It was determined their formation would have Kakashi and Genma in front, followed by Sasuke and Naruto. In the middle was Sakura with Shisui and Itachi bringing up the rear. They were traveling a little faster than genins normally would. Sakura figured that it was irritating to the anbu members, especially the two behind her. She had been putting charka into her feet to keep up with the rest of the group, but if she did it too long, she would waste energy. That would mean she would need to rest longer, which could slow the group down.
Sakura could feel eyes on her burning in the back of her head. She didn't dare turn around or she would have to try and face Itachi without blushing. When Itachi's tender eyes met hers today, it was the same eyes that she had seen years ago. She hadn't seen him since the day her parents died. Her memory was blurred around the edges; the doctors said it had to do with so much stress on her brain. Sakura didn't mind that she couldn't remember all the details; there were things she didn't want to remember about that day, mostly those chilling yellow eyes. Even after all these years those eyes still frightening her, even if it was only a dream. To her the nightmares always felt so real.
She recalled walking into her family home the day after her parents told her the clan heir position was given to her cousin and seeing the blood surround her parents on the floor. But that wasn't what stood out to her, it was the man that came to her rescue. It was Itachi Uchiha that helped her? What was he even doing in that area, wasn't his clan was on the other side of the village? All Sakura could focus on was those evil eyes. But then Itachi turned around, her senses soon vanished as she melted into his soft eyes.
Sakura still had unanswered questions from that nigh. Should she ask him what really happened? Maybe Itachi could shed some light onto those sickening eyes that plagued her dreams at night.
But his eyes are always focused, except when he looks at me, they make me feel safe, protected. Would he even remember that night?
Keeping Sakura in the middle was the best option, even though there was no one her sides there were two in front of her with Shisui and himself behind her. She would be safest there and Itachi could watch her from behind without the others noticing. They would be stopping for the night soon, their extended team had been traveling for hours. Itachi could tell that the younger ones were getting tired, mostly Sakura. He had to admit she was clever, she was keeping up with their pace but had to put charka into jumping off trees to give her more speed. Doing this made her strength dissolve faster and she would need more rest than the others. Itachi could keep this up for days at a time, he would ensure she rested properly before leaving tomorrow.
Kakashi eventually called their group to stop and set up camp just as the sun was beginning to set. Itachi glanced at Sakura from the corner of his eye. She was slightly out of breath and desperately trying to hide it. Her eyes were starting to drupe a little while everyone gathered around the fire Shisui had built. Kakashi had begun to speak the fine details of the mission.
"It's very simple, from this point forward I will not be team captain, Itachi will take the lead as head captain."
"Hey how come he is going to be captain?" Complained the loudest ninja from the leaf.
"For one thing his rank is higher than mine, and we think this would give everyone more practice working with other people. If you get too used to working with the same people all the time, then you won't be able to work with anyone else. This will also teach you how more experienced ninja other than myself think and act. I told all of you not to bring a tent or sleeping mat because Itachi will pair you up and you will spend the rest of the mission with your partner. Your partner will provide sleeping arrangements for you," Kakashi stated with seriousness in his voice.
"Please don't put me with Sasuke! We have to spar all the time and its getting boring" Naruto continued.
"Naruto you will not be paired with Sasuke, you will be with Shisui. Sasuke you will team with Genma, and Sakura will be with myself. You are to stay with your partner as much as possible. You will take watch together, and share the same tent or room while on this mission." Itachi stated, finally noticing Sakura had her eyes glued to the ground with a slight tint of pink to her cheeks.
Itachi noted at his statement about Sakura being paired with himself, Sasuke had raised an eyebrow toward him. Itachi would have to make sure Sasuke understood what she truly meant to him.
"Aww come on! How come I can't be with Sakura? And what's Kakashi sensei going to do? He doesn't have a partner," wined Naruto.
Itachi smirked at the loudmouth's comment, "Because this will give you a chance to work with someone else, as well as learning to trust your partner no matter if you have worked with them or not. Kakashi will serve as the client's son's guard."
"Actually Naruto, it's best that Sakura is with Itachi. Genma and Shisui can be gentlemen but only when they want to. Itachi on the other had will be considerate and keep Sakura safe" So Kakashi did agree with Itachi that in itself was interesting. Itachi would have to speak with him about that before the mission was up.
