Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 3

A Wish is Made

Itachi had been mistaken. She wasn't shy. No, not in the least. 'Perhaps initially' he thought, sipping his new beverage, 'but surely not now.' With regards to her inner turmoil, either she is an extremely talented actress or she had completely forgotten her sorrow. Or, was it because of him? Perhaps he was a good distraction for her. He smiled inwardly at the thought. Both Itachi and Sakura had now relocated to his sofa in his living room, while the other guests were busy preparing the fireworks, as tradition, on the front lawn. They had been conversing for a while now, and discovered many interesting facts of each other. Her interest in medicine was one among them.

The questions were mostly one sided. Itachi, although welcoming her company, remained partially hesitant whenever given the opportunity to enquire into her life. Reason being his own shyness and, ever so slightly, the claim he perceived Sasuke to have on her. They both had not minded though, enjoying every moment of their conversation. He admired her charming atmosphere. Most of what he learnt, through his analysis of her remarks and jests, he found appealing.

"So are you a gamer as well?" Sakura enquired with her eager eyes again, allowing her silky locks to fall onto her chest.

"I am actually," he admitted paying close attention to her expression, remembering she had poked fun at Sasuke's and his friend's hobby only a short while ago.

"Really?" her tone was slightly exaggerated. "So how come you weren't partaking in the ritual that is the 'Hawks guild'," she teased trying to imitate Sasuke. Itachi was well aware she referred to his brother's friends by there in game clan alias.

Amused by her choice of words he responded, "Well, it is New Years," he stated, "and I prefer to have a balance between my friends and my hobbies." '…And there is someone here, who is actually willing to talk to me,' he thought, chancing another glance at her. This time, he was fully aware of his actions.

"I see, but hey, what about your girlfriend, she couldn't make it tonight?" she dared in a teasing voice.

Her question instantly brought him to focus again, "I haven't spoken to her in long time," he stated in a neutral tone, forcing his eyes away. Had he still considered Shizune his girlfriend? No, surely not.

"Really?" she thought aloud, her eyes filled with concern. "Why?" she asked almost instantly regretting her question. She had no right to pry.

"Perhaps you should ask Sasuke… his memory of her should be more vivid," he finished. She did not think it was appropriate to push further, acknowledging the secrets these siblings obviously shared.

"I-I'm sorry," she apologized before resting her delicate hand onto his which laid flat onto the couch's cushion. This of course gained his attention and his eyes rose to meet hers again. As fast as she laid her hand, she removed it. Her actions were not voluntary, but purely as an expression of her concern. She was not making things easier for him. "It wasn't my place to ask," she apologized in a nervous tone, regretting her last inquiry.

He was never exactly known for expressing his feelings in an outward manner. Even to his closest friends, Itachi was the more quiet type, something he knew and accepted about his personality. 'Yet, this woman…' he thought to himself still observing her, 'what's wrong with me?' he cursed finally pulling his gaze away. 'She obviously has had relations with my brother,' he reminded himself harshly. He needed to check himself.

Noticing his change in mood, Sakura moved closer to him in an attempt to pull his attention to her again. 'Please don't let him be upset,' she bit her lower lip.

Shutting his eyes for a moment, he leaned back onto the couch before opening them once more, however, only slightly. "No, it's alright," he stated plainly. He did not meet her gaze, instead, looking straight ahead at his giant flat screen television and the time it showed, he finally responded, "shouldn't you go meet my brother?" Without having to observe her expression, he could feel her nervousness by his inquisition. The feelings she had been avoiding stirred in her slightly.

"W-Why?" she dared to ask. 'Why would he ask that all of a sudden?' she thought, despite her talk with Sasuke, she had actually been enjoying the party.

"It is twelve minutes to the hour, before the start of the New Year," he responded before turning to meet her eyes. It was his assumption that couples prepared for the coming New Year together, exchanging their usual signs of affections, among other things.

'N-No… not those intense eyes,' Sakura attempted to hold his gaze for as long as she could before cowering beneath them. 'Is it ok to tell him?' biting her lower lip, she threw caution to the wind and opened up to him. He had managed to do it all night, it was the least she could have done. Although difficult to discuss, the first step of her moving on is being able to accept it. She had made up her mind. "Itachi… I'm not dating your brother," she confessed, avoiding his gaze. Analysing her every expression, he quirked an eyebrow at her statement, unsure of what to say. "We're just friends-"

"Ah! Sa-ku-ra!" Naruto interrupted pushing a little grey box into her immediate view. Had he have known the seriousness of the conversation, he would have done it sooner.

