Chapter14 Recall:
Pein & Minato revealed shocking truths to Itachi about the APEX, Konan shared about Pein and her past, another brotherly moment with Sasuke and an intimate story-telling in bed (because bed sounds more romantic than sleeping bag).
Chapter15 – My Beautiful Sakura
As usual, his consciousness would return at six in the morning, and he could feel the compulsion to get dressed up and head to the university. On most days, his presence was expected at eight, but today was not most days. He was ordered to babysit a guinea pig in case he tried to escape for the fifth time since his capture two nights ago.
He felt that he should be complaining, but his master's orders were absolute, and what was the harm in missing an hour or two of those useless lectures when he already knew them all?
He was later dismissed and rode to school to make it for his last class. He was told to be amiable but not overly amicable, and to ignore anyone whom he had no knowledge of. He would see through the masquerade till he reached the tail of his time-table and to report back, as usual.
By nature, he was not a confident person. With his nerdy appearance and ash white hair, there were stereotypes that were bound to stare for a second too long, but he was told to dismiss them and gradually he grew accustomed to these unwanted attentions.
So as usual, when he strayed by a fellow student with a straight black pony-tail who was watching him, the order rang in his mind and he paid no heed to his impertinent act.
Yes, everything was moving accordingly as usual.
Itachi's eyes followed his stride until he disappeared around a bend, where neither betrayed a hint of recognition to one another. He felt odd that Kabuto would fail to identify him in real life. He was a shrewd man, and people in his trade tended to be sensitive to the things they messed with.
If he was playing a humbug, it was unlikely he would let his cover slip, even if it were just them. He hoped Sakura was no longer dealing with his pretentious friendly façade – she was bounded to attract trouble should he stick around.
He fished around for Sakura's phone but could not find it. He must have left it at home; he glanced around and found a wall clock. He had roughly two hours for Taijutsu lessons before he was expected at home.
To say he was excited about the Hanami festival was pushing the luck; rather, it made him reminisced about the last instance he managed to glimpse upon the freshly bloomed cherry blossoms after a Bijuu retrieval mission. Back then, such beauties in nature were meant to be seen and forgotten.
It made him curious how such an idyllic day would turn out.
During Taijutsu, they were able to practice under the shield of clouds, spared from the relentless sun.
"You're getting better at defending your weaker sides, Sasuke," Itachi called out behind his raised arm.
"Hn, that's because I'm seeing through your moves! Hah!" Itachi caught his foot and pushed, wincing slightly at the impact to his left wrist as Sasuke did a back-flip and landed a few feet away from him. Itachi peered towards the stand to check the time, and did a lopsided smile at his sparring partner.
"Sorry, Sasuke, I've got to leave now. I have to go somewhere," Itachi offered apologetically. Sasuke growled and began to charge towards him.
"What? You don't think you can leave when I can finally beat you- Oww!" He pressed his fingers against the spot on his forehead, where Itachi had poked him.
"Maybe next time yea?" He cocked his head in amusement at the slight blush on Sasuke's cheeks and jogged over to inform Kakashi of his early leave. Kakashi eyed him up and down, turned to look at somewhere far away before he replied.
"Are you adjusting well to this life?"
"I'm slowly getting the hang of it, although many things remain puzzling for me," He answered honestly.
"Don't worry, you're doing fine," Kakashi assured him warmly. "You got a hot date later?" Itachi blinked at his abrupt question and closed his eyes.
"I don't think that is a date."
"Regardless, remember to bring protection; you can never be too safe."
"S-Sensei!" Kakashi chortled behind his mask and patted affably on his shoulders.
"Alright, shoo, you're dismissed. Have fun on my behalf, Itachi." Itachi thought he caught a tinge of remorse behind his eyes and concealed smile, but nodded and left.
To say she was excited was an understatement; the Hanami festival was the only thing she could concentrate on throughout her day in school. It was after all, her first official date with Uchiha Itachi. Not that he called it a date, but what else could she call it then?
As she dried herself up, she groped futilely for her bra and mentally cursed her distracted mind. In actuality she could strut around the house stark naked and no one would give a damn, but she had neither Ino's confidence nor Hinata's figure. She snapped out of her useless thoughts when Itachi's ringtone broke through the door.
"Hello, Hinata?" It seemed she had forgotten to pass him her phone from the charging portal.
"H-Hey Sakura, are you free to talk now?" Her lack of bust meant the towel refused to stay put around her; in her frustration she flung it aside. Who was she saving her modesty from anyway?
"Anytime for you girl, what's wrong? You don't usually call." She darted a quick peek to the phone's clock – it was still early so she could spare some girl talk.
"I-I umm, I need to tell you something… I'm sorry I lied!" She could imagine her bowing behind her phone.
"Uh-huh… About what, your virginity?"
