Please don't forget to visit my website: www. freewebs .com /animemangafanatic (Don't forget to take out the spaces) I do not own Naruto, only original characters and themes. Please thank my beta Kuri for doing the editing for this chapter. Thanks guys! See you next update. Sorry for the delay on this chapter.

"Blood of the Cherry Blossom...?"

"Ah."

Itachi kissed Sakura's stunned form. He pushed her down onto the bed.

"You're beautiful."

His tongue ran over her cut.

"So of course your blood would be too."

Sakura tried to move away, but Itachi just exerted more body weight. His eyes narrowed down at her.

"Tell me more about these visions."

"Why should I?"

Sakura hadn't meant to yell, but she was on the verge of her own breakdown. Her chest had tightened, making breathing quite difficult. Gripping onto his shirt, Sakura was desperately looking for a stable outlet. She did not want to loose it here in front of Itachi. He, himself, needed her to be stable. If she wasn't then, Itachi's mental attacks might come back. Come back a lot harsher this time.

"You're crying."

She hadn't noticed. His hands cradled her face, trying to wipe the tears away. Unfortunately, there were too many. Itachi could see years of pain in her eyes. It was one of the first time Itachi could see into her soul, like an open window. Sakura felt smaller, almost like a child. Maybe that's when Sakura had stopped really trying to live happily.

Itachi stood from her shaking form. He moved away from the bed. Sakura's eyes widened in fright. His body turned away from her. Don't go... Don't go. Don't go!

"Don't... go..."

Itachi's eyes widened in surprise. Someone was actually asking him to stay. A person he wasn't allowed to keep. The very person he wasn't nor should love. He turned to her. She shook, and the tears weren't stopping. Sakura focused those pain filled eyes on him. Truly, she looked like a fallen angel he had heard about in fantasy stories.

He turned away from her again. A sob broke through Sakura's throat. The click of a door caught Sakura's ears, making another one breakthrough her throat. Her hands covered her mouth, trying to prevent further sounds that would upset Itachi. Eyes shut to stop anymore tears, but her heart was finally crying out what her broken soul had held in.

Sakura opened her eyes when she felt his hands on her arm. A wet washcloth cleaned the blood off of her. New, clean bandages laid on the bed beside him. Itachi had gone to the bathroom for supplies. He was treating her gently, and more tears came. When new bandages had been applied to her hands, head, and arms. Itachi lifted Sakura off the bed. Placing her in one of the table's chairs, Itachi ripped the blood soaked blankets off the futon. Tossing the jumbled mass into a corner, he replaced the sheets. Then, he put Sakura back into the bed.

"Go to sleep Blossom."

Even thought his voice came out smooth and low, Sakura could hear the authority in his voice. She was halfway to sleep when she felt Itachi's body lift off the bed. Her hand immediately went out and caught the end of his shirt. Itachi turned to her in question.

"...don't...go..."

Itachi sighed. A knock came from the door and Kisame's voice came through.

"Mission time."

"Shiro."

Both men on the other side of the door looked at one another. Of course he knew that Shiro was standing next to Kisame.

"Yes Uchiha-sama?"

"You will go in my place."

"But Uchiha-sama!"

"You will go in my place."

"But Uchiha-sama!"

"I wouldn't argue with him, yeah."

Both heads turned to Deidara leaning on the hallway arch.

"He's running out of time with her, yeah."

Itachi pulled Sakura to him, as he laid on the bed. Briefly, she wondered why he had stayed. Why did the great Uchiha, Itachi give up a mission for her? It was almost unbelievable.

"Itachi..."

"Sleep."

She decided not to argue. Closing her eyes, she finally drifted away. Itachi clung to her possessively.

"How...? How was she able to get there?"

Shinrai shrugged.

"I got the feeling Akatsuki allowed her to go to aid Tsuki-san."

