The Akatsuki traveled hard and fast. Sakura had never run so vigorously in her life. Even when Itachi slowed down the pace ("There's no need to rush," he rationalized.) she still had trouble keeping up.

When they finally reached their destination, Sakura was more than excited to see an expensive looking hotel. She tried to breath in the fanciness of it as they walked in, but realized that no amount of elegance could wipe away the sweat and grime on her skin. She suddenly felt really dirty.

"Welcome!" the hotel attendant greeted, "We have your rooms all set up for you, but," she looked at Sakura, "I wasn't aware that there would be three of you. There's only two rooms."

"Two is fine," Itachi said. Sakura blushed and Kisame eyed him thoughtfully.

"Perfect!" the attendant said, "It's so lovely of you to bring your lady with you on the job. I suppose it's the occasion of white day tomorrow?"

Sakura twitched at first. She didn't like the woman's label of 'your lady.' And then she realized. March 14th?

Itachi glared daggers at the woman, and she dropped the subject, leading them to their rooms. "Have a nice stay!" She said pleasantly, handing Itachi the room keys.

"Have you to been getting to know each other?" Kisame joked. Itachi turned his glare on the shark man.

"She's my hostage," he said simply, "Privacy is not a courtesy I plan to extend to her."

Sakura took a tiny breath of relief. He had thought it through.

Kisame shrugged. "Whatever," and then he took the key to his room and left the to Konoha shinobi to they're own devices.

Itachi open their suite and held open the door for the kunoichi. She laughed a little at the chivalrous gesture, but walked in and nearly collapsed face-down on the bed.

Itachi smirked at her, "They're going easy on the jounin exam, I see."

Sakura's "Screw you," was muffled by the sheets. She turned over and sat up, taking off her pack before looking around. The bed was against the middle of the wall opposite the door. A nice big comfy chair occupied the left corner, and along the right wall was a nicer, bigger comfy couch. Next to the chair were two doors, one leading to a bathroom, the other leading to the closet. Finally, right next to the entrance door, was a desk.

She had never been in such a nice hotel room before, but she couldn't help but notice it was a little... lived in. The closet and bathroom doors were slightly ajar, and the desk was covered in papers. She turned and noticed that the bed was slightly disheveled, more than it would be from simply jumping on it like she had. She looked at Itachi.

"What is this, your home away from home?" she asked, putting together the pieces.

Itachi shrugged, "We get sent here a lot. I'm polite enough to demand the respect of the businessmen, and Kisame is scary enough to gain the respect of the thugs."

Sakura nodded, "It's like a match made in heaven," she joked. He smiled one of his tiny smiles, and she beamed back at him.

He took a moment to stare at her. He had recognized that she was a pretty girl when he had first seen her, years ago. But she had grown into a beautiful woman. She didn't wear the bright reds that contrasted with her hair, but a deeper shade of scarlet that complimented it. She still wore hair cropped at her jawline, but it had grown out since he had kidnapped her. It was at her shoulders now, and he decided that he liked it longer.

She blushed under his gaze and turned away. She was tired. She looked at the clock. It was 11:50pm, and she decided that it was time to go to sleep. Suddenly, she noticed that there was only one bed. Sure, they had agreed on some kind of a relationship, but that didn't mean he would be willing to share a bed with her.

"So..." she began.

"Yes?"

"There's only one bed," she said after a pause.

"Yes."

"...So, how is that going to affect our sleeping arrangements?"

Itachi raised an eyebrow at her. "I'm not understanding."

Sakura raised her hands above her head, jumping up, "I'VE STUMPED AND UCHIHA! VICTORY IS MINE!" she cheered. Itachi almost laughed. Almost. "But seriously, what don't you get?"

"Are we not... together?" he asked, awkwardly.

"Well, I guess, but," she sighed, "I don't know about you, but usually you don't climb into bed with someone you've been in a relationship with for about five hours."

Itachi looked at the sofa, "I don't mind using the couch, if it bothers you that much."

Sakura sighed. "It doesn't really bother me," she confessed, "It's just... I'm new to this."

Itachi turned his gaze back to her. "What makes you think I'm not?"

Sakura laughed, "Tsuki kinda gave it away."

"Oh," Itachi smirked at her, "You mean you're a virgin."

Sakura blushed furiously, "Well, duh," Itachi chuckled quietly, and Sakura stood up, suddenly angry, "Excuse me for being to focused on my career to care about men."

Itachi was intrigued by that. "How little have you done?" he asked. Sakura knew he wasn't mocking her anymore. He was just asking.

She turned away before answering. "A drunken make out session with my best friend," she admitted, "But sober... nothing." Dammit, she thought. He probably wasn't very interested in the first place, but now? Whatever they had agreed on was certainly gone.

Itachi nodded thoughtfully. He stepped towards the girl and took her hand. She looked at him, surprised. "What-" he put a hand on her mouth, stopping her question. He stared into those emerald orbs, memorizing every facet of them. He deactivated his sharingan, and he saw her smile. He looked at her lips. And then he kissed them.

It wasn't hot, and heated, and lustful, but neither was it just a light friendly peck. It was perfect. He was obviously in control, but she had no objections. She didn't really know what she was doing anyway.

When their lips finally parted, neither opened their eyes, both trying to remember every detail of the kiss. He was still holding her hand, and his other hand had found her waist. It was the perfect amount of touch for her. Finally, they opened their eyes. Sakura noticed Itachi's flash towards the clock.

"Happy White Day," he said. Sakura looked at the clock. It was 12:01 am. March 14th. She laughed, and could have sworn that he laughed a little too.