Darkness descended around Sakura as her limp form collapsed to the ground; mud almost swallowing her completely as she lay on her side. The pink strands of hair barely visible as Itachi watched her from above. He had to admit she was good, but she wasn't good enough against him. Itachi hadn't been intending to get the girl, but seeing the fire in their eyes as they fought. Had made him decide he was going to take the kunoichi home on this dark dusty night. Sakura woke limbs chained to opposite corners of an old metal bed frame, struggling she soon realised that her captor hadn't put chakra inhibiting bands on her. With ease Sakura broke the chains, quickly on her feet, every muscle seemed to hurt as she felt around the room.

"Sit back down, BITCH"

The voice had come from behind her, turning only her head Sakura found a muscle in the side of her neck which protested the movement. Rubbing the spot, her whole body cried in pain.

"Fuck off"

Sakura was quite happy to die for her village, to die in the line of duty. Her village probably assumed she had perished in the battle; no one knew she was missing yet much less were looking for her. How she had survived the battle was unknown to her, last she remembered was a dark figure standing over her body as chaos raged around her. Unable to move a muscle, before darkness descended on her body. A hand snaked round the collar of her shirt, grabbing tightly on to the back of her neck, another hand found her wrist stopping her from possibly hitting him with that hand.

"Relax Kunoichi, I wouldn't want to break every bone in your hand"

"I take that as a challenge then"

Swinging with all her might, she made contact with his shoulder. His aura completely switched, the grip he had on her increased to a point of great pain. Felling herself be shoved down into the floor, pinned beneath the Uchiha, arms tightly folded between them. Pulling tightly at the muscles in both her shoulders as he applied pressure, letting out a cry of pain, Itachi tugged more on her shoulder joints.

"Such a bad bitch"

Screaming as Itachi snapped the bones in her hand; Sakura's face contoured as tears fell soaking into the carpet below her. Continuing his assault on her hand, another snap echoing through the quiet room and achieving another cry from the kunoichi. Holding her broken hand tightly increasing the pressure, he could feel her squirm as the pain increased. Moving his fingers across her handle could feel her whole body tensed beneath him.

"I don't wish to hurt you Sakura"

"Fuck off"

Itachi could tell from the venom under her words she was running out of steam, still not recovered from the battle they had both fought in. She was shivering beneath him as she tried to take deep breaths to control the levels of pain and aches running through her body. Itachi had to admit he had possibly taken this a little far, the young woman beneath him was physically shaking from the pain he had inflicted on her.

"Didn't your parents ever teach you manners?"

Sakura let out a sob as Itachi adjusted his weight off her, crouching at her side he brushed the hair from her face as she lay face down on the floor. With her unharmed hand, Sakura pushed herself up on unsteady arms. Quick to respond to her slow movements, Itachi slammed her back into the ground, the smacking of her head sitting the thin carpet. Watching his prey, Itachi definitely was enjoying her attempts of strength, most other ninjas would of given up trying to get up. Most wouldn't even bother to try, ninjas of this new generation were not trained the same way as during and prior to the war. But this kunoichi her fighting spirit was much to be admired. He unfortunately had knocked her out cold, Itachi would have to await until she woke again. Feeling her soft hair through his fingers; in his line of work Itachi didn't get to touch others like this. Usually the only people he got to touch were people who he was killing. Glancing down at her broken hand; Itachi knew she would need to provide medical attention to herself at the earliest opportunity before the injury began to heal.

"Itachi, how is your pet"

Kisame just barging into the room was appreciated by Itachi, watching his partner closely as he approached the kunoichi.

"Little rough with her Itachi"

"I don't need your opinion"

"If you intend to keep her, consider other tactics"

Watching Kisame's back as he knelt down at Sakura's side, checking the pulse in her neck Kismet brushed her hair out of the way before removing his hand. Itachi felt the fire build within him as jealously of Kisame touching what was his. Tossing a kunai, Kisame deflected it easy as Itachi knew he would.

"Was that wise Uchiha?"

"Go find your own bitch"

Kisame laughed at the Uchiha's language, it didn't suit the younger man. Standing to his full height Kisame towered over the Uchiha. Stepping away from the girl, Kisame knew better than to anger his partner.

