Chatper 6 – Bad Cooking
You push and pull, you give and take
And through it all I gravitate to you
I'm a fool, a mechanical tool for you
You've got all the switches and levers to blow my cool
And when you know I'm broken
That's when you come shining through
-Lifehouse "Wrecking Ball"
Tsunade narrowed her eyes for the fourth time at the silent eye exchange. She was keeping count. Tsunade did not know what was more pathetic – observing the two awkwardly passing glances at each other when they thought no one was looking or her lack of attention in the rather important meeting. Watching the Uchiha pretending to stand nonchalantly with an expressionless face and Sakura barely keep herself together was way more entertaining than the meeting. There was something going on between the two and Tsunade was going to get to the bottom of it.
Sakura was perfectly normal a few hours ago when Tsunade last saw her. But then again, Sakura spent over half a day in the OR. She was in full medic mode; her attention was solely focused on saving her patients lives. Whatever scandalous event that occurred between her apprentice and the Uchiha must have been before the group of injured shinobi were brought to the hospital. Were the two somehow romantically involved? Tsunade narrowed her eyes at Sakura.
Then it hit her. There was nothing technically going on between her apprentice and the ANBU captain's relationship. Yet. Tsunade would definitely know if Sakura was in a relationship. She saw the rose haired kunoichi as her own daughter. She could read Sakura like a book, especially considering how expressive Sakura was. The two must be in the awkward phase of whatever their relationship was – they cared for each other but did not know where they stood. The two probably did not even know their feelings for each other, Tsunade mused. Tsunade quietly snickered to herself. Her airhead apprentice and the stoic Uchiha made quite the unusual pair.
They were at it again. Tsunade observed Sakura's traitorous eyes glance towards Itachi again. She could physically feel Sakura's edginess and nervousness radiating from her petite form. Honey colored eyes traveled to Itachi. He looked cold and composed like always but her trained eyes could see his extra stiff form that would only tense more when he would lock eyes with the pinkette for the briefest second. He was clearly as disinterested in the meeting as the Senju was. Sakura was trying really hard block out his presence but was failing miserably. Her apprentice was a mess and the Uchiha heir looked just as bothered as the pinkette.
Tsunade wanted to laugh out loud at the scene. Young love. They were a bunch of stupid kids. She wondered if anyone else in the room noticed the secret exchanges and felt the tension between the two shinobi. The pair was making their awkwardness quite obvious. Maybe Tsunade's monitoring was a sign of boredom from these troublesome meetings and it was time to finally retire and travel the world, as she had been scrutinizing the pair for the past forty minutes.
A part of her wanted to tell them to get a room while another part of her wanted to continue relish in their uncomfortable stance. It was actually quite entertaining and amusing seeing the stoic Uchiha and stubborn Haruno quiver. Tsunade made a mental note to interrogate Sakura later to get some information about the situation.
"What is the medical status of the injured teams?"
Tsunade snapped out of her thoughts and brought her eyes to her sensei. Although he asked about her patients, his eyes asked a whole different question. The Senju resisted the urge to shrug her shoulders obliviously. "All twelve shinobi are alive and well. Sakura," Tsunade gestured her apprentice to continue.
Tsunade watched Sakura snap back to focus to the questioning eyes in the room that were all waiting for her response. "Err… um, we were able to stabilize all their injuries in time. Two of those twelve shinobi, however, will not be able to return as shinobi due to the extant of the damage they received," Sakura paused to take a breath, "Seven of the twelve nin suffered from deep lacerations. When we looked through the international medical database, we found concurring wounds from Iwa medical records."
The Sandaime asked, as he took his pipe out of his mouth and stared at the pinkette. "Like kunais?"
"No, something much thinner than normal weaponry. The cuts and gashes we healed looked almost like paper cuts. It's possible the opponent could control paper with their chakra and use them as weapons like how we use kunai and shurikens. Iwa medical records reported that they found paper in the wounds of the inflicted," Sakura explained in full medic mode, her previous uneasiness vanished. "Three other shinobis suffered from severe burn marks. Someone with an extensive knowledge of the fire element or explosives was responsible for their injuries."
The room dropped in temperature as Sakura peeked at her shishou to see if she should continue giving the medical report. Tsunade shook her head as Sakura thinned her lips into a firm line. This was not looking good. The Akatsuki had attacked Konoha nin. One of her shinobi patients claimed their attackers wore black cloaks with red clouds but they were not in the sanest state of mind and their claim could not be taken into account. The Sandaime was just waiting for Interrogations to confirm it indeed was the Akatsuki behind the attack before he made a decision regarding how to proceed. If this was a direct attack from Akatsuki this situation was graver than she originally predicted.
Everyone in the room wore somber expressions. The Sandaime called for an immediate meeting after medical stabilized the shinobi. Sakura got a good three hours worth of sleep before an ANBU messenger informed her that her presence was required at the hokage office. Being Tsunade's apprentice and head medic for the shinobi half of the hospital definitely had its advantages, but also many downfalls. She would be required to attend high-ranking meetings no matter what time or place it was held at. Lucky her.
She was exhausted and she knew the apologetic looks people were throwing at her were probably due to the dark bags under her eyes. She must look like a complete mess to everybody. She had swallowed a chakra pill on her way here but the effects were slowly dissipating as the meeting almost reached its two-hour mark.
Sakura glanced around the room again. The Sandaime had his back towards everyone as he stared out the large window. A few ANBU were scattered throughout the room providing the usual security of when the hokage was in a room with so many people. Tsunade and Sakura represented the medical division. The three annoying council members were present along with a few other important officials and chief administrators. Sakura peeked at Shikamaru, who looked like he was about to fall asleep at any given moment. She narrowed her eyes at the Nara and wondered what sixteen-hour surgeries he performed to look that fatigued.
Sakura refused to look at Itachi. Again. Her mood brightened slightly when her eyes remained on the Sandaime's back. Sakura was beginning to seriously think that she inherited Tsunade's rotten luck. Only she would dirty dance with Itachi and then be stuck in a room with him and forced to act professional and aloof about the whole situation.
It was hard keeping a neutral face in the meeting when images of the party flashed through her head. She remembered his hard body against hers. She felt his hands gripping her hips and his dark gaze boring into her hers. They did not even part on a bright note – she threw her bra at his head if she remembered correctly. Her memory was a little hazy, but she knew that was only five hours ago. How did the two always get into these situations? It was all Tsunade's fault and her contagious bad luck.
"Everyone is dismissed," the stern and scholarly voice of the Sandaime filled the room.
