Chapter 7:
They stayed at the terrace to enjoy the relaxing view of the mountains. Draining her coffee off, Sakura feels the tension between Itachi and Kabuto. Sensing the need to escape she stood up and tried to make an excuse but,
"Not so fast, my dear, …" her father said, "You need to hear this"
Something is in King Saito's mind,
"I am planning to host a traditional event…"
"Go on, King Saito…" Kabuto said
"A competition… that will tell who will be the best…"
"And that involves…" Sakura added
"Great warriors of different countries"
"Father are you mad… someone might die…"
"Princess Sakura… in order to know who is the best someone must sacrifice…" Itachi explained,
"I say that sacrificing your life just to prove that you are the best is vain"
Itachi answered back, "Not everything goes according to what we want…"
Kabuto remarked "A good thing it is King Saito," then "But what would be the price for the champion?"
"Eternal Glory will be his, a monument will be made and will be placed at his country so everyone will know that he is the best warrior in his time…"
"Now you're talking my King, how many countries will take part at the said event?" said Itachi
"Seven to ten countries, and that includes your country Prince Kabuto and so is Fire Country" King Saito responded,
"So who's the prey from Fire Country King Itachi?" a query with hidden meanings in it.
"Prey? A predator suits well… I will be Fire Country's representative"
It's a good timing to do his evil plan against Itachi, everyone that will get in his way must die.
Sakura was taken aback when she heard what Itachi said, sure he looks robust but it doesn't mean that he can survive. She wants to object but everyone will get suspicious.
"The king said great warrior… not being immodest, but I am undefeatable in my country…"
The truth is he has no idea how good in combat Itachi is, but he is confident that he will win, no one can outdo him in his country, well with the exception of his uncle.
"Well I'll not be so confident if I were you…Prince Kabuto… Prince Neji of Water Country and General Naruto of Wave Country can also be classified as Great warriors… and not to mention King Gaara of Sand Country, a powerful one in did." Explained King Itachi
"Your appraisal to them makes you look weak King Itachi" uttered Prince Kabuto, "you sound like you're a bit terrified… you know you can still withdraw what you said and find someone tougher than you…"
Itachi has a long patience sure he has…
"Thanks but no thanks…it will take years or decades for me to find someone who is stronger than me…"
Kabuto who has no intention of loosing into Itachi's repartee, answered him back,
"Good fighting Spirit who have in there my King… you really need that… but I think you need more practice…"
"Practice… sounds good" Sakura answered for Itachi, not feeling so good about their conversation.
"Yeah… so when will the competition occur?" queried Itachi,
"Three weeks from tomorrow…"
A sweat drop into Kabuto's façade… 'god I really need to prepare or I'll wind up being deceased.'
"King Saito…King Itachi…beloved, I'm sorry but I need to go"
"Prince Kabuto …why don't you stay a little longer?" a query from King Saito
"I'm sorry but I have some important matters to face in Water Country" Kabuto elucidated.
He departed with the goal that he needs to get rid of Itachi no matter what. If Itachi dies, Fire country will be easy to subjugate and if he conquer Fire Country, he conquers all, a plan that leaves a smirk in his face.
"Father who will be the delegate of our country?" queried Sakura,
"Your cousin Prince Kakashi, he will arrive a week before the competition"
Prince Kakashi is known for his strategic and logical ideas. He became the captain of a legion of army when he was fifteen years old. And became one of the kings' generals at the age of eighteen. But when he reached the age of twenty-two he married Lady Kurenai and retired being a soldier as what his wife requested. And they settled at the northern part of the country.
"Why father? Lady Kurenai will surely be against his decision…"
"Sakura, a competition like this is being held every fifty years, a warrior like your cousin can't just let this opportunity slip off in his hands that easily,"
"I understand father… and perhaps that is also your reason King Itachi?"
"Maybe"
"King Itachi, would you want to join us for dinner?" offered King Saito, it's very rare for Itachi to be seen visiting other countries and usually Kisame is the one who arranged the deals.
Itachi felt that Sakura also wants him to stay a little longer so,
"That would be nice King Saito" a smile was visible into Itachi's face that made him looked a little boyish and it made Sakura blushed.
"Father, where is Kenji?"
"At Sand Country,"
"I see…"
"King Itachi, want to roam around the kingdom?" suggested Sakura… her motive is pretty obvious to Itachi.
"That's great…you wouldn't mind King Itachi right?" added her father.
"That sounds fun,"
They walked and settled at the garden.
"Itachi, you don't know what you're doing…"
"What do you mean Sakura, staying for dinner?"
"No about the competition, you might…" unable to finish the sentence
"Get killed… you're worried about me?" but Itachi finished the sentence for her
"Do I have no right to care about you?"
Itachi was flabbergasted, he doesn't know how to react…then,
"Thanks…"
Then he captured her lips with his, he was longing for her. But he need to release her while he can still hold back himself.
Itachi apologized, "I'm sorry… I can't help it"
"Its ok…"
Three weeks passed quickly… and now is the time to see who's the best among the ten warriors.
To Be Continued-------------------------------------------
A/N Thanks for reading… And thanks for your reviews…It help me a lot…hehehe