A/N: Hope everyone had a great Christmas and I wish you all a happy New Year!


Illusions of Serenity

Chapter XVII

"Rescue"

Smack! Itachi's eyes immediately opened and this was followed with yet another series of cold, wet slaps of something unnamable against his cheek. Blearily looking upward, he noted a hunched figure's silhouette, something elongated and glistening extended over his person. The scent of fish wafted towards the Uchiha then and he hastily recognized the crouching individual.

"Bogford-san?" he announced softly, voice still adjusting to the sudden shift in his own consciousness.

"No time for that," the man slapped the fish against his cheek once more. "The other one, the other odd one, has been taken. Taken by the one who eats."

Itachi blinked and furrowed his brows as he attempted to grasp at what the fish-beater was trying to tell him, his perceptions arriving slower as a result of his abrupt awakening. 'The other odd one…,' he thought before his eyes again widened. 'Sakura. She's been…taken?'

His thoughts from earlier suddenly returned, both from his dream and from the identification of that mysterious pull upon memory. 'That…shadow, and the cloaked figure…do those sightings refer to the individual Bogford titles as the one who eats?' his gaze drifted to the sky momentarily as he wondered how much time had passed since the girl had wandered down to the stream. Was she really gone?

Observing his surroundings, he saw that Sakura was nowhere to be found.

"Up! Up!" the fish-beater instructed before he turned and stood, "we must hurry to the mountains. The eating one will finish her and we will be too late. Far too late to stop the death of the little odd one."

She was gone. There was no other explanation. And somehow Bogford knew of it and had an idea as to where she had been taken.

'She is also in danger,' Itachi concluded before he rose to his feet and slipped on his cloak as he quickly strode toward the river, breaching the section of forestry and casting his gaze across the illuminated shore. Noticing something, he walked over and knelt down to observe the small pile of bloodied bandages Sakura had exchanged for fresh ones. Looking to his left, he also saw one of her kunai, tip stained in crimson.

The slight disturbance on the pebbled terrain only further suggested a brief struggle between she and her attacker. Lifting his scrutiny, he analyzed the darkened sky and attempted to determine exactly how much time had elapsed since her abduction.

'It's been around fifteen minutes.' Shifting his attention to the north, he saw an outline of hills in the distance, in the direction of Gregor's village, and surmised that it was the place Bogford had been referring to.

Clenching a fist then, he chastised himself for ignoring his better judgment and allowing Sakura to wander off by herself. 'On top of which,' he stood and returned to their camp, seeing Bogford carelessly toss his fish aside. 'I fell asleep. At the very least, I should've stayed awake until she returned. I might have heard something then.'

That cloaked figure, he realized, had been following and watching them for a long time and the very thought was almost enough to turn his stomach.

"Bogford-san," he began as he hastily gathered both he and Sakura's belongings. "How did you know?"

"I fish in my boat on the 9th day of each moon cycle," he replied. "I saw the odd one. I saw her on the shore and the eater approach. I saw the eater take her. I came to you. I came to you because you returned my precious item and because you are odd. You are odd and want the other to remain."

Itachi observed the man wordlessly a moment before offering him a nod and a small smile, "you were quite right to do so. I…really appreciate it."

"No time for that!" the fish-beater turned and ventured toward the shore. "We take my boat. River is fastest. River is best."

Following, the Uchiha began to wonder exactly what he should formulate as far as a plan. How many of the mountain dwellers were there? Was that man the only one? He doubted he could expect any accurate or easily understandable details from Bogford but…reasoned that Gregor might be able to tell him something.

As he emulated the fish-beater's example by climbing into the boat, he tilted his head. "Take me to the village at the base of the mountain; there is someone I must speak with there."

"No time," the man shook his head as he began to row. "There is simply no time."

"We can spare a moment for efficiency's sake," Itachi explained, despite not favoring the idea of pausing any more than Bogford. However, he could still recognize that the overall effectiveness and success of the rescue depended on acquiring more detailed information.

The fish-beater appeared to hesitate before nodding in compliance. "I see. I see."

The rest of the journey across the bay passed without any further exchange of conversation, leaving the Uchiha with only his thoughts as he paused to consider them once more. How certain was he of what Bogford had said? Glancing to the man, he knew that despite uttering only cryptic and riddle-like responses, he knew a great deal and was always sincere. He was trustworthy and genuinely adamant to offer aid where needed, as he had proved on past occasion.

What if they arrived too late though? As Itachi momentarily gave in to lurking anxiety, he allowed his brows to crease as he considered that they might already be too far behind. 'However,' he closed his eyes. 'That won't do any good. All I can do is act and allow the future to take care of itself. I hope, though…'he again clenched his fist, 'I really do hope that I make it in time'

He relaxed his fist as he recalled his earlier realization, even allowing himself a very subtle smile to accompany the thought. He loved Sakura, and his past summation that its nature had nothing to do with how he presently regarded her had been entirely inaccurate. It actually had everything to do with his unprecedented disposition towards her and he was somehow completely accepting of that truth without any expectation of fulfillment.

As to the matter of what he was actually going to do about the situation, he would need to take considerable time to even consider the possibility. However, he had to reserve those contemplations for later, as he would need to place all of his focus into even securing the potential.

The thought of her life ending…was not even something he could readily acknowledge as an impending result.