"Ah!" She exclaimed, completely caught off guard by the box between herself and itachi. Also surprised by his friend's presence, he turned away from them both and finished his remaining drink with ease. "Naruto! What is this?" she questioned him with slight irritation in her tone. She was not completely annoyed by his sudden appearance though. In fact, she welcomed it, admitting it would have been a tough conversation had he not appeared. 'Thank God for Naruto,' she sighed before taking the box from his hand.

"Sasuke told me to give those to you," Naruto grinned, "he knew you liked them." Although pretending not to notice, Naruto noted the slight glassiness of Sakura's eyes. 'God Sakura…' he ran his fingers slowly through his blonde locks trying to maintain his bright smile. "Come on you guys! Let's head outside and light these suckers up!" he said grinning again before exiting through the front door.

Opening the small grey box, Sakura's eyes lit up as she retrieved a few sparklers from inside. Holding them towards Itachi, she smile, "I love these," handing him a few.

"So I've heard," he stately dryly accepting them, acknowledging his brother's familiarity with this pink haired girl.

"So have you given any thought into your New Year's wish?" she asked, cheerful as ever, closing the box and getting to her feet. She noted his confused expression and giggled.

"New Year's wish?" he repeated seeking clarification. 'There she goes again, a complete switch in emotions,' he noted, with eyes following her frame, 'admirable.'

Now standing directly in front of him, she tossed her now unwanted pink strands behind her shoulder and explained, "Yes, it's a wish you make as the clock strikes twelve. If you want it badly enough, then it will come true." She extended her left hand out to him, which, to her delight, he accepted with his right hand. "Come on…" she whispered pulling the Uchiha to his feet, "make a wish."

Not only were her words, nor the fact that he had been pulled to his feet astonishing, but the closeness they now shared was too much for him. He could not have recalled a moment in time where he felt this anxiety stirring in his stomach. He could smell her perfume so easily, or was it her shampoo? Whichever it was did not matter to him, it was the effects of which he had become conscious of. Orchids? No perhaps Jasmine. It was enticing him. His breaths started deepening. Was it due to his anxiety? Or perhaps it was to indulge further in her fragrance. Finally, to his relief, she took a step back and tilted her head slightly, allowing her pink locks to fall down her shoulder once more. Struggling to catch his senses again, he tore his eyes from her and asked, "You cannot honestly believe in something like that?"

She did not frown from his statement, only smiled, it was expected, "why ever not? Choosing to believe or not to believe in it doesn't really make a difference," she continued as he turned to meet her gaze once more. He was clearly interested in her reasoning. "A wish is a wish, it will either come true or it won't. But, either way, you don't really have much to lose," she finished.

He was speechless. She had surprise him with her response. 'This woman,' he thought, filling his vision with that of her emerald orbs. What could he had even said after that? Her reasoning was unarguable in his opinion. It was difficult not to classify her as the most mature girl among his brother's friends.

"Come on. It's almost time," she stated before turning towards the front door.

"Sakura," he whispered under his breath, just loud enough for her to hear before closing his eyes, "alright."

Glancing at the clock, she exclaimed "six more minutes! Come on Itachi!" before bolting for the front door, "hurry!"

Running down the well-lit stairwell of the apartment complex, she finally immerged outside to be greeted by another one of Naruto's bright smiles. Hinata was firmly attached to his arm and all the couples had already paired off. As for Sasuke's 'guild,' they were busy setting up their own share of fireworks. They didn't seem to mind in the least that they were unable to pair off like the others. They seemed happy. Sakura smiled. Perhaps this was an insight of Sasuke's own temperament, content with the course his life currently took. Perhaps it was a sort of gratification for him, being able to enjoy his freedom and his own happiness to the fullest. He was not lonely, no, she made sure he was not. But did he really need her? He had told her many times before, yet she could not bring herself to fully understand what he meant. Her demands for a relationship was perhaps the only complication in his life, well the only one that he had actually shared with her. Why had she not notice this before?

"Took you long enough!" Sasuke greeted, tossing her a lighter. Stumbling, she managed to secure it without emptying the sparklers from their box. "They're going to start the count down soon," he smiled at her, relieved she had managed to control her grief she had previously revealed to him earlier. "Where's my brother?" he asked looking beyond her shoulder, "Is he still up there?"

