Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Never have, never will.

"Sakura-san, our family is strange," started out Itachi.

"I know that!" Sakura snapped angrily, crossing her arms over her chest. Itachi raised an eyebrow at her outburst, and Sakura had to try her best not to blush in anger. "Continue," she mumbled sheepishly.

"Our family is strange because among all the clans, we are the ones upholding traditional values the most. The next most extreme are the Hyuuga, but even they are in the process of dissolving the restrictive seals on the branch members of the clan. Our traditions, however, have not been subject to change such as that. Rather, the heads refuse to subject our traditions to change such as that."

Sakura quirked her head to the side. "What do you mean by that?"

Itachi let out a long sigh and scratched the back of his neck gracefully. "There are many traditions we have kept, but the three we have upheld the most are pride, cultural and traditional roles, and inbreeding."

Sakura blanched a little at that. "What?" she drawled slowly.

"We are full of pride. In fact, even ten years ago, because of the Hokage, we-" Itachi paused. "Well, I can't really go into the details, but just take the word of the first son, all right?" Sakura nodded her head but could not get rid of the nagging voice that said the Uchiha were going to do something bad ten years ago. She tried her best to dismiss the voice, but it remained, softer than before, though.

"Cultural and traditional roles have remained the same for many centuries. Women tend to the house, entertain guests, and take care of the children. They are expected to give up their roles as kunoichi to become a wife and mother. They must be graceful and elegant as they serve as a display of the husband's power. Men hold most of the power. They are the main breadwinners, as you may call it, and they often hold positions of power in rank of shinobi or of political office. They are expected to be disciplined and to have control over their families. Boys are trained in the shinobi way, and girls are expected to be feminine and trained in the arts. They are often excused from becoming a kunoichi if their parents are higher ups in the clan."

"Okay, I understand a little bit more now." Sakura leaned forward on the table, and Itachi mirrored her movements. "What about the inbreeding?"

Itachi blushed ever so slightly before clearing his throat and continuing. "Higher class Uchiha all have marriages arranged for them. They are all marriages to distant," or near, he reminded himself, "cousins within the clan who are closest to your class. Sasuke and I both have arranged marriages, since we are fairly high up in the clan."

"Why didn't he tell me this?" Sakura whispered. Itachi shook his head.

"The reason he's talking about marriage with you so soon is because our father gave us a deadline two years ago. Sasuke must be married to someone by the time that he is twenty years of age. I must be married by twenty-five. To gain father's and most importantly my mother's approval, he must find a woman who is suitable to be his wife. He doesn't have much time to escape that nightmare of a woman."

"Nightmare of a wo-"

"I never said that," Itachi stated quickly, trying to cover up his mistake.

Sakura looked down at her hands. Maybe she had judged too quickly. She never knew it was that complicated. "What should I do?" she asked finally. "Should I stay with him?"

Itachi knew he would regret what he said next.

"You should stay with him. You need each other."

However, he loved his little brother more than life itself, and Sasuke deserved her.

Thanks for reading! Words: 634

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My answer: I started because I wanted fanart. xD

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