Hello my lovelies I am still alive. (Or I'm a ghost, zombie or vampire but let's face it it doesn't matter.) I'm sorry for the lack of updates and I am trying to work on that. I have commitment issues and long term stories truly test my poor fragile heart. I hope you can find it in your inner most souls to forgive me and perhaps we can find a way to salvage our precious relationship(maybe write an Itasaku lemon, if that's what it takes). I would like to thank all of you who have patiently, not so patiently, waited for this chapter and a huge shout out to All my Reviewers, you all kick ass! Seriously nothing makes me happier then reviews. Well except Narusaku and Ichiruki becoming canon but alas I can't control that and I must leave it to the fates to decide(or two Japanese men in their thirties, same diff). Anyway on with the story!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto...duh


"Good morning Sakura-chan!"

"Morning, Sakura-chan!"

"You're looking youthful today Sakura-chan!"

Sakura smiled as the office staff greeted her and then gave a cautious nod towards Lee, one of the other interns who had taken to complimenting her every time he saw her.

"Thank-you Lee-san." She said, giving him a polite smile before heading towards the elevators. She had been here for only a week and everyone already knew her. She was glad that everyone had taken to her so quickly. She hummed as she walked down to the locker room and she slipped on her lap coat and threw her purse in before making her way towards her mentor's office.

Their relationship had improved since that first day. They now had a mutual agreement to get through the program. They didn't talk besides work and snarky insults were exchanged regularly but she could see herself making it through the remaining seven weeks.

When Sakura walked into the office she was unsurprised to see Dr. Uchiha filling out paperwork. The familiar scratch of pen against paper was familiar to her along with the classical music that played in the background. She sat down in the same chair she had occupied her first day and took a clipboard from the bin next to it. She pulled a folder out of her bag and began filling in notes that she had begun to take the day before and answering questions she had written down in the past week that she now knew the answer to. She filled in her notes quietly until she heard the distinct sound of the Uchiha's pen dropping onto the desk.

"Is there something wrong Uchiha-sensei?"

Dr. Uchiha sighed before pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Today I have to give a seminar at Konoha U. You're to accompany me." He told her and Sakura couldn't keep the smile off her face.

"Is it the Future Doctors of America seminar?"

"I assume you've been." He said a smirk on his face. Sakura shot him a quick glare before her happiness bubbled over and she gave him a big smile.

"I went all four years. I was disappointed when I found out Tsunade-sama wouldn't be doing it anymore." Sakura paused. "I guess you're her replacement."

"Your deduction skills amaze me."

Sakura glared at him. "I feel bad for those kids."

A single black brow raised up brushing against one of his long strands. "Do you believe me to be an incompetent doctor?"

"No, but you definitely did not get your PhD in people skills." Itachi gave her an amused smirk before grabbing his briefcase.

"My people skills are quite refined." He told her walking towards the door. "I just find that some people are more worthy of demonstrations than others."

Sakura scoffed before grabbing her bag and following him out into the hall. "And who do you deem worthy of your amazing people skills?"

"My superiors."

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Teacher's pets never truly grow up."

"And neither do know-it-alls." He said stepping into the elevator. Sakura hissed as she stepped in behind him. "The world is just full of disappointments."

The two stood in silence and Sakura hated the calm and collected air he seemed to exude. He was always impeccable. Besides small shows of amusement and irritation, he had been mimicking a stone wall for the past week. And it wasn't just with her. He was cold with all his coworkers and she wondered how such an uncaring person became a doctor. She felt like politics would have fit the asshole much better.

"Are you Dr. Uchiha and Dr. Haruno?" A taxi cab driver asked. Sakura felt a happy flutter go through her at the title. She had been dreaming about that since she was thirteen. Her elated feeling was quickly crushed as she should have expected.

"She's not a doctor."

The taxi driver shrugged and opened the door for her.

