Chapter 5: Moment
The medic that stood behind the Uchiha could only stare at him in confusion. "Why did you do that? I mean, saving me? Why?" Sakura asked
Itachi looked at her over his shoulder. Although Sakura could not see his eyes, for his bangs were on the way, he watched her intently. "The captive must be kept alive until the mission is accomplished, am I correct?" he asked simply
A little blush rose to her cheeks as she averted her eyes from the man that was constantly staring at her—once again, dirtied form. With a small nod, Sakura examined her right arm. Blood was still seeping out of the open wound and whenever she tried to move it, her muscles would tend to hurt her…
Itachi turned around completely as Sakura healed her right arm with her left. He stared at the chakra she emitted to heal herself and was amazed that the wound did manage to close itself. But he never would admit that he was amazed, heck…he doesn't even want to admit to himself at times. His pride wouldn't let him do so…at least, that's what he thinks.
As Sakura finished on putting on her Akatsuki cloak, she looked at Itachi and asked him, "What are we gonna do now, Itachi?"
"It'll soon rain." He replied
Itachi turned his heel and walked into the dense forest once again. Noting that this was a signal for her to follow, she did so from behind, not knowing where they were headed.
The sky was very dark now…much to her dismay. What's more is that the stars aren't anywhere to be seen, including the moon. 'It really is gonna rain.' Sakura thought
Well even if it was, she didn't care…the cave she and Itachi were in served as a shelter for them anyways. So why should she be worried? Another thing is that Itachi is there. Witnessing moments ago that he had saved her from Kabuto's onslaught with the kunai, she would probably say, he really didn't want her to die.
Her train of thoughts was cut as she heard the smooth voice of Itachi, "Sakura, after the rain subsides, we'll continue on our track…"
Sakura turned her head to face Itachi. He was standing, near the entrance of the cave, back leaned unto the cave wall, arms crossed in front of his chest. Sakura thought. She snapped out of her thoughts when she noted Itachi…
"Itachi…shouldn't y-you move closer to the inside of the cave? You m-might get wet from the rain, you know? And why not sit down? Y-your legs might tire themselves out with y-you standing like that." Her stuttering proved she was a little bit shocked that he was the one who started this conversation with her. Not that she minded it, though. It was just something new to her.
"Hn…" he replied
…twitch…twitch…
'Ah yes…the infamous damn ignorant reply of an Uchiha.' Sakura scoffed
Anyways…Sakura pondered on the rendezvous and the conversation with Kabuto that transpired moments ago. 'It's seems that Orochimaru just wants me to heal his freakin' arms.' Sakura thought
'As if we would do it…' inner Sakura scoffed
The kunoichi then decided to have this topic spoken clearly with an active conversation with Itachi.
"Itachi…about Orochimaru…" she started slowly
Itachi turned his face towards her, signaling for her to continue what she was to say and to let her know that he was listening as well.
Sakura looked at him with seriousness. "He wants me to heal his arms, right?"
Itachi narrowed his eyes at her question. "That guy you fought with a minute ago told you, didn't he?" he said, his voice, however, flat.
The kunoichi that sat three meters across from the Uchiha diagonally hugged her knees. She buried her chin on her knees as she softly spoke, "Yes, Kabuto did tell me why I'm being chased after by Orochimaru." She mumbled loud enough for Itachi to hear.
Now the rain poured down with all of its might. The soil darkened and now, she really couldn't see the scenery outside the cave.
'The rain…' she thought 'It was raining when I was struggling to not go out of Konoha and go and look for Sasuke. For him…'
"Did he tell you anything else?" Itachi asked cutting her thoughts
Sakura looked up to him confused on where he was getting at. She shook her head and mumbled a no. She felt him relax a bit, but she wasn't sure… 'I'm sure he's still hiding something from me that I don't want to know…' she thought
'Well, let's see…no he isn't hiding anything from you, you silly girl! He's a missing-nin! Why the hell would he hide something from you?' inner Sakura screamed at her sarcastically
'I wish you weren't here in my mind sometimes…' Sakura replied to herself
'But you should ask him on why Akatsuki has captured you…' inner Sakura said
'Hmmm…we've been through that, haven't we? It would be tempting fate if we would do it again. Besides, he said it's pure Akatsuki businesses…' Sakura thought
'Even if it's mainly Akatsuki business, you do play a part of it, so temp fate and ask him!' inner Sakura said
'I can't!'
