Twist of Fate

by thedarkunicorn

What if Kakashi's father never committed suicide? What if Obito had been rescued? How could this have changed the fate of one Itachi Uchiha? A quasi non-massacre story where Itachi is still a Konoha shinobi and the events of Naruto are altered. ItaSaku

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Premise: What if Kakashi's father never committed suicide? What if Obito had been saved? What if the Uchiha's story played out differently? An AU quasi non-massacre Itachi/Sakura romance. A glance at a Konoha where Itachi is still very much alive.

---

SAKURA

Rain streamed down the glass of my office window. It had been raining for weeks. Weeks I had spent living at the hospital tending to the shinobi that kept coming in day after day. Every time I thought we had seen the last wave of casualties another skirmish broke out. The disappearance of the tailed beasts had resulted in a conflict that only escalated with every attack. The threat of the Akatsuki loomed on all of our minds, and so far no one had any idea who was leading the organization, but according to the other shinobi nations, all signs pointed to Konoha.

I'd spent many long months in the field, but resources were running short on all fronts and the skirmishes were spread out now. I continued reading through my patient files when my door burst open.

"Sakura!"

My head snapped up. It had been a few days since I had seen him, and he looked like he had at least gotten some sleep since then. Still, the stress in his eyes still gave me concern.

"What's happened?" I asked, rising from my desk.

"It's Itachi. He's back," Naruto said.

My jaw slacked.

Itachi had been gone for so long I didn't think that he was ever going to come back to the Leaf Village.

"Dad wants everyone to assemble to welcome him home," Naruto said.

Still stunned, I nodded automatically.

"And Sasuke? Is he back yet?" I asked.

Sasuke had been on an ANBU mission for over a week now, but he was due back any day.

"Yeah, he's back. He's with Itachi now," he said.

Naruto left before I could get any more of my questions out.

I dropped my files, calling to my nurse before I headed for the Hokage Tower.

When I arrived, I found Naruto with the rest of our class. We stood in formation, the rain still falling steadily.

"Do you know what's going on?" Ino asked.

I glanced sideways at her, also falling into formation.

"Itachi Uchiha has returned to the village," I said.

Her eyes widened and after a moment, she looked away, briefly wiping at her eyes. I tried not to react to her tears, but I didn't blame her. What happened eight years ago was an unhealed wound for the entire village. Everyone had failed that night.

There was a slight murmur amongst the Jonin in formation and I turned to the Hokage's Tower where Lord Fourth had approached the balcony's edge.

"My comrades," he said. "Thank you for coming so quickly. It is a joyous occasion amidst the dark days we have suffered, and those that still lie ahead. I know how hard all of you have been fighting. How much our people have suffered. And how many we have lost."

Minato closed his eyes for a moment, his breath catching. I looked over to Naruto, wanting to reach out to him. His eyes were steel as he watched his father.

"Through all of the losses, we are thankful for those of us we still have. There is no way to measure a shinobi's sacrifice, but if there were, Itachi Uchiha would be known as the best of us. At great cost, Itachi Uchiha prevented an attack on the village, fought against traitorous nin and has since taken down countless threats to the Hidden Leaf Village. We owe him our gratitude and welcome him back to the Hidden Leaf."

I gasped when he stepped forward. I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't what I was looking at. I had only seen him a few times when I was younger, and I could hardly remember what he looked like. His dark hair flowed around his face, the wind allowing me to glimpse the length of it tied behind his neck. He looked so much like Sasuke it stunned me. From what he went through, I guess I just expected someone who looked older. He didn't look like someone who had been placed in every enemy nations bingo book with orders to flee on sight.

He said nothing as he stood there, like a spectral apparition in the dark of night. If not for the rain dripping down his face, I might have thought he wasn't real. A tear escaped my eye, washed away quickly by the rain. I'd watched Sasuke all these years fighting so hard to keep his family together, searching at any mention of his brother to try to convince him to come home. His pain had become mine and Naruto's. And Mikoto... she had never accepted Itachi leaving-she had not been the same since. She tried to fake it around Naruto and me, but she wasn't even a fraction of her old self. Beyond my connection to Sasuke, the village had been humbled by the tragedy of the Uchiha. Everyone, to some degree or another, had been affected, mostly through guilt for believing the Uchiha were a threat when really they were the ones being targeted.

The jonin were silent, most in complete shock to see the Uchiha's rightful clan leader before them once again. Itachi bowed slightly before making eye contact with Lord Fourth and leaving the balcony. The formation broke into whispers almost immediately, and Lord Fourth turned to leave as well.

Ino stared at me hard, trying to tell just how much I knew. I guess my ability to hide my emotion wasn't that great, because she seemed to accept I was nearly as surprised by this as she was.

"I can't believe he is back," she whispered. "How do you think Sasuke is?"

I glanced at Naruto with every intention of going to find him.

He inclined his head fractionally, indicating he too wanted to go in search of Sasuke.

We both broke formation, leaping to the nearest roof. I was following Naruto, and it didn't take long to know where he was heading. The ANBU training ground was dark and empty, except for Sasuke.

I landed just after Naruto, each of us on either side of him. No one said anything, we just sat down. He was perfectly still, his eyes open, but not looking at anything in particular. The rain had stopped, but it was still a misty night.

"You know what he said?" Sasuke asked, as if he were about to tell a joke.

He laughed, making my heart sink into my stomach.

"He said, 'I didn't come back for you, Sasuke."

Naruto and I exchanged a look. I didn't know what to say. I don't think there was anything I could say. I didn't know Itachi, but there were few ways to take such a blunt statement. A sharp breath broke the silence as tears fell down Sasuke's cheeks. My chest tightened as I listened to one of the strongest shinobi I had ever met cry. I couldn't stop myself as I reached for him, pushing my chin in the crook of his neck, holding onto him as tightly as I could. Shockingly, he didn't stop me, and he calmed down soon enough, but not before Naruto stood up suddenly, leaving without a word.

---

NARUTO

"What the hell is his problem?" I shouted.

"Naruto-"

"No! Don't make excuses for him! He left them. He didn't have to stay away like that! Does he have any idea what he did to Sasuke? To Mikoto?" I yelled.

Minato sighed. "Naruto, you have no idea what Itachi went through-"

"What?" I asked. "What don't I know? That he killed his own father? That he abandoned Sasuke after half their clan was wiped out? What am I missing?"

"It's not that simple," Minato said.

"How is it complicated? Because when Mom died, you didn't run away. There were people depending on you, and you were here. That's what you do when people depend on you, you stick around."

I could hardly look at dad as I opened the door to leave the Hokage's office, slamming it behind me. Outside, I found Itachi standing there next to Shisui, perfectly still, his eyes closed. Shisui's eyes were wide, clearly having heard everything I had been shouting.

I glared at Shisui knowing he was going to defend Itachi the first chance he got, but I didn't care about him right now. I turned to stare straight ahead at Itachi.

"You make things right with Sasuke," I said. "Do you hear me, Uchiha? I don't give a damn how many times you saved the village or how many Akatsuki you took out. He is your brother!"

Shisui was looking back and forth between us like he wanted to interject, but couldn't find the words.

Itachi finally looked up at me, his eyes the same dark color as Sasuke's.

"I'm sorry if I somehow offended you, Naruto," he said. "Sasuke and I did not have much time to speak. He did seem to leave upset, however, and that was not my intention."

"No?" I asked. "So what was your intention in coming back, Itachi? What are you really doing here? Because it clearly isn't about your family."

"Naruto."

My father's voice made me calm. So often it was ligh- hearted and a laugh mixed in with his words, but not this time. My eyes narrowed as I caught Itachi's gaze once more before I left.

---

ITACHI

"I'm sorry for Naruto's outburst," Minato said, shutting the door behind Shisui and me.

"He has a right to his feelings," I said.

"Well, I guess we ought to go ahead and figure out what we're going to tell people," Minato said.

I studied the Hokage's face, but found only genuine concern. "Why would we tell anything other than the truth?"

His eyes lowered. "No one can know what you have learned about. Not until we know how to deal with it. It could cause more problems than the problem itself."

"I agree with Lord Fourth," Shisui said. "We must remain diligent and stay ahead of the intel. We will have ANBU informed right away. You did the right thing, Itachi. We need you here right now."

"What about the Uchiha clan?" Itachi asked. "Should they not be warned?"

Minato and Shisui shared a look before Minato finally answered. "That would be your call... as the head of the clan."

I felt my pulse quicken at the change of subject.

"I do not wish to be-"

"Itachi," Shisui interrupted. "Give it time, okay?"

I acquiesced at Shisui's request, knowing this would not be the last I heard of the subject.

"Were going to need the strength of the Uchiha if we are to have a chance," Minato said. "I'm counting on you both to ensure a united front from your clan. If there is anything I can do to facilitate this, please, let me know."

I bowed. "Thank you, Lord Fourth."

Shisui bowed as well, following me out of the office.

#

I took my time as we headed for the Uchiha District at the center of the village. The streets were nearly empty and our footsteps sounding in puddles as we took the path that was no longer familiar to me. Everything was the same, but it felt different. The fresh night air still smelled sweet, but I didn't find peace in such a simple luxury anymore. It would always be tainted with the smell of blood, a smell so strong I could taste it in my mouth even now as we stood before the entrance to my clan's home. I hadn't realized I had stopped until I saw Shisui looking at me.

"You're going to have to stop watching me like that," I said.

"Like what?" he asked, knowing full well what I meant.

I obliged him anyway. "Like I might take off at any moment."

"Are you?" he asked, giving me a half smile.

I turned back towards the district I had grown up in. It was not the same place I had once felt such pride in calling my home. It was a nightmare. But I was here for a reason, and I had to endure no matter what.

"No," I said.

And I stepped inside.

#

"You know I can't go in there with you, right?" Shisui asked.

I sighed.

"Aunt Mikoto might have a few things to say to you, and I suggest you just listen," Shisui said.

Before I could respond, the front door swung open, and my mother stood there for a moment. Her eyes searched every inch of me, no doubt observing the changes eight years had allowed. My mother had always been a kind woman, and loved her children, but she had been the matriarch of the Uchiha clan as well. That role allowed little room for a loss of composure.

But apparently a lot could change in eight years.

"Itachi Uchiha," she said, her eyes flashing with anger. "If you ever leave this village again, you will clear it with me first. Do you understand? And the answer is no. You are never to leave the village again. Do you hear me, Itachi?"

Her eyes were glistening with tears as she scolded me. As my initial shock wore off, I glanced at Shisui who looked like he was going to flicker out at any moment.

I smiled slightly. "I hear you, mother."

She wiped her eyes and nodded, stepping aside so I could enter. I removed my boots and stepped inside.

"I've freshened up your room for you," she said. "And you'll find something to eat in the kitchen. If there's anything else you need, let me know."

"Thank you," I said.

She looked at me for a long moment, and I thought she was going to say something from the way her lips parted, but she must have changed her mind. When she turned to leave, I asked, "Is Sasuke here?"

She glanced back at me. "No, Sasuke moved out a few years ago. He still stops by for dinner often enough."

For some reason, this surprised me. I would have expected my mother to do everything in her power to keep Sasuke here as long as possible.

"Where does he live?" I asked.

Her gaze fell to the floor. "I believe it was Izumi Uchiha's old residence."

She didn't turn back to see my reaction.

#

I scanned the ANBU captains resting in formation at the ANBU Headquarters with my sharingan, looking for any sign of anxiety, nervousness that might give away a traitor. With Danzo still holding onto his seat on the Council, there was no doubt he had a spy within the Black Ops. While his ROOT had been dismantled over the years by Minato, he still hadn't been able to completely tear away his power. My eyes paused as I identified Sasuke behind the fox mask, wearing the mandatory ANBU gear. It was strange to see him fully grown. While I had seen him over the years, it wasn't frequent, nor recent. He had always favored our mother.

"Captains," Minato said, standing beside Kakashi, myself and Shikaku. "We have intel that Orochimaru has begun to work with the Akatsuki once again and have plans to attack the village at some point in the next year. They still aim to collect the remaining tailed beasts. Naruto must be kept within the village at all times. I've spoken with him, and while he understands, that doesn't mean something may not come up that prompts him to disobey this order. Stay vigilant, increase security details and no one comes in without clearance. Dismissed—except Sasuke Uchiha."

After the remaining Captains had disassembled, Minato addressed the only one remaining.

"You can be at ease, Sasuke," Minato said.

Sasuke rose from his crouched position that all ANBU captains took in formation and removed his mask. He appeared to have a comfortable relation with the Hokage which shouldn't have been surprising given his initial genin squad of Kakashi Hatake and Naruto Namikaze.

"There's something that you need to know about. We've decided not to spread this information widely yet to avoid a panic, but we need the right people to be prepared," Minato said, looking at me.

Sasuke too turned his attention to me, his curious expression narrowing into a scowl. It had been a few days since I had initially spoke to him, and he hadn't sought me out again. I intended to see him, to attempt to smooth things over somehow, but I hadn't found the right opportunity.

"A few months ago, it had come to my attention that Orochimaru possesses the knowledge and skill to perform the forbidden Edo Tensei," I said.

Sasuke's eyes darkened in comprehension.

"There's more," Minato said. "A few weeks ago, there was a high security breach within the Village. We still don't know how they got in, but they were quick. Madara's body is now missing."

Sasuke's eyes shot back to me. "How could that happen? There must be someone on the inside aiding them to get in undetected."

I felt the tension in my body ease at Sasuke's immediate comprehension. "I agree. We must identify the traitor and extract intel immediately."

"We should be searching for Madara's body. Locate it and destroy it before Orochimaru can use the Edo Tensei," Sasuke said.

"I've already searched all of Orochimaru's hideouts. He's vanished," I said.

Sasuke's gaze flickered from Kakashi to Minato's before moving back to mine. "We have to tell the clan. Any one of them could be in danger of being recruited by Madara."

Sasuke's perspective had not occurred to me before. It had occurred to me that he may try to eliminate any Uchiha from his path, but recruitment indeed had not been on my mind.

"Do you think that if the Uchiha knew of Madara's return, they might be encouraged to join him of their own volition?" I asked.

Sasuke looked away from me, his mind seeing a memory I could not. "No. They would not betray Mikoto Uchiha. But manipulated, yes."

