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2/3/2015: DONE.

Chapter 15- Dattebayo!

"Two...or three years...I see," Sakura muttered softly. 'Hell NO. This cannot be happening.' Itachi watched her withdraw from him, and he felt his heart constrict almost painfully. He had to make sure she understood.

"Sakura, I care about you a lot. More than you know. If I could, I would request the Hokage to send someone else in my place, but the client has asked for me specifically, and he is someone I cannot refuse," Itachi said somberly.

"Who is it? I mean, if you're allowed to tell me," Sakura asked, her hands clutching tightly at the hem of her white skirt.

Itachi hesitated, and shrugged inwardly. Sakura could definitely be trusted, and even if he didn't tell her this much, he was pretty sure the Hokage would. "It's the Daimyō. Apparently, he has received threats from a particularly notorious group of criminals, and he's requested my team to come and guard him, till the threat has been eliminated, or at least until it is confirmed that there is no real harm to his life."

He almost smiled as Sakura's brows furrowed, her nose scrunching up cutely as she thought hard, but his face went blank at her next question. "Notorious criminals? You mean the Akatsuki? Or, actually, it could be Orochimaru and his minions. So which one is it? Or is there some new group?" Sakura looked at him expectantly.

Itachi sighed, and placed his left hand over hers. "I'm afraid that piece of information is classified. All I want you to know is that it could take a while before the mission ends."

Sakura forced a smile at him, even though all she wanted to do was get into bed and cry herself to sleep. He was finally hers, and she was losing him already. Her tears stung with unshed tears as she averted her eyes and stared hard at her coffee table.

"Sakura…I'm sorry."

She laughed shakily, and shook her head. "Why are you apologizing, silly? It's not your fault. It isn't anyone's fault. This is a part of the typical Shinobi lifestyle. It's what we do," her tone had reduced to that of a mere whisper as she said the last part. She took a deep breath and finally looked at him. "It's not like I'll sit on my ass and waste time while you're there. By the time you come back, I'll be an even more kick-ass ninja."

Itachi chuckled almost sadly. "I look forward to it."

"Be sure to send letters, okay? And don't go falling for some other woman."

Itachi stilled and her heart stopped beating for a second. He exhaled loudly and looked at her intensely. "About that. Sakura, I…I don't want you to wait."

Sakura looked at him, confusion written all over her face. "Wait? For what?"

"For me."

Ino's Apartment 11:30 pm

Ino twirled happily in front of her huge, floor length mirror, admiring her lilac skirt, something she had to haggle for a lot. But it was worth it. Suddenly, her phone rang and she skipped over to it curiously. She froze when she saw the caller id, and quickly made a grab for the phone.

"Hello? Sakura? What what what? Is everything okay?" Ino panicked as she fired questions at her best friend. Something was wrong, and she-somehow-just knew it.

There was a short pause as she waited- no she hoped, for Sakura to assure her that everything was perfect and she just had a nice, steamy encounter with her Uchiha, and couldn't wait till morning to give her the details. But as soon as Sakura started speaking, she knew that wasn't the case.

"Every…everything is okay, I think. I'm not sure. Are you free right now?"

"Of course I'm free, sweetie," Ino could practically feel the sad, miserable vibes over the phone. Just what had happened?

"Oh. Well, do you think I can come over to stay tonight? I have a mission in the morning, which you know, and I thought we could have some gossip time before I leave."

And it was confirmed. Sakura hated gossip almost as much as Ino herself loved it.

"Sure. Come right over," she said as cheerfully as she could without letting Sakura know that she knew. 'If that stupid Uchiha did something already, ANBU Captain or not, I'll kick his ass!'

"Thanks, Ino. I'll be there in ten minutes."

Ino ran to her kitchen and took out two bowls and spoons. Next, she rummaged through her cupboard and took out a packet of marshmallows, and cookies. She opened her freezer and took out the new brick of 'Cookies and Cream' ice-cream she'd bought today.

Just as she finished placing all the stuff on her living room table, her doorbell rang. She opened the door to see Sakura, with a smile on her face. Though, it was a fake one. Ino had to restrain herself from pulling her friend into a bear hug.

"Hey, Pig. Is that skirt new?" Sakura tried to act normal. Honestly, she just really needed her friend at the moment. And obviously, Ino knew that.

"Cut the crap, Forehead. Come in, and tell me what's wrong. And, yes. The skirt is new and I know I look fabulous."

Sakura gave small, real smile as she entered the apartment, kicked off her slippers, and sank down on the unbelievably comfortable and big sofa.

