Author's Note:

Thank you so much for the wonderful reviews! I am glad everyone is enjoying the story! I am sorry I have been so busy from work and other things, but I have plenty planned for this story and I am hoping to release a chapter at least once a week or more since I will have more time now! This chapter is particularly is shorter than the others because the next one is going to be a long one.

Recap:

"H-How the hell did you do that?!" Naruto cried out surprise pointing at her, Sakura turned to face them, Sasuke watched as her green eyes held a deep green glow, she tilted her head confused as they looked at her in shock. "S-Sakura… your eyes?" Sasuke asked, Sakura turned to face him, her green eyes met bewildered onyx before she saw a flash of fire and a burning tree, someone screaming her name, she let go of the cat who jumped down and took off as her body dropped, Sasuke slid towards her and caught her pulling her into his arms, he looked at the others quietly, "… I think… I think I know why the Akatsuki are after Sakura." He said stunned as the others slowly nodded their heads as all eyes fell once more upon the sleeping pink beauty.

Chapter 4: You're Never Alone

Sasuke leaned against the wall running his hand through his raven black hair slightly stressed as his ears were still ringing from the sounds of a scream that raced through his mind, the smell of burnt flesh filled his nostrils yet he knew nothing had happened. He shook his head a bit before letting out a breath and crossed his arms, what he saw? He figured it was just his hazy memories of the night he escaped Sakura's village leaving it behind consumed by flames. He couldn't explain any other reasons for the strange imagery that had filled his mind only for a brief moment. His onyx orbs lingered towards the frail pink haired girl upon the examination table, had she also seen what happened? Was this memory preventing her from waking up? "What is wrong with her?" He snapped again toward the jet haired woman looking over her, she glared towards him fiercely with her own onyx pools before she huffed, "For the last time my prince, I cannot give her a full examination with you all in the room!" She retorted angrily. Sasuke glared at her, "Hn." He answered bitterly himself as he looked away in annoyance, "Teme! Stop being rude to Shizune! She is doing everything she can!" Naruto growled at him grabbing onto his arm, "Let's let her work!" He said, Sasuke didn't budge as he ignored Naruto, "Why isn't she waking up?" Sasuke countered again. Shizune frowned shaking her head, "As far as I can see there isn't a physical issue, she looks fine and you are telling she just fainted? There could be a number of reasons for that." She explained still annoyed with the prince's attitude.

Sasuke glared at her quietly as he looked at her, "I am telling you; she brought a cat back to life and then passed out. None of that is normal so you have to look her over completely." He said exasperated with her disrespect towards him and more concerned with Sakura. Shizune shook her head, "I am telling you my prince, that is impossible, the cat was likely still alive, and she just healed it's wounds. Still, that doesn't seem like a cause for her to faint and if you want me to do a full examination you will leave the room! I refuse to undress this young lady before you!" She snapped as Sasuke's eyes widened in surprise, he grew flustered by this reaction and looked away, Shizune sighed shaking her head, "If Lady Tsunade was here she would have already thrown you outside herself! You are lucky I am so polite, your majesty but you are really testing my patience." She muttered rather upset still, "F-Fine we will wait outside." Sasuke murmured before he turned and left with the others in tow, "Well at least she will be taken care of, we can wait outside." Naruto told him reassuringly, "I know what I saw, you guys believe me right?" Sasuke asked once they were gathered outside the door, Ino bit her lip, "I do, but… it really does sound farfetched." She explained fiddled with her hands nervously, Shikamaru leaned against the wall arching his head back as he focused on the ceiling finally letting out a breath. "Perhaps we did mistake it, it is likely she could have just used to much chakra and that is why she passed out." He said simply. Sasuke shot him a glare but admittingly they had no proof the cat had been dead; it wasn't like they went out of their way to check the pulse. "That sounds logically, go figure Shikamaru would figure it out!" Choji laughed softly, Naruto nodded his head, "So hopefully Sakura-chan will be okay." He said as they gazed towards the door quietly.

Shizune returned to the side of the pink-haired girl and looked towards the door hearing it close before she turned her attention back towards her, she reached her hands down to undo her dress so she could give her a proper checkup however she froze in place as a small hand grabbed her arm, she looked towards Sakura seeing her soft green pools were weakly open staring at her. "You are awake?" Shizune asked surprised as Sakura nodded and pushed her hands away shaking her head, she couldn't let her know, she smiled feebly as she tried to show she was okay. Shizune sighed softly, "Oh my dear, you should get yourself checked over just in case, okay?" She spoke softly as she reached down once more but Sakura stopped her again shaking her head determined, she smiled again softly, she couldn't afford to let them worry about her now, she didn't want to be trouble and she only wanted to talk to Lady Tsunade about it first. "Mhm, alright in that case I can let you go as long as you promise to come back for a full checkup later or if you start feeling faint again will you come back?" Shizune tried to bargain with her. Sakura's eyes trailed around the room examining their medicine bottles with great care before she shot up in excitement seeing some fresh herbs, she wandered over and examined them eagerly, Shizune blinked surprised and trailed after the girl curiously and mused, "The prince claimed you passed out after healing, are you a medic?" She asked her, Sakura bobbed her head softly, 'I am.' She signed.