"N-No! Remember the envelope; it's actually not from the admin office b-but from a guy…"
"Holy cow, is it a love letter? From who? What does it say?" Now she was curious – she carried her phone into her room and began to ravage through her limited wardrobe.
"I-It's from Gaara, I was so shocked! H-he asked me out to the Annual Hanami, which is today, and I don't know what to say when I meet him later and I'm afraid he'll be bored by my company because I have never been on a date-"
"Stop! You're scaring yourself! Don't worry, just be yourself I'm sure that was why he asked you out in the first place." Oh Gaara that sneaky little! She was definitely going to tease him about this when she met him the next time.
"Y-You think so? I-I think I better call Ino now and tell her about this too." She picked up her latest find – a baby pink cotton bra which matches with her panties and began to hook it on.
"Yes, in private, you can't risk the whole school finding out…"
"I'm home, Sakura-" The pair stared at one another, for lack of a better reaction, before Sakura caught Itachi's eye travelling down her face and they turned red, both for different reasons. Sakura felt the phone slipped out between her shoulder and ear.
"I-ITACHI…" Talk about bad timing!
"I-I'll just wait in the living room…" Itachi coughed before he spun around in a pirouette and darted out, closing the door on the way like a gentleman.
She was instantly overcome with a jolt of hysteria – she was so deep in her conversation that she failed to detect his entrance (this was what happened when you diligently oil your door hinges!) What was the point of covering herself now when all was seen? She shook her head in mortification and quickly picked up the phone.
"S-Sakura, are you still there? I thought I heard a male voice…"
"H-Hinata, can we talk later? And good luck on your date with Gaara!" She blew multiple kisses into the speaker and ended the call. Next, she reached her hand into the wardrobe and grabbed out whatever was in her grasp – an above-knee white doll dress with mid sleeves. She had no idea she owned something this cute!
After pulling it on, she quickly slapped on some pressed powder and a pink lip gloss. She puckered her lips in a seductive pose, deeming herself decent for viewing and called for him to enter. Oh boy, the things she subjected her poor tenant to.
Itachi closed his eyes to shake off any inappropriate images of Sakura and strode into her room, and found his eyes roaming down her body…
"How do I look?" Sakura did a little twirl and glanced up shyly at his impassive eyes.
"You look cu- presentable," He caught himself the last minute and watched as Sakura's face turned red once again at his choice of adjective.
"Alright… Let's switch shifts; the room's yours." Just when she thought she was growing comfortable around him…
Itachi emerged from the room radiating confidence and smelling fresh and Sakura could not control herself from admiring his physique. He wore a plain white cotton tee with rolled up short sleeves and a beige chino pants, with his usual silver necklace. Sakura got an idea and ran into her room and returned with a boater with a matching black band to his hair.
"Here, now you look ready for the festival!" She stood back and nodded at her artistic touch to his vintage look. He touched its rim seemingly deep in thoughts.
"It reminds me of an old hat I used to wear," He mumbled as he adjusted it on his head.
"You don't look like a hat person to me."
"That's because I'm not. Shall we go now? Let me carry that basket." He took over the basket of bentos Sakura had prepared for them and they left for the subway.
"Hey Itachi, what about that Suzumi girl? Isn't she coming with us?" Sakura teased on the way, taking the chance to find out what he did.
"She's been taken care of. And no, she's most definitely not coming with us," Itachi added with an incredulous tone, and Sakura giggled in delight at his easy dismissal to the girl.
He quickly found her seated among her friends at the cafeteria and approached her from behind. She was visibly startled that he initiated a conversation, and could only nod numbly when he signalled for her to follow him to the pillar, away from the prying ears.
"Thank you for your invitation, but I'll have to decline it," He began politely and bowed slightly, her letter in his outstretched hands.
"W-What? Why don't you want to go with me?" Hirayama Suzumi said, clearly not expecting this rejection.
"I'm sorry but I do not feel it's appropriate; we don't even know each other-"
"That's the point of this! For us to know each other and who knows, maybe we can click!" Suzumi exclaimed, not taking well to his excuse. Itachi expected a fight, but this was proving to be more tedious than he speculated.
"I'm going with someone else." Suzumi might as well be slapped by him; but his unwavering eyes told her no amount of persuasion would change his mind. She sighed and managed to withhold the tears forming behind her eyes.
"O-Oh, guess I was too slow huh?" She laughed and raised a hand to shield her falling tears.
"Then I shall be a good sport and wish you all the best with that girl!" She thought she sounded like a saint, but she could not find it in her to throw a fit at this stunning man. Her good grace was returned with a relief and genuine smile – she felt her heart would melt and she could die then.
"Thank you, Suzumi-chan."
Sakura checked his face but found no scratch marks or swollen cheeks; he must have pacified the girl well. It would be embarrassing should she slap him in front of her friends; she cringed at the horrifying thought and Itachi caught her expression.
