I am so SORRYY, truly. I really meant to get this chapter up early but I have had such a crazy life. I thank you guys though; I have gotten a lot of good responses. :]]] Haha, I'll try to make your eyebrows rise higher than ever. Pssshhh, I love Momo.

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CRACK! The tree Sakura punched shattered into tiny pieces and one of the shards cut her pale cheek. She hated facial cuts, not from a vanity point of view but they bled like crazy even when they weren't serious.

"You'll have to do better than that, Sakura!" Her sensei said tauntingly from behind her.

She spun around and with chakra infused into her finger making a scalpel. She cut into Tsunade's arm.

"Good girl." Her sensei complemented while flying backwards.

Tsunade then charged at an angle to Sakura's left side with a dangerous chakra raised fist aimed at Sakura's face. Sakura side stepped at the very last moment and managed to get a deep cut into Tsunade's leg. She jumped back quickly knowing all to well her teacher's dangerous speed. Her hip length pink hair moved weightlessly. Tsunade was grinning at her while healing her arm and leg.

"I'd love to continue this but… today is the day and well, I'm sure you want to see your family. After all it's been three years."

Sakura grinned.

"I'm already packed."

"So eager to get away from me?" Tsunade said teasingly.

"No!"

"Good, because we'll be seeing each other frequently, anyway."

"Why?"

"I will be the head doctor at the hospital. You do tend to over do things and get hurt a lot."

"No I don't!" Sakura protested childishly.

"I have known you for a long time, yes you do."

"Oh, go pack!"

"Are you ordering me around?"

Sakura rethought it.

"Umm…no."

"Good. Because if you were I'd punch you into next week."

Sakura gulped.

"Anyway, while I pack my stuff go take a twenty minute powernap. You look like hell warmed over. And heal that cut while you're at it." Tsunade said while entering the house.

Sakura put her hand to her face and pushed warm chakra into her finger. She moved it from the top of the gash to the bottom leaving flawless new skin behind it. She decided to take her teacher's advice. She felt dead on her feet. She turned to her room and went to rest.

"That was our fastest mission completion ever, actually it was a record!" An eagle masked Anbu exclaimed while the team whisked through trees.

"Aa." An Anbu wearing a weasel mask in the very front said dully.

"You guys I am so thrilled! My little sister is coming back from training with Tsunade today!" A lion mask said cheerfully.

"Is that so?" The weasel asked with a slight burn to his voice.

"Yeah! I wonder how much Saki-chan has grown up? I mean she has been gone for three years…" The lion trailed off in thought.

"That's cool, wait, I remember hearing about her. Isn't she special like Itachi is too our family?"

"She could read minds at six months." The lion boasted.

"Awesome!" the eagle hissed.

"Kaisuke, Shisui, you're giving me a headache. Shut up." The weasel spoke firmly.

"Who shoved a stick up your ass, Itachi?" Shisui growled from his eagle mask.

Itachi remained silent.

"Hey I remember that you promised to spar her when she got back! I swear to Kami that if you hurt her I will unleash every fan girl you have on you, Itachi!" Kaisuke snapped.

"…Aren't the usual threats to kill them, cause them immense pain, maybe even destroy them? You now things like that?" Shisui asked.

"I would feel bad if I killed Itachi." Kaisuke said crest fallen.

Shisui sweat dropped.

"I think the fan girls would be far worse than death for him, anyway." Kaisuke mused.

"Touché." Shisui said nodding.

Itachi remained silent, to locked in his own thoughts to care what they said.

….

Sakura felt a wave of nostalgia flow through her as she entered the Konoha gates. A bright smile graced her lips but was short lived when every nerve in her body went off. Something very large was approaching her from behind extremely quickly. She stopped in her tracks and waited, Her body still as stone. Right when the object was about to land she side stepped it and was behind it. It was actually a person, a huge person, an Anbu with a lion's mask. He was standing beside two other Anbu one was an eagle and one was a weasel. Sakura cleared her throat.

"Umm, Anbu-san you almost flattened me." She had to clench her jaw so the irritation didn't completely spew out.

