Why Do You Fight For Love?
Can anyone else believe how fast this year has gone? Merry Christmas everyone:) How has everyone liked the story so far? Has Itachi been more in character for this story? Well, I hope so.
As far Sakura getting into the Akatsuki…We'll just have to see, won't we? Anyways, onto your first Christmas present.
Song Playlist:
Falling Inside The Black – Skillet
Send Me An Angel – Zeromancer
Last Resort – Papa Roach
Until the Day I Die – Story of the Year
Last Night - Skillet
Chapter 3: Stronger, Yet Still Weak
Darkness surrounded Sakura, nothing but complete darkness. She watched as her body continued to search for something. Something she couldn't possibly think of. Suddenly, her environment changed from complete darkness to her village, Konoha.
"Konoha? Why am I-" Screams broke out from the village. Her instinct told her to run, run far away since she still had her job to do. She had to save the village from the Akatsuki, but she couldn't just let her village fall under someone else. Sakura swiftly ran with chakra enhanced feet into the village, and soon enough she was sprinting desperately.
Sakura couldn't control her movements anymore, as if her body was moving on its own. Where could she possibly go? As she passed the streets of her village, all she could hear was screams. All she could see was blood, the image forever stuck in her mind. Without knowing it, she was at her destination.
The Hokage Room's door was right in front of her, waiting to be opened. Anxiety seemed to be taking over as she thrust the door open to reveal a horrifying sight.
Through the door frame, she could see everything. Orochimaru sitting at the desk the Hokage usually sat in. Sasuke and Kabuto simply watching the scene below from the windows as Orochimaru let out a low cackle. "Welcome, Cherry Blossom. Care to watch my plan unfold? After all, you are the key to it all…"
Sakura's breathing hitched, as she paled. "K-key?" Orochimaru's eyes glinted in wicked amusement.
"Of course, Sakura, after all, you are just meant to be used, aren't you?" Her heart seemed to stop at his question. Her eyes widened, as she felt herself grip her stomach in pure pain. Used?
"What p-plan?" She managed to choke out, watching as Orochimaru simply watched her in sickening pleasure. Orochimaru shook his head, smirking maliciously.
"I wouldn't worry about it, Sakura-chan. Just wait; you'll see when it's all over." Before she could see any movement, a kunai was thrown towards her. Sakura hadn't noticed until now, but tears were streaming down her face. She closed her eyes, awaiting pain. Darkness seemed to enclose her, as she felt herself useless, weak.
Sakura awoke screaming, tears stinging her eyes as they fell. She couldn't stop screaming, trying to force the images out of her mind. All that mattered now was that she hadto become strong. Strong enough to stop the horrifying dreams and nightmares. Strong enough to stop whatever Orochimaru was planning.
She shivered as she felt bile rise in her throat. She coughed violently, closing her eyes in the process. She felt her stomach lurch as she remembered what Orochimaru had said. She opened her eyes weakly, seeing blood in front of her.
She felt dizzy, nausea beginning to spread throughout her body. This is too real to be just a nightmare. She thought, narrowing her eyes from the results of the pain. "Haruno, what did you do to yourself now?" Sakura barely lifted her head, knowing who it was. His icy tone did not make her any better, only sent more waves of pain throughout her body.
"I-I didn't do anything, you bastard!" She rasped, feeling her stomach lurch yet again. He glared at her coldly before roughly grabbing her arm, lifting her to her feet. The sudden movement made her dizzy, losing her footing. She accidentally fell against Itachi's warm chest, the last place she wanted to be.
His body seemed to tense at her closeness as he grabbed and pulled her away from him. Itachi's glare made her freeze in fear. "Haruno, you are going to be tested again soon. Clean yourself up and get ready." He released his grip, and disappeared from her sight.
Sakura dropped to her knees, placing her hands on the floor to catch herself. She panted wearily as she felt darkness squeeze her heart. A small spark of hate course through her body as the image of Itachi seemed to overlap the nightmare's terrifying scenes. All thoughts of the nightmare left her mind, as she began to realize what Itachi really was. The thing Sasuke had always seen him as after the massacre.
A cruel, sadistic murderer.
