Why Do You Fight For Love?
Well, I am very glad to have finally broken the writer's block for Recovering Lost Memories, and am even more inspired with my stories after reading the most recent manga chapter for Naruto Shippuden :).
I have great news, everyone! I am sure this entire story will probably be completed in 1-2 months! Yay! Recovering Lost Memories is expected to be done in maybe a few weeks.
Anyways, onto the chapter!
Chapter 5: Distance
Itachi sat on a chair in the corner of the room, watching the unconsciousness woman with a look of disgust on his face. What the hell was she thinking when she stood up to Leader? What could've made her do such a stupid action? Itachi merely sighed, adjusting his position in the chair.
Itachi was currently sitting in an uncomfortable chair in a lazy position with arms crossed against his chest while Sakura was sprawled over the bed. Sakura murmured something inaudible, which he didn't bother to listen to anymore. Sakura had the habit of whispering something while she slept, something that had to do with her dreaming. Itachi paid no attention at first, but his interest rose when Sakura had whispered, "Invasion…"
That was only a day or two ago after Leader had returned Sakura from outside, not bothering to explain why she was in such a pitiful state. Itachi was sure something had happened, but he couldn't figure it out. An invasion? That only left more questions to mess with.
Who was invading what? Where? Mostly, why? Itachi closed his eyes, attempting to block out the rather annoying questions with no avail.How would Sakura know of such a thing? Itachi opened his eyes slowly, gazing back at the woman on the bed. Could she possibly be involved with such a thing?
"Sasuke…" Sakura's voice softly whispered, making Itachi stand up and walk over to the bed. Sasuke?Crimson narrowed dangerously, focusing on the worried expression on her sleeping face.
"Are you planning something, Sakura?" Itachi murmured aloud, moving some of pink bangs out of her face gently. Sakura groaned softly as her form shivered slightly. Even if she has improved over the weeks, I don't think she could be strong enough. Itachi gazed at her sleeping form with a sigh.
Itachi kissed her forehead softly before backing away slowly to look at her face. Even through the worry across her features, he could see some peacefulness if he looked hard enough. He sighed in frustration, making his way back to the chair.
Even if I do separate myself from her, why do I feel as if my weakness is growing stronger?
"Haruno…it's been two days. I think you are well enough now to get up." Sakura felt something shake her shoulder in an attempt to wake her. Sakura groaned, not wanting to wake up just yet. Sakura could feel her wounds stinging a bit, but nothing too serious. She was too drowsy to remember why to get up in the first place. All she wanted to do was to sleep.
She faintly realized a hand was on her shoulder, firmly grasping it in an attempt to wake her. "Haruno…Get up now." Sakura could hear the ring of authority in it, sending a slight chill down her spine. She cracked open one eye a fraction to see Itachi standing next to her, his hand still on her shoulder. She sighed, opening both eyes.
All of her memories of only a few days ago were coming slowly back to her. Her eyes narrowed, remembering the news of the invasion in Konoha. She smacked his hand away, ignoring the stinging in her hand as she turned away from him. "Why should I?" She replied dryly, feeling the pain beginning to throb where Leader had punched her. Sakura flinched slightly, trying to ignore it.
"We have training today." Itachi blandly stated, placing his hand back on her shoulder more firmly. "Just because you are injured, does not mean you are free from training." Itachi explained emotionlessly, turning her back towards him effortlessly. Sakura glared at him, which he casually ignored.
"I have no reason to train anymore." Sakura murmured softly, her eyes drifting away from his. Sakura resisted the urge to flinch when she remembered what Leader had told her.
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.
Itachi grasped her chin firmly yet softly. "I will not be held responsible if you choose to continue to live like such a pathetic kunoichi. Leader asked me to train you, but if you choose not to… You can lose whatever hope you ever had of becoming stronger." Emerald met crimson briefly, before darting away.
Itachi released his grip on her, straightening up. "I've already lost hope…" Sakura muttered under her breath, unaware he had still heard her.
