Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto

Recap:

They had to show her…the last entry of Akira's diary.

The last entry that he had written dated on the night…he had died.

"Hey Sak, what's up?" asked Ino as she took a long drag from her cigarette. Sakura merely put a hand over her eyes as she took a swig from her alcohol bottle. Lifting her hand up slightly, Sakura looked sideways at her blonde haired friend.

"Nothing. Do I need a reason just to come to the hangout?" growled Sakura as she stood up before running her slender fingers through her pink locks. It was night time now and it had been a while since Sakura had been at the hangout at night.

"Sak…at night? You hardly ever come at night" shrugged Ino, flipping her long blonde hair back as Sakura mumbled something incoherent.

Truth was, she didn't feel like going home and listening to that voice message. Actually, she just didn't want to go back to her quiet room where she would be forced to think and remember the past. The only place she could think of was the hangout since it could be loud and noisy. But she hadn't seen Kiba or Gaara for a while and they weren't at the hangout tonight.

"Like I said, I don't need a reason so bugger off Ino" snapped Sakura as she took another swig from her alcohol. Ino just sighed. She had become used to Sakura's snappy attitudes after having known her for a couple of years now.

"Anyway I called Kiba and Gaara. They said they'd swing by later when I told them that you were here" giggled Ino when she saw Shikamaru stroll into the hangout. Sakura sat back down and glared defiantly at Ino.

"Did I tell you to call them? I don't think so" snapped Sakura as Ino stood up and glanced at Sakura.

"Sak…puh-lease. You so need the two of them right now no matter what you say" shrugged Ino as she sauntered seductively over to Shikamaru who was lounging on a couch, a bored expression apparent on his features.

Putting a hand to her forehead once more, Sakura closed her eyes and listened to the music and chattering of the members. She had grown accustomed to the smell and sounds of the hangout and it comforted her. Opening her eyes slowly, she took out a cigarette and lighted it before looking at it sadly. Sakura couldn't remember when she had turned into a smoker but as she watched the smoke drift slowly up from the cigarette, she felt as if that was her soul leaving her.

She felt like she wasn't fully living.

Strange…whenever she was with that younger Uchiha she felt herself come alive through her anger. Every time they argued and teased each other, she felt lively and active as she thought of witty remarks to hit him back with. It had been a long time since she had met someone like that…Sakura smiled grimly.

But it made no difference.

There was no way that she could fall in love with that Uchiha. She had lost all hope that she could even fall in love again. But even if the younger Uchiha intrigued her, there was no way that she would ever let herself get attached to someone ever again.

Leaning forward, she held her hair band in her mouth as she gathered her smooth pink locks into a ponytail before slipping the hair band on and tying it twice.

Suddenly a loud crash resounded outside.

Turning her head slowly, Sakura sighed and threw her alcohol bottle in the bin as all the members turned towards the doorway. Closing her eyes, she could hear someone open the door then shouting followed by yelling and crashes.

Eyes flashing dangerously, Sakura swiveled around to face the doorway where there was a huge brawl going on. Stalking towards the doorway, Sakura narrowed her eyes as the members immediately parted way for her, not daring to intensify Sakura's anger.

As the intruders glared defiantly at the pink haired girl, they smirked at how pretty and delicate Sakura looked. This was a gang fight and it amused them how a girl like Sakura could possibly even touch them.

Let alone fight them.

But they grew slightly edgy as Sakura stalked forward, eyes narrowed dangerously as a low growl escaped from her soft pink lips.

"I am in no mood to cope with this kind of shit" hissed Sakura as she leaped forward. If they wanted a fight to take over this territory then she'll fight.

After all, it stopped her from thinking about the past.

Sighing, Sasuke leaned back in his chair as he ran his fingers through his jet black hair. He kept thinking about Sakura and somehow he felt like a bit of a weirdo since he was snooping around to find out more about her.

But there was just something about her.

At times she was snappy and fiery.

Other times, such as yesterday, she seemed fragile and distant.

It both intrigued and fascinated him as nothing ever had before. The fact that Sakura happened to be a very pretty girl was merely just a bonus. He felt that even if she wasn't pretty, she would still be able to captivate him.

Suddenly feeling as if he needed to go find something to occupy himself, Sasuke made his way to the household study. As he passed Itachi's room, he could hear voices emanating from the room even though the door was closed and Sasuke could bet it was locked as well.

