I sort of chose the team members at random but I kind of dig the ideas I'm getting. Hope you enjoy!

Read. Rate. Review. Be jolly and enjoy vegan tacos!

Sakura knew without looking at the window that this was bad. It was so rare for her to oversleep. She was known for being punctual. She had made a point of breaking the prejudice that one of Kakashi's students would be late. And here she was, late for a simple mission. She cursed rather aggressively before sitting up. She didn't need to look in the mirror to know her hair was a mess or that her sheets were imprinted on her face. It was how she woke up everyday. She pressed the heels of her hands into her eyes and sighed. She had to apologize to an entire team now. This was why she preferred to work alone. She was never late when she was on her own time. She yawned and scratched the back of her head with a hand before looking to the window.

She had not expected to see Itachi poised delicately on her sill. Her peridot eyes went wide and she swallowed heavily. In her sleep rattled state she hadn't bothered to register the energy signature outside. She wasn't exactly a morning person. She stood and approached the window slowly. She opened the window and looked at him sheepishly. She didn't like that she felt like a child who was about to be reprimanded. Sure, she had overslept but was that any reason for the fierce look she was receiving? Then again, this was an Uchiha they were talking about. She rolled her bottom lip against her teeth while she gathered the energy and gumption to apologize with a cool demeanor. She had no idea what had gotten into her. Usually she would have popped a hip and glared and asked what his problem was. But for some reason she found herself tempted to pout until he tucked her back into bed and laid with her.

"Haruno." His voice was cool and it made her skin tingle.

She tipped her head and blinked sleepily. Was he no longer calling her by her first name? What a shame. She enjoyed the way it sounded on his lips. "Uchiha." She spoke lazily.

"You're late." He moved from the window into her room. She hadn't thought to step back and now they were standing just a little too close.

She could smell him and feel the heat radiating from his body. Lord, he would feel good pressed against her. She knew he would be able to satisfy her if his kisses were any indication of his talent. She pressed her thighs together. She really shouldn't be imagining him shirtless. She definitely shouldn't be imagining her hands on his shoulders while his head was between her legs. She flushed and took a steadying breath. Focus girl, she scolded herself.

"Clearly." She said, amazing herself at the steady tone of her voice.

"You are also very under-dressed." He said letting the tips of his index and middle finger skim the surface of her thigh. She shivered.

Was she? She looked down and shrieked before diving for the sheet. She had forgotten that she was only in her underwear. Can you say mortifying? She cursed loudly and turned towards him while wrapping excessive amounts of fabric over her. She scowled at him. So much for Uchiha's being gentleman! She would have expected that kind of behavior from Sasuke. She would have guessed Itachi above such childish perverseness.

"Thank you for the wake up call. Now the hell out!" She hissed.

He gave her a fiery once over before smirking. He left quickly and she screamed. This was exactly why she wasn't going to get involved. Nope! There was no way in hell she wanted that smug, gorgeous, self satisfied son of a bitch to be a part of her life. God! She had just been standing there... in her panties... in broad daylight! She moaned in misery before deciding it wasn't the worst thing that could have happened. Hell, she could have been naked! She shuddered at the thought. She really didn't have time to be thinking about this. She pulled on her usual mission gear and and pulled her hair back sloppily before throwing her stuff together and teleporting to the gate.

To her surprise, Itachi was there with Shino and Anko. Sakura rarely saw Anko but she was still as beautiful as ever. In fact, she had barely changed since the chuunin exams. She still screamed hard-core-bitch but now Sakura could appreciate it. It was hard being a kunoichi. There was always some asshole looking down on you. Especially if you didn't have an impressive clan backing you up. It was a constant struggle to prove that you were just as good as the other ninja. She knew better than most the struggle of constantly struggling for respect. She had never been on a mission with Anko but she was excited to see her at work.

She smiled when she saw Shino. They had grown closer over the past few years. She had a new appreciation for the Aburame clan after spending quite some time at the compound at Tsunade's request. They were a quiet clan but their pride was contagious. She frequently found herself talking about the wonders of the clan and how incredible their bound with insects were. She scolded people who praised the Inuzuka but scorned the Aburame. Shino had become quite the looker. He still covered his eyes, a great shame in her opinion. In fact, he covered up nearly everything now. His green jacket was hooded and covered his dark hair. She had the luxury of seeing him exposed at the compound. He had fine features and steely eyes. She knew if he wasn't so shy he would be snatched up in a heartbeat.

"Shino!" she greeted cheerfully as she stepped toward the group.

"Sakura. You're late." He sounded stern but she knew he was concerned. She flushed and clapped her hands in front of her while clenching her eyes/

"I'm really sorry!"

"I'm surprised." He said softly. She smiled up at him, knowing he had forgiven her.

"I was at the hospital last night... I got a little carried away." She shrugged and looked away from him. She could feel his stare. She didn't need to hear the warning. She knew she over worked. She'd take some time off... eventually.

"Anko-san, I'm really sorry for being late." She said sincerely. She was going to ignore Itachi if it was the last thing she did.

"Not really my problem." Anko shrugged. Her dark eyes wandered to Itachi's frame.

Sakura didn't miss the motion. She felt a familiar prickling in her stomach. Oh no, she thought. She knew that feeling all too well. She refused to be jealous. She mentally rechecked the list. Anko had been on it. Anko was available so it wasn't as though Sakura could complain. She admitted to herself that they would have talented children, not to mention attractive. Sakura knew it would be no hardship to bed Anko. Hello, she was a total bombshell! Sakura could feel her spirits dampening. This whole damn thing was a setup so that Itachi would spend time with Anko. Why the hell was she here? She was sure Tsunade had it in for her. Then again, her teacher wouldn't be that cruel...would she?

Itachi claimed it was time to head out. He gave Sakura a look that made her mouth dry and her panties wet. She shook her head and gave herself a short pep-talk. She watched as Anko took to Itachi's side. She had to resist the urge to smack her. She told herself that Itachi getting with Anko would be a good thing. Even still, the idea of spending the next few days watching them get cozy made her fingers numb.

This was going to be one long mission.

I'm playing with the idea of a Shino/Sakura story after this story is finished. Yes? No? Let me know what you think and what you thought of this chapter in the reviews!

Hope you enjoyed. As always, thank you for reading!