Flaming Heart
Disclaimer: Naruto belongs entirely to Masashi Kishimoto. This fan fiction is only pure entertainment with no intentions to infringe any copyrights.
A/N: Thank you all for the wonderful reviews. Many of you agreed that Itachi was a toddler before the Kyuubi attack so I will stick with that. Itachi is four-years-old which means that Sasuke has not been born yet (which is of course highly convenient if I want the story line to make any sense at all, lol)
Ohhh I almost forgot! A big thanks to Little Shiro who has made a small uhm 'trailer' of this story. If you're curious to see how it looks like check the link on my profile!
There he was sitting quietly on the soft sand completely marveled as his onyx eyes watched the other children play. He took in every aspect of the scene in front of him. The way the small girl laughed as his older brother made funny faces. The way two boys ran around the park, their expressions filled with pure happiness. Everyone seemed to be having a great time.
He wasn't like the other children. He often heard those words from his father. He was special. He was an Uchiha.
Of course, he did not understand the deep meaning behind those words. He limited himself to smile at his father serious expression as his mother often stuck her tongue out behind his father back.
He looked behind and watched his mother smile at the other woman. They had been engaged in a conversation for what seemed to be hours. He was starting to get cranky and he wanted to go home. He slowly stood up and walked towards his mother when he saw it, a small puppy outside the park.
A soft sound of happiness escaped his lips as his dark eyes brightened up. He glanced back to his mother and then back to the puppy. Quickly, he walked past his mother who did not notice his presence, made his way forward, and crossed the street.
Everyone remained in silence as they all stared at the blonde-haired man innocent smile.
"A mission?" asked Kakashi, as he glanced sideways. Rin smiled encouragingly while Sakura simply showed no interest at all.
"Yes a mission," replied Minato, narrowing his blond eyebrows as he watched the three teenagers in front of him.
"But sensei, Sakura progresses-" Kakashi paused, feeling the pink-haired girl murderous glare on him, "well to be honest she has been improving slightly but-"
"You will carry on with her training afterwards," said Minato cutting the silver-haired nin off with a small smile adorning his tired features, "The purpose of this mission is to see how well you'll do when it comes to team work,"
Sakura's head snapped towards Minato as she noticed the slender change in his voice. She met his bright-blue eyes and a wave of warmth ran through her veins. She could read the approval glint in his eyes. The sides of her rosy lips twisted upwards in a shy smile.
They have accepted her as one of their own.
"Well what is this mission about?" asked Kakashi as he looked at the pink-haired girl from the corner of his eye. She had a silly smile plastered on her features.
"Right," said Minato as he walked back to his desk. He separated a few sheets of papers and kept them away in the drawer, leaving only a small map on the table, "Gather around, please,"
The three teenagers gathered and leaned forward so they could have a good view on the map.
Minato's finger pointed to the sand country, "Right, listen up," everyone remained silent waiting for the blond to carry on, "A few years ago, a very important scroll disappeared from our coffers. One of our informers has tracked down the scroll and it seems that it's in the hand of Suna feudal lord,"
Kakashi raised his head and stared at his sensei, "You expect us to break through his guard?" Kakashi sounded a bit skeptical.
Minato smiled softly, "I have total confidence in your abilities to lead the team,"
Kakashi looked slightly taken back with his sensei words. Sakura snorted quietly earning a glare from the silver-haired jounin. Rin bit her lip nervously.
Missions always made her nervous. The brunette girl was always scared to do something wrong and she always tried too hard to prove Kakashi that she was a big girl that could take care of herself, that she did not need his constant protection.
"When are we leaving?" asked Sakura ignoring Kakashi's glare.
"Today," said Minato as he folded the map and handed it over to Kakashi, "Try to avoid fighting at all costs. The main purpose of this mission is to break through their defenses without being noticed,"
"Hai," said Sakura as she nodded her head. She was feeling extremely happy as she was standing there in the Hokage office with them.
Her team.
Her friends.
"Alright," Minato added as he offered his students a wide smile, "Dismissed,"
The three bid Yondaime good-bye and turned their back on him, walking towards the door.
