A/N: Well, I've made it this far, why not make (an) alternate ending(s) for this story? Since so many have voted for alternate endings, it's flat out decided that I'll be making it. And here's the first one! Before we go on to the story, these are the pairing votes if there is more than one alternate ending.
NaruSaku: 2
NejiSaku: 1
Anything else, my dear readers? There must be more ?Saku pairings out there! For some of you who like/love SasuSaku, I'm very sorry. This story has already been decided that it cannot be a SasuSaku. Yes, I love SasuSaku as well, but this story was not SasuSaku meant to be. Sorry to disappoint a few readers out there. Buuut, for those who are SO desperate, you can tell me if you would like…per say, Sai, instead of Sasuke (Because Sai looks like Sasuke XD) I would be happy to do so.
My C2 Community: Cherry Blossom's Haven
Staff: 8
Archive: 770
Subscribers: 21
I'm loving how the community is turning out! The first time I made this community, I didn't think it would go so well. Now look at it! Thank you for all those that helped! Arigatou gozaimasu! For those who want to be staff, please tell me! I'll be glad to add you!
Now…I will stop my stalling and go on to the story. For those who are disappointed to see that it does not say ItaSaku up there…here it is! The (first) alternate ending is……ITASAKU!
Alternate Ending (1)
"Zzzzzzzz…" No sound was made but a pencil scratching against paper and the sound of snoring.
Scrrtch…
scrrrttcch…
scrtchscrtch…
A yawn came out of the apprentice's mouth. She looked over the report before grabbing an eraser and erasing any traces of the words 'are also specific' before picking up the pencil to continue writing. Her brows furrowed as she concentrated on finishing the report that the Hokage was supposed to be looking at. She was no Hokage, that's for sure, but the actual Hokage was taking a nap, making puddles of drool onto the couch and down to the floor.
The pink haired jounin sensed chakra heading towards the office and quickly nudged the Hokage awake. "Wha…?" The blonde murmured sleepily, eyes half open.
"Someone's coming." She informed her teacher. In a flash, the puddles of drool were gone and the Hokage was back on her feet. This time, the apprentice was on the couch looking over her medical papers, and the teacher was sitting on her desk looking over the report.
A knock was heard and the Godaime told them to enter. Two chuunins with paperwork in their hands came in, "Hokage-sama, these are the paperwork that Shizune-sama told us to bring to you."
"Hai, hai, set them on the floor." She gestured to the spot next to her desk.
As they placed them down, one of the chuunins said, "I thought I would find you asleep again Hokage-sama, but I thought wrong."
"Yeah…" Tsunade gave a quick wink to her cherry blossom apprentice. She smiled in response. The two chuunins looked at one another.
"Sakura-sama, you weren't, by any chance, helping the Hokage-sama. Were you?" The other chuunin asked suspiciously.
"Why would you think that?" Sakura replied with an innocent smile on her face. Oh how good did Sakura-sama sound? Sakura was now looked upon as the same level with her teacher and Shizune. It made her feel good.
"…no reason. Gomen." The chuunin apologized.
"It's no big deal." Sakura waved off, even though she knew that she was helping the Hokage. The two chuunins exited, and Sakura let out a small giggle.
"Sakura-chan, why don't you go help out at the hospital?" Tsunade suggested.
"Hmmm…you're right. I'll go." Sakura responded as she placed the medical papers neatly on the desk. "I'll see you later, Tsunade-shishou."
"Alright," The teenager sighed after she closed the door.
"Sakura-chan!" Sakura whirled around to see Naruto running in her direction.
"Naruto!" She waved.
The Kyuubi container gave a foxy grin, "Sakura-chan, where you headed?"
"Oh, I'm going to the hospital to help out."
Oh, no.
She shouldn't have said that.
Naruto + Hospital + Helping Disaster
Well, that's what happened last time.
"Can I help, too? Huh? Huh?" Naruto asked excitedly.
"Uhh…well…" Sakura laughed nervously, "Umm…"
"Awww, please Sakura-chan? I wanna help, too!" Naruto pleaded her.
Sakura sighed. She always gave into Naruto, "Alright, come on then."
"WOOHOO!" Naruto shouted. Jumping up and down in excitement, he followed his crush out of the building and into the hospital.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Sakura was right.
Naruto + Hospital + Helping Disaster.
And that was that.
