Itonami: Chapter five is here! Thank you very much for your support! I love you all! I didn't think I'd get so many reviews. I love reading them! It feels like I'm opening a new present. That was so corny, but you know, I get all mushy when I'm happy! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Naruto.

Chapter 5

Uchiha Itachi stood in the forest early in the dewy morning, his eyes closed but his senses alert. He was very much aware of the other presence beside him, watching him intently. His eyes snapped open sharply and shot sideways to the man next to him.

"Well?" Itachi asked, his voice emotionless.

"The Konoha's ANBU hasn't been spotted, Itachi." Kisame snapped at him, his eyes narrowed in irritation. He was the only one that could use that tone with the Sharingan master. Anyone else would be dead in two seconds if Itachi felt merciful. "That girl you have up in your room, Itachi…she seems suspicious. Let's just kill her and get it over with."

Kisame let out a gasping noise when a mysterious hand shot out and squeezed his throat tightly. "We do not kill her, Kisame. Don't touch her. You'll regret it in your grave." The shark-like shinobi glared at the calmer man that was cutting off his oxygen supply. The pressure on his neck released as quickly as it had appeared.

Uchiha walked back to where the Akatsuki was currently stationed and he arrived at his room. There was no noise inside. Upon opening the door, his red eyes fell on his most recent captive, a certain petal-haired jounin by the name of Haruno Sakura. She sitting on the futon, her blankets shrouded around her with her naked back to him, and she was just slipping on a silky shirt provided for her to wear. For a brief second, Itachi witnessed what he thought was the most beautiful sight in the world. Never, not even once, had he ever seen such a…soft scene. It made the Akatsuki member momentarily ask himself what he had been doing all of these years.

He walked into the room purposefully, letting her know that he was in the room with her, which made her hurriedly button down the shirt. Sakura still faced away from him even still, childishly refusing to see him. She even had her arms crossed across her chest.

"Have you eaten yet, Sakura-san?" He asked quietly. She did not respond and rather, she busied herself by putting away her bedding that she had slept on. Sakura felt a firm, yet gentle hand her arm. She couldn't help but glare dangerously at it. She was never a morning person this morning was the worst she had ever experienced.

"Don't touch me." She whispered icily. He did not withdraw his hand. An Akatsuki was never ordered around, especially if it was a woman.

"You need to eat." He stated blankly.

"I'm not going to touch your food." The young kunoichi wrenched her arm out of his grasp and made a mad dash for the open door, her only source of escape. A big man that looked horribly like an ugly shark cut off her route. Not to be deprived of her one chance to get away, her fist angrily flew at Kisame's face. Time stopped when he easily caught her fist a mere inch from contact. His appalling lips curved into a smirk when his arm swung to slap her, but she also blocked it with a slender forearm. She was breathing heavily and her pretty face was twisted into a look of fury. The shark-man's grin grew even wider, now showing sharp, jagged teeth.

Without any hesitation Itachi acted. His unrivaled speed enabled him to appear right between the two locked in a strange physical way. A kunai loosely tickled Kisame's neck, and then the point pressed harder to draw blood. Kisame still wore his grin, though it wasn't out of amusement anymore.

"I told you this morning not to touch her, Kisame. I don't like my orders cast aside and forgotten." Itachi spoke in the same blank voice as before. Kisame slowly released her fist and took a step away from them.

"It seems like Itachi favors you, girl. Be thankful you're not dead for trying to escape." He disappeared in a swish of his robe.

Sakura glared at the elder Uchiha and she looked awfully angry. "What do you want, Uchiha-san?" She spat out, obviously disgusted by his presence. Her fist stung and itched strangely because the hostile man had oddly sandpaper textured palms. They scratched her skin and caused a rash. Shark…ah, so that was it. Sharks had skin that was abrasive and coarse.

"You need medication for that. I'll bring it up with a meal." He said and he walked away. Out of nowhere, two guards took their places beside the door. Sakura knew she couldn't take on two Akatsuki guards on her own.

