The air was still, and though the heat was bearable it still felt as though the world was stilled in a deadly heated stalemate. But, unbeknownst to life itself, it was.
"How dare you defy my rules?" A very angry, deep voice rumbled.
"I had no choice. Sakura was in critical condition after using her jutsu." Itachi answered in a monotone voice.
"And your brother? He and his team are here as well? Do you not realize that he is the apprentice of Orochimaru, it is unsafe to have him here?" The voice rumbled.
"On the contrary, Sasuke was Orochimaru apprentice. The snake sanin is no more. My younger sibling disposed of him." Itachi said, staring into the blackened figures face.
There was an eerie silence. Before a huge sigh was heaved, it did not belong to the stoic Uchiha.
"I know you reasoning, I just worry for the well-being of this organization Uchiha."
"I understand Leader-sama; please let me take responsibility of my brother and his team. They could turn out to be useful to the Akatsuki." Itachi reasoned.
Another silence filled the air, and another sigh met his unanswered question.
"Arrigato." Itachi murmured, and proceeded to teleport back to his awaiting love.
"She is quite nice looking when she's asleep." A bass voice remarked. Kakazu was leaning over the resting cherry blossom.
"Fuck yeah, the bitch is fucking hot. I can't wait to get in her fucking pa-" Before Hidan could comment any further, a very annoyed Uchiha punched him with sickening force.
"HA! The bitch can fucking hit harder than you, you little shit." The Jashinist laughed manically.
Sasuke rolled his eyes, and looked toward his ex-teammate. For a fleeting moment he felt bad for her. He had met, had, and broken woman that were considered the most beautiful in their lands. He had travelled the earth and met quite a few beauties. But - none of them held a candle to Sakura. She was by far the most stunning woman he had ever laid eyes on. It seemed that every male in this place had noticed this too. He had to be on constant watch for his brother, lest he let Sakura get raped. He shuddered at the thought of someone trying to do that to Sakura. And it wasn't because of what his brother would do, after seeing 5 walls with holes through them -and having it explained to him that Tobi had struck a nerve with Sakura- he couldn't imagine them living long enough at the girls hands.
"Is she alright?" A deep demanded.
Sasuke let out his breath and turned to his brother. He was surprised to see Itachi in jogging pants and a t-shirt. He rushed to Sakura and picked her up in his arms.
"Uchiha! That's not fucking fair; just because you're her fucking team mate doesn't fucking mean her ass is yours!" Hidan hissed.
Itachi fixed him with a look that would have even their leader backing away, Hidan did not disappoint. His eyes went wide and he took a step back. Sasuke smirked, while Juugo and Karin snickered at the priests actions
"And what are you doing with these fucks!" Hidan yelled
"That is none of your business. Sasuke, follow me please." Itachi barked.
A hesitant team Hebi followed the enraged Uchiha through the rest of the compound, sticking close to Sasuke.
"Sakura and I will be staying in her room; I don't think it would suit your ... needs. You may have mine. There are other available beds that our maids will be bringing shortly. We will meet later tonight to discuss our new arrangements. Leader-sama has left me in charge of your 3. Sasuke, I will ask that you accompany me to Sakura's room? We have much to discuss." Itachi all but whispered.
Karin immediately glomped onto Sasuke's arm and whined loudly. "You won't be gone long, ne Sasu?"
"Tch, get off me." He sneered.
The red head just held tighter, much to his annoyance. Itachi watched the exchange out of the corner of his eye. This woman had to go; she was by no means of caliber for this organization. The white haired man... he had a far off look in his eyes. And Itachi could tell that he'd rather be free.
"This is your room," Itachi said, opening the door for them. "I will dispel the jutsu from the door later. Sasuke, come with me." Itachi ordered, and strode through the bathroom that connected the 3 rooms at the back.
Sasuke's eye twitched as he took in the entirely pink room. He stared at the girl in Itachi's arms. How on earth could she be so lethal, and still be so... ridiculously innocent. Itachi laid Sakura gently on her bed, baring his sharingan to check her chakra levels.
"I don't know how long she will need to rest after this. She is stable yes; being a medic I assume her body is used to regulating. But the jutsu had a huge effect on her physically."
