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.

13. Line 12: Sweet Pea

Line 12: Sweet Pea

" and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart.."

'I Carry Your Heart'

Line 9, Stanza 6

-EE Cummings

---

After finishing a ten-hour surgery, Sakura's sigh holds nothing short of utter relief. The young shinobi on her operating table ran into a misunderstanding from a neighboring village. While the incident came short of an international disaster, it is the most work she's done on a shinobi in years.

I'll take that over another war any day. Thankfully Naruto managed to calm everything down before people got too worked up.

Almost all of her severe patients have been civilians with common ailments. Or not so common in Kai's case. But not too long ago, she would've seen several shinobi in a day with scrapes and bruises of some kind from a fight. These days, if a shinobi does come by, it's usually a genin or chunin who's gotten themselves tangled in harmless mess or chakra exhaustion.

With all the horrors the Fourth Shinobi War brought, I doubt anyone wants to see that level of carnage again. We're all holding up our end of the bargain.

Her days are spent studying natural diseases and refreshing her brain on heart surgeries.

Disposing surgery covers and gloves in their proper bio bins, Sakura washes her hands vigorously and then returned to her office to finalize some outpatient paperwork. Once her door is closed, she makes a beeline for her chair, needing to sit after being on her feet for so long. Sakura moves papers around to make room for her head to lie on the desk when three tiny pink flowers clustered together on a single stem, looking too delicate to touch with a scent just as docile, tumbles off one of her patient forms.

"Oh." Sakura picks them up. "You weren't here this morning."

While any woman would be over the moon about reason flowers, her sudden appreciation comes from the message the flower is meant to convey. She rubs her finger down each vowed promise before bringing it to her nose to smell. Sweet peas always have a fragrant perfume, tickling her nose a little as she inhales again.

Sweet peas fall into the category of love, both romantic and platonic. Something that requires a response. Or a rejection. And the promise of food makes her stomach growl, unlike the hydrangeas decorating her desk, which mainly were compliments.

She puts the flower back in its place and opens her top desk drawer to find the answer to Itachi's question.

"Let's see now...what are your thoughts on sweet pea, Uchiha-san." She flips through pages of Mikoto's journal until she finds the sketch of the sweet-smelling flower.

Before considering courtship, assess whether you can provide the most basic needs. Sometimes simple is best. Sweet peas are a simple promise.

For a medic who's been working for the better part of an entire day, food is better than anything else. Courtship training or not. Sakura contemplates what action he expects her to take. Rejection is out of the question. A hard yes is much closer to how she feels. Based on what Itachi's told her, wearing a vow is as good of a response as any.

She reaches across the desk, picks up the sweet pea, and tucks it behind her ear.

I think this response is appropriate. How do you say I want you to feed me?

Whatever Itachi cooks up will be good if it isn't laced with Temari's spices. At this point, she is sure he is aware of her aversion to it. The thought makes her chuckle, and her stomach appropriately responds to what will happen.

"Okonomiyaki sounds good right now. Has Itachi ever made that? Probably. Ah, no, I'm thinking something fried. Oh! Chicken. I would love some fried chicken right about now…."

Her musings only make her lack of food and equal lack of energy more apparent. Since food never cooks fast when watched, she closes Mikoto's journal. She turns back to the task she came to her office to do.

"Itachi's probably finished cooking at this point anyway. No point in dreaming up scenarios of fried chicken, veggies and rice."

Determined to stay focused, she throws herself into finalizing outpatient care instructions. It works long enough for her to file paperwork and stamp the pages with her approval.

However, at the one-hundredth groan from her gut, Sakura's head hits the desk in defeat.

"I'm so hungry," she laments to the vase of hydrangeas and the cluster of sweetpeas with their unfulfilled promise.

As if being heard by the gods, three swift knocks on the door interrupted her sorrow.

"Delivery for Uchiha Sakura!"

Not Itachi's voice at all, too high-pitched and cheerful. But Sakura's up and out of her seat before the second round of knocks reverbs through the place. Seconds later, the office fills with tempura shrimp's desirable and familiar smell. Even though the brown page, its fried, savory, salty aroma fills the room, making her mouth water.

It isn't one of Itachi's meals but her favorite food. Tempura shrimp, rice, pickled vegetables, and some soup.

"I guess it counts," she says, snapping the wood chopsticks in half to dig in.

Mikoto should have specified how the needs should be met. Tempura takeout could fit the bill. But Sakura decides to challenge her partner in case the question arises.

A few hours later, satisfied and finished with work, a sweet pea in her hair and information to find, Sakura heads home to find Itachi on the sofa with paperwork.

Not an unusual sight by any means, but the notable lack of that home-cooked meal smell is out of the ordinary. After removing her shoes, Sakura plucks the flower from its resting place and casually drops it onto the paper he holds as she walks by the sofa to the kitchen. Under the guise of washing her hands, Sakura checks for leftovers hiding in the fridge. Then checks twice just to be sure.

Nothing.

"Are you making dinner?" he asks upon her approach, flower in hand.

Itachi doesn't see the puzzled look on her face.

"Doesn't this mean that you're supposed to do that?" she asks, pointing over his shoulder at the flower.

Her partner leans back, and she moves ever so slightly to avoid being hit in the face. "A sweet pea is a promise of provision. It is for the intended to decide what that looks like. Some prefer to cook. For those, it is the suitor's job to provide the food. Others can't cook, so the suitor must provide meals. In either scenario, it is a promise to be taken care of."

"I see," she says to herself, letting the conversation trail off for a few seconds before asking, "Did I commit some faux paux by giving it back?"

Itachi shakes his head and lays the flower beside him on the sofa. "That depends. If this isn't a wanted vow, then I would have no choice but to adjust. If the vow isn't carried out correctly then the go-between would explain my failure and the intended's desires."

He pauses and looks over his shoulder, waiting for her. Sakura immediately understands. As his go-between, it would be her job to talk on his intended's behalf. Whatever her feelings are about how he's chosen to fulfill the vow. She considers her reaction at work and even comes home looking for food.

If she were me, then Itachi would need to know that takeout wasn't the expectation.

Pushing off the back of the sofa, she moves over a bit more so he can see her face. "I was expecting a home cooked meal. The tempura was nice though."

"You prefer home cooking to takeout?"

"I was expecting it." she tells him.

He hums in approval. "Then adjustments must be made."

She almost concedes, but a thought occurs to her that she is practically sure of the answer but asks anyway.

"What if I changed my mind? Say, one day I wanted a home-cooked meal and the next I wanted to eat out?"

He processes her question by gazing away, brows dipping together before Itachi blinks himself back to the moment.

"It wouldn't be in the intended's best interest to be indecisive." picking up the sweetpea cluster and placing it next to her hand on the sofa. "Sweet peas are vows for a lifetime that gives the suitor an opportunity to show his worth. Such things are hard to do with a woman who does not know what she wants."

I had a feeling he would say something like that...

Sakura drums her fingers against the sofa cushions one at a time at his explanation. Pursing her lips, she looks straight ahead, trying to figure out why this new tidbit doesn't sit quite right with her.

Her partner sighs, turning even more to her.

"You have a complaint." Itachi says matter-of-factly.

"I haven't said anything!"

"Your face says a lot." he points out, and she rolls her eyes at him.

Sakura thinks to deny his observation. He's right. She doesn't like that he's right, but still.

She does take issue with this, and since he brought it up, well. "So...the woman can't change her mind? If she wants home-cooked meals, she absolutely has to stick with that?"

"At least for the one month duration the suitor has to provide what she is asking, yes."

"Wouldn't it be better if the suitor could obliged the many food requests she has?" When he blinks slowly at her questions, Sakura tries to explain again. "Okay like, say the intended wanted to go out to eat one day. Or maybe she had a bad day at work and really just wanted chips and chocolate. Or what if she wants to cook for once. Women aren't static! Besides, wouldn't it be an even better show of how much he cares if he can keep up with all of that?"

Her partner tilts his head quizzically, and Sakura feels the tips of her ears go red. He stares as if trying to figure out why she's trying to uproot years of tradition. But she isn't, and it totally makes sense to her!

If I were being courted, I'd want someone who knows me well enough to tell me what type of meal I'm in the mood for. Plus, what if the guy's cooking could be better? Even Itachi said the suitor needed to adjust. What are a few more extra adjustments to suit the intended needs? Right?

Questioning her own judgment now, Sakura can't hold eye contact any longer. Instead, she focuses on her hands, drums her fingers against the sofa again, and readies an escape before this gets any more awkward than it already has.

Itachi reaches for the sweet pea that sits between them on the sofa. Sakura steps back, but Itachi's frown prompts her to stop. With a gentle touch, he places the flower back behind her ear, neatly tucking some hair with it, and affectionately pats the top of her head.

"I consider your request to be highly specific," Itachi says and, much to her liking, move his hand and sits down with his back to her again. "In courtship, the women set the pace the men must follow. If a man chooses to pursue a dynamic woman, with changing taste, then it is his job to keep up."

One point for Sakura!

She preens to herself, pleased at her point being acknowledged and valid for all of five seconds until she realizes exactly what he said.

"Hold on. Are you calling me a dynamic woman with changing taste?" she accuses.

Smooth as silk, without hesitation, Itachi picks up his papers again and answers with ease. "You are predictably unpredictable."

"What does that even mean?"

Her partner flips to another page of something before offering his explanation."There are things about you that are familiar. You like tempura shrimp. You dislike spicy food. You enjoy baths on particularly taxing work nights. Your favorite shampoo has dancing strawberries on it. Knowing this does not make me anymore prepared for your temper, your indecisiveness, your stubbornness. All of this manifests in many different ways. While I know them, I will never know which version of it I will get on a given day."

Stubborn, temperamental, and indecisiveness are not words she uses to describe herself, so how Itachi came to those conclusions is any man's guess. She gawks at him, unsure whether to be embarrassed or upset at his description of her. Emotional? Maybe. Uncertain sometimes? Yes. Stubborn, okay, yes, she can concede to that one. Stubbornness has gotten her far in life, and she will be damned if she'd change that now.

Suddenly feeling defensive, the young medic crosses her arms, looking at the side of Itachi's head. "I think you have me wrong."

"Is that so?"

"Yes it is, so!"

"Interesting." he flips a document page without missing a beat. "Stubborn, indeed."

