Line 20: Pink Camelias
"remember seek"
In times of Daffodils
Line 6
-E.E Cummings
"As a gardener, what types of flowers do you think are easiest to maintain?" Ino asks, the latest in a series of questions from when they left through Konoha's gates.
Itachi politely entertains her stream-of-consciousness verbalizations with the appropriate responses whenever he focuses enough to understand what she means. Unlike conversations with Sakura, who tends to have some prior build-up to her delivering whatever topic is on her mind at the time, Ino delves in unfettered and fully confident that she is justified in asking and expecting Itachi to answer.
On some level, Itachi admires her confidence. It is refreshing to talk to someone unfettered by the anxieties that plague others, even in polite conversation. Ino's confidence rises and crashes over the both of them. Itachi almost steps out into the choppy water, forgetting that he can be swept away in its currents.
Ino spots his caution and, with a smile, and hum, pulls back the waves and reveals the ocean floor to show that she means no harm. But water only recedes like that when a storm brews on the horizon. Itachi stays put, fixed at his spot on the sand.
He watches, though, carefully, for his own reasons. First, Ino has an incredible shapeshifting ability to modify her tone and questions to whomever she's speaking to. Through subtle trial and error, she shifts the phrasing of her questions to a more favorable format, something that has a higher chance of soliciting a response. He finds this trick of hers…curious and uses her conversation to study Ino's tactic. Second, and of more importance to him, it is distracting. Because inside of him is a different kind of storm that keeps banging on doors and pulling on handles. Because it doesn't work, it whispers over his shoulder, dogs his steps, and hums like a wisping wind, more ghostly than Izumi and more real than grass tickling his toes.
Itachi is determined to ignore it for as long as he can.
So he cants his eyes at her, watching hope spring to life with the slight upturn of her lips. Ino's blue eyes open more, and her expression softens to one showing full attention. She wants him to know she is patiently waiting and willing to wait for him to come up with an answer. As if to say she is not a threat.
Her methods are somewhat simplistic. And yet, it benefits Itachi to play along.
"I wouldn't say I am a gardener," Itachi starts, and Ino perks up even more. He sighs. "I prefer perennials because of how easy they are to maintain."
"Hydrangeas."
"Among others, yes."
"You buy hydrangeas a lot," Ino points out.
Itachi offers just enough to keep the conversation alive. "They are popular flowers, versatile with colors, and easy to source."
"You mean sourced from my flower shop?"
He feels the corners of his lips turn. "How lucky we are to have such a skilled and capable botanist in Konoha."
Ino chuckles sarcastically, fluttering her blonde bang as she calls him out. "Deflecting with flattery, Uchiha?"
Itachi scans the horizon, noting the lack of trees three hours into their journey. "It's not flattery if it's a statement of fact."
"You never denied deflecting," she states.
"I did not," Itachi agrees and redirects the conversation to a topic he feels more comfortable with. "Anything more in-depth may distract us from being vigilant."
"Mhm," Ino skips a few steps ahead, gliding a hand through her hair as she suddenly takes the lead. "I'll let you sidestep this conversation this time because we're close to where I want to go."
Itachi raises his brows, checking the trees and clearings to understand her meaning. "Go where? We're a few hours away from Suna."
"I know," Ino replies, a hint of playfulness in her tone
"Then what do you mean by we're close to where you want to go?"
She gestures him along, picking up speed on the dirt road and creating a small distance. "Just follow me, it's right past these trees."
Artificial light flickers between branches. Itachi listens for any clue as to where she's trying to take him and if it is worth stopping at nearby hidden shops. As they get closer, the road widens and smoothens, as if it's been maintained and traveled on many times. A signpost comes into view, pointing in the direction Ino makes a sudden right turn towards. Itachi's senses heighten, taking in their surroundings and scanning for signs of danger and places to take cover.
Which does little good as his partner shouts back to him, "We're here!"
Why are we…what is here? Itachi makes the bend, then stops behind Ino, brows furrowed and frowning. "There's no need to stop at this place."
The place is a relatively spacious inn nestled between two towering trees. A sign bearing bold kanji characters for "Shinobi" hangs prominently on display. Adjacent to the inn are several quaint homes, bustling shops, and eateries, forming a small but lively village on the outskirts of Konoha's sprawling forest. Charming and quaint as it may be, the place exudes an air of foreboding, and Itachi questions Ino's suggestion that they spend any amount of time here.
"There is need," Ino counters, "Have you not noticed the lack of bandits on our trail?"
Itachi both noticed and ignored their relatively smooth travels thus far. He dismisses their good fortune due to their proximity to Konoha. It is an easy feat, considering Itachi's mind had been rather preoccupied from the moment they left.
"An expected coincidence," he tries to dissuade her efforts to walk off the road. "If we stop now, our luck may not be so fortunate."
"But there's no danger around here," Ino replies. "Unexpected situations can arise at any moment," Itachi warns.
"I hate to break it to you, but we're hardly in a position to defend ourselves," Ino teases. "Seriously though, no one will jump out of the trees and attack us. It's hard to believe, especially since bandits and rogue shinobi were a common concern the last time you were out and about. The world is different now," she states while gesturing at the post that caught his attention. "That symbol represents universal peace, and these day-stays are neutral grounds across the shinobi world. Think of it as a one-stop-shop for checking in with your village and finding much-needed rest."
"Do you believe we should check in with the Hokage only three hours into our mission?" Itachi's eyes flicker with doubt as he observes the people, scrutinizing every face for any indication of other shinobi aside from themselves.
In response, Ino offers a gentle tilt of her head and a coy smile. "Do we need to check in with Kakashi? Absolutely not. But I'm beginning to suspect I am not the company you wish you had. My self-esteem can only take so much of you deflecting my attempts at conversation. So, to save myself some heartbreak at being so boring for you, I think a stop is necessary so my partner can focus. Yes?"
His fingers twitch involuntarily. A gentle gust of wind brushes against the nape of his neck, causing the strands of his hair to dance softly. Itachi does his best to conceal any signs of distraction or hesitation that might confirm the accusations against him. Instead, he keeps the focus on Ino and her wants.
"Why this place?" he questions as she leads them to the inn's front door.
"Inns like this are like little sovereign territories with their own rules," she explains. "There are always at least two shinobi guards from different nations stationed at each day-stay. We never know who, even if they are from Konoha. Who gets what posts runs on a lottery system."
"Who manages the lottery?" Itachi inquires.
"Nobody knows," Ino replies.
Two small steps lead to noren covering open shoji doors. Ino instructs him to remove his hitai-ate before entering.
"They'll know we're from here, but removing headbands is customary to show goodwill."
Itachi follows her lead, carefully folding his headband and tucking it in his backpack. Ino puts on her best smile as she lifts the noren.
"Irassahimase!" A young woman greets them upon entering.
Itachi steps into the reception area, and the scent of burning incense permeates his senses. The towering ceiling, adorned with crisscrossed wooden beams, looms overhead, while the soft blue walls provide a calming ambiance. Itachi's ease at the decor morphs to caution as two men in the waiting area pause a game of Go. Despite their lack of distinguishing clothing, their posture and demeanor leave no doubt about their profession–they are shinobi. The man's eyes flicker toward Itachi, betraying curiosity, caution, and understanding. They know precisely who Itachi is.
One of the men slowly reaches into his pocket, slow, deliberate, and calculated. He retrieves a cigarette from a concealed case, his steely gaze never wavering. The other man hunches over, resting his elbows on his knees, attempting to appear nonchalant. Itachi knows better and suspects a weapon is within reaching distance.
It is the same air of discontent as with those in Konoha. Itachi neither faults them for their reactions nor shies away from their stares. Instead, he strolls indifferently behind Ino to stand at her side, where the receptionist slides a clipboard their way.
"Don't pay them any mind," Ino says, quietly filling out the form. "The world may have changed, but people haven't forgotten who you are. Don't worry; they'll catch up just like the rest of us did."
Itachi knows better, nodding at her words while understanding the world is never that simple.
The blonde flashes a warm smile at the woman politely waiting for them. "Two rooms if you have them available."
"Of course," she says. "Same floor?"
"Preferably next to each other?"
The young woman nods, and Itachi takes in the process as she scans the form discreetly. She walks to a set of keys behind her, checking the wall for two next to each other that match their pay. In his opinion, everyone knows they are shinobi from Konoha. He reckons they have this process to make things as non-threatening as possible.
"Will you be dining with us?" she asks.
"No," Ino answers for them. "Do you offer laundry service?"
