Please see first chapter for disclaimer, rating, warnings, pairings, etc.

Special Thanks: goes out to PolkadottedAngels, Metoochocolate, rao hyuga 18, Glitterthorn, DarkAnonymous324, and TheSigmaEnigma for all your wonderful, encouraging reviews, and for getting me to the 50 mark! Also thank you to everyone who has added Labyrinth to their favorite and alert lists.

Author's Note: I know this update is terribly, terribly late - but, in order to let you get on with reading the chapter (which I don't blame you for doing, anyway), I'll save the explanations for the end of the chapter. In the meanwhile, I hope you enjoy, and this chapter was worth the wait!

*~Chapter XV~*

~Expectations~

"A p-pure white rose, hung where he c-can see to signal a rendezvous with you." Hinata's eyes held a misty, dreamy look. "That is so-"

"Don't say it, Hina," Tenten interrupted quickly. "Please don't use the 'r' word! It's nothing like that. It could just as easily have been a daisy or - or some other kind of flower, we just happened to be standing right next to this arbor and that's what was growing on it."

Hinata made a noncommittal humming sound. But from the tiny smile still hovering on her friend's lips as she leaned back against the cushions of the litter, Tenten could tell she hadn't given up on the idea. Fortunately it was not a long ride from the Hyuuga estate to the Yamanaka residence. The litter had barely come to a halt within the courtyard when Ino flew down the front steps and all but dove through the side curtains.

"Welcome, welcome, welcome!" She grabbed first Hinata, then Tenten, in enthusiastic hugs. She pulled back, her blue eyes brimming with tears. "I'm so glad you're here, it's been so long, Hina-"

"Yes, it h-has." Tenten saw the heiress look wistfully around her as she exited the litter. Two menservants briefly bowed before proceeding to help the driver unload their minimal luggage. Ino linked arms with them and drew them into the house which, though somewhat smaller than the Hyuuga's, had a much more welcoming air. As might be expected in a florist's home, flower arrangements were the prevailing decorations; as might be expected in a home Ino supervised, said arrangements balanced elegance and exuberance.

"So," Ino asked once her guests' bags had been placed inside her second floor bedroom, "are you up for a spot of shopping? There is this fabulous new boutique not too far from our shop, and I've been keeping my eye on a couple of outfits for the two of you to wear to the festival tomorrow that will make you look good enough to eat!"

Tenten inwardly winced at the image that flashed past her mind's eye. "Um, thank you, Ino," she said, "but technically speaking I won't be attending the festival. I will be there as Hinata's bodyguard."

Ino tossed her heavy yellow ponytail. "There's no law, is there, that says a girl can't look good while doing her job? And no, Hinata," she rounded on the heiress, "I know what you're thinking, and you can't just wear the same thing you wore to Akimichi's! We are going shopping! The only question is whether we go before lunch or after."

As Tenten knew she would, Hinata yielded with a soft sigh. "B-before. But n-no horse l-litter. I want t-to walk."

Ino clapped her hands in delight. "Good! And once we've finished at the boutique there is a teahouse nearby that has the most awesome cinnamon rolls. My treat!"

Since the Yamanaka estate stood much closer to Konoha's commercial district it took a depressingly short amount of time for the three girls to walk there, even at a leisurely pace. Tenten spent most of it trying to come up with a way to keep from having to try on outfits, let alone buy one, but couldn't shake the feeling Ino was fully prepared to knock down every one of her excuses. Hinata probably wouldn't be any help either. They'd already had a lengthy discussion on Tenten's role on the following evening, and she had a feeling it wasn't over.

The dress shop fairly shouted Expensive! at Tenten as they approached. She unconsciously balled her hands into fists inside her wide sleeves, wanting nothing more than to be able to turn and run; a feeling that doubled in intensity when a stylishly dressed woman hastened to bow and greet them, then bustled off to pull the requested garments. All too soon she found herself in a spacious mirrored cubicle with Hinata and Ino, the latter fluttering around them like an overexcited butterfly.

First Hinata tried on the outfit Ino had chosen for her: a shortsleeved dress which swirled from a fitted bodice of deep lilac randomly shot with silver threads to a midthigh skirt of a lighter hue, worn over kneelength shorts that were an even paler shade. Modestly high platform sandals with glittering straps added a couple of inches to her height while emphasizing her slender ankles.

