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.

14. Line 13: Edelweiss

Line 13: Edelweiss

" I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart)"

'I Carry Your Heart'

Line 10, Stanza 6

-EE Cummings

---

"It's Honoka."

For a moment, Sakura wonders if she's heard him incorrectly. She sits up a bit straighter, holding her knees a bit tighter as shock and confusion outweigh any decorum.

Did he say who I think he said?

Sakura searches for something to say but Itachi saves her the trouble.

"She is the best fit for our purposes."

Their purposes? Of restoring the clan?

Everything goes still, even her mind, as disbelief sets in. She hears him now, knows he's serious by the way he looks at her. But…

Honoka? My Honoka?

What is it about her that makes him think she fits what they needed? Honoka is young, younger than her by three years. That makes Itachi some eight years her senior. Is that what he prefers? Younger women?

Her brows furrow and for a long while, nothing is said.

Honoka?

Young. Energetic. Sweet. Maybe too sweet? She pictures them together, side by side. Honoka smiling her wide infectious smile and Itachi doing his own rarely seen little smile. Something about the picture in her mind seems off. Because it's Honoka and Honoka is so...so…

"Sakura?"

Blinking out of her reverie, she looks at him in bewilderment with more than a little scrutiny. Somehow he looks more imposing, adult, grown-up, more something that makes the mental image of him and Honoka together seem even more wrong. He chose Honoka and her mind has a hard time wrapping around the concept of them being anything other than friends. Anything other than a patient and a medical assistant. It seems a strange choice to her, even if on some level, Itachi may be right.

"You disapprove." Itachi points out the obvious.

Her voice pitches into a squeak. "Huh? What makes you…?"

"You've said nothing," Itachi interjects, sliding his eyes her way. "Which is telling on its own."

Sakura flushes and fiddles with her fingers. "No. I…" she pauses again, "I mean. You caught me off-guard, that's all."

"By choosing Honoka?" The accusation in his tone startles her and she squeezes her knees tighter.

"By choosing anyone," she defends, "I didn't know you'd already considered someone...let alone…"

Her partner gazes thoughtfully in her direction. Sakura can tell there are questions on his mind. There are questions on hers as well. But he doesn't follow up with anything other than saying her name to get her attention. And she isn't sure how to go about asking why he wants to court her assistant without sounding a fraction of a bit jealous. She is not jealous. Just...confused because she never saw this coming.

Did he just choose at random? No. That's not Itachi style. He wouldn't have chosen her without good reason. How long has he considered her an option? Since the beginning? Recently? She's so young!

Against her sensibilities, the thought occurs to her that perhaps that is the reason. He is trying to repopulate an entire clan. A younger wife has a higher chance of having more kids.

Oh god.

The mental image that follows makes the world feel unpleasantly off-balance and she quickly tries to find anything else to focus her attention on.

"Alright." Sakura declares, forgetting her questions to find a much-needed distraction from her rumination. "I guess I should finish reading Mikoto's journal so that I'm ready. Erm...when do you want to…?"

She can't bring herself to say it. It is bad enough that her medical knowledge makes feigning ignorance about what Itachi plans to do with Honoka in several months nearly impossible. Withholding the cringe from that takes effort without having to discuss the process by which they were going to make Honoka into a mom.

Itachi wants to...and with...no, no, no. No!

It takes all of her willpower to not conclude her thoughts. Instead, she shifts gears and focuses on the graves. Because it's Honoka and Itachi. And...babies.

Green eyes search the path leading out of the Uchiha Section of the cemetery and Sakura remembers she made a promise to herself to see Neji.

Getting to her feet, Sakura dusts her clothes and prepares to leave.

It seems as good a time as any.

Itachi gets to his feet, drawing her attention away from sweet escape.

"I want to teach you a few more things before we approach Honoka with the idea," he says as she holds back the grimace trying to creep in.

Sakura nods curtly.

"Okay. Um…," she scratches her forehead trying to find words and to keep herself from fidgeting. "I guess we can just schedule some time? I mean, you have this and the work at the Compound. My schedule is pretty light for the next few days."

Once again his gaze is thoughtful and she wonders if he can tell just how uncomfortable she is with the idea. The fact that she is leery at all is worth noting. But much like the rest of the conversation, Sakura ignores that too.

