Archive of Our Own ^beta

Clark Kent found himself in Konohagakure, home of Sakura Haruno, the love of his life. The circumstances of which were less than pleasant. They were in a hospital. It wasn't much different from the hospitals at home. But the fact that the huge slug he had ridden in on landed in front of the hospital and people came running—not because the slug was a danger to the people. That was something that would happen in his world. No, they came running because of the patient they knew had to be there. This was something new to Clark. This was how Sakura's world operated.

A woman with blonde hair and honey eyes marched up to Sakura and smacked her across the face when Sakura wouldn't let go of Conner. In truth, Clark had been ready to fight at that single action, but Sakura had let Conner go and apologized sincerely contrite. Clark didn't know what that said about Sakura's relationship with the woman, but at the very least he knew she respected her. Sakura wasn't the type to let someone hit her like that and get away with it without reason.

They had thereafter been ushered into the hospital. Sakura apprised the woman with the honey eyes of Conner's condition, and they were both deposited into a waiting room where they sat in silence that after a while Clark decided to breach.

"Sakura—"

"Clark, I don't want to talk right now."

Before Clark could formulate a response to that, he heard someone cry out, "Sakura!"

Sakura's head whipped around, and Clark's followed. A blonde woman with blue eyes and hair up in a high pony tail ran towards them. Sakura jumped to her feet and rushed to meet her. The women crashed into each other's arms. Sakura laid her head on the woman's ample chest, and their arms wrapped around each other holding on tightly. Clark saw tears stain Sakura's face as she wept bitterly. The woman murmured soothing words to her until Sakura composed herself.

"What are you doing here?" Sakura finally asked using the back of her hand to wipe away her tears.

"Sasuke told me you needed me."

Clark tried to ignore the pang in his chest the words evoked. If it wasn't Barry, then it was Sasuke or Naruto. Clark was well aware that he was jealous—because truthfully all three of them had a better standing in Sakura's life than he did. He wasn't stupid enough to remark upon it though. He had made his bed, laid in it, and now he was trying to fight his way out of it. Snarking on Sasuke wasn't going to make that easier.

"Naruto?"

"Mission. You know he would have made it here before me if he were here." Sakura nodded. "So, what's going on? And who is Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome staring at us?"

Sakura glanced back at Clark who slowly turned away. He had made his interest in their conversation a little too obvious. Even at the barest glimpse, Clark knew that Sakura was aware that he was listening. He heard her sigh. "Long story Ino."

"Well, you're here waiting so you might as well spill it." Sakura hesitated, and Clark didn't think Sakura was going to say anything because he was there, but instead, Sakura led Ino to where he was sitting and sat at his side. He refrained from reaching for her hand. Clark wanted to though, and he realized just how big of a fool he was. How had he ever thought he could earn his way into Sakura's good graces? She wouldn't even let him talk to her.

Ino sat across from them and soon Sakura started telling the tale.

It was sobering hearing what happened from Sakura's point of view. So much so that Clark couldn't say a word—because Sakura was many things, but liar couldn't be put on that list.

Sakura's voice grew hoarse after so much speaking which thankfully Ino came prepared with a bottle of water for her to sip on. Ino's face became stonier the longer she spoke, and when she finally got to her arrival with Conner in the hospital, she reached out grabbed Sakura's hand and squeezed tightly.

"You know, if anyone can help him, Tsunade can. Besides, if you weren't so panicked, you probably could have helped him yourself." Sakura sighed and nodded. "So where is your boyfriend now? And why is Sasuke acting like he still owns you?"

Sakura scowled. "You'll meet Barry in a few weeks-and because Sasuke is Sasuke."

Ino laughed. "You so did that to yourself."

Sakura scoffed and folded her arms across her chest. "Like you didn't try to do it yourself too."

Ino laughed harder. "He is one sexy son of a bitch."

Sakura spread her arms wide, "Hey if you're willing to be the jam in a Team Seven sandwich they might take you. Sasuke still wants his heir and a spare."

Ino rolled her eyes, "Please, like I want your sloppy seconds. And ew! Naruto is not my type, and you know it."

"Yeah, I know. Swap Naruto for Shika, and you'd be in heaven."