"I think this time your hair should stay down," Ino said thoughtfully. "Maybe we'll just put an ornamental clip in on one side. What do you think, Tenten?"

"Yes," Tenten agreed decisively despite the pleading glance the heiress gave her. "I know you're used to wearing a kimono, Hinata, but not only do you look fantastic: I think you'll be a lot more comfortable wearing this. Or you will be once you get used to walking in those sandals."

Hinata studied herself in the surrounding mirrors, the doubtful look slowly fading away. "I will f-fit in much b-better with everyone else in this, right?"

"Absolutely you will," Ino said promptly. "Didn't you notice at Akimichi's the other night? Not many people wear kimono on a daily basis anymore."

Hinata inhaled deeply. "I'll t-take it. All right, Tenten," she turned around with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes, "your t-turn."

Tenten's mouth suddenly went dry. She'd been trying very hard not to look at the midnight blue clothes hanging on the cubicle's creamy wall - especially since she'd noticed the satiny gleam of frogging on the left shoulder. As she reluctantly removed her trousers and top, revealing several previously concealed weapons strapped to various parts of her body, Ino's blue eyes got bigger and bigger. The blonde blinked rapidly several times but tactfully made no comment about them. Instead, "Close your eyes, Tenten," she said with a giggle. "No peeking until we say you can."

"Er, um-" An instinctive urge to retreat shivered along Tenten's nerves and her hands came up in a warding-off gesture. "Is that really necessary?"

"Trust us," Hinata said softly. "Ino and I have p-played this dressup game since we were little g-girls getting into our mothers' c-closets. It's okay."

After what seemed like an eternity of giggles and ruthless hands manipulating her limbs this way and that as though she were a life-sized doll, her two companions chorused, "Open your eyes!" Don't want to, Tenten thought mulishly, then felt ashamed of herself. She cautiously cracked the lids of her left eye open the merest slit; did the same with the right. "Oh, c'mon, look!" Ino exclaimed with a laugh as she poked Tenten in the ribs.

Tenten's eyes flew open. She focused on her reflection, and her mouth abruptly did the same thing. "Is - that - me?" she squeaked, staring at the unfamiliar girl in the mirror directly in front of her. From its standup collar past the cap sleeves to the deep slits extending up each side from a hem that hit just above her knees, the dark blue tunic caressed her figure in a silken shimmer. Black trousers fit her loosely enough to provide ease of movement, as well as concealment for her weapons: some of them, at least.

"What d-do you think?" Hinata asked anxiously from her right.

"I think I look glamorous," Tenten said uncertainly, still feeling dazed, "and nothing like myself at all."

On her left Ino nodded smugly. "Didn't I tell you? Good enough to eat!"

Late on Saturday afternoon, as the sun drifted lazily down the western sky, the tree-lined streets of Konoha began to fill with couples young and old, the occasional individual, groups of friends, families. The hum of voices raised in excited conversation resonated along Hinata's nerves, pooling in a quivering knot in the pit of her stomach. She and her companions walked with the flow of villagers moving steadily toward the enormous plaza just inside the main gates. She couldn't remember a time in her life when she'd ever been around so many people. In fact, she was beginning to feel quite smothered, as though the crowd around her consumed all the oxygen in the air, leaving none for her. Only her bitter suspicion of her father's plans for her, along with the comfort of knowing she'd chosen to fight for her birthright, gave her the strength she needed to keep her head up and continue moving forward; each step a blow struck in her inward battle against the panic, the old feelings of inadequacy and inferiority, of being judged a disappointment.

On some superficial level Hinata remained aware of her surroundings, of Tenten's watchful presence and the light social conversation being carried on by Ino, Shikamaru, and Lord Sasuke, even adding an occasional comment herself. Her inner and outer selves didn't reconnect, though, until Ino linked arms with her, saying with a laugh, "Better hang on to me going up these steps, Hina, since those sandals are so new. It would be a very bad omen if the future leader of Konoha tripped and broke her leg before the festival even gets started!"

Hinata blinked in surprise at the wide, imposing stone staircase rising before her. Her gaze traveled up to the building they led to, and the guards in Konoha police uniforms standing next to the entrance watching them very intently. "They're r-really not so d-different from g-geta," she murmured distractedly while allowing her arm to remain entwined with her friend's. Their small group started upward at a leisurely pace.

They were less than halfway up when both guards stepped forward to the edge of the wide platform, one of them saying politely but very firmly, "With regret, young sirs and ladies, spectators are not permitted here. Please return to the plaza."

