A/N: Sorry for the wait everyone. This chapter is extra long. I hope it makes up for it, even if just a little. Thanks for your patience, and even for the lack thereof.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, I just borrow Kishimoto's sandbox from time to time.

Thanks to the Beta: Icecream Skittles Addict.

Chapter 10

Eyes fluttered open beneath the silver streaming light of the moon. Sitting up slowly and cradling her head, Sakura sent a sideway glance at the window. She took note that it was still night outside. Slowly she slid out of the blankets as not to disturb Hana who still lay curled up at the end of the bed. Rising to her feet, she grabbed her robe, and quit the room. Rubbing her eyes with the heel of her hand, she let loose a bone popping yawn. She'd woken from a dreamless sleep, however she already knew even if she laid back down, she'd never reclaim her lost slumber.

There was something prickling on the edge of her senses, that drew her forward. She stepped out onto the porch, her arms wrapped tightly against her torso. As the wind around her picked up, she left the porch and went around to the back. Barefoot, she walked to the shrine at the top of the hill. Lifting a foot onto the stone dais, her toes curled against the rough feel of the gritty rock against her skin. She stopped in the center, near where the secret entryway to the sanctum lay. Curling her fingers against her stray bangs dancing in the late night breeze, she tucked the pink strands behind her ear.

Her green eyes roamed over the top of the canopy of verdant treetops on the other side of the hill below, leading out of Konoha. Her gaze fell back to where the entrance would be, and towards the shrine home. She felt the tug on her senses again, and she backed up a step. Her hand curled into a fist when she felt the ground beneath her feet rumble.

Malachite orbs widened when the rune symbols begin to light up by themselves. Sakura took several steps back, not quite believing what she was seeing. One by one, the engravings lit up one by one in obvious sequence. The air around her picked up, forcing her robe to whip almost violently. She lifted her elbow to cover her face, and then peeked out. The darkened stairwell opened to her, the sound of grinding stone loud in the silence of the night. Swallowing hard, she didn't quite know what to do.

Do not be afraid Innocent One. The familiar voice of one of the Guardian's echoed from witfhin her.

Cautiously she took a step forward and with suddenly firm resolve she went into the entrance. As the stone behind her slid shut, sconces along the walls lit with multi-hued blazes as she strode past. Colorful tendrils of chakra danced through her, just as it had that day when she first entered the Guardian's Sanctum. At the bottom of the steps, her eyes came to rest on her clan's ancient symbol. The Eternal Circle. The bond began to burn, and she splayed her hand over the spot against her chest, her fingers squeezing the lapels of her robe. It wasn't painful, but it heightened her awareness of the situation.

Was she expected to go into the Inner Temple again?

Step through. You are welcome, Innocent One. The familiar warm voice tingled against her senses, as she was again beckoned with the familiar words.

Her hand went to the gray stone, fingertips running over the surface. It rippled outward, like a puddle that had a stone dropped into its depths. Biting her lip, she lifted her foot and stepped through. Glancing down at herself, at the feel of the soft silk material against her skin. She realized that once again that her clothes had been exchanged for something more suitable for one of her station. Her light pink pajamas with black cats and robe had been exchanged for garments of pure white, that flowed to her ankles.

The sleeves and hem were gilded in silver thread. Matching bells adorned her slender wrists, the tell-tale tinkle breaking the almost eerie silence. Striding down the familiar corridor she let her feet carry her to her destination. At the library, she stopped. Her gaze soaked in the sight of the books full of ancient knowledge. Unable to help herself, she strode over to a tome whose purple binding and golden letters attracted her gaze. Like a moth to flame she couldn't fight against her own curious urge as she reached to touch the binding of the book.

The familiar timbre of the woman's voice spoke to her mind; Soon after the war with those of metal flesh and the rise of the humans wielding the Bijuu's power - the Nuwan disappeared from Gaia. They used their remaining energy to move an island still teeming with life to another dimension. The true way to their destination has been long forgotten. The Lost Island hidden in the shadows of Helath...

Sakura removed her hand from the fancy tome, cocking her head to the side. Her visage twisted into one of bemusement. The Nuwan? She'd never heard of them before. Just as she was about to touch the book again, a Guardian's voice prompted her to move out of the library with haste, Come Innocent One. We must speak.

I'm sorry. I just - Sakura tried to apologize but then stopped, not quite knowing how to word such a thing. With one last longing look at the library she turned sharply and headed for the room's exit. At the end of the abrupt corridor at the opposite end of the library, she found herself once again staring into a mirror. This time however, instead of being assailed with images of the past, or the shadows of her heart. The glass melted away into a golden puddle, before disappearing indefinitely.

The tile of the familiar dais appeared beneath her feet. Instead, this time the color was a dark cobalt blue, reminding the young woman of a bright and clear sky on a sunny and cloudless day. The images of the Guardians' came in clearer than just the pale shadows in her first meeting with them. The brilliant sheen and emerald green of the massive tortoise's shell drew her gaze when he spoke to her. As his shadow suggested, he looked very much like a huge turtle. His eyes were a sharp blue, a stark contrast to the rest of his green. There was a deep set wisdom there that left the shaman in awe. The leathery skin around his eyes was a bit wrinkled. Despite his lumbering appearance, his movement was very graceful and elegant. She noticed the flecks of gray patches of algae on his shell. Her eyes squinted on the bright orange creature stuck to him. Was that what they called a starfish? His deep baritone reverberated loudly throughout the darkness drawing her attention back to the present, "You are welcome here, Innocent One."

The phoenix-like Guardian's brilliant red hues streaked with a gold as bright as the sun forced her to shade and avert her eyes. A line of flames adorned the Bird's neck from the crown of his skull all the way down his back to his tail feathers. As his wings slowly flapped, oranges, yellows, and reds shimmered in an eye catching and dazzling display. It reminded her vaguely of multifaceted crystals beneath the rays of the sun. His sharp amber eyes regarded her for several long moments, his voice seemed to vibrate with untold power, "You heard our pleas inside your heart. Your ability to heed our call grows by the day."

Sakura glanced around searching for the other two, but they did not appear.

"They will not be joining us this night Innocent One – but do be concerned. My brethren listen and hear what is being spoken between us." The Tortoise informed her, his tone gentle.

The Great Bird spoke again in a voice that sent a shiver through her, "We have summoned you to us, not to request anything of you – but we are here to warn you."

"A shadow is slowly encompassing the land. You must be wary and watchful – for soon it will engulf all that you know." The Tortoise finished for him.

The shaman felt her entire body tremble at the dire warning. Goosebumps rose on the flesh of her arms, "A shadow? What do you mean by that exactly?" Sakura didn't like the sound of the ominous warning, but she wished fervently that they'd be more clear and concise.

"We can only see what is occurring to the land. As of this time we are uncertain of the source. Dark hands even as we speak, are reaching to grab hold of things best left to slumber." The great bird explained to the distraught woman.

Sakura turned her face away from them unable to meet their eyes any longer, "What would you have me do? I am but one person. If this thing is as horrible as you suggest – what is it that I can do?"

The Guardians exchanged a poignant glance before turning their massive visages back down towards her. The red bird leaned forward, his orange massive beak opening. Fire flared from his fork tongue before disappearing in a puff of smoke. He voiced in a somber tone, "We understand that the bond between us is new. We feel the uncertainty in your heart Innocent One."