"Orochimaru has infiltrated Konoha?" Leader asked softly, smirking at such fortune.
"Hai, Uchiha Sasuke and Kabuto as well. The invasion has been going on ever since early morning." Sasori explained, watching Leader's smirk grow slightly more menacing.
"Very well. I want you all to spy on them until I arrive. Leave before nightfall." Leader dismissed them, watching them all nod before disappearing.
Leader folded his arms, shaking his head. Oh, Orochimaru. You clearly seem to read my mind. It makes me wonder if you have voluntarily used your forces to help my plan take a giant step forward on purpose.
"Haruno-san, for your testing, you will fight Itachi." Emerald eyes narrowed slightly in displeasure. "However, you will fight outside. I do not want this hideout damaged at all." Sakura's gaze flickered momentarily towards Leader-sama, before drifting to Itachi.
"Very well, Leader-sama. Uchiha…" Itachi's crimson gaze locked on her emerald one icily, showing her that she had his undivided attention. "Don't you darego easy on me." Sakura acidly remarked, before exiting the building completely.
Sakura walked quietly down into a small clearing surrounded by tall cherry blossom trees. She waited until Itachi and Leader-sama joined her before she walked to the far right end of the clearing, Itachi doing the opposite of her. Sakura and Itachi stared at each other with equal stares, carefully analyzing the other.
Make me believe you're the man that Sasuke truly hates. If you really care for me, Itachi, show me your best. I want to succeed, even if you do not want me to. Sakura clenched her fists, Itachi raising a perfect eyebrow at her sudden movement. I'm holding onto my last bit of hope that gentle, caring side of you is still willing to fight for me.
"Begin." Sakura grasped a kunai, waiting for Itachi to attack. Three shuriken were thrown from Itachi skillfully, Sakura blocking them before surging forward. Sakura gathered chakra in her free hand as she thrust her hand towards his stomach, realizing too late that it was only a shadow clone. No!
Sakura felt his chakra signature behind her, carefully sweeping her foot behind her. Itachi dodged, parrying with a roundhouse kick to her back. The kick sent her a few yards away, twisting in the air as she grasped shuriken and threw them towards Itachi. Itachi jumped back as the shuriken embedded into the grassy battlefield. Sakura landed on one hand before springing back onto her feet.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Itachi had performed the hand signs before she could even blink, catching her unguarded. Sakura could feel the intense heat as she slammed her fists into the ground, creating a small crater. Sakura watched as the fire above her began to cease, feeling her hands slightly burned from the heat before she had barely saved herself.
Finally, the fire above her ceased, allowing her to jump out of the small crater. She noticed Leader-sama's bored expression as he watched them both. Sakura could feel Itachi's gaze boring into her as she brushed dirt of herself swiftly. "I expected more out of you, Uchiha." Sakura turned around, slightly frowning.
"Perhaps, you should actually try to fight instead of holding back. Holding back will only get you killed." Sakura stiffened at his words, slowly gathering chakra to her hands. She ran forward, carefully avoiding the crater's edge, and attempted to punch Itachi's face.
He stepped to one side and grabbed her wrist, smirking at her. Sakura flinched at his strong grip, trying to break the grip. Sakura grabbed a kunai with her free hand and tried to stab his arm that held her wrist. Itachi grabbed that wrist also before turning her around roughly. Itachi closed his eyes, sending a sickening chill down Sakura's spine.
Sakura desperately struggled to get free, but Itachi's grip was too strong. Sakura gathered chakra quickly into her foot before raising her leg and kicking Itachi's chest. She noticed him slightly grimace and heard a few ribs crack. She couldn't help but smirk at the fact she had finally caused him pain.
The smirk soon faded as Itachi's grip tightened on both of her wrists. Sakura pushed into his chest further with her foot, hearing another crack. She felt a wave of guilt surge through her entire body as she continued to injure Itachi. Why does it have to be like this, Itachi?! Is this the only way to enter the Akatsuki?
Itachi opened his eyes, Sakura instantly entranced by his Sharingan. The three tomo began to spin rapidly before Sakura was plunged into the world of Tsukuyomi. Sakura felt fear consume her as she tried to desperately break the special genjutsu.
