Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of it's characters. I also do not make any money from my writitngs, unfortunately.

*I've noticed that my scene changes aren't separated like they're supposed to be. I apologize for any confusion that may have caused so I went back and made it clearer that the scene changes.

Sasu/Saku* She had to go back with one main goal: to stop Sasuke from betrayal. Yet the closer she got to him, the more he seemed to make her goal harder. How was she to keep him when she was his main competitor? Rated M for many reasons.

Chapter 1: Back In Time

"How far will I be going back in time, Tsunade-shishou?"

"Some time before the Uchiha massacre."

Sakura arched an eyebrow in question at the blonde woman sitting before her, her hands folded under her chin as her elbows rested on her desk. "Why that far back?"

"That was the starting cause of this war. Sakura, you will need to befriend Itachi and Sasuke Uchiha, find out the reasons for Itachi wanting his family dead and do your best to stop Sasuke's betrayal. You will be sent back into your childhood years and back into the body you had at that time."

"What about my strength? My abilities?"

"That will be taken care of."

Sakura stared at her shishou for a moment, contemplating. "How?"

"I have developed a new jutsu for this very purpose. You will have a mark placed on you, something very little, hardly noticeable, but it will allow you to keep your skills, even as a child."

"How does this mark work?"

"It is a seal of sorts. Your true power will be retained unless you do the specific hand signs to unlock them. However," she continued, sighing, "the seal will only work on concealing your chakra." Tsunade looked up into the kunoichi's jade eyes, both expressions deadly serious, "That means you will have the stamina and strength that you have at this moment."

"Why would you take such a risk?"

The blonde Hokage let a smirk cross her lips, "I can't have my star apprentice getting hurt when I'm not there."

Sakura's face fell, "Shishou. . ."

Tsunade sadly smiled at the pinkette before her that she came to love as a daughter. "I'm sure you will understand how to act when you get there."

Sakura nodded, her face serious again. "Once I complete this mission, how will I return?"

"You won't."

Sakura clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. She hated this. She understood that it was her duty as a Leaf shinobi but it was just so unfair. She knew that she was the only one capable of going back and changing the future. Yet, she didn't understand.

"Sakura." a depressed male voiced mumbled behind her.

She didn't bother to look as she continued to stare at the grass below her. Their training field brought back so many memories. Memories she would have to live through again. Sure, it was nice to have the opportunity to go back and do better, but she would still have the knowledge that she could never return to the present.

"Naruto." she whispered. Said male walked closer and sat down next to her, looking worriedly at the side of her face.

"I heard from Granny about the mission."

Sakura nodded solemly, her bangs falling in her face.

"We're gonna miss you, Sakura."

The kunoichi nodded again, bringing her knees up to set her head on them, her arms wrapping around her pink locks. Tears threatened to pool out of her tired eyes. At that moment, she felt a pair of arms wrap around her, pulling her into a warm, musculiar chest.

"I'm gonna miss you."

That was it. Sakura wrapped her arms around her best friend's neck, clinging to his shoulder as she began to sob loudly. Naruto tightened his hold on her, rubbing his hands up and down her back soothingly, tears of his own falling down his whiskered cheeks. He had already lost one best friend, now he was about to lose the other. It wasn't fair.

~~SCENE CHANGE~~

"This is a note that you'll need to give to me when I become Hokage."

Sakura's face was expressionless as she tentatively grabbed the note that Tsunade handed to her. The kunoichi felt defeated, weak emotionally, mentally, and physically. But she didn't care if she looked and felt terrible, even with her closest friends behind her to see her departure. Ino, Hinata, Kiba, Shikamaru, surprisingly Choji, Neji, Lee, Tenten, Shino. Naruto. All of Rookie 9. Hell, even the Sand Siblings were there in the office to see her one last time.

The pinkette nodded as her shishou finished giving her instructions. "Sakura." Said kunoichi looked up to see her Hokage standing in front of her. Sakura's jade eyes widened when she was pulled into a warm, heart-felt embrace. "Don't be afraid to cry."

Unbelievingly, Sakura's eyes began to water up again with huge power. She let out a barely contained sob as she wrapped her arms around Tsunade's form and clutched to her shirt.