He thought back to when he had first seen her. She had seemed so completely insignificant at the time as she should stood beside the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki and Kakashi, posture tense and disposition inspired with loathing. He had even gone so far as to consider her at the level of an academy student, based solely off the chakra signature she was emitting.

However, she had surprised him with her unpredictable ability to deny his genjutsu. Even beyond that, she had served to completely eradicate his initial impression of her talents. True, she was not formidable in the slightest, but she was exceedingly proficient in control and in the area of medical skill. Also, as far as Taijutsu was concerned, she possessed massive potential.

He had never been so completely wrong about someone in his life and, now that he was considering, he surmised that he did not mind at all. It was a unique position for him to be in, having to admit such a great oversight. Having always been revered by those around him as someone who transcended the norm, namely to the status of 'prodigy', her impulsive and unreasonable nature had served to momentarily allow him the sensation of obtaining the mindset of what it would be like to reside within the norm he had always been involuntarily separated from.

It was so strange, that in such a short time, she had come to mean just as much to him as even Sasuke. He never even thought it possible that another person could obtain that level of exclusive regard from him. Yet, once again, she had surprised him in that sense as well and…he found he did not mind that fact either.

She often seemed selfish but, as he again found it within him to smile, he remembered how she had outstretched her arms in front of Naruto, ready to take the full onslaught of the Sharingan's genjutsu for his sake. The girl was possessing of a great many contradictions, in fact. At one time she would seem as if she gave her actions no prior thought, while in other cases she would prove to be surprisingly accurate in her assessments and perceptions. Giving off the impression of a sweet disposition, before reverting to ferocity the very next instant. Often opting to try and remain reserved with emotion while openly displaying them in many other notable situations. Quite demanding in some circumstances, while entirely accepting and acquiescing in others.

It was all so illogical, yet all a part of who Sakura innately was.

"Why do I have to answer at all?" Those had been the very first words she had spoken to him in defiance of he proclaiming his intent to interrogate her.

He had considered her considerably foolish at that moment, and still did. However, now he could look on that occasion with endearment, as it completely conveyed her considerably exceptional personality.

"Arrogant bastard."

"It was implied, you bastard, and you know it. Why else would you have said it?"

"Well, great prodigy, this receiver thinks it's very irritating and it only makes me dislike you even more."

Despite her contradictions she was always, in every circumstance, so very, very amusing.

"What else would I expect from the Uchiha? He trapped me here and now he's lost himself. Oh, the things people would say."

"Is something wrong with your ears as well as your eyes?"

"Look at that, you bastard. Now he might not tell us anything and it's your fault."

"What are you plotting now?"

"Hell yeah!"

"No, you moron!"

"You're insufferable!"

"Do you think I care about your beauty sleep? I'm going to knock on that door and you better wake up."

"I see your moronic ways have not changed."

She had hardly been able to stand the sight of him in the beginning, her demeanor entirely absent of pleasantry or trust. However, that had all changed the moment she had first offered him a smile in that inn's cafeteria…

"Thank you, Itachi."

When she had first blushed in reaction to something he had said…

"That is ironic. You nicknamed me after a tree."

It had all simply progressed from there…

"Don't worry about it. Itachi, I don't care what others say, but you're a true gentleman."

"Isn't it obvious? You've always been a talented Shinobi and its nice talking with you."

"From now on, whenever I smell the scent of jasmine, I'll think of you."

"You have a pretty smile, Itachi."

"I'm glad I got stuck here with you."

"You're the best kind of teacher."

"From now on, you're just Itachi to me."

"How you are now, is the way I'll always picture you."

"I actually care about what's going on with you."

"You're a good friend."

"You're a great Shinobi, Itachi."

"You're cute when you're confused."

"And it'll work because I know you love me, Buddy."

"Feel free to make me your confidant right back, Snail."

"It's going to be a great date, Snail."

"You won't be there like you are here. I'll miss seeing you and not just all the time, but at all."

His eyes opened and he gazed absently down at his right hand, where the ring representing his affiliation resided. He blinked and his lingering smile faltered. If he loved both Sakura and Sasuke equally, where did his resolve now stand?

She had just been abducted. Should he stay alive to protect her in the future? With a sigh, however, he reasoned that she had many others in Konoha who could fulfill that role. It was not necessary that he should do so. Besides, just because his own disposition towards her had changed, did not mean that she regarded him any differently. And it was a good thing that she didn't.

His subconscious was merely making excuses and attempting to create a reason to change his own mind. He was thinking solely of himself and what he would want in an ideal world. However, as it were, things were not so ideal and he would still need to fulfill the role he had been pursuing for the past eight years…

Sakura would be alright, and his brother would return to be her friend. She would eventually find someone to redirect her affections to, someone who could return them properly. Being so young, she had plenty of time and a future filled with prospects.

Staying alive to be with her, was not his place.

After another quarter of an hour, the boat came to a stop and Itachi lifted his gaze to see the familiar sight of Gregor's village in the distance, probably only several yards away. He stood and stepped onto the shore, allowing himself to feel immensely grateful toward the fish-beater as travelling across the water had been considerably faster.

The pair of them made their way across the open expanse and over the broken threshold of town before hastily crossing the small square and towards Gregor's stables. Itachi only hoped the man was still in the village, as he had previously decided to accompany the courier to the surrounding settlements.