Quiet whispers broke out throughout the room as people started making their way out. Sakura sighed. There was not much they could do at the moment. The attack was unfortunate but they needed concrete confirmation that the Akatsuki were behind it before the Sandaime could start barking orders out.
Sakura started walking out, as she noticed her shishou approach the hokage. Sakura would normally be suspicious of her shishou wanting to have a private conversation with the hokage but she was too tired to care at the moment. And hungry. Her stomach growled angrily. It's been hours since she last had a proper meal. She had been surviving on chakra pills but they did not substitute for actual food. But she was so tired. Sakura sighed again. She knew if she fell asleep without eating, her stomach would not be pleasant company when she woke up. She knew from experience. Great, she had to cook something, Sakura thought sarcastically. Maybe she should just get takeout.
Sakura hugged the patient files to her chest as she walked outside into the chilly air. She really should start wearing pants now. The weather was growing more unforgiving to her exposed legs. At least she had her haori on, which provided much needed warmth for her arms. She was going to take a really warm shower before going to bed.
"Sakura," a familiar deep voice stopped Sakura from her track. Itachi walked up to her. Sakura took in his perfect self. His hair was impeccably in place, as Sakura subconsciously ran a hand through hers. His face did not reveal any signs of exhaustion. The two fell into a silent walk before his low tenor broke the silence. "How are the shinobi?"
"Alive," Sakura answered. She did not mean for her voice to come out raspy and drained compared to his smooth, low tone, but her fatigue was coming down on her with full force. The only thing that kept her legs moving at this point was the coldness slapping her face.
Sakura could feel his disapproving glance without removing her eyes from the ground. She knew he wanted to scold her but he quite impressively held his tongue. But his silence only irritated her. "What?" she barked at the frowning Uchiha. His frown only grew deeper as she felt his glare.
"You need to take better care of yourself."
Sakura held her tongue from a scathing reply. She had been taking care of herself for years now. She was still alive and kept others alive. He was scolding her for the aftermath caused by saving lives. It was clear in his voice that he disapproved of the exhaustion that was caused by the hours logged in the hospital. What he – and Naruto and Sasuke and Kakashi and Ino and many others – failed to understand was that she would gladly suffer the awful affects of fatigue if it meant someone lived to see another day.
The two broke out in another period of silence. Itachi did not comment on her lack of self-supporting skills. He knew better. Sakura would have pounced on him showing exactly how well she took care of herself. He was stalking her, the bitter part of Sakura concluded. He was walking her home, the realistic part of her countered. He probably thought she would fall dead on the ground. She knew the bags under her eyes looked a little frightful but she was fully capable of walking herself home.
She did not notice when they reached her home, as she was so wrapped up in her irritated mood. She did not notice the soft look Itachi was throwing at her. Sakura opened her door and looked back at Itachi as her acidic thoughts disappeared. He was casually standing in front of her, hands in pockets and shoulders placidly loose of any stiffness.
Sakura sighed as she instantly regretted the words that were going to come out of her mouth. "Would you like to come inside," she invited.
Expecting him to politely decline her offer and walk away, Itachi nodded and followed her inside. Sakura shook the surprise out of her head. Why would he want to come inside? There was no reason for him to be inside her home. Sakura resisted the urge to glare at him. He was keeping her from eating then showering then sleeping.
The pinkette opened her mouth to ask him what he wanted but the growls of her stomach blocked any words from escaping her lips. Itachi raised a brow at her as she felt her cheeks warm. She was hungry, so why was he giving her an incredulous look as if her stomach fell out her body and started walking away.
Itachi did not wait for her to muster up a response as he stalked into her kitchen, leaving the gaping kunoichi alone in her hallway. He doubted she ate anything for hours now. The little kabob snack she had at the party was probably the last meal she ate and that did not count as a proper meal. She must be starving.
He hated seeing her like this – exhausted with low chakra and bags under her eyes. Her stomach growling in hunger did not make it any easier for his scowl to disappear. She was a medic; she should know her limits. It was not the first time he saw in this state, he never got used to her walking around like a corpse. He never will. He did not like seeing her usually fresh skin blemished with dark circles and her bright eyes dulled out with tiredness. Her normally bouncy and confident gait was slowed and her irritability levels drastically increased. Itachi hated seeing her chakra levels so low he knew she would wake up with horrendous head and stomach aches.
He made his way into her kitchen. The pinkette was obviously not in any condition to make herself a real meal. She would probably fall asleep at the stove and burn herself. Plus he remembered Sasuke stating that Sakura lacked talent in the kitchen. He opened her fridge and frowned at its emptiness. What did the medic eat to stay alive? Itachi concluded to make onigiri, seeing he did not have much room to make a decent meal. He would make steamed vegetables, as Sakura needed nutrients in her system.
Itachi saw Sakura walk into the kitchen with a dubious expression but he ignored her and continued getting all the ingredients out. She walked up to the island and plopped her elbows and stared at him quite annoyingly but he continued to prepare food, not glancing at her once. He heard her huff and stomp away, muttering about taking a shower.
Sakura pouted her way to her bathroom. Itachi had officially passed Naruto and Sasuke as the most troublesome man in her life. He had no right to come into her house and start prancing around her kitchen like he owned the place. She thought he would scold her about overwhelming herself and how dangerous it was and then he would leave. Had she known he would be silently judging her about her empty kitchen, she would have never let him step into her house.
But a traitorous part of her melted when she saw him gather the very little food she had to make a meal. Since when did Itachi cook, and for her nonetheless? She always found it attractive that a man knew their way around the kitchen. She slipped off her clothes and into the shower. The warm water washed her irked thoughts away.
Sakura almost groaned as she realized she had to leave the comfort of her shower. She spent a little too much time in the shower then she anticipated. Walking into her bedroom with a towel wrapped around her lithe form, Sakura rummaged through her drawers trying to find something concealing. She did not want to repeat former events. The independent part of her mind scolded Sakura for falling prey to a stupid male. She should wear whatever she pleased in her own home. Sakura caved into her inner voice and decided to put on her long flannel shirt and cozy socks before making her way downstairs.
Her nostrils were instantly filled with a delicious aroma as the pinkette made her way down the stairs. Just from the judging smell, Sakura knew he was a better cook than her. Mikoto probably taught him her wonderful cooking skills. The thought of Mikoto teaching Itachi how to cook made her giggle.