The other two closest to the pinkette let out a similtanious sob. They clung to each other and fell to the ground, no longer able to contain the tears, even though the male of the two had cried earlier that day.

Sakura eased her grasp on the blonde and looked back at the two, tears staining her flushed cheeks. Seeing Ino and Naruto, of all people, on the floor, hugging each other was a bit comical if not upsetting. Seeing that she was walking toward them, the two slung themselves at her, almost knocking her to her feet. Sakura wrapped her arms around the two and hugged them lovingly.

Soon the three let go and she went around to say her goodbyes to the others. The first that approached her was Hinata. The pinkette pulled the shy girl into a warm embrace. Then Sakura had an idea for what her final words to the female would be. Whispering into her ear, Sakura spoke them, "You should go for it, Hinata. He loves you." When she pulled back, Sakura couldn't help but smile at the red face of the Hyuuga.

"T-thanks Sakura-chan. I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too, Hinata."

The next one that approached her was Kiba. The pinkette frowned slightly when he stopped in front of her and ruffled her pink hair. Then she smiled softly when he pulled her into a tight hug. "I'm gonna miss you."

"I'm gonna miss you too. And Akamaru, of course."

He chuckled softly as he ruffled her hair again and went to stand next to Hinata.

Shikamaru lazily made his way to her, grumbling. Sakura continued to smile when he stopped in front of her, looking at the floor and rubbing the back of his neck. Things never change. "This whole thing is so troublesome." he mumbled but then stood up straight and looked Sakura in the eye. "But I'll miss you too."

The pinkette couldn't resist hugging the lazy male as she replied, "I'll miss you too, Shikamaru. Maybe when I go back, I can get you to start getting out of bed earlier."

"I doubt that." he smiled as he hugged her back.

Choji was never particularily close to the pinkette but they embraced nonetheless. Next, was Neji. He stepped in front of her, both staring unblinkingly into each other's eyes for a moment. Sakura smiled widely at the Hyuuga, knowing that he was secretly having a hard time with her departure. He was one of her closest friends, right behind Ino and Naruto. It was a complicated and odd friendship at first but the two eventually grew into it. The pinkette threw herself into his arms, new tears threatening to spill over. She felt Neji return the gesture, wrapping his arms around her like the way he did many times before. "Don't be a stranger." he whispered into her ear. She nodded, automatically knowing what he was talking about. He wanted her to befriend him in the past the way she had done in that time.

"I'll miss you too, Neji." The Hyuuga nodded and barely had time to move out of the way before green flew past him and landed into the pink haired kunoichi.

"Sakuraaa!" the ninja wailed as he knocked her over.

The two landed on the floor, Sakura not at all surprised that it was Lee that knocked her over. He bawled into her short, pink locks as she wrapped her arms lovingly around the taijutsu master. "I'm going to miss you!"

Sakura felt tears run down the side of her face as she replied, "I'll miss you too, Lee."

After a few moments of him releasing watery emotions into her hair, Lee pulled Sakura up and watched as Tenten made her way over to them. The pinkette barely had time to register anything as Tenten embraced her. "I'll miss you, girl. It was fun kicking your ass in training."

"That was an unfair match." Sakura pouted as she embraced the girl back. "But I'll miss getting my ass kicked by you." she smiled.

Tenten pulled back, trying her best to hide her tears. Shino was much like Choji, though the two settled on a firm handshake, Sakura smiling at him the whole time. No words were spoken yet they knew that they would miss each other, just like the rest. Next was Konkuro. He dramatically, though not as dramatic as Lee, wrapped his arms around the pinkette. "Thanks for helping all of us, Sakura. You know I'll miss you."

"It was a pleasure, Konkuro. I'm gonna miss you too."

Temari was next, yet another one that engulfed the pinkette in a bone crushing hug. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Sakura wrapped her arms around the blonde, already knowing to what she was refurring to. "Make sure to keep those brothers in line, yeah? Don't want Kankuro scaring off another potential bride for the Kazekage."

