When Itachi came to his senses, he was in a small bedroom. It was a simple, modest room, and he immediately knew something had to be wrong. He had expected to wake up in the hands of the Akatsuki still, he believed that Sakura would be by his side. Now he was all alone in a strange place. Sitting up, he noticed his things were on the floor next to the bed. He immediately reached out to grab Kusanagi, readying himself to face whatever would come. He needed to find out where he was and what had happened to Sakura.
Slowly and silently he tiptoed to the door, slightly opening the door to make the least amount of noise possible. He saw a simple hallway with two closed doors and the edge of a staircase. One of the doors began to open and Itachi quickly closed his door. Keeping an ear to the floor he listened to the sound of footsteps, waiting for them to grow closer.
As soon as they were right outside his room they stopped, and before the other person could take the initiative, Itachi quickly and suddenly opened the door, jumping forward with Kusanagi to threaten whoever had captured him.
A woman's scream pierced his ears, and his eyes widened when he noticed who it was. Ino trembled under his grip, her wide blue eyes fixed on the blade resting next to her neck. The sound of hasty footsteps echoed as reinforcements arrived, but Itachi had already let go of her.
Ino leaned against the wall, holding her hands near her chest as she glared at Itachi. Sai joined them, holding his own weapon, looking alarmed.
"I'm sorry." Itachi apologized to Ino. True to her steely nature she quickly recovered, retaliating with an angry scoff.
"Good to see you're up and about." She didn't look happy, and Itachi didn't blame her at all.
Still, Itachi felt like there was a huge gap in information. The last thing he remembered was watching Madara burn in Akatsuki land. How did he come to be in a humble house with Ino and Sai.
"Where's Sakura?" He asked. Itachi knew Ino would prioritize her sister over him, so he wondered where she was.
"She's sleeping. Master Jiraiya said she's fine and she'll wake up soon. I suppose she just doesn't recover as fast as you." Ino crossed her arms and pushed herself off the wall, walking towards Sai. Itachi followed her, and soon the three of them were sitting in the small living room.
"Jiraiya was here?" Itachi asked, wondering what caused the elusive hermit to get involved.
"Trust me, I don't know much of what's going on either." Ino muttered.
"Tell me what you know, and I'll put the pieces together." Itachi couldn't help but command her. He was still worried about the situation at hand, but seeing her unimpressed eyebrow raise, he sighed, correcting his statement. "I mean, we'll put the pieces together."
Itachi didn't like the small smirk that fleetingly graced Sai's face. The trained spy allowed Ino to take control of the conversation as he set off to find food and water for Itachi.
"It all started two? Almost three days ago. Madam Tsunade showed up out of nowhere, saying she was sending us after you. She made a portal and pushed us in, telling us to make contact with Jiraiya. Little did I know that meant entering a frog." Ino shivered and paused, her face full of disgust. "The old man told us to stay in his frog because apparently you were fighting some zombie guy. Then out of nowhere he spit us out, telling Sai to secure you. I stayed back and watched him and Sai jump into the middle of a group of weirdos, who were hovering around you and Sakura. Jiraiya started talking and out of nowhere Kakashi also showed up. As soon as that happened there was a large explosion? Smoke? I don't know what caused it, but nobody could see anything, and next thing I know I'm inside a frog stomach, again! Then it spit me out here, alongside everyone else." Ino told her tale. Itachi had a feeling she was leaving a few things out, but he didn't call her out on it.
"Master Jiraiya has returned to Akatsuki, he said he has something to discuss with their leader. Kakashi said he needed to report to Prince Naruto. We're responsible for your safe return to Capital City." Sai amended Ino's story.
Itachi wished he could have discussed things directly with Kakashi, but he'd make do with who he had.
"I'll check on Sakura." He decided he could think things through later. For now he just wanted to see her.
"Wait. First, we're not going to Capital City. We're going to Konoha. There's no way we're going there before Naruto is back in Fire. Tsunade will have Itachi arrested and executed for treason before we can even react." Ino looked at Sai, who in turn looked displeased.
"Kakashi said…" Sai began, but Ino didn't give him an opportunity.
