A/N: Quick note before you get into this chapter. I recommend going back to chapter 25 and reading the latter portion of it. It'll really help with understanding some things. Just a suggestion, not at all a requirement! I didn't change anything about that chapter, it'll just be a refresher. Read on!

It was well past visiting hours when Shisui happened by Sakura's room with Midori trailing behind him. It took a bit of coercing on his end for the nurse to allow them back. He imagined it had a lot to do with Itachi's presence, one that he assumed hadn't left Sakura's bedside since the doctor led him behind the double doors a couple hours ago.

They both agreed not to step inside and disturb the two of them. So, they watched from afar, peeking through the small opening of the window. From this vantage point, Sakura looked fine. The faint beeping of her heart monitor was reassuring as was the content look upon her face. She looked peaceful despite the prior circumstances.

"What a relief…" But he didn't feel like he could relax just yet. For his eyes then trailed to the immobile form of his cousin who, just as he feared, was poised in what had to be one of the most uncomfortable chairs known to man. At her side, probably where he'd been when he first entered. His eyes were on her and stayed on her while both hands grasped one of hers in what looked like a firm but gentle grip.

He could tell he was tired at the fact that he didn't look ready to rest or leave her worried Shisui. A lot. Judging by the shifting taking place beside him, he wasn't the only one feeling some type of way about the sight before them.

"I do not think I have ever seen him look at anyone the way he looks at her…" It was something Midori struggled coming to terms with. For years, she only had eyes for Itachi. Ever since her father entered the political arena, ever since she first saw him, first spoke to him, first saw his smile. All she saw was him.

Seeing him now with an expression she knew very well being aimed at another. It hurt in a way that she almost felt ashamed of. Because he isn't wrong for not returning her affections. He isn't wrong for sharing such a look with some else. He isn't wrong and she knows he isn't wrong. And that is perhaps what hurts more than anything. He didn't wrong her, but she wants to feel anger toward him. Unwarranted, selfish, bitter anger.

Perhaps it is time to turn her eyes away from him, at last…

"That's because with Sakura, Itachi feels something he hasn't from anyone else." Shisui stepped closer, bandages visibly covering his bruises and scrapes with hands stuffed in his pockets. He, too, gazed at the two before them though with a smile that expressed genuine happiness for them.

"And what's that?" Midori chose to humor this comment he made, wishing to hear just what Sakura has that she doesn't. They look almost identical so it must have something to do with her personality.

"I've known him longer than most everyone, aside from his parents. Unlike aunty and chief, I've seen sides of Itachi they probably don't even know exist. He's had a lot on his plate since the beginning. All of it piled on and on by family, work, whatever. He's always managed to juggle everything but the stress of meeting expectations coming from all sorts of directions can take a toll on anyone, even him…"

His gaze darkened, recalling hard conversations, stressful arguments and cold hard truths. As much of a genius he was, Itachi couldn't see that all his efforts would one day be for naught if he failed to live long enough to see the fruits of his labor.

"With Sakura…she wasn't just another weight on his shoulders. Because she never required anything of him, didn't expect the world and probably wouldn't even now. Even though she needs him more than she knows it. That's why he looks at her the way he does. She challenges him, gives him a sense of purpose that's far more meaningful than getting up and going to work every day because he knows that if he doesn't go above and beyond for her that close to no one else will. He wants to be that irreplaceable pillar for her."

"A sense of purpose…" Mulling over his words, Midori felt these oddly placed hints of conviction pricking at her heart. Did Itachi give her a sense of purpose? Did he make her feel as if she could ever be irreplaceable in his heart? Why was she so in love with him? Could it have been mere infatuation? Were her feelings all surface with no depth? How could she have clung to him for so long, so fiercely without ever feeling like no one could take her place?

"Whether we know it or not, having someone around to break down our boundaries and give our lives some meaning is essential to survival. Sometimes it's a friend. Other times…it's more than that…" It was as if he sensed her inner turmoil, and maybe he'd been able to read her for all these years and she was just too blind to see it, Shisui brushed his hand against hers with fingers that seemed to ask permission to grab on. To comfort.

It seemed she needed a friend. Or maybe more than that.

"I…I see…" She muttered in a tone that denoted a definite sadness that pricked at Shisui's heart. He knew seeing this would be hard for her. He knew that there was a chance that she still pined for Itachi, that she may not return his feelings. He knew that. It didn't make watching her get teary eyed any easier.

"…I will be returning to Konoha shortly. I just received word that my father wishes to return home immediately."

