The longer she was in Konoha, the stronger the call of the ocean was. She could hear and see it from their bedroom window. Fond memories from her younger years yearn to be out there among the waves. She craved it.

"Are you alright?"

"Oh, yes, sorry," Sakura laughs softly as Itachi settles beside her on their bed. She had been living there for a year now and she was just now coming to terms that this was theirs. It was surreal and she felt undoubtedly blessed. She could feel his fingers trace light figurines on her bare back. Smiling, she leans into his touch.

"What were you thinking about?" He asks her as he gently guides her down onto her back. He is up on his elbow, looking down at her and she reaches up to brush a strand of his hair behind his ear.

"The ocean," Sakura hums out and Itachi leans down to press a kiss to her forehead. "I miss it."

"The weather is warm enough, we could go visit tomorrow," he comments and Sakura closes her eyes as he presses kisses to her face. "If you like, that is.

"Perhaps."

The sand was warm and the wind comforting. It wasn't too hot outside nor was it chilly and the weather was relatively calm. The water looked gentle and inviting. As Sakura stared out at it, she absentmindedly rubbed at her elbow with her hand. Chewing on her lip, she could almost imagine the way the water would feel. How it would pool around her and allow her to glide through effortlessly.

Jumping slightly, she turns to meet Itachi's gaze as he comes up behind her and holds her free hand. His eyes soften and she couldn't help the small smile that forms as she looks at him. He doesn't let go of her hand as he steps forwards and closer to the water.

His toes dipped into the water and Sakura didn't dare look down as she mindlessly followed his light pull. His eyes never left hers as he guided both of them without looking forward. She focused on him and his calm exterior. When the water licked at her calf she paused and looked down. Itachi paused with her.

Staring down at the water, she could see her feet. Moving her toes in the sand experimentally, she was filled with delight at the sensation and she couldn't stop her small smile from blossoming into one bigger. Looking back up at him, she knew he could see one of the most joyous expressions on her face.

She didn't think twice before he led her out further and didn't hesitate before submerging herself once more into the depths of both him and her true home.

Sakura had spent too long away from her home and peace.

She wished she could drown herself in the sensations that Itachi made her feel.

The way his touch ignited feelings inside of her she hadn't known were possible. They way he cared and cherished her. How protected and safe she felt with him. By his side, she was sure she could accomplish anything.

"You are extraordinary," Itachi sighs into her shoulder as he wraps his arms around her from behind. It was one of his favorite ways to hold onto her. Smiling, Sakura leans into his chest and rests the back of her head against him.

"As are you, my love," she says and closes her eyes when she feels his fingers thumb at her t-shirt.

They spent the night allowing themselves to become completely engrossed with one another. There wasn't an inch or part of one another that the other did not know how to touch. Not a word of praise unknown and they sang the song of passion.

At every show, Itachi knew he could look into the crowd and see her.

Every song, he sang for her.

Taking a long drag of his cigarette before putting it out, he lets down his hair and wipes off his makeup. It was yet another successful show and once more it left him both tired and also energized. It was a contradiction but only in the sense that performing was one of the reasons he felt alive. His soul belonged in it just like his soul belonged to Sakura.

At the thought of seeing her soon, a smile formed on his face.

"What's got you smiling like that, dude?" Kisame says after taking a swig of his drink. Alcohol if Itachi knew any better but a part of him hoped for it to be soda or something else.

"Who else but his gorgeous lady?" Grins Deidara as he enters the backstage area. "If you saw her, you wouldn't blame him for looking so lovesick all the time."

"The same gal who broke your heart a few years back?" Kisame questions as he polishes off his drink. Itachi could smell the liquor when he settled next to him in a chair but he ignored it. His friend, despite everyone's interventions, was an alcoholic and no one but he could save himself at this point. He didn't want to. That's what happens when you have everything and then nothing.

"Yes," Itachi answers simply. He wouldn't elaborate though he knew his long time friend wouldn't prod him to. They both had an understanding of one another and the way they worked. They would give the details they wanted to. Nothing more, nothing less.

"Good for you," Kisame gives him a toothy grin and Itachi nods. That would be the end of that conversation. They filled the rest of the time with meaningless chatter and soon enough it was time for Itachi to be on his way.

He didn't want to keep his gorgeous lady waiting.

With life moving forward as much as it had lately, Sakura finally had made good on her promise to set Hana and Genki up on a playdate with one another. She thought the two children would get along splendidly. The only oddball was the two parents and how they would react to one another.

What she didn't account for was the two getting along really well.

Kankuro and Karin had ended up hitting it off and they did so very fast.

Genki and Hana were the best of friends and Sakura figured that was a good thing considering they would be siblings soon enough.

She was happy for all of her friends but a part of her was especially happy for Karin. After Sasuke, the woman deserved a good man even if he is slightly childish and just as playful as his son. Karin adored him and that was more than enough for everyone else to allow the man inside the Uchiha's home.

