Chapter 2: Lunch

Bright, emerald eyes drifted open as Sakura released a sigh of contentment as she padded dry her face of any excess water. As soon as she departed with Itachi she made her way home so that she could take a much needed shower before Itachi picked her up. After wrapping her body in a towel she walked out of the bathroom and made her way to the closet in her room. The next step was figuring out what to wear. If she and Itachi were going to be successful she had to dress the part. Sakura was not going to butcher her chances of making ANBU just because she couldn't clean up a little bit more. She pulled out a short sleeve, red crop that displayed the Haruno symbol proudly on the back from her closet and a mesh shirt to go over it. Next, she went to her chestnut dresser and pulled out some spandex shorts that went to her thigh from the top drawer and a black lace thong and matching bra from the bottom drawer. The pinkette dropped everything on her bed before letting her towel fall to the floor, leaving her bare for a moment. Turning her back to the open bedroom window she started getting. She was pulling her shorts over her wide hips went she felt a powerful presence behind her. Sakura threw a glance over her shoulder at the raven haired man that was sitting on the sill. Deciding to have a little fun with him, she slowly contorted her face into a pout. "Neh, It-a-chi, could you help me?" She asked in a high pitched voice as she snagged the straps of her bra and bent over, giving the man behind her a delicious view of her heart shaped ass. After tucking her well-endowed breasts into the cups she straightening back up and holding the clasps, one in each hand behind her back, waiting for the handsome man to take them. She shudder when she felt his large fingers ghost over her skin and clasped her bra together. He waited a second longer than he should have before releasing the garment and letting his arms hang by his side. "Thank you, Itachi." She said as she turned to face him, leisurely letting playful eyes roam his body from head to toe. Judging by the impassive look on said gorgeous man's face you wouldn't think there was an effect but the pronounced bulge in his pants said otherwise. From that moment Itachi decided that the little minx was going to pay dearly.

After Sakura finished getting dressed the couple left her apartment. As they walked down the stone road she noticed that people were looking at them with mild surprised as they whispered to their companion. It wasn't surprising really. The pair has never been seen together in public and given the fact that they are now must mean something. This was good, it meant that the rumor mill had just started and it was bound to get back to the clan elders. She kept her head high and back straight with her stare level. Eventually, they ended up in a high end district area close to the Uchiha compound and that's when the gossip really started. Before people were just whispering, trying to not be heard, but here people didn't care. They weren't ashamed if their conversation was overheard by the two or not, if anything it was like they wanted to be heard. Saying things such as "Who is she?" and "Why is He with her?" To say she was unnerved was an understatement but the timid feeling was gradually being drowned out by her anger. How dare these people! They did not even know her! She was shocked when rough hands grabbed and encompassed her own and looked up at the man. He didn't let on to what happening was as he just kept his gaze straight, never wavering. She knew he was doing it to comfort her and for that she was grateful. They were going to do this, they had to! Her life pretty much depended on it.

He knew that it would be unpleasant venturing so close to his clan's territory. It surely will be a stressful event but it had to be done. He was giving the elders a message and it should ring loud and clear. Itachi knew that the woman beside him could handle it, with her strong will and short temper. It was one reason why he chose her. Her high status in the village would look good as well. Hopefully, they could get this situation resolved as soon as possible and get those damn elders off his ass.

As they continued walking Sakura noticed a jewelry boutique they were coming upon and couldn't help herself as she stopped to look in the window. Itachi paused when he noticed that the young girl was not at his side. He turned around stroke up and stood behind her as he observed the longing look in her eyes. Following her gaze, his sharp eyes landing on a beautiful necklace that had diamond sickles hanging down all around and it also had a pink tear drop diamond at the bottom surrounded by a diamond trim. It truly was a beautiful necklace and would look wonderful on her.

Reluctantly, Sakura tore her gaze from the exquisite piece after sighing and started walked away pausing for her companion to catch up. She felt a little silly, as soon as she saw the necklace she fell in love with it but she could never afford it. She didn't have to see the price to know it would cost her an arm, a leg, and her future mission earnings. With that thought she turned and continued walking, urging herself to just forget about it.

After walking another block the pair arrived at a tiny diner. The first thing she noticed as they walked in was how warm and cozy it felt and could help the small smile that spread on her face. It reminded her of the times when she was younger and she would spend the afternoons baking sugary treats or just drinking coffee with her mother.

"Welcome!" A young waitress greeted as she saw them walk in. She was really pretty with short dark lavender hair and expressive soft blue eyes. "Hello, my name is Mayumi and I'll be your server this afternoon." Her cheerfulness was actually refreshing after spending a long time walking being stared at and gossiped about. They let the young girl lead them to their booth and sat down on opposite ends as she placed menus in front of them. "What can I get you to drink?" Sakura's eye twitched as she watch the girl direct her gaze straight at Itachi and leaned over on the table, giving him a generous view of her cleavage. So much for her being refreshing she grumbled to herself. Itachi kept his eyes on the girl's, never giving in to her invitation. He broke his gaze with her to lock eyes with Sakura, who was glaring at the waitress. He couldn't help from lifting the end of his lip up, forming a smirk. "What should I get to drink dear?" Keeping her eyes locked on to his Sakura formed a smirk to match his. "Hmm? I was thinking some lemonade, sounds refreshing and all but I heard that it was to tart and no one likes anything so sour." She narrowed her piercing eyes at the young girl as she said the last part. The insult wasn't lost on the girl as she narrowed her own eyes back at Sakura. "We'll have some green tea." Came the masculine voice of Itachi, breaking the women out of their silent war. "Excellent!" The girl exclaimed the girl, turning back at Itachi's direction and giving him a not-so-subtle wink, swinging her hips as she walked away.

