iPOD Playlist: AniSongs composed of different Anime and some other songs here and there; then and now. Now Playing: Michi to You All by Aluto

Now I'm addicted^,~

Enjoy…

I do not own Naruto… Truth is… I love him… Hahaha… Joke! Yeah. Actually, I do like him… I absolutely adore Masashi Kishimoto for creating such a wonderful masterpiece…

CHAPTER 4

Otogakure Village.

Pain and anger has always been his closest companions. Since his family's death, he never knew what it is like to be happy. Well, there was a time that he'll always remember; The Academy, their very first mission, his former team: Kakashi's nonchalance, Sakura's bickering and Naruto's stupidity.

So why is he feeling this way? Like his heart is breaking apart.

"What the hell had happened?" He asks to himself. He held his sword up, glances at his reflection. His blazing red eyes that usually shows no emotion especially in front of the old Sannin, now looks like it was about to cry.

"Fuck!" Sasuke cursed as he slices a chair into two.

He thought he already severed this connection. And yet, he feels like a twelve year old kid crying over something irrelevant. Something might have happened to that idiot.

"Damn you, Naruto."

Sasuke gritted his teeth in frustration. His fists clenches tightly. Suddenly, his knees gave up; he clutches the front of his shirt, trying to breathe slowly. But still, the pain was too much.

It hurts so much.

He feels so empty.

Broken.

Like a scene on his mind, when he was walking away from Konoha. Naruto trying to stop him, yet he couldn't. "Where is Sakura?" He thought. "Where is she?" He looks around and saw her walking the other way. "She's leaving Konoha as well?" Why? Is it because of him? No, that can't be. If she's following him, she should be behind him. Now, she's looking distant.

Far from him.

Far from Naruto.

Now he knew.

Team 7 is finally no more.

XoXoXoXoX

"So this is where you've been hiding all these time?"

"Uchiha-san," Sakura replied sheepishly, knowing from Kisame that the man in front hated formalities yet he doesn't want his first name to be called by anyone except from a very select people.

"You shouldn't hang around him; he is such a bad influence. Your sister wouldn't approve," Itachi complained seriously without a trace of humor on his face.

Sakura shrugged and looks back to where she was staring before Itachi arrived.

"Don't let them see you like this. It makes them feel bad for taking you away."

"I told my sister where I am going. Brother seems to be very busy, he couldn't find time to squeeze me in his schedule," Sakura sighed ignoring Itachi's incredulous look.

"You still haven't figured it out?" Itachi tsked at her.

"What do you mean I haven't figured what?" she questions back. Keeping her temper broiling to a minimum. She doesn't want to explain to her sister and Konan how she gets so easily irritated with Sasuke's older brother while she interacted well with the other Akatsuki members especially Kisame's weird sense of humor and Tobi's endearing clumsiness.

"Hn. It's not in my position to tell you. Figure that one by yourself," Itachi seated a few meters away from the pink haired Kunoichi, just in case she decided to throw him another punch. Not that it will touch any part of him, but because he is already weary from the previous reconnaissance mission the Leader gave him the other day. Damn. His body is getting weaker by the minute. If this continues, Death will get him for sure and Sasuke would lose his chance in killing him. "I really hate myself for being so weak. What would Sasuke think?"

"Why you…!" Sakura shouted angrily.

"When I feel sad, or lonely, I also sit by this spot. Looking back, thinking what could have been if I didn't do those things and that," he sighed gently. Suddenly, he looks tired. Like, he was in great pain.

"Huh? Is he sick?" Sakura wonders as she observed Itachi with her medically trained eyes. "What do you mean?"

"It's hard to break the bonds that connect you with the people you cared for so deeply. When one of you feels pain, the other will feel as well." Itachi looks at Sakura's surprised expression. "He must be hurting right now. And you are worried about him. Am I correct?"

"How did you…?" Sakura didn't know what to say. His analysis was quite correct. It was actually accurate. She hates to admit but Sakura did think that Itachi is way much smarter than Shikamaru himself.

"Yes. He also feels it too, my brother Sasuke. I'm betting my last coin," he added without answering any of her interjected questions. He goes back to his meditation. His breathing, a little strained.

"You are right. I'm worried about Naruto. On what my absence would do to him." Sadness fills her eyes yet it was replaced by a resolved look in an attempt to convince herself. "But, it doesn't matter anymore. I'm with my family now. This is where I belong." Sakura is still trying to convince herself even if she knew she was right. Amekagure is part of her. She can feel it from the bottom of her heart. More than Konoha itself.

"It doesn't make you less if you cry for what you have lost. Konoha did embrace you for what you were, gave you a home, and made you for what you are now." Itachi said. His usually cold demeanor shows compassion for once.

Sakura was surprised to this side of Sasuke's brother. He can be charming if he wants to. A very lethal combination for someone like him. [Inner Sakura looks surprised. "What the…?"]

His words were simple. Yet it was true. Tears started to fall from Sakura's eyes as she remembers the hidden village of the Leaf. The Academy. Her former classmates. Kakashi-sensei. Captain Yamato. Lady Tsunade. Sasuke. Naruto.

"I already know that," she snapped back.

