Finally, after struggling with chapter four, not realizing I had already written it, I had to redo my entire chapters yet use the vital information I had already input within the chapter, I was going to wing it and put it up, but I'm a perfectionist as of late so I didn't want it to be too repetitive. I've been struggling a lot with this story but I'm finally back on track. Leaving reviews will help me lots, although if you have nothing nice to say for the sake of beinga bully then please do refrain from it ;).
Also Kakashi is a favorite character of mine- along with Itachi of course, with a side of Hidan for his potty mouth- so I'm hoping to make him come in soon somewhere. However seeing as you are my faithful readers I should ask you which brothers are to come in, having one come in is kind of part of the plot so you have a choice of 3: Kakashi, Hidan, Genma, note she has 4 brothers but I'm not counting Asuma because I created a specific character for him that consists of a goody two shoes to society and its norms. Please do tell me your choices, if you don't I'm making Kakashi a default. All of the Crew members and the name of Itachi's ship will be disclosed and brought to light in later chapters.
Happy reading to you.
/
Forget Me Then, Remember Me Now
Chapter 5
/
After a night of rest which- to Sakura's horrific fortune- was beside Itachi, she was full of energy. She had screamed her head off about such preposterous behaviors and so on. She was soon shut down by the reminder of her constant snuggles and needy fingers at his body during her-not so peaceful- slumber. He was calm and collective as always, she envied his cool composure, never letting a single notion of his feelings reach his face. It annoyed her, this habit of constantly concealing his emotions.
"We are close to Konan Island." Itachi said, more to himself that to Sakura. Sakura was sitting on the bed, bored to death as she was ordered to keep quite and not disturb him as he went over some paper work on his desk and stopped only to look out of his small cabin window and tell her of the coming activities.
"We'll be staying at a tavern inn. The men have been deprived of good women." Said Itachi, adding the second sentence after seeing Sakura scrunch her nose in disgust.
"Konan Island is a rather large island, I don't want you venturing out without me, although this land is famous for its peaceful community evil is no exception within its bounds." said Itachi as if he saw the entire world as one evil epitome. Sakura kept this noted in the little book of Itachi within her mind.
"As I said yesterday, you are to follow my every word." said Itachi looking her dead in the eye, daring her to challenge him.
"I understand your perfectly Itachi, you don't have to keep reminding me." Said Sakura, too excited about this new land she was going to set foot on to wallow in her self pity. Itachi offered a false smile in return.
"Your smiles aren't sincere." Sakura finally noted to him.
He seemed surprised at first, maybe because he was put off guard. He sighed moments later, leaning his head gracefully in his hand, supported by the elbow upon the chair's arm. He stared at her for a few, rather long, seconds before closing his eyes in thought.
"Is there any real sincerity left in this world?" asked Itachi, eyes still closed.
"I can't fully comprehend your words until I know exactly what bothers you so much about Konoha, about your past." Said Sakura as she sat up straight on the bed, she was persistent. Itachi opened his eyes but he didn't reprimand her.
"I thought you would have gotten the news by now. Weren't our families' good neighbors?" asked Itachi, mockery in his voice.
"All I ever heard about your sudden disappearance was that the entire Uchiha family went abroad to help their two sons study easier… I remember being infuriated with you and Sasuke, you just left without a word." said Sakura, looking down. Itachi laughed, although it sounded like an angry laugh, one you'd only make to cover up outraged thought.
"I should've known they'd find a good story to go along with such blasphemy." said Itachi.
"You're aware that our father died about the time Sasuke was born, during the war, are you not? Fugaku was our step father, a man my mother had to marry in order to ensure the Uchiha name was in stable hands. It was something she was pressured into by the 2nd head of the family. I was too young at the time to inherit Uchiha duties, but I understood the way things worked." Itachi said. He seemed to be hesitant about whether he should tell her everything. Sakura could tell by the pause he made, he wasn't sure he should involve her any further.
