The Vow of Flowers

by Annick La

To fulfill her duty, to complete the mission and please the Elders, Sakura invokes an Uchiha tradition older than the village itself. The bonds that bind them can never be broken.

9. Line 8: Traditional Ways

Line 8: Traditional Ways

"Here is the deepest secret nobody knows.."

I Carry Your Heart

Line 8, Stanza 3

-EE Cummings

---

Sakura isn't even aware she's drifted to sleep until a thump rouses her. She flinches awake to sunlight pouring in her bedroom window.

"Itachi?" she asks in a daze, searching the bed. Her hand keeps going over the expanse of sheets, and it only takes a second for her the register that she is alone. "Itachi?"

It takes a moment more for her heart rate to settle. Rubbing her hands down her face, the pinkette shifts the covers to confirm what she already knows.

"Did he just sneak out or never made it home..." Swallowing against the lump in her throat, she forces herself to get up. Sakura grabs her robe and wraps it around herself before descending the stairs.

Her breakfast lay waiting without its chef, hinting that he had come home and perhaps left just as quickly.

The crux of her lips dip, and she uses the doorpost for purchase. "I didn't even realize he came home."

Her senses are pretty good. The fact that Itachi managed to come back, make breakfast, and leave concerns her. She chews her bottom lip and tucks one fist under her chin while the other crosses her chest.

He must have hidden his chakra or something. There's no way I slept that hard. Especially not after last night…

Pushing off the door, the medic goes to the living area.

I shouldn't have let him leave. I should have followed…

The living room light is still on as she crosses the room towards the front door. Sakura hesitates, hand hovering near the doorknob before shaking her head and grabbing it. A cold breeze greets her. There is no one. It doesn't help her restlessness at all. Sighing, she eases back into the house, closes the door then leans against it.

"I should give him a little more time. Just in case…" she mutters.

The medic rubs her arms, venturing into the living room. The Clan Provision scrolls still lay open where they'd left them.

"Does he not want to get married? I just…" the young woman rubs a hand through her hair.

Itachi's behavior as of late has been off, and Sakura has hunches as to why but the only confirmation came in him telling her that this wasn't easy. Still, this could be several things.

"Was it because the provisions reminded him of his dad?" Sakura slides from the sofa to the floor, leaning over the table. "Did he remember some bad memories or something?"

The fading ink of the tomes before her echoes her partner's decaying disposition. "Maybe that's why he needed to leave."

She bites her thumbnail, rereading what she thought was the perfect plan. Itachi told her once that he didn't want to be passed around from woman to woman. He said he wanted one woman. She'd considered his concerns and set to work with both of them in mind. Hours poured over books and scrolls. Finally, these Provisions give him exactly what he wants.

That much should have at least made him a bit happier. I get the feeling it's done the exact opposite. Not that I would know….

The kunoichi gathers the scroll, giving up on trying to figure out what's going on in his head. She carefully gets them back into their rolled compact positions and arranges them in numerical order. Sakura glances about the living room for an appropriate place to put such a serious set of documents. Beneath the mantle, there's a set of drawers reserved for some of her medical text. Sakura decides to place the tomes in the center drawer and spends the better half of 45 minutes rearranging her books to make space.

She leaves breakfast where it is to go upstairs. Today is supposed to be a happy day for her. It's her first day back at the hospital in weeks. She forces Itachi out of her mind in favor of getting ready for the day.

Showering first, the kunoichi lets the water wash away her concern about her partner's behavior.

He'll come to me if he wants. She thinks. As long as he isn't doing anything stupid, it's fine.

Her line of thinking keeps her going through a change of clothes and finishing the food Itachi made her. Sakura holds that resolve until she makes it a few blocks outside, and the old Uchiha Compound can be seen. Her gut twists and she hesitates in her steps.

"Ugh," Sakura groans, looking down the street towards her normal route and then to the left where the Compound lay just outside of that. "One check. If he's not there, I'm going to work."

The detour only takes a few minutes as she takes to the rooftops. It's too early in the day for many to notice her. It's far too early to go through all of the range of emotions for a person who just may not want to be found. But Sakura keeps going, if only for the fact that it is her duty to watch him, and writing a report saying she hasn't seen him all day will not go over well.

Landing on the Compound's high walls, Sakura peers down into the expanse of what was once the Uchiha section. Large dumpsters and containers and other construction things litter the streets. Men flutter in and out of buildings, carrying things to a fro. She tries to spot the one man she needs to see but is immediately interrupted by the presence of another.

"Uchiha-sama." The Anbu standing next to her inclines his head respectfully. "Are you looking for Uchiha-sama?"

Green eyes turn their gaze towards the Weasel mask. "Please call me Sakura, no sama."

"Yes, Sakura-san." he adjusts. "Are you looking for Uchiha-sama?"

"Have you seen him?" she asks.

The Anbu points to the center of the Compound, at the largest building. "He has been there since before we arrived."

Sakura follows his line of sight towards what must be the main house or what would have been his former home.

So that's where he's been.

She tongues her cheek, chasting herself for being so impatient. There was a time when she would disappear to see Sasuke. If Itachi is feeling the throngs of old grievances, perhaps he needs reassurance from the place where grief was made.

Been there, done that.

A sigh escapes. She has been there. She has done that. She knows what needs to be done now.

She closes her eyes for a moment. Taking a deep breath, she opens them, then tilts her head towards the masked man.

"Weasel, right?" she asks and he inclines his head. "I know Itachi is supposed to be helping in the cleaning...but if he doesn't come out for a while just let him be. I'm putting you in charge of anything that looks of value. If something goes missing from here, I'm coming to you first. Understood?"

Weasel takes several seconds before giving a gentle nod. "Understood. However, please be advised, Sakura-san, that my first duty is to the Hokage. I will do as I am commissioned to."

Sakura furrows her brows, turning fully to him with a hand on her hip. "Your job is to watch Itachi while I'm at work or away. It stands to reason that I should tell you what to look out for."

"A level of truth, I guess. Even so, if he does not reemerge in a timely manner, I will have no choice but to investigate."

"Define timely." she challenges.

Weasel turns his face towards the Compound and then at her. "Before the second wave of workers come in."

"When is that?"

"Noon," Weasel says freely.

Of all Anbu, we get the one stickler for the rules.

Sakura turns away, looking at the main house before glancing at the sky. "What happens if he isn't finished by noon?"

"Then I will assume he does not wish to come out."

The unspoken threat makes the young medic scowl. "And what does that mean?"

Wesal pauses, turning his face slightly towards the village and then back to her. "What part makes you more worried: that he might need to be detained or the way I will have to detain him?"

Sakura opens her mouth and then closes it, biting the inside of her cheek instead.

Neither of those things particularly worried her at the moment. Itachi is who he is. She is more aware of that than most. Itachi could be a threat if he wanted to. If Weasel goes in, chakra ablaze, she is sure her partner could evade attacks at least. Even with what little chakra he has.

He wouldn't though. Probably. Hopefully. Besides, this isn't that behavior. This isn't rebellion. It's something else.

She's been in this place. A hard place that doesn't exactly need disruptions. Some things are better worked out alone.

Guilt maybe? With being here, I guess he can't hide from them anymore...

Her brows furrow and she crosses her arms over her chest.

It took years to get over the guilt about not helping Sasuke enough. It took me that much time to realize those were his own choices, not mine. Even if Itachi claimed to not regret his choices, and that he resolved to do what needed to be done, that probably didn't make it hurt any less. Just like with me...

"Sakura-san?" Weasel gentle calls, pulling her from her rumination.

She blinks, thinning her lips at the odd revelation. There was a time when she, too, would have thought he was up to no good.

Here I am, a few years later, defending him to Anbu.

The young medic shakes her head, looking at Weasel. "Itachi is going through a lot right now. This whole process at this place needs some time to settle with him. I want him to go through it without someone standing over his shoulder."

"I will only do my job, Sakura-san." Weasel comments.

"I'm sure the Hokage will cut you a break if you gave Itachi more space?"

"Then let the Hokage says so." the man quips, pauses, then adds. "Uchiha-sama and I have an understanding, unlike other members of my unit that feel different. I have not nor will I intrude upon Uchiha-sama's need for...personal space. However, I will do what I am assigned. I believe Uchiha-sama will enjoy such a small reprieve, should I need to remind him of his probation. I'm just doing my job, Sakura-san, keeping both Uchiha-sama and Konoha safe."

Sakura hesitates at the confession and declaration, for Weasel's words ring more compassionate than threatening. Turning to face Weasel fully, she gives him her full attention. Standing nearly head and shoulders taller than her, and perhaps a bit taller than Itachi as well, Weasel looks deceptively docile. His posture is casual, arms crossed lightly over his chest and a small tilt to his hip that shows an air of relaxation. If his messy hair were gray, Sakura could have mistaken his carefree demeanor for her former sensei, if not a tad bit slimmer.

