A/N. Here is chapter nine. Thank you so very much for reading my little story.
Six Months Later
POV-Sakura
Sakura,
Despite the ANBU being hot on our trail the organization has remained together. We have been traveling quite a bit however and I am not allowed to give you our location. Pein is afraid that our letters may start being intercepted. I must admit that he is right. With everything that has been going on in the world it is a wonder that you were not arrested and questioned upon your return to Konaha.
I know you have been writing letters to Itachi as well, and I have been giving them to him like you asked. I can't tell you if he is actually reading them. When I give them to him he nods his head and disappears into his room for hours. We are all truly worried about him. He seems to be deteriorating as we watch and he will not let any of us do anything about it.
I am glad things have started to work out for you back in your village and am extremely proud of your new job at the hospital. It is a shame that you parents have failed to understand the situation but I am sure that they will learn to accept it in due time. It is a good thing that you have friends like Naruto and Ino to take care of you.
I also hope that you are feeling better. In your last letter you had mentioned having stomach pains. I hope it was nothing serious. However, I'm sure someone with spunk like you could get over any illness in no time. Please let me know in your next letter.
Everyone here truly misses you, even though most of them believe they are too tough to admit it out loud. In a perfect world you would be able to stay in Konaha but continue to have a relationship with the friends you have made here. It has been hard for us to watch you come and go so quickly but we are all very proud of the young woman you have become. We all want nothing but your happiness. I know that is all Itachi wants as well.
Deidara
I folded the letter neatly, kissing it and placing it in the desk drawer with the others. I sighed as I turned to lie on my back, watching the small celling fan spin in tiny circles. My choice to come back to Konaha had been an easy one at first. This was my true home and as much as I liked everyone in the Akatsuki I found myself unable to fully give myself to a life on the run. My only true regret was that I had been forced to leave Itachi behind.
I should have known that something like this would happen. Even though I had learned the truth about him Itachi had still lived a life full of darkness and shame. I had been a fool to think he would come back to Konaha with me. He had said he had loved me but I was slowly beginning to doubt his words. I had written him several times and had begged him to write me back. After he had failed to do so I had given up hope of hearing from or seeing him again.
"How are you feeling Sakura"?
I looked up to see Naruto walk into the room. When I had first arrived back in Konaha had had gone back to my parents, but after a week of arguing about my choices in my life and how I had been a disappointment to both of them Naruto had let me move into his small apartment with him. He had been kind enough to clean out his guestroom for me and had even learned how to cook more than just instant ramen.
"Lady Tsunade told me to make sure you get plenty of fresh air" he said, opening the window and sitting on the bed next to me.
"I'm fine Naruto".
He flashed me a toothy grin before takeing off his jacket and throwing it to the floor. It was summer now and the heat had been almost unbearable for everyone in the village. I had grown used to watching Naruto disrobe. It didn't bother me like it had when I had first moved in.
"I really am okay Naruto. You don't have to worry so much".
He sighed, placing a tender hand on my stomach. His blue eyes gleamed with compassion and I felt truly honored that he had chosen to be there for me. I knew that whatever happened in our lives Naruto would always be there for me to count on.
"I just can't imagine what you are going through. Have you heard from him yet"?
I shook my head, not wanting to continue the conversation. Naruto did not seem to get the hint however and his face began to grow red with anger and frustration.
"I can't believe he would do this to you and have nothing to do with you afterwards. It is almost like he used you Sakura".
"I was the one that made the choice to leave Naruto. He didn't throw me away".
Naruto stood up and began to pace back and forth, his hands now curved tightly into fist. I had always known how Naruto had felt about me and Itachi but up until now he had never voiced his concerns out loud. He had respected my wishes and avoided the subject in the past.
"He could write you and see how you are. Did you even try to let him know what is going on"?
"He doesn't need to know Naruto. That is how I want it".
Naruto took a deep breath, sitting back down on the bed next to me. His anger melted away as he pulled me into a hug. I laid me head against his chest, his breathing soothing me in a strange way that I didn't quite understand.
"I just want you to be happy Sakura. I care about you. Your life is about to change drastically and you know I will be there for you no matter what. I just want to know if it is going to be enough.
I smiled, leaning up slightly to kiss him on the cheek. He didn't say anything for a moment but looked as if he was choosing his words carefully. I laughed, playfully hitting him in the chest with my pillow. He grabbed it from my hands and was about to hit me when we heard a knock on the door. Moments later Tenten was standing in the room. Her hair, which was normally placed into two perfect buns, was falling in front of her face and her skin was red as if she had been running in the heat outside. Her brown eyes locked with mine for a moment before she finally spoke.
"The ANBU officers just captured two member of the Akatsuki outside of the village. They are bringing them in for questioning right now".
I felt my breath catch hold in my chest. Why would the Akatsuki come so close to Konaha? I stared at Tenten and was surprised to see a look of deep understanding on her face. She approached me, takeing my hand in hers.
"Sakura, one of the members in custody is Itachi Uchiha".
A/N. Thank you so much for reading. Please remember to review. It makes me very happy.
Yours Forever
SasukeDancer
