Day 1

The streets were almost overcrowded with Konoha citizens. Shops and streets bustled and were overfilling with said citizens. Children ran the streets giggling and holding onto toys such as windmills, masks, candy and many others. Groups of adults talking of recent events and gossips. Mostly women.

Chatter and noise filled the never quiet streets. Rarely quiet in the daytime. Konoha was just that kind of town. A bustling town full of merchants and civilians. All protected by loyal, Konoha shinobis and kunoichis.

And Sakura Haruno was a loyal, Konoha kunoichi.

She was walking through these crowded streets to do what everyone else was doing. Shopping. Well she was preparing for a very long mission. It was her longest yet in her whole shinobi career and she was very excited about it.

The pink-haired girl was told that it was gonna last at least six months and probably some more months. She didn't really mind the length of the trip but she would mind not seeing her other friends for half a year. It was quite hard not to see her childhood friend Ino for such a long time. Her daily gossip and conversations would be missed. Also she would miss Hinata, TenTen, Shikamaru, Kiba... all of her academy classmates.

But being the attentive and work-driven girl she is, Sakura wouldn't turn down the mission. And same with her other teammates. Well also her team from when she was just thirteen years-old.

Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki.

They all were teamed as Team 7 when they were all teens. Sakura was ecstatic when she heard Sasuke's name being called with her own. Back then she had the biggest crush on him. Sometimes she go so low to stalk the Uchiha boy. Now that she is eighteen and mature, this pinkette grew out of this stage and had a mature love for him. Sasuke, however, knew about the 'stalking' expressions and knew of her attraction to him. He was sometimes robotic and he just ignored her and lived with it, treating her almost like a sister. But deep inside his icy heart was too a small attraction for the beautiful medic.

He started this attraction when she matured. Yeah it's kind of odd but that's how he works. He respected her after shedding her fan girl state. Once he noticed that she deeply cared for him, he respected that and her person. Just like she has with him. She doesn't look at just his appearances or abilities like she used to, she learned not to do that but look at the person themselves.

And for Naruto Uzumaki...He fell for Sakura herself. Just like when Sakura was ecstatic when she heard Sasuke's name with hers in the team calling, Naruto was ecstatic when he heard his name paired with hers. It was like a love triangle...Well it is a love triangle. Yet after all of his failed dates and proposing for a date, Naruto as well shed his childish crush and became a brother to the pinkette. He did still have a love spark for her but it's usually covered with a protective fire and brotherly love. And Sakura is okay with that.

The Uzumaki would come to her house practically every morning and check on her. It bugs the hell out of Sakura but deep inside she thinks it's sweet. But she would love to sleep in after training and her hospital shifts.

All three of them are protective and loyal to each other and some called it rare to see how close they became. Most teams would separate and barely talk to each other anymore. But it's a complete different story with Team 7. They are practically family and that's what made it special. It's what made them special.

The Hokage also has noted that in her student's team and it reminded her of her own. She was extremely thankful it didn't turn out like hers too. Hers was almost the same but due to the fact one of them left and betrayed the village ruined it and now she thinks highly of the team.

And that is why she gave this mission to them. It was a A-rank and a test for the new jonins. It was a reasonable too.

The trio are to travel to Kumogakure or the "Village Hidden by Clouds" and guard the Raikage for a couple of months and complete tasks for him for another month. After that they were finished, the trio would travel to Sunagakure or "Village hidden by the Sand" and do the same thing there. The mission is estimated to last at least six months and probably more.

And that was the mission Sakura Haruno was prepping for and she was actually excited for it.

She walked the streets acknowledging fellow citizens when they would greet her. This girl was a popular shinobi too. Since she worked part-time at the Konoha Hospital she knew most of her patients and she has saved multiple lives. Families were grateful and personally thanked her. They would remember her vivid pink hair or emerald eyes anywhere and say 'Hello' when she would walk through the village.

The said girl stopped finally at one stand and looked longingly at the sweets aligning the wooden boxes and trays. The steam of the cooking treats were filling the air around her and she couldn't help but stare appreciatively at the dangos, taiyaki and everything. She had a severe sweet-tooth.

What she didn't was that a certain somebody was looking at her with faint amusement. They as well were eyeing the eye-catching sweets and they also had a severe sweet-tooth.

This person was an Uchiha. Itachi Uchiha to be exact. He was the heir of the clan and a powerful one at it.

He was enjoying his break time off and he had nothing better to do this morning but stroll his beloved village. Enjoying the stands and bustling area. The Uchiha had almost forgotten what it felt like to be in such a crowded area. He was like that because the raven-haired man was always busy with missions, clan meetings and just training. He was a hard-working man and he, for the first time in awhile, was thankful for a break time.