"Is something wrong, Sakura?"
"Nah, I just felt bad for the girl, I mean she must have taken it real bad!"
"On the contrary, she hid her emotions rather well and put on a brave front. Maybe Suzumi-chan was not as bad as I thought," Itachi concluded and suddenly Sakura did not sympathise with her as much as before.
"Come over here and tap your transport card on this machine," Sakura said in a monotonous tone and motioned for him to follow her. He frowned at her sudden change in attitude and ascended the escalator to the train platform.
Itachi marvelled at the rows of fluorescent overhead lights and LED notice boards while his eyes watched a vehicle longer than the buses he rode to school came to a halt.
"Follow closely; I don't want to lose you here!" Sakura foresaw this and left early to avoid the rowdy after work crowd, and though there were still no seats, at least they have space to stand.
"Wah la! Another modern mode of transport – the train! We'll reach Yoyogi Park in last than half an hour," She announced proudly to her wobbly date who gripped the handle in time to avoid falling.
"Aside from the take-off, the journey is the smoothest compared to the rest I have tried," Itachi commented as he stared out of the window at the moving scenery, which were mostly concrete blocks.
"Well, if you like we can take this again some other time," She smiled and joined him to watch the view.
"You can almost see the tip of where the Hokage Monument used to stand," Itachi murmured to himself, reeling at what was lost and his past that almost felt non-existent.
Despite her good efforts, the park was packed to the brim, as this was one of the places where the cherry blossoms were reaching full bloom. Itachi helped to scan for a suitable spot to camp and pointed at a surprisingly vacant area under a fairly huge tree. It could not be better; it was slightly away from the crowd and faced the river.
Just as Itachi laid down the basket, another basket was placed next to his, and…
"The hell… Itachi-san?"
"Deidara?" Their expressions would have been comical to admire, if not for the mirror situation unfolding next to the boys.
"Haruno Sakura? What are you doing here?"
"I-I-Ino?! F-Fancy seeing you here!" The two pairs crossed-eyed their respective company and for a while it was just the breeze and silence. Ino was the first to break the awkward moment.
"B-Boys, we'll be back shortly!" To Sakura she hissed fiercely under her breath, "Come over here for a minute!" She then proceeded to drag her away and stopped when she was satisfied they were out of earshot.
Deidara was not one to get left out and followed their example. But instead of tugging Itachi away like his date (like Itachi would bulge even an inch for the likes of him), he gestured for him to sit on the cool grass.
"Itachi-san, you know Sakura-chan?" Itachi mentally frowned at his first name address and tone of familiarity, and nodded.
"She's… My distant relative." He refused to offer any more than necessary.
"Oh, she and I used to stay next to one another; we're the cliché childhood friends!" He offered and cackled at memories of those carefree days of them leaving flowers by each other's doorsteps.
"I wouldn't have guessed. So are you going to give up this spot, or should I tell Sakura about what you did during homeroom?" At the mention of that embarrassing incident, he darted his face down and pick up his basket.
"I-I'll just take the spot behind you guys," Deidara muttered.
A few meters away from the flower boys…
Ino was doing an akimbo and darting her head between Sakura and Itachi, who seemed to be engaged in a conversation with her beau. Sakura looked at anywhere but her dear friend, not quite prepared for this ultimate confrontation.
"I-I see you brought an interesting date with you," She began lamely, the irony not lost on her.
"He's definitely not as interesting as the new student sitting over there whom I have no idea about," Ino crossed her arms and she flinched away from her incandescent gaze. She gulped as though she was under prosecution for dating (it was a date right?) behind Ino's back.
"I-I kind of have something to fess up…"
"Oh I wonder what is it?" Ino answered sarcastically, and Sakura sucked in a deep breath as she admitted to the charges she knowingly committed.
"Well, you see, the new student and I, we are kind of living with one another…"
"Uh-huh, go on and say you're dating… Wait, WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY? Live as in CO-HABITAT?!" Ino pressed her hands on her shoulders in agitation, and Sakura fended out her hands to calm her down.
"It's not as if we're sleeping together or doing anything dirty; he does his own things and I-"
"Sakura, that's not the point here… Why are two living together? Were you two that close? How did you two even know each other? Answer me, Sakura!" She thought she could see stars spinning, or maybe it was just her friend making her dizzy.
"I-I don't know, okay! One night I just met him and he threatened me to take him in if not he would kill me and given no choice I was forced to let him stay at my apartment-"
"He WHAT? Sakura, that guy is nuts! You got to report him to the police, not let him lounge at your house like it was perfectly fine to get death penalties by vagabonds if you don't pick him up by the streets!" She was shivering at the intensity of her worried glare and gravity of her words – when she put it that way, it did make Sakura appeared stupid and naïve for giving in to random stranger's requests.