Shinrai showed the group the composite he had drawn of her. Naruto burst out laughing. Kakashi, Tsunade, and Shizune gave out brief chuckles. Yamato, Sai, and Sasuke gave it a raised eyebrow. He didn't understand, and turned to Yuu for help. The princess was doing everything in her power to stifle the laughter in her throat.

"Yuu..."

Shinrai felt his eyebrow twitch, as he poked her with his drawing book. Yuu held up her hand in apology.

"Sorry."

Yuu took it, and flipped to a new page.

"I'll do it, and you'll tell me what needs to be changed, okay?"

Shinrai nodded his head. Yuu started off with the face of Tsuki's mother. Shinrai sat beside her, and pointed out the differences. Although he dearly sucked at drawing, Shinrai's power of observation was no laughing matter. Even in his panicked state, Shinrai could still remember things perfectly. After five minutes, they were done. They showed it tot he group, and three pair of eyes grew wide.

"That's the girl from the lake!"

Naruto commented as he pointed at the picture.

"The girl that was traveling with Akatsuki?"

Kakashi's nod answered Tsunade. Naruto whistled in approval.

"Now that I have a better look at her," Naruto took the picture from Yuu. "She's a total babe."

Sasuke hit Naruto in the head, causing the picture to fall.

"What was that for teme?"

"Dobe."

Sasuke turned and left the room. He could hear Naruto's screaming through the door. Walking down the stairs, Sasuke felt hear in his cheeks. For some reason, thinking about this Tanaka, Tsuki... intrigued him?

Tsuki quickly put the bowl down and stepped away to sneeze. She rubbed her arms as she shivered.

"Are you cold?"

The young girl turned to Sakura.

"Oh, you're up?"

Sakura raised an eyebrow.

"Is that a problem?"

Tsuki quickly shook her head no. She smiled happily at Sakura. Sakura slowly sat on a stool to watch Tsuki. The younger girl's eyes softened at how broken her idol seemed.

"Are you still in pain?"

Sakura's expression moved from stoic to surprised. Her features eventually softened. She smiled lightly at Tsuki.

"Nothing I can't handle."

Tsuki didn't like Sakura's answer.

"Where's Itachi-sama?"

"Still asleep. I think I made him worry too much. It must have been tiring."

Tsuki couldn't help but think that she had no idea. Tsuki had never seen Itachi in a sight like that before. When he had arrived back, she had just woken up. They greeted each other in the hallway. Sliding the door open, that's when they had discovered Sakura in her broken mess.

Itachi had instantly gone to her side. For a split second, he looked lost and torn. He then recovered, and told Tsuki to bring him medical supplies as he carried her to the bed. She brought the medic nin back, who set quickly to work. The other members were alerted with the high tension in the air. All of them had waited outside until he was done.

The door eventually opened, and he had pulled Itachi off to the side. The nin had then quickly took his leave. Everyone wondered what had scared him. When Itachi turned around, his sharingan was blazing red. They all took that as a sign to leave. He entered the room and slammed the door shut.

Tsuki returned later to clean up the bloody mess. She sat the bucket down ready to get to work.

"Leave it."

She has almost missed it. Itachi was sitting on the edge while moving Sakura's hair out of her face. Tsuki turned to leave, because the broken look on his face told her too. It wasn't a puzzle to know that Uchiha, Itachi didn't want anyone to see him like that. Her hand was on the door, when she caught his small voice.

"Why do you think she did it?"

"She did this...? ...to herself?"

"Ah. The medic nin informed me that the injuries showed that Sakura had repeatedly banged her hands and head on something."

Tsuki looked down. She didn't know the answer to his question.

"Is she that unhappy with the current situation?"

Panic spiked through her. That wasn't true.

"She didn't seem "this" displeased."

Tsuki felt like she needed to say something. Itachi had never noticed the way Sakura's gaze would linger on his form a little longer than it should. Or th way her expression softened whenever Tsuki said his name. Nor when he was on missions, she sat in his favorite spot for hours. Sakura also didn't sleep well when Itachi wasn't next to her.

