Title: The Civilian

Author: Lady Wisiaden

Rating: T

Summary: Everyone knows that the shinobi life is dangerous, adventurous and thrilling. But everyone also tend to forget the less exciting side of the coin. That is until Haruno Sakura makes it everyone's business. AU, Non-massacre

Pairings: Sakura/Itachi

Disclaimer: I do not own anything that has to do with Naruto and ninja things.

A.N. Thanks for the reviews. They make me happy. I corrected the mistakes a few of you have mentioned in the reviews from the last chapters. If there are any more, please let me know. I apologize for taking so long with this next chapter, but life calls. I'm finally on winter break. No shinobi interaction in this chapter, but lots of chapter is a bit short, but please enjoy it.

Chapter Three

At the end of the week, a very irate and red Sakura stormed into Ichikaru's.

"Ayame!"

The brown haired girl at the counter dropped the bowl she was holding in surprise. It splattered into a tiny wave of broken porcelain, ruined noodles and broth. Ayame quickly apologized to the customer before handing over another bowl and sending Sakura a glare. Sakura blushed but made her way over to Ayame. She was still angry.

"Ayame," Sakura said quietly when she reached the counter. "I need to speak to you."

She leaned over and watched as Ayame started cleaning up the mess. Ayame didn't answer Sakura, knowing it would annoyed Sakura even more. She also knew that Sakura had memorized her work schedule.

"Ayame," Sakura growled.

Ayame paused from her mopping and lightly chided Sakura.

"Don't make me drop things that I have to clean up."

Sakura frowned but didn't pursue it as she would have normally. Ayame was one of the few people stubborn enough to deal with Sakura' temper. And since Sakura needed a few things explained about certain council deeds, Sakura bit her tongue to stave off any retort. Ayame took her time in restoring the floor to its pristine condition before letting Teuchi know she was off for the night. She untied her apron and hanged it neatly. Sakura followed her outside where the cool night air did little to soothe. Slowly, the pair navigated the streets, across the bridge over the Nakano river and a few twisty turns into Ayame's dwelling.

"Why?" Sakura uttered as soon as the door closed. She couldn't comprehend why Ayame would do something so stupid and dangerous.

"Sit down, Sakura."

Ayame sighed and pointed at the couch.

"You know nothing is so simple."

"Did that old geezer blackmail you?" Sakura demanded to know, refusing to sit just yet.

"I'll murder Turnip head for you if he did. They won't know. Natural causes can be faked."

Ayame rolled her eyes at Sakura's fierceness.

"Do you really think I'll let anyone rope me into spying like that? How did you find out anyway?"

"I was at the council meeting today," Sakura replied. She forced her fingers to relax and slipped onto the couch. The cotton fabric was soft beneath her hands. Like the night air, it also failed to soothe her anger and worry.

"I was reporting on the shinobi hospital visit that's scheduled for next week. And Turnip head delighted us all by saying he had hired spies."

Sakura looked at Ayame pointedly.

"He went on and on about how he doesn't trust shinobis. How they tricked us and that he hired civilian spies because they're better. I knew he was a bit crazy but I didn't think you were too!"

"Sakura!"

Ayame bopped Sakura on the head gently. Then, she crouched down before Sakura like she had often done in the past.

"Do you really think I haven't thought about this? I know the situation better than most people."

That was true, Sakura admitted to herself, considering how Ichikaru's was located on the border and so frequented by shinobis. When Sakura first started her trips into the shinobi district, Ayame was the one who guided her. Ayame was the one who explained the differences in culture. Ayame was the one who told her the history behind the tension between the shiniobis and the civilians.

"Sakura, there are some things you need to understand before you can travel into the shinobi district by yourself."

Ayame reached into her bag and removed a few books. She placed them on Sakura's coffee table.

"Because you're young, you don't know and don't understand it. That it wasn't always like this before."

Sakura scowled and wrapped her arms around her knees. "I find that hard to believe."

"They're not all that bad," Ayame replied. "Did you know that we used to get along? IN fact, we're probably meant to get along."

"Really?"

"Yes," Ayame affirmed. "What's the basis of any strong village? Shinobis and civilians. It's a balance. Civilians depend on shiniobis for protection and safety—our military and police force. Shinobis depend on civilians for food and work. But it isn't just that. Our dependence on each more that, I think. It's a healing thing and awareness thing also. When shinobis are with civilians, shinobis are given a reminder of a more normal life. Shinobis can be taken into the civilian folds to heal and become whole after doing terrible things we can't imagine. Why else do you think most therapists are civilians? Even though we haven't experienced what they have?

