Illusions of Serenity

Chapter XIV

"Request"

He cast his gaze around at the familiar settlement of his clan, the snow falling softly around him. Glancing up, he furrowed his brows slightly at the sight of heavy clouds and a vivid, contrasting crimson moon. Somehow, despite what was being presented to his vision, he did not feel cold within the atmosphere. Stepping forward, he noted the overbearing silence of the scene as well as the lack of any other living person. Was this event taking place after the massacre?

Why was he even here? Surely Konoha would have ordered his immediate arrest. However, no one came running after him. It was almost as if he were merely a ghost amongst an ethereal world, a fabricated location of his past. It was fitting, he knew, that he should be eternally induced upon his death to wander aimlessly about the site of his most severe of offenses.

"Nii-san…" a voice whispered, prompting Itachi's eyes to shift to the left, where he saw a small child standing with his back turned to him. "Where are you, Nii-san?"

The Uchiha stopped a moment before stepping toward the boy. "Sasuke?"

There was no answer, though the child continued to walk away, slowly and with his head bent low. Itachi hesitated before following, reasoning that his sibling seemed to remain unaware of his presence. However, when Sasuke came to a stop outside of their old home, the older Uchiha analyzed the familiar architecture of the building with a dormant yet ever-present despondency.

The boy did not move, only subtly clenched a fist. Itachi did not know whether to approach or stay in place, though he was quite certain everything he was seeing was either a dream or an illusion of sorts. In which case, the sibling before him was merely a recreation of his own thoughts.

"I don't want any of this," the boy spoke again, though at a barely audible level. "Nii-san, I don't even want it but you don't realize."

Itachi tilted his head, but said nothing. What exactly was this representation of Sasuke trying to say?

Kneeling then, the child lifted a handful of snow before allowing it to fall. "That day…I meant to say that I loved you most. Didn't you know then?"

"What is it I don't know?" Itachi asked gently, conceding to humor the mirage. The mirage that was so like Sasuke it was almost unnerving. Unnerving yet…once again served to make him acutely aware of how greatly he missed his sibling.

However, no response came as the child rose and continued to stare absently at the house. Itachi took a step forward and the scene instantly changed. Rather than the cold, desolate setting, a thousand cherry blossom petals began to rain down around him, the snow fading and color returning to the area.

Sasuke reached up and grasped at a falling blossom before at last turning to face his older brother with a small smile. He began to walk toward him, steps purposeful and expression brightening as it always did when they were younger. Itachi could not help but feel guarded against the child's approach, though made no move to stop him. He wanted to see this play out…

Stopping in front of the older Uchiha, his sibling grabbed his hand and placed the blossom within his palm. "These are the prettiest ones, right Nii-san?"

Itachi glanced down at the flower, his gaze transfixed on the delicate sight. The atmosphere of the setting had entirely shifted into something almost tranquil.

"There you are!" A familiar voice then exclaimed from behind him.

The Uchiha turned and saw the rose-haired girl, standing with one arm on her hip, as was so often the case and a typical smirk gracing her features. He blinked before looking to his hand where the flower had once resided and lifting his gaze to see that the child had also disappeared. He was still dreaming, wasn't he?

"What is it you're staring at, anyway?" His eyes widened slightly as he saw that the little Shinobi had stopped directly beside him. "Hmm?" she prompted, looking up to him with an arched brow.

Sasuke had not noticed him before. Why then, was Sakura able to?

In any case, he supposed a response was in order.

"I saw my brother," he stated simply.

"Sasuke-kun?" she asked then. "What do you mean?"

Itachi sighed, "He was here. He was here and…" he looked up to see that their home was no longer standing before him, only an empty space of field. "I couldn't understand what he was trying to say."

He looked to her then, as she brought a hand to her chin contemplatively. However, she quickly lifted her gaze to his with a smile. "He was probably just trying to be cryptic, as always. That's so like Sasuke-kun, isn't it?" She then averted her eyes to stare at the spot where the boy had vanished. "He often comes here. I think he just misses you."

Itachi lowered his eyes, certain that even in reality such a statement was false. He felt the girl grasp his hand then and he again looked to her.

"But we are going to get him back," she explained in assurance. "We still have time."

"What are you talking about?" he asked, though continued to hold fast to the perception that this vision of Sakura was merely a trick of his mind as well.

"'A promise you have yet to make," she smiled. "To me and…to Sasuke-kun."

"A promise?" he questioned, admittedly confused by her reply.

The girl nodded, before slightly tightening her hold on his hand. "I'm going to help you realize what you don't know."

Itachi considered her response before recalling what the small boy had said. What was it they were referring to, exactly?

His vision of Sakura began to blur and fade as he felt his mind being pulled from his subconscious, her hand releasing his and instead grasping that of the small boy who had suddenly reappeared beside her. They both smiled, and it was the last thing he saw before they both vanished…

His eyes opened, all images from his slumber receding and replaced with the familiar sight of the ceiling above his bed. Looking to the window, he saw that it was still considerably early, the shades of morning only just beginning to emerge.

He blinked, and recalled in perfect clarity everything he had seen and heard within his subconscious. It was one of his more vivid dreams, though absent of the darkness that they usually encompassed. It left him with a sensation of bewilderment as he still found himself wondering what the pair of individuals had been speaking of.

'Something I don't understand and…' he pondered. 'A promise I have yet to make?'

It was only a dream and yet, he felt as if his own mind were trying to inform him of something. Attempting to decode the mysteries of a dream however, often proved a meaningless endeavor. He sighed, and willed his thoughts aside before sitting up and reaching over to grab his cloak.