"Oh, then I'll see—." He made a move, just a slight gesture, to let go of her hand only to find her fingers had gripped his rather tightly all of the sudden. Shisui perked up, granting her a muted but bewildered look.

"S…Surely you intend to come with me…" Yes, there was sadness in her eyes, and it was hard watching Itachi be with someone else. And she wasn't sure of her feelings at the moment and may not be able to give Shisui a straight answer for quite some time. But for the past several hours, he'd a been a pillar for her. And maybe it was selfish of her to continue leaning on him but that's never stopped her before. It wouldn't stop her now.

"Heh, of course."

Uncertainty plagued the mind of Naruto as he sat in the waiting room. Hours had gone by since he arrived at hospital. He'd paced the floor more times than he cared to count. All because he didn't know what to do otherwise. At some point he realized that Sakura must've been fine. That guy the doctor led back behind the double doors had been back there for so long. He must've had something good to say.

Where did that leave him, though? He'd been on the wrong side up until a few hours ago and with Sakura incapacitated, there was no one to vouch for him. Should he just leave and try to hitch a ride back to Konoha. That would surely piss of Sakura if he took off without at least seeing her. Even then, he didn't feel right just bailing after what she did for him. Again.

A sigh heaved from his lips as he reclined back in that uncomfortable waiting him chair. His head tilted back as he gazed at the ceiling then closed his eyes in a feeble attempt to think up a feasible plan of action.

"Yo," a voice called his attention and the smell of coffee called it louder. He straightened to see Sasuke standing before him with a cup extended in one hand while the other held one he'd poised to his lips.

"Oh. Thanks." He muttered quietly but with gratefulness in his voice. His fingers grasped the outside of the cup while he stared down at the black reflection marred by the occasional ripple.

"Aa." It was quiet after that. Sasuke returned to his seat, a few chairs down from Naruto and just sort of sat there. Naruto wasn't sure if he was grateful for the silence or annoyed that Sasuke still hadn't really said anything to him about why he was here or what he had to do with that whole kidnapping fiasco.

"…—speak to the kid and we'll get…Sasuke! Slight change of plans. Actually, not real sure what the current plan is now…anyway! I'll be escorting Midori back home. Are you going to be hanging out here much longer or…?" Shisui just exited the double doors with Midori trailing behind him and—were they holding hands?

"Don't know. I wanted to wait to see if Sakura was alright then head back to the hotel. What's Itachi doing?" Sasuke spoke up, leaning his head into his palm as if to stifle a yawn he'd been holding in. It didn't work. He was tired. They were all tired.

"Heh, well…let's just say he's not going anywhere any time soon. Want to hitch a ride with us back to the hotel? Sakura's fine, by the way. Just resting." The younger boys seemed to visibly relax then. Just like Naruto, Sasuke assumed she was okay. The whole not knowing was really taking a toll, however.

"Yeah, that's fine." A slight groan left him as he stood. He stretched his back to work out a stiff joint before joining the two currently en route to the exit. Then he paused, taking a look at the blond still seated rather awkwardly in the waiting room.

"You coming?" He didn't really know why he called out him and so suddenly. Yeah, that guy helped with the mission and all but there were still a lot of unanswered questions concerning his presence in the first place. A friend of Sakura's wasn't much to go off but…

"Huh? Uh…I…are you sure?" And Naruto didn't know whether he was walking into trap or not. It's not like switching sides granted him immunity or anything. He could very well get arrested as soon as he walks out of the hospital. Then again, if they were going to do anything to him, they'd have done it by now.

Right?

"Aa. Not sure what details need to be figured out but that can happen in the morning. Besides, Sakura would probably give me hell if I just left you here." And that was something they could both easily agree upon.

Finally, morning arrived in Suna with the sun creeping over the desert horizon and peeking in through Sakura's window right as Itachi's thumb rhythmically brushed over her knuckle for what had to be the thousandth time. He hadn't moved from his perch. Not since the doctor welcomed him to stay the night. He never left her side.

It was strange, the attachment he felt toward her. He liked to think it hadn't always been there but as he sat with his mind wandering and churning with thoughts all pinned on the younger woman that lie in the bed beside him, he knew that wasn't exactly true. Yes, the attachment wasn't always there but it's been there long enough.

"When did this start? When did you become so important…?" Spoken as if she may answer, Itachi humored himself with these questions while trying to recall the exact moment. And maybe there wasn't one. Maybe there were just little instances or small gestures or tiny pieces of her personality that permeated just enough to stand out to him. Enough to not only grab his attention but keep it.

