For the readers! I know I brought many questions to mind. Despite the AU story, they are still brothers. We'll get to what's up between them soon, I promise :D

Her eyes flickered open feeling the warmth of his body fade away.

"Itachi?"

He was already up and dressed, his eyes a bit heavy from sleep but he smiled all the same down at her from where he stood. She lowered her gaze and made a soft whine.

"Sakura... try not to be upset." he half pleaded and fastened his headband back on.

"..."

Seeing she made no effort to adhere to his wishes he raised his brows. He glanced around as if to check if someone were watching before climbing over her and pressing his face to her shoulder. He breathed her in deeply, cradling her in his strong arms.

"Things can only get worse, hm?" she mumbled.

"Worse?"

"In your profession you're in high demand. I see you maybe as little as four times a month now."

"Don't start with that. You're what I look forward to-you're who I come home to." he let his mouth hang open just long enough to bite her on the arm, making her squirm.

"You best make every effort to come back to me more often then," she teased and managed to roll out from under him. She fixed her eyes on the clock and then rolled them seeing it was only 4 AM. "Hurry up and get out of here before I throw a tantrum."

He grinned at her and said in a slick voice, "Welllll I might just have another 15 minutes to convince you to hold out for me."

She blushed and laughed sheepishly, "Oh-not that again. You know we can't."

He kept his alluring smile and pushed, "It's only because you are still afraid to love me."

She hit him with a pillow, "What am I supposed to do if you go on a mission you can't return from?"

"Love... again."

"You sure you won't be writhing in your grave?"

He laughed and ran a hand through her pink hair. "Oh yes- a restless and envious soul... No-never. I want you to be happy. Besides, I'm not afraid to die. I honestly look forward to-"

"Meeting your brother?" She had a weary expression now.

"Hmm, yes. The only one I let down the most. Perhaps he'll forgive me in the afterlife."

"Definitely," she added and with a pale foot, pushed him off of the bed. "Only 8 minutes left now, sorry-the intimate offer seems to have expired."

He smirked and pecked her on the cheek before pulling a white mask over his face and leaving her bedside. Sakura shook her head and leaned back into the pillows.

"Sensei is late?" Hinata stammered and glanced around.

"Yeah... I wonder if she is okay." Naruto looked worried.

Sasuke made no comment. Instead he waved the two off and proceeded to train.

"Hey show off, maybe you ought to chill a little while we wait for Sakura sensei!"

He grunted, "Yeah, whatever, loser."

Naruto turned red and clenched fists.

"Easy boy, no need to get brash," a sweet voice cut in.

"Sensei!" he looked to her, excited and gushy.

She wasn't in her usual attire today. This time she was wearing a small pink leather jacket that was open and underneath was a fish net shirt. On bottom she had a beige skirt and her usual black leggings underneath.

Sasuke paused to look at her. His eyes lingered long enough for her to notice. She crossed her arms and pursed her lips, not uttering a word to him. The boy grew pink and turned away from her.

"Sensei? What are we doing today?" Hinata quietly asked.

"Today we are going to practice collaborating with each other against a single opponent to have an effective take down. I'll be your opponent today."

They gave a nod of understanding before proceeding to train. Sasuke was a little held back in his offense, doing his best not to make contact. He wasn't ready to admit to himself what the block was but he just knew it felt horribly wrong to do.

His neglect to participate fully lured him into a direct blow to the chest with a tremendous kick aimed for his allies.

"Awww-thanks for taking the hit! I owe you one!" Naruto laughed hysterically.

Sakura shook her head and raised a hand signaling for Naruto and Hinata to take a break. She made her way over to Sasuke and tilted her head, "What's up with you, huh?"

He was shocked for her to be so forward after ignoring him for so long and blinked quickly unsure of what to say.

"Sa-su-ke," she said as if sounding out his name and tapped him on the nose. "Meet me in front of the library this evening. Okay?"

He sat there, stunned and muttered, "Fine." He figured he was probably in big trouble now.

Naruto teased from afar and enjoyed his lunch beside Hinata while Sasuke casually retreated from the scene.

Sakura was standing in front of the building, her foot tapping impatiently as she watched the time tick away. Sure-she hadn't told him exactly what hour or minute or second to be there but she arrived as soon as she could to be sure not to miss him. When he did show, he was looking down at her feet instead of at her face. Sakura joined him in his awkward gaze downward to see what the big deal was before uttering out, "Is there something wrong with my foot, Sasuke?"

Sasuke turned his head off to the side and grunted, "No-"

"Well good, so let's talk." she scooted the boy along despite his superiority in height and sat him down on a bench. "So I've been thinking... I heard many good reports on your physical capabilities and you have demonstrated you have a sense of strategy in dangerous situations... but lately I have had questions about what I am and am not seeing."

Sasuke blinked and looked at her curiously. What was she getting at? It was making him uneasy.

"You are a brave young man, but you lack a sense of warmth." she then held up a finger in front of him, "I think it's because you lost your mother at a young age."

Suddenly Sasuke had lost interest. -_-

She continued, "-And being that I'm a dominant female figure in your life, you naturally want to assume I can substitute her."

Sasuke stood up to leave.

"-hey!" she grabbed his wrist and yanked him to sit back down. "I'm serious. I'm trying to be a better role model for you all-and the one I am most disconnected from is you and I feel like I'm failing at this sensei gig..."

The boy grew warm and tingly all over. It pissed him off that he couldn't retreat but he found that he was looking directly at her and that she was now looking away.

"So I've decided... that you can live with me."

This was indeed a big move. Not only was she adding a burden to her life but she was sacrificing her personal space. In her heart she didn't care. When Itachi left her that morning she felt a gaping hole in her chest. She hated being alone... and maybe this "pretend guardian" lifestyle would help fill it back up.

Sasuke sat there, stunned. Sure-she totally missed the mark-sure-she was absolutely wrapped up in her own ideas-but this actually... nah. Never mind.

"No-" he said flatly without thinking.

"What?"

"I don't need your hel-"

"It wasn't a choice that I gave you." She cut in.

"You can't make me," he said while smirking.

"Well actually-I already did." Sakura smiled and stood up, "Your things are already at my place. Now unless you already know where I live, you best follow me."

Gahhhh that was so late! But it was because I changed my mind about the way I had originally written this chapter :D Thanks for waiting~ I love you all and your patience for me. 3