Chapter 14 – I'm Ready
The next several months were difficult for many different reasons.
First reason: the training.
After losing her control and screaming at Tsunade the way she had, once calmed down, Sakura had been so scared that she'd ruined her opportunity, that her possessiveness had made the other woman realise she wasn't worth her time or effort. Thankfully, that had not been the case. If anything, Tsunade enjoyed Sakura's temper and her mood swings. They reminded her of herself.
But the training was a hell of a lot more painful than Sakura had been anticipating. It wasn't only physically that she was being pushed, but also mentally. How? Well, for starters, when Tsunade slept, she literally slept like the dead and waking her was damn near impossible. For the poor fool who managed to wake her (that poor fool being herself), it was dangerous, for she would wake up screaming and throwing things. Not only did that strengthen her, but also the training itself.
It was difficult to explain. Having somebody coming at you with the intent to kill, having to dodge every single blow thrown her way lest she wished die and having… Just Tsunade's training in general. She was insanely strict, never allowing Sakura a moment of rest. Every time they started another training session, she was certain it would be her last, that this time, Tsunade was actually going to kill her. But that's what made her stronger mentally. Adjusting to the harshness of the training, learning how to defend herself and coming to terms with the fact that the world was not her friend.
Closing her eyes, Sakura breathed deeply, enjoying the wind blowing through the clearing, brushing her hair delicately around her features.
Second reason: the Sabaku clan had left them.
Around a week into her training, Gaara had made it known to them all that they would be leaving the day after at dawn. Why, she had no idea. All Sakura knew was that, when she woke up the next morning, they were gone. It was like they hadn't been there at all. It… It hurt, if she was being completely honest. For the past several months, those three had been there. They had helped her, in their own ways and then suddenly, they had to leave. Itachi told her that they had private business to tend to, that it was extremely personal, but it did little to comfort her.
They were like family to her.
They'd left a note, though. Instead of simply leaving like Sakura had thought they had, as well as the mentioning of their leaving the night before, Gaara had also left a note, one where he expressed his apology of leaving so abruptly. As well as that, he hoped she did well in her training and continued to make good progress.
Green eyes snapped open and Sakura was quick to dodge the fist aiming straight for her head, rolling out of the way and shooting to her feet.
Third reason: no privacy.
She and Itachi had… Well, there had been many times where they basically felt as though they needed to feel the other. However, this was not the hideout. This was not their lake. Here, there was no privacy. In the small cabin, everything was overheard even when the others tried to tune you out. There were no secrets.
As the two lunged for her, she leapt up into the air, into the splits, and reached down, slamming their heads together with an angered snarl.
Back near the trees, one or two of the others winced.
When the two in front of her vanished from existence with pops and poofs of smoke, Sakura surveyed the area around her with narrowed eyes. There had been more of those clones. Three more, to be exact.
Up.
Nothing.
Left.
Nothing.
Right.
Nothing.
Behind.
Nothing.
There was only one place left where they could be hiding.
Clenching her fist tightly, Sakura drew it back before slamming it into the ground.
"Below!" she growled.
The ground broke beneath her like it was merely a glass vase.
And just like she knew there would be, three terrified, dazed looking Naruto clones revealed themselves to her.
"Much better," Tsunade commented loudly enough for her to hear. "However, you're leaving yourself unguarded by standing in that position, Sakura. Don't pause to watch the damage you've caused – prepare yourself immediately for the next attack!"
Nodding once, Sakura used the stance Itachi had taught her long ago, the one that kept every inch of her body guarded.
Sensing movement behind her, she spun around and leapt backwards at the sight of growing blue chakra in Naruto's hand. Rasengan. There was a determined look on his face and she just knew that, inwardly, he would be debating on when to dissipate the attack should she not be able to dodge it. That had been the case many times.
Now, she had a plan.
A single nod was directed to Naruto and in return, he also nodded, charging at her with the blue ball of chakra in his palm glowing brightly, intimidatingly. It felt like everything within her focused entirely on that ball, on the damage she knew it could cause. To make her more aware of it, Itachi had ordered Naruto to show Sakura the attack when used against a very sturdy, very tall and incredibly large tree.
It was completely obliterated.
And finally, as Naruto came within reach, Sakura quickly grabbed the item resting on her back, whipping it in front of her and setting her feet firmly into the ground, causing it to crumble ever so slightly as the Rasengan collided with the fan she had been given.
"Gunbai," Itachi had murmured to her on the night she had released the fan from its scroll. "It belonged to none other than Uchiha Madara and was used throughout many vicious battles. This fan is a war fan, Sakura. It has the ability to convert incoming chakra into the wind element – your element. It converts incoming chakra and reflects your opponent's attack back at them."
Gritting her teeth, Sakura grunted as she felt Naruto being blasted away from her, the force of the reflection almost knocking her to the ground also, but she stood strong, sending chakra to her feet to keep herself standing.
And when Naruto eventually stood back up, he was grinning at her.
"You did it, Sakura–chan!"
She grinned right back at him.
