I don't own Naruto - VZ

When the pinkette in his arms mumbled his name, Itachi felt somewhat pleased that she looked and sounded so comfortable. As if she was content to remain there in his embrace. The Uchiha almost smiled at the unlikely yet pleasant thought.

"Itachi?" Sakura said, this time slightly louder to get his attention.

Dark eyes focused on the curious, languid face before him. And again, he was struck by her innocence and beauty. But of course, in their line of work, such purity can't last for long. Though he had seen her kill, it didn't mean she must thoroughly enjoy it. And he could relate, just because he had exceptional skill, it didn't mean he was fond of murdering. The fact that she is a medic-nin, only justifies her actions on the battlefield just days before. Itachi had seen her kindness when faced with an opponent. He was a witness to her compassion, when she had numbed one of the enemies. Making sure to make his death swift and as painless as possible. It only made her more commendable in Itachi 's eyes.

"Itachi?..." Sakura's finger poked him in the cheek, trying once more to get his attention.

A feeling of warmth came into being and spread throughout his body. To see her act so at peace with him, this close, was wondrous. Considering who they were and what he's done in the past.

"I'm here Sakura, thanks to you." Itachi reached out and brushed a pink strand away from her face. He wasn't so openly affectionate, but for her he'd make an exception.

"Oh…. well, if it wasn't for me…. you wouldn't even get hurt in the first place." Green eyes were suddenly filled with sadness and remorse. Sakura looked away from his dark gaze, ashamed of her carelessness.

Naturally, he wouldn't let her get away from him that easily.

"No, it doesn't matter who the blade was meant for. What is of real importance is that you've saved me." He persisted, gently taking hold of her face. Turning her head towards him with both hands on either side of her porcelain cheeks. The Uchiha looked at her with so much tenderness and appreciation, Sakura couldn't help but feel even worse.

"Stop being so forgiving. I wish you'd be angry with me or maybe even upset. That way I'd get what I deserve." She muttered, trying to remove Itachi' s grip with her own hands.

"What you deserve is my thanks, what I don't deserve is your mercy."

His hands then detached themselves from her face and entwined with her own.

The pinkette looked at their interlaced fingers then at the Uchiha' s handsome face.

"…Alright, and sorry again for shouting at you last night. I just couldn't help but feel so pathetic, I was negligent and look what happened to you!" She gestured to his bandaged yet completely healed body.

A beat of silence past between them before he spoke.

"Do not live in the past, It's done. Just be happy that we are both alive and well. If you had taken the kunai, then who would heal you? It's much better this way." He said while tightening his hold on her hands.

"But you shouldn't have sacrificed yourself." Sakura said, though her voice had lost its conviction. Already convinced by Itachi' s words.

"…..You were worth it." He simply said.

Green eyes widened then met with his dark gaze, finding nothing but the truth.

The air was instantaneously filled with tension and suspense.

Itachi didn't say anything, just looked at her with his smoldering eyes. Daring her to reply to his remark.

Sakura had no idea what to say to his sweet and rather bold statement.

So instead, she opted to lay back and stretch. Hopefully her nervousness would eventually ebb away, although he looked quite relaxed. As if he didn't just say something so fervent, his voice so full of passion. Something she didn't think he was even capable of.

And so, the pinkette sat up and raised her arms in the air. She reached for the sky and let out a smile when she heard a satisfying 'crack' from one of her sore limbs. But before she could move another muscle, a choke got her attention. The medic-nin regarded the man under her, thinking he was still weak from last night.

"Are you alright Itachi?" She asked and leaned closer, waiting for his answer.

No, Sakura was no longer uncomfortable in his presence. She wasn't even worried waking up on top of him. She did after all; sleep with him in a nest of blankets. Besides, she had a feeling that he was a gentleman. He wouldn't take advantage of a girl, especially a ten year old.

Oh, if only she knew.

The dark haired man almost gasped at the sight before him. Sakura stretching, moving her body so alluringly. And she wasn't even doing it to entice him, which only made him even more aroused than before. Together with the sheer amount of skin exposed, it was clearly too much for him.

"Ah….I'm uh, fine." Oh Kami, he was stuttering. He mentally slapped himself.

"Right…." She didn't look convinced.

Itachi wondered how long it would be before she would realize her growth spurt. A gust of cold air blew into the hut through the slightly open door.

No, not long. He thought.

"Geez, it's so cold. Has it still been raining?" The medic-nin asked.

He was afraid of stuttering once more, so her decided to merely nod his head.

Sakura wondered why she was freezing cold. It's not like she was wearing nothing, sure she wore a skirt just the night before but it shouldn't be this drafty.

Pinkette looked down, thinking it must've ridden up when she was asleep. It was a habit of hers, moving around and cuddling whenever she slept.

To her utmost surprise and mortification, Sakura found that her skirt was ripped on both sides.

But why-

…..

Wait…

Could it be?

Her hands disentangled themselves from Itachi' s and patted her body.

It is! She was back!

Sakura was so elated and happy, but then the moment shattered once she registered the Uchiha staring at her. Who was also currently in between her legs.

And so, She did whatever most teenage girls would do when half naked on top of an infamous criminal.

