The bittersweet one

Hey minna-san! Thanks for the review and alerts, favs and all, I'm honoured. Actually, she's surprised to even get them. You know, she was doing an uber embarrassing happy dance yesterday and…OW! What was that for, Outer? Because you're embarrassing us. So, either shut up or do the disclaimer.

Disclaimer: We don't own Naruto, this makes us really sad and all. In addition to this, my Outer is a bitch. Thank you.

Finally she made something nic… hey, wait, whom are you calling a bitch?! Well, I hope you have fun reading and I'm going to tell my Inner off.

Chapter 1

Reminiscence of days passed away

Former Team Seven's cherry-blossom was definitely an out-standing kunoichi. Not her pink hair, neither her skills made her that extraordinary. Her most adorable feature was her emotional strength. That would be what everyone in Konohagakure said about the young beast. They weren't right, though. Sakura herself was positive that she was all but emotional strong. At least not in that heroic way.

Certainly wasn't she crying anymore when it came to kill someone. But that wasn't something as great of a feature as the civilians thought it was. Sakura just got used to it. She had always been a tough actress after all. Her soul had become a long, dark hallway with no end due to her lack of people she could talk about her experiences with. It was only herself and her Inner. That was all. Though, maybe, they're right and I'm emotional strong. Maybe they think it's because of Sasuke's betrayal and the death of my parents and all. Hell no! You know how hard it has got to keep your heart and soul together, Outer. Just don't think about it. I feel old wounds reopen. We don't want that, do we? No, we don't. Of course we don't. It's all pretty clean and a fairytale here. A pretty scary fairytale, if you ask me… well, we wanted to stop there…

By now, the pinkette had reached the Land of Tea and rested herself against some tree. She hid her chakra signature, so she couldn't be seen or disturbed while she was looking at the map enclosed to her mission roll. According to it, the last four members of the Akatsuki were living near the other boarder of the country. If the rumour-based information in the mission scroll could be considered as truthful, the last members were Itachi, Kisame, Zetsu and Konan. The others had been killed in the downfall incident or been captured by the beasts a few months ago. It still wasn't sure whether they were still after the remaining Jinchuuriki or not because of them still possessing the already extracted demons. This was what Sakura's task was. This and the momentarily situation of the organization.

After another while, she had found the hidden base, the last resort of the Akatsuki and was checking the surroundings for traps whatsoever. She was surprised when she found none. Not even a hidden kunai was there. Just this effing seal on the boulder? I don't believe it! I'm really gutted right now! What is it with them and their boulders, anyways? You know, if I wouldn't disbelieve the easiness of getting in there, I would tell you to be happy about this. You got anything? I don't see or hear anything dangerous there. It's like some romance stories- wonderful, but to good to be true. Would you please stop to say intelligent things? You're scaring me. I'm actually thankful for this comment, though. You're disappointed that there's nothing? Well, look there! Sakura thought and started doing some hand seals. Seconds later, the jutsu began to reveal its use. The serene hayfield in front of the boulder changed into a seriously deep ravine. But it wasn't natural. It looked like someone had used an earth type jutsu on the ground. The pink-haired special ANBU sighed. But it was no sigh of despair, more one of annoyance or tedium. Similar to the ones you'd normally expect from Nara Shikamaru, the lazy genius, followed by a monotone "Troublesome.". Sakura again did hand seals and undid the jutsu used on the ground. The gap closed and a smirk appeared on the kunoichi's face. Too easy. She walked to the boulder and examined the seal with her eyes. It was not like the seals Sakura was used to when infiltrating Akatsuki bases, but maybe it was because the member who did them was already dead or captured. The Biast Op laughed at the irony, but the next event stunned the Haruno nevertheless. The boulder vanished like the seal, which meant it was an illusion adhered by the seal. Those continuous uses of genjutsu can only mean that Uchiha Itachi is here. Well, then, change into another outfit. Leave your uniform behind, or they'll tear us in pieces within seconds. Very well… let's do that. The leaf kunoichi jumped up in one of the trees around and took off her Anbu uniform and mask, so that she was wearing only a grey tube top and evenly greyish capris. Along with her blood red hitai-ate, her black gloves and an also black coloured implements pouch this was her only clothing (apart from her undergarments, of course). After that, she hid her Anbu things in one of the trees and makes her way to the entrance of the last base again.

It was leading into a poorly lit dungeon and it seemed to last eternally. The fallen blossom couldn't help but feel content in this semi-darkness. It was an unusual warmth in this hallway the medic nin couldn't describe. Subconsciously she embraced herself and closed her eyes. After a while, she just sat down on the floor, smiling dreamily and soon she drifted into sleep. Two figures stepped out of the shadows next to the sleeping beauty. "Such deadly elegance… looks like she's your soulmate, Itachi-san." A deep snicker followed the words.

"Hn." Announced person uttered and picked up the sleeping girl.

Well, how's that? I know it's bad, but it's my first attempt at fanfiction... please be nice.

Ja ne,

Novembermaedchen