Non massacre Itachi and Sakura fan fic. I do not own Naruto, although I wish I did!

Thank you for all the reviews and please enjoy!

Chapter 9

Itachi groaned as the light hit him. He moved his arm, shielding his face.

Sakura would have to get up soon. She always woke up bright and early to get to the hospital. He could almost smell the pancakes, waffles, or French toast she would make for him every morning. He smirked as he could taste the delicious breakfast on his tongue.

He felt something was off. There was no warm body beside his, no Sakura curled up next to him. This was totally wrong.

Itachi jumped up, his eyes frantically searching the bed next to him. It was empty.

He looked around and saw he was not in Sakura's room. He was in his own.

Then the events of last night came back to him. His eyes widened, as he felt a morning migraine hit him hard. He groaned, holding his head in his hands.

Slowly, Itachi shuffled out of bed and downstairs to the kitchen. He desperately needed his usual two cups of coffee before he could even function in the morning. He smiled, knowing that was definitely one thing he and Sakura had in common. They were both coffee fiends.

He noticed his father sitting in the kitchen. Itachi sat down at the table, his mug in his hands.

Fugaku spoke first, surprising Itachi. "Did you hear from you girlfriend?" he asked.

"No," Itachi said.

"I was wondering how her uncle is doing," Fugaku said.

Itachi just looked at his father. "Why?" he asked.

"No reason," Fugaku said quickly. "I just wanted to know if he was okay. Her cousin looked very worried when he was here last night."

Itachi had forgotten Sakura had run off last night. He was too concerned with why she had not shown to fight the mystery monster that invaded Konoha.

"Does anyone know what that thing was last night?" Itachi asked.

"No, we do not," Fugaku said as he sipped his own coffee. "Ibiki is suppose to give a report at the council meeting today, but I heard he does not know anything as of yet. There were no bodies, and no evidence to tie enemies of the village."

"Have you ever seen anything like it?" Itachi asked.

"Never," Fugaku said. "It is a mystery."

Itachi sat silently, hoping Sakura was okay. He made a mental note to stop by her apartment before going to the ANBU headquarters.

/

Sakura sighed as she walked out of Tsunade's office. She looked up, and noticed Itachi coming towards her. Sakura knew she must have looked like shit. She didn't sleep at all, her hair was messy, and she probably had bags underneath her eyes.

"Sakura, are you okay?" Itachi asked her, his eyes searching hers.

"I'm fine," Sakura said faintly.

"No you're not," Itachi said, his eyes searching her body. "You haven't slept or eaten at all, have you?"

"Itachi…. He's dead….." Sakura said, tears streaming down her face.

Itachi hugged her, holding her close as her shoulders shook against his from her sobs. "Sakura…." He whispered to her. "I am so sorry."

"Uncle Jiro is dead!" Sakura choked out through her tears. "I couldn't save him! He saved me so many times! And I couldn't save him!"

Itachi held her close, knowing she needed him. He looked up to see his father walking towards them. "Itachi," Fugaku said, his voice its usual frigid temperature.

"Yes?" Itachi asked Sakura stiffened in his arms. However, she did not turn around. Itachi guessed that she didn't want his father to see her weakness.

"I'll tell Shisui to cover you for today," Fugaku said as he walked past them.

Itachi only stared at his father's back, his face not showing his shock at his father's unbelievably kind gesture.

"Let's take you home," Itachi said to Sakura.

"No," Sakura said firmly.

"Sakura, you need sleep," Itachi said.

"I need to be at Emi's house, with my family," Sakura said, her eyes hard as they glared at him.

"You are exhausted," Itachi said, trying to reason with her. "Now, if you will not go home, I'll just drag you there."

"If you don't want to help, then fine! Get the hell out of my way!" Sakura yelled at him as she tore herself from his arms. "I have to go, my family needs me," she said, her voice icy cold.

Itachi could only stare at her in shock. This was the first time she had yelled at him like that. And he did not like it one bit.

"Sakura, wait!" he called to her.

"No!" Sakura said as he grabbed her arm. She struggled in his grip, trying to get away. She was panting, her body exhausted. She couldn't fight him anymore. "Just leave me alone," she said quietly, without looking at him.

"Let me take you to Emi's house," Itachi said, as he let her arm go.

Sakura sighed as she looked back at him, attempting to calm her emotions. "Okay," she said quietly.

Itachi nodded and walked next to her as they exited the Hokage's tower. Itachi was silent as he walked next to Sakura, his sharp eyes constantly on her. He wanted to make sure she was fine. It was obvious to him that she had not slept since she left his house yesterday.

Sakura's head was held high as she led him down the busy streets of Konoha. Itachi soon found himself in front of a huge apartment building, in Konoha's downtown district. He looked around as Sakura led him into one of the apartment buildings.

He saw may people in the doorway of the building. As Sakura walked by, they all bowed their heads slightly in respect. She led him through the people in the building, to a door on the bottom floor. Itachi saw it was opened.

Sakura walked in, Itachi in tow. As soon as he walked in, he could feel the depression in the room. The despair and misery in the apartment was practically palpable. He saw a few Haruno's he recognized there, like Kai sitting in a corner. Haru and his sister were leaning against the wall, Midori sobbing softly.

Then Itachi saw it. On one of the couches lay a figure draped with a white sheet. On the floor next to the couch, Itachi finally saw Emi.

