Chapter 7: 'Learning to breathe'
A/N: I want to say a few things before I begin this chapter. A) thank you to all who reviewed you are the most beautiful people alive (If your guys I'm sticking with beautiful) B) Yami Uchiha is the best person known to man kind Google her, find her and do whatever the hell she tells you to do she rocks and she's amazing. If she was a word she'd be fan-fucking-fabu-awesome-amzing-ness. Enjoy the chapter, if not go back into the hole you came from.
Now about this chapter, lets see hmm took me forever (Again) to think of a title I think my brain is dying :]] But I made it through.
BTW: I was too lazy to proof read this so if there are any typos I may fix em later other then that..BLAH
Now please excuse me while I go be a loner in my corner XD (I need friends message me!)
Enjoy
R&R
Lastwords
Random fact: I support gay/bi/Lez people (THEY ROCK WOO) if you don't well I don't care. Have a nice day.
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Emi was tired, she had been routing through files all day and nothing particularly interesting came up about this Sakura girl. She hadn't received detention, her grades were brilliant she transferred from an average school and got in on a scholarship. She had no behavioural problems, no issues with staff members, nothing she was a squeaky clean freshman. Emi had looked through everything she could think of. All she had gotten was physical traits and grades, some contact information and her old school.
That's just going to have to do, she though as she carried the information to her dorm room for Akane. She had taken down the stuff she had found but she figured Akane wouldn't be pleased; this was nothing special nothing extremely worthwhile. Anybody could find out this stuff if they looked hard enough for it.
She opened the door and stepped inside the now tidy dorm room, placing the papers on the desk and looked around. She jumped when Akane appeared out of nowhere and smiled. "Are these what I think they are?" She asked her eyes dancing. Emi just nodded. "She's nothing special Akane I didn't find anything unusual" she waited for Akane to throw a strop but she didn't she just smiled as she flicked through the papers her eyes scanning the words.
"These are perfect" she smiled at Emi and walked slowly towards her bedroom. Emi leaned on the counter and thought about that statement, Akane was obviously up to something she obviously had a plan if she was pleased with only those pieces of information. She clearly figured they wouldn't find anything useful and devised a plan to allow her to do something else. Emi then began to worry for the girl on the receiving end of this plan. Haruno Sakura was about to become very unlucky, and Emi was feeling very guilty because no matter what happened she had given Akane the needed tools.
Emi walked to her room and sat down covering her face. She did the only thing she figured she could, she prayed.
-XXXX-
Ino had gone to bed about an hour ago, she had been lying in her bed for about half an hour trying to imagine what was going on, on Sakura's date. She had imagined the good, the bad and the downright awful. But she fell asleep with a smile upon her face. Her gut was tugging her mind towards the 'good' scenario, and Ino allowed her mind to be pulled. Her dreams were peaceful and full of happy endings.
She didn't stir to the whispers outside the front door, she didn't wake to the noise of flesh on flesh, she didn't wake to the whispered 'I can't' or the broken sob. She didn't even wake to the entering of someone into the dorm room.
Or the small sobs that followed that entrance.
-XXXX-
Sakura leaned her head against the cool wood of the dorm room door, and let small sobs escape her mouth. Keeping in mind that Ino was probably asleep, she kept the sobbing quiet. But her face was twisted in a pain from years ago.
I warned you. You should've listened to me.
Sakura's small hands grabbed her pink locks at the roots and pulled. The physical pain helping her get a grip on the situation.
Get out! Get out of my head!
Sakura screamed in her mind, the silence that met that scream mad her feel even crazier. I have a voice in my head; I must be nuts and to make it worse I'm talking back to it. Her fingers left her hair, and as the strands fell around her face she covered her mouth with her hand. While pain rippled through her whole being, she closed her eyes and shook her head. Denial, she thought, all over again denial was back. Shaking her head she whispered "It's real, no more denying it; it happened; it really happened."
Walking slowly to her room, she put her small handbag on the bed and sat down. She was up early tomorrow for school she needed to sleep. Wiping her eyes, she began preparing for bed. She walked into the bathroom and began washing her face, removing the make up. When that was finished she proceeded with brushing her teeth and pulling the clips out of her hair letting it fall loose. Changing into her pyjamas and hanging up Ino's dress she climbed into bed.
Before allowing herself to close her eyes, she stared at her ceiling and whispered.
"he didn't know, he doesn't know now. He wasn't intentionally trying to scare me. It happened by accident. Besides that, I enjoyed myself."
Her mind get reminding her that she'd never kissed anyone before, besides the incident. She didn't know what it would do to her because it had never happened before for her to know about. She was agreeing with the idea that overtime the reaction would lessen and subside. Her body was just reliving trauma through that experience because last time it happened the most traumatic thing of her life had happened. She felt certain that, she would become accustomed to it because her body would understand that it wasn't going to happen again.
Closing her eyes a small smile played on the corners of her lips.
"I enjoyed myself" she whispered before turning over and falling asleep.
-XXXX-
Itachi, stayed at the door for a while listening to Sakura's small quiet sobs. He could hear them through the door, and something inside his stomach had tightened. Something terrible had happened to her and she hid it from everybody, but certain thing seemed to give her a knock on reaction that she couldn't control.
He had then heard her whisper with only made him more certain of his presumptions, he had wanted to knock on the door and apologize to her but instead her walked away. Figuring if she wanted to hide her pain she probably didn't want people seeing her breakdown. She most likely preferred to do that in private, alone.
Walking back to his dorm room with his hands in his pockets, Itachi mulled over the night and one thing stuck with him.
He had enjoyed himself. He had enjoyed the night and he had enjoyed her company.
He had enjoyed himself.
Opening the door and then closing it Itachi changed his clothes and went to bed.
