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Minato sat behind his desk, fingers laced and regarded Itachi seriously.

"Can you describe what kind of jutsu he used?"

Itachi was bowing, head parallel to the floor. "A space-time ninjutsu."

"Sakura couldn't free herself?"

He felt the black material of his glove tighten around his skin as his fist clenched. "No."

Minato sighed tiredly. "I know you would like to send a search team immediately however, we firstly need to know what we are dealing with."

Itachi looked at his Hokage.

"Someone that uses Time-Space ninjutsu and surprises Sakura? There's going to come more and we need to prepare. " He raised his hand. Out of the shadows rose two shinobi.

"Kakashi, Obito. Call for all Jounin, we need to be on high alert. The one responsible for Sakura's abduction will certainly come back." To do what, he didn't know. One thing Minato did know, was that they were dealing with something dangerous. Something that was able to catch Sakura off guard. He was sure there will be force involved.

"Yes!" Both of the men disappeared immediately after the order was delivered. Itachi stayed.

"We'll get her back."

He nodded, deeply immersed in his own thoughts. They talked about setting in proper protocols to help civilians escape in a worst-case scenario and shut the village down for the time being.

Minato stood, "We'll better get to the rooftop, too."

They both air jumped onto it. Already, a small group of Shinobi has gathered.

While Minato addressed the newly incoming, Itachi stood on the far back with his hands folded across his chest. He didn't even notice the new presence next to him. That's how great were his worries for Sakura.

"So?" Shisui asked, mirroring his stance. Itachi wordlessly communicated what it was that he wanted. Shisui smiled, responding in a whisper only he heard.

"I'm asking what your plan is." Itachi raised a brow.

"Shouldn't you first ask if I have one?" Shisui's face morphed into an expression that translated to Come on, it's you. Itachi sighed then replied thoughtfully, staring at the floor.

"It's by no means perfect but it should give us an idea where they took her." He didn't even bring himself to speak Sakura's name. He's let her down, after all. His mind took him to her last expression of fear, emerald eyes wide and her hand outstretched.

Shisui patted Itachi on his shoulder. "We'll bring her back, don't worry."

Clearing his throat, he concentrated on how serious Shisui was. He realized his best friend's worry. Nodding wordlessly, he made an attempt to speak but was caught off guard by the gentle rustle of a flipping side behind him.

Turning he spotted Kakashi-senpai leaning casually against the railing. How long did he stood there without them knowing? Having both of their attention he clasped his book shut.

"So?" He mirrored Shisui's earlier question. Itachi and Shisui looked at each other, having one of their silent talks.

Kakashi's eye crinkled. "If you're thinking of a way to get me off your backs, think again. A dog never loses a scent." Shisui sweat-dropped. Did Kakashi-san just imply he was a dog? Moreover, they didn't know how to appear as if they hadn't just discussed possible disobedience to their leader, they knew it was impossible to act innocently. Itachi realized that first.

"We're going after her." The atmosphere could've been cut with a pair of scissors.

"Oh? Is that so?" Both felt perspiration on their necks. They calculated how long it would take them to escape directly from their vantagepoint, to the gates and into the forest. All before every able-bodied Shinobi tried to restrain them.

"Well then, we'll better get going." Again, Itachi and Shisui shared one of their looks.

"Now, now. Don't be so distrusting of a fellow Shinobi." The easy air cleared, and complete seriousness took over Kakashi's face. "You're not the only ones who are in Sakura-san's debt."

Both saw Kakashi's determination to accompany them. Itachi sighed.

"Very well. I say we pack and meet at the premises of the east gate. From there on, we'll figure out how to get out unnoticed."

Kakashi's eye closed, amused.

"I highly doubt we'll have much trouble with that." Their skill-level was outlandish, after all.

"Alright." Itachi took a last look at Kakashi then Shisui and both nodded in his direction, disappearing with a soundless swish.

Coming home, he barely had time to place his shoes by the door when Sasuke skidded to a halt before him.

"Nii-san!" Itachi stood and patted his brother's head affectionally. Usually, Sasuke would pout and admonish him for not taking him seriously but this time his otouto seemed to have something more important on his mind.

"You need to help me!"

Whereas Itachi usually let Sasuke take all his attention this time it was impossible. Panicked, green eyes haunted him. He swallowed and closed his eyes.

"Could we perhaps – "

"I wanna make Fairy Lady a gift!" Itachi was confused. Did Sakura interact with Sasuke in some way he wasn't aware?

"I'm sure she has everything she needs, Sasuke. She is, after all, the Fairy Lady." He made a move to ruffle his hair but Sasuke squirmed out of his way, annoyed.

