So sorry I haven't updated!! :( Schools really keept me busy. (Thank gawd it's over) The reviewers kept me going ~

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto.

chapter 13

A Snakes Murmur

The pink haired kunoichi walked slowly in the rain. It was funny how it was all a blur to her now; the time she had spent with the akatsuki. The moments she truly cherished and longed for went so quickly. The person she loved so dearly. But was she really old enough to know what that was? She heard the adults whisper horrible things about her and her family. Her baby brother. It wasn't the same village. Her numbness from before had gone and was replaced with pain. She was tired of leeching off her friends every time she thought of Itachi. She was tired of how she clung to those years like a lifeline.

"What is wrong little girllll? You look downsssome." A voice whispered in her ears. Sakura looked up. "Who's there?" She reached for a kunai. "I mean you no harm...jusssst to deliver you a wisssssh." Sakura stared hesitantly at her feet. "I don't think that's possible. Leave me alone." Slivering crawled up her leg. It was so cold. "Now...I'm ssssure theresss an arangment we can....work out?" The voice cooed. Sakura stiffened. Fangs bit into her stomache. The girl gasped out in pain. "Whats going on?" The voice hissed in her ear. "Ah, a little dragon wants you..." Sakura's eyes flashed. "No!"

Deidara nervously shuffled his feet. Where is Sakura-chan, un? Was that voice lying? Of course he had his doubts, and at times regreted the deal he'd made but he wanted Sakura back. He was sure it was no infatuation. It was real. Or was it?

Just then, something black caught his eye. It was? A black ribbon....Like Sakura had worn in her hair....Oh no. Deidara turned on his heels and scampered towards the hideout. He felt so guilty. He just knew something horrible had befallen Sakura. Itachi would be so pissed off.

"Im so sorry, Konan-sama, un!" Deidara choked out running into the akatsuki base living room. Konan narrowed her eyes on the blonde member. "What did you do this time, baka?" Itachi just rolled his eyes. His "colleagues" were usually up to something stupid. Deidara glanced nervously around the room. "Therewasasnakeyvoiceandhewasalllikeheyicangiveyouawish, un! Soiwaslikeohheysakurathenandhewasliketwooooodaysssandicamebacktodaybutisawherheadbandsoiknowsomethingbadhappenedtoher, un! I just know it, un!" There was a crash as Itachi's chair flew across the room. His eyes flared dangerously. "You idiot! If it was a snake it's plain to see it was Orochimaru! Now he's got his grip on Sakura!" Deidara flinched. Konan scanned over the scared boy. "Deidara please go inform Pein of the situation. While Itachi-san and I gather Kisame and Sasori."

Deidara gulped and nodded as he moved out of Itachi's killer glare. As soon as Deidara left Konan turned on Itachi. "Calm down, Uchiha-san. You and Yumiko can head out now. She has Sakura's scent known by heart. Not that you don't..."Konan muttered the last part to herself. Itachi nodded slowly, and Yumiko trotted importantly into the room. Itachi locked eyes with the white tigress. They knew what they had to do. In an instant, both Itachi and Yumiko were flying through the trees.

For once in his life, Itachi felt weak. Useless even. If Orochimaru hurt Sakura even a little bit....Yumiko froze and growled at the tree branch. Itachi's eyes glazed over the spot. Blood...His eyes flashed with many different emotions. Yumiko bared her teeth and snarled.

Sakura hit the damp floor. Her face smashed into a rock, causing blood to seep down into her eye. She bit down on her tongue to keep quiet. She already had blood on her from when she struggled with the snakeman and he cut her cheek with his razor like tongue. Sakura almost puked. "Now, little Ssssssakura. Use your powers to realesssee him." Sakura's head pounded. "Who?" She managed to whisper. The snakeman growled. "Don't tell me you don't remember thissss cave little one?" Sakura looked around sharply, and gasped. "R-Ryuu...?" The man chuckled. "Ah, good you do remember. Now, just usssse your little kekkai genkai and releasssssse the sssssseal." Sakura raised a brow. "What....what are you talking about?" A spark lit up the man's face, revealing a hideous face. "You, Ryuu, and Sasuke are part of a prophecy that must become so.

It's the destruction of Konoha and maybe even the world. You three are the ultimate weapons and I need you, little girl, to summon the other weapons!" His voice was more clear and demanding. Not to mention loud. Sakura backed into the wall. It was damp and something stuck into her back. She gasped in pain. She couldn't see anything. Footsteps started and were right in front of her, when a slithery hand wrapped around her throat. "Sakura. Use your power!" Sakura kicked and punched, but he only tightened his grip. Sakura's eyes watered and glowed. A loud hissing sound came from behind them. Orochimaru let go of Sakura, who fell to the ground with a snap of her back. Smoke now filled the tiny cave.

The pink haired girl cried out in pain, her eyes illuminated. Something triggered inside her, as she was overcome by thick black smoke. Sakura coughed as her lungs filled with thick smoke. Orochimaru laughed hysterically. His goal was almost completed.

No...Not now....Not before I see Itachi again....And poor Akira....

