The dawn broke out over the village in beautiful bursts of amazing colors but it was left unnoticed as the town buzzed, alert and worried.

Tsunade had called an all-out emergency that had every available ninja active as they searched for the missing Nin. It was unsure to them if they ran away or were taken but considering the people, only one had a reason to run.

Kakashi, Sakura and Sasuke were gone. Vanishing into the night, gone by morning and Tsunade was nearly over the edge in frustration and worry as to what could have happened. Of course, she honestly felt more worried about Naruto. He hadn't taken the news well. Hearing that his friends were gone, he had darted out the room, disregarding everyone around him and every order shouted in his direction. Charging like a mad man with those fox demon eyes ablaze and determined.

Looking out, she almost believed she saw some trees fall from Naruto's charge into the forest. She sent her prayers to him like a butterfly against the wind.

"Be safe…"

--

Even if they didn't fall, those trees definitely bent in his will as Naruto charged blindly into the forest. Far behind him, he knew others followed and he could be leading them into a trap or danger but that wasn't important right now. His mind was set. Find his friends. His true friends. The ones who stood for him. Even if one did turn his back on him, he never could and he will save him once more.

Naruto could see Sasuke now, before him. His back turned, running like a mad man that he was. He knew it was his mind playing but he still chased the ghost, hoping it would lead him to where he needs to be.

Sakura. Kakashi. Sasuke.

I'm coming. I'm coming for you.

I made a promise and I won't let it go.

I'll be there.

--

While this panic raged in what seemed like another world, Sakura sat on her knees in the cram hotel room staring at the tea that was brought in by the owners of the place.

Itachi held his cup in the palm of his hand as he sat at the window, leg dangled out while the other held him inside. He kept his eyes distant into the sky and Sakura could tell his mind was working its way into a plan to 'set things right.' As he put it just minutes ago.

Sakura traced the cup's rim with a delicate finger, staring into the darkened liquid. While she did this, Itachi's eyes slowly drifted to her, watching her movements carefully, entranced by it but wasn't exactly looking at her finger so much as looking through them now.

"Why do you trust him?"

His voice cut the silence too quickly, causing Sakura to jump and knock into the cup. A few drops escaped before she steadied it and met him burning expression with her own lost one.

"Who?"

"Him. The one you all just gave into so easily. I knew you loved him but the way you hung on to his words was down right pitiful. I pity you."

The flush rose through her cheeks.

"I don't-"

"Don't even deny it. There is no point to do that here. So attached. You don't even realize who you are protecting anymore. You really think he came back to help you? To 'save' you all from this unspeakable evil? Fools."

He snorted and turned back to his original position so he missed, but did sense, Sakura's actions as she stood up, disregarding her tea and confronted him.

"I'm so sick of you judging all of us! Like you're any better? You're a murderer! You killed your entire family and I came here with you. I didn't judge you. Why judge me for caring about someone?! What's your deal?"

His expression caught her off guard as he dropped his gaze to the ground below and an old sadness that she didn't understand crept into his features like a spreading shadow.

"You would understand if I told you."

He whispered and his glanced at her, this time at the necklace, reaching out to the chain, pulling it out of her shirt. He flipped in around in his hand while she studied him.

"Why do you continue to wear this when you know it's the cause of all this?"

"Because I want to discover it's secret."

She whispered back, entranced by his movements, taking them in, waiting for the secret.

So close…

"Will you tell me? The secret, I mean?"

He didn't respond at first as he traced his fingers over the engraved image then around it and down the little clip that held it close.

"Have you tried to open it yet?"

"No."

He looked directly at her now, into her eager green eyes with a small secret smile.

"Then you aren't ready for the secret. You knew that before you even asked, didn't you? I can see it in your eyes. You are waiting for the ending. When the secret is naturally revealed. Why would I ruin that for you?"

And Sakura had to smile a little herself.

"I was hoping for an easy way out."

"Nice try."

"Will you tell me about Sasuke now? Where he fits into this?"

Itachi sighed and straightened himself on the window's edge as Sakura sat down on the mats.

"Fine. Here's the story…"