I do not own Naruto. I only own certain original characters. Also don't forget to check out my website set up just for fanfiction reply and more: www. freewebs. com/ animemangafanatic.
Sakura woke up to a commotion. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and looked for Itachi. He wasn't there. Sakura dragged herself into the bathroom and prepared for the day ahead. She passed the kitchen and found Tsuki inside, quietly preparing breakfast. Her shoulders were rigid and the usual smile was replaced by a deep frown. Sakura knocked lightly on the door jam. Tsuki unconsciously tightened her hand on the knife she was using. She looked up to find a puzzled Sakura. The tension eased and she gave the older girl a smile. Sakura's eyebrow had risen in question.
"Are you okay?"
Tsuki's smile faltered. She just lightly shrugged. Sakura nodded her head before going to the dining room to find Itachi. She didn't worry about him since she took the blindfold off two weeks ago. The training seemed to have enhanced some of their senses, but Itachi truly was a prodigy. Sakura saw that Itachi didn't really rely on his eyes anymore as much. Her feet stopped briefly. Sakura didn't know if this was a mistake or not. However, this would be considered treason in Konoha. Sakura walked into the dining room to see the source of the commotion and Tsuki's agitation. Two new men sat at the table. They both looked up at Sakura. She instantly recognized them as Akatsuki's Kazuku and Hidan; the zombie duo. She cursed her luck.
Itachi looked at her then looked away. Sakura didn't question his coldness. After all, even Akatsuki members had reputations. Hidan stood and came closer to her and Sakura had to grind her teeth to prevent knocking this guy into next tuesday. He tilted his head and held it in thought.
"What is it Hidan-san?"
Kakuzu's voice came out a bit muffled from it being covered by his cloak. It reminded her of Shino.
"She looks familiar... Ah, Haruno, Sakura! I remember you."
Sakura's eyes tightened into a glare. Itachi and Kisame looked at him in question.
"You're the one Anbu I couldn't kill."
He tried to swing a kunai at her. Sakura instantly dodged by flipping back. Her feet hit the wall then pushed her forward. Sakura quickly grabbed his wrist, landed, then flipped him over. His body instantly dented the wooden floor. It cracked under its pressure. Hidan stood and instantly went to throw a punch to her stomach. Sakura stopped his fist easily. She gripped hard and everyone heard a sickening crunch. Hidan pulled away, screaming in pain. Sakura had broken his hand. Itachi noticed her eyes; cold and distant. He raised an eyebrow in question. They were not use to this Sakura. This Sakura could easily hurt one of their own. Kakuzu appeared behind Sakura. She turned her hard eyes to him. Kakuzu prepared to stab her with his katana. It met another one; Itachi's. Kakuzu shrank back in fear seeing Itachi's mangekyou sharingan glaring fiercly back at him. Sakura glared at him for straining his eyes.
"Kakuzu-san, what the hell do you think you're doing?"
Deidara and Sasori walked into the room. They both mentally thought Hidan and Kakuzu were idiots for acting without thinking. Hidan was always a rash person. Kakuzu just followed right behind.
"I was tying up loose ends Uchiha-san."
"Don't..."
Itachi's second katana touched Kakuzu's neck in a threatening way. It was a slice away from killing the other Akatsuki man.
"...Even think about it."
"What's the meaning in keeping her?"
Kakuzu questioned Itachi from under his cloth. Itachi's eyes turned to Hidan. It sent shivers throughout his body. Hidan did his best not to show his fear. Kisame and Deidara shook their heads. The newly arrived members were about to die by the person the leader had chosen to leave in charge with Fujiwaru. However, everyone knew that the leader favored Itachi over Fujiwaru. So if Itachi felt like it was okay to kill these two, then he would just shrug it off and find other members to replace them. Seeing them both gulp in response to his aura, Itachi resheathed his swords then took Sakura by the elbow. The two of them left the room.
"Why does he have a Konoha Anbu?"
Kakuzu looked at Sasori, figuring the puppet master wouldn't lie to him. Sasori smirked then exchanged a look with Deidara who just smirked in return.
