Tsuki-chan: I'm back! Don't ask, I've been trying to think of a way to end this story and whether or not to have a sequel. The pairing poll thing I shouldn't have even bothered with, I knew which would be most popular. Well I've finally decided and let's just say… I found a way to approve all of your choices without making alternate endings.
The only problem is where some asked me to make it a Sasuke Itachi fic… TT . TT people, I meant I wanted you to choose between SasukeSakura and ItachiSakura, not SasukeItachi. I'm still shuddering at that idea. Sorry, incest is not my thing.
I don't own Naruto and I hope you enjoy reading this! I'll try and make the next chapter longer! n . n
"Marry me Sakura… be mine forever." He breathed against her hair. Sakura remained frozen in his grasp as she contemplated his words.
"I-Itachi-kun, control yourself! Wha-What's gotten into you?" Sakura hissed, struggling against his grasp halfheartedly. He caught her wrists and pinned them beside her face as he straddled him.
Sakura was afraid; she wasn't going to deny it. She turned her face away, not wanting to see Itachi so strange. His lips landed on her neck but that didn't deter him as he nuzzled into it, landing affectionate nips. He frowned when her lack of movement disgruntled him.
"Why don't you accept me?" he whispered.
"…I love you Itachi-kun… but this isn't you." She whispered. Jealousy was acceptable, pushing other boys away were fine… but he was going to fast. Something was driving within him and it frightened her. "I'm sorry."
"…No I'm sorry Sakura… I act irrationally." She smiled, wrapping her arms around him.
"It's alright… let's just pretend this never happened." As he held her tightly she didn't notice the cold gaze as he held her tightly.
'Stop and call me while you're still safe…' Kurai thought as she stared at the two embracing. She didn't usually stop by and observe intimate moments, thinking that they were sacred and should be kept between two people only but… she had no choice. She had to make sure Sakura wasn't doing anything foolish by changing the past. Just because she chose not to kill Itachi doesn't mean she can't change the past.
Besides… something else had happened. A certain acquaintance of hers had decided to drop in. "Haruko." She froze, turning around slowly. Behind her was a boy with blue-red eyes. Things were getting out of hand. A simple trip to the past yet she was too careless. Not only was the Uchiha sent back… yet others came along.
"I thought I told you to never call me that…Rei." A boy with blue-red eyes stood, his wild red mane flying behind him. He smiled at her, his fangs gleaming. "What are you doing here anyhow?"
"That little Sakura-chan of yours interests me… I met her before when she first arrived here. Such a feisty little thing." He whispered, licking his lips. Kurai was a nickname and the only person who knew it was the boy in front of her.
"Don't you dare touch her." Rei chuckled.
"Not to worry, dear Haruko-chan, I won't touch her in anyways she wouldn't like. By the time I'm through with her, she'll be begging for me to take her away from the Uchiha." Haruko glared at him.
"Not likely. Sakura's too innocent; she'll never understand your seductive ways. Besides, the Uchiha will make sure that you don't lay a finger on her." Rei frowned. He was strong, true… but Itachi was powerful, even for him… if they fought he might make some damage but Itachi would end up killing him.
"… Don't worry, Haruko-chan, there are other ways to snare the little kunoichi in the past." Haruko narrowed her eyes.
"What do you mean?" he smirked.
"You know that I want to destroy you. If she remains in the past… there can't be two little Sakura-chan's, right? You're the reason why the older one is still here, keeping her alive. If Sakura-chan stays in the past, the little one will soon fade away… and you would have killed yourself a long time ago." Haruko flinched.
Sakura had been the reason why she hadn't committed suicide long ago. Clenching her fist, Rei could barely react when Haruko punched him in the face. "Shut up… you bastard. Remember this, interfere with Sakura's life and I will kill you! Understand?"
"Understood." He said with a smirk, wiping his mouth after spitting the blood out.
Sakura sat outside the Hokage's office. Itachi was brought over for a mission and she was to help. Sakura sighed; she did agree to help the Hokage whenever he needed it. Staring at the door she looked away. After yesterday's incident, Itachi seemed like his old self but something seemed out of place.
The door opened, making her look up. Itachi looked annoyed, calmly stepping out of the office. "Hokage-sama assigned us a mission together. We are to give this scroll to the Kazekage of Suna. We depart the day after tomorrow."
"Oh…" she mumbled. It was so awkward around them, well to her it was. She didn't know what Itachi was thinking about. No one could ever tell what was going on his mind. Well she used to think she understood a little bit but now she didn't know anymore.
"C'mon Sakura." She looked startled when he grabbed her hand, helping her out of the chair. She looked startled but he ignored it. She stared at their joined hands and than at Itachi.
"Ita-."
