Non-massacre- Itachi and Sakura meet and fall in love. But what happens when Sakura is forced to leave Konoha?
Chapter 1-
"Knock, knock," came a noise on Sakura's door.
Sakura ran to open it, still in her bathrobe, her hair wet. Ino was standing on the other side, with two huge bags in her arms. Her smile was wide. "Come in," Sakura said, holding the door out for Ino.
Ino walked in and appraised the tiny apartment. Sakura had a small living room attached to a tiny kitchen. The kitchen had a table big enough for two people pressed against the wall. The tablecloth covering the table was a dark blue with a small vase on it. Inside the vase were a few wilted flowers Ino recognized from her flower store. The stove, fridge, sink, and dishwasher took up almost all of the other space in the kitchen. On the fridge were a few hand-drawn pictures, which looked like the artists were small children.
Over the table was one big painting of a beautiful grove of Sakura trees leading up to a small village. The artist also added a gigantic white house sitting on a hill in the background. Ino always loved that painting, and was a little jealous of it.
"So what did you bring?" Sakura asked as she took a cup of microwaveable ramen out of the microwave on the counter.
"I brought a dryer, straighener, spray, accessories, my makeup takes up one bag by itself," Ino said, plopping the bags down on the table.
"I'm so nervous," Sakura said.
"Okay, so what do you think of this kimono?" Ino asked, taking out a dark purple kimono with a moon and trees on the bottom. It looked like a perfect night scene over a forest.
"Oh Ino, it's beautiful!" Sakura said her voice full of awe. "Where do you get all of these beautiful kimonos?"
"I always pick up one in every country I go to on a mission. It's not too hard, but I always find some beautiful ones," she said.
"So what are you going to do with your hair?" Sakura asked.
"I think a bun will be good, but nothing too big, otherwise it will be too much with this kimono and all," Ino said, walking in the direction of Sakura's bathroom.
"You are a genius Ino. I'm thinking about just leaving my hair down," Sakura said.
"Make sure to use hairspray so it will stay in place," Ino warned. Sakura almost never did her hair up, and had very little experience with these things.
"Maybe we'll see Sasuke there," Ino said mischievously as she fiddled with her hair in front of the mirror.
Sakura looked in the mirror behind Ino as she started to put on her makeup. "You're so lucky your Aunt lets you live all by yourself," Ino said.
"She knows that I can handle myself," Sakura said confidently. "Ever since I became the clan head, my Aunt has been very lenient. She wants me to have my own life."
"Wow, that's so nice! Emi-san is so nice!" Ino said. "SO how is your training going?"
"Yeah," Sakura said. "Great, actually. Tsunade thinks that I'll be able to take over all of her hospital duties by the end of the month."
"Wow Sakura, you learn fast," Ino said in awe. "I wish I had a sensei like Hokage-sama."
"So Ino, are you meeting anyone at the festival tonight?" Sakura asked slyly.
Ino sighed. "No, but Shikamaru, Chouji, and I are meeting up later tonight. How about you?" she asked.
"Naruto and Sasuke might meet me later," Sakura said.
"I can't believe you have Sasuke on your team. How can you concentrate, he's so dreamy…" Ino said wistfully as she put her hair up in a bun.
Sakura grabbed a hairclip from Ino's bag of hair accessories. "Sasuke is an asshole. He is a stuck-up, overbearing jerk, and there is no way I'll ever like him again," Sakura said. Over the years, her crush on Sasuke had waned, until finally it was gone. Sakura hated how Sasuke was always such a jerk to her and Naruto. She promised herself that she would never fall for a heartless jerk again.
"Enough talk, let's go!"Ino said happily as she grabbed her kimono and ran to Sakura's bedroom. Sakura sighed and followed her friend.
/
"Brother, are you going to the festival?" Sasuke asked Itachi as he walked through their kitchen.
"Oh Sasuke, you look wonderful!" Mikoto Uchiha said happily. Sasuke was wearing a blue kimono top with white flames spiraling up the sleeves. The sash around his waist holding the top closed was a dark red and his well-toned chest showed beneath the kimono. His pants were standard shinobi pants with sandals.
"Itachi, you should go to the festival too," Mikoto said.
"Mother, I hardly think a simple festival would be fun," Itachi said in his usual monotone.
"Ridiculous," Fugaku Uchiha said, as he folded up his paper. He and Itachi sat at the table together while Mikoto was busy cooking something on the stove. "Go Itachi. The Uchiha clan needs to at least put forth a semblance of respect for the traditions of the Village," he said. "It would be good for the Council to see the Uchiha Heir out at the festival."
