Discussion of the Future
As soon as Izakura had been escorted to school Itachi sighed. He knew that waking Sakura and demanding her she tell him the truth wouldn't be the smartest thing to do in the world and yet that's all he seemed to be able to think about doing. Sakuno on the meanwhile continued to purr at his feet, keeping him in place and in check. How had things gotten so complicated? What had made Sakura believe that he wouldn't have taken care of them both, that he wouldn't have accepted a unique child like Izakura? A sigh escaped his lips before looking down at Sakuno.
"Its alright Sakuno, I'm just going to cook her some breakfast." he assured Sakuno and instantly she stood up and out of his way. There had never been a moment in time where he felt the need to lie to his blood animal, to his best friend and even now as he stood confused and in pain he refused to do so. In the kitchen Itachi again went for all of Sakura's favorites, he had long ago learned how to cook them for this very reason. Once done and sensing that she was awake Itachi placed the food on a tray and went for her room. He stood outside for only a few seconds before suddenly remembering that she, they were being watched. Slowly, softly he knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" she called out, her voice seemingly fine but Itachi knew. He knew all too well what it was she was keeping in side, he could tell by the tone and knew that when he looked into her deep emerald eyes he'd be able to see it there as well.
"It's me, can I come in?...I brought you breakfast." Itachi called out, his voice calm and cool but he knew just how well Sakura could read into it just as he could read into hers. There was a long silent pause then and for a split second Itachi thought about leaving her alone, just setting the food down going back to the compound. Finally, after what felt like an eternity she spoke.
"Come in." her words were so soft, so worried and scared that at first Sakura hadn't been sure if he would hear. The sound of the door opening and then closing let her know he had not only heard but had actually come in. She knew they should talk, they needed to but since Itachi had found out Sakura was finding it harder and harder to look at him in the eye, to see Itachi and not remember everything she had been forced to leave behind. She still loved him, oh god did she ever. Her love wasn't the sort to be forgotten, to be forced behind and kept a secret, it was meant to be shown, to be shared with the world around her. Itachi sent the tray of food down by her dresser and stood silently beside it. He was always that, had always been. Whenever in her room he'd stay the door like a guard guarding the most important treasure in the world. She had always mocked him for it and seeing stand there, as tall as ever with Sakuno just outside the door she knew he was acting as if things never changed. The smile that had formed while remembered suddenly fell as a sigh escaped her lips. Nothing was the same, a lot had changed and it wouldn't be easy going back to how things once were but she was willing to try. Sakura just hoped he was too.
"Are you feeling well?" he finally spoke, Sakura had just walked out of her shower, drying her hair and full dressed as if ready for work. Mentally Itachi shook his head, he'd be damned if she was going to work today, if she was going to run to work before either of them had a chance to talk and settle things.
"Hai....how are you doing Itachi?" Sakura said, pausing before asking him the same thing and addressing him as she had once doe a long time ago. No titles. No status checks. Nothing, it was just Itachi and Sakura, best friends and lovers. He was silence for a while then and Sakura knew that he was having a hard time trying determine whether or not he was or wasn't. Finally, when Sakura got closer he nodded.
Sakura smiled then, he was just like she had remembered him, just how she had last met with him.
"Come now Itachi-kun, it's not wise to lie." she taunted while reaching for the food only be taken by the arm and brought straight into Itachi's arms. What the hell? "Itachi?"
"Why Sakura?...Why didn't you tell me, send word to me?" Itachi spoke, his voice unsteady, uncertain and most of all hurt. "I would have send you money, would have gone to you." he went on, the hold on her tightening but never to hard. Itachi would never, could never hurt Sakura. She was his cherry blossom, his precious flower and that would never change. Sakura went still in his arms, wanting to wrap her arms around him, to hug her self closer to him and make it all the more real but everything just seemed like one long nightmare. That snake had found out about her daughter, her parents didn't want their own granddaughter and Sakura didn't even want to think about what Fugaku was going to say.
"Sakura, talk to me." Itachi pleaded, calling her name ever so softly, so sadly. That's when Sakura wrapped her arms around him, tightening her hold on him, bringing her self closer to him and most of all hiding the silent tears that falling from her face. Oh she knew he could smell them, the scent was something engraved in his memory, something he always kept watch for so that he would, could always be there to wipe them away.
"I was scared Itachi, I still am." Sakura admitted, the more she spoke the more tears seemed to drip down. "My parents dislike, refuse Izakura, those in the hunter society see her as a spy, those in the vampiric world see her as a freak and your father....your father...." Sakura explained, stopping when she got to his family, to his father specifically. She knew that Lord Madara had taken a liking to Izakura, you tell from his eyes and he was considering handing the clan down to her but Itachi's father was a man who wanted to lead, who wanted the power that came with being the head of the family.