He remembered that he would need to first wake his partner before proceeding to meet with the fish-beater. Glancing to the book, he also recalled that he had decided to return the extensive log to the man as well. Rising, he walked to the window, looking out over the street as always before observing the sky.

However, upon doing so, the repressed visions of snow returned as well as the voice of his brother. 'That day…I meant to say that I loved you most. Didn't you know then?'

Both the scene of the element and the line served to encourage the memory that surfaced…

Itachi walked towards his home through the freshly-fallen snow, pulling his coat tighter around himself. The last mission had been particularly difficult, as his team had consisted of recently sworn-in ANBU members. It had been their first time on an A-ranked mission and had demanded the undivided attention of their captain.

He had trained with them for countless hours and had repeatedly gone over the details of their strategy. He had been patient with them and they had listened to his instructions well. However, they had not been prepared for a change in factors, an ability that only came with experience.

No one had foreseen the ambush that awaited their arrival and the bribery the small town that had commissioned them had accepted from one of Konoha's enemy territories. The A-ranked mission had assumed an S-class title and by the end of the ordeal, after they had been forced to retreat, two of the four assigned to the group had sustained severe injuries, one of whom remained in critical condition, while yet another was traumatized to the point of denouncing his position altogether.

Itachi sighed, and his exhale visibly billowed from his lips within the freezing temperatures. He had to keep his mind from focusing on what had gone wrong and instead look to improving what he could not change. However, he could not help but permit all mishaps under his command to affect him personally, especially where it involved another member's life.

All he could really do was hope that all would be well, and not give in to anxiety.

Stepping onto his porch and opening the front door as quietly as possible, Itachi walked into the house and removed his shoes before taking off his coat, shaking off the snow, and ascending the stairs to his room. He knew everyone was most likely already asleep and so made his way across the hall in practiced silence.

He was relieved his father had not taken it upon himself to wait up and discuss the details of his most recent mission, as was often the case. He needed some time to collect himself first.

However, as he lifted a hand to his door, he heard the distinct sound of someone coughing before recognizing it as being Sasuke. His eyes widened slightly and he immediately turned to approach his sibling's room, pausing outside the door.

The coughing continued and his brows creased in worry before he gently opened the door and entered the boy's room. He saw him, hunched over and continuing in his fit, hardly even able to take a breath amidst his affliction. He then watched as the child lifted hand to hold his neck, his face contorted in obvious discomfort.

"Sasuke," Itachi voiced softly as he approached and stopped beside his bed.

The boy's head lifted slightly from the pillow before bringing a hand over his mouth. "Nii-san," he managed through another series of coughs.

Taking a seat beside his sibling, Itachi reached forward to place a hand against the child's forehead, his features shifting into apparent anxiety as he felt the high rise in temperature. Did their parents know of his condition? "You're burning up."

Sasuke waited for his coughing to subside before answering in a raspy voice, implying the extent of his throat's distress. "Nii-san…" he pointed at his forehead, bringing the protector's continued presence to the older Uchiha's attention. "Did you just get back from a mission?"

"Aa," Itachi nodded, though the details of said mission had faded and were replaced with the current condition of his sibling. "How long have you been sick?"

"This morning," the boy replied hoarsely.

Once again, he had to wonder why his parents weren't with their son. Though, he supposed it was unfortunately reasonable for their father to be absent. However…"Why didn't you get Kaa-san?"

"I didn't want to wake her up," the child mumbled before wincing and lifting both hands to his head, implying that he was aching there as well. He was in bad shape, Itachi realized and he again allowed his brows to crease as he observed his sibling. He did not like seeing him this way.

"It hurts, Nii-san," Sasuke sniffed, shutting his eyes tight and obviously attempting to fight his urge to cry in reaction to his agony.

It was a rare sight to see his sibling even tempted to shed tears, and it further heightened Itachi's anxiety in reaction to the scene. He reached forward and wrapped his arms around the boy before lifting him onto his lap in a motion of comfort. The boy's head came to a rest on his shoulder and the older Uchiha attempted to soothe him as much as he could. "It will pass," he stated gently. "I know it is not much of a comfort, but all you can do is bear with it until it does."

There was a moment of silence before the boy's tightened on his brother's shirt, another fit of coughing afflicting him before he pulled away and crawled back to his pillow. Itachi then began to consider what he could to help alleviate the boy's pain.

"I'll be back in just a moment, Sasuke," Itachi stated, watching his brother nod in response. "Are you hungry?"

"No," the child replied through his coughing.

"Alright," the older Uchiha answered before standing and reaching down to pull the blankets over the small form of his brother. He turned and left the room, determined to organize everything he needed as swiftly as possible.

Going first to his own bedroom, Itachi removed his weapons and changed into a set of nightwear, prepared to remain with his sibling for the duration of the night. He then crossed the hall and descended the stairs, entering the kitchen and grabbing a glass from the cabinet. He filled it with cold water, disregarding the initial idea of tea as the temperature would not be suitable for a sore throat.

He then grabbed a cloth from one the drawers and ran it through some hot water before rinsing it and leaving the kitchen, quietly returning to Sasuke's room and returning to his spot beside him on the bed.

"Here," he stated as he handed him the glass of water. "This should help with that cough."

The boy nodded before accepting the drink, lifting it to his lips to take a slow sip. This was followed by another before he lowered the cup and lifted a hand to cradle his forehead.