Sakura walked into her kitchen. Itachi placed a dish filled with steamed vegetables on her island. She quickly slid onto one of the stools at observed the Uchiha slide another plate filled with onigiri towards her. Sakura took the chopsticks he handed her and quickly dug into her food. She repressed a moan. Onigiri was one of the only things Sakura could make and it was no surprise that she made it often. She had thought that after making that one item so many times, she would have mastered it by now, but Itachi's onigiri made her onigiri run for its money. Though the better part of her knew not to doubt Itachi's cooking. He was simply good at everything he did.
"How do you cook," Sakura murmured between bites. She did not care if it was impolite to eat and talk at the same time.
She noticed Itachi leaning against her counter with his arms crossed, quietly observing her eating, but she paid no attention to his dark gaze. Mikoto definitely taught him how to cook. This was absolutely delicious. Sakura never pegged Itachi to be so skillful in the kitchen.
Sakura swallowed her last bite before locking her eyes with Itachi's. "I'm thinking that I should continue to pull long hours at the hospital if that means you going to make me food," Sakura joked. Her mood had taken a complete one-eighty. All irritability for Itachi was gone. Food really did cheer her up.
Itachi, however, did not acknowledge her lighthearted jest. He pushed himself off the counter and plopped his elbows onto the island across from Sakura. He knew her comment was half a joke, half a compliment, but it went over his head. There was no way he would encourage her to pull gruesome hours at the hospital and completely drain herself.
The pinkette noticed his mood grow dismal at her comment and almost rolled her eyes. "Calm down, I promise never to spend long hours at the hospital," Sakura melodramatically said. Her joke, once again, went over his head, as his nose slightly scrunched in disapproval. He was skillful on the battlefield, dance floor, and kitchen but not with humor. "I'm joking, geez, don't get so glum," Sakura rolled her eyes. She really had to help him with his sense of humor.
"I'm not glum," Itachi simply replied.
Sakura snorted. "Okay. Whatever you say." Her reply only made him gloomier.
"Hn."
Sakura laughed. She could practically see the dark clouds above his head. She pushed the plate filled with vegetables towards as Itachi shook his head. He made so much. Sakura jumped of the stool and decided to store it in her fridge as leftovers. He grabbed her empty plate of onigiri and started washing it at the sink.
The pinkette observed Itachi as he rinsed the dishes. It was weird seeing one of Konoha's strongest shinobi doing such menial house tasks, and in her kitchen nonetheless. But it was a good weird feeling. Sakura rather liked him acting so normal and would not mind seeing him continue to act so ordinary.
Sakura hopped onto her counter and dangled her legs off the edge as she continued to stare at Itachi's back. He was wearing all black – how typical – and his hair was tied perfectly in his usual low ponytail. Sakura glared at his smooth looking hair. She wondered what shampoo he used to make it look so lustrous and shiny. Why couldn't her hair look so silky? He was a guy, he did not need flawless hair. Sakura did not notice Itachi turn around and question her glare directed towards his head.
Itachi almost sucked in his breath at the sight of the pinkette. She was sitting on the island, her long toned legs swinging of the edge. She had on an oversized plaid flannel that barley reached an appropriate length. Her rose hair flowed down past her shoulders in soft waves. She looked like she came right out of an image he desperately kept pushing out of his mind. Sakura did not even realize how much her simple, innocent ivy-colored gaze affected his self-control.
Sakura's glare dissipated as she locked eyes with Itachi. She noticed the shade of his eyes turn unbelievably dark. Her kunoichi training told her that his strong grip on her counter and his suddenly tense shoulders and his gaze quickly flickering to her bare legs were cause by her rather suggestive posture.
A sly smile crossed her face as she crossed her legs, watching Itachi's face follow her moments. "Itachi," Sakura purred, "I have an question." Sakura's devious smile grew a little bigger. "I was wondering," Sakura paused, making sure her voice sounded perfectly innocent and tempting, "If you could make me onigiri tomorrow."
Itachi let go off the counter and made two confident strides to Sakura, bringing his body incredibly close to the medic. Her alluring eyes continued to lock into his, not back down. Her whole posture yelled defiance. Where did she think she was going with this act? He was not some easy fool who would so simply fall into her obvious trap. He could easily play the game she started. Itachi locked his arms on each side of Sakura and pushed himself in between her legs.
Itachi brought his mouth to her ear and whispered, "Sakura." He could feel her body shudder at his voice. A small victorious smirk played on his lips. "What are you doing?"
Itachi did not have a chance to internally gloat at her response, as Sakura grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled his body closer to hers. He could feel her warm breath against his ear. "Itachi," her heavy breath sent a treacherous shock through his body. "I have another question." Her small hands ran up his chest to his neck. "Where did you learn how to dance like that?"
His perfectly well handled control broke as his sudden movement pushed Sakura's head back as he grabbed onto her waist. Her sultry gaze quickly turned to surprise as her vision blurred and found herself falling on her bed. Sakura looked up confused at Itachi who gave her one small nod before disappearing. Sakura let her head fall back on her bed.
How frustrating. She had him perfectly wrapped around her finger before he decided to throw her little game back onto her face. There was no reason hiding it. She was attracted to Itachi. Sakura had all the proof she needed – her traitorously body responding to his just moments ago as well as at the party. Sakura let out a frustrated groan as her body suddenly became overwhelmed with fatigue. She was going to get Itachi following her every command if that was the last thing she accomplished.
He did not even answer her questions.
Itachi tried to keep his growing frustration in his chest from expanding but he failed miserably as he hopped upon rooftops. It definitely was a hunter-nin scroll he saw on her dresser. He's only seen two of those scrolls before but they were extremely distinctive from other scrolls. Hunter-nin scrolls were all black, with a unique seal. Itachi only knew because he got invited into the small group on nin a few years ago. He declined and continued to serve as an ANBU, partly because the clan wanted him to stay ANBU.
Why did Sakura have a hunter-nin scroll? Itachi hoped she seriously was not considering joining the group. He remembered her asking about them a while back, but he thought she would decline the offer. Tsunade had advised her to join the group, Itachi remembered Sakura telling him. He narrowed his eyes. Why would Tsunade want her in such a group? Her skills were completely antithetical to the skills needed to be a hunter-nin. Sakura was not mentally hardened enough to be a hunter-nin.
Itachi knew that it was ultimately Sakura's decision if she wanted to join the organization or not, but the thought of Sakura as a hunter-nin felt did not sit well in his stomach. He did not want her to join. It was selfish. He did not want to think of all the changes she would go through if she did join them. She would not be the wide-eyed, caring kunoichi. She would be a cold hard killer, almost like him. Itachi tried not to snarl. He did not want her to become like him. He did not want her to become another killer.
