Birthdays Past

Chapter 11: Itachi's gift

By: Vampire Toy

PG 13 (Just in case)

Disclaimer: Me no own ;;

"Talking"

(Inner Sakura)

:Sound effect:

…

My mind was overrun with thoughts and feelings giving me a sensation similar to drowning. I was always the one who couldn't do anything, and now it seemed that I controlled everything. I could prevent or cause the loss of three amazing friends by simply looking at someone. Yet I was still completely helpless and unable to save them.

(You always say you'll get stronger and work harder and where has that gotten you?)

Nowhere.

I closed my eyes and bit my lip, trying to force myself to sleep without shedding more tears. After what felt like an eternity, however, I knew I wouldn't get to sleep anytime soon.

(Maybe…fresh air?)

Yeah.

I dragged myself up and trudged to the window, testing it lightly to see if it was still blocked off. I gave a content sigh and pushed it open, sitting on the windowsill with my legs drawn up to my chin. I breathed in the cold desert wind gladly and began to relax a little.

"Your up." A monotone voice stated form above me. I looked up calmly, I knew his voice, and I had a slight suspicion he might be somewhere nearby…just in case I had another splurge of adrenaline.

"You haven't slept in a while, you should sleep." He said from his place on the roof, looking straight ahead with seemingly no interest. I smiled meekly and climbed up to sit next to him.

"I can't sleep anymore I think."

"Why?"

(Because I want to be able to protect the ones I love….)

Even though you can't, but you can always WANT.

"I dunno."

"Hnn."

There was moment of silence and we both just sat watching the desert town in the cool moonlight.

"Your senseis are on their way." Gaara said suddenly.

"What?"

"Your senseis….from your team and the other two teams."

"When did you hear this? When will they get here?" I asked half-excited and half-confused.

"I received a message a while back, they've heard what happened and they're one their way." Gaara murmured. I flopped down looking up at the stars instead of the dead city below.

"You shouldn't look at the town you know."

"Hmm? Why is that?" Gaara asked turning to look at me for the first time.

"It looks lonely, it'll depress you." I said stretching my arms by my sides as I got more comfortable on the roof. I heard the sound of movement and turned to see Gaara lying next to me on his back, also looking at the stars.

"You get used to it." He said.

"You shouldn't," I huffed, "it makes it hard for your emotions to decipher things."

"Excuse me?" he asked turning to me with a 'what crack are you smoking?' look.

"Well, think about it, nothing really depressing that SHOULD be depressing would be depressing!" I said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Isn't it better to not be depressed?"

"Well…you're not getting my point…."

"Your logic astounds me." He said sarcastically.

"Ne!" I turned and stuck my tongue out at him.

"You're like a loud, annoying, child." He smirked.

"Hey!"

"Your attention span is probably that of chipmunk."

"No way! I study really hard, that requires a lot of attention span….I'm surprised you don't get bored so easily though."

"Hnn?"

"Well, do you sit out here all night?"

"I sometimes walk around the city."

"Oh, but still…you already know where everything is…"

"Yes I get bored."

I blinked in surprise at his quick statement, he turned to look at the sky again and I frowned.

(Did I strike a nerve or something?)

"Hey…Gaara…" I said softly reaching out and grabbing his hand to get his attention. He almost seemed startled but took my hand and continued to look up. I paused and contemplated trying to apologize again but decided he looked too peaceful to disturb.

…

I woke sometime in the afternoon of the next day and almost had the delusion that I was in my own room again. I groggily sat up and slowly recalled everything of the previous day and night.

(I must've fallen asleep on the roof, hmm Gaara must've put me back in my room)

Heh….I guess I'm pretty boring when I sleep…

I stretched out my arms and legs and got some clothes, scampering groggily down the hall to a working bathroom. I knocked on the door to Temari's room and the door creaked open. I peeked in curiously and saw no one. I went into the bathroom and saw a note on the door saying I could use it.

(Well, note or not I was going in….I really need the bathroom)

I finished my shower quickly and changed, walking out refreshed and renewed.

(After breakfast we can go find my friends! I'm ready for anything! I could even fight Itachi!)

No.

(Ok maybe not….but I could hide myself better this time…)

Yes.

"Good morning Sakura." Someone said behind me. I grinned and slowed down so the person could walk next to me.

"Good morning Sasuke-kun…." My morning high slowly died down when I realized what I was saying and who was walking next to me.

