~Chapter 11: Getting to know you~

"And that's when you and Kisame found me in the clearing. The rest is history."

Sakura looked very carefully at Itachi, studying his face and body language for any sign of discomfort or hatred, but she couldn't find anything. When she focussed on his eyes, she only saw understanding. Itachi, who had remained quite the entire time she spoke, collected his thoughts before speaking.

"They made a choice Sakura. I know it's far from being easy, but don't let their past actions bring you down. You still have Shikamaru, you've been reunited with your uncle and you have four people that will give their last breathe to keep you safe. Your past makes you who you are. Don't run from it, embrace it. Only then will you find your true self."

Sakura took a minute to take in everything Itachi said and then smiled.

"Thank you, Itachi. You are as wise as you are kind. Well, I won't take any more of your time."

Sakura started to get up when Itachi hand gently grabbed her arm.

"You trusted me; it would be very rude of me not to trust you." Sakura looked at him with a confused expression.

Uncertain of what to do, Sakura sat back down on the bed and focussed all her attention back on Itachi, waiting for what he had to say next.

"I had just made anbu when everything started to change. My father and the elders of the Uchiha clan decided that being the strongest clan in the village wasn't enough. A clan as powerful as the Uchihas should be the one giving orders, not the ones receiving them."

Itachi let out a deep breath and closed his eyes for a second. He wasn't looking at Sakura directly anymore; it was like he was lost in a trance. His eyes seem to focus on something yet on nothing.

"I remember it like it was yesterday. I was at the lake helping Sasuke with his Katon Ryuuka no Jutsu. He hadn't gotten the hang of it yet and, to avoid my father's rage and disappointment, I would take him out to practice whenever I got the chance. But that day was different. My father had summoned me to the Uchiha's concealing room, a room reserved only for the highest respected clan members. It surprised me at first, but I didn't make much of it till I got to the meeting. The elders and particularly my father were very interested in my becoming an anbu for the simple reason that it would work perfectly in their plan. Being an anbu meant that I had easy access to the Hokage and that I had his unquestionable trust. If everything was carefully planned and well executed, I could easily take him out and our clan could claim its rightful place at the top of the village. The date was already set and I had a week to make all my preparations, work my technique to perfection and study the entire layout of the room where the assassination would take place."

Sakura looked at Itachi with horror. How could anyone even think of assassinating their own Kage?

"I know what you're thinking," Itachi turned his gaze to her, "When one's thirst for power keeps growing and growing, it soon reaches a point beyond our control. What was once important in your life is forgotten and all that's left is that thirst, poisoning your mind until you answer its call. People like my father would go to all lengths for power, even kill their own Kage. My mother knew about the whole thing, but she was forced to stay silent for the consequences of such a betrayal would have been grand. Two days before the assassination I made a decision that would change the entire future of the Uchiha clan; I went to the Hokage and told him everything. He wasn't at all surprised. He knew my father's obsession for power and that one day he would decide to act. The Hokage then asked me were my loyalties laid and my answer was that my loyaties were with my village. It was the same answer any shinobi would give. And that's when he ordered me to kill my entire clan, everybody from the elders to my own mother and brother with no exception and failure was not an option."

Sakura reached out and took Itachi's hand and gave it a little squeeze.

"When the day had finally come, I left at midnight like planned only to come back twenty minutes later. My father was surprised to see me back so soon. He was even more surprised when I stuck my kunai in his heart. I had already disposed of my entire clan and decided that it would be best if I left my family for last. When my mother came downstairs and saw my father lying in his blood on the floor, she knew what I was doing and why I was doing it. She gave her last breath saying that she loved me. When I looked up, there was Sasuke standing by the door. His eyes were wide and filled with fear and tears. I knew I couldn't kill my brother; my love for him was too strong to let me do such a terrible thing to him. So I did the only thing I could do, leave. I went back to the Hokage's tower to give my mission's report. His only answer was that I had to leave the village immediately and if I failed to do so I would be killed on the spot. Like my father, the Hokage used me like a tool to clean up after my clan. My presence in the village would risk people finding out that he had ordered an entire clan to be executed by their own flesh and blood."