The woman nods. "Yes. There are instructions in the bathroom of each room. I will send one of our housekeepers to your rooms in...thirty minutes?"
"Sounds perfect!"
The receptionist shows them to the stairs, indicating they are on the third floor at the end of the hall. When they are out of earshot, Itachi corners Ino in the hallway.
"Laundry?" he questions. "It's only been three hours."
She sidesteps him, still with a smile on her face. "Did you know they washed your laundry?"
Itachi shakes his head.
"Obviously," Ino says dismissively, taking his hand and dropping his key in his palm. "All of this is new for you. I can only show you what to do if I actually show you. Now, go to your room, rest, and clear your mind. We only have this place for three hours. After that, it's a non-stop trip."
Itachi does as he is told, entering the small but adequate room and securing the lock when the door closes. A bed, a small desk, and a chair are next to a window. Itachi unloads his bag and then sweeps the room for risks or hazards. His Sharingan whirls to life, and he clears the space in seconds. There's nothing out of the ordinary here. Even the window looks out onto the street, where Itachi has an unobstructed view of the entry and exit to the little town. If this place caters to shinobi, then Itachi quietly admits that the hostess chose well.
Sighing, he closes the curtains, and an unnatural breeze gently passes him by as he does. Itachi shivers and bites his tongue. Then, he stops because there's fathom sweetness dangling in the back of his throat and banging against his chest, tugging and pulling impatiently against the doors. Itachi closes his eyes to stop the assault and focuses on his hands, still holding the curtains, on something tangible and real.
And it works. His heartbeat slows, and Itachi thinks he's in control again. Then, something asks if he wants to turn around to speak to Sakura and explore what happened in front of that gate. The phantom over his shoulder takes shape, a familiar figure both there and not. Unlike Shisui and Izumi, this one is very much alive, just distorted. Because Sakura feels gone, even though he knows she's not. What remains is whim and shadow, demanding in its neediness yet gentle words, telling him the truth. Itachi does want to go back. He wants to feel her again. He wants to know the answer to some burning question that keeps drifting on the phantom's tongue.
That is enough of that. Goosebumps speckle his shoulders, down his arms to his fingertips. Itachi shivers, pressing his eyes tighter, knowing that he is lying. It is not nearly enough.
He mentally grabs for logic, reason, something. There's nothing. There is no aura, no tingles, just a knowing in the back of his mind and thoughts he keeps pressing down that desperately want to rise to the surface. Itachi grimaces, clenching his jaw at reality.
"I hadn't expected to be this unsettled. It's only been three hours, and the only thing I can think about is...what I want..."
Pink flutters over green eyes. Itachi feels the faint touch of her lips and shutters.
Itachi is lost in thought and murmurs when a series of loud, abrupt knocks jolts him out of his reverie. Instantly, his Sharingan activates, alert to the possibility of danger. As the knocking continues, a voice calls out, announcing that it's housekeeping and they're here to collect his laundry.
Have I been standing here for thirty minutes?
He groans in embarrassment, reaching for his complimentary robe and some semblance of control. He quickly removes his clothes and packs them to hand to the woman, who barely gives him a passing glance. The brief interaction is enough for Itachi to realize Ino is right. He is too distracted, and they need this pause for him to get himself together. So he washes his hands, feet, and face, puts on another pair of clothes, and leaves the room for fresh air.
When he re-enters the lobby, the men loiter near the reception counter. As soon as they see him, their conversation with the hostess abruptly ends. The one smoking steps away from the desk and positions himself in Itachi's path.
An ambush?
As he takes a moment to observe his surroundings, Itachi notices several things. The previously talkative hostess suddenly becomes flustered and avoids making eye contact. He also notices the other man standing at the desks, looking at his partner and taking a casual but defensive stance. The air around them feels tense as if something is about to happen. Not an ambush, a test.
Itachi considers the consequences of asking the man to let him pass. Probably not without pushback. Based on the man's physical stance and body language, Itachi strongly doubts that he would move out of the way.
"Uchiha, Itachi," the man says, eyes and tone vacant of anything other than the heavy accent that Itachi recognizes. He's from Iwagakure. "It's not often we expect to see your face in the wild."
So it will be like this?
Itachi stops walking but gives the man nothing, drawing a condescending smirk.
"Oh, don't be shy now," he goads. "The least you could do is a simple greeting."
"This is neutral territory," Itachi reminds him, letting him know that he knows what this is.
The man laughs without humor, pursing his lips and nodding along. "Yeah, it is. Neutral. No harm, no foul here. We're all just passing through."
"Then let me pass," Itachi counters.
The man's laughter abruptly ceases. He reaches for another cigarette, lighting it skillfully, but still does not move out of Itachi's way.
"You know," he muses, shaking out the match before taking a long drag. "My little brother once told me you have an intimidating face."
"I do not know your brother," Itachi states plainly.
The man shakes his head with a wiry smile. "Oh, but you do. You two crossed paths years ago, you and your blue buddy. He was on his first mission to the land of Rivers, right over those trees there. On his journey, he came across two Akatsuki members. And one of them was you."
"I don't remember."
"You don't have to," he counters. "My brother does. Said he was excited to try his skills against a bunch of rogues. The blue one reached for his sword. That went about as well as can be accepted. He woke up in a field of tea leaves. Not a scratch on him. The last thing he remembers is your face, eyes red as blood. I told him he was a fucking idiot for trying to fight the two of you on his own. He was lucky that, for whatever reason, you only resorted to genjutsu. He wanted to fight you that day or any other time you guys crossed paths again. But guess what?"
Itachi stays silent, watching the man puff smoke into the air. "You're not going to guess?"
"No," Itachi says.
The man snorts, shaking his head. "My little brother died in the war that your little brother dragged on. Funny how now it's only the eldest left, crossing paths nearly in the same spot."
This is foolish. Itachi honestly does not remember; judging from the man's demeanor, that's not the point he wants to prove. They are all the same.
Itachi wants to go outside. So he cuts across the bravado and asks the question that needs to be asked.
"Are you looking to avenge him by fighting me?"
The man answers as if he knows but considers how to get those words out. Finally, after stubbing out the remainder of his cigarette, he levels amber eyes at Itachi. "This is neutral territory, as you say. Shinobi don't fight here. I figured expressing gratitude for you sparing him that day would be as good a time as any."
The man at the counter scoffs, grumbling at his partner.
"Because of that, I got to fight side by side with him, held him in his last moments of life, and buried him in the family grave." There are hints of sarcasm poorly concealed underneath his thin veneer of gratitude. "A missed opportunity to be sure if you'd killed him on some random road in Rivers."
The woman starts to fidget with papers, clearly uncomfortable with the line of dialogue. She occasionally glances toward a point beyond Itachi's line of sight, which quickly morphs into something that appears like desperation. Ino said these places are protected. It stands to reason that she can access security in moments like this.
What a way to honor his first mission by inciting an international incident. While Itachi does not expect a warm reception, he has equally less patience for putting on airs. If the man wants to confront or challenge him, Itachi would rather him do it outright than this. Unfortunately, these are things he rarely gets to choose. Only his actions matter anyway.
Itachi cuts his eyes back to the man, recognizing the delicacy of the situation. With a tentative step back, he offers a respectful bow to his opponent, not for his own sake, to ease the tension for the woman and safeguard the interests of his Village.
"Your brother seems like a brave and honorable fighter," Itachi replies. "I'm sure his death saved many more lives, allowing them to see the great Nations working together to foster peace. I am honored to have crossed paths with someone of such a strong, noble character."
"Um," the young lady finally pipes up. "There's no fighting in here. It's..."
"Neutral," the man responds with a condescending sneer. "We're not fighting, sweetheart. Just look at him, bowing like he hasn't killed hundreds in his lifetime: a dangerous one, him. Well, not anymore. Seems he's been tamed. Now, it's two men engaging in conversation about the great Uzumaki Naruto, a revered figure among the shinobi, and how he ended the Fourth Shinobi War with a call for peace, hoping to inspire us all to let go of our grudges. Don't worry, Tsuki. We are well aware of Konoha's rules here."
His words are laced with derision. Itachi keeps his head lowered and his countenance impassive. He feels the weight of the man's gaze upon him, but he refuses to give him the satisfaction of any more of a reaction. The Iwa shinobi takes a step back, muttering something under his breath. Itachi stands up as the sound of his footsteps disappears. He turns on his heel and leaves the building without glancing back.
