So this is the first story I've written in about... four years? In that time, I've fallen head over heels for Ita/Saku stories. I love the non- massacre ones though because I feel that Konoha did Itachi sooo wrong :/ This is my attempt at writing and it probably won't be more than ten chapters but who can tell? Let me know if you think it's any good or if you have any ideas for new stories I could write:) B

By the way my previous pen-name was Kura Uchiha-san if any of you are more familiar with that name!

I DON'T OWN NARUTO! :/


Stages of Love

Stage One: Unawareness

Sakura sighed as she pushed yet another dislocated joint back into place. "It's gonna be a long day today,' she thought as she looked at the bloody mess surrounding her. It was only a few hours after the chunin exams ended. Sakura, being a Jonin awaiting her ANBU evalutation and Konaha's top medic behind Tsunade, was expected to be at the hospital, tending to the wounds of the injured shinobi. It's not that she didn't love her job. Oh, no Sakura put her pride in her medical abilities. All over Fire Country she was known as Konoha's Blossom. She earned this name not only for her good looks and having become Konaha's sweetheart but because of how much control she had in the hospital. With her amazing chakra control, she could easily decide if someone lived or died; the ball was always in her court but, of course she would work her ass off to save every life entering her operating room. This great medical skill often caused her to be called upon for ANBU related cases as well as things as simple as checkups. Unfortunately these appointments seemed to occur at the wildest hours of the day, leaving her with not much of a social life.

"Hurry up!" her inner shouted bringing Sakura into a daze. "At this rate, you will never make it to the dinner Mikoto-san has invited you to tonight!"

*Flashback*

Sakura is in the kitchen at the Uchiha household, as Mikoto pours her a cup of coffee. "Now Sakura-chan you know you haven't been over here for a while. We miss seeing you!" Mikoto said as she passed Sakura her cup. Sakura chuckled softly as she drank. After a few seconds she put it down and wiped her mouth. "Really you all missed me? Sasuke is like a brother to me, and Itachi is a close to friend but he loves to... well, I don't even know mess with me I suppose. And don't get me started on Shisui But Fugaku-san probably couldn't care less if I came. "Mikoto smiled, "You're growing on him, dear." Sakura gave a sound of disbelief as she heard the front door open and close. Seconds after, Itachi and Sasuke walked into the kitchen.

" We're home mothe- Oh, hello, Saku- chan," Itachi said, a sudden smirk tugging at his lips. Sakura rolled her eyes and stood up heading for the door. "I love you, Mikoto," Sakura said as she grabbed her coat, "but this son of yours," jabbing her finger in Itachi's direction, "has clearly let his attractiveness get to his head." Before she could brush past him as she planned, Itachi grabbed her arm and arched a perfectly arched eyebrow. "Are you stating that you think I'm attractive?" Sakura laughed and jerked her arm back. "Like I said my friend, big ass ego. Good bye, Sasuke-kun, Mikoto-san, and Ita-kun. I'lll see you all for dinner." And with a wave, she left a Mikoto and Sasuke laughing whereas Itachi had an unsatisfied scowl on his face.

*End Flashback*

She giggled at the memory, shaking her head; however, a quick glance at the clock confirmed her inner's restlessness. It was 5:52 and she was to be expected at the Uchiha manor at 7 o'clock sharp. Groaning, Sakura let her head fall against the clipboard of patients that had just recently been checked in. Even though Mikoto loved Sakura like the daughter she never had, Mikoto hated her guests to be late and that's exactly where things were headed if she did not escape this hospital. "Where's a prince in shining armor when you need him," she muttered, quietly to herself.

"You called, Haruno-san?" a silky smooth tenor voice replied to her quiet prayer. Sakura jumped and emerald eyes clashed with onyx. Sakura gave a small smile that disappeared once she realized the words that had left his mouth. Shaking her head, she replied with an irritated gleam in her eye. "You of all people should know I hate being called that, Itachi-san. I'm Sa-ku-ra alright? I'm barely eighteen therefore I'm nowhere near old."

"As we agreed to drop the san from my own name, Sa-ku-ra?" Itachi questioned, arching a single perfect eyebrow. "However, my reason being here has nothing to do with rescuing you from your current predicaments. You're wanted in the Hokage's tower and I'm to escort you." In an instant, Sakura had her lab coat off and was signing out. "Why didn't you start with that, Ita-kun?" Holding out her arm she looked at him and smiled. "Shall we?"

Glancing at her arm, Itachi, once again, raised an eyebrow. "No."

"But it's just an arm-"

"No."