"Why does everyone think I cannot protect myself? Seriously, do all of you think I am just a weak little girl?" Before anyone could respond Sakura stormed off announcing she was going to fill canteens since that's all she was good for. Itachi didn't like her comments. He had only wanted to guard her and see her best interest. He didn't think she was weak; she was bright, witty that made up for her lack of physical skills.
The Uchiha heir knew he needed to talk to her, but trying now would be suicide; she was angry, hurt and in no mood to talk to anyone. Eventually she would be hungry and tired, she would have to come back. Itachi had set the others doing various task. Sasuke and Genma were sent to patrol the surrounding area. While Shisui and Naruto set to getting more firewood. Leaving Kakashi and Itachi alone to set up tents.
"So when were you going to tell me you had feelings for my student?" Kakashi probed, hoping he could get real answers without the others being there.
"Why of course I would have feelings for you student, his is my brother after all" Itachi smirked.
"You know which one I am talking about, Sakura is young and foolish. She wears her heart on her sleeve and most importanat she has a thing for Sasuke," the copy ninja stated with solemn tone.
"I love her, but not in the way that you believe. I wish to make sure she is unharmed, protected." And with that Itachi closed his eyes with the vision of Sakura becoming everything she ever wanted to be.
I can't believe them! They all think that I am useless and can't fend for myself. Unbelievable!
Sakura wanted to scream her anger and frustration out into the forest air. But she couldn't as much as she wanted to, her mind kept telling her no. What was she supposed to do, it's not like she had anyone on one training. Until recently she didn't know she was even good at anything other than ninja theory on a piece of paper. Even Kakashi sensei said she was a natural at charka control, but did he teach her anything no! She didn't even know the right person to ask.
Sasuke has always been good at everything and Naruto is catching up; while I fall behind them every passing day.
"You know wallowing on yourself won't make anything better" Itachi's voice startled her causing her to jump up from her sitting position on the side of the river. He had come to check up on her since the sun had already set. Their team would be eating soon and she needed to eat to get her strength back.
"Like you would even know what I think" snorted Sakura in a very unladylike manner.
Choosing not to comment, Itachi causally strode over to the side of the river and let his feet hang over the edge of the bank. Sakura thought his feet where resting on top of the water. He said nothing for the longest time, until Sakura sighed and sat beside him.
"I did not mean to upset you earlier. I just didn't think you would want to be paired with the other members of my team." Itachi said as Sakura casted her eyes toward the water. Itachi didn't want to push her into having a conversation with him. She would talk when she was ready. He wondered what Sakura had thought of that night all those years ago. It was possible that is why she was upset at the moment, she wanted to be an excellent ninja but did not know where to start.
Itachi waited for what seemed like hours for his blossom to speak and when she did it was music to his ears.
"Itachi do you know who I am?" Sakura's face was so easy to read, Itachi could tell she was just itching to ask questions."
"Yes, you are Sakura Haruno"
"And?" the girl persisted.
"And my brothers team mate" Itachi didn't know where she was going with this. Did she want him to say something about that nigh? No he would let her be the first to ask. Sakura made a long pause.
"…..We've met before haven't we?" Finally gaining her courage she spit out "It was you that night wasn't it? The night my parents died, you saved me didn't you?"
"Yes," refusing to give more detail which irritated Sakura.
Turing her head toward him, "What were you doing there? Don't get me wrong I'm glad you were there but, why?" sea foam green eyes looking at pleading him to answer.
"Is that really what you want to know Sakura?" his voice making her shiver when he said her name. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts she choose to ask what had really been on her mind, specifically the past few days.
"Who was that? Those yellow eyes were menacing, but held me so I couldn't look away." Sakura muttered moving her head down causing her hair to cloak her face.
"His name is Orochimaru. He and no one on this earth will ever hurt you."
"Not even you?"
So I like the ending to this chapter, a somewhat cliffhanger. Already working on chapter 6 and 7. I am hoping I can post those two at the same time. But I think this story is time for some action what do you think? Please review and thanks for the comments!