In the open air, Itachi wanders down the sidewalk, ridding himself of negative energy. He remains alert for danger but only receives occasional glances and polite smiles.
These people must not be shinobi.
Itachi is sure the interactions would be similar to what they had been a moment ago. Ino swears by the peace Naruto created. But those from other villages do not share her sentiments.
My crimes were excluded from the concept of peace. Or is everyone forced to follow Naruto's lead?
The bubble of his little world with him and Sakura surrounded by people who cared for both of them means nothing to those who genuinely have no clue. Out here, he is Itachi of the Akatsuki. And that title carries more weight and darkness than Itachi the Clan Killer.
Peace is such a delicate and fragile thing. Itachi understands Kakashi's motivations for sending him on this mission. What better way to practice what Naruto preaches than deploying a former rogue turned reformed diplomat?
Tamed, hm? Itachi ironic smirk hides a tinge of bitterness. Should I be offended at being reduced to something like a wild animal?
Itachi's steps slow down as he approaches a quaint tea house, its traditional architecture calling to him like an old friend. He enters and is immediately greeted by the soothing aroma of tea leaves and the sound of soft chatter. He goes to the counter and orders a small plate of delicacies and a warm cup of oolong tea. With his order in hand, he moves to the open-air seating area, where he sits and takes in the serene surroundings. As he sips his tea, he occasionally nods in acknowledgment to passersby. Lost in thought, he gazes at the trees facing the Land of Rivers. Ino's presence is a welcome interruption to his peaceful solitude, and he turns to find her quietly sitting beside him.
"I don't know what you did or didn't do, but the receptionist is antsy for us to leave." Ino groans, reclining in a way that still manages to appear graceful. "I am pretty sure those guys are following me. What a pain."
Itachi casts his gaze over her head and down the road toward the inn. Are they still around?
"Did they say anything to you?" he asks.
"Not out loud. People's body language says more than words. I didn't think he'd be stupid enough to try something."
She leans her body into his, resting her head on his shoulder. "I feel like they are making me into a liar," Ino says with a hint of sadness. "There is peace in this world, Itachi."
"It's not your responsibility to control other people's actions," he reassures her, maintaining a slight distance between them. He doesn't push her away but doesn't encourage her physical contact, either.
Ino's laughter rings in his ear. "Ah, I understand now."
"Understand what?"
"They laid the bait, and you side-stepped it. That must have been frustrating for them, not being able to goad you that way..."
Ino springs up from her seat, brushing off the dust from her skirt. "Since you seem more in control of yourself, we should get back on the road. Gaara will expect us to make it to Suna before evening. He does the most spectacular welcomes for diplomatic guests. I don't wanna ruin the surprise, but trust me, you do not want to be late."
"I am always in control of myself," Itachi retorts, disliking the undertones of her comment.
"Right, right, of course you are." Ino sarcastically sings his praises. "You're always in control. Just lose focus from time to time. Or other times, you're very focused, which is just eerie and unnatural."
Itachi hears what she holds back, staring her down, daring her to say it. Ino arches a doubtful brow, flashes a smile, and then lets out a gentle chuckle at his expense.
"You're cute when you're clueless," Ino declares, gesturing for him to come down the road back to the inn.
"How is that at all relevant to what we are doing?"
In terms of the mission, it's probably not relevant. In terms of other things, I'm observing, taking in information."
Itachi stops walking and calls her name. Ino does stop, sighing and turning around to face him. "What other things do you need information about that you do not already know?"
Ino opens her mouth, expression frozen between a smirk and a gasp. She nods at nothing, and Itachi sees the waves rushing back towards the shore. The storm is coming, and he buries his feet in the sand before it crashes.
"You are so… interesting," Ino starts, and that smile of hers is as mocking as it is sincere. She uses her hands to gesture at the air and shrugs her shoulders dismissively. "Quite frankly, I enjoyed the wrap-around approach you kept throwing out there. But we can talk. You seem ready to talk."
"Me? You have been dancing around the topic since with frivolous before we left Konoha. If you have something to say, say it now," Itachi demands.
"You're really ready to talk. How cute," Ino counters in whispers, cocking her head to the side. "You thought I would ask what happened with you and my best friend so you could lie to me, too? I've done that song and dance for years now. You and Sakura may be good at many things, but pretending to be in love isn't one of them. Avoiding, though, you do that well. Sakura, not so much. And it got me thinking. Why would Uchiha Itachi avoid anything? Do you want to know what I found out?"
Itachi shakes his head in reluctance. "You'll say it anyway."
"I don't have to," Ino quips. "We can dance around it, avoid it like you like. We can pretend like you and Sakura have for five years. I'll be there for her like I have been all this time. I'll play along with y'all's little game because that's what she wants. That's a hard pill for a best friend to swallow. I'd do it, and I have done it for Sakura's sake. It was easier to look the other way than to watch her fall apart whenever I asked the right questions. So let's pretend, Itachi. As much as you want."
Ino's smile is gone, and there's hardness behind those blue eyes. Itachi counts the cost of what it could mean for Ino to feel the need to confront him now. She could have cornered him anytime during his and Sakura's mission. There were plenty of justifiable reasons to accuse Itachi of whatever she wanted. But Ino had not.
Why now?
Itachi regards the ground, thinking through as his annoyance wanes to understanding. Ino is Sakura's best friend. Knowing something was off, it must have impacted her to stand by and watch. But it still doesn't answer why she picks this time, of all times, to corner him.
"If you have questions about Sakura and I's relationship–"
Ino cuts him off. "Not questions. Observations. Questions would imply I don't know what's going on. I kind of do so…no questions, Itachi."
"If you know and are aware of everything, then you also know Sakura is safe with me."
"Define safe," Ino challenges with a scoff and a laugh. "Let's not pretend she didn't come to me crying every few weeks two or three years ago. Maybe you think that's safe. From what I saw, she was miserable and barely trusted you."
"What you think you saw doesn't override what I know," Itachi firmly corrects. "Sakura is my priority, my reason, and my motivation. Our differences and disagreements have never changed that. I intend to give her everything I promised. It is not for you to know what that means or what it looks like for us. Sakura knows. The only thing that matters to me is what she sees."
"Naturally," Ino says flippantly, "When your marriage is fake. When the only two people who endorse your relationship are the Hokage and the future Hokage, one of whom is a lovable idiot while the other wants people to think he's a lovable idiot. If Sakura weren't your priority, it would have given everything away. One thing about observations is that you notice when people act out of character. Like Kakashi overlooking his student's misery. Or Sakura lying to me. Or the man who likes to avoid things suddenly becomes interested when others can see. Do I need to continue? Do you want to keep going in circles, Itachi? Are we still pretending I am clueless and you are the doting husband?"
Itachi narrows his eyes, finger flexing once again at the accusation, a retort on the tip of his tongue. But restraint kicks in, and Itachi pulls his emotions back to see, really see, what Ino does and why it bothers him. She keeps pushing, implying that his care for Sakura is disingenuous.
What does it matter if Ino doubts me? Why am I annoyed? Because I don't like it? No. Because it is wrong. She is wrong.
Itachi cools his ire just as Ino whistles. He looks back at her, and the blonde's smile is smug.
"Oh," she teases. "Have you figured me out? Damn it! I tried to hold it for as long as I could."
Her change in demeanor is almost dizzying, and Itachi mentally sways at trying to keep up. Before he can ask, Ino explains. "It bothers you. Being accused of being a trash husband?"
"It is because you are wrong," Itachi adds.
Ino raises a brow. "Am I? Let's not forget who held your wife through the night the day after your wedding."
"You are not wrong in that sense," Itachi acknowledges. "Sakura and I had much to learn about each other initially. Trying to be selfless, we both acted selfishly. I'm sorry you were caught in our immature understanding of what it meant to be partners. I appreciate you being there for her. However, you're mistaken. I've never pretended. Sakura has always been first in my mind."
"Because you buy her hydrangeas," Ino softly interjects.
"What?"
"I said," Ino steps closer to him as she explains. Her firm expression mellows into an easy, good-natured smile. "You buy her hydrangeas. She wears flowers in her hair. I promised my best friend that I would stop asking why. I never said anything about what. I know you buy her hydrangeas, and she wears flowers in her hair. If she ever stopped, you wouldn't need to worry about bandits or rogues coming after you. I'll do it myself, with a smile and a fresh manicure."
"Is that a threat?" Itachi questions.
