.
.
.
.
.
Forget Me Then, Remember Me Now
.
.
Chapter 8
.
Itachi strode into the room smoothly, as if he had been gone only seconds. Sakura looked at him wide eyed, wondering if he had met up with Kakashi at any point of his disappearance. He certainly did look angered and agitated. Itachi turned his attention to her after he took his cloak off.
"What?" Sakura asked, a little too fast, Itachi looked at her suspiciously.
"What kind of trouble did you get yourself into?" asked Itachi, looking at her knowingly.
"None, did you have any trouble?" asked Sakura.
"Why do you ask?" he asked, still keeping his eyes locked on hers, they grew a richer brown, like that of a cat's when ready to pounce on its prey, calculating.
"Kakashi was here." she admitted, not liking the smile he wore upon his face at the news, although with the look in his eyes Sakura doubted she could have omitted telling him of such a presence.
"Kakashi? Yet you're still here." said Itachi, he felt the urge to roll his eyes when Sakura gave a guilty look. He felt a small victory grow inside him, she had the perfect chance to escape yet she hadn't.
"It's laughable that you were right under his nose, I would've expected you to go running to your big brother." Said Itachi, his smug smirk still in place, the amusement at Kakashi's expense was shown clearly on his face.
"Stop that, I won't allow you to backtalk my brother." said Sakura, frowning at him, she didn't yell however, and that in itself was an improvement. She was slowly losing her childish habits. Itachi had to admit though, he did love her unfaltering loyalty, a rare trait in people in this day and age, so early on after the war. Then again she had been sheltered through all the carnage and despair it had to offer the world.
"Why is that? Do you love your precious brother as more than just a brother?" he asked, walking away to gather his things, signaling they were going to leave soon. He didn't like the agitated feeling he got when he thought about their relationship being any deeper than family or friend. He was treading on dangerous grounds.
"You know the answer to that question." Sakura said, not fazed by his insinuations anymore.
"Have you ever experienced love Itachi?" Sakura asked, merely curious. Itachi grew annoyed with that question. Why was everyone so obsessed with him and love?
"Love is a human weakness." He said, honestly. Sakura didn't know how to reply to such an answer. She supposed in his case it was, he had to fend for himself and Sasuke through out his life...
"Get your things, we're leaving in the morning." said Itachi. Pleased he had silenced the subject, even if only for now.
Sakura followed obediently, packing up what little she had and sat on the bed, awaiting for any further orders Itachi might make. Since when had she become his dog to order? She supposed all pirates probably got their way in the end. She wanted to ask where Itachi had been all day but decided against it, she didn't really even need to know just yet, she wanted him to tell her without having to ask.
"You must be tired." Sakura said, observing Itachi's tired steps.
"You as well." he said, though he didn't find a single tired streak within her emerald eyes. He only silently hoped she wouldn't go on to bother him and get the hint.
"I'm not, you've held me cooped up in this room all day, all there is to do is rest." said Sakura, she didn't hold any reprimand, her voice was actually neutral for the most part. Her fair minded behavior intrigued Itachi, he had dreaded coming into the room upon thinking of the constant banter and tantrums he'd hear from her. She was either hiding something or he was whipping her into shape awfully fast. He decided it couldn't have been the later, he was no fool, Sakura (though he hated to admit it) did not break that easily.
"Is there something on your mind, little one?" asked Itachi, he was surprised to see her smile at him. Oh, she was full of surprises.
"Nothing at all Itachi. It's comfortably at peace, my mind, that is." said Sakura. Indeed, Itachi noted, she had a calming aura and her eyes held a subtle warmth. He almost felt compelled to smile at her, almost.
"That must be a new feat for you." said Itachi, walking over to the bed and undoing the covers. Sakura didn't reply but she stared at him longingly. He motioned her to him with his hand and lifted the covers for her to get in. Sakura inwardly smiled at what a gentleman Itachi could really be. Itachi was about to leave when Sakura called him back.
"Itachi, can you lay with me for a bit?" asked Sakura, Itachi turned to her and stood in contemplation. He had to tell Konan to expect Jiraiya to come in the morning, though he was sure he'd be awake to greet him, he never slept long. He gave into Sakura's pleasant eyes, begging him to stay. Giving in... something foreign to Itachi. He silently berated himself with every step he took toward the bed. This was oddly unlike him. Maybe the coming dangers had him splurging a bit for his own selfish wants. And he couldn't deny laying beside a warm entity as beautiful as Sakura was a strong want on his behalf.
