BIG BIG BIG thanks to all those who like my story... You're making me cry *sniffs* Never really thought other people would like my 'craziness' but hey, thanks for proving me wrong=)

Anyways, here's Chapter 2. Please don't stab me if you happen to see me^^ I know that did not do my research well… And my chapters are a little short. I'll try to do better next time…

P.S. I don't own Naruto. I'm just a fan who happens to like them so much=)

CHAPTER 2

Darkness surrounds her. Sakura frighteningly falls to her knees, remembering one of those nights, when loneliness creeps into her heart, enveloping her to its possessive embrace.

"Naruto? Kakashi-sensei? Captain Yamato? Lady Tsunade?" she calls out, hoping for them to come to her rescue.

"Where are you…? Please… Help me…" Tears fall from her eyes. Fear starting to build up inside her.

The Rookie 9

The Academy

Konoha

"Everyone… Please… Help…" Sakura clutches her head with both of her hands, keeping sanity within.

Her inner self seems to abandon her as well. Total silence…

Sasuke's retreating figure suddenly comes to her mind. She was unable to reach his hand. Her heart was broken knowing she'll never see him again. It's like saying goodbye to your one true love. Or so she taught he was to her at that time.

It was nothing compared to her own personal pain.

What will she do every time she woke up? Living like an empty shell. Pretending that she's happy but deep inside, she is not.

Her lost memories. Faces she doesn't remember. Shadows of her unknown past.

"Mother? Father?"

Two more faces. Feels like she knew them, but she couldn't remember. They're fading slowly as darkness tries to swallow her whole.

"No!" Sakura shook uncontrollably, fighting vigorously for her sanity. Fighting for her own life.

"I will not die this way," she muttered to herself, "I'm stronger than this. I won't give up."

Suddenly, her left eye changes. Forming an intricate pattern that gave birth to the most powerful eye technique in the whole world: the Rinnegan.

XoXoXoXoX

Sakura woke up, startled. She quickly glances at her surroundings ensuring that the darkness is gone. Or so she thought.

"I'm glad that you're awake. I'll call them immediately." Konan excuses herself, feeling relieved that her patient had finally woken up. It's been three days since she was brought here in Amekagure, the hidden village of Rain.

"Akatsuki," Sakura gasped as she jumps near the wall and took defensive position concentrating enough chakra to her fists ready to punch anyone who's dumb enough to come close.

Konan shook her head disapprovingly, "Do not be alarmed. We're not going to harm you. Despite what you think of our group, we are not the bad guys. If we wanted to hurt you, we shouldn't have saved you from the Kyuubi and just let you die with that injury."

Sakura looks at her arm. Surprised to see that it was almost healed. Well, it was still a little sore but better than she remembered it when she received it from Naruto firsthand.

"You tried to kidnap Naruto before remember? So how could I trust you?" Sakura accuses back. She put her hands down but retained her chakra covering her fists just in case.

"You even kidnap the Kazekage and forcefully took the tailed beast outside of him endangering his life," Sakura remembers grimly, "Elder Chiyo died saving him," sadness for the older woman made Sakura more determined to escape this place.

"Sacrifices must be made by a few to protect the many," Konan replied sadly, "It is part of our code."

"I don't care," Sakura answered hastily as she steps back, slowly. She was almost near the door. "Just a little more…" When it suddenly opens and Itachi steps in and looks at Konan, totally ignoring her.

"I'll be keeping an eye on her, Konan. The Leader wants to have a word with you."

Before Konan leaves, she whispered something to Itachi and faces Sakura, smiling gently, "Before anything else, I would like to welcome you home, Princess."

XoXoXoXoX

"She looks a little better," Itachi noticed. "They would be pleased." A look of distaste passed his face as he observes Sakura's position. "You should be resting. Recovering from that wound takes time to heal especially if it is given in its purest form," remembering Naruto in his Kyuubi form, cloaked by red powerful chakra.

"Am I dreaming, or suddenly the world is coming to an end," Sakura said jokingly while holding her head, feeling a little dizzy, ignoring Itachi's I-told-you-so look.

"Why do people in Akatsuki cares whatever happens to me?" Sakura asks. Wariness can be seen in her eyes. Nervous yet defiant at the same time. Trying to be brave in the middle of confusion.

"Oh! No. Don't tell me you're using me against Naruto?" She blurted out looking annoyed.

Itachi found it cute, "…?"

