The world was fuzzy for her, and she slowly came to only to realize she was once again in that familiar place...shining, quiet, and warm. Then where is...?!

"Sakura...," Itachi answered her, smiling at her warmly.

"Itachi!" she gasped, then went to embrace him again, "I was able to cure your brother...Sasuke-kun will no longer be plagued by this illness."

"I know," Itachi was beaming, "I have been watching you all along. You sacrificed your own life to heal him..."

Itachi watched her eyes with his statement, only to notice that Sakura's eyes didn't even slightly darken at the words, "Not much, and anything I sacrifice, it's all worth it for him."

He smiled, "You truly are a special girl." Sakura shook her head humbly, grinning.

"...I have kept my promise to keep my brother well," Itachi continued, "...So I will be leaving this world, now."

"...You don't intend on saying goodbye to Sasuke?" Her voice was laced with concern, and Itachi was touched by how thoughtful she was toward the only family he had left in the world of the living.

"...I do."

"Oh good," Sakura smiled, "I'm glad..."

A gentle tap of fingers hit her forehead.

Sakura's eyes shot back to him, where he had just poked her forehead. Tears welled in her eyes, and she fought to find words.

"...Thank you Itachi, for everything."

"Rest now, Sakura," he smiled at her before walking off into the sparkling world that the two of them only shared, "...It was a pleasure to meet with you, and I wish you two the best."

Us two...?! She didn't have the chance to ask for clarification...The world began spinning, and she felt enveloped by a warm, kind presence before drifting into sleep...

...

Sasuke noticed a fleeting smile on her lips as he watched her sleep. His brows furrowed in confusion, but before he had a chance to think about the implications of it, there was a rapping, a tapping, at the window.

He drew a kunai kept in his pocket cautiously, pulling back the blinds to come face to face with a large raven. And in that moment, a pair of Sharingan were staring into his.

"Nii'san!" Sasuke yelped in surprise, taking a step back before running to his older brother. It had been so long since he had seen his brother like this, so young and healthy. The sparkle in his brother's eyes had returned as the dead shinobi smiled at him before knocking two fingers into Sasuke's forehead.

"...What...what are you doing here?" Sasuke asked, "I mean...the raven...it's yours..?"

"Yes...I had instructed one to look after you, before I departed this world," Itachi nodded solemnly, "You can imagine why, right...?"

Sasuke thought, then shook his head, eyeing his older brother in bewilderment.

"My suspicions were true, that you too would contract the disease that killed me."

Sasuke's eyes widened but he gave no response.

"Listen," Itachi smiled, "I will soon be gone, for good, from this realm entirely. But I wanted to make sure you knew one thing."

"What is it?" Sasuke demanded.

"The ring."

"Ring...?"

"Mother's ring...she...wanted you to have it before she died, to give to the one when the time was right..."

Sasuke followed Itachi's gaze toward where Sakura was sound asleep.

Sasuke looked up defensively but Itachi simply smiled.

"Be honest with yourself, and with her...she is very special, Sasuke."

Sasuke looked at him curiously.

"We met...through this same sharingan," Itachi explained matter-of-factly, ignoring Sasuke's shocked visage, "You both deserve happiness." Itachi held out his hand and dropped the unique, shining ring into the palm of Sasuke's hand. It was crafted of the finest platinum, engraved with rubies reminiscent of the clan's once proud crest.

Sasuke nodded with a raw, determined courage.

"And don't let our clan die with you," Itachi nudged him playfully, "I expect many Uchiha nieces and neph -"

"That's none of your business," Sasuke shooed his brother away. The man smiled at him, and began to fade slowly.

"And Itachi...," Sasuke murmured softly, "I forgive you...thank you...for everything."

Itachi looked surprised at his younger brother, who approached his face before it faded completely.

Sasuke smiled, and for once, returned his brother's gesture to tap Itachi's forehead, "Maybe next time."

Sasuke only caught a glimpse of the single tear that ran down the now smiling man's face.

...

Sakura's eyelids twitched before she slowly awoke.

"...Sasuke-kun?!" she asked in confusion. His lips were still pursed into their characteristic thin line.

"Sakura - "

"Sasuke-kun - "

"...You go first," Sasuke gazed away.

"...Where are we?" Sakura asked, finally.

"Your room."

"Oh...you brought me back to Konoha?"

"Yeah."

"Oh."

Silence.

"...Do you feel better?" she asked, and he heard the deeper question below her words: did I succeed?

He nodded, watching the notable relief cross her face.

"...You knew what would happen," Sasuke didn't have the courage to face her, "...why would you do this...?"

"I had a promise to keep," she sighed, "...I told you, right? And I told you before, you wouldn't believe me - "

"A promise to Itachi."

The silence was then louder than either imagined it could be.