"You were close with him though, I could tell, he was strict toward you and Sasuke but you guys seemed like you were content with him. Maybe it was just my youthful eyes which had deceived me, but I remember constantly being envious of your family's complete essence. "Sakura said, trying to push him into completing his story.
"It seemed so, I was fine with him, yet I had my suspicions, something was off about him, I could sense something malevolent in him. I heard my mother and him fighting one night, it was about the Uchiha family, she kept saying she would expose him. It cooled down and we went to bed as usual, my mother wouldn't give me any answers to the earlier confrontation. I woke up that night to find my mother dead, slain by Fugaku. "Itachi stopped for a moment, getting up to pour himself some alcohol – Sakura predicted- he gulped it down and poured another, looking toward his door as he continued.
"My mistake that night was killing Fugaku in my vengeful fury rather than turning him over to the authorities. I sealed my fate with that reckless action, of course it had looked like my doing, I was caught red handed upon his corpse, it was only logical to infer that I had also killed my mother. No one listened so I ran, planning to leave Sasuke behind, he followed me, however, and a man named Jiraiya took us in. We've learned how to live this life in order to survive. Authorities can't catch us on the ocean; the ocean belongs to no one." Said Itachi, amused by how much he'd talked to this child of a woman already. He mockingly smiled to himself as he took another swig of his drink, closing his eyes and reveling in the feel of the hot liquid gliding down his throat, the after taste leaving a burning sensation on his tongue. He had gone over the tragedy of his childhood over a million times; he could say it now without becoming weak with emotion. She would have had to know of his past at one point in time or another, besides he wasn't planning on setting her free anytime soon. Knowing the brat as Itachi did she probably wouldn't stop inquiring until she got what she wanted, she was still such a child in so many ways, much to similar to Sasuke's own innocent naivety.
"Didn't you ever try to explain yourself to the Konoha authorities?" asked Sakura. Itachi chuckled; he wasn't surprised to hear that such question.
Sakura bit her tongue for saying something so dumb, Konoha, as great a village as it was, would not have heard him out. Especially since this was a great clan like the Uchiha being dealt with. She sighed, looking up at him from the comfortable bed, noticing absently that she preferred the serene moonlight against his flawless skin rather than the blinding sun through the cabin window.
"I wish I'd known this sooner, I've held such a grudge towards you and Sasuke for so long. I wish I could've been there for you two." Sakura said, she wanted to cry thinking about what they had to have gone through, especially Itachi.
"Like I said, I don't need pity from you, it's a useless emotion wasted on me. "said Itachi nonchalantly.
"I'm not giving you pity, you overly proud male." said Sakura, slightly embarrassed by her weak insult.
Itachi didn't say anything as his eyes glazed over looking intently at the door; Sakura could tell he was in deep thought, maybe reminiscing of his painful past. She took the opportunity to yet again ogle him. Sakura had always found Itachi attractive, maybe even more so than Sasuke, which wasn't so awkward now since she was more of a woman. Back then she was only a child of 12 or so, and he was already a man of 17. He would constantly supervise the trio's play, a few meters away reading a book or some other nonsense. She always regarded him as somewhat of a guardian angel, one that watched over them and protected them from the constant dangers a world in war brought. She remembered him to be a skilled fighter, having been requested by the elite Anbu forces at the young age of 15. His mother had made him turn it down of course, fearing for his safety as a good mother should, and as the good son he was, he had listened.
His features were more defined now. His skin gave a glow of a pearly color with hints of bronze along his defined cheekbones, a feature the sun must have appreciated over his time on deck. His hair was as long, silky and raven black as she remembered it to have been, today he let it roam free against his lithe form. His body was a lot more toned; shoulders broader. Hands more elegant on the part of his fingers, he wore a ring, it was quite fancy and pristine, probably something he cherished as he wasn't much of a flashy guy. His eyes, however, oh his eyes drew her in the most. They held such intellect and maturity that he had gained over the years; they were a darker onyx shade now, maybe because of all the hatred he harvested over time. They were far different from what they used to be; maybe it was the constant hint of danger within them that attracted her to him so. Sakura had always been pushed onto kind hearted gentlemen by her brothers and father, yet she always craved for something more. She always desired someone who could challenge her fiery attitude with his own. Itachi had changed so much since she'd last seen him.