His words were unexpected and I detected sincerity in his tone. This wasn't just an excuse. His mother must have earned some form of loyalty from what remained of the clan. Minato had told me before they had never named a new clan head, instead, leaving their politics to her 'in Itachi's stead until his return'.

"Fine," I said. "The Uchiha will be informed of Madara's possible return."

"Sasuke," Minato said. "There's something else I need to ask of you. I'm organizing a summit for the Five Kage. With the threat of Madara and the growing power of the Akatsuki, we cannot afford to continue the lingering battles that have arose from this conflict. I need you to accompany Shikaku and myself to the summit... should anything go wrong."

"Of course, Lord Fourth, but why not Itachi?" Sasuke asked, unable to keep the tone of jealousy out of his voice. He was, afterall, now the number two Uchiha in the village.

Minato sighed. "I need Itachi in the village. He is the only one who can control the tailed beast inside Naruto should something happen."

Sasuke's jealousy faded at the mention of Naruto's life being in danger. "When do we leave?"

"Tonight."

#

I found Sasuke outside of Headquarters, waiting for me.

I fell into step beside him, walking silently back to the Uchiha district.

"I'm sorry, Sasuke," I said.

He glared at me momentarily.

"I don't even know what you are apologizing about," he snapped.

"For leaving you here," I said. "Is that not why you are so upset with me?"

Sasuke huffed. "I'm not sure I can pin it down to just one thing, Itachi."

I smiled as we entered the compound. "You don't have to forgive me."

Sasuke stopped, watching me with suspicious eyes. "Do you even care if I do?"

I stopped a few paces ahead of him. I didn't turn back immediately. What was he trying to get out of me? Sasuke had always been so emotional for a shinobi. It wasn't always easy for me to anticipate his tantrams as a child. They were the few occasions I had found myself caught off guard. I knew he wanted my attention. Time I couldn't afford to give him.

Finally, I turned back to him. "Whether you forgive me is up to you, Sasuke. I made choices that affected you. My lack of ability to better control the situation also affected you, and for that, I cannot ask your forgiveness. I failed our clan, Sasuke."

"I'm only alive because of you, Itachi," he said. "If it hadn't been for you, every Uchiha would have been slaughtered that night. I just wish you hadn't left us to clear the bodies alone."

That night flashed through my mind, a memory I had put away, unwilling to think about. This was why I had stayed away. I could cite my own tension with the clan all day, but this was the real reason. I couldn't keep the memories at bay any longer. Just seeing Sasuke's face here in this street made me see him as a ten year old little boy covered in blood, and beyond him, Izumi, screaming.

I turned away from him, unwilling to be consumed by that night, and left.

#

My father stood before the Uchiha stone tablet, his clan at his back.

"Shisui is still missing!"

"They still blame us for the death of the Fourth's wife!"

"They will never trust us!"

The crescendo of their cries had reached the forte in the calls for a revolution. I sat silently as the calls became deafening. My father's back remained turned for so long, I wondered if he would ever address the clan. As he turned, I opened my eyes, watching his every move. There was reluctance there, but also determination. His decision had been made.

"Itachi," Fugaku said. "Will you help me... in defeating the traitor Danzo?"

I rose, engaging my sharingan.

"The Fourth Hokage will return," I said. "What would become of him and Naruto?"

Fugaku's eyes tightened. "They will be defeated if they stand in our way."

My mother reached out to touch my hand, but I only felt a brief graze from her fingertips as I moved towards my father, my katana thrusting into his chest.

"No! Itachi!" Mikoto cried.

But he was already falling forward onto my blade, his limp body resting on my shoulder.

The room was still as I rested his body on the ground. I wiped the blood from my face, turning around to face what I expected to be an immediate attack from my clansman, but a sharp burning in my eyes left tears of blood running down my skin as my sharingan evolved, burning fierce enough to keep them all at bay.

My mother moved first, rushing to his body, falling beside him and sobbing.

"There will be no revolution against the village," I said. "Not today, and not ever, so long as there is breath in my body."

Whispers of my sharingan broke out amongst the clan. My vision was sharper, and the pain that came with it was not insignificant. The Uchiha began to leave the shrine, some wary of me, others relieved to just be going home. Soon, it was only my mother and me. She did not look at me and I did not try to comfort her. I could not even offer her my condolences, because I was not sorry for what I had done.

I left without looking back.

I awoke in my bed, startled and sitting up. It had been a long time since I dreamed of that night, and I wasn't interested in finishing the nightmare.

---

SAKURA

When I arrived at the Hokage's tower, the sun had not yet risen. As I entered the room, I was surprised to see Itachi and Shisui there as well. An ANBU had summoned her on an urgent matter for the hokage.

I found Kakashi there and entered the room beside the others.

"Sensei, what's going on?" I asked, noticing the intense expressions on their faces.

"We've received word from Lord Fourth that Sasuke Uchiha has been injured," Kakashi said. "He's requested you specifically, Sakura."

My heart was suddenly pounding.

"Sasuke? Where is he? Why is he with the Fourth?" I asked.

"He was escorting the Fourth to the Hokage Summit in the Land of Iron. It sounds like Sasuke was being targeted," Kakashi said. "Itachi and Shisui will be escorting you to his location. You'll need to change into an ANBU uniform so surrounding security recognizes you as part of the Hokage's escort."

I stared at Kakashi for a moment before he handed me a uniform. I grabbed it from his hands, tearing off my medic skirt and vest, and quickly pulling the ANBU gear over my head and snapping everything into place. Kakashi had looked away awkwardly, but Itachi was still staring at me with such intensity my eyes shot up at him. I wasn't sure what he was thinking, but he wasn't watching me because he had never seen a half-naked kunoichi before.

"Let's go," I said, not waiting for anyone as I left the tower.

I ran as fast as I could, reaching the edge of the village in no time. Itachi and Shisui were close by. I could only see Sasuke unmoving, waiting for me. The Fourth would not have called upon me if it were not serious. What had happened? I fought back tears as the cool night air bit at my skin. I thought of the last time I saw Sasuke. It had been the night Naruto and I had found him in the training grounds. After Naruto had left, I made sure Sasuke got home. He was so despondent but said nothing else of his brother. I knew Itachi being back had brought back a lot of memories for him, but I had never seen him like that before. I never imagined Itachi's return making him worse.

I wasn't sure how long we traveled, but it was Itachi who called out to me to stop. I ignored him at first, but when he grabbed me, we fell to the forest floor, landing next to each other.

"We can't push any harder. We are still a full day out. We have to stop for the night," Itachi said.

Shisui landed beside us, his mask hiding his face.

I ripped mine from my face, glaring at Itachi. "Sasuke could be bleeding internally, or slipping into a coma. I don't know, because they didn't give me any more information. We don't have time to stop."

"Sakura," Shisui said. "We want to get to Sasuke too, but-"

"No! We keep going," I said. "Sasuke never gets injured. He hasn't been himself ever since Itachi came back. I won't risk losing him."

I took a step to leap back into the branches, but my chakra simply wasn't there. I felt my vision slip for a moment as I fell before Itachi caught me in his arms. I couldn't even get back up, but somehow I found the energy to cry.

Itachi said nothing as he sat me down.

"I'll take first watch," Shisui said.

Itachi nodded and sat against a tree not far from me. I wiped my eyes realizing how childish I was being. They might have forced me to wear the gear, but that didn't make me an ANBU.

I was so tired I couldn't even lay down, so I sat watching Itachi with his eyes closed. He was perfectly still, except for his breathing. There was something odd in the way he took such deep breaths. We were all exhausted, but not in a labored breathing kind of way. Our chakra had been depleted, and yet, Itachi looked as if he wasn't fully catching his breath.

My mind was too tired to process it though, and I finally laid down on the cold dirt. Trying to push images of Sasuke wounded and dying out of my mind, I finally fell into a short and troubled sleep.

When we arrived in the Land of Iron we stopped to purchase cloaks. The cold was penetrating and snow blanketed the landscape. My anticipation was resting in my throat as we neared the summit location. The Fourth was there to meet us.

"Sakura," he said, "come with me."

I hurried after him into the building.

"The medics here have kept him stabalized, but he hasn't been able to come out of it yet," he said.

"Out of what?" I asked. I noticed Itachi and Shisui behind me, listening intently.

"We're not sure," he said.

When I got into the room, I rushed to Sasuke's side. He was hooked up to an IV, his shirt missing and a dark sinister looking web crawling beneath his skin. I gasped as I touched him, trying to determine the nature of what was spreading within him.

"What happened?" I asked, not taking my eyes off of Sasuke.

"The summit was attacked by a strange creature, the thing called Zetsu," Minato said. "The black half seemed to be targeting Sasuke, stabbing him. The medics were able to patch the stab wound efficiently enough, but they can't identify the black substance. It has spread ever since the stabbing though."

My hands were shaking as I realized I had never seen this before. Sasuke was shifting frequently, his lips twitching as if he were having a nightmare. I immediately placed my hand over his forehead, emitting a green glowing chakra, easing his mind. My hand shook even as I held it there.

"I've seen this before," Itachi said, speaking to me. "The one they call Zetsu-he has some kind of parasitic jutsu that will invade a host and eventually take it over."

I stared at the black swirls on Sasuke's body. That was exactly what it looked like. A parasitic organism spreading until it would fully take over.

"We have to cut it out," I said.

Itachi's eyes widened. "How? It has spread beyond the point of removing it."

I took a deep breath. "If that is indeed what is happening, his mind must be struggling with the foreign invasion. He is fighting it. I can heal the wounds almost as fast as they are made, but we have to get it out."

I glanced up at Itachi and Shisui. "I need one of you to hold him, and one of you to cut."

Minato watched me worriedly. "Are you sure this will work, Sakura?"

I looked back at Sasuke. "It's the only option we have. Whatever this is, if it continues to spread, he won't be able to survive it. It is taking over his body."

"I'll cut," Itachi said, pulling out a kunai.

Shisui held Sasuke down as Itachi cut into his chest. My chakra shredded the black malignant chakra as it was exposed, healing Sasuke's deeper wound as I went. It took a long time. We moved slowly, ensuring we were not leaving even a trace behind. When we finished, Sasuke was in a deep sleep. He was peaceful now, no longer struggling to fight the invasion in his body. My chakra was depleted for the second time in as many days, and I fell into the nearest seat.

"Sasuke should be returned to the village to be under the care of Tsunade as soon as possible," I said.

Minato looked to Shisui. "Let's bring him back now. Itachi, stay with Sakura until she has recovered, then return to the village."

"Yes, Lord Hokage," Itachi said. "There's something I'd like to investigate before we head back, with your permission."

He nodded, but not without a distinct glance at me, clearly wondering if I was up for that.

I was too tired to argue that I wasn't a genin anymore with Naruto's dad, though sometimes that's how he treated me instead of a jonin to the Lord Hokage. But he said nothing and thanked me again for taking care of Sasuke.

"If that Zetsu thing comes around again, you are to flee," Minato said.

Itachi nodded as several nurses began tending to Sasuke. When they finished, Shisui lifted him onto his back. He paused, looking at me and nodded, a warm smile adorning his lips.

I nodded back, too tired to smile. Sasuke was safe, so I let my eyes slip closed.

#

When I awoke, I was in a bed, the covers drawn. My armor had been removed and I was in fresh wrappings around my torso. My skin was clean of the blood from Sasuke's surgery and I found Itachi leaning against the wall, watching me.

I raised an eyebrow.

"You know," I said, "Sasuke used to do that to me on missions. I'd wake up, and he would just be staring at me like a sentinal."

Itachi didn't say anything, so I kept talking.

"I could never figure out if he was annoyed because I slept too long, or if a bug was crawling in my hair, or what, but it was the same stare," I said.

Itachi closed his eyes. "He was staring at you because you are beautiful."

My face froze in the perturbed look I had been giving him.

What did he just say?

"Your gear is washed and ready when you are. I've located the source of the chakra I sensed and am ready to head out," he said, moving to the window.

He spoke as if he hadn't said anything out of the ordinary and I glanced down realizing Itachi had undressed and bathed me. My cheeks burned.

"You changed me?" I asked.

He turned from whatever he was observing out the window and fixed me with an innocent stare. "Yes. You were filthy and completely out of it."

I was aware such behaviors were typical in ANBU. A custom typical of comrades to have each other's back, modesty be damned. Still, it wasn't a behavior that I was used to. I sighed, realizing this was going to be a long journey home, and readied myself to leave.

"This is it," Itachi said.

We were in a desolate part of the Land of Iron, clinging to our cloaks as the snow fell endlessly around us.

"I think I've been here before," I said.

As I stood, I could feel the strange chakra that Itachi was sensing.

"It was early in the war when Sasuke, Naruto, Kakashi and I were still on the same team. Sasuke was sure he sensed your chakra here," I said.

Itachi's expression was unreadable, but he didn't look at me. When he made eye contact, he didn't have anything to hide, so he must not have known Sasuke looked for him. I decided to push it.

"He looked for you often, you know," I said. "He never gave up on trying to find you. To convince you to come home."

Itachi finally glanced at me. "It wouldn't have helped him to find me."

I frowned. "How do you know?"

"Because nothing I did could give Sasuke back what he wanted," he said.

"But he just wanted you back," I said.

He said nothing and I knew he wouldn't speak of it again. Whatever happened that night he left the village had changed him.

"I can sense a sinister chakra here. I sensed it years ago, but it was not this strong and I couldn't pinpoint it then. Now... it's everywhere," he said.

I focused my mind and felt, reaching out with my chakra. He was right. Whatever was here was massive, but it was stagnant.

"What is it?" I asked, "And why don't we see anything?"

Itachi stared at the ground. "It must be buried."

I suddenly got the chills thinking we were standing on some kind of massive sleeping monster. Before I could suggest getting the hell out of there, Itachi was forming hand seals and launched an earth style jutsu.

The ground caved in slightly before him, creating a small crevice in the earth.

"There's a cave system below us," he said.

I hesitated, suddenly nervous of what we had found, but it only lasted a moment. If Itachi thought this was important, I couldn't let him go alone.

I followed him down, descending into an impossibly colder cavern. When I landed I was met with darkness. The only light was from the hole Itachi made in the ground. I could barely see, but as my eyes adjusted to the dark, I saw them. Hundreds of white bodies growing from the ceiling on a vine. The cavern stretched out and all around us.