Temari let out a hearty laugh and pulled back to look at Sakura, smirking. After she let go, she stepped aside to let Sakura walk up to the stoic redhead. The two stared at each other silently, Sakura searching his eyes for anything, anything at all. And it was there. Smiling, she brought her hand up to touch his cheek. It seemed that he was about to lean into her touch but stopped before anyone could see the slight movement of his head. "Thank you, Gaara." He nodded his head and was slightly surprised when he felt a pare of arms wrap around him. Sakura couldn't help but smile when she felt him embrace her back. Soon enough, they separated and she turned her attention to the window that overlooked the city, finding two more people there to witnest her departure.

Smiling, she made her way to Sai first. She hugged him, catching him off gaurd and making him pat her back awkwardly. She had actually come to like the emotionless prick. "I'm gonna miss you, Sai, even though your an ass."

"Surprisingly, I'll miss you too, Sakura, even though your an ugly bitch."

She laughed softly and turned her attention to her old sensei, letting go of Sai. She stepped in front of Kakashi, smiling sadly. Her smile seemed to brighten however when he pulled an action similar to Kiba's, though without ruffling her hair. He placed a gentle hand on her pink head. His next words, however, caught her slightly off gaurd, "I know you'll do great Sakura. Don't be afraid to make new friends along the way."

The kunoichi stared up at him, taking in his words. Somehow, she knew that they were evolved around Sasuke, to actually become his friend. Smiling, she replied, "Thanks Kakashi-sensei. I'll miss you too."

"Glad you understand." he smiled. Though you couldn't see the smile itself, she could see his eye closing, crinkling with a sad happiness.

"Sakura."

Sakura turned around to see Ino standing near her, fists clenched and staring down at the ground. "What is it, Ino?"

The blonde looked up into Sakura's jade eyes, a fierce determination showing in her blue orbs. "Don't let that boy ruin our friendship."

Sakura stared at her long time best friend, a blank expression on her features until she smiled brightly, "Right."

"Right." Ino nodded, smiling brightly in return.

Sakura turned her attention to the blonde that walked right up next to her, pulling her into another embrace. Sakura complied, embracing him back for the last time. "Don't let Teme get to you, Sakura. Don't be afraid to kick his ass for me either."

The pinkette laughed and turned her attention to Tsunade, releasing herself from the clutches of Naruto.

"Are you ready, Sakura?"

The kunoichi nodded and made her way to stand in front of the Hokage. "You said that once I go, I will never be able to come back."

"That's right." Tsunade nodded solemly. She really didn't want to send Sakura away forever but. . . there was no other choice.

Sakura smiled triumphantly with a new determination and confidence in her eyes, taking all three blondes beside her by surprise. "I'll find a way."

Everyone was shocked by the tone in her voice, especially the Hokage.

"Because this," Sakura began, placing her hand on her chest, over her heart, "is my new nindo. My new ninja way."

"S-Sakura." Naruto blanched, his mouth hanging limply as he stared at the kunoichi beside him.

She turned to him, a bright, confident smile on her lips, "I will be back, Naruto. And he will be with us."

Naruto continued to stare at the female for a few moments until finally he let a huge grin cross his lips. "Yeah." he nodded, "I know you won't let us down Sakura."

The pinkette nodded her head and turned her attention back to Tsunade. Smiling, she told the old woman that she would miss her and performed multiple, extremely difficult hand signs in the right order, doing them at different times until she got them perfect. Her smile faltering a bit, she bit her thumb and slammed it into the ground. Her chakra started to diminish drastically as a portal appeared on the ground inches before her. She smiled at Naruto one last time before jumping in, the portal quickly closing behind her.

Once it was fully closed and the room turned into a deathly silence, Tsunade turned her attention the whiskered blonde that was looking at the spot where his best friend once stood. "Do you really believe she will be back?"

Naruto nodded and let out a raspy, "Yeah."

~~SCENE CHANGE~~

Sakura clutched onto her shirt and shot up, gasping for air.

"Sakura, dear. What's wrong?"

Her eyes adjusted to the new room she was in. It was her old livingroom back when she lived with her parents. Glancing down, she saw that she was lying down on the couch.

