The plot thickens! Wow the traffic for this fic is unbelievable...i just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to all the readers and and EVEN BIGGER thank you to the ones that have reviewed! You guys are great and i love it :) This is for you, enjoy the fluff!

This is just not making sense! How can I not find the answer!

I don't know…did we miss something maybe?

No I've been over it dozens of times, Moegi has checked it; Shizune came and looked over my procedures and nothing, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

Sakura was so enraged she threw her paperwork across the lab area and growled in frustration. She was at her limit and she didn't know what to do.

I've never NOT figured out a poison before…what makes this so different? Consumed by her rage she sat on a nearby stool to prevent herself from destroying any of the delicate instruments in the lab area. Moegi and TingTing had been sent home hours ago; she knew they didn't like working extended hours and honestly…her work ethic wasn't the best and she didn't want to ruin her own students chances at a social life since she didn't sufficiently have one.

The only thing she's been able to deduce is that the main component of this potent poison was black widow venom. Everything she knew about that particular venom did not fit the symptoms she witnessed in the ANBU affected by it or by the plethora of studies she's conducted on it.

Her hands yanked on her hair, the pain momentarily easing the ache in her chest…it was killing her not being able to figure out this poison.

"If you keep pulling at it you'll go bald, I personally like your hair."

Sakura glanced up to see her tall, dark, and handsome Uchiha closing the door to the lab.

"Hey Itachi," she groaned rubbing her face with her hands.

"Are you planning on staying here all night?" he walked up to her and sat on a stool next to hers.

"Yes…" she answered with a sigh.

He studied her face, her stress lines were very prominent marring her typically flawless features. The tension in her body set him slightly on guard as if she would snap at any given moment under the wrong provocation. When she sighed again he noticed her knuckles were white indicating the bruising grip she had on her crossed arms. He cautiously reached out a hand and laid in comfortingly on her shoulder.

Sakura stiffen at his contact but relaxed a moment later. She didn't want to lash out irrationally when all he was trying to do was be comforting.

"What are you doing up this late?" she asked as he began to rub small circles on her back.

He could feel the tension slowly leave her body and smiled to himself pleased that she was so responsive to touch, he preferred it rather than trying to comfort her with words.

"I was waiting for you."

Her head jerked involuntarily in her shock, "Why?"

"Do I need a reason to see you?"

"Well…" she paused thinking to herself, did he really? No. I am busy but… Nooooo, "I guess not but…I am busy…"

He quirked a brow, "Would you like me to make an appointment next time?"

She let out a breathy chuckle, "No, that would just be silly."

She was completely relaxed now; she couldn't help her body's reaction to touch. Her mother always gave her massages whenever she was too stressed to deal with…well anything…so it wasn't surprising that she would respond the same way to Itachi's gentle ministrations. But there was a profound difference between her mother's touch and her boyfriend's and she wasn't sure how she should feel about him pushing the intimacy boundaries so soon in their relationship. But it was late, or early depending on whom you were talking to, and she was just too exhausted to care or think of anything at this point in time. Her relaxed muscles were beginning to show her just how exhausted she was after today's drama.

"What time is it?" she asked as she stretched.

"Almost 2 am," he replied.

She groaned again, "Might as well sleep here."

"I will escort you home," he stood offering her his hand.

Sakura gave him a blank stare, "I can walk myself and I have to be back here in 5 hours anyway."

"All the more reason to get as much of a decent nights rest than to sleep restlessly surrounded by your work," was his stoic reply.

She sat up straighter with a mildly shocked face, how did he know that about her?

"It's obvious Sakura," he replied reading her thoughts as they were so expressively obvious in her tired eyes, "Your eyes don't shine as bright, you're unusually grumpy, and you have a vicious spar with your teammates every time your work consumes you enough to stay the night at the hospital."

She was really taken aback now, "Were you stalking me before the war?"

He dropped his hand and replied to her, "I was not stalking, merely keeping an eye on you and your health."

