A/N: Thanks to everyone who continues to read, review and add. It's all very much appreciated by this authoress. Sorry about the wait, with vacations, schools, and time differences between the betas and I, it took longer than usual to get this baby out. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Naruto or Blizzard's World of Warcraft Sin'dorei, or the few Thalassian words I've borrowed for this fic. I am just not that much of a genius people.

Summary: The Great Ninja Wars had ended more than a decade ago. But that wouldn't stop a country supposedly in a state of peace from searching for greater power to hold over other countries, or even a clan from another. Itachi Uchiha, a cold and calculating ANBU captain, and prominent and rising prodigy of the Uchiha Clan, captures Sakura Haruno an elusive "Sin'dorei", something many believed to be nothing but a childhood fairytale.

Thanks to the beta: HarmonyRose, pyrodarkangel

Suggested Listenings: "Forsaken" –Skillet

Chapter 25

Previously:

Tsunade glanced up from her paperwork, startled, as the pendant lying just above the cleft of her breasts suddenly began to glow. Her hand snaked around it, feeling the sudden warmth jutting through her veins. She heard the soft whispers of a woman and just as she thought she could understand what was being said, it was silent.

Her eyes widened as a surge of blue light lit the center of her office, and what looked like azure colored cherry blossoms began to rain down, and before she could react, Itachi, Neji, and Sakura appeared in a flash of light into an almost undignified jumbled heap.

After several seconds of silence, three pairs of eyes lifted to meet hers and she couldn't help but ask, "What in the hell is going on?"

-oOo-

Sathren Azuredawn smothered the urge to roll his eyes as the silver talbuk the stable hands had brought out head-butted the blond on his backside as a way of greeting. The Sin'dorei hadn't recalled for signing up for the 'babysitting humans' duty and wondered dryly if the queen was punishing him for anything he'd done lately.

Kaji cackled at the now interesting position Naruto found himself in, "No one mentioned that there'd be free entertainment on this trip…"

"Shut up bastard," Naruto stood up rubbing his posterior with a wince. He glared into the mischievous gold eyes of the goat like animal before climbing into the saddle. The animal shifted but made no move to buck the boy off. Naruto gripped the reigns tightly, expecting to be dumped at any moment.

Clucking his tongue expertly between his teeth, the Sin'dorei captain turned his talbuk's nose and just as suddenly left the two boys in the dust.

"Oi, these things are fa…. Whoa!" Naruto felt the beast beneath him surge forward almost dismounting him as it bounded forward to catch up with his herd mate.

Kaji shook his head as Naruto's body began to lean to the side precariously. He made a similar sound to the one Lord Sathren had made. Obediently his mount surged into a ground-eating gallop. They'd be in Konoha in no time, he reckoned to himself thoughtfully. He grimaced at the emotions that village name provoked in his heart.

-oOo-

The explanation that followed Tsunade's question was almost more then she could take in. The blonde swiftly rose into a standing position, her brown eyes searching the trio standing before her, placing her hands on the desk. She ground out tersely, "You mean to tell me that Naruto is safe in the City of Silvermoon… a city which to our knowledge is nothing but a fairytale and that a huge demi god dragon is more than likely heading towards Konoha at this very moment…"

"That pretty much sums it up," Neji nodded, his voice dry. His eyes were half lidded as he assessed the Hokage's chagrined face.

Sakura spoke for the first time since they had arrived, "It would be best to evacuate everyone as soon as possible. Even though the altar of the Lord of Dreams is far from here, it is uncertain how quickly he can travel."

"You are positive he's coming here," Tsunade strode around her desk folding her arms and raising a brow at them.

Itachi shook his head, "No we aren't a hundred percent certain, but his only words were 'Konoha… destroy.' It took out the Akatsuki with no effort at all."
"The Akatsuki are dead?" Tsunade's eyebrows nearly disappeared into her bangs as her eyes widened into large unbelieving saucers.

There was an uncomfortable silence at the query. It did not go unnoticed by Tsunade and she opened her mouth to question them further but Neji interjected coolly, "We are uncertain. Our first priority was returning to Konoha to warn of a possible impending attack. I did not have time to activate my byakugan to ascertain if the Akatsuki had indeed died from his attack."

