Understand Me

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of its characters. I only own the story and the made up characters. Thank you.

Summary: What if you learned that your soul had lived a previous life? What would you do? Sakura had a dream of a scene vaguely familar yet distant. Her parents killer comes after her and she's running. Who can help her? Maybe Itachi Uchiha? Summary sucks. Read story, it's good.

Note:

This used to be a Gakuen Alice fic but it didn't work out so I changed it to a ItaSaku fic. Hope you like it.

Chapter 1

Far away from society, deep in the deep green forest, hidden beyond hidden stood a small brick house. Surrounded by dozens of flowers of all shapes and sizes the small brick house was an image of heaven. Butterflies fluttered around overwhelmed by the delicious scent of flowers. Sun light shined through loop holes above the trees creating an angelic scene. Living in such a godly house is a small woman with long pink silky hair and an astonishing shade of emerald green eyes. Her features were fragile and small yet she stood tall and perfect. Day and night she'll spend her times minding her own business and caring for the forest. Society knew nothing of her and she knew nothing of society. They past her by as she silently smiled and waved. They couldn't see her but she saw them. With a silent call, she wished for a place out. Yet the results were the same, no one heard her. Sadness clouded her eyes as invisible tears decorated her face. The same thought ran in her mind: when will I be able to leave?

Fearful of being trapped for eternity she called out for help every day, from dawn to sunset. No one answered her. Admitting defeat one day, she sat by her door to the brick house and stared at the trees above. The silence was deafening and murderous for she hears nothing but that each day.

"Hey, why you sitting there?" a husky baritone voice called just beyond the flower bed. Shocked at hearing another voice she snapped her head forward. Staring straight at her was a tall muscular man with long black hair and crimson red eyes. He was the most stunning creature she'd seen for eternity.

He stared back with patience and a small smile. Dumb folded; she asked the one thing on her mind.

"You can see me?" she asked with disbelief. This earned her a confused look as he scratches his head.

"Of course I can, you're human right?" he asked back. Slowly she nodded her head and stood. Just when she was giving up, this man shows up and is able to talk to her. He can even see her! Happiness welled up in her heart as tears formed. Quietly it slid down her face and descended onto the porch. The god's answered her prayers! With a slow pace she walked across the flower bed towards the man who continued to stare at her curiously. Her pace quicken as she came closer. Soon she was walking a fast pace and standing in front of the man. Without thinking her hand reached towards the man. He stood and watched her every move. The closer she got the more her heart raced. Just as she was an inch away, static electricity stung her hand. Shocked and pained she pulled back and cradled her hand.

"Oi! You ok!" the man tried to reach for her but the static shocked him as well. "Che! What is this, a barrier?" he examined it again by moving back and threw a rock at it. The static shock the rock and it exploded. Feeling the shock, the girl fell back and onto the flower bed. His eyes widen; he rushed to the barrier, careful to not touch it, to make sure she was ok.

"I'm fine… yes it's a barrier, a time barrier to be precise." The young man looked at her shocked. She smiled a sad smile. "I've been calling out for help. Day and night, I sat and wished someone would actually hear me. I began to give up… thank you… thank you…" tears began to glisten down from her eyes as she cried. He shook his head. He felt it, the suffering she's in; trapped in a time barrier with no one but herself.

"I'll get you out. I definitely will." The young man shouted. She looked up surprised at the young man. Did she hear what she thought she heard?

"You… mean it? You'll really get me… out? Really?" he nodded and asked for her to step back. Obliging, the girl took several steps back and watched as the young man took out his sword and walked several paces back as well. Placing the sword in front of his face, he closed his eyes and concentrated deep within himself. The air around the barrier quicken as she felt the pressure around the barrier tighten. A slight fear initiated in her; looking around, she noticed how the light was fading and darkness was taking over. Turning back to the young man she watched amazed as flames began to swirl around his sword. It gathered at the tip creating a small fire ball that increased in size. Backing up even more, she stared entranced as he opened those crimson eyes and raised his sword above his head.

