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Sasuke stood in the entrance of Sakura's house. Sakura and Itachi slipped their shoes off, heading inside. He paid particular attention to the way his brother strolled right in. After a few seconds, Itachi looked over his shoulder.

"Come inside, Sasuke. It's alright," Itachi urged, motioning with his hand. His forehead wrinkled when Sasuke just stared back at him. He felt a nudge against his side as Sakura slipped past him. She walked all the way back out to grasp Sasuke's hand.

"Come on. I don't have soda or anything. Do you like tea?" Sakura inquired. When she gave a little tug, Sasuke toed his sneakers off and followed her. He turned his head to stare at all the magazine clippings and medals arranged on one section of the hall. Sakura felt him stop so she stopped too.

"Oh," she said when she realized what he was looking at. Itachi did too. They were both so used to this wall that they never even noticed it anymore.

Sasuke wasn't looking at any of the big headlines or glittering plaques. He was focused on a simple black frame.

Inside was a photo of her wearing that lilac costume she had hated to much during her first Junior Grand Prix. Sparkling flowers swirling over her chest and stomach. A huge bouquet of orange and red lilies filled her arms. But she knew that she hadn't been smiling so wide about that.

It was the way her father held her silver medal high above his head. The way her mother had her arms thrown around her. And the way Kisame stood behind them, arms crossed over his chest as he laughed.

Sasuke glanced over his shoulder. Saw the look in Sakura's eyes as she stared at the photo too. More importantly, he caught a glimpse of the way his brother was looking at her from behind.

"Sakura-san?" Sasuke called.

Blinking, she refocused on him.

"What kind of tea?" he asked.

Sakura's smile widened. "What kind do you want?"

After a cup of warm tea, Sakura found her car keys. They took a drive around Konoha and the surrounding area. Some of the trees were still barren from the winter, but the area was beginning to regain the greenery it had shed in the fall.

Sasuke leaned out the back window, arm lolling out as he let the wind buffet his cheeks and hair. He thought he heard his name. He leaned back into the car, straining to listen to the conversation up front.

"-the first time he's come to visit without my parents," Itachi told her.

Sakura drove with both her hands low on the steering wheel. She glanced at Itachi before she returned her eyes to the road.

"Are you worried?" she queried.

"I hope nothing's wrong. Our Mom called a few days ago to tell me that he seemed upset. And then he texted me to ask if he could stay with me for the weekend," Itachi went on.

"Maybe he fought with your parents," suggested Sakura.

"Maybe." Itachi didn't sound convinced.

And then Sakura tapped her fingers against the steering wheel. She hummed a little as she thought.

"Well... I can't really speak from experience because my childhood is...well... it's not that normal, I guess." She paused and Itachi snorted. "But I think I'm learning from the students at work that... kids- young people, I mean, all have their own struggles. They have a lot to worry about. I wouldn't blame him for wanting a break." Sakura's eyes flickered over to Itachi again.

"What do you think?" she then asked.

Itachi began to turn around. Sasuke flung himself halfway out the window again.

"Sasuke," Itachi called.

Sasuke slowly turned his head. He met Sakura's eyes in the rearview mirror. They sparkled. She had definitely caught him eavesdropping. But instead of ratting him out, she winked.

"Are you okay, Sasuke? You're not carsick?" Itachi inquired. Sasuke shook his head. His eyes darted back to the rearview mirror. But Sakura was watching the road again.

"Do you want to go to the beach?" Itachi suggested. Sasuke's eyes flew to him.

"The beach?" he repeated.

Sakura took the next U-turn and headed back to her house. They parked in the driveway and walked the five minutes to the beach. As they reached the end of the street, Sasuke took off in a run. Jumping over the barrier, he scrambled onto the sand, abandoning his sneakers somewhere along the way.

Itachi and Sakura took off their shoes and left them by the barrier before they followed. Itachi bent down to pick up the shoes and socks. He chuckled, shaking his head a little as he watched Sasuke run up to the ocean. He took one step into the cold water and scrambled back, yelling what sounded like a curse word. Itachi pretended not to hear that.