Rin closed the door behind them and stared at her two walking teammates. Sakura and Kakashi walked side by side, bickering, as always.
She smiled softly as she recalled their murderous glares at each other when they first met. The fire on the pink-haired kunoichi whenever Kakashi opened his mouth to spat his usual self-remarks. The way the silver-haired jounin lazy eye hardened whenever she bit something back at him.
Now, they still argued all right. However, it was different.
Sakura always had a smile glued to her face and Kakashi voice was softer than usual.
"Hey Rin! Are you coming or what?"
Rin snapped from her thoughts and stared at her two friends. They had stopped in the middle of the corridor and both were curiously staring at her. A slight blush took over her cheeks as she ran towards them.
A loud yawn escaped Sakura lips as they stepped outside the Hokage tower. She turned to Kakashi and smiled innocently. The silver-haired jounin raised a suspicious eyebrow.
"Well…" Sakura started as she placed herself between Rin and Kakashi, "How about we all take a small nap before we take off?"
Kakashi rolled his eye while Rin chuckled.
"Sounds like a good idea, Sakura-chan," said Rin as she looked up at the pink-haired girl, "That way I can prepare some dinner to the boys,"
"Okay," Kakashi said absentmindedly, "Let's meet at the gates after dinner,"
"Hai!" said Sakura as her mouth opened in another yawn.
Kakashi frowned as he looked at Sakura. She did look tired, "Make sure you do take a nap," he told her in a warning tone.
Sakura smiled softly and nodded, "I will,"
A few hours later
The full moon watched the three sprinting figures run across the forest. The small animals quickly hid themselves as they ran by.
Kakashi and Rin suddenly came to a stop; they traded worried looks, as the pink-haired girl was still catching up to them. The silver-haired jounin glanced at his team-mate for an explanation. However, Rin refused to look at Kakashi. She bit her lip and started to swing her foot nervously.
"She did take a nap, didn't she?" Kakashi asked, sighing loudly.
Rin gave him a small nervous smile and shook her head, "She… hasn't been able to sleep lately," Kakashi eyed her with a bored expression waiting for her to carry on, "She… she screams at night…," Rin looked up to Kakashi, her brown eyes pleadingly, "Kakashi-kun, I'm worried about her,"
"We should ask her what's wrong," he told Rin as he stared ahead at Sakura who was practically dragging herself forward.
Sakura looked towards Kakashi, a small apologetic smile adorning her features. She shuddered at the thought that she was delaying her team… just like old days, huh?, thought Sakura as she forced herself forward.
"No!" Rin exclaimed, her brown eyes flashing worry, "Please, Kakashi-kun! Sakura-chan made me promise that I would keep it a secret,"
Kakashi groaned inwardly, "We camp here for the night," said Kakashi as Sakura finally reached them. Sakura opened her mouth to apologize but Kakashi hand cut her off, "save it," he snapped as he dropped his bag to the floor.
Rin sighed at the suffocating tension that claimed the air they breathed.
Sakura closed her eyes softly as her whole body cried for rest. She did not even realize her knees had given up, only when her face collided with something hard. The ground.
"Sakura-chan!" Rin exclaimed worriedly as she fell down next to the unconscious pink-haired girl.
"Rin…" Kakashi placed a firm hand on the brunette's shoulder, "Go ahead, take care of her… I'll take the first shift,"
Kakashi sat down, his back leaning to a tree. He watched as Rin improvised a bed made of leaves and laid Sakura down. Rin sat next to the pink-haired girl and she too drifted off to sleep. Kakashi sighed as he stared at the full moon. Sakura was still a big question mark to him.
Kakashi eye moved back towards the sleeping pink-haired girl who seemed to be trembling. He noticed that Rin had woken up. The brunette placed a soothing hand on Sakura's forehead and slowly caressed Sakura's cheek with her other hand.
"Shhh, it's alright," said Rin as her brown eyes met Kakashi's.
"Nightmares?" questioned Kakashi as he stood up and walked towards the girls.
"Hai," answered Rin, her voice above a whisper.
"Does… does she talk under her sleep?" asked Kakashi as he leaned forward.