She screamed.

It was ear splitting and Itachi winced when she finished. But then Sakura opened her mouth again, with his swift reflexes, he covered her lips with his hand before she can deliver another loud shriek.

Silence.

...

A very awkward silence.

Then a very large nin with an equally large sword threw open the door.

"Hey! what the hell is hap-" The mist-nin's eyes went wide and his jaw slack. He was so shocked by the sight before him that he dropped his weapon with a resounding 'thud'.

Once again, silence. This time, it was much more awkward then before.

"K-kid?" Kisame stammered. Wondering how could the child he was so fond of, turned into one hell of a woman overnight.

"Kisame." Her voice was muffled by Itachi's hand. She then promptly removed it and distanced herself from the dark haired nin. Unfortunately, giving the other Akatsuki member an eyeful of creamy skin.

His bluish cheeks flushed and turned into shade of purple after seeing such a sight.

"So you're back huh? Guess I can't call you kid anymore." He said, trying to break the tense silence.

The pinkette smiled at his attempt and inwardly thanked him for it. She could always count on the mist-nin to lighten up the room.

"But how didja do it? Did you make some kind of just to counteract the previous one?" Kisame picked up his sword from the wooden floor and hefted it up on his massive shoulder.

"Yes, I am quite curious as well." Itachi added from his place on the ground, surrounded by blankets. Sakura could feel blood rushing up to her cheeks. It was completely embarrassing, waking up practically nude on top of Itachi Uchiha! Of all people in the world...

How she did not realize her predicament sooner was unclear to her.

Nevertheless, Sakura tried to forget it and thought back. How did this happen? It was definitely not on purpose. She had used all her strength and energy on Itachi. She barely had any chakra left for herself. Last night's efforts left her tired and all her chakra reserves were depleted. Wait...chakra...energy...jutsu...

"I got it!" She said excitedly, her green eyes shining with delight.

Kisame gestured for her to continue and his partner stayed silent, waiting for her to explain.

"I healed Itachi last night, mending all his wounds and injuries. I treated even the smallest of scratches with my chakra, depleting it exponentially. Anyways, the age defying jutsu requires a vast amount of chakra to maintain the user's appearance. And since I was drained of it the night before, I couldn't prolong the jutsu any longer." Sakura said with a grin. Of course, she didn't inform them about the rouge-nin's interference which must've modified her shishou's justu as well. The medic-nin would come up with another hypothesis and maybe even some theories on what else could occur. She was well aware of her master's jutsu and she had just explained how it had worn off. Even so, the clash of techniques could still alter her master's jutsu.

A grey blanket was thrown and landed in a heap all over her feet. Sakura looked up to see Kisame's sharp toothed grin.

"You better cover up kid, wouldn't want anyone eyeing ya on our way back to base." He said wickedly.

At his words, the pinkette pondered on when she would escape. A smart ninja would've done so last night. When the enemy was nearly dying, unaware of their prisoner making a run for it. But then again, Sakura knew in her heart she felt no regret. She did the right thing,it was her fault. She owed him her life, in exchange she gave his back.

"Yeah well, I can't help looking so good." She said impishly, already used to bantering with the mist-nin. Who only rolled his eyes and left the room to give her some privacy. Itachi did the same, although much more slowly. And before he left, he let his gaze wander over her body. Sakura really did blush this time.

By the time he finished his inspection, he turned and left. But not before sending her a lingering look.

As she wrapped the blanket around her form, she wondered if it was just her imagination. Did his eyes actually linger on her form? Was his gaze really heated and smoldering as it felt?

Sakura clutched the grey material tighter around her body, promising herself that she would flee soon. Before long, she would see the gates of konoha. Yet, why did her heart ache at the thought of leaving Akatsuki?

Hope you liked it :) anyways, lots of love and thanks to...

Kyah-chang (New reviewer! Hehe,thanks and don't worry, I ain't giving up on this fic. ;) )

Tavyshea (New reviewer! In Love? Aw you're so sweet ;) )

xbLoOmZx (Yes, yes it was very mean to put Itachi in a situation like that hehehe LOL )

Sakura no Polen (Hope you like this update my faithful reviewer :) )

YuYu99 (AWWW, amazing author? You're sweet as candy girl :) )

Akemi Spangler

Shadow Wolf

Dina Sana

Raganore Nevermore (Yeah, when I was about to write this chapter, I imagined his face going like this O_O hehehe)

Sakuraflower15 (Yet another new reviewer ! yey!:) )

Emzy2k11 ( hope you like it! :D )

KyuubiHost (sorry the last chappie was too short for ya, hope this one makes up for it :) )

Kalafina94 ( *grins widely* hope you liked this chappie :) hehe, yet another long review? Geez, you put so much time and effort for me girl J it makes me feel all special and stuffs. Anyways, thanks for the critique, actually, I'm just 15. This is my first time writing. I'm happy you really like my work girl :D)

LoVeLeSs AnD bEtRaYeD

Trunksmybaby (S'okay if you didn't review last chapter, I hope you liked it though…hehe, yes, he is getting turned on. But he won't let you know that though ;) )

Till next time! - VZ