AUTHOR'S NOTE: First of all, I wanted to apologize for not updating my story for such a very long long time. I didn't know how to start my next chapter and end it. Heck, I lost all my ideas for this chapter... Anyway, for the past few months, after uploading my chapter, I have been rummaging the stories around fanfiction... I went far as possible from Anime to Games. Base on my observations, the stories which are short have lots more reviews than longer stories, not that I'm expecting more reviews from everybody. It's just that, I probably should have stop writing longer stories, since it really brings migraine and second of all, it's too tiring and disappointing once you receive only a few reviews from your effort. So I thought that, I should probably start making my chapters shorter than its usual... I wanted to apologize for making my chapter shorter just in case if I disappoint you...
Anyway, I would like to thank the following people for always reviewing my story...
1-complicated-girl: Thanks for the correction... I forgot the spelling of Ino and the Ino that I spelled actually means dog right? hahaha... Thanks for the review and I'm really glad you like Jin... As for the girls hair, that's a secret... We wouldn't want to spoil that fun now would we? hehehe...
QueenThayet12990: I wanted to say thank you for the comment and the corrections... Honestly, I don't really know what my corrections are and I don't have time to check on it since it's quite tiring to double check it... But I guess, the thought of the sentence is wrong... Haha... I really am a klutz... Sorry about that... Hope you enjoy this chapter!
kinara-chan: I thank you for the review you send and mostly for the words of encouragement... You don't know how that means to me... Really, thanks...
-my name is Toast-: Actually, yes, I followed the main problem in Tsubasa. But yet, at the same time, I made some twist in original plot so basically speaking, it's a bit the same and at the same time different... Thanks for reading and the review...
To all: I do hope that I get reviews from you readers... Thanks for the thorough reading and reviews...
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Naruto and any of its characters... But I'm glad that I do own Jin! :)
Please send in your reviews... :3
CHAPTER 10: ITACHI'S IN DANGER!
The sound of the boots hitting the marble floor alarmed the girl in the shrine who quietly closed her eyes in prayer and gave no necessary actions to the intrusion. Her hands intertwined together with her head tilt down in a bow. It was so quiet and deafening that the only music to their ears was the clanging pounds of the boots against the marbled floor. The beam of the sun touched the young girl's pale soft skin through the colored window on top of the ceiling. The wind prowl through the dull and solitary insides of the shrine, giving life. As the clanging sound of the boots came to a halt, the owner looked at the pink headed girl in front of him. His eyes serene and yet cold at the same time; his usual goofy aura was now replaced to that of a mature one who knows when to goof around and when not to.
Quiet still the intense air of prayer as both figures in the shrine said nothing to heed the other of their presence. He sighed quietly and sat at the bench behind the pink headed girl in front of him who stayed still for a couple of minutes now. Boy did she grow up into a fine young lady with grace. He wanted to go back to the time when they first saw each other and check whether the girl in front of him was still the girl he saw back then. But apparently, his intuition tells him that she was not the kind of girl like she used to be before when they took away her from the premises of Konoha's gates. She had changed not only in the exterior but also in the interior part.
Her short shouldered length hair now reached her waist line which was tied neatly into a low ponytail by a black ribbon which she always had ever since she got to the Akatsuki. She grew up with grace and kindness and mostly with knowledge. There were lots of things that changed in her and he can't enumerate everything since he was not there to witness every change. His thoughts trailed off when he heard her sigh in relief, finally finished with the prayer.
"I got you another one," he told her in a soft manner, afraid that his voice would taint her divinity.
Sakura turned around, her face genuinely shining with happiness. Her emerald eyes that were once subtle turned a darker shade of emerald. Her pink bangs that framed her face now had a small fringe that covered some parts of her eyes and some strands of her hair framed and exceeded her chin. In the middle of her temple was a small head in gear, a gold head gear with a small ruby diamond settling above the line of her eyebrows and between. Her clothes were not the kimono she used before but spaghetti that ended below her knees. The dress was a simply white with no such designs but at the end of her dress was a white lace. She actually used normal clothing, like what she was wearing, when she was in the shrine and at home.