More than his physical features, it's the obvious awareness he has over his charge that makes her smile a little. They've cycled through several Anbu on duty, some just going through the motions, others making their distaste known. Sakura didn't give much consideration to either. After all, she fluctuated between all of those feelings for a time.

Yet there is a sincerity to this man's words that makes her feel as if Itachi is in good hands during what could be a very sensitive time.

She nods once, looking away and then back again."If...if by chance you have to do something because he doesn't come out, will you at least send word for me?"

Weasel tilts his head slightly. "Like a summons?"

"Whatever you see fit."

"That should not be a problem, Sakura-san."

She nods once more, gazing back at the Clan Head home before. Satisfied, Sakura leaves the conversation there, jumping from the wall to walk the rest of the way to work. There is no way she can tell Weasel to not do his job. But if Itachi truly needs time to reconcile with the dead, she is sure the Anbu will allow him that much.

I'm not willing to break the rules for him though. She confesses, turning down a side street. Itachi's never been one to grieve long, I don't think. Well, I actually don't know. He'd spent most of his time helping me grieve. I don't think I've ever seen him even shed a tear for any of them…

There was a time when part of her didn't think him capable of tears. Now that she feels more whole, perhaps he can.

Sakura grimaces. "I can't picture Itachi crying at all."

She shakes her head, leaving her partner and his mood behind.

Weeks away from the hospital, and she's nearly forgotten the smell of sterilization. Sakura takes a huge inhale in the Waiting Area and smiles to herself at the warm, fuzzy feeling building in her stomach.

I'm back!

"Sakura-sama!" the receptionist waves from behind the desk. "Welcome back. We've missed you here."

Her smile brightens as she ventures closer. "It's good to be back, Chioyo-san. Did I miss anything interesting?"

Chiyo tilts her head forward, wagging her brows in a way that ensured some juicy news. "Several shinobi injuries. One was poisoned a few days, came in here arms flailing and seeing things."

Sakura gasps, leaning over the counter to get closer. "What kind of poison? Did you find out?"

Chiyo shakes her head. "Tsunade-sama took over that one, and her records haven't been made into my database yet. You missed a delivery too. Twins!"

"No!"

"Yup. Identical. Cute little things. That kid was here a few days ago too."

"Kai?"

The receptionist nods once. "Just a routine check-up. Tsunade-sama's been keeping a good eye on him for the time being. Poor thing came in one day covered in raised spots."

Sakura leans her hand on her chin. "Yeah, I heard." she huffs, "When's his next appointment?"

Chiyo shakes a finger at her, pushes her chair back, and looks at a scheduling calendar.

"About a week and a half from today."

Sakura sighs her disappointment and pushes off the counter as the hospital doors open. "I'll keep it in mind. Thanks, Chioyo-san."

She starts to walk off when Chioyo stands and leans over the desk to call to her. "One more thing, Honoka-san says she needs you in your office for something or another."

Honoka?

She nods, heading in that direction. "I'll get to it."

Sakura takes the long way to her office, popping in on different floors just to make rounds and let others see her face. By the time she gets on the floor where most offices lay, the eerie quiet slow her steps. Suspicion builds at this 'something', Honoka needs. Walking to the door of her office heightens said suspicions as an overwhelming smell of clean tickle her nose and the telltale whispers behind the door give her all of the evidence she needs.

Still, her heart leaps when she opens it to a chorus of 'Welcome Back' ringing out.

"What's all this?" Sakura laughs, arms open for the delicious sweets being shoved her way.

Honoka emerges from the crowd holding two cups of wafting hot tea. "It's your first day back! We thought we'd have a little celebration."

A little celebration indeed. Maybe four or five doctors join in the celebration, surrounded by treats in a particularly immaculate office.

"Someone asked for confetti but that would ruin the work our new residence put in with cleaning your office," Honoka informs and nods towards the back. "No more empty chip bags or old tea cups."

A light blush colors her face. Sakura lets out an embarrassed huff. "Thanks, I think. Thank you, all of you."

"Don't think us. Thank Tsunade-sama for letting us." Honoka beams.

Shishou. Sakura thinks. "Is she here?"

From the crowd, conveniently hidden behind her chair, Tsunade raises from her seat at the desk. "You thought I'd miss your Welcome Back party and a chance for sake?"

Green eyes widen and swing to Honoka. "You bought sake?"

"She did!" Honoka points and then gestures to the bottle amongst the desserts. "I wasn't going to say no to Tsunade-sama."

Sakura only shakes her head, eating treats and sipping tea with her fellow medical professionals. The party is light at best and only last a few minutes before people need to get back to work. They finish the sake, at least. Sakura evenly distributes it amongst the staff to keep her Shishou sober the rest of the day.

Tsunade makes an offhand comment from her vantage near the small side window, looking at the back view of Konoha. As things die down, Honoka takes to cleaning up what little bits are left before leaving.

"I'll go prep your work and be back...later." the young woman informs before closing the door behind her.

Now alone, Sakura partly sits on her desk, waiting for what she knows is coming.

Her former mentor offers a haughty and knowing smirk. "So. How does it feel to be back?"

Sakura exhales a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Amazing. I never thought I'd miss the smell of this place but as soon as I walked in a felt it."

"The girls really went all out with the welcome back party." she nods towards the number of wrapped things on the desk.

"I wouldn't exactly call it a party." Sakura corrects, walking to meet her mentor near the window. "It was more a loud greeting with treats."

"We couldn't exactly have all of the medical staff singing your praises while patients lay waiting."

"True.." Sakura agrees and looks out into the winter morning.

Seconds slip by before Tsunade crosses her arms, facing away towards the office. "Anything else you want to add?"

Sakura tilts her head to get a better view. "About?"

"You weren't sent on a furlough for nothing." Tsunade chimes. "That time was meant to be used wisely."

"You strictly forbade me from working." Sakura deadpans.

Tsunade snorts. "And I guess Honoka was ferrying books back and forth for her own sake?"

The pinkette gasped, turning her head fully in disbelief. "You knew?"

"Of course, I knew!" The blonde rolls her eyes. "The minute those items left your office, I knew you were up to no good. I even told Kakashi you would find a workaround. But we expected you to."

The news isn't entirely surprising. There were several times when Sakura asked Honoka if she was followed. The fact that no one raised alarm bells at the sheer amount of information the young woman was funneling to her was an alarm in itself.

It couldn't be helped, I guess.

"You two schemed to force me to focus my efforts." Sakura determines, crossing her arms just the same.

"Basically." Tsunade freely admits before turning to her with a serious look. "Were our efforts in vain?"

Sakura considers the events of the night before and the nights leading up to that night. Solution-wise, she feels she hit a gold mine. But without Itachi's agreement, it would remain an untouched treasure.

Disappointment shows up on her face and she looks away. "I found...something. Something that I think could work. I just have to convince Itachi to go along with it."

Before her former teacher can ask, a series of knocks draw both of their attention to the door.

"Forgive me Sakura-sama, Tsunade-sama but we need Tsunade-sama in neurology."

The blonde sighs before pushing off the window seal. "We'll finish this later. Go make your rounds. I'm sure Honoka is waiting for you at the start of it."

Sakura nods, retrieving her doctor's coat from the rake before leaving out behind her Shishou. Honoka meets her with a handful of clipboards. In every room they stop in, the check-ups take a little longer than usual. People were excited to have her back and Sakura shares their thrill. They converse about little and big things, her catching up on the things she's missed and them feeling reassured that she hadn't fallen off the planet.

Honoka sticks with her until she is called away for her patients, leaving Sakura to fulfill the rest of her obligation on her own. It's a simple task and the morning passes without consequence. It isn't until she's back at her desk with tempura and backed up paperwork did it occur to her that she received no word from Weasel.

Maybe he did come out of hiding. Sakura reasons, having no bases to believe the Anbu would lie to her.

She refocuses on the task at hand, signing documents and familiarizing herself with older case files. She falls back into the natural rhythm of her medical life. The only thing missing is the patient she desperately wanted to see. As it stands, Kai was discharged days ago but would be back for a follow-up in the days ahead. Without the boy physically there, Sakura scratches an itch that's been plaguing her for days. Finally finished with things in her office, she ventures to the lab where indeed the smell of clean hospital and chemicals and cures makes her shiver with joy.

Honoka left notes on things that were done while she was away. Sakura glosses over them before setting up her workstation for blood samples. Fluttering about the room looking for the right materials, she can't quite contain her excitement and finally being back here and perhaps one step closer to figuring out a miracle cure.

With things in place, she pulls her chair close to her workstation and sterilizes her hands before putting on gloves. The chilled samples of Kai and Itachi's blood are placed in holders for easy reach. Sakura changes the tops of each for those that could be punctured with a needle. She does Kai's first, extracting a small amount of blood, spreading it on a clean dish then sprinkling a blood stain on it before viewing it under a microscope.

