This story is dedicated to Emzy2k11, junkness and Toyroys^^ They always leave a review in all of my chapters (or some of the chapters)… And to fashionistah01 A.K.A. 8-faces of the moon-8, I'll keep you posted=) Thanks a million guys, mwuah!
Disclaimer: If I happen to own Naruto, there would be no Uchiha massacre, Itachi still gone AWOL. Akatsuki are the good guys, Naruto MIGHT be a girl, Sasuke is still Sasuke. Hinata is still the same but a little confident. Sakura is also the same but less extreme without her annoying inner self… Uhm… The tailed beasts can transform into humans, blah blah…
CHAPTER 11
Amekagure
Kagura tried to loosen the shackles on her wrists. But it seems to tighten more when she moves to free herself.
"Friggin' asshole," She muttered silently, cursing her captor for the millionth time. The rosette sighed wearily. "At least Sakura is safe. I know I can rely on Itachi to protect her with his life. I only hope Nagato would keep his part of the bargain and stay out of this." She thought worriedly.
"You came prepared as expected, Princess Kagura." Tobi entered the room wearing a new mask.
"I'm still wondering why you keep wearing those things when you can show the world how ugly you really are." Kagura's face turned from the force of his slap drawing blood from the corner of her mouth. "Hmm… I haven't tasted my blood for quite a while." Kagura said as she licks her lips.
"Ah. Yes. I see that you are still tolerant to pain," Tobi noted. "Would you care to tell me if you'll still act this way if I happen to catch your siblings, especially Sakura-chan?"
Kagura's eyes flash for a second, but smiles sweetly as she answered, "I'll tell you… If you can catch them at all."
"You really proved yourself this time Princess. Just like your mother." A distant look came across his face. "Nevertheless, things will come on my favor, when the right time comes." Tobi said thoughtfully as he caresses Kagura's cheek. "You really don't know what I am capable of." He whispered.
Kagura tried to avoid his touch but she couldn't move. He was persistent. His hand pulled her closer, hurting her in the process. Kagura's eyes changes. Her Rinnegan activated, feeling the onslaught of danger. Her topaz colored eyes stares with rage as it gazes back to the masked Akatsuki.
"Damn you Roya," Tobi curses mentally. "May you rot in hell forever."
"What's wrong, Tobi? Or Madara Uchiha? Hn. Why don't you pick a name of your own? Such originality, if you ask me." Kagura tsked, taunting him. "Did you see something you didn't like?" The rosette gave Tobi an insulting smile. "Mother must be dancing on her grave right now. Making you want something you can never have."
Tobi backhanded her, splitting her lips open. Fresh blood flows from the corner of her mouth. Kagura grunt as she felt sudden pain as he stabbed her on her side, deliberately avoiding her internal organs. Making sure she'll feel pain and die slower.
"No one is stopping me from getting what I want. Not you or that good for nothing Uchiha." Hatred in Tobi's eyes as he said those words.
"I can never understand the animosity you feel for Itachi. Care to tell me why?"
"I thought you knew everything? What does your reading shows about me, Princess Kagura?"
"Humor me." Kagura smirked back.
"Hmmm. Well it is simple," Tobi paused a little and shrugged his shoulders casually. "This world has crumpled since HIS time. And I want to bring back the old ways."
Kagura stared at Tobi as if she looks at him for the first time. "It can't be… You're supposed to be dead. You shouldn't exist at all. How? How did you survive all these years?"
"Aaah… Finally, the response I've been waiting from you."
"Impossible," Kagura looked terrified.
"Before he created these beasts', I was HIS most favored creation, HIS guardian. But because of a little girl's whim, He discarded me like a piece of trash. Forgotten. He lets me dissolve into nothingness. But my will is strong. I managed to survive. From that day, I swore vengeance to destroy everything he ever worked hard for to build. It wouldn't take long till those brats destroy one another. So I waited. And when I met him, I devised a plan. Something far more greater."
Realization hit Kagura. "It was you who poisoned the mind of the eldest son."
"Ah, the Uchiha patriarch. Yes. Yes, I think I really did that. However, it wasn't enough for my plan. I cannot control him. So I decided to use another. And then I came to this body. With a little help from your old friend Orochimaru, I used all the resources I need to recreate this body. It was a mess when I found it in Iwagakure. It could have been perfect if Itachi was accessible. But that fool has a strong mind, just like his stupid ancestor. So I decided to use his little brother. Which reminds me," Tobi looks from behind as if waiting for someone. "Have you found him?" He asks.
"Yes," A voice replied from the shadows.
"So you're one of his pets. Why I am not surprised," Kagura said in a sarcastic voice.
Ignoring her, Zetsu materializes in front of them and continues with his report. "The young Uchiha was spotted near the village of Kumogakure. He had three companions. And from the information I have gathered, the Snake is already dead. He was killed by Sasuke himself. Orochimaru's body was stolen by his right hand man, Yakushi Kabuto."
