A/N: This is a very graphic story (extremely twisted). If you don't like, don't read. Themes of rape, drugs, and violence will be present.
MadaSaku. AU/ Graphic content, Rated M for a reason. Don't like? Don't read.
Summary: Life plays a wicked game with people, and for some the loss is greater compared to the others. For Sakura Haruno, the game is just about to begin.
Ch25: Divide
Itachi woke up early just as the sun rose up. The smell of a cooked meal wafted in the small place and he immediately saw Sakura preparing the table with the food. A simple plate of eggs and bacon could be seen and a glass of orange juice, but on one side of the table there were books propped up. Sakura smiled at him, wide and bright. Her eyes were puffy, and he didn't miss the small shake in her step. Still, they both found themselves wrapped up in one another's arms. "Good morning, Itachi- ani" she greets him, and he holds her tighter. They let go eventually and began eating their meal, they both sat in silence but there was a long presence of peace among them. Itachi eyed the books she was reading, it wasn't the usually anatomy book that Sakura used for art; this was more medically related and he wondered where could she have gotten it. He was snapped out of his stupor when Sakura eventually finished eating and focused solely on him. "Itachi-" there was hesitation evident in her voice, but as he nodded to her she continued.
"I thought you left me for good." Her voice sullen, "I'm glad, that we are here now. Thank you, Aniki." Itachi kept his cool and stayed quiet, encouraging Sakura to speak more like he did before when she first met the family. "Please don't keep me in the dark anymore. I want to help, I want to be of use. You can't keep doing this alone." Her voice hardened on the last note. He knew she was talking about Madara, and he couldn't bear to think about putting her again in the way of Madara. "I'm sure you understand what is happening right now and what he has been doing. I have put you directly in harm's way for long enough, and I can't live with myself knowing that I'll be putting you there yet again." Itachi's resolve was tougher than Sakura's and no matter how much he loved her, he will never let her get involved in such a dangerous game. Not again, not ever. "Itachi, I know him. I lived with him." Itachi felt like someone was stabbing his chest at her words, "I can get to him, please just give me the chance." Itachi kept his blank stare, Sakura tried to harden her stare and found it difficult in Itachi's presence. "Please, at least tell me what you plan to do. I'm confused, and no one could provide me better answers than you Aniki." Sakura heaved a deep sigh, "I don't know what you and Kakashi-sensei are up to, or how you guys knew each other. I want to know more of what is happening. Is my mom okay? What about Sasuke and Dad?"
The Sakura that Itachi knew too well has changed but the older parts of her were shining back. Itachi knew he couldn't leave it at that, she deserved to know. And with Sakura stuck in this place, there was nothing she could do to put herself in danger. "Please sit well, I will grant you your request."
Itachi began with explaining how Kakashi came in the plan and how delicate the competition with the Senju clan actually was. She understood the mechanics and how powerful Madara really is, and that is why the Uchiha council was the last line of defense, Itachi was simply being the catalyst to it. From every single detail from how the plan started and how he intends to end it Sakura's chest felt extremely heavier than it was before. He could feel the burned that Itachi placed on his shoulders and how big his responsibility will be once all of this was over. With a calm face Itachi finished his drink. "There is one thing I haven't told you Sakura." Her eyes perked up at the call of her name, "I never asked for your apology." Sakura stood up and tried to stop Itachi before he could continue, but Itachi easily towered over her and held both of her hands in his firmly. "I didn't mean to make it look like I didn't care about you"
"Shut up"
"I was selfish and didn't fight for you. I left you in the hands of a monster, he did terrible things to you, to Sasuke, and he is about to start doing terrible things to a lot more people if I don't stop him."