"Oh I know what the old man said, and I don't care. I told you that old hag is cooking something up and she might have done the whole enemy of my enemy thing, but now that the common enemy is gone, there's no guarantee she won't spin things against Itachi again." Ino's defense surprised Itachi. He wasn't expecting her to not only want to keep him alive, but be willing to go against her superiors to do so.
"Why does Tsunade want me dead?" Itachi asked Ino, finally seeing why Kakashi had taken her in.
"I heard this the day we left, and I can't confirm its credibility at all." Ino turned serious blue eyes towards Itachi. "Since the death of Queen Kushina, there are rumors that the King might be willing to step down and retire from the public eye. The close ties of Prince Naruto and the Uchiha Clan are not exactly unknown, and combined with your new and sudden appearance in the court circles again, there are many who believe that the crown prince would choose you as his Grand Wizard." Ino explained.
Itachi nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. He knew Tsunade would hate to lose her position to an Uchiha, and he didn't doubt that she'd love to frame him for some crime. He still remembered how much his father had schemed to get her position over the years, and had no doubt that she also remembered all the times the Uchiha gave her a hard time, questioning her decisions at every turn.
"So what do you want to do? Hide in Konoha until my innocence and life can be guaranteed by Naruto?" Itachi asked. "I still willingly joined the Akatsuki, to save Sakura." Itachi admitted. He hadn't expected to be easily welcomed back to Fire, and he didn't want people to fight over his status as a reputable man.
"Pfft, I know what you did and I don't think anyone cares. All we need to do is tell the world you were working there undercover and you stopped them from enacting their big evil plan. See people are inherently forgetful. We just need to make sure Tsunade can't ruin your reputation too hard too soon, just until Naruto comes back. When he does, he'll be announced as the next King, his wedding to Lady Hyuuga will take all the spotlight and everyone will completely forget your stint with Akatsuki." Ino flipped her hair backwards in her usual style. Itachi admired her insight into the general population, Kakashi was an excellent operative, but Ino was a much better manipulator.
"How do you suggest keeping my image safe from Tsunade?" Itachi decided he'd trust her here, after all he didn't really know much of Fire Country's peoples and their thoughts at all.
"I'm so glad you asked…" Ino's devious smile terrified Itachi.
.
.
.
When Sakura opened her eyes, she was back in her room in Itachi's home. It was such a familiar sight that she teared up. She felt that it had been too long since she looked at the pastel wallpaper and the gentle floral patterned quilt. Ino was snoozing on the armchair, sitting in an uncomfortable position. When Sakura sat up, she felt her muscles complaining and her head aching, but she didn't care, too happy to finally be safe.
Throwing the blankets to the side she headed to the bathroom to relieve herself first. When she looked at herself in the mirror she smiled, her hair was clean and her face washed. She guessed that Ino had looked after her while she had been unconscious. Returning to her room, she kneeled next to her sister. Sakura poked her and blew on her face, just as she used to do when they were kids. Ino twitched and moved until she eventually woke up, an annoyed look at her face.
As soon as her blue eyes met Sakura's green ones, they melted into warmth, a large smile blossoming on her face. The blonde pulled Sakura for a tight hug, and Sakura giggled as she could once again fully experience her sister's hug. She had been too stressed out to wholly enjoy the full return of her senses, so to be able to calmly feel her sister's warmth, the tickling of her long, blonde hair, and the sound of their breaths mingling made Sakura cry in joy.
"Why are you crying?!" Ino was shocked, and Sakura simply laughed, trying to dry out her tears.
"It's just… I missed you." She sniffled. It'd be difficult to explain her feelings in that moment, so she downplayed it. Ino shook her head, she knew Sakura had just gone through several traumatic experiences so she couldn't blame her for being a little too emotional.
"Are you hungry? Do you feel well enough to be up?" Ino began fussing over Sakura, who simply enjoyed being spoiled by her sister.
"I feel fine, just a little peckish." Sakura smiled. "We can go downstairs and get a snack."
