Complications
PerkyGirl23
Author's Note: Hello! How are you guys? It's been awhile since I have been in touch, and I apologize for that.. it seemed that I was so busy the past few months that it slipped my mind that I still have to finish my fanfic.. anyway, don't you worry guys, because school's out and it's our summer vacation already, so I think I would be able to concentrate more on finishing this fanfic … well, I hope you'll like this chapter, by the way, because in this chapter, Sakura and Itachi would be able to get acquainted better and deeper.. so long, then.. REVIEWS PLEASE! JA NE!
CHAPTER 6 – ATTRACTION
" The Kumogakure Fragment Scroll? " Sakura questioned Itachi, as they hopped from tree to tree. They were supposed to take a certain ancient scroll from the Kumogakure headquarters, and, unfortunately for Sakura, she was teamed up with the least likable person she could ever think of. However, she did not have enough time to brood about this matter anymore because their mission needs to be completed first, whatever may happen.
" Aa, " Itachi responded on his usual monosyllabic reply.
Sakura let out an impatient huff. Was this man in front of her only capable of short responses? Is she going to endure this kind of 'lively' conversations with him for a long time? She did not want to imagine it. She wonders how Kisame had managed to team up with him for such a long period of time. She rolled her eyes at the thought, and suddenly remembered her former team mate, Sasuke, who was very much alike with his brother. No doubt about that, Sakura mused darkly. " Just like Sasuke, " she mumbled absentmindedly.
Suddenly, as she was hopping, she bumped into something. Then, she realized that that something was Uchiha Itachi's back. Because of the collision, she lost her balance and almost fell from the tree. Thankfully, Itachi, with his quick reflexes, immediately grasped her wrist, while his other arm supported her petite waist. When she opened her eyes, she noticed that their faces were only a few inches apart, and she could almost feel his masculine breathe across her parted lips. She reddened from the close contact and focused her gaze on his crimson eyes instead. They were gazing intently at her emerald orbs, and she couldn't help feeling drawn to them. She gulped.
" What is it that you have just said? " Itachi asked softly.
Sakura blinked. " W-What? Wait, let go of me, " she stammered as she jerked from his grip. However, his grasp tightened further and just held her closer.
" Am I that very much alike to Sasuke? " he queried.
She stared at him unblinkingly, nonplussed. So that was the reason. " Well, yeah. But that was not necessary, " she answered. " Was it? " she added tentatively.
Itachi continued to stare at her. " You and him were former team mates, am I right? "
" Yeah. Does it matter? "
Itachi dropped her wrist and turned his back to her. Sakura, on the other hand, massaged her wrist from his hard grip, when Itachi spoke again. " I do not wish to be compared with him again. We are very much different from each other, "
And with that, he resumed his pacing from tree to tree, leaving Sakura in complete puzzlement.
oOo
" You are going to join the Akatsuki, "
These words rang on Sasuke's a couple of times then, before regaining his composture. He cleared his throat first, before shifting back his attention to the impatient Godaime.
" Now what, Uchiha? "
" If I do agree, how can it save Sakura in the first place? "
Tsunade started pacing from left to right in front of him as she spoke, " Simple. Once you are already an Akatsuki, not only you can retrieve important information from them, but can also rescue Sakura when the right time comes, "
She stopped her pacing, right in front of Sasuke. She clamped her hands on his broad shoulders and stared at him sternly. " That may take up a lot time and effort, however. We will need a lot of cooperation from you, "
" But how can we fool the Akatsuki into hiring me? W all knew that Akatsuki cannot be fooled by simple means, " Sasuke asked.
Tsunade sighed heavily and closed her eyes wearily. She released her grip from Sasuke's shoulders and resumed to her pacing once more.
" The plan I have formed was a very complex one, but I will try my hard to manage it. It will need a lot of help from ANBUs and jounins, too, I think, " she replied.
Sasuke's brows knitted in confusion. " What's the plan? "
" Konoha ninjas will ambush an Akatsuki member that comes across their path. Of course, that would be very difficult, as well as dangerous, because all Akatsuki members were indeed very skilled ones. " Tsunade explained. " But the important thing is, Akatsuki must lose at least one member in order for you to join in, " she added.
Sasuke finally nodded in agreement. " Once they have lost a member, they will be forced to hire a new one, right? "
Tsunade smiled. " Right. And that would put you into the picture, Uchiha, "
Sasuke fell silent. Then, he remembered something. " But, " he said suddenly. " Itachi does not want me to join the Akatsuki. He said so in our last battle, "
Tsunade rolled her eyes in exasperation. " Your brother is not the Akatsuki leader, was he? So the matter of hiring a new member was not placed on his responsibilities. " she replied. " And as I have told you, they will not think twice into finding a replacement for the lost Akatsuki member once our plan succeeded. "
Sasuke nodded again slowly. " But how long will I stay in being an Akatsuki? "
" You will be a temporary one, of course, until you managed to rescue Sakura from their clutches, " Tsunade answered briskly. Then her face became stern. " Not unless you want to betray us again and decide to become a permanent Akatsuki member? " she asked.
