Chapter 17: Encounter

Well, without further ado, let's find out who it was from the last chapter: Itachi or Sasuke...

If she took Kakashi out of the equation, there weren't many others who could cause her to lose her composure to such a degree. She wasn't exactly in the best state of mind when she got home in the first place… but to make such an egregious oversight? She took in his handsome features and apprehension settled over her - Itachi. She didn't understand how it was possible for him to even be here. Not alone did he infiltrate the village, without anyone even detecting him, but he was inside her home waiting for her. Was this an absurd genjutsu?

"How are you here?" She managed to vocalize, barely refraining from asking if he was real.

"I apologize for my impromptu visit." His polite tone didn't match the situation she found herself in with him.

"How could you have possibly known where I lived?"

"That's your question? You aren't going to ask how I got into the village in the first place?"

"No. What I want to know is how you knew where to find me?"

"It's not terribly interesting I'm afraid. I was in the village a little over a year ago, and I simply followed you."

"But we… we only became 'acquainted' with each other recently?" She couldn't think of a better term to describe her encounters with him. Why would he have possibly had any interest in her prior to that?

"That is true. However, I have known of you for some time. I was interested in learning more about you."

She blanched at that before scrutinizing his face. He was calm, perhaps slightly amused at her expense, but she could detect nothing else as he met her gaze.

"I must have been terribly interesting if you resorted to stalking me."

His lips quirked slightly at her gibe, but he didn't see fit to answer.

"Are you planning to kill me Itachi?" She voiced after a moment.

"I believe I answered that question before."

"Your answer may have changed since then. I can think of few reasons as to why you'd be in front of me, right here, right now."

"I have no desire to kill you Sakura."

"Do you plan to take me hostage then?"

"I would have already taken you if that was my objective."

She was forced to recollect their last run-in at his blunt response. He took her then, effortlessly. She supposed it really would be that easy for him to do so again if he wished.

"I need your assistance."

Indignation rose in her at his words. "The last time you needed my 'assistance,' it didn't exactly end well for me."

"It was regrettably unpreventable."

"Oh, that's right, you were testing Sasuke. Are you going to shed some light as to why that was?" She asked scornfully.

"To see if my little brother was beyond saving. He chose to protect you over seeking his revenge. To find out Sasuke is still capable of caring for others told me he's not so far gone yet. You're important to him still."

"Me? I hate to break it to you but your thoughts on this are a bit misguided. Sasuke left me behind years ago, without a second thought. If you think he loves me, and you want to use that to your advantage, you're mistaken."

"It doesn't matter if he loves you or not. The value he attached to your life was enlightening. I wasn't sure, until that moment, if I had ruined him or not. Now I know that's not the case."

She didn't know what to make of this man. "So, what do you need me for?"

"Your healing capabilities."

"What?! You do realize I'm The Hokage's apprentice, don't you? Surely there are other medical-nin that are far more accessible than I am."

"Perhaps, but you're the best after The Hokage herself."

"I don't see any injuries on you," she responded, choosing to ignore the unintended compliment.

"So it would seem."

She was growing irritated with his cryptic words, and her displeasure must have shown on her face because he finally gave her something. "Sasuke will seek me out in the near future. He is set on killing me."

"And? Do you expect sympathy?"

"Not at all." He said it in such a simple way. "However, he currently doesn't have the skill to genuinely defeat me."

She couldn't argue with him there. From what she'd seen of Itachi, as it stood, Sasuke didn't have a chance against him.

"I don't understand what you're asking of me?" She wasn't a slow person, far from it. But she wasn't comprehending what he was getting at right now.

"I planned to die when he faced me," he said flatly.

"What do you mean?" She looked at him in complete shock. "You just said Sasuke won't win against you."

"I did. What I should say is, I originally intended to let Sasuke kill me."

"Let…him….kill…you," she dragged out slowly. "You wanted to die?"

"It's complicated." There wasn't a trace of humor in his tone.

Oh, she could imagine it was. That word seemed to encompass Itachi. "And now you've changed your mind?"

"Yes, also a complicated decision."

"Are you going to be a little more forthcoming than 'it's complicated?"

"My death will no longer be the benefit it was meant to be at the moment. Recent events have led me to believe I'm more useful alive than I am dead."

He didn't offer anything beyond that, and her frustration was reaching a boiling point. He sought HER out but didn't think he had to explain himself properly?

