II | Two

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She blinked a few times, the harsh beams breaking through her eyelids beforehand.

The light streaming through her unclosed second layer of curtain revealed the high amount of dust in the air. She definitely needed to clean again.

It was then that she glanced at the alarm clock positioned on her bedside table. As she read the digital clock – seeing it read "5:53" – she grunted. She, just as much as anyone, hated waking up minutes before their alarm went off. She didn't mind waking up early - however she did like a lie in every once in a while. She sighed to herself - at least she had gotten her big test out of the way and so Uni was a bit laxer for her.

Her double bed was positioned against the farthest wall away from the door. Most people might have placed it in the middle of the spacious room, but she preferred to feel the cold sensation of the wall against her skin on warm nights. There was a little bedside table where her alarm clock was perched, and finally, on the empty wall, there was a built-in mirrored wardrobe.

Her hand travelled to her face, rubbing the remains of sleep from her eyes. She lay there in peaceful silence for at least five whole minutes before making any movement to get up. Pulling back the cover on her bed and swinging her legs around, she heard several cracks sound from her joints, releasing the stiffness of her body. She stood up and turned, fixing her bed sheets over her bed. Her bed was no exception to her house: immaculate – except for the dust fluttering around. Everything was put into place and everything had a certain mathematical settlement about it.

She prepared herself for the day ahead, before grimacing slightly at her empty stomach.

She sighed heavily before walking out into the kitchen area, poking around until she found some previously prepared rice, and she proceeded to grab a pair of chopsticks as the door vibrated with the knocking coming from the other side. She closed the drawer before walking down the short corridor to the door, chopsticks still in hand.

Who would ever call at this time? In fact, who would ever call unannounced?

She opened her door and found Itachi standing there. Immediately, she noticed his clothing, as he was already fully dressed in what she could only describe as what would have looked like a normal suit, only the top few buttons were left open, revealing the nothingness beneath. The pair of sunglasses resting neatly atop his head reflected her own dishevelled bedhead. She stood there, looking almost a bit confused until he brought his hand up to in front of her face. Hanging limply around his fingertips was a pair of metallic keys with a piece of leather dangling from the back of them, embossed on it were the words that announced he drove a Jaguar.

"I thought you'd like a lift." He stated as she motioned with her head for him to come in. He removed his shoes at the genkan and she led him down the hallway and told him to sit. She guessed his car had been getting fixed otherwise she doubted he would have been getting the train.

She noted that it almost been a full week since he had last been into her house. She could see him remembering the set-up of her house after those days as his eyes darted about, taking it all in again. As he glanced out the window, he found the seat he had sat in last time without looking down at all.

She had seen him a few times on campus in that week, whilst they were with their respective friends, and had made small talk with him about how his car was broken and other irrelevant chit-chat all week, but it mildly surprised her to see him here. He must've gotten his car back.

Looking over at his immaculate appearance once more, she realised that it wasn't the fact that he was dressed so early that had her slightly taken aback. When they had bumped into each other during university it had made sense that they would hold mild mannered and banter filled conversations. But, him showing up to her house had purpose to it. It was almost as if Itachi had gone out of his way to see her, to give her a lift. That thought, to Sakura, did not compute at all. The systems shut down, over flooding with even the slightest mulling thought that Itachi had gone out of his way for her. There was no way. He must have felt the need to have repaid the favour for the dango last week. She shook her head mildly at the thoughts. Of course he couldn't have been interested in her.

"I was just about to have some breakfast. Would you like some?" She showed him the simple rice she was serving. He sat contemplating for a few moments.

"I'll serve you some out to save you from having to say yes, Uchiha-san." She smiled at him before turning around again to prepare the rice into two separate dishes. She placed the bowls of rice down onto the table before turning again to bring two pairs of chopsticks and repeating her actions of setting them on the table. The side dish of umeboshi she prepared she made sure to place in the middle of the table, making sure the Uchiha wouldn't feel awkward to help himself.

He picked up the chopsticks after she began eating and placed the rice into his mouth. She looked at his surprised expression with sorry realisation etched on her face and swallowed.

