Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, or any of the characters. (KUSO!) Hence the reason for this message thingy. xP

IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ BEFORE READING! O.o…lol!

Readers, THANK YOU FOR READING! Reviewers, I LOVE YOU ALL! Thank you for leaving such wonderful reviews! I might start a cookies and thank-you list for this fic. But you'll have to look at the end of the chapter.

Ok, next up: I'm KEEPING the InoxItachi pairing. I'm sorry if some of you don't like it, but it's the way it fits into the storyline is why I'm keeping it. If you all don't want to read about it, then please don't bother reading. I don't mean to sound rude or anything, but flaming won't help. I'm still keeping it.

Now, that said, PLEASE DON'T KILL ME FOR THIS CHAPTER! There are hints of a lemon, but not an actual one. ;;; sorry guys!
It's a huge turning point in Ino's life, hence the reason why I wrote it. It needed to be done, however because of Ino's well, NEVERMIND! I'm not spoiling anything more! xD

Ok, I honestly don't want to sound mean here, but… PLEASE NO FLAMES! I will use your flames to make roasted marshmallows for s'mores. I'm not supposed to eat them either! I'm on a stupid diet for cheerleading! I'm serious. Just, don't do it, ok? I won't be too happy with you. I've chosen to keep this pairing out of the sake for my best friend who loves it. Please, again, don't kill me for it.

THERE WILL BE MORE SASUSAKU in the next chapter…THAT is a PROMISE!

But yeah, enough of my babbling.
Here's chapter 12!

Stained Cherry Blossoms

Chapter 12: Promise

Sakura woke the next morning. The sun was shining cheerfully through the window. She rolled over, remembering the events of the night before. Her eyes went to her left hand, which was still slightly covered in blood. Her attention shifted to the other person sleeping next to her. Sea foam green eyes roved over raven hair as she looked at his face.

He looks so cute when he's sleeping. Inner Sakura said gleefully.

Hehe. Yeah, I guess you're right…

Sakura smiled softly as his words the night before ran through her mind…

FLASHBACK

Sasuke narrowed his eyes on her. "Do you really think that's what I want?" He asked dangerously. Sakura flinched as he yanked the kunai from her grasp and chucked it as far away from her as possible.

"I won't just let you go!" He said, lifting her chin so she looked him in the eyes. "It's taken me long enough to realize that I need you Sakura!"

END FLASHBACK

A surge of emotion went through her chest and tears swelled in her eyes.

FLASHBACK

"I've lost everything that's been important to me in my life Sasuke-kun. I have no purpose for living anymore. I'm-I'm…lost, and so fucking alone!"

That was when Sasuke smiled. "No you're not." He said, kissing her on her forehead softly. "You're here with me. Where you belong."

END FLASHBACK

Sakura felt the tears stream down her cheeks, but she smiled through them. She moved closer to him, grabbing him in a tight embrace. Sasuke chose that moment to open his eyes. He smirked as he saw her close to him. He ran his fingers through her hair lovingly.

"Ohayo," he said softly. Sakura opened her eyes, looking up at him through her tears. Sasuke frowned slightly, but he pulled her closer to him and lifted her chin up. Much to his surprise, it was Sakura herself who closed the gap between them, pressing her lips to his. He responded immediately, one of his hands cupping her chin while the other snaked around her waist. Once they broke apart, Sakura leaned her forehead against his, looking deep into his eyes. Her heart held so much love for him, she barely could contain it.

"Thank you, Sasuke-kun." She whispered, wrapping her arms tightly around his chest. "I wouldn't be alive without you. Thank you for saving me." Sasuke stared at her intensely for a moment before he leaned forward, capturing her lips with his own. Sakura melted to him, feeling her whole body go limp in his arms. In an instant, Sasuke had flipped them around, so that she was underneath him. He kissed her more desperately, his tongue running over her lower lip. She opened for him instantly, her hands going into his soft raven hair. She tried to stifle a moan as he deepened the kiss, bringing their bodies closer. Sakura arched into him and he slipped a hand behind her back, supporting her against him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close to her.

He's an amazing kisser! She thought gleefully.