The Uchiha heir ran hand through his hair and let out a frustrated sigh. Sakura was going to be the death of him. He should not be caring this much about the medic but her face was constantly pinned in his head and he could not take those images of her out of his head no matter how hard he tried. A part of him did not want to.
She did crazy things to him and he found himself completely entrapped within her presence. Genma's party was a prime example. He did not dance. He did not want to dance, but he could not stop from responding to her suggestive movements. He found himself irritated that he responded, that he could still faintly feel her soft body rubbing against his, and that it was still affecting him. He was acting like some foolish boyfriend. He was not her boyfriend. He was her–
What was he to her? They did not have a professional relationship, or a mere friendship. Itachi's thoughts ran to Sakura. What did she think their relationship was, especially after tonight? She was clearly mad at him at first, but than she was seducing him. And he almost fell for it. He almost let her sweet, seductive voice overpower him.
He refused to admit he wanted her to wrap her long legs around his waist and let him feel every curve of her body under her loose flannel. But he refused to give her what she wanted. He honestly did not know what she wanted, but he refused to lose that little battle of hers. He would reciprocate exactly what she was doing to him. Make her feel what she was making him feel. Itachi sighed once again. He was acting like some foolish boyfriend. He did not want to point fingers but it was all Sakura's fault. She kept making him feel all these emotions.
Itachi hopped through his apartment window and decided to spend the night here. He did not feel comfortable sleeping at the Uchiha district with all these pent up emotions within him. He did not want to be surrounded by the rigidity and pressure of the place. Itachi needed some peace, especially after spending time with Sakura.
Tomorrow he would go see the hokage. He would not let Sakura become a hunter-nin.
Two blonde eyebrows rose. "Repeat that again, Uchiha."
Itachi resisted the urge to clear his throat. He was here out of respect. There was no doubt the hokage would approve of his request but he had decided to inform Tsunade first. Tsunade was her mentor and would be affected if Sakura decided to accept his offer. "I will be requesting Haruno-san as a permanent member of team eleven."
The blonde Sannin leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms and thoroughly examined him. She was observing him – his posture, his expression, and any signs that would confirm whatever doubts she had. Her intense gaze felt unnerving, but Itachi stood still and let no emotions cross his face. He was not going to back down.
"Haruno-san huh?" Tsunade said, her tone sounded almost like a question, as she leaned forward and rested her chin in her hands. Her voice sounded slightly sardonic, but did not reveal the pun she was internally laughing at. Itachi resisted the urge to narrow his eyes at the blonde. What was the Sannin implying?
"She is a very capable kunoichi. Her talents as a medical-nin could greatly benefit the village," Itachi replied stoically.
Tsunade scoffed. "Her talents as a medical-nin are already greatly benefiting the village. She does not need to permanently join the ANBU to accomplish what she already is accomplishing."
Itachi bit his tongue from replying too quickly. Tsunade looked suspicious. He did not want his manner to suddenly pique her interest, if she was not already inquisitive at his request. "I understand," Itachi smoothly replied, closing his eyes for the briefest moment before continuing, "but her joining the ANBU would further progress–"
"Cut the crap Uchiha, why do you really want Sakura to join your team?" Tsunade interrupted, her voice revealing the no-nonsense attitude she perfected. She was done dancing around the elephant in the room. Sakura used the same tone when she wanted to get right to point, Itachi mused.
He locked his dark eyes with honey colored ones. "Sakura does not suit being a hunter-nin."
Tsunade scoffed as she smirked. So that was why Itachi was permanently requesting her apprentice to be part of his team. He did not want her to become a hunter-nin. She completely understood the reasons behind his statement. Sakura barely qualified for the eligibility to be a hunter-nin. She grasped his unease concerning the medic joining such organization. Her skills as a medic would be wasted.
He called Sakura by her first name. His little slip concerned Tsunade the most. She did not realize that Itachi and Sakura were close enough to be on a first name basis. Sakura had been accompanying his team on missions for almost two years; the pinkette was basically a permanent part of the team. But Sakura never revealed anything but utter professionalism when concerning the Uchiha. Heck, she even remembered teasing Sakura about the random dates her Yamanaka friend always set on.
Images of the tension between Itachi and Sakura at the meeting yesterday flashed through Tsunade's head. Her suspicions were right. There was definitely something going on between the two. Protocol stated that two shinobi who were in a relationship could not participate on the same team. If there was anything romantic going on between the two, Itachi was breaking the rules by requesting Sakura to officially be a permanent member on his team. Tsunade never deemed Itachi the one to break rules.
"Sakura does not belong in that organization," Tsunade agreed, her face softening for a quick moment, "but it is not my decision."
There he was back at step one. He knew no matter how many recommendations, it was ultimately Sakura's decision if she wanted to join the hunter-nin or not. He knew, however, that Sakura took Tsunade's advice and counsel seriously. If Tsunade was adamant about Sakura joining that organization, he knew Sakura would most likely join.
"Why did you recommend her to join," Itachi asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. Tsunade did just agree that Sakura would not fit in.
"It isn't any of your business," Tsunade sharply said before sighing. She never pegged the Uchiha to be so nosy. The younger generation was hopeless. "Sakura will learn if she joins hunter-nin." Tsunade refrained from rolling her eyes at the obviously confused Uchiha. "She's soft."
It all made sense. Itachi finally understood why Tsunade would recommend and support Sakura joining that organization. Where he was trying to protect the rare innocent, unblemished portion of Sakura, Tsunade wanted to exploit it. She knew very well, maybe even better than him, that Sakura was compassionate and selfless. Those traits were very dangerous in the shinobi lifestyle. They were the traits that usually get a shinobi killed. Tsunade was not punishing Sakura. She was trying to teach the pinkette a lesson Sakura never learned. Tsunade wanted Sakura to understand death. Even though Sakura completed countless missions, he knew that Sakura was a very sheltered kunoichi.
Itachi learned this lesson very early in his childhood. The Third Shinobi World War plagued his dreams as if it occurred just yesterday. He did not wish for the younger shinobi to ever experience a time of war and loss. He was hardened. Tsunade was hardened. Sakura was not hardened and it was extremely dangerous for her as the kunoichi to be soft.
Tsunade sighed and subbed her temples. "I've been trying to teach her the weight of death for a while now," she chuckled slowly, "but she keeps saving all her patients."
Itachi frowned, and it only made the blonde Sannin chuckle a little louder. She found it amusing that however so talented the Uchiha was, he lacked humor. Itachi did not understand what was so funny. His forehead must resemble something humorous because it never seemed to get the joke.