"Oh damn... I forgot to mention it was cold, I'll make some fresh for you." She told him as she made a move to get up. He moved his hand up and down, signalling her to seat while he finished his mouthful.

"No. It's fine. I'm surprised to find that anyone likes their rice cold apart from me." She smiled at his statement.

"That's the best way." She told him, grinning. "So don't you usually eat breakfast?" She asked, filling in the silence with idle conversation.

"I do. I usually stop and get a take out from the café beside the University." He said as she looked into his bowl. The steamed rice was dwindling down much like her bowl and she could only think that he would get another two mouthfuls out of it.

That was another odd thought for Sakura. Fair, even if he had have felt the need to repay her for the dango, it was weird that he would chose once again to dine with her instead of his usual. If she allowed it to plug into the formula correctly, it was as if he was pursuing a friendship with her – very normal, she thought, but why him and her? He was immensely popular with everyone, and she was… well, she was Sakura. Plain Sakura. Everyone in Sakura's life was always just there from childhood, it was odd, she thought, at this point in life, that someone would want to form a new friendship with her.

"The one that has the sign that's fallen off?" She asked offhandedly as she emptied the rest of the bowl's contents into her mouth.

"Yes. It's usually busy in the mornings." He replied, following suit as he finished his condiment.

"I see." She smiled while glancing at his empty bowl. "Are you done?" She questioned, knowing the answer was going to be that of the affirmative.

"Yes, it was very nice. You're an excellent cook." He handed her the bowl as she stood and placed both of their bowls into the sink, along with their chopsticks and now empty sideplate. In turn, she flushed at his compliment.

"I'm not very good. Plus it was only rice."

"Yes, yes..." He dismissed her, before glancing to her sink and stating, "Your dishes seem to be building up."

"Haha, you noticed? Hold on, let me go and find a jacket." She walked across the space, and slid into her bedroom while she rummaged about for a jacket. Whilst in the comfort of her room, without him watching, her shoulders shrugged slightly. It always more than bothered her when her house wasn't immaculate, lest he point it out. After a few moments hunting, she found a jacket.

"I'll probably clean them when I get home," she told him as she walked out of her bedroom, glancing up at the clock, "No time now." She smiled sheepishly. He stood up and made a move to walk.

Before they began to walk, she spoke up, "Are you sure you don't mind? Giving me a lift, I mean..." She stood, rooted to the spot and averted her eyes. She tried her best not to look flustered, but she hated nothing more than being a burden… than being "annoying". It was true, accepting his offer did make her feel bad - like she was in his pocket somehow. Of course it made her feel immensely thankful, but how could she express her gratitude for a car lift apart from with a mere thank you? And to her, that just wasn't good enough.

"Haruno-san, you will be sitting on a seat while I manoeuvre a vehicle in a path that I'm already travelling." He stated, his voice level.

She couldn't quite tell if he was joking or just being a serious Uchiha. His face was serious, but when her lips tugged at his extreme generalisation of the situation, he half smiled. He turned to walk to her front door, her following.

"I could use the company." He told her as he attempted to slip on his shoes. She smiled at his statement. Was he trying to say he enjoyed her company? Or maybe that's what she wanted him to say. Who was she kidding? The man barely knew her. Why would he go around telling her things like that? She pushed the thoughts from her mind, but couldn't remove the tiny smile from her face.

She also slipped her shoes on as he waited for her, grabbing her bag from where she'd lazily left it in her genkan and taking her keys from her hook to nestle them nicely into her pocket.

When she had successfully adjusted the straps and bag onto her back, he opened the door for her and gestured for her to walk out. Ever the gentleman, she mused silently to herself. He followed her out and waited while she locked the door.

They walked the small distance to the elevator and as they waited, the click of a door opening, slightly down the hall, could be heard.

"Sakura-chan!" The voice called out – nothing but old and frail syllables. Her head turned towards the source of the noise before his. To be found was a small, old lady, with slits for eyes hidden under thick, yellowing glasses, wearing a worn looking kimono. She was waving a rounded rice cooling fan, red patterns of bamboo and leaves standing out against yellow, using it to try and get Sakura's attention.

