A/N: (Updated: March 10th 2021)

Hello my lovely readers, it's time for an update!

This chapter makes me nervous as it depicts a scene of battle and

I am not confident writing such scenes.. ahh... hopefully it will be ok.

Reviews are always welcome.

This story is rated R for a reason - you have been warned!

HAPPY READING! ^_^

Chapter 9. In the Night

"Are we not going to the shrine?" Sakura asked as Itachi led Nobu in the opposite direction of their usual route.

"No, I think you need a change of scenery. We'll be there shortly," Itachi replied as they made their way around the forest and into a meadow.

Sakura nodded and she held onto him as they made their way towards their destination in the dark with only the lantern and the stars providing them with light. They slowed down once they passed the meadow. The sound of the crickets intensified as they made their way towards the river. Sakura kept her hold on Itachi as she glanced up the stream, noticing a large cascading waterfall nestled in the rock formation.

"It's beautiful," she nearly whispered.

"It is," he agreed.

As they came to a stop, Itachi offered her his arm, allowing her to descend from the horse first. Sakura took it and with ease reached the ground — after so many trips and excursions, she became comfortable riding a horse, she daresay was comfortable enough to ride on her own. She took a couple of steps towards the bank of the rocky river and let her gaze fall onto the spray of the waterfall.

"So, Izumi is your chosen bride," she stated, keeping her gaze away from him.

"Yeah, I had no choice in the matter. It was the nakōdo's decision as she was the most appropriate choice," Itachi replied, as he made sure Nobu was secure and would not scurry off on them.

"I see," Sakura said.

Sakura sat down onto the flat rock; her gaze focused onto the cascading waterfall. Then she closed her eyes for a moment, focusing on the sound of the water purling down the rock. Itachi left his blade on Nobu's saddle, and he made his way towards her. He sat down onto the rock next to her, inhaling deeply as they enjoyed the night's fresh air.

"Why were you with Sasuke and Aoi?" Itachi asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

"Aoi invited me as a thanks for healing her injuries. Why?" Sakura asked right back.

"Just curious. It seems Aoi has taken to you quite quickly," he commented as he reached over to grab a small flat rock and he began to flip it around in his hand.

"I like her too. I think we'll become good friends," she nodded as she noticed his hand movement and her eyes shifted to see what he was doing.

"That's good. Just don't let her influence you too much. She likes to cause problems for her entertainment," he replied, and he chucked the rock into the river.

"Are you jealous of my friendship with your cousin or your brother perhaps?" Sakura asked as her eyes moved from his hands to his face.

Itachi let out a soft chuckle as he replied, "No, I'm not. Besides, I know you prefer me over Sasuke."

Her heart did a backflip. Why were these feelings coming to surface? He was getting married and yet here she was seeing him in another light — no longer just Itachi the protector, Itachi the friend. She was starting to see him as something more and it started to scare her. She would be foolish not to admit that she cared for him deeply — this Uchiha heir who already assumed that she preferred him over his brother. She smiled right back and then decided to challenge his answer.

"Oh, do I? I don't know. Your sister has suggested that I should marry him," Sakura said suddenly.

The smile of Itachi's face disappeared almost immediately only to be replaced by shock. He barely managed to utter a soft, "What?"

"You heard me. Your little sister suggested that I should marry Sasuke, so I could stay at the compound forever," she explained as she kept her eyes on him intently — as if she were attempting to figure out what he was thinking.

"What did you say to her?" he asked quickly.

"I told her the same thing you once told me. If I ever marry, it will be out of love," Sakura said with a smile.

"Good."

"Wait a second. So, you would not like me to be your sister-in-law?" Sakura questioned as she folded her arms across her chest.

"No, I would not," he answered, avoiding her gaze.

"Why? Am I not good enough for your brother?" she questioned further, feeling almost insulted by his answer.

Her mind immediately began to weave the possibilities of what he might have meant by his statement. Was she not worthy enough? Is it because she was not part of the clan or because she came from a different time? Was it because she was a mere physician and he was part of the head clan family? Was it because she was not good enough to become an Uchiha wife? Wait. Where was this all coming from? Why would this bother her? She averted her gaze and closed her eyes as if to suppress the tears that were threatening to fall.

