I don't own Naruto – VZ

The second she was out of Sasuke's arms and in his older brother's, she felt more at ease. At that very moment, Sakura could feel a torrent of emotions wash over her. At first it was happiness, pure joy that nearly pushed her to tears. All right, it was silly to feel this way towards someone that might not feel the same but still. She would not deny that she was a very emotional person, a fact that justified her reactions to his very presence. He was here; holding her in a tight and intimate embrace that made her feel cherished. Although it seemed highly unlikely that he considers her precious, it was nice to imagine that he did, even for just a moment. Once the glee faded away, surprise settled in.

How did the oldest Uchiha find her? It must have been very difficult in light of her very low chakra signature. Since it was so weak, it might as well be non-existent. But then again, there was that huge explosion of chakra that burst inside her. Well, at least that's what it felt like. The pinkette wasn't sure what happened; however she did feel loads stronger. Not only that but her form was that of an adult's, not a child's. Naturally, she was ecstatic, yet confused and slightly worried as well. All these changes must be bad at some point right?

Choosing not to dwell on the past, she focused on the present. Where Itachi was glaring daggers at Sasuke, who happily did the same.

Already she could feel the killing intent in the air.

No, her former teammate would not be after her at the moment, he had another much more important priorities, killing his own brother for example.

The shock at finding Itachi at the clearing soon transformed into fear. Not only for him but also for that asshole of a teammate of hers. Sakura knew that they would fight to the death. The best outcome was for both to get brutally hurt, the worst was for either one to die. And as much as she wanted to see Sasuke bleeding on the ground, her damn compassionate heart just couldn't take it. She saw the hurt evident in those bottomless eyes, eyes so similar to his brother's. Of course he'd be angry and hurt after all that's happened to him. However, Sakura had a gut feeling that the loss of his family wasn't just because Itachi was struck by the need to kill. The medic-nin knew there was more to the story than just that.

Would a killer share sweets with you? Save you from exploding tags? Or simply be there for you. No, She didn't think so either.

"Sakura."

Her head turned and she faced him, after all these days and nights. A small smile grew on her face, which softened his hardened eyes.

The way he said her name was reverent, making her heart skip a beat.

"Itachi." She replied, her voice full of wonder. It was a contrast to her acidic tone with his younger brother just before.

"You came for me."

Yes, that line was horribly cliché but it just suited the moment so much that she couldn't bring herself to care.

His lips twitched as if he wanted to smile, yet he refrained himself from doing so.

"You were worth it."

She could barely hear his familiar words over the thudding of her beating heart.

"Itachi." An extremely hostile voice called out, dripping malice and animosity.

The older Uchiha didn't bother facing him; he had eyes only for the woman in his arms.

"Itachi!" Sasuke yelled once more, his patience obviously thinning.

This time, he did glance at him, but only for a brief moment, then he was back gazing at Sakura.

Who was, very flattered, however she was quite concerned for Itachi. He could get seriously injured if he stayed here.

"You better leave Itachi. We both know how much Sasuke wants to…"

How pathetic.

She couldn't even say it out loud. Just thinking about it in her head was hard, what more saying it to him? Her heart ached for him. It must be hard to confront your only family like this. But then again, didn't he deserve Sasuke's sword inside him? His blood pooling on the soil would be the compensation that his little brother wanted. However, she just knew. He must have had a reason for doing what he did. The pinkette just had to find out what exactly.

"I'm aware of that."

Green eyes narrowed.

"Then what are you still doing here? Run while you still have a chance."

Her suggestion must have amused him for a tiny chuckle left his lips.

"I am capable enough to teach my foolish brother a lesson that he will not forget anytime soon."

A pink eyebrow arched.

Itachi continued, his eyes smoldering and his arms around her tightened.

"He will learn not to touch what is mine."

There it was again. Him claiming her to be his property. Although she wanted to yell and scream that she as a living, breathing person and not an inanimate object or a prize to be won, the look in his eyes stopped her from doing so. The way he said 'mine' sounded so intimate and private. No, now Sakura realized that he used his claim as a sort of endearment. As if she was not only his, but also more than that.

