CHAPTER 1: AN UNPLEASANT MEETING

Three months have passed, but they never found him. Him...the only person I

truly love. The only person I would offer my life to... Uchiha Sasuke. I couldn't sleep. I

worry about him too much. Our last goodbye was quite painful... well all goodbyes are

painful. I'm leaving my village where I was born, Konoha. After all, I'm a weak

kunoichi. I'm never needed there. You might ask who I am... I am Haruno Sakura, and

this is my tragedy.

I woke up in my house at the peaceful village of Konoha. I dressed up in my usual red sleeveless suit, tied my head protector on my head like a headband, then set off to Tsunade-sama's office. Tsunade-sama is the 5th hokage of Konoha. She has taught me all the things that I should know like healing, summoning and super strength if that's what you like to call it. I went into her office and found no one around. Usually, she was just sitting on her chair, approving rules and/or talking to other shinobis. I glanced outside the window and saw the village's gate open. I rushed to it so as to see the love of my life, Sasuke, all well and safe. I saw Naruto, Shikamaru, Neji, Kiba and Choji... but where's Sasuke? From the looks of their faces, it's as they've failed again.

"We've failed again, Sakura-chan," Naruto said, disappointedly.

Of course, I felt sad, too. Naruto, again promised for the third time that he'll retrieve Sasuke back. It was at that moment when an idea struck me. I thought,

Hey, if they can't get Sasuke back, it doesn't mean I can't

Does that make sense? I made up my mind that I'm gonna leave Konoha to look for him. After all, I've already finished my training and she had taught me enough. Tsunade-sama I mean. I know you know that... I just wanna clarify it. So, night came and I've already packed my things. I've set off to the road leading outside Konoha. Oh, shit! Jounins...I quickly jumped up a tree and hoped that they won't see me. I heard them talking about retrieving Sasuke back. One of them was our team jounin, Kakashi-sensei, who always wears his mask under all circumstances. Funny, I remember the day when I, Sasuke and Naruto were trying to reveal Kakashi-sensei's true face (Laughs feebly). Well, back to my story... Kakashi-sensei clumsily dropped his favorite book, Ichi Ichi Paradise, which we were not allowed to read. As he picked it up, he looked up to where I was and we had an eye to eye contact for about five seconds. I shook my head I n contradiction of what he was thinking. He smiled at me, although I can't see if he is smiling under his mask.

"Well, I'm going home now. I have a hunch that tomorrow would be a busy day," he said leaving all his co-jounins in confusion.

I quickly went outside Konoha and set off to nowhere. I was halfway outside the Fire Country's terrains when I had a second thought of what I've done. The sun would be rising and I wanted to go back to Konoha but it was too late. I have to continue. I felt tired of jumping into branches so I tried to find a cave or somewhere to rest. Meanwhile at Konoha, they were having some sort of commotion. Shizune reported that I've gone missing. Naruto panicked. Shikamaru complained that they won't be searching for Sasuke only but also me. Naruto shouted at him. Tsunade-sama put her chin on the back of her hands and thought. She ordered the jounins to go look for me.

At my side again...

After eating lunch of rice cakes, I again set off towards nowhere. I think I was somewhere in the Country of Water. After nightfall, I was again looking for shelter when suddenly the sky poured in. I couldn't see clearly with all the rain and the mist. I tried hard to find my way when suddenly; I bumped into someone wearing a black coat and red cloud-ish designs. Oh, no... An Akatsuki member! Now is the right time to pray and wait for me to die. He turned to face me and extended a hand. I quickly jumped away from him. I grabbed a kunai and prepared to fight.

"Don't worry, I won't hurt you." he said

I didn't move a muscle.

"You're Haruno Sakura, right? It's good that I've found you and won't come back to Konoha"

"What do you want from me?"

"I was going to threat the boy with the Kyuubi Kitsune by abducting you."

"You can't"

"Well since you're here, let me just help you. Forget the abducting part..."

"Help me with what?"

"I can help you get Sasuke back from Orochimaru... I can teach you cool techniques"

"How can I be so sure that you won't hurt me?"

"I have my word as an Akatsuki member. Now, let's find shelter and wait 'til the rain stops"

We stayed in a cave for the night. I don't really trust this Akatsuki member. I was afraid to sleep. I didn't take my eyes off of him even for a second. He was getting something from a bag. I quickly put my hand inside my equipment bag and held a shuriken. He threw something at me... a coat... like his.

"As a condition regarding me teaching you jutsus, you would be a temporary member of Akatsuki. Wear that"

I asked him why I was going to be an Akatsuki member.

"Just because. As a temporary member of Akatsuki, you wouldn't and shouldn't know our organization's secrets, plans and goals unless I tell you so..."

I nodded in agreement. I stared at the coat.

"Who are you really?"

"Me? I'm Uchiha Itachi." he said as he took off his coat and hat.

END OF CHAPTER

a/n: please review! arigato gozaimasu!