Once they broke apart, both were breathing hard. Sakura's cheeks had a permanent tinge of pink to them as her chest heaved. Her heart leapt into her throat as she saw him smirk. She smiled adorably up at him, chewing on her lower lip slightly as she tried to hide the obvious blush on her pale cheeks. Sasuke's arms never released her from their hold. She drew a deep breath before she whispered, "I love you Sasuke-kun."

His breath hitched in his throat as she smiled.

Genuinely smiled.

It was the smile that she'd always saved for him and the one she'd only given to him when they were younger. It had been years since he'd truly seen it, her having locked it away in the walls of her heart. Now, however, it was back. Her smile always had been able to melt him on the inside; he'd just never had the courage to tell her. Relief washed through him as she continued to smile. He instinctively tightened his hold on her, hugging her close to his chest.

"Sakura…" He whispered softly. He wouldn't let her see, not yet, tears had started to form in the corners of his eyes. He was so glad to have finally gotten her back. "I'll always protect you."

Sakura cuddled close to his chest, relishing in the warmth and comfort his embrace had to offer. Leaning her head against him, she closed her watering green eyes.

Say SOMETHING you baka! Inner Sasuke shouted. She just said that she loved you and that's ALL you can come back with?

He didn't say anything after that. His fingers found their way back into her hair and he stroked it softly. He heard her sigh happily in his arms and he smiled. I wouldn't trade this for anything in the entire world. He thought silently. I love her so much. I just want to be able to protect her. Sasuke pulled the covers over them, burying his face in her hair by her ear.

"What'dya say we skip out on training today?" Sakura giggled. "But, Sasuke-kun, didn't you use to always—?" She was cut off as Sasuke placed a finger on her full lips.

"That was before I found something better to do." He said, pulling her against him. She looked up at him, confusion in her eyes.

"What could you have found to be better than getting stronger? I thought that you wanted to train and…" Her voice trailed off as Sasuke lifted her chin closer. She was chewing playfully on her lip, and it was driving him crazy. He leaned closer, capturing her lips with his, breaking her teeth's hold on her lower lip.

"Mine." He whispered softly against her mouth as they both stopped for air. She smiled somewhat shyly as he kissed her again. Sakura gave in to him and her hands cupped his face as she kissed him back. She felt one of his hands slide lower, holding her by her hip. Efficiently pinned underneath him, she felt his possessiveness taking over.

She loved it.

His hand on her hip traced small circles with his fingers, sending a shiver through her. Sasuke broke the kiss, letting her gasp in surprise as his lips trailed down her neck. He paused just above the skin where between her neck and chest met. Without waiting another second longer, he leaned in, capturing the spot in his mouth, gently sucking on the skin, making her gasp. "Sasuke-kun…" She whispered, tears starting to stream through her closed eyes.

Sakura opened her eyes to find Sasuke smiling at her. "Sasuke-kun?" She asked, looking up at him. He surprised her by capturing her lips with his own.

"You're still mine, little cherry blossom." He whispered to her. Sakura's heart leapt into her throat.

"I wouldn't want it to be any other way." She responded, cuddling against him. "You've given me a reason to live." She felt his hand on her chest, right above her heart. Her eyes looked up into his face.

"But this still hurts, doesn't it?" He asked, his dark eyes watching her reaction. She nodded slowly. Sakura swallowed hard as she looked up at him. Am I being dishonest by not telling him? She thought.

I didn't think the great brilliant genius Haruno Sakura would need to be told this...Inner Sakura sneered. If it's going to hurt him, then KEEP QUIET!

"I can't..." She whispered.

Sasuke looked at her. "You can't what, Sakura?" He asked, a frown creeping onto his face. Sakura looked up at him, her eyes wide.

"Never mind." She whispered, turning her head away so she wouldn't see his face. He caught her chin in his hand and gently brought her to look at him once more. "Sakura, something's bothering you. Why won't you tell me what it is?"

Tears filled her eyes as her control slipped. "Because I don't want you to get hurt!" She blurted out. Sasuke felt her arms go around his shoulders and his upper body being held in a desperate embrace. He returned it immediately. Holding her close, he sat them both up before gently pulling away.

"What's going on?" He asked. Sakura sniffed, wiping the back of her left hand angrily across her eyes. Sasuke caught it, his eyes narrowing at the dried blood from her self-inflicted wound.