Itachi's words are slow to come. When they do, it leaves her no less confused. "Tell me when you are ready. I will be here."

Sakura nods again, taking a calculated step towards the path. "I can do that. Anyways, you finish up here. My plan wasn't to stay long anyway and I don't want to be a bother. Thanks for...accepting my peace offering."

She starts walking again, hopefully indicating to him that the conversation is done. "Take your time here if you want. I think Weasel is gone since he saw me coming. I think you'll be okay on your own. Oh. Keep those gloves on so you don't react again."

Before he can offer anything at all, she picks up the pace and leaves him with his family. Keeping the promise she makes to herself, Sakura goes through the rest of the cemetery to find Neji's grave. It's been some time since her last visit but it only takes a few minutes to find the highly decorated grave marker.

I wonder if Hinata and her family keep up with it.

Bowing in respect, Sakura says a quick prayer before giving Neji as much of an update on life as she can. She intends to spend a few minutes there, hoping to be out of the cemetery before Itachi finishes up his planting. But her mumbled musings are cut short by the unction of being watched. Sakura withholds turning around, thinking Itachi may have followed her after all. Sakura watches her peripheral vision. Whoever it is will need to make the first move, because she refuses to acknowledge them. Instead, she closes her eyes, puts her hands together, and waits. It doesn't take long before purposeful steps approach. She tilts her head in the direction of the sound, ignoring the way her heart beats a bit faster.

When she finally opens her eyes, Kakashi meets her gaze head-on. The last vestiges of daylights fade behind him. No words pass, but the look in his eyes puts her ill at ease. Kakashi nods once towards the exit then vanishes a second later.

This can't be good. She thinks, unable to stop herself from thinking of every worst-case scenario possible. Kakashi only looks that way when a serious matter arises. She's seen that look a lot in her lifetime. Sakura glances towards the Uchiha section before taking off towards the exit.

Kakashi's already on the roof of the adjacent building when she gets to the main road. Sakura looks up and he takes off on foot, fully expecting her to follow. She keeps some distance between them as they jump from one rooftop to another. Every step sends her heart racing and she tries to keep her anxiety down.

By the time they make it to the Hokage Monument, she's more winded than such a short exercise should cause.

Kakashi comes to a stop and she does as well, walking around him to see Tsunade looking out over the Konoha from the mountain's cliffs.

"What's going on?" Sakura asks, getting straight to the point. "Shishou?"

Kakashi ignores her question in favor of asking his own. "Where's Itachi?"

The young medic blinks, caught off guard by the seriousness in his tone. She looks worriedly at Tsunade, the blonde getting to her feet and walking over to them.

"He's at the cemetery. Why?"

"Still?" Tsunade questions. She and Kakashi exchange a look. "Will he be there long?"

"Probably," Sakura says curtly, gesturing between the three of them. "Is anyone going to tell me why we're up here?"

Tsunade folds her arms and takes a small step closer. "My meeting with Itachi today has me worried about several side effects from this resurrection."

"Side effects?" Sakura questions. She glances at Kakashi then goes back to Tsunade. "Like what?"

"It's still unclear but Orochimaru and I have been mulling over theories. Based on the session from earlier, these theories are more really strong possibilities.."

Kakashi jumps in, voice even. The weight of words makes Sakura swallow. "If these possibilities turn out to be true, we may need to speed up the timeline of your mission."

Her brain scrambles with one blow of information after another. First Itachi tells her about Honoka. Now there's a chance something terrible may force them into an impossible situation with limited options. Sakura's fist clenches as she tries to sort through the onslaught of conflicting feelings.

She shrugs in both disbelief and helplessness, shifting her weight defensively as she levels both of them an incredulous look. "Is he dying? That's why you're being vague?"

"We don't know," Tsunade answers evenly. "Which is why we are here right now. We need data and a lot of it. There are several components that I need to examine in a short amount of time. Since you are already recording his mental and physical health symptoms, this should not be beyond you."

"What does this mean for me?"

"We're updating your mission," Kakashi tells her.

"And Itachi?"

