Haruno Sakura and the War of Two Worlds
By Inner Self
~*Chapter 12: The Unbreakable Vow, Part II*~
[Order HQ, 9:05 AM]
Moody had shut his eyes for five minutes before he had the urge to check up on the "house guest" again. He cursed the man for not giving him a moment's peace. Mad-Eye fixed his peg leg below his knee and stomped over to the kitchen cellar. He unsheathed his wand and undid the locking spells. With a flick of his wand, the lamps lining the stairwell lit up. He magicked the door locked behind him. Mad-Eye descended into the damp hobble of a room and greeted the house guest with a sneer.
"Wake up, your majesty," he growled to the man. No longer was his garb elegant, but bedraggled and sweat-stained from repetitive wear. His long platinum hair had not touched neither comb nor brush in months.
The man lay on a plain twin size bed. He was covered in white sheets and a grey wool coverlet. He forced down his shame and glared at Moody. The man did not speak. He would not deign to speak to the vulgar, crude, retired Auror.
Moody turned his wand on the prisoner. He said, "I finally got you alone at last. I know you are withholding information, Lord Malfoy. No matter. Today the truth comes out."
Moody pulled a small phial out of his pocket with his other hand. Lucius refrained from showing weakness. He merely glared at his captor. "I told you everything," he said with a neutral tone. He would not beg.
"The students did not believe you. I wouldn't if I were them. The Light has to be especially vigilant about you types. I'm surprised you haven't used the imperio excuse yet. So here's what we're going to do…," Moody trailed off, waving the phial between his thumb and pointer fingers.
Lucius Malfoy's jaw tensed. "You must see reason," he ordered. His feet were now swung over the side of his bed. Mad-Eye's wand was trained and readied on him. He could do wandless magic, but Mad-Eye was a powerful (and armed) wizard. Besides, his hands were shackled with just enough slack to eat his meals properly. He could make a desperate move or wait a little longer for an intervention.
He got his wish. Severus Snape swept down the steps in all his robe-billowing glory and disarmed Moody with a nonverbal spell.
"Snape," Moody growled. Moody glared at him with his normal eye and kept his magical one trained on Lucius.
"What are you doing?" asked Snape, eyes dangerously narrowed.
"You know very well what I am doing. Dumbledore is a fool to keep a captive so long at our headquarters."
Professor Snape smirked at the older man. The two were alike in many things. They were hardened and ruthless in their causes. Mercy was unbecoming for both of them. Both were vigilant, but unlike the retired Auror, Professor Snape did not exude paranoia. Moody got his nickname in the way he wrapped paranoia about himself like a cloak. Professor Snape could discern immediate danger whereas Moody saw the potential for danger and misuse in everything. Professor Snape, in a nutshell, had a good head on his shoulders (accompanied by the bad temper with which his students were familiar).
"I have already interrogated the prisoner, Alastor, or have you already forgotten?" Professor Snape drawled.
"Why would I trust the word of a turncoat, who just so happened was entrusted with the interrogation?"
"Albus has more use of my legilimency than your brutish tactics. Albus trusts me. That should be all the reason you need."
"Dumbledore is getting old. He is getting sloppy. Politician types are finding ways to outwit him," said Moody, still unconvinced.
"No doubt you have disregarded my capability, eagerly waiting for a day like this. Unfortunately, Miss Haruno awoke a couple hours ago. I will stay with Lucius until the others return."
"As will I," replied Mad-Eye.
[Next Scene]
The Order members returned from their visit at noon. (Mr. Weasley, however, returned to the Ministry from St. Mungo's.) Snape and Moody returned to the ground level, locking the cellar door with care, awaiting the impending Order meeting.
Sakura to helped Itachi through the floo. Although she trusted his allegiance now, his presence still gave her goosebumps. He still unsettled her. He didn't seem like the cold man she'd heard stories about. In fact, his persona had no definite pattern. He was just a name to her now, a name she had known since her academy days. He was a stranger.
He had addressed her kindly, but too intimately for her taste. In the presence of others, Sakura had swallowed her propriety. Sakura quietly protested with fists clenched. Dumbledore told her to go to The Burrow. The Headmaster went first, then Sakura and Itachi, followed by the rest of the lot.
"Our last destination is 12 Grimmauld Place," Dumbledore, the secret keeper, told Itachi. "Now we wait for the others." When the group arrived at the Burrow, they repeated the process and arrived at the Order HQ. Molly asked Tonks and Remus help her with lunch.
Tonks, on her way to the kitchen, tripped without fail over the troll-leg umbrella stand and awoke the portrait of Walburga Black. Mrs. Black's portrait ranted obscenely about bloodtraitors and mudbloods before calming down many minutes later. Tonks apologized sheepishly as Remus led her to the passage next to the cellar door. Remus took down the cellar wards and kept his wand poised in front of the group. Tonks, the auror in the group, watched Lucius as Molly and Remus organized the food trays and levitated them up. Professor McGonagall sat patiently on one of the sofas. With a flick of her wand, all the china and silverware fell into place.
Sakura politely addressed her Head of House when she arrived. He nodded to her and said, "Good to have you back, Miss Haruno." Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and the twins did their best not to gape at the two Slytherins' pleasantries. Professor Dumbledore closed the double doors leading to the hallway and cast a silencing charm to keep Mrs. Black from rudely awakening a second time.
"Who is that?" Moody asked rudely. Professor Snape knew who he was. Nonetheless, he was surprised to see the young man. He would have kept silent, but Itachi greeted him.
"Good afternoon, professor," he said.
The Headmaster clapped Itachi on the shoulder. "Severus, do you remember Itachi?" Dumbledore asked. He addressed the group conversationally, while meeting Sakura's eyes with his twinkling ones, "Itachi, who always spoke appropriately, was the only Gryffindor during the Snape Era of Hogwarts history not to receive a detention."
In unison, Ron, Ginny, and the twins exclaimed, "Blimey!" Hermione's jaw dropped in awe. She remembered receiving one (for no reason based on evidence) back in second year.
Sakura nodded her head as she imagined Itachi at Hogwarts, immersing himself in the new culture at lightning speed like she had. She wondered what he would have done on Hogsmeade weekends, depending on if he was placed in second or third year. Would he have been a loner or the popular kid in his year?
"Well, then!" exclaimed Fred (or George).
"Welcome to the club!" finished George (or was he Fred?)
The four Weasley children leapt at him in an accepting embrace. That popped Sakura's daydream.
