PLEASE CHECK CHAPTER 12 – BEDTIME STORIES! THE TECHNICAL GLITCH OCCURRED AROUND THAT TIME. SO PLEASE CHECK ONCE IN CASE YOU MISSED THE CHAPTER ALTOGETHER, BEFORE CONTINUING!

That being said, you know what they say about the sands. One doesn't return from the deserts, not really. It's always a new person who does.

Enjoy! :)

CHAPTER 15 - Sandstorms

A week before the wedding Sakura has an epiphany.

She supposes that she could have realised it earlier, but since she's been so busy with everything that has been happening, she completely missed the mark.

A week before the wedding, Sakura realises that she has allowed herself to be swept away in her rather romantic thoughts when it comes to Itachi. Sakura realises that she's a woman of science, and despite knowing that love is merely a chemical reaction, she has given it more power than she is comfortable with.

She realises it when Dr. Orochimaru snaps at her during one of the surgeries when she accidentally nicks an artery. They do get the bleeding under control, and the surgery is successful, but Sakura struggles with her attention as it keeps drifting towards the exposed heart in the patient's chest cavity. She finds its beats fascinating even though she has spent years watching the same. Even though Sakura has seen many hearts beat in many chest cavities, even though Sakura has held many hearts in her hand and found nothing romantic about it, she is fascinated with this heart – an utterly horrible time to be focusing on it, on top of that – and she can't deny it any longer.

After enduring Dr. Orochimaru's scolding post-surgery, Sakura goes to the residents' lounge and falls back on the couch.

She takes a few steadying breaths because she's suddenly acutely aware of her own thudding heart as Itachi flashes in her mind for the thousandth time that day.

She hasn't been able to stop thinking about the man, suffice to say.

When everyone woke up on the roof of Amaterasu, freezing, hungover, and tired, they quietly went to their respective rooms – and promptly fell asleep on the comfortable beds. Sakura bunked with Naruto, Hinata with Karin, Temari with Shikamaru, and Sasuke with Itachi.

When they came down to the lobby for check-out, Sakura glued herself to Hinata or Naruto, because she had no idea what to do with Itachi. She remembers the dinner, the club, the strippers, the roof – all of it. She remembers how she sought out Itachi in each of those events, knowingly or unknowingly, and the way Itachi hadn't shied away but stayed put.

More than anything else, Sakura remembers him holding her close as they danced languidly to an upbeat music in the club.

Ever since they returned to their respective apartments, Sakura has pretended to be busy with her schedule, If I'm going to take a few days off for the wedding, I need to cover as many shifts as possible now. Similarly, Itachi has been busy with his own company and the wedding preparations with Hinata. Not to mention, Uncle Obito gave him a green signal for Akatsuki show – Itachi is supposed to be going to the studio for the interview in the first week of January. Needless to say, he has been pouring over Danzo's activities ruthlessly.

Sakura won't go as far as to say that she is in love with Itachi. That would be ridiculous. She hasn't even dated the man, and has no idea how he is when it comes to romantic dimension of relationships. All she knows is that he's dated in his life, and now he's not. Sakura hasn't forgotten about Samui in the least. In fact, she has been giving the blonde woman more thought than she should be.

Moreover, Sakura has no idea who Izumi is, Itachi's friend from back home. Granted, Itachi said that it was the only long-term relationship he's had, Sakura also knows that it was the only long-term relationship he had. Surely, there must be a reason why he didn't pursue the same with anyone else after Izumi.

Sakura thinks that maybe she can speak with Sasuke. Casually put these questions in conversations. It'll be difficult because in her quest to avoid Itachi as much as possible, she has had to avoid Sasuke, too.

Maybe she can speak with Naruto, instead. Naruto grew up with the brothers, knows them as family, and he won't make assumptions about her if she doesn't want him to. Despite his open personality, Naruto is actually very good with maintaining emotional boundaries. He never lets anything faze him, takes everything in stride, and returns bullshit as it comes. Sakura knows for a fact that Naruto prefers to keep many friends, but only a handful of close friends. Then she wonders if she's learned this because she has had to categorize people for Itachi's sake. She remembers the easy days when it was only friends and not friends, and family. But then again, if she wants to go down the path of "easy days", she'll need more than a bottle of wine to get through that.