"Huh?" Both the lion and eagle's heads snapped to her but the weasels moved slower. He had known she was there. Her eye twitched in irritation.

'Who's the hottie?' the eagle thought in his head.

"SAKI-CHAN!" The lion grabbed her into a bone-crushing hug and screamed her name.

"OW! OW! What the hell man? Let me go you bastard!" She half gasped half yelled. She used her super strength and broke his mighty grip.

She landed on her backside and winced.

"Ow…" she whimpered and shuddered. God, she hurt everywhere. She already had to train with Tsunade and that wore her body down but being crushed added on? Ugh!

"I am so sorry Saki-chan! I really didn't mean to I…am so sorry!"

It was Kaisuke under that mask. Sakura's eyes snapped up.

"Onii-san? God, couldn't you have done something besides crush me half to death! I could have really hurt you if I thought you were some pervert trying to feel me up!"

"Oh I missed you so much so when I saw you…couldn't help it, I just got so happy…I'm sorry…I cant help it!"

"Yeah, I can feel that…" Sakura groaned dizzily. She rubbed her side and winced. She was suddenly grabbed again.

"OW!" she whined. "Kaisuke stop!"

He dropped her. Again she landed on her butt and let out a whimper.

"I'm sorry! I did it again! I am such an idiot! Awe but you are so cute, Saki-chan!"

"If you don't knock it off I am seriously going to murder you!" She growled. Sakura a few minutes ago didn't think of it as possible to hurt worse than she had, now she felt like a stress ball. She was going to have bruises.

"Right, sorry, sorry!" He rubbed the back of his head and chuckled nervously.

"Kaisuke, why didn't you tell me your sister was the most beautiful girl to walk this planet?" The eagle asked.

"Why you little-!" He spun around to face the man.

Sakura sighed as she watched her brother call the Anbu officer every offensive name there ever was. Sakura was sure he made up a few. The eagle was sweat dropping and had his hands risen in front of him trying to calm Kaisuke. It was then she felt the odd silence of the third Anbu. Her stomach was suddenly full of butterflies. Was it him? Her milky jade eyes glided over to him. He was towering above her; his black-gloved hand was outstretched for her to take. She almost scooted back in surprise. She hadn't even heard him approach. Onyx hair framed his weasel mask and his shoulder, which bore the Anbu captain symbol, was the color of light mocha. There was no mistaking it, it was him.

She took his hand and felt the almost abnormal heat through the glove. Yes, he was here, right in front of her. Her heart accelerated.

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Itachi-kun." She smiled while he pulled her up. She hadn't meant his name a purr.

She went to move her arms to brush her backside off. She winced. Kaisuke really did a number on her. She ignored the pain and when she was finished she smiled at Itachi.

"Aa." He agreed. His voice was lower and rougher than she remembered, but it was so familiar because of the huskiness it held.

"Are you in pain?" He asked.

"I'm alright just…sore." She said with a quick frown to her brother. He was almost at the point of killing the eagle officer who was laughing at Kaisuke in his head.

"Hn." He said dully.

A very chilly breeze made Sakura shiver. She felt Itachi's eyes intent on her face. Her long hair flew in the wind leaving her neck bare for a couple moments. The smell of spring made her lips pull up.

"It smells like flowers."

"…" He just watched her more.

She closed her eyes for a moment.

"Lilacs, roses, forget-me-nots, and…hmm…daises."

"You know your flowers well."

Sakura grinned.

"Not really, my friend's family owns a flower shop and we used to play there when we were little. I just picked up what flower smelled like what." She admitted.

"…" Nothing came from him.

Sakura studied the ground out of awkwardness. She felt odd. She curled apiece of her hair around her finger than let it spring back straight; she repeated it until she heard a gasp.

"Oh, Sakura dear!" It was her mother's cry. She turned her head.

"Mama…" Sakura's eyes widened.

Her mother ran to her and hugged her tightly. Sakura winced.

"Oh my! You have gotten so beautiful, so strong! Oh darling, I missed you so much!"

