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Forbidden Bond

Itachi was spying Sasuke while hiding among the trees. What have you been doing, little brother? he thought. He looked down at Sasuke who was training. His team mates were just having their lunch.

"Sasuke! Come and eat with us!" Sakura called Sasuke over then pointed out the place where Kakashi and Naruto are. Naruto greedily slurps on the bowls of ramen while sensei reads a book. (How can he possibly eat with his mask on?)

Sasuke throws a shuriken at the target. A perfect hit. Without turning around, he replied, "No time. Have to train."

Sakura looked around the training ground. Shrunken and kunai shot at every target there is. "Why are you training so hard? What's you're goal?" she asked.

Sasuke lowered his hand which was holding a kunai. "So that I could finish my brother because killed my clan."

A cold breeze blew by.

"So…is he a nice guy? I…I mean before the massacre?" Sakura bit her tongue. What were you thinking Sakura?! she scolded herself.

"Yes, he was," Sasuke said in a low voice while staring at the ground as if he's looking right through it.

Sakura felt an empty feeling inside and said, "Wow. I wish I could meet him."

Itachi was shocked on hearing this. What?! He felt himself blushing.

Sasuke turned to Sakura, surprised and curious. How he looked at her! "And why do you want to do that?" he asked.

Again, a cold breeze came and Sakura looked up the sky then smiled at him. "Well, for starters, rumors say he's as hot as you since you two are brothers and…" she looked down and felt that empty feeling again. "I'm an only child, remember? No brother?" she continued. "Well I know it's crazy, but it's only a wish."

Kakashi interrupted their conversation because of shortage of ramen. "Hey Sakura! Can you buy us some more ramen? Naruto finished them all and he's still hungry!" He pointed out the 2 piles of empty ramen bowls.

Sakura turned to Kakashi. "Sure thing!" Then she turned to Sasuke. "Well I guess I'll see you later. Forget everything that I just said, OK? She ran off.

Itachi felt something about Sakura. He felt that he needs to fid out more about this kunoichi, so he decided to follow her. But before he could do that, he removed his Akatsuki cloak and forehead protector to avoid suspicion. All that was left was his clothes when he was still in the Uchiha clan. But he removed the clan's symbol a long time ago.

"Wow! That was quick! Thanks a lot, sir" Itachi heard Sakura saying outside the ramen shop.

When she was about to leave with the ramen, she accidentally bumped into him and was about to fall. But luckily, he quickly got hold of her waist to prevent her from falling.

Sakura opened her eyes which she closed during the accident. She suddenly felt surprised when she looked up to see the face of the man who saved her from falling. Her face turned red. "I…I'm so sorry," she said.

"No, I'm sorry. It's my fault," Itachi replied. He was a lot nicer today than usual; maybe it's because of the girl…He remembered his hand on her waist. He quickly removed it and placed it behind his back.

Sakura suddenly remembered the ramen that was spilled on the ground. "Oh no! The ramen!"

She was about to go back to the shop when Itachi suddenly took her hand. "No, it's my responsibility."

Sakura looked down at the bowl of ramen in front of her on the table of the shop. "It was really nice of you to treat me. Thank you very much." He looks familiar, she thought, but different. I just can't put my finger on it…

"It was nothing." Itachi interrupted her thoughts.

"Oh! We haven't introduced ourselves yet. My name is Sakura."

What should I say? Itachi thought. Wait! Sasuke didn't tell her my name and she doesn't know my true identity so it's ok.

"Something wrong?" Sakura asked. "Nothing at all. I'm Itachi. Pleasure to meet you, Sakura. Are you a genin?"

"Yup, but I have a lot to learn…" she replied. She looked down then continued, "…because I'm always protected by my other team mates. I've become a burden to them."

At that moment, Itachi felt sorry for Sakura. He wanted to comfort her (maybe she really does remind him of Sasuke). "It's ok. You'll get stronger. What if I teach you some great moves?

Sakura gave him a surprised but happy look. "Really? I'd love to!" She really does look cute.

Her empty feeling was gone now. Wow! He acts like a big brother! she thought. The words she wanted to say were at the tip of her tongue. Blood rose to her face to make her blush. "Can…uhhmm…" Oh why can't she say it?! "C'mon, Sakura! Pull your self together! Cha!" Her inner self encouraged her.

"Hmm? What is it?" Itachi asked.

"Can you be my big brother?" She spoke so quickly and her cheeks were still red. "I know it's all so sudden, but for some reason, you take away my feeling of longing for a brother. But I'm not forcing you."

What should I say? Itachi was so confused on what to do. No. It's too dangerous. The training is enough. But when he opened his mouth—"S…sure"— his fate was final. Crap! Why did you say that?! You fool! Well, nothing can be taken back now. He sighed. But then, he thought of something. "I'll agree to train you and be your nii-san if you promise to keep it a secret."

Sakura was too happy to ask why and just said, "No prob! So, when will our training start?" She was so excited like a girl going to a carnival. Itachi smiled and suggested, "How about at Saturday at the forests?"

"Perfect! I don't have any plans on that day."

"So it's settled"

Suddenly Itachi sensed Sasuke and Naruto walking towards the shop. "I have to go now," was all he said. "So soon?" Sakura asked. "Oh well…"

Itachi disappeared just in time when Naruto and Sasuke went in the shop.

"There you are, Sakura!" Naruto uttered. "We've been waiting for ages!" he complained.

"Sorry about that," Sakura apologized.

"Let's go," Sasuke interrupted. "Sensei's waiting for us."

Yes, this was the day when it all began; the start of a forbidden bond.