-Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or its characters. I do, however, own my OC's such as Akane, Saku, Arata, and the like.

-Dear readers, thank you very much for continuing to support my story even if I don't get the chance to update it every so often! It tears me up to know that my old fans still bother to review even if I've neglected them for a time. T_T I love you all! I'm just a little sorry that this chapter is lengthy yet SLOW. My purpose for this chapter is to inform, so not much action in this chappy. xD

-Oh yes, I noticed that my previous chapter's scene dividers disappeared. O-O! I deeply apologize to my new readers. I'll fix that…in time. = = ;; I'm sorry. Time is cruel to me.

XxxxxxxxxX

Chapter 21

~Secrets~

"SAKURA CHAN!" Naruto yelled after Sakura who had dashed off without say. A heavy shoulder from a silent Nagato stopped Naruto from chasing after her. How had things progressed to this? Oh, blissful naivety and blinding ignorance—shunning the thoughtless child who knew nothing of the truth but knew everything of it. "What…happened…?" He turned his head to glance at the ringed orbs of Nagato, callous, frightening, but calming. "Come. Let us head to where Sakura is." Nagato briefly glanced at Itachi who had stayed his place a good feet from the group. He wouldn't ask; at least, not until things had settled down.

Huddled together, black cloaks mingled with orange and green, the group walked back towards the Haruno household. "Get your act together, Uchiha." Nagato strode powerful as ever albeit his paled and weakened appearance. The receiver of the roughened and threatening statement simply glanced away from Nagato. So he would play this game, would he? Nagato leaned towards the older Uchiha, ringed eyes making sure to catch his reddened ones. "I don't care what the matter is about. Clear it up." Smooth, unhindered, and baleful, Nagato's words slithered out from his lips like cold mist.

Itachi's response was to lean away and walk ahead of the group. 'Clear it up' he says. It wasn't that easy. At least, it wasn't as easy as it sounded. '…Damn' he thought as he felt a foreboding tinge in the atmosphere. "Can't be…" Much like Sakura did, Itachi took off into an unseen blur.

"Wha? First Sakura chan and now Itachi too?" Naruto stomped a frustrated foot onto the ground. "What the hell is happening?" He didn't know what was happening! What on earth were people keeping from him? Why did everyone hide things from him? It was damn unfair. He furrowed his brows, digging his hands into his pockets. "…Sakura chan…"

Nagato's eyes trailed after the stiffened and slumped form of Itachi; he too had sensed the slight unhinging of the things around him—as if something had managed to trip one of the wires of a trap. Something was definitely up. "We should all head back home now." Konan glanced at him, taking in the unnoticeable shred of worry that lingered in her partner's face. "Yes…let's," She agreed, suddenly taking the lead to egg the others to follow.

XxxxxxxX

Itachi threw open the door, a callous expression still plastered on his face. He glanced around, noting that Sakura's presence was on the second floor. He dashed up the stairs to find the despairing Sakura kneeling against the wooden floor boards in utter shock. He could smell it—that all too familiar tang. Itachi walked slowly towards Sakura and wrapped one hand around her shoulder. His other hand, big and rough as it was, brushed over her pink bangs and covered her eyes. "Sakura," He whispered her name, pulling Sakura's head to rest on his chest. "It's going to be alright…It's going to be—"

"Why?" Itachi inclined his head so he could see Sakura's face. It was pale, cold and wet with the sudden burst of tears. "I don't—who could've…" She hiccupped, placing her hands against Itachi's hand, holding on to them as she bawled. "Akane oba san…she…she's…"

Itachi lowered his head, pulling Sakura closer towards him. He pressed his lips against the top of her head, embracing her with all his might. What could he do?

XxxxxxxxX

"Oi, don't you feel that something's off, hn?" Deidara held his hip, scrutinizing the normal-looking Haruno household.

A brief, sinister chuckle rang out, Hidan shielding his lips from the crowd, "I can smell it…"

"What are you talking about, Hidan san?" Bushy eyebrows furrowed, lacking in understanding, Lee glanced at the silver haired man who had burst out laughing. "I—"

"Enough. We should go in," Sasori was the first to enter. The Haruno household was dim. Light seemed to refuse to seep into the house as it usually did. The interior seemed like the color had been literally sapped from them.

The feeling was nostalgic. It had happened years before.

"Reminds you of that time, doesn't it hmph?" Deidara was second to enter. Cerulean eyes glanced at the interior for a split second before a long sigh emerged from his lips. "It follows us everywhere doesn't it?"

"What are you guys talking about?" A second pair of blue eyes had caught Deidara's attention. This one, Naruto, was about the same age as Deidara. He was as blonde as he was, and had about the same shade of blue eyes as he did. However, their experiences were legions apart. He could tell that this perceptive jinchuuriki felt the heavy atmosphere, but could make no sense of it.

Silly little boy, you know so little of the truth of Death and Pain. This was what Deidara silently told himself as he dismissed the boy's question with a smile and a turn of the head.

"Hey! I don't—"

"Kid, shut up for a sec." Kakuzu and the rest of the Akatsuki walked onward, leaving the Konoha nin, Sai, Sasuke, Lee, and Naruto, to figure things out for themselves. Among them, Sai and Sasuke were the only one who could recognize the all too familiar aura that surrounded them. Once familiar with it, one could never part with the feeling.

"Naruto," Sasuke called out from behind, "Don't be stupid…at a time like this." His gray eyes were fixed upon the staircase and not on Naruto. "Don't you have good ears…?"