Sakura smiled sadly, her eyes showing no hint of embarrassment to show her current emotions.
"If I take that, I get to forget another memory right?" she asked unsure. "I have lost lots of memory in my present that I don't even remember it anymore. I don't even remember those days where…" she trailed off.
"Sakura," Jin called solemnly. "There's nothing else to do… This is your only way of survival."
"I know, but…" she quietly paused. "I don't want to forget the memories I made with the people of my present… The people who cared for me when I was in need and pain,"
Jin smiled sadly at her. This was the girl they had been protecting with their every essence of life. Like she was the life line of everything they had been working on. He had noticed that she didn't cry like she usually does when it comes to these kinds of discussion and lecture. She has matured through the years of training. Her hysterical emotion control was not to be worried about since she got a greater grip on it than usual.
"I know," he stated calmly. "But you should know Sakura, you are not you when you used to be young. You're 16 years old now, and you're deadline is fast approaching. The mark of your tattoo had exceeded your body one-fourth of it now…"
Sakura shuddered at the thought of her death coming. She quickly turned her back on him, unsure what to do. "Don't say that," she told him with encouragement, more likely to herself. "I know what will happen or when will it happen…I just don't want to be reminded about it that's why I set a genjutsu to hide the mark."
"You won't die while I'm still around Sakura," Jin reassured her. "Everything will come to an end and we'll have all the time we got once we've got your memories back… Okay?"
Sakura nodded softly. "You've grown… I noticed." She confessed with a soft smile.
Jin looked at her resentfully, unable to stop the sudden attack of his emotion. It was rare to see Sakura since he's got lots of things to do and everything, especially being the darn leader of the Akatsuki. But yes, he had to admit he had grown. His usual black shirt was replaced to that of a turtle neck sleeveless shirt. His muscular arm was shown with pride. His sword belt still clung unto his chest and back; he now equipped a new black off finger gloves. The broad sword with ancient writing on the blade still hung on his sword belt. His hair was still long but instead of being spiky; it lies limp at the side thus, framing his handsome features. He had a new fringe that settled above his eyes and some that framed his chin. Though everything was new, he still looked the same and he certainly had that goofy aura still around him.
Aside from that matter, seeing Sakura like this was enough for him to heal all the wounds away. "You've grown too…"
Sakura neared her brother and gave a compassionate hug. Jin responded immediately with a smile, happy that his sister had turned back like what she used to be in the past. He was happy that everything was okay and she was okay. "Aniki, do you think… I could still remember those people in…" she trailed off, unsure of what to say.
"Konoha," Jin stated helpfully.
"Yes, Konoha…" Sakura sheepishly quoted. She broke the hug and stared intensely at the eyes of her brother's. "Do you think I'll remember the people in Konoha?"
Jin averted his eyes. He didn't know what to answer her. Once she regained a new memory of her past, there was no way she could retrieve the memories of her present. The past memory and the present memory never settled in her together. If one was to returned, the other was to be driven away or thrown. As much as he wanted to get those memories back for the happiness of his sister, he could not since he didn't know where to find one.
"Aniki?" Sakura called unease.
Jin looked at Sakura and smiled apologetically. "Of course you'll remember them Sakura," he encouraged. "Say, maybe…" he paused for a moment and eyed the younger Haruno in front of him who was eyeing him curiously. "Maybe…I'll bring you to Konoha someday."
At this point, Sakura stared at her brother with her mouth quite agape and her eyes bulged out. She didn't know what to say. She didn't know what to react after the news and promise her brother just vowed. Jin looked at her uncomfortably, thinking if what he just said and promised drove a stake in her heart.
"Sakura," Jin called, wavering a bit.