Rin eyed widened, "I… I don't know,"
"Sakura…" Kakashi called Sakura's name softly, "Sakura… what's wrong?"
"I don't think she-"
"He's here…" said Sakura as she trembled slightly. Her eyes were still firmly closed.
Both Kakashi and Rin eyes widened in surprise.
"Who is?" asked Kakashi as he eyed the pink-haired girl.
"Sasuke-kun…" Sakura's body trembled more violently, "No… please… I… don't… leave me-"
"I think that's enough," said Rin as she glared at Kakashi who had opened his mouth to say something.
Kakashi closed his mouth and nodded slowly. His mind groaned in protest, as he wanted to know what she was dreaming about and more importantly who was this… Sasuke.
A tall figure stood hidden by the shadows between the tall and silent trees. His blonde hair moved along with the soft breeze, his head was turned to the dark sky where the stars were lying and shinning down on him. The full orange-reddish full moon was high in the sky illuminating his surroundings as much as the stars were. The man deep blue eyes stared wonderingly to the mysterious moon.
Something in the air that night kept whispering soft warnings to his ears. Something deep inside of him was keeping him uneasy, warily to everything and everyone as if he was waiting for something to happen.
Because, he knew something was about to happen. He just couldn't press his finger at what exactly was going to happen, but he knew. The deepness of his soul screamed at the top of his lungs that it wasn't something good.
"Minato?" a voice whispered from behind him.
He didn't need to turn around to see who it was, "It's coming," he told her quietly. His voice was calm and smooth. His blue eyes still set on the stars.
The young woman placed herself at his left side, her hand searched for his and she held tightly to it. Her eyes travelled towards the same stars he was staring at.
"What is it?" she asked softly.
"I don't know," he answered promptly, "But whatever it is that is coming… it's dangerous."
The young woman turned her head towards him. Her eyes were filled with worry, "Let's hope that you're wrong," she told him softly.
"Hai," he answered as he slowly turned to look down at her. He offered her a weak smile and pushed the red-haired woman to his chest. She looked surprised at him. He hugged her tightly and she hesitantly hugged him back.
His hug seemed so different from all the others. It had a hint of urge in it. The hair of the back of her neck stood up as an odd thought crossed her mind. The hug felt more like a good-bye of some sorts. She shook her head, shrugging the bad feeling away.
"Are you worried about them?" Kushina asked as she studied the blond-haired man features.
His blue eyes looked down at the red-haired woman, "No, I'm sure they'll be fine this time,"
Kushina nodded and smiled, "Yeah, besides if something happens we just have to save their butts again,"
"Mhhmm," Minato smiled at the hyperactive woman and slowly pulled her towards him, "Let's go back inside," he whispered in her ear.
"Yes, let's do that," she said as a small smile graced her beautiful features.
Sakura eyes snapped open and slowly adjusted her blurred vision to her surroundings. She noticed Rin's sleeping form right next to her and smiled softly at the peaceful expression on the brunette's expression. Then, she slowly stood up, making sure she was careful enough not to wake up Rin.
She spotted the silver-haired jounin sitting with his back leaning against a tree. She watched as he yawned deeply, though all that could be seen was the stretch of his mask.
"Hey," she greeted as she sat next to him, "I'll take this shift," she offered him a small smile.
"No," he simply answered not bothering to look at her. Sakura stiffened at the harsh tone of his voice.
"B-but your obviously tired-"
"We heard you…" said Kakashi interrupting her. Sakura eyes widened at his words. Surprise crossed her pale features, "What is it? What is bothering you?" he turned to look at her, his eye stare directly to her emerald ones.
"What?" Sakura asked, feeling a knot on her stomach, "I don't know what you're talking about,"
Kakashi rolled his eye, "Who is this Sasuke?"
Sakura jaw dropped, her heart compressed tightly. She knew by the tone of Kakashi voice that he would not let this subject go that easily.
Kakashi noticed the mist of surprise and hurt on her facial expression, "Sakura… you can tell me," his hand caught her slightly trembling one.
The pink-haired girl looked quite surprised at his soft touch. She gulped and avoided his eye.