Sasuke looked away. " That was my previous plan. However, due to the recent events that have had occurred, I say that that plan would never cross my mind again, " he stated firmly, looking directly at Tsunade.
Tsunade smiled and patted Sasuke's shoulders. " That's a relief, then, "
"…"
" Oh, before I forgot, " Tsunade said. " Shizune and myself were the only ones who knew that you're back in Konoha, in other words, this mission would be a top secret one. You will also resume to your life as a missing-nin until an Akatsuki member is killed and that organization notices you, "
" Will Sakura be aware of the plan, too? " Sasuke asked.
Tsunade shook her head firmly. " No, " she replied curtly. " We can't risk it. She might let it slip, and remember, you're inside the Akatsuki headquarters. It is too meddlesome. One wrong move, and you two will be dead for sure, "
" I understand. But what will be my cue to begin rescuing Sakura? " he asked again.
" You will wait for my signal to start. Once Konoha shinobis start to invade the Akatsuki headquarters, then that would be my cue. " Tsunade answered. " For the meantime, you need to act as an Akatsuki should be, and convince all of them that you are still a missing-nin, "
Sasuke stared at the Godaime once more, and then fell silent. He must be thinking it over, Tsunade thought. Then, Sasuke sighed deeply. " I will be doing this for Sakura's sake. After all, she did saved my life, "
Tsunade nodded in relief. " Besides, it will give you more chance to clarify things with your brother, "
Sasuke shrugged. " Maybe, "
" I've just got one more question, Uchiha, and I need your most honest and straightforward answer you can give. "
Sasuke stared at her cautiously. " What is it? "
" Are you not going to have any more revenge against Konoha? To the elders, who have had ordered the massacre towards your clan? " Tsunade asked.
Sasuke's body stiffened. And then he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. When he spoke, there was an unmistakeable anger suppressed in his voice.
" True, Konoha was to blame for what I have suffered then. I knew I would not be able to forgive those responsible for the wiping out of our clan, as well as for making my brother act like a puppet for their plans, " he answered. " But as I have said earlier, this is all for Sakura, as well as for Itachi, who had wished me to go on with my life and just revive the clan, "
" You mean you're not going to plan revenge anymore? " Tsunade asked, crossing her fingers.
" No, I won't. " he answered as Tsunade sighed in utmost relief. " There was no benefit for me anymore, because that will also not bring my clan back from the grave. I also promised myself not to tarnish my reputation as an Uchiha anymore and put more blood in my hands. "
Tsunade nodded and patted Sasuke's shoulders once more. " That's good. I'm glad you have matured more your age. " she said. " If you do accomplish all of these, then I might change my mind into punishing you for all of your crimes, "
Sasuke nodded. " I'll try my best, " he said as he bowed respectfully to the Godaime before him.
Tsunade smiled. " Well, I guess that's settled, then. Once you've recovered fully, get ready to get back to the life of being a missing-nin, "
oOo
Sakura cursed. Her chakra level was already dropping low, and still, there were several rogue ninjas approaching them. She shook her head fretfully. Acquiring the Kumogakure fragment scroll was not an easy job, after all. Compared to her missions back in Konoha, her missions in Akatsuki were far more dangerous than the ones she once had in Konoha. Despite her status as one of the best medic-nins in Konoha, it was unusual for her to go on missions like this, so it was all new to her. These challenging missions were what she liked the most. It enhances her ninja skills and not just her medical skills. Somehow, it crossed her mind that she was starting to like the life of being an Akatsuki. She cursed as a blazing shuriken almost hit her, and shook the unwanted thought away. That's not true, Sakura convinced herself firmly. She would never aspire for a life like this forever. Never.
" Fuuton: Reppushou! " Sakura said as a gust of wind blew her foes away. She glanced at the far right direction if her partner was doing alright. Heck, Sakura thought. There was no need for her to worry for Itachi. He was a very powerful shinobi. He can surely manage alone.
As a new herd of rogue ninjas came towards her, she decided to slam both of her hands onto the ground, creating a long, running crater that injured the rogue ninjas attacking her. This technique was taught to her by her shishou, and it came in handy wherever she went and used it in order to intimidate potential enemies along the way. Itachi's crimson eyes widened in astonishment. He didn't surely expect that kind of enormous strength coming from a certain pink-haired kunoichi, considering her size and all. However, she became an apprentice to the Godaime, so there was surely no doubt about her skills.