"...Then you know? He already spoke with you?"

Sasuke nodded. He finally faced her, finding her with the grin she wore when she was asleep.

"...what do you know about my brother...?" Sasuke asked.

"Everything," Sakura smiled softly, avoiding his gaze, "...He told me...everything."

Sasuke's eyes dilated in shock. His brother had done it again - spared him the worst. The worst of having to relive those memories in telling her the truth.

"Sasuke-kun...I had no clue what you were going through most of my life -"

"Don't. It won't change anything."

She paused, but continued quieter, "...I was a selfish genin, a foolish young girl...so immature...but I always just wanted the best for you."

He paused, gazing at her without any trace of emotion on his face.

"Your brother was an incredible man," she murmured, continuing, "...and I'm thankful for what I've been able experience, for having been able to meet him. He cares about you so much...and I guess it's something we have in common."

Sasuke turned away from her, to her dismay. She was never able to read him, and she was sure she had upset him.

To make matters worse, he slowly stood. Without facing her, he asked, "...Now that you're awake, will you be alright for a while...?"

"H-hai."

"Hn." And with that, he left.

...

That next day she spent recovering seemed the longest of her life. Sasuke had not returned, after what she had said. As much as she felt like berating herself for exposing her feelings to him again...it was the truth. Perhaps she would never get over him.

Ino and Naruto had come by on different occasions that day, to check on her. She had faked her smile, while inside she was crumbling. She also had not revealed the truth of her condition to either of them. It seemed too private a matter to breach.

She had been able to get up and move again, and felt physically so much better...it was just her insides tearing her apart.

That afternoon, she decided to take a walk toward the Hokage mountain, wondering how insignificant they would feel her problems truly were.

As she crossed a bridge over a small ravine toward the stairs beneath the mountain, an ink bird flew out of the sky and onto the grass-covered ground. She jumped back in surprise, but leaned in to read the words that had assembled on the parchment-like grass.

"You are summoned to the Hokage tower, immediately."

...

Optional OST: Hills Weeknd

"I'm sure you're wondering why I have summoned you today," Kakashi leaned lazily in his chair.

Kakashi observed them, their slightest movements. Sakura had cast a small glance at Sasuke questioningly, but Sasuke's gaze was still fixed intensely on Kakashi. Kakashi tried to suppress a chuckle, something about their movements was remnant of their genin days when Sakura could only see one thing (Sasuke) and Sasuke was completely focused.

"I have decided to send Sasuke to go investigate a series of violent attacks that have been inflicted on various civilian villages," Kakashi informed her.

She paused to think for a moment. "What do we know about the incidents?"

"Sasuke can explain it to you on the way to the village," Kakashi stated matter-of-factly, observing the notable shock cross Sakura's face, "He requested you as a teammate."

Sakura's eyes had widened, and Sasuke had turned to gaze at her now, also observing her expression. He seems pleased...

Her voice notably more energetic and happy, she asked, "Who is the third member?"

"No one. It's a two man squad," Kakashi replied coolly, and his mouth trembled as he tried his hardest not to grin.

A blush now colored Sakura's face and her eyes were as wide as saucers. "A-are you sure?!"

"Me, or Sasuke? I'm sure of both of your capabilities, and Sasuke was more than adamant that it had to be you- "

"We're sure," Sasuke cut him off quickly, standing straighter to face her.

"O-okay!" Sakura squeaked, "when do we leave?"

"Tonight." Sasuke's voice seemed huskier than usual.

"Alright, let me go prepare!" She ran out the door, trying to catch her breath and hide her face. Kakashi couldn't help it, his loud chuckle filled the room. Sasuke glared at him questioningly.

"Ah, Sakura seems so lively about this mission!" Kakashi laughed, and Sasuke smirked to himself.

"I'm glad you were able to come to terms with what I said," Kakashi sighed, collecting himself, "I was worried you wouldn't think anything of it...or you'd just disregard me again."

Sasuke was silent, but Kakashi knew he had taken his words to heart.

"...I also need to prepare," Sasuke turned away from the sixth, headed for the door, "See ya."

"Wait, Sasuke?" Kakashi called, and he paused to listen.

"Take care of Sakura, okay?"

"Sakura can take care of herself."

"You know that's not what I mean."

"I'm not sure I do," Sasuke turned to face him loftily. Kakashi was sure he did, but he sighed.

"...Your father wasn't around to teach you about women and adult business...," Kakashi's voice was quieter, "...You wanna have a little chat...?"

Was that a smirk on his face?!

"Later, Kakashi," Sasuke waved to dismiss the Hokage and continued out the door.

Kakashi sighed. What had he done...? Granted these two permission to finally be alone together? Tsunade would have likely questioned his judgment...but he was the Hokage now, and I do what I want.

...