This chapter is one containing a flashback within a flashback, but don't worry, it wont be too confusing. Also there is a relatively short love scene here.
Flashback is in italics of course and it isn't long.
Thanks you guys.
Chapter 4- Reliving
Leaning her shoulder against the hard bark, Sakura propped against the sturdy tree, her feet planted on a thick branch. Her eyes skimmed over the darkness that was Konohagakure as it slept peacefully. Sometimes she missed this place more than she could admit out loud. Itachi allowed her freedom for the most part, though she could sometimes feel him watching her. It was never because he didn't trust her, it was because for whatever reason she didn't understand, Itachi seemed to want to be near her at all times. A fact she never seemed to get used to.
This place brought back memories for her. It was where her team had trained for so many years, herself somehow so far behind them. So very weak compared to her two friends. She smiled whimsically as she wondered if she could compare to them now. It had only been a few years, and yet she felt so different. She had been coming here lately, watching her friends. Many different shinobi came here to train routinely. She had been watching Sasuke more than most, and it surprised her that he didn't notice. He seemed so isolated, more than before she left. He had aged so well. He looked so handsome it made her stomach curl. He looked much stronger, much more square and muscular.
She sighed, thinking back on her life before she became this new person. An Akatsuki. It was still there, fresh in her mind and she wondered whether it'd ever go away sometimes. She remembered every single detail, something Itachi told her would pass with time, but so far, it wasn't.
The night she left, a little under three years ago, she had walked out of the village at this exact spot. Only one person had seen her go, though she knew all her friends must have suspected something. It wasn't as if she had been acting normal. She knew she was acting crazy before. She closed her eyes, imagining the moment with ease. It came back to her with a vibrant sense of clarity.
The air was colder than any night of that particular season that year, and as a result Sakura had been bundled up in a long white cloak and her favorite yellow scarf that always seemed to be too long for her tiny frame. She held her arms tight in her front as she walked slowly towards the gate, her feet felt like magnets, attracted to the dirt unwilling to leave. Her heart felt heavy and as she walked on she considered turning back.
"Sakura," It wasn't a greeting. Sakura chirped spinning around and facing the one person she didn't want to see. Sasuke Uchiha was leaning casually against a light pole, his hands crammed in his pockets and his eyes honed in on her like a bullet. She looked up at him guiltily, gripping the handle of her bag. She knew she looked suspicious. "What are you doing out here?" His voice was muted but his eyes were knowing. There was only a slight question tinting his lips as he spoke again when she didn't answer him. "Sakura?" He said, as if reminding her he was there not that she could ever forget him, even if she tried.
She made a feeble face at him. "No where. Why are you out here." He pushed off from his place and walked slowly towards her. She ignored the fact that she loved the way he walked and gripped her bag harder, clinging to it knowing that somehow if she didn't she'd loose her nerve.
He gave her a dull, unconvinced face. "I don't believe you." He retorted, standing close to her, his chest so close to her own that she literally felt her breath evaporate. She felt like she was in a room filled with steam and it made her lungs close up. "Sasuke." She breathed his name roughly. "Please." She whispered, looking only at her feet.
Above her, he was unbearably silent, so silent and so judging she did the only thing she could she gave him a desperate, pleading face, and then ran around him as fast as her feet could take her, somehow both completely happy, and utterly disappointed that he didn't attempt to follow her.
She was barely ten minutes out of the village before she ran smack into something hard and much taller than herself. Looking up green eyes met vivid red ones, arms wrapped around her lifted her up, bridal style, and she was carried off by Itatchi Uchiha to the Akatsuki headquarters. All she could remember after that moment was clinging to the folds of his cloak as if they were her life raft and being slightly surprised that she allowed her, even holding her tighter as she began to shake.
Pushing herself off the tree Sakura allowed her head to drop and her shoulders to slump. She rubbed her hand over her face. I am an idiot. Why would he stop me? It's not like Sasuke cared anyways. She had this argument with herself so many times before. Why not this and why not that. But she was sick of it. Sick of doubting herself and her actions.
Turning she flitted off, heading back to the Akatsuki hideout, allowing her head to drift into a haze as she jumped from present to her imaginary get away as she hurdled from branch to branch. Something about her life now was both perfect, and yet so messed up.
It wasn't that she didn't love being around Itachi all the time because she did. They had a strange relationship. They weren't together by any means. When they'd spar he always seemed so scary and no nonsense, but when they'd go back to their rooms, alone and in private, he was different some how. His eyes would never leave hers and he would sometimes even touch her. At first they were technically hesitant and sometimes almost tender, surprisingly so, but Itachi wasn't a gentle man. He was exactly the opposite however, and his touches represented that absolutely flawlessly. His hands were sultry and hard against her skin, his lips were bruising and impatient. Her body always melted beneath his hands. His dominance was unquestioned in bed together.
She didn't understand what they meant to each other. Some nights they wouldn't even come close to touching each other, and others he would come in and immediately rip her up from her bed and abuse her with pleasure, as if he needed it. It made her flush just thinking about it. She sighed arriving at her destination. She passed through the main hall, letting loose a small cough.