-XXXX-
The night passed by quickly and Sakura awoke to light coming into her room from a gap in her curtains. Sighing and stretching she got up and showered. After her shower she took her pills and set about get ready for school. When finished she walked out of her room to bump into a grinning Ino.
"Well?" She asked her voice full of excitement. Sakura smiled and smoothed her hair on her head, then grinned at Ino.
"It was nice" she smiled again and walked by Ino into the kitchen.
Ino ran after her "Nice?" Sakura turned and nodded. "Uh hello, friend over here wanting juicy details!" Ino was practically bouncing with excitement. Sakura just laughed and grabbed some food.
"There's not much to say" she said before beginning to eat.
"Uh Uchiha fucking Itachi what's not to say?" Ino Sat opposite her not giving up.
"It was nice" Sakura continued eating.
Ino sighed and began eating her breakfast too.
Sakura and Ino left the dorm making their way to the school building and even through Ino tried to get it out of her Sakura kept tight lipped.
"Fine then don't talk" Ino squeezed Sakura to show she was playing around. Sakura squeezed Ino's hand back as they entered the school building.
The halls looked the same and Sakura found comfort in the bustling of people, Ino said her goodbyes and headed for her locker leaving Sakura to walk alone to her own. Hinata was already waiting when she got there.
"Hey" she smiled her unusual eyes looking soft. Sakura smiled back and opened her locker; she could smell the scent of paper mixed with ink that only school books gave off. The smell made her smile and as she grabbed her books she noticed the neatly folded yellow post-it on the bottom of her locker. Someone must have pushed it through the crack of the door. Sakura put her books in her bag and unfolded the piece of paper.
The swirly handwriting reminded her of something she'd seen recently, very recently.
You'll regret it.
Sakura narrowed her eyes in confusion; the locker area was to well organized for this to be a mistake. Alphabetical order left little room for slip up when talking about leaving someone in particular a note. Sakura folded the piece of paper up again and left it in the bottom of her locker. Where had she seen something similar, then it hit her; that single word bingo.
Sakura shut her locker and narrowed her eyes again, somebody didn't drop that note last night it was meant for her. What was going on?
Hinata and Sakura walked to Ino's locker in silence, Sakura was mulling over different scenarios for how the first and second note got planted.
Ino was finished and was talking to Sasuke and Naruto, both of which had their eyes narrowed and looked pretty pissed. Sakura walked up and interrupted.
"Ino that note was planted, I got a second one in my locker," Ino who had stopped talking narrowed her own eyes and tapped a finger to her chin.
"Who and why would someone do that?" Sakura shrugged and looked at the ceiling. "What were you guys bitching about?"
Naruto straightened up and whispered "Orochimaru is back."
Sakura was lost for words. She didn't know Naruto was able to whisper. Ino sensing Sakura wasn't with them explained.
"Orochimaru is the weirdest, creepiest man alive and he's a teacher. A teacher with power he gives tons of homework and the worst punishments imaginable. He's evil. And he's back." Ino shuddered and Sakura just laughed.
"Please he couldn't be that bad." Sakura supplied, Ino just shook her head.
"He is he really and truly is Sakura" Ino then wiped the disgusted look off her face and motioned for them all to head to class. Sakura walked slowly thinking about the note again. Sasuke was walking beside her. Being a Uchiha he cut to the chase.
"What note?" his voice was removed but it was forced removal he was making himself seem removed whereas Itachi came across as naturally being removed.
"Someone left a note saying 'Bingo' outside our dorm room the other day. And we figured someone dropped it, but today I found another one in my locker saying 'you'll regret it' so I'm guessing it wasn't by accident it was meant for me."
"Why would someone do that?"
"If I knew that do you think I'd by trying to figure it out?" Her eyes were challenging him to argue back. He just met her eyes blankly. She mentally compared his eyes to his brother's it was unusual how similar they seemed but up close were so different. Sasuke's looked like liquid charcoal, smooth and thick but completely black. Itachi's looked like melted onyx, silky and black but had flecks of deep blues. They were both gorgeous colours but Sakura found herself trying to find blue in Sasuke's eyes and being left feeling disappointed.
Sasuke was watching her watching him, she hadn't realised they had stopped moving. They were standing in the middle of a hallway looking into each others eyes. She broke the stare and continued to walk, Sasuke following close behind. His hair was darker then Itachi's too she noted but shook it off, now was note the time to be comparing the two brothers.
Sasuke and Sakura got to the next floor at the same time and both looked at each other again, this time there was concealed amusement in those black eyes. And Sakura felt the urge to smack him, she didn't because Ino was walking over to them with an arched eyebrow.
"What took you so long?" Her blue eyes were focused on sakura and the real what did you do together? Was made very clear for the pink haired teen, she just smiled and shrugged.
They all walked over to their located classroom and began chatting, Sakura and Sasuke kept their silence. Stealing glances at one another every once in a while. Sakura after looking Sasuke in the eye decided to look behind him. Her heart skipped a beat when her eyes found the onyx black of the only other Uchiha. Those eyes were void of everything at the moment, he seemed like he was incapable of feeling. She wanted to walk over to him but instead she straightened herself against the wall and held her ground. His eyes weren't watching her though, they were watching Sasuke. Sasuke, obviously, feeling the gaze turned and met the eyes of his senior even Sasuke's outstanding aura was shunned by Itachi's.
Sasuke matched with mirror image ease, the arched eyebrow he was receiving from Itachi. Neither of them spoke, they didn't need to, they were having a conversation with their eyes.
"Hn" was all Itachi said before his eyes looked down the hallway towards a girl with curly brown hair. Sakura's heart sank, she'd forgotten Itachi had girlfriend! Guilt washed through her as she pulled her sleeves over her hands. What had she done?