"No. I'm here" Itachi voice was heard coming down the last few stairs, his pale bare feet patting lightly on the ground with every step.

Smiling sincerely, Sasuke met his brother's gaze, "Onii-san, I've got your favorites lines up next to mines." The elder Uchiha returned his smile with a sincere one of his own before wrapping an arm around his shoulder.

'Onii-san?' Sakura wondered if this was Sasuke's way of casually addressing his brother. 'They have to be really close,' she concluded with greater assurance this time. She followed as Sasuke lead his brother over to the array of fireworks they had prepared. Following their trail, she greeted the 'Hawk guild' for the second time that night, "hello." They were not completely impolite. They always responded to her with quirky smiles and grins. 'Better than a lot of people I've met,' she noted.

"Thank you Sasuke," Itachi smiled before releasing his brother. He was appreciative for the array, but more so, grateful to spend the last few minutes in the company of his cherished sibling. Usually, during these last few minutes, he had made it a tradition to reflect on the year passed. Cursed the bad choices, accept what he could not change and perhaps even rejoice in all his, and Sasuke's achievements. Glancing over to Neji and his brunette girlfriend who were already cuddled into one another's arms on the chilled lawn, he also sat down, enjoying the coolness below his legs. 'New Year's wish…' he pondered now turning his attention to the joyful Sakura. She did not leave Sasuke's side since joining him, but was not demanding his attention either, merely following his every step. 'What will she be wishing for?' he thought, closing his eyes once more.

"Sasuke," Sakura grabbed hold of his arm before meeting his gaze. She was happy. He could see it in her eyes. "Thank you for inviting me tonight. I-I just need some time to readjust, but I will be fine… eventually," Itachi overhead her words before opening his eyes once more perceiving not an ounce pain in her voice. "I-I'm just now starting to understand a little bit better-"

"Sakura, my words still hold," Sasuke interrupted before the conversation became too heavy, well aware that his brother was within earshot. He pulled her in and pressed his lips against her forehead once more, "I'm not worried, I know you'd be fine."

Blushing from his kiss, she remained perfectly still. "Friends forever?" she asked, or was it a statement? Sasuke simply smiled then nodded at her.

"You better believe it!" Naruto yelled lounging his arms around them both. It was a scene that any onlooker would smile upon, even Itachi. They all had bright futures ahead, but what of his? Was he content with his withdrawn life the way it was? It has been quite some time, years even, that he had felt a sort of incompleteness. However, it was never truly a bother for him, he had been satisfied with most aspects of his life. 'Would it be fair to wish for more?' he opened his eyes before acknowledging the surrounded shouts of the countdown, 'guess it's now or never… I wish…'

"Five!"

"Four!"

"Three!"

"Two!"

"One!"

"Happy New year!" fireworks shot off, propelling into the sky, painting it shades of pink, blue and yellow. Itachi's fairly dense neighborhood must have looked truly spectacular from above.

"Onii-san! Happy New year!" Sasuke embraced his brother before returning to launch more into the sky.

"Here," Sakura knelt down on the grass next to him pushing her sparklers in his direction, "I'll help you light yours." Accepting, he pushed his towards the tiny flame to ignite them. Smiling, he lifted them into the air admiring the light they gave.

She felt slightly overwhelmed getting at the sight before her. His skin looked creamy, almost pale yet flawless, but something was different. 'His eyes… they look… crimson?,' she admired him under the glow of the lights. Had it been her imagination? His eyes looked somehow sad at that moment. "Itachi?" she muttered unconsciously.

"Thank you, Sakura," he smiled keeping his eyes fixed upon the dusting of the sparkler.

Placing her right hand atop his free own, he jumped slightly at the contact with her skin. It was so warm compared to the chilled grass below his palm. He turned his head to meet her eyes, unsure of why she had touched him. That was error on his part. He became just as overwhelmed as she had been. Her eyes were glowing under the light of the sparkler. They were beyond captivating. To make it worse, whenever a slight breeze wisped through her now shinning strands, he'd pick up a hint of that scent, her scent.

Her eyes were hesitant, "are you and Sasuke really close?" she asked, now focusing her attention on his lit sparklers.

"We are," he responded easily.

"I want to ask you something…but" she hesitated again. Itachi noted that whenever the topic of his brother arose, her uneasiness would show itself again.

"Ask away," he encouraged her.

Lifting her head towards him once more, she dared, "I-Is he happy?"