Distracted, she tripped, landing not on the ground but against a tall, aggravated looking man. She lowered her head lightly in a bow. "Kisame."
He snorted. "Hello Kunoichi." He was a very rude man, uh thing, but at least he was never mean to her. It had something to do with Itachi she knew.
"Have you seen Itachi today?" She asked causally, brushing at her robe, a habit she had loathingly developed somewhere in the last few years.
He looked at her through uninterested eyes. "He's expected back tonight. He was on a mission"
She knew better than to ask for specifics. In fact, she was almost surprised at what he did know. "Thanks." She mumbled and stepped around him, heading strait for her room.
Shutting the door behind her she immediately shed most of her clothes and made way for a bath. Days like this, no matter how far and few between, made her feel lonely and worthless.
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Itachi calmly walked through the halls of the Akatsuki building with his chest heaving laboriously. He kept his foot steps well paced and level until he reached the door he had been imagining all day. Spinning the handle slowly he stepped in without knocking, shutting it behind him and standing near the door. He could see Sakura sitting on the edge of her bed, her eyes immediately holding his and he watched them switch from relief to just the opposite in an instant as she stood, rushing to him without delay.
Sakura looked up on seeing Itachi enter her room. His skin was paler than usual, and though she could hardly see in the dark, she knew something was wrong. Looking down at the sound of dripping and liquid hitting the ground she felt her stomach drop. A small puddle was forming in the shadow of his right arm. She quickly went to him. She breathed his name, her hand immediately pushing his cloak off and reaching for his hand. There was a hefty chunk missing from his arm, and his shoulder was definitely displaced. The blood was gathering fast. Seeing as how he wasn't explaining she went strait to healing him, placing her hand above the wound, pushing her chakra through him. He hissed as she sealed the wounds, gritting his teeth she assumed because of the pain. "Does it hurt?" She asked him quietly, still healing, though she was almost done.
He gazed down at her, putting his left hand on top of hers, pushing it away. She attempted to retort, but opening her mouth was the first move toward anything but as Itachi's hands immediately seized her face, lowering his head to her hight and pressing his lips hard against hers. She hardly had time to gasp before he spun her around, slamming her against the wall. She tangled her hands in his hair. She was planning on be gentle with him tonight, because of his arm, especially since she didn't fully heal it, but he seemed to have other ideas. He groaned into her mouth.
Apparently he was having a long day. He always seemed more aggressive on nights when he was aggravated or angry with a mission. Almost like he was taking it out on her, though she didn't mind. Itachi was literally the only thing that made her Akatsuki in her mind. With out him she wouldn't know who or what she was. She wouldn't even be in the Akatsuki if it weren't for him.
Itachi was relentless in his kisses as he leaned into her. Tonight he noticed that she was wearing only a tank top and her little black undies with the lace. He ran his hand down her waist, settling them on her hip with a growl. God she didn't even have to do anything to drive him wild. It was disgusting. He traced his other hand to the same place, dropping them a bit lower over her velvety skin and lifting her off the ground. She groaned, squeezing her arms tighter around his neck, jabbing her hips harder into him pushing her warmth firmly against his own. He supported her weight against the wall. His blood boiling thick. He surrendered kissing her mouth for the moment and transferred to nibbling and biting her neck and shoulder sinking his teeth into the sensitive and creamy skin.
"Itachi," She breathed and he heard the question on her voice, not just the desire. "Hn?" He made a noise in acknowledgment, not really a word, but she accepted it like she always did. These things, these noises he mumbled, made her realize just how similar to Sasuke he really was. "What's wrong?" Her voice, though bogged down with passion, was clearly concerned, and as much as he denied it when he was alone, he did respect her. He respected her enough to at least give her an answer.
He sighed, leaning harder against her, laying his head against her shoulder. He trembled as she stroked his hair, not speaking but simply waiting soundlessly for him to confide in her. He squeezed his eyes shut. When had they're relationship become so open. When did she change him this way?
Placing a kiss on her soft skin, he lifted his head and looked her in the eyes as he turned and walked them to the bed. Her legs were basically the only thing holding her in place, as his arms went slack. Slowly, he placed her on the bed, climbing over her. Her eyes peered up at him curiously as he placed his weight on top of her, covering her like a blanket. She kissed his cheek before repeating her previous question. "What's wrong Itachi?"
He slid his head to face her, gazing at her. "I've been questioned."
Her eyebrows lowered considerably. "What do you mean?"
Leaning up he supported his weight on his elbows, hovering slightly above her. "Pain thinks I have fallen in too deep." He gazed down at her as she still seemed to be confused. "With what?"
He let loose a heavy breath, watching as it blew her hair. "He think's that my judgment is clouded. That I am becoming a nuisance unless," He paused. "…unless you are by my side."
She bit her lip, shaking her head. "I don't understand."
Leaning down he placed a hard kiss on her lips. "Don't worry about it." He told her, "That'll change tomorrow."
She squinted. "How?"
"Because starting tomorrow, you'll be my only partner. You'll go on all my missions with me."
"Itachi I d…" But she was cut off as his mouth descended hotly on hers. She lost all meaning as his lips did not sway from it's lustful attention and soon, as he was pulling her shirt over her head she realized she didn't care anymore.