Even as the impulse to apologize and retreat twitched from Hinata's brain to her feet, Sasuke spoke from just behind her left shoulder. "For normal spectators, yes," he said mildly, yet with an unmistakable note of authority. "But I think an exception can be made in this case, Toshimaru - especially for Lady Hinata, the Heiress of the Hyuuga clan, and my other guests."

"Of course, Lord Sasuke!" Both guards bowed crisply, the one who'd addressed them adding, "My profound apologies for not recognizing you, m'lord. Welcome, Lady Hinata and honored guests!"

Sasuke nodded a dismissal, then turned to Hinata and the others with a faint grin. "Being the future chief of police does have some perks attached. Since this is your first time attending the festival, Lady Hinata - and Tenten's as well - I want you to have the best possible view of the opening ceremonies."

Hinata smiled at him shyly. "Thank you, L-Lord Sasuke. It is v-very k-kind of you."

The shadows grew longer and darker across the plaza and village. Twilight deepened into dusk that yielded by infinitesimal degrees to a darkness unbroken by any hint of artificial illumination. Stars gleamed overhead, their light too faint and frail to give any definition to the world below. The steady buzz of voices reaching them from the crowd below stilled, except for the occasional excited shriek from a very young child, quickly hushed. Hinata's heart and respiration rates increased again, but this time with an anticipation untainted by panic.

Lord Sasuke's warm breath stirred the hair by Hinata's left ear as he leaned toward her and whispered, "Any second now." He'd barely finished speaking when from a shrine deep within the village a gong sounded, its mellow reverberations evoking a sense of profound peace. Boom! Before the gong's echoes died a single deep beat from an enormous drum answered from the heights of the sheltering cliff rising behind Konoha. Unconsciously Hinata shivered as it resonated within her, drawing her eyes in its direction. Even though the sounds were familiar to her, sequestered as she'd been most of her life, her spirits lifted as though she were experiencing them for the first time. She kept her gaze focused on the deeper black mass of the cliff as the notes from multiple gongs quavered through the night and several drums sent out their booming reply.

There! So dimly as to seem a mere trick of light-starved eyes, a gleam of light appeared along the edge of the cliff. The gongs continued to sound at half-minute intervals, the taiko drums filling in the spaces with their compelling beat. The light grew stronger and stronger, welling up and spilling down the cliff's face in a flood of radiance. Very distantly now, from several points at the rear of Konoha, the wild piping of many flutes joined in with the gongs and drums, coming steadily closer, seeming to draw after it a swelling wave of luminescence. This part was all new to Hinata. Without realizing it she rested her chin on top of her clasped hands as she watched the area of darkness grow smaller and smaller before the onslaught of light, shrinking until it was barely larger than the plaza. . . .

And brilliance suddenly raced over the last of the buildings ringing the circular space between them, the gates, and the outer wall; flared from above them, sweeping the last of the darkness away as the music came to a sustained crescendo, then abruptly ceased.

The crowd of villagers clapped and cheered prior to dispersing to enjoy the fair's other activities, Hinata clapping as well. Glowing with delight she turned to Lord Sasuke, exclaiming as she bowed, "Oh, that was m-marvelous! Thank you s-so much!" She also bobbed briefly toward the policemen on guard duty, never noticing their swiftly concealed astonishment as they bowed deeply in return. "That was b-beyond anything I've ever imagined d-during all these years."

His usually reserved expression lightened as he smiled at her. "I'm very glad you enjoy-" he started to reply, but Ino bounced between them, chattering nonstop.

"Wasn't that the most incredible thing you've ever seen in your life, Hinata? What about you, Tenten? Have you seen anything like it any of the places you've been? I always get goosebumps when the first gong sounds, and then the drums! I really love the drums, don't you? Dad's told me before what it all symbolizes, but I always get too excited to remember what it's supposed to mean. And now comes the really fun part! Vendors have been setting up their booths all week! There are rides, too, and games," she giggled, "who knows, maybe Sasuke will win you a prize!"

Hinata felt her nerves tighten with dread as Ino reached for her arm again. Dearly as she loved her oldest friend, being around her when she was in one of these hyper moods always left her exhausted. She had a sudden vision of being towed behind Ino at a gallop through the crowded plaza, from booth to booth to booth-

Before Ino could complete her move, Lord Sasuke was somehow between them, tucking her hand into the crook of his elbow. "It will be my pleasure to do so if that's what Lady Hinata wishes," he said smoothly. Just beyond him Ino looked vastly surprised and a little displeased. "Since this is your first festival, my lady, what would you like to do?"