"None of your business, Kakuzu-san. I do warn you and Hidan-san though. Don't get near her or do anything if you wish to live. After all, Uchiha-san favors her for many reasons. As do the rest of us."
Hidan and Kakuzu watched in wonder as Sasori stepped out of the room. Deidara and Kisame chuckled as they gulped down some sake.
Naruto and the group stood outside the Wind village ready to leave. They all faced their new friends. Friends they had one thing in common with, Sakura. Kazaya and Nasake both looked at each other before looking at the group.
"Kakashi-san?"
"Yes, Kazaya Ouji-sama?"
"I want you to take Shin-kun with you."
"What?!"
Shinrai backed up while he tightly clutched to Yuu's hand.
"Your majesty!"
Kazaya looked Kakashi directly in the eye and gave him an I'm-not-backing-down look. Kakashi sighed.
"Why?"
"Shin-kun's power will now manifest. There's nothing we can do to stop it. The only person that we know that could handle this situation isn't here and she isn't in Konoha either. After all, Sakura-chan also taught Nasake and Yuu-chan. However, I do believe that Sakura-chan told me that she left instructions with your Hokage in case of emergency. So Shin-kun would be safest there. Also, I do ask that you take Yuu-chan as well."
Kazaya bowed to Kakashi and group, as did Nasake. They were all taken back. After all, royalty were not supposed to bow to commoners. Yuu looked worriedly at Nasake.
"Onee-sama, who will take care of Rock in my absence?"
Nasake smiled at her sister.
"I will of course."
"But..."
"Yuu-chan, Kazaya and I have discussed the situation. We both are fully prepared to spend time away from each other again. After all, it will be easier now that everything has been cleared up. Plus with all the meetings that are coming up..."
Nasake giggled which made Kazaya blush.
"We'll be fine."
Kakashi nodded his head.
"Understood. We'll wait for them to pack."
"Kakashi-san!"
Kakashi sweat dropped. Yamato sure did complain alot. Kazaya snapped his fingers and two bags were dumped in front of them. Kazaya and Nasake smiled, hiding their mischief.
"They're all ready to go!"
Nasake smiled at her sister and brother-in-law. Both of their jaws dropped.
"Onee-sama, you sneak!"
"What's going on?"
Sakura looked at Itachi with confusion once they were in their room. Itachi sat on the edge of the bed and sighed. His hand was still on her elbow as she stood in front of him. He turned off his sharingan and looked up at her. She tilted her head to the side and Itachi just continued to stare. A frown crossed her mouth. Usually, Itachi would be a little more open than this. Today it felt like Itachi was out of her reach.
"Stay away from them."
"Like Fujiwaru-san?"
"Ah."
They continued on in silence. A knock came to the door and Tsuki popped her head in. She lifted a tray of food for them to see. Itachi nodded his head and Tsuki brought it in. She placed it on the table then left. Her posture was still rigid.
"What's with her?"
Itachi looked at her before standing to go eat.
"She fears Kakuzu-san."
"Why?"
"Ask her."
Itachi sat and began eating. Sakura tilted her head in confusion again. Itachi was acting more distant than usual and Tsuki was scared. She was going to get to the bottom of this. Sakura went over to eat. They both ate in silence. Sakura looked up at him as Itachi just concentrated on eating. Sakura took the moment to really take in his appearance. She could see his eyes had faded a bit. Sakura mentally cursed. Itachi was more than half blind now. She kicked him under the table. Itachi immediately looked up at her startled. Sakura just turned her head and ignored him.
"Cherry Blossom, what was that for?"
Sakura didn't answer him. Itachi stood up and picked her up. Sakura gasped in surprise as Itachi hurled her over his shoulder. He then threw her on the bed. Itachi stared down at her as she sat up and looked back. Sakura glared then snubbed him. Itachi's eyes widened a bit before going into a glare.
"Cherry Blossom..."
The name ground out on his teeth. Sakura continued to ignore him.
"Oi..."
