This is a rewrite of one of the first stories I've ever posted on FFN. As I'm looking back at it, I've come to realize...I was filled with so much angst back then. I just needed to change it. I laughed so hard at how serious I tried to be with this fic and if anyone has read any of my other SakuraxItachi fics, YOU know there is like almost no serious bone in my body unless I absolutely have to incorporate it for the sake of...well..I really don't know, just know it needs some drama, yea? Lol.

Hope you guys enjoy this, hopefully, better version of the fic. I'll be continuously updating as I go through and comb the other chapters of any remnants of my teenage angst while writing the next chapters for 30YOV, Funny Love, and TDAU.

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Just Another Day

Her eyes fluttered awake. Upon realizing where she was, a gentle sigh escaped her tender lips. Sakura wanted to continue to bask in the moment and allow it to pass as slowly as molasses but she knew that was utterly impossible. She felt his arm around her waist and moved to rest her hand over his. After a moment, she turned her head to look at him and nearly flinched.

His eyes were transfixed on her, not allowing even a glint to go unnoticed. He examined and at the same time, was utterly fascinated with what he saw. His muscular chest was exposed as she turned in his embrace to trace lazy circles with her fingers over his chiseled body, but their eyes never ceasing to unlock from each others invisible, yet invincible bond. His charcoal eyes clashed against her brighter green hues that held a passionate burning silvery flame within them.

He was as perfect as a God to her. From his long ebony hair that cascaded over his shoulders, to his perfect body and composure. He was a man to envy. She looked demure compared to him. Her pink bed hair was experiencing a rock star look, and she even knew her makeup from last night may had her looking less than a goddess. She couldn't help but feel their faces becoming closer once again as he ran his fingers through the hair on the back of her head, pulling her closer to him as their lips met at first softly till they were both fighting for dominance. The pink haired beauty had allowed him entrance, letting his tongue explore the depths of her mouth. Both wrestled until she pulled back, catching a breather of air.

The raven haired man smirked at her as she rolled her eyes but a wide smiled was plastered to her face. The pinkette attempted to sit up in the oversized bed and she threw her feet over the edge, but she felt a certain man's head lean on her shoulder, his lips brushing her neck and his arm lacing around her as he whispered.

"I want you." His words brought shivers down her spine as he trailed kisses down her neck. The female released a heated groan as he did so. Sakura had to ignore the temptation of taking him right then and there...Again. She pulled away from the raven haired man as he lifted a perfect eyebrow at her. She smiled innocently at him as he kissed her on the forehead as he always did; it was his personal way of saying ' I love you' and threw the comforter up, showing all his naked glory as he sat up and walked out the room. Earning a whistle from the observer in the back.

The raven haired man headed towards the washroom but stopped momentarily to eye the woman getting out of the bed, shielding herself modestly with the covers as if he never saw an inch of her perfectly shaped body.

Oh he's seen enough to write poetry about it if he wanted to.

He walked into the washroom, with no need to take anything off, he simply went and showered. He was soon accompanied by a certain pinkette who hugged him from behind, pressing her body and heart against him as if he were going to disappear in any moment.

Steamy, hot water cascaded down on the couple as they cleansed themselves from the last night's events as they did everyday together but this time, in silence. Not wanting to disturb the moment.

After they were dressed and sitting on the foot of the bed, the silence began to grate at her nerves.

"Itachi," Sakura softly said to the raven haired man. He did not look down from the ceiling as he replied back.

"I know…"

"But..."

"I know,"

The tears were welling up in her eyes, fighting them back she chanted to herself 'don't cry, don't cry' She turn to look him in his eyes.

"I-I'm sorry." Her voice cracked.

"Don't apologize, we knew this from the start and now, it is no reason to avoid it now." His eyes showed no emotion or expression but hers held nothing but emotions swirling in turmoil.

Her legs had developed a mind of their own. She stood up, wanting to run, run as fast and far as her legs would carry her but she would soon fall, for her heart felt heavy and wanted to stay here, with him, forever. Just the two of them, isolated from the world. Sakura was willing to give it all up for him but she knew he wouldn't allow it.

She turned towards him and fell to her knees, folding her arms over his lap, she rested her head onto them, covering her face in thought. He smelled of spice, the smell she had come to love about him.

"Sakura, look at me, now." He commanded her in a cold icy voice.

She looked up at him, a stubborn tear making its way down her face.

"Move on. Do not forget the past and what transpired but do not dwell on it either. My fate has been sealed. You are still free to choose your own path. Do not look back, keep moving forward. "He held her chin so she would look him straight in the eye as he told her. Tears were flowing freely from her eyes now and her cheeks were red in anger and sadness.

