Standard Disclaimers Apply
The Thirteenth Hour: Plans I
"What do you plan on doing from now on?" It was a very cliché conversation-starter, but with Sakura, anything boring can turn interesting in a blink of an eye.
"What else? Helping people out, going on missions…Tsunade-sama did plan on having me teach a class or two," she chatted.
"On medical techniques?"
"Yep. She says it's important to train the next generation well. Besides, the pay's pretty good."
"It seems like you'll be busy."
"Definitely. Especially with Sasuke's retrieval…" she paused for a bit, wondering if she should continue. He wisely gave her time to sort things out in her head.
Eventually, she spoke again. "We're...planning on bringing him back."
"When?"
"Right after...this is over. Of course, we were always prepared to have him back, but now we're getting desperate. Konoha needs the Uchiha's blood limit back before anyone else gets it, or worst…"
"Worst?"
"They all disappear. Especially since…you're like this now."
He thought she would be crying for his sake, but he is both glad and disappointed to see her face dry of any tears.
The Fourteenth Hour: Gloomy
"I see…I apologize for my foolish brother's behaviour."
She puts a hand on his shoulder. "Don't. I already told you. You're a great older brother." If it were any other person, he would have flinched and pushed them away. Heck, he wouldn't have even let them touch him.
He hopes she understands just how special she is.
But just in case she can't read this minuscule clue, he places his own hand on top of hers securely.
"That does not mean I cannot cover for his mistakes."
She shrugs. "Suit yourself. Be gloomy if you want."
Gloomy? Did she just call her "gloomy"?
Cheeky brat.
The Fifteenth Hour: Plans II
She turns to him. "What about you?"
"Hn?"
"What's been happening with you lately? I can't really ask about…what you plan on doing from now on…'cause…never mind."
He offers a sad smile in an attempt to deliver the message across that it's okay, that he's not mad.
"I've been preparing," he says simply.
"For what?"
"This." He seems pretty pleased with his rather vague answer. Luckily for him, she understands.
"So you've been taunting your little brother into killing you and researching about flowers to make a garden in your genjutsu?"
"Basically."
She hasn't realized it before, mostly because of all the information and rumours surrounding him honouring his murderous persona, but she's come to the conclusion that…
Itachi is an idiot.
The Sixteenth Hour: Irony
"What am I supposed to do with you?" she sighs. "Right, I can't do much. You're dying."
"I think we are over that fact by now, but what were you planning on doing to me?" The slight raise in his tone indicates that he is teasing her, urging her into thinking something underneath the underneath.
"Well, I was actually planning on disposing of you myself, but I guess your brother beat me to it."
He loved how she could joke about his oncoming death. It was both amusing and cruel, two things he absolutely adored about Sakura.
"Too bad. Try harder next time."
"I'll keep that in mind," she smirks coldly, understanding the irony behind his words.
After all, there won't be a next time.
The Seventeenth Hour: Adorable
"Well, since there's nothing else we can do, let's just spend the rest of these 'hours' at ease."
"That's what we've been doing for a while now," he points out.
"Then let's just carry on."
The next few moments are spent in peace and silence, until she decides to be a little daring and spreads herself across the bench, placing her head neatly on his lap. She glances up to see his reaction, and is quite happy with herself when she is met with his surprised expression.
"What is this?"
"Nothing much, just carrying on," she grins cheekily.
And he finds it adorable. Absolutely adorable.
The Eighteenth Hour: Short
"I bet Sasuke's super confused. He's probably dying to know what we're doing."
"Luckily for him, the anguish will only last for a few seconds," Itachi states. To an outsider, their little genjutsu would only last for a few short moments after all.
"On the other hand, for us…"
"Seventy-two hours," he finishes for her, bending low to peck her on the forehead, inhaling the lovely scent of her hair in the process.
"Too short in my opinion," she mumbles, savouring the soft touch of his lips.
His expression softens. "I see you've learned how to express your opinions."
She growls in an attempt to hide her embarrassment. "Shut up and kiss me already."
A/N: I will never give up on this story. BELIEVE IT! Thanks for reading! Always looking forward to reviews! ^^ Enjoy your summer!