"I screwed up last night… I hope this doesn't mean you're not mine anymore." He murmured silently. Sakura stopped right outside of the building; he stood next to her with a questioning gaze. Silently, she wrapped her arms around him from behind.
"Of course not, I'll always be yours."
"Good, because I had no intention of giving you up." She smiled when he turned around, wrapping his arms around her. Sakura couldn't help but sigh in content. This was what she missed when she had been with Sasuke. The security and warmth that a simple presence can emit.
Itachi felt his senses go wild at the aroma of her sweet scent. Nuzzling into her hair, he stroked her back. She purred unconsciously but snapped out of it when she felt stares. Blushing, she squirmed under his hold. "Itachi-kun, people are staring."
He immediately stopped. It wasn't that he cared what other people thought but he couldn't help raise his hackles at the thought of others ogling at Sakura. Itachi glared at the viewers who gulped, walking by quickly towards their designated areas.
"C-C'mon, Sasuke-kun and Sakura-chan are probably coming out from the academy." She murmured, coaxing him out of the bloodlust. It would do no good if he started a riot over something so petty. (AN: Yeah right, she doesn't even know why he's pissed of…… I'll shut up now…)
They found chibi-Sakura and Sasuke coming out from the building. At the site of them, they immediately launched themselves towards the two. Sakura giggled when her younger self tackled her.
"Sakura-neesan! Today was so much fun. I played with Sasuke-kun and Naruto but they wouldn't stop fighting." She looked a bit down at that part but Sakura couldn't help but chuckle. Even when they were young, they were still the Sasuke and Naruto that she knew and loved.
"Humph, that dobe."
"Speaking of him, where is he?" Sakura inquired innocently. Sasuke shrugged but chibi-Sakura tugged Sakura's sleeve.
"He usually gets in trouble by Iruka-sensei. He's probably inside right now." Sakura nodded and turned towards Itachi.
"If you don't mind, I'm going to go see him." She noticed Itachi's questioning gaze and smiled. "Naruto-kun is always alone. I want to play with him, after all everyone needs a friend." Chibi-sakura pouted.
"I'll go with you!" she chirped. Sasuke turned towards them, feeling left out.
"Me too!" Itachi sighed.
"I might as well come." Sakura giggled, dragging Itachi by the arm. Chibi-Sakura mimicked her, dragging Sasuke by the arm. They found Naruto and Iruka having a glaring contest together. Sakura sweat dropped.
"Um… excuse me?"
"Hai? Waaahhhh, uh I mean, can I help you?" he was startled at seeing an older version of chibi-Sakura. Smiling, he held out a hand. Sakura shook it cheerfully; it was so good to see Iruka-sensei again.
"We were wondering if we could play with Naruto-kun." He looked startled. "Sakura-chan, Sasuke-kun, Itachi-kun, and I were going to the training field to practice but when I saw Naruto-kun I thought, the more the merrier!" she smiled tenderly at Naruto who simply stared.
'I'm sorry Naruto… for all the pain you went through. Let me give at least give you a time of happiness while I'm here even though… you might forget everything when I leave' she turned towards him. Naruto glared at her.
"I don't need any pity! I'm going to be the future Hokage where everyone respects me!" Sakura tilted her head while Iruka started to scold him.
"She's just being nice, how ca-."
"How can you be the future Hokage if you can't even control your chakra?" she asked calmly. "To be a Hokage, Naruto-kun, you must be wise and powerful so you can protect the ones you care about. It is not something that'll fall into your hands if you wish for it; it is easier said than done. To be the Kage of a village, you must be a shield to the people no matter who they are. Even if you aren't the Kage, if you love your village you will protect them. You're just being a selfish brat if you want to be the Hokage just for your needs."
"What did you sa-?" Naruto yelled.
"I'll ask you again Naruto-kun; do you want to play with me?" Sakura cut him off, giving him a sweet smile. He stared at her open hand and then into her eyes. Power blazed behind the emerald orbs. His eyes were glued to hers before he slowly reached out and shook her hand.
Iruka stared in amazement. Naruto was always a wild one. Being mistreated by others so badly, he never trusted anyone either. He laughed and played pranks but never got close to anyone yet this girl managed to bring him out of his shell. Naruto wanted the truth and she gave him the truth, a truthful meaning of the word Hokage.
Sakura smiled. Naruto began to jabber with chibi-Sakura and Sasuke. 'I believe you'll be a great Hokage someday, I know you will… Naruto…' she missed his sunny smile. She almost jumped when a hand was placed on her shoulder.
