Fallen Cherry Blossoms

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 1: The Harsh Truth

A young sixteen year old girl stepped out into a grassy meadow. It was the darkest of night, still guided by the radiance and beauty of the moon and stars. The moon was full and it had shone brightly onto her skin. For she was a young and beautiful ninja by the name of Sakura. Her jade eyes looked happily at the moon and down back to the grass.

So many years have gone by with laughter and tears. She remembered her missions she had completed with her teammates, Naruto and Sasuke. Naruto was much more mature, as sixteen had brought him wisdom and well as a better insight. Sakura remembered how her foolish friend always wanted to go on a date with her. She of course, declined, still leaving Naruto a long and healthy friendly relationship.

"It has been many years…" said a distant yet cold voice.

"Yes, and I am glad to be reunited with all my friends in Konoha," said Sakura kindly.

"I see…" he replied sullenly.

"Aren't you glad to be back, Sasuke-kun?" she asked.

The young dark haired ninja looked back at the girl who had loved him. Although, he felt no compassion and love towards her in return. Sakura smiled at the dark face and noticed that he had gained in the past few years. Sasuke was not as he was years ago. He had changed so much… that he had almost forgotten about his cold and heartless brother, Itachi. After Orochimaru had trained him to his fullest extent, Sasuke showed his true colors. He betrayed Orochimaru and became a full fledged ninja in Konoha protecting the village with his life.

"I'm grateful… that you did not truly leave to Orochimaru's side…" added Sakura.

"Uh huh."

"And forgetting about revenge… That must have been hard, Sasuke-kun," Sakura said sadly.

The young pink haired girl went to lie on the grass beside her lover. She smiled at him, although knew that his eyes were only fixed onto the moon. Sakura looked at it as well and closed her eyes. She thought of the times she had spent with Sasuke. She had held those memories deep to her heart never to let go.

"So, why did you forget about your brother?" asked Sakura.

"Sakura, it's something you will never understand…" Sasuke said slowly.

"I will."

"Hmph. Well, he was just not worth my life to waste. I have thought about what Naruto has been saying. I have thought about what I have been saying. I now know…it wasn't worth it. Protecting the village I love is worth dying for," said Sasuke.

Sasuke looked kind and less dark than he had been for a long time. His eyes softened and his facial expression relaxed. Sakura's heart would have leapt for joy at the thought of Sasuke opening up to his friends. The pink haired kunoichi silently thanked her jounin sensei, Hatake Kakashi. She also thanked Naruto… he was driven by a promise to her.

"The moon is very beautiful tonight," said Sakura conversationally.

"I don't like it," was Sasuke's short reply.

"Why not?" she asked.

"It reminds me of my past… of my brother. What do you think of it?" asked Sasuke. "Tell me the truth," Sasuke pressed on firmly. "And I will tell you my past about the moon."

Sakura was hesitant. She did not want to offend Sasuke, for she had loved the moon with all of her heart. She thought of the moon as a guidance for darkness and guidance for light. It was a balance. The moonlight reflected her mood and Sakura always loved to stare at wondrous things she never knew. A world… she never knew.

"I love the moon…" said Sakura shakily but firmly. "I love how it guides people… If our future were written in the stars… the moon would contain all the answers. So…how does it remind you of your past and Itachi?" asked Sakura.

"I'll show you… look through my Sharingan, and I'll take you into my past," Sasuke said.

Sakura looked into his blood red Sharingan and hypnotically fell into a deep sleep dreaming… or inside his memories… There lay so much pain and confusion in his mind…

Flashback

"Oniisan!" shouted a seven year old Sasuke.

Itachi did not reply as his younger brother raced over and sat right next to Itachi on the porch in their yard. They could see the silver orb so clearly that it was beautiful. The night breeze swept across their faces and into Itachi's hair. Itachi had just kept staring into the moon, dazed and hypnotized by its power and lust. He barely noticed as his younger brother sat down beside him.

"Why are you here? Didn't she tell you to go to bed?" asked Itachi.

"Who? Okaasan? Nah, she said I could stay up with you!" exclaimed the exuberant seven year old.

"I see…" he replied.

Sasuke leaned onto his older brother and Itachi felt the young ninja's head on his arm. He smiled gently and looked at the moon again. Itachi was an excellent ninja at the age of 13, almost a Jounin. He still bested the Hokage. Yet, he was always fixed on the moon. Sasuke wondered why and looked into his brother's dark eyes.

"What is the moon to you?" asked Sasuke.

"Hm? Why do you ask?"

"Because, that's all you do. You stare at the moon. You go down to the lake and sleep on the dock but always stare at the moon before your eyes totally close. I want to know nii-san! Please, tell me," pleaded the young ninja.

"In my point of view…" started Itachi. "The moon serves as a guidance… between light and dark. It is neither or for. It simply is. Fate. The moon sheds light on darkness and darkness on light. I am a ninja that represents that same principle. I am but a tool for destruction, but I can be used either way. I wouldn't only want to serve Konoha… but much more."

"Sugoi…"

"Well, that's just how I see it…" added Itachi.