Sakura stared at her brother, her emotion changing from shock to a big smile. A smile that shown that she truly was happy. Never did she think that her brother was setting her free after being encaged in this house for nearly 4 years. Sakura immediately jumped over to Jin and hugged him tight like there was no tomorrow. "Thank you… Thank you…" she whispered incoherently to her brother.
Jin smiled softly at Sakura before breaking the hug. His emerald eyes stared at her, his gaze so soft and intense. Seeing his eyes so solemn and his handsome features, Sakura averted her eyes away with a blush creeping at her cheeks. "You know," she paused for a moment, mustering the strength that has left her. "You're just like Itachi-kun, dazzling people."
"What," Jin asked, quite unsure if he heard his sister right. Him, dazzling people? Even with his own blood and relative? "Sakura?"
Sakura stared at her brother, her cheeks still inflamed. "Hm," she acknowledged softly.
"Does this mean…" he trailed off in thought. "you like-"
Jin wasn't able to finish his statement when Sakura shouted hysterically. "NO!"
"What I say?" Jin asked surprise at the outburst his sister caused. "I wasn't even finished."
"Just… just… don't say a word." Sakura pleaded with her back face on Jin. Her atmosphere was becoming gloomy like a part of her soul was taken and was flying beside her. Jin stared at her confusedly, what did he said to make her feel so gloomy and anxious?
"Sakura," Jin called while getting the Essence out of his cloak. "I guess it's time for you to take this…"
Sakura looked over to Jin, her eyes full of sadness and reluctance.
[--
"Agh," Sakura groaned before sitting up on her bed. She held her head before looking at the raining sky. Her eyes averted from her balcony glass to her surroundings. The king size bed, the dresser, the one door… One door?! At this point, Sakura's practically bulged out when she realized that this room was not hers. She quickly stood up and scanned the room. This was definitely not hers since there was only one door, no small tea set in front of the bed, the drapes were not transparent and mostly, it was dull.
Sakura sighed exhaustively, why oh why did she always have to get herself in trouble? She quietly hoisted her legs from the bed to the ground and stood up. As she walked quietly to the door, she heard a soft rustle coming from the window. "Is anybody there?" She asked boldly while nearing it.
Sakura opened the window softly while her eyes rummage around. Betrayal and anger boiled within her when she noticed that this was some kind of trick. She quietly balled her hands into fist and turn on her heels, not bothering to close the window again. But doing that was a wrong thing when she felt arms framing her body. The move was too quick for her to react. Sakura moved to the side to see who it was. She tried to open her mouth to speak her mind out only to result in quiet quiver of her lips. This can't be happening…
[--
Itachi was on his way to the mansion with his body soaked. He had a glum looked on his face, clearly not enjoying the quick shower he just had a little while ago. Aside from the shower he had received, he also, was certainly not enjoying the pains that was jolting his whole body relentlessly.
Three days ago, Sakura had, yet again, sense her petals in the outskirts of a lone country called "Suna" or "Sand". She had descriptively explained its whereabouts and pinpointed all the details as to how he could get it. Apparently, at that time, everybody was not home from their current mission. Sakura told him to go retrieve her Essence which he didn't want to. He had declined the mission as much as possible since he just can't leave her alone. Not with everyone on a mission and doing something important. But yet, he still went to do it since it was so darn hard to refuse her pleading expression.
Despite of the order Sakura gave, he saw the worried and concern in her eyes, clearly not wanting to let him go. He could tell that she was attached and fond of him and although as much as he wants to deny it, he actually felt the same thing for her. Only a person with a cold heart wouldn't grow worried of the girl he has been watching over the past few years, specifically almost four years.
Itachi closed his eyes as a winced left his cold lips. He instinctively held his right arm where blood ooze out slowly. The wound, although was not new, was cut open when he was spotted in Suna by their Kazekage and his brother who was a master of puppets. 'There's no time to wait and stay here all night… I have to get there' he thought mildly. If he had enough chakra supply, he sure as hell would transport himself. But apparently, he used almost everything to protect himself from that vicious Kazekage of theirs with his brother. He had no time fighting them since it was talking about Sakura's memories and mostly her life.