"Well done, Sakura." Tsunade smirked, folding her arms over her ample chest and leaning her side against the tree she was stood under. "You're improving and learning everything I have to teach you, quickly." It took everything to try and fight back Sakura's excitement, her need to throw her fist in the air and yell happily. Instead, Naruto did it for her. "I think that will be enough sparring for today. Go hunt. When you return, I want you to go over the latest scroll I gave to you."
Nodding, Sakura set her Gunbai onto her back once more, though paused in her leaving when Tsunade continued.
"Tomorrow, I'm going to test your restraint."
Restraint? Did that mean…?
"You are going to be healing a living person who is injured."
"But, Tsunade–sama, we can't hurt innocent–"
"This woman is already in the hospital," she murmured and stood up straight, arms dropping to her sides. "I know this because I checked her over myself. At most, I give her two, maybe three days left to live. There is a virus, a parasite, eating away at her insides and I want you to not only discover what kind of virus it is, but to also heal her of it."
That was… A hell of a lot of pressure. Having somebody's life in her hands was not something Sakura enjoyed. However, it was all a part of being a doctor. That man she had healed on their journey to this place had put his life in her hands and she had managed to heal him.
"Go hunt, Sakura. You must be at your best for tomorrow."
Numbly, Sakura nodded once, grateful that Itachi left with her.
"You are going to overfeed yourself, Sakura," Itachi told her calmly from his place against the tree, watching how his mate went from one animal to the next.
She wiped at her mouth with her sleeve, her green eyes wild as Sakura dropped the now thoroughly drained deer to the ground. "Can vampires even do that?"
"We will find out if you continue like this."
It took her longer than just a few moments to try and sort through her thoughts and even then, the so called sorting didn't do much. All it did was cause greater worry. "I need… I need to be at my best tomorrow."
Inwardly, Itachi sighed. There'd been no warning to what Tsunade had forced upon Sakura and it annoyed him. Sure, there was no doubt in his mind that Sakura would be able to save the woman, but what if she didn't? It could have negative effects. But… This time Itachi sighed out loud. Since when was he one to baby somebody? It was simply the fact that this was Sakura.
He'd taken her in, had saved her from an unworthy death on those stone cold cobbles, in that unforgiving alley. From there Itachi had helped her, had guided her.
He just didn't want to see her fall backwards instead of moving forward.
When Sakura sniffed the air and went to move by him, Itachi effortlessly caught her and spun her around, though thought twice of pinning her against the tree like he'd been planning. Instead he held onto her hands, gently backing Sakura up against the tree and staying to one side of her, so that she could see she still had a way out, if she didn't want him so close or felt overcrowded.
"How do you plan on succeeding, if you don't believe in yourself?"
The words had her pausing, had any thoughts of continuing with her hunting, stopping. "…What?"
"Tomorrow. You need to believe in yourself and your abilities, Sakura."
"But–"
"No excuses," Itachi murmured in that silk–like voice. "Just…" He paused, his hand raising and running through the stray strands of pastel pink hair that threatened to shield her eyes from his. "Use your natural talents as a healer. If you are stuck, I am certain Tsunade–sama will offer her assistance."
Her eyes were torn. "I'm… scared."
"I know." Pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, Itachi gave a gentle smile. "Remember, however, that Tsunade–sama would never make you do something she was certain you aren't ready for."
Sakura nodded, her hold on his arms tightening. "Will you be there?"
Did she really need to ask?
This was it.
No questions had been asked about just how the hell Tsunade managed to sneak a body out of the hospital without anybody noticing, just like no questions were asked when she spoke Sakura's name, wordlessly telling her to follow her into the dining room. And when Sakura said body, she meant a body. There seemed to be no life in the motionless woman laying on the dining table and her pale skin seemed to be growing paler by the minute. It was haunting.
Thankfully, Tsunade told Naruto, Sasuke and Jiraiya to stay out of the room so that Sakura didn't feel as though she had an audience, but just like he'd promised, both Itachi and Tsunade stayed right by her side (although he was more leaned against the wall behind her than by her side).
"Her name?" Sakura whispered, eyes glued to the woman's face.
"Tanaka Ayame. Twenty seven years old," Tsunade replied without missing a beat. "First taken into hospital when she believed to be coming down with the flu."
Just for the flu? Why–
"She was pregnant at the time and it is recommended that pregnant women have the flu jab – but you already know that," the blonde continued more quietly, drifting closer and resting her hand on Ayame's stomach. "The baby died inside the womb at thirty–two weeks."
And it was like Sakura could feel Ayame's pain, despite the woman being unconscious.
"After going through labour and giving birth to her stillborn, Ayame stayed for observations. It was during these observations that the doctors realised she was as feverish as the day she first entered the hospital with her concerns. A few days down the line and she lost consciousness. Hasn't woken up since."
Sakura clenched her fists and fought hard against the urge to bite her cheek. "How long has she been unconscious for?"
"Over a week now and as you can see for yourself, her health is rapidly deteriorating."
And she could. Sakura could feel Ayame's life slipping away like it was nothing but sand in an hourglass.
Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she made a single seal before hovering her hands over Ayame's small chest, a green glow lighting the otherwise dimly lit dining room. Usually it would be best to heal or examine a patient with better lighting, but Tsunade had told her one time that the cabin was very, very old and it was only thanks to Jiraiya preserving it for her that it hadn't collapsed altogether.
