Chapter Nine

He was staring. She could feel it and when she had the chance to glance at his way, he would be either looking out the window or reading something. Something shifted between them. Sakura didn't know what, but this shift wasn't a bad thing. No, it felt familiar to her from the time they were…

Her phone drew her away from the thought that was forming. She shifted in her seat and reached for her phone.

Sasuke.

Deep in her gut told her what she was about to think would turn into guilt. Picking up her phone she stole a glance at Itachi who didn't look away from her. She need to trend carefully.

"Hello -"

"Where are you?" Sasuke asked, interrupting her before she could greet him fully.

"I am on a train right now heading to the Land of Lighting." She told him. It was the truth. Itachi and Sakura were able to leave a day early since the travel to the Land of Lighting would take two, almost three days.

"Why?" he asked. She glanced at Itachi who tried to busy himself with something. He was listening, she didn't need to be a mind reader to know.

"I was asked by Lady Tsunade to travel to the nations and discuss things. I didn't tell her no since it is important."

"Once we are married you won't need to be working for her or the hospital." He grumbled and Sakura sat there frozen.

Did he just say married? As if to say he wants me to marry him. Why do both the Uchiha men have to be so fucking confusing?! Her mind was racing and when she was able to center herself Itachi was in front of her.

"I was hoping you would be home to where we could discuss about marriage, but today is the only day that I would be home." She heard him sigh with annoyance. "How much longer will you be gone?" he asked.

She took a deep breath and then answered him. "I am gone for another two weeks."

"And I will be gone for three. I guess we will have to plan out a time to discuss this. I must go. Oh, and Sakura?"

"Yes?" she breathed.

"Be careful around my brother. He may be sweet and helpful, but you don't know what he went through when he was in the war or his time away from the last four years." With that he hung up.

If only Sasuke knew, just knew that she was the one who helped his brother through his nightmares. That she was the one that helped center him and fell for him at the same time. Did she still feel that way with Itachi? Is that what shifted between them? Her feelings for him returning? She felt like the room was spinning.

He pulled her hand into his and spoke. "I take it that was my brother." She nodded, afraid to speak. "Did he say something to you that you are afraid to talk?" he asked looking up at her.

Itachi seemed to always find a way to know her mind like she was able to with his. "He was upset that I wasn't home. He wanted to discuss some things with me." She whispered. "But Itachi, I don't know if I want to discuss with him what he suggested to me. I don't know how I feel about him anymore."

This was the truth. This was how she felt about Sasuke now. The feelings she had for him seemed to erode ever since she and Temari talked. Being around Itachi didn't help matters. Sakura told herself that she would not long for Itachi or gaze at him in a longing manner. She failed epically since she was willing to allow him to touch her and kiss her.

Even now with him holding her hand, she desperately wanted him to reach out and wrap her in a hug. To hold her. Itachi, knowing her, did so. Reached out and held her against his chest. That felt warm, safe, and hard.

"Let's finish up these two weeks and then hopefully when we get back you can sit down with my brother." He spoke holding her tighter. "Whatever happens you know that I will be there for you." He whispered into her hair.

She believed him whole heartly. The one and only brother that she believed in. No matter the warning signs.

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After a two-day travel, Sakura and Itachi made it to Kumogakure. The Raikage's secretary meet with them at the train station and took them straight to the Raikage. In no time they were walking into his office.

"Good you are here. I don't have time to be a host this week so I will just get to it." The Raikage stood up and walked over to the seated area in his office. Sakura confused but followed. Itachi no far behind her. "I have been hearing about the student exchange and medical centers. I am in just let me know what I can do to help."

Sitting up straight, Sakura said. "I am happy that you are willing to participate in this trail. Right now, I am going around and talking to the Kage to get their input and then go from there. Once we have the information we need, I will be talking with Lady Tsunade."

"So, you are saying once you are done with this rotation you'll be talking with the Princess and then contacting us about it." He stated.

"Yes."

