Vigil of Sorrows
Chapter 14
"A Morning of Forgetfulness"
…..
Sakura tapped her fingers against the trunk of the tree impatiently. Kakashi was always late. Was it really so difficult for him to arrive on time? She heard a sigh behind her and turned to see Naruto sitting in the grass, an annoyed expression covering his entire face. He looked so ridiculous and his occasional shouts were really starting to get on her nerves. Why was he always so loud?
"Kakashi-sensei, where are you?! Dattebayo!"
Sakura glared at the blonde and pounded her fist against his head. "Be quiet, Naruto! He obviously can't hear you so stop yelling! It's annoying and completely unnecessary!"
Naruto rubbed his head as he stared at his teammate in confusion. "But…you're yelling, Sakura-chan."
The kunoichi scoffed and crossed her arms. "Unlike you," she began smugly, "I have a reason to raise my voice."
"No, Sakura-chan, I do, actually. What if…" he trailed off as his eyes widened in sudden realization before he lifted them to the treetops. "Kakashi-sensei! Kakashi-sensei, you're up there, aren't you? Are you spying on us today?! Is this some sort of endurance test?! Are you trying to test our ability to cope with impatience?! In that case, I accept the challenge, dattebayo!"
"Naruto, I don't think-"
Naruto cut her off as he continued shouting his proclamation, "And guess what else, Kakashi-sensei?! Teme isn't here to steal the spotlight this time, so that means you can keep your eyes on me the whole time!"
Sakura gave up on her attempts to stop him. If he wanted to make himself look like a moron, then that was his choice. However, as he mentioned it, she glanced around and it confirmed that Sasuke definitely wasn't there. That was weird.
"Naruto!"
Naruto returned his attention to his pink-haired friend. "What is it, Sakura-chan?"
"Do you know where Sasuke-kun is right now?" Sakura asked, her voice portraying her concern. Ever since their return from that mission in the Land of Waves, she'd been worried about Sasuke. He could've died…and almost did.
Naruto's eyes widened in sudden surprise before he quickly jerked his head to the side and crossed his arms. "I don't know…and I don't care."
The pinkette rose a suspicious brow. She knew the two of them hated each other, but they still worked together to free Kakashi from Zabuza, the criminal from Mist. During the entire tree-walking training, they had competed against each other and they said they had both made it to the top and Sasuke helped Naruto back to the house that night. The two of them had even fought Haku together.
She had thought, after all that, they would be on better terms with one another and it seemed like they were, but…in addition to her added concern for her crush, when they came back to Konoha, Naruto and Sasuke had been even more unfriendly towards each other. She came to the conclusion that something had happened during their battle in the Ice Mirrors, it was the only that made sense to her, but they refused to tell her anything.
Sakura sighed. 'I understand why Sasuke-kun didn't. He never tells me anything. But, Naruto usually can't keep his mouth shut. Maybe, since Sasuke-kun isn't here, and I hope it's only because he's running late, I can ask Naruto directly. I don't think I've tried to yet.'
The girl walked over to her blonde teammate before placing a hand on his shoulder and he turned to her. "Hey, Naruto, can I ask you something?"
Naruto grinned toothily and nodded. "Of course you can, Sakura-chan. Ask me whatever you want."
"Alright," she returned the nod with a sweet smile. "Well, how do I say this? Naruto, would you mind. I mean, would it bother you to-"
"Wait! Are you going to ask me to go on a date with you?!" he asked, excitement brimming from his features.
Sakura glared at him and his smile instantly vanished. "No, Naruto. This is serious."
Naruto's expression abruptly changed from one filled with laughter and exuberance to one of complete seriousness, a rare thing for him. "Alright, I'll listen and you can ask me what you wanted to before I interrupted."
"Thank you, Naruto," Sakura responded before sitting on the grass and leaning her back against a tree. Naruto immediately followed suit and waited patiently for her to begin. She sighed, "I was wondering if you could tell me what happened between you and Sasuke-kun in the Land of Waves. Your behavior toward each other has been…more hostile since we got back and I know it has something to with that battle on the bridge."