Ino frowned and Sakura realized she had touched a sore spot. Before she could apologize, Ino turned her attention elsewhere. And by that, she meant to Clark.

"So, I've heard Sakura's version of events. Now, I want to know why you're here."

"Ino," Sakura began, but Ino waved her off. "Quiet Sakura. No one's talking to you. In fact, why don't you leave and go find out if there's news on your son."

Sakura looked at Ino momentarily thinking about arguing, but she hadn't realized how thoroughly Ino had distracted her, and she really wanted to know if there was an update on Conner's condition. So she nodded her head glanced at Clark briefly before striding off. She didn't feel the least bit guilty. Clark was a grown man and could take care of himself.

Ino waited until Sakura was gone from her field of vision before she said, "Well if you haven't guessed my name yet it's Ino. I'm Sakura's best friend. And knowing her, she probably didn't mention me just like she never mentioned you. Do you know why that is?"

"No, I don't."

Ino nodded expecting his answer, "Because Sakura holds the things she loves close to her chest. She doesn't like to share them because she has this irrational fear that someone will take them away from her if she does. So she never mentioned you even though you hurt her in a way that not even Sasuke could manage—and that's saying something because everyone in Konoha knows what a bastard Sasuke Uchiha is."

"I-"

"No. Right now I'm talking, and you're listening." Clark clamped his lips shut. "Now, her son is in there possibly dying, and if I understand correctly he's your son too. And according to Sakura, you showed up right before everything went down. Is that right?"

"Yes."

Ino nodded. "So I'm telling you right now if you did anything to hurt Sakura's son then I assure you that I will turn your mind into mush and maybe if I'm feeling generous after that I'll give you to Sasuke to do what he will with you."

Clark frowned. Knowing what he knew about Sasuke and even how Ino and Sakura talked about him, that didn't sound like a generous offer.

"How is that generous?"

Ino chuckled darkly, "Not generous to you. Generous to Sasuke." Clark started to feel the first stirrings of anger.

"First off, I would never do anything to harm another person-"

"I beg to differ. Because if that were the case, then Sakura wouldn't have sat next to you moments ago looking haunted by a past, sitting right next to her, that she can do nothing about."

Clark didn't like being on the defensive, but he had a feeling that if he couldn't make peace with Sakura's best friend how in the world would he manage with Sakura?

Clark looked down and sighed.

"I don't know what happened to Conner. I do know that whatever happened, it wasn't my doing." Ino leaned back in her chair and nodded. "Second, I regret the way things ended with Sakura. I love her. I want her back."

"Sasuke and Naruto want her back too. I doubt if that happens either."

Clark was seeing there was no winning this. Still, he struggled, "I know. Sakura," It was killing him to say it, but he had to acknowledge it. "Loves Barry. When he comes…you'll see that. I know it. I understand it but…can't a guy grovel at the feet of the woman he loves every once in a while?"

Ino snorted and then laughed outright earning several dirty looks from nearby medics that she waved off.

"Who in their right mind would deny you that right?"

They had to wait until Naruto left to make their great escape because she knew Naruto. It would have been an opportunity to call attention to her doing the same thing that she berated him for doing several times in the past. He wouldn't pass it up.

That wasn't the only reason. Naruto cared for people, and he would know the risk the three of them were taking by removing Conner from the hospital. He would have fought her on it if only to make sure she was certain of her course of action, and then he'd help her.

Sakura opted not to let him know in the first place.

Conner, once they talked to him, readily agreed to the plan. He didn't feel like he had much to lose, and Sakura hated hearing those words come out of his mouth. It made her more willing to leave with Clark. She forced herself to be optimistic because it would do no good for Conner to see defeat on her face.

Besides, Team Seven didn't do defeat. Team Seven only gives up when they're dead.

---

It was an awkward flight. Clark had the foolish notion that she'd allow him to carry her in his arms while Conner rode on his back.

There was no way that her sick son was going to cling precariously to Clark's back if she had something to do about it-which she did. That was why Conner was in Clark's arms scowling furiously, and Sakura was on his back using chakra to ensure she didn't fall.

