Chapter 11
The Battle of Minds

Sakura clattered through the forest furiously, her temper raged, and clashed inside filling her limbs with so much tension that she was unable to properly bend them. She gritted her teeth as her jaw tensed; oh how furious she was! She cursed herself!

You are weak, Sakura! You haven't changed at all!

She worked so hard to become strong. She suffered so much to forget Sasuke and stand on her own! ..And is this how much she had improved, how much she had changed?! She was just the same, the same old, naïve little Sakura!

Her legs slid out from under her and she flopped down by a stump. Who knows how long she had been sitting there, a vacant look on her face, watching as the shadows of the trees crept farther little by little in the last rays of the dying sun. Slowly she let her head fall backwards and watched as the night finally swallowed the grey puffs of the clouds in the dark blue sky. Everything was so quiet and desolate, as if even the forest would have abandoned her.

With a deep sigh Sakura stood up again and slowly made her way back to the camp, with only the pale light of the dispirited stars showing her the way. At places the bony twigs of the naked brushes caught her coat, as if they didn't want to let her go back - but she had to, didn't matter how much she hated it. Judging from the stars it was after midnight already, and it was better not to leave Numagori alone any longer. As Sakura approached the camp it was his voice that she caught sound of.

"..so you can imagine Yamaji-sama what a scandal there was. Ever since when an honorable guest comes to the castle we always offer him the east wing instead of the west."

Sakura snorted while massaging her temple. She might have known that Numagori wouldn't be able to resist rambling on. Yamaji must have been all ears. She already felt a headache coming.

"It is a wholesome story, that is for sure. I suppose there were no complains after that!"

"No more, we made sure of that! Ah I'm going to win, Yamaji-sama!"

Numagori's last sentence perked up Sakura's interest. Then Yamaji's merry laugh drifted towards her.

"Hold your fire, Numagori! While is true that if you reinforce your southern stronghold with fire you'll be able to destroy my iron mines in the west, but if you don't do something with the barrage I'm building in the north, you'll loose that stronghold of yours during the next round."

"Oh I see.. but I believe you have no more water element cards for that barrage, Yamaji-sama, so I-" at that moment Sakura stepped into the clearing and the two men looked up at her in surprise. Both of them were sitting comfortably by the warm fire, with colorful cards in their hands and steaming tea by their legs. Sakura gave an irritated noise. She couldn't believe they were having such a good time while she was dying inside!

"Good evening Sakura!" Numagori greeted her kindly. Then as he looked at her closely a worried look crossed his face. "Is there something wrong?"

Ignoring his question Sakura pursed her lips and looked around, but Itachi was nowhere to be seen. That was not surprising; he didn't stay with them often, and after such an incident Sakura was sure she wouldn't see him for days.

Which was good! She didn't care anyway! Bitter anger rose from the pit of her stomach again, and her eyes sparkled up. She shouldn't!

"Sakura?" Numagori asked again gently.

"Just the usual." Sakura bit out. How could Numagori think that she would say anything in front of Yamaji?! Yet Yamaji didn't feel bothered at all, and while turning his inquiring eyes at her he spoke up lightly.

"Then I take you didn't find the answers to your questions again."

Sakura gave him a withering look and spat out with venom. "I just wish I knew why Itachi follows you!"

Yamaji's lips curled up to a confident smile. "I would like to say to simply trust Itachi's judgment, but I'm afraid that answer wouldn't convince you."

Sakura snorted. "Of course not. That man massacred his own clan!"

Yamaji nodded, then calmly brought his mug to his lips and took a sip. "You see, my dear, that is why you didn't get answers for your questions," he said while pointing at her with his cards in his hand. Sakura narrowed her eyes.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"If you had already decided that he's a heartless monster, then why do you ask questions? You should only ask if the answer you get would make a difference."

Sakura opened her mouth to say something, to bite back a remark, but no voice came out of her throat. Absurd! Totally absurd!

..Could you turn your back on Konoha for the answer?..

No! Sakura shook her head, as if she could free herself from the memory of Itachi's whispering voice. Empty words didn't change the facts! Only the crimes, only they mattered! Sakura averted her gaze from the leader and stared into the flames.