"Let's see what's going on inside here…"

The blood changes colors and several white blood cells stand apart from the red ones. She takes the measures, counting and recounting before jotting down the information and repeats the experiment several more times.

Kai's white blood cell count is compared to the normal levels. She expects as much since a majority of his issue is inflammation. Inflammation is an indication of an immune response. But she is more interested to see how the immune system is responding, not whether is. After doing a complete blood cell count, she makes another table in her notes and switches equipment for a more in-depth study. Knowing Kai has a high white blood cell is one thing but knowing what kinds of white blood cells are swimming around in his blood will give her greater clarity.

She doesn't know how long she spends smearing blood, staining, and counting. But the process is repeated over and over and over again until she is satisfied with the data for all four types of white blood cells as well as antibodies. With Kai out of the way, Sakura spends the rest of her evening doing the same thing with Itachi's blood.

The test takes up almost all of her evening and night. The results, she will have by late morning tomorrow.

"I'll leave it here for now." She says then yawns, pushing away from the desk for a stretch. "I'm surprised Shishou didn't come to get me. Maybe I can catch her tomorrow morning before things get too busy."

The medic packs up her things, leaving most of the supplies where they lay and the samples in an incubator so the results would be more conclusive.

Ascending the stairs towards the main hospital, Sakura smiles a greeting at night nurses happy to see her. She goes to her office and takes the rest of the desserts from her 'party' earlier, stacks them up to carry to the breakroom.

"Better here than at home where Itachi would eat all of it in a single day." she jokes to herself then pauses in the room as a sudden nervousness gives her butterflies.

"...if he's even homes" she whispers, then shakes her head. She places the snacks in the fridge, preserving a few goodies for herself before taking her leave.

Opting to walk, Sakura forcibly meanders the roads. Taking little side trips, peeking through shop windows, and pausing at interesting restaurant signs. She has little desire to buy from any of these places now. But the longer she takes, the higher the chance her partner will be home.

As businesses and stalls disappear, and commercial buildings turn more residential, Sakura clenches her package of snacks tighter.

Why am I nervous? She questions and ducks her chin deeper into her coat. What does it matter if he's home or not?

She hasn't seen Itachi for almost a full day, and not of her own volition either. He's the one who left this time.

That would be all fine and good if I didn't have to write a report on him every single day. What am I supposed to tell Kakashi if I haven't seen him?

Her home gets closer with every step of her heels on the sidewalk. Pushing down the anxiety in her chest, her chakra searches for two familiar signatures as the single-family home comes into view.

"He's not here," she says to herself, glancing at the roof of her house for Weasel to make an appearance. But the Anbu doesn't show and the darkness emitting from inside means the place is just as she left it.

Upon opening the door, her theory is confirmed.

Almost.

The lingering scent of cooked food lets her know he had come by at some point in the day. A quick check of the fridge shows that he had indeed taken the recommended dosage of medicine before disappearing into the night once again.

Sakura can only huff, stuffing the desserts around newly stocked groceries before fixing her dinner.

"If he's with Weasel then he should be fine," she reassures herself.

Moving the vegetables around her plate, Sakura stares across the kitchen table. "I guess I'll just tell Kakashi he's been working? That's technically true...He's being watched so basically the probation isn't being violated. I'm sure Kakashi will understand that he needs some time alone…"

She hesitates, glancing over her shoulder towards the living room before going back to her food.

One day shouldn't hurt...He's always understood my need for space.

The food goes down slowly. Sakura cleans her dishes and checks the street through the window over the sink. After putting everything away, she ventures upstairs for a much-needed bath. Soaking up in water up to her chin, Sakura closes her eyes and thinks of samples and cures. The information she found tonight leans credence to her hypothesis. There were more white blood cells than red. That alone isn't enough and she thinks of ways to isolate those samples until her bathwater runs cold.

Exiting the tub, she dries herself and dawns only a bathroom to venture back downstairs.

"No reason I can't get a bit more reading in." Going towards the chest of drawers filled with medical text, she gathers ones of interest and brings them to her bedroom. She finishes her night routine, changing into something comfortable and warm before crawling into bed with books. Splaying them on her partner's side of the bed, she cozies up to the biggest book under warm bedside lighting. With every turn of the page, her eyes grow heavier. Sakura resists until she can't anymore.

She jerks awake to a noticeable emptiness. The lingering scent of breakfast makes her glare. She goes to the hospital without stopping by the Compound this time. Her first thought is to find Tsunade but it seems her Shishou has been called away by the Hokage for something.

"Great," Sakura grumbles. "So much for that advice."

Sakura makes her rounds, helps with an unscheduled surgery then confines herself to her lab for more testing. She makes a fresh batch of medicine for both Itachi and Kai. Notes down the findings of her research from the day before then adds a couple of tests to the list for the following day.

A quick check with other doctors reveals that Tsunade is still tied up with Kakashi so Sakura leaves significantly earlier than the day before, hoping to beat her wayward partner home.

She doesn't linger near shops this time. Determined steps get her to her front door in less than twenty minutes.

"Are you kidding me?" The pinkette glares at the roof of her house as the only chakra signature around is her own.

She opens the door and once again, dinner is there but Itachi is not.

"One night excusable. Two questionable. But three is pushing it, Itachi!" She yells to the wind and slams the door. Then opens it again just in case.

"Where are you?" she gripes between clenched teeth, trying to find his chakra signature.

But she can't and hasn't been able to for the last three days. People only hide such a thing when they don't want to be found. If Itachi is where he claims, there would be no reason to hide from her.

So why? Why don't you want me to know?

Her chest tightens. Sakura swallows, willing herself not to worry or think the worse. He's not making this easy. But what do I tell Kakashi now? How many days do you need to visit your mother?

She grimaces at how heartless her thoughts sound. "It would be a really stupid idea to screw up four years of trust on a whim like this…"

Sakura reassures herself, closing the door and going to the kitchen. "Don't think the worse, Sakura. He's just visiting his mother, Sakura. Anbu is with him. There is no way Weasel would collude with Itachi knowing Kakashi would know…"

Even to her, the argument is weak. One conversation with the man doesn't mean he is trustworthy. Do I have a choice?

"Ugh!" she slams the bowl down on the counter, sending hairline cracks through the porcelain. "Oh no…!" seconds later, it shatters in her hands, sending shards all over the floor.

"Damn it!"

Stepping away from the sink, she grabs the broom and cleans the mess. Opting out of eating what Itachi cooked, she finishes off the desserts from her party and forces herself to into being okay with writing a half-ass report to Kakashi about Itachi's day. She rolls the missive and seals it before summoning one of her slugs to pass on the message.

Sakura pushes for sleep. Ignores breakfast in the morning and goes to work as if nothing is bothering her.

By the fifth day of this same cycle, the kunoichi has had enough of explaining away his behavior. She is not inclined to get Weasel in trouble but she most certainly doesn't plan to go down with whatever ship Itachi is sailing in.

"If anyone asks for me, tell them I went to lunch," Sakura tells Honoka.

"Any place in particular?" The brunette asks.

Sakura pauses at her office door, thinking over the question. "Somewhere absolutely ambiguous so it takes the person while."

She grins and Honoka shrugs just the same. "You got it, boss!"

Leaving Honoka in charge of her patients, for the time being, the kunoichi ventures first to the Uchiha Compound. It's late afternoon, almost evening, but Itachi should be there.

There's no way he's finished his work before mine. Mouth fixed in a determined frown, she scales Konoha's buildings and crosses the town in record time. Perched atop the Compound walls, she expects Weasel to make a thunderous appearance like before. However, a closer look reveals very little activity.

Sakura drops gracefully to the ground and walks through the construction zone towards the dumpsters in the center of the old residence. From what she can see, the work seems to be moving fast if they are already this far into the interior.

"It only begs the question, where is everyone?" Sakura grumbles. She turns a corner and then pauses before a propped-open door to a home.

"Hello?" she calls, cautiously peering inside. Immediately her senses heighten as whatever jutsu surrounds this place flickers in and out of focus. In mere seconds everything settles and the prick of chakra dissipates into nothing. For safe measure, she weaves signs to repel genjutsu before stepping inside. Nothing stops her as she explores what once was a living area but is now laid bare with only a few original items remaining.

There's no indicator to say whose house this used to be. Any personal artifacts have been removed already. Yet she pauses a moment in the center of the room, glancing about her as the reality of this place settles around her. Someone used to live here. Maybe a single person, a couple, or even a family.

"They lived and died in this place…" she whispers, swallowing the heaviness of her thoughts.

A chill makes her rub her arms. Sakura walks around a corner, entering the kitchen. Whatever works is happening here, seems to have stopped here. Gloves and hardhats lay on the table. Walking closer, there's a note on the counter denoting where things are to be placed. Fingers graze the unused wood. Sakura does a walk about the place before going back into the living room. Something about being in an old Uchiha residence gives her an eerily feeling.

