B o u n d
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Y o u
{ 2 }
"She's fainted."
"Wonderful." The Hokage shook her head, wondering just what else could possibly go wrong today.
"It is to be expected. Having lost so much blood."
"I have a feeling it might have more to do with the fact she's now bonded to an Uchiha."
The silence was suddenly broken by a small if not slightly dark chuckle.
"I fail to see how this situation is amusing." He stated, glancing at the blonde woman who swallowed her laughter for the sake the pink haired medic.
"Really? It's quite funny actually."
Itachi's curiosity was piqued.
"How so?"
"She finally got what she wanted, just with the wrong brother."
"Hn."
Green eyes opened and blinked.
Once, twice, three times before stubbornly closing shut.
"You can't keep pretending this isn't all happening Sakura."
"I can try." The pinkette grumbled.
Tsunade sighed, settling herself on foot of her bed, an unreadable expression on her face.
Although Sakura remained motionless on the hospital bed, her mind was racing with thoughts that seemed to pile on top of eachother until she was left with a tower of questions, worries and anxieties. Why was this happening to her? How was this even physically possible? She didn't use any binding jutsu. It made absolutely no sense. Was Kami trying to punish her for all the times she secretly read those damned icha-icha novels when she constantly berated her sensei for purchasing them? Maybe karma did exist. All she wanted was to help, not bind herself to the older brother of the man she loved! Somewhere out there, a god was laughing it up in the heavens, she was sure of it.
"Shishou."
The blonde fixed Sakura with her eyes.
"I didn't plan for this. This wasn't what I wanted."
"I believe you Sakura. But it makes me wonder, what did you want then?"
That question, said so simply yet held such gravity made the pinkette pause, unsure of her answer and how to even articulate a response.
"I don't know. It just didn't feel right. Watching him just die…" The pinkette trailed off suddenly, feeling goosebumps raise on her flesh. Against her will, her eyes immediately latched onto another pair, one she simply couldn't read. He just stared intensely, even more so as she responded to her mentor's question.
"...when the village could have gained some knowledge or have him as a prisoner..." She finished lamely.
Tsunade hummed again, raising a blonde brow quizzically, clearly not convinced with her apprentice's reply but thankfully she didn't push her for a better one, at least not at the moment.
Silence passed again. This time it was much more tense than the last.
This whole ordeal was completely surreal. Having someone bonded to you sounded like some plot line in one of Jiryaya's novels, not something that happened in reality, much less hers. Serves her right for involving herself with those damned Uchihas.
Just when Sakura was about to bury her head in the pillows, maybe to smother herself so that she could escape this nightmare, Tsunade stood up and smoothed out the wrinkles in her robes.
"Well, this situation needs to be handled with the utmost discretion. I'd like to speak with you further Itachi, regarding those lies and secrets you mentioned earlier. For now, I don't think you are an immediate threat to the village considering your...ties to my apprentice, which is why I'm going to let you walk out of this room alive…"
Disbelief was evident in Sakura's eyes while Itachi remained stoic. The only change in his body was the quick nod towards her sensei.
"...however you are under house arrest with Sakura as your guard until further notice."
Wait.
"WHAT?!" She shrieked after processing her teacher's last statement.
Tsunade crossed her arms over her ample chest and leaned over Sakura, challenge clear in her hazel eyes.
"What? Did you expect me to appoint some other kunoichi to watch over the mess you made?" Her voice was dry and clearly the question was rhetorical so the pinkette settled for looking at her hands quietly.
"Seriously Sakura. You should be crying tears of joy that neither of you are going to jail and your face isn't being printed in every bingo book. For now at least." She added the last part almost to herself before straightening her posture and glancing at both shinobi present in the room.
"Okay so here are a few ground rules for the both of you." She held up her fingers in the air, each one going down as soon as she listed an order.
"Rule number one, this arrangement stays strictly between the three of us. Until everything is laid out before me, lies, scandals whatever you have to come clean about Itachi, no one can know about your presence here in the village. If Sasuke spreads the word that he killed you in battle, then that is what the world will believe."
He simply nodded, clearly unperturbed that for now, he was dead to the whole world.
"Rule number two, if either of you find out more about your...circumstances, yes I mean that red imprint on your chest, you must notify me immediately."
