Just a little intro to a more elaborate story. Please, read and just leave a comment. Tell me what you like or dislike and most importantly, should I continue or not. I would loooove to hear your thoughts!

It was one of those calm, fresh days in Konoha which can only be seen, heard and smelled right after a heavy storm had passed and with it taken stifling, sun-filled summer days. Sakura never cared much for summers and the heat that came along, but she always enjoyed that feeling of contrast when after all the extreme heat and sweat comes a storm just like the forementioned one and suddenly cools the ground to a more preferred temperature. Even though all of Konoha's dirt roads were now unruly piles of mud, she made her way to the Uchiha compound, trying to concentrate on the squelching sounds her boot made every time her feet moved and stirred the mud and grass content that made way into her footwear.

Sakura always admired the compound, even as a child. All the houses were much bigger than in the center of the village and she always thought how it was incredible to see such orderliness, as if every blade of grass stood in its intended place. Of course, it couldn't have been any other way, knowing the general temperament and mindset shared commonly among the clan, especially its head, the mighty, meticulous Fugaku. Such a secretive man he was, always staying quiet, speaking only when absoulutly necessary and exclusively on the matters regarding his clan. Being with Tsunade at the village meetings was always a bore, except when the Uchiha spoke. There was something about him that, to Sakura, was reminiscent of an owl-yes, wisdom, but she was able to detect something unspoken behind his every word, something close to a threat, which reminded her of owl's true nature- predation. No one ever at these meetings contradicted or questioned him and his decisions, though Sakura never found any of them faulty, she couldn't help but wonder how far would he be able to push the council until they snapped. She hoped she would be present when it happened.

Soon, she found herself in front of high gates, giving her identification to an ANBU stationed at the entrance. Each and every time she entered through the gates and passed the threshold dividing the rest of the village from its police force, a chill ran down her spine. There was bad blood between the clan and the rest of Konoha and it wasn't a secret. The feud dates back almost hundered years when the Uchiha and the Senju clan fought, resulting in prevelation of the , the security was very tight and the compound very isolated. You can feel their eyes boring into the back of your head while walking down the main road, at least Sakura swore she could.

Her reverie came to a halt when a sound of clashing kunais caught her attention. She knew who stood to her far left in one of the clan's training grounds without even having to turn her head, but she did none the less, not so much as to confirm her speculations as to feast her eyes on the man she was, well, infatuated with since childhood- Itachi Uchiha.

Sakura stood there, silent and thoughtless, for a good five minutes. She drank him in- his toned body, raven, silky hair his every move and the way contours of his body seemed blurry when he moved, faster than lightning it seemed. She stopped her ogling when he turned to look in her direction, undoubtedly noticing her searing gaze.

'You idiot!' she cursed herself inwardly.

The only thing she could do now was to walk away while she still held on to some shred of dignity, although Sakura wasn't sure she even had that much. A simple walk to go get Sasuke for lunch turned into a living nightmare for her. Ogling at the future Hokage. Way to go, Sakura.

On the plus side, she wasn't even sure Itachi would be able to identify her, and yes, even with her pink hair. When she and Naruto would visit Sasuke at home and Itachi would miraculously find himself without any missions or training, it always seemed as if he looked right past everyone-he would look into your eyes, he was polite after all, but it was obvious he did not actually see, merely doing what he ought to.

"Sakura."

Sasuke's voice startled her.

"Oh, hey."

"What's up with you? You seem shaken up."

"Oh it's nothing, I'm just surprised to see you." Lying was not her forte. She cast him a crooked, unconvincing smile and prayed to all the gods he does not bother her further.

"In front of my own house?"

She simply shrugged her shoulders in response-they both knew she was lying, but Sasuke decided he doesn't care and started walking towards the village.

"Come on. Naruto is probably finishing his second bowl by now."

She automatically fell into step behind him, dreading the part of the road where she had the embarrassing escapade just few minutes prior.

They passed the entire path when Sakura released a breath she wasn't even aware she was holding. She was normally a very confident woman, never once doubting her charm and capabilities-well, only once, when she is around Itachi, of course.

She always thought he is gorgeous, just like any other woman in the Village did. All Uchiha seemed naturally very appealing with their pale skin, perfect bone structure and glossy,thick, ebony hair. Ino is the only one who knows for sure what Sakura is feeling, but she has her doubts when it comes to Sasuke as well. Unlike Naruto, he is not blind and dense when it comes to those things. She noticed his disapproving looks whenever he caught her looking at Itachi.

"Say, Sasuke, how is your brother?"

He cast a quick glance in her way, surprised by the sudden and most unexpected question.

"Why do you care?"

"Oh.. Um.. Well.." Sakura didn't think this through well enough and had no idea how to justify her sudden interest in Itachi's well being.

"Don't do this, Sakura. I know you like him. I'm not Naruto."

"I had my doubts about that."

The fact that Sasuke knew and was actually okay with the whole situation came as a relief.

"I know what you are thinking, but don't. You will never get what you want from him."

"What? " Sakura knew he wouldn't start to spill tears of joy, but she was hoping for support on his part, maybe even help.

"You two will never be together. It doesn't work that way for the Uchiha. We rarely marry outside the clan, and usually on such weddings the elders don't show, and people always say that dooms the faith of marriage just as it starts. Itachi will have to marry an Uchiha girl for sure."

„Well what if he doesn't?"

"If he doesn't want to become the Hokage and abandons his place as the head of the clan some day, sure he would be able to marry an outsider."

Sasuke's word were clearly drenched with sarcasm.

"You don't have to be mean you know."

The rest of their journey was spent in silence. Sakura couldn't stop thinking how cruel and rigid the rules were. She wasn't going to be Mrs. Uchiha after all.

Well, even if Itachi could marry outside of the clan, she was pretty sure he wouldn't throw himself at her of all women, but it was fun imagining it.

Short, I know. But as I said, just an intro.