Shades of Grey

Chapter 7

Sakura promised herself that she would stop soon as she pressed her burning muscles to keep going. She was only about an hour away from crossing into River, and she planned to stop at the first village that had an inn. For three days now she had been traveling hard allowing herself only a few hours' sleep at a time. She had asked that Jiraiya spread word to his Akatsuki contact that the Kyuubi had a new host, so she had to be extra cautious. However, she reasoned that one good night's sleep in even a halfway decent bed could be allowed. Those were the thoughts going through her mind when she felt a strong chakra signature headed her way fast; more alarming was the fact that it suddenly vanished. She increased her speed and cloaked her own chakra until a voice that she was growing accustomed to spoke up.

"No little one." The fox said from within her. "You cannot outrun him. You must stand and fight."

"I don't have enough chakra." Sakura argued. "That signature was too strong, and I used too much of my reserves to flee Fire."

"Then use some of mine." The Kyuubi reasoned. "You have perfect chakra control use it to pull what you need from me."

"Why would you help me?" Sakura questioned the demon that resided within her.

"Because the one that you are to face is the one that hunts me." The fox growled growing impatient with the argument. "I have no desire to die by his hands or by yours should you be captured."

"You know who it is? Who is after us?" She questioned as she dropped to the ground and withdrew a kunai.

"Yes, and soon enough you will too." The fox's hackles rose when he felt the presence grow even closer. No matter how well their pursuer concealed himself, he could not hide from the demon. "He is coming from your left."

Sakura whirled in the direction that he had indicated just in time to see an Akatsuki cloak break through the bushes before its owner stopped and seemed to size her up. She did the same but stopped her appraisal short; it would not do to look Itachi Uchiha in the eyes. Her heart rate quickened as she tried to play through different scenarios that did not end with her dead or trapped in a world of the worst nightmares that a mass murderer could come up with.

"When I learned there was a new jinchuriki I must say this is not what I expected." Itachi's velvety voice carried across the clearing where she had chosen to take her stand.

"I am full of surprises." Sakura answered trying to imitate her enemy's cold tone.

"I can see as much." He smirked. "Such as the fact that you now carry my mother's katana. I take it my foolish little brother gave it to you. If he was willing to give you such a gift, I am shocked that he did not choose to leave the Leaf with you."

"He did choose to leave with me." Sakura replied earning a raised brow that she could not see. "I knocked him out cold until I could get far enough away that he wouldn't be able to find me."

"Would it not have been wise to have a companion as strong as Sasuke?" The Uchiha mused as a kunai seemed to materialize into his hand.

"What good would it do to have those I wish to protect out here facing monsters such as yourself?" She asked in an icy tone.

"Indeed" Itachi smirked as he vanished from her sight.

Sakura was barley fast enough to block his kunai before jumping back several feet trying to put a little distance between them.

Itachi observed as the girl tried to keep her breathing even. He could detect the fear barely beneath her surface. Damn him and his inhuman speed, the kunoichi thought as he seemed to flicker out of existence again.

"To the right." The fox ordered as she dodged again. "Fight little one; you will not survive this with mere defensive techniques."

Sakura grit her teeth and sent a handful of senbon in his direction; only to have him effortlessly evade each one. She tried her luck with a couple of kunai again to no avail. Meanwhile he relentlessly launched the same projectiles in her direction nicking her shoulder with one. He made a move in her direction and she quickly stomped one of her small feet into the ground causing a chasm to rush his way knocking him off course. But she knew the end was nearing she was almost completely out of her chakra now. With that in mind she began to draw on the fox's monstrous reserve. The nasty red flow engulfing her fists.

Itachi observed the kunoichi as she masterfully dodged all his attacks. He had known the minute that he stepped into the clearing that she was almost out of her own natural chakra; her last little trick while impressive had cost her. He felt the change in the air as her tiny fists became enveloped in a chakra much more hostile than her own.

Sakura knew that she would have to end this soon. Her hands were already burning, blisters forming upon them. She watched the Uchiha as he started to fly through hand signs that she instantly recognized thanks to her time with Sasuke. As fast as she could she formed her own to counter. She silently thanked Kakashi as her water jutsu collided into Itachi's flames. Because she was refusing to look into his face, she missed the smirk that graced his lips, but not the beginning of another of his fast approaches. This was it she told herself all, or nothing, as she slammed her fist onto the ground causing a massive crater. Before Itachi could fully recover she used the fox's chakra to enhance her speed and leapt next to a tree.

Itachi's eyes widened as the woman ripped a tree from the ground. His momentary surprise cost him, as she caught him squarely in the chest and sent him flying to the other side of the clearing. He would not allow himself to underestimate the kunoichi again.

"Damn!" Sakura cursed as she watched him rise to his feet. "You can even take a direct hit from a tree without being damaged."

"You did well kunoichi." Itachi declared as he took in the sight of her blistered hands. "You have even figured out a way to access the demon's chakra. The eight tails has also managed such a feat, but he laces his own through the beast's to avoid damaging his body."

Sakura was so shocked that she made a deadly mistake. Without thinking she looked up and directly into the eyes of Itachi Uchiha. Her own eyes widened when instead of spinning red she looked into onyx orbs. Which only served to leave her more confused.

"Are you offering me advice?" She questioned.

"It seems that you are headed to River." He pointedly ignored her question. "That may be an unwise choice. I have heard that some of my comrades are currently within its borders."

"Why are you trying to help me?" Sakura tried to keep the surprise out of her voice.

"It is my job to bring you in kunoichi." Itachi replied. "I will not allow another member of Akatsuki do so, and I will not until I am ready."

"I have a name you know." Sakura defiantly told him. Her mind was still reeling with questions, but she felt the need to clarify that point."

Before she would have the chance to get any of her answers however, he was gone as quickly as he had appeared. She was left watching his flock of crows as they departed, and she allowed herself to slump against her log.