Of Cherry Blossoms and Ravens

[useless]

[SIZE=18pt]The seasons have changed,[/SIZE]


[SIZE=18pt]And so have [/SIZE][SIZE=18pt]we[/SIZE][SIZE=18pt].[/SIZE]


[SIZE=11pt]“Well, guys. Today’s the day.” Sakura breathed, her voice filling the otherwise silent room as she sat on her bedside, peering down at her lap with an excited smile. There, she held the photograph of her team. [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]Their first ever photo together as a team. It felt like it had been a lifetime ago, but in reality, it had only been four years. Two years ago she had been that bubbly little girl, struggling to find her place while drowning in a sea of emotions. She had been so lost. Her goal as a kunichi was no longer clear. Had it ever been, though? Her only real goal before had been to gain Sasuke’s attention, then she realized her fawning and idolizing the ravenette[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] was only making him hate her. He called her “annoying” and “useless”, which, to a twelve-year-old girl with a crush, was traumatic!

Thinking back to it now, though, Sakura could only smile and laugh softly to herself. She had acted pretty ridiculously back then… but she was different now! Her training with Lady Tsunade had helped her learn about herself. She could be strong, independent, and most importantly, [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]dependable[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]. Sasuke was not her reason for waking up in the morning anymore, and in realizing that, she had realized so much about herself and her potential. Perhaps it was this that allowed her to truly bloom while under Tsunade’s teachings? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Smiling triumphantly, the [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]pinkette[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] set the picture down on her nightstand and pushed herself to her feet with a youthful hop, smoothing her gloved hands over her gray skirt to flatten it out over her black shorts, looking herself over in her full-length mirror to make sure she looked ready to go. “Today’s the day[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt],” she repeated, grinning a little now when thinking about just WHAT today was. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Today was the day first day of the rest of her life! She saw it as a “redo” of sorts. She saw things differently now the [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]hse[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] did when she was younger. So she was excited to get out there and really [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]start her life as a kunoichi of the Hidden Leaf! Reaching back beneath her cotton candy pink hair, she tightened her headband and turned, trotting from the room with determination practically radiating off of her. This was the first mission she had been assigned to after beginning her vigorous training beneath the Hokage, so there was also a part of her that was nervous. A part of her wished she could be with Kakashi, Naruto, and Sasuke for this mission, but maybe this was for the best? She needed to prove to herself that she could really do this, after all! [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]It was just a little nerve wrecking to know that her team for the mission consisted of only herself and one another… one [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]Itachi Uchiha[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt].[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Sakura’s [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]pace[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] faltered a little as she left her house and reflected on that little fact. Her smile became a nervous one for a moment as she thought about the older Uchiha brother. She didn’t know him, not personally. But she knew he was highly skilled and was said to be very stoic, but supposedly different than Sasuke in that he was polite and well-mannered. Sakura had seen him in passing a handful of times around Lady Tsunade’s office, but other than that, all she knew about him was what Sasuke said about him. Including that Itachi was an ANBU… but Sakura kept that to herself. She knew that information like that was supposed to be kept pretty quiet.[/SIZE]



[SIZE=11pt]So, knowing she was going to be alone with Itachi for potentially a few weeks was kind of nerve-wracking and very suspicious. Why just[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] him? If the mission was as dangerous as the briefing the night before with Lady Tsunade made it seem, shouldn’t they have a full squad? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Sakura had already decided that this was some kind of test. It was her first major mission in nearly two years, so clearly, Tsunade wanted to know how far she had come with all the training she had provided. Itachi was likely there to observe her… why else would he be sent [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]with[/SIZE][SIZE=11pt] her on this mission??

Well, it was all speculation, but she felt it was pretty solid. She reassured herself that none of that mattered, though. She had a mission, and she fully intended to do what she could to see to it that it was a success. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Finally, after the trek across the village, she came across their meeting place. She intentionally left early, arriving thirty minutes before they were to depart. Their meeting place was [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]below [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]a row of cherry trees, by the river. Looking around, it didn’t seem like Itachi was anywhere to be seen, so she took the moment to lean against one of the trees and mentally run down a checklist of all the things she had brought in her medic pack as well as the small back on her back.

