Why Do You Fight For Love?
It will take a while to get the next chapter for Recovering Lost Memories up, guys. I'm terribly sorry, it may take just a week though, so that's good to hear. I'm trying to get the chapter up as soon as possible, but my computer and internet simply don't like me.
I really hope everyone has liked this story so far :\. I've noticed I'm getting a lot of hits of The Fight For Love since many people want to read that so they can get to read this, lol. :)
Anyways, what does everyone think of this story? Well, onto the story, since I don't want to waste this chapter just talking about the story hehe.
Chapter 4: Shattered
After only a few weeks of training, Sakura was definitely improving. Itachi and her had trained restlessly throughout the days until she could not continue. Yet, throughout the time, Itachi had grown more merciless and cold; covering Sakura in guilt with every time he glared at her. Had she done something to anger him?
Sakura couldn't possibly think of anything that she had done to anger him. Then again, she was training now with the said man in the clearing outside the hideout. She blocked his punch, parrying with a roundhouse kick to Itachi's stomach. He blocked her kick by bringing up his knee carefully before grabbing her leg firmly.
Sakura narrowed her eyes dangerously at Itachi, trying to free her leg while balancing on the other. She gathered chakra into one of her hands, thrusting the chakra enhanced hand right into Itachi's arm that held her leg. The punch hit it's mark, causing Itachi to growl in pain. Itachi released his grip and backed away to the other side of the clearing.
In unison, they both grabbed a kunai in one hand and sprang back at each other. Their movements were hard to detect, as they only appeared as blurs. The clank of the kunais hitting each other echoed throughout the clearing, becoming overlapped by another hit. They raced across the battlefield attacking and countering in black and red blurs with the hint of pink.
Sakura decided to take a risk as they raced towards one another, hitting yet again. Sakura blocked Itachi's attack by holding her kunai against his own. His strength was undeniably stronger than hers was, as she braced her legs from causing her to go back any further. Sakura bit her lip in frustration, watching Itachi smirk at her.
"Giving up already, Haruno?" Itachi mocked, his smirk growing darker. Sakura narrowed her emerald eyes dangerously, focusing her chakra into her free hand. Suddenly, Itachi sprang back and disappeared, appearing right behind her. During this time, Sakura, who was too dependant on the Itachi's kunai for balance, was falling forward with her hands out in front of herself to break the fall.
Instead of breaking her fall, she pushed off her feet until she was in a handstand, and then sprang off her hands into the air. Sakura twisted in the air so she was facing Itachi, throwing shuriken at his vital points. The shuriken were easily blocked with Itachi's kunai, the shuriken bouncing off onto the ground.
Sakura landed gracefully onto the ground, trying to calculate Itachi's next move. Itachi seemed to be doing the same thing to her, weighing the possibilities of her next movement. Sakura lunged forward, kunai still in hand, and tried to slice Itachi's shoulder. Itachi dodged to one side, attempting to kick her in the back while she was still turned.
Sakura spun around quickly, gripping the kunai tightly as she swung her arm around. Her free hand gripped Itachi's leg in a vice grip, while the kunai became imbedded in his right shoulder. Itachi growled softly in pain, while Sakura merely panted, avoiding his eyes.
Sakura used a chakra enhanced leg to knee Itachi in the stomach, but Itachi used one of his hands to stop the kick. Blood dripped down the side of his Akatsuki cloak from his injured shoulder onto the ground. Sakura felt a sickening comfort surge through her body at the thought of finally causing him pain. He had caused her pain all this time, so it was only fair now.
She mentally shook her head at the thought. It wasn't his entire fault; it was partly hers for joining the Akatsuki and him. Now that she thought about it, she had caused herself this pain. Sakura really wanted to believe that, but her feelings said otherwise.
They stood in that pose for a few minutes, catching their breath. The silence was a comfort and a curse. Something they both wanted, yet didn't know the other one did. Itachi and Sakura stared at each other this entire time, before Itachi broke the silence. The kunai embedded in his right shoulder, had numbed his entire arm, allowing him only one arm for use.
He used his left hand to grip the wrist that held the kunai embedded in his shoulder before roughly taking it out. Sakura noticed his hateful gaze towards her, feeling that small guilty feeling began to consume her. The image of killing him herself raced across her mind, causing her to release her grip on him and spring back across the clearing.