"Good to see your talking to me again." He said tautly.

"No! I mean… I'm not…not…. I'm not 'not' talking…I mean….AHHHHHH!" I screamed dashing down the hall.

(Noooo! I let my guard down! What if Itachi was watching?)

No, he couldn't have been, he can't watch me ALL the time!

(But you never know WHEN he'll be watching! You can't slip up aga-)

"Sakura!" Sasuke yelled grabbing my arm and yanking me back into him, "What the hell is your problem?"

I struggled and strained trying to twist free from his grip while trying to ignore the pained look on his face.

"Sakura! Did Gaara do something to you?"

"No!" I blurt exasperatedly.

"What's wrong then?"

"Breakfast is ready." Gaara's deep voice interrupted.

I looked at Gaara thankfully but he just nudged Sasuke and I forward, releasing Sasuke's grip on my arm.

Sasuke let out a low growl but walked in silence, still next to me, but not looking at or talking to me.

(Thank you Gaara)

We got into the kitchen and Gaara bumped me into a seat next to Ino and sat on the other side of me. Though Gaara separated Sasuke and I, Sasuke continued to shoot me angry glances and everyone around us knew something was going on.

(It's ok if they give you weird looks, as long as Itachi didn't see you talk to him then you'll be fine…then everyone will be fine)

Kakashi and the others will be here soon, and then we'll be able to fix everything….

…

The senseis were taking their sweet time, however, so to keep from confronting Sasuke and anyone else who'd want to question me, I decided to go for a walk through town. It was one of the few relaxing things I'd done since I'd arrived in the Hidden Sand. No one would be going to look for our missing teammates until the teachers arrived, not that any of them would know where to look in the first place.

(I don't know if I like this relaxation while there's still so much I have to do…or try to do….)

Kakashi's orders were to stay in place and you're always the good little ninja.

(Yeah…)

"Hey! Sakura lady! You're alive!" a tiny voiced piped from the crowd.

"Cosi!" I smiled.

"Are you feeling better?" she cried running over and hugging my leg.

"Yes I am…thank you for getting the Kazekage for me." I ruffled her hair.

"Noooo problem! Hey you know what's really neat?"

"What?" I asked walking with Cosi after she let go of my leg and grabbed my hand.

"There was this guy who told me you would be out here today and that you would be ok! I think he can see the future!"

"W-what? What kind of man?"

"The kind that's a boy…well I'll show you! He wanted me to take you to him anyway."

"Oh…." (I don't think this is a good idea….maybe I should grab Cosi and run?)

"Come oooon! If your all better I know you can move faster than that!" she grinned. I smiled nervously and walked a little faster.

"Aww come on Cosi! Why don't we just go eat lunch? You shouldn't talk to strange men!" I said trying to coax her out of the plan, I wasn't sure WHO it was but I knew it couldn't be anyone good.

"Nah, he was really cute and he said you knew him!" Cosi blushed, "He gave me money too!"

"Cute? What did he look like?" I asked my heart pounding in fear.

(Why are you continuing if you KNOW it's not someone you wanna see? Grab the kid and run!)

"He's tall, dark, and handsome." A male voice answered. I looked up in horror to find Itachi staring back at me with a mock smile. He was dressed in commoner clothing and a straw hat, making him blend in easily if you didn't take the time to notice his eyes.

"Thank you Cosi, here, take this." He handed the little girl more money, "Now if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to talk to my girlfriend alone."

"Cool, he's your boyfriend?" she pointed in fascination.

"Y-y...n…" I could barely think, the thought that Itachi could get into this village and not even put on a full disguise made me sick.

"I am, now go, buy something for yourself, you deserve it."

"Ok, well, don't make out in public ok? It's gross." Cosi laughed and hugged my leg before running off.

I hardly noticed her leave, my heart was pounding in my ears and it seemed there was nowhere to run. Itachi grabbed my hand and pulled me along as if we had been walking together the entire day.

I became cold and shivered despite the smothering heat of the desert.

"Are you cold my dear?" he asked without looking at me.

"W….What are you doing here?" I hissed.

"I never gave you your birthday gift." He murmured.

"Y-yes you did! The necklaces!"

"Those were just a gift, don't you remember the note that was with it?"

('You forgot your gift earlier today so I thought I'd drop by and give it to you, but I decided not to bother you, so hopefully you found these easily; Happy Birthday Sakura-chan. My apologies for my incompetent brother, but know that I'll make your birthday wish come true'……. )

"N...no!"

