Chapter Nineteen: Itachi Takes Over

It was the day after the Cherry Blossom Festival. Uchiha Itachi lazily woke up from a good nights sleep and got ready for the day. He then went downstairs where he met up with everyone else for breakfast.

"Good Morning everyone. I trust you all slept very well?"

"Yes we did, thank you," said Mrs. Haruno.

"Ah, Mrs. Haruno, how did you enjoy your first Cherry Blossom Festival?"

"It was quite fun! I loved every moment of it! I'm so glad that I went last night."

"That's good. And you Sakura?"

"Oh, I had a lot of fun. Kiba-kun was the perfect date! I couldn't ask for anyone better," replied Sakura.

"That's good! I'm glad you really enjoyed yourself. What about you Sasuke?"

"Ah."

"Oh, so you had a terrible time with Temari?"

"No. We had a great time."

"I see."

Itachi could feel the tension between Sasuke and Sakura. As a matter of fact, this tension had been going on since the Warriors vs. Ninjas game. Clearly something was going on that he didn't know about at all. And that was bugging Itachi. You see, Itachi hated and I mean HATED being left out of the loop. It really pissed him off.

"Alice, can I talk to you for a second?"

"Uh, sure Itachi." Alice then got up from the dining room table and followed Itachi outside towards the garden. Everyone else has questioning looks on their faces, that the two siblings ignored. When they were in the middle of the garden, Itachi looked at his little sister and began to speak.

"Something is going on that I don't know about, but I have a feeling that you do," said Itachi.

"And why do you think I know?" asked Alice.

"Oh pleas, you're Uchiha Alice. You know everything that happens here. So please don't give me that crap. Now tell me please. You know how I hate being left out of the loop."

"And what's in it for me?"

"That leather jacket you've been eyeing at Hot Topic."

"Really? Okay, I'll tell you. It all started at the Warriors vs. Ninjas game. The founders of Sasuke's Fanclub came up to Sakura saying all this shit about how Sasuke told his friends about Sakura's father. Unfortunately, Ino, Tenten, and Hinata overheard and wanted to know what they were talking about."

"Wait, Sakura hasn't told her friends yet?"

"No she hasn't. I was trying to tell her she needs to, but she wouldn't listen. She said that she wasn't ready. So in turn, her friends blew her off. Sakura was pretty upset after that. Next thing I know, we're on our way home from the hospital and Sakura's giving Sasuke the finger. And that was that. Ever since then, they've avoided each other."

"And have you tried to help Sasuke out?"

"Yeah, while Sakura was in her room with Kana-san getting ready for the festival. But, you know how he is about his stupid pride and figuring things out on his own. Honestly, sometimes I wonder if I'm the older twin."

"Yeah. Well it sounds like everything's been blown out of proportion. How about we shake things up a bit like we always do in situations like this?"

"Ah, I see what you're up to. Okay then, lets. What's the plan Itachi?"

After a few minutes of talking, Itachi and Alice came back inside and had their breakfast with everyone else. After finishing, Itachi and Alice gave each other this look. Phase one of the plan was about to begin.

"Mother, Father, and Mrs. Haruno, I was wondering if today I could take Sasuke, Sakura, and Alice to the amusement park."

"And why is that Itachi?" asked Mrs. Uchiha.

"I just think they'd enjoy it."

"Oh and so you're just doing this out of the goodness of your heart? Sounds like there's a catch," said Mr. Uchiha.

"There's no catch. I'm just wanting to spend time with the three of them. After all, I wasn't able to last night."

"You're up to something. Itachi, I'm your mother and I know you better than you think. I can tell when your scheming something."

"Honestly, can you guys just trust me? I'm not eleven anymore. Those days are behind me now. Here I am trying to spend time with my siblings and their friends, and you think I am up to something. What kind of parents are you?"

"Ones that know their son's antics," said Mrs. Uchiha.

"Well, you can take Sakura. She'll have fun, won't you Sweetie?" asked Mrs. Haruno.

"Yeah! Roller coasters are the best! I'm so in!"

"So am I. If Sakura's going, I'm going with," said Alice.

"That leaves you Sasuke," said Itachi.

"Oh, he's going," answered Alice.

"Tsukiko, you can't decide for me," said Sasuke.

"Too bad, I just did. Now you're going, unless you want me to tell everyone about the tutu incident," threatened Alice.

"You promised to never bring that up!"

"I won't if you go. If you don't…well that's a different story now isn't it?"

"You are the evil twin."

"Thanks, I take that as a compliment. Now are you going or do you want to relive that humiliation?"

"Hn…fine I'll go."

"Great! So we'll be back home by dinnertime. You guys go and do something fun. You won't need to worry about us! Kids let's go," said Itachi. And without another word, Itachi, Alice, Sasuke, and Sakura were out the door. With another look at Alice from Itachi, phase one was now complete. Now onto phase two.