On the way there Sakura recalled the first time she had come to the Fortress. She remembered hearing of Lois, the woman Clark had lost. She remembered how he had grieved for her, and how she was at his side doing what she could to help get him through it.

Was that how it had started? That thing between the two of them. Had he rebounded with her? Was that why it hadn't worked out?

Before Sakura could work out an answer to those questions, they arrived at the Fortress. She moved closer to Conner while Clark let them inside. Sakura grabbed her son's elbow when he stumbled slightly. He tossed her a small grateful smile in return.

Clark, at Sakura's bidding, picked Conner up and carried him the rest of the way. That had earned her a dirty look from her boy, but Sakura didn't care. Once Clark assured that they were both comfortable, he produced a crystal that turned on his large computer.

Symbols flitted across the screen that Sakura's brain immediately translated without thought. Conner, who was seated right next to her, nudged her. When she looked at his face, she could tell he was puzzled.

"It's Kryptonian," Sakura explained. Clark turned and looked at both of them, but Conner didn't notice.

"You understand it."

Sakura touched her forehead. "My Master has ensured that I understand all the languages in this world."

Sakura saw the awe on his face and preened a little.

"I can change it to English so that Conner understands as well," Clark began. "Some things may be lost in translation but—"

"No, don't. We won't take that chance. I'll read aloud to Conner—we'll take turns."

So Clark and Sakura read a Kryptonian medical textbook aloud to Conner until he fell asleep his head resting on Sakura's shoulder.

:::

They continued the search while Conner slept and Clark kept feeling Sakura's eyes boring into him. She wanted to know something, and he wanted her to talk to him, so he asked, "What is it?"

It was with that very little encouragement that she spoke up. "Do you think we'll find anything to help Conner here?"

"I don't know. But, no stone unturned, right?"

Sakura nodded slowly and shifted so she could rest a hand on top of Conner's head. It struck him just how well motherhood suited Sakura. It made him wish things had been a lot different. Maybe she was as attuned to his moods as he was to hers, still, when she asked, "What?" He was surprised.

He took the chance because he didn't think he'd get it again. "Why couldn't we ever make things work between us?"

He saw her lips twitch. "Because you're an ass."

"You're stubborn."

"Pot and Kettle." Sakura looked away. "And maybe that's the answer there Clark. We're too much alike in the wrong ways."

"Do you believe that?"

"I believe I loved you. I also believe that love wasn't enough. I don't know what else you want me to say. I don't even know why you're here, to be honest."

"I'm here because I still love you—and I know you don't feel the same. I know you have Barry now, but I would give anything if you could at least forgive me…for being that ass, for taking you for granted, for letting you go."

Sakura went very still. Clark could see her eyes well up with tears that she refused to let fall.

"I'm sorry, Clark. We can parent Conner. I know we can coexist peacefully, but I'll never, ever forgive you."

It was one of the worst blows that Clark had ever received. It was right up there with Lois' death.

"You forgave Sasuke." It was the wrong thing to say. He knew it, but Sakura just nodded.

"I did, but there's a big difference between you and Sasuke. Sasuke's an ass. He's been an ass since we were genin. I knew that. I knew going into the relationship that he was going to hurt me. I knew I was going to have to forgive him again and again and again."

"Sakura—"

"I knew deep down," Sakura plowed on, "that my relationship with Naruto and Sasuke was never going to last. The relationship was never on level ground. It was a ticking time bomb. But as I said, I've known both of them for a long time. When our relationship blew up, I knew eventually we'd make up. That's what my team does. We come back together again and again and again. Maybe differently, but that's what we do."

"He loves you."

"They love me," She says it with confidence that she never felt before, "but I can never be with them in that capacity again. Sasuke is going to fight that because that's what he does. He always has to have a war to wage, but Naruto will keep him in check."

"So, what does that say about us? I hurt you more than he did?"

"No. No one does pain like Sasuke." Sakura looked down and smiled wryly.

Superman cleared his throat when Sakura didn't seem willing to say anything more. "Then why, Sakura?"

"Because I'm afraid of what will happen if I forgive you. So I just won't."

