Hello ! Another chapter up, posted relatively early xD haha Anyway, Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters in any way, shape, or form.

Chapter 12: Mind Games

The on-going lunch was still terrible, perhaps worse than it had been before.

Why did Sakura feel so... tense...? Almost as if there was some sort of an on-going battle occurring in this very same table... But what fighting could there possibly be? Between family, no less!

Of course, it didn't occur to her at the time that Itachi was fighting both Mikoto's and Akiko's mind games, while also throwing in some glares and a few witty remarks her way every now and then, which only made her want to pound his face into the ground over and over again even more than she already did.

'He called you cute Sakura' This was the only mental reminder that refrained her from doing so and completely froze her on the spot. Had she not been so utterly shocked, she might just feel compelled to pound him into the ground some more. Stupid Uchiha. Making her all confused and feel this warm fuzzy feeling in the pit of her stomach. He didn't deserve to make her feel that way.

"How come you didn't compliment me on my appearance, Itachi-kun?" Akiko whined.

Itachi sighed a microscopic sigh, one Sakura was only able to notice from her place beside him.

"Does one honestly require a compliment from me to feel themselves worthy of the public eye?" he questioned. She saw what he was doing: answering her question by asking another one, seemingly making it seem as if he were asking "do i really need to say it?" asd if it were obvious, while having him actually not.

"Yes!" Akiko was not phased, knowing fully well what he was doing too.

'Why does he seem so hesitant to comply to her wishes?' Sakura couldn't really understand it. As far as she knew, Itachi wasn't particularly fond of Akiko. Hell, she'd go as far as saying he didn't like her at all. But it was one measly compliment. He had given her a compliment for Christ's sake! So why wouldn't he do it to her? It's not like he had to mean his words or anything...

Then again, it's not like she would ever understand how this whole Uchiha arranged marriage mumbo-jumbo worked anyway.

Another microscopic sigh escaped his lips, again, only noticed by her.

Why did Sakura feel so bad for him? Why did she pity him and his predicament? And why was Mikoto not doing anything to distract Itachi or Akiko, or change the subject, as she had done so several times before already when Itachi found himself caught in one of her webs once more. It just didn't add up to her.

"Excuse me Akiko-san, but it is time for Itachi to take his medicine. If you would excuse us real quick." She stood up abruptly, Itachi staring at her oddly for a second or so before briefly nodding, and standing up shortly after her.

"Ahh. Thank you for reminding me, Sakura."

"Well, it only is my job." she brushed off his acting, as she had already learned it to be, and they both quickly disappeared behind the sliding screen door of the house, becoming invisible to everyone else in the round picnic table.


"You know, I was just joking about the medicine thing, but you really should rest," Sakura sighed in aggravation, her hand placed on Itachi's forehead. His fever, although better than the day before, was beginning to spike once more, and he had progressively gotten worse since this morning. "You're starting to become hot once more." she stated bluntly, searching the pantry for some medicine.

"I mustn't. It would be rude; there are guests." Itachi declined the option quickly. Not only would standing Akiko up be considered rude, but it would also be showing a sign of weakness: if he left, it meant that he could not stand the challenge of fighting Akiko's games. And as he knew it, his father was looking for a strong, conniving wife for the future Head of the clan, one who could put up with all the crazy bull shit the Elders did. Showing the sign of defeat would mean that Akiko was too much for him... just conniving enough to be his wife.

And no, he would not have it.

"You'll get progressively worse if you don't lessen the strain you're putting on yourself." Sakura didn't sound concerned, but just felt the need to notify him that if he didn't stop now, these battles of his would become harder and harder to win, let alone spot and not fall into. 'This idiot' she refrained from rolling her eyes.

Itachi said nothing, merely taking the medicine from her and swallowing the gross-tasting concoction in silence.

They stood there for a few minutes, Itachi not quite ready to go back outside, and Sakura not quite ready to let him meet his doom. "...You really don't like her, do you...?" Sakura frowned in distaste.

Itachi merely looked at her. Despite the haziness in his eyes, and the slight flush of his cheeks, his eyes said it all. He didn't like her one bit. Her voice, her attitude, her annoying-ness...

And Sakura could only frown once more, sighing as she shook her head. As much as she loved to see Itachi suffer, for some reason, if it wasn't her making him suffer, then she didn't quite find it all that appealing, if she were being completely honest with herself (or maybe it was just Akiko in general she didn't like...)

"Look, I'll help you out as best as I can, but I won't make any promises."