Naruto dropped his cerulean gaze to the ground and watched the blades of grass sway in the gentle breeze. He remained like that for several minutes, a pensive look on his face. He then returned his gaze to Sakura with a wide grin. "It was a hard fight for both of us. We made many attempts to escape, but…Haku's jutsu was too powerful and there were needles flying at us from all every direction. Eventually, I passed out from the pain…and when I regained consciousness…" his voice trailed off as his expression became thoughtful once more and his gaze returned to the green grass.
Sakura smiled. It was obviously hard for him to talk about. She wouldn't force him to say it if he didn't want to, so she pulled him into a loose, comforting hug. "It's alright, Naruto. You don't have to tell me anything else. I was just worried."
Naruto returned the hug and tightened it. Suddenly, the pinkette heard footsteps from behind her and she turned to see Sasuke walking casually toward the two of them. "Sasuke-kun!" she exclaimed with a grin, pulling away from the hug and running to him.
The blonde remained silent for a moment as he glared at Sasuke. "You're late, teme."
Sasuke grunted. "Hn. I was actually early today, dobe. The two of you are the ones who are late."
"What was that, Sasuke?!"
"Want me to repeat it…baka?"
The two glared at each other before looking away in opposite directions. Sakura frowned. They were doing it again. She, however, turned to Sasuke with a small smile. "What do mean we're late, Sasuke-kun?"
"He means, you two didn't show up at the proper meeting place," Kakashi said, suddenly standing beside the Uchiha.
Naruto turned to his sensei, his mouth open in disbelief while Sakura stared at him in confusion.
Kakashi sighed before shaking his head at them, "Obviously, the only one who remembered was Sasuke. I told the three of you the new place to meet would be the bridge by the forest."
"Hn."
"I don't remember that, dattebayo!"
Sakura dropped her head. She had forgotten…like Naruto.
Teal eyes slowly opened to the sun shining on them. A hand lifted to shield the bright rays. A slight breeze blew through the curtains, causing them to sway back and forth. Sakura crossed the room to the window and looked out it. She saw the morning light slowly creeping over the town along with the beautiful hues of blues and purples. 'Interesting. The sky is mine and Itachi's favorite colors,' she noted with a smile.
For some unknown reason, Sakura felt very content being in this strange land. At first, she assumed it was because this place reminded her of home, but the more time she spent there, the more she realized this wasn't the case. Yokusei wasn't anything like Konoha. When she accepted this fact, she was saddened because she missed her home, but she also felt…happy.
The Shinobi was happy and she knew it didn't make any sense for her to feel that way in this situation. However, that didn't change the truth. She was happy because it meant her contentment for this place was because of Itachi. The time they spent together in Yokusei for the past few weeks had been fun and memorable.
Sakura had already told Itachi this, but she felt it much stronger now. She was happy she ended up here with him. If this hadn't happened, she would have never met Itachi or experienced this with him.
They had discovered the missing component for the cure and would start distributing it to the villagers as soon as it was ready, which wouldn't take long. She was, once again, happy and sad. Happy that she had successfully found something to help these people and they would no longer have to suffer, and sad that…they would be leaving this place soon. Not because she wanted to stay, no matter how much she enjoyed this place, but because it meant her time with Itachi was closer to the end.
What would they do when they got back? As much as she tried to look past it, Itachi was a wanted criminal. She might never see him again. How would she feel if that happened?
"No!" Sakura suddenly exclaimed, forcing her mind to push away those unhappy thoughts. She would just not think about it. That seemed to work best.
She sighed before walking back to her bed where she found her boots and proceeded to slip them on. "I wonder if Itachi's awake yet," she mused aloud before the question was answered with a memory from last night.
"Wake me up when you leave so I can have everything prepared when you return."
"I will also let you make our tea tomorrow morning."
"Then I shall dutifully fulfill the task, Snail-sensei. Expect a steaming cup upon your arrival."
"I will be looking forward to it."
A smirk formed on the corner of the girl's mouth. "I must've woken up earlier than expected. Itachi doesn't have to come wake me now, but," Sakura shrugged, "I might as well let him." She then sat comfortably on her bed and brushed her hair as she awaited his arrival.