Her shocked expression turned into a mild glare, "If you presume that you can dictate what I do then you are very wrong."

He raised an eyebrow at her abrupt change in attitude, another side effect of her exhaustion, low frustration tolerance. "I presume no such thing. I know you value your independence but do not confuse my concern over your well being with controlling tendencies."

Her glare dropped at his statement, it was late and she was exhausted and she knew herself well enough to know that exhaustion gave her a very short temper because the papers strewn around the lab were a prime example of that fact.

She sighed and stifled a yawn, "I'm sorry Itachi…I didn't mean it."

"I know."

"I guess you're right though…I won't sleep well here. I'll gladly accept your offer to walk me home."

She stood up then and proceeded to collect the papers off the floor. Itachi bent to help her as she reorganized the file and placed it on the proper shelf. She then shrugged off her lab coat and hung on a nearby chair then turned and faced him. His hand was extended to her again and she took it willingly.

He led her out of the hospital and she noted that the grave yard shift all smiled like little school girls as they watched their director walk out of the hospital on the arm of the Uchiha heir.

She sighed, "Does the entire village know?"

He hummed in amusement, "If not tonight then definitely by tomorrow."

"Ugh…Naruto is going to be so annoying tomorrow."

He had to admit that she was right; the blonde container did track him down earlier that evening and demanded to know when he decided to steal his best friend away. Even his younger brother wanted to know claiming he thought they would actually date before becoming an official item. Before he answered their questions he wanted to know how they found out so quickly. Naruto answered that Reiko informed them and then he sought out Ino and she confirmed the date but not the boyfriend status. And once Ino found out…

"I think I would be more worried about your other friend Ino than Naruto," he commented off-handedly.

She groaned and almost sunk to the ground, "Oh Kami she's going to kill me."

He smirked at her crestfallen face, "Will you be needing assistance?"

She snorted then, "Ino is a raging inferno when she's left out of the loop on important life decisions concerning my person. Unfortunately that is one fire storm that I will have to deal with on my own."

"If it will be anything like the night of our first date I believe it will be a very entertaining experience," he mused.

"You already admitted to stalking me once tonight Itachi are you going to admit it again?" she quirked a teasing brow at him.

His eyes lightened in response, "I admitted to no such thing Sakura. Are you offering?"

She gasped, "No!"

His smirk grew as he turned his head away, "Besides you would never know if I was stalking you."

"Oh really now?"

He nodded baiting her into a challenge.

"Aside to what you might think Mr. All-Powerful Uchiha, I have great chakra sensory skills," she grinned and stopped in front of their destination, her home.

He didn't respond but instead lifted an eyebrow indicating his skepticism.

"What just because I'm a medic you don't think I'm a good sensor type?" she asked crossing her arms.

"I never said that."

"You were thinking it," she jabbed her pointer finger into his chest…his rock hard chest. She froze, fighting with everything in her not to move her finger from that one smooth, hard spot.

Touch him please!

Boundaries! We've only barely started dating.

Screw boundaries you both have been through way too much to worry about such ridiculous niceties!

She resisted although everything in her wanted to give into her Inner's demands. She was so tired that she barely had the will power to resist the Inner's urgings. She had to get out of this situation and fast before she crossed an intimacy line that she did not want to cross.

"S-Sorry…I didn't mean that," she started to withdraw her hand but he grasped it and spread her fingers across his chest and held her there gently.

"What are you apologizing for?" he asked with a soft look in his eyes, so different from the teasing glint she witnessed earlier.

"I-I didn't mean…"

"To touch me," he offered.

She nodded lamely and didn't meet his eyes. He watched her sulk in mild amusement, her shyness towards their small amounts of intimacy was amusing at times but he also wished she wouldn't be so skittish. Ever so slowly he drew closer to her and with his free he tilted her chin up to meet her uncertain and weary gaze.

"What are you so afraid of?" he whispered.