The thought was only one of the many she had experienced throughout their first few days of training. It had only started out as injuring him enough to change him back into the kind, gentle Itachi until the image grew into Itachi dying by her bare hands. Why did she have such vile thoughts? Emerald eyes momentarily flickered towards the Sharingan wielder.
Because…he's changed into a cold, merciless murderer that I thought, I had known.Sakura turned her head away, feeling utter disappointment in herself. Or has he been this way all this time and I just didn't see it?
"You should pay better attention to your opponent instead of day dreaming." Emerald eyes widened in shock as she was slammed onto the ground roughly, pinned down. Hateful glares were exchanged between crimson and emerald. Sakura noticed their position, with his body over hers.
Sakura looked away, disgusted by thoughts that had haunted ever since she had fallen in love with this man. Those thoughts were only for people who shouldn't have to hurt each other to survive. Sakura and Itachi would never be in 'love' because Itachi couldn't love anyone, and Sakura was beyond loving him at this point.
"Get the hell off of me, bastard." Sakura hissed, wanting him off of her as soon as possible. The feeling flowing through her was pure disgust and some unknown feelings that she didn't bother to look into. Itachi merely gave her a cruel smirk, sending terror down her spine.
"Make me, Haruno." Itachi bent his head down, near the shell of her ear. "I want to see your true power. I know you've been holding back your strength." He whispered softly, his words hitting Sakura like a blow because it was the truth. The entire truth. He had seen through her disguise, through everything.
"W-We're not supposed to use o-our full strength against our comrades." Sakura argued, on the brink of panic. Sakura could feel his hot breath on her ear, and it sent an unknown chill down her spine. It made her feel sick, tainted, at such a feeling.
"You admit I'm a comrade now, do you?" Sakura felt him smirk at her response. Sakura shook her head desperately, trying to find a way to tune out his words.
"We're in the Akatsuki, what else could we possibly be?" Sakura's breathing hitched, as Itachi merely chuckled darkly. Sakura paled, frustration and fear merging one another.
"Haruno, stop holding back your power. It will only get you killed." Itachi merely commanded, ignoring her question.
"But-" Sakura began, but Itachi's good hand was placed over her mouth to keep her quiet.
"I know you still care about my safety, even if you state you don't care what happens to me. I protect myself perfectly fine; I would be more worried about yourself." Sakura sensed a hint of worry in his voice, confusing her.
"Itachi…" Sakura breathed, slightly dazed at his explanation. "If what you state is true, then why can I injure you even though you say you can protect yourself perfectly fine?" Itachi remained silent; an uneasy silence fell upon them.
"Sakura," He whispered softly, sending a tingling sensation surging throughout her body as his velvety, smooth voice spoke her name. "I cannot use my full power on you without killing you." Is he mocking me or simply telling me the truth as gently as he can?Sakura wondered dazedly, turning her face towards him to gaze at him.
I may always love you, Itachi, but don't you dare play with my emotions! How could he change his attitude so quickly? From cold and ruthless, to soft and caring? The cold mask seemed to have melted away for the moment, wanting him to always be like this around her.
Despite her attempts to actually hate him, she still loved him deep down. It may have been the same way with Sasuke, but Itachi replaced him. Sakura really did want to be with Itachi with no violence or war, but that day, that minute, not even that second, would ever come. Reality in the world of shinobi was nothing but war and violence, no peace and no happiness.
Sakura knew there was no going back, now that she was with the Akatsuki. Now that she was this far, she couldn't abandon her ninja way to keep Konoha safe, even if she had completely lost her ninja way. However much she tried to despise Itachi and the Akatsuki, she couldn't. That's why…
It was now or never, this was the last chance she could ever have alone with him like this. Itachi withdrew from the side of her face, to stare down at her. Their gazes locked for a few seconds before Sakura raised a hand cautiously towards his face. The time that it took to place her hand upon his cheek seemed like eternity.
Itachi didn't tense or anything, just continued to watch her emotionlessly. The texture of his skin was soft and smooth, surprisingly warm. Sakura felt his hand over her mouth beginning to relax and slip away, slipping around her shoulders gently. Sakura sat up, their faces mere inches from each other. Just let this moment last…
That was the last thought before Sakura closed the space between them, kissing him gently.