Did She really mean that much to him?

But before she could reply to his words, a cold voice sliced through the air like a hot knife through melted butter.

"Enough."

The pair looked at Sasuke, who appeared calm and cool. Much like his usual self, the only thing that showed any real emotion was his eyes. Wow, she never he really noticed how much you could see in a person's eye. Maybe it was true. That a person's eyes are windows to their souls, to their real emotions that are hidden from the world.

Anger, rage and fury burned in those red depths. It was frightening to say the least.

"You have talked enough."

For a while it was silent then to her surprise, Itachi actually smiled. Well, almost but that was a big achievement considering his track record of frowns and stoic expressions.

And she could even see a little mischief in there as well. The way he tilted his lips was even a bit impish.

If Sakura wasn't so shocked with the day's events, she might have pointed it out and laughed her heart out. Unfortunately, now was not the time for that.

"For once, I agree with you little brother."

He faced her, a tender look in his eyes.

"Words cannot convey the true emotion I feel right now. Perhaps actions will be of better use."

And with that, Itachi Uchiha swooped down and kissed Sakura full on the mouth.

Her mind blanked out. All thoughts and words were effectively silenced as soon as his lips touched hers. Assuming his kisses would be harsh and rough didn't prepare her for his gentle touch. The medic-nin imagined him to be hungry and hot, much like his intense gaze. How wrong she was.

It was short and sweet. His lips giving hers the lightest of touches, making her crave for something more. Too soon it was over and she saw the satisfied expression on his usually stoic face and heard the choke that left Sasuke's lips. Well, he wasn't the only one surprised that's for sure. She thought, her eyes still slightly glazed from the kiss he'd planted on her.

Sakura looked up to see the stunned look on her former teammates' face. But it transformed into one of disdain and disgust after a few seconds.

"I see now. She's your whore, isn't she?"

His words stabbed her. Yes, she said that she didn't care about his opinion of her but it still stung.

Itachi's eyes hardened.

"I'm surprised you'd bed her. So much for standards."

The hurtful words formed a knife inside her, twisting, making the pain so much worse.

"Do not speak of things that you obviously don't understand Sasuke."

The older Uchiha warned, his voice taking a dangerous edge.

It seemed like he didn't care because he pushed harder, plunging the blade inside her deeper than ever before.

"Congratulations, you've landed yourself a pink haired bitch that is worth nothing more than the dirt under my shoe-"

He never got to finish, for his own brother delivered a blow to his mouth.

"Never. Never speak of Sakura that way again."

The pinkette watched as Itachi took out a kunai and placed it right under Sasuke's jaw. Where another purple bruise was forming.

"You do that, and I will send you to hell with the rest of our family."

He looked like he wanted to hurt Itachi for saying such things about their honorable family when he cut him off with a dangerous glare.

"Foolish boy. Attempting to avenge a group of people who does not deserve your effort."

"What do you mean?" He ground out. The blade was digging deeper into his pale skin, making a thin ribbon of blood flow from his neck.

"Get stronger boy. One day we will meet again and only one will come out of that battle alive." And with those haunting words that left her chest throbbing painfully, he disappeared, materializing behind her a second later.

"Why wait? Let's fight. Here and now." Sasuke demanded, wiping off the red flowing from the small wound.

"Tch…I have much more important matters to attend to."

It was like he didn't even hear Itachi, because he grabbed his bloody sword.

"Sasuke-"

He charged, his eyes glinting maliciously.

However, his sword never hit its target.

A large blue man with an equally large sword was blocking its way.

"What have we got here?"

Sakura could have cried at hearing the mist-nin's voice. For some reason it seemed so familiar and comforting, it made her smile.

"A squirt with a knife trying to hurt our angel? This ain't good. Not good at all."

He shook his head in mock disappointment before turning his head and winking at the pinkette.

Sasuke immediately backed away and re-appeared a few yards away from us, looking very angry.

"What will you do now little brother? You cannot hope to defeat the both of us."