"So, let me get this straight. You've changed your mind, about whatever master plan you concocted, that required Sasuke to kill you before?"

"Very good synopsis Sakura."

He was mocking her. Not in the cruel way Kakashi did to others, but in a teasing way.

"What changed? And don't you dare utter the word 'complicated' to me," she warned.

"Okay, I won't."

It seemed those words were her breaking point because her chakra surged in her, and she lashed out. "I have no interest in fighting with you," he said after swiftly dodging her hit.

"That's funny, considering you seem like you're intentionally trying to piss me off."

"I assure you I'm not." He had the nerve to laugh a bit.

"You aren't going to bother to give a 'why' for any of it?" She growled.

"My reasons for doing what I've done are my own." She could see he wasn't going to say anything further. She lunged for him again in annoyance. To her surprise, she managed to pin him down to the ground, her hand closing around the front of his throat. Sakura noticed he wasn't even attempting to get out from her hold. He was laying under her passively, as her hand pressed threateningly on his windpipe. He'd seen her monstrous strength; he knew she wasn't a normal kunoichi. His dismissal of her as a genuine threat to him was telling. He stared up at her calmly and her eyes ran down his upper body briefly. His physicality, at face value, was deceiving. He was lean, slender even, yet she knew how lethal he was.

"Alright fine, you're not up to sharing. So, why do you need me?" She didn't understand any of this. She already knew there was far more to Itachi than he led everyone to believe. But this wasn't even close to what she expected. She couldn't even guess at his motivations. She also didn't see how she came into play. Any medical-nin could heal injuries from a battle, so why go through the trouble of seeking her out?

"I need you to buy me some time. What I require is something only someone with your expertise can accomplish."

"Can you speak plainly?" She asked in annoyance, as her hand clenched around his neck.

"I'm dying." Her hold loosened on him at that admission. "I only have a few months."

Sakura was at a loss for words, but it didn't seem he was waiting for a response. "I have a disease that has damaged my lungs severely. What I need from you is to slow the progress, as much as possible. I don't expect you to cure me."

He didn't even want her to try and heal him completely? He just wanted to stay alive a little longer? She couldn't wrap her mind around it. "You wouldn't want me to attempt to heal you?" She asked in disbelief.

"I don't believe that's possible."

"You just want to postpone your death?"

"Correct. If you could even grant me a year, I believe that would be adequate."

He was so resigned to it, dying. One as young as him, and he didn't seem to have any fear of it. Why wouldn't he be demanding her to fix him?

"What if I could cure you? I haven't evaluated you yet after all."

"Are you agreeing to assist me Sakura? I didn't even have to threaten you." He had an enigmatic smile on his face that she didn't understand. It was like he didn't care if she somehow did figure it out. Did he really think there was no hope for him?

"Even if I was willing to help, I'm a bit restricted at the moment," she admitted reluctantly.

"Oh?"

"I'm not allowed to leave the village without Kakashi. Somehow, I don't think he's going to permit me to go off with you."

"You answer to him?"

"It's complicated." She threw his own words back at him. He smirked before reversing their positions smoothly. He was straddling her hips, and she felt his weight settle on her. 'He's far lighter than he should be,' she couldn't help but think.

"Undoubtedly," he teased. She forced herself not to react to his proximity, as he leaned closer to her face. "The Copy Ninja is smitten with you."

Her face burned as Itachi, who she barely knew, made such a statement. "My brother and Kakashi are difficult men. You are quite special to hold both of their affections in such a way."

"You don't know what you're talking about. Sasuke only saved me because well… he," she trailed off. Truthfully, she didn't really know where she stood with him. The way he acted after he saved her from Itachi, well, it wasn't something she wanted to dwell on. "And Kakashi is an entirely different matter altogether. I'm not special at all. I just have rotten luck and attract problems."

"I disagree. You're very different from any of the kunoichi I've encountered."

She wasn't interested in debating her allure as a woman with him, so she diverted the conversation. "Regardless, I don't have free reign to do what I want. Kakashi is… very controlling over me. What you're asking of me isn't going to be something I can accomplish tonight."

"I expected as much."

"You've said nothing to earn my trust, so I shouldn't even be considering this."

"That's probably true," he agreed easily.