She was sobbing over the body on the couch, her arms resting on the body. Emi looked horrible, as she wailed over her husband.

Next to her were two girls. One was an exact copy of Emi, down to the hair on her head. The girl wore a simple shirt and pants, as she gently rubbed Emi's shoulders, tears streaming down her face. The other was younger, with reddish brown hair and bright hazel eyes. The smaller girl was sitting next to Emi, her eyes red.

"Emi," came Sakura's voice form beside him. Itachi had almost forgotten she was there.

"Sa...ku…ra," Emi sobbed as she looked up from the body. Her eyes were bloodshot, and her cheeks were streaked with tears.

"Emi, please," Sakura said, her voice tired. "Let go."

"NO!" Emi screeched, clinging to the body. "No! I'm not leaving him! He saved us, he saved you!" she sobbed, her voice hysterical.

"Emi," Sakura said calmly. "Please stop. Lavi and Sayuri do not need to see this."

Emi sniffed, as she rubbed her eyes. "I suppose you are right," Emi said softly.

"Don't worry Emi," Midori said as she stepped forward. "Haru and I will take care of all the funeral arrangements."

"Thank you," Emi sobbed.

"It's okay," Sakura said as she held her sobbing aunt in her arms. "It will all be okay, Emi."

/

Itachi sat in his kitchen, his mother wearing a black kimono. The whole family wore black, except Fugaku, who wore his usual grey. The table was silent, as the Uchiha family ate breakfast.

Today was Jiro's funeral.

Itachi looked at the clock and noticed that it was time to leave. He stood, and the rest of his family followed in silence.

They walked down the streets of Konoha in silence. Itachi looked around, and noticed a few other members of the city dressed in black as well. He saw Ino, and her family walking towards them.

"Fugaku," Inoichi Yamanaka greeted the Uchiha clan head.

"Inoichi," Fugaku greeted back.

"Hi Sasuke," Ino said, her voice soft. She did not throw her arms around Sasuke, or do any of her usual stunts.

"Ino, are you going to the funeral too?" Sasuke asked.

"Yeah," Ino said. "I use to spend every Friday night at Emi and Jiro's house with Sakura. They were always so nice to me; I can't imagine Jiro being dead."

"It will be hard on Sakura," Ino's mother said. "Jiro was like a father to her."

"And poor Lavi and Saiyuri," Inoichi said. "Those girls are too young to lose their father like that."

"Well, let's continue," Mikoto said.

The group began moving, and was soon joined by a surprisingly somber Naruto joined them.

"Man this sucks," Naruto said, summing up what they were all feeling.

"What the hell?" Sasuke said as they stopped in front of the gates to the cemetery. Many people were milling around, all in black kimonos. However, their obi's were all different colors, with a white flower pattern on them.

Fugaku instantly noted that Saido along with Takashi and Komurei wore blue obi's. Sakura's student, Kai, wore a brown obi. Many wore green obi's and only a few wore brown. Fugaku also noticed all the kimonos were exactly the same, except for the obi color.

"Hello everyone," Emi said as she walked over to them. She wore the same plain black kimono as the rest, and her obi was brown. "Thank you for coming."

"Emi, we are sorry for what happened to Jiro," Ino's mother said as she took Emi's hands in her own.

"Thank you," Emi said. She looked to her side, and Itachi noticed both of her daughters were there, the younger one, Saiyuri, gripping the side of her kimono. "These are my daughters Saiyuri and Lavi," Emi said as she introduced them.

"It's nice to meet you," Saiyuri said timidly. Lavi did not say anything.

"We are waiting for Midori and Haru, and then everyone can come in and sit," Emi said.

"Where is Sakura?" Itachi asked.

"Oh, Sakura is with Midori and Haru," Emi said. "They should be here any minute."

"Emi," Saido said as he walked over. "We should get everyone inside, that way we can start as soon as Midori gets here."

"Are you sure," Emi asked. Saido nodded. "Fine, then," Emi said.

"I'll make sure it is done," Saido said. He walked away, and Emi sighed.

"Saido has been very helpful ever since Jiro died," Emi said.

"Will everything be okay?" Ino asked her.

Emi smiled. "Dearie, I don't know the answer to that. But I intend to keep living to the fullest. I have said my goodbyes and I am ready to move on."

"We will sit over here," Ino's mother said. "I see some friends of ours."

"Sasuke and I will sit with some of the other rookie nine," Naruto said. "Hey! I see Hinata!"

The Uchiha sat down in the middle of a row of people. In front of the chairs there was a small platform with a podium on it. Two chairs were on the platform, completely empty. The Haruno's filled in most of the chairs, with many other people there. In the front row, the seat next to Emi was empty.

Itachi felt a tap on his arm. He looked down to see Kai. "Can I sit here?" was written on his dry erase board.

"Sure," Itachi said.

"Thanks," Kai replied. "Why did your brother ditch you?"

Itachi raised his eyebrow. "Hn," was his reply.

"Sakura looks really pretty today," Kai wrote. "Her clan clothes are nicer than the rest of ours. It belonged to her mother, you know."

"Clan clothes?" Itachi asked curiously.

"The kimonos," Kai wrote. "All branch members wear black. The color on the obi represents which branch you are from. Sakura is from the main branch, so her kimono is different. So is Midori's."