The Hokage was far too kind enough to give him a month off. She felt bad that he insisted on taking missions and anything, so she just out-of-blue announced it the Uchiha heir.

Itachi occasionally glanced from the glazed dough to look over at his brother's teammate. But he wasn't planning on greeting her or saying 'Hello'. He wasn't that type of guy. He wasn't one to make friends by walking down the streets. Yet he had a lot.

He cut his gaze away from the distracted female and returned his calm gaze back to his favorite foods. Getting lost in thought and losing an argument in his head whether or not to purchase something from the sweet-smelling stand he heard a soft voice to his side.

"Mornin' Itachi-san."

He nodded slowly.

Said man noted that she used his first name instead of surname. Believe or not, but these actually got along well. A while back, Sakura and Naruto visited the Uchiha compund due to Sasuke's mother's request to see his teammates that he talks so highly of. They of course came over and had a nice dinner with Itachi there for a first. While Mikoto would prepare the food, Naruto and Sasuke would bicker and get into small spars outside in the garden area, while Itachi and Sakura chatted about Village affairs.

Sakura however, did most of the talking but Itachi contributed alot as well. The two we're quite similar and they didn't really know it. And after that they held a small relationship.

"Good morning."

Sakura stared at him with her award-winning smile for a moment before continuing her greeting.

"What are you doing here?"

Itachi finally averted his eyes to her and shot her a deep gaze that captivated everyone in its sight. And that's what it did to her.

"Just taking a walk...Why are you here?"

He noticed she held a bag full of multiple kunais and bandages. That made him a bit curious. Was she going on a mission? Probably.

"Shopping, of course. Not to be rude...But I'm surprised to see you here. Did Tsunade-shisou give you a day off?"

He nodded with a small smile.

Before she could probe him more, he stopped her himself.

"Are you going on a mission?"

Sakura looked confused for a moment until she looked down at her bag of weapons and materials. She let out a small laugh before continuing. The pinkette almost forgot about it.

"Oh yeah..I thought Sasuke would've told you."

"He's going too? Well he did not tell me then."

She stifled a giggle. He looked almost upset with the news.

"Yes...I'm sorry. We're going to depart in a week and it's gonna last half a year. I'm surprised he didn't tell you! I thought he would've bragged about getting such a long mission."

As she finished a small laugh finished the sentence. However Itachi just sighed quietly.

"It's alright...But how long are you preparing for it? You must need a lot of materials."

Nodding she shedded her smile and a frown replaced it.

"Well I'm gonna finish getting materials tomorrow but after that I am just gonna relax and stroll the village. Y' know, just to get my mind ready?"

"I suppose..."

Itachi looked down slowly at the mouth-watering sweets in front of him. He almost forgot about the tasty items in front of him. To be a gentleman, the Uchiha prodigy decided to do something he usually wouldn't do. He was in quite a good mood and the idea popped up in his mellow mind.

"I saw you staring at the dangos...Would you like one?"

He said with a graceful but small smile.

Oddly her cheeks tinted a small pink at his mannerly gesture. Sakura always thought of Itachi as a stotic, work-driven, lifeless man until she talked to him that one day, but behind that curtain of peaceful solitude, the Uchiha was robotic worker. He sometimes showed no emotion. I guess that was just when anything was work or mission-related. Maybe that was why he is the ANBU Captain and a prodigy among shinobis everywhere.

Though Sakura really admired his true-self. Even if it just was another mask. He looked completely calm, neutral and mellow-minded and she liked being in his presence. It was peaceful.

Upon hearing his question Sakura shoke her head and held both her hands up to show him she meant it.

"N-No! I was just about to buy some...I could treat you! Please, I insist."

To her surprise, Itachi had already picked up multiple dangos and was heading towards the cashier.

"It-Itachi-san! No!"

He simply ignored her and left her side to buy the delectable treats. He was simply in a too good of mood to just agree with her and take the free dangos, plus that was impolite.

"Thank you Uchiha-san."

The old-women said with a warm smile as she handed him the nicely wrapped box of many dangos. Both their favorites.

"Thank you..." Itachi said with a nod and he turned around to see a flustered Sakura right in front of him. He was amused to her with a deep scowl and her pale eyebrows knitted together. She really had a temper and she knew how to show it even without yelling.

"Here you go."

He placed the box in front of her while giving her a small smile. She didn't raise her hands to receive but instead she continued her unimpressed glare. But not to be rude, the pinkette sighed deeply and took the wrapped box with her free hand.

"...Thank you Itachi-san."

"You can just call me Itachi."

"What?"

Sakura watched as said man started walking to her side and he exited the stand leaving her inside puzzled. She immediately followed for an answer and soon the two were walking the streets side-by-side. The hot summer sun was beating down on top of their unprotected heads.

