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Dix|Ten

Emerald eyes narrowed; they appeared crossed between glaring and deep thought, boring holes into the wooden barrier before her. She placed her hands on her hips; she frowned and shifted weight from one foot to the other. A moment passed; then she reached up and rapped on the door—again.

And then she waited—again.

Several more moments passed before she released a long, eye-closing, half growling, frustrated sigh. Her head turned down slightly and she found herself staring at the place where the concrete floor met the wall.

A week and a half had passed since she'd spoken to Sasuke. When he didn't show up to see her at all she decided he needed space; he said he did. And so she'd gone on training without him in the mornings and evenings. Naruto met with her here and there, but he seemed oblivious to it all, as usual. He noticed Sasuke's absence, but appeared to accept that the darker-haired male was just busy. To be fair, Sasuke did get that way from time to time and wandered in his own realm of lonely focus.

But, after a week she'd started looking for him. She came to his house and knocked on his door; she stopped by places he hung out at; she asked friends he spent time with from time to time. No one seemed to have an idea of where he was, or she found herself barely missing him; which, was so a-typical Sasuke.

She'd spent the week before she started looking for him prepping for the surgery with Tsunade and Shizune and a few other nurses and doctors. She had several meetings to get them ready for everything she needed, what they needed to do for her, what their roles were, and how the surgery was going to be performed. It was new and a little experimental; if it worked it could mean a lot of new things for shinobi medical nin not just in Konoha, but in other villages as well. In essence, without even realizing it, Sakura's research could become the pinnacle of her career. It wasn't her core reason; however, it was something she wouldn't scoff at for being remembered by.

But, damnit, where was he?

She didn't want to push him, but… She knew Itachi was itching to get started. And she couldn't blame him. It wasn't even like he said anything; he wasn't even asking when it would happen. She could just tell. He was so subtle about a lot of things, but Sakura was very sensitive to that. She always had been very empathetic.

She didn't want to make him wait any longer; however, she didn't want to push Sasuke either. The whole damned situation was so… delicate. She hated it.

She didn't realize she was digging her nails into her hips until a sharp pain hit her. With an irritated grumble she pulled the away and cross them over her chest.

Maybe if she camped outside of his—no, that was taking it a little too far. If she was going to do that she might as well just have Tsunade do a formal summoning to her office. Problem was, she really didn't want to involve her mentor anymore; not unless she really had to. Between her and Kakashi the whole thing had become a little too family for her liking.

So, with a huff, she turned away from her teammate's door and headed back the way she came and into the street.

It was already well past noon; breakfast had been forgone and lunch as close behind if she didn't eat something soon. And she really didn't want to be grumpy just because she was being stubborn.

"Sakura?"

The pinkette blinked and stopped midstride. Her hands were behind her head, clasped; now she found herself dropping them. "Hey," she murmured. "What are you doing?"

There was a little frown on Itachi's face as he stepped forward and closed the distance between them. "Taking a walk…" he said, trailing off slightly. "Maybe looking for you… are you alright?"

She hesitated as she met his cloudy eyes. Her lips parted, stayed that way, and then she sighed. "I'm frustrated. And hungry. I was on my way to get something to eat." Her head hung just then as she finished speaking.

"Did something happen?" another voice asked from behind Itachi.

Sakura looked over as Noin came to rub along Itachi's right leg. She was looking up at Sakura curiously.

"In way… yes," she replied. "Sasuke's... been avoiding me."

"Avoiding you?" Itachi asked.

She nodded and rubbed her brow; her eyes shut briefly. "I need to do something about it before I get an aneurism."

"Well…" Itachi began slowly, easily picking up on her mood. "Why don't we get lunch together and talk about it?" Without waiting for a reply, he took her arm and began to lead her as Noin went about leading him to their original destination for their own lunch.

Sakura didn't argue. "I didn't want to bother you with it, honestly. I would have told you before, but I guess I figured it wouldn't come down to me having to enlist off the clock ANBU to locate one Uchiha."

"That bad?"

"I am exaggerating a little," she grumbled. "I'm frustrated."

"And hungry," he added with a smile.

"It's just… it's been a long week and a half," she said while she exhaled at the same time.