"Gryffindor?" she asked dubiously. She pouted quizzically. The Weasley's paused to look at her. Itachi was doing his best to remain upright. His lips hinted at a smile.
"I thought you would be a Slytherin for sure," she said.
The Weasleys released Itachi. Sakura expected them to conduct a scent test on the newly ordained cub.
Itachi shrugged. "The Sorting Hat put me in Gryffindor. It makes sense. Shinobi from Konoha, those who "inherit the will of Fire," can relate to the qualities cherished by the Gryffindor House."
Sakura placed a hand on her hip. She nodded in agreement. "I suppose," she offered.
"But Sakura is in Slytherin," said Hermione.
A spark of intrigue flashed in Itachi's ebony eyes. "Unexpected. Your ambition outweighs your chivalry. I suppose it would have been obvious to your friends."
"My deceptive smile tips the hat to Slytherin," she said.
Dumbledore suggested that they carry the conversation into the dining room.
Sakura selected a chair next to her Head of House. She was one of the few who did not mind Professor Snape's company. Itachi deftly pulled her chair out for her before she could protest. She scrunched up her nose in mild annoyance. He sat on her other side. Everyone else filled in.
Lunch was light, since they had had a late breakfast. Mrs. Weasley had thoughtfully prepared a cream soup with a side of sourdough bread for Sakura. Sakura's thoughts leapt from the current topic of the Hogwarts houses (history, etc.) when she took her first spoonful of soup. It was lovely. Her thoughts strayed quickly to her stay at St. Mungo's to Itachi's stay to Itachi's own duel with Sasuke. Sasuke had left hidden wounds in her, and had ruined her first meal back in the land of the living.
"Itachi-san?" she spoke, interrupting whatever Hermione was saying.
Hermione frowned. Sakura realized what she did and gave her an apologetic look. Itachi glanced up from his welcome back meal. Mrs. Weasley had whipped up a shepard's pie just for him. He swallowed a bite. "Yes, Sakura?"
She scrunched up her nose slightly more noticeably. "I think I should check you for internal injuries before you eat any more. I think it would be wise." It was awkward table talk, but from a medical standpoint, it had to be said. Thankfully, unlike Ron or Naruto, Itachi did not need her to go too far into detail. He was practically a mind-reader.
"Of course. I value your professional opinion." Sakura helped him walk out of the dining room and into the den. He sat in one of the wingbacked chairs and awaited orders. Sakura placed her hands on his chest and pressed green chakra lightly into his chest cavity. No clothing removal necessary. She brought her hands low enough to examine his stomach, kidneys, and liver and then to his hips to examine his intestines, bladder, etc. She finished within the minute.
Sakura sighed with relief, "Everything checks out, Itachi-san."
Itachi nodded. "All the injuries I recalled were external."
"I didn't want a repeat of what happened to me at St. Mungo's."
"Ah," he gave a short, noncommittal reply.
Sasuke came to mind. Sakura mentally shook herself. "Well, shall I help you back into the dining room?"
When Itachi and Sakura reappeared, Sakura was bombarded by pleas for her to describe her fight. Mrs. Weasley weakly protested, but she was just as curious as her children.
Sakura shrugged lightly in embarrassment. In her genin days, Naruto would announce the highlights of their perilous missions to whoever was within earshot. In those days, Sakura had played a small part. 'Oh, where to begin?' Sakura thought.
"Well…" she conjured up the memory and started at her flight to the ministry and how she stumbled upon the Deatheater/Dumbledore's Army face-off. She left out the personal side commentary. After fifteen minutes, she concluded, "And the last thing I remembered was Sasuke struggling to get back on his feet. He stumbled and his knees buckled. Did you capture him or did he escape?"
Professor Dumbledore answered. "The walls were collapsing around us. We were able to capture Lucius Malfoy and Tonks rescued you from the ruined Hall of Prophecies. No one saw the boy. Days after the battle, Severus confirmed his escape."
"He is fast…and determined," Sakura said and frowned. "Professor, how did you find out that Sasuke is still alive?" She had an idea, but she wanted to hear her suspicions confirmed. Professor Snape had shown up at the perfect moment that day.
Albus placed a hand on Snape's shoulder to give the go ahead. Everyone else at Grimmauld Place knew.
Professor Snape entwined his fingers and rested his hands on the table. He looked her in the eye. "I am a spy for the Order. Do you understand this term?"
She nodded. "Itachi-san was a spy. He is now believed to be dead."
"Wicked," commented the Weasley twins. Sakura thought Snape looked mildly uncomfortable. Sakura took another spoon of soup. All serious conversation dissipated for the rest of the meal.
When the meal was finished, the Weasley children were, once again, shuffled up the stairs. Mrs. Weasley, not to be outwitted by her children, cast an extendable-ear specific repelling charm, shut the door, and silenced the dining room.
Those remaining looked to Professor Dumbledore. "Lucius Malfoy at first told us he wished to turncoat. He said that the students could support his statement. They were uncertain. Thus, he has been kept hostage. Apparently, Lucius decided the idea was foolish. Tom is powerful. He believes his devotion to Tom would be the most prudent choice. Only now do we realize that Lucius had been telling the truth. Still, the Malfoys are self-serving bloodline. Before Lucius Malfoy changed his mind, he offered valuable information about a dark artifact. He has asked that we free him in exchange. We would like you to talk to him before we debate the topic."
"Sir, you waited this long to a decision?" she asked. "Are you sure this wait has left him with any options?"
Professor Dumbledore replied solemnly, "We cannot give him a choice. He never had a real choice. He has failed the Dark Lord. Lucius would be kept alive only to hold up the wards to Malfoy Manor. His place in Tom's Inner Circle has been bestowed to Draco."
"NO!" Sakura gasped. Draco was too soft. Somehow, perhaps through years of coddling, Draco had not turned into the spitting image of either of his parents. "He will be destroyed." Sakura could not imagine Draco taking to more than school bullying.
"Lucius Malfoy believes he still has a place in the leadership of Tom's army. You must diminish his hopes. His family depends on you."
"Surely Professor Snape has talked to him?" Sakura asked.
Professor Snape crossed his arms. He entered lecture mode and drawled, "The Dark Mark brings pain to the wearer should he undergo interrogation. The use of veritaserum would ensure the wearer's death. I pried the information from Lucius via Legilimency, but Lucius was conflicted about his defection. He proved to be an adept occlumens. Once he reclaimed his Deatheater loyalty, I deduced his previous statements to be truths."