Tsunade's shoulders drooped a moment, "I suppose it would be best to evacuate the civilians." Her fingers went to the bridge of her nose as she sucked in a deep thoughtful breath, "Those old bastards are going to make this difficult. They're going to come in here questioning such an order without their consent. I don't know what I'm going to even tell them. If I even tell them half of the things you've just told me, they'd force my resignation and would shove me into the nearest psychiatric ward."

Itachi voice was firm and cool, an aristocratic brow rising as he reminded the Godaime, "Does it really matter what they think? You are the Hokage. No matter what the elder council wants to believe, the shinobi of Konoha will follow your orders without question."

A smile threatened to tug at the older woman's lips but the expression was quickly wiped away as she glanced at Neji, "Hyuga-sama, go to the security office on the first floor and submit an order for a code yellow evacuation to the secondary shelter."

Neji gave a curt nod before exiting the room, "Yes Hokage-sama."

"Uchiha-sama, I will place you in charge of gathering the ANBU squads and the Jonin specialists, avoid any Root operatives if possible. We will meet in the council room in one hour," Tsunade ordered curtly.

Itachi replied briskly, his face an emotionless mask, "Yes of course."

Sakura spoke up tentatively, her hands folding together in front of her respectfully, "What would you have me do Tsunade-sama?"

Tsunade shot a glance at the young woman. Sakura was still stained with what was probably her own blood, although there were no visible wounds the Hokage could detect with the naked eye. Her clothes were torn and tattered, and the girl's face was solemn. It was obvious Sakura had been through hell. However before the Hokage could even form an appropriate answer, Itachi's hand shot out with deft precision. At the contact, Sakura's eyes rolled into the back of her head and before she hit the floor the Uchiha caught her in his arms.

"Permission to drop her off at the secondary shelter before commencing with my previous orders," Itachi requested curtly, his hold tightening on the unconscious bundle in his arms.

An amused smirk twisted the Hokage's lips as she gave a nod and flicked her hand at him in a dismissive gesture. Just as he was about to leave Tsunade couldn't help but say, "When she wakes up with a pounding headache, she's going to be pretty pissed at you."

The blank mask melted away from the handsome male's face as his lips twisted with sardonic amusement, "I look forward to it."

As the door shut behind him and the Godaime shook her head, "Kids."

-oOo-

The pinkette strode with purpose through familiar hallways. There was no sound as she tread barefooted over the alabaster tiles. The pink robe she was adorned in swirled with her swift movement. Luminescent green orbs fastened a moment on the familiar red banners adorning the spacious corridors. Her eyes traced the familiar emblazoned phoenix rising, twisting around a black dragon. She had dreamt of this place months ago, not too long after her capture, she felt a smile tug on the corner of her lips at the memory.

Her nostrils flared at the sweet scent that permeated the air around her. This time around, her soul was more at ease despite the situation that she knew she would face when she woke.

A familiar voice she had only heard once in a dream welcomed her, "Hello Sakura Haruno."

Glowing viridian eyes lifted, widening into large saucers on the young woman standing at the entrance door. Her spirit was glowing softly, lending a soothing yellow radiance to the stark halls. Sakura's eyes met warm lilac, "Hiroko…"

The woman's arms stretched out towards her and the human woman gently grasped the Sin'dorei's hands in her own. Sakura was surprised at the warmth exuding from the woman. She couldn't help but ask the woman, "What? I… How are you here?"

"Come, they are waiting for you," her warm lavender eyes crinkled as she opened the double doors just behind her.

"Please wait," Sakura lifted her head, her eyes resolute on the woman.

"Yes?" Hiroko stood, but didn't turn to face the Sin'dorei.

"You're the one aren't you? It was you…" the pinkette clasped her hands in front of her.

The woman turned her head and soft purple eyes assessed the Sin'dorei's face, "Yes. I showed you the past as it was. Perhaps it was selfish of me to… show you…"

Sakura's eyes shut a moment, her chin dipping. She couldn't help but ask, "When you died… I got the sense that you had accepted it. So why haven't you moved on in death?"

