AN: Back after a long absence...haha...will start updating my stories regularly...This is a good way to welcome the year...Happy new year to everyone. Which among my stories would you like me to update next? Inform me through your review...Next chapter of this story would come soon...

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 17

Prelude to Disaster

Past

"This is not the place where you should be. You don't belong in this time and I came here to take you back to the present." Well, to him it didn't sound good enough but it was the only thing he could come up with.

"What are you taking about?" She asked, confused. It was also the same time that the slow music ended and was replaced by another one.

"Excuse me," both of them turned to see Itachi beside them. His attention though, was focused on Sasuke. Sasuke was not one to be intimidated. He returned the glare and did not dare let go of Sakura.

Both were caught in a heated glaring match-their eyes clearly showed distaste for each other.

Seeing that the dark-haired stranger was not going to let go of Sakura anytime soon, Itachi forcefully pulled her away. Soon, Sakura found herself beside Itachi, with his right arm firmly secured around her waist in a possessive hold. She gasped from the abruptness of his actions.

Sasuke's hands balled into fists as they shaked from supressed anger. The people around them noticed the small commotion and some of them stopped dancing to stare at the two men.

Upon realizing that most of the people's eyes were on them, the younger Uchiha mustered all his self-control to avoid an impending fight. It would not be wise to attract attention. He knew very well that directly attacking an Uchiha heir is tantamount to declaring war against the whole clan. Without another word, he turned his back on the two and decided to leave the dance hall silently but not before giving Sakura a meaningful look as if to say, 'we'll talk some other time'.

She stared at Sasuke's back until he turned at the corner and disappeared from her sight. Her resolve to find out the truth heightened. She decided that she couldn't just let him go like that-not when she's so close to finding out her real identity. As soon as Itachi released his hold on her, she immediately ran towards the direction where the stranger walked off, hoping that she could still catch up with his fast strides.

The Uchiha made a move to go after her but was stopped by a hand that suddenly grabbed his wrist.

"Itachi, come with me. We need to talk,"

It was Shisui. He looked serious.

"I don't have time,"

"No Itachi we have to talk NOW. This is very urgent and important"

XXXXX

Present

The spy knelt in front his master to deliver the important news.

"It's official Orochimaru-sama. Everything went as planned. You could take over Uchiha Sasuke's body now."

Orochimaru smirked. The last time that he tried to possess the Uchiha's body, he failed. His mind is very strong and he was able to resist his kinjutsu. After that, the youngest survival of the Uchiha clan deliberately avoided him like the plague, giving him no chances get what he wants. Therefore, he decided to devise a strategy.

The plan was simple-to create a distraction through a forbidden jutsu. He chose the only female member of team seven as target because she was the most vulnerable out of all the members of team seven. He used a powerful kinjutsu and the process was easy. However, there are some conditions. Since the jutsu is so powerful, only two persons at a time are allowed to undergo the same process of time travelling through the process of of soul extraction. Through deduction, he figured that the Uchiha would volunteer to be the second one to go back in time just in case the Hokage would ask them who would be willing to help their teammate. After all, his family was massacred right in front his eyes when he was young. He definitely would grab the chance to at least get a glimpse of them again. Naruto was out of the question. He figured the Hokage would not consider him because he's a bit reckless and emotional.

A malicious smile made its way to his lips. Everything would be to his advantage. As soon, as the soul of the young Uchiha was extracted from the body then he could possess and claim it anytime he wishes.

There's only one thing left to do-to think of a way to transport the body to their hiding place without anyone noticing. Since he has a spy in the fire country, it would not be hard.

Past

Sakura thought about the stranger she met hours before. She followed him and was able to catch up with him outside the hall. She had insisted to talk to him last night but he refused.

'It's not safe right now. Meet me at 10am tomorrow at the park near the academy. I'll tell you everything you want to know. Come alone.'

And just like that, he disappeared in the darkness, leaving her alone.

Anticipation mixed with nervousness flooded her mind. No matter how she turned her head on the pillow and try to find some needed sleep, she couldn't.

