Author's note:
I dedicate this chapter to Toyroys… Have a safe trip^^
Disclaimer:
I own nothing except for my brain, my magazines, some stuff, etcetera. Well, I do admit that some of my ideas were inspired from the animes I've watched. Furthermore, I DO NOT OWN NARUTO. Copyright of the said anime/ manga still belongs to that person whom everyone already know who he really is…
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"Talking"
"Thinking"
"Biju speaking"
["Talking" Mindscape]
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PETALS OF HOPE
CHAPTER 17
Previously…
"Soon, you will die by my hands, Itachi…" His twin red orbs looking murderously at the scene before him. "I will start by taking your heart, and kill her in front of you… just like what you did with mine…" Sasuke promised.
Karin shivered fearfully, looking at the man in front of her. The killing intent the raven released was full of hatred. It was terrifying.
For once, Suigetsu was silent. Knowing that one wrong move and the Uchiha would finally kill him.
Juugo on the other hand was observant. The emotion Sasuke was emitting is somewhat familiar.
Losing everyone you loved, with only one way to soothe the pain.
Death.
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"Sakura… Wait for me…"
Sakura woke up, startled. "Itachi…" Looking around, she noticed her hands were tied securely in chakra-enhanced ropes. Her left eye was covered, just like Kakashi whenever he isn't using his Sharingan. The pinkette sighed wearily. "Great, just what I need…"
"Sakura-chan, is that you?" A female voice asks.
"Shizune-senpai?"
"Yes, it's me and Tonton. We are beside your prison cell. We saw Sai brought you in earlier today. Are you alright?" Shizune asks.
"Yes. I think so…" Sakura replied. "Wait… Is Hokage-sama here as well? Where is she?"
"They've put her in a separate cell surrounded by seals so she won't be able to use her strength." Shizune answered in a worried voice while Tonton squealed in confirmation.
Sakura sighed in relief. "At least she's fine." Looking around, the pink haired kunoichi tried to find something to remove her bindings. If only she could use her eyes.
["Princess…"
That voice… "Kirara, is that you?" Sakura asks mentally.
"Hai." The fox answered. "Did they hurt you?" The girl inquired worriedly.
"No. But they did covered my eyes, and I can't remove it because my hands are tied…"
Wrong answer as the girl snarled angrily. "Ouch. Don't. My head is starting to hurt."
"Sorry, I couldn't stop myself." The fox said in apology. "If only I had tasted your blood, I could have come sooner."
"My what?"
"Do not worry. Me and Itachi-kun are coming… And he sure is pissed… He even activated his Sharingan."
"He did WHAT?" Sakura shouted in annoyance. That IDIOT!
"Uhm, please don't get mad." Kirara pleaded. "He is sooo worried and from what I see, he is starting to hate himself AGAIN because he thought that it was his fault why you are in danger right now…"
"Tell that moron that if he ever do something stupid, I will NEVER ever forgive him… That I won't even dare try to kiss him or that I will never ever try to make him love m-me…" Ranting her anger and realizing what she had just said, the pinkette blushed deeply.
Kirara chuckled in amusement. "You were saying?" The fox asked teasingly.
"No, you didn't even hear that, understand?"
"I heard it loud and clear, princess…" Another voice. It was… Itachi.
"Oh no!" Sakura shook her head in embarrassment. "You heard it wrong, I… I didn't…"
"Too late, Sakura, I already did…" Itachi said comfortingly. "By the way… You don't have to make me love you… I already did."
Sakura could swear that even in that conversation, she thinks that Itachi smiled tenderly at her. "Itachi…" She already surrendered.
"Don't be afraid… I'm coming…" Itachi said. "I will save you, my Sakura…" The Uchiha promised.]
Their mental connection ended as someone opened the door to her prison. It was Sai.
"Danzo-sama wants to see you." He said.
"Eat me." Sakura spat in obvious hatred.
The ink user sighed as he ordered his fellow subordinate to untie her rope.
"No we can't. She is the Godaime's apprentice meaning she can also use that monstrous strength. Her wrist bindings would have to stay." The ANBU said.
"Hmm. Very well…" Sai noted emotionlessly. Turning his back, he went ahead. Unnoticed by his ANBU companion, Sai strategically placed an ink seal on Shizune's jail bars that blended into the shadows. "Let's go."
Sakura noticed it but didn't react at all. "What is he planning?"
"Sakura." Shizune shouted in panic. "Where are you taking her?"
"Not of your concern…" The ANBU said in a mocking tone dragging Sakura forcefully from her prison.
"I swear, when I get my hands on you, you'll be dead." The pinkette warned dangerously.
"Yeah right. And pigs might fly." The ANBU answered. Tonton squealed angrily. "Shut up pig, or I'll roast you alive."
"That's enough." Sai stopped the argument as he looks at the masked ANBU.
"Tch. You're getting soft Sai." The ANBU commented.
Ignoring the said ANBU, Sai shook his head and left. As he turned, his lips twitched into a smile, hidden from his comrade's watchful eye.
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Running at immense speed, Itachi cursed when his mental connection to Sakura ended.
"She was taken out. I don't know where…" Kirara told him.
"It's Danzo." A contemplating look on the Uchiha's face. "I have a favor to ask from you, Kirara-chan."
"Does it have to be now?" The fox grumbled annoyingly. "They can perfectly take care of themselves you know…"
"We have to ensure their safety, Kirara."
"But Itachi-kun…"
"Please?" The dark haired Uchiha pleaded. Technically, it was an order, true to his upbringing as the heir of their fallen clan.
"You are so bossy, Itachi-kun. No wonder Sakura-chan is so irritated." Kirara complained as she rolled her eyes before disappearing in a flurry of petals.