She met his gaze. He was a missing-nin, one who killed his own family and joined a criminal organization of other dangerous shinobi. On paper, he was an enemy to her. Yet, it didn't seem as if he was going to force her to do this. She had no reason to want to help him, she knew that. She pondered his vague statements about wanting to die by Sasuke's hand before. She didn't know why he revealed that to her… Could that have been a ploy of his to get her to heal him? Somehow, she didn't think so.

"If I help you, I don't know how long it will take. Depending on the extent of the damage, it could take me a week, maybe longer. If I were to go missing from the village it won't end well."

"I'm aware of what Kakashi is like."

"So then are you planning to face him to make off with me?"

"There's no need for that. I don't have to take you from your home. I will simply come to you."

"Come to me?"

"At night of course. I can easily get into the village undetected, hence, how I'm here with you now."

"And you think you're stealthy enough to continue to do this right under Kakashi's nose?"

"I don't see why not," he said lightly. "Kakashi is exceedingly arrogant and doesn't believe anyone would dare such a thing because of him."

Kakashi was certainly that… but even so. "If he were to catch you here, he'll kill you."

"Your concern is noted."

She huffed in irritation at his frivolity. "He has a developed sense of smell," she couldn't help but point out.

"I know. My scent should dissipate after a few hours from your apartment."

"You'd better hope so," she warned.

His lips twitched in amusement as she became conscious of how close they were. If she moved forward, their mouths would be pressed together. She hastily leaned back. "So, I take it you're consenting to helping me?"

She took a deep breath as he rose off of her. "I hope I won't regret this," she muttered.

"Your shirt needs to come off so I can perform the diagnostics. It will also be easier for me if you're laying down."

"I'm happy to oblige." His tone was playful as he proceeded to do as she asked.

She sighed as she dropped to her knees next to the attractive Uchiha. It really was one problem after another for her.

Her chakra reserves were low this morning. It was to be expected, considering how long she was with Itachi. If she didn't have extraordinary chakra control, she was sure she'd be at the brink of exhaustion.

He wasn't exaggerating when he told her he had a short amount of time left. The state of his lungs was horrifying. He admitted to experiencing hemoptysis at this point, regularly. It wasn't surprising considering their condition; the small blood vessels were mangled. She deduced it was some rare form of vasculitis, one she'd never seen before. She certainly had her work cut out for her. She could repair the broken vessels and reduce the inflammation, but that wouldn't save him. Anything she healed would eventually be reversed by the disease; his body was actively destroying him. She was also right about it taking at least a week for her to heal the current damage. She'd wager she could at least give him a year once she mended everything completely.

'Am I a traitor for doing this?' she mused to herself. Itachi hadn't told her anything that really redeemed himself, and yet, here she was. She couldn't say no to someone who genuinely needed her help unless they were truly an abhorrent person. With everything he revealed earlier, along with their prior encounters, he didn't match his ruthless, bloodthirsty reputation. He was a paradox. She also couldn't help but think it was astonishing how powerful he was, considering the shape he was in. His health was definitely a hindrance to his chakra reserves and stamina at the very least, and yet he completely outclassed almost everyone.

She took a long sip of the tea she was cradling in her hands. When she looked up, she made eye contact with a guy she didn't recognize. He looked to be a few years older than her, with pretty blue eyes, brown hair, and a strong jawline. He wasn't on Kakashi's level of attractiveness, or even Itachi's, but he was undeniably handsome. He wasn't embarrassed to be caught staring at her. If anything, it seemed that emboldened him to come over.

"Hello, my name is Yoshi Tanaka. You're Sakura Haruno, The Hokage's apprentice."

"Was it the pink hair that gave me away?" Though she allowed herself a smile to let him know she was teasing.

"That may have been part of it," he admitted. "Your reputation precedes itself amongst us jonin."

"All good things I hope?"

"Oh, absolutely."

She found him pleasant as they talked, but she was careful not to give him anything but politeness. She also noticed two of his friends watching them from the corner of the room, and they didn't appear thrilled. The one came up behind him and murmured, "you should probably stay away from her Yoshi."

Yoshi waved him off impatiently, not bothered in the slightest by his friend's warning. He picked up on Sakura's surprise because he laughed lightly. "I'm very much aware you can put me through a wall if I step out of line. I'll just make sure I don't give you any reason to do that."

He thought that's what his friend was going to advise him of, her intimidation factor? She knew that was a deterrent for many men, but she had a sinking feeling that wasn't the case. She was almost positive there were rumors going around at this point.

