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Chapter Seventeen

Bad Influences

She had seen neither hide nor hair of Uchiha Itachi. She wanted to be angry. She wanted to rant and rave, and scream her heart out—but really, what right did she have to do all that?

Itachi had laid no claim on her. He wasn't her boyfriend, nor was he her lover. Sakura was the one who left his sanctuary—and she'd do it again.

Still, she missed his overbearing presence.

Sakura sighed as she lay curled up in Kakashi's guest bedroom. It was time to get up, but she wasn't quite ready to. Sakura sat up and swung her feet to the floor. She heard Kakashi's movements in the next room and got up in order to say good morning.

His head turned in her direction as soon as he heard her door open.

She smiled warmly at him, but she wasn't greeted with the familiar eye crease that she was so accustomed to.

"Good morning, Kaka-sensei."

At his glare, Sakura realized it was definitely not the look she was accustomed to. Sakura sighed inwardly.

"When are you leaving?"

"For work?" Sakura asked innocently, even though she knew that wasn't what he meant—especially since the aura around him was suddenly very scary. But she didn't back down. Backing down from Kakashi could only lead to worse things.

"When are you moving out of my apartment?" He clarified.

"Well…I have enough money for an apartment, but I still need to work for a while to have enough money for food and furniture and whatnot."

"How much?"

Sakura blinked, well aware that he would probably just give her the money she needed in order to get her out of his hair. The kunoichi, however, wasn't going to take anymore handouts. Besides, she didn't want to live alone—not yet, anyway. She was in unfamiliar territory, and it would help her a lot if she had someone around her she was at least semi-comfortable with.

Naruto was out. Sasuke as well.

So that left Kakashi, who was her first choice anyway.

Sakura just shrugged off his question.

"I'm going to shower," she said instead, and left Kakashi glaring at her retreating form.

"Itachi!"

Itachi froze at the familiar voice calling out his name. It was one of the main people that he had been avoiding. Shisui was way too informed about his life for his taste. It was only a matter of time before he found him and began prodding him with questions that he had no business answering. He would call himself being a friend—and Itachi supposed he was. In fact, he was closer to Itachi than anyone else.

That didn't make him any less of an annoyance, though.

"Itachi! Are you walking faster?!"

And of course he hadn't picked up speed. He would never lower himself to running from anyone—even if they were his family.

Shisui just felt like the younger man should have stopped walking when he realized he was nearby. But he was Uchiha Itachi.

Enough said.

Shisui ran and caught up to Itachi, hitting him hard on the back. It was only his skill that kept him from toppling over.

"Where have you been? I haven't seen you around lately."

Itachi glanced at Shisui.

"I could say the same about you."

Shisui just laughed in response. "So you think you can tear yourself away that sexiest ball-and-chain ever to grace the earth and hang out for a while?"

"I assume you mean Sakura."

"Who else would I mean? Unless something is going on that I don't know about…."

Itachi stiffened almost imperceptibly. Almost, because out of all people, Shisui knew Itachi well enough to notice all his mannerisms—much to Itachi's dismay.

"Wait. You're not cheating on her, are you?"

Shisui stared at Itachi, aghast. Unfaithful. It wasn't a word that he would combine with Itachi's name—but something was going on and he knew it.

"As always, Shisui, you show a lack of intelligence and common sense."

"So I must have hit the nail on the head, then."

"…"

"You know, your behavior is unfitting of the future Hokage."

"I'm not cheating on Sakura." Itachi explained with a patience he didn't really feel. His relationship with Sakura or lack thereof should be no one's concern but his own. Although with a clan like his that was not case. He knew that.

"You sure?" Shisui asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Since when are you my watchdog?"

"I can't remember the exact time I was appointed…."

"Now I know why Sasuke is such an annoying brat."

"It's your fault. You brought him around me."

"And you corrupted him."

"Look at it this way—with my influence, you never have to worry about Sasuke. He not only has a loveable personality, he's an exceptional ninja."

"Hn." Shisui would take credit for the sun rising if he could.

"Oh, by the way, you haven't distracted me. What's going on with you and Sakura? There are a lot of rumors going around."

"My personal life is just that Shisui—personal."

"You know better than that, Itachi. For you, there's no such thing as personal. The clan is never going to just let you be. If something is going on with your intended—"

"What are the rumors?" Itachi asked, cutting him off. He was in no mood to hear a lecture from the older man.

"That she has left you and is now living with Hatake."

"How much do you believe is truth?"

"All of it."

"Why?"

"I saw her entering his apartment. I waited, but she never left. I searched your house—all her belongings are gone."

