Chapter Eight

The Promise

"That evening I worried about what was wrong with Kakashi. I wanted to leave and go after him...but Itachi was determined to have my attention focused on him.

"I have to go. I can't stay here any longer," Saku said, staring at the exit longingly.

"Is my company that undesirable, Haruno?" Itachi asked curiously.

The question caught her off guard. A small smile flickered across her lips, then disappeared.

"Sometimes."

He leaned back in his chair and studied her curiously. "Then what must I do to allure you with my presence?"

A pause.

Saku then realized that Itachi Uchiha was flirting with her. A blush stained her cheeks. The thought was eclipsed when Kakashi's face flashed before her eyes. He looked so angry, so hurt.

What could have put that expression on his face?

"I'm sorry, Itachi. I just have to go."

"After Hatake? Perhaps you should go...but have you considered that maybe he needs to be alone right now?"

"Psh. That's ridiculous."

"Is it?" Itachi asked softly, making her wonder if she was wrong.

Her every instinct was telling her that she needed to go right now. She needed to find out what was wrong and fix it. But he had told her that she didn't need to take care of him. She wasn't his mother, after all. She didn't even feel the least bit motherly to him. She felt—

"Come with me, Haruno."

Saku's brow furrowed. "Come where?"

"With me," He said, looking at her expectantly.

"Why?"

"Because it is my desire to speak with you privately."

Saku's curiosity peaked momentarily. But only momentarily. "Perhaps tomorrow—"

"I fear that the opportunity will not present itself tomorrow. Give me a few moments of your time tonight, and then I promise to bid you goodnight."

Saku nodded her head, albeit reluctantly. She stood up and allowed him to lead her outside. They began to stroll quietly in the direction of his home. She was beginning to wonder if he was going to get to the point when he began to speak.

"I don't know when it occurred, but at some point you have become a rather fascinating creature to me. What exactly was it about you that drew me? Had it been something simple like your beauty, then perhaps I would not be standing here with you now. No, it's nothing that trivial. I begin to think that it is your loyalty. People flock to you, Haruno. You're like a beacon of light that promises salvation...and I'd like the opportunity to bathe in your light."

"He actually said all that?" Kakashi asked, laughing.

Saku folded her arms across her chest.

"It was the sweetest thing that anyone has ever said to me."

"I never would have imagined Itachi—"

Whatever words he was going to say after that were cut off by his amused laughter.

Angry, Saku said, "Do you want to hear the rest of this or not?"

Kakashi slowly stopped laughing—but when he looked at Saku's irritated face, the laughter started back once more.

"You are so annoying," Saku stated.

All thoughts flew from Saku's mind at Itachi's revelation. Her eyes were large and round. Her lips were slightly parted. Her heart started pounding wildly.

"I have every intention of keeping you forever, Haruno. Are you opposed to the idea?"

Saku blinked and said nothing. He gazed intently at her, waiting for some form of reaction. When he received none, he decided to provoke one.

He stepped forward and extended his hand, tilting her chin up. "Sakura." Her name flowed from his lips like honey.

Slow and sweet.

He leaned towards her, his eyes open, searching for any form of resistance. Letting her know exactly what his intentions were.

Saku didn't move.

She couldn't.

For as long as she could remember, Uchiha men had been her weakness. She didn't understand what it was about them, but they always turned her eye. Perhaps, it was the cold, aloof attitude most of them had. The truth of the matter was that the Uchihas put new meaning to the word sexy. They were on a completely different level.

She had even briefly dated Sasuke. Of course, Sasuke wasn't a regular Uchiha. He didn't have the whole dark brooding personality that was so common among them. No, Sasuke had a happy, teasing personality—except on missions. Then he was ruthless, and sometimes a bit scary.

It didn't work out between them. It didn't take Sakura long to realize that she had mistaken the deep friendship that she had with Sasuke for love. She loved Sasuke so much it hurt sometimes. It just wasn't a romantic type of love—and so, they had ended it, albeit peacefully.

"Stop. So you're telling me that you confused friendship with love."

"I did," Saku said, nodding her head.

"Saku, do you think you'd recognize love if it was given to you?"

"Itachi loves me," Saku stated with a certainty that booked no room for argument.

"But do you love him?"

"Of—"

"Before you speak, I want you to think about that. You already said you mistook your feelings for Sasuke as something else." Saku opened her mouth to argue—but he wouldn't let her interrupt. "These are your words Saku, not mine. I want you to really think about this. Is it possible that you've confused feelings for Itachi? Are you positive that you love him and no other?"

Saku opened her mouth—then she closed it. Her mind was racing rapidly. What was he getting at? She loved Itachi...didn't she? He was her rock. After she had a falling-out with Kakashi, he helped her pick up the pieces of herself. She never would have been able to move on with her life if he hadn't been there. She couldn't bear the thought of not being with Itachi.

She couldn't lose him, too.