"I see," Itachi said pensively.

"You'll see," Kai wrote.

The Haruno's stood, turning towards the entrance to the cemetery. Itachi and his parents stood, uncertainly, not sure what was going to happen. Itachi heard a steady drum beat in the background, each beat slow and melodic.

Itachi's eyes zeroed in on Sakura, and he saw nothing else. Her kimono was white, with a bright red obi. A white pattern on her obi looked like vines with flowers on them. Her cord on her obi was silver, matching her hair pins. Her hair was swept up into a loose bun, with two silver hairpins in the shape of flower bunches. Tiny green emeralds twinkled on her hairpins, matching her green eyes.

Midori was next to her. Her kimono was a bright red, with a silver obi. She had a heian-style over kimono on that had a forest scene littering the bottom of it. Her blonde curls were in pigtails, each decorated with flowers and hairpins. A bow sat on one, the ends hanging down near her shoulders. On her forehead was a small circle of large emeralds, small swirls of vines and flowers twining over every emerald. Midori looked straight ahead, her eyes almost clear and unseeing.

As Midori and Sakura walked by, the Haruno's bowed to them. The Uchiha's were not sure what to do, and Itachi noticed that the other Konoha ninja were also unsure.

Midori and Sakura walked up to the platform, before sitting in the two chairs set up there. The Haruno's remained standing as they looked back towards the entrance.

Itachi looked as a coffin was brought in. The drums continued their beat as four men set the coffin in front of the platform.

Midori stood, and the drums instantly stopped. She walked over to the podium, her outer kimono trailing along behind her.

"Thank you for coming," Midori said. "This is the first time we have allowed outsiders to a Haruno clan event. I would like to welcome you all. I am Midori Haruno, and I am the shaman of the Haruno clan. As you may know, we all come from Iwagakure. At this funeral, however, we plan to follow all of the traditions of our clan, and we would like you all to respect our traditions. Now, first I would like to invite Sakura Haruno forward, to speak about Jiro Haruno."

Midori walked back as Sakura moved forwards to the podium. "The first time I met Uncle Jiro," Sakura began. "It was in the underneath the Haruno mansion. It was dark and cold all the time. The rats use to steal any food there was. The water was so cold that I use to use a rusted nail, just to chip away the top of the ice so I could drink. I thought I was never leaving that hell hole."

"Then, one day, I remember looking outside and seeing the stars and moons. I sent up a prayer that I would see the outside world again. Then, this man appeared in front of the bars at my cell. I remember I was scared, not of him, but of the light he brought with him. He had a torch to see with, and the light hurt my eyes. That man told me he was related to my mother. He opened the bars, and carried me out of that cell. The man who saved me was Uncle Jiro."

"When we got to Konoha, he was the one who kept us all together. Jiro was not a loud protester, but instead he was the glue that kept our family together in the first few years we lived in Konoha. He let me, Haru, and Midori live with his family for many years, until we were old enough to live on our own. He was the one who invested the first few yen in Emi's tea shop. He got that shop going, and stepped back to let Emi live out her dream."

"Jiro Haruno was an amazing person. I did not know when I was young, and I regret that. However, the years I lived with his family in Konoha are some of the happiest memories I have," Sakura said. She paused, and Itachi saw she was breathing deeply, blinking her eyes, trying to keep the tears from falling. "I will miss him deeply, and Konoha will not be the same without him," she finished.

The audience clapped politely as Sakura stepped back to her seat. She folded her hands on her lap, her back straight as could be.

Saido stood from his seat, and walked up to the podium. He held a paper in his hand that he smoothed out over the podium. "You all might not know this, but Jiro and I were best friends growing up in Iwa," Saido began to say. "We lived next door to each other in the village. Jiro and I use to play out in the mountains next to the village. We knew the paths around the village better than anyone else in the village. I remember we use to chase the sheep around the hills, while we looked out for wolves. The wolves in those hills are giants, at least three times the size of any I have ever seen outside of those mountains."

"Jiro saved my life when we were children. We use to herd the many flocks of sheep that our parents owned out to the hills to feed. One day, one of the lambs went astray and started going high up to the mountain. Jiro ran after it, and I followed him. I heard a growl, and looked up to see a wolf there. I jelled to Jiro as it pounced. Its jaws snapped over my leg, as it began to thrash around. Jiro saw this, and instead of running, he ran towards the wolf. The wolf let me go, and circled as it was about to pounce. I saw it pounce on Jiro, and I tried to yell at him to run. The wolf didn't move, and I thought Jiro was dead."

"Then I saw Jiro throw the wolf's body off of him. He had stabbed the wolf in the heart with a kunai. Jiro carried me back to the village that day, and stayed with me while the healer tried to sew my leg back together. We always watched each other's back, even as we grew older."

"Then, when we were older, something happened that separated us. We were both were informed that our marriages had been finalized. I was to marry Liliah Haruno, and Jiro was supposed to marry Emi Haruno. This was the first time that something had come between us. After we were both married a few months, I was offered a job working for the Clan Head. I took it, against Jiro's warnings. I refused to listen to my best friend, and that was my downfall."

"We began to grow apart. I had my work, which Jiro and Emi's family disapproved of. I admit, it was childish of me, but I began to think that Emi was turning my friend against me. I refused to speak to my friend, and then the years passed by."

