Disclaimer: I do not own any Naruto…it's all Masashi Kishimoto's…although I wish I owned Naruto…that would be so cool! Y-Y
Title:
Summary: Itachi has finally been captured five years after Sasuke's departure. Sakura decides to drop by and have a conversation with the S-Class Criminal. Implied SasuSaku One-Shot
A tiny bit of ItaSaku, but not very much.
Careful…There is a little OOC here…I can't really portray Itachi much.
Sakura Bashers Out There: She tried her best to help Sasuke and Naruto and protect them during the Chunin Exams! She deserves to have credit! SO TAKE THAT BASHERS! MWAHAHAHAH! (ahem) Going back to story.
Prologue:
Many people walked on the streets of Konohagakure Village, minding their own business and having a fun time with others. Fights would commence once in a while, but they would all come together and apologize. The village of Konoha seems fairly well: everyone's happy, missions went well, and business was not bad. Then…the peace was broken when gossip was spread. Uchiha Itachi has been captured.
Story : Start
Many people feared that the powerful S-class criminal would break free and ruin Konoha's glory days, but knowing that the Hokage will always have something prepared, they lost that idea and gained hope on finally capturing the Uchiha.
What the people didn't know was that this Hokage is still sleeping in her office, not giving a care for the world. That is, until her office door was slammed open and a blonde teen with whiskers on his face marched in. "Tsunade-baa-chan!"
Her eyes shot up on hearing her name being mistreated. On habit, she grabbed the poor male's ear and yelled, "Don't call me that!"
He gave out a small whimper sound and after a few seconds, the door opened again and a pink-haired girl came in. "Naruto, I thought it was you!" She glared at Naruto in a friendly way and grabbed him, "I told you not to disturb Tsunade-shishou! She's too busy!"
"But she was sleeping, Sakura-chan!" Naruto whined as he was being dragged on the floor to the door. The two continued to bicker until a poof of smoke appeared into the office.
There was an ANBU, kneeling before Tsunade. He looked tired and was sweating continuously. Tsunade arched a brow, "What? Did something occur?"
"Hokage-sama…there…you see…" His sentences started falling apart. Everything he had planned to say had disappeared when going out his mouth.
"What is it?"
"…It's…" The man started, but Naruto being Naruto, interrupted.
"Hurry up and spit it out! You'll never be able to be an ANBU when I'm Hokage!"
Sakura started to choke Naruto, "Naruto! Shut up so the guy can talk!"
"O…k…" He choked out. Sakura loosened her grip on him and watched the man. "He has finally awaken…Uchiha Itachi."
Silence.
Bird chirped outside.
But it was deadly silent inside.
The silence was then finally broken.
"Alright, then we'll begin interrogation. Bring in the ANBU interrogation unit." Tsunade commanded.
Naruto shook his head back and forth and pinched himself. Yes, it was real. He had just heard that Uchiha Itachi was awaken…but from what?
"Tsunade-baa-chan, what's that suppose to mean? Uchiha Itachi is awake?" Naruto asked. He gulped loudly and looked earnestly at the Fifth Hokage.
"It means that he was captured." Tsunade said calmly, "Now that he's conscious, we can start interrogating."
Sakura couldn't believe her ears. She felt panic erupt in her, but it also held a sense of serenity to know that the murderer has been captured.
"Tsunade-shishou…are you sure he can't escape easily from the prison? I mean…he is an S-class criminal. Maybe you should put him in one of the other prisons." Sakura said, listening to her own words of advice.
"I did, Sakura. You two don't have to worry about a thing. Now then, I'll be going. If Shizune looks for me, tell her I'm busy." Tsunade ordered as she went out the door. The door closed.
The duo looked at each other and both knew that this was a serious matter. Trying to brighten up the place, Naruto piped out, "Sakura-chan, why don't we go to Ichiraku and get some ramen?"
Sakura snapped out of trance and looked at Naruto. She gave a small smile, "Alright, let's go!" They went out together happily, heading for Ichiraku.
The day went fast and soon, it was night time. Sakura hummed as she continued to stroll to her home. Suddenly, she stopped and looked over the horizon. 'It was Sasuke-kun's birthday last month.' Her eyes glazed over. It has been five years since his departure to join Orochimaru's forces.