"I'm sorry. I have not forgotten that I made an oath and I will not back down from it. For better or ill, I swore. Is there a place I should go? Is there something that I should be looking for specifically?" Sakura splayed her hands outwards, spreading her arms wide.

"Courage, is the power to go beyond oneself to protect. Love, sustains the heart it gives one the strength to protect that which is precious. Hope, is the power to believe in the future." The Tortoise conveyed somberly.

Immediately she recognized the words from the tome from her first set of trials. It wasn't an answer but she was starting to understand that it was their way of guiding her towards the correct path. Her arms settled against her sides. "I graciously thank you for the warning you give me now. I can only hope that I can live up to your expectation."

"You are not alone Innocent One." The Bird lifted his long neck and twisted it around to bring his crimson beak closer to the platform, "You have companions whose hearts also bring us strength."

Sakura's shoulders stiffened slightly at the words, lifting her chin but still unable to focus for too long on their vivid brightness. She hadn't quite expected those words from the Guardians. She queried, her voice curt, "Are they not of the kin who betrayed the gifts once bestowed on them?"

"Many have just started to forge their paths. Not all pursued the Bijuu in hope of draining their power. Each should be judged accordingly only to what they have wrought. Generations have risen and passed away before our eyes, like the seasons of Gaia – it is time to turn your eyes to the future Innocent One." The Bird's speech was sharp with rebuke.

Sakura shrank back slightly at the reproach. She hung her head, her eyes downcast.

The Tortoise's tone was full of gentle understanding, "You must come to peace with yourself Innocent One. Your heart still clings to the past. You must not lose yourself in the darkness of your own doubts."

The shaman ducked her chin. Her sides heaved with a loud heartfelt sigh, "I can only promise to do all that I am able."

"Do not fear Innocent One. You will know when it is time – to cast your light." The Tortoise's baritone was kind.

The colors around her began to blur, and she knew it was almost time for this all to end. She opened her mouth to speak, but the great Fire bird said, "Have the courage Innocent One to believe in the future. Hold courage in your right hand, love in your left, and may hope reside within."

Shards of the scape fractured, the sound reminding her vaguely of breaking glass. She glanced to the side, looking for the source of the sound. The realm shattered into fragments and when she blinked to shut her eyes against the blinding brightness she felt a warm, comforting breeze engulf her. When she opened her bleary orbs once more, she found herself standing once again in the underground chamber. Glancing around for a moment, she breathed another sigh. What a way to dismiss someone. Turning on her heel, she touched the white ring of the Haruno Crest before heading back up the stairs. As she neared the top, she heard the grinding stone from above her.

Sunlight spilled into the opening and onto the winding stairwell. She exited onto the surface. Looking around and taking in the sounds of morning, she was shocked to realize that she'd been down there all that time. In that place of in between, time seemed to melt away forgotten. Yet, the world still moved on she realized somberly.

"So that's where you disappeared last time." Itachi's foreboding tenor came from above her.

She took a step back as he suddenly flickered into view right in front of her. Swallowing hard, she bit her lip before finally responding, "Yes. I suppose you could say that."

"I'm sorry Sakura – I believe he followed me up here in search of you. He suspects me as it is," Hana's soft tone came from behind her.

She glanced back at the cat but didn't speak.

Itachi grasped her wrist none too gently, forcing her to look back at him. His tone was as brisk and as cold as ice, "It seems that you are an interesting mix of never ending secrets." He then glanced at Hana, who merely returned his glare in her usual stoically calm manner.

Sakura felt anger stirring in her gut. She tried to wrench her arm from his grasp, but to no avail. He wasn't letting go this time. She hissed up into his face, while poking him in the chest with her forefinger with her free hand, "Didn't I tell you before? We all have secrets. I still barely know you."

"You do not trust me." He finished for her.

"It's not a matter of whether I trust you or not. I don't – but isn't that to be expected? We still know very little about each other. Although I did tell you about my childhood. Isn't that a start? You haven't even returned the favor yet. Even still I don't press you for what you're not ready to give. I don't poke my nose where it's not wanted."

"I told you – you should have married the blond one. He would have been less trouble," Hana quipped with laughter evident in her voice.

Sakura felt her cheeks redden when Itachi only pulled her closer. She could feel his warm breath fanning out over her face which only made her blush harder. He peered down into her eyes and held her gaze captive with his own. He added coolly, "Do you not believe that I don't realize that there's something not quite right about your pet."

"You might as well tell him Sakura." Hana padded forward to stand at her side. Her amber orbs went to settle on his face, when she sat on her haunches. "There's no point of keeping it from him any longer. It will only serve to make things difficult."

Sakura remembered the words of the Guardian's and almost without thought she mumbled, "Courage, is the power to go beyond oneself to protect. Love, sustains the heart it gives one the strength to protect that which is precious. Hope, is the power to believe in the future."

"So you did go the Inner Sanctum." The feline next to her heels murmured thoughtfully.

The shaman watched Itachi's eyes flit between her and the cat. She forced her agitation back and placed a gentle hand over the one that held her ruthlessly immobile. His gaze snapped back to hers and she said in a calm tone that she didn't quite feel, "There is no point in having such a conversation here like this." Her eyes trailed down her own front in a telling gesture down to her bare feet and cat decorated pajamas, "May we return to the house to continue this discussion?"

After a moment's hesitation the male released her and finally gave her some room. His eyes took note her tussled hair and dirt-stained feet. The timbre of his tenor had lost much of its acidity when he spoke again, "Your signature disappeared. I felt you leave the house and soon after, your chakra impression completely vanished."

Understanding filled her. Her face softened perceptibly and her green orbs grew warm even while his visage remained hard. He must have gotten worried when her signature disappeared. She imagined that for a shinobi, when such a thing happened to a fellow teammate it probably didn't bode well. She reached forward and took his hand with her own. She felt herself blush again but she still threaded her fingers through his stiff digits. He looked at their linked hands and then looked at her with evident confusion. She cleared her throat, "It's a bit complicated to explain. It will probably take quite a while, and to tell you the truth – I'd rather be comfortable than continuing to stand out here in the cool of the morning with bare feet and in an old house robe."

Sakura watched his eyes narrow on her but instead of saying anything more, she turned and tugged him along towards the house. She was a bit surprised when his fingers firmed around hers instead of letting go.

Hana followed in their wake. From her position she could see the interesting look that the human male was giving Sakura. A smirk touched her mouth, and her whiskers twitched with veiled amusement. She had known all along that the human had followed her up the hill. It was time that Sakura told him more of the truth. He was a human with a sharp eye and wit. The feline had seen it in him the first time she stared into his stern black eyes.

Sakura opened the door and stepped aside, releasing her hold on his hand to give him room to pass. She shut the door behind Hana and went to settle on the couch. The feline jumped into her lap and she lifted her eyes to Itachi's rigid features. She gestured for him to sit on the couch as well, her hand patting the cushioned seat, "You might as well make yourself comfortable. This might take awhile."

Itachi sat down on the opposite end of the sofa as she suggested but his entire upper torso was as tense as a coil about ready to spring.

Sakura put a finger to her chin and glanced down at Hana who was looking at Itachi at the moment with a thought-laden gaze. The shaman could see no way around softening her words, "Well I'll just start with the most obvious thing. As you have obviously suspected Hana is not your normal run of the mill cat. She and I actually communicate together on a regular basis." At his quirked brow she added, "You remember that day when you, your father, and Sasuke used the Sharingan on me all at the same time?"