She should lie, she was terrified of this, and she had never done anything like this with any man. She had certainly dreamed of a situation like this many times in her young naïve life but never had this situation actually happened to her and if it was ever going to this was the wrong man. Or was she so scared because he actually wasn't the wrong man.

So you're finally considering that he might actually be the one?

No I'm just-

Don't lie to yourself Sakura…

His gaze was still searching hers and she knew she needed to come up with a lie quickly because she didn't want to unintentionally hurt his feelings especially when she didn't even know what her own feelings meant. But gazing into the onyx depths of some of the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen she knew she wouldn't be able to tell him anything but the truth, "I'm terrified of this."

His brows furrowed as he deciphered her meaning, "What about this makes you afraid?"

"I've never done this before; nobody has ever wanted me or been interested in me. I always thought that your attention had merely been because I was your brother's teammate and then when I realized what it really was I was scared. I turned you away because of the war and I didn't want to deal with what it would feel like to lose someone of that nature. And now here we both are and I can't help but feel the same terrified feelings that existed when we first became interested in one another."

She was babbling, it was 2 am her mind and body were exhausted and Itachi wanted to have a deep conversation about their relationship and she was babbling. She watched him as his eyes gently caressed her face and she secretly wished his touch for reasons she didn't understand. People who had connections like this always ended up hurt…her own life was a prime example. Sasuke's defection broke her heart and it was a hole that to this day, was still left open to fester. The war had stolen precious comrades that she had been unable to save, and her father died when she needed him most on an A-ranked mission just as she entered into the Academy. These attachments hurt, and she didn't want to be hurt anymore but at the same time she yearned for another's touch.

Itachi watched the war Sakura was having with herself it was clear that she was deeply attracted to him and he could also see the fear that she spoke of. She was holding back and he knew that she would never get over her fear if he didn't act fast to try and stop it. He took it slow using the hand under her chin to lightly trace up her cheek and cup her face. He descended slowly never looking away from her frightened but excited jade eyes.

His lips were soft against her smaller ones. She closed her eyes just before he touched them together…it might be 2 in the morning but she was still lucid enough not to keep her eyes open on her first kiss with Itachi. He was tender, gentle, but also seeking compliance. She could tell he wasn't going to take this any farther if she didn't want him too.

He's so patient and sweet and he waited for me for years because of the war.

Then isn't it about time you give him something in return. You've already broken the first date rules and honestly –

Our relationship is far from typical.

Exactly so stop trying to have a "typical" relationship. Give him something in return!

And she did. Her left hand joined her right on his chest slowly caressing the muscle hidden beneath his uniform. Itachi's grip loosened under her ministrations and slowly stroked the soft skin on her arm. After he released her hands they slowly drifted up and around his neck. She softly stroked the smooth skin under his long silky hair reveling in the softness.

The kiss continued as he wrapped one strong arm around her waist holding her to him but he didn't allow it to intensify. A second later Sakura broke it breathing slightly faster than normal. Her eyes were closed but she didn't move from her position; she liked their closeness more than she thought she would. It was comforting in a way that she never realized she missed. She liked the feeling of a strong arm holding her firmly but with all the reverence in the world. She could feel the intense longing Itachi had poured into the kiss, happy at her acceptance. She slowly opened her eyes and looked up at him. Her grin widened as she saw exactly what she was feeling reflected in his dark onyx eyes.

"Sakura," he whispered before touching their foreheads together, "Don't be afraid. I promise I will never hurt you."

