I would just like to say thank you for my reviewers especially jhane and of course mina, my fellow Filipinas! blushes thanks for your reviews, I appreciate it so much hehe I really never expected to get such nice reviews for this fic. Here's the next chapter. Pls review and tell me what you think thanks a lot! To mina: sorry if i didn't send it to you through e-mail. i was kinda rushing this. hope you forgive me. i'll send you the next chapters however... hehe
Three:
Sakura let out a blissful sigh as she sunk her nude body into the warmth of the hot spring. A foot away from her was Ino. Her head was laid down on her folded arms that were placed on a large smooth rock near them while Hinata and Tenten were on the far opposite corner immersed in a deep conversation.
Placing a towel on the top of her head, Sakura sunk her body deeper as she gazed at empty space in front of her. Sasuke's face slowly materialized in front of her. His face had thinned. His weary eyes looked back at her. For a moment, she could actually see Sasuke's face morph into Itachi's own.
Sakura smirked as the three girls' laughter wafted through the air around her. They haven't notice the mischievous smile on their pink haired friend. By far, Sasuke is still no match for her Itachi sensei. She now felt so silly falling for such a weakling.
Sakura closed her eyes then and savored the inviting feeling of the hot spring. There are so many plans for her now. After recruiting her new partner, it wouldn't be long till she was given the mission she had always wanted. She opened her eyes slowly; her green orbs glowed in a different kind of way. She could already feel the rushing of her blood and the excited throbbing of her heart as she thought about her feeble life before she had met her Itachi sensei.
Sakura bit her lip and smiled mischievously. Ah, this was all part of the grand plan of life. Those who strive for power will be granted while those weak and unable to look out for themselves will be left to rot. As Sakura discovered in her journey away from Konoha, kindness will never make you stronger nor make you live longer. It was your wit and your passion to be on top of everyone else that motivates you.
Like what Itachi had said: In this world, there is no such thing as good or bad. It's either your weak or your strong.
Her mind now played her past memories starting with leaving Konoha. Barely aged fifteen, Sakura had come up with the idea of finding her real purpose by discovering everything outside Konoha. And she was all too glad that their Hokage Tsunade had agreed to it. She had the Hokage's trust and Sakura, being the top medic student, was granted with everything she wanted and needed for the sake of the art of medicine.
Bearing the scroll with Tsunade's words and signature in it, she had traveled without saying her adventure to anyone. And it was after six months, she had discovered so many dark hidden techniques that lay forgotten in the earth under the eye of a Kiri landlord she was living in with. Though he had treated her with kindness and respect like that of a father to a daughter, he had told Sakura off the jutsu grave, in which he calls. But she paid no heed to his warning. Power was inches away from her and who was this aged man to stop her? It was a good thing he never knew who she really was. Sakura had worked for him as a young servant's girl. There was no need to show Tsunade's scroll to him.
And it did her good.
An evil smile crept as Sakura mused on her first kill. Blood dripped slowly from her hands as her victim lay sprawled lifeless on the floor. After staring at her bloody hands, she remembered laughing. Afterwards, she found herself digging at the scrolls in the graveyard.
Power would soon be hers after she had learned it.
Since then, she felt the deep desire to conquer all; the sudden thirst for power was overcoming her. She needed to know everything. She wanted to own everything.
She never hesitated to kill when she needed it. She was craving for blood and power. And it wasn't long enough till she heard everybody talking that a new missing-nin is rising in Kiri. Oh the feeling of being talked about and sending shivers to people!
It was priceless.
Then her path crossed that of Itachi's. It was his sharingan eyes that she would never forget. As she stood in front of him that fateful day that started an interesting relationship, Sakura had forgotten that he was Sasuke's older brother.
Itachi saw her potential and she could still remember the first words he had said to her.
"How interesting… a rampaging killer with heaven's face."
It was then he has tutored her and she willingly obliged. Rest would only be for a couple of hours then she was ready again. Years of training under him were never wasted for she was included in Akatsuki. She was a revered killer who lures her victims with her look of innocence and allure. And the most ironic thing is, she is now known as the new missing-nin of Kiri.
It won't be long now till she finds her next victim.
Itachi saw her potential. They needed someone like her in Akatsuki. Sakura was a great pick. For not only does she execute her missions perfectly, she was also witty. Besides that, her mind was a vast storage of information and medical miracles that only Tsunade can comprehend.
With all these qualities, Itachi had to choose her.
There was a time that she wished she had sharingan eyes. That way, it would have been easier for her to learn jutsus. Nevertheless, she strived to make something that would benefit her weakness.
It took her a full year to finally achieve something to make her stronger. While she researched and experimented, she trained hard under Itachi. Finally, the key was lying on her hands.
With her knowledge in medicine, she had conjured a new kind of pill that can boost chakra and use it efficiently without wasting it. It also adds twenty five percent of stamina and adds a good fifty percent to speed and controls muscle reflexes that is a vital role in using taijutsu.
