(Manic Street Preachers – The Everlasting)
Sakura felt the impact. Instinctively, she closed her eyes and folded hands in front of her face, to protect herself from upcoming blows. But nothing happened. She opened her eyes and saw around an ongoing battle, screams and movements. The air filled with the smell of blood and sweat. She looked around and, like in a slow motion, calling out her name, which was tainted by desperate cries of no!, in her direction from different sides ran Sasuke and Naruto. What's wrong with them? Why are they so scared?
Sakuras head pounded and spun. Suddenly she felt weak and legs wont work properly also, she began to collapse. What the... Everything went blurry and Sakura felt that she fell into strong and caring hands. For a moment she felt the stares of few people, then the same hands clasped her tighter to someones bosom and she heard someone saying We'll take care of her. She tried to open her eyes to see what was going on, but then everything disappeared. There was only jet-black darkness and a mild wind flow that wound around her limp body. I must be dieing...
When Itachi and Deidara arrived, the fight was already in progress. It was not only their mission, but there was also no point to intervene. But Itachi had felt his chakra already from a distance. Sasuke was near. His little brother fought the current struggle. He was proud that Sasuke continued to grow stronger. Every day, he was training to become stronger, Iitachi approached the hour of his death. His only desire was to die from Sasukes hands and he was doing all that he could to make it happen.
When arriving to the battle scene, they wouldn't let them be seen.. They stood seated on a tree branch and watched. Itachi turned his attention to the little brother's movements and abilities, Deidara just entertained himself while watching the participants.
Itachi saw that Sasuke has noticed their presence, and so did the girl with the pink hair. He was interested in her actions. The girl had an incredible strength and a very capable chakra. He also saw the link between her and his little brother. Itachi shock hid head in wonder – his little brother loved the pink-haired ninja. Somehow she caught his attention too.. He followed her movements like hypnotised, when he sensed a movement beside him. Also Deidara had noticed the girl and carefully began to watch.
- That girl has an incredible power. - Silently said Itachi.
- You're right, Itachi. It's unbelievable what is she capable of.
- Mhm.
Itachi saw that the girl hasn't noticed yet that Sasuke and even Naruto were protecting her and avoiding the toughest attacks.
- Is it... - Deidara leaned a bit closer to see better.
- Yeah, it's him. The nine-taled fox. - Itachi confirmed Deidara's suspicion.
- This could be interesting, Itachi. Let's wait a while.
Itachi agreed. He had heard what is Naruto capable of when the demon kicks in. An opponent worth killing.
- Itachi.
The surprise in Deidara's voice awakened him from his thoughts.
Sasuke, Naruto and not even the pink-haired girl saw the kunai knife coming towards her. Both men on the branch saw how it hit her in the breast and how she froze. They also saw, how, noticing what had just happened and screaming Sakura! No! Sauke and Naruto ran in her direction.
Sakura, huh. Little cherry blossom is about to fade away, little brother. Itachi smiled at himself when he noticed that Deidara was about to jump. Not understanding why this girl makes him act, Itachi was also ready to jump.
In no time they both were just in time to catch Sakura. Itachi was surprised that she felt so light in his hands. Just like a leaf of a blossom in the wind... He clasped her closer to himself, protecting her from anything else that could harm her and lifted his head and for the first time after the slaughter of his clan his eyes met Sasuke's eyes. But they didn't had anytime left for emotional feelings of seeing each other again, the girl in his hands was fainting from the deep wound and lost blood.
- We'll take care of her.
He saw the despair and hate in little brother's eyes. He understood that Sasuke was thinking that they'll kill Sakura. There was no time left and Deidara put his hand on the shoulder of Itachi, signaling that they should leave and they soon disappeared from the sight of Sasuke and Naruto.