"Is that so?" Itachi asked, raising an eyebrow. Sakura could feel her blood boil when Itachi shook his head in disbelief. "I guess your potential is a waste then." Itachi turned his back on her, but not walking away. Sakura narrowed her eyes at him in frustration. "Possibly, you never had potential to begin with. I never really believed in your skills, but seeing you act like such a child…"
Sakura surged out of her bed, ignoring the throbbing pain coursing throughout her body. With the little chakra she had, she turned him around forcibly. Dull surprise flickered across Itachi's gaze as she grabbed his neck and pushed him against the wall. Sakura glared at him coldly, feeling hate beginning to grow.
Itachi let out a low chuckle, smirking at her. "Do you actually think you can kill me, Haruno?" Itachi shook his head. Sakura tightened her grip, drawing her free fist back. Itachi stared at her, waiting.
Silence filled the room as Sakura stared back at him, uncertainty flashing dimly in her emerald eyes. Sakura's drawn back fist dropped to her side, her grip on his neck loosening. Emerald narrowed, not bothering to look up at crimson.
Itachi continued to watch, saying nothing. I can't hurt you...yet; you have hurt me so, so much. Sakura backed away, feeling pain and hurt return to full strength. She resisted the urge to fall to her knees from the pain, instead gritting her teeth.
Itachi stepped away from the wall, his figure looming over hers. "Your emotions make you weak, Haruno. I wonder why you even try." Itachi's gaze flickered with disgust. Sakura felt a hand clasp around her neck before she could even blink. She was thrown into the wall roughly, his hand tightening until she coughed out for the lack of oxygen.
"I could easily kill you." Itachi stated emotionlessly, all source of emotions instantly gone. Sakura kept her hands at her side instead of trying to pry his hand off her. This did surprise him, but he didn't show it. Itachi cocked his head to one side slightly. "Are you that eager to die?"
Sakura blinked at him, saying nothing. Itachi's gaze drifted to her headband. "What would your village think?" Itachi whispered lowly, "They would think you finally gave up on everything…" Sakura flinched; her eyes seemed to stare right past him, unfocused.
Suddenly, emerald eyes narrowed, focused back on Itachi. Sakura brought up her knee to his chest, making him release his grip. He growled as she pushed him back with her foot. "I'm not giving up, Uchiha." Sakura spat out, emerald hardening. "Don't you eversay I gave up on my village!" Sakura gritted out, grabbing a kunai and lunging forward.
I almost gave up… Sakura thought dully, cursing herself. I can't let my village fall… Itachi recovered quickly, grabbing his own kunai. They exchanged a few hits, as Itachi remained silent. I will not allow my village… to fall without me!
Sakura blocked Itachi's attack by grabbing his wrist with her free hand. Itachi withdrew another kunai with his other hand and sliced her shoulder. Sakura hissed out in pain, hearing the cloth rip and felt the blood drip down her shoulder. "You would actually protect a village that has given up on you?" Itachi's voice rang with mild curiousity.
Sakura tightened her grip on his wrist, causing Itachi to release the kunai onto the floor. Emerald clashed with crimson, both never leaving each other. The kunai clattered to the floor as the sound echoed around the room. "We don't know they have given up on me, now do we?" Sakura retorted scathingly, using one of her feet to kick Itachi in the stomach. He growled out in pain, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
"That may be true…but how long has it been since you last saw them attempt to rescue you?" Itachi responded without hesitation. Sakura ignored the question altogether, refusing to lose to him now. Itachi pointed his kunai at her, shaking his head.
"I haven't heard you talk about them in quite a while either." Itachi blinked, his gaze never leaving hers.
"Why should I talk with you when you don't care?" Sakura replied, pushing him away as she released her grip on his wrist. Sakura shot forward, disappearing before he could block her. Her kunai stabbed him in the same shoulder that was injured only a few days ago, almost hitting the same spot. While the kunai dug deeper into his skin, she pushed him down onto the floor with a chakra enhanced foot.
Sakura removed her fit, crouching down beside him with the kunai still in his shoulder. He merely looked at her with a bored gaze. Sakura grasped another kunai with her free hand, instantly placing it against Itachi's neck. Itachi's gaze flickered momentarily towards her, as if daring her to do it.