Sakura reaches for his ponytail, intending to pull it in response to his half-hearted comment. However, she stops herself, realizing how immature it would appear. Instead, she clenches her fists and shakes her head in frustration.

"Stop it." she demands. "Keep your sarcasm for another time, Uchiha."

"Do you think I'm being disingenuous?"

Sakura rolls her eyes at him and, giving in to impulse, plucks him in the back of the head. "After five years, do you think I don't know when you have that stupid smirk on your face. 'Stop what'. You know exactly what I'm talking about. Then you do that thing where you act like you're not paying attention but you actually are. Look at me, pretending to read."

"I'm on the last paragraph." Itachi states, "Not pretending at all. Here."

He leans forward to grab a different document to hand, cutting into her and making faces at him behind his back.

"We are preparing to shift into a different phase," Itachi explains. "There's been an increased number of on-lookers and passersby curious about what's happening with the walls. It was decided that we would do demolition on the first section of the wall during Spring Festival."

"Spring festival?" Sakura raises a brow. "Call me crazy, but isn't it dangerous to literally blow up a wall with civilians standing around gawking?"

Itachi turns in his seat so that they are face to face. "We are discussing safeguards. Several earth users will be hired for the job to contain the demolition. As for the Spring Festival, we want to plan as far ahead in advance as possible. It is like Shimakaru said, the Old Uchiha District is meant to be a cultural hub. It would be a great way to introduce the concept to the community on the day of an important cultural festival."

"You guys finalized the layout from the last meeting you had with the planners?"

"Hn." Itachi agrees, turning away from her momentarily to grab more papers. "A grid seems the most realistic for future expansion. We'll tear down the first row of buildings to open the path. I'm donating the surrounding forest to the village to be divided into real estate plots. Minus a small allotment on the other side of the man-made pond, everything will either be sold or rented."

"That's based on what you guys negotiate? The buying and selling part?"

"There will be sections that are for rent only. These sections will historically preserve properties that should have little to no remodeling. Uchiha homes were built in fashion similar to older style homes in Konoha. We want to preserve that aesthetic. These homes will be given plaques and a seal from the Hokage."

Humming in understanding, she shuffles through more paperwork. "Anything that can be bought can be changed by the owners?"

"Yes. Most of these will be outside of the Old Uchiha District. The ones that are inside will have to sign a waiver for what can and cannot be changed."

Looking over the plans, she's amazed at how far they've come. Months ago, this idea was in a folder on Kakashi's desk. Even she had doubts about what it would look like. By the sounds of it, things are progressing well. The stacks of papers in her hands are all business inquiries, meaning people want to use the space.

She thinks, feeling a bit put off by the idea somehow. It's like the Massacre never even happened for some of them. They're lining up ready-to-use land where entire families lost their lives. Where Itachi's family…

Sakura glances at him through her lashes, noting his completely unbothered expression. Thinking over it now, his explanation of everything is highly frank and professional, with a notable lack of real emotional connection in her mind. He just discusses plans as if he's dividing someone else's property to be resold.

This doesn't bother you at all? Knowing that these people are just here for the money, not really trying to respect the dead at all? Does he feel anything at all? Sakura looks down again, idly flipping through pages that will divide his home up into plots. Even if it is some real estate, it isn't just any real estate.

Is there any sentimental value in any of the places? Is he relieved? The site is going to be around for a while. He will have to be there every day in that museum eventually. The change may be for the best. If it doesn't look the same, it won't feel like the place where ghosts can haunt you for what you've done...

Her stomach sinks, surprising even her at the sudden wave of sadness. Why am I sad about this? It's not like my house is turned into a tourist attraction.

Quickly gathering the papers together, she hands them over to her partner, then backs away from the sofa.

"I hope everything works out, " she says, though the sinking feeling only seems to deepen.

Sakura quickly heads to the bathroom and shuts the door, leaning against it. She senses her lack shift in mood and decides to leave before Itachi can inquire about it.

"This is crazy." she mutters to herself. "I shouldn't be sad. It's not my home. If Itachi doesn't care then why should I? Why do I?"

She frowns, pushes off the door then turns on the shower before getting undressed. As each layer falls, she tries to assess her own emotional reaction to the situation. Is she upset because of what the people are doing? How Itachi responds? Maybe both. If I were him, I would be angry. I want to keep everything to remind myself who they were and what these people meant to me…

Immediately she thinks of Sasuke, and her chest burns with a familiar discomfort. "I was in his position, maybe not exactly the same because Itachi isn't a house but...I had to come face to face with my actions everyday. Pretend to care. Pretend to like. Pretend not to want to suffocate him in his sleep. Maybe Itachi is pretending too. Or he really is relieved to see the change. Then he wouldn't have to stare his actions in the face everyday."

Stepping into the shower, the hot water soothes her sadness, but she still maintains that it is her response.

I was two shots shy of losing my mind at the start of this thing. I think Itachi and I have gotten over that hump. I definitely don't want to kill him. He could be me if something doesn't change about the Compound. Itachi doesn't share much. If he's hurting, I wouldn't know... Frowning, Sakura holds her arms and tilts her head towards the steam.

"And if it affects his health, like seeing ghosts or getting flare-ups…" she quickly shakes her head, grabbing the soap to stop her train of thought. "Even if there is something, that has nothing to do with me. In a few more months this won't be my problem anymore. No ghost. No health issues and coughing fits in the middle of the night. Itachi and his wife can work through that trauma together. I get to take a step back."

Willing herself to let it go, Sakura tries focusing on the water as she showers. As the sweet scent of strawberry and sake body wash permeated the steam in the shower, she forced herself to reflect on less complicated things. Less than a year and I will be done…

It works for a little while. As soon as she steps into the hallway, the smell of cooked food replaces that of her soap and shampoo. She creeps downstairs and around the corner towards the kitchen doorway, holding her towel close. Itachi stands near the stove, skillfully tossing sauteed vegetables in a pan. Although she doesn't want him to stop working just to make her food, she appreciates his thoughtfulness. Itachi is well-attuned to her needs, and she wonders when he stops doing things for the mission simply because he wants to. All this talk of courtship and needs has her wondering what exactly Itachi needs.

Where does the mission start and stop for him?

Itachi turns, and Sakura instantly crosses her arms over her chest, realizing that she's loitered by the door longer than she wants and is still wearing a towel.

"Would you like rice Sakura?" Itachi asks, looking away from her to pour the vegetables onto a plate.

She clears her throat and sidesteps partially behind the wall. "You didn't have to cook for me."

"Of course. There are very few things I have to do."

"So why did you?"

Itachi inhales while adding seasonings. "There was nothing here to eat. Rice or no rice?"

That's it...

As she listens to his words, Sakura can't help but feel uneasy. It's moments like these that make her doubt everything about him. Itachi is so considerate, and she can never understand why. They aren't really friends or past lovers, just partners. Besides, Naruto has never cooked for her before.

Why this? Why does he do anything?

The truth is she doesn't know everything that pertains to Uchiha Itachi.

I don't know if he's sad. Happy. Faking. Being himself. I don't know much at all...

"Rice," she finally says.

Itachi nods. "It will be ready by the time you are better clothed."

With a blush and a head duck, Sakura returns upstairs to get change.

---

The weather forecast promises snow, which is unusual for early spring in Konoha. A cold front off the ocean drops the temperature enough to freeze water. Itachi and Shikamaru grant the construction crew a day off for the weather's sake. Itachi takes advantage of his free time to visit his family.

The Uchiha Section of Konoha's Cemetery has little to it in the way of color. Black headstones, green grass, and evergreen trees. A serene feel that makes saying the prayers and lighting the incense a calming experience.

When he gets to Sasuke, Itachi pauses. Sakura does an excellent job of keeping Sasuke's grave thoroughly decorated. With mild horror at his lack of effort, Itachi realizes that the rest of his family's graves are decidedly bare.

"If I take a few more days off, perhaps I can plant several blossoms..." He's already planning his gardening strategies, which will not require constant replacement every season. A garden of promises to his family in their final resting place. Something that honors both their deaths and hopeful willingness to see that his actions were justified.

With extra time and a little thought, he settles on hyacinths. He leaves the cemetery to gather supplies, stopping at the Yamanaka flower shop for several orders of hyacinths.

I'll ask Shikamaru for at least a week of time off.

His family's grave site is quite...big. He will need at least two days to prep the dirty with the ground frozen from snow. If the weather continues, I may have to postpone this little project for a week.

Itachi tuts to himself, lost in the logistics of his plan even as he makes his way home. He starts their dinner with a mind full of possibilities. So lost in contemplation, Itachi overlooks Sakura's return from work until she's nearly gazing over his shoulder.

"Sorry," she apologizes, taking a step back. "I thought you heard me."

"I didn't," Itachi says, platting their food.

"Are you okay?" she asks.

Itachi eases her concern with a neutral smile. "I'm fine, Sakura. Just thinking."

"Okay..." there's hesitation in her tone. She scans his face before offering a small smile of her own. "I'll wash up for dinner then."

Itachi watches her leave the kitchen, then shakes himself from more profound distraction. The last thing he wants is for Sakura to worry over something that does not require her fear or input.

Dinner passes, and Itachi leaves Sakura for her evening activities so he can rest for the morning. A quick word to Shikamaru gives him another three days off. Itachi picks up his order from the flower shop and, along with his tools, sets to work on honoring his clan.

He starts with prepping the ground for planting after hours spent at the old Uchiha Compound. Shoves, spades, gardening gloves, Weasel as a distant guard, and graves as a company, Itachi takes to tilling the dirt. It's a task that keeps him well past sundown. Sakura beats him home, waving a bag of takeout.

"Working late?" she asks, following him to the kitchen so he can wash his hands.

Itachi stands at the sink, letting the water run while he picks dirt from under his nails, delaying his response to her inquiry. Itachi doesn't want to reveal to her that adding flowers to his relatives' graves makes him feel more connected to them. Considering the circumstance, he's leery that she will comprehend the necessity of his actions.

He frowns at the reluctance in his explanation, uncertain as to why he feels the need for secrecy.

Sakura has only done what she believes in best. As the words churn in his mind, Itachi realizes that her best is not his wants. Not right now.

He keeps silent until there's no dirt left, then turns off the sink with a furlough sigh. Sakura is still waiting for an explanation. Itachi reasons that the best answer should be as close to the truth as possible.

"I didn't have work today," he explains slowly. "I've been at the cementary."