Itachi inclined his head to indicate that he did.

"Well that's when my chakra pathways finally matured," she cleared her throat when his brows snapped together, "I know you already know all this because Lady Koharu explained it to you – but – you see; I didn't know that Hana could actually talk until after that incident. Apparently she has always been able to communicate with the shamans. She has become my teacher and guide."

Itachi could see the smug smirk forming on the feline's face. He'd dealt with Kakashi's dog Pakkun on several occasions and he'd knew that particular look when he saw it. He arched a brow at Hana who merely mimicked his gesture. He turned his eyes back to Sakura, "Where were you? I witnessed you exiting an underground entrance, however that shouldn't cause your chakra signature to disappear completely."

At the gruff query the memory of the Guardians' warning came back to her. She turned her face away to shield her emotions from his all too perceptive eyes. Sakura drew in a breath and released it on a soft sigh, "I'm not certain how I can explain this to you because it really –"

"You gave that green hair tie to him didn't you?" Hana asked suddenly, her golden orbs on Sakura's countenance.

"Yes. Wai– how did you know?"

"I suspected as much," the cat stood up and jumped up on the back of the couch to get a closer look, "This was even after your pathways chose for you?" At Sakura's nod Hana's yellow eyes returned to inspecting it, "Interesting. I thought it looked familiar. Perhaps..."

Itachi's body twisted as he turned to keep a cautious eye on the strange cat.

Hana's whiskers twitched and finally she ordered Sakura, "Touch the ribbon."

"What?" Sakura's face scrunched up at the strange command. She bit her lip and looked over at Itachi's forbidding expression.

"Just do it."

"Fine," the woman huffed exasperated before sidling over closer to Itachi who was still as stiff as a board. He eyed her coolly. She cleared her throat nervously, "Hana has requested that I touch the ribbon I gave you." There was no way she was going to reach up and just do as Hana bade without telling him first.

Wordlessly he pulled the tie from his hair and placed it on his open palm. He held it out to her. Tentatively Sakura touched the soft material with her fingertips without touching his skin.

Hana jumped down on the cushion and looked right up into his face, "Boy –" at that the feline watched his eyes narrow on her. She continued while smirking at him, "I think she should have picked the blond. You are rather troublesome."

Sakura blushed three shades of red when Itachi's eyes narrowed on the feline tellingly. He could understand Hana. But how? She jerked her hand back nervously.

"Put your hand back on that ribbon!"

Obediently Sakura did as she was told, still flushed from Hana's taunt to the male sitting next to her.

"All right boy – I'm going to explain to you why Sakura's chakra signature disappeared. I'm only going to explain it once. So you better pay attention, I'm not going to repeat myself. You seem like you're at least half way intelligent... this shouldn't present a challenge," the cat's tail snaked back and forth as she spoke.

Sakura had to choke back a laugh at the look of disbelief on Itachi's face. She got the feeling that not too many dared to speak to him in such a manner. When a sound of mirth left her lips, he shot her a dark look. He didn't find anything amusing and wasn't pleased to realize that she was laughing at him for some mysterious reason. The pique on his face reminded her so much of his younger brother, she let the snicker wanting to leave her escape.

"When you gather your senses Sakura – I'll continue. I think that this is something you should hear as well," Hana shot the girl a look of annoyance.

The shaman indulged in a few more chuckles and then sobered, "Okay – I got that out of my system."

"First off, this ribbon that Sakura's given you is very important. Through it, and her you are able to understand me. I thought it looked familiar. This ribbon was her father's – well sort of," the feline lowered her chin and put her pink nose to the material, "Hmm – it's as I suspected." She glanced back at Sakura and then leveled stern eyes towards Itachi who was eyeing the feline like a specimen under a looking glass, "This gift Sakura gave you is in fact a piece of herself. A tiny fragment of her soul in fact. If anything should happen to it –" The cat sent a telling glance in Sakura's direction, "Then you will know without a doubt that something has happened to her."

"Wait!" Sakura burst out, the bridge of her nose painted crimson, "That was just a piece of the ribbon from the Guardian's Armor. It was all I had left of father and..." She turned her face away.

"Your parents have long since returned to the earth – child. There is a part of them that lives on in your heart, because you held onto their memory with everything you possibly could. Even when the sound of their voices faded from memory and their faces became half forgotten – you carried on that piece in you. And I don't understand why you did it or even how you managed to - because you should have no longer been able to call any part of the Guardian's Armor to you – but somehow you succeeded. And you gave it to the one who was to be your future mate." Hana shook her head. "I've never seen anything like it."

Itachi gazed down at the innocent looking green ribbon in his hand and back at Sakura. He noticed that she was averting her eyes, and was refusing to look directly at him.

"That explains why you are able to sense her signature boy. I had wondered about that. I'm sure you've sensed the change in her. Soon, the other nin will not be able to track her as she grows in her abilities. Her impression is beginning to meld with the elements around her," Hana explained curtly.

"Aa. You still have yet to explain why her chakra signature disappeared," Itachi felt a little ridiculous talking to his wife's cat. He was used to conversing with summoned animals, but he still felt a little peculiar voicing his thoughts to a feline that he had only suspected was more sentient than she seemed.

"Ahh yes - that." Hana nodded before going on, "Well you see, where you witnessed Sakura emerging from was a stairway leading down to the Inner Temple. You could return to it now and even break open the stone platform, but you would never find the entrance. It doesn't exist on this plane. I take it that the Guardian's summoned you to them?" Hana suddenly directed a question at Sakura.

The woman nodded, "Yes. They wanted to speak with me directly."

The cat's whiskers quirked and her ears flicked back. Hana lifted a paw and put it on Sakura's knee, "If it is not too private. You might as well tell us what was said now."

Itachi noticed the sudden shadow that danced through the recesses of Sakura's expressive green eyes. He hated to admit it, but it made him even more curious about her. Here he was, finally getting answers to some of his most pressing questions and yet it only gave him more. Her fingers dug slightly into his palm and before he realized what he was doing, his fingers closed over hers in a soothing gesture.

"I was given a warning. I don't understand it fully but they told me to be wary. It was something about dark hands that threaten to waken things best left to slumber. That there was a darkness encroaching over the land, and that I should keep a watchful eye. They couldn't tell me what exactly but –" Sakura shook her head, the rest that was spoken between them was too private to share.

"They?" Itachi's tenor drew her gaze to him.

"The Guardians." Sakura immediately responded.

At his look of bemusement, Hana sighed and explained, "They are the source of all living life on this planet. Living entities who command the elements and the Bijuu. Shinobi must complete a contract signed in blood to bond to those they summon to aid them," at his look of surprise the cat smirked at him, "Yes I know about that. Your kind has been doing that for generations. It's fairly common knowledge. Sakura forged a bond with the Guardian's in a similar way. However, her oath is a soul bond instead of blood. Did you see the tattoo of vines that covered her skin when you sparred with her?" At his nod the feline continued, "That was the visible evidence of her contract. When they call her to them, she meets them in the place of in-between. It's not that her signature truly disappears, it is because her physical form has left this plane for a short time."

"Hn."

"Don't think too hard boy. You might bust a vessel," Hana chuckled and then turned her head. Sakura suddenly found herself under amber scrutiny, "So they gave you a warning. I don't like the sound of what was said. I may have to go investigate." She shook her triangular shaped head and then, "I think that should do it. And boy – I know you're not used to anyone being straight to the point. Just remember that we do not follow the philosophy of your kind. So you're going to have to be satisfied with what we choose to give you."