Lifting a hand and delivering his signature three knocks, he only had to wait a moment before the door was opened and the man's astonished face was revealed from behind it.

"Itachi?" He asked in confusion as his eyes briefly glanced to the strange figure beside the Uchiha.

"Gregor," the latter spoke firmly. "I apologize for the late calling but I beg your immediate assistance."

Seeming to detect the urgency in the younger's tone, Gregor nodded. "By all means, continue." He apperared to forego his role as a fellow deranged individual in the presence of Bogford in order to grant Itachi his unabashed attention.

"Sakura," the Uchiha began. "Has been taken by someone," he motioned to the fish-beater, "whom this man refers to as 'the one who eats.' He resides in the hills overlooking this region, and as such I was hoping you might know more about this or could at least direct me to a more precise location."

Gregor's eyes instantly widened, "Itachi, are you absolutely certain she's been taken by him?"

"Aa," he nodded, noting in relief that he had chosen the right person to approach the subject with.

The man, however, hastily turned and went into his house before returning with a couple of, what appeared to be, swords. He handed one to Itachi and kept the other for himself. "We have no time to lose, I will explain on the way."

"Yes," Bogford spoke for the first time as he nodded. "We must hurry or the little odd one will be gone."

Itachi nodded before removing has bag and looking to Gregor, "is it alright if I leave our belongings here for the time being?"

"Of course," the latter nodded before extending his hand and taking both packs before placing them inside the door and locking the house. He turned and motioned to the horses, "It will be faster if we ride."

Itachi hesitated and looked to the creatures, his discomfort with the prospect arising once more. However, as he considered that it would definitely be the most efficient method to reaching Sakura in a timely manner, he reluctantly bowed his head in agreement.

After an enthusiastic smile, Gregor then faltered in his steps and appeared to contemplate something. It was not long though, until he turned to the Uchiha with a decisive expression. "We many need some more help. The Mountain Dweller has a group of followers."

He did not necessarily understand the full nature of the exhibition and so Itachi again nodded in acceptance of the man's judgment. "If that's what you think is best."

'Who to bring, though…" Gregor mused as he lifted a hand to his chin.

"I will be going! And I won't take any refusals. None. None at all," stated a voice from behind them.

The Uchiha turned and he tilted his head before recognition replaced his momentary confusion. "Snake-skin." It appeared the man was still suffering from the illness' symptoms, but he also appeared so resolute that any argument against his attendance would be futile.

Gregor nodded, "that's good. Perhaps one more would be good."

Itachi quickly sifted through the mental catalogue of the village's inhabitants and, after a moment, he shook his head.

'My name is Robyn Tinderwood, sir! Remember it within the infinity of your reign!'

The Uchiha looked to Snake-skin. "Bring me, Tinderwood. He will do."

Snake-skin appeared to consider before he repeatedly nodded and turned to venture toward the town's center with a shaking hand, the very one he had grasped Itachi with upon their first meeting. Gregor watched him go before he began to prepare five of his finest horses.

After another moment, the familiar loud voice of the ecstatic individual reached Itachi's ears.

"I must say," he began as he reached the Uchiha. "It is truly an honor to accompany you, sir! By the gods it is!"

"Hello, Tinderwood," Itachi greeted before looking to Gregor, who nodded after seeming to analyze the group.

"Let's be off," he proclaimed before mounting one of the horses and motioning for the rest to do the same.

Snake-skin appeared completely comfortable with the ordeal as he emulated the prior man, almost expertly accommodating the position. Robyn, too, looked as if the act were entirely natural, despite being deranged.

However, the fish-beater looked to the animals with a look of, what Itachi observed to be, repulsion. He glanced to Gregor before allowing his eyes to rest on the Uchiha.

"No creature of the sea resembling here," he shook his head. "No trust can be obtained from me. No desire to fulfill this request by the one who acts."

Itachi sighed before slowly approaching one of the horses, lifting a hand to the dark mane as he stared at the large eye that was so intent upon him. Quite honestly, he did not trust the beings either. However, Gregor was right and he would not place his discomfort over Sakura's safety.

"It's alright, Bogford-san," he consoled, glancing back at the man with a slight, understanding smile.

Hesitance, in its most undiluted form, was apparent on the fish-beater's features as he remained in place. Itachi reasoned that, despite not being familiar with riding the creatures himself, there was a much greater risk of Bogford potentially imposing harm over himself.

"Just stay close to me," he continued to the strange individual. "This is the most efficient way to save the 'odd' Sakura."

Immediately, the task seemed to reoccur to the man as he nodded and approached Itachi before proceeding to awkwardly raise himself onto the horse beside the one the Uchiha had claimed.

After deliberating another moment, Itachi followed suit and sat atop the creature with forced composure. He assumed it would be the same as anything else, so long as he utilized resolution and patience.

The rode through the village and, upon reaching the field, ventured northwest toward the distant mountainous landscape. After several moments, Gregor maneuvered himself beside Itachi and announced that he would explain the nature of Sakura's location.