"Then, trouble began. Emi's sister Jurri married Aoi, the heir to the clan. Aoi was a beacon of hope for most of us then. He wanted to change the clan, and to end the many practices of the Main Branch, such as experimenting on branch members, and arraigned marriages. We thought it would be the start of a new beginning."

"I was neutral when Aoi went against the rest of the main branch, and now, looking back, I wish I wasn't. Then, the old clan head died, making his other son, Miyobi, the new head. That was the beginning of the end for all of us."

"I didn't care when he started to arrest people. No one in my family was taken, so I didn't care. I turned a blind eye towards what Miyobi was doing. I am sorry to say that it was the death of Jiro's first daughter that opened my eyes. Aya was a beautiful young woman, who was sentenced to death for speaking out against the Main Branch. She was only fourteen.

Then, Miyobi turned his eyes closer to home. My wife was arrested and brought to the prison underneath the main branch's mansion. A few days after my wife was taken, Jiro came to me and proposed an idea. Aoi had convinced Emi's branch to leave the village. Jiro wanted me to come with them. The plan was that we would break into the mansion and free the people in there, then head through the mountains to the Waterfall village. The mountains are a dangerous and treacherous, so even ANBU squads do not dare to pass through them. Jiro and I grew up in those mountains, so we knew how to survive in them."

"We rescued the prisoners from the main branch and left that night. About two hundred of us left the village that night. Jiro and I led the way thought the mountains. At the Waterfall village, some of the others went to the Village in the clouds, and most came to Konoha. Jiro managed to get us all settled here in Konoha, and got many of us off of the ground. He was always there when we needed him, and he truly cared for all of us here in Konoha.

Jiro was not the same after his daughter died. He loved Aya with all his heart, and her death really hit him hard. He was not the same after that. Jiro became more serious, and definitely more of a leader. Jiro confided in me that the major reason he decided to go through with Aoi's plan to leave Iwa was that he did not want his younger daughter to suffer like Aya did. Jiro loved Emi, I know he did. He loved his daughters deeply, and cared for his family. He was the best man I ever met, and he was my best friend," Saido said.

He sighed and stepped down from the podium. Saido walked back to his seat, limping slightly as he leaned on his cane.

Midori stood as she walked over to the coffin. She held her hand out, and Haru stood, handing her a long staff. On the end was a circle, with an outside circle. Weird markings were inside, and red tassels dangled off of the top of the staff.

As Midori raised it, Itachi noticed with a jolt that the inside was a picture of a fox. The small fox had nine tails on it. His mind reeled as he looked and saw eight other animals circling around the nine tailed fox on the staff. He looked on, curious as to what was happening next.

Midori raised the staff, both of her arms stretched to the side. "Jiro Haruno, husband of Emi, father to Aya, now passed. Father to Lavi and Saiyuri, we send your spirit back to the gate of our ancestors. We send you to guard the demon our ancestor sealed away. Be at peace," Midori said as she waved the staff over Jiro's coffin.

The staff jingled, and Itachi realized that eight tiny bells were attached to the end of the staff.

"We were created from the earth, and to the earth we now return you," Midori chanted, her eyes closed.

Sakura stood, walking down to stand next to Midori. "We were created from the earth, and to the earth we now return you," she chanted.

"May your soul join those of our ancestors," the crowd chanted.

"May your soul be at peace," Midori said softly.

Four Haruno's rose, and walked forward. Haru also came forward, a blue cloth in his hand. He covered the coffin without a word. The four others lifted each side of the coffin, holding it up on their shoulders. Haru walked forward. Midori lifted a piece of fabric from his arms. It was a red hood, with two long tassels hanging down her shoulders and to the ground. It had gold embroidery on it, and the ends dragged behind her. Haru stood next to Midori and Sakura, and they began walking away.

Again the drums began to beat. Itachi could hear the sea, the waves beating against the beach as the drums began to beat. The sound of a flute joined in, its soft, melancholy melody carrying over the slight breeze that had picked up.

"An old man by the seashore, at the end of day

Gazes the horizon with the sea winds in his face," Haru began to sing as they walked forward. The rest of the people there rose, and filed out as they began to follow the coffin.

"Tempest-tossed Island, seasons all the same

Anchorage unpainted and a ship without a name," Haru sang as the crowd followed him and his sister.

"Sea without a shore for the banished one unheard

He lightens the beacon, light at the end of world," Sakura chimed in as she sang with Haru.

"Showing the way, lighting hope in their hearts," Haru sang.

"The ones and their travels from homeward from afar," Sakura and Haru sang.

"This is the long, forgotten…

Light at the end of the world….

Horizon's crying…

The tears he left behind so far ago….

The flutes and drums began to play again, as Haru and Sakura paused to sing. Itachi walked in line with the rest of the group. He closed his eyes for a second, and he could almost see the sea behind his eyelids. For a split second he saw the ship, its body unpainted and the wood gleaming on the water.

"The albatross is flying, making his daydream

The time before he became- one of the world's unseen

Princess in the tower, children in the field

Life gave him it all, an island of the universe," Sakura and Haru sang.

They paused at a freshly dug grave. Itachi could see Emi collapse to the ground, her head down as she looked at the coffin holding her husband. The Haruno's put the coffin on top of a sling to bury the coffin. They began to crank the wheel, as the coffin began to sink into the ground.

