Chapter name is dedicated to Thor's hammer from MCU – called the Mjolnir.
Enjoy! :)
CHAPTER 14 - Mjolnir
As soon as Itachi leaves, Sakura starts to feel bad. Kakashi, Uncle Obito, and Sai don't speak much after his dramatic exit, and they let her to her own thoughts. They finish their dinner quietly, and Sakura feels as though she's forcing the squiggly strangs of dough down her throat rather than eating one of her favourite meals.
She retires to her bedroom without rinsing the utensils. She hears the men talking amongst themselves lowly as the water in the sink and the clink of plates and forks and glasses play in the background. She waits until things are quiet, and then tiptoes outside to grab the bottle of wine.
She drinks from the bottle directly as she sits on the floor of her bedroom, her back resting against the bed. She remembers when she was sitting in this exact same fashion and Itachi was outside her door, talking to her, making her laugh, and saying I know that you think you did the wrong thing and then you will always have the right to make your own choice.
Despite Itachi's claim that he did not do what he wanted, he still made a choice. He made the choice of staying where he was, and believing it to be the right one at that time. She remembers what he said on the rooftop to her, that I've tried for a long time to be satisfied by what I had; it isn't working anymore. I find myself wanting more. This is Itachi's more. And Sakura made it all about herself.
She hates how guilty she feels. She hates that she cares so much about what Itachi said. She hates the way he shut down right in front of her, and that she was the cause for it. She hates herself more than anything else right now.
Itachi has never treated her like this before. He has been mad at her many times. They've held arguments, debates, said rude things to each other. The closed-off demeanour is completely new, though. It doesn't sit well with her.
Sakura checks her phone. 12.02 AM. She snorts humourlessly, recalling that this appears to be a running theme in their lives. Wanting to have serious conversations in the middle of the night.
She's quite nicely buzzed.
You drink wine to get through conversations, Itachi's haughty voice fills her mind, from when he'd said it at Alessandro after their spat over Hulk and Captain America had begun.
Sakura hasn't forgotten the way Itachi was so passionate when he spoke about Captain America. He said that a true leader would use the pieces at his disposal to get the right outcome. She hadn't made the connection at that time, but now it feels ridiculous to have missed it.
Steve Rogers had great skills, but he was a scrawny little soldier. He signed up for the experimental serum, believing that he has nothing to lose even if it goes wrong. Of course, it doesn't go wrong. He becomes Captain America, now aided with a shield, a perfect healthy human body, and is finally able to lead the way he always wanted to, to become the soldier he was meant to become.
Sakura hates that she knows MCU, that she has come to love it. She's given this a great deal of thought, about why she is fascinated with super-heroes when she had never bothered with anything that wasn't about medicine before. Being a woman of science, of knowing the practicality of human limitations, she should know better than to cheer for Hulk, or the Black Widow as she fights aliens significantly stronger than her, or Thor's penchant for being able to use a hammer that even someone as strong as Hulk cannot lift because Mjolnir is only for those who deserve it.
It all sounds ridiculous to her, the whole thing, but then she thinks about Itachi and his desire to lead people in a better world, a world ridden by people like Danzo. She also knows for a fact that he won't just stop there. Itachi has waited a long time to be recognized for his skills, to use his intellect freely, and to achieve a stage where he doesn't have to work within four walls, so that he can visit Switzerland to witness subatomic particles that make up the Universe. It'll be a crime to stand in his way, she thinks.
Sakura rings the doorbell to 10A. Knocks won't cut it this time. She needs Itachi to wake up so that she can get this out of her system, so that she doesn't burst through her skin. The utter need to make things right with him – this instant and not a moment later – is overpowering to the point where trivial things such as time or place or social etiquettes do not matter in the least.
He opens the door.
"Sakura?"
She frowns at him. "Didn't you see who it is through the peephole? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
He crosses his hands over his chest and glares. He's not wearing a shirt, and Sakura, in her buzzed state, is finding it very hard not to stare. Itachi became downright beautiful on the rooftop as they watched the sunrise over the horizon, but over the days since then, he has only become downright irresistible.
"Isn't that what you do?" he reminds her.
Clearly, he's still mad at her. Sakura bites her lip. "Can I come in?"
"Are you here to tell me that I'm being stupid?"
"Even if that's the case, you are not allowed to keep me stranded outside."
He scoffs derisively. "You stay right there. You won't be stranded."
Sakura loses her patience and pushes him back in his apartment by his shoulders. Itachi stumbles in surprise and glares even harder as she shuts the door behind her with her feet.
"Listen," she begins before he can come up with more snarky remarks. "I'm sorry."
He doesn't budge. "For what?"
