Line 6: Truce
"And it's you whatever a moon has always meant"
I Carry Your Heart
Line 7, Stanza 2
-EE Cummings
In the days following their discussion, Sakura's sofa becomes her office space. An occurrence she is sure Kakashi did not expect to happen. With a blanket thrown over her legs and a pillow cushioning her back, the jounin turns the pages of a medical text nestled in her lap. A plethora of books and tomes scatter on different ends of the sofa, all marked with notes and bookmarks and dog ears for her to reference later.
There's a routine developing in her late afternoon and evenings. An occurrence she is sure Kakashi wanted but she did not expect to happen.
It isn't wholly unwelcomed either.
She trades annoyance for determination to find a solution. With that comes a level of cooperation from both her and Itachi. Discontent gives way to dedication.
There's no way I'm going to screw this up. I have to get it right.
Proving it to herself is one thing but Sakura would be lying if she denied the influence others have on her. The Elders Council, Kakashi and Itachi, and eventually all of the Uchiha Clan would be her witnesses to lengths she'd gone to protect her village in her own way. From that perspective, Sakura can sympathize with Itachi's burden from years ago. He was tasked with protecting the Village from the Clan. She is tasked with preserving the Clan for the Village.
Both came with hard choices from a group of people who only saw one way.
I will outdo them all. She resolves.
For that, she needs Itachi's help. He has been nothing but cooperative, from her changes in his medical routine to probing questions. His support is a welcomed addition to her confidence and their little evening routine only helps more. They work with and around each other, Sakura taking to the couch for her research while Itachi made sure dinner is edible.
When food is spent, she makes tea for the both of them to drink. Itachi will at least concede to let her do that much in the kitchen so he can have a shower first. Afterwards, they both bury their faces in their respective work. Itachi takes his perch on a cushion and low table in the far corner of the living room, near the shoji doors that lead to his garden. Musing over blueprints and plans documents about the Uchiha Compound.
Tonight, however; he's switched to his other new hobby: shogi. The board game was sitting on her living room table one day when she came home. At first she thought it was a relic from Itachi's old home but later found out it was gifted to him from Shikamaru. Needless to say, the medical jounin was very much confused. When had Itachi and Shikamaru formed a friendship? How long had it been going on and when did it get to the point of gift giving?
Sakura never asked those questions and accepted it as a mission well done. Shinobi were willing to befriend Itachi. That is a plus in her book.
She taps a pen against her lips, rereading an excerpt from a botanist's peer review with expert eyes. It's her latest venture in the steps to answers Kakashi's daring challenge. However, the task of figuring out a solution only comes with more problems.
There are only so many ways a person can reproduce without her physically constructing a child as she did with Itachi. That wasn't the problem.
She turns several pages, skipping the bits that were unnecessary.
The list is exhaustible but extensive. If the start and stop of it was baby making, I would have been finished days ago. Itachi's health is the bigger issue here.
A tired groan escapes, as the article yields no favorable results. The medic slides the text further down her lap and cracks her neck.
With Itachi still chronically ill and with no real cure, there's no guarantee that he will be healthy enough or around long enough to raise children. There is also the problem of their marriage. If Itachi finds another woman now, he would effectively be cheating on her and that would probably undo a lot of the hard work both of them put in for the last four years.
That's not something I'm willing to do.She ponders the ceiling and yawns. We'll have to make progress in another way.
The top choice on her list of solutions is some form of artificial insemination, provided they have a willing donor. She could spend that tale a number of ways to get those to cooperate. There is always the off chance of Itachi remarrying as Sakura has already fabricated how and why they are separating. More precisely, why Itachi left her.
Better a disgruntled husband than a scorned hero. I can play the bad guy, I don't care. Using kids as the straw that broke the camel's back will only add to the validity. Ino is already my insurance and Itachi's witness.
Sakura chews her bottom lip in deep thought, visiting and revisiting her carefully conjured plan. But there were snags everywhere, snags she's sure Kakashi and the Elders considered.
Illness aside, Itachi hasn't expressed interest in anyone. As many looks and side glances and blushes that he gets, no woman I've come across openly expresses interest in him. And if I know Uchiha like I do, Itachi probably has a blind spot when it comes to women.
She huffs in frustration.
Then again, who's going to tell me to my face that they have a crush on my husband? It could very well be that there are options but I just can't use them without Itachi raising red flags. That's not all bad. It gives me time to make sure he is in one piece when I pass the torch...But would he even be interested?
If Itachi is anything like his brother and has almost no interest in the female species even if there are willing participates, her only option is something artificial.
I can't exactly ask if he has a thing for a particular woman. Well I could…
Sakura cringes at the thought. That'd just be weird. It's like asking Ino or TenTen if they have a crush. This is Itachi. He's so...Itachi.
The medic rubs her hands down her face and looks up at the wooden ceiling of their humble home. Sakura tries to clear her mind of solutions and plants and medicines and babies just for a moment. When she does, an audible murmur makes her head lull to the side.
Huh?
Perhaps she hadn't noticed because she was so focused on her own work but the low rumble becomes the loudest thing in the room.
She sits up straight and more than a little curious as she watches Itachi negotiate...with himself.
What's he looking at or waiting for I guess?
One hand precariously hovers over a shogi piece, while the other hand holds his chin as it rests there. Itachi's full gaze and attention is on the board game, eyes low and concentrated. But most surprising of all is the way he just talks. Sakura can't quite make out his words but she hears the deepness of his tenor and sees the subtle movement of his lips. The Uchiha reaches for the piece, hesitates then goes for a different one, moving it instead.
Sakura's never understood the rules to shoji nor has she given it proper consideration to try. But watching Itachi play is enough to both peak her interest and simultaneously lose it.
He makes it seem almost interesting.
After his move is made, Itachi sits back, looking notably smug about whatever he's done. Sakura has no idea what though and curiosity gets the best of her for the moment.
"What did you do?" she asks.
Itachi waves in her direction. "Come here if you wish to see."
Curiosity makes her stand, moving books and blanket aside to cross the room. She hovers over him and the board, eye following where his fingers point. Itachi explains his moves and hesitation and why they took some outward thinking through. Sakura listens, sort of. Among other new things she's experienced, being taughtby Itachi is a different than being talked to.
He knows a lot, clearly. She thinks.
His knowledge isn't the thing that holds her attention; it's his voice that draws her in. It's the same deep rumble from earlier. Confident. Sure. Patient.
In another life, he would have made a good sensei.Sakura muses. It almost makes me what to try to learn. Almost.
When his explanation is done, Itachi turns his gaze to her. "Do you understand now?"
She doesn't.
"You outmaneuvered Shikamaru?" Sakura guesses.
He watches her eyes far longer than she thinks is necessary before offering a quiet."Hnn."
