Leaf in the Wind

Chapter 5

Sakura appeared in the Hokage's office after receiving a letter delivered by the Anbu. Alone she stood before her former sensei and waited to hear why she had been summoned.

"The Cloud Village has requested that a medic be sent to train some of their promising medics. I have decided to send you. The Raikage is planning to leave by the end of the week. You will leave with them."

Sakura shifted on her feet, listening as she was told she would have to leave her village.

"I can't do it." she said quickly, interrupting her from continuing. The Hokage paused and studied her.

"Sakura, the Raikage has asked specifically for you. You would not be using your skills as a kunoichi. He has also assured me that all the medics you are training are women."

Sakura was not surprised that the Raikage's spies had done their research. Taking a deep breath out she pulled her headband out of her pocket and placed it on the desk between them. Neither spoke for a minute.

"I can't be who I used to be." Sakura told her as she shifted her feet.

Tsunade picked up the headband in a clenched fist, causing the metal to bend.

"No, I won't let you quit. Sakura you have come so far. To just quit and become a housewife."

"You need to let me go, Shishou." Sakura told her softly.

"It is time for you to return to me training you again."

"Don't do this Shishou, let me go. I want to make a new life for myself."

"I will help you overcome what has happened." She replied refusing to listen.

-000-

Itachi walked with Sakura towards the training grounds seven. He saw Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi and his Hokage all waiting for them to arrive. Off to the side the Raikage along with several elders also stood in the shade to watch. Itachi noticed several other visiting shinobi were watching them approach. They had come to see how strong the Hokage and her former apprentice had become.

"I don't want to do this." Sakura said softly so that only he could hear.

He was proud of how outwardly she appeared calm but her small, whispered confession to him made him aware of how nervous she was. More and more she had grown to accept him at her side, no longer did she shield away or hide her fears from him. She did not realize how far she had come since her return to the village.

"Our Hokage needs to understand how much you have changed. Once she understands she will leave you alone."

She thought about his words and then turning to him asked," No matter what happens, can you promise me that you won't interfere?"

He studied her for a moment before he gave a brief nod of his head.

Dressed in his black pants and a t-shirt shirt with the Uchiha clan fan on her back they approached the training grounds.

"This is going to be amazing!" Naruto yelled pumping his fist in the air as he saw them approaching, from where he stood on the side.

Sakura watched as Itachi moved to join the others on the side lines.

Sakura turned to study her Hokage and watched as she walked towards her on the training field and braced herself. She remembered how hard she had been pushed to grow in her training in the past.

"Did you think I would go easy on you?" Tsunade asked, looking confident.

"No. I remember how you brutally reshaped me into a kunoichi."

She watched as Tsunade moved to kick her but made no move to stop her. "Fight back Sakura," she snarled at her.

"Why? I told you already, I no longer wish to serve my village as a kunoichi. I want a different life." Standing up straight she pushed her long hair away from her face. Tsunade studied her before raising a second hand to flick her forehead but stopped again when Sakura spoke.

"Do you believe that if you beat me hard enough, you can change my mind? Orochimaru makes you look amateur in reshaping someone. He is a true master when it comes to changing one's mind. Like a razor on a taunt thread, he would slowly cut through me until I broke, only to rebuild me back again stronger." Her words only seemed to make her former sensei angrier, and she could see the disbelief in her eyes.

"Always to fucking weak. You will remember what you once were." Tsunade muttered as she punched her, making her fly backwards.

Sakura had a flash of memory, Orochimaru tossing aside a small pale body with disgust. "Weak, all these test subjects you bring me are to fucking weak. Kabuto when are you going to bring me someone strong enough." The dead child lay at his feet, eyes open and unseeing.

Pulling back a glowing fist she struck out at her mentor with her full might, as rage filled her. The punch made Tsunade fly backwards and land on her back stunned. Sakura watched as her former mentor stood up and attempted to dodge her next attack, only to find herself flying backwards into the trees that lined the field. Sakura felt as though her mentor was moving in slow motion as she continued a direct attack, no longer trying to shield herself as she used raw power to overpower her Hokage.

"I was never weak. You and the lord third were weak. You both knew what he was capable of and yet you did nothing. So many dead because you were both too weak to stop him," she screamed at her as her blood dripped steady onto the ground from her nose and the corner of her mouth.

"Sakura he was once my friend and teammate" she told her weakly as she stumbled to her feet, struggling to stay upright.

Sakura let out a laugh that held no humor.

"He tortures and kills women and child for fun and you spare him for sentimental reasons. Pathetic."

She caught her mentor's fist in her own and held it steady, both of their fists glowed with chakra.

"You don't know what it's like to lose people you care about." She tried to excuse her actions as Sakura released her fists and took a small step back.

Sakura knew the old Sakura would have stopped and held back from delivering the final blows, but she had died in her cage. She deflected a blow aimed at her chest with ease.

"I can't even tell you the names of the children alone he killed because he never gave them names, just numbers. They died scared and alone but grateful to finally escape this world. You are the Hokage, you could have sent out teams of Anbu to hunt him down and stop him but still you hold back because of your cursed history with him."

