[ Sakura ]
I regain my consciousness, although this time I could tell that I wasn't knocked out by any other means than my own. I cussed myself for my stupidity as I raised my body from the bed. A shooting pain entered my head, I winced before looking around the room…I guess this is my room temporarily.
I notice a door that's slightly open. I can hear distant shouts. My head pounds as I stand to close the door.
"You'll not be left alone." A deep voice spoke, I poked my head out of the door to see Itachi leaning against the wall.
"Why don't you come in then?" I asked sarcastically. Itachi smirked and walked into the room as I moved out the way.
"I'll take you up on that offer." He responded. I closed the door abruptly behind him before walking over to a desk on the opposite side of where Itachi decided to sit.
I kept my guard up while taking my pouch off my side and setting it on the desk.
"The quicker I research this damned herb the quicker I can leave this damned place." I muttered out loud as I temporarily disabled the barrier around the pouch while removing the vial and an additional blank scroll. I was planning on secretly storing some of the finished product in the scroll and bring it back to the village with me when this was all over.
I pulled out a quill and some ink before activating the barrier around the pouch again.
"Do you know the properties of this herb, before I find out myself?" I questioned as I started to write in the blank scroll.
"Some sort of healing aid." Itachi responded. I refrained myself from sighing as I removed a single leaf from the vial.
I carefully cut a small strand from the middle of the leaf before lying it on the scroll. I used a small amount of chakra to preserve the properties of the herb while also inserting it into the scroll as a very clear diagram of the herbs structure. The structure definitely showed that this herb was one that aided the healing process…But I was unsure of just how strong it is.
I played around with different methods until I forgot that Itachi was even in the room. I noted down anything of significance before figuring out that the herb is most likely one that is best ingested by brewing it in hot water. From the amount I've gathered, there will be enough herbs for 20 portions…But I'll have to see what kind of healing aid it provides the user…I drew a collecting seal and stored half of the herbs within it. I turned around to be reminded of Itachi's presence. I coughed away the awkwardness I felt.
"Can I ask a favour of you?" I started, Itachi didn't so much as raise an eyebrow in response. "Can you get me hot water?" I continued. Itachi stood up before heading in my direction. I rushed to close the scroll I wrote in and stuffed it in the pouch as I deactivated the barrier around the pouch momentarily.
"I can accompany you while you collect the water yourself." Itachi bored, stopping a few feet away from me. I stared him up and down before returning the rest of the herbs to the vial. It's impossible to tell what he is thinking…I reattached the pouch to my side as Itachi led me to a small area that resembled a kitchen.
"Is the water clean?" I asked while picking up the kettle and examining its interior. Unlike the rusting exterior, the interior was squeaky clean.
"Yes." Itachi responded. I hurried to fill the kettle with water. I closed the lid and tried to turn the oven tops on. The gas was clearly working as I heard air escape from underneath the hob, but no matter how many times I clicked the spark button, it wasn't enough to light the gas up.
"A little help, please?" I asked, knowing that Itachi has a natural ability when it comes to the fire element. Itachi chuckled before performing a simple, and weak, fire ball jutsu to light the hob up.
I placed the kettle on top of the black skeleton support that rested onto of the cooker. I awkwardly turned around and walked over to the counter to sit on the side.
"You know about my vision." Itachi spoke after a few minutes. I nodded silently and slowly. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "How?"
"I get bored from time to time when I'm undergoing simple tasks. Call me a criminal, but I make a habit of 'coming across' important, forbidden fact files in Tsunade's archives…" The words rolled off my tongue easier than I expected them to. "Plus, when Kakashi-Sensei uses his Sharingan…he can't use it too often otherwise it has a horrible consequence to his vision. Usually when he overworks his Sharingan, he has to take a two-day break." I continued. I looked over at the kettle before looking at the vial of herbs in my hand. "The fact you're constantly using your Sharingan makes me believe you're practically blind." Itachi shuffled uncomfortably in his place.
"Can these herbs…" Help your eyesight? I said the rest of the sentence in my head. Itachi stated to look around the room. I was about to question his actions before he closed the door to the room we were in. The shouting of the Akatsuki members died down significantly as Itachi created a sound barrier.
"I have a proposition for you, Haruno." He spoke. Taken back by his change in personality I straightened my back to show him that I was listening. "I will spare your life, help you escape this hideout. If, you help my eyesight return to normal." He stated, walking to stand directly in front of me.
Even though I was sitting on the counter, Itachi had to look down to meet my eyes. I considered what he said for a moment.