"You don't know anything about me."

At the time, that wasn't exactly true. He knew enough. Enough to track her down. And sure, maybe blackmailing her wasn't the best idea but he felt as if it would be a sufficient way to get her on board for the mission given her questionable track record and knack for getting in trouble.

"I learned to stop trusting people a long time ago."

Maybe it was then. She presented herself to be a challenge early on and he's never been known to back down. Trust has always been a vital part of being a member of the police force and despite Sakura's position being temporary, her role was far too important for Itachi to just leave her to such dangerous devices. She needed to trust him. But did he also trust her?

He wanted to.

"What's with all these questions? What are you trying to do?"

It was his way of bridging the gap between them. Because there was one. He all but arrested her, coerced her into working for him and forced a new lifestyle on her that he was certain she didn't like the majority of the time. There was nothing but an informal agreement between them and he couldn't stand for that. He wouldn't stand for that. So, he opened the door and hoped she would walk through it of her own accord.

"It is fine, Itachi. I am sure Midori-sama has a very interesting life. I shall enjoy reading about it."

She didn't need him. Honestly, she probably never did. But that moment solidified any musings he had on whether Sakura was someone who'd one day become just another weight or whether she'd take some matters off this metaphorical plate that everyone seems to have their hand in these days.

"Come on! Be embarrassed, get turned on, show some emotion for kami's sake!"

She was irrational in a lot of ways that made her as equally charming as she was dangerous. And she wasn't afraid him. Wasn't afraid to call him out or question his methods, mannerisms, attitude. She wasn't afraid of him. Until something within her…changed…one day.

"It's not your fault, Itachi. I just have some growing up to do."

Something had changed about her. So drastically. Seemingly so suddenly that he at once grew fearful. For her. For himself. For them. Sakura's behavior struck him in such a way that anxiety he'd hadn't felt in years suddenly hit him so strongly he had no choice but to bury himself in work, in the mission, to feel some semblance of normalcy. If not, he would constantly find himself yearning to see her.

"I trust you, Itachi."

He was happy to hear that. Probably more than she knew.

"I love you, Uchiha Itachi…"

He wished everything would've stopped. He wished he could've pulled her back toward him and just…held her. He wished he could've said something. That he would've said something. He should've said. Something.

But he didn't.

"Even if it's just for tonight, I'm begging you, please accept these feelings of mine."

It plagued him. Ate away at him. And nearly drove him insane. The fact that he couldn't say what he wanted to, do what he wanted to until this godforsaken mission was over. And even now, he's still unable to express himself in manner that seems right to him. And as his thumb once again brushes the smooth surface of her smaller hand, he laments to himself how bitterly sweet and unfair a moment like this is.

"…I do, Sakura."

He wasn't there when she woke up. After some time, he stood from his seat and left that quiet room. He wasn't sure what time it was or what the state the rest of the world would be in when he stepped outside of the door. As much as he would've liked to be there when she opened her eyes, he knew he couldn't delay his responsibilities any longer.

But he'd be back.

"I'll give you an honest answer soon." It was one of the only things she ever asked of him and he'd make sure he did it. Once everything was over.

It would be late afternoon before Sakura finally woke up. It was to the sound of the humming machines beside her and constantly beeping of her heart monitor rhythmically chiming. Her crept open amidst the presence crust staining her lashes. She moved to rub the sleep away only to discover pain in her shoulder and the lingering presence of numbness. In fact, her entire body felt tender, tense, and sore.

Pink brows knit together in confusion as she tried to piece her thoughts together enough to conjure an image that might give her hint to her current location and why she felt like a truck had hit her.

"Oh right, the mission…" Her voice sounded hoarse leaving her dried lips. A quick scan around the room let her know she was in a hospital of some kind. That's right, her shoulder. Danzo, that bastard, he shot her. She shivered at the thought, instinctively raising her other arm to nurse the bandaged injury. Only…that arm was also bandaged.

"That's right…I…my father…" It was a split-second decision. One that she barely remembered making. The medical staff wasn't exactly keeping in quiet that he'd lost a lot of blood and they didn't have any that matched his type to do a blood transfusion. She wasn't thinking when she offered, demanded they take hers. Even when they advised against it given her own condition, she insisted.

"Why did I…" What Danzo said was true. He still means something to her. Otherwise she wouldn't have tried to safe him in a way only she could.

A sigh escaped her as she switched her gaze from her blankets to the side where the sun crept in from the window. Her eyes widened at the sight of a body poised before the pane, his back turned. It wasn't who she was expecting. In fact, she was pretty certain she was imagining him. Was he really there? And if so, was that voice she heard last night actually him.