His face remained neutral, "As far as I can tell, yes." He knew his brother well, very well. Perhaps it was his relationship with Sasuke which made him content. But he knew his brother was happy. It was perfectly clear from his mood. Although, not telling him about Sakura, for what he assumed to be quite a long time, was unlike Sasuke. It was a custom for them to shared important events of their lives, however, he felt as though Sasuke had sufficient reasons not to.

"Well at least I have something I can rejoice in," she smiled before getting to her feet.

'She's in love with him' he concluded, still maintaining his emotionless expression.

"Oi! It's your turn," Sasuke approached him, grabbing hold of his arm, pulled him to his feet in one easy motion, "let's light them up." Sasuke handed him the lighter and watched as the last of his sparkler die down before heading to array of fireworks.

Sakura stood there, watching as they thrust into the night's sky one by one… 'I wish to be free of this love… no… I wish to always love him, as I love Naruto, but not to… want him the way I do now... I wish to be free… free to accept new opportunities and not be bound to my own selfish desires for him.' She took a deep breath and allowed the words to roll off her rosy lips, "I wish to be free."


After about an hour or so, everyone had returned to the apartment's living room and reconvened the drinking and their usual conversations. Everyone seemed sprightlier now after the firework display, a usual effect Sakura concluded before retrieving her cellphone from her white handbag. She was sitting by the bar with Itachi once more, this time, Sasuke, Naruto and Hinata joined their company. Sasuke and his brother were consuming yet another loaded beverage while Naruto simply snacked on the remaining potato chips on the counter. Biting her lower lip, she figured that now was a good time. "Naruto, I think I'm ready to head out," she stated when there was a pause in the group's conversation. Naruto expressed acknowledgement through a quick nod and whispered into his busty girlfriend's ear.

Moving to wrap his arm around her waist, Sasuke smiled slightly at Sakura before whispering, "Thanks for coming." Picking up his drink once more, he left the group to rejoin that of his usual bunch. Plopping down onto the couch, he finger combed his lose strands before engaging the Hawks once more.

"Are you alright to drive?" Itachi asked his blonde friend slightly concerned. He had observed him drinking quite a couple times that night. It was only natural for him to be concerned.

Naruto merely nodded replying with his usual grin, "yeah, I only had about five drinks," looking away trying to recall all his drinks on his fingers.

Sakura sighed, phone still in hand, she tapped him over the head. "You're not helping," she vented. He huffed, rubbing the painful blow.

"Do you not drive Sakura?" Itachi turned his gaze away from his drink towards her for the first time in a couple minutes.

"A-A little… and very poorly," she hesitated. 'God he's gonna think me immature now,' she feared releasing a short sigh. He merely smiled slightly before taking another sip of his drink. "Don't worry, I don't live too far from here. It's about a five minute drive at most," she attempted to reassure him.

"Yeah. Don't worry Uchiha!" Naurto grinned before patting his shoulder for the second time that night. "We'll be fine!" he stated before making his way to the front door with Hinata tucked snugly under his arm.

Hopping off the barstool, Sakura grabbed her hand bag and dusted her strands out of her face.

"Are you sure he is okay to drive?" Itachi questioned her again, clearly uneasy with their arrangement.

She giggled before pulling the straps of her handbag up to her shoulder. "Yes, he'd be fine. He's a lot tougher than he looks, I've come to appreciate that about him," she replied truthfully. Naruto was usually her ride home from a lot of events, very dependable. She had grown used to him, as did her parents. "If he wasn't able to, he would have told me," she smiled turning towards Naruto. Itachi merely nodded before also getting to his feet. "Well, thank you so much for having me," she smiled, meeting his gaze once more. She would never forget those intense eyes. "I hope we'd be able to talk like we did another time," she finished.

"Thank you for coming, the pleasure was all mine," he responded while she turned to leave. As for his next action, be it involuntary or not, he was still genuinely concerned for her. Grabbing hold of her wrist, he pulled her gently, prevent her from leaving. Startled her slightly, she turned to face him, his eyes filled her vision almost instantly.

"Sakura," her name rolled off his lips so easily. He lifted her hand, which still held her cellphone snugly in her palm before saying, "Please let me know when you get home at least." He picked up her phone and entered his digits into its phonebook before returning it to its rightful place.

She simply smiled, not thinking any more of it, nodding, "of course." The minute he released her, she turned again and left with Naurto and Hinata, waving to Sasuke on her way out.