A few minutes passed until she heard three knocks. After setting the brush in her bag, she stepped off the bed and slowly walked toward the door. When she reached it, she proceeded to turn the knob and open it with a cheerful smile. "Good morning, Itachi."
Good morning, Sakura-san," he replied with a nod before a small smile formed. "You were already awake."
Sakura laughed and ran a hand through her hair, "looks like you caught me."
"Aa." A silence ensued during which Itachi looked away from the pinkette and to something behind her. "…I suppose I should go."
The Shinobi raised a curious brow at the Uchiha. Something seemed…different about him. He was acting strange today. She reached up and ruffled his hair, prompting him to return his attention to her. "What's the matter with you? You're acting weird, Itachi."
He was acting like he did during their first practice session. He wouldn't look at her and instead stared out at the sky. She knew something was different then, too, but he said he was just thinking. And this time, he was acting…awkward.
Itachi smiled in response. "How so?"
Sakura sighed, "well, you're acting awkward and somewhat….distant."
"…I didn't sleep well," he stated.
"Oh," she replied, dropping her gaze. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have accused you."
The girl heard Itachi sigh before she felt him poke her forehead. "I didn't take it as an accusation."
Sakura smiled before she walked closer to her partner and embraced him. "That's good, at least." Itachi responded by wrapping an arm around her shoulders and the girl's smile widened.
"Hey, Snail?" she asked.
"Hmm?"
"I could," she paused, trying to control the fear in her voice. "Go to the fish-man's house instead so you can get some sleep." Even though the thought of going there alone made her cringe, she wanted to help Itachi and if this was a way, then so be it. Besides, he would definitely do the same for 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."
Sakura laughed, "of course. I promised to make it, didn't I?" Another thought had entered her mind with his comment and she found herself unable to choose an answer. It would be a difficult decision to make, either way.
"Aa," Itachi replied. "You did."
"Itachi…can I ask you something?" Sakura asked, looking up at him. Maybe he would have an answer.
"Of course," he stated.
"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." She smiled at him sadly, "what would you do if you were in that situation?"
Sakura watched his smile fade from his face and felt his hold around her shoulders slightly tighten. She never knew what he was thinking, but she could tell what she said had distressed him in some way. Maybe it would've been better if she kept it to herself.
No. It was better that she asked now. She knew it would bother her if she hadn't and it would've been inevitable that Itachi found out and she told him anyway. She always got upset when something was bothering her and it made her unable to concentrate on anything. This way, Itachi wouldn't have to deal with her when she was like that.
A small smile returned to Itachi's face. "In such a scenario," he began. "I would ask that you save the majority."
Her eyes lowered sadly. "That's what I thought at first, but…" she tightened her hold around his waist. "I don't know how I would deal with it if I didn'tchoose 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," Itachi replied in a gentle voice. "I would not make you decide something like that. If such was the case, I would willingly do so on my own." He paused a moment before continuing, "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."
Sakura felt a single tear slide down her face as she nodded. "I know," she replied as her voice cracked. "You're a great Shinobi, Itachi."
"Sakura-san," she heard him say softly. The pinkette wondered what he would say. Would he tell her that she shouldn't cry for him or would he say goodbye and tell her to not forget the tea. However, these theories instantly vanished from the young Shinobi's mind when she unexpectedly felt Itachi's lips against her forehead.
Her eyes widened momentarily in surprise before she closed them, a small smile forming. A kiss on the forehead…that was something she had always wanted Sasuke to do. She had even fantasized about it once. What she had imagined, he actually ended up saying…except he didn't mean it.
"You have a charming, wide forehead," Sasuke said, walking toward the girl.
"What?" Sakura asked, lifting her head and seeing him come to a stop in front of her.
"It makes me want to kiss it," he informed her, a smile on his face.
Sakura continued to stare at him, her teal eyes locked with his black ones as she blushed.
ALRIGHT! IT'S A FAIRY TALE SITUATION! Inner voiced.
