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I went to write this and saw in the previous chapter I had said I knew who she was spending time with. The truth is I don't remember so I had to wing it!


Deidara and Tobi had left to go capture the Hanabi from the second Jinchuriki that morning. Sakura felt a little nostalgic about it, but at the same time, not seeing him would give her a break. She was started to feel confused about how she looked at him. Was he an extreme annoyance that was going out of his way to make her uncomfortable or could she eventually see him as a friend? Sakura had no idea. Ever since the night at the bar a few days ago, she had looked at the blonde completely different light. At first, she thought it was because she had been completely blitzed off her ass that made her look at him as other than an idiot, but maybe she was just making excuses for herself.

Shaking her head to rid herself of those thoughts, Sakura held the notebook she was carrying closer to her chest and continued to her destination. Today she would spend a little time in the library, doing more research on chakra. At this point, the only option was to attempt to use the machine on the Jinchuriki, but Sakura wanted to make sure that she had covered all her bases. The last thing she wanted was to kill an innocent person so she would continue researching just in case.

It was such a nice day. Summer was right around the corner; that was proven by how warm it was so early in the morning. The sun had only risen about an hour ago, but the day was already into the low 80s. That was perfectly fine with Sakura. She enjoyed the warm weather and couldn't wait until she could take a dip in the nearby lake.

After a few moments, Sakura reached the small brick building and quickly made her way inside. The lighting was dim; it took her eyes a few minutes to adjust before she could actually see. Making her way through the tall bookshelves, the medic walked towards the back of the library. She knew there was a large window back there and it would provide a good amount of sunlight. The library just seemed gloomy with how dark it was inside. The chill of the building didn't help at all either. Goosebumps rose on her skin, causing Sakura to rub her free hand against her skin vigorously.

Coming to an open area, Sakura was surprised to see someone already sitting at the table. The figure was hunched over what looked like a bunch of scrolls. There was abacus next to his hand reached out to quickly swipe the little pieces across the wire. She noticed the Akatsuki robe and that his head was completely covered. It had to be Kakuzu.

Moving around the desk, Sakura took a seat across from him. Kakuzu looked up, strange colored eyes locking with hers.

"Good morning Kakuzu," she said kindly while placing her scroll on what little space was left on the wooden desk.

"Morning," was his gruff response.

Suddenly, the atmosphere felt very awkward. Sakura shuffled uncomfortably before opening her scroll. She began reading over the notes that were on it. Honestly, she was tired of reading about chakra, but she had to make sure this mission was a success before it was Gaara or Naruto's turn to have their Bijuu taken. She wondered if they were actually willing to have their Bijuu removed. They were a huge source towards their power, especially Naruto. He and the Nine Tails were finally comrades and he would lend his power when Naruto needed it. He did have new jutsus that he had learned over the years, but his Beast played a big part in his strength.

Sakura stood to go search through the vast amount of books to find more on chakra. She paused for a moment, curious to what exactly Kakuzu was working on. After a few moments of glancing over the scrolls, she realized that it was accounts of what the Akatsuki spent and earned money on. She blinked in surprise. They were still spending so much money on things such as weapons and food from other countries. They could easily just buy their groceries here and use the same village as the Leaf did to get their weapons.

"What are you looking at?" Kakuzu questioned coldly.

Sakura sat down in again and pointed at a line that said "weapons". "You are spending 500,000 yen on weapons. What weapons would that be?"

Kakuzu remained silent for a moment, cold gaze boring into Sakura causing her to squirm uncomfortably. "Do you think I do not know how to handle a budget?"

Sakura immediately relaxed. He seemed to think that she was trying to undermine him or something like that. That couldn't be further from the truth. "I believe highly in your abilities," Sakura answered. "But sometimes a fresh pair of eyes can see something you may not have noticed."

Kakuzu was quiet again for a moment. He leaned forward and placed his elbows on the counter, linking his fingers together. "They are for kunai, shuriken, and for the upkeep of some of the member's personal weapons."

