Hey everyone! I'm back!

I can't believe how quickly I can update this! I know it's late but I have more time to do things at this time.

Hope the last chapter spooked you a little! I apologise again for the cliffhanger that was a little cruel ;P

Hope you enjoy this new chapter! Don't forge to R & R people, I live for them! They make me happy and I'm thinking of publishing a real book later in the year if I can get my plot straight so I appreciate constructive criticisms about my stories!

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Chapter 3: Discovery

"ARRGGGHHHHH!"

Sakura screamed in horror as the little girl's face came closer and closer, she flung her arms in front of her face, valiantly trying to shield herself in some way.

"SAKURA! NO!"

She could tell without looking that it was Naruto who screamed in utter horror and she could vaguely hear her other teammates sounds of distress. She wasn't sure what would happen when she collided with the grinning spirit in front of her but she could tell that she was going to regret ever accepting the damn mission.

She closed her eyes, letting happy memories flood into her brain; first meeting her team, eating at Ichiraku with them, laughing at Naruto's terrible jokes while Sasuke merely smirked, sitting under the stars and pointing out the different constellations for her her friends...

First meeting Itachi...

She smiled.

FLASHBACK

A 14 year old Sakura Haruno walked nervously behind Sasuke, Naruto walking just as apprehensively beside her; they were going to be meeting their teammates prestigious clan for the first time.

Sakura met the blonde Jinchurikki's eyes and they both displayed their inner panic; what if they messed up? Would Sasuke's father, who he spoke often and poorly of, request his son to be moved to another team?

Sakura inwardly slapped herself. 'Get a grip Sakura!' she scolded. 'If you keep a cool head, be polite and smile what reason would they have to complain?'

Sakura looked to Naruto again to see the same far away look in cerulean blue eyes; would he be able to behave just this one time and NOT blow it?She loved her teammate like a brother but he had the innate ability to be able to attract the most unwanted attention.

She closed her eyes and huffed, not realising that she was about to run into someone standing directly in front of her.

Her eyes snapped back open and she slowly looked up at the person she was now chest to chest with. Her vision was unable to comprehend the person properly and she could only see the person as a black figure. She inwardly cheered when she saw that it was a woman, long hair falling in a ponytail at the back of her head. The mysterious woman was surprisingly tall and Sakura hastily stepped back, blushing slightly in embarrassment.

"S-Sorry Miss Uchiha! I wasn't looking where I was going!" She stuttered in complete embarrassment. She looked up again and frowned inwardly; this woman was quite the unfortunate one; no chest to speak of and she could just make out the deep stress lines that ran down from the corner of her eyes to her cheeks...

She turned when she heard a horrified gasp from behind her; her black haired teammates' eyes were wide and his mouth hung open. She glanced at Naruto and saw that he was barely restraining his laughter, though his eyes looked sympathetically at her.

Confused she turned back to the silent woman and smiled shyly. "I'm sorry, I'm not sure what's gotten into them." For a moment there was a awkward pause. "Do not worry too much, my foolish little brother can often become... easily distracted."

Sakura frowned up at the woman slightly in her confusion; little brother? "You have a sister Sasuke?" She questioned innocently, making Sasuke choke slightly. "Why didn't you ever say anything? I thought you only had an older brother."

Naruto chuckled awkwardly. "Uhhh Sakura...? You might want to back up some more." Sakura raised a brow and stood next to him, before looking back at the figure. "So what's your name Miss..." Her next words died on her lips, pure horror and fear evident on her face.

"...Itachi." The MAN finished. "I am Sasuke's older... brother."

Sakura flushed 10 different shades of red before paling considerably, her knees suddenly becoming weak.

"O-Oh... U-Umm... I s-see... I-Um-" She managed to force a small, twitching smile on her face. "Sasuke speaks of you often, it's nice to... Meet you..?" Her statement ended up coming out more like a question due to her anxiety.

Itachi, she noted while blushing furiously, was very attractive; even more so than his younger brother. His long hair should of been a major turn off but it had completely the opposite effect...

She snapped out of her trance when Sasuke cleared his throat. "Shall we get going? Mother will be nearly finished with dinner.."

END FLASHBACK

After that, Itachi had grown on her considerably. After that brief encounter, she had managed to form an odd kind of bond with him that could never be broken. He also appeared to become more interested and comfortable with her as he soon sought her out as often as time would allow; they became the best of friends mores easily than she and Ino had done.

But that didn't matter now. She shut her eyes and waited for impact.

But something shoved her out of the way and sent both of them tumbling to the ground.

Sakura's eyes snapped open and she tried to look at the person who was holding so tightly onto her waist. When the person hastily stood up, she glanced at her teammates who stood across the clearing; but her eyes widened in horror when she realised that Itachi was with the group after all, relief painted on his pale face.

Oh shit.

She stood up abruptly and readied her hand, standing on guard but not yet willing to injure her unknown saviour. She narrowed her eyes when she came face to face with large, penetrating, pale green eyes, reminiscent of the Hyugga family. The rest of the body and face was hidden by a dark cloak so the person was indistinguishable.

She momentarily glanced back at the little girl and breathed with relief when she saw her fade into the background.

Turning back to the mysterious person she scowled. "Who are you?" she demanded. The person chuckled, the tone deep. "That's no way to speak to the man who saved you; you were in quite a difficult situation there." She narrowed her eyes but she relaxed slightly when she heard four pairs of feet land behind her.

"I appreciate the help," she growled impatiently. "But I don't trust strangers; who are you?"

The person laughed deeply this time, but for some reason it sent chills up her spine and she shuddered almost invisibly. "You have good reason not to trust strangers kunoichi," he agreed flatly. "But I'm afraid my name will remain hidden, as will the rest of my hidden being."

For a moment, Sakura felt an explosion of malevolent chakra that sent her to her knees, gasping, with her hands on the sides of her head.

Sasuke and Naruto fell too, the weight becoming too much to bear. Once Sakura felt the weight lift she was looking directly into the strangers eyes, but she couldn't help but think that they were familiar.

"If you know what's good for you, stay out of my way." He growled before he turned towards the thicker part of the forest, he quickly added. "Sakura Haruno." He jumped into the trees before any of them could stop him.

They slowly stood up and turned to their leaders, only to see that they had broken out in cold sweats. "That chakra..." Kakashi murmured. "It's familiar..." Itachi remained silent and merely looked at where the man had left.

Sakura gritted her teeth. "I know him from somewhere..." she informed them frustratedly. "I just can't remember where..." Why couldn't she remember?! She cried inwardly, beyond frustrated.

Itachi shook his head. "It doesn't matter," he muttered. "The little girl is gone and the closest town is not far away; we can recuperate there. Our target area is only a mile away max from then on."

Everyone nodded and got ready to travel. Itachi grabbed Sakura's wrist before she turned away and looked at her pointedly. "And you are going to tell us what happened after we lost you. No excuses." he added as she was about to protest.

Sakura huffed but grudgingly agreed and they both made their way over to the rest of the group.

They were completely oblivious to the sad stare directed at them from behind, as a tear ran down a small figures cheek.

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Annnddd... Done! I hope you guys enjoyed that!

Who is the person who saved Sakura? Where is he from and why is he familiar? Who was watching them at the end of the chapter and why were they so sad?

So many questions that need answering! I'm loving this story already!

Hope you all enjoyed it!

Ja ne!

Sakurablossom606 xx