Quick note: there had been a (*) in the last chapter. I forgot to add in what it was there for.

Keep Itachi's behavior here in mind. It will be explained in this chapter.

Now, on with the chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter eight: Losing Her (Itachi)

I glared at the maid talking to me, making her stammer nervously. To be completely honest, I do not know exactly what is making me so mad. I don't even know when I became mad.

"Princess Hanae sh… should have arrived by… by now. I-If she has… she'll…."

"Good evening, Itachi-sama," the princess of the hour sang. She walked in carrying a tray. "I brought you…."

"Leave us," I growled at the maid. She curtseyed and scurried away.

"My king?" She set the tray down on my dresser and sat next to me on my bed. "Are you alright? Your right eye has a vein showing directly over it." She reached out to touch me, but I smacked her hand away.

"Where have you been all day?"

"Neji-ouji invited me on a ride this morning. I got back an hour ago. Did someone give you anything? I told those chefs…."

"You are to always be here on castle grounds in case I need something."

"Itachi-sama, that is why I set up this new schedule and daily menu. Every maid knows to only give you herb tea between meals…."

"Shut up!"

She squeaked as I backhanded her with all my might. In my pit of rage, I didn't see the signs telling me something was wrong. Way wrong. All I saw was blinding red rage, and it was all directed towards her.

Hanae looked up at me from where she had fallen, hurt and confusion in her eyes. She slowly got up and stepped towards me. "My king, something is terribly wrong. Please allow me…." Her hands touched my shoulders hesitantly.

"Did I give you permission to touch me?" I growled, shoving her back away from me. I watched her fall against my dresser, knocking over the tray in her attempt to catch herself. She screamed as piping hot tea and soup spilled over her.

"I… I'm sorry, Itachi-sama. It will never happen again, I swear it," she sobbed.

"Dismissed."

She ran away, and I lay back on my pillows. A moment later, a maid came in to quickly clean up the spilled food and drink. I was soon left alone with my thoughts. For a few moments.

"Come in!" Sasuke walked in with a scowl on his face. "What's wrong?"

"Why the hell did you purposely bring harm to the sweetest girl in the galaxy?" I scowled right back at him.

"She stepped out of line and got too familiar. I had to put her back in her place."

"She is your medic! That is her place! She showed genuine concern for your irrational anger, and you responded by hurting her!"

"I don't have to listen to this." He threw me a canteen, and I caught it. "What's this?"

"I mixed up our coffees this morning. The one I gave you had an herb that screws with your emotions in it. When she got back, I asked Hanae to give me something that will fix my mistake. Drink it."

"I don't…."

"Aniki, drink it!" I reluctantly screwed the top off of the canteen and drank the contents. I instantly felt the anger disappear and regret replace it.

"Oh no."

"Oh yes. So you hurt an innocent little girl over nothing."

"I have to see her." I got up out of bed only to be shoved back down to Sasuke. I glared at him. "Remove yourself."

"Sakura and Ino are currently trying to calm her down while healing her burns. Your services are not needed or desired at the moment."

"Sasuke," I warned darkly.

"Fine, go. By all means, go. Go and demand that terrified girl to forgive you. Make her bend to your iron clad will."

"You're treading on dangerous waters, otouto."

"And she's walking on thin ice." After that, I brushed past the raven to walk to Hanae's room. My fist was raised to knock when I heard crying.

"… right, I-Ino! He doesn't… care about me at all!" My heart clenched at this.

"This is one time I wish I weren't right."

"And here I thought… he might have hidden feelings… for me! Neji mentioned his so called obvious affections, but he was mistaken. Uchiha Itachi doesn't have affection for anyone but himself!"

"I'm so sorry, Hanae-chan. I'm sorry."

I backed away from the door at the soft spoken words of comfort. This is worse than I thought. I need to find a way to make it up to the girl.

But how?