Inseparable Companion
Disclaimer: Naruto is not mine
Thanks to my few reviewers.
Also, it may seem confusing but this contains a few pairings, revolving around Sakura. Itachi's relationship with her is the dominant one, but that doesn't mean it's the most important.
Chapter 3
Sakura awoke early and immediately remembering the previous days events, she decided that she was angry. Reflecting on her actions, Sakura realised how foolish she'd been and remembered how much she despised Itachi. If he tries to tease her about it, or a smirk appears on his damn annoying face, Sakura figured she'd just punch him. Hard.
Feeling somewhat energetic and more confident Sakura skipped breakfast and showered straight away, knowing she had double the paper work and it was best to get an early start.
She had just stopped in the doorway to slip on her shoes when she heard someone knocking. Sakura walked over to the door and peered through the peephole. It was an unfamiliar shinobi who had far from good news to deliver. Tsunade was expecting her immediately. Itachi had escaped.
Her face was unusually placid, her brows only slightly furrowed, actually the only indication of her furious temper was the force behind her repetitive finger tapping. Sakura could swear her nails were chipping out holes into the wooden desk. So absorbed in her observation, Sakura jumped when Tsunade spoke up, "Sakura, tell me something…" Her taping ceased. "What was Itachi's condition when you left yesterday evening?"
Sakura felt a rising panic. "Well yesterday evening… he was still unconscious."
She wondered how much trouble she'd get herself into if she didn't speak the truth, but she saw no easy way out, and her excuse came out rushed. "Itachi awoke before I finished my shift. I'm sorry I didn't inform anyone immediately, but he didn't show any outward aggressive signs and I assumed he didn't have enough-"
"Sakura!" Tsunade cut her off, her voice heightening in anger. "This is unacceptable, what were you thinking? Itachi's not just any ninja! I trusted you could oversee this competently!"
She sighed in frustration. "I understand you've had a lot on your mind with Sasukes-kun's death, but I thought it would be more reason for you to work on this for me…"
Sakura stayed silent. Not sure what say to excuse her poor effort.
Tsunade stood from her seat and turned to look out the window. "You look pale, Sakura. You have for a while now, I mean…" She looked over at Sakura, her voice softening. "Your behaviour has changed somewhat. You are almost lifeless, Sakura. Where have your energy and vigour gone too? This passive attitude is not something I want to get used to, so… I'm going to give you a 2 month reprieve."
Sakura was shocked and opened her mouth to protest.
"NO, I won't hear it. I've already put a team together to retrieve Itachi. He couldn't have gotten too far with the state his body is in.
Go home Sakura. Mourn, sleep, leave Konoha for a while if that's what you want, just return when you have sorted yourself out."
Sakura left speechless and a little hurt. She felt she'd been working hard and one slip up gets her out and gone. Sakura hadn't realised though, how obvious her listless attitude was becoming. She thought she had managed to keep up with her day-to-day life, now she was worrying if she was beginning to become neglectful of some things.
Sakura walked home suddenly feeling very tired
Kakashi let out a weary sigh and sauntered over to his seat at the ramen stand.
Naruto and he had just returned from a mission. It was short and simple and they had completed the intended trade smoothly. Returning, Kakashi had waited for Naruto to start his compulsory spiel about going to eat ramen, and was getting ready to disappear out of there, when Naruto said something completely different and threw him off guard.
"You got someone you like, Kakashi?" Kakashi was surprised. And a little embarrassed.
"Of course, Naruto." Kakashi said smiling, his visible eye crinkling, "Why… I like you, Naruto-kun, and I like Sakura-chan, and I like Iruka-sensei, and I -"
"No! Baka-sensei" cried Naruto in frustration. "That's not what I mean!"
Naruto frowned deep and he shoved his hands deep in his pockets, "That's not what I mean at all. Never mind…"
Muttering something about training and an early night Naruto turned and headed off home.
Kakashi ended up eating ramen anyway. Sitting alone staring into his bowl he pondered his ex-students strange behaviour. Kakashi suspected he knew the direction of Naruto's distracted thoughts and knew the sort of answer that Naruto had wanted from him. He always had obvious feeling for Sakura and Kakashi was aware of Sakura's new tolerance of Naruto. He was now wondering if Sakura herself was also contributing directly to Naruto's inner conflict. Perhaps they were involved in a relationship now? Kakashi scratched his chin thoughtfully. He then picked up his bowl and swiftly pulling down his mask he drank the rest of the bowls contents down.
Sakura tossed and turned in bed. Her restless behaviour left her staring wide eyed at the ceiling. Pale light illuminated the roof in distorting shapes. The wind was singing softly and a cool breeze gently pushed her curtains up high. Transfixed by the moving shadows Sakura felt the weight rather than sense the presence first. She sat up fast and pulled a kunai out from its hidden place under her mattress, but a strong arm defended itself from the cutting motion and her wrists were gripped tightly. Sakura stumbled backward and pulled the intruder forward a step. She gasped when she recognized Itachi's calm face with only a subtle frown creasing his smooth forehead.
Sakura felt a pang of fear. Did he come to kill her?