"Heck, if I had to work in a place let this all day, I'd need a break too," she mutters to herself.

If she feels slightly uncomfortable, there's no telling what her partner feels daily.

Going back into the late winter air, Sakura wanders a bit more, even going so far as the main house. But a heavy padlock on the outside reassures her no one could be inside.

"If Itachi were here, Weasel would have found me by now. Or I would have sensed them."

Fingers graze the dark wood of the front door before laying her palm flat against it. She's pretty sure Itachi and Sasuke's parents died in this house. While neither of the Uchiha boys was forthcoming with the events of that night, it isn't hard to imagine the trauma that must have gone on here. Or the horror Sasuke faced. Or the tragedy Itachi sparked.

Green eyes lower with the setting sun. Sakura lingers a moment, looking at the lock, wondering what that night must have been like.

I wouldn't be able to set foot in this place, let alone spend extended amounts of time here.

Taking a deep breath, she mentally checks the Compound off her list and steps off the family porch.

Her destination is obvious. The trip to Konoha's Shinobi Cemetery is a short one. Although she isn't going there to visit the dead, she pauses to clean her hands at the purification fountain and say a brief prayer before ringing the bell. Sakura shakes her hands dry and inhales chunks of fresh air to empty her mind of respect as she crosses under the tori gate. Careful to stay on the stone path lit with glowing pale yellow lanterns, Sakura weaves between rows of black limestone markings. A village within a village, the land is divided both by family, status, and wealth. She crosses a small wooden bridge that separates part of the open field by a small slow-moving creek, then continues towards a large oak tree nestled in the left corner of the Konoha Cemetery. Inscribed on the tree is a very large and very noticeable Uchiha clan symbol. Next to it, is a shorter marble obelisk etched with half-truths.

Sakura pauses and rereads the tragic events that led to hundreds of Uchihas being buried all at once. The description is painfully vague, only mentioning that the clan was slain in one night for unclear reasons. She brushes her fingers over the cold marble before walking past it towards a grove of beech trees swaying gently in the wind. From experience, she knows there is a jutsu here that prevents most from being able to enter this portion of the graveyard.

As the matriarch of the Uchiha family, Sakura is one of the very few privileged with access to this place. For good reason considering the valuable information laid to rest here. She weaves the necessary hand signs to undo the protective seal and then steps inside. Sakura feels the prick in her chakra but knows it's the complex jutsu verifying her chakra signature. After a few seconds, the imaginary forest opens to a neighborhood of headstones.

As far as the eye can see, hundreds of them, big and small lay evenly spaced between soft blades of grass. Sakura bows both her respect and thanks to all who lay here, but she's not looking for any of these. For at the center of them all, surrounded by a small wrought iron fence lay two equally sized tombs, side by side. Elegantly decorated in the same white marble as the obelisk, these two graves, overlooking all of the rest, speak volumes about the two laid to rest here.

Sakura ventures close, following the marked path towards them. She already knows even before getting around to the front of them but she makes the journey anyway.

Itachi is not here. But he has been here. The flowers surrounding the graves look freshly planted. Even the ones around Sasuke's heap of stone look new.

"He changed the offerings as well," she says, glancing between the two tombs and the unmarked stone under a beech tree directly to the left of where his parents lay. The evidence of what she assumes is very much here. Itachi has been visiting the graves. Her reports to Kakashi haven't been a complete lie but at some point, she will run out of creative ways of saying she hasn't seen him all day.

"So not at work and not here. Where else could he be?" Sakura looks back to the marble tombs decorated with uchiwa fans and the names of the fallen. She places a hand on Mikoto Uchiha's grave, settling her green eyes over the name. "Maybe you can give me some help with your son? He's acting strange and I gotta say, I'm not sure what to make it off it. He came to see you so...maybe you know something I don't?"

The kunoichi pauses for an answer, even scanning the sky for ravens. Nothing happens. Sakura sighs and shoves her hands in her coat pocket.

"He won't talk to me," Sakura confesses. "Who could blame him? But a bit of something would keep us both from being reprimanded. And he's not trying to be found. That's what makes this worse..."

Sakura trails off, settling her eyes back on the gravestones. "I guess you don't know either right?"

With growing trepidation, she turns towards a source of comfort. Making her way to where Sasuke lays, Sakura takes refuge under the tree looming over the unmarked grave. Itachi changed these flowers as well, even adding a small bowl of tomatoes.

"Figures Itachi would know your favorite food," Sakura grunts playfully, a waft of airy breath following her words.

The words settle around her and she blinks as an idea brews.

"Favorite foods...wait a minute," her brows come together as she looks at the entrance. "The tea shop! Itachi is almost always there!" Green eyes lit with possibility and she looks back to Sasuke. "Thanks, Sasuke."

She takes off running towards the genjutsu before doubling back and giving Mikoto's grave a brief squeeze. "You too!"

Heading out of the cemetery, Sakura goes to the teahouse her partner is known to frequent. A small hole in the wall place that doesn't look like it's changed from the time of the war, she lifts the bamboo flap to get inside. Finding a place to sit is easy in the moderately empty eatery, save a few customers and one familiar face.

But not the face she is looking for.

Great. She grumbles to herself and takes a few steps to get out of the doorway. No reason to waste a trip. Or keep building up my lying career.

Sakura stays for tea and takoyaki, thinking over her next move.

"I could go home," she muses, turning her head in that direction. "Or...and since I'm desperate here, check with Shikamaru to see if he's been spending all of his time there playing shogi..."

It's a long shot for sure. Shikamaru would have found her by now if Itachi were spending the night there.

Or at least Ino would have pulled her aside to inquire why her husband has been spending the next at her second best friend's house.

"I'm out of options though…"

"More tea, Uchiha-san?" the waitress asks.

"Hm?" the pinkette looks up and offers a soft smile. "No, thank you. I'm actually about to go."

The young woman blinks glancing at her plate and then her face. "You've hardly finished your food."

Sakura laughs nervously. "I know. I guess I wasn't as hungry as I thought. Is there any way I can get these to go please?"

"Certainly!" the waitress takes the small plate and Sakura drums her fingers on her teacup until both takeout and check come.

She pays and leaves a generous tip despite much insistence that it is unnecessary. Sakura steps onto the street, walking in no particular direction for a few minutes before deciding to check with Shikamaru and Temari first.

"If I'm going home, I'm staying home." she resolves to herself, thinking of the number of times she's left early these last few days just to look for Itachi.

Cradling her carry-out, she eases into the small crowd of people walking around. "He is my number one priority. Hospital or not, Itachi is my mission and I am still a shinobi. It would be nice if the subject of my mission wasn't playing the absolute worst game of hide and seek." she pouts.

Getting to the Nara house is relatively easy. When Temari comes to the door, all smiles and cordial manners, Sakura feels her stomach turn.

She has no idea why I'm here.

Her laugh is nervous. Sakura casually waves her hands in front of her face while Temari gestures toward the living.

"No, no, it's fine." she insists. "I only came by to ask if Itachi stopped by recently?"

"Itachi?" Temari's brow puckers a bit as she taps her chin. "Not since the last time we had dinner. Now that you mention it, he hasn't been around for his regular tea time with Shikamaru. Is he okay?"

"Erm, in a sense, yes. He's been under some stress with this whole construction project." Or at least that's what I think. "I thought maybe he stopped by here for some relief but maybe he's just out training or something. I'll check the grounds to see if I spot him."

Much to her gratitude, Temari doesn't inquire further. "Alright. I hope he gets it together. Shikamaru always talks about being stressed out working with Kakashi. Maybe it's the same."

"Probably. Anyways, sorry to just drop by and leave again."

Temari raises a hand in protest. "No apology needed. There's been plenty of times I had to hunt Shikamaru down in the Nara forest. Trust me, I get it."

With another brief promise to come back for more dinner and sake, the pinkette heads back to the hospital to do her final paperwork and walkthroughs. It takes all of a half hour and with strict instructions to Honoka to call her if any serious emergency arises, Sakura goes to the last place she can think of that Itachi could be: at home.

Her expectations are dangerously low. He hasn't been there for days now so him just magically showing up is unlikely. But she holds out a sliver of something, faith maybe, that he will put her mind at ease. As she nears the property that sliver dissolves into dread.

Sakura opens the door, the house quiet and vacant.

"I knew it," she mumbles, easing the door closed and glaring in the dark. "I knew it!"

Her fist hits the door. Sakura turns quickly at the sound of splintering wood. "Great! Now I'm going to have to get a new freaking door!"

She stomps through the house, throwing the takeout onto the nearest countertop. Sakura rubs her hands through her hair, then grabs the base of her neck trying to calm down.

"Itachi could literally be plotting the end of the world right now and I would have no freaking clue!"