Yamaji observed her through his half-lidded eyes, then his gaze fell to the cards in his hand. Which card should he play out now, he wondered. Then his gaze flickered to Sakura's face once more. He could already see how the seeds of doubt he had planted were beginning to take root in her mind. That was good; it would have been most unsuitable for him if Sakura had been convinced of Itachi's guilt. No.. her uncertainty served his purposes the best, since there was nothing easier than bending an uncertain mind in the right direction – and Sakura had a special role to play in his plans. With that in mind Yamaji raised a card.

"Oh, I almost forgot. It's my turn now," he said in a cheerful voice and flipped the card. Numagori gave a suffocating sound.

"How?! I thought you have no more water element-"

"A mere assumption," cut in Yamaji while picking up Numagori's stronghold card.

"No-no it wasn't!" Numarogi replied hastily. "In the previous round Yamaji-sama you could have protected your last well with that water element card instead of loosing it! That was self-destruction! So I thought that, that-"

Yamaji looked at Numagori in amusement. "As I said, a mere assumption. You didn't consider the possibility, that I may have lost that well on purpose. Assumptions, my friend, can be highly dangerous. They can easily mislead you," he glanced at Sakura "and once you believe in them you step on a path that can take you far away from the truth," he said slowly tasting each word. Then his voice changed to almost nostalgic. "Long time ago I lived among people who easily judged and condemned others based on assumptions while they didn't see further, than appearances and didn't know more, than scattered shadows of the truth... Yet I'm here, and they are all dead."

Sakura seemingly ignored Yamaji and kept gazing at the campfire, but he knew very well that she was listening intently. So he gave a winning smile to Numagori. "And I won! Take a bit of friendly advice from me, Numagori; always be on your guard. Because power loves people who base their decisions on mere assumptions - they are the easiest to manipulate."

That was too much for Sakura. Her eyes sparkled up as she looked at Yamaji angrily. "What about the facts? What about the crimes?!! Words can easily manipulate the truth – but they don't change the facts!"

"Well, that is true. But," Yamaji began thoughtfully as he massaged his chin. There was no trace of his previous cheerfulness in his voice anymore. "Imagine, for example, that on a mission your best friend gets poisoned. He is in unbearable pain which rapidly eats him inside out, and you know there is no help for him. You know he will die. Whether his death will be fast and painless depends on you."

There was a stunned silence. Sakura's palms began to sweat, her stomach clenched at Yamaji's words.

"All he wants is deliverance. Will you give it to him? Will you help him? Will you.. kill him?" Yamaji continued. "Well, that is a sad story, but quite ordinary so far. The real problem comes after that. Imagine that by the time help comes no poison can be traced in the body anymore. The only fact that remains is that you have killed."

The dark, freezing night slowly crept into their camp following Yamaji's words. He supported his chin with the cup of his hand, and then gazed into the fire. As his grey eyes reflected the dancing lights for a moment it seemed as if the flames were flickering in his eyes, which were watching the world through their opalescent glass. Then after a few moments he lifted his penetrating gaze at Sakura and added.

"Sometimes facts are even more dangerous, than assumptions. Especially if those facts are only scattered parts of the truth."

"Telling ghost stories again, Yamaji?" A deep voice came suddenly from the darkness almost giving Numagori a heart attack. Sakura's face reddened, her rigid back couldn't hide the fact that she was taken by surprise. Even Yamaji needed a few moments before he found his voice.

"Oh I was just in a philosophic mood tonight," he said lightly while turning back to look at Itachi. Sakura found a suspiciously dirty spot on her boots and bent down to inspect it closely. Her hair softly fell over her face shadowing her hardened gaze, masking her thinned lips and hiding her confused thoughts.

Itachi's steps were like the heavy, chilly breeze after rain as he approached their camp. Reaching the fire he unclasped his coat and took it off. "Sleep now." he said "We had a long day."

Looking closely now Yamaji realized how tired Itachi looked. An outsider might have not spotted the signs, but to Yamaji, who had known Itachi since he was a teenager, it was obvious. It wasn't the way he took off his shirt, or the way his hair hung around his face as he inspected an old, but reopened wound on his bicep. No, it was in his eyes - it was that tired resignation that Yamaji recognized.