Her medical discovery was miraculous even Itachi couldn't believe her at first. When she used it in her first mission, she was amazing in Itachi's eyes. It wasn't until Itachi talked to her when she realized everything has its downside.
"Your discovery proves most well. But you system is slowly disintegrating. From the way you have conjured it, it seems that you have used it to maximize other attributes and your body could only do so much as to double your power but weaken your body. If you don't take it in small amounts, you're bound to feel it sooner or later."
Whatever Itachi had said to her that night made her strive for more. Fear was no longer an issue for her. Die if she must, but not until she gets what she needed. She will make ends meet and she won't die until she had used every once of her sweat and blood to get what she wants. And the whole world will bow down to her feet.
A placid smile appeared on her face as Ino and the others waded closer to her. "Hey forehead girl! We made a welcome home party for you! We can't find you anywhere yesterday!" Ino squealed, pumping her fist into the air.
"Everyone will come of course! Let's drink until the sun rises!" Tenten said, smiling at Ino. "Just like always Ino, one with the most drink wins!"
Sakura looked at them from the corner of her eye. Fools. They could only think about earthly things when they could strive for power.
Sakura kept her thoughts to herself as she joined their merriment, all the while wanting to stop this bonding and go back to her Itachi.
Evening soon came and Sakura's homecoming party had already started at her friends' favorite bar hangout. Donning a red curve-hugging dress with her pink hair tied in a neat braided bun crowned around her head, Sakura arrived at the party.
Meanwhile, their noisy blue-eyed blonde had also just entered the bar and instantly walks over to where Hinata was sitting. Giving her a wide smile accompanied by a wink, Naruto then surveyed the place and found their pink-haired friend. At the very end of the room, he saw Sasuke standing there with a sober look on his face.
Naruto sighed. "Poor Sasuke." He muttered as he looked back at Hinata and groaned. "I told you not to drink too much!" he scolded her gently as he grabbed the Hyuuga's cup and drank it.
Hinata on the other hand blushed slightly. "It was just my second one Naruto-kun. What were you saying about Sasuke again?"
Her blonde companion shrugged. "He always thought that it was his fault Sakura left. He won't tell me but I know that's what he's been thinking all those years."
Hinata gave a small nod. "Sakura-chan won't tell much about us either. And she's been called by Hokage."
Naruto almost choked his sake. "Tsunade called her?"
"Tsk Tsk Naruto, don't you know the word 'respect'?"
Both turned their heads around and saw Lee coming towards them then settled himself on a vacant seat opposite to Hinata's.
"Hmph… yeah whatever. So what did they talk about?" Naruto asked, ignoring Lee as he helped himself with some crackers.
Hinata looked down on the table, wondering if she should tell Naruto. Yes, she overheard two of them speaking and it made her curious all over again.
Tsunade, their Hokage, sound ecstatic when she came back. After all, she was proud of Sakura. Then Hinata heard their conversation:
"I do hope you have found what you want and needed in life?" Tsunade said, followed by a mellow laugh.
There was a pause. Then Hinata heard a jovial laugh again. "I had found what I was looking for." She heard Sakura answer.
"Good then. Surely you may now continue your work as a medic. Oh, so much work to do and you're the only one fit for it, you know. We're in need of-"
"I want to quit as one of the medics."
Hinata stared at the table in deep thought. She had kept her mouth shut and didn't tell anyone. After hearing Sakura state her resignation, Hinata immediately walked away. Why was she quitting? She had no idea what happened afterwards. Should she tell Naruto and Lee about it?
Naruto sighed, sensing Hinata's sudden quietness. "It's okay Hinata. None of us really know anyway." He said cheerfully.
"I talked to Sakura just yesterday afternoon. She seems pretty happy so I didn't ask her anything." Lee said, ordering for a drink. "After all, what matters is that she finally back right? And she's become prettier!" he said the last sentence with glee while Hinata continued to stare at the table in silence.
For a while, Sakura let the noise pass around her. Inwardly, she hated this. There is too much noise and precious time is being thrown away. But she kept her small smile on her face as she looked around the bar.
Her green eyes would then meet Sasuke's own.
Sakura could only laugh inwardly as she stared back at Sasuke's deep and sober eyes. "I wonder what you're thinking now foolish Sasuke." She said to herself as she turned leisurely around, realizing that she was standing inches close to a familiar Anbu.
Wearing a gray vest and the clothing an Anbu usually wears under his cloak, the respected Hyuuga bore his white eyes into Sakura's green orbs while Sasuke watched them, clutching a bottle of sake and standing beside a yawning Shikamaru.
"You fraud." Neji said quietly yet with a strong force in which Sakura could only stare back at Neji and his accusation.
Raising an eyebrow at him, Sakura led him to a quieter place, which was a small veranda, away from the dancing and cheering fools.
"Neji-kun, what are you talking about?" Sakura chirped, her eyes giving Neji a warning look.