Despite Sakura's insistence that she felt fine, Ino still held on to her as they walked down the stairs, just in case Sakura suddenly felt lightheaded. The two of them made their way downstairs, where they were greeted by Sai and Itachi, both of them chatting in front of a table full of food.
"Oh good, you guys got us something to eat!" Ino smiled as she took her sister to the table. It was full of delicious-looking foods of all different types. Both girls took seats by the table, and the two men followed.
Sakura smiled as she was able to fully eat and enjoy her first meal made by House. While the food at the Akatsuki hadn't been bad, it had been laced with the fear and restraint of being a hostage. Internally Sakura told herself this was her first real meal after the curse, and she enjoyed it.
"Now that Miss Sakura is awake and well, we should head off as soon as possible, Ino." Sai started the conversation as soon as everyone was seated.
"That's a good idea, Kakashi left yesterday already." Itachi agreed. Sakura looked between them, thinking she was missing out on crucial information.
"Yeah, we'll leave right after we finish eating." Ino had a displeased look but she agreed anyways.
"I'm confused. What's going on? Why is everyone leaving?" Sakura asked, thinking that she didn't even know how they managed to make it to Konoha, let alone leave the Akatsuki safely.
"Hmm, long story short, Itachi could be accused of being a traitor and we'd like to avoid his execution." Sai smiled, as Itachi and Ino glared at his lack of tact. Shocked, Sakura swallowed poorly and began coughing.
"Don't worry, we have a plan in motion already." Ino reassured Sakura as she patted her sister's back. Itachi smiled reassuringly, and Sakura felt more relaxed. During the rest of the meal, Ino explained what had happened, filling Sakura in to the events that transpired after the battle at Akatsuki headquarters.
After they were done eating, Sai set off to prepare the horses and their luggage, leaving Ino behind to say her farewells to Sakura.
"Don't worry, I'm good, I'm not cursed anymore, I can take care of myself just fine." Sakura reassured her overprotective sister.
"Well, either way we'll be seeing each other soon. And you!" Ino directed an accusing finger to Itachi. "You better take care of her properly! I don't want any curses or kidnappings for the next 50 years!"
"I will do my best." Itachi nodded seriously. Sakura simply sighed and turned Ino around, pushing her towards the door.
"Have a safe journey!" Sakura waved them goodbye. She stood outside the cottage, watching the two of them ride away until she could no longer see them. Itachi stayed by her side the entire time, offering comfort and protection with his presence.
"We should head back inside." He spoke when he noticed Sakura looking at the garden wistfully. "Don't push yourself too hard."
"I'm fine. Physically I'm fine, better than I think I've ever been, truthfully. I'm… I'm much more resilient than a normal woman." There was a deep touch of sadness and bitterness in her words that didn't go unnoticed by Itachi.
Now that Ino and Sai had left, and she was back home, Sakura's mind kept going back to her time at Orochimaru's compound. As an adoptive child, she had wondered the true nature of her biological parents many times, but the truth had been more horrifying than she had ever considered.
"Sakura…"
"The garden looks awful again. I'm such a terrible gardener…" Sakura wrapped her arms around herself, trying to find some comfort. Itachi placed his own arm around her, gently guiding her inside.
"You're not a terrible gardener, you're the best that anyone could ask for." Itachi reassured her. It wasn't her fault that she kept being pulled away by circumstances beyond her control.
"You don't know that… You don't even know the truth behind my existence… I'm… I am…" Sakura couldn't finish her sentence. She knew how much Itachi hated Orochimaru, she feared to think what he'd do if he found out she was the fruit of one of his experiments.
"I know. You're the product of an experiment." Itachi nodded. He believed that his knowledge would bring her comfort, but instead she pushed away from him, looking at him with tearful eyes.
"You know?! Since when?" She asked, suddenly feeling angry and afraid. "Is that why you kept me around? To play around with Orochimaru's little monster?" She clenched her fists, old insecurities coming forward to plague her turbulent emotions.
"Kakashi and I investigated you and your origins. We eventually discovered the truth about you a few days before we left for Suna." Itachi explained. "I was planning on telling you but there was never a good opportunity." If he was being honest, he'd admit he purposely missed opportunities because he hadn't wanted to hurt her.