Instead of ending up helping, he had ended up puncturing himself with a numb needle into his left leg. That caused the fact that he needs crutches. After that, he thought it would be fun to entertain the kids. He started to make the kids laugh until one of his crutches went flying and hit the lights, causing an outage. When the light was finally on, he decided to help with the medicine, only causing his curiosity to rise. He drank a potion that supposedly was still being tested and shrunk to his nine year old self. After two hours, he recovered and changed back to normal.
But that wasn't all. Right after he changed back to normal, he played with some of the equipment. Which ended to another chaotic event. And another. And another. And another. And…you get what I mean.
Sakura rubbed her forehead, tired of watching over Naruto. "Eh, Sakura-chan?"
She looked up, "?"
"Gomen…" Naruto scratched the back of his head, "I ended up causing trouble. Eheheh…"
Sakura sighed, "It's alright Naruto. Nobody got hurt."
"Eh, why don't I treat you to ramen, Sakura-chan? As payment?" Naruto questioned hopefully.
Sakura gave a small smile, "Alright then, let's go." The two left the hospital, both happy.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Sakura hummed to herself as she made her way to her teacher's office. She was about to open the door when she heard something that caught her attention.
"So when's he going to be executed?"
"We don't know. But right now, it doesn't seem so far away."
She could make out some of the voices as Tsunade, Kakashi, and some jounins she knew.
"…when did you plan it?"
"It was supposed to be last week…but Sakura…" Sakura's ears immediately perked.
"Hmm?" Kakashi.
"Well, Sakura seems to…object to it." Tsunade.
"Object it?" Naruto? He was in there too?
But, what would she object?
…could it be?
Itachi's execution?
Would she object it?
Sakura shook her head.
Of course not.
But…
"He didn't accept it, but there are others out there." Itachi advised, "Find someone out there that wouldn't leave you. Remember that action speaks more than words."
"Thank you for your advice." Sakura said. Then, she went over to Itachi, bent down, and gave him a little peck on the cheek. When she lifted her head back up, she was red, but she contained her cool and gave a small smile. "Itachi-san, maybe you're not so bad after all." With that, she walked out the door and placed the seal back on.
She gave a small smile.
Maybe she did kind of object to the fact of the execution.
Ok…maybe not just kind of.
"How does she seem to object?" Kakashi.
"I didn't tell her yet…but I know she will." Tsunade.
"I think you shouldn't…" Random Chuunin
"Naruto?"
"Alright, alright, I won't tell." Naruto gave in, "But why would Sakura-chan object?"
Sakura bit her lip.
She's heard enough of the conversation.
The jounin knocked on the door.
All conversation stopped once the knock was heard.
"Come in." Sakura entered the room. All eyes were on her. "Ah, Sakura-chan, you're early today."
"Yeah…I'm sorry. I didn't know there was a meeting and-"
"No need. I didn't tell you, Sakura." Tsunade reassured her. "Alright. Dismissed." Kakashi poof-ed away as the rest disappeared as well. Naruto stayed behind, before reluctantly going out as well.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
For the next couple of days, life went on as if nothing happened. As if Sakura had never heard the conversation. Tsunade slept, she woke her up, helped out in the hospital, hung out with Naruto, talked with Hinata; just all the regular things she did. She never mentioned anything about Itachi's execution and neither did Tsunade.
Until a week past, Sakura got worried that Itachi's execution was getting closer and closer. Maybe, she could talk to Itachi again, just one more time, and tell him to escape. But she knew that would be defecting Konoha. She had only met this man a couple of times in her life. (SPOILER TO MANGA) The first time was her mission that led to Akatsuki. Even though it wasn't actually him, she still thought of it as him. (END OF SPOILER)
She knew that they would meet again. And they did in the most unexpected way. And she was the one to confront him.
What did she see in him that made her want to defect?
Would he even care?
No…that wasn't what she wanted.
She wanted him to need her.
Like how she feels now…
But why would the Uchiha Itachi need her?
The thought of that was heartbreaking. Itachi would never need her, even if she was the last being on the world. Sakura stifled back a sob as she laid comfortably on her bed. Thinking of the execution hurt her, thinking how he didn't need her hurt her, heck, every time she thought about him it hurt her! But she could do nothing about it.
She was deeply in love with Uchiha Itachi: S-Class Criminal, Sasuke's brother.
And she knew she had to do something about it.