Itachi's eyes narrowed. Saku was certainly moving fast. He had thought the Copy Ninja would at least put her off for a while. Still, there was a more pressing issue that he had to address first.

"You searched my home."

Shisui just shrugged. Suddenly, Itachi became a blur to any who happened to be passing by. The older man—who knew what was coming—flickered out of the future Hokage's sight.

Itachi stopped, a smirk appearing on his lips. Of course Shisui would dodge the deserved hit. It was just his way to cause trouble, then hightail out of it once he had the pot nice and stirred. He'd just find him later—so they could 'talk'.

"Mother, where is Father?" Itachi asked as he entered his mother's garden, where she was staring off into space.

Mikoto turned her eyes to her eldest son, and her eyes warmed considerably. He frowned wondering what was on her mind. It wasn't like her to lose herself like that.

"He's in his study. Would you like me to retrieve him, son?"

"I'll go with you. I need to talk to you both."

It was Mikoto's turn to frown as Itachi veiled all expressions on his face. Something was happening. Something big. But what could it possibly be?

Mikoto held out her hand and Itachi grabbed it giving her support as she rose from the bench was sitting on. As they walked sedately to Fugaku's office Mikoto linked her arm in Itachi's.

Fugaku's head rose slowly as his wife and son entered his office. Itachi led his mother to a chair and she sat down primly smoothing her hands over her skirt after she had seated herself.

"Fugaku, Itachi needs to speak with us."

"About?" Fugaku asked looking at Itachi curiously.

"My engagement to Haruno is over."

Mikoto let out a delighted squeak. Itachi gave his mother a sharp look. Upon catching said 'look' his mother let all emotion slid off her face. She became an almost perfect blank slate. Almost being the key word. He could still see the joy in her eyes.

"Well, I have to say I'm proud of you Itachi. I was beginning to think you'd never see the light and end things with that woman but--" Fugaku began.

A small smirk appeared on the Uchiha heir's face.

"I didn't end it with her. She was the one who ended it."

And silence reigned.

"Why did she end it?"

"Does it matter?" Itachi asked curiously.

"…"

"…"

Itachi folded his arms across his chest and stared blankly at his parents. He could tell his mother had some things she wanted to say, but she was allowing his father to take the lead in the conversation.

"Itachi, do you realize the damage this will do to the family name?"

Itachi raised his brow quizzically.

"Itachi," his mother began, finally unable to keep silent a moment longer. "Although we are glad that this fiasco of an engagement has ended…the fact that she insulted our family cannot be ignored."

"What insult has she bestowed upon our family?"

"She is saying that you're not good enough—that the Uchiha name isn't good enough for her," Fugaku answered for his wife.

"That's some conclusion that you've drawn."

"She's with the Copy Ninja, isn't she?" his mother asked with her eyes narrowed.

"It is no longer my concern. Nor should it be yours."

"I'll have to address this with the clan elders."

"No. You do not."

"Itachi…" His mother began.

"You have a responsibility to this clan, Itachi. You will have to marry and after this fiasco, they will not accept your choice in a bride. We will pick—"

"I will marry Haruno Sakura or I will marry no one."

"Itachi!" his mother exclaimed, sounding scandalized.

"I will not accept you chasing after this girl. You are the pride of our clan. And if you, the best of us all, is made a fool of—" Fugaku growled.

"Has not love made fools of the mightiest of men?" Itachi's brow rose as he studied his parents curiously.

"You can't still love her! Not after this!" Mikoto cried.

"You will have to trust me."

"I will not," Fugaku said gravely. "At the next clan meeting, we will discuss the recent events. Since your judgment can no longer be trusted, we will choose a bride for you and as the next head of the Uchiha clan, you will marry her."

Itachi smirked, for his father had just placed himself in the palm of his hands.

"If that is how you choose to play the game, Father, so be it. I wash my hands of the Uchiha clan. I will not do as you 'ask'. Sasuke will take my place as heir."

"Itachi!" Mikoto gasped.

The three inhabitants of the room froze as they all heard a loud, "Nooooooooooooo!"

Fugaku stared at his son, who gazed back at him unflinchingly.

"I thought you had more backbone than this, Itachi. To be led around by your nose by a woman—"

Itachi's brow arched and looked pointedly at his mother, who in turn glared coldly at her husband. Fugaku continued on, oblivious as to the hell that was going to be raised by his wife later on.

"—is just preposterous."

"It's none on your concern. If you'll excuse me."

Itachi turned to make his exit, but his mother's voice stopped him.

"Itachi."

Itachi slowly turned and faced his mother. Her forearms were on her calves and her unbound hair was hiding her face from him.