Itachi smiled at her, holding her shoulder comfortingly. An amazing gift, truly. Something about her was different from others. He was glad he met someone like her but he still couldn't shake off the feeling. His eyes were glued to her petite form as she grabbed his arm. The feeling that aroused when he landed his eyes on her… the need to just ravage her on the spot, holding her tight until it was only he that she cared about… until it was only Uchiha Itachi that was always on her mind.
"C'mon Itachi-kun, let's go to the training field!" she chirped. He shook his head; no he had to be content with what he had. Sakura-chan was his yet she was everyone else's as well.
Holding her soft hands with his rough calloused ones, the two walked out of the academy "Yes, let's go." He murmured.
Sakura sat on the wall-less hallway within the Uchiha manor. She didn't bat an eye when a figure landed soundlessly in front of her. Coming into the moonlight, Haruko's features were revealed. "Why haven't you called for me?"
"I can't… I can't leave him." She whispered.
"Yes, you can. Things are hectic enough. You must return to where you belong." Haruko couldn't help but be nervous. Rei could attack Sakura any moment and with Haruko using all her power to let both Sakura and chibi-Sakura exist in the same time-frame. She was vulnerable which meant Sakura could get killed without her protection.
"Please Kurai-san… please… I need some more time." Sakura pleaded. Haruko hesitated. Those emerald orbs were so tempting, so innocent. Haruko wanted to shield Sakura from the pain she might face in the future. Gritting her teeth, Haruko bowed her head.
"Very well then, I give you more time but you must call me quickly." Sakura, filled with delight, reached out and hugged Haruko without thinking. The older girl froze, tense at the foreign feeling before wrapping her arms around the petite pink haired girl. "Be careful Sakura… there is someone here who wishes to take your life."
Sakura looked up to meet Haruko's older eyes and froze… those eyes. Where had she seen them before? Was it when Haruko was training her? No, they were so familiar… but from where? "I'll be seeing you…Sakura."
Sakura soon found herself alone in the dark garden, bathed in moonlight.
"Sakura-neechan!" Naruto's voice was heard outside the Uchiha compound. Sakura opened the door and was immediately tackled by a bundle of yellow.
"Na-Naruto-kun!" she managed to gasp out. Chibi-Sakura peeked from the corner of the wall, seeing Naruto she ran towards him. "Naruto!" she squealed. He squealed out her name, hugging her too.
"Dobe." Naruto stiffened. Looking up, he was soon faced to face with Sasuke. Growling he stood up, pointing at Sasuke accusingly.
"Grr, you better not be doing anything to by Sakura-chan because if you do, you have to face me! Uzumaki Naruto, the future Hokage!" Sasuke rolled his eyes, dobe. He always declared that to them each time he came to drag Sakura and Chibi-Sakura out of the house.
"I'm sorry Naruto-kun, I can't play with you. Itachi-kun and I have a mission today." Naruto pouted.
"Aww, but neechaaan!" she was tempted by his adorable fox gaze but giggled instead, ruffling his hair affectionately. Surprisingly, Mikoto and Fugaku didn't care that he housed the demon fox. In fact, Mikoto became fond of Naruto's childish actions since she received so much obedience from her own, it felt a bit exhilarating facing a new unfamiliar task.
"I'm sorry Naruto-kun, but you get to play with Sasuke-kun and Sakura-chan!" Naruto and Sasuke glared at each other, both grabbing Sakura's hand. She remained oblivious to their hostile attitude towards each other. Sakura sweat dropped.
"C'mon Sakura, we need to get going."
"Hai! You three play nice, I won't have a repeat at the incident in Ichiraku." She scolded making the two boy's wince. "We'll see you in a week or two." The three kids gave Sakura a big hug before she went out the door with Itachi.
"Our mission is very simple Sakura. We must deliver this scroll to the Kazekage but it is very important seeing as though it is an A-classed mission." Sakura nodded, flexing her fingers. She wasn't nervous because of the mission, she was nervous because she was going to see Gaara as a child.
The journey was silent, experienced footsteps didn't even make a soft padding sound. Itachi remained impassive among his peers despite the softening in his eyes when they landed on Sakura. She nodded at him occasionally when she caught his eyes. It would be better if they didn't show affection during a mission, not only would Fugaku disapprove, they could be attacked when their guard was down.
Sakura felt the disturbance within the pattern of the wind. Something sped towards them; a soft zoom could be heard. Calmly Sakura deflected the kunais that sped towards them. Others reached for their weapons, an enemy attack?
"Shroud of Shadows." A soft murmur was heard and darkness enveloped around them. Sakura saw Itachi whirl towards her direction, blackness covering him slowly. Before he could reach her, they were fully coated in black.
"I finally found you Sakura-chan!"
Tsuki-chan: I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Yes, I know it's a cliffhanger but I have an idea… hehehe (evil laugh)