Ino doesn't even flinch. "Of the highest degree. I'll be frank since you seem ready to stop beating around the bush. I know aspects of your relationship are just pretense. Sakura has always loved the idea of love, and she would never give that up without a cause. I also know she has a sparkle in her eyes that I used to think was dead. Now that it's back, I plan to protect it at all costs. She's my best friend, and I never want to see her crying the way I did years ago. I'm telling you, right now, don't you dare hurt her, Itachi."
A surge of pride and the urge to retaliate when Ino threatens him nearly takes over. Itachi clenches his jaw, lodging the words that Sakura is his partner in the back of his throat. It takes a second too long for Itachi to latch onto reason and actually hear what Ino is trying to say. Because he, too, does not want Sakura to relive that pain. Although he disagrees with Ino's approach, he acknowledges that she and others care deeply for Sakura's welfare. Itachi puts aside his ego and acknowledges Ino's fears, willing to agree for Sakura's sake.
"I hear you," he acknowledges. "I will protect her sparkle. I will keep it safe."
It seems enough for her because Ino backs away and, with a sigh of contentment, adds, "She likes orchids, by the way. I don't know if she ever told you that. She used to buy them all the time before you guys tied the knot."
Itachi blinks twice in response, thinking of meanings and vows. Sakura telling him and him buying those were dangerous at best and inappropriate at worst. He reels his thoughts from drifting too far and imagining too much. He has a baseline and kiss and does not need anything else. So he files Ino's tip away for another time, nodding to show her understanding.
The rest of the walk happens in silence. Their unnamed escorts keep a safe distance, and Ino only points it out once they reach the entrance. The hostess tells them their laundry is done, and three hours are almost up.
"We're gonna leave early," Ino tells her. "Your boys seem a little antsy, which is weird because Itachi doesn't bite. Rarely loses control of himself, this one."
Her joke causes the woman to laugh nervously, and Itachi does not miss the underhanded compliment, considering their earlier discussion. The woman checks them out, and they push through River Country and into the Sand by late afternoon. Ino doesn't ask any more questions, giving him a wide breath along their short journey.
The sun begins descending into the horizon when they pass the first sentry checkpoint near Suna. After another brisk hour of trekking through the desert and the carved paths through red clay mountains, Suna's massive walls come into view.
The men know Ino by face and name, acknowledging her and Itachi's arrival without incident.
"Yamanaka-sama. Uchiha-sama," their shinobi escort, graciously bow to them. "The Kazekage sends his greetings. Welcome to Suna. We hope your trip is a pleasant one."
"Oh, Akio," Ino coos. "Don't you think we've passed the formalities already? Call me Ino, or don't call me at all!"
"Yes, Ino-sama."
She shakes her head, huffing, but accepts his greeting by looping her arm into his elbow as they walk through Suna's gates. "I thought Kankuro would come to meet me like last time."
"I apologize that it's just me, Ino-sama. The Kazekage sent him to Iwakugure ahead of your arrival," Akio explains. "He should be back by tomorrow."
Ino cuts Itachi a knowing look before forcing a smile. "Well, that's alright. I'm dying to get out of this heat and into one of those luscious milk, honey, and rose oil baths."
Akio nods with a reassuring smile. "As per your last request, we have arranged for your spikenard and myrrh massage before dinner, and the Kazekage highly recommends trying an aloe and cassia facial before bed. Additionally, we have prepared various supplements and relaxants in your room for your utmost comfort, Uchiha-sama."
Itachi raises an eyebrow in curiosity. "What kind of relaxants?"
"Suna is renowned for its exceptional hospitality, and the Kazekage takes great pleasure in pampering his esteemed guests. We offer a wide range of teas, supplements, herbs, bathes, and massages to help you unwind after a long journey. You may indulge in any of these amenities or none at all. If you have any specific preferences, please do not hesitate to let us know."
Itachi casts a hesitant glance at Ino, who offers a comforting wink. "Akio, maybe just give him the standard treatment. Itachi has not experienced the opulent side of Suna before. Try not to relax him too much, or he might suspect you tried to poison him."
"I would never dream of it!" Akio exclaims to Itachi, sounding deeply offended that Ino would even insinuate such a thing. "Rest assured, Uchiha-sama, we have only the purest intentions."
Ino's infectious laughter instantly relaxes the atmosphere, creating a sense of ease. The walk goes much smoother, and Itachi settles into quiet contemplation while Ino and Akio converse politely.
As night darkens the sky, the once barren and lifeless desert terrain is adorned with vivid and colorful lights. The energetic sounds of the bustling marketplace in Suna combine with the delightful scents of exotic perfumes and spices, presenting a sensory encounter that Itachi finds completely captivating. Awe pulls him away from internal musing. Suna made remarkable progress since his previous visit. At the center lies the Kazekage's home, where Akio escorts them the whole way.
Another shinobi greets them at the door. Several staff members follow close behind with scented cooling towels in hand for both to wipe their faces and hands.
"Fusae and Tomoya will escort your room, Uchiha-san," Akio gestures to the young man and woman in the foyer. "Tomoya will then take you to the male baths to freshen up. Ino-sama, you know your escorts and are familiar with our welcome procedures. I'll inform the Kazekage of your arrival. Dinner will be in two hours. Please enjoy yourselves in the meantime."
Once Akio steps back, Tomoya immediately offers to take Itachi's belongings. In contrast, Fusae points him toward his room on the opposite side of the foyer where Ino's headed.
"Your room is on the second level," Tomoya explains. "Fusae will acquaint you with the amenities while I arrange your bath. The Kazekage typically offers our male guests a warm bath with ash and olive oil soap. We have other options as well. Salted baths, for example, are suitable for sore muscles. Women prefer milk, but some men have been known to indulge. It's good for moisturizing the skin. We will fragrance it with oils of your choice."
"A regular warm bath will be fine," Itachi answers.
Tomoya nods. "This way, then."
Tomoya gracefully guides Fusae and Itachi up a brief flight of stairs leading to a room at the far end of the hallway. With a courteous gesture, he invites them to enter first. The room is remarkably spacious, yet it exudes coziness. Itachi recognizes the familiar scent that lingers near Temari, with its distinctively aromatic fragrance perfuming the air.
The room's focal point is undoubtedly the bed, covered in deep purple and red lines that dominate the center of the space. A sheer net envelops the entire structure, dividing the room into two sections.
Tomoya brings Itachi's bag to an ottoman at the foot of the bed. "I will take my leave. Fusae, if you would, please?"
Fusae, who has been reserved thus far, offers a genial smile to Itachi and directs his attention to a small bathroom beside the dresser. With a gentle wave, she invites him to take a peek inside. "You will find a variety of soaps and creams at your disposal," she informs him pleasantly. "The weather here can be quite harsh and dry. Please use whatever you like to counter the elements. As a courtesy from the Kazekage, robes, and nightwear are tucked away in the dresser for your convenience."
"Would you like me to arrange a massage for you before dinner?" she inquires kindly.
"That won't be necessary, thank you," he responds with a respectful nod.
"Very well, Uchiha-sama." Fusae escorts him to the small table near the bed. "As Akio-sama may have previously informed you, we pride ourselves on possessing a diverse range of items to assist in calming your spirit. Our collection includes various herbal teas, each arranged in order of potency for your convenience. The more ornate jars have stronger effects."
She picks up a small elliptical royal blue jar with a gold lid. "If you've never had Suna's tea, I recommend this one. It is relatively mild sweet and infuses the air with notes of honey. It has little sedative properties but may uplift your mood. Would you like to smell?"
Itachi holds his hand up to stop her from removing the lid. "Do you have anything that does not have mood-altering effects?"
Fusae smiles and nods. "Of course. We also offer green and white teas. Lastly, we possess a selection of alcoholic beverages, although it is advised not to drink until after dinner. Shall we continue with the tour?"
Itachi gestures for her to continue. Fusae brings him to the other side of the room, with a lush bright red and gold rug and scattered pillows near a large window overlooking the city.
"If drinks are not your thing, you may prefer our assortment of herbs," Fusae kneels and pulls a strange contraption from behind the curtains and three color-coded boxes. "This device will help you smoke the herbs in the brown box. You can also burn the ones in the green box over the heater or on the incense tray near the nightstand. There are instructions inside each box regarding amounts and their effects. This colorful box can be heated or smoked. The only difference is that it is...fruitier. I'll leave these here to consume at your leisure. The last thing to note is the net around the bed. We try our best to keep the sand out of the room. Sometimes, strong winds will blow it inside anyway. The net offers extra protection while you sleep."
"I understand," Itachi acknowledges and offers his hand to help Fusae to her feet.