She looked at the ground staring at her shoes, wishing she had of remembered last night. Something inside her pointed out that she had broken away from the kiss, but Sakura countered the argument she had kissed him back before she did that. This was bad, this was very bad.
"Are you alright?" Ino asked her eyes following the older Uchiha then looking at Sakura. Sakura looked up and mouthed 'Later' Ino nodded and left it at that. The teacher arrived and they all shuffled into their classroom, and sat through the class.
-XXXX-
After lunch the girls made their way to their English class and sat in now 'their' corner. Sakura somehow managed to be next to Sasuke, so when they were given pair work she had to work with him. Not that it bothered her, he was nothing but polite but there was something behind those eyes that was making every single bone and muscle in her body scream 'run'. She was uneasy through the whole class and when the bell rang she was out of the room in a flash. So quickly she ran right into someone.
"Whoa" the person said as they caught her from falling over. Sakura looked up and saw Ino's brother, she apologized and was about to walk away when Ino came out. She looked at Sakura who was still being supported by Deidara's arm. Ino looked confused and then gave Sakura questioning glance.
"I bumped into him" she muttered, Ino's face smoothened out and she smiled. "Okay, let's go" Deidara let go of Sakura's arm but Sakura for some reason looked back and saw Sasori had been watching the whole thing. Her eyes met his and his face was also, like Itachi's, blank. She was about to look back when she saw a smirk pull at his lips, as if having a light bulb turned on his face lit up. Sakura rolled her eyes at him and faced back.
"Damn girl if you keep this up they'll put you on the board" Ino stated Sakura just laughed. "I'm serious, they all like you; well most of them but still!" Sakura just shook her head as they separated for their next class.
-XXXX-
Itachi sat down at his desk and waited patiently for the teacher to come, she didn't. So they all decided they had a free period, the board members gathered their desks and chairs in a circle and began discussing.
"So what's this shit going on with Akane?" Kisame asked "She's gone nuts" Sasori just nodded in agreement.
"We've been meaning to discuss this with you" Itachi stated "She's up to something to keep your eyes on her." The other members agreed to do just that.
Itachi had been watching Akane for most of the day and he hadn't found her doing anything suspicious. He figured that she guessed they'd be watching her so she either was getting someone else to do the dirty work or was being very clever and doing most of it in private. She wasn't going to ambush Sakura, she was going to take her time and chip away bit by bit. That was why they needed to catch her before she did something too damaging.
The bell rang and Itachi stood up slowly, putting his desk back in the correct place and walking out the door. Akane was just infront of him walking alone; he walked beside her and looked into her eyes. Her brown eyes feigned innocence but there was a huge hurt there.
"Stop" was all he said before walking off, Akane clenched her fists. She would not be bossed about by the pretty boy anymore. She was her own woman and she was going to cause some shit.
-XXXX-
The day came to an end and Sakura was glad to be sitting on her bed, Ino was sitting opposite her waiting for an explanation from earlier.
"Last night when I went out, at the end of it we kissed" Ino gasped and grinned but Sakura held up her hand to silence her "I just remembered today Itachi had a girlfriend" Ino's grin dropped.
"Uh oh" she whispered Sakura nodded. It was times like these she wished she was a character from a novel where she knew no matter what she'd somehow get a happy ending. But she wasn't part of a novel and happy endings didn't like her, she was the pathetic girl that died. The character nobody cared about, the character they were glad to see gone. It hurt but it was the truth.
"Sakura you can't blame yourself, if he has a girlfriend then it's his problem. You made a mistake learn from it don't make it again but don't sit moping about it." Sakura agreed, Itachi was bad news, the Uchiha was bad news. If she avoided him nothing could happen. He was much older then her, what would people think. She would avoid him at all costs and if he spoke she'd be removed, she'd tried it before and failed but now she had good reason to do so. This time she would see it through.
Nodding she smiled at Ino "Best get started on my homework" Ino nodded and hugged Sakura. Sakura hugged her back.
"After our homework lets watch a movie, we need some serious bonding time" Sakura laughed and nodded Ino left smiling. Sakura, even after everything, was glad to be back.
The homework took a couple of hours and Sakura being Sakura made sure she did some revision before putting away her books. No matter what she wouldn't let her grades slip; getting up and stretching she sighed then changed into her pyjamas. The soft flannel felt nice against her skin and as she walked into the living room to sit down she realised how tired she actually was.
Ino was already there with a DVD in the machine, she looked happy.
"Maybe you could settle for Sasuke instead" Ino looked at Sakura who looked confused.
"Well if Itachi and you won't work which is so dreadfully horrible by the way" Sakura rolled her eyes, Ino had a deep passionate love for Itachi "Maybe Sasuke would do, like not that you need to settle for second best or anything but he's good looking and he's smart. And deep down he does care, he has feelings." Sakura looked at ino and shook her head.
"No a days you need consent from both parties before going out with someone" Ino grinned and Sakura got a sinking feeling in her stomach.
"That's the beauty of it; Sasuke is totally and completely into you!" Sakura froze. Her brain froze too, and not in a 'Oh my God all my dreams have come true romance novel way' in a 'When did this happen' way. Sasuke, sure he was good looking and smart and she liked him. But she couldn't see herself getting butterflies in her stomach for him, or sweaty palms. She'd only known him a week (longer then she'd known Itachi mind you) but she'd come to see him as family. It felt wrong.
But then something came to mind, something from long ago.
Her father's mother, her grandmother; she had only seen her a few times but she clearly remembered asking about her grandfather.
Grandma, were you and grandpa in love when you met?
No child.
But then why did you marry him?
Back when I was young, you didn't always have the choice to marry someone you loved. You just got married.
But then why did you stay with him?
Love doesn't always have to be there to begin with, you can teach yourself to love someone. At first your papa and I hated one another we avoided each other at all costs, but over time as he got sick and I nursed him back to health. And the same for me, we learnt to love each other. We built a love and then a family.