Tsunade's face became serious again. "What are you doing?" Her question was vague and Itachi did not want to risk answering wrongly and revealing something he should not have. "You shouldn't be pursuing her," Tsunade started, almost as a warning. She did not miss his jaw clenching. "She'll be the one coming out hurt when its over."
Sakura woke up with a smile on her face. Literally. She never felt so rejuvenated and well rested before. She did not even mind that she woke up a little after noon – ignoring the fact that she would normally panic if she woke up this late – and spent a good portion of her day sleeping. She deserved sleep after all she experienced in the last couple of days.
Thoughts of last did not affect her in any way. She was in a good mood and nothing could change it. Her inner started listing the things that would automatically piss her off but Sakura ignored them. She was going to give herself the day off – no hospital shifts, no trainings, no anything stressful. Sakura was determined to enjoy the day.
She was going to go to that little café she ran into Itachi and order buba buba mango herbal tea. Sakura first doubted Itachi's reason for ordering a drink with such a name but felt guilty at her doubt. Buba buba mango herbal tea was the best-flavored drink she ever tasted and made several trips down to that very café to order the drink several times after their meeting. They had really good dango too. Sakura squealed at the thought. Dango for breakfast… or lunch.
Sakura quickly brushed her teeth and splashed her face with water. The pinkette wrapped her green haori around her before throwing on her trusty tall boots. She could feel it in her bones. Today was going to be a great day. Sakura left her house in a better mood than she woke up in.
Sakura exchanged polite pleasantries with the people she ran into while walking down the street. They were mostly civilians and barraged her to why they have not seen her in a while. It was true, Sakura was so busy with the hospital and trainings and missions that she completely forgot about the small relationships she had with surrounding neighbors. Sakura made a mental note to visit Hira-san later in the day. Hira was her elderly neighbor who acted more like a protective grandmother towards the pinkette.
As the pinkette walked into Iro's Café, Sakura's eyes coincidently locked with familiar dark ones. Normally, Sakura would have an internal battle of her next steps. But now Sakura instantly walked over to the Uchiha, who was sporting her favorite drink and scrolls. A sense of déjà vu overwhelmed Sakura as she took her seat across from Itachi.
"This feels familiar," Sakura said with a smile, receiving an agreeing nod from her companion, "What scrolls are you reading this time?"
Déjà vu indeed. The corners of Itachi's lips faintly turned upwards. "This is a mission scroll."
Sakura's ear piqued at the answer as she slightly leaned forward. "Oh do we have a mission?"
Sakura said 'we'. She considered herself a part of his team. He could not explain why that sent a warm feeling in his stomach. Itachi observed Sakura's countenance – it was guileless and completely genuine. Her open and sincere personality was what Tsunade was talking about earlier. He could clearly see the innocence flooding in her eyes.
"This mission does not require you," Itachi stated stoically, almost feeling contrite at his choice of words and her small wince.
"Oh." Itachi could hear the slight disappointment laced in her voice. He sighed and regretted his decision to inform her about the mission before he even told Shisui and Genma. She would find out about the mission sooner or later. It would be better if it she heard it from him, rather than read about it on the mission roster long after he was gone.
"Team eleven is being sent to the borders–"
"For patrol," Sakura finished. Her obvious discomfort and dislike displayed clearly on her face.
After his morning chat with Tsunade, he had been immediately summoned to the hokage's office. The Sandaime wanted to send team eleven out to the borders for patrol, especially considering they were down in numbers after the attack. The Akatsuki committed the attacks, as Intelligence recently confirmed.
Team eleven's cover mission was border patrol. Their real mission was to pursue and subdue any Akatsuki that were to be sighted on the Fire Country's borders. The hokage wanted to send Sakura as well but Tsunade had convinced him – probably last night when she privately talked to the Sarutobi after the meeting – that Sakura's presence within Konoha was too important to send her out on a hunt chase. Tsunade was ironically protecting the pinkette even after telling him that she wanted the pinkette to harden. How contradictory of the Senju. He knew, however, that he wanted Sakura inside Konoha where it was safe as well.
"How long are you assigned out at the borders," Sakura asked, peeking up almost shyly at him.
"Five months." Itachi averted his eyes as he heard an intake of breath from the pinkette. He felt almost guilty and responsible for her change of mood.
Itachi absentmindedly stared out the window. He should not feel responsible for her sudden downcast mood. He did not command the Akatsuki to attack Konoha nin for there to create a shortage of border patrollers thus leading team eleven being dispatched from the village. But somehow he felt responsible for the small frown that played on Sakura's lips. He almost scoffed. He felt intense delight, guilt, and confusion all under five minutes because of the pinkette.
"I'm assuming you're leaving tonight?" Sakura asked.
Itachi slightly shook his head. "Tomorrow morning."
He watched Sakura, who seemed deep in thought. She suddenly blinked all the small doleful expression evaporated into a growing smile. She grabbed his buba buba mango herbal tea, wrapped her luscious lips around the straw, and took an extra long sip before smirking at him. "I guess you only have tonight to relax."
Itachi looked at her carefully, not knowing where her train of thoughts was going and not wanting to make any assumptions. "I think team eleven to go Yakiniku Q for dinner," Sakura exclaimed with a bright smile as if it was the greatest idea in the world, "Don't give me that look, I won't see you guys for five months."
What look was she talking about? He was perfectly controlling every look on his face. Itachi sighed and relented. "I'll–"
"Shisui can pay," Sakura interrupted, thinking he was going to protest the idea, "Since he's always pushing for more team bonding. Think of it as team intercommunication practice." She winked at him, trying to sell the idea. If she only let him finish, he was going to inform the other two.
"We–"
"Oh come on Itachi, it'll be fun. You should enjoy yourself more often. Life is too short to be dark and broody all the time. It'll be nothing like Genma's party, I swear." Itachi twitched at her statement. She just had to bring up the party. And why did she continue to interrupt him? He almost felt insulted at her explanation. He was not Sasuke – he was not dark and broody. "You'll have so much fun, I promise." Itachi looked at her big puppy dog eyes and extended bottom lip that formed a pout. She was going to be the death of him.
He sighed before grabbing his buba buba mango herbal tea from her hands and taking a sip. "Ok," Itachi finally spoke. A victorious smile graced Sakura's lips.
Sakura leaned back in the booth triumphantly, as if she won a marathon. "You know, you never answered my questions from last night," Sakura said with a smirk.