"Yes father," Itachi said, his voice showing no emotion. Mikoto sighed and returned to the stove. "Are you meeting Naruto?" she asked Sasuke.
"Yeah," Sasuke answered.
"Sasuke, you should invite your teammates over to dinner soon," Mikoto said.
"But they are annoying," Sasuke said.
"Maybe, but they are your teammates, and you need to work together with them. It's easier to work with friends than enemies," she said.
"Sasuke, do as your mother says," came the sharp reply from the Uchiha clan head.
"Yes father," Sasuke said his voice monotone like his brother's.
"Good," Fugaku replied sharply.
Mikoto sighed; she hated it when her sons and husband argued. She knew Fugaku was not perfect, however she wished for a better life for her sons. She wanted them to fall in love, and not be married according to Fugaku's choice. It seemed like Itachi was following her husband's path, and was even icier than his father. Sasuke still had some hope left, and Mikoto wished her son would talk to her. She at least wanted to see Naruto around her house. He was the son of her best friend, and Mikoto wished to have a small sliver of Kushiuna Uzumaki again.
"Now get dressed you two," Mikoto commanded.
"Hai," Itachi said emotionlessly.
/
Sakura walked around the festival with Ino, both of them linking arms. They were laughing and chattering away just like when they were kids. Sakura's kimono was a beautiful light blue with a cherry blossom tree on the shoulders. The leaves from the tree slowly cascaded down the kimono and the obi was a dark magenta. Her hair was pulled up into a bun, held together with two red chopsticks.
AS they passed a stall, the two heard a few whistles and catcalls directed at them. "Hey there pretty lady," one of the men said as he came over to them. He put his hands on his hips as he surveyed the two women. "Why don't you let me show you a good time?"
"Sorry, not interested," Sakura said as she pulled Ino away.
The man called after them, but Sakura kept them moving until they came to Ichiraku Ramen tent. Mr. Ichiraku had set up a tent for the festival to sell his famous ramen. Sakura looked inside and saw Naruto happily gorging himself on ramen.
"Hey Naruto," Sakura said as she walked over to him.
Naruto looked up from his bowl and almost choked. "Sakura!" he said, looking her up and down. "Man, wow…. You look….. Amazing," Naruto said finally.
Sakura giggled. "Thanks," she said. "Hey Mr. Ichiraku, can I have one bowl of veggie please?" she asked as she sat down next to Naruto.
"Sure Sakura-san," Mr. Ichiraku said. He quickly served up a bowl and set it in front of Sakura. Sakura took the chopsticks in front of her and easily broke them apart.
"Ikadakimas," she said as she dug into her dinner. "SO, Naruto," she said after a few slurps of her noodles. "When is Sasuke supposed to meet us?"
"Any time now," Naruto answered. "He told me he would meet here."
"Hey dobe," a voice came from behind him. The two turned to see their stoic companion sit down next to Naruto.
"Nice of you to make it," sakura said.
"Hn," was all she got form him. Sakura noticed someone else had come in with Sasuke. The man looked exactly like Sasuke, just a bit older and taller. His dark eyes surveyed the all. "This is my brother Itachi," Sasuke said."
"Nice to meet you," Sakura said.
"Same," was the curt reply.
"Hey Naruto, I know we were suppose to hang out all night, but I have to skip out early, my clan in celebrating together," Sakura said.
"Awww, no fair!" Naruto whined.
"Sorry," Sakura said sheepishly. She looked over at Itachi still standing there. "Would you like to sit down Itachi-san?" she asked, motioning to the chair next to her.
Itachi nodded as he pulled out the chair next to her. "What is the name of your clan?" he asked her.
"Oh, it's the Haruno clan," Sakura said. "We are really small though, only a few members live in Konoha," Sakura explained.
"Hn," Itachi said. Sakura sighed, and promptly turned to face Ino, who was still standing.
"SO pig, when are Shikamaru and Chouji meeting up here?" Sakura asked.
"They should be here any minute. So, Sakura, Haru won't be at this clan celebration, will he?" Ino said slyly. Naruto and Sasuke turned at the mention of another man's name.
"Of course he will be there Ino," Sakura said.
"PLEASE LET ME COME!" Ino begged her friend.
"Ino, its clan members only," Sakura sighed.
"Oh come on, Haru is only the best guy in Konoha!" Ino whined.
"What?" Sasuke asked sharply.
"He is just sooo cute!" Ino said happily. "Don't worry Sasuke, you are first in my heart, but Haru definitely comes in at a close second," Ino said dreamily.
Naruto started laughing. "What Sasuke, you jealous another guy is getting all the attention?" he said laughing.