"Good when you let us know we would be willing to help with the building and any scholarships." With that he stood up. "I have business with our Nations Lord. Since I cannot play host, I have you set up at one of our hot springs. Use this week to rest before you make your way to the Land of Water." With that said the Raikage left.

Sakura stood up when the secretary walked up to her. "If you could follow me. I will take you to where you are staying."

Sakura followed with Itachi yet again not far behind her.

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Sakura was amazed about the accommodations she and Itachi were given. A whole suite to themselves and a private hot spring to soak in. The Raikage secretary showed them around and them left. Itachi being the 'bodyguard' walked around to double check there was nothing admis. While he was doing that Sakura stepped out and called Tsunade.

"I hope you can make this quick I have been summoned to the council." Tsunade groined when she answered.

"Alright I will make this quick. The Raikage said that he is in with the whole building the clinics and student exchange. He even offered to help pay and make scholarships for those that need assistance." Sakura told her while she made her way to the patio that housed the private hot spring.

"Hmm, that is very generous of him." There was a pause. "When you get back, we will discuss all the details and then contact everyone that is interested."

"Of course, and that is what I have been telling everyone that has shown interest that we would reach out to them on a later date."

"Good." Another pause. "Is everything ok? You seem more business than casual Sakura." Worry was laced in Tsunade's words.

Sakura looked around to make sure Itachi wasn't around. That was the last thing she needed to deal with. "I got a call from Sasuke. He wasn't happy that I was out do this. He told me that when I got back, and he was back that we were going to sit down and have a talk."

"A talk about what? And he does know that I chose you because you are one out of few that can trust with this. What does he want to tell you about?"

"Marriage and me quitting my job at the hospital along with me not working for you." Sakura shared with her. There was silence from the other line. Sakura knew that Tsunade was holding in her temper.

Sakura heard Tsunade take a deep breath before she spoke. "Well maybe it's a sign that he is no longer a good fit for you. I know that you love him and what I said may have hurt, but it's the truth. He knows how much you love working at the hospital and working for me." Tsunade was right. Sasuke knew how much her job meant to her. "If you had to choose between him and what you love, what would you choose?"

"My job." Sakura said without hesitating.

"So maybe end things with him. Make it to where it is final and find someone that is willing to compromise with you. May be find that one man that you were with before you went back to Sasuke. He may be willing to take you back." A pause and Sakura had a feeling it was an idea that she was either going to like or not. "or you can just sleep with Itachi and then tell Sasuke that you guys are over."

Sakura laughed. It was a good idea only she had already did that and that man she was with that no one was able to figure out was Itachi. "Thank you Lady Tsunade I will take your ideas and think them over. You better go before you are lectured for being late."

"My dear I could care less about being told that showing up on time is proper. You needed someone to talk to. That was more important. Just let me know what you come up with when you call next week."

"Thank you."

"Any time my dear." With that Tsunade hung up.

Glancing around to witness the view, Sakura turned around to see Itachi leaning against the patio door. She knew that she should not read too much into how her heart reacted to seeing him, but Sakura could not help it. Her feelings for him have returned.

Was the feelings for the best now that her job may be on the line along with her future? Or was it the fact that all this time she never really gave up on him and what she felt.

Her heart seemed to speed up as he approached her. Looking down not wanting to reveal her emotions. He stopped in front of her and within a heartbeat, Itachi reached out holding her chin to make her look him in the eye.

They stood there for what seemed forever, but it was less than that. "What did my brother say to?" Of course, he heard everything. Nothing ever escaped his eyes or ears. That's what made him so great at his job.

"How about a soak? Can't let this view go to waste." She smiled and took a step back.

Itachi took a step forward, grabbing her wrist. "Answer my question Sakura." He demanded. She bit the bottom of her lip, and he pulled her closer. "You keep doing that and I might just kiss you again." He whispered in her ear.

"Then kiss me, Itachi." She whispered. Sakura hoped he would, so she didn't have to tell him. She wanted to but she did not want to give Itachi a sense of hope that something may happen.

Itachi let go of her and turned to walk away. "I know you'll tell me, and I will not sink to that level." He was angry or frustrated. She could not tell as she watched him walk out of the suite.