"Trust me." He spoke to her. They locked gazes for several seconds. She hesitated for a minute but soon nodded her head. Placing her hands on her heart, she bowed her head and closed her eyes. A small smile spread across the young man's face, she trusts him. His attention focused onto the fireball at the tip of his sword. With a war cry he swung it forward launching the fire in the girl's direction. Just as he swung the sword he called out.

"Phoenix fire!' the fire ball shape shifted into a large phoenix and charged for the girl. It collided with the time barrier and pushed against it. Standing in position with his sword in both hands in front of him. He used all of his will power to push farther. The phoenix fought against the barrier's static electricity. Slowly and painfully, the barrier began to crack. Using more will power, the phoenix screeched and passed right through the barrier, breaking it apart. It flew past the girl and right through the other end of the barrier. It shattered like glass; with a soft breeze the fire phoenix settled down and disappeared.

The air lessened in pressure as the light began to flow back in. Suddenly her ears were full of noises. She heard the noises of animals and chirps of birds. And the heavy breathing of the young man. Her eyes opened and soon she was fascinated by the sight around her. She's seen it many times but never with so many sounds. It was a new experience. Slowly, she observed everything around her. Deep heavy breathing caught her attention. Swiveling around she caught sight of the young man crouched down sweating. Worry took over; she ran to him and knelt down.

"Sir, are you ok? Sir!" she tried to get a reaction. He raised a shaky hand to his forehead then laughed. "Sir? Why are you laughing? Did you injure yourself?" her worry multiplied. He shook his head and stood.

"No, no… just a bit tired is all." He gave her a soft smile then looked around. A proud feeling set in. Suddenly he felt the need to gloat about his success. "Told ya I'll get rid of the barrier. I did such a perfect job too. You're not even scratched." She giggled then it dawned on her. His technique's fire. So why isn't she burning?

"Sir, why am I not burned?" she asked. He chuckled

"I have better control over the fire. It past right through you as if you were invisible." He explained. Before they can get any further, the ground shook violently. "What!" The girl's eyes widen once again as another thing dawned on her. She forgot all about the guy who trapped her in the time barrier.

"Sir! Run! Please!" fearing for his life, she pushed him to get him running. He looked confused. Time ran out as someone dropped from the sky and clashed with the earth. Standing in front of them was a man with long grayish silver hair and a menacing look. He pointed at the two of them.

"You." He spoke to the young man. "You've broken through my time barrier." The young man swallowed his fear. He raised his sword ready to fight. The man ignored him and turned to the girl "You broke the contract." The girl shrunk away from the man as he raised a hand. He slammed it down onto the ground; the two fell forward.

"Please! Leave him alone! Please!" the girl crawled in front of the young man and shielded him with her body. The young man pulled on her shoulder but she shook it off. The man laughed.

"No." he backhanded her. She flew several feet away. Weakened severely, she was only capable of lifting her head. Horror struck her as the man picked the young man up by the hair and raised his left hand. "Bye-bye".

"NOOO!" she screamed and all went black…

"NOOO!" Sakura jumped up from where she slept by the rocks. Her heart thumped feverishly against her heart. Sweat plastered her face as she breathed in and out in a hyperventilating way. The dream felt so real. The feeling of loneliness, the feeling of trust, the feeling of fear; she felt it all deep down in her heart. With all her strength, Sakura clutched the clothing around her left chest.

"Sakura-chan! Are you ok?" Naruto came running from the tents. Reality hit her hard as she looked around. No longer was she in the dream. She was outside at the campsite. What was she doing there? Oh yeah, she was on guard while the others slept. Slowly, her breathing returned to normal and she whirled around to face Naruto with a small smile.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a dream is all. You can go back to sleep. No one's attacking us." Sakura answered with the best laugh she can muster up. The dream shaken her right down to the core, she'll admit that but she wasn't going to admit that she's afraid of some dream. For all she knows, it might just be because of the mission. That's right; the mission was getting the best of her. That's why she's dreaming of such things. Naruto who didn't seem to pick up on her hostility, laughed and headed back to the tents.

