Line 9: Crocus Flower
"Here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud.."
I Carry Your Heart
Line 8, Stanza 4
-EE Cummings
In the days following Itachi's mysterious return, Sakura's work goes almost non-stop. The business of her day to day activities never really bothers her. There is always something, or someone that needs her. The hospital needs its topic medic. Itachi needs his partner. Kai needs solutions. Naruto needs a listening ear. She gives it all because she likes it. Because there is a sense of fulfilment in finding solutions or being the solution.
People go to her because they know she can find the answers. They ask because she says yes. But even Sakura hits a wall sometimes. There are some things that even her brain cannot not take apart and piece back together. Some mysteries are beyond her. And that would be okay if that mystery were not something she needed or someone rather.
He hasn't said a word about any of it…
A wistful sigh escapes and she chides herself for even thinking Itachi would be so forthcoming.. He's the king of secret keeping and poker faces. Still…
They'd come far, in her opinion. He gave her a glimpse of his thoughts only for her to be pushed out again. Much like she would do him but when the roles are reversed and she's on the receiving end of uncertainty, Sakura can't help but feel impatient.
I just need a yes or a no. A will we or won't we.
Idle fingers tap her wooden desk as she settles her softened gaze out of her office window. Another sigh, this time for herself. Her moral compass won't let her let Itachi bare all of the weight this time. Not with what she recently discovered, what he let her bare witness too. She'd done her best with sheltering him as much as is within her power from things she couldn't see (or understand for that matter). That's what any good teammate would do when their partner is in straits
Not dire by any means I guess but I can't exactly be effective when my partner is too busy running away from phantoms. Her fingers curl against the wood, lips dipping down at the turn of her thoughts. For all intents and purposes I need him. Mentally and physically healthy to stand on his own so that he doesn't need me…
And Kakashi doesn't have more of an excuse to pressure her into being a mother. The conversation with the Hokage only left her in further limbo. Kakashi was straight to the point in what he wanted from her. Now that Itachi had another problem, her sensei seemed more insistent that she stay by him. Her rebuttal was that her presence did nothing to actually stop Itachi from seeing ghost. But ever the smart one, Kakashi countered with the fact he came back and opened up to her about things he simply could not with someone not in the know. A mentally unstable Uchiha may just be worse than a physically unhealthy. Very few people did indeed have experience handling such delicate matters.
A shiver goes through her as imagines of the war flash in quick succession.
I've dealt with enough mentally unstable Uchiha to last a lifetime.
"Sakura-sama?" Sakura blinks, forgetting for a moment that she is not alone. "Could you clarify this part for me again?"
Haijin slides the plan of care back to Sakura, who takes it to glance over where the confusion linger.
"Oh. Yes, of course." She clarifies and pushes thoughts of her other patient aside, "The pills should help treat the irregularity we found in Kai's immune system with the blood test. "
"He still needs to take the injection right?" Haijin asks, holding the bottle of small tan pills.
Sakura nods, pushing the paper with test results closer to her. "Yes. These two medicines serve different purposes. The injections keep his blood vessels from swelling and addresses the immediate problem of inflammation. The pills will address what I think is one of the underlying problems. His immune system is not functioning the way it should. Together these two should significantly reduce the amount of flare-ups that Kai has. It's not a cure but it's close enough."
The sense of relief from Haijin fills Sakura with satisfaction. Although she is only a bit closer to finding the problem and it took her five years to isolate this much, it's something.
If my patients are satisfied then that's a step in the right direction.
Haijin pockets the pills and reaches for her son. "That means less trips to the doctor right?" she asks, placing a comforting arm around Kai, who sits absent-mindedly looking out of her office window.
Green eyes travel off towards the boy. Kai doesn't exactly seem disinterested in the conversation. His slightly puckered brow shows some consideration for her words.
He must be tired of all of this.
Her heart aches for him. A life in and out of the hospital can't be a life at all. Kai's seen more of these walls than any other twelve year old that she knows. Other children his age are out enjoying life while he's stuck giving blood and taking test. If she has to guess, there's some trace of apathy holding his expressions in check. Even as Haijin gives his shoulder a gentle squeeze, Kai's eyes flicker downward after a few seconds before turning back to her.
Sakura purses her lips, then laces her fingers together and leans them on the desk.
"Kai," her gentle call manages to draw his attention her way. "Do you understand what's going on right now?"
The boy looks to his mother, who offers him an encouraging nod. He turns back to her and pushes up a bit in his chair. "I have more medicine to take."
Sakura's smile is kind, understanding his point of view and tries to shift his perspective. "That's part of it, yeah. But you'll also have less visits to this place now. One pill a day and two injections a week should keep you healthy for a little while."
"You have a really cool test afterwards too." his mother hedges and Sakura nods for her to continue. "You get to do some ninja like training to make sure your medicines are working how they should."
This seems to get the boy's attention. A shy smile pulls his lips up as he asks, "With real ninja?"
That's more like it.
"If I can find some, sure." she offers. "Otherwise you'd be stuck with me."
"You're not so bad," he says.
"I'll like to think so too." She laughs a bit and explains further. "The test won't be for a little while, maybe a month away. We need to push you a little bit and I think some shinobi training will do just that."
A flicker of light sparks in his eyes. Kai holds his excitement close to his chest but Sakura can see through his hesitant exterior. His eyes dance again, this time between her and the desk. His shoulders tense slightly and she waits for him to work up to whatever he is trying to do.
"What about…" Kai clears his throat. "What about the guy who has the same thing as I do? Can I train with him?"
Oh!
Sakura beams and smiles. "I'm sure if I asked him he'd agree."
"Only if he's not too busy." Kai quickly adds.
She laughs at what couldn't be further from the truth. At least not for today. "Shinobi usually are busy. He is on a mission right now. But...I'll put in a good word for you and see what he says."
The boy nods sagely and Sakura has to hold back her chuckle at his forced composure.
Hopefully this can give him some hope again so he doesn't have to be so reserved.
As the conversation wraps up, Sakura schedules a follow-up appointment for a month from then and assures her patient she will talk to Itachi about training him then. When they leave, Sakura takes the long way back to her office, thinking over the implications of her new discovery. If the pill works like she thinks it will, then this could open more possibilities for her other mission.
She bites back on getting too excited too soon but a smile slips through despite her best efforts. Her steps quicken down the hall towards the elevator. She imagines while she waits, wondering what her life would look like after just one year.
Freedom.
The word rings down to her fingertips. She flexes them, wiggling each digit as if to ground herself in reality.