Sakura turned around and crossed her arms over her chest. Itachi sighed as he pushed his hand through his hair. He crawled onto the bed and placed his chin on her shoulder.
"What's with you today?"
Sakura turned around and faced him.
"What's wrong with me? I'm fine. What's wrong with you? You're the one being cold and distant."
"Do I need to remind you who I am? I'm a killer, Cherry Blossom."
"So it's about your reputation?"
Itachi just looked at her. Sakura sighed.
"It's just that, you feel out of my reach today."
Itachi's eyes slightly softened at the pouting girl. He lightly patted her head.
"I'm sorry."
Sakura looked up at him. Her eyes wide with surprise.
"Huh?"
Sakura instantly bolted from the bed.
"Who the hell are you?"
Itachi glared at her.
"What do you mean?"
Sakura grabbed the wall in fear. Itachi thought she was overdoing it.
"An Uchiha saying they're sorry, it's unheard of! Kami-sama is punishing me, isn't he?"
Itachi stood and pinned her between his arms against the wall. He kissed her. Sakura's knees instantly went weak. Her arms snaked around his neck as she kissed him back. They parted in need of breath.
"Okay, so you are Itachi."
"Hn."
"Jerk."
They kissed again unknown that someone was using a bird to look in on them.
The group walked along without any incidents so far. Yuu and Shinrai gave off a loving aura, which made everyone but Kakashi and Naruto, nearly gag. Kakashi sped up and began to talk with Yamato. Naruto stayed back to speak to the happy couple. Yamato glared at Kakashi.
"What?"
"You agreed to bring them back."
Kakashi nervously laughed while he scratched the back of his head. Sasuke looked back in question before turning back around.
"I figured it was the best decison. Also, Yuu-chan is bringing the god's orb, so why not?"
Yamato sighed.
"You better just pray that Hokage-sama doesn't kill you."
Kakashi began to sweat thinking about what happened when you angered the Hokage. He gulped nervously.
"She won't be angry."
Kakashi tried to reassure himself.
"R-r-right?"
Kakashi turned to Yamato for support. Yamato just smirked back in response.
"Right."
Kakashi reassured himself again. Kakashi rubbed his hands together. He was going to die.
Sakura stepped out into the hallway looking around. Itachi and Kisame had left for a short mission nearby. Supposedly, Itachi had received an order from the unseen leader. Itachi had left and told her to behave and not kill anyone without permission. Sakura stepped into the kitchen to see Tsuki whipping up another sweet concoction. Everything around Sakura was a cake or a type of cookie. Sakura took notice of some muffins and went straight for them. The kitchen was filled to capacity and yet Tsuki was still baking.
"Tsuki-san, don't you think this is enough?"
The timer went off and Tsuki pulled out a tray of cookies. She put it on a cooling rack, stepped back, and placed her hands on her hips.
"I know right!"
Tsuki went back to mixing. Sakura stood up and went over to Tsuki. She stopped her twirling hand.
"Tsuki-san, that's quite enough."
Tsuki let Sakura take the whisk away. She slowly turned to the older girl. Sakura tilted her head in confusion while holding the whisk up.
"What?"
"He hurt me."
"Kakuzu-san?"
Tsuki nodded her head.
"Itachi-sama saved me."
Sakura's eyes nearly popped out. Itachi save someone? Well I guess miracles really do happen.
"What did he do exactly?"
Tsuki fidgeted with her apron.
"He collects hearts."
Sakura nodded her head. She already knew that.
"He said mine fascinated him. He wanted to rip it out and use it."
Tsuki shook in disgust and in fear. Sakura put her hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry Tsuki-san, he won't get near you ever again."
Tsuki hugged Sakura tightly. Sakura felt the air leave her lungs fast and now she struggled to breathe.
"Tsuki-san..."
Tsuki turned her head to the offered whisk. She let go seeing Sakura turn blue.
"Sorry Sakura-sama!"
Sakura just smirked as she sat and watched Tsuki bake out her frustrations and insecurities.