Ayame didn't look like much. Thin, pale, her skin was blemished, yet clean, but it all added to that look that screamed at you she was ill. From the looks of things, her hair had been falling out. Not just the hair on her head, but also her eyelashes, eyebrows and, even though Sakura couldn't see, she was guessing other body hair had also been falling out. As well as this, Ayame's heartbeat was slow, sluggish.
"You said she had days left, Tsunade–shishou."
Tsunade watched Sakura's features, watched the thoughtful frown on her features. "She did until this morning."
That was the thing about unknown illnesses. It was hard to pinpoint just how long somebody had left, or what they should expect. All that could be told for certain was whether or not it was terminal.
"It's a… It's a parasite of some sort," Sakura murmured, eyebrows knitting together. "And it's eating away at her organs, draining her life energy."
The blonde nodded once. "Can you identify what sort of parasite it is?"
Slowly, unsurely, Sakura shook her head. "I don't recall seeing it in your scrolls."
"Which shows you searched through them thoroughly last night," she said this with a small, proud smile, one that Sakura couldn't see.
"It's almost like poison." Sakura scowled after a few minutes of silence.
"And what do we do with poison?"
"Counter it. Try to find an antidote. But, Tsunade–sama, I don't think we have time…"
Just as the words left Sakura's lips, Ayame's heart skipped a beat before breaking out in an uneven, fast pace, like she was running a marathon without pacing herself. Her breathing was quickening and despite being unconscious, Ayame's features were contorted with pain, her entire body tensing.
What did she do?
The glow faded from Sakura's hands as she watched the convulsing woman with wide eyes, a terror–filled look on her face.
What did she do?
Itachi pushed away from the wall, folded arms dropping to his sides as he felt her growing panic.
Deep breath. First of all, she was going to take a deep breath. Sakura did so at her own order, forcing herself to calm down. This woman's life was in her hands and she couldn't let her die. Not on her watch.
Without a moment of hesitation, the green glow came back, just as Tsunade stepped forward to intervene. The blonde paused, eyes narrowing as she watched Sakura pushing her chakra further and further into Ayame's body. Those honey brown eyes only continued to narrow as one hand slowly pulled away from the pale body, drawing out the chakra carefully.
And with it, black dots of what appeared to be the parasite.
So that was Sakura's plan. To forcibly drag it out of the body.
"Naruto! Get me a bucket!"
Even though he was in the other room, Naruto heard Tsunade clearly and within a second, was in the dining room with them, placing three buckets by Sakura's side, cringing as he sensed the fatal parasite being dropped into one of the buckets.
It would have been easier with water, but Sakura knew she had to act quickly. Ayame's heart rate was sky rocketing, entering dangerously to the edge of stopping completely. Had there been machines around them, Sakura would have called it 'flat lining'. However, all she had was her hearing and so she reluctantly yet professionally listened to the dramatic thundering of the woman's heart.
"Come on, Sakura–chan…" Naruto murmured, leaning forward ever so slightly in suspense. "You can do it!"
Believe in yourself.
That was what Itachi repeatedly told her.
She could sense Sasuke and Jiraiya entering the dining room also, despite Tsunade's previous warnings of overcrowding her. Sakura barely even noticed them, too determined on saving–
Her heart stopped.
Ayame's heart simply stopped all of a sudden.
"It's too much stress on her weakened body," Tsunade told her quietly.
There was still a chance. With wide eyes, Sakura quickly got to doing chest compressions, lips moving silently as she counted.
Nothing.
Tears threatened to fill her eyes as Ayame's chest stopped moving, but instead of crying, she worked harder. The trembling of her bottom lip couldn't be helped, however.
Nothing.
But if there was nothing, then why could she…?
Keeping her eyes on Ayame's chest, she lowered her mouth to hers, forcing air into her lungs.
"Sakura," the blonde murmured quietly. "That's enough."
No. She wasn't gone. Ayame wasn't gone yet.
Her hands began to tremble with the restraint she was fighting for as she leaned back, watching the average looking woman's features for a second before summoning her chakra once more and aiming it all to her heart, squeezing her eyes shut at the strange feeling that enveloped her. It was like nothing she'd ever felt before. It was like… It was like she could feel… She was tugging, yanking at something… A light… No, a colour?
"Sakura," Tsunade sighed, "I said that's enough. You have lost her."
She shook her head stubbornly. "No I haven't! I can still feel her. She's still here."
"Sakura–"
"Don't!" Sakura snapped, feeling somebody reaching out to touch her. "I almost have her. I can feel her!"
And then, utterly stunning them all, a bright light passed through Sakura's body and crashed down into the deceased woman's. Only, she was no longer dead. The woman's brown eyes snapped open, a large gasp of air being drawn in between slowly turning blue lips.
Sakura's legs almost gave out on her and she had to clutch the table for support, panting harshly. That had been… It had been like…
"What…?" Naruto couldn't find any words to say, just like the rest of them couldn't, as they watched the scene before them with wide eyes.
"You…" Even Sasuke couldn't hide his disbelief, his shock.