"So you knew… Then why did you come save me? Was it to keep Orochimaru from getting his hands on me?" Sakura frowned at him.
"Of course not. You're… At the very least you are my friend. Sakura, regardless of the circumstances of your birth, you're someone I treasure, someone I wish to be close to. Even if you're angry and confused, you are not a monster. You're a human who was, and still is loved, by many people." Itachi tried to keep his demeanor calm and nonthreatening. He understood she was upset, and he just wanted to soothe and comfort her.
"Loved...?" Sakura cast her eyes downwards.
"When we found out about your birth mother, Kakashi and I also discovered she was very close friends with Mrs Yamanaka. We believe she ran away from Orochimaru and entrusted her precious daughter to the only person in the world she still trusted. I can show you a picture of her later, you two have the same eyes, I wouldn't be shocked if deep down Mrs Yamanaka had an inkling of who your mother was, and likely knowing that she treated you as one of her own. Monsters aren't born, Sakura, they are created." Itachi took a step closer to her. He knew he was a monster, a murderer, a liar, a schemer, so he felt that of all people, he would be qualified to know another monster, and to him Sakura was not a monster.
"Itachi…" Sakura threw herself into his arms, seeking his warmth as she cried into his chest. Itachi tightened his hold on her, swearing to himself he'd never let go. He allowed Sakura to take as much time as she felt she needed. After several minutes she finally pushed away from him, drying her red eyes on her sleeve. "Thank you, it seems you're always looking after me."
Itachi simply nodded. He'd be perfectly happy to spend the rest of his life looking after Sakura. He just wanted to exist next to her, to be graced with her presence. "Of course." As long as she wanted to stay by him, there would always be a spot for her.
"You know, speaking of people who are loved, Itachi there's something I wanted to say…" Sakura looked downwards again, fiddling with her wet sleeve. He tilted his head sideways, wondering what was on her mind now. "I know this might be late, but… I once rejected your marriage proposal because I thought I loved you too much to be able to marry you even if you didn't love me back." Sakura turned her emerald eyes on him, and Itachi felt his breath stop. "But now, now I realize that I love you so much that… even if you don't feel about me the same way I still want to be by your side forever and ever, so if your offer still stands… I'd like to take it."
Itachi didn't know what to do or how to react. He froze in place as Sakura fidgeted in front of him. He took a step closer to her in the first instance of happiness but then he stopped.
"Sakura I… I might be labeled a traitor and hunted down tomorrow. I can't offer you anything." Itachi looked down. There was a very real chance he was no longer the rich and prestigious Uchiha Duke, there was nothing he could give her. "There's nothing I can give you, except my heart." Itachi didn't know how the words left his mouth.
Sakura looked at him in surprise, not expecting the sudden confession. For the first time ever his onyx eyes looked vulnerable and scared, and she wondered if he was just as insecure of himself as she was. Stepping closer to him, Sakura rested her hands on his lapels.
"Quite a pair aren't we?" Taking hold of his waist coat, she pulled him down, to meet his lips with her own.
Excerpt of the personal diary of Duchess Sakura Uchiha: Today I met with Ino and Hinata at the National Gallery. We went to see the new painting that's been all the rage in the country. According to Ino someone broke in to leave the painting behind, she says it looks identical to me. I wish Itachi was here to see it with me. It's our one year anniversary, but he's away to fight in the war with Stone. He's only been the Royal Magician for six months now, and I had hoped it would keep him home, but he's always being called away, it makes me sad. I was hoping to surprise him with the news of my pregnancy, but alas. Ino was right of course, the painting is certainly me, and I know exactly who the artist is. It seems that even after my brief stint with Akatsuki, Sasori continued to perfect his work. It's uncanny, almost like looking at a mirror. Fortunately I'm too much of a recluse that I doubt anyone will think it's me.
This is the penultimate chapter of this story. It's amazing that it's been so long, and I'm happy to see it finished next week! Please look forward to a few last things and a short epilogue bit. It's been a long journey, and I'd like to thank everyone that has stuck with this story so far. I hope that everyone will be happy with the upcoming ending.
