Chapter 3 – More Than Enough
Sakura shot up in bed, frowning as she clutched her head.
"Sakura?"
Oh, why was he still awake? She thought tiredly and rubbed her forehead. already the lamp on his bedside table was bugging her. "I've just had the… the weirdest dream. Ever."
"Oh?" Itachi closed his book and looked to her. "Another nightmare? You haven't had one in a while."
A chuckle left her lips, sounding breathy and disbelieving and she shook her head. "Well, you know how Ino and I were watching Aladdin the other night?" He nodded. "I just… dreamt that in the song 'Prince Ali', instead of it being 'Ali', they sang 'Itachi'."
He deadpanned.
The chuckling turned into full blown laughter. "Prince Itachi, amorous he! Itachi Uchiha-"
"We are not American, Sakura. My name would not fit the song, had it been-"
"Yes, I know," she sighed and rolled her eyes, "but it was still pretty funny." Once again, she chuckled. "It felt like I was actually there, like I was in a huge festival and it was so bright and colourful and loud!"
The festival had been so beautiful, too. She'd been watching from afar, watching the whole thing transpire and grow closer from a balcony and it hadn't taken her long to realise she was in Jasmine's shoes, watching as another suitor made his appearance. Instead of being annoyed like she had been in the movie, however, Sakura had been intrigued and entertained.
Itachi smiled at her laughter.
"What time is it, anyway?" Sakura asked curiously, trying to peer around her boyfriend to get a look at the alarm clock. Her eyes went wide when she saw it was way past four in the morning. "Why aren't you asleep? You have work tomorrow – well, today."
He gestured to the book that was now on his lap, smiling. "I have decided to use it as 'further reading' for my assignment on poems – including haiku."
How many times had he read Snow, now? Sakura didn't even want to know, but was so glad that he enjoyed her gift to him. He'd been amused by the haiku found in the book, too.
"Well you can do that tomorrow when you've finished work," she told him with a smirk and plucked the book up from out of his lap, using his bookmark to save his page before setting it down on the bedside table. "Right now, however, I want my boyfriend to get some rest while he still can."
Itachi paused, looking as though he was going to attempt to take the book back, but he thought twice about it and instead nodded. "I suppose you're right," he agreed and reached for his lamp, switching it off. "I have a longer shift than usual."
Yes, he did and Sakura would rather he wasn't totally worn out and aching by the time he got home. Itachi always got the worst headaches when he was exhausted and sometimes, they got so bad that he had to take strong painkillers and go back to bed. The doctor assured them that they were nothing serious and Tsunade had suggested that they could perhaps be because of his post-traumatic stress disorder.
When Itachi shifted in the bed, she snuggled up to him, smiling when his arms wrapped around her. That was better.
"He's going home soon, right?"
Sakura looked up from the rota and nodded. It seemed she would be busy over the next few weekends. "Yeah, in two days, actually."
Looking thoughtful and leaning her hip against the counter, Ino pouted. "Why don't we all go out tonight, then? I don't think we've ever been out as a group before."
That could be fun, Sakura thought after a moment and dropped the pages back down on the rota. She looked to her best friend and shrugged, "I don't see the harm in asking. I know Naruto will be up for it and if Sasuke-kun doesn't want to, he'll find a way to make him come with us."
Ino grinned, already knowing that Naruto held the power of persuasion and could make Sasuke do anything if he really put his mind to it. It worked both ways, though. The Uchiha was capable of riling Naruto up so badly with just a single comment, effectively making him get involved in something he wanted nothing to do with in the first place.
"If only they hurry up and came out of the closet, huh?" joked Ino with a wink.
Sakura's smile dimmed. Was that how everyone else viewed the pair? What about poor Hinata? She was so in love with Naruto – they were in a relationship!
No, she was thinking too much into it. In the beginning, everyone had thought she and Sasuke had something going on, too, because he was being so nice to her. People only saw what they wanted to see. Besides, Naruto adored Hinata. He always looked at her like she was his own personal sun, lighting up his world and ridding it of darkness.
"Who else should we invited?" Sakura asked, ignoring Ino's joke.