"So like Hidan's claw of death thing and Kisame's shark sword?" she questioned.

Kakuzu cleared his throat. Sakura secretly wondered if that was actually a laugh he was trying to hide. Hell, she didn't know what the names of their crazy weapons were; however, she was actually curious about Kisame's sword. The way it garbled like it was talking freaked her out, but it was still sort of…cute. She didn't know if that was the right word to describe it.

"Yes," Kakuzu answered. "Hidan's scythe requires a certain chakra infused paste to keep it from becoming dull. It also increases its sharpness when it reacts with his chakra. Kisame's Samehada requires bountiful amounts of chakra. Normally it feeds from Kisame's chakra, but once every two months or so, it wants someone else's chakra, whether they are powerful or not. I have to pay a village to give me a prisoner on death row to feed Samehada."

"Why do you need someone on death row?" Sakura questioned. "Couldn't you just use anyone and save money?"

Kakuzu shook his head slowly. "At one time, any ninja would do, but because of this brewing war and Pein ordering us not to make waves, I have had to succumb to this method."

Sakura still didn't understand why it had to be someone on death row. She voiced this question and the older ninja responded, "Samehada takes every ounce of their chakra, killing them in the process."

That was something she didn't know, but it didn't surprise her with Samehada's behavior the few times she saw it. The funds still weren't adding up based on those two things. "What else is there?"

"Well," Kakuzu began. "There is chakra infused paper for Konan and clay for Deidara's explosions."

Sakura smiled. "You can get all of those things here! And if we don't have them, I can arrange for them to be picked up from other villages. It should cut your expenses in half. We also can give traitors of the Leaf who are sitting in jail now to Samehada instead of having to pay for them. I can also discuss this with the Hokage if you like."

Kakuzu gazed at Sakura through his strangely colored eyes. This child had thought of something so obvious, he was almost angry with himself. He knew she was smart; she was the best medic of her time so he wasn't surprised she had found a flaw in the budget. Now more money could go into savings. It was coming time for him to kill someone in the Bingo book as well. He'd have to see who was worth the most and take him out.

Kakuzu got to his feet. "Thank you for your assistance young one."

With that he exited the library. Sakura stood as well. Even thought she was supposed to be researching, she wanted to go talk with Lady Tsunade about the issues she and Kakuzu had talked about. Orders would be placed later today so she wanted to make sure their items would be brought with the next shipment.

Grabbing her scroll, the medic headed towards the Hokage tower. She couldn't have been in the library for more than five minutes, but it was already noticeable that the temperature had gone up. It was a good thing she wore a pink tank top. She would have been melting otherwise. Jumping gracefully over the roof tops, Sakura made her way to the Hokage tower, getting there in less than two minutes. She entered and began walking down the winding, familiar hallways. Memories began to flood back from her teenage years when she was training underneath Tsunade. Her soul would break as she shuffled slowly towards the Hokage's office, but not slow enough to be late. She had learned the hard way what happened when you showed up late to the Sannin's training.

Sakura chuckled at her thoughts. The training completely sucked and sometimes she felt like she wanted to give up, but because of Sasuke, she wanted to grow stronger. He no longer was her motivation, but it got her into the habit of honing her skills.

Sakura knocked on the Hokage's doors, pushing it open slowly when she heard, "Enter!"

Sakura obliged and was surprised to see Kisame and Itachi in the Hokage's office. The blue shark Nin smiled at her. "Hey Pinkie!"

Sakura rolled her eyes fondly. "Are you really never going to call me by my name?"

"That is your name," Kisame responded. "Soon, you won't even notice that I'm calling you Pinkie. It's your real name."

Sakura laughed. "Whatever!" She turned to look at Itachi. "How are you?"

"I am well," he answered. "There is something I would like to discuss with you. May I come by your apartment around noon?"

"Sure," Sakura answered, wondering what exactly it was Itachi wanted to talk about. "I should be home. I'll even fix us some lunch."

