A/n: a wolf in sheep's clothing, that's what Sakura girl is. I've got my own reasons for disliking her. Read attentively, remember her behavior, you'll need this info later when the oh-so-scared girl will turn into an insatiable beast, and Itachi… I wish he weren't so damn pleasant to her
Please, dear reader, do not jump into conclusions, don't think that this is how the story will end. Each of the three has got his trump card
Chapter Ten
Chapter Ten Summary: hysterics, remorse, reflective analysis – Sakura is lost not knowing what to do while Itachi acts as if nothing had happened
When left alone, Sakura sat quietly for some time, unable to lift her eyes off the floor, she had a feeling of having done something terrible, irreparable, and that filled her with caustic obscure fear. Itachi's words have had their effect – Sakura's suffered too much for today and she couldn't fully comprehend all that had happened, her mind simply rejected heavy brooding focusing on more important matters instead.
It dawned on her suddenly that she was still in the shower fully clothed. A deep sigh and the girl stepped away from under the hitting jets before undressing and wringing out the miserable garments which she later hung on the heater, her shoes put there as well.
By the time she finished with the dress the girl started feeling cold again and it was such a good thing to get in the cabin where hot water seemed relaxing, chasing away bad thoughts therefore bringing solace to a high-strung girl.
Too much for one day, too much.
Having recovered and warmed up at last, the kunoichi turned off the water and left the room after wrapping up in the mentioned – and fortunately pretty big – towel. Even though already out she was doubtful hesitating before the door handle as if overwhelmed with uncertainty and embarrassment. But she couldn't stay in the bathroom forever after all!
The corridor lights were switched on specially for her as it seemed. Sakura came up to the banisters and leaned forward looking down. It was light there too, she could see the stairs, part of the hall and the sitting-room open door.
- Sakura? – echoed Itachi's voice. – Are you finished?
- Y-yes, - a half-cry in response as words escaped her throat with difficulty, she had to squeeze them out
Without haste she went downstairs and peeped into the room, just where his voice came from. Hideous memories invaded her mind, in this very room… She forced them away resolutely, she would think of it some other time, later.
Itachi turned around upon hearing the footsteps before pointing out at the pile of clean clothes on the sofa,
- Here, change into them
She went there to take a look at the items - a usual black shirt with a stand-up collar, plain gray breeches, all neat and ironed and tidily kept so the girl took the shirt and an unsure glance thrown at Itachi followed. He passed over to the already-shut window thinking about something, nevertheless, the man looked unwilling to turn away or leave the place and blush reddened Sakura's face since she was going to undress before a stranger.
Not just a stranger – Uchiha Itachi himself!
The pink-haired kunoichi felt giddy, head spinning all of a sudden and she did all as quickly as she could, the shirt and breeches were obviously Itachi's as they appeared too loose for her, still, they were warm and dry.
'Silly, he can't see you!' she grinned to herself, the ambiguity of the situation caused blood to rush up to her cheeks, her heart skipped a beat.
- I'm ready, - with a flushed face anew she pronounced
Itachi slightly nodded as a sign of comprehension,
- It's coming down out there, your clothes need to be dried, you can stay here for the night
- Uhm… Yes, thank you, - she uttered suppressing confusion
- I'll show you the room, - he headed out and up the stairs while the second one followed behind
This time it was a right-hand turn where he was leading her, a wooden door, the same as that one in the bathroom, Sakura lingered at the threshold, confused at something, soon doubts were stifled though and she stepped inside.
A small room with one window looked much like Itachi's abode in the Uchihas' mansion, so poorly furnished having a plain narrow bed instead of a futon. The girl figured out it was Itachi's bedroom,
- I… Itachi… - she blushed again. - But it is your room. I cannot… Where are you going to sleep then?