It was her way of keeping herself from stressing over Itachi and what traveling with him would be like.[/SIZE]

 

[Wasted Ink]

Crimson red eyes, half-lidded and calm, reflected back at him in the crystal clear mirror.
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In some vague, alternate universe, if someone would have told him that he would become a once in a lifetime prodigy, Itachi probably would have laughed in their face. After all, it was extremely unlikely for a boy, even a Uchiha, to graduate the Academy as Rookie at the age of seven. It was even more unlikely for that same boy to master his Sharingan at eight, become a chuunin at ten, and then become an ANBU Captain at the age of thirteen.


At that tender age, he was slitting throats and stealing secrets in the name of his village, while the other kids threw wooden shuriken at training logs at the Academy. Truly, his achievements weren't anything to scoff at, his intellect and skill only being comparable to that of the Yondaime Hokage himself. For all intents and purposes, he was the pride and beacon of the Uchiha genes - untouchable by both his brothers and the other ANBU operatives within the Hidden Leaf Village. There were even whispers of him, Itachi Uchiha, being considered for the role of Hokage. To the outsider, he was the prime example of what a Shinobi should strive to be.

So why did he wake up with tears of blood pooling in his eyes, and an ache in his heart that simply would not stop hurting?
​

 
​

He could never remember the nightmares.
​

 
​

Itachi ran a pale, lithe hand over the steam-covered mirror, revealing his reflection once more. Crimson orbs, with three black tomoe lazily rotating around the pupils. Long, silky locks of raven-black hair, running down his shoulders in straight, damp strands - still wet from a recent shower. Pale white skin, clashing brilliantly with the distinct tear troughs running underneath his eyes. Slim lips, naturally tilted into a stoic frown, sat upon a lean, handsome face - a face that looked completely and utterly tired. The Uchiha heir slowly, softly, exhale a breath that he wasn't even aware of taking in. He pressed his forehead to the cool, cool glass of the mirror, breath hitching in his throat at the abrupt sensation.

Inhale.
​

Exhale.
​

 
​

Every morning was the same. 


He would wake up hours before the average Uchiha, while the sun was far below the sky, and the brisk wind of early morning was still whistling through the atmosphere. After a three minutes of stretching and warming up his lean limbs, Itacchi would promptly take a steaming hot shower - ranging from ten to fifteen minutes, but never above or below those time stamps. Generally, after his shower, he would get dressed in the standard outfit for all ANBU operatives, before leaving the compound and reporting directly to the Headquarters. That was the average morning for Itachi - a perfectionist, and one young man who was used to getting things done swiftly and efficiently.


However, Lady Tsunade had to assign him to the kid's training mission.


Indeed, she was only three - or four - years younger than himself, but she might as well been twenty years his junior. There was a reason why he only truly got along with men and women several years ahead of his own age. He was far ahead of most people, both younger and older than himself. It wasn't a statement made of arrogance or over-confident....it was simply a fact. His personality merely melded better with his seniors, and Itachi never felt the need to adjust himself to fit in with other teenagers. He was, after all, his own person, and would continue to be until the day of his death.


Sakura Haruno, however...he couldn't say that he cared enough to learn anything about her. He'd seen her before, of course. Sasuke's little pink haired teammate, the one who was just as much of a fangirl to his brother as the girls of the Academy was to him. She never bothered to show up at the Compound, unlike the loud-mouthed blonde with the demon fox hidden behind his navel. It'd been years since he'd actually seen the three training as a team, with Kakashi taking Sasuke under his own wing as a student, and the other two finding their own instructors for specialized instruction. Other than a passing note of who his brother was hanging out amongst, Itachi didn't particularly care about his teammates, except that they kept his little brother alive.


It was only now that he gave the pink-haired teen any attention, and it wasn't even of his own accord. No, Haruno was being considered for the ANBU Black Ops, and who better to accompany her than Itachi Uchiha himself? At least, that's what Tsunade had told him after the Uchiha fixed her with one of his patented stares. Eyes cool and intense, yet with a slight arching of the right eyebrows, and a slight downwards quirk of the lip. She had weathered it with a quirked grin that he hadn't particularly liked. Whether he wanted to or not, he was stuck with the mission. 


Slowly, he opened his eyes, allowing the Sharingan to recede into a cool onyx gaze. Waste of time or not, he would accomplish the task given to him.

