My computer is sick, it caught a virus and I think it was because an animated chibi Itachi icon I downloaded. The lesson for today is: Even in chibi form Itachi is a deadly SOB.

Hellbent

Chapter 3: On being strong

Everything was crimson and shadows of black. The trees seized to move, the rain slowed to the point where each fat drop hovered off the ground before losing its shape and splashing to the ground. And like everything else it was red as if raining blood. Sakura looked around before a shadow of Itachi came into view.

" This is it, the height of my power. Do you still wish to understand?" The scene changed as she found her back against the tree. Its limbs slowly binding her, strangling her. Her breathing was ragged and she felt her eyes start to bulge as she struggled desperately for air.

" It can be endless."

With each passing moment she could hear the blood pumping throughout her body, her ribs slightly cracking as the tree continued to crush her form. Her muffled mouth let loose a cry and her half lidded eyes saw only his shadow as he continued to watch her with intensity.

She would be crushed and feel every bone break, each organ collapse and every blood vessel pop. It was all an illusion she told herself, her inner conscious struggling to defeat the pain. But god did it hurt, and his leering eyes didn't help only encouraging the illusion. She attempted a whimper but breathless her eyes fell closed letting loose stray tears.

For the first time since Sasuke left Konoha she was crying. Out of pain or her own weakness she continued to tear which only angered her, producing frustrated tears. She vowed earlier that she would only cry when Sasuke was returned and anything before the event would be a waste of energy and time. Sakura looked up to the shadowy figure before her with malice and inner Sakura growled.

That bastard I'm going to crucify him for making me cry.

A shadow loomed over her form and Sakura clenched her fists freeing one of her arms. Itachi watched with sudden interest as she freed her mouth and swiftly wiped away the stray tears.

Stupid prick, why don't you do everyone a favor and die.

" I'm intrigued that such an harmless looking kunoichi has such a strong inner will." He stepped out of the shadows hovering right over her form. She grabbed his black shirt and he placed a hand under her chin forcing her to reflexively look at his face. Her green eyes met his again and gasped at her own mistake.

Everything went dark.

The smell of the damp grass beneath her hands and the sensation of her wet hair as frigid drops of water trickled down her neck, her face, and fingertips. Panting breathlessly Sakura refused to look up, her gaze focused on the steady ground and the rain splashing on its surface. She was mentally drained from Itachi's doujustu which caused her body to freeze, her breathing to slow and her skin to pale.

The rain, it's so cold. How long has it been? How long have I been out here?. .I-I. .

. . .can't breath.

As if an act of divine intervention the rain slowed down and finally ceased. Curiously she looked up to see Itachi looking down at her. She didn't move when he crouched down to her level, she was too tired and frightened. The rain once again covered her in drops of the frigid liquid, his hand under her chin was almost inviting. She looked at him with the weakness pouring from her eyes as visible as the rain drops on her hair or the slight twitching of her hypothermic muscles.

His touch is so. . .

She didn't care. Her mind wasn't focused on anything except his warm hand under her pale skin. He looked at her with laser light intensity and she didn't even flinch.

. . .warm, it's disgusting.

Sakura didn't move despite her vain attempts in doing so. " Right now you're body is trying to warm itself but your mind is fatigued and if you should fall asleep you will die." He said informally with not a tint of sympathy.

" I-I know." She bit her shaking lip. " I might h-have hypothermia or catch pneumonia but I won't die. Not until I have the power to protect them. I cannot die, not like this. I will only be satisfied in dying for them, not by my own foolishness, and not by you. I'm not selfish, for me it's only them."

His eyes narrowed slightly as he stood up. And again the rain ceased to touch her but his lingering touch continued to make her shiver.

" Nonsense, my brother left to find power to kill me. To fulfill his own ambition not yours. He couldn't have cared less for your team. In the end you see this opportunity to do something reckless and get acknowledged for it. Your wish to keep the team together only divides them and worsens the situation in your dramatic absence. That's why you're protecting Sasuke and the kyuubi. In the end everyone is selfish, your need for power is intended to help them but also yourself."

" . . .you could never understand." She muttered hoarsely the chakra building up in her right hand.

" In the end will you be content in your achievements, or regretful? Will they even bother to understand your actions and thank you?" He paused for a second to let reality sink in. However Sakura refused to listen, she only concentrated on the flow of chakra to her fist. "You cannot perceive the reality of your actions because you're stuck in your own illusions of what you want to happen rather than what will actually happen."

Her eyes widened but she kept her gaze down and to the ground." Help me. I-I want to. . ."

" Your determination is admirable but irritating."

His words pierce and it hurts so much –The truth, my weakness, I'm in pain.

Kisame stepped forward to the fallen teen and placed a hand casually on top of her head." Maybe we could use her Itachi." He grabbed her hair forcing her to look up at them. She struggled slightly, her eyes cloudy with tears. " She and that kyuubi seem to be close."

" Her emotions make her weak, making her do unnecessary things for useless people. . ." Sakura flinched as the flood of attention from the two criminals made her skin crawl. " But she is already desperate enough to foolishly come this far in luring us in. Her loss in Konoha will be great, the kyuubi will be sore in losing her."

" Yes, it seems like a common flaw in Konohagakure's shinobi." Kisame said flatly. " Kunoichi, you said you wanted power and I am curious to see what you can do. It'll be entertaining." By now Sakura calmed down her tears and gritted her teeth. She didn't know why but suddenly she became frustrated.

"Will you walk or will I have to drag you?" Kisame said humorously.

Her eyes hardened and rasing a fist she slammed the ground releasing the buildup of chakra. The two men jumped back as the ground to crumbled and broke beneath her. She knew what it would mean if she left with them.

'Will they thank you?'

It was irrational and unforgivable but it was something she had to do. Even though they would lose her she didn't want team seven to disintegrate. It was an idealistic fantasy which she hoped would become reality: Sasuke would be returned, Naruto would be safe and she would protect them from afar, that's the fantasy she wanted.

And she hoped above everything else that they would understand and acknowledge her efforts.

Itachi and Kisame stood a good distance from the kunoichi and the destruction she managed to cause. Kisame smirked and Itachi kept his cool stance.

She was much more powerful then she let on.

Her fist lifted slightly and she glared at the two Akatsuki members. Her legs were reluctant to move but finally she stood up with a false air of confidence. She was frightened and cold but she knew it would be best to trash everything old. She needed to sacrifice everything.

Every last bit of it.

" My name is Haruno Sakura, Itachi-san, Kisame-san."

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