Sakura of the Akatsuki Chapter 14: A Painful Reunion!, a naruto fanfic

Yay chapter 14 is yup! Took awhile to brain storm, busy with a lot of things and I am going to Hawaii in August yayz! So probably I won't do any chapters in that month so I apologize for that -cries-

Pein: I want to go...

No it is my trip so you stay here and play your part in the story!

Pein: But I don't want to -sniffles-

-Slaps him- AND YOU CALL YOURSELF A GOD!

Pein: -run and cries- I AM A GOD!

-smiles- ok I hope you enjoy the chapter, now excuse me while I go beat Pein's ass with a flip flop -chases-

Chapter 14: Painful Reunion!

Sakura's eyes clashed with intense blue. She never thought they would catch up to her, they had gotten a lot faster then what she has expected. It made her worried that Naruto was now within sight of the Akatsuki, something she was hopping to avoid during the mission. She faced him, her eyes scanned his pained face with a mask of indifference. "Naruto" she said slowly. She saw them flinch at the sound of her voice, icy and heartless.

Naruto and the group watch her stand there with all her glory.

Naruto got in a defensive stance "Sakura-chan!" he called out. His voice echoed as the forest became deathly still, sweat dripped down his face as he saw her take a step "Go away" was all she said. The Kyuubi host gritted his teeth and waved his arm to his side in furry "GO AWAY IS ALL YOU CAN SAY AFTER ALL OF US CAME TO GET YOU BACK!" he shouted. Sakura swept her eyes over them before turning around "You are all wasting your time" was all she said before taking a step. "YOUR COMMING BACK WITH ME!"

She paused in mid-step.

Sakura peered over her shoulder. Naruto glared determinely at her then something brushed his cheek, his eyes widen in shock as he felt something warm slid down his cheek, it was his blood. Turning around slowly like the rest of the rookie nine they saw a kunai deeply rooted within a dying tree trunk, its blade was stainless. Naruto stared back at her, his eyes fearful as he looked at her, she didn't even turn around!

"Sakura-chan..." he murmured weakly.

Deidara grunted and took a stepped up "You heard Sakura-san she said get lost, un" he warned, his hands inched slowly to his side clay pockets. Ino brushed her way past Naruto, her fist shaking in rage at the blonde look alike "Why don't you and your pals go fuck yourselfs and leave girlly!" she snapped. Itachi and Kisame looked at each other and shivered. Deidara's face turned red in anger as he shoved both his hands in his clay pouches. "I AM A GUY, UN!" he fummed.

Neji acivated his Byakugan on instinct as he studied the way Deidara molded his chakra with his clay, suddenly there was one right in the center of them. "Run!"

"Katsu!"

The explosion became sky high as it destroyed everything in its way. They all scattered into the surrounding trees, sounds of kunais and battle cries rang in the air, Sakura landed on a tree branch. No one seemed to have followed her, she closed her eyes and sensed her comrades. Itachi and Kisame seemed to have a handful, and Deidara seemed to be doing just fine. Sakura frowned, she noticed three peolpel were missing. Naruto, Sai, and Kakashi were no where to be found and this made her nervous.

Then something sharp touched her throat, snapping her eyes open Sakura was staring into the inky orbs of Sai. He stood there as he pointed his small sword at her, his face calm and collective "Your comming back Ugly" he said. Sakura was surprised he even used her nickname like nothing has happened at all, she sent him the most bone chilling glare she could muster "I am not going anywhere" she replied icily. Thrusting herself backwards away from the offensice sword she angled herself into a back flip, her right booted foot hitting the blade head on and sucessfully knocking it out of his hand. At first the Root ANBU member looked stuned before being knocked off his first, better yet the tree itself.

Sakura watched him twiste himself wildly in the air and land like a cat on another tree's lower branch. His eyes focused on her but shifted upwards, his eyes reflecting a light blue dot. Turning around Sakura met the intense stair of her ex sensai "Raikri!" Sakura ducked quickly and felt a gust of wind pass right above her head, staring in front of her she spotted very small strands of pink hair float innocently in the air. Reaching up she grabbed the Copy Nin's wrist with a strong force, twisting it sideways a deadly snap rung into the air with a low grunt. Yanking himself free from the pink hair woman Kakashi craddled his wrist tenderly, his mix matched eyes stared at her grudgingly 'What the...she was able to break my wrist by just twisting it'

Standing up fully she kicked him out of the tree while using a little bit of her chakra, and effectively he was pushed out.