There's still the matter of the Clan Provisions. He hasn't officially agreed to follow through.
That thought sobers her enough to rock on her heels and furrows her brows.
We'd have to talk about it. But the second most immediate danger is less of a danger. Who knew some simple modifications on a standard immunosuppressive would be the jumping off point?
The elevator chimes. She steps out of the way of other doctors exiting before getting in there herself. Alone once more, Sakura lets her thoughts carry her, crossing her arms as she stares abscently.
I did it. I actually did it. Or part of it. Once we find a suitable lady friend for him, everything will fall into place. And me? Well...
By the time Sakura makes it to her office on the top floor of the hospital, she's dreamed up a number of scenarios, all of which involve her and Itachi going down different paths. Though the relief she thought she'd feel years ago isn't there. She admittedly hates him less now. He is not...terrible.
I could do without sharing a bathroom for awhile.
The elevator doors open once again, allowing Sakura to go back to her office and finish Kai's paperwork. A few minutes into the task, someone knocks briefly then opens the door before she can properly say to do so. She hardly looks up, choosing to read instead of acknowledging the person sashaying towards her.
Ino drops down in the chair Kai's mother formerly occupied, placing her elbows on the desk and leaning forward into her personal space.
Without missing a beat or a page, Sakura gives her friend a passing glance before going back to work.
"Are you gonna at least ask why I'm here?" Ino pouts.
She stands instead, Kai's file in hand. Sakura struts right pass her best friend to the file cabinet where she keeps important documents.
"For you? No." Sakura quips and suppresses a chuckle while sorting through the alphabetical folders.
Ino grunts and mumbles something before walking over and closing the file door herself. "What are you doing tonight?" Ino asks.
"Hey!" Sakura accuses, tugging at the door being held in place by perfectly painted pink nails. "Move."
Ino's sly grin and wagging brows makes Sakura frown. "Not unless you talk to Itachi for me."
The medic glares lightly at her friend who only grins more. Pink brows furrow and Sakura's suspicion goes on high alert. When Ino's cheeky grin grows, it only raises her concern. Definitely up to something.
"That depends on what you want me to ask," she wagers. "What do you want with him?"
The blonde waves a dismissive hand. "I don't want anything with him. I want him, the person. He's such an enigma. Persistent. Persuasive, especially if he convinced you to marry him. Habitual from the looks of his daily routine. The Hokage hasn't killed him yet so that makes him useful...useful is good."
Sakura blinks. Then blinks again. "Ino...are you...assessing my husband?"
Ino picks at her nails. "Evaluating, assessing, call it what you want but I want to know more. I want to know if my assumptions are right. If they are, I want to recruit him."
Recruit him? Is she… Relief washes over her and Sakura relaxes her tense shoulders. Of all the ways of dancing around the issue!
Sakura rolls her eyes, grabbing her hips and leveling a disbelieving look at her friend. "You want him for Integration? Why didn't you just ask him yourself instead of barging into my office while I'm working?"
"I tried!" Ino pouts again, moving her hand from the draw to cross her arms. "But Shikamaru blocked any and all efforts I tried to make earlier today. He wouldn't even let me sit at the table they were eating at!"
Sakura laughs outright and thanks her lucky stars from Shikamaru's brilliance. "Itachi has a project of sorts right now. He's working on the Uchiha Compound with Shikamaru and Kakashi."
Ino's gaze shoots up and blue eyes sparkle with newful mischief "So that's what…" he blonde trails off, leaving Sakura wondering where the conversation ended. "How involved will Itachi be after this whole project?"
"Curating the museum," Sakura supplies, "It wouldn't take too much of his time and Kakashi plans to keep him in reserves for any sort of specialty mission that requires his skills. I imagine that means his schedule will be flexible."
Ino squeals in delight. "So what I'm hearing is: you can drop this little bug in Kakashi's ear? Get him to redirect any speciality missions towards Investigation..."
"No...no, no, no that's not what I said…!"
Ino's smile wides and she practically sings, "You implied it!"
"How? I told you Kakashi has him reserved for certain missions and you automatically assume he's available for yours? I can't tell the Hokage what missions to give!" Sakura insists.
The blonde takes to pacing, muttering plans without evening listening. "Oh it'll be fine," Ino assures, "I mean, if Kakashi is being a jerk just convince your husband."
Sakura's steps coming to a jerking hult. Without thinking she blurts out very skeptical and confused "How am I supposed to do that?"
Ino turns to her and as soon as Sakura sees the puzzled look, she knows she's messed up.
"How else do you convince your husband to do anything?"
Shit! Think of something to say, Sakura!
She backpedals, chuckling nervously and gesturing at nothing. "Itachi is...not that easy to convince. I can't just, erm…"
"Pin him to the bed?" Ino offers.
Sakura flushes. "Ino!"
"What?" The blonde stresses, "It always works for Sai. I just take his hands and do this,"
Ino gets two handfuls of her breasts and squeezes them together, "If he still says no, I put his hands inside my shirt and keep going until he says yes or passes out. Whichever comes first. Why are you covering your eyes!"
"I don't want to see or hear this!"
"On come on, like you've never rubbed your...well, hmm…"
Sakura jerks her hands down to glare. "Don't you say it, Pig!"
Ino chews her bottom lip. "I guess you really can't do that. They are sorta lacking in volume. We can think of other ways."
"Get out of my office!" Sakura growls, going back to the file cabinet to place Kai's file in it."
"Come on, Sakura." Ino whines, "You owe me for all the times I helped you out. I'm practically the third person in this relationship and you know it!"
Three knocks at the door. Sakura ignores the statement, turning her attention to her visitor. "Come in!" Sakura yells.
"We're busy!" Ino says in unison.
Sakura glares. Ino grins. There's a beat before both scramble towards the door. Sakura goes for the handle while Ino holds it shut with her shoulder.
"Move, Pig! This could be important!" Sakura warns.
"Aw, but we were just getting to the good part!" Ino complains, "I'll move if you promise to sedu-"
The pinkette quickly lets go of the handle, smacking a hand over Ino's mouth before she can finish her statement. Ino struggles to remove it and they descend into a hand slapping match. The door ajars and both ladies stumble backwards together as it finishes its progression.
Honoka pokes her head in, smiling, then opens it fully and gestures behind her. "Look who I found!"
The two jounin stop long enough to see Itachi duck his head inside, cloaked in black up to the bridge of his nose.
"Itachi!" they both exclaim then glare at each other.
