Naruto does not belong to me, only original characters. Thanks to my wonderful beta Michi for correcting this last chapter before my hiatus. I look forwards to seeing you all again once I come back. Please visit my website for details pertaining to my hiatus. My website is: www. freewebs .com /animemangafanatic (Don't forget to take out the spaces). See you guys next time and Merry Christmas!
The shadowed man took another swig of sake. His wife, the younger female companion, touched his arm. Her long black hair was tied up and she wore an expensive kimono. She was a petite woman with smoldering grey eyes.
"What's the matter dear?"
He slammed down his cup, startling everyone but Pain and Itachi.
"She should've come home."
This got everyone's attention.
"Now we've been through this. If you wanted her to come home, you should've just asked instead of trying to force her to."
"Leader-sama."
Pain turned to Kisame.
"Who are they talking about?"
Before Pain could answer, the door slammed open. The shadowed man was punched in the cheek. He went flying through the door, straight across the garden, and into the stone wall. Everyone's eyes turned to the intruder, weapons at the ready. No one had sensed her. Sakura stood there, shaking her hand back and forth. She whistled at the effect of her punch.
"Sakura-sama!"
Everyone was surprised to see her as Sasori and Deidara walked in and took a seat. The man, who had been blasted away, came into the room.
"Sakura-chan, is that any way to treat your uncle?"
"Shut up Uncle Kenji. Nagato, I thought you said you weren't going to let this idiot do as he pleases."
Pain shrugged his shoulders.
"I couldn't help it. He was threatening to cut our budget."
"You call that an excuse?!"
"Now Sakura-chan, I only do this because I love you."
"Stupid man, I told you to stop pissing her off. She'll take it out on me."
"No! Sakura-chan is too gentle."
"Kenji-san, she just punched you into a stone wall."
"I was going easy on him."
"I have no doubt about that, but Kenji-san could have just died."
"Like I care..."
"Now, you three calm down."
Kenji's wife hugged Sakura to keep her from killing her husband.
"Aunt Nanako, you also know better than to let Uncle Kenji do as he pleases."
"Aw! Don't be mad at me Saku-chan."
"Yes, don't be mad at me either!"
"Shut up you stupid uncle!"
"Perhaps we should kill him after all."
"Now you agree with me Nagato. I feel like hitting you too."
"Please don't."
Everyone's eyes bugged a little hearing Pain say please. Deidara raised his hand.
"Um, yeah... I think I speak for everyone when I ask, what's going on, yeah?"
They all looked at him and said.
"Family argument."
The offices in Konoha and Sand were in an uproar. Both teams had just returned and personally told Tsunade what happened. Although, most of the facts were still fuzzy. Gaara was readjusting but was already back at work. Their councils were also even more disappointed in Sakura. There was no doubt in anyone's mind anymore about her betrayal. No one realized that there was so much more to it than what they thought they knew.
"Why are we here still?"
Tsunade looked up from the paperwork at an irritated Naruto. He was still obviously upset about Sakura. If he had his way, he would probably run out and go after her. However there was no clue about these events, only that she was willingly with the Akatsuki. Did she leave because of Gaara somehow or was it something else, something deeper?
"Hold on a little longer Naruto."
"Why?"
"We're waiting for someone."
"Who?"
This time Kakashi answered.
"We're most likely waiting for her permanent replacement."
"Whose?"
Kakashi and Sasuke gave him a look.
"Sakura's."
"No way! Sakura-chan will come back. She's our only other teammate."
Just then the door opened, Sai walked into the office. Naruto's jaw dropped open and he pointed a finger at him.
"That's rude dickless!"
Naruto tried to jump him, but Kakashi held him back. Sasuke just chose to ignore him.
"Trying to act cool over there Sasuke-chan? It doesn't work on me Mr. Cool."
Sasuke's eyebrow twitched. He wanted to kill him just like Naruto now. Kakashi wondered how this team was going to survive if they were going to be at each others throats all the time. His little exercise wasn't going to work on them.
"Boys..."
Sakura was sitting next to Itachi at the table, rubbing her forehead. He was doing his best to ignore her, but he had been deprived of her for too long. Pain and Konan were sitting across from them. Between them, at the head of the table, Kenji sat with his wife, who was gently dabbing his swollen cheek with a cool cloth. Tsuki sat next to Sakura with Kisame sitting next to her. Deidara, Sasori, and Shiro sat beside Konan. Fujiwaru and Naomi were at the other end. Hidan and Kakuzu sat next to Kisame. Tobi sat against the wall behind Kenji and Nanako. The older woman companion placed a cup of tea in front of Sakura, and then sat behind her. Turning around, Sakura addressed the older woman.