Itachi's body went rigid at feeling, his mind elsewhere. All thoughts of Sakura seemed to drown out his logical thinking as he returned the kiss without interruptions. They both closed their eyes from the blissful feeling they both felt. Her arms slowly wrapped around his neck, reveling in the feeling.
It took a few seconds before Itachi realized what exactly he was doing. The plan to separate them seemed to ring his head, as he continued to kiss Sakura. Itachi could not afford to put her in danger, or the Akatsuki for that matter. Itachi immediately broke the kiss, crimson flaring.
Emerald eyes opened, deeply troubled once more. Itachi felt a small guilty feeling, but brushed it aside quickly. Sakura dropped her arms, her head dropping in shame and mostly from great disappointment. Itachi stood up and stalked off, leaving Sakura to her thoughts, not caring anymore.
Everything I do just for her is always ruined by something, including my incredibly stupid actions. Itachi thought, clenching his fists from inside his cloak sleeves. This only proves my goal to be worthy in the end.
Sakura watched Itachi's figure begin to fade away from her view. Her anger towards him only increased along with a different feeling. Anger? Hatred? What could it possibly be?
Sakura couldn't take it anymore; she immediately stood up, ignoring the pain. I've had enough of this place; I have to get away for just a little while.Hopefully, forever huh? Sakura could feel some feeling…She couldn't name it, but she knew it may be the answer to her problems.
"What the hell happened to you, huh? Why even train me, if you don't even care if I die or not?!" Sakura screamed at Itachi's fading figure, feeling the urge to simply walk right back to Konoha.
Itachi didn't respond at all, just completely faded away into the building. She looked around the clearing, noticing the sun was beginning to set. Sakura raced into the forest surrounding the clearing and the hideout, hoping to find one peaceful place. Anywhere, anywhere but near Itachi and the Akatsuki.
Sakura didn't seem to notice exactly where she was running nor did she really seem to care much anymore. After a while, she was forced to stop by a strange pain of sickness that shook her entire body. She dropped to her knees, her back falling against one of the trunks of the surrounding trees of the forest.
Why do I even still care for him? After all, he just seems to think of me as a burden. Emerald eyes narrowed slightly from that last thought. Just proves yet again, I'm not supposed to be a shinobi. I am a burden to everyoneSakura close her eyes, trying not to think about it, but it couldn't be stopped.
"Sasuke and Itachi both think I'm a burden, huh?" She whispered softly, leaning her head against the tree trunk. "I wonder if I was always a burden…" Especially to the people I really wanted to protect.
Memories from all the times that she needed protection seemed to flow through her mind at the same time at that point.
The time when Sasuke and Naruto really needed me in the Forest of Death.
In Orochimaru's hideout, where Naruto really needed me.
Even with a weakling such as Zabuza!
A shadow appeared in front of her, startling Sakura. "How long do you plan taking pity on yourself?" Sakura merely glared at the person standing in front of her.
"Leader-sama, I'm not-"
"Do not lie to me, Sakura-san." He glared coldly back, sending a terror-filled shiver down her spine. "Just because you are weak, does not mean you stop fighting regardless of your lack of strength and power."
Sakura nodded, not really listening to his wisdom. "I understand." She merely whispered, gaze drifting to a lone leaf blowing gently with the wind across the ground.
"Sakura-san, I am not going to waste precious time lecturing you. The only reason I came here was to inform you of what has happened to your former village." Leader glanced at the leaf, she had been watching. Sakura's eyes had widened, her fists instinctively clenching.
"I am loyal to my village. I have no abandoned them!" Sakura shakingly stood up, and glared evenly at Leader.
"If you join the Akatsuki just as Itachi did, you are automatically betraying your village. You may have left for a good purpose, but you have abandoned that purpose, haven't you?" Sakura opened her mouth to retort, but all she would be doing is denying the truth.
"Do you see this headband?" Sakura pointed to the leaf headband tied around her arm. The leaf village symbol was not slashed at all, thus declaring she was still loyal. "I am loyal to my village, and nothing you say is going to change that."
"Must I really explain everything to you, Haruno?" Leader replied scathingly, Sakura flinched slightly. "You are deemed a missing-nin once you have left your village without an order by the kage of that village. You left for another missing-nin alone, correct?" Sakura nodded slowly, finally seeing the truth. "Where is that missing-nin now, Sakura-san?"