Itachi was hesitant to accept her helping hand.

But what would Mikoto think...?

At this point, he couldn't really afford to give Mikoto any more advantages as it was... Things were far too risky, much more than Sakura or Mikoto could even tell... But... the thought of Akiko nearly sent shivers down his spine.

He had no choice. It was either Sakura, or Akiko.

Sakura it was, then.


The atmosphere in the room had changed completely once Sakura and Itachi had returned, somehow, Akiko noticed. Mikoto seemed to notice too, and she seemed delighted about it, for some reason.

Itachi, who she had been able to tell was a bundle of nerves up until just minutes ago, seemed completely soothed and relaxed, perhaps a little more then he should be when facing up against her.

She was a smart cookie. Her mother had raised her well: do this, don't do that, be wary of this.

The Uchiha Clan was a bit of an odd nut. Women, though still strong and mighty in their own respect, were some what of mating tools for the Uchiha, and nothing more, for the most part. Wrong as it may be, that was just how it was. Which allele combinations would make the best? The smartest? the Prettiest? The most powerful? It was all part of an elaborate scheme to become the best.

So, naturally, if any women wanted to get far in the Uchiha Clan, the only way to do so was to marry someone up in the higher branches of the clan. That is, unless, you were a given prodigy such as Itachi himself, but the odds of that were slim to none.

So she had to settle with what she had. Her natural conniving wit, and her decent enough looks. Not particularly anyone to turn heads and leave men staring, but enough to make an impression if she played her cards right.

Yes, her mother had taught her well.

But Itachi... he had been a tough nut to crack. Hell, she wasn't quite sure she'd cracked him yet -scratch that, she was sure she hadn't. She had heard of his fever, knew what that meant, and had jumped on the opportunity.

Everything she had ever tried prior to this had failed: he had seen through all her tricks, broke them down, and given her back the pieces. Today had been the only time she had really gotten an advantage on him, and she couldn't let that go to waste.

She had to admit though, maybe she had been a little too ecstatic once finding out she was a candidate to be Itachi's future wife. But of course, who wouldn't be? I mean, look at him. He was definitely a sight to see. Then again, the wealth and high stature didn't hurt either, but what the hell.

She wanted him. Maybe a little too much than she probably should. Her mother had always told her: It's all a game, and the only way to win is to not get caught in the game.

Technically, she wasn't supposed to like Itachi. She just needed to be the one who birthed his children. This way, she assured power to her family, which was above all else, the reason her mother and father were pushing her, ushering her to try anything and everything to win Itachi over and be the one who was standing alongside him at the alter several months from now.

But the vital mistake in this was... well... it was Itachi who she was talking about. Every girl liked him! Fondness towards the opposite species gave way to mistakes and made girls act all silly and irrational at times, which certainly did not do.

And for this reason, she found herself in a pickle on several occasions.

When he gazed deep into her eyes, she wasn't supposed to blush and fumble with her words, at times losing her train of thought.

When they played with words and tried to catch each other's mistakes, their "mind games" if you will, she wasn't supposed to doze off and begin oggling him.

And most certainly, when there were other girls in the vincinity (especially those who were future candidates, or those who were fairly attractive), she was not supposed to lose her cool and begin glaring at them all, which nearly everyone tended to do, despite the rules.

She was supposed to stay focused, rational, and do everything she possibly could to not become a hindrance or any sort of annoyance to Itachi, and perhaps try to impress him from time to time.

She couldn't help it. She liked him. He was cute, he was tall, he was powerful, and he was wealthy. And did she mention cute?

Oh gawd he was cute.

Look, she was doing it again! How much time had passed since Itachi and his maid had returned? How long had she been staring at him, and glaring at Sakura? It certainly couldn't look too good on her part.


Akiko must have been glaring at them, or her specifically, for what could have been at least three minutes. Had Sakura not been on a mission of rescuing Itachi from her, she would have found it a bit unnerving.

But no matter. Itachi had told Sakura about her. Sakura knew how she played, and she was ready.

Question after question, trick after trick, sly remark after sly remark.

Sakura was able to spot them all, some with a bit more difficultly than the other ones but nonetheless spotted, giving Itachi small brushes of her fingers under the table near his knee, sometimes poking at his leg when he saw that his speech was faltering or his words were becoming mumbled in order to snap him out of whatever trance he was in.

Distraction time.

"So, Akiko... you're a ninja, right?" Sakura quickly butted in before Akiko could open her mouth once more.

Akiko quickly narrowed her eyes, but she nodded. "Yes, I am."