"She doesn't know!" Itachi's eyebrow furrowed.

"Does not know what?" Sasuke looked at him as if it was obvious.

"How thankful we are, silly!" Itachi swallowed the urge to sigh. Again, with this garden…

"Sasuke you already wrote her a letter and even gave it to her rabbit, I don't see why you should thank her again." Sasuke looked at him as if he were stupid.

If the situation wasn't as dire and delicate as it already was, Itachi would've been in great shock. Alas, his feet were itching to quickly gather all necessities and be on his way. To save Sakura.

"Not that, nii-san! I'm thankful for all she's done for our village!"

Sasuke never spoke so seriously before."Elaborate."

Sasuke was not used to his brother's sharp tongue and cold attitude. He didn't like it, but he'd think of it later. Now –

"She saved us so many times. We have to thank Buyakugou Sakura for all she's done!" He admitted proudly.

Even though he misspelled, Itachi was thrown off his game for a second. His brain stopped processing rescue plans and he gave Sasuke his full attention. Kneeling to his level he asked, taking extra care to sound gentle.

"Why do think Fairy Lady is Byakugou Sakura?"

Sasuke's eyebrows furrowed. "Doesn't everyone know this?" He wondered aloud. He shook his head. "Her face is on the tree!"

The tree.

Itachi was even more confused. Ever since Sakura voiced her opinion about the obvious connection to herself, the portrait of her was covered in layer upon layer of carefully crafted genjutsu. How could he have seen her real face? And make the connection.

"Anyway, you're busy, Ima just make her a wooden shuriken set as thanks!" And Sasuke scattered away, a light bulb appearing above his head.

Having no time to further investigate this, Itachi left and thought absentmindedly that Sasuke was somehow connected to Sakura. In a way he didn't know.

Itachi actively tried to exit his house making as little noise as possible. He took the ever-ready mission bag off the floor and closed his door.

He was just about to round the corner that would take him to the front-gate when he saw his mother waiting patiently for him next to it. Exiting the house and walking calmly toward her, he saw the grip she held the gate with. It went unsaid that she wouldn't let him pass without her blessing. Coming to a stop he looked directly into the same eyes as his.

"We all have a direct order from Minato-san to stay put."

He nodded.

Mikoto didn't give away a hint of anything. She was as still as a statue.

"You're going nonetheless."

Again, he nodded.

"It's going to be dangerous. There's no saying you're not walking into a trap ready to swallow you whole."

He looked past his mother, resolve hardening.

"I could stop you if I wanted to." Itachi's shoulder stiffened. Going against his mother? He didn't want to. Not because she wasn't a worthy opponent – she was – but because she was his mother.

Loving, caring Uchiha Mikoto. She was their world. Yet.. ever since meeting Sakura something shifted. An invisible thread was cast on Itachi's wrist and entwined with Sakura's. Uchiha Mikoto was no longer Itachi's most important female. It was Byakugou Sakura. Therefore, if fighting his mother was, what it would take to get to Sakura, he would –

"But I won't."

Startled, he looked at Mikoto. She smiled.

"Someone willing to burn the world down to protect the one person they care about… That's something I understand."

She put her son into a hold. Kissing his forehead, she added. "Go Itachi, I'll handle your father. But be warned." She made sure he was looking into her beautiful charcoal eyes before adding. "If something happens to you, I will find you in the afterlife and bring you back by force."

She smiled, and a shudder attacked his back. Stepping out of her hold, he tried to smile.

"Thank you, mother." She nodded.

"You have my support." Bring her back.

He jumped away and Mikoto spared a few minutes to look at the place where her son stood moments ago and to utter silent prayers to the gods for his well-being on his mission. With a sigh, she made her way back into their home. There were preparations to be made, war was coming.

They met the moment the sun completely vanished from the horizon and night took over.

"Yo!" Kakashi greeted, being the last to arrive. There was someone trailing behind… Itachi squinted his eyes. Uchiha Obito and Nohara Rin were a few paces behind their teammate. Shisui and Itachi both accused him with silent eyes. He raised his hands.

"I didn't tell them, don't worry. They just assumed and stubbornly refused not to see me off." Rin giggled and Obito puffed out his chest.

"Well, of course! Someone had to see your sorry ass off on time!"

Shisui scratched his head. "If I may, how exactly did you know we were… leaving.."

Obito shook an accusing finger in Shisui's general direction. "Leaving.. indeed! If I was Hokage – "

"But you're not." Kakashi deadpanned.

" – and my orders"

"They're not yours."

" – were to be disobeyed, I'd – " Obito was stopped by a body manifesting out of smoke.