Hiroko finally turned completely around to fully face Sakura. The sadness in her eyes was stark. The woman's voice was soft as she replied, "Yes, but despite… it all, I love Shisui. I…" Sakura could see the tears glimmering in Hiroko's eyes but they did not fall as she continued hoarsely, "I… could never hate him. However his feelings upon my death bound me to him and I was unable to pass on…"

The pinkette only nodded, tears stinging her green eyes. She understood. It was something that could not be explained in words, not in her mother tongue, nor in the language of the humans. Hiroko turned and continued to lead her into the chamber although Sakura already knew the way. This would be the third time she visited the Sacred Pools of Slumber, once physically, twice in her dreams. However whether this could be considered a true dream, Sakura couldn't say, everything felt real. The presence of the woman in front of her was not something Sakura could say with certainty that she could dream on her own.

Her toes curled against the cool marble. Sakura's luminescent eyes lifted and widened. Lucia was standing next to Alah'ni; the tear under her eye glimmered crimson this time instead of the blue that she recalled and Sakura couldn't help but wonder why. The phoenix god watched the two women approach but remained silent. His warm sanguine eyes followed their movement, his facial expressions softened when their eyes met.

Her eyes shut a moment as his soothing presence washed over her and Sakura reveled in the emotions it evoked in her. For a moment she felt at peace and she released a deep sigh.

Sakura open her eyes and turned her head. She smiled at Lucia, "I did not believe that we would meet again so soon."

The blue haired woman just smiled in response, but was silent. The smile melted away from Sakura's face as a more serious expression adorned her features.

The pinkette and the auburn haired woman stopped in front of the god and Lucia. The Sin'dorei, the Broken, and the human were silent as they turned to face the god.

The timbre of his voice washed over them, "Everything has finally come full circle."

The pinkette couldn't help but burst out, "What am I supposed to do? There's no way that I can stop the Lord of Dreams. I fought to keep him from being awakened but I failed… even as we speak he is destroying everything that lies in his path, heading straight for Konohagakure."

Alah'ni didn't respond to this and instead he asked softly, the melodic tenor of his voice soothing the turmoil in her soul, "Do you hate?"

"I do not hate anybody," Sakura's shoulders sagged, not understanding what that had to do with her present situation, "but…"

Lucia spoke then with her voice full of sorrow, "Two thousands years ago I started this cycle with my hatred and then it intertwined with Hiroko's fate with her love. You are the forgiveness that exists between us. Our fates are tangled despite the vast differences of time and the blood that ran in our veins when we lived. It is because of you that Hiroko and I stand here at the Pools of Slumber. It is you who must make things right…"

"Why me?" Sakura raged at them, stomping her foot with evident anger, "I found someone who I love. I just wanted a peaceful life…I'm not a fighter… I tried to pretend that I could blend in with them. I tried learning the ways of the humans so that I could stand by the side of the one I love…for the way of the human shinobi is a violent one."

"You are not human so it is only logical that you are unable to fight like one, or unable to think like one," Alah'ni's red eyes roamed over her now sullen features, "The gifts I've given my children are different than the gifts of my brother. You are a weaver for a purpose. Do not forget that…Alshara…"

The two other women watched the emotions playing over the pinkette's features silently. Sakura tilted her head at Alah'ni then, "Even still… my skill as a weaver is little. I … failed the subject in school. I mean the Lord of Dreams is a demi god. He is both your child and Neph'o's. How am I supposed to stop such a being? You once told me I was the avatar of your heart… but I'm no one special. I have no special abilities like the rest of my kin…"

Lucia smiled at the Sin'dorei and strode over to her, placing a hand on the pinkette's shoulders, "… did I not tell you… that you are the forgiveness that stands between us…"

"But…" Sakura's mouth gaped slightly as she didn't understand what the blue haired woman was trying to get at.

"Do you hate Shisui?" Hiroko asked softly. Her eyes held a beseeching quality to them as she gazed at the Sin'dorei.

Without even having to contemplate the question Sakura shook her head, "No I do not hate him. I can mourn for the child he had been but I cannot mourn the man he's become or the decisions he's made and despite even what he put me through, I do not hate him."