Itachi crossed his arms. Coolly, he remarked, "This Lucius clings to his title, hoping his status will spare him, but he is not just a daimyo. He is one of the Dark Lord's warriors. His loyalty is important."
Sakura asked, "So I must convince him to join us or… he dies?"
The Order members tensed visibly. Professor Dumbledore nodded.
Moody said gruffly, "I still don't understand why we couldn't administer veritaserum, if we are going to kill him anyway."
Sakura glared at him. She could channel Ibiki when the need arose. She was sure of it. If not, Itachi surely had some pointers. "No one has to die today. I will get him to turncoat. Please give Itachi-san a briefing about the war. I will be waiting in the den."
Sakura gathered her thoughts in the den. She clenched her fist anxiously. She waited a while before the others had properly informed Itachi about the brewing war. When the meeting adjourned, Professor Snape and Dumbledore beckoned her. They took down the spells guarding the cellar door and led her to the prisoner.
Lucius Malfoy looked just as shabby as he had a few hours prior. He could do with a bath, a brush, and a change of clothes. He saw them, noticed Sakura's pink head of hair behind Snape's shoulder, and sat up. He swung his legs over the bed and deemed to address them in a respectful manner. Even in captivation he could saturate his posture with sophistication, his shoulders thrown back, chin angled up so that he could peer down at the peasantry.
Sakura weaved around the two professors. "Good afternoon," she said in a pleasant tone. "The professors will be leaving now. I would like to talk to you alone." She threw a winning smile at the professors, which translated to "or else."
The professors locked the cellar door behind them. She took out her wand and cast a silencing spell. Sakura caught the desperate, calculating gaze of the elder Malfoy.
"I'm sorry, Malfoy-san. I have no wand for you to break," she said shrugging. "Demo… do you remember what I said about my countrymen?" she asked pointedly. Yes, he remembered who she was. The girl did not require a wand to issue lethal force.
"Yes, I do," he replied.
"Then I can expect polite conversation from you, rather than an escape attempt," she said, smiling with relief. Sakura looked down at his shackled wrists. Her smile disappeared and was replaced by concern. Lips slightly pouted, she said, "Oh, dear! Your wrists… the metal is cutting into them. Here, let me." She formed a chakra scalpel and cut clean through the metal. Lucius Malfoy gasped. Before his alerted senses could tell him to flee, she caught both of his wrists. She cut through the other shackle.
Her gaze turned serious. His blood smeared against her firmly gripping hands. "Amazing. Your inner wrist doesn't look compromised. The cuffs only dug in to the fleshy part on top." She began to heal him without warning. He froze in shock. He watched her work. When she finished, he gazed in awe at his wrists. Her technique was a beautiful example of wandless magic.
"I was out of bed one night, training, when I ran into Professor Snape. I thought he would yell at me and dock points, but then he suddenly collapsed. I caught him before he hit the ground. I took him to the potions lab and healed him up. I saved his life. Professor Snape told me he used potions until last year. I figure the Dark Lord had been the one to do it."
Lucius Malfoy nodded cautiously. "The Dark Lord is an impatient man, more so with his impure subjects. Severus Snape is a half-blood. He is an easy outlet for the Dark Lord's disdain."
Shocked, Sakura asked, "I thought all his followers were pure bloods?"
"Not many families remain untainted by muggle blood," he replied.
"Mudblood," said Sakura crudely.
"Did you learn that word from my son?" he sneered. "In our House, I do not tolerate his vulgar, adolescent speech. Inferior beings do not need a word to prove their inferiority."
"Yes, I did. Is he alright? I forgot to ask. Has the Order told you anything?" She lied fluidly.
"He bears my burden," Lucius said, more to himself. "You must see reason," he said. "My wife and son need me."
Sakura raised a brow. "If you go to him, if we release you, you will be killed. I'm certain the Dark Lord does not care about your blood status at this point."
"When I die, the wards to Malfoy Manor will answer to Draco. If the Dark Lord murders me, his anger will be sated. My wife and son will be spared," he said resolutely. "If I am given veritaserum, he will not have his satisfaction, and my wife will be slain. Draco will become a slave to the Dark Lord's cause."
"So everything you have told us is true?"
"Yes, now let me go. Death awaits me, I assure you."
Sakura looked toward the lighted stairwell. What would Dumbledore do with a Malfoy? Sakura returned her sympathetic gaze to Lucius. "I assure you, the Headmaster would prefer numbers to death tolls. Please, join us. Do you think he would wait this long for…satisfaction?"
Lucius Malfoy smirked proudly, "He would be obligated to wait. I rescinded his invitation. He stepped out unwittingly."
"How many Deatheaters were in Malfoy Manor before you rescinded invitations?" Sakura asked. Her rich green orbs sparked alight with ingenuity.
Lucius's brows furrowed. "I do not know. What are you planning?"
Sakura smiled cheekily. She placed a hand over her heart. "I request an invitation into your most Noble House of Malfoy."
Lucius sneered, "I would rather my family remains on the winning side."
Sakura looked solemnly at him. She placed her hands on his. She sighed. The decision depended on him. "Malfoy-san," she asked, "would you rather imagine your family growing old without you, living in perpetual fear, or would you rather they live full, happy lives? Trust me, Malfoy-san. Everyone dies. Your family would be happiest on the side of Light, for whatever remaining time you share."
Lucius Malfoy's shoulders slumped. He actually slumped with the burden of his grief. He was losing his ability to contain it. Sakura ripped off a piece of her orange T-shirt. "Here," she said, in case he needed to cry. "This is a difficult decision, I know. Death is scary. I have always wondered what lies beyond it. Sometimes I ponder the beginning of our existence, but it gives me a headache. So for now, I suggest you focus on creating happy memories. Living is not measured in years. It is not sacrificing others for self-preservation."
"Why are you doing this?" Lucius Malfoy asked angrily. "Why try so hard to convert a Deatheater?"
"Draco is my friend. I want Draco to be happy, sir, but your allegiance to the Dark Lord is hurting him," she said. "Aside from that, I prefer to slay monsters."
Lucius contemplated his decision as a chill ran down his spine. Should he put faith in this whelp and Dumbledore's army? Sakura and Lucius sat in silence for what felt like hours. Sakura shuffled her feet. Just when Sakura thought she had failed, he spoke.
"Who will you lead into the Manor?"