Itachi did like his privacy.

But Sasuke found it strange. He had been at home practically all day and he had never heard that Itachi had any guests. Shrugging it off, Sasuke continued walking down the marble staircase before taking a right then a left to the study. He smirked as he remembered when his ramen loving dobe of a friend had visited the Uchiha household for the first time.

Flashback:

"What the hell teme? Your place is huge! You should have a map or something so that I can find my way around here!" exclaimed Naruto, earning weird stares from the maids as Sasuke sighed and attempted to hurry on ahead.

"Shut up dobe and just follow me"

Opening the study, Sasuke strolled inside and sighed once more. The study was more like their library with books shelved neatly and a large mahogany table at the centre of the room. But it was quiet and Sasuke could really do with some quiet since he had a strange feeling that his room lacked the privacy that he once had before.

As he searched through the books, he smirked when he found one of Itachi's old books from when they were younger. It had been hidden behind another book which intrigued Sasuke even more. It was a velvet black with a red ribbon inside and Sasuke couldn't help but notice that it was still in impeccable condition.

Opening the book, Sasuke almost jumped back when photos spilled out of it and onto the floor of the study. Bending down to gather the photos, his eyes widened as he noticed the people in the photos.

It was Itachi, Sakura, Gaara, Kiba and…Akira.

There was a photo of a beaming Sakura with her arms wrapped around a grinning Akria as Kiba made a face in the background. Then next photo he saw was of Akira beside Sakura as she waved and Itachi smirking on the other side of her. There were so many photos of Itachi's childhood but there was always one recurring pattern in all of Itachi's photos.

Akira and Sakura were always together.

Frowning, Sasuke put the photos to the side as he turned back to the book. It was kind of strange how Itachi had put the book in the study since Itachi normally kept all of his things in his room. But then again, the book was placed in the farthest corner of the room and behind another book so Sasuke figured that Itachi had probably been attempting to conceal it.

A journal…?

Sasuke raised his eyebrow questioningly as he recognized the elegant handwriting of Itachi when he had been younger. Sasuke seriously couldn't even envision his arrogant older brother writing a journal now though.

Turning the pages, Sasuke read an entry dated back 4 years ago. It was just a few entries before the ending of the journal and Sasuke was extremely curious.

Today was not good. Sak was crying to Kiba, Gaara and I. Akira had betrayed her or so she told us. Apparently, Sakura had overheard Akira's father talking to Akira and saying something along the lines about playing around with Sakura. Actually, I'm not actually quite sure what Sak said since she was sobbing a lot and the three of us were busy comforting her. It is quite strange though. I do not think that Akira would betray Sak since he cares for her a lot. All of us know that Sak and Akira are the ones who are the closest in the group. Sometimes it feels kind of strange but as long as Sak is happy then I am happy.

Akira…reminds me of Sasuke at times. He resembles Sasuke slightly in appearance and his personality is really a lot like Sasuke's. Akira has always been painting and I remember he said yesterday that he was painting something very special and had put it in a safe place. I wonder what it is…

I hope that when tomorrow comes, Sak will be able to talk things out with Akira and overcome this issue that brought her to tears. I do not like to see her crying. It is not like one of those cries that makes you feel sorry for them. No…it is much more than that.

Sakura's cries are heart wrenching.

I'm starting to sound quite emotional and dad is calling. He wants to teach me more about business which is not actually that fascinating but I guess I do have a responsibility as the oldest sibling. Sasuke has it so easy…

Sasuke frowned slightly. It was just like his brother to not write a lot and keep his sentences basic and not to in depth. But…it was interesting information. Just from reading this, Sasuke could grasp the image of Sakura crying because of a betrayal from Akira. Sasuke frowned even more when he remembered how Itachi had wrote that Sasuke resembled Akira. It was really quite absurd.

Flipping to the next page, Sasuke's eyes widened as he read the next entry.

"What…the hell…" mumbled Sasuke as he held the journal with shaking hands.

"Dammit" cursed Kiba as he stood up. Gaara and Itachi turned to look at him, Akira's diary sitting on the table in front of them.

"What is it Kiba?" asked Gaara as Kiba shoved his phone into the pocket of his jeans. They had been hanging out at Itachi's office for a while now, discussing how they should show Sakura the diary in the most appropriate way. Before, Kiba had gotten a call from Ino but as usual it took a long time before Ino actually got to the point as to why she had called him. Seriously, that girl could talk about nothing and anything and she could go on about it for ages.

