Thank you to AkatsukiAme, my new beta, and my reviewers: FootstepsOnTheShadowedPath, AkatsukiAme, Oujou no Yabun, Maoh Sakura, and super-rat

The New Definition of Me

Chapter the Second:

Task Impending

It was lunch time. You could say that it was sort of a love/hate conflict in my mind. I was glad to have brought lunch, because I had to find wherever this tree was- I did not find the location to be obvious in the least. Of course then was when I remembered the courtyard.

While mentally berating myself for my stupidity, I walked into the courtyard, immediately spotting the tree. Everyone seemed to avoid said tree, giving it a wide berth, and I faintly wondered why in the back of my mind.

I personally wasn't even too sure why I was following orders that a strange boy I knocked down in the hallway gave me. Nonetheless, I approached the tree to see the same boy sitting calmly in front of the tree. He motioned for me to sit between him and his blond friend, who I recognized as the person that blew up a clay sculpture of his own in an advanced placement chemistry class. The blond had been my lab partner, and I felt quite relieved that he was there. Getting your clothes splattered with clay shrapnel with someone really helps to form a bond.

"Sakura, what are you doing here, un? Unless you were the one that knocked Itachi-san down, un…" Deidara asked, snickering at the thought of short little me causing someone a head taller than me (and probably stronger) to topple over.

"Well," I began, thinking of how to convey my thoughts. "It wasn't on purpose…"

Deidara chuckled at my choice of words. He was probably thinking That's what they all say, un.

"Hn," Itachi said, drawing the focus of Deidara and I to himself. "You were called here to earn your forgiveness."

"W-what? It was an accident! I don't think I should have to do something for you if I accidentally knocked you over in the hallway!"

Itachi took off his cloak that had red clouds sporadically patterned on it and started to lift up his shirt. To say that I was shocked would be an understatement. Since we are talking about a boy who was better looking than that boy Sasuke, it would be more accurate to say that I was on the verge of fainting. I knew for sure that my face was burning worse than when I had a fever last year, and I subconsciously moved as close to Deidara as possible. With my back to Deidara, I noticed that Itachi was showing me a bruise.

"Was that my fault?" I asked, in awe, as he dropped his shirt down and pulled his cloak back on.

"Hn," Itachi confirmed. "I could sue, you could forever be on Akatsuki's bad list, or you could comply with my wishes."

"He has a really good lawyer, Sakura, and if you were an enemy of Akatsuki, I couldn't be your friend, un," Deidara whispered in my ear.

"Who's Akatsuki?" I asked, confused.

Deidara looked incredulous. "You haven't heard of the group 'Akatsuki,' the most formidable foe there is at this school, un? The group that Itachi-san and I are a part of, un?"

I shook my head, but realized that even if I hadn't heard of them, It wouldn't be the wisest decision to be on their bad side.

"What is it that you want, exactly?" I inquired, because, I would of course want to know what I would have to do.

"How do you feel about Uchiha Sasuke?" Itachi asked. To me it seemed to be quite a strange question, so I answered cautiously.

"That boy who always has at least two girls following him? He's…um…well I suppose he's probably a nice person if you get to know him, but I don't know him all that well, so…" I trailed off, unsure where this would lead. If I was lucky, my slight dislike of Sasuke would render me ineligible for the task that Itachi wanted me to complete.

"Then this task is perfect for you…" Itachi smirked. "Don't worry; we'll call it even if you do this one little thing for me…"

And Itachi proceeded to whisper his request in my ear. When he was done, my eyes widened.

"Are you sure that's what you would like me to do? I'm sure that your homework wouldn't be too complicated for me-"I reasoned, backing further into Deidara.

"Aww, little Sakura would rather have me in Sasuke's place, un! I love you too, my little blossom, un," Deidara exclaimed, hugging me from behind.

"This is your task, take it or you might as well move back to where you were before," Itachi stated.

"How did you know…never mind. I choose… to take it."

My reply finished just before the bell, and Inner Sakura was cursing (who knew that she had such an extensive and vulgar vocabulary). In all of the 'excitement,' I had forgotten to eat lunch. This would be a long day, especially with that task looming over me.

A/N: Anyone have an idea of what the task should be? I have an idea, but I think it's sort of… not-fitting. And don't worry, this may have hints of SasuSaku and DeiSaku, but it will definitely turn out to be ItaSaku at the end! I'll try to update tomorrow, but I can't promise anything (sorry that this chapter is so short… I'll try to make three a lot longer).