Chapter 20
Finding sakura
The moon shone brightly in the night sky, casting an ethereal glow over the Uchiha compound. Sakura and Itachi stood facing each other in a dark room with the back door open, slowing the moons light cascade into the area. Itachi's intense gaze fixated on Sakura as she closed her eyes, she was preparing her mind to ready herself for the excursion they were about to enter in on.
In the depths of her mind, Sakura felt a surge of apprehension. Reliving her past was literally tearing her mind apart. Even with that, she knew that she couldn't continue carrying the weight of her memories alone. She needed Itachi's guidance, his Sharingan, to help her engage those painful moments. She needed help.
Itachi's voice broke through the silence, calm yet unwavering. "Sakura, remember, this is your journey. I am merely here to assist, Don't let the darkness overwhelm you. Trust in yourself and the strength you possess."
Sakura nodded, steeling herself. She opened her emerald eyes, meeting Itachi's red ones. In that instant, she felt a surge of familiar chakra coursing through her body, intertwining with Itachi's own. The world around her shifted, and she found herself standing in the midst of a memory, reliving her past as if it were happening all over again.
The scene unfolded before Sakura's eyes, and she found herself in the prison her arms and legs bound to the wall with chakra surprising gauntlets.
Sakura's eyes welled up with tears, and her voice trembled as she spoke. "Itachi, I can't... I can't do this, anything But this please stop, I don't want to do this anymore."
Itachi's Sharingan was spinning, and he stepped closer to her. "Sakura, I understand what you've endured, but running away from the past won't make it disappear, I won't let it progress that far again. It's time to confront him. All of him."
He placed a firm hand on Sakura's trembling shoulder, his voice gentle yet firm. "You are not alone in this, Sakura. Embrace the pain, acknowledge it, and let it fuel your will to overcome it."
Sakura took a deep breath, she looked into Itachi's eyes, finding solace in their depths. "You're right, Itachi." she looked forward as the door opened, and a shadow entered the room. She looked at Ino, who hung from her chains. Blood coagulated on the floor around her. Filth and feces hung in the air.
"Was she dead even then?" sakura said, tears in her eyes, she pulled on her inner strength. Looking at inos unmoving form. Realizing her chest wasn't moving.
With that revolution The gauntlets broke from the wall, as she stood in her mind.
The shadow encroaching on her. "Did you do this even then? Sasori?" she flicked her hand up dispersing the aberration.
As Sakura's resolve solidified, the scene around her changed once again, transforming into a hallway. This time, however, she stood tall, her perseverance radiating from every fiber of her being.
—
After about two weeks sakura felt her mind slowly coming into focus. She had been able to handle longer periods of the torture. Now she was seeing the truth in all of it. However her need to go one even in a desperate state and being fool hearted had itachi sighing. Stubborn woman was taking in too much at once.
"Again!" she said shakily on all fours as itachi stood over her.
"No. It's time for a break." he walked to the side of the room they were using, grabbing the pitcher of water and a glass. This was the second week, and they were almost through the last of the memories.
"No!" eyes glistening. "We're almost there itachi!" she tried to stand but her legs buckled.
"Break princess. We need it. Both you and I. Unless you forgot that I also am human." he smiled at her. She panted.
"I guess… I guess your right." she sat back on her legs. Wincing as she did. On top of the mind conditioning itachi was putting her through, she was still under his intense training.
"You're making great improvements. You can see this can't you?" he sat down in front of her and handed her the glass.
"Hai," she said as she gulped down the cold liquid.
"I'd say you're even smiling real smiles nowadays." he nodded in approval.
"Shut up," she laughed. "Coming from the stoic 'let's be tough' Uchiha!" her giggles infectious as he chuckled with her.
"Even The 'let's be tough guy' here as you so eloquently said, has the need to take breaks." He smirked.
She laughed again. "Sorry it's just after this last week I haven't seen you really take a break. I want you to know I appreciate this. Honestly. I don't know anyone who would go to these lengths for me." She sighed leaning back on her arms. Then feeling sweaty she pulled her gloves off letting the cool air of the room envelop her scars.
Itachi rose a brow. "Thought you would never take those off." He remarked.