Hinata studied the teeming scene below. For a wistful moment she imagined Naruto at her side, that when she looked up at her escort she would see blond hair and blue eyes, and most of all that smile. A flutter went through her aching heart as she pushed the dream away, sadly acknowledging that was all it would ever be: an unrealized dream. "P-perhaps we could j-just take our t-time and see what c-catches our interest," she suggested tentatively.

Shikamaru heaved a great sigh from the other side of Ino. "Finally - a woman with the sense to enjoy life at a reasonable pace," he said.

Ino sniffed. "Yeah, well, your idea of enjoying the festival would be sitting halfway up the steps watching everybody else have fun. What's the fun of that?"

They descended the steps. It felt, Hinata thought whimsically, like they were entering a pool; one filled with music and laughter and color and enticing smells rather than water. As they rejoined the slowly swirling eddies of people a particular scent brushed past her nose and her head automatically turned to follow it. "D-do I smell c-cinnamon rolls?"

Ino laughed and even Tenten giggled softly. "Hope you brought plenty of money, Sasuke," the blonde said. "If anyone wanted to sponsor a cinnamon roll-eating contest, our Hina would win hands down! I've never seen anyone put away as many as she did after we finished shopping yesterday!"

Hinata's cheeks went very hot. She said in a very small voice, "I d-didn't eat that many - d-did I?"

"Only six, my lady," Tenten chipped in from behind them. Hinata felt her blush deepen.

"For me it's not sweets. It's tomatoes," Sasuke said pensively. She glanced up to see him gazing thoughtfully into the middle distance while nodding slightly. "I've never been able to talk Mother into having one bowl on the table for the rest of the family, and one bowl - only a little bit bigger - on the table for me. It's a sad thing, but true." Hinata put her free hand up to her mouth to stifle a giggle; he turned his head to look down at her. "Shall we track down those rolls for you, Lady Hinata?"

She nodded, suddenly realizing she didn't feel quite as awkward around Lord Sasuke as previously. They found the cinnamon roll vendor; then decided to go on a quest to see if they could find anything with tomatoes. At some point during the evening Ino dragged Shikamaru off to look at something that caught her fancy. Shadowed unobtrusively by Tenten Hinata and Sasuke drifted on, thankfully bypassing the intimidating rides, casually browsing instead while idly talking about what interested each of them; and if he found it boring, she thought gratefully, at least he was gentleman enough not to show it.

"Step right up! Step right up and throw the shuriken, win fabulous prizes!"

The barker's loud voice seemed to come from right next to Hinata's ear, making her startle and look around with a small gasp. "How about it, sir?" The man behind the counter smiled widely past her as he swept a hand at the pockmarked target at the back of his booth. "Get all five shuriken inside the red center, and win the beautiful young lady a fantastic prize!" He pointed to the shelves on either side, packed with stuffed animals of all kinds and sizes.

Sasuke shrugged carelessly. "Oh, well, it is something of a festival tradition," he said to Hinata as he turned toward the game booth. "Not to mention Ino will never let me forget it if I don't. Be picking out which animal you want, Lady Hinata."

Hinata stepped off to one side next to Tenten, whom she saw had one eyebrow slightly lifted. She watched as Sasuke paid the barker and accepted five shuriken in return. He hefted each one separately as though testing its balance, then settled into a relaxed stance.

Thunk! Thunk thunk! Thunk! Thunk! He tossed all five in rapid succession, making a straight line with them along the center's diameter. The booth attendant's mouth hung slightly open as he went to pull them from the target. Hinata heard Tenten let out a soft whistle. "Very impressive, my lord," she said respectfully.

"Thank you. Coming from Hatake Kakashi's sister, that's quite a compliment," Sasuke said, then he shrugged again. "My brother is better. Which animal did you choose, m'lady?"

"That one." Hinata pointed to a small light brown dog with dark-ringed eyes and darker brown ears and front paws. Sasuke accepted it from the barker; as he turned to present it to her, she heard Tenten murmur mischievously, "Now, perhaps my lady would like to win a prize for the gentleman?"