They stumble across a section that talked about crossbreeding with Earthlings. Jor-El, Clark's birth father, had stated it was possible with no harmful side effects possible for the child conceived. It was part of the reason he sent Clark to Earth in the first place, to make sure a part of their history continued.

Sakura wasn't precisely from Earth. Yes, she could travel from Konoha to Earth, but she was confident that Jor-El didn't know about her people. How could he? They were adept at keeping themselves hidden. Clark was the first outsider to ever come to one of the Five Shinobi Nations. Diana was the second, and Barry would be the last. So she didn't know what this meant for them, for Conner.

Conner was still asleep, and Sakura didn't want to wake him.

"We can stay here tonight and return tomorrow. I'll put him in bed." Sakura nodded at Clark and watched as he gently lifted Conner into his arms and strode away. When she could see the pair no longer, she closed her eyes and let out a deep breath to stave off panic. Conner needed to make a decision, and she was doing her best not to rush him because she was afraid of what he'd choose. But she couldn't keep putting off the conversation because his life was literally on the line.

She heard Clark come back and sit down at her side, but she didn't bother opening her eyes. She didn't know what she expected him to say, but if she'd had expectations, they'd had been wrong. He remained silent until morning.

:::

When Conner awakened the next day, he called for them. Clark had immediately informed Sakura, and they rushed to the room he was resting in. He had sat up in the bed, and Sakura sat at his side within easy reach just in case he needed her. Clark remained standing. That bothered Sakura for reasons she didn't understand, but she dismissed it when Conner started talking.

"I'm going to agree to the age regression." Sakura choked back a sob and reached for Conner's hand. He let her take it and squeezed lightly. "I trust you. I know you'll protect me." Sakura opened her mouth to assure him, but Conner shook his head. "I don't want to give up my life, my friends, M'gann." Sakura thought that was a plus but didn't say so. She didn't have to. She had a feeling, given Conner's narrowed eyes, that he could see it all over her face. "I don't want to forget them."

Sakura sighed. "I don't want you to, but don't you think it would be a little much if you retained the memories of them while trying to grow up again? Wouldn't it frustrate you?"

"I don't want to forget them." Conner reiterated.

"Remembering them will make it harder to adjust to your circumstances." The words came from Clark, and Sakura was glad he agreed with her. Then he proved her wrong. "But deliberately forgetting them and all they've done for you would be disrespectful." Sakura scowled. "But maybe your mother's people can come up with a compromise."

Sakura blinked and felt relatively stunned that Clark had a modicum of faith in her people. She ran a hand over her face when she realized that yes, they could come up with a compromise. "I have a friend. Your Aunt Ino. You haven't met her yet, but let me talk to her and my Master, and maybe we can."

Conner gave her a small smile. "Let's go home then," Sakura said, eager to get to work.

:::

Ino immediately told Sakura that suppressing Conner's memories would be an easy thing. The jutsu would dispel on its own when he turned sixteen. Conner reluctantly agreed to that after Sakura said she wouldn't stop his friends from being a part of his life as he grew up once again.

Where he would live was also thrown to debate. Conner wanted Sakura to move to Metropolis. Clark wanted that too, but Sakura wasn't willing to play that game. She hadn't had the chance to talk to Barry. What she wanted was for the two of them to compromise and move back and forth between Central City and Konoha. They could be a variation of snowbirds.

She couldn't make an on the spot decision without talking to her partner first. She told both of them that she was willing to do something that would work for them all, but they shouldn't postpone Conner's treatment to wait on that. Both men had agreed.

Tsunade performed her age regression jutsu, and Ino suppressed Conner's memories.  In the end, Sakura was left with a two-year-old son who's smile melted her heart into pieces. She found her own place to stay separate from Naruto and Sasuke. Neither man had been happy with that, especially since Conner was so small, but Sakura knew she needed to create a respectful distance between her and the two men—or Sasuke was only going to get worse. Especially since children loved him—and Conner was no exception to Sakura's surprise.

Barry agreed with Sakura on traveling back and forth to Konoha. He made some agreement with Batman and a few other heroes to keep an eye on his city and contact him if he was needed because if anyone could travel back and forth with no problem, it was the Flash.