"Itachi-san?" The blonde shrugged, only glancing away to see who entered the store. It was a regular, one who smiled warmly at the two girls before going about her usual perusal of the flowers. "I don't know… I know Sai will come with us. Should I ask Shikamaru?"
Would Shikamaru even turn up? That guy was the laziest person she had ever met and Sakura was willing to bet whatever was in her purse that he wouldn't come with them. "I can call Hinata after work," she offered and smiled when the old lady came to the counter with her usual choice of flowers.
Ino frowned at that, but held off replying as she served the customer, asking her how she and her grandchildren were. As always, it made the lady linger and she talked and talked and talked about how her babies were fine. Her youngest grandchild had just joined ballet and was having so much fun and her eldest had just passed his first exam. They waited patiently, smiling and congratulating where appropriate and adding a few nice comments of their own.
As soon as the woman left, Ino faced her and her frown returned. "Hinata won't be up for something like that and even if she is, she'll only invite her cousin and his friends."
Sakura also frowned. "Neji-san is nice once you get to know him."
"Don't you remember that time he beat Naruto up?"
"He upset Hinata." She rolled her eyes. "And he only beat me to it, because I was going to do the exact same thing." Standing up straight and raising an eyebrow, Sakura placed her hands on her hips. "That was ages ago, anyway – long before they got together. Naruto had no idea how he upset Hinata, either, because the guy is clueless when it comes to the opposite sex."
It seemed Ino agreed, because she suddenly nodded. "I suppose. Hold the fort while I go make arrangements-"
Green eyes went wide. "Ino, you can't just leave me-"
"We're not even busy!"
She went to reply, to argue that at any minute, rush hour was about to begin, but Ino was already gone.
When her boyfriend returned home from work, Sakura was seated on their bed with her legs crossed. In front of her, her photo album was wide open on a double empty page and above it rested a few pictures.
"Hey," she greeted without looking away, trying to find a way to lay the photographs out into the album. "How was work?"
"Tiring," replied Itachi and he came to a stop beside the bed, glancing down at the pictures. "I recognise these pictures."
Sakura nodded and smiled up at him. Of course he would – they were what got them into trouble in the first place. "I couldn't let them go to waste, could I?" she asked with a grin. "Whoever took them was obviously great at what they were doing. They're all perfect angles!"
The photographs were the ones that accompanied the article Sasuke had given information for, telling the writer where she and Itachi were on their outings and what they would be doing. There were pictures of them at the park, at the bowling arena and at the ice rink when it first opened.
"I should have thought of them," he agreed.
She waved him off and got back to her task. "I only remembered it an hour ago, so don't worry about it."
"Would you like any help?"
Sakura smiled, nodding. "I want them to have the same layout as the rest of the photographs, but some of the photographs are bigger and the others are smaller."
The smile was returned and after moving aside some of the photographs, Itachi joined her on the bed, copying her position of crossing his legs in front of himself. Then, he reached for the first photograph.
"This is the first time we went out," he told her, "so this should go first and it should go here, like this."
She watched, in awe of the fact that he found the best looking place so fast. It probably seemed so easy to do, but whenever she tried to place the photograph into the book, it always looked messy and out of place. Then, carefully, he cut down the size of some of the smaller ones, taking away unnecessary background and adding them to the same page. The way he did it made it possible to keep the pictures on the double page, making sure there was room in the rest of the album for more pictures and memories.
"You make it seem so simple," Sakura accused with a laugh.
"I spent a while figuring it out when I first purchased the book," he admitted with a smirk. He then looked down at her. "You said you wanted to ask me something when I got home?"
Oh! She sat up straighter and grinned once more. "Ino came up with the idea of us all going out for Sasuke-kun's last night here – I know he's not going home for another two days, but this way, he won't be going back hungover." When only silence met her, Sakura smiled. "I wanted to ask if you'd like to come with us? At the minute, it's me, Ino, Sai-san, Sasuke-kun, Naruto and Hinata."
Politely, Itachi shook his head. "No, thank you."
She frowned. "What? Why? It's for Sasuke-kun, so I thought you'd want to?"
