Watashi no kodomo

Chapter Ten

Tairitsu-tekina shinjitsu

Kakashi tried to calm his nerves as he waited for Sakura to join him at the cafe he coordinated with her. He figured it was best to be in public in case Sakura decided to run away after he confronted her. She was less likely to cause a scene out of embarrassment. He had ordered himself a coffee in the meantime while he mentally prepared himself to have this serious talk with Sakura.

He wasn't sure how he was going to start off this meeting.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Kakashi's eyes found Sakura's approaching figure from the front of the restaurant. He smiled softly and raised his hand in a wave as she made her way towards their table. The silver haired man never ceased to be amazed at how beautiful Sakura turned out to be. In his mind he still saw her as the twelve year old with short pink hair. Now she was a grown woman with a successful career, and no longer did she wear her hair short, but long. Her pink tendrils rested against her hips and matched prettily with her white and pink sundress.

"How are you?" Sakura asked first, breaking the ice as she stared at him good naturely. Kakashi-sensei barely aged from the last time she saw.

"I'm doing well, retirement has done well for me." He started off casually. "Please, go ahead and order." Kakashi added as Sakura nodded and looked through the menu. One their orders were placed, Sakura brought her expectant eyes over to her former teacher. "What brings you back to Konoha, Sensei?" Sakura asked in wonder. The last she heard, the former teacher was doing some light traveling in celebration of his early retirement.

Kakashi closed his eyes easily before scratching the side of his face. "Well, I sorta got dragged back into work. So, I'm temporarily out of retirement for now." He started, and he knew this was his chance to confront Sakura.

"Oh, really? Is it that important?" Sakura questioned with an odd look on her face.

"Yeah, well, when it comes to my students I take it very seriously." He commented evenly, and the air between began to grow tense. Sakura felt the tension and stared at her former teacher with confused eyes. "What do you mean? We're all doing fine." Sakura told him.

Kakashi sighed and placed his cup down on the table. There was no more beating around the bush.

"I know about your project, Sakura." The air between them grew quiet and still as Sakura processed Kakashi's words.

Sakura stiffen at his proclamation, and her heart raced within her chest. She flinched slightly at the shocking revelation. "Excuse me." She stated with a shaky voice. "What are you talking about?" She demanded, and even she could hear the growing panic in her voice.

"I know you're working on a very secret project for Orochimaru. One, involving the Uchiha Clan." Kakashi explained to her, and he nailed it from the look on her face. Sakura was absolutely mortified.

"The project is none of your business." Sakura gritted out defensively. "How do you know this information?" Sakura demanded, growing upset and heated.

Her eyes widen when she recalled his come back from retirement. "You've been investigating me, haven't you?" Sakura accused openly, and Kakashi frowned at the use of the word, but it was the truth.

"Sakura, you have to leave that project before you get hurt." He warned her gravely. "There are people you don't want to upset." He added seriously. Sakura swallowed nervously. "I'm doing my job, Kakashi-sensei." Sakura shifted in her seat, uncomfortable with the situation. This was not what she was expecting when she agreed to have lunch with him. He practically ambushed her and in public, no less. She didn't understand why she had to explain herself for doing her job.

"You're playing god for the wrong person. Orochimaru is a dangerous man, and I think you know that." Sakura took in his words, already knowing the truth in her heart. She knew what Orochimaru planned for the Uchiha baby, and that was why she did what she did to protect her baby. No one knew the truth besides Ino, and even then her best friend didn't know she was carrying a baby that was half Uchiha for the doctor. Sakura omitted that fact in order to protect Ino. The less she know about the project, the better.

"I have to see this project through the end." Sakura told him with resolve. "After that I'm leaving the company." She revealed to him. Kakashi hummed in knowing. "Where exactly are you planning on going after everything is done?" He asked her in wonder. "Are you really going to leave that defenseless child with Orochimaru?" He added, and Sakura could hear the judgment in his tone. He didn't know the whole truth or her plans, and she was going to keep it that way.

"The child belongs to Orochimaru. There's nothing I can do legally to change that." Sakura told him lamely, and even she knew how weak of an excuse that was.

Her green eyes were firm in her resolve as she stared at her former teacher, "You have to trust me when I say Orochimaru won't get what he wants."

Kakashi stared at his student.

"What are you planning?" He asked her suddenly.

Sakura stood quiet, contemplating on what to tell him.

