Lets get it started in here! Good mornin'! Oh yeah, Sakura is nine, for all those who wanted to know. ^.^ Be warned I have no intention to bring Sakura back this chapter or the next. ^^' Oh yeah, I changed my new Pen Name to AhiruSakuraKagome...so don't worry it's still me. :)

Chapter 12

Or Am I Waiting For Her?

Everyone in Akatsuki sat in complete silence in the kitchen. No one said a word. Itachi stared off into space. Five minutes later, Itachi got up and left the room. He wandered the halls aimlessly. He remembered Sakura running down the halls happy and humming. He opened the door to her room and stared into it like it was a black hole. Yumiko, was lying on the bed, along with Sasuke and Hinata. Those few items had not gone with Sakura for certain reasons. Itachi regretted letting her keep the picture. He wanted her to move on from them, not be haunted. So he decided he'd go back tonight and get it. Or maybe, right now so no ones in the room to see him. He shut the door to her room and left the base quickly.

Time flew by as he got to Konoha. He climbed through the window, only to see Sakura and another BRAT asleep in her bed. He clenched his fists and sudden hate arose in him. Carefully, he lifted the pillow and took the picture. He pecked Sakura on the lips and left.

When he got back, Itachi placed the picture on his desk. He stared at it for a moment, before heading out to train. When he got back, it was just after dinner. He stared at the picture for the longest time before nailing his eyes shut. Maybe I should just...check on her...Itachi thought disappearing from base.

Once again, he climbed through her window. She was sleeping and the BRAT was not anywhere in sight. He walked around the room. There were gifts and pictures of everyone she knew. Especially Sasuke. Itachi smirked. He's still a little love sick puppy.

So are you.

...who said that?

You did. :)

No..I didn't. Who are you?

I'm your inner self. Or As I like to say; your good emotions. :)

Okay...your really creeping me out...so can you go away??

Sure! :)

I never smile. It's not like me...so don't do that...

Aww. :'(

Ya...I'm just gonna leave you alone now.

"Itachi-kun..." Sakura murmured into her pillow. Itachi walked closer to her bed to get a good look at her face. He reached down to brush stray hair from her face. Itachi sighed.

"I'm sorry, Sakura. But at this point in your life, I can only be a friend...a protector even. Not anything more." He closed his eyes than re-opened them. "Your too young to know what love feels like. Well, true love, anyway." Itachi's voice was a hoarse whisper. As quickly as hehad came, Itachi was out of the house; with no sign he'd ever been there.

When he got to base, everyone was asking where he'd gone, though everyone knew. He went straight to Sakura's room.

"Konan, this is stupid! Sakura belongswith us!" Kisame whined.

Konan rolled her eyes. "It's not up to me. If Itachi wants Sakura back...He can go get her, himself."

"But wewant her back, now un! Can't we go get her, un?" Deidara asked. Everyone perked up at this idea. "Yeah! Who cares if Itachi's being an idiot! We can go get her ourselves!" Kisame exclaimed.

"It's impossible!" Pein said. "Konoha has upped the security. The only reason Itachi could get her home is because he was in charge of making the security units and they're to stupid to change it.."

Deidara and Kisame sighed. "But, it's none of our business. If Itachi-san wants Sakura-chan back, he'll go get her. We shouldn't interfere." Sasori added, getting up from his seat. Deidara grumbled something under his breath.

Itachi's crimson eyes opened and scent of Cherry Blossom's filled his nose. "Sakura.."He breathed. "ITACHI! WAKE UP, UN!!" Itachi rolled off the bed, and to his feet. He left the room and made his way to where the angry Deidara was. Deidara had gathered everyone in the kitchen.

"Itachi, un!" He yelled, pointing at Itachi. "You must bring Sakura-chan back, un!" Itachi glared at Deidara. Deidara held his ground. "Baka. She's better off there."

Deidara ground his teeth together. "How can you be so sure, un? What if her little hearts breaking because of you, un?" Deidara yelled as Itachi took his seat.

"It doesn't matter. Sakura heals fast." Itachi said, taking a bite of his eggs. The others were hushed in the moment. Deidara stood there, with his fists shaking. "I knew you were cold, Uchiha-teme...but I thought you loved Sakura-chan, un!" Itachi's eyes narrowed on Deidara. "If you really loved her...you'd want her to be truly happy, un! That's what I want, un! I love Sakura-chan more, un!" Itachi stood up. "Your lying to yourself. If you loved Sakura; Like I do...You'd want her to be safe, and out of danger..." Itachi clenched his fists. "Even if your not the one who gets to protect her."

Deidara stared at Itachi, before looking away in shame. "Whatever, un." Deidara left the room and as did Itachi. The rest of Akatsuki ate quietly in the dining room.

"Can you pass the salt..?"

"Shut up, Kisame-baka."

Deidara stalked around in the forest, angrily. "It's not fair, un! I love Sakura-chan too, un! Maybe even more than Itachi, un..." He said to himself.

"What is it you desire....?" A voice from behind him hissed. Deidara spun around. "Who's there, un?!" The voice chuckled. "Your ticket to whatever it is you seek.."

"What..what do I owe you..?" Deidara replied. The voice chuckled again. "Oh, I just want you to fight in one battle with me...when I need you.."

Deidara wasn't thinking rationally, blinded with anger and love, so he made a deal with the devil. "I want you to bring back a girl. Her name is Sakura Haruno, of the leaf village. She has hair pink like the Sakura petals. Can you find her and bring her back to me...?"

"Yesss. Be here in two days..the girl will be here.." The voice chuckled/hissed. Deidara waited as the voice faded, and started to feel a little better.

Meanwhile, Itachi had visited Sakura again. She was sleeping again. He sat on her bed and shifted his weight to get a good look at her face. "Itachi-kun.."

He sighed. "Get over me already..." He felt her hand grab his arm and he remained calm. She was still asleep. "Don't go!" She pleaded. Itachi looked away from her. "Itachi-kun!!" She bolted upright with sweat, only to find nothing. She looked at the rest of her bed and saw the small imprint. Her eyes gleamed. "He was here."

Itachi arrived in base, and headed straight to his own room. That was close

Definitely :O

Not you again...go away..

Aww...your mean! :(

I've been told.

Why don't you just admit we miss Sakura-chan, and go get her? It would be so easy! :O

I can't do that..It's her only chance to have a great life..

But, what if her life she's wanted is with us? :)

..........go away..............

Itachi buried his head into his pillow. "If you really loved her...you'd want her to be truly happy, un! That's what I want, un! I love Sakura-chan more, un!"

"Deidara's a retard."

Sorry it's so short! I had to end it here!! :O I was forced! I promise next chapter will kick a$$ Sorry it's censored :) Anyway, thankyou everyone who reads this horrible stroy! :( I've been in a writing slump for this story for a while...:( Anyway..I've got a new story I want you to check out...

A Inuyasha/Naruto X-Over// Inu Youkai Chronicles: .net/s/4764787/1/bInu_b_bYoukai_b_bChronicles_b

Put it in the adress box and go there...Please! :O I love all you dedicated fans! You are what keeps me writing this!! :)