Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto!!

Akatsuki's Little Girl

Chapter 7: Enter Itachi

Sasuke was walking through the streets and it had been three days since the Sound and Sand attack. He was supposed to be meeting Kakashi at a sweet shop, so he made his way over. When he came there he was surprised to see not only had Kakashi arrived on time, but Kurenai and Asuma were accompanying him as well. "It's very different for you to arrive first, Kakashi." Sasuke said as he walked over. He glanced into the shop to see two figures drinking tea.

"It only happens on rare occasion." Kakashi replied quietly.

The Uchiha looked at him and made a face of annoyance. "I hate sweets."

"Do you…?" Kakashi asked all the while glancing discreetly into the sweet shop.

"Hn." He turned his head to the sweet shop again and narrowed his eyes. "I wanted to cancel our training session today…I was planning on visiting Sakura in the hospital." He muttered as he looked back at Kakashi again; but than he felt something strange and looked back into the sweet shop; like the three Jounin, he saw the two people gone.

"I have to take care of something anyway." Kakashi looked at Sasuke with his one eye. He looked at Kurenai and Asuma and spoke to them through his eyes. With that they disappeared from Sasuke's sight to who knows where.

With a sigh he left the area and went towards the hospital. Sakura was supposed to be getting out that day, and for some odd reason Sasuke wanted to see her. She was growing on him, and he didn't know whether it was a good thing or not.

Many things he admired about her, her strength, her determination, and just her personality. Sakura was always happy but able to be serious in a situation that needed it. Not to mention she was very intelligent. Sasuke found it refreshing; he was able to have a decent conversation with her without having to explain something like he would have to with either Naruto or Yuki. Yeah, he had Kakashi but he never really was around.

Making a sharp turn onto the street the hospital was located Sasuke almost ran into someone. Luckily his shinobi senses kicked in and he took a jump back; the other person did so too. Sasuke looked up with his bored expression and his eyes widened when he saw who he almost ran into. "Hey Sakura." He said calmly, pushing down the slight surprise.

"Oh, hi Sasuke." She flashed him a smile. "What brings you here?" she asked as they fell into step next to each other. Walking who knows where.

"I was just about to come and see you actually."

Sakura chuckled. "They just let me out. To be honest I was ready to leave yesterday!" she grinned cheerfully at Sasuke.

Sasuke shook his head. "Hn. Do you want to get some ramen?" he asked hesitantly than quickly added. "I mean, you should eat to stay healthy."

The pinkette looked at him through the corner of her eyes. "I would like that." She whispered and they headed off to Ichiraku.

"I just hope the dobe isn't there." Sasuke rolled his eyes at the thought.

Sakura giggled. "He isn't that bad!" she lightly slapped Sasuke on the shoulder and Sasuke found himself wondering why he put up with her. I mean she just slapped him. The great Uchiha Sasuke was slapped by a pink haired girl.

Sasuke smirked and turned slightly to her. "You don't know him like I do. He is annoying." He stuff his hands in his pockets and turned around a corner; Sakura still by his side.

"Everyone is annoying in their own way. For example, you and your emotionless façade towards the world." She shrugged and grinned when Sasuke scowled. "I'm right, ne?"

The Uchiha turned to her with a trademark Uchiha smirk that had Sakura's heart skip a beat. "I suppose. Like you're always cheerful mood? Or you obnoxiously pink hair? Is it even real?" Sakura's cheeks turned a light pink and she looked down at her feet.

"Its real." She murmured softly. Sasuke looked at her in alarm afraid that he said something wrong. But again…why would he care? "How about your hair that is shaped like a chickens ass?" she snickered when Sasuke frowned.

"Hn."

Sakura burst out laughing and Sasuke raised an eyebrow at her. "It's just funny how that word sounds from your mouth. But…is it even a word?" she grinned at Sasuke who had a smirk on again.

Sasuke shrugged. "Actually…I really don't know." He looked at the sky. "Just a habit I picked up from…someone." His eyes narrowed at a fluffy cloud.

There was a moment of silence and Sakura thought it good not to ask more on the subject. He was obviously talking about Itachi, his brother. She guessed he didn't know the real reason why Itachi killed the clan…so she wouldn't tell him. If she were to, it wouldn't be good. "Well, isn't that the ramen place?" Sakura pointed to the stand and Sasuke nodded.