"Do you specialize in any skills?" Sakura quickly asked once more. Itachi was getting tired, she could tell by the way that he blinked, leaving his eyelids closed a bit longer than he should, or by the way he microscopically slouched over, or by the way that he seemed to lean on the arm rest of his chair a bit. What most gave it away was the way his eyes would flash to her quickly, too quickly to have Akiko notice, as if asking her for assistance, or to help him. This was why she found herself practically interrogating Akiko now.

"Ninjutsu" she quickly replied, eager to get off this topic and return back to Itachi. 'This girl's annoying'. she frowned, her eyebrows furrowing just the slightest bit.

"Well, might that be because of your Sharingan, then? I mean, you are capable of perfectly copying every jutsu, right?" she questioned. "Or at least, that's how I think the Sharingan works, I'm not too sure. Mind explaining it to me? I'm not from this region, so this Sharingan stuff is relatively new to me."

She had done it.

"Well, there isn't much to explain." Akiko felt like slapping her. She was doing this on purpose now, she was sure, considering that she had, for the most part, kept her mouth shut the entire lunch, only starting to speak since her and Itachi had returned from giving him his medicine.

She got into a relatively broad explanation of the Sharingan, meanwhile Sakura nodded in understanding from time to time, though she honestly wasn't paying attention to a word she was saying. 'Itachi's condition is worsening' she inwardly frowned. Though she knew he was stubborn and would refuse to leave any sooner than he should, she also knew he could definitely not stand being outside. Although it was relatively nice weather, there was a bit of a chilly wind, which wouldn't do him any good to begin with.

And Mikoto didn't seem ready to dismiss Itachi any time soon, despite the fact that she kept sending Itachi worried glances from time to time, which she thought went unnoticed (but Sakura caught everything occurring at the picnic table).

Hell, Mikoto couldn't do anything. Mikoto knew exactly what Akiko was doing: in fact, Mikoto had played the same game with Fugaku. She had no right to interfere. After all, this was a game... a battlefield where wit went against wit. There were no rules, no boundaries, and no limitations. Akiko was allowed to play as dirty as she so chose, and Mikoto couldn't just go and choose sides and interfere. Being the Head of the Clan was a privilege only the best females of the clan got, and she was in no position to choose who was the best (at least, as she was supposed to see it, and comply to).

Her son was strong. He had to get through this in order to prove that he was too much for Akiko, and she was not good enough to be the Head. Then again...

'I may not be able to do anything, but Sakura can.' she inwardly smirked an Uchiha-like smirk, a bit uncharacteristic of sweet little Mikoto.

Anyone, even if interest was not shown, was a possible candidate for Itachi. Every single female within Itachi's age was completely and utterly viable, so all posed a threat to whoever wanted to get their hands on Itachi. Akiko was aware of that. So, technically speaking, Sakura taking Itachi away would not be "interfering", at least in the way that Mikoto could not. As Mikoto had said, there were no rules, and no boundaries. If Sakura so chose to steal Itachi away at this moment, she could... as long as Mikoto did not interfere.

And so interfere she did not. After tossing in a few hints here and there, she kept her mouth shut, mainly conversing with Shisui, as he too knew his place and what Mikoto was getting at, genius or not, although their conversations were half-assed, and both kept an ear tied to what was happening on the other side of the picnic table.

But still, Mikoto frowned, glancing at Sakura. Despite the fact that she was trying to help Itachi get through this, she still didn't fully understand. Didn't understand that only she could help Itachi. She might as well give her a little boost, at least.

"Excuse us real fast, Akiko." Mikoto had cut Akiko off mid-sentence, which caused her to shut up all together. "Sakura, may I see you at the kitchen quickly? I need help taking the dishes back,"

Sakura, who had been deep in thought, snapped her head towards Mikoto. She barely realized that, yes, they had been done with lunch a while back. "Why, certainly Mikoto." And with that, Sakura got up, albeit a bit too quickly, almost as if she had been caught doing something she shouldn't have been doing, helped Mikoto pick up the empty plates, and brought them inside only a few steps behind Mikoto. Sakura saw this as a good as ever time to bring up to Mikoto that Itachi needed help -should not, and could not keep this up. She watched with a steady gaze as Mikoto began washing the dishes slowly, patiently, almost as if she had all the time in the world to do so.

"Umm... Mikoto-"

Mikoto cut her off. "I already know what you're going to tell me, Sakura." She didn't even look back. "I wish there was something I could do, I really do. I can tell Itachi is definitely not healthy enough at the moment, but these matters... I simply cannot interfere in. You understand this, right, Sakura?"