"Ah, for that," Itachi explained as he held out the washcloth, "I brought this."

He then gently pressed it against his brother's forehead, prompting Sasuke to release a sigh of relief. The older Uchiha smiled and kept his hand in place before lifting the boy onto his lap once more. Sasuke allowed his head to again rest against his brother's shoulder as he curled against him, the glass of water held closely to his chest.

"Nii-san," he mumbled.

"Yes?" the older Uchiha arched a curious brow as he looked down at his sibling.

"Why am I shivering, even though my head's hot?"

"Well, that is because of the illness," Itachi explained. "It's all a part of the healing process. To counteract the fever, the rest of your body is trying to cool it down, hence the chill which causes the shivering. As for the fever, your body is sending the combatant cells to the area of infection, and, because of the fighting, your head flares up in a fever. Because…" he removed his hand from the washcloth before lifting two fingers and gently pressing them to his sibling's forehead. "This is where the battle is taking place."

He watched as a small smile formed on Sasuke's face before the boy closed his eyes. "So…it hurts, because my body is trying to heal me?"

"Precisely," Itachi responded with a nod. "Unfortunately, the remedial process hurts, but it is a necessity."

His sibling attempted a soft laugh before it shifted into another cough, prompting the child to take another sip from his glass of water.

"Are you alright?" Itachi asked, another look of worry crossing his expression.

The boy again nodded before lowering his glass and allowing his head to rest against his brother. "It's kind of funny," he weakly mumbled. "That it doesn't hurt until you start getting better."

"Aa," Itachi allowed for a small smile before resituating his hand over the washcloth and slightly tightening his hold on his sibling. There was moment's pause before he reached down and removed the glass of water from the boy's grasp, setting it down on the bedside table to prevent it from being spilled.

There was a lengthy silence then, as Itachi felt the breathing of his sibling grow easier and heard the wind from beyond the window gain momentum. He lifted his eyes to the scene, gazing absently into the dark, snow filled night as his thoughts returned to the mission he had returned from. Danzo would not be pleased that he had failed, though the Hokage had always asserted his instruction that the lives of the members of the team were worth more than any commission.

Itachi agreed, though he also knew that it depended on the severity of the assignment. In the case of a task that would insure the safety for a majority or that stood for a cause worthy of sacrificing one's life for, he was entirely prepared to perhaps take on such a burden. It was what Shinobi were intended for; to protect and to remain selfless in their actions. It was the reason he returned to the weight of responsibility every time he was summoned and the reason for his ferocious devotion to the people of Konoha. There was nothing he would not sacrifice for the place he had come to value most.

"Nii-san…"

The smile returned to Itachi's face as he allowed his eyes to lower to his sibling, all contemplations receding. He had assumed the boy had fallen asleep. "Yes?"

Sasuke's eyes closed sleepily as he nestled his head closer to his brother and clutched at the front of his shirt. "I love you, Nii-san."

Itachi's eyes widened slightly at this rare admission from Sasuke, the boy having always been so reserved when it came to his innermost feelings. However, the older Uchiha's features softened and his smile grew. He realized then that his earlier summation had been wrong. It was not Konoha that he valued most…

"I love you, too, Sasuke."

He would never hear those words from his sibling again. However, he had long since prepared himself to accept that truth. His dreams, along with that memory, were not his present reality, though his own feelings and resolve concerning his brother remained unchanged.

Turning from the window, he suppressed such recollections and instead focused on the matter that required his immediate attention. Waking Sakura. However, upon this thought, came the return of what he had realized the previous evening.

The considerations he held for her lingered, and he was not entirely able to escape them, however, he focused on only his actions as he walked to the door and opened it, stepping out into the hall and making his way over to her room. He paused, inhaled, then lifted a hand to gently deliver three knocks upon her door.

It was then he realized he had forgotten the fish-beaters book, before subsequently reasoning that he would have to wait to go back for it until after the girl answered. He rarely ever allowed anything to escape his notice, or to sit forgotten. He needed to compose himself, as swiftly as possible.

The door opened and Sakura greeted him with an exuberant grin. "Good morning, Itachi."

He nodded, "good morning, Sakura-san." Looking then to her hair, he noted that it was not at all unkempt, as would be typical had she really just woken. He allowed for a small smile, "You were already awake."

The girl laughed before running a hand through her hair, "looks like you caught me."

"Aa," the Uchiha stated simply before silence settled between them. His eyes then shifted away from the little Shinobi and to the window behind her. "…I suppose I should go."

His attention returned to Sakura when she reached up to tousle his hair. "What's the matter with you?" she asked, "You're acting weird, Itachi."

Itachi withheld the urge to allow his eyes to widen following her inquiry. He could not allow his disposition to remain so obvious. He suppressed the thoughts further, and summoned an answering smile in response to what she said. His lack of control was beginning to slightly frustrate him.

In any case, he needed to respond somehow.

"How so?"

This way, whatever her explanation, he could more appropriately remedy the way he was being perceived.

"Well," she sighed. "You're acting awkward and somewhat…distant."

He considered his reply carefully, before deciding to incorporate a bit of truth. "…I didn't sleep well."

"Oh," her gaze fell. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have accused you."

The Uchiha sighed, her response entirely unnecessary considering she had been right. He extended two fingers and tapped her on the forehead, his smile returning to further assure her. "I didn't take it as an accusation."

He watched as an answering smile formed on her face before she stepped forward to embrace him. "That's good, at least."