"Congratulations." She says, taking a step backwards
"Thank you." Itachi quietly replies then returns back to his game.
The pinkette takes the chance to fully back away, walking around the living area to stretch her legs. She circles the table, going over to the mantle on the back wall where a number of pictures line the wooden beams. If for nothing else than a mental break, Sakura peruses the lot of them. Starting with the picture of she and Itachi's wedding. Accompanied by Kakashi and Naruto, both aware that this photo is only for a mission, Naruto and Kakashi are the only ones smiling. Itachi looks usually serious, smile less and blank. Green eyes scanned over herself, noting the way her hands tightly grips the parcel used to shade herself and her new husband. Sakura didn't smile in this picture, not even with her eyes. When asked, she blamed it on being tired and nervous. The latter excuse is probably what most people bought as the tight stiffness in her posture is evident.
Sakura looks over her shoulder at Itachi and then back to the picture.
We've come a long ways. I know I have.
She takes comfort in her own growth, doubling her resolve to find a solution this time just as she has done before.
Moving on to the next, Sakura chuckles to herself at a picture of her and Ino as children. It was the first snow of the winter season, and both girls were covered in heavy winter coat but smiling brilliantly as they stood in snow.
I remember this.
Contentment blooms in her chest, Sakura hums in fondness of memories and childhood and growth. Even the picture of her with her parents makes her smile. But her smile turns wistful at her most prized picture: Team 7. She can't quite hold back her grin when looking at it. The joys of nostalgia mixed with a familiar tightness fill her chest, not as tight as it once was but still there and still with feeling. She reaches for the picture frame, pulling it off the shelf and looking over all four of them with fondness only strong bonds can create. Slender fingers brush over the glass.
I remember this too. You guys were so ridiculous…always fighting. Never a dull day because of it that's for sure.
Sakura gives the picture one last once over before replacing it.
I'll have to pay you a visit soon, Sasuke.
Sakura takes a step back, intent on returning to her previous work but backs right into a broad chest.
"Christ!" she hisses and jumps, nearly scrambling into the mantle before composing herself.
"It's just me, Sakura." Itachi smoothly states.
She pins him with a half heart glare before creating some much needed space between them.
"How do you dothat?"
"Do what?"
She gestures at nothing in particular, "Move without me evening sensing it. It's like your chakra signature poofs! Disappears."
Black eyes narrowed a fraction before settling into a neutral expression as he states the obvious.
"I am a shinobi."
Her mouth opens, then closes because what else is she supposed to say to the truth.
That's not what I meant.Sakura thinks but rolls her eyes at herself and him. Somehow she expects him to give a similar non-answer. "Well be a little louder sometimes. You scared me."
"I make no promises," Itachi starts and before she retorts with a smart answer, he manages to shut her up with a simple remark.
"My brother was always in competition. Even with himself," The Uchiha says smoothly. Sakura follows his line of sight to the picture she'd just been holding.
She grunts out a chuckle and wraps her arms around herself. "Yeah I guess. Him and Naruto almost always fought about something."
"Where were you?"
"Me?" Sakura looks at him questioning, "I was the voice of reason. Or I tried to be. Both of them were so stubborn and pigheaded. Sometimes all I could do was cry just to get them to listen…"
Something she hated growing up. Shinobi weren't supposed to be so easily overcome with emotions, but she couldn't quite shake the habit.
Even now, tears seem to be her best line of defense in stressful situations.
Itachi's rumbling response pulls her from her mind before her thoughts can take a more self deprecating turn. His frown only furrowed her brows. She watches as he seems to sort through his own array of emotions, which usually looks like a blank stares. After a few seconds, he offers her his thoughts as if aware of her unspoken questions.
"Sasuke was very single-minded, something that made him both formidable and fallible. It is a trait that all Uchiha possess."
Sakura asks, "Being single-minded?"
A head nod.
She raises a brow, "Even you?"
Dark eyes slant her way and then back to the picture. "Even I."
The question really was a non-question. Sakura's said as much to Itachi's face that he could have made better choices. Perhaps she enjoys hearing him say he's not above mistakes. Perhaps it was for conversation sake. For whatever reason, the pinkette presses the issue for more information.
"Aside from Sasuke," she starts carefully, pausing to find words before endeavoring once more, "Did you make any other single-minded decisions?"
"Not many," Itachi says evenly. When she gives him a flat look, he rearranges his response. "There were some."
"Like what?"
Itachi takes his time with answering, looking ahead for several seconds before giving her his full attention. Sakura stands a bit straighter as the weight of his gaze makes her feel the need to. Then his entire demeanor changes, insomuch as Itachi's facial expression range will let him. He looks away towards the sofa, almost shyly. Dare she say it's nearly cute the way he hesitates? When he speaks, his voice is so low she has to really pay attention to hear it.
"This is not the first time I have discussed children…"
Green eyes slowly widen at the revelation. Sakura's mouth parts with a breathy gasps that replaces words. Seconds ago she didn't think he'd had any interest in women at all. Now he says he's talked about having kids before.
"With who?" She asks, just as quiet as him. As if this great mystery needn't get out.
Itachi manages eye contact once more, if only briefly. "My father. It was expected of all Clan heads to have children."
Seriously.
His answer deflates her. She sighs this time over the utter lack of drama though his expression ensured some serious juicy details.
"Oh." she says, feeling a bit foolish for thinking that Itachi had a love interest at all. "Did you want children then?"
Itachi nods. "I was not opposed to the idea."
"I guess that's why you're not opposed to it now," she concludes, "Why is that a single minded decisions?"
He shrugs lightly. "It was predicated on something that had yet to happen and facilitated by a duty solely my own. I made a mistake in making a promise I couldn't keep for reasons I hadn't foreseen."
"The Massacre, right?"
Itachi hesitates. Sakura tilts her head at this new look flickering across his face before disappearing beneath the mask.
"Yes…" he solemnly replies, turning away from her and the pictures, towards the table.
O...kay. Sakura thinks, clearly hitting a nerve with her answer. Still a sore spot, I guess. Ooops.
The conversation just keeps getting more anticlimactic and bordering on depressives. She turns towards her books in an attempt to clean her mess and the air. "That makes sense. Hopefully we can give you a better chance this time."
"Have you gotten far?" Itachi inquires and picks up the tea set left on the coffee table.
Sakura snorts and drops on the sofa in a flounce of dramatics. "As far as trying to keep you alive long enough to be a father."
"You need to find a cure first." Itachi surmises.
"It seems that way." Sakura rubs her temples. "I also need to see if it's genetic. Otherwise I will be the Uchiha family physician my whole life."
This time, Sakura can clearly read the playful glint in his eyes. "Is that such a bad occupation, Sakura?"
