-1I would like to apologize for the amazingly long wait. Lack of muse, multiple computer issues and time constraints all helped make this chapter far too long in coming. BUT! Here is a brandy new one for anyone who reads.
Sakura stretched and rolled onto her side. She snuggled into the warm body beside her. Now this was what life was all about. This past week had been the happiest she could remember. She had the man she loved, a man she had never expected to find his way into her heart. Her friends were well and were getting along. The only one who had been the problem had been Sasuke, but some strange even had turned his constantly sour attitude around. Life couldn't be better.
Except for that incessant sound. She had known something had roused her from sleeping soundly. The medic opened one eye and frowned in the general direction of the front door. Itachi was already tense and waiting to see what would happen. The moment someone had set foot on the landing that would lead to her door, he had been alert and prepared to fight or flee.
Sakura let out a small sigh, pat Itachi's stomach and went for her robe. She spared a glance back as the Uchiha grabbed cover for himself and found a suitable retreat where her visitor wouldn't find him.
"Sakura!"
The pink haired woman hung her head as Naruto's voice reached them both. It was Saturday, he should be sleeping late like he normally does. "Come on, we don't want to stand in the rain all day," the blonde called. We? With a confused look, she hurried to the door. Standing just outside were both her teammates. Naruto was a surprise just for the fact that he usually slept as much as possible. Sasuke on the other hand; he visited no one and hadn't come to her house since he got here. She had offered multiple times yet always refused. This was getting a little strange for the youngest of the red eyed boys.
Stepping back, she smiled and said, "Come on. Now that I'm awake I'll make us breakfast." Naruto grinned broadly at her, always eager when food was concerned. Sasuke on the other hand, he stepped through the door, hung his cloak carefully and bowed his head a little. "Thank you, but I have eaten." Of course he had. He had probably been up for hours trying to better himself or something.
"Well, then make yourself at home, I'll be right back." The medic headed for the bedroom, feeling too underdressed to be making breakfast for the boys. She didn't have a problem having a robe on, but it just felt weird considering that two Uchihas were in her home when one wasn't even supposed to be in the village. Maybe the need for clothes reflected the dread that they would find Itachi. It was as if clothes would make it harder for them to find him. Riiight.
While bustling around her bedroom, dressing, Itachi stared at her. It wasn't a look of desire, but as much a shock look as he was possible. Little brother was there and he knew that Sasuke would be holding a grudge. If he knew … Well, best not to think like that just yet. So far, so good. No need to jinx it by nearly feeling sure that they would discover him here. Tonight, he would make this better tonight.
Sakura left Itachi to his surprise and plotting to cook quite a big meal in the kitchen. "Isn't that a bit much?" Naruto asked, looking over her shoulder. "No. I'm cooking enough to make sure you don't complain that you're still hungry. You're still a bottomless pit," She replied with a roll of her eyes. There was enough food there to feed at least five people. Only some of it was for her and Naruto. The rest was for Itachi when she finally got the boys out of her home.
/
Finally they were out. The rain had eased and left the village and Team Seven had made their way out into the populace. Sakura hated leaving without a good bye, but what could she do? Little did she know that Sasuke was wondering just what was going on in Sakura's home. Being that he was blind, his other senses went up to make up for it. He had found his way to the bathroom and smelt something a little more male than Sakura had ever smelled to his recollection. "So, have either of you been seeing anyone?" Sasuke asked, tilting his head a little as if he were glancing at them. Hey, old habits die hard.
Naruto laughed loudly, rubbing the back of his head. "Man, that was pretty blunt," He chuckled, looking over to the dark haired man. "I'm not really seeing anyone right now." He gave a small shrug, forgetting that only Sakura would be able to see it. He was blond and the idiot of the group, he was allowed a few forgetful moments from time to time. At least it wasn't something important. But …
"Liar."
"I am not a liar. I'm really not," The Hokage whined. Sakura shook her head with a grin and leaned little closer to Sasuke. "He's been sneaking around with Hinata again. They're on and off a lot, but I think this is the longest that I've seen them together." Being that Sakura was top medic and the Hokage's right hand woman, it took a lot for her to be tricked where Naruto was concerned. It also helped that Hinata was still an easy blusher. If they passed in the hallway and Sakura looked at the woman a little too long, then she would end up blushing and dropped her eyes to the floor.
Naruto crossed his arms, pouting a little. "I don't know how you know, but I hate when you do that. We're trying to keep it low profile," He said, tone clearly saying he was going into sulk mode. "If I remember correctly, Hinata was very interested in you. Most would be relieved to finally see you together. Why hide it?" Sasuke asked. "Happy as she is, Hinata doesn't want everyone and their mother to know until she's comfortable with it. There are some that would make that very difficult." They could all think of a couple of people that would either accidentally let it slip, or just blurt it out.
Yep, best to keep it as quiet as possible.
Redirecting his attention the Uchiha "glanced" at the medic. "And you?" Sakura looked between the two boys who were looking a little too closely at her. She laughed loudly, as Naruto had earlier. "Yeah, right. Like I could possibly even like someone without big-mouth here saying something about it." She chuckled quietly and nudged the blond a little. He could keep his own secret just fine, but he wouldn't be able to stop his shock or his mouth from letting everyone else know what was going on in her love life.