His grip tightened around her as he waited for her response. She was stuck as her throat tightened not allowing her to respond to him. She cursed herself because of this weakness. When her father died she searched for the next strongest man she could. That's when she fell in love with Sasuke, he was strong, smart, cute, and mysterious; every young girl's dream boy and she loved him. At least it was the child's equivalent of love and her heart was easily mended. She was happy in her childhood innocence fawning over the cutest Uchiha in school along with every other girl in her grade. Then he left, after getting marked by Orochimaru in the Forest of Death, and her heart died again. He said it was to confront his fear but Sakura also knew about his rivalry with his brother and that he was jealous of Naruto's training with Jiraiya, if Naruto was special enough to get training from a Sannin then we was as well. And since he had the curse mark it gave him more of a reason to leave. He wouldn't take her though. He said he didn't want the dead weight; that she wasn't strong enough for him and what he wanted to accomplish. She died then…everything in her shattered into a million pieces. Then a few weeks later Naruto left for who knew how long with Jiraiya. After the failed rescue mission and endless drama over why the Uchiha clan wasn't mounting their own search and rescue for Sasuke she was left alone…Kakashi was reassigned temporarily to do recon work on Akatsuki and she was completely alone; all her men were gone and her team disbanded.

But before she succumbed to her feelings of despair Sasuke's words echoed in her mind, Not strong enough. That was her trigger, she was weak and she knew it, her petite form wasn't conducive for accomplishing typical physical strength and her weapon skills weren't as honed as she wanted them to be. She labored over her predicament for two days before the light bulb turned on in her head; the Hokage was one of the strongest kunoichi's in the world. She remembered reading about her medic-nin skills and how they were superior and well known throughout the entire world. She was smart and had the top grades in her class; she could apply her excellent studying skills that she always got teased for into the medical world and perhaps become the next great medical ninja. She also remembered reading about Tsunade's super human strength and her perfect chakra control that she had mastered from medical ninjutsu allowed her to transfer it to combat; the Hokage could topple mountains with a single flick of her finger.

She could do this; she could be strong and not be the weak link in her team whenever they got back together. Kakashi had started teaching her genjutsu when he noticed that her chakra control was above average. If she already had good enough control for genjutsu then learning medical ninjutsu shouldn't be too difficult right? So with shaky legs she walked to Hokage tower and begged Tsunade to accept her as an apprentice and she accepted. Since that day Sakura vowed never to be weak again and had that mentality beaten into her by her mentor and master over and over again.

Itachi began nuzzling her cheek and neck breaking her out of her thought process, "Please…I need you."

Those words broke her. She could hear the same need in his voice that she was feeling. He needed her in whatever way she could give him. She answered him by running her fingers through is long ponytail coaxing him back up to look at her. He complied.

"I don't want to be afraid anymore," she whispered, "I need you too Itachi. I'm sick of feeling weak and I can't help myself but feel like…I need you. But I've been broken too many times, I don't know if I can be fixed…"

"There's nothing to fix Sakura. I like you just the way you are."

Her hands stroked his cheeks as a small smile lit up her face, "Really?"

"Ever since you punched my brother so hard you dislocated his jaw and sent him flying a mile out of the village, yes I've wanted you."

Sakura's heart fluttered and instinct drove her to kiss him again. Standing on her toes she pulled him in close and sealed her lips to his. Itachi's reaction was immediate as he held her tightly supporting her weight. He took her bold move as a sign and slid his tongue lightly over her bottom lip. She gasped against his mouth and pulled away suddenly eyes wide.

"I apologize," he loosened his grip on her as her body slid slowly down placing her solidly on her feet again.

"Don't…please don't apologize," she kept her hands on his cheeks before he moved them onto his shoulders.

"Get some rest Sakura, I'll see you tomorrow," he lifted both hands to his lips and placed soft lingering kisses on her knuckles.

She smiled at his tender affection, "Itachi thank you."

The corners of his lips tilted slightly as he let both her hands go before turning around and walking away. Sakura watched him as he disappeared bringing her hands up to her lips smiling to herself; her heart finally feeling fuller than it had in years.

"So nothing?"

Sakura nodded her head the same shameful feelings resurfacing from last night.

"And you've tried everything right?" Tsunade asked again eyeing her student seeing her freeze; a tale-tell sign that she wasn't being entirely honest, "Sakura…"

"Aside from testing on live subjects this is as conclusive or inconclusive as it gets," she responded.

"Then we need to up the ante and see what happens," Tsunade ordered.