When they learned that the curse had consumed Sakura's body one fourth of it now, he really felt angry at himself. In fact, everybody really felt sad that her death was nearing her, but yet at the same time was still out of reach. But she didn't show any sign of weakness in front of them. She didn't say that she was sorry. In fact, she smiled and said words of encouragement as if her death was nothing to her.
'How selfless…' Itachi thought before looking at the door of the mansion. His bloody hand held the handle as it opened before leaving a mark on it. He entered the mansion with his clothes dripping water on the ground. He quietly closed his eyes before opening it to reveal his onyx orbs. After all, he didn't want to scare Sakura. The last time he had showed his Sharinghan to Sakura, she got scared. He felt bad for doing that.
Itachi's thoughts were trailed off when he heard an abrupt scream. He ran immediately to the source of the voice only to stop in Jin's room? Without wasting another thought, he barged in the room and stared with horror. Sakura was now limp on the arms of a person who he knows nothing of. Anger consumed his being as he ran going to the intruder, not minding of the pain in his arm.
He kicked the intruder in the face which was blocked effortlessly. The intruder sent another blow to his stomach which Itachi barely dodged. He was at disadvantage with his wound and the recent fight he had. The man dropped Sakura down which Itachi. His eyes widened a bit as he looked at the intruder as Jin entered and attacked.
Jin successfully pushed the intruder out of the mansion and stared at both the teens without a sweat. His eyes hysterically looked around Sakura's form that seemed to be okay; only unconscious to whatever that man did to her. He kneeled before them and looked over to his sister's pale body to check if she had any wounds. Relief consoled his spirit when he found none.
"You okay?" Jin asked while looking over to Itachi who was panting and breathing hoarsely.
Itachi opened his left eye, looking over to his superior. "Is she okay?"
"She is…" he assured with his signature smirked.
Itachi relaxed his tense shoulders before uttering a softly. "Good… she's okay." He whispered incoherently before leaning towards Sakura's limp form.
"Hey," Jin called alertly. He scavenged Itachi's cloak and found a soft and faint glow of the Essence of Sakura. Jin smiled softly at him before checking if he had any wounds so far. He then saw the minor wound on his arm. Not so deep but it was bleeding.
"That's o-" he trailed off after seeing Itachi groaned in pain with his hand on his belly. He quickly looked over to what Itachi was hiding only to grimace. "Idiot," he muttered. "He didn't even told me that he was wounded severely." He told himself, wavering in fear and panic a bit.
"Damn," Jin cursed quietly. "What the hell am I going to do with the both of you?"
[--
Damn, Itachi thought quietly before opening his eyes softly. He didn't know what he was feeling but he sure felt like hell. He's systems were not functioning pretty well, he could tell. He narrowed his eyes to get rid of the blurry vision. Seeing these unclear colors and different forms of faces was very different and infuriating to him.
"Thank goodness," he heard a girl said with relief toning her voice. "Itachi are you okay?"
Itachi wasn't even able to move his head. He wanted to turn and face that particular person but can't. "He's awfully pale." Another one commented.
Konan-san, Kisame-san? Itachi thought with his eyes failing to open miserably. His body was paining him to no end. How he wanted to ask what the hell was going on to him and asks if Sakura was okay.
"Sakura-chan would really throw a fit once she sees Itachi-sama in this kind of situation, yeah" a perky voice said. "He must have been really lucky that he, until now, is fighting the poison."
"Yeah," this time, the voice that Itachi knew of spoke. "I'm glad that Sasori had been able to detect what kind of poison it was… Now, we just have to wait until Sasori figures out the right combination of herbs."
[--
The door leading to the room of opened with a loud noise that startled the people around the bed. They all turn their heads to see a panting young youth was leaning on the frame of the door for support with a very worried expression. "Ohime-sama," Deidara unconsciously blurted while looking at the girl with a shock gaze.