"Where did this come from?" He asked. Sakura dropped her chin. "I don't remember." She lied. "Dammit Sakura, tell me what the hell is going on! Please!" Sakura flinched with surprise as he pulled her close. "I hate seeing you like this."

She slowly hugged him back. "Sasuke-kun, I—"

"Don't lie again. I know you now better than you think." He said quietly, but stern enough to let her know that he was serious. She drew a shaky breath. "I...I can't tell you, I'm sorry." She finally sighed, tearing her eyes away from his face.

"This has something to do with my bastard brother, doesn't it?" Sasuke asked his voice cold. Sakura's heart froze. Her quiet, almost inaudible gasp was enough to confirm his last statement.

"H-How did you know?" She whispered.

"Someone saw Kisame taking you out of Konoha the other day before I came home. You were gone for only a few hours, but when you were returned, you were unconscious."

Sakura nodded slowly. "Sakura, why didn't you tell me about this?" Tears welled up in her eyes again, and she fought hard to hold them back. "Because I don't care what happens to me. I-I just wanted you to be happy, dammit! Why can't your brother just get over himself! I HATE HIM!" She shouted, her body shaking with fear and sadness.

Sasuke immediately caught her chin in his hand. "Did he say something to you?" He asked sharply. Sakura's eyes were wide. "N-No..." She said, her voice dropping to barely above a whisper. Sasuke's eyes narrowed.

"Did he say something to you?" He repeated in a calmer, quieter tone. Sakura bit her lip as more tears began streaming down her cheeks. She nodded slowly.

"It's got something to do with me coming after him, right?" Sakura's eyes widened in shock, and she tore herself away from him.

"NO! I won't let him win this time Sasuke-kun! You're finally back home in Konoha where you should have been for the past seven fucking years! I'm NOT going to let Itachi win in hurting you again! Not this time! I've finally got a chance to help you!"

Sasuke's charcoal eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?" He asked.

Sakura choked on her response. "This time, he's after me."

Sasuke's eyes flashed dangerously.

"If I'm not around, Itachi won't have a reason to come after you. That's why I wanted to die so badly last night. I hate feeling like this. I almost wish I had died! At least that would mean you are safe."

Sasuke was at her side in an instant. "No! I wouldn't have a life if you weren't alive!" His hands gripped her shoulders tightly. "Dammit, I love you Sakura!"

Sakura's eyes widened and her body went rigid in his grasp. If he had not been holding her by the shoulders, she probably would have collapsed to the ground. Tears welled up in her eyes again, and she tore herself free from his grasp. She went back to the bedside and pulled the kunai he always kept underneath his pillow out.

"Do you?" She cried. His hand closed over hers that held the kunai. He lifted her chin with his other and pulled her close.

"Yes." He said softly, capturing her lips with his. Sakura melted to him, allowing her lips to part and letting him in. Both fought for dominance in the passionate dance of their kiss. Sakura could feel warmth spreading throughout her entire body as the seconds turned into minutes. When they broke apart, both were breathing hard.

"Sasuke-kun?" Sakura whispered. He looked deep into her eyes. "If you love me, will you please make a promise?" She whispered.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly in a frown. "What kind of promise?"

Sakura took the kunai, and sliced it over her barely healed wound on her hand from the night before.

"One of these." She said quietly. He nodded, and took the kunai from her. Slicing it across his own palm, he felt a slight sting and then the warmth of blood washing over his hand.

Their bloody hands met, fingers entwining and blood mixing with each other's as it streaked down their wrists and arms.

"Promise me, that we'll do this together. He won't stand a chance against the two of us. Please let me help you in your quest." Sakura's voice was steady, almost calm in a way.

Sasuke looked into her eyes. She wasn't anywhere near the crying 12-year old he'd left behind when he'd gone off to join Orochimaru all those years ago. Now, she was more involved than he would prefer, but what choice did he have? Itachi had somehow already found out about her and now whether he liked it or not, her life was in danger. He would never let anything happen to her again.

"I promise, Sakura." He said, keeping his voice serious. Both held each other's gazes for a moment before Sakura pulled him to her in a tight embrace.

"Thank you." She whispered. Relief had washed through her, knowing that everything would soon be all right. Itachi would get what was coming to him, and Sasuke wouldn't leave her alone ever again.