Sakura looked up to bite back a sarcastic remark about her sleeping while that murderer was awake, but she was cut off before she could open her mouth.

"I take the first guard. Yours will be the second," Itachi said firmly without looking up. For a moment he stopped cleaning the wound as if to decide whether to say something else; then he added quietly. "I've guarded you when you were a blink away from death. Sleep peacefully tonight."

Sakura averted her gaze from Itachi's muscular chest and looked down to the frozen ground. She hadn't forgotten it.. how could she? That this heartless man who betrayed Konoha, who murdered without regret..

..also saved her life.

And then they became lovers.

Her gaze slowly travelled back along his naked arm, to the smeared blood, to the angry wound..

..I could heal that wound.

No, she hated him! The traitor who did nothing but destroy and kill! Everything was his fault, every death, every lie! She hated him more, than anyone, she-

..She wanted to heal that wound. Her palms itched to be placed on his warm skin, to feel the power pulsating under her touch, she longed to feel him again.

No! Sakura shook her head. She shouldn't heal the wound, quite the opposite! She should thrust a kunai in there so it could hurt a bit more!

Shaking her head Sakura stood up and walked over her sleeping bag while her mind whirled with thousand thoughts. Yamaji said she should only ask questions if Itachi's answer had made a difference. But could there be anything that could clear him? Even assuming that was bordering on trying to find an excuse to forgive him. And that was a very dangerous path to take – it was too tempting.

But.. could it be? Could it be that Yamaji was telling the truth about Itachi's best friend Uchiha Shisui? It was never cleared who killed him, but Itachi was the first on the list of suspects. Sakura has heard of poisons which could be absorbed very fast and left no trace behind, but such poison was very rare to get and was probably more expensive, than the lives of dozen aristocrats. Who would waste such a poison on a nobody ninja?

Unless he was the target of course.

But who could afford such a poison and target a nobody ninja such as Shisui? Of course it was not impossible, that they were targeting Itachi but missed.

Sakura gave a deep sigh and closed her eyes. There were too many unknown factors, too many unanswered questions.. others' dark secrets..

She froze as the memories of the last mountain days surfaced in her mind.

..He told me secrets. Others' dark secrets.. and after you know them, nothing will be the same as before.

Those words suddenly held a new meaning for Sakura, and the more she thought about them, the more she didn't find it impossible that Itachi had learned something from Yamaji that changed his life forever.

..Especially when they realize, that you've learnt them.

Her flickering thoughts continued to linger on the past when she was already half asleep. Then as sleep claimed her she dreamed about stern mountains, freezing cold, his warm touch, his love..

'He is not a heartless monster,' Yamaji's voice spoke up calmly.

I'm not a heartless monster!

I'm not a cold-blooded murderer!

Accept me!

Sakura's eyes suddenly shot open and she automatically sat up halting only a breath away from Itachi's face. He let go of her arm and straightened, looking down at her with his emotionless Sharingan eyes.

"It's your turn," he said briefly, then turned away and left the camp soundlessly.

It was only a dream, Sakura tried to calm her racing pulse. Only a dream.. she blinked a few more, then shook her head.

Her guard was quiet and uneventful. Itachi didn't sleep in the camp, which was quite ironic in Sakura's opinion. She used her spare time to tidy up her bag and check out the protection circle Itachi had put around Yamaji. Just from a distance, of course. It was obvious that touching the circle would alert Itachi immediately.

A few hours later nature began to slowly awaken; the first rays of dawn sheepishly pushed their way through the dense, but naked canopy of the forest. In that diffused light everything looked so dim and slow as if the last fuzzes of dreams were still lingering around.

Sakura yawned and glanced around. Yamaji had woken up already and was nowhere to be seen, and Numagori was sitting a few meters away being engrossed with rummaging in his bag. Itachi had come back, and was kneeling above what was left of yesterday's campfire, clearing away the unused barks with precise movements.

