Luminescence

SeraphimLullaby

Full Summary:

Meeting in the heat of battle, two swordsmen develop a deadly attraction to one another. It's only natural to fight with each other when in love, right? It's not about what side they're on now. It's personal. (AU) ItaxSaku

A/N:

Second chapter readers! Hope you enjoy this one as much as the last! I also hope you review. Because reviews are fuel. Remember that. I'm currently working on chapter three so the more love (…reviews! :D) I get, it will be out faster! Reviews are always a good source for motivation…so yeah. Do it. Oh oh! Important! Konoha's "Hokage"…leader in this is still Sarutobi. At first it was Tsunade but I had plans so I changed it. Just thought I'd point that out!

Thank you! (In order of reviewing…)

TeenageCrisis, BlackElement7, Moonfish, and i-am-cool2121

Disclaimer:

I do not own anything other the plot and any OCs that might be placed in this story.

Chapter Two

This Mysterious Feeling

It was amazing, really, how two people could work and live together, and one would just completely ignore the other. It was just the matter of putting up with them, was all. Uchiha Itachi tried applying this "ignore and be ignored" tactic but found that at times, it was rude. He certainly would not like to be ignored when speaking.

It wasn't as if Itachi was bothered by the fact that Kisame had a motor mouth (most of the time at least). Ok, so maybe he was lying to himself a bit but no matter what he did or tried to do, his partner just loved to talk. Today was one of those days though, where he preferred silence and solitude. Something that he just wasn't being given.

Whoever said life was fair though?

He recently discovered that his next mission would require him to serve as a distraction in a festival taking place in some town. He also found that his performance would be based on the art of sword dancing. Nothing difficult, he assured himself, but just the idea of the mission perplexed him. What was the purpose of infiltrating the town? He also didn't like the fact that he would have to make contact with other people. The thought nearly made him sneer in disgust but he wouldn't though. Because he was an Uchiha, and the Uchiha kept their cool and were always composed.

What the funny thing was though was that they were more than 'cool' and 'composed' now.

Six feet under, he briefly thought.

Slipping out of the black kimono that adorned his lithe yet muscled frame, the male dressed himself in completely different attire that was light and allowed access to movement. It was also red cloudless, so he wouldn't have to worry about being identified and causing unnecessary panic.

Though there was a little cloud etched into the handle of his sword, Itachi figured that people wouldn't notice it. The little emblem wasn't that flashy anyways and his hand would cover it for the duration of his performance. Most people weren't that perceptive anyways.

Pulling out the mask the leader had given to him to use for this mission, Itachi felt his eye twitch just a little. It was a weasel. With an inward sigh, the male shut his eyes and guided the mask to cover his entire visage. When he opened his eyes, he found Kisame standing in front of him. He noticed that the shark-like man's face was covered with a mask as well. A goldfish one that looked rather comical. Not a surprise though.

"Ya ready?" he muttered while slinging his sword on his back.

Responding with a nod, Itachi and the male disappeared into the late afternoon.

For a moment, Itachi wondered if this town even had guards patrolling the area but knew better than to underestimate any situation. Despite that the place seemed guard-free, he figured they were either in hiding or out partying with the rest of the townsfolk.

Which would've been incredibly foolish on their part. Still though, he would go according to the plan he and Kisame came up with. Thay way, there would be no confusion…for Kisame of course.

Meeting up with the thief they recruited not so long ago, he briefed the male on his task and they went their separate ways.

While Itachi served as a distraction, the thief would pose an even greater one. Once the thief stole some money from a popular stand, the Uchiha was sure everyone's attention would be focused on that rather than himself. His goal was to buy Kisame enough time so that they could find out whether what they were looking for was there or not.

Taking his place in the center of the little town square where it was clear of stands, he paused and took his stance. Knowing that he must've looked a bit out of place, he paid no attention and began what he came here to do: sword dance.

Unsheathing his blade in one fluid motion, he proceeded to swing it, effectively getting a reaction of passing onlookers. Soon enough, he had a little crowd gathered around him.

Good… he thought.

Not even five minutes had passed and his audience had rapidly grown into a horde of curious and amazed people. Things seemed to be going smoothly, and Itachi couldn't help but be grateful. It wasn't everyday a mission was as easy as this.

Though a majority of eyes were on him, he felt a pair that held more than what the others were offering him. As he spun around once, he caught sight of a pink-haired girl clad in an intricate kimono the shade of emerald coming his way.

A strange sight really, but beautiful more so.

Noticing the intensity of her gaze, he nearly faltered but caught himself and quickly corrected the step by doing something different. He went around the circle that had gathered around him and made sure the girl knew his eyes were on her when he passed her.