"Sakura, honey. Is something the matter?"

Sakura looked up and was met with the concerned eyes of her mother. Tears threatened to fall as memories flashed through her mind. Horrible memories of her parent's deaths. Shaking her head, she also answered, "No mommy, I'm good." She had to stop herself from widening her eyes. Was that screetchy noise her voice?

"Are you sure, honey? It looks like you just lost your best friend."

She couldn't help it, Sakura let out a high-pitched sob. The woman before her had no idea how true those words were.

"Oh Sakura, I'm so sorry."

The pink haired female, now child, calmed down after awhile and so, her and her mother went out to buy groceries. It was infuriating how much shorter Sakura was and how her mother clung to her protectively. Sure, it was nice to know that the woman cared for her, but Sakura had spent the majority of her life being independant. She had developed that attitude during the chuunin exams. Thirteen years ago. . .

Wait, how old was she supposed to be?

"Mommy, how old am I?"

"That's an odd question." her mother laughed.

Sakura pouted and lowered her head toward the ground. That was when she realized, her bangs were in her face. Had she not met Ino yet? That realization made her heart clenched but led her to an estimated age. Just at that moment, a boyish voice caught her attention. Looking up, she spotted a young Sasuke walking next to an older man. Her eyes widened in recognition, that was him. That's Itachi. But how was she supposed to get close to him? 'Befriend him', Tsunade had put it. She could always get close to Sasuke later, her time with the older Uchiha was limited however.

"Hey, brother!" Sasuke yelled cheerily, catching Sakura off gaurd by the intensity of his smile. "You're going to help me with my shuriken today right?"

"If I have time to."

Suddenly a bright idea lit up in Sakura's head. What if she could use Sasuke to get closer to Itachi?

"Hey!" Sakura called, gaining the two Uhihas' attention. "Can I help you with your shurikan?" She smiled happily and tugged on her mother's hand until she let go. Now having the freedom, Sakura slowly ran to the two males, watching the youngest male's reaction.

"No way." Sasuke said.

Sakura frowned, though she was expecting that reaction. "Why not?"

"Because I doubt you're any good at it."

'Ohhh if I only I can wipe that smirk off your face.' she inwardly groaned, knowing that if she hit him, he would most likely die from the blow, even if her strength wasn't fully there, unlike what the blonde had said. Even as a child, he was competitive. Sweet most of the time but still competitive. "Yeah right." Sakura huffed, "You just don't want me there 'cause you know I'll whoop your butt."

Sakura felt oddly satisfied when she saw the youngest Uchiha frown and heard the older one chuckle. "That sounds like a challenge, Sasuke. Surely you wouldn't back down because she's female?" Itachi replied.

'I can grow to like this Uchiha.' Sakura inwardly smiled. He seemed to have an attitude that was right for the world.

Sasuke humphed and crossed his arms, "Fine."

Sakura beamed and turned her attention to the tall Uchiha. "Thanks mister uh-"

"My name is Itachi, young one." he softly smiled. Sakura stared at him, awe-struck at the gentleness that seemed to radiate off of him at that moment. "And yours?"

The pinkette blinked and smiled, "My name's Sakura."

"That's a beautiful name." he said as he made his way to her and placed his hand on her head gently.

Sakura couldn't help but stare at the ground ahead of her, a blush coating her soft cheeks. "Thank you."

Itachi nodded and began to walk away, removing his hand from her. "Come Sasuke."

Sakura was slightly taken aback when she saw Sasuke step in front of her, smiling. "I'll see you at that training ground with the three posts at noon, alright?"

"Alright." she nodded and watched as he ran past her to catch up with his brother.

~~SCENE CHANGE~~

Noon came around soon enough and Sakura stood in the empty field next to the three posts. Her arms were crossed over her chest and her foot was tapping on the grass impatiently. But as she looked at a specific spot, her heart began to clench tightly as memories of that same day replayed in her mind.

"Naruto." she whispered into the wind.

"What about Naruto?"

Her body tensed up when the voice of Sasuke spoke behind her. Damnit, she couldn't sense him. But then again, that was to be expected. She might still have her strength, well as much as she could get of it with the body of a child, but she hardly had any chakra.