"He's cute," Sakura commented. She clasped her hands behind her. Itachi glanced at her. He smiled as he shook the sand off Sasuke's socks. He placed them inside the sneakers.

"Were you like that when you were his age?" she wondered as they continued walking. Itachi was silent for a moment as he looked back at his brother. Sasuke had given up on going in the ocean directly. Instead, he walked in the wet sand right along the shore.

Looking back at Sakura, he smiled. "I was cuter," he declared.

Sakura burst into laughter, knocking into him with her shoulder. Itachi laughed too as they went on walking. Standing just close enough that they were almost touching. Their footsteps making twin trails in the sand behind them.


They had an early dinner at Itachi's place. White rice and instant curry. Sasuke gathered up the dirty dishes and went to wash them before either of the adults could move.

Sakura leaned back on her palms as Itachi scrolled through his phone.

"We need to leave at 5," Itachi announced, more for Sasuke's benefit than for Sakura's. She already knew the schedule.

"Do I have to dress nice, Nii-san? I only have casual clothes... and my school uniform," Sasuke asked over his shoulder. Sakura got to her feet. She moved to stand next to Sasuke. She moved her hand from the top of his head, tracing a straight line through the air to the space above her head. And then she measured his shoulders using her palms, counting how many it took to get across.

"What are you doing?" Itachi wondered, chuckling a little. Sakura leaned against the counter as she pulled her phone out. She scrolled through her contacts until she found Naruto's number. He picked up on the second ring.

"Nee-chan! What's up?" he asked over speakerphone.

"Do you have a clean shirt and slacks I could borrow?" she requested.

There was a pause. They could hear something crinkling that sounded like a bag of potato chips. And then there was the clink of hangers knocking against each other.

"Uh... sure. Do you need shoes?"

Sakura lined up her foot next to Sasuke's.

"Hm... yeah. Bring those too," she replied.

Naruto showed up 10 minutes later. They heard his bike bell ringing as he pedaled down the street. He ran up the steps to the second floor. Itachi opened the door for him. Naruto bowed.

"Hi, Sensei," he greeted him. Itachi stepped to the side so Naruto could enter the apartment. He carried the clothes on a hanger over his shoulder. His expression brightened when he spotted Sakura getting to her feet. She crossed the room to take the clothes.

"Naruto, you're my hero," she declared. A grin stretched his mouth, cheeks turning a little pink.

And then Sakura turned, holding the clothes out.

"These should fit you. You're just about Naruto's size," she told Sasuke. He accepted the hanger.

"Oh! Almost forgot!" Naruto exclaimed. He reached into his messenger bag to pull out a pair of tan loafers. He held them out to Sasuke, who took them with his other hand.

"Thanks," Sasuke replied.

"Who is this anyway?" questioned Naruto. His face scrunched up as he stared at Sasuke. And then he looked at Itachi. Head whipping back and forth a few times.

"Sensei... you have a son?" gasped Naruto.

Sakura covered her mouth with her first, trying not to laugh. Itachi sighed.

"No, Uzumaki-kun. This is my younger brother. He's visiting for the weekend," explained Itachi with astounding patience.

"Oh. Cool. I'm Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto said, pointing at himself. Sasuke nodded at him.

"Uchiha Sasuke."

"Thanks again, Naruto. I'm actually heading home so walk me out, okay?" Sakura spoke up. She picked up her purse before she patted his back. Naruto's face lit up again.

"Okay!" he agreed.

"I'll pick you two up at 5?" Sakura said to Itachi. He nodded. When she looked at Sasuke, he nodded too.

Sakura headed out of the apartment, Naruto close on her heels.

"Nee-chan, are you sure that's his brother? I still think that's his kid," Naruto whispered too loudly. Sakura's laugh slipped into the apartment as the door swung shut behind them.

It had been a while since she'd seen Naruto outside of school. He chattered as he walked her home. She asked him about how baseball was going, laughing when he flexed his muscles to show her how hard he'd been working out.

"Where're you going at 5 anyway, Nee-chan?" he asked as they approached her house.