Itachi was sure she knew because he caught the way her posture became slightly rigid. Deciding that he needed to entertain himself for just a little, he circled her alone when he completed going around once more.

He wondered if he just had that effect, the one that froze people to their spot. With a mental nod, he decided that he did. She seemed glued to hers, and that was good enough for him. Immediately leaving her side, he went to someone else, just to keep up appearances so as not to draw any suspicion from the pinkette.

He saw the twin blades resting on her back and automatically knew by the engravings on them that she was from Konoha. The sword maker there had always put the trademark symbol of the village on the hilts of all his swords. Itachi was also pretty sure he was the currently only sword maker there. At least, that was what sources told him.

No matter.

From Konoha or not, it's not like he would lose to this…girl. He had to admit though, she was fairly brave for carrying not only one, but two swords. For a moment, he briefly wondered what she was playing at as he purposely brushed against her. He meant to unnerve the girl but the contact sent a faint wave of excitement through his body.

She must've held some power to be able to make him feel a tad excited. Her looks were rather deceiving…

Suddenly, it happened.

As planned, the thief executed the plan they had gone over. The girl who Itachi was remotely interested in peaked his interest further as he watched her run after him. If anything, the people in this town should be in her place, but he wasn't too surprised though.

He could sense the cowardice in the majority of souls surrounding him. The thief did a good job at making it dramatic, Itachi noted while following them closely, as he shoved an innocent bystander into the pink-haired girl's path. She merely wavered for a second before getting back to chasing him once more. In that second, she helped the other regain their balance.

How kind… the Uchiha smirked inwardly as he witnessed this. Following them was not apart of the plan but he was curious of the pinkette. For once in a long time, a girl intrigued him.

A very beautiful albeit eccentric one at that.

Wondering where that came from, the male frowned. Now was not the time. He noticed that she was losing him.

It must be the kimono… he thought as he witnessed her struggle to keep up. Oh well…it's not a part of the plan but…

Deciding to help her out, he leapt out and sent the thief into the floor face first, the bags of money in his possession landing in front of Itachi's feet. He ignored the bewildered look the thief sent his way when he scrambled to regain his footing. Looking to the female as she opened her mouth, she was cut short as the cries of the villager's finally made their way to where the three currently were.

He watched her intently as she looked to the side and then back at him, but noticed that her posture was different than before. Realizing what she was looking at, the male mentally praised her.

Beautiful but perceptive as well…

Not being able to dwell on this thought any longer seeing as the girl charged at him, he prepared himself and parried her attack easily. It was in that moment that he got a good look at her eyes. They held many emotions, those emerald irises of hers. Many things such as anger, frustration, confusion, and excitement flickered wildly within those green pools and Itachi could feel every single one of them.

Strangely though, excitement dominated them all.

Who wouldn't be excited though? To be locked in battle, wondering who would deal the first blow, drawing the very first droplets of blood? To Itachi, this all became a game. He decided she would amuse him for now. As she pushed against him, he became all too aware of her motions and what she would try to pull.

Already suspecting that she would play dirty, he kicked up one of those bags of money and prevented her from wounding him. She was fast though, he had to admit, which made him wonder if the kimono was really serving to be a hindrance or not. Perhaps it was an adrenaline rush that made her this quick?

Whatever the case, he knew the villagers would be charging them at any moment to collect the scattered money. So he shoved her back and pulled out a flash bomb. Getting the desired effect as he threw it to the floor, he turned around and darted away, leaving it up to his opponent to follow him or not. Though he already knew what she would do. It was only natural and thus, a little game of cat and mouse ensued.

Lurking within the darkness beneath the space of one of the many houses, Itachi waited for his prey to appear. Strangely, the tables had turned and now he was the predator. A well hidden one too. She didn't disappoint him, as she appeared only a few seconds after he had hidden. In battle, time was precious and those few seconds mattered. Good thing he was just a bit faster than she.

For a moment, he couldn't help but wonder how she fought if she was wearing something other than a kimono. Would she be just as swift as he? Rivaling him in skill while revealing skill to one another with sharp steel while locked in a dangerous duel?

Oh well…too bad I'll never get to test that theory. He thought. He planned on killing her then and there. Though it wasn't something he would normally do, he simply had to. She spotted him and that could've posed as bad news. If she was as smart as she appeared to be, he knew she would report to her superiors of their encounter.

Besides, this little game was beginning to drag on far too long and he was sure Kisame was already done with his investigations. To the human eye, him leaping out of his hiding place would have looked like a blur as he hastily went behind his prey.