She could never forget that day.
"Why…why won't you tell me anything? Why do you always stay silent? Why won't you say anything to me?"
Sasuke interrupted, "Why to I have to tell you anything? It's none of your business. Stop concerning yourself about what I do."
"You've…always hated me, huh? Do you remember…the day we became genin and our team was chosen? The day you and I were here alone…you got mad at me, remember?"
"Oh yeah, you know how he doesn't have any parents, right? If you're alone, your parents won't get mad at you. That's why he's so selfish." Sasuke's eyes narrowed at the comment.
"The solitude…you can't even compare it to when your parents get mad at you."
"What's…the matter?"
"Your annoying."
There was silence, until he finally answered. "I don't remember." Sakura faltered, but quickly regained her composure. She gave a small, sad laugh.
"Makes sense…that's something that happened a while back. But that's the day when everything started…you and me…and Kakashi-sensei and Naruto. The missions…they were tough and a lot of work…but, above all…it was fun."
She looked at his back and remembered about the Uchiha Clan, " I know about your clan…but revenge…that won't make anyone happy…no one. Not you…nor I…"
"Just as I thought," Sakura looked up, tears in her eyes. "I'm different from you guys. I walk a different path than you guys. I tried to think that it was my path to do the things we've done up until now. The four of us did things together, but my heart decided on revenge in the end. That's my purpose in life. I can't become like you or Naruto."
"Are you going to be alone again? On that day, you taught me solitude is painful. I understand that so well right now. I have a family…and I have friends, but if you're gone…to me…it'll be the same as being alone!" Sakura shouted as tears streamed down her face even faster.
"From here on…a new path will open for all of us."
She couldn't take it anymore, she had to tell him, "I…I love you so much! If you stay with me, I'll make sure you won't regret it! Everyday will be fun. We'll definitely be happy. I'll do anything for you. So…please…stay here! I'll help you with your revenge. I'll do something! So please stay here…with me! If you can't stay…take me with you."
After a few moments of silence, he turned around and smirked, "You really are annoying." He started to walk the direction outside of Konoha.
"Don't leave! If you do, I'll scream!" He was behind her before she could scream.
"Sakura…thank you." Her eyes widened, hearing the thanks. Then, before she knew it, she felt darkness coming to her. 'Sasuke-kun…' Her eyes closed and Sasuke caught her.
Before she knew it, she had went to the Konoha gates, then she finally reached to a stop at the former, powerful clan.
The Uchiha Clan.
Killed by their own blood…
She shivered in response to the wind. She always wondered…why would someone kill their own family? Their own clan? What made their life reality? She never understood the reason why Itachi would kill his own clan. Maybe…he had some reason…something that made him have to – but…what reason was there?
The Haruno clan wasn't like the Uchiha. They didn't prosper as much and they were always the smart ones, not the one's that were powerful by strength. 'Guess I could never understand.' She sighed, and started to walk back home again. She opened the door to be greeted by her parents. "I'm home."
"Welcome home, Sakura. Honey, where were you? We told you we'd be back today." Her mother said, worried.
"It's nothing. I just wanted to stroll around." Sakura shrugged.
"It's very late, but did you eat dinner yet?"
"Yes, I ate with a couple of friends, Kaa-san. I'm tired, I'm going to go to bed now. Oyasumi." Sakura replied as she went up to her room.
"Oyasumi…" Her mother sighed as her daughter's door closed shut. She went into the kitchen to find her husband having a snack.
"What's wrong? You look worried."
"Well," She hesitated, "Ever since that Sasuke left, she's been different. I mean, she's changed, don't you think?"
"Hmmmm? Wasn't it the last survivor of the Uchiha the one she liked?" Her father pondered.
"Sasuke is the Uchiha." Sakura's mother said in a bit of annoyance.
"Right, right. Continue…"
"Well, our little Sakura-chan has changed. Don't you think? She's…well, how do I put this?"
"She looks more depressed?" He spoke up helpfully.
"Well, something like that." She sat down next to her spouse.
