Redemption In Your Eyes

Awaken

A soft, burnt-orange light spilled over the cloaked figure. The Akatsuki manteau fluttered around his ankles and he held one hand high. Still holding the persona he had been perpetuating, Madara watched and stood tirelessly. Kakuzu, Pein, and Konan occupied their usual spots on the fingertips of the statue. None of them were sure how much time had passed. The statue's eyes were alight with the chakra of the gyuuki and its mouth wide as it swallowed a steady flow of chakra.

A man lay crumpled and bleeding at the base of the statue. His skin was dark and tanned, lacerations a bright red in the unearthly glow. His blonde hair looked gold with the orange tinge. The symbol of Kumogakure was etched into his hitai-ate.

Adjusting the pack on his back, Itachi ignored Hikaru. He stepped past him swiftly and deliberately. The other man turned on his heels, clenching his fists.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Hikaru snarled. "You can't just go off by yourself."

Putting one hand on the door Itachi sighed. "I'm done playing games. I'm going to hunt them down one by one."

"Bullshit." He crossed his arms. "You have no leads and no back up and your actions haven't been sanctioned by the village."

"Are you going to stop me then?" Glancing behind him, he was glad the house was empty.

Sputtering, Hikaru advanced on him. "I won't stop you- I'll go with you!"

Itachi glared at him. "You really are Aster's brother. You're unbearable."

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Both men paled as though they were children caught red handed. Pushing past Itachi, Hikaru opened the door. Shizune met his stare with wide eyes, umbrella in hand and a scroll in the other.

"A mission?" They asked in unison.

Making a face as though she'd had some particularly distasteful food, Shizune handed Hikaru the scroll. "Yes." She finally answered. "New intel on a rendezvous."

"Well," Hikaru looked at Itachi. "This certainly makes things easier."

One finger on her lower lip, Sakura scanned the shop. Soft, gray light from the overcast sky fell in through the open door behind her and the wide windows. Potted plants hung from the ceiling, price tags attached. The wall directly in front of her was covered in hooks displaying various gardening tools. To her left, was the merchant's long wooden counter. Dropping her hand and biting her lip, she glanced to her right at Sasuke.

"Fertilizer should be easy to find... Right?" Sakura frowned as she looked around again.

Pointing to a spot on the floor under another display, Sasuke answered, "It's right there."

Turning red with embarrassment, she grabbed the bag and set it on the shopkeeper's counter. Studying her movements as she checked out, he noted the grace and precision she used; only years of training could teach that. As they moved to leave, he took the bag from her. It was heavier than he expected and he gave consideration to how strong she was.

They walked towards the house in silence for a while. First weaving through the crowds in the town center, which was bustling despite impending rain, and then into the less populated residential streets. Finally the paved path ended and they arrived at the entrance to the forest that surrounded their home.

"I have to ask," Sasuke began, breaking the silence, "I thought you and Aster didn't get along. Why are you so obsessed with the garden?"

Sakura came to a halt, but didn't face him. It was a moment before she replied. "I don't mean to say what you've been through due to this ordeal isn't as important as my feelings... It's just been...daunting to deal with this now that I can't fight Akatsuki."