"There is one more thing I wish to ask Hana," Sakura chewed on her lower lip a bit nervously, "I stopped in the library again. Do you know what or who the Nuwan are? It said they left somewhere unknown. I've never even heard of them."

Hana's eyes softened perceptibly, "I haven't heard that in," she shook her head as if to clear her thoughts and continued on instead, "Well Sakura that was the name of the people that you descend from. And yes there were those that left after the power struggle. Your clan, among others chose to stay behind. As far as I know you are the last of Nuwan blood – but there were others. It is possible that you aren't the last on this plane of existence. After all, your mother did find your father..."

"They left through a path called Helath." Sakura ignored her husband's curious eyes on her face. She kept her attention trained on Hana.

"That is a word from the old tongue. The language of your kind. Helath simply means, the tapestry of worlds. Ixion was another word from the long forgotten language of your kin that means warm home. Your clan name, Haruno translates to green fields. The original residents that still remain today also have strains of Nuwan blood, but they have long mixed with other human clans and eventually forgot many of the ancient ways." Hana smiled at Sakura and shook her head, "I feel rather nostalgic. It's been many generations since I've spoken of any of this."

"I wonder why they left and where they've gone," Sakura's malachite hued orbs took on a dreamy tint.

Itachi realized that he was still holding her hand and loosened his grip. She glanced over at him, startled by the loss of contact and not noticing it in the first place. She asked him softly, "Are you satisfied Itachi? We have explained what we could."

"It sounds like a children's fairy tale," his lips quirked in amusement but then he gazed down at the ribbon still gripped between them, "It is acceptable but unexpected. It is typical of you to argue with that acid tongue of yours. I seem to vaguely recall you swearing that you'd die a dog's death before telling a bastard like me anything."

Sakura flushed at the memory. She scratched her cheek with her free hand and laughed nervously, "It's kind of ironic isn't it? We're even married now."

"Sounds like something you'd say," Hana sent her a stern look that spoke volumes, "You always did seem to enjoy being antagonistic – a little too much in my opinion."

"I didn't enjoy it!" Sakura huffed at the feline, aggravated at being teased so openly. "I was just trying to protect myself."

"I find myself agreeing with the cat. You did seem to take pleasure out of antagonizing certain individuals. I've never seen the old man lose his temper. There was also that time you somehow gave my brother a static shock. I remember seeing a rather disturbing smile on your face," Itachi's eyes crinkled at the corners and even though he didn't smile there was amusement reflected in the deep obsidian of his gaze.

"Sasuke deserved it. He shouldn't ever be allowed near sake," she let loose a sharp snort. She added in a mock offended voice, "Besides – the Hokage only allowed me three days to pick between four of you. It's not like I was happy myself during that whole fiasco to begin with!"

"It doesn't matter. It still would have ended the same," the corner of Itachi's mouth tilted up into a smirk.

"Oh it would have would it? That's rather arrogant of you."

"It is not arrogance. It is simply, a fact."

Hana was somewhat startled by the change in his voice. It was obvious to her that already the male meant what he said. She hid her smile when Sakura sputtered at him indignantly, her face doing a great impression of a summer ripened tomato. Hana intervened subtly, "You know Sakura. I hate to do it, but I have to agree with him."

Sakura did a double take and jerked over to look at Hana wide eyed. "Did I just hear you right?"

"The answer lies in the ribbon."

The shaman watched the cat jump off the couch and saunter away. She frowned when she noticed the rather saucy cadence to the feline's walk. She muttered under her breath, "Damn traitor."

Sakura went to remove her hand from Itachi's grasp but gasped softly when his hold tightened. He held her gaze captive. Slowly he lifted her appendage and then he shocked her further when his lips grazed the inside of her wrist. The heat of his breath fanned out over her skin and the subtle touch sent tingles racing up her arm. Finally he released her. He stood to his feet and looked down into her countenance that was still painted in crimson shades. He tied his hair up into the standard ponytail she was used to seeing with the green ribbon before returning to his room.

His musky scent, lingered in her nostrils. He smelled like warm summer rain, she thought to herself still blushing and tingling from the simple caress. She cradled her burning cheeks in her hands. A soft sigh passed through her lips before she unfolded her legs and rose to her feet. She went to her bedroom in order to get ready for the day.

-o-

Sakura pulled the pillow over her head, when insistent paws prodded at her to get up. Finally she turned over and shot Hana a bleary eyed look when the cat didn't take the hint, "What is it? I'm trying to take a nap here. I didn't sleep much last night..." she broke off when she felt the presence of alien chakra signatures nearby.

Hana sent her one of her usual looks and Sakura sighed dramatically, running a hand through her bangs.

She groused at the feline, "Fine I get it! This must be the new national Sakura is not allowed to get any sleep day."

Grumbling under her breath as she left her bedroom, she stopped mid step when she spotted Itachi already standing at the door. She moved closer to hear the verbal exchange but by the time she was half way across the living room it was already finished. Twin sets of black eyes peered at her curiously over Itachi's shoulder before he shut the door. He turned to face her.

Their gazes met for several awkward moments and finally he cleared his throat and said, "It seems that the Uchiha Council has decided that they wish to meet you. We are to appear before them today. They have given us two hours."

Sakura was taken aback by the straight forward explanation from him. She crossed her arms then and tilted her head to the side, "That's rather demanding of them. Couldn't they at least wait until tomorrow? Two hours is hardly giving anyone time at all."

"It is not for our convenience."

Her lip furled irritably. She huffed, not bothering to hide the sarcasm in her voice, "That's rather obvious." And then her shoulders sagged when he sent her a look of censure, "All right. I'll get ready. I understand. Is there anything specific that I should keep in mind? Anything I shouldn't wear?" She didn't want a repeat of what happened with Fugaku to occur with his most important family members. She wasn't necessarily cowed, she just didn't want anymore trouble. The last thing she needed was more unwanted eyes on her. She had enough attention from outsiders as it was.

An aristocratic brow rose several notches at the softly spoken questions. He folded his arms against his chest, and leaned against the wall. His tenor was surprisingly stern, "I do not want you to cause trouble – however, I want you to also establish yourself."

She sighed audibly and rolled her eyes at him. She smirked before adding, "Well – I hate to break it to you. But whenever I do that – it tends to cause problems. Or haven't you noticed?"

He turned and opened the door. He looked back at her, his expression unreadable, "I will return to escort you when it is time. There are things I must do before then."

Sakura suddenly wanted to throw something big and preferably heavy at the back of his head. She felt like she was being tested. Again. She didn't allow her temper to surface noticeably and just nodded her head. She felt him scrutinizing her for several moments as if he was waiting for her to somehow explode on the spot. Finally he shut the door behind him leaving her there. She let out a snarl of frustration.

"Go as yourself," Hana suggested calmly while padding towards her, "I believe that he's being vague, because this is something that you have to experience and learn from on your own terms."

Sakura hit her forehead with the palm of her hand, "Yes, I gathered that. I just don't want to garner more attention than I already have. Something tells me I'm not going to enjoy this."

"What have I always told you during your lessons?"

"Frustration will only cloud your judgment," Sakura repeated the often spoken words dutifully.

"And?" the feline pressed.