"No!" Sakura jerked her head up, "I can't do that not without an antidote."

"Sakura I know how you feel about it but…"

"It goes against everything I am Shishou! I can't knowingly give someone this poison without an antidote already concocted. I won't do it!"

"It's not a request Sakura, we have the best poison experts in the world here in Konoha and we can't crack one measly poison. I will not stand for it! If the ones responsible know we cannot beat them what's to keep them from using it again," Tsuande folded her arms under her chest eyeing her student, "Ask for volunteers and get to the bottom of this. There hasn't been a single poison in 40 years that we haven't been able to crack I won't let this break our record. Not after everything…"

"As you wish Tsunade-sama," Sakura bowed low then exited the office.

Sakura headed towards the training grounds rubbing her arms. A soft breeze blew signally the coming of fall. She took a deep breath reveling in the coolness; she felt it encompass her body and flow easily down her esophagus and into her lungs. She loved fall, she loved watching the leaves change colors and feeling the winds come and go. Her village's namesake would disconnect from their long time perches and would flow with the fickle winds all around the village. Leaves of all sizes and colors bringing comfort to the villagers as children's laughter echoed in delight. They would jump all around making a game to see who could catch the biggest leaf.

Her feet carried her to Team Seven's training grounds and she stopped by the memorial shrine. She had half expected to see Kakashi there paying his respects to former comrades who have fallen. But he was absent which was fine because she had training with Reiko in a few minutes. She bowed her head and laid a gentle hand on the stone.

She heard Reiko enter the clearing and walked up behind her, "Are will still training today shishou?"

"Hai Reiko, you're not getting out of it that easily," Sakura replied with a wicked smirk, "Besides I have a lot of tension and anger to work out and since you've been healed I'm expecting one hell of a fight."

Reiko's face turned a little pale, "Ummmm…I don't think I'm going to live up to your spars with your teammates…"

Sakura chuckled to herself, "No you won't, but I've been taking it easy on you."

Reiko's nod was stiff as she followed her master towards the lake. She expected her to stop and begin the fight but she crossed it.

"Shishou?"

Sakura turned and looked at her, "We can't spar here Reiko, I would inadvertently destroy the memorial shrine."

Reiko nodded again and began to follow her across a little more nervous than before. They walked for another ten minutes before coming upon a large waterfall in the middle of a large field.

"Where are we?" Reiko asked walking up to the small lake before glancing up at a large wooden platform.

"This is where my teammate Naruto perfected his wind chakra," she answered, "He spent days on that wooden bridge trying to the slice that waterfall and before that he spent days slicing every leaf off that tree over there."

Reiko looked over at the mid-sized tree and gasped at the amount of leaves on the tree.

"Naruto spent days and nights out here working on this jutsu to defeat the Akatsuki. He wanted to defend everyone and this jutsu, one inspired by his father the Yondaime, was his answer. He gave up everything for everyone and he will one day be the greatest Hokage that this village has ever had," Sakura smiled and closed her eyes, "Now shall we see what you're willing to go through."

Reiko was lost in thought that she didn't notice that Sakura had donned her gauntlets. Her eyes widened as she pulled out two kunai in preparation for her master's assault. This was the first time Sakura's used her new weapons against her and she knew that she was going to need everything in her arsenal just to not be beaten to a pulp. Her sharingan only had two tomoes currently but if Sakura's speed was anything like her cousin Sasuke or Itachi, or her brother's, when he's not using the body flicker, then she would have to concentrate extra hard to predict her movement.

Sakura finished strapping her gauntlets into place and flexed her hand, "Tenten's work is magnificent."

Reiko nodded but stood at the ready, eyes wide.

"So shall we?" Sakura smirked at her student.

Reiko watched at Sakura's eyes flickered to a more…light gray color then her fist connected with earth shattering it into dozens of large chunks.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sai were all eating when the ramen stand began to shake. They paused as it stopped a few seconds later.

"Sakura?" Sasuke asked.