"Your silence is enough for me," she said, and she moved away from him, taking a few steps closer towards the waterfall, as if she was attempting to create a bigger physical distance between – if only to avoid any other supposedly regretful action.

"Sakura," Itachi began.

She ignored his call and instead she stood on the edge of the river, her hand extending towards the waterfall, enjoying the feel of the cool spray of water. Itachi stood and began to walk towards her.

"Sakura, I didn't mean it like that," he said as he made his way to her.

"Sakura," he called to her again.

"Yes?" she finally replied, her back still turned to him as she played with the water.

She turned to face him only for her to lose her footing on the wet rock. As she nearly plummeted down, he quickly moved, wrapping his arms around her tightly, bringing her up to stand on her own legs once more. Sakura grasped onto his white haori, keeping his hold on him as they stood together in each other's arms.

"Careful," he said softly.

Sakura heart began to race once more at their close proximity. Her eyes met his.

"What would you say if I told you that I wish you didn't go back to your own time?" Itachi said.

"Itachi," she muttered softly.

He leaned down and pressed his forehead against hers. As he closed his eyes, he inhaled, savouring deeply the moment — as if to immortalize the way she felt in his arms, how she wonderfully she smelled of lavender, how he could-

Itachi opened his eyes for a moment, his eyes meeting hers once more. He moved one hand from her waist — while keeping the other around her — and brought it to her face, letting his calloused thumb gently caress her cheek. She smiled gently at the soft gesture, and she loosened her hands on his haori and instead placed them on his shoulders. He returned the smile as he gently placed his hand on the back of her neck. He leaned forward, letting his lips descend onto hers gently. Sakura felt as if her whole body became afire with ecstasy. She returned the kiss, one of her hands sneaking from his shoulder to his neck, bringing him closer. She knew she couldn't fight her emotions any longer.

Their sweet moment came to a halt as from a distance they heard the ringing of a bell. Itachi broke the kiss, his hands still on the rosette before him but he turned his gaze towards the Uchiha compound. Sakura still slightly stunned from the sudden but welcomed kiss, loosened her hold on the Uchiha heir. It was just her luck for their moment to be disrupted. He kissed her. He kissed her and she kissed back.

"We have to go back," he declared, and he removed his arms from her body.

Then he reached for her hand, which she gave gladly, allowing him to lead her back towards Nobu.

"That horn, what's going on?" Sakura asked as Itachi climbed on top of Nobu and he offered her his arm to get on.

"There's been an attack on the compound. I'm sorry Sakura, we must return at once," Itachi replied and as soon as Sakura had her arms wrapped securely around his middle, he quickly ushered his trusty steed towards home.

"I WANT ALL OF YOU READY TO RIDE AT ONCE! THIS CANNOT GO UNPUNISHED!" Fugaku yelled with fury as he held a bloody sword in his hand.

Fugaku's entire body was shaking in anger and hatred he felt for the Senju. He wanted blood. He wanted revenge. He stood outside the armory, watching the Uchiha men prepare for departure. There were fifteen Uchiha men strapping their equipment onto their body, readying for battle. Sasuke collected a chokutō blade and placed it onto his back before he collected his tantõ and katana and tied those to his hip. Aoi collected her bow and arrow and placed it on her back securely. Then she looked to the corner, her eyes falling on the old gunbai. For a moment it seemed as if she hesitated — unsure if she wanted to pick up the old weapon, but then the hesitation disappeared. She wrapped her fingers tightly around the handle and lifted the old weapon from the dusty corner.

"I'll make you proud papa," Aoi whispered as she tightened her grip onto the gunbai, and she made her way out towards her horse.

Fugaku walked around the men, looking at his family as they prepared for the attack. Shisui stood near him, armed and ready to go but he did not make his way towards his horse. Instead, he crossed his arms across his chest, and he watched the men along with the patriarch.

"WHERE'S MY SON? WHERE'S ITACHI?" Fugaku asked as he looked over the warriors.

Shisui was about to answer, but he was beaten to it by Sasuke.

"Shisui saw him earlier head out for a ride. Probably unable to sleep again," Sasuke said as calmly as he could, as he made his way towards his horse.

