AN: Hey guys! So it's been aprox 8 months since I've updated... I apologize to people who were waiting for another chapter but I had some big changes in my life that caused me to put this on hold. My son was born on May 23rd :) But now that I'm settled down and back into the groove of things, I've decided to pick this up again & hope you guys don't hate me. So without further ado, here it is.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the characters.

Sakura sighed as she looked at the clock, it was still only 7:30. Time was ticking as slowly as possible, it seemed. She'd already taken a hot shower instead of a bath, cleaned up the clutter she called home and made some tea. She just wanted it to be 8 o'clock already. Why? She asked herself. Nervous? Anxious? Excited? She didn't know. Honestly, why did any of this matter to Uchiha Itachi? THE Uchiha Itachi. Top academy student, outstanding & amazing shinobi, best ANBU Konoha has ever seen and not to mention drop dead gorgeous.

Sakura felt puzzled about the whole affair that had taken place, though. Itachi, unlike her, Shikamaru or Neji, was not one of the best ANBU; he was the best. With that being said, how was she able to sense his presence? I mean sure, she had been on missions with him in the past and could recognize his chakra signature, but he wasn't your average shinobi and she wasn't a high class sensor. So for Itachi's words to be true, that he was indeed trying to subtly find her home, he sure wasn't being to subtle. He could have easily masked his chakra and kept a safe distance. But he didn't. Infact, he didn't mask his chakra at all, keep a safe distance and kept on her heels the whole time until she finally got annoyed with it. It was almost as if he waited to get caught, expected it, wanted it... but why? Nothing was adding up and it frustrated her. If he really wanted to be subtle all he would've had to do was ask Tsunade or look at her file.

And it was in that moment that she heard a light knocking on her door. Snapping out of her thoughts and pushing them aside for the moment, she made her way to answer the door. I'll figure it out later she told herself. Opening the door she put on the best welcoming smile she could muster, which looked more forced than she intended.

"Konbanwa, Uchiha-san." Sakura greeted, trying not to show how nervous she was. "Konbanwa, Haruno-san," Itachi replied with a slight bow. "Are you hungry?"

"Oh, arigato, but that was really unnecessary." As she spoke, her stomach protested, letting out a small yet audible growl. Feeling the heat rise on the back of her neck, threatening to spread to her face, Sakura quickly stepped aside and allowed Itachi to enter. "Hn." Itachi shrugged off her last comment and walked into her apartment, letting a small smirk play on his face.

Sitting down in the living room, Itachi took the styrofoam container out from the bag he was carrying, opened it and revealed it's contents. Sakura's mouth started watering at the sight. There, sitting in the container, was four skewers of Dango. And not just any dango, Sakura's favourite.

"I hope you like mitarashi." Itachi's voice broke into her near-drool state. Another growl of her stomach. "Hai," she replied. "It's my favourite, how'd you know?"

"I didn't. Lucky guess, I suppose." Sakura chuckled nervously, feeling a little awkward and not knowing how to bring up conversation. Every conversation they've had had been brief and about professional matters. She herself was not much of a chit-chatter to begin with and she didn't strike Itachi to be the type, either, making this twice maybe three times as hard.

Handing Sakura a stick of Dango, they sat idly and enjoyed the snack. It was Itachi who spoke first and broke the silence. "How was your day?"

"Tch. I got stripped of my ANBU status and had an unwanted mission handed to me. Sakura answered hastily.

"Becoming a sensei isn't just a mission. You must be very responsible and highly respected to be chosen without taking the appropriate tests."

"If they respected me, they'd respect my wishes, too." Itachi looked at her for a moment before reaching for another dango, handing the other to Sakura as well. She took a bite and swallowed before adding, "I don't see why it's any of your concern, either. We're hardly acquainted."

Itachi again said nothing, she had a point. They weren't friends, family or really anything. She was a shinobi from the same village, a team mate of his younger brother's. They had no special connection tying them together apart from a handful of missions. He felt a little discouraged by her statement, but made note of it not to show on his face.

