"Sakura, is essential to the village"

Whack

"Prove your loyalty, return Sakura Haruno"

Whack, Whack

Hanging from the ceiling, Itachi hung by his wrists pulling tightly on his shoulders. Barely able to stand Itachi's legs chained to the floor with next to no slack. Itachi had quickly realised the only reason he was still alive was her, he had smiled to himself the moment he became aware of the irony of the situation, Sakura was in the same position. Itachi barely made a peep as he allowed Ibiki to beat his body over and over. Whips marks covering his back, shirt lay discarded on the floor. Eventually Itachi allowed himself to hang his head as the pain engulfed his body, head leaned forwards resting his chin against his chest as Ibiki stared at Itachi. He was so uncertain about this, it didn't feel right to him. But Itachi hadn't disclosed anything to him, not asked him to stop, not cried out, he had stayed quiet.

"Staying quiet will do you no good, Itachi"

Ibiki was unsure of how he proceed, he knew the New Hokage Naruto wanted to find his friend so desperately but Itachi hadn't budged yet.

"Tell me where she is, so we can bring her home"

"Sakura…"

Itachi coughed, the flu he must of caught when he had been looking for Sakura that night in the woods was zapping the energy from his body. His eyes remained covered by the tight blindfold he could only listen to the room around him. Two Anbu were behind him, Ibiki was before him with whatever instrument he was going to try on him next or possibly the whip he had been using already. Blood dripped down Itachi's back, the flesh torn by a mixture of the cane and whips that Ibiki had used. Hearing people leave, Itachi didn't realise he was not alone. Ibiki also had left the room, but quickly returned with two cups of tea, he set them on the small table in the corner. Ibiki saw Itachi's lips part to breath, as he began coughing again. Grabbing a cup on tea, he moved towards Itachi.

"Tea, may help with your cough"

Bringing it to Itachi's lips, the Uchiha took a small sip as he felt his throat endure the hot water. Leaning back against the chains, Ibiki could tell he was struggling to breath. Setting a hand on his forehead, Ibiki could feel his temperature awfully high. This man whether or not he was a traitor or an ally was currently in his care, Ibiki didn't need him getting ill while he was in his custody.

"Your sick"

"That is what happens when you chase a kunoichi through a storm"

"Sakura, too much to handle, Itachi?"

Itachi's response was silence as he just hung on the chains, hoping that this day was over. His mind felt a million miles away, he wondered why of all times it had to be now that he had gotten sick.

"A doctor will be requested to check your vitals"

"Sakura is a doctor"

Ibiki knew all to well, that Itachi wouldn't be able to travel much more than a day in any direction, maybe a day and a half before he would be in too much pain to want to move. Thinking to the villages without a days travel there was too many places, considering the state of them. Ibiki considered if it was an option to release Itachi and follow him, he would need to move fast while Itachi was still struggling to overcome his sickness and pain levels. Tears fell down her face as she just lay there, it had been a rough night she kept waking with the cough that just wouldn't go away. Concern was starting to set in as she became aware that Itachi should of been back by now. It was now day three, tugging the blanket over her head, she was too tired to deal with anything right now. Had something happened to Itachi on his mission, thoughts of the future if something had happened to him.

"Wakey, wakey"

Ignoring Kisame's voice, Sakura felt something hit her back. Forcing herself to sit up, Sakura felt the lump in her hand. Moving it round for her to see, Sakura could see the metal foil object in her hand. Glancing up at Kisame she couldn't understand what he had tossed at her.

"Unwrap it"

With shaking hands, Sakura couldn't manage to unwrap the foil, she dropped the ball watching it roll across the floor towards the bars. Stepping closer Kisame grabbed it, unwrapping it. He thought for a moment, he could see how pale she had become and how the dark circles beneath her eyes. It had only been a few days but the sickness that she had acquired had knocked it out of her, Kisame could see how instead of swearing at him she was just staying silent. Slicing the food with a knife, he set inside the bars of her cage as close as he could to her. She could smell it from where she sat. Staying where she was, Kisame watched her stay where she was. Not confident in her own ability to get close to the bars, she stayed on the blanket staring at him. Silence overtook them as both stayed quiet, Sakura's eyes fell on the food for a second before moving on to the bars to the right.

"Where is Itachi?"

"He hasn't returned yet"

Sakura was quiet as she stared at the wall, she had never expected to miss him. It had only been three days and yet the Uchiha had made her feel so much more comfortable then she was right now. Then again she had been the one to run away from him, maybe things were just going to be like this from now on. Setting herself up to lean against the back wall, her body shook, her head too foggy from the fever, ankle throbbing and eyes burning. She was hungry, she hadn't touched any of the food Itachi had left her, the only thing was the tea Kisame had given her. Without Itachi she was as good as dead, she would either die in this cell or at the hands of the Akatsuki. There was no chance of running unless she could get this bracelet removed from her wrist and heal her ankle.

"I will take care of you until he returns"

Eyes wide Sakura was even more nervous, beginning to cough she pressed her hand to her chest to try and relieve the pressure that had built there. Noting the blood spattered on her hand she was using to cover her mouth, she could do nothing about it.

"Just kill me"

"It would be a death sentence, Sakura"

"Exactly"

"A death sentence for me, if he is still alive"

Sakura's blood ran cold, he had to be okay. She had seen him fight, she had felt the amount of chakra at his control, the level genjutsu he could trap anyone in. He just had to be alright, knowing she shouldn't care as much Sakura just forced herself to stay quiet. She was concerned for her capture.