Just as I was beginning to compose myself again, he resisted his impulse to stiffen in response to her action before slowly lifting an arm around her shoulders. Despite having previously convinced himself that nothing was going to change, he realized then that he was going to have to find some better way to deal with his newfound regard for Sakura.

"Hey, Snail?" the girl inquired then.

"Hmm?"

"I could," he heard the hesitation and underlying dread in her voice before she continued. "Go to the fish-man's house instead so you can get some sleep."

Itachi smiled as he looked down at her. "I appreciate the offer, but that won't be necessary. You need to stay and set your equipment up, right? Also," he patted her shoulder gently. "You need to make that tea."

"Of course," she laughed. "I promised to make it, didn't I?"

'A promise you have yet to make,' her voice entered his mind then before he dispelled it.

"Aa," he responded with a nod. "You did."

"Itachi…" she began again, before lifting her head to look up at him. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," he replied, though wondered what it was she suddenly felt the need to inquire upon. He was often unable to predict her spontaneous thoughts.

"Well," she began slowly. "What you said before made me consider something. I know it might never happen, but what if…I had to make a choice between…the villagers or a large group of patients…and you? Who would I choose to save? The other would…die. Would I pick you over the villagers or the other way around? I have no idea." Her smile then implied sadness. "What would you do if you were in that situation?"

His smile faded as he considered her question, only absently aware that he had slightly tightened his hold around her shoulders. What, exactly, had prompted those thoughts of hers? He had entertained the hope that she would not be hurt in the end, when he went to face his own death. News of it would, undoubtedly reach her, as Sasuke would then return to Konoha.

It had been rather foolish, he surmised, to try and convince himself that she had not allowed herself to care for him also. She had even stated that she considered him a friend. She did not want him to die, that much at least, was now obvious.

As far as his own choice on the matter, it would be easy to say that he would choose the lives of many, but he had opted, within his own scenario, to keep the closest person to him alive. However, he had still killed his parents, and several others whom he cared for…

What could be done now though? After their time in this realm was over? She had inspired a great deal of contemplations within her simple question. He supposed, upon their return, that he could recreate the situation with his brother and portray himself as the criminal she was denying him to be. He could betray her trust, and give her cause to hate him so that she would not grieve upon his inevitable downfall.

However, as he continued to look into her vibrant gaze, he knew it would be an entirely unbearable act to inflict over her. He had done such a thing once, the difference being that it had been an inescapable situation and that he had no other way of insuring Sasuke's safety. With Sakura, he had a choice, and he wondered which scenario would inflict her more severely.

Also, he found he wanted at least one person to remember him for who he really was. No, it wasn't even entirely that. I want at least her to remember me this way.

Would it be best for her, though? He was inclined to believe that it was. Despite losing him, Sasuke would return to her and she would not be inclined to hatred.

"In such a scenario," he began, allowing a small smile to return. "I would ask that you save the majority."

He watched her eyes lower, again conveying sadness. "That's what I thought at first, but…" her hold around his waist tightened. "I don't know how I would deal with it if I didn't choose you. It would be my fault and I would be lonely. On the other hand, you wouldn't want me to choose your life over countless others."

"It wouldn't be your fault," he replied gently. "I would not make you decide something like that. If such was the case, I would willingly do so on my own." He considered his memory from before, and of his purpose in serving Konoha. "As Shinobi, that is what we were meant to do. We are here to protect the people we serve and sometimes that comes at the cost of offering our lives."

He watched as a tear fell down her face before she nodded. "I know," her voice caught as she continued, "You're a great Shinobi, Itachi."

So emotional, he thought as he smiled down at her. If she's so distressed even discussing this, then I can only imagine how she'll react later. However, what she had said served to give him pause. 'A great Shinobi'. It was what he had always worked for in Konoha, that single title being of more value than the countless times he had been labeled as a prodigy or acknowledged for anything beside. Since the massacre though, despite his reasons for doing it, he could hardly claim to call himself thus.

However, he found he still appreciated her regarding him as such, and implying that she viewed him in the way he had most wanted to be perceived. He looked to the site upon which he had tapped his fingers an innumerable number of times and felt compelled to try something he had never done before.

"Sakura-san," he announced softly, hesitating as he considered what such an action might imply before casting aside his reservations and slowly leaning forward to place a small kiss against her forehead. He closed his eyes and considered why the urge had even presented itself to him. The answer however, was as always, quite simple. There was just something about it…

Pulling away, he opened his eyes to see Sakura looking up at him with a widening smile. He watched as she lifted a hand to where he had kissed her before her smile grew wider. She appeared considerably more…elated than he had previously assumed she would be.

"Are you…alright?" he asked, analyzing her expression. Perhaps such an action had been uncalled for.

"Fine," she nodded in a shaken voice before she proceeded to run both hands through her hair. "Why…did you do that?"

Itachi merely allowed for a small smile before shrugging, he hardly even knew the answer to that inquiry. "I suppose it was simply because…" he tilted his head as he considered. "I wanted to."

"Because you…wanted to?" the girl asked him, a curious tone to her voice as her hands fell to her sides. "Why?"

Itachi blinked before lowering his arm from its place around her shoulders, feeling a bit out of place within the current, disconcerting situation. Why, indeed. Had it been, perhaps, encouraged by the way he now regarded her?

He could hardly inform her of that however, and so relented for another half-truth. "There was just something about your forehead…" he again shrugged, inwardly attempting to regain a semblance of his composure. "That made me want to kiss it."

"There was?!" Sakura asked enthusiastically as she lifted her eyes to his.