Days Later –

Team 7 walked through the gates of Konoha refreshed and happy. The mission was over. Instantly the team walked into the Hokage tower and reported their success. Tsunade seemed happy with the report. She dismissed them early. Sakura smiled brightly with Naruto as the two decided to eat ramen at Ichiraku. Sasuke reluctantly went with them. It wasn't like he had any choice. The minute they walked out of the Hokage tower Naruto grabbed his shirt collar and pulled him towards Ichiraku.

"Welcome back, Naruto!" Ayame greeted Naruto as he dashed in with Sasuke behind. Sakura giggled and stepped in herself. She smiled at Ayame and her father.

"We're back, Ayame-chan, Teuchi-san." Teuchi looked up from the ramen he was cooking. Sakura sat down at a stool with Sasuke and Naruto beside her. As usual Naruto inhaled his ramen like his life depended on it and Sasuke poked at the ramen making sure it was edible. Seeing the two like that Sakura giggled as she remembered the very first time they became Team 7. They were so immature and stupid. No one would have guessed that they were at each other's throats when Team 7 first formed.

"How was the mission, Sakura-chan?" Ayame asked her. Sakura looked up from her bowl of ramen and smiled.

"It was ok. We survived none the less." She answered simply. Over the years she learned to answer simply without dragging in another conversation. Some people even say she's beginning to sound like Sasuke but she herself thinks that's not the case. She's not sounding like Sasuke. She's developing her own character. She's giving herself some type of personality besides that girly girl fan girl thing she had going on for years. It was getting too tiring.

"Yes, that is a good thing. Being a ninja seems like tough work. And you're always putting your life on the line. You sure you're going to keep doing it?" Teuchi asked from the back. Sakura grinned. He had to ask her that every time she visited.

"Of course, Teuchi-san. I promised didn't I?" Sakura became slightly dark as she answered his question. The room grew silent. Naruto stopped inhaling his bowls of ramen; Sasuke stopped poking his ramen; Ayame showed an expression of sadness. They all stopped everything and stared at Sakura who was quietly eating her ramen. Feeling slightly uncomfortable she looked up with an expression that screamed "what ya lookin' at?"

"Come on, it's nothing. I'm over it. So what? They died several years ago. It's nothing. Cheer up!" Sakura laughed and finished her ramen. With another cheerful smile she slapped some money on the counter and left. Everyone looked after her. They all felt the pain of sorrow for Sakura, especially Sasuke and Naruto. They knew the pain very well. The pain of not having parents is way too much. It creates a deep hole in your heart that will never mend. Nothing can fill that hole that's increasingly growing within the soul.

"Naruto… I know I asked this before, but what exactly happened?" Sasuke turned to Naruto who was looking at his bowl of ramen. He remained silent. "Naruto! I remember her parents being alive and well before I left! Tell me exactly why they're dead!" Sasuke demanded. He knew full well that Sakura's parents were dead but he never got the chance to ask why. Today was his chance; he's not leaving without an answer. Naruto sighed.

"When you left, we were only 13. Everything was fine besides the fact that we were going after you. We thought that we weren't going to lose any one else. We were terribly wrong. After two years, we all turned 15. Remember that time where Sakura and I came real close to bringing you back?" Sasuke nodded his head. He remembered. "It was during that mission that an unknown person attacked the village. He injured several people but his main objective was Sakura's parents. He viciously murdered them!" Naruto slammed his fists onto the table. His bowls of ramen shook slightly.

Sasuke took a look at Naruto. The blond looked vicious. His fangs were beginning to show and his eyes turned crimson red. A growl was rising. Sasuke placed a hand on his shoulders but it was swatted away.

"That mysterious person was after Sakura's parents. He made it real clear. That he wanted no one but them! When we got back, Sakura was informed of the incident. She went into shock. For weeks she sat at home in a daze. She wouldn't eat nor would she drink. All she did was sat and stared! That person made her suffer so much!" Naruto growled louder. Sasuke furrowed his eyebrows. Who would want to go after Sakura's parents? They're not even ninjas. Sasuke thought to himself. Then something hit him.

"Naruto! Did you guys investigate further into the matter?" He asked in a rushed manner. Naruto looked up shocked but nodded his head.