"Not," Sasuke said with a slight chuckle. "Only Naruto would say something like that."
Sakura opened her eyes and looked up at Itachi, her smile widening. He always made her smile. She had wanted to be kissed on the forehead by Sasuke, but received one from Itachi instead. However, she didn't seem to mind that it came from him. In fact, as unbelievable and baffling as it was, she found herself preferring it.
Itachi pulled away before opening his eyes and looking to her. She lifted a hand to the place he had kissed her before her smile grew wider.
"Are you…alright?"
The pinkette nodded. "Fine," she replied in an airy voice. She then quickly ran her hands through her hair, trying to calm herself. "Why…did you do that?"
A small smile formed before the Uchiha shrugged, "I supposed it was simply because…" he tilted his head as he pondered something. "I wanted to."
"Because you…wanted to?" Sakura asked curiously, dropping her hands to her sides, having successfully returned her heart rate to normal. "Why?"
Itachi blinked and lowered his arm from around her shoulders. After a moment, he shrugged again, "there was just something about your forehead…that made me want to kiss it."
"There was?!" the girl probed excitedly, lifting her eyes to his.
He smiled before nodding, "Aa."
'Reality turned out to be much better than any fantasy,' Sakura thought with a grin before remembering she had been crying and hastily lifting a hand to wipe away the tear. She thought back to why this transpired. Why had she reacted in such a way to a simple statement? It didn't make any sense to her. It was completely ridiculous.
She suddenly felt awkward and laughed nervously as she backed away from him. "S-sorry about earlier. I don't know what came over me."
Itachi tilted his head slightly. "No need to apologize," he replied. "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."
Sakura smiled. Then there wasn't a reason for her to worry or feel weird about it. She reached up and patted his shoulder playfully. "You'll just be my favorite confidant, Snail."
"I anticipate the role," Itachi replied with an assuring nod before he sighed and his gaze again to the window. His gaze then returned to her, "Better get started on that tea."
The Shinobi returned the nod, "Right away, Sensei!"
The Uchiha turned before glancing back at her with a small smile. "I'll be back soon."
"See you then," she responded as she waved in farewell.
Itachi then turned back to the hall and made his way to the stairs, which he started to descend. Sakura smiled and glanced back at her door then to her partner's, knowing he kept his tea set in his room. She began walking toward it when she realized that he didn't give her the key to his room. She hastily changed her course and ran after the Uchiha.
The girl stopped at the top of the staircase and instantly spotted him. "Itachi!"
He paused in his steps and turned to her, his head tilted in question. "Sakura-san?"
Sakura sighed in relief and quickly approached him, descending the stairs two at a time. When she reached the Uchiha, she smiled slyly. "Did you forget something?"
Itachi furrowed his brows slightly before seeming to realize his mistake. He nodded, "Aa. It seems that I have."
As he walked past her, Sakura's eyes widened as she recalled the reason he was leaving to visit the fish-man. She shook her head and followed him back up the stairs and to his door. As he took out his key and began unlocking it, she asked, "Itachi…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 looked to her with slightly widened eyes, "…were you not speaking of the book before? What else have I forgotten?"
Sakura shook her head again before walking toward him and ruffling his hair. "You're cute when you're confused," she stated with a smile. "Anyway," she continued, stepping back and meeting his gaze. "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."
Itachi looked down at his key and a moment passed before he smiled. "If I give you my key," he lifted his gaze to hers once more. "Are you going to throw it out the window?"
Smirking, the Shinobi tapped her chin before shrugging. "That depends on whether or not there's a nice breeze outside and," her smirk changed into a sweet smile. "How long you're gone."
"So," he tilted his head, "you've resorted to blackmailing me, then?"
Sakura nodded. "Yep, and it'll work because I know you love me," she joked with a laugh before nudging him in the elbow. "Buddy."
Itachi blinked in response and appeared to be pondering something before he offered her another small smile. He then turned back to the door, which he proceeded to open and enter. Sakura leaned against the doorframe and waited for him to finish, allowing her mind to wander as she closed her eyes.