"Yup! He was waiting downstairs so I just escorted him up. I hope that was okay, Sakura-san. You two seem..eh...busy?"
Ino reacts first, pushing Sakura away then smiling and flipping her hair. "We were just talking about you!"
"No we weren't," Sakura stresses through gritted teeth, face still flushed red, "Ino was just leaving."
Honoka chuckles and hides it behind her hands as they descend into another shoving match. She glances at Itachi, who closes the door behind him and effectively stops the childish fighting with a simple greeting.
"Ino-san," voice even but not muffled through the fabric of his cloak. "May I borrow Sakura if you two are done."
"Of course you can!" Ino smiles and pushes Sakura behind her to walk closer to him. "Borrow her for as long as necessary Actually, me and Sakura were just talking about this thing she has planned for you tonight tha-"
"Get. Out!" Sakura's voice carries over everything.
She grabs Ino by the shoulder and rushes her towards the door. "Don't listen to her, Itachi! I'll be ready to go in a moment."
Ino lets out a breathy laugh but allows herself to be ushered towards the door. "That may possibly give my son a new playmate."
"Shut up, Ino!"
Itachi politely helps by opening the door. Sakura gives the final shove just as Ino yells over the closing door. "Make sure to wear something nice and convincing, Sakura!"
She slams it in her face.
Silence veils the room.
Sakura keeps her face towards the door, leaning on it for support as her heart beat slows and the blush that's spread down her neck cools to something less embarrassing. She chances a glance at Itachi and chuckles nervously at the curiosity in his eyes.
Honoka clears her throat and side steps towards the door. "Well, I think I'll just...follow Ino-sama out and leave you two...alone."
"No!" Sakura panics, shaking her head vehemently, "I mean, yes, you can leave but there's really nothing happening. Ino was just joking."
"It's okay, Sakura-san." Honoka assures with a light blush on her cheeks, easing out the door "I have things to do anyways."
"You can stay, really. I mean we do have to go but you don't have to leave just because Ino was being a…" Honoka nods and waves goodbye, "...a jerk…."
The explanation gets lost. Peeking over her shoulder, Sakura chuckles nervously and lets go of the handle.
I really hope he didn't hear the bulk of that conversation. Cheeks sprinkled with a light blush, she tries to hide her face from him as she quickly moves around him towards her desk. She grabs papers without looking at them, trying to appear busy.
"So what brings you here, Itachi?" she asks. "I thought you were having lunch with Shikamaru?"
"We finished." He answers, then asks. "Are you ready?"
"Huh?" her head jerks up and she laughs again, tucking hair behind her ear. "Oh. In a few minutes."
He nods once, slowly...teasingly. "How is Ino-san?"
"The same as always." Sakura quickly redirects the conversation, zeroing in on the takeaway container in his hand. "Is that lunch for me? What did you bring this time?"
"It's dango," he tells her.
"Oh."
Silence falls, Sakura peeks up at Itachi. He watches her unwavering and she can't help but fidget under his gaze, that looks a little too playful. "Would you like the dango, Sakura?"
"No. Only if you brought it for me..." she says before sitting in her chair and gesturing for him to do the same. "It's okay if you didn't. I know how much you like dango"
Itachi takes a seat as well, placing the treats on her desk in the process."We can share. By the way, Shikamaru invited us to his home tonight. I told him we had prior engagements and rescheduled for later this week.."
On steadier footing and hopefully with the conversation from earlier forgotten, Sakura nods. "Yeah that's probably best. I still have some things I want to test. I need to finalize the follow-up with Kai and his mother."
The partner sits back and bit. "How is he?"
She sighs and then smiles. "Hopeful, I think. The blood test was a big step forward. I can tell his mom is excited too and that's always good."
"You did good, Sakura." Itachi encourages and she smiles, looking away from him.
"Kai also asked me to ask if he could meet you."
"When?"
"Whenever you have time." she states. "I told him about needing to test out some activities with him. He wants to test them with you."
Itachi nods once and looks off. Sakura chances a glance at him, noting the way he stares in the distance for far several seconds before offering his answer.
"I am willing to help in any way that I can."
Sakura nods then resumes cleaning her desk. They share company in silence as she does so and she is keenly aware of his presence as she moves around the room. He doesn't do much, simply sitting and staring blankly into the distance. But knowing he's there is enough and Sakura tries to move quickly so as to not keep him waiting. They do have things to do today, and she tries not to let her anxiety about it show.
Is it wrong to be hopeful?
She'd tried to keep Itachi busy with doing little things and even managed to convince Shikamaru to pay his friend a visit today. But Itachi pulled her aside before leaving for work and instructed her that they were going to the Uchiha Compound today. She didn't know how to take that and initially protested the idea. But Itachi could be extremely stubborn at times and he'd left the conversation with what he'd said, despite her uncertainty.
It's not as if I haven't been there. But this is different…
Ever since he told her about the ghost that haunts him, Sakura's been trying to piece together what goes on in his head. From her perspective, working at his former home was the catalyst. Yet he goes there and wants to take me there willingly. It can't be bad then? Or maybe it's much worse...
"Sakura," his voice pulls her out of her thoughts and she turns to look at him. "I will meet you downstairs."
"Oh…" she watches him stand, leaving the dango where it sits. "Okay..."
He closes the door behind him and she frowns at his back. Sakura stares at the door a few more seconds longer before going back to straightening her office.
"I really don't have much left to do." Sakura murmurs to herself but adds the last files to the collection of others.
Leaving notes for the tasks ahead, the medic ties off loose ends before signing off on procedures and appointments. It takes her all of twenty minutes to do everything. She leaves her office and heads to meet her partner in the lobby.
Itachi stands far off from the others in the waiting area. Choosing to sit alone, facing towards the entrance. Not many people sit in the waiting area. With the exception of a female kunoichi standing guard, few people take much notice of either of them. Walking the short distance to where he is, Itachi stands at her approach. As if on cue, he takes her bag and her hand, then leans in to place a chased kiss to her forehead.
Sakura looks over his shoulder just as the kunoichi quickly averts her gaze, shifting her weight to look elsewhere.
"Are you ready?" Itachi's voice draws her back to him. With a gentle squeeze of her head he guides her towards the door.
"Yeah.." Sakura answers, giving their audience of one a final passing glance before following behind Itachi as he leads the way.