"Shut up dobe," Sasuke snapped.
"WE should go out and find Haru, right Sakura?" Ino said hopefully.
"Ino, please, you have to get over this thing you have for my cousin," Sakura sighed.
"No! Haru is so cute, and he is nice!" Ino said.
"Not Haru again. First Sasuke, now Haru," came a lazy voice from behind the group. Ino spun around to see her teammates plus one other person. Temari was hanging on to Shikamaru's arm.
"Hey guys!" Ino said happily. "Nice to see you Temari," Ino said, giving the older girl a hug.
Temari returned the hug. After dating Shikamaru for a while, she had struck up a good friendship with Ino. "Hey, how are you?" Temari asked her.
"I'm fine, I am just trying to convince Sakura to ring her yummy older cousin to hang out," Ino said.
"Ino, for the final time, Haru is not that good looking," Sakura said.
"Says you," Ino snapped.
"Is he a ninja?" Itachi asked.
"No, Haru is not a Konoha ninja," Sakura said after a pause. "SO Uchiha-san, what level ninja are you?" Sakura asked innocently.
"I am an ANBU captain," Itachi answered.
"Hey, if you guys are done eating, why not come play a few games?" Chouji suggested.
"Yeah, let's go!" Naruto said after he finished off his sixth bowl of ramen.
"Fine," Sasuke huffed.
Sakura and Itachi stood at the same time. Sakura smiled at the stoic Uchiha as she led the way out of the ramen stand.
The people of Konoha had crowded around the streets. Music filled the streets as children ran around to the different game stalls. The rookie nine plus Itachi made their way down the crowded streets with apparent ease.
Itachi walked next to Sakura, who was slightly behind the group. He kept sneaking stray glances at her as they walked. She was a pretty kunoichi in her own right. Sasuke never mentioned his teammates, except in scorn, however Itachi could fail to see why Sasuke always degraded this girl. Her hair was an odd shade of pink, something he had never seen before. She looked over at him, breaking him out of his daze. Her deep green eyes flashed him a smile.
"Are you enjoying the festival Uchiha-san?" she asked him.
"Yes," he said plainly. He was not a man of many words, but he was sure this girl knew that after dealing with his stupid brother.
"Hey Sakura!" a large man waved to her form a tent full of shogi boards. He was currently playing at one.
Sakura waved back. "Hey Uncle Jiro!" she called happily.
"Is your clan a large one?" Itachi asked curiously. He mentally searched for a mention of the Haruno clan, and discovered nothing. They must not be a large or important clan, he finally decided.
"The clan is rather large, however most of the members of my clan live outside of Konoha," Sakura said. "Only a few have moved here within the last few years."
"I see…" Itachi said.
"Is the Uchiha clan large?" Sakura asked.
"Has Sasuke told you much about us?" Itachi countered.
"No, Sasuke…. He doesn't like to associate with us outside of training," Sakura said as a dark look passed over her face.
"Yes, the Uchiha clan is rather large," Itachi said. "Do you not like Sasuke?" he asked.
"I use to have a crush on him," she said. "However, I came to realize he is not the great man I thought he was. I am older and stronger, but I guess I will always be that weak little girl to him."
"My brother is an idiot to not realize what is right in front of him," Itachi said softly, surprising even himself. Sakura turned and gave him a strange look, but she did not act like she had heard his statement.
"Hey Sakura!" a young man called to her. Itachi looked around to see a young man about his age. He had a small smile on his face. The man was wearing a green yukta like Sasuke's that was open to reveal his chest. A grey coat was over his shoulders that came down to just above his knees. His dark grey pants were short and revealed the sandals on his feet. His brown hair was messy and some pieces fell over his eyes. Itachi instantly noticed his eyes were a dark green, only a few shades darker than Sakura's.
"Haru!" Sakura said happily, giving the man a hug.
"HARU!" came the loud voice of Ino as she ran over to them.
"Hi Ino," Haru said calmly as Ino hugged him tightly. "It's good to see you again."
"Oh Haru," Ino crooned.
"Sakura ni-chan!" came a loud voice from behind Haru. A small girl ran around Haru to hug Sakura.
"Midori-chan, you act like we haven't seen each other in ages," Sakura said. The little girl had on a small blue kimono with a complete obi. Her curly long, blonde hair was in pigtails on either side of her head. Her eyes were a dark green.
"Aww, who is this?" Ino asked innocently, her arms still entwined with one of Haru's.
Midori's eyes darkened. "Stay away from my brother you slut!" she yelled, making everyone turn their heads to see what was going on. All of Ino's teammates stared in shock at the young girl.