"Don't you like someone?" Sakura had to look at Sasuke now, wondering why the sudden interest in who they liked. He had never cared before, even when they were growing up together. "Not really. I don't have time to get to know anyone enough to like them like that anymore." The best lies always have some true to it. It was very true that she had little time. She ran the hospital and half the Tower half the week. How was she supposed to meet someone?
Sasuke frowned at the answer though. They could see it as him disapproving of Sakura not having someone yet. She deserved it, yes, but he didn't like that she might be hiding something. He knew what he had smelled and wanted to know what it was. But there was that big-mouth thing where Naruto was concerned. He could say nothing because he didn't really want to know anyone to know that he knew something. Least of all, he really didn't want Sakura to find out that he was onto her.
/
The day went on for the three, leading them to have dinner together. All in all, it was one of the more pleasant Sundays any of them had had in the village. But, all good times much come to an end. Each would have to return to their own problems or other duties at some point. Naruto had Hinata to meet near his home for a late night date. Sakura needed to get back to Itachi and find out what they were going to do. Sasuke, he was going to wait a little long. He wanted badly to root through the medic's things, see what she was hiding, but not yet.
It was best for him to return home, train for anther hour and then rest. He couldn't rush into things for fear that he would blow everything and fail at getting both Itachi and Sakura. That just wouldn't do. They said their good nights and went to their own homes, leaving plots and plans for another night.
Itachi, however, needed to do something now. He couldn't continue to endanger Sakura by hiding in her home. He wouldn't underestimate his little brother. He knew he was better than most. He might be blind, but that wouldn't stop him. It would just make him more determined like the rest of the clan. Look at where he was, with his brothers eyes because he couldn't allow his own vision to go dark.
He let out a sigh, idly playing with a strand on long, raven hair that had fallen over his shoulders. He waited for Sakura for he had many questions for her. There was a lot to talk about.
He tensed when someone reached the landing for the second time today. He stood as the doorknob wiggled. The air rushed out of him in a heavy sigh as the medic stepped through the door alone. "Sakura, we must discuss Sasuke," He said, walking to meet her in the living room. "Okay." No arguments, just acceptance that something had to change. Oddly, Itachi hadn't expected her to fight him on this. She was too smart to think that things could remain as they were and have nothing bad happen.
"How has Sasuke been since he came back to the village?" Sakura took a seat on the couch, taking one end while Itachi took the other so they could properly see each other. "He was … bad at first. He was so angry, he didn't want help. He ran out a lot of people when I couldn't be there to help him adjust," She started, rubbing her hands over her face. It had been a long day, but she knew this was coming and tonight would have to be a longer one.
"He got a little better over time. He trained on his own, worked on getting used to fighting and functioning without his … sight" She bowed her head a little, still feeling a pang of regret for not being able to do anything. It had been a choice of Uchiha. She had gone with her heart and it was paying off. It didn't stop the feeling that she had truly hurt and betrayed her old time crush and one time friend. She had to push the thoughts away, taking a deep, cleansing breath to get rid of them.
Raising her emerald eyes to meet crimson red, she continued. "Last week, he seemed to just change. He came to the Tower and hung out with Naruto and me. It seemed weird, but I thought that he was finally starting to let us in. Letting us help him heal more." She gave a small shrug. Itachi leaned against the back of the couch, taking in everything that his lover said. "Has he done or said anything that doesn't seem much like him?"
Sakura frowned at that. Most of this new, social Sasuke didn't sound like him. If she were told two weeks ago that she would have her old team mate back, she would have laughed. Speaking of laughing … "Well, he did ask if Naruto and I were seeing people. He never really cared before." She turned a confused look to the older Uchiha, wondering what kind of answer her would give her.
A few minutes of silence. All the information settled, set in motion other thoughts. "I have to leave." The words fell like lead in the silence. Sakura's eyes widened, her jaw dropped, amazed that he would say such a thing. Yes, she knew he had to leave her home, but he made it sound like he would have to leave the area, away from the village, very far away. "Are you … going to go back … to the group?" She asked, tried to keep the tears out of her eyes and out of her voice. Save for a little shaking, she didn't surprisingly well.
"I might. I'll have to think about that. But I can't stay here. Its too dangerous if he's asking such a weird question. He might actually starting catching onto us." Itachi spoke as if it were the most normal thing in the world. His voice was calm, steady, and as monotone as ever. But these damnable feelings were twisting his insides. Being away from his little medic again would tear him up inside. He wouldn't be able to properly function if he left entirely and didn't come back.
"Please, you can't. I just got you back. I don't want to be without you again," Sakura pleaded, her attempts to be calm failing. Hot tears started to run down her cheeks, voice trembling as she spoke. This couldn't be happening, not yet. It was too soon. "I have to. You know its not safe for me to stay here," He murmured, pulling her close and resting his chin on her head. She listened to his heart beat as she tried to keep her crying to a minimum. She was stronger than this. But love conquers a lot, sometimes even a cold-blooded monster as everyone thought Itachi was.
"I am sorry. I do love you," The Uchiha whispered, placing a light kiss on her forehead. Without another word, he went for his cloak and slipped out a window into the inky black night.