"I'll be here if you change your mind or need help setting anything up. I'll let Tomoya know you're ready for that bath now."
She bows deeply and leaves Itachi to explore the rest of the room alone. He paces and unhooks the fastenings on his cloak, hanging it on a hook near the door. There's a desk against the front wall. Itachi pulls out the chair and sits. Not ten minutes later, Tomoya escorts him to the private bathhouse steaming with essential oils and foreign soaps. A large opened window cools the place with the night air and shines starlight over the water.
Itachi is the only person here and relishes the quiet, sinking low in the water and closing his eyes to wash off the overwhelming day. There's so much to think about, but he quiets his mind and allows himself to drift with the gentle ebbs and flow of the water. There's no rush here. Itachi takes his time cleaning and dressing in the attire Gaara left for him.
He reunites with Ino as Tomoya directs him toward the dining hall. She wiggles her brows playfully at him. "So, did you try the tea?"
"I did not," Itachi remarks, and she pouts.
"Not even one?"
"I'd rather be sober when I meet with the Kazekage."
"It's not like Gaara's expecting anything from you tonight. All of the diplomacy talks will happen tomorrow. Indulge a little."
"I took a bath," Itachi informs her.
Ino scoffs and gasps out a laugh. "Okay, mister. That's something, at least. Just know Gaara's gonna ask."
"I will tell him the same thing I told you," Itachi says without missing a beat.
"Look at you, so serious. So in control. I've always found it interesting that someone as disciplined as you could succumb to the charms of your doctor." Ino teases, tapping her chin with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I guess everybody has a weakness. Who knew Uchiha Itachi would lose his decorum for a woman."
"Dinner is through here," Tomoya announces, opening the door for them.
Ino claps her hands happily, walking ahead and beyond Itachi's reprimand. "I can smell it already! Do you know what's on the menu?"
"It is always a surprise, Ino-sama," Tomoya answers.
Ino smiles like she knows this already. "Then I'm ready to be surprised."
Dinner holds several more guests than Itachi anticipated. A semi-circle table with about twelve seats curves around an open floor and speaker podium. Gaara sits in the middle of the crowd. At the same time, Tomoya guides him and Ino to the right and left of Gaara, respectively. Several people are moving in and out of the room, floating around them with drinks, food, and samples of things.
"Temari tells me you are a fan of Suna's cuisine and spices," the Kazekage comments, a hint of competitiveness lurking behind his kind smile. "Hopefully, you will enjoy it just as much in its most authentic form."
"I am sure I will, Kazekage-sama."
"He likes the wine," Ino boldly claims. "I've seen him and Temari share an entire bottle. Barely diluted."
Gaara raises a skeptical brow, then, with curiosity, eyes the bottle sitting next to a tray of grilled meats. "I will keep that in mind..."
A server fills Itachi's glass, and out of courtesy, he accepts. Ino raises her glass, a sly smirk on her face while toasting the air and drinking. Once the drinking starts, the room buzzes with the jovial vibe that alcohol brings. Itachi refuses after two glasses, politely indicating he wants to enjoy the food.
Gaara is quick to respond to his unspoken desire to remain sober.
"Bring more water. Itachi traveled a long way." the young man instructs, even if Itachi does not need the excuse.
The water flows, and soon, so do the speeches. Itachi understands why the speaking platform rests in the middle of the room. Men jump up, merry and flushed, praising their Kazekage for paving the bridge Naruto built. They thank Itachi for ending the War. They speak about Sasuke without saying his name, showing respect while clouded by a drunken hazily. They praise Ino's beauty as a woman and as a florist. She drinks it up and more wine as well. Itachi thinks the speeches will wear them out.
But no. The men break out in a native song that Itachi does not follow. Before he finishes the last dessert, someone starts a dance and pulls him from his seat.
"Uchiha-sama!" is all the man yells, all smiles and white teeth. He throws his arms around Itachi's shoulders. Another man joins on the other side.
Itachi is…uncomfortable with being pushed and shoved about in a wave of men who expect him to know what he's doing.
He apologizes when he bumps into someone. They pat him on the back, laughing loud and hard.
"You're doing it wrong if someone doesn't fall over!"
Itachi hears Ino's cheers; from his peripheral vision, he sees Gaara clapping. Kakashi tells him that the Kazekage is a gracious host and welcomes his guest generously. At this moment, Itachi is a diplomat, not a shinobi. While he trips over his feet and pillow cushions in disarray on the floor, Itachi lets this wave carry him. He keeps up with the men as best he can and dances until too many of them lose balance.
Gaara makes a toast to Suna and Konoha. Itachi does have another glass of wine for that. It is the last of the night, feeling well into the morning.
"We'll meet in the Kazekage Dome in the morning after breakfast," Gaara explains to them.
"Told ya..." Ino slurs under her breath, bumping elbows with Itachi, who ignores her.
"It gets cold in the desert at night," he continues. "Try your best to stay warm tonight. Ask your attendees for whatever you need."
Itachi bows graciously out of respect. "Thank you for your generosity, Kazekage-sama. We'll keep that in mind."
"Walk me to my room," Ino grabs Gaara's arm, waving Itachi off. "We'll see you in the morning! And try the tea in the purple!"
He refuses, partially because he has wine but primarily because of Fusae's explanation.
As he opens the door to his quarters, a calming fragrance wafts towards him, emanating from an oil lamp Fusae must have lit during his arrival dinner.
His windows are also opened, chilling the room and cooling the heat from several burners. Itachi follows the sound of shifting sands carried by the wind that sweeps through the village. The crescent moon casts ethereal blue light through passing clouds, illuminating dunes and mudbrick homes. Itachi stands there while admiring Suna's desolate yet captivating beautiful landscape. There are no trees, no greenery, no rushing waters from waterfalls. There is tranquility in Suna's stillness. Itachi finds himself staring at the blackness of the horizon, a vacant chill through his body at the vast expanse of the world, and how, in the grander scheme of the universe, he is just as unknown as a speck of sand. Just as alone as the nothingness in the distance.
It's quiet.
Itachi's gaze drops to the window seal. Inside his mind, he listens for Sakura. When he does, the shadow hovers over him teasingly, filling his thoughts with dull memories. Maybe it's a side-effect of the jutsu that he feels so discouraged about being out of touch with her. But Itachi cannot dismiss the gnawing in his gut that longs for connection.
He exhales through his nose, a furlough sigh as he closes the window. He needs to focus on his mission and deal with the consequences of everything else later. Itachi changes into something more comfortable and dims the lights of his guestroom.
As he meanders to the bed, something moves in the corner of his eye. He jerks his head up, scanning the room, but his mind tells him better. Sakura?
The thought sets his pulse alight. It's impossible, he knows. But something is clinging to him, barely at the edges of his consciousness. It's not an enemy because it doesn't feel real. But he feels it, floating along, drifting about, brushing against the locked doors of his mental control. It's both inside and outside of him. Itachi holds completely still, trying to catch it. But it flutters away the minute he focuses on it too long.
He rubs the space between his eyes, exhausted. I am losing my mind.
Itachi crawls over and under cool cotton covers to try to sleep, hoping it will give him solace and the means to find balance again. Laying on his back, he sinks into the bed. He drapes an arm over his eyes, exhausted from the day and everything it brings, feeling the hazy effects of alcohol behind his eyelids. The aroma from the oil lap tickles his nose. Itachi shifts his attention to the earthy fragrance, inhaling deeply, letting it fill his lungs. One breath after another, and he sinks further. The bed slowly molds to his body, with smooth sheets caressing his skin. His body jerks involuntarily, legs twitching and shifting as he hides his face in his elbow.
When sleep comes, Itachi rolls over to delicate fingers, gracefully tracing a path down his arm and wrapping around his wrist. If he looks closely, there's really nothing there. Yet, he understands when she brings his hand to her face and rests it against her cheek.
He tries to ignore it, run from it, and dance around it, but even in his dream, Itachi gives in to it. His inner voice warns him not to misuse their jutsu's loopholes, reminding him of the importance of caution and responsibility.
Except...there are no rules in dreams. Itachi's fingers find pink hair. She smiles softly at him, encouraging him to come closer. Like that morning, he carefully kneads out the knots in Sakura's chakra with playful words and teasing scenarios. In return, Sakura mirrors his movement, tracing lines over his arms, down his side, and coming nearer. Itachi chases sensations, not for her but for himself. Imagination stirs his soul. Sakura's coy smile, eyes open and inviting, the deepest shade of green, steals breath and control.