Sakura and Clark shared custody of Conner. Until Conner grew older, summers belonged to Clark. Sakura took that opportunity to stay in her village, and if she was needed for more extended missions, then she took them. Barry hated that. And if she were out on a mission, he typically stayed in Central City until she returned. That is until he made friends in Konoha. Sakura was shocked at the friendship that developed between Barry and Rock Lee, but they were good for each other. Sakura also appreciated that one of her friends made an effort to include Barry.

The rest of the time, they divided based upon their schedules. It worked out well for them all, and they were generally happy raising Conner.

And then Sakura's world went up in flames.

Sakura felt a gentle nudge and blearily opened her eyes. It was entirely too early in the morning, and it felt like Conner, with all his rambunctiousness, had just gone to sleep. When she focused, it was to see Barry smiling down gently at her.

They were in Konoha and were supposed to head to Central City in two days, and Sakura was looking forward to going back. She was slowly building a life that was sustainable.

Sakura groaned. "Barry, why are you up this early? The chickens are angry that you're trying to take their job." Sakura grabbed a pillow and put it over her head, but Barry chuckled and pulled it away.

"I have to go."

Sakura turned her head and faced the man she was hiding from.

"To Central City?" Barry nodded. "What's going on?"

"I don't know. A call went out to all League members to return to base."

"Should I get Conner and come with you?" The boy had just fallen asleep. A three-year-old Conner was a hellion. Sakura, who had previously despaired so much at not being able to see any of herself in Conner, saw a lot of it now. Toddler Conner was just as much as a brat as she had been—or at least that's what her mother had told her in the past. She wondered just how much of herself she'd see in Conner now that she had the chance to watch him grow older.

Barry shook his head. "You're supposed to stay here two more days. I'll miss you, but you should stay until then just in case there's trouble."

Sakura frowned. "You know I can take care of myself."

"I know, but you know, I like to take care of you." Sakura huffed but sat up slowly. "Besides, I'm not about to put you and Conner in danger if I don't have to. It wouldn't be right."

Sakura sighed, seeing the logic. The thought of Conner being in danger sent a sliver of fear down her spine, and her mind rejected the idea. "Fine. I'll let it pass this one time."

Barry leaned in and kissed her on the lips quickly then went back in for another. "Marry me?"

Sakura gasped, not sure she heard the man correctly. Tears filled her eyes because, for some reason, she never thought that he'd ask-at least not this soon. They had been together for over a year now, so maybe that wasn't too early at all. Hope fluttered in her chest, and she missed Barry's flinch. "Bad timing. I know. Can I get a do-over?"

"No!" Sakura shouted before she could stop herself, and before a wounded look could enter the man's eyes, she continued, "You get a yes to the worse proposal ever." Sakura said with a grin and threw her arms around Barry's neck and squeezed him tightly.

"It can't be that bad if you're saying yes."

Sakura snorted. "You get a yes because I love you. You get an F on your proposal, but I'll let you make it up to me later."

Barry stole another kiss. "I will. I promise."

He left shortly after that.

:::

"Mama, where Barry?"

"Where is Barry." Sakura corrected.

It had only taken half the day for her little man to realize that Barry was gone. Sakura suspected that had something to do with his senses. A younger Conner, unlike the older, adored Barry. His favorite spot to fall asleep was with his head against Barry's chest. Sakura did not doubt that he was very familiar with the man's heartbeat. He could probably hear it at a great distance.

"He went to Central City."

Conner frowned.

"'Lone?"

"Alone."

Conner scowled, and the look on his face was adorable. "A. Lone." He struggled to correct himself.

"Alone." Sakura patiently reiterated, but Conner just nodded his head like he said the right thing already. Sakura didn't press because with the boy's stubborn streak; he would deliberately start saying it wrong out of spite.

"But, he in trouble."

Sakura paused and forced the panic that ran to the forefront of her brain back.

"I'm sure your father is with him to help him." Surprisingly the two men had been able to work together. Initially, Sakura noted that there was a little bitterness in Barry concerning Clark, but she didn't understand why. She didn't press either because if Barry wanted to tell her, he would. She figured it was one of those things she had to let lie.