"Listen, I'm flattered, truly, but you're wasting your time with me."

"Why don't you let me decide that? Or are you trying to let me down easy?"

"It's not that, it's just… well," she trailed off, not knowing how to define her particular situation.

"I have to tell you, I'm incredibly persistent. It's a character flaw I'm afraid."

She knew she needed to excuse herself from the conversation, so she stood. He didn't block her way when she moved to leave, but he did shift closer to her. She tilted her head to meet his eyes again.

"Do you find me incredibly grotesque?"

She couldn't help but giggle at his ridiculous statement. "W-what? Of course not."

"Well nothing short of that will dissuade me from asking you to dinner. Give me a chance to impress you?"

She was charmed against her will, but she knew she could never say yes. She was about to tell him as much when she was made aware of someone in her peripheral vision. Of course it was him… He was through the door of the tea shop before she could even blink.

"Hello Sakura." Kakashi's distinct scent hit her nose as he pulled her against his body. His arm was wrapped around her waist, and it was abundantly clear to anyone with eyes, she was his.

Yoshi's face had transformed into one of wariness as his eyes fell to the possessive embrace.

"I've told you already, attempting to provoke me won't end well," he whispered in her ear.

"That wasn't what was happening! He didn't know about you!"

"He didn't know about me?" She couldn't see his face, but judging by the way Yoshi was growing more tense, he wasn't content.

"He didn't know we were… involved," she finished with reluctance. "I was going to tell him no."

"Is that so?" She was spun in his hold effortlessly as his other hand caught her chin. He didn't have to make any threats at all. His entire aura radiated hostility. She knew the only reason Yoshi was still here was because he wasn't risking inciting Kakashi's wrath by fleeing.

"You're saying it was a mistake then?"

"Yes!" Kakashi wasn't the most tolerant man, but she hoped someone's ignorance would be enough for him to 'behave.' She used that word extremely loosely. When it came down to it, Kakashi couldn't be controlled, whether he was in the village or not.

"Well, I ought to make sure there are no further mistakes made." His clothed lips were on hers before she could question what he meant. The entire shop was silent as the renowned Copy Ninja kissed her blatantly. It wasn't a long kiss, or even a heated one, considering his mask. However, when he pulled way, she was completely unsettled by it.

"She's spoken for. Be sure to pass that on." He looked directly at Yoshi as he said it. His meaning was obvious; it wouldn't end well for the next man who tried something with her.

"Of course sir." She watched him leave with his friends, and he didn't so much as glance in her direction. She had no doubts his message would be spread quickly amongst the shinobi of the Leaf Village.

"I've been looking for you," Kakashi said, as explanation for why he was here.

"You've found me. I'm sure after that no guy will so much as breathe in my direction now."

"You make me sound unreasonable."

"I don't do anything, you do it all on your own."

"You're far too beautiful for you own good. The Hokage wouldn't be pleased if too many jonin died by my hand. I think I acted in everyone's best interest." He said it in a lighthearted manner, but she picked up on the dark promise.

"Oh, how reasonable of you," she replied, tone dripping with sarcasm.

"I restrained myself, didn't I? And now, unless someone has a death wish, no one will be stupid enough to approach you in that manner again."

"Yes, every man in the entire village will know I'm your property. Congratulations."

"Property? I think girlfriend is a more appropriate term."

She was thankful she wasn't still drinking her tea because she would have choked on it.

"Girlfriend?!" She sputtered, taking a step back.

"What label should I use for you? My lover perhaps?"

"None! Why do you feel a label like that is even necessary?"

"We have an exclusive romantic relationship, do we not? Doesn't that make you my girlfriend?"

He really thought of her as his girlfriend, even though she wasn't with him willingly? 'So fucking unhinged, it's actually astonishing,' she thought.

"Exclusive? I'm not stopping you from being with any woman you want. By all means," she finally replied to him.

"Do I have to keep repeating myself? I have no interest in anyone else. I only want you."

She faltered under the intensity of his stare and moved to the door. She was aware of everyone in the tea shop eavesdropping on them. Kakashi didn't seem bothered by it, but she certainly was. He was, of course, right behind her as she exited. He settled next to her as she walked through the village, appearing completely at ease. 'And he's so annoyingly tall, on top of everything else about him,' she observed as she looked up at his face. She felt like a child walking next to him with their height differences.

"Something else on your mind?"

