A/N: I'm going to start bolding the first of the sentence when I'm leaving an author note. So, none of my beautiful readers will be confused anymore!

Thank you for the latest reviews and new followers to join the story. So far Sakura has met the whole Uchiha family. But wait, there is more to come!

I drew my own cover for this story. *Does a little dance*

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Sasuke's eyebrows knit together at the uproarious movement down the hall. He had the distinct feeling that something was amiss. Not a couple minutes later did his older brother enter his room with a vacant expression. Whenever the noises started Itachi would lead him away from the house. Just like today.

"Do you want to go to the river?"

And like any other time, his big brother wouldn't tell him what the noise was, even when the vibration of glass hitting the floor in the background bounced off the walls. A slow smile started to stretch on Sasuke's face until he thought about their leave from the house. Their house guest (the one absorbing Itachi's attention) was lurking around in the house somewhere. But here he was hoping it was only Itachi and him enjoying the day out.

"I do, but do you have to bring...'her'?"

The question came out like a whine. Sasuke even winced at his tone. It was 'unbecoming of an Uchiha' his father would tell him often. Itachi stepped closer pressing two fingers in the middle of Sasuke's forehead. With no guarantee Sasuke would have any alone time with his brother, he huffed accepting this small fact. There was no way to change the circumstances. Straightening up, Itachi turned to exit the room. Both brothers strode down the opposite hallway away from the ruckus.

Whoosh

Standing in the doorway on the opposite end of the hall was their mother. Mikoto's lips parted ready to say something when her eyes connected to Itachi's, until she ducked. Another vase had just missed her head. Blocking Sasuke's view Itachi ushered his brother to keep walking. The blood across their mother's kimono said many things.

"Took you two long enough. You left me here with this beautiful woman."

"Shisui really means 'nice piece of – '"

A hand slapped over Sakura's mouth. Colorful words hissed against the clammy palm making Shisui smile wider than normal.

"She's exaggerating."

Retching the hand from her face another palm slapped the other side of Shisui's non-bruised face. Sasuke's mouth dropped open in mute shock. A moment passed before the little boy was laughing at his cousin openly. Itachi looked away from the spectacle with a small smirk. Serves him right.

"You called me a common whore in public!" Sakura screamed.

Shisui spit at the ground covering small morsels with red. As if asking for more, he continued smiling ignoring the tender crease in each cheek. Wanting to slap the snot out of him again Sakura couldn't help noticing the dimples peeking through the redness on his face. She breathed through her nose telling herself he was just another Uchiha who needed his ego taken down a peg or two.

You know jumping that tall body would be a woman's dream.

We are way too young for him.

Demonstrating how much inner Sakura disagreed with the outer an invisible finger wagged Sakura's way.

If I weren't here you might as well be a nun.

Eyebrow twitching in anger Sakura was cornered by both Inner-Sakura and Shisui at the same time.

"Don't get carried away. I've seen better looking girls."

A curse left Sakura's lips sounding more like a grownup then a mere child. History said Shisui was known for the body flicker technique and the mangakyou sharigan. Never did it say anything about his lack of décor. Maybe slapping him into another century would help. In a split-second decision, a kick towards Shisui's chest was blocked by Itachi. With a few grumbles Sakura pulled it from his grip.

"Are you going to carry on, or continue letting his insults get to you?"

Turning on his heel Itachi strode away from the scene leading the way out of the Uchiha complex. Sasuke quickly followed behind his brother. Sakura stood dumbfounded when the younger Uchiha stuck his tongue at her.

The little brat.

I'm surprised your cool façade extends to the murderer of your beloved village.

Fist curling inward Sakura's form froze a few seconds. Emerald eyes turned to the lanky form of Shisui striding past without a backwards glance. He didn't make a last retort to the failed kick. His ego was blown by Itachi's actions to protect him. Deviating to the back of the pack knowing Itachi was tracking her every step, Sakura dived back into the conversation with her inner-self.

Sasuke couldn't help the path he chose. Why do you keep bothering me?

Other than watching you make a full of yourself?

You know that is not what I was asking! Sakura's frustration was getting out of hand. She hadn't had time to question anything about her situation. The introduction of many obstacles in the form of dead people and the turbulent relationship of Sasuke's parents caused internal conflict within her. Sakura wanted more than anything was to sit down and figure out her next move.

I'm safe guarding your gift.

It all came back, crashing over each memory with cool fingers tickling the back of her mind. Tsunade left her a gift. One she doesn't remember from a previous life in a destructive world. It became apparent in the walk towards the river Sakura hadn't questioned every single thing that happened to her. Instead of investigating her current whereabouts, location, and change of time: Sakura fell into delirious acceptance.

When can I have it? It could help me go back!

Inner-Sakura scoffed.

The gift is not meant for you to go back to your own time.

Then how could it help me here? I'm useless thanks to these seals! For instance, Sakura threw her arms in the air waving each wrist around. The movement caught the watchful eyes of Itachi who fell back in line. A question hung in his next words.

" If there is a problem with your arms, I will send you to the hospital."

To anyone else it would be a demand. Having enough experience in Uchiha grunts and 'reading between the lines' Sakura found what she was looking for. Itachi was asking what her problem was. Looking to the side, sticking a few pieces of hair behind an ear, and feigning ignorance of the whole situation, Sakura shook her head.

"It's nothing." Short and sweet was the reply.

Gaze shifting forward Itachi didn't bother her with another response. Inwardly sighing with relief Sakura focused on inner-Sakura again.

What can it be used for?

To change the future. I swear you haven't thought of why all this is happening.

Because other things keep happening that are out of my control.

You're referring to the nightmares, right?

A shudder shook Sakura's frame. In her short time as a young adult, nightmares never occurred from any missions taken outside Konoha. Once the war started, they were frequent in disturbing her beauty rest every night. It wouldn't surprise Sakura if the last memories before death scarred deep.

