Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, or any of the characters. The plot is all that is mine. :) cheers.

"Haruno Sakura…" there was strain found underneath all the heaviness and solidness of her voice. "This mission may take years to accomplish. Your friends, family, home… gone. You must never let your guard down. The future, the peace of your village rests in your hands in this mission. Do you accept?"

Her voice did not waver. "Hai, shishou."

"… are you sure?" Her voice was weaker. Much weaker. It was the mother and teacher in her that came out now. The part that hoped she would decline.

"I am ready," Sakura replied. She couldn't back down. Not now. Not ever. She tried to reassure her master. "You taught me well."

"There are other ways. You don't have to be accountable for this mission, and you won't look weak. Saying no is not weak."

"I know. But this is my time. I can't sit back and do nothing. And there is no other way. I'm the ideal candidate- with my background, it is the opportunity of a lifetime."

She wasn't convinced. Sakura knew Tsunade was confident of her student's abilities, but she didn't want to let her go.

"I'm strong now. This mission is all I have. Don't worry Tsunade-shishou. You have faith in me, don't you?" Sakura gave her a weak smile.

Her mentor returned it, without much enthusiasm.

"Good luck, my child."

Chapter 1- In the Beginning

That frown that never faded… I wanted to take it off. Those beautiful eyes that held pain… I wanted them to sparkle to life. As I held his hand that easily engulfed mine, we walked to the training grounds. He was the type never to talk unless completely necessary, but he did with me. And that made my days with him the most enjoyable.

He had the most perfect raven hair that were placed in perfect angles, and I would spend hours watching, observing the silky locks if I was given the choice. His complexion, like everyone else's in his family, was very pale but not in an unhealthy way. It was flawless, like marble of a perfect statue. A statue. That's what this Uchiha can be compared to. Beautiful and stoic. Hard and cold. His attire all held the Uchiha crest as everyone in the clan holds such pride about their name. His posture, rigid yet relaxed. His intelligence impeccable. His eyes… they were the best part, the part reveled in all Uchihas. His deep eyes were like a dark sea and anyone can get lost in them. They were always calm, cool, and neutral. Then there was the other side: the sharingan. The deep red that bled through when in action were both inviting and threatening. I fell in love with the sharingan, as they belonged to the one I loved.

"Itachi-kun?"

He squeezed his hand in response, not breaking his smooth stride beside me.

"Are you still angry at your father?"

"Sakura…."

"Did you tell him about your Mangekyou?" I asked him as if it was the most casual thing in the world.

"No Sakura, it's best not to."

"Mm." My way of thinking was more simple and objective, as I was a young thing then. I wanted him to be happy. "I hope your family can understand. I know not today, or tomorrow, but someday. Uchiha is just a name after all." I flashed him the biggest smile I could.

"Like Haruno!"

That made him smile, and I felt victorious. Those smiles were smiles to die for. Those rare smiles that made him look like any other normal person.

"Yes, like Haruno."

I looked up at him. His smile was fading away. Fading… gone.

No…

"I told you though, the Uchiha name is too padded and raised to such an arrogant level. What can we do at this point? It's a prison."

I tried to lighten the mood. "Meh, don't be so negative!" How can he be, so much?

I leapt into his arms and hugged him with all that I had, although I barely even reach his shoulder. I felt him relax under my embrace as he lifted me up and twirled me around. I started giggling at his enthusiasm and playfulness that I'm sure no one else has ever seen before. I was so happy at these moments.

"How is it, that a nine-year old like you can be the one who understands me the most?" he murmured as he spun me.

I gave him a toothy grin as he let me down without any sign of strain.

I didn't want it to fade. I didn't want him to fade. I didn't want this part of him to fade again.

What can I do? I looked up at him and saw it fading. The light was fading. Think. Think. THINK.

"RACE YOU!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. I ran the rest of the way to the training grounds. I knew he was too fast; he'd be there in two seconds. I would take five minutes. But, Itachi lets me win. When I made it to the clearing, he walked out from under the trees right after. I fell to the grass panting, and he waited.

