Labyrinthine—an Itachi & Sakura story
By: M. Shiroi

Disclaimer: Naruto and all its characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto.

CHAPTER XX

As the scarred man finally left the dining hall, the three of them sat alone. Faster than she could follow, Itachi formed a combination of seals unknown to her. The next moment, she couldn't hear the sounds of people talking and walking in and around the inn.

"I'll send my bunshin after the shinobi to see where he is headed and if we can find out something interesting," Yamato said lowly, glancing at her. "Did you find out anything new?"

"Not specifically," Sakura said, holding up her hand so that Katsuyu could labor onto it. The tiny snail looked at the three of them. "The family talked mostly about moving to the capital because there would be opportunities there in the form of work and money. It seems they came from the countryside."

Katsuyu bobbed her head. "That is correct. The situation outside of the capital appears to be dire."

"Thank you for your assistance, Katsuyu," Sakura said kindly. Katsuyu's eye-stalks swiveled to meet her eyes momentarily, before she puffed out of existence, back to Shikkotsu Forest.

Yamato peered at Itachi next. "My bunshin is following the scarred man," Itachi whispered. "Though the information gleaned from this shinobi will prove invaluable."

"Lord Pein and his Angel," Sakura said, tapping her chin as she considered. "Mika, the old lady, mentioned Pein being the dictator and the Angel as his enforcer. We found our leader."

"We have a name," Yamato corrected. "I have a feeling this Pein won't be so easy to find."

Itachi frowned. "I have not seen his name mentioned anywhere in the Bingo Book."

"Neither have I," Sakura said, thankful for her photographic memory. She was positive nobody by the name of Pein was written up in the book. Which meant that their mission just got even harder; though they now had a name, they had next to nothing on him when it came to abilities and motive. Any man who could lead the likes of Hidan and Kakuzu had to be fearsome.

"We know who to look for once we reach the capital," Itachi spoke, eyes flitting from hers to Yamato. "We should relay the information to Captain Kakashi and consider our next move wisely. Though Pein seems shrouded in mystery, we can carefully probe citizens of the capital for more information."

"Agreed," Yamato said, leaning back in his chair. "I'll update Captain Kakashi once I relieve him of his duty."

"The Angel is another mystery," Sakura considered. "It is rare nowadays to hear people being referred to as Angels… They're usually seen as a very good sign, aren't they?"

"Correct," Itachi said. "It all seems to be intricately connected to Hanzou."

"I agree. The few witness reports we had over Rain alluded to Hanzou as someone who tolerated no dissidents. Shinobi and civilians alike have been executed simply for criticizing him and his decisions, or have been found dead without explanation." Sakura paused. "It isn't that much of a stretch to theorize that Akatsuki overthrew Hanzou and that… the citizens of Rain are grateful to them."

"In their hopes of a brighter future, they turned to a group they did not understand," Itachi nodded, taking a small sip of his drink. "I'm inclined to agree. Based on the information we have, it seems that is what has transpired."

"Overthrowing Akatsuki would mean destabilizing Rain once again," Yamato said, pushing a hand through his hair. "This country has been through a lot. It's because of a war that a group like Akatsuki has risen to power."

Sakura nodded. "But not doing anything… would mean Akatsuki could continue with their plans for the Jinchuuriki… Whatever they might entail."

"There is no way to do good for all," Yamato said, deep dark eyes lost in thought. "We do what we think is best for the Leaf, for the Fire Country and for the world. That is all we can do."

"People live their lives bound by what they accept as correct and true," Itachi said, a touch of wistfulness in his voice as though he thought of a distant memory. She could tell there was more to the thought than Itachi let on, but his voice had trailed off as he glanced at Yamato. "We should sleep. I'll relieve you in six hours."

"Have a good night," Yamato said, nodding at both her and Itachi. "I'll stay up a little longer."

They said their goodbyes and walked through the reception to the room in silence. As the door fell into the lock behind them, Itachi stepped out of his shoes and looked into the bathroom. "Would you like to go first?" he asked.

"You go ahead," Sakura said with a smile. "You're the first of us who needs to wake."