"Oh..." There's a twang of disapproval punctuated by how she cuts her eyes around as if death clings to the walls.

Itachi withholds the grumble in his chest and a sudden urge to defend himself.

"There are no ghosts," he gets to the point to hopefully calm the tension in the room.

His partner purses her lips, exhaling through her nose. "I didn't say anything about ghosts."

"You were thinking it."

"I thought you've been out late, and it's...different. You don't usually do that."

Because the last time he did that, she had not seen him for days. Itachi knows that is what she has not said. He also knows that her worry has merit. However, he has no intentions of disappearing.

"I'm fine, Sakura. Thank you for dinner, " he says, drying his hands with a towel before leaving the kitchen.

Sakura does not pursue him in any regard. She keeps her distance and gives him some privacy for the moment. Though Itachi fully believes she will verify for herself eventually. At that point, he should be done and can fully explain his actions.

For now, he eats and sleeps. Then wakes up and starts the process again for the next two days.

As the snow finally falls outside, Itachi sits by the back window with a warm blanket and a cup of tea. He watches the clouds pass by, depositing snow sprinkles on the ground. Although most of it dissolves on impact, some small patches clump together, covering the ground in a layer of white.

Itachi lets out a sigh.

The morning is beautiful but quiet and still, leaving Itachi with an extra day and nothing much to do. With Sakura gone on a work errand, the house clean, and the laundry folded, he is left with his thoughts, watching the snow and reflecting on traditions.

Their background is small, but Itachi spends an incredible amount of time making it look nice. A small pond of koi fish, evergreens, and the glimmers of spring flowers. He added a few ferns to the flower beds against the veranda and a mixture of daisies, hydrangeas, sweet peas, and sweet alyssum. The flowers bud at different times of the year but intersect at one specific point. That point tells a story he wishes for Sakura to dissect before she tackles understanding the grandiosity of his father's garden to his mother.

I doubt we will have time to get that far. Itachi muses, considering their current trajectory. Though he'd given Sakura his mother's journal to learn from, Itachi hadn't expected her to be so taken with it. Her interest in his mother...intrigues him. He expects a more clinical approach and is sure she started that way. In true Sakura fashion, she switched midway through to something else entirely.

Tugging the blanket higher up his shoulders, he leans against the wall to stop the blanket from falling. Still gazing through the window, he ponders how to indulge his partner's curiosity. Such a slight deviation may interfere with their mission schedule, but Itachi is okay with this.

It will be a nice reprise.

It also means more time spent at the cemetery, which can work in his favor while embarking on this new project. If both of them are focused on their family, it would not be out of the realm of possibility that she looks the other way.

This brings up the idea of the approach. They can talk about it. Itachi has no issue with divulging information about the woman who raised him. She hardly asks me questions about okasan. Maybe a more hands-on approach. It is Sakura's way of learning anything. Her hands come to mind and the way she uses them.

Itachi hums thoughtfully to himself because, of course, Sakura uses her hands for everything. They are her most casualty-producing weapon and the most incredible healing tool in Konoha, aside from Tsuande. A hands-on approach just fits, meaning he must take her to his former home.

Since we are getting closer to cleaning it, perhaps I can persuade Shikamaru to leave the task to Sakura and me.

It is not such a strange request by any stretch. Sakura is his wife. It would make sense to many on the outside why he would want someone so essential by his side for such an undertaking. Decided, he makes a mental note to put that plan into motion, then finishes his tea as the snow starts to pick up again. With the blanket fully encircling his shoulders, Itachi opens the backdoor to step outside.

The air bites at his nose, smelling of spring and ice. He walks onto their small porch, then down the first step to feel the snow on his face. A light touch quickly subsides as it melts. He sits down, then turns his face toward the sky. Flurries move much slower when watched from this view. The snow shower barely impacts him, even though he knows it falls on him in large numbers. A sense of deja vu tickles his senses for several reasons. He and Sasuke used to watch the snow on the rare occasions it came. But that memory comes second to one shared with an unlikely friend and ally. Being in the open air, exposed to the elements, was a massive part of the years leading up to his death. So it stands to reason that he thinks of Kisame. The Hidden Mist shinobi was fond of both rain and snow. Itachi can recall several moments where they stood in silence under both. Much like this moment, softness fell around them, and in silence, they shared company.

Itachi blinks slowly, feeling snowflakes on his eyelashes.

Kisame may not have been 'good' by most people's standards. But the man knew loyalty and honor more than anyone Itachi's ever known. Their friendship was born out of circumstance but maintained through mutual respect.

"To honorable deaths, friend." Itachi talks to the open air, hoping it reaches where his former ally came to rest.

As thoughts drift like so many things around him, he smiles, thinking of the antics Kisame enjoyed attempting. He'd often try to goad him into proclivities of little interest to the Uchiha at the time. First, he found the act somewhat childish, even if Kisame was older. Over time, he saw them as something much more lighthearted and even occasionally indulged the man's attempts.

A chuckle escapes, and he shakes his head. Those childish breaks in their otherwise bleak task kept him grounded and sane in many ways. Perhaps Kisame was aware. Maybe he was utterly clueless. Either way, Itachi laughs lightly at the memories, shifting his eyes away from the sky and into the distance.

The Akatsuki was very many things, but a pleasant place is not the word he would use to describe it. Just as quickly as pleasant memories come, so do those of unpleasant times. As laughter wanes, Itachi watches the snow in a settled melancholy. His life has never been solely happy. The most significant part of the last few years lacked happiness until his demise. He's learned to live with a resolution, an internal acceptance that resembles contentment. In that respect, watching snow fall while thinking of unpleasant things associated with the weather only makes him lose the small smile he had. There is no loss of happiness, only the return of containment that comes with knowing duty.

Sitting in familiarity makes it easier for him to notice things out of place. He knows the landscape of his mind, so the distant and deep pull he feels comes from somewhere outside the ordinary. It is an unconscious knowing accompanied by a vastness that reminds him they are separated. Yet they are attached. Within reach but not. Close but far. Deep but shallow enough to feel on his skin. The sweet smell of orange blossom that follows is just the same, muted but equally vibrating. Itachi makes no outward moves to address his new company. Equally, both of them keep their distance.

Why?

Although he knows that they are around him somewhere, neither actually makes themselves explicitly known. It is not like Izumi to visit him without at least a hug. Or for Shisui to keep any snide remarks to himself.

Taking a page from his old friend's book, Itachi whispers quietly to the wind. "Why hide when I can sense your aura?"

Shisui scoffs in his ear. "I told her not to come. She wouldn't listen."

His words surprise him, and Itachi sits up a bit straighter. Before he can question why, Izumi's pout makes him pause.

"I just wanted to help." she defends.

"He doesn't need it," Shisui stresses.

Blinking slowly, he tries to focus on where the pull is reaching him. Even if they sound close, they are not close enough. "Help with what? I am not in need of help."

Shisui's quip is quick, "I never said that."

Setting his gaze on the tree near the pond, the last Uchiha narrows his eyes.

"What are you saying?" Itachi challenges, getting to his feet in the process. If they do not come to him, he will go to them.

"That we need to go and Izumi needs to back off."

The young woman pouts, "But!"

"Back. Off." Shisui threatens, and she does, leaving Itachi wondering about the context of the conversation.

One moment he is sitting in reality, and the next, reality slips into the supernatural. Before he can question their entire debate in the first place, Shisui practically drags Izumi away. The dullness fades, and once again, Itachi is alone. Standing on his porch with the blanket about his shoulders, he watches the tree near the pond in utter confusion long enough to realize he is not alone.

"Itachi you left the front door unlocked!" Naruto's laugh echoes through the house. "Oh hey, Anbu's here too."

Itachi flinches at reality. He doesn't notice Sakura's approach, which is unusual because she is usually easy to spot. Naruto's chakra trickles into his awareness too late, along with several others.

Itachi grabs his teacup and then opens the backdoor. Rarely do they have company. So to see Honoka, Hinata, Shikamaru, and Temari gathering in his living is more out of place than Shisui and Izumi loitering behind trees.

Frowning at feeling a little off base, he closes the door slowly behind him and walks close enough to be spotted by Honoka.

"Surprise!" she says with her usual smile, holding bags. "It's game night."

"Where is Sakura?" he asks.

Honoka nods towards the still-open front door. "She and Anbu went outside."

Naruto's cheeky grin crosses the threshold with Hinata not far behind. She bows respectfully, then lifts a deceptively plain white box up high enough for him to get the tiniest gift of chocolate.

"Hello, Itachi-san. Can I put this in the kitchen?"

Her question stops his pursuit of Sakura, debating whether or not to be polite or address this farce before it starts.

"Do you remember the way?" he tries to at least sound cordial, but Hinata's blush makes the decision for him. "Through here..."

Itachi leads her to the kitchen, while Hinata compliments his home out of politeness.

Between Naruto and Honoka's exclamations, he can hardly hear the conversation outside, even if he can see the barest flicker of pink.

After helping Hinata, he tries again to get to the woman who invited this crew, only to be stopped by Temari just before he can reach the door.

"Do you have a soup spoon?"

"A what?"

"Spoon," Temari beams at him, smiling wide and wild. "For soup in your kitchen?"

Itachi hesitates, trying to collect his thoughts. "Probably."

"Show me where."

Temari's already redirecting him away from Sakura. The urge to protest dies as Sakura's voice draws closer. The only reason he does not refuse Temari's demand is because he knows Sakura will be inside soon.

So he brings his guest to the drawer closest to the fridge.

Itachi tries to leave, but Temari pinches his sleeves with her fingertips.

"Try smiling," she whispers, "It'll make our unexpected visit a little less bothersome. If it helps, I tried to talk to her out of surprising you. She insisted. Don't be mad. Sakura means well."

"Do you think I'm angry?" Itachi clarifies, feeling frustrated after being misunderstood twice within an hour. "I'm not angry, just puzzled. What was her reason for asking you to come?"

Temari simply echoes Honoka's previous explanation. "We're having a game night."

She taps Itachi on the shoulder with a mischievous smile, then heads over to the stove where she's cooking something. Itachi knows he won't get any more helpful answers about "game night," so he turns his attention back to Sakura.

Naruto and Honoka take over the floor and the living room table, with most games scattered across. Itachi moves by, placing his blanket on the sofa as he heads towards the genki. Sakura grumbles as she tries to shift her bags and take off her shoes, unnoticed by the others in the room. However, Itachi notices her struggle and approaches her from behind as she looks down.