Silence filled the room once again. "Enough. Haruno, enough." Sakura turned around in shock to see Leader's eyes narrowed in disappointment. She placed the kunais back into her holster, then back away without looking at Itachi in the process.
"I thought I said that your loyalties were with the Akatsuki alone." Leader shook his head in disgust, his eyes still narrowed. Sakura flinched, looking away from Leader and Itachi. She hugged herself, not bothering to look at either of them.
"You have trouble understanding that you are in the Akatsuki." Leader continued, stepping closer to them both. Itachi stood up, brushing himself off briefly. "Besides, Haruno, we can't just let you run off to save the village you betrayed…now can we?" Sakura bit her lip, her eyes closing from the growing pain.
"…Save the village, Leader-sama?" Itachi asked quietly, his voice emotionless. Leader turned his head toward Itachi, resisting the urge to smirk.
"Yes, Itachi. The Leaf village is falling right now. Didn't she tell you yet?"
Itachi blinked, remaining quiet. He shook his head, crimson gazing at Sakura's shaking body. He could hear the tears drops dripping onto the floor. Sakura was trying to hide her pain, but everyone in the room could hear her small sniffs. More tears dropped onto the floor, echoing around the room.
"The Leaf village will fall. We only need the Kyuubi so there is no reason to keep the village from crumbling to nothing." Leader folded his arms across his chest, waiting for the words to sink in. Sakura paused for a moment, aware of two pairs of eyes on her.
Crimson narrowed slightly, faintly feeling betrayal. She chose not to tell me? Itachi blinked, already knowing the answer. This only meant that his plan was working. If Sakura did not tell him of an invasion, it only meant they were really separating as he had planned.
His eyelids dropped more, feeling a twinge of regret. Sakura's trembling form returned to his vision as she tried to wipe the tears away. Itachi glanced at Leader who's face was emotionless, then back at Sakura. He resisted the urge to sigh. Everythingis going to plan…
"I will not allow m-my village to fall." Sakura murmured with a voice choked by tears. Itachi lowered his head slightly, his gaze focusing on the back of her head.
"How do you propose to do that?" Leader asked nonchalantly, with a hint of interest. Sakura turned around to face Leader, a hint of determination among her features. Itachi could see her fists clenched and tears ceasing to fall.
"Anything that is necessary." Sakura said her voice stronger than it was a few minutes ago. Anything? She couldn't possibly…
"I'll give you…anything you want if you just leave the village and people w-who live in it, a-alone." She tried to have a steady voice but she was still sobbing.
Itachi remembered the last day Sakura had seen the village. She really would give anything to save her village, which showed her loyalty…or just stupidity. Despite everything, she remains loyal to her village even if Leader demands that she serves the Akatsuki alone.
"Really? Anything, Haruno?" Leader shook his head in disbelief. "You would give anything just to protect a pathetic village that has probably given up on you?"
There was no hesitation to her answer, "Yes, I would do anything to save my village…" Sakura spoke louder, her voice clearer. "…And they are not pathetic…you just wait and see." Sakura added, her voice lowered with her emerald eyes flashing a threat.
Leader was unfazed by her little rant. "Fine. Go to Konoha. Just try to save them. As far as I know, the village could have already been destroyed." Leader shrugged, turning around to leave the room.
Sakura's gaze hardened and her body went rigid. "Why are you letting me go, Leader-sama?" Leader continued to walk towards the door with no response towards her question. Itachi noticed Sakura's body tensing, ready to run after him. Leader stopped as he gripped the doorknob.
"You wouldn't be too cooperative if I wouldn't let you go to save that pathetic village." Leader explained, his voice filled with annoyance. He turned the doorknob as he continued, "Besides…I don't think a few people would be too thrilled to hear Haruno Sakura is dead because she annoyed and begged me." Leader turned his head slightly to look at her, his eyes emotionless.
