I do not own Naruto - VZ

A curt knock awakened the pinkette from her much needed sleep. Her earlier training session with the mist-nin had tired her out. In all honesty, she had a pleasant time with the missing-nin. His gruff yet affectionate attitude towards her was comforting in her situation. Though she still wished she wasn't in this situation in the first place. As she made her way to the door, Sakura wondered if anybody was out there, searching for her. But she doubted it, Her shishou had given her an indefinite amount of time to complete her task. Again, Sakura was puzzled how such a simple delivery mission had gone awry.

Assuming it was Kisame with her sweets, the little girl merely opened the door. Not bothering to check who was behind it.

"Thanks again for that training session fish face. It really tired me out." She said while plopping down on her bed. Still not facing the entryway to her room.

"So what Kisame said was true. You did spar with him earlier." A deep voice answered her.

Sakura's body stilled, her entire demeanor turning rigid with those words. Well, it wasn't the words that shocked her stiff. It was the person who said it.

She turned her head, finally realizing whom she was talking to for the first time. His dark hair was in a lose ponytail. A few wayward strands framed his face, which looked wary and guarded. Sakura couldn't help it, but she felt an inkling of pity for the shinobi standing info front of her.

It must be exhausting, having to be on constant defense against everybody and everything. Nevertheless, she should bury those feelings of sympathy for the man she was currently facing. He had done things that hurt so many people. Including her teammate. Who had nothing but anger and hatred in his life. Something Sakura still wanted to desperately change. Although she knew it was close to an impossible task. Not when Sasuke was still siding with that snake bastard.

"Itachi." Her voice came out surprised.

"Why so startled kunoichi?" His tone was bored yet bemused at the same time.

Sakura decided to not let her fear be known, so she remained stoic and silent. Well, as stoic and silent as she could be.

"Don't you want you're sweets?" Itachi held up a brown paper bag.

The pinkeye was confused. Wasn't Kisame meant to deliver her meals? And didn't he promise to bring her dango today?

"I thought Kisame would be bringing me my food."

"Don't be too disappointed, he is merely completing a mission for Leader." The dark man before her said dryly.

"That doesn't explain why you're here." The pinkette replied, her green eyes questioning.

"Would you rather have Zetsu bring you're treat instead?"

Small hands gripped the pillow beside her tighter. No, Sakura did not want the plant man to bring her snack. Between the Uchiha and the carnivorous shinobi, she'd rather have the lesser of two evils.

"I guess not…." Was her sheepish reply.

And so, Itachi came forward and dropped the paper bag in her waiting hands. But not before grabbing a stick of dango for himself.

"You like dango?" Sakura asked incredulously.

"Yes, I am rather fond of them." The Uchiha made himself comfortable on the foot of her bed. Sakura was grateful he did not sit so close to her. Even if he was quite near her, he did not invade her personal space.

It was awkward to say the least, for the first five minutes of munching on her delicious food Itachi barely said a word. Well, she wasn't really expecting him to. But she didn't assume he would sit next to her either. Sakura was about to grab another stick of dango when she felt his eyes on her.

Green eyes met with dark orbs. Inwardly, She was surprised. She never imagined he would let his guard down and watch her so openly, without his sharingan no less. Now that the pinkette thought about it, his eyes were dark and not the vivid red she was expecting when he entered her room.

"…what?" Not only Sakura was tired of the silence, his constant staring was annoying her.

"Do I scare you kunoichi?" Was his reply.

Of all the things he could've asked her, this was the last thing she expected.

"...No." But in reality, it was the complete and utter opposite.

His lips quirked up into a devious smirk, this promptly made Inner squeal like a rabid fan girl.

"You're lying." He stated with absolute confidence.

"No, I'm not!" She said (more like shouted) with a pout. She bit into a piece of dango to refrain from yelling at the missing-nin anymore. The last thing Sakura wanted was to sound like a whiny, not to mention loud, bratty towards an extremely powerful shinobi who could kill her in less than a second if he wanted to.

A deep chuckle reached the pinkette' s ears.

Sakura reddened, both in anger and in embarrassment. Itachi Uchiha was laughing at her. Laughing!

"Y-you're laughing at me…." She said, disbelieving at the sight of the amused shinobi beside her.

"Well, you are very humorous. It's immensely entertaining."

Pink brows furrowed at his blunt proclamation of calling her funny.

"Really?" Oh yes, she was very articulate.

But then again, Sakura justified it wasn't her fault for being so tongue-tied. It's not everyday you see a laughing Itachi. It almost made him look less depressed and lonely.

"Yes, especially when you very nearly demolished Leader's office. It's quite a remarkable sight, A little girl who can destroy as well as she can mend and heal."

Sakura smiled at this, she was proud of that. Though she would've been much more satisfied if she actually escaped. And deep inside, she was flattered at his complement. The medic-nin had worked hard to attain the skills she was so well known for.

"However you are far from a child." Itachi gestured to her tiny body with mirth.

Indignation crept up on her, and so did a bit of confidence. For her next words were filled with promise and ferocity.

"Yeah, and don't you forget it. I'm going to undo this jutsu and escape when you least expect it."

Sakura met his dark gaze with her green eyes, which were bright with hope and assurance.

"Hn…" Though his reply was short and reserved, the medic-nin could see something in his usually brooding eyes. Although it was gone before she could analyze it any further.

Silence filled the air between them, but unlike before, it was peaceful…..even comfortable.

Sakura was disconcerted by this, was she actually at ease around the missing-nin?

"Sleep well kunoichi." The bed lifted as the shinobi' s weight was suddenly gone. Itachi stood straight and walked towards the door.

Was he leaving already? at this thought, Sakura swiftly dismissed the feelings of sadness of missing the company of her enemy. It was wrong to. But still, she was doing just that. The pinkette somewhat pleased with his presence. Even their earlier banter was enjoyable.

...

enjoyable?...

...

Oh kami...this was not good...

Sakura Haruno fond of Itachi Uchiha's presence. And they've only spoken once! Not only that, she even appreciated Kisame's efforts of comfort for her situation.

A dark, smooth voice interrupted her racing thoughts and growing unease.

"Good night…..Sakura."

"Oh, um...Good night" The pinkette said, giving the missing-nin a nod.

And so, Itachi left her room, leaving the rest of the dango with her.

"Damn..." Sakura cursed to herself. It was official, if she was actually being amiable towards the Akatsuki of all people.

She really needed to escape soon.

Hehe, hope you all liked it. I'm still so very happy with all the reviews I've gotten.

Lots of Love to...

Shadow wolf

Sakura no Polen

anime-is-my-heart-and-soul

Emzy2k11

JohnnyLove

Jessica (this chapter is for you!)

Dina Sana

Ydshaw

Kalafina94 (I absolutely LOVE your long reviews! Each time I read it, I feel so happy and touched that you took the time to write such a long review.)

And everyone else! (guests and Anonymous)

...Till next time - VZ