"Aren't you tired?" asked Sakura, looking at Itachi's face, his eyes were tired, his face was as perfect as any other day however. She'd sculpted it into her head through out the few days with him. She couldn't seem to want to forget it, nor him. Itachi, again, didn't utter a word as he invited her into an embrace which Sakura gladly welcomed. His strong hands held her lithe torso, her pink locks scattering against his strong chest, she could hear his heart beat; a calming symphony.
"Itachi, would you say you're cold hearted?" asked Sakura.
"Many would say I am, I couldn't beg to differ." said Itachi, unfazed by her question. Although she wasn't the first to question the warmth of his heart, there was always reason to.
"I don't understand it, I can feel your heart; its beat and its warmth, It's all there." said Sakura, closing her eyes to revel in the feeling of it once more. Itachi stayed silent as he contemplated her words; ones that- unconsciously- warmed him.
He stayed in the dangerously close embrace, his head filled with so many nothings. It felt oddly calm laying in the shared bed. And although he tried to go over all the little details he'd have to get ready towards the coming days he simply couldn't find an ounce of thought running through his mind. He didn't notice when he had succumbed to the allure of sleep but when he did he felt completely finished and complete. It was probably the best sleep he had in years; it wasn't plagued with nightmares nor pleasant dreams, it was simply a darkness that signaled he was done for the time being. And although he was in that such finesse he could still feel the warmth that held onto him.
…...
When he awoke he had no knowledge of how long he had slept, only that the beaming sun and the cry of Gulls was awfully irritating to his sleep sensitive head. He wished to do nothing more than remain in that deep slit of peace he had in his slumber. Itachi was never a man who indulged in much of his wants however, not when it cost him dear time. He was usually up before the sun rose so high as to invade his windows, anywhere. The sky would be painted with hues of orange and red when he usually awoke and the birds of sea were of little notice. Experiencing such a waking had him growling as he finally moved to get up from bed; quite the grump he'd be this morning. He was close to sitting up when he felt the warm embodiment of over indulgence clamped onto his torso with the strength that fell far beyond that of her small hands. The look of peaceful slumber written on her face almost made him fall back onto the bed and into the sleep he so wanted, almost.
Sakura awoke to an odd vibration below her followed by a low growl to her ears, one she couldn't help but find a tad bit erotic. Sakura tried to shake her head awake keeping her eyes shut tight, knowing full well what tormenting light was set behind them. She smiled when she felt Itachi try to get up for- what Sakura predicted to be- the second time, she held him down with her hands tightening their grip. He growled yet again and Sakura almost giggled, oh the fun!
"If you're done with your childish ministrations..." Itachi said grumpily. Sakura could hear the sleep still in his voice, better to not irritate this creature so unaccustomed to such a late morning start.
"I thought you'd be up by now." Sakura said honestly, wiping harshly at her still closed eyes, preparing for the blare of light.
"I would have been if a little vixen hadn't ruined my sleep with those constantly exploring hands of hers." said Itachi with humor as he got dressed into some clean clothes. Sakura laughed at that and finally opened her eyes, squinting at the window, looking as best she could for her clothes.
"Don't worry about clothing, I had Konan go out and buy you clean, fitting ones. Don't expect too much, however, this is still Konan Island after all." said Itachi. He walked toward the door, expecting the perfectly set box just outside his room. He picked it up and undid it, inspecting the clothing before nodding with approval and handing it to Sakura.
"If you need help with putting it on you need only ask." said Itachi teasingly with a smirk of arrogance; one Sakura had grown so comfortable to.
"Indeed I will call for you, if I need it." Sakura played along, a little teasing being a regular display for the morning hours... and every other hour after that.
