"Have you come across any trace of her?" Sai asked, weary eyes scanning his surroundings thoroughly.
"Not yet… Where could she have gone? The mission was so simple! If something happened to her—" Naruto's thoughts were cut short as he came upon a clearing. There was a large split in the ground and signs of a brief but fierce battle were scattered across the area. "Sai," he continued, "send in a letter to grandma Tsunade."
"Why? What should it say, Naruto?" the former Root member questioned. He readied his writing utensil and his paper.
"Tell her that Sakura has been taken by the Akatsuki. I would recognize her moves anywhere—mostly because she's used them on me multiple times—and by looking at how the land is split in two, I can tell she has been here," Naruto replied in the calmest voice he could muster.
Sai's face took on a very serious, concerned appearance. "How do you know it was the Akatsuki?"
The loud-mouthed team seven member reached down and came back up with something in his hand. Turning to his comrade, he revealed to him a small piece of black and red fabric that had been caught in the dirt. "Write the letter now. We have to find her."
To her surprise, Sakura awoke from her nap first. She had an unpleasant feeling in the pit of her stomach but wrote it off as being hungry. She dared not move as she was still trapped in her company's embrace. I really don't mind staying in this position for a while, the girl thought to herself, a wide smile plastered on her face. I wonder what he dreams about? I'd like to think it would be something terrible, but he seems to be sleeping peacefully. Maybe he actually dreams of ponies or something. Sakura couldn't hold in a quiet giggle at the idea.
Itachi stirred next to her before opening one of his eyes. "What is so funny?"
"Oh, nothing," she replied innocently.
"I must say, you are quite the odd person."
"Oh… Sorry…" Green eyes lowered in sadness.
"I never said that it was a problem."
Sakura cheered back up at Itachi's words. He stretched and then sat up before continuing.
"I should get back to my duties now."
A frown replaced the smile that had been present on the kunoichi's lips.
"Do you really have to go? I would kind of like to just be here with you for a while longer. We've both been so stressed… Maybe we could eat something together and chat a bit..."
Itachi's red eyes locked with Sakura's green orbs. He could sense the many emotions that were raging within her.
"You speak of me taking time out of my day to participate in leisure activities in such a nonchalant manner."
"I'm sorry, Itachi… I didn't—"
"Your words do hold appeal. We both have been fairly stressed, and a day to myself does not seem like an awful idea. The leader is out on a mission with Konan, and I do not have any specific orders from him as to what I should be doing today. I have made a few rounds and finished up a couple previously incomplete tasks. I do believe that I can designate the rest of the day to relaxing and spending time with you."
A bright smile made its way back on to the rosette-haired girl's face. She embraced her companion and held him tightly, happy that she would not have to be so lonely that day.
"I will go prepare a meal for us," Itachi stated as he stood to get dressed. "Remain here. Do not bother picking up any scrolls or books. Take a break from researching. You are welcome to make use of my art supplies in my absence. I will be back soon."
With Itachi's last sentence, the door shut behind him, leaving Sakura in a comfortable silence. This was a foreign feeling, as Sakura had always been one to feel more content when around other people. Being alone left her to her thoughts, and she feared the pain that they could potentially cause her. Since she had been with her crimson-eyed captor, however, her discomfort in silence had morphed into some kind of acceptance. No, it was more than that; the young medical ninja had come to embrace the silence. It was as if even her worst thoughts could not conquer her anymore. She no longer associated the quiet with darkness but instead with peace of mind. Itachi himself had been tortured in the silence, waiting for someone to share his inner thoughts with despite having come to terms with the grim reality that no one would ever come along. He was wrong, Sakura thought to herself. Just like I was wrong about the silence. It seems like apart, it overwhelms me and pains him, but together, the silence is just another link connecting us.
The green-eyed girl shook her head abruptly. What did she really mean? Her thoughts had become so deep lately that even she was not always sure how exactly to take them. She racked her own mind, searching for a meaning that could be found beyond the surface of the thoughts that had run through her head. All of a sudden, she found it. Sakura came to the conclusion that the silence was comfortable because they had already spoken many words, and from that point on, they could do no more justice. Only the subtle glances, body-to-body encounters, and other actions could prove to do justice to how either of the couple felt. Words could easily be falsely used—spoken but not meant. Actions, however, were often more true to feelings, as emotion could often lead to instinctive or involuntary movement.
Satisfied with the way she tied her thoughts together, Sakura decided to take advantage of Itachi's invitation for her to use his art supplies. She swiftly pulled a pencil and a piece of paper out of his drawer. Beaming with content, she was feeling inspired. There was only one problem: she had no skill in drawing or painting at all. The girl bit her lip in slight anxiety as she stared at her paper. How could she express herself without attempting a skill at which she was the complete opposite of talented in? She released her bottom lip from between her teeth as an idea popped into her head. She could always put an effort forth to write—maybe some poetry. Now, what to write about? she mused, scanning Itachi's room diligently for anything to spark a literary flow. Ah! His painting of the cherry blossom tree always brings me a sense of calm. Maybe I can write him a poem in relation to that, in return for the sketches he has given to me!
With her final thought, the excited kunoichi began writing. Her pencil seemed to be in control of her hand, as it made loops and lines in a beautiful way that she did not think she was capable of. She continued to write for about twenty minutes, until she had finally stopped to examine her work.
Oh, beautiful cherry blossom tree
How do you so often bloom anew?
Your leaves come back each year
Despite what you go through
You fight through the seasons
And the harsh, merciless weather
All just to make sure that each one
Of your buds spring up together
I wish that I had your strength
And the beauty that you possess
So that throughout every day
I would not fear an ugly death
I hope my tears and regrets fall
Just as your winter flowers do
So that I myself, upon a season,
Can wonderfully bloom anew.
A gentle smile made its way onto Sakura's face. She was content with her writing and felt a sense of fulfillment. Her eyes set their gaze upon the window above the bench. There was a slight breeze running through the vegetation in the garden. She could feel the cool air as it came through the window, and she realized that she felt at home, despite being in such a mysterious, foreign place. Home is where the heart is…The young kunoichi thought to herself. She had heard Naruto say that a few times, and now she knew what he meant.
Wherever Itachi was, was where she knew she belonged.
Author's Note: I deeply apologize to all of my story followers from the huge delay in an update. The school year came around once again, and it always manages to stress me out with all of the work that I have to do. However, I plan on coming back to this story and finishing it up, so I hope that makes up for going so long without any new content. Even if the chapters aren't long, I will try to update regularly. I hope you all continue enjoying my story! Thank you for all of the support and reviews. Please keep all of the motivation coming!