His right eye closed while his Sharingan eye widen by her simple power. Not even Tsunade could do that unless using up a little chunk of her chakra! Landing uncomfortably through a tree and onto the ground, Sai immediately gave aid by helping him sit up "kakashi-san are you alright?" he asked. Giving him a thumbs up with his good hand he set his attention on his ex-student who stood quite smugly before them with a sadistic grin on her face "Really is that all you have sensei!" she bit out mockingly.

Kakashi scowlded darkly at her.

"Sakura have you finally lost yourself! Naruto and Tsunade has been worr-"

"SHUT UP!" she barked, her eyes flashed with sudden hate and voilence towards them as a spark of intense fire burned to life in her souless eyes. Her lips curled up into a unfamiliar wolf like snarl that they have never seen on her lips before, she looked demonic, living up to her given title as the Demon Shadow. Her hands were on her sides in front of her, her posture leaned back as she stared monsterously down at them "When have I ever cared for those fools they are weak and meaningless to me! The Village can provide nothing for me anymore my vessil has out grown eveyone else's even yours Kakashi now I can see why Sasuke decided to leave me and the Village" she yelled, her voice ringing out through their ears in shocking waves.

I don't mean it sensei I loved the village...

Sakura turned herself around to where her back faced them. Her hair blowing marvalously in the wind, here eyes were stinging with unshedable tears. She would have to end this quickly and return to the other Akatsuki, Kakashi's wrist should be good enough to give the others her intentions of staying. Ready to take a step forward to where she knew Itachi was battling she was yanked back powerfully, flying into a few trees she caught herself on a large branch and lowered herself safely onto another, something warm slid down her face and dripped off her chin. Blood.

When was the last time when her blood was shed...? She didn't remember.

Naruto growled viciously at her, he bared his fangs in a threatening, wild manner like a scared cat. Wipping her cheek the pink hair kunochi new she was in trouble "Go Home" she told him. He only growled at her in a pissed manner "I will bring you back I refuse to allow this to happen again I won't let you escape!" he shrieked. His chakra was flaring up in an alarming way, Sakura took a tiny step back. She knew it was the Kyubi's doing for the chakra was dark and sinister as her own, though she never experienced the power of the Bijuu directly at her before. And it made her inwardly frighten as it's chakra reached out for her, its lustful chakra! And it screamed for her blood.

Her eyes stayed on his sharpely, just like his crimson ones. Howling his battle cry he charged, the claws on his hands ready to tear her apart, moving to the left to avoid the first attack she sent a punch in return. He simply just smacked it away like nothing 'Interesting...' Inner mused 'While using the Kyubi's chakra he grows faster in Taijutsu that means his Ninjutsu would be just as powerful' to prove her point, Naruto's fist connected directly into her wounded cheek thus sending her hurling to the forest floor. The girl cluched her cheek in pain 'Thanks for the advise!' Sakura inwardly hissed. Her eyes widen as Naruto's figure came down upon her, rolling rapidly out of the way his fist connected to the ground and impressively made a semi-large crater on the hard earth. Sai had long before dragged Kakasi away from the area, it was a wise choice to do so as the ex-comerades caught themselves in a tight complex Taijutsu battle.

Neither were landing a hit on each other, much to both their frustrations. More and more the fox's appearance spread rapidly on the blonde as the Chakra Coat began to form into the one-tailed mode, luckily Sakura knew that he loses control when in the fouth-tailed level. Managing to knock him off his feet she quickly gained some ground between them, molding her chakra into her right fist she slammed hard into the ground causing it to shatter and rip appart where the Kyubi boy laid, jump with quick reaction he got up and went into the air. She 'tsk'd' in annoyance as she went through the necissary hand signs she puffed out her chest and felt smoke rising from her throat "Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!"

Parting her lips she released a great orb of fire from her mouth and as epected it soared at high speed. His glare was livid as he twirled himself out of the way while he snarled and snapped his teeth towards her, thrusting his arm forward the red chakra streched out. Before she could react fast enough she was within it's grasp, gasping from the burning the chakra influenced on her before Naruto began to plumit her into the ground. 'This won't go anywhere if this continues!' She hissed mentally.