Tsunade looked between her apprentice and the Akatsuki members. It seemed like she was more accepting of them, even forming bonds. That was a good thing. If you couldn't trust your ally, execution of the mission would suffer.

"What is it Sakura?" the Hokage questioned, leaning against her desk.

"I've spoken with Kakuzu concerning the Akatsuki budge," Sakura began. "There are some things that we could provide for them. I'd like to add them to the list of items that will be picked up tomorrow."

"Go talk to shipping and inform them I've given you the permission to add what you like for the Akatsuki," Tsunade answered.

"One more thing," Sakura began. She turned to look at Samehada, who was currently wrapped up and hooked onto Kisame's back. "Samehada requires the chakra of someone else around every two months right Kisame?"

His expression changed to confusion. "Yeah why?"

Sakura turned her gaze back to the Hokage. "Normally, Kakuzu has to pay another village for a prisoner on death row to feed Samehada since it takes all of the chakra of the person. I'm thinking we just give it a traitor or someone on death row here instead."

Tsunade crossed her arms over her chest and nodded. "Very well. Get with Ibiki whenever you need to have a prisoner. I will make sure he is informed."

"Thank you ma'am."

Sakura turned to leave and Kisame followed her. She looked up at the blue Nin and poked him in the arm as they walked. "You're welcome."

Kisame chuckled deeply. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Samehada appreciates it."

"I bet he does."

The medic reached out touch the bandages. She pulled her hand back in surprise when Samehada began moving. She could hear the little clicking noise it made when it was excited. Out of curiosity, Sakura placed her hand against the sword. It began wiggling even more fiercely as she began to rub her hand down its bandages.

Kisame stopped walking and looked over his shoulder at his weapon. "Looks like he wants to get out."

"Let him out then," Sakura answered.

"If you say so," Kisame teased.

He reached his hand back and pulled the bandages loose with one hand before pulling Samehada out of its hilt with the handle. Sakura was in amazement as its purple scales began to move. The front of it opened into a mouth, chattering more audible now. It moved back and forth, as if it were looking for something. Sakura reached out to touch the sword again.

"Woah, be careful," Kisame warned, pulling the sword out of her reach. "He bites."

"Oh he's perfectly fine," Sakura responded. "Aren't you sweetheart?"

Samehada chattered loudly and wriggled out of his owners grasp. He lunged and Sakura and she caught him. Petting him roughly on his sides. He rubbed his face against her chest, as if he liked her administrations.

"Who's a good boy?!" Sakura cooed. "You are!"

Even more surprising, Samehada nodded. He understood was she was saying to him. He cuddled closer to Sakura and when he did, she could feel her chakra being drained. She pulled him away.

"No!" she scolded. "You cannot take all my chakra."

Samehada lowered his head and whimpered. It was the cutest thing she had ever seen. "So I'm guessing you're hungry?"

Samehada began to perk up, chattering starting back up. He began trying to reach for Sakura again, who in turn, brought the sword back to her body and began petting him again. Samehada really was just like a pet. He was super adorable and almost didn't see him as a sword because of much he acted like an animal. She almost wanted to see if he would fetch.

"You're really good with him," Kisame murmured. "He's never acted that way around anyone before."

"I don't know what it is, I just like him." Sakura stood to her feet as Kisame picked up Samehada by his hilt. "I'll talk with Ibiki and see if we can get Samehada someone tomorrow."

"Thanks Pinkie."

Kisame reached out and ruffled her hair before turning and walking away. Headed towards shipping to inform them of the new items that would need to be added to the roster for pick up. It was probably close to eleven in the morning so she needed to hurry so she could make lunch for her and Itachi. That was sounded so strange, even though it was just a thought that was running through her mind. When the Akatsuki first arrived, she was shocked and wanted nothing more than to attack Itachi herself; Naruto felt the same way.