Tobi nodded. "I'll take care of Sasuke. Find Orochimaru's body and his pet. He still has valuable information that can be used for my plan."
"Understood," Zetsu melted in the ground.
"Well then. I'll be leaving you for a while. Hope you'll enjoy your stay here while I'm gone," Tobi said cheerfully and snaps his fingers to loosen the shackles on Kagura's hand causing her to fall.
"This place is heavily secured. So escaping would be out of your itinerary, my Princess." Tobi tried to pat Kagura in the head but the woman shoves his hand away. Instead, he grabs a handful of her hair and forces her to look at him. "Don't be rude. I'm trying to be nice here."
"Go to hell." Kagura spitted back.
Tobi sighed. "Very well," He stands straight, ignoring Kagura's murderous glares. "Just don't strain yourself, okay?"
"I'd rather be dead."
"I'd rather see you live and enjoy the show I'm about to give in commemoration to your grandfather." Tobi gave one last look to Kagura before dissolving into nothingness.
XoXoXoXoX
Kagura gritted her teeth as she tried to stand. She firmly holds her wound to stop the bleeding. Unlike Sakura, she never had the patience to learn any medical jutsu so healing herself would require a second hand. Kagura was able to muster a step but falls head on.
"Damn it. He really knows how to weaken me." With her Rinnegan, she opened her palm and blows from it. Petals flew softly and formed a summon. A young girl by the age of 12 appears suddenly in front of the fallen woman.
"Lady Kagura? Oh my… What the hell had happened to you? Who did this?" The girl asks as she rushed to the rosette's side. She curses loudly when she sees the wound.
"How many times do I have to tell you not to swear in front of me? Do I have to feed you a basket of wild chili seeds to make you remember?" Kagura screeched at the girl.
"Eeww! You speak as if you can do it, especially now. The way I see things, you can't even move." The young girl started to heal Kagura's wound.
"True. But even if I can't stand or move my body, I know you will follow me, Kirara," Kagura said as she smiled fondly at the girl.
Kirara blushed slightly but ignored the older woman's teasing. "Care to tell me why are you in this place? I did get a hard time coming here because of the seals placed around the room. I can only send a shadow clone…" The girl paused as she noticed the rosette staring intently at her. "Why are you looking like that at me?"
"You look just like your father." Kagura said nonchalantly as she closed her eyes.
Kirara's features were similar to Naruto except that the girls' whisker marks are much more pronounced. She has cat-like eyes, with the color of mercury, but when she feels strong emotions, her eyes turns blood red. Kirara also had reddish brown hair. And a temper to match, just like her sister Sakura.
"Don't joke about him if you can't even tell me who he really is."
Kagura sighed. "Some other time perhaps." She took the girl's hand and gave her a small pouch.
"What am I going to do with this?" Kirara asks.
"I want you to give it to Uchiha Itachi. And tell him that the hedgehog will soon play the game."
"Another riddle of yours?" Kirara's face is stoic as the rosette nodded. "Are you sure you don't want me to free you?"
"Positive." Kagura smiled serenely.
"If that's what you want." The young girl stands hesitantly. She looks worried but decided to hide her emotions.
Kagura looks pleased. The girl is starting to act like him in many other ways. Like father, like daughter. "Be careful, child." Kagura added as she lets go of the young girls' hand.
"You're the one who should be careful. You are playing a very dangerous game here." Kirara commented as she turns to leave.
"By the way." The girl stares back with a questioning look on her face.
"If you happen to bump and accidentally meet a young man by the name of Uzumaki Naruto, please tell him that I'll try my hardest to believe in him." Kagura smiled.
"Sure, sure," Kirara answered while rolling her eyes in confusion. The girl disappears in puff of smoke and petals.
Kagura leans back and raised her hand to look at it. The hand that held the young girls' own and place it in front of her heart. "Be safe, little one."
As petals falls lightly on the floor where she seated, Kagura remembered everyone. Her parents, the people of Amekagure, Yahiko, their fallen comrades in Akatsuki… The rosette sighed as she tries to look into the future. Any vision that will give them the advantage to win this war and help her loved ones would really be a great help. But it is clouded. Like her path. Unlike her, Itachi's were clearer. However, the Uchiha must make a decision, and choose it wisely. Or it will affect everyone's destiny forever.
Their fate is not set in stone. It can be changed by one tiny decision. Who knew fate can be a bitch sometimes.
Kagura stood and walks steadily. "It definitely has begun. Bring on the reign. I am ready. We all are." The woman walks into the shadow and proceeded with the second part of their plan. "It really is a pain in the ass being your descendant, old man. Should have chosen another." Kagura's smile faded as the shadow enclosed her form.