Hinata froze with the toy dog clutched against her chest, feeling herself go very red under Sasuke's startled regard. "You throw shuriken, Lady Hinata?" he asked.

Something deep inside her reacted to the clear note of incredulity in his voice. Putting her chin up she looked directly into his eyes, so black they appeared as pupilless as her own. "N-not as well as you," she replied, "b-but yes, I d-do." She handed her prize to Tenten.

Sasuke yielded his place to her, smiling as he put some more money on the counter. "Five more shuriken for the lady," he told the attendant. The man handed them to her, then hastily withdrew far to one side, nettling her even more. Control your mind and emotions, she reminded herself of Tenten's instructions, and the rest will follow-

She blocked out her surroundings, wrapping herself in the memory of the garden outside her rooms. The first shuriken flew from her hand, landing just inside the center. No nerves, just calm- Drawing a steadying breath, she let the second one fly, then the other three in a smooth rhythm. They all landed inside the target's scarlet heart. She turned to face Sasuke, a feeling of triumph cascading through her. "Wh-which animal d-did you pick out, my l-lord?" she asked, unable to keep a note of sauciness from her voice. She felt Tenten positively beaming at her back.

Lord Sasuke bowed. "My lady, I would be greatly honored if you chose for me," he said.

Hn. Didn't think I could do it, did you? But at the moment Hinata felt too good to let the realization rankle. She scanned the shelves for the other stuffed dog that had caught her eye earlier and pointed to one larger than hers, the same shade of brown but with dark glasses covering its eyes. "That one."

A short time later Hinata saw Ino and Shikamaru walking towards them. Her friend had her right arm twined around Shikamaru's left and seemed as giddy and hyper as ever as she leaned happily against him. A toy pug sporting a big "1" was tucked under her other arm. Shikamaru, however, appeared frankly bored. Hinata thought he looked as though he'd rather be anywhere else than the festival. In his right hand he carried something bright pink and fluffy wrapped around a paper holder; it was evidently edible, since a large bite was missing from its side.

"We've been looking for you!" Ino called as they came closer. "See what Shikamaru won for me?" She waggled the pug excitedly, then broke out laughing. "Oh, wow, Sasuke! You won Hinata two?"

Shikamaru's shoulders rose and fell in a heavy sigh. "Showoff," he muttered. "Now she's going to expect me to go back and win her another one. What a drag."

Hinata peeked at Sasuke from the corners of her eyes; blushed and quickly dropped her gaze when she saw he was looking down at her, approval warming his dark eyes. "I only won the one. It's Ino who has some work to do because Lady Hinata," he nodded at the stuffed animal he carried, "won this for me."

Unconsciousness lifted from Itachi gradually, peeling away from his mind like layers of gossamer. He drifted on the edge of awareness for a while, waiting for memory to return, feeling light, hollow, bodiless. Eventually he came to a languid decision and slowly opened his eyes.

Light, yes, but so dim. He felt a distant jag of fear - had his vision somehow been damaged? - until he thought to look up at the high windows and saw it was actually night. The dim illumination came from a lamp somewhere out of his line of sight. Awareness of something else slowly built: While he still felt sore and lethargic, the dreadful pain and sickness had gone. He breathed a faint sigh of relief, then discovered he lacked the strength to keep his eyes open any longer. Letting them sag shut again, he slipped into deep, natural sleep.

When Itachi next woke, it was to full daylight - and the sight of Temari sitting in a chair at the side of his bed, head bent over the book she was reading, her hair gleaming closer to true gold where the sun's rays touched it. "T-Temari?" he exclaimed, or tried to; only a weak croak came out of his throat.

Her head snapped up. "Itachi!" The book went flying. She jumped up and bent over him, turquoise eyes wide as they searched his face. He wasn't exactly sure how it happened, but one of his hands was suddenly clasped tightly in both of hers. "Itachi!"

He blinked up at her. Were those tears he saw glistening in her eyes? Guilt mingled with an urge to ease her distress welled up in him. "S-so sorry-" he tried to say, but his mouth and throat didn't seem to want to cooperate with him.