After receiving a nod from the Uchiha, he continued. "They are the mountain dwellers, truly barbaric people who feed on others in a cannibalistic manner. There have been several abductions from the village while I have been there, all young women too. Seems they are the ones they prefer. Though we have an idea of where their lure is, no one in this land can seem to unite or even grasp the reality of the situation." He shook his head, "it's so regrettable. However," he smiled at the man beside him. "With your help, we can finally put a stop to their reign while hopefully saving Miss Sakura in the process."

Itachi could not help the incredible, disturbing feeling that had been roused as a result of hearing Gregor's anecdote. Sakura…had been taken by cannibals. He clenched his fist slightly as he pondered the potential results of her condition upon their arrival. Not only was her life at risk, but it was possible that she would lose it in one of the most gruesome manners he knew.

He was not going to let that happen. He just had to trust that she would hold out until he could reach her. Gaze then drifting to his right, he could not help the slight amusement at the sight of Bogford's face in reaction to his horse's movements. Snake-skin and Tinderwood were relentlessly taunting him as well; their antics akin to the way children would behave.

Itachi then occupied his mind with formulating a suitable strategy that would utilize everyone's abilities in order to more efficiently conduct the mission.


The mountains, despite the reasonable expectation that the higher altitude would reflect a colder atmosphere, were every bit as temperate in climate as the whole of Yokusei. Itachi paid the matter no heed however, as he dismounted the horse and followed Gregor's example by tying the reins to a nearby tree. Leaves rustled beneath his feet as he joined the other four in a semi-circle outside the cave, their eyes all entirely focused on him, expectant and…unquestioning.

The Uchiha inhaled. It was time to discuss his plan with the strange assembly of people around him.

"Gregor and I each have swords," he verbally catalogued their available arsenal. "Snake-skin has his hatchet, and Bogford has a skinning knife." He looked to Tinderwood. "Do you have something you can use?"

The man nodded before digging in his pocket and pulling out a hammer-like item. He grinned, "At your service, willingly, my Lord. Forever and beyond!"

Itachi nodded before looking to Gregor. "Do you have an estimate of how many we might expect to oppose us?"

He shook his head, "regrettably, no. I know very little in the area of specifics where they are concerned."

"No matter," the Uchiha waved it off before kneeling on one knee and directing the rest to do the same. He figured that a visible demonstration would be the best way to instill understanding within most of the party.

He grasped five rocks and set them in the perimeter of a clearing of leaves. "This," he pointed to the latter, "is the cave." After waiting for them to nod, some more enthusiastically and Bogford not even bothering to fulfill the gesture, he continued. "These stones represent us, and the positions we will fall into." He indicated each one, "Gregor, your priority will be Sakura. Avoid a fight If you are able and get her out of there as quickly as you can. We will cover your escape. I will lead the attack and will be responsible for taking down their leader, should such an individual exist." He looked to the three deranged inhabitants of Yokusei. "Snake-skin, you will protect my left. Tinderwood, my right. And," he allowed for a soft smirk as he looked to Bogford. "You will watch my back."

The fish-beater nodded then, but withheld any comment on the matter. Itachi analyzed each of them a final time, "does everyone understand?"

Tinderwood brought a hand to his chin as he tilted his head, "My Lord, on which side, is your supreme right?"

With a sigh, the Uchiha stood and the others followed suit. "My right," he explained as he pointed to the appropriate side of his person, "is here. Remember your formation, it's very important."

"Understood," Robyn grinned almost maniacally before offering him a salute that reminded him strikingly of his late friend, Shisui. He cast that thought aside, however, and offered the man a nod. "Good. Anyone else?"

After nothing more was said, he took a step toward the cavern, "remain as silent as possible. It will be advantageous if we can take them by surprise."

"An excellent point," Gregor muttered with an approving smile as they ventured nearer to the entrance. Each person readied their weapons at Itachi's signal then before he led them into the dank enclosure.

The Uchiha blinked and strained his eyes to adjust them to the sudden change in the lighting before grasping his sword just slightly tighter as he slowly advanced through the many turns of the cave. He could not help the slight hesitance in apprehension of what condition he would find that little Shinobi in. His mind constantly attempted to reflect the thought and he dutifully fought against it.

Any hesitance on his part could result in the loss of her life.

It was not long until a sickening scent reached him, one consisting of poorly mixed spices and a variety of other unnamable components. For a moment, his core stilled as he reasoned he might be too late to have prevented the impending tragedy. And, even if he wasn't, the very thought that the individuals were planning on cooking Sakura was enough to set him just slightly closer to the dormant anger that he always kept controlled.

He recalled having lost control on only one other occasion.

His clan had accused him of murdering his closest friend, and then his father had showed up and, despite being witness to the beaten trio lying prostrate around his eldest son, instead expressed his obvious displeasure that he had not attended the meeting that would finalize the rebellion plot. It had been in that moment, that Itachi felt the last semblance of patience for the ways of his clan falter.

It had been in that moment, that he knew there would be no other alternative besides the one he had been assigned to carry out.

The next element that greeted him was wisps of smoke to accompany the fragrance, and he tensed as he observed that their destination was near. He could hear faint voices also, all speaking in an indiscernible heap of words.

Lifting a hand, he paused around a corner, the others obeying after Bogford reached out to stop Tinderwood from his continued advance. The latter looked as if her were about to protest the fish-beater's action before the Uchiha lifted his finger to his lips in indication that they should remain silent.