"For not understanding. For implying that you don't know what you're doing. For not trusting that you do know what you're doing. Itachi, I'm worried. I just don't want to see you fail. I know that you are smart, I'm not saying that you are not, so this might be quite unreasonable, but you can't fault me for being worried about you. I don't know everything there is to know about this Danzo thing but you basically said that you're going to expose him on national TV and I know that's a huge deal. Something that definitely warrants some concern."
Itachi doesn't look mad anymore, but he is still heavily frowning at her. "I'm not going to fail."
Sakura groans in frustration. "I'm not saying that you will! I'm saying that I'm worried, you stupid genius."
"That's the thing: why are you so worried?" he counters incredulously.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Sakura says helplessly. "This is a big thing. No shit, I'm worried. You will lose all your hardwork if this doesn't work."
"It's not going to fail!" he insists yet again. "Trust me, okay? Sakura, you don't see me questioning your career choices, do you? I trust that you can handle your own decisions. You know your own field better than me. Can you not return the favour? Trust me to handle business the way I trust you to handle medicine."
Sakura takes in his earnest face, and the only thing she cares about right now is that he isn't closed off to her the way he was when he left dinner. As long as he's bothering to talk with her, she thinks she can breathe easily.
"Okay," she says. "You're right. I should trust that you can handle this. But I'm still allowed to be worried that you're taking on a powerful person. It doesn't have to mean that I don't trust you. It only means that I care as a friend."
"That's acceptable," he agrees. His shoulders aren't stiff anymore.
"Okay," she says for no reason other than wanting to speak with him.
"Besides," he adds tiredly, "we don't even know if Obito will be able to get me on that show. All of this will be for moot if that doesn't happen."
"You can just find another way to expose him," she suggests.
He sighs. "I suppose."
"Okay," she repeats and Itachi gives her a funny look. Sakura giggles. "Sorry, I drank wine beore coming here."
He shuts his eyes as though in prayer. It makes her laugh openly. "I can't believe you had to get drunk to apologize to me."
"No," she corrects him. "I got drunk because I felt bad. Then I thought that apologizing might make me feel better because the wine wasn't working."
He smirks with apparent amusement. "Did it?"
"I think so," she frowns. "I still feel a little funny, though."
Itachi immediately backtracks a few steps. "Are you going to puke?"
"I don't know," she admits. "My stomach feels weird. But not the kind of weird that precedes puking. Never mind, I'm sure it's nothing."
When Itachi chuckles, the feeling intensifies. "Says the doctor."
"Whatever, I don't even care," she mutters. "I'm going to go home now. You can go back to sleep."
He smirks wider. "Do you know how to get there, or should I help?"
Sakura feels like hitting him and kissing him at the same time, and the thought of kissing him sobers her up like a cold shower. The feeling in the pit of her stomach is worse than ever now, and she feels a full body flush.
"No, thank you, genius," she manages to say even as her mind fills with images of various scenarios in which she ends up kissing him. This is so not good.
She turns to leave but stops. Itachi hasn't moved from his spot. He quirks an eyebrow at her in question. "I upset you. I think I should give you a hug. It seems like the protocol between us."
Itachi smiles, a small smile that makes him look pretty. "Okay."
So Sakura strides forward and wraps her arms around his waist and tucks her head under his chin. She is acutely aware that he is naked from waist up.
Itachi's body is warm and smells like mint soap. His skin is soft and Sakura wants nothing more than to trace her fingers lightly over it. She feels him resting his cheek over the top of her head and his hands tighten around her.
Sakura's heart is hammering inside her chest. If Itachi can feel it, he doesn't comment.
"I really am sorry," she whispers with lips pressed against his collar.
"I know," he says softly. "It's alright. You're allowed to be worried. I would have been to, if our places were reversed."
"Yeah?" she smiles.
"Yeah."
"Okay."
"Stop saying that," he mutters.
"Okay."
"You're impossible," he decides and places a kiss on top of her head. "Thank you for apologizing."
"You're welcome."
"Okay."
Sakura giggles and he presses a smile in her hair.
"Do you want to stay for a bit?" he asks, and Sakura thinks that he sounds shy.
"Okay."
Itachi groans and laughs at the same time, and pulls back from her. Sakura smiles sweetly just to piss him off. He rolls his eyes and offers her a midnight sandwich. She remembers the way he'd left without finishing his dinner and feels a rush of guilt once again. So she agrees to a midnight sandwich even though she's not remotely hungry.
xXx
Sasuke and Naruto return on Monday morning. She knows this because Sasuke, Naruto, and Itachi knock on her door bright and early at 7.30 AM.
Sai is still sleeping soundly on the couch. Kakashi and Uncle Obito haven't made an appearance, either. Naruto holds up a finger over his lips and stealthily moves to the couch only to suddenly tickle Sai into waking up.
Sai is laughing freely and Sakura has never seen him like that before. Naruto tackles him back on the couch to tickle harder.