Something caught Sakura's eye. It was attached to her mother's skirt. Looking up at her. It was a very young girl, probably only two or three. The girl was very beautiful; she had long black ringlets that reached her lower ribcage. Her pale skin held the sunlight dazzlingly so. Large sky blue eyes stared up at Sakura curiously. Hana caught the two of theirs stare.

"Sakura, this is your younger sister. Her name is Momo." Sakura stared at the child.

"Sister?" She whispered.

"She is two years old. We wanted to tell you but Tsunade said you had to be isolated for your training. So we had to wait till you came back. We didn't know it at the time…but I was pregnant when you left for training." Her mother looked uneasy.

Momo smiled happily at Sakura and she melted. Momo giggled and the sound came out bubbly and joyful. Sakura got on her knees so she could be level with her baby sister. Her pale hand reached out and touched Momo's onyx tresses. It felt like silk to her hands. Momo laughed and clapped.

"Onee-san!" The child chanted to Sakura. Sakura's maternal side took complete control. She grabbed Momo up quickly and ignored the pain in her body.

"I love you, Momo!" She exclaimed.

"Love; love; Momo loves!" Momo giggled again.

Sakura was completely attached to her sister. No, in her head Momo was her baby, Her very own child. Sakura resituated Momo to her hip and kissed her forehead. Momo smiled and hugged herself closer to her sister. Sakura felt Itachi's hot and heavy stare as though he was boring hole of fire into his mask. She flushed and smiled shyly at him.

….

ITACHI POV

He had felt so strange as he watched her. She looked more beautiful than ever. Her long and dark eyelashes that electrified her milky jade eyes; shimmering pink hair that flowed in the wind and rested on her hips; lusciously full red lips that Itachi wanted to taste and bite on; flawless pale skin that held sunlight like ice, causing an almost rainbow effect; her now developed and curvy body; long legs that drove him mad; it all was to much for him. She was to god damn desirable. He wanted Sakura in ways that weren't noble at all.

But for some reason the most beautiful thing about her was when she had seen her new baby sister for the first time. The way her eyes lit up lovingly. Like the child could ask for the world and she would give them it. She had looked truly more like Momo's mother than elder sister. The way she had felt his gaze and blushed, the crimson on creamy skin. She was too captivating too him. She was everything to him, everything. And as much as he hated thinking it, he didn't just want to touch Sakura; he wanted a life with her.

All night Sakura had spent with Itachi, Kaisuke, and the eagle Anbu who turned out to be a very charming cousin to Itachi named Shisui; She had not put Momo down once; much to her baby sister's pleasure.

"Would you like me to show you my most favorite place in the world?" Sakura asked Momo.

Momo clapped and nodded eagerly.

"Hold it, Saki-chan. It's late and you two cant go off into the woods alone."

"Then come with us." She begged. Kaisuke sighed.

"I wish I could but I have to report to the Hokage in ten minutes. You'll have to wait till tomorrow."

Sakura's bottom lip set in a pout.

"I'll accompany them, Kaisuke." Itachi said quickly. Shisui gave his cousin a triple shot when he heard the eagerness in Itachi's voice. Sakura flushed.

"Thank you…" she mumbled shyly.

"Aa."

"Yeah, okay whatever, but keep in my mind if you return her or Momo in less than perfect shape, that unleash every fan girl deal will become a reality." Kaisuke told him sternly.

"Hn." Itachi replied dully.

"I'm serious, Bro."

"Hn."

"Whatever, Shisui let's go?" Kaisuke gave up.

"Okay." Shisui said cheerfully.

Sakura watched them walk away. She turned to Itachi.

"I guess you get to see where I met my white bear."

"I guess so."

Momo suddenly had an ornery smile.

"Pretty boy, right?" she pointed at Itachi and gaze Sakura a critical brow. Sakura flushed.

"Onee-san, pretty boy right?" she prodded.

"Umm…that's not his name…" Sakura tried to doge the question; Momo was smarter than she gave her credit for.

"Itachi is a pretty boy, right?"

"Err…Momo…"

"Right!" Momo insisted.

"Aa." She finally gave in completely red faced.

