A/N: Thank you for the reviews last chapter. I greatly appreciated it.

Edited: 6/9/12


"Ino, help me try on this dress?"

"Do you think Sasuke will like it?"

"Ino, why isn't Sai coming to the wedding?"

"Dad, I understand you have a trip but why can't you be here?"

"Sasuke, did you write your vows?"

"Why did you do this to me?"

"This wedding is off."


Torn: Redux

Chapter 7:

7. Say It Right


More than once in her life she had been told the phrase "With age comes Wisdom." At the time she had been so young and naive that she had actually took those words to heart. Hell, she had been so naive that she believed in those other phrases such as "You'll meet your prince some day" and "It's possible to find a decent man after 25."

But, at the tender age of 26, she had finally come to the realization that those words didn't mean a damn thing. Nothing at all.

"Stupid crummy sayings" she muttered to herself as she gazed into her mirror that morning.

As she stood in her spacious, marble shower that morning, Sakura felt her nerves slip. Thoroughly, she rubbed the berry scented shampoo through her rosette locks. Her mind began to float back to what she needed to do that afternoon.

Today was the day.

She was going to willingly see the man she had prayed to God she would never see again a month ago.

Itachi Uchiha.

She felt as if she was a teenage girl asking a boy to the Sadie Hawking Dance or something.

Absolutely pathetic.

Now all she had to do was fight down the nausea and butterflies that came with the nerves and she would be all set.

She was determined to make this day a good day.

"I can do this."


"I can't do this." she mumbled to herself as she stood outside of the looming Uchiha Towers.

According to Google and very bad memory, she was fairly sure that the man she wanted to see was inside the building. Unfortunately, another man she didn't want to see was probably in the same building as well.

"I knew I shouldn't have let Shishou talk me into this" she continued to rant quietly, as she stepped into the glass foyer. A seemingly lifetime of memories flooded her senses as she looked around the spacious area that she had known like the back of her hand over a year ago.

With those feelings, a wave of hurt crept up on her.

She was not going to cry. She had to be strong.

But, what if Sasuke is there?

Panic started flooding through her veins once again. The frighteningly calm facade she had in her car on the way over was rapidly falling apart. She was seriously considering bolting and thinking that it wouldn't be such a terrible experience to be fired.

"Shishou would kill me if I walked out of here without talking to him" she reminded herself as she stood inside the lobby.

No, I can't let the bastard control what I do with my life. Hell, he might not be here. Screw Sasuke and Ino.

Breathing heavily, and holding her head up high, she exuded confidence as she walked through the gleaming lobby. Only those that looked a bit closer would see the nervousness in her emerald eyes, and the embarrassment that was tearing her apart at the seams.

Head high. You're almost there.

The sound of her heels clicking drew the attention of everyone in the lobby, and heads turned to stare curiously at the beautiful pink haired woman as she walked confidently through the lobby. However, she didn't even notice it as she was too busy eying the lobby critically for anyone she didn't want to see (i.e. Sasuke). Finally reaching the circular front desk, Sakura warily eyed the young man there who was looking at Sakura like she was his own personal messiah.

"M-may I help you, ma'am?" He stammered. It wasn't everyday that a woman who looked like her walked into Uchiha Towers.

"Yes." Sakura said, smiling warmly at the young man. "Could you point me in the direction of Uchiha Itachi's office?


As the elevator rose to the 12th floor of the building, Sakura felt this inner calm wash over her. She could do this. She had spent many hard days and nights becoming a doctor.

This was her forte.

All she had to do was maintain a professional bedside manner and things would fall into place. This should be ingrained procedure. Nothing to fear here.

I mean, after all, she was the best of the best.


As he sat in the dark interior of his office, Uchiha Itachi wondered just what kept him from firing his foolish little brother. Lately things with Sasuke were turning out horribly. Sasuke had no sense of what to do in business, given the fact that he had been an art major in college. Sasuke didn't have the drive to run a business.

But I have to prepare him for what's to come. I refuse to leave him unprepared. He thought to himself as he gazed out the window.

As a rogue cough bubbled up in his throat, Itachi stood and walked over and took a seat at the small bar in the corner of the office.

Normally he was not a sake drinker but the pain seemed to be coming more often.

Sakura. His mind wondered as he took the first sip of the pungent liquid.

Ever since she saw her at the ramen shop, she had been on his mind more than ever. After hearing the damning story of the disastrous wedding from his brother, the thoughts came nonstop these days.

"I have to stop this" he said as he rose up from the chair and grabbed the Armani jacket that had been hanging across the chair.

He had to get her out of his head.