After her departure, Itachi cleared his counter of any dirty glasses, discarding them into the sink. Before retiring to his bedroom, he signaled to Sasuke that he was done for night, giving his brother responsibility for the remainder of his guests.

'What a day,' Itachi sighed pealing his shirt and pants off his fatigued frame. He traded it for a comfortable pair of loose fitting grey pants, placing the contents in his jeans pockets on his dressing table. Dropping onto his bed, he closed his eyes and listened to the laughter of his brother from downstairs. Opening his eyes again, he focused on his wooden ceiling, allowing his mind to drift. 'What was wrong with me tonight?' he cursed himself recalling his moments of weakness around her, his involuntary actions and of course forwardness in giving her his number. He sighed again bushing his bangs back. "Sa..kura," he whispered before shaking his head. No, he could not let himself fall prey to his weaknesses. Not for her.

There was a sudden vibration from his night stand, his phone. Turning to grab the device, he received a message from an unlisted number. 'Was it her?' he pondered before reading the message. 'Hey there Mr. Broody. Naurto just dropped me off. Told ya he was a good driver… Sakura.'

Slightly astonished at how quickly she arrived home, he assumed she lived very close. Smiling at his given nick name, he began typing a response when he received yet another message for the same number.

'P.s. Tell your brother not to hide anymore super attractive siblings from me.' Itachi held his breath. The message was accompanied by a winking smiley face. He blushed slightly at her compliment.

'I should tell him to stop hiding beautiful women like you first,' rereading his response, he smiled but then shook and head and deleted the written text. He had to be careful. He could not casually flirt with her. Not her. 'Will do, I'm glad you are home safely,' he sent her before placing his phone back onto the night stand. "Sakura…" he whispered once more before closing his eyes again. Just for tonight, he would let his mind muse on her last text as he drifted off to sleep.


Usually, the first day of school was more exhilarating, mostly for her friends, but not her. However, it was a new year and, to her delight, the last few months she would be bound to these chains. Sakura was always sensitive about still attending high school, always watching the backs of Naruto, Sasuke and most of her companions ahead of her. Of course, the school she attended did not help her situation either. Sakura had the misfortune of having to attend a Catholic all-girls convent school and adorn her body with what she considered to be the most unflattering uniform every day. It goes without saying that this was enough ammunition for Naruto and Sasuke to ridicule her, however, the only redeeming quality of this ludicrous institution was that it was at the very least, one of the top schools in the country. She was able to take pride in that.

Unlike the younger students, Sakura and her classmates' uniforms fitting their bodies differently due to their maturity and more developed female figures. Her uniform consisted of a white, long sleeve shirt which had become slightly sheer over years of use, neatly tucked into a fitted knee length turquoise skirt and accented with a grey, plaid tie embellished with the school's logo. Having a strict reputation, all students were not allowed to wear any other shoe, except the white loafers which were provided to them with white socks, no dangling earing, jewelry nor make-up of any kind. The use of their cellphones was also prohibited. It was common knowledge that these rules were positively absurd, yet the senior students, Sakura included rebelled from them whenever given the opportunity.

Placing her grey messenger bag into a locker outside the school library, she reviewed her agenda for the day. Free-period until eleven was a blessing. "Sakura," a familiar female voice called out to her. Turing to greet her friend, they exchanged smiles and affectionate hugs, "there you are."

"Good morning Ino," Sakura greeted before complimenting of Ino's neat ponytail for the first day. Sakura usually couldn't care less how messy her bun looked. She always held the philosophy that a 'perfectly neat' uniform or nicely combed hair would ever help a student win a scholarship. This of course made Sakura a target for discipline by a lot of her teachers.

"Excited for our new bio research paper?" she asked sarcastically, also placing her bag into the adjacent locker.

"Honestly, I'm a bit on edge to go get the assignment. Remember what happened between me and Miss Kurenai last semester?" Sakura bowed her head slight before folding her arms.

"Come on Sakura! How can anyone forget something like that?! You practically took her job from her," Ino dramatized with a sly grin painted onto her face.

"I did not take her job! If she did not understand a topic then she shouldn't be teaching it. If I hadn't taken charge then how would the class progress?" Sakura's defense seemed almost rehearsed.

"In any case Sakura, she took early maternity leave so you should probably go get your assignment, the lab assistant is giving them out," Ino explained, placing a hand on her hip.