"Now his love's a memory

A ghost in the fog

He sets the sail one last time saying farewell to the world

Anchor to the water

Sea bed far below,

Grass still in his feet and a smile beneath his brow," Sakura and Haru sang as the crowd gathered around the grave.

"This is the long, forgotten…

Light at the end of the world….

Horizon's crying…

The tears he left behind so far ago…." They sang together, their voices molding together.

"This is the long, forgotten…

Light at the end of the world….

Horizon's crying…

The tears he left behind so far ago…." Their voices faded out as the sounds of the sea shore took over the crowd. Itachi watched as the crowd began to disperse after the song ended.

Sakura smiled as she walked over to him. Itachi made no outward sign, but sakura could see the slight twinkle in his eye, the upward quirk of his lips.

"Hi Itachi," sakura said tiredly as she walked over to him.

"Let me walk you home Sakura," Itachi said.

"Thanks Itachi," Sakura said. She smiled at his parents. "Welcome, Uchiha-samas," she said as she bowed to Mikoto and Fugaku.

"Thank you Sakura," Mikoto said kindly, a smile on her face. "I am sorry for your loss."

"Thank you," Sakura said softly. She sighed. "Now it is time for the party. You're all invited; it is at a restaurant that Saido owns. The event starts at eight, all right?" Sakura said.

"Thank you, we will try to be there," Mikoto said. "Now we must return home."

"Yes, of course," Sakura said tiredly.

Sakura noticed her friends waiting by the gate as the rest of the guests filed out. Obviously they were waiting to talk to her. Itachi saw her stare and looked over, noticing it too. "Do you want to see them now?" he asked her, his voice low.

"Not now," Sakura said. "At the dinner later, I'll see them. I just want to go home."

"All right," Itachi said. He and sakura took off, jumping from tree to tree. Sakura let the wind hit her face, cooling her skin and drying the unshed tears in her eyes. Next to her, Itachi remained cool and impassive, his demeanor the same as always.

They landed in front of Sakura's door. She quickly opened it, dashing inside. She closed it as soon as Itachi was in, and turned to face him.

Sakura jumped at him, her lips crashing onto his. Itachi's arms wrapped around her, as he pushed her into the back of the door, his arms around her waist. Sakura wrapped her arms around his neck, her hands twining in his hair.

Itachi's body was so large; it dwarfed her, invading all her senses. She could feel his hips pressing against hers though the kimono, as his hands travelled up and down her sides. Sakura broke away softly, panting slightly as she did.

"Itachi… please…. Make me forget," she whispered to him.

Itachi said nothing as he nodded. Sakura grabbed his hands, pulling him upstairs. She took the steps two at a time as she rushed to her room.

Sakura opened her door, and sighed. She grabbed her obi, her hands working quickly to get it undone. "I want this damned kimono off of me," she hissed. "This stupid thing!" she yelled as she threw her obi on the floor. "I hate it!"

"Sakura," Itachi said calmly.

"I don't why we even do this," Sakura ranted as she stripped out of her kimono. "The kimonos, the ceremony, everything! It's all created to separate us, Itachi. Main branch from the lower branches, and family to family. It just want to tear this thing up!" she said as she went to rip her kimono.

"Sakura, stop," Itachi said as he stepped forward. He pried the kimono gently from her grip. "This belonged to your mother, right?" he asked.

Sakura collapsed as she began to sob. "Was it all for nothing?" Sakura asked him softly, her voice stuttering slightly from her sobs. "Coming here, living here. We are still following the clan laws we tried to get rid of. WE are still supposed to keep silent about our traditions and powers. Nothing has changed!"

"Sakura," Itachi said. "Your family is strong. So are you," he said simply.

Sakura smiled, laughing at his bluntness. "You are such an Uchiha sometimes," she said as she stood up.

He smirked at her. "When am I not," he drawled, his voice lazy as he leaned against the doorframe to her bedroom.

Sakura laughed as she whipped her eyes. Surprisingly, a good laugh was exactly what she needed. "I must be dreaming, an Uchiha just cracked a joke," she said sarcastically as she walked to her dresser, only in her lace underwear and matching bra.

"It's rare," Itachi said with a smirk.

"That's for damn sure," Sakura said as she took out a pair of plain jeans and a red fitted tank top.

Itachi smirked. He just knew that sex was the exact opposite of what Sakura needed right now. She was strong, but she needed someone there for her.

"See something you like?" she said as she looked over her shoulder. Itachi was jolted out of his thoughts, his eyes directly on her two toned butt cheeks right in front of them. They were two perfect, round pieces of muscle right in front of him.

"Yes," he said plainly. "However, now is not the time."

"Thanks Itachi," Sakura said. "It's nice to have someone who is nice, calm, and mature…." She began to say.

TWACK

Sakura screeched and held her butt as she whipped around to see Itachi. "What the hell was that for?" she screeched at him.

He smirked at her, holding his offending hand behind his back. She was just too cute when she was mad.

/

Itachi held onto Sakura as they walked up to the restaurant. She wore a simple red tank top and a white fitted blazer. Her jeans were tight and dark, showing off her awesome legs. Her heels were bright red pumps with a small bow on them. To Itachi, she looked amazing. He simply wore a pair of dark jeans and a black button down shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Together, they looked like the perfect couple, complementing each other perfectly.