"I..." Sakura had no words. No, she really did not understand. So, Mikoto wanted to interfere, but she couldn't? 'And why the hell can't she?' The thought angered Sakura.

"The position as the Clan Head... Itachi's wife... it is a very sought after position." she began slowly. "Only the smartest... the ones deemed fit enough, can acquire that name.. that title, if you will. Because of this, I musn't interfere." Sakura didn't even notice when Mikoto had finished washing the dishes. "Do you understand now, Sakura?" she finally turned back to face Sakura, seeing Sakura with a baffled expression.

Sakura was quiet for the longest of moments. After what seemed like several minutes, she looked back up, and nodded slowly. Sakura, having finally taken in what Mikoto said and analyzed the entire thing, began to slowly understand what Mikoto was talking about. Mikoto was not interfering because she couldn't. This was why Itachi had asked her for help, and had not insisted she tell Mikoto he wanted out. This was why these mind-games were oh-so very important, and why Itachi refused to be the one to bail. It was all slowly starting to fit together, the more she thought about it.

This was all a competition.

Mikoto wasn't to interfere because she had no right to. Only others who were seeking for the title of Clan Head could, because they were part of this "competition" that although not spoken of, was there, hanging in the air.

And with that understanding, finally came the understanding that she was the only one who could help Itachi.

But did she want to? The only way to save Itachi now was by showing Akiko that she too was a threat. And how the hell would she prove that? Would Itachi be okay with it? Surely he would, seeing as he had accepted her help... right?

Damn it, what had she gotten herself into?


Itachi's head was beginning to ache at a numbing level. Once Sakura and his mother had left, Akiko had once again begun hammering him with questions that he could hardly keep track of now, especially without the help of Sakura. Hell, now that Sakura had gone, he had physically tensed up more. He knew it, and he knew that she noticed it.

Why did he feel much more relaxed around Sakura?

He didn't know how long it had been, but they had finally returned (thank god), and Sakura had quickly cut in. "Back to the Sharingan discussion Akiko, if you would please." Akiko, one could tell was displeased, but nevertheless dropped her prior conversation (or interrogation, if anything) with Itachi, and focused her attention on Sakura.

Sakura had changed, Itachi noticed through half-lidded eyes, finding it best to rest now while Akiko was busy chit-chatting away to a mind-less Sakura (she always got the dazed look in her eyes, her eyebrows furrowing the slightest bit when deep in thought. Don't ask why he knew that).

She must have been three minutes into her explanation now, but hardly anytime seemed to pass for Itachi. The throbbing pain made it too hard to concentrate on how much time had passed, of all things.

"Interesting" Sakura cut her off suddenly, and Akiko sharply sucked in her breath, shocked.

Mikoto merely grinned from the other end of the table, leaning back and getting ready to see what Sakura had decided to do. Finally, for some action. It was about time, really.

"Truly, it all sounds very interesting. Thank you for your wonderful explanation." her tone could only say she found this topic to be utterly boring. "Itachi," she changed the subject and snapped her head towards him, "you don't look so well to me." she frowned. Akiko's eyes flashed towards Itachi. It was true, but what did that have anything to do with the Sharingan? Or with that silly maid, specifically.

'She better not try anything. I have him right where I want him' Akiko grumbled. Yes, she felt bad that she was practically torturing Itachi, but she had to do what she had to do. 'All in order to become his wife...' the thought made her heart flutter for the smallest of seconds, her heart beating a bit harder than before.

Itachi was wary of her actions, but did not question her. Hell, he couldn't think straight enough, nor did he feel the need to question her. She was his only hope at this time.

(Which still didn't explain just why exactly he felt the need to just trust her, but he didn't linger on the thought)

"Come here," she motioned for him to get closer, and he inclined his head towards her as she had ordered. She scooted closer to him, placing her forehead on his, their noses touching, "As I thought! You're burning up." (Sakura could see Akiko with a ghastly expression on her face in the background, her knuckles white as she gripped her napkin).

'I've never been that close to Itachi!' Akiko thought, aghast.

Sakura continued. "Now I'm going to have to tuck you in and watch over you again." she frowned.

'Again?' Akiko paled.

"Feeding you was so difficult too, especially when you didn't want to eat."

'She fed him too?' Akiko wanted to cry.