He knew his words had upset her, but they needed to be said. Itachi leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips then the forehead, calming her nerves and slowing her rapid heartbeat for the moment.

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The late spring air whipped the pinkette's hair in different directions. The medic moved so gracefully, it would've put a ballerina in tears. She was rushing with all her might, hauling ass through the trees beneath her feet. There was a clearing in the distance. She could feel his heavy chakra signature as she approached the clearing. She pounced down into the semi-circle of clear land. Landing on her feet onto the dry, dusty land, she stood before a lone figure.

It wore a black cloak with red clouds adorning it. His long slick hair was pulled back into a ponytail but stray strands blew in the wind. His eyes were devoid of any emotion. Only in its wake a dead dull charcoal. His stress lines became deeper over time.

It somewhat pained Sakura to see him this way. She felt the urge to hold and assure him that everything was alright and she would be there to help him like she promised once upon a time.

"Itachi, it's been a while." Sakura smiled as he gave her a simple 'hm'.

She shook her head. "I see you haven't changed in the least. Well, I have news from Lady Tsunade."

"Hn." Sakura suppressed the urge to slump her shoulders. She took a scroll out of her inventory pack and walked closer to him and instantly felt the charge of electricity in the air around them. She didn't let that deter her from her objective and handed the scroll to his awaiting hand.

Itachi wordlessly turned and descended into a flock of ravens, ending any more attempts at conversation.

"Itachi wait!" Sakura yelled, stretching her hand out and effectively stopping him mid transformation. She lowered her hand slowly as she took a moment to collect the right words. "… Thank you."

Suddenly the crows cleared away and Sakura had to shield her eyes as they angrily blew past her.

"Why are you thanking me?" His words drove a chill down her spine.

She tried not to allow him to hear her voice waver. "For understanding my situa-"Sakura was cut off before she could even finish her sentence.

"Situation? Sakura it wasn't a situation, it was a choice. A choice you made poorly. Then again, I take that back, you made the correct decision to be with Sasuke." The mention of her husband's name caused her heart to plummet in her chest.

"W-What? What do you mean I made the 'correct choice' to be with Sasuke? You think it was my choice to make? This is what I thought you wanted me to do. Itachi, I never stopped...I never stopped... And I thought...I thought you still lo-"Sakura was genuinely confused and hurt and it pained her too much to finish the sentence.

"You thought. You foolishly thought I harbored strong feelings for you, Sakura? Funny you would think that. I only thought you were good because you were convenient." Itachi was beyond shocked at how much he sounded like his own father, but the words continued to flow freely from his lips.

Sakura was stunned beyond words. Itachi had just basically called her a slut. Her heart ached in her chest and tears stung at her eyes. It was a tremendous blow to the self-esteem she tried to vigorously build up over the years, only for it to be knocked down in a few words.

She wanted to get angry, she wanted to tell him off and set him straight. She wanted to take a blow at his face like he did with her heart. But she couldn't. She couldn't bring herself to do it. The look in his eyes made not just her but time freeze over. A stubborn tear that wasn't even noticed fell from her emerald eyes. Itachi finally descended into a flock of ravens, leaving the pinkette to sort through her thoughts and pull -no- haul herself together.

Sakura was a strong woman, a steel heart indeed but this man, this one insignificant man can make her with one glance so weak in the knees, it angered her how weak she really was. Every time he was around, her heart fluttered and butterflies hatched within her stomach. Her face was already as pink as her hair when he got close and with one glance, she'd say yes to anything to please him and looking back at it now, she didn't feel silly, she felt downright stupid.

Clutching her stomach, she fell to her knees in fear that she was going to vomit from the knots that twisted in her stomach.

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6 Years Later

Sakura examined the medical report, handing it to a nurse who rushed off to do much needed paper work. She glanced at her wrist watch and clocked out for the night. She hung her lab coat on the coat peg and turned off the lights in her office.

Walking through hallways of the hospital, Sakura reached a red painted wooden door with paint smothered hand prints on the glass and 'Day care' written in a child-like penmanship across it in marker and crayon. She met eyes with the head staff of the center, Ms. Tuona.

Ms. Tuona was an elderly lady with years of experience in the childcare field. She could handle anything thrown at her and frankly, she was a damn good babysitter and Sakura trusted her heavily.

"Doctor," The elderly woman acknowledged.

"Good evening Ms. Tuona. I'm here for Kai."

"Ah, yes. Here's playing with the blocks right over there. Kai, Your mother is here." They turned to the child who was currently stacking blocks higher than himself in a corner.

Kai had long black hair that trailed down his back in a low ponytail that Sakura wouldn't dare try and cut. His black charcoal eyes focused on his masterpiece, precisely putting everything in place and not leaving one block unorganized or out of place. His steady hands working with speed and grace. Sakura took a step closer and effectively broke him out his trance.