Seconds later, Sakura pounded her fist on the cellar door. She wanted to act now. She had to gather the members and decide on her team.
Severus Snape greeted her with his wand readied. She guiltily told them that they could calm down. She tried to calm herself as well. "Dining room," she said hurriedly. Professor Snape finished the locking spells and followed the other Order members into the dining room.
"What is this all about?" growled Moody. Professor McGonagall settled patiently into her chair next to Molly, who looked apprehensive.
"Tonight, I will enter Malfoy Manor and abduct Draco and his mother. I will be discreet. I am not looking for a fight."
Professor Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "You got Mr. Malfoy to talk."
"Yes, Headmaster. Lucius told Professor Snape everything. He planned to trade his life for his family's safety. I convinced him that his family would be safest with us," she explained.
"Hmm, we must act quickly, before he changes his mind. I think Itachi-san should go with you. You think highly of his skill."
Sakura argued, "He needs to rest. If we get into a fight, he will be relying on his chakra reserves."
Itachi spoke. Determinedly, he retorted, "You are not leaving until nightfall. By then, I will have enough chakra."
Sakura frowned. He would have about ten percent of his excess and his motor movements by then, she approximated. "Alright. We will be in and out within minutes. I know the way to Lady Malfoy's quarters. She will be there. We get her to conjure a patronus to Draco. Draco comes to us. We leave."
"You will need a portkey," said Remus. "Albus knows how to create them. He will give you one before you leave."
Sakura smiled. "Sounds like a plan. In the meantime, I would like to get my things from Hogwarts."
Professor Dumbledore clapped his hands. Events were unfolding as well as he hoped. "Excellent. Meeting officially adjourned. Tonks, if you would, inform Kingsley at the ministry. We will have to inform the others at the weekly scheduled meeting."
With the meeting adjourned, Professor Dumbledore called for Zip, one of the Hogwarts house elves. Zip appeared before Sakura could blink. Dumbledore asked Zip to retrieve Sakura's things and put them in the empty bedroom ("third floor, across from Fred, George, and Ron.") Sakura patted herself on the back for keeping her side of the Hogwarts dorm neat.
The Headmaster and his professors then returned to the school. McGonagall on the way out patted Sakura on the back. "Glad to see you are well," she said before stepping through the floo network. The house became considerably quieter.
Itachi lied down on a couch in the den. Sakura seated herself on the couch across from him and waited. Zip popped into the room thirty minutes later.
"Miss, I have taken the liberty to rearrange your room as it was at Hogwarts. Enjoy, Miss!" the elf said enthusiastically. Sakura thanked the elf. The elf's enthusiasm faltered at the unexpected compliment. He (or she) nodded nervously and popped out of the room.
Sakura thought to go upstairs and see what the others were up to.
"What was that thing?" Itachi asked. His eyes were closed. He must have tried his darnest to fall asleep.
"That was a house elf," she answered. "They are responsible for maintaining Hogwarts… and pureblood households."
"I see."
Sakura nodded. She proceeded to drum her fingers on her knees, hoping to drive away the awkward silence. Itachi's presence unnerved her, especially now that they were alone. Itachi got up and headed for the stairs.
"I will see what the children are up to."
"You need to rest. Your chakra is low."
"I done nothing but sleep this past year. If we are to succeed in our mission, stealth is all that should be required." Sakura, as captain of their two-man cell, allowed this. She followed him upstairs.
The house was narrow, but it had many rooms, which seemed to be magically enlarged. The den, dining room, and library were on the first floor. A side passage in the ground floor hallway led to the lower level, where Lucius was housed. The basement held the kitchen, the pantry, and a small wash closet. Members went down in pairs to make sure Lucius never escaped. The ground floor had no wash closet, which allowed the den and dining room more space. The stairwell ran from the ground floor up three levels.
On the second floor, Sakura and Itachi ran into the twins. The twins, bored as hell just as they were, offered to give a tour. Two long, narrow rooms were on the second floor. "Ginny and Hermione share the first room from the stairwell," Fred pointed out. Sakura thought the one who tucked hair behind his right ear was Fred.
"Hey, Fred," called his sister. She and Hermione were sitting on the bed, chatting seriously. They thought they could do with a break. They stood to join the tour.
"Harry and Ron took the other," said George. So George was the twin who tucked a lock of hair behind his left ear. Hermione knocked before opening the door to Ron's room. Ron was reading a quidditch magazine. "The wash closet is tucked behind the stairwell." Fred and George took them up to the next level. Ron joined the tour as well. The shinobi suspected a plot. The children had had ample time to plot "Mission: Weasel information," so Sakura thought.
Fred called to the group, "The rooms on the third floor were once used by Sirius and Regulus Black."
"One is decorated in Gryffindor red. It has pictures of muggle women and motorcycles posted to the walls," said George.
He turned to his brother. In unison, they remarked, "It's pretty wicked!"
"The Gryffindor room is ours," Fred apologetically declared. He led the group to Sakura and Itachi's room. It was decorated in Slytherin green. On its walls were snippets from the Daily Prophet, all pertaining to the Dark Lord.
"Besides," said George, "One can catch up quick on wizarding history in this room. I have read all the clippings meself."
"Overnight guests, frequently Tonks and Remus, stayed in this room," Fred told them, with George cat-calling behind him. "Don't worry. Zip cleaned the sheets. Well, now it will be used by the two of you."
"The two of you," George repeated mischievously. They both grinned in the most obvious way.
Sakura blushed. She tried to steer their thoughts back to the tour. She asked, "So what is on the fourth floor?"
"Oh, that floor," said Fred. "Hmm. The floor above has a master bedroom. I believe old Buckbeak the Hippogriff is still there. He must get lonely."
"Actually, Charlie took him to Romania," his brother replied.
"Oh, right! Good then. Still, it probably smells. I wouldn't go in it if I were you. Though George and I could turn it into a spectacular laboratory…"
Sakura asked about the other room on the fourth floor.
"No one used it until now," said Fred.
"I bet kreacher has been set to fixing it up for overnight guests."
Sakura found her trunk at the foot of the bed. She kneeled next to it and shuffled through it as the others talked about previous guests. In her trunk she found her shinobi attire.
"It looks as good as new!" Sakura said in her astonishment.