Sakura smiled to her family as she walked in. They all instantly crowed around them, each member offering their condolences.

Itachi noticed Sakura gracefully dealing with each individually. She acted the part of the perfect clan leader, listening to all, but never letting her opinions be known. He also nodded to those who greeted him, and conversed politely with the clan members that talked to him.

Itachi noticed Emi sitting with his parents at a table in the restaurant. Itachi gently motioned to Sakura, pulling her towards them.

Emi was chatting amicably with Mikoto. Emi smiled at them, waving to them as Sakura and Itachi walked over to the table.

"Oh Sakura, you look lovely," Mikoto said as they stood at the table.

"Haruno-san, I would like to offer my condolences to your family," Itachi said politely.

"Oh thank you Itachi-san," Emi said with a smile. "And please, call me Emi. All of this Haruno-san reminds me of those ass lickers from when we use to live with the clan."

"Emi!" Sakura said indignantly.

"What? It's true," Emi said with a shrug.

"Good evening," Uchiha-samas," Sakura said as she bowed to Itachi's parents.

"Hn," was all Fugaku said.

"Fugaku Uchiha!" came the voice of Midori as she bounded over to them. "Oh good, I was hoping to see you tonight! There are many people I want you to meet, and so little time. Chop, chop mister," Midori said as she grabbed Fugaku's hand.

Fugaku looked flabbergasted as Midori pulled him away. "Midori! Bring him back!" Emi said as she hurried after the tiny shaman.

"I'd better go," Mikoto said as she stood to run after her abducted husband. "Sasuke and the others are outside," she said as she hurried away.

"What is wrong with your cousin?" Itachi asked her.

"Midori is special. As the shaman, she is in contact with our nine spirits, the biju. She can see the future, and sometimes even connect with dead spirits if she concentrates enough. It's enough to make anyone a little batty," Sakura said.

"Should we help them?" Itachi asked as he watched Midori pull his father along.

"I think so," Sakura said. She and Itachi walked over to where Midori was chatting with Saido about something. She had a hold on Fugaku's hand, keeping him rooted there. Sakura sighed as she saw Emi and Haru rushing over.

"Midori! We talked about this!" Emi said her voice exasperated. "You can't just go off and do whatever you want!"

"I'm just acclimating Fugaku into our clan," Midori said smartly. "It will make everything much easier later on."

"Midori, stop acting odd," Haru said.

"I am not odd, I'm normal! Well, for me anyways," Midori said with a smile.

"Please Midori, stop bugging the Uchiha's," Emi pleaded with her.

"But I saw a vision!" Midori said.

"What vision?" Sakura asked kindly as she leaned down to be eyes level with her tiny cousin.

"I saw the Haruno clan living in the Uchiha Compound," Midori said. "So, I want to start preparing early by acclimating the Uchiha's to our crazy family."

"Midori, you know you cannot act on every vision you see," Haru said gently.

"But Fugaku and I are going to be such good friends!" Midori said with certainty in her voice.

"Why would I be friends with you?" Fugaku asked in his biting tone.

"Because I can put up with you," Midori said without missing a beat.

"Put up with me?" Fugaku asked outraged.

"Well, you are a sarcastic ass," she said pointedly.

"And you are a weird little kid that talks to thin air," Fugaku said.

"Not thin air, dead people," Midori said. "And sometimes kami and biju too."

"What?" Fugaku asked.

"Well, I am the shaman, it's my job," Midori said. "I talk to dead people and see the future."

"Midori," sakura said, her voice hard. She stood up, her hands on her hips. "That is enough."

"Yes Sakura," Midori said sadly.

"Now," Sakura said her voice authorative. Itachi saw his father's eyes widen. In a split second, he knew that Fugaku saw the same power Itachi saw. Sakura held the authority here, and was finally showing how much authority she really had.

"Now, we agreed when we came here to keep the details of our clan within the family. Is that right?" Sakura asked, her eyes narrowing.

"But Sakura!" Midori began.

"No buts," Sakura said. "I do not care what the future holds. Here in the present you are out of line."

"Yes Sakura," Midori said, her head bowed down.

"Now, you know the rules," Sakura said.

"Do not reveal information that could be damaging to the clan. Do not reveal clan traditions to outsiders. Do not allow outsiders in the clan," Midori droned on.

"Yes, now follow them," Sakura said sharply.

Midori sighed, deflated. "Yes Sakura," Midori said.

"Sakura, thank goodness. You are the only one who Midori listens to," Emi said.

"She is the clan leader," Midori said. "At least here in Konoha she is."

"Yes, now why don't you show the Uchiha's to the bar for a drink," Sakura said.

"All right," Midori said brightly as she pulled Itachi's parents away.

"Thank you Sakura," Emi said with a sigh. "You are the only one Midori listens to."

"Even I can't stop her sometimes," Haru said with a sigh. "Your friends are outside. You might want to go check it out, Naruto had a few drinks. Sasuke isn't so hot either."

"Thanks," Sakura said.

Haru and Emi walked off to talk to some other Haruno's. Sakura sighed and wrapped her arm around Itachi's. He gave her a smirk and Sakura smiled back. They walked towards the door to the restaurant, leading out into the back alley.