Sasuke lay on his back looking at the stars and the moon. He agreed with his brother entirely. Everything he had just said made perfect sense. He looked happily at his brother and smiled. Itachi returned his smile and picked up Sasuke and held him in his lap. Sasuke had never felt so warm and happy in his entire life. The two brothers stared into the sky and the limitless boundaries beyond it. It was magical…

"Shikamaru always loved clouds… but I love the night," said Sasuke.

"Why is that?" asked Itachi.

"Because we are alike, Itachi. We are of the same. We are brothers and we love seeing stars…"

"Amen."

The young boy fell asleep in his brother's arms. Then, Itachi carried him back to his room and opened the window so moonlight could shine through. Sasuke was asleep with a big grin on his face. Yes, he was content now.

End Flashback

Sakura's eyes returned and she shook out of the Sharingan reality. She knew that Sasuke and Itachi had a great relationship when they were young, although she did not expect their bond to be so powerful. Sasuke just looked expectantly at the pink haired girl. He wanted to know what she thought of…

"Well… I" started Sakura.

"The reason… I do not like the moon, is because everything my brother told me had been a lie. The moon was a part of his Mangekyou Sharingan that had tortured people so. I wanted to be like him, so I loved the moon, I was living a lie…"

"Sasuke-kun. Don't talk about things you aren't comfortable about…" said Sakura.

"When he was on the phone pole the night of the murder…" continued Sasuke. "Behind him was the moon, the ever inconsistent moon…"

Sakura gently kissed him on the forehead and she spun wildly around. She had never done this to him before, and the feeling was warm and pleasant. The rapid change had caused Sasuke to be on alert and look at Sakura with a great loathing.

"I'm sorry… It's just, we are friends ever since we were little. You have been gone for three years, and I'm just glad to have you back in Konoha," said Sakura happily.

"Sakura… don't make me say this…" warned Sasuke.

The young kunoichi looked into his deep handsome eyes and saw there was a fire and a darkness brewing inside of him. Then, his eyes hastened into a dark evil look… The one he had given Uchiha Itachi. Suddenly, his face changed and he was filled with darkness again. Sakura looked frightened at the dark haired boy.

"I have to tell you now, Sakura. I don't love you. I don't love anyone. And if I were to love someone, it would not be you. Sakura, you aren't even in the same area of power as me. I'm sorry, but there is no way we can be together. I know you love me dearly, but I can never return any of that love back to you… There is just no way…"

Tears spilled out of her eyes. She had never been this hurt in her entire life. The tears streamed out in a river down her face and onto the cool lush grass. Sakura was deeply hurt and she could feel herself being torn apart. Sasuke would never say something so bluntly to her… or would he? All she could feel now was pain, confusion, and frustration.

"The only reason I know you more, is because we were on the same team as kids," replied Sasuke harshly.

"So…you have never thought about settling down with me? Loving me? or anything of that sort?" asked Sakura through her silent tears.

"No." was the short reply.

The young girl could bare to hear any more. She screamed and ran towards the Konoha forest as far away from the man she had loved so much. He had never given a thought about her… after all that time she had cared for him? She needed time to think… Sakura ran as fast as her legs could carry her. She cried and screamed the entire way. She was in pain. She ran and ran… until she was forced to stop.

---

"Tsunade-sama," reported Shizune.

"Where is Sakura!" demanded the high ranked Hokage.

"Tsunade-sama," repeated Shizune. "A man outside Konoha was attacked. He was from Konoha, and yet he had an encounter with an Akatsuki member. His symptoms were similar to those of Uchiha Sasuke and Hatake Kakashi three years ago."

"Shi matta!" shouted Tsunade. Shit!

"Yes, and it is a fact now. Akatsuki members are surrounding Konoha, coming through the forest. Although they will be stopped by the wall at first. But I am sure, they will find a way to breech out securities without alarming anyone. Also…Uchiha Itachi is among them."

Tsunade pounded her fist on her desk creating a giant hole in the wood. Shizune looked serious nonetheless and was determined not to freak out. Tsunade looked angrily at her hand and then at her desk. The Hokage dropped back into her chair and put her hands over her face. The blonde had thought that the world was almost over. Konoha would be near destruction after only one attack from the Akatsuki…

"Also…there is some more bad news," said Shizune. "People from the Sound Village have come as well. We think their objective is Uchiha Sasuke, although we are not sure. After all, Sasuke did betray Orochimaru and return to Konoha."

"First!" shouted Tsunade. "Tell my elite guards to protect Uchiha Sasuke. Orochimaru cannot gain control of the Sharingan. That would cause devastation to the world. As for the Akatsuki… make sure our defenses are stable and that everyone travels with a partner. They shall be no exceptions! No one is allowed in the forest until it has been searched and cleared. Do you understand?"

"Wakari mashita," said Shizune. Understood.

"Go! Now! Alert Konoha, make sure everyone is on alert!" shouted Tsunade.

"Hai! Tsunade-sama," replied Shizune.