Orochimaru stood, slightly adjusting his pack and was in no hurry to disclose how he got wind of their 'secret' mission. After a minute he looked at Itachi askance. In the distance Rin consoled a depressed Obito.

"I guess.. another person is yet to be added to our not so secret, after all ,mission.."

"Orochimaru!" A loud yell was sounded from the distance. Not long after, a blonde appeared with a handful of scrolls. "You forgot these." Tsunade handed her teammate the hastily thrown together medicinal mission-gear. He glanced at them.

"Is it alright for you to be giving these to me?" They were after all, hospital possessions. Tsunade waved him off.

"I'll be replenishing these within hours. You need them more." Getting into a fight with whoever abducted Sakura would prove to be a difficult task. They needed all the artificial help they could get.

"How are you going to find her?" Obito asked, already forgetting he had been ignored.

"There is someone I sense. He can help us." Itachi answered in a riddle. Obito raised a brow.

After a minute, when the energy settled and all their thoughts were immersed by the mission, they decided it was time to move out.

"Take care of Minato-sensei." Obito nodded in Kakashi's direction, his left arm hugging Rin protectively to his side. "Don't get your ass handed to you by these youngsters."

Kakashi outstretched his arm and Obito took it. They seemed to be talking through their eyes. They broke apart after a minute.

"Take care of Jiraya's back for me, will you. I'm sure you both get to enjoy some action." Orochimaru said. Tsunade smirked and slammed her fists together.

"Of course!"

They made a move to overwrite the protective scrolls written for their village's safety when one very nearly burned Shisui's finger.

"Ouch."

Itachi stared at it minutely.

"It seems the seal sequence has changed." Orochimaru peeked at it.

"It would take at least an hour for me to overwrite it." He mulled aloud.

A loud harrumph could be heard from behind their backs.

"Of course, it was written by me after all - dattebane!" They turned to see Uzumaki Kushina stroll into their little group. "That's why I made this repel agent!" She shoved another seal in the direction of their faces.

"Won't your hubby's feathers ruffle when he finds out you helped them?" Tsunade smirked. Kushina, copying her precious action, waved her worries away.

"I'll take care of it later." As if disobeying the Hokage was minor.

Kushina made eye-contact with Itachi. "Save her." She said in a serious tone. Itachi nodded.

Exhaling, Kushina put the repel onto the seal, making sure Minato wouldn't be alerted to a group of four leaving the premises of Konoha. Orochimaru jumped first onto and off the wall, landing with a resounding thump on a tree. Kakashi followed, Shisui on his heels and then it was Itachi's turn. He looked at the group of people who were once upon a time saved by Sakura.

"Thank you."

They departed.

Kurama was eating a grape from the hand of one of the Okuninushi assigned as his personal servant when the door to his room slid forcefully open. Hag was standing on the other side of it, looking dishevel.

"You!"

Immediately Kurama felt a pull and skidded over to her like a magnet – without his will might he add. The plate of grapes cluttered to the floor. She took him by the collar of his Kimono and snapped her fingers. The scenery changed and they were instantly in the crown-room. Her hand outstretched and The Orb flew towards Hag much like he did. He had a bad feeling where this was headed to.

"- Wait!"

Without further ado she shoved him through it. After what it felt like an hour of falling through some dark tunnel, he saw light and landed in a bush with a yelp. His ears twitched, sensing he had company. Or they for that matter, since he quite literally was shoved. through. a. portal!

He growled, the sound so disturbingly loud, sounding much like the fearful Kyuubi of the Hidden Leaf Village. Which he bloody was. He felt more than saw four mules – alright people, but to him humans were nothing more than annoying mules, and instantly wet his teeth with his tongue, bloodlust awakening within his hungry mind.

Itachi stared at the orange haired man and his hatred that filled their minds. He kneeled, exerting himself and wondered how he could fight Kyuubi who, as it seemed disguised himself as one of them. After a painfully long moment when it seemed time stood still, Kyuubi roared and a black orb formed itself in front of his mouth – bijuu bomb! His mind screamed.

They all braced themselves for the attack when out of nowhere a blur appeared and jumped onto Kurama, effectively stopping the attack. Itachi exhaled slowly.

Kyuubi sprang up, lifting an accusing finger at the blue-haired bijuu disguised as a man, just like himself.

"What the hell was that for?!" The male stood, righting his light blue yukata and shrugging.

"Lucky."

A vein popped on Kyuubi's forehead. He took Lucky Seven Chomei by his collar and hissed, hot air coming out of his nostrils.

"What. Was. That." He articulated every syllable.

"Seemed to me you wanted to annihilate Sakura's friends."

Itachi straightened. Immediately he remembered one of their private conversations where she specifically told him of her intent to free all bijuu.