"Continue with your story, Saku. I have no doubt that you will find all your answers there."

Mind whirling with confusion, Saku continued.

Itachi's lips touched Saku's. Saku's hands raised and rested lightly on his chest. The kiss was short and brief...and yet Saku was moved by it.

He pulled away. Saku looked up into his eyes, dazed.

And his eyes looked back into hers and…they were warm as the sun only dipped in black.

"May I walk you home, Haruno?"

Saku nodded, a thrill going through her body when she felt his fingers intertwine with hers.

The next morning, Saku jumped out of bed as soon as the sun touched her face.

Kakashi.

He was the first thing on her mind when she opened her eyes. She had to find him and make sure he was okay.

She rushed through her morning routine and headed towards Kakashi's apartment. She let herself in with her spare key, not bothering to knock. She rarely did.

"Kakashi?" She called out. When he didn't reply, she called out again. "Kakashi?"

She found his lying on his bed with a bare chest. The sheet covered him from the waist down. His forehead protector was missing, tossed casually on his nightstand. His hair was even more unruly than usual, causing Saku to smile. His mask was still in place though. She briefly wondered how he slept in that thing.

Saku sat down on the bed at his side.

"Kakashi," Saku murmured, resting her hand on his arm. She felt his whole body tense, ready for battle.

"It's just me."

He relaxed at the sound of her voice and turned his head towards her.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, puzzled.

"I was worried about you after you pulled that Houdini last night." He turned his head away and sat up.

"I told you not to worry about me."

"You can't control how I feel, Kakashi."

"I know, Saku," he said, full of sorrow. She frowned at the tone.

"So what was that all about?"

"What's with you and the Uchiha?" he asked, seemingly changing the subject.

Saku smirked at the thought of the Uchiha heir. "He's taken an interest in me. Apparently, there's someone you can't scare away."

Kakashi said nothing, which worried her. Whatever happened yesterday must have been weighing heavily on his mind. It only made her more determined to make whatever it was right. They never kept secrets from each other.

Not for long, anyway.

"Tell me what it is, Kakashi, so I can make it right."

"You can't fix everything, Saku."

"You can at least let me try."

"At last—I see a similarity between you and Sakura."

"What similarity?"

"Sakura can't stand to see any of us hurt, whether it's emotionally or physically. She just can't take it. She has to make it right. Take the whole situation with Sasuke—"

"What's wrong with Sasuke?" Saku asked, looking at him in alarm. Kakashi realized then that perhaps he should have kept his mouth shut about the last Uchiha.

"Saku, I told you about the Itachi and Sasuke in my world."

Saku eyes grew dark with sadness. "Yes, you did."

"I can assure you whatever your Sasuke was like...ours is nothing like it."

"I need to see him—"

"No."

"Why not?" Saku demanded, arms crossed over her chest.

"Because we're supposed to be keeping your presence under wraps. Sasuke would immediately see that you are not you. At best he'd try to kill you. At worst…" Kakashi sighed. "He's not exactly stable, Saku."

"But I can—"

"You can do nothing but continue your story. Seeing Sasuke can wait."

Saku sighed.

"Okay."

Saku grabbed Kakashi's hand and took it in hers. "Tell me." Kakashi looked into those big green eyes that were begging him to open up.

Silence.

"Saku, I—"

A knock sounded on the door, cutting off whatever Kakashi was going to say.

She smiled sadly at him.

"You want me to get that?" Saku asked.

"Well, it would be appreciated, seeing as I'm naked," Kakashi said, giving her a happy eye crease.

Saku's brain stopped working momentarily and she froze. It was then that she noticed that after he had sat up the sheet had slipped a bit.

Nothing was visible per se.

She was a medic. She had seen more than enough people baring it all. It was just that the thought of him in the nude with only a thin sheet covering him was purely—

The knock resounded once more, breaking her train of thought.

"I'll go," Saku said, standing and heading towards the door.

She opened the door to see the smoldering eyes of Uchiha Itachi.

"What are you doing here?"

She asked, flustered at the way he was looking at her.

"I could ask you the same, Haruno. Where is he?" He asked back, glancing behind her briefly.

"He's getting dressed. He should be out shortly."

His eyes sharpened. "What exactly is going on between you and Hatake?"

"You know, he just asked me a similar question about you and me." Saku was going to say more—but Kakashi entered the room and Itachi tossed what she assumed to be a mission scroll at him. Kakashi caught it effortlessly and opened it.

His eye scanned the contents.

"Your timing is impeccable, Uchiha." Kakashi growled. Itachi said nothing, but stared at him blandly.

"You're leaving?" Saku asked.

"Yeah."

"You'll be gone for a while?"

Kakashi nodded.

"Saku—" Kakashi's eyes flickered over to Itachi. "We'll talk when I get back."