Finishing this he stood up and took a few steps to pick up his cloak. Sakura stared at his long, graceful fingers as they smoothed the black material, and then with a small, almost invisible motion they set the inner hooks one after the other into their place. She noticed how nicely shaped his nail were, which the black nail polish just emphasized even more; it was hard to believe, that these fine hands could tear through her skin and rip out her heart any time.

By the time Yamaji came back to the camp Sakura and Numagori were waiting for him, ready to leave. Itachi, not long after he had finished clearing away the remains of the camp, vanished in the dawn mist and didn't join the small group again during the day. Their travel was uneventful and quiet apart from the small break they took when they stopped for lunch, and by the late afternoon, when the forest finally started to thin out, in the light of the sinking sun they beheld the capital of Sound.

Halting Sakura examined the settlement, which lay esconsed in the valley and up the neighbouring hills. The Daimyo's castle and the noble mansions stood proudly in the heart of the valley, while the outlaying part of the city crept up the surrounding hills, as if only to look at what was happening below on the stage of the noble families. However right now the usually peaceful city was sunk in total chaos and Sakura's eyes narrowed when she realized the reason: One of the central castles was on fire!

"That is why I am always saying never build a crowded inner town because that is exactly what is going to happen: If one of the inner buildings bursts into flame, all of them will catch fire," Yamaji chided to no one in particular.

"What a disaster! I hope nobody died!" Numagori cried out when he caught sight of the city. "What shall we do now?"

"I'll go take a look. I want to know what happened," Sakura said while she loosened her kunai holders, then she turned back. "You can stay here and wait till Itachi comes back who knows when, or you can come with me."

The two man nodded and followed Sakura, who proceeded with dynamic steps through the crowd when they reached the city gate. At first glance people appeared to be running around in panic, but on closer inspection it seemed the whole city took part in the aversion of the catastrophe. Sakura swiftly turned into a back-alley in order to leave the main street behind when something caught her attention. It was nothing, really. Yet when she stepped closer to inspect the wall of the house and her fingers stroke over the rough surface, some kind of strange tingle run through her finger pad.

"There are ninjas in the city," she said quietly. The chakra prints were concealed almost perfectly.. almost. She gestured for them to follow her. From then on they proceeded more slowly among the back-streets, where the uproar of the main street could barely be heard. The weakening rays of the setting sun didn't reach them either, and as the shadows thickened, it felt as if the houses echoed the noise of their steps.

Suddenly Sakura stopped in a crossroad, and stared wide-eyed in a direction.

"Sakura?" Numagori whispered when the kunoichi didn't move. "Is there something wrong?"

"What can you see over there?" She asked back hoarsely.

"A dark blind alley with an unattractively high wall at the end.. You couldn't possibly think that such an old man as me-"

The words stuck in Yamaji's throat when Sakura walked to the wall and put her arm through it. Then she pulled back as if nothing had happened.

"This is a special Konoha genjutsu," Sakura murmured, her voice suddenly nervous. Only those could recognize that jutsu who were taught how to make it. It was useful if someone wanted to hide something so that only the teammates would see it.

Silence enveloped them as Sakura turned back and looked at Yamaji, her thoughts swiftly taking an interesting turn. Actually help might be just an arm away, yes.. and she was standing there with the leader of Akatsuki! She watched as Yamaji's eyes sparkled up cheerfully, almost challenging: Do it! How tempting the thought was! And help was so close, yet so impossibly far away.. damned treaty of blood! Sakura shook her head.

"One day you'll go to hell, Yamaji..." she grumbled stepping away the wall and choosing another other back-street towards the castle.

As the road led them closer to the castle a thin but dark smoke descended on them, and the stifling smell of burning wood filled the air. Sakura stopped and turned to the others.

"I'll go and take a look around. You stay here, and I'll hide your presence with a genjutsu."

After doing the jutsu Sakura disappeared just to materialize on the nearest rooftop. Slowly crawling to its edge she took a better look at the palace. The building was a giant compared to the Konoha buildings, with its many floors and wide, red roofs that decorated the edge on each level. Even now, when it was slowly being devoured by the fire it looked impressive, being so high as if it wanted to reach heaven in the sky. It must have taken years to build that palace – maybe even a decade – yet it ended up hovering over the city like a black, fiery demon, bringing death to everything near.