"Nothing." she replied, looking up and strangely saw Itachi looking intently at her. Why was he staring at her? Did she do something wierd? Was something on her face? That was when she noticed it. She was crying. Before Sasuke had time to walk around to look at her, she quickly swiped the tears away. Taking two shurikan from the young Uchiha, she made a mental note to search around for Naruto afterward.

The two threw the shurikan at the expecting posts for about a hour until the young male got tired. She sprawled herself on the ground, breathing heavyily, though it was all an act. She really wasn't that tired. She would have to thank Tsunade for letting her keep her stamina when she found a way back. Turning her head to look at the boy laying down, she began to think. He really wasn't that bad with the shurikan for a child his age, though he could use a good bit of training. To be expected. She glanced up at the Uchiha's brother leaning against a tree. Itachi had witnessed the whole thing since they began, watching carefully. Sakura could feel his eyes on her for the majority of the time, seemingly more interested in her work than his own brother's. The longer she stared into his eyes, the more she could see. He was probably letting his gaurd down since he believed that the two were too young and he wouldn't have to worry.

Hearing the even breathing of Sasuke beside her, she believed him to be asleep, so she pushed herself up and made her way to the older male. She stopped in front of him, both staring at each other silently, jade gazing into onyx. The wind blew between them, leaves flowing in the comfortable breeze.

"You are an odd one."

Sakura blinked in surprise. "W-what? Why do you say that?"

"First you challenge my brother, exhausting him until he passes out, then you easily come before me without hesitation as if you are my equal."

A blush coated Sakura's cheeks. It was all true. She did just waltz up to him without a problem, even though he was very itimidating looking at times and she barely made it up to his hips. She adverted her eyes from his very observant gaze, trying to find something to say. "Y-you just," she stuttered, making her feel a little like Hinata, "you look lonely."

Itachi was a bit surprised at the child before him. "What are you talking about?"

Sakura looked back up to meet the stoic man's gaze. "Its okay if you talk to someone, you know?"

"What about you?"

Her jade eyes widened a fraction. "What?"

"Why won't you talk to anyone?"

Sakura looked away. This man was more clever than he was letting on. She would have to be careful. "I," she paused, "I haven't found anybody I can trust yet."

"Hn." Itachi replied, looking over at his slumbering brother. "It is the same with me."

Sakura was shocked to say the least. "Not even your brother?"

"He is far too young."

"And you don't want him to worry." Sakura mumbled, looking over at Sasuke as well. Silence fell between the two and the pinkette could feel eyes on her. Turning her head, her face flushed with the sight. Itachi was smiling warmly, yet softly at her and it made her chest flutter.

"You're a bright one."

"Thanks." she smiled, pride flooding through her. "But what about me?"

"You?" he questioned, his face going back into a stoic disposition.

Sakura frowned, not liking his response. "That sounded really rude, you know?"

Itachi let out a quiet chuckle.

Putting a hand to her chest, she pouted, "I happen to be a very good listener. If you ever want someone to talk to, you can always come to me."

Itachi smirked at the fiery child before him. "Tempting but I have to decline."

Sakura frowned, slumping her shoulders in defeat. "Alright, I'll let you go this time but I warn you," She put her hand on her hip and pointed her index finger at his chest. "I won't give up once I set my sights on something that I like." The words left her before she knew it and she let out a yelp as she covered her mouth with both hands. She blushed fiercely as the Uchiha stared at her, obviously surprised. Embarressment echoed in her ears when he began to chuckle at her. 'Damnit, I just had to say something like that.'

"I suppose I'll humor you." he smirked.

The blush slowly began to wear off as bewilderment took over. "Really?"

"Yes, whenever I wish to talk to someone, you will be the first person I look for."

Sakura smiled brightly at the man before her. Day one and it was already off to a good start. "Promise?"

The young man nodded his consent, finding amusement in the child before him.

After that, Sasuke woke up, rubbing his eyes and grumbling. Sakura let out a small laugh at the sight of him. He frowned at her as he made his way to the duo. "You two look weird standing next to each other."