A smile formed as she recalled her memory from before. It was demeaning then being placed in the same category as her blonde friend because they had both been forgetful, but it was comforting knowing that Itachi could do the same thing. She laughed softly as she considered how wrong she'd been about him.
"Here you are," the Uchiha said as he handed the tea to her. "You can prepare it in here if you like, as I already have all of my equipment set out on the stove."
Sakura opened her eyes and looked to the stove before shifting her attention to him. "I think it'll be easier if I just do it in here," she answered with a nod.
Itachi returned the nod before walking past her and back into the hall. However, he halted in his steps and looked to his a moment before turning and extending it to the pinkette with another smile. "Just in case."
The Shinobi accepted the key and pretended to examine bot h sides. "Are you sure you trust me with it? This is what I'm using to blackmail you, after all."
"Aa," Itachi nodded with a smile, "because…well," he winked. "It's as you said." He then turned and gently pulled the door closed behind him before making his way down the hall and descending the staircase.
Sakura, again, watched him disappear out of sight, feeling slightly confused. What had he meant by that? What she said when? Was he perhaps referring to the joke she made about the blackmail? She nodded. It made sense. That would explain the wink he cast at her before leaving.
As the pinkette turned and reopened the door, another thought occurred to her. 'He seemed surprised by it at first, though. Why was that?' Did he think, for a second, that it wasn't a joke and she was serious? She shook her head at the notion before shutting the door behind her and crossing to the stove. When it was full of water and set over the fire, the girl plopped onto Itachi's bed and waited for the water to start steaming.
If that was the case, then it would also explain his surprise when she said it. Of course he was surprised. It's completely ridiculous. In that instant, he probably thought I was crazy for suggesting such a thing.' She laughed before moving back to the stove to pour the hot water into one of the cups and placing the tea within. 'Hell, I bet I would think the same thing. That's such a foolish and senseless thought.'
When the first cup of tea had steeped, Sakura repeated the same process for the next one. She set both cups on the nightstand, deciding to wait for Itachi before drinking her own, and leaned back against the bedpost.
She again closed her eyes and sighed contentedly, the familiar scent emanating from the room both calming her and allowing her mind to drift away from its current train of thought.
"Alright, guys. That's enough for one afternoon," Kakashi called from his spot beside a tree.
The three Shinobi turned to him, all trying to catch their breath. They nodded and slowly made their over to him.
Naruto immediately fell to the ground when he under the refuge of the shaded tree, burying his face in the cool dirt.
Sakura was tempted to join him, but insisted on remaining standing. She refused to lie in the dirt around everyone. Her parents raised her better than that.
Sasuke rested his back against the tree Kakashi was currently standing in front of and slid down it to a sitting position.
Kakashi's visible eye closed like it always did whenever he smiled. "What's the matter with you three? You look like you just returned from a battle."
Sakura stared at him in disbelief. Was he serious?
Naruto lifted his head out of the dirt and flopped onto his back to point an accusing finger at his sensei. "It's your fault if we do, Kakashi-sensei! You've been making us do rigorous training nonstop since this morning!"
"Oh? It seems you still have some energy left, Naruto. Would you like to continue?" Kakashi asked, smiling at the hyper blonde.
"I would, but my legs won't move, dattebayo," he confessed.
"Hn."
Kakashi glanced then to Sasuke, sending him the same look. "What about you, Sasuke? Are you up to the challenge? Or," he pointed to Naruto. "Are you immobile like your teammate?"
Sasuke shot a glare to Kakashi before he shook his head and pushed himself to his feet once more. He held one hand against the tree as he smirked.
"Sasuke-kun, you shouldn't push yourself too hard," Sakura advised, slowly walking toward him. "You should just rest. We've all had enough training for one day."
He only directed the glare at her before turning and making his way toward the center of the field. He crossed his arms and looked back to their teacher, "whenever you're ready, Kakashi."
Sakura weakly slid to the ground and took his place against the tree.
"What?!" Naruto exclaimed abruptly. "No, I won't stand for teme getting to train while I can't!"