He was glad she hadn't asked him questions about his habit. Now that he thought of it he had in fact picked it up from Itachi. Walking over to the stand they went inside and waited to be served. "How may I help you?" the old man asked as he wiped his hands on a cloth.

"One miso ramen please." Sakura smiled at him.

"Make that two." Sasuke told him. The man nodded before going off into his kitchen.

Sasuke turned towards Sakura. "When are you going home?" he asked to start a conversation.

Sakura seemed to ponder the thought. "Well I might just leave today. I don't really want to spend money for a hotel and I have no place to stay in Konoha." She shrugged and Sasuke inwardly frowned. He didn't want her to leave so soon!

"Well, if you want to stay for a little longer you can stay with me." He told her as he looked down at the table. Afraid that if she were to look him in the eye a forbidden emotion would surface and show to her.

The pinkette chuckled sheepishly and rubbed the back of her neck. "I wouldn't want to intrude or anything."

"Nonsense. It wouldn't be intruding if I'm offering, right?" Sasuke looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Besides, you shouldn't leave so early. Wouldn't want you straining your recently obtained injuries." He couldn't believe he had just said something that showed that he cared.

Sakura rolled her eyes at him. "I told you I was fine." She huffed but than sighed. "But so you won't get you panties in a bunch…" she smirked at his sour look. "Your boxers in a bunch, I'll stay." She grinned at him. Sasuke released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

"Good."

Two bowls of steaming ramen were placed in front of them and Sakura reached for a pair of chopsticks the moment Sasuke did. Their hands clashed together and Sakura retracted her hand as if it were burned. A tiny shimmer of pink flooded her cheeks as she looked down at her hands in her lap. Sasuke smirked at her reaction and grabbed a pair for her. "Here." He held them out to her and Sakura took it with a small thanks.

They ate quietly and talked about nothing in particular. "He really did that?!" Sakura asked with a noodles hanging on her chopsticks.

Sasuke nodded. "Yeah, Kakashi was like 'Thousand Years of Death' and stuck both of his first and second fingers up his butt. It was very humorous because he flew through the air shouting in pain." He shrugged. "Only Kakashi could do it though, Naruto tried once but failed miserably."

Sakura giggled slightly as she chewed her noodles and when she was done she wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Naruto is pretty stupid, huh?" she asked out of nowhere.

The Uchiha shook his head in disbelief. "You don't even know. I bet if you asked him to say chakra he would end up saying 'catra'. He did that on the first day we were a team." He rolled his eyes.

Sakura giggled again. "Silly Naruto." She shook her head. She dipped her chopsticks into her bowl and picked up the last of her meal. Sasuke had been done for the past five minutes and was waiting for her.

The old man who owned Ichiraku came over. "All done?" he smiled at them. The two ninjas nodded their heads. "Well who's going to pay?" he asked; looking at Sasuke like it should be him.

"We are paying separate…" Sakura mumbled as she reached into her pouch but Sasuke grabbed her wrist.

"No Sakura, let me pay." He smirked at her and released her wrist and paid for both of their meals.

"Thanks." She whispered as she jumped off her stool and walked out with Sasuke following her. They turned down a street and silence engulfed them.

"You know…" Sakura looked at Sasuke with a mischievous grin. "If I didn't know better, I would've thought this was a date. With you coming to see me, than asking me to go to Ichiraku's with you; only to pay for it." She shrugged. "It isn't is it?" she jokingly giggled.

"Maybe it is." Sasuke looked at her with the charming smirk.

Sakura's heart skipped a beat as she looked at him and her lips parted a bit. Sasuke watched her reaction and his eyes drew down to her pink lips. They looked so soft. What would they feel like? Without thinking he started walking towards her and she was backed into a wall. He placed a hand on the side of her head and leaned in close. "S-Sasuke…?" she murmured.

He didn't listen as his free hand moved a strand of her pink hair behind her ear. It was silky and smooth. His hand than went to her chin and held it gently. His gaze was on her parted lips and one of his fingers went out to touch the lip. It's as soft as it looked…I wonder what it would feel like against my own. He thought to himself as he leaned forward, closing his eyes as Sakura did the same.

Their lips met each other and Sakura felt her toes curl at the feeling. Sasuke was her first kiss and it wasn't too shabby. His soft lips felt perfect against her own and she laid her palms against his chest. After a moment of standing in lip lock Sasuke pulled back and his eyes were wide. "I-I'm sorry…I don't…I don't know why I did that."