Still, whatever it had been, hadn't affected the League as a whole. Clark and Barry continued to watch each other's back.

Conner shook his head and looked at Sakura solemnly. "No. Dada is gone."

That…couldn't have been correct. Barry said that all the League had been called in. He would have told her, even if he shouldn't, that there had been an exception to the rule.

"Why do you say that, Conner?"

"Can't hear him."

Sakura frowned. "Can't hear Barry?"

"Can't hear Dada. He gone." Conner waved his hands in the air as if the concept exasperated him.

Sakura stared at her son as the dread threatened to overtake her. She fought it and decided to let anger take its place. The rage she could manage easily. Fear would cripple her.

"Conner, would you like to spend the night with Uncle Naruto and Uncle Sasuke?"

Conner's eyes lit up. Conner adored her teammates. Mainly because Naruto let him get away with murder, and Sasuke encouraged the murder in the first place.

"Go get Barry and Dada?"

Sakura smiled. "Yes, I'm going to get them."

Conner nodded, approving of her plan. "I go." The boy rose to his feet and ran to his room—probably to fill a bag with as many of his toys as he could.

Sakura would take him to them, and then she would see Kakashi because it was possible that he knew more about what was going on than she did. Barry trusted Sakura with his life.

But Diana trusted Kakashi with her everything. Sakura wasn't about to leave unprepared.

Kakashi frowned at Sakura. She found him roaming with a book in his hand. She briefly wondered what work he had been avoiding but dismissed the thought as minor. At her approach, his head immediately raised. It only took a glance at her face for him to gesture for her to follow him.

They walked until they were somewhere secluded, within the forest of the village. Before Sakura could start her inquisition, Kakashi began his, "Where's Conner?"

"With Naruto and Sasuke." The tension that Sakura hadn't initially realized was there disappeared. "I have to leave."

He realized then what she wanted. "Diana said there was a threat coming. She said it was something they could handle and didn't need help."

"Did you believe her?"

"No, but I trust her to know when to send for help."

Sakura looked down at her feet. "Conner said he couldn't hear Clark anymore. He said Barry needed help."

"You're going to check and see what's going on."

Sakura nodded in confirmation. "You know I can't come with you. You should take—"

Sakura immediately shook her head, cutting off his words. "I have to go alone. I need Naruto and Sasuke here to take care of Conner."

Kakashi frowned. "You don't think you're coming back."

Sakura looked away because she had been avoiding thinking about it. All she could hear was Conner's words reverberating in her brain.

'But he in trouble.'

'Can't hear Dada. He gone.'

"If Conner is right, something took out Superman. You know how powerful he is."

"If it's Kryptonite…" Kakashi began, but Sakura shook her head.

"Conner said he couldn't hear him. If Conner can't hear him, his heart…it's likely that's he's dead." Sakura closed her eyes briefly. "If something took Clark out, then I need to get to Barry now. I can't…I love him Sensei. He proposed to me before he left."

Sakura heard Kakashi sigh and allowed him to pull her into a hug. "We'll both go."

"Sensei, you're Hokage. You can't just leave the Village unprotected."

"It's not. Naruto is here. You know as well as I that he'll be taking over for me. If it happens a little sooner than planned." Kakashi shrugged. "I'm okay with it."

"I didn't come to you for this. I just wanted to know what you knew."

"And now you do, so let's go. I'm not going to argue with you about it." His last words were firm and shut the argument down. She should have argued more, but she was selfish, and she wanted Kakashi with her. If things were bad she would want a ninja she trusted there. She didn't trust most of the League to not get in her way. Kakashi would run interference if necessary.

"Okay, I'll head back tell Naruto and Sasuke that you're joining me, and I'll meet you at the gates."

Kakashi disappeared, and Sakura did the same.

:::

The world was on fire. People ran through the streets, screaming and searching for cover. Creatures flew in the air picking people up and carrying them off to places unknown. Sakura and Kakashi exchanged glances and knew that this was bad. She didn't see one member of the League present and helping these people.

"What are they?" She heard Kakashi ask quietly.

Sakura looked around at the burning buildings, chaos, and death then answered. "Demons." Sakura shook her head. "We need to figure out where they are. I'm sure all the news outlets are covering this."