"There must be thousands of them," Itachi said, his sharingan tomoes spinning.

I was having trouble catching my breath. What was this? What were they doing here and who made them?

"We need to go, Sakura," Itachi said.

I nodded, following him closely as we climbed out of the cavern. When I pulled myself out and thankfully back into the bleak light, I heard another voice.

"I really wish you two hadn't seen that."

Itachi's katon was instant It crreated a barrier of fire all around us, melting the snow and giving us a better radius from the enemy.

I could barely see who had spoken through the flames, but I would know that voice anywhere.

"Orochimaru," I said.

Suddenly, snakes were wrapping up my legs and arms and Itachi was nowhere to be seen. I took a deep breath and focused my chakra and released myself from the genjutsu. Free of the illusion, I found Itachi beside me, his hand resting in the tiger seal and his sharingan spinning into the mangekyo. I had never seen it before, and as he focused on his jutsu, blood dripped from the corner of his eye. I scanned the area searching for the elusive Orochimaru and moving to Itachi's back.

That's when I saw him.

Orochimaru was wrapped tightly in the fist of Itachi's famed Susanoo. The red flames of the armored apparition wrapped around me as well as we rose with it into the air.

"I warned you, Orochimaru," Itachi said. "To stay away from Sasuke."

I could feel Itachi behind me as he radiated with chakra. Of course it had been Orochimaru using that creature to attempt to take over Sasuke's body. His attempt during the Chunin exams had been Itachi's first encounter with him, and the last time I had seen Itachi in the village. Even then, he didn't stick around.

"I should have killed you then," Itachi said, the sword of his Susanoo raised high.

"You really did me a favor, Itachi. I would rather have your body anyway," Orochimaru said.

Itachi let the Susanoo's sword swing, a blow that would end Orochimaru for good, but instead of the killing blow, the sword clashed with something.

The sudden clash was so powerful it knocked us back, the Susanoo skidding backward in the snow. Before us was a massive blue Susanoo. I could hear Itachi's gasp and the sudden wave of chakra made my body immobile. It was so powerful, I couldn't even move. What was this?

My ability to follow what happened next became limited. The Susanoo's moved too fast for me to know what was going on, or if the blow was the result of an attack by Itachi or the other Susanoo. I was still back to back with Itachi. Somehow through the battle, he had managed to keep me beside him within his jutsu. My mind was beginning to draw on a rare memory of the shinobi here . I could only hear Itachi's labored breathing and muttered words that didn't make any sense, so I focused on what he said last to Orochimaru. Had he really been trying to take Sasuke's body back then? Itachi had been there, but I had assumed it was because he had been after him. It didn't occur to me he knew Sasuke was being targeted and he was there solely to protect his younger brother.

I could see him there before Sasuke and me. Orochimaru had overwhelmed us and Sasuke was injured. Then Itachi showed up. I hadn't even been sure who he was until after the Forest of Death.

A sharp pain in my back made my eyes split open. I had been so delirious from the pace of their battle I had blacked out. I was on the ground scorched from the blaze of battle, Itachi not far from me. His Susanoo had vanished, and through blurry vision I could see someone approaching us.

His armor was thick and red. I'd never seen anything like it. His black hair stretched down his back and he was smirking deeply, his eyes wild. I looked at Itachi who was getting up, but slowly.

"That was wonderful! It's been so long since I had a decent battle with an Uchiha worth their namesake!" he shouted.

As he neared, I felt the wave of terror come over me again from his chakra, but I fought it this time, rising to my feet. Itachi was almost out of chakra.

"Madara Uchiha," Itachi said. "What purpose do you serve?"

I froze as I stared at the crazed warrior. Could it be?

"Purpose? Well, to start, I certainly intend to seek out any other mangekyo sharingan users. Do you know of any others?" he asked.

"There are none," Itachi said sharply.

Madara looked glum. "That's too bad. Well, I admit, my plans have changed quite drastically from the last time I was alive. Still, my intentions are the same. I will bring peace to this world. But first, I intend on making the Uchiha bow to me, or this time, I will ensure they are slaughtered properly for their defiance."

Itachi's mangekyo flared again, and Madara's eyes suddenly changed from the sharingan to something I'd never seen before. A pattern of circles spun defiantly, rejecting Itachi's attack.

"Tsukuyomi," Madara said, impressed. "Sorry, young Uchiha, but I'm done for now."

Itachi fell to his knees, his sharingan fading, but his eyes remained open and unseeing. I rushed to his side, reaching with my chakra.

Madara laughed. "There's nothing you can do. I trapped him in his own Tsukuyomi. Nothing can release him from that."

I bit my thumb and formed the seals for my summons as fast as I could.

Garuda, my hawk summons appeared before me. I'd have to thank Sasuke for this later.

"Get Itachi out of here, now," I said.

True to his word, Garuda swiftly carried Itachi away. Madara seemed amused by my actions for a moment, cocking his head to the side.

I narrowed my eyes and began amassing chakra into my fist. He didn't miss it, but said nothing, clearly wanting to see what I was going to do.

"If you come for the Uchiha, they won't be alone," I said.

"Oh? And who will protect them? Konoha?" he asked.

I unleashed my Byakugou seal.

"Yes, Konoha," I said, slamming my fist into the ground. The impact caused the ground above the massive cave system to collapse for miles around them. I saw the shock on Madara's face at the extent of the impact before he collapsed deep into the Earth. I ran. I ran as fast as I could using my chakra from my seal to get me as far away from the blast as I could. I didn't think I was going to make it, and as I was being pulled down, I heard the screaming call of Garuda as his talons clutched my shoulders painfully, ripping me out of the splintered Earth. I stared below me at the devastation, his wings beating the dust down around me while climbing higher and higher.

#

I blinked my eyes several times, but nothing was coming into focus. Cold smooth rock could be felt against my cheek. I pressed my palm down to the ground to push myself up. Moonlight to my left filtered in from an opening, dimly lighting a cave. Garada's dark outline could be seen at the entrance, his beak becoming visible as he glanced back towards me. Madara's face and his sharingan flashed in my mind's eye and the memory of Itachi falling made my chest seize. My gaze turned deeper into the cave and I found him lying there, just as I had been. He was still, perfectly calm and unmoving. He could have been asleep.

I rushed to his side, placing my hands on his forehead and neck. He was burning up. I ran my hand down his arm to his hand. Ice cold. Pressing my thumb to his wrist, I felt his pulse throbbing. I forced chakra into him to reduce the fever and calm his heart, but every time I thought I was making progress, his body returned to the same state. I wasn't sure how long I had been out, or how long he had been trapped in the gen jutsu, but his body couldn't keep this up much longer. I bit my lip.

Forming the seals, I summoned Katsuya.

"Sakura!"

"Thank you for coming," I said. "I need you to keep us alive, and send word to Tsunade where we are. I'm not even sure where that is. If what I am about to do goes horribly wrong, I will need help."

"Of course, Sakura," she said.

I tried to calm my mind and take a deep breath. But I was hyper aware that every moment I spent not getting him out of the Tsukuyomi was hours for him. I could only hope it being reflected back on him had weakened it.

I held my hands out before me, forming a triangle with my index and thumb and closed my eyes.

"Mind Transfer Jutsu," I whispered.

The cave vanished, and yet the crisp air remained, but not as cold. It was dark, but I could still see. The stars shone above, and as I scanned the buildings around me, I realized where I was.

The Uchiha District.

I felt nauseous as I took a step back. My body wanted to run, knowing what was about to happen. But I couldn't. I couldn't move. Suddenly ahead of me, several of the Uchiha were leaving the shrine, spilling into the streets and dispersing. They looked shaken, some crying even. After a moment, Itachi too left the building. The sight terrified me.

I was a kunoichi. I had seen a shinobi covered in blood before. But not in his home. Not in his village.

Not like this.

Itachi walked into the street and stared straight at me.

"What are you doing here, Sakura?" he asked. "You should get home."

Did he not know he was trapped in the Tsukuyomi?

"Itachi, this isn't real-"

But suddenly Itachi was attacked, his katana clashing with a kunai. Itachi struck him down and I stared at the Root operative bleeding out on the ground. Screams and cries for help sounded from the nearby streets and Itachi ran past me. I followed after him around a corner and my heart sank.

It was Sasuke. He was on the ground, injured, the shinobi nearing him. Itachi was close, but then a blood curdling scream pierced the air. Beside me, a girl, not much younger than I was now with long black hair was stabbed by a kunai.

"Itachi," she cried, her attacker stabbing her again.

It wasn't long, but Itachi did stop, even if only for a moment. It was her. It was Izumi. That moment seemed to last forever in the Tsukuyomi. Only a fraction of a second in real time, but it was so clear seeing it like that.

He had to choose. Hot tears streamed down my cheek. He had to choose who to save, his brother, or his lover.

The next moment, Sasuke was in his arms, unconscious, his attacker dead, and the next after that, Izumi's attacker lie dead on the ground beside her. Itachi kneeled down over her, his eyes flashing red, no doubt saying goodbye to her before she took her last breath.

I watched the same scene unfold more times than I could count. Each time nothing changed, but I could move a little more. The more I watched, the more I understood, the more I could feel his pain. I could hear his thoughts; I could sense what he was going to do next. It took a long time to get it right, but finally, I had that night memorized, the blood searing the memories into my mind as if it were my own.

When he entered the street, this time I was prepared.

I threw a kunai at the ANBU who leapt from the roof to attack him. Itachi watched me oddly. I led him around the corner where Sasuke's attacker would be, standing just before the place he would stop to make the worst moment of his life.

As he moved to save Sasuke, I launched senbon at Izumi's assailant, but she still screamed Itachi's name, and she still bled from the wounds her would have been assailant had caused her.

Itachi finally looked at me, his sharingan blazing into the mangekyo.

"You're trapped, Itachi. You know I wasn't here that night," I said.

He looked at Izumi, then back to me.

"How?" he asked. "This is the Tsukuyomi."

"Madara Uchiha," I said.

Itachi's eyes hardened and the mangekyo sharingan faded. As it did, so did the Uchiha district around me, bleeding away like paint running down the canvas.

When I awoke, it was to a dark cave. Katsuya was attached to me, and besides a splitting headache, I seemed able to move. Garuda made a noise and I noticed the pile of sticks he had collected by the entrance to the cave. I pushed off the ground and brought them in, lighting them into flame.

When I could see, I found Itachi sitting up, leaning against the cave wall. He didn't acknowledge my presence, his eyes empty as shadows danced across his face.

"Itachi?" I asked, my voice raspy.

My head was telling me to go to him and check his vitals, but my body was instinctively hesitant. If he wasn't in the right mind, there's no telling what he would do.

Suddenly, he looked at me, as if he were reading my thoughts.

"You have no need to be afraid of me," he said.

I moved closer, grabbing his wrist. Satisfied with his pulse, I felt his forehead. Everything seemed normal.

"How did you do it?" he asked.

I was emanating chakra from my hands, checking his lungs, trying to feel for what was wrong.

"What?" I asked, furrowing my brows.

"How did you break my Tsukuyomi?" he asked.

His voice was clear and solid, not raspy and wavering like mine. I didn't understand that given what he went through, but I guess I should have been happy about it.

"I... I disrupted the reality it provided. The jutsu couldn't account for my presence, thus alerting you to the genjutsu," I said.

"Just because someone becomes aware of the jutsu that doesn't mean they can break it," he said. "You have done something else."

I cocked my head, trying to consider what he meant.

"I don't know," I said. "But you are okay."

"I shouldn't be," he said, still staring at me.

I tensed, unsure what to say, but he looked away.

I was about to rise when Itachi began to violently cough. My eyes widened as I saw blood in his hand. When it passed, he took deep labored breaths. How could I have missed that? I reached for him again, but he quickly put up a hand to stop me.

"Itachi, that's not good, I need to-."

"It has nothing to do with the Tsukuyomi," he said.

My hands fell against my lap.

"Of course it does, or perhaps you sustained an injury from your battle with Madara," I said.

His eyes tightened, such a minute change, but significant for Itachi. He had forgotten about Madara.

"I still need to examine you," I said, raising my hand again and pressing it firmly to his chest.

"I'm dying, Sakura," he said.

I didn't move, leaving my hand there, resting it against his shirt.

He turned his gaze on me, and I felt forced to meet him. Shock was penetrating every part of my body and I was dragging in difficult breaths.

"There's nothing you can do, and we need to deal with Madara before it's too late," he said.

I narrowed my eyes, emitting chakra through my hands. "You have no idea what I can do, Itachi Uchiha. Now stop talking."

For the first time since seeing him, I was reminded of Sasuke. It wasn't often, but every once in awhile, I managed to shock Sasuke. It would seem that it was Itachi's turn now.

His eyes were wide and I was getting irritated. I let my chakra flare and pulled off his ANBU armor, scanning his body with chakra. What I found left me puzzled and a little scared. Everywhere I probed I had found sign of premature cell decay. His lungs were affected as well, which explained the blood, but it wasn't just his lungs. No organ was spared the damage, and there was no point of origin to explain the cause. I searched through his blood, trying to detect a virus or chakra based foreign invader, but I found nothing.

He seemed to detect my defeat because he touched my hand, pulling it away, but I shoved him off of me. At the very least, I would heal the damage. As I continued to pour chakra into him, he finally gave in, pulling his shirt over his head and lying down. He put one hand behind his head, but continued to watch me.

When I finished with as much as I could with the chakra that I had, I let the green glow ebb away from my hands.

"How do you feel?" I asked, still staring at his chest, trying to understand how I could have mistaken him for a perfectly healthy shinobi.

"I feel better," he said.

I could hear the 'but' that he didn't say.

But it won't last.

And I knew that. My brows tightened as I stood up. Itachi put his shirt back on and I hesitated to back away. I felt like I had failed him by my lack of understanding of what was happening to him, but he didn't seem concerned.

I turned away, fighting back tears. It was all hitting me. All at once. Itachi had saved Sasuke in the Forest of Death all those years ago. He had saved him at the cost of losing his lover. He had left the village to protect his mother from having to see the face of her husband's murderer. He had stayed away so Sasuke didn't have to watch him die.

And he would have until he died, if not for the return of Madara Uchiha.