Itachi smiled knowingly. Without opening his eyes, he threw his handkerchief across her, teasing her slightly. "You can borrow it if you want. But I want it back freshly washed and pressed."

Fuming inside, wishing he was the hanky so that she can strangle it with her bare hands; Sakura walks out, and stomped angrily inside leaving Itachi a murderous glare.

From behind, Sakura thought she heard a controlled laughter. She immediately turns around and saw Itachi's motionless figure as if he didn't move at all.

"Jerk," She muttered and heads back. Sakura decided to look for her brother trying her hardest to get Itachi's image out of her head. The most annoying man she ever met next to Naruto. "Grrrrrr."

Itachi smiled. He never thought that Sakura would make him feel like this. Acting like a spoiled rotten brat teasing someone he likes to make the girl notice him.

"Oi?" He likes her. He likes Haruno Sakura. Itachi shook his head in denial. "This complicates things."

Well, it's a good thing that Kisame wasn't around or he'll be the one to tease him to death. "Maybe, I'll just kill him to save myself from further humiliation. Hmmm… Not bad at all."

Unknown to him, which is very unusual for someone of his caliber, they are being watched closely by three sets of eyes.

XoXoXoXoX

"I want you to talk to him, Kagura. Tell Itachi to stay away from our sister," Nagato said while gritting his teeth.

"Why Nagato? Don't tell me you are jealous of Itachi. My, my, this is such a surprise," Kagura couldn't hide her smile. "If you ask me, I think Sakura likes him too. He makes quite an impression to our baby sister," Kagura added, mildly teasing her brother. He may look different but still, Nagato is Nagato. Protective to the two of them especially Sakura.

She turns to stare at Itachis's unmoving figure. Knowing that the man is in so much pain: physically, mentally and emotionally. Whenever the said Shinobi comes to that tower facing Konoha, Kagura knew he is still punishing himself for what he did to his clan. For hurting his beloved brother and betraying his trust.

"I know you are fond of him Kagura. You're still thinking that he could be saved. But he already decided his fate. Saving him would do no good. He wanted to die by his brothers hands. He wanted his brother to avenge their clan by killing their murderer, him." Nagato closes his eyes in disturbance. He had a nagging feeling that something is not right. When he first met Itachi, he saw a glimpse of his future. A path full of darkness, pain and death. Now he is uncertain. Itachi is still walking on that same path, but he is not alone anymore. Seems like his meddlesome sister is trying to change Itachi's future.

"If Sakura gets hurt because of him, I had no one to blame but you."

"Sure. Not a problem at all, little brother. Now, before you make Konan sick with worry and Sakura to notice that you are using someone else's body, better take your rest before you collapse again. You are abusing yourself to a fault. I don't like what that technique of yours do to your body. If you don't heed my warning, I will ship your sorry ass to Konoha to that slug woman and…" Kagura said her litany without batting her eyelashes while glaring at her brother.

Nagato raises his hand in annoyance. "Fine, have it your way. But if I ever see Sakura cry because of him, I'll be the one to kill Uchiha Itachi and not his brother."

"Nagato, watch your tongue," Kagura's eyes were blazing now. Her right eye showing the Rinnegan's other form. (Author's note: In this story, the Rinnegan has three forms; Sakura's had the first form, Kagura has the second and Nagato had the final form. Each of those forms has their own unique abilities that differ from one another. I'm still trying to draw these eyes according to my imagination. Still no luck, but still… Any suggestions?)

Nagato glares back at his sister but lowers his head in surrender. He walks silently back to his chambers before leaving once last look at Itachi.

Kagura sighed. Keeping these boys in checked are such tedious tasks. No wonder she's still single. However, it makes her want to do more for these men. They may have unusual beginnings but she loved them all dearly. Helping them cope and live another day is her newfound mission in life. Now that her family is whole, she wanted her adoptive siblings to be happy as well. Even for those who wanted to end it so badly, just like Uchiha Itachi.

XoXoXoXoX

A few minutes earlier, just when Sakura left Itachi.

The third set of eyes follows Sakura's leaving figure with malice and contempt.

"What are we going to do now?" A shadow appeared before the owner of those eyes.

"There has been a change of plans. Call HIM immediately. Tell him, we'll need to rethink our options. Seems like we're getting these 'eyes' by force. "

"Are you sure? With the siblings together, they'll be indestructible." A hand strangles the shadow in a firm hold. "St-stop, yo-you're ch-choking me. Let me g-go…"

"I already know that, you idiot. That's why I want you to bring that fool here. Changing our plans is inconsequential, yet we have to be very careful. I don't know how long I will be able to block Kagura's intrusion in my head. Especially now that her sister is finally home, she's very intense in protecting her little 'family'."

The shadow coughs roughly but answered in a hoarse voice, "Well, why don't we break her little family apart. So that getting the eyes would be easier."

"Hmmm… You're using your head now. I like that." Evil glints those eyes. "Divide and conquer; my kind of game," laughter echoed around the room, scaring the stroll cat that was attempting to catch its dinner.

XoXoXoXoX

Thanks for reading.

Also a few BIG, BIG, BIG THANKS for liking my story.

It really makes my heart crawl with happiness=)