She went out of the room and out of the house, careful not to wake anyone.

"I could see you're still up," a lazy voice commented.

"Itachi!" Sakura saw him emerged from the shadows as he went closer to her. Slowly, he raised his hand to cup her chin and tilt it upwards to meet his gaze. His black pools seemed to see through her.

"What did he tell you earlier? I need to know," he was referring to the 'stranger' they saw during the dance. He was supposed to follow her that time but his friend stopped him and he was left with no other choice but to follow Shisui for an urgent meeting.

Sakura recalled his reaction that evening-how he eyed the black-haired stranger with obvious distaste. She figured it would be unwise to tell him about their meeting tomorrow. After all, he said to come alone. She didn't want to lie but this time, she had to.

"I could not catch up with him. He's too fast."

He looked almost relieved. "Want to walk with me?" he asked. She nodded.

They went out of the compound as a comfortable silence settled between them. But then, she had a feeling that something was bothering him. He was still out of the compound at exactly 2 hours past midnight. Surely, he must be in deep thought about something.

"What did Shishui tell you?" she asked. It was not just mere curiousity. She was worried.

He sighed. He looked like he was debating whether to answer he question or not. He did not.

"Tell me Sakura. Am I a bad person?"

"Of course not." She answered immediately. It was true. She was an unknown person-a stranger and yet he helped her. He also did losts of things for Konoha. He respects his parents and he dotes on his little brother. That's n ot something that bad people do.

Her thoughts were cut off when she heard him chuckled.

"You're so naive, Sakura." Then his tone went back to being distant and mysterious. "The less you know the better." He said as he walked faster.

"Wait for me." She kept up with his strides. There was something different about him today-that much she could tell.

"Is there something bothering you?" It was apparent that he doesn't plan on telling her anything and she might be crossing the line of privacy with her question but at that moment, she could care less. She was worried.

"It's not important. You don't have to know. Even if you knew, you wouldn't understand anything." He said a little too harshly.

She stopped in her tracks, his words still ringing in her ears.

He looked surprised at the onslaught of words he hurled at her. His mind was a mess right now and he just took out all his frustrations on her. This was so unlike him.

"I...apologize...I'm just not in the right mood now. I shouldn't have asked you to walk with me. Let's go back." He said, cutting their conversation.

The walk home was silent and uncomfortable as Itachi mentally recalled his earlier conversation with his best friend.

"I followed you and I observed your movements. I was under strict orders. It's true. You're giving information to the enemy." Shisui stated.

Surprise did not even cross his features at the revelation. He knows that they suspect him. It was no use to deny. After all, he was sure that they already kept tabs on his daily activities. He already expected everything to happen. The clan was too influential.

What surprised him was Shishui's reaction on the matter.

"I would like to help you. I don't want another war to happen."

He looked at the woman beside him. She was too innocent and too naive. When he asked her whether he was a bad person, she immediately responded with a negative answer. Somehow, he wished she just answered the opposite.

He was not the good guy. He was a monster-a monster who betrayed his family and who still continues on doing so.

He just hoped that the Hokage would be up to peaceful negotiations with him. Bloodshed is outof the questions. They are still his family. He still cherish them to bits.

His thoughts ended when they reached the front door of the house. Sakura went inside without another word as he looked at her retreating back.

The park was near and she reached it at the right time. The talk with Itachi last night had been awkward but then she could understand. Maybe he was just tired because of all the responsibilities give to him. He would never take out his anger on her on purpose. Maybe she crossed the line and became too nosy. She had no way of confirming because he was already gone when she woke up this morning.

Sasuke saw Sakura from far away as she walked towards him. No one was with her.

Last night, he was thinking of ways to explain everything to her until finally he settled for the straightforward way.

When she reached his side, he looked directly into her emerald green eyes.

"Last night, you told me that you are my teammate," she started.

"Yes I am."

"What's your name?"

Sasuke took a deep breath. This was the perfect moment to explain everything.

"I'm Uchiha Sasuke and I'm Itachi's younger brother..."