"Oh, some kind of gallery opening. It's Uchiha-sensei's friend's... thingy," she tried her best to explain. Naruto's forehead wrinkled. He tilted his head to one side.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing," Naruto said too quickly.

"What?"

"Nothing!" Naruto insisted again. He got on his bike. "Have fun, Nee-chan!" He yelled that over his shoulder as he began pedaling in the direction of his house. She watched him disappear at the end of the street before she headed inside. Shaking her head at how odd Naruto could be.

Sakura showered and dug through her closet for her dresses. They were shoved all the way to the back. Some of them were from middle school. She reminded herself for the millionth time to donate them when she got the chance.

She found a grey plaid dress that she hadn't worn in a while. In fact, she only remembered wearing this dress once. And it was to a magazine interview. Which made no sense, in retrospect, since they hadn't taken any photos of her. She laughed at the memory as she got dressed. It tied in the front; she was happy that it didn't feel tight anywhere.

When she picked up Itachi and Sasuke, they had cleaned up nicely. Sasuke was squabbling with Itachi about his hair. When Itachi tried to neaten it, Sasuke ran his fingers through it again. Sakura leaned out the driver's side window.

"Let's go, boys. It's 5," she called.

Itachi and Sasuke pointed at each other, clearly asking her to pick a side. Sakura stared at them. Then down at her watch. She raised her foot off the brake. The car begin inching forward without them. Itachi and Sasuke exchanged looks before they ran toward the car, their argument forgotten.

The gallery opening was quiet. It was a small crowd. Several people recognized Sakura, but they were polite enough not to kick up a big fuss when she raised her pointer finger to her lips. She was happy to take some selfies with the fans who asked.

When they began walking around the exhibition, Itachi and Sakura were silent. Sasuke trailed a little behind them, tugging a little at his shirt. It fit him... technically. But the sleeves and collar were tight. He nearly bumped into Sakura's back when she stopped walking.

"Your thoughts?" Itachi asked.

"Well..." Sakura hedged. She peeked back at Sasuke. Hooking her arm through his, she pulled him up to join them. Itachi rested his elbow on Sasuke's opposite shoulder.

"What do you think, Sasuke-kun?" Sakura questioned.

"Uh...it's...kind of... ugly?" Sasuke whispered just to them. And then he glanced around to make sure that the artist himself wasn't hovering behind them.

"I was thinking the same thing," Sakura whispered back. Sasuke looked over at his brother. Itachi's shoulders shook as he gave a silent laugh. When their eyes met, Itachi nodded.

'Me too,' he mouthed.

When Itachi's friend finally found him, Sakura and Sasuke pretended to be engrossed in admiring one of the paintings behind him. Which was literally a piece of white canvas with gray zig-zags all over it. They furrowed their brows, nodding and exchanging serious looks. All while Itachi tried to have a serious conversation with the artist himself. As soon as his friend walked away, Itachi turned to scold them. Giggling, Sakura and Sasuke fled to the other side of the gallery.

By the time they left the gallery, it was late. Sasuke had gorged himself on half a plate of finger sandwiches. When they got to the highway, he was fast asleep, head lolling against the window. Itachi sighed as he turned away to face the front.

"That was a disaster," muttered Itachi.

"Why? I had fun," Sakura replied, smiling as she switched lanes. She missed the way Itachi's eyes lingered on her face. He was quiet for a while as he loosened his tie.

"...I did too," he responded.


The following day, Sakura was up at dawn again. She ran to the rink, sneakers matching the tempo of the music as they hit the pavement. Minato was just unlocking the doors to the rink, still yawning and rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

She played jazz that morning, letting it blare out over the rink's speakers as she warmed up. Karin had asked for help choreographing a routine for an ice show. Sakura had spent a couple days listening to the song she had sent her. She spent the morning trying out some choreography, keeping in mind Karin's strengths and preferences as she chose the jumps and rhythm.

Shikamaru called about an hour into practice. She answered using her bluetooth, still skating as she spoke.

"Are you at the rink?" he asked right away. Before she could respond, he heard her skates slicing across the ice.

"Okay, nevermind," Shikamaru decided.

"Wait, what is it?" she insisted.