She takes to pacing, trying to think of any other place he could be. "The training grounds, maybe? That's the only other place I can think of. Naruto would have spoken to me if Itachi were there. He doesn't talk to anyone else. So maybe he and Weasel are beating the crap out of each other to exhaustion."

A familiar tightness grips her chest.

God, not this. Squeezing her eyes shut, she rubs the edges of her temple. "Not going to freak out. I am not going to freak out."

The metallic taste in her mouth doesn't subside. Even as she takes slow inhales, her heartbeat steadily rises. She can't remember the last time she experienced a panic attack. The fact that one comes as a result of this situation is troubling enough on its own.

Shaking her hands, Sakura goes upstairs to run a bath and stave off a headache as well. Either that or lose her mind to Itachi's non-sense. She strips and gets in without waiting for the tub to fill. Sinking low, Sakura splashes water on her face and tries to think through the onslaught of pressure building at the base of her neck.

"I don't have a choice. I have to tell Kakashi or else I put myself at an even bigger risk." She sinks further into the water, sticking one foot directly under the faucet to feel the rushing water over her toes. "I highly doubt he's at the training grounds but I'll check anyway. After that, that's it. I'll have to take whatever consequences come from what happens over the next few days. Itachi will have to deal with his fallout. Weasel too."

Using her toes, she turns the knob until the water stops and dunks herself under, and emerges just as quickly. The warmth of the water eases some of the tension. Sakura leans her neck against the back of the tub and closes her eyes.

Itachi did this to him. She reasons. Even if he's going through something, I can't say that if I don't know that for sure. I don't want to be insensitive but what else can I do?

Sakura lets the water do the work, drawing up more pleasant memories until her body completely unwinds. She stays long enough to breathe normally, then washes slowly until the aching in her shoulders goes away. Upon exiting, Sakura grabs her bathrobe and secures it tightly around her then towel dries her freshly washed hair. She leaves the bathroom still cleaning water from her left ear when an uneasiness pulls her back straight.

Someone's here.

Fingers grip the towel tighter, still rubbing behind her ear to present an airy calm.

No person in their right mind would attempt to break into her house unless they had a death wish. But the unmistakable feeling of not being alone is very much there and she follows it towards her bedroom door.

A heartbeat goes by and she hesitates, wondering if it is just wishful thinking.

He couldn't have snuck in without me noticing something. Despite her thoughts, a deeper part of her hopes that's the case. But an even deeper part of her doubts that the situation would have changed.

If not him, then who else? A glance over her shoulder relieves nothing. Sakura swallows, pulse escalating. She grabs the door and pauses for a heartbeat before easing it open.

It's half ajar before everything stops.

Her arm goes limp as her fingers uncurl around the metal before dropping lifeless to her side.

Thoughts sputter and she opens her mouth to say something, anything. Words fail her. Thoughts fail her. She's worked herself up to the consequences, resolved to take whatever her form sensei threw at her for her carelessness.

None of that matters now because Itachi is here. Sitting quietly like a mouse with elbows resting on his thighs and fingertips touching.

Her breath hitches and the knots in her stomach shift up to her throat. There is so much to say, so much she can say at this moment. All of her emotions fight at once to be let loose.

Anger. Relief.

Hurt. Happiness.

Confusion. Suspicion.

She can't quite regulate or fully comprehend the fact that the thing that's kept her tossing and turning in the night is right there and in one piece. Not mulled by some wild animals in the woods. Not passed out in a pool of his blood. Not plotting the demise of Konoha. But in their bedroom at the edge of it facing away from her.

He came back…

Sakura takes a half step into the room before pausing, checking for suspicious pools of chakra. For all she knew, this could be an elaborate genjutsu cast by him or some stranger that's taken Itachi captive.

Itachi lifts his head slightly and she stills, watching his loose hair shift against his shoulders.

"There is no genjutsu, Sakura." Calm and in control.

It's really him.

Sakura's lip thins and she fights back against the sting in her eyes. Refusing to cry over the relief that takes hold, she lifts her hand to push the hair from her face and covertly wipes the corner of her eyes. She's forgotten about the towel in her left hand until this point. It isn't until the fabric brushes her cheek does she realize she'd been squeezing it the entire time.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, she waits to see if he has the gall to show his face. From her vantage, the only thing visible is a side profile of his face covered by a veil of loose hanging black hair. His chakra is equally concealed, raising both her concern and suspicion. She steps closer, literally and physically getting her footing as the reality of the situation settles.

"How do I know it's you and not some trick so I stop looking for you?" Sakura challenges.

The Uchiha sighs, long and heavy, then leans further into his elbows. He threads his fingers in an achingly familiar way.

She fights against the memories, waiting for his reply.

"If I were to cast a genjutsu, you would not be suspicious." She bristles at his answer but Itachi keeps going. "Ask what you should be asking, Sakura."

Her fingers flex at his tone, agitation threatening to take hold. "Are you threatening me?"

"No."

"Are you laughing at me?"

"I am here, Sakura." Itachi stresses.

"And that's supposed to replace the five days you've been missing?" Sakura challenges, "I spent the better half of my day looking for you all over this Village!"

"That was not my intention."

"Then what was? You better have a damn good reason, and I mean a damn good reason for being MIA for nearly a week." Sakura says darkly, just barely containing her flood of emotions.

Itachi shrugs one shoulder. "I was seeking a third opinion."

His lack of eye contact infuriates her further. She wants nothing more than to pull his head up, to at least acknowledge her existence. Her fingers twitch, ready but she holds back the very real desire to hit him. She can't tell what he's thinking. His voice is too even to discern if he is being sincere.

"A third opinion on our mission?" Sakura wagers, crossing her arms to hide her balled fist from herself. " Who exactly were you going to for five days? It wasn't your mother. I went there myself."

"I am aware of where you've been, Sakura." Itachi pauses, then turns his face away. "Perhaps another time, I will tell you where I..."

"No!" she yells, "You don't get to sit here and keep secrets like that! Did it also conveniently slip your mind that my first mission is to keep tabs on you? Did you forget that you are still on probation and don't have the liberty to go wherever the hell you want and not tell me where you've been?"

Itachi gives a little, huffing and shaking his head before raising it slightly. "I was with Anbu. Your presence was not needed."

"My presence is always needed, damn it!" she flings her arms out, sweeping around the room. "Weasel isn't the one who has to report to Kakashi every day. I do!"

Itachi inhales, grabbing his knees. But it only makes her snort at his seemingly indifferent attitude to her worry.

"Weasel has his reports," Itachi supplies. "You spoke with him. You are aware of his dedication to his assignment. Why are you-"

Her temper flares and she stomps her foot in anger. "Weasel isn't the one who's been lying to the Hokage to cover your ass for the past five damn days!"

"-Sakura," Itachi tries to interrupt but she talks over him.

"Shut up and let me finish." she scolds, narrowing her eyes at him. "I don't give a damn what he puts in his reports. For all I know he could be covering for you. If not, you couldn't've given me a least a reason to not assume that were the case?"

Itachi's hand reaches up quicker than she can back away, squeezing her wrist and tugging her closer. She tetters off balance, shuffling towards him before digging her heels into the floor.

"Sakura-" Itachi calls tightly.

"Let me go!" she pumps chakra into her wrist, forcing him to quickly move his hand.

He hisses, then heaves. Sakura pauses, watching as his hand goes to his chest.

"...Sa-kura." He wheezes. "I need...your…"

Green eyes slowly widen. Itachi's breathe hitches then gurgles.

Shit!

Everything stills for the milliseconds it takes for him to curl in on himself. Panic grips her as he groans, a violent cough makes his entire body shake and teeter.

"No no no no no no!"

Sakura drops to her knees before he can hit the floor, catching him and pulling him down to where she is. Itachi falls with her, gripping her with his free hand. She uses her strength to prompt him against the bed, then situates herself in a high kneel in front of him.

"I got you. I got you." she soothes, holding him close as both of them shake with his rattling cough.

It passes but another comes right after it. She crouches a bit, grabbing his face and pushing away his hair for a better view.

"You're so clammy..." she mutters face contorting into worry at the dark circles under his eyes. "What the hell have you been doing, Itachi?'

Green ignites between them and she pushes her hands against his chest. Mere seconds into her examination and she finds a plethora of swollen blood vessels, with a hefty pool of fluid wreaking havoc on his lungs.

Itachi slumps forward, struggling for breath. She gives him her shoulder to lean on, sitting back on her heels so his chest covers hers. It's not the best position in the world. If she could have her way, she would have moved him to the bed. But she doubts Itachi can move even if she wants him to. Instead, she embraces him in a hug, cradling his body against hers while pumping medical chakra into his body from the back.

The fluid in his lungs is the biggest problem. Without a bowl to deposit it in, the best she can do is thin it enough to pull it into his bloodstream. His immune system would have to take over from there.

She sets to work thinning the liquid. Itachi hisses and fidgets but she holds him still in her embrace.