"There's going to be some changes to his mission as well but this part is strictly for you. You are not to confer with him about this meeting and what it entails."

We are keeping secrets now?

Her confusion amplifies. Squaring her shoulders, Sakura demands. "Can you be honest with me, please? You're changing my mission but I can't tell Itachi? Clearly, something happened but you're not sharing it with me. Has he killed someone? Is he planning to take over Konoha? What is it?"

"We can't tell Itachi because he may be the cause of the problem to himself," Tsunade says. "Don't forget why we're here, Sakura. The point of all of this is to secure the Uchiha bloodline. The only person who can do that is Itachi. We need him. To make sure that happens, I'm only telling you this much as a precaution. If it turns out that Itachi is his own worst enemy, the last thing I need is him knowing that we know. All you're doing is collecting data, that's it."

"Me knowing is also a liability," she says sarcastically.

Kakashi huffs at her response. "We're not talking about some fresh out of the Academy genin, who's still wet behind the ears. If Itachi suspects something is amiss, he will figure it out. Whether you tell him or not."

"You'll be doing most of the work, Sakura. He's going to see you every day. We don't need him to be suspicious of you. Collect data on his physical and mental progress then give it to us. This has always been a part of your mission. We're only expanding that role." Tsunade supplies. "Especially since we are loosening his restrictions and removing all chakra seals."

Sakura's mouth drops. "All of them?"

The Hokage nods. "This part is perhaps the one thing that overlaps with your and Itachi's new mission. It'll also be the rationale behind your increased surveillance. I'll explain the reasons to him so no need to create an excuse for that. The less you actually know what's going on, the better. Simply use the situation to your advantage and complete your mission. You'll have three weeks to collect as much intel as possible. The results of this data will determine our next move with restoring the Clan."

Kakashi pauses his instructions, then switches gears entirely. " How is your...Clan Provision going?'

She thinks of Honoka's smiling face and grimaces. "We...we have someone in mind. It's just a matter of finalizing."

Tsunade humphs. "What's the timeline on that?"

"About six or seven months if things go well."

Kakashi looks out over the skyline. "Hm. I hope the data comes back clean." When he looks back at her, a cold dread runs down her spine, colder than the chilly wind surrounding them in the darkness of night. "Otherwise, I will usurp this situation."

They dismiss her, leaving a sour taste in her mouth and too many thoughts on her mind. Sakura's night is restless and her morning is much the same. The meeting with Kakashi and Tsunade leaves her with more questions than answers. And a growing pressure to get this courtship thing right.

It's well into the early morning before she actually gets any rest. Fleeting as it is when several gentle taps make her groan and pull covers up to her chin.

"Are you awake, Sakura?" Itachi's whisper is soft but close enough to be heard. She presses her eyes closed, hoping to get just a few more precious minutes. The taps turn into a nudge. When she reaches to swat him away, he takes her wrist.

"You are awake."

"No."

Itachi eases her hand back down to the bed. Immediately she reaches for the pillow. "I need to leave."

"Mhm." she muffles a reply.

"There is breakfast downstairs as well as your lunch but the rice is not finished. Be sure to turn off the rice cooker after you hear it beep. Add it to your bento."

"Rice. Beep. Off. Got it."

"It will be done in ten minutes," Itachi adds. Despite herself, Sakura feels her brain starting to work.

Ten minutes? He's leaving already?

Normally she's the first one out of the door in the wee hours of the morning. Itachi is usually up making food before her alarm goes off. Either it's really early and he has somewhere to be. Or it's really late and she's overslept.

Oh shit!

With a start, Sakura sits up quickly, pushing disheveled hair from her face and trying to locate a clock in the room.

"What time is it?" she questions, wiping her eyes to wake up.

Still kneeling at her bedside, Itachi points to the clock on the nightstand. "You slept in but it's still early. You won't be too late for work."

Even more, confused now at his unhurried demeanor, she squints at him and asks. "Where are you going?"

From his breast pocket, Itachi pulls out a folded paper that looks suspiciously like a missive from Kakashi's desk.

Kakashi's not wasting any time.

"You have a meeting?" Sakura asks, remembering what was told to her. The less she knows the better.

Itachi nods. "The missive came early this morning."
"What's it say?"