And they did dress correctly for the blazing weather.

Sakura had her usual red vest with a white zipper down the middle. Her navy blue skirt and knee-high stockings with shoes. But instead of having sleeves on the ruby vest, there were none. Making it like a tank-top almost or just like her usual mission shirt attire. Her arms enjoyed the cool but rare breeze that washed down the street and she was thankful for her short pink hair.

Itachi had a grey high-collered shirt on with his clan symbol proudly sewn onto the back. Proudly showing others he was part of such a powerful clan. It was sleeveless as well and he had navy-blue pants that ended at the top of his calf muscle. Tape wrapped the rest of the bare leg and was finished with the usual navy-blue sandals that practically everyone wears. And his long, raven hair was tied at the nape of his neck like always.

From far away they would look like regular civilians but if you were to walk a little closer you would see the invisible scars of shinobi life on them. There matured face, muscular body, eyes that tell of their missions and deadly duties for the village just by looking into them and by their expressions.

"You can just call me Itachi, Sakura."

Said girl was completely confused.

Why was he acting...so close to her?!

"...Uh...Okay Itachi."

He smiled and continued their walk.

"You really didn't have to buy me these dangos. I seriously was about to buy some and I would've have bought you- Wait...You didn't even get any!"

"It's fine Sakura. I just thought you would need some."

Bowing her head slightly down, Sakura lost their argument. She full on well knew that he wouldn't give in and just take the box that rightfully belong to him. She sighed.

"...Oh whatever."

He stifled a laugh as they continued walking through the village.

"So...That's why you didn't tell me?"

Itachi said as he leaned into the old texture of the maple tree outside. His brother sat near him, leisurely looking into the Uchiha garden in their home. The two brothers were talking outside like they would do sometimes. Itachi had his eyes closed as he spoke in what you would think, a daze. Sasuke too was in the spell of complete peace of mind.

The way the sun beamed on them and with the slight summer breeze flying in made it feel perfect.

Itachi has gotten home from walking with Sakura just an hour ago and he confronted his brother about the mission he had no idea about. As a duty of a big brother, Itachi took the responsiblity of knowing and inwardly he was somewhat upset.

"Yeah..."

Sasuke said slowly.

Itachi sighed. He had a stupid reason.

"Let me sum it up...You just forgot to tell me."

"Hn."

That means 'Yes' in Uchiha. Or...It can really mean anything.

"That's foolish Sasuke. It's a six-month mission. Did you even tell Father and mother?"

"Of course Nii-san. What kind of fool do you think I am?"

Sasuke almost said it slyly but he was too developed in the sun to show it. He really did enjoy summer and people wouldn't haven't even guessed it.

In response Itachi just didn't reply. There really was no use in arguing and what was the point? It was already over and done with. The eldest Uchiha was happy enough that Sakura informed him about the mission.

The brothers lazed around for a couple more moments until one spoke.

"...How'd you find out about it?"

Itachi was slightly taken back but he didn't show it one bit. Instead he responded with his calm, cool tenor that was slightly husky from not talking in awhile.

"Your teammate."

"Naruto? That blabber-"

"No. Sakura."

Sasuke shifted his head and looked at his older brother with a raised eyebrow. Itachi opened his eyes slowly and turned to him with a stotic expression.

"Why were you talking to Sakura?"

Sasuke was surprised because the two only talk once and he was completely confused. He knew Itachi wasn't one to befriend people everywhere, he was just like him! Plus why Sakura? They were complete opposites! Sakura is cheerful, loud, lively and she shows her emotions all the time. While Itachi is mellow, soft-spoken, quiet and has his emotions on a short leash. What the hell.

Itachi was slightly surprised by his sudden change in behavior. He noted the protective glint in his matching onyx eyes identical to his own.

"We met at the village's street and talked from there and she told me she was preparing for a mission with you and Naruto."

Sasuke frowned and averted his protective eyes away from his brother. Hiding a slight blush on his gace. Inwardly he was scowling and he didn't know why. He didn't know or he was just a too much of a pain in a ass to admit, but he was jealous.

Itachi however smirked and closed his eyes again.

Sakura had said she would use her preparing week as a realaxing one and to stroll the village. So was Itachi. And this Uchiha Heir was planning something.

It was apparent Sasuke, his little brother, had something for Sakura and it was also apparent she had something for him. Maybe with a little nudge he could push him towards her. Brush his darn stubbornness aside and get them together. She was a perfect fit for Sasuke.

You know, its Itachi's big brother responsiblity.

Hoped you liked it! It's gonna be 7 chapters, like a week, and a after math one. Every chapter is gonna be a day in the week when Sakura is prepping for the mission and Itachi's plan is gonna somewhat back fire on him ;)

Look forward to it!

Reviews are forever loved! :)