"He will be left out, Sakura," he explained patiently. "Ino-san is taking Sai-san and Naruto-kun is taking Hinata-san. If you were to bring me, despite the fact that I am his older brother, it will seem more like an outing for couples."
Shit, that was true. They hadn't thought of that earlier. "But Hinata might be bringing Neji-san and his friends, Lee-san and Tenten-san. A-And Shikamaru might be coming and-"
Itachi smiled warmly and lifted his hand, brushing the stray strands of hair off her face. "Go out with your friends, Sakura and enjoy yourself."
She pouted. "You really aren't going to come with us?"
"Not tonight," he told her softly. "I am tired from work."
"I told you to get more sleep!"
He chuckled. "Next time, I will listen to you."
"Fine," she accepted when she realised there really would be no talking him into it. Itachi could be just as stubborn as herself, if not even more so. When his mind was set, there was no changing it. It was something she continuously tried to change, but always failed in doing so. "But you don't mind that I'm going out?"
"Just take care of yourself," he told her, "and in case you need me, I will keep my phone on loud."
"I suppose I better go get ready, then," Sakura sighed and sat up onto her knees, kissing her boyfriend softly.
In truth, she'd been waiting until he returned home to start getting ready, even though it meant less time. Ino had told her to shower as soon as got home from work, so that she would be ready for the blonde when she turned up with her makeup kit and hair styling products. So when Sakura was sitting on her bed, wrapped up tightly in her bathrobe and painting her toe nails, it was safe to say that her best friend was not amused and behind her, Hinata gulped.
"Forehead," Ino growled, shutting the door behind them and locking the guys out. "I told you to have your hair and body dried by the time I got here!"
"Why my body?" She rolled her eyes and then admired her toes, smiling happily that for once, there were no smudges. It was a fast drying nail varnish from a set Naruto had bought her for Christmas (he'd had no idea what else to buy her, he muttered when handing the gift over). "And my hair is almost dry. You know I hate drying it completely with the hairdryer!"
The blonde stomped into the room and placed down her unnecessarily large case of makeup and who knows what else. Considering the fact Hinata placed a set of keys down on the dresser, Sakura was willing to bet Ino had invited the Hyuuga to get a lift, instead of meeting her at the club. They weren't all that close, in all honesty and getting ready together was something she and Ino had always done. There had never been anyone else joining them.
"Because," Ino growled, "I brought my instant tan."
Oh hell no! "I am so not wearing that stuff," Sakura snapped and stood up from her bed. "And don't you dare be forcing Hinata into wearing it, either."
"It's not as dark as the last one-"
"I don't care!"
Ino sighed and rolled her eyes. "Fine, whatever, but I am doing your makeup – both of you."
Hinata's eyes widened a fraction. "You want to do my makeup, Ino-san?"
There was a pause, one where the blonde looked over her shoulder and frowned. "Well, yeah. You don't wear the stuff, do you?"
She shook her head.
It was actually Hinata who helped Sakura gain more confidence in going out without makeup on. The girl was always doing it, as she genuinely didn't see the point in wearing it and from her explanations, Sakura had found herself agreeing and even saved money on following the Hyuuga's example. Not only that, but her skin felt so much better for it, too. She hadn't had a serious breakout in a while.
"Sit," Ino ordered and Sakura walked over to her dresser, sitting down on the stool and fixing her robe to keep herself covered. It was best not to argue in the blonde's area of expertise. "What are you wearing tonight?"
Sakura gestured to the closest wardrobe. "I was thinking my skinny jeans, a camisole-"
"Wrong," she cut her off and grabbed her case, opening the bottom drawer and taking out a dress. "This is what you're wearing. It matches your eye colour and I know you have a pair of shoes that'll go with the dress."
By the door, Hinata was stunned and Sakura honestly couldn't blame her.
"Hinata, I got you this skirt and camisole," Ino suddenly told the Hyuuga and unfolded the outfit onto the bed. "The skirt is long – I've never seen you wear anything revealing, so I'm guessing it makes you uncomfortable. But, I've decided to take a risk with the camisole."