"Obaasan?" Sakura questioned, as if asking what the old lady was calling her for, although Sakura already had a fair idea of what the old lady wanted.

"Sakura-chan, could you feed Oki-chan for me when you get back?! I'll be out late! Key's where is always it!" Sakura twitched ever so slightly at her shouts - her hearing aid must have gone bust on her again. She also noticed Itachi's reaction to her and obaasan, figuring that he may have found their friendliness amusing.

"Of course I'll feed him for you. Hot date tonight, obaasan?" The old woman smiled, exposing a row of non-existent teeth; pure pink gum.

"I could say the same to you, Sakura-chan!" The old woman pulled her glasses to her forehead and squinted in Itachi's general direction. "You seem to have gotten yourself quite the catch!" She directed her next line to Itachi, "You treat her good, young man!" She waggled her finger at him before waving to Sakura and closing her front door.

The elevator dinged, indicating it had finally arrived at their floor. Sakura jumped in the elevator first, and as much as she wanted them both to forget obaasan's little suggestion, she had been so shocked she didn't gauge his reaction to it. She felt as though she almost had explaining to do, and so she proceeded, albeit awkwardly. "I, uhh – Obaasan doesn't know what she's saying. Best not to argue back with the elderly."

The elevator was stuffy at this time in the morning, when no one thought to turn on the air conditioning. She noted their close proximity, and it seemed he hadn't noticed – she would probably be blushing if he had. Especially considering, to her, it was just unusual to form friendships with people at this point - and it struck her as odd that someone like him would even be making the effort with her. She was a little awkward.

She wasn't awkward almost a week ago, when they had been teasing, confessing and dango-eating together. But she was feeling a tad awkward at the fact he was doing her a favour. Before she felt in control, but now she felt as if she was almost in his pocket – no… that he seemed he wanted her there.

Itachi let her out first, once again, from the small elevator. She waited for him, anticipating his lead in whatever direction the car might have been parked in.

They walked in a comfortable silence, and strangely enough, she did not find herself desperately trying to keep up with his long strides. He had slowed down for her, walking at her pace, she noticed. Maybe he was doing it purposely, maybe he wasn't, but she appreciated it nonetheless.

She wasn't a tall woman, neither was she a small woman, but he was tall compared to her. She stood at a mere 5'4", having not grown much. He, however, was at least 5'10", towering a whole head above her. She didn't really mind her height, it wasn't like it was a disadvantage, but sometimes she did wish she were taller. Sometimes it made her feel small, not just physically. When someone was taller, it felt as if they were better somehow. Towering above her; looking down on her. She didn't want to look down onto anyone; she simply wished to meet their gaze head on.

How she wished she had done that earlier in life. She unwillingly felt her thoughts slip back to her younger, Sasuke-fawning years. She smiled bitterly while glancing to the man on her right. Before a mere week ago, if anyone had asked this man what he knew about Sakura Haruno, he probably would've spilled out a resounding 'pathetic' or a 'can't stand on her own two feet'. And she was sure a lot of other people still held that opinion of her. In fact, she wasn't even sure if that would still be his answer. She hoped not.

She wanted to prove to people – to him – that she wasn't some stupid fan girl anymore. Crying and crying and calling after Sasuke. Being there to meet his every whim. She remembered loving him. Now all she felt was dullness. Even sometimes a dull ache – not at the fact that she had been rejected, but at the fact that she had wasted so much of her life chasing after him. And for what? To give people like Itachi a bad opinion of her. She honestly couldn't fathom anyone ever liking her beyond friends after her pettiness with Sasuke.

And Sasuke didn't care about anyone but himself. She wanted to laugh at herself, finding his assholishness attractive. Why did she at one point find brooding, egotistical and plain dickiness to be husband material – godly characteristics? She wanted to punch him. Square in the eye, give him a nice, big shiner. Everyone would ask him how he got it, and he would tell everyone it was a fight; 'You should've seen the other guy', he would say, as if it were nothing. But she would know. And she would give him a knowing smirk every time he would say it. He'd advert his eyes. And she would be so satisfied.