Itachi closed his eyes and mirrored her expression. She was not going to let this go. The little minx. "Ah," Itachi responded. He could feel a spike of frustration from the pinkette at his response. If he remembered correctly, Sakura was not so fond of his signature locution – 'what does that even mean' she would always question.
"If I could cook like that, I would team up with Naruto and open a restaurant," Sakura somewhat proudly stated. She complimented his cooking. "I tried to make dinner once a few years ago for team seven," Sakura tapped her bottom lip recalling the memory as her cheeks slightly pinked with embarrassment, "It didn't turn out so great."
Itachi remembered perfectly well. "Sasuke threw up three times that night," he stated. If he remembered correctly, Itachi had just returned home from a mission. He was exhausted and wanted to fall into his bed. Except, Sasuke's throwing up kept him awake all night. He did know why Sasuke's stomach was aching so badly so suddenly – as his brother rarely got sick – but his Okaasan mentioned his Otouto had gone to Sakura's for dinner.
A flash of exasperation bolted through Sakura's face as her jaw dropped slightly. "My cooking wasn't that bad," she countered with an angry look.
"He did not get any sleep that night."
Sakura bit her tongue from lashing out something witty and brash at Itachi. Ok, her cooking was not the greatest. In fact, she did not have any cooking skills at all, but that was beside the point. He did not have to be so blunt about it. She complimented his cooking and he insulted hers. He could have at least sugarcoated her shortcomings in the kitchen. Sakura save him a dirty look, grabbed his buba buba mango herbal tea, and stomped off to another booth and sat down.
Itachi stared at the empty seat in front of her incredulously. He did not know what was more disbelieving, she stomping away like a little child at his completely honest comment or her stomping away with his buba buba mango herbal tea. He glanced over at Sakura sitting at the booth across from him, innocently sipping his drink.
Was this what his Okaasan was always lecturing him and Sasuke about? Women were always right even when they were wrong. Did Sakura prefer him to lie to her? She was the no-nonsense type who preferred honesty. She was acting childish. There was no reason for her to get so upset this foolish matter. She could not cook, even she admitted it herself. Apparently, it was wrong for him to admit it too. It made no sense. He almost wanted to reprimand her for her behavior but knew that if he even attempted to chide her, Sakura would surely behave more immaturely.
He had to be the bigger person. Itachi sighed and got up from his booth and walked over to hers and swiftly slid across from her. He almost rolled his eyes at her behavior. She was completely ignoring him and it made him appalled, angry, and sorry. If he ever displayed this kind of defiance towards his Otousan or the clan in general, he was positive he would be locked up within the Uchiha estate for the rest of his life. He would not even think about being as obstinate and resistant as Sakura was at the moment.
He was not going to apologize for his honesty. "You are acting childish."
Sakura stopped slurping down his buba buba mango herbal tea and stared at him incredulously. "I'm not acting childish," Sakura countered childishly. "You're being rude, and I don't want to surround myself with such negativity." She slurped the last of his drink and slammed the empty cup. Itachi's eye twitched at the empty cup.
Sakura crossed her arms and turned her head melodramatically away from him. Itachi raised his brows at her acts. He was not being negative. She was being uncooperative. His mother's warnings came to his ears – 'always apologize, even when you're wrong'. He sighed. He, the Uchiha Itachi, was being blamed for being honest. A kunoichi with ridiculous hair was mad at him and he was seriously considering apologizing, even when he was faultless. Oh, how the great fall.
"I apologize."
Sakura 'hmph-ed' and turned her head the other away, still refusing to look at him. Why was she acting like he stabbed her cat and had it for dinner? Last time he checked, Sakura had no cat and was a horrible cook. Why was she so mad that he spoke the truth?
"Why are you still mad?" Itachi asked incredulously. He did not understand the reason behind her logic of still being mad at him. He apologized. He waved the white flag. He let her win. What more did she want? His mother's advice and warnings regarding women did not help at all. Sakura was too stubborn to accept hid apology.
Sakura glared at him with her piercing, ivy eyes. She looked more frustrated. She jabbed an accusing finger in his direction and spat, "You don't even know what you're apologizing for."
"So?"
The sincere confused look on his face only further angered the pinkette. She stood up. "I'm leaving." With that, she turned, her hair flipping dramatically behind her, and left Iro's Café. Itachi stared confused, disbelieved, and irritated at her retreating figure. Her short skirt only heightened his irritation as the shock and disbelief faded quickly.
What a jerk. Sakura could not believe him. She took Itachi for a lot of things, but rude was never one of them. He sure knew the best way to break a girl's spirits. Maybe they taught that too all Uchiha in Uchiha school. She should have taken Itachi's mission scroll and threw it on his head.
Nothing could damper her perfect mood like Itachi could. Sakura tried not to pout but her lower lip kept sticking up. She looked like a child whose parents refused to buy candy at the supermarket. A gust of cold wind sent shivers down her back as Sakura glared at her bare legs. Now her skirt was making her mad.
A part of her knew she was being a little overdramatic. But Sakura could not pinpoint exactly where her sudden frustration at Itachi's words came from. If it were anyone else insulting her lack of cooking skills, she would give them an earful and be over with it. But not with Itachi. She was definitely not over with it. Why did she even care about Itachi's opinions on her cooking? She was a strong, independent, intelligent woman. Tsunade would be disappointed in her if she found out Itachi was tampering with her insecurities and she was letting it get to her. So what she could not cook? It's what distinguished her from the rest of the crowd.
Her inner scoffed at her reasoning. She was going to starve one day because of her lack of cooking skills. Sakura sighed. Itachi did apologize, even though he only apologized to placate her. He genuinely did not know that his brutal honesty was insulting. Half of her could not be mad at him for not knowing what ticked her off, but the other half was seething because he did not understand what pissed her off. Men. They were all stupid – no matter what rank or position they held or where they came from.
The only person Sakura felt bad for was Sasuke.
Knock. Knock.
Sakura glared at the direction of her door. She made no attempt to leave the comfort of her couch. She was currently curled up reading a medical scroll while she took occasional sips of hot cocoa. Maybe if she ignored them, they would think no one was home and leave. She was far too comfortable to move.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
They would leave. Sakura was positive. Her eyes made their way back to the scroll in her hands. After the whole Itachi-ruined-my-mood debacle, Sakura stayed in the coziness of her own home for the rest of the day. She did laundry, twice, and cleaned her house so thoroughly that her house was actually sparkling. Her Okaasan would be so proud.