The colour drained from the already pale Hinata. "I-Ino-san, I can't…" She shook her head, eyes glued to the plunging neckline. "It isn't…"
"Going to cover much?" the blonde finished for her. "No, it won't, which is why I brought you a special bra to go with it – but this is mine and I want it back." She waved the bra in the air. "You look about the same size as me, anyway."
"Ino," Sakura chuckled, "Naruto's going to have a heart attack if he sees her dressed like that!"
She grinned wickedly. "Exactly. He's not going to know what's hit him."
Hinata frowned, looking between them nervously. "Do you think Naruto-kun will like it?"
Sakura rolled her eyes. "Definitely! You've got an amazing figure, Hinata." She gestured to the girl. "Even in that baggy top, we can all see your curves."
She blushed madly. "I-I suppose I can… at least try it?"
The blonde's grin widened. "Good. Trust me, Naruto isn't going to be able to take his eyes off you, Hinata."
Her words caused the blush to deepen, much to their amusement.
"Now, you." All humour left Ino's expression as she glared over at Sakura. "Take that stupid towel off your stupid head and let me at least try to sort your hair out!"
Like only minutes ago, Hinata gulped, looking as though she felt incredibly sorry for Sakura. She needn't bother, because Sakura was already feeling sorry for herself as Ino got stuck in.
"How do I look?" she asked nervously while fussing over her dress.
The makeup on her eyes was dramatic to say the least and Sakura was certain that, at some point during the night, the thick false eyelashes were going to come off, but Ino had assured her they wouldn't (just in case, she was bringing glue). The rest of her makeup was more or less natural, other than the dark eye makeup. Only a faint amount of blusher had been used on top of foundation and powder that matched her skin tone and the lip gloss was a pale red. As for her hair, Ino had loosely curled it, so that it appeared wavy rather than curly and the spikes of her layers were more prominent.
As for the dress… Well, at least her breasts weren't on show as much as poor Hinata's were. The green dress had a high neckline, though was short to make up for it. According to Ino, if you chose to wear a short dress, it shouldn't have a low neckline and vice versa.
Itachi caught her hands and lifted them, kissing her knuckles. "Beautiful, as always," he told her softly. "Please take care of yourself tonight, Sakura."
She couldn't help but frown up at him. "Are you sure you don't want to come with us?"
"Thank you, but this is your time with your friends." He smiled and released her hands, only to capture her lips after cupping her face. "I have a few things I must do."
Her heart skipped a beat, both from the natural response to his kiss and pure fear because of what those words could mean. "ANBU-"
"No, not ANBU," replied Itachi. "I told you that part of my life is over now."
Just as she went to say more, her bedroom door creaked over and hesitantly, with the slowness of an animal who was on edge and stuck between fight or flight, Hinata left the bedroom. She was a good four inches taller due to the wedges Ino had stuck her in, but that wasn't what captured everyone's attention.
Naruto's jaw almost hit the floor and he shoved his hand in Sasuke's face, shutting the Uchiha up.
Hinata's hands tugged at the skirt, clearly unused to clothing that was so tight. Tucked into the high waist skirt (though they couldn't see that because of the wide belt) was a pale coloured camisole with a plunging neckline. The sight of the Hyuuga's well-endowed chest had Sakura glancing down at her own, frowning. They weren't even half the size of hers.
Her makeup wasn't as dramatic as her own and somewhat natural, but still obvious since they'd never seen her wearing any. Pale eyes stood out so much more due to the dark eyeliner and false eyelashes, but the eye shadow was the same shade as the pastel coloured camisole. Her lipstick was nude.
Since last year, her midnight blue hair had grown, just barely reaching the middle of her back. It seemed Ino had decided to tie it back (long hair was her signature style, after all) into a bun, leaving Hinata's bangs down as well as a few strands of hair to frame her features.
As always, Ino demanded all attention with her choice of outfit and style. Her long, platinum blonde hair was left down, with half covering her face and the other side clipped back and off her face, so that it wasn't too much. It was as straight as it always was and Sakura was stunned to notice that it now reached the very base of her spine. Since it was always up, she'd never noticed.