Itachi made his way quickly towards the gathering party outside the armory and he quickly halted his horse next to Sasuke's. He let Sakura quickly get off first before he hopped off as well, looking around and assessing the situation. Sakura moved quickly out of the way, watching the scene before intently. Her eyes traveled from the armed warriors, then to Sasuke who was already sitting atop his horse waiting impatiently.

"See you soon Sakura-chan. Don't worry we'll come back in one piece," Aoi said as she walked by the pinkette and hopped on her horse.

Sakura nodded, still unsure of what was happening. Where were they going? Why was this necessary? What happened?

"Father! What is going on?" Itachi asked hurriedly as he approached the patriarch.

"A Senju assassin managed to sneak into the compound. He killed your mother," Fugaku said, the sorrow in his eyes was overcome with hatred.

For Itachi in that moment, it felt like the world had come to a stop. His eyes shifted towards the main house, as if he was expecting his mother and sister to come out running. He wanted to run towards the house, to see for himself – surely this was nothing but some sort of sick imagination twisting his dreams? It couldn't be true. The loving mother and matriarch of the Uchiha would come out any minute and tell his father to stop this nonsense, or he is going to wake up from this dream-turned-nightmare.

"What?" he managed to utter in disbelief.

"I already dispatched the murderer. Your sister is safe with Usagi and Masako. There's a guard stationed by them as well. Look, you have to go and deal with this. You have to lead them. I cannot do that right now. Not like this, I would lead everyone to their deaths. So, do it for me and your mother. Punish the Senju! Punish them hard!" Fugaku said, shaking with anger.

Itachi took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he tried to rein in his emotions. He wanted nothing more than to find his mother and see for himself what the Senju did to her. How could they attack a woman? In the dead of the night, like cowards – but what could you expect from a clan like Senju? His anger grew, meddling with his sorrow.

"There will be time to mourn her once you return. You have to deal with the Senju now," Fugaku added as he noticed his son's struggle.

After a moment longer, Itachi nodded and grabbed his equipment, readying himself for battle at once.

"Shisui, you're in charge of the Uchiha guard. Do not let anyone enter or leave the compound. I have to… I have to see my wife," Fugaku said to the curly-haired Uchiha standing next to him.

"As you wish Uchiha-sama," Shisui replied with a small bow and he looked to Itachi.

"Good luck cousin. See you soon," he added.

Itachi nodded as he finished strapping his equipment and he climbed back on top of Nobu. Then his gaze moved to his brother, who seemed ready to jump in the action right away — his anger was showing. Itachi took a deep breath, calming his mind — he was heading into battle, and he needed to ground himself and not allow his emotions to rule him. There would be a time for him to grieve his mother. But it was not now. Now, it was time to be a warrior without allowing his emotions to rule him. And yet once he opened his eyes, he flicked to look upon the pinkette, standing off to the side watching the men as they readied for departure. He noticed the expression on her face to be of fear. When she looked at him, her fingers shot to her lips gently touching them as if she was reliving their kiss. Then came a sudden realization as he watched the pinkette - he wanted to kiss her again and for that he needed to survive this attack. Her presence was calming his already battle-torn turbulent existence — and for once he came to the sudden realization on how much he needed her in his life. He never thought that he'd be willing to share his life with another, to care for another, to love … but this pink-haired time-traveling woman was proving him wrong. And for that he was going to make sure to return from the battle.

The warriors were ready for departure, each of them atop their horse waiting for Fugaku's instructions. Fugaku looked over the readied men and then turned towards the rosette and said, "Haruno-san, it would be wise to prepare the infirmary for an influx of patients. I don't know how many of our men will return unharmed."

"Of course, I will make sure the infirmary is ready," Sakura replied.

Fugaku nodded and then he turned to his troops. His eyes traveled from one man to another. Then to his direct family. His younger son Sasuke, who seemed eager to wield his blade and strike his enemy. His eldest and heir Itachi, who stood at the front, ready to begin their assault on the Senju.