"Well future doctor, either way you're still paying me." Sakura gave the man a thankful smile before sliding across the seat, allowing Dr. Uchiha to slip in next to her. The cab driver shut the door behind him and Sakura couldn't help the grin that spread across her face at the thought of going to her school. It had only been a few weeks since the semester ended and she was returning in the fall but she still missed it. She missed her teachers, Shizune-sensei especially, and she just loved the school itself. She hadn't lived on campus since she moved out with Ino her sophomore year but she still spent a lot of time there. And most of her friends went there although none of them were pre-med students but it was still nice to see them every day. Now the only people she saw on a daily basis were Ino, Naruto and Sasuke.

Sakura frowned as she thought about her boys. Neither of them had come over in over a week. Naruto told her that Sasuke was having trouble at home but he didn't go into it. Sakura found herself hurt that even after nearly a decade of friendship, Sasuke still didn't trust her enough to tell her if he was having problems. The only person he ever told anything to was Naruto and Sakura was rather jealous of their bond. She knew they both loved her and would always be there for her but sometimes she felt like the third wheel.

"I would suggest you clear your expression before we get there. Your face might scare away our future associates."

Sakura looked up to see Dr. Uchiha reading a medical journal. He looked as if he hadn't spared her a glance since they got in the vehicle but Sakura was beginning to believe that he had invented the phrase 'cool and collected'. She turned so she could look out her window.

"I'm not the one who will be scaring people away with their social ineptitude."

Sakura heard the taxi driver snort and from the slight turn downwards of Itachi's lips, he had heard it too. Sakura smirked and enjoyed the rest of the ride in smug silence. Her happiness only increased as they pulled into the grounds and with a cheerful good-bye to the taxi driver, she was off towards the auditorium where the science lectures were usually held.

Sakura let out a little squeal when she saw Shizune talking with a few students. The older woman grinned and Sakura laughed as she gave her a warm squeeze.

"Sakura-chan, I heard you were coming." Shizune said, releasing her grip. "How's your internship going?"

"It's been interesting." Sakura said carefully, well aware that her mentor could hear her.

"Well I'm sure Tsunade-sama will be happy to hear that." Shizune chirped before noticing Sakura's companion.

"Itachi-san it's been awhile. How are you?" Shizune asked and Itach gave her a small smile.

"I've been well. I heard that you and Shiranui-san are now engaged." He said and Sakura gasped.

"Genma proposed? When did that happen?" She demanded and Shizune gave her a bashful smile before fluttering her left hand where a diamond sparkled under the auditorium's lights.

"Last week. Did Genma tell you Itachi-san?"

"He was bragging about it at the bar last weekend." He informed her and Sakura was shocked that the fun loving Genma seemed to associate with her stick in the mud boss.

"Well as much as I enjoy seeing the both of you, the students are waiting. They're very excited to hear you speak." Shizune said and Dr. Uchiha nodded and followed her into the auditorium. The conversation ceased as they walked in and Sakura rolled her eyes when she saw the way the women in the room were eyeing her mentor. Sure he was good looking, but the girls were naive to the Ice King that lied beneath the surface.

Dr. Uchiha walked onto the stage and Sakura took a seat in the front next to Shizune. She saw her mentor calmly point a remote at the screen behind him and a slide showed up with a picture of someone getting brain surgery. A few 'ews' sounded in the auditorium and the Uchiha shot them all a cool glare.

"If that's the attitude you have about a simple picture then I assure you this is not the career field you should be studying for," he said sharply. "If any of you are offended by this then I advise you leave now."

No one moved and the silence was louder than any words could ever be. The doctor seemed satisfied and moved to begin his presentation.

"Now as you're aware careers in the medical field are growing at astounding speeds..."


Itachi gave a curt good-bye to the thousandth student to stop him for a question. Really these kids were intelligent; surely they knew how to use Google.

"Wow, that's so cool!"

Itachi looked over to see a crowd has formed around his little intern. Awed faces looked at her with rapt attention as she appeared to tell a story of sorts. He couldn't hear what she was saying but it must have held some sort of entertainment value as the students let out little 'oohs' and 'aws' in between fits of hysterical laughter. She seemed to be enjoying herself as well, a rare smile on her face. Although to be fair chances were she was quite prone to smile just not around him. She didn't appear to like him anymore then he liked her.

Somehow he would live with the pain.

"Isn't she great?"

Shizune had walked up to him during his musings and she was watching the pinkette with an expression that couldn't be anything other than pride.

