Itachi's Promise: Forty-One
"Welcome, Fugaku," Madara greeted.
Sakura watched as Fugaku shook hands with Madara, then turned to Sakura. Sakura struggled with the binds, trying to pull free before Fugaku and Madara got closer to her. Fugaku stood beside Sakura's head, looking down at her with a smirk across his face. With a long finger, Fugaku ran his finger down Sakura's cheek and on to her neck. Sakura had already pulled as far away from Fugaku as he looked down at her, and ran his finger over her skin.
"What do you think Sakura?" Madara asked, Sakura looked at Madara over the other side of her with a shooked expression.
"How is he still alive?" Sakura asked.
"Same way, Sasori is," Madara answered.
Sakura remembered back to when Sasori had described exactly how he was brought back to life and looked at Madara and then Fugaku.
"Shit," Sakura whispered.
Hidden Leaf Village – Hokage Tower
"Where is Itachi?" Tsunade asked, sitting behind her desk with Naruto standing next to her and Kakashi and Sasuke standing across from her.
"He said, he will meet us here," Sasuke answered.
"I'm here," Itachi told Sasuke, jumping in through the window and walking to the space beside Sasuke.
Sasuke looked at his brother and then at Tsunade.
"Where were you?" Tsunade asked.
"Uchiha compound…I was looking at something," Itachi answered, lying again.
Sasuke watched his brother and then realised that he was lying, Sasuke didn't want to say anything in the company of Team 7 and Tsunade. Sasuke remained quiet and Itachi got away with lying. Itachi watched as Tsunade thought of something to do; Naruto stood awkwardly beside Tsunade waiting for her plan.
"Madara, will get bored. He will return soon," Pein said, walking into the room.
"That doesn't help us, find Sakura," Itachi replied.
"Maybe not, but it could help us stop him," Pein told Itachi.
Itachi knew what Pein meant and looked away.
"Stop him, do you mean…" Tsunade began, Pein nodded and Tsunade stoped and looked down at her desk.
"What does he mean?" Naruto asked.
"Kill Madara and hope Sakura can escape by herself, because we would lose our only lead," Itachi answered.
"No, we can't. We have to save Sakura," Naruto shouted, looking at Pein and then Tsunade.
Neither Pein nor Tsunade spoke, they just remained quiet and kept their gazes from Naruto.
"You're not sacrificing Sakura," Naruto yelled.
"Naruto, calm down," Kakashi ordered.
"No, Sakura has to be saved," Naruto yelled.
"Naruto, I need a word," Itachi said, walking for the door.
Itachi stood holding the door open; Naruto ran to the door and walked out past Itachi. Itachi directed Naruto down the hallway, into a small empty waiting room.
"Naruto, Sakura is injured and knowing Madara has no way of escaping. I promised her I will protect her, but not knowing where she is I can't. Naruto I will try everything I can to get her back, but I may not be able to get her back. The Leaf Village is in grave danger, we need to protect it," Itachi told Naruto.
"But, what about Sakura?" Naruto asked.
"I don't know," Itachi answered.
Naruto nodded and followed Itachi back to the Hokage's office; again Itachi opened the door and let Naruto enter first, before walking in and shutting the door behind him.
"Brother," Sasuke greeted.
"Itachi, what was that about?" Pein asked through the telepathic connection of the Akatsuki rings.
"Getting Sakura back," Itachi answered telepathically.
"Itachi?" Asked a low voice that sound similar to Sakura's telepathically.
"Sakura?" Itachi asked telepathically.
"Itachi, I'm in Madara's base," Sakura answered telepathically, her voice coming out in pants.
"Where is it?" Itachi asked telepathically, panicking she won't be able to answer.
"I don't know; it's cold but not snowing. I think we're on a small island east of Konoha, but I'm not sure. I'm in a big multiply story building. ITACHI HELP," Sakura explained, at the end Sakura screamed.
Itachi felt her fear as the Akatsuki ring around her ring was ripped from her finger and she feel to the floor. Itachi yelled her name in his head and then glanced up at Tsunade and Pein. Itachi looked around, finding he was now kneeling on the floor with his hands on his head and Naruto, Kakashi and Sasuke kneeling around him. Itachi looked up at Sasuke and then Naruto.
"What are the islands, east of here?" Itachi asked, looking up at Tsunade.
"Empty, I believe," Tsunade answered.
"I think Sakura is there," Itachi replied.
"Why?" Pein asked.
"Sakura had an Akatsuki ring," Itachi replied.
"Had?" Tsunade asked.
"Someone took it off her," Itachi answered, standing up with the unneeded help from Sasuke and standing surrounded by team 7.
Tsunade and Pein looked at each and then Itachi and team 7, the two leaders didn't know what to do.
"I'll go alone, with team 7. Everyone else can protect the village," Itachi said, Pein nodded to Itachi and everyone turned their attentions to Tsunade.
"Okay," Tsunade agreed.
Itachi glanced at his little brother, then Kakashi and Naruto. All of team 7 smiled at Itachi and Itachi nodded in return; Kakashi rested his hand on Itachi's shoulder and the four turned towards Tsunade. Kakashi standing behind the three shorter ninja, Sasuke, Itachi and Naruto. Itachi stood in the middle and Sasuke and Naruto neither side; Tsunade smiled gently at the team and then sighed realised there was a high possibly they won't be returning from this mission.
To Be Continued...Please Comment.
