Bullet Proof

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of its characters

Chapter 10: Itachi's Turn

It was really winding down now towards the end of the night. Sakura and Sasuke had mostly been on pleasant terms. She had retreated to her 'room' for a while, to simply sit and think, he moving towards the attic she finally agreed not to look in.

Gnawing at his lip, he concentrated more on the painting than what he was doing. The colors molded together like a true masterpiece, and he was actually quite proud of the work. Instead of slightly depressing paintings, the colors were warm and bright, cool colors spread along the right areas, giving amazing accents.

He was carefully considering what had brought on this sudden inspiration, and found that his thoughts kept drifting back to Sakura. Though he still didn't consider her anything, at least he knew she wasn't like those other girls…

Though, maybe that wasn't a good thing…

He was still perfectly aware of his wonderful bet with Itachi and Kisame, and he wasn't about to lose. Sakura was a friend sure, but in the end… No one besides Naruto in this school was worth his time – those were his feelings, and that was the way it was going to stay.

He would be damned if he thought otherwise…

?

Sakura on the other hand, was debating these sudden feelings. Though she knew that relationships took time, and she had only known Sasuke for about three days – she couldn't shake the feeling of some sort of connection. The kiss perhaps? She wasn't sure, and she knew she wasn't in love with him…

She just didn't know why she wasn't as passionate about her hate with him anymore. What was it that made him tick? She wanted to know…

For now, she was wandering down the beautiful oak staircase, taking in the sights to see in the Uchiha mansion. Her eyes glowed and widened, sometimes seeing famous pieces of art, other times hearing an echo that would scare her out of a house that size.

When she finally made it to the living room, she scrunched her face in disgust to see Sasori laying on the floor, a blanket sprawled over him, with two girls on either side of him. Rolling her eyes, she moved around them. Typical Sasori. Such a creep, but strangely, girls are attracted to it. She guessed she would never understand, considering their blood relationship.

Entering the kitchen, she was even more amazed. The room was surely a beauty – any kind of room even non-cooks would want in their house. The counter tops were marble, the shiny, glossy, wooden cabinets a dusty cedar color. The ceiling fan placed tricky shadows across the wall, with the high ceiling and even higher decorated walls and shelves.

The room was gorgeous, and perhaps that's why Sakura seemed like a magnet to metal wanting to be in there. But inside, she found a peculiar sight. Itachi was sitting at the counter, calmly sipping tea. He watched her come in, and let on a small smile.

"Hello Sakura," He greeted serenely. It was in such a way that it made her heart flutter – though nothing accompanied it, so she knew it was just her being flustered.

Though with Sasuke –

Her thoughts were torn away from her as she replied subconsciously, "Hi," she answered simply, plopping down on a chair not too far away from him.

"Would you like some tea? Or anything to eat?" She was about to deny, before her stomach made an ominous noise – She guessed she didn't realize how hungry she was.

He laughed softly before standing, "I'll get you something… Anything in particular?" He questioned kindly.

"No, no," I laughed shyly, embarrassed I was put in this situation – but he understood… Everyone had to eat at some point, "surprise me!" I suggested with a grin.

He only gingerly smiled, before taking a few things out of the cupboard. "How are you enjoying your stay? I hope it's not as bad as you thought it would be…"

"It's surprisingly fun… No offense, I just didn't see myself liking it here…" She trailed, watching him stare at her, "What?"

"Nothing… You just have a deep look on your face, Sakura." The way he said her name made her hair stand on end.

Sakura had no idea she was part of one big plan that both of the two best seducer's in the school were in on… And only them – it wasn't obvious, and yet it should have been at the same time… Itachi and Sasuke – the two brothers after the most oblivious and unlikely person. It didn't fit, but with him staring at her like that, she couldn't concentrate enough to put two and two together.

"I – I guess I'm just thinking about things…" Did she stutter? What? No man ever made Sakura Haruno stutter! Her face became hard as she turned away, "But it's not important…"

"I understand…" And yet the emotion his voice held still made her curious, much like with Sasuke.

She forced a smile, in an attempt to still act normal and polite, but the conversation between the two of them was now forced. She didn't want to be around anymore – it seemed like he was way too interested in what she had to say.

She cleared her throat and glanced at him as he turned away, "I can tell that the conversation is uncomfortable for you… I do apologize." Wow, the guy actually had manners – Sakura had no idea.

"It's okay…" She nodded, though she wasn't sure how much she actually meant that.

"Well – the night is winding down – perhaps I can cook your something, and let you on your way?"

She didn't realize how hungry she was until he mentioned food, "That'd be great!" This time – the smile wasn't forced.

Out of nowhere though, Itachi's time to bond with the item of the challenge was interrupted. Naruto burst through the doors with about six plastic bags, plump full, in each hand.

"Teme, I got what you wanted!" He screamed, seemingly disrupting the whole household. "Oh! Hi Itachi – Hi… Sakura! Hey, I got us some new flavored ramen to try!" He beamed, and the girl laughed, forgetting that her host just offered to cook her food.

She'd take ramen over some fancy stuff she didn't know what it was any day! "Do you want me to go get Sasuke?" She asked pleasantly, and he kind of tilted his head in awe – they must have had a conversation that lead her to be nice.

An idea was brisk over Naruto's mind – perhaps Sasuke could finally find happiness… Someone to care about, and perhaps help fill that void that was everlasting in his life.