"I'd rather find the answer now," she retorts, gathering her books. "Not right right now. I'm going to shower now and try to get some sleep." she pauses, considering their conversation earlier and his much better mood. "Thanks for sharing...about you and your dad. Maybe when it's your turn to be a dad, you can teach your kids to not be so narrow minded."
"Single minded." Itachi corrects.
Sakura waves a dismissive hand and stacks books on the table. "Same thing."
Itachi snorts. "One implies prejudice, the other resolve. Uchiha are capable of change. We are alsohighly dedicatedto task."
Sakura huffs playfully, "That much is obvious."
Their entire mission, Itachi took their marriage seriously both inside their home and out in public. Highly dedicated is an understatement if she ever heard one. But it comes with drawbacks, she thinks. If dedication to a task is an Uchiha's strength, then unfulfilled obligations must feel terrible.
Or make them highly competitive. I bet he hates to lose just like Sasuke.
She finds herself smiling at the thought of Sasuke and Itachi going head to head.
Who would out will the other? Probably Itachi. Come to think of it, I've never actually seen Itachi spar before or sparred with him.
An idea forms, one she'd considered before but dismissed because of her own prejudice. It wouldn't be all bad to test the limits of her physical prowess with someone whom she deemed her biggest threat.
"Shall I run a bath for you, Sakura?" Itachi's voice jerks her head up.
"No I got it, thanks."
The medic hurries upstairs, dismissing her earlier thoughts with the turn of the faucet. Now isn't the time for such things anyway.
All cleaned and in fresh night clothes. Sakura meets Itachi in their bedroom with a newfound curiosity about their earlier conversation.
She finds him tending to his hair, brushing it with practiced ease.
"Itachi?"
"Hm?" comes the absent reply.
Sakura takes to fluffing her pillow and establishing the physical barrier always present in their bed. "Is that why you work so hard to fulfill missions because of single mindedness?"
The Uchiha pauses momentarily before starting up again. "That could be a possibility. I have no intention of failing in my duties."
Competitive for sure.
"Far enough. I'm assuming this mission is no different? You want succeed?"
Something about that thought makes her blush but Sakura ignores it in favor of sliding into her side of the bed. She is ready to put her tinted cheeks behind her, when Itachi's confident reply makes her blush all over again.
"I will fulfill allof those duties."
Well.
Restless, unsettled and tense.
The conversation with Sakura the night before conjured images of Izumi that left Itachi fraught with discontent.
She preyed on his mind all night. Her wistful voice, laced with playful enticements, left him wanting for something more with this life. Though he tried to shake them, his feelings were not so easy to overcome.
Irksome.
Itachi frowns.
These things never bothered him this much before. When he was among the land of living, surrounded by Akatsuki members, his past haunted him but Itachi managed. Dying made coping much harder. To have everything and give it willingly is one thing. To have it again only for you to be taken away…
A ghost will not best me.
Sakura's question brought Izumi's imagine to mind. In the dead of night, he scented orange and jasmine.
Itachi woke to a ghostly smile kneeling by his bedside. She never visited him at home. His shock was evident but Izumi calmed him immediately. A touch to his cheek. A gentle reminder that it was okay. Against his better judgment, Itachi longed for her to stay, to help him with this. She did. Dream after dream after dreamto the point of teasing.
I should not have asked for anything at all.
Because Izumi gave him what he wanted and what she wanted and what they wanted. Those promises were made years ago, when he was barely thirteen years old. But the implications meant more than words to any Uchiha worth their weight in salt, especially the head of the clan.
He knew that.
She knew that.
I had every intent to make my word good. Will you haunt me forever for not doing so?
There's no verbal reply, just a wandering of how life would be for him. How life could be for him if he dared to take up what he'd started.
This is different. Itachi mentally declares. It is not for me to choose. My life is in Sakura's hands.
The faintest chuckle brushes at the edges of his mental awareness. Itachi's frown turns into a full on glare.
Are you laughing at me, Shisui?
The obvious answer is yes. Shisui made a small game of making fun of him when he fumbled with what his friend called 'practical living'. Itachi's proclivities never extended beyond the boundaries of decorum. The words he spoke to Izumi were within the realm of proper courtship. Itachi had wanted that at the time. But he is not in the same situation as before though the mission will produce the same result.
Don't pretend like you don't want to play the game.Shisui taunts. There but not there, barely a hum in the back of his mind. Being in their old Clan Meeting space doesn't make the voices any better.
"Uchiha-sama?" The city planner chuckles nervously, "You don't like the idea?"
The Clan head blinks away wholly unnecessary thoughts to refocus on the here and now.
"Please proceed," Itachi instructs, focusing all of his attention on the blueprints and not the faint footsteps against the back of the room.
The old man sighs and sits back, hands on his knees. "In short, Uchiha-sama, this district project will not only bring a new residence but also jobs to those in need of work. After finishing my initial walk through, I think some homes may need minor repairs. Overall, it is a matter of moving things out and cleaning things up. Except for this bit nearest the gate."
Itachi eyes follow the finger pointing at a few homes.
"If we tear down the gate, these homes will block the path that makes the space more accessible and visibly pleasing." his finger moves across the grid pattern that marks new streets. "We need this road to open up to the rest of the village since the back of the residence has the lake and forest."
Itachi sees the issue. The homes act as a second wall, shutting off the place from the outside world. If they remove them, then the front facing homes will flow more naturally into whatever is next to the Uchiha District.
"It is acceptable," he declares.
"Are you sure? We can rearrange this so these homes can stay," the man offers. "It would be a massive renovation but still doable."
Itachi shakes his head. "There is no need. This plan will provide more open space."
The village planner brightens in delight. "Yes!" he declares, "My thoughts exactly. Now the matter of clean up and companies needs to be addressed."
The two go over particulars for a bit longer and Itachi tries hard to focus, especially when Shikamaru returns. The village planner may not have the sharpest wit but Shikamaru will definitely notice his divided attention.
He makes it so there is nothing to discover.
"I've already started assembling several shinobi genin squads for the job," Shikamaru assures. "You won't have to do this by yourself, Itachi-san."
"Genin?" the older man exclaims with disapproval. "There are a number of civilians who could be hired as well. We are talking about clearing this entire complex. We will need moving trucks, construction workers and the lot. Why give the work to children?"
Itachi interjects, turning to Shikamaru to further clarify. "Genin will get the job done quicker but having civilian companies employed will generate economic revenue."
"Exactly." The Village planner says, "For lack of better words, we are still in dire financial straits and reconstruction from the War. What better way to kick start the economy than giving the working class work."
Shikamaru crosses his arms in concentration. "Economics is not exactly my strong suit. But who will pay for all of these workers? It's much cheaper for the Hokage to hire several Genin teams than to employ a company of twenty men who work twice as slow."