Green eyes strayed once more to the circle on Itachi's chest but noticed he had already fixed his clothes. Nevertheless her curiosity was there. If one of the side effects of the jutsu was him being somewhat tethered to her life force, what other effects are there?
"And lastly, rule number three, you are to remain with each other at all times. Wherever she goes, you follow and vice versa. It's as simple as that. And make sure to keep hidden. Shinobi are bound to notice something, especially with a chakra signature as strong as yours. We cannot risk exposure here. Besides, we have not yet established trust so at the moment you're still a flight risk. Understood?"
Sakura saw understanding reflected in his eyes. But other than that, there was no actual change in his expression.
Just great. It seemed his capacity for verbal speech was just like his younger brother's; practically non-existent.
Sasuke.
Dark eyes suddenly filled her mind. So did the feeling of hurt and betrayal.
Sakura swallowed and blinked the hot tears that welled up in her eyes away.
Screw that bastard.
She wasn't going to wallow over an ass like him. Nevermind the fact she'd spent most of her childhood and teenage years loving him. All that ever truly mattered to him was revenge, his damned pride as an Uchiha and power.
Her hand fisted the crisp sheets over her weak form.
Itachi's eyes followed the slight movement and noted her expression. Her brows were furrowed, eyes rapidly blinking and suddenly red. An inkling of curiosity filled him just then. He would ask her about it later on. After all, if he had to share quarters with her, it would be beneficial to know more about her.
Tsunade picked up a clipboard hanging on the foot of her bed and nodded before addressing Sakura.
"Alright. Your vitals are good and so far you're stable. Quite an accomplishment after all the blood and chakra you've lost. If I wasn't so shocked with the situation...I'd actually be impressed." Her mentor had a firm expression on her face but her eyes were filled with mirth and a glint of pride.
Despite the heavy atmosphere and difficult circumstances, Sakura felt glad by those few words from her sensei. Comfort was never the Hokage's strong suit but clearly she was making an effort for her sake. Something Sakura wasn't sure she even deserved.
"I'll be leaving now. You may do so when you're feeling up to moving around." The blonde was already at the door before she looked back and said with a serious expression on her face.
"No one can know Sakura. We both know how curious and vocal your friends can be so be careful of whatever you say to them."
With a swish of her jade green robes, her Shishou was gone, leaving a stoic Uchiha and a bewildered Sakura alone.
"So…" She started, wondering what else to talk about with an infamous missing nin in her hospital room.
The weather? No, too pathetic.
"Why?" His voice, Sakura noted, was smooth and deep. Definitely not the usual gruff and scratchy tone she'd expected from most men.
"Why what?"
"Why didn't you leave me to die?"
Well. He certainly didn't beat around the bush.
"I-i already answered."
"No. You didn't, not completely at least."
Damn him. And damn her! What good is a shinobi who can't even lie properly!
"Why does it even matter? Aren't you just glad you aren't six feet under the ground?" She said, trying to evade the question.
"I'm unsure whether to be grateful or displeased. After all, I was ready to-"
"What? To die?!" The monitor next to her bed started beeping louder and rapidly as her heart rate rose.
Just great. Sakura had unknowingly bound herself to a mass murderer by saving his life, thoroughly making hers all the more difficult and he wasn't even grateful? This was the thanks she got for using up her chakra, blood and goddamn life force?!
Her eye twitched slightly in anger.
"Yes. I have completed my mission and passed on my abilities to Sasuke. There is no other reason to keep living. Especially after what I've done to the rest of the clan."
"...for someone who is supposedly a genius, you're surprisingly stupid." She muttered darkly.
"Excuse me?"
"Don't you see? You've got a completely clean slate! From what I saw on that battlefield, it's clear you actually care about your brother. Why not make things right with him? Or I don't know, do something besides just killing-"
"You're telling a shinobi to stop using his skills?"
He really wasn't making this any easier.
An aggravated sigh left her lips.
"...fair point. Fine, forget what I just said. I guess what I'm trying to say is you aren't just a killing machine. No one is. So why not use the blood I gave you for something besides fulfilling someone's orders?"
Her irritation cooled somewhat after voicing out her opinion on the matter. Now she settled for slumping on the two pillows behind her back as she waited for another monotone response. When none came, she glanced at Itachi and was surprised to see him staring intently at her.