" Suiton: Suuryudan! " Itachi muttered as a couple of gigantic water dragons came dashing towards his opponents. However, it was not enough as they continue to run towards him.
" Kaze no Yaiba! " one of them yelled as a large blade of wind came dashing towards him.
" Ha! Got you now! " said the Kumogakure ninja who had cast the technique triumphantly. " There was no way of blocking my special technique, "
" Is that so? "
The Kumogakure ninjas turned around and saw Itachi behind, unscathed.
" What the-" the Kumogakure ninja stammered. Then he looked back on the direction where he had supposedly hit Itachi. There he found a large bough of tree lying on the ground. " Kawarimi, " he said in gritted teeth.
Itachi smirked. " Katon: Karyuudan, "
" What the! A while ago it was water dragons, and now it was fire dragons! " one of them exclaimed as they tried to block the attack. Unfortunately, some of them got hit directly by the attack.
Itachi decided to make the fight ended shorter, so as not to waste their precious time. The scroll was already dangling inside his cloak, and all he and Sakura need was to get out of this place. Besides, due to the use of several jutsus made his chakra deplete. However, the remaining Kumogakure ninjas were very persistent as they tried to throw him a handful of blazing shurikens and exploding bombs, on which he dodged away easily and effortlessly. One last blow should do it, and he could use a good rest after.
" Mangekyo: Sharingan! " he calmly said as the black in his crimson eyes turned into the shape of the shuriken.
The shrill cries of agony that filled the air caught Sakura's rapt attention as she turned her head towards Itachi's direction. True enough to her suspicions, Itachi had used the Mangekyo Sharingan against his opponents. Must as she liked for their fight to end, she does not wish for these shinobis to suffer in utmost pain; it was just too pitiful to bear. As their bodies dropped limply one by one, Itachi's eyes turned back to normal. He turned away, but Sakura stayed rooted on the spot.
" Come, " Itachi beckoned. " We are in a hurry, "
Sakura glared at him angrily. " How could you stay calm after what have you done? You should not have used the Mangekyo Sharingan on these shinobis! "
" These shinobis you were referring to were the ones who wanted to kill us, " Itachi pointed out blankly.
" That's not the point! " Sakura argued. " You should have used other techniques! "
" Be grateful there isn't more, or I would have had killed them, "
Sakura's eyes narrowed into slits. " I should have known it was Uchiha Itachi who I'm talking to. " she chuckled darkly. " You have no mercy, "
Itachi stared at her coldly. " The likes of you do not understand, " he said as he began to walk away.
" What I don't understand is why- "
Itachi stopped short when Sakura was not able to continue what she is about to say. Curious, he turned towards her. His eyes widened in shock as he saw Sakura's body drop limply on the ground, with a kunai stabbed on her back. Ten feet behind her, he noticed a single shinobi running away from the sight. He must have masked his chakra when he threw the kunai at her, Itachi thought darkly. There was no more time to run after the culprit though, Itachi thought. This kunoichi need help, or else she would bleed to death. He picked up Sakura and released the kunai from her back. She groaned from the action as more blood came out. She lost consciousness that moment, and Itachi carried her bridal style. He must get to the nearest river to wash her wound, he decided as he sped away.
oOo
Upon reaching the nearest river he could find inside the Kumogakure woods, Itachi placed Sakura carefully under a shade of tree, so as not to harm her wound. Luckily, no one saw him and Sakura entering the forest, or else, he would have engaged once again in a fight. He placed her lying in sideward position and sat cross-legged behind her to inspect the wound. He decided to strip her clothes in order to inspect her wound further. After all, it is for her sake if he did not do this. So, after a few more moments considering, he decided to begin stripping off her clothes. As his hands reached the hemline of her shirt, a firm hand grasped his wrist.
" What do you think you're doing? " Sakura hissed menacingly.
" I am merely taking off you're clothes, " he stated calmly.
Angrily, Sakura tried to sit up but grimaced as an unmistakeable pain shot her. " Shit, " she muttered. " You, Uchiha bastard! " she growled.
Itachi just stared at her unblinkingly, much to Sakura's annoyance.
" How dare you take advantage of my weakened state! " she growled again as she pointed an accusing finger on him. " You're disgusting! "
Itachi crossed his arms across his chest. For the very first time in his twenty-three years of existence, he was called as a disgusting person, let alone a woman do it. All his life, it was the women who seemed to take advantage of him; begging him to be the one to take their clothes off, for instance. In the case of this kunoichi, however, was different. It was amusing him. He smirked.
" What are you smirking at? " she asked through gritted teeth.