They all complied and he gripped his sword as he inhaled in preparation of both the potential skirmish awaiting them and the current state of Sakura.

However, a moment later, those faded voices became prominent and his anxiety was instantly sated in response to the familiar tones.

"Not everyone…is disgusting like you, bastard." She began and Itachi smiled at her use of that signature word. "He's not a rotten cannibal like you. Itachi…is the best person I've ever met in my life. He's my friend."

Following her proclamation, the Uchiha could not help the compulsory feeling of…happiness. He had no idea she had come to regard him so highly, and that thought was accompanied with something both known to him and entirely different in the unique disposition it instilled.

Also, as he shook his head in amusement, it was just so very typical of her that she not respond to the situation in apparent fear or nervousness. She had, quite impulsively, engaged in an argument with her captor, much the same way she had done when he had first conversed with her.

"Your friend?" A strained, sickly voice responded with a throaty chuckle. "The best person you know? Tell me, my sweet, who is this Itachi? Do you know he's not like me?"

There was a smack and the Uchiha's eyes widened as he signaled to the others to stand by for the assault. Sakura had just punched the unknown man. "He's nothing like you," she exclaimed.

"Well, my sweet, that may be true, but…is he really what you think he is?" there was another chuckle from the barbarian. A quick shuffling of feet followed before there sounded another distinct hit. "Of course, you'll be eaten before you find the answer, Sweet Sakura."

"…Damnit," came Sakura's voice, though considerably lowered in volume before the sound of something falling onto the floor reached Itachi's ears. "Sorry…Snail."

'He's knocked her unconscious,' he observed before motioning that his company should attack. 'The time is now.'

Turning the corner, he entered the dimly lit room and briefly scrutinized the area as everyone fell into their proper formation. There were several small tables, one of which was already set up for the impending meal , and a large stove upon which a boiling cauldron sat, undoubtedly the source of both the peculiar fragrance and the smoke. Littering the floor were countless human bones, and along the walls were several candles.

His eyes rested then on the source of their dilemma, the mountain dweller who had most likely been the one to capture Sakura. Upon this final observation, he lowered his gaze to the girl lying beneath the man, eyes closed and expression at ease. He smiled slightly as he saw she was primarily unharmed before returning his attention to the contemptible being above her. He had long, dark hair and pale, tattooed skin.

"Well, hello there," said being greeted the Uchiha and his entourage. "You must be, Itachi."

Itachi did not even bother responding as he momentarily caught Gregor's eye, successfully conveying that he should remove Sakura from the scene, before advancing on the scrawny individual, Tinderwood and Snake-skin appropriately flanking him on either side while Bogford took the rear.

The mountain dweller whistled then as he rushed out of the path of his attackers, only having to deliberate a moment before five others rushed to his aid. Upon successfully obtaining the help, he then looked to Itachi with a wide grin as he stopped in front of him.

"You look good, for a man," he stated as he licked his lips in a way that reminded the Uchiha of Orochimaru, the same lustful gleam in his eyes. "I usually prefer the sweet taste of the more effeminate gender, however…" he reached out a hand in an attempt to stroke his long, dark hair. "I'm willing to make an exception for you."

Itachi lifted his sword an upward stroke at the individual's hand before it as blocked by one of the, apparent leader's, followers.

"Get to safety, Dimmur," the blocker hissed to his leader.

From beside Itachi, two of the others had engaged the fish-beater and Snake-skin in a skirmish while, glancing back, he saw the third moving to thwart Gregor's attempt at taking Sakura. Tinderwood, he noted, was standing stiff, wide-eyed and seemingly unsure as to what he should do.

Dimmur, however, was seemingly displeased with his subordinate's intervention and so immediately proceeded to stab him in the chest. "Never get in the way of me and my meals!"

Itachi took the momentary distraction on the mountain dweller's part to swiftly turn and direct a kunai towards Gregor's pursuer, releasing it in one quick movement and watching as it successfully lodged into the man's neck.

After receiving a brief nod of gratitude from Gregor, he waited until the man stooped to lift Sakura into his arms and shift towards the exit, before turning himself to see the enraged expression on Dimmur's face.

However, it quickly transformed into his previous demeanor of apparent desire. "No matter. He can take that girl for I have a much more promising, and sure to be sweeter, catch."

Again, the Uchiha offered the creature no response and subsequently engaged him a duel, though his sword quickly overpowered the man's feeble attempts at handling a dagger. However, much as Orochimaru's display of the unpredictable while fighting, the mountain dweller unexpectedly dove and rolled away and behind him, laying a frail, bony hand upon his shoulder as he hissed into his ear.

"Itachi…Why must you fight? This is all so incred-"

Itachi did not hesitate then as he turned and, before the man could step back or jump away, lifted his weapon and swiftly delivered a fatal slit across the barbarian's throat, crimson instantly spewing from the opening.

Dimmur looked entirely astonished at first, before grinning widely as he fell in a lifeless heap at the Uchiha's feet. The blood continued to spill around his corpse, his lifeless and contemptible eyes facing those of the comrade he had slain.

There were some kills that Itachi felt no guilt in performing, his expression entirely devoid of any feeling whatsoever toward the being he had just murdered. Stepping back and looking to his left he saw Snake-skin toss his axe toward his retreating opponent, the steel firmly implanting itself into the spine of the runaway.

