Yaaaaayy! It's finished! Well, this chapter anyway ^^ I'm so excited! Itachi TOTALLY took over writing this...in ways that I can't even fully explain (though I'll try down at the bottom of the chapter ^^) and made this go places I hadn't even THOUGHT of! So I hope you really like his little changes! The muse says thank you for the sugar that kept her going! I'm not used to writing battle scenes, so hopefully I did a good job here ^^

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and am not making money off this, but it'd be nice if I could have XD

Chapter 6: Confidence

Emerald eyes fluttered open at the familiar crunch of regulation boots on frosted grass. Her body was relaxed; it knew this particular individual's chakra well and there could be no one else here in their practice clearing at sunset but him.

The day's last sunlight lent a golden hue to his pale skin, bringing out the warmth she usually saw in his dark-cobalt eyes with greater clarity. In the usual, sable attire of the Uchiha clan, he melted into the shadows, ghostlike in spite of the light that touched his aristocratic features. What might have been the flash of a smile touched his lips, but the claw-like silhouettes of bare branches scattered across the clearing obscured it, making her uncertain.

"You are not here to train?" His soft voice carried well through the crisp, February air.

Sakura shook her head, resisting the temptation to pull the thick cloak around her shoulders closer to her slim frame. "I only wanted to think a moment. I can leave if you need to use the clearing."

It was not an unusual statement. In the year since Itachi had begun helping her with her usage of the puppet technique, she had found herself coming across him more and more often in their clearing. And she had made the same comment on occasion, to be met with varying degrees of agreement.

"No, I am here for the same reason you are," he said, coming to lean his back against a tree standing across from her. "To think."

The chilly air grew colder, making her breath fog on her lips as the sun sank lower to the horizon. All was still, not even a faint breath of wind stirring the leafless branches that sent long, grasping fingers across the blue-grey sky. It would have been almost peaceful if not for the uncertainty that tainted her thoughts.

"My otouto mentioned starting training for ANBU examinations this year."

Viridian eyes flickered, surprise widening them as she glanced to him and away. Somehow, Itachi had perceived the reason behind her melancholy that evening, and chosen to bring it up.

"He mentioned you were considering it as well."

Even in the half-light, Sakura was certain the sudden flush in her cheeks must be clearly visible. She had been thinking of joining Konoha's elite, but ANBU rank was difficult to achieve, even for a Hokage's apprentice. She'd been having second thoughts and found herself heading to the practice clearing to avoid making a decision for a little while, but the world seemed to find amusement in forcing her to face the issue, whether she wanted to or not.

"Considering," she admitted finally, allowing a wry grin to touch her lips. "I wasn't…" her words melted away under the intensity of Itachi's gaze.

Cheeks warming further, she discovered herself forcing back a stammer to explain with ever mounting embarrassment, "I'm only…I mean sixteen's really early… And I don't know how…how prepared I am…" Her breath clouded as she sighed and went silent, not wanting to dig herself into a deeper hole.

"You think you aren't ready." Itachi had stepped away from his previous position, the action prompting Sakura to follow suit, to catch her eyes with an onyx gaze, his head cocked in an air of contemplation.

Sakura was the first to look away.

"I…yes."

He made a soft noise in the back of his throat, and out of the corner of her eye she saw him nod decisively.

"Spar with me."

The confusion that flooded her overrode the sting she had felt at his casual agreement of her own evaluation; the vague hope that he would see her differently. Her viridian eyes clouded with it, bewildered and disoriented at his words.

"What?"

"I will assess your skill level," he explained casually, stripping off his leather gloves and tucking them into his kunai pouch with deceptive nonchalance. "Spar with me."

He had never asked her to do this, never made that step before, and Sakura had no idea how to react. The very idea of it made her skin tingle with latent adrenaline. It would be a chance to fight one of the most skilled shinobi she knew, and even if the outcome of the fight was probably set from the moment it began, it would give her a chance to test herself against his abilities. It would be a realistic measure of her own talents.

But even as that was flooding through her mind, she caught Itachi's gaze and gasped, logic and reasoning evaporating like water spilled on the Suna sand at midday.

His eyes were blood-red and crimson, jet-black tomoe already swirling in dizzying circles.

"Run."

She didn't even think, didn't let her mind analyze his reasoning behind such an order. Her body knew who was the stronger shinobi, could hear the near-feral amusement that tinted the Uchiha's rich baritone, and what was the smart option.

Itachi's voice promised danger in ways she couldn't even imagine.

Instinct whirled her around and she fled, hurtling through the trees like a rose-hued flash in the dying sun.

Her heart hammered in her chest, adrenaline thrumming through her body. Being chased like this, training every sense of her body to hyper-awareness so her pursuer wouldn't catch her blind, was both frightening and strangely exciting. The light all around her was dying, and she almost felt like a last streak of the sunset.

But she didn't have long to contemplate something so…poetic.

The heir to the Uchiha clan was chasing after her through the forests of Konoha, and if she didn't think of something fast, she would be nothing more than a smear across the dirt. Figuratively speaking. She knew instinctively that Itachi would never put her in any real harm, but just because he was at a higher skill level than she was, didn't mean she wasn't going to put up a fight.