Falling in step with their outside routine, she follows along quietly mainly because Itachi is silent. Clearly in deep thought about whatever they were about to do, Sakura doesn't have it in her to disrupt him. Choosing instead to look at the passing scenery, she notes the people around. The smiles and waves, the glances and disinterest. A mixed bag of every expression comes and goes in a disinterested and wholly dismissive manner, common and without bias. It is as if the two of them walking along the road hand in hand is old news. No longer receiving the flood of fans or fervor of enemies, their walk is as normal as shinobi can get.
I would have dreaded this years ago. Sakura thinks wistfully. I dreaded everything about this mission to be honest. I suppose I had some ulterior motives as well. But we did good…
Her eyes slide sideways, looking discreetly at her partner before turning ahead again. It's hard to bask in the moment when Itachi half hides his face or pinches his brows together in that contemplative way.
Let's hope this goes just as smoothly. This is a sensitive thing enough without me asking probing questions. It probably took a lot for him to get to this point.
The conversation of ghosts comes back to mind. As disturbing as that news was, it's his hesitation and reservation then outright avoidance at her probing questions that sets her nerves on edge. She isn't quite sure where they stand. She isn't quite sure what he wants or what he's thinking. She isn't quite sure what to do either.
I have to be patient with him.
Itachi's demeanor warranted a different approach and while she is hesitant about going to the place that causes his current mental state, he insisted. Insisted in his own way, by ending the conversation at her protest and leaving it where he said.
Now here they are, halfway across the Village closer to the formerly abandoned Uchiha Compound. The plethora of trees that veil the area hang bare over their path.
She bites her lip, glancing at Itachi once more then back to the road ahead. The entire walk is done in silence and she can't help but wonder why he's decided to do this now.
He'll tell me when we get there I guess.
The bustingly village atmosphere slowly disappears into a calmer, quiter, rural affair. The Uchiha Compound sits far enough outside of the array shops that feels secluded and peaceful. Very few people live near here. With the exception of the occasional wildlife flying overhead, they are the only things moving around.
Somehow the void of people makes her keenly aware that they are still holding hands. Sakura looks down at where they touch, then up once again to the man that keeps his gaze ahead.
"We are almost there," Itachi finally breaks the silence, mumbling through his cloak.
Sakura pouts a little. That's not my concern. The words never come out, choosing to sigh and let him be with whatever he is doing. Afterall, he is right. Minutes later they are standing before the gate that leads inside. Only then does Itachi let go of her hand to fish a key from his pocket. Sakura holds on to the dango, hanging back a bit while he got everything opened and ready for them.
"Come, Sakura." Itachi beckons, going through the gate without her.
She hurries to catch up. "Are you going to close the gate?"
He pauses long enough to look over his shoulder before continuing on. "Come."
She huffs, rolling her eyes at him then turning back to close the gate at least. Jogging to catch up again, the pinkette speaks up.
"Where are we going to exactly?"
"My home." Itachi says.
Sakura grips the bag in her hand. "What are we going to do there?"
Itachi doesn't miss a beat, keeping a half step in front of her and voice just as even. "I will tell you everything."
"Everything?" Sakura questions, looking at his profile. "About the ghost?"
Dark eyes meet her green ones. Itachi shakes his head and nods towards the large building coming closer. "You will see."
The conversation dies but her anticipation rises. The walk a little more and she tries to keep her curiosity in check, focusing instead on the feeling of change this place invokes.
All of the equipment and gutted homes feel new and exciting. Coupled with the bright sunshine and cool temperatures, it's hard for her to feel sullen even with the tragic history discreetly permeating the atmosphere.
There's sadness here but also hope. Sakura grabs the later, taking Itachi's words as further confirmation of it. When they reach the front porch of his former home, she's talked herself into going with the moment.
As before, she lets him take the lead, stepping up to the roofed porch first. Itachi unlocks the padlock, removes the chains then pushes open the wooden doors. Quietly she goes inside, leaving the door open for light. Turns out that is unnecessary. The windows are all open and sunlight filters through, shining onto the old furniture.
Her breath catches at the near timeless beauty of the traditional style home.
Nothing seems to have changed here.
Ornate trimming adorn the walls while thick, sturdy wood columns keep shoji doors fastened in place. Her eyes travel upwards, following the line of support before a breathy 'wow' escapes at the crisscrossed gigantic wood beams going all the up to the slanted roof.
This place is beautiful. And surprisingly clean. She marvels at the absence of dust or evidence of what happened here. Cautiously she steps closer, looking around her teammates' former home. Itachi's former home and his parents' final moments.
I wonder if Sasuke cleaned it all...
A table sits in the middle of the room, four cushions placed around it. There's shelving along the walls with tickets and nicknacks, telling a story only Itachi knows. A small shrine sits to the back of the room, two hallways on either side of the wall.
Did it happen here? Were they sitting on the sofa? Making food in the kitchen when he struck?
Absently her finger brushes against a tall wooden shelf, taking small steps to get a better picture. A solemn reverence settles in her gut. She looks over to Itachi, who looks away from her, giving her permission to explore.
I bet he comes and cleans this place up too.
Knowing that it's been kept up somehow makes it more tragic, a timeless memorial to a life that no longer exists for any of them.
Sakura goes to the right, sliding open the shoji doors to the veranda that connects this room to the rest of the house. A stone wall with a nearly faded Uchiha symbol stands directly opposite her. For a moment she thinks a stain mars the dingy white top half of the fan. Taking a half step outside, Sakura squints a little then widens her eyes at the realization that it is a crack.
That's a kunai marking…
"Come, Sakura." Itachi is already walking outside, turning the corner while she lingers a few more seconds on the clear kunai impression before moving on.
She follows behind him, peaking in on a dining room with no plates and the half opened door to a bedroom.
"This way, Sakura." Itachi's voice carries her through an open double door that leads to a beautiful courtyard.
"Wow," she says, breathless and in awe that the splendor of the garden.
Miniature trees, shrubs, flowers and a playful man made stream decorate the area. Above it all, a small pavilion sits in the middle of the personal sanctuary. Itachi steps off the porch and Sakura takes her time with following behind him. They walk at a leisurely, steady pace, giving her time to take in the sites. Care was clearly taken with its construction. Even with the overgrown grass, Sakura can make out the assorted sections of flowers. Clusters of the same flowers stop where the path diverges to meet them. Several such little offroad exist, all leading to a particular patch. The further they walk, the more she sees some flowers grouped together, planted in what looks like an intricate arrangement on the ground. In comparison to their small little garden, this place looks like a miniature paradise.
"This is beautiful." Sakura marvels.
Itachi nods once, eyes ahead. "This belonged to my mother."
"She did all of this herself?"