Naruto quickly turned around. Everyone stopped in question.
"I smell blood."
Naruto went off in a dash.
"Naruto-kun!"
Yamato shouted after the fox boy. The group quickly followed behind. They were running for fifteen minutes before they came upon a small village. It was currently on fire. Smoke filled the air. It sucked the oxygen out of the air. Many villagers were coughing from the smoke entering their lungs. Other villagers laid on the ground covered in their own blood. Their was several screams and crying. Naruto took notice of one boy, no older than three, crying while clutching to what he guessed was his father. Naruto was stopped by Kakashi's hand.
"Don't. Do you sense that chakra?"
"Akatsuki..."
Naruto ground out. Naruto dashed through the smoke. Kakashi and Sasuke followed. Sai and Yamato stayed behind with Shinrai and Yuu. They didn't want to put the princess of Rock and her husband in danger. Naruto skid to a stop coming upon Uchiha, Itachi. He currently had his hand around the throat of a middle-aged man. The man clutched to a rather large scroll. Itachi looked at Naruto uninterested as he tossed the man to the ground. He then gave Naruto his full attention.
"You bastard!"
Naruto charged at Itachi. Itachi just smirked in response.
"I guess I'll go home with a little something extra."
Itachi immediately dodged Naruto's punch. Sasuke appeared instantly. Itachi kicked him in the abdomen which sent him flying. Itachi tsked in annoyance.
"Foolish brother."
Itachi then grabbed ahold of Kakashi's fist. He tightened his hold and Kakashi swung to the side to break the contact. Kakashi jumped back and landed a good few feet away.
"Why are you here Uchiha, Itachi?"
Kakashi pulled up his headband and opened his sharingan eye.
"I do not discuss Akatsuki matters with Konoha shinobi, Kakashi-san."
Kakashi came at him fast. Naruto and Sasuke were both up by now. Three men came at Itachi from three different directions. Itachi grabbed ahold of Naruto's wrist to prevent impact. He used his arm to pin Sasuke's against his body. His hand held a kunai that clashed with Kakashi's. Itachi rotated his body in a rapid fashion that sent them all flying. Itachi came to a stop. Itachi walked over to the old man.
"Hand it over."
"It will have to be over my dead body."
"So be it."
Itachi unsheathed his katana that was attached to his back. Sasuke appeared in front to deflect Itachi's katana. Both brothers glared at each other. Sasuke pushed on his katana to push his brother back. Itachi held his ground.
"Once I'm done beating your ass, you'll hand over Sakura."
Itachi just smirked.
"Afraid not. Cherry Blossom and I are enjoying are nights together."
"You bastard."
Sakura walked into her room and saw Itachi standing there. She tilted her head in confusion. Itachi had told her that he wouldn't be home until sometime the next day.
"You finished fast."
"Hn."
Itachi closed the distance as Sakura finished closing the door. He roughly grabbed her then flung her on the bed.
"What is your...?!"
Itachi roughly kissed her. Itachi pushed her down into the mattress. Sakura's eyes had widened in surprise. His hand snaked under her shirt and near the bottom of her bra. Sakura noticed his eyes. Then she kneed him hard. Itachi went down and Sakura crawled out from underneath him.
"Who are you?"
Itachi recovered himself and looked at her coldly. Sakura analyzed his chakra.
"You can drop the jutsu now, Fujiwaru-san."
There was a cold bite to her tone. It surprised Fujiwaru. He dropped the jutsu. He stood and came towards Sakura. She went immediately into defensive position. A knock came to the door and Sakura stood back up straight. Deidara came in without permission. He glared icily at Fujiwaru.
"Sakura-chan, Tsuki-chan wants you, yeah."
Sakura nodded her head in thanks while she left for the kitchen. Sasori was there to escort her. Once Sakura was out of sight, Deidara turned back to Fujiwaru.
"Fujiwaru-san, I would not go there, yeah. Itachi-san will definitely not be pleased, yeah."
His eyes narrowed at the blonde man.
"What makes you think I'll let you tell him?"
