Chapter nine I do not own Naruto
*Thank you to everyone! I'm so glad you like it.
Here's the next chapter! Italics is flashback, bold is thought.*
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The next morning, Sakura awoke and left for work. Both Tsunade and Shizune were glad to see her; Tsunade, because she had been worried about her, and Shizune, because she had gotten landed with all the work Sakura usually had.
When Sakura walked into the Hokage's office there was no celebration, no flurry of hugs or welcome; the Hokage was sitting behind two mountains of paperwork.
"Sakura, good morning." She pointed to the paper pile on her left. "These are for you. Shizune is already working on her pile over there."
Sure enough, as Sakura followed the Hokage's gaze, she saw her sempai working through an equally large stack of paper. Shizune looked up and gaze Sakura a smile before turning back to her work.
Sakura grudgingly picked up her pile and sat at her desk to begin her work. Welcome back Sakura, how was your vacation? She thought to herself bitterly. Not bad, she answered herself in a mock-cheeriness, not bad at all, if you like spending almost a whole work-free week filled with awkward silences as you try to get to know your randomly-picked new husband! Grumbling to herself, Sakura set off to work.
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Itachi glanced at the kitchen clock. It was 12:45, Sakura was late for lunch. He couldn't really say he was angry, they had never set a time for when they would eat. But he was surprised that she hadn't gotten her break. Surely, being at work since 6 am would constitute a break before 1, right?
Itachi looked over the meal he had prepared. He had discovered Sakura's favorite foods within a week and planned this meal as a special 'back-to-work' treat. He knew it would be one of the last times he could make a lavish meal as this in the middle of the day; he planned on resuming his daily training in order to keep himself in top condition. In fact, he had spent the morning clearing out the training ground he had used as a kid.
He was drawn from his thoughts as he sensed Sakura approaching the kitchen. She walked in looking mentally tired, and threw herself down at the table, muttering.
Itachi raised his eyebrows. "Hello to you too."
Sakura shot him a dangerous look before yelling, "Paperwork! Reports! Err! Shizune told me! Tsunade spent the entire week doing nothing, so when I got there, there was a week's worth of paperwork to handle!" Sakura took a deep breath. "At least we got it all finished, though. That's what took me so long. Sorry"
"No problem, I was just worried your food would get cold." He pointed to her plate.
Sakura could see that he had made her favorite foods. Her face softened. "Thank you, Itachi."
Sakura picked up her fork and began to eat.
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Kisame stood outside the cave that served as one of the Akatsuki bases. After returning with the news of Itachi's response, Leader had been keen on finding a way to teach him a lesson.
"Leader, Itachi attacked both me and Deidara, and confirmed, himself, that he had betrayed us willingly."
"Very well, then it seems we will have to find a way to force him to return. You did say Itachi was granted a new place in the village?" Leader asked.
"Yes, and, if I'm not mistaken, he has gotten married as well."
"Well, well, well. That could work to our-" He suddenly stopped talking. He seemed to be listening to something outside the base.
"What-?" Kisame suddenly stopped as he sensed it too. He smirked as he realized whose chakra it was.
"Trying to sneak up on us, eh? Uchiha Sasuke!"
Out of the shadows, Sasuke walked into the center of the room. He looked toward the holographic form of the Akatsuki Leader, and then to the blue-colored man he knew to be Itachi's partner.
"Where's Itachi?" He demanded softly. He seemed entirely unfazed by their presence.
Leader stared at the young Uchiha. "We were actually just talking about him. Though, I'm surprised you made it this far before I could sense you. You've grown."
"Yeah, whatever," Sasuke crossed his arms. "Where's my good-for-nothing brother. I won't ask again."
Kisame caught Leader's eye before speaking. "You mean you haven't heard?" He laughed. "Your brother left the organization. He's back with your puny village!"
Sasuke was taken aback by this bit of information, but in this company, he kept up his guard.
"And I suppose you're going to tell me he's got himself a girlfriend!"
Although No one could see it, Leader smiled. "No, not a girlfriend. A Wife."
Kisame knew that Leader had told the young Uchiha enough to get a reaction out of him. Leader is gonna use Itachi's brother against him. Kisame sighed.