"Really now Sakura, looking at me like that could be very dangerous." Said Itachi, his eyes heated and glazed as he looked at the pink haired vixen from his place, leaning against the door.
"Especially coming from a child such as yourself." said Itachi, teasingly.
Sakura turned red instantaneously, what way? Had she been caught ogling him? Well honestly now, who in their right mind wouldn't? She was wounding her pride now; he had made it pretty clear that he didn't find her attractive- what with her flat chest and all- while she was entirely all out in making it clear how much she found him attractive. She had to stop; her pride was far too great to her as a woman to let it be shut down by someone as dangerously desirable as Itachi.
"If you continue such a behavior I might just think twice about setting you free." said Itachi, smirking as he put the empty glass in his hand to its rightful place by the bottle of unidentified booze.
Sakura was a little more than confused; didn't Itachi intend to keep her? Not that she wasn't rejoicing at the fact she'd be set free. Although on second thought she really didn't mind staying with him.
"I thought…" Sakura started, not sure how to formulate her thoughts to him. Itachi knew her confusion well, but he did so like playing with the pink haired girl's head.
"Yes, well that depends on how well you please me, otherwise I'll let you swim your way to Rain's borders." said Itachi, lying.
"You wouldn't! I'll settle for having you call me a child and constantly laughing at my every word but honestly Itachi don't leave me in Rain!" Sakura cried desperately as she once again remembered where he planned to leave her. She knew, beyond a doubt, what kind of awful messes Ino and her would get themselves into, and they didn't look at all appetizing. Rape was among the highest in crime rates over there, and not to be conceited or anything, but her and Ino were quite the delectable ladies, even if Itachi didn't think so of her.
"Sakura, I haven't had a woman in my bed in quite a while, and while your desperation amuses me it also does other things. So, run along to Sasuke's quarters, tell him to fetch my breakfast and bring it to me. He's right next door, you won't miss it." said Itachi, as if inferring sexual coercion was but an afterthought.
Sakura turned pink- again- and felt the fuzziness return, she swallowed and tried to tell herself that she did not at all like the thought of being that intimate with Itachi; although, in all honestly it was really hard for her not to imagine all the possibilities. She jumped off the bed, sparking the teasing amusement in Itachi's eyes at her quick actions. She could sense he was hungry because in the end he decided not to bark up some snide comment about it. She took that as her queue and walked toward the door, she couldn't resist however, having the constant question within her head, and she had to ask.
"I don't understand your way of thinking Itachi, you've resorted to flirting with me several times within your room yet you've made it clear that I'm unattractive with your 'flat chested' remark, just what does go on in your head?" asked Sakura, perplexed by his actions and suave words. She heard a chuckle but only saw Itachi's back as he continued to sit by his desk, unsure of its sincerity.
"I've come to be aware of your narrow way of thinking, you inferred that I find small chested woman unattractive by that comment, I don't infer anything by speech."
"Are you saying you like small chested women?" asked Sakura. Maybe this wasn't a conversation for a lady such as herself, but at the thought of being poorly developed having fit this man's taste inflated her pride as well as intensified that fuzziness within her gut.
"My breakfast, Sakura"
Sakura was glad he was turned away, he wouldn't be able to see the inevitable goofy smile she wore exiting his room; although she really shouldn't have held his remark so dearly to her. By the way he spoke of women he didn't regard them very highly. He probably only found them necessary when it came time to release himself of his needs. He must've been quite the experienced lover by now… And in that small instance within his room when she felt it might have been okay to let him have his way with her…well it would have been dangerous if she brought any real thought to such an insane and short notion. After all, how committed could he be as a person? He was a pirate now; pirates lived for the freedom the sea brought them.