"Midori, where are your manners?" Haru snapped at her. "Ino-san in a friend of Sakura's," he explained.
"Oh," Midori said quietly. "My apologies Ino-sama," she said with a small bow and a glare.
"I'm sorry about my younger sister Ino, she gets exited very easily," Haru said.
"Oh, it's okay," Ino said with a flirtatious wink. Itachi noticed Ino was getting many glares from the females that were passing by them.
"Oh Haru, this is Chouji and Shikamaru, they are my teammates," Ino said introducing her teammates.
"Hey dude!" Naruto said, slapping him on the back.
"Hey Naruto, how are you?" Haru asked.
"How do you know each other?" Ino practically shrieked.
"I use to go over Sakura's house for dinner a lot," Naruto explained. "Emi-san was really nice and invited me all the time," he said.
"Oh, and this is Itachi and Sasuke Uchiha," Sakura said as she introduced the Uchiha brothers. Sasuke simply glared as Haru smiled at him.
"It's nice to meet you," he said, while holding out his hand for Itachi to shake.
"Same," Itachi said as he shook Haru's hand.
"How come I never met him?" Sasuke asked snootily.
"Because you never come over Sakura's house when she invites you teme," Naruto snapped. "Emi-san cooks the best food you ever ate!"
"Emi-san?" Sasuke asked.
"Yean, Sakura's Aunt," Ino said.
"Ino san use to come over a lot when we were younger," Haru said.
"So when is the clan meeting?" Sakura asked.
"It's not for another hour," Haru said. "So enjoy the festival, okay?"
"No problem," Sakura said.
"Hey Haru, want to go get some food?" Ino asked.
"But you just ate!" Naruto said.
"Shut up Naruto!" Ino hissed at him.
"Sure," Haru said with a smile, not noticing Ino's hiss. Itachi started to think he was just blissfully ignorant.
"Uchiha-san, do you want to go get dessert?" Sakura asked.
"Hn," Itachi said.
"I take it that means yes?" Sakura said with a smile.
"Hn," Itachi said.
"Okay then," Sakura said, grabbing his arm. She pulled him away from the group and through the crowd. Itachi was suddenly glad to be rid of the rest of them. They were loud and annoying. Sasuke did not make the situation any better, since everyone assumed that they were alike.
Sakura stopped by a stand in the street. Itachi looked around and noticed that they were separated from the rest of the group completely.
"Two orders of dango please," Sakura said to the man at the stand. "And two teas."
"Okay young lady," the man said as he prepared their food. Itachi noticed Sakura digging around in her obi and finally withdrawing a coin purse.
"I got it," Itachi said, plopping the money down on the table from his pocket.
"It's okay Uchiha-san, I can pay for myself," Sakura insisted.
"Here you go," the man said, handing Itachi the two orders. "One for you mister and one for your girlfriend."
"But I'm not…" Sakura began as Itachi walked away with the food in hand. "Never mind, thanks!" she said to the man as she ran to catch up with Itachi. He was sitting under a tent full of tables at one empty one. Sakura quickly sat down across from him.
"Thank you," she said as Itachi handed her a tea and her dango. Sakura popped a dango into her mouth. "Mmmnnn, I love sweets, how about you Uchiha-san?" she asked.
"Yes," he said, sipping his tea.
Sakura smiled. They ate the rest of the time in a comfortable silence. "So Uchiha-san, are you going on a mission anytime soon?" she asked.
"Not that I know of," Itachi said as he took a sip of his tea. "So when is this clan meeting of yours?"
"It is at 10 PM, by the way, what time is it?" Sakura asked.
"It is 9:55," Itachi answered.
"OH SHIT!" Sakura cursed. "I'm sorry for ditching you Uchiha-san, but I have to go. See you soon!" Sakura said.
Itachi looked down to see that she had slipped some money on the table. It was enough to pay for her dango and tea. Itachi smirked as he pocketed the money she had slipped him. Odd, he didn't even notice this. Itachi sighed, however his thoughts were with the pink-haired kunoichi that had just run off.
/
Sakura walked to the Hokage's tower a few days later. She had gotten called to go on a mission. She wore her usual skirt and red top with her clan's insignia on the back. Sakura flexed her shoulders as she walked; grateful for a reprise form her boring hospital duties. Naruto and Sasuke had pretty much forgotten she was there; they never stopped by or asked her to train with them. She sighed, knowing that to them she would always be the weak link. Always the one to protect.
She entered the Hokage Tower and went straight to Tsunade's office. She knocked on the door and was rewarded with a groan.
She opened the door and saw her shishou slumped on her desk with her head in her hands. Sakura sighed and walked over to her. "Again shishou?" she said.
