Authors Note:

There have been a few of you talking about how I handled the aftermath of the near rape scene. First off, I would like to say that I did not mean to make light of it. As someone who has gone through something similar, that was the furthest of my intentions. Secondly, Karin doesn't know about what happened that night. No one but the three that were there know. This is something that I am planning on addressing in a future chapter as I had planned to do. We just haven't made it to that point of the story. All things will play out in due time, thank you for your understanding and willingness to read my work.

Closing her laptop, Sakura lets out a soft sigh. She was done at long last and just in time to enjoy herself with Itachi and her parents. Summer break came early for her since she got through so much of her schooling and she didn't want to enroll in any summer courses. Next up was med school and she wanted to take her time and be in a good, stable, and focused mindset before she started on it. School had been a little hard to push through lately now that she had things she would rather be doing.. Like talking to Itachi on the phone, but she pushed through.

Combing her hair behind her ear, she hums out as she fiddles with the piece of hair. She had gotten it cut recently and it fell just below her jaw. She liked it this short and she would continue to like it this short until it touches her shoulders and then she debates on letting it grow out or cutting it again. The problem with growing her hair out was how thick it was and how annoyed she got with it. Sakura wasn't like Ino in that she always does something with her long hair. No, Sakura just throws it up into a ponytail and calls it a day. That didn't stop Sakura from wondering about having long hair again. She didn't know how the blonde or Itachi had put up with their long hair for so long.

Glancing at the clock she smiles and stands up, moving her laptop to rest on the coffee table.

"Today is the day," she smiles and walks to her room. Her emerald eyes search through her closet for the perfect thing to wear. They weren't going anywhere fancy and it isn't like she needs to dress up to impress anyone, but she wanted to look cute which was odd in itself. She hasn't wanted to dress up in a long time and the sudden realization of this thrilled her, filling her with a bubbling feeling. Eventually she spots a light green, floral dress and she pulls it from the closet. Looking it over, she decides it would do the trick.

Pulling it on, she adjusts it to fit just so. The sleeves hung off of her shoulder just barely and the dress stopped just above her knees. It was cute and simple, not too flashy but not too boring. It was perfect for her and the occasion.

Sakura wouldn't stress too much over her appearance though. She knew that Itachi had seen her in less than desirable circumstances and he, for whatever reason, was still attracted to her. Still, she lightly applied mascara and lip gloss with just the tiniest bit of blush to brighten up her complexion.

As she is pulling on her sandals, a knock sounds on the door and her heartbeat picks up.

There were only so many people that it could be. Hurriedly leaving her room, she approaches the door and takes a deep breath before adjusting her dress and hair once more. She didn't quite understand why she was being so finicky, it was just dinner.

"Hello," Itachi greets her with a small smile and her heart flutters as she accepts the kiss to her cheek. Her face was a pretty pink and if asked, she would blame it on the blush she applied and not the way he made her heart run marathons and lose her breath.

"Hey," she greets in response and allows him inside of her apartment. He had only been in here one other time and it wasn't a very pleasant one. As he took in the neat and tidy state of her apartment, with the exception of the piles of books on her coffee table that surrounded her laptop, she couldn't help but feel a little self conscious. She knew that she wasn't a messy person, there was just a nagging voice in her head that was causing her to scan the room herself and make sure nothing was out of place. "How was the drive?" She asks after a while, eyes locking with his and all of her worries and little nagging thoughts melting away.

He seemed to have that effect on her.

"It was uneventful," he says and she nods at that. She knew that he didn't like driving too much.

They caught up a little while waiting for her parents though there wasn't too much to be caught up on. They talked on the phone all of the time, so usually when something eventful happens, they tell each other then. It didn't matter, though, it felt good to be able to talk to him in person and hear his voice right next to her. It was relaxing to be able to see him smile in person and to admire his soft lips from afar or to fall deeply into the soft look of admiration he shoots her when he thinks she isn't looking.

