Disclaimer: Naruto isn't mine. Darn.

Striking green eyes blazed with fury as they stared at the summon that had intruded into the apartment. How dare he? How dare that Uchiha send his carrier pigeon to interrogate her for an answer? Didn't he have enough patience to wait for her to reply on her own time and of her own choice? She wasn't one of his damn underlings or servants, he couldn't just push her into doing things she didn't want to. Ooh, if she wasn't so supportive of humane treatment of animals, Itachi would be receiving an answer in the form of a seasoned, lemon-pepper broiled bird.

The hawk in question, currently, was staring blankly around at her modest apartment room, looking with something akin to disdain at her second-hand furniture and the slightly ragged carpeting on her floor. Sakura bristled, a bit disbelieving that a hawk of all things was being a décor critic of her living room. Sure, it was probably used to the luxuriously furnished and elegantly designed Uchiha houses, but it didn't have to look at her apartment like it was a committing a felony just by existing. She lived on a chunin's meager income, for goodness' sake.

She raised an eyebrow, and cleared her throat softly to catch the bird's attention. She tried to be polite, her mouth straining uncomfortably as she forced a semi-pleasant smile on her face. After all, it wasn't the summon's fault his master was such an annoying prick. "Look, er…"

"Masaru."

Sakura blinked at him, confused. The hawk's crimson eyes focused on her, his gravelly voice sounding in the room a moment later.

"Masaru. It is my proper name."

Sakura gave an inward roll of her eyes. Of course, only an egotistical Uchiha would give his summon a name meaning victory. She attempted another awkward smile, saying, "Oh. Okay, Masaru, um, could you just give your master a message for me?"

The multi-colored hawk watched her expectantly.

Sakura's smile suddenly turned into a rather deadly one. "Tell him that he'll have his answer by the end of today, but that I'll send it when I choose to do so. He can take his whole you-will-do-what-I-want-because-I'm-Itachi routine and shove it. You can also tell him that if he bothers me like this again, I'll be forced to get creative with my surgical tools in places better left unspoken of the next time I see him. Got it?"

"You wish me to speak such things to Itachi-sama?"

"Yup. It's about time somehow told him how annoying he is."

Masaru eyed her with a look of dislike, most likely due to her disrespectful words to Itachi. Sakura really had to say that she had never met a more prim or withdrawn summon. Or such a violent one. The hawk looked like he'd enjoy pecking her face off right now. Oh well, like father like son. Or in this instance, like summoner like summon.

In any case, Masaru inclined his regal head in a slight nod, and turned around sharply on top of the couch where he was perched. Sakura looked on as he spread his wings out, amazed at the good five feet each wing must have measured, and then leapt towards her living room window. She leaned forwards to watch him, interested in how such a large animal was going to squeeze itself through her fairly small window. Her question was answered when he tucked his wings in right before hitting the opening, compacting himself, and then spreading them once again when he had all of the space outside to use. Sakura softly padded over to the window, watching him glide off, and admiring his grace. Masaru and Itachi really were alike in many ways, she thought absently, particularly in their beauty and flawless movements. And in their inherent ability to annoy the heck out of me. She added in sourly. Before Sakura could reprimand her treacherous mind for these indiscretions, she was woken from her reverie by a burning smell.

For a split second she wondered where it was coming from, before she remembered the brownies that she had left unchecked in the oven for the time she had been occupied with Itachi's summon. She sucked in a horrified breath and essentially made it in record time to the kitchen, turning the oven off quickly and praying for her dessert to be unscathed.

Unfortunately, Sakura saw with despair of the deepest kind, her brownies were now a charcoal color, instead of the rich, moist brown they should have been. They were clealy beyond saving. All of the medical knowledge in the world couldn't have rescued them now. Mournfully, almost as in a funeral procession, she trudged her way over to the garbage can, dumped her ruined dessert into it, and slammed her oven door shut on the way out of the kitchen. Damn Itachi. If he hadn't distracted her with the damn bird, she'd be enjoying what was equivalent to heaven for depressed women right now. Now she was without chocolate, without junk food, and her mind was once again busy with thoughts of Itachi and the mess Sasuke and Naruto had gotten her into.

