Sakuras POV:
After about twenty minutes that felt more like twenty days, Inoichi finally finished up. He turned to us nodding and we knew we had the information we needed.
"They are planning on sending Sasuke and Naruto to the leaf village. And they are planning on taking over the five nations, starting by the fire nation. They believe that the fire nation will be the easiest right now. Since they have both Sasuke and Naruto on their side who knows the ins and outs of this village. They are planning on attacking three days from now." My eyes widened and my mind immediately went to the cure. The last ingredients didn't even arrive yet. What am I gone do ... he wont stand out of the fight and I cant let him die!
"We will start evacuating the people a day before they arrive." I looked at her and nodded, even though I was paying attention my mind was only on one thing. The cure. Even if the herbs arrive tomorrow will it be enough time to dry it? No it won't ... but if the people who went to fetch the last ingredient is medical ninjas then they might have started drying them. Its a gamble, a gamble that I did not want to participate in.
"Lady Tsunade when the last ingredient arrives can you please fetch for me immediately. I don't care how late or early it is." She nodded, she thought she understood. She thought it was because I'm a medical ninja and my patients needs are always first. Which was true but still not the reason. And she thought that its because of the women that said it will take the both of us, but that's not entirely the reason. I knew the reason ... but I didn't want to admit it yet. I'm trying to ignore it because it might be my down fall.
I headed back home and informed Itachi of the news. He took everything in calmly but I saw worry cross his eyes.
"I told Lady Tsunade that I must be fetched as soon as the herbs have arrived." He looked at me and nodded as he smiled, we were sitting at the kitchen table across from each other. I was fidgeting with my hands a bit, I tried to keep them still but it was hard. He placed his hand softly on mine and I hung my head slowly. I felt like bursting into tears. I didn't want to lose him ... I've lost so many already. But I swallowed back my tears, now was no time to break down.
"Lets go sleep its late ... I think we both need the sleep." I nodded slowly as I stood up and headed to the room with him. I pulled off my clothes and got into my pjs as I laid down on the bed, he did the same before laying next to me. I nuzzled my head into his chest and he slowly started stroking my hair. My eyes became droopy after a while .
Next thing I knew I heard a tap on the window sill. My eyes shot open and I looked towards the window, Itachi was wide awake as well. I sensed Kakashi sensei's chakra by the window. He opened up the window from the outside as he stepped in and that's when I realized what he is walking into. Itachi and I in the same bed and in each others arms. I sat up and climbed out of the bed.
"Kakashi sensei what's wrong?"
"It arrived." In and instant I grabbed my clothes and walked out of the room. I ran into the bathroom as I changed clothes and ran back to the room.. I looked at Itachi and he was already dressed.
"Lets go."
As we got there I checked on the plants immediately to see if it started to dry out and luckily it did. It wasn't dried out completely but hopefully this will be enough. I broke one leaf apart and I saw that it wasn't bone dry. But we were running out of time. I had to test it a few times too before it was complete anyway. This isn't an antidote its a cure. I gathered the rest of the ingredients and I got work.
I've been working on the cure for two days now. One day left. Lady Tsunade started evacuating the villagers. I've tested the cure on Itachi a few times and I'm busy getting closer and closer to a permanent cure. The current cure only allows him to use a minimum of his chakra before sickness kicks in again. And he cant overdose on it, it will paralyze him and most likely kill him. So we have to wait a few hours before it works out of his system before I can give him the next vile and analyze him. I let out a shaky breath as I rubbed my eye. I could feel that sleep was starting to win but I couldn't rest not while I was this close. Not while they were this close. One day left and their here. I felt arms wrap around me and his familiar scent filled my nose. I rested my head back on his shoulder as I closed my eyes.
"You must rest Sakura." He whispered softly in my ear and I smiled small. His voice sounded so caring ... so loving. I smiled sleepy and I rested back against him slowly. He hugged me a bit tighter before sweeping me off my feet, my eyes snapping open as I gasped.
"I-itachi I cant I have to continue with the cure." He shook his head as he laid me down on the coach in the room.
"No Sakura you need rest. Its still three more hours before you can give me the next vile anyway." I looked at him and I slowly nodded. I wont be any good to anyone tired anyway.
"But wake me up after the three hours okay? Promise me?"
"I promise." I slowly closed my eyes as I fell asleep almost immediately.
"Here." I handed him another vile and he drank it, I placed my hands on his chest after a few minutes wait. I started searching his chakra tunnels. I slowly nodded. "I'm close." He smiled small. "You can use a lot of your chakra to a large extent now. Up until ... the sussano and amaterasu. You cant use it, it takes up to much chakra. If you use it ... you'll die." I cupped his cheek slowly as he looked up into my eyes. He nodded at me as he slowly cupped my cheek in return. I stared into his eyes as he stared back into mine. I slowly leaned down as he leaned up to me. We met in the middle and kissed deep and passionately. I slid my hand from his cheek to his hair as I depended the kiss. We kissed slowly but passionately. And like before, everything disappeared and it was just him and I. I felt so free, without any worries. I kissed him deep and loving and after a few minutes we broke the passionate kissing that almost turned into passionate making out. We panted softly as we stared into each others eyes. A knock on the door interrupted us and I quickly stood up my heart racing.
"Come in." The door opened and Lady Tsunade came in.
"Sakura ... how far is the cure?" I smiled small at her as she came closer. I explained to her the situation and she nodded as she smiled. "Good work Sakura... the village is clear now. All the villagers are evacuated and safe. The anbu and I are also leaving now. Then its only one day left before they arrive. But be prepared Sakura. We are not sure if the akatsuki is planning on striking earlier then planned."
"Yes Milady." I looked at her and worried flashed in front of my eyes. She saw it even though it was only a second... she saw it. And I knew she understood.
"I know how you feel Sakura ... having such a burden on your shoulders. So many life's in your hands ... its how I feel everyday as the Hokage. But I cant possible imagine how you are feeling right now. I screw up ... a village falls ... you screw up ... the shinobi falls." I swallowed back the lump that formed in my throat. I tried not to think about it. "But if one person could save us is you Sakura. You and ..." she looked at Itachi. "And him. I know you two will make the right decisions when they come. No matter how big or small it will be, it will make a difference in all our futures." Lady Tsunade took me into a tight hug as she said her goodbye. "Come back Sakura. I expect you to come back alive." I nodded. "And before I leave will you please come to my office so I can exam that stab wound of yours first."
"I will Milady." But there was a chance that I might not come back alive. As long as I defeated Sasuke and Naruto I don't care if I die. That's what I kept telling myself, but I wasn't even fooling myself. Before I met Itachi I wouldn't have cared if I died as long as I saver the shinobi world. But after I met him, after I fell in love with him … it was different. And when the fight turned badly where I had to choose between saving Itachi or the shinobi world. I honest don't know if I'll be able to choose the shinobi world. I looked at Itachi as Lady Tsunade spoke to him. My heart skipped a beat as I smiled small. If he were to be the death of me then so be it. I will die to keep him alive.