Hiroko's hand tugged on her sleeve, tears glimmering in the depths of her eyes, "Please save him."

Sakura gazed into the woman's lavender orbs and after a moment let out a soft sigh, "I will do my best."

Lucia squeezed Sakura's shoulder gently, "You will not be alone. Our spirits will be with you lending you our strength…"

Alah'ni strode over and stopped in front of the pinkette, his kindly eyes gazing gently into hers, "Never forget who you are Alshara. For the sake of whom you love, and for the sake of those who must be forgiven you will exist between them."

The phoenix god reached out and touched her forehead, "Anu belore dela'nu."

-oOo-

This was the second time in her life that she woke up underground and her somewhat groggy brain decided that she didn't like it. Sitting up slowly, her green eyes slowly scanned the room. She realized that she had been placed on a pallet in the corner of the room. The shelter was already full of civilians leaving her to wonder how long she'd been down there.

The anxiety permeating the air was unmistakable and Sakura frowned. She could imagine their reaction when all of a sudden they had been evacuated with possibly no explanation of why.

Sakura tried to stand to her feet but winced as pain jackknifed through her skull, leaving in its wake a dull throbbing sensation. Why did her head hurt so badly? She pondered silently. Her brain began to go over the last thing she remembered. She recalled discussing the Lord of Dreams and Naruto. Then the Hokage gave orders to Neji and Itachi. She remembered vaguely asking the Konoha leader if there was anything she could do to help. Then… there was blackness. The pinkette's eyes narrowed when the answer came to her befuddled brain. Itachi had knocked her out and then had obviously stuffed her down into the shelter she now found herself in.

Sakura stood up and started to pace back and forth, muttering angrily in Thalassian, her headache forgotten. The civilians nearby were watching her strangely but at the moment she didn't quite care about the looks she was receiving. Her fists tightened as she decided that it didn't matter what Itachi had done she would find her way out and do whatever it was she was supposed to do. The dream she had, or vision, whatever it was supposed to be, was still clear in her mind.

Despite the surge of anger, the true underlying emotion she felt was fear. She was afraid to even contemplate Itachi trying to fight the Lord of Dreams or any of the other friends she'd made in this human village. However if she were truly honest with herself, fear for Itachi overrode everything and everyone else. She still wasn't certain what she was actually supposed to do. She groused irritably under her breath, "Why does everyone always have to be so vague? What's so wrong with giving someone a straight answer?"

The pinkette glanced around searching for the exit. She didn't have the time to sit around to think about the vague words spoken to her from her dream. Her brain rationalized that if she were indeed underground then the way out should be up. The young woman began to cut her way through the huddled crowds of people and the shinobi meant to guard them. Soon she realized that the shelter was almost like a miniature maze. The rooms were all interconnected and spread out. It was obvious it was meant to be able to house the whole village if necessary but yet at the same time it gave them enough room to be comfortable and not packed in like sardines.

Her frown deepened as she realized that Itachi must have shoved her in the furthest recesses of the underground shelter to dissuade her from trying to leave it. After about half an hour of walking in circles the Sin'dorei wanted to howl in frustration. Since she was underground it was impossible to tell which direction she was actually going. It also didn't help that people were milling about from room to room, which threw her off even more since she couldn't quite tell which rooms she'd actually passed through and those she hadn't.

Her answer came to her from a conversation between two genins. The petite brown haired kunoichi said to her companions, "I highly doubt there will be any action down here. This is quite some genjutsu…"

"Oh yeah…" her shinobi companion looked glum at the prospect of nothing exciting happening down in the shelter.

Genjutsu… of course! Sakura shook her head at her own stupidity. Shutting her eyes, she allowed her senses to flare outward, just as she would often do in the training grounds to get a feel for the chakra signatures around her. After a few minutes of searching she found her exit. The pinkette kept her eyes trained on the floor, so that her other senses would not confuse her. It wasn't long until she stepped through the powerful genjutsu and she found herself in a tunnel.

Immediately she broke into a dead ground-eating run. Her calves protested at the action of running up hill, especially since she fed her muscles so little chakra. However Sakura knew she was going to need all the chakra she could get. She felt relief course through her when she could see light at the end of the tunnel, however her heart plummeted in her chest when two ANBU turned to face her.