He smiled before nodding, "Aa."

The girl continued to simply stare up at him with a grin before seeming to recall that she had been crying. She reached up to wipe away the tear before suddenly laughing awkwardly as she took a step back. "S-sorry about earlier. I don't know what came over me."

"No need to apologize," Itachi replied, before tilting his head slightly. "If you ever feel bothered by something, or feel the need to speak with me about anything," he smiled. "Don't hesitate. I'll listen."

He watched as the smile instantly returned to her face before she reached up to pat his shoulder. "You'll just be my favorite confidant, Snail."

"I anticipate the role," Itachi assured with another nod before he allowed for a soft sigh as he again looked to the window. He then returned his gaze to her, "Better get started on that tea."

"Right away, Sensei!" Sakura exclaimed with an answering nod.

The Uchiha then turned, glancing back at her with a small smile. "I'll be back soon."

"See you then," she replied with a wave.

Itachi returned his attention to the hall then as he made his way forward, reaching the staircase and briefly recalling the events that had taken place the previous evening before beginning to descend. He again smiled as he also considered what had transpired a moment ago. These days, it seemed, were making it nearly impossible to keep a smile off his face.

Sakura seemed to react reasonably well, if not more exuberantly than expected, to what he had done, though he had actually not even considered how she would respond. It had admittedly been rather…impulsive of him.

Just like with the cake…and though he had devoted a bit more thought to that decision, it had still been somewhat foolish.

However, as with so many other choices, he did not regret them.

"Itachi!"

His steps halted and he turned to see Sakura standing at the top of the staircase. He tilted his head in question. "Sakura-san?"

The girl sighed before descending two steps at a time, allowing for a strangely, sly-looking smile as she reached him. "Did you forget something?"

Itachi's brows furrowed slightly, only momentarily, before it occurred to him that he had overlooked brining the fish-beater's book again. Even Sakura had noticed.

"Aa," he nodded. "It seems that I have."

Making his way past her, he withheld the urge to shake his head at his own inobservance. He reached the second floor and took out his key as he approached the room.

"Itachi…" he heard her begin as he unlocked the door. "You forgot the book, too? You're really out of it this morning. A lack of sleep just doesn't agree with you."

The Uchiha's eyes widened slightly as he looked to her, "….were you not speaking of the book before? What else have I forgotten?"

He began to mentally analyze anything else he might have overlooked but could not seem to uncover what she was referring to.

The little Shinobi shook her head before stepping forward and tousling his hair, "You're cute when you're confused." She smiled before stepping back and meeting his gaze, "anyway. If you want me to make the tea then I have to go in your room, but it's locked and you didn't give me the key."

What she finds to be 'cute'... he pondered before considering what she had just said. Glancing down to his key, he smiled. He could not believe he had overlooked that as well. "If I give you my key," he returned his eyes to hers. "Are you going to throw it out the window?"

A smirk crossed her face as she tapped her chin. "That," she shrugged, "depends on whether or not there's a nice breeze outside and," the smirk shifted into a smile. "How long you're gone."

"So you've resorted to blackmailing me, then?" he asked with a tilt of his head.

"Yep," she nodded. "And it'll work because I know you love me," she then laughed before promptly nudging him in the elbow. "Buddy."

Itachi blinked as felt his mind beginning to process Sakura's statement. Though he knew she was merely joking, his contemplations were given immediate cause to consider her choice of words.

However, he decided to dwell on it later.

He simply offered her another small smile before turning and opening his door, first gabbing Bogford's tome from the nightstand before removing the tea from his bag. He heard Sakura laugh and briefly allowed himself to wonder what it was she was directing that laugh toward.

"Here you are," he handed his smiling partner the tea as he shifted to face her. "You can prepare it in here if you like, as I already have all of my equipment set out on the stove."

The girl's eyes opened and looked to the appliance in question before allowing her gaze to rest within his. "I think it'll be easier," she nodded. "If I just do it in here."

Itachi returned the nod, before walking past where she stood in the doorway and pausing as he stepped out into the hall. He looked to the key and reasoned that it was rather pointless to offer it to her now. However…

He turned to Sakura and extended the item to her with another smile, "just in case."

She received it and examined both sides, "are you sure you trust me with it? This is what I'm using to blackmail you, after all."

"Aa," he nodded, "because…well," he winked. "It's as you said."

He then turned and gently closed the door behind him before making his way down the hall, allowing his response to remain ambiguous and permitting the girl to receive it in whatever she preferred. He took the staircase to the ground floor before leaving the establishment and stepping outside, finding a semblance of reprieve within the open air.

He crossed the town at a more leisurely pace, greeting the passing civilians who happened to look his way with a polite nod and side-stepping Fu Blood as he came at him with yet another attempt to catch him unaware, scissors at the ready in a poorly aimed motion to clip his hair.

The man merely scowled before continuing on his way.

"You won't be getting these eyes!"

Itachi's gaze briefly shifted to Jaus as the man ran past before redirecting his attention to the gates as he passed through them. The fish-beater, as expected, was upon the docks and performing his ritual of slapping his fish upon the wooden planks.

"Bogford-san," Itachi stated as he stopped beside the man and purposefully allowed his scrutiny to remain fixated on the waters that spread out ahead. It was a strange thing to ponder that such a magnificent element was to blame for the sickness these people were afflicted with.

"Stranger," the fish-beater returned the greeting from beside him. "What brings you here so early?"

