Chapter one: Akatsuki
Sakura froze. A fine tremor ran through her body as she lay prone on the hospital floor, behind the main desk. She tried desperately to calm her breathing, knowing that the slightest noise would be her end. There was no in between when it came to Akatsuki. It was either they came to kill you, or ignore you. She had a feeling that the word 'wounding' wasn't even in their vocabulary.
She was alone in the hospital, charged to close up for the night. Sure, there were patents, but she figured they wouldn't be much help against the infamous Akatsuki. Around the corner of the desk stood two hooded figures, one towering over the other by a head. She hadn't met very many members in her life, but these two, she knew for certain.
Itachi Uchiha, a missing-nin and killer of his entire clan, save one, stood silently before her. Even through the desk, she could feel his fiery gaze upon her. He knew she was there. Shit.
Sakura's heart beat faster, alerting her to her own fear. This was the man that had killed Sasuke's innocence, his life. By leaving him alive, he had sentenced his brother to eternal hatred and revenge. A sudden spout of anger arose within her, powering her resolve. What were two members of Akatsuki doing in the Konoha hospital? Undetected? Sakura knew she had to raise the alarm. Alert people to their evil presence. Even if it cost her her life, it was her duty as a shinobi.
Sakura knelt back quietly, coming into a standing position with nothing but the wide desk standing between her and the two killers. She felt confident in the fact that they wouldn't kill her outright. They would have done it already if that was their goal. All she had to do was stall for as long as possible. If she didn't turn the lights out soon and close down, someone, hopefully Tsunade, would become suspicious and investigate. That was all the pink-haired shinobi could hope for.
She stood there, facing the two. Kisame's hood was already pushed back, revealing his shark-like appearance. A light smirk played harshly across his features, giving him a sadistic look that would frighten anyone, even the bravest of shinobi. Itachi stood at his side, hooded and mysterious. All that was visible behind the dark cloak was his vibrant red eyes. Piercing.
Sakura averted her gaze quickly, scolding herself mentally for even looking at his enticing eyes for a fraction of a second. That mistake alone could have ruined her small chance of survival. She chose to keep her attention on Kisame, so that she could look him in the eye. Nothing says weakness better than not even being able to talk to someone face to face.
"Why are you here?" Sakura forced out, not knowing whether her talking was a good idea or not. All she knew was that she had to stall.
Kisame's smirk broadened. "I can see why you left this dump, Itachi-san. These people have no manors."
Sakura was shocked. She hadn't expected him to actually answer her, especially with something that she could use so easily. "Excuse me, but why the hell are you here? Please and thank you."
The taller shinobi burst out into laughter, gaining another gasp from the bewildered leaf-nin. Even she didn't think it was that funny. Maybe he just thought it was stupid enough to laugh about. "That wasn't exactly what I had in mind, but what the hell." He turned to the Uchiha. "It's this one, right?"
Sakura exchanged a weary glance between the two shinobi as Itachi nodded silently, still staring at her with those intense eyes. It seemed as if the two were getting to business. She had to work harder.
"You know, it's rude to stare." When he didn't answer, she continued. "What, can't talk yourself?" Sakura inquired, shifting her gaze to Itachi's chin. Better safe than sorry.
"Perhaps it is not my ability to speak that is in question, but the lack of an intelligent person to which I could be speaking." Itachi replied, staring directly at her.
Anger threatened to emerge as the notion of his comment sunk in. "I wouldn't be so rude to my partner. Implying that another person is stupid is best done when the person in question isn't standing beside you." Sakura turned towards Kisame's puzzled face. "I do apologize for Itachi's comment. He seems to be too high above us to be expected to apologize to you."
Kisame grinned again, flashing his fangs. "This one is a real kicker, Itachi-san." He looked Sakura dead in the eye. "I would be more careful if I were you. Itachi-san isn't really in the best of moods right now."
As if to justify his statement, Itachi abruptly vanished, only to reappear directly in front of the desk. "I am not in the mood for games, little Konoichi. Simply cooperate."
Sakura gulped. Perhaps goading him had been a bad idea. "And if I don't want to?" She knew it sounded childish, but there wasn't much time left. She needed to keep them talking...
Itachi's voice was abruptly in her ear. He was so close, she could feel his breath on her neck. "You have no choice."
And with that, a darkness began to spread itself in her vision, fighting away the hospital room before her and replacing it with the blankness of unconsciousness.
A/N
AHHH! New story!! (Crazy, right?) Anyway, hope you like it so far, and sorry for the cliffy. Whoever reviews gets to borrow Itachi for a day:)
...
Actually, he might not like that...
Any feedback is accepted!