"What?" She said.
"You are a strange kunoichi."
"I'll take strange over weak."
Silence again.
She locked eyes with him once more and found him staring, again.
"Ugh. Now what? Seriously, if you're going to be living under my roof, you better learn how to talk like a normal person. That means actual words, not just grunts or nods."
He seemed to be in the middle of nodding when he caught himself and spoke instead.
"Your last statement implies that someone has called you weak before."
"Yes."
"I find that hard to believe."
The pinkette's eyebrows raised at that.
Did Itachi Uchiha just compliment her?
But before she could question that any further, the door suddenly swung open, revealing a very orange and blonde shinobi who currently had tears running down his face.
"SA-KU-RA-CHAAAAAAAN!"
"Oh hell-" Sakura braced herself for impact.
"NO!" Ino suddenly materialized out of thin air, grabbed Naruto by his shirt and pulled hard, effectively cutting off his run towards the pinkette.
"Arg! Let me go Ino!"
"Like I said Naruto, NO! Can't you see forehead is just getting better? Imagine how much longer she'd be stuck here if you trample all over her with that damned Kyuubi's chakra!"
"I was going to hug her." He pouted, crossing his arms.
"Sure. 'Hug'." Ino's pale blue eyes rolled at Naruto and Sakura, the implication clear in her voice. Thankfully Naruto was too dense to follow the conversation which meant the girls merely laughed by themselves.
"It's alright Ino-pig, but thank you for the thought. Guess I should end up in the hospital more often if you're going to be this nice to me." Sakura couldn't help teasing her childhood friend who in turn gave her a smirk.
"Don't get used to the sweet treatment you're getting from me though." The blonde woman remarked before coming forward and settling a modest yet beautiful bouquet of stargazers by her bedside. The petals were dewy and white save for a few strips of pink spreading from the center. "This is only because I'm grateful I don't have to find some uglier rival. "
"I think you meant beautiful." Sakura hummed, appreciating the gift Ino had brought.
The pinkette was so lost in the comfort and familiar feeling of having her friends around that she completely forgot about Itachi. Her eyes quickly scanned the area, worried Naruto and Ino might have caught a glimpse of the Uchiha.
Where are you?
By the window, under a genjutsu.
Sakura gasped in shock.
Ino and Naruto looked at her at the same time, worried expressions on their faces.
"You okay there forehead? What happened?"
"Yeah Sakura-chan! Is it your head? Hang on I'll call a nurse."
"N-no! It's okay, I'm okay!" She sat up and pasted a large smile on her face, hoping to put both her friends at ease.
There was no mistaking it. She just heard Itachi in her head, responding to her own thoughts as if he were right next to her.
"Do you need some painkillers? Or food?" Ino asked, worry evident in her pale blue eyes.
I'm going crazy. It's official. I'm completely and clinically insane.
How so?
I'm hearing another person's voice in my head and I'm actually talking to it!
The heart monitor started beeping loudly again.
"I-i just need...need…a..."
Both blondes leaned forward, waiting.
Kami this makes no sense.
Agreed.
Please stop talking back, it's freaking me out!
You're the one speaking to me. I am merely replying.
I didn't think this was real or you were going to respond!
Speaking of replying, I think you should say something. Your friends may get suspicious.
What should I say? Oh sorry, I'm currently having a conversation with a missing nin in my brain right now. Can I take a message?
...You can be quite hostile.
Shut up!
You asked me a question.
Kami make this stop! Ugh what the-
"FUCK!"
Oh no...
"What?" Naruto scratched his head in confusion. "You need a fuck?"
It seemed like Sakura's words finally processed in his head and realization dawned on him. His whiskered cheeks suddenly flamed red at the pinkette before him.
"Uhm...I-" Sakura's cheeks weren't any better. She flushed at her wrong choice of words and for allowing a profanity to slip past her lips at such a terrible time.
Ino narrowed her eyes for a brief moment and in the space of those few seconds, Sakura thought Ino might have gotten into her head and heard everything.
"Well, well forehead. Never thought I'd hear you admit that." She shook her head suddenly, shrugging then flipped her long mane of platinum blonde hair behind her.
"But hey, who am I to deny you your needs?" A mischievous smirk appeared on Ino's lips.