Sakura's phone beeps. It's Sasuke. Movie marathon tonight?

Sakura types out. Define marathon.

Avengers 2, Ant-Man, Captain America 3.

They've already covered Iron Man 3, Thor 2 (this one was disappointing), Captain America 2, and Guardians of the Galaxy 1. She's had more quarrels than she can count with Itachi, Sasuke, and Naruto when it comes to the super-heroes. Apparently, Naruto loves Captain America as much as Itachi, if not more, Sasuke is all about Iron Man, and on top of Hulk, Sakura has taken a liking to the Black Widow and Thor. Itachi has bit her out more than enough times to stop changing sides during their heated arguments. He pointed out how she can't make up her own mind.

Black Widow is a human assassin, he'd said with irritation, Hulk is a human who becomes the monster, and Thor is a freaking God.

To which Sakura points out that at least she isn't limiting herself. That didn't sit well with Itachi, either, because he called her a hypocrite without missing a beat.

You've never liked anything other than medicine in your life. Let's not discuss your view on variety, he'd rolled his eyes.

Here's the thing: Sakura has realised many things recently. In fact, she has spent considerable amount of time muling over the events that have taken place ever since she moved into 10B.

Sakura realised that Itachi is as clueless as the next person. He is just as flawed, lost, and arrogant as the next person. Perhaps, a bit more arrogant, she allows. He isn't perfect. He isn't the best human being in the world. He's been a paradox more than a few times, despite sounding so sure and confident about everything. Everything that he's ever said to her, he's gone ahead and contradicted himself.

He told her that it's okay to choose not to be a hero. And then he admitted to not being satisfied with having a traditional and ordinary life, told her that he possesses a brilliant mind that deserves to be shined, picked out Danzo to break him down on national television that would – if things go as planned – inevitably bring him fame.

He told her that it is what it is. And then he'd told her how he regretted that things didn't pan out the way he wanted them to, expressed his desire to travel after earning buttload of money, told her that I find myself wanting more.

He told her that I possess a brilliant mind. And then he'd admitted to not knowing things, not knowing what to do, wondering if his decisions have been a mistake until now.

Itachi is a walking, breathing genius paradox. And that's something that Sakura finds downright fascinating about him. His internal conflicts, his arrogance, his brilliant mind, his desire to be resourceful in every situation even if he has no clue what's right or wrong.

"It's all part of the process," Kakashi always told her.

"What process?" she asks one day.

"The process of learning," Kakashi says. "Of growing up."

That's what Itachi is doing. That's what Sakura herself is doing. They're both learning. They're both growing up. Sakura feels overwhelmingly honoured and privileged to be learning and growing up alongside someone like Itachi. Alongside someone who is Itachi.

xXx

When Sakura knocks on the door to 10A, Naruto opens it. Sasuke is at the counter, making sandwiches. Itachi is sitting at his desk. Sakura keeps the bottle of rum on the breakfast bar and goes to stand behind Itachi to peer at the screen.

"What's up, genius?"

After avoiding him for about a week, Sakura has to admit that it feels both liberating and apprehensive to be in his presence again.

"Meditating," he says distractedly.

Sakura rolls her eyes and joins Naruto on the couch.

"Ready for the wedding?" Naruto grins at her. "Can't believe that Shika is finally getting married. I mean, I never thought he'd be the first person to tie the knot. Always thought it would be Hinata."

Sakura smiles, puzzled. "But Hinata isn't even seeing anyone."

Naruto smiles sheepishly and the rubs the back of his neck. It's a dead give-away whenever he feels embarrassed. "I guess Hinata never mentioned it to you, but she sort of had a thing with Kiba long back."

Sakura's eyebrows shoot up. "Your friend Kiba who owns the garage?"

"Yeah. They were pretty serious."

"Oh." Hinata has never mentioned this to her. Sakura feels slightly betrayed at the revelation. And then she remembers that she isn't the most open person out there. Sai was the one who ended up regaling Sakura's pitiful dating life to them.

Still. She can't help but feel a little discouraged.

Naruto shrugs at her expression. "Don't take it personally," he says, correctly assuming her internal conflict. "She doesn't like to talk about it."

"Why did they break up?"

Naruto sighs. "Status issues."