"He's not my boyfriend. I'm just his friend." Itachi looks back, smirking haughtily.

"Alright, alright. I knew he likes me. But I do not entertain him at all. I…"

Itachi sighed and took a sit beside the bed and stares at Sakura's bewildered expression. "You were saying?"

"I used to like your brother," Sakura whispered back.

"Ah. Sasuke," Itachi nodded absently, a distant look on his face that shadowed his eyes.

["Now is your chance. Run." Inner Sakura yelled suddenly.]

Before she turns the knob, she freezes as she felt Itachi's hand on her neck. Softly caressing her throat. Stroking her cheek with his thumb.

"Don't push you luck, Princess," he said kindly, "The others are still clueless why we brought an outsider to our hidden lair, especially an enemy. Though no one would question the Leader's action, they still don't trust you. You killed Sasori, remember? They might even take advantage of the situation. Do things you wouldn't like."

"What do you mean?" Sakura held her breath, awkwardly. Blushing profusely as Itachi's hand starts to move downward, slowly, holding the top of her arms.

"They knew Konan already belongs to the Leader. So they wouldn't dare. Lady Kagura, on the other hand is a different matter. With her ability to read your thoughts, catching someone thinking about the 'unforgiveable' would be a disaster, painful and very hardworking."

"Hardworking?"

"After being gutted on the floor, or on the wall, possibly spilling blood and the likes, you'll still be the one to do the repairs if something were broken." Itachi leans forward, his face, a breadth apart from Sakura's, inhaling her scent.

"Konan's right. You do smell like cherry blossoms." (Author's note: I'm not really sure if cherry blossoms have some fragrance/ smell or if they have flowers. Ah, yes. The flowers, they do have flowers. Yey! Post-it of the day: Research. It sucks to be me^^)

Sakura's rage fires up as she punches Itachi, knowing it will be futile but still, she wanted to destroy something for being helpless around him. The wall beside them turns to rubble, as it received the full impact of her attack. While Itachi, as expected, sits elegantly on the bed.

"I would recommend you to lie down or you'll pass out in, oh, just a few seconds, I think. Maybe 10 or 15 seconds maximum," he said with a smile on his lips. His eyes gleaming with slight amusement at her furious reaction.

"Shut up!" Sakura shouted back. Her anger boiling. Embarrassed at her reaction, she took another step trying to reach Itachi, thinking of possible ways in beating the hell out of Sasuke's irritating older brother and erasing that annoying smile on his face. However, the room began to blur. Another blackness.

"Not again," she muttered angrily.

Before passing out, Itachi already had Sakura in his arms. Gently, he puts her to bed. His expression was unreadable.

"The two of you seems to enjoy each other's company, hmm?" Kagura steps out from the shadow. A hand on her hips while a bouquet of wild roses and cherry blossoms on the other.

"Thank you for the compliment, Lady Kagura, it's just that, she reminds me so much of my brother. Teasing her was fun." Itachi replied plainly and then gave one last look at Sakura's sleeping figure. "I'll be taking my leave now; the Leader must be on his way." He bows and took the step towards the door.

"Both of you complement each other," Kagura added, ignoring Itachi's farewell as she sits beside the bed. Looking fondly at Sakura.

"Really?" he asks politely.

A knowing smile crossed Kagura's face. Her gaze softened as she looks back at Itachi.

Of all the Akatsuki members they have welcomed in Amekagure, Itachi reminds her so much of herself during those dark days. Losing the will to live yet forcing themselves to fight back the cruelties of life itself.

"I feel more than what I hear, my young friend. Death might be knocking at your doorstep, but a heart that lost its will might need another to bring back what was taken from you."

"Such inspiring words, my Lady, nevertheless, I feel honored for receiving your wisdom. But I guess it's too late for me and my brother." Itachi unknowingly clenches his fists.

"Maybe that's what you want to believe. One's destiny can be changed by a decision made by a determined and pure heart. Only we can control our own fate." Kagura hope her words reach Itachi's battered soul. She already feels bad for the road the Uchiha chose to take.

The door closes silently signaling Itachi's leave. Kagura sighed gently and touches her sister's hand.

"Maybe you're the answer to one of my prayers which I was wishing for his sake all this time. Maybe, just maybe, you'll be the one to guide him and give him hope, my sweet little sister." Kagura said silently. A thoughtful look on her face. Wistful.

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Reviews, suggestions, criticisms… Just no assassination plots, ok?