Sasuke gently squeezed her hand. "Was this really necessary?" He asked softly in her ear. Sakura pulled her face away from his chest to look at their bloody but still entwined hands.

"You already had my word that I will protect you for the rest of my life." His voice was so soft, so deep. It sent a shiver down her spine.

"I just, I want to be with you Sasuke-kun. I love you. I want to help you in this battle because it's important to you."

He felt his heart swell with pride in his chest. "I don't want you to get hurt." He said quietly, his other hand holding her close by the base of her neck, stroking through her pink tresses softly.

Sakura pulled away to look him in the eyes. "Don't worry, I won't." She said. He smirked at her. "Well, I'd say its time that we got to training then. I want to make sure that you're completely ready to be able to fight against Itachi."

Sakura smiled. "I'll do it." She said, her voice growing confident.

Sasuke bent closer, capturing her lips again with his. "Now that's my Sakura." He said, pride showing in his voice. She hugged him close to her body. "I can do anything if you're there with me, Sasuke-kun." She said, breaking away and letting her hand drop to her side. Blood dripped down from her slowly healing wound.

"Although you may want to heal or bandage that hand; you will have trouble forming seals if you don't." Sasuke advised.

Sakura nodded. "Hai, Uchiha sensei..." She giggled at his responding look. Her happy smile was enough to make his icy heart melt...again.

Panic filled her senses as she stared at the words on the paper. Oh fuck, what am I going to do? He knows about my mission now! My cover has been completely blown! It's too late to get a message out to Tsunade-sama...Itachi will surely kill me now. Her thoughts ran through her mind a mile a minute. She immediately rolled up the scroll, stuffing it into the pocket of her cloak.

Her eyes widened as she heard the door to her room open. Jerking her head up in the direction of the doorway, she felt his chakra before she saw his face.

"O-Ohayo Itachi-san." She whispered, fear clearly evident in her voice.

He turned around.

Ino froze as her sky-blue eyes met red sharingan. Her breath hitched in her throat and she began to back away on the bed. She heard him chuckle, though she couldn't see his whole face because of his cloak, she knew he was smirking that famous Uchiha smirk.

"Come now Ino-chan, do you really think that will help you?" Ino could almost see the smirk on his gorgeous face. Thinking clearly, she knew she had to act fast, otherwise she may not get another chance to escape.

She jumped off the bed, her hands forming the shishinten seal. In a split second, she'd hit her mark, timing it perfectly to where she was in Itachi's mind just long enough to distract him before she cancelled and her mind went back to her own body. She raced out of the door, pushing by Itachi hard enough to have him stagger back and out of her escape path.

Her brain worked quickly, formulating an escape plan in her mind. She'd memorized every corridor and passageway of the Akatsuki stronghold, so she knew where she was going, thankfully. Upon reaching the exit, she burst through the doors at lightening speed.

Her heart pounded hard against her chest, echoing in her ears.

Gotta get away, gotta get away. She kept repeating over and over in her head. Too bad she was too scared to notice the raven haired Nin hot on her tail.

Itachi smiled to himself. So she thinks she can escape me? This should be interesting. He thought.

His blood red eyes scanned the surrounding forest, searching for the fleeing kunoichi. He wasn't worried at all about the information she'd gathered. He was positive he would catch her. It was only a matter of time.

Ino kept herself in her dead run for almost ten minutes straight. When she finally stopped, she landed on a branch, hiding herself behind the trunk of the tree she was on. Her breathing did nothing to help conceal her presence. It was harsh and ragged.

"Tired?" A smooth voice asked from her left.

Ino's heart skipped a few beats as she jerked around, only to find herself face to face with Itachi.

"No..." She whispered. Her eyes wide with fear, she took off again, this time in a random direction. She couldn't let herself get caught! Konoha's future depended upon her returning home, alive.

Itachi would hear of no such thing.

Ino felt her body growing weary, but she pressed on. "I-gotta, gotta get out of-here!" She muttered to herself. But as her concentration slipped, so did her footing. She felt her foot catch on a vine, no string.

"KUSO!" She cried as she realized she'd unknowingly walked right into a trap. She felt the shuriken's string wrap around her foot again, bringing her down hard to the branch. Thinking quickly, she whipped out a kunai, slicing through the string just before she heard, "KATON! GOUKYAKU NO JUTSU!" Itachi's voice was loud, but what came next nearly rooted her to the spot.

