The heart is far too complex to understand. It seems to make judgments before you've even properly met someone, and it starts developing feelings for different things long before you even realize it's happening.

Sakura sat, reading through the many scrolls and books that would give her the information needed to fix her captor's eyes. Though her emerald eyes scanned carefully over the documents, her mind was elsewhere. She couldn't seem to keep her thoughts from Itachi for too long.

The captive girl brushed her hair out of her face. Captive? Was that really the situation anymore? Her mind seemed to scream at her for even thinking that she might be the slightest bit willing to be where she was; her mind scolded her for wanting to concentrate on her studies, knowing she did not want to focus to bring her out of her thoughts of Itachi, but because part of her really did want to help him. Help him? Did she genuinely want to help HIM? Her mind was furious with her, but her heart...

Her heart yearned for something.

Sakura placed the scroll in her hand to the side, and brought her knees to her chest. Closing her eyes, she began to think. What could it be that her heart was yearning for? Her heart seemed to be accepting this man, this criminal, against her will, but why?

Suddenly, an image of Sasuke made its way into Sakura's thoughts.

Is it because…he reminds me of you? Do I hope to gain something from him that I couldn't get out of you? Oh Sasuke… Your brother's crimson eyes, though scary and very intimidating, seem to bear the same sorrow and loneliness that yours did. I'm not sure, though. Could it be I'm just over thinking? That's probably it. My heart causes me to be so foolish. How could I ever hope to win the affections of Itachi, when I couldn't even gain the affections of his unbelievably less cold hearted younger brother? No, that shouldn't be the question. The question should be, how could I be allowing myself to want that out of an enemy in the first place? He caused the one I loved so much pain… He caused the man I was in love with to leave me… How could I—

"Girl." The troubled girl was snapped from her thoughts by a cold voice. "I trust you have not been idling this whole time and have got some studying done."

"Of course, Itachi," Sakura started. "I was just taking a break. I was starting to get a headache, and I'm beginning to get very hungry."

"I see." Itachi walked silently over to the bed, placing Sakura's food down in front of her. "I have much more class than to eat in bed, but there's little other choice for you in this situation."

The pink haired kunoichi shook her head in understanding then glanced down at her meal. She had been so deep in thought, she hadn't realized how hungry she had gotten. Trying to keep herself from just shoving her meal into her mouth, she spoke again.

"Will you be eating with me?"

Itachi's cold eyes looked over her somewhat curiously. "I suppose I am. Why?"

"Oh, no reason. I was just wondering. I'm beginning to get kind of lonely."

The raven haired man let his eyes slide shut as he sat on a bench next to the window on Sakura's side of the bed, as if contemplating on why others let such silly emotions get to them.

The two sat in silence for a while, both of them eating very slowly. Sakura's eyes drifted over to Itachi, and she wasn't able to look away soon enough to keep him from noticing.

"You know, it isn't polite to stare at people while they eat."

"Sorry, I just have a lot on my mind," the girl replied, redirecting her gaze to the window.

"What is bothering you? I can't have your weak mind interfering with your studies."

Though Itachi's comment angered Sakura a little, she was in no mood to argue.

"It's nothing important."

"Then why are you letting it bother you?"

"I never said anything was bothering me. I said I have a lot on my mind."

"I'm sure it means the same thing with you."

Sakura's temper was finally starting to take over, casting out her previous emotions.

"You act like you know something about me."

"You're simple enough to figure out. You're just like almost every other girl I've met. Weak in the heart and easily troubled by the mind."

And that was it.

"First you capture me, then you keep me locked up inside a room, you pretend to start showing signs of warming up to me, and now you dare to sit here and act like you know me? You don't know the first thing about me. How could you? You don't take the time to learn about anyone else unless it benefits you. You're cold at heart, emotionless almost. I'm almost certain you're driven by some sick, twisted goal. It must be so. I mean, you're working with the Akatsuki! You're a sick bastard, you know? You murdered your own family! Your own flesh and blood! You spared your little brother, but you might as well have ended his miserable life then and there! Instead, he's suffered for years, and now he's with some inhuman man who wants to take his body! It's because of you he's so hurt! It's because of you he left his friends! It's because of YOU he left ME! Of course, though, what does it matter to you? I can't wait to get done with your eyes so I can get out of here! Tsunade will start worrying about me soon, if she hasn't already, and she will send people looking for me. My friends will be worried by then as well. Once again, I'll be the person who needs saving," By this time, the furious kunoichi was standing in front of Itachi, hitting him in the chest with whatever natural strength she had. "Why are you letting me rant on like this?! Say something! Say something you freak!"

Sakura's captor continued to remain silent as she pounded on his chest. She eventually stopped, falling to the floor with sobs racking her body. Was it really him that was the problem? Or was there something more?

