"Hey," a voice came from behind him, and Naruto, clutching an ice cream cone, looked back over his shoulder. He'd been caught mid-laugh, and Sakura, the baseball team's manager, took a step back to see who was seeking out one of their school's greatest potentials.

"You're Uzumaki, right?" It was a man, and he was leaning out from the window of an indiscreet sports car, and Naruto squinted his eyes, trying to figure out how he knew the guy. And then it hit him.

"Itachi?"

It had been a long time since he'd actually seen Sasuke's brother - even when he'd been younger, Itachi had been more of a ghost than anything else. Always at some club meeting or practice, or out with friends. And now he was in college, and Sasuke was doing his best to live up to the legacy Itachi had left behind with Konoha High's basketball team.

"You recognize me?" Itachi smiled, and it was casually alluring. Sakura even managed to stay quiet, and if it hadn't been for the flush on her cheeks, Naruto would have guessed she was being polite. But he understood her reaction - minus a few frown lines, Itachi looked like Sasuke all grown up.

But Naruto knew, at least from Sasuke's less than casual warnings, that the two brothers were not alike. And so, with a practiced grin more meant for show, Naruto pointed a thumb towards the rear of Itachi's car. "Your license plate helped."

This drew a smirk from the older man, and Sakura shifted to see what Naruto was talking about - only to frown when she realized the plate clearly read Itachi. With a sigh, she told Naruto, "You're dripping."

Blue eyes went wide as ice cream dribbled down his fingers, and Naruto whined before he lapped the edges of his dollop of mint chocolate chip and complained about not having a napkin. Sakura, ever prepared, handed him one with an almost motherly sigh.

"Come with me," Itachi managed to make it sound like more of a demand than a question, and Naruto, not really sure what they'd even have to talk about, and skeptical, peered up, pouting.

"But I'm on a date," he gestured to Sakura, who didn't even have the decency to blush - she simply smacked him across the head.

"We are not dating," she gave Naruto an almost trademarked glare. "And don't say things like that. I'm your manager. If rumors got out…"

Naruto broke out laughing, simply because he enjoyed getting an occasional rise out of her. She smacked him again and he stumbled forward, trying not to lose what was left of his ice cream at the sheer impact.

"If you break me I won't be able to play this weekend," Naruto pointed out, rubbing his arm and looking back at her slyly. She simply hmphed and crossed her arms over her chest, not deigning him with a reply.

"Seriously, come with me," Itachi tried again. "You and Sasuke have always been close. There's something I'd like to ask you."

Naruto gave him a good show of curiosity before taking a modest lick from his cone. "Shoot."

It was clear that Itachi wanted a more private conversation, and Sakura looked about ready to say something about Naruto being rude when Itachi simply smiled and said, "How would you like to be scouted to Suna?"

Sakura gasped. "What?"

Naruto's eyes lit up. "The Suna? Are you serious?"

"Naruto, don't even think about it," Sakura snapped at him, and then she turned her frustration to Itachi. "You've got some nerve. There's no way he'd trade schools."

Itachi pretended like she wasn't even there, his eyes never leaving Naruto's. "Full ride. I can make it happen. Ever since your pitching showdown with Gaara, they've been looking at you – you're a real threat, you know?

Naruto frowned. "So, what, they sent you to see if I was interested? If you're scouting, shouldn't it be for basketball?"

"I'm in college for sports management," Itachi replied, and Naruto remembered that Itachi had been injured in his final basketball game, the one he was known for, because he'd led the team to win state for the first time in years, despite. He wondered if the rumors were true – that Itachi couldn't play ball anymore.

"I was supposed to have a meeting with you after your game this weekend," Itachi revealed. "But I saw you here and thought, what the hell. It's an amazing opportunity," he advertised. "They're willing to shovel a lot of money your way - for housing, school fees and supplies. And you know, players from Suna always get college offers."

"Tell him the answer is no," Sakura huffed, cheeks red with offense. When Naruto didn't say anything right away, she balled her fists and glared at him – and was caught off guard when he sauntered up to Itachi's car and draped his arm over the driver's side window, smiling – but there was a knowing look to his expression that Sakura had only seen a handful of times before.

"They want me to play with Gaara Sabaku? The Gaara Sabaku?" He allowed himself to sound awed, and Itachi nodded.

Naruto snorted. "You mean under him," he corrected. "You said it yourself; I'm a threat. They'll pay all of this money to get me out there, and then third string me so that I never see a game. I'm not an idiot, Itachi."

The older man didn't lose face. Instead, he shrugged. "If you're good enough, they won't."

There was no playfulness left on Naruto's face, only irritation. "I'm staying put. Tell Gaara that if he's that intimidated, bring it to our next game."

That wasn't the answer that Itachi wanted, and something vicious flashed through his eyes. "There's only room for one star athlete at Konoha. You and I both know that's Sasuke."

Naruto was taken aback, and Itachi brushed him from his car before revving his engine. "I'm keeping the offer open."

"Don't bother," Naruto collected himself enough to retort.

Itachi eyed him. "I have a feeling you'll be wanting it before too long."

And with that, he rolled up his window, pulled out into traffic, and disappeared.

"What the hell was that about?" Sakura asked, hands on her hips.

Naruto stepped back, confused, and angry. "I don't know. But I've got a bad feeling."