Hullo… My friends have forced me back into action, so here I am.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

- - -

As Sakura and Ino approached the edge of the forest, a dark shape landed in front of them. Ino shrieked once and clutched at Sakura's arm before relaxing as she saw the red clouds.

"Oh, Itachi-san," she gasped. "You scared me…"

The corner of Itachi's mouth lifted slightly. "My foolish little brother couldn't even keep up with two chuunin kunoichi?"

Sakura interrupted slowly. "Sensei, we're only gennin… Only Naruto, Sasuke, Neji, Shikamaru, Temari, and Gaara were made chuunin." She looked down. Itachi scoffed.

"That does not matter," he told her quietly. "You will be chuunin before this year is over."

"Really?!" Sakura's eyes sparkled hopefully as she gazed up at him. He found himself being pulled into her foam-green orbs, which radiated innocence and kindness.

"Yes," he promised firmly. "Yamanaka-san also, perhaps. We shall see." Ino beamed her thanks, hugging Sakura.

"You'll do it, forehead girl!" she cheered. "I know it!"

Once Itachi had rescued Sakura from Ino's deathgrip, he held her to his side, saying, "Didn't Tsunade-sama want to see you two?"

Ino's head shot up. "Oh, yeah! C'mon, forehead girl!"

Sakura sighed, slipping under Itachi's arm to follow her friend. "Hai, hai. Are you coming, sensei?"

"No, but Itachi is," he replied stoically.

"Ah."

"SEE?!?"

"…"

In Tsunade's Office

"Shishou? You called?" Sakrua stuck her head in the door and peered around. Her eyes widened at the sight of Tsunade, busily looking through paperwork. "Kai!"

Nothing happened Guess it's not a genjutsu, then…

Then how about this? Inner Sakura took over, grabbing a shuriken and hurling it at the older woman, who promptly disappeared in a poof of smoke.

"You finally created a bunshin that likes to work?" the pink-haired girl asked dryly. "That's new."

The real Tsunade sat up, scowling good-naturedly. "Ha! Even Shizune couldn't tell the difference! She had a heart attack, pretty much." She coughed sheepishly. "So, I think it's a good time to work on Itachi's eyes. What say you?"

Itachi glanced at his student; she nodded determinedly. "Ino-pig, will you stay? Or does your team need you?"

Ino waved a careless hand. "They'll be fine," she snorted. Shika-kun's got everything covered." She paused, thinking, before adding, "If he hasn't fallen asleep."

Sakura and Tsunade laughed. "Right," the busty blonde said, wiping away tears," let's get started, then!"

Five Hours Later

"That took longer than expected," Sakura mumbled, yawning. "I'm exhausted. How do you feel, Itachi-san?"

"I am fine, Sakura," he answered in his monotonous voice. "I think we will be going, then. Hokage-sama, Yamanaka-san." He caught Sakura just as she toppled over.

Tsunade and Ino watched as he left, carrying Sakura bridal-style carefully. Tsunade swayed. "How nice it is to be young and in love," she remarked, looking blearily at the papers in front of her. "Bunshin no jutsu!"

Ino nodded sagely, agreeing. "But do they know it?" she giggled.

"We'll have to help them, won't we?" Tsunade snickered mischievously. "Are you up for it, Ino?"

"Am I ever!" Ino answered quickly. "Of course! I shall be glad to assist you in any way I can!" Then she sweatdropped. "I sound like Lee…"

At Sakura's House

"Sakura, I'm going to take down a rope. Can you balance?" Itachi asked. The kunoichi in his arms stirred and attempted to stand, only to be pulled back down. "Don't move. You're drained of chakra. Can you balance on one rope?"

"Yes," Sakura mumbled. "Can you put me down? How are your eyes?"

Itachi looked at her, taking in her glossy pink hair and brilliant emerald eyes. He smirked, shifting so he could lay her down on the four ropes that now made up her bed.

"I can see very well. Thank you."

"Th-that's good…" Sakura murmured, crossing her wrists across her chest and her ankles to balance.

"I'll wake you up when it's time to eat," the black-haired man said, stroking her hair gently. "Go to sleep."

"Hai, sensei." She fell asleep right away.

"Hn…" Turning back as he left, he watched the strands of cherry petal color blow across Sakura's pale face and felt grateful – something he almost never felt – for his newly regained eyesight. She's beautiful… I can't understand why my foolish little brother dislikes her so much… He shrugged. It's his loss… Now it's my turn with the cherry blossom.

- - -

What did you think? Ino's not really going to have to play matchmaker… Things'll happen on their own.