"Eh?" Naruto would've asked the ol' teme to explain had he not focused his senses onto hearing that he heard the soft, familiar sniffles of their beloved teammate. "Sakura…?"

"Here too…huh?" Kisame had laid down Samehada onto the ground as he watched Naruto run up the stairs screaming Sakura's name. Blue skin seemed to tinge a light blue as Kisame paled. Had sinned so much? Was this the long awaited retribution?

"Kisame, turn it off." Sasori had approached the sharkman with attempts to console. How unlike him. How unlike any of them. When had they felt such anguish over that thing? It was her fault. Those pink locks brought color into their lives when it shouldn't have. Those pink locks had poured a myriad of colors so unexpectedly it hurt to simply have feelings of being reunited since being apart years ago. He had despised such humanity, but why was it that he could not push them away? 'Turn it off' he told Kisame. Impossible. Neither of them could turn off their emotions, particularly grief, now. There was no turning back this time. These colors won't ever leave them so long as those pink locks stayed. No—perhaps even if those pink locks were to fade; this time, there was no switching off of anything.

"It's hard to." Kisame had his head lowered. Sasori gazed at this tall man's weakened form. As expected: none of them could turn it off anymore.

"Here they come, hn." Deidara's cerulean eyes watched Sakura's weakened form descend down the stairs with Itachi right behind her. The elder Uchiha had one arm on her shoulder whilst his other was lightly supporting her by the waist. Gray eyes were fixed on solely on the pink haired kunoichi. Behind them, Naruto weakly walked down the stairs, eyes staring into the space in front of him. Like a defeated puppy, he followed awkwardly behind the couple.

Sasuke, quick as ever, rushed towards Sakura and placed two very worried hands on Sakura's shoulder, "Sakura you—" Sasuke stopped. He gritted his teeth; the pain, the hurt, the despair, it was written all over her dismayed face. "It's alright…" He managed to whisper so only Sakura could hear.

"Sasuke kun…Akane oba san she's…" Sakura jolted forward, ramming her forehead onto Sasuke's chest without meaning to. "It's my fault! If I hadn't—if I had only" Sasuke smoothed pink locks down, gripping Sakura by the arm as he did so. He glanced at his older brother, seeking some sort of enlightenment from him, but alas he gave nothing. Stupid Itachi nii san. …nii san? He shook his head, ignoring the epiphany that had dawned at him and looked back down onto Sakura. He patted her hair with gentle hands, "Shh Sakura, come on. Let's get you to your room." Both Uchihas led on, holding Sakura tightly so as to support her because the way things were going, Sakura could barely move her body.

XxxxxxxX

Sheets had never seemed so warm. Fabric displaced themselves around her lithe body, wrapping her in the warmth she had seemed to have lost. Light flickered through the window, curtains gently fluttering through the window ajar. Sprawled diagonally across her bed, Sakura stared at the dust that randomly drifted back and forth through the rays of light. A deep sigh escaped her lips as she pulled herself up; someone had come into the room.

"Sakura, how long are you planning on being like this?" Itachi stood with his back against the door frame. He stared at her, watching her languid form turn towards him, as he approached her silently. "Sakura you—" he held out his hand, reaching for her pale cheek; with a feather-like touch, he brushed the side of her face to soothe her.

"Itachi…sorry. It's just—" Her hands returned his touch by gently wrapping her hands around his wrist. His hand against her pale cheeks made her cheeks seem like they were burning. He too was cold, "you're freezing, you know that?" her lips pulled into a small smile, "I should be the one worrying not…you…" Sakura's head dropped, suddenly recalling the events of the past three weeks.

They had found Akane's body in her room, lying on the carpet. Minor lacerations across her body suggested that she didn't put up a fight. It was a slice through her tender throat which, they assumed, came after the blow through her abdomen. 'Cruel' was the only word Sakura could describe it with. Even the Godaime Hokage, in a fury, sent Anbu out to do an investigative mission; it had failed considerably, however. At the scene of the crime, there was nothing to be found save for the cold carcass of Sakura Haruno's aunt. The assailant appeared to have come and gone without being noticed. In a world where people were as normal as the civilians—where people had no abilities—this would have seemed to be impossible. However, this was the shinobi world. It wasn't that nobody was capable of doing it, such as would be the thought in some parallel dimension; it was that in the world they lived in:

Anyone could have done it.

With her head hung low, the Hokage deeply apologized for her beloved apprentice's great loss and assured her that they would not stop. For as long as she wanted, Sakura was granted leave from the hospital. Nevertheless, the Hokage had said this hesitantly. Knowing Sakura, and judging by the state she was in, she wondered how long this "leave" would last. With a few condolences and several visits from Akane's circle of friends, days had passed with Sakura and the Akatsuki quietly resuming their lives. At least, this was what it seemed on the surface. Undoubtedly, rumors began flying. It was said that one of the Akatsuki had done the deed. There were even rumors of the criminal being one of Akane's ex-lovers coming to take revenge. However, the gossip soon become passé, and the crime became nothing more than one of Konoha's many records.

"It's been almost a month. You should go out more." Itachi, cold and calculating, had pressed the little cherry against his chest to keep her as warm as he could.

"Aa," Sakura freely leaned against Itachi, bringing his hands into hers. "Perhaps it's about time…I…" She let her sentence trail, searching for some sort of certainty in her own words. Could she really move on? The guilt was still there.