It alarmed her further when they began to chuckle at her approach. The one on the left said, "Itachi-sama told us she'd try to escape. You lost the bet… you owe me a beer."

The one on the right ignored this and instead focused on the slender woman, who looked like she'd already been through a war zone, "Go back into the shelter. I have orders to make certain that you do not leave… and whether you're conscious or not will make no difference… No civilians are allowed to leave the premises. Hokage's orders."

Her heart started to pound harder as they both began to stride towards her when she didn't turn around and head back. Sakura gulped and started to back away from them.

The one on the left chuckled, "That's right little girl… Return to the shelter where you belong…"

Sakura's eyes narrowed at the taunt in the man's words. Why did these human's persist in calling her a little girl? Who in hell did they think they were anyway?

"Oh I think you made her angry," the other laughed outright before warning her one last time, "Do as he says…now…"

Fuming at their rude taunting Sakura bowed her head and shut her eyes as if she were about to pray. The two of them stopped in their tracks watching the strange woman for a couple moments. The ANBU captain had warned them that she was not a shinobi but not to underestimate her if she tried to fight her way out. However the two ANBU couldn't quite imagine her being very dangerous.

Sakura ignored the fact that they both started to charge forward. Her words were soft and swift, "Winds that pass through the heaven's night sky breathe your gentle breath across the souls before me and grant them rest…"

Isao and Hiro both halted but a few feet in front of the young woman before toppling over fast asleep before they even knew what had happened. She glared at them both a moment, "That'll teach you to underestimate me."

With a flick of her pink hair she stepped over them relieved to finally be on the surface. Sakura decided that she detested being underground. Grumbling under her breath she sent a minimal amount of chakra to her feet as she sprung onto a tree branch and quickly climbed to the top of the canopy. Her eyes widened as she gazed to the west, her eyes fastening onto the Hokage monument. It looked rather small from her position and she had to stifle a groan of dismay. The shelter just had to be far from the city walls of Konohagakure.

Her lips thinned as she began to travel in the direction of Konoha. She hoped fervently that she would make it in time. The sun had already set and the moon had risen high in the sky, which led her to believe she'd been out for at least five or six hours possibly even more. Sakura resolved that when all was said and done, it was going to be her turn to lecture Itachi for once. Her mind wouldn't allow any other outcome to surface.

-oOo-

Sathren tugged at the reigns and turned to face the two young males behind him, "This is far as I go."

Naruto dismounted his talbuk, his blue eyes meeting the soft glowing aquamarine perusing over him, "Thanks for everything…"

Kaji also quickly climbed off his mount before turning crimson eyes to the male Sin'dorei, "I owe Queen Sunstrider and no amount of thanks would be sufficient. If your people ever need my assistance …"

Sathren Azuredawn nodded, "I will relay your message to her," He paused and then said to the both of them, "Take care of Sakura…"

The blond was quick to respond, "Yes of course."

The Sin'dorei gave them one last glance before clucking his tongue, drawing the attention of boys' mounts and turning the nose of his talbuk, "Al diel shala…"

"Safe travels to you as well Sin'dorei," Kaji raised his hand respectfully as Sathren nodded before kicking his mount into a gallop.

Naruto glanced at the fox spirit, "Are you ready for this Kaji?"

Kaji gave him a fang toothed grin, "Of course brat."

They both took to the trees and it wasn't long until they were running through the gates of Konoha. Genma, who was watching the east entrance, gaped at the two boys that just entered, almost choking on his toothpick, "Naruto…" and then his brown eyes fastened on the redheaded look alike.

Kaji shoved his hands into his pockets and groused at the confused and stunned shinobi, "Yo…"

"Naruto who is this person?" Genma asked the blond.

"Oh this is Kaji… he's my … err… cousin," Naruto replied with a nervous chuckle.

"Cousin?" the man's brows almost disappeared into his skullcap.

Kaji queried quickly his eyes widening almost innocently, deftly changing the subject, "Where is everyone?"