Sakura narrowed her eyes as she continued to feel their chakra outside her door. Did they not get the hint? She did not want to be disturbed. They knew she was making no movements to greet them, so why did they continue to stand outside her house? Realizing that they would not leave until she forced them out her doorstep, Sakura angrily threw her fluffy blanket off her and stomped out of her living room and down the hallway. Oh was she going to give them an earful. All men in her life were frustrating. All of them.
Sakura nearly pulled her door out of its hinges. She stared at two dark-haired Uchiha. Shisui had a wide, cheerful grin as Itachi had his hands in his pockets as he sported a stoic expression. "What do you want?" Sakura bitterly asked with her arms crossed.
Shisui's sugary smile faltered for the quickest second. If it were not for Sakura's well-trained eyes, she would have completely missed the slight slip. "I thought team eleven was going to have a dinner at Yakiniku Q before we were shipped to the border," Shisui innocently explained.
Sakura almost fell for his benign and gentle voice but one glance back at Itachi made her stick her nose in the air rather childishly. "I already had dinner."
"It's ok, Ita-chan is paying," Shisui tried to coax. Sakura could feel Itachi's glare directed at the back of Shisui's eyes.
It took Sakura hours to calm herself down from the encounter with Itachi this morning. She admitted she was acting a little childish and overdramatic and felt a little guilty about her actions and stomping out of the café. But one look at Itachi's stoic and inscrutable posture behind Shisui made her tightly detained emotions break free. He was making her go crazy. How could Itachi look so composed and unaffected after this afternoon? After last night? After Genma's party?
"I have these really bad stomach aches, I don't think I'll be able to enjoy eating out tonight," Sakura deviously replied. Itachi's faint twitch sent a small triumphant smile to sneak onto her face.
"I know this really good–"
"I'm sorry Shisui, I really don't feel well," Sakura apologized. Shisui's sincerely looked heartbroken. He was giving her puppy dog eyes. She refused to fall for this dirty trick that Shisui and Naruto use against her. She was not going to… Sakura sighed. "Ok, fine. I'll come. Let me grab my boots." Shisui gave her a big smile as she disappeared inside.
Shisui quickly turned and glared at Itachi, "What did you do to our poor Sakura-chan?" Shisui accused, growing suspicious of Itachi's unusual behavior. Itachi wore a confused expression but Shisui saw right through it. "I feel like I just entered hostile territory," Shisui whispered.
Itachi informed him earlier that Sakura wanted team eleven to go out for dinner together before their mission tomorrow morning. Shisui was overwhelmed with glee at first but then suspicion ran through him. How did Itachi know Sakura wanted to grab dinner? Did she tell him? Were they hanging out? Itachi's rather moody disposition only further proved his suspicions. Itachi and Sakura were together earlier, and somehow the pinkette managed to convince his reclusive cousin to be her messenger bird.
They were progressing in their relationship and Shisui could not be any happier. It meant he and his accomplice did not have to interfere much. But seeing Sakura express her annoyance and irritation at his baby cousin almost made him bit his nails in frustration and nervousness. He did not know what happened between the two for Sakura to so visibly throw senseless excuses for skipping dinner but Shisui knew that Itachi's insensitivity was probably the cause behind Sakura's dark mood.
"Ok, lets go," Sakura said as she stepped out of her house. Shisui's glare quickly dissipated into a smile as he threw a warning look at Itachi as Sakura linked arms with Shisui. "So, what did you do today?" Sakura asked.
"Oh, nothing really interesting. Just trained a little," Shisui said with an over exaggerated bored expression, "What did you do today?"
"I slept in and then I decided to go to my favorite café but my stomach started aching so I had to stay in for the rest of the day," Sakura explained with a innocent smile.
Itachi glared at the two walking with linked arms in front of him. They were bluntly ignoring his presence and Sakura was throwing sarcastic references about him. He wondered if the two would notice if he were to slip away. He, however, did not want to suffer Shisui's incessant lecturing if he did not come and pay for dinner. Itachi closed his eyes and sighed. He was not looking forward to Sakura's scornful attitude and jeering comments throughout dinner. He would, however, have to suffer through it.
They three reached Yakiniku Q and found Genma waiting for them. "Ah, Sakura, beautiful as ever," Genma winked as Sakura sat across from him.
"Genma, so good to see you," Sakura smiled back. Shisui sat down next to Sakura. He normally would have been adamant about Itachi sitting next to the medic, but did not want to take any chances. Sakura was being a little too sarcastic. Women and sarcasm never was a good sign, especially when it was directed at men.
The four dug into their food. Shisui watched Sakura eagerly munch down a piece of meat. "I thought your stomach was aching Sakura-chan," Shisui playfully teased.
"The aches went away," Sakura teased back as she fought Genma for a piece of steak. She threw him a glare and victoriously grabbed the steak with her chopsticks.
"We're going to miss you Sakura-chan," Shisui wrapped an arm around the medic, "Who's going to knock some common sense into Genma when he's misbehaving."
"I'm sure Itachi could put him in a timeout," Sakura replied. Genma choked on his drink, trying to control his laughter. Genma and Shisui exchanged a glance before looking at Itachi, who was grabbing his chopsticks with a little more force than necessary. They looked back at Sakura who was innocently chewing on her food.
"Itachi doesn't seem the type of person to put someone in a timeout, don't you think so Sakura," Genma teased, raising his eyebrows. There was no way he was not going to let an opportunity to tease Itachi pass.
Sakura responded with a grin. "You're right, he seems like the type to give a spanking and be over with it." This time Genma broke out into loud fits of laughter as Shisui grinned widely and threw a knowing look at Itachi. Itachi definitely did something to Sakura. Shisui could not figure out if the outcomes were positive or negative.
The pinkette was apparently still mad and throwing out sarcastic remarks. Itachi tried not to scowl but it was very hard to stop the downward turn of his lips. He did not spank anyone as a punishment. What kinds of ridiculous stuff were going on through Sakura's head? He held his tongue. He refused to act as foolishly as Sakura was.
The rest of dinner went normal – Genma continuing to tease him and using Sakura, who willfully assisted, as a weapon. Shisui kept throwing looks at him that Itachi continued to overlook. He knew that Shisui and Genma kept looking at each other confused at Sakura's obvious ignorance of him. Sakura barely looked at him throughout the whole dinner and it frustrated him more than he should have cared. Itachi was completely over his head. He did not understand why Sakura was so completely mad at him.