And once more, Sakura frowned down at her own figure after looking at Ino's. Like Hinata, she was gifted with a curvaceous body and, as she always did, she was using it to gain as much attention as possible. The blonde's purple top was cropped and sleeveless, wrapping around her neck and making it obvious she was not wearing a bra beneath it – unless it was the one with the special strap, Sakura assumed. Joining it was a short skirt, one that squeezed her waist and making it appear smaller (and her curves more obvious).
She looked like a child in comparison. A stick insect.
Itachi's hand came into view as it settled onto the dip in her waist, surprising her for a moment before he whispered quietly enough so that the others couldn't hear, "The difference between yourself and Ino-san, Sakura, is that you do not need to show off your body to be considered beautiful."
Her heart warmed, even though she couldn't find it in herself to smile. "I'm going to look so out of place… Like a child playing dress up."
Already, Naruto had his hands on Hinata, much to the Hyuuga's surprise and she tried to warn him of the presence of others, but he paid no attention.
"Come with me," he murmured.
He took her hand, leading the way to the bedroom and before anyone could say anything, he shut the door behind them and took her over to the full length mirror. Once in front of it, he stood behind her, forcing her to look at herself.
It was as she had thought, though: her curves were practically non-existent compared to the others.
Again, like only moments before, his hand settled onto the dip in her waist, but this time the other joined in, resting on the other side. It made the flare of her hips more obvious when he did that, she realised, but it didn't bring much comfort. She could hardly walk around with her hands glued to her waist, could she?
"She may have larger breasts, hips and a smaller waist, Sakura," Itachi told her gently before turning them to their sides, once again forcing her look at herself, "but Ino-san lacks one of these."
She was speechless when his hands came down to her ass, grabbing it.
His lips lowered to her ear, whispering heatedly, "The only reason you are still dressed right now and not bent over that desk, is because you have to leave soon."
A blush raged on her cheeks and Sakura was forced to acknowledge the curve of her spine, of the fact her ass stuck out.
"If I undressed you now, you would not be leaving anytime soon."
Sakura bit her lip harshly.
"I know exactly what lies beneath this dress, Sakura," he told her, his breath fanning over her bare shoulder, "and I can assure you that it is more than enough to drive me insane."
He had a point…
She glanced at his body in the mirror, watched how snugly she fit against him. Nobody else's opinions mattered other than her boyfriend's. As long as he liked her body, then screw everyone else.
"Do not feel like you are anything less than beautiful, Sakura," Itachi told her in a low voice, the tone of it sending shivers down her spine. "Even now, after almost a year together, your beauty still takes my breath away."
A shy smile graced her lips.
However, he then surprised her by pulling away and walking over to the wardrobe, grabbing something from the shelf above the clothes. Her eyes widened when he returned.
"You don't need this, in my eyes." He wrapped the item around her waist, tightening it. "However, I know it will make you feel more comfortable and less self-conscious when next to Ino-san."
He knew her well enough to know she wasn't too upset over Hinata's hourglass figure (mainly due to the fact that Hinata didn't show it off). He did know, however, that she was always left feeling low when she compared herself to Ino's figure. The belt was wide, helping to push her waist in just that extra bit and accentuate the flare of her hips. It also aided in showing off her breasts.
"Your breasts aren't small," he then told her and his hands came up once the belt was sorted, cupping her breasts. "You only think they are because you compare yourself to theirs. Look," His hands gave a gentle squeeze, "they do not fit into my hands, Sakura."
She chuckled and tried to ignore the warmth that was suddenly flooding her stomach. "I love you, Itachi."
His hands left her breasts and wrapped around her waist, bringing her against him. "And I, you." He smiled softly, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.
It was loud, the music making her feel as though her entire body was on vibrate and the mood in the club was upbeat and optimistic, making even the ever-shy Hinata loosen up as she swayed on the dance floor. To try and encourage her to be more open with her dancing, Sakura had entwined their fingers, bringing Hinata closer and away from a guy who was a little too touchy-feely for their liking. She smiled gratefully and moved her hips in wider movements, copying Sakura as she danced to the beat.
Ino was at the bar with Sai and the others were at a table up on the second floor of the club. It was at the balcony, so that they could look down and see them dancing and Sakura noticed how Hinata's eyes often darted up to the balcony, only for her to blush and quickly look away. As she and Ino had told her: Naruto was unable to keep his eyes off her.
