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CHAPTER 8 – ME

Some weeks later, there was an unpleasant incident.

A few rogue ninja attacked the village. People had to fight to defend themselves. Thanks to the excellent evacuation and counterattack plans studied by the strategic unit led by Itachi, there were no casualties.

Two young newlywed shinobi, however, whose house was at the village border, had been surprised in their sleep. Their conditions, as they arrived at the hospital, were desperate. Their possibilities of surviving were close to zero.

Tsunade was absent. She had gone to a faraway land to find some precious medical herbs. Shizune was busy tending to the wounded of the ongoing battle. Only Sakura was around and, being the most skilled medic, had to do what she could. She performed long hours of surgery on both patients at the same time, alone. No other medic was proficient enough to help her.

After making sure that the threat was taken care of – the rogue ninja had all been captured, knocked out and sent to the interrogation unit, who had been told to forgo the gentle treatment –, Itachi had gone to the hospital to assess the situation.

He was informed that his wife had done the miracle: both patients were alive and wouldn't suffer any permanent damage. A strange sense of pride invaded Itachi's chest at the praises the pink-haired woman was receiving. He went to look for her, but before he could reach her office, one of the elder nurses told him that Sakura had left the hospital right after making sure the two injured people were completely stable. They were now sleeping peacefully, entirely safe.

The raven-haired man went home as well. When he arrived, he found it uncharacteristically quiet and without any light on. Eyebrows slightly raised, he undid the protection seals they used on their house and entered.

The hall was quiet, but he heard a faint sound coming from the living room. Worried, he went there.

Sakura was sitting on the floor, with her knees hugged to her chest, crying.

Itachi was silent. He didn't know what to do. He didn't even know if she wanted to see him or not.

Then he realized she wasn't even aware of his presence. So, a bit uncertain, he called her name.

"Sakura…"

She snapped her head up. As soon as she saw him, she drew back in the opposite direction, hiding her face in her knees again.

"Go away, please," came her strangled sob.

Itachi was now very worried. He couldn't just leave her there, especially since he didn't know what was wrong with her. He had never seen her like that. She was a shinobi after all. A few times she had been afraid, sometimes a bit on edge, but never so completely broken.

Therefore he took a few steps forward, kneeled down and touched her arm. She flinched and tried to scoot away, but he wouldn't let her. He was also displeased, because she didn't seem to trust him enough to confide in him.

So, in a swift move, he embraced her.

She squealed in surprise, but she was already in his arms, with her form pressed against his and her head resting on his chest. They were both squatted on the floor now.

Sakura was too distressed to care. She resumed her sobbing, this time in his chest.

She had accepted to be close to him. It was progress. Itachi, however, still wasn't satisfied.

Holding her in his embrace, he whispered in her hair, "Sakura, what's the matter with you? You just did the incredible, you saved the two shinobi–"

He was interrupted by a loud cry of anguish, which shocked him more than anything else.

"No I didn't!" Sakura screamed, distancing herself from him and passing her fingers – and her nails – all over her own face. "The two shinobi are alive but… but…" Her lips trembled uncontrollably and the sobs prevented her from going further.

Itachi tried to snatch her hands to stop her from hurting herself with her nails, but she was trying to get away from him at the same time.

So the Uchiha grabbed her firmly and pulled her close. He met her eyes and was astonished to see hopelessness in them.

"Itachi, she was pregnant! I couldn't save the baby… I wasn't able to save it…! I couldn't… I couldn't…!" Another wave of fresh tears began to flow, and this time she sought refuge in Itachi's arms, who readily welcomed her. He held her close to him, caressing her hair and soothing her.

After a long while, her sobs and tears subsided. As she was calming down, Itachi spoke softly.

"Sakura, you know it's not your fault."

She took a few calming breaths. "I know," she murmured. "But I can't help feeling bad for the child that will never be born now. It hurts so much to know that, no matter how good I become, I will never be able to save everyone."

Itachi stared at her. The woman in his arms sure was a very complex human being. Right then she was showing him her most vulnerable and hidden self – her fears and her hurtful acceptance of her limits. And she had finally come to trust him, telling him her deepest secret. His hold around her tightened.

After a while, he heard her breathing even. She had fallen asleep.

In his arms.

Smiling softly and surprising himself, Itachi pressed a light kiss into his wife's hair and, without changing their position, let himself fall into unconsciousness, holding her tightly to his heart.

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...

The next morning, Sakura awoke feeling comfortably warm. Without opening her eyes, she snuggled closer to the source of warmth and let out a contented sigh.

A low chuckle made her stir. She opened her eyes.

And found herself staring into Itachi's obsidian ones.

She batted her eyelashes, blinking. Once. Twice.

No, it wasn't a dream.

He was looking at her with gentleness and warmth, but also concern. The events of the day before crashed down on her.

She felt her eyes fill with tears again and lowered her gaze.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. He held her close to him, without speaking. "I'm still sad about not being able to save the child. But I will learn to live with it. And I apologize… for completely losing it yesterday. I am really sorry that you had to see that. But thanks… for being there."

Itachi's hold tightened slightly. "No, I'm the one who has to thank you, Sakura." He smiled a little, while she furrowed her brow. "For trusting me enough to confide in me."

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