So what do you mean?
I mean child, that you don't have to be in love with someone to end up loving them. Love can grow from anything.
Sakura thought about what her grandmother had said all those years ago. Maybe she was onto something, maybe just maybe.
"Well I know right now you probably think its crazy, but he's a good guy. He's sweet I've know him a long time and he'd look after you." Ino supplied watching Sakura face, Sakura smiled a small smile.
"We'll see" was all she said. Ino nodded and clicked play as they settled in to watch a movie.
Sakura's mind was far away though, imagining herself with Sasuke. It wasn't that hard to do, she had him could make something grow together. Maybe not to begin with but it could grow into something, something beautiful. But it felt like every nerve in her body was screaming 'no' the same way that when Itachi was around every single nerve seemed to scream 'yes'. She felt like a square trying to be crushed into a circle.
It seemed painful and useless.
BY the end of the movie both Ino and Sakura were yawning, "See ya in the morning babe" Ino said as she hugged Sakura and went to bed. Sakura closed her door and climbed into her own bed too, that night her dreams were full of black eyes. Different but the same.
-XXXX-
The morning came and the sun shone through Sakura's window, it was cooler then usual but it was still warm. It was never truly cold in California compared to states like New York, but to people who had lived there their whole lives the drop in temperature was noticeable. Sakura sighed as she dried herself after her shower; she went through her morning routine in a blur making sure to take her pills.
When Ino and her had gotten inside they both went to Sakura's locker, neither were surprised when they found the third note. Sakura looked at Ino who motioned for her to open it, Sakura did.
The same usual handwriting was on the post-it, it was neat and easily read, not unique enough for somebody to be able to distinguish who it was though.
This is only the beginning.
Sakura waited for Ino's reaction but there was only silence. She looked up and saw for the first time Ino wasn't joking around, her pretty face was cast in a look of worry and several other negative emotions.
"Sakura this isn't good." Sakura gave her a confused look "I know you're thinking 'it's just a note chill' but the fact that they are targeting you alone is odd but the way they're explaining that more is to come is what worries me. They're saying now its just notes but soon there'll be more. We need to tell someone."
Sakura sighed and knew how the process worked; you had to go to your mentor first. Great, so much for avoiding Itachi she thought as she folded up the note and placed it on top of the other one. Ino sighed.
"Looks like we're gonna have to go find us some Uchiha" Sakura laughed at the accent Ino had used and the blonde gave a small smile.
"Come with me?" She asked and Ino nodded "Always" Sakura felt her heart throb at that, not in a romantic way but in a way that said 'I've just found someone I can trust'. They both took their time firstly going to Ino's locker then going upstairs to the senior's lockers. There were a couple of people at their lockers and a couple just hanging around; Sakura knew he was here though because she figured he was never late for anything.
Walking by the 'K' section she saw the back of the girl whom she knew to be Itachi's girlfriend. Sakura nudged Ino and tilted her head, Ino looked over and then gave Sakura 'WTF' look Sakura whispered "That's the girlfriend." Ino just raised her head and nodded. Soon enough they were at the 'U' section some people were there and she could see Sasori talking to Itachi from here. Her heart –involuntary- sped up, damn Uchiha's she thought trying to settle her heart and now her stomach.
They reached there goal.
"Yo losers" Ino stated Sasori looked at her with a disapproving glance, then to Sakura he didn't keep his eyes there for long though. He looked suddenly, for a lack of a better word, jittery. Sakura wanted to laugh out loud at the thought but she held it in she was here on business.
Keep it formal. Be removed, be impassive, be indifferent, be cold, be void of any emotion, act like you've never met him before and remember that night didn't happen. Sakura gave herself a mental pep talk.
"Yamanaka, Sakura" Itachi addressed Ino in a formal manner, which confused her but she didn't question it.
"Uchiha, Dobe" Ino returned the formal salutation and then addressed Sasori like her was another brother. Sasori rolled his eyes and muttered something about her brain cell getting lonely. She gave him a glare.
"We… Well… Hmm… Yes I guess we, we have a problem." Ino's eyes were on Itachi, he looked at her then at Sakura his gaze questioning and very business-like.
"You found out about the brain damage then." Sasori supplied in completely head in the clouds sort of way. Sakura laughed.
"You'd know all about that wouldn't you" she countered before Ino could speak.
"I learnt from the best pinkie" Sasori supplied giving her a grin, a grin that made her feel uneasy and right at home.
"Don't call me pinkie" she stated.
"Again I remind you, it suits you well"
"Again I remind you I don't like it"
Sasori kept grinning at her. Ino was staring at the two of them bantering away like old friends, and Itachi looked, well, blank. But Sakura knew better then to judge his emotions by his face; her eyes found his and saw something like held back rage beneath their surface.
Itachi didn't like the way Sakura was so at ease with Sasori, e didn't like the way the two of them seemed to have some form of inside joke going on. He didn't like the fact that she completely let down her guard for him and messed around like they were the best of friends. Most of all he didn't like that the person mentioned above was Sasori instead of him. His anger was laced with jealousy and Itachi hated jealousy.
"You were saying?" Itachi supplied, Ino blinked and looked back at him.
"Well tell him Sakura he's yours" Everybody looked at Ino "Mentor he's your mentor" she quickly addressed the awkwardness of the situation.
"Uh, well, um it's probably not that big a deal but you see"
"Wow pinkie you're fantastic at getting to the point, this is really intriguing" Sasori stated blandly, Sakura glared at him.
"Go bum fuck yourself" she smiled.
"Such a cheery young thing isn't she?" Sasori asked Itachi who looked broody.
Itachi was even angrier now, because she was having difficulty telling him something but her speech was perfectly fine when addressing Sasori.