Genma shook his head and then said, "That's right… Naruto… the shinobi are supposed to meet at the top of the monument," his eyes then flicked to the strange young boy, "Civilians should be taken to the secondary shelter…"

"Everyone's been evacuated?" Naruto asked surprised, his expressive blue eyes widening with shock.

"Yes but no one knows exactly why yet. Tsunade-sama is going to explain everything on top of the monument… but you may want to take your… um… cousin to the shelter before heading up that way," Genma tipped his head pointedly at Kaji.

"It's alright. I don't have any rank… but I'm shinobi," Kaji lied easily, "I'll offer my help. If the Hokage decides she doesn't need or want my assistance I will go to the shelter…"

Before Genma could open his mouth to respond the two were gone in a streak of black and orange.

"What in the hell is going on around here lately?" Genma shook his head before making one last sweep of the perimeter.

-oOo-

Itachi stood at the edge of the cliff side, his sharingan almost gleaming in the darkness around him. His senses were flaring out in the manner that Sakura had taught him. It seemed so long ago since that day. So much had happened since then. It was almost surreal.

"The Uchiha elder council refused to evacuate…" Sasuke said suddenly into the silence drawing his brother's attention away from his thoughts. Sasuke and Sai had been both assigned beneath his brother's authority since they were not only missing Naruto, but Itachi's usual subordinates had been ordered to guard the entrance to the secondary shelter.

A muscle jumped in Itachi's cheek, "Father and mother?"

"Father was trying to persuade the council to follow the Hokage's orders last I heard…. I also heard the Hyuga council evacuated along with the rest of their non-shinobi family members immediately. Mother left to the shelter with the other Uchiha wives and children," Sasuke replied before taking his position in the trees.

Silence reigned for a couple hours. They waited quietly to the soothing song of crickets. Then suddenly they felt a familiar chakra signature, followed by one they didn't quite know heading towards them. Both Sai and Sasuke tensed as Naruto came out from the forest canopy and into the clearing. He announced softly, "I've been assigned to your group… and…"

Sasuke and Sai's eyes widened when what looked to be a red headed Naruto with even spikier hair emerged from the undergrowth with a cheery wave, "Yo…"

"This is my cousin Kaji… who is a shinobi as well… the Hokage assigned him to Itachi's group as well," Naruto jerked his head in the direction of Kaji giving the quick introduction.

Sasuke walked up to Naruto and glared at him, "Where in the hell have you been Naruto? You've been missing for like nearly a week…"

Naruto met Itachi's somber eyes ignoring Sasuke's query, which caused the younger Uchiha to bristle, "Sakura?"

"She's in the shelter with the rest of the civilians," Itachi replied coolly, assessing both Naruto and the person he said was his cousin. Itachi didn't believe any of it but with everything he'd been through in the past three days, he couldn't quite muster up the emotion to actually care.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed at the look of relief that flashed across both males' faces. He turned to face the one Naruto introduced as Kaji, "… you're his cousin?" Sasuke's eyebrow shot up in the typical aristocratic Uchiha manner, which indicated that he didn't buy a word of it.

"Yup," was the grinning fang toothed reply.

Sai leapt from his tree branch and strode over to the red head, "Are you as dickless as your cousin?" He tilted his head to the side giving the red-eyed male a fake smile, waiting for a fit of temper from the stranger.

The mischievous grin that crossed Kaji's face threw the nearly emotionless nin off balance, "Maybe… Why? Did you want to see?"

Before Sai could think of a reply Itachi turned to face the four of them. His voice giving away his irritation at their childish antics, "Get into position and be silent."

Everyone quickly moved to obey the ANBU captain's tersely given orders except Kaji. The male's mischievous feral red eyes met the Uchiha's, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips revealing a fang, "So you believe Sakura is in the shelter… interesting…"

Itachi's eyes widened as the strange shinobi turned and sauntered away. What in hell did he mean by that? How did he even know who Sakura was? That's when Itachi noticed that Kaji's chakra signature was not anything like a human shinobi's. It felt quite similar to Sakura's except Kaji's was exceptionally large. His eyes widened as he murmured in pure disbelief, "Kyuubi?"

