Taka- Hello everyone. . I'm really sorry that things have been so slow—I had to move to another state, so I didn't have time to update any of my stories. BUT NOW I DO! So I started this one, and my other one, "Welcome to Camp Kakashi", will be updated ASAP. But for now, please enjoy my first EVER Sakura+Itachi pairup! n.n

Chapter One: The Encounter

Uchiha Itachi followed an unfamiliar trail impatiently. He knew he was onto Sasuke's trail but his knowledge was limited of his whereabouts. With the ANBU diminished and Orochimaru on the loose, Itachi couldn't afford to be lost under any circumstances.

His pace slowed to a moderate walk as he came to a clearing. A small pond lay in his line of vision, along with an array of trees.

He began to trace the area when his eyes fell upon the outline of a girl.

She was shrouded over the edge of the rivulet. A tear slid down from her eye and followed her cheek, then disrupted the still water below her. Her left hand was clenching what looked like a kunai blade.

Itachi glowered at her. She was in the way. His glare turned colder as he prepared to kill her.

"Damn you, Sasuke!" said the girl, digging her nails into the ground.

Curiosity had gotten the best of him as she uttered his brother's name. What reference did this girl have with him? Itachi leaned against a nearby tree and watched her.

The girl's dawn-tinted hair followed the direction of the wind carelessly and she fought angry tears flowing down her face. With quivering fingers, she bought the blade up and perched it against her chest.

She held it there momentarily, as if in hesitation, and then took in a deep, shaky breath.

Itachi eyed her nonchalantly, but did note the position of the blade on her chest. If she did pierce herself, she would not die, instead undoubtedly miss her heart—if that was where she was aiming.

She closed her eyes and pressed the blade into her skin. A painful moan escaped from her lips, and she dropped the weapon.

"You are weak." Itachi stated simply. The girl jumped and averted her attention toward him. A pool of blood was chasing down her chest.

"Who are you!" she spat, clutching the wound. "What do you want!" She couldn't help but notice the uncanny resemblance to Sasuke that this stranger held.

Itachi said nothing, instead approached her calmly. The girl shrouded back cautiously, fear clouding her eyes.

Itachi stood over her. He watched the weak girl tremble below him. He reached into his cloak and pulled out a shuriken throwing star. He smirked as the color drained from her already pale face, and she slid back, supported by her elbows.

Itachi held the star between his index and middle finger, then squatted down and held it at her throat.

"Are you prepared to die?" he asked her.

Her eyes met the ground beside her. "Please. Do me a favor."

He pressed the weapon closer into her throat, threatening her sarcasm.

She closed her eyes and swallowed.

"A-Are… are you Uchiha Itachi?" she asked, not daring to move. He narrowed his eyes at her.

"I am. What knowledge do you have of me?"

"…you look so much… like Sasuke." Itachi's eyes grew cold and angry. He pressed the star into her neck incisively and watched the blood slowly inch down her skin.

She coughed and threw her head onto the ground. Her breathing became heavier, and her hands wrapped around Itachi's wrist instinctively.

A moment passed briefly, Itachi contentedly watching the girl. This, by far would be the slowest life he had ever taken.

Her eyebrows furrowed and she shut her eyes tightly, squeezing more tears from them.

"Tell me," Itachi began, holding his arm dormant, "who are you?"

She winced. "Haruno… Haruno Sakura." She managed, then choked on her words. Her grasp around his wrist grew strained with anticipation. "If you're going to kill me, then just do it."

Itachi pulled away from her. Sakura's eyes grew wide with confusion.

"You may come of use to me." He stated simply, and landed a rough punch in her stomach.

Before she could react, she felt dizziness consume her, and she fainted there before him.

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