Hey! Thanks everyone for the amazing reviews!

I wanted to reply to the guest who reviewed because I appreciate critical reviews and I just want to clarify some things. Sakura understands that Ino wouldn't be a good match for Itachi and she mostly kept her opinion to herself other than saying she was surprised and didn't think they were compatible. I didn't think of it as backstabbing because I don't think it is wrong to recognize faults in people. She clearly still loves Ino despite her being nosey and loud. Sakura can be nosey and loud. And if she seemed to be complaining a bit, it is because she was. Sometimes it is easier to get stuff off your back to a stranger than someone who knows everything. Also, of course Sakura has a hidden agenda! She just doesn't know it. I've always thought of her as an affectionate person. I think she acts like a friend to almost anyone that needs one. And Itachi is in need. I hope that clarified some things without coming off as bitchy because your review made me really happy. I like it when people make me think about the direction I am taking things. Thanks so much!

Read. Rate. Review. Be jolly and enjoy apples and coffee!

Itachi had come home to see a very bruised and broken Sasuke whining to his mother. She looked unsympathetic. In fact, she looked annoyed with the boy. His arm was bent in 3 ways and was bruised and swollen. His eyes were black and his nose crooked. His foot was definitely out of place and was his leg supposed to bend like that? Itachi wanted to know who had caused such damage.

"Ouch! Mother..."

"Stop whining. It is your own fault. You should minded your own business."

"Sticking your broken nose where it doesn't belong, little brother?"

"Mind your own, Itachi. This is all your fault anyway."

Mikoto seemed to dislike that because she didn't have to nap his ankle back in that hard. Itachi heard a pleasing yelp. Cocky child deserved it.

"And what do I have to do with your lack of self defence."

"If you hadn't shown her that list she wouldn't have come after me! She only found out because you were flaunting your stupid paper." Sasuke was pouting and though Itachi was fond of his brother, he was too old for that.

"I don't understand."

"Your brother was beaten to a pulp because he thought it would be okay to go the elders and tell them to take Sakura off the list of potential brides." Mikoto said with a scowl.

Mikoto was probably more upset than anyone about it. She had been pretty down when she realized Sakura wasn't on the list. She had complained to Fugaku but he said that the council probably had a good reason. She had dropped it but it had been bothering her. Sakura had come to see her last night about the list. She was pretty distraught. Sakura was concerned about the girls on the list. She informed Mikoto that most of the kunoichi on the list were in serious relationships.

Mikoto had tried to explain that the list didn't take eligibility into account. Sakura's face had grown dark and she went on a long rant about how unfair that is to the girls. Because if Itachi decided on that person then it was basically done. She was not going to let this happen. She stormed off and Mikoto was worried but didn't follow. Surely Sakura wouldn't do anything too crazy, right?

She was wrong. Sakura had stormed into the Council room the next day. Fugaku had reported to Mikoto in great detail. The Elders were shocked. She had stormed in and demanded a new list be drafted. They tried to explain about the tradition. She told them, very clearly, she didn't give a rats ass about the tradition.

"When was the last time you did this? I don't care if it is an honor to be an Uchiha. You can't just take girls out of serious relationships just to continue your line! THere are plenty of available women in this village. Plenty of great civilian women who could offer your clan so much and yet most of this list is comprised of unavailable women and kunoichi!" Her voice hadn't raised but it was clear that she wouldn't let it go.

"If you are upset about not being on the list, Haruno-san, then you must take it up with Sasuke." One of the Elders said.

"I don't care about being on the list! I care about the people on the list! I know those girls really well and if they were told to marry someone they didn't love it would kill them. They offer enough for this village. Itachi has offered even more. Don't you care about his happiness?" She looked sad but angry.

"He will learn to be content with his chosen bride. Most clan members don't get to pick at all. He is quite lucky."

Sakura had growled and looked ready to destroy the building. She looked at them with hard eyes.

"The list will be revised. I will send Sasuke with a list of unavailable women." She wasn't going to let them argue.

The elders moved to say something but Fugaku spoke. "Perhaps, it would be best to look at the list again."

She smiled kindly and left. But she hadn't gone home. She went to the training grounds. She found Sasuke arguing with Naruto. She told the blond to go home. He looked confused but left. She crossed her arms and looked at the Uchiha.

"Do you want to tell me why you had my name taken off the list but them keep so many taken women?"

"Why are you so angry about it?" He said cooly.

"Because some of my best friends are on that list and the other half are my patients! Do you have any idea how many of those girls are incredibly happy with their partners? I hear about them all the time and the smiles on their faces are so incredibly beautiful. If Itachi choses one of them they don't get a say! Your clan is too powerful."

"I had you taken off because I don't want you marrying my brother. It would be weird. You would be in charge... and at the house all the time and you would be kissing him and fuc- doing it with him. It's too weird! You're my teammate!"

She looked relieved for a minute. She was about to hug him. In a way it was sort of sweet.

"Plus, you're not that strong. And the children would have your hair." He said it like an insult. "And you're really not good enough or him. Aniki needs someone graceful and delicate and sweet. You're none of those things Sakura. No offense."

"Offense taken you pompous bastard! Not that strong? I'll show you just how strong I am."

And that was that.

Itachi was trying not to laugh at the tales. But he could hardly keep the smile off his face. His mother was pouting. Sasuke seemed to darken at reliving the experience.

"Perhaps, little brother, you should fix your nose and then keep it to yourself." He turned away and left.

He was quite amused with Sakura's actions. It was rare for someone to stand up to the Elders. He had done it a handful of times but only when needed. The tradition didn't bother him but he hadn't thought of the females. He found himself hoping to run into the feisty pink haired female once again.

How very odd...

I really hope you enjoyed it! This chapter was a little all over the place. I hope that it didn't distract from the story.

I will be updating a few more chapters soon!

Thanks for reading! Feel free and encouraged to review, as always!