Hermione glanced at the racy outfit. Hermione wouldn't be caught dead in such a wild skirt. She answered, "The house elves probably threw out the old one and made a copy." Everyone but Sakura left the room. Sakura threw on her medic uniform and pulled out her medical supplies. She placed her medic pack and scroll out on the bed. She didn't know what to expect of Draco or his mother's physical condition. Sakura thought it best to be prepared.
Sakura opened the door and welcomed the gang back in. "Whoa, what's this?" asked Fred. He hovered over the items on Sakura's bed, using his best judgement and not perusing them.
"Itachi-san and I have a mission. We leave at midnight."
Itachi and Sakura were instantly swarmed. Sakura didn't want to say anything, but Itachi saw no harm. He did not see them as children, though he might refer to them as such, and believed they had the right to know. Once their curiosity was sated, Ron pulled out a pack of cards.
He asked Itachi, "Have you played exploding snap before?"
"A long time ago, but I remember some." Of course he cheated with the sharingan, Sakura thought. Everyone sat on the floor. After the first round, Itachi caught up on Ron's strategy and began to hustle the other players.
At eleven o' clock, the Order reassembled. Only five members came back: the Headmaster, Snape, Moody, Remus, and Tonks. Professor Snape went into the cellar with a pair of cool grey robes. He came back up and left the door ajar. "Lucius will be joining us shortly," he said. Everyone sat in the living room and waited. Sakura went through her medical supplies. Itachi seated himself on the floor and meditated.
When Lucius walked out of the cellar, Tonks amiably pressed a sandwich into his hand, leftovers from lunch. "We didn't want you do anything drastic," she told him. "Aunt Narcissa will return to you, as will Cousin Draco. We are sending our finest after them."
Lucius looked to Itachi on the floor. He gasped. The man looked so much like…
"He is his brother," Sakura answered from her seat on the sofa. She repacked her supplies and fastened her pack and scroll to her waist. She lost her tanto at the ministry. It probably broke during the destruction of the Department of Mysteries anyway.
Lucius chose not to comment. He asked instead, "Who will be going?" Sakura and Itachi approached him. "Just the two of you?" he said, mildly upset.
Itachi told him, "We will move faster this way."
"Do you remember the layout, Miss Haruno?" Lucius asked. Sakura nodded.
Albus handed Sakura the portkey, an emerald cloth napkin, and activated it. "The minimum activation time is one hour. You can use that hour efficiently and move cautiously. Remus and I will escort you to the edge of the Malfoy property."
Malfoy estate was more than just the Manor. It was about twenty square kilometers of property in the countryside, some of which was occupied by muggle farmers, who rented out plots for a reasonable price. The four apparated just outside of one of these farmhouses. Dumbledore instructed Sakura to head directly North for about five kilometers.
"See you soon, Dumbledore-san," Sakura said confidently. Itachi bowed slightly. Then they were off, racing silently toward the regal, medieval house in the distance.
Sakura motioned toward the patch of trees on the western side. They advanced through them and leapt into the hedge encasing Malfoy Manor. Itachi signaled that the perimeter was clear. Afterall, any guard that left the house would be cast out indefinitely. Sakura and Itachi crept over to the western wall.
They were inches apart. Sakura found Itachi's ear and whispered, "Wait here. I'll find her room so that you can make a beeline for it." Sakura pressed chakra into the ventral side of her body. She hugged the wall cautiously and climbed. When she found the master bedroom, lit by Narcissa's reading light, a fairy, Sakura realized upon closer inspection. Sakura returned to Itachi. She led him to the window. They discerned Narcissa was asleep.
The window did not have wrought-iron bars, unlike the first floor windows. Its panes were sectioned off in a three by three grid with stone colored wood fashioned between them. Sakura stuck one hand, as if glued, to the first panel in the top right. She concentrated chakra into one of her fingers. She pressed that finger to the glass and pulsed tiny, repetitive amounts of chakra into the glass as she dragged her finger around the rectangular frame. Silently, she extracted the pane and handed it to Itachi, who nodded approvingly.
Sakura took out the rest of the panels. When finished, she wondered what to do next. Itachi handed her the nine glass panes. He formed the seals for a fire technique. Sakura had to trust him. He singed the ends of the wood running horizontally. When Itachi thought they were weak enough, he smothered the heat. White coals formed at the spots. He repeated the process for both sides of the vertical pieces. Itachi grabbed the weak spots and pulled. Voila.
Sakura could not resist whispering, "You make a better door than a window," so quietly, that he had to read her lips by the dim fairylight. He pushed the frame inward, and they stepped through onto the plush, cream carpet.
When they entered, the fairy flew over to Lady Malfoy's bedside. Lady Malfoy was instantly on alert, wand pointed at the both of them.
"Whoa, Malfoy-san, you must know Lucius sent us," Sakura cried. She had her hands raised non-aggressively.
"Tell me what you have done to my husband," she said coldly. She pressed her lips, as if struggling not to bite Sakura's head off.
"Your husband has defected," Sakura said. "I need you to call Draco with a patronus. We need to get you out of here." Narcissa frowned. She warily summoned her patronus, a wolf, and it dashed through the wall. Sakura pulled out the portkey. It turned blue in her hand. They had ten minutes left.
"Itachi," Sakura started to brief him. He was not behind her. Sakura sensed his presence in the room. He was waiting for anything unexpected. A Deatheater entered the room ahead of Draco. Itachi leapt from the shadows and broke his neck. Draco yelped.
Sakura wanted to smack her forehead. Instead, she whispered harshly, "Grab the portkey!" Narcissa did so. Itachi brought Draco over to them and ordered Draco to grab onto a corner of the cloth. Another Deatheater entered the room. Itachi gripped Draco's portkey arm with his free hand. The Deatheater shot a slicing hex at them. Just as he did, Draco experienced the uncomfortable tug at his navel. Sakura closed her eyes and gripped the cloth as tight as possible.
The four were whisked away to 12 Grimmauld Place. Sakura smiled with relief, "Mission successful!"
Her relief was drowned out by the cries of the elder Malfoys. "Draco!" Draco had been hit by the spell. He was bleeding profusely. The gash ran diagonally down his torso. His black silk nightshirt was soaked.
Everyone had gathered in the living room to await Sakura's return. The twins rushed Ron, Hermione, and Ginny to the hallway to give the adults room to work. Spells were quickly cast to shove the furniture to the corners of the room. The children watched the madness from the open doubledoors.
Walburga Black quickly started up again, roaring about mudbloods. "NOW YOUALL SEE? I was right! They will be the death of our most noble House!" The children pressed their hands firmly over their ears. Professor Snape cast a muffliato spell to keep the madness within the living room from reaching the bigoted portrait's ears.