For the past few weeks, Sakura had bawled her eyes out inside her room behind the eyes of everyone else save for her friends and 'family', the Akatsuki. They knew that their beloved Pinkette cried when they appeared to be unaware. They felt powerless against the heavy atmosphere; however, amongst them, it was the two Uchiha brothers who felt completely irritated with themselves. Neither one of them could do anything for the cherry blossom. They could do nothing but silently listen to her muffled sobs, enduring the tightening of their chests.

"I'll be beside you," Itachi whispered, gently guiding the kunoichi as she wobbled to a stand. He had slid his arms around her waist to steady her gait as she slowly made her way towards the door. She reached out for the doorknob, but stopped inches away from it.

"Itachi I—" She was forced to a spin, her back rashly pushed against the doorframe. Her voice was muffled by a forceful kiss, her shoulders slumping down against the force. "Itachi…" She whispered when the exasperated Itachi finally withdrew with sullen breath. The elder Uchiha pressed his forehead against hers, shutting his eyes to take in Sakura's hitched breathing. He desperately embraced Sakura's feeble form, breaking down into the weakened, gentle man he once was. "Death is something I deal with everyday. I don't believe I'm the right person to—"

She hushed him, wrapping her arms around his head as if to cradle him. Itachi, too, must've been suffering these past few weeks. "Thank you," She whispered, planting a kiss atop his head. At the moment, Itachi was out of character. He had turned frail against Sakura. This boy who clung to her tightly, who was he? She couldn't help but utter a gentle giggle as she snuggled this little thing within her bosom, "…how cute." A genuine smile, seemingly long forgotten, crept onto her face causing Itachi to glance up and grunt. "You cruel girl; after I had just—catching me off guard every single time." He, too, gave a small smile and pressed his lips against hers. For a while, he let her respond to him, she nibbling on his bottom lip as he pushed her up against the door. What a way to soothe the soul. "Feeling better?" He pulled away, pulling her arms up against her head and locking her down.

He stared deeply into her emerald orbs. He sucked in her pain, drinking in the loneliness that swam within the irises of her eyes. "It's alright," He whispered, "You can let go."

She broke. Tears poured down her face as she struggled to keep her emotions intact. She shook her head, the smile earlier present turning into a scowl as she bit her lip, attempting to prevent the onset of tears. Damn it. Pathetic. Itachi whirled her around, shoving her onto the crumpled sheets of the bed. He spread her arms, forehead against forehead, hand in hand, breath mingled with breath. "Don't lie to yourself." His lids lowered, watching those beautiful eyes water beneath them as he brushed his lips against her flushed cheeks. He licked her tears away, pressing down against her knees with his weight. He wasn't letting her go.

The emotional rollercoaster they were both feeling was sucking them into places they didn't dare go into. Itachi was feeble, feeling powerless against her grief. The smile she had given earlier was a sign of progress, but it wasn't enough. Darling beloved, what could he do to make it all go away? The pain? The hurt? How could he, so accustomed to hardship and pain that it had become part of him, heal her? He was unworthy of giving her happiness.

Raven of death could not give the pure dove the happiness she sought.

"It was my fault," Her voice was raspy and deigned with scorn, "Mother, father, and now auntie. It's always been my fault…" She pressed her cold palms against her eyelids, her lips tugging into a desperate cry.

It had begun when she took her first few steps into Akane's room a week after her death. Sakura had hesitantly unlocked the room, the gloomy feeling escaping through the cracks. She had to move somehow. She couldn't just lie there and waste away. With steady fingers, she made her way onto the bed to fix the bed sheets. Carefully, she placed all anguish and sorrow onto each spread of the fabric. A multitude of apologies rang in her mind as the blanket's corner met with the other.

When Sakura had calmed down, he pulled her into a tight embrace. He smoothed her hair down, raking his fingers through her cherry hair. "It wasn't your fault," He whispered softly, fanning her earlobe with heated breath.

She dusted the furniture, deftly running a damp cloth over long untouched wood. Akane's room, being the romantic that she was, enjoyed the Victorian-themed furnishings that adorned her now color-stripped room. Drawer by drawer, she unraveled her aunt's things. She found her aunt's favorite comb, photos of her favorite lovers, jewelry from countries far away, and other treasures of her aunt. With little interest for what the particular item was, Sakura grasped an antique box that she had pulled out among other belongings. She held it against her arms, begging before whoever or whatever kami ruled above: Keep her aunt happy. That was all she could ask for.

"Wasn't it?" Sakura buried her tear streaked face against Itachi's chest, "I regret having that argument with her before. If I had stayed and listened, perhaps I could've saved her." Her hands grasped the ends of his disheveled shirt, frustration causing her to bite her swollen lips.

"You loved her like a child loves her mother. I'm sure she knew that," His gray eyes could not help but stare into her saddened orbs. "If they saw your unhappy state, how would they feel?" This was going nowhere. He could repeat the same comforting words, but they weren't getting through her. What else was there to do? This was frustrating.

Without noticing, she had managed to open the lid of the box slightly. A piece of paper, turned brown from the torturous scourge of time, had fluttered onto the carpet below. It had taken a while before the pinkette had noticed it. With a sense of urgency, she picked it up and attempted to place it back into the box. It was only when she saw the neatly written plating on the top left of the paper, after further realizing that it was an envelope and not just a piece of worn out paper, that she quickly stood and unraveled the contents. Her heart beat loudly within her chest. With nimble yet trembling fingers, she unsealed the envelope with the words, "Sakura Haruno" onto it.