Then Sakura turned her eyes towards the huge square filled by the swarming crowd that tried to extinguish the fire. Their voices were drowned out by the loud crackling of the burning wood, but she could make out their fearful yet determined faces. Then a familiar face caught the corner of her eye for a second. Sakura's eyes widened.

"Ibiki Morino!" she whispered and her heart-pace quickened. After the passageway she expected Konoha ninjas of course, but definitely not such a.. big gun as Ibiki. Her eyes traveled back to the burning palace. Could it be..? Sakura shook her head. At the moment the most pressing matter was what she should do with Ibiki; her presence might endanger their mission and whatever it was, Sakura was sure she didn't want Yamaji to know about it. On the other hand ignorance was more dangerous, without knowing what was going on how could she know what to do next?

After a few seconds of contemplation Sakura slid down from the roof into another side street. She decided to follow Ibiki to the square and see if she could learn anything there from the people, and even trace Ibiki if it was possible. She already saw the crowd at the end of the street, when suddenly she felt a tug on her right arm as somebody pulled her into a dark alley. A hand covered her mouth tightly, and the other circled her waist from behind and pressed her between the wall and his body.

"Don't be foolish, Sakura." Itachi said quietly. "If you go there now Ibiki will drag you back to Konoha by your hair." His warm hand slid from her mouth and settled next to hers where she was supporting herself on the wall.

Sakura glanced down at the hand which gripped her waist to keep her in place. "Now you don't want me to go back anymore?" She asked dryly, and was about to shake Itachi off and step away, when he suddenly thrust all his body weight forward and squeezed her to the wall forcefully.

"Brave words, kunoichi," he whispered as he slowly lowered his head until his lips were hovering above her ear. "Do you want me to change my mind?" His hot breath fanned over her sensitive skin, "..to say that I will never let you go?!"

Sakura's heart began to race at his words. His hand gripped hers hard to prevent her from using strength to get free. How dare he! Sakura raised her leg to kick backwards.

"You arrogant bast- ah!" the air was squeezed out of her lungs with a moan as Itachi shoved her to the wall with his full force as if he wanted to press her into it.

"Take a deep breath!" he ordered and before Sakura could utter a confused What? He whispered a few words and pushed her through the wall.

Sakura coughed while staggering forward when they came out of the other side of the wall into an empty house. Then she wheeled around furiously.

"You..!"

She was spitting fire from outrage. Her breath came heavily, and her eyes were sparkling with anger. Other men would have run away by now knowing her temper, but Itachi was seemingly unaffected. He was about to say something when a little movement of a pink tongue caught his eyes and brought his attention, everything else forgotten, to her now wet lips.

When Sakura looked up ready to explode, the words died on her lips at the sight of predatory hunger in Itachi's eyes. Blood rushed to her face making her almost dizzy, and she unconsciously lowered her eyes to hide from his intense gaze. She shouldn't allow this! She had to remember who he was! But when their eyes met again her mind went dumbly blank.

Seeing her blush, Itachi's eyes flared up and filled with life, her closeness was so alluring that he found himself taking a step forward. He wanted to taste her again, to feel her again – she was the constant reminder of what he couldn't have. And there, her chest was heaving faster now, her plump lips parted invitingly while her eyes watched him almost challengingly. It was so easy to get lost under her spell, to loose self-control, to think of nothing else, than-

Itachi tore his eyes away and went to the window. No.. hope was only for fools.

"It seems Orochimaru's reinforcements have arrived," he noted "The hunt must have begun."

"What hunt?" Everything else momentarily forgotten, Sakura hurried to the window. Outside while the crowd were swarming in the square more and more ninjas appeared on the rooftops. Not trying to hide, they were standing tall with folded arms and the familiar rope around their waist, inspecting the crowd below them.

Itachi pointed at the burning castle across the square. "Hunt for the Scrolls of Seasons – that were kept over there."

"Ibiki!" Sakura whispered leaning away from the window. "They must have stolen the scrolls! But why would we want them?"