Sakura, for the second time that night, flopped down on her couch, covering her eyes wearily with a hand. Upon doing so, she felt a small piece of something fuzzy float down on her appendage, tickling it slightly. Curiously, she lifted her hand off her face, examining what had fallen on her. It appeared to be…stuffing. But, why in the world would stuffing be falling down from the ceiling? Unless…Sakura froze as a horrifying thought occurred to her. Slowly, she climbed onto her knees, looking on the top of the couch where Masaharu had been perched. And sure enough, there were six deep puncture marks exactly where he had been, and other tears and rips from where he had taken off from. She stared at the spot with an eerily calm look on her face. Because as far as Sakura was concerned, she had had it with Uchiha Itachi.

First he blackmails me and asks me on a date. Then he sends the damn chicken to come and snootily ask me for a reply, ruining my nap, my precious brownies, and my couch in the process. Just who the hell told him this was the way to a girl's heart? Emotionally stunted bastard. Well, congratulations Uchiha, you've officially succeeded in pissing me off. Sakura's thoughts, obviously, were none too pleasant at this moment. The solution was obvious. All she had to do was go on this stupid, ridiculous, foolish, waste-of-time, utterly dumb, thing (she couldn't even bring herself to think the word) with him, and then tell him to never darken her doorway again. Or something of that nature.

Newly determined, Sakura aggressively rolled off of the couch, stomped over to where a small pad of paper was sitting on a dusty bookshelf, and snatched a pencil off the coffee table. Her first attempt at writing a reply to him ended in failure: she was shaking with so much anger and disgust that she held the pencil a tad too hard, causing it to be broken into little bits of dust. She solved this problem in the second attempt by using a pen, but accidentally tore the paper when she slammed the tip of the pen into the sheet of paper and started violently dragging across the sheet while trying to write. At this point, Sakura was starting to get aggravated. Does everything even remotely connected to this man cause misfortune to befall me? Crap, I'm probably gonna die on this date if that's how it is. A disgruntled noise came from her lips when she once again stomped over to retrieve another piece of paper, and tried again to formulate a response to Itachi. Third time's the charm, she grumbled to herself.

After many tiring minutes of crossing out various sentences, cursing at the paper, Itachi, and herself, and nearly crying in frustration, Sakura felt that she'd written a satisfying reply. Now she just had to find a way to make sure it got to him before the day was up, for it was already approaching eight, and if she didn't answer within the time limit he'd given her she had a feeling he would come to her home in person. And that was truly the last thing she wanted.

She looked around the room for inspiration, and then paused when her eyes fell on the newly-made tears in her furniture. A grin made its way onto her heart-shaped face. Ah. Inspiration. She bit into her thumb hard enough to draw blood, and expertly formed the hand seals that her shishou had taught to her two years ago.

A billowing cloud abruptly appeared in front of her, and when it cleared, Sakura smiled with vindictive pleasure. For in front of her sat the most repulsive, slimiest slug out of all of Tsunade's slug summons. She'd appropriately named her Nura-chan*, and was quite fond of the little slug, for despite her appearance, she was a sweet little thing.

Nura's beady little eyes peered up at Sakura, who patted her bulbous head gently. Nura made a squelching noise on Sakura's coffee table when she shifted a little, raising her head up higher so she could look at Sakura better. "Yes, what did you need of me, mistress?"

Sakura smiled at her, and pulled out her note for the demon, telling her summon, "I need you to deliver a note to someone for me, Nura-chan, please. Would you mind doing this?"

The little slug good-naturedly agreed to the task, questioning her mistress, "Sakura, who am I delivering it to? Did you need me to do anything in particular when I present it to them?" Nura became a little apprehensive when she saw the sudden, wicked look that appeared on her summoner's face.

"As a matter of fact, Nura-chan, I do need you to do something special for me. You see, Uchiha Itachi is the one you must give this to, alright? You remember how to find Sasuke-kun's house, don't you? Anyways, when you get there, no matter where the bast-er, man is, I want you to land right on his head. If you could get a little extra slime on him too, that would definitely be a good thing."

Nura bobbed her head to show she would do as asked, but inwardly hoped Uchiha-san didn't carry salt around with him. She didn't think he'd be over appreciative of having a slimy, dirty slug dropped on him. Maybe he'd even squish her.

Sakura petted Nura again happily, then tied the note onto her loosely. Nura told her softly, "I will return soon, Sakura." After hearing Sakura's hearty words of thanks, the petite slug vanished in another puff of smoke.