But what Ino did not know was Uchiha Itachi was no random stranger and he did have connections with Konoha's police force, so even if she reported him maybe he could still pull his ancient strings to tackle out of the situation.
Sakura could not tell Ino any of that, if not next Ino would be calling her nuts and advising her on a suitable asylum.
"I-Ino, he's actually not a bad person, and he had his reasons for doing that-"
"I can't believe you're still fending for him!" Ino chided and Sakura swallowed back her annoyance.
"Ino, you've got to trust me okay? I've been staying with him for nearly a month so I know what I'm talking-"
"You've been living with that lunatic for a month? I'm speechless, Sakura," She shook her head and it hurt that she refused to make eye contact with her. She held back her tears and grabbed onto Ino's hands.
"I'm so sorry Ino, I wouldn't have kept it from it if the circumstances weren't so… Complicated, but for now please don't say anything mean and just have faith in me okay?" Ino huffed in disbelief at her hopeless friend, who was practically pleading for her to let her hang with that dangerous and lunatic man.
"First Hinata; and now even you! What's next? Telling me he actually has super powers?" Sakura's eyes widened and she darted her eyes away.
Her eyes softened momentarily at her teary/ puppy-eyes and she forced herself to take calming breaths to stabilise her raging mind.
"Alright… But that doesn't mean I approve of him." Sakura went from tearing to jumping for joy, but Ino could not shake off the nagging sensation that new student was no simpleton. There's just something about him… That seems off.
"Come on, they're waiting for us!"
Soon, darkness descended upon the park and the temperature plummeted by at least ten degrees Celsius; it was time for yozakura (night sakura). Rows of hand-made paper lanterns strung from trees to trees spontaneously burst into life, breathing orange-red lights through the ephemeral flowers.
"Now this is true art we're talking!" Sakura thought she heard that, but some artist was nearby. She grinned between mouthfuls of sake, watching Itachi sipped gingerly at the sake she bought for them on the way home just now.
"Come on, just down it in one shot!" Itachi snapped out of his reverie and caught Sakura's head tilting towards his cup. Did she think he could not hold his liquor?
"Why did you bring alcoholic drinks, Sakura? Are you of age?"
"What, you're my Mother now? Have you heard of the proverb hana yori dango? It's not a festival if it's not accompanied by great food and sake!" She slurred slightly and clinked her cup with his, bottoms up in less than a second. He frowned and stared at his own drink and followed suit.
After two more cups, he felt himself loosened up considerably, the sensation similar to removing his tie and shirt after school, and joined Sakura as they leaned back and supported themselves on their elbow to admire the night cherry blossoms.
He did not need to turn around to figure the smooching sound coming behind the tree was his classmate doing the deed with Sakura's friend, but instead of feeling disgusted, it reminded him of the one he shared with Sakura…
"Ne Itachi, these sakura are beautiful, aren't they?" She said in a dreamy voice with a silly grin on her face.
"No sakura is more beautiful than you, Sakura." Sakura's eye widened, the conscious part of her mind taking a gulp on her behalf, before she turned and found his dark eyes locked on hers.
"Oh, Itachi… Please don't say things like that… It's embarrassing…" Her eyes were shifting between his eyes and lips, unable to decide which to focus on. Itachi noticed and took that as a cue to lean closer, until their shoulders touched and mouths a petal's width away. He lifted a hand to cup her flushed cheek from the cold.
"Sakura… What are you thinking about now?" He asked in a low voice, his eyes lingering on her slightly parted lips.
"I…" He watched as she swallowed and closed her eyes in anticipation, and he gave in to temptation. Under the witness of the night cherry blossoms and luminous moonlight, he kissed her. This time, he was not holding back.
Sakura gasped softly at the rare passion Itachi displayed and he took the chance to slip his tongue into her mouth, reaching out for hers. She obliged, and Itachi carefully lowered her onto her back, where they continued their fervent and amorous kiss with their bodies entwined and hearts beating as one.
"I-Itachi…" She moaned with her hands wrapped possessively around his back when they momentarily broke apart to gasp for air. Itachi tenderly stroked her flushed cheeks. She blushed furiously under his intense gaze.
"W-What are you thinking about now?" She whispered and shivered with every stroke of his fingers.
"Hmm, that this is turning out to be a very enjoyable night, Sakura." Itachi's eye sparkled and they grinned knowingly into one another.
"Shall we… Continue?" Itachi asked politely with a hint of mischief. Sakura smiled in response and pulled him down; there were really no rooms for other things anyway, she thought smugly.
The next morning, she arranged to go to school early with Hinata to bring her up-to date about her life, more importantly, her 'happenings' with Itachi.
"W-Wow, I'm so happy for you Sakura!" Hinata gushed softly with her full-on smile, her apparent happiness infecting Sakura in no time. She expected nothing less from the girl who believed in the good in everyone, who reminded her to give even the meanest people a chance.