"Why is he avoiding you?" Noin asked.

That was a question she hadn't wanted to answer for a while… But, she needed to. "Can I answer that once I've ordered some food?"

"I believe that was the idea," Itachi said as she they entered into a small restaurant.

"Two?" the hostess asked as she came forward.

"Yes, please."

"This way," she said with a smile. "You going to have your usual, Itachi-san?"

"Ah, yes."

Sakura raised a brow at him as they stopped at the booth and he barely fumbled for the seat. She took the other side. "You're usual?"

"Itachi-san eats here almost every day just recently. Sometimes for a snack or lunch," the waitress offered as she smiled at him. "Here's your menu," she told Sakura as she slid it to her. "Do you know what you want to drink…?"

"Juice, please," she said. "Whatever you have."

"Right away. Be back in five minutes." And then she was gone.

Sakura was looking at him oddly. "So… a regular here, huh?"

"Barely."

"I'm surprised you're eating out at all…"

"You're technique helped him in that regard," Noin answered from where she lay on the floor next to the booth.

"In a manner of speaking… it does," he agreed. "But, it also helps that I don't eat messy foods." He reached down and ruffled her between her ears.

Sakura lowered her menu to smile at that. Despite her bad morning, it gave her a small sense of joy to know he was gaining much more freedom with it, and with Noin. "That's good."

"Have you decided yet?" the waitress asked as she placed their drinks on the table.

"Yes, I have," she murmured, touching her lips and skimming the menu items. "The number three special looks especially good."

"Number three, got it." She took the menu. "Be back with that in about fifteen or twenty minutes."

"I'm not in a hurry, so that's fine," Sakura replied before the girl wandered off.

"So…" Itachi started, "Do you want to wait to eat?"

Sakura shook her head. "No… really it's a little of a long story. So, by the time the food comes we'll probably still be talking about it." She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "You know how I spoke with Sasuke a week ago about the surgery?"

"Yeah."

"I didn't exactly… tell you everything that happened. And to be fair, I didn't think it would be a big deal… but, I guess it is if he's avoiding me."

"What happened, Sakura?"

She dropped her forearms on the table and looked a little to the side before meeting his unseeing gaze. "I'd spoken to him earlier that day about meeting with him after a sparring match. I said I'd come by around eleven—after I left your place. But, when I got there and explained the procedure…" she trailed off and frowned. "Well, Sasuke assumed I wanted to talk to him about getting back together…"

"Ah…"

Sakura nodded as she gauged his reaction; which, didn't seem very readable. "I told him that we just didn't work; I'm not the same person anymore. But," she said softly next, "it didn't take much for him to figure out we were together.

"And how did he react?"

She was frowning. "Well, he—."

"Here ya go, guys," their waitress piped in as she set their food down. "Enjoy. Anything else?"

"Thank you, but I think I'm good," Sakura said.

"Same."

"Alright then, I'll check back in about twenty with you guys." With a smile she was gone again.

Sakura sighed and moved to dig into her sandwich. After she chewed she realized he was still waiting for a reply. "Well," she mumbled, swallowing the last of her first bite, "Not good… but not bad."

"Meaning?"

She took a sip of her drink. Orange juice—awesome. "He wasn't happy about losing me, I guess. But, he seemed ok with it because it was you. Look," she started, changing the subject a little, "The problem is he said he needed space and time to adjust—which I was fine with. For a week. But, I'd like to start the surgery soon. The thing is, I could go ahead and do what I need to do to repair your lungs, stomach, chakra pathways, etcetera. But, I wanted to do the eye transplant while you're still knocked out. Two birds with one stone; it'd be a lot less stress on your body, based on my calculations, and well… just my personal medical opinion.

"I need Sasuke for that. That's really where the problem is. And I could just have Tsunade summon him, but she already knows a lot about my situation with you. I just…" she sighed out as she looked down, feeling a little defeated. "I don't want to involve Tsunade anymore in my private life than she already is. I'm not afraid for people to know about us; I'm—."

"I understand," Itachi interrupted, one hand raised. "Why don't you let me talk to him?"

Sakura blinked. "Not that mind, but, I didn't think you… well, wanted to yet."