"Sasori don't interrupt her when she's talking" Itachi's voice was like ice. Even Sasori noticed how harsh and clipped it was.
Sakura closed her eyes and spoke "I've been getting notes, first outside my dorm and we figured somebody dropped it but then two in my locker. One yesterday one today and Ino said we should tell you because it doesn't look good."
Itachi looked at Sasori who looked back at him, some unspoken understanding passed between them
"What did they say?"
"Bingo, you'll regret it and this is just the beginning" Sakura tried to brush it off "But I'm sure it's nothing someone's probably just playing around"
But nobody agreed. Itachi looked at him "You were right to tell us." Ino nodded.
"We'll deal with it." Sasori said standing straight; Sakura gave him a confused glance.
"But you don't even know who it is" Sasori looked at her then at Itachi realising he hadn't told her anything yet. "We'll figure it out we have connections."
Ino figured they knew who it was and weren't saying anything, which made her worry. That meant they had guessed somebody would be targeting Sakura which meant there was a particular reason.
Sakura looked at them before shrugging "If you insist" she was bout to speak but was broken off by a long scream of.
"SAKURAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-CHANNNNNNNN!!!!!!!"
Sakura closed her eyes and thought give me patience please oh please give me patience.
Sasori was looking at the screaming Naruto followed by the slow walking Sasuke with something that resembled disgust. Sakura just sighed.
"The bastard said that you don't think I'm funny" Naruto pouted as he wrapped his arm around Sakura. Ino rolled her eyes and muttered (a mutter Sasori and Itachi heard) 'great more fan boys'.
Sakura looked at Sasuke then at Naruto. "Naruto you're hilarious now get off me."
"You see! You see Sasuke! She does find me funny" he said as he removed himself from Sakura.
Sasuke shook his head "Dobe" then looked at Sakura and then Itachi. "Everything alright Sakura?" he asked his eyes looking to his brother. Sakura opened her mouth but was beaten to it.
"Everything is fine Sasuke" Itachi's voice was freezing now, earlier compared to now it would have seemed warm. Sasuke looked at Itachi both of them giving each other what could only be called an Uchiha glare.
"I asked Sakura not you." Sasuke said moving closer. "I noticed that by the use of her name at the end of the sentence." Itachi smirked when Sasuke's face turned dark. Ino braced herself for an argument as the now charged Uchihas came closer together.
"She has the right to answer the question." Sasuke spoke and his voice had dropped to freezing aswell, he spoke in a short clipped manner. "Sasuke don't get yourself into an argument you can't win that's pointless and weak."
Sakura saw how the word weak left Itachi's lips like a bitter taste, and then how Sasuke received his face turned awful twisted with rage. What was it with this family and a hatred for weakness?
"Don't you" Sasuke hissed but Sakura stood between them.
"Okay now both of you stop bitching its" her eyes met Itachi's "Unattractive. Don't talk about me like I'm not here, Itachi Sasuke is correct you shouldn't answer questions for me. Sasuke stop being a girl it's not that big a deal chill; both of you need to get over your attitude problems or you'll never get laid. Stop bitching and suck it up like men. Bitching is for girls we invented it, we own it and we do it best. If you wanna fight, fight like men"
Her green eyes were hard and cold her hands were placed on both of their chests preventing them getting closer. Sasuke looked at her then down at her hand. Sakura couldn't believe she just said that and made a reference to sex without feeling ill or the need to cry. Maybe she'd overcome some mental obstacle.
Sasuke leaned in closer as if ignoring her warning. Sakura grabbed the fabric of his shirt.
"Don't mistake me for someone who repeats themselves" she hissed at the younger Uchiha. Sasuke's eyes went back to their normal size and he straightened up. Itachi just chuckled. She spun around to him.
"Don't you laugh! I'm pissed off with both of you so don't think you're getting the better side of the situation. You need to learn to control yourselves and also learn some mannerisms. I am perfectly capable of answer questions on my on Uchiha." Her eyes were like slits and everybody watched her like some wife scolding her husband.
"I survived 16 years without your help in that area, so don't answer for me." She gripped his shirt, but instead of backing down Itachi reached down and grabbed her wrists removing her hand from his shirt, his grip wasn't painful but it was strong. He rubbed his thumb against the flesh on the underside of her wrist; from Sasuke's point of view you couldn't see this.
"I apologize" he spoke in a sincere way that would have made anyone else melt, she imagined Ino turning to goo.
"Well that's too bad because I don't accept apologies if they aren't said in a way as 'I'm sorry' " Pulling her hand away she stared at him and brushed herself down. Glancing at Sasori then back at Itachi she said "I appreciate you looking into the issue I have and I'd like it if you'd inform me of anything you find."
She turned on her heel and walked away with Ino following.
"Damn girl he's got it good!" Sakura looked at Ino her face slightly flushed from her anger.
"Itachi mean he's totally into you too! Wow both Uchihas it's like something out of a book, gorgeous brothers arguing over the same beautiful girl. Who will win?" Sakura rolled her eyes "I saw the way her rubbed your wrist, he thought no one saw but I did. That was a caress not just a touch, he likes you a lot. "
"He also has a girlfriend" Sakura pointed out.
"Tch girlfriend smirlfriend, I thought he was playing around with you when you told me about his girlfriend but Sakura he's got it bad for you. He's not messing about, well atleast it doesn't look that way, I wouldn't be surprised if you got wind of a break up." Sakura swallowed she didn't want reason to be able to be with him she needed the opposite. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath then reopened them.
"Itachi and I can't be together Ino." She stated and Ino looked confused.
"What do you mean? Why?" Her blue eyes were full of questions.