Itachi glanced at her before his gaze shifted back to the outer events. "For commission probably. Every Daimyo has enemies in his court. They must have realized the scrolls would give him too much power and hired Konoha to steal them."

"Or to destroy them."

Itachi shook his head. "Possible, but not probable. Nobody would waste such a power deliberately," he said while looking around the little house. "It's too dangerous to stay in this city. We have to leave immediately. Up the stairs!"

Since there was no back door or window facing the alley where they came from, they had to run up the stairs and climb out of the window which Sakura was grateful for – she really didn't want to experience Itachi's through-the-wall trick again – or maybe she did want to, a little bit. But she couldn't admit that, not even to herself.

"Have you seen the passage that Ibiki hid? We could use that to get out of the city faster," Sakura suggested as they run.

Itachi thought about it, then shook his head. "The risk is too high."

Itachi brought his hands together, then after a little movement of his fingers a kunai flashed between his palms. Sakura watched with interest as he murmured something and the kunai sparked up with blue color. Then he gripped it with one hand and hurled it onto the middle of the road before them. As the kunai lodged deeply into the ground it melted into a puddle.

"An alarm-guard!" Sakura excaimed in amazement. She had only heard about that special jutsu of the Mist, but this was the first time she saw it done. With the help of the alarm-guard the hunter -or the hunted- was able to tell when the enemy crossed the selected area without being detected. Itachi must have copied Kisame's jutsu, Sakura thought.

Itachi only gestured impatiently, and Sakura hastily run after him. First her steps were stomping stiffly on the cold ground then as she set the peace faster and faster pumping more chakra to her legs her strides/jumps became longer until she almost looked like flying. They were moving soundlessly, like two shadows, behind them the flames painted the sky bloody red and the black smoke of the collapsing palace was slowly rolling forward.

When they found Yamaji and Numagori they were sitting on barrels with a bored expression on their face.

"The city is overrun by Sound ninjas. We have to leave immediately," Itachi said briefly while watching Sakura as she lifted the genjustu and then helped her hiding their trace.

"Which way should we go?" Yamaji asked calmly. Itachi turned to the leader.

"Where we came from. The ninjas entered from the north road and began surrounding the city from east."

As they strolled down the alleys Sakura sometimes halted upon hearing a little noise from here and there. Itachi, too, turned his head left and right in order to keep an eye on the rooftops. They didn't know how much the ninjas proceeded into the heart of the city or how much time was gained while they secured the main square. Sakura swallowed nervously. She was already on the black list of Orochimaru – if she was discovered, Sound would know Konoha was behind the theft – and that would mean the end of her career as well as a possible war with Konoha. She reached up to sweep away the little sweat drops from her forehead and anxiously recalled the way back to the western gate – soon they would run out of the quiet, shaded back alleys into the busy cavalcade of the broad main road – just under the scrutinizing eyes of the Sound ninjas...

"They're here," Itachi suddenly spoke up as a quiver went through his alarm-guard. "Seven."

"We cannot get into fight," Yamaji warned him seriously. "We must avoid them at all price!"

"Once we reach the main road we can mingle in the crowd," Sakura said trying not to show how nervous she was. Although If the Sound ninjas had just crossed Itachi's alarm-guard that meant they might escape in time.

"Henge!" thundered Itachi's deep voice all the sudden, and once the smoke of the justu dissipated a familiar stranger stood before them. The Akatsuki coat was replaced by a dark blue kimono that was simple in style, but as it hung from his broad shoulders stressing out his muscular chest he looked like a proud, young aristocrat. No, more than that, Sakura mused. There was something in his controlled stance or the way he moved so precisely that sceamed danger. He would never be able to deny that he is a warrior, she thought. Her eyes traveled to his neck which was usually hidden behind the Akatsuki coat, but which was now deliciously exposed. The hem of his kimono was also only a little looser than it should, revealing a bit more skin. His muscles tensed as he carefully shifted his weapons in place, then he reached up to remove the ex-Konoha headband from his forehead. His raven hair fall fell into his eyes then was caught by the wind. which became stronger as the dark clouds began to gather on the sky. He lowered his gaze and Sakura watched with fascination as his Sharingan slowly, almost reluctantly drew back and with that as if he ceased to be shielded, his eyes no longer hold anger or hatred, only mirrored her eyes.