Sakura frowned, "You just look plain weird." Sasuke frowned deeply at her.

Itachi couldn't help but silently laugh at the two children now glaring at each other, Sakura soon sticking her tongue out at his younger brother. "Shall we take you home, Sakura?"

The pinkette glanced up at the man and shook her head, a smile on her features. "No, that's alright. I have to go look for someone."

"Is it Naruto?"

Sakura's eyes widened a fragment as she turned her attention back to the youngest Uchiha. "Yeah, do you know where he is?"

"Last I saw him, he was alone by the academy." he replied, raising an eyebrow at her.

"That boy." Sakura blinked and looked back up at Itachi. She could see a hint of seriousness in his features. "Why do you wish to speak with him?"

Her eyes slightly narrowed at him, showing a smidge of the older side to the child. "Do you not like him as well?"

Itachi's eyes widened at the small girl but then returned to his earlier expression. "I have no qualms with the boy, I am just curious to your reason."

Silence fell between them as Sakura's face blankly stared at the man before she answered, "His eyes." she paused, "His eyes are just like yours and yet, they are worse ." Sakura didn't wait for a reply and didn't really expect one when she began to walk off toward the village.

It wasn't long until she came to the academy, and true to Sasuke's word, Naruto was there. His body was slumped over as he sat completely still in the swing. He looked so lonely and instantly, concern filled Sakura as she rushed over to him. Her foots fell hurriedly on the ground and soon stopped in front of him. Sakura looked down at the boy that lonliness seemed to cling to. His eyes were covered by his bangs as he stared down at the ground. The pinkette wanted nothing more than to hug him, but she couldn't do that yet. Not yet.

"Naruto?"

His body tensed but he didn't look up. "What?"

The tone in his voice made her want to cry. It was so depressing, so lonely. She honestly didn't know how to go about this. Should she even be here? Tsunade never told her anything about befriending Naruto earlier than usual. In fact, she only said something about getting close to Itachi and Sasuke. So maybe it wouldn't hurt if she just-

The look in Naruto's blue eyes as he looked up made Sakura's resolve crash. Tears fell from her eyes as she wrapped her arms around the sorrowful boy. He was obviously stunned by her actions because he didn't move an inch.

"Naruto." Sakura cried, "I'm so sorry." She apologized for how she used to act toward him, with such disdain, with such ignorance. She apologized for how she acted in her past, like he was nothing, like he wasn't worth the time of day to her. She apologized for how everyone treated him, like a freak, and how they used to downgrade and misjudge him.

"S-Sakura?"

"Yeah. Its me, Naruto." she cried, nuzzling her head in his shoulder.

"B-but-"

"I'm sorry for everything Naruto."

"W-why are you here?"

"Because I realized how lonely you really are and I want to be your friend."

Naruto didn't say anything else, just stared wide-eyed at the academy before his eyes.

"Please, Naruto." she whispered next to his ear, tears falling from her eyes. "Please be my friend."

"But why, don't you hate me like everyone else?"

"I don't hate you, Naruto. I never hated you and never will."

The blonde clentched his teeth, not willing to quite believe that someone had come to him and was asking to be his friend. But at the moment, he really couldn't care. He wrapped his arms around the female and buried his head into her shoulder, tears of his own falling down.

Sakura knew that was his answer and she was grateful that he accepted her. She listened to his quiet sobs as she ran her fingers through his blonde hair. At the moment, she felt as if she was doing something right for her best friend for the first time. Then, Sakura remembered something. She should bring it up now before it got too late.

"Hey Naruto."

"What is it?" he asked, his voice muffled through her shirt.

"Don't go getting a crush on me later, okay? I still think boys are gross."

Sakura felt wonderfully content when she felt the boy smile against her shoulder. She had no doubt that the people walking past that could see the scene were staring and saying crude remarks but she didn't care. At the moment, all that mattered to Sakura was Naruto.

"Do you want to go home or stay with me and walk around?" she asked, still playing with his blonde and surprisingly soft locks.

"I want to stay with you."