"Your mine now Sakura-chan you can't escape from me!" Naruto spat.

Keeping her pinned down roughly the second tail emerged. His eyes darkening as he held out his free hand began to form his signature jutsu, swirling red chakra turned into a light blue ball in his hand "Rasengan!" time turned slow as he pounced at her like a loin to it's prey. Staring at him calmly in the eyes she began to melt away as beautiful petals as the monsterous power of the Rasengan was brought down. Not successfully hitting his target Naruto howled in rage.

Turned around looking right, left, behind and above he saw nothing.

The environment around him began to melt away like paint in a rain storm just leaving him around a black canvas. His shadow was white on the ground in a mocking way and whispers in the still air talked to him smoothly and calm, his face grew less demonic as he listened to them. The voices sounded familiar, one he noted as himself.

"Sasuke-teme! Don't be so mean to Sakura-chan!"

Soon the black began to fade away, buildings rose up and the sky turned a handsome blue with light fluffy clouds in the sky. He was on a red bridge, a bridge that he had been on and across many times before. He was in Konoha. Spinning on his heels he faced his younger self, a childish pout of anger on his face as he glared at the stoic Uchiha who just stuffed his hands in the pockets of his white shorts. And there was Sakura, her eyes filled with emotion as tears brimmed the corner of her eyes with a insulted atmosphere around her. Sasuke only snapped his head away "What it doesn't mean it's true after all she is to weak to be a shinobi better yet train with me"

Younger Naruto rolled up the sleeve on his right arm "Sasuke-teme I outta beat the sh-"

Sakura lightly touched his arm and gave a reassuring smile "Its fine Naruto just leave it be after all I am to weak to face Sasuke-kun in a spar" his younger self protested loudly. Putting a finger to his lips Sakura just kept on smiling "And maybe one day I'll prove him wrong" she added. Naruto watched his younger self look at her in awe for her determination of surpassing and proving to Sasuke she to was worth being called a shinobi as well.

"This is what I want"

Younger Sakura disappeared into nothingness as the current one stared blankly back at him. Her face was hidden halfway of her akatsuki cloak as her hand return to the younger Naruto's shoulder, the looks on both his younger and Sasuke's faces remained the same. The water beneath them strolled by normally as they stood there "But why...?" Naruto asked, the fox's chakra began to reside as the village's calm surroundings sheltered him into a peaceful state. The pink hair woman said nothing for awhile as if she was finding a correct way to explain "I want my revenge" she answered "I want Sasuke to know the pain he has caused me...no for what he has caused to everyone in the village I will personally see to it that his death will be by my hands"

Naruto gawked at her in horror his body trembled with sudden shock "B-but you love him, w-w-why would you want to kill him...?" he whispered.

Sakura smiled behind the cover of her collar, her eyes narrowing "I have no more feelings for that good for nothing bastard he killed me a long time ago if you remember the tiny spark of hope you have given me" the younger Naruto smiled and gave a thumbs up "Don't worry! I'll bring him back! A promise of a lifetime!"

Naruto took a step back as if he got slapped in the face.

He remembered...he did make her that promise to bring Sasuke back to her and he had failed. HE FAILED! Sakura took a step forward "I found not a single purpose in life besides to get stronger and refuse to be weak, I trained myself to the point i was hospitalized and I accepted A and S-Rank missions to the point it brought me to the highest rank in ANBU I pasted Tsunade our Hokage to let myself be known to everyone and given the name Akumakage no Sakura or Sakura the Demon Shadow..."

The last of the Fox's chakra completely disappeared as his blue eyes glimmered with unshed tears "You betrayed us...for the sake of a mission" he replied.

Sakura tensed slightly and closed her eyes "Yes, I did accept the mission that I am on now I refuse to return to Konoha until it is done" The younger Naruto disappeared, but Sasuke remained there staring at them both with the same expression they both remembered so clearly within their minds. "I decided I would use the Akatsuki to benifit me in my search because of Sasuke's constant search for Itachi" she chuckled darkly "if I use Itachi then Sasuke would have to come to me eventually"

Sakura knew she was lying, she didn't want to use the older Uchiha who was suffuring so much like her. She laughed loudly at the thought, she sound crazy as she slumped slightly "I don't care for you or anyone else" Naruto fell to his knees at her blow, his form shaking as he bowed before her. He started hyperventilating as he struggled to keep breathing, this worried Sakura but she forced herself to stay in place "What's the matter Naruto are you having a hard time realizing the truth?"