"I will employ the independent contractors," Itachi offers. "Two companies should be enough to get what we need done."
"I know of two project managers that will be good for this." the older man offers. "We can divide the district into three sections for clean up. After the homes are thoroughly cleaned out, the project managers will take over construction, renovations and repairs."
"This will need to be approved by the Hokage," Shikamaru supplies. "The village is matching any cost Itachi-san occurs on renovations."
Itachi hums in approval and adds a final note. "I would still like to oversee all efforts. Sensitive information may be present in any home."
"Naturally," the village planner says. "Like I told Nara-sama, anything of value will go to a special storage for you to determine its next destination. As we've already discussed. Everything here is yours until it is sold."
"I will need to request an audience with the Hokage." Itachi turns his attention to Shikamaru. "I need permission only he can give."
The sigh that follows almost makes him smirk. "Regarding?"
"My chakra," Itachi says. "I would like to add things to memory."
"With your Sharingan." the lines creasing on the man's forehead tells a bigger headache. "You know the outlines of your...situation."
"I believe this is a notable exception. I have no intention of putting the Uchiha Clan in a compromising position again."
Danzo's name is understood without being said. Shikamaru groans and rubs the base of his neck.
"I'll see what I can do. Not making any promises that he'll approve it before this task is underway."
"We do have a tight schedule," the planner chimes in.
"We will start with places of little significance." Itachi declares. "It will give the Hokage time to make his choice on my request."
More details are ironed out before a solid plan is set. The Uchiha/Cultural district will boast of homes, shops, eateries, galleries and a grand museum. Itachi's own home will be moved to the outer parts of all the hustle and bustle, hidden by the forest but close enough to work where he will not have to walk far.
The meeting concludes with the villager planner promising to speak to contractors. As the man leaves, Shikamaru pulls Itachi to the side.
"Are you free for lunch?" the younger man asks, far too seriously than Itachi thinks is necessary. "Temari wants to know if you can come over to try her new dish. Kankuro brought some spices from home...she wants your opinion."
His answering subtle grin is genuine. "You aren't impressed."
"I told you not to entertain her." Shikamaru's sharp eyes rang out a warning look. "She won't stop until you've nitpicked everything and perfected her recipe."
"I am not averse to her cooking."
"She'll send you home with leftovers." the Nara reveals.
Itachi nods in understanding. "I will brave the task."
"Keh." Shikamaru looks away. "I'll tell her to prepare the table then. Will Sakura join?"
"If she is not working," Itachi supplies. "I believe she will be at the Yamanaka Flower Shop still."
"Yeah. Right. Let her know she's welcomed anyways. Can you lock up here?"
Itachi retrieves the newly made keys from inside his cloak. It is enough to convince Shikamaru to leave him alone to clean. As soon as the clan head steps out, Itachi closes his eyes to phantom footfalls. Unsurprising considering where he is. The fact that he doesn't hear more is both a surprise and a relief.
One ghost is enough.
A deep inhale clears his head, Itachi kneels on a cushion to gather documents, carefully rolling blueprints and organizing contracts. Even with the doors closed and burners running, a chill overtakes the room. He shivers against himself, brows drawn together in concentration.
"Aren't you too old to play hide and seek?" Shisui taunts.
"Who is hiding?" Itachi challenges, picking up teacups.
Floorboards squeak and the walls groan in the apparition's wake. "Ignoring then, pick one."
"You are not supposed to be here." Itachi states plainly.
From the corner of his eye, hands arms and legs come into view, moving to sit in a seat perpendicular to him. "Not our usual meeting spot but I'll take it. Did you forget that I was in these meetings too? Get out of your head for a moment."
Itachi snorts, settling down for another inevitable meeting.
"If I did that, you would disappear."
"Also true."
"Say what you came to say," Itachi declares.
An unnatural breeze brushes past as Shisui shifts position.
"I'm only here because you need me here. Although I don't know why. I thought you had a resolve."
"I do." Itachi stresses. "I have not wavered. I will restore the Clan."
"And make a better one, right?" his friend asks.
"Hnn."
"Sounds like a Clan Head's choice." Shisui hedges.
"Hnn."
He stiffs a chuckle. "Is Izumi giving you grief again?"
Itachi's fist clench against his thighs. "She enjoys doing so."
"Only because you let her," Shisui quips, "She pushes your buttons because she knows them."
Itachi thins his lips, remembering the way she teased him the night before. "She reminded me of my vow."
Shisui laughs outright. "She is really hammering it home." the ghost pauses, turning contemplative. "Or reminding you of something you've forgotten."
Itachi rolls his eyes in disbelief. "What good is there in reminding me of a vow I could not keep?"
"Ask her yourself," Shisui states, "If I had to guess, it's not about the vow itself. She wants to see you succeed in this mission."
Itachi shakes his head. "It makes no sense. There is no place for such vows here. The solution is for Sakura to make and she is not willing to be put in such a position. Nor do I want to put her in such a position."
A huff shifts papers on the table. "So the girl doesn't want to. Why don't you make the choice then?"
Itachi incredulous look could not be hidden. "I will not force Sakura into anything. I am not willing to put her or myself in that state."
"No one is talking about forcing Sakura."
"Then speak plainly."
The ghost makes a sweeping gesture at the room. "Learn from experience. Use your teachings."
Itachi blinks once, "...my teachings?"
"You're head of this Clan, aren't you?
"Yes."
"Then you have plenty resources. Improvise."
Just as quickly as he came he leaves. Itachi sits with the words left to him, just as confused as he was before. If what Shisui says is true and Izumi wants him to succeed in his task, she has an odd way of showing it.
Perhaps I shouldn't be consulting the dead about matters of the living.
Itachi thinks but keeps the words in the back of his mind. What good would a dead vow do him now? Even if there was a use for it, it was for Sakura to say how this mission would unfold. Further still, such a vow would be wasted because the nature of it lends itself to certain mutual desires. While Itachi will do what is necessary for the village, his desires only extended in that direction once.
Shaking his head, Itachi takes the materials and dishes with him, putting out the heating before locking the door to the meeting room behind him. He leaves the Compound, putting ghost behind him in favor of catering to his garden before the snow starts.
It's been such a long time since Sakura's needed to get food from a stall. Even while working in the hospital, Itachi normally had lunch prepared for her and dinner too if need be.
This is nice.She thinks as she waits in line.
A couple of years ago, she would have been swarmed with people thanking her profusely for her work in the war effort. Unlike Naruto, her celebrity status has since died down. She only gets waves and greeting smiles now. On occasion a patient my pass by but these days she is just a citizen of Konoha like everyone else.
"Uchiha-san!" Sakura turns on cue, having grown accustomed to her current last name being used by those who aren't the wiser.