"We were like a family... we were… very different from each other," Sakura smiled at the irony of talking about them with Kakashi. She had never spoke with her sensei about how she felt. It was a taboo topic, "there was Naruto, Sasuke and me,"
Kakashi nodded slowly and remained in silence.
"N-Naruto… despite all the awful things he went through, h-he always had a smile on his face reserved for others… reserved f-for me," Sakura bit her lip as tears stung her eyes. She turned her face to the other side, hiding her tears from the silver-haired jounin, "Then there was Sasuke… h-he was blind with vengeance… and and one day-" a sob escaped her mouth as Orochimaru face played on her mind, "one day he… he left us in search f-for more power. He left us… Naruto and I…"
Sakura knew that Kakashi was probably confused, but she also knew that she could not tell him every detail.
"So what happened to this… Naruto?" asked Kakashi as he squeezed her hand tightly.
Sakura took a deep breath and slowly turned her head to look at her future sensei, "I… I don't know," Kakashi raised an eyebrow in confusion, "Please let's just forget about this…"
Kakashi sighed and nodded, "You must really miss them," he whispered softly as his black eye locked with her teary green ones.
Sakura offered him a small smile, "Yeah… terribly,"
Kakashi smiled back, "Yeah…"
"Kakashi?" Sakura asked softly as she wiped her tears.
"Hmmm?" he asked back.
"Can I have my hand back?" Sakura asked in a playful tone and squeezed the silver-haired nin hand.
"Oh! Sorry," said Kakashi as he let go her hand. He could feel his cheeks burn.
Sakura giggled quietly and Kakashi shot her a confused look.
"You were blushing weren't you?" asked Sakura with a wide grin plastered on her face.
Kakashi blinked, "W-what?" he asked completely taken back. His blush deepened.
"Never mind… it's just that your mask stretches differently when you smile like that… as if you were blushing and smiling shyly," Sakura stopped and looked at Kakashi stupefied expression. Suddenly, she started to laugh, her both hands covering her mouth in order not to wake up Rin. The thought of her sensei blushing… it was crazy!
Kakashi groaned in exasperation as he looked at the laughing pink-haired girl. She could be so… annoying! His cheeks burned with more intensity and he sighed. At least she was laughing. Besides, her laugher sounded almost musical. He liked that.
"Shhhhh!"
Both Kakashi and Sakura turned around to stare at a very concentrated Rin. The brunette girl had her eyes wide open and she was sitting on the floor leaning forward as if she was trying to listen to something else. Immediately Kakashi stood up and he too became serious. Sakura bit her lip as she stared at her teammates when suddenly she heard it too.
A faint cry reached her ears brought by the gentle breeze. Sakura shivered slightly, it sounded awfully like a child's cry.
"Should we go see what is it?" asked Sakura as she too stood up.
"I don't think we should," Kakashi answered as he picked his backpack up, "we should cross the forest during the day and the desert at night," he added as he looked at both girls who had their arms crossed around their chest and a look on their eyes that was clearly not a friendly one.
"I think we should check what it is, Kakashi-kun," said Rin as Sakura gave her a supporting smile.
"I agree with Rin," said Sakura as she gave Kakashi a victory smile.
Kakashi sighed and rolled his eye, "Of course you do," he muttered under his breath, "Right, if we're going to do this it's better if we split up,"
Sakura nodded, "faster that way,"
"We'll meet here to report?" asked Rin earning two nods of approval from her teammates.
"Right! See you later!" said Sakura as she jumped upwards to a tree limb.
The gentle breeze turned to a stronger one. Sakura narrowed her eyes as she knew that the weather was about to change drastically. She then cursed under her breath as soft droplets of rain started to fall. They came down slowly at first as if it was a kind warning to what was coming next.
Sakura jumped down to the ground as the rain increased. She focused on her surroundings, tried to spot anything that indicated that someone was nearby but she could not see anything at all.
"Hello?" she called out softly, not sure, if she was doing the wise thing. If it happened to be a hostile nin she was clearly giving her whereabouts away. She was an easy target.
As Sakura prepared to turn left, she heard the noise of broken twigs. Her heart stopped frozen on the spot and she held her breathe only to let it out a few seconds later as she caught the sight of a small fox leaving the small bushes.