Itachi nodded quietly as he turned on the bathroom lights. Though she had promised herself not to watch, Sakura couldn't help but glance into the bathroom just as the door closed. From her vantage point, she had a perfect view over his abs as they tightened while he pulled his sweater over his head. She bit her lip and walked into the room, taking the futons out of the cupboard and laying them down.

As the shower turned on, Sakura sat down on the windowsill and looked out of the window. Though Rain was a neighboring country to the Fire Country, the lush forests that were so familiar to her had made place for monotonous, dun-colored grasslands that rolled away to the distant horizon. The wind outside moaned steadily over the waste, sweeping the fine, gritty dust into feathery gusts. A thick, grey blanket of clouds had sealed itself across the sky. Opening one window, Sakura inhaled deeply, finding she could almost smell the incoming rain.

She hugged her knees as she considered the country she was in. One of the most isolated nations in the world, war-torn, dirt poor and downtrodden. How different had her life been if she had been born in Rain's capital city, rather than Konoha? How far were people able to bend before they snapped, choosing to support a radical organization rather than the government they had in place at some point? Was Akatsuki that much better for the citizens of Rain than Hanzou of the Salamander had been?

"Sakura?" Itachi called out, startling her. He flashed a kind smile. "Are you alright?"

"Lost in thought," Sakura said, closing the window. Turning her gaze back to him, she found he had pulled on a black shirt as he fished a brush from his backpack and began combing through his long hair. As though entranced, Sakura watched the long strokes of his brush, secretly wanting to run her fingers through his beautiful, silky hair. "Can I ask you something?"

Itachi cut his eyes to hers. "Of course."

"Is this what ANBU is like?"

A small, humorless smile quirked at his lips. "And what is this?"

She leaned her head against the windowsill. "Making the hardest decisions."

"It is part of it," Itachi said after a long pause. He put the brush away but surprised her by not pulling his hair into his customary ponytail. Instead, he walked to her and sat opposite from her, leaning his back against the window frame. She tried to ignore the way his leg slid against hers while he settled.

"I'm not hesitant," Sakura said defensively, pulling her legs closer to her as Itachi remained silent. His eyes drifted between hers and he nodded quietly. "I just wondered what my life would have been like if I had been born here, instead of Konoha. Akatsuki is my enemy now, and one I'll gladly take down for Naruto's sake and the village. But if I had been born here, would they have been my saviors?"

"Presumably," Itachi said quietly.

"Should I not think about this?" Sakura wondered, turning her gaze out the window again.

"You should," Itachi spoke.

"What was that you said earlier? People live their lives bound by what they accept as correct and true?"

Itachi cocked his head, staring at her for a long moment with an indescribable look in his eyes. "That is how they define reality," Itachi said finally. "But what does it mean to be correct or true?"

She thought on it. "Is there such a thing?" Sakura said out loud, brows knitted together. "Isn't it all perspective and opinion? If we go back to what I said earlier, my ideas, my world is always shaped by where I was born, the people around me and the philosophy of my village. My world would have been completely different if I was born a citizen of Rain."

Itachi brought his elbows to his knees, and his hands momentarily distracted her as he turned his gaze to the outside world. She stared at his long fingers, the faint smattering of hair on the edge of his hands and the blue vein that ran from his fingers down his wrists. "You're very right," Itachi said eventually.
She shuffled a little in her place and stretched her leg further, her knee touching his. She pretended not to notice him turning his gaze to her in the reflective surface and peered up at the moon. Sakura breathed in deeply as his fingers found her knee, absent-mindedly drawing tiny circles on her skin. Boldly reaching out, Sakura gently caressed his leg, following the curve of his calve through the fabric of his pants.

"You've been very thoughtful since the start of this mission," Sakura finally said, not finding it in her to stop touching him. His eyes were drawn to the movements of her hands on his legs before cutting to hers. "Anything in particular on your mind?"

"Have I?" Itachi said, hand slipping to her thigh.

She couldn't help but smile. "Are you trying to distract me?"

"Possibly."

"It's harder than I thought it would be."

"What is?" he asked.

"Being near you without being able to touch you," she said honestly.

"You are touching me," Itachi said, running the tips of his fingers from her thighs to her ankles. She shivered under his touch. For once, she didn't look away but met his heated gaze head-on.

"You know what I meant," Sakura chuckled.