Sakura slowly opened her eyes and she immediately missed his lips. She looked at them and she felt her face warming. "Don't apologize." She whispered as she grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him against her. She placed a kiss on his lips and wrapped her arms around his neck; drawing him closer.

Sasuke was surprised by her action but kissed her back nonetheless. He also liked the way their lips felt when together. His arm left the wall and wrapped around her waist, trying to draw her closer while his other hand entangled it self in her silky locks. Her hands were massaging his scalp as they…made out. The Uchiha decided to go a step forward and ran his tongue slightly over her bottom lip. He wasn't sure how she would react.

Sakura immediately complied with his request and her mouth opened. Their tongues tangled together as they tasted each other.

He tastes like mint. Sakura thought to her self and felt her self craving the taste.

She tastes like strawberries. Sasuke thought as he tilted his head so they could kiss at a different angle. After another minute of kissing they both pulled away. Still in each other's embrace they breathed heavily. They had been kissing for a while and their breath had been literally taken away.

"Is that Sasuke?" they heard a lazy voice and they immediately pulled away from each other.

Sasuke crossed his arms over his chest and a small microscopic blush could be seen, just slightly. Sakura though was as red as a beat. "Hn." Sasuke narrowed his eyes as Shikamaru shuffled over to them.

Shikamaru looked between the heavily blushing Sakura to the cool and calm Sasuke with narrowed eyes. "Are you two together?" he raised an eyebrow and yawned.

"Maybe, is that a problem?" Sasuke glared at the lazy shinobi.

Shikamaru shrugged. "Troublesome…" he mumbled. "Of course not…just a question." He mumbled again as he walked off.

Sakura sighed and started rocking on her heels. Sasuke glanced at her and smirked. "Hey, I wanted to go see what Kakashi was up to, want to come?" he asked and started walking off as Sakura nodded. The pinkette jogged after him.

When they reached the apartment building Kakashi stayed at they walked up the stairs and Sasuke opened the door without thought. Sakura ruffled her hair with her hand as they walked through the door and they stopped in their tracks when they saw what was inside. "Why is Kakashi sleeping and what are you Jounin doing in here?" he raised an eyebrow at Gai, Kurenai, and Asuma who were all sitting around Kakashi.

They walked further in as Gai spoke. "Um, nothing really."

Than the door burst open and another Jounin came into the room. "Is the story that Itachi has returned really true? And also that he's chasing Naruto?!" he asked and the Jounin already in the room groaned.

"Idiot…" Kurenai slapped her forehead.

Sakura's eyes widened as she looked hesitantly at Sasuke. Itachi, here? And chasing Naruto, so soon? Why?! They don't even have the one-tailed demon yet! Why would they go after the nine tails? Sasuke's eyes were narrowed and she felt the dangerous aura coming off of him. Without a second thought he flew out the door.

"Hey! Where are you going?" Gai called out and Sakura eeped. She decided what she was going to do and ran after him. She was worried and she followed his trail of dangerous chakra.

She jumped down from a roof when she saw he stopped at Ichiraku's. Sakura ran over to him and took a place by his side. "Old man, was Naruto here earlier? If so where did he go?!" Sasuke asked frantically.

The man pondered the question. "Ah, Naruto." He grabbed his chin. "Let's see…I'm sure Jiraiya-san came and ate ramen with him. He said he was going to leave town for a little bit, take the cattle-road down to the hotel-town…Jiraiya-san took him along with him. Spotting him is easy, a big white-haired man."

Sasuke dashed out of the stand and Sakura nodded her head in thanks as she chased after him. They ran through the gates. "That town isn't too far from here if your coming." Sasuke said as he sped towards what Sakura presumed to be the direction.

"I'm coming." She murmured softly. She had to stop Itachi from taking Naruto, she just had to!

In a matter of minutes they arrived in the town and they looked at the many buildings. Sakura focused on finding Naruto's chakra signature and gasped when she felt two other strong ones. Itachi and Kisame have already found him. She gulped. "There!" she pointed to a building and they ran up the stairs, following the trail of Naruto's and the two Akatsuki members chakra. When they reached the place they saw two people in black cloaks with red clouds standing with a stunned Naruto.

The one Sakura knew to be Itachi spoke. "It's been a while Sasuke." He softly spoke.