Suddenly, Hinata leaned forward, shouting over the music, "You look rather warm, Sakura-san."
She felt it, but it was probably from how many people were crammed onto the dance floor, swaying and bouncing and waving their arms around. They were all so close together, bumping into one another and not caring about it in the least, instead going along with it and continuing their dance.
Sakura raised their hands up in the air, dipping low before standing up straight once more, shaking her hips as she did so. "I'm fine," she told her with a smile.
But Hinata didn't look convinced and she wondered if she looked like a tomato. "We should get a drink."
Glancing over her shoulder, she noticed Ino and Sai making their way up the stairs, the latter carrying a tray filled with glasses and two jugs.
She kept a tight hold of Hinata's hand and followed the couple. It was difficult getting through a particular group, but Sakura managed to do so in the end, tugging on the hand holding her own to make sure they were not split up.
They arrived just as Sai placed the tray down onto the round table and Hinata squawked loudly. It took Sakura a moment to realise why as her hand became very cold. Stupid Naruto, she thought with an inward laugh. Couldn't he see that Hinata was going to pass out if he continued to act that way? Not only that…
She looked in Neji's direction, smiling nervously and sitting on the arm of Naruto's chair when she noticed his glare. Of course he had accepted the relationship, but he still continued to look out for Hinata's well-being and best interests. Apparently sitting on her boyfriend's lap, with his arms around her waist while he nuzzled her throat, was not very appropriate.
His eyes met hers, narrowing a fraction and she responded by raising a single eyebrow, challenging him. The Hyuuga's beliefs were not going to ruin Sasuke's 'last' night in Konoha until the end of his first year at university. She would not allow it.
By his side, his long term girlfriend, Tenten, placed her hand on his arm and shook her head when he looked to her. He muttered something to her, but she only laughed and kissed his cheek sweetly.
"Here," Ino yelled to her over the heavy bass of the music.
Sakura looked up, frowning at the small glass. It was a shot, she knew that, but she couldn't help but worry over what kind of shot it was. Already, she'd had two drinks that were a bit too strong for her liking. Not wanting to be the party pooper, she'd drank them anyway.
"What is it?" she asked, but Ino merely smirked and forced her to take the shot glass. "Ino-"
She cut her off by looking to the group, making sure everyone had their own shot glass. Even Hinata had one, Sakura realised, watching how she and Naruto laughed at something he'd said to her. Slipping off the arm of his seat, for she felt like a huge third wheel, she sat down by Sasuke's side, smiling at him when he glanced down at her.
He frowned. "You don't look well."
"I'm fine." She shrugged. Even though that was the second comment, Sakura honestly didn't feel unwell. A little lightheaded, sure, but that was only because she wasn't used to large amounts of alcohol – not including that time Hidan had ditched her and she got absolutely wasted by herself. "Just a bit tipsy, I guess."
Sasuke didn't look convinced, but he nodded anyway and raised his shot glass to his mouth when Ino lifted her hand in the air, demanding everyone's attention. Sakura took a deep breath, listening to her babbling on before she suddenly snapped for them to drink up.
She threw her head back and squeezed her eyes shut as her throat began to burn. Once the glass was empty, she threw it carelessly onto the table and kept the back of her hand against her mouth, trying to ignore the urge to throw it back up. How could people stand more than one of those things in one night? It felt like her throat was on fire!
Across the table, Hinata and Naruto both spluttered, coughing and the latter even retched slightly, but they managed to calm themselves and laugh it off. Beside her, Sasuke lowered his glass to the table and wiped his mouth. He looked completely unaffected by it and it had her scowling up at him, earning herself an arrogant smirk.
The light buzz she had been feeling earlier grew as the night progressed, growing higher and higher until Sakura suddenly found herself staggering outside the nightclub with Sasuke holding her hair off her face and his hand on her back. He seemed at a complete loss of what to do, so awkwardly rubbed her back in light circles. The music was still blaring and it felt like it was pounding in her head, despite the fact they were outside and she couldn't feel the cold air she desperately needed to cool down.