Sakura's goofy grin had vanished by the time she brought all the thoughts to account. She really couldn't even believe she was having such serious thoughts of the older Uchiha. She had been kidnapped aboard this ship for less than a day and all this nonsense had time to grow within her mind. She needed to get off this ship – not at Rain- and get on with her peachy life.
Yet there wasn't anything peachy in it anymore. It was supposed to be, by all means, but due to Neji's short and blatant rejection, she really had nothing to return to, other than a group of angry brothers. Sure, if she had brought a great young suitor like Neji back with her, it would lessen the heated blows from her brothers but coming back empty handed and heartbroken would only lead to a dark death. There was no doubt Hidan was already praying to his vicious devil of a god to strike her with lightening and bring her to their shore by the seas of Konoha.
As she got closer to Sasuke's room she could hear laughter, one of both Ino and Sasuke. She smiled at the sound, and wondered if Sasuke had changed as much as his brother had, although thus far she could tell he hadn't. Maybe it was because Itachi had shielded a part of him from what he had encountered himself? She knocked twice in order for them to hear it over their insane laughter. Ino was the one to open the door and smile down at Sakura.
"Nice to see you're still alive, my dear Sakura." Ino smiled down at her warmly. Sakura could tell in the little time she spent with Sasuke that she was very happy. The happiest she'd seen her dear friend in a while, chasing after her clueless brother didn't give her much satisfaction after all.
"Are you okay Sakura? I heard screaming only a few minutes ago." said Sasuke, a lot more warmly than his speeches before.
"No, actually I'm really tired of your brother's demands and mockery. I was sent to fetch his Breakfast, can you direct me to it?" asked Sakura smiling politely. Sasuke looked uneasy but lead Sakura to the kitchen only a few doors away, it was actually a bigger ship than she first thought it to be. Ino was behind Sasuke following Sakura as well. Her bodice was loose and the strings were untied, her shawl wasn't with her either and Ino had let her hair down. Sakura found it quite peculiar since Ino was always well in order.
"I suppose the king would want you in his chambers right away?" asked Ino, Sakura supposed she probably wanted to talk some.
"Seems so." said Sakura dejectedly.
"Hey Deidara, Itachi wants his breakfast." said Sasuke, ignoring the girls as he spoke to a very well groomed, blond, man.
"Its already prepared on the table, he's late in demanding it, he usually has it first thing in the morning." Said the man named Deidara chopping away with some kind of food.
Sakura was filled with urgency, she had to work fast, she needed to be a perfect little servant- there was no way she was going to be dropped off at Rain. She walked, stealthily with the tray of food not sparing Ino or Sasuke any sweet words of farewell for now.
"I'm sorry" she spoke right away; she closed the door and raced over to put the food on his desk.
"I'm happy you know your manners as a slave." said Itachi, smirking wickedly as he pushed the tray away.
"We're already on Konan shores, I'll eat decent food when I step foot on land." said Itachi. Sakura fumed, he had given her direct orders to get breakfast and now he was rejecting it?
"I rather preferred your hair when it was short." said Itachi looking at her neck through the thick folds of her pink locks.
"Why makes you say that?" asked Sakura, every male she ever met save for Kakashi loved long hair. That is what made a woman attractive in their society, long flowing locks that could be put into extravagant designs upon their head.
"I suppose I like to indulge in the sight of a woman's neck." said Itachi, looking uninterested. Sakura touched her hair, she honestly didn't much like her hair so long, it would tangle or get in her way and whatnot. When she was little she had kept it short all the time. Asuma had pressured her into growing it out, saying a proper lady had a long flowing mane. Sakura thought for a moment, he liked to look at womens' necks? What made the neck so special to him? Sudden Images of Itachi kissing trails down her neck filled her head. She closed her eyes and opened them rapidly, blushing like mad. Well, there was her answer.