"Nothing in detail, only that he wants to speak to me. I imagine it is in regards to our progress at the Compound. Between the businessmen ready to sign leases on buildings and upcoming meetings with clan heads, I presume he wants to finalize the dates I proposed."

Sakura knows the truth but wisely keeps things to herself. She stands, walking around him to go to the bathroom.

"Good luck with the meeting," Sakura calls over her shoulder and disappears from his view, less he expects anything. She waits until she is sure he's gone before getting ready for work.

Across the village at training ground Number Three, Itachi watches the Hokage with skepticism. He looks around at their surroundings, wide open to the elements and prying ears.

"I was unaware that this was a training session," he opines.

Kakashi glances at Weasel and the Anbu makes himself scarce without a word.

"I have a training session with Naruto right after this," Kakashi informs him. "I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone since I'm up early anyway."

"Is this something that should be discussed in the open?" Itachi asks, curious as to why the Hokage did not feel the need for privacy.

For his part, Kakashi considers his concern then alleviates it with one dismissive wave of his hand. "Not really. It'll be obvious enough to anyone paying that close attention. Mostly because of you leaving the Village part."

"Leaving...Konoha?"

It's hard for Itachi to hide his shock and Kakashi seems to revel in leaving him mostly speechless.

Even under the mask, his smug grin is visible. "I'm assigning you your first official shinobi mission. A little ahead of schedule, I know, but we're short on time and men. It's a diplomacy mission so no need to worry about being stuck with people who may not like you. Essentially you'll be picking up where Ino left off with the Peace Garden."

"A diplomacy mission?" The Uchiha asks. "This is not an area of expertise for me. I'm not sure why you chose me..."

Kakashi rolls his wrist and rattles onward as if the next bit of information is of no consequence. "All that's left is a bunch of diplomatic niceties. I would have asked Naruto to do it but he has enough on his plate right now."

Itachi tucks his chin further into his cloak, thinking. He considers the ramifications and his current situation. He sucks air between his teeth then, with the utmost respect, takes a half step back and bows.

"I respectfully decline," Itachi says to the ground, "I will not be able to do this mission, Hokage-sama. There are far more capable envoys to give gifts."

Kakashi chuckles airy at his retort. "I thought you'd be thrilled about your first mission."

"The timing is inconvenient for me. I am currently working through two other missions. Leaving now would make it far more difficult to do one and slow down the process of another."

"Hmm?" Kakashi's feet move towards him. The man taps his shoulder and Itachi raises.

"I've already accounted for those. Your other missions will be tailored to accommodate your new one."

Kakashi's casual demeanor is a poor mirage to Itachi's limited options. He holds back a sigh, preparing for a grand explanation to convince him that this is a good idea. As if having two simultaneous missions is not enough for one person. Three pushes all kinds of limits, even for him.

Choosing his words with care and respect, Itachi tries to appeal to reason. "A mission that involves me leaving Konoha will automatically put the other two on hold. In addition, wasn't it agreed that I would be assigned special missions too delicate to give to anyone else?"

"Your analytical skills are never dull." Kakashi teases, shrugs his shoulder, and turns his gaze toward the training ground gate. "There is no underlying threat if that's what you're wondering. You are right. I wanted to reserve your skill for a special mission. But...any mission like that, especially if it involves another Village, would be highly sensitive. Just like the people within our walls, some still see you as a criminal. Think of this as your step towards turning a new leaf outside of Konoha. You'll be acting on the Leaf's behalf. Something that I think you have a great experience with."

"Infiltration and diplomacy are not the same."

"Same skills. Different tactics. Both require you to be convincing enough to get into another's good graces, eh? Now where was I?" Kakashi snaps his fingers, "Right, your other missions. Currently, you are on a limited working schedule for medical purposes. After reviewing Sakura's reports for the past month, I think you are fit to work full time. This will allow you to work later and cover more ground before the Haru festival. Secondly, Tsunade-sama recommended removing all of your chakra restrictions. This includes the ones around your eyes."

"Wait, Hokage-sama" Itachi cuts in, taking a step forward, "All of them?"