He speaks softly, causing Sakura to look up in surprise with wide green eyes. "Can I assist you with something?" he offers.

"Um...yes, please."

Itachi kneels down and reaches for Sakura's foot, causing her to gasp in surprise. She struggles to maintain her balance by leaning against the front door while he firmly holds her ankle with one hand and unfastens the straps of her shoes with the other.

"Hold still," he whispers.

"What are you doing?" Sakura hisses.

"Helping. What are you doing?"

"I thought you would take the bags!"

Itachi removes one of her shoes, then gestures for her to give him the other foot. "Why are all of these people here, Sakura?"

His wife gives up her other leg a lot easier at his question.

"Can we talk in the kitchen?" Sakura pleads.

"Of course." Itachi mutters, pulling the shoe from her feet and himself from the ground and out of her way.

Sakura makes a beeline for the living room. "Could you hold these?" she asks Honoka. "I need to do something really quickly."

"Got it, boss," After a quick inspection, Honoka looks around the table. "I'll find somewhere to put the snacks."

"You can put them on here." Naruto opines, grinning wildly and patting the floor right before him.

Honoka narrows her eyes but walks around the table anyway. "You better not eat them all." she warns.

Sakura laughs good-naturedly and then starts in the direction of the kitchen. "You guys set everything up. We'll be right back."

Naruto gives the thumbs up while Itachi follows silently behind the young medic to their kitchen, noting the near absence of her chakra. He hasn't felt much, which is odd considering how vibrant it usually is.

Sakura heads to the kitchen, separated from the living area by a wall. Itachi joins her, standing by the window. Being this close, he notices how faint and cautious her chakra is. Itachi considers her hesitation, brooching the conversation with what he hopes is a calm demeanor.

"Why did you invite them?"

Sakura folds her arms, and he sees that uncertainty and something else. Something familiar.

What is that?

"I thought it would be fun to have our friends over." she explains, "The idea just came to me."

"Why?"

Sakura shyly puffs her cheeks and avoids making any eye contact. Itachi listens to the unspoken rhythm of her aura, that dull but equally present sense of something.

It is just like earlier. Concealed, but I can feel it from somewhere much more profound. Somewhere...

"I-it seemed like a good idea at the time." Sakura defends.

Itachi presses her for more. "Why?"

"Because friends hang out, have game night. That's what people do."

Her chakra unfolds a little more, reeving up in defense of whatever she is trying to protect. Itachi can see it and feel it dancing over his skin. Curious and concerned, he wants her to go back to explain what it is and why it's there. When Itachi approaches closer, Sakura's chakra becomes even more defensive, indicating that she wants him to stop.

Go back. Itachi thinks, wanting to focus on the last moment that reminded him of a visit from his friends Shisui and Izumi. I know this.

When Sakura looks at Itachi directly, her chakra shifts to something entirely different. On instinct, he closes his eyes because this sensation is almost unbearably warm.

"Hey," she whispers. Seconds later, kind hands cup Itachi's cheeks, "What is it? Is something in here?"

Because it is the only thing he can focus on now, Itachi admits the truth. "You."

Itachi opens his eyes to Sakura's confused expression and the warmth of green chakra against his temples. Her aura wraps them in a protective coon that Itachi is sure she does by accident. Protecting both of them from whatever she thinks might be a threat. There is none, just them in the kitchen. Posed to pounce and rescue, he is sure she will tackle whatever phantom may or may not visit him at night. The image of her attempting to punch an invisible foe on his behalf is half as distracting as the hands cupping the side of his head, which intensifies the feeling.

"You're looking at me?" Sakura clarifies.

"What are you not telling me?" Itachi counters.

Sakura inhales while letting loose another gentle flow of medical chakra. Her blush is revealing, but the competing components of her chakra make discerning nuances almost impossible.

"The last time you left you disappeared was the first time you started seeing ghosts. I don't know what you've been up to these past few days. And I don't know what's going on with you."

Itachi had assumed this would be her fear. He'd hoped his actions would have convinced her otherwise.

"Sakura," Itachi lays his hand on hers. "Listen to me. I am fine. You don't have to worry."

"Or you could have a brain tumor and be hallucinating. Hold still."

"You know that's not the case."

"I don't actually," Sakura contradicts. "I don't know where you are or what you're doing. You're not telling me anything. Which leads me to conclude that you're hiding something from me, like running away or having a brain tumor. Now, hold still so I can find out if at least one of my assumptions is false."

Itachi firmly gripes Sakura's hand, hoping to discourage her from probing his mind. Sakura stares back at him, but Itachi is grateful she doesn't push him away. He feels even more relieved as he recognizes the concern she has been trying to hide. The same type of worry had her cradling him in her arms that night he returned.

"I am not suffering from any brain abnormalities," he says smoothly. "And I am still here, Sakura. I have not gone away. Somethings I want to keep for myself."

Sakura's gaze dims, the last of her enthusiastic embers dying as it registers that he is not willing to explain himself. Her face contours, and her aura wavers with what he can only assume to be sadness.

"I get that," Sakura croaks, unable to hold eye contact. "We all have stuff that we want to keep. But I'm the one responsible for you. I'm not trying to overstep my boundaries here. You're not giving me anything to help me."

"I told you where I was going," Itachi supplies.

"Yeah, but what are you doing at the cemetery?"

"Nothing that warranted you to call for back-up," Itachi nods towards the living, pulling her hand away from his head. " Besides, Shisui will be Shisui regardless of where I am."

With a resolute tone and unwavering gaze, she declares, "I'm not partial to having ghosts loitering around my house."

"By all means, ask him to leave when he comes. He hardly listens to me anyway."

"That's not funny." Sakura quips.

She withdraws her hand from his and takes a few steps back, giving him ample space. Back on somewhat stable footing, Itachi reassures her while protecting what's rightfully his.

"Visiting the cemetery has nothing to do with encountering ghosts or seeing numerous dead individuals in one day. Various reasons prompt them to come to me, and sometimes there may be no particular reason."

Sakura grunts, turning away from him. "So there's more."

"I have regular visitors," Itachi says.

Sakura's brows shoot up. "Who?"

He bypasses the questions. "Two of them. One you know, the other will be introduced in due time. She is of the opinion a proper introduction is in order."

Sakura's mouth drops. "She? "

"Yes, she."

"A woman?"

"Indeed."

"Your mom?" Her barely concealed interest makes him double back on his earlier thoughts.

"Would you prefer it to be her?" he asks.

Sakura appears slightly perplexed before confidently sighing, "I'd prefer not to have a ghost lingering about. If it were your mom, then she'd be helpful."

Itachi is glad to take the change in topic. "Would you like to be introduced?"

Sakura's skepticism rises as she holds her folded arms. "To your ghost friend?"

"To mother."

"Itachi, I don't know if you're aware of this but you're the only person that can see your dead relatives. And, as much as I would love to chat with Mikoto about several things, I'm not trying to encourage your new found powers."

"Then for both of our benefits, there are other ways to get to know someone. Mother left more than just a diary in my old residence. There are plenty of things you can acquaint yourself with that could offer a better understanding of her priorities."

"You want me to go through her things?"

Itachi nods. "We will do it together."

Sakura takes a moment to consider, curling her lips while avoiding his gaze. While she's silent, her chakra speaks louder, coiling tight. Itachi senses her suspicion well before she opens her mouth.

"How do I know that this isn't just some ploy for you to get what you want?" she demands.

Itachi assumes she should have already let this go. He holds himself straighter, frustrations mounting. "What do you believe I want?"

Sakura narrows her eyes, catching his tone. "You want me to move out of the way so you can keep doing whatever you're doing."

"You think that's a bad thing?" he challenges.

"I don't know. Maybe? Especially if it means you keep tempting fate with things we don't understand."

Itachi's jaw tightens as he questions whether she is deliberately misinterpreting him. "What fate do you mean? Is there something that will happen to me that I haven't already experienced?"

"Who the hell knows, Itachi!" Sakura hisses. "First, you came back seeing ghosts. Next time you might try to turn yourself into one!"

"Games are ready!" Honoka shouts, perhaps on purpose, so that they can hear. But her words stop an argument before it can start.

Sakura has the decency to appear remorseful. "I didn't mean that."

"It doesn't matter," Itachi turns away from her, not wanting to continue this conversation.

"It matters to me," Sakura amends. "Do whatever you want. Just...try not to meet any more ghosts, okay?"

As Sakura leaves him with her barrage of accusations, he suddenly wants to prove her wrong and uncover the truth. During their little spat, Itachi realized something he had never noticed before - the sensation he felt around Sakura was eerily similar to what he had experienced in the presence of Shisui and Izumi.

While Itachi doesn't entirely share his partner's belief, he cannot help but wonder if these encounters are somehow connected to his resurrection. His bond with Sakura stems from the same source, if true. As he follows his partner to the living room and settles down on the floor next to the game table, Temari silently offers him a drink, which he accepts with a subtle nod of gratitude. Savoring the glass slowly, Itachi surveys the lively conversation around the table, still trying to process the recent events. Sakura engrosses herself in discussion with Hinata about the baby, ignoring Itachi completely. Finishing his drink, he feels the burn in his throat before becoming a quiet observer for the rest of the evening. It isn't until he catches Honoka's gaze that he realizes she s been watching him. Honoka, who is never one to shy away, approaches him with a deck of cards in her hand.

"It's only enjoyable to have a game night if you engage in playing games," she says in a gentle tone. Usually, Itachi would indulge her, but his thoughts are preoccupied, and he can't muster the desire to participate.

"I'm not feeling up for games right now."

She looks down at the cards in her hands, shuffling them absentmindedly, and speaks in a subdued voice, "I see. Sakura-san mentioned the same thing."

"Just now?"

"On the way," Honoka corrects. "She said you'd be welcoming but probably not thrilled that we just showed up…."

He raises a brow when she ambiguously trails off. "But?" he prompts.

As if on cue, the young woman smiles again. "I was given the specific task to blackmail you in the event that you were being...like this."

Itachi tilts his head in surprise at her confidence. "Blackmail?"

Honoka sits on her knees, giving her a slight height advantage in his seated state. "Yup! You owe me."

"How do you suppose I owe you anything?"

Honoka's smile exudes confidence as she lays her master plan out with quiet zeal. "You made me sit through you teaching me shogi the last time you were sick. The least you can do is watch me play one of my favorite games."