I cant die....I cant be the reason for my beloved ones death.

Shakily, Sakura stood. Through the smoke, she could barely make out Orochimaru's shape. She reached at her leg holster, grabbing her poison kunai, made especially by Kisame. She threw it, just so it hit one of the more important pressure points. Sakura watched emotionlessly as the snakeman fell. "Damn it, you brat!" She stared as blood leaked from his mouth and the smoke retreated. A tear fell. Despite her training she still had a heart. Sakura turned on her heel and ran out the cave door.

How far could she go before she collapsed from blood loss?

Yumiko ran faster, Itachi in toe. The scent was fresh, with drops of blood scattered. The farther they went the angrier Itachi became at Konoha. Had he made a mistake at placing her there? People came and left and kidnapped freely there apparently. His anxiety was worse. He couldnt imagine what he would do if.....if they were too late.

But, the back of his mind drifted off to what most of the akatsuki were thinking. Why Sakura? It was obvious Orochimaru had used Deidara to get information on Sakura's whereabouts, because Konoha had kept the fact she was back a secret. So, why was he targeting this poor defensless girl? Itachi ground his teeth. Because Orochimaru is a sick twisted pervert. Though, not to disrespect Sakura, she was indeed a great ninja...possibly the strongest Kunoichi in the making...but there was nothing that special about her. As far as he and her other senseis had concluded she had no kekkai genkai or signs of having one.

So, why kidnap Sakura? Was it to lure out Akatsuki? No, he had Deidara in his grip before. Sasuke or another Hokage dog? No, then he simply would have kidnapped his brother.

It made no sense.

Sakura sat gently against an oak tree, her head looking up at the now dark sky. Soon, she pass out from exhaustion. But, she took the time to imagine. What if Itachi and her had never left? Would they had had started a family. She smiled at the thought. A beautiful baby boy, with sparkling green jade eyes and messy black hair, attached to her older self's hip. The image was strong enough in her mind it was almost like a memory.

But, what if Itachi and her never had that connection and he just left? Would she of ended up with Sasuke? Maybe, Neji? Shikamaru? No. She was positive she would still belong to Itachi even if they had never met and fell in love. She just knew it. If she didnt die, then she'd make it her goal to find Itachi, and tell him how much she loved him and about their dream child. He'd be suprised she thought that far ahead. But didnt every girl dream about the children she'd love to have with her chosen guy?

It was so silly. Every part of Sakura's brain was sure of this. She had heard the adults. "Your to young to know what love is, let alone be in love." But, did age honestly, truly, and completely matter when you found your soul mate? The person you cannot be without? Does it REALLY matter? Could someone really look a girl in the eyes when she's most content in her life and tell her because she is too young, she doesn't really love the man who had sacrificed his life for hers a thousand times and her the same. Could you really tell the girl who fell asleep crying about the same stupid boy every night since she met him, that it's not love it's adoration and that if she knew more about him she'd leave as quickly as she came?

How can you judge someone like that? How are you to know that person is in love, if you have not lived their life? Though, often enough fangirls throw around the word love and dont really mean it. It is the most wonderful word in the entire universe but at the same time the most abused.

And Sakura would never take it for granted again. She promised herself that if she lived....she'd stop leading the other guys on....and focus only on her true love.

Itachi.....I've been so selfish...I didn't ask what you wanted, did I?

Crimson met her eyes and she grinned playfully. "Hey. It's been a while hasn't it, Itachi-kun?" And she passed out just as strong arms wrapped around her waist.

Sasuke's eyes flashed. Sakura threw herself at him, and they colided with the ground. Sakura was punching his chest half-heartedly. Tears dripped down her face, as she yelled at the shocked older Sasuke, who seemd slightly fased by her words. But as she continued her scolding his mouth formed a single word and Sakura's eyes widened as she looked behind herself. An almost loving gaze cast upon her face. Love and compassion. Loyalty and dedication. Her short pink hair framed her beautiful pale face. Sasuke glared.

The pinkette woke up, her head throbbing. She was having such strange dreams lately....

Pfft, strange? More like horrifying.

It's not that bad...

Darling, shush before you hurt your brain.

Sakura giggled lightly at her inner-self.

Now, we've unlocked our kekkai genkai.

?

You heard creepy snake guy! We have a kekkai genkai! Remember how we almost set Ryuu Sakura cringed free?

Yes. He also said that Sasuke, Ryuu, and I are part of a prophecy. But, that can't be right.

And why not?

I'm not special at all....I've never been.

Silly girl! Your in akatsuki! Sasuke Uchiha, Itachi Uchiha, Neji Hyuuga, and Deidara are MADLY IN LOVE with you! How can you NOT be special?!

Sasuke, Neji and Deidara do NOT love me!

Who are you to judge?

Sakura blushed, slightly flushed because of the heated argument with herself. She took time to examine her surroundings. White walls, green floors, red markings on the walls...like akatsuki! She leapt out of bed, despite the horrible pain she felt and out the door. It was the hallway! She ran through it as fast as she would go and through open the wide door.

"Hey, finally up, hime?"

And so, it begins again.....cue happy music!

END ^_^