Itachi sighed, "I gave my life for my village, I even took away my family's for it and, in return, it shut me out. I was labelled a missing nin and a danger to all. I was abandoned by my home and left to fend for myself. It wasn't till I found Kisame and the Akatsuki that things started to get better. The wounds my past has left me will never fade away, but at least they're healing a bit everyday. So you see Sakura, you're not alone. We will make it through together. Maybe not today, but with time, we will be able to escape the terror of our past."

Sakura was at a loss for words. True, she was a good listener and she was able to cheer up her friends and support them trough tuff times, but it was never something like this. She gave Itachi a sad look.

"I don't know what to say…"

Itachi shook his head, "There is nothing to say. Now go to sleep. You have a hard day tomorrow."

Sakura gave his hand another squeeze before getting up and going to the door. Opening it she called over her shoulder: "I'm glad we got to talk Itachi it really…helps. Night!" Giving him a small smile, she walked out of the room and went to her bedroom.

Itachi waited a few minutes before lying on his bed, hands behind his head and his eyes carefully studying the ceiling.

"It helps…" His mind drifted back to their conversation and everything that was shared between them during the last hour.

As soon as she got to her room, Sakura went straight to bed. It wasn't long before she fell in a deep sleep. At first, she was afraid that her talk with Itachi would keep her awake. After a long talk, she usually spent her night tossing and turning, her mind analysing and reflecting about what she had discussed before. But this time was different, this time her mind was at peace and she felt good. It was as if a burden was lifted off her shoulders, like talking with someone really helped. She knew that if she had someone as caring as Itachi in her life, things would slowly but surely get better.

It was about six in the morning when Sakura heard a very strange and very annoying noise. It sounded like it came from one of the rooms, but Sakura only turned to face the other way and went back to bed. It wasn't her business what the other members were doing, the only thing that interested her at this hour were the inside of her eyelids. A few seconds later, she heard the same noise, but this time a lot louder. She grabbed one of her pillows and pressed it over her ear to shut out the noise. She waited a few seconds, nothing. She was about to fall asleep when she heard it again. Jumping up, her right eye was twitching with annoyance.

What the hell is that? Someone better be freaking dying because they are going to be DEAD when I'm finished with them.

Getting up, Sakura stomped out her room and glanced to her right and left, waiting to see from which room the noise came from. Then she heard it again.

Hidan, that bastard! I'm going to kill him.

Turning left, she got to his door and kicked it opened while screaming: "Hidan! You stupid idiot, what the hell do you think you are doing?"

Hidan turned around to face the door, he was wearing only his pyjama bottoms and there was blood all over the floor around him.

"Not your damn business bitch, now get the fuck out of my room."

Taking one step in his room, Sakura put her arms on her waist. "Yes, as a matter of fact it is my damn business because it's six o'clock in the fucking morning and you're making enough noise to wake up the whole base!"

"I am not! Now, if you don't want to be my next sacrifice to Jashin-sama, leave me the hell alone!"

"Not until to explain to me why I'm up this freaking early in the morning!"

That's when Sakura noticed all the blood on the floor and her eyes widen. "Oh my god…" Without thinking, she ran to Hidan's side. Grabbing his shoulder, she turned him around in one swift movement so he could face her. Sakura couldn't believe what she saw. There, stuck between two ribs, was a kunai.

"What the hell is that?"

Hidan looked confused for a moment. Then he followed her gaze to the kunai in his chest.

"OH! You mean this?" He pointed at the kunai, "It's nothing."

Sakura looked at him like he was crazy. "Nothing! You have a kunai in your chest and you call that nothing? And what about all those other cuts? I can see at least twenty of those all over your upper torso."

Taking his hand, she gently pulled over to the bed and sat him down. Hidan fallowed without saying a word. In truth, he was curious to see what she was going to do.

Standing in front of him, she placed on hand on his shoulder while her other hand gripped the kunai.

"This might hurt a bit."

Just as Sakura's hand was about to pull the kunai out, Hidan's hand shot up and held her hand and the kunai in place.

"What the hell do you think you're doing woman?"

