A Will to Love
Disclaimer: Not mine… Otherwise I'll be doing the manga/anime, not here writing fanfiction P
Chapter 5: Change
Itachi was leaning outside Sakura's door, listening to her struggles pitilessly. When he heard the noises cease, he risked a chance and opened the door.
The sight that met his scarlet eyes was a defiant one. Sakura laid there, her head held as proudly as she could position it, the tears on her face seeming to shine but then disappear as Sakura shifted her position. She glared at Itachi with anger, but much to his relief, not hatred or despise.
He walked over to Sakura, and stared down at her with emotionless eyes. She turned her head, refusing to look at Itachi. He frowned slightly, and spoke while looking out the window.
"If you wish to be set free, you need to obey us."
Sakura looked at him quickly. "What do you mean? What do I have to do?"
"Become one of us. Your medical knowledge, strength and precise chakra control may benefit us some day, if needed."
Sakura stared at Itachi in disbelief—How dare he? "I will not. I rather die trying to get out of this shithole then help you."
Itachi stared at her for a moment, and abruptly turned and walked out. Sakura's stiff body relaxed as the white plain door slammed behind the black and red cloak, leaving her alone in the room once again. How the hell can I get out of here?
Uchiha Sasuke stared at the star-strewn sky without seeing it—No, these days, he was too busy thinking about the pink-haired shadow he used to have. Used to have… What strange words. How many times had he thought those words in regret? He used to have a normal life, he used to have friends, and he used to have a family… But these didn't bother him so much anymore. What pissed him off the most these days was the fact that he used to have someone who loved him with all her heart after the whole disaster with Orochimaru.
He regretted it. Seriously, and wholly regretted his rash reaction to her last attempt. And now he reaped the consequences.
"Damn it," he hissed into the night air, and hopped down from the tree top he was sitting on. A bird on the tree chirped in the silence at his abrupt movement. Sasuke took no notice; he was sprinting to the Hokage's residence. He heard, or rather felt, the assigned Anbu guards trailing him swiftly, from block to block, but he didn't care for once. As long as they didn't get in his way, he would let them be.
Less than a minute later, he was knocking as loud as he can on the Godaime's door. Tsunade opened it after a few seconds, clad in her usual outfit. It seemed as though she had been working for a period of time, and a light smell of sake was in the air.
Probably drinking again, Sasuke thought with disgust.
"Can I help you?" Tsunade asked, after a few beats of silence.
"I want to organize a search team of my own for Sakura," he said bluntly.
"I'm sorry, but that is not possible, given your past actions and decisions," she said, and made to close the door. Sasuke, however, stopped it with his foot.
"I am requesting you to give me some people. You can tail me with the Anbu, or have the Anbu guard me while I and maybe a few others look for her. The people you have sent out have had no success, and I believe I might be able to do what they cannot," said the Uchiha.
Tsunade considered him for a moment, and then said with a finality, "I will decide that in the morning, after some… inquiries. Check back with me then." Then she turned and closed the door.
Sasuke smiled to himself—at least he is getting somewhere now. He left the building and walked home slowly, the moonlight as if guiding him.
Kisame stood outside the Akatsuki's headquarters, scrutinizing Itachi's form as if he was trying to detect a black ant on his cloak. The sun shone brightly, and clouds drifted across occasionally. It was a perfect spring day.
"So she refused?" Kisame asked.
"Yes."
"Did you even bother to try to convince her?" Kisame's eyes narrowed.
"…"
"What the hell did you say to her?"
"We are going to have to convince her slowly… Indeed, I think she had spent too much time with my dear younger brother, and has grown to hate me," said Itachi, with a hint of boredom.
"You're going to have to start brainwashing her. You don't know how long it may take for her to believe you, and the sooner you put this plan in action, the sooner we can finally execute our final part of the mission," Kisame said. Itachi glared at him, and replied.
"I know all that… Remember, Kisame, I was put in charge of this mission… I know what to do…" said Itachi in a dangerous tone.
"If you say so." With that, Kisame turned and walked back into the building.
Itachi stood there, staring at the spot where Kisame just vacated, thoughts running through his head half-formed.
How can I convince her…? Just then, he hit upon a way to convince Sakura...
Sakura laid there, her limbs relaxed and her mind blank. Join us, he said. Itachi wanted her, of all people, to join the Akatsuki. He believed that she had the talent, the potential, the skill. Sakura wondered for a moment. She kind of liked the idea that the organization thought her to be good enough to be a part of them. But… how can she? Although she vowed to never love Sasuke again, there was just too much history there. Hating Sasuke would be one thing, but helping the murderer of his family? She decided that it was just going too far, stooping too low.