Sakura tried to close her eyes as the darkness began to surround her, but found herself unable to. The image of Naruto formed in front of her, an expression of betrayal and fury etched across his face. "Naruto..?" Sakura paled, as he narrowed his eyes at her as she spoke.
"Sakura." Sakura paled when glared coldly at her with such intense hate. He had spoken her name venomously. Sakura dropped to her knees, feeling deep disappointment in herself. I've failed…I've failed Naruto.
Sakura could only watch as Naruto neared her. Naruto punched her with such strength that she was sent spiraling deeper into darkness. "You are the reason we will all die, Sakura." Sakura hit the ground roughly, rolling onto her side limply. Tears threatened to fall. I can't cry! I can't be weak!
Sakura's vision blurred as she watched Tsunade appear in front of her. "Shishou…" Sakura whispered softly, trying to hide the horrifying image in front of her. Tsunade walked towards her slowly, eyes glazed with hate and anger. Tsunade dropped down to a crouch in front of Sakura.
"My own apprentice betrayed us all." Tsunade whispered brokenly, Sakura feeling another wave of guilt wash over her. "My own apprentice…has betrayed the Leaf Village…for Uchiha Itachi." Sakura could've sworn her heart at stopped at that. Sakura breathing hitched as she stared in disbelief at her former mentor.
"I did notbetray the Leaf Village." Sakura growled, fury replacing fear in an instant. "Don't you everaccuse me of betraying my village!" Sakura struggled to her feet, anger sweeping over her like a tidal wave.
Emerald eyes narrowed as Tsunade disappeared, as Itachi appeared in front of her. "I did not betray my village for you, Uchiha!" Sakura glared coldly at him, forming hand signs. Itachi did not respond, just watched her amusedly.
Sakura enhanced her hands with chakra before charging towards Itachi. Itachi shook his head, smirking. "You never seem to learn anything do you, Haruno?" Itachi dodged her punches before grabbing her shoulders. Sakura merely smirked darkly, shocking Itachi.
Sakura gripped his arms with both hands before tightening her grip on his arms. Itachi slightly grimaced at the pressure on his arms, feeling his bones beginning to break. Sakura slammed the ground with her foot, making Itachi lose his footing, trying to balance himself.
Sakura disappeared out of sight, watching in amusement as Itachi carefully looked around for her. She appeared behind him, watching him as he turned his head slightly. Sakura stepped forward once and punched him with such force, that the entire world of Tsukuyomi began to shatter.
Sakura awoke from the world of Tsukuyomi, still trapped by Itachi's grip on her wrists. Sakura felt incredibly weak after the experience in his genjutsu world. Her strength was draining away quickly, and before she knew it, Itachi had her pinned against the ground, a kunai against her throat, ready to strike.
Itachi glared at her with such hatred that she felt another terrifying chill consume her body. "Enough." Sakura resisted the urge to turn her head, for fear it would be the last thing she did. Emerald eyes never left the crimson gaze.
Itachi removed the kunai from her neck, before standing up and backing up a few feet. Sakura just continued to lay there, mostly in shock. "Haruno, you have passed." Sakura's gaze drifted over to Leader watching her in strange amusement. Sakura sat up slowly, feeling another wave of guilt wash over her. I'm in the Akatsuki?
Sakura's gaze snapped back to Itachi, gazing at him in pure horror. Did he know…? Sakura instantly felt dizzy at the thought, clutching her stomach with one hand in pain and overwhelming guilt. "You will need more training. That is why…" Leader-sama's gaze flickered to Itachi scornfully. "Itachi will be training you from now on."
Sakura's stomach lurched at the thought. Sakura's vision blurred as she fell back against the ground. Unconsciousness began to consume her as Leader's words sunk in. I have betrayed Konoha. I'm sorry…Naruto. I didn't know what I was doing…
Itachi continued to glare at the unconscious woman in front of him, feeling sickening comfort that Sakura had passed. Itachi glanced over at Leader, who silently ordered him to tend to Sakura. Anger rippled through Itachi, yet he obeyed and picked up Sakura.