Sakura remained standing over her as she fell onto her knees before her and then collapsed onto the ground, exhausted from using all her chakra.

"I will no longer be a leaf in the wind. I will decide fate." She told her grimly as she buried her fist deep in the ground beside her head, making Tsunade flinch and her Anbu guards appear around them as though they feared she would kill their Hokage.

Turning, she saw her teammates looking stunned and she could see Itachi standing still, only a few stray hairs moving in the breeze as he watched and waited. Giving him a small sad smile, she made her way towards him. He walked towards her and met her halfway.

She watched Kakashi arguing with a bloodied Tsunade about allowing her to be free to choose before he came to join her and Itachi. Naruto and Sasuke also walked towards her looking grim.

"Sakura, I... I. Just wanted my team back together." Naruto told her as he used the cuff of his sleeve to wipe away the blood from her lips.

"I am not the Sakura you remember Naruto."

"No, you're not, but you are still ours." Sasuke agreed, looking grim as he took in her injuries.

Sakura noticed that whatever Tsunade was telling the Raikage was making him angry because he stormed away with his guards following.

Grimacing wiped her face with the sleeve of his shirt and noticed the amount of blood and dirt covering her.

"I hate the feel of dirt and smell of blood." she told them as she made eye contact with Itachi.

"Sakura, may I escort you to the bath house?" Itachi asked and then seeing her short nod he then turned to Kakashi. "My father invites you and your team to join us this evening for a meal."

Itachi did not wait for an answer before he stepped closer and disappeared with Sakura in a whirl of black crows.

Kakashi turned to a visibly shaken and pale Tsunade who made her way towards them. "This insanity ends. She is no longer the girl you trained."

Turning to Kakashi she nodded her head in agreement. "Yes, I can see that now."

"Did you tell the Raikage that she won't be leaving with him?"

"Yes. I thought she would remember how strong she was."

Kakashi ran his hand through his hair making it even more messy, sighing loudly. "She is strong. She survived torture and rape after witnessing her parents murder, when most women would have died or gone insane."

Tsunade didn't reply back, just nodded her head weakly.

-000-

Sakura sighed as the water enveloped her body, through the steam she saw Itachi watching her. His beautiful dark eyes were always watching her with a warmth that made her feel special.

Once more he had brought her to the men's bath house in the Uchiha compound and sealed the doors shut, preventing anyone from disturbing them.

"You have grown stronger." He murmured as he removed his clothes and moved to sit in one of the tubs for single use, the hot water coming up to his chest as he leaned back against the edge. He seemed perfectly calm as he revealed every inch of his skin to her wide eyed gaze.

"My chakra strength has increased, and I have grown accustomed to pain", she replied with a shrug, happy that the water was deep and that there was enough steam to hide her blush.

"I noticed." He smirked at her. Her pale pink hair spread wide around her on the water. He knew she believed that he could not see her pale form because of the water but with his eyes nothing was hidden.

"I don't want to think about chakra or yin seals," she told him with a sigh and closed her eyes.

"What do you see when you think of the future?" he asked as he closed his eyes and followed her example.

"Making bread with your mother or helping the injured shinobi in our own village or even what will the trees look like as they change color this fall. I miss seeing the trees change and grow" She replied before she went underwater and came up again for air.

"Do you see me in your future?"

She replied softly. "Yes, but I am worried that you will grow tired of my struggles to be what others consider normal."

"Never."

She found her smile growing as she moved to stand up, trying to act like it didn't matter that he could see everything. As she picked up a towel and began to dry herself off. She realized that she trusted Itachi that he would not touch her unless she gave permission.

During her time with Orochimaru, she had spent most of it with clothes. Only when she was being trained did he allow her to wear clothes but once in her cage they would be taken away. Kabuto had told her once that he enjoyed the sight of her body too much to be denied. Kabuto loved having control over even the smallest details of her existence.

The feeling of clean skin and the smell of soap made her smile as she redressed behind a screen.

-000-

When Itachi and Sakura came to his parents' home, they found Kakashi, Naruto and Sasuke already there. Sasuke was helping his mother by placing food on the table.

Seeing Fugaku and Mikoto, Sakura bowed low at the waist and then joined them at the table after Mikoto assured her that she did not need more help.

"Why do you bow like that? You do it with Itachi as well." Naruto asked with a frown after the meal was served.

Sakura knew that it was rude of Naruto to ask so bluntly but decided to answer him so that he would understand.

"To many inside the village I am considered tainted or even believe I am a traitor. Many would see me cast out or executed quietly. Fugaku is leader of the Uchiha clan, and while Sasuke did ask if I could have a place to stay here, both Itachi and Fugaku have ensured that I have not only a bed but a home and a place to heal. Without the Uchiha clan's protection I am not sure if I would still be here in the village. I bow low Naruto to show them how highly I hold them in my regard."

No one spoke after she was done speaking and Mikoto seemed to blink back a few tears as she moved to bring more green tea to the table.

Sakura knew that as a child Naruto had been rejected by most in the village and that was why he held his team so close to his heart, because they were his family. His only family. She could see that her words held weight and his short nod of understanding in her direction made her give him a small smile.