'Are you that scared of him, you wouldn't even dare to ask something that concerns our life? We're walking on a thin thread of life!' inner Sakura reasoned out
'sigh…I know what you mean…'
'Then ask him already!' inner Sakura said
'Alright…'
Sakura threw some short glances at Itachi who was just observing the rain. She inhaled a deep breath and started off by calling his name, "Itachi…"
"Hn…"
'Okay, keep your cool!' she thought to herself
"About the Akatsuki capturing me…" she continued on…
"We've been through that." Itachi said coolly
"Itachi…it's not purely Akatsuki business…I play a part to, you know. I just want to ask why you people need me for this." Sakura said, trying as much as she can to compose herself from making any harsh comments towards him.
Now, Sakura really caught Itachi's attention as his gaze moved to her. She was already standing and this meant that she really did want an answer from him. Her hand clamped tight in front of her chest, in order to calm her hammering heart.
"Sakura…I would really suggest that you leave the topic alone. We Akatsuki do not disclose information as easily as that. Moreover, this certain topic involves all Akatsuki members that they cooperate. We have lost already three of our members because of the one that was once one of our own." Itachi stated
"Are you saying that Akatsuki is hanging?" Sakura asked
"I wouldn't practically call it hanging…but it's true that since some of our members are dead…and has left…Akatsuki is at stake at losing it's foundation." He replied
'And he says Akatsuki don't disclose information as easy as that.' Inner Sakura mocked
Sakura mentally laughed at what her inner-self said.
"Well…since you're disclosing some information about Akatsuki now…why not just tell me the reason you guys would want me here?" Sakura asked, a hint of mischievousness in her voice
Itachi glared at the corner of his eye at the kunoichi, who had come at least a meter closer to him.
"Tell me and I promise to not go further with this topic anymore." Sakura said
The smirk that Itachi was wearing did not go unnoticed by Sakura, seeing as his cloak was piled up beside his feet. And seeing that smirk of his…it irritated her…why? Because it clearly showed he was mocking her!
"What is it?" Sakura asked, her eyes narrowing
Itachi turned his whole body, facing her with his front. "You're annoying…"
The emerald eyes widened upon hearing that statement. It was a statement that he had always said to her. But when she heard that statement coming from him, she wasn't sure if he was answering her previous question or he simply stated it because he thought her so. And with that thought, it made her body flare up with anger. She knew it would be pointless if she took out the anger on him. But hell, he was tempting her to do so!
Deciding to reply with a comeback of her own she smirked at him, "I have gotten past that attitude, Itachi…if it's me who's annoying, I could probably say the same for you too." Sakura stated
A flicker of amusement shone upon his crimson eyes. 'So, you want to play games, Sakura?' he thought
"I'm not annoying…for if I were, I would be a kunoichi like the one in front of me…a kunoichi that acts as a damsel-in-distress." Itachi replied
"I may have been weak before, but it's already an insult to call me a damsel-in-distress!" Sakura spat out
"Oh…" Clearly Itachi was very amused with the pink-haired kunoichi. "Then why count on me to save your life from the kunai that was thrown at you when we were at the fountain area?" Itachi asked scornfully
"Eh…I didn't ask for your help back then!" Sakura fumed
"Aa…" he replied "Every girl would say that…"
Sakura was furious! He was treating her so inferior to him again! Damn him for making her like this. Damn him! She stomped past him as she made her way outside the cave. A hand on her wrist, however, stopped her from moving forward. "Let go of me!" Sakura yelled
Itachi frowned at her, "It's raining!" he stated
"I don't care, so let go of me now Itachi!" she yelled again
"I order you to stay Sakura!"
"And if I don't follow you're fuckin' orders? What will you do? Kill me? Go ahead and try! Let that mission of your stupid organization fail, all because of you!" she screamed
When he said that she was a damsel-in-distress, she was angry. When he said that she was annoying, she got furious. But now, he had called her a girl, which clearly she wasn't anymore and one more thing is that, it was clearly obvious that he's toying with her again; making her go berserk!
Itachi pulled her wrist as he pinned her to the wall, he was once leaning on moments ago. "Do not speak with such vulgar language Sakura!" he couldn't help but raise his voice a little bit because of her frantic yelling and movements to push him off her.
"I don't care about your orders! Now let me go!" She yelled to his ear
'You just broke our deal Sakura…' Itachi thought, as he sighed.
With one more attempt to calm her down and listen to him, which became futile, he was forced to do something that built up inside him.
That something…was to teach her a lesson of who's more superior here.
"I-Itachi!" Sakura stammered, as he got closer to her face. "W-what are you d-doing?"
Itachi chuckled as he stroke her pink tresses carefully. "You wanted to escape from me and you didn't want to follow any of my orders…bad girl…"
"So what? It's your fault! You damn bas—"
All of a sudden…
He kissed her…
The only sound that she could hear was the pounding of the rain. The rain…yes…Sasuke…
Sakura's eyes widened… 'Itachi…h-he's kissing me…'
As his lips pressed onto hers, she closed her eyes and unfortunately couldn't help control the moan that escaped from her lips. She could feel Itachi's smirk on her lips as he gave a lick to her lips and the he suddenly…backed away.
