"Are you tired?"

"How are your feet?"

"May I carry you?"

Sakura's head was pounding. She hardly felt like a shinobi, let alone a member of the Akatsuki. The men she travelled with hardly let her do anything, even things she enjoyed. She loved throwing herself through the trees, unsure of her next landing spot, completely reliant on her instincts. No, she was hardly allowed to walk without being pestered. It was so completely ridiculous to her.

"Sakura-"

"WHAT NOW?" She snapped, turning to face a surprised Itachi.

"Your cloak is coming undone." He answered in a calm voice.

Her eye twitched in annoyance. This mission was going to be very long, very long and tedious. She quickly redid the buttons that had popped out, and turned away from the infuriating Uchiha. Sasori stood in front of her, smiling softly as he read the annoyance in her features. He lifted his hand to the top of her head, which was becoming a habit for him.

"We are only looking out for you blossom." He laughed.

She blinked at him, her eyes softening. She knew they had the best of intentions, but she couldn't help but feel insulted. She was a kunoichi of great power; she didn't need anyone giving her special treatment. Her thoughts were interrupted by Itachi's low growl, staring at the hand on Sakura's head. Or so she thought. He was staring at her face, which had lost all traces of irritation when Sasori had spoken to her. She immediately felt guilty, it wasn't her fault, the red head just knew how to calm her frayed nerves, while the Uchiha... he knew how to play with them. She had no idea how to please both of them at the same time.

"Let's continue." She sighed softly.

Itachi walked past Sasori and herself, his face a hard mask. Sasori chuckled as he watched the normally stoic Uchiha tense in irritation. Sakura jerked her head away from his reach.

"Why do you do that to him?" Sakura demanded in a low voice.

Sasori's soft brown eyes dances with amusement, her smiled at her and tiled his head innocently. She just glared at him, staring him down.

"Because I am jealous of him cherry blossom, he has your undivided affection." Sasori breathed.

She blinked, and blushed. She shifted her eyes to Itachi's form, already far ahead of them. Her heart clenched as she remembered his face as he walked by.

"Please Sasori-kun, don't do that to him." She begged, her voice sounded like a little girl pleading for a puppy.

He blinked in astonishment, his eyes widening for a moment. And he nodded mutely. She bit her lip as she thought of a way to make Itachi happy again. But Sasori's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"You have amazing powers of persuasion blossom, all you need are those big green eyes and any man will be at your feet." Sasori told her in a soft voice.

She snorted, shot him a look and quickly took after Itachi. Sasori just sighed, and watched enviously as the beautiful rosette sprinted after the asshole traveling with them.

"Wait up." She called to Itachi.

He froze immediately, and turned to see Sakura coming towards him. The way she moved was mesmerizing, her petite body almost dancing as she shot toward him. Her long hair shimmering around her, like her own aura. His heart clenched at the anxious set of her eyes. He glanced at Sasori, whose face was contorted in irritation. Their eyes met for a moment, and Sasori was the first to look away. Itachi felt his chest well up with pride, she had come to him. Her eyes were worried for him.

"Hey." She said quietly as she walked closer to him.

He redirected his gaze from the puppet master to the delicate flower in his presence. Her cheeks were pink from her sprint, her chest lightly heaving. He let his eyes assess her lithe body before staring into her deep emerald orbs. There seemed to be a trace of guilt written behind her innocent expression. He felt his heart skip a beat as he stared at her.

"I think I took off on my ankle wrong, will you carry me Uchiha-san." Sakura whispered, almost shyly.

He nodded mutely and reached for her. She let out an inward sigh.

He's just jealous.

I know that. But I want to make sure I don't cause any turmoil.

So pull out the damsel shit? You're low

No, I'm resourceful.

Itachi was silent as he positioned Sakura on his back, by the time they were both comfortable Sasori had caught up with them, his pretty eyes sad at he stared at the rosette in the arms of another. Sakura hadn't noticed how tired she was, she had actually forgotten that she hadn't been properly sleeping since she arrived. She rested her head against Itachi's shoulder. His hands tightened on her thighs through her cloak. She sighed in contentment. Sasori stared at her out of the corner of his eyes for a while, and finally gave up when she wouldn't meet his eyes. She closed her eyes tiredly and sank into the warmth of Itachi. She was completely aware at how degrading it was the Akatsuki member was being piggy backed for an ankle injury, especially their only medic. She blushed at her stupidity; of course Itachi would know it was a ploy to make him happy. He didn't seem to mind, in fact she had noticed the way he had been almost smug when she had ran up to him. It made her... happy. Her heart felt weird to her, especially while touching Itachi... it felt small and fluttery... no longer heavy and cold...

She realized the reason why Sasori's constant flirting made her feel guilty. The first night with Itachi, she hadn't realized it until now. But... a part of her had gone with him when he left her in that bed. He had a piece of her heart. She now had 1 more person she would die to protect... another person her sheltered heart let in. A precious person. She nuzzled Itachi's shoulder and heard him hum quietly. And then she heard Sasori make a gagging noise.

The treck to the rice country was going to be a long one.