A/N: Hello dear readers! This was just an idea that I got from a game that I'm currently playing hehehe~ inspiration sparked and so why not make it into a fanfic?
Former title: First Love in Bloom
Blushing Bouquet
by: Kerfluffy
What's the best way to give flowers to the girl that caught your eye? Make her pick them up herself, of course! At least that's what Itachi thinks.
"Stupid Naruto," Sakura grumbled as she grabbed another file from the stack, "it's not like I can't handle myself."
The grumbling doctor was currently cooped up in her office. Intimidating stacks of papers sat on her desk. She had been reviewing document after document since she got in for her shift this morning.
Sakura huffed, and glared at the offending papers. She still had a couple more to go through. Her eyes were becoming strained, her hand was aching, and her back was starting to kill her!
'Damn it, Naruto!' Mentally cursing the blonde for the tenth time, Sakura stretched her neck and rolled her shoulders before resuming her work. Oh she was so going to beat up Naruto for this.
"BAA-CHAN!"
Tsunade sighed as she stared at the blonde who disrespectfully burst into her office. It's too damn early to deal with this. What could this baka possibly want?
Naruto plowed into the head doctor's office, pulling Sakura by the wrist. He stopped in front of Tsunade's desk and shoved Sakura in front of him. "Baa-chan how could you!"
Tsunade leaned forward, elbows poised atop the scattered documents, and rested her chin on her interlocked fingers. Amusement shone in her hazel eyes as she watched the blond get smacked on the head by Sakura. "You are in a hospital Uzumaki. Lower your voice."
Naruto sheepishly grinned and scratched the back of his head. "Hehe, sorry about that baa-chan!"
Both mentor and pupil sighed at the blonde's loud apology.
"Nevermind." Tsunade rolled her eyes. She didn't have time for Naruto's antics. She didn't even have sake yet! Damn Shizune. "What do you want?"
"Well, as you know I just came home from a business trip with the teme. So everything's fine and dandy and all but then I find out that our poor precious darling Sakura-chan has been overworking herself once again!" Naruto exclaimed, gesturing to the pinkette.
"Now it's not like I'm accusing you or anything baa-chan. But you should do something about it before my- I mean our wonderful amazing cherry blossom falls on her face from fatigue and then be confined and then get some deadly disease 'cause her immune system would be too weak and-"
SMACK!
Tsunade gave her pupil an appreciative glance before glaring at the noisy blonde. "I get it Uzumaki. Now, shut up."
Naruto let out a whimper but complied. He pouted, crossed his arms, and sulked all while grumbling that he was only looking out for his dear Sakura-chan.
Tsunade leaned back into her chair and rubbed her temples. "Fine, if it bothers you that much, I'll remove Sakura from the hospital roster for a week."
Her statement elicited a triumphant cheer from the blonde and a dumb-founded expression from her pupil.
"Shishou you can't be ser-"
"Sakura, your holiday and sick-leaves have been piling up anyways. You never use them." Tsunade cut off her student's weak protests with a sharp gaze. "You need to rest, and frankly you need a life outside this hospital. Now scram!"
Naruto beamed and quickly dragged Sakura out of Tsunade's office, but not before exclaiming his gratitude in a very loud, and very Naruto manner.
Sure, they instructed her to "rest and relax" but Sakura was as stubborn as a mule. So she snuck into the hospital on her scheduled shift, even if it meant spending a whole day accomplishing loathsome paperwork.
Too bad Tsunade didn't think of banning me. Sakura cheekily thought.
She was about to continue with the dreaded papers when a ringing noise suddenly shattered the tranquility of the small office.
Sakura sighed. She glanced at the vibrating phone on her desk, then back to the papers in front of her. It was no use ignoring the call. She was already distracted.
Curious as to whoever may be calling her, the pink-haired medic pressed and slid the green button on the flashing screen. One hand fiddled with her pen while the other held the phone to her ear. "Hello?"
"Sakura."
Upon hearing the familiar baritone voice, Sakura put her pen down and leaned back into her chair. "Itachi?"
"Hn," the Uchiha heir grunted in confirmation.
It wasn't at all odd that the older brother of one of her best friends was calling her. Having been friends with Naruto and Sasuke since childhood, it was only natural that they would come to know each other's families.