She thought for a while, before finally, something came up her mind. A light bulb went off in her head. Her plan starts the next morning.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
"Ohayo Sakura-chan!" Naruto waved excitedly to his favorite pink haired crush.
"Ohayo Naruto!" She yelled back, waving slightly. She reached to a stop on Team 7's bridge.
"So, wanna go train now?" Naruto grinned.
"Alright then, let's go with the daily schedule!" Sakura pumped a fist up in the air before the two went off together to the training grounds, laughing.
By the end of training, both were exhausted and beaten. The two went to lunch at Ichiraku, and spent time together talking about random information.
"So, Sakura-chan, did ya here?" Naruto asked, slurping up his ramen.
"?" Sakura finished chewing, "What? Is something going on?"
"One more bowl, oji-san!" Naruto yelled before continuing, "Yea, yea!"
'He's going to tell me…' Sakura thought. She knew he couldn't keep it for long. It was always like that. Like there was this one time, where Kakashi told him to keep a secret about a mission that Sakura couldn't know about. A week later, it was spilt out like milk from a bottle. He also did the same thing for many things, and it was always a week's time.
"?" Sakura tilted her head in a curious manner.
Naruto lowered his voice, "You know…" he hesitated, "Sasuke-teme's brother? Itachi?"
"Uhuh…" Sakura nodded slowly.
"Well…uhh…you know that meeting?" Naruto was beginning to sweat.
"Yes?"
"Well, we were talking about his execution." Naruto whispered, "And seemingly…Tsunade-obaa-chan said that you would object to it."
"She did?" Sakura acted surprise. Oh yes, ninja skills come in handy at all times.
"Well…yea." Naruto then gave a serious look, "Sakura-chan, why don't you want him executed?"
"Eh…" Sakura started to pretend to think. Naruto waited for her response. Finally, she said, "I'm…not sure. You know what? I think…it's the fact that he really isn't that bad."
"!" Naruto held a shocked look on his face. "What do you mean, Sakura-chan? Of course he's evil!"
"Demo, once you think about it, haven't you ever wondered why he killed off the clan?" Sakura asked the fox boy.
"Uhhh…ehhh…I never thought about that." Naruto shook his head, "But it's probably an evil plan that he was thinking of! Yea, yea!"
Sakura sighed, "Alright then…if you say so." Sakura's head went down.
Naruto rose a brow, "Sakura-chan?"
"Nothing…nothing." Sakura sighed again.
"You know what, since you're so," Naruto paused, trying to think of a word, "Since you're so determined…I guess…I can stall them for a bit. Before the execution." Naruto said awkwardly.
Sakura's head popped up, "Really? You'll do that for me?" She hugged him tightly, "Arigatou! Hontou ne, arigatou Naruto!"
"Eheh, nandemonai desu yo." He scratched his head after they pulled apart.
Sakura grinned. 'Part 1, complete.'
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
"Ohayo, Tsunade-shishou." Sakura bowed.
"Sakura-chan." Tsunade greeted. "How are you?"
"I'm fine, thank you. You?" Sakura replied back.
"Oh, yes. Very." Tsunade continued reading the papers and signing them.
Sakura went to a window. She placed her hands on the windowsill. The teenager looked up the sky, "Tsunade-shishou?"
"Hmmm?" Tsunade continued reading.
"About…Itachi-san…when's his execution?" Sakura said softly.
Tsunade turned to look at her, alarmed. "!" Sakura's eyes looked sad as Tsunade looked at her face. "Well…it was decided to be next week."
"Oh…souka." Sakura sighed.
"You…have no objection?" Tsunade questioned.
"Because, he's an S-class criminal, and it's your duty to protect Konoha Village." Sakura responded.
"…" Looking at Sakura made her feel guilty. She was making Sakura feel this way.
"Well, Tsunade-shishou, I'm going to go to the hospital now."
Before she could leave, Tsunade called her, "Matte…"
She turned around, "?"
"I've been thinking lately." Tsunade slowly explained.
"Yes, Tsunade-shishou?"
"Well, there's been a different turn on some things, and I'm really busy. Since you seem to…take a liking to him, why don't you bring him down his food?" Tsunade suggested.
"Really? You'll let me?" Sakura's eyes lighted up in hope.
"Of course, Sakura. Besides, he'll be executed soon." Tsunade sighed before grabbing her keys. "Come on, let's go."
"Arigatou, Tsunade-shishou. You're the best!" Sakura exclaimed happily.