"I just can't help but feel completely responsible. Reading that letter I…" Her cries had stopped and her mind was more at ease—appearances were deceiving. Within the contents of her mind, she repeated the words in her mind. Whether it brought light or dark into her life, she did not know. "I still can't believe that…"

Itachi did not speak. He knew very well what she meant. The past was a difficult thing. History is written within the passages of time and can never be erased. It can be rewritten by the callous hands of Man, but that wouldn't be history. It would be fallacy. The truth can never be erased; it can only be hidden. He, more than anyone, knew that.

"Dear Sakura," green eyes scanned over the most elegant handwriting she had ever seen. Black ink curled into dainty characters that pulled her into them not for their gentle or perfect shapes—she paid no attention to the handwriting—but for the message contained within them. Beautiful as they were, they were thorns hiding within flower patches.

"I will never really know how to say this to you. You don't know how many times I've attempted and reattempted to write this letter countless times. I have, many times, gone over with how I was ever going to write this, but, in the end, all I can come up with is this:

I am sorry."

Sakura bent over the piece of parchment, the sentence constantly repeating in her mind. She did not understand what her aunt meant, and decided to read further.

"You don't know how sorry I am—to you, your father…and especially your mother. I have gravely done something that I now regret doing. It's been a month since that incident happened, and I am still at a loss. Dear Sakura, I just hope that you are well—wherever you are. After I realized what I had done, I rushed out to find you, but you were nowhere to be found. Oh Sakura, if you knew what I had done, I'm sure that you would NEVER forgive me. Even so, I hope that you are alright. Please come back safely. I pray that kami will not hurt you as a punishment for my sins."

In the same well mannered writing, the name 'Akane' was signed at the end of the letter. Dumbfounded, Sakura smoothed the edges of the paper, wondering what on earth her aunt meant. She sighed, wanting to know the meaning behind her aunt's words. Thus, she grabbed the old antique box and uncovered its contents. A multitude of letters poured out from it, each addressed to common individuals: Sakura, her mother Saku, her father Arata, and someone else whose name was so crudely written she could not decipher it. One by one, she exposed her aunt's words from them—the contents of Akane's and her family's past.

Itachi let out an exasperated sigh as he pecked the top of Sakura's forehead. "Akane loved you. If you did not realize that, then perhaps you really did not know your aunt." Desperation clung to Itachi's voice. He wanted her to simply get over it. The longer she stayed in the pit of despair, the longer it would take it pull her out.

"Dear Sakura," one letter said, "The regret that I felt years ago still lingers. It has been two years as of today, and the memory is still vivid. Demons continuously haunt me; guilt still constricts me. I find myself wallowing in self-pity each and every day. Do you know, the neighbors call me some sort of slutty witch, and they are probably right. Night after night, I let myself be embraced by a multitude of men. Nevertheless, the hot, fiery nights of a man's touch can never replace the warmth that I have doused with my own hands. I am forever within my self-made ice cage. Where are you my dear cherry blossom?

Your brightness, I miss it. You were always a cheerful one, and despite your origins, I have loved you so—even without me realizing it. You got that from your mother: that cheery personality of yours. Your smile, however, is your father's. That cheeky grin of yours is slightly distorted with the right corner of your mouth tugging higher than your left when you do so. That was a quirky trait from your father, one I cannot forget. His smile, his laugh, that idiotic personality of his, that sleek silver hair of his—I can never forget. I hated your father. I truly hated him.

And yet I loved him with all my heart.

Your mother and I both did, and it tore apart our bond. We were one of the same kind, my sister and I. We had the same face, the same body, the same voice, the same pair of steel gray eyes, but we were on polar ends. Saku was like a breath of fresh air amongst a field of flowers. Her red hair and gentle smile made you think of thousands of roses stretched across vast lands. A sea of roses—She embodied our family's last name: Haruno. I, on the other hand, was a hot flame ready to explode. I was always the rebellious one, so your grandparents said, and I carried with me a fiery personality. We weren't ordinary girls either. From childhood, your mother and I were trained in the ways of the nin. Your mother was a brilliant genjutsu-user, and I specialized in taijutsu. Nevertheless, we were known to be as beautiful as roses and as deadly as its thorns. We were one and the same, but we were vastly different. However, our hearts leaned to one man and this was your father.

Your father had just settled in, a traveler who had stopped by to recuperate from his long journey. At the time, your mother and I were 16, blooming with the fullness of youth. Our family owned an inn back then, and it was booming with travelers from all places. Men from everywhere flocked down to have a good night's rest. You could say most of them flocked to get a taste of the famous Rose Sisters, your mother and I. It was all flattering, but our hearts could not be stirred. That is, until your father came on a winter night. Everyone at the inn had gone to bed and your mother and I were left to clean after everyone. Without warning, your father entered the inn with a gust of cold air. Snow mangled with his silver hair, he entered the inn—and our hearts—'by storm'. From there, the wheel of fate began to turn and things would never be the same again.

It was uncommon for a traveler to stay more than a few weeks within our hospitality. He stayed, eventually taking up a job as a helper at the inn. Of course, it pleased us both. Your mother and I stayed up nights talking about the charm your father possessed. He had shoulder-length hair that gleamed like the precious silver; each lock seemed to contain a unique sparkle in each of them. He was an enigmatic one. He never talked about himself nor did he speak of his reasons for staying. He, however, was cheerful. He would smile and make us laugh. He would come to our rescue when some rude, uncouth barbarian would sneak a touch at our well-formed rumps (pigs that they were). He was our prince, and we hoped things would stay as they did.