Tinderwood still stood as motionless as before, evident confusion written across his features. Bogford, Itachi observed then, had foregone his knife in favor leaping into the back of his adversary and wrapping his lean legs about the man's torso as his arms violently constricted the throat within their hold.

Soon after, they all lied defeated on the cavern floor, the rush of movement now claiming a stoic stillness, as was always the case when it came to battle. The Uchiha used Dimmur's cloak to clean the blood from his blade before turning to the exit, where Gregor had escaped with Sakura.

He then glanced back at the trio, "burn the bodies and catch up with us." He pointed to the fish-beater, "I leave you in charge of overseeing this, Bogford-san."

Bogford said nothing, only proceeded to nod and turn toward the stove, where he quickly overturned the pot before beginning to light several of the surrounding stalks of herbs on fire.

Snake-skin appeared to disapprove of Itachi's choice in leadership before turning and beginning to gather the bodies into a pile, grumbling complaints as he did so.

"You fought most excellently, my lord!" Tinderwood exclaimed from beside him then. "Fighting beside you was the greatest honor of my lifetime."

"Aa," nodded to the man. "You were quite reliable. Perhaps even the most."

Robyn grinned in reaction before turning to offer his aid in the burning process. The Uchiha fought the urge to shake his head again at the unaware individual before turning and proceeding through the small labyrinth of cave, emerging beyond and instantly spotting Gregor beside the horses, Sakura held securely within his arms.

"Thank you, Gregor," Itachi stated as he reached him, eyes set on the little Shinobi.

"Of course," he responded before stooping and propping the girl against the tree.

The Uchiha knelt and placed a hand atop her head as he briefly scrutinized her condition. He sighed as he saw nothing that would convey apparent cause for alarm before sweeping her bangs across her forehead. "Sakura," he gently called. However, as he expected, she did not respond. He presumed that she would undoubtedly remain unconscious for awhile.

"Itachi…is the best person I've ever met in my life."

He smiled and then withdrew his touch as he looked up at Gregor. "I don't think I could ever completely convey how grateful I am to you for leading me here. If left on my own," he shook his head. "It would have been too late."

Gregor smiled, "don't think of that. It's in the past. Miss Sakura is safe, and that's all that matters."

'That's right,' Itachi agreed. 'There's no point in speculating over what might have been.'

"Aa," he answered the man simply.

There came the distinct burning scent from the fire within the cavern then and the pair waited only another moment before the trio within emerged, sooty and carrying the same fragrance. Itachi lifted Sakura into his arms and then turned to the horses as he addressed them. "Let's head back to the village."

They all mounted their respective creatures, Itachi keeping one hand wrapped around the girl as he continued to cradle her against his chest while the other hand was held firmly over the horse's reins. They progressed slowly down the mountain, no hurry in their demeanor, only a welcomed silence.

The afternoon was at its peak when they finally reached the village, making their way to the stables and simultaneously lowering themselves onto the ground. Gregor took the five animals and went about securing them within their stalls before rejoining the group.

Snake-skin abruptly turned without another word, seemingly fixated on returning to his hovel at the edge of town. Tinderwood immediately proceeded to express all of his devotion to the Uchiha with an even more vigorous tone than he had previously utilized.

Itachi merely nodded to the man, who received the acknowledgement with a beaming façade and a jump in his step as he turned and ventured to some unknown location. Bogford announced his desire to check in with the village's apothecary before shifting and hastily making his way over to the shop.

"You can let her rest in my house," Gregor stated to Itachi as he opened his door.

The Uchiha nodded and followed the man before laying Sakura down on the small cot in the corner of the room. He sat beside it, back against the wall as he continued to look at the girl with a small smile. There was a brief silence before Gregor approached and Itachi looked to see that he appeared to be debating whether to say something or not.

"I wanted to tell you this before," he began finally as his eyes drifted to the Shinobi's sleeping form. "You have someone really special there."

Itachi was silent before he also looked to Sakura, smile lingering. "I know," he replied softly.

"Don't ever let her go."

Eyes widening slightly but not wavering from the girl before him, the Uchiha did not respond as he contemplated how much such a statement obviously meant to Gregor. He had lost his wife and was now ardently warning him against allowing himself to similarly lose Sakura.

He merely offered the man a small nod but withheld from commenting on the matter. He would have to let her go and it would be one of the most difficult things he would need to do, the exception being the act he was ordered to enact against his own family.

After a moment, he heard Gregor turn and announce that he was going to the tavern to get a drink. Itachi again nodded before resting his head on the wall behind him and feeling his eyes grow heavy as the night's excursion caught up to him. He felt them completely close then as his mind fell away from conscious thought.

'Nii-san!' his own personification of Sasuke exclaimed as he ran towards him with arms outstretched. Itachi was kneeling in the meadow as the wind billowed across the grass and stray flowers, his own arms instinctively reaching out to accept the child's embrace.

Despite being a dream, it felt exactly as it always would when holding his little brother. He smiled at the boy before looking to his left as he heard a soft chuckle.

"He's a lot more affectionate with you than I ever remember seeing him with anyone," Sakura stated with a wide grin.