Itachi asked his brother about his last mission and the conversation continued.

After dessert was served, Itachi spoke to his father, "Sakura will be garnering more attention now that she has beaten the Hokage in a spar."

"I agree." His father replied with a frown. "Sakura, while I understand your desire to have a courting period with my son. If you accepted his claim, then he could offer you further protection. The Raikage will not be the last to seek you out."

Sakura went still and lowered her eyes, "I ask for a little more time to consider Itachi's offer."

"I agree with Sakura. No woman should be pressured into marriage." Mikoto told her husband stiffly.

Sakura felt a warm feeling when she heard Mikoto speak in her defense, when Itachi gained her attention.

"Sakura, regardless of your decision, we will continue to offer you protection. I would not have my bride forced to kneel beside me."Itachi told her with a glare towards his father.

Naruto and Sasuke also argued that Sakura should not be pushed into a marriage. Kakashi remained silent but he studied both Sakura and Itachi closely and was pleased with what he saw between them.

-000-

Sakura watched him through tired eyes as he moved her into a position that he found pleasing, his cold hands touching her in places that would have made her cringe had she not been heavily drugged. Kabuto had grown tired of her constant resistance and had placed a tasteless drug into her water that while keeping her awake enough to be aware of what was happening prevented her from having the strength to fight back as he used her body.

"You captivate me Sakura. Most fail the tests from my lord Orochimaru, but you only grow stronger" he told her before he used his long tongue to lick the length of her body.

Sakura closed her eyes and tried to escape into her mind, not wanting to be mentally present as he used her body for his own pleasure.

"You will always belong to me Sakura," he told her as he forced his way into her body with a grunt a pleased smile on his face as he gazed down at her face.

"Sakura, Sakura," a voice called out to her.

Sakura awoke and looked up to see Itachi looking down at her. Sitting up she pushed back her sweat soaked hair and blinked her eyes. Itachi was kneeling beside her bed with a look of concern on his face.

"What's happened?" She asked, rubbing her eyes.

"One of the women who you are treating at the clinic is asking for you," he told her as he watched as she pulled on pair of black leggings and a t-shirt that looked like one of his. Her hair was swept back and up in seconds as she pushed her bare feet into her shoes.

Together he led her towards a house in the dark, as they approached, she could hear a womans cries of pain. As they entered the house she recognized the woman as Hana. Hana had come to her wanting to have a baby but after years of miscarriages she had all but given up hope. Sakura had been able to heal her scarred uterus and within a month she had become pregnant.

Sakura pushed her anxiety and fears aside and concentrated on the mother and baby. She would not allow the baby or mother to come to any harm.

"Hana, I am going to assess you to see what has happening inside you."

"Please I don't want to lose my baby," Hana cried, desperation filling her voice as tears leaked from her eyes and her hands had a death grip on the blankets around her.

Gently she pulled down the damp bedding and revealed her large belly. Placing her hands on the belly she examined the baby inside and his mother. She was leaking amniotic fluid and having pelvic cramps. Pulling away she turned to the father waiting in the doorway.

"In my clinic is a cupboard, I am going to give you a list of supplies I am going to need. We cannot move Hana and I need to start immediately."

She watched as he disappeared in a flash after being told what to find. Returning to Hana she knelt beside her and gave her an encouraging smile.

"I need you to relax as much as possible to help your son. He is not ready yet to enter the world."

"It's a boy? I was so hopeful." She cried, more tears leaking down her face as she bit her lip.

Blocked everything around her as she focused completely on Hana and the baby.

It would be several hours later that she pulled back and looked to see that her supplies had been delivered. Hana was sleeping comfortably, exhausted physically from the ordeal. She administered the medicine and with the help of Hana's mother, they changed her bedding and cleaned up the room.

She entered the other room to find Itachi and the husband of Hana sitting around the table waiting. Tea sat before them untouched. Upon seeing her Itachi stood up.

"Is Hana going to be alright?"

"Hana is strong and is doing well for now. She will need to remain on bedrest for the rest of the pregnancy. Your son is also doing well, he is strong like his mother. You can go see for yourself if you like." She told him with a tired smile as he hurried past her to see his wife.

Itachi looked amused as the man rushed away, pushing past him in his rush to see his wife.

"We will arrange for the meals, laundry and additional help to come daily." Itachi told her as they exited the house.

"Being a part of a clan does seem to have some benefits." She commented as she leaned against him as they walked back to her home feeling utterly exhausted.

"The clan is just a large family." He told her as he tucked her protectively against himself.

As they neared her front door, she tightened her grip on him, "stay."

"Are you sure? I don't want to pressure you." he replied.

"Yes" she replied simply.

Sakura did not know why she invited Itachi to stay but she did know that she did not want him to leave. His quiet strength was so tempting to lean into, and she wanted to fall asleep with him near.

Together they lay down in her bed. The small bed prevented her from sleeping anywhere but tightly pressed against him.

Just when her mind started to overthink the situation he interrupted her thoughts, "Sleep Sakura. I will promise to keep the bad dreams away." He told her as he ghosted a kiss on her forehead.