"I didn't know Orochimaru's true intention when it came to the creating a Uchiha for him. I thought he was doing a noble cause in bringing back a dead clan from extinction. I don't know where he got the male sample from, and I didn't question it either." Sakura began evenly. "All I know is that he bought the sample from someone in Suna many years ago, and he hasn't had success creating an embryo himself. That is where I come in. He hired me over a year and a half ago to do what he couldn't." The doctor continued with growing stress.

"I regret doing what I did, but I didn't know. I had no idea until after the transfer was done of how much of a monster he really was." Sakura told him with pleading eyes for him to believe her. "It's too late to change anything. The surrogate is pregnant and Orochimaru is expecting the child to be born later this year." Sakura told him.

"What if the surrogate knew the truth and ran away?" Kakashi asked suddenly, and Sakura's eyes widen at the absurd idea. "Impossible, she's under contract with Orochimaru. She's been compensated for her role in this project. If she were to runaway with the baby she will be hunted down." Sakura explained to him. "Besides, the surrogate needs the financial assistance. She wouldn't go against Orochimaru in fear of losing the money." She added with a shrug. "Trust me, I've thought about all the possible ways of saving that child from him. All routes end up being illegal and cause more problems." Sakura revealed with a tired sigh.

"What if I told you that the surrogate worked with me and is more than happy to end this project so an innocent child doesn't get hurt." Kakashi stated with a raised brow as he took a sip of his coffee. He was almost done with the cup and he thought about ordering another one.

Sakura started to laugh, thinking Kakashi was joking, but when she saw he wasn't laughing, she stopped. "You're kidding me, right?" Sakura stated with surprise. "How many moles are at NoloCorp? First Kiba, now Rin-chan?" Sakura asked incredulously. She downed Kakashi's cup of sake swiftly and raised her hand for the waitress to give her another one. The waitress came quickly and filled her cup. "Leave the bottle." Sakura told her, and the waitress nodded with some uncertainty before walking away without the bottle.

Sakura down the second cup of sake quickly, before pouring herself another one.

"So much for this project being kept a secret." Sakura muttered with spite.

Kakashi stared at her with concern. He didn't realize Sakura was a heavy drinker. The sake he ordered was really strong, and he only got it because he needed to calm his nerves, but Sakura was downing the liquid down like a pro. Even he had the chills when the liquid burned its way down his throat.

After her third drink, Sakura glanced over to Kakashi with somber eyes. "Do what you want." She told him without a care. "I don't want to be involve in this anymore. Whatever business you have with Orochimaru is between you and him." She told him firmly. "I won't stand in your way."

"I'll resign tomorrow." Sakura declared suddenly, surprising Kakashi. His eyes widen. He wasn't expecting this outcome.

He was glad Sakura wasn't putting up much of a fight against him, but this was strange.

"You're giving in just like that?" He asked with an odd expression on his face. For some reason he felt there was more to the story. Something didn't set right with him. Sakura wasn't the type to give up so easily and without much of a fight.

Sakura raised her sake cup to him in a toast, it was a manner to say that she was a woman of her word.

"I have no reason to stay with NoloCorp anymore. I wasn't aware of his true intention when I signed up for this job. I don't believe in it anymore." Sakura told him vaguely, and in her mind she knew she safely and successfully saved her child from being in the hands of a monster. No one would ever know what she did, and deep down inside she was happy. Orochimaru no longer had her eggs to use for future projects due to the fire, and he didn't know the egg she had used was hers either. She would be free to raise her child and enjoy motherhood without fear.

"Besides, I'm planning on moving to Suna at the end of the year." Sakura commented, and her face was glowing red from the sake's effect warming her body. "I haven't been there in twelve years, it will be good to start over again, right Kakashi-sensei?"

Kakashi nodded in agreement. If it meant she will be safe then so be it.

"You're moving pretty far, Sakura-chan, but I know you'll flourish over there." He told her with a smile. He was greatly relieved. "I'm glad you didn't fight me on this, I only want to keep you safe and protect you." Sakura nodded in understanding. "I know, Kakashi-sensei. Sometimes, my ambitions blind me to what's really going on around me." She confessed softly.

"Rin and I will handle things from here, we'll make sure the child is safe and the sample is eradicated from the world." Kakashi promised her, and Sakura let out a relieved smile. She felt happy that Kakashi was taking care of this. It saved her the trouble of doing it herself. She didn't have the resources he had access to with The Order.

"Thank you."