One way or another.


As her heels clicked along the hall leading to Itachi's office, Sakura began to second guess herself once again.

Surely, Itachi would know to get help before it was too late. She had pegged him to be the intelligent one out of him and Sasuke. So, she knew he could ask for help if he really needed.

But, what do I know about Itachi really? She wondered as she noticed the small waiting area.

A small blue sign with the words "out to lunch" stared back at her as she looked at the desk.

Apparently, Itachi's secretary was out to lunch.

"Maybe, I could just leave a small note on his desk if he is out to lunch" she remarked quietly to herself as she stood and walked toward the large door.

This was it. All she had to do was just leave a note and then she would be home f-

At the moment, the door swung open and one dark haired Uchiha stepped forward. Apparently he was on his way out for he was still stuffing his left arm into his jacket.

Sakura could only stare in amazement as the target of her most recent thoughts stood before eyes. Even with his slight smirk, she still found him to be incredibly attractive.

What the hell is going on with me?

The raven haired Uchiha looked up and his eyes widened in minor surprise. Apparently, he had not been expecting her.

"Ah Itachi, I am glad I caught you. We need to talk."


When he was a young boy, his father had taught him the many ways of mastering being an Uchiha. His father made sure to cover the important points such as:

1. Never give up your life for a woman

2. Never give up your business for a woman.

3. Never show a woman your true emotions for she would take advantage.

4. Never allow yourself to become too attached to one person.

And finally the most important rule of being the Uchiha Clan heir.

5. NEVER, EVER fall in love.

It was with these rules a part of him resented Sasuke for being born second.

Sure, he knew his parents loved him but they had expected too much of him. He had never really been allowed to decide for himself. His decisions had been made since his birth.

Decisions such as who to love.

When Sasuke had shown him the picture of the woman he was going to marry (the first time) he felt a shot of envy run through his veins. His little foolish brother had found the woman of his dreams while he had been out in the world trying to fulfil the wishes of others.

He had to eliminate this "feeling" once and for all.

It wasn't very becoming of an Uchiha.

This was why he needed to shake the feeling of whatever he felt toward the woman in front of him.

"Ah, Haruno Sakura. To what honor do I owe this visit? Not to finish up what happened a month ago, am I correct?

"Ha ha" Sakura muttered sarcastically.

A lone eyebrow rose at her response. There was no other reason for her to seek him out. Unless she...

"You know." he said without question.

Emerald eyes shifted toward the plush carpet as dark eyes scanned her every movement. He was not surprised; although he wondered why Tsunade had decided to breach something called "Doctor Patient Confidentiality."

He definitely had to visit her to explain the definition of such a word.

"Yes Itachi. I know."

Itachi continued to scan her features as if he was committing them to memory. He found it weird that she was standing in front of his eyes as if he had conjured her up.

Sakura lifted her chin in the air as if he was the one intruding in her office. "Shishou assigned me your case. Itachi...I would like to help you. If you'd just let me..."

"No." he said cutting her off.

Now was not the time to have this sort of conversation. Especially with someone he really didn't know.

"Haruno Sakura. I appreciate your concern but I do not need it. It is not appropriate or necessary"

He turned to step away from the bubble-gum haired woman when she caught his arm in a vice like grip. Hadn't they already had a dose of this movement a month before?

Green eyes synchronized his every move as she analyzed his impassive face.

"Your symptoms are getting worse, aren't they?

One dark eyebrow rose but his eyes betrayed no emotion. His face was an unreadable as ever.

"Itachi" she said stepping into his personal space.

She was on a mission.

"Why are you fighting me on this? Don't you want to be saved?"

A strong, square jaw clinched in annoyance as impassive onyx eyes gazed into the apple green eyes of his abuser.

She had touched a nerve.

Who was she to walk around and play saviour?

The air crackled with electricity as the words hung in the air.

"Haruno Sakura. You speak of something you do not know of. I would appreciate it if you give up this ridiculous endeavor. You have no bonds to me and as of one month ago you had no bonds to my brother either. So, I will ask you once to just leave things as it is."

Green eyes widened in surprise as she took in the words the elder Uchiha had thrown her way. She was used to patients threatening her but Itachi was beyond the norm.

But, even she had to admit the insult hurt. More than it should have.

"Itachi." she said as she stepped forward once again invading his personal space. "You do not scare me. So you can go ahead and threaten me all you want. When I took this case, you became my patient. Therefore; you became my responsibility. Fuck Sasuke. This is about me and you and also your health. If you keep avoiding treatment like this you are doing...so help me Itachi I will be here every single fucking day until I can drag you into my office."

