Itachi turned over. Was Sasuke making beeping noises? And why was his futon so soft? He slowly opened his eyes. Pink and red.

.

Sakura.

.

Itachi silently watched her as she worked, enjoying the chance to simply observe her. After a moment, Sakura looked up to find his eyes open and fixated on her. "Oh, you're awake." she said, quietly. She walked closer to the bed. How are you feeling?"

Itachi attempted to speak, but his throat was insanely dry. "Oh!" Sakura exclaimed as she realized what he was motioning for. She ran to the tap and filled a disposable cup with water. "Here." she said, handing him the cup. After Itachi had set the cup down on the nightstand, Sakura sat on the edge of the bed, next to where he was lying. "Does it hurt anywhere? I mean, I thought I did a good job healing your leg and your arm shouldn't hurt unless I did it wrong b-"

"I'm fine, Sakura." Itachi whispered, successfully cutting off her worried ranting. Sakura's face morphed into one of relief.

"That's good to hear. I assigned myself to be your personal medic." She paused. "Is it true that you have attempted to escape the hospital before?"

Itachi blanched. "So I was right!" Sakura laughed. "Well, if you try escaping this time, I will personally make sure that you will never try to leave again." She reached her hand up to caress his cheek, as if she had not just threatened him. "The receptionist cornered me earlier." she said. "She was asking why it had taken me so long to heal you." Itachi raised an eyebrow at Sakura's light laughter. He did not see what was so funny. "She looked so suspicious, you should've seen it!"

Sakura's laughter died out and a content smile stayed on her face. They sat there for a few more minutes, enjoying each other's company, until Sakura looked back at the clock. She sighed, "I have to rotate now, I have other patients to check on." She leaned down to kiss his cheek. "I will see you later, Itachi." She stood and made her way to the door. With one last smile, Sakura left the room and quietly closed the door behind her.

Once she was outside, Sakura took a moment to calm her beating heart. Being in Itachi's presence had her stomach doing somersaults. It had never done that before when she was around him. And she had kissed him! Sure, it was just on his cheek, but she had been the one to initiate it this time. What was wrong with her? Sakura remembered a time when she had felt somewhat similar. She remembered how her heart used to speed up every time Sasuke had entered the room she was in. But that silly crush had passed. Hold up...

No.

She wasn't.

But there's no way around the facts. Was she...

Sakura was falling in love with Itachi. The sudden realization caused her steps to falter. He did feel the same way, right?

You're so stupid sometimes! Inner-Sakura yelled. He literally told you he loved you! Sakura's eyes widened at the memory. He really had told her, hadn't he.

Well, dang it. She really was falling in love with Itachi. When had that happened? She had spent weeks without him, and all of a sudden, he was home and she was falling for him. Sakura had once read a book that told of how true love was built on friendship and trust. She knew that her and Itachi certainly had that type of bond. Maybe that was how her romantic feelings had developed.

Sakura approached the receptionist's desk, ready to deposit her clipboard with Itachi's current information on it. The receptionist once again eyed Sakura with a skeptical glare, knowing she had just come back from Itachi's room. Sakura silently walked off, rubbing her forehead in frustration. Rumors were bound to spread. Itachi was twenty-two when she was only sixteen! Heck, what would happen when her parents found out? Or Naruto and Sasuke? They were bound to attack Itachi as a threat to make sure that he wouldn't hurt her. Sakura sighed, her newfound feelings were starting to become a hassle. Hey, at least she could recognize the feelings now. It was progress.

{O}


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Sasuke stopped by the next morning. It was obvious to Itachi that his little brother was worried for his sake, even though Sasuke tried to hide it as well as he could.

Sakura knocked on Itachi's door before entering. She heard a muffled "Enter" before she twisted the doorknob and gently pushed the door inwards. She found the two Uchiha brothers observing her from the other side of the room. Sakura rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly as she made her way towards Itachi. "Hello, Sasuke. Itachi." she said as she reached the edge of the bed. Sasuke merely nodded his head in acknowledgement. Sakura sat down on Itachi's bed, by his legs. She was feeling nervous; Sasuke was here. He had no idea what had transpired between his brother and herself. She hadn't even had time to tell Itachi himself how she felt! She was afraid that if she let her feelings slip, Sasuke might get angry. You never knew with the moody Uchiha.

"Err, Itachi." Sakura started. "How are you feeling? No pain anywhere?" Itachi smiled, although it was small. He could see how Sakura was struggling. He respected that and attempted to make the situation a little easier for her.

"I am doing fine, Sakura." he replied, in his usual monotone. "I am still somewhat sore, but otherwise without any pain." Sakura nodded with a small smile.

"Well, Itachi. You can be released tomorrow morning!" she said as she stood from the bed. She missed the way Sasuke's eyes narrowed at the lack of honorifics. "Let me know if you need anything." Sakura smiled and exited the room, leaving the Uchihas alone once more. Sasuke slowly turned to face his brother.

"Nii-san. Is there something I need to be aware of?" he asked, almost suspiciously. Itachi smirked faintly.

"No, Sasuke. There is not."

"Then, what happened to the honorific at the end of Sakura's name?"

Itachi sighed, why was his brother suddenly jumping to conclusions? (though his conclusions weren't necessarily wrong.) "Sasuke, Sakura and I have been friends for a year now. We decided to drop the formalities as our friendship progressed."

"Hn."

Itachi smirked. He doubted that his explanation would sway his younger brother, if anything it made Sasuke more skeptical. After another bout of silence, Sasuke stood up. "Good bye, nii-san. I will see you tomorrow." No doubt, he would probably grill Itachi with more questions the next day.

"Goodbye, Sasuke."

With that, Sasuke silently made his way out.

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I'm sorry that this is so short y'all. I was kind of stuck, haha! It also would have been odd if I attempted to continue this chapter, considering what I planned for the next section. I thank you all for keeping up with this story. I appreciate all the favorites, follows, and reviews.

~Rus