Gaara remembered how Ino said that Sakura was at the hang out now and was in a seriously bad mood. That had surprised all Kiba, Gaara and Itachi since they all knew that Sakura hardly stayed at the hang out at night. Gaara and Kiba had just been about to leave to go to the hangout when Ino called Kiba again.

Kiba frowned as he turned to face Gaara and Itachi.

"Ino said another gang came to start a fight again. Sakura's fighting as well" explained Kiba as he took a step outside the window.

Gaara's eyes widened as he quickly stood up and followed after Kiba.

"Hey…what about the diary?" asked Itachi just before Gaara and Kiba disappeared completely from his view. He was worried about Sakura fighting but he knew that if it was fighting, then Gaara and Kiba would be able to help take care of Sakura as well as the other members of that hangout.

Kiba paused before turning to glance at Itachi from the corner of his eye.

"Now is not the time to show her" stated Kiba as he swiftly jumped down the sill of the window to the ledge below it with easy grace.

Gaara nodded in agreement before easily following Kiba.

Itachi sighed as he wandered over to the window sill and watched Kiba and Gaara speed off before he turned to cast a sideways glance at Akira's diary that lay open on his table.

"Sak…" murmured Itachi as he held his head in his hands, thinking about the pink haired girl that he cared for deeply.

Looking up, he sighed.

"The stars are out tonight…"

"What is Sak doing?" cursed Kiba as he continued running with Gaara easily matching his speed. The hang out wasn't far away now but both of them didn't like the idea of Sakura fighting. They had known her for so long and even if she had taken to drinking and smoking, it seemed out of her character to just enter a fight without a valid reason.

Kiba knew that just because another gang came to overtake their territory, it wouldn't cause Sakura to enter the fight since they all knew that all the members of their gang would be able to deal with intruders by themselves.

"Hey Kiba, I'll go on ahead and see what's happening" commented Gaara before he ran past him.

Kiba sighed as he continued to run.

It was expected from an athlete like Gaara to be able to run like that…

As he neared the hang out, he could hear shouting, profanities, crashing and banging. Easily dodging a figure that fell backwards near him, Kiba ran past the people fighting and into the hangout.

Looking around, Kiba frowned when he couldn't spot Gaara or Sakura anywhere.

"Kiba!"

Turning around, he noticed Ino running towards him, a panicked look apparent on her features. Her long blonde hair was flying everywhere as she came to an abrupt stop in front of him. Kiba could see scars and slashes on her skin though that was to be expected from the fighting that was going on all around the hangout.

"Ino, where is Sak?" asked Kiba hurriedly, his eyes worried.

Ino took a moment to breathe before looking at Kiba seriously.

"Last time I saw her, she was at the back of the hangout. I've already told Gaara and you better hurry. This gang is stronger than the last ones and I heard one of them call for reinforcements" explained Ino, her eyes wide as she gestured toward the back door of the hangout.

Kiba paused momentarily, wondering what could have happened to Sakura by now, when Ino gave him a rough push.

"KIBA! GO!" hollered Ino as she quickly dodged a punch from an enemy gang member.

Not hesitating for a moment, Kiba ran towards the back of the hangout. As he opened the backdoor of the hangout with a slam, his eyes widened as they took in the scene in front of him.

Reaching forward, Kiba's expression was one filled with panic.

"SAKURA!"

Growling, Sakura easily dodged the enemy's punch as she turned and kicked him with all her might. She couldn't keep this up for much longer. She was growing tired and the majority of the members were at the front so she had no back up.

Flipping backwards, without the use of her hands, Sakura landed perfectly a good distance away from her attacker. So far, she couldn't see any other enemies but this boy was persistent in his attacks.

"You think you can get away so easily?" sneered the boy as he rushed forward.

Sakura's eyes widened as she turned to look around her.

Damn…she couldn't get out of this one.

"Such a shame…since you're such a pretty doll" continued the boy as he sneered menacingly.

Sakura bit the bottom of her lip as she held her arms in defence in front of her. Closing her eyes tightly, Sakura braced herself for his punch.

She wished deep down in her heart that Akira would be here to protect her as he had always done before.

But…she was no fool.

She knew that it was only wishful thinking because there was no way that anyone could bring someone back who had already left this world.