Sitting at a table in a small restaurant with her parents and Itachi by her side, she felt at peace. It was like her whole world was finally coming together. It was nice- fulfilling, even. Sakura hoped it would continue to be like this and she hoped Itachi felt the same as she did.

"So, how is the family business going? Still as strong as ever, I presume," Sakura's father asks to keep the conversation afloat. Itachi thinks his answer to the question over thoroughly and he absentmindedly rubs Sakura's knuckles from where they were holding hands under the table. It was something he had started doing when thinking.

"It is going great, this has been a good year for us," he answers after awhile and Sakura's dad nods.

"And how's your family? I do hope they are enjoying our old house," her mother chimes in and he can see Sakura smile out of the corner of his eye. He could tell that she was enjoying them all being together. Itachi was sure she missed having her parents around and he could only imagine how she felt giving up the house that held twenty years of memories.

"They are all doing well and they love the house, my mother especially. Thank you for letting them buy it from you, I'm sure you had many other offers."

"Oh it's no worries, we just wanted it gone and we knew we could trust your parents to treat it with the respect and care it deserves," smiles her mother. Itachi nods, giving her a smile of his own, however small it was. He still felt awkward smiling. Not many people outside of his family, excluding Sakura and her, had been able to draw out genuine, full smiles from him.

That being said, he felt antsy. He had only talked to her parents in passing before when he went and picked her up from her house when she was coming to meet his parents. Back then, they had mistaken him for Sasuke and from what Sakura said, though she laughed about it, they were disappointed when they realized that he wasn't Sasuke. Still, his nerves were absolutely fried. It felt like he left them outside on the beach for hours and brought them in to 'cool down.' It wasn't like a phone, he couldn't just put his nerves in rice and hope that the rice fixes it.

He must have made a funny face because Sakura snorted from beside him, shooting him an amused look. He raises his eyebrows and she shakes her head, deciding not to comment. Itachi rolls his eyes mentally, but he ignores it in favor of the story that her father was telling them about his time on the oil rig.

As the time carries on, Itachi slowly gets more comfortable. He wasn't sure he would ever be able to relax, but he could safely say that the experience wasn't terrible and he quite enjoyed being in the presence of Sakura's family. Just like her, they reminded him of spring and bright, joyful, and relaxing times.

"Don't be a stranger, okay, Itachi? We don't bite," Sakura's mother says as she pulls him into a hug and his mind flashes to how his own mother greeted Sakura. An awkwardness bloomed inside of his chest, was this how she had felt?

"We don't bite hard, anyway," jokes her father as he claps him on the shoulder. Itachi chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "Keep in touch, okay, kiddoes? And be responsible."

"We're heading back out to the rig, but this new rig isn't too far away so don't hesitate to call, hun," Sakura's mother says as she pinches Sakura's cheeks slightly. Itachi watched in amusement as Sakura said goodbye to her parents. He could tell that they all loved one another very much. It made his heart feel full. He wanted that, he wanted to have that one day. As Sakura turns to meet his gaze, he reaches out to her and encloses her hand in his.

He wanted it with her.

"How is school?" He asks as he stares at the t.v. disinterestedly. Itachi and Sakura were stretched out on her couch with him on top and using her as a pillow. She didn't mind too much because she got to play with his hair and secretly that was the reason why Itachi liked this position.

"It's going," she shrugs and leans her head back against the armrest of the couch. "I start med school once summer is over and I'm nervous, but also really excited. I can't wait to be done with this all," she laughs out.

"You're going to do great, you have nothing to worry about," he hums out and Sakura rolls her eyes in response. "If anyone can do it, you can."

"Thank you," she says softly and leans down to press a kiss to the top of his head. The movie was ending and she watched the credits roll. Turning her head, she looks out the window and notes that it was getting late. They had time to watch another movie but she wasn't sure if she could make it through another movie. Looking down at Itachi, she figured the same could be said for him as well, considering he was dozing off against her.

Smiling softly to herself, she allowed herself to doze off as well.