Sasuke gritted his teeth. "Uchiha Itachi." He hissed.

"Eh?" Naruto asked surprised and Sakura's gaze darted towards him.

Kisame chuckled. "Today is a special day, don't you think? This is the second time I've seen another Sharingan today." He looked at them and his eyes narrowed at Sakura. "First time I've seen a pink haired girl though." He grinned.

A growl came from Sasuke. "Sakura get out of here." Sasuke ordered. Sakura was about to retort when Itachi talked.

"You should listen to him…Sakura. You should go home." Sakura heard his hidden meaning and shook her head.

"I'm not going any where."

"You'll just get hurt." Itachi grunted.

Sasuke snarled. "Don't you dare touch her! I'll kill you!" his Sharingan flashed.

Itachi's back was turned away from him and his eyes narrowed. Of course he would never hurt Sakura. "He has the Sharingan like you Itachi…who is he?" Kisame chuckled.

"My younger brother." Naruto tensed at those words.

Kisame looked at Sasuke than Sakura than Sasuke again. "I thought the whole clan was wiped out by you." he regarded Itachi indifferently.

Sasuke growled menacingly and started up a chidori. "I've been want to tell you…I've lived with hatred. And I've lived just to kill you!" he shouted and Sakura felt her stomach drop as he said that. What about that kiss we shared…? Will he live for me?

She shook the thought away as she watched with wide eyes as Sasuke charged at Itachi. He raised his chidori and Itachi shot out his arm and caught his wrist. "I have to do something…" Naruto mumbled as he focused his chakra and made some hand signs. Kisame grunted.

"Too late." He swiped his sword down and Sakura winced as she noticed his chakra was gone.

She looked over at Itachi and Sasuke and felt a bead of sweat forming on her brow. "Your in the way…" Itachi told Sasuke and snapped his wrist. Sasuke let out a cry of pain.

"Sasuke!" Sakura shouted in alarm and took a step forward but Itachi turned his piercing gaze on her, ordering her to stop.

A shout of surprise came from Naruto and she watched with horrified eyes as Kisame brought his sword down onto him. "Naruto!" she screamed and watched as the sword came down. It was stopped as a frog appeared and she sighed in relief when she saw Jiraiya behind Naruto.

"You wanted to draw me away from Naruto didn't you?" he asked the Akatsuki. "So you really are after Naruto?"

Itachi looked at him and released Sasuke who fell to the ground. "No wonder Kakashi knew about this…you were the source of information. 'To abduct Naruto'…those were the orders given to us by the high echelons of our organization 'Akatsuki'."

"It won't happen. Right here and right now, you both will die by my hands." Sakura flinched. He was so very wrong…the two Akatsuki members were one of the strongest in the organization.

"Don't…this man is mine!" Sasuke rose from his spot on the ground and glared at Itachi.

"I have no interest in you right now." Itachi said in a calm tone. Within a second he kicked Sasuke away and he flew into a wall.

"Sasuke!!" Naruto and Sakura shouted. "You assholes!" Naruto growled he was about to go at it again when Sasuke yelled at him that this was his fight.

"Come on!" Sasuke yelled and Itachi punched his stomach slamming him up into the wall. Sasuke let out a strangled cry and Sakura gasped. Itachi kneed him in the stomach again and blood flew out of his mouth.

"No mercy, at all." Kisame grinned.

Sakura let out a cry of pain from watching this and heard Naruto growl angrily. "S-Sasuke…" she whispered and he eyes widened as Itachi closed his eyes. She knew what he was going to do and she didn't want him to. With everything she had she ran at Itachi and pushed him away from the almost unconscious Sasuke who had blood running down his chin.

Itachi stood up and looked at Sakura with narrowed eyes. Sakura gulped as she reached for her katana but was stopped when Itachi came from behind her and gripped her wrist firmly, but not too firm. Sakura let out a small gasp of surprise and jerked her hand away, but he held her tight. Before she knew it her arm was twisted behind her back and she was forced to the ground on her knees.

"Itachi, let go of her." Sasuke hissed as he stood wobbly, his Sharingan flashing menacingly.

Itachi looked at him with a bored expression. He pulled Sakura to her feet and held her close, keeping her hands behind her back and lightly pressing a kunai against her throat. "Why would I do that…foolish little brother?" he turned his head slightly to the side in fake curiosity.