"Knowledge can be a guide or an obstacle," She added thoughtfully, wondering what that had to do with her current situation.

"Perhaps it is more desirable that you have the chance to observe the situation for yourself, instead of depending on what someone else knows. It is better that you do not be blinded by the opinion of another and form your own as you see fit," Hana sat on her haunches and looked up into her face, warm amber eyes alight with wisdom.

Sakura sighed, covering her face and looking down at the cat through splayed fingers, "Why do you have to make such perfect sense all the time?" Her arms fell to her sides, "Okay I'll attend. I'll expect everything and nothing."

Hana nodded, a glint of approval in her gaze, "That is the only thing that you can do."

Sakura watched the feline walk away, and then went to her room to gather her things. She went to the hot spring out back to bathe and after quickly washing away the grime. She would not wear something that had her clan's symbol on it, but she would go as what she was. She put on the shaman's uniform, and slipped her feet into the boots. She put her hair into a high ponytail, and set the silver bracelets on her wrists. She left the bathhouse before walking up the dirt path towards the entry to the shrine. The wind rose to meet her in cheerful greeting. After inhaling a deep breath of sweet air; she went to the gate to wait for her husband.

It wasn't long before she lost her self in her surroundings. The Guardians' warning was at the back of her mind, and yet with everything feeling normal it was hard to imagine anything other than the usual early summer days coming and going in their usual manner.

She lifted her chin when she felt Itachi's approach. This time she didn't flinch when he landed in front of her. She lifted her chin when he met her eyes, before dipping her head in a silent gesture of assent. They walked side by side, the silence punctuated only by the soft tinkle of the dangling bells. She squared her shoulders as she followed Itachi through the gates of the compound. She could feel the many eyes on her as they passed by the populace lining the streets. Her gaze roamed over the nearly finished construction in wonder. She was amazed at how quickly such a huge clan domain could be put together and completed. It was almost like it's own village, separate from Konoha itself. She found herself pondering about what the Hyuuga estate actually looked like and if it was made in a similar fashion.

She glanced over her shoulder at the walls that surrounded the perimeter and scanned the entire length of the brick and mortar. It effectively cut the Uchiha clan off from the other villagers. It really wasn't all that much different than the shrine with its intent, she realized with a start.

Fugaku, Mikoto, and Sasuke were all waiting for them at an intersection in the middle of the compound. She held her silence as they greeted one another, a bit surprised to see them there. She supposed it made sense for them to accompany them. She inclined her head politely to them, and only Mikoto returned the gesture. She noticed the way Fugaku's eyes scanned her choice of dress, but he didn't choose to verbalize what it was he thought about it. Sakura was left wondering if that was a good thing or a bad thing. With the way her luck was going lately, she was inclined to think it fell into the latter category.

She was a little startled when she found herself flanked on both sides by the siblings. Sakura came up short, when they all stopped in front of a building that sat nestled on top of a hill, overlooking the entire compound. She turned and gazed out over the gated community, and the many little houses dotting the landscape. From her position she could see the colorful dots of the residents milling about their day. Squaring her shoulders, she turned and faced the double oak doors that was the entrance to the Uchiha Council room. She decided that, she was definitely unprepared for this. She should be getting used to getting blind-sided, but she supposed it was something she'd never be able to get used to.

Fugaku opened the entrance-way ahead of them. Swallowing hard, she followed the family in. She realized looking at their faces, that they were more stoic than usual. She wondered why, if this was just a meeting contrived by the elders wanting to meet her for the first time. Out of the corner of her vision, she noticed that the elders of the council were just that. They were all old men. They were dressed in long garments of dark navy blue with high collars, the sleeves of their apparel was adorned with the Uchiha fan crest. She was also surprised to note that despite their age, they all still had a full head of gray hair. It varied from spiky, like Sasuke's, to long and tied back at the nape of the neck like Itachi's or a mix of both. The Uchiha clan definitely had a certain look about them that set them apart from other people. She thought back to Hinata and Neji and their bizarre silver eyes. Clan lineage must be very guarded and extremely important to the shinobi clans, she thought to herself privately.

She sat on one of the tatami mats that had been put out for them. Sakura focused her gaze on the colorful mural behind the seated elders as Itachi and Sasuke sat on either side of her. The enticing mix of rich burgundy and deep hues of swirling blue held her eyes. Once everyone was settled and in place, she felt a sudden roll of apprehension dance up her spine. Her brows snapped together when she realized that there were guards standing at the doors. There were two men that she could see, dressed in black form fitting uniforms, their faces were partially covered by a half mask. There were probably more hiding, she decided, averting her eyes away from the exit. Sakura decided that for once, Hana was wrong. She wished she had known all this beforehand. She would have told Itachi to take a flying leap into the pond just outside his family's house before agreeing to come here.

Sakura placed folded hands primly on her lap and mentally fortified herself for what was to come.

The elderly man sitting in the center, and whom Sakura would assume to be the leader spoke first, "We are pleased that all of you arrived early. We were anxious to get this meeting underway. We do have other important matters to attend to, so we will attempt to make this quick."

Fugaku stood and inclined his head. He spoke in a formal and emotionless voice, "You honor my family Daiki-sama."

Daiki waved a dismissive grizzled hand at Fugaku and gestured for him to return to his seat. Sakura watched Itachi's father bow his head in reverence to the head elder before sitting back down.

Sakura immediately felt the intensity of the council's curious eyes upon her person.

The old man on Daiki's left, a man with a receding hairline and a long braid gestured towards her, "I do have to say Fugaku, I am rather shocked that you chose to allow your son - a clan heir to marry an outsider without speaking to us of this matter first."

So that explained the somber expressions, Sakura thought to herself wryly. This was not going to go well.

"I apologize Norio-sama. We had wanted to speak with you about this beforehand. We decided to allow this union due to the advantage that it would afford the clan," Fugaku's voice remained level.

"I do not see how this young woman brings any advantage to our clan. She came with no wealth, nor is she of shinobi lineage," the man named Norio snapped back at Fugaku with a snarl furling his upper lip.

Sakura grumbled under her breath annoyed by the old man's attitude, "I think someone forgot to take his laxatives this morning."

The words were spoken not much louder than a whisper. She heard Sasuke choke and then cough to cover up his lapse with a muttered apology. Itachi merely stiffened on her left side. One sidelong glance at him, and she knew he was less than happy with her little statement. She should have known there was a reason behind the fact that there was no formal ceremony for their marriage. Sakura knew she should be upset about the ulterior motives, but her brain was working in overtime instead. Why would Fugaku push for her marriage to Itachi or even Sasuke if he was supposed to have asked for some kind of permission first? What would have happened if she chose someone else instead?

Her lips smoothed out into a thin line. She still didn't know Itachi very well but she already knew that he'd chosen to marry her for his own personal reasons. So really, she wasn't going to get angry over this. Not yet.

"Now now Norio, before you get upset over what's done. Perhaps we should speak with the girl," the man on Daiki's right intoned in a level voice.

Sakura met his sharp eyes and felt a little off put by their intensity. The old man in the center was most likely the leader in title, but this one was the brains of this little outfit, she decided. There was a cutting intelligence hidden in the depths of the black orbs that left her just a little more than edgy.

"As you wish Toshio," Norio relented icily while folding his arms on the dark cherry wood of the long desk.

Toshio gestured for her to approach.