Ever since introducing her to his family, Sasuke's mother developed an unhealthy obsession with the pink haired doctor. Therefore, Sakura was almost always within the Uchiha manor. Any family affair would definitely include Uchiha Mikoto's "precious Sakura-chan~". It was through these instances that Sakura met Itachi, the esteemed elder brother and Uchiha heir.
He wasn't as bad as Sasuke made him out to be. Sakura enjoyed his company and they often had interesting conversations, although he did have a bad habit of teasing her way too often.
After spending a significant amount of time with the Uchiha heir, Sakura concluded that Sasuke was either just a tsundere with a big brother complex or an insecure little kid who didn't want his friends taken away. Of course, when she voiced these thoughts out Sasuke just scoffed and glared, but Sakura did see the tip of his ears redden just by a little.
("Yep, Sasuke's an absolute tsundere~" She whispered to Shisui.)
"Shouldn't you be in a meeting right now?" Sakura glanced at the small digital clock on her desk.
'17:12'
"Do you not wish to speak to me?"
"No! I mean yes! I mean... argh." The man on the other end of the call merely chuckled her frustrated sigh. Okay, maybe Sasuke was right and Itachi was a demon from hell who just loved to irritate people.
"The meeting was postponed until 5:30."
"Oh. So why did you call?"
"On a whim,"
"Ha-ha, very funny Uchiha." Sakura rolled her eyes. As if Uchihas ever called people on a mere whim.
"I also wanted to ask you a favor." Upon hearing this, Sakura smirked. See?
Sakura looked at the papers on her desk. The documents were arranged in neat piles. There was a stack for the ones she had finished and another for those she had yet to read and approve.
Noting that the latter stack was greatly thinner than the former, Sakura beamed and mentally gave herself a pat on the back. Looks like Tsunade's forceful vacation leave wasn't such a bad idea after all.
Deciding that she was done for the day, Sakura gave in. "Hmm? What is it?"
"What time do you get off work?"
"I can leave right now, if it's urgent. I just need to pack my things and then give some files to shishou."
"I see," Itachi paused, "can you pick up a package for me?"
Sakura hastily dropped by Tsunade's office and submitted the documents she accomplished. The trip to the head doctor's office definitely earned her an earful about how accomplishing paperwork was not considered a way to spend one's "vacation".
Tsunade proceeded to threaten her, stating quote, unquote "If I see your ass here tomorrow, on your own goddamn birthday, Kami help me I am going to extend your leave for a month!", before finally kicking her out of the hospital.
The pink haired doctor sighed as Tsunade slammed the door to her office. Sakura shook her head at her shishou's behavior before hurrying to her blonde best friend's shop.
As soon as Sakura entered the Yamanaka flower shop, her senses were bombarded with the scent and colors of flowers.
The pink-haired doctor took a deep breath and savored the sweet aroma inside the shop. A warm smile graced her lips. It felt like it was only yesterday when she and Ino spent their summers working at this very shop.
Sakura let out a wistful sigh. A visit to this place always made her feel nostalgic.
"Forehead?"
A voice called from the back of the shop pulling Sakura from her reverie. She turned to see Ino come out of the storage room carrying a bundle of lilacs.
"Hey Ino." Emerald eyes shone as Sakura grinned at her friend.
The blonde smiled in return. Ino gently set the lilacs on the counter and wiped her hands on her purple apron.
"What're you doing here? Last I checked our movie night slash celebration wasn't 'til Friday. And it's-" the blonde's ocean-blue eyes shifted to the calendar on the wall, before returning her gaze to Sakura, a pale brow raised in question- "Wednesday."
"I know pig. I'm just here to pick something up."
"Pick somethi- oh! You mean Itachi-san's order?" Baby-blue eyes lit up at the mention of the Uchiha heir.
"Mhmm." Silky pink locks swayed back and forth as the doctor nodded.
Ino stared at her best friend for a while, watching as Sakura pretended to look around as she kept shifting her weight from one foot to another. What's gotten into her?
Choosing to ignore the pinkette's weird antics, Ino proceeded to talk. "You know I was honestly surprised when I received his call," she stated off-handedly and inclined her head to the storage room behind the counter.
The pinkette wordlessly slipped under the counter and followed her friend. Sakura knew full well that it would be best to keep quiet, lest she be subjected to the blonde's ruthless curiosity and endless teasing.