Itachi holds her gaze for several seconds, but Honoka meets his eyes with unwavering confidence. He eventually sighs, exasperated, while Honoka sits back down with a satisfied smile.

"You gotta come to the table to watch!" She practically sings, scooting back to where Naruto waits.

Itachi lingers in his thoughts until Honoka gestures for him to move faster. He gives in, moving to the table. Honoka immediately goes into explaining the game of numbers. He listens with half an ear, keenly aware of the pair of green eyes also watching him. And the chakra settles into a contentment that makes up his mind to meet with Tsunade as soon as possible. If the former Hokage doesn't know what is happening, he feels that a certain Sanin just might.

His early rise the following day is met with equal skepticism, but Itachi now ignores her. He meets with Kakashi to schedule time with Tsunade. Since he's supposed to meet with her regarding his mental health, the current Hokage doesn't question. Only giving him time for the following day.

Choosing to go to the cemetery in the morning, Itachi resumes weeding the grounds. It is a task that takes all of the time he has to spare, so he leaves seeding for later that day. By mid-afternoon, nearly the entire gravesite is ready, and Itachi settles down near the beech tree to rest.

"At this rate, I will be finished in the next few days." Itachi says to the rock next to him. "What do you think of it, Sasuke?"

Unlike the shadows that follow him during the day, Sasuke only comes as darkness in dreams at night. When he was first resurrected, he'd see him every time he closed his eyes. Nights were much longer then, mornings even more so. As time went on, Sasuke showed up less and less. Nowadays, he holds darkness close and whispers overdue apologies and explanations.

Itachi lies still on the soft grass, the ground beneath him covering the blood and bones of his fallen kin. His arms and legs stretch out around him as he closes his eyes and exhales, allowing himself to join his family in their serene repose. The grief that overtakes him is an elusive and enigmatic force, calm like the world around him yet as slippery as the wind. It dances around his thoughts, taunting him with its presence just out of reach. At this moment, silence reigns supreme, devoid of any sights or scents, even the faint aroma of Izumi's perfume. His sole companion is the quiet of the dead, a stillness that envelops him. Itachi clears his mind and lets the emptiness consume him, forgetting about the Uchiha Compound, any plans for the future, courtship rituals, missions, and Sakura. Just him here, the once dead amongst kinsmen.

The way it should be.

Itachi relishes the sensation of the sun's gentle caress on his chest. He cherishes this moment, fully aware that there is no urgency to move on. Nevertheless, a slight tug on his chakra eventually prompts him to break away from his reverie. With deliberate and languid hand motions, Itachi weaves the signs to break the genjutsu, allowing Tsunade inside. Reluctantly, he rises to his feet and sits on the bench facing his late brother's grave. He crosses his legs at the ankles before leaning back against the cool, sturdy wood.

"You're early," he tells Tsuande when she comes into view

She doesn't go directly to him, choosing to stay on the middle path. "I had some extra time from a previous engagement. Are you ready?"

"Yes."

Instead of immediately asking about his mental health or the purpose of the meeting, she shifts her focus to the cemetery.

"This is it, huh?" Tsunade observes.

"This is it." Itachi repeats.

The blonde takes to meandering the walkways. Itachi watches from his vantage on the bench, mentally reciting the names of those she passes by. He knows them, who lies next to whom. What families were buried separately and apart? Occasionally Tsuande stops to read or touches the freshly plowed dirt. When she returns to where he is, Tsuande stands under the beech tree next to Sasuke.

"Odd place for a bench," Tsuande comments, then looks up. "Beautiful tree though."

"The bench was placed to give Sakura somewhere to sit. The tree is shade from the sun."

With a solemn nod, Tsunade directs her gaze at his brother's final resting place. The air grows still as she tentatively extends her hand toward the cool, smooth granite. Itachi watches silently as she makes contact with the stone and observes the subtle shift in her expression, a testament to the profound sorrow that she carries within.

"You buried him here?" Low. Reverent. Regretful.

Itachi matches her tone with a deep sigh and rumble of agreement. He maintains a quiet demeanor, allowing her to express whatever thought she is currently contemplating. Despite the session being centered around his mental health, Itachi is cognizant of his brother's profound impact on those who held him dear.

Tsunade lays her hand flat, then crouches to eye level with the stone. "Do you see him sometimes?"

"Sasuke only comes in dreams."

"Is he the only one you dream of?"

About to say yes, Itachi stops himself. He also dreams of Izumi, but not in the same way as Sasuke. Like Shisui said, his childhood love only seeks to toy with him. Occasionally bringing peace with soft whispers of reassurance. But Sasuke is darkness, always darkness.

"Sasuke is not a ghost," he divulges. "He represents a tragedy. Both for himself and for the Clan."

Tsunade looks curiously at him, then pushes herself to a stand and uses the beech tree as a leaning post. "You remember your tragedies?"

"Only pertinent ones." Itachi rectifies. "Such things are hard to forget."

"What are those?"

For a moment, Itachi considers total divulgence. He can list the things he believes are pertinent tragedies without even thinking. They are always in his mind when considering his new life. It only begs why she assumes death would erase them from his memory.

"The horrors of senseless war. The reality of life and death. The death of teammates. The death of clansmen. The imperils of duty and its consequences on those who only sought peace. An unfulfilled vow. The dismantling of childhood. Lost. Loneliness. Sacrifice. Bonds foster under false pretences. All of these things are tragedies of varying degrees and at various stages in life."

Tsunade smiles knowingly, then folds her arms over her chest. "If I may, I would like to ask a follow-up question regarding your thoughts. How do you feel about all of these things?"

"It varies." he says with ease.

"Different events, different emotional responses?"

Itachi takes a moment to consider before offering his answer. "I believe so."

"Follow-up to my follow-up," the former Hokage's smile slowly shifts into a smirk. "How do you feel about yourself in these situations?"

Ah. A more appropriate question. Itachi thinks. What he feels about Shisui is not the same as what he feels about his mother. How Sasuke pulls on him is far greater than that of his aunts and uncles. All of them lead him to one conclusion.

"Taking everything into account, I'd planned my life and my death. Being resurrected has uprooted what I considered my ultimate penitence."

The expression on Tsunade's face reminds him of a similar look he has seen on Sakura. It is a mixture of suspicion and uncertainty, which people exhibit when observing someone for a long time. He can deduce what she is thinking from the surprise in her widened eyes. However, he remains calm and patiently waits for her to assess the situation. Eventually, she looks toward Sasuke. Itachi silently agrees with her evaluation.

"So…" Tsunade searches the ground, then finally reestablishes eye contact. "How much of that was him and how much of it was you?"

Itachi shrugs his shoulders. "It was in equal parts. Sasuke became quite strong but I was also quite sick. Given time, we would have been evenly matched. But I did not have much time left and Sasuke needed to avenge the Uchiha Clan. By no means did I let him win but I pushed myself hard enough that death was inevitable."

"And what you wanted."

"Naturally."

"Tch," Tsuande rolls her eyes towards the tree leaves. "It's possible that everything up to this point isn't a matter of distress but rather a lack of motivation. Perhaps you desired death over life and struggled against moving forward."

He shrugs again. "I can't say for certain. I don't remember much of the afterlife. What are Orochimaru's thoughts on the matter?"

"Well, after our initial meeting, he says he thinks it's a combination of factors. You're the fourth rendition of this jutsu. My uncle created it. Orochimaru smoothed out some wrinkles. Kabuto perfected a lot of it. Here we are, still adding things with you. We don't know the ins and outs of why you're experiencing what you're experiencing. Dissociation was just one avenue, but you've opened the door to something entirely different."

As Itachi listens to her statement, he hums absentmindedly, his thoughts elsewhere. He knows he must approach the topic of the forbidden jutsu with caution, as appearing suspicious could lead to unwanted consequences. Yet, this is precisely why he seeks to speak with Tsunade. Despite their conversation about less critical matters, he senses that Tsunade's chakra doesn't affect him. It does nothing, nor does it pull him like Sakura means that whatever happened with his partner is linked to the forbidden jutsu that binds him to the dead and Sakura.

"Something on your mind that the sky can fix, Uchiha?"

"My apologies," Itachi says. "I was thinking of something else. Would you permit a slight change of topic, Tsunade-sama?"

With an air of composure, Tsunade places her hands on her hips, her gaze unwavering. A subtle tap of her finger against her waist conveys that her response hinges entirely on the topic.

"It's about Sakura," he adds, hoping to avoid her ire.

Tsunade maintains a neutral tone and expression, which gives him hope that she is willing to have a conversation. "What about her?"

Being cautious in his choice of words, Itachi politely requests, "Would it be possible for you to assist me in recollecting the events that took place on the day when I was revived?"

Blonde brows raise, "Haven't we gone over this?"

"Briefly," Itachi corrects. "Could you be explicit in explaining Sakura's role?"

Tsunade shifts her weight from one hip to the other, her shoulders visibly tense. Eventually, a small smile curves her lips. She regards him with her deep, dark eyes.

"It was she who tended to you," she replies matter-of-factly, her tone guarded.

"Tsunade-sama," he pauses and chooses his words carefully. "Might you elaborate on how she was able to heal me?"

Itachi notices Tsunade's skeptical expression as she narrows her eyes at him. She weighs her words carefully before finally questioning him, her tone laced with suspicion, "Why are you inquiring about a jutsu that can revive the dead? Such a thing is not to be taken lightly."

Itachi keeps his composure and replies, "I am only curious about Sakura's involvement in such a jutsu."

Tsunade remains unconvinced, her arms crossing over her chest as she leans closer to Itachi, her eyes narrowing even more.

"That's not a valid explanation. You know as well as I do that such a jutsu is considered forbidden and dangerous."

Itachi takes a deep breath before clarifying, "Sakura is the reason behind my curiosity. I have no reason for a dangerous jutsu. I only mean to understand."

"Then I suggest you explain your explanation. I hear you asking me about a jutsu that brings people back from the dead while we evaluate your mental health."

Itachi anticipates this reaction. Although he isn't particularly interested in what Tsunade assumes, his intentions are only partially selfless. However, he needs time to reveal his relationship with his partner, particularly to Tsunade. Itachi knows disclosing such a thing will create an irreversible situation, given how close Tsunade was to Sakura. In fact, managing this conversation is already quite challenging for him. Explaining his ability to sense Sakura's emotional state through chakra will only worsen the situation. Nonetheless, with Tsunade waiting for a response, Itachi offers a solution that he hopes satisfies her and, at the same time, helps him achieve his own goals.