A large ball of fire shot out of nowhere toward her. Ino managed to get a hold of herself in time and she dodged the attack. But she felt something in her cloak slip.

The secret scroll.

It landed on the space she'd just vacated and the flames engulfed the entire area, burning everything within its wake.

"FUCK!" Ino yelled. It had taken her almost a month to compile all that information, and now it was lost forever. She didn't have the time to grieve the loss of the useful tool for Konoha as she saw a dark figure drop through the flames, coming at her again. This time, she wasted no time in moving again. Her heart pounded hard as she ran through the trees. Deciding that she might have a chance of throwing him off, Ino dropped down to the forest floor, running on foot on the ground as fast as her legs would carry her. She continued running until she heard a whistling sound behind her. She flipped out of the way in time as six shuriken's came flying at her.

"You can't run forever Ino-chan." A taunting voice said. Ino looked around her, her hair having come loose from its usual style, whipped around her face, sticking to her skin. DAMN this long hair! I can't see shit!

"What's the matter? Gotten yourself lost, have you?" Itachi's voice taunted again.

Tears of fear started to well in her eyes. This is really it. He's gonna catch me and I'm really gonna die...

Images of her friend's faces flashed before her eyes as she realized she'd never see them again.

"NO!" She cried. She could hear footsteps behind her now, and they were growing closer. No matter how hard she ran, nor how far, it was never enough to get completely away from him.

Ino instantly got an idea. If I get near a village he will surely back off. He's a wanted S-class Nin! He won't be stupid enough to follow me into a place where he could be arrested, would he?

Putting everything she had into that gamble, she took off running with a renewed strength: A hope that she would live to see the next day. She ran hard, and soon she was able to see houses through the trees. Jumping up into the branches, she felt her excitement grow steadily as she realized that she soon would be safe.

"Still think you're free?" an icy voice asked from behind her. Ino jumped with shock and spun around on her heel, swinging her kunai around instinctively to a defensive position in front of her. Metal clanged on metal as her kunai clashed with the one behind her. She looked up at the owner of the voice and her chest heaved as she struggled to get oxygen into her burning lungs. Fearful blue met amused yet slightly annoyed red sharingan.

"No, please, no!" Ino gasped as she started backing away.

Itachi matched her step for step as she continued backing slowly away from him. Tears had formed in her eyes already and she choked on a wave of fear that washed through her.

Ino brought her kunai up in front of her again, holding it tightly in her right hand. Her left hand pressed into the cold metal loop; serving as a back-up force should she need to drive the blade into her attacker. Itachi stared at her, an amused look on his face. His eyes briefly scanned the area, making sure that they were indeed far enough away from the small village not to be heard.

Ino jerked her head in the direction that he was staring, daring to take her eyes off of him for a split second.

That was her only mistake.

Within half of a second, Itachi had swiftly closed the distance between them, pinning her to the nearest tree, her arms held above her head with just one of his hands. Ino screamed in surprise, only to have Itachi's other hand close over her mouth.

"You should have known better to run from Akatsuki, Ino-chan."

Fear took over, and Ino's defenses broke. Her whole body had begun trembling and she started to cry.

Uchiha Itachi was a murderer. He wouldn't think twice nor have any remorse should he decide to take her life. In fact, he probably would have the audacity to wipe her blood from his hands onto her clothing after he was done. The very thought sent a jolt of panic through her entire body. Soon, her crying turned harder, and her knees finally gave out on her. She felt her body crash to the ground as Itachi's casual but slightly firm grip on her wrists disappeared. Curling herself into a ball at his feet, Ino covered her head with her arms, not wanting to see his face when it happened.

"No no no!" She cried. Tears raked her body and she soon gasped for air. She was hysterical. Realization that she wouldn't be rescued this time hit her hard and she tightened her hold on her head, making sure her arms covered her face. The last thing she wanted to die from was a doujutsu from of Itachi's Mangekyou Sharingan.

Itachi stood over her. His first thought was to shut her up, in the event that any villager just so happened to be passing nearby; but he discarded it, taking into consideration the time of day it was, or night to be more accurate. He knelt beside her, taking the kunai from her trembling hands.