"Don't worry, she'll be fine. How long has it been? Five years? She was probably just taking a walk on memory lane." He persuaded.
"You're right…let's leave her be. She'll probably seek us out when she needs us."
"That's right. So stop worrying." Sakura's dad said soothingly.
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Tsunade recorded papers impatiently as she sat in her office chair. Suddenly, their was a knock on the door, "Tsunade-shishou, may I come in?"
"Of course, Sakura." Tsunade responded. The door opened and closed as the petal-haired girl entered the room.
"How was the interrogation?" Sakura asked.
"He didn't say much." Then she added, "And you know that is restricted information that you can't know, Sakura."
She slumped and moved a chair to sit across from the Hokage, "Demo, Tsunade-shishou, what if he has information on Sasuke?"
Tsunade sighed and put her work down, "Sakura, if he did have information, he probably wouldn't tell us anyways. The only information we got out of him was all very vague; a mystery. It's hard enough to get the information needed."
"Oh…souka." Sakura murmured. She started to help Tsunade with some of the paper work. Even though Sakura looked like she was concentrating on the work, she was actually thinking about Uchiha Itachi.
Maybe…just maybe, her plan might work.
She might actually get to talk with Itachi…
But first…she has to try and convince Tsunade. But how?
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"Itadakimasu!" Naruto shouted out as he started to eat his ramen. After finishing his first bowl, the fox boy finally noticed that it was silent next to him. He glanced at Sakura, which was deep in thought. "Sakura-chan?"
She looked up at Naruto, in a slight surprise, "Naruto, what is it?"
Naruto wanted to say something…but all that came out was, "Nothing, Sakura-chan."
"Oh."
He tried again, "Sakura-chan, daijoubu?"
Sakura gave a small smile, "Hai."
"If you say so…" He slurped up the last of his second bowl. "Another, please!"
When he was on his fifth bowl, Sakura was only half-way finished with her first. Naruto's face scrunched. 'I wonder what's wrong…but she says nothing.' Her expression was in deep concentration, as if she was thinking of a tactic for her next mission. But missions have been slow lately, ever since the capture of Uchiha Itachi.
"Naruto…" Finally, Sakura spoke up.
"Yea?"
"Where…do you think Sasuke is right now?" She pondered.
Naruto stopped eating and looked at her. So this was what it was about. "Sakura-chan," he began, "I'm…not really sure, you know. He's just not the type of person that would be obvious. If he was, then we would've already dragged him back, and you know it."
"Aa…" Sakura said as an agreement, "But…if it were a slight guess…where would you think he would be?"
"Probably still with Orochimaru. Sakura-chan, Sasuke-teme was so caught up with avenging, I bet he wouldn't even notice a thing unless it was about Itachi."
"So, does that mean he would come back?"
Naruto paused, and put his bowl down, "You mean, now that we captured Itachi?"
"Hai…does that mean he'll come back because we've caught him?"
"Uhhh…well…ummmm…" Then he finally said, "I don't know."
"Well Sasuke ever come back?"
"…The answer to that question, we'll never know."
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
It was finally decided.
Haruno Sakura is definitely going to talk with Uchiha Itachi.
She's determined to.
And no one can stop her now.
What information does she want from him?
Some say it was to find out about Sasuke.
Others say that she might have a secret relation with him.
Whatever it was, the people of Konoha were curious.
Rumors spread of how she really wanted to talk to Itachi.
But every time she asked, the Hokage said no.
Whispers ensued when Sakura passed by, but she didn't care. The rumors were true, she did want to talk to the infamous Uchiha Itachi. Other than that, the rest of the gossip was false. No one disrespected her though, because she was the apprentice of the Hokage herself.
Team 7 portrayed the Legendary Sannins.
Orochimaru leaving to seek for power. Sasuke did the same.
Tsunade being a great medical nin with other great skills. Sakura's slowly getting stronger than her.
Jiraiya being the one that was tied to the log. Well…that doesn't really matter, but Naruto was the same.
It seems that Team 7 are the next generations Legendary Sannins.
Whatever it was, it didn't matter now. But the people could see it: these could be out next Legends.
