Chapter Seventeen

Dear Kakashi,

I am so sorry that all I can provide for you while I'm gone is a letter. I really wish that I had talked to you after that day when… well you know. But you scared me that day. And I must confess that I really found that writing this letter rather difficult. But I also knew that I couldn't just leave for four months without doing something.

I hope beyond hope that when I do come back that we can really actually talk without me feeling uncomfortable.

I'm sorry. I'm not good at saying goodbye. Especially to someone who means so much to me as you do. I really wish I knew what to say at this time. But it is hard to try and give comfort to someone in writing without knowing how they feel as they haven't told you. I find it easier to help you when I can talk to you face to face. God, I wish I knew what to say which could make this time away from eachother seem less painful for you. I know this will be hard for you, but it's hard for me too.

Please I beg of you don't tell anyone where Itachi and I are. Oh God now I feel like a lecturer. I'm sorry Kakashi. Really I feel so useless when it comes to… oh… when it comes to anything right now. Except maybe fretting about the Akatsuki.

I can't think of anything else to write, so I might leave this letter as is. I hope you cope as well as I hope you can.

Jamata, Kakashi

Love Sakura.

P.S. If you ever get as angry or confused as you did that day, don't take it out on your body. I won't be there to heal you back up, for the next four months. Bye.

Sakura's letter had become tear-stained as Kakashi weep silently as he read it in Sakura's and Itachi's apartment. He had gone back there to try and see if he could talk with Sakura about the incident where he told her he loved her.

"Jamata, Sakura." Kakashi whispered kissing the letter. He picked up the letter for Naruto and put it in his pocket. He would give it to Naruto tomorrow, figuring that Sakura and Itachi didn't want anyone following them before that.

Kakashi dried his eyes and folded Sakura letter and placed it in his breast pocket. He knew it was going to be a long four months before Sakura came back. As he left the apartment it started to rain, and Kakashi hoped Itachi wouldn't make Sakura travel in this weather being pregnant and all. He made his way to his apartment and fell down on his bed falling promptly asleep not bothering to get undressed.

"We have to find shelter Itachi. I can't stay out in the rain."

"I know Sakura!" Itachi said almost frantically looking around them covering Sakura as much as he could. It was only raining lightly but unless they found shelter soon and started a fire, it was almost certain that Sakura and the baby's life would be in danger from a cold or something else.

Itachi spotted a cave about a mile away from where they were standing in a tree. He quickly picked Sakura up bride style and raced towards it. He was slower having to carry Sakura, though he knew she had gained weight because of the baby. He reached the cave in about fifteen minutes and place Sakura on her feet. "Sorry."

"For what?" Sakura asked slightly confused about the apology.

"About taking you away on a night like this."

"Well if we can get a fire started I can't think of anything more romantic, than being out in the rain with my husband." Sakura said tenderly placing a hand on Itachi's arm.

Itachi pulled Sakura into a hug and then let go to try and find some dry wood. He found some under a tree branch that must have fallen a few weeks ago. Heading back to the cave Sakura had already dug a fire pit. Itachi placed the wood in the pit and lit it with his fire jitsu. He was kind of grateful that his father, no matter how evil his under lying motives were for it, taught him how to use fire jitsu's. They certainly came in use from time to time.

Sakura pulled some food from under her cloak and gave some to Itachi when he came to sit next to her. They were facing the entrance of the cave watching the race start to become heavier in its downfall. Itachi would have preferred to have fish for dinner but Sakura being pregnant and all couldn't eat fish so they hadn't brought any with them.

"So is this cave kinda like what the Akatsuki headquarters looks like?" Sakura asked.

"Kind of, except there are actual rooms under the floor of the cave where the Akatsuki sleep. Also there's a training room there as well. There is a training yard outside but because of the fact that the Akatsuki are S-class criminals they prefer to train under ground." Itachi informed her.

"You say them as if we aren't part of them."

"Well we aren't. Not really anyway. We may have accept to become part of them but we still have to go though tests to see if we're fit to be a part of the Akatsuki. I shouldn't have any trouble at that, but you…" Itachi looked at Sakura from the corner of his eye.

"Oh so just because I'm pregnant means that I can't pass a few tests. I managed to get most of the way here by myself thank you very much. I'm not an invalid. I just happen to be carrying a baby."

Itachi smiled at his wife's outburst. "Calm down Sakura. I'm pretty sure all their going to make you do is see how good a healer you are."

"Well that's not difficult. I've had to heal your wounds countless times. You were pretty much my training tool." Sakura said with a smile.