The brunette smirked and fished the hitai-ate from the inside of his vest. "I should have known." He whispered, throwing the protector to Sakura, who snatched the protector from the air.
Neji noticed Sakura gave a little wince and frowned slightly. The brunette smirked. "You didn't expect someone will blow your cover, did you?" he asked scornfully.
Gripping the protector in her right fist, Sakura's laughter then filled the night air. "I am so careless. Thank you for returning it though." She said in between laughter. Looking back at Neji now, she leaned back on the ledge and smiled at him.
"Now you know. Actually, you're right. I never expected someone will know the real Sakura. What are you going to do, Neji-kun?" she asked with a playful hint in her voice.
Neji glowered at the woman in front of him. Why is she still so calm? Shouldn't she be exposing herself now to the others? What was it she wants? His eyebrows met in confusion as he continued to give the woman a fierce look. Questions still plagued his mind.
"What is your business?" he hissed as Sakura draw nearer to him.
"I have no business here yet, Neji-kun. Only to visit the fools I have left. Yet you Neji… only you doubted me. I should praise you for it." Sakura whispered, standing beside Neji while looking inside the bar.
Sakura crossed her arms over her chest and sighed with reverie. "I have always admired your power Neji-kun. And there was a point that I envied you and many others. Too bad you live your life with these fools when you can search for your freedom… a real life outside of Konoha with no boundaries. A life you'll live on your own without anyone telling you what you need or have to do. " Sakura said in sultry kind of way as Neji peered at her from the corner of his eye.
She tilted her head up to Neji when he didn't say anything. "I have found mine. Why not look for yours?" she asked, yet Neji remained silent.
Neji stared at this woman all the while pondering on what she had said. She had strike him with her words truthfully speaking. Freedom… Yes, he wanted that. Was she saying he should escape his life now to find a better one?
"Unlike you, "he said quietly, his eyes staring down at Sakura's own. "I don't run away."
He saw Sakura frowned for a bit at what he said then she smiled back again. "If you consider it like that, it's fine." Sakura said as she took a step away from Neji and faced the doorway towards the bar. "But I never regretted it Neji-kun."
Neji instinctively grabbed her arm and spun her around, their faces mere inches away from each other. A part of him was admiring this woman of confidence and mystery. She indeed had found freedom but was it really what she wanted? He knew something was amiss.
Neji tightened his grip on her arm. The rightful thing to do was to give this woman to the Hokage.
Strange as it may seem, he can't. He needed to find out more.
"I doubt your words woman. But unless you won't do anything against Konoha, I will not talk about our conversation this night." Neji said calmly as his grip on her harm remained.
Sakura gave a lopsided grin. "We remain comrades then unless I do something against Konoha." She removed Neji's hand from gripping her arm and looked at him evenly.
"I hope till then that I may talk with you more." She said as she strode back to the bar and left Neji in the veranda.
"I will find out more… " he murmured as Sakura's footsteps drown in the party noise.
Gulping down the last drop of his sake, Sasuke brushed up his raven hair and crossed the room upon seeing the sight of pink hair slowly walking towards the counter. He had caught up with her as he reached for her hand to stall her. His brows met in puzzlement as he thought of Sakura spending time with Hyuuga Neji. Of all the close people she could talk to, why the hell him?
"What is your business with Neji?" he asked while Sakura just stared back at him haughtily.
"He told me things I never thought he knew." She answered, knowing this will stir Sasuke's feelings.
With this, Sasuke felt a jolt of electricity rush through him. Why was she acting like this in front of him? "This is not fair Sakura! You're avoiding me!" he hissed, surprised at his sudden childish outburst.
Sakura glared at him as she pulled her hand away. "You think you don't deserve it?"
Sasuke grunted and pulled her back with force and locked her hand with his. "Why do you loathe me so Sakura? If this is about how I've treated you for the past years, I'm sorry. I've changed – "
"I have noticed." Sakura said sarcastically avoiding his eyes yet Sasuke held her chin and faced it to him gently. His inquiring eyes looked for answers.
"Sakura, I don't get it. You, being so cold… where is your hatred coming from?" he asked yet again as Sakura stepped back at him with a glare in her eyes.
"It is from my weak past." She hissed as she stormed out of the party and disappeared in the night meanwhile her thought rang in her mind. She can no longer take the insanity of these people. But this is what she wanted: To look down on these meddlesome fools and to see herself as someone higher than them… stronger and powerful than they will ever be.
And this stopover of hers has been enough. Tsunade might be already talking with the Anbu corps to track her down. A little more thinking and Tsunade will come to the true conclusion that the reported new missing-nin from Kiri is none other than Sakura.
Sakura looked up at the velvet sky of Konoha and whispered Itachi's name quietly. Yes, she needed him now. As always.
She needs him to take her away from here.
Unknown to Sakura, this was the start of her own ordeal that only she alone could fight.
Unless someone saves her from her own self.