Ino continued her rant as she sorted the various orders of bouquets, not at-all bothered by her friend's lack of words. "I mean when did Uchiha Itachi ever order flowers for anyone? Well, maybe except for his mother. But I could tell these aren't for his mom. She prefers tulips anyway."
"What did he get, pig?"
Try as she might to avoid her friend's suspicions, Sakura was a bit curious to see what the famous CEO ordered. Only a little bit though. After all, it wasn't every day that Uchiha Itachi, himself, ordered flowers. Heck he didn't even order a bouquet for any occasion, save for his mother's birthday.
Finally spotting the crimson-wrapped bouquet, a knowing smile made its way upon the blonde-haired girl's lips. Of course, why hadn't she thought of it earlier? These certainly weren't Uchiha Mikoto's favorites because they were-
"Here," Ino turned to face the pinkette and handed her the bouquet, "why don't you see for yourself?"
Sakura's breath hitched as she gazed at the bouquet in her arms. The flowers were carefully arranged and wrapped in a crimson sheet. The petals of the peonies looked so soft and silky. A couple of baby's breath were tastefully scattered around the bouquet to give it a slight variation. Delicate shades of pink and enchanting blooms of white all contrasting with the crimson sheet that bound them together.
Love at first sight.
Bashfulness.
Her fingers were just aching to touch the soft blooms, but she was afraid she might ruin such a beautiful piece. "Oh Ino, it looks amazing."
The blonde smirked at her best friend's praise and haughtily flipped her hair. "Well of course, it was made by moi."
Sakura chuckled. "You know, it wouldn't hurt to be humble once in a while pig."
"Psh. After making that damned complicated arrangement, I think I deserve at least some bragging rights."
The pinkette merely smiled and shook her head at her friend. "How much is it?"
"Oh? It's already been paid. You just need to deliver it." Ino waved her hand dismissively. "Although I do wonder why he didn't just let us deliver it. Itachi-san was very adamant that the bouquet should be picked up."
Sakura hummed in thought. It was odd. Bouquets were preserved to be in top shape even if they were delivered and it would certainly be much less of a hassle.
But then again, this was Uchiha Itachi they were talking about.
She suddenly felt a pang of jealousy as she looked at the beautiful bouquet in her arms. Love at first sight, huh. The recipient sure is lucky.
After being ushered out by her blonde best friend, Sakura pulled out her phone and dialed Itachi's number.
He's taking an awful long time to answer. She glanced at her wristwatch. Maybe the meeting's not finished.
After numerous failed attempts, Sakura shoved her phone inside her bag and adjusted her hold on the bouquet.
"Guess there's no use but to wait for his call," Sakura grumbled.
After walking around the park for what seemed like hours, Sakura's phone finally rang. She immediately halted in her tracks and fished her phone out of her bag.
"Itachi!" Sakura exclaimed with relief as she cradled the bouquet in one arm and held her phone in another. "I've been trying to call you for the past 30 minutes. Has the meeting finished?"
"Mm." Itachi paused for a moment and Sakura could hear papers being shuffled along with muffled goodbyes and pleasantries. "My apologies, it just ended."
"Oh, it's fine, I guess." Sakura said. "Anyways, where do you want me to bring these flowers?"
"Pardon?"
"You know... Who should I give these flowers to? It's getting late and I can't possibly bring these home." Sakura shifted the bouquet to glance at her watch.
It was nearing dinner time. The supposed recipient of the flowers could already be heading home. If the elder Uchiha could just give her the instructions then she may still catch them before they leave their workplace.
"Then bring them home," came Itachi's nonchalant reply.
"What? You can't be serious Itachi! I might ruin them! Have you forgotten how clumsy I am? Plus why'd you even have me pick them up if you weren't going to give them to someone right away?! Who even does tha-"
"Sakura."
"What?!" Sakura huffed. The Uchiha's interruption only served to fuel the pinkette's rising temper.
"Bring them home."
Sakura opened her mouth to retort, but Itachi's silky baritone voice reached her ears before she could launch into another tirade.
"They're for you baka," he said in an unusual soft voice, "happy birthday."
Emerald eyes widened and the pink haired doctor unconsciously tightened her grip on the bouquet. If Sakura didn't know any better she'd think Uchiha Itachi sounded unsure and - dare she say - shy.