Her hands squeezed his an impossible degree tighter before turning loose. "Aoba, the tea! Noriyuki, help me prop up Lord Itachi!" The man he vaguely remembered arriving with Granny Chiyo came up on the other side of his bed. Just as he wondered fuzzily, And did she say "Aoba?" one of the men who'd come with him from Konoha appeared beside her and put a cup into her hand. She held it to his lips, saying, "It's cool on purpose. Slow, tiny sips now. Swish it around your mouth before you swallow, that's the way-"

Whatever kind of tea it was, it definitely wasn't the green tea he'd been expecting. Itachi felt his nose wrinkle at the taste but as he obediently drank the tepid liquid, it seemed he could feel the exquisite relief of moistness returning to his tongue, the tissues lining his mouth, his throat. He sighed.

Temari handed the empty cup to Aoba, who still stood behind her grinning widely down at Itachi. Noriyuki gently eased him onto the support of several pillows, murmuring, "It's good to see you with us again, my lord."

"Thank you." This time Itachi's voice worked much better, even if it did sound weaker than usual. "I apologize deeply for-"

"-For being human?" The look of anxiety lingering around her eyes offset the tart note in Temari's voice. "I am just so grateful the illness hit while you were still here, instead of halfway back to Konoha."

"Aye, m'lord," Aoba agreed fervently. "It doesn't bear thinking of, what could've happened if that had been the case. And speaking of Konoha - Raijin has taken a letter from Lord Gaara to Lord Fugaku explaining why your return home will be delayed by a week or so."

"Letter- My return delayed- What day is this?" Itachi frowned slightly as he tried to pick up the thread of time again.

Temari shot a burning glare over her shoulder at Aoba, who immediately looked abashed, then leaned over to rest her hands on Itachi's shoulders. "It's Saturday afternoon," she said, holding his gaze with hers. "You've been desperately ill, Itachi: some sort of dreadful viral infection made even more vicious by dehydration. Either Noriyuki or Granny Chiyo herself has been with you around the clock since Thursday. Your fever finally broke around two o'clock this morning, and you should make a full recovery - if you don't do anything stupid like trying to make the three-day journey back across the desert before you're physically ready just because you think you're being some kind of a burden here."

Itachi shook his head restlessly as he tried to wrap his mind around the gap in his life, wanting to protest that he had duties and responsibilities at home awaiting his attention; but simply lacked the energy to argue. It took all his strength to lift a hand and cover one of hers where it rested on his shoulder. "Then all I can do is thank you - all of you," he included Aoba and Noriyuki with sideways glances, "and make sure not to undo everything you've done for me."

During the succeeding days Itachi tried hard to keep his promise to be a good patient. Noriyuki and Aoba took it in turns to help him with things he wasn't quite strong enough to do for himself yet. Granny Chiyo checked on him periodically as well: not just to monitor his recovery from the virus, but also to continue treatment of the bleeding ulcer she'd diagnosed during her initial examination. Still, it was hard not to fret. He knew his mother and brother would both be frantic with worry; his father, on the other hand, would probably just be furious, as though he'd gotten sick on purpose. In fact, he felt certain a blistering missive was even now on its way to him. Deciding he would deal with it when it arrived, he made a determined effort to concentrate on getting his strength back as well as on the extra time he had to spend with Temari.

Wednesday came and went, though, with no messenger from Konoha, leaving Itachi unsure whether to feel relieved or apprehensive. Thursday morning after breakfast, he and Temari went up to the rooftop garden for the first time since his illness. The richly scented, humid air wrapped around him like a hug from a long-lost friend, inspiring an unexpected pang of homesickness in him. His eyes closed of their own accord as he tilted his head back and took in a deep, deep breath.

"I miss Konoha, too," Temari said softly. "Not as much as you do, of course," she added when he looked down at her in surprise, "but it definitely has made a lasting place for itself in my heart."

"As Suna has in mine," he responded. They settled on a shaded bench close to the wall of windows. "Your village's beauty is austere and subtle- Except for the sunsets, which are truly extravagant."

Temari smiled. Gazing outward, Itachi rested his left hand on the empty bit of bench between them, a passive invitation she was free to accept or refuse. A moment later, she lightly covered it with her right. Silence, companionable rather than awkward, fell between them.

"I never had the chance to ask you about this garden," he said eventually. "Why was it built?"

"Mother wasn't a native of Suna," Temari replied. "She came from a village far to the south and west of here, with a climate even hotter and wetter than Konoha's - if that's even possible." She slanted a teasing glance at him. "Father had it built for her shortly after their betrothal, so she would always have something of her home village nearby." She fell silent for a moment, then added very softly, "It doesn't really mean anything to Gaara, but for Kankuro and me, it helps keep our memories of her fresh and alive."