"Oh, well I have another gift for you, something I know you'll like."

(I bet it's a dead cat in a bag….)

Well you don't like cats.

(Doesn't mean I want a dead one!)

"Tell me Sakura-chan," he said scooping me up and jumping out of the Sand Village, "have you spoken to my brother?"

"No!" I blurt my face turning red.

"Ahh, you know….being a good girlfriend means being honest." He calmly handed me a bandana, "Put this on…over your eyes."

I was silent and put it on as he instructed; he said nothing further the rest of the trip.

…

When we arrived…wherever we were supposed to be, it was already late because I was hungry again. Itachi set me down on my feet, taking off my bandana. I squint at the sudden light, even though it wasn't very bright, in fact it was a simple candle that lit the unfamiliar room.

"Now, put this on for me, then we'll have dinner. I think we need to talk about something." he tossed me a box covered by a strange cloth. It was black with pink Sakura blossoms on it.

(What a way to wrap a present!)

Hmm, the fabric looks familiar…

(Just open it and pray it's not a bondage outfit)

I took off the cloth and noticed it had been ripped off of something bigger, but I tossed it aside to see what was in the box.

(A dress! A….normal dress…wait! The Uchiha symbol?)

I pulled it out and surveyed it more carefully, turning it over and around to see what else could possibly be wrong with it.

It was completely black save for the Uchiha symbol on the front where the stomach would be. The straps were thin and the dress's front dipped down a nice distance (for Itachi) and the backside had crisscrossing strips to a little above my rear end. The dress itself probably only came down to my upper thigh and frilled out slightly, almost like a schoolgirl's skirt.

(He's fucked up)

I hope you didn't just NOW figure that out…

"Are you done?" he yelled. I looked up and realized he wasn't in the room.

(Change before he comes back!)

I threw off my clothes and shoved the dress on, finding much to my horror, that it fit perfectly.

I don't want to know how he knew my dress size…

"Ah, there you go, doesn't that look nice on you?" Itachi said walking back into the room and gesturing to a chair in front of candle-lit table.

I looked around the dark room slowly as I walked over and sat down. The room, from what I could tell, was basically a cave. I noticed also, that Itachi had changed back into his ugly burrito coat, but it was open and showed his fishnet shirt and black pants that were normally hidden beneath it.

(Not that the information helps, fishnets or otherwise, I didn't know there were any caves around….)

"Are you hungry?" Itachi asked.

I frowned, I wanted to say no, but I WAS hungry, VERY hungry.

"Yes?" he brought out two plates and set one in front of me.

It was chicken, noodles, and a salad.

"Do you drink yet?"

"No." I muttered for the first time.

"Well now you can start." he poured wine into two glasses and gave me one.

"Tell me Sakura-chan….what do you think I want to talk to you about?"

I shivered slightly at his icy glare, I hated how everything he said seemed to be mocking me, I wasn't sure if he was being serious because of his insanity, or if he was being sarcastic….all the time.

"T-to give me a birthday gift….um….its…pretty…" I murmured pulling lightly on the strap of the dress, not sure what reaction he was looking for.

"Yes, what else?"

"……"

"Sakura, I'm the jealous type you know? I don't like seeing you flirt."

"F-flirt? Excuse me? I didn't flirt with anyone!"

"Oh you didn't mean to right? With my brother?"

(He…saw…that….?)

"Now, I know I said I would kill your friends if I saw you go near him, but it was only once so I decided to just give you a little warning."

"I won't do it again."

"I know you won't…." he watched me a moment then began eating. I hesitantly started to eat as well. The silence droned on for a while until I was finished with my dinner and Itachi was contently drinking his wine.

"I…Itachi?" I asked softly.

"Hmm? Yes?"

"W…w-why is your clan's symbol on my dress?"

"Why not? Don't you want to feel special? My brother likes feeling special, I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you did too." He took another sip.

"….." (Does he mean I have to wear this home?)

"Come here."

"Wha-?"

"Get up, and walk over here, in front of me, come on, do I have to write it out for you?"

(What now? What IS this? I don't understand!)

I had never been so afraid before in my life, Itachi was unpredictable, he may have needed me to irk Sasuke, but at any moment he could decide the games are over and he wants me dead. I got up and sauntered over to him awkwardly.

"Good, now sit."

"…where?"

He gave me an annoyed look and sighed, pulling me into his lap roughly.