"Brought her back to life." Jiraiya moved forward, listening to Ayame's heartbeat as it slowed back to a normal pace for a human. Even her breathing was calm. Ayame looked confused for a moment before she slipped into unconsciousness, her body completely exhausted. "That woman was dead."
"I think we found your gift, Sakura," the blonde murmured, still in shock. "You can revive the dead."
Itachi's eyes narrowed a fraction, knowing what this would mean. "Reviving one woman does not mean Sakura can revive–"
"You saw what she did, Uchiha!" Tsunade growled, a desperation tugging viciously at her heart. "Tanaka Ayame died right in front of our eyes and Sakura has just managed to bring her spirit back from the other side."
"Spirits linger," he countered.
"You–"
Sakura collapsing had them cutting themselves off, had Itachi moving forward with unseeable speed and catching her. "I will hear no more of this," he stated quietly, holding Sakura close to his chest. "And I will not have you or anybody else pushing her into something that may not even be true. Until we have more evidence that this was not just a miracle, and was in fact Sakura's 'gift', it stays quiet."
Not even waiting for a reply, Itachi made his way upstairs to put Sakura to bed.
He was glad to find that it was merely exhaustion that had caused her to collapse, but that in itself was strange. Sakura had been fully rested before that… Whatever it had been. It only went to show how much effort and energy she'd just put into saving the human's life, all the while ignoring the painful throbbing in her throat, the one that demanded she sunk her teeth into the woman and drained her of her blood.
As Itachi set Sakura down onto their bed, pausing to brush the hair off her face, he allowed a minute frown to settle of his features. Like with everything else, he had felt all the things Sakura had been experiencing, like he was experiencing them himself. Worry. Desperation. Fear. Panic. More desperation. But… That was where it became… uncertain.
What the hell had that feeling been? Once more Itachi's features were blank as he sat down beside his unconscious mate, leaning back against the headboard of the bed. He disliked how it creaked beneath his weight, how the headboard was even creakier, but it couldn't be helped. Itachi knew how old everything in this cabin was.
That feeling had been… Painful. For him it had been, anyway. No, it had been agonising. Sakura had been detaching herself from him, detaching her spirit from her body. Perhaps that was why he reacted in such a way to the others' words? Whilst she was technically dead, obviously, her spirit was still within her immortal body. It wasn't because of their bond, but because of their connection that Itachi had felt what he did. He sighed. It was difficult to explain, even in his own mind.
If what the others were saying was true, then that would make Sakura the first vampire – first supernatural being – who could revive the dead. Not a reanimation like Itachi knew Orochimaru could do, but a real, living person. Granted, the woman hadn't been dead all that long (not even a minute), however, her heart had stopped, as had her breathing, and her blood had already been cooling, all advancing quickly due to the parasite that had been eating away at her organs.
It was as though Sakura's spirit had slipped into a different world entirely, the one where the dead, lived. She had no idea she was doing it, either. From what Itachi had gathered via their bond, via being able to read her mind, Sakura had simply been following what she knew to be Tanaka Ayame's 'light'. That 'light' was most likely her spirit, however.
And now that his mate had opened that gate between the living and the dead, she would forever be aware of it. How did Itachi know this?
He was aware of it, also. He could feel it through their bond.
It was difficult to ignore, even for him, who was not directly linked to it.
Whilst it could be a good thing for Sakura to be able to revive the dead, it would also be bad. If word got out and other supernatural beings became aware of what she could do, they would be tracked down. They would beg her and beg her until she gave in and revived their loved ones. What would that lead to? Hunters. Hunters would catch wind of a pink haired vampire who could bring back the dead, which would put Sakura right to the top of their priorities list.
After all, what was the point in killing supernatural beings, if one of them continued to bring them back?
There was no denying that, should this be Sakura's gift, it would be incredibly useful. Should a war ever break out between hunters and the supernatural kind, she would be alongside Tsunade and Jiraiya (a sign of her being superior, being important) in the battles.
But what was something Itachi had always wanted?
For Sakura not to be tainted, to not be involved in any wars, of any kind.
That was naïve, however. Should a war ever break out, there would be no protecting Sakura from the horrors that would undoubtedly come along with it. No. Knowing her the way he did, Itachi knew that Sakura would be right on the front lines, protecting everyone the best she could. Even if it cost her, her own life.
However, that could not happen.
Sakura could not die.
He would make sure of it.
"How are you feeling?"
It had been two days since her collapse.
Sakura had only just regained consciousness.
Instead of answering Tsunade's question, Sakura frowned in the direction of the dining room, already knowing that Tanaka Ayame was no longer with them. There were no hearts beating in the cabin, no blood rushing through somebody's veins. Either Tsunade had taken the human back to the hospital, or…
"Where is she?"
"I took her back to the hospital, of course," the older woman answered simply, leaning back in her seat. "While I wanted you to test your restraint, I wouldn't take the risk of having you wake up to the smell of her blood. It would be too much, too soon, for you."
Unnecessary, considering just how much Sakura had fed herself before working on Ayame. However, it was a gesture she was grateful for. Already she could feel the beginnings of her throat burning – the only downside she had found so far to this new life. Constant hunger and an insatiable thirst for blood.
"Sit."
Sakura did so without a word.