It seems that the tables have indeed turned against you girl…

He grabbed her and did not hesitate to knock the sword out of her hand the moment she raised it. Now, she was helpless, despite that she still had another blade, she seemed frozen in place as he locked her gaze with his. About to use the powerful trait he possessed, he reveled in the terror that came off her body.

You amused me…I'll make it quick…

Itachi temporarily became distracted as he felt Kisame's presence somewhere near by. Because of this distraction, he never knew what hit him as the girl successfully kneed him in the gut, causing him to release her. It didn't hurt but merely surprised him. Nearly finishing what he started, his eyes strayed to his partner's briefly and paused as he saw the urgency radiating off him.

Maybe I will get to test that theory after all little girl… until next time.

His escape was made so much easier as a brunette, a teammate he assumed, called out to her.

"Sakura-san!"

It suits her… he thought as he dashed away without looking back. He knew there was no need to.

He was long gone by the time Sakura had cursed aloud.

Itachi watched the girl he came to know as Sakura from afar while tuning Kisame out for a bit. The shark-like male insisted that they leave now, seeing as what they were looking for was not there. What really pissed Itachi off was the fact that Kisame's urgency was only due to the need to attend to nature's calling.

Kisame was usually full of surprises and Itachi did not like to be on the receiving end of them. They always made him really upset. Especially this time around, when he was actually almost enjoying himself.

"-tive prick. I never said you had to stop there because I had to go. You could've continued you know." Kisame mumbled as he finally realized that his partner was not paying attention to him. Just what was the black-haired male so interested in anyways? Taking a gander, his beady gaze locked on the petite form of a pink-haired girl.

"Not bad. Who's she?"

Due to the fact that he had to go so badly, he was not able to catch a glimpse of whomever Itachi was fighting.

"If you would have taken care of your bodily needs beforehand, maybe you would know."

Kisame scowled in response. Why was Itachi always this way?!

"Whatever…let's go. It's getting colder and I'm freezing my ass off for nothing."

Itachi nodded and just as they left, he spotted the female looking towards their direction.

Until next time…

As the silver entity known as the moon took it's place within the darkened sea above, certain life within the town ceased their current actions and decided that it was time to rest and return home to their family, if they had any home or family to call their own of course. Although a majority of the people went back to their shelter and of the such, a few souls would remain restless and wander the streets aimlessly.

After all the commotion that had occurred earlier, Kakashi decided that they would leave the small town. He wanted to make sure that they were attention free. It was troubling enough to get the townsfolk to calm down.

When the males were finished changing into suitable clothing for travel, they all waited for Sakura. She normally took the longest since she took extra "precautions" when changing.

Sliding on a pair of black knee-long spandex, Sakura thought of what had happened. She was nearly killed. She could tell by the look in her opponent's eyes. For a moment, she wondered if her foes in the past had felt this way before she killed them. Feeling chills slither down her spine, the girl shook her head and proceeded to bind her chest tightly.

Expect the unexpected girlie. You aren't always gonna get away unharmed.

Sakura frowned.

You again? I forgot all about you, y'know?

Ooooh I feel so loved.

You should.

She felt strange. It wasn't everyday somebody had an inner self.

Sakusaku! I've been trapped here for so long. Let me run rampant for a while yes?

No. It's too risky.

Aw. Come on. You're no fun. Pretty please?

Maybe later. Lemme think about it.

Fine.

With a sigh, the youth continued to prepare herself for the night. She felt as if it was going to be a long one. Pulling a simple, loose brown shirt over her bound and wiry frame, she wrapped a crimson colored scarf around her shoulders, the material covering the lower half of her face. After tying her hair up and wrapping a bandana over it to conceal the bright shade of pink, she felt satisfied.

She didn't know why but she always felt comfortable disguising herself as a male. Maybe it was because she wouldn't be taken as lightly male as opposed to female. She actually loved the mere thought of being underestimated but at the same time, loathed it.

Who liked to be demeaned anyways?

Before she rejoined her comrades, she went to strap her twin blades, Sekai and Gin, onto her back. Touching the sheaths of the two fondly, Sakura smiled faintly. They were so important to her…

"Hey Sakura-chan! Would ya hurry it up?!" Naruto called out to her.

"Yeah! Coming!"

Stepping out from behind the sea of bushes she hid in, the girl nodded her head to the others. She felt a little self-conscious, what with the way she was dressed, but knew that the others understood why she did what she did. It was her way of reassurance, they supposed.

"Let's go."

After two hours of non-stop traveling, they began to get tired.