"Aren't they getting cosy?" Sasuke mutters lowly before giving her a huge grin. "Hi."
Sakura chuckles. "Hi. How was your trip?"
Sasuke blushes for some reason. "It was good."
Kakashi throws open the door. "What's happening?" Then he sees Naruto and Sai on the couch, Sasuke standing by the breakfast table with Sakura, and Itachi rooting around the kitchen cupboards for mugs.
"Just you kids," he grumbles. "Shut up so that I can sleep." And he shuts the door.
"What's with him?" Sasuke frowns. "He's grumpy today."
"Not the only one," Itachi comments offhandedly. "Are you coming in to work today?"
"Of course!" Naruto replies for him. "Let me put some coffee in me and we're good to go!"
"I am," Sasuke assures Itachi personally. "But yes, let me have some coffee first."
"I'm dying for a shower," Naruto complains. "Sakura, can I please use your shower? I have spare clothes in my bag. Teme convinced me to come here instead of going at my own place. If you want to blame someone for your lack of privacy, blame him."
Sakura wants to point out that Naruto can perfectly use the shower at Sasuke's place, but refrains from it. "Knock yourself out."
He beams. "Thanks!"
"Hey, I was going to brush my teeth," Sai tells him, even as Naruto opens his suitcase to take out clean clothes. "I suppose we can use the bathroom at the same time."
"No way!" Sasuke says forcefully. "Naruto, go use my shower."
Naruto rolls his eyes. "Relax, teme." Sasuke opens his mouth to retort but Naruto continues. "Sai, don't come in while I shower. I'm sure you don't mean it in a pervy way, but it will make me uncomfortable to have you there. Okay?"
Sai nods. "Okay."
"See?" Naruto raises his eyebrows at Sasuke. "He understands if you explain."
"For the last time," Sasuke groans in frustration. "It was obvious! It's not my fault you didn't get it." Clearly, they had some spat over their weekend trip.
"No, it wasn't obvious at all," Naruto says stubbornly.
"Whatever. Just shower already."
"Aren't you going to?" Itachi asks mildly. "Maybe you can join Naruto."
Sasuke and Naruto both turn the deepest red possible. "Shut up, Itachi!"
"I'll go take one in my own bathroom," Sasuke adds and then pauses. "After the coffee."
"Have you ever considered that you all might be caffeine addicts?" Sai asks curiously.
Sakura, Sasuke, and Itachi share a look.
"Coffee, anyone?" Itachi offers instead.
Sakura and Sasuke immediately nod. Naruto hollers out a "don't forget me!" as he shuts the bathroom door behind him.
"Might as well," Sai shrugs and gets to his feet.
xXx
Hinata comes to her one month before the wedding, to speak about the Bachelorette party.
"Shouldn't we involve Karin in this, too?" Sakura asks.
They're sitting in Sakura's apartment on a Sunday.
Hinata fidgets. "Well, yes. How do we get in touch with her without Temari finding out?"
"Sasuke?" Sakura suggests. Karin is infatuated with him. Every time they visit the restaurant with the purpose of waiting for Temari after the closing hours, Karin has made it a point to stop by and ogle at the man. Sakura is sure that Sasuke can speak with her without raising red alerts.
"I suppose," Hinata says thoughtfully. "Do you know what the guys are planning for the Bachelor's party?"
She doesn't. "Should we ask them? Oh, can we throw a common party?"
Hinata laughs. "Sakura, the point of it is to celebrate being unmarried. Asking your partner to be present nullifies the whole point. Besides, these parties are supposed to go wild. Do you really want the guys to be present?"
"We have to go wild?" Sakura asks instead, igoring everything else.
"That's the general idea."
"Do you want to go wild?"
Hinata doesn't seem like the type of person to be doing that. Although, Sakura muses, people can be rather surprising.
"Don't you?" Hinata shoots back.
"I guess? Strippers, alcohol, and male-bashing isn't exactly something I've done in my life."
Hinata chuckles. "I've been to one Bachelorette party," she says. "Neji asked me to be part of the bridal party for his ex-wife. She didn't have many close friends."
Neji is Hinata's twin brother. Sakura has never met him, but she's seen photographs. He has the same inky blue hair and grey eyes that Hinata does. He went to college in Iwa, and settled there. Sakura doesn't know much about him, except that he got married young, and divorced within a year. Apparently, he realised that his wife is severely toxic, and made it a point to bash Neji's friend every chance that she got. After their divorce, Neji ended up dating said friend.
The world is not black and white, Kakashi had told her when she was five.
"I honestly doubt that Shika will be up for strippers," Sakura remarks. "Combining both the parties won't even make much of a difference."
Hinata laughs. "True. They're going to have to kidnap Shika for sure. And keep him there."
"He'll just fall asleep."