Sakura finally stopped at the door of Tsunade's office. Everyone nearby immediately knew what she was doing. She was going to ask the Hokage to see Itachi. Will the answer this still be no?
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"Tsunade-shishou, I have a request."
Tsunade sighed. 'Seems like she's not going to give up until she sees him. But it's too dangerous…'
"Sakura, how many times do I have to tell you?"
"It depends. Tsunade-shishou, onegai! I really want to see him." Sakura pleaded.
"Sakura…" She groaned when she saw Sakura make her puppy eyes. After a while, the answer Sakura wanted finally came, "Fine. But on one condition."
Sakura's face turned serious, "Yes?"
"You must be careful, and remember that he's really dangerous. Don't let him trick you."
"Hai."
"Alright, I'll give you ten minutes." Tsunade said before grabbing the keys in her drawer, "Follow me." Finally, after all this time, she would get to talk with Uchiha Itachi! Sakura felt scared and excited at the same time. At the end, they reached a door with a seal on it. Tsunade pulled off the seal and opened the door. "Good luck."
Sakura stepped inside and the door slammed shut behind her. She was a bit nervous, ok, maybe a lot nervous, to meet this man. This was her first time to actually talk to him after he killed the clan. Before he did, they would usually exchange a hello when passing by. She gulped and went inside further. Then, there he was, chained to the wall. His Akatsuki cloak was still on but she could tell that he was tired and he was hurt. 'Probably the interrogation.'
When she was close enough to see him clearly, his head lifted up. She gasped in excitement and fear as she looked upon the face that killed so many people. Sasuke and him are almost identical. He had obsidian eyes and long black hair that used to be tied. There were bruises on his skin and his face gave a look of a tired man. Other than that, he had no expression on his face.
On the other hand, Itachi was intrigued to have a visitor. And a girl no less. It surprised him a bit to have company, but what was she seeking from him? Itachi broke the silence, "Who are you?"
Sakura gulped, "I'm…Sakura, Haruno Sakura. You're…Uchiha Itachi."
"Correct." Itachi was a bit confused. Where was this leading to?
"The S-class criminal…I…have a question." Sakura started, savoring the words. She's been practicing her speech, but it seems like it was slipping. It really was hard to face a criminal.
"What?"
"Why…"She hesitated, "Why did you kill the clan?"
Itachi had to chuckle. This was what it was all about? This girl named Haruno Sakura wanted to find out why he killed the clan? When he was about to reply his usual answer, she interrupted, "I know that it's not because you wanted to test the extent of your power. I know because…" She hesitated to finish her sentence, "Because I've made a thorough research and I found the conclusion."
He rose a brow, "Really?"
"Yes…but I want to hear it come out of your mouth." Sakura said. All of a sudden, she didn't feel all so scared. She felt determine to pull it out of him.
"Why don't you explain it first."
"?"
"I'll see if you're right." He remarked.
Sakura took a deep breath, "Well…alright. I was doing some research on powerful clans, and I found out that some clan members were pushed to great heights at a young age because of their parents. They became what you became…a prodigy."
Itachi nodded, "Continue…"
"So, my guess is that you were pressured and that you've already planned to do something."
"And what's that?"
"To run away from it all…the people that you think hurt you."
"The people I know that hurt me." Itachi retorted.
Sakura gave a glance at him before continuing, "You were going to run away, but you remembered Sasuke."
"My foolish little brother?"
"Hai…you remembered your brother…you thought of how he would have to face the pressure you went through. And you knew that you had to do something about it. So, you killed"
"So I killed the clan? That's how you think?"
"Yes…" Her answer was hesitant, but she stayed firm.
"…You're pretty thorough…Haruno Sakura, the apprentice of the Hokage." Itachi murmured. "Yes, I was pressured, and I hated it."
"But…you've made Sasuke-kun think he's born to be an avenger…" Her eyes started to glisten, "I couldn't even stop him, not even after…" she trailed off.
"What is he to you?"
She was caught off-guard with the question. But she answered the Uchiha. "He's my very first crush…what I thought of to me my very first love as well…I…" Tears sprung out, "I can't forget him!" She went on her knees and she covered her face with her hands as she started to give out a small sob. "Even if I wanted to…I can't!"