He scanned the three of us, wondering if he really could take us all on. Well, even if Sakura was slightly battered. She was still strong and exceptionally determined to keep both of the Akatsuki members safe, by any means necessary. Once again, she wasn't going to question why she was bothering to help them. They did capture her once, or twice. Nevertheless, they came back for her. And staying with them is much more preferable than Sasuke's wonderful presence. (Insert sarcasm here)

"I am not alone." He replied, looking for his teammates.

"Oh, you lookin' for this guy?"

It hard to believe that Sakura didn't notice the white haired man hanging limply from Kisame's shoulder, like a sack of potatoes. It didn't take long for her to realize that it was Suigetsu, looking bloody and broken.

"He didn't deserve this sword."

The large nin remarked, throwing away Suigetsu's body.

She watched as it rolled to the side, his arm hanging at an awkward angle.

Almost immediately, she ran to his prone form.

But Sasuke's voice stopped her form taking another step.

"Don't. Karin will heal him."

Just as he finished his short but angry statement, a familiar red head appeared, in a red and black cloak that billowed in the wind.

"This girl is whiny and quite ugly. There is no beauty I can preserve." He drawled while his fingers were making movements. Suddenly, a puppet appeared, with a bruised but breathing girl with bright red hair. The same color as the blood dripping from her lips.

"S-s-sasuke-kun, save me." Karin groaned pathetically.

"And you claim that I have no standards." Itachi regarded the girl who whimpered for her 'dear Sasuke-kun.'

The youngest Uchiha growled, scanning the clearing for the last person he could rely on. It was embarrassing to say so (not that he would) but he needed help.

"Looking for someone?" An exuberant voice called out.

Green eyes looked upwards and saw a giant clay bird, white like the clouds above her.

She couldn't help the smile forming on her face as Deidara appeared and screamed out 'Art is a bang!'

As soon as he said it, a large form fell from the sky.

Assuming it was a bomb she turned and attempted to run.

To her surprise (again) Sakura ran into a wall.

"Miss me bitch?"

A cursing wall?

She glanced up and saw the cocky smile of a silver haired nin. His purple eyes gleamed at her.

"Hidan."

"Who else were you fucking expecting?"

"Actually I wasn't expecting anybody at all." She admitted.

It was silent for a while and then a heavy thud alerted everyone of the object Deidara had dropped onto the ground. Sakura's eyes widened at the sight. It wasn't a thing, It was a person. A person with bright orange hair.

Sasuke cursed but refused to admit defeat. So his brother did it for him.

"You have lost this round foolish brother."

Hidan took this as their signal to leave for her lifted the pinkette into his arms, then over his shoulder. Just like how Kisame was carrying Suigetsu earlier.

"Hey! Put me down Hidan, I can walk."

"But you're injured, look you're fucking bleeding!" He gestured to the bloody yukata She wore.

"I'm healed now." She said stubbornly.

"I wouldn't be a real gentleman if I let a hot bitch like you walk." He proceeded to follow the others into the woods and away from the clearing. The pair were so involved in their conversation that they didn't notice everyone else were listening in on the conversation. Itachi was busy frowning at Hidan, upset that he had grabbed the pinkette before he did.

"Gentleman? You? Ha! Like that would actually happen." She chuckled at the thought.

Purple eyes rolled at she continued to giggle to herself.

"Tch…whatever, at least I have one hell of a view over here." Hidan slapped her rear, not too hard but it was definitely not soft.

Sakura yelped and threatened to castrate him if he dared to do it again. Which he did, much to the other's irritation.

The journey to a nearby inn was uneventful, although, the kunais thrown at him for the next few hours, courtesy of his fellow Akatsuki members were very annoying.

PLEASE READ!

Hope you liked it! Sorry it took so long to update :( anyways, i know that lots of you wanted to see itachi kick Sasu-gay's ass ( i was too ) but it's still next time. I really want the plot to build first. And i felt like Itachi's the type to stake his claim on Sakura and walk away like the badass he is. But trust me, there will be another confrontation. You guys just have to be patient. Anyways, lots of love and thanks for those who reviewed last time. Hearing you thoughts and praise truly mean a lot to me. Till' next time! - VZ