"Probably. On second thought, seeing that whatever they come up for Shika won't even work, I guess he'd be up for surprising Temari, though."
"Didn't you just point out how bringing the guys would nullify the whole point?"
"I know. But you're right, too. I know that it's tradition to give separate parties, but it doesn't look like it'll be of much fun for the groom. Temari, on the other hand, is shameless enough to enjoy regardless of who is present."
Sakura laughs so hard she almost topples over her chair. "We can at least talk with the guys," she agrees once she's calmed down.
"Let's do it right now," Hinata says and gets to her feet without waiting for a reply.
Sakura waits as she goes over to 10A to call Itachi and Sasuke. To Sakura's surprise – or maybe not – Naruto trails behind the lot.
"Combined Bachelor and Bachelorette parties?" Naruto repeats thoughtfully once the girls finish pitching their suggestion.
"To be honest, that would work better than separate ones," Sasuke admits. "We were worried that Shika won't be up for anything that we throw. This way, he'll make the effort for Temari's sake."
"Basically," Itachi continues, "this would be a Bachelorette party but with the groom."
"Yes."
"Perfect," Itachi grins. "That's one thing less for me to do."
Sakura rolls her eyes. "So is this a yes?"
"Hell yeah," Naruto says excitedly and Sasuke nods.
"Hang on, another point," Hinata cuts in. "Sasuke, we need you to get in touch with Karin."
Naruto sobers up instantly. "What for?" he demands before Sasuke can speak.
"Because," Hinata says patiently, "we don't know her that well. If this is going to be a surprise, we can hardly walk up to her with Temari watching us. Sasuke can be seen speaking with her because she basically throws herself at him every chance she gets. It won't be as suspicious. All he has to do is tell her we are throwing a party and ask for her number."
Naruto's frown deepens. "You want Sasuke to ask for her number?"
"Yes."
"For the party," Sakura reminds him pointedly. "Sasuke is not going to go out with her."
"Obviously," Sasuke rolls his eyes.
"I can do it," Naruto says forcefully. "I'll get her number."
"She won't give it to you," Itachi says mildly with an amused face.
"You're not going to do that," Sasuke says stubbornly, glaring at his best friend. "I'll get her number, okay? We both know your history with women."
Sakura wants to hide her face in her hands at this exchange. She really does not understand how obvious they need to become to realise what the hell is going on. Then again, she can be quite oblivious herself. She hadn't connected the dots before Itachi's co-workers had pointed it out to her.
"She's going to try and seduce you," Naruto snaps. "Don't pretend that that's not going to happen."
"So what?" Sasuke challenges. "I'm free to do whatever the hell I want. Maybe I want to ask her out. Maybe I'm pleased to see that she's interested in me."
"Are you?" Naruto asks incredulously. "A lot of women have been interested in you over the years, Sas. Why don't you just date them all?"
"Maybe I will," Sasuke snaps.
Naruto's lips thin in anger and his blue eyes harden visibly. Sakura seeks out Itachi and Hinata for help, but they both have their eyebrows raised and are completely unwilling to interfere.
"Fine," Naruto says flatly, sounding rather dangerous. "Date Karin. Date whoever the fuck you want. But don't forget that all those women have only shown an interest in you because of your looks. If you want somone shallow, fine, go ahead."
"That's rich," Sasuke taunts. "All the women you dated weren't exactly Einstien's, either. In fact, need I remind you, that you dated those women for the same reason they dated you: physical attraction and convenience. Don't go throwing stones at other people's houses when your own is made of glass."
"You're such a bastard!" Naruto's voice raises.
"Because I'm right?" Sasuke mocks further. Fighting with Naruto is literally the only time Sasuke has ever shown real passion in. Well, that and MCU. Otherwise, he's the epitome of guy-next-door. "And why are we even having this conversation? All Hinata said was that we need Karin's number. I'm clearly the best candidate for it."
"And then what? Ask for her number, get in touch with her, and she just might convince you to change your mind."
"So what?!" Sasuke suddenly yells, standing up and towering over Naruto. "So what, Naruto? So what if she convinces me to go on a date? Is it that big of a deal? Do you never want me to date anyone in my life? Stay single forever as your best friend and watch you screw your variety of women how much ever you feel like it? What's the point of all this fighting? Why are you so against me dating?"
Sakura's mind fills with Kakashi and Uncle Obito, and she forces it out with considerable effort.
Naruto pushes him back and gets to his feet, as well. "I don't want some stupid person to hurt you, you fucking moron! Do you honestly think all those women who asked you out deserved you? No, they didn't. Neither does Karin!"
"You don't even know them personally," Sasuke says icily, crossing his hands over his chest. "You have no idea how they truly are. And the thing is, neither do I. Because I didn't date them. I didn't go out with them."