I turned to find him standing there. His face was as stoic as ever, but he said nothing of the unshinobi-like tears on my cheeks.

"I'm not going to let you die," I said.

"Shinobi die every day," he said. "It is our duty to endure pain and give our lives for those we love. You are a shinobi, and you must accept this."

I closed my eyes, seeing the bodies of the Uchiha clan sprawled out in the street.

"I am a shinobi," I said, "and I do not accept it."

I put out the fire, and began my journey back to Konoha.

#

Our journey was long and quiet. We scarcely stopped, and when we did, it was briefly and just long enough for each of us to get some sleep. I kept my attention focused on his chakra levels and vitals, convinced he was going to suffer another attack, but it never came. I couldn't look at him the same anymore. My brain was endlessly searching my memory for any detail I had read that might explain what was happening to his body, but nothing made sense. Why had he been so certain she couldn't help? He seemed to understand what was happening, but how? I was a highly skilled medical nin, and I couldn't explain it. I wanted to drill him about it, but I knew that would not go well.

Sometime after we entered Fire Country, we felt chakra signatures approaching us.

"It's Shisui," Itachi said.

Like he said, Shisui and three other masked ANBU dropped from the trees.

"Itachi," he said, approaching his cousin. "What happened?"

"I'll have to report back within the village," Itachi said.

Shisui seemed to be searching Itachi's body for signs of injury. Afterward, he glanced at me, slightly nodding.

"Shisui," Itachi said. "I need to get to the village now. Stay with Sakura and make sure she gets home."

Before I could say anything, Itachi was gone.

Shisui frowned and nodded at the three ANBU who had accompanied him and held his index and middle finger forward, pointing after Itachi. They silently followed his command, disappearing after him.

"Your perceptive," I said.

Shisui sighed. "How close a shinobi comes to pushing themselves too far is increased the greater their power."

I stared ahead, too tired for tact and my usual niceties. "If that's true, he is going to kill himself."

My words echoed around in my head for a moment. I was dehydrated and exhausted, and I couldn't process what I was trying to grasp.

"What happened, Sakura?" Shisui asked. "Lady Tsunade sent me immediately to find you guys. She said Madara had attacked you. Is that true?"

I nodded. "He nearly killed Itachi, and I'm still not sure how I got away. It was either pure luck, or on a whim."

The weight of Madara's return cast a heavy tension around us.

"Let's head back," Shisui said.

"Shisui," I said, stopping him. He watched me curiously, and I wondered if I should ask what was on my mind.

"That night, when the Uchiha were attacked..."

His curiosity waned as he listened, his eyes growing somber.

"Was Itachi forced to choose Sasuke over Izumi? Was she his... lover?" I asked.

The Tsukuyomi world I had lived in would never be forgotten, but I couldn't be certain how much of it was real. It had felt real, and I somehow knew this was true, but I wasn't sure how.

Shisui's gaze dropped.

"Yeah," Shisui said. "They probably would have gotten married if she hadn't died that night."

"Were you there?" I asked. "What happened?"

"I was... but too late," he said. "I had been targeted and was nearly killed weeks before the attack, so I fled the village to keep my eyes from falling into Danzo's hands. It wasn't until the Fourth Hokage found me that I learned of the tension between the village and the Uchiha. The Fourth felt he had to hide Naruto to ensure the Uchiha did not try to confront Danzo and the Village Elders with the nine tails. When the Fourth located me, we returned to the village to put an end to the conflict, but it was too late. The Fourth believed my return would assuage some of the anger the Uchiha felt over one of their own being attacked, and finally provide evidence against Danzo. But Danzo had already won. Itachi had killed Fugaku Uchiha to prevent the clan uprising against the village on Danzo's orders while simultaneously ordering his Root Platoon to lie in wait for Fugaku to be out of the way and finish the slaughter. Afterward, Danzo claimed his Root platoon went rogue and were solely responsible for the massacre and for my attack as well. The elders knew this to be a lie, but they protected him anyway. Had Lord Fourth and I not showed up when we did, I believe the entire Uchiha clan would have been devastated, Itachi included."

I closed my eyes, recalling what Madara said before I escaped.

I will ensure they are slaughtered properly for their defiance.

"Shisui," I said. "He's going to come back, and Itachi..."

I stopped, unsure if I was grossly overstepping.

"I know," he said.

I gasped.

"Then, why haven't you made him get help?" I asked.

His eyes tightened. "I've tried. Itachi is as stubborn as he is good at hiding things."

I sighed.

As I felt the clutches of despair trying to sink into me, I heard Naruto's voice.

I never give up and I won't back down!

I swallowed my pain and looked toward Konoha.

"Let's get back."

#

The first thing I did once I was back in the village was find Sasuke.

I stared through the glass window into his room. His eyes were closed, his chest rising and falling rhythmically.

"He was awake not too long ago."

I recognized Tsunade's voice before I looked at her.

"He's furious I won't let him leave," she said.

I smiled. That was great news. Knowing Sasuke was behaving normally was a huge relief and I felt my shoulders slack and my eyes immediately begin to slip. I didn't realize I was falling until Tsunade caught me against her shoulder.

"Come on, Sakura. You did well. Now you need to rest," she said, but her voice was distant, and my eyes slipped closed before I took another step.

---

ITACHI

Minato paced back and forth. My report of Madara's return had set everyone on edge.

"Kakashi, check in with Obito and Jiraiya," he said. "I need to know if Nagato will help us."

Kakashi vanished in a poof of smoke and Minato stopped pacing.

"What are our chances, Itachi?" he asked.

"His arrogance is his greatest weakness," I said. "Otherwise, his Eternal Mangekyo combined with the Rinnegan is unprecedented. The Edo Tensei allowing the reconstruction of his body makes him indestructible."

Minato looked at me, trying to read me. I knew what he wanted to know, but I remained silent.

"I think it's time, Itachi," he said.

"I've not reconsidered my position on the subject," I said. "But I have considered another option."

Minato sighed.

#

Ever since Sasuke was a baby, I'd done everything I could to protect him. Streetlamps dotted the village below as I looked out at Konoha from the roof of the hospital. I could sense his chakra, and every time it flickered at all, I was reminded at how close I just came to losing him again. I had underestimated Orochimaru.

Madara would be the greatest threat this village had ever faced, and this time, I wasn't sure I could protect Sasuke. I had only one choice, and that would require me to entrust the village to him.

I sat down, content with staying here and laid back to look up at the stars. The kunoichi who had somehow broken my Tsukuyomi came to my mind. So much time away from the village had provided a solace in as many ways as it caused pain. For so long there had been no one else there. No one to watch out for. No one to speak to and force me to consider every word I said. No one to worry about. And most importantly, no one to care about.

Her learning my secret was unexpected, and not without its concerns.

"Hey, Itachi!"

I turned my gaze to find Naruto glaring at me.

"Yeah?"

His mouth was noticeably frowning. Every movement of his body and stutter as he tried to say what he was thinking gave away entirely what he was here for. He truly was a terrible ninja.

"You're welcome," I said.

He glared harder. "How did you know that's what I came up here for? And that wasn't all, so stop acting like you knew what I was going to say."

"Then what were you going to say?" I asked, returning my gaze to the stars overhead.

"Well, that, AND that I'm sorry," he said. "Ya know, for chewing you out the other day."

"Don't worry about it," I said.

Naruto's expression became quizzical. "What is it about you Uchihas? Why do you have to act like you don't care, when really you probably care more than most people do?"

I gave him my attention again, surprised by the accurate, even if blunt, observation.

I laughed slightly.

"You truly are an odd shinobi, Naruto. Your strength is a testament to your nindo, and I wouldn't dream of questioning it. However, it is not the way of a shinobi to reveal his emotions, and it would not serve most to do so."

"But Sasuke is your brother," he said.

"Sasuke is an Uchiha," I said. "And for that, he must learn to control himself."

"Uchiha or not, you shouldn't have left him," Naruto said. "You have no idea what he went through."

"Whether I stayed or not, Sasuke would have been in pain. I made the decision that was best for him," I said.

And for myself.

"How could losing you too be what was best for him?" he pressed.

Naruto really didn't give up.

"My clan was at odds with me after I killed my father. My presence would have caused tension when they knew they had been defeated, and Sasuke would have defended me, ostracizing him from the rest of the Uchiha," I said. "As the future Head of the Clan, he must have their trust."

I cursed under my breath at the slip.

"Head of the Clan? What are you talking about? Why wouldn't you resume that position? Are you planning on leaving again?" he asked.

I sighed, getting up. This conversation was over.

"What aren't you saying, Itachi?" he asked.

I faced Naruto. "Sasuke must be prepared. As his friend, and the Hokage's son, can I trust that he can count on you."

"Of course he can," Naruto said.

I smiled. I had no doubt.

I left him there, heading back to the Uchiha District.

#

I found Shisui waiting for me on the front steps.

"Was wondering when you were finally going to get some sleep," he said, rising.

"Did Sakura make it back?" I asked, knowing the answer.

"Yeah, I think she's back home now, passed out," he said.

I nodded. "She's far more capable than I expected. I'm not sure how she got us away from Madara, though I did notice Sasuke's hawk summoning."

Shisui smirked. "She is quite exceptional, especially given her civilian upbringing, but still, there's no doubt Madara let her get away. But from what I understand, even if he hadn't, she would have still gotten you to safety."

The words hung between us like he had said something offensive.

"How long do you think you have?" Shisui asked.

"I don't know. But I've made a decision."

"What's that?" he asked.

"I want you to have my eyes," I said.

Shisui's eyes narrowed in anger.

"We cannot fight Madara without the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan," I said. "You are our best hope, Shisui."

He laughed in disbelief. "No, Itachi, you are our best hope. How can you be so defiant to that reality? Can you see nothing with that sharingan? And let me guess, you still refuse to take your father's eyes?"

I stood up, not wanting to have this conversation again only to find my mother standing in the doorway.

"I'd like to speak with you, Itachi," she said.

She went back inside and I ignored Shisui's watchful expression as I followed her in.

She sat on the sofa, placing her hands in her lap.

"I'm sorry for eavesdropping," she said. "But I heard everything."

I sat down opposite her.

"I trust you know what plagues you," she said.

"I do," I said.

"Then you know that taking your father's eyes will end your suffering," she said.

In that moment, I hated the Uchiha. I hated the sharingan. And I hated my father for forcing me to kill him. But most of all, I hated myself.

"I don't want them," I said. "I've told you already. I did not kill him so I might live. I refuse to betray him again in death."

Mikoto smiled sadly. "You did not betray your father, Itachi. You did exactly as he expected you would. Your father anticipated your actions, and died knowing you would awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan. Through your action in ending his life, the clan would fall in line, unwilling to challenge someone who could defeat him. His eyes are a gift, Itachi."

I closed my eyes, hardly believing what I was hearing.

The Uchiha were cursed. Everything we did was an action to harbor pain through love, and my father had outwitted me. I rose and left the room.

---

SAKURA

I spent the next week in every library in Konoha conducting research. It wasn't until I looked in the most obvious place that I found what I was looking for. The Academy provided the history of shinobi and it was there that I learned about the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan. The Mangekyo itself was a powerful doujutsu that ravaged the body in order to release the chakra needed for such jutsu. Over time, depending on use, it would destroy the user's body unless their eyes were replaced with the awakened eyes of a close family member.

"That's almost right," Itachi said.

I jumped at his presence, finding him reading the book over my shoulder. I was sitting on a desk in the middle of a classroom that was empty besides for us.

"You scared me," I said. "What are you doing here?"

"I had a feeling you weren't letting this go," he said, looking to the book.

I closed the book and stood.

"No, I wasn't," I said. "And I think I understand what is happening now. I want to try something if you are okay with that."

Itachi raised an eyebrow.

"Place me in a Tsukuyomi," I said.

Itachi laughed at me.

"I'm serious," I said. "Just, ya know, make sure you are there."

Itachi did nothing for several moments, and I thought he was going to ignore me when finally his eyes spun into the dark red of the mangekyo sharingan. It was immediate, and suddenly I was standing in a blank white world. I spun to find him behind me.

"So what exactly is your plan," he asked.

I approached him, reaching to his face and placing both hands on either side of his eyes and released my healing chakra. We stayed that way for a few minutes before I pulled them away.

He remained quiet, watching me curiously.

"What was off about what I read?" I asked.

He looked amused as he ever so slightly raised an eyebrow.

"It was a fairly stringent version of the truth about the sharingan. In reality, an Uchiha's suffering is what increases the power of the doujutsu. And in taking the eyes of another Uchiha, the pain and suffering is only that much greater, thus increasing their power," Itachi said.

I didn't immediately respond.

"And if that pain were healed?" I asked

Itachi smiled. "You are a true medic, Sakura."

"I don't want you to die," I said.

He seemed different within the walls of the Tsukuyomi. He was less guarded, his expressions came easier, like he knew for a fact that no one else was around.

"Why?"

"You haven't had a chance to be happy yet," I said.

His smile grew.

"That's not true," he said. "I'm happy now."

I shot him a wry grin. "You know what I mean."

"I'll be happy when Konoha is not being threatened by someone like Madara Uchiha," he said. "Alive or not."

I suddenly recalled why we were here and remembered I needed to check him outside of the genjutsu.

"Take us back," I said.

He looked almost sad for a moment, but then it was gone, and we were back in the classroom.

I felt like I was coming out of an intoxicated state. Every breath I took was sharp and my back hurt from the hours I had spent sitting and researching, both things I had not noticed inside Itachi's Tsukuyomi.

But gone was his smile, the softness of his eyes. The stoic ANBU was waiting before me, eyes closed. The way he stood almost made me wonder what the experience was like for him. How much did he even feel?

He caught me off guard when he opened his eyes. It was like he had heard me.

I shook off the feeling and rested my hand on his temple.

"Hold still," I said, probing with my chakra at different points in his body. Everywhere I checked, the decay was absent. I shook my head, pleased with the experiment.

"It seems to have worked," I said. "The small amount of healing I did within the Tsukuyomi was amplified in real time. The mind is an amazing thing."

I could tell he was taken aback by what I said.

"I think you're right," he said. "I can feel the difference. You are quite adept at understanding genjutsu."