"Thank you Tanaka-san."
"It's my pleasure Sakura-sama."
"You need only call me Sakura. There really is no need for the formalities."
Tanaka Hana chuckled.
"Still such a sweet child you are."
Sakura smiled at her. Hana just so happened to be Tsuki's grandmother and one of Sakura's main caretakers as a child.
"How does Hana-san know you Sakura-chan, yeah?"
Turning back around, Sakura addressed his question.
"I was born and raised in Oblivion. Later, my uncle sent me to Konoha."
"Why, yeah?"
"I'm not too sure about that."
Sakura turned to her uncle.
"Why did you send me away?"
"I needed you to experience life there."
"Why?"
Kenji gave her that mysterious smile. It usually spelled out trouble. Seeing that smile was like a warning to be on one's toes.
"Haven't your eyes told you that yet?"
Sakura tossed the cup of steaming hot tea on her uncle. He was burned in the process. She angrily left the dining hall; obviously not wanting to deal with his antics anymore. Hana and Tsuki took their leaves and followed Sakura.
"Eyes?"
Deidara was just as curious as his partner. Itachi was too, but he was playing the cool card quite well. Nanako answered their inquiries. Her niece had obviously grabbed this infamous group's attention.
"Like many of you know, I have the gift of foresight."
This was true. Nanako was one of the best seers in the world, as was Sakura's mother. The trait was hereditary.
"Saku-chan's eyes can see far beyond mine. She is the most powerful seer of all of us."
Kisame whistled.
"Looks like Cherry Blossom is full of surprises, eh, Itachi-san?"
Itachi did not answer. Deidara rubbed his chin in thought.
"She doesn't use the gift very often, does she, yeah?"
Sakura's family members all shared a knowing look.
"The last time Saku-chan used the gift; she was driven mad and killed a whole army."
"Of her own people, yeah?"
"No, from an opposing kingdom. They had been sent to assassinate Saku-chan."
"So then, as to the other matter I was asked to speak with all of you about."
Kakashi sweat dropped. Both Naruto and Sasuke were glaring daggers at Sai, who was smiling away without a care. Tsunade sighed. They just didn't give up.
"There's been a new entry to the bingo book."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
"Hokage-sama, how is that any of our concern. The ANBU are the only ones who really need to concern themselves with the book."
Although this was true, many shinobi still familiarized themselves with the book. Doing so could save one's life.
"That may be true Kakashi, but this matter does concern all of you. Be prepared for the fallout."
By now, Tsunade had all of their attentions.
"Haruno Sakura's name has been added to the bingo book's list. She takes top priority over everyone else, including Akatsuki or Orochimaru. If spotted, she is to be killed on site."
"Assassinated, yeah?"
"Why?"
Even Sasori was curious. Itachi now gave his attention to the conversation. Nanako patted her husband's hand.
"As you all know, Ken-san is Saku-chan's uncle. Do you know what side of the family?"
They all looked to Pain, who was just ignoring them.
"Well which side of the family comes from Oblivion?"
They all couldn't believe Kisame actually asked an intelligent question.
"Her mother's."
Now Pain spoke. Seeing as Kenji was the lord left in charge of Oblivion, Deidara's guess seemed practical enough.
"Then Kenji-san comes from her mother's side, yeah."
"No, her father's."
Konan corrected.
"Huh?"
Everyone was now confused. Nanako thought it best to clear it up.
"Ken-san is the twin brother of Sakura's father. They both are from Konohagakure. Pain-kun is from her mother's side of the family, and they are cousins. As you all know already, Pain-kun and Konan-chan are from Amegakure. Now I am related to Saku-chan, through Ken-san, making us aunt and niece. I come from Oblivion as well."
"That doesn't explain how he became the greedy budget lord."
Good old Sasori, not afraid to speak his mind.
"Her majesty, Hime-sama, left him in charge."
"The legendary one, yeah? Said rumored Hime-sama, who built the legendary barrier, yeah?"
"That's the one."
Kenji seemed proud of this fact. Pain just gave him an irritated look. Sometimes, he really was an over doting uncle.
"You didn't tell us much about her parents."
Nanako smiled. So Kisame had caught on to that. Kenji decided to take over from there.
"As to my nii-san, I think we'll leave that for a later date. Concerning her mother, she was the previous ruler of the Sakura's Grove."
Everyone became deadly silent. Itachi finally spoke.
"This would make her..."
Kenji and Nanako both smiled at the horrified Itachi.
"The heir to the throne."
Sakura sneezed. Hana and Tsuki turned to Sakura at the window seat. She turned her attention to back outside the window.
"Someone must be talking about you Sakura-sama."
"You don't need to call me that Tsuki-san."
Tsuki giggled.
"What do you see?"
Hana always politely asked her that when Sakura seemed a hundred miles away.
"The fallout..."
As the group finally left the office, whispering and chattering on the busy street stopped. Villagers looked at them uncertain. Kakashi flipped out his book as he began to walk, Sai just smiled. Naruto and Sasuke were confused.
"That's them."
"So those are the traitor's teammates."
"What do you expect? She was on the same team as that monster."
"I guess that rumor of the Uchiha clan is true."
"Yes. They really are cursed."
Naruto became irritated.
"Why those... They don't know what they're talking about!"
"Cool it Naruto."
"But Sensei..."
"Save it Naruto."
Sasuke stuck his hands in his pockets and continued to walk away.
"How can you be so cool about this Teme?"
"People are bound to talk since Sakura's betrayal. Just get over it dobe. You're already used to people talking, so just continue to ignore them."
"Wow Teme! That so wasn't like you."
"Shut it Dobe!"
Sai chuckled as Sasuke and Naruto entered a glaring contest in the middle of the street. Kakashi smirked at the amusement. The villagers however were going to need more time to get over it all.
The next day, Sakura was forced to get up early. Itachi hadn't slept in the room the previous night. She wasn't too sure where he slept. However, that was the farthest thing from her mind. Apparently, unlike last time, Sakura's restriction of leaving the compound did not apply. After all, she was the ruler, so it's not like they could keep her locked up unless they wanted the town to riot. During the night, the villagers were all made aware of her presence. It was now that she remembered something important about her people, they were overwhelming; good hearted, just overwhelming. Everyone wanted to greet her as she walked with her aunt. Nanako was buying various herbs. Tsuki and Hana decided to accompany as well, buying groceries. When it got too heavy for either one, Sakura would take the bag, but then someone would object. There was also that thing that she forgot. Citizens hated to see their ruler doing common chores. Sighing, Sakura was remembering all the things she hated about being a ruler. Suddenly, a young girl squeezed through the crowd and fell in front of Sakura. Bending down, Sakura easily picked the child up and healed her scrapped knee. As a reward, the young girl smiled broadly.
"Thank you Hime-sama."
Sakura chuckled as she poked the girl's nose affectionately.
"That's okay. You need only to call me Sakura."
The girl's eyes got wider and twinkled. It was like Sakura had given her an expensive present.
"Thank you Sakura-sama!"
Sakura broke out laughing. The villagers also got caught in the humor of the moment and laughed along.
"So what's your name?"
"Yuna!"
"Well Yuna-chan, you should be more careful when walking from now on okay?"
"Hai Sakura-sama."
Sakura slowly stood and patted Yuna's head. Taking her aunt's basket, they set off back to the compound. Nanako giggled, catching Sakura's attention.
"What is it dear aunt?"
"You're still the same as that little girl who used to run around the village. You were loved by everyone for that kind heart of yours. Although your heart wavers from time to time, you were always a good decisive leader when you needed to be. It's why your mother took your advice most of the time."
Sakura chuckled.
"I thought it was because of all my abilities that made me formidable."
Nanako smirked.
"Saku-chan, you still don't get it. True, you are probably one of the most powerful people I have ever encountered, but that isn't what has always made you strong."
"Then in your opinion, what is it that makes me strong?"
"Your heart of course."
"Of course."
They walked into the compound and were instantly greeted by servants. Sakura sweated.
"Why do I have a feeling that the house is fully staffed?"
Nanako just smiled.
"Oh shit..."
"Sakura Hime-sama!"
They all turned and Sakura felt the blood drain in her face. There stood the royal mannerism advisor, Hibiki Shiina. She was a strict woman indeed. Sakura always dreaded her lessons.
"That is vulgar language. Please do not use it again!"
"Hibiki-san, my apologies. Uchiha-san has already ruled it impossible for me to use such language."
Speaking of Itachi, he had just come into the compound behind them with Kisame. He looked unpleased about the formality. Sakura inwardly cursed. Just another thing added to the already long list of stuff they needed to talk about. However, there was one thing she needed to clear up. Looking directly at him, her eyes did not waver and Itachi felt confused.
"I remember."
Itachi's eyes widened and everyone became confused. Sakura turned around and began to walk away before Nanako pulled her a different direction. One of the servants took the basket she held.
"Aunt, what are you doing?"
She pulled out some vials from her kimono and they walked over to the pond. Itachi, Kisame, Hana, and Tsuki had followed. Pain, Konan, and Kenji had just turned the corner and looked over at them curiously. Sakura tilted her head in confusion. All the sudden, Nanako harshly pushed her into the water. When she came up to breathe and yell, Nanako was pouring the vials in the water while quietly chanting. Instantly, she knew what Nanako was up to.
"Are you that concerned about my future?"
As the last drop fell, the water began to swirl. Ideally, they should have been able to see into Sakura's future. However, things did not like to work about normally anymore. Black flames shot out and a power wave made Nanako fly back. Kenji quickly caught her and came to a sliding stop back where everyone had jumped back to. Sakura was separated from them by the flames. Standing and raising her hand, she used her own chakra to dispel the hot, dark flames. Everyone looked at Sakura worried as Sakura looked at the water concerned.
"Saku-chan..."
"I know."
Sakura got out of the water.
"My flame is bleeding darkness."
The door slid shut behind Itachi as Sakura stripped off her soaked t-shirt. She tossed it to the side, knowing servants would come in quickly afterwards and get them. Going to the closet, Sakura went to get the clothes she left behind. They weren't there. Turning to Itachi, he sighed as he flipped out a key. Unlocking the chest in the closet, Itachi pulled out a clean pair of her clothes. Sakura decided that she would ask him about it later. Itachi sat on the edge of the bed watching her.
"Uchiha-san eh?"
"Don't start with me. Hibiki-san is extremely strict about formalities. I'm not allowed to intimately call you in public."
Itachi stood and pulled her close.
"This is intimate Cherry Blossom."
He had whispered into her ear, causing shivers down her spine. She pushed him back. Itachi was eyeing her wet bra.
"Don't do that!"
"Do what?"
"Act like nothing has happened since you dropped me off in Konoha."
Itachi sighed.
"Don't do that either! I was the one hurt not you!"
Itachi glared.
"You don't think that decision didn't hurt me? It hurt me."
"Oh please. You're an Uchiha, you don't hurt."
Itachi roughly pushed her against the wall, trapping her there."
"Don't use that name as an excuse."
"That name? That's your name Itachi!"
"Stop it! I hate that name!"
"Fine! But you answer me. Why did you do it?"
"Send you back?"
"Yes!"
Itachi's grip tightened.
"How couldn't you know? It's what you wanted. Your heart wasn't here Cherry Blossom. So I could do the only thing to set your heart free. I took it back to where it wanted to go, back to that village, back to him."
"Him?"
"To Sasuke!"
Sakura's eyes widened. Didn't he know? How did Itachi not know? For so long, Sasuke had not been in her heart that way, but for some time now, Itachi had been. Her eyes softened.
"Itachi..."
"Don't! I don't want to hear it! I can't..."
His grip finally loosened and he pushed away from her. Sakura extended her hand, intending to touch his cheek, but a knock at the door interrupted them.
"Sakura-sama?"
"Yes, Tsuki-san?"
"Dinner is ready. Please have Itachi-san also join us."
Itachi didn't say anything as he left. Sakura finally finished changing as she went to go eat. Although there was talking, Sakura and Itachi did not speak to one another.
"So Sakura-chan, yeah? Nanako-san was telling us how your mother came to name you."
"Huh?"
Sakura turned to her aunt, unpleased.
"Why are you telling that embarrassing story again?"
Itachi became a little curious now. Even he did not know the reason why she was named after the flower.
"It's a good story Saku-chan."
Kenji nodded his head in agreement. Deidara waved to Itachi to get his attention.