Sakura raised an eyebrow, "What does it look like I'm doing? I'm taking the kunai out and so I can heal your wounds properly. It doesn't take a genius to see that."

"No."

"What do you mean "no"?"

"You're not taking it out."

"Yes, I am."

"No you're not cause I'm not fucking done with it!"

"You mean to tell me you did all that on purpose! What's wrong with you? Did you fall and hit your head so hard that you've decided to cut holes in your body for the fun of it?"

"I'm doing it because it feels so freaking good and because Jashin-sama demands blood. It's been an eternity since I've offered a sacrifice to Him and I'm bored. Now, unless you want me to kill you, be a good bitch and go back to your room."

Sakura just stood there for a minute, taking in everything Hidan said.

"No."

"No what?"

"I'm not leaving."

"You bet you're fucking leaving."

Looking at him straight in the eye, Sakura put on her medic face.

"You could lose a lot of blood Hidan and that can be very dangerous."

"It doesn't matter, I'm fucking immortal."

"You're what?"

"Aren't listening bitch? Immortal, it means I can't die."

"I know what it means, but how?"

Hidan let out an annoyed sigh. "Can't it freaking wait? I'm trying to…"

"No! You woke me up at six in the damn morning, you're covered with cuts that are at least an inch and a half deep and as a medic I refuse go to bed and while you here alone all covered in blood. Finish your ritual and you can tell me all about this Jashin-sama while I'm healing your cuts." Sakura smirked, "That is IF I decide to heal them…"

Hidan looked at Sakura with a shocked face. The other members didn't really care about his religious point of view. Only Kakuzu really knew about it because he was his partner and he was obliged to stay and witness his sacrifices during and after their battles. But Kakuzu found it more annoying then anything else and always said it was "wasting good money". Now there's this pink haired girl that comes out of nowhere and that is willing to hear him talk about his god, the world must be coming to an end.

"And people say I'm fucking crazy…"

Sakura raised an eyebrow at him, "What did you say?"

"Nothing." He sighed. "Can you at least close the door bitch; I'm not giving a free show here you know."

Sakura smiled. She got up to close the door and sat back down on the bed while Hidan finished what he started. He had the courtesy of turning his back to her so she couldn't see him stab himself and he tried his best to silence his cries of joy. Fifteen minutes later, he was done. Sakura made him lay on his bed to have easier access to all his wounds and, to her surprise, Hidan spoke of his life as a Jashinist while she healed her cuts. He talked about how he became a Jashinist and what he had to offer to Jashin-same in order to avoid his fury. He also talked about his immortality and its advantage in his life and his skills as a ninja. Hidan quickly realised how easy it was to talk to Sakura. She never interrupted and asked a few questions from time to time.

"You actually seem interested in what I'm saying…it's scaring the hell out of me."

Sakura looked up; she had just finished healing his last cut. "I am. It's pretty hard to believe hun? Well old man, I'm heading back to bed."

Sakura took a step away from the bed and turned back to Hidan.

"You know Hidan, I know you're whole "spilling my blood because I need to and because I love it" thing is kinda personal, but if you ever want some company, my door is just next to yours ok?" Before he couldn't even think of a reply, Sakura was already out the door and in her room.

Hidan stayed there, lying on his bed, a smirk on his lips.

Thank god she's one of a kind.

Sakura didn't get to sleep more then ten minutes before there was a knock on her door.

Not getting up she shouted: "I'm dead, please leave a message and come back later."

"Forget it Pinky it's time to get up."

Sakura groaned and looked at her clock, seven.

"Why can't you guys wake up late like normal people?"

"Who said we were ever normal? Now come on, get up. You need to have breakfast before your meeting with Pain-sama."

"Ya, ya."

Sakura slowly and painfully got up from her bed. She grabbed a pair of black pants and a blood red tank top and changed quickly. Putting on a pair of flip flops, she went out the door. Kakuzu, Itachi, Kisame and even Hidan were all waiting for her in the hall.

Sakura took a mocking air, "How sweet, you were waiting for me. I feel so loved!"