Kakashi and Sakura moved forward, keeping a wary eye on the skies saving people they could but marching onward to find their significant others.

Kakashi found Diana before Sakura found Barry. She landed right in front of them, slamming two of the demons in the ground right in front of her.

"What are you doing here?" Diana demanded once she ascertained her foe wasn't going to get up again. Kakashi threw a kunai and hit the throat of one of the creatures that were trying to sneak up on Diana. Kakashi shrugged.

"Lending a hand."

Her lips quirked slightly, and then she turned and looked at Sakura. "Sakura, you should know…"

"He's gone," Sakura answered. "It's why I came. I knew you needed help." She knew Barry needed her.

Diana shook her head. "We don't think he's dead. Darkseid could have killed him here if that was the case. The parademons took him away to their world."

Sakura let out a sigh of relief. "And Barry? He's ok, too?" Sakura felt a gust of wind and found herself in the arms of her speedster. She let out a cry of triumph.

"Did you miss me?"

Sakura swatted his chest. "Don't you scare me like this again! Conner said," Barry tossed her in the air, and Sakura spun around, swung her leg, and knocked a parademon out of the sky before falling right back into Barry's arm. "That you were in trouble and needed help."

Barry's lips quirked. "He's a smart kid. I'm glad you came. They took—"

"I know. Conner told me something was wrong. Diana filled in the blanks."

Flash skid to a halt and put Sakura on her feet. She fought off a few attackers while Flash spirited a few people away to safety. When he returned and picked her back up, Sakura didn't protest. "Where are the others?" Sakura demanded. "Why isn't Batman coordinating the attack?"

"We've all been separated, Sakura. I was fortunate to stumble upon you and Diana."

"What about your coms?"

"Communications are down. We lost those first." Sakura growled in frustration. "Right now, I'm trying to pinpoint where as many people are as I can. When I find the Bat, I'll let him know." Sakura swung around onto Barry's back, freeing his hands so he could land a few hits of his own.

"And Conner's fine?"

"He's with Naruto and Sasuke." Sakura couldn't see it, but she knew Barry grimaced. Conner tended to pick up unfortunate habits from her teammates. "I'm about to jump. You should too." Sakura cautioned off seconds before she landed on the ground and made the earth ripple like a wave knocking down several encroaching enemies.

Flash appeared at her side and pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard on the lips. "I love you." He declared proudly. Sakura grinned.

"Forever and ever."

They found what remained of the League. Green Lantern, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Martian. "The others?" Sakura questioned Batman, who looked her in the eye and said, "Either dead or scattered. We're it."

Kakashi stepped forward. "Who's behind this?"

"From what we've gathered, his name is Darkseid. He comes from the planet Apokolips." Batman replied.

Sakura frowned. "What does he want?"

"From what I can tell, he's already gotten it." Sakura and Kakashi glanced at each other, not understanding, but Kakashi realized it first.

"He wanted Superman." Batman nodded as Sakura paled and thought about Conner and his safety. Batman couldn't mean what she thought he did.

"But why?" The exasperated question burst from Sakura's lips before she could stop it. She needed clarification, and she needed it fast. "Did he attack their planet or something? How did he even know about him?"

Diana placed a gentle hand on Sakura's arm. "Superman is well known throughout the universe. He's the last Kryptonian, and he's come into his own. He's a prize."

"He's not a prize!" Sakura spat, and Barry slipped an arm around her and squeezed. Sakura closed her eyes and briefly reveled in his closeness. "What are we going to do?" Sakura asked once she had calmed.

"For now, we'll fight," Flash answered. "Now that we're back together, we can be a little more coordinated."

"I'm going after Superman," Batman interjected, and Sakura looked at him puzzled. "I have the best chance of easily infiltrating the area."

Sakura snorted and drew Batman's attention. "No, Sensei has the best chance of that."

After the two men exchanged looks, Batman conceded. "Then we'll go together."

"Kakashi," Diana began when he moved away from her side. Kakashi looked back at Diana and let his eye crease happily.

"I'll be careful."