"Well," Itachi looked down to the plant log. "First of all, I'm returning your book."

When the beating of fish was halted, the Uchiha then lifted his gaze to the ever-peculiar individual before him. The man grinned before extending a hand to retrieve his 'treasure'.

Itachi placed it into his grasp before allowing for an appreciative nod, "It was very helpful to my research."

However, Bogford did not seem to pay any heed to his remark as he began to fondly run a palm over both the spine and face of the book. "My…collections. You…returned my most…valued artifact."

"Aa," Itachi responded before pausing as he considered the best way to approach the request that he suspected would far outweigh that of obtaining the logbook. "I do, however, have something else to ask of you."

"Something…else?" the fish-beater asked, as he clutched his tome tighter.

The Uchiha nodded. "It seems that your Yucca plants are the missing component for the sickness and…as I cannot readily go to Kanashimi to gather some for myself, I ask that you offer me a fair share in order to finalize the brew. "

"You need…my plants? My most prized plants?" Bogford brought a hand to his chin as he considered. "Hmm…" He then shrugged. "I don't care about those people. Or that city. I care about my fish…I care about my books and my plants and my home. However, the fish are no good like this…I suppose…." He almost appeared to grimace. "Yes! Yes…you may have them, stranger." He motioned with one hand before turning. "Come with me, and you may have them."

Again, Itachi was astonished as he considered the ease in which he had acquired the man's affirmation. He turned and followed the fish-beater toward the familiar, small hovel before entering behind him and waiting as he began to remove several samples from the ceiling. It took several moments longer before the individual at last approached him with a handful of plants. "These…handle them carefully. They don't generally like it when strangers hold them, although…I guess they have seen you around enough to grow accustomed to your peculiar presence." He held them out in one hand.

"I will make another journey to that land," the fish-beater continued aloud as the Uchiha grabbed the plants from him. "Dangerous though. I never go when the frost sets in. It comes early this season. Strange…so very, very strange."

As Itachi looked to the Yucca plants, he realized then that perhaps Bogford could afford him some more information concerning Kanashimi, as he and Sakura would most likely be heading there in a few days. "What else…can you tell me of that place?"

"Else you say?" the fish-beater asked before shaking his head. "You shouldn't go there. I only go for my plants. Death, death everywhere. And…grief. Nothing but endless grief. The red moon, and the beasts of suicide. It is all…frightening."

A red moon? Itachi mused as he was briefly reminded of his own Tsukyomi, in which the skies would shift into crimson, casting a darkened shade over everything caught within his illusion. However, he could not be entirely sure that the fish-beater's words were entirely accurate, though he was beginning to realize, after the revelation of the missing component of the cure, that he should not simply take the antics of the Yokusei inhabitants for granted.

He nodded, before lifting the plants slightly. "I really appreciate this, Bogford-san."

"No, I don't care about that," the man hastily replied.

Itachi merely relented for a soft sigh as he opened the door and stepped outside, which was followed by the expectant motion of it being slammed shut behind him.

The fish-beater was certainly an odd fellow, but had nonetheless been the most helpful by far in regards to the task. The Uchiha found that he really did appreciate the man for his complete willingness, and without even asking for anything in return, not even money. In fact, now that he considered this thought, he realized that during he and his partner's entire stay, not a single citizen had had made a request for gold.

He walked toward the town and lifted his gaze to the sky as he allowed his repressed thought from earlier to emerge before he met with Sakura again.

"And it'll work because I know you love me."

Love, such a foreign yet undeniably present emotion, one that he had only ever openly used in regard to two other individuals in his life. His mother…and Sasuke. It was a word he took very seriously, and one he could not associate with just anyone. Granted, he had felt it for more than just that pair, as he also loved his father, Shisui and a few others of his family. He also loved Konoha and the abstract concept of peace, along with the people he served and his role as a Shinobi. However, he had only actually voiced it to the two with whom he felt closest.

However…could he really apply it to how he now viewed the little Sakura girl? He was certainly fond of her. Extremely, in fact. But, did that mean he actually loved her?

There were different levels to the emotion, as his younger brother had superseded all others in that regard. In which case, he supposed he might love her, in a more subdued sort of way. He wasn't entirely sure, though, that the way in which he loved her could be at all associated with the recent development of his disposition towards her.

It would take time, he supposed, to accurately unravel that particular insight.

Stepping up to the door of the inn, Itachi offered the bartender a nod before ascending the stairs, turning to cross the hall and stopping outside of his own room, deciding that it would still be polite to offer Sakura the courtesy of a knock.

He knocked three times.

The door opened moments later and the girl greeted him as enthusiastically as ever. "Welcome back."

Itachi nodded before holding the plants out to her, "will this be enough? He gave me everything he had. I think there are about twenty of them here."

Sakura's smile inexplicably fell and her gaze lowered, giving the Uchiha cause to question her sudden change in demeanor.

However, upon observing her more closely, he noted the slight disarray of her hair and allowed for a small smile. "…were you sleeping?"

Eyes widening, the girl returned them to his before nodding. "…yeah."

Itachi tilted his head, amused. "I see."

He wondered, then, how productive she had actually been in his absence. It would seem that she, rather than himself, had been the one in need of sleep.

The little Shinobi sighed before taking hold of his hand. "I made the tea."

"Did you?" Itachi asked, smile widening as he stepped into the room. "You had me worried there for a moment."

Sakura responded with a roll of her eyes as she pulled him toward the nightstand, upon which sat two cups of tea. "You can have whichever you want," she stated. "I didn't drink one yet."

