Itachi's Promise: Fifty-two

The Akatsuki stood weakly to their feet and ran at Madara, Madara stepped backwards from being kicked, punched and trying to dodge the Akatsuki's weapons. Madara left the edge of the building nearby and looked down at the ground, Madara disappeared from the edge of the building and the Akatsuki looked round for Sakura to congratulate her. The Akatsuki looked backwards, seeing Sakura still lying on the ground, she hadn't moved since she had sent all her energy through the lightning and into Madara. The entire Akatsuki ran to Sakura's side, Pein knelt down at Sakura's side and pulled her body up into a sitting position and tried to wake her up. Pein looked up at everyone with worry and then back down at Sakura.

"Out my way," Pein ordered.

Pein quickly picked Sakura's not breathing body up and began the short journey towards the hospital. Pein ran as fast as he could, until finally he reached the hospital. The nurses saw Sakura and ran to Pein's side.

"Get the trolley," One nurse yelled.

A nurse came running into the room with a bed and another one can running into the room with a crash cart. Pein laid Sakura down on the bed and watched as they quickly set up the cart and tried to revive Sakura; Pein stood to the side, watching as Sakura's body lifted from the bed when it was zapped and then returned to lying flat. The rest of the Akatsuki burst through the door; they stopped as they saw leader standing to the side with Sakura lying absolutely still on the hospital bed.

"Sakura," Sasuke whispered, from across the room.

Pein's eyes snapped to Sasuke and he appeared in front of him, Sasuke stepped back and tried to see round Pein.

"Pein, get out of the way," Sasuke ordered.

Pein set his hand on Sasuke's shoulder and looked back at Sakura one last time before forcing Sasuke back down the hallway. Sasuke shouted as Pein physically stopped Sasuke from being anywhere near Sakura. Pein pinned Sasuke to a wall, when they were far enough away in Pein's opinion. As Pein forced Sasuke to the wall, he spotted the tears that were falling down his face.

"Sakura," Sasuke whispered, lowering his head and looking down at his feet.

Pein pulled Sasuke close and hugged the much younger ninja, Sasuke didn't hug Pein back but he was did lean in towards Pein.

"Is she dead?" Sasuke asked, his voice soft and weak.

"I hope not Sasuke, I hope not," Pein replied, looking down the hallway from the way they came.

Hospital Waiting Room – Hours Later

Itachi sat on the floor with Sasuke wrapped under his arm; the Akatsuki sat slouched around in the chairs of the waiting room. Mikoto sat curled next to Pein with silent tears running down her face. Kakashi stood in the doorway of the waiting room, asking the nurses if anything else could be done. Naruto also sat on the floor, across the room from Sasuke and Itachi.

"Tsunade, there has to be something we can do," Kakashi said, as Tsunade stopping in front of him and sighed sadly.

"There is nothing," Tsunade answered, bowing her head low.

"Stop," Itachi yelled, the first thing he had said since he had heard the news.

"Itachi…" Mikoto began, surprised at her sons out burst.

"Stop, everything just stop," Itachi yelled, standing to his feet and running from the room.

"Kisame, follow him," Pein ordered.

Kisame stood and ran after his younger partner, Kisame spotted as he was walking into the hospital room Sakura was in. Kisame sighed; he sat down against the wall and waited for Itachi to come out. Inside Itachi sat down next Sakura and held her cold hand in his. Itachi ran his thumb across the top of Sakura's hand. Sakura lay in the bed like a doll, not moving, never moving. Itachi stayed with Sakura as tears ran down his face and his emotions from all the years become to appear, after everything he is, everything he had done, he couldn't even save one person.

Hours Later

"Itachi, time to leave," Tsunade ordered, slowly opening the door and stepping into the room to find both Itachi and Sakura missing.

"Find me Itachi Uchiha, NOW," Tsunade yelled, Anbu appeared nodding one to Tsunade and then disappearing again.

Tsunade looked at the empty room and then stormed back to the waiting room, everyone in the waiting room looked up as Tsunade entered, they could all see and feel the anger that Tsunade had.

"Itachi, as taken Sakura's body," Tsunade growled, her anger barely contained.

Pein jumped from the seat, landing in front of Hidan and quickly covering his mouth before he could say anything stupid.

"We will find him straight away," Pein said, herding the Akatsuki from the waiting room and forcing Hidan out as quick as he could.

Pein stood at the village gates, no idea where Itachi was headed and no way of tracking him since Itachi had left his ring at the Uchiha compound.

To Be Continued...Please Comment.