"How do I know you won't kill me as soon as I restore your eyesight? You seem to be an able fighter without your full vision." I questioned. Itachi's face inched closer to mine. My heart raced in anticipation.
"You have my word." He spoke. My expression hardened as I narrowed my eyes at him.
"What good does your word-" I spoke as Itachi's lips hovered dangerously over my own. I froze in place in uncertainty.
"You have my word, Sakura." He repeated, his lips softly brushing against mine as he spoke, only this time addressing me by my name.
Something in my body was telling me to trust what he was saying…Whether it was just a feeling or the fact that Itachi reminded me of Sasuke, I slowly moved back in hopes Itachi would remain in place.
He followed my body before using his left hand to stroke down my arm. Before he could each my hand I snapped out of the daydream I was in.
"Fine, I hope you mean it." I agreed. Itachi smiled before moving out of my way, I could feel my heart pounding against my chest. Why did this man cause me to feel so flustered?!
The kettle finished boiling as the whistle sounded. I hopped down from the side before collecting a strainer from a draw and a cup from the cupboard. I poured a portion of boiling water in the cup before signalling Itachi to open the door for me.
Itachi didn't hesitate to open the door before he leads me back to the room. He closed the door behind him. I took a seat back at the desk before removing a small amount of the herbs. I stowed the rest of the herbs away in my pouch as I disabled the barrier momentarily.
I placed the herbs in the strainer before dipping it in the boiling water. To my surprise, the herbs immediately dissolved in the water, decorating the water with red streaks. I pulled out the strainer and took a closer look at it. There were no signs that the herbs were ever in this strainer. I shook my head slightly and rubbed my face.
"Okay," I started as the red spread through the water evenly, without my help. "The fact this herb has dissolved pretty much the second it touched the water, means that the properties are strong…This could help with your eyes…There will probably be more benefits too…" I muttered on while handing Itachi the small cup. "Give it 5 minutes before you start drinking from it, the water is hot." I warned.
Itachi merely looked at me briefly before he guzzled down the herbal tea like it was nothing. I sighed while returning to pack the rest of the equipment away. The room filled with a genuine and soft laugh. I hesitantly turned around to face him. There was an uncomfortable silence that invaded my ears…did the other members go to bed or something?
"Are you okay?" I asked out of habit rather than concern. He dropped the cup on the floor, causing it to shatter. My heart skipped a beat as I walked over to him. "Itachi?" I questioned.
It took a while, but he met my eyes with his own. The expression in his face softening.
"It worked." He stated, his eyes searching my face…not sure what for though.
"I held up my promise then." I said as I took a step away from Itachi. Before I continued my sentence Itachi removed a kunai from his sleeve. I narrowed my eyes before tensing my body in preparation to fight.
Itachi suddenly sliced through his own wrist. His hand hung, lifeless, as blood oozed out of his exposed wrist.
I gagged. What a horrible thing to do! Before I could hysterically question why he did that, his hand moved up on it's own and his skin seemed to move around to help his muscles and tendons reconnect at quite a fast pace.
It took me a while to snap out of my shock.
"Immortality…" I whispered to myself as Itachi stood up.
"Now, I know we struck a deal," Itachi started before walking towards me, cornering me as I reached the door. "Although I am not the one to make decisions on your fate."
I pumped chakra into my legs and arms, ready to attack Itachi, but the door behind me flung open with such a force that I bumped into Itachi and we both fell on the ground, I landed on his chest. Itachi's body was so warm…I blinked a few times before a familiar voice shook me back to reality.
"Are you that desperate to get into the clan that you'd try it on with my brother?" I stood up quickly before spinning on the spot to come face to face with Sasuke.
"What?" Was all I could muster as I noticed the rest of his team behind him. The guy I met previously was there, arrogantly resting on Zabuza's sword. There stood a tall man with light ginger hair looking down at me in a calm way. I looked to his right and saw a short red headed female. These must've been the three people that were with Sasuke.
"What have you done with everyone?" Itachi questioned, I didn't even notice him stand up. Sasuke smirked before crossing his arms.
"I didn't do a thing. They're too intoxicated to move." He answered before glaring at Itachi. "Now that you're alone and out-numbered. I want to know personally why you have this one." He questioned impersonally. I frowned at his choice of words. The atmosphere was heavy.
"No reason." Itachi responded. I saw a very small opportunity to escape and I took it. I sped past Sasuke and pushed a significant amount of force from my shoulder as I used the Blue haired man in the doorway as a cushion to help me turn the corner sharply.
I didn't want to look behind me as I rushed to the exit of the building, this day was becoming more and more bizarre...
A/N: Thank you for reading!