The elder Malfoys were quick to panic and question their judgement. Itachi lowered Draco with him onto the decorative rug. The Order members knowingly pushed back the couches and the tea table to give Sakura room to work. Professor Dumbledore placed a strong cushioning charm on the carpeted floor. Sakura formed a chakra scalpel with four half-seals and slit Draco's nightshirt into ribbons. She pulled it gingerly away from his chest. "Get me thick towels," she hollered. The Headmaster quickly summoned some and handed them to Itachi.
"Press those firmly to his upper torso. The cut is not so deep there. We should just need to clot the bleeding for now. Do that and I'll focus on stitching the lower torso," she directed. Sakura placed her feather-light hands atop of Draco's abdomen and channeled chakra into the breached muscle above his intestines. She set her mind to the healing session. Professor Snape glided over to the fireplace and called, "Hogwarts." No doubt he was fetching some blood-replenishing potions.
By two in the morning, Draco had been stabilized. Narcissa hugged Sakura gratefully. She cried, unhindered by pride, and Lucius swept her into his arms. Sakura told Itachi to get some rest. He went to their room, dismissing the students to their rooms in the process. Sakura and the Malfoys remained. Sakura lied Draco on one of the couches. Narcissa disappeared the bloodstain on the carpet. Sakura called for Zip, hoping he would answer. He did. She politely asked if he could get her some bedding. Zip made her a comfortable spot on the living room floor. Lucius took to watching Draco. Narcissa woke at six and took over for her husband. Sakura slept unprovoked until noon.
The Order left for Privet Drive early in the morning, returning about six. Without speaking to anyone, Harry marched up to the room he had shared with Ron the summer prior. He organized the few things he had, sat down on the bed, and proceeded to stare at the wall. Ron awoke about eleven and could think of nothing to say, so he went into the dining room where Hermione was studying.
"What should we do?" he asked her.
Peeking out from behind her sixth year text, she looked at him and sighed. She put her book down and thought. "Lupin told me how Harry wouldn't speak to them. Harry is most likely furious with himself. If we don't mention Sirius, we should at least tell him that we do not blame him for our injuries." In the other room, Hermione could see Fred and Ginny playing wizards' chess. George had been caught by Molly Weasley and was forced to do small chores around the kitchen. Ron had been at her beck and call the previous day, and before that he had visited Sakura at St. Mungos. But the rest of the time was generally boring until Sakura arrived.
"Ginny, what are you doing?" George called from the door of the dining room.
"Messing with Sakura," she smirked.
"Does mum know you have that sandwich?" asked Fred.
"Mum told me to wake her up," she replied snootily, then smirked. "But no, she doesn't."
The girl had a death wish. Well, maybe not. She was waving a sandwich in Sakura's face. If Sakura was hungry, she would awake. Narcissa sat in one of the wingbacked chairs, only half-interested in her book about The Faye. She smirked. She would not spoil their fun. Her husband was conversing quietly with Snape. Draco was watching out of pure boredom.
"She looks so sweet," Ginny commented. Ginny had avoided Haruno in school.
"Yes, she does," agreed a baritone voice behind them. The redheads jumped.
Draco laughed as hard as he dared in his condition. Fred sputtered, "Well, I bet you would wet your pants if Mr. Uchiha snuck up on you! He's almost as spooky as Snape!"
From the far corner, Snape muttered an "I'm right here, you brat," and received a reflexive "sorry, sir," in reply.
Sakura tossed in her sleep. Her nose twitched.
"She may look like a doll; however, I do not think it wise to tell her so." Itachi knelt beside her and the sleeping kunoichi.
Ginny frowned in confusion. "Does she think it is insulting? We've seen her in a fight."
"No, not at all. Sakura-san is the type who likes praise of any kind, except when being compared to a doll. Of this I am certain." Fred grinned. Itachi gave him a look that said 'no.' Whatever prank he was planning… 'no.' It would not end well. "She is not afraid of them. If you are so curious, you can ask her sometime."
Ginny waggled the toasted ham sandwich in front of Sakura a couple more times, but Sakura wouldn't budge. She kept dreaming about food or whatever. Itachi brushed a stray piece of pink from her closed eye. He bent over and analyzed her face. She looked well-rested. He decided she had slept enough. Sakura was too accommodated to the laziness that plaged Wizarding Europe. He lowered his face and said softly, "Wake up, Sakura-chan," as if the call would disturb her.
Wha? Naruto? Sakura slowly opened her eyes. Sasuke? She quickly grasped reality, and remembered her fight with Sasuke. She didn't have happy dreams about Sasuke anymore. Ever. It just wasn't possible. She sat up quickly, hitting her head against Itachi's in the process.
Blushing madly, she exclaimed, "Itachi-san no baka! What the hell are you doing? First you call me without honorific and now you insult me further by calling me "-chan"! I am not your inferior! Even when insulting you, I use an honorific." Luckily, Professor Snape's muffliato held up from the previous night or Mrs. Black's portrait would be having a bitchfest.
Itachi rubbed his sore forehead. Lucius and Severus paused mid-conversation and turned to look at them. Draco was openly laughing, though it made his freshly healed skin ache. When he stopped, Sakura was still threatening to pound Itachi-san into dust.
"I did not mean to insult you. For those who use it sincerely, the term is one of endearment. I respect you for trusting me, for healing Draco, and for defending these children."
As Sakura's hands balled into fists, Draco asked, "Why does it matter so much? Are these titles?"
"Honorifics, yes. They are how we describe our relationship to one another. "-chan" is used when talking to a girl who is a genin or unranked. Once a female ninja becomes chuunin, she will tell you whether you should call her "-san" or "-chan," because she is officially an adult. To someone I don't know too well, I am Sakura-san. Itachi-san here insists on dropping honorifics, a sign of extreme closeness, or cutsifying my name, his latest indulgence. Since we are not close, it comes off as an insult."
"We are close, Sakura, whether you realize it or not."
"Use the proper suffix when getting my attention," Sakura just would not budge. Itachi seemed to be as stubborn as an ox as well. His eyes flashed with a hint of humor. Sakura's brow lifted.
"Then I order you to address me as Uchiha-sama."
"Wha?"
"It is my rightful title, whether or not I am a citizen of Konoha."
"That's degrading!"
"But it is my proper title. Which is more degrading? You will become used to my familiarity."