The wear consisted of civil clothing, ones which only women in ANBU or other such forces wore allowed with peasants, if any other well respected women were to wear such they would be considered indecent and improper, at least back in Konoha. Sakura squealed inwardly, she had longed to be free of her long stuffy dresses. At home- shielded from any outside eyes- she rarely wore her dresses; a mandatory attire for the Harunos; constantly poised with class and high social standings, if anyone were to have seen her in her civil clothes, it would surely be scandal worthy gossip. Kakashi had bought her one such attire anyway, against Asuma's word- she could still remember her tight fitting pants that fell just above her knees and the red dress that slit at the sides for ease of venturing. This one was a little shorter however, the shorts barely reached her lower thighs and the beige skirt was only a few centimeters longer with 4 distinct slits for mobility, her legs were bare in all its pale beauty along with her sandal boots which came up to just a few inches below her knees. The shirt was a simple red and sleeveless, it was easy to put on, fastened by only a zipper, the clothes also came with dark gloves from a soft material she didn't mind wearing. All in all she looked like a harlot going to war... a high class harlot going to a very important war. At least, that's what people in Konoha would say, but as she looked herself over in the mirror she didn't mind the clothing, or lack there of, she liked her transition. Her hair was short and well balanced after Konan's handy work, her facial features were as regal and defined as they always were, her eyes didn't hold that sad girlish look of vulnerability anymore, her clothing also showed off her toned appendages well. She liked this woman standing in the mirror before her, she liked her very much. And she wasn't the only one.
Itachi looked up as she exited the bathroom and entered the room to look herself over in the mirror. He couldn't help but look at her in appreciation to her beauty, now she looked just as edgy as her fiery persona. She finally looked like one person, not a hellish spit fire trapped in a little girl's body, sculpted by society. She didn't look like she was torn between who she was and who she was supposed to be, the look of vulnerability and confusion was gone from her eyes, replaced by the spirited dark hues of green, he really did appreciate the woman Sakura was, a beauty unlike any other; in body and in mind. He felt a sense of regret and longing when the inevitable thought of leaving her came to surface. He couldn't be selfish, however, keeping her by his side when he decided to delve into the atrocity that became of the Konoha Council and the Uchiha Founders along with his corrupt politics would only mean to promote danger to her fragile life line. It would be too big of a shame to have the world lose such a sweet fragrance that was Sakura Haruno. So Itachi bit back his emotions as he always did when they tried to come up for air from within the whirl pool of darkness he kept flowing within him, and went on with what had to be done for the good of all. He walked away, deciding time was better spent looking for Jiraiya rather than staring at the thing he could never bring himself to make his.
Sakura bit back her own emotions when the tremendous amount of empathy she held for Itachi wished itself to the surface, bit back words of comfort and clenched her fists to keep from embracing. She could see that look he got from within the mirror, that look that held so much behind the emptiness, the one which made his eyes turn such a rich chocolate brown and harbor such a distant and failing shine. The one which looked like something was constantly trying to break free and constantly ended up being pushed back down. She could almost cry for him, the look he had given her this time was just so melancholy and soulful. She knew what he had to have gone through and all she could wish to do was take away all the hardships he had to go through to survive, especially when he had the heaviest burden of taking care of his brother on his shoulder and the betrayal of his clan, his father, his whole family and of course... Konoha. So where was she to end up in this whole affair? Sakura dreaded the day she'd have to be apart from this beautiful, broken man. And even more so, dreaded the day he decided to leave her. She wouldn't put it past him, throwing her away; his own form of security, a defense mechanism when things were to get too far with him... too deep. And honestly, Sakura could say she would not hate him for it, this was simply Uchiha Itachi, simply unattainable. She brushed the thoughts away, however, only remembering the warmth that radiated off his body as he held her close, reveling in the sensation of it. Like a newborn bundled up in the safest of arms. She was happy with simply that one memory of their time together.
...
"Itachi!" Konan jumped in surprise as Itachi ventured into view over the counter of her small set up within the tavern.
"Oh dear, did someone wake you? I opened your door to see you sleeping so peacefully so I decided against waking you up. I don't think I've ever seen you so calm in your slumber. Are you well rested?" asked Konan as she ended her rambling.
"Where is Jiraiya, he was supposed to come meet me." said Itachi, nodding at her earlier words.
"Oh, that lecherous old man! He came in and as soon as I said you were still sleeping with the sweet Haruno girl he almost dashed his way into your room. I think he was just as surprised as me to find you were still sleeping. I told him to wait for you in the small saloon just a few doors away." said Konan, smiling happily at the memory. Itachi nodded again toward Konan, a small inevitable smile reaching his lips despite however annoyed he was that he hadn't awoken at the presence of either Konan nor Jiraiya. Where had all those years of training gone?
