Nothing But the Truth

Chapter 14: Doubts are Traitors

AN: Hello there! I hope you like this chapter. I found it very difficult to write. It's a little of a transition chapter, but a lot happens.

Enjoy and review!

Nothing but the Truth

Chapter 14: Doubts are Traitors

"Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt."

- William Shakespeare, Hamlet

"Tsunade-sama," Sakura mumbled as the hokage materialized in the bedroom of their suite. Her shishou had very bad timing as Sakura was still trying to calm her body down from the exchange she had just had with Itachi. If Sakura wasn't so in tune with her body, there was a very good possibility that Tsunade would have materialized at a very, very bad time. Sakura hardly thought that being caught making out with Uchiha Itachi by her shishou of all people would make for a pleasant conversation.

Itachi tensed. The fifth hokage was standing in the middle of their room and she found them by using Sakura. Could she have found them this entire time? Have she and Sakura been communicating on a regular basis? Has the kunoichi been leaking information about the Akatsuki since her arrival three months prior? Sakura had always seemed to be honest with him and the others, but she was loyal to Konoha first, so he couldn't blame her if she was reporting her observations back to her home. However, Sakura had seemed just as surprised as he was, so he wasn't sure what to make of the situation just yet. He was aware that the hokage was staring in a blatantly angry way at him, but he tried to ignore the feeling of honey-colored eyes boring into his face.

Tsunade was staring, with a disapproving curve to her face, at the sleep-ruffled looking at Itachi, hands crossed over her chest when she spoke. "Sakura," she stated evenly, turning to give her student a brief look. The stern look that crossed her face when she observed her student and the manner in which the room was set up was both blatant and obvious. "Why do you look like you've been doing a multi-day surgery? You're thin, pale, and you look as if you haven't slept in days."

Sakura stood erect, but her face blanched into a guilty look immediately. "About that..." she replied faintly.

"Sakura," Tsunade replied in a very harsh, reprimanding tone. "You'd make yourself that vulnerable here?" Her arms waved around, gesturing to the room, to Itachi, in exasperation. Itachi couldn't help but note that Sakura did the exact same thing when she was annoyed, and he decided that she probably took after her teacher in more than just medical talent and strength.

Sakura's eyes cast to the floor in answer, and her teacher huffed. "I was healing a chronic, fatal ailment of Uchiha Itachi."

Tsunade's gaze turned thoughtful for a moment, her attention now completely on Sakura. As she spoke, her voice was softer, yet just as firm, "Sakura, healing his eyes in exchange for the life of Kakashi is one thing. I understand that. But saving his life now? You are aiding an enemy of Konoha, and you know that they'll charge you with treason if they ever find out."

Itachi contemplated her words carefully, listening for any signs that Sakura had been reporting back to Konoha. If she hadn't, it meant that Itachi could keep her safe. But if any other member of the Akatsuki found out she had been spilling secrets, they would kill her on sight. Deidara and Kisame wouldn't want to do it, but they would be forced to if they found out and Itachi knew that.

Sakura bit her lip, but turned to face the hokage. "I'm aware of the consequences of my actions."

"Sakura," Tsunade's voice spoke, full of uncertainty. "You would never betray Konoha."