Chapter eleven:

'Thoughts' / 'Outer Sakura'

'Inner Sakura'

'Flashback'

Not Weak.

It was cold, wet and dark. Sakura was curled up in a corner, as far away as possible from the door.

She was in this room for almost three days now, or were it four? She didn't know, and don't really care, as long as someone would come and take her away from here.

This room was more or less empty, no light came through the black window, the door was locked, water ran down the walls in small runlets and the walls, the ceiling and even the floor were made out of cold stone. There was a bed in the so-called room, but one look at the sheets in the dim light and Sakura had to stifle a gasp. Many stains were on it and they looked suspiciously like blood.

Near the door three trays with food lay on the floor, but they were untouched.

When Sakura stepped through the secret entrance of the Akatsuki head quarter, they surprisingly offered her a cloak, but she had merely wrapped her torn bathrobe tighter around her and said she was fine. Oh how she cursed her stupid pride.

I'm almost like some certain Uchihas... Her Inner started execrating both Uchiha brothers, but

"But still you can't choose who you fall in love with, right?"

..."Right."

Itachi shook his head. Where did that come from? He didn't know.

As soon as he reached the Akatsuki head quarter in rain, he had gone rid of Sakura. His sweet, fragile Sakura. STOP IT. NOW. He demanded himself.

He didn't get the fact why she was haunting him, but he was bound and determined to find out. Later.

She's weak. She only has good medical skills, otherwise...not even worth my time... He kept telling himself how worthless and weak she was, but he had the dim feeling, that he was lying to himself.

"Hey, Itachi! Where ya goin'?" Itachi looked over his shoulder, glaring at the person behind him. "Hn." He answered. Hidan wanted to reply something, but Itachi cut him off. "None. Of. Your. Business."

Hidan shrugged and left. Tsk. Idiot. He will miss another meeting with leader. His problem. Hidan smiled. Arrogant bastard. I hope Leader chews him out for that.

Itachi turned his head and started walking again. He didn't pay any attention where he was going, but when his feet finally stopped he stood in front of a door. The door he avoided the last three days. Well not exactly the door, but the person behind.

I can as well find out what is behind this girl now... He opened the door, a malicious smile on his lips, red eyes shining bright.

The door was opened with such force, it slammed against the wall with a loud bang. The person inside the room winced. The man at the door allowed a smirk on his lips, but it didn't reach his cold, outstaring red eyes. He stepped into the room, his raven hair shining in the sunlight.

He closed the door and sat down at the table and nodding to the chair in front of him. The second man stood up from his seat at the window and sat on the chair on his left instead. He smiled nervous.

"Iss thiss the way to treat your old Sssensei? Locking him in a room?" He asked after a while. "You tried to kill me, Sensei. So, yes, it is more than you deserve, Orochimaru."

Orochimarus long tongue licked his lips, an annoying habit. He did it whenever he was nervous, very nervous. Sweat formed on his pale forehead.

"Why are you here then, Sssassuke-Kun?" Latter man laughed. It made him look almost sympathetic, almost. Just his Sharingan... Oh, how Orochimaru wanted them...

Sasuke's laugh faded, when he noticed the avarice in the old snake man's eyes. "Don't. Even. Think. About. That." Even if Orochimaru sat in the sun, he shivered lightly. It had ended in a disaster, when he tried to steal Sasuke's body. Sasuke had captured him in his Sharingan and he had suffered some terrible hours in a world made of crimson, black and pain.

Sasuke had regained his cool again and watched some birds on the windowsill. How peaceful... There's just one more thing I need... His gaze wandered to his Sensei. "Tell me where to find the Akatsuki head quarter."

Orochimaru looked shocked for a little moment, then he started laughing.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. He didn't like being the one laughed at. "Orochimaru!" His voice echoed like thunder in the Snake's ears.