"What?" Sakura stares, not being able to picture Hinata dissing anyone out due to something as fickle as status, or Kiba doing it to her. Granted, she only met the man twice until now for car-repair issues, but it is difficult to imagine him pushing away someone like Hinata.

"Kiba comes from a shitty background," Naruto tells her before her imagination can take flight. "He's doing well, today, obviously. But when they first began dating, he was struggling with a lot of things. And Hinata comes from a well-to-do family. Neji helped her with the investment in her shop and all. It wasn't that they hated each other because of it. It's just that Kiba never felt that he was on equal footing with her. It created quite some friction, and one day, they just broke up."

"Are you telling her about Hinata?" Sasuke comes to sit beside Naruto and places the plate of sandwiches on the coffee table.

"Yeah." Naruto grabs one piece and bites into it. "Shit, teme. These are so good."

Sasuke smirks. "I know."

"Hinata never dated anyone again?" Sakura asks the two. She's starting to feel guilty now to have felt betrayed. Honestly, she is getting a little tired of feeling so many things lately.

As though on reflex, her eyes swivel to Itachi's still form in front of his laptop. He's not paying attention to them in the least, and Sakura is both glad and disappointed. She shuts her eyes and, despite never having believed in the concept of God, throws a random prayer out there in the world for her well-being.

"Not really," Sasuke admits. "We tried setting her up a few times, but she was never really into it."

"She never liked anyone again?"

Sasuke purses his lips. Naruto has left the conversation for the sake of Sasuke's sandwiches.

"I think it's different," Sasuke answers her slowly. "Hinata was in love with him. Maybe she still is. But she knows that it won't work out unless and until Kiba feels comfortable with her – and everything that comes with her. Hinata might like someone again, of course, but I doubt it would be the same."

"Isn't that enough?" Sakura asks, and feels her heart hammering against her ribcage for some reason. This has nothing to do with her, she tells herself, and the words fall flat and empty.

This has nothing to do with Itachi.

"Isn't it enough to like someone?" Sakura clarifies, forcing wayward thoughts out of her head.

"Of course, it's enough," Sasuke says thoughtfully. "But would you be satisfied with it if you knew there's something or someone much better out there for you?"

It's okay to choose not to be a hero.

But what if you're born to become one?

What if you could be so much more than what you already are?

Wouldn't you want it?

Itachi is chasing Danzo, his dreams, his desired life. But so is Sakura.

Sakura thinks about what she wants in her life, the kind of life she hopes to lead. She's been so preoccupied with Itachi lately, that she lost sight of her own goals. Of course, she's still efficient at her job. She's still the same surgeon who likes cutting people open.

Or is she?

Sakura's take on life has drastically changed over the course of these months that she's known her neighbours. As much credit she wants to give Itachi, she hasn't forgotten about Sasuke's value in her life. He truly is her "BFF" as Itachi so eloquently puts it.

Sasuke has shown her that it is possible to maintain your friendship and be true to that bond, no matter what. He has shown her that it is possible to love freely even if it hurts you, because love in itself is not the thing that hurts. The expectations that the word comes with, the inherent desire for reciprocation of love, is what truly hurts a person. He has shown her that it is possible to love and focus on that feeling alone, and not be utterly lost.

Sasuke once told her that he likes to watch the super-hero movies because Sakura, it shows you that even the biggest threats in life can be defeated if you show courage. He said that that's all it takes and you'd know because you became a real hero.

In fact, Sasuke was the first person to say I'm so proud of you after the shooting and the bomb incident. Sakura understands it now. Sasuke is a person who truly believes in the ideas of real life heroes.

"Would you be the same as Hinata?" Sakura takes the plunge, and Sasuke and Naruto both tense at her question. "Would you stay single if you can't be with the person you love?"

Sasuke is staring at her as if he can't believe she would ask that in front of Naruto, and Naruto is staring at her in a similar fashion.

"Of course, I want Sasuke!" Naruto snaps at her. "Who else will I want?"

"I know," Sasuke rubs his forehead. "I guess I'm just scared. What if he realises that he doesn't feel the same?"

Sakura thinks that perhaps Temari is rubbing off on her more than she'd previously thought.

"Well?" she prods casually.

Sasuke sucks in a sharp breath. "Maybe," he admits, resolutely ignoring Naruto's presence. "I mean, I don't think I'll wait around forever. But it would be difficult to move on for sure."