Kakashi shrugged, "I can't control his actions, Naruto. If you have a problem with the situation, then do something about it that will turn it around in your favor."
Naruto scrunched up his face in concentration when his face lit up as an idea came to him. He turned back onto his stomach and crawled toward Sakura, who raised a questioning brow at him. "What, Naruto?"
He reached a hand out and patted one of hers before taking it in his own. "Sakura-chan, can you give me some food? Preferably ramen, but it's okay if you don't have any."
Sakura sighed before pulling her hand out of his grasp and reaching into her bag. She pulled out a bento box and handed it to him. "Just don't eat all of it."
The blonde took it from her hesitantly and stared at the contents in confusion. "Sakura-chan…there's not much food in here. Did you eat it already?"
"Of course not! Why would you think that, you idiot?!" Sakura demanded anger lacing in her voice.
"Ohhh," Naruto stated, realization shining in his eyes as he grabbed the chopsticks and started eating the rice. "Then, that means you're dieting again, Sakura-chan."
Sakura glared at him. "Do you want the food…or not?" she asked through gritted teeth.
He flinched before quickly shutting himself up with the food, which he devoured in a matter of seconds. He then placed the box in Sakura's lap and offered a "thanks" to her before standing and stretching his legs. "Alright, dattebayo! Now I'm as good as new, Kakashi-sensei!"
"That's wonderful. Now go join Sasuke in the field," the Jounin instructed.
Naruto nodded and grinned as he walked toward his teammate. "Did you think I'd refuse the challenge, teme?"
Sasuke smirked.
"What, are you too scared to say anything because I might beat you this time? Well, guess what? I had food and now I'm more revived than you, dattebayo."
The Uchiha turned to the blonde and lazily pushed him back. Naruto stumbled and fell onto his back. He glared up at his teammate. "Sasuke!"
"Hn," he grunted before extending a hand down to Naruto. "You're not revived, dobe. You can barely stand. Go sit down and eat something else so you won't fall and get in my way." Naruto frowned but took his hand, regardless, and Sasuke pulled him back up.
"Alright, let's go," Kakashi announced, snapping the orange book shut that Sakura didn't realize he had been reading.
"Why, Kakashi-sensei?" she asked curiously.
"Because," he smiled and pointed toward the river. "We're going to relax for the rest of the day."
Sakura awarded him a disbelieving stare. "Relax? We've never relaxed before."
"There's nothing wrong with it, Sakura."
She smiled and nodded. Sensei was right. They could use a break.
Naruto thrust his fist into the air with excitement. "Yay, dattebayo! I'm going swimming!"
Sakura considered it a moment before shaking her head. Perhaps she could work on a tan, but…they never seemed to work. "Yeah, let's go," she shrugged, trying to make herself stand only for her legs to give out and cause her to sit down again.
Naruto walked toward and placed a hand on her shoulder, "are you alright, Sakura-chan?"
"I'm fine," she retorted bitterly, shoving his hand off.
"Sakura-chan, I was only trying to help."
"I don't need your help, Naruto."
"But you-"
"Sasuke-kun?" Sakura called loudly, cutting him off.
The Uchiha turned to her with an unreadable expression. "Sakura."
The pinkette smiled at him and blushed slightly, "could you help me?"
His eyes narrowed before he turned and ventured toward the river.
"Teme, where are you going?! Sakura-chan needs you!" Naruto yelled, running after him. He stumbled, but Sasuke grabbed his arm before he fell and he regained his balance. "She asked you for help."
Sasuke glanced back at her and glared, "she said she didn't need your help. I'm just assuming she doesn't need mine either."
"Good point, teme. Sakura-chan is capable of taking care of herself," Naruto agreed, nodding enthusiastically before walking behind Sasuke and pushing him to the river. "Come one then, dattebayo. I'm going to beat you at both swimming and fishing."
"The fishing poles are already down there," Kakashi added as they disappeared down a hill.
Sakura dropped her gaze to the ground. Why didn't he want to help her? He just acted like he wanted nothing to do with her. He had basically abandoned her just now…along with Naruto. Was that what would always happen? He would leave her and she would be left wondering if he'd ever come back? Was she really that annoying to him?