"The nerve." Sakura stated as fell back in to cushion while crossing her arms and looked at Itachi to see his famous smirk still in place. "What the hell are you smirking about?!" She snapped knowing that it would not be wise to do so but dammit that was freaking annoying! "Nothing dear." His smirk widen as she let out an undignified huff. Now he was just messing with her and they both knew. She relaxed her shoulders, uncrossed her arms, and flicked her wrist as if to brush the situation aside. "Whatever. Order for me. I trust your judgment since you have probably been here and I have not." "Very well."

They lapsed into a comfortable silence until the obnoxious waitress came back and took their order. "So what are you going to have?" her question was directed to Sakura. "Oh and choose wisely, you don't need any more carbs than what it looks like you already have." She suggested with a sneer. "Why you-" Sakura stood with her hands fisted so hard her knuckles turned white but before she could finish her sentence her partner came to the rescue. "My fiancé and I are going to share a salmon and if I were you I would stop goading her, on the account that she can pack a nasty punch and I will not be inclined to stop her." His crimson eyes were fierce and seemed to pierce the young girl's soul as she could do nothing but stand there, eyes wide and slack jawed. Seemingly, she got the message loud and clear because she stormed off from their table to place their order and didn't bother them for the rest of the afternoon.

Towards the end of their lunch there was a meek "thank you" from Sakura's direction. If Itachi did not have such keen hearing he did not think that he would have heard it but, he did. He responded with "you're welcome" as he placed his napkin on the table waiting for her to finish.

Just as Sakura was placing her own dirty napkin on the table a loud "Itachi!" came from the doorway of the diner. Said man groan low in his throat, he did not need this right now. Turning his head in the direction of the new voice and grunted as he watched the tall, dark, and handsome Uchiha make his way towards them.

"Hey Itachi. Oh, who do we have here?" The man asked as he bowed in Sakura's direction as he took her hand into his own and gave it a gentle kiss. "My name is Shishui Uchiha." He said, looking up at with a smoldering look in his eyes.

Sakura didn't know how to react but couldn't stop the pink from dusting her cheeks. He was handsome with dark onyx eyes, short slightly curly hair, and high cheek bones. "Sakura Haruno." She replied hesitantly.

"Shishui?" It sounded like a statement but it was a question Shishui deciphered easily so he answered the unspoken question.

Hesitantly Shishu answered. "Kora is looking for you." He knew how much Itachi didn't like to bring her up but he did ask. He had an idea what he baby cousin was doing with Sakura. The elders were getting impatient and it was only natural for Itachi to try anything to keep them off his hide. They were basically pushing him into a corner. He didn't blame him, arranged marriages were a disgrace, almost mocking, a couple united in holy matrimony. Most didn't get to marry their true love. Shishui thought himself to be lucky since he did fall in love with the women he was arranged to wed. If anything, his cousin deserved to find true love more than anyone in the world. Besides, he didn't like Kora at all. She was rude, snobby, and thought they world revolved around her. He knew had to help his beloved cousin find happiness. So he was satisfied when he got a grunt of disapproval from Itachi about the news. "I do not care. If she finds me she finds me but, I am busy and am not going to drop everything and go find her." A grin spread on Shishui's face after hearing that. It was refreshing being best friends with someone who didn't care what others thought and did whatever he wanted to.

"Well, I have to go. I just wanted to give you a heads up. Nice meeting you Sakura, I hope to see you again soon." He disappeared after giving her a playful wink.

"Are we ready to depart?" Itachi asked. "I will walk you home." He supplied after she gave him a nod in confirmation. With that they set off.

On the way back to her apartment Sakura contemplated on what to make of the interaction. She was a bit taken aback about how coldhearted hearted he sounded. Whoever this woman was it seemed like she wasn't a very pleasant person. Even though she knew that her pretend love interest was hard hearted she was sure he did have a heart. He even defended her from that annoying waitress. If that wasn't proof enough she didn't know what was.

"Sakura." Said girl snapped her head up in Itachi's direction as she was suddenly brought out of her thoughts. "huh?" came the unintelligent reply that made the corner of Itachi's lips lift up. "We are here." Indeed they were.


Authors Note:Well I'm glad I got through that chapter. By the rate things are going it seems like this story is going to be pretty long since there is a lot of stuff I want to put in it. Like I said before, any suggestions will help. I hope y'all enjoyed it and can't wait to see what y'all have to say.

To Jacqueline: Thank you for your input. You actually gave me an idea. (: