Senko: PLZ READ BELOW.

Note Number 1: I think that the only person who was able to figure out what happened in the last chapter was Hao'sAnjul. The reason why Kisame attacked was because Itachi didn't agree to join Akatsuki. But oh well, I guess depending on how I feel I might include a scene of it just for you people who didn't read this note lol

Note Number 2: Some of you asked why Sakura didn't fight back and the answer is that she was still healing Gaara. If you read carefully, I made sure to write that "…she quickly began to heal him" and "…the now recovering Gaara." I never mentioned anywhere that Sakura finished healing him. Therefore, in the process of healing Gaara (who is very weak at the moment), Kisame quickly comes at Sakura and when she finally notices his presence, he is already behind her.

Note Number 3: Someone asked where Itachi was. You can find the answer when Kankuro approached the group. He said that Gaara was under attack and he said that Kiba is nowhere to be found. Itachi volunteers to go find Kiba. When Itachi returns with Kiba and they go to the Kazekage's Tower, they are greeted with an unforgettable (or at least to Itachi) scene where Kisame slashes Sakura.

Response to Reviews

You guys have made Senko-chan so happy! Senko-chan now has 200 reviews! Meh so happy-happy! Happy Day! And you know what…since Senko-chan is so happy, she made a new ItaSaku story! The ItaSakuGaa shipwreck story's first chapter is written but I'm not sure if I should post it because it has major OOC-ness and weirdness. But I also have another story out that is ItaSaku and I will be giving a preview of it at the end of this chapter. Tell me if I should post it!

Chrys: -points to note number 1- D
Lilmisssushi: I still vote for NejiSaku because is are soooo many good SasuSaku stories out there and NejiSaku needs more wonderful stories ;) and yes, you finally know Kisame's intentions! Hehe
konohaGiRL: Aw thanks! Well, what Mikoto said was just something I felt when I first fell in love. Before that, I always felt that every girl had her special someone in the world and one day we'll meet that special someone. But then later on I came to notice that wouldn't thinking like that be like taking things for granted? ;D yepyep.
Neon kun: I'm hooked on your stories too! o.O;; especially "Coexistence" so you better update that story I'll really flood your YM too! Myahahaha!
Mistress DragonFlame: Hm you have a point o.O;; I'll try not to jump around too much, okay? xD thankies for telling me!
Chie: Wait, I'm kinda confused with your review. I dunno if you're talking about chapter 8 or if you're talking about how Itachi got into the book o.O;;
Kat: Sorry for the errors! You were right about the Sakura and Hinata thing and Shikamaru; I dunno what was wrong with me, I must have missed that typo. About the Sakura thing, read note 2 up there. Also, Sakura doesn't get suspicious about Itachi helping her because she believes that it would be how Itachi is if he didn't kill his family. She thinks that he would just be nice enough to help her. I don't think that Sakura knows how the MS is gained (yet) because there is no scene in the manga or anime where she finds out how it is obtained. To be honest, I typed down some more stuff for your reply but I deleted it…because I kinda spoiled some things lol
Starwishes: You are correct! Both Itachi and Sakura have their bodies from the real world!
blackXheart: Yes, Kisame's sword sucks chakra (v.v)
The Squabbit: I agree with you! But my evil best friend doesn't T-T she says: "Of course you can't find guys like Itachi, he's not real!" –cries-
Ninjaxbunny: I know that story! But omg you can't be serious! I love that story! That story is so out of my league, it's so good! My story can never be as good as or better than that story TT-TT
Sachmet: Shh….yes, she will…hehe

Thanks to The Violent Tomboy for telling me my mistake about the Kazekage's Tower. I'm not sure if someone else told me about that mistake too, but if you are reading this and you told me about it and I didn't give thanks to you, plz tell me.

Thanks to Noyesgirl, bloodstainedmoon, sendoh11, Iccena, Midnight-Miko66, Ivory Black aka Torri-Chiob…, SweetAssassin, Fallen Angel, inuyashaHELP, monkeyn3rdZ, BWOLFY, w1cked angel, Rhonda21, Itachi's Poison, animemistress419, Baka'sAngel, Sylvok, Sakura'sHope, hinako89, theoneandonlydarkpowderpuff, sillymail, Hearltess Ghost, Kunai-to-the-Heart, KaylaChiSugano and xxxILoveFyexxx for reviewing!

Disclaimer: No own.

Chapter 9

"Sakura, are you sure you're okay?" Shikamaru asked.

"M-Maybe we should stop and rest," Hinata suggested.

"I'm fine," Sakura forced a weak smile.

The group was now on their way back to Konoha. No one knew how Itachi did it, but Kisame just suddenly fell unconscious. They took their chance and tied a charka rope around him, limiting his movements just in case he woke up. Itachi estimated for Kisame to be out cold for about three days, so the group decided to leave shortly after ensuring that Gaara was well. Gaara decided that as his way of thanking them he would accompany them and use his sand to carry Kisame to Konoha; since Kisame was knocked out, he is unable to move and he is much too heavy for the others to carry all the way back to Konoha. Kankuro and Temari substituted for Gaara.