__________________________________________________
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Hidden underneath a perfectly tailored Genjutsu, Itachi leaned against the treetop of the elder Cherry Blossom, and watched the Chuunin enter the clearing. She appeared the same as the last time he saw her. Short pink hair, jade-green eyes. She seemed at ease, leaning against one of the trees, simply...waiting. That was a bit of a surprise, considering the last time he saw her interacting with another human being, she was the stark opposite of 'serene'. Then again, the Jinchuriki was quite obnoxious. 


With only a pulse of his Sharingan, the Genjutsu was dispelled without any spike of chakra - a testament to extremely skilled chakra control. There was still a few minutes before they were to begin moving, but Itachi knew that appearances mattered for most. If he 'arrived' late, there was a chance of Sakura reacting aggressively - which he had no intentions of dealing with.


Nimbly and silently, the Uchiha allowed himself to fall onto the grassy plains below him, a brisk breeze fluttering his low pony-tail through the air. In place of his usual ANBU garb, Itachi merely wore a long-sleeve fishnet mesh, underneath a black, short-sleeved shirt - thankfully lacking the flared collars Sasuke was such a big fan of. Dark shinobi pants tucked into black ninja sandals completed the pragmatic outfit, with the usual kunai and shuriken holsters. 


"Haruno-san." Itachi finally decided to break the silence of the forest, stoic Sharingan eyes staring impassively at Sakura...directly in her own green ones. The Uchiha's face was just as unreadable as his gaze. He took a step closer, so that his quiet, deep voice easily reached her ears. He stared at her for a few seconds longer, his gaze turning more intense by the second, seemingly searching for something in her eyes. "I hope that you have everything equipped and packed for the mission." It was more of a statement than a question, Itachi's eyes momentarily flickering towards her backpack, breaking the silent stare.

 

[useless]

[SIZE=12pt]During the short wait, Sakura moved over to the river and squatted down beside it. The water was so clear and pristine that her reflection was as clear as day, earning an easy, simplistic smile from the girl as she reached up, tucked a pink lock of hair behind her ear, and peeked into her own bright green eyes. They shimmered with hopeful optimism back at her from the surface of the gently running water, earning a satisfied little hum from the girl. [/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]Her life up until now had been a relatively normal one, she understood that much. An only child, never forced to endure any kind of hardship - but she had never expected anything in life to be handed to her. She wanted to learn more; it was a trait she was quite proud of. Probably her only true redeeming quality, even now, with all of the training she had undergone. Though she was proud of that as well, admittedly.

Watching the gentle stream, Sakura tried to focus on the mission at hand. It wouldn’t be easy, as it was something she had never done, but it was something that she felt passionate about bringing to an end; [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]drug smuggling[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt].[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]The smugglers were a lot of good-for-nothing criminals. Capable of anything, even murder, just so long as their product was produced and sold. The kunoichi’s brow furrowed slightly at the thought, and slowly, she stood from her knelt position to place a hand on her hip and [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]glare[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] softly up towards the sky in thought. She and Itachi were to locate their base of operations, which was no problem due to the informant they had hidden their already, infiltrate, and dig up as much detailed information as possible while sabotaging what they could.[/SIZE]



[SIZE=12pt]Based on what Lady Tsunade had said, the smugglers main base was within the borders of the Land of Fire, [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]along the shoreline near the Land of Waves and the Land of Rivers. Sakura figured this was so they could ship their goods all across[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] the world, some by land, but mostly by sea. There was also word that this gang of thugs also extorted small local villages and farms of their money and other supplies, and this was what made it so unforgivable to Sakura.

The fact that the criminals were breaking the law by creating and distributing drugs was one thing, but dragging innocent people into their mess and ruining their lives was a totally different situation. If the people tried to stand up for themselves, they would likely be killed… so Sakura wanted to stand up for them. Her mission [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]wasn’t to[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] physical confront anyone, she knew that. But there had to be a way she could help those people.

Shaking that train of thought aside for the moment, though, Sakura turned to begin her lookout for Itachi. He should be arriving any moment, she assumed, so she wanted to be ready to greet him. Thing was, the moment she turned around was the moment he decided to drop in front of her. Surprised green eyes flickered wide, candy pink lips parting briefly as he dropped from the sky with awe-inspiring grace. Without a sound, he landed before her. Her short pink hair blew back [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]at[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] the breeze he created upon his sudden movement, leaves from the cherry tree above raining down around them in his wake.