"Sorry but there's no time to numb you. I know it's irritating. Bear with it for a little while." she soothes. "Hold on to me if you need to."

He does, circling and squeezing her waist hard. She tries not to wince but knows it's much worse for him with her chakra piecing a vital organ.

Another cough rattles through and she stops until it settles, then goes back to work.

"Can you slide forward?" she whispers into his hair. "If not I'll move you."

He grunts then, using her for purchase, scoots as close as he can get before she has to adjust. It's an awkward position but she straddles one of his legs anyway. His labored breathing is enough to make her forget she's sitting on his thigh. The medic reaches further down his curved back, trying to get to the very bottom of his lungs where a stubborn pool conglomerated.

She loses track of time as she heals him, refusing to relax until she feels her partner breathing a little easier and his lungs clear. From there she deals with the inflamed blood vessels as best she can. With his head on her shoulder, she takes advantage of his position to check his eyes. Brushing aside his hair, she lays her hand on the side of his face, cupping it gently.

Don't you die on me, damn it.

Itachi's eyes slip closed and he exhales slowly against her robe. It's not the easiest thing to check both eyes from one side but she skillfully navigates the delicate intricacies of one eye to get through to the other. She stays perfectly still, watching the way he takes slow, rough breaths. She counts every shutter, listening for any rattles that should not be there. His eyes appear uninjured and she finds relief in that fact alone. Sakura then checks his pulse and blood pressure with a finger on his neck, frowning at how high it is.

He's probably getting a fever. No doubt that's why he's so clammy.

Her hand goes back to his sweat-slicked forehead, pushing further into his hairline to check his temperature. Definitely feverish.

Her hands drift to his cheeks again. She checks his eyes once more for good measure. The hand on his back lights up for a final inspection of his lungs.

"That looks better, just a bit of pleuritis, which is normal. It will go away on its own." Sakura brushes her thumb over his cheek to keep him awake. "Does it hurt when you breathe?"

She knows the answer already. Pleuritis usually causes sharp pain upon inhaling. But she doesn't want him to doze off.

Itachi doesn't verbally respond, tugging at the folds in her robe instead. She nods in return, getting the message. With his life out of danger, she teeters between annoyance at having all of her hard work nearly undone and gratitude that he came back before things got considerably worse.

"You are not going to the Uchiha Compound tomorrow, do you understand?" she tells him.

"Hnn." It's gravely and rough but it's a response.

"You'll probably have a fever by morning. This is what happens when you stay out all hours of the night for days on end."

"Hnn."

"And when you're under high stress." Sakura accuses, tilting her face away to get a good look at

Itachi says nothing, holding her gently but refusing to let go. Sakura stays put, thinking perhaps he needs to get his bearings. Unsure of what to do with her hands, she places them on his shoulder, prepared to push him off when the time comes.

"You can pretend that nothing is wrong but I can see that's a lie. Your body is telling on you even if your mouth won't." she hesitates, swallowing as she tries to formulate words. With a resigned huff, she squeezes his shoulder. "...I know I'm probably the last person qualified to accuse anyone of mismanaging feelings. Take me as an example of what not to do when things aren't together. You've been acting off and disappearing in the middle of the night at what could arguably be a pivotal time in our mission speaks volumes."

Itachi shifts and she clumsily hold on to him as he bends the leg she is sitting on. Sakura feels herself blush when his nose brushes against her chin and stills complete as he whispers against her collarbone. "There were several things I needed at the moment."

She rolls her eyes. "Like a third opinion from a stranger, you won't tell me about?"

"It's complicated."

"Well uncomplicate it. I'm not covering for you again."

Itachi shivers. Sakura waits for him. "Would that soothe you?"

"I don't need soothing or for you to tell me what you think I want to hear. The truth would be nice though. I don't want to advance my career as a professional liar."

"That is not what I want either."

"Great." she counters sarcastically, "Now that we've gotten that established, what do you want?"

Of all things, Itachi snorts quietly and it does nothing to stop her heart from racing.

"A fourth opinion." he hedges.

Unsure of what else to say, she asks the only thing that comes to mind. "What happened to the third opinion?'

"He is unbelievably insufferable at times and purposely vague."

"Who?"

For the first time that night, Itachi hesitates. Sakura's brow piqued at the sudden feeling of tension in his body. For a second she thinks he's going to cough and braces for the action that never comes.

"Who is it? Where have you been, Itachi?" Voice soft, gently encouraging she prompts him to keep going.

He huffs, and she feels his lashes catch against her skin as his eyes close. She isn't sure what to make of his fidgeting. Itachi never seemed so unsure and it makes her worry more than his disappearance does. Seconds go by, then a minute and perhaps more. Sakura bites her lip, waiting. If not for the fact that their house is ungodly quiet, Sakura would have missed the gently whispered name. Her brows raise slowly.

"Who?" she asks, not because she didn't hear but because the name sounds like no one she knows.

Itachi lets out a disgruntled sigh and says it marginally louder.

"Shisui."

That's what she thinks she hears the first time. Her mind races, trying to put a face to the name but drawing a blink. "Shisui who?"

The hands around her waist grip tighter, as if bracing himself for something. Which makes Sakura brace herself for the answer.

"...Uchiha, Shisui." Itachi finally says and Sakura's eyes widen.

An Uchiha? No way! "You are the only Uchiha in Konoha, Itachi. Unless you're out here talking to ghosts, I think 'Shisui' is playing some kind of trick on you."

"Does it surprise you that the dead find me?" he challenges, "I was once with them."

Her mouth opens then closes again. Is he serious? Sakura tries to think of something, anything to make sense of what he just said. Because Itachi is talking about talking to dead people. If that's the case and he's hallucinating that bad, then things must be so much worse than she originally thought.

I'm no psychologist but I'm sure talking to your dead comrades is a sure sign of a mental breakdown.

Her lips thin and hesitate in answering him. When was the last time she had to cradle someone through a psychotic break? Longer than she can remember.

Shishou trained me for this but...what am I supposed to tell him? What if he does see a ghost because he was technically once a ghost?

She draws on her what she knows and moves her hands to circle his shoulders and ground him at the moment. Nearly five years and he's only mentioned the dead now. So this has to be something new...and probably freaking him out even if he won't use those words.

Opening her mouth, she grunts closes it, and tries for something different. "How often is the dead finding you?"

"Every day." he says offhandedly, "Shisui is the only one I speak to regularly. The rest pass in shadows."

"At the Uchiha Compound?"

"Mostly, yes. But Shisui is...elsewhere."

Sakura frowns at his words, subconsciously looking around the room for the phantom. "Is he here?"

Itachi pauses then nods. "Rarely."

"Is he somewhere else?" she gently presses. "Does he...follow you?"

Itachi takes his time with whispering his answer into her robe. "He is at the place where he fell."

She nods slowly, not quite understanding his vagueness. "Is that place where you've been these five days?"

"Hnn." before she can inquire further, he pulls that line of thinking to a halt. "Perhaps another time, I will tell you where."

Sakura surprises herself as a flicker of jealousy makes her frown. Wherever this place is, Itachi did not go there alone. Weasel was with him and probably has been with him every time he visits his dead friend.

He can know but I can't.

It puts Weasel's words about Itachi into perspective. They did share some kind of bond, a bond her partner did not want her to share just yet. Sakura isn't quite sure how to receive that information, but Itachi is lifting his head and pushing her off of him. She moves automatically, not that he is giving her much choice. He practically does the work himself and she has to scramble to get up and catch him from swaying as he stands.

"Slow down," she fusses, grabbing his arm and stopping him from leaving the room.

Dark eyes slide her way before looking towards the door. "I need a bath."

"Then let me do it." Sakura forces him towards the bed. "The last thing I need is to heal broken bones because you fell."

He doesn't argue, sitting back down on his side of the bed. As she moves his legs to get him further back, Itachi mumbles an apology.

"Yeah, yeah. Tell me how sorry you are tomorrow when you're stuck in this house with a fever."

"Would it put you at ease to know I have come to a conclusion about your proposed solution?" Itachi asks.

Sakura pulls back just a bit. "What would put me at ease is not having to clear your lungs from gunk. What would put me at ease is knowing you are okay physically and mentally. I swore an oath to keep you healthy, Itachi. I'm not about to go back on my word because you refuse to take medical leave when you clearly need one."

She stands, dusting her hands before leaving the room. Turning on the water, she sits at the tub's edge, hand under running water as it warms. As much as she wants to press him about his hallucinations, that is not her field of study.

I'll have to get one of the village's psychs to come to do an eval. Kakashi is going to want to know this as well. They'll have to tweak the timeline on that project a bit. I'm sure Shikamaru can take over for a little while at least.

As the water comes up to temperature she allows it to fill, then goes back into the room to help her wayward partner to his feet. Sakura escorts him to the bathroom and stands outside with strict instructions that he changes while sitting down. When he gives her the okay that he is indeed inside the water, she goes to the room to put on proper clothes and then dons her robe again in case she needs to help him out of the water.

