Disclaimer: Naruto and characters associated to this manga are creations of Masashi Kishimoto. This story and other ideas not associated with Naruto are mine, unless otherwise disclaimed. This fanfiction is written for entertainment purposes only.

Note: 1) This chapter does have mild cursing, hence the T rating.

2) I completely wrote this chapter over again because the last one had little to no humor. I kind of like the end result. :) Let me know what you think.

3) Also, thank those who have taken the time to write reviews! At least now I know my sense of humor hasn't completely wasted away.

Challenge 4: Inner Demons... attempt 2

Itachi stood silently, his eyes intently watching over two teams of ANBU recruits as they shifted nervously in the small interrogation room. Most people couldn't handle his stare.

Especially when they stood in a dark, daunting space like this.

His lips curled into a smirk.

Good.

Now, time for some training…

"Haruno."

Sakura gulped. She stood straighter as the other ANBU visibly relaxed for a fraction of a second. She felt her nerves getting the best of her. She hated when Sasuke's older brother gave her that look… especially during all the times she visited the Uchiha manor.

His less than appropriate comments about her and Sasuke's relationship would always bring their faces to a bright red glow.

Who knew Uchiha Itachi had such a sadistic sense of humor?

And now he was her ANBU captain.

Just wonderful.

"You will be teamed with Uzumaki."

Her eyes widened just a fraction as Itachi glanced over to the end of the line. Still completely black and blue from the Gentle Fist technique, Naruto also straightened his posture waiting for the command.

Sakura mentally shook her head in pity. Sure, she was still embarrassed of that photo he took of her and Sasuke, but even she thought Sasuke's idea of revenge went a little too far. A week had passed from the dare Sasuke gave Naruto, and he was still pretty messed up—Kyuubi healing or not.

What was it with Uchiha's and their pride?

"Are you listening Haruno?"

Her eyes turned back to the black orbs of the captain. Her attention was brought back instantly. "Yes sir!"

"Good." He turned to all the ANBU recruits, "As I was saying, you will each practice an interrogation jutsu on each other. I will assign one of you to practice the technique while your teammate practices resisting information."

His feet stopped before Sakura again. She felt the tension return as he eyed her, "Haruno, you will be the interrogator for Uzumaki." Again, her eyes widened in surprise. "I understand you have experience with the Kyuubi and are an exceptional medic. This technique should be no problem for someone of your expertise."

Was that a compliment?

"Uzumaki, Haruno; if you'd please sit before of each other."

The nin's nodded their heads and followed as instructed.

"Now. Haruno. You may start the interrogation."

Her eyes instantly became determined as her fingers flashed through a series of hand symbols. Her fingers gripped both sides of Naruto's head.

She felt an unpleasant sensation as her mind instantly transferred into Naruto's mind… a dark damp dungeon. Her green eyes looked around before spotting her friend sitting in the dank, shallow waters.

Now to get some information…

Maybe if she went into the huge jail cell thing?

How high were those bars anyways? Were they to keep her out?

Or were they to keep something in?

She stepped closer to it about to find out the truth.

SHANNARO!

What… was that?

OOPH!

She hissed as she felt herself being dragged down to the murky waters. Now her hair was a mess!

Turning around, she noticed a figure about her size complete in black with white outlining. It stood on her triumphantly.

The figure raised an eyebrow.

What the hell…?

What are you doing? shouted the figure, Are you trying to get us killed?

Sakura blinked.

Maybe she didn't execute this jutsu correctly…

"S-Sakura?"

The female looked up. Naruto, now carefully squatting down before the medic nin, tilted his head as his blue eyes calculated the situation. Who was this obscure-looking Sakura before him?

"Who's this?" asked the blond.

He saw the figure becoming angry.

"Uh…"

Who am I? WHO AM I? I'm Sakura! SHANNARO!

Naruto stood, crossed his arms, and squinted as if examining the outline more carefully.

After two minutes, the jinchuuriki jabbed a finger into the black and white figure.

"No your not."

Sakura saw Naruto flying across the large room, his body smacking rather hard on the brick wall. She winced.

That had to hurt…

Telling me I'm not Sakura… who does that idiot think he is? I'll kick his ass!

Okay, so maybe she wasn't the most dignified in the world…

And then a provoking thought hit the medic nin.

This was Inner Sakura.

Strange.

How was it possible for Inner Sakura to leave the safe depths of her own mind?

A chuckle was heard in the room, two piercing red eyes stared at the split personalities.

What do we have here? Hmm? A kunoichi with a death wish?

'Okay… now that's scary' thought Sakura eyeing the enormous beast.

It was HUGE!

And scary.

Did she mention scary?

Death wish? DEATH WISH? I'll show you death wish, over grown hairball!

Hm? What do we have here? An animated children's drawing?

Sakura saw the infuriated look on Inner Sakura's face. That wasn't good news.

"Hm…"

The kunoichi froze. She knew that voice anywhere. Her head lifted. She saw Itachi standing just beside her sprawled out form, his Sharingan eyes carefully assessing the situation.

What was he doing here?

She glared at him carefully picking herself up from the shallow waters.

"This is interesting."

His red irises turned from the obscure figures to Naruto, who was out cold beside a brick wall, and over to Sakura adorning a glare of embarrassment.

"Very interesting," commented the ANBU captain.

"With all due respect," gritted Sakura through her teeth, "what are you doing here?"

His eyebrow lifted, "Merely assessing the situation." He turned back to the obscure Inner Sakura and the massive Kyuubi. "You may end the jutsu as soon as I leave."

A moment passed before Itachi turned from the quarreling figures over to his brother's girlfriend, a smirk gracing his lips. How she hated that smirk. "And make sure you go to the Yamanaka clan first thing tomorrow morning. I'm sure we'd love to learn more about your… inner demon."

Itachi flew across the room in the same manor as Naruto moments before. Standing in his place was a raving Inner Sakura, her first raised in the air with cracking energy, her mouth frothing.

Who are YOU calling inner demon? Smartass! I'll wipe this floor CLEAN with you! SHANNARO!

Oh boy…

"Why me?" Sakura quietly asked sighing.