There was a pause that lasted the length of a heartbeat before Tsunade spoke up again, asking, "How did you revive Ayame?"
"I don't know."
"Sakura–"
"I swear, I don't know!" She sighed irritably even though it was disrespectful of her to do so. "All I can remember, is that, at that moment, I couldn't give up on her. I kept a lock on her spirit and dragged it back to her body. That's all I can remember."
Interesting. Narrowing her eyes a fraction, Tsunade bit her thumbnail. It was a terrible habit of hers, one she had been trying to stop for well over a century now. "You locked onto her spirit? How?"
The words had Sakura frowning more deeply, her confusion obvious. "We can see people's spirits, right? Like yours. It's a deep, dark shade of green, although there's a pale blue, almost silver, that sometimes flashes. Itachi's is crimson. Sasuke's is navy. Naruto's is orange. Jiraiya–sama's is…"
The look on Tsunade's face had her words trailing off.
"Why have you never mentioned this before?"
"Because I thought it was normal!" Sakura answered quickly, eyes widening. "I thought all vampires could see somebody's spirit!"
"No… We can't," the blonde whispered in response. "There's only you, as far as I know." She should know. She'd been searching a long time for somebody with this gift. "That's how you're able to track Itachi so easily. As well as your bond, you can sense his spirit."
"It's like… It's like his is entwined with mine."
A small smile pulled at her red painted lips. "Go find Itachi, Sakura. We can finish our discussion later."
She needed some time to get her head around everything.
He was sitting high in a tree when she found him, eyes fixated on something in the distance. When she woke up, he had been there, though told her that Tsunade wished to discuss what happened with her, that she should find him afterwards and he wouldn't be too far.
"Tsunade–sama thinks we found my gift," Sakura told him quietly, leaping up to the branch he was sat at like it was nothing to jump over a hundred feet high. When Itachi did not answer her, she sighed and sat beside him, eyes glued to his features to try and read them. Nothing. "I think she might want to practice–"
"And how do you feel about it?" A short pause. "Do you want to?"
Despite it being rude of him to cut her off, she wasn't annoyed. It was the first time somebody had asked her what she wanted, what she thought or felt about it. No, she hadn't been awake long and so far, she'd only crossed paths with Naruto and Tsunade (as well as Itachi), but those two had spoken to her in a way that made it seem like there was no choice. She was going to practice bringing people back to life and that was that.
"I think…" Another frown. "I think it would be useful for me to practice, to fully learn what I'm capable of, but…"
"But?"
"Everyone has lost somebody they love," she whispered, tears filling her eyes. "If I could, I would do and give anything to bring Ino back, even if it's not to me. I would gladly bring her back just for her parents. For mine. But… I can't do that. Questions would be asked and it would be completely selfish to bring her back. It would only cause great confusion and pain for those who loved her. Ino's…" Her bottom lip trembled. "Ino's dead and there's no bringing her back. I've always believed that things happen for a reason. Even the bad things can bring good. I was attacked, but it brought me to you!"
It now made sense to him why Sakura was much more emotional than other vampires, why she was capable of such strong feelings. She could sense people's spirits, could easily feel their emotions. Just remembering how strongly she'd felt when she found out about Ayame's stillborn told him that! His mate was an empathetic creature indeed.
"And… If people found out that I was able to bring back their loved ones, I'll become a target. You'll become a target. Everyone I love will become a target! I can't do that. I can't let any of you be harmed!"
Noticing that she was becoming more and more panicked, Itachi turned to the side and cupped her cheek, butting his forehead to hers and sighing. "I will not allow for anything to happen to you, Hime," he told her softly, quietly. "That includes protecting those you care for."
Green eyes searched his until they slowly shut. She relaxed against him, moving her forehead so that it was resting on his shoulder. It was a nice feeling having Itachi gently stroking her back and it only vaguely occurred to her that she wasn't tensing up at the feeling of somebody touching her back. Since the attack, Sakura had been understandably uneasy about anybody touching her back – this included Itachi. However, at night, they worked on that. No, they weren't sexually intimate, but they were emotionally intimate. Nothing was private in the cabin, so they refrained from touching each other sexually.
"I informed Tsunade–sama that you will not be training today," he spoke quietly into her ear, breathing in her scent with every breath he took.
Sakura frowned, but refused to move. She was too comfortable where she was. "And she just accepted it?"
His smirk was hidden.
Of course Tsunade hadn't simply accepted it. She'd been rather angry, actually.
However, Sakura deserved a break. How many months had she been training non–stop for, now? Well over four. They didn't really keep track of time. And whilst Sakura trained, Itachi trained Sasuke, preparing him for his battle against Orochimaru. Sometimes he enjoyed watching Sakura train, however. She truly was flourishing under Tsunade's tutelage.
Without a word of warning, Itachi gently pulled away and slipped off the branch, effortlessly landing on his feet despite the hundred feet drop. A second later and Sakura followed, frowning in confusion as she accepted the hand held out to her.
"Itachi?"
"Come with me, Sakura," he murmured, tugging on her hand until she was following him. "I have a surprise for you."
