(A/N): wow. speedy update. BE WARNED, however, that this is an EXTREMELY SHORT chapter. I decided that I was going to get at least one more chapter before I become MIA again. This was all that I could force out in two days, and I thought I should end it here for now. Next update would undoubtedly be more suspenseful and entertaining. This is more of a bridge between the previous arc and the upcoming arc. We are now nearing the second half of the entire story.

Also, many thanks to all of you who continue to put faith in me and this story, and to those of you who find the time to review. I know I used to write 'Read and Review' at the end of chapters, but as I look back, I find it silly and materialistic. I don't really care of people review or not, though comments are always welcomed. I feel that the previous chapters are not worthy of that much attention, and I will try my best to improve with the upcoming chapters.

Enough of the author's babbling, on to the (ridiculously short) chapter!

Disclaimer: no own.

He had not slept for the entire night, trying desperately to decipher what Hana-san had told him, but failing to get anywhere. What had she meant? Was he missing something? Was it Sakura? Was Sakura hiding something from him? Something important?

Trying his best to ignore the flirtatious giggles coming from young geishas that weren't here long enough to know the real reason why he was considered an 'old customer', Itachi made his way towards Sakura's room.

As he neared, he realized that Sakura was still sleeping. Deliberately, he slowed his footsteps and made them heavier. True as he thought, the sound of his footsteps woke her. When he arrived in front of her screen door, he spoke.

"Come down for breakfast." As Hana-san's guests, they were to share 'breakfast' with her in her chambers.

As he was about to turn away, he heard her call him.

"Itachi!"

He halted.

"Yes?"

He could feel her hesitate, obviously thinking about what to say. He allowed the wait, not knowing why he was being patient with her when he had a busy day ahead of him and should not be wasting any time at all.

He heard the shuffling of clothing and awkward footsteps when the shogi screen slid open and Sakura stepped out as Okita. The pink haired girl was no more; in her place was Okita the brunette in the simple white shirt and black pants.

Itachi didn't know why Sakura was staring at him as if she had something to say, but when the kunoichi walked ahead towards Hana-san's room downstairs he followed quietly. As usual, the women they passed by eyed them appreciatively, and Itachi was amused to find that Okita was still squeamish around the bolder ones who grabbed at his cheeks or pinched his butt. Itachi knew what it must feel like; when he first arrived here he had been given the same treatment, until Hana-san declared it law that 'Itachi' was the untouchable. And if any of the women thought he was Hana-san's, then they were gravely wrong. Itachi might be the only person who enters the red-light district's most famous building and leaves with a night of actual sleep. He was still a virgin, and he remembered how ridiculously Hana-san had laughed, to the point that the woman could not even hold her enticing appearance. The fact that he had still to sleep with anyone had been so amusing that the older woman had actually been rendered into a cackling, sputtering mess. Itachi himself did not see how it was so entertaining; he didn't deem it important to indulge in such behavior. Even if he had been curious or tempted a few times when he was younger, he had more important things to tend to. Sasuke, Orochimaru, Madara, Danzou. Itachi had been planning and planning and it hadn't been easy to start with. Now thinking back, Itachi chided himself a fool for believing that manipulation was a simple skill. He was proven wrong when Sasuke left Konoha, and yet again when Sasuke killed the Snake Sannin. Itachi had then decided that he needed help; and that was when Jiraiya became aware of the true identity of Uchiha Itachi. Of course, the older man had been sworn to secrecy upon hearing the truth.

It had been hard. It had been hard to brush those looks aside and say that he was fine with the way things were. Jiraiya had doubted him, but Itachi knew the man wouldn't do anything about it. As much as Jiraiya had wanted to drag Itachi back to Konoha to be pardoned, he knew that they needed a spy within Akatsuki. However, the white-haired pervert had stubbornly proclaimed that one day, Itachi will be pardoned. Thinking of this, Itachi gave a dark smile. To think that Sakura would say the same thing as Jiraiya, after both of them learned of who he really was. Honestly, he couldn't believe that he lived among such people back when he was a kid. They were simply too trusting, too forgiving, too kind. He didn't need forgiveness. He didn't need kindness. No. Itachi wanted something even better. All he wanted, all he needed, was—

"With the dazed way you're standing, people would think you were reminiscing a night of wonderful memories."

Itachi's eyes focused on the open screen door and a blushing Okita sitting opposite a very amused Hana.

"Do come in, Itachi-san," Hana gestured to an empty seat beside Okita, "I have prepared breakfast for both of you."

Wordlessly, Itachi slid in beside Sakura, all the while noticing the tense posture of his companion. He had assumed it was because of all the attention she received from her own gender, but it seems that he was wrong. Perhaps she'll tell him sometime later. After all, it wasn't like her to keep something from him for long.

"The money that you have come to collect is with me," Hana began, her hand emerging from beneath her long kimono sleeve with an envelope, "however, I must insist that the both of you stay for at least until tomorrow morning."

Itachi raised his brow, and beside him, Sakura paused from reaching for a piece of her salmon.

"Why do you insist?" Itachi asked.

The older woman smiled, "a woman's intuition."

It was just as well, Itachi thought to himself. He had business to deal with. Jiraiya was to meet him in Suna today, and he still had to plan. He was almost finished with the alternative, and whilst he had a main plan, it would be wise to have several others thought up. He also had to prepare himself for anything that would take him by surprise. Sasuke has surprised him twice; he won't allow for a third time. Everything must be as planned. Everything must be perfect.