"Since the only other woman who can make the earth shake like that is in Hokage tower I would presume so," Sai answered and began eating again.

"Think she's pissed?" Naruto asked following Sai's example.

Sasuke shrugged, "Maybe we should check afterward. Especially since my clan has decided to take political action against her."

Naruto snorted, "Bunch of old grumpy windbags…why can't they leave her alone."

"She insulted their ideals. It's only logical that the old grumpy windbags would take action," Sai said finishing his bowl.

"But Itachi hasn't told her and Tsunade promised to keep it under wraps until she solved the issue," Sasuke took a swig of tea then handed it to Ayame for a refill.

Naruto grunted, "She has a right to know, it is her and her mother they are going after."

"I promised Itachi I'd keep my mouth shut and you both know as well as I do what a terrible idea it would be to tell her. She's dug herself a hole already let's not make it any deeper," Sasuke tore into a piece of beef a little rougher than normal.

"I know…but I hate keeping secrets from her…" Naruto reached for another bowl handing back his empty one.

"Unless you want to end up on the other side of Ugly's gauntlets Naruto it would be wise to do as Sasuke says," Sai smiled at his teammate.

Just then an ANBU showed up at the ramen stand and addressed the trio, "Hokage-sama wishes for your presence."

The three of them nodded, paid, and headed for Hokage tower. When they entered they saw Kakashi was already present.

"Good he found you fast enough," Tsunade took a drink of sake before addressing them, "I've called you all here for a specific reason."

"Mission?" Naruto asked.

She shook her head, "No, Sakura is unbalanced. She's been stressing over a poison and has been unable to construct antidote. If that tremor is anything to go by she's going to need more regular releases until this issue is solved. I don't want her killing her students in a rage not meant for them."

They all nodded.

"We felt it at Ichiraku's," Sasuke said, "We thought about going to check on her."

Tsunade nodded, "Until mission requests become more frequent or unless I'm in specific need of your assistance your team is assigned to make sure Sakura is receiving regular intense training sessions in order to keep her chakra balance level. I need her at her best and she's too volatile and unpredictable when unstable."

Kakashi nodded, "When are all the villages getting the O.K. from the Alliance to begin receiving missions higher than C?"

"Soon…"she answered then looked to Naruto to continue.

"The last bijuu was sold so the balance is now restored. A jinchurikki will be chosen in a couple weeks then the Five Great Nations can begin to take requests again," he answered.

"In two weeks even if the jinchurikki isn't sealed the nations have all agreed to resume a typical lifestyle. We aren't the only ones hurting for money," she mused, "Aside from all of that these issues between the Uchiha and Sakura's mother…"

"She should know," Naruto grumbled.

Tsunade shook her head, "It's not wise. The Elders are furious and Sakura's temper would be lethal if she found out. Keep it a secret Naruto. I've already spoken to Haruno Kya about the secrecy and she has agreed to it as well."

He grumbled to himself earning a smack upside the head from Sasuke, "Leave it be."

"Is there anything else you need from us Hokage-sama?" Kakashi asked.

"No, get out of here," she replied pouring herself another drink.

Reiko leapt out of the way and was busy dodging several smaller pieces of rocky shrapnel that she didn't notice Sakura weaving through until she was almost on top of her. Reiko blocked her punches with her kunai as they bounded over the uneven earth. Reiko was able to put some distance between her and her master and released the Uchiha's signature fireball jutsu.

Sakura was forced to take evasive measures but used that time to make her way behind her target. She grabbed to large rocks in her hands and chucked them at Reiko. Her student evaded in the direction Sakura intended and she was met with a hard kick to her side.

Reiko's body was launched across the training ground and she smashed hard into a large boulder. She coughed up body and with a quick examination she realized she had two broken ribs that haven't punctured her lungs yet. Any other diagnostics had to wait as the boulder she was leaning against suddenly vanished into millions of tiny shrapnel as Sakura descended behind her. Reiko leapt up to get away from her master throwing three kunai with explosive tags attached to the ends. Sakura easily dodged the missiles then using her super strength she lifted a boulder three times her size and hurled it at the smaller girl. Reiko had to backtrack in order not to get smash by the large rock.

