Chapter-39

So tomorrow's the day… I hope everything goes fine. I really need Itachi-san to help me with trust. Sakura was siting on the floor of her bedroom. It was 10 pm. She didn't go out for training today. She was too nervous. She stood up and went to her table and started reading a book she got from the library. It was on curse marks. She was, again, hoping to find anything that could help remove Orochimaru's curse mark. It had been an hour and she had not found any significant information. While turning the next page, a picture caught her eye. It looked like a flaming sword. She read the paragraph. So it is called Totsuka blade. Reading further she read that the blade is so powerful it can burn curses. THIS IS IT! This is it… but where is it? Finding it would be such a hassle. She groaned

She went to the side of her bed and sat on the floor and then Kakashi popped up in her room. Sakura turned her tired gaze at him and waved at him lazily.

"Looks like someone is tired." He said with a chuckle

"I'm just lazy right now. Why are you here sensei?"

"Just wanted to check on you." He said, smiling

"Aaandd…..?"

"I really can't win against you. Fine I dropped by to tell you that I wont go unconscious when Itachi takes me in Tsukuyomi."

"And how will that happen?"

"I'll first ask him if he can leave me conscious, if he agrees then great. If he doesn't I'll give him the one of the two bells I carry. These are the same bells I used for your Bell test. Knowing Itachi, he will not leave me unconscious as he knows that only I can relay this message to you."

"Hm. Okay. That sounds good."

"Why aren't you sleeping on the bed?" he asked curiously

"I don't like the bed. I have nightmares about the war and whatever else happened back then. But when I stay on the floor, I can stay awake longer. Bed makes me sleepy. And now I don't like to sleep at all."

"Hmm. That sounds weird but its your choice. Well, I'm gonna go."

"Wait Kakashi-sensei!"

"Hm?"

"Please be careful." She said with tears in her eyes.

Kakashi just ruffled her hair and said, "I will. Don't worry I'll always be there for you."

And then he left.

Sakura couldn't sleep a wink that night.

Two people wearing black cloaks with red clouds with straw hats stood at the main wall of Konoha. It was around 11 am. One of the man said,

"Why the sudden visit to home, Itachi-san? You miss it?"

"Not at all. Just wanted to check on something. Lets go."

And then they jumped in the village.

Kakashi, Asuma and Kurenai were talking at the stone pathway by the river when Kakashi sensed foreign chakra advancing towards them. It's them. He acted nonchalant and kept talking to Asuma and Kurenai. Suddenly, Asuma exclaimed

"Hey. Is that…?" he was stunned

Kurenai also watched him with her eyes wide open.

"Looks like it is him." He said

Itachi walked calmly and greeted them. His Sharingan was blazing. Then Asuma growled

"What the hell are you doing back in the village, you traitor!"

Kakashi flinched a little when Asuma called Itachi a traitor. This did not go unnoticed by Itachi. Then he spoke

"I do not have business with you. Please move so that we can pass."

"You don't actually believe that we will let you go and alive?" Kurenai snapped

"Then I think we must resolve this by force."

Asuma came forward with his knuckle blade and punched him only to be resulted in a substitution jutsu. He quickly flipped and aimed again and Itachi just side stepped, avoiding touching him. Kurenai had enough time to cast a genjutsu. She tied Itachi by branches of a tree but suddenly she was in his place and Itachi emerged from the top of the tree with a kunai

"That level of genjutsu doesn't work on me, Kurenai-san."

Kurenai undid the genjutsu and fell down on the floor. Asuma went to help her. Out of nowhere, a kunai came at Itachi. He avoided it by jumping backwards and stood on the still river. It was Kakashi who threw the kunai. Itachi's partner was already standing on the water hiding his face with his big straw hat.

Kakashi spoke, "Asuma, take Kurenai and leave. I'll deal with him." Her removed his headband from his left eye and revealed his sharingan.

"No way! Im not leaving. I'll help you." Asuma said as he landed behind Kakashi on the water.

"I do not have much time waste on you. Please leave." Itachi said calmly

"Not a chance."

Kakashi ran ahead with a kunai and kept making attacks until they were far enough from others. While trying to jab Itachi, he spoke in a low tone

"Pull me in your Tsukuyomi. I have important news for you."

Itachi's eyes widened a little but he blinked his eyes that indicated he will do it.

Asuma was coming to help but Itachi's partner stopped him.

"Do not interfere. Or you will taste my blade."

Kakashi was thankful for his partner in stopping Asuma from coming.

