A/N: This is an actual chapter, which should be a little more interesting (and a little longer). Enjoy!

I have also edited the prologue. For those who have read it older version, don't worry, nothing substantial was changed. I just rephrased some sentences that didn't flow as well as I'd like.

Mr and Mrs Uchiha

Chapter 1

Five years ago, Sakura was given a simply mission to track, find and observe. The order clearly stated under no circumstances was she to make contact with her target. The man she was sent to track was Uchiha Itachi, a member of a group of vigilantes who called themselves the Akatsuki. From what was known, they were an organisation bent on the destruction of the current social order. Her mission scroll had been vague about Itachi's physical description. Only one key feature had stood out, he seemed to always wear ring on his right hand with the word 'Crimson (朱)' etched onto it. The personality profile was a little more detailed. He was noted to be arrogant and carried himself as if he was superior to those around him. Emotions other than boredom or distain hardly ever crossed his features. Sakura had seen a lot of gifted Shinobis with similar the same characteristic. They tended to treat emotions as some kind of disability. The report went on to say, Itachi never hesitated to kill and would often opt for the kill first ask questions later option, which made him extremely dangerous to approach.

There were rumours of Itachi roaming around the border of the water country. The location made this mission a delicate one. The leaf and mist haven't been on the best of terms during the past few years. If they were to find a leaf shinobi sneaking around its border, it could only worsen the already fragile relationship. Even in these circumstances, gathering information on Itachi was more of a pressing matter to Konoha. The Akatsuki's actions haven't escalated to being a direct threat, but tension was building. Konoha could not afford to pass up this opportunity.

It was an in and out job. She was scheduled to stay one night in town at the most. A hawk had delivery a message prior to Sakura's arrival. After a series of complex hand seals, the message read, "Crimson to be seen by the river, tonight"

Sakura had seen the classy club, the Riverbank, near the edge of town; it seemed Itachi would be there later. That made the track and find part done, all that was left was to observe. And of course, dress for the occasion. Dressed in her ANBU outfit would definitely not help her blend in with the evening crowd.

Unfortunately what message had failed to mentioned was that the club was exclusive, no entry unless one processed an invite or a members card. Also, it appeared to be hosting some function, as many well-dressed people were coming and going. Sakura tried to mingle in with other incoming guests. As she neared the door, she pretended to slip and fortunately fell on a rather handsome red head.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," Sakura apologised, blushing with feigned embarrassment.

"You should be more careful." An emotionless tone replied.

Sakura clutched his arm as if seeking his support. "Luckily, you where there to catch me," she leaned in and whispered. To catch her words the young man had to also drop his head.

To any outsider it would have looked like lovers sharing an intimate moment together. Those guarding the door thought so too and let them through without a second glace. They simply assumed she was his escort. Sakura hadn't noticed at first, but the young man who helped her get in had green eyes. He hadn't met many people with eyes the same colour as hers. It was a pity, she would have stayed with the young man if she hadn't a mission to complete.

Once inside she scanned to the room and sadly found no one that matched Itachi's description. She positioned herself on a barstool that offered a good view the entrance, there she waited for her target.

During the night various young men came to flirt with her and with each one she made up a different persona. None of them had been as attractive as the red head at the door, but they helped to past time. While she was chatting to a blond foreigner who had made his fortune on the stock exchange, a man fitting Itachi's descriptions appeared in the crowd. She was certain that he hadn't come through the front door. She narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

"Yukiko-chan? It something the matter, did you recognise someone that just came in?" Rick questioned Sakura.

"Hm…it was nothing" Sakura replied absentmindedly. She needed to confirm the whether that was indeed Itachi. Judging from appearance they had a lot in common, but this man looked about the same age as herself. She knew Itachi was supposed to be older.

"Well, I was saying…" Rick continued to tell his story. Sakura struggled to keep herself looking like she was interested in what Rick had to say. She hoped he would be obvious to her inattention, and would be satisfied by the occasional nod.

Her attention was wholly monopolised by the new comer. From the way he stood and the way he talked to others, it could be easily seen he was a man of confidence. Since he had chosen to seat himself in the shadows, Sakura couldn't see he right hand clearly enough determine whether there was a ring.

"Yukiko-san, it seems I can no longer hold you captivated" Rick sighed.

Sakura was forced to turn her attention back to him. Since she hadn't actually heard what he had said so all she could reply was an undignified "huh?"

Rick sadly shook his head and pecked Sakura lightly on the cheek, "I won't take up any more of your time".

"If things were different I would have like to have gotten to know you better." Sakura said, just before he turned to leave. After the words left her mouth, she found that she really meant what she had said. He had been pleasant company before her target walked in. Her work always managed to somehow screw up her chances at a relationship.

When Sakura turned back to her target, he wasn't seated where he should have been. For a split second Sakura panicked, scared that she had lost him. It turned out he also lost the company he was with. He had moved to the bar and was standing a few feet from her. Sakura dropped her eyes only to find he had slipped his right into his pockets! She almost grunted in frustration. He was going to order a drink and leave. She knew if she didn't act soon she would lose her opportunity to affirm his identity. Throwing caution to the wind, she finished the last of her French martini and made her move.

"Hey, care for a dance?"

A/N: Rick is an OC (he's not important, you probably wont see him again) There will be occasional OCs in this story, but I promise none of them will have a significant part to play. When Rick was talking to Sakura in the beginning, by adding –chan to her name he was trying to be coy with her referring to her in such familiar fashion. Later when he realises she isn't interested anymore he calls her –san, which is a more formal way to address people. I'm just saying it's not a typo or anything.

Also, I've made my decision; this story is going to be told from Sakura's POV. I originally planned to be from both but getting into Sasuke's head is just too damn hard. /sigh/ I'm not really happy with this chapter, but i can't put my finger on why.