Red tinted emerald eyes jerked opened to see Itachi bending down rather close to Sakura, his own eyes fixed on her.

"Now you're the one acting like you know me." He spoke softly, completely to Sakura's surprise. "If I tell you more about me, you have to promise to keep it to yourself and to tell me more about you, because I highly doubt a few sarcastic comments from me caused this mental break down you're going through."

Sakura was confused but nodded her head in agreement before sitting against the bed, too tired to lift herself onto it. Itachi took his place next to her before explaining himself.

"Things are not always as simple as they seem, Sakura. Even in my situation. As you know, I used to be in ANBU. I was very skilled, and the village council would often send me on special missions. One day, I was out on one of my special missions when I ran into a mysterious man with a mask. He explained himself to be a member of the Uchiha clan, which was backed up by his Sharingan. He told me of intentions of the Uchihas that I was not aware of. According to him, my clan elders and leaders were planning on bringing forth another ninja war. He didn't have to say it, for I knew why he was telling me these things by the end of his speech. I had a decision to make. I either had to murder my clan or let thousands upon thousands of people die due to their evil intentions. I'm sure you have at least one of two questions: why didn't you just inform the Hokage or why did you not leave the children of your clan alive? Telling the Hokage of such matters would have done no good. There were many Uchihas, and they would surely have gone against my word. As much as it pained me to kill the younger ones, I had to. Their parents had been brain washing them with their beliefs, and they would have grown up to fulfill their parents dreams. Even my father had slowly begun to fill Sasuke's head with the nonsense. Why I was not part of such plans, I still do not know. In the end, I could not kill my little brother, the person who meant most to me in this life. Although what I had done was for the better, I could not stand to live with myself, but at the same time, I did not want to give myself up to the village. I had no proof of my reasonings, and did not want to die by the hands of people who knew nothing of me. This is why I have tormented Sasuke so, bidding him to hate me. I wanted to make him strong so he could fight his way out of any and all situations, and once I saw he was strong enough, I was going to let him kill me. However, things have taken a turn for the worst. I never imagined Sasuke would end up with Orochimaru. I thought he had better judgment than that. This is why I need my eyes fixed. I must set things right again before I die, whether it be due to Sasuke's hand or my own medical faults. To be quite frank, I love my little brother. I have secretly been keeping an eye on him over the years. Everything I have done, I have done for him. He is the only person in this world who means anything to me anymore. This is my story. This is the true story of the infamous Itachi Uchiha. Whether you believe it or not is yours to decide."

"I…" Sakura was at a loss for words, to say the least. "I don't know why, but I do feel like I should believe you. That's just a lot to take in. For as long as I can remember, I was sure you were no good. I feel bad for most of the things I have thought about you. If I were in your situation.. I don't know what I would have done. You're stronger in more ways than just physically. Thank you for trusting me with the truth, Itachi. It makes me very sad that you already have your end in mind."

Itachi closed his eyes and let some of the weight on his shoulders be lifted away. For the first time in a very long time, he actually felt like he could relax a little. "Now, it's your turn."

Sakura stayed silent for a few minutes, gathering her thoughts and preparing herself to bring up the past. Once she had done so, she began her story.

"My clan was never as big as yours, and, from what I know, was never nearly as special. By the time I was born, there weren't too many of us left. As I got older, the Harunos became fewer and fewer. It didn't bother me much, to be honest. I had my parents, and they were all I needed. They were murdered. You already know about that, so I'll spare you the details and spare myself from reliving the pain. I don't really have a long, drawn out story like yours. I've just been through quite a bit. Nothing compared to what you've been through, though. I was kidnapped when I was younger. The group of men who took me beat me and forced me to participate in strip shows. Thank the Gods I was saved. The sick bastards… What grown man would want to see a frightened little girl take off her clothes? Anyway, my mom did give birth to another child when I was about eight. He was an accident, but we were blessed nonetheless. It's the saddest thing, but… someone snuck into our house while my parents went out for about ten minutes to get a few things from the store. The man who snuck in literally beat my little brother to death… I heard the baby hollering, but there was nothing I could do.. I was too young, too helpless.. Story of my life, right? I've always been made fun of for some reason. I've always tried to be sweet and likable, but for some reason it's never enough. Until recently, everyone has looked down on me. Even now, it seems more like they love my powers and position than they love me for myself. When Sasuke… When your brother left, it tore me apart inside. A lot of people thought it was just a little crush I had on him, but as time went on, it became so much more than that. It hurt me so bad that I couldn't stop him from going. I guess I've always felt very alone and mistreated. It must sound stupid to you, but that's my story."

"You don't give yourself enough credit, Sakura. You have been through quite a bit, and have still managed to push through it," Itachi stood up before continuing. "Oh, and Sakura?"

"Yes?"

"…Thank you."