"So, you're the famous Itachi?" Temari squints at him and Sakura rolls her eyes. "Or do you prefer to be called, The Crow? I don't understand why you and my cousin decided on such ridiculous names for your band." The blonde sits back in her seat and Sakura slinks further into hers out of embarrassment.

They were currently at a bar per Temari's request. The blonde wanted to get to know Itachi to decide if he was actually worthy enough for her best friend but she also wanted to get shit faced, forcing her poor husband to be her designated driver. Chewing on her bottom lip, Sakura regretted even coming and glancing over at Itachi she could tell that he felt much the same.

"I think so," he answers, unsure, and Temari raises an eyebrow, unconvinced. "As far as the names go, our band manager picked them. He has always been a little weird," Itachi says thoughtfully. He thinks back to said manager, an older man with bright orange hair and only answers to the name 'Pain.' He was a weird one, alright.

"Temari stop interrogating him," Shikamaru groans out and his wife rolls her eyes. She sits back into the seat, crossing her arms and shooting Itachi an unimpressed look.

"I don't know, Saks, are you sure?" She asks and Sakura rolls her eyes.

"Yes, I am sure." She says and Temari shrugs, deciding to leave it alone. She would let her be as long as Sakura was happy. A silence falls over the table and it is a little awkward. It doesn't last long though as a song comes on that Temari knows and she is hurriedly leaving the table and pulling Shikamaru along to dance. At this point she has had maybe one too many drinks.

"At least she's having fun," sighs Sakura as she watches the blonde dance drunkenly and causing Shikamaru to stumble uncomfortably. She almost felt bad for the man, almost.

"Are you not?" Itachi asks her, capturing her attention. For a moment she gets lost in his eyes and almost forgets what he asks her. Almost.

"A bar nor a club are really my scene," she answers honestly and Itachi nods in agreement.

"They aren't mine either, outside of performing."

"Want to bounce?" Sakura asks after a moment and Itachi doesn't hesitate in agreeing. She quickly shoots Temari a text, waving at Shikamaru on the way out, as she tugs Itachi out of the bar by the hand. Neither of them had a drink, but they still had carpooled with Temari and Shikamaru, so they found themselves walking down the sidewalk.

The city was quiet outside of the occasional noise from the bar and the distant rumble of cars on the highway. The city was almost pretty at night with all of the buildings lit up. It still didn't compare to the stars back home, though, or the way the moon glistened against the ocean.

As they walked, they let the quietness settle over them. Neither one of them had ever needed much to be said between them anyway. They took comfort in silence and it was easy to slip into. They weren't obligated to talk all of the time and perhaps that's why it was so easy for them to fall into a routine together.

Tonight was the last night they had together before Itachi had to head back to Konoha. It was disheartening to think about, but she knew it had to be this way. He had a job and responsibility back in Konoha. Despite it being family ran, he couldn't shirk his responsibilities for her, not that she would ever ask him to. Still, she couldn't help the frown on her face when she thought about him leaving.

"What's wrong?" He asks her softly and she chews on her lip slightly, thinking it over before responding. He could see the sad expression on her face and it made his chest squeeze uncomfortably. Itachi couldn't help but wonder if maybe she wasn't ready to be with him, that maybe this would all end as quickly as it began. The idea that that would happen tore him up on the inside.

"I was just thinking," she sighs and looks at him as she stops walking. They had found themselves in a park near her apartment complex and she decided to stop and sit on a bench. "You're going back to Konoha tomorrow and I'm going to miss you," Sakura says honestly and Itachi's eyes soften as he sits next to her on the bench.

They hadn't been together very long, not technically, but it had felt like they had been together for an eternity. It was so easy to fall in tune with one another and it was like they were made for one another. They fit together like a puzzle. Everything just clicked for them, all of the things that they had been suppressing.

"Why don't you come to Konoha?" He asks her and she looks at him with wide eyes. "Just for a little bit," he adds on and she relaxes. "I can tell that you miss it.. Perhaps even more than you would miss me," he jokes and she lightly hits his shoulder.

