Chapter 2

Spring is over

'Can't break me down.'

Flowers bent and crushed under hurried feet.

It was such cruelly irony that spring had ended.

–

There were a number of emotions that was commonly used when addressing Sakura. The very first would have been being friendly. She was very open and social to their circle, even though some teammates, like Shino, was usually silent. The second would have been respect. Konoha's hospital had high expectations that she had surpassed as a young adult. Sasuke, who had not broken their bonds, returned two years ago with the intent of – even though he wouldn't admit – requiring strength from others to kill his older brother; he had respect for her current position.

The very seldom would have been sorrow. His betrayal caused that but she is a kunoichi. Sakura did not dwell on the past. That was pushed away and was never to be felt for her ever again. Unfortunately, a handful of people had felt that for her now. They failed their mission with the interference of the Akatsuki; adding salt to the wound, a dear friend had been captured. Ino and Hinata froze in their position, eyes wide with disbelief. "….that's impossible…." Ino whispered softly, hands shaking. She didn't bother to push back the tears threatening to stream down her face. "…Why would the Akatsuki…"

Sakura had used her medical skills to stop the blood flow, creating a faint genjutsu to shield Hinata from battle. It only lasted before it was shattered by an Akatsuki but their Captain Hyuuga had already interfered. She had already been exhausted from their mission that was commencing and even more to fight the Akatsuki.

"Stop talking about her like that!" Naruto shouted, his back turned, "She is still alive! And she will return to Konoha," he breathed harshly, calming the level of his voice when Hinata shook, "Sakura will not stay with the Akastuki."

Then no more was said.

Neji and Shikamaru nodded.

They stood.

"…We have to report back to Hokage-sama."

The Uchiha glared down at the ground, his body injured with visible bruises. Dark orbs flashed with anger; hands clenched tightly.

"I win, otouto."

Sharingan eyes activated in barely suppressed rage; the Uchiha prodigy swiftly turned away and walked away silently. He did not take notice of his teammates, who were beginning to plan without risking their injured teamates. Growling, he punched the nearest tree and withdrew his hand. He examined it; dried blood was once again covered by freshly new blood. "Damn it." His throat dry; the heat and amount of energy were much for him to take. Dull eyes stared up at the dreary sky that was the result of the clash of flames. He snarled, cursing the name, "... Itachi …"

The lined, unresponsive mouth. The glint in his eyes. The power he held; the hunger. A new revelation of possessiveness.

Sasuke turned away. While Sakura was talented in their generation, it wasn't as impressive compared to the rest of the females. He decided Sakura was a pleasant female that he chose to acknowledge, chose to associate freely without the need for missions. He would only allow her.

Her unusual strength proved usual in close combat, balancing her weakness of long range ninjutsu. Her medical knowledge was extremely needed for when he released that caged rage; throwing away strategy and finesse to destroy. While Sakura usually calmed him, he did not require her assistance after. She would smile and withdrew, helping another but there was that strange air between them that was never cleared.

He was the one that caused it.

"Sharingan!"

Sakura's head snapped up, trying to escaping the wrath. Sasuke looked on with a superior smile plastered on his lips. Doing quick hand seals, more versions of herself appearing. 'I have to stall some time.' Of course, she already knew that he could see pass her and the real one. When all the clones attacked him, he dispelled them all rather violently, Sharingan wheels spinning faster.

"Katon Goukakyuu no Jutsu!"

All at once were the clones disappeared the wrath of the unsettling fires emerging. Though he did not pay heed to that, his back faced the scene after. He watched as Sakura stood behind him, ready to attack. "You cannot fool the Sharingan."

"Think you're all that, Sasuke? Hah!"

His arrogance remained; stubbornness. Although it may be infuriating at times, this is the time he eyed her, sweat plastered hair to her face, skin glistening but her body was pumped and wound tight, eyes bright. It was quite attractive. He spun around, using his arm to block her shuriken and raised his knee to hit her stomach. The victorious smile was still there as he watched. It disappeared as soon as he found a log in her place.

"What did I tell you? You're so conceited, Sasuke."

Not enough time to spin around, he fell to the ground, paralyzed and glared at the grinning Sakura. "I never thought you would lower your defences." She spun the kunai at hand before lowering it down hastily with her lower body bending. She stabbed it next to his arm and buried it on the ground. "Nah. I'm not that harsh. I guess this win goes to me, no?"

She laughed and walked away but stopped and froze at the Uchiha's next words, "Hn, for now. I still know your weakness." She looked over her shoulder, the humour gone from her eyes and an intensified iciness took over, "How were things when I betrayed Konoha?"