Rising to her feet, she linked her hands together and strode forward. Sakura held her high and her shoulders and back ramrod straight. She halted in the center and before she realized she was doing it, she had already adopted that expression that the former Ixion council had learned to loathe with a burning passion. Her head tilted to the side, regarding them coolly down the length of her nose, even though she was a short woman. Her eyes fell to half mast as she waited for one of them to address her.

Toshio threaded his fingers together and placed his chin on his hand. He was short and to the point. "Introduce yourself."

Sakura's lips quirked but she withheld the sarcasm that wanted to spill forth. Her voice was cool as she responded curtly, "Formally Lady Sakura Haruno - now Sakura Uchiha."

The three sets of eyes narrowed on her. It was obvious that they didn't care for her lack of deference.

"Haruno," Toshio rubbed his beard between his fingertips as if considering, "That is not a name I've heard of."

He was trying to provoke her, probably an open attempt to insult her lineage. She smirked openly at him then, her upper lip curling over her teeth, "I suppose the constant traveling that your clan probably endured before settling in my homeland didn't afford you much time for a proper education." Sakura watched him bristle. She ignored the gasps behind her. She continued with a dark chuckle that held no humor, "My family's clan lineage goes back further than a thousand years. How many generations does the Uchiha name go?"

Norio slammed his hands on the table and grit out at her, "You would do well not to disrespect the clan you married into..."

"Respect is earned – not given."

Norio's face contorted into a mask of rage. Daiki held a hand up, effectively silencing the other man just as he was about to give the pink haired woman a piece of his mind. His shrewd gray eyes regarded her thoughtfully. His voice was crisp and sharp when he finally spoke, "You are now apart of this clan. I suggest that you quickly come to understand your position." His eyes flit to the side, in a tell-tale gesture towards the guards.

Sakura immediately bristled. He was not only threatening her but he was effectively trying to put her in what he considered her place all at the same time.

She responded by putting a hand on her hip and fixing him with a frigid gaze of her own, "I suggest that you realize that I'm not someone whose going to hide under my covers at night quivering in fear, just because you've made some kind of half-baked threat. I'm not afraid of you..."

Sakura heard the gasps behind her, she glanced over her shoulder at Fugaku who was watching her wide-eyed. He was looking at her like he'd never seen her before. Mikoto was keeping her head down and trying to avoid all eye contact. Sasuke was paler than usual but his gaze was cold and unreadable when met her eyes. His lips had thinned out to a grim line. Finally she glanced at Itachi who was looking at her with the semblance of a smile wanting to crack his expressionless face. It passed so quickly that Sakura could have sworn that she just imagined it.

She turned her back on the council and folded her arms over her chest. "Where's the bullies I encountered when I first met your family huh? Why in the hell are you kissing their asses for?" She was pointing a finger back at the elderly men in question who were at the moment hissing and grumbling in outrage. "I understand that each clan has these 'council' people, but if all they do is tear you down and tell you how to live your life then why do you even bother listening to them?"

Fugaku snapped at her, "Turn around and apologize! We will not tolerate your behavior..."

"Oh," she quirked a mocking brow at him, "And just what are you going to do about it if I don't? I don't see that I should have to apologize to those who insult me first."

Turning sharply on her heel she faced them once again.

Daiki spat at her, enraged by her disregard for respect, "It's too late for apologies – I think you've said more than enough."

She shrugged and then pointed at them, "Hah! I've already said I refuse to anyway. Like I'd tell you shitty old men sorry for anything."

Toshio was the only one who remained calm during the entire tirade. He set his arms on the table, he looked past the woman. He said over the angry voices of his comrades, "Itachi Uchiha – you have not intervened; nor have you put her in her place as would be expected of one of your station. Would you care to explain yourself?"

Sakura glanced over her shoulder as Itachi stood to his feet. She was suddenly reminded of a large jungle cat on the prowl. His strides were fluid and graceful as he approached only to stop next to her. Their eyes met a moment before he averted his gaze towards the council, "That is because I agree with her. She does not owe an apology to those who obviously set out to insult her from the moment she stood up to address the council." He ignored the shocked gasps and the 'oh mys' of his mother. He continued on in usual dry tone, "The Hokage asked the clan heirs if they would consent to marriage with the last remaining noble of the former Ixion. My father agreed to the match and I was more than willing to oblige the Hokage's request. We decided that it was a wise move to cement our blood ties with the community, and it also gave us the chance to be the first to do so. You have not had the chance to witness the respect and deference she is given by the original residents of the village. Her connection to our clan gives us compensation far more beneficial than a fortune or even an inferior bloodline of another shinobi clan."

As she listened to the attributes being listed as to why she made a good match for this clan. She braced her fingers at the side of her temple. Her head was beginning to pound with an oncoming headache. She momentarily wondered if she could get away with giving them all a nice, nasty static shock.

Sakura met Toshio's steely regard. She could see the corner of his lips turning up at the corners. He waved a gnarled hand at Itachi, "If your family doesn't mind thinning their blood unnecessarily, then I suppose there is nothing else that we can say. It is done."

Daiki leveled his gaze on her once again, "You should consider yourself fortunate. We will forget the events of today and the words spoken between us."

Sakura threw back her head and laughed at him, "Lucky huh?" She smirked at him then, "I'll consider myself fortunate if you would just go ahead and dismiss this little meeting of yours and let us all go home."

Norio glared at her, but didn't deign to speak to her this time. He turned up his nose at her before turning his face away.

Toshio chuckled, the raspy sound drawing the attention of the room, "My apologies child, this meeting is far from done. If you would resume your seat, I would be much obliged."

Daiki shot a thoughtful look at Toshio. He ran an agitated hand through his bangs but then finally agreed, "Yes I suppose that can be discussed." He nodded at Itachi, "We still have one pressing matter to discuss. We might as well do so now."

Out of the corner of her peripheral she saw Itachi bring his hands together, elbows coming up before inclining his head in a respectful manner. Sakura sighed when he shot her a telling glance. She relaxed her features into a blank mask before curtsying in a mock display of respect. She wouldn't bow her head to them but she could pretend to make nice. Turning sharply on her booted heel, the leather squeaking against the hard floors, she returned to her designated tatami mat and settled on it.

Daiki cleared his throat and began, "As you all probably know - the Hokage is planning on retiring from his position this year, possibly at the end of the summer - maybe early fall."

Fugaku and Itachi both nodded.

"He has sent out letters to all of the clan councils to inform us that he is not going to appoint any specific individual. He has decided because of all the pressure from the clans he would pick one individual that he felt best suited for the position from each of the clans that have long been with the Konoha Alliance."

"So that means that he has just selected four candidates? Akimichi, Inuzuka, Aburame, and the Nara have just settled the final agreement, and should be moving in by the end of the month," Fugaku interjected thoughtfully.

Norio agreed quickly, "That is correct."

"Do you know who he has chosen?"

Daiki reached back and pulled out two rolled up documents. He opened the red one and laid it flat. He read the names briskly, "Yes. He has selected – Uzumaki Minato, Hyuuga Hiashi, Uchiha Itachi and Sarutobi Asuma."

Sakura glanced to side when she heard Mikoto suck in a sharp breath.

"Rumor has it, that he also had other individuals in mind – but they turned the prospect down. He also goes on to note, that this is just the first set. It is probable that he will choose more eligible candidates – however he wanted to honor the main clans first," Daiki explained while rolling up the parchment.