Sakura bit down on her lip harder as she anticipated the punch but…it never came.

Eyes snapping open, Sakura gasped.

In front of her was an athletic figure and the words caught in Sakura's throat as the first name she could think of came to her mind.

Akira…

Startled, Sakura allowed her eyes to travel up the broad back to…the person's spiky red hair. Taking a deep painful breath, Sakura closed her eyes. It was only Gaara. Taking a few deep breaths, Sakura opened her eyes slowly once more to see Gaara push the boy away roughly with a snarl.

"Sak? Are you okay?" asked Gaara as Sakura gazed up at him. For some reason she felt faint, her head hurt and her vision seemed to get blurrier each second…

"I'm fine…" murmured Sakura until a sharp pain jolted through her entire body. Eyes wide, her gaze drifted downwards as she noted the sharp metallic object protruding from her stomach. Looking up, she noticed a different boy with a sly sneer on his features as he pulled out the knife.

She barely noticed Gaara punch the guy unconscious as she doubled over and threw up blood. Holding her hand to her wound, she attempted to put pressure onto it but it was hopeless as the blood seeped through her fingers steadily.

"Ugh…" murmured Sakura as she stumbled slightly before collapsing just as Gaara caught her.

"SAK? SAK? Hang on! I'll get you to the hospital" growled Gaara as he pulled off his shirt to wrap around her stomach tightly in an attempt to put pressure on her injury. Sakura strained to hear his words but they seemed to be getting further and further away. Her eyesight seemed to be fading as darkness overwhelmed her sight and she felt her muscles loosen.

As she closed her eyes, the last thing she heard was a piercing shout.

"SAKURA!"

"Sasuke? What are you looking at?"

Turning around, Sasuke glanced at his older brother standing in the doorway. Not bothering to conceal the book in his hands, Sasuke just looked at Itachi as Itachi's eyes traveled down to the book in Sasuke's hands.

Sasuke noted how Itachi's eyes seemed to widen before a disapproving frown appeared on his usually expressionless features.

"Sasuke…you should learn not to go through other people's property" growled Itachi quietly as he took a step forward.

Unfazed, Sasuke held up the book in front of him as a serious expression crossed his features.

"Thanks to this, now I know what happened all those four years ago with Sakura and the rest of you" stated Sasuke as Itachi's eyes narrowed slightly.

"That was none of your business" commented Itachi darkly.

"But…I have a feeling that you did not write everything down did you Itachi? There are a few missing pieces such as the details of Akira's betrayal and the location of his valued painting" continued Sasuke as Itachi's eyes narrowed even further.

Before Itachi could say anything, his mobile rang in the eerie silence of the study.

Taking out his mobile swiftly, Itachi answered it calmly.

"Itachi speaking"

"…"

Sasuke couldn't hear what the other person was saying but he could easily hear that the person was shouting about something or another. What interested him was how his older brother's face changed dramatically as a worried expression flashed across his features.

"What…? I'll be right there" frowned Itachi as he turned on his heel and left, leaving Sasuke in the study.

"What was that…?" murmured Sasuke, combing his fingers through his jet black hair before glancing down to read the first sentence of the entry that he had been reading in Itachi's journal.

Tonight…was horrible…Akira died…protecting Sakura.

In a lone room, an open diary lays on a desk. The moonlight casts its luminous glow on a section of the diary that reads the words:

I cannot do this any longer. I cannot bear to betray the one that I love more than anything in the world. Tonight I know that my father is sending someone to…harm…Sakura. I…am meant to stay away but…that is not something I can do. No matter what, it doesn't matter what my father will do to me, nothing matters anymore. But…if I fail to protect her that what use am I? I promised to be her wings to take her to the stars…

As the wheel of fate keeps turning, the past and present will connect and soon the truth will reveal itself. The wheel of fate keeps turning over and over again. The past, the present, the future constantly turning in a circle that are all joined as old wounds heal, new loves blossom, old loves become sweet and distant memories. As the darkness of night slowly begins to lift, slowly…bit by bit…the ice around everyone's heart becomes thawed out by the warmth of the sun.

There we go! XD It's a bit longer than before and I revealed a section of Akira's diary XD I hoped you liked it and thanks for all the reviews before! You people are awesomely sweet and fantabulously cool (btw fantabulously is NOT a word so yeah…) LOL I really hoped you enjoyed this chapter XD

Reviews please~

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