"That's not true!"

Her shout had ripped out before she could catch it. She could see Itachi's sad eyes move to surprise and curiosity.

"I think Sakura-sama really cherishes Itachi-sama."

He turned back to her.

"Hn."

The next action sent her blushing. Itachi had leaned down to kiss Sakura. Standing up, he dragged a chair to the bedside.

"Sit."

Tsuki did as she was told. She watched him walk over to the mess. Hands on his hips, he let out a tiny, microscopic sigh. He started to clean it up.

"Disgusting."

"Tsuki!"

Tsuki broke out of her thoughts. Sakura was standing in front of her worried. She flicked Tsuki's forehead and released a sigh.

"Man, you worried me there for a second."

Tsuki grabbed onto Sakura's arm quickly. Sakura gave her a questioning look.

"Please don't worry Itachi-sama like that every again. He really cared about you!"

Sakura's gaze softened and she patted Tsuki's head.

"I know. Sorry for worrying you too."

Tsuki smiled, and then tears came out.

So happy!"

"Idiot."

Nasake read the note the messenger bird had brought. She smiled at its contents. Walking steadily, she opened and entered the throne room doors. Several people bowed to her. Smiling in reply, she made her way to the busy prince. He looked ready to go into war.

"So we'll set off immediately!"

"There's no need."

All heads turned to her. She held up the note.

"Yuu-chan just wrote. He's fine."

Kazaya stood there for a moment before collapsing onto the throne.

"Thank God! I nearly had a heart attack."

Nasake smiled as she took him into a hug, which he happily took.

"You just love him too much."

"Yeah."

"So..."

Sakura looked up from her pastry to Tsuki.

"I met someone at the lake."

Sakura smirked.

"oh?"

Tsuki blushed.

"It's not like that."

Sakura easily caught Tsuki's stammering.

"Then why are you stuttering?"

Tsuki blushed ten shades of red.

"It's not like that!"

Sakura couldn't help the laugh that came out.

"It's just that... he looked a lot like Itachi-sama."

Sakura dropped her pastry and instantly went rigid. Her expression became cold and stony.

"Sasuke..."

Tsuki turned to finally notice Sakura's change in mood.

"Are you okay?"

"Ah."

Tsuki didn't fully believe her, but decided not to prowl within Sakura's heart.

"So his name is Sasuke-san?"

"Ah, Uchiha, Sasuke."

Tsuki was chocked.

"Itachi-sama's brother."

"Ah."

That's why they looked so similar."

Sakura finally recovered and smirked.

"So even you have fallen in love with him?"

Tsuki blushed, causing Sakura to giggle. A dark aura then fillen the room. Both eyes turned to the source. They gulped seeing Itachi standing at the door way angry. He was half naked and hair still disheleved from sleep.

"I thought I told you to sleep."

"I did."

Itachi threw Sakura over his shoulder.

"we're going back."

"See you later Tsuki!"

Tsuki sweat dropped as she waved back to Sakura. She sort of seemed like a cat the way she was draped over Itachi. She then froze. What had she meant by that she wasn't the only one to fall for Sasuke?

"You don't need to be so upset."

Itachi just kept walking. Sakura slid down, causing Itachi to stop. He looked down at her bored.

"Why do you have to be so tall?"

"You're mistaken. You're just unbelievably short."

Sakura glared.

"Well sorry!"

Itachi smirked. Sakura brought him down by wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling. She kissed him. He immediately responded. Pushing her up against the wall, they shared another one. When he pulled away, he placed his forehead on hers.

"Sorry for worrying you."

"Hn."

"You hning..."

Itachi kissed her again. They shared another one as Fujiwaru watched them from around the corner.

"So now that that has been solved, let us go look for Sakura-chan!"

"No."

Naruto banged his hands on the table. "Why not?"

"I cannot spare any able shinobi right now Naruto. Orochimaru is slithering around, waiting for his opportune moment to crush the Leaf Village. I, as Hokage, cannot allow it."