When he stood, her wide eyes immediately moved to his face, finding he looked as expressionless as ever. For a moment, she found his lack of emotion to be unnerving… he stared at her tiredly, looking anything but interested in her or their mission. However, she was quick to force a smile onto her lips for the sake of being polite, though on the inside she felt an odd [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]irritation [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]at the way his bright red eyes seemed to be searching her own for something. For what, she had no idea, but she felt like his search was intrusive.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]They had never spoken before, so was this seriously [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]any way[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] to greet your teammate?!

“Of course I’m prepared,” She quickly retorted, sounding a little more defensive than intended, while maintaining that tight, forced smile. She had to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he was just steeling himself over for their mission to come? Then again, the few times she had seen him before, he looked the same.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Deciding not to let herself think too much into it, though, Sakura simply swiveled on her heels and turned away from him, her hair swaying as she did so.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“So, we’re headed down towards the Land of Waves, right?” Though it was a question, she knew the answer, and thus didn’t wait for a response. Instead, she took the lead, headed away from the orchard of cherry trees and towards the actual forest. “It’s a [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]three day[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] trip, and that’s if we only stop to sleep and take small breaks when needed, so we should get going.”

Her smile became more genuine now that he was focused on the task. She knew where she was going, knew how to get [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]there[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt], and for the most part, knew what to do when they got there. They were to meet up with the informant within one of the small shore towns, and discuss how to get into the gang’s base from there.

Only glancing back at Itachi to be sure he was following, the kunoichi turned and hopped up into the trees, starting at an easy pace from tree to tree in the direction of their destination. The way she bounced from branch to branched screamed blind optimism; an air of innocence around her that had yet to see just how cruel this world really could be. [/SIZE]

 

[Wasted Ink]

Itachi merely watched, his eyes narrowing imperceptibly at the sudden surprise the pink-haired girl expressed. It was mostly within her own eyes, a mirror to the soul. Pupils dilating the slightest bit, eyebrows rising upwards...it seemed as if she truly did not know that he was lurking within the trees. Then again, he did not expect her to. While Tsunade mentioned that the girl possessed exceptional chakra control, there was hardly anyone within Konoha that possessed the ability to see directly through his Genjutsu - barring the Hyuuga, of course.


“Of course I’m prepared,” She responded to his statement quickly - too quickly. Defensively. Itachi resisted the urge to let out an undignified snort, Sharingan eyes rotating lazily as the girl twisted on her heels and faced the forest. Obviously, the short exchange was over for her. Perhaps assuming the worst was not the best course of action? As much as he did not truly know about Haruno, he did, in fact, recognize that she was the student underneath one of the best medics in the Elemental Nations. He hoped that she possessed a modicum of skill and readiness. 


Itachi merely listened in silence as she began speaking, immediately taking the role of team leader. For any other person, he would have shut them down as soon as they spoke to him in such a way. The only person he was underneath was the Hokage herself, after all. But...her orders stated that Sakura would be gaining leadership qualities and skills in this mission, which was paramount for any ANBU member. As it was, he genuinely didn't care if she took the lead. In spite of himself, Itachi was curious to see what type of ninja the girl was.


He noted that she had began to walk as she talked. As he followed, pony-tail waving in the cool, stiff breeze, the Uchiha unconsciously noted her walk. Confident, optimistic, happy. It was the almost complete opposite of his own measured gait - rolled shoulder, long steps, and a predatory grace that garnered the attention of any onlookers. Similar to her walk, Sakura leaped into the trees with easy agility, bounding from treetop to treetop as a pink blur.


As he nimbly leaped into the trees after her, Itachi finally allowed a small, almost imperceptible smirk to lift at the corner of his lips. She was definitely not what you expected an ANBU member to be. Oddly enough, it was because of this that he was actually curious to see how this would pan out. If she died, then Tsunade would learn to realize that the Black Ops was not for everyone. He doubted Sasuke would be...pleased, either.


For now, however....the Uchiha subtly increased his speed, pushing off of a sturdy oak and gracefully arcing over Sakura's own leaping form. With agility and balance that most could not hope to accomplish, he gently twisted around her form, easily avoiding tripping her up as he steadily increased his speed.


Slowly, he looked over his shoulder, hair flapping with the wind. Although his face was stoic, Sharingan eyes seemed to glint curiously, as if challenging her.