"A-Asuma preferred me to grow my hair long, he said it would promote suitors." Said Sakura, she didn't know why she felt the need to explain herself to him.
"And suitors it did attract, I'm sure." said Itachi, looking at her with his piercing gaze; Sakura looked down.
"I suppose so." Said Sakura remembering how many suitors she had attracted exactly, she was quite the beauty, despite her obvious flat chest. She had refused them all. She didn't know what she wanted in a man yet. She didn't know what she wanted, period; much more than just marriage and being imprisoned within a home caring for children. She wanted a life of adventure.
"And like the brat, you rejected them all didn't you?" he asked, smiling, maybe even genuinely this time.
"Asuma says if I don't pick a husband out by the beginning of winter he'd choose for me and have father's blessing for it." said Sakura looking down with a smile. She loved her brother, she really did, but he was just too much sometimes.
"It seems you're constantly ordered by the Haruno name." said Itachi getting up from his seat and walking toward her.
"They just want what is best for me." Sakura said.
"What is best for you won't give the rush of life you desire though, will it?" asked Itachi, Sakura noticed he was insanely close to her now; she could reach out and touch him. It was an honest question, one she knew the answer to.
"I suppose not. "said Sakura looking down as her cheeks flushed red.
"What gives you the rush of life, Itachi? Sakura found the courage to ask as she looked up to his smoldering orb.
"I have a feeling you'll make it a goal to find out." Said Itachi smirking as he motioned for Sakura to follow, wordlessly.
My life's goal
On deck she could already see the exotic island. She followed Itachi, looking past the wooden railing as Itachi motioned for someone to put down the tattered flag they held afloat their mast. She took a good look at the crew. There was the blond she'd seen in the kitchen arguing with a red haired boyish man carrying a peculiar puppet. There was also a very pale almost blue toned man with sharp teeth and a big sword commanding a strange aqua haired man with the same sharp teeth and sword while being very slim. There were also two slightly younger men, one with bright blond hair, short, and mesmerizing blue eyes and one with mirrored features only his hair and eyes took on an orange color tone. She guessed these were all the members of the ship, a total of 8 men including Sasuke, huh? It was a rather small amount for a pirate ship; at least, that's what she thought.
/
The tavern wasn't a place a lady with the last name Haruno should ever be forced to reside in. There were disrespectful women, no, girls, with their miniscule and frivolous dresses bouncing every which way. Sakura soaked the scene in, looking at the men she had exited the ship with smile the minute they entered the small, promiscuous inn. Laughter could be heard almost instantly as every girl pounced on the crew members. Sakura supposed it was only rightfully so, after all, god knew what kind of customers these girls must please, having an average hunk walk in would, logically, send the alarms off in womens' skirts. Sasuke watched the scene, Ino beside him and smiled, she supposed he was happy to see the crew happy after their hard work on the ship. Ino and Sasuke were the first to go up and get a room. She saw Sasuke's hand stick to Ino's hips. Could they possibly be…? Although it wasn't unlikely, it just seemed too awkward. Sakura looked over to Itachi who had strayed from her side, or rather she strayed from his, talking to an old man, seriously. She supposed she'd wait where she stood for him to finish.
"And how much would you be, lovely lady?" asked a man, directing his question toward Sakura. Sakura raised a brow at the muscular man. Was he serious?
"Good sir, please refrain from disrespecting me like that, I am not a common whore, thank you oh so much, please move along now." Sakura said, sharp tongued as always.
"I'm sorry sir, I've already reserved this busy little lady for myself." Said a familiar voice just as the man was going to respond, none so nicely, she was sure. The man fumed off not looking twice at Itachi, standing there smiling in her direction with a raised eyebrow.
"I was going to wait here for you because I didn't want to be rude and interrupt while you were talking." said Sakura.
"Foolish girl, there is no rude or polite here." Said Itachi, seeing under which circumstances she was in, she supposed so as well.