Kakashi's sly glance makes the Uchiha flex his fingers. "Every single one, Itachi. Tsunade believes that you'll need to adjust to having all of that chakra at your disposal. Any adverse effects can be tended to by your medic before going on the mission."

"Why remove them at all?"

"That is more so to your second mission." Kakashi drawls. "There shouldn't be any special accommodations for a mission that has a simple solution. You've decided to go a different route with Clan Provisions and that's your prerogative. My only concern is the timeline, of which you have a little over nine months left to complete. With that in mind, giving you access to your chakra reserves allows you to travel faster. Otherwise, a mission that should take a few weeks may take months. It also ensures that you are not left defenseless while outside of Konoha. Can't have you die on your way to Suna because a couple of bandits still hold a grudge against the Akatsuki."

Itachi ignores that jab at Sakura and his decision. Instead, he focuses on the mission itself. "What type of mission would put me in such a position?"

"I already told you, it's nothing too difficult," the older shinobi tilts his head as if to think, "Give gifts to show our appreciation for their donations. They will most likely offer you to stay a day there, as is customary for any diplomatic visit. Perhaps dinner with the Kage and their advisors. Niceties. It's your choice if you wish to do any more than that."

The way Kakashi trails off says everything and nothing at the same time. Typical for Hatake Kakashi.

Goading him to ask the question or pretend the words have no underlying meaning at all. Asking is giving in. Pretending the bait is beneath his notice will only encourage the man before him to dangle it lower.

Itachi grits his teeth swallows his pride and plays the game. "Define more, Hokage-sama"

"Well," Kakashi drawls behind a crinkled smile, "We are building a Cultural District around the Uchiha District. Even though we have small markets for foreign goods, what better place to put imported goods than a dedicated cultural space. The Kage may be receptive to the idea."

Is this his underlying motivation?

Any type of negotiation on exported goods would take days. This is not something he can do on just one visit on a mission that will take far more time than he would like.

Itachi frowns disapprovingly, mentally listing off all the things he needs to do with his current mission. There is Sakura. Then Honoka. At the Compound, preparations for the unveiling during Haru Festival are in full swing. They are closing in on the family home. While it will not be the main attraction for the festival, he still wants to be there.

Removing the chakra seals will alleviate most of that issue. Talking to Sakura should move our main mission forward. If she approves of Honoka, then we can finish her training and start the courtship.

Tucking his arms inside his cloak, Itachi asks: "What are the particulars of this mission, Lord Kakashi?"

Kakashi's smile is slow in coming as if waiting for such a question, waiting for Itachi to agree. "Official start of the mission is three weeks from today, immediately after the Haru festival. You'll be going to the other four major villages. The timeline of the mission depends on how quickly you can get there."

Suddenly Kakashi turns serious, looking for all accounts of his age for once. "I understand that you might have concerns about your current missions. The hope is for that to continue despite you being away. This new mission is of a higher priority right now. You and I both know how delicate a thing peace is. Off the back of war, even a small gesture is hard to overlook."

"Hn."

"Any other request?"

"Less of a request and more an inquiry," Itachi adds, "Will I be escorted, or am I going on my own?"

"Ino will join you for your first stop in Suna, for formality's sake. Gaara has a way of...swaying those around him. He'll make sure the other Kage are prepared for a former Akatsuki member to grace their presence. From there, you are on your own."

Itachi taps his fingers against his forearm. Despite the many years since he's stood before a Hokage to accept a mission, Itachi finds it easy to slip back into the mindset. Wondering about his team, considering possible scenarios that may interfere with the mission, none of those skills are lost to him. A deja vu tickles in the back of his mind that he tries to ignore. Perhaps because he sees his assignment with Sakura and the Uchiha Compound as more of a penance than an assignment does the nostalgia fade. But at this moment there is familiar normality, a confirmation even, that he is still in fact a shinobi of the Leaf.

If this is what he hopes to achieve, then Hatake Kakashi is far more clever than he lets on.

"And there is no one else?" Itachi asks skeptically. "Shikamaru perhaps?"

"Shikamaru is busy training to be an advisor as well as overseeing your project. He has a lot on his plate already." Kakashi answers.

Of course. "I assume you will convince Sakura to update my work status and remove the seals?"