"Where is he?" Sakura asked, unmindful of the stares she was receiving from the Akatsuki.
They all moved aside to show Itachi's fragile form in the bed. His tone color had changed differently and his hoarse yet soft breathing filled the quiet air. Sakura stared at him for a moment, her eyes wide in shock and her breathing stop. She quietly strolled down to see his handsome pale features which she didn't grew accustomed of.
He was so fragile. He was so weak at the moment, a very rare sight to see. How she wanted to hug him and say that he was going to be okay. She didn't want to lose him. She didn't want to lose him now that she was so attached to him. If he died, she was never going to forgive herself. After all, the reason why he was here was because of her. Because, his duty was to protect her with all his life.
"Itachi-kun," she called out softly and unclear.
When he heard his name mentioned Itachi tried his best to open his eyes for her sake. He didn't want to see her crying. He didn't want to be the cause of her pain. He didn't want to be the cause of everything that made her sad. He didn't want to be. It was actually weird for him. He never felt this way before towards her nor were any other girls. Damn, he cursed inwardly with a mental smirk. He was actually becoming soft.
"Itachi-kun," Sakura called again, her eyes wet with her tears. "He's not opening his eyes." She whimpered.
"Give him a rest hime," Pein instructed. "He's sleeping…"
Sakura shook her head in protest. "I am the reason why he's like this." She reasoned. "If I had been careful and react immediately, then probably he wouldn't be like this."
Jin approached Sakura and gave a comforting hand on her shoulder. He saw her turned his head towards his direction. "It's going to be alright," he assured her. "Don't worry."
Sakura closed her eyes and turned her head away from Jin's alluring gaze. "I…" she paused for a moment. "I want to be alone for a moment."
Everybody in the room looked at her with concern. She never said these words before, even in dire circumstances. They looked at each other for a moment, reluctance showing no embarrassment within their faces. Jin nodded his head and turned to leave the room. All of the other members followed his lead but only to stop when they heard Itachi.
"H-hey," he said softly while opening his eyes weakly to see Sakura's teary face.
"Good morning," Sakura smiled despite of her tear- stained face. A smile of encouragement and happiness which Itachi could not comprehend the meaning behind it. "How are you?" she questioned slowly.
Itachi didn't say a word and look pass by Sakura to see the other members walking toward his bed once more. He greeted them with an acknowledged weak nod, gesturing his gratitude of saving his life.
"Hey there," Jin called with a smirk. "You're an idiot after all, brat."
Itachi could give only a short 'hn' with a smile which was abrupt when he felt a powerful jolt that shot his chest. It hurt so much that he thought he died at the moment.
"Itachi-sama," Pein called out of worry.
Seeing one of their teammate in pain was so damn infuriating and aggravating. It was not easy to see one of their comrades like this. Not easy to hold their emotion once an important person was almost at the brink of death. Jin furrowed his brow when he saw Sakura's lips trembled and quivered in fear. He could see that she was struggling to control her tears.
"Don't give up brat," Jin raised his voice unnecessarily. "You just can't leave us like this… I still, after all, have a score to settle with you after sacrificing your life without thinking."
Itachi opened his eyes after a moment. Trying to shove and ignore the pain as much as possible to see the faces of his teammates. He said nothing but gave a short smile which was, yet again, replaced by a torn expression. He swiftly placed a hand to his chest and grasp at the blanket and his shirt tightly, seeking refuge and comfort in it.
Sakura neared Itachi and placed her hand above Itachi's on his chest. "Please… don't give up." She pleaded earnestly. "Anija,"
Jin looked over to Sakura who just stood near Itachi's bed with her hand on top of his. "Can I heal Itachi-kun with my song?" she asked.
"That's not possible." Jin responded immediately with fear. "If you do that, you'll lose all your Essence and die."
"But I just can't leave him either," she responded sadly. "I think I can handle it."