Sakura remained quiet, both of them having a steely stare off. "Sakura, you know how awful he is and-"suddenly her hand slips away from his and there was a loud slap as her hand made contact with his face. Hot and vicious tears streaked down her face and an angry and at the same time sullen expression was on her face. "I know what he did to me, I know how awful he could be, but I would rather take the beating than know that you guys are going to get hurt too! Madara must be stopped but not by you alone! I could help! Sasuke is already helping so why can't I? I know I don't have connections or influential power like you and Sasuke do, but I came close to Madara! I am the only person that can come that close to him!" Itachi felt his pulse quicken. "You don't know what you are talking about Sakura." Another attempt at hitting him was stopped swiftly "Then why don't you educate me? I don't care about what he did to me!" her voice shook with every word, she tries to catch up with her breathing as more tears ran down her face, "I don't care anymore! I can't stop the past from happening so it will be pointless if I wallow in my own self pity and pain! Don't give me that bullshit and pretend that I wouldn't change the entire time I was away! I will heal! I will be okay! But I won't be okay if you keep hurting yourself like this!" she ran out of breath eventually and Itachi had to hold her up.
"Sakura-"
"Don't you dare say my name like that you piece of shit!" She screamed and a fond smile appeared on Itachi's face "Your manners are lacking again, Imouto. Do I have to start scolding you like I did before?" Sakura stared at him wide eyed and a laugh escaped her throat, she wiped her tears away and gave Itachi a sheepish smile. Itachi laughed a little with Sakura, "I'll clean the dishes since you cooked. Take a shower; we still have much to talk about." Sakura smiled, showing her teeth and began her day with Itachi.
There was a storm starting to brew in the horizon and the two people living in the condo decided it would be better to retire early that night. Sakura kept her nose buried in the books Tsunade has given her, and Itachi tried his best to ingrain every detail of Sakura's face into his brain. This was a reward to him, just by being near her he felt at peace. "Imouto, you shouldn't be reading in such dim lights. Your eyes will get ruined." Itachi murmured, he didn't have to look to his side to know what Sakura was up to. "I have to memorize some of the nerve placements, I want to be strong." She said in a determined fashion, "You have time" he retorted back, "We don't know how much of it we have." She whispers.
Itachi was adapting to the new Sakura all too well, she was still determined as ever but there was a resounding brokenness that matched her cause. He knows Sakura was an important part of this 'game' Madara had placed them in, but it pained Itachi to think about using her in that sense. It would hurt her, he will never stand to see himself live another day knowing he used her again. "Imouto" Itachi called her again, and this time he used an authoritative tone which caused a groan to erupt form Sakura's mouth. "Fine!" a loud sound of a book closing was heard, and the dimmed night light was closed for good. Sakura placed herself down on the bed on her back, her shoulder touching Itachi's. She took in one deep breath and exhaled all the alertness she could in her so she could fall asleep quicker. This was the second night Itachi has been here and she could say she will sleep better now. "Itachi- ani" Sakura called to him, he hummed in response signaling her that he was listening. "Who took care of Sasuke?" she didn't have to elaborate further to know what she was referring to. "He took care of it himself. He needed a good beating after all, but I checked up on him once and a while."
Sakura could hear the amusement in his voice. She rested her head on his shoulders and it reminded her of the time when she lived with him in his apartment. "Itachi, when will this be over?" her voice was soft, a little hopeful even. Itachi wrapped his hand from underneath Sakura's head and played with her short hair. "Soon, Sakura." His voice deep and low, "I love you, Itachi." Itachi felt the blood rush in his body, even though the tone she used was tender in a familial fashion. "I love you, Sakura." He replied. "I wish I could go back home, and study again." She said absentmindedly. "Everything is possible, Imouto. I will get you out of your engagement with Madara. Once I am the clan head, I can rescind your engagement with that horrid man." Sakura let out a soft sigh. "Thank you, Itachi. Thank you for understanding me when no one could." In reality it was just his way for repenting for all he had done to Sakura. He didn't have power or connections like Madara; it was also fruitless for him to try and underhand Madara in a dirty fashion. He never wants Sakura to see the day that he becomes like that monster of a man.