"Gee thanks Sakura. Now you make me feel like I'm too easy a target for anyone. If you remember you're the only one able to get a hand on me in spar."

"That's only because you're too scared you're going to hurt me."

"Wanna test that theory?"

"Maybe in about six or seven months."

Itachi laughed and draped an arm around Sakura's shoulders bring her closer to him trying to keep her as warm as possible. Sakura sighed as she lost herself in his arms and let sleep finally take her over. Itachi shifted her's and his position so Sakura was lying down her head cushioned on Itachi's leg. Itachi wouldn't wake her till the morning. Though that meant she have to have first watch tomorrow night.

Dear Naruto,

Sorry about the abrupt departure, but Itachi and I felt like we needed to get away for a few weeks. We'll mostly likely be back by half way though next month. You might say that we're going on our long delayed honeymoon. Sorry but I really don't have time to write anymore.

Oh and take care of Kakashi. He wasn't himself this week and I'm a bit worried about him that he'll do something stupid or something. Though it's usually you that does something stupid. Sorry, not fair of me to make fun at you though a letter.

Say hi to Hinata.

Jamata

Love, Sakura

Naruto smiled as he read Sakura's letter. 'It's about time they went on a honeymoon' he thought to himself. And the getting back half way though next month seemed reasonable, as Naruto most likely wasn't going to get any news back from any of the ninja he had sent out to search the places on the map Itachi had found.

"Kakashi?"

"Hn?"

"Can you take this letter to Tsuande? I think she needs to know where her best med-nin is." Naruto said.

"Sure."

Kakashi left the room thankful to be alone. With his sharingin Kakashi had been able to make out that the letter said that Sakura and Itachi were on a honeymoon. Good cover Sakura. But you'll have to come up with another excuse soon to say why you're not coming back for another three months.

"Come on Sakura. It's time to be getting up."

Sakura groaned as she tried to get herself of the ground. The fact was that even though her belly wasn't too big yet she was finding it harder and harder each day to do things she used to be able to do with ease. Eventually Itachi helped her up with a shake of his head.

"Shut up! I'd like to see you try and be all macho if you were pregnant."

"I didn't say anything." Itachi said throwing his hands up in the air as a defence.

"You were thinking it."

"Maybe but I'd never insult a pregnant women." Itachi said kissing Sakura on the cheek.

"Watch it. I get extremely moody in the mornings."

"I know. Ow!" Itachi said as Sakura hit him in the arm. "You watch it. I may not insult pregnant women, but I don't like being hit either."

Sakura smiled up at him indignantly.

They filled in their fire pit and started once more in the direction of the Akatsuki's headquarters. Itachi figured at the rate they were moving they'd get there by tomorrow, that was if didn't start raining again.

"What are you thinking about Itachi?"

"You."

"What about me?"

"If you could move any faster if we put you on wheels. OW! SAKURA!" Itachi shouted as he turned around taking hold of Sakura's hands pulling them up behind her back. "I told you don't hit me." He said with a smile.

"Your fault for insulting me."

"How did I insult you, hm, cherry blossom?" Itachi whispered against the tender part of skin behind Sakura's ear, making her shiver.

"By implying that I'm slow." Sakura said breathlessly.

"You are slow when it comes to running right now."

"Oh God, Itachi not in broad daylight! Come on!" Sakura said trying to push Itachi away who had started to kiss her neck. This only caused his hands to hold more tightly on her wrists and his arms contract harder around her body.

"We have to get rid of your fear of light you know Sakura." Itachi said bluntly pulling back slightly so he could look into her eyes.

"I know, but we are meant to be getting somewhere."

"Well like I was trying to say. If we could get you to move a little bit faster, we can get there by nightfall, but at this rate we'll be there tomorrow."

"Oh…"

Itachi smiled as he saw Sakura had caught onto his concern. If they didn't get there soon, they had no way of knowing what might happen, weather or otherwise. And Sakura was in no position to fight.

"Need help?"

Sakura jumped and even Itachi couldn't help looking a little startled. He and Sakura hadn't noticed the entire Akatsuki come up behind them, well behind Itachi.

"Depends on the help." Itachi said to them, regaining his composure. Not to sure about Sakura as she was still holding her breath, Itachi petted her on the back, sending her into a coughing fit. "Um, Sakura…?"

Between coughs Sakura managed to say, "I'm good."

A man whose face Sakura couldn't see stepped forward and stretched out a hand.

"Welcome, Sakura. Welcome to the Akatsuki." Leader said as Sakura laid her hand lightly in his.