"I would have to decline such an honor. I do not desire leadership over Konoha." Itachi was blunt and to the point, "I will inform him that I do not want the position and that he should pick another individual more suited for the position from the Uchiha clan."

When all three faces of the elderly men drained pale and then flushed red, she wondered if they were all going to have a heart attack. She was somewhat shocked by all this sudden information, but she had no real interest in how the shinobi chose their leaders.

Toshio was the first to find his voice, "We cannot accept such an answer from you. This is the first time that the Uchiha clan has been at least considered for such an esteemed rank in the Alliance," his eyes narrowed on Itachi and Sakura was shocked to see undisguised loathing directed towards her husband. In an instant the look was gone and smoothed out as if it had never been. He continued icily, "My grandson would have jumped at the chance for this opportunity."

Sakura was taken aback to see Itachi stiffen noticeably at her side. His face paled. She heard Sasuke whisper his brother's name with concern under his breath, the sound nearly unintelligible. But she caught it.

Her brows snapped together. Just what in the hell was going on?

Daiki lifted the still closed blue scroll and pointed it at Itachi, "You have no right to decline. We will send your acceptance ourselves if necessary. You will participate. We will not back down on this..."

Sakura watched Itachi's fingers dig into the material of his pant leg. His shoulders were taunt, and his face still pale. He inclined his head, his bangs hiding his face. His voice lacked any inflection when he finally relented, "I understand. If that is your final word. Then I will comply."

The shaman was loathed to see her husband bowing in such a manner to these old bastards. It wasn't right. He was too proud of a man to take something like this from anyone. The way his presence could dwarf a room, the commanding air that he held effortlessly. It was a very ugly thing for her to witness him bending to someone else's will in such a way. Sakura knew what it felt like to be backed into a corner. She just never expected to see such a thing happen to Itachi. She wanted to jump up and tell those elderly men to shove their orders where the sun could never find it, but she knew instinctively that if she did such a thing that it would only serve to make matters worse for Itachi's family. It was one thing to defend herself and her pride. It was another to speak her mind in a family situation that was by all rights and purposes, Itachi's choice.

"You are dismissed until further notice. We will confer with you at a later date Fugaku," Daiki announced in a firm tone that allowed no argument.

Fugaku stood and issued a gesture of respect. Everyone else rose and did the same. Sakura scrambled to her feet and followed the family out in silence. She felt the piercing gazes of the guards as they filed by. Sakura was never happier to feel the sun's rays on her skin. There was something oppressive about that room now that she thought back about it. No one exchanged words until they were at the family home.

Finally Fugaku spoke, "It was not wise to voice such a thing son. You should have known that they would not consent to your refusal."

Itachi didn't respond, he just dipped his chin in agreement with his father's words.

Mikoto added softly, "It's a great honor. You are the youngest chosen - you must hold a high position of respect with the current Hokage."

Sasuke didn't say a word. He just looked at his brother and shook his head before going into the house.

Sakura wasn't sure why she felt the need to lend some kind of comfort to him. Tentatively she tugged on his sleeve and when he looked down at her questioningly, she slowly looped her arm through his loosely. She smiled at his parents, "Well, we'll be seeing you later. It's going to be dark soon and we have a few errands to run before the sun goes down. If you'll excuse us..."

Fugaku shot her a look, but he didn't bother to reply to her fake cheerfulness. Mikoto gave her a wan smile before waving weakly at them both, "We'll see you later then."

After they entered the house, she tugged on Itachi and started to walk him out of the compound.

When they quit the premises and were on the other side of the Uchiha clan wall. He murmured softly, "Thank you."

Sakura stopped mid step and looked up into his shuttered countenance. She decided to speak her mind, "You know - I can't say I understood all that happened and why you reacted the way that you did. I suppose that I can't because I know so little about how things are done in a large clan like yours. But I do understand what it's like to have the right to make my own decisions taken away from me. I'll lend an ear should you ever want to get it off your chest."

"I am one of those who is guilty of that." He met and held her eyes. Green to onyx.

The shaman chuckled softly, "Yes I suppose – but you still gave me a choice in the end." Unlacing her arm from his she started to walk again, "But I have long moved on. I no longer dwell on what was." The smile on her face faded and she turned to look at him. He was still standing where they had stopped. She voiced her thoughts to him, "I will be here no matter what it is that you decide."

"Do you truly mean that Sakura? You do not know the things that I have done – nor may you be prepared for the things I may do in the future. I am shinobi."

At first Sakura wasn't quite certain how to take the sudden intensity in his tone. She tilted her head to the side. She thought about the warning and then let out a soft sigh before responding, "We all forge our own paths Itachi. If you should decide to tread in shadowed darkness, then I will do my best to cast light on that darkness," her eyes narrowed on his face, "However for me to be able to do so. You must be the one to choose your own path. No one else has the right to do that for you."

His eyes crinkled at the corners and for the first time Sakura saw him smile. It was a very smile indeed, but it was a true one. The first one she'd ever seen from him. In that moment he looked slightly boyish. Itachi's gaze intensified, and the smile slowly faded. His tenor was slightly gruff when he finally said, "You are something else."

Sakura felt color rise to her face. She tried to look away but he stepped forward and stopped in front of her. He crooked a finger under her chin and lifted it gently. She searched his eyes questioningly. Her thoughts came to a complete halt when he slowly began to lower his head slowly towards her face. He was giving her time to back away, she realized. She felt his warm breath against the epidermis of her cheeks, and her nostrils flared beneath the assault of his masculine scent. Sakura did something that shocked them both. She met him halfway.

The moment his lips grazed hers, she felt goosebumps rise on her skin and her entire body tingled from the contact. Her arms encircled his neck and he deepened the kiss but wasn't forceful. He was giving her sweet askance, and she responded in kind. When he broke the contact first, she backed up a step. The red on her nose darkened when he ran the tips of his fingers over her cheeks, and then chuckled softly at her wide, doe-eyed expression.

Backing up another step. She put a hand on her hip and turned away to hide her flushed face. She announced loudly, "Dammit! Let's go to Ichiraku's. I'm hungry. And..." she grabbed his hand and started to drag him along with her, "I'm not cooking anything tonight." She peeked back at him. He arched a brow down at her. Sakura looked away pointedly, "Next time there's one of these meetings – I'm not going. So don't even ask me..."

"Aa. I must admit I was concerned that you would decide to punish them like you did my brother. I wouldn't want to push my luck."

"They should have only been so lucky," Sakura grumbled darkly and then shot a thoughtful glance over her shoulder at him, "Thank you. I know you stood up for me and - your family's decision about why they allowed you to marry me."

"Enough of that. I believe that you've decided to take me on a date." Itachi announced, changing the subject abruptly.

Sakura's halted suddenly. Did she just hear him correctly? She turned to look at him gaping, "A what?"

"We are on our way to Ichiraku's for a dinner date, according to you."

She could see the glint of humor dancing in the depths of his obsidian eyes and she felt her heart rate start to pick up. He was actually teasing her. Sakura shook her head in disbelief, "Your sense humor is rather questionable." Her eyes sparkled mischievously when she added lightly, "Although perhaps I should probably be relieved that you actually have one of those."

"Hn. Perhaps."

Sakura reached forward and grabbed his hand. She started to walk in the direction of the ramen restaurant once again. She muttered offhandedly in a teasing voice, "The idea of them carving your face on the cliff side is really kind of bizarre to tell you the truth. No matter if I felt like looking at your face or not, I'd kinda have no choice but to anyway..."