He nodded slowly. "Thank you for telling me."

Temari's fingers twitched ever so slightly on top of his. "Thank you for not offering to build a sand garden in Konoha for me."

Quiet descended again, to be broken sometime later by the garden's heavy door opening and closing. As they both stood and turned, Itachi's mind flashed back to the only other time he and Temari had been here. Perhaps because of that he was unsurprised to see the young lord of Suna walking along the path toward them, carrying a sealed scroll in one hand and looking more than ordinarily solemn. He came to a halt on the opposite side of the bench from them.

Temari spoke first, on a tight, questioning note. "Gaara? What is it?"

"A messenger has arrived from Konoha." He proffered the scroll he held to Itachi, who took it with a sharp feeling of foreboding made all the stronger by the way Gaara stared him in the eyes before shifting his unblinking, sage green gaze to his sister. "Temari: Please come with me while Lord Itachi reads his letter from Lord Fugaku." He extended one hand commandingly.

He knows what's in here because Father has written him about it, too. Which means it has something to do with our betrothal, and that concerns both of us. "By your leave, Lord Gaara," Itachi said, his voice every bit as authoritative as the younger man's. "It isn't necessary for-"

"Yes. It is," Gaara interrupted flatly, not lowering his hand. Itachi's rare temper started to flare. Temari looked nervously from one to the other of them, reacting to the tension suddenly crackling between her brother and her betrothed. "This will be better coming from me than from you. Temari, I need to speak with you now."

Hesitantly, her expression deeply troubled, Temari asked, "What would be better coming from you?" Her breathing suddenly quickened, her eyes going bright and hard. "Does Lord Fugaku think we lied about Itachi's illness? That we're somehow holding him here against his will? Is he wanting to break our betrothal? Answer me, Gaara!"

"No." For one insane moment, Itachi thought that single uninflected syllable was all the other man meant to say, until he added, "He has set a date for the wedding. Temari, for Lord Itachi's sake if not for your own, please give him some privacy now."

Temari's face went white with shock. Gaara took her in charge and led her from the conservatory, pausing at the doorway only long enough to say, "I'm sorry," over his shoulder in a very quiet voice. Itachi's anger burned hotter, but its focus changed as he stared down at the scroll clenched in his hand. Ripping open the seal, he unrolled it and read the few terse paragraphs inside. His legs went wobbly underneath him and he dropped heavily back onto the bench, the short length of parchment crushed in his fist.

October seventeenth. October seventeenth. That's barely more than a month away- No wonder Gaara had been so insistent, Itachi realized on some distant level untouched by his fury. In his own awkward way he'd tried to buffer the shock. October seventeenth. Is this your way of punishing me, Father, for doing something, however unintentionally, outside your plans? Or is it only your insatiable lust for control, for absolute dominance, showing itself?

The sun's white-hot orb had climbed nearly to its zenith before Itachi reattained some measure of control over his emotions. He didn't realize until he attempted to stand how suffocatingly steamy the greenhouse had gotten, despite the steady whirring of ventilation fans. His face and hair dripped with sweat, his perspiration-soaked clothes clinging to his body. On the third try he pushed to his feet and staggered straight for the door, spending several long minutes propped against the wall outside while the heat-induced pounding in his chest and head eased.

As soon as he could he started downstairs, thinking distractedly of finding Temari or Gaara. I definitely need to change clothes first, he acknowledged with a grimace, probably bathe, too. He exited the stairs, quickly strode along two corridors, swung around a corner into a third, the one leading to his suite-

-And nearly knocked Granny Chiyo backward into Kankuro, who automatically grabbed and steadied the old woman while loudly exclaiming, "Hey! Watch out!"

"My apologies! I am so sorry! Granny Chiyo, Kankuro, are you both all right? Please excuse my clumsiness." The courtesies flowed on autopilot from Itachi's lips even as he sought the fastest away around them. But the old healer's hand clamped around his wrist, holding him back.

"Lord Itachi, just the person I was coming to see." Her small dark eyes raked over him from head to foot. "Oh, my dear, now what have you gone and done to yourself, hm? Been up in the conservatory too long in the heat of the day, have we? Lord Gaara said that was the last place he'd seen you, but never dreamed you would still be there. Kankuro and I were just coming up to check on you, seeing how you weren't in your rooms. Ah, well, now I won't have to drag this old bag of bones all the way up to the roof-"

Only one thing out of the many truly registered with Itachi. "You've spoken with Lord Gaara?" he asked, more sharply than he intended. "Was my lady Temari with him?"