He turned to look at Itachi and saw he had activated Mangekyou Sharingan. Kakashi nodded and suddenly his world changed. It was red everywhere with crows flying around. Itachi came up

"What do you wish to say?"

"Look it's a little hard to explain so I want you to see the memories I want to show you. Trust me that is all real."

Itachi eyed him a little and then nodded. After 15 minutes, Itachi was visibly shocked

"How did this happen?"

"There was a war between the whole shinobi world and Uchiha Madara. Madara wanted to put everyone under Mugen Tsukuyomi. For that he made the Akatsuki to collect the 9 beasts that when put into the Gedo tree, it would become a Ten-Tails beast. Everyone came together to fight but Madara was very strong. At last only Naruto and Sasuke finished him off but they suffered a last attack from him which led to their death. As you saw, everyone died. And it all happened because Akatsuki was formed."

Itachi was visibly shocked.

"How did you get to know all this? It's like you're reciting a script."

"Because it is reciting. The one who really saw you wants your help in defeating Madara and save us from that chaos you just saw. I'm her teacher and I sent here back in time to stop that reality from happening again. I know it sounds crazy but it is very much true. She sacrificed her whole life for everyone. I want you to help her. By any means. Please. And we know you are not a traitor. I know about your mission in acting as a spy for Akatsuki and you were ordered to kill your clan"

Itachi contemplated all this. How is all this possible? But I did see the future and it wasn't made up. I wish to help them to save Sasuke from the darkness I witnessed. I can't see him like this. And they both know about my mission as well. It seems safe to help. So Itachi said

"Alright. She shall receive any kind of help she wishes. I want to save Sasuke from darkness of revenge. It was my fault after all. I told him to come and kill me. That's why he became like that. I will take this chance to redeem myself. And save the world."

Kakashi sighed in relief.

"Thank you, Itachi. She will be glad to hear this news."

"What's her name?"

"Haruno Sakura"

"Okay. What kind of ninja is she? Is she strong?"

Kakashi laughed a little. "You'll be surprised when you see her blowing off mountains by just a kick or a punch. She is a little above Senju Tsunade. Sakura was her apprentice. She is the best medic in the world. She also has Byakugou seal which gives her enough power to take on any kind of attack and heal herself within seconds."

She is impressive. Then Itachi started forming ideas about how he will proceed. He came to a conclusion and looked at Kakashi in finality

"I am impressed by this girl. She will be of tremendous help. But I'm afraid I can't come to the village to keep contact with her. She and I as well will be in trouble. I don't want any one to see her as a traitor, like me. That only leaves one option." Said Itachi grimly

"You want her to leave the village, don't you?" said Kakashi sadly.

"Yes. I know this will rise suspicion as a shinobi leaving without any reason means they have been branded as dead."

"Then what do you propose?"

"I saw a memory when Sasuke came looking for me when I went to capture Naruto for the first time. But I put him under Tsukuyomi. I think this will be a perfect opportunity. I will threaten to kill Sasuke in front of her and in exchange of his life, I'll take her with me."

Kakashi had a grave expression as he thought about this. Damn it. This does seem like the best plan for now but Sasuke and Naruto will be broken. No. being broken is better than them dying. I'll take care of them somehow.

"All right. This seems like the most appropriate plan because Sakura also proposed the same location you just mentioned. I'll handle Naruto and Sasuke. They care about her a lot."

Itachi smiled a little. Looks like you have good friends, Sasuke.

"Okay. She will find out anyway which it will be so I'm going to be expecting her there. What does she look like?"

"She's 13 right now but was 17 back then. She's a Chuunin level shinobi by the books but she is on par with the Sannins. She has pink short hair and emerald color eyes."

"All right. I'm going to end the Tsukuyomi here." Said Itachi firmly

"Wait! Can you not leave me unconscious? I have to tell everything to Sakura. otherwise take one of these bells. That way she can know that you agreed."

Itachi nodded and ended the Tsukuyomi. Kakashi crouch down and panted. He looked at Itachi one more time and he blinked his yes as acknowledgement. He didn't leave me unconscious. Thank god!

Itachi's partner who was fighting with Asuma. Itachi infront of Asuma in an instant and kicked him in his stomach making him stagger and jump back. Kakashi came running and joined Asuma. They both looked ready to attack when Itachi said

"Let us go, Kisame. I have no further intention of staying here." Itachi turned and disappeared with Kisame.

Well that's out of the way. Thought Kakashi. Now starts the toughest one.