"Sakura-chan, don't do it." Deidara pleaded. "Even if we did collect a dozen of your Essence, we're not certain that you can actually heal Itachi without losing one. In fact, we'd be afraid to lose you once more, yeah." His voice was low and quiet.
Sakura turned over to them, her hand still not moving an inch away from Itachi's pale hands. "Alright," she agreed. "Probably, even the Eve of Espers can't do everything. I'm still insolent who relies to everyone else."
"That's not true," Kisame dejectedly stated. "We're here for you because we're a family. Relative or not relative, we promised your brother and family we'd protect you."
"Little sister," Jin calmly said. "Even the most powerful person on Earth has limited abilities, which include us and you. You're just being you and even the Eve from the last generations was not able to do things such as this." He stated, implying that the cure for Itachi's poison was not easy to heal by just using the chakra reserves.
Sakura sighed softly before forcing a soft smile. "I… understand. I may be powerful in a way and yet at the same time weak. I get your point."
Their conversation was interrupted when Sasori came in with a layer of sweat protruding in his temples. He was panting and out of breath. "I've got the cure for Itachi-nii's condition." At his news, they all smiled in agreement and looked over to Itachi with an approve look. "On the contrary," he continued with a solemn look. "We don't have the important ingredient."
They all turned back to Sasori who joined the gloomy group. "Sorry it took me a while to check what his poison was." He apologized. "But the only thing that matters right now is to get the Wifelia Flower."
[--
"Damn!" Jin cursed loudly before punching the white wall with such force that he made a mark of his knuckle on it. "From all the time, why now?"
"Calm down Jin-sama," Pein prompted.
"Calm down," he mocked softly. "How can I calm down when the person that Sakura became so fond of is actually dying!? Never the less, an important someone." he asked angrily before sighing deeply. "Sorry," he muttered next.
Pein nodded his head. "Apology accepted." He calmly said. "We know what you mean."
Jin sat on the couch of the living room with the other members of the Akatsuki except for Sakura who didn't want and liked the idea of living her protector. She remained inside the room of Itachi, never once leaving her hand on top of his with her eyes hungrily asking for his eyes to open again.
"Actually," Konan interfere their thoughts with her remark. "I heard that there was a small plantation of Wifelia flowers in the Hidden Cave of Barathrom, near the Ice Village."
She tilts her head and saw a subtle hope glistening in their eyes. "I'm not quite sure of the leaked information though," she added, clarifying that her statement was not an actual fact.
"Well," Kisame said shortly. "I think the only way to make sure is to check it right?" he asked, showing his toothy grin.
Deidara nodded his head. "That's right!" he said enthusiastically before pumping his fist in the air.
"Right," Jin acknowledge. "We'll leave after the next 2 hours. I'll bring Kisame and Deidara with me." He informed them. "Zetsu,"
"Yes Jin-sama," Zetsu answered humbly. "How can I be of service to you this time?"
"Well," he started softly. "I know that we've been abusing you in a way lately by letting you off alone in Konoha to check Sakura's teammates 24/7."
Zetsu shook his head in defiance. "As long as it makes Sakura-chan's heart contented, I'll keep on doing it." He retorted calmly.
"Okay, as of now," Jin continued getting to the point. "I want you to check a nearby cave in Ice Village. We'll arrive there shortly after our preparations have been finalized."
Zetsu nodded his head and smiled. "Glad to spy people as always." He answered before disappearing like a ghost.
[--
Sakura stared solemnly at Itachi. Guilt and remorse killing her insides slowly as she continued sobbing softly with her eyes tainted with tears. She was the main reason why he was on his bed, resting and dying slowly. Tilting her head down, Sakura brought her hands together in her lap as tears continued to stroll down her eyes.
"I-I'm sorry… I truly am so sorry…" she whispered incoherently before shutting her eyes tightly, trying desperately to stop the tears that wanted to break free from their confines. She didn't care about her looks. She didn't want to know what she looked like in the eyes of Itachi right now.