"MY WARRIORS! MY SONS! MY DAUGHTER!" he added as he looked at Aoi," I AM PROUD TO CALL YOU UCHIHA! TONIGHT'S CRIME CANNOT GO UNPUNISHED! THE SENJU HAVE GONE TOO FAR! THE MURDER OF THE UCHIHA MATRIARCH CANNOT GO UNPUNISHED! LET THEM FEEL THE POWER OF THE UCHIHA CLAN! LET THEM BURN!"

"AH!" the men — and a woman — yelled out in unison and then they rushed out the main gate and into the darkness.

In the darkness of the night, they descended towards Senju lands. The Uchiha were not planning on attacking the main Senju compound nestled securely within the confines of Niwamachi city. No, they were focusing on their farmlands and their large estate south of the city. This would hurt the Senju the most — a fitting punishment for the murder the Uchiha matriarch.

Itachi unsheathed his katana and fused his chakra with the blade letting it come alight with fire. His clansmen followed suit and soon all of the men had their fiery blades ready and they charged forth, rushing on horseback into the Senju fields letting it come alight as they made their way towards the estate.

Aoi kept her distance, standing next to her horse as she readied her bow and arrow. With her fingertips, she lit the arrow on fire with her chakra. Then she aimed and let it loose. The arrow flew through the air and landed at its intended target — the roof of the large Senju home. Soon the fire from the single arrow began to spread, slowly spreading across the roof. Aoi lit another arrow afire with her red chakra and let it loose, hurling towards its target once more. She landed a few more fire arrows onto the roof, letting it engulf in a fiery inferno. Soon the estate's inhabitants rushed outside, to avoid the fire carnage.

"We're under attack!" A Senju yelled out as he quickly made his way towards the warning bell.

When the sound of the Senju warning bell spread through the valley, the large estate began swarming with Senju warriors, coming from the city as the fire began to spread, laying waste to their granary and fields. As the Senju readied their weapons, the Uchiha attacked.

"BURN IT TO THE GROUND!" Itachi hollered as he hopped off Nobu and plunged himself into the enemy, his fiery blade slicing through them with ease.

The Uchiha followed suit and soon the men were in battle with the Senju. The fields around them burned, consuming the Senju estate completely. The clang of swords and the roar of the fire echoed through the valley. Several Senju inhabitants were channeling their chakra to stop the fire from spreading.

Then he arrived on his white steed with his blade ready in his hand — Tobirama Senju in escort with a black-haired warrior woman and a guard of twenty men. Tobirama glanced around the fiery carnage, his eyes wandering from the Senju guards to the Uchiha warriors and he growled in anger. His gaze fell onto the Uchiha female that dared to strike him only days prior. She was wielding Madara's gunbai — he spat to his side at the memory of his long-dead enemy. Then his eyes caught the sight of the Uchiha's patriarch's sons — in particular, he focused onto the younger son who eagerly swung his sword at the Senju. He had to teach him a lesson. The Uchiha would pay for this devastation. They had to be destroyed once and for all. Tobirama jumped off his horse and made his way towards Sasuke. He unsheathed his katana and tantō as he approached the young Uchiha with the intent to kill.

"UCHIHA BRAT!" Tobirama snarled as he swung his blade.

Sasuke dodged the attack only for him to step back and ready his blade towards his attacker. The pair engaged in a sword dance, the clang of their swords echoing through the fields. Tobirama growled as he used his left hand to bring forth the tantō landing a hit by slicing Sasuke's cheek. The Uchiha growled and backed away, retracting his blade from the Senju. His free hand went to his cheek, pressing the white sleeve of his kimono against the bleeding wound and he growled.

"You'll pay for that!" Sasuke spat as he pushed forward, his sword clashing with Tobirama's.

Sasuke swung his chokutō, his speed matching Tobirama's. The young Uchiha pushed further as he unsheathed a tantõ blade into his left hand, proceeding to charge his enemy with both weapons.

She stood in the middle of the battlefield, her face stained with ash and blood as she swung her father's gunbai through another Senju. When she noticed that there were no other Senju around her, Aoi glanced over to the Senju that arrived at the battlefield - her eyes fell onto the Senju woman. She raised the war fan and pointed right at her.

"Time to die Tōka," Aoi snarled as she raised her gunbai towards the Senju woman.

"Little Uchiha brat! Come to die!" Tobirama said as he raised his blade towards Sasuke once more.