"No," Itachi answers, stopping before the gazebo. "My father made it for her. Most Uchiha homes have gardens of some kind."
"I'm sure this one outshines them all." she jokes, waiting for him to step up the three wooden stairs before following suit.
The creaky wood gives a little under her foot but once they were under the pavilion, everything feels fine. Itachi gestures for her to take a seat on the only bench there. She does, sitting the dango beside her before turning to see the garden unfold before her from her vantage.
It's almost breathtakingly overwhelming.
"It has to be," comes a distant reply. "I have been given the opportunity to do the same."
Puzzled, Sakura turns to him raising a brow. But Itachi only takes a set next to her, tucking his arms inside his cloak sleeves.
Taking the cue, she settles on watching the sun twinkle off the water dancing across the small rocks. The place is so serene and calm, it must have been a nice escape for his parents after clan affairs and Shinobi life. As they sit side by side surrounded by the noise of nature, she waits for him to explain their quest or at least to hear him out. But Itachi says nothing.
So she waits with him, looking out at the water, occasionally looking up when a bird flies by. She isn't sure how long they just sit but eventually her partner stirs, leaning back against the bench and tilting his head upward.
"I want to thank you, Sakura." Voice calm and assured. "You've done well with everything thus far. I also need to apologize."
Sakura looks at him looking at the trees. "Apologize for what?"
He pulls his chin up, revealing the rest of his face that hid in his cloak. "I should not have left you like I did." Itachi states, "For that, I am sorry."
She tries not to scoff but rolls her eyes and pulls her knees up. "I told you I didn't need an apology. I made a promise to keep you alive and healthy. You doing everything you can to make that happen is enough of an apology for me."
Itachi nods once and turns his gaze to her. "Even so, my behavior was rash and actions unnecessary."
He holds her gaze and Sakura has to fight not to nervously look away. "Is that what you wanted to take me here for?"
"Partly," he admits, "I wanted to show you my mother's garden so my next reason makes more sense."
"What's the other reason?"
He sits up a bit straighter. "I will accept your offer to take a second wife."
Green eyes widen and Sakura inhales in shock. I thought he didn't want to too ...All this time she was sure that he'd rejected her idea. The avoidance and secrecy, she was prepared to be told no. Relief washes over her and she ducks her head a moment, clenching the bag of dango.
"Really?" Sakura questions.
"On one condition." Itachi adds. "I will do it the right way. The Uchiha way."
Her head jerks up quickly. "What's the Uchiha way?"
Much to her surprise, he gestures towards the garden before him. "This."
"This?"
"Hnn."
"The Uchiha way is...a garden?"
"Flowers," Itachi corrects. "Everything you see planted here, my father specifically planted for my mother. Traditional Uchiha courtship is told in flowers over time."
Sakura looks out at the garden in awe. "That's a big bouquet…"
Much to her surprise, Itachi lets out a sofy, breathy chuckle. "It is much more than just bouquets, Sakura. What you see here is the end of a courtship, of continued promises and secrets. Flowers are the language of courtship. Each represents a different vow that must be fulfilled and continue to be fulfilled so long as the two are married."
Making a silent 'o' she looks out again, seeing the garden through a different lens. "So how does traditional Uchiha dating go?"
"Uchiha do not date." Itachi says haughty "Uchiha court. There are nuances and restrictions and boundaries not found in dating. Courtship is a game of endurance and...preening."
An image of a peacock flaring its feathers comes to mind. Sakura rolls her eyes at the thought, replacing the vibrant blue and purple feathers with roses and chrysanthemums.
"That sounds so romantic," she adds with a hint of sarcasm.
"When done correctly, it can be." he adds. "I wish to do it the right way, the way my mother taught me how."
Sakura looks at him again just as the wind catches his hair. So that's why. Her heart softens a bit at the far off look in his eyes. He wants to do this for his mom.
She smiles to herself a bit, tucking pink hair behind her ear. It's even more romantic somehow knowing his reasoning behind it, if not a little bit surprising. I thought he hated clan rules but now he wants to adhere to them.
Sakura sits with her thoughts a moment, trying to reconcile what she knows with what he says. Wasn't that the whole reason for tension in the first place? "Can I ask something?"
"Anything." Itachi states.
"Is the tradition part the important part to you?"
"Very." He answers.
"Because of your mom?" Sakura questions.
He lifts one shoulder in a half shrug. "Not only just. But tradition for tradition sake. This is the way it's always been done."
Aha! Sakura purses her lips and crosses her arms. "I thought you hated clan stuff."
Itachi doesn't give her accusing posture half of the attention she thinks it deserves. "Hate is a strong word for what I feel towards clan tradition. I hate very few things, dislike many things. The Uchiha Clan has redeemable traditions worth carrying on. This is one of them."
Well that was easy enough. The medic pushes back further in her seat. Silence takes over as they sit and watch the late winter breeze skirt through the garden. After several seconds, Sakura starts the conversation again.
"So...what are some of these nuances you mentioned?"
He shifts his position, turning to her slightly as he explains.
"The premise of courtship is simple." he says, "A suitor chooses an intended and presents her with a courtship bouquet, arranged in a way that is appealing. The flowers inside should tell of the suitor's abilities and intentions. Each flower is a personal vow, or promise to the intended that must be proven over the course of months. Once every vow is proven, the intended will then make her choice to accept or reject the proposal."
"How many months are we talking?" Sakura questions.
"It depends on the suitor." Itachi answers, "A bigger bouquet is preferred. It is a matter of status."
Sakura's brows draw together trying to picture Sasuke handing out flowers and doing a game of charades for a month trying to prove them. I can't even picture him picking flowers let alone going to the lengths his dad did. This garden is huge!
She holds back a laugh, trying to imagine Itachi doing the same. Maybe. Still. It sounds so...archaic and chivalrous and outdated all at the same time. I can't picture any of the women in the Village around his age willing to go through the hassle. She nods her understanding of his summary though there are still plenty of questions lingering. She starts with the simplest one by far
"I'm guessing the bigger the bouquet, the more outlandish the vow?"
Itachi shakes his head in the negative, pauses then shrugs. "Not necessarily. Think of it more as the ability to provide. The more flowers, the more you have to offer."
"And the Clan Head's bouquet needs to be the biggest by default," She concludes. He nods. "How many months does courtship normally take?"
"It ranges between three to twelve months." Itachi supplies. "One month, one vow. Twelve months, twelve vows."
She calculates the time of their former mission and their current mission before looking questionably at him. "We don't really have a full year to use. Kakashi wants you to have children as soon as possible."
