Hey all! I know I have to update now, but I thought I would warn you, I may be updating every other day or so for the next few days. I just got out of the hospital and I'm having problems with the medicines they gave me, I keep staying asleep for days at a time. I'll try and update as much as I can, but it may not be too often for the next 9 days! Sorry!

Anywho, on with the show!

Disclaimer- not mine

Chapter 19

Itachi and Shizune touched down a few minutes later, tearing off into the house. Sasuke sat on the floor beside Diedera, holding her hand. "She's lost consciousness."

"She said she was dizzy. I had her drinking water, but she wasn't replacing fast enough. Are you a medic?"

"Yes." Shizune ran at her, taking her vitals. "How much blood has she lost?"

"Probably about all of it." Diedera stood back, letting her in.

"Itachi, hold her over your shoulder so the blood escapes through her mouth. We don't need her drowning. Follow me." Itachi grabbed her and they took off.

Itachi sat in the chair, His hands clasped under his chin with his elbows on his knees. His eyes were trained on Diedera who was walking in circles, pacing the room. Shizune walked into the room with a frown. Itachi jumped up, dashing across the room. "What happened?! Is she alright?!"

"She's fine, she'll need to be here for another few hours while we refill her. She lost a lot of blood, but there's something else."

Diedera breathed out, Itachi could feel the release as well, but the last part worried him.

"She's too stressed out. Her vocal chords were bloodied. Shed torn a few of them, and we're going to have to wait till she heals before we can reattach them. She won't be able to talk till then."

"How long will it be?" Itachi asked and Shizune sighed. "About a week. Because of all of the small details of the throat we can't speed up the healing like we can with muscles and skin."

"That's fine. I can read lips and Diedera has his own method." Diedera nodded.

"Can we go see her?" Diedera's voice was weak, the sound surprised Itachi. "Yes, follow me."

They went in and found her, sitting back with a glass of water, a straw tucked between her dried lips. "I'm sorry." Itachi said the instant he was in. "Stress, this was my fault. I kept on you like that."

Sakura shook her head, a soft smile on her lip. She mouthed something, sighing with her head down.

"Sakura, you know I can read lips." She looked at him confused before nodding. 'sharingan'

"What'd she say?" Diedera looked over.

"She said it's her own fault for being too selfish. Sakura, you should know it's not true. You were ready to try and hook Diedera up. That's more generous than many others."

"I didn't want you to worry about me like that. It feels like you're taking pity on me, yeah. Sakura, I love you, but it's not the first time someone else has been chosen over me. You've told me you chose Itachi, I can live with that. Don't feel so bad."

As Sakura's lips moved, Itachi spoke so Diedera could hear.

'it can't be helped. it's the way I am. I do love you, so it's hard to not want to make sure you're happy.'

"It can't be helped. It's the way I am. I do love you, so it's hard to not want to make sure you're happy."

Sakura laughed after speaking at the thought of Itachi telling Diedera he loved him. The confused looks on their faces kept her for a moment, but she waved it off after a bit.

Diedera sat on the side of the bed, reaching out and taking her hand. "Sakura, it's enough for me like this. I know that you care, and that's more than I deserve. Don't worry about it." Sakura looked down, sighing. "No matter what, I'll be here when you need me. Don't think that I'll run off like last night, yeah. That's probably what really caused this."

Sakura sighed and leaned back, nodding.

'so now what?'

"So now what?"

"Now we wait till you get out and then we go pick furniture. Sasuke finished the house yesterday while you were... worried. Sounds good, yeah?" Sakura nodded, a bit of a smile fading back to her.

Sure enough they released her about two hours later and they headed out for furniture.

They knew the house had four bedrooms, so they each got one and they had a spare. Now for the question, spare room, hobby room, what to do?

Sakura looked at a weapon rack and her eyes widened, shiny want showing in them. Itachi grinned and shook his head. "You're a true shinobi. Most girls only get that look in their eye looking at diamonds."

Sakura stuck out her tongue and waved off the thought of diamonds.

'these are so much better. let's make the extra room a dojo.'

Itachi looked at her for a moment before calling Diedera over. "Sakura suggests that we turn the extra room into a dojo."

"That won't be necessary." Itachi heard and turned, seeing Sasuke behind him. "There's already a dojo in the house. If you go into the basement it's there, beneath the center court." Sakura smiled brightly.