And the things she wanted to say to this man. Oh my. Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?

But what she wanted the most was to go back in time and punch her twelve year old self in the face. He doesn't love you! Why can't you see that?!

And now, she'd have to live with that. The reputation of the stupid fangirl she wasn't. She just hoped that Itachi didn't think she was like that. She hoped he could see past her old self, see the new, improved Sakura.

Why?

Why did she want to make sure that he knew her for her? Why did he, in the past week they'd properly known each other, concern her so much? She couldn't say. She didn't know. But, it felt right. It felt right to be concerned about his opinion of her.

They approached his car and she couldn't help but staring at it. It was...

Wow.

A car you'd see the famous and elite drive.

She always pictured people with these types of cars to lead her up to them and make her stand and watch while they stroked the bonnet and told her the car's name. But he did nothing apart from casually unlock the slick, black conveyance and open her door for her.

She smiled in thanks while she stepped in, removing her bag as she did so. He closed the door for her and she sighed as she sunk into the cosy leather seat.

She looked at the interior and gazed on wistfully. Black leather seats and beautiful. This was a beautiful car. And yes, she was slightly jealous.

She wondered if his father bought this for him or he had bought it for himself. She recalled the unintended reprimand she had gotten when she brought up the subject of his father's fortune. She understood entirely. He didn't want to be his father, he wanted to be Itachi. He didn't want his father to be the first thing you thought of when you heard his name. His was his own person, not someone living in the shadow of his father's infamy.

Just the same as her not wanting the name 'Sasuke' to come to mind when you thought of 'Sakura', or, the synonym of her 12-year-old self's name, 'idiot'.

Itachi stepped into the car from the driver's side and put the keys into the ignition. She held her bag firmly on her lap as she buckled herself in almost in unison with Itachi.

"You have a very nice car. I'm jealous." She told him playfully. "You just saved me from getting onto a hot, stuffy, crowded train. Do you mind if I call you Kami-sama?" He smiled lightly at that, and she felt slightly proud at her own wit.

He pushed his glasses down onto his face - and of course she had snorted – and pulled his car out of the parking space and out on the road. He drove at a steady pace.

She tried her best to stifle a giggle. Of course, he must've known what it was about. The sun had barely risen yet. "Is there something funny about my glasses, Haruno-san?" He questioned jokingly. Sakura admittedly was a little taken aback at perhaps his first jaunt.

"You look like a spy." She stated, taking in his attire once more. A suit, it looked like, only it was unbuttoned. "Or just someone trying to impress the ladies." He chuckled at that and she found herself surprised that he'd laugh in such a way. It was almost laughter of his surprise, like he found it absurd and that the thought had never once crossed his mind. It probably hadn't, she thought. From what she had gathered from her sources – Ino, the know-it-all blonde – , he never dated. 'He' being codenamed 'Eye Candy' by Ino.

The Eye Candy never dates. Come to think of it, she had whined it more than said it.

The Eye Candy is considered asexual, even.

And she supposed she could understand why he didn't. Most women kind of threw themselves all over him. She could understand that might be daunting for someone like Itachi, who she thought could almost be considered a little socially reserved.

And Itachi could pretty much have any girl he wanted. She was sure even the professors had some less than professional thoughts about the Uchiha male. And who wouldn't? She would admit it – he was a sight for sore eyes. He was, to put it frankly, extremely goodlooking. The face of an angel. Straight men probably had questioning thoughts about him, he was that goddamn fine.

"I can assure you, I have no one to impress." He finished chuckling and, surprising her, the sound continued to ring in her ears. Both his voice and laugh were deep and soothing, in an interesting monotone way.

"You've impressed me." She said quietly. When she quickly realised that might be interpreted for her telling him about her thoughts of his good looks, she quickly added, "with your fancy-pants car."

If he noticed her awkward addition to her half compliment, he didn't say anything, and simply took in the road ahead of him.