She followed silently, allowing Itachi to guide her further and further into the forest, further and further away from the cabin. As they walked she admired the scenery around her, smiling to herself at the sight of flowers blooming, a clear indication of spring beginning. Spring was Sakura's favourite time of the year and not just because her birthday was in the spring. It was because of the signs of new life. The beauty of everything blooming and growing and living.
"I found it just the other week while out on a hunt," Itachi told her, pulling her closer to his side. "While not our own, I believe this place will help you relax just as well."
And as they entered a clearing, her breathing stopped.
It was beautiful.
And like Itachi said, whilst it was definitely not their own lake, this one was just as breathtaking. This one was more private, probably why it took investigating it to actually discover the place. The large trees that surrounded the cabin, hiding it from view, also hid the lake. Like it was their own little safe haven, in a way.
Her breath left her as Sakura took a step forward, the soft grass easily being squashed beneath her feet, though bounced back to life the moment she was off it. The air surrounding the lake was warm, slightly humid, leading Sakura to believe that it wasn't just a lake they were at, but actually a hot spring. Well, a warm spring, she realised as she knelt down and felt the temperature of the water. How and why wasn't necessary to know. All Sakura needed to know was how long they could spend here, and how much time.
It had been like a small, nagging feeling in her stomach not having anywhere to be with Itachi, constantly reminding not just herself, but also Itachi, that they had very little privacy, if any at all.
Mixed in with the grass were small daisies, another surprise, although Sakura didn't comment on it and instead slipped off her converse and socks and rolled up her jeans. The grass was like heaven to her feet, caressing them gently as she placed her things a safe distance from the water and sat down on the edge of the bank.
"Thank you for bringing me here, Itachi," Sakura told him earnestly as he sat down beside her, having done the same with his shoes and trousers, before sinking his feet into the water like she suddenly did. "It's beautiful."
He responded with a small smile.
Closing her eyes for a moment, Sakura focused on their surroundings, grateful to find that they were alone.
"Can we go for a swim?"
Nodding silently, Itachi stood up, holding out his hand and pulling Sakura to her feet also. And when she walked over to her shoes and socks, he followed, unbuttoning his shirt as he did so. Knowing already that they were alone and would be for quite a while, he neatly folded his shirt and placed it beside his own shoes, next unbuttoning his trousers and removing them.
However, he almost dropped them as Itachi caught sight of Sakura.
Instead of only removing her jeans and shirt like he'd been expecting, she was undressing fully, surprising him completely when she unhooked her bra and dropped it onto the ground, freeing her breasts. Having never seen her so bare before (the bath not too long ago did not count, since he did his best not to look), Itachi allowed himself a moment to admire his mate. Like he had imagined (though would never admit to it), her breasts were small, although not as small as they appeared to be when she stood beside Tsunade. They were more like a handful and Itachi couldn't help but admire the way they needed no support, perky enough not to need a bra. There was a shy smile on her lips and he just knew that, should she still be able to, Sakura would be blushing.
His mouth felt unbearably dry as Sakura's hands moved to her underwear next and while they were plain and nothing too special, his eyes were fixed on the way she slid them off, kicking them under her jeans when they fell to the ground.
"Sakura…"
Hearing the lower tone of his voice, hearing how husky it sounded, sent a shiver down her spine. "Don't tell me you're going to leave me to swim naked alone?" she teased quietly, her stomach doing nervous somersaults.
It was like Itachi was on autopilot as he removed his own underwear, watching as Sakura's apple green eyes ran over his body in a way that wasn't unpleasant in the slightest. Until now, he'd never truly cared about what his body looked like, but seeing that look in Sakura's eyes, seeing how they were glued to his body like he was a work of art, made his male pride soar.
Sensing her nervousness growing, he held out his hand and once she accepted it with her own, he guided her closer to the water, slowly making his way down the bank until the water rose high and higher. Like she'd noticed earlier, it was pleasantly warm, almost as though it was embracing them.
The water was clear, allowing him to continue to view her body at his leisure, though the faint steam that shadowed over the lake covered them from others' prying eyes. Should they look in on the two, they would only be able to faintly see Itachi's chest as well as both of their heads. They were deep enough into the water that it reached Sakura's breasts, though with the way it moved around them, it made it possible to see more of her chest.
"You're beautiful, Hime," he murmured.
He wished he could have seen her blush, if only just one time.
Slowly, hesitantly, the hand that wasn't holding onto his hand, rested on his shoulder, though moved beneath the water only moments later to hold onto Itachi's side, squeezing ever so slightly as Sakura stretched up to press her lips against his jaw.
All stress left his body like somebody had blown out a candle. How was it possible for such a seemingly simple kiss, to relieve him of all built up stress? The past couple of days had been so very stressful for everyone, and he was no exception. Closing his eyes, Itachi allowed Sakura to continue pressing her soft lips against his jaw, though was happy when she began moving upwards, silently asking him to lean down so that she could reach his lips.
He met her lips with his own without being asked, enjoying how they moved against his, how soft and silk–like that they felt. After a few moments his free hand lifted up and cupped her cheek like she was the most delicate being he'd ever laid eyes on, pulling her closer and deepening the kiss in the process.
A burning heat erupted within him at the moan she released.