"Are you finished?" she asks with three swift knocks.

The sound of swishing water reaches her ears. Sakura leans against the door, listening for anything suspicious. Moments later, she hears the water drain. She cracks it open, averting her eyes while holding out one article of clothing to him at a time. If he stops reaching then she knows something is wrong. As soon as he is dressed, Itachi opens the door and she follows behind him to the bed.

Wordless he crawls in, getting under the covers without her prompting. Sakura watches him like a hawk before turning off the lights and going downstairs.

She goes through the motions of making tea in the middle of the night, thinking through what just happened. Itachi is home but hardly healthy. He's been trying to hold himself together, going so far as seeking out dead people.

She frowns as she crushes green tea leaves.

"Anger is pointless if I did the same thing a few years ago. I didn't think it was that bad though…"

Her thoughts trail off as the kettle whistles. She adds the crushed leaves to the teapot, pours the hot water over a strainer, and closes the lid. Sakura takes her tea upstairs, sitting things down on her nightstand before going back downstairs to grab a book for reading and a scroll to write her report for the day. Moving quietly about the house, she turns off the lights and puts things away before going into her bedroom and closing the door.

Even breathing greets her and she moves to Itachi's side of the bed to check him.

"Fast asleep, huh," she whispers then places a hand on his forehead. Sure enough, he's running a fever. Sparse red blotches on his face further confirm what she knows. Pressing an ear to his chest, she listens and smiles. "That's a good thing at least."

Sakura rearranges the sheets to fit more snug around him then sets her things to venture through the house once more.

Going back downstairs, she gets cold compresses from the freezer, wraps them in a towel then lays them on his forehead. Sakura takes her time with getting into her side of the bed, forfeiting their divider for easy reach in case he needs her.

Using her dim table light, Sakura goes about making her report for Kakashi. She does her best to be as thorough as possible without incriminating either of them.

Sakura meant it when she said she wouldn't cover for him anymore but she also didn't want to add more stress than Itachi was already under. She includes her medical advice to take time off and request a psych evaluation in the coming days. She adds his odd behavior to the list and delicately explains that he sees the faces of the dead at his former home.

Writing it out leaves her feeling drained. She sits back against the headboard, curling her legs under her as she stares out into dim light. Tea in hand, Sakura sips tentatively, thinking over the things Itachi said and what they could mean.

He says ghosts visit every day. Is it every day since his resurrection or every day since starting this project? It has to be something new. I've never seen him so out of sorts until these last few weeks.

Green eyes wander to her wayward partner, taking in the weariness of his features. Itachi is older than her by a few years and at this moment it shows. The dark circles under his eyes and elongated tear ducts tell of stories and happenings and things she doesn't even know.

I wonder what the ghost says to him. Are they nice or vengeful? Shisui seems nice, must be if Itachi is going to talk to him.

Sakura frowns, sitting her empty tea cup aside to remove the cold compress and wipe at the condensation building on his skin.

Shisui must be to him what Sasuke was for me. Her heart clenches in an odd cocktail of sympathy and empathy.

If that's the case, I can't be angry at him for leaving. But I'm not…Sakura admits to herself and pulls away from him to go back downstairs.

Switching the now thawed compress for a frozen one, she takes her time with going back upstairs, pausing at Itachi's side.

"I'm not angry at you because you left, just so you know." She whispers to his sleeping form as she works. "I just wanted to know that you were okay…"

And I was right in being worried because clearly, you weren't.

With a heavy sigh so goes back to bed, grabbing her book for something to do to stay awake. As the night waxes on, she changes the towel and the compress and checks his temperature and his lungs. When the worst of it seems to pass, she settles down next to him, watching him sleep until she falls asleep herself.

When Sakura insists he stay home, Itachi does not argue. There is no reason or room to. He intends to ride through his fever alone. But Sakura's chakra settles over their home like a barrier. Every once in a while, as he drifts in and out of sleep, he can feel her moving about. Never too far away should he need anything. Even in a haze, he is very much aware of her presence. And the presence of others that come by.

Despite his lethargy, he picks up on Kakashi's entrance to their home. Eyes fluttering, Itachi turns towards the door. It's distinctly dark, letting him know the late hour of the Hokage's visit.

The light from the hall slips through the small crack in the door, casting shifting shadows onto the floor. A whispered conversation keeps his eyes open only enough to gather bits and pieces. Sakura's chakra matches the tone of her voice: hushed and tight. He doesn't know what it means, but judging by the way she regulates her voice, he reasons it can't be great.

Kakashi is just as pensive, but he can make out the jest of everything. Sakura delicately relays their conversation from the night before. She doesn't mention Shisui by name and he's grateful for that. But she stresses the need for an evaluation, something he does not want.

Kakashi doesn't seem at all surprised, readily agreeing and adding something else that he couldn't make out.

Itachi sighs, turning away and closing his eyes. His wants don't matter at this moment, it would seem. They decide without setting a time or getting his opinion on the matter. A small huff escapes him. The conversation in the hall pauses a moment. He turns away as the door slowly creaks open.

"Is everything okay, Sakura?" Kakashi inquires.

"Yeah," Sakura answers though her chakra tells a different story. She is concerned. "I thought I heard something but I must have imagined it."

The door closes seconds later. Itachi lets his fever lull him back to sleep. When he wakes again, the sun shines through the window and his energy is higher. He pulls himself up, legs dragging over the edge of the bed. Itachi waits a few seconds to get his bearings then eases to a stand. Sakura's chakra lingers but isn't close by.

She is not here.

A surprise considering her behavior the day before. He sighs, getting himself together for the day. His forced medical leave means he has the day off. Sakura makes sure that his time at home has minimal responsibilities. There's a note on the fridge with instructions for her premade breakfast and a tonic Temari made to help combat the effects of his fever. Lunch is premade as well, only requiring him to warm it up in a skillet.

He eats the rice and soup with the tonic alone in the kitchen, then moves to their living room. Sakura also ensures he is plenty occupied. His shogi setup is all ready to go, a silent clue as to what she expects him to do while she's away. Itachi walks around the set, opting to recline in the back doorway with a view of their garden and small pond outside. Opening the sliding doors lets more natural light in. The day is particularly sunny with a cool enough draft that he can comfortably mingle the temperatures outside with the heat from indoors. Itachi settles down on the sill on the inner door, closer to the heat, and stretches one leg along the length of it while the other bends and holds his resting arm. His mind wanders while gazing lazily at the sunny horizon, thinking and rethinking options and opportunities. He'd tasked Sakura with finding the solution to their problem, trusted that she would not disappoint. She'd proved him right but Itachi was not prepared for her offer nor his reaction to it.

Fingers curl then uncurl as he fights against his disgust at how rash he was that night. Itachi had every intention of going to his mother, and did go to see her but was met with silence instead.

Dark eyes slowly close. Itachi listens to the water as the wind gently stirs it. His resolve keeps him from falling to pieces but there's a pang of guilt that lingers. Guilt for leaving as he did and guilt for taking away. The guilt he's wrestled with all week. Guilt runs deeper than his current mission and into a much deeper part of his life.

Okasan.

Would she come to him this time like Izumi or Shisui? Would she pass by in shadows like he sees while at the Uchiha Compound? Did she understand why he's been looking for her these last few days? He has already decided on what he will do. But the choice is deeply personal, something he had long since let go of. Something only they share and to do so without her feels wrong.

Okasan.

Itachi's jaw flexes and he feels himself giving over to emotions again. All of them. Just like the day before and the other days past.

It's been such a long time since he's truly felt these feelings of longing, of missing. There are very few things that call back to the days before the Massacre. Itachi knew going into this project that some things would be remembered. He'd felt himself fissure at the thought of leading a clan again like his father always wanted. But there is something about being presented with the opportunity his mother wanted for him that brings it all down.

He could not hold it back or reason it away in his mind. He couldn't talk himself into being okay. So he let it happen and went in search of the only woman in the world who fully understood him.

But she would not come.

Shisui tried to reassure him but Itachi knew better.

It was his mother's way to make him think and encourage him to look beyond the reality of the situation. There was always more and that more was often the key to everything.

For five days Itachi waited and reasoned. For five days he felt hurt and longing. For five days Shisui was there, telling him the answer that he already knew. But Itachi didn't want Shisui's reassurance. He wanted his mother's approval and permission.

"Forgive me...Okasan," he whispers hoarsely to the wind.

Years of fortifying himself with his philosophies and still the thought of his parents are enough to bring tears. Itachi doesn't move on from it, letting it be, coming apart silently in the sill of his backdoor way. Tears flow without abandon, down his face and into the high collar of his shirt. He doesn't move. Not until it all comes out, not until there is nothing left.

When he is sure his tears won't flow, Itachi exhales.

"Forgive me," he says once more.