After going on a mission with him, she wanted to see more into him. Itachi seemed to have complete rational thought. Why would he go off and kill all of the Uchiha Clan other than his brother? To leave Sasuke after what he had seen while still at such a tender age was sadistic. There had to have been some reason as to why...something he was hiding. Now would not be a good time to probe for answers, but eventually, she would.


Once Sakura was home, she kicked off her sandals and looked through her referidgerator. She realized very quickly that she did not have anything to make a meal. Maybe they could just go to Ichiraku's or something. Maybe she shouldn't offer a meal to company when she hadn't checked her inventory.

Luckily, trying to put the Akatsuki's items on the list of inventory took a lot more signing of scrolls than she thought and it was almost noon. For the time being, she'd thought it would be a good idea to continue the book she was reading. The story was so steamy, Sakura almost blushed while reading it. These characters had so much sex! So much to where it was unrealistic and just crude. Still, Sakura was curious to how it ended. There was only one more chapter left and then she could move on to something else.

She was just finishing up the book when she heard a knock at her door. She all but tossed the book on the floor behind her couch. Seriously, Sakura felt that she could write a better love story than that. It was so cliché and sappy.

"Coming!" Sakura opened the door. "Why don't we go out to eat?"

"Realized that you do not have food to prepare?" Itachi questioned.

Sakura blinked. "How did you know that?"

"I am very good at analyzing a situation." Itachi's ebony eyes bore into her. "Where would you like to go?"

Sakura tapped a finger against her chin, pretending like she was actually thinking about where to go. "How about Ichiraku's? Have you been there before?"

"Yes," Itachi answered. "But it was many years ago."

Sakura guessed that it was before he murdered his family. That was a morbid thought and she did not want to get into it before dinner. She may be a medic, but the thought of bloodshed did not help her appetite. The two of them walked through the streets, trying their best to stay in the shade. Sakura had no idea how he was wearing that thick looking black coat. He had to have been melting in that if she could feel sweat misting her forehead.

The walk was silent; however, it wasn't awkward. Her mind was just reeling on what it was Itachi wanted to talk to her about. Within a few moments, they were pulling back the white curtain of the popular ramen shop. Teuchi turned and smiled.

"Wel-"

His voice caught in his throat when he saw Itachi. He remained silent, placing the rag he had in his hands down on the counter. Sakura's heart sped up. She didn't know how Teuchi felt about the Akatsuki being in town. The older male looked between Sakura and Itachi.

"So what, are you two on a date or something?" he questioned.

Sakura's face turned a deep shade of red. "No we-"

"Would that be a problem if we were?" Itachi asked.

Teuchi and Itachi continued to stare at each other for a few moments before calling for his daughter Ayame. "I'm not one to turn away business, but I will not serve the Uchiha murderer personally."

Ayame's eyes widened as her father stormed away. She quickly bowed her head. "I'm so sorry about my father!" she apologized. "He had a good friend that was killed then so he's still very bitter about it."

Ayame's dark eyes locked with Itachi's. "I don't know why you did what you did, but for now, that has to be put aside for the good of the Fire Nation. I understand that."

"Thank you," Itachi answered.

They ordered their lunch and waited patiently for their food to be cooked. Sakura stole a glance and the older Uchiha, completely awed at how much Sasuke looked like him. It had been years since she last saw him, but she could still see the resemblance. Itachi caught her staring and she quickly looked away, embarrassed that she had been caught.

"What is it, Sakura?" Itachi asked.

"It's just crazy how much you and Sasuke look alike," she murmured.

Itachi placed his elbows on the counter, continuing to gaze at the pink haired kunoichi. "You were very close to him, correct?"

"No," Sakura said bitterly. "He never really noticed me. We were just on the same team in his mind."

"Hmm."

Ayame brought two bowls of steaming hot ramen and placed one in front of each of them. Sakura felt her stomach growl immediately as the delicious smell of the seasonings permeated her nostrils. She reached for her chopsticks and broke them apart, immediately digging into her bowl.