Sakura shifted underneath the sheets and wrapped her arms around Itachi, she dug her head into his warm chest and instantly fell asleep in the comfort he provided. It was a blissful sleep, and for once in a long time she dreamt about the books she read instead of having nightmares. Itachi was supportive with Sakura further studying the human anatomy, even though it was a vast change from her actual interests it was admirable how she dedicates herself. Tsunade had informed him later that day that Sakura had asked for this, to learn how to defend herself. She was a bright girl, Tsunade said, and Itachi knew of this. She would learn how to defend herself by learning the in and outs of the sensitive nerves of the human body.
"She wants to be her own line of defense; she doesn't want to keep relying on the people she loves. You have a very endearing sister Itachi." Tsunade's words repeated themselves in his head. The sleeping girl was still as soft as he remembered her to be. it had only been two days but she gave him meals every hour claiming he needed to gain weight from all the stress he has been going through. It would be his last day in America tomorrow as his trip had to be cut short, but this was something he wanted to remember for the rest of his life. A lone hand swept the hair off of Sakura's face and he placed a kiss on her forehead.
Not soon after, he too found his peace in sleep.
"I never had such sweet dragon fruit before." Pink lips shined from the fruits juice. Madara didn't stop himself and kissed them, tasting her and the fruit. "I could say I have found something sweeter." He murmured huskily on her mouth. Her green eyes were glazed, she didn't the right reaction and instead she leaned on him and closed her eyes. She was so pliant like he wanted her to be. She was too perfect, he closed his eyes and savored the feeling.
His breathing got caught in his throat, a crippling sense of separation anxiety ran through him when he opened his eyes she was no longer there. He looked everywhere, asked every living soul and no one could give her an answer. He ransacked his own house but found no trace of her existence, no shred of her humanity left. His heart raced but he could still feel the sensations she has left on his skin. The place around him has dimmed considerably and it was as if his vision was going out. Everything was dark but the mirror that appeared before him showed traces of him, there was enough light for him to just see himself. His eyes, glowed red and the fabled drawings of the sharingan appeared before him, and the most disturbing part of him was that it looked normal on him, as if by design it was just for him to have. His head began pounding, the pain doubled and a snarl ripped itself out of his mouth. Sakura suddenly appeared in the mirror looking back at him with a mortified look that pained him.
"Madara?" her voice shaky, he tried to reach out to her but a shrill scream came out of her mouth and the mirror broke with an ear piercing shatter.
Madara woke up in cold sweat and began dry heaving and luckily nothing came out. He was experiencing an extreme headache and his eyes were in pain from the increasing amount of light spilling in his bedroom. He ran to his bathroom and there he saw himself a mess, his hair wilder than usual giving him a savage like look. He had been craving for her touches for God knows how long, it felt like it had been an eternity already and he doesn't know how long he could live like this. A more pressing matter at hand was how long he could keep the truth from the council of Sakura's disappearance.
Itachi had already packed his belongings and left a few bags that actually contained clothes that were meant for Sakura. Dark eyes roamed over the small form still snuggled in bed with an overly large pillow in between her legs. Her fragile arms trying to wound around a body that was no longer there. Itachi leaned forward on the bed and tucked her in more effectively under the blanket. It was always heartwarming to see Sakura look so peaceful in her sleep. He thought it would be better this way to leave without saying good bye, he feared to hear or see Sakura beg for him to stay for he actually might. Time was slowly running out and he had to make the best of it. His hand found its way to Sakura's face and thumbed her bottom lip gently. Itachi taking in how soft her lips were and how enticing was the pinkish red glow it emitted.
In a moment of weakness that he has dreaded for so long, his face met hers and it was as if he was ready to explode in ecstasy. This was no longer a dream he told himself, this was real. Her lips were softer on his, and it was lovingly warm. It was supple to the touch and he so brazenly opted to move his lips this time; the taste of her faint on his tongue. Before any more lewd thoughts graced is body he removed himself and watched Sakura's breathing, it was still even and indicated that she was still in deep sleep, unlike the first time he had caught her sleeping. Itachi thought that it would happen to anyone if you stayed with someone you don't trust for a long time. It was a great breather for Itachi to know that how Sakura saw him hasn't changed a bit, but to see the extent of the damage Madara had caused her fueled his rage.