Draco called from the couch, "What does '-sama' mean?"
Itachi replied, "It means 'Lord.' It is used in clan politics, not on an everyday basis. Its usage sounds cold to the people of Konoha because we prefer titles similar to Mr. or Mrs. It distances me from them by addressing my superiority as a clan head."
"A lord? Interesting. And Sakura has to bow to you then?" Draco grimaced lightly. Since when was he friends with a commoner?
"No. It is outdated since the only clan now using the title is the Hyuuga. Still, if I want to be addressed as Uchiha-sama, by her own rules, she would grudgingly comply." They all had magic. Maybe they just didn't like forming tight-knit groups. Being a civilian in Konoha must not be so bad.
Sakura gave a great sigh. "Do not ever use it to mock me."
"Of course not. Thank-you," he told her.
Draco also thanked her for the brilliant patch up.
She blinked, remembering the night Sasuke left Konoha. Sakura shook her head to get rid of the memory. "It was no trouble," she told Draco with a smile plastered to her face. "I'm just glad you are safe."
Molly called from the dining room that lunch was ready. Hermione and Ron went upstairs to fetch Harry. Within minutes, they were all eating and welcoming the Malfoys formally into the Order (as if the Malfoys had a choice.) Harry begrudgingly welcomed them and went back to eating, quieter than a mouse. Ron and Hermione looked to one another, but said nothing.
Moments later, Harry burst out with his apology. "I shouldn't have dragged you into my mess. I almost got you killed. I'm sorry!" He surprised Sakura and 2/3 of the Golden Trio, along with several others. Harry hung his head in embarrassment. Harry looked frustrated as hell.
Sakura did not refuse his apology, but she did not graciously accept it either. Stoically, she said, "What's done is done, Potter. Do you have anything else to say? Will you graciously thank me for saving all of us?"
Harry fisted his hands below the table. Hermione nudged him bravely. The Golden Trio bowed their heads as thanks, and Hermione voiced their appology.
Not forgetting the promise Sakura made, Ron said, "You said you would tell us about the Avenger, the boy you fought. You called him Sasuke. Did you know him?"
"You are asking if I knew him personally?" Sakura held back the hurt she felt in remembrance. She frowned. "He was more than someone I passed on the street. He was my teammate." Sakura's throat swelled with restrained emotion. Some stupid boy I thought of as more than a friend.
"He is my brother," Itachi said in his neutral, baritone voice. The twins looked at eachother. Ron and Ginny shared a sympathetic look. Hermione wondered how she missed the similarities, but reasoned that the brothers must take after separate parents. The others hung on the shinobi's every word. "I am at fault, Sakura."
Sakura turned to Itachi. Hopelessly, she said, "Now that he knows the truth about his family, he wishes to destroy my home."
Itachi sighed. "I was foolish…" to direct him toward that path. "I loathed what I had done." Though I did it for the greater good. "but I wanted to make sure Sasuke lived." And that the Uchiha's name could be restored. In that, at least Sasuke could have peace.
Sakurabowed her head. She had read between the lines and felt a mix of anger and pity for Itachi. In the end, she remembered her fight with Sasuke and wanted to lash out for his past decisions. Barely reeling in her frustration, she said hoarsely, "Now he knows no other way to live."
Dumbledore ran his fingers through his beard. He hoped the answer lay in front of them. "So his allegiance to Voldemort cannot be swayed?"
Itachitouched Sakura lightly on the shoulder. Quietly, confidently, he assured her, "Your team taught him another way. Keep trying until he has a change of heart."
Sakurashook his hand from her shoulder. "Changing Sasuke's path is impossible. I doubted him, and then I believed in him again. I thought, 'What would Naruto do?' Of course, Naruto would try to save him." Sakura stood up angrily. She hated Sasuke. She finally knew the meaning of the word. Sakura glared at Itachi. "I came within an inch of my life to save Sasuke. I should have killed him. All he knows is hate. I tried this time, I really tried. But I cannot… I cannot…" In her fury, Sakura allowed her eyes to well up. "Next time, I will end him." Itachi frowned and removed himself from her side.
Dumbledoreaddressed her as kindly as possible. "Sasuke hates because he loves his family. If he were the monster you believe him to be, would he feel anything? Keep that in mind."
Itachi retorted. "He still has the capacity to love. Sakura, you must end this cycle of revenge."
"Madara told Sasuke the truth. He knows now why they were killed. Their deaths were not meaningless. Hardly. The Uchiha planned to takeover Konoha. They were our best warriors. For every Uchiha slain, we would have lost three of ours. I understand Sasuke misses them terribly, but justice has been served. Still he seeks revenge, but revenge cannot be enacted against a good cause, against justice. Sasuke wants to destroy Konoha. This is a war. My actions, therefore, do not equate into the cycle of revenge."
Critically, Professor Snape asked, "Sakura, do you believe your village handled the situation properly? Perhaps if something was done differently, Sasuke could have forgiven your village leaders? From what you have said, it appears your leaders had time to find a peaceful solution. In the end, they sent a boy to butcher his family." The door to the dining room opened and closed, but Sakura did not register the sound.
In the council's defense, Sakura retorted, "Thirty-two years ago, Konoha was heavily involved in what was called The Great Shinobi War. Sixteen years ago, it was attacked by a demon, the Nine-Tailed Fox. Eleven—The Uchiha staged a coup that never happened. Itachi prevented civil war. Thanks to him, I had a village to call home." And Sakura was truly grateful. She turned to look at him, but he was gone. Sakura slumped into her chair. Tiredly, she concluded, "and I believe that whether I search out Sasuke or not, he will find me, and one of us will die. This is a war."
Professor Dumbledore sighed. "That is the way war sometimes plays out. Please do not forget to evaluate your options." Dumbledore placed his utensil on his finished plate. "Remus, could you please escort the Malfoys to the top floor? They will be staying in the overnight dorm until Kreatcher gets the master bedroom cleaned." Remus nodded and led the Malfoys out of the dining room. "Miss Haruno? You must salvage your relationship with that man or he will make life difficult for all of us."
"You believe he could defect?" she asked.
Dumbledore ignored her question. "I remember his second year. He was not a happy child. Itachi asked me one day to promise him, should he show up on my doorstep, I rush him to St. Mungo's. You said Sasuke loves his family. Does Sasuke know that his brother is alive? Have you truly exhausted all your options? Do not make such a delicate decision so soon." Reluctantly, Sakura left to track down Itachi.