"Just make it go away," Tsunade groaned.
Sakura sighed and placed her hands at Tsunade's temples. Within seconds Tsunade breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks Sakura," she said.
"No problem," Sakura said, use to her sensei's hangovers. Sakura turned to see a group of people also standing in the office. Among them were Naruto, Sasuke, Neji, Kiba, and Shino. Itachi stood behind them all, his ANBU uniform on except for the mask.
"You are all to go on an A-rank mission. You need to retrieve a scroll of battle plans from the Stone," Tsunade began. "We believe the Stone might be planning an attack on Konoha and we want to be ready. Itachi will be in charge, since he is the highest rank. That is all." She said as she tossed Itachi a scroll.
"Meet at the gate in one hour," Itachi said as he left the office.
/
Sakura hummed a song as she arrived at the gate a half hour early. Itachi was already there, leaning casually against the gate. "Morning Uchiha-san," she said.
"Hn," was her answer, which Sakura took to mean 'good morning' in Uchiha language.
They stood in silence as Neji showed up. He gave Itachi a curt nod and headed over to Sakura. "Sakura-san, how are you?" he asked.
Sakura smiled. "I am good, thanks for asking. How are you?"
"Fine," was the curt reply? "Maybe when we come back you will give me that date I have been asking for," he said slyly.
"As nice as that sounds, I have to pass," Sakura said.
"Why?" Neji asked.
Sakura sighed. "Neji, you and I both know it would have never worked out between us," Sakura said. "Let's focus on the mission and we can worry about dates later," Sakura said.
"Fine with me," Neji said. "But don't forget about it when we get back."
"Sure Neji," Sakura said.
Itachi heard their whole conversation from a distance. When Neji mentioned a date, Itachi felt his chest squeeze. An unfamiliar feeling filled it, a feeling of prickling rage. It confused him, and soon left as quickly as it came.
Kiba and Sasuke showed up soon after. The hour was almost over.
"Hey Sakura!" Itachi heard a voice call out. He noticed Haru and his younger sister.
"Hey guys," Sakura said as she ran over to give them a hug.
"Sakura-san, please don't go!" Midori was crying.
"Midori-chan, I'll be back soon," Sakura said with a smile.
"NO!" Midori said as she stomped her foot. "NO, you can't go!"
"It's okay, I will be back in a few days," Sakura assured her.
Midori was crying, tears rushing down her face. "No, Sakura-san, you won't be back in a few days," Midori said.
"Hey kid, its okay, Sakura san is a great ninja…." Kiba began.
"No, Sakura-san, please don't go! You'll never be the same after…" Midori said, breaking off her comment.
"Midori, this is silly," Sakura said quickly. She and Haru glanced at each other and a look of understanding passed between them.
"Midori, Sakura is a ninja. She must take missions for her village," Haru argued.
"Okay…" Midori sniffled.
Sasuke rolled his eyes, the girl was being insufferable. "Can't we go now, Naruto just got here," he said to Itachi.
"Let Sakura say goodbye to her family," Itachi said.
"Since when did you care?" Sasuke asked.
"Hn," was the answer.
Sakura hugged her younger cousin. "I will be okay," she said.
Haru gave her another big hug. "Remember," he whispered, "If you need help, you know how to contact us. Keep us updated."
"I will," Sakura whispered back. Itachi caught on to their conversation by reading their lips. He felt a small tug on his arm. He looked down to see Midori next to him.
"Uchiha-sama, please keep Sakura-san safe," Midori said.
"Hn," was her answer.
"Here, this is for you," Midori said, holding out a small bag of medical herbs.
"We don't need these," Sasuke said. "Sakura is our medic."
"This doesn't concern you, you will make it back to Konoha in one piece," Midori snapped at him. She turned back to Itachi, her eyes suddenly a clear, even blue, her pupils gone. "Sakura-san is a good person. She will give up her life to save her friends. Do not let her sacrifice that life for you. Otherwise, you will lose your only chance at happiness." She said in a monotone voice, her body seemingly in a trance.
"What," Itachi and Sasuke said together.
"Midori, time to go!" Haru called. Midori's eyes suddenly returned to their usual dark green.
"Bye!" she said as she skipped over to give Sakura a hug.
"Time to go," Sasuke called, breaking up Sakura's goodbye.
"Be good you two!" Sakura said as she let go of Midori.
"Don't worry about us! Just stay safe!" Haru called to them as the group left the village. He and Midori waved until Sakura was out of sight.
"Now it begins," Midori said softly.
"Now what begins?" Haru asked.
"Oh! Nothing…" Midori said innocently