His touches set fire to her skin, scorching her and leaving a trail of heat wherever his caresses moved to next. Sakura relished the feeling and returned it, doing the same for him as he was for her. If her heart was still beating, she knew that it would be pounding the moment Itachi lowered his kisses to her neck.
Shifting in the water ever so slightly, Sakura took a step closer, closing the small distance between their bodies and pressing hers up against his, another low moan sounding at the feeling of his skin brushing against hers. It was the first time such a thing had happened. Well, without their clothes on.
Itachi pulled her deeper into the water as his lips moved back to hers, as he lifted her effortlessly and encouraged her to wrap her legs around his hips. There was a moment of hesitation from Sakura as she stared up at him, the water lapping gently at their pale, flawless skin, before she did as he wordlessly told her to, gasping into their kiss as she felt something hot and hard pressing against her.
Her eyes were glazed, half–lidded with lust as they locked with Itachi's and she saw that his were no different. There was an animalistic, hungry look that was fighting so hard to dominate him, telling him to dominate her, but Sakura could see that Itachi was stomping those urges back for her.
"Sakura?"
Hearing the question in his tone, that smooth, silk–like tone that never failed to send a shiver up her spine, asking her if she was truly sure about this, she nodded, not able to find her voice. A second later another gasp tore from her as Itachi slowly slid his length into her heat and he couldn't stop himself as his forehead pressed to hers once he had lowered her fully onto him, a soft sound of pleasure escaping his throat.
The look in her mesmerising apple green eyes only added to his pleasure as he saw the wonder, the awe. Through their bond, he could feel that she was starting to realise that sex didn't mean she would be hurt. Yes, Sakura knew that Itachi would never hurt her, but after she had been violated in such a way, after those men had abused her and taken away her innocence, he couldn't blame her for being afraid.
Cupping her cheek with one hand, Itachi kissed her deeply, affectionately, both content with simply staying that way for a few moments. It wasn't until Sakura urged him to that Itachi began to move his hips against hers in a slow grind, his breath leaving him at the feeling that overwhelmed him. What made the feeling more intense was that he could feel how it made Sakura feel, too.
One of her arms wrapped around his shoulders whilst the other locked under his arm, her nails digging into his back, but not enough to cause him any discomfort. In fact, Itachi found that he rather enjoyed it. His hold on her hip tightened and sensing what he was trying to tell her, Sakura moved her hips against his, her eyes sliding shut and a breathless moan filling the air around them, adding to their pants for breath.
His hand ran through her soft, pastel pink hair as he tilted her face towards his once more, capturing her lips in a passionate, fiery kiss. In response, Sakura shifted closer until there wasn't a single inch of space left between them and her legs tightened their hold around his hips, trying to bring him as close as she possibly could. It was so much better than she ever could have imagined, being with Itachi like this. Who could have guessed that she could feel this way? Certainly not her. For a while now she'd been certain that sex just wouldn't be possible for her, not after everything. But… Why should what happened dominate her life? Why should it have an effect on her relationship with Itachi? It shouldn't and it wouldn't. She refused to let that happen.
Suddenly, Sakura broke away from the kiss and buried her face into his neck, her breathing coming much more harshly and she squeezed her eyes shut. It didn't take a genius to know what was happening – especially as he felt her walls tightening around him, grasping at his length – even if he wasn't an expert in this particular area. He quickened his pace, their slow grind becoming slightly faster and more forceful as she cried out his name wantonly into his shoulder. The feeling she was bringing to him as she came undone around him was like no other and it was enough to bring forth his own orgasm. Itachi's eyes fluttered closed, his pants for breath puffing over her shoulder, down her back, making her shiver, and a throaty whisper of Sakura's name fell from his lips.
Their grinding slowed back to its original pace as they helped each other ride out their orgasms, as they tried to draw out the wonderful, blissful feeling between them. They stayed that way for quite some time, gently rocking against each other, leaving soft kisses here and there on the other's skin.
His hand was running through her hair again, eyes watching hers with the warmth that always showed when they were alone.
"I don't want to go back yet," she whispered against his lips, eyes staring down at them with that same glazed look as earlier. "I want…"
Gently backing them up to the edge of the lake, Itachi sat down on the lifted area, slightly thankful that it wasn't entirely dirt, but more like very large stones underwater.
"We can stay here as long as you like."
Feeling her arousal through their bond was making his stomach pool hotly, making him harden once more. The bond and his body were both demanding that he satisfy her once more, even though he just had.
Hesitantly, Sakura shifted her thighs, settling them on the sides of his hips before slowly rolling her own into his.
With the way she clutched onto him tightly, the way he whispered her name and pressed hot, open mouthed kisses onto her neck, guiding her into a steady rocking movement, they both knew that they wouldn't be returning to the cabin for a while.
"They're still not back?"
The man opposite her gave a small smirk, folding his large arms over his wide chest and leaning back in the wooden chair he was seated on. It looked ridiculous, in her opinion. The chair should have collapsed under the muscular man's weight. "They're young, Tsunade." He chuckled lowly. "Well, Sakura is. I don't doubt that they'll be away all night."
She sighed with annoyance and shook her head. "Is sex all you think about? I'm surprised you're not out there spying on them."
He chuckled again, the sound rumbling from deep within his chest. "Itachi would know I'm there in an instant."