…Yeah I'm referring to them.

A walk along the dirt path through a small part of the woods came to an end. Ahead of the group lay the bank of a small river rushing west. Sasuke ran towards the bank first excitement beaming in each crease of a smile Sakura didn't recognize. Shisui still kept his distant entertaining Sasuke with some water jitsu's in the background. Justus that would have made an older sadistic version scoff.

"Are you afraid?"

Itachi's silent murmur interrupted Sakura's next reply. A sly grin was the last image of inner Sakura's façade disappearing in the back of her mind. Not too startled by the voice, Sakura shook her mass of pink hair as a no. She contemplated the question, debate obscuring the actual answer she wanted to give. Another diversion, a lie, one of many to come.

" That is rather stupid to ask. I'm not afraid of you"

"Hn. "

The familiar grunt caused a frown to crease the pre-teens face. Itachi waited, still deciphering the puzzle beside him.

"Why would I be afraid of you?"

"You keep attacking me. Meaning you don't trust us."

Disobedience was never Sakura's strong suit. Though lately, it has been in every action. It has defined her character because she hasn't changed tactics. Sadly, her inner-self pointed out this flaw long ago. Picturing the future full of cackled laughter made Sakura turn towards Itachi. He would understand what it was like. In her time, Itachi was the start of all the bad happenings within her life. To be alone after killing over a hundred people, maybe it could compare to the loneliness of seeing a whole village burn to the ground.

"How can I trust someone I do not know? Do you expect me to bow down willingly? Without protecting myself?" She demanded rather than said in an accusing tone. Sakura tried holding back, but it could not be helped. Avoiding another seal didn't happen, but she needed an ally, someone on her side in this timeline. She didn't know how else to do this. Its either fight for what she wants or go down trying.

Itachi was eyeing Sakura from the corner of his eye; watching the frustration build in his new housemate. Wherever she came from Itachi saw the emotion tug on hunched shoulders like a secure blanket. The possibilities of being entangled with Danzou only grew. Her nightmares and unconscious efforts to fight Konoha ninja's without being awake mirror some mental problems from patients he had seen. But there wasn't any concrete evidence to prove it. Itachi still had no idea who she was and where she came from. Gaze retreating to the wet forms of Shisui and Sasuke in the river, splashing each other excessively reminded the young anbu what was at stake. Itachi needed Sakura's trust to break the mold.

"Should there be someone to ask questions – it will be me. Konoha does not know where you come from, or who you are. You gave us a name, but nothing about your background."

" I-"

"Trust comes with giving information. Should I trust you, Sakura?"

Itachi knew how to play the game. It was easier throwing questions back in someone's face when they weren't on equal footing. From the wide-eyed look on Sakura face steadily turning red Itachi hit the nail on the head. Not only did he embarrass her, the scape goat to demand trust, to continue these stubborn decisions were gone.

" Understand the position you are in. If you want anyone to cooperate, give us a piece of information that will satisfy our compliance."

Itachi was drug away by the sound of Sasuke calling him soon after. He went to his little brother understanding their new house guest would need some time. Sakura didn't know what to do then. She couldn't tell them the whole truth. They might throw her into a village institution! However, if she did, the weight of going back in time wouldn't seem so daunting. Telling someone could help her react more readily to the situation she was in.

Now you're thinking straight. A familiar snarky voice murmured.

Sakura didn't comment immediately. She wasn't in the mood to argue.

After Itachi threw each card back in my face.

In the darkness of her mind, Inner-Sakura folded each arm rolling viridian eyes. He has something to protect. You're forgetting that you do too. You're forgetting a lot of things.

Everyone I want to protect is dead.

It was true. Everyone she ever knew was gone.

You're clearly not seeing the big picture still and I'm tired of you stalling.

How am I-

Every single person that you have ever known is alive! Except they do not know who you are, but they are only kids.

Inner-Sakura's words stung. Her words kept replaying over in Sakura's head, but she didn't want her to be right. Those kids, people in a different time and place, were not 'her' people. If she changed anything in the past her friends might not be the same. Caught off guard by the splash of water in the distance Sakura is reminded of the future. A singular laugh from a boy who had everything taken from him replaces helpless thoughts with determination. Nothing will change if she won't try. She has to try. Even if the people she use to know to out differently.

"Hiruzen."

"It's specifically designed to help the village."

Both elders of Konoha, Homura and Koharu, shifted to ambush the Hokage. With words of course. They were too noble to fight him and snooty to get their hands dirty. Hiruzen observed their old wrinkly faces from his desk. It was hard to keep a neutral expression amidst his disgust.

" As your Hokage, I forbid you from making any more accusations about the Uchiha clan."

Homura pursed his lips. The very action disagreeing with the Hokage's demand.

Koharu sniffed, unlikely to stop pestering Hiruzen. "They are planning a coup. We must act."

"We have men looking into the matter, collecting information, and adhering to the rule of law." Hiruzen reasoned among the debacle.

He would not stand for such impudence in his office. Sliding back the wooden chair that squeaked with movement the Hokage's lank form seemed to shadow the two specters.

"Until there is concrete evidence, I do not want to hear another word about this."

"The village is at stake." Homura argued as Koharu nodded along. They would always have each other's back.

"That is why I am investigating it. You're plan to exterminate a whole clan because of a rumor does not cover the prejudice you have against them."

It was the final stray. Nodding towards the door Hiruzen wanted the elders to understand the conversation was over. They would not have their way while he was around.

" You may see yourselves out."

Both elders left, heads held high, and not withholding the disappoint they felt.

AN: Do not hate me for the super late update. I had to think of where I wanted to go with this chapter.

And another chapter is out.