Itachi nods once. "I am aware. An ideal time length of courtship is six to nine months. Six should be enough to fulfil my promise."
"To your mother?" Sakura concludes, leaning forward to get a better view of his face. And to see if she is right.
Itachi blinks slowly, letting seconds go by before offering a barely visible nod. "I will need your help in order to do this."
"Of course," Sakura agrees right away. "Actually I think it's really sweet that you want to do it this way for your mom. It's like honoring her memory."
Another distant nod. She swings her gaze his way, sensing his distraction. There better not be ghosts lurking around.
To be on the safe side, she looks around them seeing only birds and wooden planks. Her partner shakes his head. She looks over to see that he is smirking.
"What?" Sakura accuses.
"Nothing."
Not buying it, she presses further. "Then why are you smirking?"
Itachi counters with a raised brow as if to question her questioning of a simple action. Sakura knows better than to get an answer from him at this point. Huffing she looks away and, not buying his excuse but tries to keep him in the moment just in case it is a ghost.
"What exactly do you need me to do? It seems pretty straightforward. Flowers. Promises and charades. Where do I come in?"
Much annoyance he actually smiles! Well, smile in the way any Uchiha can. No teeth but a pleasant, playful and equally snarky grin. The far off look is gone and it's enough to make her not punch him in the shoulder.
"You need to be taught." Itachi says. "Courtship is a tradition spanning centuries that you know nothing about."
Confused, Sakura makes a face and crosses her arms. "It's flowers. How hard can it be?"
"Each flower has a different meaning. Each combination tells a different story. Before you can help me with courtship, you first need to understand the language of it."
She cocks a pink brow questioningly, ready to retort when suddenly Itachi reaches across her lap. Sakura stills and flushes. Her chakra coils, ready to react. He grabs the bag of dango sitting to her left and places it in her lap without touching any other part of her.
"Open it." he says.
Skepticism plays on her face, especially at his closer proximity. Itachi moves back a few inches, waiting for her to do as he asked. Seconds tick by and replaces his hands in his cloak, still watching and waiting with measured patience.
Even though he did not answer her question, she obliged his request, untying the knot to get to the treats.
After several seconds she shifts the handles of the bag down, prepared to pull out the dango but something else tumbles out instead.
Her head jerks to Itachi and then back down at the delicate bloom lay precariously across her thigh.
I don't think anyone's given me flowers before…
Though it's only one, her ears heat up further. Sakura picks up the steam, holding the flower closer to get a better look. At first glance she thinks the spiny like petals are purple but soon realizes they are a shade of blue all clustered together in ruffled rows around a purple center.
Sakura twirls it between her pointer finger and thumb. Unsure of what to say at the offering, she goes for the safest option.
"Erm..thanks…?"
"Hnn," Itachi states. "I appreciate your gratitude but that is not the correct response."
"Eh?" Sakura looks over to him, feeling her blush spread at his intense gaze. "I don't...I mean, what am I supposed to say?"
He nods approvingly. Pulling a hand from his cloak he brushes a finger underneath one of petals before quietly answering. "You should ask what it is."
"Okay. What is it?"
"A cornflower," Itachi explains. Sakura looks down at his fingers caressing one spiny petal then another. "Cornflowers have several meanings depending on the context and what they are coupled with."
"Oh," she tries to focus on the fact that this must be a lesson of some sort and not just Itachi giving her flowers. "And in this context? What does it mean by itself?"
"A request."
"For?"
"At the moment, your continued assistance." he says, pulling his hand away. "Such things as this you will need to teach my intended."
Sakura tilts her head at him and returns to the question she'd asked earlier. "Why do I have to teach her?"
"Courtship is done from a distance. It is a game of self control and restraint."
"That's ridiculous!" Sakura exclaims. "How are you supposed to date someone distantly?"
Itachi gives the flower a gentle pluck before correcting her.. "It is not dating. It is a courtship."
Sakura squares her shoulders, tilting her chin up at him. "Fine. How can you court someone from a distance?"
"I will teach you." Itachi says easily. "As okaasan taught me…"
Sakura opens her mouth to rebuttal but closes her lips with a quiet sigh. I wonder if he's even aware he gets this far off look every time he mentions her. There's notably silence whenever his mother comes up. At the moment, his eyes stare intently at the cornflower, not really seeing Sakura at all.
Seizing the opportunity to at least give him an outlet, she pulls the flower closer, holding it in fingertips from both hands.
"Why did your mom teach you all this stuff if it's your dad's garden?" Sakura inqiures.
Itachi blinks once. Then again. Then turns his gaze away towards the garden. "Father only showed such affections to my mother. On rare occasions he would treat us to a softer side. Perhaps later he would have gotten around to it but delicate topics such as this were often left to mother."
Sakura looks out again at the flowering garden, trying to reconcile Itachi's description of his father juxtaposed to the garden he fashioned. I guess his mother would know best when it comes to picking the right flowers with the right meaning.
Pink brows pucker and she twirls the cornflower in her hand. "What does this garden say? I mean, that's the point of it right?"
Itachi nods once. "Yes but the messages will be lost to you without complete context. I guessed as to some of the flowers and bought them from Ino. But others were unavailable this time of year. The meaning is incomplete and won't make much sense without them."
"Wait," Sakura interjects. "You planted these?"
Again, he nods and pulls himself up to a stand. "The garden is a mixture of winter, spring and summer flowers. It took little effort to plant those in season for demonstration purposes."
Sakura stands with him, walking towards the edge of the gazebo steps. "So you do know what this garden means?"
"Hnn."
"And you're keeping it a secret?"
The Uchiha takes a step down and calls to her. "Once you know everything there is to know about courtship, you can decipher the meaning yourself."
Sakura hurries after him, hyped at the challenge. "Fine. Studying has always been my strong suit. I'll have this in the bag."
The reach the stairs of the back porch before Itachi offers an ominous "Assuming you remember it all."
"What?" she asks, defenses in high alert.
There's no mistaking the laugh in his voice even if she only sees his back. "You forgot the dango, Sakura."
Looking down at her hands, Sakura realizes the only thing she carries is the cornflower once strategically hidden in the bag.
"Oh!" She turns quickly to go get the treats. Unsure of where else to put the cornflower, she tucks it between her hair and ear then jogs back to the porch and around the veranda to meet Itachi at the entrance.
"Ha. Ha. Very funny." She states once she meets him outside on the front porch.
Itachi steps aside to let her go before him. As she passes him, he reaches out and tugs gently at the cornflower.
