Disclaimer: I make no profit from this.

A/N: Just an idea. Hopefully some will enjoy.

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It had been a week since the massacre occurred. It was a stupid decision by anyone's standards to return when he was probably the most wanted missing-nin in all of Konoha. He was telling himself that the only reason he was here was to see the Kyuubi child. He was not sure exactly if he was the one to be assigned to him but it seemed more likely than not. To Itachi Uchicha, recent cold blooded murderer, this was just the more acceptable truth of what had possessed him to return.

Truth be told, however, the real reason was to see his brother. People were protecting Sasuke making sure that he would not come back and completely kill every Uchiha but himself. They were being stupid of course. There was a reason he had not killed Sasuke even when there was opportunity to. Though he claimed that Sasuke was not worth the effort he knew he was wrong.

If anything Sasuke was the person in the clan that was the worthiest. All the others had a sense of self importance and arrogance much like those of the Hyuuga clan. Sasuke though was a boy that craved attention and was humble despite bearing the clan name. He had a potential that now after this would be most likely be brought out. He was the only one that Itachi knew could one day be a worthy adversary and it was because of this that the boy was the sole survivor.

The other reason was because despite the accusations of being heartless Itachi like everyone else did have one. True it wasn't much, but the little of it that remained was mostly for Sasuke. He could not say he loved the boy but he was at least not indifferent to him. There had been a barely there sadness when he left his brother so broken but things had to be done and he was a by nature a selfish person. His brother's love, although something he had acknowledged and may have grown to return, was not enough to keep him here. He had already left that path and had continued on his own.

People seemed to forget that he was still just 13 years old. He could allow himself this one moment of weakness, assuring himself that it would be the only one he would permit himself to have before completely erasing all thought of his little brother. Things would be better that way. Easier for him at least.

He had accomplished what he had come here for.. Sasuke had been spotted at the lake sitting pensively there probably still in mourning. He remained the same no outward change visible. His dark eyes, however, were colder and lonelier than they had ever been before. The resemblance between them now was more obvious than ever. He had even seen the jinchuriki walking by and staring contemplatively at his brother.

The blond boy in plain clothes didn't seem special. In fact, the only things that showed he was different were the whisker marks on his face. He had stayed there staring at his brother understanding perhaps better than most that isolation. Itachi saw the hint of a smile that crossed his brother's face when he saw the other boy. How ironic it would be if they should become friends.

But it was a fleeting moment and then the boy Naruto, he recalled left while some kids in the distance seeing him approach screamed playfully and began running away as though it was a game. It was to them, of course, to avoid the odd boy no one seemed to like but to the Kyuubi child it was anything but. He kept walking casting his eyes downward with the air of someone who is used to worse. Those children would perhaps one day grow to regret these games. It was not wise to anger one with so much power.

The boy might become another Sabaku no Gaara, the hateful jinchuriki with the fear of everyone in the Sand Village. The boy rumored to kill without remorse and who had already at least a hundred dead to which he claimed responsibility. Maybe then the Leaf villagers would regret their idiocy.

With these thoughts he turned away from his brother. This would probably turn out to be the last time he would see his brother for years to come. Walking off in the woods he went toward the direction of the East Gate. It was already nightfall and no doubt the guard there would be doubled. He expected no trouble though. He had proved he was capable.

In the woods, however, he felt another presence nearby. Their chakra showed it was a young someone though. Someone of no importance and no threat. That person was most likely a child playing by themselves. Dangerous and foolish really. He decided to leave the child alone should it find him. There was nothing it could do after all.

The child finally crossed his path and he found he had been correct. She could not be any older than Sasuke's age maybe even younger. Her large green eyes looked up at him surprised and full of tears. She was a very odd looking child and not just because of those rare eyes. Her hair was pink of all colors and she had long bangs that fell into her face. She was wearing a red outfit and his first impression was what a colorful child she was. He was used to the dark colors of the Uchiha compound and he wasn't accustomed to seeing so many colors on just one person.

"I'm sorry," she said tearfully. Vaguely wondering why she was apologizing, considering she had done nothing except be in a ten foot radius of him. He nodded and kept walking. Feeling a tug on his shirt he looked back over his shoulder at her. The tears in her eyes seemed to be more pronounced.

"Yes?" he asked impatiently wondering if he should just knock her out.

"I don't know how to get home from here," she informed him sniffling slightly.

"Then why are you here in the first place?" he asked feeling annoyed. He had to get back and couldn't waste his time helping a lost child.

"The other kids were teasing me, so I just ran and I didn't realize where I was going," she said wiping away her tears on the back of her hand.

"How foolish to care for what others say," he said coldly and continued on. To his annoyance the girl followed him.

"I know but I do care. It's not that big I think, right?" she asked looking at him waiting for his answer quite hopefully.

Having no idea what the girl was talking about but deciding to get rid of her he nodded in agreement. Apparently it was the wrong thing to do since she smiled widely and continued walking next to him encouraged.

"Really. Thank you," she said shyly. "Can I come with you? I don't want to be alone."

"I'm leaving the village," he told her shortly. Perhaps now she would leave. Unfortunately her curiosity seemed to only get larger.

"Why would you do that?"

"I don't care for the village. I'm going to train in other places," he said. Deciding that having the girl around made his mind drift away from other more bothersome subjects, he concluded to not knock her out. At least it was some conversation no matter how mundane.

"I don't like the village either," she agreed nodding. "Are you a genin?" she asked, eyes bright and curiosity obvious as she spotted his hitai-ate. She was a very expressive child. It was quite a change from other children he knew, mainly his brother.

"No. I'm ANBU," he told her. He hadn't been a genin for three years. It was almost an insult.