"Thank you Konan, Sakura should come down later on, get everyone settled and ready to go." ordered Itachi in the softest voice toward Konan.
"You're going to go out and get yourself into trouble again aren't you?" the question was more of a statement on Konan's part.
"Don't worry yourself with me." Itachi said, to Konan they were words of reassurance.
"Alright then, I'll have everyone ready by the time you come back." said Konan, seriously.
Itachi walked the meager 3 doors down to come to a shabby little saloon, not many resided in it. These were dark times, no one had money to waste on liquor or ale. He spotted Jiraiya's massive quills of silver right away. He was the biggest man in the room, a surviving shinobi among thin to the bone civilians, just waiting for their time to run out, tempting fate with the copious amounts of ale they drank daily. He took his seat across Jiraiya at the small wobbly table, the stink of drunks running right off it and at his sensitive nose.
"So sleeping beauty decided to come to, huh?" teased Jiraiya as his loud laugh almost shook the saloon.
"Let's not." Itachi warned.
"I have yet to meet that woman you've kept hidden. The 'sweet Haruno girl' everyone's so amazed with. Caught a glimpse of pink hair though, quite odd." said Jiraiya smiling teasingly as he quoted Konan.
"You have time, do you not?" said Itachi bitingly.
"Don't worry I understand the goodbyes you have to make." Jiraiya said, looking intently at his apprentice's reaction.
"You are not to tell her of the coming plans. She is not to know of any of it." said Itachi, motioning to the bartender for a glass of ale.
"She will be tucked away safely as the fight begins, there's no need for her to have nightmares over it." said Itachi in a condescending tone. Almost as if he was speaking of a little girl meddling in an adult's business.
"Since when have you been concerned with other people's nightmares?" asked Jiraiya.
"Don't look too much into my words Jiraiya, you'll find empty slates." said Itachi, glaring only slightly at the annoying father figure before him.
"I don't doubt that, your words are always empty. However, I'll agree with you; no one needs to know of the coming battle, it only takes one person to ruin the element of surprise..."
"hn" Itachi's small sound of acknowledgment was enough to make Jiraiya's hand itch to slap the back of his head. He remembered his first few days with the boy and his brother, all the Uchihas ever had in their vocabulary- if it was even wise to call it that- was 'hn', the small condescending sound still sent Jiraiya into a frustrated flurry.
"You insolent little stone carving! Show some respect to your old mentor!" Jiraiya roared, sending half the people running out the door. Itachi smirked, looking the man in the eye.
"Damn you, Uchiha." were Jiraiya's final words as he stood to leave for the tavern Itachi was staying in. Itachi idled a little longer at the saloon, looking at his untouched glass of ale while putting down a few gold coins for it, he stood soon after and walked a few long steps behind Jiraiya, staying a safe distance from the man's frustrated stomps.
...
"Ino, I need an answer to a question that has been plaguing me for a while now. I figured no one would know the answer better than you." said Sakura looking at Ino pack the number of civil clothes she had Sasuke buy her.
She had him wrapped around her little fingers. Ino was as in love with civil clothes as much as Sakura was, though she did appreciate well crafted and sewn dresses that made her shine in the natural beauty she already had. She was currently wearing a very revealing purple uniform. She had short just as short as Sakura's, however Ino had a gray skirt atop it as well as another skirt like apparatus that gave a large slit in the front for mobility, she also had mesh coverings at her elbows and knees, her sandals only came up to her ankles and the purple shirt she had showed off her toned midriff very well. The shirt covered Ino's neck well, probably hiding all those love bites she had attained and was fastened by buttons, probably a lot more stable than her zipper which she had to raise every minute as it liked to run down a bit, revealing her cleavage. Sakura had to admit, if she had worn the shirt it would probably have come down over her belly, after all, one of Ino's beauty traits was the ample size of her breasts, which filled the shirt so perfectly.
"Oh?" Ino gave Sakura a quizzical look as she looked away from her complicated folding.
"What is the difference between a physical attraction and one of emotional depth?" Sakura asked, still trying to weave an answer from her invisible experiences.