"Of course we did. We found nothing besides the fact that whoever it was was after Sakura's parents. This struck us as odd. They weren't ninjas or anyone of importance to the outside world. Why go after them?" Naruto answered.

"You said it was during when you guys came close to bringing me back. Which means… it's been… two years already." Sasuke mumbled.

"What you mumbling about, teme?" Naruto asked him.

"Hey, do you think this unknown person will attack again?" Sasuke asked him. Naruto gave him a weird look.

"Why?" he asked.

"Think of it this way. Sakura's parents weren't ninjas or anyone important to the world. Wouldn't it make sense that he was after Sakura?" Sasuke explained. Naruto looked at him, blinked, and he was off. Sasuke rushed after him but not without paying first. The two rushed around town looking for Sakura. They ran over rooftops and across the streets. There were no signs of her. Several hours later, they bent down covered in sweat and breathed deeply. Where'd she go? They thought.

"What are you two doing?" a sweet but quiet voice called from behind. Instantly the two guys swirled around. Standing before them was Sakura with a raised eyebrow. Naruto smiled happily and hugged her passionately.

"Oh Sakura! Thank god you're ok! Thank god you're ok!" he repeated. The girl looked disgusted and peeled the blond man off of her.

"Naruto, get off. Now, tell me what's going on?" She asked a second time. Sasuke took a deep breath and stood up tall.

"We think the mysterious guy who took your parents is going to come back for you." Sasuke observed her reaction carefully. She was well known for being emotionally unbalanced.

"…" Sakura said nothing. Naruto took this chance to step in.

"Sakura! We were debating over the incident and found out suspicious points. Your parents weren't ninjas or anyone that important for assassins to go after them! We think that person might be after you! He might come back for yo-!" Naruto went flying into a store busting their wall and shelves. Nearby shoppers stopped and looked before shaking their heads and walking on. Sasuke stared at the giant hole that Naruto created in the shop. He slowly turned towards Sakura who had her arm raised into a fist in the direction of Naruto. Her fist tightened before falling back against her side. She looked up.

"I thought I said it was ok. I'm over it. Don't butt in anymore than you all have already. Just leave me alone. How many times do I have to ask you for you to get it?" Sakura asked before walking in the direction of her house.

"Wait! Sakura! Sakura!" Naruto came dashing out from the store and chased after her. The girl turned and glared at him.

"Leave. Me. Alone!" she screamed deathly before teleporting instead of walking. Naruto stood staring into space. Sasuke walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulders. The blond looked down.

Sakura walked into her house defeated. The mere mention of her parents left her weak and vulnerable. Desperately she left Ichiraku and headed home hoping to get some peace. She almost reached home when she felt two very strong chakra signatures running towards her. Recognizing those signatures as Sasuke and Naruto, she jumped away from the road and hid among the trees. The two dashed right past her but ran back into town. They jumped onto rooftops and searched around. Her eyes narrowed as she wondered who they were looking for. Her question was answered when Naruto called her name loud and clear. Not wanting to be found, she followed them around for a while before deciding the game should end there.

The pink haired kunoichi walked into her kitchen and grabbed the water pitcher from the fridge. Pouring some water she drank it like it was alcohol. Memories of her parents flooded her mind. How she longed to see them. The pitcher lightens in weight as she downed it completely. Frustrated she threw it into the sink shattering it to pieces. A string of curses flew from her mouth as she eyed the now broken pitcher. Great! Now I got to buy a new pitcher!

"You shouldn't have done that." A greasy voice said from behind her. She turned around alarmed and gripped her kitchen counter.

"Who are you? How'd you get in!" she demanded instantly. Standing before her was a man with grayish silver hair with a black and silver skull mask covering his face. His dress code was a black long cape. He laughed.

"Who I am is none of your concern. All you need to know is," he paused then continued "you broke the contract." He finished. Sakura's eyes widen. Her control was lost. On instinct her hand released itself from the counter and flung forward. A kunai sore through the room heading for the masked figure. He laughed and knocked the kunai away with his cloak. Sakura grabbed another hidden kunai from under her kitchen counter and threw it at him. He laughed again and knocked that kunai away.