"I'm assuming she was your student."

"Yes she was. Quite a bookworm that one, but her greatest advantage is her heart. I've never encountered someone that didn't like her," she told him and he wondered what she would say if she knew she was currently talking to someone who was breaking that record.

"Hn." Itachi didn't feel the need to comment on her observation especially as Sakura said good-bye to her adoring fans and made her way towards the two of them. Suddenly a devilish idea entered his head.

"So Shizune-san, you've known Sakura for a long time correct?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact I met her when she was still in highschool," she told him and he fought to keep the smirk off his face when he noticed Sakura was about in hearing age.

"Then do you mind if I ask a more personal question?

Shizune gave him a confused frown. "What do you mean Itachi-san?"

"What is her natural hair color?" It was a struggle to keep the smile off his face when he heard an outraged shriek from behind him. Sakura was glaring at him and he could feel Shizune's surprised stare.

"Bastard, this is my natural hair color!"

"Sakura." Shizune said aghast. Sakura softened up a bit at the sight of Shizune's horrified face but one look at his smug expression made her hiss.

"It's his fault, he's the jackass."

"Sakura." Shizune repeated, this time in a scolding tone. Sakura shrunk back a bit and Itachi had to say this was definitely the highlight of his week.

"Sorry." Sakura mumbled and Shizune placed her hands on her hips.

"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to."

Sakura shot him an almost disgusted look and he made sure she was aware of his amusement.

"Tch, bastard." She muttered, crossing her arms over her chest and looking away almost longingly towards the door. Shizune glared at her until the young pinkette sighed and turned to him. "I apologize Uchiha-sensei. I shouldn't have called you a bastard."

"And..." Shizune hinted.

"And I shouldn't have called you a jackass."

"And..."

"I shouldn't have called you a frigid wanna be ice prince."

"You didn't say that." Itachi told her unamused and she gave him a sickly sweet smile.

"Whoops."

"Alright that's enough." Shizune snapped and Itachi tried his best to not scowl at the little brat. He had thought she would have gone home crying to her mommy by now but instead she not only stuck to him like wet gum but she also had the nerve to disrespect him in public. At least when it was just the two of them he was free to inform her how much he respected her.

"As enjoyable as this has been I'm afraid we must head back to the hospital Shizune-san." Itachi said, his voice taking on an icy tone that Sakura seemed to pick up on if her smug expression was anything to go by.

"Well it was nice to see you, and it was great to see you too Sakura-chan." Shizune told her the warmth returning to her gaze. The two women hugged and Itachi walked out, pulling out his cell phone as he went.

"Are you calling a cab?" Sakura asked, her voice mocking him with every syllable.

"Is that a problem?"

"The only problem is with your logic. There's a train station right around the corner and I can assure you that it's far cheaper than a cab and probably faster as well although my physics is a little rusty so I can't tell you the exact time difference."

Itachi glared at her but her cheeky expression didn't waver and since her logic was sound he found little reason to argue. Besides if he missed his next appointment because they were waiting for a taxi he knew she would never let him live it down.

"Fine, but if we miss my next appointment I expect your resignation papers on my desk by lunch." Sakura rolled her eyes at him and headed in the direction he assumed the train station was. She didn't say anything the whole walk and the only noise she made was when she pulled out her phone to send off a quick text. It was odd to think that the girl could have a social life, despite the fact he had seen her with the annoying blonde girl several times already. He supposed that it was hard for him to imagine that somewhere out there someone found the little brat tolerable.

Itachi pulled out his card as they got into the train station and with a quick swipe he was walking onto the familiar mode of transportation with his intern right in front of him. The seats were all taken by college kids and Sakura managed to grab onto one of the last bits of railing. Itachi uncomfortably realized the familiarity of the situation and he deduced from Sakura's accusing eyes that she had as well.

"You better find somewhere to put your hands Uchiha-san." She hissed and he fixed her with an icy stare.

"I don't know where you get this impression that I purposely violated on our initial meeting but I can assure you it was an unfortunate accident. And believe me it will never happen again."