From the corner of his eye, Itachi could see Sakura struggling to move. It had been about seven or eight hours since the assault on Gaara and ever since then they had been walking. Fortunately for Gaara, since he had a demon inside him, he was able to recover much more quickly than Sakura. But Sakura used up her chakra to heal Gaara and to construct a chakra rope to bind Kisame. In addition to that, Kisame's Samehara took even more of her chakra. She was lingering behind the group, although striving to not show her exhaustion.

Itachi, who as walking near the front of the group, slowed down his pace until he was walking side by side Sakura.

"Are you okay?" he asked, emotionless as ever yet with a diminutive amount of worry.

She turned to him and again faked a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"No, you're not fine."

"Well, I'll still make it. There's only about a couple hours more until we reach Konohagakure."

"I can carry you."

She blinked, shocked for a second. "That's okay, Itachi-kun. There's no need for that."

"You could faint."

"I still have energy left to make it home."

"No, you don't."

"Yes, I do."

The two stared at each other for a few seconds until Itachi decided to leave her and picked up his pace again. Sakura continued to stare down at the ground and walk, fatigue slowly washing over her. Itachi made his way to Sasuke and walked side by side him for a second.

"Go carry Sakura," he said, before leaving Sasuke behind.

Sasuke looked back to see a tired Sakura slowly walking behind the group. He stopped and waited until Sakura reached him.

"You're in no condition to walk," he said.

She glanced at him quickly before returning to look at the sandy ground. "I can make it."

He inwardly sighed at her stubbornness before grabbing her wrist and stopping her in her track. He swiftly pulled her to him and quickly placed an arm under her knees and one around her back and brought her up to his chest. Sakura blushed at the closeness to Sasuke.

"S-S-Sasuke, I can walk," she muttered.

"Aren't you supposed to be sleeping?"

"What…uh, I…"

"Go sleep already."

"What –"

"Go sleep."

"But –"

"I said go sleep."

"Fine…" she murmured and soon drifted off into a deep slumber.

(Senko: HA! You thought I was gonna make Itachi carry her, HUH? Didn't you! - evil laughter -)

After a couple more hours of walking the group finally arrived back at Konohagakure around midnight. Gaara went straight to the Hokage's Tower to find out where he was to put Kisame's body. The rest were left in the center of Konoha.

"Well, goodnight," Naruto yawned. "Man, I'm so tired I could sleep for years." He left.

Hinata giggled at Naruto's exaggerated statement. "Goodnight, everyone. I should get back to my place now." She waved and left the group.

One by one everyone departed until the only ones left were Sasuke, Itachi, and Sakura. Sasuke, still carrying the sleeping Sakura in his arms, handed her to Itachi. Itachi took her, not knowing why his brother did that.

"I don't know where she lives. I haven't visited her since her parents passed away," Sasuke said, leaving the couple.

Itachi turned in the opposite direction of his brother and headed for Sakura's place. He was amazed at her weight; she was a lot lighter than she looked, and she already looked skinny. He wondered if she was one of those girls who tortured themselves with diets and makeup struggling to look perfect. It wasn't a very long walk to Sakura's place, but during that time he wondered about many things and realized that he didn't know much about her. Who were her parents and did they also die in the real world, or were they dead only in this world? He heard from his father on his engagement day that although not very many of the residents of Konoha knew, her parents died and she lived alone. Speaking of family, was her hair naturally pink? Indeed, she was the first person he'd ever met that had pink hair…and emerald eyes.

His thoughts came to an abrupt halt as he felt her stir in his arms.

"Sasuke-kun…" she muttered, and then returning to her dreams.

A small portion of him felt pity for the girl. Since entering the book, he had heard her refer to his younger brother as simply "Sasuke," but now he had just discovered that deep down she still wished to call him "Sasuke-kun" instead. He had thought that after all these years and after all the pain his younger brother put her through she would be angry or at least had given up on his younger brother. It seemed to him that she was using him as either a replacement for Sasuke, a source to forget Sasuke, or a reason to get closer to Sasuke.

He slightly frowned for a second. He wouldn't allow for any of those reasons to happen.

He had finally reached Sakura's place. Turning the doorknob, he realized that the door was locked. He set her down on a chair beside her door on the porch and took her bag, which was strapped to her waist. Reaching inside the bag, he searched around for the key but couldn't find it. Finally, he decided to just wake up Sakura. He shook her gently, and she slowly opened her eyes.

"I..tachi-kun?" she said softly, still tired.

"Your door is locked and I can't find the keys."

"Oh, sorry," she yawned and got up from the chair. She walked to the door and then placed her hand over the doorknob, channeling her chakra to it. The door unlocked and opened.

Itachi stared impressed with her method of locking her door. He had never thought of doing such a thing. After all, he never really did have to lock his door in order to disable people from entering; a single glare or threat and he would be left alone.

