Shades of Grey

Chapter 8

The kunoichi had most assuredly been wrong on at least one account. That is right even Itachi Uchiha could not take a direct hit from a tree and walk away without a scratch. He winced as he leaned against the wall of the cave that he had chosen to lick his wounds in and decided that he had at least two broken ribs and a lot of swelling. Not to mention, it hurt like hell. She had however asked quite relevant questions. Why had he helped her? In the past he had taken it easy on Naruto in fights, but he had never gone so far as to give him advise.

Perhaps he had been startled to find that it was her who had taken the burden of the demon upon herself. It would not have startled him so much if Hatake had managed to do so. Itachi had watched Team 7 on many occasions, getting to know his target. The kunoichi had always been the most levelheaded and calculating of the lot. Which would lead him to believe that she had put great thought into her plan.

He could not help but to be reminded of himself, when he first let the village, as he looked upon her. She had tried quite valiantly to avoid showing him too many of her emotions. All one had to do though was look into her jade eyes to gather the complete tale. Those eyes held fear of the unknown; a fear only a shinobi without a village to cling to could truly understand. When her eyes had finally met his there was a loneliness that could only be felt by losing everyone that you have ever known. However, there was still a spark of hope held within them that had yet to die.

Those were all feelings that Itachi had known all too well as a thirteen-year-old child as he himself had left the village hidden in the leaf. Funny, he smirked, he almost found himself wishing that things could turn out better for her than they had for him. The likelihood was slim; Akatsuki would have her.

Damn he winced as he touched his side. Maybe he should have demanded that she heal him before he left; her medical skills were well renowned. No, he reminded himself, never show weakness before your enemy. Enemies they undoubtedly were.

He was Itachi Uchiha, clan murdering member of Akatsuki. She was Sakura Haruno former teammate of his younger brother and student of the legendary Sannin Tsunade. The problem for the girl was that somehow, she had managed to become the current jinchuriki and it was his mission to bring her in. Itachi Uchiha never failed a mission.

Sakura's pace had slowed greatly after her encounter with Itachi. Her burns were still hindering her. Not to mention she was more than a little confused by her encounter with the older Uchiha. First, he had fought with her, and hard enough to singe the end of her braid, much to her chagrin. Then, he had complimented her and gave her advice. Finally, after getting whacked with a tree he warned her not to go to River. What the hell? Had she knocked some nice into him? Hmmph she huffed as she stumped her toe on a rock. That is right she was forced to walk now. At least at this rate she only had about another mile to go before she would reach River. That is right no change to this girl's plans she scoffed. If there was one thing that Sakura Haruno does not do its trusting clan murdering sociopaths.

"I think our course is a poor choice." The nine tails piped in.

"Too bad for you I don't trust village destroying foxes either." Sakura huffed.

"Calm yourself little one." The fox chuckled.

"Fine." She sighed. "Look I just need to rest."

"For only this night." He cautioned.

"Deal." she quickly agreed just to get him to shut up. Damn, he could be just as annoying as her inner.