"See, I told you that was her." a woman hurriedly crosses the road, her friends trailing after.
Sakura smiles softly, recognizing the woman instant.
"Shion-san. How are you?"
Shion bows enthusiastically, making Sakura blush. "I wanted to thank you again for what you did for my little sister. She went for a check-up yesterday and the doctors say her health has improved a lot!"
"Sayuri-san is doing better? That's good to know." Sakura waves kindly to the group of women hanging back. "Are you guys getting lunch here?"
"No, we're going somewhere else. Are you getting lunch?" Shion inquires, looking between the stall and the medic.
Knowing what's next, Sakura laughs lightly and waves a dismissive hand. "I'm just getting some steamed vegetables for a friend. No big deal."
Shion takes a determined step closer. "Please allow me, as a show of gratitude."
"No. No. It's fine really. Knowing your sister is doing fine is enough thanks."
Shion raises a blonde brow, something Sakura distinctly remembers now. Shion was impossibly stubborn, even when it came to her little sister being in the hospital for a cold.
"Sayuri was looking for you actually," she states, "They said you weren't working that day."
The medical jounin moves up in line, keeping a cordial manner about the entire encounter. "Yes, I've been on a short vacation to help out with other tasks around the Village. Doctors need breaks too for our health."
"That makes sense." Shion looks over to her friends waiting before turning back to Sakura. "Well, I hope you enjoy your break. It was nice seeing again, Uchiha-san."
With another brief bow, Sakura waves Shion and her friends off just as it's her turn to order. It takes mere minutes before the medic is off to the Konoha Cemetery for a much needed visit.
"Sorry this took so long," her voice softens as she kneels down on cold snow covered dirt. "Things have been crazy and I haven't had much time to get replacements. Forgive me?"
There is no response.
There never is and she hardly expects any at this point.
Delicate hands brush gently at loose snow on the gravestone. She clears space for new talismans to replace the old, torn and wet ones. Snow in Konoha is hardly rare but sporadic enough that it always has an element of surprise when it comes. Sakura for one enjoys the look of a village covered from head to in brilliant white. It's beautiful and vibrant and new.
But it won't last, not this late in winter.
"I got some steamed vegetables this time," she takes the old tray of food offerings and tucks it away in her bag. "I didn't get a chance to ask Itachi to cook anything so fast food it is. Besides, these should keep you warm. If not, I got a little sake too, if you've taken to that."
The flowers get replaced with new arranged ones, thanks to the girls. She replaces incense as well, claps her hands together for a quick prayer then lets her hands drop to her knees.
Green eyes take a cursory scan of her work and with a satisfied sigh, Sakura allows herself a smile at the grave of her second closest friend.
"I can't stay long today, Sasuke." Sakura admits and pulls herself upwards. She walks to the bench close to the beech tree, wipes at the snow there before taking a seat.
"I'm going to meet Naruto and Kakashi for ramen." she rolls her eyes playfully. "Naruto doesn't know I know he's bringing Kakashi. But I know and before you say anything, yes I'm still mad."
Her smile falters a little. "Kinda mad. Not as much as I was before. Would you be upset if I genetically engineered a niece or nephew for you in my lab?"
She giggles at herself, shaking away the silly thought and looking up. "I still don't know exactly what I'm going to do about this mission. I'm leaning toward in vitro. It's the best options, don't you think?"
Sakura looks back at the grave, waiting. Not for an answer from him really.
Clarity would be nice.
Nothing she's thought seems to be the right answer. There's a caveat everywhere she turns.
"Even with in vitro, we'd have to find a willing donor." Sakura snorts. "Not that that would be a problem. I'm sure a number of women would line up for that job. Which only begs the question of why Kakashi didn't think of it…"
He probably has. That's the stopping point she keeps coming to. Everything seems so obvious and for whatever reason, The Elders and the Hokage didn't take the obvious options.
She rubs her chin curiously and ponders more common sense. "I guess I am also the obvious option. The set up is perfect, even if this is absolutely asinine. Still, why didn't Kakashi just take his sperm and be done with it?"
The answering wind gives her a chill. Sakura slouches long enough to realize this isn't helping.
"Anyways, Sasuke. Eat up and stay warm. I'll keep you updated on how 'rebuilding the clan is going'. Feel free to visit me in a vision if you have bright ideas."
She jokes and secretly hopes. Dreams of Sasuke come less and less. While she knows this is a good thing…
It wouldn't be so terrible to see you once more.
The thought comes and goes, a fleeing memory among many. Sakura shoulders her bag and leaves the dead where they lie. She takes to the trees, hopping from branch to branch until the inner part of the village comes into the view. Then she takes to the rooftops. Of course traveling by ground is an option but this is faster. It takes mere minutes before she drops down to earth again, right in front of Ichiraku Ramen.
"Sakura!" Naruto's wide expression fogs the window pane that his face is pressed against. Even though she can't actually hear the exclamation, she can read his lips just fine.
The pinkette pulls her bag straps over her head with one hand and opens the doors to their new building with the other. Seconds later, her best friends barrels forward, capturing her in a hug that lifts her from the ground.
"You came!"
Sakura laughs and pats his shoulder to be put down. "Why wouldn't I? Any reason I may want to stay home? Perhaps a tall grey headed reason?"
She can think of a few. One in particularly loiters near their table. Naruto lowers her to her feet and clears his throat.
"Well," he laughs sheepishly. "I thought we could have ramen together, you know, like old times."
Green eyes flicker to the table. Kakashi casually waves and she rolls her eyes back to Naruto.
"You should have told me he was coming."
Naruto's shoulder slump and he turns on those big blue puppy dog eyes. "But I knew you were mad at him even if you won't say why.I figured you'd say no."
"So you tricked me?"
"No!" Naruto whines. "More like...omitted information."
Sakura grabs a hip with her free hand, giving him a hard time for old times sake. "Purposely!"
"You didn't ask me who would be here so technically…"
Her mouth opens then closes and her faux annoyance loses steam. "I see those diplomatic relations lessons are kicking in. Come on."
Naruto doesn't resist when she pulls his arms, leading him to their former sensei.
"Sakura," Kakashi greets pleasantly.
"Kakashi," she retorts, not quite angry or mad or anything.
Doesn't mean I can't give him a hard time.
Sakura relishes in the small pout poking through his mask. Kakashi should feel bad for what he did. If she can't find a solution, he damn well will be sorry when she refuses the mission. The pinkette slides into the booth across from the boys, ignoring how the Hokage lingers a few seconds before taking his seat as well.
"This new building is nice," Sakura comments.
Not to be left out, Naruto perks up. "Is this your first time in the new building?"
"No, I came to the grand opening. I watched you devour the first ten bowls of ramen served here, remember?'
The blond wrinkles his brows before recognition light ups his features once more. "Oh yeah! But you haven't eaten here yet right?"