Sakura couldn't help but glance down at her own outfit, after pondering on the Uchiha's for so long. She was… well, unimpressive, even she had to admit. Thrifted jeans and an old, somewhat baggy t-shirt. That wasn't to say that she didn't enjoy it though. It was comfort, and that was what mattered. Glancing back at him, with somewhat of an inner turmoil, she let her shoulders slump slightly as she decided that she would actually think about her appearance, slightly more.

She could only imagine him, for some reason with his father, standing in a tailors, getting measured to be suited and booted. And where, for some reason, in her mind, a woman was measuring him - torso, legs, everywhere. Her hand roamed slowly over him, and lingered too long in places. She licked her lips absentmindedly. What was even making her think of such obscure things?

In the absence of her arm holding her bag, it began to slip from her knees. She grabbed it before it had a chance to hit the floor, hands clasping the stiff green material. Something felt odd about her bag today. Like it was missing an aspect of something or another. She groped at the rigid pale jade fabric of her bag. After a moment's molestation of cloth, she realised what was wrong.

"Shit..." She muttered under her breath, nigh mutely. Immediately, she cursed at herself and wished she hadn't said it aloud because it was more than likely that the Uchiha next to her had heard and would be asking what was wrong right about... Now.

"Something wrong?" She knew he would've. She barely heard herself whisper it.

"I uhh... may or may not have forgotten my lunch. No big deal, though." She grinned sheepishly to him and took her purse from her bag, checking her balance. She went for the safe option and internally sighed when she looked at how much she had. It wasn't any big deal, but she hated missing meals, as it would usually make her peckish later on in the evening. She had about 200 ryo, and cursed herself when she realised she had no bank card with her either. Too little for a sandwich. Maybe she could get a small onigiri or something to tide her over.

"One-hundred-and-seventy-five yen." She called out with a loud sigh and a shrug in her shoulders. It wasn't entirely her fault. In this day and age, everyone knew card was king, but how did she even forget her goddamn card?.

"Too little to buy lunch." He replied to her, with her accepting his observation with a slight nod of her head.

"Would you like to have lunch with me?" All innocent, all gentleman Itachi. But she almost choked at the question. It had come out of nowhere.

She knew she had forgotten her lunch before, back in high school. She remembered complaining to no one in particular while in the presence of her friends. Naruto had naturally jumped to asking her if she'd like to share, so she never really got to see a reaction from Sasuke. But that one time... She remembered the feeling when she realised she had left her bento on the kitchen table. That feeling of, what, slight disappointment? She didn't forget her lunch often, about as often as anyone. But that feeling of disappointment completely washed away when she realised she'd get a reaction from Sasuke that day, due to Naruto's absence. Her dream come true! Sasuke-kun sharing his lunch with her! How awesome could the day get? She had money for whatever with her, but why would she go and buy lunch and pass up the opportunity?

She remembered: Oh... I've forgotten my bento...

And then he sniggered at her. Right in her face as he continued eating his own bento, not giving a shit about anyone but his worthy self. She watched him eat it, something akin to absolute self-sabotage written on her face. But she didn't care. She made an excuse. Sasuke-kun is probably really hungry. He was never in the wrong to her. Never at fault in her childish eyes.

So before she knew what she was saying – the memory rushing over her and filling her up – the affirmative had already passed her lips. She quietly reprimanded herself at her impulsive speaking before adding, "Do you mind if I pay you back later? As you know, I've got virtually no money." He just laughed at her, then and there, for her stupid question.

"Yes. I do mind." He informed her firmly, sans unkindly. She had a funny feeling that he'd say something like that. And it's not like she could tell him to forget about it altogether. He had made up his mind, and if she could say one thing, the trait of formidable stubbornness seemed to run in all Uchihas.

"You can't just buy for me." She replied back to his straight answer that should've left no room for contrary opinion.

"I can." Was his short reply, no humour hidden under it, deadpan serious. But she couldn't help but laugh, her musical tune filling up the car. As if on cue, he added, "I will."

That just drove her into further hysterics. Forbid an Uchiha from doing something and it was as good as done. As she continued to laugh, she saw his own smile tug on his lips.

As her laughter died down, she replied jokingly, "Whatever you say, Uchiha." She took a risk for the sake of banter, dropping the honorific of his name.

