Well, this is the last chapter... Enjoy!
Read on!
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11:25, 'The Spring Chicken,' Room 4
Kisame stood grimly as the digital clock flicked to 11:25. He threw open the door and flew down the stairs, eyes locking on Sakura in the tavern.
He noticed with surprise that the Copy Ninja and the Kyuubi stood next to her. They seemed to be fighting.
Kisame's upper lip curled. Konoha scum. He growled low as he watched Sakura burst out crying. What were they doing to her?
But it was too much for him when he saw the blonde brat hit Sakura on the head. Kisame just snapped.
He took of, flying down the rest of the stairs, all the while pulling back his fist and concentrating chakra into it. He drove hard into the Kyuubi's gut.
Taken off guard, the boy grunted and was thrown backwards into the wall.
A Few Minutes Earlier, Right Outside 'The Spring Chicken'
Itachi inwardly sighed and walked back into the tavern. He watched from the shadows as Sakura cried and Naruto yelled at her.
He just couldn't understand why she was defending him. Why would she prefer to stay with Kisame and him, when she was barely more than a prisoner?
However, his heart hardened when he saw the Kyuubi hit Sakura. Now the brat would pay for that, and Itachi would take him to Leader.
But before Itachi could do anything, Kisame came shooting off the stairs. He reached back and punched Naruto hard in the stomach.
Immediately, chaos ensued. People started screaming and running for the exits. Even the check-in woman cowered under her desk.
Itachi shook his head. This was not turning out how he had planned.
Meanwhile, Sakura was thinking the same thing. She stumbled back when she saw Kisame attack Naruto, wondering where he had come from.
Sakura couldn't just stand by and watch Naruto get beat up, though. She had to do something.
"No!" Sakura screamed. Kisame half-turned, still keeping an eye one the quickly recovering Sakura.
"Don't hurt him!"
Itachi appeared suddenly at her shoulder, already barking orders.
"Kisame, take Sakura and get out of here! I'll deal with these two," he shouted firmly. "Go to Leader!"
Kisame didn't protest, but you could see in his eyes that he was reluctant to leave Itachi, and even more reluctant to not beat Naruto to a pulp.
Sakura, on the other hand, was hysterical. "No! They'll kill you!"
Itachi raised one eyebrow. "I'm more than enough for these two."
Sakura shook her head. "You're underestimating Naruto! He's strong! Combined with Kakashi, I don't think you'll survive!"
Itachi looked at her and said simply, "Then I'll be careful."
Tears were streaming down her face now. "Please! Come with us!"
Kisame tugged on her arm. "Orders are orders, Sakura. We need to go."
"Itachi!"
The Uchiha genius turned his now-scarlet Sharingan eyes on Sakura. As Kisame dragged away the sobbing girl, Itachi whispered softly.
"I love you, Sakura."
A Few Minutes Later, Outside 'The Spring Chicken'
"Let me go!" Sakura yelled. "We have to go back and help Itachi!"
Kisame shook his head, but still kept his tight grip on Sakura's wrist. "Itachi's a big boy, Sakura. He can take care of himself," he said confidently.
Sakura sighed and stopped thrashing. "I hope you're right…"
Same Time, 'The Spring Chicken,' Downstairs Tavern
Itachi narrowed his eyes at Naruto. He knew what Sakura had said was right. This was not going to be an easy fight. Two very strong jonins was going to be a challenge. But Itachi liked challenges.
Naruto was thinking the same thing. He knew Itachi was strong. How else could he have beaten Sasuke?
He saw Kakashi nod to him and reveal his Sharingan eye. Then, Naruto ran at the Uchiha.
Itachi raised his arms to block the kick that was aimed at him. He flew backwards but landed lightly back on his feet.
Itachi's calm irked Naruto. How could he think this was just another fight? A snarl rose to his lips. He would show this pretty boy not to underestimate him.
Naruto again ran at Itachi. But Naruto made the deadly mistake of looking the Uchiha in the eye.
Itachi seized the opportunity, seeing as this might be his advantage.
Suddenly, they were transported to a world turned red and black. Naruto was strapped to a cross and unable to move. He cursed. How could he have been so stupid as to be caught in Mangeku Sharingan? Fortunately, though, he did have one more defense.
Itachi grinned dangerously. "For the next 48 hours, you belong to me." Itachi was looking forward to this. He would pay back this brat for hurting his cherry blossom.
But to his surprise, Naruto smiled back. "And that's where you're wrong!" he shouted.
Now it was Itachi's turn to curse. He had forgotten about the Kyuubi!
"Nine-tailed fox! Get 'em!"
Suddenly, a looming figure appeared above Naruto.
Itachi shuddered as the powerful voice boomed, "You've been bothering my host?! You'll pay!"
Itachi knew he had to stop it now. He used all of his mind's force to drive the Kyuubi back. But, as you know, biju are very strong, and Itachi's attempt didn't even faze the Kyuubi.
Itachi was flung backwards and he hit a building. The Mangeku flickered for an instant, but then Itachi groaned and got up, focusing his mind instead on the boy. Naruto screamed and thrashed, but to no avail, and when Itachi let up, Naruto slid into unconsciousness.
The Kyuubi roared fiercely and slammed his tails around, catching Itachi. Itachi was thrown against the ground and his head cracked on the cement. His vision swam, and he drifted unconscious. Itachi's last thought was, 'I wish I had listened to Sakura… and now I won't ever see her again.'
Before Mageku Sharingan was Activated, 'The Spring Chicken,' Downstairs Tavern
Kakashi swore impressively when he saw Naruto make eye contact with the Uchiha. But, to his surprise, three seconds later, they both fell to the ground, unconscious. Kakashi scratched his head. What had happened? He hoped Naruto was okay.
The silver-haired jonin scooped up Naruto's limp form and hefted him over his shoulder.
Then, Kakashi looked back at Itachi's body.
"You don't know him! He's in so much pain!"
Sakura's words came back to him, and Kakashi sighed. He walked over and picked up Itachi's bulk. Maybe he would try to get to know this criminal… And if not, well, at least there would be one less missing-nin from Konoha.
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Ooo, what a cliffy! Sorry, guys!
Well, I have not started the last book, but I'll get right on top of it. I'm totally busy this weekend, though, so I won't post the last book until probably next weekend. Watch my profile!
Well, read the next one, and review!