"Not to mention I had to sleep alongside you all night to make sure you didn't get any worse." Sakura sighed, shaking her head in dismay. "Then again, I can't say I'm not used to it."

'She's slept with him?' Something within Akiko snapped, and she was all too aware of the evil smirk Sakura was sending her way. 'No way...' Akiko slumped down in her chair, feeling helplessly lost and defeated. She didn't even notice Sakura excuse herself and take Itachi with her.

She had lost... but how...

Stupid irrational and silly emotions.


"Y'know... that was easier than I had thought..." Sakura smirked in accomplishment. See, she could do this stuff too! Pfft, Akiko was no match for her devious conniving self. "... Itachi?" She turned back, curious to know why he hadn't responded to her, after several seconds of waiting in silence. The next thing she knew, she was against the wall, Itachi's body pressed flush against hers, his forehead resting on her shoulder.

"Thank... you..." his breath tickled her neck, and she quickly felt her face flush red.

Then his body become limp, and he slumped against her some more.

He had reached his limit.

She was quick to catch him by the shoulders, adding a bit of chakra so she didn't topple over from the sudden weight and they both fell.

Sakura sighed. Seriously? He was going to pull this again? Right after she had spent all her valuable time making him better too? With a grimace and a few grumbles of profanities, she was back to carrying him to the room.

He was panting now, his breathing pattern having become erratic. He must have been holding back outside, for the sake of not looking as weak as he felt in front of Akiko. The thought angered her. 'If he was weak he should have said something' she glared at his unconscious figure, who was now covered up under the thick blankets, moist towel on his forehead. This was all so very stupid to her.

Competition? She could punch someone at the thought. Marriage was not supposed to be a competition. It was supposed to be a special thing between two people, not some... game that took someone past physical exhaustion.

'If that Akiko girl really did love Itachi, she wouldn't have made him suffer the way she did.' Sakura grumbled. Edge, her ass! If Akiko needed some form of edge to get to Itachi, then she obviously wasn't what he needed. He was obviously too much for her. Too good.

She wished Akiko would just give up, but something told her she wouldn't do that. Not until she had tried everything she possibly could, anyway.

She frowned, looking at Itachi. Why did it anger her so much that she had gotten him to such a state? Why did she want to punch her in the face?

Why, why, why?


Sakura felt a stir. She had left Itachi to rest, while she did her daily chores around the house, refusing to leave them all to Mikoto. She came back, exhausted, and had passed out at the foot of Itachi's bed, her head resting somewhere near his hand. And now, finally, he was up. Sakura felt a whole bunch of her nerves disappear all at once, for some reason.

"You're finally up!" Sakura yawned.

Itachi stared at her through half-lidded eyes.

"Are you thirsty? Hungry? Can I get you anything?" Sakura was quick to get on her feet, albeit clumsily, but still up nonetheless.

"Time?" he merely muttered.

"The time? It's three. You must be thirsty, I'll get you something." Sakura was out the door before he could even say anything to refuse her, or even register what she was saying, for hat matter. How was she so alert, when she just barely woke up?

Obviously, when she said three, she had meant in the morning, seeing as it was nearly pitch black outside. Really? She had to do this again? All for him..

She came back with a glass of water, and helped him drink it.

"Are you still thirsty?"

"No"

"Are you hungry?"

"No"

"Are you comfortable? Do you need anything else? Don't be afraid to ask."

"No." his no was much more firmer than the previous two times, a lot more emphasis and force added to them.

"Are you positive?" Sakura asked once more.

"Why do you care?" he snapped.

Sakura looked at him, her gaze becoming angry for a few seconds. "Because you're my friend. Someone is allowed to care about you, you know?"

There was silence. He glanced away from her, no able to look at her emerald eyes.

"...You should rest." Sakura merely stated, not knowing what else she could say. The awkward atmosphere was too much for her. "I'm going to go take a quick shower."

Itachi didn't respond, his eyes closed, but merely listened as the heard the door to the bathroom shut and the shower starting. How did him stirring just the slightest bit wake her up? And why was she so quick to do everything for him?

Someone is allowed to care about you, you know?

And why did her words affect him so, so much?

Why indeed.

Itachi stared at his dark ceiling, his mood foul. She sure knew how to piss him off, that's for sure. He didn't know how long it had been, but he later heard the shower stop running. He closed his eyes and pretended he was asleep once he heard the door open several minutes later, and Sakura emerge from it. From there, he heard bustling. He felt Sakura take the moist towel from his forehead, felt her warm hand on his forehead, and heard her sigh.