For the rest of the car journey, they went in a comfortable silence, occasionally commenting about how either one of them had been to that restaurant, or how that house looked nice, how she'd definitely want a garden like that.

She had never travelled this route to University before, so she had only a vague idea of where they were from the few times she had been through the neighbourhoods they passed. The reason why she hadn't been on this route many times before was probably because she had never had her own chauffeur to taxi her about in a luxurious Jag. And it felt great. Not having to sit on a stuffy train where people's skin would stick together from the sweaty proximity. Where she had to worry about train perverts and worry about how she could reprimand them physically without making a scene.

The best thing about this journey, however, was not escaping from train perverts. It was the fact that it was a nice, comfortable, short drive. In fact, when she had glanced at her watch when they had started to drive, it had been around ten past eight. And now, as they drove in through the gates, just having passed the café with no sign, it was only half eight.

She just lost – not including the fifteen minute and then ten minute walks to and from stations – around forty minutes on her travel time. She regretted having left so early. She would usually leave her house at around ten to seven, seven at a push. And now it was half eight, and she had an hour to kill. Downtrodden, she thought about how she usually got in around ten minutes early – before her first lecture.

Watching out the window, spotting all the people who watched the car drive to its usual parking space, recognising it indefinitely. Some of the people full on stopped to try to make out the other character seated in the passenger seat; others were a little more discreet, watching the car cruise past from the corner of their eye. She found it all quite humorous, especially when she distinguished some of the faces she knew. Even funnier when it clicked in their head who was sitting in the passenger seat of his car; that brief expression of 'Sakura?' etched onto their face as the car skimmed by them.

She had to stifle a laugh as they passed Ino, though. She was the cherry on the cake. It was a mixture of her waving/jumping/doing a weird flailing movement with her entire body while trying to yell something at her. She probably wanted to be 'filled in'.

It felt like she was back in high school again, trying to fit in with the popular clique.

Itachi reversed in to his usual parking space, the one that no one seemed to take. Probably because he had made it a habit to park there. Turning the keys and taking them out of the ignition, the engine's rev hummed and faded into nothingness.

"You must tell me where you are before lunch. Around 1." He instructed her offhandedly as he made a move to get out of the car.

She undid her seatbelt, listening to the unfamiliar click, and suddenly, he was there. Again being the gentleman and opening the door for her. The differences were quite stark between the two brothers, she once again noted.

Sasuke – Get out.

Itachi – Oh, no, don't worry, I'll get the door for you. Escort you to lunch. Buy for you. Don't pay me back. It's fine.

Standing, he moved to the side and let her get out of the car before shutting her door and locking the vehicle.

"And if I refuse to tell you?" She smirked daringly at him.

He was going to speak but appeared to bite his tongue.

She noticed a glare. She noticed being noticed by the other Uchiha brother. Oh boy, she noticed. He was locking up his car or doing something not so noteworthy a few cars distance away. She didn't even know what car he drove, let alone that he'd passed his test. She didn't remember the last time she'd willingly chatted. He was staring intently, questioning with his eyes why she was with his aniki. Why she was with the man he hated. Sakura was meant to be his little possession, Itachi wasn't even meant to know her. She wanted to snicker in his face at the thought.

"I'll have to come and find you." He replied casually, listening to her giggle. She forgot all about the other Uchiha and just let Itachi's mock seriousness wash over her. He couldn't keep the straight face as she laughed, and so his own lips tugged into a smile.

Sakura was amused by the expression of sheer shock on Sasuke's face as he gaped at his brother's lips being tugged up.

He looked more than dumbstruck.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the other franchises, etc., mentioned.

A/N:: Hello again.

I thought this was really interesting and figured I should point it out. In Western countries, there's a real big difference on someone asking you out for coffee or lunch (I guess it's more of a casual date), and dinner (that's when u kno shit's serious). Buuut, in Japan, they hold the same weight. Not that it was anything but platonic here, but interesting to note why Saku might have been so shocked eh.

Reviews keep me writing :)

–xl3utterflyx