Outside the door was some of the rookie nine in the alley. Naruto was there, his arm around Hinata. Sasuke was sitting on the fire escape next to Sai, a drink in hand. Ino and Shikamaru were also there, along with Neji and Lee. Sakura also saw Shisui there next to Sasuke.

"Sakura, my beautiful flower!" Lee said as he jumped up to grab Sakura's hand.

Itachi put his arm around Sakura, pulling her a little closer to him. Lee stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide as he stared at Itachi. "Sakura, are you and Uchiha-sama together?" Lee asked.

"Yeah, we are," Sakura said. She noticed Neji's eyes locking onto hers. His face looked stricken.

"My love will never fade, my beautiful Sakura!" Lee proclaimed, his voice loud. "Even if you are in the evil clutches of an Uchiha!"

Shisui snorted into his drink as he laughed, clutching his side as he gasped for air. Sasuke glared at Lee, and even Sakura giggled a bit.

"Oh stop looking like that Itachi," Shisui said. "Now come over and get something to drink."

Itachi said noting as he walked over to his cousin, sitting down next to him. Sakura smiled as she plopped down between Naruto and Sasuke, her arms around her two teammates. She smiled at Hinata, who gave her a small smile back.

"So what's with the kimono's at the ceremony forehead?" Ino asked. "Did you all shop at the same place?"

"It's a clan thing pig," Sakura said as she opened a beer.

"Uh huh, I always liked your clan, they are fun," Ino said as she took a swig of her beer.

"They are a lively bunch, that's for sure," Sakura said with a smile.

"So is your cousin still bugging my aunt and uncle?" Shisui asked Sakura.

"For now, yes. Midori seems to like Fugaku a lot," Sakura said.

"Why?" Naruto asked incredulously. "That guy has a stick up his ass so far…."

"Shut it dobe!" Sasuke yelled as he smacked Naruto over the head.

"Make me teme!" Naruto yelled back.

"Shut up both of you!" Sakura said as she delivered two blows to the back of their heads with both hands. The rest of the group laughed at Naruto's and Sasuke's surprised faces.

"Forehead, where is your cousin?" Ino asked Sakura.

"Right here," Haru said as he opened the door. "Have room for one more?"

"Sure!" Naruto said as he jumped up, grabbing Haru and pulling him down next to him.

"Thanks Naruto," Haru said.

"So Haru, how are you doing?" Ino asked as she batted her eyes at him.

"Oh, I'm fine," Haru said. "I've been pulling some extra shifts at Emi's place to help her out."

"That's good," Naruto said. "Does Emi need some extra help?"

"Yeah, we need some help," Haru said. "Do you want the job?"

"What am I doing?" Naruto asked.

"Just cleaning tables and floors, that sort of stuff," Haru said. "Sakura is going to start waitressing again in between missions. You can work with us too," he said with a smile.

"Awesome!" Naruto cheered as he punched the air. "Missions have been scarce lately, so I need more money for my rent."

"I hear ya there," Haru said. "Emi had to increase the rent in our apartment. The Council raised taxes on houses owned by non-citizens, so most of us Haruno's have been scrambling to make our rent. A few have been evicted already."

"What! How can they do that?" Ino asked, her voice indignant.

"That's not fair at all!" Naruto whined, his voice high pitched.

"When was this passed?" Shikamaru asked, his voice calm and calculating.

"A few months ago," Sakura answered.

"Yep, but we'll be okay," Haru said with a smile.

"But that's blatant discrimination!" Lee said. "How can they do that?"

"Lee, its fine," Sakura said with a smile. "Don't worry about us."

"Hey Naruto, once you work with us, you're part of the family," Haru said with a smile. "Maybe your girlfriend will visit you at work," he said, making Hinata blush as red as a tomato.

"Yeah! That'd be fun!" Naruto said, completely ignoring that Hinata's face was bright red.

Sakura giggled, and punched her cousin on the shoulder. "Don't make fun of Hinata, she's too nice," Sakura said.

"Hey, hey," Haru said. "I just call it like I see it."

The group laughed, all of them enjoying themselves.

"Hey Sakura," Emi said as she poked her head out of the door. "Can you come in for a sec? You too Haru," Emi said.

"Sure," Sakura said as she and Haru stood.

"Actually, you all might want to come," Emi said. "We are getting shut down."

"What?" Naruto and Ino said in unison.

"Why?" Hinata asked timidly.

"What is going on?" Neji asked urgently.

"Calm down everyone," Emi said as she opened the door. "I don't want any trouble, all right?"

"No one is to engage anyone," Sakura said, standing tall, her head held high. "Lead the way Emi."

Emi nodded and held the door open to Sakura. She and Haru walked in to see two squads of ANBU standing there at the door of the restaurant. "What is going on here?" Sakura demanded as she walked in, the crowd in front of her moving aside.

Kai ran over, standing tall next to Sakura. Midori was right behind him, and ran straight into Haru's arms. She hid her face in his kimono, as the rest of the Konoha ninja also walked forward. Itachi stood next to Sakura, surveying the two ANBU squads.

"What business does Root have with a civilian family?" he asked the ANBU. His eyes narrowed, although they wore ANBU clothing, these squads were unfamiliar to him. Danzo was right in the middle of them, a small smirk on his face as he overlooked the Haruno clan.

"Ah, Itachi Uchiha, what are you doing here?" Danzo asked, his smile dropping.

"What are you here for?" Sakura demanded, stepping forward to face Danzo.