"Nah, Teme is probably crabby – he wouldn't be interested in ramen like he never is…" Naruto played stupid at the moment. He would continue being his hyperactive self until he was needed in this match-making process… Then he would calm down and be a little more human.

?

Sakura has happy to see Naruto calm down a little bit. They sat peacefully at the table, Itachi wallowing in self pity at the corner of the kitchen. At least – that's what she swears it looked like – Naruto said he was probably in a bad mood just like Teme.

Truth be told – he was in a bad mood. Naruto had ruined the little moment he was beginning to build, and now he was afraid he wouldn't get another chance on such a perfect night. He had to look on the bright side though – he was probably far further than Sasuke was.

There was a twinge of guilt in his mind. After all Sasori and his family had done for him in the past, almost decade, this is how Itachi repays him? Subduing his younger sister, and using her because of a bet? Then again, he figured Sasori wasn't very close to Sakura… so it probably wouldn't make much of a difference.

That's where Itachi was very, very wrong. Sakura and Sasori were very close – they just didn't enjoy showing it to other people. Usually, they spent their nights together hanging out. He'd help her with homework, she'd help him practice, they'd both fend off their ever-odd parents, and have one hell of a time doing anything else.

On Sakura's end of the thoughts, she hadn't seen Naruto this ecstatic about anything since the first time she heard about Sasuke. That was a very long time ago, and Sakura hadn't paid very much attention to what was going on.

Now, the last few days, he had been nothing but hyper, and though it never got on Sakura's nerves very much, it was nice to spend some time with the Naruto she had grown to love. When he was younger, she couldn't stand him in truth. He was always yelling and never serious about anything. But now, he had become something like a brother to her, and she had become equally protective over him.

For the most part, he put on the hyperactive front now, just because. He had explained to her once the reason – it was more fun than being all serious, though he would be if he had to. He had really grown up, and she liked that a lot.

She looked down and smiled, tucking some hair behind her ear.

"You're thinking, aren't you?" She glanced up to see Naruto grin at her, a ramen noodle on the side of his mouth.

She laughed heartily, "You know me too well, don't you?"

"I guess so…" He scratched his face, touching the noodle, and using his tongue to get it into his mouth. When he saw her stare he shrugged, "You can't waste ramen!"

This caused her to snort, "It's kind of late, Naruto."

"Tired?"

She glanced at a stood brooding Itachi in the corner of the room and decided, "Yeah… Wanna come upstairs with me?" She tilted her head. That was her way of saying 'let's leave the room, someone in it is creeping me out'.

"Sure!" He picked up his bowl and held it in the air, "You don't mind Itachi, right?" Naruto grinned as the older guy shrugged.

He chuckled and raced up the stairs, Sakura close on his heels.

?

Naruto was lucky that he didn't talk about his plan in front of Itachi. Though he didn't know about the dare himself, he knew he was going to have to try his hand at match maker… Sakura was the only one who should know.

"Hey Sakura…"

"Hm?" She asked, brushing out her frazzled hair.

"Why don't you date?"

She froze, and glanced back at him, "What?"

"Like, I'm not meaning it weird or anything!" He snorted, trying to keep cool.

Sasuke was so conveniently coming out of his room at this time. Hearing Naruto, he was about to burst in and bark at him about not buying what he asked (or in other words – coming back to the house), but Sakura's voice stopped him.

"You know why I don't date, Naruto."

"A lot of people, I bet, would date you…"

She laughed lightly, "Not anymore… Not after I became such a wreck!"

"Well… You could get back on your feet you know…"

"And who do you propose I date, Naruto?"

"You could date Sasuke?"

The Uchiha's heart skipped a beat. Did Naruto know about the bet? Or were they having a heart to heart conversation of which he was not suppose to hear about. He was frozen in his tracks, and he could only pray that Itachi didn't decide to venture up the stairs at that moment and blow his cover. He waited anxiously for her answer – really wanting to pound on the door and yell 'hurry up!' but he refrained himself.

She let out a low laugh, "Banter is fun with Sasuke… I'll give him that…" She blushed thinking about the kiss – but Naruto missed it, "Actually, he's not as bad as the first impression I got of him. But… Come on Naruto – the similarities between Sasuke and him are just too much…"

"Sasuke's different… I know if he liked you, he would be good to you… Unlike that damn bastard…"

Naruto's strong language caused Sasuke's eyebrows to shoot up. He was honestly curious about Sakura's past now – never thinking about it before. He was too wrapped up in his own memories to think perhaps her life hadn't been all that he thought everyone's life was.

The blonde hardly ever thought sourly of anyone – or at least showed it in that sort of a way. They would have to do something extra bad to him, or worse off, someone he was close to.

This proved how out of the loop on their friendship he was.

"Sure… I suppose if I dated Sasuke… If I liked him, and dated him, as in boyfriend – girlfriend, I would trust him… It's all the skanky whores we go to school with I wouldn't trust… And the fact that he's a lady's man… And the fact that I can't tell when he's pissed off, or just really needs to go to the bathroom. The guy has no readable emotions, and you know I hate that about people!"

"I know you do…" Naruto picked at a scratch on his hand, before rubbing the redness away, and glancing up at her, "You have to give someone a chance sometime Sakura…"

She was silent, waiting for him to continue.

"Not every guy you date is going to be like Sai…"

Sasuke's eyes widened. Sai Takeuchi? She dated that son of a bitch?

?

A/N: Hmm… Revealing a little of Sakura's past :D And ooo, another question about Sasuke's past! The tension is rising :) I'm excited!

Please review! :D I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

-zesty-