"Perhaps learning is a strong suit." Itachi murmurs.
Sakura reaches up to touch her ear and the flower, turning to face him while he locks the door. "Did I do something right?"
Itachi finishes locking everything up then walks with her to the road. "If another Uchiha saw the flower as it is now, they will assume two things. Your suitor has fulfilled a request you asked. Or you have a request that hasn't been met yet. Several cornflowers mean the former. Cornflowers paired with other flowers mean the latter. Since it is tucked behind your ear, most will think his answer pleases you."
Sakura tries not to gawk. "Hair plays a part in this thing too?"
His gaze slants her way without moving his head. "There are many nuances to courtship, Sakura."
Yeah, I heard you the first time. Sakura thinks. As the walk to leave the place Itachi once called home, another thought occurs to her.
"When are we going to tell Kakashi? Before we start or after this whole thing is over?"
"Do as you please."
Sakura nods once, mind set. "I'll send a missive tonight then."
Their walk continues all the way home, where Sakura sets to work on seal paper and Itachi starts the prep for food. It makes little sense to write their decision on the mission without giving her full report for the day. As her home fills with the smell of hotpot base, she details the day and what she assumes will be their evening.
If anything changes, I can always send another. She makes sure to add the bit about Kai and his trial medicine though it has little to do with the mission. It does lean some credibility to the six month gap between the official start of their mission and Itachi ending it. I can explain the rest when we see each other. Although I guess it would be faster if I didn't have to send these things this way.
Her expression leans towards disgruntled as she adds the final touches to the page. Five years of communicating this way and Sakura has never gotten used to it. So much writing when I could just go up to the office myself...
But missives are normally given at the front desk and very few people know she is on a mission, let alone know the details. Caution for caution sake I guess.
"Sakura?" Itachi calls just as she weaves signs to summon a slug.
"In a minute!" Sakura calls back. A white and blue slug poofs into existence on her living room table. "Katsuyu-sama. How are you this evening?"
"Very well, Sakura-san." Katsuyu answers, gliding across the table where the missive sits. "Another report?"
"Two actually," she states with a little laugh. "Kakashi has a lot he needs to know."
The slug nods once, turning to present her back. Sakura weaves several more hand signs before tapping the missives with her fingers. Seconds later it shrinks to Katsuyu's size. She fastens it to the slugs back before sending her off with a friendly salute. She raises from the living room table, going to the small dining area where Itachi has their hotpot late lunch, early dinner set up. Thinly slice meats and vegetables lay arranged in a rainbow display. Accompanied by rice and...sake?
She walks over to the table and picks up the small bottle, waving it at him. "What's this?"
"A gift from Shikamaru," Itachi says while wiping his freshly cleaned hands. "It is a fruit wine from Suna."
She kneels down on her cushion, placing the bottle back on the table. "You sure get a lot of gifts from the Naras…"
"Some may venture to say that we are friends…" Itachi's expression doesn't falter but she has a sneaking suspicion he is teasing her again.
You couldn't tell me before that he has a snark side. Underneath all of these 'hnns' and 'ahas' is just as much sarcasm as the next man!
Shaking her head, Sakura goes for her bowl and pours the mild soup base. "It's still a bit weird. I grew up with Shikamaru but you spend more time with him these days than I do…"
Itachi pours a small amount of fruit wine for the both of them. "My mission dictates close proximity. Shikamaru is tolerable."
"I can see how you two would bond over strategy games." She comments and uses her chopsticks to pile foodstuffs onto her plate.
The conversation from earlier comes to mind and remembers Ino's protest at Shikamaru blocking her request. I wonder if he would do it?
Looking over the rim of her bowl, she steals glances of her partner filling his plate with meat and vegetables. Sakura considers asking him what Ino asked but remembers the context of the conversation then quickly looks away, cheeks flushed.
Shut up, Ino!
"Is the food too hot?"
"What?" Sakura stutters, blushing more at the sudden attention.
Itachi blinks at her then looks down at the soup base. "Your face is red."
Does he have to be so matter of a fact sometimes. She chuckles nervously, and shakes her head. "I was just thinking about something. Speaking of, when am I going to start my courtship training?"
"Soon." Itachi offers.
"As in…?"
He dips several meats into his own hotpot. "Tomorrow, perhaps. It depends on if my physician clears me to check on a project I am supposed to be working on."
Sakura cocks her brow at the jab, sitting her bowl of rice down to cross her arms. "Maybe if you give your physician a reason, she might."
"I am not sick."
"Not anymore." she argues before stuffing her face with food.
"Is that not reason enough, Sakura?"
The medic finishes her bit and waits until Itach finishes his before broaching a topic she is unsure she has the rights to. "What about...the ghost?"
Her partner shrugs one shoulder. "Shisui is Shisui."
Sakura rolls her eyes at him. "You know what I mean."
"My answer is the same."
She shifts and sighs, leaning her elbows on the table. "If you can't guarantee that you won't go crazy the minute I send you back, I'm not sending you."
Itachi's bored expression helps nothing. "I did not 'go crazy' the first time," he says.
She meets his expression with a flare of push back, narrowing her eyes before snarkily asking. "Explain seeing ghosts then?"
"Have you been dead before, Sakura?"
"I, um...well, no I haven't…"
Itachi cuts across her floundering. "Then I cannot explain."
Okay, well that actually makes sense.
"All I'm saying is we're trying to find you a Mrs. Right. We'll have a hard time doing that if you're being haunted."
She pulls back, letting her hands fall into her lap while Itachi resumes his meals. Soon after she joins him and they eat in silence. Sakura is sure the conversation is over. But Itachi surprises her before taking a sip of his wine.
"Thank you, Sakura." he states. "Your concern is customary to your role in courtship. But I assure you Shisui is harmless and I am fine."
She cannot immediately refute his seeming fine. They had gone to his home earlier and Itachi seemed more himself than he had in awhile. Does mean he isn't hiding something.
But prolonging his leave will only prolong the project, which could keep him at the Uchiha Compound for longer. That could be much worse. Or not. As he said, I haven't been dead before. Maybe things are different when you are on the other side...
"I'll think about it," Sakura finally says. "Maybe less working hours everyday? Shikamaru can do the heavy lifting while you're gone."
"I would prefer to do it myself."
"Not until after you get that evaluation, Uchiha."
Itachi lets out a disgruntled exhale before muttering under his breath. "You are difficult."
"I'm a medic," Sakura retorts, "with an oath to uphold and no stubborn patient will force me to act otherwise."