At the end of their impromptu meeting, Sakura said her goodbyes and decided to get some air by walking around. A lot was processing through her mind, but mostly she was relieved of the burden she carried the past few months since she discovered Orochimaru's true plan. Her face was still red from drinking the entire sake bottle. She was starting to feel the effects of the alcohol. It's been a long time since she last had a drink. She's been sober for ten years for numerous reasons. She promised herself she wouldn't drink her feelings again, but today was too stressful.

Sakura signed in disappointment, she shouldn't have drank the sake. She was liking the way she was feeling, and she wanted more. She pushed the urge away and stopped by a mail box. She searched her purse for a pink envelope with a stamp on the corner. The address was an old one she burned into her memory many years ago. She held the letter close to her heart and mentally prayed for the closure Ino said she would get if she did this.

It took her weeks to write this letter and a lot of courage. She poured her heart into it and she didn't know whether she wanted this letter to get to him or not. Either way, she needed to do this for herself. She had to move on, and this was the only way she could. Whether he still lived in that apartment in Suna or not, she wrote how she felt about him and how angry she was at him for hurting her.

Sakura dropped the letter into the mailbox and walked away.

She didn't look back and she felt freer for it .

~0~

It was the middle of the night, and Sakura was abruptly awoken by Hachiko's alarming barks. The energetic canine bounded from Sakura's bed and out the bedroom to the front door where he barked insistently at the person on the other side. Loud, heavy knocks were heard in the quiet home.

Sakura, however, didn't feel the same excitement as her adorable pup. She groaned tiredly and glanced groggily at the alarm clock on her stand. The round of knocking went off again, and Sakura mentally wondered who the person knocking at her door at four in the morning was. The person clearly didn't have any decency for another person's need for peace.

"Whoever it is, they are getting a piece of my mind." Sakura grumbled out as she threw on her silk robe, and headed for the front door. She scowl lightly and gestured for Hachiko to calm down before opening the door to find a disgruntled Neji. Hachiko immediately brushed through Sakura's bare legs and rounded around Neji's, sniffing him for familiarity and confirmation of his scent. The Hyuuga man ignored the pup's presence in favor of staring Sakura down with his pearly irises.

The doctor's jaded eyes grew wide in alarm, instantly thinking that something bad had happened. The thought of something happening to either of their close friends and families struck Sakura to the core. The sleepiness she felt seconds ago vanished in that instant.

"Neji, what hap-" Neji narrowed his eyes tightly, successfully pausing Sakura's inquiry, and he briskly let himself inside. Their shoulders brushed briefly as he passed by her and Sakura felt dread in her belly.

"We need to talk. Now." He demanded, leaving no room for arguments. Sakura's eyes grew wide in astonishment at Neji's tone. She was used to hearing it, but it was never directed at her before. Concern flooded through her body, and deep down in her gut she had this terrible feeling.

Sakura shut the door quietly, and nervously made her way to the living room where Neji was standing near the balcony door. The night sky was slowly brightening up with signs of dawn, and the Hyuuga was visibly unhappy about something. Sakura's seen most sides to Neji, but this was definitely something new to her.

"What's going on?" Sakura questioned with furrowed brows. The suspense was slowly killing her.

Neji brought his troubled gaze to her then, and he unfolded his crossed arms from his chest. He was anxious.

"You wouldn't believe what happened on my most recent business trip to Suna." He began evenly, and his expression remained troubled and strained.

Sakura could tell that her close friend had gone through a very stressful trip from the weariness on his face. Still, she was left feeling confused as to why Neji felt the urgency to come to her home at four in the morning to tell her about his stress. Couldn't he wait until later on in the day over lunch or coffee?

The woman vaguely wondered if she should make them some coffee now, because she certainly needed some at the moment.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Neji. Why don't I make us some coffee?" Sakura offered her friend with a strained smile on her lips, and she made her way to prepare the steaming hot beverage when Neji's next words stopped her in her tracks.

"I know about the Uchiha Project." He informed her gravely, and Sakura felt her heart stop and sink to the floor. Impossible!

The pink haired woman's jaded eyes grew shock, and she felt her mouth go dry that she had to swallow in an effort to moisten it again.

She couldn't fathom how Neji could have possibly known about her project. First Kakashi-sensei knew about the Project, but now Neji?

Neji was a business man, and had no ties to any organization that she knew of that would have ties or knowledge of her project. Neji was a stiff when it came to following protocol and the law.