"If you're so sure," Naruto snarls in his face, "maybe you should have. If nothing else, you would have seen for yourself that I was right."
"Oh, I'm sorry, I wasn't aware that they need to get screened by your ass before they are allowed to date me."
"Yes," Naruto says stubbornly. "I'm your best friend."
"Some best friend," Sasuke says. "You're always picking a fight with me whenever my dating comes up. It's as though you want me to stay single forever."
"I don't want that," Naruto argues. "Of course, I don't want you to stay single! I just … I just want you to be with someone who deserves you! If you can't see that, then I'm going to have to pick fights with you until you get it!"
Sasuke throws him a disbelieving look. "How will you know whom I deserve?"
"Sasuke, you're the best person I know," Naruto says seriously. "And I know you. We've been friends forever! Who else is a better judge than me to decide whom you deserve?"
Itachi clears his throat pointedly, and Sakura has the sudden desire to laugh despite the tension in the room.
Naruto waves his hand in Itachi's direction dismissively. "Yeah, yeah. Sasuke, trust me. I'm thinking of your good in this."
"No, you're not," Sasuke says. "You're picking fights with me every time the topic of my dating comes up. At this rate, I'll begin to think that you're either jealous or not a nice friend. But I know you, too. So I know that you're a good friend. Which could only mean that you will sound jealous than anything else if you continue this."
Naruto flushes a bright red and his eyes drop down from Sasuke's. He doesn't speak for a few moments.
"You're right," he eventually mutters. "I haven't been handling this topic well. I don't want you to stay single. I just don't want to see you hurt. I guess that I've made more damage than good."
"Thank you. And I'm not going to date Karin," Sasuke adds softly, trying to catch Naruto's eyes. "I know that I deserve more than someone just wanting to be with me without even knowing me well enough. I know that I deserve proper consideration, and a proper date. I know that you're a good judge of people and you won't sit and watch if I make a mistake. I trust you. I'm not going to date Karin because I'm not interested in Karin. I prefer more … someone who challenges me. Not someone who swoons over me."
Naruto smirks slightly. "Sas, anyone will be smitten by you. That's just an impractical wish to have."
Sasuke grins. "Is that a compliment?"
"As if. I'm only pointing out your stupidity."
xXx
Turns out, Itachi being a CEO can be exploited thoroughly. If only Sakura knew this way before.
Itachi manages to book four rooms for Saturday night in one of the most trending hotels in the city called Amaterasu. It typically has months of waiting period. Naturally, the place is every bit suave as one can expect with wide welcoming lobbies, beautiful themed rooms with spacious bathrooms, and complementary free access to their club, swimming pool, lounge, breakfast, gym, sauna, and Sakura stops reading the list.
Karin brings Temari to the lobby after Alessandro's closing hours with a false excuse, and Itachi does the same with Shikamaru. Sakura, Hinata, Sasuke, and Naruto are waiting for them with a large banner that reads BACHELOR-N-ETTE PARTY!, balloons, funky hats, and dressed to kill.
Itachi, Sasuke, and Naruto are wearing black suits with different colored shirts, and Itachi is carrying one for Shikamaru to change into. Similarly, Sakura and Hinata are wearing one of their best dresses, Karin is carrying her own, and Hinata picked out Temari's dress.
"SURPRISE!"
"What's this?" Temari stops in her tracks, forcing Karin to stumble a little. "No offence, but you guys spelled Bachelorette wrong."
"It's your Bachelor and Bachelorette party," Hinata explains with a grin. "Bachelor-n-ette party."
Shikamaru is staring as though he can't believe he has to sit through a party.
"Come on, let's get you changed!" Sakura insists and starts to drag Temari to her room in the hotel. "See you guys down in an hour."
"An hour?!" Naruto calls out incredulously.
"Come on, dobe," Sasuke tugs on his arm. "Itachi can help Shika. Let's hang out at the bar."
"Nuh uh," Itachi immediately protests. "You're coming with us. Otherwise, I'll ask them to cancel your names from the bookings."
The girls don't wait around to hear the rest of their argument.
"So what can I expect from this weird Bachelor-n-ette party?" Temari asks as she shrugs into her dress. Hinata has picked out a beautiful black sequined dress with tasteful cuts. She's also got killer black heels to go with it.
Hinata goes on to explain how they believed Shika might be more interested in it if Temari is present, ironically. So they decided to spend the night doing everything that they would do in a typical Bachelorette party, only with the guys present.
Temari snorts, not unkindly. "You're right about Shika, I'll give you that. What's first on the agenda?"
"We have dinner at their fancy restaurant," Sakura answers.
"And then pay a long visit to their club," Karin grins.
"And then a surprise," Hinata finishes.
"Quite classy," Temari remarks. "How do I look?"