"Sssorry, sssorry..." Orochimaru was still laughing on the inside. Telling him the location of the Head quarter? "If you want to find them, you can ssstart catching sssmoke instead asss well!" Sasuke snorted impatient. "Don't waste my time." "I think they changed their head quarter after I left." "Where was it the last time?"

"In Konoha."

Sasuke stood up. "Why do you want to know?" Orochimaru dared to ask. Sasuke, who had opened the door already stopped in mid-step, and turned his head. "They annoy me." Then he left.

Orochimaru went back to the windowsill. The sun had disappeared, but the birds were still there. With a quick movement he caught one and held it gently in his hands. Be careful Sssasuke... He increased the pressure on his hand. You're getting arrogant like your brother and that will finally bring the down fall of both of you. The Akatsssuki is nothing to fool around with. That'sss the reasson why I did flee... He turned and walked over to the bed, leaving a dead bird on the sill.

Itachi entered the room, wanting to rape Sakura's soul with his merciless eyes, wanting to break her, to force her every secret to the surface. He hated her for making him attracted to her. She had made him weak. But when he saw the girl curled into the corner all he felt was pity. And guilt. All his hate disappeared into the darkest corner of his mind.

"Sakura?" He was shocked when she looked at him like she saw a ghost. "Itachi? Is it you?" He could see a spark of hope in her eyes.

But he wasn't the person she wished to see. He would never be like this again.

"No." He simply answered. He expected her to start crying, to faint to do anything, but her cold "I see."

Sakura had no tears left to cry. Not for an Uchiha. Not again. She sat up and tried to stand up, but her legs didn't carry her.

Itachi, who still stood in the door, looked at the trays of food to his feet. She didn't eat...

Sakura gave up, she slumped back in a sitting position and glared at him. It wasn't really effective, she was pale, skinny and had dark circles around her eyes. She looked more scared and hungry than everything else.

"Why didn't you eat something?" Itachi asked. "I don't want the food." She tried to sound cold and uncaring, but her voice shook. I'm so damn exhausted... But you're doing fine. Just remember: You're not weak any more! Sakura inwardly nodded. Yes, she would show him she was worth attention. She would survive until her friends would come to rescue her.

Determination glittered in her eyes and she finally stood up. Now she was face to face with Itachi, who had come closer to her with a tray of food. "You have to eat." A command, no question, no emotion.

Sakura shook her head. "No." "I'll force you." Inwardly he praised her braveness – or foolishness. She took the tray and sat down with a thud. "Fine." She started eating.

Itachi stood in the middle of the room, not really knowing what to do he sat down next to her and closed his eyes. They hurt...

"You should switch them off." Sakura's voice cut through his thoughts. Immediately his gaze was on her again. She didn't even stop eating, when she spoke again. "Your Sharingan...They're hurting..." She regretted starting to talk to him.

"You can tell?" He asked a little surprised. She looked up – in black orbs. "Yes." She whispered. Itachi looked away. The way she had stared into his eyes he felt like she could see through his cold façade, and see the confusion on the inside.

Sakura started eating again. "What do you want?" She asked after she had finished. "You." Sakura's head shoot up. "M-me..?" Sakura blushed bright pink.

Then she saw the wide smirk and the amusement in his eyes. "I want you to heal my eyes." He explained. Sakura laughed dryly. "Yes, and why would I do that?" "Because you have no choice." There was a threatening red glance in his eyes again.

But Sakura smiled. "I would rather die." Itachi raised an eyebrow. Half with admiration, half with amusement. Forgotten were the hate for the moment. This girl in front of him was a challenge and he loved challenges. "We will see." Itachi stood up and left.

Hi!

I know I didn't update in a loooong time, but here it is! Chapter 11!

I was a little disappointed, I got just a few reviews last chapter...

I still want to know, if you have any ideas how I can make this story better!

Please review!

[No List this chappy, I'm done typing today! Sorry!

Sayuu♥

P.S: I have given the Chappies names!