"So, you must know what these are all for?" Shizune smiled softly looking at her, Sakura nodded her head gently and pointed at each one, 'This is for headaches, these are for helping to mend broken bones, these are for stomach aches.' She signed softly and smiled at her, "Very good, do you know how to make medicine from them?" She asked. Sakura nodded her head once more, 'My grandmother taught me.' She signed a little somberly as she thought of her dear grandmother who took her in and raised her as her own. "Amazing, you know not many kids your age is actually interested in that sort of thing." Shizune mused thoughtfully and nodded her head, "Your grandma is a skilled healer?" She followed up afterwards gently. Sakura's eyes trailed along a book carefully reading it over before nodding her head, 'Yes, she is, she told me to come here and find Lady Tsunade.' Sakura signed solemnly, Shizune raised a brow before her fingers curled under the cover of the book and flipped it closed holding it before she stared Sakura dead in the eyes with a serious glare, "Surely you didn't fake fainting to get in here to meet her?" She questioned sternly. Sakura's eyes widened in shock before she shook her head profusely waving her hands, she knew exactly how serious it was to fake an illness and unfortunately, she couldn't bring herself to explain it. She bit her lip nervously looking down before Shizune sighed before continuing her hard gaze, "Very well, but the prince will want an explanation." She started, "He will want to know why you fainted and he will seek those answers, I will tell him it is between you and I as my patient, however if you faint again, I will be examining you immediately and I will find out the real answer." Shizune said looking at her, the tone of her voice sent shivers down Sakura's spine, and she knew she had to be more careful until Tsunade arrived.

Sakura nodded her in agreement, she wasn't exactly able to argue with the doctor after all and she knew if she fainted again, she would have no choice but to tell the truth and she wasn't ready for that yet, she bit her lip and glanced down silently. Shizune watched her shoulders fall before she smiled, "If you ever need a break just to breath you are always welcome here, I know Lady Tsunade will be delighted to meet you Sakura." She mused gently; Sakura looked up at her astonished by this revelation but smiled joyously before she looked towards the door hearing a series of knocks. "Is she okay?!" Sasuke demanded to know with a growl of fury, he blinked in surprise as the door flew open to an angry Shizune who glared down at him, "She is fine! Quit being annoying your grace." She snapped as she stepped back revealing Sakura who smiled sheepishly at Sasuke, he relaxed visibly walking towards her taking her hand, "Don't ever scare me like that… are you okay?" He asked looking into her radiant pools of green, though they were no longer glowing they still shimmered in the light, she tilted her head blushing tenderly as she pulled her hand back faintly. She nodded her head and signed gently, Ino strolled up to her side and mused, 'She says she is okay so please don't worry too much about it. She claims to still be drained from earlier?" Ino questioned curiously as Sasuke felt the heat raise to his face.

He recalled having fed her medicine and cleared his throat, "Very well." He said stepping back lightly, "I am glad." He muttered quietly before he looked towards her, Naruto grinned happily moving to her side, "Hey! Sakura! You look so much better being awake." He chuckled as she smiled at him gently, Shikamaru and Choji followed lightly and smile seeing she was awake. The tender moment was ruined however due to the sounds of a servant rushing over to them, "Your Majesties!" The servant said bowing softly, "You are late for your greeting of the people." He added hastily looking down at the ground. "We will skip it today." Sasuke murmured, Naruto frowned, "We can't today." He sighed softly, Shikamaru nodded in agreement, "Your father has stated you need to keep face even when our guest is here." He explained watching as Sasuke's shoulders drooped. Sasuke frowned, "Sakura will come with us then." He said crossing his arms with light protest, Ino shook her head, "That is a terrible idea." She spoke avidly, Sasuke's eyes narrowed, "What do you mean?" he asked with a snap, Ino flinched and frowned at him but before she could speak Shizune put her hand on Ino's shoulder, "Prince Sasuke, Sakura has just recovered from fainting, taking her into the heart of the kingdom surrounded by your adoring fans wouldn't be a good idea, it could be very overwhelming for her. She can stay here with me for now." Shizune offered lightly, Sasuke frowned and looked at Sakura.