She looks stunning. Her blonde hair is down rather than the typical piggy tail hairdo she has to adopt for work. The dress fits perfectly in all the right places. Her make-up is light and natural with only her lips painted a bold pink.
They each have a glass of complementary champagne in the room itself. Karin is a little annoying for Sakura's taste, and for some reason, she insists on sliding Sasuke into their conversation every now and then. Her phone beeps. It's Itachi.
Come down already.
Sakura giggles.
"What is it?" Hinata asks. Sakura shows her the text, and she laughs. "Don't reply. Make them wait."
Sakura has every intention of doing just that.
Here's the thing: the men look handsome in their suits, and Sakura knows that. It's just that Itachi's appearance has been tantalising her this whole time. He's wearing a wine colored shirt under his black suit. He's brought out his black-rimmed glasses for the occasion. Not only that, Sakura noticed a new piece of jewellery that she hasn't seen before. Instead of the crow earring, Itachi is wearing a necklace that is almost a choker but not quite. It's resting against his skin at the end of the column of his throat. Itachi's shirt is popped open by two buttons that makes the necklace visible. He's also wearing a ring on his index finger that has a large stone that matches his shirt. And he's topped off the look with shiny black shoes, and the watch that Sakura gifted him for his birthday.
The simple fact that Itachi is not afraid to wear jewellery, seems rather fond of it, is more than enough for Sakura's stomach to tighten. She recognizes the feeling as being turned on. Granted, it isn't the first time, although it used to be manageable to suppress it until now.
She thinks that she's going to be needing a hell lot of drinks tonight, if she wants to soldier on through all these rush of emotions. Other than being utterly turned on, Sakura has also begun to accept that there are deeper things at play here. Things that she really, really doesn't want to feel.
To be honest, Sakura herself is feeling self-conscious. She realised earlier that she wants to look nice, that she wants him to take notice of her tonight. Not just any random person, him in particular. She has absolutely no idea how to go about doing that. She doesn't want to seduce him exactly; she only wants him to notice her in a non-platonic way.
Sakura also has no idea what to do if he does end up noticing her in a non-platonic way, as she so puts it. Let's cross that bridge if/when you come to it.
She's wearing a rose gold dress that has a high neckline in the front, but is practically backless. It's a low cut dress with a little bit of flare to the skirt. She's wearing the golden heels that she'd worn for Itachi's birthday. Her hair is in a tasteful bun to show off her back. Hinata convinced her to wear small studded earrings and a matching delicate bracelet. The only make-up she's put on is black winged eyeliner, and a deep red lipstick. She thinks it's one of those occasions to let her light splatter of freckles be seen.
Sakura believes that she cleaned up rather well. And then she reminds herself that the night is supposed to be about Temari and Shikamaru, not her confusing – but very explicit thoughts – about her neighbour/friend/crush.
The girls eventually go down to meet up with the men in the lobby. Sakura watches Shikamaru's eyes widen as Temari approaches him.
Karin immediately glues herself to Sasuke. Sakura makes sure to hook her elbow in Naruto's as they make their way to the poolside restaurant. Hinata manages to squeeze herself between Karin and Sasuke, so Sakura lets Naruto sit on his other side, and she ends up beside Itachi.
Ever since Naruto and Sasuke's fight at her apartment over Karin's number, Sakura and Hinata made this unspoken pact to push those two together in every situation possible. Itachi decided to sit by and eat hypothetical popcorn.
Itachi leans in to murmur in her ear. "You look very nice, if I haven't said it yet."
Sakura tries to get her pounding heart under control. "You haven't."
"Well, you do. Look very nice."
"Thank you," she says and throws him a tiny smirk. "So do you."
She expects an I know, but he dips his head instead and thanks her. Slightly surprised, she takes a sip of her sangria.
"This feels more like a congratulations party," Temari tells them at one point through dinner.
"Patience, woman," Hinata teases her.
When they take the bride and the groom to the club after dinner, things begin to get a little wild. The crowd is made of people around their age, but there a few youngsters and oldies here and there. The club is spacious with a large dance floor and seating arrangements surrounding it from three sides.
Since the tradition is to be hammered, they hit the bar first. The food has already taken Sakura's champagne and wine buzz away. As per her vow for tonight, she orders two shots of tequila for herself. Naruto joins her. They kick back the shots one after the other and grin at each other. Sasuke is holding a beer, Shikamaru is drinking scotch, Hinata and Temari are having more wine, Karin ordered some fancy cocktail, and Itachi is cradling a glass of his usual Cuba.
"We should get a table," Hinata tells Itachi over the music.
Itachi nods and disappears. Sakura kicks back another shot before he arrives and leads them to a table that is magically cleared away.
"What the hell did you do?" Sakura demands when they sit down. She ended up beside him again. This drinking plan might not be going the way she wanted it to go. Or maybe it's going exactly the way she secretly wanted it to go.
