shampoo
031. rose

(this is non-massacre, just btw.)

"Bite me," she hissed, face threateningly close to his.

She wasn't going to let him take it. She had waited forever for this day—she was not going to hand it over willingly, even if it was Uchiha Itachi that she was against.

"Gladly," he responded, tone growing hard. "Later."

She smirked in triumph. "So, what, are you saying you're too scared to bite me in public? Are you afraid that biting someone like me with tarnish the Uchiha name?" Her grip tightened on the object, as did his.

Oh, he was doing down.

"Hah!" She held the item above her head, victorious. Not even Uchiha Itachi could compete against her strength. "I win!"

She then made a mad dash to the cash register.

Seriously, these things happened every day. It was normal to see Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Itachi fighting over the last bottle of cherry blossom shampoo that was forty percent off. It happened every month. It was normal.

Usually, Sakura let Itachi win. Like, seriously, for a man to care that much about his hair was abnormal, but she was a nice girl.

But, today—today was different.

Today, she had a date with Sasuke. Sasuke asked her out after training to, maybe, just maybe go out for ramen tonight and go over their mission details for the next day, because it was pretty big, and he didn't want to mess it up—

Okay, so it wasn't a date. But she still wanted to look her best. Every time she saw Sasuke off work, it was usually with Naruto or Kakashi. Never alone.

Itachi didn't chase her. Of course. Itachi wasn't one to chase people.

He was one to use calmer, dirtier tactics.

Let's face it. Everyone knew that if Itachi wanted something, he'd go through any means to get it. Which is why she somehow found him standing at her front door, not looking the least bit flustered.

"Sakura-san," he said slowly, straightening himself up from the wall he was leaning on. "How much is that shampoo worth to you?"

This was stupid. It was just a bottle of shampoo. "Seriously, Itachi-san, just go get some other shampoo. It's not the end of the world. I win this time."

He raised a delicate eyebrow. "Some other shampoo? I hope you realize that I do not use any other shampoo."

"Whatever." She rolled her eyes. "Get some…rose-scented stuff, or something. I know you like your hair smelling like my name, so you can constantly be reminded of me, but let's admit it; it's kind of creepy."

She loved snapping at him. Like, seriously.

Okay, so here was how it was.

This guy wasn't really that scary, one you got to know him. After being a medic with this ANBU squad a couple of times, she found out that, in fact, Itachi was a lot like Sasuke. Except, maybe, a little more perfect.

That was all, really.

"How much do you want? Nine hundred yen? One thousand?"

"You're crazy." Fishing her keys out of her pocket, Sakura made her way around him. "I know you like me, and all—"

"That is an understatement."

"Whatever. Anyway, I have plans, and in preparation for those plans, I need to wash my hair—" Her hand froze as she turned the doorknob halfway. "Wait. What?" Slowly, she turned her head to face him. Surely, she heard him wrong.

He didn't say anything. And, really, he didn't have to. Those hard eyes and unwavering posture said it all.

One other thing she learnt while spending time with this man was that, Uchiha Itachi never lied.

Okay. Let's assess the situation.

They were fighting over shampoo, and he just kind of not really sort of totally confessed to her.

Holy crap.

"That's…great," she said slowly. "But, I have things to do tonight. And I need to prepare. So…I'll see you around." Well. This was kind of awkward.

"Sakura-san." His hand caught her wrist when she reached out to turn the doorknob. His touch sent shivers down to her toes and all the way back, the way Sasuke's never did—way more than Sasuke's ever did. "You should take that as a compliment."

Oh, so he was expecting her to celebrate because he took interest in her? Was he bracing himself for a fangirl attack?

Well…she might consider doing that. Just a little. When she was out of his sight.

"Itachi-san," she mocked, yanking her wrist out of his grasp so she could at least try to think straight. "That's great, but…I have an…appointment with Sasuke-kun. And I have to get ready."

The older Uchiha raised a delicate eyebrow. "Really."

She nodded, quite desperately. "Really! So…I don't have time for any jokes or anything right now. Sorry." This time, when she reached for the doorknob, he didn't stop her. However, he did lean down and whisper in her ear, very, very softly.

"Well, then, I will see you at a later time."

His lips just barely brushed the shell of her ear, and she swore it was intentional, making her senses go overdrive. Holy shit. Only Uchiha Itachi could do things like that.

She swallowed, hard, and took a deep breath in attempt to calm herself, and thought she caught a whiff of that cherry blossom shampoo that they were arguing over just minutes prior. Even though a feminine scent, he just made it so…attractive.

"I-I'll see you," she forced out, before rushing into her home and slamming the door in his face.

Away from her sight, Uchiha Itachi smirked.

A/N: Whoa, that was long. I've been in a real humor-ish mood lately. No angst for me. Life is good. Life is happy. :D

Oh, and now that I look back on it, I didn't use the prompt much. Er…

OMAKE

"Sasuke," Itachi said slowly as he passed by his room just after returning from the market. "You have an appointment with Sakura-san today?"

Sasuke looked up from his book, a scowl meeting his lips. He didn't like socializing with his brother. "Yes." It wasn't any of his business. And, anyway, Sasuke was thinking of doing more than going over mission details—like, maybe, letting her know that he actually always notices her cherry blossom shampoo. All the time.

"I see." His brother didn't move from the doorway of the living room, and Sasuke's scowl deepened. "I propose…a deal, of sorts."

"A deal." He frowned, shutting his book, ready to take refuge in his room when needed.

Itachi smirked, which was so not a good sign. "I would like to take your place tonight with Sakura-san." Before Sasuke could open his mouth, he continued. "If not, I'm sure she'll enjoy hearing about you saying her name in your sleep."

Oh, he did not just go there.

Sasuke glared with all of the Uchiha skills he had. It didn't work, because Itachi smirked with even more Uchiha power.

He scowled in defeat.

Bitch.