Disclaimer: I am merely torturing these characters for my own amusement. They don't belong to me only this plot does.

A/N: This isn't non-massacre, if you can't figure out exactly what happened no worries I'll let you know within the next chapter or two.

The Amended

Summary: Itachi/Sakura. A very different take on the Uchiha Clan massacre; because sometimes the end justifies the means and power isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Chapter one:

Cool, assessing eyes stared out a glass-paned window at a plot of barren land. He would have to start germinating the plants for that soon, before the spring came. Itachi allowed his gaze to rise past his prospective garden toward Konoha, the village hidden in the leaf. He was glad the Hokage, Tsunade, allowed him to stay on the outskirts, even though she often had special unranked missions for him. He felt suffocated in the presence of other people. Their bodies pressed close to his as he walked, close enough that he or anyone, for that matter could do anything they liked to the people around him. Besides, in the city he didn't fit in. He was the lone Uchiha, not many people dared to talk to him. Last he had heard the villagers had thought there was some ancient curse on him. He couldn't blame them though, no villager knew why he was the only survivor and if he looked at it from their perspective it would seem he was just fated with bad luck.

It wasn't bad luck though; Itachi knew that nothing about his family's deaths had been fate. No, they had simply desired too much power and had too much pride. It was painful for Itachi to think about and he knew to keep his sanity he would have to lock his memories up just as he had been doing for the last thirteen years, ever since that day from hell.

Itachi sighed and answered the door just as an ANBU special operations was about to knock. "Mission?" Itachi asked rhetorically to the dark clad shinobi. The ninja nodded and disappeared as quickly as he came, leaving no traces of presence.

Itachi strapped his ink colored ninja gear and forehead protector on, foregoing the standard porcelain white mask. He raced over the roof-tops toward the Hokage tower.

As he ran he surveyed the surrounding population. There were many who were visiting with friends or shopping. On the side of the road nearest to him on the parallel street there was a group of children playing catch while their mothers shopped. One of the older boys, who looked to be about eleven, accidently threw the ball into the street. The younger brother of the boy chased after it without looking at the road. Itachi glanced up the street in time to see a wagon moving unusually fast right in front of the brightly clothed boy. For a second, Itachi didn't see the young boy with bright colored clothes, but a boy with black hair, onyx eyes, and a navy blue child kimono. For the briefest moment in time Itachi froze. He was fearful for the little boy. Then the illusion faded and his heartbeat paused before the adrenaline kicked in speeding it up. The boy caught the ball. Itachi flickered in front of the boy. He grabbed the boy and used the body flickering technique once more as he moved to the roadside. The children gathered around amazed and repeatedly thanked the man for saving the boy's life. Itachi attempted to lift the corners of his mouth up in a half smile, but he ended up looking slightly constipated from the effort.

The adults stayed away too caught up in their superstitions that they wouldn't even thank the man who had saved the young child's life. One of the older boy's recognized Itachi and began to whisper, "Isn't that Itachi Uchiha? He's cursed right?" The rumor spread around the group of children and a hush fell over the group. Itachi released the boy and the group ran farther down the street to continue playing.

Itachi returned to the roof-tops and sped once again to the Hokage's. He was glad he had saved the boy even if they avoided him. They were probably right to; he was a monster after all.

Sakura Haruno stood at the memorial lost in long ago memories. She smiled gently at one memory before she leaped into the trees. She turned back one last time to look at the monument before she jumped nimbly into the village. Where the trees met the village square Sakura jumped down and began to stroll leisurely through town gazing longingly at the food and wishing she had brought some cash to buy a treat. She didn't have time for that though, she had a mission meeting with the Hokage and she had wanted Sakura to be early.

Sighing Sakura finished the last bit of her trek as she made her way up to the Hokage's office. Sakura breathed in and lifted her chin up in a proud tilt as she raised her hand to knock. Tempering her knocking to a soft tap, so as not to aggravate the hang over Sakura was sure Tsunade-sama would have. Sakura smiled depreciatingly, of course it didn't help that Tsunade's cure for a hang over was to drink more.

An annoyed, "What do you want," sounded from the other side of the door. Sakura used to such behavior with her temperamental sensei took that as her cue to open the door and walk into the office.