"When Sakura is around, the ghosts are not." It's partially true. In close enough proximity, Sakura's chakra drowns out a lot only because it gets his attention first. "It's not the same with others. I can hear the voices of the dead, feel the pull of them in other places except when she is there."

Tsunade watches him for several long seconds, then asks. "Have you spoken with Sakura about this?"

He shakes his head. "I want to understand it first. If there is anything to understand, I need to know how it started and why it only connects to her and not to you or Orochimaru."

Itachi catches the moment her resolve wavers. She glances away, deflating slightly as her shoulders sag. Tsunade turns sideways, leaning against the tree again.

"Sakura figured out a way to sidestep some of its biggest drawbacks. If anyone else were to know...they may try the same."

"I understand," Itachi states.

"Swear it, Uchiha. You will not attempt this jutsu."

"I had no intention to…."

"Swear it." Tsunade demands through gritted teeth.

Sensing her trepidation, rightfully so in his opinion, he does as she asks. "I swear it on my life, Tsunade-sama."

After contemplating, she gives him what he has been searching for.

"The Reincarnation Jutsu requires a living sacrifice in order to be performed. It uses the body, soul and chakra of the living person. All of which are exchanged for the person being resurrected."

Tsunade's fists clench, and her jaws tighten. "We were desperate but not desperate enough to kill anyone else to bring you back. Do you see where this is going? Sakura pointed out that the quality of the living person wasn't specified, only that they needed to be alive, have chakra and a soul."

Itachi thinks he does, at least in part. "She circumvented the human sacrifice element in part by healing my body?"

"She basically rebuilt it." Tsunade corrects. "Almost all of her chakra reserves went towards getting your heart beating again and firing off synopsis in your brain so the rest of your organs would work. Decomposition already started to set in but Orochimaru assured us that the jutsu would fix most of those issues. All she had to do was maintain your life enough so he could perform the jutsu. So her chakra was split two ways, maintain your life and your chakra."

"What about the soul aspect?" he questions. "Did Sakura contribute to that at all?"

Tsunade shakes her head. "You can thank Orochimaru for that. He was able to split part of his own soul long enough to perform the jutsu. I don't know how and I didn't ask. The only thing he told me was that I was the only one who could heal him after. That meant that you were left to Sakura while I tended to Orochimaru. She severed the connection between you and him, then healed what the jutsu missed."

The woman across him looks woefully at his feet, brows creased. "It was a lot to put on her. She was completely drained by time everything was done. By some stroke of luck it worked or at least partially."

Tsunade's forehead creases with worry as she fixates on his feet. "It was a huge burden for her to bear. She was utterly drained by the time it was all over. Luckily, it worked out, at least to some extent."

"Some?" Itachi sits up, intrigued, "Do you think something else has gone wrong?"

Tsunade's expression turns bleak. "Orochimaru said that the jutsu grants the reincarnated soul several...perks if you will. Perks that you don't seem to have as far as we can tell, Uchiha. For one, your chakra reserves should be unlimited but they are not. You shouldn't be plagued by your previous sickness but you are. You should be able to heal yourself but you can't. There's a possibility you could live eternally but I highly doubt that considering everything else. Then there is this ghost thing, which lets us know something else is wrong. Even though Sakura's plan worked, it wasn't perfect. We don't know all of the consequences that it means for you."

There is also the connection with Sakura. He thinks.

Itachi can confirm his own limitations in training and in health. His stamina is the same, if not a little lower than before. His illness still affects his life. It stands to reason that everything Tsunade said was a possibility probably is.

"Would you permit one more question, Lady Tsuande?" Itachi asks. The blonde waves her hand for him to go on. "The jutsu castor, would he be able to feel the connection to the person he resurrected? Their thoughts and motives perhaps?"

Tsunade purses her lips, "I suppose. I think it's more the other way around. The person being controlled feels connected to the castor. They have a desire to carry out whatever that person's will is. If the person disobeys, maybe the castor will know. I'm not sure. Do you think Orochimaru may be influencing you somehow?"

"Not necessarily. Orochimaru doesn't have much to do with this besides his part in getting me here. I trust that Sakura was able to sever the connection between us."

And perhaps inadvertently transferred it to herself in some imperfect form. It is the only thing that makes sense.

"It doesn't explain why the ghost goes away while she's around." Tsunade opines thoughtfully. Much to Itachi's gratitude, the tension in her posture settles with his explanation.

"Not particularly, no."

"All of this is one medical mystery. You're more alive than any other soul ever was. But you're also more vulnerable because we messed with that crucial step. Does having an imperfect but alive body determine the effectiveness of the jutsu? We don't know. Does it cause parts of the soul to be left behind in the Pure World? Or is it memories from your time with the dead? We don't know. No one has lived this long after being reincarnated. It's why we're all pushing hard to cover all of the bases that we can for different reasons."

"What do you mean by different reasons?"

"Just what I said. Me, Kakashi, the Council, all of us want to see the Uchiha line restored. I also am medically curious of how this would work. I'm sure, aside from serving her country, Sakura has her reasons and so do you."

"My reasons have always been to do what's best for Konoha."

Tsunade just smiles. "Naturally. I'm sure there are more personal reasons than that. Whatever your motivation is, don't lose it, Uchiha. A lot depends on that."

When Tsunade leaves him for the day, Itachi prepares to meet Sakura and Kai for training. He's one step closer to understanding his connection to Sakura. He is another step closer to completing his mission. Tsunade told him not to lose his motivation.

Konoha and Sakura have always been my priority.

If the jutsu that connects him to Sakura is as unstable as Tsunade made it seems, then his choice of who will carry on his line needs to be made quickly.

---

Sakura's mind brims with worry about Itachi's uncharacteristic delay. It's like him to arrive on time. She contemplates the reasons for his tardiness, wondering if he might be upset with her or simply need space.

I can't tell if he's mad at me or really needs space. Maybe both. Either way, I feel guilty as hell for doing it...

Her guilt about her past behavior towards Itachi intensifies, and she can't help but think back to when she was annoyed with him for interrupting her time with Sasuke. Sakura tries to compose herself, fidgeting with her gloves while waiting for Itachi's arrival. Even if his lateness is not attributed to her supposed mismanagement of a delicate moment, it is the only thing she can think about.

When she senses his chakra enter the clearing, Sakura bites the inside of her cheek and forces a smile. Kai perks up as well, kicking the door while they wait.

Itachi greets them with a polite apology for his tardiness, then turns to her. "Are we ready to start?"

She nearly jumps, not expecting him to speak to her voluntarily.

"What?" she looks up at him looking at her, and for a brief second, she thinks he frowns.

"Are we ready to start?" he repeats.

"Oh, um, I guess, yeah. We can start if Kai is ready."

"I'm ready," Kai declares.

Sakura nods and then steps back before walking over to Haijin and Honoka. "In that case, we'll just watch from here. Give me a few more seconds to jot some things down."

When she's done, give the thumbs up for them to proceed. Itachi nods. Kai smiles. And Sakura holds her clipboard close, hoping for all the world that her nervousness subsides.

I can't tell if he's upset or not.

His words are short with her, but Itachi speaks that way daily. It's no indicator of how he feels right now.

He could be over it. Maybe he's not...

Judging by his expression, he seems fine. He may be focused on the task at hand.

Yeah, it's probably that. Something you should be doing, too, Sakura! Kai first. You can deal with your personal life after this.

Pushing her thoughts aside, she pulls her clipboard back and dedicates herself to medical observation. With a keen eye, Sakura pours her energy into watching both parties.

Much to her surprise, Itachi kneels, getting eye to eye-with her patient. Unlike the unreadable expression he leveled her earlier, Itachi smiles, face open and pleasant. It's a complete switch from a second ago down to the gentle but precise way he explains their first set of exercises to Kai.

"This won't be the most exciting part but everything starts with fundamentals. Every shinobi learns the basics and before that, a good stretch. Follow exactly what I do. Do you understand?"

Kai absolutely beams and eagerly agrees to such a simple and mundane task.

Itachi's smile widens, a rare sight indeed. They start with simple stretches, and Itachi occasionally corrects the boy's form to avoid injury. Sakura imagines most of this initial part is for Haijin. Stretching is essential before any exercise, but Itachi spends the first 15 minutes on something that could've taken 5 minutes.

"We will pause here," he says, looking at her. "Sakura will do her first scan now."

As she approaches, Itachi takes a small step back. She tries not to focus on that, keeping her gaze on the boy.

"How was that?" she asks.

"Easy," Kai declares, looking rather pleased with himself.

She laughs, scanning his form once more. "Well your body seems to think so as well. Nothing wrong so far. Ready for round two?"

"We will need to get closer to the trees." Itachi says.

Sakura looks over to where her partner has his sights set and stands. "Alright, we can move. That's fine."

The group shuffles along, and again, Sakura finds her gaze drifting to her partner. As Itachi reviews the next set of moves, she thinks of how much Sasuke prides himself on his training. Before the Massacre, she can remember Sasuke wanting to get home and train. On rare occasions, Itachi would be waiting for him at the gate. Sasuke would rush over without giving her or the other fangirls the time of day. While she knew a little about the older Uchiha then, it is hard not to believe that the boys trained together. Watching Itachi patiently go over the same kick three times with Kai, his experience teaching younger kids becomes abundantly clear.

Patient but firm. He isn't hard on Kai but corrects him whenever he does something off. Kai is such a good sport that he puts his all into fixing a simple kick. For fifteen minutes, they kick at a tall tree. For fifteen minutes, Sakura watches Itachi point, teach, and demonstrate. For fifteen minutes, she wonders if he knows how good he is at it.

When it's her turn to step in, Sakura works quickly, if only to get another view of the show. And as their exercise test continues, she forgets about her panic that may or may not have led to her overstepping bounds in favor of another simple fact.

Itachi would make a great dad. She thinks. Or at least a good Academy teacher.

By the end of it, Kai is thoroughly exhausted. He and Itachi ran through basic kicks and punches, working on the tree before moving to hand-to-hand combat. Itachi ends their training with a challenge.

"See if you can hit me while I use my Sharingan." Itachi challenges. "Use whatever is around you to assist."