"It's not like everyone in this village doesn't already know, Itachi." She said, rubbing a hand down one forearm, letting her fingers trace over the scars. "I'm guessing you know why these adorn my arms." She peeked up at him through her lashes.
"I do." He said reaching out and taking a hand in his, tracing a finger over them.
"Does it disgust you?" She asked watching his fingers make there way down her arm, then caress back up to her elbow. A shiver ran down her spine.
"Not in the slightest." He said watching her reaction.
Her green orbs entranced by his black.
"Why not?" She breathed. "I gave up, that's not the shinobi way."
"Your right, it's not, but lucky for me your still sitting here, still healing." He spoke, placing his palm over her arm. The warmth made her heart race. "I won't force you." He said pulling his hand back.
She reached out and grabbed it. "Wait." She said, voice shaky.
"What is is princess?" He looked back into her eyes.
"I want to try something." She said. "Close your eyes."
He did as she commanded, feeling her move towards him. Her breath fanning his face.
Her lips dangerously close, as she leaned closer.
Then she tackled him knocking him back on the Mat. Arms pinned in a quick motion.
"What did you say to me yesterday? Always be on alert looking for your next advantage?" She smiled down at him.
"Ah. Looks like the student thinks she's surpassed her teacher." He grinned, with a quick move he reversed them, pinning her just as easily with one large hand holding both her wrists in one large calloused palm. "Your not ready for this." He said, running the back of his free hand along her jaw.
"Not for everything." She leaned up quick and kissed his cheek, taking Itachi aback. He blinked a few times. "But it's the least I can do."
They stood to attention in Tsunade's office. Sakura's Anbu gear in full now, inos mask tied around her waist. Her newly cut short pink hair was shoulder length now, she had fixed it barely but some of the raggedly cut ends still stuck out at different lengths. Her scarred metal arm guards felt unusually light. Her grey vest felt like home. She wore her leaf headband proudly for the first time in over a year.
"Give it to her." Tsunade motioned, as a porcelain mask was placed in her hands. She looked down at it, the elegantly placed feathers, the cherry blossoms added strategically. It was a cat mask, but done up like her old and combined into an array of color and fierceness. She stroked the sides of it. "Put it on agent blossom."
A single tear filled her eye as she admired it for a moment longer. She placed the mask. Tying it to the side of her head. Tsunade sighed. "Can you just obey orders once in your life?" She pulled out a bottle of sake.
"What does it matter?" She said emotionless. Internally congratulating herself for masking her emotions. "He knows where I am, knows my address, if you think a mask can save me now, I'm doomed."
"Fair." Tsunade downed a shot of sake. "You're going to be with either boar or weasel until we have lead set. I want you accompanied at all times. I'm recalling Hound as well." She winced at her sharpness.
"Understood."
"Also, your premises are not safe. Your to stay with one of your charges."
"Understood."
"If anyone, and I mean anyone, hears heads or tails of you trying to go rogue again," Tsunade growled. "I will personally lock you in the deepest region of this village until the threat is dealt with."
"Understood."
Tsunade side-eyed her. "Why are you so calm through all of this?"
"I am an ANBU operative, ma'am." She retorted.
"Even with him so close?" Tsunades eyes watched hers, waiting for the tears.
"I will fight, and… I will finish this ma'am." She bowed her head. "I will be ready." Then looked back to the Hokage. "I can endure it, I have to endure it."
"Good. Boar. You're first. Take her to get some rest. I'll send eagle to watch your flank." She motioned. "Dismissed."
They took off out the window.
"Weasel. What happened?" Tsunade looked back to Itachi.
"She's opening up madam."
Tsunades eyes widened. "Did she tell you?"
"Yes, Madam Hokage."
"Everything?" Tsunade raised a brow.
"Everything ma'am."
"We're almost through it. When this is all over, I'm sure she will despise me." The Hokage took a seat falling back into it and putting a hand on her head. "I was right to appoint you." Tsunade watched him. "And when time comes I'll take the fall. I don't want her to regress."
Itachi winced at this. "Lady Tsunade that's not acceptable. I'd like to be fully honest with her."
"She doesn't know yet correct?"