"Don't run away from me Reiko!" Sakura yelled charging at her student, "Only cowards run away!"

Reiko turned in time to defend against Sakura's taijutsu attack. Sakura's regular punches hurt if they hit in the right location, with her gauntlets they were significantly more painful because of the metal chainmail, and when she added chakra to either, intense and excruciating pain always followed. Reiko experienced the latter in her arms and legs as Sakura's punches hit every opening she had.

After one particularly hard punch Reiko was sent to her knees as she coughed up blood and held her wound side where the broken ribs were.

"This is it?" Sakura asked slightly angered, "This is all you have after I healed you…pathetic."

Reiko shivered at the disappointment in her voice, "I can still…fight shishou…"

"No you can't. You've given up. Maybe I was right about my assumption Uchiha women and kunoichi are nothing more than servants to the men in the clan. Look you can't even get up off your knees," Sakura circled her.

Reiko bit her lip and tried to stand only to get kicked down by Sakura. She didn't try again.

Sakura scoffed at her, "Not even going to try again. Do you enjoy being bullied?"

"…No…"

"Then why are you letting me do this?"

Reiko didn't answer.

"You're supposed to graduate soon your yearlong training with me is up soon and you'll be assigned to a regular genin team. Is bowing before your enemies all you're going to have to offer?"

"No."

"Are you sure because that's all I'm seeing right now; just another subservient girl!"

Reiko leapt up and threw a weak punch at Sakura and she promptly broke her student's wrist. Reiko yelped in pain before falling against a large boulder clutching her wrist to her chest, tears began to leak out of her eyes.

"I haven't seen that weak look since…hmmmm, it's been awhile that's for sure," Sakura walked up her injured student and crouched in front of her.

"What is your Will of Fire?"

Reiko looked up, "I want to be a great ninja."

Sakura slapped her in the face causing Reiko's head to smack against the boulder.

"I want to become a strong ninja."

Sakura slapped her again turning her face the other way.

"I want to protect my clan and be honored as a powerful kunoichi."

Sakura's eyes hardened, Has she not learned anything!

Be silent and let her finish! She is not done talking.

Sakura's hard gray eyes were slowing turning more silver as her inner personality began to take over.

"I want to be all those things because only then will I be strong enough to protect my loved ones. I'll be able to protect my clan, my family, and my village. Seeing my precious cousin all small and bundled in blankets taught me that being a ninja is more about defending something precious than honor and glory. I don't care anymore if I get put down or bullied or beaten into submission as long as I can protect that one precious child then I will find peace," Reiko answered looking straight into her master's angry eyes.

Sakura's original personality began rejoicing within her mind, She got it!

Not yet, the dominant inner personality smirked at her student, "Prove it."

Reiko smiled through bloody teeth, her eyes beginning to bruise from Sakura's slaps. She snapped her wrist into place and flew through the hand seals for a katon jutsu. Sakura dropped her but not before her face was singed from the heat.

"Good!" she yelled charging at her student.

Reiko stood tall at the praise a rush of adrenaline and ran head on at Sakura with a fierce battle cry. Sakura's eyes lit up in pleasure at her students attack and met her halfway. A fierce taijutsu battle ensued and Reiko was lucky to get under Sakura's guard and socked her right in the face. Sakura's head swung from the force of her hit and in response she kicked Reiko's legs out from underneath her. Reiko gasped in pain clutching her side; her broken ribs had just punctured her lungs.

Sakura rubbed her jaw impressed by Reiko's ferocity. As she took in her student's labored breathing she knelt down next to her and began healing all of her wounds. Reiko looked up at her master with a small smile.

"How'd I do shishou?" she asked between breaths.

Sakura smirked at her, "You passed."