Deidara's fake smile faltered.
"I am at an equal level of power as you Fujiwaru-san, yeah. Also,"
Deidara turned to leave.
"I fear Itachi-san more than you, yeah. I know well enough that you fear him as well, yeah."
Deidara left to catch up with Sasori. He was just now letting Sakura leave on her own once he saw Tsuki was with her. Sakura turned back to Sasori.
"Thank you Sasori-san."
Sasori just nodded. Then he kicked Deidara as the papper and bomb master flung himself onto Sasori. Sakura just smiled as she went over to Tsuki who shoved a test piece of cake into her mouth. Tsuki smiled as Sakura nodded in approval. Sakura had difficulty swallowing when she realized what would happen when Itachi found out what happened. She was not delusioned to think that he wouldn't find out. Itachi knew everything that happened to her around here.
Itachi was getting bored with this battle. Naruto and Kakashi looked tired as well. He was disappointed in Sasuke, seeing as he hadn't improved much. Itachi's breath had barely begun to become hitched. He wondered where his god-forsaken partner had gotten to. He punched Naruto in the gut. He fell to the ground coughing up blood. He then kicked him across the area. Sasuke used his ever famous flame jutsu. Itachi used his katana to cause enough wind to die the flames. Sasuke appeared from behind. His katana sliced through Itachi's cloak. He tsked again in annoyance. It was bad that it was a new cloak, and Itachi didn't feel like having Tsuki make him another one. He kicked Sasuke away as he pulled Sasuke's katana out of his cloak. He threw it into the ground. Just then a huge wave appeared. The three men's eyes widened in surprise. Itachi smirked. It was about time his partner got there. The wave came down with a huge crash. When the water receeded, Itachi and the scroll were gone.
"You took your sweet time."
Itachi complained once they were several yards away. Kisame just shrugged.
"Sorry, Deidara contacted me."
Itachi looked at him in question.
"You're instincts about Fujiwaru were right. Deidara advised us to get back soon since he doesn't want to kill Fujiwaru."
"Deidara-san is just being lazy."
They jumped treetops. Kisame didn't catch Itachi's fist tightening enough to draw blood.
The next morning, Sakura was in the Akatsuki's private library. Deidara and Tsuki had been with her until Tsuki needed to go make breakfast. Deidara would have stayed but Sakura told him that Tsuki needed the escort more. Deidara sweated in worry. If Itachi found out that he left Sakura alone... The thought made him break out more. Deidara left anyways. Sakura had been tempted to read some of their records, but when her hand was an inch away from retrieving one, she stopped. Sakura knew that there was a jutsu on it that could tell them when it was opened and by whom. Sakura turned around and went over to the medical area. She began to prowl through them. Sakura could smell breakfast coming together.
The door sliding open caught Sakura's attention. Sakura looked down from up on the ladder. She stopped skimming the medical book to see. Kakuzu walked in and looked up at her. Sakura and Kakuzu stared at each other for many minutes.
"So you're Uchiha-san's woman?"
Sakura didn't answer. She went back to her book.
"I heard you've been quite close to Tsuki-chan as well."
Sakura's hands tightened on the book.
"You shouldn't get too close since she'll be dead soon enough."
Sakura disappeared out of Kakuzu's eyesight. He couldn't feel her chakra. He was told that all of them could barely feel it because her chakra was low. However, ever since her fight with Hidan yesterday morning, he couldn't feel it. Kakuzu was about to use his other bodies but he was instantly pinned to the wall. He screamed in pain. A katana sliced through him at his shoulders and knees into the wall. A wire wrapped to the end of two kunais was tightly around his neck. The two kunais were embedded into the ceiling, even though the roof was really high up. Sakura stood before him. Her eyes were a pale ice green. He recognized this Sakura; Konoha's most powerful Anbu captain.
"So you've been holding back?"
"Not really. It's just been recently that my chakra has been coming back faster, and believe me there is enough to kill you."