Itachi's smile widened in response to her observation before he lowered his gaze to Sasuke with a shake of his head. "He's always been a reserved person. He's a lot like me in that regard."

"You're alike in a lot of ways," she responded. "But…still also different."

The child looked up at them, grinning widely. "You always go away, Nii-san. This is the closest you've been…" his eyes lowered. "In a long time."

Itachi looked down at him as he tilted his head, "What do you mean, Sasuke?"

The child's smile faded and his gaze appeared somewhat distant. "I've been trying to reach you all this time but…it's only recently that you are finally starting to see."

"That's right, Sasuke-kun," Sakura replied to the boy.

Looking to her, the older Uchiha reasoned that she also knew what Sasuke was referring to. "Please clarify, Sakura."

She only smiled at him, a soft blush taking her features. "I'm only helping you."

He furrowed his brows slightly, "helping me?"

Sakura nodded, "Sasuke-kun and I…are connected. And we," she lifted a finger and tapped him on the nose, "are connected through Sasuke-kun."

The smile returned to the child's face, "Nii-san, you're almost there. I know you can realize before it's too late."

Itachi thought to when he had previously envisioned the pair and of them warning his conscious mind of the danger the real Sakura was in. They had known of the location she had been taken, despite he never even having been aware of the place. He considered then that, through some strange illusion or effect of the current land, he was somehow connected in thought to Sakura while sleeping. And, possibly…to Sasuke also.

He lowered his eyes, however. It wasn't possible that he could be connected to his brother in that way. The boy before him was a mere fragment of his past, not personified in the present as Sakura was. Also…Sasuke hated him. He would not be trying to reach out to him or seem to long for his return. The older Uchiha had insured that the boy's disposition stood otherwise.

Still, he was not going to take anything they said lightly. They were ardently trying to tell him something, had been from the start. In collaboration with his own subconscious, which seemed to be in agreement, they persisted.

"I miss you, Sasuke," he admitted to his own mind, where it would always be concealed.

The child nodded, before snuggling closer, "I miss you too, Nii-san."

He smiled at the boy before looking to Sakura, her eyes set on him with the illuminated gleam he so greatly favored. Within his dreams, he was given the opportunity to say the things he could never actually voice to the pair.

Lifting a hand, he tapped her forehead and his smile widened. "I love you, Sakura."

She did not respond, only returned his smile before returning his gesture and lifting her own fingers to press them against his forehead.

He tilted his head as she lowered her hand to grasp his. His smile lingered as he considered the moment he was granted outside of reality. This was the ideal world he had imagined before. Sasuke and Sakura both meant a great deal to him and remaining close to them was the only thing he could ever wish for.

They began to fade, as they so often did and he watched as they both continued to return his smile before they disappeared entirely…

Opening his eyes, he looked to where the girl had previously been lying and found it empty. He was momentarily confused by that as he blinked before his gaze shifted to his right and he saw her sitting beside him against the wall, knees held against her chest.

Sakura offered him a smile in response to his attention, "Did you have a good sleep?"

He returned the smile, relieved to see that she was awake and well, the ordeal not seeming to have inflicted any great trauma over her. He nodded, "Aa."

Briefly glancing to the window he saw that evening had begun and surmised that he had been sleeping for about five hours or so. As he returned his eyes to the girl, he wondered how long she had been awake.

She reached out a hand and placed it on his shoulder, "That's good. You looked like you needed it."

Itachi did not respond merely kept his gaze in place upon her with a gentle smile. After a moment, he hesitated slightly before reaching up and removing her hand from its place on his shoulder, holding it in his own as he shook his head. "That is…the last time I let you go off on your own."

The little Shinobi again smiled and nodded before tears began to form in her eyes. She shook her head and embraced him tightly as she sobbed. "I'm sorry, Itachi. I'm sorry."

He lifted his arm around her shoulders, and sighed as he closed his eyes. This was more of the reaction he had anticipated upon her rescue. It seemed the event had, indeed, affected her. "Sakura," he began. "You don't need to apologize. It wasn't your fault."

She only began to sob harder as she simultaneously tightened her hold. "Okay. I tried to get away, but they were better than me. I didn't want to die and I was afraid…because I didn't want to leave you, Itachi."

He looked down at her then, a slight gleam of sadness in his eyes. Again, he reflected over how hard it was going to be to leave her for good. He had felt the loss of her presence for only an amount of several hours and it had been more acute than he had previously envisioned it could be.

Granted, part of the intensity was attributed to the anxiety he had experienced in concern for her safety.

He smiled, "you're safe now."

Sakura lifted her head then, face flushed and eyes red from crying. After weakly returning his smile, she lifted a hand and wiped her own tears away. "What happened?" she asked after a pause.

"Well," he tilted his head as he contemplated over how much to reveal. "Bogford-san woke me after you had been taken and told me what happened. We came to the village and we, along with Gregor, Snake-skin and Tinderwood, traveled to the mountains where we came upon the cave. We found you unconscious and…dealt with the people who had taken you." He sighed, "Afterwards, we returned here and have simply been waiting for you to wake up."

She appeared to contemplate what he told her before her eyes narrowed, "those sick bastards."

He chuckled softly, "Aa. I can't think of a better way to put it."

The girl smirked before an expression of slight perplexity crossed her features. "How did the fish-man know what happened?"