"I'll ring Itachi."
She vaguely heard Sasuke's slurred words, too busy trying not to collapse in her own vomit. Everyone else was still inside the club, dancing and doing more shots and-
She doubled over again, uncaring of the disgusted people walking by, cringing at the sound of her retching and vomit hitting the floor.
Against the brick wall, Sakura's hand shook and her legs were no sturdier. Thankfully, Itachi didn't take too long to come to her rescue and she felt a wave of déjà vu washing over her as he helped her over to the car. It was Naruto's – she could see the ugly thing a mile away. Had she been sober, Sakura would have wondered and worried about insurance and his license.
Itachi didn't comment on the state she was in, but she could sense his disappointment and couldn't exactly blame him for it, either. Getting so drunk that she couldn't even walk straight and ended up vomiting outside of the club wasn't taking care of herself. It was reckless.
The windows of the car were all down and Sakura breathed deeply, shutting her eyes and relishing the cool breeze.
"How much have you had to drink, Sakura?"
She paused in her reply, swallowing hard. It seemed her sickness wasn't returning, but she knew she wasn't in the clear, especially when they went over a speed bump. It made her stomach flip horribly.
"Too much," groaned Sakura and she rubbed her forehead.
Itachi sighed. "I'm not going to lecture you. Chances are, you won't even remember this in the morning."
Honestly, she didn't even feel that drunk. Just tipsy and dizzy. "I'm sorry."
His hand left the gear stick and came to rest on her bare knee. "Don't apologise. You were having fun with your friends, weren't you?" When she nodded and took his hand, entwining their fingers, Itachi gave her a small smile. "Then that is all that matters, as long as you are safe and take care of yourself."
Sakura nodded minutely and looked to the clock on the dashboard, though it took her a few minutes to actually read the time. Her eyesight was blurred and focusing too hard on it increased her dizziness, forcing her to look away and breathe deeply through her nose. Never before had she ever been travel sick, but there was a first time for everything.
It genuinely surprised her when she noticed it was past one in the morning, as it felt as though she'd only been out for an hour or so. They had gone out at eight, even though Ino grumbled about it, saying it was way too early.
The world was spinning once more by the time they pulled into the car park and before Itachi had even parked the car, Sakura swung the door open, just barely hanging out of the car to throw up. She knew Naruto wouldn't appreciate vomit all over his car. As soon as they were parked, Itachi was leaning over and rubbing her back soothingly and had she not been so ill, she would have laughed at the difference between the Uchiha brothers. Sasuke hadn't been sure on how to comfort her, but it seemed Itachi knew exactly what to do.
With his help, she managed to make it to the apartment and rushed into the bathroom as Itachi locked up, emptying the last little bits that remained in her stomach before leaning against the cool tiled wall miserably.
Her caring boyfriend returned a few minutes later with a set of pyjamas and her makeup wipes, though stunned Sakura when he knelt down in front of her and set to removing her makeup. He paused, giving her a moment to remove the false eyelashes herself, until he took them from her and placed them on the sink, getting on with his task.
The concern on his features was obvious and she felt awful for making him worry, but held her tongue as he helped her to her feet and undressed her. Slowly, warily, Sakura stepped into her pyjama shorts and held her arms up as he slipped the vest over her head.
"There is a basin in our room," he told her softly. "Do you think you can make it to the bedroom?"
Her stomach flipped horribly at just the thought. However, she demanded herself to snap out of it and nodded, trying to get into bed as quickly as possible. The room had to be upright again, because Sakura was certain there was nothing left for her to throw.
While she flopped down onto the bed with her head turned to the left, Itachi fetched her a cool glass of water and sat by her side once he had shut the bedroom door behind himself.
"Try and drink some water, Sakura," he urged. Waiting as she lifted herself to her elbows, Itachi placed the glass to her lips and tipped it slightly, warning her to take sips. "I will open the window," he then told her. "You're too warm."
She nodded, unable to voice her agreement. It felt like they were in the middle of summer and she was dressed head to toe in black. Behind her, the bed dipped just as a cold breeze entered the room and Sakura sighed in relief.
A second later and she was asleep.