"Alright." Sakura nodded, fully knowing that the blonde would now be stuck with her until further notice. Thinking about it made her wonder about another certain blonde. Ino. . . Would she accept her friendship even though she was friends with Naruto now? It shouldn't be too difficult since the only reason why they became rivals was because of Sasuke. The pinkette no longer held feelings for him so that wouldn't be a problem.

"I know I'm comfy Naruto, but if we're going to walk around, you have to let me go." Sakura smiled lovingly at the blonde as he nodded and pulled back. The female pulled back as well and wiped at her dry tears as Naruto did the same. She stepped a few feet back and held out her hand for the blonde to take. He shyly did so, almost afraid that she would snatch it back and run off. Sakura patiently waited until he grasped it and she started tugging him along.

"Where are we going, Sakura?"

"I don't know." she laughed, but she kept walking, hand in hand with the blonde boy next to her. A feeling a warmth flooded through her as she looked at the small smile on his face but quickly disappeared when adults walked passed, snearing at them. Sakura set her finest glare on her face as she looked up at the adults. Her expression seemed to frighten them a fraction as they stepped back away from them, gasping.

Looking back at the solemn blonde, she gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. His blue eyes looked up to meet her jade ones, surprise evident in them. Sakura smiled at him in return as they continued to walk down the street.

"Sakura!" a female voice yelled from behind her. Her body tensed as she froze, Naruto stopping beside her. She turned around to see her mother running up to her. "I thought you said you were going to train with Sasuke!"

'Damnit.' "I did."

"Then why aren't you with them? And why are you with him?" her mother questioned, narrowing her eyes at the boy as she stopped in front of them.

Sakura could feel Naruto wanting to retreat as his grip on her hand loosened but she tightened her hold, not relenting. Anger bubbled through her veins as she glared at the woman before her. She might've been Sakura's mother, but the pinkette be damned if she let her talk negatively about her best friend.

"I found him alone when I was walking home and now he is my friend."

Sakura's mother seemed taken aback by her daughter's glare and tone. Looking at her, she suddenly knew that she wasn't going to win. So she sighed and motioned for her to follow, "Come on then."

Sakura smiled brightly and turned her attention back to Naruto. What she saw made her frown instantly. His head was turned down as his eyes were covered by his bangs.

"Naruto, we can go home." Sakura spoke, placing her hand gently on his cheek. He looked up into her eyes, shock on his face as if about to ask 'What?'. She removed her hand from his cheek and nudged him to follow her. "Come on." Her smile returned when he slowly nodded.

~~SCENE CHANGE~~

Once back at her home, Sakura sat on the couch, Naruto following her, albeit a bit tense. She watched the boy beside her, jade searching blue. He stared at the floor, neither moving nor speaking. Out of the corner of her eye, Sakura saw her mother standing still, watching the two. The pinkette watched as Naruto's brows furrowed and his frown deepened. The distraught look on his face made Sakura want to cry all over again. Naruto was always one of her weak spots, always one of the people that affected her the most. She suprised everyone in the room when she wrapped her arms around the boy and pulled him to her.

"Its alright, Naruto. You can cry if you want to."

Sakura softly smiled and started soothing the blonde hair when the boy sunk into her arms and let out a soft sob. She could feel her mother continuing to stare at them but she didn't care.

"Sakura, honey?"

Said child continued to soothe the blonde bundle as she looked up at her mother, surprised by the gentle smile on the woman's lips. "What would you and your friend like for dinner?"

The pinkette smiled brightly, already knowing the answer. "Ramen with extra beef."

The woman nodded and made her way into the kitchen, preparing the food requested. Sakura looked back down at Naruto, his sobs turning into soft sniffles.

~~SCENE CHANGE~~

Time flew by, the three ate in silence, a small tension in the air, although it was broken when Sakura requested that Naruto stay with them. Her mother had looked at her like she was insane but soon gave in when the pinkette stated that he didn't live with anybody else and couldn't properly take care of himself.

Weeks flew by, Naruto now living with the Haruno's and sleeping on the couch. Sakura's mother had surprisingly grown a liking to the young boy. He was pleasing to be around when he wasn't causing trouble. Sakura also seemed to be able to handle him perfectly, her mother noticed. The two could actually be in the same room without Sakura, it was so well and calm between them that they got along. He was also starting to walk around the house by himself. Though he was never a really shy boy, he always seemed to shadow Sakura everywhere.