"Whatever," she laughs and he sits down next to her on the bench. She thinks back to all of the times that they had sat together on that one bench at the beach and at the table at the cafe. It seemed to be a recurring theme, perhaps it wouldn't hurt to go visit, just for a little while. Besides, she really wanted to see the baby when Hinata had it and she was due very soon. "Okay."

"Okay?" He arches an eyebrow and she rolls her eyes. He knew what she meant.

"Okay, I'll go."

For not the first time, Sakura was on her way to Konoha. This time it was different, though. Not an ounce of dread was inside of her and instead she was overfilled with hope and joy. She was looking forward to her summer in Konoha and there wasn't much that could change that. She couldn't wait to see her friends and she couldn't wait to be on the beach.

The beach.

Last time she wasn't able to make it into the water but she was determined to make it into the water by the end of the summer. With Itachi by her side, she knew that she could do it, she was sure of it.

She couldn't wait.

Breathing out, she closes her eyes and leans her head back to rest against his chest. His arms were around her waist and she was enjoying being wrapped up in his embrace from behind. They had arrived late in the day and were getting settled into his house, though by the time they were done neither of them were tired. The sun was just beginning to set so they decided to take a walk on the beach. It had been awhile but Sakura missed the feeling of the sand between her toes.

The wind was gentle and it caressed them lovingly. It didn't pull against them or bother them in the slightest, they just accepted the light sound that came from the breeze that joined in with the song of the sea. The waves were gentle and not at all harsh, a perfect example of the relaxed and tranquil feeling that Sakura felt with Itachi. It was like all of life's rough edges had smoothed out and was finally giving away to calm waters.

The water was pouring into a new cup having already filled the last one and she was beyond ready for it. This was going to be an amazing part of her life, she was sure.

Here with Itachi, just listening to the sea and the wind- hearing the seagulls and occasional laughter from somewhere down the street, she was in heaven. The world was calm and it was exhibiting peace. Sakura couldn't have asked for a better way to start her summer going into med school.

She could feel Itachi pulling away from her and she opens her eyes, looking up at him questioningly but he just turns her around. He moves his arms back around her and gently leans down to kiss her on the lips. She gives into the kiss, melting into him like a puddle. Her own hands come to rest on either side of his chest and she lets out a quiet noise of content when he pulls away from her. His gaze on her is intense and deep.

He always had reminded her of the ocean in the way that his eyes could drink her up and draw her in, completely drowning her in the intensity of emotion he could let out.

Their eyes said a million things that they weren't ready to say.

While Itachi was working, Sakura found herself over at Naruto's and spending time with Hinata. She was excited for the baby, though she tried to keep the excitement in check due to the worried look the dark haired woman was sporting. She was a little concerned about the birthing process, but Sakura did her best to try and ease her concerns.

"It will all go fine, Hinata, I'm sure of it," Sakura reassures as she finishes putting something up in the nursery for the dark haired woman. "Konoha Hospital has the highest success rate for births in this side of the country."

"I know," Hinata says softly as she rubs her stomach gently. A particular strong kick has her wincing and she rocks lightly in the rocking chair she is sitting in. "I just want it all to go perfectly and I'm terrified for afterwards." She chews on her lip and Sakura's eyes soften as she listens to the girl speak. "What if I'm not a good mom?" Sakura could see the tears well up in her eyes and she quickly came over to hug her.

"You are going to be as good of a mom as you can be," Sakura says firmly as she hands her a tissue and hugs her. "You are one of the most caring and gentle people I have ever met. You both are going to be wonderful to this little boy, I'm sure of it."

"Thank you, Sakura," Hinata sniffs lightly.

Sakura is woken up in the middle of the night to her phone going off. Groggily, she reached over to the nightstand on her side of the bed and she answered the phone quietly to try and not wake up Itachi next to her.