"Thanks." Itachi said smirking.

"Mmm…" Sakura headed toward the path that led to her tree. A wind blew a chill through her and she hugged Momo closer.

"The festival is in three days." Itachi stated.

"Aa, I can't wait. I really miss those."

"You only went to one." Itachi reminded her.

"But I liked that one, awkward situations aside." Sakura muttered the last part.

"No, those were half the fun." Itachi disagreed. Sakura lit up scarlet.

"Mmm!" she squeaked.

"You know they were. You liked it." He pushed her further.

"I…" She didn't know what to say.

"You?" he prodded.

"Mmm…" She whimpered. Itachi chuckled.

"KISS!" Momo suddenly burst out.

"N-n-nani?" Sakura stuttered.

Momo giggled.

"Kiss; kiss; kiss;" Momo repeated.

Sakura read her mind and realized she was repeating things she had heard, not implying things. Sakura sweat dropped.

"Umm, Momo dear, we shouldn't repeat things we hear big brother say, okay?"

"Okay!" Momo agreed unfazed. Itachi smiled at her. She looked at the ground red.

Sakura sighed and walked into the clearing with Itachi following closely behind her. She gasped. There it was. Her tree, where her most cherished memory was. It glowed an ominous pink under the silver moon. She could almost feel the white bears beside her. Momo remained motionless in Sakura's arms. To stunned and captivated to fidget. Sakura felt tears well up.

'Where are you…White Bear?'

….

ITACHI POV

This place…

So familiar…

Why… I don't remember.

I don't know….

I can't think…

Pink and green…

Falling…

Crying…

I can't think…

She was crying…

…..

"Isn't it magical?" Sakura asked him while spinning around. Her face suddenly fell.

"Itachi-kun? ….What's the matter?"

"…" He said nothing.

"Are you okay?"

He gave a slow shake of his head. There was no blood in his face. His eyes were black and unseeing. He looked oddly hollowed and absent.

"I'm going home, Sakura-chan, I feel ill." Itachi said quickly and turned to leave. His voice was lower. It echoed in an almost beastly way. Sakura felt anxiety build in her heart.

"No wait! I… let me drop off Momo and I'll take you back to your house. If you pass out in the street it would be bad."

"…Aa." He said lifelessly.

….

"You're going to be okay?" She asked him outside of the Uchiha compound.

"Aa…"

Sakura's pale hand pushed a strand of black hair that had fallen into his face out and felt his forehead. She gasped.

"Itachi-kun! Your burning up!" she was about to suggest that she stay with him but when his hot hand found hers on his face and squeezed it she flushed and lost train of thought. She put her other hand on his cheek and leaned closer. Her eyes alight with worry.

"I'll be okay…" He said quietly. His eyes were closed.

"Itachi-kun…"

"I'm okay…I just need rest." He reassured her.

"Fine, but if you need me just have someone come get me okay? I don't care what time it is I want to be there!"

He nodded.

"You promise?"

"I promise…" He said tiredly then kissed her forehead and went into his house.

She knew she was dreaming. But her dream was too beautiful to deny it presence. She and her white bear were chasing each other and cuddling. A feeling of completeness she only had in this bears presence. She rolled her fingers through the majestic fur. But she began to realize her bear wasn't paying attention to her. Something was wrong. Her bear became rigid. He got up and started pacing. Pacing and pacing, she watched him curiously.

'What's wrong?' she asked.

He stared at her with his onyx eyes burning in pain. She reached for him. She wanted to comfort him. There was a light and she had to shield her eyes against it. She winced. A hot hand was stroking her cheek. A familiar pair of lips was kissing her eyelids, and strong arms were holding her to him. Sakura sighed his name in happiness,

'Itachi-kun…'

She opened her eyes…there was no one now. No bear, no Itachi, no one. Her heart broke.

Sakura's eyes snapped open to the sound of a door being pounded on. She looked at her clock. It read 3:45 a.m. but what happened next made her jump out of her skin.

"Sakura! Wake up! Itachi is in the hospital!" Shisui cried out.

…..