"As I said, be safe, everyone…"
XoXoXoXoX
Konoha
Sakura woke feeling startled. "Onee-san?"
She fell asleep beside Itachi's bed. She was awake the previous night making sure his fever went down. She walked beside the window to open it and looks at a very familiar scene. The village of the hidden Leaf. It still feels like home. She smiled.
"Sakura?"
"You're awake. How are you feeling?" She asked the Uchiha. Thank goodness he is okay. She is starting to get worried.
["You are worried about him while your sister is in trouble? You got to be kidding me," Inner Sakura shrieked.]
Sakura's smile falters but tried to ignore her inner self. Itachi noticed and ask her to sit beside him.
"I know you are worried about your sister. But I want you to know that Lady Kagura can perfectly take care of herself. She already survived so many ordeals in the past, and faced each one of them as bravely as she could. And then you came back. I have never seen her that happy. Now, she has every reason not to waste her life. Keeping her family safe and whole is what makes her stronger." Itachi said.
"I know that. It's just that…" Sakura sighed. "I had a feeling that something is not right. It makes me anxious and worried as hell."
Itachi got up ignoring Sakura's attempt for him to stay on bed. The Uchiha never felt better in years. His vision is clearer. Someone must have healed his eyes. He looks at Sakura and saw her smile a little.
"Well? What do you think?" Sakura asked. Itachi arched a brow. "I was referring to your vision, you moron." Sakura cleared her throat. "Hinata-chan helped me in restoring your vision. I never thought that the Hyuga has this special technique concerning their eyes. It was…" Sakura stop in mid-sentence as she noticed him looking at her. "Is there something wrong?"
Itachi ignored her as he took a step closer to the pink haired Kunoichi making her blush a little. "I owe you my life. I'm in your debt for as long as I live." He said in utmost sincerity and gratitude.
Sakura took note of his choice of words and smiled viciously at him. "Then I want you to promise me one thing, Uchiha Itachi."
Dread fill Itachi's mind but went along. "What is it?"
"If you face Sasuke, I want to be there."
"No." Itachi shook his head instantly. This doesn't sound good. He should have known she would ask something like this.
"As you have said, I saved your life. I own it. And if you want to give it away, I would definitely want to know the person who will take it from me." Sakura said defiantly. Indecision on Itachi's face as she observed his reaction. "As if I'm letting you die and waste your life. Fat chance, Itachi. I'm not giving you up without a fight."
Itachi stared incredulously at her. "Lady Kagura must have told her my plans about Sasuke. Damn it." He thought angrily and walks away from her.
Before Sakura could speak, a knock sounded on the door.
Hinata pushed it open and felt the intense animosity inside the room. "Am I interrupting something?"
"Yes." Itachi's tone was even colder than his grimace.
"No, please come in." Sakura disregarded him, feeling relieve at the Hyuga's arrival. After telling him what she wants, she knew he will do anything to sway her the other way around. She will have to face him later.
"Uhm… Something came up. Lady Tsunade wanted everyone to be at the Hokage tower in 30 minutes." Hinata said while looking back and forth at the two. "A lovers' quarrel? Interesting…" She thought idly.
"Make it 10. We'll be there shortly." Itachi said.
"Wait, I'll come with you Hinata. I need to ask you something." Sakura said as she walks towards the Hyuga. Itachi stops her with exasperated look.
"I'll be accompanying her, Hyuga-san. Please, go ahead without us. We'll be following shortly." Itachi said. His face is dead serious. Sakura gulped slightly.
"Okay." Hinata said as she turns to leave. "See you later."
Itachi closes the door and locked it. He turns to look at her coldly.
Sakura avoided his stare and looks randomly around the room. Itachi pinched the bridge of his nose trying to clear his bearings. She is starting to get difficult. "Sakura."
"Can we postpone this conversation for another time?" Sakura asked, her arms crossed, pouting her lips in frustration.
"Yes. Sakura is starting to get difficult indeed." Itachi thought with a sigh of resignation.
"What did you just said?" Sakura asked suddenly. He never spoke a word. How come she hears his thoughts? "What the..."
"I never said anything." Itachi said disregarding her completely as he prepares to leave. "Now she is acting like her sister. I never thought she can do that. Does all of the women in their family can read minds?"
Sakura muttered angrily to herself. "Yes. We definitely need to talk later, Itachi. I will give you a piece of my mind. You should know by now that my head is way much harder than yours. You..."
"Sakura-chan?" Itachi looks back, he held his hand at her.
"Are we going on foot or you'll use that teleport technique of yours to travel faster." She asks in her most acidic tone as she took his hand.
"Hn." Itachi rolled his eyes as he carried her in an old fashioned manner.
"Hey. Put me down..." Sakura protested. The Uchiha formed a hand seal and went to the Hokage tower in 10 minutes as promised.
XoXoXoXoX
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