He didn't say anything.

Sakura watched as Naruto stood there under her genjutsu, finding it a perfect moment to escape while he was under it and Sai tending to Kakashi's broken wrist. Touching her wounded cheek gently she walked away to where Itachi should be not to far off by Deidara who's explosions rang into her ears in the air. Traveling Sakura closed her eyes, everyone was still alive and Kisame was coming her way. Bursting out of the trees the blue skinned man landed right next to her "Kitten are you alright?" he questioned. He had a few scratches on him but he wasn't seriously injured.

Sakura nodded her head "Ah, I'm fine"

Kisame noticed the now forming bruise on her cheek but said nothing, he followed her through the trees "Where is the Kyubi?" Sakura jerked her thumb back "He is in a genjutsu it will stall us time to leave and head back to Amegakure to complete the mission" Kisame grunted and strapped Samehada onto his back. It made small noises of pleasure from the amount of chakra it consumed from, a charateristic that Sakura has never known about the weapon.

Stepping farther away from Naruto shattered her heart, he was her brother from the same village and she had to crush him in order to make him not come after her anymore. The way he looked at her was still freshly still, he was horrified as he refused to believe her with his eyes wide and his lips parted, his usually tanned skin turned a pale with.

Closing her eyes she pushed the image from her mind "Why didn't you capture the Kyubi when you had a chance?" Kisame's voice rung out.

"To give a fair warning to Konoha and to its Kage"

"I see and maybe you do in hopes that they won't get in your way" Sakura couldn't agree more with the blue man. They were a nusance in her plans to getting Sasuke and destroying the Akatsuki from the inside, no one was her ally in this dangerous game. She was gunna do this alone like she has always done alone, she no longer will rely on her teammates or ex-sensei's for help and protection.

'Thank you Naruto'

Waltzing into the opens field Itachi waited. He uncurled his hand from Tenten's neck and watch her fall limply to the ground, he had obviously used his Tsukuyomi on her. His eyes squinted slightly to notify them "Let us leave quickly" he stated. Backing away from the brown hair girl he trudged towards them with no injuries at all, a giant white bird landed not to far. Deidara peeked his head up and waved in greeting, he didn't really move his other arm much because it was broken. Making a second clay bird he shifted irritably "Let's get the hell out of here,un!" he ordered.

Kisame and Itachi glared before climbing on one while Sakura climbed on with Deidara. Waiting forthem to be seated they took off to the air, Sakura peered down to see that they went wild. The tiny ant like figures of the rookie nine in view, narrowing her eyes she spotted Kakashi and Sai at the tree tops watching them fly away. She felt a nudge on her arm.

"Sakura-san, un"

She blinked a few time "Yes?" she turned facing him. His cheeks flushed a light pink as he held out his arm, as if she knew what he was asking her hands filled up with green chakra and healed his broken bone within a number of minutes. Smiling in graditude he soared the bird closer to Itachi and Kisame "Oi!" he called. Itachi and Kisame turned their attention to him "Did you find the ring, un?"

Itachi gave him an affirmative nod and pointed at Sakura who pulled the ring out of her weapon pouch. It was small in her hand as it glimmered "Yatta! Now we have all ten once again!" he cheered. Kisame chuckled and Itachi gave a small amused smirk, but it faintly disappeared as his Sharingan blazed at the pink hair kunochi who's face remain stoic. She met his gave, he sent her a look.

'Are you alright?' it stated.

Sakura gave him a ghost of a smile and nodded. Pleased with the answer he started a small conversation with his partner about the battle and her proven loyalty to the Akatsuki, Deidara pulled her into his grasp "Deidara-san what are you doing?" she hissed lightly. The blonde only lightly tighten his grip.

"Hold on tight,un!"

before Sakura could figure out what he meant the bird sped into a nose dive, she clinged onto the Akatsuki member in panic as the trees came near. Swirling they flew back up doing flips and twirls, she couldn't help but close her eyes in fright and hug Deidara to death of being afraid to fall. Feeling that he teased her enough he returned to Itachi and Kisame's right side and let go of Sakura. She looked a bit shaken the look she gave him send shivers down his spin though she did nothing to him.

