In Progression

Months into this situation, Sakura was still squirming uncomfortably. It wasn't enough that she had to be his personal medic, she was now his diplomatic relation to Konoha as well. So now she had to meet him twice, thrice as much. She just didn't know how to act around him at all. She almost wished he hadn't turned out to be such a hero just so she could go back to safely hating him for being the traitor and mass murderer he had been known as for years. But that was just mortification and embarrassment speaking. She knew she and the rest of Konoha would always be eternally grateful to him.

She had gotten the apologies out of the way two months and a half ago when she had first arrived in Rice Country to perform her duty as his medic. She had bowed numerous times, apologized again and again in behalf of her village (even though most of them didn't know anything) and for herself as well because as Sasuke's teammate and number one supporter, he was public enemy no.1. But he had merely taken her apologies with a gracious and silent nod. And after standing stupidly for another five minutes, she had the sense to start working on healing him.

It would take nine whole sessions of therapy for her to heal him fully and another six sessions for everything to be in top order. The first few sessions had started two and a half months ago. She had been coming and going to and from his side for both medical and diplomatic reasons. Tonight, it was the latter.

He was currently discussing his terms for the alliance of Konoha and the new Akatsuki together in order to prevent the occurrence of a Fourth Great Ninja War. It wasn't any help that she had to think of the current threat to Konoha and consequently, the world as they knew it – Sasuke. Itachi's little brother. She really didn't know whether to cry when –if – he came back or to bash his stupid head in.

But thoughts of the youngest Uchiha were driven far from her head as she tried to find something for her eyes to focus on. Her green orbs kept wandering around the place before settling on a crack on the wall just behind Itachi's head. So absorbed with avoiding his gaze, Sakura failed to notice he had stopped speaking some moments ago. Reluctantly, she slid her gaze again to meet his eyes.

"U-Uchiha-san?" she prompted meekly. But he only stared at her for a while before reaching out with an easy grace for a ripe plum from the fruit basket. He chewed thoughtfully while still staring at her. Sakura squirmed in her seat. "Why do these Uchihas have to be so unnerving?" she thought rather grumpily. "Uchiha-san," she prompted again.

"Haruno-san."

Eep.

"Yes, Uchiha-san?"

"Are you still uncomfortable around me?"

EEEEEeeeeeeeppp!

"N-no… of course not," Sakura replied hastily. "W-why should I be, Uchiha-san?" She laughed unconvincingly while waving her hand as if dismissing the idea. "Goodness, why would you think that?"

He was staring again. "Because, Haruno-san, you keep avoiding my eyes, stuttering your replies and now you're sliding down your seat as if you want to disappear."

She was not!

"I am not!" She protested at once but not before sitting up straighter. He saw that. Damn, wasn't he supposed to be half-blind or something?? She knew he was still half-blind, healing fine-tuned eyes like his would take some more months at least.

"I – I was just relaxing in my seat! I always sit that way, Uchiha-san."

Did he buy that?? He was still staring. Please take it, take it, take the excuse, SHANNARO!!!!

"You're going to ruin your posture, Haruno-san."

"Thank you for the concern Uchiha-san."

"Hn."

At the very familiar monosyllabic response, Sakura's mood turned sour. She frowned unhappily thinking, rather acerbically, Why did they have to be brothers?!

"Is anything else wrong, Haruno-san?"

"Not at all, Uchiha-san," She bit out sweetly. "Now, weren't we just discussing the plans for Rice Country?"

He stared for a few more seconds during which Sakura tried very hard not to blink before he began his discussion again with a look that was akin to a mental shrug.

Aaaarghhh.

Or perhaps ggggnnhhhhh was a better summary of her feelings whenever dealing with Uchiha Itachi.

haha, ok this did not go as planned. Whenever I sit down to work on this story, my fingers start typing and i'm like, WTH are you guys doing?? And they're like, shhhh... we're working. And then my brain goes off to vacation in Kokomo.

Brrr... it's cold here. Well, probably not cold enough for you people in the North because you're probably rolling around in the snow and what not. We never get snow here. *sobs* so we never get a white christmas. *sobs harder* but China's cold wind is coming down to us so... why am I blabbing about the weather???

My friend and I still harbor in our hearts the belief that Itachi is alive. Somewhere. Somehow. By some hidden plot hole in the universe. So, I came up with this silly little thing. There has only been one review so far thanks to Melodi Moon! (ha! see, I'm nice to my reviewers). You get fudge brownies and a tall glass of milk (Hopefully you like chocolate and are not lactose intolerant). But even if there's just one review (do you get what I'm hinting at here? *wink*) there have been plenty of alerts and so one day, I got off my lazy bottom and typed this. haha. Happy Holidays everyone. and cheers to you all and your families. Next chapter soon.

Theme: Nightlight.

Summary: Uchiha Itachi kept a night light. Huh. Who knew?