Thank you for all of the reviews! They really inspire me to keep writing! IMPORTANT AN -please remember that this is an AU so the characters pasts HAVE changed!
To the guest review, who said that they found a computer just to review my story, thank you so much! That made my day :)
Thank you for reading Grey Lines of Combat, and please enjoy!~~~
~~GLOC~~
So close.
She was so close to freedom. All she had to do was swallow one tiny pill, and everything would be okay. The blue capsule was clutched between her fingers as she ripped her hand up towards her face. She almost smiled in exhilaration as she saw that damn Uchiha's eyes widen, panic entering those emotionless depths. She would have sneered, if there had been time. Her lips parted, and her hand almost reached them.
Almost.
Fingers wrapped around her wrists with all the force of iron bands, dragging her hands up and away from her mouth. She was pushed back into the desk, her body bent backwards, stunning her with the force of the impact. Itachi stood above her, one hand holding her limbs hostage as the other held up a delicate, blue capsule. His eyes did not leave hers.
"Did you think it would be that easy?" Deceptively soft, he made sure that all traces of emotion were hidden from her.
Her sea green eyes blazed with emotions, chest heaving in shock, and anger. She spit her words out at him like knives.
"I had hoped you would have the common decency to let me die," she hissed. He merely looked down at her, Raven head cocking to the side slightly. Itachi's obsidian eyes slid back to the blue capsule, before he crushed it between his fingers, letting the soft powder drift onto the ground slowly. He leaned in a bit closer to her, their noses scant inches apart. She could feel his chest, a hair's breadth away from hers.
His eyes were cold, almost flinty as he looked into her fiery sea green orbs. "Do not be so foolish, Kunoichi," he said softly.
She struggled underneath him, attempting to shove his limbs off of her. Unfortunately, his long fingers were hard as steel bands around her wrists; the rest of the his body seemed just as unbudging. She tossed her head, eyes rolling to the side defiantly as her limbs were held down. Even though she didn't make contact with his obsidian eyes, she still glared off into the distance. To make a point.
Itachi looked down at the panting kunoichi. He could see the anger in her eyes, anger that remained in her taut form even after she'd stopped struggling. Generally, he had thought it rather funny how easy it was to rile up the woman. However, this time he wasn't amused. He did not think that she would attempt such a stunt. To think, that she would rather die, would rather take her own life then continue to heal him... It left a hollow feeling in his chest, a little pit of sadness, anger and guilt.
Scoffing lightly, a breath leaving him in a slight huff, he whirled away from the woman. Straightening his back to conceal the affects her words had on him, he held up his wrist to brandish the black leather cuff hung around it.
"If you attempt such a thing again, I will be alerted through the tracking bracelet. You will not succeed." It was only from years of practice that he was able to keep his voice even, emotionless. Needing to release his pent up emotions, Itachi stalked out of the tent, leaving the enemy kunoichi panting on top of his desk.
Sakura stared up at the ceiling as the tent door swished softly, falling back into place, quickly eliminating the Ray of sunshine that had cut into the darkness. Her breath left her in a rush, and she deflated as it did, her anger evaporating to leave only sadness. Her hand rose to clench over her chest, fingers tangled in the material of her shirt. Even that small gesture did nothing to alleviate her, as she could only feel the leather cuff digging into her skin. She felt her eyes begin to sting with tears, the hot liquid pooling up suddenly.
'No,' she thought fiercely. No crying. She'd vowed years ago to stop crying when she could be doing something, could be improving her situation. Crying was a thing of the past for Sakura.
She hadn't had the best childhood. Granted, it wasn't the worse either. Her civilian mother was loving, and her father doting, he'd retired from active duty once she was born, on a chill spring day. They had loved her, coddled her even. Perhaps that's what had made her such an easy target at the academy. Once she'd turned ten her father had insisted she enter the ninja academy, against her mother's gentle disapproval. However, the woman didn't make many objections, hoping that her sweet daughter would ask to leave on her own. Sakura had actually enjoyed the lessons, the history and jutsu fascinated her.
But then the bullying had started.
It had been simple things at first, pulling on her cotton candy locks, whispers and laughs when she walked past the group of girls. But soon there were noted discreetly tucked into her books, feet ready to trip her when she walked around the school house. Sakura cried constantly, becoming fearful, anxious and lonely. She didn't know how to stand up to her bullies. Shelter and protected by her parents, she didn't understand their vindictiveness, their hatred of her. She didn't know why they targeted her, only that she was lacking in some respect.
One day, when the wicked children been particularly cruel to her, Sakura had burst into tears, curling into a small ball to avoid the kicks and pinches bestowed upon her when a loud shout had shocked her.
"What are you brats doing?! Get away from her, go!" The girls all shrieked, running away quickly from this new adversary. Feeling as though she only had a new tormentor to face, the young Sakura reluctantly uncovered her tears eyes. A small, blonde girl was standing before her, hand held out to help the poor pinkette stand. This girl oozed confidence. She looked strong, and was fairly pretty, for a ten year old. Dressed in purple clothing, with swatches of mesh fabric, Sakura guessed recognized her as a fellow academy student. She merely regarded the offered hand, not sure what to say as she hiccuped quietly. The blonde girl smiled at her softly, not moving the proffered limb.