Itachi set the Yucca plants down on the table, recalling that she had yet to answer his inquiry regarding the quantity, before lifting one of the cups, staring absently into the hot liquid and then taking a slow sip. He looked to his partner with another smile, "this is perfect, Sakura-san."

"Thank you, Snail," she responded as her own grin widened. "I made it exactly like you always do. Oh and," she indicated the plants. "That's more than enough, but that's good because we don't know if we'll need more at some point."

Itachi nodded as his thoughts suddenly turned to the next settlement, considering that they might even have enough to offer Snake-skin as tribute. He wanted to venture to Gregor's village and perhaps aid the individuals there as well, in the case of the illness having spread to them. If the water carried it, there was a strong possibility of such an occurrence.

"After we're finished here, would you be alright with going to see if Gregor needs any assistance in his town?"

The girl nodded. "Of course. They're probably sick as well considering the widespread source."

"I was thinking the same thing," Itachi replied before taking another sip of tea.

Sakura drank from her own cup as a momentary silence fell before she lifted her eyes to his. "Itachi, since you're my confidant, do you want to know a secret? My parents would be the only other people that know."

Itachi observed her wordlessly before slowly nodding, "Only if you feel sure you want to tell me."

As usual, he began to automatically try and determined what she was about to say. However, as was often the case, he relented to merely wait and hear her out as he found he had not even the slightest idea of what it could be. Why would she choose to tell him something so obviously personal though?

"…I didn't always like tea," the girl began hesitantly before looking down at her cup.

Itachi allowed his brows to crease slightly in response. There had to be more to it than that. It was common for people's interests to change over the years, especially where an acquired taste was concerned. As for himself, he found that his own likes had not deviated much since childhood, but as in the example of his younger brother, more than half of the things he had enjoyed at an earlier age had shifted, sweets excluded. He had never, ever liked them.

He had not liked tea at first either.

It then occurred to Itachi what Sakura was trying to say, as was the case with Sasuke's favorite color. This beverage situation was of the same nature.

Her eyes returned to his and she continued. "I preferred coffee, still do, but that was the only hot beverage I would drink when I was younger. However, one day I found out from my friend, Ino, that my crush liked tea. I didn't believe her at first because she was usually wrong about his few likes, but I saw him drinking tea later that day and it confirmed it."

Itachi tilted his head slightly, decoding what she was really attempting to explain. "So, you started drinking it in the hopes that this crush of yours would realize a similarity and take an interest in you?"

"Pretty much," the rose-haired Shinobi nodded. "My mom completely supported the plan, but my dad didn't. I listened to him, but I had been drinking tea for about a week before I told them and I realized that I liked it anyway."

The Uchiha smiled, "Interesting how things turn out sometimes, isn't it?"

He wondered if he should mention that he was aware the boy she was referring to had been Sasuke.

"Yeah," Sakura returned his smile. "It is. If it had turned out differently, we might not be here right now enjoying delicious cups of tea."

"True," Itachi replied with a nod. "Though, I try not to place much emphasis on what might have been. There's only the present and our futures to anticipate."

"I think you told me something like that before," the girl stated with a laugh.

"Probably so," The Uchiha shrugged.

"Thank you for that, by the way," she said then with a smile. "It really did help."

Itachi merely nodded as another thought entered his mind. A question that had suddenly been inspired by the previous context. However, he did not really even believe it mattered considering it would neither effect nor change anything at all.

Had Sasuke ever returned her feelings?

It might, reasonably, negatively impact the girl's emotions if he decided to venture it.

So, instead, he took another sip of his tea.

He watched as Sakura set her own cup down on the nightstand then, having already finished its contents before sitting down on the bed. "What's on your mind, Itachi?"

How was it she was now able to notice when he was preoccupied?

The Uchiha mentally recalled all of the times in which Sasuke had come up and noted that she had not seemed upset by any them, though the nature of the question would be somewhat different. He looked to her before relenting with a soft sigh and setting his cup down as he took a seat next to her.

"I want to ask you something concerning my little brother but," he glanced away. "It might upset you."

"Oh," she replied as he watched her own gaze fall away from his. The silence that ensued implied that she was pondering his statement carefully, and he was pleased to see that she was not merely giving into her often impulsive inclination toward curiosity.

After another moment, she reclaimed his hand and offered him a slight smile. "I'll be fine," she assured. "What's your question?"

Itachi nodded. How exactly was he going to word it?

"You…have feelings for him," he stated, though waited for her clarification.

"Yes…" she nodded slowly. "I have since I was eight."

He again offered a nod before mentally bracing himself in preparation for her possible reaction. "Now, my question is this: Does Sasuke…return those feelings? Has he ever?"

"No," she instantly responded, with a tone of underlying sadness. However, she quickly amended her answer. "Maybe. I don't know. I thought he did at one point when we were twelve and he almost kissed me, but he didn't seem to return them at all at any other time. Now that I think about it, he didn't even seem to remember that happening. We are Shinobi and have the ability to disguise ourselves as other people, so that probably wasn't even him."

Itachi had to determine, then, if Sasuke's disinterest had been simply feigned or genuine. Had he placed the 'task' his older brother had assigned to him above everything else, even possibly jeopardizing and disregarding the way he felt for his rose-haired teammate? On top of that, his brother was always very strict with his emotions and rarely allowed them to completely show.

Then again, there was always the possibility that the entire thing was one-sided. It would not be a surprise either. However, he could still reunite them as he was certain his sibling cared for her on some level, at least.