Kaji's eyes gleamed out of his assigned location, his gleaming crimson orbs staring into sharingan with obvious amusement at the human's expense.

Itachi's face turned into a wry grimace at the blatant mockery behind those eyes and his expression darkened with understanding, "Sasuke… you're in charge. Don't forget to give the proper signal…"

Sasuke leapt down from his position, "Where in hell are you going?"

"Try … by the western wall," Kaji called out, amused, as Itachi winked out of view. Only Kaji caught the sound of the curses that left Itachi's lips as he ran down the cliff side. The fox's lips turned upwards into a full-blown smile.

"What's so funny?" Naruto couldn't help but ask Kaji.

Kaji only responded by flicking the blond in the forehead, smirking as Naruto winced, "What did I tell you about asking questions?"

Sai and Sasuke watched the interaction between the two nearly twin males with narrow suspicious eyes.

-oOo-

Sakura stood in an old oak just outside of Konohagakure. She tried to keep her chakra at least partially concealed just incase a Konoha shinobi happened by. After all she went through just to get back to the village she was sure as hell not going to allow anyone to drag her back to that awful shelter. She let her leg hang over the side of the branch she rested on while her head leaned against the trunk of the tree. Sakura never realized how stressful waiting could actually be.

Her head shot up and her heart began to beat loudly in her chest when she felt a very familiar chakra signature. His name left her lips, "Itachi…"

Sakura's eyes widened as he came running out of the western gate. The pinkette jumped down from the tree, placing her hands on her hips fixing him with a glare.

The ANBU captain stopped and turned when he felt the surge of chakra to the left of him. Itachi's sharingan eyes narrowed on the obviously angry woman. His eyes widened when she started marching towards him, her glowing eyes dancing with green fire.

Sakura strode straight up to Itachi and startled him when she grabbed his shirtfront before he could open his mouth to berate her. Tugging him down to face level she fastened her lips to his, her hands squeezing his shirtfront tightly. She felt him relax beneath the caress of her softening kiss.

She felt his arms snake around her waist before plastering her against his torso. Suddenly he was the one leading the kiss, his tongue darted into her mouth rougher than usual and Sakura's knees wobbled beneath the onslaught of passion.

Then before he knew exactly what she intended she broke the kiss whispering huskily, "That's my thanks for you saving me..."

He bent to kiss her again but Sakura's hand shot up and caught him across the cheek with a sharp slap. His eyes narrowed on her but that was his only reaction to her underhanded attack. Sakura released a small breath beneath his poignant crimson gaze. She felt a blush suffusing her neck and face as she gasped out, "And that's for knocking me out… bastard…"

Itachi's tapered fingers went to the back of her neck, the digits burying themselves into her hair before taking up her lips in his again, kissing her soundly. He whispered against her lips, "You should return…"

"Like hell," was Sakura's cheeky response.

Itachi's onyx orbs narrowed on obstinate viridian, "There is no need for you to put yourself in danger any longer…"

The pinkette's hand caressed the spot on his cheek she had slapped, the tips rasping over his skin to his chin. She replied softly, "Of course there is… because… that's exactly what you'll be doing… I cannot just…"

"Won't you ever just allow me protect you Sakura?" his gloved thumb touched her lower lip.

"This is not about protection Itachi," the pinkette tried to ignore the sensations he was evoking in her body, "Just as you have assignments as a shinobi… I have been assigned to fulfill a prophecy by Alah'ni. Whether I come face to face with Shisui again here… or elsewhere… it will happen… I... Hiroko asked me to…"

"Sakura… Hiroko has been dead for five years. How do you even know about her?" Itachi asked the woman in his arms.

"Remember meeting Lucia Silversky…" a tear escaped down her cheek, "The blue haired woman… in the caverns…"

Itachi nodded, "Of course I do but what has that got to do with…"

"She's the same, Lucia Silversky… the necklace and the letter Itachi…" Sakura leaned her forehead against his chest, "this all started two thousand years ago with her… I don't know how… or what happened concerning her and the Lord of Dreams. I only know they were lovers from the memories I glimpsed when she shared my body…"

"What does all this have to do with my cousin?" Itachi questioned Sakura, his voice a hoarse whisper bemused by Sakura's explanation.