The two started to walk towards the building that was probably never used until now. They walked inside and started towards the hall that led to Itachi's cell. Only the clacking of shoes were heard as they walked forward. Sakura was jumping happily inside, 'Part 2, complete.' Tsunade had a serious expression on her face. Once they were at the hall that led to Itachi's cell, Tsunade stopped.
Sakura looked at her, "?"
"Sakura-chan…there's the food." Tsunade pointed to a tray. It was just made. Someone must have brought it down here. "Now I want you to remember."
"Hai, I know." Sakura interrupted her, "Be careful, right?"
Tsunade gave a small smile, "Yes, Sakura. You mean the world to me, you know that right?"
Sakura smiled, "Arigatou, Tsunade-shishou." Sakura went to grab the tray, "Alright, I'm gonna go take the tray to him now. Wish me luck."
Tsunade sighed, "For some reason, I have the thought he wouldn't harm you at all."
Sakura just smiled. Tsunade took off the seal and placed it in Sakura's pocket. "Alright, the rest is up to you. Remember to place the seal back on once your finished."
Sakura looked shocked, "No time limit?"
"No, none." Tsunade smiled, "Take all the time you want."
Sakura opened the door, "Then I'll see you later, Tsunade-shishou."
Tsunade headed towards the steps as Sakura closed the cell door behind her. She could already sense Itachi's chakra, still chained against the wall. She stepped in further to again find Itachi, but this time, he was sleeping. He looked angelic as he just laid there, resting. His expressionless face showed peace as he rested. She now wondered if she should wake him up.
"You're back." She looked up startled at the sudden voice. His dark eyes were opened and staring at her.
"O-oh, yeah." Sakura stammered. She placed the tray in front of him, "Here's food."
"Do you mind?" Itachi asked, shaking his chains.
"N-no, not at all." Itachi broke off the chains and set them in a neat pile on the floor. He sat himself in front of the tray and started to eat. Sakura watched him as he ate. Bite after another.
"?" Itachi had a questioning look on his face.
Sakura faced down, embarrassed to be caught staring. There was no talking, only the sound of munching could he heard. After he was done, it was complete silence. The two just sat there for a while before Sakura decided to speak, "Well…they're deciding to executed you next week."
"I see."
"Aren't you, well, worried?"
"No."
"Doushite?" Sakura asked.
"It's the fact that I killed so many people." Itachi spoke truthfully. "Nothing else."
"Sou…souka."
"Sakura?"
She looked up startled, "What?"
"That's is your name, correct?"
"Oh, yes."
"Why are you back?"
Sakura caught the question in surprise. "W-well…" He waited patiently for her to answer, "Remember what you said? I couldn't find anyone out there…" She trailed off.
"And you seek me for?"
"It's the fact that you seem to…you're just…different." She finished lamely.
"Hmmm…" Itachi looked deep in thought.
"I…Itachi, would you object of me telling you something?" Sakura said softly.
"It depends."
"If…someone told you that they love you, what would you do?"
"…"
Sakura gulped, "I guess…you don't want to."
"I would be surprised." Itachi interrupted her. "For someone to love a criminal like me." He gave off a, seemingly sad, smile.
"Oh…because…" Sakura couldn't say the words. They were caught in her throat.
"…Sakura…"
"?"
"Do you…have feelings for me?" Itachi said, speaking his words carefully, "Unwanted feelings?"
Sakura wanted to cry at that moment. Right after he said that. But she held back, "They're…not unwanted. But, I do have feelings for you." She explained.
"…why?"
"I…I don't know. That's the problem! I've only talked to you once, and now look! I think about you almost every single day after that!" She started to cry, "I don't want to, but it's there! For some reason, I love you! I feel so ashamed, thinking about a criminal! It hurts so much because I would betray my village for you! Do you understand?" Tears streamed down, "I'd do anything for you! And no one's been able to do that ever since Sasuke! It scares me that I love you so much…only after one talk…"
"A talk with the devil could do that…" He replied back softly.
"I don't care if you're the devil! I love you, Itachi! I love you with all my heart!" What she said brought back her twelve year old self. She felt young again, saying that same line.
"I love you with all my heart!"
"You're annoying…"
"Please…if you have to go, please, bring me with you."
"You really are annoying."