"No." Sakura concedes, grabbing a menu, "Itachi normally cooks for us so I don't really need to eat out."
"How nice of him." Kakashi comments offhandedly, taking a menu of his own.
Sakura looks up, noting the deliberate way he looks away from her. Before she can say something equally snarky, Naruto jumps in.
"Well, it's gotten pretty popular since that grand opening and they've added new things to the menu."
Popular indeed. Thanks to Naruto, the owners of Ichiraku had no choice but to get a bigger place or risk having lines of customers loop around their previous building twice over. Apparently having a loyal customer who also practically single-handedly stopped a war is good for business.
"I kinda favor the small crowded intimacy of the old place." Kakashi reminisce.
"Yeah," Naruto agrees. "We made some good memories in that place. Doesn't this kinda feel like old times too? Us just getting ramen after a long mission?"
"Almost." Kakashi concedes. "Except you're the only one coming back from a long mission. I'm worn out from doing real work and Sakura…" he pauses, turning amused dark eyes on her, "Where did you come from?"
Knowing the answer he wants, she gives him the exact opposite of that. "I went to visit Sasuke before coming here. I forgot to change out the flowers from before."
Kakashi's brows crinkle and Sakura withholds her laughter.
"Oh. Was it my turn to do that?" Naruto asks.
She shakes her head, leaning into her fist while glancing at the new Ichiraku menu. "No, it was me. I've been so preoccupied lately I actually forgot."
"You should have plenty of time now." Kakashi's slay comment comes with barely any inflection. He looks at his menu casually as if nothing happened.
Playing that game huh? Alright fine.
Sakura narrows her eyes at him and clenches her teeth. "I wonder why that is, Hokage-sama."
He blinks and flips a page. "Maybe because you overwork yourself and don't know when to take a break." Kakashi pauses and looks up at the ceiling. "Or it could be because you have terrible coping skills and require intervention before running yourself into the ground...or the hospital."
"I'd like to politely point out that my missions are given to me byyou. Maybe you should lay off!"
A grey brow perks up, Kakashi rubs his chin with a thoughtful hum. "You might be right, Sakura. I suppose I can't expect you to handle heavy loads. Perhaps if Naruto and Sasuke were around to he-"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence." Sakura threatens.
Unsurprisingly, the Hokage grins behind his mask. "I'll take that as a guarantee of less complaints, then. Now what's this about flowers and gravesites?"
"Sakura and I try to keep up with Sasuke's grave." Naruto cuts in.
"Isn't that nice…"
"The girls at the shop made him two fresh ones today." Sakura says. "I forgot the name of the flowers but they were supposedly some of the first to bloom in spring."
"I take it working at the shop is going well?" Kakashi questions.
This time when they make eye contact, Kakashi's masked expression tells more than any simple question could. While she very well could keep up the pressure on her former sensei, he only looks so blank when he is withholding. His question is straightforward enough that she doesn't really need to wonder what he's thinking. He basically just asked 'are you ok' in his own way.
Sliding her menu across the table, she sits back in her chair.
"It's not terrible." Sakura admits with the tiniest hit of a smirk. "Working with your best friend is literally a piece of cake. I'm basically on vacation."
It takes a second but Kakashi nods eventually, recognizing her offer of peace for what it is.
"That's good to hear."
Naruto's face lights up. "Does this mean you guys aren't avoiding each other now?"
"It means Kakashi is an idiot. You'd be hard pressed to stay mad at an idiot for a long time."
Naruto stiff a giggle as the Hokage's shoulders droop.
"It's Hokage-sama," the Copy Ninja mutter, which only makes the other two burst into full on laughter.
"So Naruto special then?" she asks.
Apparently it is the house special.
When the waiter comes, they place orders for ramen and drinks respectively. They share memories over food and just like Naruto said, Sakura basks in the sense of nostalgia. For old times sake, she and Naruto try to sneak a peek at what's under their former sensei's mask. But a crowd of Naruto's fans begging for an autograph foils theirs plans.
I missed them. She thinks, watching as Kakashi lectures Naruto about the woes of fame.
She can't quite hold back her soft smile when the blond wildly defends his need to 'appease his fans'. And the sparkle in her eyes is genuine when Kakashi kindly reminds him of his childish antics growing up.
The boys go back and forth for a little while. Growing louder and louder (most likely unbeknownst to Kakashi). She sucks it all up, letting this be what it is. Feeling something other than duty and the mission if only for the moment. The freeness makes her feel light and Sakura outright laughs when Naruto accuses Kakashi of being just as pervy as the late Master Jiraiya
"Did you forget that he was your sensei for a time?" Kakashi accuses.
Naruto bulks, emphatically waving his hands in his defense. "Yeah but I didn't go with him on any of his peep show trips. You're the one who couldn't keep your nose out of those Ichi books, still can't!"
That's all it takes for Kakashi to start singing Jiraiya's praises. "I would think that since you're married now you'd understand the true artistry of those books are. They are worth every read and reread, sheer masterpieces of literature. But if you're going to reduce them to mere peep show exposes, then I doubt you even needed to travel with Master Jiraya to perfect that skill. I think your Sexy no Jutsu says more than enough."
"Those books are porn!"
Naruto shouts the words so loud, the entire restaurant hushes in silence, looking at their table curious. For the moment silence engulfs them before Sakura's tinkering laugher kicks up and develops into a full on fit.
"Sakura?" Naruto calls, laced with concern. "You ok? Why are you crying?"
The pinkette waves one hand while holding her stomach with the other. In an effort to control her laughter, she bites her lower lip and tries her best to speak.
"I'm fine Naruto it's just...We haven't done this in so long. It's nice."
The hush that follows tells of adventures and friendship and comradely. Of loss and fonder memories of those no longer with them. More than that, of hope and the present and the future for all of them.
Naruto sighs.
Kakashi hums thoughtfully.
Sakura wipes at joyous tears and looks out at their ever-changing village.
"It's all so different now." she says, hushed and solemn.
"Change is inevitable," Kakashi wisely offers. "And welcomed or it should be. There was a time when Naruto couldn't control chakra and now he is training to be Hokage. And you Sakura,"
Green eyes swing his way. It still marvels her sometimes that, despite their misgivings, Kakashi still holds a teacher role in her life. With one tone he can get her attention and keep it.
"There was a time when you were trying to find yourself," he continues. "You've found more inside of you than even I could teach you."
Warmth blossoms in her chest. Her earlier anger with him a whisper in the past. She smiles and nods.
"Let's not forget someone is gonna be a dad for a second time." she comments. "How is Hinata doing?"
