The Stars
by
BlackButterfly-RedRose.
Summery: She knew his plan all along. But it was only now that she had worked up the nerve to stop him. But it was too late.
Notes before reading: When I did my research on Libra (Pein's Zodiac sign) I found it wasn't very like him, or what little we know about him. So, his Character may be a bit OOC. Forgive me Fire Valkria, but I wanted to get this as up as soon as possible, forgive me for not sending it to you first.
Chapter six: Libra
The basic Libran nature is diplomatic and charming. Libras have an idealistic and generally peace loving nature. They are easygoing and sociable, in general. On the other side of the scale, Librans are known to be indecisive and changeable, gullible and easily affected.
Librans are considered by many astrologers to be among the most civilized of the twelve signs. Often good looking, they exude certain elegance, charm and fine taste. As lovers of beauty and harmony, both in art and life, their nature is gentle and kind. Pleasure oriented people, Libras are intuitive and very aware of the power of image.
They are gifted with a strong sense of justice and fair play, and have fine analytical abilities. They are known to be objective and impartial in making judgment calls. They do not suffer fools gladly and anyone who challenges their decisions or opinions is considered a fool. They are more interested in making friends than enemies, are willing to go along, to get along and therefore will usually do whatever it takes to maintain a relationship.
Librans are sensitive to others and understand the emotional needs of their associates. They are optimistic and cheerful people and have an ability to charm and delight their friends and acquaintances. Very sociable, they abhor cruel or vicious actions, and shy away from vulgar and offensive behavior. They dislike scenes, and will often go out of their way to avoid conflict. They prefer to cooperate and compromise, and will give up, even when they feel they are in the right, rather than put up with the ordeal of an argument. Discord makes them totally insecure, and uncomfortable. They need and want harmony in their lives, and will do whatever it takes to have it. Librans are not loners, and do better in partnership both in their personal, and in their business life.
The more negative Libran character can be frivolous, flirty and quite shallow. In romance they can be indulgent to the point of hedonistic. Libra shadows can be changeable and indecisive; impatient of routine; boringly conventional and timid; and easygoing to a point of annoyance to more energetic folk. Because they are slow to anger, Librans will shock everyone around them with their sudden outbursts of rage. They love the good life and tend to be extravagant. Many Librans have been known to be hopeless gamblers.
Librans can be surprisingly energetic in the areas that move them, and indifferent to everything else. They are happiest when socializing, and at the top of their social strata. You will find many Librans in local organizations volunteering their time and services and rising to a position of prominence. They dislike coarse, dirty work, and will usually get someone else to do it, if necessary. They are fence sitters and will not take a stand on an issue, but prefer the middle of the road, until they are forced to choose. " Let's wait and see", was most likely first said by a Libra. The up side to this view is, they make good diplomats They are never guilty of an " On my mind, on my mouth " approach to things.
-
Sakura stared at the ground, thinking of what little time she had left. Her Mother and Father had said two years. Looks like she wasted a year trying to get to know Itachi and Shisui better. Sighing, she looked around to find that a lot of time had passed while her mind wandered about. She stood up, glancing at Shisui and Kakashi, who were sleeping nect to each other in their sleeping bags. They both had an Icha Icha book over their face. Shaking her head, she wandered about the forest looking for Itachi, not sensing him any where.
That's when she heard a man speaking. "You'll find a lot of opportunities for power in my organization, Uchiha Itachi. There is llittle the Akatsuki can't accomplish. That is why I am offering a current position available." A man spoke. Sakura jumped into the trees quietly to get a better view. She only saw Itachi, his Anbu mask cast aside on the ground. "Accept my offer and join us, and gain unlimited power." The man continued. " Refuse, and you die." He stated simply. He carried his voice lightly, but a sense of seriousness was not absent.
"I accept your offer, Pein-sanna, however, I request one year to cut my ties to my village." Itachi spoke with neither hesitance nor thought. He knew what he was doing. Sakura couldn't help herself from gasping slightly, watching them through the tree leaves. Pein, the man with spiky orange hair and piercings along his face. 'A student of Jiraia-samma's... An Akatsuki.... This isn't good, he's looking straight at me!!'
"And, just to make sure you do come, I'm taking your precious little team mate." Pein told him as he pulled Sakura in to his arms with a power of his. Itachi's eyes widened in complete surprise.
"S-Sakura?"
"Don't do it Itachi! Don't leave the village, dont kill them, please! For Sasuke's sake.. for YOUR sake! Don't kill them!" Sakura yelled as Pein ran off with her. He could see the tears she left behind falling slowly to the ground, and he swore he saw the words 'I love you' in them, he would bet his life on it.
Those words of recognition was all Itachi needed to go into a complete state of shock. She knew. She knew of his and Sarutobi's plans to kill the clan. She knew of his plans to kill Shisui that night. She knew.
But how? She was never around when he discussed it with the Hokage. And she never showed any signs of knowing, She never told him she knew, hell, she hardly told him anything, other than those discreet glances she sent his way, the looks that he still couldn't figure out. Even though he wanted to know how, he wouldn't know until Pein returned her, when he joined the Akatsuki. Knowing was going to have to wait.
-
Sakura stopped crying a mile back. She would never be able to stop the massacre now, not in time. She would never tell Itachi how much she loved him. She would never be able to hold him, to love him, to care for him in the short amount of time she would be given to. Thinking on these things caused tears to trickle down her eyes, and she was thankful her mask was on, so he wouldn't see.