Unfortunately, we were unaware of the storm that would follow.

I remember that day like it was yesterday. I had been moping around the rooftop, scraping idly at the shingles of our cozy inn. Like a cat, I always opted to stay on higher grounds, and, whenever I fell or dropped down, I'd always land on my feet. That day, the sun was shining as brightly as ever, and the summer breeze beckoned for an end to spring. Summer was my season. Thus, I knew, that I would take advantage of such good fortune and confess to Arata. My sister and I often talked about confessing, but we were afraid. What if our triad friendship falls apart because of measly feelings? What if our tight sisterhood breaks from the pressure? The constant worries that filled our minds began to haunt us until Saku and I finally came to a decision: "All's fair in Love and War. May the best sister win. A promise to have no bitter feelings to whomever Arata would choose." That was our game plan, and we would both find our own time to let him know. However, who knew that with the changing of the seasons came the abrupt changing of the winds as well? We were sisters indeed—our minds were like one.

I was about to jump off the roof as I usually did, careful of my footing as to not slip on the aged roof. I held on to our inn's quaint chimney, ignoring the smoke from the fire below. From the corner of my eye, I spied Arata and Saku in what you could guess was a confirmation of each other's feelings. Arata's lips were on hers as his arms were wound around her waist. A gentle yet powerful kiss—it was obviously my cue to slip away and bury my feelings.

Yet why couldn't I?

That night, I remember entering our chambers and wishing my sister a dear congratulations. With guilt constricting my heart, for the happiness I felt for them were lies, I held her in my arms and told her to continue being happy. Poison lingered within the crevices of my heart—slowing and subtly churning into it the feelings that I never thought I could ever possess.

The days would pass and Arata and Saku's love were very much welcomed by my parents. Of course, her suitors would oppose, but they quietly went without a fight. Their warm goddess that was as gentle as the spring had found her match. And thus, they set their eyes on myself—the fierce goddess of summer. Arata and Saku would, as Saku excitedly and embarrassedly put it, make love. She told me of her first time beneath the moonlight, and I would sit back and listen to her ramble on. At the time, I figured turning my emotions off would ease the pain of hearing the one I loved holding another. While Saku and Arata continued with their pure love, making love because of love, I didn't have a better case.

Out of desperation to feel warmth, I had my first time taken by the town's most renowned bachelor. Rich, good looks, and intelligence beyond compare, he was the ideal man, and, like the others, was infatuated with myself. I couldn't take it anymore. I took advantage of that man's innocent feelings and used it to my will—I used him. I used all of them. My various escapades with the men in the village only grew infamously. Younger men, older men, men with wives, men who were virgins, I never failed to entice any of them save for one I truly wanted."

Sakura let a deep sigh escape her lips, turning her back on Itachi. She couldn't face him. It was probably best if she just got over it, but things were easier said than done. Perhaps it was her monthly hormonal changes that were getting to her and would clear up eventually, but it was nonetheless taking her some time to move on. It was hard to rid her chest of feelings of guilt. Perhaps this was how Akane-oba san felt: the pain of knowing you had caused grief upon multitudes of people. "I try, but how can I? Itachi…" She turned over to face him again, letting his sharp gaze pierce her very soul, "Do you really believe that I have the right to be happy? Knowing the damage that I've done I…"

Itachi tore his gaze away. This pillow talk was getting to him. Did she have the right to be happy? Truth be told, she had every right to be happy. In comparison to him, she had far more rights to be happy. Yet he was probably, at the moment, the happiest man in the world. Beloved at his side, did he deserve such happy thoughts? Even with the weight of his clan's deaths within the chambers of his heart?

"Things went as it did. I was the biggest slut in town, and my sister was having her happiest moments with Arata. However, it didn't end there. News broke that their wedding would soon take place. Our parents had reserved the chapel, spoke with the townspeople, and readied the inn. Everyone in town rejoiced. They sent gifts and gave their blessings to the happy couple. However, while everyone spent their time rejoicing, I spent my time packing. In the midst of their celebrations, I decided it was finally time to move on. I gathered my things and left our hometown and set my sights on a far away town. Travelling, my notorious rendezvous with men continued until I finally decided to settle in the quaint village known as Konoha. It was quiet, happy, and it made me start anew like the freshness of summer mornings.

A place of beginnings—a chance of happiness.

Yet the chance at happiness was as vague as it could be. Who knew that the refreshing breeze could bring with it the tides of war? Our village had been oblivious to the happenings outside it. A Great War had been ensuing outside, yet all of us were merrymaking within the village—how quaint. By the time I entered Konoha, the Great War was at an end. Being adept at taijutsu, I decided to extend a hand towards the village. I stayed in the sidelines, nursing the injured and caring for the civilians. I had no ambitions for the war—or post war—and I was certainly not extending more than the usual splinting and bandaging. Call me selfish, but that was how I lived life at the time.

When calm returned, things slowly went back to how they used to be. Villagers repaired their homes, as did I, and there was peace once again—for most. With the war, numerous towns outside Konoha had been destroyed. One of these towns was my hometown. It was on a random morning when Saku and Arata suddenly reappeared into my life. With suitcases and a heavy heart, Saku and Arata begged that I let them stay. The hometown had been destroyed, the people and our parents with it, were forced to migrate to other villages. Konoha was the closest, safest, town to go to. Apparently, the others too had been destroyed. I stood there, a wine glass in one hand and the other on the doorknob, thinking what on earth was I going to do? And what happened to my efforts of going as far away as possible? Bullshit. In the end, I couldn't do anything. They began living with me. At first, I opted to shut myself away from your parents, drinking and wasting myself away and planning some sort of way to escape. I had even thought of moving to the Mist Village or Cloud village, but those plans were turned to nothing when an adorable child decided to waddle her way into my room…and my heart.