Then Sakura, too, raised her arms and cried out. "Henge!"

Yamaji gave an appreciating look at Sakura. The color of her kimono was in harmony with Itachi's, probably an unconscious choice from her. It wasn't ostentatious nor too plain, just suited her well. Her hair was long and dark red, spreading over her round shoulders like the softest silk. Where does she keep her weapons in that kimono, Yamaji mused. And how will she run in that geta?

As soon as they reached the main road Itachi halted to survey the busy area. The crowd was endless, people came wave after wave - it seemed everybody was on the streets. Ninjas were spread about evenly standing on the rooftops or at places by the road in order to watch the crowd. If everything went well they could reach the gate before the city got under quarantine.

Itachi put his hand on Sakura's lower back to direct her forward. "It's time to go. If we loose the sight of each other we will meet outside the city."

"And they're gone." announced Numagori in bewilderment, looking at the spot that was occupied by Itachi and Sakura a moment ago. Yamaji shook his head.

"Young people nowadays just don't know how to be polite." he said disapprovingly.

The crowd was swirling around them as they made their way forward. Sakura felt eyes boring at her back, almost scratching her skull. It was a creepy feeling, something that she had felt before but couldn't put her finger on when. Her breathing became shallow and anxious. Were they discovered already? She tugged her hair behind her ear, and with the same movement glanced upwards at the guards. They were standing like statues with crossed arms and expressionless face, doing nothing else than scanning the crowd keenly. Must have been my imagination, then. Sakura turned back hesitatingly towards Itachi, who was a few steps ahead of her, and took a deep breath. Now or never..

"Is it true what Yamaji said? About Uchiha Shisui?"

Itachi didn't look back, didn't utter a single word. His tensed shoulders were the only sign that he had heard her.

"Is it true that he was poisoned?" Sakura pressed "Is it true that you had to-"

"When we reach the gate you take the road to the left," Itachi cut her off "Don't go straight back to Konoha – instead follow the Gattodanto back to Rice and then go to Konoha from there."

Sakura's eyes widened and then narrowed dangerously. "Go back now?!" she didn't want to leave, at least not yet! But there was no way she would admit that.. she needed to think of something, and fast.. She looked away for a second before her back straightened again "And leave the sheep to the wolves!?"

"On the second thought," Itachi began, remembering something "Take the road straight back to Konoha. Kisame and the others are on their way here – they might use the Gattōdantō as well. You don't want to meet them."

"Huh?! Did you listen to me?!" Sakura asked in a shrill voice "I won't leave Numagori alone!"

This made Itachi turn back to look at her. "He is not your concern."

"But is he yours!? Oh don't try to convince me now that you're only here to help the poor lost souls! I won't leave until his mission is done!" Sakura snarled while digging her elbow into someone and stomping onto the feet of another. In the crowd Itachi seemed to be slipping away.

"Why do you avoid my questions, Itachi? Was Yamaji telling the truth? - tell me at least that much!"

"He was – or he wasn't, the answer doesn't change anything." Itachi said quietly while proceeding steadily through the crowd as if it was only part of his surroundings instead of a real hindrance.

Sakura pushed some more people out of her way before reaching him. "Yes it does! To me, it does!"

Itachi shook his head then turned to her, locking his penetrating dark eyes with hers. "Tell me something, Sakura. I don't know what story you fabricated to leave Konoha and how long you think that will cover for you.." he began in a doubtful, low voice "But are you aware that the longer you are away the higher the chance that they will never trust you again?"

It took a moment for Sakura to find her voice but when she did, her tongue was sharp as blade - and just as a true ninja her defense was to attack from behind. "Just because you can't trust anyone doesn't mean that others are the same!"

Itachi's jaw tensed at her words. "This conversation is ridiculous!"

"Just as your conviction that I would go home now!" Sakura bit back. She didn't intend to let Itachi have the last word this time. "Well let me tell you that I won't leave Numagori at your mer-"

"Don't lie Sakura!" Itachi cut her off harshly "Your presence here has nothing to do with the scroll."