"No madam. But I'd like to tell her." He said seriously, taking a stance.
"Not yet. She will think your intentions untrue if you say something now." She turned in her chair. "Do you really care about my little apprentice?"
"Yes, madam." He took a knee, bowing his head. "She intrigued me from the first punch."
Tsunade gave a small smile. "Hound won't like this, he should be back today. I'll try to have him keep his distance."
"Ma'am." Itachi bowed his head. "All due respect, he is very close to her."
"Respect? Nonsense. He had his chance. He left her to deal on his own. Not once since she tried to kill herself did he intervene."
"Still, if you really think keeping this from her is a good idea, you'd be wrong. She's stronger now than you give her credit. I'd also like her to hear it from me and you." Itachi said.
She waved him off. "Keep an eye from a distance tonight. Report back to me with any updates." With that, she dismissed him.
"Yes lady Tsunade." With that he disappeared into a flutter of feathers. "I really hope she won't hate me for this."
Kakashi stood on the outskirts of the village. His dog mask was in place as he clutched a tree branch for a moment and took in the sight.
He wondered if Sakura was in the training grounds. The news he had wasn't good, and he needed to deliver it to the Hokage immediately. The underground bunker was empty. Hadn't been used in years. His lead was gone and he'd nothing to show for it. He wondered how disappointed Sakura would be.
He dropped off the tree and dashed to the village entrance, checking in with Genma before flash stepping to the Hokage office doors. He knocked twice, then opened stepping in and around the barrier.
"Hound. Nice seeing you back. Never got your coordinates." sundae said from behind her desk. Paperwork leaning to one side as she signed.
"Mah. I could sworn I sent that messenger hawk…" he pondered.
"I'm going to take a leap here, correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm guessing you found nothing on your mission of importance." she raised her eyes from the paper in front of her as he finally made it to the head of her desk.
"Correct, Madam Hokage." kakashi said, removing his mask.
"Then sit down." she leaned back in her chair and interlocked her fingers. "Because much has happened in your absence."
He grabbed a chair and flung it around sitting backward in it and crossing his arms over the back. He leaned his chin on his forearms and perked an eyebrow. "Well don't wait on my comfort, what happened."
"Sasori attacked, with a missing-nin from Iwagakure."
Kakashis face fell. His body tensed. "Why didn't you recall me? Where is Sakura?" he clamored, jumping back up off the chair.
"Sit. Down." Tsunade motioned with her hand. When he ignored her command she sighed. "God you two are more alike than id like to admit."
"Where is she Tsunade," he growled, it wasn't a question.
"She's safe, in a locked up location. She has boar and Eagle with her. Itachi is also keeping an eye on the area." she turned her chair to look out at the village.
"Itachi?" he looked at her puzzled.
"Yes. We've made a lot of headway actually. Itachi has helped her break her mental walls." sundae smirked. "I think she's ready to take him on."
Kakashi stood in silence. His head reeled. "I was only gone two weeks, Tsunade," he enunciated. "How the fuck did he manage that?"
"His mangekyoy sharingan has its perks." she declared.
"His fucking sharingan?! Tsunade! That's the one thing we said we wouldn't do!" he seethed.
"Relax, kakashi. Our little med-nin has more to offer than we give her credit. Surprisingly she's taken quite a likening to itachi." she crossed her legs.
Kakshis blood ran cold. "What the hell are you doing!" he roared.
Tsunade stopped and turned back to him, surprise and annoyance in her eyes. "Kakashi, I have no time for riddles. What are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb with me, Tsunade. I know what you're up to. You're manipulating Sakura?" he glared. "You're trying to get them together, aren't you? Pushing Sakura into his arms!"
She stood up and crossed around to face him. "What's wrong with you? It's been over a year since we lost Ino, and you've done nothing about your feelings for Sakura! You've let her suffer in silence, and now you blame me?" she mocked his tone. "She's fought with her demon over and over. You've just sat there and watched this whole time. Only recently you've given a damn to step in." she stepped forward and he stepped back. "You know what, I am using itachi, but god damn it kakashi she smiling! Smiling! She's training diligently with no setbacks!" she shouted.