Finally breaking from being paralyzed, he appeared behind Sakura and imprisoned her with his arm around her neck with a kunai pointing at her neck. His other arm wrapped tightly around her waist. His breath fanned her neck, "What's this? Remember this, Sakura, I know your weakness and you know very well that you can never defeat me."

"That's dirty, Uchiha."

"Uchiha, huh?" he asked, "You can easily get out of this. Why won't you?" He taunted her.

"…"

"Just what I expected."

That was years ago when he had walked back to the gates of Konoha in their adolescent years.

In their twenties, Sakura deliberately distanced herself from his company until required. He noticed this, of course, and sought to end that.

Sasuke walked away from the ominous group silently. His clenched fists drew blood. Such an inconvenience, he needed Sakura to proceed farther. She needed to be with him now. And when he kills that bastard brother of his, Sakura returned, he'll make sure never to let her go carelessly. Yes, Sasuke Uchiha did not just blame himself. In truth, Sakura depleted her energy for that Hyuuga girl, ceasing her usefulness and immediately targeting Uchiha Itachi, resulting in her capture.

There was no doubt that she had fallen for Sharingan. But there were tear marks edging her eyes.

What had she seen in that red and black dimension?

Sakura didn't know how long it was until she woke up sharply, to find her limbs and muscles sore. She groaned, immediately regretting it. Her throat was dry. She felt for her chakra, sensing that it had not yet recovered its normal capacity. She didn't bother struggling, she already knew she had dried blood caking her clothes and wounds were opened. Applying what's left of her chakra, she had hoped to mend the torn-skin before she could get an infection. In fact, she felt she was on the cold ground but the air was foreboding. The last thing she remembered was being caught in the Mangekyou Sharingan.

The eyes of a demon.

It was inhumane.

She allowed the childish thought that a woman should have been treated better. Sakura shivered internally at the experience she felt in that inescapable vision. Weapons had punctured back into her open wounds over and over again. It hurt like hell. Nonstop for 75 hours. She managed to move away from the faceless people but eyes were haunting her in the sky and she was trapped once again. She saw her teammates but they did not turn to her. – it was just the Mangekyou. – she kept repeating. Medical instincts kicked in and green irises slowly opened.

The room was dim. She was thankful. Her eyes easily adjusted to the diminutive light. Sakura blinked rapidly to regain her vision until she saw the dark ceiling. She turned her head to the side to see a blank wall; the other side had a single bed with comfortable-looking sheets. Mentally, she growled. Couldn't they at least place her on the bed? She was on the floor! This was the Akatsuki; of course they weren't hospitable people. She didn't move, contemplating on her situation. Were they safe? The sense of panic faded when she heard their shouts in the dark. At least they were safe, that's all that mattered.

Her next plan was to get comfortable, rest, regain her chakra and pray to Kami-sama that no one would check on her until then. Grudgingly, her eyes strained when she moved on arm to lift her onto one side – need the bed – where was her inhuman strength? She dare not growl, the itch on throat that was desperate for water was strong, finally and quickly, she forced herself upright, slumping. She whimpered at the pain. It was only then she noticed the same black sandals that led to her demise did she note another presence. She furrowed her brow, why hadn't she sense him? Dully staring at the ground, he released his hold on his chakra, immense and powerful that engulfed the room that she nearly choked in her weakened state.

Hmph, showing whose boss, Sakura thought. It was a long silence when she tried regaining her strength and getting used to the headache that forced her world upside down did he finally move. When she tried moving away from his approaching footsteps, she slumped back to the ground in the side. She growled, amazed at her display of stupidity. He halted his motion but it picked up, staring down at her, "Kunoichi."

Her lashes lowered, ignoring him. She hadn't expected him to pick her up and – finally! – place her on the soft bed. She thought of his death at the weight of his stare until she tilted her head at him, scowling the best she could, "W…what?"

Sakura panicked slightly when he outstretched his hand towards her face. It was unexpected when he lifted her upright and brought a glass of water to her lips. "Drink," he commanded. She immediately welcomed the cooling sensation on her dry lips and down her throat. It relieved the uncomfortable pressure but the Leaf kunoichi still glared at him. "Why…am I here?" she managed to croak, panting.

Obsidian eyes considered her for a moment before walking away without another word. She closed her eyes in defeat when she heard the metal screech of a door opening then the light slam when it closed. She was caged in a room, wounded, chakra depletion exhausting her and away from Konoha.

Her intelligent mind started to race, thinking of possibilities and escape tactics until sleep had lured her back into the shadows.

–

"Report."

"The Hokage's apprentice is detained."

"Ah. Commence the next step once she has recovered."