It was silent the rest of the way.

Naruto and Sakura stared each other down, Sasuke remained in his spot unmoving and unliving between them. "You fantasize about foolish things...never excepting the truth behind the illusions to face the cruel reality of this world" She said softly. Naruto gritted his teeth, his hands clenched with raging emotion as she stared at him calmly. Her expression cool and her posture relaxed as if he was no harm to her.

"What do you mean by the truth...what illusion do you speak of?" he questioned.

A small smile formed on her face and her eyes filled up warmly to him. He stared in shock as he felt the warm loving glow that he has long wanted to see, Sasuke to was smiling at him with his old signature Uchiha smirk. Joining her side they smiled "Maybe one day you'll know like us" they both said. They started melting away along with the scene of the village, Sakura's chakra signal growing weaker by the second "Wait don't go Sakura-chan!" he yelled reaching out his hand.

Snapping open his eyes Naruto sat up, searching around some members of the rookie nine have found him, all tending to their wounds. Hinata rested a hand on his shoulder "N-Naruto-kun" she called softly. He didn't pay attention to her as he looked around searching, she shook her head bitterly "T-they got away N-Naruto-kun, they a-a-are no where to be found" she told him. The Kyubi's host eyes dulled into that lifeless blue with his eyes wide, his hands trembled as he cluched his pants legs tightly.

He felt...disappointed in himself.

"I...I see" he spoke softly. The young Hyuga heiress wrapped her arms around his shoulders as his friends came around to cheer him up "Don't worry Naruto-san I am sure we can get them another time!" Lee spoke in a less enthusiastic way. Everyone brightened at the thought of getting a second chance at the Akatsuki again, thinking of their own personal scores to settle with each of them. Kakashi rested not far, allowing Ino to heal his wound slowly he sighed 'Sakura was a lot faster at this' he thought.

He turned to the artist.

"Sai send a message to Tsunade-sama about the progress of our mission" he commanded. The ink hair boy nodded and rolled out a blank stroll and pulled out his paint brush, quickly he did a small painted of a bird and wrote a small report on a peice of paper. Doing a handsign the bird floated off the paper and flew around his head a few times before landing of the ground before him, tying the note to the little bird's foot it took off towards the direction of Konohagakure.

Sasuke was getting frustrated, he has been waiting around the gates for a long time and still no sign of Sakura! He wondered what type of mission she was on, was it a B-Rank? No and A-Rank. He smirked when he thought of her on a possible S-Rank mission if she has indeed gotten that strong, he had heard rumors during his travels to assemble his team about the young pink hair girl he had known. She had gotten powerful and was the world's best medic nin and the strongest kunochi of her time, a perfect woman just for him.

Leaning back on the tree brank lazily his onyx eyes watched the people walking in and out of the village not even noticing him sit there, like he was a ghost.

He smirked when he saw a little young shinobi run out of the gates, someone who he knew. The little brat that followed Naruto around in their Genin days...Konohamaru he guessed. Konohamaru, Miogi and Udon with their sensei were going out on a mission. They seemed excited to work as a newly formed team.

Sasuke scoffed.

When he joined Sakura and Naruto he thought they were idiots, and when Kakashi was introduced as his sensei he thought he'd be a bigger idiot for always being late, but in the end with that Sharingan of his Kakashi was a noticable opponent.

"Sasuke-kun how much longer are we gunna stay here!" Karin screached.

The Uchiha glared down at her, wishing that someone will stuff her overly large mouth. It would be heaven on earth 'Or I can crush that neck of her's...' he thought evilly, his eyes flashed slyly. The red head brushed her hair to fluff it a bit and perked out her breasts as she hopped onto the branch, she batted her eyelashes athim 'Oh god!'

Leaning over to give him a better look of her clevage her lips took on a poutful look "Why don't we just leave and go somewhere else Sasuke-kun we can always come back" she told him suggestively. Sasuke inwardly flinched in disgust as she leaned against his arm, her lips bearly away from his cheek as she whispered naughty things in his ear that sent horrified chills up his spin. Only in his nightmares! And why was she getting closer! Leaning away from her approaching lips he slid off the banch where he lips came in contact with the tree trunk.

Sasuke never felt more relieved when Suigetsu appeared out of no where.