"This is bullshit!"

Naruto stomped off in anger. Sai bowed as he took his lead. Tsunade sighed. Kakashi looked at her in sympathy.

"He just doesn't quite yet understand that our hands are tied."

"Ah."

Kakashi smiled, bowed, and left with Yamato behind him. Shinrai looked to Tsunade.

"If you know where she is, why do you not retrieve her?"

"It's not that simple. Apparently, she's in a village named Oblivion. We don't know how to enter."

Shinrai opened his mouth to speak, but a jolt of pain stopped him.

"Is something wrong?"

"No. I just need some rest."

Itachi watched her sleep. How chest slightly rose with each intake of breath. The way her hair looked, all sprayed out around her. He fingered a lock lightly Her hair was growing back fast. It was a good couple inches passed her shoulders. Propping himself up, Itachi lightly rubbed her cheek.

"I heard you, you know."

His expression looked hurt.

"Even now, he still holds your heart."

Sakura rolled onto her side towards him in her sleep. She giggled, and Itachi raised an eyebrow.

"Stupid Kakashi-sensei."

"Kakashi-san?"

"That will teach you not to mess with me. Burn all your stupid perverted book."

Itachi just stared at her. What a totally random dream she was having. He smirked thinking about it though. How proud he would be if his Cherry Blossom ever did do that. She giggled again.

"Itachi, you're so sexy."

The way her voice purred caused him to actually laugh. He couldn't believe that this girl could actually get him to laugh. Itachi finally composed himself. Getting out of the bed, Itachi threw on a shirt. Walking out of the room, he eventually met with Deidara in a closed off area.

"She's changing you, yeah."

"Hn."

"Are you still planning to give her back, yeah?"

"That issue..."

Deidara held up his hand.

"I understand, yeah. Sorry for bringing it up, yeah. My only concern is, can you actually carry it out, yeah?"

Itachi remained silent. Deidara sighed.

"This will be your toughest mission yet, yeah."

"I'm already aware of that. Although, her body resides here, her heart does not. Whether she realized it or not, Sakura's heart is in that village with him."

"I didn't take you for the type to give up to your brother, yeah."

"I'm not, but we're foolish to think we can keep her here. She's proved that she has a lot more secrets. I imagine that her rank of top Anbu was no fluke. If we do not send her back, she'll eventually find a way."

"And killing her is not an option, yeah."

Itachi's eyes bled red.

"Not while I'm alive."

Yuu looked at Shinrai, across the table, nervously. He was picking at his food, and he barely ate anything. Finally, he placed his chopsticks down. His expression was determined, and his eyes locked with hers. She waited patiently for her husband to start.

"Yuu, did you noticed the name of where Sakura is?"

"Yes, Oblivion."

"But why would she go back there?"

"Maybe..."

A knock came at the door, and Yuu stood to answer it. Tsunade and Shizune were on the other side. They raised their hands in greeting. Shinrai stood to greet them as Yuu let them in. The Hokage looked around the place with approval.

"You really fixed up this apartment."

Yuu nodded her head.

"Saku-chan didn't live here often, did she?"

Both older women shook their heads.

"Just for showers." Shizune informed

This was very true. Sakura had a rather small apartment, but it was still slightly larger than normal. The rent was incredibly cheap, since it was on the outskirts of the village. When Yuu and Shinrai had arrived, the kitchen was barren, and the whole place had inches of dust on everything. Just the bathroom showed signs of use, not even the bedroom. A small den might have been the only other place of moderate use. Several journals, scrolls, and books littered that area. Yuu had been avalanched by more in the closet with the cleaning supplies. Clothes had been scattered everywhere, along with more notebooks, scrolls, and books.

"Sakura thought of this place more as a storage place. I often brought her food here, during research and studying, so Hokage-sama didn't worry."

"Anyways, why we're here."

Tsunade handed Yuu an envelope. The married couple looked at her in question.