A knock on her door came out of nowhere, jerking Sakura out of her reverie. Although she gave no answer, the door opened anyway. It was Itachi, yet again. Except this time he was holding a plate of food, and silently put it down on the table next to her bed. Quickly, he dispelled the bonds that were holding her captive.
"Eat, and stretch your limbs before I have to bind you up again," he said tonelessly. he sat down at the chair by the table.
"Are you going to guard me the whole time?" asked Sakura sarcastically. The Uchiha glared at her, his red eyes emotionless. "Yes I am," he answered coldly. Sakura was slightly taken aback by his icy voice, but nonetheless assumed an indifferent attitude and began to eat, although her stomach felt like it was full of lead and she could barely swallow.
Itachi watched her fluid movements, her grace apparent even in such simple actions. He noted the way her coordination is just too perfect, even for a ninja, and her uncaring attitude. Truly, she already has the markings of the Akatsuki. Maybe he just have to help her hone in on her skills a bit more and she could be inducted.
"Are you sure you do not want to join us? I assume you are smart enough to notice the benefits of it," Itachi said after a moment of silence. Sakura put down her fork and looked at him.
"I considered it. But I don't think I would want to."
"…" Itachi stood up. "You truly are naïve. Maybe a few more days may help." With that, he picked up her empty plate and bound her wrists and ankles once again and stopped at the door.
"Imagine how much more power you can have with us… Limitless, universal… My coward of a brother would love to have that power by his side…" Itachi said. Sakura glanced at him, startled. She might have a better chance of winning Sasuke over with newfound powers... After all, what else could draw him to her aside from power?
"I will... Reconsider your offer... If you will allow me a few more days to think about it," she said carefully. Itachi nodded without looking at her and then left the room as quietly as he done everything else.
Sakura laid there once again, her mind full of too many ideas to think properly.
The power to attract Sasuke… Do I even love him anymore?
She thought of his spiky hair, pale ivory skin, onyx eyes, his trademark smirk… His cold demeanor… Yes, she still wanted him, even though she promised to herself to give up on him…
Would one more chance hurt…?
Sasuke woke up, bright and early in the morning. He glanced at the clock situated next to his bed: 6:23 a.m. He jumped out of bed and pulled on his clothes, brushed his teeth and ran out the door by 6:42. Once again he paid Tsunade a visit. His relentless knocking finally woke her up. Tsunade glared sleepily at him, a little bit of drool glistening at the corner of her mouth.
"What is it this time?"
Sasuke refused to be intimidated by her tone. If anything, she looks absolutely ridiculous at the moment. "Have you made your decision yet?"
Tsunade stared at Sasuke blankly for a few seconds, then stepped aside and gestured him to go in. "Sit down," she said briskly, no longer sleepy. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but I told you I will make inquiries first?" Sasuke nodded. She stared at him, as if contemplating. The silence broke when she spoke again. "Please sit here while I do that."
Sasuke watched as the Hokage step out of the room.
He buried his head in his hands, trying to fend off an oncoming headache. He sat there as the sun slowly rise, his nerves put on the edge from the waiting. Just as he was about to scream in frustration, Sasuke heard footsteps approaching the door, and quickly hitched his cold expression back onto his face.
"Sasuke, I will give you the liberty of putting together your own search team. However, I have conditions - One, you must have four Anbu guards, whom I will assign, keeping watch over at all times. Second, you will not be the leader of your team - Nara Shikamaru will take that position. Third, you are to follow whatever orders your leader or the Anbu guards or I will give out. And lastly, you may choose 3 other shinobis to accompany you. My own assistant Shizune will accompany the team as a medic nin. Do you accept the proposal?" Tsunade said steadily, her gaze never leaving Sasuke's darkening expression.
Sasuke considered the pros and cons - surely it is better to just accept the proposal and find Sakura as quickly as possible. As for the three other people, he will have to look around and talk to Shikamaru... Not exactly his favorite person, but at least he can think for himself.
"I accept it," replied Sasuke after a few beats of silence. Tsunade nodded and said, "Your team are to leave tonight at 5 p.m. That will allow you enough time to pack lightly and assemble your group." Sasuke jerked his head once in agreement, and left the room at top speed.
Sakura woke up abruptly, her arms and legs once again numb from the position. But she didn't care; she was too used to it to care. Judging by the position of the sun, she estimated it to be early morning… maybe just an hour after the break of dawn.