Dropping her arm, Sakura rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at him, only for Itachi to grab it. "It's impolite to stick your tongue out at your elders, Sakura-chan." he said, smirking at Sakura's flabbergasted face. Growling, she smacked away his hand and stomped towards the exit, grumbling about old Uchihas with too much pride. She turned sharply and stared at Itachi with a victorious expression on her face. "Wait, aren't you afraid of hospitals Ita-kun?" she asked sickly sweet. He scoffed. "Of course not." Itachi muttered as he headed for the door. Sakura chuckled as Itachi's speed increased once the past a tray of needles on the way out.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

"Now, Kabuto, you know the plan. Grab the girl and disssposse of the Uchiha brat."

"Yes, sir I won't fail you this time," the silver-haired man said while bowing his head.

"Good to know, because if you did, thisss misssssion will be your lasssssst.

Clenching his fist, Kabuto forced a smile onto his face, "Yes, sir."

"Hah, I'd kill you before I'd fail you snake bastard." The doctor thought silently, laughing as he fled the scene.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

"So why is Fugaku-san mad at Sasuke this time?" Sakura questioned Itachi as they walked to the Hokage's tower. Itachi shook his head and grit his teeth slightly. "He's still upset that Sasuke is in ANBU instead of being the head of the Konoha Police Force, the same reason he was angry at me years ago." Placing a gentle hand on his shoulder, she shook him out of his angry reverie. "Well, Ita-kun you've never let your father stop you or your brother and look how far you've gotten. You're not only the head of Team One, the best ANBU team in Konoha, probably Fire Nation itself and you're also the head of ANBU. Your brother is working his way up and has become an ANBU captain within a short month of joining. You both are spectacular and if he can't see that, then that is his own issue. " She finished with a dazzling smile that, for some reason, made Itachi's heart freeze in his chest before restarting.

He paused to look at her. Her eyes gleaming fiercely, her chest heaving with how she had rushed out her message of importance. He never realized how much he loved that fiery gleam in her eye before today. It was like he was seeing her in a whole new light and he didn't know what to make of it. He just continued to gaze at her as if his answer would appear just by looking at her. Sakura, on the other hand, was beginning to become uncomfortable. Shifting to glance in his eyes. "Itachi-kun..?" she whispered uncertainly. Shaken from his musing, Itachi half-smiled. "I was just- Look out, Sakura!"

The words had barely left his mouth before he pushed Sakura to the ground, shielding her from a half-dozen poisoned kunai. Sakura began to help the weakened Itachi to stand as a voice arose from the darkness.

"It seems the Uchiha Prodigy isn't as great as his reputation makes him out to be. Distracted are we not?" A man with silvery hair approached the pair, adjusting his glasses on his nose as he did so. "It seems my orders from Orochimaru will be easier than it seems."

"Yakushi Kabuto." Itachi began to stand, drawing his concealed katana but Sakura merely took his weapon from him. "Sakura, let me protect yo-" Sakura shook her head and came into a fighting stance. "Stay still and the poison won't spread as fast."

Kabuto gave a smile that didn't seem to reach his eyes. "I suppose the Fifth Hokage has trained you well, knowing there was poison without my mentioning. Good job. Unfortunately you aren't wise enough. It was a mix of poison and immediate reaction paralysis." The man disappeared, leaving not a trace of his chakra signature behind. Sakura turned just in time to deflect the kunai aimed for her head. However, Kabuto had anticipated this and kicked her in the back with all of his chakra, sending her flying into the trees lining the path. Sakura's body made a sickening sound as she collided and fell to the ground, straining to get up.

"Don't bother to stand." Kabuto said, tossing his foot onto her back pushing her deeper into the dirt. "I know exactly what Orochimaru wanted you for: healing his arms. But the weaker that old fool is the easier he is to kill isn't that right, love?" He twisted the heel of his shoe into her back causing her to let out a groan of pain. Turning to Itachi, he gave him a twisted smile once again. "So what should we do with her, Itachi? Kill her, you say? That couldn't sound anymore delightful to me." Itachi was forced to watch as Kabuto takes out a kunai and brought it over his head. Bringing the kunai down, turned his head as he once again tried to get up but to no avail. Hearing a sharp howl, he whipped his head just in time to see his very own cousin Shisui plunging a sword through Kabuto's body. With his remaining strength, Kabuto pushed himself away from the scene and into the forest.

"I always seem to find you in the worst situations; however, with the same wonderful lady. Hello, there, Sakura," Shisui spoke smoothly, helping her to her feet and kissing her hand. Sakura blushed but pulled her hand away. "Save it for your girlfriend, Shisui." she said quietly as she ran towards Itachi. She gasped in shock as she felt his burning hot forehead and noticed his shaking limbs. Turning to Shisui, she whispered firmly, "We need to get him to a hospital. Now."