"Hey, I won't be horrible like those girls are. They're just dumb, and jealous of your hair. It's like flowers! I'm Yamanaka Ino, we're both in Iruka-sensei's class, but I can't remember your name," Sakura looked up at her curiously, very gently taking hold of the hand. Ino's fingers were warm as she helped Sakura up, her smile only growing as the pinkette didn't shy away.
"I'm Haruno Sakura. I've seen you in class before," she she shyly.
"That's a pretty name! Not as pretty as mine, but it'll do. Want to come pick flowers with me?" Ino swung their hands lightly, gesturing invitingly to the nearby forest. Sakura looked down at the chubby fingers she was clutching, and smiled softly.
"What kind of flowers are they?" Both of the girls started to walk into the forest, where they spent the afternoon bonding over simple pleasures, and had become fast friends. Sakura's bullies did not return to torment her, and she gradually came out of her shell, flourishing under the love of her new companion.
However, it did not last long. As their days in the academy dragged on, it became clear that who was at the top of the class, and who was at the bottom. The most promising student was named A young boy Kyo, and Sakura adored him. He was fairly aloof, never paying attention in class, but none the less savage in mock spars for that. She admirer his strength, his drive to be the best. But so did Ino. They became divided by their want for his affections, both competing against the other to prove themselves the best girl, the strongest girl.
In the end, Sakura graduated the academy with near perfect grades, but subpar jutsu. She didn't spend much time training, not liking to spend time all sweaty and dirty, when she could be mooning after the dreamy picture Kyo made, with his long red hair and green eyes. Fortunately, she was selected to be on a team with him, her hero! However, the class idiot, and village dropout was also on their team. Uzumaki Naruto. She didn't really mind him, but he fought with Kyo a lot, stealing most of the attention from her. Their Sensei had been Kakashi, the Legendary copy nin, not that she'd appreciated it at the time. She'd mostly cared about her looks, and brains, not her actual skills.
Sakura had a rude awakening when they began to take missions. She was useless, utterly useless. The young girl became used to the men of her team shoving her aside, always assigning someone to protect her. It was humiliating. She'd wanted to quit being a ninja all together, and almost had, if not for one pivotal moment.
After a particularly harsh battle, she had been nervously pacing in the hospital waiting room, waiting to hear news from Kyo, who had suffered a major blow, one aimed for her. He'd knocked her out of the way of the enemy katana, taking the strike to the gut. They had furiously run back to the village, Sakura crying, and praying that the boy, now 12, would live. After what seemed like hours and hours, a kind nurse walked out of the closed off hallway that Kyo had been taken down earlier.
"Well, he's out of the woods now, and should recover nicely." The matronly woman said to the anxious girl. Sakura heaved a huge sigh, her hand going to her heart as relief filled her entire body.
"Can I go and see him?" She asked tentatively. The older woman pursued her lips, eyes flicking to the clock and back to the desperate pinkette.
"Visiting hours are over," Sakura felt her heart sink at the words, and her eyes fell, downcast. "So you'll have to be extra sneaky," the kind woman said with a smile.
Sakuras head whipped up, a smile gracing her pink lips before she dashed down the hallway, quickly locating her love's Chakra signature and running towards his room. She took a deep breath when the door appeared, her fingers reaching out to grab the silver handle when she heard a voice coming from inside the room. Pricking her ears up, she stilled, listening very carefully.
"It was admirable of you to protect Sakura like they, Kyo." Kakashi's quiet voice came to her as she strained her ears. A dark, humorless chuckle was the teenagers response.
"If any members of the team dies, we won't be looked at for promotions. I deserve to be a chunin." Sakura felt tears prick her eyes at the callous words, her hands growing Cold and clammy. "I wouldn't have to worry about such things if she wasn't useless."
Kakashi sighed, and she hoped, prayed that he would rise to her defense. "I have been considering training you separately, Kyo. Jiraiya-sama has taken an interest in Naruto, and Sakura...she does not belong in this program." A tortured gasp escaped the young as Kyo murmured his agreement.
None of them cared. She'd deluded herself, thinking they were a tightly bound team, but she was the weak link. Helpless little Sakura, she couldn't do anything for herself. Feeling the hot tears spill over and Onto her cheeks, Sakura turned and ran, fleeing down an obscure hallway. She leaned back against the wall, eyes shut tight and hands clenched into fists as she shook with sobs.
Useless. Burden. Powerless.
The words kept repeating itself over and over in her mind, and she feel herself drowning in a pit of despair. The true sadness of it all was that she had only herself to blame. Of course she could have trained more, could have spent more time, more effort in her skills. But she hadn't, and there was a price to pay. Consequences were always harsh for Shinobi.
Not that she could even call herself one, she scoffed. She was nothing more than a little pink haired girl, playing at being a warrior.