"Hiroko's spirit came to me as well… not long after I was captured by the Akatsuki… and I was given a vision of the past," Sakura lifted her face to meet Itachi's eyes, "Shisui killed her to get some ability called… mangekyou. The council of elders of your clan ordered him to do it. He at first thought that… he was supposed to kill you since the both of you were such good friends… I don't understand it very well… but I think that you achieve the ability by killing someone dear to you. They told him you were too valuable and ordered him… to kill Hiroko… he agreed… and…"

Itachi gazed into Sakura's sorrow drawn features, "I see." He gripped the woman tightly and hugged her against his chest, "So where do you come in… Why do you insist in putting yourself in danger?"

"I don't understand it very well… but I'm supposed to be the forgiveness that exists between the hatred of Lucia and the love of Hiroko," Sakura let out a sigh, turning her face away, "Itachi… just before Hiroko died… she told Shisui that she forgave him and…" her head bent, "Shisui told me that all he wants is the destruction of everything… when he comes to Konoha… he will most likely do just that. I have to stop him from…"

Itachi mentally pieced together the fragmented puzzle of Sakura's story and he suddenly realized just how much she'd been through not only physically from the Akatsuki but also emotionally with the knowledge of the past. Some of her explanation made no sense to him but that was to be expected. However one thing was for certain, he was no longer going to turn a blind eye to the dealings of the Uchiha council. He had ignored them since Shisui's death, which had been a mistake on his part. The council must have realized even all those years ago, he was not one to be manipulated and so had tried to use Shisui for some sort of gain in the name of Uchiha. It was predictable and maddening at the same time.

He brushed her bangs out of her eyes with his hand, "The Hokage has shinobi stationed all over strategically. We are trained to deal with these situations. There is no need for you to do anything…"

Sakura leaned back and looked into his eyes, "Do you honestly think that any of your attacks will work on one such as him?"

"Why wouldn't it?" Itachi asked the stiffening bundle in his arms.

"Itachi I know you think my religion is a bunch of nonsense but… the Lord of Dreams is the king of the elements. Any jutsu thrown at him… is just like asking him… May I borrow your power please so that I can defeat you?" Sakura replied softly, her eyes shutting a moment.

"If that's truly the case Sakura… just what do you plan on doing? That dark chakra thing didn't work… nor did that other attack you tried..." Itachi tried talking sense into the obstinate woman, "You are not even a genin level kunoichi Sakura."

"I was a fool to think I could even try to become such a thing," the pinkette laughed, an edge of hysteria in the sound, "I'm just a weaver… a class dropout… but I wanted to try to be what I could never be… so I could be with you Itachi."

"You didn't need to do any such thing Sakura," Itachi's hard eyes softened slightly as tears began to stream down her cheeks.

"Don't you understand Itachi, what it means to be a mate?" Sakura's voice rasped, "I understand the thinking on this matter is different between humans and Sin'dorei, but… just as a mate I wanted to be able to stand at your side. Not below you nor above you but… at your side."

Itachi did the only thing he could think to do. He kissed the wonderful woman in his arms. However this time there wasn't even the slightest bit of hesitation as he drew her into him, fitting her against his body, reveling in the way she seemed to melt against him with a contented sigh.

Sakura's eyes shut as his mouth kissed away her tears, his breath feathering against her cheek. His rainwater scent was so intoxicating Sakura began to forget about everything but the man holding her in his arms.

Just beyond the horizon the sun began to rise. The soft light kissed their features and Itachi's breath caught in his throat at the emotion that Sakura held in her eyes just for him. She caught his hand and pressed it against her cheek, shutting her eyes at the sensation of his callused skin against hers.

Then Sakura felt it, the insanely powerful ominous chakra that could only be attributed to one being. The sensation skittered up her spine causing her to stiffen in his arms. Her whisper caused the hairs on the back of Itachi's neck to stand straight on end, "He's here…"

-oOo-

A/N: Thus ends this segment. It's a little longer than usual. I apologize for leaving it at such a moment. I seem to specialize in cliffhangers lately. Forgive this author.