Pleased with myself, I put the book on shinobi history away and turned back to him to discuss possibly treating him more frequently until I had a permanent solution, but he was looking particularly ominous.

"Sakura," he said after a pregnant pause. "I wasn't sure before, but there's no room for doubt anymore. Back when you broke me free from the Tsyukuyomi that Madara trapped me in... I think I know how you did it."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I believe you fused your chakra to mine," he said. "Ever since then, I've been able to sense you so clearly that it is as if there is a direct line to your chakra."

"What?" I asked, my hands shaking at the very thought.

Could I have really been so careless?

"The Tsukuyomi is a dangerous jutsu," he said. "For you to have even entered was extremely reckless of you, and even moreso given it was Madara reflecting my own jutsu back at me. I'm not surprised what you did resulted in such an extreme action."

"So you can... you can tell how I'm feeling right now?" I asked, my voice shaking.

He nodded once.

I looked away, suddenly feeling exposed and scared of my own emotions. Was he sensing my fear?

I felt his hand on my cheek, and my eyes flew to his. What was this? Was he trying to comfort me because I was terrified? I felt my cheeks grow hot, and realizing how he was affecting me, his fingers began to slip away, but my hand reached for his, threading my fingers with his. His eyes widened as I grasped his hand tightly. I shifted my body towards him. I just wanted to reach for him. I wanted him to know that I was here. That pain and suffering was only ever there because of love, and even in the presence of pain, love could still exist.

Itachi's eyes tightened and I knew he had understood. There was a moment of indecision, as his gaze searched my eyes, but it vanished as my desire to close the space between us grew. He came to me, his lips gently brushing mine. My free hand shook as I let it rest against his armor, my other falling away from his as he slid his hand from my cheek to the back of my head, firmly taking hold of my hair in his fist and pulling me in closer. Still, he hesitated. He caught my gaze momentarily, pulling back ever so slightly from my mouth. His eyes were dark and heavily lidded, and I wondered what kept him back. Frustrated at whatever it was, I closed my eyes, yielding nothing to his concern, and tilted my forehead to his, touching his lips against mine again. Whatever self-control he had been exercising finally broke as he kissed me, his lips moving against mine without caution. I kissed him back, unable to contain the urgency rushing through my body, my free hand grasping onto his arm tightly. Everything was warm. Everywhere I could feel something, it felt good. It was like I was back in his Tsukuyomi, his guard destroyed and nothing else mattered except him kissing me. I wanted to be as close to him as I could and never have to let go.

When I felt him withdraw slightly, I protested, pushing forward to deepen the kiss. He didn't fully rip himself away, but it felt like he might have if I wasn't so entangled. The next moment, my eyes shot open and I realized why he had pulled away. I let go of Itachi like lightning had struck between us. I could feel someone behind me, but only see the look on Itachi's face before me. Shame clouded his eyes and it left no doubt in my mind who had entered the room.

I didn't want to turn around, but Sasuke's eyes were burning into the back of my head, and I couldn't explain the shame I felt, because it really didn't make any sense, but it was there. It was so very much there. I turned around and looked at Sasuke, completely at a loss for words. All of his attention was focused on me. His anger, his confusion, his shock, his disbelief. For someone I had only ever known to be either perfectly unreadable or entirely expressive, he did not let me down. But it was gone very quickly, replaced by a cold look of betrayal that made my eyes well up with tears.

"Sasuke," I said.

But what should I say? What even made sense? What was I even attempting to apologize for? He had never once indicated he wanted anything from me, why should this mean anything to him? Did I expect him to come around eventually... I had hoped. And it wasn't as if I had planned this, or thought about it at all.

It had just happened.

I looked at the floor, realizing I hadn't considered at all if this might affect Sasuke.

"I've been looking for you guys everywhere," Sasuke finally said, the accusation hard. "Naruto is missing."

#

I stood in formation, observing the ANBU and Jonin teams that had assembled together. I had never seen a joint formation like this, and it was strange. Sasuke and Itachi were both masked and with their respective teams.

When Lord Fourth appeared on the balcony for the squadron address, his face was unreadable. Seeing him like that unnerved me.

"Team Seven, Team Eight, Team Ten and Team Jiraiya, you will accompany me in our search for Naruto. Team Seven, Sasuke Uchiha will rejoin you to replace Naruto. All other teams will report to Shikaku at ANBU Headquarters for an ongoing security detail of the village until further notice, except ANBU squad 4," Minato said. "I have evidence Danzo Shimura is the traitor who released Naruto's whereabouts to the enemy. He has fled the village. Pursue and execute on sight."

I snapped my head to look at Itachi. He was the captain of ANBU squad 4. Itachi vanished the next moment, along with Shisui and the two other ANBU on his team. Soon after, the other squads reported to ANBU Headquarters.

"We have a wide search area," Lord Fourth continued. "We will split up by team, and when he is found, send one to alert the other teams of your location. Each Captain knows their search location. Go."

I followed after Kakashi, sensing Obito and Sasuke close behind. Ever since Sasuke had joined ANBU, Obito had been filling in with us instead of his usual duties for the Hokage. I thought of Naruto and how much he had bickered with Obito in the beginning. Afterward though, they got along almost like brothers. Kakashi sensei was always muttering about rejoining ANBU. But everyone was silent as we moved further and further away from Konoha.

Naruto. You better be okay.

After at least an hour of traveling, Kakashi signaled for us to stop.

We were at an abandoned hideout of some kind. The walls were crumbling, but the rooms were still intact.

"This is one of Orochimaru's sites," Obito said. "Be on your guard."

When we entered, it was clear there were no chakra signatures. As I searched further, I gasped.

"It's Naruto, below," I said. I found a stairwell, running as fast as I could into the dark underground chamber. Sasuke lit the room behind me and that's when I saw him. The room opened up and at the center was Naruto. Still and unmoving.

"His chakra signature is faint, but I can still feel it," I said, falling to my knees by his side, my hands glowing green.

I forced my chakra towards his heart immediately, willing it to keep beating. Sasuke was beside me, his sharingan burning red.

"The nine tails has been extracted," he said.

"No," I whispered, continuing to pump chakra into him.

"Obito, get Lord Fourth," Kakashi said. "Sakura, how long does Naruto have?"

I could barely answer as I struggled to keep his internal organs functioning.

"Sakura."

Gaara's voice reached my ears, but I couldn't divert my attention. Suddenly, I was being lifted by his sand and Naruto and I were being transported. I stay focused on Naruto, doing everything I could to keep him alive with what little life he had left.

I don't know how long we stayed like that, but my chakra was running low. When the sand finally lowered us to the ground, I could hear Kakashi and Obito yelling, but I wasn't sure what they were saying.

"Sakura."

The voice was so close, I looked up. The Fourth Hokage was there. His hand was on my shoulder, a faint smile on his face.

"You've done enough, Sakura. It's up to me now."

I felt Kakashi catch me as I fell back, exhausted. I watched hazily as the Fourth performed hand seals, and was suddenly glowing. I watched in awe as he transferred chakra into Naruto. When the glowing stopped, Minato fell to his knees, staring at Naruto.

I watched, unable to breath as Naruto still did not move. Then, finally, his eyes flickered open. Tears of joy filled my eyes as he awakened.

I could hear a break in the silence from everyone around us, but Naruto was looking at the Fourth.

"Dad?"

Minato smiled. "I'm sorry, Naruto, but this is the end for me."

Naruto's expression broke and I looked back to Lord Fourth, trying to understand what he had done.

"You now possess the Nine Tails yin chakra," he said. "You'll have to make sure to get back the rest of Kurama. He doesn't care for Madara much."

"Dad," Naruto said. "I still need your help."

Minato smiled. "You have all the help you need, Naruto. You've grown strong, and your comrades and you will defeat Madara, as we have with every other threat that has tried to destroy us. Your mother will be glad to hear about how strong you have become, Naruto."

"Dad? Dad?" Naruto said, not holding any of his tears back.

Minato fell against him, the life from his body gone. Sasuke went to Naruto's side, lifting Minato into his arms. Kakashi pulled Naruto onto his back.

"We can't stay here," Gaara said. "We must get you back to the leaf."

Kakashi nodded. "Can you bring Sakura, Gaara?"

I felt the sand lift me again and I let my eyes close, my chakra exhaustion overcoming me.

I awoke when we arrived back in the village. Gaara, Kakashi and Obito took Naruto and the Fourth's body, leaving Sasuke and I at the gates of the village.

"You should get some rest," Sasuke said, observing me clinically.

I shook my head. "I've recovered enough chakra. We need to report to Shikaku and take an assignment. If word of the Fourth's death gets out..."

Suddenly, a pain in my right eye so blinding occurred that I fell to my knees. My hands both clutched at my eye, applying pressure. I immediately began to heal it, emanating green chakra to reduce the pain, when suddenly the pain was gone. I dropped my hands, staring at the ground, panting.

"What the hell, Sakura?" Sasuke asked.

My thoughts were racing around in my head as I tried to understand how I knew exactly what had just happened.

"Itachi," I breathed.

"What?"

"Itachi needs help," I said. "And I know where he is."

Sasuke stared at me like I had lost my mind, but he believed me. As I turned and ran through the gates, he was right behind me.

---

ITACHI

I finally pulled my hand away from my eyes. My hand was sticky as it fell to the ground. I had really overdone it this time. My vision was fading in and out, but it wouldn't be long before I was completely blind. Shisui was going to be pretty pissed off. I smiled thinking of my politer and generally more adept at social conversations older cousin. I had split off from the team to pursue Danzo. I wouldn't have had nearly so much trouble if I could have seen him better. My vision had deteriorated in the recent weeks, but it didn't ultimately make a difference. Danzo was dead, and I was still dying. I hoped Sasuke had the sense to take my eyes. He would need them.

I thought of Madara, and I felt a pang of guilt. How could I leave him to deal with that? I could feel the wind against my cheeks as I was falling. The memory was so vivid. It had felt so unnecessary to keep living. There would always be new life, and it would always die, so what was the point of living? I had plenty of time to think about it as I was falling, but all I could do was reach for the cliffside, any crevice that I could grab to keep myself from my ill decided descent. I didn't want to die.

I felt Sakura's chakra there, somewhere within me. It was the last bit of warmth I could feel, and I clung to it, calling to it. She had saved me once before when I didn't think there was any hope. I kept her there at my back, within my Susanoo, but even as I did it, I knew I couldn't defeat Madara.

I couldn't give up yet. I couldn't let Madara destroy everything I had worked so hard to protect.

I couldn't… die.

#

When I awoke, I felt something wrapped tightly around my head, covering my eyes. I tried to open my eyes, but it felt like my eye lids had been glued shut.

"Itachi?" I heard my mother's voice, then felt her hand on my cheek.

Suddenly she was against me, sobbing and holding me tightly. My entire body tensed from my lack of sight. I lifted my hand to the bandages, touching the scratchy material.

They had done it. These eyes were... my father's.

I could tell that my body was already recuperating faster than it had in years. Somehow, I had escaped death twice. I smiled.

Thank you, Father.

---

SAKURA

The entire village attended the Fourth Hokage's funeral. Sasuke and I stuck close to Naruto. He was holding it together fairly well until Hinata came to give him a hug. Something about her presence made Naruto vulnerable. She held him until he calmed down.

When everyone else had gone, we stayed with him, the last three among the empty sea of chairs before a picture of Minato Namikaze. Naruto stood up, long after the sun had set without looking back.

"I'll see you guys later," he said, taking off.

"Do you think he'll be okay?" I asked.

Sasuke sighed. "Eventually."

We were quiet for a moment, wishing there was more we could do for him.

"Thank you, Sakura," Sasuke said.

"For what?" I asked, glancing at him.

"I don't know how you found Itachi that night, but he would have died if you hadn't led me to him," Sasuke said.

"I'm not the one who saved him," I said. "Your father did that."

Sasuke looked at Minato's picture. "Yeah."

"I thought he was dead," Sasuke said.

When Sasuke looked back at me, his eyes were glowing red from the sharingan, but it was different.

"Almost losing him awakened the mangekyo sharingan," Sasuke said. "I need to train, but this should help us to defeat Madara."

I smiled, relaxing a bit. Even now, Sasuke was still so battle ready. I really should be more like him. Sasuke never gave himself any time to process his emotions. I wanted to tell him how Itachi had chosen to save him over the woman he loved. That he stayed away to protect him. But I think he already knew it, he just needed it to be reaffirmed.

"You know Itachi loves you, right," I asked.

"Ya, we'll see when he is released from the hospital how pissed he is about the transplant," Sasuke said. "I don't even care. He doesn't get to choose to die."

"Sasuke."

We turned back to find Obito.

"Itachi is asking for you," he said. "He's home now."

Sasuke nodded.

"Check on Naruto later?" he asked me.

I nodded, and he was gone.

Obito sat down beside me, studying the picture of Minato before us.

"Minato sensei named me as his successor before he left the village," he said.

I gasped.

"The ceremony will be tomorrow," he said. "I'm not sure I'm ready for it. I still had a lot to learn from him."

"We all did," I said. "But this is war. We don't have time to grieve like we should."

"No, we don't," Obito said, his voice distant.

I rested my hand on his forearm for a moment before rising. "I'm going to check on Naruto."

He said nothing, lost in his thoughts.

"Obito. You're going to be a great Hokage," I said.

He glanced at me, realizing I was still there.

"I hope so."

#

I found Naruto at his house sitting very close to Hinata. I watched them through the window for a moment before continuing on. I was glad he had her right now. I took the long way home. I stopped for dinner, sitting there far too long. The usual chatter in the village was absent. Beyond the sadness we all shared, there was a tense apprehension. Everyone knew a war was coming. Every moment was waiting for the first bomb to go off.

When I finally got home, I could sense him there. I stepped onto my balcony and jumped up to the roof.

Itachi was there, sitting peacefully and looking up at the stars. I sat down beside him, curiously looking at his eyes, trying to ascertain any differences, but I saw none.

"How do you feel?" I asked.

"So different it's hard to believe," he said. "Were you the one to perform the surgery?"

I nodded.

"I didn't intend to disturb you," Itachi said. "I meant to come to say thank you, but then decided against it."

"So you aren't mad?" I asked.

"No," he said. "On the contrary, I'm quite grateful."

I looked at him curiously drawing his attention from the heavens and back to me.