"You're not worried about what I told you about his background, or that he threatened me?" Hinata's eyes softened and she took Sakura's hands in hers.
"Given a choice, I'm sure he wouldn't have chosen to do that. But most importantly, he makes you smile from your heart Sakura. That's something you haven been doing for a long time." Their heart to heart talk was interrupted by a wave of venomous energy wafting from the classroom's entrance in the form of a tall blonde.
"Eeek, this is the part I dreaded since this morning…" Sakura mumbled to a nodding Hinata. Ino sashayed and stood by the ladies cowering by their desks, her full height imposing and gaze smothering.
"I have to say, you two are better at keeping secrets than I gave credit for," Ino said, then pinning her steel eyes at Sakura's guilt-ridden jade orbs, "Or should I say keeping man, huh Sakura?" Sakura gulped in response, before Ino shifted her eyes momentarily to Gaara's empty desk then to Hinata, who jumped in reflex.
"I should have seen it coming, huh? And he's just right next to us!"
"We're-We're not really seeing each other or anything…" Sakura lifted her head excitedly to Hinata.
"So how was last night? Did he do anything to you?" Hinata's face burst into a scathing pink.
"H-He said he liked my cooking, and he brought me flowers…"
"Please Hinata, everyone knows your culinary skills is unparalleled to anyone walking in Konoha; what Sakura is asking is whether did you two kiss?"
"K-K-KISS?! N-No of course not! It was just our first d-d-ate!" Poor Hinata, the world needed more of such innocence before everything corrupted into banging and slamming right after an exchange of telephone numbers and the first dinner.
After an interminable of teasing, the limelight fell back on Sakura.
"So you really have moved on from Sasuke-kun?" Hinata asked softly. Sakura froze in her seat, and figured now was her chance to come clean with the ladies of what really happened between them.
"W-Well, here's the thing; remember last week when I attended Kanae Itachi's local concert? I actually met Sasuke-kun there too."
"I don't see how that links with what Hinata's asking." Hinata appeared equally puzzled and Sakura patiently continued.
"Well, something happened during the concert and I just thought of it now…"
"Oh great, another thing you conveniently neglected to inform your best friends," Ino huffed and flumped onto her seat.
"Ino let her finish!" Sakura smiled gratefully at Hinata, took in a deep breath and continued.
"And coincidentally we sat next to one another and during the middle of the concert…" She paused to sneak an uneasy glance to her friends, "I kinda confessed to him."
"Okay wait, what did you say did you just say CONFESSSION?" Sakura quickly grabbed her face and shut Ino's gaping mouth.
"Shhh please I don't need more people getting wind of my inglorious moment… And I need not continue for you two to know what happened to that." Ino sighed and threw her arms around her neck.
"Hey, at least you admitted to your feelings and told him, so no regrets there," She offered encouragingly.
"That's right Sakura, you are a brave girl."
"You deserve better than that sulky guy anyway." She was so touched by her friends and released a whimper of gratitude.
"After all, no sakura is more beautiful than you, right Sakura?" Ino winked suggestively at an increasingly mortified Sakura. Oh boy.
At the head of the corridor's T-junction, Itachi found himself faced to face with the least exciting prospect of the day, or more specifically, the person he least wanted to see – Deidara. Both men immediately stopped in their tracks and stared impassively at one another, uncertain of what to say. Deidara quickly collected himself, turned away to clear his throat, a light blush blooming on his cheeks.
"G-Good morning, Itachi-san."
"Good morning, Deidara." After their almost too courteous greetings, they continued walking towards the east, the memory of the previous night hanging between them like a thick curtain.
"Ano-" They began simultaneously. Deidara nodded for him to go first, ever the civil one huh?
"About last night, I hope we can reach an agreement to never mention it again," Itachi relayed in his most professional tone, reserved for mission reports.
"Agreed; not even a breath about seeing you stuffing your tongue down-"
The hint of murderous intent in those dark eyes was enough to shut Deidara up.
"Alright alright, all zip; your secret is safe with me. You can rest assured now, Itachi-san," Deidara finished with a mock salute, the seriousness eradicated in combination with his silly grin.
"That's the least assuring thing you can say to me, Deidara."
Itachi felt the phone vibrating in his pants and slipped it out – an incoming call from 'Shizune.' He was about to ignore it as usual, when the name rang a sudden bell. He might have recalled hearing the name from Sakura, something about her favourite staff at the Konoha Hospital.
If it was from the hospital at this time of the day, it might be something urgent.
He excused himself from the classroom and headed to the opposite end of the corridor and answered the call on its last ring.
"Hello Shizune here, sorry to call you in the middle of your classes…"
"Hello." There was notable pause on the other end, as Shizune double-checked her phone to be sure she called the right person.
