Here's chapter 2. I'm not really sure what I'm going to do with this, and I know it may somewhat suck but I'm enjoying writing it so whatever XD. And yes, in the first chapter I did mention that Itachi took Sasuke's eyes and that Sakura is wandering around by herself without a village to call home. These things will be explained in the course of the story. I'd feel kinda cheap just writing them out up here and taking the super easy way out about it.

I don't own Naruto in any way, shape or form. Except for in my dreams. :D

Here we go:

She didn't know what she'd expected when she'd said "lead the way." For Itachi to stand and whisk her away to some mission at nine o clock at night? For the next few days to just begin, without any bit of awkwardness at all? Instead, Itachi had taken the liberty of ordering a large dinner for not only himself but her as well, which he paid for without question when they were done eating and had politely but delicately most likely so as not to embarrass her told her that if she had not already found a place to stay for the night, he had, and that she was welcome to join him.

Sakura knew he must have gathered by looking at her that she had no money. He also most likely realized that a female ninja traveling alone probably had little luck getting jobs or missions- and he was right. Sakura herself had happened into the restaurant that night hoping simply to warm up. The cost of one entree alone was more than she could afford. Luckily, Itachi was well-mannered and gracious and somehow put her at ease during all of this. They'd walked to his hotel together in surprisingly comfortable silence, and it only dawned on Sakura once they'd gotten to his room that the most awkward part of the evening had yet to happen.

The hotel he was staying in was beautiful, of course she expected nothing less from him. The lobby was spacious and open, all gold and creamy light marble. She didn't fail to notice, however, that the front desk was completely empty. As in, devoid of an attendant sitting there. There was however, a little sign in the shape of a clock. The front desk, it said, was closed for the night and would reopen when the little hand was on the six.

Six in the morning.

Sakura resisted the urge to groan. What kind of hotel closed its front desk during the night? She'd seen employees that looked more like bouncers on their way in- surely they could keep a front desk attendant there through the night like most places?

"That's just perfect," she muttered, not really meaning to say anything out loud at all.

Itachi's turned to her and met her gaze with his own. "I apologize, Sakura-san." His voice was soft and slightly amused. "This isn't the safest of ports at night. Typically establishments such as this keep only security on past midnight."

"Oh." Duh, moron. Inner Sakura chided. Of course. It made perfect sense. Ports were generally unsafe, and in the Stone Country, even more unsafe than most others. Quickly, she forced a smile. He was being so generous with her anyway, she didn't want to seem ungrateful. "It's okay. I can find somewhere for myself tonight-"

Itachi raised his eyebrows, just slightly. "I had intended that you would stay with me," he interjected.

Sakura nodded. Of course he had. And he probably would for awhile, there was absolutely no reason for him to have to pay for two rooms everywhere they went just because she was a girl. She'd stayed in the same room with male teammates before, she'd even shared a bed with Kakashi once or twice which had been beyond bizarre at the time. She was certain that normally, Itachi would find them rooms with two single beds. If she had to share a bed with him for one night it was no big deal.

Besides, he's sexy. Inner Sakura drooled. He probably sleeps without a shirt.

Sakura turned bright red and willed Inner Sakura to shut the hell up. "Lead the way," she said finally, forcing another smile, totally aware that she'd now said 'lead the way' twice in one night and that it was incredibly lame.

Itachi studied her for a moment more before turning and heading toward the stairs. Sakura followed behind him, forcing herself to stare at the floors rather than trying to check him out like Inner Sakura was taunting her to do.

When they reached the room, Itachi opened the door for her and moved aside so she could enter first. A true gentleman, she observed wryly. If only all S-Class criminals had such manners.

The room was beyond gorgeous. It was without a doubt the nicest place she'd set foot in in literally a couple of years. She stared in awe at the thick ivory carpeting on the floors, the dark paneled walls and the beautiful, rich burgundy satin comforter on the bed. She was relieved to find the bed looked abnormally large, or maybe it was simply because she was used to tiny cots in the cheap inns she'd been staying in. If she and Itachi had to share a bed, at least in a bed that large they would have their own space.

Sakura became suddenly aware of Itachi's presence behind her, the heat of his body and the slow and steady rhythm of his breathing. He smelled good too, fresh and clean. Hell how she had missed men in particular!

"Sakura-san," his soft voice at her ear sent chills down her spine and made her bite her lip. His lips had to have nearly brushed her ear with his whisper...what was he doing?

He cleared his throat and she became acutely aware that was he was doing was trying to politely get into the room. She'd stopped right in the doorway and trapped him behind her.

Smooth. Even Inner Sakura was beet red.

"Sorry." Sakura stammered, trying so quickly to move out of his way that she stumbled into the dresser at the front of the room. Her face flaming, she made her way across the room pretending to be absorbed in looking around so she wouldn't have to face him.

"I'm assuming you'll want to shower," his voice seemed to take on a deliberately silky note. "You may use the shower first. And if it would make you more comfortable, I will sleep on the floor tonight. Tomorrow I will find us more...proper arrangements."

Don't let him sleep on the floor! Inner Sakura hissed. He's being too nice to you as it is, and you're not a sixteen year old girl. You're a woman. You can handle him sleeping in the same bed with you.

Sakura turned to face him, surprised to find that he seemed to be watching her almost carefully, as though he was curious about what her response to him would be. "No, no don't be silly," she said, meeting his eyes with all of the willpower that she had. She knew she wouldn't see the crimson glow of his Sharingan, but his gaze was intimidating without it anyway. "We can share the bed. I don't want to inconvenience you any further, Itachi-san...you've been too kind to me already." She could have been imagining it, she probably was, but there was something in the way that he was watching her that was almost...hopeful.

Maybe, just maybe, Itachi Uchiha was as lonely as she was.