"No," she responded automatically. She noticed they were heading toward one of the training grounds. 'Oh shit, I completely forgot I agreed to that today.'

"What's the matter?" She watched him scrutinize her face. "You're nervous."

"I'm just afraid I won't be able to do this. I may disappoint you." It wasn't completely true, but she couldn't exactly tell him she was lower on chakra than usual.

"You could never do that. Besides, I told you I'd teach you, didn't I? I don't make promises I can't keep."

"So, how do we proceed?"

"You know how fire is created in nature, correct?"

"Of course!" She was a bit insulted he would ask her that.

"Just teasing you Sakura. To create fire with your chakra, the same concept applies. You would create a split in your chakra and then have it rub against itself to generate heat."

"That's it?"

"Well, for natural fire users it comes much easier. It's almost second nature for them to use their chakra in such a way. It takes a lot more effort for someone who doesn't have an affinity for it. They will expend much more energy trying to use a fire style attack, and as such, waste their chakra much quicker in a battle. That's why most shinobi don't bother to learn elements that don't come naturally to them. But having nearly perfect chakra control will allow you to mitigate the chakra you expel. In other words, you're the perfect person to master any of the elements."

"You've mastered them all. Do you have the chakra control I do?"

"No, I don't. Your chakra control definitely surpasses my own."

"Really?" She was shocked at his casual admission.

He crinkled his eye at her and nodded. She couldn't help feeling a little flattered he thought so highly of her – at least as far as her chakra control.

"We'll go back to the basics with this." He held up a leaf for her. "Ignite it with your chakra."

It was a simple lesson, but she could understand the usefulness of it. She knew they were there for hours as she concentrated on doing as he said. Every time she tried to visualize utilizing her chakra in such a way, she lost control of it. She wasn't using any more than she needed, but she could feel her stores depleting. She needed to be careful not to overexert herself.

She tried again, and again, until finally something happened. It was small, but she finally managed a slight singe on the edge of the leaf before it went out.

"Very good Sakura," she heard Kakashi praise.

She knew she was at her limit before exhaustion. There was no way she could continue this today.

"You're quite out of breath." She picked up on the suspicion in his voice. He flickered in front of her, looking her over critically. 'Not good at all.' She needed to think fast, divert his attention from her incriminating fatigue.

"I'm just… I did it. I mean barely, but even so. I didn't expect to do anything today."

He continued to stare at her, and she knew she had to do more to shift his attention. If he pressed her, she wasn't sure she could come up with a sufficient explanation. And if he thought she was hiding something, oh god, she couldn't even imagine.

"Thank you Kakashi."

"Hm?" She got his attention at that.

She didn't have time to second guess herself when she stood on her tip toes. Her fingers reached up to curl underneath his mask, pulling it down. She heard the slight intake of breath from him when she pressed her lips to his. She knew kissing him first, coherently and of her own accord, would be enough to distract him. His pliancy only lasted a moment before he took control of the kiss. His tongue slipped into her mouth, dominating her. It was only when she felt the desperate need for air that he disconnected briefly.

"You kissed me." He whispered against the top of her head.

"I was just grateful," she muttered sheepishly.

"Grateful?" He laughed before she felt him lift her by the backs of her thighs. They were eye level as he held her easily against him. The pleased look on his handsome features had her stomach fluttering. She wished she could say it was an unpleasant feeling.

"I need to do more things to inspire your 'gratitude' in the future." She saw it then, what Ino was talking about before. The soft look on his face as he took her in. It was strange how it simultaneously fit and didn't fit him.

And suddenly he was kissing her again, fervently, before moving to press open mouthed kisses to her neck. She felt her back hit the ground as he laid her underneath him. His hand trailed up to fill his palm with her breast. Even with clothes as a barrier, she could feel her nipple harden in response. He pinched the peak between his fingers, and a moan slipped from her lips.

"Mine." She heard the word. He barely murmured it against her skin, but it was enough to bring her back to reality.

"S-stop Kakashi. No more," she pleaded.

He pulled away at her words, though she saw the amount of self-control it took from him. She bit her lip because it was apparent how much he wanted to ravage her. And this time, the cause for his dangerous desire was herself. In an attempt to solve one problem, she undeniably created another.

I apologize for the delay! I was on my honeymoon for a few weeks, so needless to say, I wasn't writing😅 Please review and let me know what you think of the new chapter.