He smirked more. " I think you are under the impression that I was trying to harass you, "
" Well, wasn't it? "
Itachi closed his eyes in frustration. " I am merely taking off your clothes so that I could take a good look at your wound. "
Sakura stared at him. Somehow, she did not entirely believe him. She stared at him through narrowed eyes.
Itachi turned his back against her. " However, I think you rather wish to bleed to death, " he said softly. " I'd better leave, "
He stood up and turned a step away from her when she spoke, " Wait, "
His head turned towards her as she closed her eyes through strangled voice. " Fine," she said. " Please stay. Tend my wound, "
Itachi walked towards her and sat cross-legged behind her again. He assisted Sakura in taking off her shirt, for she was having a hard time removing her shirt from above her head and groaning in pain as she stretched her wound further. When her shirt was already removed, Sakura covered her chest with her shirt and let her naked back facing Itachi.
He gently touched her wound. Sakura winced in pain. The wound was at least two inches long and an inch deep, as he assumed. He stood up and removed his Akatsuki cloak. He then tore off his own mesh shirt above his head and stood up. He turned to head towards the river in order to rinse his shirt, carefully ( and determinedly ) not looking back at Sakura's nude state. Sakura's eyes widened in surprise as Itachi went to the river, already topless. What is he trying to do? She thought in confusion. Surely he wasn't tending to—
Of course he has, Inner Sakura suddenly piped in. Just look at those broad shoulders, and his tanned muscles, too! That was surely a treat!
Sakura closed her eyes in frustration. It was the second time with her and Itachi in this kind of awkward situation. First was the bathroom incident, and now, was far more worse. To make matters worst, Inner Sakura was particularly salivating towards the certain Uchiha. When he came back behind her, he wiped Sakura's wound with his wet shirt. Sakura's eyes then shut from exhaustion, her hands never leaving her shirt that was covering her chest. Itachi's fingers in contact with her skin felt so cool to touch, and she shivered in their close proximity. Inner Sakura shrieked in delight. She was rather thrilled with their contact with Itachi.
Unfortunately, Itachi noticed that she had shivered as he was damping his wet shirt over her wound. " Are you cold? " he asked.
Sakura bit her lip. " Yeah, " she lied. Why am I suddenly perspiring too much? Sakura asked herself. Is it hot?
Inner Sakura sighed in obvious admiration. Yes, and that hotness was emanating from the man behind you, she giggled maliciously.
" I'll finish this up in a moment, " Itachi's husky voice replied.
" The bandages are inside my pouch, " Sakura remembered suddenly.
Itachi grabbed the pouch attached from her waist and got a roll of bandage from inside. Then, he began to tie the bandages on Sakura's back. As he was wrapping the bandages around her, he accidentally brushed his hand over her breasts. Sakura froze, and Itachi stiffened. " Sorry, " Itachi said absentmindedly.
Sakura blushed in embarrassment. Luckily, Itachi was not able to see this. Relax, Sakura, relax. She thought as she tried to ignore Inner Sakura, who was particularly melting like a marshmallow in happiness. " I- It's okay, "
Itachi tried his hardest not to feel affected while he resumed to wrap the bandages around her, although more carefully this time. Those accidents happen, for crying out loud. And matters like that should not be continued to be mulled on over, particularly a person like him.
" There, " he said suddenly. " It's finished, "
" Thank you, " Sakura replied as she shoved her shirt above her head and dressed up again. She winced again in pain as she stretched her wound from her rash action.
" Be careful in moving, " Itachi warned as he sat towards the opposite tree and laid back. " The wound is still fresh, "
" Are we not going to continue our journey back to our headquarters? " Sakura queried.
" It was already dark, and it is not safe to travel at this state, " he answered. " At least for you, " he added rather nastily and smirked.
Sakura sighed deeply as she lied back down the tree. It was the best not to argue further. After all, this man saved her life. " Itachi? " she called out, making sure he was still awake.
" Hm? "
" Thank you for tending to my wound, " she said. " And I would like to apologize for my rude behaviour a while ago. I shouldn't have called you disgusting, " she added.
Silence followed. And then, Itachi spoke, " It was rather amusing, " he answered softly.
Sakura knitted her brows in complete puzzlement. " What do you mean? "
Itachi smirked. " Nevermind. Just sleep, "
Because of exhaustion, Sakura obeyed. Before closing her eyes, however, for once, she thought, Itachi was not that bad to mingle with, after all. It was not bad for a start.
Author's Note: So, how about it then, guys? That was rather unexpected, especially the moment in which Itachi was tending Sakura's wounds… a bit hilarious really.. anyway, I do hope you liked this chapter, and hoped for new reviews to come up, just so I could get a few more ideas on whether to improve more my story. Well, so long then, JA NE!