I sat on the stump of a tree in the shade as I watched him hit the bulls eye of each target that would be difficult for any jounin. I stand mesmerized by his accuracy. I am so proud of him, and yet, I hurt for him because of all the pressure and expectations and pushing from his family. He knows. I know. And every time I hug him I want to make his burdens go away. He says I do, and I feel him loosen every time we go on a date.

Yes, a date. That's what I call it and he agreed too.

Because he also understands what I need.

Someone.

We both need each other. We're two of a kind. That would never change. We lessen each other's pain.

It may sound weird coming from a kid, but I understand him for some reason.

At the corner of my eye, I saw a small figure in the trees. He had his eyes on Itachi-kun. His eyes were like Itachi-kun's! But he looked like he was my age. He had the same raven hair and eyes. It must have been Sasuke, Itachi's younger brother.

Uchiha Sasuke.

I saw... hate? anger? jealousy? in his eyes. I don't know, but there was something off, much like how Itachi is. His frown also. It was like Itachi's.

"Ano... Uchiha Sasuke?" He reverted his eyes to mine. His scowl softened up a bit.

"You are Itachi's younger brother?" Uchiha Sasuke-kun nodded almost timidly.

I did as my mother taught me to do when meeting new people. "My name is Sakura! Haruno Sakura!" I gave him a cheeky grin.

He didn't return it. Jerk. My smile faded as quickly as it came.

Keep up some conversation Sakura, I thought myself. He reminded me much of his brother."So..." I gaze at him and look back to the talented ninja at work. "Itachi-kun is good, ne? Aren't you proud of your brother? I observed his facial expressions as they stiffened when I mentioned Itachi's name so casually. His eyes hardened.

His voice was just above a whisper. "Aa..."

"Want to train with me?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"You're a girl." He stated matter-of-factly.

"Why thank you. Come on!" I dragged him to another area, knowing Itachi wouldn't mind.

We came upon a clearing that looked much similar to the one we had just abandoned.

"So, do you know any jutsu?"

"Yes." He held an air of confidence around him. All Uchihas did, except Itachi. I smiled at the thought.

He didn't move. Idiot. Or he's just too shy. I poked his cheek and he looked startled at the contact.

"Show me!"

With some difficulty Sasuke went through a series of hand signs and filling his lungs up, he breathed out fire. He looked like a baby dragon. I tried not to laugh.

He was... cute.

"That was amazing Sasuke! Watch me now okay?"

I went to the end of the training grounds where I found the small stream I practiced with. Sasuke was watching. I went through the hand signs I learned to make with precision and with firm concentration and chakra, created a water serpent. It circled around me and slithered toward Sasuke. It didn't get far as I lost control and drained into the grass. I was disappointed but walked back to Sasuke.

He was staring at me. "Is something wrong?" I asked him.

His face softened as Itachi-kun's did at such moments. "Impressive."

His comment brightened my spirits. He was impressed. I impressed Uchiha Sasuke! Woot yeah!"Thank you."

He seemed very curious. "Who taught you how to do that?"

"Itachi-kun. He's a very good teacher!"

Did I say something wrong? His eyebrows furrowed together and looked forlorn and angry at the same time.

"Sasuke...?"

"He never helps me with any ninjutsu."

"Oh..." what could I say to that? I knew Itachi was distant with everyone else, but his brother?"I'm sorry."

"Hn." ...Hn?

"I can help you too you know."

"Hn." Hn? What is this hn?

"And I'm sure Itachi will help you with anything you need when he has the time."

Speaking of Itachi-kun...

"So you two have met."

"Itachi-kun! Treat your brother better will you?" I smack him lightly. I knew he must have overheard our conversation.

"Nii-san?" Sasuke looked toward us.

"Oy Sasuke. You on your way home?"

"A-aah. Yes."

"Let's walk Sakura home first shall we? "

I couldn't help but blush at the two. "Aw, how sweet of you guys! Thank you Itachi-kun!" I hugged him casually.

"And thank you Sasuke!" I wrapped my arms around his neck and he awkwardly hugged back.

I grabbed both their hands as I started marching to my house. This was the happiest day of my life until then. I made a new friend. He was like Itachi, but still a totally different person. He had problems too. And he was just as magnificent.

I tried my best, and I held onto both of them. But it seems... it was never enough. Those were the days of my youth, when innocence was still dwindling in the air, and my precious people were beside me.