"Bastard"

The kunoichi's voice behind Kisame, caused both the Akatsuki members to look down at her. Her eyes made contact with Kisame as his gaze flicked to Itachi, he couldn't miss the look that swarmed Itachi's eyes. Could it have been fear, uncertain what would scare the missing nin. Kisame's gaze on the girl as she struck out at his feet, leaning down he gripped her up the hair yanking her up on to her feet. Itachi's well trained vision watching as she struggled in Kisame's hold, her legs shaking, struggling to hold up her up. He could see the blood dripping down from the small cut hidden in her hairline; considering his strength Itachi knew that had occurred when he had smacked her back into the floor.

"Drop her"

Itachi's demand was clear; Kisame instantly released her letting her tumble to the ground.

"Bastards"

"Quiet bitch"

"Such language doesn't suit your kunoichi or you Itachi"

The glare which Sakura sent Kisame's way, a small smirk covered his face as he moved away towards the door. Leaving Itachi to deal with the kunoichi, emerald eyes locked with black as she pulled herself to her feet. Forcing muscles which were well past needing to rest to work for her. Her body shivering with the pain and protesting as she made any movements. Knowing she was in a lot of pain, Itachi was impressed she could stand at all. Knowing Anbu who would cry at less, she was definitely Tsunade's apprentice. Straightening out her legs as, they felt like jelly to her as she was sent tumbling to the ground in a bad movement.

"Stand Sakura"

Cradling her broken hand to her chest she can come so close to using it to brace her fall, ensuring any movement she made was slow and calculated she tried again. Watching as she shook, she barely was able to get to her feet before collapsing to the ground. Knowing the girl was in a lot of pain, he couldn't be easy on her and show weakness especially if he intended to keep her here. Crumpled on the floor awaiting darkness to come swallow her up. Itachi closely watched her breath, cradling her hand as he knelt before her.

"I told you to stand"

Standing up with ease, Itachi could of helped her but he wouldn't show her any assistance until she learned. Eyes remaining on her form, again she tightened her muscles and tried again. Rising herself from the floor, legs shaking and pain echoing through every part of her body. Before she fell again, Itachi reached out with a hand to steady her, he was holding her up more then anything else. The longer she stood the more her legs shook; the more her brain fogged her vision. Silence between them did nothing to calm the pain and nerves racing round inside her, before she completely lost the ability to continue standing. Itachi adjusted her and guided her to sit on the bed. Wiping the blood from her cheek, Itachi sensed the need to deal with her before he left for his mission tomorrow. Not taking the risk of leaving her to be preyed upon or removed from his room, avoiding the idea of placing her in one of the cells in the lower levels the base.

"Heal yourself"

Observing her minutes passed ever so slowly as she physically didn't move, the shivering decreased as time passed. Hands instead as she pushed chakra into the injured area to heal the damage he had caused, from experience he was aware that an injury like the one he had caused would never properly heal with the intervention of medical chakra. Seeing the bones shift back into place beneath her skin, he was pleased with the levels of control she seemed to maintain. Emerald eyes drooping closed with pain and relief as the pain slowly changed; considering Kisame's comment maybe Itachi had been a little rough on her. The Uchiha knew he needed to gain her loyalty if she would be staying in his company, he couldn't have the possibly she would put the Akatsuki in danger. Drawing his eyes to the bruises covering her hand, they looked worse then before she healed the injury. Raising her emerald eyes to meet his, Itachi could see the beautiful way the green shone in the dim lighting of his room. No fear hidden in them, only a hint of pain as she lightly stretched her injured hand. Sweeping a lose strand of hair behind her ear, the messy bun she had began the fight with, now hung down around her face. The band she had used, twisted and knotted at the base of her neck. Her shivering stopped, pain still radiating from the injury site something she had accepted due to lack of chakra. The bones were in place and the worst was healed but the muscles and tendons which had been bruised or displaced in the process had still got some healing to do.

"Akatsuki, will kill you if you step foot out that door"

"Is that a promise?"

Staying quite Itachi stared down at her.