Chiyo pursed her wrinkled lips. "No, no, he said the child is laid down with a headache, I truly hope she isn't coming down with what you had. Kankuro, dear boy, thank you for helping me find Lord Itachi, you can go back about your business now while I conduct my business with the young Uchiha."

Kankuro shrugged. "Yeah, whatever, you're welcome." He gave Itachi a curious look, but obediently didn't linger.

She tugged at his arm, but he refused to move. "Lady Chiyo," he said urgently, "please forgive my seeming rudeness, but I do most seriously need to speak with Lord Gaara as soon as possible. Is he still in the house? Where can I find him?"

"Oh, Lady Chiyo is it now, you smooth-tongued young rascal!" She gave a cackling laugh. "Yes, it's my understanding he wants to see you too - but not until after I've finished with you, so come along, come along. Into your room, now, and sit down!"

Giving in to the inevitable Itachi obeyed with what grace he could muster, merely perching on the very edge of one of the low chairs in the sitting room. The old woman took the one opposite. She fidgeted with her dark grey robe for a moment, smoothing it over her knees; then lifted her head and pinned him with an intense gaze.

"Itachi, dear," she said, and there was very little of the garrulous old woman in her manner now, "I've just gotten the results of your bloodwork back."

He felt his forehead wrinkle. "Bloodwork? What bloodwork?"

"Ah, well, you might not remember, you were in very bad shape at the time: I drew some blood, on the suspicion it would help confirm your bleeding ulcer. But unfortunately, that's not all it did. You've been having quite a few headaches recently, haven't you, dear? And feeling fatigued even first thing in the morning? Some coughing too, I would guess?" She paused. He nodded slowly, unable to speak, a bitter chill beginning to build deep in his gut. "I noticed a teeny anomaly in your blood, so I performed some further tests, and- This is only the second case I've ever encountered in all my years practicing medicine. The condition is so rare, we don't even have a name for it. I can give you medication to help with the symptoms, maybe even somewhat slow the progression. But even at that, I predict you have a year. Maybe a year and a half, if you are very fortunate." She leaned forward to rest her wrinkled but steady hand on his shoulder, dark eyes full of sadness. "I'm very, very sorry, Itachi."

Reeling from this second blow of the day, Itachi didn't even notice when the elderly healer left. Resting his elbows on his knees he dropped his head into his hands as he struggled to accept what Granny Chiyo had told him.

Dying. I - am - dying. His fingers wound into his hair and he swallowed back a bubble of hysteria. So what of all your schemes and machinations now, Father? On the thought, his mother and brother's faces came to the forefront of his mind. Mother- Sasuke- How on earth can I find the words to tell you? And Temari. . . Is it fair to you to go through with this marriage, knowing what I now know?

A year and a half at most. He was no fool: he knew his marriage to Temari had more implications than just to create a political alliance between his family and hers. They were expected to produce an heir for the Uchiha clan, a child that would also cement the bonds between Uchiha and Sabaku by combining the bloodlines. A year and a half left very little time for ... well, much of anything, really.

He lifted his head and stared blindly across the room. "I - don't know what to do," he whispered. But even as he spoke the words, he became aware of a fire in his heart pushing fiercely against the cold knowledge of his impending death. It doesn't matter to me any more that our marriage was arranged for us. I want to marry her. I can't imagine wanting to marry anyone else but her. I'm being selfish; foolishly, unforgivably selfish. But I can't give her up. I'm not that noble. All I can do is keep this a secret, carry the burden myself, and pray to the ancestors that when I do enter the afterlife, the one will balance out the other.

*~To Be Continued~*

Author's Ending Notes: Firstly - please don't kill me! I know the urge is probably pretty strong right now, but please, please don't kill me. Secondly, I'm so sorry for making you wait so long for this update. The holidays were quite a bit busier than I had anticipated, with a lot of friends and family coming in, and my beta injured her back, so she hasn't really felt like sitting at a computer working. But, to kind of make up for it (and the fact that there won't be an update this Wednesday, I'm so sorry please don't kill me!), we made this chapter extra long: 11 KB longer than the longest chapter so far, Heat. In fact we wound up with a total of almost 8,000 words for this chapter. Thank you so much for your patience, I really hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I hope you're all having a great new year so far!