"Aa. I would have a statue done. That is the normal thing for leaders to have done after all..."

"You derive pleasure by bringing up things I've said before don't you?"

"Hn."

Her brow ticked. She snapped, "Hasn't anyone ever told you that 'hn' isn't an answer to anything?"

"Aa."

Sakura's fingers went to the bridge of her nose and massaged it. She stopped in front of Ichiraku's and asked, "Do you mind eating here? Would you prefer something else?"

He didn't respond. Instead he tugged her inside, and sat down unceremoniously at the bar.

When Teuchi noticed them he grinned, "Ahh! Good evening Sakura!" He turned and greeted her husband, "And you too Uchiha-sama! What can I get you both this evening?"

"Where's Ayame?" Sakura asked curiously.

"Oh she's gone home for the night. She misses you, you know?"

Her lips quirked into a smile in an amused smile, "She misses the fact that I've not been around to do the dishes."

Teuchi chuckled and shook his head, "She probably does miss that - but Ayame really does miss having you around here. She doesn't often get the opportunity to talk to people her age. She's always helping me in this shop..." He turned his back on her, and went over to the boiling vats of ramen.

Sakura's face softened and she nodded, "I'll try and stop by to say hello more often."

Teuchi turned around with a bowl in hand and surprised her by setting it down in front of her, "I took the liberties of serving you the usual."

"Thank you."

Teuchi turned to Itachi once again, "And what will you be having this evening?"

"I'll have what Sakura is having."

The old ramen shop older turned to comply. Sakura patiently waited and didn't start to eat until Itachi was served his portion. She stirred the noodles absentmindedly with a chopstick. When Teuchi shot her a warning look, she slowly began to consume her meal.

"Troublesome."

At the foreign and yet very familiar voice, Sakura lifted her head. Her eyes widened in shock. It couldn't be. There was only person she'd ever known to say that word like that. It was so unique that she knew that it had to be him. Even nearly a decade later, she hadn't forgotten. Swiveling on her stool, she faced the entrance, her hands bracing against the red plastic. She felt her throat constrict when someone she thought she'd never see again stepped into the ramen shop.

Slowly she slid off the stool and her spine straightened. There was no question about it. It was him. He wore his hair the exact same way. The bushy hap-hazard short ponytail on the crown of his scalp. His slouching posture and that permanently disgruntled look on his face. It was all the same. The only difference was that he like her, had grown up.

She called out to him, "Shikamaru... is that you?"

Shikamaru lifted his somber brown eyes to rest on the woman, a stranger that had called his name. No, this woman was not completely unfamiliar. Those large green eyes and pink hair. There was no mistaking her for anyone else. He'd never met anyone else with a hair color like hers. He arched a brow at her, "Sakura?"

A small smile tugged on her mouth, "It's been - a long time." Her eyes fell on the hitai-ite and the expression melted away in disbelief. The smile faded, "I should have realized that you were... a shinobi."

Sakura paused when she felt Itachi's hand on her shoulder. She looked up into his face curiously, somewhat taken aback by his stern countenance.

Shikamaru's eyebrows lifted quizzically. He greeted the other nin, "Good evening Uchiha-sama. It's been awhile."

Itachi inclined his head, "Yes. I see that your clan has finally come to settle in the village."

"Yes. The preparations were completed. The Akimichi clan also arrived this evening. Inuzuka will be here next week - and if all things work out accordingly - the Aburame clan will also arrive around the same time."

Sakura remembered hearing those names from Fugaku. She interrupted drawing both gazes back to her, "Your family is going to live here?"

Shikamaru nodded, "Yes, and you remember Kiba don't you?"

"Kiba?" A finger went to her lips, and she thought back, "He was the one with the dog right?"

"His family will be moving into Konoha soon as well."

It was a decade late but she came to a realization. It was the only explanation that she could think of. She murmured under her breath, "So that's why you were in Ixion then..." she shook her head and then murmured to herself, "I can't believe the old lady would hire shinobi for something like that." There were so many things people failed to tell her. Granted, she was a child at the time, but it still shocked her. She should have stayed in bed today, she thought to herself mutinously.

Shikamaru noticed the way she set her jaw and he knew she was less than happy with the realization. He figured there was no point in lying to her, after all these years. He agreed easily, "It's as you suspect. We were hired to investigate your parents' deaths. The Ixion Council ordered us to keep it secret and so I was unable to reveal the truth to you about why we were there at the time."

Sakura nodded and then turned her back on him. She paid Teuchi for their dinner. The old shopkeeper gave her a small smile. She tried to return it but failed. Feeling numb on the inside, she told Itachi, "I'm going to return home," and then she turned her eyes towards Shikamaru, "It was nice seeing you again. I'm sure I'll see you around town. Have a good night."

Before he could respond she had exited the premises. Shikamaru suddenly found himself the subject of attention. He grumbled under his breath about troublesome females. He wasn't in the mood to deal with this. He brushed past Itachi and sat in one of the stools. When he noticed the looming shadow standing over him, he sighed already knowing what it was the Uchiha wanted to know. He sent his trademark stare of boredom at the other man.

He explained curtly, "It was a very long time ago. We were children and I had very little to do with the actual mission itself. My orders were simply to keep her company while the investigation took place."

"Hn." Itachi's eyes followed the path Sakura took. After a minute of consideration he decided to drop the subject for the present, he would however possibly look into the situation later at a time when things settled down a bit.

Shikamaru watched the Uchiha heir leave the ramen shop. He shook his head, before turning back around as the cook set down his supper. He thanked the elderly man before snapping his disposable chopsticks and dipping them into his steaming supper.

-o-

Sakura wasn't sure how it happened but she ended up back at her small home that sat nestled on top of the hill. She hiked to the back of the property to the stone dais where her day pretty much started. She knelt on the stone, her eyes on the setting of the sun. Brilliant jewel-toned hues streaked across the horizon, painting the sky in vibrant color.

She watched the golden radiance fade from the sky and stars take its place against the backdrop of dark violet velvet. She listened absently to the thrum of crickets and the waning evening songs from the resident brown finches and sparrows. It helped to soothe the turmoil in her heart.

Sakura sensed Itachi's presence approaching her and she let out a small sigh. She rose to her feet and brushed the specks of dirt from the material of her skirt. Sakura pivoted on her heel to face him. She apologized quickly, "I'm sorry for leaving so abruptly. I didn't want to make a total fool of myself."

"Hn."

She gave him a sad smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Thanks for coming to check on me. I'm fine. I just wanted a little time alone to think."

He nodded in understanding but then he shocked her when he reached for her. His fingers encircled her wrist gently and before she could even remotely guess at his intentions, his other arm wrapped around her shoulder and pulled her close. For the first time since her parents passed away, she allowed herself to be embraced by someone. Burying her nose against his chest, she focused on his warmth and the strength in his arms. She didn't cry, even though her eyes stung with unshed tears. Sakura decided that it would be all right to have this one moment of weakness. The back of her throat burned, but still she murmured softly, "Thank you."

The sound was muffled against him – but he still heard it all the same.

Sakura felt his chest vibrate beneath her cheek, when he responded in the same low tone, his familiar tenor comforting, "Aa."

She shut her eyes. It wasn't a display of affection, she knew. Rather, he was giving her something that he knew that she needed. And for Sakura, in that moment – it was enough. Another small step – one in many.