"You've got to do better than that." He said in the same greasy annoying voice. She growled and charged for him. His laugh taunted her ears, it slithered into her brain. Slowly the laughter circled her mind; growing louder and louder. Her feelings of irritation and frustration grew with the laughter. With slight ease the laughter was winning over her sanity. Furious more than ever, Sakura raised her right fist and attacked the masked figure head on. She threw punch after punch but none hit the mark. He laughed louder. Her frustration grew as she screamed and swung her fists towards him. He jumped out of the way and her fists broke through the window. Glass shattered under the impact, impaling itself into her hand. Blood oozed out of her cut hand. The pain was ignored as she pulled her hand out of the glass and turned.

The masked figure stood in the middle of her kitchen laughing. He raised a hand slowly. Sakura kept her eyes on him. He laughed once more before dropping cherry blossoms onto her kitchen floor.

"I suggest you run, Sakura. You of all people should know that I can't be stopped. Not even your two little friends can stop me." His voice echoed as he disappeared. Sakura stood extremely still and observed the area. He may have disappeared but she's not that trusting in that he was gone. Her eyes trailed the kitchen for anything abnormal. She released her chakra to search the house for any chakra signatures. Sweat raced down her forehead as she searched desperately hoping for the man to be gone. His laughter still remained in her mind, taunting and circling it. It echoed with each laugh. She grimaced and gripped her head breaking out of her stance. The laughter grew and grew. Her head pounded with pain. Her hands gripped her hair tightly as she listened to the laughter that circled her mind.

It grew louder and louder. Unable to hold back, Sakura screamed as loud as she can. Her eyes watered with tears and sweat raced down her entire body. Her legs gave out; unceremoniously she dropped onto the tiled floor. Her arms gave out as well. They fell to her side as her head rested against the wall. Tears continued to stream down her face. Her eyes remained wide open as she muttered whispered words.

For days and nights, Sakura sat under the window like a broken doll and repeated the same muttered words over and over. She hasn't moved an inch. No one has seen her ever since the incident at Ichiraku that made her excuse herself in a rude manner and then reject her friends' help.

Sasuke and Naruto began to worry about her. They tried calling her from her door but no one answered. They asked everyone in town but no one saw her for the last few days. Now the two stood outside her house debating whether they should break in. The last time they did that, the two hadn't been able to walk for days. Would they risk that? The debated for several more minutes before nodding. With ease they jumped onto her balcony and slid the glass door open. Quietly the two stepped into the pink kunoichi's house. It was peaceful and quiet. There was no sign of anyone being in the house. Sasuke looked around the room. There wasn't much except a desk, a small bed, and a couch. Naruto touched the bed. It was cold.

"She didn't sleep on it. It doesn't even look slept on." Naruto reported to Sasuke. The raven opened a closet door to find all her clothing inside with a couple of small boxes for her undergarments. Her shoes weren't in there. She wasn't here at all. He concluded. Naruto continued to examine the room to find no traces of her ever coming back into the room. He shook his head towards Sasuke. The raven sighed.

"Come on." Sasuke walked to what he assumed was the door to the hallway. He was right. The two stepped outside and looked left and right. Where was the staircase? Her house didn't seem so big from the outside. They chose left and checked every room to make sure that they didn't miss her. She wasn't in any of them. They ended up at a dead end with two doors facing each other. Sasuke looked at Naruto and Naruto looked at Sasuke. These two doors seemed suspicious for some reason. Cautiously the two opened one door. They entered into a room decorated with a marvelous drawing of a flower field on the walls. Several stuffed animals piled on the bed that was decorated in pink sakura flowered bedding. There was a brown desk against one wall and a window besides the bed. Next to the desk was a makeup table.

The two walked into the overly decorated room. They inspected the room. Naruto walked towards the desk and ran a finger over the table. Dust collected onto his finger and created a clean straight line on the desk. Sasuke did the same for the makeup table. He bent down and inspected the cosmetics on the table. Covered in dust.