"Sakura-chan, earned a lot more money than she could ever use. She left instructions that if she was not here, and you were, to give you her apartment and an allowance to live off of."

Yuu opened the envelope to find several bills. Probably more than they could use.

"We really don't need this much."

Tsunade held up her hand.

"It's mainly for furniture."

They both now understood. Sakura had no bed or futons in the whole place. There was nothing in the living room. The desk i the den was buried, and the only other furniture she own was a table with two chairs. It was all really quite sad.

"Thank you, Hokage-sama."

"Yes, thank you."

Both bowed respectively.

"Now, don't worry about it."

Tsunade waved them off.

"Well Shizune and I will be going now. We have stuff to do without Sakura around."

Once the door clicked closed, Shinrai turned to his wife.

"I wanted to tell them that we had a way into Oblivion."

Yuu looked at him confused.

"Then why didn't you?"

"Saku-chan stopped me."

Yuu's eyes widened in surprise.

"Back at her office, when I got that jolt, Saku-chan's voice came to me. She told me not to tell them, and that she was fine. Saku-chan said, she needed to remain there a little longer."

Sakura looked down at Byakko's orb in her hands. She gently put it back down, and back into the place that they were currently keeping it. Resetting the traps, Sakura made sure that no one knew that she had been there. Relaying that message had been tricky, and hurting Shinrai, she was sorry for.

Sakura made her way to the kitchen where Tsuki was. She sniffed the air. Was she making chocolate? Stepping into the kitchen, her eyebrow raised in question. Chocolate was everywhere, including the ceiling. Tsuki pulled out cooled off chocolate from its molding.

"Tsuki-san?"

The girl had just as much chocolate on her. She smiled at Sakura.

"Sakura-sama! Here try this."

Tsuki practically shoved it into Sakura's mouth, before she could protest. Sakura ate it anyways.

"Good?"

Sakura nodded her head.

"Make sure to clean up your mess then."

Tsuki smiled.

"Yes!"

Sakura stopped short.

"What's all this for anyways?"

"Halloween."

"Ah, but that's a week away."

"Just want to be prepared."

"Whatever."

Sakura left to go to Itachi. Once she was totally gone, Deidara came in snickering.

"Are we ready for next week, yeah?"

Tsuki grinned evilly at her partner in crime.

"You bet!"

They both laughed.

"Itachi-san is in for a delightful surprise, yeah."

"She's going to be so cute."

Sakura shivered as she walked into the room. She had a bad premonition. Itachi raised an eyebrow at her from the bed. He was lounged with one arm behind him and his other holding a book.

"Something smells sweet."

"Tsuki-san's making chocolate for Halloween."

Sakura invaded his space, and situated herself in between his legs. She leaned back onto his chest. Itachi didn't bother moving her. He didn't mind their close proximity.

"Hn, that western holiday."

"Yeah."

Silence ensued for the next couple of minutes.

"How hard do your missions get?"

"Huh?"

Sakura turned to face him.

"You should start telling me these things."

Itachi snapped his book closed.

"Why?"

"Because if you don't, the pressure of keeping everything inside will break you again. I, personally, do not want to put up with you on mental breakdowns again."

Itachi didn't either. They weren't the best experience, and he had a tendency of trying to kill her. He sighed.

"Fine."

Sakura smiled and leaned back into him.

"Good."

"You seem to be doing better."

"Ah."

Itachi pulled her close, and began leaving wet kisses on her neck. His one hand found his way under her shirt, while the other, underneath her underwear.

"Not that well."

"Sakura."

Sakura was frozen for a second, since she wasn't used to him using her name. He pulled her right up against his erection. Itachi licked her neck.

"I want to do it."

She was about to give in when an explosion went off. They were the first ones to the source. Deidara and Tsuki had blown up another chocolate concoction. Itachi leaned into her ear.

"This wasn't worth going limp for."

The next part of this story would go to the side-story, "The Cat's Meow." It fits into the storyline right after this chapter.