A/N - special thank you to lightweaver for betaing - you can check out her ItaSaku work on AO3

Chapter 9 - Selfish Half-truths

"While Shisui is the Head Boy, he's a notorious prankster. There is no way Professor Chiyo or Professor Hatake would agree to such a bargain. We are wasting time. Itachi has probably already made it to the Owlery by now–" Kisame's words hung as his gaze caught sight of the main doors to the dining hall.

Sakura turned in her seat.

Itachi strode in, flanked by Shisui, who then pointed at Sakura. Shisui gave Itachi's shoulder a tap before taking off to the Gryffindor table. Itachi began to make his way over.

Oh no! Her lies were catching up with her.

"How can I help you this morning, Ms. Haruno?" Itachi asked as he slid into the bench beside her, but he remained some distance away. His sharp eyes stared into hers, his back stiff.

What could she do? Oh! Sakura pointed at Kisame. "He was looking for you."

Itachi blinked and turned to Kisame as if finally realizing he was there. A small corner of his lip twitched up. "Did you make a poor 4th year run up all the staircases to fetch me because you were too lazy?"

Kisame flashed a wolfish grin. "I wasn't feeling up to the exercise. What are you so uptight about?"

Itachi's shoulders relaxed before giving a shrug. "Shisui convinced me I was going to receive a love letter."

Sakura let out a panicked laugh. Her, write a love letter to Itachi? She hadn't done that since 2nd year. Okay, maybe the beginning of the 3rd. But she hadn't been stupid enough to send or give it to him.

However, her strangled laughter garnered Itachi's attention.

Sakura winced, feeling her hands get clammy. She scratched the back of her head. "Sorry to disappoint. Want me to whip one up?" It's not like she lacked resources to pull from.

Itachi raised a notorious Uchiha eyebrow in question, not even cracking a smile. Her humor completely missed the mark.

Were her armpits sweating now? Yes. Dripping. "I can be quite poetic," she tried again. Please laugh or look away. Why had she been so stupid as to talk when she was nervous?

Kisame burst into laughter.

Itachi raised a hand to his lips. Yes! That was a smile. Success!

"No thank you, Sakura."

He knew her name! He knew it!

"She's just kidding you," Kisame said.

Itachi rolled his eyes, "I am aware of that." He then returned his gaze to Kisame. "What is it you wanted to discuss with me?"

"I heard from –" Kisame started but didn't finish due to an ear-splintering bird shriek.

Several owls bolted up and away, leaving their bacon and nibbles behind. They took off to the left side of the hall windows and, from the right, swooped in a large bird of prey. Every eye was upon the narrow-faced creature, for its wingspan was almost triple that of a barn owl.

"Wow, what is that?" Sakura asked.

"A bearded vulture," Itachi supplied before he stood and extended his arm.

It did not land gracefully upon Itachi's forearm. Itachi had to use one hand on the table to stabilize himself as the beast landed in disarray. One wing whacked the head of a Slytherin sitting at the next table over, and the other wing almost toppled a serving platter of ham had Kisame not removed it from the stand.

The orange crown fluffed in irritation as if the idea of having such a small space to fly inconvenienced it. It raised its head and stared down at Itachi before slowly lifting one leg, going from unbalanced and awkward to dignified in a matter of moments. Itachi relieved it of several envelopes before raising his hand once more. The vulture took flight. The gust spilled the pumpkin juice in Sakura's cup. Off it went—the owls, keeping clear of its path.

Itachi's gaze lingered on the envelopes. He only opened the one with the royal blue seal, the one with the scarlet seal he left alone. He skimmed the contents of the first letter.

"Why is Madara sending you missives?" Kisame asked, standing to peer over at the letters.

The bird had been Madara's familiar? What a formidable beast!

"Nothing for you to be concerned with," Itachi said as he stuffed both letters into his robe without opening the red-sealed one. He turned to Kisame. "I won't be at the match today, so don't save me a seat." With a slight wave in farewell, he took off back to the main hall doors.

"Come on, man," Kisame said, talking over the table as he kept pace with Itachi. "I really need to talk to you. It wasn't about the Quidditch match. Although Kakuzu is still collecting bets-"

Sakura blinked as their voices merged with the rest of the Great Hall's noise. She glanced around. Well, she wanted to make sure Kisame got around to helping Itachi.

She also left the table, hurrying to follow the two of them through the oak doorways before she lost sight of them. They were still far ahead, taking a left down a corridor leading to the front gates. She hurried round the bend.

The stance of camaraderie had changed by the time she turned the corner. Instead of the friendly smile between the two old friends, Itachi's eyes were red with his blood magic, and the scowl made him look ready to throw curses.

It was hard to look imposing next to Kisame, but Itachi somehow sent off vibes that made Sakura want to turn around and walk right back into the dining room. Instead, she did the normal thing and crouched behind a suit of armor. They hadn't noticed she followed. Sakura looked around. No one else was nearby. Everyone had primarily gathered in the dining room or had headed in the opposite direction to get to the Quidditch pitch.