"Alright, come with me?" Sakura asked before turning left towards the laboratory. Walking towards the bio lab, as was custom, they exchanged minor details of their somewhat short vacation while Ino, filled her in on the latest news travelling around the convent. Passing the more junior classes along the way, Sakura smiled, she had always found it uplifting knowing that she was no longer a small child, toiling to gain acceptance of her teachers. It was a reminder for her that she was almost out the door, forever to be parted with this unforgiving institution.

"Oh hang on," Ino said grabbing her arm, "that's him." Sakura rolled her eyes, having not even the slightest interest in any of the affairs of her lower schoolmen.

"Who?" Sakura asked, slight annoyance in her tone.

She slowly turned her attention into the class currently under session. "Haven't you been listening to me? That's our sub," Ino stated, releasing her grip on her friend's arm. Sakura froze. Her stomach instantly began churning as her eyes fell upon the man conducting the class… No, it isn't possible. Dark, long hair tied back into a neat ponytail, intense onxy eyes, and pale skin. No. It could not be. Her chest felt tight and she began to feel dizzy. "He's kind of hot, don't you think?" Ino dramatized once more while Sakura swiftly concealed herself behind the door outside the classroom. By God's grace, she hadn't been seen. "Sakura?" Ino questioned her friend's suddenly unusual behavior.

"Uchiha…Itachi," Sakura whispered almost inaudible. Her head was spinning, she could not think straight. "Ino I'll get the assignment later," she finally muttered before hurrying off.

"W-Wait where are you going?" Ino inquired, her eyes filled with confusion at the recent events.

"I've got to talk to Sasuke. I'll meet up with you later," she explained before sprinting to the senior block of the convent. 'No no no! he cannot be here!' she panicked, climbing to the top floor of the senior classes. Reaching the third floor, overwhelmed with anxiety, she pushed a vacant classroom door open before entering. She did not bother turning on the lights, no one should be using these classes for a least a couple hours. Satisfied with her hiding place, she spared no time in retrieving her phone from her skirt pocket and dialing the younger Uchiha.

"Come on, pick up… pick up, pick up!" Sakura whispered pacing in her homeroom class, completely ignoring the ringing of the school bell. Second period had just begun.

"Oh, Sakura, why the heck are you up so early?" Sasuke yawned from the other side.

"I'm in school, remember?!" Sakura sighed, slightly irritated.

She heard him chuckling on the line, "Oh, on your phone in school. Someone is being a bad little school girl," he teased.

'Oh my God, I can't do this now,' she groaned. "Sasuke!" she said with urgency, "Itachi's here!"

"What?!" Sasuke astonished voice questioned her.

"Itachi is at my school!" her voice was irregular, he could tell she was panicking.

"Calm down Sakura… Let me think for a sec," Sasuke sat up in his bed rubbing the sleep from eyes, "I remember him saying he got a new job, that it was to help out a friend." Running his fingers through his dark hair, he fnished, "he told me it was a teaching position, but, I don't remember him saying the name of the school."

"N-no this cannot be happening!" she commented.

"Hey calm down… it's not that bad," he insisted.

"What do you mean it's not that bad?!" she wined

"Come on Sakura, it's just my brother, it'll be fine," he tried to calm her.

"No! I'll be awkward!" she insisted once more. Her mind recalled the events at the New Years' party. She purposely forget to mention her age to him.

She heard him chuckling again, "Yeah, I would imagine so, still, calm down alright."

Hearing the tapping of footsteps climbing the stairwell followed by a number of greetings, "Good morning sir," from her classmates on the ground floor, she quickly wrapped up the conversation.

"I gotta go!" she ended before hanging up and moving to the opposite class to buy some time to properly conceal her phone. She closed the class door and leaned against the cool back wall.

It had not bothered Sasuke in the least, he was used to this routine of her suddenly hanging up on him when she was at school. Chuckling again, he tossed his phone back onto his bed and collapsed onto his pillows once more. "Well she's going to have an interesting day," he smiled before closing his eyes.

'Ok! Breathe breathe… ' she repeated taking slow deep breaths. Closing her jade orbs, she sighed and pushed the fallen strands from her face, securing them behind her left ear. 'What should I do…' she bit her lower lip before throwing caution to the wind. She lifted her phone once more and began to type. As the sound of the footsteps could be heard from the top of the stairwell, only meters away from her hiding place, she held her breath and sent her message. Quickly concealing her phone once more into her skirt pocket, she took her last deep breath and recalled the message she had just sent, 'Itachi, can we talk… it's important.' It was all she could have done.

"Sure… Start talking," he stated after slowing pushing the door open.