It was barely noticeable if it were anyone else who saw it, but Itachi caught on quicker than anyone else. The slight shiver she would produce when he would briskly walk behind her and that small quiver in her lips when a sound would ring out of nowhere. He could see small signs of abuse when she spoke too, how her voice suddenly changes when being asked about mundane things, like she has a fear of being hit or provoking someone in a perplexing manner, but Itachi could never miss how her shoulders would sag considerably when she would realize it was just him, or how her smile would brighten.
All those little things and more pained and adored Itachi to no end and it was motivation enough for him to continue and make lives better without the tyranny of Madara.
"Yes this is rather interesting." The dim lights in the room for the sake of Madara created an ominous glow amongst the x-ray scans and the rest of his results concerning his eyes. For some odd reason he felt like he was back into the calm before the storm. His instincts told him that something was up; something was going to go great for him after an eternity in hell without his Sakura.
Kabuto was in the same room as Madara, eyeing the results critically. The arch in his brow went amiss in Madara's vision, and he expected an explanation from all the pain that he has been feeling as of late. "Madara- sama, you have said that the pain would flare up when you are in extreme bouts of stress?" The man being called to was dressing himself back up and arrogantly eyed the small man, "Or so it seems" he said. Kabuto just smiled and ignored the offensive action, "The symptoms are not cancer like at all, but it seems that there is a growing mass clumping on the optic nerves on both of your eyes." Madara didn't react and in his silence urged Kabuto to continue before he would lose his patience. "Madara-sama, I would like to keep monitoring your condition. So far the mass clumping on your optic nerves seems to cause pain but so far it has not caused a shift in your vision. It is good that we have caught it early right now, but so far for cases like this you are the first one with it that I have ever seen."
Kabuto turned away from him and continued packing the rest of the results in a private folder and keeping it in a safe. This was Madara's purpose to go into Orochimaru's lab, the snake feared him greatly and revered him in a light close to a God. He was confident the snake wouldn't do anything to betray him or incite his wrath. "I will be going now" Madara said calmly, and Kabuto nodded instead of making an audible reply. His fear for Madara was nonsensical in nature, but one would drop all their thoughts and logic behind if they were in the presence of that man. You would choke on your fear before you could even utter a word.
Madara had driven himself straight to his house but went straight into his home office instead only to be surprised to see Izuna waiting for him there. There was a light expression on his face, and Madara became wary worrying about what his brother would consider good news. "Aniki, I have something that you might consider worth your time." Madara sat in front of his brother right behind his desk and dove to the bottom drawer where he puts his liquor. "Izuna, I am rather tired today. We both need to be in good shape if we are to see the Hatake clan head soon." Izuna quickly grimaces at his brothers words, "Don't talk like that Aniki, it is as if you haven't been getting drunk for the past few nights just so you could fall asleep." Uncharacteristically, Madara snorts back at this. Izuna drops a folder packaged heavily so no one could open it with ease. Madara was expecting to see another report that Izuna would think was useful against the Hatake clan, but Madara pushed it aside. Obviously blackmailing the Hatake clan head was not an option considering it would be in front of the Uchiha council.
It took a while for Madara to open the folder, and Izuna was the one feeling giddy with anticipation knowing that this could fuel his brother back to life. Madara was quiet for a moment, his blood frozen. He could feel ever vein in his body constrict and cause the blood to flow a little thinner than usual. His blind brother adorning a small smile on his lips, "What is this Izuna?"
Izuna searched for his brother's hand in the large desk and gripped it tightly when he found it; it was his special way to make eye contact with someone. "You have the right to officially say that Itachi is the actual prime suspect of Sakura's disappearance." A growl erupted from Madara's lips and he snatches his hand harshly away from Izuna. "I don't have time for this idiocy Izuna! This is nothing but a man delivering goods to Itachi's temporary residency in America!" Izuna kept his calm and his smile still intact.