Gently taking her by the shoulders, he sat her up so she was at least able to breathe properly. He leaned her against the tree and stared deep into her eyes. She was still crying, but not as hard.

Pure fear.

That was the main thing he saw in her eyes. Clearly, she'd done her homework and knew all that he was capable of. His reputation had preceded him in that respect.

"I always know how to find you." He said softly. Ino flinched as his grip on her kunai turned casual. He spun it idly with his finger. Before she knew it, he'd lifted her chin and she felt the cool metal of the blade being pressed against her throat.

She squeezed her eyes shut. She knew what came next. She was a kunoichi after all and was trained to kill.

Itachi smirked as he saw her trembling increase. Instead of swiping the blade across the delicate skin of her throat to end her life, he let the weapon fall from his grasp and he closed the distance between them instantly, capturing her trembling lips with his own. Ino gasped in surprise, giving him the perfect chance to enter. She closed her eyes again, letting her tears fall as she tested the new ground she was treading on. Slowly, uncertainly, she responded. Itachi instantly pulled her against him as he felt her response. Ino reacted without a second thought. She wrapped both arms around his neck, eventually relaxing in his grip.

It happened faster than she could have been ready to prepare for.

Itachi had pulled her down and pinned her to the ground so that she was underneath him. Her eyes were wide as she felt his hand go into her hair, pulling it away from her face.

"You are mine, Ino-chan. I'm never letting you go." He said in her ear. Ino shivered as she felt him pull her up against him.

"I-I promise I will stay with you forever." She whispered softly.

Itachi smirked as he captured her lips again. He felt Ino wrap her arms around his neck and eventually slip into his raven hair.

Relief that she was going to be allowed to live flooded through her. As Itachi stood, he pulled her to her feet. Fatigue had taken its toll on her, but Ino refused to let it show. She leaned heavily on the tree as Itachi picked up the forgotten kunai. One look at her was all it took for him to deftly move forth and scoop her up into his arms. Ino squeaked in surprise.

"I-Itachi-san!" She said, her voice cracking somewhat. He smirked. "Is there a problem Ino?" He asked. Ino's eyes widened. Damn him and his sexy voice! She thought to herself. She shivered.

"N-No." She murmured.

"Good. Sleep." He commanded, brushing his fingers down over her eyelids, closing them. Ino immediately cuddled into his chest, breathing in his scent and allowing her body to relax.

Itachi smirked when he finally felt her go limp, indicating that she had indeed fallen asleep. The trip back to the Akatsuki base took less than half an hour with his speed. Ino was no where near up to par with his abilities; therefore her fruitless escape attempt had been unsuccessful. Had she tried to take off while everyone was asleep in the early hours of the morning, she might have gotten away with it. His now onyx eyes found her sleeping face. Her cheeks were still tear-streaked, but at least her breathing was peaceful.

He made it back in record time. Kisame was waiting for him at the gated entrance. "Kunoichi already try to get away?" He asked a smug look on his shark-like face.

Itachi shook his head. "She overexerted herself training. I found her just outside the gates." Kisame shrugged, letting whatever retort he had go. Whatever had truly happened between his partner and the kunoichi was apparently going to stay in between them.

Itachi took Ino back to her room. He made sure the door was locked securely before he gently undid the button at the top of her cloak holding it around her shoulders. He let it pool on the floor before he moved forward, laying her on the bed and tucking her in. He smirked as he crawled in next to her and she snuggled up next to him. Wrapping an arm protectively around her, he finally found sleep in listening to her faint heartbeat against his chest.

When she woke a few hours later, she felt an arm around her waist and someone's knee in between her legs… Wait, WHAT?

Ino sat up fast, her heart pounding hard against her ribs. This was definitely not the type of thing she wanted to wake up to, especially after the nights' earlier events…

"What the hell?" She muttered.

"I was about to ask you the same thing." A deep smooth voice said softly in the shell of her ear. She shivered.

"I-Itachi-san." Ino whispered.

He smirked. Within a split second, he had pinned both of her hands above her head and straddled her. "Did you forget about your promise already?" He cooed in her ear. "N-No…" Ino whimpered, averting her eyes from his face. She didn't want to look up into his red orbs. But his free hand found her chin and gently guided her face to look back up at his.