There was a moment of silence as the world seemed to slow down as they stared into each other's eyes, Sakura blushed as she reached her hand up hesitantly and slid her hair behind her ear tilting her head as she nodded her head gently to show she would be okay. Sasuke couldn't explain the strange flutter that came from his chest, like his heart was both longing and aching for something, he turned away swiftly waving his hand, "Hn, fine. I will come check on her later." He said lightly as he wandered out of the room, Naruto, Shikamaru and Choji followed swiftly as Ino turned to Sakura and smiled happily, "Well what shall we do now?" She asked gently.

Fugaku was speaking quietly with Mikoto in their office, Kakashi, Anko and Asuma were gathered by a bunch of maps they had locations marked through the path towards the Hyuuga Kingdom and back to the Uchiha Kingdom. "Where exactly did Sasuke find her?" Anko asked lightly, "The name of the village was called Hikari, but it isn't on any of our maps and Sasuke met up with Naruto and Shikamaru back onto the main road, he said the village was on fire but by the time I arrived there was not even smoke left or any traces of a village near the roads at all." Kakashi said scanning over the maps swiftly. "I also met them down the road over here closer to our village." He said as he tapped the spot on the map carefully. Asuma rubbed his chin lightly, "Who knows how far they travelled before that too." He said examining the map in deep thought Anko brushed her hand along the path and frowned, "There is to much ground to cover, do you look closer towards the valley or towards the mountains? Either side of the road is an option and who knows how far those bastards have gotten now." She said as she crossed her arms annoyed.

Mikoto shook her head with concern and looked towards Fugaku, "This could be very bad if we can't locate them." She mumbled and blinked surprised as Fugaku rested his hands on her cheeks cupping them gently before he kissed her forehead softly, "You need not worry about that my love, so long as Sakura remains within our Kingdom they won't get to far away." He assured her before his attention turned towards the door as a servant burst through panting heavily before bowing towards them. "Speak." Fugaku ordered, the servant jumped and nodded his head swiftly. "Y-Yes your majesty! You told me to tell you of anything usual, we got a report from the docks about a foreign ship at our docks, it is a merchant ship that claims to be passing though. It is not one that has ever docked on our shores before and though the guards gave it a sweep they didn't find anything out of the ordinary, but we still deemed it necessary to report to you." He spoke respectfully keeping his head tucked low.

Fugaku thought about it and slowly nodded his head, "Did anyone see anyone sneak off the ship? They could have brought along stowaways." He frowned warily, Mikoto gasped softly, "Sasuke is supposed to be in the kingdom today, near the docks." She inhaled sharply biting her lip nervously, Fugaku waved his hand towards her and then turned towards Kakashi, "You will attend by Sasuke's side, look for anything suspicious, Asuma can go with you. Anko will stay to protect Sakura." He ordered, the servant bowed swiftly leaving the room without hesitation as Kakashi and Asuma bowed before disappearing. Anko nodded and disappeared as well before Itachi walked over to them, "What would you wish of me?" He asked as he took his mother's hand comfortingly. Mikoto took his hand and smiled at him softly, "Stay with Sakura, you and Izumi for now, okay?" She asked tenderly, Itachi nodded his head, "Of course." He muttered assuring her with a soft smile as he dipped his head and left quickly. Fugaku looked at Mikoto lightly nodding his head, "We will find and stop the Akatsuki, I promise you that." He uttered kissing her head before he walked to the window and gazed outside of it quietly. He had a bad feeling, and he couldn't exactly place it and he did not want to worry his wife, he gazed outside with his deep onyx eyes feeling a chill run down his spine, something was wrong, he could sense it.

Sakura was reading over some textbooks as Ino groaned in utter boredom hoping the others would return soon, she couldn't believe how much Sakura could read, she blinked curiously as the door opened and Itachi walked in, "Sorry Shizune, I am going to kidnap Sakura for the day until Sasuke returns, Anko will be with us." He said softly, Shizune blinked and waved her hand, "Sure go ahead your majesty, I cannot stop you." She chuckled gently as she got back to work mixing medicines as Sakura looked up at Itachi shocked and unsure, Ino hopped up ready to work, excited that she wouldn't be bored in complete silence anymore. Sakura blinked as Itachi ushered her out of her chair and took her arm, "Now my dear, as our honored guest it is my duty to introduce you to my beloved, she is excited to meet you honestly." Itachi said as he led her down the hall again, she blinked surprised and slowly bobbed her head as she signed gently, 'I am excited to meet her as well, she must be very special to you.' Ino translated as they walked down the hall and out towards the garden again, they headed over to the terrace and gazebo near the pond and fountain where a table was all set up with tea and other assorted goodies.