"Just the ninja I wanted to see," Tsunade said as she gazed at her medical protégé

Sakura, to the roots of her pink hair, had a feeling that she was in for some unfortunate news.

"I have a mission for you. Actually I called you in here early, so as to get this over with before your partner comes in. There's no need to have you throw a fit with them in the room and embarrass yourself before you let me explain," Tsunade started with a slightly grumpy but, knowing tone. Blood rushed to Sakura's cheeks and turned the pale skin pink in an embarrassed blush. She was known to have quite the temper and Tsunade would know the best as she had her been her teacher for over five years now.

"The mission is a rescue mission. There are several ANBU ninjas that have been captured and quite possibly drugged by a group of renegade missing nins in Mist. On this mission I'm assigning you with an elite ninja. I'm going to tell him you are there for his and others medical care. But…" she held up her hand in a motion to preempt any arguments that she knew her apprentice would have.

"I really want you there to do that as well as help take care of their… establishment and as many of the ninjas as you can. I expect there to be enough rubble to warn other groups against such foolish aspirations." Tsunade smirked mischievously, "A lot of people don't think a medical ninja can be strong enough to carry their own weight and be a good medic, but I'm confident you'll show your teammate it's possible."

Sakura rolled her eyes and sarcastically thought that was wonderful since it meant that she was going to have one of those arrogant and condescending teammates; one that probably thought that since she was female and a medic she was all soft-hearted and worthless. She already had two strikes against her; she would enjoy smashing those preconceptions to pieces.

Sakura schooled her features when she felt the suppressed chakra signature of an elite ninja outside the doors of the Hokage's office. Itachi Uchiha did not walk into the room, no he glided into the room looking suave and calm; everything Sakura was not. Sakura was colorful, vibrant, and though she was excellent at diplomatic functions had pulsating emotions. She sighed internally it figured Tsunade-sama would assign her with someone so completely foreign to her and her way of the ninja.

Nonetheless Sakura nodded her head in respectful courtesy when Itachi's dark gaze flickered over to her. His gaze went back to the Hokage, not even acknowledging her. Sakura spring green eyes narrowed and she bristled at the brush off. She knew he didn't work with other ninjas, because he always went on his missions alone. However ignoring her like she was some genin was just downright unsocial and degrading.

"Uchiha-san, I have a mission for you. It's a hostage recovery mission. Details are in the scroll. This one will require that you have a partner, but I have already picked out a competent one for you so there is no need for a fuss," Tsunade warned the ninja that this was her final decision and that any attempts to persuade her would be simply foolish. "She will act as a medic and you are not to leave her outside while you find the hostages. You may require some of her more… specialized skills. She is your teammate. Any questions?" she asked not really expecting an answer.

Sakura noticed Itachi tense while Tsunade-sama explained her role to Itachi. Of course Sakura didn't put up any objections since she already knew that her role would be that of a teammate and not just a standby medic. It looked like the rumors that Itachi Uchiha really did ANBU missions alone and preferred it that way weren't exaggerated. Both Ninja started for the door as it was clear that Tsunade was done talking by the way she went back to looking around her desk probably scouting around for her spare bottle of sake. Sakura reached the door first and opened it wide, gesturing for Itachi to go first. He did so and Sakura's mouth ran dry. He glided out of the room and Sakura knew a moment of jealousy. Sure, all ninjas had some sort of innate grace from the finesse that came from years of training, but really that kind of grace that just seeped from him should be illegal. Now she knew why all the women, who weren't convinced he was somehow cursed, obsessed over him. He had dark aristocratic features and he moved entirely too sensuously for someone who didn't like to interact with other humans. However she quickly pulled her mind out its minor lapse and walked out the door before shutting it gently. He began walking away without a word. Sakura cleared her throat. He kept walking. Arrogant jerk. Great he was going to difficult about this, which was okay though she was used to dealing with this type of people.

"Uchiha-san!" she said empathically. Much too her satisfaction he turned to look at her and he seemed surprised that she was speaking to him. "What time do you want to leave?" Comprehension dawned in his eyes so this was the little medic that was to escort him. She didn't look like a medic she looked more like a shinobi. As long as she didn't get in his way than he didn't care what she was.