"He's rich and comes from a well to do family, I'm broke I got in here on a scholarship I'm the type of person his family had for the cleaning service." Ino began to interject but Sakura continued "he's a senior I'm a freshman what would people think? He's leaving this school in a year and I'll only be getting to know it. It would look strange to all his friends if suddenly he had a freshman hanging around, he'd look like a cradle snatcher. I don't think I could put up with his emotionless nonsense, both him and sasuke it's so annoying and confusing." Her breathing was quick.
Ino was again about to speak but Sakura got there first.
"I had a bad experience a while ago, it effected me hugely. It ruined my life and I still have issues because of it. Because of that I don't want to go into a relationship with someone who hates weaknesses and feels the need to hide emotions. I have weaknesses and I'm over emotional I need support for that not someone who'll frown upon me because of it. I've never had a boyfriend before I don't want my first one to be a fucked up emotionless asshole, Sasuke included. I need someone who isn't afraid to show someone feelings."
Ino didn't know what to say the opposing argument was good, and she could see the tears swimming in Sakura's eyes. Even talking about whatever it was, was upsetting her; she did the only thing she could, the only thing that would help. She hugged her, she hugged and hugged her. Sakura began to cry.
"It's okay I get it. If you don't want to no one is going to make you, I'm here, if that's how you feel then you're right fuck the Uchiha's lets find someone who will adore you."
She wiped her eyes and smiled into the fabric of Ino's uniform.
"You better not get snot onto my uniform now bitch" Ino muttered Sakura laughed. The broke away from the hug and Ino smiled.
"Fuck the Uchihas" Ino stated
"Fuck the Uchihas" Sakura agreed
"I still think they're unbelievably hot though, and they both like you which means I hate you" Sakura laughed.
"And hey good for you back there standing your ground I didn't know you had it in you." Ino smiled wrapping her arm around Sakura.
"Maybe in time after a couple of relationships you can try you hand at an Uchiha. But no pressure"
"One will have probably graduated by that time" Sakura reminded her as they kept walking
"Nuh-uh, not with a face and ass like that they won't, I'll give you a couple of weeks and you'll be more experienced then any girl alive."
Sakura laughed, the thought was funny.
"I'm serious though, if you went looking it wouldn't take long. Don't worry we'll find someone."
Sakura smiled and walked into the classroom with Ino behind her, Sasuke and Naruto were already there. As was Hinata, Shikamaru was talking to her and she was smiling.
Naruto and Sasuke both looked up at the girls entrance, Sasuke's eyes found Sakura's she was giving him an 'I'm still mad look'.
-XXXX-
The day flew by and everybody was glad because tomorrow there was no school. Itachi was at his locker, grabbing a book when Sasori came up. "Should we go to her now or?" Itachi just nodded, closing his locker. They both walked to her locker at a normal speed, not drawing attention to themselves.
Akane was talking to Emi when she heard the cough, that was a cough that declared someone was behind you. She turned around and smirked but that soon faded when she realised Sasori was with Itachi. Emi gave her a look then walked away quickly. Akane was now all alone, she felt cornered.
Keep confident she told herself.
"Akane we know about the notes" Sasori said as slid his cell into his pants pocket. Akane eyes narrowed she couldn't play dumb.
"What you're doing is pathetic," Sasori said "Get over it; you were dumped big deal cry a lot and then move on. Don't go sabotaging people's lives." Akane stood straight and laughed.
"I meant what I said."
Sasori and Itachi glanced at one another then at her, even though her hair was back to its usual perfection as was her make up. Behind those big brown eyes was something awful, something disturbing. She looked crazy, like she'd gone round the bend.
"Explain," was all Itachi said not even bothering questioning her.
"That it's just the beginning if she can't handle this then god only knows what she's going to do." Sasori's face twisted and he walked up to her.
"Girl or boy I don't care I'll hit you." She just laughed "I think its funny the way you both like her and from what I here apparently Sasuke does too. She seems to be quite the catch. Shame." Itachi's eyes narrowed a fraction, Sasori's narrowed further. She was riling them up.
"What have you found out?" Was all Itachi asked, he knew what she meant by it getting worse. She'd dug up something worthwhile, what could Sakura have in her past that was making Akane grin like a hungry animal.
"Oh never you mind, but its good it's really good. Well not for her but." Akane smiled again and this time pushed Sasori away from her. "Bye" she walked off. Sasori stared after her and then looked at Itachi.
"What do you think she found out?" Sasori watched as Itachi looked after her then at him. "I don't know but whatever it is she already knows it."
Akane walked happily back to her dorm room and pulled out her cell.
Create Message
To: Mom
Message: I'm coming home tomorrow for the day.
Message Sent
Akane grabbed a bag and packed a couple of over night things she would need, not forgetting the most important piece of paper ever. She folded it up and put it in her back.
New Message
From: Mom
Message: Okay see you then x
Akane smiled further, this really was too easy.
-XXXX-
Sakura and Ino were planning their day tomorrow, Ino figured they should go boy hunting. Sakura didn't have it in here to disagree, so having that decided they texted Ten-ten and Hinata. Everybody was in and ready to go.
"This will be so much fun," Ino smiled her blue eyes dancing with happiness. The emotions found on Ino's face were always (in Sakura's eyes) positive ones which in return made her feel happy too.
"Yes it will." Her smile matched Ino's and she laughed when the blonde through a pillow at her. They were both sitting on Ino's bed, messing about and soon a pillow fight broke out.
Laughing and squealing they fought until they were coughing from laughing so hard. Ino then feel off the bed which made Sakura laugh until she had to clutch her sides.
Ino was on the floor laughing too. It was days like these Sakura was thankful for her life, for her friends.
-XXXX-
Mikoto was chopping vegetables in the large kitchen when her phone buzzed. Pulling it out of her jeans pocket she clicked on the message.
Mew message
From: Sasuke
Message: Naruto and I will be coming home tomorrow
Create message
To: Sasuke
Message: Okay sweetie, is Itachi coming home too?