"My brother is not as bright as I thought he was."

Sakura looked over at Itachi questioningly. "What do you mean?"

"You are a great asset to anyone you are on a mission with," he answered. "That is easy enough to see that you are dependable."

Sakura scoffed. "Well I wasn't at the time. I was completely useless to my team. That was what inspired me to train under Lady Tsunade. I got tired of always playing the damsel in distress."

"Have you seen Sasuke since you've become stronger?"

Sakura shook her head and took another bite of her ramen. "No, but I'm hoping he'll be pleasantly surprised when he does."

The male Uchiha paused, chopsticks frozen over his bowl. "Do you have feelings for my younger brother?"

"Not anymore," Sakura answered.

Once again, a comfortable silence fell over them and she was surprised to see that Itachi had finished his bowl of ramen before she did. They paid for their meal and headed back to Sakura's house. Once there, she motioned for him to sit on her weathered couch. She sat down across from him, hooking pink hair behind her ear.

"So what is it you wanted to talk to me about?"

Itachi linked his fingers together, long Akatsuki robe sleeves covering the majority of his hands. "I want you to see if you can heal my eyes."

Sakura remained quiet for a moment. She remembered while doing research on the Sharingan, that the more the user activated it, the more their vision deteriorated, unless they were able to get the Eternal Mangekou Sharingan. That was only assessable if they took the eyes of someone who meant something to them. It was her guess that Itachi had not done that. Him asking her to fix her vision was an obvious question, but she felt there was more to it than what Itachi was leading on to.

"Why do you want me to fix your eyes?"

"I want to be able to see Sasuke the next time he comes for me," Itachi answered. "Eventually, he will learn that I am back in the village and he will come. I want to see how much he has grown."

"Won't it bother you to see the hatred he has for you in his eyes?" Sakura questioned.

Itachi leaned back into the couch. "Yes," he answered honestly. "But it will be worth it."

Sakura was starting to realize that she was right. There was something that Itachi was hiding about the massacre. She was surprised that he answered her question so honestly. She saw no reason not to help him, especially since he was now an ally.

Sitting forward, Sakura reached her fingertips out to Itachi's temples, first brushing the silky raven hair back. Itachi leaned into her touch, closing his eyes as her gentle chakra began probing the tender region. Sakura slowly began to follow the maps of his eyes. She found that there was damage to the macula, a small part of the retina at the back of the eye.

"Do you have blurry vision or distortion?" Sakura questioned.

"Yes," Itachi responded.

"I can attempt to heal what's called the macula, the issue that is giving you problems with your vision," Sakura continued. "But it is the Sharingan that is causing this so the treatment will have to be completed multiple times to keep your vision."

Sakura gently pulsed her chakra through her fingers. This was a very intricate procedure that she was doing. One little mistake, a miniscule amount of too much chakra in the wrong place would result in permanent loss of vision. The medic took her time, making sure the job was done correctly. His eyes was his main source of power and she would not be the reason he lost it.

After about ten minutes, Sakura said, "Open your eyes."

Itachi obeyed her command. The way he looked at her, it was such a smoldering look. Heat seemed to be radiating from his powerful gaze. He reached up and placed his hands over hers. Despite that he was a ninja, his hands were very smooth and gentle.

"I can see better." Itachi ran his hands from down her forearms before releasing her.

"I'm glad to hear it," Sakura said quickly.

Itachi stood to his feet. "Your eyes."

"What about them?" She unconsciously moved her hand underneath her eye.

"They are very deep," he responded. "I can see your determination. Your will to grow more powerful. I can see your strong personality, but also, I can see someone who has been hurt."

"How can you know all that?"

Itachi turned to leave. "You show your emotions through your eyes. It something that someone like me can pick up on easily."

Sakura watched as Itachi left, unsure of what to think. Everything he had said about her was right. It wasn't like she was able to hide her feelings no matter how hard she tried, but for him to be able to pick her apart so easily was shocking.


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