"Sasuke…" Naruto called quietly to him. The raven turned around and spotted Naruto by the bed. He walked over and looked over the blonde's shoulder. Behind the bed stood a shelf with several things on it. But what caught Naruto's eye as well as Sasuke's was the official picture of Team 7 from their younger days. This room belongs to Sakura.

"If Sakura sleeps here then why is everything covered in dust? The bed is freezing cold. No one's slept in it for a while." Naruto felt the bed. Dust collected onto his hands. He swatted it away.

"There's only one explanation. Sakura doesn't sleep here. She sleeps in the room where we came in. But why? It's so far away from her own room." Sasuke answered. He turned and eyed the other door across the hall. He thought long and hard. There's nothing wrong with this room… He headed for the other door. Just as he was about to open the door his hand froze. Chakra was wrapped around his wrist and pulling on it. He recognized that chakra. He turned to see Sakura standing there.

"What are you doing?" her voice sounded dead. He shivered slightly. Naruto poked his head out of her room and smile brightly. He obviously hasn't caught on to her dead like mood yet.

"Sakura! We've been looking all over for you! Where've you been!" he ran up to her and hugged her tightly. No emotions showed as she grabbed him and dumped the blond onto the ground roughly. He looked shocked at her. She never thrown him like that. She always made sure she didn't harm him when she threw him. But this time she didn't even care. She just threw him!

"Sakura, what's going?" Sasuke demanded. "We haven't seen you for days. Explain yourself." Sasuke continued. Sakura pulled on the chakra string and Sasuke fell forward.

"Don't you dare enter that room." She turned to look at the open door to her room. Her fist tightened along with the chakra wrapping around Sasuke's wrist. He screamed in pain. Her chakra was crushing his wrist. "Why'd you enter that room? Who gave you permission to enter that room?" Sakura demanded. She pulled onto the chakra string. Sasuke flew forward but held his ground before crash landing on to the floor. The two boys studied her. Her clothing was a mess with wrinkles all over. A sure sign that she hasn't changed in days and they remember vaguely she was wearing the same outfit the last time they saw her.

"Sakura, are you sure you're ok? You seem…" Naruto paused for a better word. She was obviously off her rocker. The wrong word can get her to snap. "Not Sakura like…" The pink haired girl didn't pay attention to him. She tried pulling harder on the chakra string. The more she pulled the thinner the string became. Soon it snapped and she fell backwards slightly. Her expression didn't change one bit.

Once the chakra string snapped it caught Sasuke's and Naruto's attention. Sakura has roughly 97 percent chakra control. She would never allow herself to pull on it till it snapped. This isn't Sakura. They concluded. Thinking quick on his feet Sasuke performed a genjutsu using his sharingan. Slowly she swayed and collapsed onto the floor in a deep sleep.

"Something's off. We should bring her to baa-chan." Naruto spoke as he walked over and slung Sakura over his shoulder. Sasuke didn't say anything except open the window near them and they jumped out. (What's with ninjas and windows? -_-)

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER!" Tsunade's scream rocketed around the entire Konoha. Standing before her is Sasuke and Naruto with a sleeping Sakura tied up and on a chair. Sasuke grunted as Naruto began explaining.

"We haven't seen her for days and were worried. We broke into her house in search of her. We found her in there but she was out of control. Sasuke had to put her to sleep using the sharingan." Naruto explained. Tsunade calmed down and walked towards Sakura. She bent down and looked at the girl in the face.

"Why didn't you come to me first?" Tsunade asked in a calm matter.

"We thought we could handle it. I mean… its Sakura. She wouldn't do anything to us."

"Tsunade-sama, I think it has something to do with the mysterious man that killed her parents. Naruto and I were talking about how he attacked someone like her parents who weren't ninjas or someone important. We concluded that he might be after her and will come back for her again." Sasuke explained. Naruto perked up.

"Yeah! Yeah! We went in search of her and found her on the streets. We warned her but she shrugged us off in a way unlike her. Then after that we didn't see her again till today. You should have seen her, baa-chan! She looked like the living dead!" Naruto quieted down instantly after his statement. Tsunade furrowed her eyebrows.