The two adults stared each other down with intense glares. One demanded the truth, and the other demanded answers. It was silent for a long time, and the only sounds that broke the silence were the beginning chirps of the birds outside and Hachiko's heavy breathing.

Sakura decided to break the silence first, "I don't understand how you could have possibly found out about this. Who is your source, Neji? Is it the The Order, are you working with Kakashi-sensei, too?" The woman inquired eagerly, and her slims hands tighten into fists at her sides. "I've already spoken to Kakashi-sensei, I'm resigning tomorrow from the project." Sakura admitted to him with annoyance.

She would have to inform Orochimaru of her resignation right away and pack her stuff from her office.

Neji's eyes gleamed with interest. He hadn't realized that Kakashi had known about her project, too, and he scoffed at her question.

"You're not even denying your involvement with this at all. Sakura, what the hell were you thinking getting involve with all of this? Do you have any idea what you have gotten yourself into or the amount of danger heading your way?" He questioned with frustrated anger, and he began to pace around the living room. Sakura remained silent, and she was reminded of Kakashi-sensei's prior words. It was like deja vu to her, and she began to feel some worry.

"I didn't know about the true nature of the project, Neji. I realized it after the fact, but I'm doing the right thing and leaving the company." Sakura pointed out to him with crossed arms. The part of her being in danger triggered her.

"And what are you talking about?" Sakura asked him, and her irises faltered slightly with emotion as she, too, began to feel frustrated. "What sort of danger is heading my way? I was only doing my job, that's all." She told him with a stubborn scowl in place, and her hands cupped her hips in emphases. She's taken care of the obstacles she's faced so far. She was certain she could handle whatever Neji was warning her about.

Neji groaned at her stubbornness, and at the moment he felt like pulling his hair out. He had to tell her the truth. He had to tell her the truth about the Uchiha Clan in Suna. Neji made his way towards his friend with his back facing the balcony, the waning moon shining over his shoulder, and he grabbed at her firmly to give her a slight shake to reality.

"Sakura, you don't understand! They're alive, and they're in Suna. I've seen them with my own two eyes. There's an entire village of them, and they are thriving in the middle of nowhere. They aren't please with you at all. They want to kill you. Do you understand how serious that is? Your life is at risk!" Sakura's eyes widen at the fearful look in Neji's eyes, and the words that were coming out from his mouth. Her heart was racing in her chest, and she felt the tall tell signs of panic hitting her.

"Who are 'they'?" Sakura questioned with weary irises. Neji was scaring and confusing her all at once. She's never seen her friend like this before.

Neji sighed, and tightened his hold on her arms. "The Uch-...arghhh!" His words were abruptly cut short, and his eyes widen painfully as blood splayed from out his chest; his legs gave out from underneath him and he felt himself falling forward. The sound of the bullet breaking through Sakura's balcony glass door didn't register to his mind until after he was hit.

Sakura's green eyes widen in shock as warm droplets of blood fell against her face, hair, and robe. She automatically caught the wounded Neji into her arms, and both collapsed onto the floor behind the momentary safety of the large couch, feeling confused and scared. Sakura didn't have time to scream because she was in shock.

Hachiko's aggressive barks filled the condo as he dashed to the balcony door, where a bullet hole with several fine cracks was clear to see on the now damaged sliding glass door.

There was no time to panic or question the situation, Sakura had to get herself together quickly in order to save her friend's life. The doctor shakily tore open Neji's button down shirt to find the bullet wound, and to stop the bleeding. Her expert eyes scanned his torso until she spotted the bleeding wound underneath his right clavicle. "Oh god, Neji!" Sakura groaned out fearfully as she swiftly placed his torn shirt over the wound to stop the bleeding with pressure.

"Fuck," Neji cursed out painfully at the pressure Sakura was applying to him. "I'm sorry, but I have to stop the bleeding. I'm going to call the ambulance for you. Don't let up on the pressure until I get back!" Sakura informed him nervously, and just as she stood up to retrieve her house phone, but she was roughly pulled back down by the Hyuuga, and he had brought her down just in time, too, because a second round of bullets had pierced through the balcony door, shattering it completely.

Hachiko whined fearfully, and ran to the room underneath his mother's bed for safety.

Sakura held her head in fear. Her entire body was shaking terribly, and she felt as if her heart would jump out of her chest at any minute.

"What the hell is going on?!" She screamed out loud, nearing hysterics. Neji furrowed his brows at the sudden throbbing pain around his eyes. He ignored the pain, and took a peek from around the protection of the couch.