 

[useless]

[SIZE=12pt]To be honest, Sakura felt like she might be being a bit too bold. She knew she wasn’t the captain of their small team. He was more skilled, experienced, and was higher ranking than her. Of the two, he was most qualified to lead, so why was she taking the lead? Maybe she was just a bit antsy. This was her first mission without her boys, so she was a little on edge as they headed out. Knowing Kakashi-sensei wasn’t here to protect her was one thing, but going out without Naruto and Sasuke was something else entirely. The two used to always protect her, telling her to stay back with an outstretched arm, making her feel secure when things got heavy…[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]But that had also been infuriating. The way she had only ever been able to stand back and watch as the two did all the fighting, refusing to let her in on the action for fear that she would get hurt. Back then, all she could do was heal them when they got hurt and try to put them back on their feet.

As unnerving as it was to go out on a mission like this without them, it gave the kunoichi an odd sense of freedom. Even with someone like Itachi staring her down, intimidating her with his oppressive dark chakra, she felt like this was what she needed. She needed to prove to herself that she was capable of if she ever wanted anyone else to see a change in her.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=12pt]However, in order for this mission to be a success, she needed to have a better connection with her teammate. Because, like it or not, that was what Itachi was for this mission. Thing was, she had no idea how to talk to someone like him! Sasuke was at least approachable, even with his attitude, but his older brother…[/SIZE]



[SIZE=12pt]Shaking such thoughts [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]aside for the time being, Sakura decided just to focus on reaching their destination. Keeping this pace, they would reach it within the three days, no problem. It wasn’t the quickest of paces[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt], but it was steady, and this way they wouldn’t be completely exhausted at the end of the day. It was an efficient--

Her train of thought was completely and totally derailed when, suddenly, she found herself being passed by. Now, this was no big deal. It wasn’t a race, and she didn’t really care who lead the way. However, what irked her was the [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]way[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] the young man went about passing her. He didn’t simply pass her by, he [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]weaved[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] around her, as if to passive aggressively tell her that she was either in his way or was going too slowly… probably both.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Taking a small breath to keep herself level, she decided she wouldn’t let it bother her. If he wanted to be in the lead that bad, then fine by her. She wouldn’t have to feel nervous the whole time with him staring at her back! And she was able to wholly convince herself of this… until he glanced back at her from over his shoulder. Curious as to why he would look back at her, her eyes met his own, and that was when she saw it. His face was as blank as ever, but those eyes of his, they had an odd look to them. A look that had Sakura’s heart suddenly rising in her chest, adrenaline pumping to life in her veins like a burst of fire.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]The look in his eyes was almost [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]daring [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]- like he was silently challenging her to some kind of duel. Perhaps it was a bit silly to perceive it in such a way, to think he would [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]really[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] truly declare some kind of tree-hoping contest upon her. Did he seek to test her speed?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Maybe she was just imagining all of this. Even so, the idea somehow had her lips curling into a small smirk, her brow arching curiously, almost as if to say: “[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]seriously??[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Well, if they went faster it would be a shorter trip. Plus, Sakura was for some reason itching to show Itachi what she could do. Or maybe she was just itching to [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]go[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]. Jumping through the trees like this had always brought her an overwhelming feeling of freedom, and today, the feeling felt amplified. So, needless to say, the kunoichi needed [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]little[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt] prodding to rise to the unspoken challenge.

Itachi moved through the tree’s like a leopard, pouncing soundlessly and effortlessly from branch to branch. His movement was smooth and slick, each step containing some kind of purpose…[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Sakura, however, was much more bouncy and forceful with her steps. Slamming her right foot down hard against the solid branch she landed on, she focused a good amount of chakra into her leg, causing her to spring forward forcefully. The power behind the force would cause the branch to splinter slightly, but it gave her the momentum she needed to gush confidently past the Uchiha in a flurry of pink and red. It was almost like she ran through the trees, extending her right foot, then her left, repeating the pattern while springing through the air in between each fall of her foot.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]As she passed by Itachi, their shoulders nearly brushing, she couldn't help the coy little smirk she gave him, letting him know she was more than willing to take up his challenge.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]His eyes probably intimidated everyone else, but having been teamed with Sasuke, she was used to those beautiful red orbs. That aside, she refused to be intimidated by him. She respected him, yes, but he was crazy if he thought she would be scared by his provocation! Instead, her green eyes glistened back at him an unspoken acceptance that said: “[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]Bring it on![/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]”[/SIZE]