Sakura smiles and snickers behind her clipboard at how familiar the test sounds. It's not exactly a bell test but close enough. Kai is no shinobi but accepts the challenge nonetheless, gasping in awe when his teacher's eyes go red. He gives it all he has, and as expected, Itachi dodges every one of his attacks. The boy's determination is somewhat surprising, but Sakura has always known Kai to be a fighter.

Kai tries to go at Itachi directly punches, kicks, moves he'd learned during training, and flat-out, childlike, aggressive moves. When that doesn't work, he shifts gears, trying to confuse his opponent by running between trees. When that doesn't work, he takes to nature.

When Kai grabs a handful of dirt, Haikin gasps, stepping towards the pair.

"Let him do it," Sakura says. Haijin gives a look only mothers can possess, but the medical ninja explains her reasoning. "He's being creative, and Itachi's not in any danger. Neither of them are."

Haijin uses her hands to point at the problem. "My son is throwing dirt at someone's eyes. That's not the kind of behavior we promote in my house."

"I understand but he's training right now. Watch," Sakura turns her around to look at the match. "Kai is strategizing. I think that's a skill that can be used anywhere. Itachi challenged him to land a blow. When he couldn't do it himself, Kai tried to find things that could. If you think about it that way, your son is good at finding alternate ways to get the necessary results. He's a thinker and problem solver."

Haijin frowns, looking less than convinced. Sakura can understand her hesitation as a civilian. Training like this, encouraging someone to be aggressive, is unnecessary in everyday life. But Kai's way of thinking is what any shinobi would deduce. If their eyes were the problem, make it so he can't see. It's a smart move, even if it doesn't work. He tries rocks next and finally finds a long branch to swing. Itachi never said the blow had to be from his hand, and Kai seems to have recognized this little caveat. When the last fifteen minutes are up, Kai drops to the ground breathless.

"I couldn't do it," he says between pants.

Sakura doesn't stop Haijin from rushing over this time. It is her son, after all. She fusses over him like any mother would. Kai lets her, looking quite sullen and defeated at not accomplishing this goal. Her eyes drift to Itachi, who kneels beside him, waiting.

"Is that everything?" Haijin asks him.

Itachi holds a finger, "One more thing for Kai."

"Another fight?"

Kai huffs and looks at the ground, clenching dirt between his fingers. "I didn't win the last one…"

"What do you mean? You did exactly what I was hoping."

"I didn't hit you. Couldn't even get close!"

"Naturally," Itachi agrees. "Even without these eyes, you would have a hard time doing so. But that was not the lesson here. There will always be a point in life when you are faced with the impossible. You and I face the same challenges in life. And will until the day Sakura finds a cure,"

Itachi reaches up and places his hand on the boy's head. The smile he offers is nothing short of heartwarming. Reassuring and calm, he pulls the boy to him while he leans in close, forehead to forehead. Sakura can't hear what he says, but Kai grins, and Haijin purses her lips with wide, proud eyes. It's also hard not to feel a swell of pride and encouragement.

Honoka comes up to stand next to her, bumping her elbow.

"This was such a good idea." Honoka whispers. "Kai's over the moon right now and Itachi-san is just awesome."

"...yeah, I guess he is."

"I'll start heading back now," Honoka tells her, "Get everything ready."

"Thanks, Honoka."

She waits a moment before stepping over to stand by Itachi. He helps Kai up off the ground. The young boy dusts himself off and wipes at the sweat on his forehead.

"How do you feel?" Sakura asks.

Kai shakes his arms and legs, then looks at Itachi. "Pretty good, I guess."

"Perfect," Sakura cheers. "We're just going to head to the hospital so I can do some specific test and blood work."

"Is Itachi-san coming?" Kai asks.

Sakura looks to the man for answers.

"Perhaps another time," Itachi tells him. "I have something I need to finish."

In an instant, her partner seems to have disappeared from view. For civilians like Kai, it may seem like he vanishes with the wind. However, she knows that he has simply moved behind the trees, out of sight.

"Cool!" Kai exclaims. Sakura smiles, leading them away from the training grounds.

The entire walk there, Kai bombards her with questions about Itachi. Sakura happily obliges because this is the most the boy has talked since she's known him.

Itachi just found himself a super fan. She thinks when the bot eagerly inquires about what he eats. Stressing the fruits and vegetables bits, skillfully stating his love for sweets, Sakura convinces her patient to have a healthier diet than most kids his age.

And, by proxy, may have sown the seeds for an irrational love of dango.

Kai's high spirits hardly take a dint when discussing the medical side of everything. Their conversation makes drawing blood easier. She lets him leave with a cold compress for muscle soreness, then descends into her lab to run the bloodwork.

Sakura checks for several things, from white blood cell count to common viruses or bacteria traces. While his immunosuppressants may help lower the risk of inflammation, it also increases the risk of him getting sick from a common strain of illnesses. Sakura runs tests for everyone, waiting a few hours for the results of some of them to come back. Others will take a day or two. She also tests for routine things like cholesterol, lipid count, and general health concerns.

The latter test can most certainly be done by any other lab tech on staff that day. Still, Sakura does it all herself, hoping to pass a significant amount of time. More precisely, to give Itachi considerable space until she thinks of the best way to apologize.

Sasuke always said what I did was annoying. Clearly, doing it the Sakura way isn't cutting it either, or else I wouldn't feel like this. She frowns to herself while clearing up her workstation. The only thing left is Mikoto's journal which offers insight into getting a message across to an Uchiha.

Apologies don't have to be romantic. Giving flowers can be platonic, too, at least for them.

Sakura endeavors to suppress her anxiousness as she meticulously stores the final set of syringes and test tubes in their designated locations.

"If I want to make it right, I have to do it right." she reassures herself and leaves the lab searching for hyacinth.

The girls at Ino's flower shop happily assist, but it takes some time to prep the three buds she requests. So as a last-minute thought, Sakura goes to Itachi's favorite dango shop and pressures insurance. If the flowers don't work, the food may be suitable. Creating a hybrid approach to being forgiven.

Sakura asks them to trim the stems of the delicate flowers short enough to tie around the box of dango with a ribbon that matches the color of the petals. With the sweets in hand, she takes a leisurely route home, determined to prolong the journey and steel her nerves for the impending confrontation. Which turns out to be for naught as there is no sign of Itachi when he makes it to the front door. Restless but undeterred, Sakura follows her intuition and changes toward the cemetery. The sky grows dark, casting an eerie shadow over the street as Sakura makes her way slowly, clutching the flowers and dango tightly to her chest.

It's been a little while since she's seen Sasuke anyway. "I can kill two birds with one stone. Tell Itachi I'm sorry, say hi to Sasuke and then leave them alone for a while. I've done enough meddling in Uchiha affairs this week."

The cemetery comes into view, and, much to her surprise, a few shinobi linger near graves. It's rare to see people around when she is, and it's easy to forget that other families are buried here.

I'll make a stop by Neji on my way out.

Sakura tucks her hair behind her ear and watches the other shinobi as she passes them by. Crossing the wooden bridge that separates part of the open field by a small, slow-moving creek, she makes her way to the giant oak tree nestled in the left corner of the Konoha Cemetery. Inscribed on the tree is a vast and very noticeable Uchiha clan symbol; next to it is the white obelisk that details the tragedy and the meaning of the row of beech trees sitting right behind it.

Sakura hesitates, somehow feeling intrusive after seeing others pay their respects.

Would he be upset if I interrupted him? I'm not trying to start a whole other argument.

The beech trees offer no answer, leaves gently swaying when the wind passes. Sakura watches them for several moments before an idea strikes.

If he's here, then he already knows that I am too. That doesn't mean I have to go in. I'll give him a choice.

Because Itachi is the one that controls the genjutsu to start with, instead of weaving signs to dispel it, she walks through it. The line of beech trees appears as natural as anything else around her. Sakura cautiously maneuvers around the illusion. Amongst the mimics, one beech tree stands out as genuine, the same one she knows quite well. In a matter of seconds, she reaches Sasuke's tree with ease.

It's an odd sight without the accompanying headstone and bench. In this surreal environment, Sasuke's tree is the only tangible object nearby, which she reaches out to touch. Slowly the canopy of trees begins to fade. Sakura does not react when the genjutsu disintegrates, and the bends, in reality, reveal the truth. Sakura maintains a composed demeanor outside. She feels relieved knowing that Itachi is present and willing to hear her at least out.

"What are you doing, Sakura?" the voice comes from behind her and fans out around the void she's standing in. While the scenery hasn't changed much, minus the trees, there's a notable absence of movement and sound, save Itachi's voice.

Dropping her hand, she holds the box of dango close and looks at the ground. "I wanted to apologize. I overreacted the other day and I'm sorry. So I bought a peace offering if you're willing to take it?"

The feeling of being watched tickles the back of her neck. Sakura gives in to the urge to turn around. All at once, the illusion breaks, headstones fade into view, and something brushes against her foot.

Sakura sidesteps and looks down to see the same flower attached to the parcel, freshly buried next to Sasuke's grave. She looks towards Itachi, who stands a short distance from her, near his parent's headstones.

"You planted this?" she asks.

Itachi nods his head to the side. "I planted all of these." he corrects.

As Sakura wanders around her friend's resting place, she pauses on the pathway to look closer at the area. Her eyes catch sight of the hyacinths that adorn the earth, placed with care near several other headstones. Then, she realizes the significance of Itachi's decision to keep this matter to himself.

"There's a saying that the hyacinth's bud poisons the disingenuous. Those who protect their hands fear the flower reading their motivations." Itachi's words fill her with regret. Sakura readies a retort to plead her case. Before she can, he reaches for the box of dango.

He's wearing gardener's gloves, and it registers that the saying reflects his actions, not hers.

"Are you being disingenuous?" she questions.

"I am not particularly superstitious but," he deftly shifts the box to one hand and uses his teeth to pull off one of the gloves, revealing blotched skin covered in bumps.

Acting without hesitation, Sakura takes hold of his arm and deftly pulls up his sleeve, exposing the rash extending to his elbow. She carefully inspects the affected area, delicately running her fingers down the inside of his forearm and eventually reaching his palm.

"Looks more like a reaction than an attempt to poison you," she concludes, already starting the healing process. "Besides...I don't think your motives are in the wrong place…."

"You've changed your mind?" he questions, and her grip on his wrist tightens slightly.

Sakura keeps her head down and hands busy to avoid looking him in the eye. "I guess I have," she agrees. "I meant what I said earlier. I was out of line. You were right. This is your family. I shouldn't have even considered keeping you away from them…."