Artificial tingles rush under his veins. Sakura wraps her arm around his waist and pulls earnestly until he rolls over her. Itachi tenses, hiding his face between her collar and jaw. She laughs and brushes her nose against his cheek, calling his name. When he doesn't respond, she drags her nails up his back, up to his neck, and in his hair. Itachi groans, falling on his elbows and twisting the sheets in his hands. Sakura gasps when she's pressed into the bed. Itachi feels her pulse against his lips. She twists her fingers, and he tastes her skin, pleading with her. Phantom caresses, whispers of tenderness too far away to be real, making his stomach coil and breath uneven.
Itachi answers with equal fervor because he wants to help, feel, and touch. Especially to touch. He likes it when she touches him. The Sakura of his dreams repeats the day's actions, beckoning him to look at her and placing a somewhat chaste brush of lips. But Itachi takes from the night, wrapping his fingers around her neck, angling her head, and deepening their kiss. She yields beautifully.
I shouldn't be thinking about this.
But she doesn't stop, burying delicate fingers in his hair, humming approvingly when his free hand moves down her side to her waist and further still. Before he can stop, she lifts her leg, pressing her inner thigh against his hip, breaking their kiss to make herself very clear. He chases her lips. She holds him back, tickling fingers under his jaw, down his neck to his shoulders. She grabs his hand and places it where she wants it to be, then glides it up her thigh, disappearing beneath her clothes. His whole world comes undone in three words: Touch me, Itachi.
His thoughts reply over and over and over again. Itachi groans, lost in the heady fog he's ignored all day. He scrambles when the dream starts to fall apart because their connection is too weak for him to feel anything other than his needs. It's that reality that breaks the fantasy.
Itachi jerks awake, shooting straight up, breathless, flustered, and uncomfortable. He scrubs a hand through his hair, then throws the sheets off to get up. He moves carefully, mindful that the fabric pulled around his waist is not helping the situation. Begrudgingly, he blows out the oil lamp that tempted him into seductive dreams, turns on the light, and confines himself in the bathroom.
Itachi turns the shower on the coldest setting and thoughtlessly strips, then hustles inside before his mind can process the implications of why he needs to do this in the first place. The initial shock of cold temperatures does wonders. He grits his teeth, dreading that this is the second time he's gotten his hair wet today and the first time admitting how jarring it is that he misses the undercurrents of their jutsu.
Not just that.
Itachi misses Sakura and the steadiness of their connection. At the same time, he wonders, wonders if, remembers when, and hears Ino telling him that Sakura likes orchids. That can mean so many things. He grimaces, reeling back his thoughts before they get carried away again.
Itachi stays under the showerhead until his fingers go numb and blood moves away from his extremities. A soft knock reverberates through the door while he's toweling his hair dry in the main bedroom. Itachi hesitates momentarily before Fusae's gentle voice filters through the cracks.
"Uchiha-sama? I was doing my final rounds when I noticed your light on. Did you need something?"
Did he need something? Yes. A safe way to calm his erratic thoughts. The solution he wants is in another nation, probably overworking herself at the hospital.
"Apologies if you're already asleep..." Fusae's muffled voice starts to retreat.
"I'm not asleep," Itachi speaks up. "You can open the door."
Seconds later, Fusae does as he asks. Her eyes glance over at him, patting down his hair. She lingers in the entry instead of coming inside. "Are you…having trouble getting to sleep?"
"Something like that, yes."
"I could show you how to use the smoker if you'd like."
"No," Itachi grimaces. "The oil lamp you lit did enough."
For some reason, his words make Fusae chuckle. She also nods, chews her lower lip for a second, and then speaks her thoughts. "You seem a bit uneasy..."
Itachi lays the towel across the back of the desk chair, gathering his hair into a ponytail. "Have I done something to give you the impression that I am uneasy here?"
Fusae turns her small smile toward the hall. "Well, yes. As your attendant, it's my job to notice these things. Is this your first mission to Suna?"
"No," he curtly responds, pulling the last of his hair through.
"I've never seen you here before." Fusae counters.
"It's been a long time since I've been on a mission outside of Konoha," he supplies, taking a seat on the ottoman at the foot of the bed. "I doubt you would have been old enough to recognize me from my last visit."
"Oh, I see. That must be why you're tense." Fusae nods, apparently pleased with his admission. She comes inside, halfway closing the door behind her. "I think I would have remembered your face if you'd come to see the Kazekage. You have a memorable face."
"It's not the reason," Itachi corrects, annoyed that even a civilian notices he's out of sorts. Equally, he does not want nor does he need her company. "I'm not tense. Did you need something?"
"Did you?" Fusae walks right up to him, then settles down on her knees so she's slightly below eye level. "My guest is uneasy and extremely polite. The girls will not let me live it down if I don't try to assure you have everything you need before leaving you alone. So, Uchiha-sama, do you need anything before turning in for the night? I may not be able to get the exact thing, but I'm sure I can find something close."
"Please, get up."
"Please answer the questions."
Itachi sighs. Fusae smiles more.
Something close…to Sakura? Itachi's eyes drift in thought. There is nothing close to her here. I cannot be there. This connection of ours has spoiled me…. He frowns at the reality of the truth. Itachi relied heavily on those tingles and touches. Without them, the world seems off, and the ghost of something clings to him.
Itachi glumly brushes his bangs away from his eyes. Fusae watches with patient expectation, and it bothers him that they are not leveled. "I don't need anything, Fusae."
She tuts at him. "Shinobi tend to come in three varieties. You strike me as the closed-off, serious type. I applaud your professionalism and hope that your character will recognize mine. I am your attendant for as long as you are here. I am a professional. That's why I know you have thoughts. I can see them. Not because you're a terrible shinobi, but because I am excellent at my job. So? Tell me, what does Itachi-sama really need?"
"What I need is my wife, who is miles away," Itachi says bluntly, standing and offering his hand to help her up. Fusae takes it gracefully.
Then she smiles. "You're married."
Itachi nods, taking his hand back as he answers her. "It will be five years."
"Your wife is fortunate."
He disagrees. "Her being lucky implies that she gets the privilege of having me when it is quite the opposite. I get the privilege of having her. It is not one I take for granted."
Fusae rocks on her heels, still with a grin on her face. "Then let me congratulate you on being the luckiest man in Suna. It must have been hard to leave someone so fantastic."
She has no idea. Itachi hums at the thought and his attendant's lingering presence. He is sure she is waiting for a directive. He will give her a task if she is so eager for something to do. "Do you know if the sentries take issue with bird summons in Suna's airspace?"
"I'm...not sure what you mean."
"I need to send a message," Itachi clarifies.
Fusae's face lights up with understanding. "Ah, okay. We have birds that deliver messages. I can talk to the handlers in the morning–"
"Not in the morning," Itachi gently cuts her off and explains. "I need to send the message tonight. It would help me to relax if I could send it tonight. If you can, please let the Kazekage know that one of my crow summons will send a message to Konoha."
Fusae nods eagerly. "I can do that. Anything else?"
Itachi pauses, entertaining sillier thoughts. "Do you grow camellias here?"
"I'm sure I can find some in the greenhouses. Do you need them now?"
Itachi blinks in surprise. It was a random thought, but perhaps…" Yes. A pink one, if you can find it."
"I'll try my best, Uchiha-sama," Fusae steps back, and with a low bow, she leaves him to consider what he will say.
Itachi tugs his ponytail to release his restless energy. Should I say anything at all? Tell her about the shadows and whispers. The flower should be enough.
Sakura will understand, he is sure. But the gesture lacks all the truths buzzing through his mind right now. There are a lot, too many. Each has its implications that, if he takes a second to assess them all, will tell a story he is not ready to fully explore. Not that he does not want to at all, just in small steps where he can make them all make sense. For now, he eyes his bag with conflicting thoughts.
Itachi knows he does not just miss her. He wants to talk to her. He wants to know if the whispers tickle her ears and if shadows are playing tricks behind her eyes. He wants to be near her. He wants many things that cloud his judgment, making deciding what to say much harder.
Itachi grumbles to himself, rubs his temple, and tries to focus. One kiss has him out of sorts and uncovering areas he's kept under control. He has done well over the two lifetimes with beating back urges.
He was not like his comrades in Konoha or his partners in the Akatsuki, who needed to find ways of fulfillment. Itachi could live without human proclivities, partially because he had little desire.
Desire?
"Do I desire her?" Itachi hears the question leave his lips and the contents of his dream answer back.