"I do." Itachi's words were only a silent whisper, his hands meeting hers. She slid her fingers into his, reveling in the simple intimacy of holding his hand. Her heart thundered in her chest as she watched how soft the look in his eyes became, despite the heat that danced behind them.

Suddenly, she realized it wasn't a game between the two of them any longer. It wasn't just a magnetic attraction that they felt. There was something small that had grown between the two of them, more than just a physical pull to be together. An understanding, a trust and a tenderness that seemed as intangible as a soap bubble. As though if they were to reach out, stretch out their arms just a bit further than they had been doing to touch its fragile existence, it would cease to exist. They weren't scared it wouldn't work anymore—both Sakura and Itachi were terrified it would work too well.

It reminded her of the feeling she had when she was in the sleeping bag with him and thought of the two of them standing at the abyss. Her breathing came hard as she looked at him, feeling like Itachi was setting her on fire from the inside out. "I want you," Sakura finally blurted out.

In the diffuse moonlight, he looked almost ethereal. He leaned forward, his free hand caressing her cheek. "Sakura…" he said gently.

"Not… just like that," she continued, faintly registering the surprised that passed over his face for a split second. "Not just like that," she breathed.

In an instant, he sat up straight, curling his fingers into her hair as he brought her closer until their lips were only a hair's breadth apart. She felt his hot breath over her lips, captured by his dark eyes. "Is this what you want?"

"Yes," Sakura said, her lips ghosting over his.

"Tell me again," Itachi said in that low, commanding voice.

"I want you, Itachi."

She felt his hand curl around her thigh, tugging her closer to him as he snaked his arm around her and slanted his mouth over hers. He kissed her hungrily and urgently, as though he had finally allowed himself to consume her completely. As she buried her hands in his hair, eager to feel his silky hair run through her fingers, Itachi sat upright, tipping her head back further as he deepened the kiss.

"Tell me," Sakura panted as they broke the kiss to regain their breath.

"I want you," Itachi said, recapturing her lips. He dropped his hand to her leg, wrapping it around his waist as he easily stood from his place, taking her with him. He held her tightly, hands wrapped firmly around her leg as Itachi walked to the futons she had spread over the floor. He kneeled and let her legs go, never taking his lips off of her, his tongue sliding against hers, causing jolts of arousal to shoot around her midsection.

Itachi leaned back just for the briefest of moments to take her shirt off, frowning at her bound chest as he looked down. She giggled as he kissed her again, pulling at the small knot on her back to loosen her bindings. They fell into a rhythm, moaning against each other's lips as they kissed until their breath ran out, building the fire that raged within them. Finally, her bindings fell away from her.

He tipped her back, holding her in his strong arms as he trailed kissed down her neck, down to her chest and breasts. She gasped as his hair spilled over her skin, silky strands tickling her. "Beautiful," he whispered to her heated skin, tongue wrapping over her hardened nipple. She gasped and undulated in his grasp, the wet sound of him sucking on her driving her arousal to new heights.

"I want to see you," Sakura managed, pulling on his shirt.

He released her, helping her as she wrapped her fingers around the bottom of his shirt. Time came to a grinding halt as little by little of his muscular stomach came into view, the cut of his muscles and the faint line of hair that trailed into his pants. His sculpted chest was perfect, marred only by a few tiny birthmarks. She would take her time exploring those with her lips.

Her mouth ran dry as she ran her fingers over his chest, enjoying the way his muscles jumped beneath her fingertips, his skin heated. She whimpered as she pressed her hand against his heart, feeling it beat as rapidly as hers. He looked up at her, dark eyes full of longing, thumbs dragging over her nipples.

"Admire me later, Sakura," he said, voice low and husky.

"I've been waiting for a while to admire you, Uchiha-san," she joked, drawing a chuckle from his lips. Using her chakra-enhanced strength, she pushed him onto the futon, pinning him to the bedding with her arms. He looked surprised for a moment, but it soon passed into something so dark and heated it stole her breath away.

She nuzzled the crook between his shoulder and head, drawing in a deep breath as she took a moment to familiarize herself with his scent, pressing kisses to his chest. His skin felt scorching beneath her lips and as she teased his nipple with the tip of her tongue, a soft groan rewarded her. Beneath her abdomen, she could feel how hard he was, sending a wave of delicious shivers down her body.