I later found out that nee-chan was pregnant with Arata's child. You were born on a wonderful spring day. Eyes green as the shimmering deep emeralds of the sea, much like Arata's, and hair that was a symbol of their love: silver and red mingled to a cherry blossom pink. Thus, you were named for your hair and the brightness of spring: Haruno Sakura. Much like your mother, you embodied the spirit of our last name.

Sakura, you brought back the light into my darkened heart. You resembled the freshness of my sister, and the brightness of the person I loved. Pink hair, green eyes, and a cheerful smile, you slowly warmed my heart from the day you crawled into my room (tiny as you were). I was ready to scold you for entering my room without permission when I saw those beady, green eyes of yours water with tears. Something took hold of me as I instantly dove down and picked you up in my arms to stop you from crying. From there, I made a subconscious vow to watch over you—the child of the two people I love most in this world. I suppose life has its ironies. Fate seemed to mock me as it gave me a true chance at my own happiness."

Again, Akane's name had been signed at the end of this letter. Sakura, deeply satisfied with her apology, opted to open another letter. One she wished she hadn't opened after all. This letter, seemed to be the most recent of all the letters. The paper hadn't aged, and envelope wasn't old either.

"Dear Sakura, this is yet again another attempt at an apology. I once wrote that I was given a shot at happiness. And, I often, now, find myself to be such a worthless person—if I can even be called human. Perhaps I was simply the vilest person in the world to be able to turn down a chance of happiness all for the sake of love and jealousy. With you knowing everything, I wouldn't be surprised if the very memory of me made you quiver with disgust. However, with everything's that happened, I can only say that I'm glad that you've returned. Now, my fears of you hating me are outweighed by feelings of panic. I don't care anymore. I don't care if you hate me; however, it is crucial that you must know the dangers that you are involving yourself with. Please, I beg you, stay away from Itachi. I shall tell you why:

It was on a moonless night. I had finished some 'business' with a 'friend' of mine when an ominous wind blew. I turned left and right, feeling something was amiss when I spied a tall figure within the shadows. I remember being frozen solid, fear gripping my chest. I couldn't really remember much about him except for his eyes, those repulsive, bloody eyes that held with them the very essence of evil. I'll tell you now, the very reason I was so against Itachi and You is mainly because of those cursed eyes, for the man of shadows that stood before me possessed a pair just like them.

He exited the shadows, a mask covering the entire of his face save for his orbits—those ghastly orbits that I've come to hate and regret seeing. I remember that night vividly. His words, his voice, they were all enchanting. They seemed to possess some kind of power because I had been frozen dead on the spot. I supposed it was some sort of genjutsu, but no amount of cancels could break the technique. I was literally spell bound. He approached me and extended a hand to touch the fringe covering my right eye, "Akane, it matches your name…" I could still remember the feel of his cold fingers trailing down the side of my face, "I've heard about you, and I believe that you'll prove of use to me. A shinobi with no ties to Konoha yet is part of it would make an excellent addition. Why don't you come and join me?"

"Never," Is what I managed to whisper even when his eyes had lowered dangerously at me. "Is that so?" He turned away from me, I still hopelessly frozen, "Such a martyr. You'd rather stay here cooped up with all this pain?"

I let out a gasp, and a rash "WHO ARE YOU?" before he appeared before me again, this time closer than ever, "How about this? I'll help you get your revenge on your sister and her husband. In exchange, all you have to do is be a spy for me on the outside. Come along with me." I remember wondering what the hell was wrong with his head, but that thought quickly disappeared when he mentioned my sister and Arata.

"What on earth would possess me to seek revenge? They weren't in the wrong—"

"Oh? Are you sure? When you clearly loved Arata more than anyone in this world? When it was clearly you who was first to love him? Neither of them were in the wrong? Even when you extended your hand to welcome him into your inn and convinced your parents to let him stay, he only saw you as his friend? Do you still think they were neither in the wrong? Don't lie to yourself. I can see the hatred and desire for vengeance in your eyes. They are all very appealing. Never have I seen a woman possess so much fury in her irises like you." He held my chin up, examining the features of my face closely until he let go. With that, he walked away as if nothing had happened. That man, who was he?

I thought that was the end of it, but it was not. The second time that man appeared, he told me his offer of being a spy. Of course, I vehemently refused. However, with a lewd leer, he planted a kiss and everything went blank. When I woke up, I was on my bed and rumors of disappearances had been spread over town. The third time he appeared again, he planted another kiss and used a jutsu on me. I lost control over my body; however, this time, I remembered what had happened that night. I had infiltrated the Konoha palace and seduced an official—his name slipped my mind—and caused him to spill the secrets of Konoha, one that I, afterwards, retold to that man. And these visits would increase in frequency until, one day, he just stopped.

What followed after that proved to be a shocker. A tailed beast, the kyuubi, had broken out and was out to destroy Konoha. However, this matter was resolved when the fourth Hokage, Minato, somehow sealed the beast. It was later said that the reasons for the tailed beast going awry was unknown. It was also said that the beast had been infused into the child of the fourth hokage. However, that proved to have no importance to me as the man appeared on a moonless night to tell me he would be gone for a while. With a kiss, he told me that he would soon return. With that, he disappeared.