He shakes thoughts away to concentrate his chakra on hand signs. Itachi remembers how, without needing the scroll to summon one of his crows. It takes mere seconds. From the familiar pop of smoke, one of his crows flutters around the room and lands on his shoulders.
"Hello, old friend." Itachi greets.
The crow coos, shaking its feathers, and twitches its head as a greeting.
"I need you to send a message to Sakura," he explains while walking to his bag. "If you don't remember what she looks like, follow the residuals of my chakra to our home."
The crow jumps onto his bag and peaks at it, familiarizing itself with the scent. Itachi watches with intrigue as the summons he's used his entire life reacclimates itself to what Itachi is like. It peaks and probs, fluttering about and sticking its face in the craves of his bag.
Crows do not have a keen sense of smell like dogs. They do possess an excellent memory. While his summons cannot identify nuances, it will remember what is essential—enough to get the job done.
As the Uchiha gazes curiously on, an idea strikes. Because he, too, has been around Sakura for a long time. But these newly discovered penchants require acclimation. Itachi does not know himself in this way. Delicate prodding is in order.
I will have to take my time, Itachi reasons. When Fusae returns with a cluster of pink camellias, Itachi has his note ready.
"It's cold here, colder than there. Sleeping like this is proving surprisingly difficult for me. I hope you are faring better. You are too far to tell. Please, be well."
Itachi tucks the pink camellia into the sleeves of the storage scroll, then seals and shrinks it small enough to attach to his crow's leg.
"How long will it take?" Fusae inquiries.
"A few hours at most, half the time it took me to get here."
"That's late. What if she's sleeping?"
Itachi considers this as he stands near the window, the crow standing on the seal awaiting his directive. "He will not leave until his mission is done. If something happens to him, I'll know."
Fusae rests her chin on her knuckles, observing Itachi give the order. It takes flight, blending in with the darkness as it disappears into the sky.
"She might not get it until morning, though."
"That's fine."
His attendant hums. "I think it'll be nice waking up to flowers."
Itachi acknowledges her words, knowing better. He's breaking all protocols by sending camellias mere hours after leaving home. Most men wait a full day, at least. But this entire process has subverted traditions. So the Uchiha closes the shutters on the windows with little regret in his soul.
Because it pleased him to subvert traditions this time, Itachi has not done something to please him for a long time.
'Did you ask?' Shisui had said. No, Itachi thinks, but I will.
In the morning, Ino is hung over. Gaara changes the plans a bit to let her sleep. He takes Itachi to the greenhouse instead.
"Did your message make it to Konoha?" Gaara asks as they pass by a desert rose.
He nods to the Kazekage, keenly aware of the storage scroll in his pocket that arrived minutes before he left his quarters to meet this morning.
"It did, thank you."
Gaara stops near vines curling against a lattice fence and rubs his fingers along moist ivy. "When Temari comes, she also sends messages back upon arrival. If that is the case and you need to send or receive another tonight, the air space is open for your summons."
Itachi does not answer regarding himself. He thinks of the tiny weight in his pants pocket. Instead, he pivots the conversation while staying on topic.
"When was Temari's last visit?"
Gaara starts the narrative and their leisurely stroll through the misty greenhouse. Itachi engages the entire time, tuning out the occasion flicker amidst the greenery. When a guard calls the Kazekage away for a private conversation, Itachi checks the reply to his secret dialogue. In delicate handwriting, squeezed tight with camelia petals taped against the edges, Sakura offers him relief.
"I couldn't sleep either. Seems like we're keeping each other awake for the same reason. I thought something happened. Couldn't put my finger on it. It's really quiet here now. I don't actually like it. I'm banging pots around to liven the mood. One is chipped now. Sorry!"
The shadows brush against his skin and lay its head on his shoulder. Itachi listens to the faint cadence that gets under his clothes and deep down to someplace he can never truly reach. The sound isn't actual words. It's contentment and loneliness mingling together. He can't say with certainty that it's Sakura. There's nothing physically there. But unlike Shisui and Izumi, it does not dissipate.
In the middle of the night, Sakura wearily turns onto her side. The low hum of the heating once kept her company but now contributes to the myriad of things keeping her awake. It's too hot. It's too quiet. She shuffles her feet until one leg sticks out from under the covers, hoping to cool off just a little.
Satisfied with this mild modification, Sakura closes her eyes and tries to sleep. She waits absently, thinking of nothing for as long as it will help. Then, the sound of the heater kicks into her consciousness. It blows softly with a barely audible hum that usually goes unnoticed. Sakura notices the soft sound, almost as soft as Itachi's breathing when he sleeps.
Then she thinks of him and them and everything else she's been trying to keep at bay. She wants sleep, needs sleep. As the thoughts compile one layer at a time, from nothingness to mundane to the complexities of life, her shallow musing turns to full-fledged mental happenings. When Sakura notices her failure at being mentally neutral enough to drift away in slumber, she groans, then shifts a second time and a third, doing a complete one-eighty until she's on her back again.
The sheets cling to her shoulders. Her heartbeat won't stop elevating at random times with chaotic ruminations and wild speculations. She turns back on her side, hiding her leg under the cover. It was too hot, but having one body part uncovered only amplified her anxiety. Which makes no sense because who will snatch her by the leg at this hour?
Ghost, maybe?
Sakura rolls her eyes at the maliciousness towards herself. She isn't the one that's usually being haunted here. Or she wasn't at first, but there's definitely something leaving cold sweats down her neck now. Sakura bites her cheek and forces her eyes to shut, dismissing scenarios and possibilities that try to run amuck.
It really is too hot. She pulls the covers down to her waist, letting what little air filtering through the window cool her arms.
C'mon. I know it's already late. I just want at least two hours. Give me two hours.
She throws her arms out wide, and the width of the bed, the space at her side drops reality into her chest. Sakura struggles to inhale, opening her eyes to watch the ceiling.
It's been a week since he left, and Sakura still struggles.
She bites her lip, giving in and giving up. The medical jounin rolls on her side. In the dark, she grabs Itachi's pillow. It still smells like him, and she buries her face in it and wraps as much of her body around the cushion, trying to imagine that it's him. It's a poor substitute, but it's all she has. She squeezes it just as hard as she squeezes her eyes, holding ultimately still with a shaky exhale in hopes of lowering her heart rate. A few long inhales ease some stress and get her lightheaded enough to feel woozy.
That's it. Now relax. Just keep relaxing, and you're gonna sleep soon…
Several rhythmic taps on the window jerk Sakura awake. Slightly disoriented and utterly confused, she uncurls herself from around Itachi's pillow and sits up. What the hell was that?
She waits, listening to see if perhaps she'd imagined the sound. When nothing happens, Sakura throws herself back under the covers and pulls his pillow close to her chest again.
Seconds later, taps turn to loud rapping followed by equally loud and familiar caws. Is it…?
The medic stumbles to her feet, racing to the window. Because it's been a week since she sent her little message, thinking perhaps Itachi just wanted her to know he made it to Suna. Sakura waited for days, then resolved to leave it alone. Itachi is on a mission, and he might miss her in theory or their connection. She wished and hoped that maybe it was just her. But when nothing came, Sakura felt her confidence slip.
But there's rapping on her window now. Sakura throws open the curtains, breathless and nervous.
The bird flies inside, landing on Itachi's pillow and clicking its beak. It shakes and lifts one of his legs, revealing a small tube fastened close to its feathers. It repeats the action, clicking and shuffling over the pillow before extending its leg for her. Cautiously, Sakura unclasps the small item and holds it to the lamp light. With shaking hands, she unrolls it, and a cluster of sweet peas falls out and settles gently onto the bedspread.
Sakura purses her lips and stares until her eyes water, barely daring to breathe. The crow nudges her insistently, urging her to read the message, trying to get her to focus.
"Right, right." Taking a deep breath, Sakura clears her throat, wipes her eyes, and scans Itachi's elegant calligraphy.
"Please refrain from destroying things I need to complete this dynamic, changing taste vow of yours. Or did you forget that you requested homecooked meals, takeout, chocolate, and chips? Has Minami made deliveries? Her meals shouldn't require you to do anything but heat it up. To your statement, I also don't like it. It makes you sad and puts my pots in danger."
Sakura bursts into laughter, gently lowering herself onto the edge of their bed. Itachi's crow summons waddles closer, then makes itself comfortable in her lap. She smiles at it and gives the bird an affectionate pat on the head.
"You did a great job," she says before shifting her focus to the message it brought her.