"K…Kakashi…?" He turned right as the first syllable left her lips. He looked the same, for the most part. Had that same gravity defying hair. The same eyes though they seemed to have aged somehow. The same weird mask covering his face.

"Sakura…how are you feeling…?" He approached only to sit at her side, leaning forward in the chair with elbows resting atop his knees. She let her eyes scan his figure for a moment just to make sure her eyes weren't playing tricks on her. Gosh, it's been so long since she saw him. He was really a sight for sore eyes.

"I…I'm fine. A little banged up but…Kakashi, what are you doing here? How long have you been here?" Seriously, he didn't just expect her to answer his question without shooting him a ton of her own. He was literally the last person she expected to see. Ever.

"Obito contacted me after they'd enlisted you for the mission. I've been a part of the team for about two weeks." He explained simply. His eyes were downcast as if he was comfortable looking at her. And while it did bother Sakura, she didn't feel like she had any right to confront him about it. Their estrangement she felt was really her fault. At least, that's what she believed. If only she knew he felt the same.

"Oh…why didn't you…" She paused, biting her lip. Why didn't he contact her? Why didn't he reach out and let her know that he was back with the police force? She knew why.

"Given everything we've been through, Sakura, I didn't feel it was my place to step into your life again. I lost that right a long time ago." Her head snapped up and before she could even consider her words, they were falling from her lips.

"Kakashi, everything is my fault! If I hadn't been so—!"

"You were a child. Regardless of what happened, everything that you felt and did was valid. No one can fault you for being angry and lashing out." Was this how he felt? All this time they were both sharing the blame in the separation. It was so messed up that she couldn't really say anything. Maybe…maybe they were both partially to blame. Maybe it was no one's fault at all. Maybe it was just life. But to Sakura, regardless of whose fault it was, the circumstances were just so unfair.

"Still…s-still…I'm so sorry…if I could go back in time, I'd…" His hand fell to her forearm and she could tell from one look in his eyes, eyes that denoted that kind of familiar sadness that just made her want to cry, that he was smiling. That hand gently squeezed her in a reassuring way that triggered tears, tears that brimmed her eyes and threatened to fall at any moment.

"I know, Sakura…I feel the same way. It's alright."

For the remainder of Kakashi's visit, the two were mainly playing catch up. A lot of the news, Kakashi already found out from Obito but he definitely didn't mind hearing it a second time from her. He was actually grateful that his friend had reached out to him. He wasn't sure he'd ever get the chance to reconcile his relationship with Sakura. Seeing her now, all grown up and showing signs of finally getting the happiness she deserved, he couldn't ask for anything else.

"I saw your mother." She grew stiff then. He could by her eyes this wasn't a topic was wanted to discuss. He wouldn't press it if she didn't want to hear any more.

"Yeah? How…is she okay?" It was a hesitant answer, one that he expected. It seemed she didn't hate her but there may be some lingering resentment toward her.

"From what I could gather. She lives in Kumo now. Never remarried or had any other children as far as I know."

"I see…" On her part, Sakura didn't really know how to feel. Her mom had been the second source of a lot of her problems, her father being the first. A lot of things could've been avoided if she stopped giving Hiro all those chances. She supposed she got that aspect of forgiveness from her.

She ended up giving him a second chance as well.

"W…Would it be possible to see her…?"

"I'm sure she'd really like that. Once you're out of the hospital we can talk about planning a trip." Once she was out of the hospital. This was really the first time that reality had set in for her. What would happen after she was discharged? She hadn't really talked about it with anyone. What she wanted to do or where she would go. Surely, she couldn't stay with Itachi.

'What…what am I going to do…?'

A/N: THERE'S TOO MUCH GROUND TO COVER. I really tried not to overload you guys with too much stuff in this chapter and I didn't want to make it too long. It's almost 4k words. Yikes.

ANYWAY. I love the relationships in this story. There's so many different ones and I feel like they're developing rather nicely. Shisui and Midori are off to a rocky start, but they'll be great, I can feel it. Then there's Sasuke and Naruto who have the oddest friendship and I couldn't resist making them pals. Kakashi and Sakura are on the mend, at last!

Last but definitely not least, Itachi's feelings for Sakura reach their peak! Next chapter they will finally confront each other! You won't want to miss it! As always, thanks for the support. Punk to Princess is coming to a close and it's really sad but I'm not done writing yet! Be sure to check out my other works!

Thank you!