It was one of those times that Naruto was conversating with Sakura's mom while Sakura was away. The pinkette walked down the streets of Konoha, adults and children giving her odd looks while she walked passed them. Surprisingly, she ran into the one person she was excited to see.

"Hey Itachi." she smiled brightly, running up to him.

"Hello Sakura." The female's smile brightened when he placed a hand on her pink head. "I hear that Naruto's staying with you and your family."

"Yeah." she nodded, "It seems Mom likes him. Dad is still kinda iffy about the idea."

"I'd imagine so."

Sakura frowned at that. "Naruto's a good kid, he really is."

Itachi nodded at her and that seemed to satisfy her as her frown disappeared. "What are you doing out here by yourself?"

"Oh you know, this and that."

He raised an eyebrow at her, obviously thinking that she was up to no good, which wasn't far from the truth.

"Anyway," she brightened up, "so do you wanna talk now? That's why we ran into each other! Because you're supposed to talk to me today."

He stared at her for a moment until letting out a soft sigh and nodding. "Alright."

The pinkette grabbed the hand on her head and gently started to pull her along. "Let's go then. We can't have other people listening in."

Sakura felt a feeling of warmth spreadthrough her as she held his hand. She was actually surprised that Itachi allowed her to drag him along, all the way to the training grounds. She let go of his hand and sat down near a tree, watching as he sat down and leaned up against it.

"So, where do you wanna start?" Sakura asked, eyeing the male before her as she crossed her legs in front of her.

"I'm really not sure."

The pinkette had to resist the urge to groan. This was going to be difficult. "Umm, alright, you can start out with what's bothering you."

"First, tell me why you're so focused on hearing my troubles."

"Because," Sakura mumbled, "you look like you could use someone to talk to and it looks like I'm the only one that noticed."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah."

Itachi put his head on the tree behind him, looking up at the stars through the leaves. "You are the only one that noticed."

"I promise I won't tell anyone anything if you promise that you won't tell Sasuke I was with you."

"Sasuke?" Itachi raised an eyebrow at her in question.

"Yeah, I don't want him to know." She had her reasons of course. She knew that Itachi would end up killing his family no matter what and if Sasuke knew that Sakura had details about the event, he would be up her ass with questions and demands.

The Uchiha stared at her for a moment until nodding, "As you wish."

Sakura smiled and nodded her head, pink bangs flying around her eyes as she looked at the man.

"Are you sure you want to listen to a person like me?"

"Yep." she chirped in reply.

"Very well." he sighed.

~~SCENE CHANGE~~

"Itachiii!" Sakura sang as she ran up to the male, a blonde child in tow.

The Uchiha stopped in his tracks, turning around to look at the two children running toward him. The one with blonde hair he recognized as Naruto. "Sakura."

The pinkette stopped in front of the tall man, smiling brightly up at him. She noticed movement behind the man and spotted Sasuke. Smiling at the young male, she spoke, "Hey Sasuke."

"Hi Sakura." he spoke gently.

"What's wrong?" she frowned, "You still upset that I'm better than you at throwing shurikan?"

"What?" he shouted, "No way."

Sakura laughed as she glanced back at Naruto, noting that he was strangely quiet. Looking into his eyes, she understood why. He was glaring at Sasuke. The pinkette couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarility at the situation. Even as children, Naruto felt inferior to Sasuke. For years, he had to listen to his classmates talk about the Uchiha, praising him while he was ignored or insulted. Sighing, she turned her attention back to Itachi, giving him a warm smile as she grasped Naruto's hand. Pulling him along before any arguments started, she waved at them with her free hand. "Bye bye, you two."

The two Uchiha's watched as Sakura pulled Naruto along with her. "Since when are they so friendly with each other?" Sasuke asked, narrowing his eyes at the blonde.

"Jealous brother?"

"As if."

Itachi chuckled under his breath as he continued on his way, Sasuke walking beside him.

Please review what you think so far :)