She was on the brink of insanity – the imprisonment, the inability to move, or even stretch… This is going too far, she decided. Bracing herself for the shock that she had learned to expect, Sakura winced as she ripped open the bonds that held her limbs together. All at once, a shock went through her fragile body, and her limbs exploded as if a fire was burning her. Tears rolled down her face as Sakura nearly passed out from the sensations. It took all her will power just to keep quiet.
After a few minutes passed, she sat up gingerly, and rubbed her arms and legs. Her heartbeat was still rather irregular, but she felt it slowing down and steadying once more. Sakura stretched, not knowing what else to do at the moment. By now, the sun was making its steady progress across the sky.
What to do now…?
Sakura walked around the room, stretching and reviving circulation within her sore limbs. She was in need of a wash desperately. The blank white walls made her feel claustrophobic, and Sakura threw open the window. Unsurprisingly, she could feel the essence of a barrier surrounding her whole room. She walked to the door and tested the knob. Surprisingly, it opened smoothly and silently. Sakura walked out into the hall towards the bathroom, where she was allowed few times a day with Itachi accompanying her to the door.
Sakura looked into the crisp mirror and started combing her messy hair. She laughed humorlessly at the situation… Who was she kidding? There was no point in trying to look proper. As she washed her face and dried off with a towel, a knock resounded through the small room. Sakura sighed, looked into the mirror once more while her hands gripped the sides of the marble basin of the sink. She was visibly cleaner, and she felt a little better. Another knock was heard, a little more urgent this time.
Sakura turned and opened the door to see Itachi. Although he wasn't displaying any emotions, she could barely feel the cold fury that emanated through him. Sakura glared coolly back at him and summoned the courage to break the silence.
"What the hell do you want, Itachi," she snapped almost waspishly. His scarlet eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
"What are you doing, out of your room and unguarded?" He hissed. "You are under imprisonment and are on no account to be wandering around here."
His words sparked fury in Sakura. "Go to hell, all of you. Power-hungry bastards, that's what you are. I suggest you try being locked up in a room for days on the end, never alone when you're free, and alone when you need help the most. You're a freaking asshole who needs mental therapy," she ranted mercilessly. Itachi stared at her expressionless.
"Are you done?" he asked harshly.
"No," Sakura fired back. "You guys are just a big bag of shit, did you know that? You know nothing, I mean nothing, about being merciful, nothing of how to treat people. You are so full of yourself. The Akatsuki, my ass. You should have named this The Dying Monkeys or something like that, it fits you better—" Her word were cut off as he stepped in close to her and Itachi's arms on either side of her head, braced against the closed bathroom door.
"Are you done?" he growled menacingly. "I am tired of your rants. It's bad enough for me to wait on you night and day, but I am-not-your-personal-psychiatrist." The cold, vehement words struck home as Sakura's eyes unexpectedly filled with tears. Itachi sighed inaudibly and turned. "Go back into your room." Sakura marched past him, her expression hardened. He followed her back into the hell-hole, where her ripped bindings were still on the bed.
He stopped short of the door. "I will not bind you again, but only if you will not escape again. I can guarantee you a painful end if you do attempt. There are a few Akatsuki members who will not hesitate to torture you into insanity." With that, he closed the door and sealed it.
As she stared at the closed door, Sakura regretted her outburst, even though she had no idea why.
To those who hate the way I write this fic:
I'm not begging you to read my fics, so don't flame me just because you don't agree with my story/plotline/OOC-ness. It's just rude, to not even bother pointing out any flaws whatsoever, but just plainly dissing my story simply for the reason that you don't like the way I portray the characters. It is very, very annoying and very, very impolite. There is a simple solution: Stop reading. If you hate it, don't read. You don't need to waste time on reading a story you don't think is worthy and still make time for a flame. You might or might not know this, but a flame still discourages the author, whether or not the author acknowledges it. Every author on spent time on their fics, so please try to respect it before reviewing it. You'll be surprised how your tone will change through a different view of the story.
To those who wants to continue reading:
Thanks! I really, really appreciate the support, and the last few reviews have been dragging me back in action xD. Sorry for the long non-update-ness… I have been really busy and I haven't kept up with the Naruto series at all. I stopped at maybe.. episode 120? Plus, a long writer's block made me discouraged.. I couldn't write anything for months. /
BUUUT, I am on track with the manga… D
Once again, I'm very sorry for the long wait… A lot of you probably have left the fic, or gave up on it, but I appreciate those who continued reading. You guys are my support, and if it wasn't for those who actually read and like this fic, it would have been discontinued a while ago… I'll work on the next chapter ASAP!