Time had passed and you had grown quite a bit. Arata and Saku were still a happy couple, but things within the economy were changing. Businesses were going down, but life was still manageable with Arata working harder than ever. Unfortunately, I too was the same. Still down trodden with life, I didn't tell Saku or Arata about those meetings. It was only later that I realized the gravity of that man's presence—in the worst way.

It was another moonless night, and I was on my way back from freelancing about the town when a familiar presence caught my attention. I whirled about and found myself in the exact position I had been in years ago. "You!" I yelled when he appeared from the shadows. If it weren't for that stupid mask of his, I could've sworn that a smile was planted on his face. Without a word, he seamlessly stepped forward and kissed a lock of my hair. "Long time no see, Akane…" He was about to lean closer when a figure possessing the very same red orbs appeared within the shadows. "Ah, Itachi, is that you?" He turned around so I could be seen by the man in the shadows. "Itachi, this is Akane. Akane, this is Itachi." He seemed amused with the idea of this introduction.

"I've been given the order," A deep, monotonous voice that held a tinge of despair to it.

"Aa, proceed then." He turned away to give his full attention to me again. "That was Itachi. He's also one of my accomplices. He's a talented boy. Unfortunately, he's also stubborn. But enough about him, how have you been?" I tore my gaze away from him earning a chuckle, "I suppose you'd still say no to my offer?" He pointed to my chest, to that beating thing that had gone cold years ago. "Hmph, you probably don't realize it. I know the desires of your heart." The man leaned over and whispered words that were inaudible to me; however, something seemed to possess me at that moment.

I can't really describe what happened next except that it was all too painful. I remember the disappointed looks of my parents, and how they would always compare me to my older sister. I remember the villager's leers as I passed down the town square. I remember the harsh gossip that went around about me. Most of all, I remember the smiles that Arata and Saku had despite knowing my feelings. I was crushed. Everything went blank. From there, random blurred memories appeared into my vision. I vaguely remember entering my house and meeting Arata at the doorway, then there was a series of flashing memories, most of which I don't remember. There was a scream that I distinguished as Arata's. This was followed by Saku's, and then yours, and then Arata's.

And then there was nothingness.

The next thing I knew, I was being helped up by the anbu of the village. My head hurt like hell, and I could hear the whispers of the people outside. Finally getting my composure back, I turned around to survey my surroundings to find the biggest shock of my life: Arata and Saku were in body bags already ready to be shipped off by the authorities. I screamed, tears pouring out of my eyes as I ran to embrace the cold corpse of my sister. I asked the anbu what had happened, but no one had the proper response. It was then I realized that you weren't around. I tossed and turned, demanding for your location, but they also did not have an answer. Apparently, there had been too many deaths that night.

And as the moon was at its highest peak, an all too familiar figure appeared from the shadows. "You were brilliant, you know?" That voice again. I refused to look this time. Those red orbs of his would be the death of me. "The way you tortured Arata until he lost his senses and went for his own daughter. Priceless." I gasped, holding myself tighter, until my nails dug into my skin. "Don't be like that," he chuckled venomously as he approached my side. He sat, wrapping an arm around me, "You really are fit for me, goddess of the fiery fury," A finger trailed down my side, "Goddess of war," I could feel his gaze as he forcibly turned my head so he could, as his mask had been lifted away, plant a rash kiss on my lips. The nerve! He was a monster! I could sense a deep darkness surging from within him. I pulled away, huddling myself in a corner as far away as possible from him. Those eyes…those red eyes…they were filled with so much despair, anger, and vengeance. He was crazy!

He laughed, grasping his abdomen to hold his laughter, "Ah well," He approached me, grasping a lock of my hair, "I'll come back soon. However, now, I have things I have to attend to." With that, he vanished never to appear in my life again. After that, I remember staying in that corner until the sun arose. When it did, I rushed out to search for you, but you were gone. On that night, there had been many deaths. As I gathered myself up and walked around town in desperate search for you, I heard the story of the day: An entire clan had been killed overnight. The person responsible? Uchiha Itachi.

The memory of that night still unnerved me. Had I really done those horrible things? It was only later that the scenes of that night flashed in my head. Each and every night those nightmares would come back to haunt me. Saku's scream as she rushed to defend you, Arata's misled thoughts—sanity broken—and you…your unsettled tears. I'd kill myself over and over just to set things right, but it's too late now. All I could do was painfully wait for you as my punishment. After all, with everything, I did not deserve the happiness that was offered to me once before.

Thus, please, that man…you must stay away from him. I know Itachi and Sasuke mean well, but the third survivor of their clan does not. That man will use Itachi and Sasuke to find you, and he will harm you just as he harmed me. Yes, Sakura, I already anticipate his coming. He will come again, and when he does, I will die.

I will either die by his hand or kill myself. I will never leave with him. That man's venom is strong, but I shall fight to the end. That man is a curse. He is a monster and deserves death in the cruelest way. I will do my best to protect you until the end, my cherry blossom. So, be strong. Be strong against this man whose name never fails to make my heart cringe in fear:

Uchiha Madara.

I will fight, Sakura, to the end. However, you should know that I love you with all of my heart. I simply hope that when I pass, I'll be able to, if I am permitted by the heavens, to join your mother and tell her how you've grown. However, knowing her, I'm sure that she's always been at your side all this time.

Now that I've told you all of this, please guard yourself well. We love you.