0oo0oo0o0oo0oo0o0o0o

The next thing Itachi knew, he woke up in the hospital with a panting Sakura and Tsunade standing over him. Their hands were glowing with chakra and with the amount they were sweating, it seemed they were near chakra exhaustion. Itachi raised his hand to tell them that he was awake. Turning their attention to him, they put their hands at their sides and Sakura gave him a brief smile. "I take it we missed dinner, didn't we Sakura?" Laughing, Sakura brushed the hair out of his eyes before Tsunade cleared her throat.

"Since you both finally made it to my presence, we can finally begin our conversation," Tsunade began, turning to Itachi. "First, Itachi, let me notify you that your body has been cleansed of all poisons. Take it easy for a few days, okay, brat?" Spinning towards Sakura, she continued. "As for you, Missy, your ANBU files have returned, and now we just need a team to place you on."

"Place her on our team. Team One."

Everyone's head turned to see Shisui sitting in the corner, the most serious look on his face that anyone had ever seen.

"She's a skilled medic and one hell of a fighter. Plus, it's not as if ANBU has never experienced a four-man team before. I see no reason why she can't be placed on our team."

"I agree" Sakura's head whipped around to Itachi whose lips were set in a firm line "I'm serious, Sakura. You have the potential and after training with our team you'll be there completely. Besides, Sasuke and my mother would not let me live if I ever let something happen to you out there. That's why I..."

I needed to protect you. The words hung in the air but no one dared to speak them in fear of ruining the moment that had unknowledgeably been created.

After a few minutes, Tsunade threw her hands up in the air, sighing. 'Alright, I guess it's been settled. Sakura is now a part of Team One. Now, onto this matter of Orochimaru. I know you're strong but I want someone to watch over you, almost a sort of bodyguard. It will be easier if you chose one of the members of your current team." Running her hands through her hair, Sakura let out a deep breath "I'll stay with Itachi. I mean don't get me wrong. I love Shisui and Genma but I'm not sure I'd wake up with my underwear still with me." She punctuated this with a glare sent in Shisui's direction. Everyone in the room facepalmed as the man in blame simply shrugged." It's not even worth punching you right now," Sakura and Tsunade muttered in unison while turning back to Itachi. "As for you, Itachi. You are allowed to go but remember, take it easy. I've assigned Sakura to keep an eye on your condition so you don't over exert yourself. Don't let her out your sight at anytime so i suggest sharing a room. Now all of you get the hell out of here so I can go enjoy some sake." Tsunade said as she slammed the door shut.

The three stared at the door in disbelief before looking at each other. "So... how are you guys doing?" Shisui said, awkwardly scratching the back of his head.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Arriving at the Uchiha Main Branch household at around one, Sakura and Itachi tried to enter quietly until Shisui starting shouting for his Mikoto oba to wake up. Slapping the back of his head, Sakura sighed as the lights came on and the sound of people coming down the stairs entered their ears. Mikoto and Sasuke began to question them before a voice like thunder interrupted all the questions and answers. "Where have you been?" Fugaku asked Itachi, ignoring everyone else in his presence. Sakura slowly stepped forward. "I'm sorry, Fugaku-san," she said softly, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. "We were attacked by a sound ninja and Itachi stepped in front of me to save me and-" "Everyone leave. I would like to speak to Itachi alone." Fugaku interrupted, eyes never leaving Itachi's form.

Sakura sighed and tried to help Itachi to the living room; however, he refused and limped to the couch. The room quickly emptied, leaving Fugaku alone with his eldest son.

"How could you let your guard down! You are an elite ninja and you almost get killed against one ninja? Where is your skill? Where is-"

"I'm sorry, Father. It won't happen again." Itachi ground out while his fist clenched the leather material of the couch he was sitting on.

Fugaku released a breath and sat next to his son. "At least tell me why you risked your life for her." he muttered so silently, Itachi almost didn't hear it. But he did. Itachi stared at the edge of the maroon carpet underneath his feet for what felt like hours before answering, "I don't know."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Sakura was sitting on the edge of the bed when she heard the door open and Itachi enter. She raced up to help him sit on the bed. After a few moments Sakura nudged him to gather his attention. "So you're taking the bed and I'll take the couch over there, right?" Itachi's head jerked up and he looked at her as if she was crazy.

"Of course not. You're the guest. You're taking the bed."

"But Itachi, you're also my patient and-"

Itachi placed his hand over her mouth stopping any other form of protest from coming out of her mouth. "My injury does not take away any of my parent's teachings of manners. You are the guest now get on the bed." Sakura glared at him then let her shoulders droop. "How about we share?" she suggested. Itachi relaxed as a crooked smile appeared on his face. "Now that I can agree on."


It felt wrong ending it right there but at the moment I suppose I'm lost for words.

Tell me if you liked it or not and what I can work on for the next few chapters. R&R it's all appreciated:)

BallerinasAreBabyNinjas:)