The conversation takes a more pleasant turn. They spend the afternoon in stories from the past and present, with no real want for anything other than what it is now. It's a moment Sakura doesn't get often and she holds the day close to her chest as they say their goodbyes. She takes the long way home, cherishing the ability to even do that, stopping every so often to talk to cheerful villagers.
It's past evening and already dark when she makes it to her front door. Unsurprisingly when she finally gets inside, Itachi is home with blueprints and papers neatly arranged on their living room table. The sight of him working isn't what makes her pause in the genkan. Nor is it the thing that makes her sneeze.
Hard.
And sneeze again. And a third time for good luck she suspects.
"Are you alright, Sakura?" Itachi asks.
After rubbing her nose, she makes a beeline for the kitchen. Shrugging out of her winter coat, she tosses it on the back of the couch and goes on the hunt.
"Sakura?"
She ignores the calls and accompanying footsteps to confront the offending spices that attacked her sense. There on the stove the medium sized grey pot seems the most likely culprit. With a shinobi's determination, the pinkette lifts the lid to find an orangish gravy over what looks like chicken.
Then she sneezes again.
"What is this?" Sakura asks, trying hard not to sneeze for the fifth time. Replacing the lid she walks towards Itachi and gestures to the pot. "Did you buy new spices?"
"I did not." Itachi confesses. "Temari made this for us to share…" he trails off, dark eyes roaming her face for a moment. "Are you allergic?"
She shakes her head and rubs her nose a few more times to get the itchy burn out. "No. I just don't like spicy food."
"Ah."
"Since when did you and Temari become food buddies?"
"She likes for me to taste her recipes and give my opinion." Itachi says, stepping around her into the kitchen.
"You're a food critic now?"
"Only for Temari."
Sakura watches as he removes the pot from the stove, then fishes for s storage container. Itachi makes quick work of putting the food away, probably for himself. Sakura moves on, going back to the living room to prepare for her final check-in of the day with him. Ever since Honoka smuggled her some updates on Kai, she's changed tactics with Itachi's regimen to test a theory.
Retrieving a notebook from the end table, Sakura quickly reads over the notes from the morning. Itachi returns and, without even being asked to, removes several pillows from the sofa, lining them up on the floor. Then he stretches out on the sofa, arms at his side.
"How was today?" Sakura asks, moving to kneel down on the cushion.
"My wrists are stiff," Sakura grabs the closest arm to her while he recounts the day, "I could not finish caring for the garden because of it. My knees feel quite stiff as well but not debilitating. The congestion from this morning is still there, perhaps worse from being in the elements. I felt better after tea with Shikamaru but there is a familiar but not painful tightness in my chest."
Sakura can feel the slight swelling in his joints even without using chakra. His wrist feels a tad bit puffer than normal, not the rigid veiny muscle of a man that often works with his hands. For good measure she uses chakra anyway noting where the swell seemed worse in places.
Nothing bad but could definitely be uncomfortable if left untreated. To think, these kinds of results after only two days of a lower dosage...
Wordlessly she grabs her pen and notepad, writing down her findings. On the plus side, her medicine works well as an anti-inflammatory. But, as she suspected, it did nothing to actually cure Itachi of anything. As soon as the medicine is taken away, he flares up in odd places. There is no set pattern of flare-ups that she can find.
"Did you train?"
"Not today."
She checks that off the list of suspects.
It comes and goes at random. What could have triggered this one though?
Sakura bites the top of her pen contemplatively staring at the back porch door.
Playing shogi with Shikamaru and gardening is hardly strenuous. If it's not vigorous work then what? Maybe the spicy food? It's not that weird. Certain foods cause inflammation...
Her eyes shift from the door to him and Sakura stiffens unconsciously as Itachi stares at her intently. She fights the urge to fidget and blurts the first thing that comes to mind to, hopefully, get him to stop.
"Did you cough up any blood today?"
Itachi blinks once, the barest of dips in his brow. "Not that I can recall."
Ignoring the deep rumble of his voice, Sakura quickly takes to doing a body scan to keep her gaze elsewhere. The conversation trails off, leaving Sakura to mentally fill in the silence. She occupies herself with healing joints and decreasing mild vesicles around Itachi's lungs.
Moving on to his other arm, Sakura opts to zone out to work, putting nerves and hard stares aside to get it right. Just when she manages to recapture her wits, Itachi speaks up.
"Have you eaten?" he asks softly.
Sakura blinks at the seeming randomness of his statement, and tries to recall where their conversation left off. "Yeah. Me, Naruto and Kakashi had ramen but that was hours ago. We talked most of the time really," she finally asked.
"The Hokage?" his curiosity makes her look up.
Feeling on steadier footing, Sakura grins. "Yeah and before you ask, I didn't put a hole in Ichiraku Ramen. I did give him a hard time though."
Itachi nods gently. "Good."
She gives his arm a playful pat before pulling up to her feet. "You should be able to breathe easier now. I'm going to shower and maybe go grabbing something for dinner that won't kill me."
Sakura leaves Itachi to rearrange the sofa cushions and heads upstairs to the bathroom. Clothes are tossed in the dirty hamper and she hops in the shower to clean away the day. She basks in the feeling of hot water, washing the cold from earlier down the drain with strawberry scented soap.
After she's clean, Sakura wraps a towel around herself and goes to the room to change. She takes her time with drying her hair, brushing and styling it as a way to clear the activities of the day.
When she's done she ventures downstairs, dressed to once again venture outside for a little while only to find Itachi also dressed for the occasion, already in the process of putting on his shoes She pauses in the entry, noting all his papers folded and stacked on the corner of the table.
Is he…?
Curiously she ventures closer, closing the distance between them. "Are you coming too?"
"Yes." Itachi simply says, easing to a stand.
Sakura stands there a moment contemplating replies before picking the most obvious one. "Why?"
Itachi leans down, grabbing her shoes to hand to her. "I need a break. A walk will suffice. Do you oppose?"
She takes her shoes anyway, refusing an answer to what could potentially be a trick question. After she laced up, Itachi opens the door, for her to go first. Sakura grabs her coat then takes the lead while he locked the door.
It's not as if they didn't spend time outside together but it'd been so long, Sakura felt a bit odd having Itachi walking next to her. If he hadn't been there she probably would've taken to the roofs but, for some reason, decides to keep pace with him.
Itachi prefers walks. She enjoyed her long walk home so what's another walk? She glances up at him and then on the residential road ahead. The gentle meanders of their route disappear on the horizon of the progressively darkening sky. Sakura glances at familiar homes and trees, relaxing into their slow ease strides. After several minutes of quiet, she finally ventures to speak.
"Itachi?"
"Mm-hmm?" comes a lazy reply.
Sakura looks up curiously. Itachi's eyes are heavy-lidded, nearly closed in what she assumes is contemplation.
Did I interrupt him?She thinks. Sakura rethinks her question before Itachi prompts her to go on.