Ino sat down with her and grabbed the cookies, just as Sakura picked up the packet of marshmallows. She popped one into her mouth and chewed thoughtfully, before beginning. "I was at my apartment, packing for tomorrow's mission. Then Itachi came out of nowhere and…" She told Ino about whatever Itachi had told her, and paused when she reached the part where he told her not to wait for him. She blinked back tears as she told her friend the next part.

Flashback

"Not…wait for you? Itachi, what do you mean?" Sakura choked out. This couldn't be happening.

"Sakura, you know, I care a lot. But I cannot guarantee nothing will happen if I meet someone else while I'm there. Three years is long time." Itachi looked at her seriously while she stared at him.

"And I do not want to hold you back from living your life, and enjoying it completely. I have no right to ask you to wait for me, because the life of a shinobi is a short one. You must enjoy it to the fullest. There is also a chance I may not return from the mission –alive. The criminals we are dealing with are dangerous, and I cannot promise you that I will be completely safe."

He started to worry when she didn't reply. "Sakura, do you understand what I'm saying?" Sakura looked at him, and he felt his heart squeeze in his chest yet again.

"I do. Of course I do. You're an idiot," Sakura snapped.

Itachi frowned . "Sakura-"

"No. Please, just stop talking. I understand what you told me. I really do. And I also know what you're trying to do. You don't want me to waste my time or hold me back, blah blah blah, and I say fuck that. We can do this. We're finally here after hovering around each other for so long. Just...I know what I want. I want you. And I say we can do this. Dattebayo!" Sakura grinned at him, hopeful and uncertain at once.

Itachi looked at her, and reached out to grab her wrist, before pulling her towards him and hugging her to his chest. "Thank you."

"Eh?" He laughed breathlessly and shook his head.

"I know what I want as well. We can do this."

"Good. Now, you better keep in touch, mister. I don't care how," Sakura said bossily and smiled when he chuckled and nodded, and bent down to kiss her forehead.

"I should go. I...I'll send a summons as soon as I reach. Don't forget to send a letter when you find out everything about your clan, okay?" She tried her best to hold in a giggle at how worried he looked.

"Hai, hai. Don't worry so much. See you later?" She smiled softly when he gave her a small grin.

"See you later."

She walked him to her door, and they both stopped when they reached it. Itachi opened the door and turned to face Sakura. He looked at her face, trying to memorize every detail, while she did the same with his. Finally, he leaned down to place a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Take care of yourself, Sakura. I...I will think of you often."

Sakura smiled sadly and said," I'll miss you too, Itachi. Take care."

End Flashback

Ino, for once, wasn't sure what to say to her friend. Okay, she did, and she growled and snatched the packet of marshmallows away from her. "Again, what's the damn problem?"

Sakura whimpered when her comfort food was taken away from here. "Well, I was pretty confident before, but I'm not actually sure if we can do it! Long distance is hard, you know." Ino gave her a look at that.

"And how would you know that? You both are loyal and stubborn as hell, if Sasuke is to be believed. If anyone can, it's you two."

Sakura started nodding slowly. "Yeah...yeah! You're right. And if anyone tries to prove otherwise, they can meet my fists!"

Konoha Gates, 7:55 am.

Sakura stared outside the gates and frowned. She'd forgotten to inform her teammates about the timings. Damn.

"SAKURA-CHAAAAN!" Well, at least someone else told them. She smiled her two teammates as they walked up to her. Sasuke immediately noticed the dark bags under eyes and frowned. Naruto was oblivious.

"The old hag told us to meet you at the gates at eight. We were early, see?" Naruto chatted excitedly.

Sakura chuckled and stifled a yawn. "What's wrong?" Naruto leaned in, uncharacteristically serious. Sasuke stepped closer as well.

"Nothing, guys!" Sakura tried to assure them, but failed miserably when their frowns deepened. "I'll...tell you later. When we stop for a break." They weren't happy, but nodded nonetheless.

Kakashi arrived soon with Ryuu. "Good morning, my cute little former students!" His happy gaze stopped at Sakura, as he observed her carefully. 'Well, looks like we have another mission after this one. This one's going to be bloody.' Someone had done something to Sakura. Now, he just had to find out what, who, and then dish out the punishment.

Sakura wilted under Kakashi's now intense gaze, and mouthed 'later'. He nodded as Ryuu greeted them politely.

"Well, it's time to head out. Let's go, chipmunks!"

Thanks for reading the chapter. Please review :) Take care!