"Don't scare me like that," said Sakura as the fox passed by her completely ignoring me.
"M-m-mommy?"
Sakura quickly turned around, her green orbs widened as she spotted a small boy hiding between the bushes. Her lips parted in both surprise and relief.
"Hey!" Sakura exclaimed softly as she stepped forward, her hand stretched towards the boy. He gasped and hid himself further in the bushes.
Sakura bit her lip. She knew that they were not too far away from Konoha. Nevertheless, what was this child doing all alone in here? More importantly how did he manage to pass by gatekeepers?
"Hi…" said Sakura in what she hoped to be a friendly voice, "Where are your parents?"
The boy peeked through the bushes taking in her features. She seemed friendly. His dark eyes spotted the headband on her forehead. His cousin had the same headband.
"Are you lost?" Sakura asked when the boy offered her no answer, "Are you from Konoha?"
The boy quietly stepped forward, leaving the safeness of the bushes. He then nodded quietly. Sakura gave him a reassuring smile and stretched her hand.
He eyed her gloved hand and slowly stretched his own. Sakura smile widened as he held her hand.
"I'm Sakura, what's your name?"
Her smile faltered slightly as she spotted the Uchiha symbol on the boy's t-shirt. She studied his face, his eyes, and his nose… and his lips. Sakura shook her head and gulped, she stared down at the dark-haired boy, her eyes widened in shock, her trembling hands held his.
The boy looked at the strange pink-haired girl, his onyx eyes bored into her scared ones, "My name is Itachi,"
Sakura looked surprised at how his voice sounded so soft, so innocent, so… childish. Nodding slowly, she forced a secure smile on her pale features, "Nice to meet you… Itachi-kun,"
The boy nodded and gave her a small smile. Sakura found herself smiling back, the accelerate rhythm of her heart slowed down. Her head stopped screaming and she was now thinking clearly.
"Let's get you home, shall we?" she asked him in a cheerful tone.
There was no reason to be so stiff around the boy. Sure, he was Sasuke's brother, the man she heard so many awful things about. But right now, he was still a child, he had no stain of blood on his hands.
"H-hai!" said Itachi as he walked next to the pink-haired girl.
Sakura stopped and so did Itachi. He looked up to the kunoichi with curiosity. A soft sigh escaped her lips as Sakura debated with herself whether she should return to the meeting point or not. Shrugging, she decided that it would be a lot faster if she simply went ahead. Returning to the meeting point to report and then head towards Konoha sure would take her more time.
"Hey, how about a piggy-back ride?" asked Sakura as she crouched on the floor. Itachi did not answer but simply accepted her suggestion.
As he placed himself secured on her back, the pink-haired girl noticed the few scratches on his legs.
"So tell me Itachi-kun, how did you get so far away from home?" asked Sakura as she carefully stood up.
"I was following Oki,"
"Oki?" asked Sakura as she slowly gained more speed.
"My puppy," answered Itachi in a sad tone, "He disappeared,"
Sakura fought back a smile. Who would have thought that Itachi was such an adorable child?
Almost four hours later, Itachi was sleeping and Sakura was now carrying him through the forest. She recognized the landscape now. They were close. Sighing, she allowed more chakra in her feet and gained more speed. She now fully regretted not reporting. She could already see Kakashi with his hands deep in his pocket, his dark eye murdering her with invisible shuriken.
She finally came to a stop as she stopped in front of the gates.
"We're here," said Sakura as she gently woke up the sleeping boy and placed him on the floor.
"Hn," the boy nodded and looked up to the strange pink-haired girl, "Arigatou," he whispered still sleepily.
"I'll walk you home," said Sakura as she offered him her hand. Itachi sleepily took her hand and led the way. Sakura knew the way to the Uchiha compound from the bottom of her heart but she thought it was for the best if the boy showed her the way.
They turned left and walked through the deserted streets. The sun was almost up. Sakura bit her lip trying to ignore the knot on her stomach. She needed to hurry back. They turned left again and Sakura gulped as she spotted a group of people.
"Itachi!"
"Mom!"