"It would not be good if you have forgotten because," He never took his eyes off of her. "I would have to refresh your memory."

Ino swallowed hard and with the still timid expression on her face, she nibbled on her lip.

"I-I ha-have not forgotten Itachi-san." She stuttered. She saw his eyes flash from onyx to the blood-red of the sharingan. Her small gasp of fear was what made his control snap. Quicker than the blink of an eye, he caught her trembling lips with his, biting down on her upper lip. Ino cried out in shock, giving him the perfect chance to slip his tongue into her mouth. Ino's blue eyes widened for a second before she closed them, giving in to his bruising kiss. Before she could respond, however, he pulled away and locked gazes with her. Opening her eyes in confusion, she looked up into his eyes.

He was glaring at her.

Her heart jolted with fear as she saw something in his gaze change again. This time, she felt her whole body go numb. Her eyes widened again with fear as she looked around the now changing room. She found herself in an elegant four-poster in a crimson room. The gold-plated windows indicated that it was still dark outside.

Oh fuck, what's going to happen? Is he going to change his mind and kill me anyway? That fear burned her mind as she looked around. She saw him sitting in a chair not too far from the bed.

"You are in an advanced form of the Tsukuyomi." Itachi informed her. Ino immediately clasped her hands together in the tiger seal, hoping to somehow break through the strong genjutsu.

He raised an eyebrow at her, an amused expression on his gorgeous features. "That will not work." He said bluntly, standing up and walking over to the bed where she lay.

Ino looked up at him, her heart pounding so hard against her chest that she was more than positive he could hear it. "W-What do you want?" She whispered, trying to get her body to move. He smirked.

"You."

Her eyes widened again and she bit down hard on her lip, hoping to wake herself. Blood filled her senses and snapped her attention back to where it belonged. Before she could act, however, she felt herself pinned down again, this time, a gentler kiss being placed upon her lips.

Ino melted into his chest. His touch burned her already hot skin as she felt one of his hands slip into her shirt.

"You can stop trembling now my little Ino-chan." He said huskily in her ear. "You are going to be the first to ever experience this form of the Tsukuyomi. Instead of feeling pain for 72 hours," He smirked at her now changing expression. He cupped her left breast in his hand and stroked it with his thumb. "You will feel sheer bliss." She gasped and whimpered softly. Oh god what the fucking hell is wrong with me!…she thought.

Capturing her lips in a kiss again, Ino did her best to stifle a soft moan. Itachi smirked and deepened the kiss, making her arch into him. He lifted her up into his strong arms and held her close as the two fought for dominance. Clothes were torn off, sometimes with the help of a kunai. Soon, both were breathing feverishly hard as Ino lay on top of him, having forced him backwards onto the bed.

"I can't do this!" She cried, looking down at his smirking face. His uncaring expression really pissed her off. Straddling him, she closed both hands around his neck in an impossible choking grip. "I'm betraying Konoha by just staying here! Why the hell did you do this to me Itachi?" His smirk fell off his face and he stared blankly up into her eyes.

Ino felt her anger start to boil. "I hate this." She murmured. Itachi slowly but agonizingly stroked the sides of her bare thighs until his hands came to rest on her hips.

"Do you hate me?" He asked, watching her expression.

She met his gaze. "Just for betraying Konoha." She retorted.

He smirked again, enjoying her anger. It amused him. "But isn't that what you're doing?" He returned, waiting for her to snap.

Her angry glare softened. "N-No." She said quietly. Her grip around his throat loosened as she felt tears start to burn her eyes.

In a split-second, Itachi had flipped their positions and efficiently pinned her underneath him. Ino hid her face from him, not wanting to let him see her hated tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Ino-chan…" His velvety deep voice whispered in her ear. Her body stiffened. "Its time you decided what you want, not what your village wants for you. This is your life." He gently kissed her neck before he buried his face in her hair breathing in her scent.

"What do you want little kunoichi?" He asked, his voice husky. Ino gasped as she felt his caress on her shoulder trail down her side and come to a stop on her flat stomach.

Ino felt her body shiver with anticipation. "I-I don't know." She whispered. Her eyes burned with hot tears as her thoughts turned to her best friends and teammates back in Konoha. "I-I'm betraying everyone just for myself?" Her voice cracked. Itachi smirked. "You have to take care of yourself first if you want to waste time thinking about others." His fingers traced a hot trail to her hip, where he drew small circles on her feverish skin.