"Stupid Uchiha" he heard her grumble, before she placed the towel back on his forehead.

Minutes later, there was silence, and all he could hear was their breathing patterns.

He opened his eyes. There she was again, on the floor, her face near his hand.

There was more than enough room on the bed.

She didn't have to be so considerate, just for him. He glared, using his hand to flick her on the forehead. Her eyes snapped open. He could see just how tired she was, at that very moment, bags heavy, face slightly pale. "Do you... need something?" she asked slowly, just about ready to go run to the kitchen for something.

"Get on the bed, you'll catch a cold."

"You need room. You should be comfor-"

"Get on the bed. It's not a suggestion." Itachi glared.

"But-" Sakura was ready to protest.

"Someone is allowed to care for you, you know."

He got her with that one, he knew, as her alert expression fell. She knew he was right, but she hated it. Still, she knew, neither Hinata nor Ino would stand for what she was doing either. So with a less than accomplished sigh, she got up, stiff muscles and all (it seems like she had spent hours in that very same position), she walked around the bed, and laid down alongside Itachi. "Are you su-"

"Yes, now shut up." He closed his eyes once seeing that Sakura had comfortably situated herself on the bed, with no intentions of getting out later. He could practically feel Sakura roll her eyes.

Then there was silence. He peeked one eyes open.

She was already asleep.

Itachi refrained from rolling his eyes. She sure was a peculiar girl.

She mumbled some, stirring, and a stray strand of hair fell from her face. Itachi's hand instinctively went to go put it back in place, but it froze mid-air.

Why the hell did he feel the urge to do that?

Why, why why?

Why indeed.

He was sick.

Of course. Stupid irrationality. He couldn't help but glare at her long and hard, but even then, his glare faltered, and his eyes softened to what could nearly be an endearing look.

It was nice to have someone worry over him in a way only his mother had ever done.


Itachi awoke to a bright, sunny day. Finally, the rain clouds had gone, and with it, for the most part, his fever.

'Just a small headache' he noted with relief. Although the headache would be a bother, it was tolerable, compared to the other head-numbing migraines he had received the day prior.

He turned, expecting to see Sakura knocked out cold, asleep, but awoke to an empty bed.

Where was Sakura?

"Naruto! Breakfast is ready! Get your butt out of bed this instant!"

Well, that had answered that question. He heard bustling, and then found his door being opened. "Oh! Itachi," she seemed startled. "I'm sorry, I hope I didn't wake you." He merely shook his head in response. "Very well. Breakfast is ready. Would you like to go down to eat with us, or would you like me to bring your breakfast to you?"

"Wait 'til the kids are gone." he merely hummed out. Even though he hadn't seen Sasuke and Naruto in days, Naruto was obnoxiously annoying once he got food in his system, and he still had a headache, better or not.

"Of course." she smiled warmly at him, before leaving the room.

"Alright, if I don't find Naruto at the table by the time I get there, he's not having ramen for a week!" He heard a small crash (Naruto obviously falling off his bed in a hurry), and heard him yell "You're no fun at all, Sakura-neesan!" as he dashed downstairs, pulling on his shirt and buckling his pants all the while. He didn't even bother to brush his teeth or comb his hair.

Sakura chuckled. "It's not my job to be fun, sorry."

And then there was silence. He heard bustling downstairs, obviously the kids, but soon enough, he heard his mother taking off with the kids, leaving him alone in the house with Sakura.

Eventually, she re-entered his room with a folding tray table. "We have chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream and strawberries, as requested by Hinata, some toast, and orange juice."

He noted with dull amusement that that pancakes had a smiley face on them, made by the whipped cream and strawberries. She didn't bother explaining. He'd only laugh at her anyway. She placed the tray on his lap as he sat up, and she sat across from him, legs crossed. He questioned her for a few seconds, before he noted that there were two plates.

"It's much nicer when you don't eat alone." she flashed him a grin before he could question her.

So question her, he did not. There was a comfortable silence between the two as they ate. "So," she paused slightly so she could drink her juice, "what's on today's agenda?" she questioned.

"What day is it?" he questioned.

"March 3rd." she commented.

Well, was it that day already? A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "It's time to introduce you to the Hokage."

End of Chapter

I really enjoyed writing up this chapter xD Could be why it was updated relatively early (seeing as I've had crap updates for the longest time D;)

Anyway, really excited to see what you all have to say about this one :] Lots of fluff and SakuraxItachi moments XD

Any and all feedback is much appreciated!

-Marzy-chan~~! :))