"Anywhere but the Leaf village…" Sakura knew she had lost this battle. Leader chuckled darkly at her response. Sakura raised an eyebrow at him, wondering what seemed so funny.
"Well, Sakura-san, Uchiha Sasuke is currently in the Leaf Village." Sakura looked at him blankly before smiling at Leader. He's back?! He went back to the village!
"I have completed my goal then." Sakura merely whispered, more to herself. Except, I am not there. I am here, with the Akatsuki.
"Perhaps, but how would you describe your fulfilled goal to be like?" Leader-sama asked, watching her intently.
"I would want Naruto to be happy with Sasuke's return. One teammate of Team 7 to finally return after all these years…" Sakura could see the image in her mind. Naruto and Sasuke calling each other stupid names while Kakashi would still being reading that ridiculous porn book. Ino and the rest of the original genin would all be watching the great reunion with warm smiles upon all of their faces. Even Tsunade and the rest of the council would be watching, with a small glow of warmth in each one of their eyes.
"Sakura-san, your goal was not fulfilled." Leader-sama said nonchalantly, noticing her confusion. "The Leaf Village is falling. Its once strong walls are crumbling because Orochimaru has invaded Konoha for the last three weeks." Sakura's breathing hitched, feeling a small fear inside her beginning to spread throughout her.
"Sasuke isn't helping…" Sakura whispered, desperately wishing it were true. "He didn't go back to Orochimaru! Sasuke is with the rest of Konoha's forces that are defending the village!" Sakura's voice grew louder as she began to scream.
"Sasuke is helping Orochimaru destroy Konoha for once and for all. Konoha's forces have prevailed for the meanwhile, but who's to say that they will actually win this time?" Leader watched as Sakura walked towards him, with her head lowered. Sakura's fists were clenched tightly, showing her anger.
"Sasuke would do no such thing! You're lying!" Sakura gripped Leader's cloak in a vice grip, Sakura's flashed deep emerald briefly.
"I do not lie, Haruno. Uchiha Sasuke has indeed chosen the road to betrayal permanently, deciding to grind his former village into nothing but dust." Sakura grip loosened slightly, not enough to permit him much mobility. "I have sent Sasori, Deidara, and Kisame to spy momentarily until I decide the time is right for action."
Suddenly, Sakura threw a punch towards Leader, but was caught by one of his hands. Sakura flinched from his own tight grip on her wrist, letting out a growl of frustration when he twisted her wrist enough to completely hold her arm behind her back. "Let me go to Konoha!" Leader forced Sakura to release her grip on the cloak, before tightening his grip on her caught wrist.
"No." He replied, placing a hand around Sakura's neck. Sakura was on the edge, and he knew that. Everything was going according to plan, and he would see that everything would go smoothly. Sakura was the key, the key to his own world domination.
"I have to-" Sakura stopped herself, biting her lip from saying something that would ruin everything that she had worked for so far.
"You have to what?" Leader smirked, aware of her sudden pause. He shook her roughly, causing her to cough due to the pressure on her neck.
"I have to…save my village from Orochimaru!" I have to save my village…I have to protect my friends! I will not allow them to die while I do nothing! Sakura used her free hand to grab a kunai before swinging her arm around to embed the kunai deep within Leader's stomach. The mark hit, Leader gasping in pain before letting go of her neck and wrist.
Sakura regained her breath briefly, backing away from Leader. Pain shot through her body, causing her to lose focus on Leader. "You are very stubborn, child. How many times must I repeat, that you have betrayed the village since you have joined the Akatsuki and left Konoha?" Leader's voice was deadly calm. "You had the choice of simply returning to Konoha, but that would only permit you to reveal our secrets, wouldn't it?"
"What was the real reason that you joined the Akatsuki, hmm?" Leader's eyes flashed with a knowing look. No! He's known all along I only joined the Akatsuki to…
"I joined for my own reasons. They are none of y-your concern." Sakura retorted fiercely, even though her vision blurred. "My reasons are mine alone. You have no need, only the desire, to know them." Sakura dropped to her knees from the pain overtaking her body.
"I already know your reasons, Haruno. I simply wanted to know, if you even know what they are." Leader replied mockingly, loving the fact, he was messing with her thoughts.
"LET ME GO TO KONOHA!" Sakura ignored his attempts to mess with her mentality, only two thoughts ran across her mind.