"Very well, I see there is no changing your mind and I don't wish to waste my breath. I'll be leaving, then." He said in his monotone voice. Sakura appeared a litle surprised by his words, but quickly regained herself. "Now if only everyone else would think that way..." she mumbled. Itachi stood and made his way to leave. Sakura realized he didn't plan on making any further conversation, so she figured if she was going to say something, now's her chance.

"What was this really about, Uchiha-san?" She blurted out from where she stayed sitting. "I don't understand why you'd go out of your way for someone you clearly know nothing about." Itachi smirked a little and looked back at her through his hair. "I'll change that. Thank you for having me."

Sakura sat there, a little stunned to say the least. I'll change that... what the hell's that supposed to even mean!? Ugh, Ino is going to be all over this... By the time she came to, she heard the click of the door and he was gone.

After another horrible night's sleep, Sakura was getting ready to report to the hokage about her decision. Tying her long pink hair back into a messy bun, she slipped on her favourite black trousers and a white tank top. After putting on her boots, she was about to leave when she noticed her green jounin vest hanging on her coat rack. Grumbling, she put it on and headed out. Taking to the rooftops instead of walking made the trip just that much shorter. Honestly she just wanted to get this over with so she could come back home and sleep for a few more hours.

Most of her night was spent tossing and turning, trying to piece together the events of last night. But she just couldn't seem to make sense of it all. The only theory that fit would be that Itachi was actually interested in either her, or her life; but even that was a fat chance in hell. This was probably what he was trying to do this whole time, mind boggle her for some sick humor, most likely set up by that Shisui. That bastard- like hell was she going to be treated as some toy!

She didn't know why she even cared anyways. She shouldn't care- scratch that- she wouldn't care. Besides, she already has someone for her needs. Well, somewhat.

Since Sakura's 21st birthday passed in March, she has spent a lot of time with Shiranui Genma. Although he wasn't the best looking guy in Konohagakure and he was a friend of her former sensei, he was easy, simple. He was always very sweet and charming and accepted things for how they were. He expected no commitment from her and understood that it just wasn't going to happen. It was more a "friends with benefits", but it was company none the less.

It seemed to be she'd never truly be his- or anyone else's for that matter- but as long as he got to have part of her, he was happy. They kept it a secret between them and a few people, not wanting news to travel. Sakura decided to push Itachi to the back of her mind and forget it even happened.

Wow, time sure does fly when you're lost in though. Already walking up to the hokage's office, Sakura knocked 3 times and walked in once given the okay. "Ohayo, Sakura." Tsunade greeted from behind her desk, her assistant Shizune sitting in a chair to her left.

"Ohayo, Tsunade-shisou." Sakura bowed.

"How're you this morning?" Tsunade attempted at small talk. Sakura wasn't having it.

"Fine." She replied quickly. "I don't want to drag this out so I'll get right to the point. I am here to decline your offer of becoming a sensei to the upcoming academy graduates."

Tsunade leaned forward in her desk and placed her hands infront of her face. "Are you sure that's what you want, Sakura?" She questioned.

"Hai, shisou. I am positive." Sakura replied firmly.

"And what's your reasoning for declining? You've never declined me in the past."

"I don't feel ready to take on such responsibility yet. Perhaps in a year or two I will feel more comfortable." Sakura waited for a response and when she didn't get one, she added. "If that is all, I'll be going now." Sakura turned to leave when Tsunade spoke up.

"You can't wait forever, Sakura. You have to move on with your life sooner or later." Sakura froze in place.

"Is that all?"

"Be at my office for 7am tomorrow. That is all." Without another word or look back, she left.

SMASH! CRASH! BOOM!

Itachi watched from afar as the pink haired princess destroyed one of Konoha's training fields. Things must not have gone well...

(AN: There it is, Chapter 3. I hope you guys liked it. Please let me know if you think the chapters are either too long or too short or if you have a tip as to how I write. Thank you and please review :)

Chey)