"Did you need something, Sakura?"
"I was just wondering how the museum was going?"
"Shikamaru and I met with the village planner today. We have created the layout for what will be a new residential district. Now is the matter of contracting worker."
"Oh," she says softly, "At least it's starting." She pulls her arms taunt behind her, stretching.
"How did your conversation with the Hokage go?" Itachi counters.
Sakura laughs lightly "I gave him a hard time but we're on good terms. I told him before we left that I was working towards something. He just gave me one of his weird eye crinkles. Actually, that reminds, did Kakashi give you any reasons as to why they chose me or didn't choose, you know, literally any other way?"
His answering blink would translate as nothing to anyone but her. Sakura's skill in reading Uchiha may not be perfect but she's smart enough to know that lookmeans he knows something.
I can't believe he's been withholding information!
She takes a couple quick steps to get a ways in front before fixing stern green eyes on him.
"Spill it.," she demands.
Itachi huffs, rolling his eyes at her statement. "There is nothing to spill."
"You blinked." she accused.
He half shrugs. "A common action."
"But a basic means of communicating from you." Sakura counters. "You look guilty."
Itachi outright snorts this time. "I do not."
She growls at him. He reaches over to take her hand underneath his cloak in response.
"There are people watching, Sakura." Itachi answers her raised brow.
She turns around and, indeed, they've made it closer to the city centre and there are some people glancing at them.
"Is this necessary though?" she whispers. "They can't even see our hands."
Itachi nods once. "It's the implication."
Sakura rolls her eyes but doesn't remove her hand from his grasp. "Don't change the subject. Tell me what you know."
"I know what you know." he states. "There is the problem of my illness and resurrection that makes certain options impractical."
"That's his reason?" Sakura scuffs. "You've lived this long. I doubt your body will fall apart."
Itachi nods once. "But there is no cure."
"Yet." she declares.
"Yet," he repeats.
Sakura opens her mouth, before closing, pausing as a couple passes them by. She waves politely, pulling closer to Itachi as she continues in whispers.
"All the more reason to just get sperm and implant them in as many eggs as possible."
Suddenly, Itachi yanks the both of them to a halt in the middle of the road.
"Huh?" Sakura looks up to a distinctly narrowed gaze.Oops. "Erm, maybe not?"
Voice low, he looks almost pointedly at her. "Just as you had no intention of "popping out Uchiha babies", I have no intention of indiscriminately impregnating random eggs. I am also nota baby making factory."
"Ok, bad wording." She concedes but thinks better of it and pokes him in the chest with her free hand. "Wait a minute, where was this attitude when Kakashi basically said the same thing?"
"The Hokage's offer was not indiscriminate." Itachi explains. "It was highly specific."
"And you're okay with that?" Sakura questions.
He starts walking again, pausing for far longer than Sakura would have liked before speaking.
"I prefer the idea ofone female."
She nods at that without thinking too much about what it could mean. "Since you have an idea of what you don't want, do you have any other ideas on what you do?"
"Something that will not liken me to cattle." Itachi hedges.
Sakura's step slow at his words. Then she blushes as it registers. Itachi gracefully pulls her along down the street and towards a vendor the smells distinctly of fried food.
"Would you like to eat here?"
It takes a second to figure out what he asks. "Um sure."
She takes time to glance at the menu fastened to the stall's beams with staples. She orders several chicken skewers as well as a soup. Itachi orders a small tea for himself and pays for both meals. They take one of the covered heated tables for two so she can eat while her food is still warm.
They didn't eat out often. Itachi was more included to cook than to buy take out. But for their mission sake, being seen in public was occasionally necessary. Sakura settles in for her meal while Itachi watched the sea of people, a cup of tea in hand. Some stop for a chat, others simply glance their way. More still completely ignore them. It's those people that she's grateful for. Years ago, Itachi brought a slew of attention. Now the village is used to seeing him around. Now few people think twice about seeing the oldest Uchiha among the living. Not everybody knows his history, not everybody knows about the Massacre.
It's my job to keep it that way. She reminds herself.
Halfway through their meal, Sakura comes up with another question, closer to something he said days ago. When she gets his attention, she takes the moment to ask.
"If everything that happened didn't happen, would you have wanted to be the Clan head?"
A black brow raises and he answers her question with one of his own.. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, because you're being thrust into the role now. I thought you were anti Clan?" she offers.
Itachi shakes his head in the negative and slides his empty cup away. "Only if the actions put the village in harm's way. I believe in the values of our traditions. I understand that some may not be applicable because of where we are. There was no reason the Clan could not live peaceable here."
Sakura ponders the words, going over them in her head. "If you thought that way...why didn't you attempt to negotiate instead of...you know?"
His flicks his wrist with a heavy sigh. "The Council would not hear my advice. They were determined to do it their way. They left me little choice."
"And your father?" Sakura asks.
"My father was...more reasonable." Itachi states. "He wanted more time but did not shut them down outright. His indecisiveness put me in a precarious position."
"Danzo wasn't having the argument that your dad may change the Council's mind?" she guesses.
He nods.
She snorts. "So it really was all his idea…"
"I am not innocent in my actions." Itachi admits. Eyes averted.
She pokes at the scraps of fried chicken on her plate. "Yeah I know that. Still...you were thirteen. If Danzo had given your dad more time...maybe things could've been different?"
When no reply comes, she looks up at him looking out into the streets again. Itachi says nothing and Sakura lets the conversation die where it is. Like she and Naruto and Kakashi agreed this morning, the past was nice but there's no use speculating now.
Besides, if all goes well then Itachi can make the Clan however he wants.
She pulls herself to a stand, holding her hand out for him to take.
"Ready?" Sakura ask.
Itachi gives her a look and this time she can see him smirking. "I thought this was unnecessary."
She feigns indifference, turning her eyes away from him and ignoring the change from his somber expression that she fostered with her questions moments ago.
"It's the implication," Sakura says.
Perhaps she isn't completely heartless and took advantage to flip the script for once. Itachi was always trying to comfort her when she had her moments; the least she could do is return the favor.
Seconds later, he takes her hand and, in silence, they walk home together.
A/N: Yay! Only an entire month lol. I am excited because we are finally getting to what made me want to write this story in the first place! A truce is made and we got so see Itachi and Sakura live their mission without wanting to bite each other's head off. Or at least Sakura isn't upset.
The answer is nigh! My heart is aflutter with what this means for our shinobi friends. While I am well aware of what will befall our war heroes, the solution may well shock you! Next chapter will tell it all so stay tuned! And as always, please leave your thoughts on the story!
-CeCe ^^
Word Count: 11,315
Musical Inspiration: '"Lullaby" and "Mannequin"-Yuna, "That's Why I Love You"- SiR,