Unwanted attention- Chapter 9

The next 20 days of her life were…well, rather eventful, that was for sure.

Day 1-

It began routinely, but Izuna seemed to be around more often than not, always seeming to keep a distance and leave the area before she could talk to him.

As usual while around the other Uchiha she guessed.

Day 2-

Breakfast with the Uchiha brothers was…well, it was intimidating. Madara sat in silence, seeming to glare at her as Izuna sat to her left, fidgeting slightly whenever she spoke to him (which wasn't very often, she just…couldn't find her words when his older brother was nearby.)

Day 3-

Shiemi, her nurse, finally declared her fit and healthy again. And as such, she was moved to the main housing wing of the compound, her room much closer to the brothers than it had been previously.

Whereas before she was an entire hall away from them, now?

Now her room was literally right across the hall, both of their doors seeming to glare at her each morning as she emerged.

Who knew two simple rooms could be so intimidating?

Day 4-

Another trip to a nearby village with Izuna left her anxious, and even their semi friendly banter left her feeling…uneasy.

She didn't know what it was, but something about the area had her on edge.

It was only later that night that she'd hear about Izuna's team getting ambushed in that exact spot- the Senju having apparently been following the two of them earlier if scavenged reports were accurate.

Day 5-

Due to the pervious battle, everyone was on high alert- and it left Sakura feeling more alienated than ever.

Family stuck with family- friends with friends.

No one would speak with her right now, and she found herself hovering by Izuna's side, his brother standing silently to her left while they watched him get patched up.

She hadn't known what to do when she'd heard of his injury…

She also hadn't expected to feel so compelled to help, to blow her cover and fix him up completely.

Day 6-

She sat alone with Madara today, the two of them eating in silence as Izuna's absence seemed to feel almost physically painful.

"Miss Sakura?"

"Y-yes, Madara-sama?"

"Izuna seems to have taken quite a shine to you, have you noticed?"

"…Yes…yes I have. It's…nice to have a friend, especially now."

"I see."

Day 7-

Izuna was allowed up and about today, and Sakura found herself hovering, almost mothering him as Madara watched his blushing brother in amusement.

He almost felt bad for him, the younger Uchiha about as red as a tomato at this point, the oblivious pinkette continuing to fuss about as he watched from a safe distance.

Almost.

Day 8-

Today, Sakura found herself faced with a problem.

That problem being Hana's son…who seemed to have taken a little too much of an interest in her to be…well, a good thing.

"Miss Sakura! How are you today!?"

It wouldn't be so much of a problem if he wasn't so…vocal about it.

It also seemed to irritate her near constant companion, especially if Izuna's stony glare was anything to go by.

"Uhh, hey Akito…"

Day 9-

…no comment…just know that Akito was very much like her younger self, more so than she was comfortable with really.

Day 10-

Today was…quiet.

To quiet.

Day 11-

Akito didn't show up again today, and when he did come into sight, he seemed much more…

Reserved.

Especially when he caught sight of Madara.

Day 12-

Of all the things to happen, she hadn't expected Madara to tag along with her and Izuna.

The walk to town seemed so much more daunting, yet the smiles and happy looks Izuna shot the two of them kept her from lying about being sick so she could return.

He was….she hadn't seen him this happy before- and if the look Madara shot her was anything to go by, neither had he.

Day 13-

Today at dinner, Madara had actually spoken to her.

There was nothing degrading or ominous in his voice, and for once, she didn't get the feeling he was watching her for any sign of weakness.

No…no he actually spoke to her like she was-

"How was your day today Miss Sakura?"

-like HE was a normal person.

It was kind of scary to be honest.

"It was fine, how was yours?"

Day 14-

Okay…okay, so he was actually treating her differently, and had been for a while- she just hadn't picked up on it until now.

"Good morning."

Kind of like…like he treated Izuna.

She'd never seen him treat anyone like this before, and she had no idea what to make of it.

Izuna was no help, seeming to just smile at her and look away quickly whenever she even thought of questioning him.

Day 15-

Today…today the Senju attacked a scouting party.

Only 3 of the 5 survived the initial attack, and only 1 was able to make it back to the compound after that.

She'd never felt so useless.

Day 16-

She wanted to come clean about being a nin, she really did.

There was so much she could do to help these people, the injuries and sicknesses she could heal- the fights she could stop or at least help with-

But she couldn't, and it was driving her insane with guilt.

So much so that she couldn't even look the brothers in the eye.

Day 17-

She turned down the offer to go to a nearby village today, her spirits low and her appearance obviously not up to par- because the second those words had left her mouth, Izuna had rushed her back to her room and made her settle into bed, insisting on getting a medic for her.

She didn't have the heart to tell him she was just in a bad mood.

Day 18-

Another suggestion to go ask around turned down, and this time it was Madara looking at her oddly, a strangely serious look in his eye as he seemed to stare right through her.

"Is there something bothering you Miss Sakura?" The older man questioned once his brother had left the room, the two of them alone as her green eyes stared down at what was left of her meal.

She just…wasn't hungry.

"No…no I'm fine, I swear."

Funnily enough, not even she believed that.

Day 19-

She couldn't even find the willpower to get out of bed today, instead curling up into a ball and listening to the brothers pass by her door more times than necessary.

Pfft, someone might even believe they were worried about her.

But no, they couldn't be, she knew what Uchiha were really like.

Cold, bitter, and only looking out for power and their own wellbeing.

So she stayed in bed, her worries, her memories and fears all spinning through her mind in a constant bombardment, leaving her simmering in her own guilt and regrets.

She wanted Naruto, he could always cheer her up.

Too bad she was in the past, feeling so compelled to do something that may very well ruin her future entirely.

Ruin everything they'd ever worked for, all because….

…because she was starting to actually care.

Day 20-

Today, Madara and Izuna gave her no choice in accompanying them to town- recruiting female help to assist her in getting ready when she made no move to leave her room again.

If only she'd known just what today would bring…