Hey! Well i got a few updates on Ch. 8 :D And I appreciate everyones input! One mentioned on how it doesn't make sense; That ex-Akatsuki members shouldn't be aloud in the village. And yes, they are right. BUT, I am getting to that , I can only put so much in one chapter and I was figuring out all the kinks I had to work out in order to get that straight. ALSO I AM SO SORRY FOR TAKING SO LONG TO UPDATE DX For those that care, I apologize… Just a lot was going on these past few months! Plus I was working a lot -.- BUT ANYWAYS! ENJOI!
Chapter 9- Repercussions
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Sakura slammed the front door shut. Stomping into the living room as she sat on the couch, burying her face in her hands. She sighed. She could have reacted much better to that. It just hurt. She was terrified of being betrayed, again.
"You can't be mad at them for trying to fit in, in their newfound home."
Sakura blinked. looked down. "But… it hurts.."
"Did you think that it was all a bit strange? When the betrayed you? Out of the blue?"
Sakura thought a moment. She had been gone weeks… Before she had left everything was fine.
"Did you know that while you had been gone on that mission, Karin had arrived?"Juubi said carefully.
Sakura froze. "Are you saying they all betrayed me because of Karin?"
"In all actuality Lady Tsunade never betrayed you.. She acted that way because she knew of me. She was hiding it from you. As for the others, Karin somehow messed with their minds."
Sakura's mouth dropped open. "Then why did she call me weak!?"
"She knew you were there. Did you honestly think you masked your chakra quickly enough? She is a Sanin. She knew when you entered the building."
Sakura frowned. Her entire view of them was shattered years ago. And now… It was slowly piecing itself back together. "How did Karin do it?"
"That I am not sure of. She must have put thoughts into their head. Unless she gained a new jutsu. She is smart… but she is also stupid. So if that is the case there is some loophole in her jutsu."
Sakura nodded. That had to be it. But if there were no jutsu involved they would still have believed Karins false words. That still would hurt greatfuly, but… not as bad.
Just then the door opened and she jumped slightly looking to the front door. Itachi. Her eyes softened. Looking down at the ground.
As he entered the room and sat next to her she closed her eyes and took a breath.
"Saku-" He started before she interrupted him.
"I'm sorry." She had cut in. Itachi blinked, looking at her incredulously.
"I should not have reacted that way. I can't blame you all for trying to make the best of this opportunity we have been dealt. I am holding my old grudges against them still, and I should not push those onto you guys." Sakura said sighing.
"You are just scared to be betrayed, and I understand that." Itachi said, his voice not as hard as it normally was.
"I know and I was thinking maybe I wasn't exactly betrayed. Karin showed up when I was away on that mission before this all started…" She trailed off.
"I actually have the same theory." Itachi said.
Sakura jerked her head to him. " Y-you do?" She asked.
He nodded. "Yes. She seems to have… replaced you. Everything you were said to have had before, she has. And it's just… strange. She absolutely loathesthat you are back. And it is very suspicious." He said as a matter of factly.
Sakura nodded. Thinking about it further. Noticing the facts he had pointed out. "Do you think it is a jutsu? Or something along those lines." She asked him.
He nodded. "I activated my sharingan, and noticed a strange aura radiating from her. Because of all my years of experience is the only reason I can sense it. Sasuke is unable to, since he hasn't unlocked all the stages." He said brow furrowing.
Sakura glared, fists clenching. "That BITCH." She growled out venomously.
Itachi put a hand on her arm, making her falter and look at him. "We have to go about this smartly and carefully. Why call her out and attack her? When we can make her out herself?" He asked.
Sakura thought a moment and smiled. "You're right. That is perfect.." She said then sighed, as leaned back.
"What plans did you guys have?" She asked. She had heard him tell them that when she had left.
"They were going out to dinner then to the bar." He said.
Sakura grinned. "I am going to shower and change, we are going." She said jumping up and running upstairs. He grinned as he stood and went to change as well.
Half an hour later she emerged wearing black leggings, and a long silver off the shoulder top. A pair of silver high heels. Her hair straight and smooth.
"You look…" He was lost for words.
Sakura smiled at him. "Thank you." She said. "Are you ready to go?" She asked.
He nodded and smiled as the left the house, locking the door behind them.
Not long later they arrived at the building. It was newer, it hadn't been here when she lived here before, but that was ages ago it felt like. She sighed softly, the memories of this place before she became Akatsuki.