"In fact, I'm glad you almost died. You're finally listening to my words of wisdom and realized spending your last moments as a virgin would have been pathetic." She snickered good naturedly.
"Come on Naruto. Let's go boy hunting for Sakura-chan here." Ino grabbed the collar of Naruto's shirt before dragging him out of the room despite his loud protests. But before both blondes left, Ino waved, saying "We'll see you later! And don't forget to fill us in on what happened yeah?"
"Forget it Ino! I ain't finding some guy for Sakura-chan. And maybe she doesn't really mean that? She probably hit her head really hard or something…"
Sakura immediately felt a pound of lead drop into the pit of her stomach. How the hell was she going to explain her sudden disappearance from her mission with the rest of team seven? Or why she ended up in the hospital? All without mentioning both Uchiha brothers.
The rest of their conversation faded as the door swung shut behind them once more.
Sakura waited a few moments, afraid they would return suddenly but the door was locked shut by a pale hand, ensuring no one else would enter unannounced.
Itachi then turned to her, blank and unmoving.
"What the hell was that?" She began, panic still evident in her voice but this time she tried to calm herself and speak normally.
"I heard you in my head."
"Yes, I heard yours in mine as well."
Sakura rubbed her temples in slow and deep circles, hoping to calm herself.
"We better tell Tsunade-sensei about this."
She deftly and expertly removed all the tubes and wires attached to her body and swung her legs off the bed, only to be stopped by a pale hand.
"What are you doing?" She questioned, suspicion lacing her tone.
Itachi fixed her with a blank stare and tightened his grip on her wrist.
Already on edge, Sakura immediately commanded her chakra to pool in her hand, this way she could break his arm before he could spring a surprise attack.
"Calm yourself. If I wanted you dead, I wouldn't have brought you here."
"That may be true. But that doesn't mean you can't hurt me."
"Hn. I understand your unease." He loosened his fingers around her, but only slightly.
"However I won't harm you. I see no reason to."
His eyes never left hers. It felt as if she was being pinned onto the bed with just his stare. And his sharingan wasn't even activated. What was this? Sakura swallowed and hoped he wouldn't notice her rising heart rate thanks to the machine next to her. His other hand pulled the sheet over her form once more. The gesture was done slowly, almost carefully. Obviously he didn't want to give her any reason to be afraid of him. Yet still she couldn't completely relax around the dark haired man. Even though their life forces may be connected now somehow and according to her mentor, he can't technically kill her. However all of these thoughts and assumptions were based on theory so far. Judging from the Hokage's expression, this whole ordeal wasn't something she encountered before. That mere fact scared her. If a legendary kunoichi like her can't figure this jutsu out, who could?
"Fine. Let's say you aren't trying to kill me right now. Then why exactly did you stop me from moving?"
"Your chakra reserves are still quite low. You haven't completely healed yet. Travelling right now isn't the best option."
Well.
She wasn't expecting that.
"Oh."
He stepped back but he was still well inside her personal space.
"Didn't you hear Tsunade-sensei? She said my vitals are good and-"
"So far you're stable. Meaning it can change if you were to overexert yourself."
And why should her well-being matter to him?
Sure she saved his life but that didn't mean he had to dote on her and nurse her back to health.
"Why do you care?"
The question came out of the blue and already Sakura regretted it. But curiosity was burning her from the inside out. Was this some plan to get her to trust him only for him to stab her in the back once he got more information about their bond? Regardless, she had to always be on her guard, especially towards an Uchiha.
Itachi didn't answer immediately and the silence stretched on. A few moments later the pinkette decided he just wasn't going to answer and turned away.
"I don't. I am merely curious."
She nodded at this.
"About the bond."
He shook his head slightly.
"About you."
Green eyes clashed with his and for the second time that day, she felt something heavy fall deep into the pit of her stomach.
She wasn't sure which was worse. A quiet, brooding Uchiha or a blunt outspoken one. But while Itachi looked at her like that, she had a feeling she was going to find out, whether she wanted to or not.
AN:
Hello! Sorry for the long wait but here's the update and another one is on its way. Thank you for those who reviewed, read and stuck by this story of mine. I truly appreciate the support and hope you enjoy this. Leave me a review and tell me whatchu all think of their bond so far. - MKSS