Within moments she sprouted fur. She hopped closer to hear their whispered conversation, keeping close to the suites of armor and ducking behind one once she got close enough to listen to their words.

"Oh, and what did Yasuo say to you?" Itachi hissed out.

Kisame leaned over Itachi. "You've got the wrong idea. None of them were dishonorable. They were talking about their squad."

Itachi's lip curled above his teeth. "And what could they possibly have to talk about half clothed in the dead of night instead of in the light of day?"

"Whether or not they can stomach the idea of killing anyone or if it might be worth having their magic stripped and living as muggles for the rest of their lives."

The red in Itachi's eyes turned to black in an instant. "What?"

"War is cruel. Not everyone is ok with the ethical implications, especially those of us from the muggle world. Izumi was having second thoughts too. And regarding the midnight meet-up, the professors aren't lenient on drug use."

"Drug use?"

"Just a muggle one," Kisame said. "It calms the mind. A little bit of Mary Jane ain't dangerous."

"A little bit of who?"

"Doesn't matter. It works like a calming draught. Except instead of being a potent sedative, you talk about things. That's all they were going to do. Just talk."

"Just talk?" Itachi scoffed.

"Yes, I just wanted to know what it would be like. To live without magic," Izumi's voice rang out.

Sakura almost bolted into the suit of armor. Beside her stood Izumi.

Izumi's lip trembled, and her fisted hands gripped tight enough that the whites of the knuckles showed. "That's all I was doing. But you never believe me. You can't just take my word, not about anything. You won't even talk to me. You don't even like me."

Itachi's eyes widened in surprise, "Izumi –"

She pointed at him, at his chest. "You already sent a letter home. Haven't you? Ruined my name, dragged it through Hippogriff dung."

"No."

"Really? Did you think I wouldn't recognize Madara's psychopathic bird? I can't imagine –"

"I did send several letters home. We're both free. My father will give your father the windmill estate in exchange for the break in betrothal. I've not dishonored you. I know what your father would do if I told him the truth."

Instead of alleviating the tension in Izumi, she quivered even more. Fury pooled into her face, making it splotchy and red. "Truth? So little you know about truth. Well, I'm so happy not to be disowned for your misunderstanding."

Itachi took a step forward, hand outstretched, "Izumi-"

She took a step back in response. Tears sprung from her eyes and dripped down in rivers. "This has been coming for a long time, hasn't it?"

Itachi's hand dropped. "I'm sorry."

"Always so fucking kind and perfect. Well, I'm not sorry. I'm glad to be rid of you." With that, she turned and ran, tripping on her feet, but stayed upright as she sped away.

"Did you not say anything about Yasuo?" Kisame asked as Izumi disappeared from view.

Itachi let out a sigh. "I realized if I did, and Izumi did get disowned, she'd likely come to stay at the manor. Madara would never let an Uchiha be abandoned. I'd have to see her every day in the summer. So in my selfishness, I told them what I wanted instead of what occurred."

"And what is it you wanted?"

Itachi's lips twisted into a sad smile. "Something better."

"Huh?" Kisame asked, but Itachi didn't clarify.

"Put down two galleons for me on Slytherin winning," Itachi said, shoving two coins into Kisame's hands. "I'll catch up with you at lunch." Without another word, he continued down the hallway and to the doors leading to the grounds, his head down in thought.

Sakura's ears touched the floor. She'd done this; had encouraged him to speak up for his own wishes. Itachi probably would have remained indecisive until Kisame had gotten a chance to tell him the truth. She'd just had to stick her nose into his business, give him such foolish advice.

Even though she hadn't eaten anything that morning, her stomach felt full of stones, and the urge to vomit was strong. She'd ruined Itachi's and Izumi's lives.

She peeked her head out as she watched the door open, and she and Kisame made eye contact. She twisted around, just them, then transformed in one smooth motion.

"This is all my fault," Sakura whispered in her confession to Kisame as she approached him. "I told him just to ask for what he wanted."

Kisame's hands rested on his hip, "I've been giving him the same advice for years, and he's never taken it." Kisame's lips stilled into a firm line before looking at the doors Itachi had walked through. "Do you mind keeping an eye on him?"

"I don't think that's a good idea –"

"Trust me, don't let him brew too long, ok?"

Without waiting for her to accept, he walked opposite the door back to the dining hall fully expecting her to follow his wishes.

Sakura stared at the doors for a long minute. Would Itachi really want to see her right now? In either form, Bunny or human? She needed to catch up, or she'd miss him entirely.

She ran for the doors and ripped them open. She gritted her teeth against the blast of cold air. Even though she'd advised with the best intentions, she couldn't shy away from the fact that she had given it. She needed to own up to it. And she needed to make sure Itachi was ok.

From her position on the top of the steps, he didn't look like himself as he walked in the drizzle toward the lake. Shoulders stooped, and eyes downcast. He looked far more fragile than she'd ever seen him.

Her shoulders rolled back. Well, no time like the present. It was time to follow up on the promise she'd made to Kisame. Regardless, she'd be Itachi's friend.