Every leap off the tree branches was a jarring force as she pushed herself to create as much distance between herself and the Uchiha as possible. She had stamina for distance runs, by channeling a little chakra into each step when she began to tire she could go for hours without stopping, but in quick, distancing sprints where she needed to conserve chakra for a fight, she was definitely lacking.

'Note to self: sprints and extra stamina training,' Sakura noted as she quickly scanned for possible places to battle. She was just reaching the outskirts of the training forests, where the trees grew thicker and denser for more difficult practical lessons, and only minutes would take her deep into the woods where it'd be too dark to use the dying light to her advantage. Fighting against a craftier and more powerful shinobi than herself, she would need every advantage she could get, and picking the battlefield was one of her few available options.

'Not too many trees; too easy to get caught in a genjutsu.' She knew from personal experience how easily one could be trapped in an illusion when surrounded by the rustle of trees all around.'A wide clearing would be ideal…someplace familiar.' Gritting her teeth as she put on an extra burst of speed, she changed direction slightly to head towards the sparring spot she shared with Naruto and Sasuke. She'd been training there with them since she'd turned twelve, and knew its topography like the back of her hand. If she got there fast enough…

A shift in the air, the subtle pulse of energy that skated across her skin, had her moving before she could think. Right where she'd been only moments ago, three kunai thudded into wood. Only by shoving a pulse of chakra through her legs did she manage not to fall, instead pushing off the tree branch to hit the ground in a controlled skid. She slid to a stop at the other end of the clearing.

Like a ghost Itachi appeared, casually standing with arms crossed, on the same branch she had so recently vacated.

Even in the twilit gloom she could see him glance around the training ground with sharp, crimson eyes. It didn't surprise her; Itachi had probably come here only very infrequently, if at all, and without any real plan in this spar against the skilled ANBU captain she was glad for a moment to think.

But she didn't get the chance for, as soon as Itachi finished a cursory scan of the grounds, probably negating any advantages choosing the battleground had given her with a single glance, his chin tilted in a marginal nod.

"A large, open area with few trees to get in the way of your chakra-enhanced strikes, someplace you've fought many times before and will be less likely to be tricked into a genjutsu at." Those deep, crimson eyes warmed, making heat flash through her for a second. "Good."

Sakura barely managed not to let her shock show. Itachi was considerate when he was teaching her, he hadn't shown anger towards her since the day he'd caught her practicing Puppetry without a partner, but he was sparing with his praise.

She blinked in surprise, and stifled a gasp.

Itachi was gone.

She whirled around, chakra scalpels slicing at chest height, only to discover that Itachi was making a dragon-tail sweep to trip her. Tuck-diving into a roll that would put more distance between the two of them, she shot back away from him.

"No lowering your guard," his low baritone slid through the air as he followed his dragon-tail kick with a barrage of kunai. "And keep going."

With a curt nod, Sakura threw herself into the battle.

…

She was good. There was no denying it; in spite of the fact that she seemed to have some self-confidence issues, she was an analytical thinker when put on the spot, levelheaded.

Unlike Naruto, and even occasionally Sasuke, she didn't throw herself into a battle without a thought. Her moves from the moment she had bolted out of their practice clearing had been well planned and tactical. A trait that would prove to be invaluable if she wanted to attain ANBU rank.

Strength and skill were all good in their own ways, but due to the nature of ANBU missions, each member of a squad had to act as his or her own commander at times. Blindly following orders or rushing into things without thinking wasn't something that was looked well upon in ANBU; tactical thinking was, which explained Shikamaru's current position on Squad 17.

He knew she could be hotheaded, had heard of incidents of her famous temper from both his younger brother and Naruto, and the rumors from the hospital, but she didn't appear to display that particular quality now as she fought him. She may have needed more training in speed and stamina, but she was a smart and creative fighter. She'd already tried to use the puppet technique against him, using a web of chakra attached to the shuriken he had given her in an attempt to cast a more effective genjutsu on him mid-battle.

Had it not been for the sharingan, her plan would have been a very effective one for capturing an enemy shinobi in a genjutsu without needing a focal point to pull them into the illusion.

A good few hours after sundown, they were still sparring, though it was getting more and more difficult to utilize the benefits of the sharingan without decent lighting. He had the advantage now that he had managed to draw her back into the trees, and it was obvious Sakura was flagging.

She was fighting well, but he had managed to force her into using up most of her chakra, and it was showing. Her response time had gotten slower and slower, and she had made a few key mistakes. One of which happened to be accidentally informing him that she was glad they weren't tearing up their practice clearing.

Considering the number of decimated trees and three foot deep craters that now decorated Team 7's usual training ground, Itachi had to admit that her concerns had been well-founded.

Regardless, it looked as if she was nowhere near giving up in spite of her fatigue. That was something the ANBU trainer assigned to her would have to teach her: limits, generally hers. But he knew exactly how to get her off guard enough to immobilize the roseate-haired sixteen-year-old before she ran herself into the ground trying to prove to him, and herself, that she was strong. She'd told him what was more important to her than this spar.