As they engaged in the battle once more, Tobirama's guard joined in. There it was one Uchiha and seven Senju. The young Uchiha did not shiver in fear. Fear was not the Uchiha way. He raised his blade, and he awaited their first move. As the guards began to circle him like a predator hunting its prey, Sasuke waited patiently for the right time to strike. Once they engaged, it became a dance with blades, swiftly moving in the burning fields. And yet, seven enemies at once were becoming too much for the young Uchiha. As he raised his blade to strike down one of the guards, another guard rushed from the side effectively knocking the chokutō blade out of Sasuke's hand.

As Itachi dispatched another Senju, his eyes quickly scoured the area for his young brother. There he was, surrounded by Senju, becoming overpowered by their attacks. As Sasuke's blade was knocked out of his hand, the guard pushed him to the ground. Sasuke attempted to reach for the blade only for the Senju guard raised his katana and aimed to finish Sasuke in a single strike. In a split of a second, the Uchiha heir jumped in, swinging his katana swiftly in a single stroke, separating the guard's head from the rest of his body. As the headless guard collapsed onto the ground, the remaining three guards pounced onto the Uchiha heir at once. Sasuke quickly moved to grab his discarded chokutō. Tobirama backed away, letting the guards take care of the Uchiha, disappearing among the crowd of his own warriors — almost as if to keep a safe distance from them. Itachi blocked the guard's swing, their swords clashing as they tried to overpower one another. As the Uchiha heir began to overpower the guard, his strength seemed to vanish. He glanced down to his abdomen, seeing a tantō blade imbedded in him. The guard pulled the blade out with his other hand, and then stepped back from the Uchiha.

"NIISAN!"

Itachi blinked as his mouth was open, hitching for breath but unable to make a sound. The guard raised the blade against him once more.

"NIISAN!" Sasuke repeated as he watched his brother drop his katana and collapse onto his knees.

Three Senju approached the Uchiha heir, ready to finish him. Sasuke rushed forth, placing himself between his brother and Senju. Itachi's hand moved to the bleeding stab wound before his body gave away, falling onto the scorched earth. Sasuke growled in anger as he jumped and swung his blade, dispatching the three Senju warriors that dared surround him and his brother with ease. His blood was boiling, the adrenaline in his veins pumping viciously as he strikes his blade across another Senju. His chakra was flaring wildly as it traveled down his arm, its purple hue crackling with lightning sparks. His blade turned towards Tobirama, his eyes nearly red — filled with hatred — as he grabbed the chokutō blade in one hand and in the other his old katana. He breathed rapidly as he walked towards the older Senju, surrounded by at least twenty Senju warriors. And yet, Sasuke was not stopping. He just witnessed his only brother take a hit meant for him. He just watched as his brother collapsed on a battlefield. The Senju would pay. They would pay for all the bloodshed they have caused the Uchiha. They would pay for the death of his mother and his brother. Sasuke let out a deep growl and he rushed, blades swinging as he cut his way through the Senju. He was unrelenting as his blades approached the Senju leader. Tobirama began to back away, letting the Senju warriors keep Sasuke busy while he mounted his horse and rallied his warriors to pull back.

"COWARD!" Sasuke yelled in anger as he watched Tobirama disappear from the battle.

He sheathed his swords, his chakra calming down quickly as the Senju began to back away and turned towards where he left his brother.

"AOI! QUICK! I NEED YOUR HELP!" Sasuke yelled as he kneeled down to lift Itachi.

"WE RETREAT! RETREAT NOW!" Aoi yelled as she quickly rushed over to Sasuke.

She wakes at dawn rather abruptly to a sound of a loud battle horn and the clatter of horse hooves approaching her home. The young pinkette sprung from her futon, kicking the covers aside as she quickly stands up, only dressed in her thin grey yukata. She makes her way towards her home's exit only to see a group of horse riders right on her street.

"SAKURA!"

Her eyes fall onto the man calling her name — it was Sasuke, who was sitting atop Itachi's horse. Two other Uchiha men rushed to him and began to help remove the bloodied unconscious body from his horse. Aoi got off her horse and rushed to help, as they removed the unconscious man from the horse. Sakura's eyes widened in terror as she recognized the Uchiha heir. For a moment she became petrified, unable to move as she tried to comprehend the sight in front of her.