Message Sent
New Message
From: Sasuke
Message: I don't know, probably not.
Mikoto just nodded to herself before putting the phone away, it felt like forever since the last time she'd had her whole family around the dinner table. When one son came the other left, then neither of them were at home for ages. But Itachi was worse; as he got older he rarely stayed at home. He'd visit now and again but because he was at boarding school he didn't see the need to visit them unless it was a holiday. And now that Sasuke was at boarding school too she barely saw him either. She felt alone most of the time because her husband was always at work.
When he was at home he was too tired to want to engage in conversation or was being his emotionless self. Shaking her head she continued chopping watching her finger movements very carefully making sure she didn't cut herself.
She understood they all had busy lives but sometimes she felt like she was just the housewife. The lonely housewife with nobody to talk too, she missed her children she missed her friends. Way before she met Fugaku, she used to be out with her friends doing things. But now her whole life revolved around her children and her husband. She'd never been like Fugaku in that antisocial way of his, she loved people. She loved talking and listening, so being alone wasn't doing her any good. She wanted to get out and go see things and people but she never seemed to get the chance.
She smiled a sad smile to herself as she brushed all the chopped vegetables into a bowl, maybe she'd go out soon. She figured it would do her good. Placing the bowl in the fridge she tried not to wallow in loneliness so when she heard the front door open and close she got a fright.
Into the kitchen walked Itachi, her face lit up the moment she saw him. His eyes were the same as hers black with the small flecks of blue.
"Itachi sweetheart why are you home?" She moved to the table and took the next item of food needing preparing. When she wasn't given an answer she looked to her son then into his eyes, something was bothering him she hadn't seen that look in those eyes in a long time.
Itachi sweetie what's wrong? Picking up she looked into his black eyes.
He shook his small head, his short black hair falling in his eyes. Mikoto pushed the strands off his face.
Tell mommy what's wrong.
Daddy said that to understand something you had to take it apart bit by bit so you could see all the pieces.
Mikoto nodded
But when I found a caterpillar I tired but it doesn't work. Mikoto looked at his small chubby fingers; they were stained with unusual colours.
She looked at her three year old son, who had a vocabulary of a child much older. She looked into his innocent little eyes and she could see his three year old self. She was constantly reminded by everybody of how mature Itachi was for his years of how smart he was of how he'd be the best Uchiha yet. But she didn't want that for him, she didn't want him to be homeschooled so he could receive one on one attention. She didn't want him to miss out of all the important pieces of school you couldn't learn from books. She loved her son and she understood he was smart but she refused to allow them to put him into training to be a business man when all the other kids his age were playing in sandboxes.
She needed Itachi to be allowed to grow up and see the world the same way his peers would. She didn't want him to be extremely smart and isolated; she wanted him to have everything a child his age should have. And that was why she refused so many things her husband tried to push upon her.
She looked into those little eyes and smiled at her son.
Sometimes sweetie you can't understand things by taking them apart because when you do that to something's they break and you mightn't always have the power to fix them. Like the caterpillar or me, if you want to understand something's.
She shifted him so he was standing on his own feet.
You need to watch them. Bending down she picked up a caterpillar and let it crawl over her hand, she kneeled down so Itachi could see. He reached out but she stopped him.
Just watch, see how he has lots of legs?
Itachi nodded
See the way he's eating the leaf I gave him?
Itachi nodded.
You want to hold him?
Itachi nodded.
Opening up his palm she placed the caterpillar there and watched a smile appeared of Itachi's little face.
He giggled. It tickles when he walks
Mikoto smiled. No she'd never let them take away his childhood no matter what they saw in him he was he baby, her three you old and she'd protect him from them for as long as she could.
That same look was in his eyes, this time though those eyes were a lot bigger and she figured helping him wouldn't be as easy.
He sat down at the kitchen table and looked at his mother for awhile, the familiar features that made up her pretty loving face. She smiled softly at him, he may be impassive to many but she could read him and she knew that somehow he needed comforting. Walking over to him she placed a hand on his head.
"Is everything alright?" Her onyx eyes met his own. He looked at her closely before speaking.
"I don't think you can help me," He said his voice was soft though a tone that he rarely used.
"Well I can try," She smiled at him.
"I don't really want to talk about it," He looked slightly frustrated which made Mikoto feel like he was a lot younger again.
"It's about a girl isn't it?" she smiled and that smile widened when he stiffened beneath her hand. "Ah I see."
"Hmm well I guessing you don't want to go into detail, excuse my ignorance I'm presuming if it's a girl that means you and Akane have ended your relationship." Itachi just closed his eyes. He knew she never really liked Akane, and he should've know at the time that if she hadn't have liked it she was bad news. His mother was the best judge of character he knew.
"What's her name?" She asked her face alight with joy.
Itachi just kept his eyes closed.
"Itachi don't be childish. What's her name?" Her voice was gentle not mocking, but Itachi still felt strange.
"Haruno, Haruno Sakura."
"Mom?" Itachi looked at his mother she looked worried.
"Sorry I thought I forgot to take my purse out of my car." She smiled "That's a pretty name, Sakura" she smiled at her son again and went back to making food.
"What's the problem?" Itachi could hear the sounds of food being prepared.
"I really don't want to get into it"
Mikoto nodded and said "Maybe later then, are you hungry?" What Uchiha Mikoto didn't know what she would soon be having the exact same conversation with her other son involving the exact same girl.
Mikoto, smiled to herself as she heard Itachi answer her question. Her children were always hungry. She hoped that Sakura was a pleasant girl because she had never liked Akane; it wasn't for ay real reason except for small little things. Things she said or did they just didn't make Mikoto think she was a pleasant young lady.