Itachi smirks arrogantly. "The hotel belongs to Uncle Madara. I have privileges."
She narrows her eyes at him. "You're bringing me here again."
He raises his eyebrows. "Don't forget that you owe me a date, and not the other way around."
"You mean the date that you haven't cashed yet?"
He shrugs. "I will. Don't worry," he assures her. "I'm going to wait until you hit rock bottom."
"Ha ha," she mutters. "I think you missed your chance, genius."
He waves his hand dismissively. "Life-and-death don't count," he says.
"Then what?" she asks dryly.
"Rock bottom of your bank account," he rephrases.
"That doesn't make sense," Sakura rolls her eyes. "Firstly, I'm not going to become bankrupt. I have a steady income. Secondly, isn't that counter-productive? How will you get your expensive date if I don't have any money?"
"That's the beauty of it," he answers. "The stress that you will undergo is going to be my reward."
"You know," she says coolly, "I've heard that people with high IQ some times stray on to the path of psychopathy."
"You'd be privileged to have a psychopath as your friend," he replies, matching her casual tone.
She laughs, feeling another rush of something for this man. They order a variety of alcohol for their table and Itachi tells them to "put it on his tab".
"Seriously," Sakura stares at him as the server leaves. "You're going to bring me here again."
"Sakura," he says with amusement, "are you typically impressed by a show of status?"
She raises an eyebrow. "Aren't you the one to call me materialistic? And yet here you are, surprised by it."
He laughs. "Even so, I thought doctors are all about saving lives above everything else. You know, working in rural places with no regards to their living conditions or paycheck."
She shrugs. "There's every kind of doctor."
"What kind of a doctor are you?"
"The one that is going to take complete advantage of your staus," she replies without missing a beat.
"God help me if I ever marry you," Itachi chuckles and then kind of freezes in surprise by his own statement.
Sakura's heart skips a beat, before running wild. She settles for a nonchalant smirk that is not entirely a success. "I didn't know you were a God person."
Itachi latches onto the topic without hesitation. "God is different for everyone. Of course, I have zero doubt that you are sceptical about it. I have rarely seen any doctors who believe in God."
Before she can say anything to that, Naruto interrupts loudly, and Sakura remembers that they are in a club, and supposed to be celebrating Temari and Shikamaru. Mentally cursing herself, she hitches on a grin and joins the general chatter of the table. Itachi follows.
Naruto insists at one point that they should be dancing. He convinces Hinata, Temari, and Sasuke first – which means Karin immediately joins them. Then it's just Sakura, Itachi, and Shikamaru at the table.
"You don't need to keep me company," Shikamaru tells them.
"Of course, we do," Sakura protests. "This is your party, too, Shika."
"I'm so glad you guys didn't plan the whole stripper thing," Shikamaru groans.
Sakura keeps her smile as natural as possible. "Yeah."
Shikamaru excuses himself to the washroom and Sakura immediately turns to Itachi. "What are we going to do?"
He purses his lips. "Go ahead with the plan."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. I mean, it's tradition, right? I'm sure it won't be that bad."
Sakura isn't convinced. She also knows that Itachi isn't some universal problem-fixer. He's right. They will just have to continue their night as planned.
When Shikamaru returns, Naruto and Temari are with him.
"Sakura, come on! We gotta dance!" She lets Naruto bring her to her feet.
Temari falls on the couch beside Shikamaru. Sakura grabs Itachi's hand a moment before she feels herself being dragged. Itachi stumbles slightly behind her, and she tightens her hold instinctively.
Naruto leads them through the crowd towards Hinata, Sasuke, and Karin. He freezes for a moment when he sees Karin practically draping herself over Sasuke. Sakura pushes him in the back to get him to move.
Feeling annoyed, she taps Karin on her shoulder to get her attention. "May I cut in?" Without really waiting for persmission, she frees Sasuke from her grasp.
"Thank you," he says in her ear with apparent relief. "I didn't know what to do without being rude."
She pats his back sympathetically as they dance. Hinata, meanwhile, bless her soul, takes Karin back to the table to drink more. As soon as they disappear between gyrating bodies, Sakura steps away from Sasuke and goes to Itachi. Naruto takes his cue to join his friend.
Dancing with Itachi is a whole new experience. Sakura's main intention was to let Naruto and Sasuke dance with each other, and ending up with Itachi became a complete coincidence. A pleasant one, but a coincidence, nonetheless.
Itachi pulls her close to him, and Sakura tells herself that it's only because of the people around them who are pushing and pulling and there's not much space to begin with. Itachi wraps his arms around her waist, and Sakura tells herself that it's a way of dancing. Itachi leans down to rest his forehead on top of her head, and Sakura stops breathing.