From his position, he was able to peer through the balcony and over to the building across the way, hoping to find the person who was trying to take them out. He could clearly see a lone figure dressed in all black, leaning over the edge of the roof, and the small reflective shine from the barrel of the gun under the moonlight. It was clear who they were aiming for. He may have blocked the first bullet from meeting its true target, but the second round of bullets was enough confirmation for his theory. Someone came to assassinate Sakura in cold blood.

The Hyuuga went through his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. He shakily dialed for the police, and informed them of the situation. Once he hung up, he brought his intense gaze over to Sakura, who was fearfully hugging herself against him, but instead of seeing Sakura, he saw inside her. It was only for a moment before Sakura returned to normal.

In his surprise, he harshly closed his eyes and reopened them, and saw Sakura as he normally did. The throbbing pain around his eyes receded. The Hyuuga figured it must have been his imagination or the pressure of this situation that tricked his mind, because there was no way he could have seen thick, blue channels of what looked to be energy flowing within her.

"They'll be here shortly. We just have to hang on tight until then." He managed to get out through his shock, and he hoped he did his best to reassure her, because at the moment he was in terrible pain and hallucinating. He groaned at the throbbing pain radiating from his injured shoulder. Of all the places he could have gotten shot at, he was glad it was his shoulder and not his lungs or other important organs.

His internal musings was cut short when another round of bullets flew through the apartment, and it littered the couch up. Unlike the first two rounds, the bullets had been fired by a silencer. This time around the bullets were being fired from a semi-automatic weapon.

Sakura screamed in fright at the assault, and both adults were forced to roll away from the onslaught and into the kitchen area. Neji turned over the thick wooden table nearby them with his good arm, and used it as a temporary shield against the flying bullets. Sakura kneel down besides him, and it was at the moment that the sweet sounds of the police sirens filled the air from outside. It was then that the bullets had stopped completely.

Neji's expression was tight and his eyes were unforgiving.

Whoever that person was, they were going to pay.

A pair of shiny black heels emerged from a black limousine, followed by navy blue capri pants on finely shaped legs. A blonde haired woman wearing black rimmed sunglasses exited the luxury car with a tired and relieved sigh of finally reaching her destination. This current trip was unexpected, but urgent, and so the woman had been flown out late last night to make it to the estate by mid morning. She had been told her patient was in remission, again. It seemed his last treatment six months ago wore off, and he was in need of a stronger one.

The woman's blouse was shamelessly open in a sleeveless kimono top, which accommodated her impressive bust size, and to finish the look there was a navy blue colored obi tied around her slim waist. The weather in Suna was always blistering hot, and the doctor always preferred the cool spring weather of her home country. Despite not liking Suna's climate, the doctor continued to make her urgent home visits to her special client.

The driver closed the door once the doctor stepped out completely, and she was immediately greeted by the Head Servant of the large Estate.

"Senju-sama, welcome to the Uchiha Estate. I hope your travels here went smoothly. Fugaku-sama apologizes for interrupting your missionary tour, but Itachi-sama has fallen ill again." The Uchiha greeted with poise and proper manner, his expression remained stoic throughout his introduction.

The blonde haired woman smirked in bemusement. "I see you haven't changed much since my last visit. I know damn well Fugaku doesn't really care that he interrupted my tour, and to be quite honest, I needed a break for a few days anyway. Mind getting me a strong drink." She commented bluntly with a playful wink, and the Head Servant was not phased by her remark. He was used to her mannerism from her past visits.

He nodded curtly and led the way into the manor. He was used to the medic's unfiltered mouth over the years. She was not afraid to speak her mind, mostly because she had the strength to back it up if someone were to challenge her. There was a reason why the Uchiha's respected the fearsome woman, and it wasn't only for her medical prowess, but her strong, dominant attitude.

As they entered the manor, the doctor glanced around tiredly with her hazel irises until she was taken to her room. The room was large and furnished with beautiful furniture and decor. Mikoto-san had a habit of changing the decor after each of her visits, and although she didn't care what her room looked like she appreciated the Uchiha Matriarch's efforts. It must be boring staying at home, after all.

What caught her attention the most was the large king size bed in the center of the room. The doctor's lips turned upward in a satisfied grin. She would sleep for a few hours before examining Itachi. He will live for a few more hours while she caught up on her sleep. The commute here was killer and required a lot of patience.