Leader disappeared in a blur, leaving only Itachi and Sakura. Itachi tried not to look at Sakura, but he couldn't help it anymore. Itachi glanced at her for a moment, noticing her peaceful expression, wishing he could for once be at peace also. He knew that day would never come. Only death waited for him, and he knew it.
Itachi carried Sakura through the hideout, until they got into the bedroom they shared. He carefully placed her on the bed, before stepping back a moment to gaze at her. She looked vulnerable and weak, so fragile. It was his doing, and yet he felt no guilt. He had killed uncountable amounts of foes, and had learned to simply ignore and shrug of the guilt.
He hadn't felt guilty when he killed almost all of his clan, so why should he feel guilty for something as small as this? The answer was he shouldn't, or that's what he kept telling himself. Of all the things to be guilty about, why did it have to be about injuring Sakura on purpose? Leader would've killed her without thought, if he would've gone any easier on her. He had fought her with ease, yet it didn't help calm him.
Itachi took off his cloak and sandals before crawling underneath the warm covers on the opposite side of the bed. Itachi faced the wall, instead of Sakura. Right now, he couldn't deal to look at her. Not in such a battered form. That hehad put her in.
Frankly, it was his entire fault. He shouldn't have asked her to stay with him. Itachi knew the dangers they would face, and this was only the first of them. Why should she face the dangers that only the Akatsuki should? Crimson eyes narrowed as one thought entered his mind. Sheis in the Akatsuki.
Itachi turned around to face Sakura, rolling onto his side as quietly as possible. Itachi slightly grimaced at the sight before him, watching Sakura's form breathe slowly, light. He could see bloodstains scattered all over her clothing, sighing wearily, he lifted a hand to her face.
Itachi's urge to caress her face, won him over. As he caressed her gently, he began to remember how soft the texture of her skin was. The kunoichi had captured his heart, surprising him that he actually had one all these years. Yet, no matter how much he may care for her, he absolutely had to unattach himself from her.
Sakura gave a weak whimper as he stopped caressing her, causing him to pull his hand away quickly. So much for protecting her… One part of him sneered, laughing in wicked amusement as Itachi watched Sakura groan from her pain in her sleep. You shouldn't even need to protect her. That's the way it should be because she has always wanted Sasuke.
A strange emotion fueled him at that thought, clearly unknown to him. Sakura turned toward him, shivering. She wouldn't have stayed if she wanted Sasuke. He argued back, to the other side. Perhaps, but she could always be using you. Itachi cut off the thoughts, not wanting to hear anymore of such nonsense.
"…Itachi?" Sakura's emerald eyes fluttered open slowly, asking drowsily for him. Every trace of Itachi's gentleness was gone in an instant, being replaced with his cold, hateful mask. Sakura looked groggily at him, noticing his closeness. Her eyes flew open with fear and confusion as she attempted to move away.
He saw her wince then stop momentarily to give him a confused glance, before carefully setting her head back on the pillow. Sakura shivered, burying her face into the pillow. Itachi merely turned around, back facing Sakura. He heard a small sigh come from her, before he closed his eyes, hoping for sleep to come soon.
"Explain our mission again, Leader-sama?" Sasori raised an eyebrow at the recent order of the mission. He never had wanted this mission, but what had to be done made complete sense. This was the last time they would check in with Leader about the mission before the left for Konoha.
"Very well, Sasori-san." Leader agreed to his request, before turning to them. "You three shall infiltrate Konoha's walls and watch Orochimaru's actions from the shadows. I want a report from you, Sasori, every week on Orochimaru and his forces. Do not attack; you will be only spying on the village and nothing else. Is this understood?"
Murmurs of agreement echoed through the small meeting room. "Leave now. You are dismissed." Leader simply waved them off with a hand, watching them exit through the door.
"Everything shall come together sooner or later. Only a matter of time before we can move forward with my plan." Leader smirked evilly before also walking through the door into the darkness.
Merry Late Christmas :S. My holiday was really busy, and I was trying to get this chapter up so many times, but at least I have it up now. What in the world, is that Leader planning, eh? Hopefully, everyone enjoyed the tiny ItaSaku fluff. More to come next chapter, and I'm sure everyone will enjoy it. :)
Please review, and thank you very much for reading thus far.
SharinganAnbuSakura