"I had forgotten how much there was to live for," he said, his eyes focused on me.

The way he was looking at me could not be mistaken, but the second I noticed, he looked away.

"I'm sorry about before. That moment between us shouldn't have happened," he said.

I felt a weight in my chest like he had dealt me a physical blow. I faltered in my first few attempts to say something, and finally gave in to the simple one.

"Why?"

"I should have been more perceptive towards your feelings for Sasuke," he said.

I looked down. I couldn't deny those feelings were there, but they were different lately.

"That's not fair," I said. "It was definitely not something I expected, but we haven't even had a chance to think about it."

"There's nothing to think about," Itachi said. "I shouldn't have allowed it."

I couldn't move, or breathe, or speak as I sat there. I spent so much time trying to process where this could be coming from, but deep down I knew.

He stood up and vanished from sight, leaving me alone.

#

It had taken time to process what happened that night. I stayed busy at the hospital and attending strategy meetings with the other Jonin, but what transpired between us had left me uneasy. Every day I felt like I wanted to seek Itachi out and deny my feelings for Sasuke, but I wasn't sure I could do that. Instead, I went and found Sasuke.

He had been training with Naruto when I arrived, but Naruto quickly met up with Hinata and left, leaving me free to get some things off my chest.

"Want to spar?" Sasuke asked.

I glared at him, causing him to raise an eyebrow at me.

"No," I yelled. "I'd like to be joining Naruto and Hinata for dinner."

He looked at me like I was crazy. "Then go."

I growled. "With you, Sasuke. Or at least I did want to."

His expression settled back into blank, telling me he finally understood.

"You've been indifferent towards me for years, Sasuke. Everyone else started dating and doing anything else other than training, but not us. And then, I have the audacity to feel something for someone else, and I got the cold shoulder from you for a week. Now you act like it didn't even happen," I yelled.

Sasuke looked cross. "Not just someone else, Sakura. My brother. I was really hoping this wouldn't come up."

"Fine," I said, turning to walk off.

"Why even come out here? What do you want me to tell you? You don't need my permission to do anything," he said.

I stopped, turning back. "You're right. I don't. But I want it, because I care about you. It seemed a lot like it hurt you, and I don't want to hurt you. I just need to know that we are okay."

Sasuke sighed, his eyes narrowing. "We're always going to be okay, Sakura."

I smiled. "Thank you, Sasuke."

#

We were deployed the next day. Minato had formed an alliance with the Five Great Nations prior to his death. With the threat of Madara's return, the urgency to protect the jinchurriki became paramount. At some point, Orochimaru had been betrayed by Kabuto, creating a valuable resource in Orochimau. He had come to Itachi, giving him information on Kabuto's intent with the Edo Tensei, allowing the Allied Forces to prepare and deploy.

It also seemed my destruction of the white zetsu during our first encounter with Madara was only a portion of them. Their stealth ability had divided our forces and left me with more wounded than I could keep up with. My division had been hit particularly hard and after several days of non-stop efforts to defeat them, we were losing the battle.

We were doing our best, but we were being slaughtered. I had failed. Without the main medical unit for the other divisions to come to, our casualties would increase significantly.

When it was only me, Madara revealed himself. His eyes were crimson and his face twisted in glee.

"You are quite a battle-hardened medic," he said. "Do you have any other tricks up your sleeve this time?"

I surveyed my comrades around me, their bodies cast aside in unnatural positions. I could taste the blood in the air, and I knew this was it.

"You won't succeed," I said. "The village is strong, no matter how many times you try to destroy it."

"The village is a feeble attempt at peace. How many wars have there been?" Madara said. "I will finally bring peace to all shinobi."

He approached me. My chakra was gone, and I was surprised I was still conscious. I fell to my knees, unable to even keep standing. My eyes slipped closed as he neared me, but instead of feeling the wind of his blade descending upon me, I felt a familiar chakra.

My eyes snapped open to find Itachi there, blocking Madara's blade. He landed a kick to Madara's chest, catching him off guard and knocking him away from us. He glanced behind me, barely diverting his attention from Madara.

"Hang on, Sakura," he said, before launching a fire jutsu and engaging with Madara.

Another minute passed, and then Sasuke was there at Itachi's side. Obito and Naruto soon followed.

"Ino," Naruto shouted, "Get Sakura."

"Right," I heard my friend's voice and felt the warmth of her chakra rushing over me.

"I'm sorry it took us so long, Sakura," she said.

I took note of her ondition—the dirt and blood smeared on her skin, the hollow eyes only showing signs of relief that she got to me in time.

"How many have we lost?" I asked.

Ino bit her lip. "Too many."

I sat up. "We can't give up."

#

The battled raged, and for a time, it felt like Madara was being overwhelmed by the fierce use of his own descendants Mangekyou Sharingans. Shisui had arrived with Jiraiya along with Orochimaru and all four of the previous hokage. I thought for sure their barrier technique was going to hold Madara, but he was too strong. When I thought we were going to turn the tide, Madara unleased the tailed beasts, his body transforming with black orbs floating around him. I watched in horror as Naruto and Sasuke both fell. I was at each of their sides within moments, but it was too late. They were both... dead.

Itachi landed beside me, his eyes wide as he saw me.

I did nothing. I just sat there, uncomprehending of how this could be.

Then, Sasuke gasped, and began coughing. Naruto too opened his eyes and I felt a wave of joy as I burst into tears.

"Naruto, Sasuke!" I cried.

Itachi was observing them with his sharingan, his eyes narrowed, but we had no time to understand what had happened as Madara set his sights on us.

"Itachi," he called. "There is still time. Join me and we can unleash the Infinite Tsukuyomi together!"

Madara sent a tailed beast bomb straight for us.

"Damn it," Itachi said, activating Susanoo.

The blast was earth shattering, but we were unscathed within the Susanoo. Naruto and Sasuke shared a look and rose to their feet.

"What happened?" I asked, but they didn't answer me.

Itachi and Sasuke were looking beyond the Susanoo with their sharingan.

"Sasuke, what's going on?" Naruto said.

"It's the Infinite Tsukuyomi," he said. "He has cast it. Anyone not within a Susanoo will soon be trapped within the gen jutsu."

"It seems Obito and Kakashi were able to escape the effects as well," Itachi said. "Shisui is trapped within the jutsu."

"So what do we do?" I asked.

"We wait until it is over," Sasuke said.

#

Every moment felt like hours. I feared for my friends, for my family and for us. There were so many moments when I was sure it was the end, or I thought I had lost Naruto and Sasuke. I tried to steel myself for what was to come, but the trembling in my body never ceased.

When Itachi released the Susanoo, the sight before us was unexpected. We watched as Madara Uchiha became twisted and lost control of the God like power he had achieved. What was left before us terrified me. What was she?

Suddenly, the air around me shifted, and I was falling. I could feel heat and I stared down in panic as I saw the lava rushing towards me. Feeling Kakashi's sudden grip around my waist made me yell out from the pain, but I was only left in relief as I realized, once again, I had just avoided death.

---

ITACHI

All of them had vanished. Left before me was a clone of the rabbit goddess.

"Where did you take them?" I asked.

"I will defeat you here," she said. "It would be too risky to allow you too close to the reincarnates."

Reincarnates?

I knew something was different about Sasuke and Naruto ever since they had seemingly come back from the dead. I took a shaky breath. I hoped Sasuke knew what he was doing.

She was just a clone, but I couldn't risk underestimating her. I had to get Sasuke and Naruto out of the dimension she had sent them to. She was ruthless in her attempt to kill me and no sooner that I had decided to resort to a forbidden doujutsu did Shisui appear at my side with the Fourth Hokage.

"Shisui, how did you.."

When he looked at me, I saw one of his eyes had become void of any light, a grey color—the mark of using the forbidden jutsu.

"I wasn't able to break the Infinitie Tsukuyomi for everyone, only myself," he said. "She must be defeated."

"Where is Naruto?" Minato asked.

"She's trapped them in another dimension," Itachi said. "I can still sense Sakura's chakra, but she's in combat."

"We have to release this gen jutsu," Minato said. "It's killing them."

I nodded.

Focusing my chakra, I cast a genjutsu. Within it, I targeted her with threaded kunai, binding her. I watched her struggle against the threading technique, growing frustrated before breaking the gen jutsu. She glared at me, and this time, I threw real kunais, threading her again, but this time, truly trapping her in the technique. Her frustration kept her from realizing it was not the same gen jutsu. In the moment she wasted trying to release the genjutsu, Minato branded her with the Flying Rajin. Free once again, her eyes narrowed dangerously.

"I will not be toyed with," she said, coming for us.

"Flying Rajin," Minato said, taking Shisui and appearing behind mer.

"Kotoamtsukami," Shisui said the moment she made eye contact.

She was frozen. Shisui held her there, trapped in the jutsu for as long as he could.

I watched as he overcame Kaguya's will, forcing the Infinite Tsukuyomi to rescind, but she was too powerful for the entire jutsu to be undone. She finally broke free, her clone vanishing.

Shisui fell to his knees taking in deep breaths. "It was only about a quarter of them."

I look around seeing some of the shinobi trapped in the vines of the tree being released. The cocoon they had been trapped in shriveled up and died. But there were still many still trapped.

"We can only hope this weakens her enough for Naruto and Sasuke to take her down," I said. "This tree was sucking out their chakra slowly. It took a significant blow from Shisui's jutsu. He forced her to begin the process of releasing the jutsu, even if it wasn't enough to finish it."

As the others rushed to help those near us that were freed from the Infinite Tsukuyomi, I paused. I felt for Sakura's chakra and I wondered if she could feel me searching for her, as I once had before. I had been near death then, and that she had been aware at all meant the connection was still strong. I knew she was there, but her chakra was low. I thought of Sasuke. I had gone to great lengths to ensure he was safe. How he had ended up somewhere I couldn't get to him was...

I clenched my eyes shut.

"Come back, Sasuke."

#

If felt like an eternity had passed before Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi and Obito finally returned.

"Sasuke!" I found him entirely depleted of chakra, but fine.

And smiling.

Naruto and Sakura were laughing, while Kakashi looked like he needed a medic. Obito, however, looked serious as he observed the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

"Sasuke, Naruto," he said. "You're not quite finished yet."

Sasuke looked at me. "What, you guys couldn't take care of the gen jutsu while we defeated Kaguya?"

I shook my head. "This is going to go to your head for awhile, isn't it?"

Sasuke smirked, and for the first time, I noticed the Rinnegan in Sasuke's left eye.

I smiled. "You've become strong, Sasuke."

Sakura's voice drew my attention.

"Who are you?" she asked, directing her attention behind me.

"I am the Sage of the Six Paths."

Sakura sighed. "I'm really not even surprised. Of course you are, the way you are floating there in mid-air. I'm actually getting really tired of all of this..."

It was my turn to laugh.

I quite agreed with her.

---

SAKURA

The village had been celebrating for days. I had seen Itachi with Shisui on occasion, always nearby, but never close enough to get to speak with him. But we shared enough looks for me to be certain he was thinking about me just as much as I was about him. We were never alone though, and Sasuke was always within arm's reach of me. I knew it was keeping him away. I tried to find times to go to him, but every time I could, he was nowhere to be found.

Everyone was so intoxicated it was hard to keep track of my friends, but I was certain when I stopped seeing Itachi around. I had been paying way too much attention, and he had been gone far too long. I was only slightly drunk from sake when I started searching for his chakra signature. Itachi was brilliant at keeping it masked, but ever since I had accidentally given him my chakra, it was a lot easier to find him. When I noticed he was near the gates to the village, I started to run. I found him there, wearing his casual black Uchiha crested shirt, with a pack.

"Itachi?" I asked.

He stopped, but only looked back after several moments.

"I'm sorry, Sakura. For not saying goodbye."

I was taken aback for a moment. "You're leaving?"

"It's the right thing to do," he said.

"For who?" I asked, the alcohol adding in quite an accusatory tone. "What is this about, Itachi?"

"I just think it would be better if I left."

"Is this about us? Are you running away from me?" I asked.

His silence was enough.

"Why? Why are you so scared of being happy?"

"I'm not," Itachi said. "But I've taken enough from Sasuke."

"Choosing to ignore your feelings is only a betrayal of yourself," I said.

Itachi didn't move. I stared at his back, willing him to stay. Before I could move closer, someone appeared before him.

Sasuke stood, back to his stoic self, his eyes closed in his signature look of displeasure, his arms crossed.

"Where are you going, Itachi?" he asked.

Itachi said nothing.

"I don't know what's going on with you two, but I really don't care," Sasuke said, looking at Itachi. "What I do care about is wasting the next two years having to track you down. There is no way I'm letting you leave this village again."

Naruto landed next to Sasuke. He looked a little worse for wear, but better than he had in days.

"Yeah," Naruto said. "You can't possibly be thinking of leaving Obito in charge without sticking around to keep an eye on him, right? I mean, Kakashi sensei will be there, but still, if he's reading his Make Out Paradise series, which is like, all the time, Obito will pretty much be on his own."

Sasuke rolled his eyes.

"I can't believe they made him Hokage," Sasuke muttered. "Itachi, if you do leave, I'm coming with you."

"What?" Naruto yelled. "Ya right! Over my dead body!"

Sasuke recrossed his arms, and fixed Itachi with a glare.

"So what is it, Itachi? Are we going to test those eyes of yours here or not? Ever since I got this Rinnegan, I've been dying to test our eyes out against each other."

Itachi finally looked up at his brother, a smirk on his face.

"Don't get cocky, Sasuke. Just because you defeated Madara doesn't mean you can take me," Itachi said.

Sasuke humphed. "Meet me at the ANBU training grounds."

He vanished, leaving Naruto looking at me.

"Come on, Sakura, this will be good," he said, vanishing.

Itachi didn't move for quite some time, but when he finally faced me, I knew he had made his decision.

A small smile touched his lips and he closed his eyes, shaking his head slightly. "Thank you, Sakura, for everything."

He vanished as well, and I could sense his chakra signature heading in the direction of the ABNU training grounds.

I smiled, letting out a breath I had been holding for far too long.

#

The village was finally getting back to normal. Children were laughing and playing outside of their homes. Villagers were back at the market. Ino had asked me to go shopping with her, and I had readily accepted. It was the first time I had a real day off and I was finally getting to a place I felt like I could just breathe.

