Itachi sat on the bed with his back leaning against the wall. He watched the girl hastily move around the room, preparing the treatment equipment. She furrowed her eyebrows and rubbed her chin looking at what she laid out on the table. Her head tilted to a side and to his surprise, she stuck out the tip of her tongue. Itachi's eyes widened as one side of his mouth curled up. Suri was not wearing her cloak, allowing the Uchiha to scan her body up and down, noting how tired she looked. Her clothes looked looser on her body and when she turned to face his, the bags under her eyes were big enough to use as potato sacks. It has only been three days since she started his treatment, but she looked like she had not slept for a week. Itachi looked away, refusing to think about her.

Suri sighed and wiped the sweat that beaded her forehead. Her body was drained, and the lack of sleep was rubbing off on every inch of her body.

"Can you please take off your shirt." She asked not turning around. She poured some water into a bucket and proceeded to stir in some colourless mixtures. When she turned around Itachi was already undress and waiting for her to start. She kneeled beside him, as she did so many times during the three days. Suri's hands moved quickly and confidently while she continued the treatment. The girl sparked curiosity within him. He watched her intently, but Suri did not notice.

Itachi

I watched her dip her hands into the water and guide the liquid to my chest and for a moment I was mesmerized. I felt it penetrate my skin and sink into my body. A burning sensation flooded my insides. I narrowed my eyes at the girl. It was a slow roasting burn, which would torment a normal person, but I was not normal. I was used to pain, and sometimes I craved it. Her fingers found my stomach. She gently touched it in various places, completely concentrated on what she was doing. Her lips moved quickly while she chanted, I could barely tear my eyes away. Her fingers travelled up to my chest, drawing circles and signs, known only to Suri. I felt my body tense. There was something intimate in the closeness of our bodies.

"Lay down." her silky-smooth voice echoed in my brain. I obeyed silently. Suri tacked a strand of hair behind her ear and leaned in. Her hair tickled my skin. She pressed her ear to my chest and listened. I remained still, not wanting to disturb her and somewhat enjoying the closeness of our bodies.

"Your insides are healing well." She finally said, smiling widely at me.

"But?" I questioned. I knew that there was something else, something that she did not want to say to me.

Sadness darkened her features. Suri chewed her bottom lip and fiddled with her top. "I have examined your illness." She finally said, looking everywhere but at me. My breath was hitched in my throat. I waited.

"It's...you see..." she mumbled, fiddling with her top more furiously. "I can't cure it." her voice trembled and for a moment I thought she would cry. "I can slow it down and lessen the pain, but I can't help you. I'm sorry." Suri swallowed hard. I watched her silently. What she told me; I knew from before. My body was progressively giving up on me, I was dying, but I didn't care.

"No need," I finally said. "I don't need you to help me with that." my words were harsh, I knew it, but I didn't want her help, I didn't want her pity. What followed bewildered me. Suri clenched her hands into fists and glared at me angrily. The fury was eradiating from her whole being. Her hand raised in the hair and connected with my face. My body tensed and launched forward, grabbing onto her arm. I squeezed it but Suri did not wince.

"You are an imbecile Uchiha!" she hissed. She never called me Uchiha. "When someone does not value their life, it sickens me." She pulled her arm back and moved away from me.

I didn't reply, I only listened. "Why are you so eager to die?" she continued ranting as she paced back and forth in the rooms. Tears glistered in her eyes. I could not understand why. Why was she so upset? Why would she cry for me? Was she really in love with me? Did she care? The situation felt ridiculous. I felt unworthy of her tears. I wanted to touch her, to hug her, to tell her everything was going to be okay, but I would be lying, and I did not want to lie to her. she sniffled. Her shoulders trembled lightly. She finally stopped pacing and eased down on a chair. Suri buried her face in her hands and took deep breaths. I wondered what she was thinking. The silence between us spoke louder than words. I watched her intently but could not see her face. I assumed that she was crying.

When she finally looked up and met my gaze, her eyes were slightly puffy, but there were no more tears in.

"Don't be an idiot Uchiha. If you have no reason to live for, I'll give you one." Her eyes sparkled with determination. "Live for me."


Suri marched to the kitchen in a daze. She was shocked. Why did she tell him that? Why? She was embarrassed of how ridiculous she sounded. They never shared a good relationship in the first place and after her words, she was certain he would completely blank her out. Who wouldn't? She cursed herself in every way she knew, but heaviness in her chest was not going away. She groaned in frustration, while putting the chicken stock to heat up.

"What's wrong?" it was Kisame. He sat at the table and looked her, carefully studying her features.

"I'm an idiot. That's what's wrong." She snapped back irritably. She picked up a bowl and tried to pour the stock in but missed and poured it over her hand. She dropped what she was holding wincing in pain. "Dammit!" she exclaimed clenching her fists. Her heart raced like crazy. Kisame rushed to the girl. Her hand looked so small in his large one. He examined the burn and pulled her to the sink. He got out a large bowl and filled it with cold water. She felt instantly relief when he shoved her hand into the cold liquid. "Thank you," she mouthed.

"I'll bandage it for you." He responded quietly.

"Uh, it's okay." Suri mumbled. "I can heal it."

"Please." One word was enough for Suri to sit down and give him her hand. It wasn't bad letting someone take care of you for once. Kisame was gentle; even though his hands were rough, she felt as if he barely touched her. She looked down on her hand and smiled.

"Thank you, Kisame."

He held her hand in his and looked into her eyes.

"You are welcome."

Suri felt uncomfortable. She cleared her throat and gently pulled away her hand. "I need to make another one." She murmured nodding at the soup.

"I can give you a hand with that." the blue man rolled up his sleeves. "You know, I'm great with cooking." A large grin appeared on his face. Suri chuckled. He was truly a great friend.


She made her way back to the room feeling uncertain. The tray with food served her as a support mechanism. She clenched onto it and pushed the door open. Itachi sat in the same position as she left him. His eyes were open, but body seemed motionless. The usual poker face made his expression unreadable. She sighed and put the tray on the table near the bed. She wanted to say something else, but nothing came to mine. The girl slowly made her way to the door when his voice stopped her.

"Wait."

Suri froze, but did not turn around.

"You are in love with me, aren't you?" he questioned, and she wanted to disappear right there and then. Suri took a deep breath and turned around to face Itachi.

"So what of it?" she asked boldly. Her heart raced insanely, threatening to burst through her chest.

"Show me." He said bluntly.

"What?" Suri looked at him confused.

"Show me your love."