Reiko's bloody smile widened and she blinked as she watched Sakura's eyes fade to her original green color but still retained some of the gray she had seen earlier. Her eyes narrowed in observation as her sharingan studied her.

"Do your eyes always change color?" she asked as she felt her ribs fully heal.

"Sometimes," Sakura answered, "I'm told they change when I fight."

"Is it a bloodline or just a scary kunoichi thing?"

Sakura chuckled at her question. The only people who knew about her, besides Ino, Tsunade, Shizune, and her mother, were her teammates and she wanted to keep it that way. She knew she'd have to tell Itachi soon but now wasn't the time for others to know…not just yet.

"It's a scary kunoichi thing," she winked at Reiko.

Reiko giggled then sat up as Sakura removed her hands.

"Thank you shishou, for teaching me what you did," she bowed her head.

"Reiko," Sakura toned commanded her to make eye contact, "Now that you know I refuse for you to act submissive. To remain in such a state would inhibit you from getting stronger and if you fail at getting stronger you can't uphold your Will of Fire. Do you understand what I'm saying to you?"

Reiko nodded, "Hai shishou and thank you."

Sakura could see a new look enter into her student's eyes; she had a new sense of purpose and determination and it shone brightly. Sakura couldn't be more pleased.

"You're welcome," Sakura stood and dusted herself off, "Need help getting home?"

"No…" Reiko stood up and almost immediately fell over. Sakura caught her and laughed helping the smaller Uchiha get back on her feet again, "Ok well maybe."

"Let's go hold onto my waist."

Across the training field a small petite cloaked figure watched as the pink haired kunoichi helped her subordinate out of the clearing.

Master was right she's the perfect candidate.

Her power is beyond anything, all of us would never be able to stand against her.

Master can, he has the ultimate jutsu and he will be the one performing the sealing.

But we could learn so much from her…this is wrong…

I know but we don't have a choice…Master has commanded no contact and we are due for a report today.

Then we better go, I'm sensing multiple signatures heading our way.

Four to be exact.

The figure stood gracefully and leapt away from the demolished training area. She leapt easily through the trees like a wraith barely making a sound. The sun was setting behind one of the mountains to her right as she continued on her way. Ten minutes later she landed in front of a large tree that had been struck down by a stray lightning bolt sometime in the past. The cloaked spy ascended through the broken branches easily before stopping at the peak. She slowly walked down and through a maze of more broken branches before stopping beside another figure. She knelt to the ground and waited for the man to address her.

"Report," a deep baritone voice commanded.

"It's her, no contact has been made per your request," the spy replied.

"Anything else?"

"She's highly respected and valued in the village. Getting her away will be difficult because they will come after her."

He though over the statement, "Continue."

"That is all I have."

"What about her ability to crack the poison?" he asked a little irked.

"Oh, she has been unable to crack it," the spy crouched low, berating herself, "I apologize for my oversight."

"Seems it's time to pay a visit to an old friend," The man mused running a hand over his chin.

The hunched figure shivered involuntarily at the tone of voice her master used. Whoever this friend was they were going to end up dead.

The man turned his head toward the hunched figure, "Arise."

She did as commanded keeping her head bowed.

"Remove your cloak."

She lowered her hood but still kept her head bowed.

"Look at me."

She raised her head up to meet hard silver eyes. He hand held her chin tightly and she found herself reverting inward to suppress any emotion or thought she had about this action.

"Pity, you're not old enough to conceive yet."

She continued to look unseeing into his eyes fighting a cringe.

"But that still doesn't mean you can't be prepped, be in my chambers after dinner and don't forget to protect yourself," his thumb ran over her soft lips as he grinned evilly at her, "You will make beautiful children Kaminari."

He released his hold on her and she swiftly moved into a bow to hide her disgust and fear. "Thank you master," she said in a small mousy voice.

"Do not address me so informally. My son will be your master whereas I am your Leader and Lord."

"My apologies Haruno-sama."

So am i evil or brilliant or just plain rude ;) Please tell me i want to know :D