Feeling defeated, Sakura walked into the room she would be using and changed. Maybe a soak would help her clear her mind.

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She was asleep on the couch when he came back. Itachi was quiet, but she knew he was back and was wide awake. Not saying a word, he sat down next to her. Sakura smiled at the memory of something similar happening. Sensing what she was thinking Itachi looked over at her.

"You are thinking the same thing?" he asked.

"About the time we had our first fight about you leaving for a week or for the time we were almost caught, and I was scared?" she asked.

"The time when everyone almost figured us out." He answered as Sakura moved closer to him.

They were quiet for a time. Both remember Sakura being frantic about them being exposed. Itachi telling her that they should just tell everyone. Sakura didn't know why she wanted to keep it a secret from everyone she was close to. Itachi at first wanted to keep it a secret because of her safety, but as time went by, he was ready to tell everyone.

"Sasuke told me that I would have to quit my job when we got married. I didn't have a chance to tell him that I would still work. I was shocked when he said married. We only talked once about it three years ago." She finally told him. She spoke quietly but she knew that he could still hear her.

Pulling her closer to him. "Do you still feel the idea of marrying him?" he asked, putting his arm around her.

"No."

"Do you still want to be with him?"

Sakura moved to where she was straddling him and looking at him in the eye. His hands moved to her hips to hold her in place. "I am realizing some things about being with Sasuke. Things that I don't agree with and some things that I do with him. However, my feelings for him have changed." She explained. Holding his face in her hands. "I don't plan on marrying him and living the way he wants me to live. However, I do not want you to feel obligated to step in. What we had…"

"What we had is still here with us Sakura." He takes what she was about to say and makes it his own. "I should have told you this and I think I already have, but I will wait until you are ready. I will not force you to pick me or him. You need to pick what you want."

Sakura stared at him. She knew the next words out of her mouth could change things. "What would you do if I said I would choose you?"

"As long as you are not saying that to make me happy."

"Honesty?" she asked, and he nodded. "These past two weeks I have been thinking about you and us along what my relationship with Sasuke. With every thought I seem to always go back to you." She leaned her forehead against his. "Believe or not you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I would never change that fact, nor would I want to let it go again."

"Who would have thought you Sakura the most feared yet the one that everyone looks up to would have a soft spot for a scared and bruised man like me." He stated.

Sakura leaned back to look at him. "I would never say that. You are not bruised, and your scars are evidence that you survived and still surviving life."

He smirked at what she said, but it soon dropped. "I don't want to start anything until you have things figure out with Sasuke."

"I would never do that to him, but yes I agree."

"Good." With that agreement he leaned in a kissed her. He kissed her slowly leaving his hands on her hips. She placed her hands on his chest, gripping his shirt. She only gripped his shirt to keep herself from doing something else. He seemed to think the same way, but he moved her closer as one of his hands traveled up her shirt. Sakura gasped and broke the kiss. That didn't stop his lips traveling down her throat. His teeth grazed the base making her moan.

That sound coming out of her made them stop. He just told her he didn't want to start anything until she took care of Sasuke. Before he pulled away his kissed the tender spot. When Itachi leaned back, he smirked proudly that he marked her.

"You are a beautiful but yet dangerous creature." He stated, breaking the silence that was filled with their breathing.

Sakura leaned in, giving him a quick kiss before leaning back. "And you are the devil, but a teddy bear himself." She moved off his lap and made her way to her room. A cold shower was for her and Itachi.

This week and the last week was surely going to be torture for both.

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Hello my fellow readers!

First and foremost, thank you to those that have chose to follow this story. I will not let you down with the drama and the excitement. I really hope everyone is enjoying the story so far. Just a heads up I am going to be writing a few chapters about the past when Itachi and Sakura started their relationship. I hope you look forward to it, I know some of you have requested that I write about their past together. Don't worry I have been planning on sharing just was waiting until the right moment. Make sure you comment on what your thoughts are so far. I would love to hear what you all think.

Thank you.

Choijiah