Sasuke had no response to his question. He couldn't defeat him; he wasn't on that level yet. But he couldn't let him hurt Sakura; he had just realized he held feelings for her. A bond he didn't want to break. Itachi's lips twitched as Sasuke's hands twitched in anxiety. "Does she mean something to you…Sasuke?" he said slowly and quietly. It was a little above a whisper but everyone could hear it. Sasuke's eyes flashed with an unknown emotion.

"Let her go." He growled angrily.

Itachi watched him for a moment before pressing the kunai to her throat so it broke the skin and a small ribbon of blood flowed out. Sakura tensed as the feeling of the warmth the blood brought her skin, but she wasn't afraid. He couldn't really hurt her, would he? "Itachi…" Sasuke's voice was low and promised pain. "Don't touch her!" he yelled and took a few steps forward.

"Answer me, brother. Does she mean something to you?" Itachi watched him with calculating eyes.

"No." Sakura flinched at the word. Itachi looked at Sasuke with a narrowed gaze and saw with his Sharingan that he was lying. Sakura heard Naruto's shout of outrage as he cursed Sasuke out for not caring for Sakura. "She doesn't mean something, she means more than that. She means everything. Just like everyone I care for." Sasuke hissed as he took another step forward he grabbed for a kunai. "That's why I'll make you pay for making her bleed." He launched at him and Itachi threw Sakura away from the blade of his weapon.

Metal clashed together and Sakura watched from the ground. Sasuke still had blood on his chin even after he tried to wipe it away before. Itachi forced Sasuke's weapon out of his hand and kicked his feet under him. Sasuke fell to the ground with a loud bang and tried to block the kick aimed at his stomach; but it was all in vain. Itachi grabbed Sasuke by his collar and dragged him to his feet. Slamming him against the wall he brought his hand to his throat and leaned in close. He was going to use the Mangekyou. "Stop…" Sakura whispered as she closed her eyes. She didn't want him to suffer the illusions Itachi would show him.

Itachi glanced briefly at Sakura and Sasuke took this as an opening. Since Itachi was close he was able to slam his head hard enough against him that Itachi released him. He looked at his brother and saw a trail of blood running from his forehead. There's hope for you yet, foolish little brother. Itachi inwardly smirked. He had more will power than he thought. That's good.

"Hn." Itachi turned towards Kisame who was blocking Jiraiya and Naruto from leaving. "Kisame, come." He ordered and disappeared in a puff of smoke, Kisame followed after him.

"Sakura! Sasuke!" Naruto shouted as he ran over to them. He crouched by Sakura first. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" he asked gently and he spotted the spot where her neck was cut. "Is your neck okay?!" he asked worriedly.

"It's alright Naruto…just a scratch." She reassured as she brought her hand up and healed the small cut. She than wiped away the blood. "It's Sasuke I would be worried about…" she stood and walked over to him, he was now fighting the dark that wanted to consume him. Sakura laid him down on his back as Jiraiya walked over to them. She placed her hands over him and allowed her chakra to check his body. He has three broken ribs…and his lung is slightly punctured. That would explain his shallow breaths. She thought to herself as she started working on the lung.

It was important that his lungs stayed in tact so he could stay breathing. After she had done that she started repairing his ribs, one by one they went back into place. Sakura tenderly wiped away the blood form his mouth and untied his forehead. His eyes blinked at her sluggishly. Her healing hand went up and healed his forehead where the blood was coming from. With a heavy sigh she wiped away the blood on his head. "He should be okay…" she yawned before falling backwards. Naruto caught her before she hit the ground and she found herself welcoming sleep just as Sasuke was.

I'm sorry that this chapter was shorting than the rest! It was kind of hard to write, and I've been a little busy lately. Sorry again. Well anyways, I hope you enjoy. This whole chapter was practically based off of SasuSaku, so I hope you guys appreciate it! Hmm…so Sakura means everything to Sasuke?! Who saw that coming?! I didn't! Lol.

Please REVIEW!!! Thanks!!! And um, for my hundredth reviewer *who I should be getting for this chapter* I want to give away something. Lol. So I will let you get your own one-shot rewritten by me!! If you want anyway. It could be any couple really, that has Sakura.!Unless I say otherwise…anyways. You could tell me a plot or something you want it to be based off of, and I'll write it for you! I'm so nice!!!!! Review? Maybe you'll be number 100!!!!!!!