Professor Snape watched her go. "She has lost all sense of reason, all because of a boy. She is not the warrior you thought her to be, Albus. Do not come to depend on her."
Dumbledore said nothing. He thought he had found a powerful ally, but for the moment his burdens were too much for her to bear.
[Scene end]
Sakuramuttered Sasuke's name angrily under her breath as she scaled the staircase.At some point she stubbed her toe and yelped. She reached the top step of the third level. Sakura sighed frustratedly. "Sasuke no Oni. You really are a demon now. I guess they do exist."
The door to Sakura and Itachi's room was shut. Sakura never used their room. It still felt impersonal to her. The closed door made her feel unwelcome. Sakura cursed Dumbledore for pulling her strings so effectively. She wanted to run and deny that the conversation in the dining room ever happened. Instead, like a marionette, she knocked hollowly on the door.
"Come in," said Itachi in a rich baritone. When the door opened, she met his fearsome eyes.
"Itachi-san?"
He sat in the middle of the bed, resting against the headboard. His Sharingan was activated. His eyes were heavy lidded. Sakura thought his muscles looked tense. He was positively furious as much as he tried to hide it. Still he said nothing.
"Itachi-san, please talk to me," she pleaded bravely.
"Are you angry about my stance toward Sasuke?" she asked knowingly.
"I wonder why I trusted you."
Sakura lost all her spunk, her tenacity. She slid to the floor and stared at him. The more she stared, the more she got angry. She was angry because he was angry with her. "Well, excuse me for being pragmatic."
"What I did was wrong. I was foolish. I was not ready to be an ANBU, to make decisions, to take S-class missions from the Hokage."
Sakurastood up defiantly. "You did nothing wrong! You basically told me they were evil. You're a hero! Just like Naruto…"
"No. Neither Naruto-kun nor Kakashi-kun would have taken the order. 'Look underneath the underneath' as Kakashi-san would say. I was just a boy. I saw war when I was four years old. I did not want another so soon. Still, I regret what I did. There was another way."
"You did it for the greater good! Hell, I owe my life to you. I was a child at the time. I know…I know I would not have survived if the Uchiha rebellion had happened."
"Look at the nature of the act, Sakura. I went against my family. I murdered my clan. The massacre was unexpected. They had no chance. What I did was evil."
Sakura lost all her righteous anger. She pitied him. Sadly, she assured him, "You did what you had to."
Itachi's eyes smolder in self-loathing. His Sharingan flickered out of his eyes, replaced by mournful, charcoal eys. "Evil was used to purge evil. That is a common method for a shinobi to utilize. Still, a greater man would have tried harder for diplomacy. A greater man would question why the Uchiha felt rebellion was necessary. I am a pacifist, Sakura. Killing is evil. I acknowledge that. I want you to acknowledge that. The greater man strives to find another way. How many enemies has Naruto slain?
Under his scrutiny, Sakurawas forced to respond. "...I cannot recall."
Itachi raised his eyebrows in mock surprise. "Too many to count? Start with the first."
"…I don't think..." Sakura started.
Itachi's eyes glazed over again in self-hate. He was ashamed of himself, but chose to confide in her. "If every man was like Naruto, our world would be a utopia. There would be no need for shinobi. I thought Naruto was the most influential person in your life."
Sakura frowned. "Please be reasonable. Evil will always exist. 'Every light casts a shadow.' For every Naruto, there is a Sasuke."
Sternly, Itachi retorted, "By your words, you are acting like a Sasuke. Regardless, for every Naruto, there is an Orochimaru, a Kabuto, or a Madara. Sasuke is not yet an oni. As long as he can love, he can be human."
"You admire Naruto," she said in awe. A smile graced her lips, a smile at a time like that. "I think you are more like him than you believe. You are a good person."
"Who I am now does not excuse who I was."
"You were just a boy," she argued.
"Do you think Potter-kun could kill his loved ones if sacrificing them destroyed the Dark Lord? Better yet, do you think Malfoy-kun could have fought his father in the Department of Mysteries? Did you ever think to include him in your mission?"
"I would not have asked Draco. In this world, he is just a boy."
"As was I," he said, using her words against her. His grief knew no bounds. At least, unlike Sasuke, he blamed himself and not others. He would not defect. He was no threat to Konoha. "This world is beautiful. Its people give love a higher regard than honor or loyalty."
"…Itachi-san?" She went to sit on the edge of the bed.
Itachi asked her seriously, "The crimes I have committed are the most severe."
Angrily, Sakura reassured him, "You are a HERO, Itachi-san. Do you not want to be known as such? Just some guy who followed some shitty orders?"
"I will never be known as a hero. Sakura, I burned the mission scroll years ago. If you truly feel sorry for me, vow that you will not kill Sasuke. He is all I have left."
Sakura's gaze hardened as did Itachi's. He vowed not to kill her. Doing so would activate the suicide ritual. Also, if Sakura took this new vow, killing Sasuke would kill the three of them. Sakura sighed and ran a hand through her hair in frustration. Suddenly, the extent to which he promised his loyalty made more sense. No matter what, his plan was held together by his sacrifice.
"I'm going to regret this."
"That depends on you. If you act as Naruto expects you to…"
"Argh. Yeah, yeah. Let's go find Dumbledore-san."
Dumbledore-san was in the dining room, gorging himself on the pumpkin pasties left over from dessert. He offered them to the shinobi, who respectfully declined. Knowing it was inevitable, Dumbledore stood and voluntarily performed the ritual. Sakura and Itachi clasped hands again. The golden strand weaved around their bound hands.
Itachi and Sakura locked gazes. "Do you, Sakura, promise not to kill my otoutou, Uchiha Sasuke?"
Sakura stalled a good moment. Itachi shook her via their bound hands. She frowned in annoyance. "I do."
Dumbledore unbound them and Sakura quickly removed her hand from his. She felt disgusted with herself. She thought of so many what ifs they made her head spin. Well, no matter. If Sasuke tried to harm any of her friends, she could still take him down… at the cost of her life and the one she restored to his brother.
Itachi noticed the contemplative furrow of Sakura's brow. He could guess the dangerous shift of her thoughts. Trustingly, he said, "Do not forget my life is bound to yours."
Sakura groaned. She truly was an idiot. "I need to lie down."
[Chapter end]
Twenty-two pages. Oh, snap! Next up is a chapter featuring the Konoha shinobi.
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