She nodded and made for the doorway where Itachi was staying. She paused before walking out, looking back at Kakashi. She turned her head back and saw him staring at her intensely.

"You'll be safe?"

He nodded and Saku, content with that, walked out and closed the door behind her. At her side Itachi said, "You never answered my question."

"About?" Saku asked, puzzled.

"About you and Hatake. Are you two an item?"

"No. We're just friends."

"Indeed? That whole scene I walked into looked more than friendly."

"I don't think I asked your opinion about the scene you walked into."

Itachi chuckled. "Have dinner with me."

"I don't know why, but I said yes. He can be awfully persuasive when he wants to be." Saku smiled slightly. "We were an item by the time Kakashi came home. He had been gone for three months. I always hated when he was gone on missions for that long—but I didn't get to dwell on it as much as I normally did."

Saku walked into her living room to find Kakashi sprawled out on her sofa. Saku let out a yelp and launched herself at him. Kakashi grunted when she hit his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her.

"I was so worried. When did you get home?"

"Not too long ago. I just left the Hokage's office."

"And you're alright? No injuries or anything?"

"I'm fine. It was a piece of cake." Kakashi paused, looking her over. "You look nice."

Saku pulled herself off of Kakashi. She glanced down at herself and suddenly remembered.

"Yeah, I have a date tonight but since you're home, I'll just—"

"A date," Kakashi said slowly. "With whom?"

"Itachi—but like I was saying, since you're home I'll let him know that I can't—"

"No, don't."

"But we have a conversation to finish. Remember? I know you haven't forgotten. You don't forget anything."

"I haven't forgotten. It's just that I don't think it matters anymore."

Saku's brow furrowed. Kakashi stood. "I'll just leave. I'll see you around."

Saku watched as he left, unsure of why her chest was hurting.

"The fight actually happened a few months after that. Kakashi had been growing more and more distant. I tried my best to figure out what was going on, but he became less and less receptive to communication." Tears started to blur Saku's eyes. "You have to understand I was losing my best friend and it was killing me. I began to realize that the problem was me. I had done something to make him shun my company and I was dying inside. He was a part of me, I used to think he was the most important part—"

"Saku, you're killing me."

"What?"

"You're not stupid. You can't be."

"Did you just insult me?"

"No—but I'm close to it. How can you be so blind? Can't you see? He was in love with you." He paused letting his words sink in. "He was in love with you." He repeated it, for emphasis.

Saku just stared at him, wide-eyed and openmouthed.

Kakashi continued on pounding the answer in her head. "You yourself said that you went on a date with him to the wedding. You said the word 'date'. Not him. Then he shows up and finds you in the arms of Uchiha Itachi. Now, if he is anything like me, then I would have been hard pressed to keep from killing him for even looking at the woman I loved—let alone touching her. Then Itachi interrupts when he's trying to confess his feelings for you...and while he's gone, you date someone else." Kakashi ran his fingers through his hair. "And to make it all worse, you say he's your friend...but you treat him like a lover without the benefit of sex. He's in love with you, Saku--and to make it all even worse...you're in love with him, too."

It took a minute after he finished his tirade to actually look at her face. He saw the utter devastation on her face, and it broke his heart. He hadn't meant to just blurt it out like that. He wanted her to reach her own conclusions. She reminded him so much of the twelve-year-old Sakura that he knew.

The one whose neck he often wanted to wring.

The one that brought out the fierce need in him to protect her.

Yet he had unintentionally hurt her.

It seemed that without the tragedy of the Uchiha clan, the Sakura he knew never came into existence. Sure, she was still the apprentice of the Hokage. She was still one kunoichi even he didn't want to cross. But her emotional development…

She was still sheltered, even now, from so much. How had she managed it? To be so...innocent, for lack of a better word.

His Sakura was battle-hardened, and some would say cold. He oftentimes felt that Sakura missed out on so much by being a member of Team Seven. Aside from the protection of Konoha, her team in all ways was her first priority. She never went on dates. Truly, she didn't have time for it. He wondered sometimes if Sakura knew what a social life was.

On her own, she had been assisting Sasuke with becoming reacquainted with the village. It was a large burden because Sasuke was not an easy person to get along with. Yet she persevered in breaking through the shell he had built around himself. She hadn't succeeded yet—but it wasn't from lack of trying.

Naruto would be Tsunade's successor, but Sakura would be his right hand…woman. He needed someone to keep him in line—to make sure the more tedious responsibilities were taken care of.

As far as Kakashi himself was concerned...Sakura was his hope.

His hope that there was salvation for his team.

He couldn't help but be amazed at the difference between two women who were essentially the same.

"What have I done?" she whispered. Kakashi took her into his arms and held her as she cried. "I have to go back," Saku sobbed. "You have to help me go back."

And because her tears hurt him so much, he made a promise.

"I'll help you make it back. I swear it."

A/N: Thank you to my beta cutecrazyice for looking this over for me.

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