Kakashi clenched his fists, his anger boiling over. "It's not about me, Tsunade! It's about Sakura. I don't want her to get hurt again. Itachi Uchiha is dangerous, and you know it!"
Tsunade leaned forward fiercely growling in his face. "It's not up to you to decide who Sakura falls in love with, Kakashi. If she develops feelings for Itachi, it's her own choice. And if she does, it's your fault for not acting on your own feelings sooner!"
Kakashi's anger turned into frustration mixed with guilt. He rubbed his temples, trying to calm himself. "You're right, Tsunade. I should have done something sooner. But I can't let Sakura walk into another painful situation. I need to see her, now."
"No." Was all she said.
"Tsunade damn it!" The air crackled.
"Really? Really kakashi? You think you can take me?" Tsunade laughed. "Fine. Let's do this," she threw her hatori over her desk. Flexing her knuckles and arms. "Go on! Hit me!"
"I'm not going to hit you you damned fool!" Kakashi roared. Clenching his fists.
"Then leave hatake!" Tsunade screamed back. "Your a damned idiot!"
He raged back walking toward the door. "I'll find her Tsunade. I'll find her and I'll tell her everything."
Tsunade scoffed, turning on her heel and headed back for her chair. "Your benched. Consider yourself a village idiot for two weeks!"
Kakashi turned and walked to the window out of Tsunade's office. Before he left Tsunade called out.
"And Hatake, don't destroy her over this conversation. We will tell her soon enough." She growled.
He stopped. One foot on the window sill.
Looking back at her with a scowl. "Your right. This conversation would destroy her. I guess she should have heard it from your own mouth huh?" With that, his figure was off and running across the rooftops.
"Fucking kami. Kakashi!" she roared flinging her papers onto the floor. She'd played right into his hand.
Kakashi dashed through the bustling streets of Konoha. His eyes dart around, searching for any sign of Sakura. Finding no pink floating over the heads he speeds up.
'Where is she?'
Determined and focused, he leaped up the wall of her apartment opening the sliding glass door, only to find it empty. No only empty, but it looked as if she hadn't been there in awhile.
He checked in her room, seeing the new alarm clock, next to it a note card. He lifted it reading its contents. Frustration creeped into his face as he tore the note in half.
"Fuck." He seethed, bounding out of her room. swiftly headed back out the door closing it and headed towards the hospital.
Kakashi strode purposefully through the hospital corridors, his footsteps echoing. He peeked into Sakura's office, only to find it abandoned, paperwork piled up almost as high as Tsunade's. He looked over her calendar, only to see that she hadn't scheduled any appointments in the last two weeks. Since her birthday. He tore out of her office back in the Corredor. Stopping to in front of a couple of nurses.
"Have any of you seen Sakura? It's urgent."
"No Hatake San." The first of the two replied.
"Try the operating room." The second reply's as she points him in the direction. He jogged through the halls, checking room after room, finding no trace of her.
Then rounding the corner shizune in all her beautiful glory, by God, he could kiss her. Well, maybe not kiss her, that'd for sure piss Genma off.
"Shizune!" He called out rushing up to her.
"Kakashi!" She all but cried out, almost dropping her clipboard.
"Have you seen Sakura?" He hurriedly spoke.
"N-no! She hasn't been in for work due to lady Tsunade taking her-"before she could finish Kakashi was taking the rounded corner back to the main doors, calling out thanks over his shoulder. He tore off through the main gates of the hospital taking to the rooftops. His last-ditch effort landing him in front of the gates of the serene Konoha graveyard.
Kakashi walked the isles, scanning for any trace of Sakura. He came to the row he knew too well. He took the few steps to the disturbed Ino Yamanaka's grave.
"What the fuck?" The dirt had been replaced but the grass was gone. "What the fuck happened when I was gone?"
Then noticing the wilted Delilah flower placed there. His heart sank, realizing that Sakura hadn't been here in over a week.
"Damn you, Tsunade." He breathed out. "She's not here either..."
He looked over the grave. Clenching his fists. Then starring at the gravestone, he laughed.
"Ino, thank you." He knew without a doubt exactly where she was. Not wasting a moment, he disappeared in a blur of speed racing towards Sais apartment.
—