"Come now, I'm sure the boy isn't stupid enough to leave a pretty little thing like you all alone. Stop the tears, they will not help you in the shinobi world." he told her.
"Crying is my only refuge in this world, it drowns my pain away." Sakura whispered softly. Pein chuckled, replying with a laugh,
"Pain is inevitable my dear. Suffering, on the other hand, is only optional. Do not dwell on your sufferings, and they shall go away a lot quicker then drowning them. Drowning something to kill is slow and even more painful than you may think." He finished softly. Sakura calmed herself. Pein set her down on a tree branch.
"Remove your mask." he demanded. Sakura complied with one swift movement. She held her mask at her side.
"Name?"
"Haruno Sakura, Pein-samma." Sakura replied curtly, staring right into the eyes of the Rinnagen user. Pein smirked slightly, before motioning for her to follow him.
-
It wasn't long before they reached Ame. "From here on in, you shall be considered a temporary Akatsuki member . Wear this, it will prevent the other members from killing you. Keep your headband and mask well hidden, or they will kill you despite my orders." Pein informed her, tossing her an Akatsuki cloak.
It was made to fit Itachi, she was sure, since it practically swallowed her whole. She took off her headband in her weapons pouch as they walked into Ame. She couldn't help but notice how every one stared at them, and Pein smiling. He as being friendly at the moment, but he was an Akatsuki member. She wouldn't drop her guard.
Pein chuckled. "Dear girl, you've already done so." he said. "Your expressions give away your thoughts, girl. Use them agains't your enemies, not for your enemies." he taught her. Sakura sighed, but nodded none the less.
They entered a building with the Akatsuki cloud in front. The building was not easily missed. It was about three stories tall. and full of hallways and doors leaving to who knows lead her to so many hallways she lost count, until finally he stopped. She was so surprised, she managed to bump into him.
"Sorry..." she murmured.
"Still thinking of the past? It will serve you well to pay attention and forget the past, girl. This will be your room. Konan will arrive in an hour to take your measurements to provide clothes. She will then show you the area's you are allowed to roam. Dinner is served at six, a member will come to escort you to the kitchen at that time. Understood?"
"Hai."
"During your stay here, Sakura, you are our guest, though you must earn your keep. Do well on the missions assigned to you, and you will be fine. I will take my leave." And with that, he was gone. Sakura entered her room. Her room was plain, and simple. White walls, dresser and bed. The bathroom was plain white as well.
She sat on the bed, plating with the trim of Itachi's Akatsuki cloak. Hopefully, he had headed her warnings and actually decided not to fulfill his plans. Some how, that just didn't seem possible.
"Sakura-san, it's Konan. May I come in?"Konan asked, her hand on the door knob.
"You may."
It was then when Konan entered, closing the door behind her, that Sakura recognised the name. Konan was one of the traitors who fallowed Madara out of the heavens. Her human to protect had been Pein.
"Lady Aquarius?" she whispered. Konan smiled slightly.
"Lady Aires. How is Father and Mother?" Konan asked., smiling at her Star sister.
"You would know if you hadn't of left. You to left? But why?" Sakura asked, sitting on the bed, her curiosity.
"Just like you, my dear, I too broke the sacred rule of the Stars. I fell in love. I had followed Madara to be with him." Konan whispered. Sakura smiled.
"But what of your judgement?" she asked, realising it would not just disappear from her.
"I became human. I had found a loophole, if you will. To become human, you must sleep with the one you are supposed to protect. So I did. I postponed my judgment to Judgment Day." Konan told her. She asked her to stand up, telling Sakura of her times as a human being. Sakura pictured a similar life with Itachi with longing. She dreamed of such a life with him, but it was not to be, and she knew that. Once Konan had scribbled down Sakura's measurements, she asked Sakura why she was here.
"Like you said, I fell in love. I changed the stars more then once, and my judgement will be twice as bad as the others."
"There is nothing worse than Hell, Lady Aires." Konan had told her sadly. Sakura shook her head.
"No, Lady Aquarius. Loving a Forbidden Fruit, one who cannot have, that, is much much worse."
-
Hours passed, and Sakura had her Akatsuki uniform. A slim Akatsuki cloak, fishnet shirt and tank, A red skirt, and stiletto heels. It made her feel much taller, and much older, considering she was only 12 in human years.
Konan had escorted her to the dining room just as the servants served the large meal. There weren't many Akatsuki members, just Hidan, the immortal, Kakuzu, the Greed, Konan, Pein, Deidara, Kisame and Tobi. Konan had introduced them, and was just about to introduce her to Tobi when he interrupted her
"Don't bother, Konan. She knows me." Tobi said.
"OF course I do, Madara-sempai. I could never forget the foul stench of a liar." Sakura said with a smile on her face. Although she held a kind facade, her voice held nothing but malice. Hidan chocked on his wine, laughing like a maniac. Madara said nothing, instead, he just sat, eating his meal, while watching Sakura eat hers.
Sakura completely ignored him, instead, she spoke to the others, mostly Konan. It was then she realized that the entire Akatsuki had little humans at the moment, most of them were traitors. Those who left for love, power, or had no other choice.
And they would all face their judgement, be it for evil reasons or good.
So we've finally reached the climax of the story. Im so sorry that I haven't updated in forever. I would re-read the first five chapters if you get confused on some things in this chapter, perhaps the answers you seek are in there. If they aren't, ask me in your review. Thanks!