Before Sakura knew it, she had completed medical school and started her residency.

Even wilder to her was the knowledge that she was now twenty-seven and in a relationship that has been going on for four years. They were the happiest years of her life thus far. She wasn't married and didn't have kids like her friends, but she felt like she was just as blessed as them.

"Are you ready to go?" Itachi asks as he fixes his collar on his shirt.

Sakura drinks in his appearance and chews on her lip absentmindedly. Today was their fourth anniversary and they were supposed to be out celebrating. The way his pants and shirt hugged his form made her want to cancel those plans and do a very private celebration in their home.

"As ready as I can be," she says instead and passes him with a firm smack to his behind. When he lifts an eyebrow she just gives him a coy smile before sauntering out of the bedroom.

Soon enough, they were pulling into a restaurant.

It wasn't super fancy but neither minded. While they weren't hurting for money, sometimes expensive food wasn't always better as far as food goes in Konoha.

"I can't believe it has been four years since we finally got together," she laughs as she sips her wine. The lighting was low and Itachi admired the way it made her hair glow and the way she looked otherworldly despite it.

"Four of the best years," he says and she couldn't agree more. "I wouldn't want to spend it with anyone else."

Being a resident kept Sakura busy.

She tried really hard to still find time for her friends, family, and Itachi but it got difficult sometimes. Sometimes she felt very overwhelmed and it was in those moments that the gentle fingers of Itachi stroking her hair or back that made her feel so much better.

"I wouldn't be able to do this without you by my side," she hums out as he massages her shoulders.

"You would, you are a very capable woman, Sakura." He presses a kiss to her cheek. "Don't sell yourself short."

"I know, but the support is nice," she turns around and looks him in the eyes. "You are nice." Her eyes dip down to his lips, "Great even. Maybe spectacular. The best boyfriend," Sakura presses kisses to his face and he captures her lips with his. She did some much needed stress relieving that night.

The fair was underway and she was excited.

It made her feel like a child all over again but something about this night just seemed special. She couldn't place her finger on it.

The alleyways were filled with families. Children were laughing and running around. Teenagers were with their friends and lovers were walking around holding hands. With her own fingers entwined with Itachi's, she couldn't shake the giddiness that the sight of him holding her hand brought her.

Sakura felt like she was seventeen again.

"Shall we try this game?" He gestures to the goldfish bowl game.

"Be prepared to lose!" She says excitedly and they play a few rounds. They go to different vendors and play a few different games. Itachi won her a few things but Sakura was proud to admit that she won him more things. Itachi was more proud of the way she seemed so happy.

As she babbles on and on, he watches her talk animatedly. He could never tire of being in her presence and he hoped she felt the same. He guided them through the crowd, knowing she wasn't paying any attention. She never did anymore when she was with him, perhaps it was another sign that she felt safe and trusting around him. It made his chest warm.

"One more ride before we go?" He asked her and she couldn't shake her head fast enough.

"Which one though?" She questions as she munches on the last bit of her cotton candy. It was as pink as her hair and he couldn't help but find it cute.

"The ferris wheel?" He questions and she slaps her forehead lightly.

"Of course! You can't go to the fair and not ride that," she reprimands herself and then eagerly tugs on his hand. "Come on!"

The line was long but both of them passed the time just fine. Soon enough, they were seated and he couldn't help the bubbling anxiety from creeping in his chest. He had planned the whole night unbeknownst to her and yet he didn't think about how he would feel in the moment, just how he would feel after.

Itachi watches the way her emerald eyes light up as the wheel starts up and they go higher. Just like all of the other times, she took his breath away with the sheer beauty and happiness in her face as she took in the way Konoha looks from high up. She was the very essence of delight.

"Sakura," he calls her.

Briefly, her eyes darted from the scenic view of Konoha and to his face only to do a double take at him when she notices something glimmering in the light.

"Itachi?" She questions as her breath catches in her throat. She could feel tears prickling in her eyes and her hand coming up to her mouth as he takes her other with his free hand.

"You are the very thing that fills my life with light. All of these years with you have made me a happier and better man. The day I met you and started our friendship was the day I started living my life again. Nobody has ever made me look forward to another day more than you. Nobody could stop and ignite my heart like you. Never before have I had a love like you, Sakura Haruno."

Sakura didn't have any words but she knew she was crying. She couldn't help it. Not when everything in her life was perfect. She was getting somewhere in her career, had plenty of family and friends, the best boyfriend she could have ever dreamed of. Or with the way the night complimented him and his dark hair. The way the lights of the ferris wheel glimmered in his eyes and the soft, hopeful, and open expression on his face. The way he looked at her and the way he made her feel. The way she knew he would continue to make her feel.

"Will you marry me?"