"We have received complaints about disturbances at this address. I must insist you all leave," Danzo said, his smile back.

"What! We haven't done anything!" Emi said furiously.

"That is to be determined," Danzo said. "We are only acting in Konoha's best interest."

"Bullshit," Haru snapped. "We haven't done anything!"

"Sakura, do something," Naruto said furiously.

"Don't let this guy walk all over you," Sasuke snapped, as he glared at Danzo.

"My father will hear about this. The Haruno's are an upstanding family," Ino said haughtily.

"We'll see about that," Danzo said. "We are just making sure that these refugees don't start any trouble."

"These refugees?" Naruto asked, outraged.

"Guys, enough," Sakura snapped, silencing any outbursts. "You need the Hokage's approval for this. Where is the paperwork?" she asked him suspiciously.

"Right here," Danzo said as he pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Sakura. Sakura opened it, scanning it in a few seconds. Her expression turned to shock as she read, her eyes wide as she looked up at Danzo again.

"He's right," Sakura said, people behind her gasping. "This is a signed order by the Hokage to disperse."

"A new law was passed last week," Danzo said. "Prohibiting refugee gatherings of twenty or more."

"That's not fair!" Naruto yelled.

"Who passed that?" Ino asked suspiciously.

"Our parents would never pass something so horrible," Shikamaru said calmly. Fugaku and Mikoto finally pushed through the crowd and came forward, getting a front row view of all the action.

"You're wrong," Danzo said calmly. "It was inside the new raise in the hospital's budget raise."

"What?" Shikamaru and Ino asked, outraged.

"It passed with a unanimous vote," Danzo continued. "So I must insist you all leave now."

"You heard him," Sakura said, surprising her friends.

"Sakura, no! Don't take this abuse," Ino said.

"I have no choice," Sakura said. "If we resist, we are going against the Hokage."

"Sakura, fight this!" Naruto said, his voice loud as he tried to encourage his friend.

"Not now," Sakura said. "Besides, we have an agreement, right Danzo?" she asked slyly.

"Your father said nothing about fair treatment when he asked me to let your clan into the village," Danzo pointed out.

"You might win this round, but don't push it Danzo. You need me more than I need you," Sakura said, her voice low as she put her hands on her hips. "Come on everyone, party's over," she said.

The Haruno clan groaned as they ban to file out. They all filed out, each one shooting Danzo a glare as they walked out. "You too," Sakura said to her friends.

"Sakura, no," Ino said, her voice hinging on tears. "Stick up for your clan!"

"Yeah Sakura! Kick his butt!" Naruto cheered.

"Naruto, there are some fights you cannot win," Sakura said calmly. "This is one of those times. So go home, and leave this to me. I've been dealing with this for years, all right?" Sakura said with an obviously fake smile on her face.

"Sakura," Naruto said sadly.

"Go home," Sakura said to them.

"Do you think this is okay?" Sasuke asked her.

"Don't worry Sasuke, I have this under control," Sakura said calmly.

"All right then," Sasuke said. "Come on guys, let's go."

"Okay," Ino said as she walked to the door. "Come on Shika," she said. Shikamaru shook his head and followed his teammate out. Neji and Sai followed next, both not saying a word. The Uchiha's stepped closer, Fugaku glaring at Danzo.

"Fugaku, do not get into this," Danzo warned him.

"Don't try to tell me what to do, Danzo," Fugaku said, his voice ice cold. "You've achieved your goal, now leave."

"Are you sticking up for a clan of refugees?" Danzo asked, his voice practically laughing at him.

"Leave them be Danzo. They have done nothing wrong," Fugaku snapped. Itachi stared at his father, a small smirk on his face.

"Let's go father," Itachi said, putting his arm around Sakura. Fugaku nodded to his son, and the Uchiha's walked out, Emi , Haru and Midori with them.

Midori smiled. "Thank you Fugaku-san for sticking up for us," she said as they walked down the street.

"Hn," Fugaku answered her.

"I'll take that as you're welcome," Midori said.

"Oh, so now you can speak Uchiha?" Emi asked her with a smile on her face.

"Of course!" Midori said.

Haru and Emi laughed as they walked down the street. "Well, that was a shitty end to a good night," Emi said.

"Hey, at least we have a new worker for the tea shop," Haru said. "What are you going to pay him?"

"Minimum wage, maybe less," Emi said.

"Seriously?" Mikoto asked.

"Hey, I don't make money by being generous," Emi said with a smile.

"Why was Danzo so intent on making your clan leave?" Shisui asked.

"He's had it in for us ever since Aoi came to him and asked to let our clan into the village," Haru said.

"Well, at least we have Sakura to make sure we aren't all kicked out," Emi said as she gave her niece a small hug.

"At least Danzo hasn't gone back on his part of the deal," Haru said.

"What is that?" Mikoto asked.

"The Haruno Clan Leader is not allowed within the borders of the Land of Fire," Emi said.

"Why?" Sasuke asked.

"We would be in a lot of danger," Sakura said calmly.

Itachi smiled down at her. "You are safe here," he said with confidence.

"For now at least," Sakura answered him.

/

Well, I hope you like it! I would have gotten the chapter out earlier, but I have had a lot of problems with viruses. Please review, and I hope you enjoy. I'll try to have the next chapter out quicker next time.