Angry red roses bloomed on Sakura's cheek, but she didn't avert her eyes. "There is only one liar here, and that is you!" she poked his kimono. "If you hadn't lied from the start then I wouldn't be here!"

"Indeed." Itachi said dryly. "If I hadn't lied, you would have rather died than to accept my help in the mountains."

Sakura swallowed. "But what about afterwards? In Konoha? You simply used me! ..But what else should I expect from Uchiha Itachi after all?!"

"You know nothing of me!" Itachi snapped.

"Then tell me! How could I understand if you don't tell me anything?!"

Itachi took a deep breath. His hand dug into his black hair. Then after a long moment he spoke up quietly. "One day I will come for Naruto. Would there be anything – anything you think that I could say, that would make you side with me?"

Sakura suddenly paled. "Stop that! Don't talk about Naruto!" her eyes darted around frantically, then she grabbed the sleeve of Itachi's kimono "Let's go away! If you are really different – if it's not only power that you want then abandon the Akatsuki and come with me!"

Itachi slowly removed Sakura's hand from his kimono while watching her intently. "And where do you think we could go, Sakura? To a quiet fishing village and live there happily ever after? Things are not that simple. They were never that simple from the beginning."

Their eyes bore into each other while the crowd came and went around them. Then somebody pushed Sakura from behind, who took an involuntary step forward. Itachi used the moment to reach out and pull her to him, and before Sakura could object he bent down and claimed her lips with his hungrily. He wasn't gentle this time, no. There was power in his kiss, a deep, dark desire that Sakura felt would devour her. He pushed her slender frame to his body possessively as he kissed her deeper, his hot breath setting her on fire. As she yielded to his urging touches her fists slowly loosened on his kimono and her eyes fluttered open , and then widened in horror; the bloody-red Shariangan looked back at her.

Know whom you kiss.

Sakura almost staggered back, but Itachi didn't let her go - his grip on her became almost painful, his kisses were more intense, more demanding. Sakura tried to avert her gaze but she was unable to; the Shariangan hold her eyes firmly, she wasn't allowed to close them anymore.

"Go home, Sakura. You don't know what you deal with," Itachi whispered to her lips before his hands fell to his sides. Sakura took a shaking breath.

"What makes Akatsuki so important to you?"

"Obligation," Itachi answered, watching Sakura as she stepped away from him. "We are not as different as you think."

Later as they went on Sakura followed him in daze, the rest of their way became only hazy pictures in her mind later. When they finally reached the city gate Itachi turned back and vanished again. By the time he led Yamaji and Numagori out of the crowd Sakura was strolling anxiously back and forth.

"We have to hurry!" She said noticing Numagori's unsettlement.

"You know Sakura.. " Numagori stopped slowly. "I just don't understand one thing; why am I escaping?! I have to visit the Daimyo! I have a mission!" his voice became more confident with each sentence. He came to a decision in a matter of seconds, and before Sakura could utter a single word he bowed hastily and threw himself back into the crowd. Sakura stared after him with mouth hanging open. It took her a few moments to come to her senses, and then when she was about to go after him Yamaji put his hand on her shoulder.

"There is no need for that," he stated calmly – yet there was something authoritative in his voice that made Sakura halt before she could help it.

"You would only risk yourself, wholly unnecessarily, my dear," he continued in a convincing manner, and before Itachi could say something he added. "You better think about where you would like to go next. If you want to you can return to Konoha - nobody will stop you. But why don't you keep with us? We're going to pay a little visit to Orochimaru."

That last word made Sakura to turn and focus all her attention on Yamaji, who smiled at her sweetly.

"I thought you might be interested in Sasuke's well-being."

Author's note: Thank you for all those who were so kind and give me a review, you are the reason I'm still doing this even though I have so little free time nowadays. Let me know if you enjoyed this chapter!:)
About Sasuke: yes, he'll appear. When I created the plot of Blindfolded the manga was before the 3 years time-skip, and I remember the anime was showing the fillers at that time. We didn't know so many things that we now today, but since I didn't change the plot we won't have Pein in this story, the Sharingan cannot control the Kyuubi, and Sasuke is still with Orochimaru.