The room remained silent for a while. Tsunade continued to stare at Sakura's face. She watched as the girl furrowed her own eyebrows then opened her eyes. Sakura was awakening. Her emerald eyes looked around the Hokage tower. She seemed confused.

"Where am I? Why are you staring at me like that, Tsunade-sama?" She asked. Tsunade stood up and walked back to her chair. Sakura looked down and began struggling with the ropes. "Why am I tied up with amplifier ropes?" she asked another question.

"Sakura, how you feeling?" Tsunade asked. The pink haired kunoichi blinked.

"I'm fine, shishou." She answered.

"Sasuke and Naruto informed me that your parents' killer might be after you. In fact, you went missing for several days. The two idiots broke into your house in search of you. Instead of welcoming them you kind of attacked them. Mind explaining what's going on?" Tsunade asked her. Sakura gave her a confused look. She doesn't remember attacking Sasuke and Naruto but she remembers full well what happened the other day. The room remained silent for a while.

"Sakura! This is important! If that man is after your life than you will be in danger!" Tsunade screamed. Sakura opened her eyes wide. That man that attacked me… must have been… Sasuke and Naruto were right. He is after me. But why?

"Sakura! Answer my questions! You will be in grave danger if that man is after you! He came in unexpected last time and remained invisible before he killed your parents. He can do it again. We need to put you under protection before that happens!" Tsunade screamed at her. Sakura looked up. Her eyes were as hard as crystals.

"That man isn't coming back. I'm sure of it. Please release me, shishou. I'm quite uncomfortable." Sakura began struggling against the ropes. Tsunade shook her head and cut the ropes. Sakura stood up instantly and rubbed her hands.

"How can you be so sure? Maybe he's coming back right now!" Naruto exaggerated.

"I'm sure, Naruto. The man isn't coming back."

"Where's the proof that he's not coming back?" Sasuke asked. He didn't believe her one bit. He watched as she continued to rub her arms then smooth out her clothing and fix her appearance.

Sakura thought back to what the cloaked figure said before he disappeared. He told her to run because no one can help her. Her ninja sense told her that he was bluffing but something deep down knew that it wasn't a bluff. Naruto and Sasuke can't win against him. For some reason she already knows that that person is a dangerous man and not just anyone can stop him. That side of her told her to run from Konoha; away from all those precious to her, to keep them safe from harm's way.

A look down at herself confirmed her decisions. Without warning she stepped towards one of the windows in the Hokage's tower and opened it. She turned around and leaned against it. With one last look she burned their faces and everything she knows about the three figures into her mind.

"I'm sorry…" The three figures crashed to the floor trapped in a horrifying illusion. They looked peaceful on the outside but she knew they were suffering on the inside. Sakura lifted herself up and jumped out the window. She performed several hand signs and she was gone in a puff of smoke. No traces of her ever had been there besides the house full of her belongings.

Trees and grass passed by her vision in a fast pace. Sakura had been running in the opposite direction of Konoha for several hours now. It was already a safe distance to slow down but she didn't take any chances. There was no telling what Konoha ninjas can do. For the first time she felt like Sasuke; running away from her home village. The only difference between Sasuke then and her now as Sasuke ran for power. She ran for their safety. All her life, the village has protected her. It was time to protect the village. Repay what she owes it. She will not back down nor will she run. This is her fight and her fight alone.

It's my turn to protect you all. Sit and watch as I repay the kindness you've shown me all these years.

The gates to an unknown village began appearing in front of her. She looked beyond the gate to see the bridge she hasn't seen for so long, the bridge that the villagers named after Naruto. A small smile appeared in front of her. Why did she run this way? This village still has connections to Konoha. Quickly hiding behind some bushes she transformed herself to look like someone else. If she has to cross this village, she can't have people recognizing her. The transformation was completed leaving her with sky blue knee length braided hair, really dark tan and grey almost transparent eyes. Sakura even made a point to change her outfit as well. The upper top of her clothing changed into a coffee colored tank top and her bottom half became a pair of army pants and heeled boots.