Itachi shrugged, "he had his boat. I assume he was out on the lake fishing."

After cringing, she examined her arm, where her wound was and subsequently placed her hand over it with a grimace. After a moment, she lifted her eyes to his and smiled, though it appeared somewhat forced. "Well, at least he was there."

"Aa," he nodded. "Without Bogford-san, and Gregor as well, I would not have made it in time."

Lifting her hand, she placed it against his cheek as her smile turned genuine. "I'll have to thank them later. And…I'm really happy you got there in time. I thought I would never see you again."

He reached out and ran a hand through her hair as he shook his head, reflecting over what Gregor said. "That's in the past now, Sakura." He smiled, "but I'm glad I made it in time, too."

The girl's smile widened before she seemed to recall something and quickly rose to her feet, glancing about her surroundings. "Where's Gregor?"

Itachi sighed before slowly rising to his feet, "he's at the tavern." Upon saying this, he looked to the stove. "How about some tea?" he winked at her, "we missed it this morning."

"Tea sounds good," she replied with a nod as she walked towards the cupboard and took out two mugs.

The Uchiha turned and made his way to the kettle, finding that it still had some water left before proceeding to heat it. "We will leave tomorrow sometime, after you have fully recovered. Perhaps even the day after."

"I'm fine," she shook her head. "I don't have any injuries, so traveling won't be a problem."

"All the same," he looked to her with another smile. "I'd rather wait."

She shrugged, "alright. What are we going to do while we wait?"

He tilted his head before returning the shrug, "it doesn't matter." He smirked slightly, "whatever you want."

They had a little bit of time to spare, he reasoned. Kanashimi was the final detour until they returned to their own land and he found it highly unlikely that the cold, bleak place would afford them with as much tranquility Yokusei did. 'Well,' he reflected. 'Aside from the Dimmur incident.'

Sakura grinned, "Well, we haven't had much free time since we came to Yokusei. Maybe there's something to do in town."

"Perhaps," he replied only before pouring the water into their cups and steeping the tea. After a moment, he lifted both and ventured to the table, setting them down and looking to Sakura. "For now though, have some tea with me."

"Of course. I can't refuse your tea, Itachi." She winked with a smile.

He returned the smile before lifting his cup and taking a sip, glancing to the window once more and at the fading hues of light. It was really astounding…how much could take place in a single day. He lowered his eyes then and allowed them to rest within the dark liquid.

Sakura came and sat down beside him as he watched her lift her own tea and take a sip. "Can we go back to the inn when we're finished?"

Itachi looked to her and saw that she was smiling. He furrowed his brows slightly, "what inn, Sakura?"

He assumed she was referring to the in the other village and surmised that her she was still not completely aware after waking from her forced slumber.

The girl blinked before her gaze widened, "Oh! We're in Gregor's village, aren't we?"

"Aa," he nodded, slightly amused before altogether sighing. "After you finish your tea, you can go back to sleep and catch up on some rest."

She nodded before laughing, "You sounded kind of like my dad."

He smiled, "oh? Your father sounds like a wise man."

"He is, but only sometimes." She grinned, "My dad likes to make a joke out of everything."

"Utilizing a sense of humor in certain situations can be a sign of wisdom," he replied.

She smirked, "in that case. He's very wise."

Itachi returned the smirk before lifting a hand and tapping her forehead, "Well, I suppose you must have inherited that trait from him."

"Hell yeah," she responded. "Or he rubbed off on me. I certainly spent a lot of time with him in the past."

"That's good," he nodded. "You should spend as much time with your parents as possible."

"I agree," she replied before taking a large, final sip of tea. "I'm done now, Itachi."

He nodded before slowly finishing off his own cup, setting it down beside Sakura's and then glancing down at her with a smile. "Are you tired?"

"I didn't exactly get any sleep," she nodded as she rubbed her neck. "I was knocked out twice."

Lifting a hand atop her forehead protector, Itachi tilted his head. "Are you sore anywhere from that?"

"Just my neck and my wrist," she answered before looking to her hand. "And the knuckles on my right hand."

"Did you punch someone?" he asked, fighting a smile.

"Yes," the girl replied with a satisfied smirk. "I punched Dimmur."

Itachi allowed the smile to form, though made no further comment on the matter. Instead, he stood and grabbed both cups before placing them in the sink and returning to Sakura. "Come on then, you need some sleep."

She stood with a wink, "I want sleep, Snail."

He shook his head, "of course, call it what you like."

The little Shinobi slowly made her way over to the corner of the room and lied down on the cot. "Thanks for the permission."

Itachi only sighed as he made over and reclaimed his position against the wall, "goodnight, Sakura."

She closed her eyes, "goodnight, Itachi."

His smile returned then as his gaze shifted and rested upon her, the earlier animated set of her features smoothing and resuming a relaxed expression. The smile widened and he simply relented to watching her fall asleep with an almost absent state of mind.

I thought I would never see you again.

His smile faded slightly but his eyes remained fixated on her slumbering form. What was he going to do?

Nii-san, you're almost there.

What did that mean?

After a sigh, he closed his eyes but felt sleep approach slowly. His mind was filled with potentially problematic questions and he had to work on casting them aside for the time being. At least, for now, he could merely relent to acknowledging that…perhaps…there was something other path he could…possibly…take.