'center court?'

"Yeah, it's a big house."

"Bigger than you thought. It has four bedrooms, but it also has two living rooms and a meeting room. Itachi, the house you're moving into is the old town meeting hall. The place has close to twenty rooms, not including the dojo. You guys better start working on the rooms you already know about. I'd start planning for the other rooms after you know what they're all like."

Sakura nodded, looking around. She chose a couch.

'i want this couch. it looks soft.'

"It does." Sasuke nodded. He smiled at her with a soft look she'd never seen on him before and sat up, looking at him surprised. 'why are you looking at me like that?'

"I know how strong your hearts are. You loved me for so long, and even after I betrayed you, never have you been cold to me. Itachi turned against everything he believed in to protect me and Konoha. He surrendered himself completely to a life of misery to defend me. I don't deserve you. I never did. On the other hand, he does. It's great to know that you ended out with someone who's heart is as determined as your own. You two will be wonderful together. This means something more to me, though."

Sakura stared at him, confused. "Sakura, eventually, you'll be my sister." Sakura's eyes widened. "It's wonderful. I honestly couldn't be happier. I'll be a good brother, I think."

"You are." Itachi walked up behind him with a smile. "You're not making a pass at my girlfriend, are you?" Itachi joked and Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Yes, after being turned down by her once already I'm going to try again because I'm a glutton for punishment." He turned to Itachi with a serious face. "I'll say this once only. If you hurt her, Itachi, I swear I'll kill you. I don't want to kill you, so just don't hurt her." Itachi shook his head.

"I'm not sure if that was a threat or a joke but you don't have to worry about it. The only way I'd hurt her is if I'd die and I'll do my best to keep that from happening." Itachi grinned and Sasuke shook his head, a soft smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

"I forgot what this felt like." Sasuke breathed out and Itachi turned to him, surprised. "I heard you were really popular after I left."

"I wouldn't let anyone near me. I was..." Sasuke looked down for a moment before clearing his throat. "Let's not, we have other things to worry about. Like color themes. I saw the living room in the hideout. You may want to try harder." Sasuke looked at Sakura who frowned. 'I chose based on comfort and function, not just look.'

"We could tell." Itachi chuckled and Sakura playfully slapped him on the arm.

Sakura jumped out of her skin when a hand landed on her shoulder. She looked down, seeing the black leather with the metal across the back and relaxed.

She turned to and smiled. 'hell-'

Her eyes widened when it wasn't Kakashi, but Kankurou behind her. "Oi, Sakura-chan. It's been a while."

Sakura nodded as he smiled, looking over at the Uchiha brothers, glaring at him. "Looks like I've interrupted something. I'll find you later." He smiled and turned, walking away.

'oh fuck'

"Who was that?"

'Kankurou. Brother of the Kazekage.' Itachi nodded. "Ah, Gaara. I remember hearing about him. Naruto saved him, didn't he?" Sakura nodded and Sasuke frowned. "I remember him. My first real loss." Sakura turned to him and shook her head.

'zabuza' Sasuke frowned. "That wasn't personal, it was a team, and we all lived, and he didn't. It's that easy. Gaara, I took that personally. Kankurou, if he's here I wonder if that means Gaara and Temari are here."

Sakura turned and frowned. She knew, after the Sasori thing that Kankurou had a crush on her. She didn't need that again. There was enough as it was.

"Oi, Sakura." She turned again, seeing Gaara behind her. "Kankurou said you were in-" He stared, wide eyed at the Uchiha boys. "Itachi. Sasuke." Gaara looked at Sakura quickly, she knew avoiding their eyes. "I'd heard you were in here. I thought I would say hi, and the Hokage wants to see you." Sakura started talking, surprising the young redhead. She sighed before turning to the boys.

"She says hi, how are things with you."

"Why isn't she speaking? Are you hurt?" He stepped forwards and Sakura felt his hand raise to her throat. "Ah, the chords are severed. It's repairable."

"In a week." Itachi spoke and Gaara's eyes didn't shift from Sakura's.

"I'll be around for the next week or so, we should all get together sometime." Sakura opened her mouth, thought and turned to Itachi.