"And Shikamaru took off to Suna again," Ino said. "I am pretty sure he has something going on with Temari. She's been here a lot too, and I'm pretty sure there isn't any "official" business going on. They are just making it up to cover up that they are dating. I don't really see why though. It's more like they just can't admit it to themselves. Or they are seeing who admits it first!"

I laughed. "That does sound like them."

I let my eyes wander at the shop windows, finally stocked again, as Ino talked.

"And Sai keeps asking me out and I just don't know, I've kind of got my eye on—Oh look, it's Sasuke and Itachi. That's strange to see them both out and about."

I looked where her gaze was pointed, seeing Itachi and Sasuke getting up from a table in a restaurant. I immediately froze, causing Ino, who had already taken three steps forward, to stop and glance at me in irritation before grabbing my hand and dragging me behind me. I wasn't sure what my hesitation was other than the obvious. I hadn't given much thought as to where Itachi and me had 'left' things except that when things calmed down that we would have a chance to talk. Still, it was something I had been looking forward to, even if I hadn't thought too hard on it. I certainly didn't expect the next time I saw him to have Sasuke and Ino both present.

Ino's grip was painful before I finally ripped my hand out of her grasp, rubbing it with my free hand. Sasuke turned towards us first, observing our interaction with a raised eyebrow at me.

"Hey guys, what are you up to?" Ino asked.

What I would give to have her social presence, I thought sheepishly.

Itachi greeted us with a polite bow, his demeanor otherwise what anyone would expect from the Head of the Uchiha clan.

"Just getting lunch," Sasuke said. "I wanted to see how things were coming along."

"It's amazing how much progress has been made," Ino said. "And so many people from other villages have been here too. It feels different lately. Like people are finally starting to accept each other. How has the clan taken to Obito being named Lord Hokage?"

Sasuke made a snide laugh, but Itachi shot him a look.

"The clan is very grateful that one of our own has been named as the village leader," he said.

"I just heard that he recently approved Sakura's funding for her Children's Mental Health wing," Ino said.

Itachi looked at me and I blushed.

"That's great," he said. "I had heard you were busy with the proposal to the Council. How are things at the hospital?"

"Oh, well, I've been busy, trying to, you know, get the wing opened and it's been a lot of work, but I'm not really that busy. I have some free time, like right now, you know, if you ever wanted to," I stopped talking, realizing how red my face was.

I glanced at Sasuke, and he was so annoyed I could feel it.

"So you are both off at the same time," I said. "That can't happen often."

Itachi smiled. "There aren't too many missions that require our skills lately. I find that to be a good sign of the recovery. I've also been given a clearer schedule to focus on handling clan business."

"Oh, right," I said. "No need for sharingans in diplomatic missions, huh." I laughed awkwardly before adding, "You must have a lot to do still, as clan head though."

I noticed Ino watching me in my peripheral vision, and I broke eye contact with Itachi before I burst into flame from embarrassment.

"It's not too bad," he said. "We can always get lunch sometime, if you are available."

Ino's jaw hit the ground and I was permanently rooted to the ground and every blood vessel in my body was in overdrive.

"What is going on?" Ino asked, staring between Itachi and me. I couldn't speak, and I was about to simply leave when Sasuke cut in.

"Itachi kissed her," he said, his arms crossed and his eyes closed in irritation.

I saw one last glimpse of Itachi slightly smirking as I dragged Ino away. She was causing a scene and I was going to kill her. When I got us safely away from the Uchiha brothers I took a deep breath.

"How could you not tell me Itachi kissed you?" Ino nearly shouted.

"Shhhh!" I said. "I was still processing it all!"

"What's to process? Just go kiss him again! He just asked you out," she said. "Go back there and tell him yes!"

I calmed, realizing he had indeed asked me out to which I just ran away.

I sighed, putting my head in my hand.

"I'll find the right time to talk to him, okay? That's not in the middle of the market," I said. "Things are different for him now. He's the Head of the Uchiha clan."

"Is that what had you keeping this bottled up?" Ino asked, looking incredulous.

I shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe. Plus Sasuke."

She paused. "Oh shit, Sakura. You still have a thing for Sasuke, don't you?"

I shook my head. "I don't know, not really. Not like I feel about Itachi, but I still don't want to shove this in his face. You saw how he was about it."

Ino raised an eyebrow. "Who cares! This is Itachi Uchiha! You go tell that man you will have lunch with him or I am going to tell him for you!"

"Ino, come on," I pleaded.

"Fine," she said. "But I'm setting you up then. We're going out tonight, and you WILL be there. I was trying to tell you earlier: I'm going out with Shisui tonight. I'll just make sure he brings Itachi along."

I gaped at her. I wasn't getting out of this one.

#

The sake burned as I finished my third round. The string lights flickered, and the loud hum of the crowd was lifting, but I couldn't help but be slightly disappointed. I sat at the table, my fingers clutching my drink, laughing at Rock Lee and Kiba as they got up and started sparring. Kiba couldn't get a hit on Rock Lee as he moved gracefully, completely drunk.

"Oh no, I told Lee not to touch the sake," Ten Ten moaned from the other table as Lee crashed into other patrons.

I laughed again, turning back to Ino and Shisui who were sitting with me.

"He's got some good moves," Shisui said, watching Lee.

"He's not the only one," Ino said, scooting closer to him.

Shisui directed his attention back to her with a slight raise of his eyebrow.

"Really?" he muttered.

I was drunk enough that I smirked at them instead of turning away shyly.

"Oh get a room," I said.

Shisui smirked. "In a bit. I've still got to find Itachi."

My mood soured. He was supposed to be here, but still hadn't shown up. I glanced behind us to the open streets of Konoha, looking through the shifting crowds, but he was no where to be seen.

"Sakura," Naruto shouted from the other end of the table. "Hinata and I are going to get some Ramen across the street, want to come?"

I glanced at Ino who had her hands moving suspiciously under the table and stood up.

"Yeah, sure," I said.

I followed them out, noticing they were extremely close. Of course, not as forward as Ino and Shisui, but still, closer than usual. I smiled as I followed them out of the restaurant. There were a lot of people out, and laughter chimed through the air like music. The sweet scents of different dishes wafted throughout the streets.

"Everyone is so peaceful," Naruto commented.

I nodded.

"Hey, look, even Itachi decided to come out," he said.

I looked over and saw him there in his traditional black ensemble. He was watching me, and I blushed immediately.

"Good evening, Itachi," Hinata said warmly.

"Good evening," he said, inclining his head slightly.

"Hey, next time you need to get Sasuke to take a break from training," Naruto complained. "I'm tired of hearing he's too tired to come out with us!"

Itachi smiled. "What makes you think he listens to me?"

Naruto shrugged in acquiescence. "Can't say I don't get it."

"Hey, Naruto," I said, "You guys go ahead, I think I'll show Itachi where Shisui is."

He gave me an odd look, but it passed quickly. "All right, have a goodnight guys!"

He waved as him and Hinata moved on, arm in arm.

Itachi observed me quietly.

"Hi, Sakura."

I smiled. "Hey. Come on."

We found the others and Shisui nearly fell out of his chair.

"Itachi!" He stood up, waving.

Everyone was much drunker now, and I laughed as Ino stood up with me, hanging onto his arm and waving frantically.

We sat opposite them and they shoved sake at us.

"Drink up, you have a lot of catching up to do," Shisui said.

Itachi took a drink.

"What took you so long?" Shisui complained.

Itachi almost rolled his eyes and I giggled.

"Inabi got into a fight with other leaf shinobi while on duty, so I had to deal with it," he said.

Shisui sighed exaggerated. "He's such a pain in the ass! He should be removed from the police force with how much trouble he causes!"

"The clan is involving you in these matters now?" I asked.

Itachi frowned. "They wouldn't have if they could have subdued him on their own."

"Well it won't be long now though, right?" Ino chimed in. "Before you are officially named the head of the clan?"

Itachi didn't answer, taking another drink.

"It's basically understood already," Shisui said. "Everyone is just waiting on him to give in."

"Itachi!"

We turned to see Anko and Hana approach. Anko slapped Itachi on the back hard making him glare at her.

"Good to see you out. How's the Uchiha District these days? Are we all allowed back in yet?"

Ino laughed, too drunk to have any sense of respect.

"Yeah, we want to go party in the Uchiha District again! It used to be so different there. I remember the market from when I was a little girl, my mother loved taking me," Ino said. "When will the Uchiha lift the restrictions?"

Shisui eyed Itachi uncomfortably for a moment and I could sense Itachi's unease.

"I'm sure they will open back up when the time is right," I said.

"Shisui, let's dance," Ino said, suddenly pulling him up.

I watched them go and Anko and Hana were now engrossed in the wrestling match between Lee and Kiba.

"Thanks for coming," I said. "I know this probably isn't your thing."

"It's fine," Itachi said. "It's just taking time to adjust to being back in the village. I had forgotten how lively it could be here."

He said if affectionately, watching as Shikamaru suddenly declared Lee the winner followed by cheers and a very upset Kiba demanding a rematch.

I smiled, taking another drink. "So how are things in the Uchiha District?"

"It's as expected. I don't always enjoy being there," he said.

"You could always come by my place," I said.

I nearly choked when I realized I said that out loud and Itachi gave me a piercing stare.

"It would be nice to have somewhere to escape to," he said.

"Itachi, Sakura, come dance with us!" Ino said appearing behind us.

Shisui was as drunk as she was now and grabbed Itachi under each arm and pulled him out of his seat. He grabbed another sake from a passing tray and shoved it into Itachi's hand which he took without arguing.

I didn't even have a chance to protest as Ino pulled me along her through the bodies until we were trapped in the middle of a lot of other people all dancing and drunk. I was uncomfortable slightly but drunk enough to go along with it. The music was rhythmic, and I felt Itachi near me and I couldn't resist the impulse to move. I felt his hand tug on my hip and I felt his body behind me. Soon, I turned, my hands resting on his chest and I looked up at him. He wasn't paying attention to anything other than me. I didn't know how long we stayed there like that, but soon I noticed Ino and Shisui slipping away.

"Let's get out of here," I said, my vision blurring once in awhile.

Itachi pulled my hand, leading me back into the street and away from the bar. We walked the less busy street not saying anything, me gently directly our path towards my apartment.

When we got to my door, I watched him, not hiding at all how I was feeling.

"Come in with me," I said.

He said nothing but did as I requested when I entered through my front door. I heard him shut the door behind him, and I didn't turn around. There wasn't enough alcohol in the world to keep me from being nervous. It wasn't obvious, but Itachi was definitely feeling the alcohol too. A part of me was certain he wouldn't be here if he wasn't. It was surreal. Before, there was always a purpose for our interactions. There was always a dire circumstance surrounding us. Now there was just us, and I was just a nervous girl spurred on towards what I really wanted by the blind courage of the sake still burning my throat.

I knew I had to break the silence before I snapped, so I sighed and closed my eyes.

"I didn't realize how serious Ino and Shisui were," I said, facing him.

He didn't look the least bit nervous and a part of me was envious of his uncanny ability to hide his emotions.

He smiled and closed his eyes, tilting his head down slightly. "They're not."

He caught me off guard. "Oh, I guess you are right. They are both sort of like that. I've never been able to be so carefree like Ino is."

I heard his footsteps and felt his presence behind me.

"What do you call this?" he asked. "You intentionally drank too much, waited for me to do so as well so my guard would be down, and asked me to go home with you."

I felt his hand on my cheek and I gasped. My lips parted slightly, and my chest seized.

"Reckless," I finally whispered.

Itachi's eyes poured into me.

"I agree," he said, leaning in to kiss me.

I could feel his breath on my skin, and my heart was racing. When he kissed me, it was urgent. And with it came the rush of chakra that I had felt only once before. I could feel him everywhere, his hands not hesitating to touch me as they ran under my shirt. I gasped in shock as he parted from me, pulling my shirt over my head, tossing it to the floor. I shivered at the cool air and he caught my gaze. I could feel his need, how much he wanted me, because he wanted me to know. It was overwhelming and it scared me a little, but I didn't pull away. He pulled on my shoulder, turning me around and pulling my back against him. He stripped me of the bindings around my chest. I shuddered, but from what I wasn't sure. I was cold, but his touch left trails of fire on my skin. When his hand fully grasped my breast, my head snapped back against his chest from the sensation. His lips on my neck left me unable to control the sounds escaping my mouth, and his free hand was creeping down my stomach, unsnapping my skirt and sliding inside my shorts.

"Itachi, I…"

But he was touching me, and I couldn't think anymore. I could feel him behind me. Everything was blurry and surreal, and I couldn't even make sense of how good I felt. I felt his hand snake into my hair, taking a firm grip.

"Last chance, Sakura," he murmured into my ear.

"For what?" I rasped, my eyes shut tight.

"To stop this."

I could feel rather than hear the caution he was trying to convey. There was a real sense of warning from him, and damn it, it only made me want him more.

I knew he understood my feelings, could feel them through our bond. He pulled his hand away from where he had been touching me to pull my shorts down, leaving me bare and completely exposed before him. I stepped out of them, slowing turning back to face him again. I glanced at his shirt, to which he responded by pulling it off. I let my hands run across his chest, hands shaking, even as he lifted me into his arms, and laid me down on the sofa. I could feel him pressing against me, to the point of driving me mad with need. His lips spared no part of my body and I nearly blacked out when I felt him give in to the need running rampant between us. There was a slight hesitation from him for a moment where he caught my eye. I wasn't sure what he was wondering, but he soon let it go, withdrawing, and slowly pressing against me again. I gasped out in pleasure and clamped onto him as tightly as I could, dragging my fingernails across his back as he drove into me again and again. His previous hesitation was gone as his hand pulled beneath my knee to adjust my body as he slid in deeper. I could feel his chest rising and falling rapidly against me, and his hand pulling beneath my neck, forcing me into his kiss. Every part of me was his in that moment. Buried deep inside of me, I felt him, his tongue in my mouth, and I clutched at him, encouraging the onslaught. There was no space between us. I cried out against his mouth as he pounded against me harder, and I felt his body tense in response. He groaned against me, his hand gripping the back of my neck, the other gripping my torso tightly, holding me in place as he took me fully, unhindered and disregarding any sense of reservation he may have had before. I cried out uncontrollably now as I shook, perfectly at Itachi's mercy. There was no denying how vulnerable I felt in that moment. I wanted him to stay there with me forever. But his words haunted me. His body was so close to me, but we were still so far apart. Connected by our emotions, and our need, so much still separated us, and it only made me hold on more tightly. I ran my fingers through his hair, his forehead still resting against mine as he tried to even his breathing. I unconsciously brushed my lips against his, back and forth. The heir of the Uchiha clan, someone meant to be bred and held to their position, unable to choose whom he married, or what he did. Would this moment ever truly feel real?