With a gentle touch, Sakura runs her fingers over his red knuckles, feeling the roughness and irritation beneath her fingertips. Green chakra soothes and repairs the damage. As she works, she can't help but feel a sense of remorse, and she pours all her energy and focus into healing something so seemingly simple.

I really am sorry, Itachi. It's not your fault that I panicked. That one's on me.

Because Itachi hasn't said anything other than questioning her mindset, Sakura is too shy to look at him and read his expression. Sakura keeps rambling along with the hum of medical chakra filling the silence.

"This is your mom. Your dad. Even if you are seeing ghosts, people grieve in different ways. I can't say whether your process is normal or not. I don't even know if that's connected to you seeing ghosts. I assumed it was. Maybe the two aren't connected at all and it's just some weird paranormal phenomena that happens when people get resurrected from the dead. If by some weird twist of fate they are connected, there's no way you can not visit this place. That would be just..."

Itachi lets go of her hand and interrupts her explanation to object to his own actions. "Hey, I wasn't finished…ack!"

His arm goes around her shoulders. Itachi pulls, and she gasps at being drawn into a one-sided hug. Sakura instinctively throws her arms up to create some distance. It backfires as Itachi tugs her close, forcing her hands flat against his chest, which is not much better. Sakura stares motionlessly, fixating on his collarbone, unsure what to do next. Suddenly, Itachi leans in and rests his chin on her head, sending shivers down her spine and causing her heart to race.

"Thank you, Sakura," he says softly, "I understand. You were worried. In manys, I was as well."

"You were?" it's barely a whisper, but she doesn't trust herself to speak louder.

"Hm. I assumed you would act rashly. I defensively withheld things that could have been explained."

His admission is more unexpected than the hug. Sakura stared at her knuckles, knowing that even if he came in defensively, it was because she'd been prone to making assumptions.

"You weren't wrong…"

"Nor was I right," Itachi quickly corrects, "I did not consider your reasoning from the start only your reaction and how it would affect me."

"Wait so," Sakura bites her cheek. "The offer about your mom…?"

She feels him shake his head. "It was a genuine offer. You seem fond of her. I was curious how far your curiosity went."

Sakura furrows her brows at his statement. She is fond of Mikoto in a lot of ways. Compared to the three Uchiha I've met, she's surprisingly normal and relatable. Since my knowledge ranges from a childhood crush with a brooding complex and a homicidal delusion leader bent on setting the world on fire to bring peace, Mikoto is basically a saint.

She pulls away a bit, wanting to see Itachi's face. He leans back, giving in to her silent wish, and she steps out of his embrace. Itachi releases her willingly and stands there, anticipating her next move. After taking a deep breath, she extends her hand towards him.

"Alright, Uchiha. you've got a deal. We can go through your mom's stuff. Together. I'm here to support you as your partner."

It's hard to say what her partner is thinking. Itachi's face hardly gives away anything. But he takes her hand in his. Sakura squeezes it. Much to her gratitude, he returns the gesture and a small, slow smile.

"Thank you, Sakura." he says.

She tries to play it off as nothing. "That's what partners do. They help each other. And...trust each other."

"Do you trust me?"

Some of Sakura's resolve faults. She considers where they were before to where they are now and concludes that perhaps, on some level, she does trust him.

"I have to," she admits, taking up his hand again to heal it. "Our mission depends on us being able to work together. We can't do that if I can't trust you to go off on your own every once in a while."

"You are right." Itachi agrees.

Their conversation lulls while she adds the finishing touches to his arm. She goes to the next when he moves the box of dango around and watches as he looks ahead of her. Sakura is almost sure he is not paying attention to her until he speaks again.

"What is it?" he asks.

"I could ask you the same thing. You seem...focused on something."

This time Itachi nods. "I was thinking of a conversation I had with Tsunade-sama. She said that we all have reasons why we decided to do this mission. I was thinking of my own."

"Have they changed?" A sense of uncertainty creeps into her mind as she awaits with nervous anticipation for his reply.

Itachi turns slightly, looking down at the hyacinth near Sasuke. "Not particularly. Have yours?"

"Nope," Sakura blurts out without thinking, then catches herself because that's false. "Maybe a little? I mean, I want to do what's best for Konoha, for you, and for me."

When his eyes find hers, Sakura fights against the sudden racing of her heart. "What's best for you, Sakura?"

She opens her mouth and then closes it. Months ago, she would have said freedom. That doesn't feel quite right.

"Maybe...maybe the ability to decide?" she says. "We've been living according to the rules of our mission for years. That's a long time to not make choices for yourself. We've been stuck in this...world that very few people know. I've been trying to break out of this mold that's followed me for years. I just want to live and be free to do that…"

"You haven't been yourself these years?"

Sakura blushes and self-consciously tucks her hair behind her ear, holding it in place. "Yes and no. The truth is I've been trying to prove who I am to myself, to others...to you."

"There is no need." Itachi interjects.

"No need for what?"

Itachi takes a half step closer to her. "To prove yourself to me. You are who you are, Sakura."

She snorts softly, thinking of moments ago when she wasn't even sure if she trusted him. "Yeah, well, I don't know if that's good or bad."

"Most people are often in the middle. Not completely bad. Not all good."

Sakura forces out a breathy laugh and an awkward smile. "I guess…"

"Flaws make us human," Itachi reassures her with a familiar tone.

Wanting to change the subject from her feelings about her abilities, Sakura whispers a sincere thanks, hoping for the end of the conversation. She takes a step back, ready to retreat, but a poke to her forehead keeps her there. Sakura looks up at the two fingers resting just between her brows and then at Itachi, watching her closely.

"Don't thank me for something so simple." he says. "Honesty is easy. Have you forgotten what I told you again, Sakura?"

"I.."

"I am here for you. I have always been. There's no need for you to be anything other than who you are."

As he tenderly runs his fingers across her forehead, a sudden shiver courses through her body, causing goosebumps all over her skin. In anticipation, she wonders if he will continue down towards her cheek. To her surprise, Itachi gently places his hands on her head in a comforting touch.

"Sakura Haruno is enough."

The sudden influx of emotions floods her mind, leaving her feeling dizzy and disoriented. Sakura struggles to find the words to respond to Itachi, who stands before her with an intense gaze that seems to penetrate her very soul.

Itachi has always had this uncanny ability to understand her deepest introspections, even those she may not have fully comprehended or expressed. She wonders if he can read her thoughts or is simply gifted with an unparalleled sense of empathy that allows him to decipher the complexities of human behavior.

Despite her attempts to conceal her emotions, she can't help but feel that Itachi sees right through her. She wonders if she is too transparent, too easily read by him, or if his perceptive nature is simply too powerful to be thwarted. As she grapples with this newfound realization, her thoughts vacillate between optimism and pessimism. On the one hand, she is thrilled to have found someone who understands her so profoundly. On the other hand, she worries that this connection could be a double-edged sword, leaving her vulnerable to manipulation or heartache.

He said I was enough, and that should be enough.

But the possibility of not being on his radar in equal strength is hard to ignore. It triggers a sense of inadequacy. Sakura frowns, ready to run. But Itachi reaches out and caresses her hair, sending shivers down her spine and making her jump. He twirls a few strands around his finger and gives a tender pull.

"Stop overthinking." he says.

How..! Everything crumbles when he tugs once more.

Blushing up a storm, Sakura clears her throat and stammers. "O-okay."

"Much better."

He lets her go and then sits on the ground near his parents. As he does, Sakura finds her breath again. She keeps her distance, though, sitting beside Sasuke instead and pulling her knees to her chest.

Sakura Haruno is enough.

Tucking her chin to her chest, she tries to set the words aside and not dwell on them too long.

"So what now?" she asks for conversation's sake. "Our motivations are the same. We know what we want to do. What are we going to do now?"

"Finding a bride for me." Itachi says with ease. "Have you considered someone?"

"Me? I thought that was your area. I didn't want to interfere...Seems like if we picked together, we'd be no different than Kakashi and the Elders, choosing someone's fate. I wanted you to consider someone you like that could like you back."

As she gazes into his eyes, she senses a profound and penetrating intensity that sends her heart racing. She suddenly becomes wary and cautiously turns around, contemplating the possibility of a ghostly apparition lurking nearby.

"Itachi is someon-"

"I have someone in mind that I have considered," Itachi cuts her off.

He found someone?

Sakura swallows, then mentally berating herself for being shocked. This is what all of her training has been for. What she's been waiting for. Nonetheless, she needs a brief moment to digest the reality that somebody has managed to capture Itachi's attention to such an extent that he is contemplating them. Her thoughts instantly race to every female shinobi who might fulfill their criteria.

Someone loyal, willing to keep secrets, and capable of satisfying Kakashi and the Elders.

Someone who doesn't have an art against Itachi for his past actions but isn't infatuated with him.

Someone who could help raise shinobi children and handle the weight of the Uchiha name.

Someone who could handle Itachi and all his ways. Someone who knows his sickness and is willing to work with his limitations.

Someone who will agree to their plan.

All of the kunoichis Itachi have established relationships with are married. Even as Sakura tries, and she tries to think of one that fits that description, none comes to mind. One of the advantages Kakashi says she had was that they already had an established relationship, so there was no wait time to get to know him.

Unless it's not a shinobi...? Sakura wonders. "Who is she?"

As their gazes meet, Itachi utters words that nearly cause her to choke.

"It's Honoka."

---

A/N: Happy Late Thanksgiving and Merry Early Christmas! I was right when I said it would be out sooner because it's only been three months. Finally, FINALLY, we know Itachi's choice. Which, I will say some of you picked up on these hints way back in like chapter 9 or whatever. To those who guessed correctly, I am beyond proud of your private eye detective abilities. Itachi has his eye on our bubbly brown-haired, blue-eyed deary who just wants Sakura to be happy. And Sakura? Well...Line 13: Edelweiss and the legend following the flower may offer solutions to our misguided medic.

Thanks, as always, to you lovelies who've read this far! This is the longest chapter date (mainly because I couldn't bring myself to split it into two much smaller ones). See you guys in 2021! I know myself better than to think I will have the next one out by the end of this month :D

-CeCe ^^

Word Count: 17,811

Musical Inspiration: "Moonlight Serenade"- Ben L'oncle, "A Beautiful Lie"-30 Seconds to Mars, "The Big Unknown"-Sade