"Wanna come in?" she asked.

"No, you're tired. I'll let you rest," he said, turning around to leave. But he was stopped.

Sakura tugged on his shirt. "Would you like to spend the night here, Itachi-kun?"

He turned around to be met with Sakura's smiling face, although half-asleep. Uncertainty filled him inside and he questioned why she would ask him to spend the night. Oh, that's right – he's not an S-class criminal in this world.

"Come on, spend the night with your fiancée," she pulled him in and shut the door close.

Sakura's jade orbs greeted the world. She was lying on something dark. Funny, she didn't remember her bed sheets being black. Realization struck her and she immediately bolted up from her position. She was lying not on top of black bed sheets, but on top of a sleeping Itachi who was dressed in black. Sakura watched as Itachi opened his eyes. She got off of him and sat up straight next to him as he lifted himself up from his place.

"Uh…g-good morning," she said, blushing.

He looked around. "What time is it?"

Sakura glanced at her clock on the wall and panicked. "Oh, my god! It's past noon! I have to go see Tsunade-shishou!"

The two got up and hastily got ready to go see the Hokage. At the end of every mission, the ninjas were supposed to report back to the Hokage. Since they knew they were going to arrive late, they agreed to go to the Hokage's Tower at noon sharp and give their report on the mission, but Sakura and Itachi overslept. Sakura and Itachi were now walking together to the Hokage's Tower. Sakura glanced at Itachi before blushing and turning away.

"Um…nothing happened, right?" she asked.

"Nothing happened," he assured her.

She sighed in relief to herself. The events of the previous day suddenly occurred to her and she wondered how Itachi defeated Kisame. "Hey, what did you do to make Kisame faint? Are you really that powerful?"

"It's the Mangekyou Sharingan," he answered.

"Mangekyou?" her eyes blinked in amazement. "There are types of Sharingan?"

"There's the Sharingan and the Mangekyou Sharingan."

"Which one does Sasuke have?"

"Just the Sharingan."

"Is there a limit to how many people can have it?"

"No."

"What's the difference between the two?"

"You can use the Mangekyou Sharingan to generate powerful genjutsu."

"Oh. So how did you defeat Kisame?"

"I used Tsukiyomi on him."

"Tsukiyomi?"

"I trap him in a genjutsu were I harm him continually for about seventy-two hours, but in reality only a second has passed by."

"Wow…that's amazing."

The two finally reached the Hokage's Tower and made their way up to Tsunade's office. Upon entering, they realized that Sasuke and Naruto were there talking to Tsunade.

Tsunade growled in anger. "I keep telling you, I don't want you to die."

"I can't die! I won't die!" Naruto retorted. "Just gimme the mission!"

Tsunade sighed hopefully and decided to forget Naruto, turning her attention to the two new arrivals. "Good afternoon, you two. Your team came and gave me the report on your mission about…oh, only two hours ago."

"Nii-san, you didn't come back last night. Where were you?" Sasuke asked.

"Sakura's place."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "You mean to say…you slept over at Sakura's place? And the two of you…overslept?

Naruto gasped. "S-S-Sakura-chan! I'm so sorry! I…I shouldn't have left him alone with you! Just tell me what that bastard did and I'll kill him for you!"

Sakura fumed, embarrassed at what Tsunade said. "TSUNADE-SHISHOU!"

Tsunade folded her arms, getting into a thinking pose. "Well, you can't expect me to think nothing happened, can you? One guy and one girl together in one house and the next day both of them wake up late. I know the two of you are engaged, but don't you think it's too early for this? I mean –"

And then the guys looked on horrified as random items flew across the room.

Sakura finally calmed down and smiled innocently at Naruto, Itachi, and Sasuke. The three were outside the Hokage's Tower. "I'm so sorry about my small act of rage earlier."

The same words flowed through each of their minds. 'Small? Right…'

"It's okay, Sakura-chan! Well, since Tsunade-obaa-chan won't give me the mission I guess I'll just be going now. I have a date with Hinata-chan at Ichiraku!" he grinned, and dashed off in joy.

"Sakura, kaa-san told me to tell you that she'd like for you to move into the Uchiha estate by tomorrow. She said that it's not safe for a girl to live alone and that it'd be safer if you move in with us," Sasuke said.

"What? Really?"

"Yeah. Nii-san, me, Naruto, and Kakashi will come over to help transfer your stuff. You should start packing now," he said.

"Oh…uh, okay, sure," she said, trying to register what was going on.

Senko: That's all for now! Below is a preview for my new ItaSaku story (tell me if you like it, OK?)!

New Story("The Other Uchiha") Preview:

"WHAT DID YOU SAY!" Tsunade raged.

Sakura squint her eyes at the dangerous chakra emitting from Tsunade. She stuttered fear, "I-I-I said that…I'm sorry, I took the wrong potion and now…uhm, Uchiha Itachi is back to his twelve-year-old self…"