"Oh of course, I would know because I'm the harlot." Ino replied acidly, not sparing Sakura a glance. Sakura almost confirmed Ino's thoughts until she noticed the words she used. Harlot was a bit much, Sakura knew Ino didn't simply fancy herself those many long fitful nights with men simply because she was a harlot. She knew Ino had her own complex ways of trying to find that real lasting relationship she dreamed of. She had been convinced- since losing her virginity to a no good cad- that the only way she'd find the love of her dreary life was to search for him through passionate love making. Despite her ways Sakura never judged Ino... much. Ino simply didn't want to settle, even if the man was nice and good to her and she would have a good life, Ino wanted love, and she wouldn't stop until she found it.
"If he's good in bed, you'll have no need for an emotional relationship." Ino bit out her small quip.
"And just what has you hissing like a cat?" asked Sakura, thoroughly annoyed.
"Nothing Sakura, it's really nothing, I just don't enjoy people's insinuations of my horrible reputation." said Ino with a sigh. Sakura decided not to ask about it, Ino was a far more complicated person than others thought her to be.
"Physical attraction; the attraction limited to the physical attributes and capabilities of one. One of little to no passion. How to identify such an attraction? Easily enough put; it is when the man leans over for a nice long drag after the bedding has come and gone, also a fair signal that it is time for you to leave; your usefulness has been spent. Rather than making love I should call it a romp." Ino recited almost as if from an old book of recorded happenings. Sakura inwardly cringed at the image. The things Ino must have come across in her search for love. She couldn't stop the image of Itachi- snuggling comfortably with her last night- come to her at the thought of it; love. Had he considered it as intimate as she had?
"Emotional Attraction, that of depth and beauty; Making love truly feels as if you are making love. When two entities are one even outside of the bed. When he lays with you continuously and doesn't want to let go. When you feel whole with him in your life and you feel as though you are the best you can be. An attraction words can not define." Ino recited poetically, her eyes glossing over as a smile graced her petal pink lips. The difference between the two was like night and day.
"Ino, have you...?" Sakura's sentence trailed off.
"I've had plenty of the first..." Ino said, looking down, as if in shame.
"There was one..." Ino went on, her facial features taking on more color at the simple thought of it.
"It felt uplifting, I laughed with him and slept with him- simply slept- and spoke of my concerns and dreams, he listened. It became one sided after a while, and besides that it couldn't have been." said Ino, her eyes were distant and her mind was not in the room with Sakura.
"He was engaged, married to someone with money, status and benefit. He always had been a family man, always looking out for his family's best interest. I suppose that's what I liked about him." Ino finished, giving a small, sad smile as she looked over at Sakura gently, if she had only knew how close she was to the man Ino had fallen so deeply in love with.
"Sakura I'm not going to ask who this concerns- although I have a good Idea of who- however, I will ask you to be cautious. Men can be unpredictable." Ino said seriously.
"I would know, I'm a harlot after all." Ino laughed. The woman was going insane in Sasuke's company.
"And you speak of men being unpredictable." said Sakura shaking her head.
"One minute you're nipping at my feet like a herding dog, the next you're as chipper as a bird." said Sakura with a laugh.
"I suppose I'll just have to let time take the reigns for now." said Sakura softly to herself, Ino heard nothing as she continued to fold clothing.
"Alright ladies lets get all this downstairs, I'm sure I can get the crew members to carry it to the ship." said Konan as she burst through the door, taking both girls' cases of belongings and wobbling them down the stairs. Ino and Sakura followed, wide eyed as to how the small woman could have so much strength in her.
"Suigetsu, Sai; get these to the ship." Konan ordered two of the men standing idly at the side. Both looked quite lanky and pale but the rest of the crew were busy getting their last taste of ale and women on land.
"I'll get it Konan." said a blond haired man coming down the stairs.
"Oh, Naruto, thank you." said Konan sweetly as she took the cases back from the two men who were having trouble with them from the start.
"Naruto!" Ino yelled surprised at the smiling blue eyed angel.
" I was sure you'd be down here fooling around with the women." said Ino, laughing.
"Oh! Sakura, this is Naruto; he's Sasuke's best friend." Ino said, as she introduced the two.