"I tried to slow down the bleeding, but I'm not a doc like you. It's dire," Aoi said as she helped carry Itachi inside.

Sakura let them in, her eyes on the Uchiha heir trying her hardest to focus as her mind swarmed with million possible things at once. What happened? Her heart ached in her chest as she tried to calm herself down — breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out. Then her eyes glanced at the state of his injuries as they carried him past her. She swallowed. They reminded her of a bear accident several months prior that she had to assist with in surgery. There was so much blood. Would he make it? Would she be able to save him? or would she lose him? She walked behind them, as they made their way to her futon. Then she quickly rushed over to the kitchen, reaching for the unopened sake bottle. She quickly unstoppered it, pouring its contents into an empty bowl. Then, she brought it over towards her patient and she settled down, right next to him. She reached into the bowl, letting the alcohol soak her hands before she began to touch the unconscious male. At first, she started to check his vitals. He was unconscious but he was breathing, and the bleeding seemed to slow down almost completely — no doubt thanks to Aoi's quick thinking on the battlefield.

"What happened to him?" Sakura finally asked as she began to move the blood-soaked haori out of the way of the wounds.

"He took a tantō blade in the abdomen, and a blade across his torso and some burns on his arms," Aoi said quickly as she pulled Sasuke aside to give Sakura space to work on him.

"He...he took a hit meant for me! He jumped in! I couldn't do anything…" Sasuke stammered.

"Ok, I can't deal with you now. Get out! I need a clear head to save him! GET OUT!" Sakura ordered.

"Come Sasuke. Come," Aoi said as she grabbed him and pulled him towards the exit, leaving Sakura to do what she did best.

"IF HE CAN BE SPARED FROM THE INFIRMARY, SEND ME KAZUO AT ONCE! I WILL NEED HELP!" Sakura called to them.

"Hai, we're on it," Aoi called back.

There was a lot of blood. Sakura removed Itachi's haori and partly undid his hakama to get to his stab wound in the abdomen. Once she had a better visual of the injuries she sustained, she let her hand hover above his body, scanning him for internal injuries. There was the lower abdomen stab wound — that although it wasn't deep, it was troublesome and needed to be seen first. Then there were the two long vertical sword strokes across his upper chest — but they did not cut deep enough to cause damage to the internal organs. Thanks to Aoi's quick thinking, the bleeding was nearly non-existent. She pushed forward a surge of the green chakra, heating it up quickly, and she ran her fingers across the gashes sealing the wounds immediately. Then she turned towards the stab wound. Her hands glow green darkening as she pressed it against the stab wound. She took a deep breath, as she tried her hardest to remain calm. This was a procedure she hadn't done yet without supervision. Even though she was a doctor, she was still just a second-year surgical resident. She was scared. She glanced over at his unconscious face and tears began to well up in her eyes. She couldn't lose him. Fate be damned.

"I can do this Itachi. It's going to be ok," she said softly as her voice began to shake.

She had no choice but to use her chakra. Chakra scalpels that required absolute perfect chakra control. One wrong movement and the patient was gone. She took a deep breath and focused as she intensified the strength in the palm of her hand with perfect control. The glow of chakra began to expand into his body and began to mend the tears. Cell by cell mended, the wound healing itself at incredible speed under Sakura's perfect chakra control. Once the wound became completely sealed, leaving only a fresh scar in its place — she exhaled deeply. Then her eyes glanced onto his chest. Her eyes widened as she noticed a lack of breath movement. She leaned in further checking to see if it was only fatigue or chakra depletion that began to affect her sight. It wasn't. He wasn't breathing.

"No, no, no. Come now Itachi. Come back. It's not your time, not yet," Sakura uttered as she began to do chest compressions.

She pressed his hands against his chest at a steady rate over and over again and then she breathed into his mouth. Then she repeated the motion. Again and again. Her heart was racing, her whole body working high on adrenaline as she tried her best to save him. She couldn't lose him. She couldn't lose the man that she was slowly falling in love with.

"You can't do this to me Itachi! Not now!"

"ITACHI!"

"PLEASE!"