"Fine," Itachi agreed, "we will stay for two more nights."

He turned to Sakura, "In the meantime, you may do as you wish, but prepare to come to me when I need you."

Sakura nodded, finish the last of her salmon.

"Thank you for the meal, Hana-san," she said, bowing her head slightly in gratitude and stood, "I will be back before dinner." She said to Itachi. He nodded, and watched as Okita closed the shogi screen behind him.

"I had better get going too," the other woman murmured as she stood, smoothing her kimono. Before leaving the room, she glanced back over her shoulder and gave Itachi a knowing look.

"Make good use of your stay here, Itachi-san."

While Itachi had been musing, Sakura had done some thinking of her own as well. It was a rare occasion for her to be away from the Akatsuki base, and with Itachi being her ally instead of any of the other Akatsuki, this was a golden chance. Itachi had said she could do whatever she wanted, and that is what she planned to do.

Sakura had been thinking this ever since the day she discovered Itachi's true identity. She had been mulling whether or not she should tell someone of the truth, because it hurt thinking that Itachi had to play the part of the enemy. It hurt to see him have to act for every passing day, every passing hour, every passing second. There was also the many years before she joined Akatsuki. The mere thought that Itachi sacrificed so much all for a country that had ordered him to massacre his family, and continued to do so even after being labeled a traitor, was like a sharp kunai twisting in Sakura's chest. It was a fault in her personality, Sakura knew. Her compassionate side was what would cause her death, as her shishou often told her.

And it was only until hearing that they were headed for Suna did Sakura come to a decision. It was the perfect opportunity. There was no Pein, no Konan, no Zetsu, no Madara. She was not being watched, and she was free. There was no stopping her now.

With a determined look on her face, Sakura, still in the form of the plain jounin Okita, headed for the Kazekage tower.

She was going to tell the Gaara and his siblings about Itachi.

(A/N): maybe I should add some omake from now on, just for my own amusement. I try with this chapter.

OMAKE Part 1:

Sakura scowled as Hana-san retaliated with a charming smile.

"I refuse." the younger woman growled, the action reminding Hana-san of an irritated cat.

"But Sakura-chan, this might be the only chance for you! Once in a lifetime!"

"I refuse."

"I'm sure you will be singing a different tune once you agree to this! I guarantee you in ten years you will recall this moment with fondness!"

"I refuse."

The older woman huffed. The pinkette sure was stubborn, although the more correct term would be brunette.

"But of course you will be dressed in this in your female form, Sakura-chan!"

"I refuse!"

The oiran turned to Itachi, who had been silently sitting by the window and carefully avoiding being dragged into this.

"Itachi-san! Please convince her!"

Itachi, who had been looking out the window, turned his head to the woman...and cocked an eyebrow.

"...You want Sakura to dress as a geisha?"

Hana-san nodded her head, "I'm sure you would like to see for yourself too, Itachi-san! Please, convince her to put this on! She would look most beautiful!"

Itachi sighed. This was absurd. It was only a piece of clothing, and the kunoichi was putting on a stubborn front. The sooner she wore the kimono, the sooner Hana-san would be satisfied, and the sooner he would have his peace and quiet. Why the two women were in his room to begin with was beyond him, but everywhere else in the building was too noisy for him to think. Once they were out, Itachi would be able to think in peace.

"Put the kimono on, Sakura."

Okita sputtered, "I-Itachi! How could you do this to me!"

Itachi merely gave a little sigh.

"I would like to see you in a kimono, Sakura."

As Okita blushed madly, Hana-san grabbed hold of the unaware kunoichi and dragged her out the room.

"We will be back soon, Itachi-san!"

He tried very hard to ignore the shouts of complaint coming form the hallway as poor Sakura was hauled off to change. Now he had few minutes of quiet. Finally.

...

When he picked up the steady footsteps coming his way, Itachi knew his solitude was up. For the time being, he had to act pleased to see Sakura as a geisha and to compliement her so that Hana-san could finally leave them alone.

"Itachi-san, we are coming in." Hana-san announced as Itachi prepared himself. When the shogi screen slid open, however, Itachi's breath escaped from him as if he had been punched in the stomach.

Before him stood a beauty far surpassing Hana-san; unparalleled, unique. Sakura did not give off the seductive charm that Hana was renowned for, nor did she appear innocent and demure image many geisha used to attract guests.

No. Sakura appeared to be a woman in melancholy, somber and calm. It seemed as if her heart would break at any moment, and tears would fall from her eyes. The way she held herself, sitting there before him, was both tense yet willing, as if she gave up on the idea of running from him. As if she would give in to him, as if that was the only thing she could do now.

Then the ultimate blow came when Sakura's lower lip trembled slightly in embarrassment as she spoke.

"Itachi-sama...please take care of me."

Hana-san giggled quietly as Sakura's face turned bright red. She glanced at Itachi and saw that he, too, had taken on a pink hue in his cheeks. The poor man was trying to tear his eyes away, though to no avail.

"I do believe I hear my name being called," the mastermind of this embarrassment remarked calmly, "if both of you will excuse me." And with that, she was heading downstairs.

Somewhere in his mind, Itachi mentally sighed.

This was far more tasking than he had thought it would be.

-omake part 1 end-

just a little something to make up for the too-short chapter.

until next time!