"Kai, c'mon." Sakura gestured for him to follow her. He smiled brightly at the sight of his mother, running from the perfectly created Hokage tower.

They waved goodbye to Ms. Tuona and passed through the double doors of the hospital to meet a fuming Sasuke that was leaning against a tree with an irritated look on his face as he eyed emerald gems.

"We have to talk." Was all he said. Sakura nodded, a little taken aback by his sudden anger. She had a feeling in her gut that their talk might be extremely important, so she gestured for Kai to return to the lobby of the hospital; the child did as told to and went back into the double doors without questioning his mother or intimidating father.

"What is it?" Sakura was now serious with an attentive expression hardening her feminine features.

"The Akatsuki is here and the fish man wants you. He won't leave peacefully until he has a word with you and I'm not leaving you alone with him without me." He crossed his arms over his chest.

Sakura felt her pulse speed up. "Where is he now?" She whispered.

"At the gates." He retorted back.

"I'll be fine, Sasuke. If I can surpass the Hokage, I can manage fish man. If I need help, I'll have the guards get you." She gave him her best confident smile. It always made him angry how she was always so cheerful of certain things, especially in serious situations. For once, can happiness be sucked out of her for five minutes? She was as bad as Naruto, sometimes.

Sakura was gone in a blink of an eye. She disappeared into the trees and skipped from branch-to-branch. She passed by the ANBUs securing the areas and reached the gates where a crowd of masked ANBUS were surrounding Kisame who stood nonchalantly as if life was milk and honey for him. Samehada was on his shoulder, throbbing with the urge to suck chakra from the nearest host. Sakura ordered the captain of the ANBUS to give them privacy and to stay as far from hearing range as they would allow. Reluctantly obeying her orders; as quickly as they were there, they were gone in a flash.

After a moment, she decided to break the silence. "So nice of you to pay me a visit. It's been six years, Kisame, what brings you here now?" Sakura didn't bat an eye at the smiling fish, but he suddenly went serious and the air charged around them.

"Pein wants you to come back and serve the Akatsuki as a medic. " Kisame informed her. "It's not really your choice though, it's either saying yes and come peacefully or we have our ways, Sakura, you know how it goes." He shrugged nonchalantly.

Sakura visibly cringed at the words. Going back there to serve the Akatsuki with Pein and the others? That was not an option worth choosing anymore. Besides, she was happily married now with a soon to be seven-year-old son. She couldn't abandon her family and her work now.

"I can't, Kisame. I really hope you can understand." Sakura showed a sadness in her eyes that somehow made even Kisame almost weak in the knees at his former friend, but nevertheless, he had orders to be as aggressive and hostile to her as needed.

"That is not your decision, pinky. You have a limited amount of time from now. Get your affairs in order and tie up and loose ends and if you don't have a legit answer soon, not only will I come but a few other familiar faces will take you by force if necessary. Be ready, Sakura." His voice was as cold as the driven snow. His eyes slashed through the night and put an invisible yet sharp ice sickle through her chest that throbbed and ached. He turned and approached the gate, awaiting to be let out peacefully.

Sakura didn't know whether to be relieved that their conversation was finally over or now worried for the future to come. As she walked home, her mind reeled with dark thoughts of the aforementioned conversation and what lengths the Akatsuki would go through to get her. She approached her modest abode and spotted Kai sitting on the porch, practicing swinging a kunai by its ring while reading a book. He raised his gaze towards his mother and smiled. His smile was so sweet and innocent, he was so pure and untainted, something that he finally didn't get from Sasuke. That smile made her heart twist even more with dark thoughts. What if the Akatsuki decided to take him from her to get her to cooperate?

The child's face grew concerned. "Mom, is everything alright, you look pale. Would you like something to drink to calm your nerves?" Sakura shook her head and plastered a fake smile to calm Kai as she sat next to him on the porch.

She wanted to change the subject. "Where's your father?" Kai lowered his book in thought for a second before answering.

"I believe he's still out. After you left, he followed after, but I think that he went to eavesdrop on your conversation." Kai said as he went back to his book.

"Thank Kami- wait, what? How did you know I went to talk to someone?" Sakura narrowed her eyes at her nosy son and placed her hands on her hip as he back smiled innocently but bluntly stated.

"I might be six but I'm not slow. I can hear very well." Was all he said before he closed his book and walked inside the house. "Night, mom." Sakura smiled at her son as she shook her head. Something else he inherited from his father

Too nosy for his own good.

While expecting Sasuke to be home any minute to interrogate her, Sakura sighed and began to sort through her mental agenda for a moment.