"One room, please Konan." said Itachi. Sakura snapped her head up, the way he was polite despite his statement earlier and his use of the word 'please' surprised her. She looked from behind him and saw a very attractive woman looking at him, holding a few away from him and smiling teasingly. She had blue short hair just above her shoulders and a very nice physique. Her smile was gentle despite the teasing glint in her eyes.
"I was wondering where you've been hiding. Dare I say it's an honor to have you back, how long this time?" asked Konan, her voice was soft and sultry.
"I can't stay long, as always Konan,." Said Itachi, he used her name so very seductively, it made her frustrated, she wanted to just stomp off to her room- if she had one – and leave the two to themselves. Sakura decided to clear her throat getting the blue haired woman's attention. Konan looked over at Sakura and smiled, her blue eyes glinting. She was really breath taking indeed.
"Itachi, are you going to make it a habit to seduce such little girls?" asked Konan.
Perhaps Konan did not mean to insult Sakura; however she was tired of the constant comparison to little girls and her young demeanor. She glared, openly, taking Konan aback.
"I'm sorry sweet one, I didn't mean to offend." Said Konan smiling guiltily, Sakura almost felt bad, almost.
"Pay her no mind Konan, she's a spoiled brat." Said Itachi, giving her a side glare Sakura was surprised to receive. Was there something between these two?
"Will you visit me later, dear Itachi? I have missed you so." Said Konan tenderly, it made Sakura sick. She supposed she shouldn't hold this blue haired beauty in contempt but she couldn't help it, she was making obvious advances toward Itachi. Then again it wasn't like Itachi was hers in the first place. She was simply acting like a spoiled brat, Itachi had been right to reprimand her, she felt ashamed of her actions.
"I'll see to it to reserve some of my time, thank you Konan." Said Itachi receiving the key to his room, he turned to leave but was caught by surprise to see Sakura guiltily apologizing for her manner of speaking to Konan.
"I'm sorry for acting to abhorrently, please do forgive me." said Sakura bowing her head in apology.
"Oh, no harm was done my sweet, do have a good rest." said Konan smiling.
"Foolish girl." Chuckled Itachi, Sakura looked at him quizzically.
"What?" asked Sakura.
"Didn't I tell you there was no rude or polite within these circumstances?" asked Itachi, smiling down at her foolishness.
"Perhaps not for you." said Sakura.
"No, perhaps not for me, I must've forgotten you were a Haruno for a moment." Said Itachi turning to leave, not looking back.
Sakura had realized something. She much rather he forget the prideful last name she held and treat her like a tender child yet to become a woman than a mere Haruno girl. She was confused as to why he held her status as a Haruno in so much contempt. Sakura shook her head; she desperately wanted Itachi to look at her as a woman. She felt like he was a constant brother figure, almost exactly like Kakashi and Genma in their flirtatious ways and constant reprimand over her wrongful actions. She slumped toward her room and was beside Itachi in no time, waiting for him to unlock their room. She saw a tavern, er…lady, pass by bosom trembling with every step she took- her chest was actually quite admirable. Sakura looked down at her own; she wasn't immensely small or anything, but she wouldn't mind being even a tiny bit bigger. Sakura looked up only to see the door already ajar with Itachi looking down at her with amusement.
"More than a hand full is a waste, Sakura."
God help her with that seductive voice of his.
/
Just so you know there will be a gradual- I cannot emphasize that word enough- intertwining of Sakura and Itachi, don't get me wrong the continuing of the flirtation will continue as we all do love it so very much. However think about the title when trying to understand the relationship between Itachi and Sakura. They were pretty much childhood friends and she has been shielded from the time period's debautury of sorts by her brothers so he's still going to have to mold her into someone who can outgrow her childish shell. Don't expect lemons so early on, because I'm still also learning how to write such smut. Nevertheless, these chapters will continue to have a mature theme you've been warned- more than once. The next chapters are serious business though, the real adventure as Itachi's love slave begins from there on, I promise I won't take too long to update now...I hope.