"He will not touch her, I promise." Itachi spoke, hugging Sakura tighter. Sakura knew that was his way of comforting her, of comforting him self at the same time. Itachi hadn't realized what his father would say let alone do when he found out. Oh he would, the whole clan would welcome the young heiress, the only daughter of Itachi Uchiha and Sakura Haruno. They would protect the young girl, Sakura and keep watch over them as the new members of the clan. Everyone except his father.
"Itachi you can't say that, he'll stop at nothing." Sakura cried out.
"She will stay safe." he said, adding conviction to his tone of voice before taking in a deep breath of air. "What we must decide is what will happen now."
"Huh?" those words alone caused Sakura's tears to stop, to pause and her mind to wake up. So far she was riding on emotions alone but now, now with those words she was able to remember. She needed to decide, they all did, as to who Izakura would stay with or if they would all now live as a family.
"Marry me Sakura, marry me and come live with me forever. Your life will be bound to mine. We can live together forever and be happy with Izakura." Itachi said, the words flowing out so fast, so full of passion and love that Sakura didn't know what to say or do at first. Was this really real? Was it really possible to have a happily ever after after all?
"Please Sakura, I love you. I always have and I..." but before Itachi could finish his words Sakura had acted. She moved up and her lips met his, and for the first time in fifteen years she was finally able to kiss the man that she loved, the man she had left her heart with so long ago. The kiss was gentle at first but slowly it grew more and more passionate. The more they were allowed to taste each other, to remember what it was like to be with each other self restrain grew harder and harder. Then.
"Ahem, master?" Sakuno's voice was soft, ever so soft but that one voice caused the two to break for air, still holding one another as if their life depended on them.
"What is it Sakuno?" Itachi said, resting his chin on top of Sakura's head and taking in her scent. He loved the way she smelled, the scent of fresh Sakura petals after a spring rain.
"Lord Madra is awaiting Sakura-san's and your presence at the Lady's office. He wishes to help with....the planning." Sakuno said, not sure how to describe their soon to be wedding and future. Sakura sighed, she knew it was bound to happen, that she'd have to talk things over with everyone but at that moment all she wanted to do was stay in Itachi's arms and do nothing else.
"Hn." and with that Itachi let go, only to have Sakura cling to him.
"No, don't leave. Not yet." she whined, clinging to him like a little child would to her father. Itachi smiled, he had missed this side of her, this loving feeling she always seemed to radiate whenever she was him.
"It's alright, we'll go together. Pein-san?" Itachi called out only to have the vampire appear out of thin air.
"Yes Master Itachi?"
"Will you and the others be ready in about ten minutes?" Itachi asked, knowing that they like any other guard needed time to ready their equipment.
"Hai." and with that he was gone. Sakuno stayed by Itachi and Sakura, no longer simply protecting her master but her masters soon to be wife as well.
"Sakuno you prepare your self as well. It seems father has plans against Izakura."
"Hai." and with that she was gone. Itachi knew that's how she got ready, she'd leave his side and build up her own energy, her own stamina so as no to depend on her master and so that he would have access to more power than normal. Once alone Sakura ate the food Itachi had made her before getting ready. She had dressed her self in her work cloths but with news of the meeting she knew dressing more formally would be better, would show just how serious she was.
Once everyone was ready Sakura was escorted to the Lady's office. The akatsuki group that had been send, assigned to her surrounded her, keeping her from sight or threat. Itachi lead the way, Sakuno by his side as tall as he stood. Upon walking into the office everyone bowed, greeting each other while Sakura moved and took her place by the Lady of Konoha, the head mistress of the lands.
"Welcome, I assume we're here to discuss what will be best concerning Sakura Haruno and Izakura Haruno?" she said. All the while Sakura tried to stay calm, in the far back corner her parents sat. Who the hell had invited them?
"Yes Lady Tsunade, as the head of the Uchiha clan I wish to provide for Itachi's family and welcome the new heir." he said. Sakura held in her smile, he had always been an kind leader. Strict when needed to be but kind none the less.
"They are hunters, they do not belong with the likes of you." hissed Sakura's mother, all the while standing up and voicing her opinion. Sakura shook her head.
"No mother, she isn't just a hunter. She is a vampire born and needs to be raised. She needs to learn how to work with her thirst."
