The Black Cherry Blossom

Chapter Two: Forgiveness is Cowardice

Sakura ended up on the farthest edge of the Lost Lands, her simple cabin was nestled by the seaside and nicely concealed by the dense foliage of the surrounding trees, giving her a vast amount of privacy. For the first few months, she worked diligently to get the cabin she found fixed and her defenses up, she was mainly left alone by the other people near her. They knew what she was and they wanted nothing to do with her, they were more than happy to simply ignore her and pretend she didn't exist.

Something the was greatly thankful for.

The last thing she needed was to have the innocent farmers dragged into what she knew would be a shit-storm in the near future, she already had enough on her conscience as it is. While she was lonely, she understood that it was better to be lonely than to have an entire community slaughtered because of her. Soon she settled back into her emotionless haze, a state of mind that had been drilled into her by the ANBU instructors. During the day she felt nothing, no pain, no sadness, and no fear.

But the once welcoming caress of night held nothing but memories and fear.

Sakura's nights now consisted of guilt-fueled nightmares, mainly consisting of her friends and her old home. She dreamed horrible things; her once closest friends slowly skinning her alive for 'betraying them', her mentor telling her she was worthless and that she'd never be anything more than a useless crybaby. She even dreamed of Kakashi, a man she had once idolized and worked hard to be like herself, telling her that he regretted ever having her assigned to him as a student. Dreams of burning towns and villages filled her mind as she slept, the fear of never being able to settle anywhere becoming a defining message. But no matter how terrible the dreams were, Sakura knew one thing for certain. She had made her choice when she slashed her headband, thereby cutting all ties to the Konoha and its people.

She could never go back.

Have you figured it out yet Pinky? Have you finally realized what you've done? You're an outcast, a persona non grata if you will. You've been blacklisted from almost any Kage-ruled village! From now on you have to be incredibly careful about where you go, what you do; and most importantly, who see's you. You're going to live the rest of your life on the run, hated and feared by everyone. Are you really ready to live that way?

I don't have much of a choice now do I?

Thats your own damn fault.

Shut up.

Sakura grit her teeth and shoved the voice back into the depths of her mind, effectively silencing her. The setting sun told her it was time to head back inside, to eat and hopefully get some sleep tonight. She headed inside the cabin and bolted the door behind her, removing her weapons kit from her thigh in the process. Suddenly she became aware of another chakra presence in her house, they were behind her, standing calmly by the kitchen.

"Care to tell me why you've decided to commit suicide?"

The men behind her startled slightly, their posture shifting uncomfortably as she turned to look at them. Bored, but cautious, emerald green eyes locked on the dark onyx of none other than Itachi Uchiha. He and his partner Kisame regarded her with barely concealed curiosity, although for Kisame it looked like hunger.

"What do you mean Sakura-san?"

"Well obviously you want to die, otherwise you would be elsewhere. And not in my house..."

What the hell are you doing!? This is the AKATSUKI! They are going to kill you for speaking to them like that! Their going to kill me!"

Relax, if they wanted me dead they would have killed me already. They don't benefit from me being dead, they want something from me.

Probably information about Konoha's defenses. Are you gonna give it to them? They did snub you and completely forget about you... I think its justifiable myself.

Well no one asked you did they?

Ooh somebodies a cranky little bitch today...

Fuck off.

"Oh please, like a little pint like you could hurt us?"

Sakura's eyes flicked toward Kisame, a hint of amusement in them. The corner of her lips pulled up into a small smile, the sight of it causing his smirk to fall as confusion filled his eyes. Quick as a flash, Sakura was at his throat, laughing. A kunai was pressed tightly against his jugular vein, and another level with his liver.

"I know I can hurt you little fish.. So how should I cook you? Breaded and fried, or smoked over a fire? Your choice."

Her words came out as a soft malevolent purr, the promise of unending pain making the man before her shiver slightly. Beside her, Itachi chuckled as he regarded the predicament his partner was in, however the sound was cut short as the kunai in her right hand flew into the wall mere centimeters from his eye. With the amusement gone from her eyes she turned to toward him, careful to keep the kunai pressed so tight that if Kisame moved so much as an inch in her direction, he'd slit his own throat.

"I won't tell you again, so heed my words boys. Get out."

"You're to come with us Sakura-san, we're here to formally invite you to join the Akatsuki. Should you refuse... We're to bring you in forcefully."

Now it was her turn to chuckle, a empty-sounding laugh making Itachi tense ever so slightly.

Something he wasn't used to.

"What makes you think you could bring me in? You're buddy here will die the moment he decides to move, and that water jutsu of his requires hand seals, so he's not going anywhere in a splash."

"You presume I need his help to take you..."

Look out!

The widening of his eyes was the only warning to his genjutsu, within seconds, Tsukyomi had her. Her eyes glazed over as her body dropped, with the threat of a severed arterial vein gone, Kisame quickly caught her before she hit her head. For a moment, the two of them stared at her unconscious body. Wondering exactly who Sakura Haruno of Konoha had become, and what she might be capable of becoming.

Who they could help her become.

"Feisty little thing, eh Itachi?"

"Hn. Lets get her to the base.. preferably before she wakes."

Kisame hoisted Sakura's slender limp frame over his shoulder, marveling over how light she was. As they walked out of her little cabin, Itachi grabbed her weapons kit and then immediately set the place aflame, destroying all evidence of her being there. The trip to the base was about relatively short, since they had bases in almost every county, they simply brought her to the closest one. When she woke, Itachi sat in front of her on a metal chair. A small movement of her hands confirmed they were bound to the back of her own chair, popping her neck, Sakura allowed one leg to cross the other in an act of irritation.

"I see you've awakened, good."

"Thank you Captain Obvious, what brilliant deduction will you astound me with next?"

Irritation flashed briefly over his face, then just as quickly, his calm mask of indifference resurfaced. Sakura wondered when he'd learned to guard himself like that, usually ANBU members received extensive training on how to guard their emotions. She knew he was an ex-ANBU member, but she wondered exactly when he'd become one.

"I will ask you one more time, Sakura. Will you consent to join us, or will you refuse and force us to bring you in against your will?"

Sakura pondered over her options for a moment, unsure. While she thought it over, Itachi watched her with concealed confusion. Konoha had left her behind, abandoned her. So why was she still uneasy about joining them? She was a criminal herself, so their status in society didn't matter to her. But why was she so reluctant? The others had been somewhat eager to join them, to rid the world of the evil and the corrupt.

Was she not wanting to do the same?

"If I agree, will I be left alone? Will I be able to do as I please?"

"You will be given a partner, probably Konan since Pein never goes anywhere anymore, or you might be assigned to Pein as a secondary guard. But yes, for the most part you will be able to do as you please in the compound."

Sounds good, we can train in peace and probably spar with the others to learn new skills.

You agree then?

Totally. Get to it Pinky.

Her emerald eyes locked with his once more, a small smile on her face.

"I accept."


Hey everyone!

Sorry it took so long, but chapter two is up and the next one is in progress.

And as a little spoiler, I plan to drastically change her once she gets into the compound. I mean COMPLETE makeover from head to toe.

Any ideas you want me to add in there? Feel free to give me some orders here!

As Always,

BlackRose999