One dark eyebrow quirked in amusement as he watched the pink haired woman rant and scold him as if he was an impudent child.

She really could be an annoying woman when she put her mind to it.

"Itachi, what's with that look? If you think I am kidding, try me." The woman finished her rant with a balled up fist on her slim hip.

A second eyebrow rose and a smirk quickly followed.

Intense onyx eyes locked with green as it fought for dominance. He took a step forward, this time their bodies only centimeters apart. She could feel the overwhelming heat from his body emanate to hers. Like a long drawn out torture, Sakura could feel his heat but not his body presence. It was almost worse than if he was actually pressing his body against hers like that last time.

She had no doubt those seductive grey eyes had no problem seducing women. After all, the Uchiha were known for being perfect at everything. Seduction apparently made the list, if this moment was an indication.

"Is that why you are here...Sakura? Because you want me to...try you?"

Sakura sucked in a breath. He was watching her with those eyes. The eyes that were so similar but yet so different from Sasuke's. By kami, Itachi was a sexy man.

And he knew it.

Her eyes quickly darted to the left to avoid the tempting gaze. Ever so slightly, she made a small step away from the man who now seemed to be overwhelming her senses.

'God, this man is too much.'

She had to do something to break this moment, anything.

'Say something sarcastic.'

"While that may be a tempting, I do mean, tempting offer Itachi, I'm going to have to pass. No, really. It's not you. It's me." she said sarcastically as she took another step back from the man. She wasn't going to let him cloud her judgment.

She was the professional here, damnit!

Onyx eyes connected with hers once again and it was within this moment she could have honestly peed her pants. He did something she had never expected him to do...he...smiled.

As she stared back at him once again, she realized that he had the most beautiful heart breaking smile she had ever seen.

It had been small but it had been there.

Holy fuck. He's hotter than Sasuke. She thought ironically, as she tried to slow down her racing pulse. That smile couldn't be good for the heart.

The small smile fell from his face and his normal smirk returned in full force.

"Ah. Too bad" he replied thoughtfully.

Green eyes looked back in confusion as the weight of his words began to sink in.

"Why...is that too bad?"

His feet moved forward before her mind could process that he was in front of her once again.

Crap, he's fast.

He leaned closer, but stopped only centimeters from her lips. He was so close, that she wanted to just grab him and pull him to her. Why was he bothering coming so close to her but not touching her?

Before he could answer, someone cleared their throat clearing out all the sexual electricity that seemed to be crackling in the air.

"Well, this wasn't what I quite expected when I came here today."


When she had awaked that morning, Ino Uchiha never expected how much her life would change.

Sure, she blamed herself for Sakura's anger every morning she woke up. She blamed herself for many things that had occurred this past year.

She could understand why Sakura hated her so much. She had stolen the love of her life from right under her nose.

She hated the way things ended that day at the church. She had never meant to hurt her best friend in that way but when Sasuke told her that day of the wedding that he indeed loved her; she knew she had to have him for herself, regardless of Sakura.

As she drove to her small flower shop, Ino began to think of how nice it was having Itachi over the other night. She never had any siblings growing up, but she always wanted an older brother.

Her husband's brother seemed to fill that void of not having an older sibling quite perfectly.

Itachi understood her.

He was a caring, quiet guy. She couldn't see the supposed coldness Sasuke said his older brother possessed. She could obviously see that Itachi cared about his little brother. Sure, he was quite aloof but she knew that you just had to dig a little deeper. Or, at least that was what her old psychology professor used to say.

The sound of her ringing phone brought her out of her thoughts.

"When you're not here I sleep in your t-shirt, I wish you were to take off your t-shirt."

A bright smile came across the blonds' face as the ringtone continued to play. Of course she knew who was calling her but her favorite part was coming up. She knew he wouldn't mind calling back a second time since he knew she loved the song she had picked as his ringtone.

(Oh) Give It to Me Deeper
(Oh) Giving Me the Fever
(Oh) Now You Got My Feet up
This One Is A Keeper

Her eyes began to glaze over as she thought of the many reasons why she had chosen that song as her husband's ringtone.

'God, I love my husband.' she thought as the haze cleared from her mind.

Apparently, Sasuke had got tired of waiting for her to pick up for he decided to call again. Ino smiled as the picture of her husband's handsome face popped up. She truly did love him.

"Yes Sasuke-kun?"

"Ino, have you made it to the shop yet?"

She looked out of window and noticed that she had not. In fact, she hadn't even made it halfway across town yet.

"No Sasuke-kun I haven't. You need something?" She asked, as she slowed to a stop at a red light.