At the same time Sakura was having her animal and letter dilemmas, Itachi was sitting down to dinner with his parents and younger brother in the Uchiha compound. He had sent Masaharu to secure her reply only minutes before, but had been incapable of waiting for his return due to his mother's sweet voice calling him for dinner. So, he was now sitting at the dining table, with Sasuke seated next to him. For some reason, his foolish younger brother was currently casting dark looks at him, and seemed to be eyeing his steak knife with a rather contemplative look…ah. Sakura must have communicated the previous night's happenings with his brother and the blond loudmouth. He merely hoped Sasuke could hold off on the murder attempts until after the meal, as he had no desire to distress his Okaa-san by causing bodily harm to Sasuke in front of her when his foolish brother attacked.

The Uchiha family was silent for a moment as Mikoto passed out the food and went to the kitchen a few times to retrieve napkins and condiments. When she finally seated herself next to Fugaku, she smiled invitingly at her two silent sons.

In the worried and inquiring tone that only a mother could achieve, she asked, "Itachi, Sasuke-chan, what have you two been up to recently? I feel like you're always away lately…"

Itachi warmly looked at his mother with a slight smile, replying, "Ah. Forgive me, Okaa-san, but I have been busy with preparing the security for the jounin exam that is occurring here soon." From the corner of his eye, he noticed Sasuke pale a little at the mention of the exam. With a secret smirk, he added, "I'm sure Sasuke has been up to much more interesting things than I as of late, though."

Sasuke shot him a vicious glare out of the corner of his eye, as Fugaku's deep voice rumbled, "Sasuke, have you been informed if you have been nominated for participation in the exam yet?"

Valiantly ignoring the knowing look Itachi was wearing, Sasuke nervously stabbed a piece of beef on his plate. "No, Otou-san, Kakashi-sensei didn't mention anything to us."

Mikoto, misinterpreting the nervous look on Sasuke's face, reassured him, "Don't worry about it, Sasuke. Kakashi-sensei is a perceptive man, I'm sure he's seen how hard you, Naruto-kun, and Sakura-chan have been working to improve in the last year. I know your efforts will pay off in the end." Fugaku voiced his agreement, though Sasuke could see the slight disappointment in his eyes.

In an effort to turn the conversation away from him and topics that were hazardous to him, Sasuke informed his mother, after a smug look in Itachi's direction, "Kaa-chan, did Itachi mention that he's going on a date?"

To Sasuke's dismay, his tattling to his mother hardly disturbed Itachi, who kept on steadily eating his food without looking up. Itachi inwardly laughed slightly at his younger brother's idiocy, as if such a trivial attempt at revenge could ruffle him. This reaction was completely different from his mother and father's, however.

Mikoto actually let out a joyous exclamation, and Fugaku wrinkled his brow in surprise.

Mikoto was beaming at her eldest son, ecstatic that he was finally showing an interest in someone. She did so detest seeing him without a companion in life, someone who he could confide or find comfort in. "Itachi! You never said anything! Who is it, dear?"

Itachi looked up at his mother, almost bemused by her exuberant reaction. "It is Sakura, Okaa-san."

Mikoto's eyes lit up even further, causing all three males of her family to roll their eyes. It was no secret that Mikoto adored Sakura, having never had a daughter of her own but longing for one, and had plotted for years to get her into the family somehow.

Fugaku seemed to approve, commenting to Itachi, "She is indeed a fine choice, son. One of the legendary Sannin's pupils, and a medic-nin well respected even outside of Konoha. If you so choose to court this girl, your mother and I hold no objections."

Sasuke was quick to input his own thoughts on the matter, saying rapidly, "Kaa-chan, Otou-san, isn't it kind of odd though? Isn't Sakura too young? After all, she's only sixteen, and nii-san is already twenty-one this year."

Itachi raised an eyebrow at Sasuke's eager words. Nice try, foolish little brother. "Actually, it is more of a platonic desire for her company, Otou-san, Okaa-san. I currently have no further intentions towards Sakura."

Sasuke opened his mouth again, but was interrupted by the arrival of Masaru appearing next to Itachi suddenly.

Seeing Mikoto's disapproving look at the arrival of a summon during dinner, Itachi swiftly rose, allowing Masaru to jump up to perch on his shoulder, saying softly, "Please excuse me, Okaa-san. I will return in a moment."

Itachi headed out of the dining room and upstairs into his bedroom. Masaru flapped off of Itachi's shoulder and onto the edge of his bed, unblinking red eyes staring up at him.

"Masaru, what was her reply?"

The great hawk shifted on his bed in a nervous and uncomfortable manner, puzzling Itachi. Just what had Sakura said that caused his summon to behave in such a manner? Knowing Sakura, it had probably been most opinionated and…outraged. Itachi received an answer to his question when Masaru reluctantly opened his beak and relayed the message he had been asked to pass on.

