(I know that there was no Itachi in the first chapter, so this one makes up for it by starting out with some Itachi goodness. I hope this chapter was as good as the last one since everyone seems to like it so far. Well, on with the chapter.)

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, just this story.

Mature content warning for language and lemon in later chapters.

Sakura: age 18

Sasuke: age 18

Itachi: age 24

Hana: age 23

Stating the Obvious

Chapter: 2

Itachi rushed through the treetops at top speed, he had finally found out where his target was and he needed to get back to Konaha as soon as possible after being gone for two weeks. He didn't like leaving Sakura all alone, but he would try to make his departures as short as he could. Masking his chakra, he jumped down from the branch to land silently on the ground. He didn't really care for assassinations but that didn't mean he wasn't good at it. His target was a rogue ninja trying to gain notoriety by slaying people randomly in the smaller villages in fire country. He was also trying to gain follower's and ever since Orochimaru and the Akatsuki were destroyed Konaha has strongly looked down on such things. The man's name was Orosaki Renji, and little did he know, he was about to die. As Itachi neared the small cabin that served as the man's hiding place a scream split the air.

'So, he has a victim.' A disgusted look crossed his face. 'I have to be quick, hopefully he hasn't finished with her and he'll be distracted.'

Another scream was heard as Itachi snuck up to one of the windows so he could get a layout of the cabin and assess the situation. A young girl, around fifteen, was huddled on the bed in the farthest corner. Orosaki was towering over her and trying to tear her clothing off. The cabin was one big room with two windows and a door, it was just his luck that the window he was spying through was cracked open and with the girls cries he should be able to get it open further without being noticed. Once he nudged the window open enough to launch a weapon he sent three poison senbon into the man's throat. The girl cowered away from Itachi's masked form as he approached to make sure that his target was, indeed, dead.

Turning to the girl, he tried to soothe her hysterics. "It's alright, I'm from Konaha, you will not be harmed any further."

The girl calmed down somewhat and started to gather her shredded clothes. Itachi noticed that she wouldn't be able to cover herself properly and gave her his cloak, then he was gone, carrying the body back to the village. He sighed, it would still be three days before he'd be back in Sakura's warm embrace. She had told him that she would have an answer for him when he came back from this mission about their marriage, but he already knew what it was. He could see it in her eyes, feel it in the way she touched him. He was overjoyed about the prospect of having twins, but he didn't know how the pregnancy would affect her since twins were so rare in his family and non-existent in hers. As he thought about her he unknowingly increased his speed shaving half a day off of his journey back to the woman he loves.

Meanwhile:

Sakura sat on a bench next to the training grounds watching Naruto, Sasuke, and Sai sparring. It was amazing being able to watch the fight from a distance without having to worry about getting attacked. The speed and fluidity of their movements was like a dance of death. She almost wished she could join them, but, of course, she couldn't. Her hand subconsciously stroked her belly as she watched the other important men in her life battle each other into unconsciousness. Sai went down first, but that was to be expected, considering who he was fighting against. He got up after a few seconds and dragged himself over to Sakura so she could tend to his wounds with her first-aid kit since she wasn't allowed to use her chakra. Sasuke was using his speed to his advantage while Naruto was trying to overwhelm him with clones so he could hit him from behind. He was getting better. Sasuke hadn't been expecting anything other than a frontal assault and was thrown to the ground in a heap from the blow. Sakura was instantly at his side.

She rolled him over onto his back. "Sasuke." She tapped his cheek until he blinked obsidian eyes at her. She held up three fingers for him to see. "How many fingers am I holding up?"

He blinked at her.

She patted his cheek again. "Come on, Sasuke, I know you're in there."

Naruto walked over and poked him in the side with his sandaled foot. "I think I hit him too hard."

Sakura turned to him with an annoyed look. "Well then, you get to take him to the hospital because I think you gave him a minor concussion."

Sasuke tried to get up at the mention of the hospital. "No, I'm ok." He wasn't very convincing, however, as he swayed on his feet.

She gave him a withering stare. "Nice try." She turned back to the blonde. "Naruto, make sure he goes and is seen before you let him out of your sight."

"Sure thing, Sakura-chan." Naruto put Sasuke's arm around his shoulder's and leapt away even as the other boy complained that he would do no such thing.

Sakura rolled her eyes at his antics. It was always like this, one would injure the other and whomever was injured would refuse medical treatment until she convinced them otherwise or threatened to report them. She stood back up and started to walk back home. As she passed couples in the street her mind wandered to Itachi. He had only been gone for two weeks but she missed him dearly. She was exited and scared out of her mind about getting married. She had been secretly planning her wedding with Ino as a surprise for when he returned to her. Speaking of which, she spotted her other blonde friend walking towards her. Sakura raised a hand and called out to her.

"Hey, Ino."

Ino looked up and Sakura noticed that she was a bit preoccupied.

"Hey, Sakura, what's up?"

"I should be asking you that. Is something wrong?"

Ino sighed. "Guy trouble."

Sakura arched a delicate brow. "Really? Which guy?"

Ino looked around at the crowd of people wandering past them. "can we talk about this somewhere else?"

"Sure, I was just on my way home. How about joining me for dinner?"

"Sounds great."

Thirty minutes later both women sat in Sakura's living room eating sushi and talking about the men in there lives.

"So," Sakura spoke in between bites, "What guy were you talking about?"

Ino slumped in her seat. "Ever since Shikamaru turned me down for Temari I've been seeing Genma."

Sakura nearly choked. "What!?"

Ino glared at her. "What's wrong with him?"

"Besides being a womanizing pervert?"

"He's not that bad."

"Of course not." The sarcasm was thick in her voice.

Ino looked indignant. "He's not. In fact, he asked me to move in with him."

Sakura's mouth hung open. "How long have you two been dating?"

"Two months."

"Is he treating you good?"

Ino stared at her hands. "Yeah, but I'm not sure I'm ready for that kind of commitment."

"I figured he'd be the one with commitment problems."

The blonde let out an exasperated sigh. "I know."

"I think the only way you're going to find your answer is by talking it over with him."

Ino sighed again. "I know."

"Well, if you know what you're supposed to do, then get going."

Ino stood and headed for the door. "Thanks for listening, Sakura. I hope he understands how I feel."

Sakura walked over and hugged her. "I'm sure if he cares about you he won't have a problem with you're decision."

"Okay, I'll see you later."

"Yeah, later."

Sakura closed the door and suddenly felt very alone. She decided to go to bed hoping Itachi would get back soon.

(That's it for chapter 2. I've posted a poll on my profile about which name's I should use for Sakura's twins. So vote now! Remember: More reviews means faster uploading.

Ja.)