"So Nanako-san was telling us, that Sakura-chan is actually named after her ancestor's wife, yeah. Apparently, he loved her so much, and she was so beautiful, that he named the village after her, yeah. When our Cherry Blossom was born, they said that she already looked like that woman, yeah. Nanako-san, show him, yeah."
"No!"
Before Sakura could grab it away, Itachi got the picture. It was a small painting, hand-sized, of a woman who was remarkably like Sakura, all except for the eyes. The Sakura in the picture had blue eyes, and the present Sakura had green eyes.
"Your eyes are different."
"Ah, my mother looks more like my ancestor than I do."
"Does she, yeah?"
"Yes."
"What color was your father's eyes Cherry Blossom?"
Sakura glared at Kisame for the nickname.
"Blue."
"Then how did you get green?"
She now addressed Sasori.
"My great-great-grandfather on my mother's side."
The men whistled. Sakura turned to Tobi, who had been staring at her.
"Don't tell me that you too have fallen for my looks Tobi-san."
Tobi was startled. Not even Kenji could tell sometimes what was going on behind his mask. Itachi looked displeased. As many people began to say their thank yous to the chef, they began to leave. Once Sakura was done, Itachi stood with her and they began to leave. Kisame caught his attention for a minute, and Sakura used the moment, when no one was looking to whisper in Tobi's ears.
"Bloodline limits and masks are useless against me, Madara-sama."
Tobi twitched as Sakura left with the unaware Itachi. He knew then that he was going to have to be careful around her.
Later that night, Itachi was in bed when Sakura came in the room. She had been forced to try on kimonos. By the time they were done, it was late. Sighing in exhaustion, she had entered the room. Seeing Itachi still awake, she sighed again. Now was the time to clear it all up, but she really was too tired for this. Getting on the bed, Sakura took his book away and placed it on the bedside table. Sakura was straddling his lap as he looked at her uninterested, not that he really wasn't.
"Itachi, you misunderstood."
"Did I? I highly doubt that."
"Itachi, I do love you."
His eyes widened in surprise. Never in his life, did he expect to hear those words out of her mouth.
"It's not that Sasuke is in my heart because I love him. He was in my heart because I was disappointed in him. Truthfully, I was disappointed in all my teammates and people that I considered my friends."
Sakura couldn't look in his eyes anymore. Even without the Sharingan on, it was like he could see into her soul, only him.
"I was used too much and I was thought of too little. The thing between us probably shouldn't have happened, but it did."
Sakura gathered her strength and looked up. Meeting his eyes, she knew that she couldn't waver on this part.
"I'm not sorry that I feel in love with you Itachi."
Placing her arms around his neck and her forehead on his, she continued to look at him.
"I know you love me too."
"You were always so concerned about that place though."
Sakura sadly smiled at him.
"It's my father's birthplace Itachi. He gave his life defending it. I can only honor him by trying to protect it as well."
Itachi finally seemed to understand where her heart was.
"I'm sorry."
"What?"
Itachi remained silent. Sakura tried to clean out her eyes.
"I think I'm hearing things."
"Sakura, I'm not repeating myself."
Sakura was shocked.
"I know you don't have a fever. What's wrong? Does your stomach hurt or something?"
Itachi became irritated.
"That's so it!"
Flipping her over, Itachi loomed over her. Slowly, their lips met in a soft kiss. Pulling back, Itachi looked down at the blushing girl and smirked.
"Did you enjoy that Cherry Blossom?"
"Shut up!"
Itachi kissed her again, but this time with a little more passion.
Once she was sure Itachi was sound asleep, Sakura slowly left the room. She was so thankful that they didn't have sex, because if they did, she'd be out like a light. Her excuse was that she was too tired, which was true, but a different matter kept her up. A matter she didn't want Itachi aware of quite yet. Walking out into the moonlit garden, Sakura came face to face with the unmasked Tobi. His powerful sharingan blazing at her. However, she didn't flinch, nor was affected by it.
"I see you are as impressive as the rumors about you Hime-sama."
"Uchiha Madara, are you enjoying controlling that body?"
Madara chuckled.
"Oh dear, nothing escapes you after all."
Sakura smirked.
"That isn't what should worry you Madara-san."
Madara lost his smirk and glared at her, finally losing his trademark cool.
"I know what you're planning to do with Sasuke-san, and I also know the truth of the Uchiha massacre."