"What do you want Ino-chan?"

Ino looked up into his eyes. "For you to never leave me." She finally whispered in a soft voice. He smirked before leaning forward and kissing her hard. His hands went into her hair, pulling her to him. He tasted her blood on his lips and he deepened the kiss hungrily.

"Itachi-san…" Ino breathed. He pulled her closer to him.

"Don't be so formal with me." He growled into her mouth. Ino responded with a fierce kiss of her own. Itachi responded immediately, almost as if he wasn't at all surprised.

"I'm sorry, Itachi-kun." She whispered anxiously as he pulled away from the kiss and began trailing kisses down her neck. When he got to the base of her throat, his teeth bit through her sensitive skin; drawing blood and marking her as his. Ino whimpered softly as he licked the blood from her small wound.

When he looked back up into her eyes, Ino saw her blood dripping on his lower lip. The seductive glare he was giving her sent shivers down her spine.

"Mine." He growled.

Ino giggled playfully before he silenced her with another kiss.

Morning came, cheerful and bright. Ino opened her eyes to meet the rising sun. She felt a tight hold around her waist and she smiled at the aching between her legs. I can't believe what happened last night. She thought to herself. I really have betrayed Konoha, but for some reason, I don't care anymore.

Rolling over slightly, she looked at Itachi's sleeping face. "You look so adorable when you sleep." She whispered softly, before gently placing a soft kiss on his cheek. Ino pulled herself out of his grip and quietly slipped out of bed. She saw his cloak draped over the desk chair and she wrapped it around her, fastening it all the way up so she wouldn't have to bother getting dressed.

Softly unlocking the door, she exited the room and quickly made her way to the kitchen. Preparing a quick breakfast for the both of them, she brought it back to their room.

Itachi was still asleep as she set the tray on the bedside table. Ino grinned as she climbed back up on the bed and crawled over next to him. Running a hand through his hair, she leaned in and placed a kiss on his lips. She nearly jumped when she felt him respond. Opening her eyes and pulling away slightly, blue met red. She smiled.

"You were supposed to be asleep, baka. You're ruining my surprise" Ino whispered, pouting. She raised a hand to slap him playfully, but Itachi grabbed it and held her still. Startled, she looked down into his eyes. His eyes glinted wickedly and used her precarious position to pull her down to him. When they pulled apart, he studied her closely. He smirked when he saw her dressed in nothing but his Akatsuki cloak.

"I made you breakfast sleepy head." Ino said cheerfully, leaning over him to the tray on the table. She was stopped when she felt his hands on her hips, pulling her away from the tray and then down to him. With her head on his chest, she could hear his heartbeat. Calm and steady. She closed her eyes for a moment, briefly debating on whether or not to go back to sleep. She felt his hand run through her hair.

"Are you ok?" He asked in her ear.

The question threw her off. It almost seemed uncharacteristic of him in a way. He'd killed off his entire clan in one night, constantly tortured his younger brother and even threatened her best friend.. But here he was, Uchiha Itachi, S-class criminal, asking her if she was ok. Weird world we live in. She thought cynically to herself.

Turning a genuinely bright smile to him, she replied, "I'm great!" Leaning in close, she pecked him happily on the lips, before her eyes fell to the tray. "You really should eat before your breakfast gets cold Itachi-kun." She said, sitting back on her legs and crossing her arms over her chest.

He smirked and pulled her down to him again. His arms went around her and he buried his face in her neck. "Only if you eat with me." He murmured smoothly in her ear. She giggled. "You're so stubborn."

In an instant, Itachi had flipped their positions to where he'd efficiently pinned her beneath him. "Like someone else I know." He replied, their faces almost touching. Ino blushed and bit her lip in slight nervousness.

Before she knew what happened next, she was kissing him…and all her nervousness melted away.

A/N: So what did you all think? I'm not done with this yet, don't worry! I think I'm going to stretch it out some more, work on a few more character developments before I ultimately decide where I'm gonna end this. My writer's block has officially gone POOF! SHANNARO! Now though, I'm studying for finals and going to the gym to tumble every chance I get. LOL!

Anyways, please review!

(Buttony thing is right here!)