"Hello?" She says softly and she can hear Naruto on the other line, all cheery and sounding breathless. She was awake faster than she has ever been able to be after the word baby leaves his mouth. "I'll be right there!" She hangs up with a bye and is hopping out of bed, narrowly missing the clock on Itachi's bed that says it is six-thirty in the morning.

"Sakura? What are you doing," asks Itachi with sleep heavy in his voice. He was half-way sitting up, watching her trying to slip on a pair of shorts with half-lidded eyes. His hair was all mussed up and for a brief moment she was distracted with the bed-head and shirtless combo. She quickly snaps herself out of it though as she slips on a bra underneath her shirt she had thrown on. While they were an item and sleeping together, they hadn't gone all the way outside of that one drunken encounter. She couldn't explain it but she wanted to be fully conscious and sure of her decision next time they go all the way. She wanted it to mean something.

"I need to go to the hospital," she huffs as she struggles just the tiniest bit in buttoning up her shorts but the pause is brief enough that she can see the way the word hospital causes Itachi to sit straight up. Looking over at him she shakes her head, "Relax. Hinata is in labor, the baby will be here in a couple of hours."

He lets out a soft sigh of relief.

"I'll be back later on today, okay? I'll text you when I arrive. Get some sleep, you have work," she says softly as she presses a kiss to his cheek.

"Be careful," Itachi calls after her as she exits the bathroom after brushing her teeth. Once she is out the door with a promise that she would be, he collapses back into the bed and instantly falls asleep.

Hinata was in labor for five more hours after Sakura arrived at the hospital.

She could hear the poor woman's screams distantly from the private waiting room that her father had managed to secure. Sakura wasn't sure how he managed to do that but some of the stuff her father was involved in was sketchy, so she didn't question it much. The more time that passed on, the more anxious Sakura and everyone else was feeling. They all couldn't wait to meet the little bundle of joy.

At some point, Sakura had started dozing off in her chair. She snaps to attention when she hears the big doors open. Spotting Naruto she sees his huge grin and she knows instantly that everything was alright.

"Come on everyone," he shouts and gestures for them all to follow him into the room that Hinata and the baby had been settled in for their stay at the hospital. There weren't many of them so luckily they were all able to go. It was just Sakura, Naruto, his parents, Hinata's father. Lee (her adoptive brother) and Hanabi would be coming later in the day to visit, Naruto had said.

When Sakura first sees the little bundle of joy in Hinata's arms, her whole world pauses in its rotation. She could see the smallest tuft of blonde hair and she could spot that the baby has Hinata's nose but it scrunched up much the same as Naruto's when he was concentrating. Her heart was full. As she and everyone else came closer, Hinata looked up from the baby looking visibly worn but with the most beautiful and happy smile on her face.

"Everyone, meet Boruto," she says softly.

Sakura knew without a doubt that this baby would be spoiled beyond measure. He would have everything that he ever wanted. This was further proved by the way Kushina was already doting on him. Watching the happy couple and family, Sakura couldn't help but wonder what it all must feel like.

She hoped she would be able to experience this one day.

"Did everything go alright at the hospital?" Itachi asks as he presses a quick kiss to her lips before sitting down at the table across from her. He had made dinner as he got back to the house before her. With the two of them at the dinner table with dinner served, they painted an oddly domestic scene. Sakura thought back to the hospital and the looks Hinata and Naruto were giving one another and the baby. For a moment, just a split moment, she pictured her and Itachi in the way she never could with Gaara. Quickly, she knocks the thoughts out of her mind. It was too early to be thinking about that and she was still young.

"It went well. Both mom and baby are happy as can be," she smiles and Itachi nods, glad. "How did work go?"

"It went as well as it could," he says and Sakura pauses in her eating to listen to him. "It's work," he finishes and Sakura frowns slightly. He seemed not content and it rubbed her the wrong way. She didn't usually ask about work, but she was thinking maybe she should have a while ago. She had already been staying with him for a couple of weeks now. Guilt ate at her just so slightly.