"What about you, Naruto?" she asks in the same casual voice.

She isn't sure whom is she thinking about any longer: Hinata, herself, Itachi, Sasuke, or Naruto. Maybe all of them. She has the sudden desire to laugh at the absurdity of their entire situation. She wonders if this is a question that everyone struggles with, the question that binds people together.

"I'd chase the person until I wear them down," Naruto answers, sounding thoughtful and surprised at his own words. He quickly glances at Sasuke and then just as quickly looks away. He sounds as though this is something he ought to be doing, but has simply forgotten that he ever had decided on it. "When I – If I love someone, I think it would be very difficult for me to imagine not being with them."

Sakura slowly smiles at the two men, eyes brimming with amusement and full of meaning. "I see. I'd love to see you both fall in love."

Sasuke breaks the sudden tension with a scoff. "The chances of that happening are more than you ever loving a man."

Itachi stiffens in his seat. Sakura thinks that maybe she imagined it, but with the way he is now getting to his feet, she reconsiders.

Sakura forces a roll of her eyes. This conversation sure did change sides quickly. "Yeah, yeah. Are we watching the movies or what?"

Itachi takes a seat beside her on the couch. "Yeah, I was promised a movie marathon," he says dryly, "not a heart-to-heart about Sakura's love life."

She hits him in the shoulder.

xXx

It's past midnight when they finish watching the third movie of their night – Captain America: The Civil War, and Sakura finds herself in the middle of Sasuke Vs Itachi and Naruto.

"Haven't you guys already settled this?" Sakura snaps at one point. "I'm the only person here who has seen it for the first time ever and you guys are still fighting your version of the Civil War."

She's just watched Captain America going against Tony Stark, and isn't sure which to focus more upon: the movie or the men taking sides.

Sasuke rolls his eyes at her. "Sakura, this will never be sorted. Trust me."

"Exactly," Naruto agrees. "Just wait and watch. This is not the end of their feud."

"But you haven't picked a side yet," Itachi reminds her.

"I don't need to," Sakura points out.

The three of them stare at her in horror. Sakura thinks it pretty ironic that, out of everything, this is what they agree upon.

xXx

Sakura, Hinata, Karin, and Temari enter the bridal suite. It's spacious, white with traditional ornamental cornices, and comfortably furnished. Hinata and Itachi have forgone traditional and practical settings because they've set up a large gazebo smack dab in the desert where both the wedding and reception are to take place. The nearby B&B has been booked for the bridal party to stay at. The guests are to arrive directly at the venue.

The wedding is this evening at six. Sakura spends the day with the women as they drink champagne, help Temari with getting ready, with Hinata flitting in and out to manage the event. As the Maid of Honor, Hinata has strictly forbidden the men from being seen anywhere near Temari's suite with the exception of Itachi who is to knock on the door and wait for Hinata to come out.

Sakura thinks that perhaps Hinata is experiencing wedding jitters more intensely than Temari, who is coolly sipping her alcohol and cracking jokes with Karin.

Sakura herself is a bit freaked out, if she is completely honest. She has never been in anyone's bridal party before, and she knows, she knows that all she has to do is walk down the aisle with Sasuke and follow Hinata's lead for the rest of the evening.

When the clock strikes four thirty, she decides that it would be a good idea to start getting ready herself, so that she can be available for Temari if needed. The dress that they've selected for the bridesmaid is wine colored, as Itachi had suggested months ago, floor-length with thin straps and a deep back. It's classy yet simple, and she feels pretty just to be wearing it.

Which is nothing compared to how Temari looks in her wedding dress.

Sakura had gone with the women to buy the dress. She knows how it is, and how well it suits Temari. To be seeing it on her wedding day, though, is a whole different experience.

The dress is modest with a high collar and full sleeves made of lace, and has the mermaid shape to the bodice. Temari has her hair done in a tasteful, intricate bun to show off the neckline. She's also forgone the veil completely, choosing instead to thread white flowers on her head. Sakura knows that one's wedding day is not the best day of someone's life – there are many more important things in life than a marriage, Kakashi had told her, but she cannot deny that Temari has never appeared so happy before as long as Sakura has known the blonde.