"Yes, I need you to stop by my office and get this document from my desk. Hn Tenten forgot to pack it when she packed my briefcase."

Ino laughed.

She knew her friend Tenten was quite forgetful but she was a very good assistant.

"Sasuke-kun" she whined. "I'm sure Tenten didn't mean to forget it. I mean after all, she is now dating the Hyuga."

On the other end of the line, she heard her husband sputter with indignation. Apparently, he had not known Tenten was involved with Hyuga Neji.

Oops.

'Oh well. She will thank me later. I hope.'

"Hn. Thank you for that disturbing image Ino. But, stop by the office and pick up the document. When you get to the office, can you fax it? I need it for the meeting this afternoon."

Pride surged Ino's veins. She was truly proud of Sasuke. He was in the middle of a multimillion dollar deal for the company. She knew he could do it when he put his mind into it.

"Of course, Sasuke-kun" she giggled. "But you owe me."

A chuckle of amusement came across the line. A smile lighted her features; she knew Sasuke was amused with her nickname for him.

"We will see."

A full blown laugh came from the blond. She knew he was just doing that just to annoy her. But, she loved him for it anyway.

"I love you Sasuke-kun. I will see you tomorrow when you get back."

"Hn."

Ino laughed once again as she hung up the phone. She knew that last bit was Sasuke's way of saying that he loved her. She knew him better than most people did. Sasuke was actually not as broody as people made him out to be. He actually felt emotion quite a bit. He especially shows emotion right after she gave him a blo...

'Focus Ino. Get to office now.'

As she pulled into the reserved parking space and got out of her sleek pearl Mercedes, Ino had no idea just how much her life would change.

Whether or not that change was for better or worse was a destiny not evens the fates had not yet written.


When she had walked into the spacious building, Ino noted just how old fashioned the decorations seemed to be. She knew she had to have a talk with Sasuke about possibly redecorating the building.

After all the building could use some...

"Wait..."

Since, Sasuke was on the business trip she was fairly sure Itachi was in his office.

After all, Itachi's office was his second home.

"Maybe I should stop in and ask Itachi if he wants to come over for dinner tonight? I could use the company." She said to herself as she made her way down the sleek hallway leading to the C.E.O wing of the building.

As her Jimmy Choo heels clicked against the marble, the sound of voices slowed her down.

Oh. She had never entertained the possibility of Itachi actually having company.

'Maybe it is a woman.' she thought excitedly as she tip toed over the marble.

A smile flickered across her features as she thought of the possibility of her nii-san having a girlfriend.

'Sasuke is going to flip when I tell him.'

Tentatively, Ino approached the office only to be astounded by the scene that lay before her eyes.

If it hadn't been the voice that gave it away, the damning pink hair definitely gave it away.

'Sakura? What is she doing here? With...Itachi?'

Placing a finger against her cheek thoughtfully, she continued to analyze the two, wondering when they would notice her.

She watched as Itachi, who she never thought had a seductive bone in his body, stepped forward effectively cutting off any personal space between him and the pink haired woman.

'Oh crap. He's good.' she thought as she watched the same, familiar, sexy smirk light his pale features.

'I think his smirk might be sexier than Sasuke's though.' she thought idly. 'Wait, what the hell am I saying?'

She watched avidly as a gaze sexier than sin itself made its way across the elder Uchiha's lips.

Well well…

She watched as Sakura turned a deep red. Ino had to look away herself for she felt herself blushing.

He's definitely as sexy as Sasuke.

From her vantage point, she could easily see the emotions playing across her former best friend's face. She knew her well enough to distinguish every single one of those emotions.

Attraction seemed to be the one that radiated off her like a beacon.

Her former best friend was attracted to Itachi.

Before she could dwell on the idea, a swift movement from Itachi had her mouth hanging open.

'He's going to kiss her.' She thought numbly as a blush attempted to spring forth.

A flood of guilt raced through her pores. She shouldn't be watching this, right?

"I...have to stop this...right?" She muttered to herself.

With a deep breath, she cleared her throat and watched as Sakura jumped in surprise. Apparently, she really hadn't noticed her standing in the corner.

"Well, this wasn't what I quite expected when I came here today."

She looked back over at the other guilty party in the room and noticed the mild amusement on his features.

'That sly devil. He knew he had an audience.'

It was with that look, the embarrassment and guilt she had evaporated into thin air.

She needed to get to the bottom of this right now.

She was not leaving until she had answers.

"Would one of you like to explain what's going on here? Or should I pick up the phone and ask my husband?'


a/n: ah...more drama