"Senju-sama, your drink." Came the Head Servant's voice by the doorway, in his right hand he held a circular small silver tray with a glass cup filled with dark liquid up to the rim, and on the edge of the cup was a sliced pineapple; her favorite. She retrieved her drink with stars in her eyes, and before she took her first drink in several months, she brought her harsh irises to the man in front of her.

"Stop calling me by my last name, I'm getting tired of telling you each time I come here. It makes me feel my age." She informed him evenly, and upon his nod he departed with these words, "Of course, Tsunade-sama. My apologies."

"That's more like it. I'll be around to check on Itachi after I get some rest. Tell the boy to suck it up for now." Tsunade told him with a nonchalant tone, and with that she closed the door and enjoyed both her drink and bed.

~0~

A few hours later, Tsunade found herself with her ear pressed against Itachi's bare chest. Her brows furrowed in displeasure at what she heard. Normally, most medics needed the assistance of a stethoscope to auscultate the lungs, but Tsunade was in a class all on her own. She didn't need the stethoscope, because she was perfectly skilled with just listening with her ears. She found her hearing to be much more efficient than a stethoscope.

The doctor moved on in her examination and assessed his dark eyes with her pen light, and she frowned again at her findings. His father had been right. Itachi's autoimmune disease was worsening. The treatment she had given him a few months ago had proven ineffective, and the medication was failing in suppressing his immune system. Tsunade continued with her exam, and after each finding she wrote her results down in her note pad.

"How are you feeling?" Tsunade questioned him with light concern, and Itachi sighed tiredly before bringing his dull onyx irises to the sideline, avoiding her vibrant hazel ones. "Like death is knocking at my door." He replied with some morbidity. Tsunade narrowed her eyes at him.

"I never took you to be someone who was so morbid, Itachi." Tsunade told him bluntly as she discarded her gloves and prepared her prognosis and treatment plan for the next six months.

"I've had this disease for three years now. I don't see how I will ever become healthy again. Not even your treatments have worked on me." He explained to her with a frustrated and self accepting scowl. It was clear to Tsunade that he had given up on the hope of being healthy again.

The stress lines adoring his face were more prominent than before, and Tsunade had to wondered what was causing this man's stress. She saw and knew the difference between the stress of being ill and the stress of a heavy burden. There was no disease or illness she could not cure, except for death, and Itachi was not dead, but she could see that his spirit was dying. Tsunade was certain the disease wouldn't be the cause of his untimely death, but the stress that he carried.

"There's a reason why I am considered the best medic in the world. Have you forgotten already who I am and what I am capable of?" She questioned him evenly, and her tone was one of offense.

Itachi's eyes widen slightly, he had not meant to insult Tsunade. She was the most respected doctor in the entire medical community for the past thirty years, and she was particularly popular with young and middle aged women due to her youthful appearance at the age of sixty-one. No one really knew her secret in the up-keeping of her youthful appearance. The medical community often joked that Tsunade's youthful looks was the Eight Wonder of the world.

"I'm sorry." He muttered out softly, and he tighten the fist that laid on his stomach in disappointment.

Tsunade took in his depressing expression, and she frowned as she fought with herself internally about what she should do. She was considering a more effective and prominent route, but she could hear her grandmother's disapproving words, warning her against the idea. If she hadn't had so much respect for her grandmother she would have cured Itachi a long time ago, during their very first visit. Tsunade only used her specialized technique sparingly in order to protect herself.

It was clear the past treatments weren't working for him, but the secret she possessed would cure him in a matter of minutes. The medic bit down on her thumb, and was in deep thought; her brows furrowed tightly as she debated within herself on what to do. She wanted to help Itachi, but she did not want to break her grandmother's vow.

Itachi watched the doctor closely, wondering what she was fighting with herself about in that mind of hers.

Suddenly, Tsunade fist pump her other flat palm hand in a move that relayed she was determined and highly motivated to do something. It seemed she determined what she was thinking about in her mind.

Itachi wondered what she was so pumped up about. It was strange seeing the blonde haired woman like this. He raised one thin brow in question and was rewarded with a full blown grin from Tsunade, "Kid, what I'm about to do stays between the two of us, got it? Or else I'm going to break every single bone in your body. Do I make myself clear?" She growled out fiercely as she prepped her hands by cracking her knuckles. The action made Itachi flinch in nervousness.

"Of course, I won't say a word." He vowed.