Frustrated and hungry, she turned back into the room, hardly noticing the door close behind and the small click of a lock blocking her exit. The jounin scolded herself for the situation. It was all her fault anyway. If she had been in control of her emotions, she wouldn't be stuck in the damn room, locked like a dog in a cage. How ludicrous was a jounin medical ninja getting captured by an S-class group of criminals and missing-nins because she wanted to see a memory, a memory that urgently wanted to be erased from her mind. You're so stupid, Sakura! For a girl that scored top in written tests and the apprentice of a hokage, you sure are really idiotic!

Itachi walked in with a tray of food balanced on one hand while he carried a small pouch of medical supplies in the other. Silently, he set down the food beside her but she didn't even glance at it. He let out a sigh and his face softened for just a millisecond before returning back to his detached expression. "Eat," he commanded, gesturing to the tray. Sakura didn't budge. She still refused to face him.

"Why are you so stubborn?" He softly inquired in his monotone voice.

Tenten was still traveling with very little sleep. The night before was like a very unpleasant nightmare. Those eyes…The weapons expert suppressed a shudder. When he had demanded where she was, she could only give him the information that he was in a village not too far off from Hidden Mist.

As soon as Sasuke was gone, Tenten knew she had to report her disobedience. Naruto was angry, no, furious, but he snapped at her to hurry and join Lee and Neji. She was ashamed at disobeying order from her captain, but a gut feeling told her that it was going to lead Sasuke fast to Itachi. After all, that was the mission.

'If Sakura is hurt in anyway, Tenten, I will get you court-martialed. Not following orders taints your ANBU record. Remember that. I won't risk her getting hurt. She's been down that road too many times.' Naruto's voice replayed itself over and over in her mind, making her partially regret her outburst of anger. However, the thing that truly hurt was Neji's evident disappointment in her. He hadn't said anything to tell her so, but his silence was enough.

She was very exhausted and she couldn't wait to see Neji, and finally rest while he had his arms around her. Her nonstop travel caused her to be weary and she did not enjoy the feeling of complete exhaustion washing over her. Tenten glanced at the map she was holding. The camp should be some where around here.

"Tenten!" A voice called out and she felt like she had stepped into heaven.

"Neji!" She rasped out breathlessly. The Hyuuga ran up to meet her, or rather catch her.

"Neji, I'm back." She grinned at him while chuckling weakly.

The white eyes stared at her. "Sleep. I'm sure you're tired." The woman in his arms didn't need to be told twice. She curled up and closed her eyes and in a few seconds she was out like rock.

"Naruto, Tenten's back. She's resting." Lee said using their communicating piece, watching the pair of them not too far away.

Naruto was pacing nervously. "Lee, I'm back with Shikamaru and Hinata. I think it's best that we go in to rescue Sakura. Shikamaru is working something out. Be ready. Make sure Tenten gets enough rest. We'll need her." After Lee understood, Naruto pulled off his earpiece, throwing it harshly at the mossy ground. He sat heavily on a boulder protruding out of the earth, exhaling the air out of his lungs while rubbing a tired face with his hand.

"Naruto-kun?" A soft, melodic voice said cautiously. Hinata took a graceful seat beside him, her pale eyes pooling with concern and reassurance. Her soft hand grasped his and squeezed it gently, silently telling him what he wanted her to say.

He lifted his blue eyes to meet her face framed with dark blue bangs. "I'm scared, Hinata. I've never felt so scared before. The thought of meeting Sasuke again and now Sakura taken hostage by Itachi…it scares me more than you can imagine." He whispered so that only she could hear.

The Hyuuga heir closed her eyes. "Naruto-kun, I know. But use your fear." He looked at her in surprise. A smile appeared on the woman's face. "Use your fear so that it works in your benefit. You have every right to be afraid. We all are. This mission is a hard mission. Maybe not so much physically, but mentally. This mission will result in a noble clan completely extinct. Sasuke was our friend, but he betrayed us. This is why it's so hard for you and Sakura. Yet, just remember, this mission isn't the end of the world. You still have other friends and people that look up to you. Right?"