Itachi watched the girl as he released his hold on her wrists. Her eyes were half-lidded and she was breathing hard. "Enjoyed it?" Itachi asked to tease her even more
Sakura, having regained her conscience gave him a glare. She looked away…a blush creeping it's way up to her cheeks. "Why did you that?" she asked softly
Itachi lifted her chin up with his fingers, "A mere reminder for you on what would happen when you disobey my orders or if ever you try to escape…" he said coolly
"Sometimes I find your punishments way overboard," she muttered under her breath
"It was necessary. Either it was that or I would have done something more…violent or brutal…" Itachi smirked at her
Sakura narrowed her eyes at him. 'He wouldn't dare!'
"The rain has stopped…" Itachi said
Sakura looked outside the cave and saw that the sun was slowly rising, 'Have we really been in that cave that long? We didn't even sleep!' Sakura thought
'All because you enjoyed that hot kiss he gave you…' inner Sakura said
'Shut up!' Sakura replied through her thoughts
'Why? You may not know it, but if you do another thing that might displease him, maybe he'll give you a punishment far more better than that.' Inner Sakura grinned evilly
Shutting her other self-up, she glanced at the sky that was once again back to its light blue color.
"Let's go…" Itachi said
Sakura nodded and he picked up her cloak as he did so with his and they tread their way going to the headquarters.
"Where is she, Kabuto?" A snakey-sounding voice asked
"She's currently with the other Uchiha, Orochimaru-sama." Kabuto replied
"You failed to get her?" Orochimaru asked angrily
"Unfortunately yes, however, I did discover something quite interesting…" Kabuto explained, as he tilted his head upwards to look at his master.
"What is it about?" the snake-man asked
"It's about Uchiha Itachi and Haruno Sakura…"
Miakoda13: I'm done with this chapter, finally! Now thanks again to those who reviewed me for the last chapter! I just want you guys to know that with every review you give me, you also give me the gutsto continue this story! I love your reviews guys! And most especially, I love you guys all the more!
You know, even when I was in the U.S., you guys did manage to review me still! I'm so happy!
Review Replies for Chapter 4: Rendezvous
Mica-Sakura-Chocie-Akaichoko- Well…I just do what I have to do with Itachi. Even when he acts like this super evil but seductive guy, you still have to keep in mind that he's still polite with Sakura…Deidara's a bit hard to, but I have observed in the manga that he loves art and is very funny. Sasori and he both like art and I think it's great that their partners! (Sasori looks sooooooo hot!)
Blonde Hurricane- I'm glad you like the story now! I really am!
Magan-Wow…you really do like more, huh? Don't worry, this chapter is exciting but I think…keep in mind that I only think…that the next chapter will be too…
XxShadow-Of-LiesxX- Yes…I'm dancing because Itachi saved her! Yeah! I hope you liked the kissing scene! There's more of it in the later chapters! Don't worry!
Hao'sAnjul- I have updated…hehehehehe…but it took me longer though…sorry about that…heheheheheheh…
MerodiPansa- That's right…if Sakura had weapons, her match with Kabuto might've favored her more. But Sakura's strong because of her overwhelming strength. And even more, it's better if Sakura had no weapons for if she had, she would've beaten Kabuto to a pulp and Itachi can't save her…
w1cked angel- I hope you're squealing in joy for having to read this chapter!
Midnight-Mikko66- Wah! Thank you sooooooo much for having to say that about Itachi! You've really made me happy! (dances)
KonohaGirl- I'm happy that you're happy!
Animeaddict99- Indeed Sakura is a very lucky girl to have all the hot guys by her side! Heh, she's one heck of a woman if you tell me! I hope you liked this chapter as much as I had fun writing it! Your review really made me happy!
Magical-Inkable-Pen-Of-The-Rubber-Duckies-Who-Lives-On-Durly-Lane-With-The-Muffin-Man-Duck-And-His-Muffin-Friends-Who-Rock-Solid-Rock- My oh my…don't you have a long pen name! Cool! Anyway…I'm glad you finally understood why Orochimaru is after her!
Tsumii-So how do you think of this chapter then? Corny? Is it somewhere on the acceptable level or not? Tell me!
Moonlightgirl11-glad you're able to follow up!
Thanks to the following reviewers!
sillymail, crazy, EnV, animemistress419, Redwillow123, Reiyuka Yukimoto, xXFreak-headXx, fluffy101
Preview of next chapter
Chapter 6: Threat
"You seem to have gotten close to the Akatsuki, Sakura-chan."
"What's it to you?"
"You know how Orochimaru-sama disposed of the other three, right?"
"You wouldn't!"
"Come with me to Sound and we'll think about it."