Hinata cries happy tears, Karin keeps complimenting Temari, and all Sakura manages is to stare at her, gobsmacked.

Hinata leads them to the entrance of the gazebo when it's time to get the show on the road – quite literally. They meet up with the men – all dressed in black tuxedoes except for Shikamaru who is donned in a midnight blue one, and Sakura struggles with keeping her eyes evenly on all of them and not just Itachi. It's rather difficult because he's wearing his glasses again.

Sasuke joins her, and Naruto walks over to Karin. Itachi approaches them after he exchanges a few quick words with Hinata. Shikamaru is made to enter first before Temari can be allowed to be seen by him. As soon as she gets the green signal from Hinata, she enters, and Sasuke and Naruto immediately begin a steady stream of compliments for her.

Itachi takes the chance to speak with Sakura. "All good?" he asks.

Sakura blinks up at him. Is he wearing black eyeliner?

"Sakura?" he frowns when she doesn't say anything.

She gulps. "Yeah. All good. How's Shika doing?"

Itachi chuckles. "I'm not sure whether to be surprised by his lack of enthusiasm into planning an escape. I kept waiting for him to launch into his Marriage Is A Social Convention speech."

Sakura laughs. "I bet."

Itachi holds her gaze for a few more moments, but doesn't say anything. Sakura doesn't, either. They break the contact when Sasuke rejoins her.

"Right," Itachi clears his throat. "Let's get this started."

Sakura watches as Hinata disappears through the doors with Itachi, and then Karin walks with Naruto. Sakura is next and she hooks her arm with Sasuke's and takes a deep breath. With a last look over her shoulder towards Temari and her father, she begins to make her way down the aisle.

The crowd gets to their feet when the wedding march plays and Temari appears, grinning and glowing and content.

The ceremony goes by without a hitch. When the official tells them to take their vows, Sakura is holding hands with Hinata.

Shikamaru goes first and he talks about how Temari is the only woman he will move his ass for, which has Temari in stitches, and she has to take a few steadying breaths before saying her bit. She tells him how she loves him the way he is and she couldn't have him any other way.

After they're declared husband and wife, they retreat to the B&B together so that the place can be transformed into the reception area. All the guests are asked to wait in a temporary tent until then.

Sakura hangs back with the rest of the bridal party to help. By the time they're done – it only takes half an hour, and she can't believe Itachi's efficiency – because the gazebo looks completely different. The walls have been torn down, and the entire structure is now only the dome and five columns, with the night sky above them and desert sprawling everywhere one can see. The lights come on, and Sakura's breathing stops at how absolutely beautiful it is.

xXx

When Sakura is speaking with Sasuke during the reception at one point, Naruto comes over with a determined expression.

"Teme," he begins.

Sasuke raises an eyebrow. "Yeah? What's up?"

Naruto's eye flit towards Sakura's for a second before settling on Sasuke again. "Can I … I mean, may I …"

Sasuke frowns. "What's wrong?"

Naruto's cheeks flush. "Nothing! Nothing's wrong. I just … doyouwanttodancewithme?"

Sakura quickly snaps her neck in a random direction. She thinks she might do something foolish like laugh loudly or point at them and say Finally!

"You want to dance?" Sasuke eventually asks in a strained voice. "With me?"

"Yeah," Naruto says nervously. "Unless … unless you don't want to. I just thought it would be so cool, you know, and I know it might sound odd because we've never danced before, I mean, obviously we've danced but like, not like this. And I totally understand if you don't want to, if you think it's weird or anything, you can just forget I ever asked, actually –"

"No, let's dance," Sasuke cuts in.

Silence. Sakura chances a peek. They're both blushing hard and Sakura has the strangest desire to pinch their cheeks.

"Really?" Naruto stares. "You want to? Like an actual slow dance? That's what I meant, by the way, if I wasn't clear earlier. I meant like a … like a …"

"Romantic dance?" Sakura suggests, unable to stop herself.

Naruto blushes even harder. "Yes," he says resolutely, despite his earlier nervous stutter. "Yes. Like a romantic dance." Then he loses his steam again. "Unless, you don't want to! I just felt like I should ask because I think I'd really love a dance, but of course, like I said, if it's weird or anything –"

"No," Sasuke cuts in again. "Let's dance," he repeats with a tiny, pretty smile.