"Now listen, this dress wasn't going to be your gift originally….I actually had something MUCH better for you. I was hoping to give you this," he tugged on the hem of the dress, "at our next meeting but I'm having to move a little faster with out relationship." He said smirking.

"O..oh…"

"I want you to wear this tomorrow understand? All day, don't think about taking it off."

"Fine." I muttered biting my lip to keep form letting out my fear or anger.

"See how nice the dress is? I don't know much about women's fashion but you look beautiful."

"Thank….you…" I mumbled.

"But you see the best part is here," he put an arm around my waist to steady me and ran one of his fingers over my throat.

(He's going to snap my neck! Or cut it!)

I hope for the first one if I can choose….

(How about NOT dying?)

"Do you know a lot about my clan?"

"I guess…"

"Hmm, sit still."

"He-?" he leaned down bit my neck right above my collarbone. I winced in surprise and pain; it almost felt like he was trying to take a chunk out of my throat and his bite only became harder. I twitched slightly, my shoulder instinctively trying to cover my neck but failing when Itachi's other hand held it down.

(That really HURTS! It's like he has frickin fangs or something!)

I bit the inside of my cheeks and closed my eyes just as Itachi pulled away. I immediately opened them again and looked at Itachi awkwardly, his chin still had blood trickling down it but he quickly wiped it with his sleeve.

(Er….bloodlust?)

Wait! How much blood did I lose?

(How big is the bite mark?)

I can't believe he bit me!

I reached up to feel my neck but Itachi grabbed my wrist and pushed me off his lap. I stumbled up, and almost growled at him but decided to inwardly strangle him instead.

"Now then, I know you probably want to go back with your friends and your sensei's should be arriving too….let me just show you what your gift was going to be."

"Oh…haha that's ok…I don't need to-"

He stood up and gave me another of his hostile glares and I gave a silent sigh, following him out of the room. While walking down the halls I became almost positive that we were in a cave. My wound began to itch and I rubbed it quickly before Itachi turned and motioned for me to go into the next room first.

"You remember what I said earlier, I am the jealous type."

"Umm, yeah."

"I should have killed one of your friends."

"…"

"But I didn't….too bad I took my anger out on your birthday gifts," he said walking over to two large bags on the ground.

(Those are…BODY bags! Those are…PEOPLE!)

He waved me over but millions of thoughts where racing through my mind by then and I couldn't help but feel woozy and sick. He said he wouldn't kill my friends…but who else is there to kill?

(I hope its two dead cats)

In body bags?

(Two really big cats)

I began breathing heavily and didn't notice Itachi nudging me towards the bags until I was right in front of them.

"But look at it this way," he said continuing his earlier statement, "they'll never be late for your birthday again."

(NO!)

No, no, no……..

"Which one do you want to open first?"

(Neither…)

"Go on, pick one."

(No)

"No? Don't be shy, they're yours after all."

"NO!" I shrieked turning to run, I didn't want to open the bags, I knew who was in there. I knew whom he had killed; I knew what my birthday wish had been. He grabbed me around the waist and pulled me over to the bags as I struggled.

"PUT ME DOWN! PUT ME DOWN YOU BASTARD! I DON'T WANT IT!"

(If I don't open them, it's not real)

"I DON'T WAN IT!"

(It's not real)

"Open it!" Itachi said holding me with his arm under my breast as he lifted me in between the bags and dropped me.

"NO!" I sobbed, I felt my scorching tears surge down my face and the complete hatred build up inside of me, but I couldn't move…I couldn't believe he'd actually done it…..it couldn't be real…..

"Open them! Both of them!"

"NO!"

Itachi grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked my head down to one of the bags.

"I'll do it for you."

"NO! NO! NO!"

"You better get a good look." Itachi ripped open one of the bags and I screamed.

Vampire Toy: Some were complaining Itachi-sama wasn't in-character enough so I made him more sinister, I'm pretty sure this is right, this was how I had planned him from the beginning anyway X3 but as always, if I'm wrong then correct me! MWAHAHAHA……I feel tingly, anyway, I drew part of the scene with Itachi if you wanna see it in my gallery, heheeee I shouldn't drink caffeine saturated things…Xx oh the dress? Has more than one meaning! Hohoho, Ok, well Itachi's madness has logic to it! In a sense…hehee I bet you thought I was making him cutsey? (evil laughter) ack. Ok I'm done….R & R PLEASE!