As if they weren't already.

Kakashi decided that the next town they spotted, they would get an inn to stay in. He may have been fit but he had others health as well as his own to consider. Though Konoha was a little less than a day away, they needed rest.

So the next town the saw, they went into. After getting a room, they all went off and did their own thing. Though it was late in the night, on the borderline of being early in the morning, Kakashi and Keisuke went off to a bar to drink while Naruto and Sakura went to their room. As they went inside, Naruto discarded his belongings on the floor and threw himself at one of the beds, falling asleep the moment his head hit the pillow. This made Sakura smile at the blonde fondly. He must've been really tired...poor thing.

Walking over to the lone window in the corner of the room, she pushed the curtains aside and took a look outside. It all seemed tranquil and dark. Aside from the casual drunk stumbling down the street.

Wrinkling her nose, finding the scene rather distasteful, she began to step away but paused when she noticed something. There was a rather suspicious looking figure in a cloak with a straw hat concealing the rest of their features.

With a frown, she pushed her face into the glass to get a better look and blinked her eyes in surprise when it suddenly stopped moving. As it turned around facing her direction, she quickly drew herself back, startled and in hopes of not being seen. The last thing she needed at this moment was being accused of stalking or peeping.

Something of the sort at least.

What bothered her though was the aura the person was giving off. Watching the figure walk away once more, she tried her best to fight the urge to follow them but knew her inner struggle would be fruitless. With her curious nature, she could never turn away an opportunity to find something out.

Let's go Sakusaku! Let's find out who this mysterious person is! Ya don't think it's the guy from earlier do you?

I doubt it but something about him…seems familiar. Maybe you are right...

Cha! You got that right!

...For once.

…Let's just go.

For once, Sakura couldn't agree more with her inner self.

So she opened the window and leapt out.

Itachi felt the sudden urge to go walking. He didn't know what it was but it was nagging at him to go. So he did.

Pulling on a cloudless cloak once again followed by a straw hat, he wandered outside of the Akatsuki's temporary base. He didn't say anything to Kisame. It wasn't his business anyways.

During his walk, his mind went on autopilot. His thoughts trailed back to the female from earlier. Though she seemed a bit restrained, he could tell she was skilled. He found that fact…refreshing. He would have to find her again and finish what they started. For now though, he would enjoy the little stroll he was taking.

Suddenly, his senses made him snap back to reality. Someone was watching him. Turning around in the direction he suspected it was coming from, he smirked inwardly. He caught the person backing away from the window.

Must be a curious one… he thought. After a moment, he carried on once more. He figured the person just happened to be looking out. Leaving it at that he turned right around a corner and went to go up a set of stairs. Not even after two steps, he sensed that he was being followed.

Perhaps it was that onlooker from the window?

Not that they would pose a problem if they were hunting him down. Speeding up, his strong legs never faltering, he broke out into a light run, hearing the footsteps behind him quicken as well. They sure were noisy for someone who was hunting down an Akatsuki...but they didn't know that...did they? Resting a hand on the hilt of his sword, for insurance, he speed up even more.

As much as he enjoyed fighting, he saw no point in fighting without a reason. This was just one of those times where he thought this battle would hold no meaning. So he was being pursued, big deal. There were better reasons to fight than that.

Itachi decided that if he could, he would avoid this.

Too bad it wasn't going to be that easy.

Now!

He heard the mysterious pursuer drawing their blade…no blades. He almost didn't catch the dual swish when they unsheathed their swords. Itachi was beginning to get excited again. He could sense a strong will and skill within this person. In the blink of an eye, he drew his blade and rotated his body, swinging the silver at his opponent.

As expected, they blocked his attack with one sword and used the other to try and hit him. Itachi though, being quick and witty, used his sheath to block the attack. In that moment, he wanted to get a good look at his adversary.

Only having the moonlight to do this, he was able to make out a lean body followed by a pair of fiery jade green eyes. The rest of the face, he was unable to see due to the fact a scarf masked their features.

That was all he needed to see though. Those green eyes that were so full of passion sparked a flame in him alone. It was strange though…they were so familiar yet different…

Swiftly bringing his knee up, he was surprised when the other reacted the same way only using their other knee. So that idea was a complete loss. Could it be they were one step of him? Impossible. He would never let that happen. As he kicked the person in the chest, satisfied when he heard them grunt in pain, he lifted his sword and swung down, attempting to wound them.

To his surprise, they recovered rapidly and used both swords to hold his back. He pushed down on the blades, noticing that because the person was smaller, he had an overall advantage. He practically put only half his weight and strength to it.