"Why's this your business! Furthermore, show some respect! I am the mighty Fox, feared by many and the strongest of all!" Continuing with his triage, he shook Chomei forcefully. His neck seemed to be made of hot wax.

"A – A-A A- A – "

" – Stop that noise you annoying brat!"

"But we're the same agee-e-e-e – e –" Kyuubi growled shaking him even more, which spurred more and more insults, which in turn made Chomei sputter worse.

Itachi, Shisui, Kakashi and Orochimaru observed with mild discomfort. No one really had any idea what happened, only – one moment they were travelling through the forest and the next a portal opened from which someone fell and that someone turned out to be Konoha's long-lost Bijuu. A headache was forming behind Itachi's eyes.

"Maybe if you'd let him go you'd actually hear an answer.." Orochimaru provided with a smirk on his face. Kurama turned to him sharply.

"Don't you dare belittle me, vermin!" He shoved Lucky back and straightened his clothes, dusting off the dirt he landed on.

"I would never.." Orochimaru was sickly amused by the whole thing

.

The Kyuubi made a ninety turn and a move to disappear, that's when Itachi saw in his mind's eye Sakura's own back turned to him.

"Wait!" He didn't mean to shout but the urgency made him do that.

Kyuubi halted. A lone, dangerously lit black pupil stared back at him. Daring him to speak. Itachi righted his posture.

"Sakura's missing." Kyuubi raised an orange eyebrow. "She promised to free you."

"Don't I look free to you?" He snarled back.

"That's because Sakura didn't reveal your location." Itachi could've sworn he saw Kyuubi roll his eyes.

"That's because she didn't know." He parroted.

"At the beginning, yes. Then she found you at the Okuninushi's."

"That brat means nothing to me. I don't even know her."

Itachi's eye twitched, his fist clenched.

"She saved you all those years ago, you would've been imprisoned again if it weren't for her intervention. Even though she sensed you, had an inkling of where you could be – she didn't tell!" Itachi's breath evened, he felt out of it.

"Sakura promised to free your siblings."

That information made Shisui, Kakashi and Orochimaru tense. How would that be even possible? They'd destroy their carefully crafted world!

"She ain't done nothing yet." Kyuubi spitefully replied.

"She saved the whole world, perhaps you should give her the benefit of the doubt."

Kyuubi's eye narrowed, he had enough. Moving his finger, a green substance appeared and he swiftly slashed Itachi with it on his forearm, since he covered his face before it made contact with it. Kyuubi walked very slowly toward him.

The atmosphere around them tightened. Air was hard to come by, everything was swallowed by the Nine Tail's hatred, pulsating in waves, they could feel the malevolent energy manifest itself physically.

"You little – "

A hand on his shoulder made Kyuubi direct his hatred at his little brother.

"Brother…" Choumei uttered and it was then he remembered.

Kyuubi remembered a time long by, where there was a caring, old man telling them about the future. About their griefs, their own personal hells and their hatred festering to a point where nothing seemed good anymore.

"I hope you learn what true strength is … "

He saw the old man's face clearly.

Funny.

All these years he couldn't remember and now he did.

…

..

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Exhaling, he – the Nine Tailed Fox – for the first time since eons pushed his emotional distress aside and listened to his younger brother.

He crossed his arms and harrumphed, turning his head sharply away from Chomei.

Chomei, in turn, sweat-dropped. Turning, he moved his arm up and gave an OK sign at the general direction of the four Konoha Shinobi. "That's as good an acquiesce as we will get."

Itachi exhaled, releasing the pent-up stress. Now they had more allies. Looking north he narrowed his eyes

'Hold on Sakura.. We're coming!'

Her breathing escalated; lips trembled. She had the desire to pinch her skin, a wish to make this a mere dream. Once green eyes flashed for just one second to white. Sakura felt the urge to heave but whimpered instead swallowing nervously.

" A part of me was inside you ever since we met in Tobirama's era." The voice taunted. "Foolish little imouto, you have been tricked by us from the very beginning." It chuckled mockingly turning its head tauntingly.

Kaguya-hime.. Sakura whispered in the confines of her troubled mind in the hopes of an explanation.

The void inside her spoke volumes.

Fading into stale unconsciousness Sakura spoke but one last sentence.

"You betrayed me."

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Guess'y what? I didn't forget about this. I just wanted to make one, huge chapter but goin' by the reviews y'all earned this.

No idea about when there'll be another update.

BY THE WAY. I'm writing an OC x Marco (yah, from One Piece) story. Spoiler alert: I'm planning on making an Ace x Sakura fic, too. Based on the previously mentioned story. Feel free to read, really. Feel free. Go ahead. Try it ~~