.

Karin's expression turned grave. "I'm so sorry. "

Sakura felt her heart break in two. "No. " she whispered. "No, no, no ,no."

Tears filled Sakura's sea green eyes. She couldn't belive it. She didn't want to belive it. Her child was dead. She looked up at Sasuke to see tears swimming in his dark eyes. Sakura was surprised. Sasuke didn't cry. But this was enough to break his emotionless mask.

"S-Sasuke!" Sakura sobbed, taking hold of Sasuke's hand.

Sasuke tried to hold back his tears for Sakura's sake. The children he'd sworn to protect. One of them was already dead on the day of his first breath. Sasuke knew it was irrational, but he couldn't help but feel personally responsible. Why couldn't he have stopped this? Why couldn't he have saved Sakura from this pain?

Sasuke felt more pain and guilt.wash over him. He'd already been the cause of so much pain and suffering, and here he was again. The cause of yet more heartbrake. Sasuke stared at Sakura's weeping form, her arms still clutched protectively to the tiny baby. Sasuke wrapped his arms around his suffering wife, who snuggled deeper in to his embrace.

Karin stood off to the side, respectfully of the grieving couple. They'd lost so much only to lose more. They were broken. But not beaten. Karin thought to herself. There was no one on this earth that Karin respected more than these two people. There was no one who was stronger. If anyone can brave this pain, it's them. Karin was confident that theyd get through this. But she also knew that they're hearts would forever be scarred by the loss of their child, and thoughts about what might have been.

♤♤♤

Far away in the Land of Rain, Itachi Uchiha trudged along the muddy lonely road, rain pouring off his straw hat. He was soaked and chilled to the bone, his joints stiff from cold, but he continued forward anyway. Itachi had real destination, no home to return to. He was supposed to be dead. Well, surprise. He wasn't. Returning to Konahagure wasn't an option. They didn't want him there. He was an S-class criminal, who'd committed serious crimes against the Leaf, including betraying his own clan. No, he wouldn't return to the Leaf. He couldn't. They were enjoying a time of peace. His presence would ruin it.

Itachi looked up into the gloomy sky, rain splashing on his face, masking fresh tears. Many years of guilt and regrets rested heavily on Itachi's shoulders. He'd done more harm than good, so why was he still alive? Itachi sighed, than he noticed a small bundle lying by the side of the road. Curious, Itachi peered at the bundle realizing it was a baby.

Itachi stared. A baby. Left by the side of the road? The parents were nowhere in site. Itachi gently picked up the shivering child, holding him close. Itachi couldn't help but feel sorry for the baby. Whoever had left him obviously hadn't treated him well. The baby was covered with various cuts and bruises, have dead with cold. Itachi knew the baby wouldn't last long in the cold rain. He'd have to find shelter in the next town.

Itachi hurried through the rain and gloom, holding the baby close to him. Itachi's own warmth couldn't do much considering he too, was soaking wet, but he had to try. Why he cared so much for the child, Itachi didn't know, but for some reason, he couldn't bear to let the child die.

Itachi took shelter in an inn in the next town, his mind focused on the child clutched in his arms. As soon as he was alone in his room, he took the wet clothes off the child and wrapped the baby in a soft warm towel. The baby lay on Itachi's bed, fast asleep. Itachi hung the baby's blanket up to dry and noticed something embroidered on the hem. Harume Uchiha.

Itachi's eyes widened. He glanced back at the sleeping baby. Could this baby possibly be......an Uchiha? Itachi swallowed hard. If that was the case then, this child needed more protection than he thought. There weren't any Uchiha still in the Land of Rain. The only possibility of who's child it was........

"Sasuke." Itachi whispered. Looking over at the tiny baby curled up, still fast asleep.