A scream rang out in the camp, startling Sakura out of her memories. She jumped off of the desk, landing in a defensive crouch with her fists help up protectively. Eyes shifted around widely, and she straining to hear anything more. Nothing. Sighing, she straightened up when no more noises were heard after a few moments. It was unusually quiet in the Uchiha's pavilion, which she has assumed resides close to his camp. There weren't the usual noises, of chatter, running, shouted directions and orders. It was too quiet, eerie. She shivered lightly, a sudden pang of longing for the Konoha base camp surging through her. Naruto, Tsunade, Kakashi. She missed them all.
She felt awful, traitorous. She should be furious that her suicide attempt had been thwarted, should be appalled that she had to continue healing the arrogant Nin. But she wasn't. Not completely, at least. There was a great sense of relief, like she'd gotten a second chance. As much as Sakura ached to protect her home, she was not ready to die. She was young, barely 17 and hadn't accomplished any of the things she wanted to do with her life.
Not that she would get to do any of those things here, stuck in an enemy camp by one of the world's most ruthless, calculating killers.
She sank onto the ground, legs crossed lightly. Sakura knew there was furniture in the tent, nice pieces even, but she eschewed them. Just because she had to be here didn't mean that she couldn't fight tooth and nail every step of the way. Even if sitting on the ground instead of the proffered couch wouldn't accomplish anything in the long run, it gave her a small thrill of defiance. Closing her eyes, she tiredly slumped against the tents central pole. She'd been running on adrenaline earlier, putting up a strong front. Healing the Uchiha was hard work, requiring massive amounts of focus and infinitesimally fine chakra control. She was pleased with her progress, from a medical standpoint that is. It would still take her a couple of weeks to find a way to stop the damage from occurring in the first place. Sighing, she began to doze off as thoughts of eyes and medical procedures ran through her brain.
~~GLOC~~
Itachi sighed imperceptibly, his eyes cold as they surveyed the scene before him. He had intended on going on a walk through the woods, in an attempt to clear the bitter taste from his mouth. He hadn't gotten far until a soldier teleported in front of him, a burst of smoke announcing the nins presence. The man kept his face composed, as all of those in Itachi's battalion were trained to do, and bowed to his commander, awaiting acknowledgment.
"State your business," the ravenette said calmly. The man rose, but he avoided eye contact, being only too familiar with the Uchiha's ocular powers.
"An enemy nin was found attempting to infiltrate the camp, and has been apprehended sir." Eyes widening the slightest bit, Itachi turned back in the direction of the base camp, away from the calming woods. His walk would have to wait.
"Lead the way," he said to his subordinate, allowing the man to walk half a step in front of him. "How was this Shinobi captured?"
"The third and fourth squads found him crossing the border, and failing to hide his chakra signature completely. They are holding the man in the command tent for our battalion." The nin spoke quickly as he led the way to the purple tent, which stood a fair distance away from Itachi's pavilion. He did not like to reside close to the clamor of the soldiers, and moved his residence closer to the calming forest. Once the purple tent was in sight, Itachi strode forward confidently, overtaking the messenger with ease. A crowd of men had gathered around the tent, all on guard and curiously talking. Everyone moved out of the way for the silent commander, and most bowed their heads to him respectfully. Itachi included his over Raven head to a select few of the nin, the ones that he got along well with. Striding forward, he entered the tent without preamble.
"Oh, Itachi-san. How nice of you to join us," a deep voice ground out sadistically. Kisame was standing near the back of the tent, a red stained kunai gripped between his fingers, matching the bloodthirsty gleam in his eyes. A terrified man was bound behind him, arms tired to one of central pillars, up above his head. The man's chest was littered with shallow lacerations, dripping red to mix with the dirt beneath him. The nin was breathing harshly, and the whites of his eyes showed, around a brown iris. He had light brown hair, and was of a medium stature. Not a remarkable person at all. However, Itachi felt a flicker of pity for the man, as he'd been caught by the shark. There generally was no stopping Kisame once he found a play thing.
"How much information have you gotten out of him?" He kept the disgust he felt for the situation out of his voice, and off of his features. A perfectly emotionless mask.
Kisame swiped a finger along the edge of the kunai, and it came away red. "He was sent to search for your medic, Itachi-San." The shark like man licked the blood off the side of his blue finger, smirking at the terrified Shinobi as he did.
"S-Sakura-sama..." He whispered fearfully.
Itachi's eyes dropped to the nondescript man. He could only be a chunin, at best. It seemed the Leaf were wary to expend any competent soldiers on the medics behalf. A wise choice, if sad for her.
Itachi looked back over to Kisame, who was practically purring with excitement. "I shall leave this interrogation to you. Inform me of any new information." As he turned away from the gruesome scene, Itachi closed his eyes, hoping in vain that he would be able to avoid hearing the man's screams of pain.
/ thank you for reading! I hope the time change with Sakura came out right, I want to start exploring how past, and how it's changed her. Plus, Itachi faces difficulties as he confronts his more dangerous side!
Thank you for reading, and please review!