A/N: Non Massacre AU. Itachi is being suspected of betraying Konoha. Sakura is assigned to investigate. She stumbles into something completely unexpected…

(I was going to write the bonus chapters for my KakaSakuSasu threesome fic but this happened instead.)

0o0o0o

Prologue

Sakura was getting a headache. Tsunade was turning red. And this was all Itachi's fault.

"Several foreign officials are rendezvousing with Uchiha Itachi and I want to know what the hell is he thinking." Tsunade's voice had risen as well as her blood pressure. She slammed a fist on her desk. "He can't just do what he wants. Government officials from foreign lands are involved," she added adamantly.

Sakura sighed at the Hokage's burst of temper. "You can't question him?" Sakura pinched the bridge of her nose. Whatever Itachi was up to, she knew he wouldn't betray Konoha. Still. It was too early in the morning to deal with his mess.

Tsunade drummed her fingers on her desk impatiently. "He hasn't reported in months. I normally don't mind his usual absences but this is different. He's acting very suspiciously. He is doing what he can to cover his tracks. If we act recklessly, we might see the end of our peace treaties with the other nations. I haven't told the other Kages yet but this is too serious for us to do nothing."

Sakura shook her head. "Shishou, Itachi-san is a hero to this village. He's done more than enough to prove his loyalty."

"Sakura," The impatience radiated in waves just from the sound her name. "There's too much at stake to just give him the benefit of the doubt."

Sakura pursed her lips in thought. She couldn't believe Itachi could be anything but faithful to the village. Being friends with Sasuke meant that she got to spend some time with his older brother. He sometimes let her watch them train. He was unfailingly polite and kind to her. Everyone in the village looked up to him and she was no exception.

She had always watched him in wonderment but he had never seen her as more than his kid brother's friend.

Sakura opened her mouth to speak. "But—" Tsunade held up a hand to interrupt her.

"But… their objectives could be about anything and that is why we should proceed with caution in this matter. Any careless act could damage our diplomatic relations with these countries." Tsunade stood up from behind her desk and plucked a folder from a pile of documents.

"Now, we found a man who was… asked to take you to the next meeting place." Sakura heard the pregnant pause and wondered what persuasive method they used. "Unfortunately, apart from the location, he doesn't know anything else. He was only hired by this organization to escort some civilians to the Land of Wind."

Tsunade handed her a folder.

"What do you want me to do?" she asked as her eyes speedily scan the document for its more salient features.

"I need you to do something with that pink hair of yours." Sakura looked up at the Hokage in surprise. Her questioning gaze was met with a wry expression. "Sakura, you are going undercover."