It takes Naruto a few moments to get his bearings together. He eventually offers his arm to Sasuke and they walk to the dance floor. Sakura immediately seeks out Itachi. She finds him standing with a few guests on the other side of the gazebo. She quickly strides over.

"Hey," she cuts in, not bothering with social niceties. She's too excited for it. "Can we talk?"

Itachi excuses himself and they stand on the edge, where the temporary flooring meets the sand.

"Look at that," she points towards the dance floor with a grin. Naruto and Sasuke are slow-dancing, grinning at each other, with red faces.

"Finally," Itachi beams at her. "I must say, I am a little disappointed, though."

"What? Why?"

He shrugs. "I was rather enjoying the mystery."

Sakura rolls her eyes. "He's your brother."

He gives her a bemused stare. "I'm aware, Sakura. What's your point?"

She chuckles despite herself. "Nothing. What are your Christmas plans, anyway?"

"We're visiting Konoha," he says. "You'll be staying here itself, right?"

"Yeah. With Uncle Gai and Lee. Kakashi and Uncle Obito are arriving in the morning."

"Who's Lee?" Itachi asks as he grabs two glasses of champagne from a passing server. He hands her one of it.

"Thanks." She takes a few sips. "Can we go out? I really want to walk on the sand."

Itachi considers. "I suppose. I don't think I need to be here any longer."

Itachi's best man speech was exactly how Sakura had pictured it. He began by explaining how he didn't know what he was doing standing there giving a speech, but that Shikamaru had said that I'm supposed to be using this opportunity to applaude his various good qualities. And then he went on to explain that one of Shikamaru's best qualities was that he chose Temari.

Before she can take a step outside, though, he stops her. He hands her his glass, shrugs out of his jacket, takes his glass back, and hands the jacket to her instead.

"You can't feel the cold here because of the heaters," he explains.

"What about you?" She doesn't make a move to grab the jacket.

"Point," he says. "Let me grab Sasuke's jacket. Wait here."

Sakura watches in fascination as he wears his jacket again, and then goes to interrupt Sasuke and Naruto's dance only to take Sasuke's jacket from him, and returns to her.

"Here," he says and hands it out.

Sakura shrugs it on. She removes her heels and places them behind a nearby decorative potted plant. Itachi follows her thinking. They carry their glasses with them as they leave the gazebo and start moving in a random direction, barefeet. Itachi was right. The air is cold and her feet sink a couple of inches in the sand. The alcohol and Sasuke's jacket helps.

They walk in silence, mostly because Sakura doesn't have anything to say, and she doesn't think that she wants to say anything. The sky is lit with hundreds of stars, and Sakura is taken back to the roof of her apartment building, when Itachi had asked her did you know that we are made of star stuff?

Sakura keeps glancing back at the well-lit gazebo. She remembers her days in Suna when she used to follow Sasori in these very sands as his quest-mate. She thinks that maybe she should be worried about crabs or snakes or any other desert creature, but she honestly thinks that she's much more terrified of Itachi's presence beside her.

Suddenly, she starts to question her stupid idea. She knows that she only wanted to have a few moments alone with the man – something that she hasn't received ever since their dance at Amaterasu.

Sakura wonders what is it with her and wanting to spend nights with Itachi, speaking about lost patients or Kakashi's teachings or Uncle Obito's all in good time. Ever since the night at the roof, she has realised that she loves being in Itachi's presence simply because.

"All set for Danzo?" she finally asks in the silence.

"Yes," Itachi says. "Just waiting for January, now."

"What happens if the interview is successful?"

Itachi shrugs lightly. "I start a conversation."

"Is any of it illegal? What he does?"

"Not exactly," Itachi says slowly. "It's shady business, puts question marks on his ethical code of conduct, but he stays within the law."

"All of this would have been so much simpler if he didn't," Sakura sighs.

He throws her a look. "Are you still worried?"

Sakura frowns up at him, even as they walk side by side, still in a random direction, still keeping the gazebo in sight. "Obviously. I'm allowed to be worried as a friend. We already covered that."

Itachi suddenly stops to face her. Sakura's apprehension rises steadily.

"I want to talk," he states seriously.

"Okay …"

"Sakura," he begins, "is that what we are? Friends?"

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