"It's good to see you out and about Sakura, I've heard a lot of you." said Naruto smiling gently, Sakura was enveloped by a warmth just seeing it. This man was an angel, she could not argue that, just the aura of him was angelic and serene. She remembered seeing his familiar face around the neighborhood when she was a child, a fleeting face she never got the chance to know. She knew of him through talk though; the mischievous little runt that terrorized the high standards of their little town, Sasuke also spoke much of him. He had grown, however, His face held a charismatic tint as his gentle eyes shown as bright as the moon within darkness, he also held a smile worthy of the sun's praise. He was quite a sight, Sakura had to admit, and with his grand manners Sakura noticed that the cover of his book was quite alike to its readings within.
"You were the little fox that played trickery on the people in the neighborhood, I remember Sasuke speaking much of you." said Sakura, realization pouring to her eyes as she smiled at the thought of her childhood.
"I didn't think the small homeless kit would have given you much thought, it is an honor to be remembered by you Ms. Haruno." Naruto replied bowing slightly. Sakura honestly didn't know if she was supposed to be offended or not, Naruto still had that gentle smile on his face so she supposed he hadn't meant it to be. Something about his words made her feel a bit sad however, was she a stuck up little brat when she was younger? She smiled gently as she pulled back a bit from them, letting Ino and Naruto talk amongst themselves. Or maybe Naruto had simply held her up on a pedestal and regarded himself so lowly. She hated to think of that, people constantly regarding her as a high status maiden of beauty with a rotten character. She hadn't been born into fame and riches but it seemed many people had been lost on that. She shook her head, she could never regret receiving the kindness of her dear father. She could only hope he didn't worry about her, it would be horrible for his health... Sakura was shaken away from her thinking as she realized Ino's conversation with Naruto was finally coming to a close.
"And you should know Ino, I'm engaged, I have no use for women from a tavern." Naruto said to Ino proudly and his smile grew. Ino laughed and waved goodbye to him as he carried the cases to the ship. A look of adoration in her eyes.
"What's wrong Sakura? You didn't take Naruto's words offensively, did you? I mean you were kind of a rude snot to him when we were younger, and he had that adorable crush on you too!" said Ino laughing as she reminisced.
"Ino! I don't even remember talking to him, a crush? Oh lord, I feel so ashamed, I must have been a horrible little girl." whined Sakura as she covered her forehead in shame.
"Oh hush! He's engaged now! Besides we were kids, you were probably considered docile when compared to me. Remember? I used to throw mud balls at all the girls that said they were prettier than me." Ino laughed to the point of tears and Sakura could help but roll her eyes and laugh as well.
"Ahh, good times, my friend, very grand times they were." said Ino, flicking a joyful tear from the corner of her eye.
"Come Ino, I fear that if we stay on land any longer it'll have you going mad." said Sakura with humor.
"Oh Sakura, look at us, it seems like we've been at a stand still our entire life and everyone else is moving on..." said Ino on the walk back to the ship as she looked to the dirt road grudgingly.
"I've been thinking of such as well Ino. I don't just want to marry off like Asuma said. Don't you remember our childhood dreams? You were always ranting on about how you wanted to be an interrogator!" said Sakura smiling to herself.
"And if I remember correctly you always wanted to be a medic, ever since that day you saw Kakashi come home all bandaged up. Oh, but Sakura, Asuma won't let such a thing happen! " replied Ino, a bit sorry for her dear friend.
"I never gave up on that dream, being a medic, helping to take away people's pain. I just feel like I was destined for it. I can't let anyone take that away from me, not even Asuma, the reason I left without telling anyone where I was going was to show them I can be independent as well; and I will be, despite their best efforts to tie me down." said Sakura with a far away look in her eyes, Ino almost pitied her friend.
"Well I'll be damned, look at you Sakura! You're glowing with confidence and may I just say you look quite stunning in that civil uniform! Almost as dandy as I do in mine." Ino laughed as she spouted truthful words of encouragement to her friend in the loudest voice she could utter. If there was ever anything Ino knew for certain it was that Sakura deserved everything good in life. Sakura laughed along with Ino, so grateful she had someone such as her in life.
"Oh my, but please, do hold the mud balls off, I beg of you!" laughed Sakura. The crew started to look at the girls quite oddly at this point but the girls' laughs were contagious, and so the crew slowly found themselves smiling at the silly banter of these two spirited girls.
.
.
.
.
.
.