She had to go to Suna in a few weeks to check up on Gaara's progress, observe the Chuunin exams, and sit in on a council meeting. But with the turn of events, she may be forced to clear her entire schedule.

She shook any of thought of that out of her head. She was a high ranking Jounin for pete's sake! Sakura wasn't going to go down like that! She knew better than to concede to anyone, but what of Kai? She knew the Akatsuki knew nothing of her family but what if they found out? What could she do after that? The questions buzzing through her mind caused her to not realize that Sasuke walked right up to her on the porch and was giving her an angry glare.

"What did he say?" The words snapped Sakura out her thoughts.

"He asked of my assistance." Sakura cryptically replied.

His fist tightened. "And you agreed?" His scowl only deepened.

"No, I didn't agree at all." Hoping he wouldn't ask further questions, she didn't want him to be apart of this any more than he was now. Still tracking down Itachi, Sasuke was thirsty for any information about an Akatsuki member, whether it be a fish man or not, a lead is a lead and that cannot be ignored for anything in the world if it meant getting any closer to Itachi.

While trying to avoid anymore questions, Sakura and Sasuke took their conversation in the house and to their bedroom where she undressed out of her armor and into her pajamas. A simple white gown did her justice for the night as she crawled into bed and threw the comforter over her head and buried herself deep into thought and in the sheets. Moments later, she felt Sasuke climb into bed and he threw a protective arm over her waist and pulled her close to him possessively like he did every night.

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His raven hair danced in the unnatural breeze as he stared deep into the pinkette's emerald eyes. His black tumors in the sea of blood swirled and pierced her mind. Blood was caked into his hair and smeared his stress stricken face. His clothes were soaked in the crimson liquid as his chest heaved violently and his fists tightened with a challenge.

Kai… She whispered but no sound escaped her lips.

A fire roared behind the child as a mountain of corpses piled atop of each other released a violent smell of deteriorating and burning flesh that wafted to her nostrils, giving her the urge to gag and vomit. His hands possessively clutched a kunai coated in blood, ripped flesh, and clothing to his chest protectively. In a blink of an eye, too quick for Sakura to make out, he lunged at her with the kunai…

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Sakura shot out of her sleep. Her chest heaved as she looked around for any sign of the piles of corpses or that demonic looking Kai, but she was greeted instead by rays of the morning sun drifting through her rice paper blinds. Her forehead was drenched in sweat and she instinctively felt for the person lying next to her in bed and glanced over to face a pair of staring eyes watching her. Resisting the urge to flinch, Sakura greeted him good morning.

"What happened?" His asked, his voice still laced with sleep.

"I just had a bad dream." She whispered, faintly remembering Kai lunging at her with the dirty kunai.

He dismissed it and rolled over and she was grateful for that. The medic tossed her legs over the side of the bed and stood up. Walking over to the bathroom, she splashed cold water on her face and stared into the mirror. Her eyes were still red and filled with sleep, her face was flushed from the cold water as pesky drops fell from her chin. With one more good look at herself Sakura freshened up and got ready for work.

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Walking through the halls of the hospital, the pinkette examined a folder for a patient. Shizune was right at her heels with a stack of folders clutched to her chest as she grabbed Sakura with her free hand. "S-Sakura, patient in room six-oh-seven is in cardiac arrest! The guards don't know a thing to first what happen but they say he just began foaming at the mouth and was grabbing his chest!" That stopped Sakura abruptly, turning around and running pass Shizune, she darted down the hall. What the hell could have happen so quickly? She was just there not even thirty minutes ago.

Reaching the room, she forced herself through the guards and slammed open the door. The smell of death was already heavily looming in the air from the corpse that still held a strong grip to his chest. Sakura inwardly cursed to herself as she went over to inspect the remains. His veins showed vividly through his wrist and around his neck to his face. His eyes were rolled to the back of his head as his mouth hung open with foam leaking down his chin. Sakura winced at the smell radiating off him. He was clearly poisoned from the looks of it and the odd smell that was lingering along with his decomposition. It must have been a fast dissolving poison that would kill the organs quickly and at the same time make them deteriorate at a faster rate as to not leave a trace. Only one person could make such a potent poison that would be as controlled as this…

Sasori.

Anger bubbled within her. How dare they mess with her patients! Especially someone a part of the Konoha Council. Taking one more glance at the body, Sakura waved for the awaiting nurses to properly take away the body to be sent to the morgue. The smell was getting to her and a migraine was quickly coming on.

Whatever the Akatsuki had planned for her, they weren't bluffing about it. Even if they had to drag her by her pink locks out of Konoha with her arms and legs hogtied and her mouth gagged, she wasn't going to set foot back into the Akatsuki.

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Phew, one down, eight more to go.