"You've been doing well, Sakura," he said into the gloom, knowing that she could hear him. "But you are tiring out. Stamina issues; we will work on that. Perhaps you just need the proper…motivation."

The tiny katon jutsu lit the night like a floodlight, blinding Sakura momentarily. But she managed to catch a glimpse of the direction he was heading in through eyes narrowed against the bright flare of the fire-based jutsu, and her gut plummeted with fear.

He was headed for their practice clearing, and that katon hadn't just been a blinding tactic.

She flung herself after him, strategies and such flying out of her head as she chased him. Even the small voice in the back of her head saying that Itachi must be using this as some sort of test was silenced in the face of her rising alarm.

Ahead of her, Itachi let a smile flit across his features. She was following him, and losing her focus; exactly as he'd planned.

He was at the clearing, slowing just enough so that she had a chance to catch up to him, before whirling around to catch the punch headed for the small of his back. He hadn't planned for her hit to be enhanced with chakra though; the strength behind it sent them both flying off the branch where he'd been standing.

He twisted so that they landed relatively softly on the grass.

Sakura lay beside him, quivering as she sucked in deep breaths with his hands wrapped around her wrists to keep her in place. But she wasn't struggling, too tired to do more than just lie there and try to catch her breath. Reluctantly, he let her go, sitting up to get a better glimpse of her in the moonlight.

Pure, jade eyes flickered open to focus on his face, a weak smile curving her lips. "That was…fun."

It was the adrenaline in her talking, making her silly and lightheaded, but Itachi couldn't help smiling back at her statement. He had enjoyed himself too; sparring with Sakura was something he had always wanted to do, but never allowed himself the leisure or opportunity. He had been taking advantage of her need for confidence and he knew it, but the spar had been useful.

Sakura was an able shinobi who would do well under ANBU training, she would no doubt achieve the rank in due time, and she would be safe.

Itachi had no false optimism that someone wouldn't discover his regard for the rose-haired girl. The likelihood that an enemy shinobi might come across the information was high considering his position as the Uchiha clan heir, but Sakura's status as an ANBU operative would keep her relatively safer, and the training would do the rest. He wasn't always going to be able to be there for her, but as an ANBU member, she would be much harder to defeat.

It would be difficult, knowing that for the next year she would be completely under the charge of an ANBU trainer with no time to call her own as she prepared for the grueling examinations, but the time spent apart would pay off in the end. She would be an ANBU operative, and she'd be safe.

She was still a bit out of breath when she finally sat up, leaning back on her hands as she glanced at him from under long lashes with some semblance of nonchalance. But the expectant, almost nervous look on her face that couldn't quite be hidden spoke volumes.

"Take the ANBU examinations."

Those large, limpid eyes of hers gleamed in the moonlight as they widened, her lips parting with surprise. She seemed as though she wanted to say something, but couldn't quite believe his quiet statement to express herself.

"It will be a year of training and testing to become ANBU, but," his eyes warmed just a fraction, barely visible in the night, "you are ready."

He reached out then, sliding his hand through the sweaty locks of her rosy-hued hair as he tucked it back behind her ear, and his hand lingered just a little longer than necessary. His fingertips brushed across her flushed cheek, drawing her eyes to his, and for a split second he felt overwhelmed by her beauty. Her eyes fluttered for a moment, and the temptation to lean forward and just…kiss her…. His feelings were so close to the surface that even a word would let her know how he felt.

And he couldn't do that just yet. She had a year of ANBU training to go through, and an exhausting exam to master. As much as he wanted to tell her, he couldn't afford to distract her. Not even like this.

So he merely smiled, a flicker of expression crossing his face before he let his fingers graze her cheek to chin before falling away.

"Thank you, Itachi," she murmured, and the color in her cheeks wasn't just from exertion. "I'll try my best to become a great ANBU operative."

He shook his head, leaning back to let the chilly night air envelop his black-clad body. "You won't need to try, Sakura," he replied softly, relishing her blush as he used her given name; they had gotten on first name basis sometime during her puppet-technique training and he loved being able to use it, as he had always wanted to. "You are well on your way."

tsuzuku

Is anyone else really excited? This means I'm DONE writing With Practice! Admittedly, this isn't the last chapter (the last chapter is chapter seven and will be uploaded on Wednesday), but I'm done writing it! And I'm really happy with the way this chapter turned out ^^ Itachi totally took it in a direction I hadn't expected...like threatening to burn the practice clearing (which he says was a bluff and he would NEVER try to destroy) or trying to kiss Sakura (I didn't let him obviously, that would have screwed things up and he's still kinda sulky about it XD) but I really like his changes, so I hope you really like them too!

The seventh and final chapter of With Practice will be uploaded on Wednesday, and please check out the Itachi Birthday Poll on my profile page ^^

The muse says she's feeling good about herself cuz she's done with this fic and was driving me nuts until I finished it! Thank you so much everyone for being such great and supportive reviewers! You fed her and kept me going! This fic couldn't have been finished, or written in quite this way, without you guys!

Aria, out.