Her sobs were stopped abruptly when Itachi whispered something inaudible. "H-hime-sama,"
"Itachi-kun," Sakura called with tears forming on the corner of her eyes. "I'm so sorry…" She told him solemnly, her eyes blazing with sadness and remorse. "I-I should have p-protected myself…"
Itachi didn't say a word as he reached his hand out towards Sakura's face and cupped them softly. His thumb softly brushed away the trails of her tears. Although it was cold, Sakura found comfort in it. "Don't cry," he said exasperatedly through his hoarse breathing.
Sakura nodded her head at his request before cupping his cold and pale hands against her face. "Please don't leave me…" she pleaded. "I've lost so much and I don't want you to be a part of it."
Itachi looked over to Sakura, his eyes were so weak and fragile at the moment that it made her want to cry. Seeing him so weak and in bed was so different. It was so different and new to her. Usually, he was the one who was there for her. He was the four houses that stood and protect his core which was her. He was a vigilant protector. Mostly, he was gentle and kind despite of the cold demeanor he had put on. Through the four years, Sakura could see that he had changed his cold heart a bit. It was little but it didn't matter to her. After all, Itachi was still Itachi and nothing can change that.
"Sakura-hime," Itachi called her so vaguely through his velvet voice. "I did tell you that…" his body jerked at the pain that he released his hold of Sakura's cheeks and made her worry.
"Itachi-kun," she said worriedly with fear tracing her soft voice.
Itachi ignored her call of concern and continued his statement. "That," he continued with a hoarse breathing and sweat protruding on his forehead. "I'd… be here for you all the… time." He raised his voice unintentionally at the last word he said when the pain became intolerable.
"Please," Sakura pleaded while holding him down since he was moving around, struggling to say his words to her and to ease the pain. "Don't talk… It's for you safety."
He panted quietly with his eyes closed. Sakura stared solemnly at him. If only she could heal him with her powers through her song. But yet, since she still didn't collect enough Essence, her powers still had its limits, even her ability to heal. "I know you'll be there for me…" Sakura told him with a glum smile. "I know that…"
Itachi opened his eyes to reveal his onyx ones. His eyes hungrily being pulled in by the green and tranquil atmosphere of Sakura's eyes. He was still panting and yet he wanted to stay awake and protect Sakura. "I promise…" he stated softly, in hopes to make his speech straight and smooth. "I'll protect you with all of me… and…" he shut his eyes again as he groan in pain.
"Please… no more talking." He heard Sakura's pleading but was given no heed from Itachi.
"I'll never…" he paused for a moment as his eyes opened again. Sakura's breath hitched in her throat as she stared at Itachi's eyes. There was something in it that she never saw before. Something extraordinary that it made her want to hug him, made her want to melt from the intense gaze that he showed her. She can't comprehend what such feeling was going in him right now. "I'll never leave you alone in the dark…" he told her with a smile forming in his pale lips.
Sakura furrowed and shut her eyes as tears continued to stroll down her eyes. She tilted her head down and heard Itachi sigh. Was he going to leave her? He just made a promise that she knew he could never keep but yet apart of her told her that she just needs to put a little trust and faith in his words. What he said earlier made her think it was some kind of death promise or death words. She didn't know what to do. She didn't know what to say and respond. But there was one thing that made her so happy. The words of Itachi made her feel there was still a hope for her to live and break the curse.
"O-okay…" Sakura stuttered before tilting her head to meet his weak eyes. "I'll be waiting for you to keep that promise." She said before placing her hand over his.
Itachi looked over to her with his eyes slowly drifting to shut. He quietly smiled despite his situation and intertwined his hands with Sakura's before drifting to sleep. Too tired to open up his eyes. Too tired to say a word. And mostly too tired that his body can't move on.
Was he going to die?
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I just wanted to tell you that I'll be probably posting my future works for my fanfic stories... :) Thanks for reading and please send me some reviews... If you do, thanks! :)