The Blossom's Crow
Chapter 1: Confessions
"Sakura, I am going to be honest with you. I hope that with this confession it does not strain our friendship. I am really Itachi Uchiha; I faked my death because I feared my plans were going to fail. It turns out I am right. Sasuke's hatred has turned toward the Leaf and I know I am the only one who can stop it. With your help I can get close enough to Sasuke to free him from his hate filled darkness. Susano'o is not meant to be as dark as it is now. Soon, it will retaliate and kill him. Danzo's actions can no longer be ignored and the Council needs to be stopped," Itachi said as calm as possible and then released the hinge and looked at her with his onyx eyes. Sakura at first was at a loss of words and then her eyes filled with anger. She slapped him and just for good measure did it again. When she went in for the third and final slap, he caught her wrist. "I assure you, I deserved the first two. However, I will not allow another strike. I am aware I deserve more than that, but I cannot take another blow from you. Please tell me I had not made an error of judgment in that you would be more understanding," Itachi continued his eyes boring holes into her own. His sadness overwhelmed her and her strength waned.
"What do you expect from me? You destroyed your brother and then lied to me using who I thought was a simple man! Now you ask me to back you up and I don't know a thing about you," Sakura yelled her eyes shining with defiance and a hint of betrayal. "And I apologize for that. I had to be sure I could trust you fully, but I swear everything you knew of my hinge was the real me. The one I had to hide from the clan. The life I always wanted to have. The friendship I had long desired and I hope one day more than that in the future. Sakura Haruno, there is something about you that I even cannot ignore. You draw me in like a moth to the flame and I can't help but dance with you and your song. I am not here to destroy the Leaf or break you as my brother did. I am here to save it," Itachi said his eyes pleading as his hand glided softly against her cheek.
Surprised is not the word Sakura would use for this confession. Of course, many of the village's women kunoichi or not desired one or the other of the Uchiha brothers, but to have one flat-out tell her, he wanted more than friendship from her; left her floored and downright shocked into speechlessness. "I-I trust you. You better not be playing me Itachi or I will find some way to destroy you. One thing I need to ask though. Why me," Sakura asked as her brain finally formed words. Even inner was still in a stupor. "Why not you Sakura? You have given me more than I could dream someone can give. You gave me friendship when I really never had any. You gave me hope when everything was falling to pieces. Also, not to sound like I am using you or anything, but you have two minds. Thus, the Tsukiyomi and other such genjutsus that the Sharingan produces you are unaffected by. You have the ultimate defense for the ultimate kekkai genkai. I am far more superior than both Sasuke and Madara combined your village needs me. I had no choice but to live and I am sure as hell glad I did," Itachi replied smiling.
"Why are you glad," Sakura asked cocking her head to the side as if she was even more confused by the turn of events. "Because the fates gave me you," Itachi replied as though she should've already known the answer. "Now you are trying to flatter me. Even so with your explanation, I am not so special. I can't really help when it counts at all," Sakura mumbled slightly frustrated with herself. "Have you honestly let my brother break you down that much? His words have no effect if you don't believe them yourself. He is wrong and if it is true that the wounds he gave you are great then allow me to be your healer while you heal everyone else around you," Itachi said and left Sakura once again speechless. Where was the cold and aloof Itachi Uchiha that she had heard so many stories of go and who was this Itachi that offered warmth and love? The very kind she yearned for, for God knows how long. It seemed like every painted image of him she had in her mind began melting away and was redone into the man before her. "I apologize I am so used to doubting myself that I tend to forget what I can really do. If you think you can heal me then I will let you try. I just don't know how you can," Sakura said her gaze falling to the floor. "It begins with this," Itachi said placing his lips ever so softly to hers. "I swear on my name as an Uchiha that I will mend you and you will be mine. I will not give up and will not surrender," Itachi continued with a smirk on his face.
"Do all Uchihas have to be so passionate, possessive, and gifted," Sakura asked mumbling, a blush staining her cheeks. "Yes, yes we are my Blossom. Now, that we have everything settled. Shall we discuss how to stop my brother from making a complete ass of himself? I have a few plans, but I want your insight. Then we can go to Tsunade if you wish," Itachi said pulling her into his chest and held her. "A-all right. First though we need to handle Danzo and the council. So, Lady Tsunade is first and foremost. Then we worry about your brother and Madara," Sakura said listening to his heartbeat before releasing him, grabbed his hand, and dragged him to the Hokage Tower. She made sure to use alleyways so they went unnoticed for the most part. Once there, Itachi grabbed her and jumped to the window. "Lady Tsunade, I need to speak with you. As you can see Itachi is alive and well," Sakura said impressing herself with how calm she acted although she was absolutely cracking inside.
"I do see that quite well. Why," Tsunade asked her eyes casting a suspicious glance at Itachi. "I am not here of ill will, I promise. I am here to be a Konoha shinobi once more. I will assist you in this fight and I will save my brother," Itachi said bowing before her. "I would be lying if I said that I am not glad to see you because quite frankly I am. We do need you and to think I was cursing at the fact that you were gone," Tsunade said pouring some sake into her cup. "I take it that I am officially back," Itachi asked his face expressing his amusement. "Yes and I would like to apologize for the actions of my predecessors. I hope to make everything right once this is all over. Itachi you will be a hero instead of a criminal. I thank you for returning to us when you could've easily joined Madara. I must ask though why have you decided to stay with the village that damned you to the life you have lived," Tsunade asked her eyes never once losing suspicion as she stared him down.
"I have always loved my village and desired to keep the peace here. True to me my brother is more important, but I will always hold this village on top as well. By the way, you have a wonderful student who has seemed to have captured me," Itachi said the trademark smirk appearing on his face when Sakura blushed and Tsunade's eyes darted to her apprentice. "Has she now," was all Tsunade could say and Sakura's blush became a deeper shade of red. "She has. I am not here just for the village but for her. At first it was just the village, but since meeting her, my intentions have changed drastically. I do not regret it or anything though," Itachi said simply like it was how it was all along. "Very well. You should know that many of us have disbanded and are planning on destroying ROOT while Danzo is gone to the Lands Meet correct? Then you, Sakura, Shizune, and myself will head that way while Neji leads the rest against ROOT. Sakura take him to get a new uniform. Meet me at the gates in one hour," Tsunade said and waved her hand in dismissal, they bowed, and left making their way to the ninja stock room…..
End of Chapter 1
A.N.: How was that guys? So many confessions on Itachi's part no? Anywho, the journey is about to begin! So, here is a vote for you! Should the Uchiha brothers fight or not? Leave your vote in your review. Also great appreciation goes out to awesomeyou for the review and to all who favorite and subscribed to my story! Much love out to you guys! Until next time JA NE!