Disclaimer: I own Itachi Uchiha in my dreams *wink*

A/N: Sending some love to Lady Kaliska for a wonderful constructive criticism! Thank you, thank you, thank you. I want everyone to know that I am very receptive to quality feedback. Whether it be complimentary or constructively critical. I want to become a better writer and feedback is imperative to that. That being said, feel free to make your opinions known. I may pout but I assure you, if they are nice, I will take them into high consideration. The cool thing is, i haven't gotten any nasty reviews or flames, so I'm grateful for that. It would hurt my feelings.

However! Please, please, read to enjoy. This is a first draft, post as written, work. There will be flaws. I actually am working on writing publishable material and that is a whole new egg in a whole new basket. It requires much more work and attention to plot holes, characterization, motives, realism, etc. This is for kicks and giggles. I'm not going to put that much work into it. So give me feedback but don't expect miracles lol.

Oh! and sorry, i very much planned on updating yesterday but a certain young man...in my life...distracted me...lol

I'm shutting up now. You didn't click on this chapter to hear me yap.

They stared at each other across the table. Sakura sat with her arms crossed. He sat with his hands folded on the table. Her mother sat with her elbow on the table and her brow resting on her hand.

Sakura cleared her throat. "What is this about, Mother?"

Naomi Haruno shook her head; head still supported by her hand. "Our guest here was on the porch waiting for me when I got home. I told him to go away. He didn't. So I left him on the porch."

Sakura glanced at Itachi who silently watched her back. Then why is he inside now. She half-thought her mother should have just left his butt on the porch.

Her mother must have read the questioning expression on her face because she then said, "He pounded on the door for an hour, demanding to speak with me. I finally just let him in because the racket was giving me a headache. Then he refused to say anything until he could speak to you as well." Naomi rubbed her temple. "I should have just called the police to have him dragged off the porch," she muttered.

Sakura's eyes darted back to Itachi. He simply returned her gaze with an expressionless one of his own. She sighed. "What can we help you with, Mr. Uchiha? I have resigned as you asked. What more do you want?"

Her mother's head snapped up. "Resigned?" She glared at Itachi. "You asked her to resign?"

"Yes," the Uchiha replied smoothly.

"Was she not up to your standards as an employee?" Her eyes narrowed. "I find that unlikely, Itachi Uchiha. I know my daughter well."

"Her performance was flawless."

"That's not true," Sakura said quietly.

Itachi stared her straight in the eye. "Your performance was flawless, Ms. Haruno. Any mistakes made were because of personal matters that would not have occurred if I had not made mistakes on my end. I take full blame for that."

Sakura sat back in her chair. Her brow furrowed. He's taking the blame for my behavior? But why? My actions had been atrociously unprofessional. In fact, her entire week or so of work, as short as it lasted, had been nothing but a disaster. "Then why did you ask me to resign?"

"Because you are carrying too much responsibility on your own."

"Excuse me?"

Her mother sat up. "What do you mean by that, Itachi?" she hissed.

Itachi's eyes slid to meet her mother's. "Sakura belongs in school, with her friends, and filling out college applications. She does not belong at Uchiha Technology, working as a secretary so that she can provide for the extras her family cannot now afford."

Naomi's hand tightened to a fist on the table. "Our financial affairs are none of your business."

The man was silent for a moment before he said, "Would you be in this financial state if your husband were well, Naomi?"

Her mother stood to her feet. "You are pushing my patience, Itachi Uchiha."

"I will take that as a no."

Sakura's mother slammed a fist on the table. "It's none of your business."

Itachi also stood up, planting both hands on the table across from her. "Yes, Naomi Haruno, it is. It is my business. It is my responsibility."

What? Sakura thought, stunned. Why is it his responsibility?

"It is my responsibility," Naomi shot back. "This is my family!"

Itachi flung a hand to gesture at Sakura. "And look at the state they are in!"

Her mother stared at her. Sakura glanced down at herself. She didn't see any problem. She wore the same skirt and blouse she always wore. She wasn't too skinny.

But her mother flinched away.

"No," Itachi growled, "Look at her, Naomi. She wears the same three pairs of office clothes every day. She is too thin. So is Soya. I have seen her with my niece. The girl looks frail in comparison."

"My daughters are eating enough, Itachi."

"Really?"

Her mother's eyes flashed. "Yes."

"And what is enough? Enough for them to survive with adequate nutrition or enough for them to just avoid looking anorexic?"

Sakura gasped. "That is enough, Mr. Uchiha. Our family is not your concern. I am not your concern. Why are you here?"

He looked back at her with eyes so passionately dark it seemed as though they pulled on her; beckoned to her. "To help."