Everyone stopped talking and stared towards Sakura who wanted to dig a hole and hide. She could not actually believe that there were so many Uchiha's right in front of her. Her heart thumped strongly against her chest as a dark-haired woman made her way through the large group of people.
"Itachi!"
Sakura freed Itachi's hand and he ran towards his mother. She smiled softly at the scene in front of her. She was looking at Sasuke's mother.
The dark-haired woman stared at the pink-haired girl and bowed in a respectful manner, "Thank you,"
Sakura nodded, not being able to shrug away the uncomfortable feeling. Then, when she prepared herself to leave, Sakura emerald eyes moved towards Itachi's mother stomach.
Her eyes widened slightly.
Tsunade-sama… please hurry…
Rin closed her lips tightly. She knew that nothing she said would make his anger disappear. The sun was already high in the sky as if it was pushing Kakashi further, provoking him, mocking him.
She also knew that Kakashi was as worried as she was.
"We should head back and-" Rin never got to finish what she was about to say. Kakashi furious glare immediately shut her up.
"And what? Explain that we lost her?" Kakashi replied slightly annoyed, "You know this is your fault,"
Rin gasped, "Why is this my fault?" she asked slightly angered by his accusations. Her brown eyes fought back tears.
Kakashi snorted, "You!" he exclaimed, "You wanted to go check what the sound was! Only Kami knows what-"
"HEY!" a loud voice echoed behind them. Sakura immediately stopped on her tracks as both Kakashi and Rin turned their heads to meet her. Rin opened her mouth slightly and tears fell freely down her pale features. A loud sob reached Sakura ears and a cold feeling traveled down her spine.
"Where were you?!" demanded Kakashi as he took a step towards her. His eye twitched angrily.
"I… I…" Sakura stuttered but then controlled herself, "It was a small child… I ran back to Konoha with the boy and-"
"AND WHAT HAPPENED TO REPORTING BACK?" both Sakura and Rin jumped startled with Kakashi's yelling.
Sakura looked down to the ground feeling completely guilty. She never had heard Kakashi yell before and she was sure that she did not want to ever again. It scared her.
"I'm sorry…" said Sakura not looking at him. She couldn't.
"Sakura-chan…" Rin kind and sobbing voice broke through Sakura defenses, "We were worried... p-please don't do that again,"
Sakura nodded slowly still not daring to look at them.
"Whatever…" Kakashi whispered as he turned his back on them. He picked his backpack and jumped to a tree limb. He then allowed himself to sigh in relief.
She's here now… She's okay…
The sun rose high over the bleak desert landscape, the radiation from the sun alone could boil ones blood and heat up the skin to unbearable temperatures. A warm breeze blew across the vast and desolate grounds gently pushing the hair of the three teenagers out of their faces.
Sakura groaned. Every step she took forward she could feel the sweat run down her forehead. She glanced over the silver-haired nin who was still sulking. Rin had long forgiven her but it seemed like Kakashi was not letting it go that soon.
"Rin, would you mind asking Kakashi, what happened to the idea of crossing the desert during the night?"
"Uh, I guess so. Kakashi-kun, Sakura-chan wants to-"
"What, are you not talking to me anymore?" Kakashi asked, smirking as he saw the disbelief look on the pink-haired girl face. He enjoyed going on her nerves.
"Rin, tell Kakashi that he's the one that wasn't talking to me," said Sakura, glaring at Kakashi.
"Kakashi-kun, Sakura-chan's not-"
"Rin, tell Sakura, that she is being really immature,"
"Sakura-chan, Kakashi-kun says that you're-"
"Tell Kakashi-baka that he is being just as immature by not stopping the contest."
"Kakashi-kun-"
"Tell Sakura that we're crossing the desert now, because of her,"
"Tell Kakashi that his plan is just plain stupid,"
"It's just plain stupid but it seems to be working,"
"I already apologized,"
"I don't need your apologies,"
"Guys-"
"RIN, SHUT UP!" both Kakashi and Sakura exploded at her at the same time. She shrank back, "Gomenasai!" she stammered as a small smile played in her lips.
A/N: This chapter is the result of a huge writer block. I hope you still enjoyed it though.