She rereads the scroll, remembering their conversation. Itachi called her dynamic. At the time, Sakura took it as an insult. But then he cooked her food because she'd made her expectations clear. Itachi adjusted, as he often does. She did not mean for that to be the case. But hearing Itachi's concern from miles away makes her smile.
Minami did make her delivery yesterday. It made Sakura tear up, mainly because Itachi thought of her, partially because of laughter at his blatant distrust of her ability to feed herself properly.
Sakura idly pets his summons, forgetting that she needs to sleep as she tries to think of something witty. Green eyes read and reread the line of him, also not liking the quiet of being away from her.
"I guess our connection isn't as strong with us being so far apart. Still feels off," Sakura chews it over, trying to make sense of it. "Is it just because I miss him? I miss him a lot, almost like a part of me left too."
It is that part that makes her most concerned. I should talk to Shishou about it. If anyone will know, it's her.
For now, she reaches into her side table drawer. The crow makes his perch on her shoulder. Sakura unfurrows a longer piece of storage scroll paper and grabs a pen.
"If we're being technical, Minami is feeding me. She'd make a great wife. Her food is delicious. Maybe I'll give a full bouquet to her and see what happens. I'm not really sad. Feels like I'm missing something or going crazy. Maybe both. Updates? Oji-san told me I was failing in my duties by not updating him. You're making me look bad by keeping secrets!"
" A full bouquet? Now, I am curious. What's inside? There were minor complications and misunderstandings in Amegakure. Things are fine now, but I am a few days behind. Let Oji-san know I have the thing he asked for. I will be on the move by the time you get this. I think I've taken what you are missing. Describe it for me."
"Ferns, violets, columbines, irises, sweet alyssum, tulips, definitely sweet peas, chrysanthemums, blue hyacinths, hydrangeas, lilies, peonies. Forget-me-nots for good luck, daisies for obvious reasons, and…others that I can't say because this is for Minami, remember. I can't describe it other than feeling missing. What do you notice? Daichi says to tell you business is slow. She's exaggerating. I went yesterday, and everything was fine. I even ate your favorite."
"A shadow that isn't a ghost. Subtle but insistent. Restless at night. Not like the others. Reminds me of you. That is more than fifteen, by the way. Minami is creative. I am sure she will find ways to fulfill whatever vow you give her. Are you teasing now? I have been starved for days. The teahouse will be my first stop when I return. Has my traveling partner made it back?"
When Ino stops Sakura just before she enters Kakashi's office with a cheeky grin and a twinkle in her eyes, Sakura knows something is up.
As Sakura makes her way toward Kakashi's office, Ino suddenly appears before her with a sly grin and a twinkle in her eyes that sparkles in the light.
"Special delivery for Mrs. Uchiha," her best friend leans in close, all conspiratorially, and presents Sakura with a vibrant bouquet of violets. "I'm not sure what violets mean in Uchiha talk, but if it's the same, your husband is a cheeky bastard…and very thoughtful."
Curiosity piqued, Sakura takes them. "You couldn't wait until after my meeting?"
"I mean, I could have. But this seemed like an urgent thing. Maybe I scared him with what I said?"
"Ino," Sakura warns.
Her friend plays innocent. "What? I hate when you call me like that."
"What did you tell him?" Sakura demands.
"Nothing that didn't need to be said. Same thing I told you. That I've seen enough to know. I know you well enough to tell. Both of you are so cute when you're clueless." Ino reveals with a knowing smile.
Sakura's ears and neck burn bright pink. She ignores Ino to look at the new addition to her flower collection. I am going to need another vase. A card dangles from the silk ribbon tied around it as she holds it up. Sakura lifts it to read.
"She has been your greatest ally. If you need anything in my absence, please go to her."
Ino tries to peek over her shoulder, but Sakura swats her away. "Move, Ino Pig."
"If I'm going to carry secret messages, I should at least get a peek."
"That wouldn't make it a secret if you know!"
"Aren't best friends supposed to tell each other their secrets? I told you about that time when Sai tried to–"
Sakura slaps a hand over her friend's mouth and whispers through gritted teeth. "This is why I don't tell you anything!"
Ino rolls her eyes dramatically and licks Sakura's hand to make her move.
"I wasn't going to say it," Ino tells her. "Keep your little love note private. For the official record, I would like to add that I was the one here from the beginning. So when you and Itachi finally have babies, I better not hear it from Shikamaru or Temari because you told them first. I get first dibs on all ultrasound photos, baby shower planning, and clothes buying. Best friend status belongs to me. Got it?"
Sakura does not know where to start, what to correct, or if she needs to. She blushes and stutters, unable to hold her gaze. "How did you go from flowers to babies?"
The blonde bites her lip and makes a face that Sakura can only describe as implying something that should not be discussed publicly.
"Just an observation," Ino finally says. "Off to your meeting now."
Ino shoos her away, and Sakura nearly panics at having to meet the Hokage with flowers in her hand. But she can't exactly give it to Ino because she left. She hides it behind her back and opens the door anyway.
Kakashi's standing by the large windows, hands in his pockets and gazing at the sky. Sakura isn't sure how and when to make her presence clear. So she closes the door rather loudly and clears her throat.
"Kakashi-sensei? You called for me?"
"Hmm," he sighs. "The skies have been really crowded lately."
"Huh?" Sakura gazes out at the nearly clear blue sky. "Like with clouds?"
"Clouds. Birds. Lots of things. Sensors have been going off over the weeks. Strange, don't you think?"
Kakashi turns his head to her, eyes crinkled in a playful smile. Sakura clenches the flowers behind her back.
"I guess?" She squeaks, clears her throat, and cries again. "I'm not really familiar with the alert systems. Is that what this meeting is about?"
"Yes…" Kakashi drawls. "And also no. Tsunade delivered a message for you per your request to speak with her. It's on the desk. Itachi also delivered an update on his mission. Lots of messages flying around. I thought perhaps you'd like to read it."
Something flutters in her chest as she approaches the desk. Her heart skips a beat, full of bubbly anticipation. She tries to conceal her emotions and whispers a quiet thank you to Kakashi for his thoughtfulness. The gesture is not lost on her, and she feels grateful towards him. Kakashi nods in response and turns his back, allowing her some privacy. Sakura takes a deep breath and settles into the nearby chair. She carefully places the bouquet on the desk. Her gaze then falls upon Tsunade's scroll first. She carefully unrolls the missive, reading quietly while Kakashi watches out the window. Sakura's shishou is expected to return by the end of the week. For now, her curiosity will have to wait a few more days.
Once finished, she carefully rolls it back up and places it on the desk next to the bouquet.
By contrast, Itachi's scroll is much thicker and covered in the velvety soft Uchiha blue that Sakura knows well. She crosses her legs at the knee and rests the scroll in her lap. Taking a deep breath, Sakura unravels the scroll one detailed line at a time.
Itachi's writing is just like him, formal and straightforward. If she closes her eyes, she can imagine him sitting at a desk, meticulously detailing the circumstances of his mission and his delay. He recalls everything up to his journey through Iwa. As she reads, Sakura's heartbeat slows, but a gentle smile tugs at the corners of his lips.
She knows her former sensei means well by allowing her to read this. Sakura does appreciate his consideration. But, reading this only reminds her of the letters in a small chest on her bedside table. Where Itachi lets his guard down with playful quips and kind teasing, revealing his more vulnerable and intimate side only to her.
Sakura finishes reading the missive, her eyes shining with contentment as she looks up to meet Kakashi's curious gaze.
"You seem happy," he points out, his tone inquisitive. Sakura nods, her smile widening.
"I'm happy that he's doing well," she replies, feeling satisfied.
Kakashi's gaze shifts to the bouquet sitting on the table beside her.
"And the flowers?" he asks.
Sakura picks up the bouquet, twirling it in her fingers. "I'm happy about these too," she says, hiding them from his view.
A/N: Ahem. So you know how, like, you have an idea of how you want a story to go? As you start typing it, it takes on a mind of its own. Because, like, I was still in the "take it slow" phase with them, and Itachi said no! He is tired of me holding him back. I said, sir, okay. Calm down. There are children who read this! I don't think he cares. Who am I to deprive him? He is going through enough! So I guess he will be taking it fast (●'◡'●).
Ya'll, we have, like...two more chapters and this story will be done! I am going to miss it so much!
-CeCe^^
Word Count: 14,390
Musical Inspiration: I honestly cannot remember because I went through so many feelings that I lost track of the songs!