["Fine, I'll alert the ones in-charge and evacuate these pesky humans to safety. Happy?" Kirara said in his thoughts.
Chuckling to himself, Itachi was about to use the Fourth's technique when the fox added a warning.
"Be careful though, you might encounter HIM sooner than expected." The fox's tone was serious. "He is coming to strike you at your weakest. So hurry up and save the princess before the evil stepbrother comes to ruin all the fun…"]
"Is that so…" Itachi hummed in anticipation. "So this is what he is planning." Looking ahead, the Uchiha shook his head to clear his thoughts.
Sasuke.
"Bring it on, Tobi. I am ready."
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Meanwhile
"Haruno Sakura, or better yet, princess of Amekagure. I am humbled by your very presence…" Shimura Danzo bowed before the pinkette.
"I should have known that you are the likes of scum that is willing to work for that monster…." Sakura shouted angrily. The ANBU who picked her up restrained her from attacking the bandaged man.
"Ah yes. HIM. It was actually a favor." He noted calmly.
Forcing her to walk towards their leader, Sakura noticed that they were in an underground facility. Who knew Konoha had such place. "Where are we?" She asks.
"Roots main headquarters." Danzo answered.
"I thought the Third already disbanded your organization?"
"I took precautionary matters at hand to ensure Konoha's strength. Unfortunately, my beloved village was led by another who believes in a fool's dream. That's why I had to make sure that this village will remain strong as I eliminate those who would try to destroy it from the inside." Danzo tapped his crane vigorously.
"By handing you to our enemies, I might gain new comrades to ensure the success of my vision." His eyes glinting evilly, Danzo cupped Sakura's face. "Too bad, he specifically wanted you for himself. I could have make you a very valuable asset to my village."
"Over my dead body." Sakura spit on Danzo's face, her uncovered eye glaring murderously.
Slapping her away, Danzo wipes his face. "How rude. Didn't your sister teach you some manners?"
Gritting her teeth in frustration, the pink haired kunoichi struggled to free herself. "If my sister knew that it was your hand that marked my face, you would never see the end of your life as it will end in a flash."
"If she is still alive as of this moment, I guess…" Danzo answered in a nonchalant voice. "He told me earlier that he already had the eldest child of the Rain bowing to his will."
"No, that's a lie…" Sakura's eye widened. No, it can't be. Falling to her knees, the female shinobi tried to control her breathing.
The elder smirked. Sai approached his former teammate, with concern on his face. "She's hyperventilating. We need a medic, ASAP."
"Oh, let her be. She's not going to die. She is a medic herself." The ANBU from earlier commented in a dry tone.
"Sir." Sai turned to face his superior. "He would be greatly disappointed if something happens to her."
Sighing, Danzo order his men to get Shizune. "Make sure she stabilizes her." Leaving the pinkette one last look, the elder left.
Ensuring that they are alone, Sai whispered to Sakura. "You have to collect yourself, ugly. This is not the time for slouching." Grabbing him from his collar, Sakura look at him with a frown.
"You're betraying him?" Breathing slowly, Sakura asks him.
Instead of answering her, Sai handed Sakura his picture book. "I promised to protect this village no matter what. But seems like he was the one who endangers its safety."
Giving her the chance to escape, Sai gave her a smile, for once, it was a real one that reaches his eyes. "Do your worst and make me proud." Removing her eye patch that covered her Rinnegan, Sakura's eyes started to cry.
"You idiot…" Clenching her fist, she gave him a punch, it was strong enough even without chakra.
"Lady Tsunade is in the prison cell below this atrium. You wouldn't miss it as seals surround that room. Shizune must already be on her way to get there." Giving her one last wink, Sai dissolved in a shunshin.
Grateful for his help, Sakura smiled. "Thank you, Sai."
Her firm resolve, Sakura cracked her knuckles with a vengeance. "It's payback time…"
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Itachi looks around as he surveys the area. He knew that Danzo's hideout must be somewhere in this forest. Dropping to his knee, he put his hand to the ground, feeling the life force that surrounds him.
From behind, a shadow appeared. Crimson red eyes blazing in hatred stared at the crouching man in front of him. Gripping his sword tightly, he called his name.
"Uchiha Itachi." The shadow stated in a very calm voice that contradicts his darkening aura.
Sighing, Itachi stood to his full height. He could feel the anger that is leaking from the young lad. Turning to face him after so many years, Itachi noted the difference from the boy he left behind to the man that stood before him.
"Hello, little brother. It's been a while…"
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Author's other note:
A very BIG thanks to all my reviewers: Nyght elf, OokamiAkuma2297, shadow miko and Toyroys. I am so glad that ALL of you like Petals of Hope. It is very heartwarming:-)
My apologies if this chapter seems too rushed^^ But I couldn't stop myself from indulging a good friend of mine who wanted to read a new chapter as she would go for a trip somewhere that doesn't permit her to visit Fanfiction for a while… or something like that.
I also think I didn't do justice in some parts on this chapter, but hey, admit it, you love me regardless… Hahaha.
Now that I've mentioned it, this story doesn't really follow canon, or the manga itself. So yeah, this is some sort of an alternate universe for our very cuddly characters… Despite my faults, grammatically speaking and otherwise, hope you guys enjoy my firstborn^^ Well, I do think I'm improving… Eh? Seriously?
This is my longest author's note by far… And I think it sucks. Sorry T_T
But, please PLEASE click that little blue button below to further boost my dwindling ego… Admit it guys, being jobless really is a bummer. Especially the lack of reviews… *sigh*
Love and peace to you all^^
Ja ne!