The Hokage nods. "These things are necessary for your new mission. No is not an option. I'll send her instructions on what to do just like I would any other medic. You should have your new work schedule by the end of this week. The same goes for your chakra. Anything else?"

Itachi bows respectfully to the man before. "No, Hokage-sama."

He nods his agreement to accept fostering peace throughout the shinobi world. Knowing that, in the grander scheme of things, this mission holds the most weight.

Peace is such a delicate thing.

If there is no war, there is no rush for a league of Uchiha to defend Konoha from outside threats. He's already chosen his second wife, the only thing left is to get Sakura on his side.

Three weeks isn't a lot of time but I have worked with far less.

---

Honoka is off today. Sakura gratefully takes both their workloads while her head is lost in thought.

Her patient, a shinobi coming for a routine physical, greets her with a respectful smile and bow.

He takes a seat on the chair across from her while she reviews the information from the nurse. "Uchiha-sama."

"Your vitals and everything looks good," Sakura tells him, then moves her chair across the room. "Let's get a listen to her lungs, okay."

Green medical chakra pulses to life. "Take a deep breath for me."

He does as he's told, inhaling and exhaling as her hands move across his chest. Sakura keeps her gaze in the distance as is her routine. She moves to the side of the bed to place both of her hands on his back.

"Inhale again for me. This time hold it for a few seconds."

The young man nods and willingly does as he is told.

His lungs are strong. She thinks in satisfaction.

Her smile flattens as her mind goes back to Itachi and how his lungs are just short of this man's potential. Much better than they were a few years ago but the occasional swelling is a telltale sign that he is not completely healthy.

I wonder if his medicine is starting to wane. I haven't noticed anything. Did Shishou see something? Did they talk about something like that?

"Um," Her patient looks over his shoulder, "Uchiha-sama?"

Sakura's fingers twitch at the name. Pulling her hands back, she looks at him. "Looks good. Just hold still a moment. I'm going to do some chakra points checks okay. You might feel a pinch."

He nods and turns around. The exam takes an additional few minutes, ending with paperwork to give his sensei to sign off on. Sakura has four more such exams lined up for the day. She checks Honoka's patience. After that, chats with the receptionist about this and that. It gives her a good view of the door, just in case Itachi comes after his early morning meeting.

But the morning comes and goes with no sign of her partner. And Sakura resigns herself to paperwork.

Sitting at her desk, Sakura stares at the vase of slowly wilting hydrangeas. They tell a story within themselves, a message for only them. Itachi offered her his gratitude for her willingness to indulge his desire for courtship. She was more than willing to do anything that didn't involve forcing him or her into something they simply didn't want.

She bites her knuckle as the reality of the situation starts to sink in. We're one step closer to finishing things. I was so confident before I knew what I would be going up against. How in the world am I supposed to keep Itachi alive and sane enough to marry Honoka and have children? How am I supposed to convince her to agree?

This new crisis of Itachi's health looms over everything. The medical jounin rubs the side of her face, the makings of a head press against the back of her skull. The sour taste of guilt clings to her throat. If Sakura were honest, she'd been so focused on getting this courtship thing down, that she'd slacked on his daily examinations.

When was the last time I checked him? When he and Kai sparred? And before that? Who knows.

The medicine seemed to be working. She put her faith in her ability as a doctor to keep him stable. He could be dying now for all I know. The fault is completely mine for getting so caught up in making babies that I neglected my first duty as his physician.

Her fingers press against the side of her eyes as she wrecks her brain for any sign of distress on Itachi's part. A ghost sighting here and there but otherwise nothing stands out.

Her ears start to ring. Something that hasn't happened to her in a long while. Sakura blinks slowly, looking through her bangs at the wall.

"I can't dwell on this right now," she declares to her racing thoughts, "I have to keep moving. If I stop now, Kakashi starts."

Dragging herself up from her seat, Sakura moves methodically throughout her office. Filling out documents and looking over charts for the next few days. She makes a note to schedule a follow-up visit with Kai as well as to get blood samples from Itachi. The next stop is her lab where she procures several bottles of Itachi's injections and pills before finally going home.

It's quite late when she leaves so there is a high chance that Itachi is home. The thought makes her pause in the street. Sakura looks worriedly ahead at the path leading to her home and clenches her work bag.