"Yes, Mother?"

Mikoto spoke softly. "Fugaku, my love, may I please speak with Itachi alone?"

Fugaku stared at his wife, who had not bothered to raise her head when she made her request. She was really bothered by this, so he stood slowly and quietly made his way to the door.

"I'll be back shortly," Fugaku said, directing his comment to his wife.

Her head moved up and down in a slight nod of acknowledgment. Fugaku left the room, then, allowing Itachi to step aside and let him pass. The two men said nothing to each other—nor did they even make eye contact as they passed one another.

It wasn't that Fugaku didn't love his son. He did. In fact, Itachi was his favorite. It was just that the two of them never saw eye to eye on anything. After the rebellion, they argued about everything. The quiet, obedient, genius child that he once knew disappeared seemingly overnight.

Their arguments were the stuff of legend. Yet despite it all, he could say one thing about his oldest son that he was unable to say before—he respected Itachi. Maybe it didn't always show by his actions, but he did. Fugaku was just a man who had to always test his boundaries. In a way Itachi, was like him in that manner.

Mikoto waited until she heard the soft click of the door before she began speaking.

"I do not entirely agree with your father—about choosing a bride for you—and I will not lie to you and say I'm sorry that your relationship has ended. However, I am appalled that you intend to continue your pursuit of this woman."

Mikoto sat back then. Her hair parted, revealing her face. Her eyes sparkled with a passionate response to her son's foolish actions—or what she deemed foolish. Looking at Itachi, Mikoto noted that Itachi wanted to speak, but she would not allow it.

"No. You will listen to me, my son. It is now my turn to speak."

Mikoto's voice rang throughout the room, strong and sure. "Who was the one you came to when you heard of the rebellion?"

"You, Mother."

"Who stood at your side and help you sway the clan to the side that you believed was best for us all?"

"You, Mother."

"Who was it that spent a day and a half in labor with you?"

"You, Mother."

"Who taught you right from wrong? Who helped you balance in your mind and heart good from evil in the shinobi world?"

"You, Mother."

"Who was it that loved you unconditionally? Whether your choices were good or bad?"

"You, Mother."

"Who was it that didn't say a word when you suspected that she was in love with another man?"

"…that was Sasuke."

"That's right. It was Sasuke. So if you think I'm to keep my mouth shut now, then you're sorely mistaken."

Itachi suppressed an amused chuckle.

"I want her head on a silver platter with fresh parsley sprinkled around it. I despise her. I despise her because she hurt you. My baby. I cannot rightly say that I have it in me to show her any kind of respect. I'm not perfect, my son, nor can you expect perfection of me."

"I'm well aware of your imperfections, Mother."

Mikoto picked up a paper weight from her husband's desk and threw it at her son, who caught it with ease. Sometimes Itachi thought that part of his speed as a ninja came from dodging the objects his mother had thrown.

"Knowing all this, I ask you to give me your reasoning. Tell me why you are so insistent upon this woman and I will support you. I can't say that it will be easy for me, but I will do it."

And so Itachi set out to answer his Mother. His eyes lost all the arrogance that he wore like a mask. He let her see exactly how he felt for the new young medic.

And she saw so much in his eyes.

Desire.

Passion.

Joy.

Admiration.

Respect.

All of it bled rapidly through his eyes.

"Enough. Enough, Itachi. I see. I understand."

Itachi immediately put his emotional walls back up once again, looking cold and calculating.

"There is more to this than what you're telling me, isn't it?"

Itachi didn't reply. But that was answer enough for Mikoto.

"Fine. Do what you must, and I will do what I can with your father.

Itachi inclined his head slightly in thanks. But she waved his thanks away. He was her baby. It was her job to help him.

"Itachi?"

"Yes, Mother?"

"Does she feel the same for you?"

"She will, Mother."

"Itachi, if she hasn't by now—"

"Mother, are you with me or not?"

Mikoto sighed. "Fine! Fine! But if this doesn't work out, Itachi, so help me…"

Itachi smirked once more. "Goodbye, Mother."

"You'd better come by more often."

His family business had been settled—temporarily. He had no doubt that his mother would be less than pleased with what she had agreed with. At the very least, she would seek out Haruno. Who knows which one she would end up running into. It would probably be best if he took measures to ensure that the women were forewarned.

If Itachi believed in luck, he'd say he had a stroke of it when as he was leaving his home, he ran into his annoying little brother.

"Itachi! What the fuck was that?"

Itachi raised his brow.

"What, pray tell, are you talking about, little brother?"

"I heard you, you bastard! How dare you try to foist our crazy ass clan off on me?"