Sasuke cocked his head, not bothering to say anything. At this point in time, he felt awkward. As he watched Itachi run his hand along Sakura's cheek he couldn't help the flash of envy that scorched through him. Sakura had been his so long ago...
"Did she tell me the truth? Our clan... was they really going to go against Konoha? Was the massacre ordered?" Sasuke demanded.
His brother turned to look him dead in the eye. Those black eyes were mirrors of his own, and he could clearly see no deception in them, only heartache.
'Hai." Itachi whispered.
Sasuke couldn't help himself; he cocked his fist back and sent it home to his brother's face.
"No you don't." A soft voice whispered.
Sakura caught Sasuke's flying hand in hers, stopping it inches from her beloveds face. Her eyes were half lidded, her body trembling but she was able to catch the punch, and even more so tighten her grip enough to crack some bones and send him wheeling back. She let out a huge gasp and pitched forward. Itachi caught her, quickly laying her back down.
"D-don't fight..." She whispered.
Sasuke looked at her begrudgingly knowing that he would stop now. He couldn't risk her well-being on his feelings of rage.
"Why did you let me live like that? Why did you have to make me hate you? WHY ITACHI? YOU RUENED MY LIFE!" Sasuke asked his brother in a small whisper.
Itachi turned to look at him once again, and patted the bed next to his still form. Sasuke stood there trembling, not sure if he could hold onto his composure long enough to talk to his brother. But then, Sakura's hand reached out for him from her spot on the bed. And he couldn't resist. He threaded his fingers into hers and she sighed, her other hand weaving itself in Itachi's hand. Both Uchiha watched her cautiously until they were sure the kunoichi was asleep.
"Yes, the third Hokage ordered me to prevent the Uchiha from rebelling at any means necessary. When I was given the mission scroll, it had specific instructions to wipe out the entire clan. I was to kill everyone. I accepted my mission, but Sasuke... I could not kill you. Don't you see? The only way to protect you was for you to think I was a criminal; the council would have killed you for knowing about their massacre plans. And after that, I needed you to become stronger Sasuke. You were the last Uchiha; I needed you to survive in the life as a ninja. I knew you had no other Uchiha to help you hone those skills; I specifically visited Hatake Kakashi one night and 'asked' him to take you under his wing. He did not understand me fully but I guess as an ex ANBU he knew there was more to the massacre than a crazed criminal. Since he possessed the sharingan I assumed he would help you develop it further. But by the time you were strong enough to protect yourself... You were so filled with hatred toward me... I accepted my fate. I have felt nothing but pain since that night, have heard nothing but the terrified screams of the innocent that I slayed in cold blood. If I had to die, at least it would be by your hand Sasuke. By someone I loved."
Sasuke stared at the bed spread, his mind reeling as he took in his brothers explanation. He bit the inside of his lip hard enough to draw blood. For some reason he knew his brother wasn't lying, but now... He wanted Konoha to answer for its wrongs. That's when the hand in his suddenly turned hard.
"Revenge Sasuke, if you still seek revenge... I w-will kill you." Sakura whispered.
Sasuke's eyes snapped to hers, and he could see the fire burning in her emerald depths. How she guessed his emotions was a complete mystery to this shocked Uchiha. Her half lidded eyes held his for a moment before reclosing, her hand turning soft. Itachi chuckled.
"She had changed my life." Itachi whispered.
Sasuke looked at his brother, and was hit hard by what he saw. Itachi was staring at Sakura, his face peaceful... his lips turned up in a genuine smile. A smile he used to give Sasuke when they were children, of pure happiness and hope. Sasuke swallowed back the tears that threatened his manhood. Instead, he smiled at his brother. Itachi glanced at him, and their eyes held. So much had gone unsaid, yet it was completely understood. A wordless conversation had cured the words their pride enabled them to say. Two broken souls, brothers in the truest essence finally made peace. As their paths entwined once again on the road of life, they found themselves further indebted to that angel of death. The rose coloured kunoichi that had been deemed weak, useless by their voices. She brought their worlds back together, and they would make sure hers would never fall apart again.
"Get some sleep Sasuke; we have much to do tomorrow."