Shizune quickly left the room with Tonton and Tsunade shrank back into her chair. She sighed heavily and knew that the Akatsuki would be able to hold off all of Konoha. After all…they were the best criminals from all of the hidden villages. Especially if Uchiha Itachi were with them… She hated to admit it, although he was much more powerful than her. The whole situation would be made worse. The blonde looked outside the window…

"How much longer can it last?" asked Tsunade.

Her hope had been regained in the village of Konoha. Although, now it had all been lost. She did not believe that the village can withstand the Akatsuki force and the force that Orochimaru had sent… Had they been planned together? Or coincidence? She looked at the sun… and knew that she had to evacuate all citizens to nearby villages.

"Sakura! Sakura!" she shouted over and over again.

---

As the girl ran through the dark forest, eyes pressed down onto her. She felt a presence like no other creep onto her skin. Although she was too saddened and angered about Sasuke. Finally, she could not run any more and fell into the grass. Her legs ached and her arms were tired. The tears did not stop falling as her hands and knees were on the grass. Then she heard a soft sound. She quickly turned, but no one was there.

"Who's there?" asked Sakura loudly.

About ten Sound ninjas then appeared out of nowhere. Sakura was so startled and frightened, that she fell backwards. The ninjas then chuckled to themselves and she was paralyzed with fear. Tears then froze in her eyes and she wiped them away. The ninjas continued to laugh at the girl. She looked pathetic. Her clothes were stained with dirt, she was crying, and she was here all alone.

"What do you want?" she asked.

"What does Orochimaru-sama want?" asked one Sound nin to another.

"He says, a hostage would do us good, especially if she is weaker than the average ninja. She is also well loved in Konoha though. By Tsunade. Orochimaru-sama wants her taken," reported another Sound nin.

Without warning, the Sound ninjas threw out tough ropes around Sakura. The pink haired girl stared in fear as the ropes went tightly around her. She could barely move her arms or legs anymore. She tried to break free, but even with the inhuman strength, she had no momentum to allow her to use it. She was helpless. Sakura then screamed in the night, piercing the night air. One Sound ninja pulled her and she fell onto the ground. Sakura tried to squirm away, although the other Sound quickly tied her ropes together.

They bound her wrists and her ankles then using another long piece of rope, they tied it around her entire upper body forcing her arms to lay at her side, and her hands behind her back. She was no threat now. Sakura watched helplessly as the ropes grew tighter amongst her skin. She looked desperately around and then saw two eyes in the forest in front of her. They reminded her of… Sharingan! No! It was Sharingan! The red eyes had just stared at her. She was sure it was Sasuke!

"Sasuke-kun! Help me!" she shouted desperately. "Help!" she shouted again pleadingly.

The eyes shifted position, as though the person holding it raised his eyebrow. Sakura was so angry that her friend wouldn't even help her out of this! Then the head Sound ninja walked in front of her and tilted her head up.

"We don't want anymore of that screaming and yelling now do we?" he asked.

"Shut up…" she spat venomously.

"Put her in the wagon we stole here, but keep the ninja tools out of reach," ordered the head Sound ninja.

"Sasuke-kun!" she shouted pleadingly. "Please!"

The other Sound ninjas threw her into the wagon. Sakura could barely feel herself anymore. Her hands were losing circulation and the same with her feet. She couldn't understand why Sasuke wouldn't come and help her. Surely they weren't on the same foot, but protecting Konoha was to protect its citizens. Why hadn't he come to save her?

The wagon began to move and Sakura could feel her body moving. She stared helplessly at the two Sharingan eyes… and into darkness for she could no longer hold open her own jade eyes. She drifted off into a sleep.

---

"Did she think you were…your younger brother?" asked a vicious blue mist nin.

"Supposedly…" replied the Sharingan master. "Still, Kisame, I need to investigate this closely. I'm going after them. You stay here and patrol this area. Orochimaru must want something from her, and if Orochimaru has an advantage… just do as I say. I'll be back soon," ordered the Sharingan master.

Itachi jumped off the tree and looked on murderously into the dark forest with his blood-red Sharingan. His duty towards the Akatsuki was unmatched and he wanted Orochimaru to pay. This sannin had caused him great harm while being in the organization. Itachi also knew that that any advantage that Orochimaru had, could decrease the success of their mission. That girl must have some idea of what could make the sannin destroy Konoha.

I will not allow Orochimaru to destroy my life, as he almost did before, when he was in the Akatsuki with me. He'll pay. That girl… She must have answers to all my questions. I won't stop…until all my questions have answers. I am powerful, but still… I have not figured out my purpose in life. There is no meaning right now. Do I even have a heart? Or is it poisoned and blackened over these many years? After all, Sasuke is not the only one breathing revenge. I am there as well…

All he was certain, was that her jade eyes had to meet his blood red Sharingan, face to face.

Author's Note: Please review! This is my first SakuraxItachi fic. I really thought this was going to be an interesting pair. So now it's up to Itachi to save Sakura from Orochimaru! Hope you liked the story so far! I hope you wanna read more, unless it sucked…but please tell me what you think! Comments are wanted! Reviews are wanted! Please review, and I'll try to update every two weeks or so. I need your help to keep me going!