"As would Sakura."
"Eh? Give me more credit than that! I'm not an amateur at stealth and hiding myself, you know."
Once more, Tsunade sighed and got up, moving over to a cabinet and grabbing a bottle of sake as well as two sake cups. It wasn't common for vampires to eat or drink human food and drinks, as their food tasted like slime on their tongues, but the sake wasn't bad. Actually, Tsunade could remember the very first time she tasted the stuff, back when it was first created. Oh she had made sure to thank the creator very much. Since then, she always kept at least one bottle of the stuff on her.
"I don't doubt your abilities, you pervert. She can sense people's spirits. For example, mine is a deep green, though Sakura said that sometimes, a flash of a silver–blue colour shows."
His eyes widened. "You mean…?"
After pouring herself a cup of sake, the blonde quickly knocked it back. "Yeah. His spirit. most likely. It's been so long, though. How is it he's still connected with me?"
"We have always argued about soul mates and whether or not it's true." When Tsunade shot him a dry look, he shook his head with a sigh. "That's your problem, Tsunade. You refuse to believe in love. Other than him and perhaps your younger brother, you never allowed yourself to love another. And even if you do begin to accept love, you absolutely refuse to believe in fate and soul mates."
Honey brown eyes drifted to the wall behind Jiraiya, refusing to make eye contact. Briefly, the two of them had been lovers and over the millennia, they'd occasionally fallen into bed together. However, in the past hundred years, nothing had happened between them. Why? Because of… Him…
She gritted her teeth.
When it became obvious that he wouldn't receive a reply, he tried a different approach and spoke of a different topic, although he knew they would soon get back to him. After all, the two were connected now.
"You've been searching a long time for a girl like her, Tsunade," Jiraiya murmured, watching as she poured them both another cup of sake. "What will you do?"
She sighed, swirling the sake in her cup. "I don't know. It's been well over a century since I last saw him, Jiraiya, and even longer since I saw my brother. It's… overwhelming knowing that that girl holds the power to bring them back to me." Shaking her head, Tsunade leaned back in her seat. "She's a siren, Jiraiya. Perhaps not as dangerous but she is a siren, and I know that you've noticed it, too."
He nodded once. "I have. It's her innocence that lures people in. Unlike sirens, however…"
"Unlike sirens," Tsunade downed her sake, placing the cup down on the table firmly, "she doesn't lie and doesn't lure them to their deaths. Everything about her is… real. Innocent. I can't take advantage of that."
"You don't have to."
The voice stunned them both and when Tsunade glanced over Jiraiya's shoulder, she was surprised to find Sakura standing in the doorway, Itachi right behind her. There was a noticeable difference in the pair of them, how they stood closely to each other.
"Done already?" Tsunade questioned, raising a fine, blonde eyebrow.
"Seems like you have lost yet another bet, Tsunade." Jiraiya chuckled, leaning forward and catching her eyes. "And now you owe me."
Damn it.
Itachi's eyes narrowed at their words, but instead of making a fuss about it, Sakura took a deep breath.
"I'll bring them back for you, Shishou," Sakura stated as she walked further into the room. "All you have to do is ask."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed dangerously. Just how much of their conversation had Sakura heard? "You don't even know how to use your gift yet, Sakura. You–"
"Can try," she whispered. "I can feel it, Tsunade–sama. Your pain. I've been feeling it from the moment I met you, no matter how badly you try to hide it."
A low warning growl tore from the blonde's throat. "Sakura…"
"Let me try. We can practice and practice and as soon as I'm ready, I'll do everything to bring them back to you. You've done so much for me, Tsunade–shishou," Sakura practically begged, feeling Tsunade's pain increasing. "Let me try this. For you."
And there was that feeling again. The one she and Jiraiya had been talking about. Sakura was like a siren, one who was incredibly difficult to ignore or push aside. Her innocence was calling to Tsunade, luring her into what felt like an embrace of safety and love.
"I…"
When red painted lips closed, Sakura took a step forward, ignoring the other two sets of eyes on her as she spoke only to Tsunade.
"Shishou, let me bring him back for you."
How could she ignore such an offer?
"Who was he?"
Tsunade's eyes closed in defeat, beginning the story of her pain. "His name was Katō Dan…"
A/N - So in less than six weeks, five now I think, my little nephew is going to be born! I'm so excited to meet him and spoil him rotten! Ugh, it's a shame my brother lives in a different town, but I've already told him I'll be babysitting the baby all the time.
Okay, good mood spoiled. The 'celebrity' I grew up absolutely adoring died on Monday and people are saying he committed suicide. While girls nowadays have One Direction or Justin Bieber, I had Lil' Chris and I'm actually gutted that he's dead. Got to meet him on my sixteenth birthday! He seemed so kind and just a genuinely nice person. RIP Chris Hardman x
Another thing that spoiled my good mood is that I had my last Japanese lesson today :-(
But, it's a known fact that I always write when I'm in a bad mood. Perhaps that's why I always end up going on killing sprees. Hm...
What do you all think about Sakura's gift? Complete and utter bullshit, or really useful? Not going to lie, I got the idea from American Horror Story. Third season, I think.
Edited: 02/09/2016