Then the pain stung her heart at the thought of Akatsuki… Her own father figure, Pein, tried to kill her. Tears stung, threatening to flow. But she fought them back and stood proudly, walking into the bar with Itachi. It didn't take long to spot them, mostly because of Naruto's loud obnoxious self. There they were, in the back corner, at the large circle booth.
"Itachi! Sakura" Naruto hollered, drunkenly. Itachi led them over to the boot. There were still a few empty spots and Itachi took on sliding over to give Sakura room to sit. But she didn't budge. She stood there, hiding the emotional distress going throughout her body. Everyone watched her. Naruto's face grew sad, and even Sasuke's did as well.
Itachi looked at her, giving her an encouraging smile, sneakily patting the seat next to his. Sakura took a deep breath before sitting next to him. Everyone seemed to relax more. Except Karin, who practically radiated anger.
"May I get you two something?" A waitress in a kimono walked up bowing slightly, smiling.
"A round of sake please." Itachi spoke, and everyone grinned.
"Hey Pinky!" Kisame said happily.
Sakura looked to him and smiled. "Kisame." She said. She tried not to be so stiff, but it was hard. She just needed to relax and breath.
Why was she so nervous? She wondered. It was stupid! Why did she care what they thought? But a moment went by and she sighed she still loved them deeply, thats why she cared.
The waitress returned moments later with a tray full of glasses. Sliding one to everyone and taking her leave and everyone continued to drink.
Sakura was actually enjoying herself. She missed… fun. It was not such a common thing to her anymore. Her hands were no longer the soft gentle ones that they used to be. They were rough and slightly calloused. They weren't hideous but you could tell what her line of work involved.
They all talked of random nonsense. Laughing at Naruto for being a dobe, and Sasuke for trying to kill him for making fun at his hair. It had been an hour or so and everyone was feeling nice and drunk.
"Sakura you look very pretty." Sasuke blurted out, he was drunk. Not overly but enough not to act like a cow was up his ass. Sakura's face reddened in embarrassment. As did Karins, but her's was due to complete fury.
"A-arigato Sasuke." She said looking down.
"If you call a wet mutt pretty." Karin spat out. Everyone froze. Sakura glared.
"Better a wet mutt then a used up whore." Sakura retorted. You could hear Naruto stifling a laugh and everyone else gasping slightly.
"Fuck you Bitch!" Karin screeched.
"Ew, no thank you. I'd rather not have a std." Sakura said with a disgusted look on her face.
Karin snarled looking at Sasuke. "You are just going to let her talk to me like that?!" She cried.
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "You started it." He said moving away from her.
Karin jumped out from the booth glaring at Sakura. "This isn't over bitch!" And stormed out of the room.
Sakura looked at everyone around her. Waiting for them to yell at her. But it never came.
"Gomenasai." Sakura said and moved to get up.
"Don't leave!" Naruto said quickly.
Sakura stopped to look at him. "We are the ones that should be telling you sorry.." Naruto said. A round of nods and agreements swept over the Konoha nin.
"Sakura, we are the ones that owe you a lifetime of apologies.." Ino said sadly, looking down at her lap.
"W-we listened to t-that rat o-over you and…" Hinata stuttered out, tears in her eyes.
Sakura couldn't believe her ears. Was… was this really happening?
"We should never have done that. You have every right to call us traitors." Sasuke said looking her in the eyes firmly. Even though he hid it well, regret was clear in his eyes. Everyone agreed, and spoke of their horrible actions, trying to hide their tears.
"We messed up Sakura-chan. And we will never be able to tell you how sorry we all are.." Naruto said softly.
Sakura felt a huge weight being lifted. It was so much easier to breath. She wanted to cry, but for the first time in years, they were tears of pure happiness. Not like the tears when she joined Akatsuki. Even then the betrayal still stung, but now, it was completely pure happiness. Tears fell from her eyes.
"You just did."Sakura whispered softly, a smile appearing over her lips.
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^.^ HEY! I am so sorry it took me months to write this… I just didn't know what to write. I was lost and even this is still… meh. I kinda just pulled it out of my ass to be honest. I am not sure I like it it seems… i don't know but I am sorry it sucks. I WILL PROMISE TO GET BETTER! Of course I won't be able to update as often as I had when i started the story but I will try my hardest! Love you all! Please update! I need ideas and feedback! Thank you!
animeluver37