Akane Haruno"

"Yes, everybody deserves happiness." He touched the side of her cheek, grazing her lips with his thumb. Much like a whirlwind of flowers, a feeling of letting go—an epiphany of sorts—washed over him. He would let go of the guilt within his heart just as she would learn to let go. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her against him, his lips catching hers into a deep kiss. "I love you, Sakura." He said firmly within their kiss, "I will give you the happiness you deserve," He smoothed the top of her head. He could see her emerald eyes swim with confusion from his impulsive manners, causing him to grin in satisfaction. "I'm sure that your happiness is what they wanted to give you. Should you feel guilty, it would be because you would not be able to fulfill their dream and that is to make you happy."

Itachi gently knocked foreheads with her, giving her a peck along with it, "But I'll make sure that happens. I'll take over the responsibility of making you happy." She deserved this happiness, but to grant her this happiness and let her let go, he would first have to let go as well. Until he learned to let go, what right did he have to ask her to do the same? So, by the deep regret and sorrowful sadness within his heart, he would apologize, get up from the ground and walk once again. It was only now that he realized there wasn't really any choice. Sasuke and Sakura were his only reasons to live, and, should he continue wallowing in dismayed, and disheartening self pity, he saw no right for him to tell them to move on with their lives.

To chain one's self in the past and burden one's self in relentless guilt got them nowhere. It was time to stand up and walk again. One may stop, but time never stops. It keeps going and going, and the only decision people can make is to either walk and make use of this time or stop and waste their life away. The sands of time were falling grain by grain, and each passing moment wasted by living in the past would never lead them to happiness.

A soft chuckle escaped her cherry pink lips as she returned his peck with another, "Silly man, ever since I was a young girl, you've already made me happy. I'm sure that on that night, mother and father guided me towards you." She grinned, the widest one she'd ever done for the past few weeks, "But, you do know that Akane-ba san asked me to stay away from you Uchihas, right?" She raised a brow, turning towards the slightly opened door, gray eyes looking through them. "Have you finished reading them, Sasuke kun?"

Sasuke quietly entered the room, face hidden from the couple. He cleared his throat, handing the letters and shoving them onto Itachi. "I have." A soft hiss of vexation slithered out of his lips, red eyes fixing onto Itachi who kept a callous mask on despite the Sharingan pointing straight at him.

"Sasuke kun!" Sakura, alerted to the boy's anger, had sat up to separate the two brothers.

"That man!" Sasuke barked at his older brother, "Who was that man? He helped you on that night," Sasuke, completely ignoring the presence of the pinkette, grabbed Itachi by the collar of his shirt, "That man's the third Uchiha, wasn't he?" His eyes dangerously narrowed, "When I read those letters, I remembered things that happened on that night. Of the secrets of the Uchiha household and—" Sasuke was forced to a halt when Itachi grabbed his wrist. Calmly, Itachi pulled away from his younger brother's grip and put some space between them. "Calm down, Sasuke."

"Calm down? Don't tell me to calm down! I may have given up on my intentions to kill you, but it was only because of Sakura! Now I discover that this third Uchiha was responsible for everything…now that I know that YOU helped him achieve this—hurt Sakura and our clan…" He gritted his teeth, red eyes so keen on ripping Itachi apart with all of his anger. His hands reached out to grab Itachi, but were prevented by Sakura who had thrown herself to push Sasuke away. "I may have given up, but I had never forgiven you." In frustration, he turned on his heel and headed out the door way.

"SASUKE KUN!" Sakura yelled out to stop him. Oh dear, things had been looking up. This was her fault. She had asked Sasuke to read the letters because, as an Uchiha, it concerned him. However, was it the right choice? She was beginning to think it wasn't, but Itachi thought otherwise.

"Anger only fogs your mind, Sasuke." Itachi's words had made the younger Uchiha pause. Sasuke was about to whip around and make a smart come back when he felt a huge force push him against the wall. Itachi, in a blink of an eye, had Sasuke pinned against the wall, Itachi's forearm holding him by the throat. Sasuke gasped for air, tearing at Itachi's arm.

"ITACHI!" Sakura yelled, gripping Itachi by the shoulders and attempting to pry him off of Sasuke. "Stop it!" One last attempt and she was going to use her chakra infused hands to throw him—the both of them—off.

"Calm down. I understand your anger, but for the truth to surface, one must have a clear mind." He released Sasuke who had dropped to the floor, choking to breath. "Once you've eased, only then will I tell you—both of you—everything. The truth about the third Uchiha: Uchiha Madara"

Without taking a second glance at Sakura and Sasuke, Itachi smoothly marched off the room leaving a stunned Sakura and a reflecting Sasuke.

"Itachi…" Sakura's eyes trailed after Itachi's figure. She took one quick, sad glance at Sasuke before sinking onto the floor.

Who was he?

Who was Uchiha Madara?

XxxxxxxX

-Alas, Uchiha Madara comes into the story line! I suppose there are silver linings to me not updating as fast. The Naruto updates let me find new events to insert this ItaSaku romance and still incorporate my plot. xD

-Once again, I'd like to thank my readers who continue to wait for my updates even when it takes me eons to update. I do hope that my writing has improved and that, with the thickening of the plot, is worth your waiting! I hope that you all Read and Review, as per usual that I ask, and continue supporting the fanfic =)

-Also, if you guys have any fanart, fan videos or anything about Tabula Rasa, please don't be afraid to share them! I appreciate them very much =) With that said, thank you very much again!

-"…We've been falling all this time, and now I'm lost in Paradise…" –Lost in Paradise, Evanescence 2011