"She needs to be cleaned. Bleed her, rid her of that vampiric blood and she will be a hunter, mortal like you and me." Sakura's mother said, causing Itachi's eyes to tighten and Sakura sucked in a breath of air.
"I will do no such thing and I suggest you go no where near my daughter alone, Haruno-san." Sakura said, keeping her self form using the word mother. No that was no mother, that was a trained hunter speaking, a soldier and killer.
"Is that a threat?" she hissed walking forward only to be blocked by Pein.
"I suggest you both take you seats." he said, voice as smooth as ice yet deadly. Both took their seats with not another word. Itachi spoke then.
"Lady Tsunade, Sakura and I wish to be wed, to be bonded." he said. Sakura's parents went wide then, they had never approved of their daughters love and now that she, they were announcing their marriage they had no idea what to do. She wasn't a child they could say no to anymore, she was a grown woman now and there was no way she'd be stopped.
"Is that so Sakura?"
"Hai, it is my Lady."
"Then the Uchiha clan supports their decision." Lord Madara said with a twinkle to his eye. He had always known, could see how the two were meant for each other.
"Well then, now what of your daughter Sakura?"
"What of her my lady?" Sakura said, instantly going on the deffensive. She never liked talking about her daughter and deciding her fate without her input. She knew all too well what it was like to be forced to do, to live your life a certain way with having no say in the matter and she had long ago promised herself that no matter what she would never put her daughter through the same thing.
"My lady that I would like to hold on deciding. I'm sure that Izakura has some opinions of her own." Sakura said, keeping her face straight and serious. Lady Tsunade nodded then before turning to Itachi.
"Do have any objections Itachi?"
"No Lady Tsunade, none."
"Very well then, we shall..." but before Lady Tsunade could finish her thoughts Sakura was growling and pinning a vampire to the floor. Her eyes were glowing crimson, showing the power she weld all on her own when not depending upon her masters power. All heads turned for the door only to find an angry, enraged Fugaku. A katana had been taken from his hand the instant he hit the floor and Pein along with Hidan to stand by Sakura.
"What is the meaning of this Fugaku?" demanded not only Lord Madara but Lady Tsunade as well. Both were releasing their power, daring the vampire to try to attack.
"She is not a ligitamet child of the Uchiha clan....her blood must be..." but before he could finish his sentence Sakuno added power to her binding and the vampire scram out. His blood animal appeared then, about to attack Sakuno but before it could move Itachi had placed a blood barrier around Sakuno. Fugaku's tiger growled out, ready to fight only for a sigh to escape.
"Enough, my lady may I?" Sakura said, asking for permission before she did anything. A smile spread across the Lady's face and nodded. In an instant Fugaku's tiger was gone and he was sitting on a chair, bound. Sakura's speed had always matched that of a vampire and when she amplified it wither he healing abilities there was no way to catch her when in top speed.
"Fugaku you are not to harm the young heiress." Lord Madara ordered.
"She is a half breed my lord, nothing to be respected." he growled out only to be met with his fist. As soon as impact made Fugaku passed out and a sigh escaped the Lords lips.
"I will look after him, you have my word." Lord Madara said while looking straight at Sakura. She nodded, she could trust him.
"Thank you." and with that Lord Madara was gone, he left with Fugaku in hand. Next Sakura's parents stood.
"Please Sakura, don't do this." her mother pleaded, careful not to get too close to Itachi and her. Sakura shook her head.
"I'm sorry mom, dad. But I love Itachi and he loved me, we were meant to be together." she said only to have her mother glare at her. She sighed, a part of her had hoped they would understand in the end, that they would be able to be together and her parents a part of their lives. Sadly it wasn't looking so good.
"You will regret this." and with that the two left. Once alone with Itachi, Lady Tsunade and her guard Sakura tried to hold back the tears whelming in her eyes but failed. Slowly tears started to fall but she refused to allow Itachi to wipe them away, not in public.
"My Lady I will be moving today, will it be alright if I take some time off?" Sakura asked, causing Lady Tsunade to stand and move. She took her student into her arms and hugged Sakura tightly.
"Yes, and if there is anything I can do for you just ask. You're like a daughter to me Sakura and I'm happy your finally going to get what you've always wanted." her words touched Sakura's heart. So much for that before she knew it she was crying full on, not bothering to control how badly or how much she was crying. Once she let if all out Sakura, along with Itachi and her guards, headed back home and started to pack. Moving wasn't an option. She knew that moving would at least keep Izakura safe, the compound was the safest place for her now. What she didn't know was how Izakura was going to react. Itachi left her to the packing, promising to send help from the compound before going to teach his next class.