Releasing his wrists, Sakura made her way down his stomach, tongue trailing over every dip and curve of his muscles. Instantly, Itachi flipped them around, loosened her pants and pushed them down her hips, along with her black panties. She gasped as he kissed her hip, slowly making his way down her thigh and then to her center. "Do you have any idea what you're doing to me?" Itachi whispered to her skin, his words setting her further on fire.

In response, she rocked her hips against him, causing him to pull harder at her pants until he freed one leg, allowing the material to pool around the other. She gasped as she felt his hot breath against the apex of her thigh, groaning as he spread her legs wide for him. Sakura glanced down the length of her body to meet his gaze, hot and desirous and while keeping his eyes on her, brought his mouth to her wet center.

She whimpered as his lips explored her, gently at first and moaned when his tongue dipped into her folds. She squeezed her eyes shut at the sensation, hands in his hair while her legs trembled in his hands. "Look at me," Itachi said, ceasing his movements until she carefully cracked open an eye.

Brokenly, Sakura moaned his name as he flicked over her clit with the tip of his tongue, giving it a quick suck. He flattened his tongue against her, tracing down the length of her slit and back up again. Slack-jawed, she held onto his hair, keeping her gaze trimmed on his as he swirled his tongue in tight circles around her clit. Everything from the look in his eyes to the feel of his tongue on her skin and his fingers holding her wide open was better than she had ever fantasized, better than she ever had before.

"Itachi…" she managed to whisper. She felt rather than saw him smile against her folds as he withdrew one of his hands, his finger tracing the length of her slit, then pushing it in achingly slowly. Distantly, she was aware she was holding her breath as he began to pump his finger into her, mouth open in a silent scream, but it felt too good to think of anything else than the feelings he was bringing out. She pulled mercilessly at his hair as he pushed in a second finger, his tongue lapping relentlessly at her sensitive nub.

Her body tensed as she hurtled toward her release, the wet sound of his fingers pumping into her, the soft groans he was making against her clit and the dark look in his eye all driving her forward, her aching heat building until she saw stars. "Comi—oh gods, Itachi," she whimpered, gasping between each word.

He captured her lips just as her orgasm hit, causing her to moan loudly into his mouth as he continued fingering her, his lips and tongue tasting of her. Her vision turned white and fuzzy, thighs trembling as she twitched and jerked around his fingers, pleading for him not to stop.

It took a moment for her to come down from her high. When she finally opened her eyes, Itachi had maneuvered himself beside her, head resting on his palm while his fingers were still inside of her, lazily moving back and forth as he observed her tenderly. "Beautiful," he said, voice low as he leaned forward to place a gentle kiss on her mouth.

"Sorry about your hair," Sakura croaked, causing him to laugh quietly.

"It's fine, Sakura."

"My turn, I think," she said, deliberately eyeing his bulge. His cock pressed and strained against the fabric of his pants and as she stroked him through his clothes, Itachi let out a soft hiss. His eyes looked back and forth between hers as he lifted himself, helping her to free him of his pants.

Her eyes went wide as his member sprang forth. The line of hair that ran from his navel ended at the base of his cock. It was throbbing and thick, her eye drawn to a vein that ran from just below the tip all the way to the base. Her mouth watered at the idea of touching and tasting him. Swallowing thickly, she looked up to meet his gaze, finding he had been watching her reaction to him.

Gingerly, Sakura reached out to touch the velvety tip, eyes trimmed on him to watch his reaction as he stared at her movements, holding himself between thumb and forefinger for her. She ran her fingers down his length, memorizing the feel of him and reveling in the sound of his quiet groans and hisses. When she reached the base of his member, she wrapped her fingers around him, kissing him as she gave him an experimental stroke.

Itachi's hand shot up into her hair as he groaned into her mouth, giving her bottom lip a quick suck. She stroked him again, moaning as she elicited another groan from him that sent fire licking down her body. Her heart beat so hard she felt nearly dizzy as she pushed down his length and back up again, finally increasing her rhythm.