"Isn't this Sakura's phone?"
"It is, I'm borrowing her phone. I'm her distant relative-"
"Ah Uchiha… Itachi-san ka? It's been a while; I hope you're doing fine?" Itachi was surprised that she still remembered his case, let alone his full name.
"Well yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking. You said you are looking for Sakura…?" He asked, stirring her back to the intent of her abrupt call.
"Ah yes. As you can see, Sakura has been working at our hospital for a while now has forged many relationships with our patients. She insisted that I inform her immediately should anything dire happen to any of those under her care so here I am… Are you still there Itachi-san?"
"I'm right here, do continue please," Itachi urged on, not liking where this was headed.
"Unfortunately, one of her closest wards, her name is Chiyo from the Sand, has suddenly passed away this morning. Would it be alright if you notify her of this? It doesn't have to be right away, as I'm sure you're in the middle of a class now…" Shizune informed regrettably, both towards Sakura and Itachi for burdening him with such morbid news in the morning.
"Yes I'll do it, thank you for taking the trouble to call. Then, I'm hanging, Shizune-san. No, it's no problem." Itachi replaced the phone and before he entered the classroom, he surveyed his classmates, in various degrees of consciousness to the ongoing lecture. Even as this pointless charade was going on, hundreds of people were departing from the face of Earth, regardless one was conscious of it or not.
Once again, he wondered how Sasuke was doing, and hopefully had reunited with Naruto and his friends in Konoha. And perhaps, on his way to restore the Uchiha clan?
Halfway throughout the class, Sakura felt a series of urgent taps on her shoulder, and she peeled opened her eyes drowsily. She turned around where Ino was pointing intently at the classroom entrance. Sakura followed her fingers and her eyes nearly dropped out of its sockets.
"Sakura, it seems that someone is looking for you," Kakashi drawled, zapping her attention to his Geography sensei. A commotion had descended upon the class, where everyone was busy whispering and pointing to the male figure by the door.
"I-Itachi? What are you doing here?" It seemed that Sasuke had spoken Sakura's mind and beaten her to it. Sakura hastily darted out of the classroom, paying no heed to her curious classmate's stares and Sasuke's gag. She dragged Itachi to the staircase and glanced up in concern.
"Itachi, is something wrong?"
"Sakura, I have bad news to deliver. The hospital just called to tell you that Chiyo of the Sand…"
"The hospital? Chiyo-baasan? Oh god, it can't be…!" The look of contrition across his doleful eyes was all the confirmation she needed.
"Yes, she has moved on. I'm sorry, Sakura." Sakura took an impulsive step back and if were not for Itachi's lightning grip, she would have tumbled down the forlorn steps.
"I-I need to go to the hospital now," She said through her vacant eyes.
"I'll follow you."
Shizune confirmed her time of death was around four in the morning, where her heart failed to pump, but the consolation was she had a peaceful departure. She had already notified her other known kin - Chiyo's brother and the necessary paperwork were taken care of, along with her wish of handling her body by means of cremation.
"Here are her belongings. There weren't much, but could you pass this to Gaara-kun who's currently in her ward now? Please see if he's alright; he has been holed up there since this morning," Shizune whispered worriedly. Sakura nodded numbly and went to find Gaara.
Everything was as it was the last time she visited, saved for the too well made bed and the slightly drooping stalk of pink carnation that Gaara must have brought in last night.
She found Gaara seated by the lone stool next to the empty bed, staring blankly at the pale blue blanket that was previously crinkled and filled with Chiyo's warmth. She wiped off a tear that had fallen unnoticed, and placed a consoling pat on his sagged shoulders.
"I'm sorry Gaara. The world will forever remember the great and energetic Chiyo, and the laughter she brought to us." He said nothing and closed his eyes, and Sakura's hand tightened when she felt a slight tremor from his body.
"Sasori is here, isn't he?" Sakura's body stilled in trepidation; his cold words cutting through the tranquil silence of the room. "I saw him downtown last week, strolling down the streets without a care for the people around him."
"At first I thought I've gotten the wrong person – the photo Chiyo has had been from sixteen years ago after all, but that wavy red hair and stony eyes were unmistakable. I approached him and told him about Chiyo-baasan's condition, but he looked at me and simply walked away. I was this close to punching him." Gaara's fists clenched in agitation, his body shaking in an entanglement of anger and sorrow.
"He just doesn't show it, but deep down somewhere, I'm sure he cares about her," Sakura offered, desperately willing herself to believe her honeyed words too.
"Chiyo-baasan… She's had such a sad life, and I could not even fulfil her final wish of meeting her grandson." This time, Gaara no longer held back his tears and he wept for his loss and the Sand's loss of a great politician. "I'm sorry Chiyo-baasan, I have failed you."