Itachi wasn't sure what she was talking about, but he had a feeling that she would go through with her threat if he didn't keep what was about to happen confidential. He nodded his head in agreement to her terms, and as soon as he did his eyes widen in shock at what he saw.

Tsunade had performed quick hand seals, and soon after her hands lit up in green chakra. The power that radiated from her hands as she healed him caused their hair to blow gently away from their faces, and it was at that moment that Itachi saw a maroon colored rhombus in the center of her forehead out nowhere.

Itachi recognized it to be a seal that stored reserves of chakra within it. It also explained how she was able to keep her young appearance all these years. It was because she was using chakra all this time. He had no idea she possessed this ability.

"You know medical ninjutsu." Itachi whispered out in awe, and a part of him was angry at the fact as well, although he didn't show it. All this time she could have cured him, but didn't until now.

Tsunade was swift in her procedure, and firmly placed her glowing hands over his chest. The effects were immediate, her cool healing chakra spread throughout his body in seconds, healing all the damage the autoimmune diseased caused in his blood vessels and veins.

The uncomfortable tightness in his chest was alleviating itself, and Itachi could breathe more easily than before. The pain that he has felt for the past three years were disappearing before his very eyes, and Itachi felt his anger leaving him slowly. He considered himself grateful, but he was still curious as to why Tsunade decided to cure him now instead of back then when they first met.

While she cured him, Tsunade brought her hazel irises to Itachi's face. Already she could see a huge difference in the kid, and she felt glad. She should have done this sooner, but it came with the risk of being exposed to the world.

Like the Uchiha Clan, the Senju Clan had retained the old teachings of medical ninjutsu and chakra use. Her grandmother had been the one to teach her while she was growing up, and her exceptional skills in mastering medical ninjutsu led her into the medical field, but it came with very strict rules.

In order to maintain her safety she had to keep her abilities a secret from the world. There were only a few who knew about her ability to use chakra at will, and she knew there were others like her in the world, too. She had already broken one of her grandmother's rules seven years ago, but she couldn't pass the opportunity by. If there was one thing Tsunade loved most in the world besides drinking, it was potential and a chance to leave behind her legacy.

"Why now?" Itachi questioned, and Tsunade expected it since she first begun.

"Just like your clan, I am at risk of being killed and hunted, too, if the world knew what I was capable of. People till this day do not understand chakra. They will fear it and want to take us out in case we were to ever turn on them, but there is a secret to chakra that the world isn't ready to face just yet. You of all people know what happens when people fear something too powerful for them to control." Tsunade told him in a tone that held mystery and warning.

"The Uchiha Massacre." Itachi said evenly, but he wanted to know the secret of chakra, and Tsunade smirked. "It's something that my grandmother used to tell me when I was younger, but it wasn't until a few years ago that I truly understood what she meant." She explained vaguely, and it left Itachi feeling unsatisfied.

"It's done, you're fully cured of your disease. Unlike with the treatments, it will never return again." The doctor told him with a pleased expression. Itachi sat up slowly, and noted that he felt stronger than before with the exception of fatigue.

"You're going to feel sore and fatigue for a few days, but after that passes you will be back to normal again. I suggest you rest for a week before resuming your regular activities. It will also give your family the impression that the treatment I prescribed this time was effective." Tsunade explained to him with a no nonsense look in her expression.

"Thank you, I'll keep your secret safe, Tsunade-sama." Itachi told her with a soft, grateful smile. He was anxious to get back to the daily life that he had prior to the disease. He swore he would never have that again until now, and it was all thanks to the wonders of medical ninjutsu.

Despite the fact that his clan was able to use chakra it was mostly for the use of genjutsu and ninjutsu and those techniques were for combat. He understood and appreciated the value of medical ninjutsu, because it could save many lives on and off the field of conflict and battle.

If his father knew about Tsunade's medical prowess with chakra it would add a great edge to his father's plans of retaking the city of Konoha. It was the reason he was motivating and building the clan all these years in the middle of nowhere. They're numbers were large enough to measure three large armies, and they were growing daily. Soon they will be too large to sustain in the deserts of Suna. Eventually they will have to expand and seek more resources to support their large family, and that time was fast approaching.

Uchiha Fugaku was determined to execute the Uchiha Clan's revenge for the massacre fifty years ago, and to reclaim their mother land. It was their birth right.

They say time heals all wounds, but the wound his clan dealt with all those years ago was as fresh as it was that fateful night, and it was the exact reason why Itachi wasn't going to expose Tsunade's secret. Nothing good will ever come from vengeance, except for the spilling and killing of more innocent blood.

