Unusually
Chapter 1: In a very unusual way, this is what I call home
Three shadowy figures sprinted through the dense forest on the outskirts of Konoha in the middle of the night. Although an Anbu mask was covering their faces, the joy of returning home from an A-rank mission cannot go unnoticed on their features. Even their stoic captain showed signs of delight in coming back home from their latest mission.
The mission that was assigned to them was a simple scroll retrieval mission in the Earth Country. They were to bring back an important scroll that was stolen from the client containing classified information about the client's clan and properties. They managed to take down the rogue ninjas that the enemy hired and succesfully obtained the said scroll.
The team captain took his mask off, revealing his aristocratic face and onyx eyes, after reaching the Konoha Gates. His two subordinates followed his action and turned to him for further instructions.
"I will deliver the report tomorrow to the Hokage" said Uchiha Itachi and nodded to his two teammates, a sign that it's time for them to go their separate ways.
"Hai" replied Shiranui Genma as he put both of his hands behind his head and started walking away. Aburame Shino gave his taichoo a curt nod before using a teleportation jutsu.
Itachi let a smirk appear on his face as he went to the opposite direction of the Uchiha Compound. Although it's embarassing to admit it, he missed her. He wasn't able to see her before he left with his team for the mission because she was on a mission with her own team.
He guessed that she's probably asleep now, since it's almost dawn, and she wouldn't appreciate being awoken from her deep sleep. But he needs to see her now. Unknown to his teammates, he got a stab wound on his left arm (on purpose) from the encounter last night.
Upon reaching her house, he jumped up to the sakura tree and landed on the branch next to her window. Careful not to wake the petite kunoichi, he slid in slowly. A small smile crept on his face as he saw her, sleeping soundly under the fluffy blanket. He was glad that she's here and not anywhere else.
"Sakura" he called out, loud enough to wake her up
"Hhhmmm???" she asked as she sat up slowly and rubbed her sleepy eyes.
"Itachi?" she asked as her vision finally became clear. Quickly, she moved to the side and let him sit on her bed.
"Don't tell me you got yourself injured again" she said sarcastically. There are only two reasons known to her as to why Itachi would be here in her house in the middle of the night. The first is when he got injured and wants her to heal him. And the second is when something happens between Itachi and his clan and he just wants to be away from them.
Itachi just gave her a look and stared at his wounded arm.
Sakura, being the medic that she is, stood up, let Itachi lie on her bed and examined his wound. It's not fatal but from the looks of it, it's already infected.
"When did this happen?" she asked with a worried expression as green chakra started to glow on her hands and she placed them on top of the wound.
"Last night"
"The wound is not that deep, just give me a few minutes" she said as she started on healing his wound. Just as she said, it took her only a couple of minutes to completely heal his wound.
"Thanks" said Itachi as he sat up from the bed.
Sakura learned long ago that Uchiha Itachi is a person who values his pride more than anything else. That's why when he turns up injured, he goes to Sakura and not to the hospital. Sakura asked him once why he doesn't want to be treated in the hospital. He said he doesn't want anyone to see him injured or in pain, and besides, she is more capable of healing him than any other medic in the hospital.
That made Sakura really happy. Itachi not only said that she's a great medic but also that she is one of the few persons he has complete trust on.
Well, there's no reason for Sakura to doubt Itachi's trust on her, they've been bestfriends since they were young. Their friendship is not something that can easily dissipate.
"So, how was the mission?" she asked as she stifled a yawn. She has this habit of asking him that question whenever he comes back from a mission. She doesn't know why she still asks him that question even though she knew already the answer. Itachi wouldn't come back if the mission is not completed.
Then Itachi gave her a look that told her "you already know". Even though he got used to that question, it makes him happy that she takes interest in his activities. Unlike his father and the other Uchiha clan elders who always expect him to be perfect.
"You are tired" he stated. Ever since he entered her room, he felt that her chakra is quite lower than usual.
"Yeah. I had a lot of patients at the hospital today. Plus, I healed Naruto and Sasuke twice during our training this morning. They said it was only a 'friendly argument' but it ended up with bruises and broken ribs" she said as she laughed a little, remembering their faces as she scolded them and treated their wounds in a rough manner.
"Hn" he replied. He really needs to lecture his younger brother about his habitual 'friendly arguments' with his blonde teammate. Sakura is the most affected afterall.
Sakura then lied back down on her comfy bed and pulled the blanket up her chin.
"You can sleep in the next room if you want" she said then closed her eyes
"Hn" he said as he stood up to leave. Just when he was about to close the door, he heard her voice again
"Welcome home, Itachi"
"Thank you" he responded then closed the door. He turned left and opened the door to a bedroom. He let himself inside and closed the door behind him. This is Sakura's parents' room back when they were still alive. But over time, it turned into his room because of the many times he wanted to be away from his clan.
At first Itachi had second thoughts about taking this room, this is Sakura's parents' room afterall. The room held many memories that are precious to she said that she doesn't mind and that he's free to have the room to himself since no one uses the said room after her parents passed away.
Deliberately, he took off his clothes and went to get a quick shower in the bathroom that was connected to the bedroom. After making sure that he was cleaned from all the dirt and grime he got from the mission, he stepped out of the bathroom and went to the dresser to find something to wear for the night. He wasn't really surprised to find almost half of all his clothes are in the dresser here in Sakura's house.
He opened the window and let the early morning breeze in.
This is home. Not in the Uchiha Compound, but here, next to his bestfriend. It's somewhat strange but he felt more at home with her than with his own family.
Sakura's been more like a sister to him. Sometimes he even thought that he's closer to her than his own brother. Well, the only bonding time they had was when he was training Sasuke or if there's a clan activity they both must participate in. There's no doubt that Sasuke has grown into a very skilled shinobi, thus, Itachi's assistance in his training is no longer needed.
But there's also no doubt that Sakura has become a special part of his life ever since the day he met her 8 years ago. He's also been a bit overprotective over her. Probably because she's the only female that he's well acquianted to (except for his mother) despite the growing population of the females who have an unhealthy liking to him.
And because he made a promise to someone that he'll take good care of her 8 years ago.
He has to admit that Sakura has grown to a very lovely lady and an excellent kunoichi. One couldn't blame her if she gets too much attention from the males, one perfect reason for him to be protective of her. But Sakura doesn't mind his overprotectiveness. Perhaps, she understands because she's protective of him too, in her own way.
Having enough of the early morning breeze, he closed the window and lied down on the soft bed. Within a few minutes, he was drifted off to slumberland.
Author's Notes: Hello there!!! It's my first time to write an ItaSaku pairing so I hope everything will go well...
This is will be a multi-chapter story so I hope you'll stay with me until the last chapter...
And since summer vacation has just started, I have plenty of time for writing!!! Yay!!! XD
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask...
And don't forget to review!!!
(*^o^*) Peace out!!! (*^o^*)
Kaycee