The sound of her name spilling over his lips as a quiet moan had her breath quicken and her thighs clench together. His fingers tightened around her hair and she was awestruck with the sight of him closing his eyes, erratic breaths coming quickly as she stroked him to completion. This was one of the strongest and most fearsome shinobi of her time and he trusted her enough to let her see him in such a vulnerable state, wrapping one of his hands around hers as he showed her what he liked.

Biting her lip, Sakura pushed him to his back, settling quickly between his legs. He leaned on his elbows, looking down at her. "Sakura… you don't have to."

"I want to," she said deliberately. Sakura opened her mouth, sticking her tongue out enough to teasingly trace the vein that ran from the base of his cock to the tip, watching him with a thrill as his mouth fell open. Keeping her eyes on him, she curled her fingers around him and took him into her mouth. Itachi tipped his head back, gasping as she swirled her tongue around the head, enjoying the taste of him as she tried to fit as much as possible of him inside her mouth.

Unable to stop herself, she watched as his muscles stretched and rolled as she bobbed her head up and down his length, drawing soft groans from his lips. Itachi opened his eyes again, dark eyes meeting emerald as he gently cupped her cheek. The simple gesture caused heat to erupt throughout her body, throbbing deliciously in her veins as they maintained eye contact. She was still pleasuring him, but this wasn't like anything she had ever done before. It was intimate, tender and for a moment, everything around them fell away. She had tunnel vision as she sucked on him, stroked him with her tongue all the while watching him inch closer to the edge of oblivion.

"Sakura—" Itachi managed to say as a warning.

In return, she suckled harder on him, gently playing with his sac as she felt him tense. His hips jerked unconsciously, thrusting up into her mouth. She moaned around him, laying her free hand on his hip as she picked up her pace, feeling his cock stiffen in her mouth as he let out a shuddering breath, unwilling to break eye contact with him.

His cock pulsed and he let out a low moan, the muscles on his stomach and legs jumping as he came against the back of her throat. Gently thrusting into her mouth, Itachi covered his face, dropping on his back while his other hand continued to stroke her cheek gently. She swallowed around him, memorizing the taste of him until he had no more to give her. Slowly, she rose from between his legs and lay down beside him, curling up into his side as she watched him land back on earth.

Itachi slid his hand up her back, into her hair and gently guided her mouth to his. He kissed her slowly and thoroughly, stealing the breath from her lungs as he reached over and pulled the blanket over the two of them.

"Was this more in line with your fantasy?" Itachi finally said. She laughed at the hoarse quality of his voice, drawing random figures on his chest with her fingers.

"Well, I was prepared for a… rougher treatment," Sakura said with a grin, looking up to find him returning the smile. He pulled her closer to him, gently kissing her. "You keep surprising me," she said, purposefully mirroring the words he had once uttered to her.

In his arms, she felt more safe and cherished than she ever had in her life. As his half-lidded eyes looked down at her with so much warmth dancing behind his dark gaze, it occurred to Sakura that she had never felt this way before. She could see the sentiment mirrored in his expression; something passed between the two of them that they had perhaps been expecting since that day in the sleeping bag, but hadn't allowed in until this very moment.

"Oh no," Sakura groaned.

"What is it?" Itachi asked, eyes immediately alert.

"You have to relieve Yamato soon."

"Hm," Itachi said, lifting himself onto an elbow to check the clock behind him. "I have to leave in an hour and a half."

"You should sleep," she said, yawning surreptitiously against his chest.

"I tried," Itachi whispered to her forehead. "A pink-haired woman came in to distract me from my nap."

"How terrible," Sakura gasped mockingly.

"Indeed."

A/N: Don't say I didn't warn you! It's been a long time coming.

Happy 20th chapter! Maybe I should start wrapping up Lab... It's growing out of proportions long...

Chapter dedicated to Peachandbetty who came up with a reason to leave work early for this chapter! Please check out her amazing new ItaSaku fic called 'A Book Worth Reading' – also beta'd by yours truly! But it's also dedicated a bit to Kakashisgf who very nicely asked for a NSFW chapter 3 Hope you enjoyed it.

Thank you all for your amazing and lovely reviews. Each one of them arriving in my inbox seriously makes my day. Itasaku world: NSFW = Not Safe For Work.

See you next time!

- Mitsuki