A girl Itachi's age with long brown hair tied back into a delicate ponytail and soft onyx eyes smiled warmly towards them as they arrive, she got out of her seat wearing a simple purple dress with a delicate floral pattern upon it. She wandered over and cupped Sakura's cheeks gently, her eyes lit up with joy as she beamed, "Oh you are beautiful! Your hair really is pink! Your eyes are so enchanting, my name is Izumi, and it is a pleasure to meet you." She giggled with delight, Sakura blushed surprised by her forwardness and softly signed while she was flustered by the experience. Ino frowned softly, "Sakura, how can I translate that with your hands shaking so much?" She asked. Sakura blinked surprised and bit her lip bowing her head profusely before she looked up at Izumi skittishly, she was so dazzling, her hair flowed over her shoulders like a delicate river and the warmth of her eyes was like that of Sasuke's towards her. It felt oddly comforting as Izumi's hands had touched her cheeks, it reminded her a bit of her grandmother. Sakura's hands trailed up to her cheeks and she blushed meekly looking down sparsely before her eyes met a cookie being held in her face.

Her green pools shot up swiftly as she looked up at Izumi who was smiling at her sweetly, "Come now, won't you join us for tea?" Izumi asked, Sakura couldn't help but smile towards her kind nature and nodded her head gently with a happy smile of her own as she wandered over to the table with her and Itachi, Ino stood near Sakura and blinked surprised as Anko appeared beside her nodding her head gently. The two stood guard loyally as Itachi sat down beside Izumi taking her hand and kissing it gently as Sakura sat on the opposite side of the table watching them curiously, they really seemed to love each other. Izumi blushed softly, "Oh Itachi stop it!" She giggled softly pulling her hand back and gave him a teasing grin, "Now come on Sakura, tell me more about yourself." She asked curiously as she took a sip of tea, Itachi whined playfully before he mused and took a sip of tea himself watching Sakura curiously. Sakura's eyes sparkled as she watched them intently, she found it sweet and cute before she blushed as she realized that Izumi addressed her again, 'My name is Sakura Haruno.' She signed gently, 'I am learning to be a medic, I love animals and I really like gardening too.' She signed thoughtfully she wasn't sure what else they wanted to know.

"Oh yea? What kind of animals do you like? I heard you saved a cat's life; poor thing must have been on the verge of death." Izumi said softly as she smiled at her, Sakura nodded her head, 'I do love animals, all animals, I don't really have a favourite… I healed the cat as much as I could, I hope it doesn't get hurt again.' She signed thoughtfully thinking of the feeling of the cold fur coming back to life and the cat running away as she passed out. She bit her lip as her head hurt a bit thinking back on it but was drawn from these thoughts as a soft crunch came from Izumi's lips as she ate her cookie, Sakura blinked and glanced down towards her own and took it in hand curiously before she bit onto it gently with a soft smile enjoying the softness of the cookie itself but the eager crunch of the chocolate and white macadamia nuts from it. It was so delicious that she got lost in the flavor time passed as they enjoyed the tea and cookies until there was nothing left, "Oh goodness!" Izumi said surprised before she got up, "Come Ino let's go get more." She hummed as the blond followed her down the path towards the castle leaving Sakura behind with Itachi and Anko. "Isn't she marvelous?" Itachi asked lovingly as he watched her disappear through the hedges and then looked at Sakura who bobbed her head in agreement swiftly.

"I love her with all my heart, honestly I couldn't be more, if anything I am probably the luckiest guy there is." He chuckled thoughtfully before his eyes wandered over towards Sakura, "Similar to how my brother probably feels or will feel." He said more quietly as Sakura tilting her head curiously, "So, now you've met my mother, father, brother and lover. We have another brother, but he wasn't at breakfast, and I am not sure if you have met him or not yet. However you will absolutely meet him at dinner." He said thoughtfully before he clicked his tongue and continued, "My mother has always wanted a girl in the family so who knows maybe I will have a little soon too." He said before he smiled, "How do you like being here and what do you think of my family?" He asked swiftly his eyes watching her carefully, he wanted to get a read on her, how she reacted would help him try and figure out what the Akatsuki wanted with her… at least that was the plan. Sakura blinked thoughtfully and smiled, 'I like being here, though it is very different and a little overwhelming it is very beautiful and brand new. I am eager to learn and see more of your kingdom just perhaps a little bit at a time, so I don't get overwhelmed again. Your family is lovely, your mother is very sweet and nice, your father seems… imposing but I believe there is a gentle heart inside of him, it is just hard to see, but you can see it most when he looks at your mother.' Sakura signed thinking more carefully before she continued calmly, 'You are play and mysterious, you are always thinking something different then what you say, like you are trying to hide something but when you talk about Izumi your words are gentle and genuine, you are similar to your father in that regard.' She signed thoughtfully.