He thought he did a rather nice thing about arranging the dinner. After Sakura stomped away earlier, Itachi knew that she was not going to execute the plan about having a team eleven dinner. Itachi took it up to him to tell Shisui and Genma about Sakura's idea of a team dinner. He thought Sakura would be pleased that he carried out her plan. But he was wrong. Sakura did not look pleased that he and Shisui came to pick her up. She, in fact, ignored their presence when they came. How frustrating.
As Shisui promised, Itachi was left with the bill. As soon as the team stepped outside the barbeque restaurant, Shisui and Genma suddenly disappeared. He looked at the confused Sakura at their disappearance. Her brows scrunch together adorably whenever she was pissed. He observed her annoyed countenance subside. She turned and started walking away. The Uchiha estate was the other way but he found his legs following after Sakura. He was going to make sure she reached her home safely. He knew that she knew he was following after her, but she made no movements to tell him to go away. Itachi fell into step next to her.
Sakura's irritated mood disappeared as her house came to view. The unreasonable frustration and annoyance against Itachi abated as a sense of dread overcame the pinkette. This was going to be the last time she saw Itachi for five months. She knew that Konoha borders were not the safest place especially with the sudden Akatsuki sightings. What if Itachi came to contact with the feared organization? Would he fight them? Sakura knew that Itachi was one of Konoha's strongest shinobi, but he was still human. He bled just like everyone else. He could die, just like everyone else. Itachi was strong, but he was still human.
Sakura walked to her door and turned around to face Itachi. She was sure he was questioning the fearful and disconsolate expression on her face and her sudden down attitude, but she did not care. She did not want him to go to the border. Sure, a part of her was still pretty annoyed at his lack of social knowledge, but her heart went out to him.
Itachi was gentle. He was pacifist. He did not like violence and killing and he was being stationed in one of the most violent places in Konoha. He would, however, do anything and everything to protect the village. After working under him in his team, Sakura knew he was an odd shinobi. Itachi carried out and completed every mission given to him under perfect compliance. He did not argue, he did not question. He completed. It hurt Sakura to know that it silently hurt him to be a shinobi and carry out these missions.
"I'd invite you in but I don't think I need you to make me dinner tonight," Sakura joked, trying to break the heavy atmosphere between them. Itachi continued to look at her seriously. She felt utterly exposed under his glance. He was digging through her walls and she did not have the power to try and stop him. "Good luck on your mission."
She got no response from the Uchiha. Sakura tried giving him a smile, but could barely manage to curl her lips upwards. This was goodbye. She would either see him in five months or see a dead body sent back.
"Thank you," Itachi thanked, a few moments later. He made no move to leave.
"Tonight was fun," Sakura responded, trying to fill in the silence. Thoughts of her sour attitude towards Itachi made her frown.
"Ah." The look on his face told Sakura that he was also thinking back to her ignorance of him at dinner.
"Take care of them," Sakura said. Shisui and Genma were not her original team, but they were still her teammates nonetheless. Over their countless missions together, the two goofs started becoming very precious people to her. If anything were to happen to them, Sakura did not know what she would do. "And give Genma a spanking if he needs one."
Itachi smirked. Sakura smiled at him finally softening his glance. "I think you need a spanking," Itachi said lowly, as his deep, seductive tenor sent goose bumps down Sakura's arm and a blush to creep onto her cheeks, "You were very misbehaved tonight."
"I–I, err, " Sakura stuttered as a smug look appeared on Itachi's face. Was he suddenly closer to her? Sakura could not tell. "You deserved it." Itachi smiled softly at Sakura's embarrassment. Their morning debacle was completely forgotten. Sakura's flushed smile sent a warm feeling throughout his body.
Her flustered expression turned solemn. She was undoubtedly thinking of his mission. He did not deserve her concerned look. She should not be so dismal about him leaving. It was his duty. She would do the same if she were asked. Itachi could not understand why she looked so glum. The heavy atmosphere between them returned. Before Itachi could bid his final farewell and leave, Sakura threw her arms around him. He was entrapped against a warm, soft body. He barely hugged her back before Sakura pulled back quickly and gave him a small smile. "Come back soon." Come back alive. That was what she wanted to say but knew that that request was above him.
With a nod, he disappeared. Sakura stared at the empty spot that was once occupied by Itachi. She could still feel his scent on her. He would come back. He would. Itachi was strong and very capable. And he was only going to be gone for five months. Many shinobi were stationed at the border for eight or more months.
"So," a voice interrupted Sakura's melancholy mood, "that's your Uchiha boyfriend." Sakura's jaw dropped and cheeks flushed as she looked up to her elderly neighbor. Hira was sitting on her porch. She had apparently seen the whole interaction between Sakura and Itachi.
"He's not my boyfriend Hira-san," Sakura countered. What made her think Itachi was her boyfriend?
"Tch," the old woman scoffed as she returned to her knitting, "my old eyes must be playing tricks on me again. You're right Sakura-chan. You don't have a boyfriend. You're dying alone and miserable, right?"
Sakura's eyebrows scrunched at Hira's joking. Great. Everyone thought she was going to die alone and miserable. Sakura snorted at the support. She needed to surround herself with new people.
There's nothing I could say to you
Nothing I could ever do
To make you see
What you mean to me
-Avril Lavigne "I will be"
Hello lovelies! Long time no update (according to my standards). Instead of spending 3-4 days profusely writing like a maniac, I wrote little everyday until I finished the chapter. I rather like this strategy better. I don't feel so overwhelmed.
College will be starting soon, so I can't spoil you all with five chapters a month anymore. My course load this semester is really heavy but I promise I'll continue to write. I'm adamant about finishing this story within this academic year. My goal is to update at least one chapter a month or three chapters every two months.
This chapter spans around a day-ish. The story is going to start moving a little faster now, especially with Itachi being sent out to the borders. Spoiler alert, Itachi dies. LOL. Just kidding. Itachi doesn't die… at least while he's out at the borders. Hehe, no one panic.
I think we're at the point in Itachi and Sakura's relationship where they both have strong feelings for each other and are starting to accept that those feelings are there and aren't going anywhere. Things are going to get interesting concerning their relationship status. And what of Tsunade's warning? Hehe.
I recently wrote a one-shot about Naruto x The Little Mermaid. It's a NaruSaku though, but I encourage you guys to go check it out and let me know what you guys think about it. It's a really quick read, way shorter than any of chapters for this story. I'm thinking about expanding that one-shot into a long fic but I'm not going to write for that story until we're nearing the end of this story, and we're about a quarter way finished for EOF.
Hope you all enjoyed, your comments really made my heart melt. Thank you so much.
Until next time.
~im-rite-here