"It's nothing. I just wanted to ask if you wanted to hang out. I'm bored," he admitted.

"Come to the rink. Uchiha-sensei said he's dropping by in a bit," she told him.

Shikamaru let out a long sigh. "Oh no. I suddenly have a stomach ache. Guess I can't come. Bye," he said in a flat voice.

"Nara, what are y-" Before she could finish her sentence, he had ended the call.

"Weirdo," she muttered as she pulled her earbud out.

Sasuke and Itachi stopped by not long after. Itachi had obviously warned him because they were both wearing sweatshirts. She waved at them as she skated past. And when she had finished with her routine, she stopped in front of them to chat for a bit.

"Um... I don't really remember the song. It was... the one where... um..." Sasuke struggled to remember.

"What color was her outfit that year?" Itachi suggested.

"It was like... blue... but sort of whitish. Man, Mom watches it all the time. I should remember this," he sighed. Sakura's eyebrows rose.

"Was it this song?" she asked as she scrolled through her phone to select a song. Sasuke's mouth opened.

"Yeah!"

"Mm. The Lark Ascending. I loved this one," she remarked. She closed her eyes, just soaking in the music for a bit. And then she pushed off the side of the rink. Even though it was the middle of the song, she easily slid into the old choreography. Like slipping into a t-shirt, worn and washed so many times until it was perfectly soft.

From the side, Sasuke and Itachi watched her move. And although Itachi had seen her skate many times before, he always had the same reaction. A sort of quiet awe that rendered him speechless.

Later that day, they took Sasuke to the train station. He asked to stay longer, but the art teacher and school librarian silenced him with stern gazes. As the train pulled into the station, Itachi poked Sasuke's forehead.

"Come visit during your summer break. You can't miss school," Itachi told him. Sasuke sighed, kicking at a stray pebble on the ground. He adjusted the straps of his backpack before he gave a reluctant nod.

"Oh. Hold on," Sakura spoke up.

Both brothers looked at her as she reached into her purse. She pulled out an old headshot of herself. She had a huge stack of extras lying in the storage room anyway. She had signed her name in the corner, along with a short message thanking one Uchiha Mikoto for being a wonderful fan.

"I don't know if I got the right kanji for her name. Sorry about that," Sakura explained as she handed it to Sasuke. Sasuke cracked a smile.

"Doesn't matter. Mom's gonna be so happy," he told her. He tucked it under his arm.

"Sorry about third-wheeling your date, by the way," Sasuke then muttered.

Silence answered his apology. After a while, he lifted his chin, forehead wrinkling. He looked from Sakura's wide-eyes to Itachi's frozen face. His gaze flickered back and forth a few times before he scowled.

"Nii-san. Seriously. You haven't said anything to her?" he demanded.

"Sasuke, just go home," Itachi whispered.

"Sakura-san, I know my brother seems a little dorky, but he's really nice. He's loyal so he'll never cheat on you," Sasuke said, turning to Sakura. Itachi's face went from pink to red.

Sasuke glanced over his shoulder for a second before looking back at Sakura. "The only bad thing is that he can't cook and sometimes he doesn't shower every day-"

"Sasuke, please."

"But you're pretty, so I'm sure he'll step up the hygiene if it's for you," Sasuke went on, ignoring his older brother who was now almost maroon.

"He's really caring and he has good manners. And honestly, if he wore his contacts instead of those dork glasses, he'd be pretty good-looking," Sasuke concluded.

Sakura pressed her lips together, trying her hardest not to laugh out loud. Itachi curled in on himself like an overcooked lobster. He was about the same color too.

"I'll keep that in mind, Sasuke-kun. But you better go before you miss your train," she told him. She waved as he got onto the shinkansen. He found a seat by the window. When he sat, he mouthed something to Itachi who mouthed something back with obvious irritation.

Itachi didn't look at her after the train had rushed out of the station.

"Your brother's really funny. Seems like a good kid," she commented, just to break the silence.

"Yeah. He's a real comedian," replied Itachi in a faint voice.

Sakura couldn't help but feel a little disappointed at that statement.


End Part 10