"That is what you get for eavesdropping."

Sasuke glared at Itachi, who was unfazed by the younger Uchiha's malice—mainly because holding a grudge was just too much trouble for him. Itachi frowned. His mind drifted to another Sasuke who wasn't quite as fortunate as his own little brother—who indeed held grudges extremely well.

"Sasuke, I need you to go to Sakura and warn her about today's events."

Sasuke gave his brother a look that was a pale imitation of said brother's withering stare. He needed to work on it a bit more, Itachi noted dully.

When Itachi said nothing in reply, a low growl emanated from Sasuke's throat. Then he turned and stalked angrily, to Itachi's amusement.

Finally, Itachi was able to focus on the information that he had received from that other Kakashi.

Flashback:

"You shouldn't be here. Do you have any idea the trouble your presence could spark?"

"I have an idea."

"Then go. You have no business here."

"On the contrary, I believe I do."

Kakashi, unwilling to hear a word his unwanted visitor had to say, stated plainly, "You need to leave."

"I came here because we have a very common thread between the two of us."

Kakashi studied Itachi silently. He would allow the younger man to say what the common thread was. Kakashi could only think of two things: the village…and Sakura.

"I am here because Sakura fears for the safety of this village—her village. Do you have any leads on how to resolve the problem?"

Of course, Kakashi thought. He would combine the two.

"I do now." Yes, Kakashi had figured out part of the puzzle with just the presence of the Uchiha—but he wasn't going to just spew the words from his mouth. No, he'd wait a little. Make the Uchiha sweat a bit. Kakashi smiled beneath his mask.

But the Uchiha waited, showing the patience of a saint—and in the process, spoiling all of Kakashi's fun.

"She has to come back. It's the only way the earthquakes will stop for good. That is the balance that must be maintained. This world is missing a person and if that person is not returned, this world will destroy itself."

"So she returns. What if I return with her?"

"That's impossible. The world believes that Uchiha Itachi is dead. He—"

"Sakura informed me—"

"Of his seeming betrayal? Of how Sasuke eventually found out the truth? His actions did destroy Sasuke. Especially after he found out that everything that he thought he had known was a lie. You coming back here would not be good for Sasuke's mental health. Besides, if you left, there would still be no balance. Instead of our world falling to pieces, yours would instead. The only solution is to let her come home."

"No."

"So you would allow a whole world to die? I should have known. You're not that much different from your counterpart."

It was years of training and discipline that kept Itachi from slitting the Copy Ninja's throat in a fit of rage. The only outward indication of his ire was the twitching of his left hand. His face remained a mask of impassivity.

"I sense a bit of anger in you, Copy Ninja. What have I done to displease you?"

"You are not worthy of Sakura."

"What do you know of me, Copy Ninja?" Itachi waited a brief second for a reply then continued speaking. "Nothing. You know nothing of me but I can assure you that Sakura will be happiest with me."

"Sakura was happy here."

"And for how long? Until she was pushed into a marriage she did not want with a man who would never make her happy?"

"That's where you're wrong, where she's wrong. Sasuke would have made her happy. I would have ensured it."

There was something about the tone in Kakashi's voice that made Itachi ask his next question.

"You would have him killed?"

"Of course not. That would have made Sakura sad, which would defeat the purpose. There are better ways to go about doing things."

A noise made both ninjas still.

"Kakashi," a familiar voice called out. Kakashi frowned, wondering what the hell he was doing in his apartment. He never came over unannounced. That was not his way. "The Hokage—" His voice was cut off just before he entered the Copy Ninja's bedroom. Itachi and Kakashi's eyes locked.

The door swung open with a force that shook the door on its hinges.

Then Itachi vanished with a quiet, but very distinct poof.

"Where is he?!" Sasuke demanded.

A/N: Many thanks to cutecrazyice for beta-ing this chapter for me.

I hope everyone followed this chapter. It was kind of weird to me. Not much Ita/Sakura action in this chapter but a few things have to happen for them first. Maybe in the next Ita/Sakura chap we'll have some interaction. And gasp! Sasuke knows something is going on. Dum. Dum. Dummmmmm.

This is going to be the last chapter for a bit. Going on vacation. Hopefully, I'll have lots of new stuff by the time I come back.

Many thanks to my anon. reviewers. (I thought I'd tell you guys that since I can't contact you via private message)

On another note. I thought I'd just say...wow. I have never had as many readers/reviewers for a story as I have for this one and I'm not even done yet. On the one hand I'm extremely proud and flatterered. On the other hand I really have to not think about it or I'll run screaming into the night. The pressure man. The pressure.