"I will not allow yourself to protect your former village. Your loyalties are with the Akatsuki and no one else. Until I am convinced that you have realized this, you will not be going to Konoha." Sakura opened her mouth to retort something, but she felt his chakra signature disappear.
He reappeared behind her before she could sense him, and pressed one of pressure points. Sakura's eyes widened, before closing. The two thoughts were fading away along with her consciousness.
Please let them all be okay…
Itachi…why weren't you here to save me now?
Before Sakura could even hit the ground, she was already gone.
Leader resisted the urge to sigh, when Sasori dropped down from the trees above him. "Leader-sama, I have a report of the invasion so far." Sasori calmly reported, eyes drifting to the fallen kunoichi.
"What has happened thus far?"
"Konoha's forces are beginning to crumble…but only because the Hokage is not there. Apparently, the 6th Hokage is on a mission to retrieve Haruno Sakura with several other remarkable shinobi with him. From what we have gathered, no one has any idea when he will return." Sasori reported smoothly, cautiously watching Leader's reaction.
Leader merely nodded, turning towards the unconscious woman. "I see…Konoha is falling without it's Hokage there to protect them. Is he that obsessed on reuniting his former team?" Leader turned his head slightly to Sasori, nodding again. "You may begin your attack. Kill Orochimaru and his forces if they should come across your path, but keep the Kyuubi alive if he should return. I do not care you kill as long as you keep the Kyuubi alive along with that Uchiha boy."
"Very well, sir." Sasori blinked, beginning to back away. Sasori turned around, stopping in his place. "What do you plan to do with the girl?"
"You will see very soon, Sasori-san. In only a few days, everything will be revealed." Leader smirked darkly, picking up the girl with ease. Instead of responding, Sasori disappeared in a blur.
"I see…I will be waiting for further orders in Konoha." Sasori's voice echoed throughout the forest, before fading away.
Leader began walking back with the girl, one thought racing across his mind.My dear Sakura, you will be the key to everything that is to be revealed. Too bad you won't see why until the very end.
Forest surrounding the traveling group of shinobi was growing darker by the minute, leaving the group in complete darkness. They walked silently, everyone aware that their leader was dragging behind.
"Well, only a day's journey away from the village…" The only girl of the group replied, desperately trying to get someone to talk.
"Yeah…yet we didn't complete our mission, Ino." The man beside her whispered softly back. The said girl looked away, stopping herself from a stinging retort. Where is Sakura? Why can't we find her?
"We searched for at least two months. There is no way we could find her now." The man on the other side commented carefully, aware their leader might hear them.
"Shikamaru, it's best we keep quiet about this delicate situation. I would have thought you would've known." A voice suggested from behind him, surprising Shikamaru. Shikamaru turned his head slightly, nodding in understanding.
"I can see that, Kakashi, but I am very close to giving up on this mission." Shikamaru replied, turning back to face where he was walking. "Normally, I would understand, but we have to return to the village as soon as possible. We haven't even received a report on what's happened while we were away."
"That's right; we have to think about the village before…" The first man paused, refusing to say what.
"Say it, Neji. It's the village before bringing Sakura back, isn't it?" The leader growled fiercely from behind his teammates. They looked back at their leader, the Hokage, with shocked gazes. "I'm never giving up on her or Sasuke. They will come back, I'm sure of it!"
"Naruto, how do you know-" Shikamaru opened his mouth to retort, but Naruto shot him a pitiful glare.
"She hasn't betrayed her village, Shikamaru! She wouldn't do that! She will return…" Please…Sakura…Sasuke…I need all of team 7 with me. Naruto adjusted his headband unconsciously, resisting the urge to cry. Silence fell onto the group.
"Enough, let's just get back to the village." Kakashi remarked, carefully keeping his visible eye on Naruto.
"…" Naruto didn't reply, just walked forward, dragging his feet as he walked. Please, Sakura. I need Team 7. I want all my teammates with me, not just Kakashi. Team 7 isn't the same with just Kakashi and me.
Naruto was aware of his teammates' worried looks on him; he just chose to ignore them.
Sakura, Sasuke, I don't want Team 7 anymore shattered then it is. I want us to be joined together again. Please…
Finally, another chapter is up! Now onto a chapter for Recovering Lost Memories. So bye bye for now! Hoped everyone liked the chapter :).
Please review and thanks for reading.
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