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Sasuke ran through the forest at full speed toward his base. He had to admit, he was surprised that Itachi had crawled his way back to the village, and even more surprised that they had let him! Sasuke relished in the fact that the Akatsuki leader was conspiring with him to take his brother down. I guess what they say is true, Sasuke thought, laughing maniacally, the enemy of my brother IS my friend, for now.
"So young Sasuke, does that sound like a plan? We'll infiltrate the village and kidnap your brother's 'bride'. We'll have to wait for awhile though."
"And why's that?" Sasuke sneered.
"Because, if we move prematurely there may be a chance Itachi will simply allow his wife to be taken, and we don't want that. No, we want to wait until he becomes attached to her, maybe even begins to love her, then we strike."
"Hmm. Then I'll take him out before he can get to her."
His mind reeled as he began to plan his brother's downfall. I'll want to mess with him as much I can! Akatsuki said they'd take of kidnapping his little 'family'. That'll be enough to lure him into my trap. He quickly changed directions and smiled evilly.
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Hatake Kakashi walked through Konoha with his nose in a book. He was going to a meeting with the Hokage concerning Team 7's recent missions. He walked into her office and placed his book into his pouch.
"Hokage-sama, you wanted to see me?"
Tsunade looked up from her desk to smile at Kakashi. "Ah, yes! I wanted to ask you of how the team is doing. You know... are the missions going smoothly, are they getting along?"
Kakashi smiled beneath his mask. "Well, yes the missions are going better than usual. But, um, when you say 'are they getting along' do you mean Naruto and Itachi, or Sakura and Itachi?"
Tsunade hung her head playfully, "I'm busted. I meant both. How is everyone getting along with Itachi?"
"Well, they have no problem with teamwork. Though, I'd have to say that because Naruto is becoming less threatened by Itachi. In fact, the other day Naruto told Itachi a joke."
Tsunade looked puzzled. "So, did he laugh?"
"Well, no, but he smiled. Anyways, the missions when Sai comes along, those two never really talk. Which I guess is good since whatever Sai says is either negative or relative to the mission."
Tsunade began to get impatient. "And?"
Kakashi finally understood which bit of information she was waiting for.
"And Itachi and I are getting on pretty well." He said, purposely drawing out his answer. "He takes orders, but thinks for himself and gives suggestions-"
"KAKASHI! Get ON with it!"
"Oh, that's what you wanted. Well, overall, Itachi and Sakura seem to be getting closer to each other. But if you wanted to know how their relationship is going, why don't you ask her? It's been two months since they've been together, she should be open to talk."
Tsunade looked surprised. "Well, I –I. It's just," Tsunade sighed, "I just don't want her to think I'm meddling. It's already my fault she had to change her entire life."
"Hokage-sama, if you ask me, Itachi seems to be getting along with the team, the people of the village, and it seems…that Sakura and Itachi's relationship have reached the point of friends, if not acquaintances."
"Thank you Kakashi, hopefully now I won't worry so much."
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Sakura turned over in bed to view the sleeping form of the man next to her. He was sleeping on his side so that he faced her. So much had changed since they had gotten married. Not only were she lived or who she was on a team with, but how she lived.
I had thought that Sasuke was the only one for me, she thought as she moved to touch his hair, but stopped. Maybe I was wrong.
Sakura softly got out of bed, trying not to wake him and began to get dressed. I never would have guessed he could do anything except be a ninja, or murderer, she mused. And I never would have guessed he could be so easy to talk with!
She remembered all the times in the past two months were she had poured out thoughts to him. They had talked about everything they could think of, whether the topic be as insignificant as ice cream flavors, as profound as their newest mission, or as ridiculous as how long it would take for the village to die if Naruto ever became Hokage. Sakura was very interested to learn they had the same interests in books, though neither had much time to read. While Sakura helped Tsunade out between missions, Itachi trained.
While Sakura had been lost in thought, Itachi woke up. He turned his head to look at Sakura. He watched how she moved across the room and was amazed at how she had put up with him for so long. After so long, I've finally found someone who may be able to understand me. Itachi got out of bed as a bird flew away from outside the window.
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woo! look out for the next chappie!