"Sakura?" Kakashi asked, pulling her from her musings.
She tilted her head to her teacher sadly. "Yes, Kakashi-sensei?"
He smiled, "would you like me to help you?"
"…yes," she answered with a nod. He dropped to his knees and pulled her onto his back before walking in the direction the boys had gone.
"I hope this taught you something, Sakura."
"It did, Sensei," she replied sadly, lifting her head to see Naruto running around with two wooden fishing poles and a toothy grin on his face before Sasuke tripped him and snatched one out of his grasp. Naruto then proceeded to push the Uchiha into the river, laughing uncontrollably. "It did."
The irony of that situation was almost laughable. She wondered if he would one day leave her and never come back. She had been right, as it turned out, though it was completely different from what she had imagined. She thought it would only be for a short period of time and that he would always come back. In that regard, she had been wrong.
Sakura opened her eyes and wiped the tears from them. She needed to stop thinking about that. It only served to make her sad and she didn't want to feel like that anymore. She looked around the room for something to take her mind off it and her eyes landed on the two steaming cups of tea by the nightstand.
Itachi. Would he return every time? She didn't want to go through something like what happened with Sasuke ever again. She and Naruto were definitely going to bring him back, but that wouldn't erase the actions of the past. She still had to experience the same feeling of abandonment and sadness.
Her mind drifted back to Itachi. He was different than Sasuke. Maybe, just maybe…he wouldn't force her to go through that again. She sighed and rubbed her eyes as she felt more tears on her face. She swallowed and stepped off the bed, walking toward the window and lifting it open, the wind gently brushing across her face.
The breeze helped her clear her mind and she glanced around the room. "What can I do while wait?"
As she asked this, there were three short knocks on the door. Sakura smiled and absently fixed her hair as she walked toward it before twisting the knob and seeing Itachi standing on the other side. "Welcome back," she greeted happily.
The Uchiha nodded before he held a bushel of 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 fell and she dropped her gaze to the floor. She hadn't set up her equipment like she was supposed to. It was just not a good day for either of them. They were forgetting everything, apparently.
"…were you sleeping?"
Her eyes widened before she gazed up at him and nodded. "…yeah."
Itachi tilted his head and she noticed that there was a small smile on his face. "I see."
She resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at him again and instead sighed before grabbing his hand. "I made the tea."
"Did you?" Itachi asked as his smile widened, stepping into the room. "You had me worried there for a moment."
Sakura rolled her eyes at him before pulling him to the nightstand. She indicated the cups, "you can have whichever you want. I didn't drink one yet."
The Uchiha set the plants in his hand on the table and the girl realized she hadn't answered his question yet. She glanced at him as he was taking a slow slip of tea and smiled. She hoped he liked it.
He lowered the cup before looking to her with another smile, "this is perfect, Sakura-san."
Her smile widened, "thank you, Snail. I made it exactly like you always do. Oh and," she pointed to the Yucca plants. "That's more than enough, but that's good because we don't know if we'll need more at some point."
Itachi seemed to process this information before asking, "After we're finished here, would you be alright with going to see if Gregor needs any assistance in his town?"
"Of course," Sakura replied with a nod. "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 looked to her own cup and took a sip as well. A silence fell before she returned her gaze to her partner. "Itachi, since you're my confidant, do you want to know a secret? My parents would be the only other people that know."
Itachi was silent before he slowly nodded, "Only if you feel sure you want to tell me."
"…I didn't always like tea," she began hesitantly, looking down at her cup filled with the liquid. She paused and lifted her gaze to his. His eyebrows were slightly creased and she decided it would be best to continue. "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, "so, you started drinking it in the hopes that this crush of yours would realize a similarity and take an interest in you?"
Sakura nodded, "pretty much. 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."
He smiled, "interesting how things turn out sometimes, isn't it?"
"Yeah," she returned the smile. "It is. If it had turned out differently, we might not be here right now enjoying delicious cups of tea."
"True," the Uchiha replied with a nod. "Though, I try not to place much emphasis on what might have been. There's only the present and the future."