As the other struggled to fend him off, he listened to the sound the swords made as they clattered against each other due to the instability of the opponent. It was like music to his ears, every scrape and rattle made beautiful.

In the end though, they seemed to get a sudden burst of energy and strength, thus managing to push Itachi back. At this point, the male felt as if he should be a bit more serious. Gradually, he was beginning to understand that this was one opponent that shouldn't be taken lightly. Lunging toward the person as they did to he, their swords shone in the moonlight and for a moment, the only sound they could both hear was the strong beat of their heart as their beings clashed.

Landing on the opposite side of each other, backs facing one another, they slowly turned around after a moment.

It was then that Itachi felt his eyes widen.

A girl...? He thought to himself as he managed to cut the front of his opponent's shirt along with their shoulder. This whole time, the girl was binding her chest and disguising herself as a male. Noting the burning (and different) look in her eyes as well as the slight sting in his left thigh, he felt himself going to a new level of a turn on. Wait… a turn on?

No one, especially a girl, had ever landed a blow on him in such a long time. Actually, a girl was never able to wound him. Much less turn him on…in this way.

Physically at least.

Look's like things are going to get a little rough here, he thought and waited for her next move…

Watching her facial expressions carefully, as if doing so would help him in depicting the way she thought, he realized something. She knocked his hat off. Meaning she could see his face clearly.

Keeping his emotions in check like the professional he was, he stared into her eyes. So much spunk and life danced wildly within them. He admired it really. If only he were able to be carefree and full of life…

He didn't have that choice or luxury though.

It was then he also realized something else.

She was his opponent from earlier.

He came to this realization because of her eyes. That, and he spotted a bit of pink beneath the bandana on her head.

No wonder the air around her was familiar… he thought.

She seemed to realize this as well for the look in her eyes was priceless. Seeming to be caught up in blind anger, she ran towards him with both blades poised for striking. Taking all of this in a matter of seconds, he leapt forward and deflected her attack, knocking one sword out of her grasp while placing a hand on the small of her back and blocking the other sword with his own.

During this whole exchange, not a word was said. No words were needed in this situation. Their singing silver did the talking. And right now, his foe's sword lay in the shadows where a wall blocked the moonlight.

Hearing voices in the distance, the male paused and looked to her, a worried expression splayed about her young features. He noted that the spunk in her eyes had dissipated and that a somber one took its place. Pulling her halfway into the dark provided by the wall, just enough where his sharp edge as well as hers would be hidden, the male made it look like they were mere lovers exchanging an embrace.

Not even aware of what he was doing, he leaned forward…and captured her lips with his. He didn't know why but he didn't want others to witness the dance they were engaged in moments ago. He felt as if that was something that should be kept between them only. Besides, there was no need for casualties tonight. Especially when he only went out for a walk. His superiors would be upset if they found out he killed someone needlessly in a place so close to their base.

Pulling back a second or two later, when the people passed by them, he allowed a faint smirk of satisfaction to grace his features. The smirk was gone though as soon as it came. His face falling back into its normal stoic mask, the male pushed her away from him gently and stared into her eyes once more.

Content with the amount of shock splayed about her face, the male sheathed his sword and stepped into the darkness behind him, vanishing into the night and leaving his opponent to wonder what in the hell had just happened.

Chapter Two- End

Chapter Two is done! Please review and let me know what you think! I apologize if there are any mistakes…if there are any, it'll probably be corrected in the future. Well. Hope you all look forward to the next chapter! Don't forget to review you bastards! I forgot to do it the last chapter but...

Sakura's Swords:

Sekai- the World

Gin-Silver

Honorifics:

-San: This is the most common honorific and is equivalent to Mr., Miss, Mrs., etc. It is an all purpose honorific and can be used in any situation where politeness is required.

-Chan: This is used to express endearment mostly towards girls. It is also used for little boys, pets, and between lovers. It gives a sense of childish cuteness.

Next time on Luminescence

Chapter Three- Sigh Of Town

Sakura felt tense as she walked through the streets of her hometown. Something just wasn't…right. It seemed Kakashi, Naruto, and Keisuke could sense it as well, judging by their uneasy disposition. The town was so…still. As if the life had been drained from it.

Suddenly, the pink-haired girl saw Ino, her childhood friend and rival, running towards them, worry and sorrow clouding her eyes as she clasped Sakura's hands in her own.

"Sakura-chan!"

Said girl narrowed her eyes. Ino only called her by name whenever it was something serious.

"Our enemy…!"

She froze.

What about their enemy…?

"Sakura…Sound declared war on Konoha!"