"Yo" said the blue hair man.

Karin glared at him.

Pein inspected the ring, his eyes shining with pleasure at the sucess of their mission. He stared at Sakura in an impressed way "Good job Sakura-san you seem to prove your worth within the organization I was not wrong to choose you after all" he commented. Sakura bowed, everyone's eyes were on their leader and he held the ring up into view and hid it away in his desk for safe keeping.

Konan was sitting on the desk, her eyes stared boredly at them in which Sakura refered to the Sasori stare. She smiled and gestured to the door "You did well there is a meal waiting for you in the kitchen and also hot baths are prepared" she said. Deidara and Kisame looked at each other excitedly before running out of the room saying their thanks. "Good job Sakura-san" Konan added.

"Thank you"

Spinning on her heels she walked away with the stoic Uchiha trailing behind her "How did the fight with Naruto go?" he suddenly questioned. Sakura's shoulders stiffened slightly, making her way to the stairs she traveled downwards "Horrible" she said truethfully.

Itachi patted her shoulder in sympathy with a small smile "Don't worry Sakura-san its an understandable feeling" Sakura immediately knew he was talking about his little brother Sasuke. He really did care though he acted like the cold hearted man he was known as today, resting her hands on top of his she gave it a light squeeze "Don't worry Itachi-san you and me both know what it's like" He only nodded.

He also felt a tad disappointment when she removed her hand away from his.

Itachi moved faster til he was shoulder to shoulder with her, not even saying a word when tears streamed down the poor girl's face. Hesitantly he drapped his arm around her back akwardly and guided her the rest of the way down to the kitchen level. Something he use to do for Hachi when she was sad or Sasuke, maybe even his mother when she would sit there worrying about his father while he was on a mission.

She was trying so hard to silence her sobs, but instead she sounded like a cat choking on a furball. Rubbing her back soothingly he stopped her infront of the kitchen door where he can hear Kisame and Deidara chattering away about the recent mission which only upseted her more, signaling her to stay where she was he entered the kitchen with his usual cold look and inched towards the table "Hey Itachi-san why don't you join us for a drink!" Kisame greeted as he held up a bottle of sake.

Deidara just narrowed his eyes "Does Itachi really have to join us?" he mummbled.

Kisame only laughed as Itachi reached for the two plates of food and leave. Kisame stopped and watch the door close behind his partner "What's up with him?"

Deidara only shrugged.

Shutting the door behind him he was happy that Sakura had listened and waited for him in the spot he had left her, handing the a plate to her he waved his hand to follow him. Returning to the stairs they climbed three levels up, grabbing her by the elbow he lead her down to his bed room. Opening the door he allowed her to walk in, entering himself and closing the door behind him the Uchiha went over to his bed and sat down while Sakura stood there with a confused look on her face.

"Come and sit Sakura-san" He patted the spot next to him.

She shifted side to side on her feet for a moment before carefully obeying, sitting down she made sure they were a good arm's length away from eachother.

They ate in silence, for a few moments.

Itachi turned to her...

There is another Chapter done! Sorry if this one was kinda cheesy i don't like writing battles because i don't really know what to do because there is like the whole rookie nine against four Akatsuki members its a pain in my ass!

Deidara: -slaps- GET BETTER THAN, UN!

-holds my cheek- owwwwwwwww, why do you hate me so! -cries-

Deidara: because ur your horrible, un...

Kisame: -sighs and shakes head- Please forgive them they are being idiots...

Deidara and I: AM NOT!

Kisame: -ignores- Please review for this story and enjoy another NARUTO BLOOPER!

Hearing a snap from the tree branch above distracting him for a moment he felt a pair of lips on his right cheek.

Karin was kissing his cheek! Pulling away sharpely he cupped it in his hand "IT BURNS!" he shouted. Karin watched him wide eye'd as the Uchiha fell off the tree branch and onto the forest floor. Flinching at how Sasuke was rolling around on the floor screaming that his cheek was burning she only cover her mouth and giggled "Aw Sasuke-kun is so shy~" she cooed. Suigetsu came out of the bushes and raised his hand.

"Yo"

Pausing with a smile on his face he spotted Sasuke clawing at his own face saying that he was melting while Karin was on her branch giggling like a horny school girl...

Suigetsu just slowly started so creep back into the bushes like he saw nothing.