"Itachi," she starts and she reaches across the table to hold onto his hand. His gaze rises to meet hers and she squeezes his hand, "You can talk to me about it. Did something happen?"

His eyes were calculating, she realizes, and ultimately his shoulders sag and his slightly stoic facade on the subject fell. "I'm just tired," he admits and Sakura quickly fills in the blanks on what he is tired of.

"Do you need a break?" She asks after a moment, watching his face.

"I'm the leader of the company, I don't get breaks," he says after a while and Sakura frowns.

"Everyone needs breaks. Surely you have someone who can fill in for you."

"I guess my cousin could, but I don't know," Itachi trails off and he looks off to the side. "It's my responsibility-"

"You don't need to drain yourself, that's not healthy. It's your responsibility to maintain your health so that you can lead the company to the best of your ability." Sakura pauses, eyes searching his face and she adapts a soft, pleading look on her own. "Please, take care of yourself and take breaks when you need to."

Silence falls between them and Itachi gives in after a few moments, "Okay."

Itachi was using some of his vacation time and he decided that he would spend it mostly with Sakura. The parts that weren't going to be spent with Sakura were actually with Sasuke. His brother still didn't know about him and Sakura but he figured he would tell him after he was in a better place.

"It's hard sometimes, Itachi," Sasuke admits after a moment of silence passes between them. "There are times I really just want to scream out that I can't do it and just give in." He takes a deep breath, but Itachi listens on. "I crave the feeling that I chased after when I took those drugs, that high that made me feel invincible and kept me from even thinking straight." Sasuke pauses and lets out a dry laugh, "The kind of not thinking that let me ignore terrible things that I had done."

"You will get through this, for her," Itachi says as he passes a few new pictures of Hana over to Sasuke. For his daughter's sake, Itachi really wanted Sasuke to pull through. Another part of him really just wanted his shit head brother back around and wanted him to be okay, causing harmless havoc somewhere- preferably the acceptable kind in a college. "We are all right there with you for this entire process. You're not alone."

"I know, thank you, Itachi," Sasuke sighs out and he stares at the photos, treating them so gently. The way he interacted with Hana and the photographs gave Itachi instilled hope.

Sasuke could pull through.

"How is he doing?" Sakura asks from where she was massaging his shoulders gently. She was working out the left over knots that built over the weeks from him being hunched over at his desk at his office. Itachi was immensely grateful for her doing it though he would have never asked her to do that himself. She did it of her own free will and that made it all the more special.

"He is getting there," Itachi answers and closes his eyes, relaxing into her touch. "I have hope for him."

"Me too," she says and he can't find it in himself to be surprised to hear that. He wouldn't have expected her to be nice or kind to Sasuke after everything, but the fact that she was didn't surprise him. Sakura has one of the biggest hearts he knows of and while he would understand if she chose not to comment or be vocal about Sasuke's progress, he was immensely grateful that she was supporting him in being there for his brother. Deep down, they both knew that he could be better.

"What are we doing tomorrow?" Itachi asks after a moment and Sakura stops massaging him, instead coming to sit next to him and lean up against him with her head on his shoulder.

"I don't know, I didn't have anything planned. Did you have anything in mind?"

Itachi hums to himself before taking her hand in his and gently rubbing her knuckles. After a moment he presses a kiss to her forehead and uses his other hand to lightly cup her chin and turn her head to face his. Their eyes meet and as they lean in together their eyes flutter shut out of instinct. They collide and its like fireworks, the kind that the movies tell you about, and it felt magical.

After a moment, they pull away and Itachi rests his forehead against hers.

"How about a date tomorrow, then?" He breathes out and locks eyes with her. She was his whole world at this point. Nothing else existed to him in this moment outside of her and the flecks of blue and even brown that were evident in her emerald eyes. He loved her eyes. They were just as expressive if not more so than the rest of her face. He loved that about her, how he could read her every emotion. It made it easy to lean in and kiss her once more.

"Sounds like a plan," she smiles against his lips.