With a binder in one arm and my laptop bag over another arm, I stumbled out of the elevator and down the hallway to my apartment. Hinata had dragged me all over town with her family's designer picking out kimono patterns for the festival. I was thoroughly exhausted. I turned my palm towards me and checked the time on my wrist watch. It was already nine. We had been moving since three.
"Six hours, geez Hinata," I sighed.
I could feel my eye lids drooping. My head felt slightly fuzzy and I felt a sort of numbness set in my body. I leaned against the wall. I could hear rain start to pound against the roof. I felt myself breathing slightly heavier. I heard a door click open. I looked to my left to see Itachi stepping out.
Of course he's home already. Why am I so tired?
"Sakura?" I felt myself feeling fainter. "Sakura!"
I could faintly hear him rush over to me. My knees shook and I dropped. I braced for impact but instead fell into awaiting arms. He had wrapped an arm around my waist. With his free hand he picked up my binder. I held my surprisingly cool fingertips to my temple.
"Are you okay? Here, try to walk with me."
We started moving. The hand I held to my head immediately clutched to his shirt as I tried to keep up with him. "I-I feel dizzy."
"Shit. Hang in there Sakura."
The last thing I remembered was hearing a door slam and the feeling of something soft.
I felt better after waking up. Embarrassment settled in as I recalled what I hoped was a dream. I sat up and rubbed my shoulder. It was then that I realized my cardigan was off. When I searched for it I found out that not only was I on a couch I was not in my apartment. I looked down at a black blanket that was covering me. A feeling of slight relief washed over me when I saw the only things that were missing were my sweater and shoes. I jumped when I heard a voice.
"You're up, great."
I turned around to see Itachi coming out of a room. He was in his black slacks but he only wore the white shirt and his tie hung loosely around his neck. His shirt was slightly untucked. I blushed inspite of myself.
"Yeah, where am I?"
"Well after nearly giving me a heart attack in the hallway I brought you back to my apartment. Sorry, I didn't want to search your things for your own key."
"Oh, that's fine. I'm so sorry to impose on you like this. I-I don't know what happened."
"Well you had a slight fever and your sweater was soaked. Were you out in the rain?"
"Only for a few minutes." He didn't seem pleased. "I'm sorry, I'll take my things and go now."
"No," he said in such a commanding voice it made me jump. "No, please just rest for a few moments more." He put a hand on my bare shoulder.
Nodding I sat normally on his couch. He moved the blanket away and sat beside me.
"So, how are you feeling? Still dizzy?"
"No," I turned to smile at him. "Thank you."
I saw him swallow. Raising an eyebrow I didn't break my gaze from his. He lifted a hand, brushing aside a stray hair that had fallen in front of my eyes. He let his warm hand rest against my cheek. I pressed into his touch, nuzzling slightly. Suddenly aware of what I was doing I hastily moved away only to be pulled back. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders, pressing my close, his grip tight. Basically sitting in his lap I had no choice but to wrap my arms around him as well. I could feel his heartbeat tapping softly against my skin. My own heart reacted to the feeling and sped up as well.
"Itachi, we shouldn't be doing this."
"Ever so sensible aren't you Sakura?" He chuckled quietly into my hair.
"This is wrong."
"I don't want to be right." His voice was slightly hoarse.
The loud and sudden ring of a home phone jolted us both upright. His hands slide down my arms and he sighed. He got up to see who it was and I took it as my chance to collect my things, pulling out my key first.
"Going home?"
"Yeah, it's late and I think I should be getting to bed."
"Alright," he smiled. "Get plenty of sleep. I'll see you in class tomorrow."
"Thanks. Goodnight."
As soon as his door was closed and I heard him start talking I rushed over to my own room. After locking the door I collapsed on the ground, holding my hands over my face.
I'm in so much trouble. I've went and done it. After specifically saying I wouldn't start liking my own professor, I've gone and done it.
The heat from my cheeks traveled to my hands. I had done the most unspeakable thing, the most looked down thing in the world.
I decided that the first thing I needed was a nice, cold, shower. After that a most likely restless night of sleep.
I took my time on my drive to school the next morning. Specifically arriving later than most students. Hinata, as she usually did when I was late, saved a seat for me. To my dismay however, our seats were in the front row, just a few feet in front of his desk.
Damn it Hinata.
I shifted awkwardly into the seat. I ignored her confused look and proceeded to bury my face into my laptop. Opening up a word document I began working on an essay that was assigned the day before. I became so engrossed in my work that I didn't notice someone behind me. I jumped, almost out of my own skin, when a pale hand tapped the screen. Looking up I saw Itachi leaning over my shoulder. I suppressed a blush.
"Mind if I?" he asked.
I shook my head. Still leaning over me, with a hand on my shoulder and another holding himself up on the table, he read it. I looked around him at Hinata. Shooting her looks of need. She simply lifted her fingers to her lips and giggled.
"You're useless Hyuuga!" I mouthed.
She stuck her tongue out at me.
"Remarkable," I suddenly heard. I looked up at Itachi, blushing when I realized our faces were so close. "This is really good Sakura. I'm impressed." Straightening he patted my head. "Keep up the good work."
"Mr. Uchiha! This won't work, help!"
He chuckled. "Be right there Ms. Inuzuka."
I felt Hinata scoot closer.
"No."
"So what happened?"
"No."
"Come on!"
"No."
"Hmph," she pouted. "Well, have you noticed you're the only one who he calls by first name basis?"
I blushed, but coughing into my hand as a cover up I tried my best to ignore the happy sensation it sent through my spine. "That's just because I dated Sasuke, besides we're neighbors."
I could have laughed at her face. "You have got to be kidding me. So-"
She stopped her own speech mid-sentence and stared at the doorway. I waved a hand in front of her face.
"Hello, Konoha to Hinat-"
This time I stopped when I saw just who was leaning against the doorway.
"Oh no," I whispered.
There standing in all his new punk glory was none other than Sasuke Uchiha.