Sakura watched as the two men moved into the open. Batman pulled off his cowl and raised his hands in the air. It only took seconds for a parademon to sweep him into the air. Kakashi immediately followed suit. Sakura watched them disappear for a few seconds before she felt Barry lay a hand on her shoulder.

She shifted away from his hand and climbed onto his back. "I'm ready. Run, Barry, run."

The Flash ran.

:::

The world was on fire, but it didn't stop them. Eventually, he came for them. The one called Darkseid came to stomp out their rebellion. They were pushing back his forces hard.

At a glance, he was terrifying. His eyes shone a malevolent red, and his skin was a sickly gray, yet he didn't seem weak. His muscles upon muscles denied that possibility. His arms were clasped behind his back as he surveyed the havoc that he had wreaked.

The Lantern saw him first, forming a giant mallet and hitting him with it. It shattered upon impact.

"Flash," Sakura said, "The Lantern is going to need help."

The Flash changed directions. "Are you handling it, or do you want me?"

The screams of the Lantern rang through the air, causing Sakura to swing her head to see the man writhing on the ground. "I'll go first. You come in once I have him distracted."

Flash didn't hesitate to drop Sakura off behind Darkseid, who was quietly lording his victory over an unconscious Lantern. Sakura used her chakra scalpels to sever his spine. He only let out a grunt of pain before he turned to face her.

His voice was deep and gravelly. It was like he raked nails across her skin, and Sakura wanted to scream when she wasn't injured at all.

"It's you."

Sakura was confused because she didn't think they had made each other's acquaintance before. She was pretty sure she'd remember such an occasion. Sakura pulled her fist back and hit him in his side. He barely moved, and Sakura was hoping Barry was coming soon because she had a feeling it wouldn't be long before she looked just like the Lantern.

"Ha!" The war cry came from Diana, who hit the alien from above, knocking him backward. He let out a growl before his eyes glowed red in a manner that was familiar to her. Was this really the being called Darkseid? Or had they done something to Superman? The strength, the lasers in his eyes, made her hesitate. "Superman?" She called out and took a step closer before she thought things through. He didn't look at her, and Sakura knew she was a fool. This wasn't Clark—mind-controlled or not. There wasn't enough time to take control of him this thoroughly. The similarities in abilities continued to unnerve her, though.

Darkseid's attention was focused wholly on Diana as his laser vision was unleashed upon her. Diana raised her bracelets and deflected the attack. The beams changed trajectory, and Sakura's eyes automatically followed it to see if anyone would need help if the attack should hit them.

Sakura let out an initial breath of relief to see that no one was around, but when she blinked, she saw a blur of movement and immediately screamed. She started to run to Barry, but Diana yelled, "Sakura, I need you."

Sakura pushed away the part of herself that was still screaming and rejoined the battle. She had a moment to look for the others. The Lantern had rejoined the fight, but he was looking weary, and Sakura knew he wouldn't last long. The Martian was done. The fire had become too much for him. She didn't see the Aquaman. Was he down? Was he planning an attack that she didn't know about?

Was Barry dead? If she left the battle now and he was alive, could she save him?

Diana and Sakura came at the interloper with a series of hits. He blocked some, but they landed most of them, although it didn't look like they were slowing him down at all. Despite everything, the three of them worked well together. But in the end, it didn't matter. They all fell until only Sakura was left.

Darkseid lifted Sakura by her neck and walked over to where she had seen Barry's body fall. Sakura pulled at Darkseid's hands, trying to pry them from her throat, but she couldn't manage.

Darkseid looked down at Barry, contempt heavy in his gaze. "This is the creature you left the Kryptonian for? This inferior being?"

"Not inferior," Sakura choked out.

"But he is, and yet even now, the Kryptonian struggles to keep his humanity for love of you."

Darkseid's hold got a little tighter. "I could kill you, yet I suspect doing so will only make it easier for the Kryptonian to break free of my hold, but there is an alternative."

Darkseid turns his gaze to Barry, who was making small gasping noises.

No, don't do this…please don't.

The words rang in her mind because she was unable to say them out loud. Then before Sakura could blink, Darkseid's eyes glowed and ended what was left of Barry's life.

Sakura's world went dark.