Sharp eyes glinted in the dark but the Uchiha was hardly intimated. "…"

"Bring in Sasori and Deidara. They will hasten the procedure. Every female has a weakness…" he drawled, "Then the Jinchuuriku will be detained in the near future. How is Naruto?"

"Unstable."

"The Kyuubi is very powerful," the shadows lingered, "Perhaps once pet is attached to your every command, Itachi, Naruto could easily break his seal. Any trouble?"

"No."

"Your little brother."

"Irrelevant to the matters at hand."

"What you did. Use it again constantly until she cannot take it anymore. Make her trust you."

"This is too delicate to be forceful. I will deem what is necessary." When it was quiet, the older man took it as a signal to leave the room. "Itachi." He didn't stop until he was out of the room.

"Break her slowly."

The Uchiha left.

–

She awoke to the sound of creaking metal. Sakura felt considerably better after much rest and her warm chakra flowed throughout her body, mending and healing the skin back to their healthy colour. A tall silhouette rested on the opposite side of the room, watching her. I could have broken down that door. While she concentrated, she directed her gaze to the figure, "Uchiha Itachi…what use am I to Akatsuki?"

"…"

Figures that he wouldn't respond to such the question. She cautioned herself.

"Your life is in my hands, kunoichi."

He could easily kill her if she made any wrong movement or displease him, as much as she would have liked. She was well enough to sit up on the bed and he took a step forward. "Tell me, Uchiha. Am I here to heal the Akatsuki when Konoha kicks your ass?" He ignored that. "Because if so, then you'd better kill me now." The words slipped out before she could stop herself and she fell silent. If Naruto would know that she was dead, it would cause the seal to go out of control. He was also reckless and probably even if he was stopped, it would be longer for him to se-

That's it.

They were using her as bait, the bastard.

She had to stay alive. She had to prove herself worthy enough to be in the Akatsuki hide out.

His gaze stayed on her face. "You are skilled with your capability."

You used the Mangekyou on me, asshole!, she thought viciously, gritting her teeth from lashing out. "It would be wasted here." That held his attention as he watched her carefully, as if not seeing a small, glowing green that she emanated but as an objective. Pink was uncommon in Konoha, and if not her strength, status and training under the Hokage, he would've already slaughtered her. Quite remarkable for her stature, he noted.

"You are no use of the Akatsuki."

She didn't know whether to be relieved or not; it sounded like a back-handed comment. She fisted the sheets in her hands. "Does the Akastuki consists of jackasses?" she asked casually, fire in her eyes, "Because if so, then I wouldn't imagine you lowering yourself to such levels, Uchiha." Maybe her head injury needed some time to heal. Nonetheless, if she wasn't of use to them, which she assumed was false if her likely theory of acting as bait, then she was of use to the Akatsuki. She wouldn't be willingly; she'll fight tooth and nail.

It was a while before he answered. A heavy silence followed and Sakura wasn't sure if she liked the play of the subtle flash of his eyes and something else she couldn't define.

"You are a fool." Her mouth dropped. Okay, well, maybe the Akatsuki were pretty cunning and smart jackasses and her comment was just to fuel her rising anger, but she wasn't a fool. He must've predicted the way she reacted because as her mouth opened, ready to bitch talk about her morals, he said, "You are here, are you not. Unless Konoha's breeding has lowered its standard which would then condemn you as a lowly fool."

Argh, another back-hand comment. She scowled hatefully at him, which must've been the most he had spoken because he let the silence linger on. The Leaf kunoichi growled, in his eyes, she must've looked like a girl whose cheeks were flushing red and jade eyes fired with intensity that had to look up at him. She was short, clearly at a disadvantage in her state. It was absolutely pitiless when he observed her in the forest. In the lair of the Akatsuki, she had to be more deceptive if she were to live within its confines.

"Prove yourself worthy, kunoichi, if you still care for your life."

The fire died down and hardened into fortitude. He swiftly turned and her eyes went straight to the food present. "Eat. Regain your energy before I return." Silently as he came, he was out before she noticed. When she finally regained her wits, she growled loudly and tried pulling the handle to find it chakra-infused. Dumbfounded, she slumped. Using a bit of chakra, she slammed her fist on the metal door in anger.

Outside, Itachi stared stoically at the dent she made on the surface. Turning his heel, he made his way to his chambers, silently noting that she slightly surprised him with her strength in her weakened form. Her stubbornness was noted.

–

It was Sasori that was leaning against the wall with a small puppet. "Is she worthy?"

Itachi walked past him, "If she is not, then Kisame shouldn't waste his time with her tomorrow."

Sasori nodded, making the puppet twist gracefully in a full circle, arm extending out in invitation. "She would make an excellent puppet if she isn't noteworthy."

Itachi had already blended with shadows from sight as the puppet bowed courteously before collapsing.

