Chapter 7 - Side affects for the cloud (Or: rain soothes and lightning watches)
It was raining that day, a storm was brewing. Clouds dark and rolling as lighting crackled and rain pelted the earth .
A foreshadowing, really.
The public funeral was no small affair, with plenty of shinobi and civilians alike turning up to say goodbye. There would be a smaller private one later for the benefit of those closest to Kakashi.
Sakura was in turmoil, not that she let it show of course. She had been nothing but apathetic since her breakdown. Almost comatose in her actions. Naruto was not there, out training with Jirarya, he would not be back for another year. So Sakura was alone. No team 7, not that they'd really been much of a team at all.
She remembered all the time she had spent with her teacher. When Naruto was away, sasuke long since gone, they would sit in silence and read, discuss anything that came to mind, train, eat, laugh and joke together. They had become each other's solid support in the wake of the disintegration of their team.
A hand clamped down on her shoulder, breaking her from old memories. She had not expected anyone to approach her, they had all kept their distance so far, poisonous pity on their tongues and in their eyes.
She recognised this chakra, and slowly turned her empty gaze to him. Pearl eyes stared back as Neji Hyuuga held her gaze. He did not speak, or move much at all. He simply nodded and squeezed her shoulder, projecting calm and understanding. It was something Sakura had not known she needed.
(Something she would alwaysneed because she was simply too damaged to function anymore, and that was what she missed most about those countries. The arcobaleno offered none of that...)
She faced Kakashi's grave, eyes just that little bit lighter with her friend's silent support. No one else approached, Neji's glares were effective. She did not need their silkily crafted lies of condolences nor their smothering piteous whispers. She needed peace in her turmoil, in her storm.
The rain became heavier and harsher. People began to leave because of it.
...
As she sat in her apartment, she felt his eyes from behind her. Red eyes spinning as he took in her state, a flash of lightning illuminating her allowing a better idea of what she looked like. The rain had not stopped yet, seemingly worse than earlier. No one left their homes to visit, Sakura preferred it that way.
Neji having fallen asleep on her spare futon, taking it upon himself to care for her now, did not notice the second guest.
Itachi moved further into the room, lightning struck, illuminating him for all but a second before fading. She stared back fearlessly. He sighed and gently rested a hand on her head. "Sleep." It was not an order, but it was not a question. Last time she had seen this man she had joked and laughed with him.
(Him watching her kill Hidan did not count and seeing him...)
It must have been disconcerting for him.
To him her eyes seemed to glow in the dim lighting, an empty jade full of cracks and broken off shards.
She nodded, Itachi simply blinked as she lay down on her sofa. He watched her close her eyes and swiftly fall into a light dreamless sleep.
(The sharingan was good at keeping nightmares away of that is what the owner wished.)
He would watch over her, lightning struck again outside.
He would keep this curious kunoichi safe.
The world continued to spin. And the storm lasted the rest of the week.
Itachi never really left her side after that. Then again, neither did Neji.
Elements must stick together after all...
A/N: this chapter is ridiculously short but it gets a few things out the way, it also introduces parts of the khr universe with references made to their flames, which ones they have, and uses the storm to show and explain how they are reacting. The rain keeping everyone away and stopping them from worsening Sakura's state, the lightning allowing Itachi to take in Sakura's state despite poor lighting and also keeping others away. I literally started this like 20 minutes ago which is why there are probably mistakes but it's 00:30 am so I'm tired. Sort of. Meh. Laters~ XIceFoxX