-XXXX-
Sakura and Ino decided to go hangout with Naruto and the guys since they'd done everything they possibly could in the dorm room. When they arrived at Naruto's and Sasuke's room they found all of the guys playing video games. Including Sai and Neji, both of which Sakura had never met.
"Okay so Sai, Neji, this is Sakura; And Sakura this is Neji and Sai. Neji is Hinata's cousin check the eyes, Sai is well uh Sai."
The guy she referred to as 'Sai' smiled at her, there was something odd about that smile. Something very odd indeed, Neji reminded Sakura of Sasuke he seemed pretty void of emotions too; was that a trend or something? He had long brown hair tied in a loose ponytail and his eyes were the same pearly colour of Hinata's.
Sakura smiled and waved sitting down on the bed next to Naruto. He grinned at her then returned to playing the game, he was totally killing Sai. They all took turns in playing this game against different opponents when certain ones weren't playing they would chat to the girls. Shikamaru was lying on the ground staring at the ceiling while chatting idly to them. Sakura saw how much Ino was trying and felt bad for her, Shikamaru was a genius but he was also completely obvilious.
"What are you guys doing tomorrow?" Naruto asked because he wasn't playing the game at the moment, Shikamaru stayed lying on the floor.
"We're going out." Ino said her eyes big and excited.
Sakura closed her eyes and waited for it.
"Out where?" Naruto was so damned curious
"Why guy hunting of course," Ino grinned and Sakura winced as a silence fell upon the room.
"What?" Naruto asked again.
"It means we go out and look for guys, then see if we can get their numbers you know." Ino saw how suddenly Sasuke was gripping the controller for the game.
"Well this is awkward." Sakura said lying on her back next to Shikamaru.
"Women what a drag." He said keeping his eyes closed.
"Agreed buddy agreed" Sakura smiled as he opened one eye and smirked at here.
"Well we need to get Sakura a boyfriend so that's the best way to go about it." Ino glared when Naruto and Sasuke laughed.
"You make it sound like you're going out and buying boys." Naruto said as he continued to laugh.
Sakura grabbed something and threw it at him. "Fuck you dobe!" she said
"Hey! I'm not a dobe!" he defended himself and Sasuke just shook his head and muttered 'Dobe'.
"Hey Ino, I've got a fantastic idea!" Ino looked down at Sakura.
"Do tell my dear." The blonde said in a posh English accent.
"Instead of going boy hunting lets go to your house!" Sakura opened her eyes and saw Ino's were wide, she grinned.
"Good thinking bat woman!" Sakura laughed and Ino and she arranged to go boy hunting some other time. Ino seemed very excited about showing Sakura her home. Sakura lay back down on the carpet and sighed.
"You know what Shikamaru; I think you're onto something with all this lying down stuff. It's brilliant!" Shikamaru just grunted.
After a while they all decided to do something else the video game thing was getting boring. They called over Ten-ten and Hinata allowed them to join in.
"Let's play truth or dare." Ino sat on the bed smiling at everyone.
After a few groans they ended up playing. Sitting in a circle Ten-ten started off.
"Okay Sakura truth or dare?" Sakura thought.
"Dare me up baby!" Sakura exclaimed and Ten-ten grinned "I dare you to kiss Sasuke."
Ino's eyes met Sakura's and their earlier conversation came to mind. Sakura shrugged.
"A dare's a dare."
-XXXX-
The room was dark and dimly lit, the house was dusty it hadn't been lived in a long time. But that didn't bother him, it didn't matter. His face was cast in shadows, as the flames from the candles flickered giving off the only light the room had. It was cold and damp, but yet again he wasn't bothered.
His hands were in expensive gloves and he was holding a marker. Flicking through the pages he came across what he was looking for.
The photo
Her hair was long, and it reached above her elbows. Covering her upper body in a blanket of pink, her green eyes were huge and wide as she smiled for the photo. A cold cruel smile etched upon his face as he drew a think circle around the photo.
She probably looked different but those two traits were probably the same. Pink hair, green eyes; she'd be hard to miss.
-XXXX-
A/N: I enjoyed writing about Mikoto she's so adorable isn't she? I just wanna hug her and tell her that her son isn't a mass murdered…except that she's dead and all but eh and of course so is he and he had good reason to murder them but still. I enjoyed writing her character and yes she is going to be in this and so will Fu-ga (What's his face) [Fugaku] I want the Uchiha's parents to be part of this and Sakura parents hopefully will be making more of an appearance too. Now I really like the little flashback from Itachi's past I think it's a adorable and it's sweet. I want to show you guys that he isn't as heartless and we all think and that he is close to his mother (AWWW)
Now some of you have reviewed saying you still thing the ItaXSaku thing is moving to fast so I'm here going hmm, some of you want more ItaXSaku and some think its too fast. So I dunno what to do you're a hard lot to please so I've decided to try please both parties with the whole Sakura wanting to play the field thing.
Now how many of you missed the dark creepy stuff? I sure did! Well now we'll be seeing some more of that so yep hold your breaths.
I don't think I've got anything else to say except for the fact that yes there will be people in the Fic that like Sakura sometimes it will be unrequited love other times there will be feelings there. But this story remains Itachi X Sakura so don't have a heart attack. I just feel the need to show that she's a typical teenager she isn't going to dive into Itachi's arms forever and ever and live happily ever after because life isn't like that. She's cute guys will like her, got a problem fix it.
Hmm oh yes Akane she's gone bonkers but there is a lot more to come from her so enjoy sitting there wondering what's gonna happen.
Have a fab Easter eat your own weight in chocolate or until ya explode whatever you prefer! TO WHOMEVER PM-ED ME ASKING IF I WAS NUTS: YEP AS NUTTY AS A NUTTY THING ON NUTS TABLETS
ADIOS AMIGOS!!! (19 pages!)
R&R