Itachi showed no expression, but inside, he could tell the pain of the girl. She sought out comfort and security from a person that would probably never love her back. Maybe use her, but that was all. He pitied the girl, and wanted to comfort her, even if it wouldn't seem very helpful from an S-Class Criminal like him.
"Gomen…"
Sakura was definitely shocked this time. It seemed like Itachi had a knack of making her surprised. "What?"
"I said, gomen…" He repeated.
"For…for what?" She choked out.
"Your plans did not work because mine interfered, but I have to say, you should've known."
"Known…?"
"Sasuke to be an avenger. By the way he acts…"
"I gave everything to him, and yet, he didn't think it was enough. I told him that avenging won't make anyone happy at all! But he didn't listen, he thought I didn't understand!" Sakura shouted, "I tried to become even more powerful than before! I became the Hokage's apprentice for a reason. I didn't want to be weak anymore! I wanted to assist my team! But now…team 7…is broken."
Itachi felt uncomfortable when the seventeen year old girl broke down. He sighed. 'Forget it.' Itachi broke of his chains and got up. Sakura didn't even notice as she kept on crying. He rubbed his aching wrists and walked over to the cherry blossom. Suddenly, Sakura noticed a shadow looming over her and looked up to see Itachi. She gasped and pushed herself back a bit.
"I'm not going to hurt you."
"So you can break free! I knew it! I told Tsunade" She was interrupted when a hand covered her mouth.
"Your mouth just keeps blabbering on and on." Itachi muttered as he sat next to her, "Look, it's alright." It didn't come out the way he wanted it to be. But he said something, right? That counted as something.
He has just shocked her again. How many times must he shock her? But, it did feel a bit comforting when he said it. She wiped her tears away and looked at him, "Arigatou…"
"It's nothing." He said lamely. This had to be the very first time he was in a predicament like this. Oddly, it was nice and relaxing. He stretched for a bit, and then went back to the wall, holding up the chains, "Would you?"
Sakura steadily got up and walked over, "O-of course." She fixed him back onto the wall like he had never broke the chains.
"SAKURA!"
Sakura turned towards the door, "HAI TSUNADE-SHISHOU?"
"YOUR TIME IS UP!"
"ALRIGHT! I'M COMING!" she yelled out before turning back towards the criminal. Saying a small little bye, she walked towards the door only to be stopped with a question.
"You offered Sasuke love, correct?"
"Yes…" She whispered, but loud enough so he could hear.
"He didn't accept it, but there are others out there." Itachi advised, "Find someone out there that wouldn't leave you. Remember that action speaks more than words."
"Thank you for your advice." Sakura said. Then, she went over to Itachi, bent down, and gave him a little peck on the cheek. When she lifted her head back up, she was red, but she contained her cool and gave a small smile. "Itachi-san, maybe you're not so bad after all." With that, she walked out the door and placed the seal back on.
Inside, Itachi smirked to himself. 'Sasuke…you really are very foolish indeed to throw away such a precious blossom.'
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"So, how was it?"
"It was fine, Tsunade-shishou. He didn't hurt me, and he answered all the questions I asked."
"Alright then. If you say so."
"See you tomorrow, Tsunade-shishou."
"You, too." Sakura started to skip and spotted Naruto.
"NARUTO!"
Naruto instantly turned his head to the voice, "Sakura-chan!"
She stopped running when she reached Naruto, "Naruto, wanna go grab something to eat with me?"
"Uhhh…sure, Sakura-chan!"
She grabbed his hand, "Then let's go!"
"Sakura-chan, what's the occasion? You don't always ask me." Naruto exclaimed as they walked on the streets.
"Well, let's just say I finally got something I wanted." Sakura smiled brightly, hoping for a better tomorrow.
'Yeah…I got what I wanted…'
Arigatou………………………………………Itachi-kun.
Welpz, that's my One-Shot! This has gotta be the longest one-shot I've made! I feel so proud of myself! (Gives myself a pat)
Look forward to seeing a new chapter on Fallen Angel because I'm gonna try my best to update that soon!