Itachi will not give his father an added advantage.

"I'm counting on it, kid." Tsunade told him with furrowed brows. It didn't bother Itachi anymore that she referred to him as a kid. He would like to say that it was because he was used to it, but a part of him felt like a little kid, especially during the past three years of his illness. His entire family, especially Shisui treated him like he was fragile.

Even Sasuke became motherly towards him, and took on the role of big brother. All of that was going to change now that he was better. He was going to fix this mistake that plague his family and he was going to figure out a way to stop his father's plans of impending war.

Itachi recalled the meeting with the Hyuuga's a few days ago, and the shocking revelation of Haruno Sakura. All this time Shisui and him did not know who the person responsible for creating the impossible was, and as luck would have it the person was ironically his ex-girlfriend: the woman whom he met twelve years ago. His earlier question on whether she succeeded in becoming a doctor were answered, and it far exceeded his initial thought. Sakura became an exceedingly talented doctor, but she was caught up in the crossfire and her life was in danger. He couldn't let her get hurt.

Tsunade seemed to be a prominent member of the medical field and he was certain Tsunade would know some information about her. It was a good start at least in getting to know the person Sakura grew into after their relationship ended, and so Itachi brought his dark orbs to Tsunade and started his mission.

"Do you have any information on a doctor named Haruno Sakura?" The Uchiha asked curiously, and he was mildly surprised when the blonde haired doctor's brows furrowed tightly and her eyes narrowed in suspicion. The air around Tsunade became slightly eerie and radiated a protective air around her.

"Why are you asking?" She countered with a slight frown. Itachi could see her eyes assessing the situation, and he concluded that she did know Sakura. He assumed the doctor was close to the pink haired woman. He decided to tell her the truth, or at least part of it.

"Sakura has gotten herself involved with one of Orochimaru's Projects, and she has caught my father's eerie. If she doesn't tread carefully she will find herself in a lot of danger. I'm trying to find a peaceful solution to this situation before things get ugly." Itachi told Tsunade truthfully.

The doctor seemed confused for a moment before her eyes widen in realization. It seemed the puzzle she was working out in her mind was finally completed, and a deep concern flooded her expression. Tsunade sighed with aggravation.

"That girl has dug a deep hole for herself, but the worst part is that she doesn't even know it yet." Tsunade gritted out with some apprehension. "This is partly my fault. I shouldn't have recommended her to Orochimaru, but I was certain he had turned over a new leaf after our mentor died." She explained lightly, and regret crumpled through her face. "I should have known better." She chastised herself harshly.

Itachi furrowed his brows slightly at Tsunade's concerns. So, it was the doctor who referred Haruno Sakura to Orochimaru, unknowingly setting things into motion regarding the mock Uchiha Revival, but he couldn't place the blame on them solely.

Tsunade brought her hazel irises to Itachi in all seriousness.

"Tell me everything that my pupil has gotten herself into, and what your father is planning on doing about it." She demanded with an unshakable tone, and the threat of her breaking every bone in his body echoed in his mind from earlier again. He was ignorant to the other abilities she may possess and he did not want to try his luck out today. It's been three years since he's last train, and it was a matter that he wanted to remedy as soon as possible.

Itachi remained silent, partly because he was surprised Sakura was a pupil of Tsunade. No wonder she was able to achieve what most had failed in doing. She had been trained by the best medic in the world, and he wondered if she, too, possessed the ability to perform medical ninjutsu.

"My father wants her dead..." Itachi began, and he could see Tsunade visibly stiffen at the fact. He could feel her killing intent growing by the second. "But I want to prevent that from happening." He revealed to her sincerely, and it seemed to appease the doctor slightly. "I know Sakura personally, we dated over a decade ago. She didn't know my true identity, of course. It was one of the reasons why we didn't work out for long." He started with a regretful frown. Tsunade was genuinely surprised at the admission.

"Start from the beginning, and I want the whole truth." Tsunade demanded, and Itachi abide to her request. He will tell her the truth, and he will have a portion of the burden lifted from his shoulder by confiding to her. The only other person who carried this burden with him was Shisui.

So, Itachi decided to tell Tsunade the whole truth of how he was drugged and violated.

"I was young and wanted to experience life outside the Estate. I was in a rebellious phase back then and that was the beginning of my problems, but I was also happy too because I met Sakura..."

A/N: New chapter guysssss!

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Lady Manami