"I think you told me something like that before," Sakura stated with a laugh.
"Probably so," he shrugged.
"Thank you for that, by the way," she told him with a smile. "It really did help."
Itachi simply nodded. He appeared to be thinking about something again before taking another sip of tea.
Sakura finished her own tea and set it down on the nightstand before sitting comfortably on the bed. "What's on your mind, Itachi?"
He then looked to her before releasing a soft sigh and setting his cup down as he took a seat next to her. "I wanted to ask you something concerning my little brother but," he glanced away. "It might upset you."
"Oh," she said, dropping her gaze. She had decided before to not dwell on the things regarding Sasuke that might upset her, but that hadn't been effective lately. Maybe what Itachi wanted to ask wouldn't be such a bad thing.
Regardless, she would let him ask her. It seemed that he had been wondering whatever it was for a while and his only reserve was that he didn't want to upset her. Sakura grasped his hand and turned to him with a small smile. "I'll be fine. What's your question?"
Itachi nodded before a momentary silence ensued. "You…have feelings for him," he stated and paused, waiting for her response.
"Yes…" she nodded slowly. "I have since I was eight."
The Uchiha again nodded and another short silence followed. "Now, my question is this: Does Sasuke…return those feelings? Has he ever?"
"No," she replied sadly. "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 Shinobis and have the ability to disguise ourselves as other people, so that probably wasn't even him," she paused before returning her gaze to Itachi, fresh tears in her eyes.
All these years, she'd hoped he returned her affections and that instance made her cling stronger to it, but had it been fake? He did seem to be acting strangely at the time. And she saw him again right after he ran away, his attitude completely changed. Was the first Sasuke a fake and the second, the one that called her annoying, the real one? He always called her annoying.
However, the night he left, she asked if he remembered what he said that day. When told her about solitude and how it was painful. He had replied saying he didn't. Had that been a lie also? If that was the case, then the second was definitely him and that could only mean…the one that almost kissed her was the fake.
"No. He didn't," she finally stated, tightening her hold on his hand.
Itachi's eyes returned to hers and he smiled slightly, "that's regrettable."
"Yeah," Sakura nodded as the tears started falling 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 made 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 surfacing and I'm wondering if I made the wrong choice in deciding not to deal with it sooner."
Itachi inhaled slightly and Sakura patiently waited for his 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 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 simply 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."
Sakura shook her head, "it's no longer a possibility. I know now that Sasuke-kun definitely doesn't return my feelings."
"If that is really the case then," Itachi responded. "Either accept that state of being and allow those emotions to remain regardless, or…let them go and continue to regard him as a friend that you truly care for."
"I think both would be hard but," Sakura began as she lifted a hand to wipe away her tears. "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."
Itachi stiffened a moment before turning to her with slightly widened eyes. "You're…trying to bring him back?"
Sakura 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're determined to save him before the end of these six months."
After another moment of complete silence, Itachi's features softened and his smile returned. "He'll come back to you," he assured.
"Yes, he will," Sakura replied. "And that snake bastard will be dead."
"Aa," Itachi nodded.
Another silence fell before the Shinobi smiled at the Uchiha. "Thank you…for talking about this with me. I actually needed it," she stated before laughing softly. "You know, you could've been a counselor if you wanted."
Itachi laughed 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?" Sakura asked, lightly punching his arm. "Feel free to make me your confidant right back, Snail." 'Also, that makes one for today.'
He nodded, "I'm…considering it. However," he the tapped her forehead. "Not yet."
"Alright," she replied with a smile before leaning on his shoulder. "Just know that I'll always be here if you ever want to talk."
"Aa," Itachi responded. "I know, Sakura-san." He glanced down at her and smiled, "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," Sakura replied with a momentary pout before it shifted into a smile and she slowly closed her eyes. "Besides, I'm not tired anymore. I'm…happy."
He sighed and paused briefly before resting his head on hers, "I suppose it's alright then."
"Hell yeah."
Itachi laughed softly in response and her smile widened.
'I think it's moments like these that I will cherish forever.'