Her eyes softened as she smiled blissfully, 'Izumi is kind and caring, she means every word she says and her warmth radiates with kindness that makes you just want to smile with absolute joy, she is comforting and loving, and she reminds me of someone who means a lot to me.' She signed before she looked towards him surprised to see his shocked impression, she blinked and looked towards Anko who smiled at her, she had been translating, Sakura blushed deeply, she had forgotten that Ino wasn't there, but she was impress that Anko was so swift to fall into the role. She gave her a timidly smile of gratitude before she looked back towards Itachi who grinned playfully, "Not bad kitten, but you didn't answer about my brother." He teased with a smirk seeing her face turn bright red as she looked down fiddling with her fingers as she tried to reorganize her thoughts, 'I met Sasuke yesterday, I healed his horse and he seemed very grateful for it, he was annoyed in the village but also taken by surprise by some things… he seems a little anxious like he is searching for something he cannot find, but he is also passionate and caring about things, he just has a different way of showing it. He is determined to keep his promises and sometimes does things without thinking it through entirely… he is confident in himself and his skills, but he is trying to learn new things as well. He is nice and I like that about him.' She signed before her eyes widened and she waved her hands swiftly, 'Not like him, just admire that about him, I don't have feelings like that for him, I am not like the other girls Ino talks about… I don't want to like anyone like that.' She signed swiftly.

"Why?" Itachi countered without missing a beat as his eyes clashed with her, the deep onyx pushed against the delicate green as he tried to figure out what she meant by that, who didn't want to fall in love? Why wouldn't she want to like Sasuke like that? She should feel honored to even bask within his shadow and presence, yet she wanted to break away from it? Sakura bit her lip and looked down how could she tell him she was dying? She had no way to tell him, it was too painful to even think about, she didn't want to be given a reason to leave if there was nothing anyone could do about it? Her eyes widened as she thought of a decent excuse, 'Because where I am from you don't engage in a relationship until you are old enough, I am only 16, once I turn 18, I can start thinking about finding someone to love.' Sakura signed feeling fairly confident and okay with this answer. Itachi was baffled when Anko translated this for him, he blinked surprised before he laughed softly, "My you are a good girl aren't you? Not even a little rebellious huh?" He asked as Sakura shook her head astutely, she wasn't at all profoundly interested in relationships and if she was lucky this would buy her enough time to figure this out on her own.

Itachi chuckled before he blinked surprised as a maid ran over towards them, "Prince Itachi please come quickly Lady Izumi needs you." She said softly, Itachi looked up swiftly hearing Izumi's name, he got up softly and glanced towards Anko, "You got this?" he asked, Anko nodded, "Naturally." She said with a soft smile towards him, he nodded his head as he walked around the table and looked at Sakura, "I'll be right back, okay? I promise that as long as we are here you will never be alone, okay? Anko is one of the best guards, you will be safe with her here." He promised before he retreated with the maid hastily back towards the castle. Sakura relaxed in her chair gently, she felt oddly comforted by his words, she would never be alone if she was here, she knew that at least meant she would be safe for now. That was until a cold chill ran down her spine, her eyes widened as a cold hand brushed against her shoulder gripping it, she looked back slowly towards Anko who was twitching painfully, her eyes shook as she looked at her as a black substance covered one side of her face. Her light brown almost grey eyes turned yellow as her violet hair fell from its bun, and her lips curled into a wicked smile, "Why hello my dear… it is so good to meet you at long last though truthfully I only found out about you yesterday." A twisted voice spoke a distorted version of Anko's voice. Sakura's eyes widened in horror as she tried to get up and move away but Anko kept her pinned to the chair, "Ah I cannot have you running off now." She spoke again calmly before she laughed darkly, "Come now, I need you my dear… so for now, please sleep, hush now." She spoke as her hand struck the side of Sakura's neck, her eyes widened as she started to fade from consciousness, she slipped out the chair into someone's arms, she managed to look up and see silver hair and onyx eyes as Anko fell onto the ground with a painful thud. "Goodnight sweet Cherry Blossom Princess…" The silver haired man spoke as she closed her eyes fading into nothingness as she felt her limb body being lifted from the floor before something cold engulfed her… and then she was gone.