"Don't get used to it because it's a one time thing. Now let's go, I'm starving." Kisame didn't wait for anyone to move, he was already walking.

Sakura smirked and called after him, "When aren't you starving?" She could hear something that sounded like a "very funny".

The four members started walking after Kisame who had slowed his pace so they could catch up. Itachi was walking next to Kisame fallowed by Sakura and Kakuzu with Hidan behind them.

Sakura grinned, "Good morning Kakuzu."

"Morning Sakura, how was your night? You sleep well?"

"Except for a strange noise early this morning, I slept just fine thank you."

"Oh Pinky we forgot to warn you, Hidan has a this freaky ritual he does from time to time. Sorry I didn't warn you about it."

"Oh it's alright; I took care of it this morning." Sakura glanced back and winked at Hidan.

"'That why we didn't hear him. Usually it last at least an hour or so."

Itachi turned around, "Tell me Sakura, what you exactly did you do to silence him?"

Sakura smirked, "I'd have to kill you if I told you."

Kakuzu narrowed his eyes and turned to glare at Hidan. "If you did anything violating Hidan, so help me God I will sacrifice you to Jashin myself."

Sakura and Hidan stopped walking. They looked at each other and burst out laughing. The three other men stopped walking and looked at the two.

Tears were rolling down Sakura's face and she pointed to herself and then to Hidan. "Me….and….him?" She let out an other laugh. "Never gonna happen."

Hidan stopped laughing and got all serious. "As if I'm that fucking horny…" He smirked, "Now, if it's a bitch that has at least some experience in that department maybe…"

"What? Are you saying I have no experience what so ever in the love department?"

"Not at all, I'm just saying you're too fucking young to know shit."

"And you're too fucking old to get anything done right anymore. At least I still have lots of years in front of me; you're love years are over for good old timer."

And with that said, Sakura continued down the hall to the kitchen, leaving a mouth wide Hidan, a laughing Kisame and a smirking Kakuzu and Itachi behind.

Hey people, I'm really sorry I took so long to update and to notify you about the delay, my brother has football and we've been busy everyday. Well, here's the 11th chapter, I hope you guys liked it even if it's a bit late... I would like to thank ITACHIS LOVER (Glad you like it! :D) no-name (happy you're liking the bonding Sakura's having and the time with her uncle is in the next chapter, so don't worry. And yes, down with Konoha! :P I'm happy you like the uncle idea!) dreamlessnights (That's so sweet of you, I'm sure you have plenty of friends! :) I'm super happy you like the story and I'm happy to see that you were "anxious" to read more. Glad to see the "old man" part makes you laugh! And it's my pleasure to reply to your review! )) Blazing Blossoms (Thank you so much, it's very nice of you! I'm sorry I took time, you know how football keeps you busy...I'm not personaly pro happy ending, so will see. But I agree, Itachi is quite an eye catcher. The fight is at the end, we'll get there slowly but surely ok? I loved the "compliments" you gave about Karin, really made me laugh! :D ) ugala5777 (HAppy you liked it! :D ) kiranatsume (Sorry! I hope you didn't wait to long like you did for chapter 10...my bad. My god, what a long, fun, emotional and sweet message you wrote! :( I'm happy that the conversations Kakuzu and Hidan have make you laugh! :D And I'm happy to hear that you can relate to certain elements in my story! :) No, it is me that thanks you for your wonderfull support! Hope you liked this chapter!) angel897 (Happy to hear that you're loving it! The training is in the next two chapters, don't worry it will come! Thank you as always! :) ) wolychan (Happy you liked the Itachi-Sakura moment! And thank you, it's really sweet! :) Don't worry, everyone has a talk with her, just not all at once. Hope that works for you!) bhvgft (I feel the same way, Sakura will, with time!) JherickaRose (Thank you so much for that lovely compliment, it's very kind of you! And I will keep up the good work, hopefully! ;) Thanks!) and all the other readers as well, not only for your support, but for your patience as well. Again, sorry for the delay & I hope you enjoyed it!

~tainted cherry blossom~ P.S. I, tainted cherry blossom, do not own naruto, but I own the plot of this story as well as the title of this story.