Sakura paused when she reached her floor, grimly registering an unknown – and therefore unwelcome – presence in her apartment. Chakra swirled through her hands as she curled them into fists; her heart began to race in her chest but her footsteps faded into nothing as she crept along the hallway, listening for any sign the intruder had sensed her approach.

She took one, two, three soundless steps towards her apartment before she recognised the chakra signature, and sighed sheepishly. Her own presence had been suppressed and she flared it slightly once she was at the door before calling out. "Itachi?"

Almost before she'd finished speaking, her front door was open and he was standing before her. "Sakura," he said, and his voice was low and slightly uneven.

She had to swallow a lump in her throat at the sight of him – weeks of being guarded and hyperaware of all threats had taken a toll on her mind and body, and although passing through Konoha's gates had eased some of that tension, it hadn't quite hit her that she was safe and home until she saw him.

"I'm back," Sakura said, and smiled brightly as she threw her arms around him. Itachi held her just as tightly, pulling her closely until she could rest her head against him. She felt him do the same and let her eyes fall shut, relishing the familiar weight on her shoulder.

She opened her eyes when Itachi pulled back, cool air rushing to fill the space between them. Frowning slightly, she tilted her head upwards only for Itachi to lean down and touch his forehead to hers. The gesture was almost frighteningly tender, and Sakura let her eyes fall shut as she felt him breathe deeply before beginning to unwind his arms from around her. She tightened her own grip around him in response, but Itachi simply brought his hands up to cup her face, thumbs stroking her cheeks gently before he pressed a soft, sweet kiss to her lips.

Sakura made a complaining noise when he pulled back, entwining her arms around his neck to tug him back down. Itachi was all too happy to comply, one of his hands cupping the back of her head as he kissed her once more.

"Tadaima," Sakura said softly. I'm home.

Itachi brushed a strand of hair away from her face and smiled gently. "Okaeri, Sakura."

Welcome home.