Naruto stared at her in new found surprise and respect. "You're so…beautiful." He said without thinking. An immediate reaction was a flaming blush on Hinata's ivory cheeks. He realized what he had said and broke out in perspiration. "What meant was—I meant—your speech—I mean—No—you see, I—" The blonde jounin stuttered. But he soon broke into an easy grin, as wide as it could ever go. "Hinata, what I really meant was that you are my light. A beautiful light," she went even redder, "that brings relief to me like no other person." He broke out into a fit of laughter. He looked at her suddenly very serious, and the blonde ninja took her hand in both of his.

"Hinata, when this is all over, will you marry me? Will you become my wife? I'll try to make you happy every day, I promise. I'll make sure you'll never be sad." He gazed at her with eyes that Hinata first fell in love with.

With trembling lips, she opened it and whispered painfully, "I can't."

It was then that Naruto thought his world collapsed. This pain of rejection did not even come close to the rejection that Sakura gave him. No, this was a million times worse, and it felt like those simple two words stabbed him through the heart ten thousand times. His eyes looked dull and he gazed down at the ground. "Oh, I see. I understand." He forced a bright fake smile on his face. "Well, I'll go see how Shikamaru is coming with the plans. I think he should be done by now, right, Hinata-chan?" He stood up abruptly.

Small hands gripped his surprisingly hard. "I can't plan the wedding by myself."

Naruto froze like a deer caught in headlights. He slowly, very slowly, looked at her. His eyes grew wide and he swooped down and picked her up, swinging her around like a doll. "You mean it? Do you? Do you really?"

She nodded while beaming, a wonderful smile on her face. "I mean it."

There was no ring, no romantic dinner, nor a bouquet of roses, but Hinata couldn't have been happier. While still keeping his new finance in a bear hug, he turned his head and shouted, "Hey, Shikamaru! Did you hear that? Hinata agreed to be my wife!"

Shikamaru tiredly gazed at them. "Congratulations to both of you. My brain actually feels like it's about to explode. I would be happier and jump up and down with glee to celebrate, but we're in a crappy situation." He sighed greatly. "How troublesome."

The two others laughed. Naruto looked at Hinata. "How do you think we should break the news to Neji-niisan?" He added sarcastically.

Hinata looked stricken and went paler than usual. "H-How about n-now?" Her fingers began to take up their nervous habit now.

The ANBU captain examined her face carefully. "Are you sure?"

She nodded hesitantly. "It's better when he's not near us."

He laughed and picked up his fallen radio. "Hey, Neji, I've got something to tell you."

The male Hyuuga's deep voice could be heard. "What is it?"

"How do you feel about being my best man for my wedding? Once you agree, you can't go back on your word." He said.

Neji's silence indicated that he was thinking very hard. "Your wedding? Why so sudden?"

"Just answer."

"Fine, I'll be your best man. Why me, Uzumaki?"

Naruto chuckled. "Well, since you are my future bride's cousin, and—" He stopped due to a very loud hissing noise on the other side of the line.

"What did you say?" His voice dropped deadly low, venom seeping into it in fatal amounts. "Did you just say what I think you just said?"

Naruto feigned a look of hurt, even though Neji couldn't see it. "Why, Neji-niisan, are you telling me that you don't approve of me marrying Hinata-chan?"

"Damn right I don't." He growled, causing Hinata to stifle a giggle. "Hisashi-sama will never allow this. Hinata-sama, I advise you to change your mind."

Hinata's eyes narrowed very slightly in anger that was usually never displayed. "Do you believe that Oba-san will allow you to marry Tenten-san?" She questioned very quietly.

Neji was silent. He was fuming but he saw some logic in his cousin's words. His eyes traveled to the woman that was sleeping while using his leg as a pillow. He heard Hinata speak again, still in that angry, quiet tone. "I think I will have to fight my family to allow him to let me marry Naruto-kun. Please, Neji-niisan, I would truly wish that you weren't one of those people that I have to fight."