"Good enough. I would never wear these so I should be fine. No one will recognize me." Her voice even became slightly deeper as well. Coming out of the bushes, the newly transformed Sakura walked past the bridge that gave her many memories. The town looked more lively and happier. Nobody turned to look at her or even acknowledge her existence. Even better, I can walk through without anyone blocking my way. Making sure to look relaxed and not in a hurry, Sakura walked through the town. She stopped every once in a while to look at merchandises to look like she was interested at least but didn't buy anything. It would be too risky.

"Miss, you're quite a stunning beauty! This would be perfect for you!" A seller held up a silk bathrobe. He tried to persuade her to try it on. Obviously no one wanted to buy from him.

"I'm sorry, sir. I'm simply not interested." Sakura pushed him back gently and got on her way. This time she walked faster. There was a reason to now but slowed down when she was far away from him. As she walked and looked around, she didn't notice the man standing behind her. He placed a hand on her shoulder. She jumped and turned around ready to strike at the person. To her surprise it was Akatsuki! He caught her hand stopping her attack. He raised his hat a bit giving her a look at his eyes. Sharingan! Itachi! She hissed and tried to get away from him. Just my luck to run into this guy!

"Let go of my arm!" She whispered harshly.

"Come with me, Haruno Sakura. And keep silent." Her struggling ceased. He managed to see through her transformation even though she had an accuracy rate of 97 percent in chakra control. A slip in control shouldn't happen. As Itachi demanded, she kept silent and walked behind him. He led her to a restaurant. They went inside and were seated by a waiter.

"What would you two like this afternoon?" The waiter placed menus on their table. "May I interest you in ordering our all time famous barbecue spare ribs? They are absolutely fantastic!" The waiter smiled. Sakura declined the offer nicely.

"Order as you wish, Sakura, my treat." Itachi offered before turning to the waiter. "Shrimp and egg flavor udon is fine." They turned to Sakura. She frowned but turned to the waiter none the less.

"Pork ramen, please." She ordered. The waiter nodded his head.

"Any drinks?"

"Coffee" the two said together. The waiter smiled and walked off. Sakura gave Itachi a look. He had taken off his hat and placed it aside. His cloak was still on though. Tempted desperately she took a look around the restaurant. No one was staring. Which meant no one recognized him as Akatsuki.

"No one here has heard of Akatsuki. We haven't reached this village yet." Itachi answered her unasked question.

"Yet? Which means you're planning on it?" she asked. Itachi smirked. He was obviously impressed she caught on. "I'm not that stupid, Itachi."

"Indeed you aren't." A vein threatened to pop somewhere near her temple. This guy is beginning to piss her off. She leaned back as their coffee arrived being carried by the same waiter. His smile was starting to falter. He noticed the foul mood she was in and the calmness Itachi is giving off. He quickly left without saying anything.

"So? Why'd you bring me here? How'd you know it was me? If this is about Sasuke then I don't know shit." Sakura already began guessing why he brought her here and offered to buy her lunch.

"You're disguise needs more work. You'll only be able to fool civilians and stupid ninjas." Itachi commented. The vein in her temple throbbed rapidly. Anger seeped into her. The aura around her darkened. The waiter returned with their food. Once again he left immediately he placed it down. Itachi picked up his chopsticks but didn't start eating. "Ever heard of Aloysius (ah-LOI-zee-uws)?" Sakura flinched at the name even though she never heard of it.

"No." Itachi chuckled.

"You don't know the name but you flinched. Do you have a feeling that you should know that name?" Her eyes widened slightly but remained the same. She caught herself before she showed him any emotions.

"So? What does this name have to do with anything? You're still not telling me what I'm doing here." She began eating her ramen. Itachi began as well.

"As I recall, you are currently running from someone, right?" Sakura stopped her eating and looked at him.

"What if I am?" She approached it cautiously. Could he be working with that man? She wondered. Instinctively her left hand reached towards her thigh where her pouch was hidden.

"Don't worry; I'm not with that man. In fact, Akatsuki wants to help you."

A/N: thank you for reading Understand Me's first chapter. Hope to see you soon. Bye bye!

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