"I don't want you to go," I said.

Itachi clenched his eyes tightly, frustrated.

"We should never have…" he started, but I kissed him, and he kissed me back.

Reckless.

I can't stop wanting you.

I didn't know if they were his thoughts, or my own, but it drove us to a point beyond rationality. I didn't know what he was really thinking, or why he felt we shouldn't be here like this, but I really didn't care. When he picked me up and carried me to my bed, I said nothing. When he bent me over the edge and spread me legs, I didn't protest. I simply cried out into the sheets, gripping them into my fists as he fucked me so hard I screamed. I felt his hands on me at the end, pulling me onto my back. He took each of my hands in his and pressing his weight against me, holding me down as he entered me again, his pace fierce and steadied by his weight being balanced against me. I felt every move he made as he watched me. I couldn't tear my eyes away from him as I watched him pound into me, every move making me cry out in both pain and extasy until his muscles tensed, his hands gripping mine so tight I thought he might hurt me, but he didn't. He slowly collapsed down to hold me, his hands still holding mine tightly against the bed, not allowing me to move yet. His face was resting in the crook of my shoulder as he came down from his high.

"I've never wanted something so much as I wanted you," he murmured. "It's dangerous."

Itachi suddenly pulled free of me, disentangling our bodies. He was gone moments later.

#

I didn't see Itachi again for days. I was sure he was avoiding me, and part of me was as grateful as I was angry. Ino had noticed my mood and combined it with the knowledge that we had left together that night to ascertain what my problem was. But I refused to speak to her about it. Shisui had definitely regarded me oddly when he came to find Ino, and it spoke volumes. Itachi was avoiding me. I left the two of them, not wanting to be bothered with Ino's insistence to discuss it. I had to go to the Hokage's office anyway and deliver my budget proposal for my new program at the hospital.

Lord Fifth seemed distracted as I went over my proposal.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

Obito frowned. "I don't know. There's a problem in the Uchiha District and I'm just worried."

"What kind of problem?" I asked, suddenly worried too.

"Political," he said, shaking his head. "Itachi is coming to hopefully resolve it soon."

I frowned. "Let me know if there is anything I can do."

He nodded and I left his office. As I headed down the hall, I saw Itachi approaching. I stopped, wondering if he was even going to acknowledge me.

When he finally did, he stopped, damn near not looking at me.

"Why are you avoiding me?" I asked.

For someone so expressionless, he looked cross. "There's a lot going on right now."

"That's what Lord Fifth said. What is it?" I asked.

"There's been a recent appointment to the newly reformed Foundation ANBU unit that had strong ties to Danzo. The Uchiha are demanding his immediate removal, and I agree."

I faltered. I wasn't expecting something quite so serious. "How could they do that?"

"The elders," Itachi said bitterly.

My eyebrows narrowed. Of course.

"I'm sorry, Sakura. I have been avoiding you," he said. "If you'd like, you can meet me in the Uchiha District. My mother has insisted on moving out of the manor. You can wait for me there."

I didn't have time to answer before he walked away, towards the Hokage's office.

#

I felt strange walking through the Uchiha District alone, but no one stopped me. With such strong ties to Sasuke, I was never questioned while here. Going to Sasuke's old house to wait for Itachi who apparently lived there alone now really felt odd. I let myself in as quickly as possible, hoping no one noticed. Everything looked as I remembered it, with subtle differences. Some of his mother's more feminine touches were missing, replaced with nothing.

I waited for a while, wondering what I was even doing. What was this conversation going to even be like? Sorry I gave you the best night of your life, Sakura, but it can't ever happen again, and I regret it? I frowned. I mean, could this really be related to what was going on with the clan. That appointment had only happened the day before, so that wasn't it.

When I heard the door open, I tensed. Itachi came inside, quickly found me and entered the room.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting," he said, sitting across from me.

"How did it go?" I asked.

"I requested for Kakashi to be named to the appointment instead," he said. "If they deny it, I'm not sure what will happen next."

"I can't believe they would be so callous," I said, thinking of the elders. "I can't believe they are still alive."

There was a long silence as the ease of that conversation faded and Itachi watched me.

"I'm sorry, Sakura," he said.

Confusion made it hard to even respond, but finally, I got something out.

"Why?"

He looked uncomfortable. "You should have told me you were a virgin, Sakura."

My eyes widened. "Did it matter?"

He looked annoyed for a moment before looking back to me. "Yes. I never would have allowed that to happen like it did."

"So what would have been different?" I asked.

"My control," Itachi said.

That night flashed through my mind, and there was no doubt there had been little to no control on his part.

"You didn't hurt me, Itachi," I said.

"But I would have," he said.

He watched me closely for my reaction, but I was guarded this time. I didn't like his assumption he had somehow taken advantage of me.

"Is this because you know you can't truly be with me? Is that why you feel guilty?" I asked.

I had caught him off guard.

"Because I don't feel taken advantage of. I got what I wanted, and I want it again, and again. I want it now, and nothing the Uchiha clan decides about your future will change that. And I don't think it will change how you feel about me," I said.

Tears were fighting to fall, but I kept them at bay. I didn't expect this to be such an emotional conversation, but Itachi certainly always surprised me.

And like that his composure was back.

"I just assumed you had… that you had already—"

"Fucked Sasuke?" I yelled. "Would you feel better if I had?"

"Probably," he said quietly.

"Well, I didn't. I fucked you. And only you, and I, for one, don't regret it."

"Sakura," he said, standing up.

I realized I too was standing. I was shaking and I took a deep breath.

"I don't regret it," he said, touching my face.

I pushed his hand away and turned to leave, but he grabbed my wrist. Angry, I reacted by using chakra to shove him off, but he was quicker than me and had me pinned against the wall before I could do anything.

He was irritated, and I didn't care.

"I'm sorry you feel guilty, Itachi. Had I known you would feel better had I already had a relationship with your brother, I would have taken that into consideration," I said.

"I feel like I'm stealing you away from him," he said.

My anger vanished as I stared at him before looking down.

"I've never felt like this about Sasuke," I said. "He's never wanted my attention. He's only ever wanted yours."

What I said didn't help, and Itachi looked guiltier than ever.

"And how do you feel about me," he asked, still firmly holding me in place against the wall with his chakra.

"I feel like I'd let you do what you did to me in my apartment every day for the rest of my life," I said.

Itachi sighed, finally releasing his hold on me, but not moving. "If I could have you every day for the rest of my life, you wouldn't be able to walk."

I laughed, but there was something else weighing on his mind still.

"What is it?" I asked.

"This happened faster than I anticipated," he said.

I frowned. "What did?"

"How much I need you," he said. "I thought I'd have more time to convince the Uchiha, or maybe not even have to…"

"Convince them of what?" I pressed, though I knew the answer.

Itachi looked sad. "Convince them to let me be with you."

The weight of it simply held us there.

#

I moved my pork around with my chopsticks. The restaurant seemed loud, and I was suddenly very ready to go.

"So why did Itachi say he couldn't come?" Ino asked.

Shisui frowned. "There's some concerns amongst some within the clan that needed to be addressed. I think everything is fine, but Itachi really needed to deal with it."

I wondered what it was about the ANBU head appointment. Whatever it was, Shisui didn't feel comfortable talking about it freely. I ignored the conversation most of dinner, but tuned back in when they began talking about the ceremony scheduled to name Itachi as the head of the clan.

"You wouldn't believe the party they are going to throw. The entire district will be like one big block party. Mikoto has the women gather every day. I stopped by to help out once and they were already talking about potential wives for him," he said.

As soon as he said it, he shot me a glance, as if he had forgotten I was there. Ino too looked at me worriedly.

"Shisui," Ino scolded, smacking his arm. "That doesn't mean anything."

"It has always been customary for Uchihas to marry within the clan, right?" I asked.

Shisui glanced at Ino nervously before nodding. "There, of course, have been times that some have married outside the clan, but never has a main household done so, and certainly not the main branch."

"Itachi won't let anyone tell him what to do, Sakura," Ino said. "Don't worry about it."

"Unless it meant it would keep the peace," I said.

Shisui gave me a stoic look, and I knew he agreed.

"Thanks for dinner, guys, but I'm going to head back," I said. Ino stood up and pulled me into a tight hug.

"Don't worry about things that haven't happened, okay, Sakura?" she said.

I smiled, reassuring her that I was okay, before leaving the restaurant. But deep down, I was troubled. There would be great pressure on Itachi to marry and produce heirs quickly after officially taking the title as the Head of the Uchiha. That pressure wouldn't only come from within the clan, but from the village Council. The whole thing made me wonder what he had even thought of our relationship. If I could even call it that. We were both so busy we barely had more than a few stolen encounters. Maybe he never intended for it to be more than that. Had marriage even ever entered his mind? It certainly hadn't for me before tonight.

#

The next few weeks passed by too fast. I was busy at the hospital, making sure the injured were recuperating. I didn't get a real chance to see Itachi again until his formal ceremony in the village to name him the Head of the Uchiha clan.

The ceremony itself involved the other clan heads and the Hokage accepting him in the new role. Afterward, everyone headed to the Uchiha District to celebrate.

Itachi looked different in his formal attire. The kimono suited him, but he looked ready for the day to be over. It wasn't until late in the day when he found me on an empty terrace. I had been deep in my thoughts the entire day. Everything I had listened to about the Uchiha clan sounded so formal and strict, and I was beginning to feel a sadness that Itachi was being pulled into this role so quickly.

I was completely alone and as far from the party as I could be when Itachi found me. The sun was quickly setting, and I did my best to greet him.

"Congratulations, Itachi," I said, formally bowing.

"Thank you," he said, resting his hands on the terrace railing.

"It's beautiful here," I said. "I've never seen this part of the Uchiha district."

"This garden was created with the ashes of my clansman," Itachi said. "This will likely be my resting place as well. It's not something I've ever imagined would happen."

The moonlight lit the garden, the light reflecting back from the waters of the coy pond.

"I'm happy for you, Itachi," I said.

He turned his gaze to me.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

I tried very hard to mask my chakra, to keep my unintentional binding of my chakra to his at a minimum of inconvenience, but I wasn't sure that did anything to stop it at all.

"This got here so fast," I said.

"It did."

I thought of his kiss, the way he had so easily given in to the desire when his guard was down. But that was such a rarity for Itachi, and to be placed under such responsibility so quickly, I just knew...

"So what happens now?" I asked.

I could feel the weight of his gaze and I was unsure I even wanted to know the answer.

Itachi's drew my chin up, forcing me to look at him. "The Uchiha will respect whomever I choose, when I choose them."

He never looked away, and I felt my pulse quicken. His eyes were intense, and suddenly, I felt something strange.

I could feel Itachi's chakra pouring into me. I gasped as it touched me, running along every nerve in my body. I could feel him, hear his thoughts, see his memories. I could see a small boy, falling from a cliffside, torn apart by war and pain. Only just a man, I felt his suffering as he was faced with losing everyone he loved or having to end his father's life. Alone and in darkness, he protected Sasuke from afar, but was unable to face him, burdened with shame. He stayed away from those he loved dearly to protect them. Facing Madara, he thought it was the end, until a girl he barely noticed saved him from himself. A girl he came to admire and respect for her kindness and determination. A girl he came to love for her ability to heal the suffering he had endured for so long.

I felt hot tears streaming down my cheeks as I was overwhelmed by Itachi's consciousness. His dark eyes held so much pain, and yet he was still here. He hadn't run away, no matter how much he had wanted to. Instead, he was reaching for me, his hands pulling me close against his chest. He held me there, but he wouldn't let me succumb to this pain he had shared with me. Instead, he pulled my lips to his, igniting every fiber of my being with passion. I poured everything I was feeling into the kiss. I wanted to hold onto that moment forever. My hands clutched onto him as I fervently kissed him back. I felt my back hit the wall as he lifted me off the ground, pulling my legs around his waist. I pulled away to gasp for breath, and I felt his lips on my neck. My eyes opened slightly at the shock and I couldn't even see, I could only feel him there, giving in to every desire we had felt at once. When he subtly pulled at my clothes, I shot a paranoid glance around us. He sensed my apprehension and activated his sharingan. Feeling a genjutsu descend around us, he kissed me again, and continued to undress me. His touch was hot to my skin and certain. He didn't hesitate at all as he freely traced the length of my arm with his fingers. I couldn't stay ahead of him, only able to respond with short gasps as he took everything he had intended to. I never let go. My hands clung to his neck, my lips grazing his ear as I felt him move against me. I made sure he heard everything. He gripped me so tightly I could hardly move before he took a gasp for breath. I clutched my thighs around him, and gripped his hair in my hands. Everything stood still. This moment, this perfect moment, felt like we were back in his blank walled Tsukuyomi. A moment became an eternity. It was only us, and there was nothing to keep us from staying there. Finally, I touched his cheek drawing the gaze of his sharingan. I know he thought I had healed him somehow, but really the opposite was true. He taught me that the more you shield those you love, the stronger you become. Seeing this in him had somehow made me whole. He never once allowed a weakness to deter him from that goal. For so long, I succumbed to my self-pity. I had watched Sasuke from afar for so long, unable to breach the bond we had formed as teammates, isolating myself in response to his and Naruto's rise as shinobi. Seeing how far Itachi would go made me push myself. Never again would I allow myself a chance to be weak, because I was the shield who protected those I loved. The pain he bore through this commitment had reconnected me to what it truly meant to heal.

"Come home with me," Itachi murmured. "And, Sakura?"

I glanced up at him.

"I want you to stay."

---

AN: This could have gone on, but I had to wrap it up. Itachi Shinden ripped my heart out and stomped on it so I had to lick my wounds by writing a story he was alive in. :) Hope you enjoyed.