It was his turn to frown, sigh, and then narrow his eyes. "I need to. I can't keep avoiding him. And it would be better to do this before the operation. We need to clear the air."

"I agree. Completely. But, are you sure you can find him?"

"I'm fairly certain."

"Without making a ruckus?"

"Yes."

"Then by all means. I think you should. I don't think there's much else I can say to him that I already haven't." She looked at him seriously, contemplatively. "I don't think what needs to be said can really come from me."

"Neither do I," he replied, smiling softly. "We'll finish lunch and I'll see what I can do."

…

It was an hour later that Itachi left Sakura, going a different direction entirely. He'd considered using the technique to find Sasuke… but he didn't think he'd need to. Itachi had a fairly good idea about where his brother was already without needing to use any special jutsu or Noin's nose for assistance.

"Where are we off to?" she asked, needing to know so she could direct him with their invisible chakra tether.

"Where are we now? Street?"

She told him.

"Hum… I don't think I'll need you to direct me. But, I might need to ask you where we are now and then."

"If you say so."

And so they continued on, making a turn once or twice. Before long, Noin found herself confused.

"I don't think I've been to this part of the village before…"

"I didn't think you would have," he replied cryptically.

The large dog stopped and looked up at the archway, the faded paint, and the worn concrete path half covered in sand. She looked over at him as he walked past her and towards the opening. "You think he's here?"

"It's the last place Sakura would look for him. And it's quiet. I wouldn't be surprised if he was staying here."

"Morbid."

"A little," he agreed as he continued on, ignoring the penetrating feeling that couldn't help but surround him.

"Do you want me to be around for this… chat?" she asked beside him.

"Probably not." He stopped and turned. There was a shift in the wind and it hit his face, brushing loose strands across his eyes and nose. He executed the technique and watched as the world became visible to him—freeze framed.

He smiled. "You can go, Noin."

"Find him?" she asked softly.

"I did."

"I'll meet you at the front of the compound. Don't be too long or I'll worry."

He chuckled. "I know." And then her presence was gone, chakra signature fading. He released a sigh and turned his face back to the house—his once home. He could still see the image in his mind; the tattered curtains fluttering in the breeze that ran through the house, the chipping paint on parts of the wooden structure, the slightly overgrown places of the yard where Genin didn't get to in their harried pace to get such a low level mission done.

He closed his eyes; the action alone allowed him to shut the world out in a way.

He still wasn't wholly sure what to say; the words were there… but… it wondered if it would matter at all.

Nothing in life worth doing was ever really easy, he'd been told once.

He found himself walking around the side and along the almost overgrown path that once been worn by many footsteps across it. Parts of him could still hear those voices, those sounds, the laughter, the people. Being here made it feel… realer.

He found himself stopped and taking in a deep breath as he placed a hand on the side of the house. His grip tightened into it.

Blood… chimes… screams. Here, there, and beyond.

How he hated the flashbacks. One sound could set it off; it was hard to keep reality in place. But, he continued to remind himself that he wasn't that man anymore; he never was.

He exhaled slowly, pushing it all away. He counted back from ten, slowly. And then he opened his eyes, forcing himself to face it—even if he couldn't see it. He had to talk to Sasuke.

He ran his hand along the wall, no, railing of the wraparound porch until it came to an end. His hand fell to his side as he stepped into the back yard. Leaves crunched under him and he found himself using the technique again just to regain his surroundings.

A hundred or so feet from where he stood his brother sat on the edge of a once well used dock that stood and stared over a rather large pond. He could hear the buzz of insects and the plop of something hitting the water. He found himself stopping as he stepped onto the first few planks; he found himself standing there, listening to his brother's slow breath. He had to know he was there; he probably knew long before he'd reached the house.

"I'm surprised you came," he heard him say. Another plop in the water.

He was again struck with not really knowing what to say. It felt like an eternity before he managed force himself to speak calmly and fluidly. "Sometimes we all have to face something we'd rather not," he began quietly.

"Me or the compound?"

"The compound. Never you."

And then he heard him sigh.

"We need to talk," Itachi said as he stepped forward, eventually coming close enough to stand right next to him.