Sakura balled her fist at his disconsolation, thinking how unfair it was that he had to shoulder the burden by himself, whereas he… Wretched by the suffocating air in the room, she strode out of the ward, grabbed her phone from Itachi, and flew out of the hospital to speed dial Sasori.
"Hello-"
"Chiyo-baasan has passed away." There was a small pause on the other end.
"Oh, she did? I'm sorry to hear that." Sakura thought she heard the sound of a crack from her casing, but her mind was overwhelmed with toxic contempt to care.
"IS THAT ALL YOU CAN SAY, YOU BASTARD?" Between her running tears and welling vexation, she managed controlled breaths and in a barely contained civilised tone she continued, "W-Why didn't you visit her?" Before it was too late, she wanted to add but it was already too late.
Sasori remained silent, and fed up by his lack of initiative and concern she promptly hanged the call and rubbed her tear-stricken face into her palm in frustration.
When Sakura passed Chiyo's belongings to Gaara before he left, he told her to give them to Sasori.
"Chiyo would want that." They exchanged a brief hug and bid him farewell. Itachi accompanied her to sit by one of the white benches at the hospital courtyard, putting a temporary barrier between them and the smell of death.
Itachi wrapped a strong arm around her and she smiled as his confronting warmth seeped through her school blouse. She skimmed through her belongings in the transparent zip-lock bag and was surprised to find two small packets of unsalted nuts and no signs of her beloved sugar-glazed gummies.
"Alright, I promise to quit eating gummies when you promise that you would confess your feelings to the guy you like," Chiyo said resolutely.
"The loser, or the promise-breaker, would be a pig, deal?" Sakura had said.
"Looks like I'm a pig now huh?" She mumbled ruefully, remembering how she had chickened out before she could come to terms with her feelings. Another driblet of tear cascaded down her cold cheeks, bounced off the bag of nuts and seeped into the grass beneath them.
Itachi was silently observing Sakura; he felt his heart grieved a little as yet another tear escaped her puffy eyes. He closed his eyes and pushed her head onto his shoulder, hoping to shoulder some of her melancholy.
"Now Sakura, you do know, don't you? That she just went to a better place." Sakura closed her eyes to seal up the last of her tears and buried her head against the nape of his neck.
"Y-Yea." She thought she found his words strangely familiar. Wavering under Itachi's gentle coaxing, she found solace in his curative strokes over her hair. She felt herself began to relax as he hummed to a familiar tune, surprised that he was actually quite good.
Before she was lured to sleep, she thought the tune sounded suspiciously like her ringtone.
After persuading Itachi that she was feeling better, he left and she went to prepare for her shift at the hospital. Shizune was adamant that she should get some rest, but Sakura was insistent. Right now, she needed to keep herself occupied to leave no room for depressing thoughts.
"Thank you for your good work, Rii-obaachan," Sakura said and smiled weakly at the cleaner in-charged of fifth floor, where Chiyo once rested.
"Sakura-chan, are you alright? Your face looked as pale as the boy who visited last night."
"You mean Gaara-san? Yes, I'm fine, sorry to make you worried." She assured and adjusted her badge in front of a mini mirror in her locker.
"No another boy; he's around your age too. He came at almost midnight, went into Chiyo's room and stood there for a while, then left without a word." Sakura stopped whatever she was doing and spun to face Rii.
"I-Is it true? Does he have wavy red hair, and a baby face?" She thought for a while and nodded her head fervently.
"Yes! The reason I remember so clearly is because he came in after visiting hours, and when I tried to stop him, he threw me a glare that could burn walls- Sakura-chan where are you going now?" Sakura briefly turned back to throw her a wave.
"Thank you Rii-obaachan for telling me this!" She barged out of the hospital with Shizune's phone and using her trembling fingers, she managed to key in Sasori's number after the fifth try.
"Sasori-san, Sakura here. Can I meet you now?"
After she had attained her leave grant from Tsunade, probed around for directions, she replaced on her school uniform and left the hospital.
The bus took her to South-west Konoha, where Sasori's house was. This was a rudimentary part of the Leaf, Sakura noted as she passed by many discoloured buildings and asphalt roads filled with portholes. Even the trees were under nourished, many either leaning heavily to one side or bearing a crown of yellow leaves.
By the time she alighted, her butt felt sore from the bumpy ride, despite the relatively short trip. She took directions from a nearby faded signboard and after a ten minutes' walk, she was led to a wooded area with only a single storey building next to it.
It was made entirely of logs and next to the modest pitch-roof house was a make-shift wooden stage, where a puppet show was in progress. A bunch of kids were gathered by the elevated stage, eyes glued to the wooden puppets dancing about in harmony.
Sakura joined the back of the crowd and tapped her feet to the music playing in the background, and occasionally laughed at the slap-stick performance. She gasped with the kids when the puppets executed an intricate move, like a b-boy spin.