After a while, Naruto and Hinata smiled when Neji grunted a reply. "Fine, Hinata-sama."

Sasuke was literally flying towards the Hidden Mist region. He was not too far away. His legs were almost screaming at him to stop and give it a rest, but the rage of jealousy and anger were swelling inside him. Wait. Jealousy? Whoa, let's not go that far. The only jealousy that Sasuke ever felt was when he found out that Naruto was stronger than he was. Jealousy for what? For Sakura? He scoffed at his thoughts. An Uchiha never felt jealousy towards a girl. It was just the rage talking to him.

"Itachi, you will die. I swear it. By honor of my clan, and by the honor of my blood, you will die by my hand." He muttered under his breath, repeating the same promise that he made to himself how many years ago that was. He never counted the years. It merely seemed to him like eternity.

The younger Uchiha panted while he rested on a high branch. He could see the carpet of grass below him and there was a heavy air of humidity about him. The Mist Village was close. Itachi was close. His revenge was close. Just barely out of his grasp. He felt his heart pound faster. Excitement rushed through his veins. It only made him go faster.

But as he got deeper through the forest, different chakra could be sensed. With his Sharingan activated, Sasuke made his way, avoiding patches where they reeked of other chakra. He felt eyes watching him as he tried to make his way through. Heading towards a clearing, he stood in the middle of it, waiting for his stalkers to come. One by one, totaling in ten in all, they landed in a neat circle around him. Their black robes were decorated with red lined clouds and it triggered a familiar rage inside the missing-nin of Konoha.

"What do you want?" He asked coolly, his hands in his pockets casually.

"Just intercepting you." One to his right spoke up.

"I'm not in the mood." Sasuke sneered.

"We are not either."

A leaf blew past Sasuke's face. The battle commenced.

Three enemy shinobis launched themselves first and the Sharingan user mentally cursed himself for not resting. He was starting get worn out already. He blocked the first kick and delivered his own hard, direct kick that sent one flying. Speed was no problem. Sasuke mastered speed easily. Grabbing one arm of each of the two left, he threw them in opposite directions. Sasuke's Sharingan saw two more Akatsuki members disappear and then reappear very close to him, but he already saw the punch from above, and the poison senbon from below. Knocking away the punch first, he punted away the senbon and slammed his feet on the wrist of the senbon owner. A delicious scream of pain reached Sasuke's ears.

"Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu!" His hand flew into the appropriate seals. An enormous, searing ball of fire protruded from Sasuke's mouth, engulfing one completely while two were mildly injured.

Taking out two kunais with explosive seals attached to each of them, he threw them hard in separate directions, catching two unfortunate ninjas by surprise in the chest. The momentum of the kunais pushed them back into two more of their comrades and they exploded together.

Three suffering from minor injuries stood to engage again. Sasuke smirked haughtily. He vanished then reappeared right behind one of the remaining ones standing, and while he held a kunai to one, he quickly hurled shuriken that embedded themselves quickly in the heads and the necks of the Akatsuki.

"You will tell me where you are stationed. I have some business to attend to."

"I'd rather die." His captive spat.

Sasuke's hand shot into the hostage's mouth to prevent him from biting his tongue. He didn't even flinch at the pain. "Tell me quickly because I don't want to play games."

"Never." The other shinobi breathed.

"Do you know of a ninja named Haruno Sakura?" He snarled.

A raspy laugh escaped the captive's throat. "Uchiha-sama has her in his own room. I heard that he's having fun times with her. The guards outside say that they can hear her screams at night when he—"

The avenger thrust a kunai automatically straight into the Akatsuki shinobi's voice box to silence him. Pushing away the body from him, Sasuke felt disgusted and revolted.

But in Itachi's room, only silence was heard.

It was empty.

Author's notes: This one's finished! I hope you liked it. Thank you once again for your constant support. Believe it or not, it serves as a major inspiration for me to continue. Wow, Thank you guys. Chapter 6 is coming up soon! …I hope…