"So, was this Sakura's idea?"

"Mine."

"Hm," he mumbled; it almost sounded like a short and bitter half laugh.

"Are you mad at her or me, Sasuke?"

"Maybe a little of both, not that I want to be. That's probably why I don't want to see her yet. My anger is irrational. No one should have to deal with it but me. Not this kind."

Itachi wasn't surprised by that answer. But, he was curious. "Then why not leave when I came?"

"Hell if I know." Sasuke looked up at him. "Maybe because you never come looking for me." He looked back at the water and placed his hands on either side of him and leaned back slightly. "Why did you come?"

There was a short pause before he spoke. "Partly because of Sakura… but mostly because there are some things that need to be said between you and I. There are…" he started and trailed off as he tried to find the right words, "…Some things I need to explain to you. Things I've never had the nerve to approach you about because I guess I always assumed you would come to me when you were ready."

"Itachi, you don't need to—."

"I do," he interrupted before he found himself sitting down next to him. His sandaled feet barely touch the surface of the water; he placed his hands together—clasped—between his open thighs. "I'm sorry," he found himself saying. "Everything I did, I did for you and for Konoha. I never meant to hurt you the way I did; I felt as though I just didn't have a choice. I didn't think you would understand, even if I'd told you then. And the Uchiha wouldn't have listened. Our father wouldn't have."

"Itachi… I don't—."

"I loved you; I still do. That's why I didn't mind sacrificing who I was—everything—to make sure you had a life you could be proud of."

"Stop," Sasuke finally said, looking at him now through narrowed back orbs. "Do you really think I blame you for all of that? Don't you think if I did I would have left you for dead when we fought in the war?

"You're precious to me too, you idiot. That's why it's so hard for me to get over you and Sakura."

Itachi found himself silenced as he let the words sink in.

Sasuke slowly turned his gaze back to water, quieting. "Of course I miss mom and dad… Of course I hate that my family is gone… aunts, uncles, cousins… children died that night. But, I don't blame you for that. Denzou is the one to blame—not you and not the Third." He shook his head, upsetting bangs that fell to the side and half in his eyes. "We've learned from it. And I've made my own family from the ashes. You, Sakura, Naruto, Kakashi, and rookie nine. Even Team Gai.

"It's ok." He looked at him again. "I've let go of my hate, Itachi, because people believed in me. Even you." He placed a hand on his shoulder.

He let himself breathe and shut his eyes for a moment as the last of his brother's words washed over him.

"I also know what Sakura was trying to say to me… it's just… taken some time." He slowly dropped his hand. "I think I still don't really understand what it means to love someone, but I'll figure it out as I let go of her."

"I—."

"Don't apologize for that," Sasuke said preemptively. "Never apologize for loving Sakura. She deserves better."

Itachi sighed and then smiled. "I wasn't," he said next, "I was just going to say that you don't have to learn how." He looked over at him, or at least tried to. "You just do." And then, as he felt Sasuke turn to met his gaze, he lifted his hand and poked his forehead—smiling. "It tends to sneak up on you, otouto. Trust me."

Sasuke scowled almost immediately as he tried to push his hand away. And then he stilled, watching as Itachi smiled. And he realized… it had been many years since he'd seen that look.

He smiled back and shoved him. "You know, I'm big enough to hold my own now."

"Yes, I know."

He paused as he settled back to where he'd been before, staring out at the body of water and living in his own mind. Finally, he asked, quite softly, "Are you happy?"

"Very."

"…Me too."

…

"Are you ready?" he could hear her voice above him, smiling at him.

"Yes."

"Good," she said, "Because, you're not going to wake up for a while." There was laughter in her voice. "I'll take care of you though."

"I know. You always do."

AN :: You know, I realized as I looked back over my chapters that I reversed the French number and the English one. , Now I need to go back and fix that for (I think) seven, eight, and nine. -grumbles- Ah well.

Anyway, I'm not sure how I feel about this chapter. Let me know what you think though. There's… maybe two more chapters left in this story. -smiles- Don't forget to like my page on facebook for updates on all my work: [forward slash]KitRoe

Thanks!

—Blade