- Downstairs, - he let a transparent smile slip as he caught the reason for her uneasiness. – Don't worry, it's alright. If you need something, tell me
- Fine
- Good night
- Good night
Softly, he closed the door, the sound of his footsteps caught by her ear afterwards. She exhaled loudly sitting down on the bed and covering her face with palms, only when left alone she bagan feeling all the toughness of the goings-on while panic and bitterness rolled up to her heart, it took great willpower to drive them into the deepest, darkest corner of her soul. Sakura couldn't think at the moment, too tired as she was.
After a period of silence and recalling Itachi's words she pulled herself together somehow and went to sleep, more so because she hardly kept her eyes open. Tomorrow, just wait until tomorrow.
She made the bed and switched off the light right after that creeping under the blanket, once there, she curled up in a ball and closed her eyes enjoying the cool air. It felt somewhat odd to be lying in Itachi's bed and besides that, in his clothes. The thin pillow kept a faint scent of his hair, shirt's fabric titillated skin, while these sensations filled her with vague anxiety they strangely solaced her at the same time, so the kunoichi was falling asleep little by little and not without a smile on her face.
***
Sakura woke up, face flaming, she balanced on the verge of dream and reality when sweet incoherence reigned in her thoughts yet the present was starting to find its way there. She opened her eyes murmuring something under her breath. The sun was shining right through the blinded window filling the place with soft scattered light, specks of dust playing in the golden mist. For a moment she awkwardly studied strange surroundings trying to figure out where she was, unfamiliar ceiling, bookcase stuffed with unknown volumes, old heavy wardrobe of dark wood. She sat up amazed to see herself dressed in someone else's shirt and pants, obviously belonging to a man. It was then that she remembered everything.
Shots of the previous day filled her memory: Sasuke kissing Itachi, herself kissing Itachi, icy rain and sizzling water of the shower, the murk of the bedroom and a yet-noticeable scent of his hair. Sakura froze staring into space trying to grasp at least anything in the whirling chaos in her soul. Damn it, what has happened to her life within just a few hours? Irresolutely, she stood up and came up to the door before cautiously peeping outside. The passage was empty and from somewhere downstairs fresh coffee aroma was wafting to her so she went there looking from side to side until reaching the kitchen.
Itachi sat at the table reading a book using his technique, a half-full cup of coffee rested beside him.
- Good morning
- Good morning, - the girl replied with perplexity examining the man's face
He behaved naturally as though nothing had happened therefore the kunoichi felt uneasy. Didn't he really care? Maybe there was nothing terrible about the incident and she didn't have to worry either.
- Breakfast? – wondered the elder Uchiha
- Erm… Yes, I think, - she mumbled getting out of the cobweb of thoughts in her head. – it's just… I'd like to wash at first. To be me again
A nod.
Sakura went back up to the bathroom. The switch clicked, light flooded the tiled walls and she shuddered upon recalling the past as it rushed before her, when under that same blinding light she was sitting on the wet floor and… She blushed. Gods, what has she done? He let her in, suffered her madness, made her stay overnight while what she did was attack those lips of his. There arose yet another picture, Sasuke frozen in the same position but, unlike her, he had a sort of right for it being as Itachi was his brother.
Traces of yesterday poured down on her with terrifying distinctness and a fit of nausea seized her, together with clear realization of the sinister unimaginable sight she happened to witness. It finally shattered all protective walls her mind had been building by force.
Oh dear… His brother!
With palm pressed to her mouth, she fought the protesting stomach.
Sasuke… Why? How?
Sasuke was kissing Itachi! He wanted Itachi!
'Nii-san…'
The fit subsided at last. Hands resting against the sink, the girl gasped, right in front of her eyes pulsed colorful dots, mind failing to work evenly. How was she supposed to look at her husband, and touch, and speak to him after that?
How was she supposed to face Itachi?
A stare through the mirror hanging above the sink caught a flushing uncombed woman with a cringed face, ten years older than her, and swollen eyes. She quivered, horrified, coming to her senses abruptly as if a pail of icy water was splashed on her. Enough! A kunoichi, wasn't that what she was? She'll find a way to tackle it, problems, emotions, now it was time to become herself again so that the tired-out woman in the reflection would be Sakura again, and she threatened the view with a fist before switching on the shower.