When the show came to a finale, the puppets formed a line and bowed, eliciting a cacophony of cheers and delightful cheers. Sakura's eyes narrowed at the puppets; was it her imagination or were there no strings attached to the wooden dolls?
The mastermind behind the performance emerged from the backstage, and the entourage of young audience rushed to be the first to embrace their idol.
"Hey you're so cool!"
"Can I kiss you on the cheek, onni-chan?"
"Can you teach me how to do that, Sasori-sama?" Sakura burst out laughing upon hearing that, instantly attracting the crowd's attention. Sasori looked up and nodded, then ushered the kids to the seating area beside the stage.
Sakura found a table away from the din of the jabbers and waited for Sasori to settle everyone. He grabbed two bottles of mineral water on the way and passed one to her.
"Your performance was great; I have no idea you are so adept with manipulating puppets!" Sasori remained wooden and drank his water.
"It makes them happy, that's all that matters." Their eyes shifted to the assembly of children no older than six, who were busy snacking and quarrelling over last touches and their favourite spots.
"Who are these children?"
"They are orphans. Last year, my mentor liaised with the nearby orphanage to hold weekly puppet making workshops or performance to entertain these kids," Sasori explained and that was when Sakura noticed that they were all cladded in simple clothing, some of which were spotting holes and sewed patches.
"I bet this was your suggestion, right?" Sakura quipped, remembering the first time they met and the goodwill he had demonstrated to the helpless little girl then. Sasori turned towards her in surprise.
"A-Anyway you said you were looking for me…?" Sakura rearranged her face and nodded solemnly.
"Right, I came to offer my apology, for both your loss and my harsh words. I'm sorry, Sasori-san."
"No, you were right; I'm not a good person-"
"I knew you visited Chiyo the night before she passed away." Her revelation stopped Sasori mid-sentence, and he evaded his eyes as she continued, "And I'm sorry for misunderstanding you." Her eyes softened in empathy to his circumstances and his faraway expression as he glanced fondly at the orphans.
"I know that deep down, you still care about her."
"I just happened to be in the vicinity…" Sakura rolled her eyes at the pathetic excuse, and quickly reached into her bag to pass him Chiyo's items.
"Here are her belongings. Why not you go through them and call me if you have any questions? I'll just be over there to play and talk to the kids, alright?" With that, she left Sasori with her stuffs and his quiet thoughts.
He peeled apart the zip-lock bag and tentatively took out an assortment of items - her favourite compact mirror, an auburn lip stick, a brown elastic head band, a miniature wooden mannequin and two bags of nuts. He picked up the mannequin and attached his chakra threads to manoeuvre its tiny form, remembering the first time he discovered his interest in puppetry.
Lastly, he took out a brown envelope that was addressed to him, and ripped it opened.
Dear Sasori boy
I'm writing this to you because I know I do not have much time left, but with ample things to tell you. I hope you're doing well, both in school and in your life? You were such a brilliant boy when you were young, so I have no worries about your studies. But you're out there alone, which I cannot help but fret about every sleepless nights. It breaks my heart knowing that my grandson is supporting himself out there, with no one he's familiar with.
After your sudden departure, it got me thinking about the corrupted system in Sand and the morale of the citizens. I think you'll be delighted to hear that the culprit of your parents' death was caught and sentenced to death the day after his apprehension. Turns out he was still mad that your Father insisted to marry the woman of his dreams instead of his younger sister, or more bluntly, for the sake of politics.
That was also the reason why many people, including myself, disliked your Mother. Because of her, Sand had lost its advantageous standing from the past decades. You were so young then, it's no wonder you don't understand, and I don't expect you to; she's your dearest Mother after all. Which Mother could bear their children hating them, or vice versa?
That was why I decided to forgive your Mother; it was not her fault that she had to come from a normal family of no political standing. You made me understand that being happy and living with the ones you love is all that really matters; a family without love will never be a complete family. Oh, I'll never forget the night when your Mother wept all over me when I told her that I'll love her like my daughter. It was also the night of her death. The only confronting knowledge was that they died in the company of their love ones, and for that I'm glad to say your Father has in deed made the right choice.
Remember, I'll always be watching after you from afar. Don't do things that you'll regret later on in your life; there aren't always second chances.
From
Grandma Chiyo
Below the letter written in fresh ink:
P.S.: Thank you for visiting me.
Flicking off the fallen tears, he looked up towards the cloudless cerulean sky with eyes of gratitude, and for once, he allowed himself to believe that the sun was truly smiling down at him.
"Thank you, Grandma."
I just had to mix up the festive mood with a dose of reality eh? Life was never just about the beautiful bits (even in fandom); it was only with a taste of bitterness that people will come to appreciate the transience of wonderful, sweet things. And Itachi was the embodiment of both.