"On the other hand, civilians are reminded that peace doesn't come without a price. That the world isn't so simple, isn't black or white. Removed of our naivety…there are a lot of other reasons why we need each other, but let's just leave it at that for now. You may also fid your own reasons why shinobis and civilians need each other."

"If it was like that before," Sakura ventured to ask, "why isn't it like that now?"

"It's all complicated," Ayame responded. "You could say it started around the Third Great Shinobi World War. That was a confusing time. Decisions were made that didn't turn out so good in the long run. It's in the books here."

Ayame tapped the books she had placed on the coffee table.

"Well, not so clear cut. You need to piece it together yourself. These books are shinobi history books, culture and customs. In any case, the Third Great Shinobi World War was most likely the tipping point. After that, everything came crashing down. We lost so many. And after the war, we lost even more—not in terms of dead but in terms of what the civilians and shinobis needed spiritually and mentally. The strength of many fine shinobis, the White Fang some years before the war, the Fourth Hokage after the war…the kyuubi and Naruto—oh god, it was just so messy. Even I didn't understand what happened then!

"It was only after that I even managed to put together a fraction of what occurred. The big thing is that one way or another we lost our trust in the other. It didn't help that we have constant reminders either. Shinobi children—they train them younger than they used to. The gradual separation into different districts…just a lot of things. Read these books, Sakura. I can't explain and give meaning to what you don't know."

"But Ayame, do you really have to do this? If you get caught—"

"I know, Sakura, I know."

Ayame hugged Sakura tightly.

"I wouldn't do this if I thought there was a better way. It's not the shinobis that we're after. It's those that hide in the shadows."

Sakura gripped Ayame tighter. The implication settled in.

"You don't mean Danzo? He may be as old as Turnip, but he's still shinobi."

Ayame pulled back from Sakura.

"Someone has to do it. The shinobis, covered as they are in secrets, fail to see certain threats inside the village. That is our purpose as civilians. We balance them on things they cannot see. We take note of things they may not think about or have the ability to get out of. Civilians are another sort of weapon for the village that most people don't realize."

"But Ayame…," Sakura protested.

"No buts."

Ayame stared at Sakura sternly, "I want a better future for us."

Sakura nodded. Then, she hesitated before rushing out with, "And what of Hatake-san?"

Ayame stiffen.

"That can't be." Ayame's voice wavered. Sakura stroke the older girl's hand. Ayame liked Hatake-san for the longest time. But if Ayame was to…

"And that goes the same for Naruto," Ayame added. Sakura's heart thumped. Naruto considered Ayame family. If it didn't go well, he would be so betrayed.

"I won't say a word," Sakura responded softly.

"But if something big occurs, you must find me. Agree?"

"Agreed."

As they sat there in silence, a sudden thought occurred to Sakura. Something that she had been keeping secret.

"Ayame, there's something I want you to have," Sakura murmured.

"What is it?"

"You absolutely cannot tell anyone. I've been working on it in secret whenever I had the time to spare. It's not quite finished and still in testing mode, but I would feel better if you have it."

Sakura fished around in her pocket and pulled out a tiny band of metal.

"A ring?"

Ayame took it and studied in carefully.

"It's not a ring. Look on the inside."

Ayame could see little ridges all around the inner band of the ring.

"What is this?"

"It's supposed to seal chakra. It's kind of hard to test out, and I didn't want to ask the shinobis that we know. You know that shinobis had these metal bands that seal chakra. It keeps shinobis from being able to access their chakra and use it. I was curious and decided to try and make one."

"Why?"

Sakura shrugged helplessly.

"You know, I like to experiment. Of course, this cannot go out. We can't have every civilian with one. They would probably use it on any shinobi, regardless if they were good or bad. I made this, thinking it could serve as a temporary escape if we're ever in a desperate situation. I can't do anything about their own skills, but chakra—we can protect against that. I've been trying to make it into a pin or needle. It would be much easier to use."

Ayame looked at Sakura mournfully.

"Do you realize what you've done? If this gets under their watch, you'll be in trouble."

"I know—you can wear it yourself. It won't harm you. We don't have enough chakra for that to affect us."

"Thanks Sakura," And Ayame slipped it onto her finger.