"Sasuke-kun…"
"Thank you." Sasuke
Tears streamed down even faster. Why? Why did she have to fall for those types? Was she cursed? She bit her lip until suddenly, she felt a hand on her face. She looked up only to see Itachi staring at her as he wiped the tears away.
"Tears aren't suited for an angel…" Itachi said in a melancholy voice.
"I'm no angel…" She sniffed as he lifted up her chin.
"Why? Why do you cry for me?"
"Because I love you, Itachi." Sakura whispered, "I need you. A lot. I can't stop thinking about you. You're on my mind, 24/7."
"…Sakura, although I might not feel the same way right now…" Her breath caught. She knew it. She started to stand up so she could break for it. But before she could, a hand grabbed her wrist. "Let me finish. Although I might not feel the same right now, it doesn't mean I can't." Sakura looked at him.
"W-what do you mean?"
"I…can learn to love you." He had a dry smile, "But I won't have much time. I'll be executed soon."
"W-well, you see…" She trailed off for a moment, "I…already planned that out. I was going to come down here to tell you…my plan." She started to flush, "But…I started crying instead."
"You planned to betray your village already?" Itachi said, a bit surprised.
"I…I couldn't help it. Part 2 of my plan is already complete…that was to persuade Tsunade-shishou so I could talk to you." She explained as her tears started to go away.
"Really? You've got it all planned out nicely." Itachi responded, amused.
"Alright then…before I start breaking down again, why don't I tell you my plan?" Sakura asked.
Itachi nodded, "Tell me your plan."
"It goes like this…"
XxXxXxXxXxXxXx
3 days passed by and Itachi's execution was coming faster than ever. After that, another 2 days passed. This was where she would accomplish her mission. At the stroke of midnight, she would reach Itachi's cell, and the plan will go from there. Sakura rushed in ninja speed towards the building, and finally, she had reached. Tsunade's keys were in her pocket. She had managed to sneak into the Hokage's office to grab the keys.
Sakura inserted the key into the door lock. The door clicked open and she closed it when she went in. She hurriedly went to Itachi's cell. She approached the door and peeled the seal off. The door opened and Sakura went in towards Itachi. Itachi was already there, waiting for her with patience to come. "You're here."
"I'm sorry I'm a bit late."
"It's alright. We still have time." He spoke. Sakura waited for him to stand.
"Remember?"
"Yes. Cross the river so we're on the other side." He said. "Are you sure you want to come along with me?"
"I'm already packed," she replied, "Besides, I know they'll find out it's me. They'll mark me as a missing nin sooner or later."
"If you say so." Itachi shrugged.
The two headed out the building and started to head for the border. As they were traveling, Itachi stopped, "Sakura?"
"Hai?"
"How are you so sure that I'll love you back?"
"I'm not sure…" Sakura said, "But I know that someday…I'll be loved back. And, I'm just hoping it's you."
"…"
"I really wish…that you can. But if you won't at least you're still close by. Because…that's all I need." Sakura replied truthfully.
"…" There was no talking after that. After an hour or two, they reached the border. Itachi stopped.
"?" Sakura tilted her head in confusion, "Why'd we stop?"
"Sakura…you're determined to follow me aren't you?" Itachi asked softly.
"Yes." She said in a voice full of courage, "I'm risking all my chances, and I can't back off now."
"Then I must warn you…my path is a rocky one."
"As long as I'm with you…I'll be ok." Sakura said. She reached out for his hand, and he let her.
"Maybe…I will learn to love you…" Itachi spoke.
"I hope so…" Sakura gave a small smile, "But hey, I'll do anything…even if you don't love me back. Because you taught me a lesson, Itachi-kun."
Itachi immediately noticed the new suffix. "Then you'll have to adapt to my life."
"I know."
"And betray Konoha."
"I…know."
"You won't regret."
"I betrayed Tsunade-shishou…Naruto…Kakashi-sensei…everyone. Even Sasuke…" Sakura looked up, "But it's all for you."
"…then, Sakura-chan, in return, I'll learn to love." Itachi promised.
She gave a big smile, "Arigatou Itachi-kun. Aishiteru."
"Aa…"
Although it may take awhile, Sakura risked her chances for the S-class criminal to love her.
Hai…Aishiteru Itachi-kun…I'll love you always and forever.
Owari
A/N: Well, that's the (first) alternate ending! I hope you guys liked it. My hope is to make another alternate ending, but it depends on the readers/reviewers. If you want another, please tell me the pairing.