–

As Sakura prepared to sleep, she had a deep sense of foreboding. She stiffened in alarm, scanning the shadows in the corner. There was nothing but something whispered danger.

She quickly planned and prepared herself for tomorrow. If they were going to fight her till she was in death's door then so be it, she was going to bring some down with her. Her mind slowly shut down for a full-body rest for the next few days. Idly, she wondered how they managed to get the hardest of steel as a door, as she gently caressed her reddening fist. Damn, that was some hard steel.

They winced as much as they can move with their injuries as the ground fiercely shook. The blood had already dried on their clothes and would reopen if they were to recoil when their beloved Hokage would unleash her anger. "Why would the Akatsuki be there?" she banged her fist on the desk, making wood and paper jump in motion, "And took Sakura!"

"With all due respect, Hokage-sama," Shikamaru started, "We have reported you the details of our mission. We will have a full report on the incident once we recover."

The busty blonde narrowed her eyes threateningly, "Fine! Go rest your useless asses but I want you straight back here with full reports once the hospital clears you. Oh Kami-sama, the Akatsuki is planning to start a war?"

"No. There isn't valid evidence. However, they haven't assured us that it would happen eventually."

"Are they after Naruto?"

Neji spoke up, discreetly holding up his cousin. "Indirectly, I assume that they will be using Sakura as some kind of ploy against Konoha."

"Argh. That isn't helping. Go. Get out."

"Old hag, you have to send out a team to get Sakura! What if she-"

"You will not finish that sentence, Naruto. Or so help me, you will not be involved in this." He immediately silenced, crest-fallen. "Just…get some rest. We'll figure this out in the morning." They bowed respectfully as she waved them away. Once the door was shut, she rubbed her temples, grunting at the massive headache. She pulled out her sake battle, glancing at it desperately before draining it. "Be safe, Sakura."

–

They went their separate ways, some to the hospital and others dragged themselves home. Thankful that it was evening, there were few who saw their shameful stances. Hinata managed to bid Naruto encouragement before Neji hushed her and stalked back to the Hyuuga compound. Glancing worriedly at the blonde, his face was cast downwards. She could only watch Naruto slump and walk away. "Naruto..."

She had absolute faith in Sakura. She would not go down that easily. A warm, large hand nudged her and she quickly glanced up, broken out of her trance to see red marks on a familiar face. "Kiba-kun."

"Come on, Hinata. I'll walk you home." A hand placed itself on the small of her back and slowly guided her back to the Hyuuga compound.

"Thank you, Kiba."

It was a few days until someone finally visited her. She wasn't socially starving, making sure to keep quiet when she heard footsteps deliberately walking by her door. When she woke up, food had already been placed near the door and water to quench her thirst. The pink-haired kunoichi didn't detect any poison or hidden antidotes stuffed in them so she calmly the crumbs after smashing it; her chakra growing powerfully as she continued to regenerate. Itachi hadn't come back for the past days and she started to become wary.

On one of the days, she at least thought, Sakura had become even more vigilant when she detected strong, flaring chakra signatures outside the door, as if checking in but never really entered. In order to prepare, she sat on the cold floor, meditating on her one hand. She slowly lifted her form, her mind blank, as she was on a full handstand, back straight, bubble-gum hair falling and her other hand resting behind her back. She relaxed, concentrating her chakra on her one small hand to uplift her off the ground of the next hour or so. It was a technique that Rock Lee taught her so that she would be able to channel her chakra when it came to taijutsu and her concentration would heighten. She managed to attain chakra levelly as her back arched, her hand slightly shaking but remained to be still. That is, until the door slammed open.

Shocked out of her meditation, green orbs snapped open in response and saw the intruder. Sakura clicked her tongue in annoyance when she saw the familiar black sandals on the doorway. "Uchiha Itachi," she drawled, not moving. It was clear that he was immersed in deceit, but the look in his blank eyes made her think otherwise for a few seconds as it scanned her figure for any abnormalities. Long slender legs were stiff and straight and her skirt had revealed the black shorts she wore underneath. She suddenly bent backwards so that she was normally upright once again. She clenched her fists, allowing chakra to flow on her hand as indifferent eyes stared at hers.

He turned his back and left the door wide open.

She didn't withdraw chakra, instead, pumped more into her fist at the dim hallway that allowed little light to penetrate. She sensed his chakra fading and her brows furrowed in thought. Sakura still didn't step out, growing alert by the second. No one was out there. Cautiously, she looked at the sides of the hallway, seeing none. No one was above her.

She stepped out of her cage.

"How is our pet, Itachi?"

"Secured."

"Is she in her cage…?"

"She's wandering her surroundings."

"Good."