The Girl They Never Saw [Completed]

Chapter 19 ~ Killer Intent

      "Love is the deadliest weakness." -Sakura Haruno

Author's Note ~ Who here hates me already after this pic? *raises hand* 

      Sakura blinked. "How...often?" She repeated, trying to keep up. She looked at the bodies again. "Oh. That."

      Her eyes flickered with an emotion Itachi couldn't identify. Was it fear? Anger? Loathing? It passed before he could make up his mind.

      "Sometimes it happens several times a month, sometimes I can go for weeks without doing it once." Her voice was soft. "I never remember any of it afterward, but people always..." She choked and clapped a hand to her mouth. "Always end up dead."

      Itachi nodded, not really understanding but knowing that she needed him to be supportive. "Did it...you know, happen...in the forest? With the Konoha nin?" He asked.

      She shook her head, then nodded. "No. Yes? Maybe. I don't know." She leaned down and picked a scroll out of a ruined vest. "Here's what we're looking for. Let's head back." 

      Sakura did not give him time to respond and shot off into the forest toward Ame. Itachi ran after her, but didn't press the matter when he caught up. They moved in silence, alone in their own thoughts, until the scrape of a foot on tree bark drew them out.

      Instantly they stopped and back to back surveyed the forest. Itachi stiffened, then let out a low, dry chuckle. "Well, things just got complicated."

      Sakura turned to see what he meant, and was greeted by cold eyes with three tomoes spinning. The white fabric of his collar rippled a bit in the breeze.

      Sasuke Uchiha watched them both like a hawk, wondering why in hell they were together.

      A silver blur streaked out of the trees and landed next to him, and Sakura recoiled in shock.

      "So nice to see you again, Sakura-hime." Sayuri Hatake hissed. "Though the circumstances are less than ideal."

      Sakura nodded. "And same to you, Sayuri-niichan, assuming you're here to kill me." She turned to Sasuke and raised and eyebrow. "The Shadow Thief? That's who you decided on to defeat me?" She laughed. "Pathetic."

      Sayuri bristled, but Sasuke wasn't even listening. His eyes were on the man at her side. "I will kill you!" He screamed and lunged forward off the branch.

      Sakura rolled her eyes. "Not again." She gave Sayuri a blank look as Itachi evaded the attack. "I thought he'd grown out of this."

      Sayuri nodded and stepped off the branch herself, floating lightly to the ground. "They do this often?" She gestured to the dueling pair, who were engaged in a fast paced taijutsu match.

      "More than you know." Sakura reached for her katana and blocked Sayuri's oncoming strike.

       Sayuri slashed again, and blocked a kunai. "How troublesome."