Kakuzu felt sweat drip down the back of his neck. Sakura pulled out another katana out of thin air. Kakuzu never understood how she was able to do that. Sakura easily sliced into his abdomen. Kakuzu screamed again.
"This isn't even the beginning. However..."
Sakura snapped her fingers. Everything blurred and Kakuzu fell to the ground where he had originally stood, panting in pain.
"An illusion?"
Sakura scoffed.
"Of course, like I would actually stain my blade with your unworthy blood."
Sakura turned with the medical book in hand. She stopped again at the door.
"Go near her again, and I'll literally rip out your insides."
Kakuzu shivered at the glare he received. Sakura walked out and left for the kitchen. Kakuzu sat back gasping in large breaths of air to calm himself down. Shiro peeked from around the corner. He put a hand under his chin in thought.
"I need to figure out what she can really do."
"Damn it!"
Naruto screamed into the forest. After helping out at the village as much as possible, they were on the road back again. Sasuke and Kakashi both looked unhappy as well.
"We had a shot at getting Sakura-chan back. We blew it!"
Naruto hit a nearby tree sending it to the ground. The noise and commotion had a nearby flock of birds flying up in fright. Sasuke just dug his hands deeper into his pockets. Kakashi just remained silent. Shinrai put his hand on Naruto's shoulder.
"I'm sorry I couldn't have been any assistance."
"Nah, it's not your fault."
Naruto reassured Shinrai. Yuu smiled at Naruto's gentle nature.
"It just showed how far ahead those bastards are compared to us."
"I don't think so."
Naruto looked at Shinrai in question.
"I think something was off about your fight."
Naruto looked in thought.
"Now that you mention it, I have been feeling like my chakra is being blocked."
Kakashi looked at Naruto.
"We should probably get you to the Hokage soon then Naruto-kun."
"Ah!"
Sakura stood at the doorway of the kitchen. She leaned against the post. She watched Tsuki pull out another cake from the oven. Sakura was surprised that the thing didn't catch on fire. The poor oven had been on overdrive this whole time.
"Tsuki-san..."
Tsuki stopped and looked at Sakura.
"I'm done!"
Sakura tilted her head in confusion.
"I'm done being scared!"
Sakura smiled at Tsuki's determined face.
"If Kakuzu-san comes after me again..."
"I'll kill him."
Tsuki's eyes widened at Sakura. Sakura's eyes showed she was more determined than Tsuki. There was no waver. There was no falter. Tsuki smiled gratefully at Sakura. They then both focused on all the bake goods.
"What am I going to do with all this stuff?"
Tsuki looked around at it all with her hands on her hips. Sakura just sighed as she stood and began placing things in a basket.
"The only thing we can do with it."
The small group finally arrived back into Konoha in the evening. They waved to the ones on post. They all calmly walked to the Hokage's office. As the building came closer, Naruto took off into a sprint. He barged into Tsunade's office. She and Shizune looked up from their work to see the newly arrived group. Tsunade instantly took notice of the two extra members.
"What the...?"
"That will have to wait Hokage-sama."
Kakashi stepped forward while interrupting her.
"We had a run in with the Akatsuki."
"What?"
Tsunade banged her fist on the desk. It sent her cup of tea and a couple of bottles of sake to the floor. It shattered on impact.
"That's not the worst of it. They got away with another scroll, no doubt a holy one. Whatever they're planning..."
Tsunade caught his hardened expression.
"It must be big."
Itachi walked back into the village. The first thing that caught his attention was Sakura standing by Tsuki. Tsuki was giving away all those sweets that she had baked. Itachi quietly appeared behind Sakura. She looked up from the medical book she was reading. Itachi took notice that it was about the finer anatomy of the eye and its chakra paths. Tsuki was happily giving a cookie to a child. Sakura turned around on her stool and looked at him.
"Hi. Welcome home."
Itachi's heart took a leap. The familiarity of this situation was foreign to him. For the first time in a long time, Itachi felt like he was truly coming home. Itachi smirked as he placed his hands on the edge of the top of the stool. He leaned in as he kissed her.
"Thank you."