"I am your partner." Itachi wages but Sakura smugly eats a piece of mushroom while eyeing him.
She takes her time swallowing before sipping her wine and wiping her mouth.
"You should be used to it by now then."
"Indeed."
Itachi drops the argument and she basks in the idea of winning some unknown prize at the moment.
Their night ends less eventfully than it started. The days that follow were routine for Sakura but a welcomed change for Itachi.
Sakura was kind enough to clear him for a few hours of work a day. Working half the time is not nearly as effective but Shikamaru is more than capable of doing the job. He isn't sure who had choiced words with Weasel, Kakashi or Sakura, but the Anbu makes sure he doesn't go over the allotted five hours of work.
Bothersome.
The Uchiha huffs, lifting his chin to gaze at the evergreen above his head. Back against the beech tree, Itachi allows his thoughts to drift to the plan he'd set into motion for the next few months. By no means is he going about courtship the way his father had or his grandfather before then. He simply can't do it that way for several reasons.
I will get as close as I can then do the rest my own way.
It feels good to say as much. Itachi has always enjoyed going down his own path, accepting his fate for what it is. He'd grown accustomed to doing what needed to be done for the sake of the greater good, with the least amount of fallout as possible. While he takes great pride in laying it all down for the sake of Konoha, Itachi equally relishes the opportunity to do as he pleases. As of late, he has had little opportunity to do so until recently.
His head pulls to the side. Itachi watches his parent's gravestones through a soft narrowed gaze. From his vantage point next to Sasuke, he has a clear view of them.
While his new life can never undo the things he's done or replace those most dear to him, it will give him the opportunity to build something new. The peace from that gives him reassurance. Itachi closes his eyes, inhaling quietly then exhaling just the same.
At this time of day, he fully expects to be alone. Very few people have access to here and even Weasel is kept outside of this section of the cemetery. So the footsteps on the stone path could only be one of three people.
Itachi would know Sakura's chakra instantly.
Naruto would be louder.
Itachi half opens his eyes to a rangy silhouette casting a shadow over his brother's gravestone.
"Hokage-sama." he offers a low greeting and brief head tilt as welcome.
Kakashi keeps his hands in his pockets, standing on the other side of Sasuke's gravestone. "Hoping for someone else?"
Itachi flicks his wrists dismissively. "Such as?"
The silver-haired ninja turns to face the same direction Itachi is before settling down on the other side of the large boulder. Mirroring the others position, one leg outstretched, the other bent at the knee where and arms careless hangs.
Kakashi answers his question with one of his own. "Do you ever see Sasuke?"
"Only in nightmares."
The Hokage holds silent for several seconds before offering a solemn response. "Every shinobi active before the War knows those dreams."
"A tragedy, truly." The Uchiha mutters. "Only shinobi who have lost something precious to them, either right before their eyes or by their own hands know these dreams. I would have hoped to prevent such things…"
"War is inevitable." Kakashi says seriously.
Itachi huffs, looking away and out at the remnants of his feeble attempt to contain war for just a moment. It would be my own brother to undo everything I tried to stop. "Peace is too fleeting."
"Maybe you are too idealistic?" Kakashi wages.
"On the contrary, Hokage-sama," Itachi reasons. "I am only stating a fact. Peace is fleeting. I would like to keep it. As long as there are men there will be dissent. And I cannot take that away or be removed from it."
"And now? Are you expecting dissent?"
Dark brows raise. What is this? Itachi tilts his head slightly in the direction of his companion. "Is there a point of contention between us?"
"That depends on your answer to my next question." Kakashi hedges. "I read Sakura's missive and came to see if somehow both of you'd lost your minds."
Ah. So it is the mission. "You disapprove?"
"On several levels but let's start with the most basic. Who told Sakura about Clan Provisions?"
Itachi flexes his fingers, schooling his features to impassiveness as he answers just the same. "I did."
"Those Provisions are for Clans only."
"Of which she is a member of."
"Temporarily." Kakashi sharply retorts.
"That is the hope."
Itachi feels Kakashi's hard gaze at his side but chooses to keep his own on the many graves before him.
"By practicing polygamy?" the Hokage challenges.
"No," Itachi sharply replies, looking sidelong at his former captain."Sakura and I will separate after the right woman is found. If that is your grievance you have no need to worry."
Kakashi shakes his head. "One of many. Your solution to this mission puts the village at a disadvantage on a mission we gave. You're shutting us out by going this route."
Itachi narrows his eyes, finger flexing once again at the accusation in the Hokage's tone. "I'm not sure which is more insulting: your lack of faith in me or in Sakura. Did you not commission me for this mission? Did you not ask us to come up with a solution? Now that we have, you doubt our judgement."
Kakashi snorts and smacks his teeth, drawing Itachi's attention to the contradicting expression on his former captain's face. Not as irritated as he thinks he should be, more thoughtful than pensive. I wonder why.
His question is does wait long before an answer comes and Itachi feels the shift in tone and in the way Kakashi drags his hands through his hair before looking up at the sky.
"Have you considered for a moment how this would affect Sakura?" Kakashi asks.
Itachi blinks, attempting to pick-up what is not being said. He answers the immediate question, prepared for a follow up. "She will be free."
"And alone."
"It is what she wants." Itachi informs.
"Yes…" Kakashi drawls then waits and after Itachi offers no answer, turns his head to look at him expectedly.
Itachi matches his gaze, holding it for several beats before giving in for simplicity sake.
"What are you asking from me?"
Kakashi shrugs. "Assess and consider."
"Consider what, exactly?"
"That perhaps Sakura has nightmares too."
A/N: Ahhhhh! This chapter gave me the blues guys! I don't know what it is about it but I just gave up lol. Okay I do know! I had lots of things going on and I just couldn't focus on getting this exactly how I wanted it. It's not my favorite and I'm sure I will go in and do some edits weeks from now. But my brain just could not compute with it anymore. I'm sorry if this is subpar compared to the other chapters. I promise it will not be like this always.
Anyways, we get a glimpse into what will happen. Now let's see it unfold in the next chapter! Thanks for sticking with me guys. Fav, follow and comment as usual. Be easy on me with this one, guys.
-Cece^^
Word Count: 10,759 (it's so short! :'c )
Musical Inspiration:"My Favorite Faded Fantasy", "Accidental Babies"- Damien Rice, "Moonlight Serenade"- Ben L'oncle, "Young and Beautiful"- Lana Del Rei, "Dinner and Diatribes"- Hozier