…There are no more creative ways for me to say that I do NOT own Naruto…
Chapter One: Three Different Paths to the Same Destination
Sakura stood silently next to Naruto, Sai and Kakashi as Tsunade stared at them overtop of her folded hands. The blond sannin hadn't said much to the group since she'd told them of Sasuke's apparent victory over Orochimaru. Now, as they stood before her requesting leave, she had to wonder if she was acting in their best interest.
Allowing shinobi to embark on their own personal missions was hazardous by a Kage's standards. That was four less people she had to defend the interests of the village. And it didn't help matters that these were four of her strongest shinobi.
However, Tsunade could relate all too well to the emotions that flared within team seven. Even she, the mighty Hokage, could not shut down her feelings completely. She was sympathetic to their cause, even when anyone else would see it as foolish. Logic told her that hunting down a dangerous deserter like Sasuke, with hopes to bring him back to the village, was nothing short of frivolous and downright foolhardy. But her heart told her that until this matter was settled, Naruto and Sakura would never be able to move into their own full potential.
So it was with a heavy heart that Tsunade finally gave them her answer.
"I'll let you go," she said. "But you're not going after Sasuke this time."
"What?" Naruto took a step forward. "But granny Tsunade! This might be our only…"
"Let me finish, Naruto!" Her brown eyes narrowed in irritation. "I'm not sending you after Sasuke because I'm sending you after…Uchiha Itachi."
A stunned silence filled the office.
"Well? That's the only reaction I get? I won't have Konoha shinobi out there unless they have a viable mission. We all know that's where Sasuke is headed. But don't mistake me…this mission is for Itachi not Sasuke. At least that's what I have to tell the elders."
"Eh, Tsunade," Kakashi rubbed the back of his head, "do you really think that's wise? I mean, since Naruto isn't supposed to use his jutsu anymore…"
The Hokage shook her head and sighed. "It's time. Itachi will come after Naruto eventually. It's something we can't avoid. I'd rather have us doing the hunting than being the hunted."
"Alright! Now we're definitely getting closer!" Naruto grinned. "We won't let you down, granny!"
Tsunade nodded and glanced over at Sakura. The young woman's face was expressionless, but the older healer could see both her fists were clenched.
Sakura ignored her master's scrutiny. It was all she could do to contain the anger she felt at the mention of Itachi's name. Since the day she'd learned about him, Sakura had known that he was their true enemy. He was the one who'd ruined Sasuke's life. He was the one who was after Naruto.
She'd never hated someone so much in her entire life.
And she wasn't going to let him win. She would save both of her teammates from him. Even if it meant her life.
"Hey, Sakura-chan!" Naruto waved his hand in her face. "Are you okay? Come on! We've got to get ready."
"Oh…sorry. I-I was just thinking, that's all."
Whatever Naruto said after that was tuned out as the pink-haired medic absentmindedly followed him out of the palace.
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The steady noise of stone-on-blade relaxed Suigetsu. He shifted the giant sword slightly, and allowed himself better access to the razor-sharp metal. His hand moved methodically as he sharpened it until it became almost second nature. Suigetsu's eyes, however, were focused on Sasuke.
The Uchiha leaned against a nearby tree. His expression was blank, but Suigetsu could tell by his stance that the Uchiha was annoyed with the constant presence of Karin by his side. Orochimaru's female subordinate chattered on and on, most complaining, about Suigtsu and Juugo.
Juugo huddled against a rock off the side, murmuring something about 'killing again'.
A few days had passed since Sasuke told them of their team goal. Find Akatsuki and destroy them. More importantly—destroy Uchiha Itachi.
Suigetsu didn't care either way. He had no problem killing people, and Akatsuki would at leave provide him with a challenge.
He looked down at the giant sword.
He had other plans anyhow.
Suigetsu could only hope that Sasuke's old teammates were still looking for the renegade Uchiha. It would make it so much easier if they came to him. His revenge would come that much sooner.
"That's right, Zabuza-sensei. I will kill the one who killed you, as well as anyone associated with him. Hatake Kakashi will die."
His whisper was carried away, unheard.
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"You're sure it's time?"
A silent nod was the only reply Kisame got.
"Alright, I just don't see how going after the kyuubi now is going to solve the problem of your little brother."
Itachi glanced at the blue man. "I want to have the kyuubi container when Sasuke comes for me."
"Care to tell me why? Won't the brat be dead after we extract the nine-tails?"
Again, his only answer was silence.
Aware that he would get no more out of his partner, Kisame resigned himself to quiet pondering. If he didn't know better, he'd almost be inclined to think that Itachi wasn't even after the nine-tails at all.
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"Sakura," Sai approached her quietly. It was their first night at camp, and the pink-haired young woman hadn't said much to anyone all day. "Can I ask you something?"
Her green eyes were tired, but she gave him her best smile. "Sure."
"Why have you been so quiet? I thought you'd be happy to go after Sasuke-kun."
She shrugged. "I'm not sure I know the answer to that either, Sai."
"Well," he said thoughtfully, "when you figure it out, would you let me know? It'd be invaluable to my study on human emotions."
Sakura chuckled. "Yeah. You'll be the first to know."
She watched her teammate walk away toward Naruto and Kakashi. The other two shinobi were busy drawing attack plans in the soft dirt. Any other time, Sakura would have joined in, even though it was a last resort to toss the medic-nin into a fight.
Tonight she had first watch, and she was already uneasy about their location. They weren't too far from Konoha, but something about the place put her on edge. It was almost like someone was watching her.
She could sense no strange chakra in the area, and she couldn't detect any genjutsu illusions. That Kakashi was at ease also soothed her fears. Normally the copy-nin was overly cautious, and his lack of attention to their camp made her feel like she was just overreacting.
"Oi, Sakura!" Kakashi called to her from his position. "Wake me up for the next watch when you get tired." His one visible eye crinkled as he smiled at her and waved.
She nodded to him and then hopped up into the tree.
Sakura always loved the calm of night. Many of her fondest memories were from when she'd watched the stars at night on a mission. Back then it hadn't be uncommon for her to stay awake all night watching the sky.
But a few hours into her watch the calm from the still night vanished. A heavy, sinister feeling replaced it, and Sakura curled her arms around her shivering body. She still couldn't sense any danger nearby, but something definitely wasn't right.
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Itachi studied the shivering Konoha shinobi. She had good instincts. He knew she could not sense their chakra, and they weren't in her range of vision. But she still knew something wasn't right. Not bad for a medic.
It might be more difficult to get past her than he'd originally anticipated. Somewhere nearby was the Kyuubi. He could hear the tell-tale snoring. And undoubtedly near the Kyuubi was Kakashi.
The Uchiha was disinclined to use a genjutsu so early in his attack. Whatever he used up on the medic would deplete his reserves for the more challenging members of the group. He would need everything he had to subdue the nine-tails.
He sighed inwardly. He really didn't have a choice other than genjutsu. Taijutsu would alert the others to his presence.
He would simply have to depend on Kisame to distract the copy-nin and the other, dark-haired shinobi once they infiltrated the camp. But for now, he would disable their guard.
Itachi moved himself closer, almost smirking as Sakura shuddered again.
When he felt he was within range, he made a covert gesture with his finger to initiate the illusion.
Sakura remained where she was, eliciting an annoyed grimace from Itachi. She was immune to his illusion. It was something he rarely encountered, and he certainly hadn't expected it of the younger medic. He hadn't heard mention of it in the reports on Tsunade's apprentice.
But as Itachi studied Sakura, another idea began to form.
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Coming soon: Chapter two: Unbridled Fury