"I apologize for not mentioning this previously. In an hour be at the gates. I will not wait for you," Itachi said bluntly.

Sakura nodded and started toward her apartment, while Itachi moved toward his place on the outskirts of town.

After a quick packing, both ninja met at the gate at roughly the same time. Itachi saw his medic in her medic attire and judged the other clothes she was wearing earlier were just regular and not ninja clothes. Besides that red shirt she had been wearing was a little bright for any self-respecting ninja. Itachi didn't bother looking at her face. He normally wasn't very comfortable with it because, they held such an innate distrust of him. Therefore since he didn't bother to look any higher than her neck, he completely and utterly missed the forehead protector that kept Sakura's short hair out of her face. Itachi sighed this meant they would have to walk and that would slow the mission down. Bearing his resignation without a sign he walked out the gates and down the correct path with Sakura following close behind.

It was a very silent walk for the first hour. Sakura wondered why they hadn't taken to the trees yet, it was so much faster to run through the trees and hell it wasn't like they were even running now they were walking at a sedate pace and it was driving her crazy. Maybe he was a sensible shinobi and he had an injury and didn't want to further the damage? She quickly scanned over his frame but, found no visible proof. Well only one way to find out. "Uchiha-san, do you have an injury or something that's preventing us from tree jumping? I do not mean to question your judgment, but if it's something I can fix then…" she trailed off hoping he got the message without him taking it as disrespect.

Itachi was sure if he hadn't had years of practice of keeping his emotions under control he would be twitching. He turned to look at her and when his eyes settled on her face he finally noticed the forehead protector tied as a headband in her pink locks. The forehead protector's color indicated its owners rank: Special Jounin. So Tsunade hadn't just sent him with a random medic, she sent him with a special jounin medical ninja, a ninja who was just below Anbu level, but for whatever reason hadn't gone into the service. He couldn't believe he had been so inattentive as to miss the fact that she was a ninja.

"Kunoichi, what is your name," Itachi asked.

She stared at the male oddly, everybody knew who she was. Her pink hair was a dead giveaway. Perhaps since he rarely came into town he didn't recognize her? Nonetheless, she answered, "Sakura Haruno. You know the Hokage's apprentice?"

"Ah," now the he recognized her, but not because he'd ever actually seen her before. No, he'd just heard of her mentioned around the Hokage's office before. "How long can you sustain running through the trees at a rapid pace?"

Sakura took this as a challenge and her pride bristled at it. Green orbs narrowed, just who did he think he was? She was a jounin and could run long distances. How dare he question her abilities as a kunoichi. She had worked hard since she was a genin to attain this position. She was an elite shinobi and she would make sure no one ever thought otherwise, "For as long as it takes."

She leapt up into the nearest tree just before Itachi did. He set the pace at a mediocre pace and she knew he could run faster. He was infamous for his lightening speed. She growled out, "Uchiha, I know you can sustain faster speeds."

Besides the tones in her voice, Itachi was satisfied with the Kunoichi's request for a faster speed. He immediately quickened his pace and was delighted to see that it was still easy for her to keep up (though he'd never let her know)… so he sped up even faster to a speed few Anbu could keep up with. She continued to hold her own without any trouble and Itachi was truly impressed. The trip would take less time than he had previously thought. It appeared Tsunade-sama had quite the apprentice.

They traveled wordlessly over the wooded terrain through the night and midway through the next day stopping only briefly for a quick snack. Reaching a clearing approximately five miles from the target compound Itachi stopped and silently began to make camp. Sakura, who had paused only briefly to trace emerald eyes over what her team leader was doing, started to help without delay as soon as she realized he was setting up for a short stay.

He spoke, after the tent was pitched and a small fire was started, "I will take the first shift. Rest. We will move at twilight."

Thanks for reading! Does anyone/everyone get what's going on and why Itachi's in Konoha? Obviously, I know but, I don't know how apparent it is and I've never seen this concept before in an Itachi fanfic so I'm anxious to know if anyone got the drift and how well it's being received so far. I'm not sure if I made it obvious enough, since I didn't come out and say it. Anyway, thanks again for reading!

Please review

~HarmonyRose~