There's nothing more he can say, nothing else that makes sense. No other words probably convey what he feels towards both his parents, towards the things that they will miss. The things they've trained him for, raised him, instilled in him.

Swallowing against his throat, Itachi opens his eyes, seeing the reality of the situation for what it is.

He will have to go on without them.

"I wish you could be here for when it is finished, Okasan," Itachi utters to the wind and turns towards the living room. "But before I can have an ending, I must make a proper beginning."

That means explaining things to Sakura. Her trepidation about his disappearance demands a response. He knows better and intends to correct the wrong he'd done. Even if his reasons were moderately justified. Sakura does not know that. As his partner, she needs to be aware. As a member of his Clan for whatever reason, he owes her an explanation.

I will need her help regardless. I cannot do this without her.

The question of how she will assist remains unanswered. Itachi has several ideas. But since he intends to handle the situation the way his mother would have wanted him to, his options are limited.

Sakura knows nothing. Which means she will have to be taught everything.

He closes his eyes again, calling on memories from years ago. While his father waited until he was twelve to start his Clan Head training, his mother spotted his increased attention to Izumi years prior. In wisdom that only a mother has, she pulled him aside and demanded to know his intentions towards the young girl. Itachi did not hesitate in his answer. At eleven years old, his mother introduced him to the lore of courtship. In their remaining years together, she would teach him all he needed to know. Though then, there was a childish innocence to the games and codes and messages and actions. Itachi is no longer a child. A lot of that tradition makes more sense and for him to do it right, he will need Sakura's help and understanding.

But first I must apologize.

Something brushes against his hand, pulling the Uchiha's eyes open. A small bird makes its perch on the hand rest on his knee. Itachi levels lowered eyes at the creature fidgeting about before hopping down onto the veranda. Curiously he moves the hand resting on the warm wood, turning his palm up to see what the bird will do. It hops around and then makes its way into his hand.

I see.

"And who are you?" Itachi asks.

The bird says nothing, pecking gently at his skin before flying to the edge of the veranda, then dropping off. In following its descent he catches a glimpse of color. His gaze lands on his unattended garden where tiny crocus flowers peek through the hard dirt. Very few flowers can withstand the cold but crocus flowers will grow even through snow. Up until this moment, Itachi forgot they were there. He sits up, staring intently, listening to what is being said.

A promise of new beginnings.

Permission to start again.

Hope. Reassurance. Comfort.

It is the same thing Shisui told him days prior. It is the same thing Izumi insisted on months prior. For him to live.

'It's okay, Itachi. It's okay to change. None of us will fault you for it.'

His chest tightened a new.

'Do you feel guilty or are you afraid?'

'Your sacrifices speak for themselves. You've done everything.'

He can almost hear his mother's hum and smirk in the way the flowers gently dance. The kind of smirk both she and Sasuke used when being smug. He remembers his thoughts and realizes why she had not come to him those days before.

I cannot have an ending without a proper beginning.

Itachi can't hold the brief chuckle that escapes. It's all he can do as his mother teases him with her presence through the very thing she taught him. A quiet chastisement of his rash actions, she waited until he went back before permitting him to go forward.

Settling back against the sill, Itachi nods once, getting the message.

Thank you, Okasan.

He loses himself in thought about where to start, letting memories carry him through scenarios and possibilities. He stays there for a while until a soft knock at the door draws his attention toward it.

Itachi stares in that general direction, contemplating whether or not he wants the company. But another gentle knock convinces him to be cordial at least. In one graceful motion, he stands, then crosses the room to greet his house guest.

Honoka offers him a kind smile and blue eyes that attempt to hide concern. But Itachi doesn't miss the quick once-over she does before greeting him.

"Good morning, Itachi-san."

He inclines his head. "Honoka-san. May I help you?"

Lacing her fingers together, the young woman looks away and then back to him. "Sakura-san told me you weren't feeling well. I'm on call today and figured I'd come by to see if you were doing okay. I would have brought soup but she said you had plenty to eat."

Itachi slowly raises a brow. "You left work to come to work?"

Honoka wrinkles her nose at him. "No. Sakura-san didn't send me here. I came on my own."

"To check in with me?"

"That's what I said. Can I come in?"

Itachi steps aside, letting the young woman through. Honoka removes her shoes before venturing into the living room. The Uchiha hangs back a bit, watching the young woman make a slow circuit before coming to a stop at the shogi set.

"Did I interrupt a game?" she asks.

"I had not started yet," Itachi says from across the room. "Do you play?"

Honoka's airy chuckle follows an equally guilty smile as she rocks on her heels. "Gramps used to play all the time. He tried to teach me once but I got so bored with how he dragged on. It didn't seem very interesting."

"Hnn." Itachi concedes, pushing off the entranceway and walking closer into the living room where Honoka is.

The brunette turns completely to him, again with eyes laced with concern. "How's your fever?" she asks.

"Gone," Itachi supplies, settling down on the cushion where his shogi game sits. "I feel better than the day before."

"Sakura-san said you slept almost all day yesterday."

"It helped."

"Have you eaten anything?"

"Sakura made me breakfast."

"Oh." Honoka pauses, looking over her shoulder towards the kitchen.

Itachi follows her line of sight, before smirking and turning his attention to the shogi game. "Sakura also made lunch. Come sit with me, Honoka."

She hesitates a moment and Itachi lets her while he sets up the game. Moments pass before she slowly approaches and settles down on the cushion across from him. Itachi glances up at her and then back to the board.

"Erm," Honoka starts.

"Hn?"

Honoka fidgets before tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Itachi-san, I told you I'm not very good at this game."

"I am aware," Itachi responds, "You don't have to play. Just watch."

"Oh," Honoka nods and uncurls her legs to pull her knees closer to her chest. "I can do that. Are you going to teach me?"

"Would you prefer that?" he asks.

Honoka shrugs then laughs. "You can try. Are you sure you want to teach someone like me when you're still feeling under the weather?"

He blinks at her then offers a slight grin at her insistence. Honoka means well and he knows that. To some extent, she fusses over her patients in the same way Sakura does. Though he will say the young woman is more forthcoming with her concerns and fears. Or perhaps Honoka is simply easy to read. Either way, her consideration for his well-being is quite nice even if unnecessary.

"I'm fine, Honoka," Itachi assures and continues the task of placing pieces down to prove to her that he is indeed in better health.

The brunette gets more comfortable in her seat, leaning against the wall and looking out into the garden as he once was.

"It's such a pretty day," Honoka hums, "I can't wait until spring comes."

"Do you prefer it to other seasons?" Itachi inquires.

Honoka pauses, chin in hand. "It's a good mix of everything, I guess. Not too cold. Not too hot. It's summer and winter mixed in one but with brighter colors than autumn. Do you have a preferred season?"

The question pulls Itachi away from the shogi game. Like his guest, he looks outside, getting the barest glimpse of winter flowers.

"Spring," he offers, "It was my okasan's favorite as well."

Honoka catches his gaze, offering him a soft but tight smile. "I think it's...nice that you and your mom share something in common."

For conversation's sake, he goes with her turn on the topic, starting his shogi game. "She would often say it carries a certain innocence. Not quite the rambunctious and careless joy of summer or the smoldering, deep passions of autumn."

"That's...poetic," Honoka ventures. "I'm guessing you agree right?"

The Uchiha offers a shoulder shrug, thinking of his garden and the flowers that grow and creatures that flutter to life.

"With spring comes rebirth, new, inquisitive and curious things." he starts, "It is too docile to prove threatening and too colorful to be ignored. Subtle. It hides precious things until the time for ripening is near. I suppose you can say spring is in no hurry. For this reason, it is perhaps my favorite season."

To his surprise, Honoka laughs. "Maybe your love for spring isn't the only thing you get from your mom. Both of you like to be poetic."

Itachi takes her words and thinks over them before inclining his head in agreement.

"Hnn."

"I guess if you're spouting poetry and weird sayings, you're back to normal," she remarks then moves closer to the board, tapping at a pawn. "So. What does this piece do?"

Pleased with his efforts of putting her at ease, Itachi begins with explain the game.

---

A/N: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thank you guys so much for your patience! I do apologize for this chapter being so delayed. I was in an accident back in October and that really hindered my writing. However, I am much better now! Updates should be back on that almost kind of month apart thing I have going on lol.

This chapter is the longest to date and one of my favorites. If it were left up to me this chapter would have been another 2,000 words! But I left a good jumping off point for Line 9: Crocus Flower . We've knocked out most of the kinks and things will be a bit...different from this point on. I think some of you may like the change of pace :D.

I hope you enjoy! Please leave your comments (they always make me feel nice), fav and follow! Be safe this holiday season.

Seriously. Avoid car accidents lol.

-Cece^^

Word Count: 15,140

Musical Inspiration:"Die for You" and "Secrets"- Da Weeknd , "Diary"- Alicia Keys, "Sledgehammer"- Rihanna