Still unsure or not if she was about to scream Itachi's hand snaked around Sakura's waist to hold her arms down while his other hand clamped over her mouth tightly. He leaned his head down level with her ear and whispered low, "Let's take a walk."
Sakura walked cautiously beside Itachi. Occasionally throwing a wary glance in his direction. He caught her gaze once and smirked. It was late and the streets were bare, even so Sakura wondered the boldness of his actions; walking out in public, and considered where they were heading. Itachi froze suddenly and pulled Sakura back swiftly into the blackness of the shadows. She struggled but his arms were like vices and threatened her breathing.
Murmurs became apparent and two figures stumbled around the corner. The man started singing, his drunken behaviour apparent. His female companion laughed shrilly and wrapped her arms through his. They slowed down and stopped in front of the their shadowy hiding place, not noticing Sakura and Itachi hidden within. The couples laughing fell into giggling and nipping at each other's necks. Their shadowed figures bent into a kiss and embraced.
Sakura's discomfort grew as the time lengthened. The couple were not indicating any sign of breaking apart anytime soon. Their combined shadow grew slimmer as they struggled to get closer and the noisy kiss became low and breathy. Suddenly the man pulled his head back and said in a thick voice. "Lets go back to my place," the lady didn't protest as he led her off down the road.
Sakura pulled from Itachi's closeness out of the shadows and into the light. She released a deep breath she hadn't realised she'd been holding and noticed her heart was beating a little faster than usual.
"Come on." Itachi's voice brought her around and not even knowing why, Sakura followed without protest.
She shouldn't have been surprised, but she was as they appeared in front of the Uchiha residence, now completely un-occupied. Sakura felt a foreboding feeling wash over her and Itachi practically pushed her through the entrance. He grabbed her arm painfully and dragged her through empty corridors and sliding doors. At a narrow staircase, Itachi walked behind Sakura, making sure she went up, then they were in a room.
A single candle was lit and illuminated the room. Sakura could see a bedroll, weapons and a few utensils.
Itachi sat down, suddenly looking weary. Sakura noticed now that he didn't look well. He had purple smudges under his eyes, his head hung low and his shoulders were stiff.
"Come here."
Sakura raised an eyebrow, "Excuse me!"
Itachi looked up at her, a fierce expression on his face. "Heal me!"
Sakura allowed him to see her surprise.
"I can't do it myself. I never fully recovered my strength after Sasuke's attack before being ambushed by Anbu…
There's something wrong that I can't recognise, I'm not a medic. I need you to see if I've had a seel placed somewhere on my body that I can't locate myself."
Sakura crossed her arms; she had healed some of the strongest shinobi she could think of in the past and she didn't doubt Itachi had trouble healing him self properly. She'd seen numerous intricate seels extremely complicated, woven throughout his mind, and probably linking to other areas of his body.
Itachi must have a lot of enemies to be cursed upon so many times.
Sakura had subconsciously moved closer while thinking. Itachi seeing her examine him lost in thought was convinced she already had an idea of how to help him, though if she was going to do it or not was another matter.
"I'll pay you…"
Sakura met his eyes in shock. "What? I don't want your filthy money! Who knows where you managed to steal it! Or what you did for it, for that matter…"
Itachi chuckled softly and stretched an arm out. He reached for her, grazing her hip, and Sakura flinched. "I saw the way you were looking down at me back when I was locked up. I've seen it on many women's faces before. We can… both do a service for each other."
His finger hooked into her waistband, "What do you say…"
Sakura smacked his hand back, "You're disgusting!"
Instead of walking from the room she approached him. She'd planned to give him a good punch in the stomach and drag him back to the prison quarters, but her punch just didn't summon her monstrous strength she held, and she found herself roughly grabbing his collar instead. His face was pulled close to hers and Itachi just watched.
"Like I'd ever want to do something so gross with you. I'm taking you with me to be interrogated and executed!"
She pulled him forward and up, but the motion became clumsy as he refused to budge. Sakura focused her chakra but it wouldn't centre. She just couldn't feel the motivation to attack him so powerfully. Itachi put is hands on her shoulder and pushed her down onto his legs.
Sakura growled in protest but didn't try to resist, Itachi smirked at this.
"Let go of me you bastard!" Sakura hissed.
"Tsk tsk. We both know how strong you are, you can easily fight me off." Itachi moved one hand to the bottom of her shirt, slowly reaching under, "If you really didn't want something to happen you would have stopped me along time ago."
Sakura kept stubbornly silent. But her breasts heaved heavily now. Looking at Itachi, Sakura felt the pangs of loss due to the nostalgic feeling Itachi stirred in her. Sasuke's brother was of the same colouring and attitude. His features were similar, except that of Itachi's hair being slightly shorter and the hollowness being deeper under his eyes. Sakura knew she desired Itachi as a replacement. It was wrong and Sakura hated that part of herself, but the desire was there and it was growing stronger.
"Now then." Itachi said silkily, "Let me return that kiss you used to wake me up…"
"NO." Sakura's eyes went wide. "No kissing."
If Itachi had a problem with that, he didn't show it. "Fine then."
And he leant forward and ripped her shirt open.
End chapter 3.
I will continue with lemon I think.
Please read and review.