"She says that would be great." Sakura turned back to Gaara with a smile. Gaara nodded and turned, leaving the shop. Sakura turned, looking at Itachi. She stepped forwards and sighed heavily, laying her head on his arm. "Are you getting tired?"

She nodded and Itachi picked her up. "Sasuke, please let Diedera know I'm taking her back."

'i'm just a little tired. it's fine.'

"After something like that you need to stay rested. I'm taking you home." Sakura sighed, laying her head back on his arm. She snuggled in, smiling contented at how soft he was.

He looked down with a smirk. "This'll give us a chance to be alone." Sakura looked up with a smile.

Sakura was surprised that he took her to the new house. She looked around, the size of the house surprising her. She'd never really paid any attention to it, but it was about twice the size of Sasuke's house. Sakura smiled, realizing he'd chosen it for sentimental reasons.

"Some of the items were already sent, like beds. It'll take me a few minutes to get yours together, and you'll have to use my blankets for now, but it should be alright." She nodded as Itachi carried her in.

He took her to a room at the back of the house. She was surprised when he carried her all the way there. He stood her up just in the room and smiled as he turned, putting the bed together. She watched as he pulled boards out, setting up for the work.

It only took fifteen minutes, Sakura was sure it would take longer. She was also surprised that they'd chosen such a perfect bed for her. It was a western style, of course, and the headboard was a light wood color, like honey. There were bookshelves on the headboard and another at the foot. It was huge, and Sakura felt all jittery thinking about such a huge bed. It seemed comfortable, but she wondered how often Itachi was planning on staying over with her.

It would help out a lot, as they were a little crushed on her twin size all the time.

But how long till...

Sakura swallowed hard. She wasn't scared or against the thought at all, but she was nervous. Itachi stepped back, wiping his brow as he laid the screwdriver down and smiled at his work. "It's done. What do you think?"

'it's perfect' She smiled and he reached over, grabbing his sheets and went back to work.

He walked over after a while and looked her over, smiling wickedly. He reached out, catching Sakura off guard. He started untying the strips of cloth holding her outfit on and she looked down, her hands starting to shake.

"I'm not expecting anything, to let you know. I just want..." He blushed lightly and Sakura smiled, nodding.

He took her down to her underwear and bra and lifted her, laying her on the bed. Itachi stood and smiled at her. "You rest well." He started to turn but looked back.

Sakura smiled and patted the bed beside herself and Itachi half smiled, looking more seductive than anything else. He nodded and stripped off his shirt and shoes and climbed in beside her. Sakura laid her head on his chest, the feeling of his skin... he was like satin. Itachi leaned down, kissing the top of her head and she leaned down, unthinking and kissed his chest.

Itachi breathed in and Sakura smiled. She closed her eyes and drifted off.

She woke about two hours later, sitting up and seeing Itachi sleeping. She just watched him, his peaceful sleeping face, his eyes barely looked closed. He breathed out through his mouth softly and Sakura just watched.

It was a moment till his eyes opened slowly to her, watching as she watched him. He reached up and cupped her cheek, bringing his face to hers, kissing her.

Sakura fell into the sensation. It had been too long since he'd really been able to kiss her like this, she cherished it. His hands pulled around her waist, pulling her in to him and she smiled, raising her hand, running her fingers across his collarbone.

Itachi felt himself sliding away, the feeling of her wrapping around him.

Sakura pressed her lips tighter to his. Itachi reached up, unsnapping her bra and Sakura smiled, anxious but excited as he slid the cloth from her. He tossed it to the side and reached up, cupping her chest, running his thumb across her softly and Sakura's breath pulled into her chest. Sakura's hand reached down across Itachi's stomach, feeling the softness of his skin, the muscles beneath.

She moaned as he pulled her up a little farther, pulling one of the little pink perks between his lips.

Sakura would have moaned if there hadn't been a knock at the door. She turned wide eyed as the door opened.

"Oi, Sakura, I'm glad you're awake. I need you to come down for a sec!" The door closed and Sakura stared.

"Was that Naruto?" Itachi groaned and Sakura nodded. She looked down and smiled.

Itachi was surprised to see her look so disappointed at the interruption. "After he leaves, if you want, we can resume." She nodded with a smile.

She'd wanted to be with him. She'd wanted him so much it hurt. She needed the intimacy and she was getting increasingly impatient.

She stood and looked around, wondering where her bra went.