They continue to move with no regards to the music spilling over the speakers. Sakura has her arms resting on his shoulders, and her eyes are firmly fixed on them. At one point, Itachi places a small kiss in her hair and Sakura has no idea what the hell to do with that.
She's at the bridge, she realises. She thought she'd know what to do. The idea seems laughable now.
In fact, Sakura's mind is utterly blank. Her world is nothing but this man in front of her, his solid body moving against hers, the warmth of his lips on her head reaching her toes.
Sakura thinks that maybe she should check on Naruto and Sasuke. Sakura also thinks that if she moves even a muscle above her neck right now, she might do something foolish. So she focuses on the necklace that is gracing Itachi's throat.
It's difficult not to notice the way his breath is fanning across her face. It's difficult not to notice the way his fingers are lightly tracing the skin on her back in her backless dress. It's difficult not to notice the way his collarbone looks biteable. But the most difficult of all is to resist the urge to kiss him right then and there.
Sakura entertains the idea for a bit. The chances of him not reciprocating are dwindling by the second. She wanted him to notice her, and she's succeeded. Now what? She tries to think about what would happen if they do kiss. Will he expect more? Is she interested in more? Will it change their friendship permanently? Or will it be just a one-night stand situation? To get him out of her system?
She's saved by Temari. Sakura hadn't even noticed the blonde rejoining them, but she hasn't felt so relieved in her life before. Temari tugs on her arm, completely ignoring Itachi, and drags Sakura away towards where Hinata and Karin are now dancing. Both of them are giving her funny looks. Sakura flushes; she feels as though she got caught doing something naughty.
She glances back at Itachi – now with Sasuke, Naruto, and Shikamaru – and he's staring back at her with an unreadable face. Sakura has the strongest desire to go back to him, in their bubble, and stay there for the rest of the night.
She doesn't tear her eyes away.
xXx
Sakura is well buzzed. They stumble back to one of the rooms – all eight of them – and she hopes that Hinata is in a better shape than she is. They still have two things planned for the night.
Itachi catches her as she is about to fall sideways on the bed, her heel being caught on the edge of the carpet. She giggles drunkenly as he straightens her. He's smirking lazily back.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata arrange the chairs for everyone to sit on. Sakura picks out the seat beside Itachi again. They pop open another bottle of champagne amongst themselves.
Temari is about to question them what the hell is the plan, when there's a knock on the door. When no one bothers to move, she rolls her eyes and gets to her feet.
The strippers they had requested have arrived, one man and one woman. Itachi takes out a packet of cigars from his suit jacket.
"You came prepared," Sakura says, impressed.
"Obviously. Want one?"
"Obviously."
They pass the cigars around as Temari and Shikamaru settle in their seats for entertainment. Shikamaru shoots Itachi a bemused look that has Sakura in stitches.
She has no idea what happens. Sakura is so drunk that she spends the stripper event trying to float through the high and not pass out. At one point, she realises that the male stripper is approaching her and she blinks to bring him into focus.
He sits on her lap. Sakura lets him entertain her with amusement. When the woman sits on Itachi's lap, Sakura tries not to stare.
At one point, the man is around Sasuke. Naruto tries to get him to move away, but the man instead approaches Naruto and then Sasuke is sitting sourly. Sakura is laughing so hard that she feels Itachi steadying her with his arm.
Temari enjoys herself to the fullest. Hinata was right. The soon-to-be-bride has no regards to anyone in the room, and she's unapologetic about being the focus of the strippers. Shikamaru even cracks a smile for a second.
By the end of their show, Sakura is struggling to stay awake. When the doors shut behind them, Hinata gets to her feet to announce their next destination.
"To the roof, everyone!" she says loudly.
Sasuke and Naruto groan, despite knowing that this was the plan all along. Sakura suspects that they are in no better shape than she is. Even Itachi is drunk. Maybe. She's not sure. Karin has already passed out.
Sakura leans heavily against Itachi as they leave the room. Naruto and Sasuke are supporting each other. Hinata has her arm hooked with Temari's. Shikamaru is the only one who looks like he always does, but Sakura thinks that he might be bleary around the edges.
They arrive on the roof.
"Shika," Hinata turns to the man. "This part is dedicated to you. Your favourite activity: cloud watching. Sorry about the lack of clouds, though."
Shikamaru is stunned.
"We thought that you'd enjoy making the transition from unmarried to married by watching the sky," Itachi explains. "We knew that the dinner, the club, the strippers weren't something you'd truly like. This is also a way for us to show you that some things won't ever change, that you'd always have this one thing that you can do with us."
Shikamaru doesn't say anything for a moment. "Thank you," he finally says sincerely. "Thank you. Really."
Sasuke has grabbed a blanket from the room on his way up. Naruto helps him lay it down on the floor. All seven of them manage to squeeze on it somehow, laying down on their backs to watch the stars with Shikamaru.
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