Now her eyes were wide in amazement. "You're so young. That's so amazing. I want to be a shinobi too," she whispered the last part. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. The girl was nothing like what a kunoichi should be. He doubted she would actually become one.

Seeing that he was quiet, she stayed thoughtful for a while. Then smiling she asked, "Could you train me to be a shinobi like you?"

He stopped surprised not that he would show it. "I told you I'm leaving the village."

"I could come with you," she told him slyly. Her hands were behind her back and one foot was making circles in the dirt. She was the picture of innocence with those large pleading eyes.

"What about your parents?" he asked her. Surely the girl wasn't serious. It had just been a whim of the child's.

"They don't care. They don't think I can be a kunoichi. They say I'm not strong or smart enough," she told him quite bitterly. It was odd to hear that from her. She seemed like a girl with a happy childhood. Most likely her parents just wanted to dissuade her from that goal by telling her that.

"What is your name?" he asked her suddenly.

"Haruno Sakura," she replied. It suited her he supposed. Then cocking her head to the side she asked him for his name.

"Itachi," he replied absentmindedly. Haruno wasn't a clan name. He didn't even know anyone with that name. Must be some run of the mill clan. Weak and without any connections. No wonder they didn't want her to be a shinobi. She would be at a disadvantage not knowing any clan techniques.

It would soon be evening and there would be more guards stationed. He didn't want to kill any more unnecessary people. The girl kept following him like a shadow.

"So can I come?" she asked again.

"I don't think you understand what you're getting into. I'm not coming back to the village. You don't want to leave your friends and family do you?" he told her hoping that finally she would see the sense in his words and leave him alone.

"I want to be a powerful kunoichi. I don't care how," she informed him coolly. It was an odd request from a child to leave with a total stranger.

"You don't even know me. I'm a bad person," he said angrily and feeling foolish. Bad person indeed. Hadn't her parents talked to her about talking to strangers. The girl had no idea what she was saying. She was clearly deluded.

"You're nice to me," she pointed out quietly. He blinked. It was true sort of. In any case he hadn't done anything against her. Yet.

He let out an exasperated sigh then kneeled so they were eye level. Her green eyes peered into his Sharingan ones. "Look, Sakura, I know you want to be a kunoichi, but I don't think coming with me is the best way to do it. You don't understand who I am," he said wanting to knock some sense into her.

What was worse was that he was beginning to actually considering taking the girl with him. If anything just to have someone there. Akatsuki wasn't planning anything for some years against the jinchuriki. For now they were just doing missions to gain funds. He could train the girl and use her. Perhaps it wasn't such a bad idea.

"If you can make me not weak. I will go with you. Please, Itachi-san," she said serious and not backing down in the least. He raised an eyebrow. Perhaps...

"Fine," he concluded, her eyes lit up,"but I need to see if you're good enough."

She nodded vigorously. She was too foolish this child. He didn't know what he was doing but he was going to test her out to see if she had at least some potential. They were close to the gates and there were 4 guards there.

Before there used to be one or two at the most but since his little killing spree it seemed they were worried he would come back. It was very ironic that they were trying to keep him out when he was on the inside trying to get out. Like he would want to stay in this village.

Whispering to Sakura he explained that he needed to get out but the guards wouldn't let him. That's where she came in. She looked toward him confused as to what to do but he wasn't giving her any other hints. Here was the challenge.

Determined to show Itachi-san that she was worthy of his training she walked forward head downward. The men looked up as she approached and she looked up to meet their gaze. There were still tear streaks on her face. They gave her a look of concern. Once she was near she sniffled audibly.

"What's the matter, child?" one with warm brown eyes asked. The others while not particularly concerned looked at her in vague curiousity.

"At the W-West gate there's a m-man who at-attacked the guards. He's l-looking for someone... I don't know who," she finished.

She had heard that there was a man who all the shinobi were searching for. He was a missing-nin and he was considered an S-class criminal. Everyone was quite scared because it was rumored that he wanted to come to their village for someone. She decided to use that to her advantage. It never crossed her mind Itachi-san could be that person. After all, he was trying to leave the village not enter it.

The guards looked to one another in understanding. They nodded and the 3 others left quickly towards the West Gate. The brown-eyed man looked at her smiling.

"Thank you for informing us. You should get home soon. It's not safe. Would you like me to take you?"

"No, thank you. I live nearby. You have to help your shinobi friends," she said hoping he got the hint. She smiled when he nodded and went after the others. Seconds later Itachi-san came out of the bushes where he was hiding. He looked at her in amusement.

Perhaps it wasn't so ludicrous for her to come with him. She could help him out of sticky situations when he didn't need to kill or fight. She was the picture of naïvety. Who could believe she was involved with someone like him? She would be useful as long as she didn't compromise any missions. When her usefulness ran out then he would see what to do with her but for now...

She looked at him for approval. He nodded and she smiled widely. They walked out the gates together. They had to hurry. It wouldn't be long before they came back once they realized she had lied to them.

Unkown to them this was a treacherous path. A deceptive child and a cold adolescent would change the course of many lives without ever knowing.

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I know it's kind of short. I know my characterization of Sakura is off but I will attempt to justify my writing.

Out of all the other rookie genins, Sakura is the only one who doesn't seem to come from a clan that has any shinobi. If she attended the academy I think she had to really want this. One doesn't become a ninja because of a whim. Of course, at first there was no one to train her and even Kakashi didn't really spend much time with her, so any skills were largely ignored until Tsunade took her as an apprentice.

I think that maybe Sakura was determined to become a kunoichi because she obviously put all her effort into studying about it, even if she didn't have the skills. Unfortunately there was a derailment in this course. Most likely in the form of one Sasuke Uchiha.

Anyways, take some time to share your views by reviewing.