"You don't have to tell me that." She scoffed and he wondered where the woman got her inflated ego from because there was no way the male population found her attractive enough to make her so conceited.

"Brat."

"How mature. Gunna call me a poo-poo head next?" She cooed and the sudden jerk of the train stopped Itachi from answering. He grasped onto a pole on the side of the train and he chose to ignore his smirking companion in effort to make his throbbing headache subside. The girl really was a nuisance.

When the speaker called their stop Itachi immediately exited the train and he could hear light footsteps on his right side, letting him know the pinkette was right beside him. When they walked through the hospital doors the woman at the desk was chatting with a now familiar blonde girl.

"Ino? What are you doing here?" Sakura asked and the blonde, presumably Ino gave her a Cheshire grin.

"It's almost one Sakura so I thought I'd stop by." She said happily and Sakura sighed.

"I have another appointment Ino."

Itachi didn't care for their pointless chatter and saw this as an opportunity to complete his paperwork with no interruption for at least ten minutes.

"We have fifteen minutes until the appointment. Be up in ten." He told her and she gave him a grateful smile before heading over to her friend. Itachi walked to the elevator with their chatter in the background and he rubbed his temples as the elevator rose to his floor. He stepped out as soon as the doors opened and gave the smallest of nods as he passed his co-workers. The idea of a relaxing ten minutes doing paperwork alone sounded like heaven so naturally there was a wrench thrown in his plans.

When he opened the door instead of seeing an empty office, he saw his little brother sitting on his desk angrily typing away on his blackberry.

"Sasuke?" He couldn't keep the weariness out of his voice and his brother looked up with an almost angry satisfaction.

"Not happy to see me Aniki?" The younger male asked and Itachi sighed. Looked like his headache was going to stay with him a while longer. As a matter of fact it seemed like it was going to start making babies soon.

"Considering the last time I saw you you were screaming at father like a tantrum throwing child, no I'm not. I assume you're not here for any reason that will benefit myself."

"Father is threatening to not give the company over to me at the end of the year."

Itachi froze. Their father had promises Sasuke the business ever since he went to med school. His father and Sasuke had their differences but a threat of this measure had never been made.

"What? Why would he do that?"

"I called him an uptight, backwards asshole."

"Why would you do that?" Itachi asked rubbing his eyes.

"Because he told me I needed to get married and he set me up with Naruto's cousin." Sasuke said in disgust. Itachi grimaced.

"Karin?"

"Yes."

"Alright I see your problem. But something doesn't add up, you've said worse, unfortunately, why would he get mad now?"

"Because I might have said it when he had Naruto's parents over for dinner."

"And..."

"Karin and her parents."

"And..."

"A few of Father's investors might have been present too."

"..."

Itachi took a few deep breaths as the true depth of his brother's problems hit him."That could hurt the business otouto."

"Actually they laughed and said they looked forward to doing business with me. That's when Father really got mad."

"I doubt he appreciated that." Itachi said with a wry grin. "Have you apologized?"

"I have nothing to apologize for."

Itachi sensed that damage control might be a little more difficult this time. It was times like these that made him wish that he was born into a normal middle class family instead of the richest and therefore most uptight and bitchy family in the entire country.

"You're both idiots."


Sakura walked happily down the hallway towards the office of doom and gloom. Seeing Ino was just the little kick she needed to get through the last thirty minutes before lunch. She was surprised to see Dr. Uchiha's back in the doorframe of his office. He should have already been at his desk writing away by now. As she got closer she heard a familiar voice and a peek in showed her a familiar chicken-haired Uchiha.

"Sasuke?" She asked and he looked up at her with surprise coloring his eyes.

"Sakura? What the hell are you doing here?"

"I take it you two know each other." Itachi said pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Yes, how do you know her Aniki?"

Aniki? Oh you have got to be kidding. Her best friend was the younger brother of the spawn of Satin.

Huh, actually made a lot of sense.


Ok that's it for Chapter three. Please check out my other stories! I have a few questions. What was your favorite line from this chapter? Who's your favorite character so far and are there any characters you love dearly and feel like they should be included? Let me know and I hope you'll be tuning in next time!

-Sakura478(or maybe her evil twin. You never can tell)