Itachi extracted ,with his last bit of power, Orochimaru from his beloved brother's body. Now, Sasuke may have the sense to realize what happened so long ago. It was the last bit of energy in both the brothers. Touching Sasuke's forehead as when they were young Itachi let this action explain his feelings and intentions. Sasuke seemed to understand now, but Itachi fell to the ground, and his eyes, no longer sharingan, slowly began to shut, his vision deteriorating.

Soon the teams arrived at the battle site. Sakura wanted to hold it back, but the pain was too intense. Just as a tear streamed down her delicate cheek, she heard a familiar voice.

"S...Sak...Sakura...I thought...of you...."

Looking frantically to find the voice she looked under one of the rocks destroyed from Sasuke's lightening blade. Not knowing what to do they others stood in disbelief, jaws dropped.

"You were...they took your...corpse!"

"I created a replica...no time...I"m sorry. I knew...this was my...fate."

Wait , why hasn't he opened his eyes?!

"My sacrifice...for you..." he muttered before going unconsious.

"Which sacrifice?"

Upon closer examination, his eye sockets, were all that was left.

"Your eyes!!!"she screamed.

His eyes, the most important thing, he put them in the replica so no one would know!There's no faking a sharingan...

"Listen to me, he's got a secret. It's my promise to him to keep it private. But trust me, we need to get him back to the village,and not as bait for Sasuke!"

"What are you talking about?!"screamed Naruto.

"He was never like the Akatsuki members. His life, was supposed to be his sacrifice for Sasuke. He couldn't allow any emotional attachments when he knew he'd die. His main goal- peace. I'm sorry I couldn't say it sooner."

"Sakura-!"

"Focus on Sasuke, Naruto. We'll take him with us back to the village."

On the way back,Kakashi carried Itachi as Sakura explained to him the secret under the condition he tell no one else, not Tsunade, or even Naruto. Lady Katsuyu had interrupted their travel with important news. In order to take Itachi back and report on the outcome of the mission, Kakashi carried him back to the village for medical care,and explained to Tsunade the general secret, but no details. She was shocked, but knew he wouldn't be a threat anyway. Itachi was taken to Konoha's hospital, but he was in a coma for 8 days. During that time, Hotaru was safe, and the rest of the team was able to return to Konoha, unaware of the attack upon Utakata.

When Itachi was conscious, Sakura gently hugged him.

"I know you can't see, but you know it's me, right?"He smiled with reassurance."I know this will make you angry, but... you'll need assistance from now on. I'll be living with you. The Hokage will provide you with shelter. I hope you don't hate me for this, but I told Kakashi sensei about the secret under the condition that he tell no one. I'm sorry, but I needed back up to keep you safe from Konoha officials!"

"I understand. No one else is to know. Do YOU understand ME?"

"Yes, please rest. I really think I..."

"hmm?"

"I think I'm starting to have feelings... for you."

"I feel the same. I didn't want to feel anymore emotion. My plan was to die. I'm still not sure I have long to live. But my feelings for you have grown, and I'm willing to live for you. Also, because I know that Sasuke would disappoint you."

"I hope you feel better. We'll be going home when you're healthy again. And in case you may have wondered, I'm not pregnant."

"We wouldn't have been able to care for a child anyway. I probably never will. There's no hope for my sight."

"We'll see about that. Sleep now."

Sakura lay beside him, napping on his shoulder. With a shocked Kakashi sensei on her side, he had the responsibility of coming up with an excuse to Naruto that Sakura had feelings for Itachi after the capture because he sacrificed his life for Sasuke, who is now overwhelmed by hate. Naruto wasn't satisfied. That was the excuse Kakashi had told everyone, but for now, Naruto would learn no more. He just wanted Sakura to be happy. For this, Itachi's existance was kept secret. If it wasn't it could also put the village in danger. Tsunade's orders: tell no one.

Sakura went home to Itachi, he couldn't be home alone too long completely blind.

"Itachi! The message from Jaraiya has been decoded. It says ,'The real one is not among them. You were in the Akatsuki, do you have any ideas what that would mean?"

"Pain... he always kept himself secret. I'm sorry, I don't know anything on him."

"Well, its okay. Lady Tsunade says she appreciates your cooperation. Do you need anything?"

"No..."

"Company?" Unfortunately it was impossible for him to see her blushing cheeks.

"I don't mind you being around..."

"You know you need company, you have to be lonely, silly. Do you think I can't see through that?"

"…"

She joined him on the couch, gently rubbing her hand over the bandage on his eye sockets. Hugging him tightly, she mentioned,

"Remember what we did in your hideout?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know..."

"Yes..."

"Why did you do that with me?"

"I thought I'd die afterwards. I just... I don't mind having a connection with you now that I have a few years ahead of me...if I do."

"You've had a girlfriend before, right? Didn't she...um...'go'... along with your family?"

"..."

"Did you love her?"

"I don't think I was ready for love that young."

"Oh,okay. Well its been a long time since then."

"It has."

"You have a chance for a new life now."

"Yes."

"Itachi..."

"Yes?"

"I've wanted to tell you this...for real this time... I, um , think I love you."

"I've noticed."

"I know you're probably scared to love again. Everyone that you've ever loved is gone. I don't mean to be so direct and all but it's just hard to see you like this. I care about you so much. I never thought I'd say this, and I battled with myself for a long time between you and Sasuke, but I looked at the facts. I want to save Sasuke, but after all that I've learned, I think you might actually have more of a heart than him. Even you admit, he's a danger to the village, and he's full of hate. It's hard for me. I've cried so many times over him, but I'm ready to move on with MY life,too! Please...I said this to Sasuke years ago...but I just want you to accept me. And this time, I feel in my heart, not just my teenage brain, that I really feel this way, and I'm making the right decision. So please, just give me a chance, Itachi! Just one chance...and you told me you love me! Before you cut me you said it! Why DID you say that?"

"I didn't expect you to have enough power to heal yourself. One chance...I haven't felt this since..."

He didn't need to see her cry, he heard it in her voice, heard sincerity. She had made up her mind, she wanted HIM.

"Please, Itachi... please?!"she sobbed.

"This is a new start for both of us."

"So it's a yes?!"

"Yes."She hugged him tighter than she ever had. He was fragile after his previous fight.

"You're hurting me..." he managed to mutter. It brought back memories of the fight with Haku when Sasuke had told her that. But this was different. It felt right in her heart, not just her young eyes seeing a hot guy, a comrade, but feeling true love.

"Oh,sorry!"She loosened her grip and ran her fingers through his long, dark hair.

"It's getting late, maybe we should go to bed."

"I wouldn't know, I can't see the clock."

"Umm, can we share a bed tonight?"

"You're my...girlfriend...aren't you?"She smiled at the response with uncontrollable happiness, and helped him into the bed with her. She was excited he was so accepting of her, and finally allowed another chance at life, but she needed for that night, just to curl up in his arms, and get some good rest.