Itachi's dark, obsidian eyed flashed with amusement when he heard Sakura's…disgruntled words for him come out of his summon's mouth. This was part of what drew him to her so much. Her uninhibited ways when she was with him, her willingness to speak her mind without fear, her refusal to treat Itachi as something other than just another human being. He had risen quickly through the ranks from a young age, achieving great respect and universal fear of his name, but respect and fear, even from people you command, have a tendency to hold most people off at arm's length. That had not been so with Sakura, however. Every time he had spoken with her in the past, it had intrigued him, had been a novelty for him. And now, years later from their first meeting, he was free to explore that novelty further. He had been quick to snap up the opportunity when it was presented to him, though, ironically enough, the chance had been given to him by Sakura herself, and her thoughtless teammates.

He distractedly dismissed Masaru, thanking him and then releasing his summon. Itachi smoothly slid down to sit on the floor next to his bed, leaning his back against it and closing his eyes, deep in thought. Truthfully, there were many less troublesome girls out there to pursue than Sakura, if he chose to do so. Though it would only be a small hindrance to his plans, he would face the combined wrath of the Copy Ninja, Sasuke, and Naruto-kun if he decided to intrude on the life of their precious pink-haired teammate. Would satisfying his curiosity about her be worth it?

Squelch. Itachi blinked, as out of nowhere he felt something soft, wet, and slimy sliding down his hair and forehead. Curiously reaching up to his head, he grabbed something round and squishy. Upon inspection of what was in his hand, he realized that it was a small slug, which was quivering a bit in fear. Itachi narrowed his eyes, as weren't slugs the signature summon of both the Hokage and her apprentice? His gaze found a small, crumpled piece of paper tied on the miniature slug, and he took on a look of satisfaction. He directed his attention towards the shaking slug, asking it, "May I?"

The summon nodded its head quickly, and Itachi reached out his pale hands to undo the note from its back. A quick look over the letter caused his lips to twitch slightly. Oh, indeed, she was definitely worth it. This little girl was far too amusing to be allowed to slip away. He flipped the note over, his elegant handwriting quickly filling up the blank space on the back, and retied it to the summon. "Take this back to your mistress for me, would you?"

The slug squeaked out an agreement, then vanished in a puff of smoke. With a sigh, Itachi stood up and undid his ponytail, allowing his ebony hair to fall loosely around his mid-back. He raked his hands through it in an attempt to remove the congealing sludge left over from the slug, reminding himself to avoid getting on her bad side too often, if this was going to be his punishment each time.

Sakura was already curled up in bed with a medical textbook when Nura reappeared. She felt mildly guilty when she saw the shaken look on her slug's face—Uchiha Itachi had that effect on most people. She inquired gently, "How'd it go, Nura-chan?"

"He wrote a reply to you, mistress."

Sakura drew her summon closer and removed the paper from her back.

"Am I free to leave now, Sakura?"

"Mm-hmm, thanks for your hard work."

Her summon disappeared once again, and Sakura unfolded the paper. She turned it over in her hands, noting with displeasure the vast difference of Itachi's flawless writing when compared with what Naruto called her 'doctor's handwriting', (meaning that as most doctors were prone to having illegible writing, so did she. Sakura had punched him hard for that one). Her eyes grew wide in surprise as she scanned what he had written. Self-confident, smug, jerk!

For on the front side of the paper was her reply:

Uchiha—

I accept, even though being forced to do this could hardly be called acceptance, so I use the term loosely. You can choose the time and place. I also reserve the right to punch you through a tree if I find this date as being an utter waste of my valuable time.

The reverse side of the paper held the words:

Sakura, you were free to refuse or accept, you are hardly being forced into anything. However, as you have graciously chosen to comply with my request, I will retrieve you tomorrow at seven. As to your other demand, I assure you that our evening will suitably be to your liking—your violent threats are appreciated but unnecessary.

Hey! I'm probably going to be wrapping this up in the next chapter, as this story was primarily me trying to test writing ItaSaku. It was fun though :-). If enough people wanted it, I might write a prequel or sequel or whatnot later on. Anyways, next chapter will be their date at last! I appreciate constructive criticism, helpful tips, or happy comments so please leave a review ^_^.

*Sakura's slug is named "Nura" because "nura-nura" in Japanese is like a squelching, slimey sound.