"Yes, but look at the date." Madara saw that it was the same day when Itachi left. "I know that you have someone following Itachi, but I have asked for someone to stay behind and monitor the place. By the time that photo was taken, Itachi has left the country six hours in the clock. There is someone else living in the condo and I have a reason to believe it might be your beloved, brother. Based on the photo, just by looking at the amount of goods being delivered it would be good enough for days. And why would Itachi have things delivered to his place if there was no one to accept it but him?" Madara paused, his harsh breathing starting to lessen. "Izuna-" he spoke quietly, could it be? He thought.
A wicked smile simultaneously placed itself on both of the brothers faces, it has been a while since Izuna could feel Madara's elation. It was about time for his brother to slip back into his old self. "You have done well Izuna, but I would like you to keep an eye still on that place. I will deal with business on my own for the mean time. I have a plan for that traitorous brat and that damn Uchiha council."
The malicious intent made itself known in waves as it came off of the two brothers.
"With pleasure brother"
Tsunade looked at the test paper in front of her, it was nearly scored as perfect if it weren't for minor spelling mistakes on the different kinds of nerves and muscles. In a matter of days Sakura was able to identify their names and purpose and function. Down to every little detail and it caused her to raise a brow at this. The pink haired girl sat in front of her chewing her bottom lip nervously and the beads of cold sweat forming on her temple. Tsunade hid the papers from her quickly intending to keep her on her toes and do better. "Have you really read the textbooks I have been giving you?" Sakura sat in alarm, "Yes! Yes I have!" Tsunade smirked at this, she refused to give her an easy pass.
"Text books, written or oral applications are different from the actual Physical application." Tsunade stated. With one quick jab, Sakura's arm fell limp by her side which caused her to panic. There was no pain, but it was the lack of it that caused her disarray. "What did-" she was cut off by Tsunade "You're going to feel numb in that arm for hours and you can only reverse it if you can find which nerve and muscle to pinch to regain full feeling." This time when Tsunade tried to take another jab Sakura evaded rather slightly. She got hit in another part of her body and it didn't feel numb but it did hurt no less.
"Be quick on your feet Sakura, you are in a closed space. Think think think!" Sakura was dumbly pressing random parts of her numb arm while simultaneously dodging Tsunade's jabs. "Put what you learned into good use! Remember anatomy!" Tsunade reminded her and her fingers found the wrist and the end of her forearm. As she regained feeling in her other arm Sakura tried to give Tsunade a taste of her own medicine but failed repeatedly. Tsunade smirked at the determination present in her eyes, but she was far from learning how to apply what she had learned. It was fascinating to her that the girl had picked up a lot, but she had put into mind that she was familiar with the human anatomy considering that she studied it for art. Soon unexpectedly Sakura stomped her foot right down on Tsunade's and it caused great alarms in her head, the woman did not see what happened next. Sakura aimed for her hip with a surprise kick and the blonde toppled down.
Tsunade caught the girl's wrist and signaled to stop. There was a lack of grace and composure as Sakura moved, there were too many openings for a direct attack if she were not careful. There were too many opportunities for Tsunade to knock her out, and just now the fragile and tactless girl before her eyes aimed to dislocate her hip. She noticed that Sakura was breathing harshly, her eyes dilated from the adrenaline rush signaling her fight or flight mode. She was too vulnerable now, but she had so much potential. "Good, never hold back on an enemy Sakura. I will teach you how to absorb punches and blows tomorrow. Prepare yourself."
Tsunade stood up and left the panting girl on the floor. "Oh, and by the way you did good on your first minor spar Sakura, but I would like you to review your anatomy again. I won't hold back tomorrow." The blonde smiled at her and Sakura's stomach churned in response. All the pent up aggression and fear were being let out and it exhilarated Sakura to no end. "I'm ready!" she growled out, Tsunade chuckled at this "Alright, I will see you tomorrow. I suggest you also read about how to physically repel minor effects of getting hit."
Sakura was still on the floor as Tsunade left and she felt like hitting someone. It was at that moment that she felt all the pent up aggression rise in her system, every violent thought passed through her head and most of which involved a certain Uchiha.