"Wha-? Ita-" her struggle to find her words was abruptly cut off as the call ended.
He hung up? Sakura looked incredulously at her phone. The nerve of that Uchiha! How dare he hang up on her after dropping a bomb like that! Sakura huffed and shoved her phone into her pocket.
Now on to the matter at hand. The bouquet.
The absolutely gorgeous and wonderful bouquet in her possession.
The delicate crimson-wrapped bouquet that Uchiha Itachi himself ordered for her.
Sakura looked dumbstruck at the flowers in her arms. Itachi's voice kept echoing in her ears. A million thoughts flooded the pink-haired doctor's mind.
These were for her? (Obviously. He just said so.)
For her birthday? (Sakura, he just said it. Geez, your night shifts must really be getting to you.)
Didn't he only give flowers to his mother? (Did he say they were for his mother? No? Then, no.)
Would he really go through all this trouble? (Didn't he already?)
Was he just teasing her? (Of course not, since when did Uchiha Itachi ever go to such extreme measures for a mere joke?)
But most of all...
He remembered?
Sakura woke out of her stupor. Her wide-eyed gaze softened as she admired the beautifully crafted bouquet. Finally giving in to her earlier urge, Sakura's hand hesitantly reached out to touch their soft petals, gently running her fingers through the pale colored flowers.
Suddenly, her fingers felt a different texture aside from the petals. "Hmm? What's this?"
Carefully reaching behind the flowers, Sakura plucked out a small envelope. Itachi's elegant writing greeted her as she pulled out the card inside.
Sakura,
Apologies for not delivering this bouquet to you myself.
To make up for this incident, would dinner tomorrow at 7 be acceptable?
Happy birthday.
- Itachi
"Baka." Sakura let out a soft chuckle as she tried (and failed) to fight down the grin that started to grace her lips. "You could've just had them delivered."
A/N: Thanks for giving this story a shot! I'll continue to do my best to improve. Arigatou!
~ OMAKE ~
"Itachi, I forgot to ask whether we shou-"
Shisui paused mid-sentence as he walked into the conference room where their meeting had just finished. Itachi insisted on taking a call afterwards so he had stayed behind.
He was about to ask Itachi's opinion on which merger would be more beneficial to the Uchiha Corp. when he just couldn't help but stare at his baby cousin.
Now there wasn't anything noticeably different from his beloved cousin. If one just simply glanced at him, they would deem that Itachi was his regular stoic self. But Shisui was an Uchiha, and he had spent an incredible amount of his life observing his cousin's gestures.
Therefore, Uchiha Shisui would know that he wasn't imagining Itachi's slightly labored breathing and slightly red tipped ears. Even the way his lips were slightly pursed as he stared at his phone, gave away the feeling that Uchiha Itachi was definitely anxious.
His beloved cousin seemed to be, dare he say, quite flustered.
Onyx met onyx as Itachi shifted his gaze to his older cousin. "You were saying Shisui?"
"Now, now Ita-chan~ What's got you so hot and bothered hm~? Care to tell Shisui-nii-chan about it?" Shisui teasingly flung his arm around Itachi's shoulders and leaned towards the younger Uchiha's face.
"Hn."
"Hmph! No need to be so secretive!" Shisui exaggeratedly crossed his arms and huffed. "Just you wait! I'll find out all about it!"
"I will not keep you from your delusions."
Shisui opened his mouth to retort, when his phone suddenly vibrated. Checking to see who contacted him, the elder Uchiha's eyes widened as he read a certain Yamanaka's message.
"Ho-ho~ So you gave Sakura-chan flowers for her birthday! Wait 'til Mikoto-san hears about this~" Shisui grinned as he shoved his phone towards Itachi's face.
Along with Ino's message was a stolen picture of Sakura standing inside the Yamanaka's storage room, admiring a familiar pink and white bouquet in her arms.
Itachi's eyes softened as soon as he saw the expression on the pinkette's face and the corners of his lips unconsciously tugged upwards.
Shisui's eyes widened at the blatant display of affection on his cousin's face. Who knew he could fall in love huh.
.
.
.
"Ne, Ita-chan~ You know... it's kinda lame how you made her pick it up herself."
"Hn."