The girl returned her gaze to his, another wave of tears shimmering within her eyes. She had reacted in the way he had initially feared she would. That's twice in one day, he thought to himself before looking to where her hand still grasped his.

No, his brother being absent of intimate regard for the girl did not change anything at all; despite his own disposition and despite the persistence of his mind to try and convince him otherwise, things would progress as he had always intended.

Sakura would be alright once her team was reformed, his own death being the only foreseeable way to grant her that outcome now.

"No," she stated then, breaking through the wordless pause. "He didn't."

When she tightened her hold over his hand, Itachi's eyes returned to hers. He forced a small smile, "that's regrettable."

"Yeah," she responded with a nod as her tears fell from her glistening gaze and down her face. "Ever since…he left, I kept trying to move on and continuously told myself that I didn't feel that way for him anymore, but all it did was make me think about him even more. When I began training under Tsunade-sama, it helped take my mind off him and I even started forcing the thoughts out of my mind so I wouldn't feel sad anymore. Ever since I came here, though, they keep resurfacing and I'm wondering if I made the wrong choice in deciding not to deal with it sooner."

Itachi inhaled slightly as he considered what to offer as a response. "Pushing aside unpleasant thoughts can be helpful," he began. "However, there are also times in which suppression can negatively affect us. Rather than trying to discard and ignore them, one should simply remove them from the forefront, while not entirely avoiding their presence. You should always return when you can and sort through your feelings and thoughts, that way they are not merely repressed but controlled."

He offered her another smile. "There's nothing wrong with allowing your feelings to remain loyal to someone however, in doing so, you have to prepare yourself for the possibility that the other person may not return them."

"It's no longer a possibility," Sakura shook her head. "I know now that Sasuke-kun definitely doesn't return my feelings."

"If that is really the case then," Itachi replied. "Either accept that state of being and allow those emotions to remain regardless, or…let go of them and attempt to regard him as a friend that you truly continue to care for."

He did not like that it had unfortunately arrived at such a choice for the girl, as either one would potentially prove difficult. However, in the long run, she would be spared a great deal more disappointment, especially if his brother's intentions would remain elsewhere.

He was greeted with a sudden image of Tamaki, the granddaughter to Nekoma, who was the Uchiha weapon supplier in the abandoned city near Konoha. She had been the only girl his brother had ever expressed even a remote interest in and, as he now analyzed her personality against what he knew of Sakura, he saw the drastic and defining differences.

She was entirely right, regrettably. Sasuke's attentions would not reside with her, even after his return.

"I think both would be hard but," she began before lifting a hand to wipe the tears from her face. "It wouldn't be good for me, or him, if I continued the way I have been. Thinking back, he only seemed annoyed with me when I was chasing after him and we were actually good friends when I wasn't. I think that's the better choice for both of us because I do want to be friends with him again when Naruto and I bring him back."

That last sentence stilled him for a moment as he looked to her with a slightly widened gaze. "You're…trying to bring him back?"

Of course they would be, why had he even needed to ask? They did not like the idea of him joining Orochimaru anymore than he, himself did.

She nodded, "we're always trying. We even tried stopping him from leaving. I talked to him, but it didn't work. I realized afterwards that Naruto was probably the only person who could bring him back. He told me that he also tried talking to him before they fought…and Sasuke won. We haven't seen him since, but we've determined to save him before the end of these six months."

Naruto-kun is the best friend, Itachi realized, before noting that his speculation was confirmed. Sasuke had not been able to do it. Had not been able to kill off his best friend. At least in that, he was afforded the comfort that his little brother had not been entirely twisted by Orochimaru or by the darkness that seemed to haunt their clan.

Also, they knew about Orochimaru's technique. Sakura and Naruto knew they had a time limit.

His features softened then and he smiled, in silent assurance. Sasuke would be returned to them. "He'll come back to you," Itachi assured.

"Yes, he will," she responded. "And that snake bastard will be dead."

"Aa," Itachi nodded.

If all went according to plan, Orochimaru would die.

Another silence fell and Itachi reasoned that it had been a good decision to endeavor the subject with her after all. It would help, he was sure.

She offered him a smile then. "Thank you…for talking about this with me. I actually needed it," she began before laughing softly. "You know, you could've been a counselor if you wanted."

Itachi allowed for laugh as well in response. "If I wanted, perhaps." He then looked to her, "and I appreciate you permitting me to ask you about that."

"What are friends for?" she asked good-naturedly before punching his arm. "Feel free to make me your confidant right back, Snail."

He nodded, before offering a genuine reply. "I'm…considering it. However," he reached up and tapped her forehead. "Not yet."

There would be a lot at risk in revealing to her what he had never spoken to anyone else, and of that which she would need to promise not to inform anyone else of, including and especially Sasuke.

He needed more time to consider.

"Alright," she replied before proceeding to lean her head against his shoulder. "Just know that I'll always be here if you ever want to talk."

"Aa," he responded. "I know, Sakura-san." He glanced down at her then before smiling, "don't fall asleep again, we have a cure to create and," his smile widened. "I know you haven't set anything up yet."

"You've been calling me out on things all morning," she replied with a brief pout before it changed into a smile as she slowly closed her eyes. "Besides, I'm not tired anymore. I'm…happy."

Itachi sighed and briefly hesitated before allowing his head to rest against hers, "I suppose it's alright then."

"Hell yeah," she replied.

After all, he thought after laughing softly in response to her reply. I think that I'm…happy too.