"I suggest you do not bother me anymore, Haruno. I have no more patience for the time you have wasted with your pitiful begging." Leader warned her darkly, his voice still filled with annoyance. Leader turned to Itachi, his eyes boring into crimson. "You will go along with her to make sure she doesn't betray us." Leader ordered with his voice ringing with authority.
Itachi nodded in understanding, crimson glancing sideways towards Sakura. Leader turned around, muttering, "We will talk about my end of the promise…Just go before I change my mind." With that, Leader disappeared through the adjacent door before Sakura or Itachi could say anything else.
Silence filled the room after Leader left, Sakura enjoying every bit of it. She wanted nothing more than silence now so she could plan on saving the village. Sakura didn't even glance at Itachi. All she knew was that she wanted to be back with her real family. The ones she had always loved and cared for.
Sakura searched the room for her Akatsuki cloak. Emerald gaze swept across the room, finally finding it spread across the bed. She walked towards the bed and grabbed it before slipping it on without another thought. Who would have thought I would ever be comfortable enough to wear this Akatsuki cloak… She resisted the urge to glance at Itachi as she turned around, swiftly heading towards the door without looking back to see if he would follow.
Sakura blinked at the cloak in front of her, shock not yet registering. "Well, are you going to take it?" Itachi murmured, still holding the familiar Akatsuki cloak in front of her. Sakura blinked again then grabbed it after much hesitation. Itachi's hand lowered to his side as he watched her nonchalantly as she put on the cloak with shock still etched across her features.
Sakura opened her mouth, but then closed it again, her mouth not yet ready to form words. Itachi shook his head as to say 'whatever' then started to walk out of their room in the hideout. Sakura stood there, all thoughts running across her mind in a wild spree. Sakura wanted to say so many things…but she remained silent.
Itachi opened the door and left the room, shutting the door quietly. Sakura stared at the door, then closed her eyes.
Thank you… Sakura smiled bitterly remembering those were the same words the younger Uchiha said before he left… Sakura pushed the thought away, focusing on the task at hand. She shook her head and started buttoning up the cloak.
Sakura ran across the forest floor with great speed, despite her injuries. She wanted nothing but to run away from all the conflicts and problems that faced her, but that wasn't a possible now was it? Itachi ran beside her at equal speed, never glancing at her.
The silence between may have unbearable once, but now it was appreciated and comforting. Sakura didn't glance at Itachi; she just kept running with only subject on her mind.
Mission: Save Konoha
…from a once loved teammate.
Sakura hid her frown from Itachi, feeling the growing fear of Konoha falling. She had no doubt in her mind that her former village was falling, but she really didn't want to think about it. All her life, she always wanted to see the Hidden Leaf Village flourishing, not dying.
She sighed softly, feeling guilt and regret fill her once more. The only reason Konoha is dying now...is because I left it. I joined the Akatsuki to save them, but I can see now that was a foolish mistake. Sakura stole a glance at Itachi, who briefly returned the glance before looking away.
For all I know, Konoha hates me just like Itachi does. Sakura slowed a bit, allowing herself to follow Itachi. Her gaze focused on the back of his head, feeling the regret flare. She had always been aware of the growing distance between herself and Itachi, but now it was a normal fact of life. Even if it was normal, it still hurt all the same.
I don't care if he hates me, I still love him no matter how much I try not to! Sakura clenched her fists, nails biting into her palms. She bit her lip in frustration, her vision blurring slightly.
I can only hope that the distance between my village and me hasn't grown too much...
Sakura could feel the tears begin to sting as she horrifying realized something that could affect the whole mission.
If the distance has grown too much...I fear that my own life, the life I will put on the line only for them, will be in danger.
-sighs- That had to be one of the shortest chapters for this story thus far. Oh well, more for next chapter :) Anyways, despite having no time and a small writer's block, I got this chapter up. The next one will prove to be one of the most entertaining ones to write…and hopefully, to read.
I hope that everyone likes this chapter even if it was short and boring. (That's my opinion, anyways.) Please review, and thank you very much for reading. :)
I'm off to work on the next chapter for Recovering Lost Memories! See you later!
SharinganAnbuSakura