"After they have fucked you, extracted whatever body parts are useful and beaten you within an inch of death"

Kisame's interference was welcomed as Itachi started down at the silent kunoichi was she considering death as an easy way out. Sakura considered that it may just be easier to give herself over to the Akatsuki rather than the hands of Itachi Uchiha. It wasn't death she feared it was the fact that the choice would be taken from her, she wasn't just dealing with any ninja she was dealing with Itachi. The youngest person to every take up the position of Anbu captain, one of the highest mission counts for the time he spent, still holding records not broken today. Hearing the door close, Sakura glanced up to find herself alone in the large room. Alone in the dimly lit room, she was surprised to find herself alone in the room, he didn't bother with restraints, in her current state she was no match for him. Resting her hand on her knee, Sakura could feel her stomach tossing and turning. The world spun as she continued to let blood fall from the side of her forehead, shirting the left of her eye and down beneath her chin. Dripping on the material of her shorts, raising her hands to the wound, she wasn't surprised by the damage which had been caused, recalling the moment her head smacked into the carpet, the force which had been behind his hands; cringing at the memory. There was something about the way in which the room twisted and turned before her, knowing there was something she refused to deal with. Forcing the tiniest amount of chakra into her fingertips, Sakura instantly threw up. Her mind recalled her training where her sensei had drilled into her that head injuries should be healed by another whenever possible due to the chance of the recipient getting sick during the healing process. In the next room over Itachi lay on his bed listening to the wall beside him for any suspicious noises, considering the strict rules that he had followed for so many years; Itachi caved when he saw her. When he challenged her on the battlefield and without a hesitation she fought against him. Unaware of his true identity hidden beneath the Akatsuki cloak and hat, that moment had made him decide that he would be taking her with him. The longer she fought, he continued to toy with her, letting her drain her chakra as he dodged any attack she threw his way. There was a few that had partially landed and after the first few he became more determined to dodge any future attacks due to the impact. Hoping she would carry the next heir, the medical skills and unique ability to control chakra would both be assets to any heirs of the Uchiha Clan. Thinking back to where he was; itachi should have taken her there and then, abandoning her on the battlefield filled with his seed. Hands reaching for the book which he kept beneath his pillow, he could see the spine having degraded over the many years. Opening to the centre of the book, a very old family photo stared back at him. Taken before Sasuke was even born; his mum and dad smiling gently down at him swaddled in his mum's grasp. He wanted the same for the next heir, a woman at his side, holding his child, a woman who would protect the child against the world. Knowing Itachi would never have the opportunity to be a huge part of any child's life, he just needed to ensure the Uchiha linage continued. The Akatsuki wouldn't allow him to leave, his valve to the organisation and unique skills. He may not be able to leave, but was curious if the nearby village could house the next Uchiha. A large thump brought Itachi from his thoughts, glancing at Kisame across the room, his boots lay in a heap beside his bed, feet either side of the boots.

"Did I distract you Uchiha?"

"No"

Returning his attention to the photo, his mind wandered back to a much easier time in his life. Before he was a ninja, before he was Anbu, before he was mass murder, a clan murderer and before he joined the Akatsuki. That was one of the worst decisions he had made, yes Kisame had been easy to get along with, but once you joined the Akatsuki you either died or were an active member.

"The little cunt threw up"

"I know"

They had both heard her through the thin walls, Itachi had been expecting it. Pulling himself up, he really didn't wish to deal with her anymore right now. His decision to take her had accelerated his plans, plans that he hadn't fully worked through. Leaving the room, he stood before the room he had deemed as Sakura's room. Entering inside Itachi found her curled on the bed, body shaking as she lay there before him. Floor covered in what was the contains of her stomach, nothing the blood mixed in, Itachi wasn't ready to have another human fully under his watch. It had been a long time since he had cared for someone else; Sasuke probably being the last person. Lifting the young kunoichi into his arms, Itachi left the room. Closing the door behind him, that would be a problem for tomorrow. Without hesitation he lay her on his bed, settling in beside her. Itachi's eyes fell on Kisame's surprise as he sat on his bed mouth hanging open. Itachi kept his back to the girl, the chance of her waking up was very low, the last day she had shared his company had been challenging for the both of them.

"Not a word Kisame"

Itachi didn't sleep, he drifted into a day dream as the night went on, he couldn't sleep knowing she was behind him.