Maybe I could…

The clinking sound of small glass vials unravels plans before they even start. Right. I need to get these in the refrigerator.

Her routine to escape is temporarily deterred. Sakura hurries down the street in hopes of making it inside without being noticed.

Easing the door open, she peeks through the crack and listens for noises in the kitchen. When there is none, she makes quick work of her shoes in the genkan.

Itachi isn't in the living room, thankfully. She tosses her bag on the soft and fishes out the viles. Dashing on tiptoes towards the kitchen, she presses the injections to her chest with one hand while carefully opening the fridge with the other. It's a quick change of hands from chest to fridge. She closes it silently then hurries back to grab her wallet. Sakura puts her work shoes back on and opens the front door.

With no real purpose in mind, she wanders the streets of Konoha to clear her head.

Holding her arms tight, eyes downward, the young medic slows her strides to a much more casual pace.

"She is the best fit for our purposes." Despite herself, the words pop up in her mind.

Sakura shivers all over again. She hurries on her way as the sky quickly turns tonight. In her wandering, she finds a rather lively corner street, with tantalizing aromas and even more seducingly friendly banter.

Bright wall lights illuminate the entrances. Based on the style, she can tell the buildings are quite old. It's a place she's been to plenty of times on her girls' night out. Sakura follows the flow of walking traffic, then turns off to a slightly dimmer alley. There she spots a little hole in a wall sushi place, known only for its lack of name. It's one of the few buildings that survived the war mostly intact. And the little cuts and bruises it does have only adds to its charm.

With a simple cloth covering as a door, the chatter from inside reaches out into the streets. Sakura stops and looks at the entrance. The smell of food and sake waft out of her, inviting her to come in.

I'm already here. Plus I could use a shot or two.

It's predictably small inside and dark by comparison to more modern places. The wall lights are of the older lamp variety, adding to the aesthetic. Dampness hangs in the air due to its size and the sheer number of shinobi and civilians alike. The smell of deep-fried food intensifies and she recognizes the scent as takoyaki batter and perhaps some grilled meats.

Sakura wanders further, being drawn in by the noise and lively atmosphere. There's a small bar just off the left side, and several tables lining the right side. There's hardly any room to walk in the tight spaces and she squeezes past two waitresses carrying trays of fried eel.

"Uchiha-sama!" Sakura pauses at the name though unable to locate who exactly is yelling over the crowd. "Uchiha-sama! Uchiha-sama!"

She turns around, looking through the crowd until she notices the older bartender waves emphatically waving his arms.

Sakura quickly squeezes through the crowd to the man. "Hi," she says with a smile.

He smiles and nods his head towards the very back of the room. "You're looking for Tsunade-sama right?"

Sakura's eyes widen and she blinks several times. "She's here?"

He points in the direction he nodded earlier. "She always takes the back room. Just keep going until you see the door on the right. She might be on her third bottle right now."

Sakura rolls her eyes at that and nods. "Got it, thanks."

Shizune-san must have come here plenty of times. Guess the guy sort of expected someone at some point.

She follows his directions towards the back room. Upon opening the sliding doors, Sakura stops just short of entering.

On the other side of the table, Tsunade sprawls out on her side on tatami mats and several jugs of sake on the table.

"You look like shit," Sakura jokes, closing the door behind her then sliding off her shoes.

Tsunade sits up on her elbows, narrowing her eyes at her former student before dismissing her in the same instance.

"You must feel like shit if you're here." Tsunade counters.

Sakura helps herself to the extra cup of sake, then props her elbows on the table and looks towards the small open window on the back wall.

"You didn't know? I'm getting bogged down with missions as if the Hokage wants to see me suffer." she gripes

Tsunade yawns. "You're a big girl, you can take it. If you can't, there's always liquid courage."

"This is pure coincidence," Sakura amends. "Since I'm here…"

She sips her sake slow, allowing her throat to get acclimated to the slight burn. Tsunade doesn't question her actions. The woman simply lays back on her side, drinking sake in intervals. The ease at which they sit in silence is enough to stop Sakura's racing thoughts.

She finishes her first drink then pours another. When the hostess comes in, Tsunade orders her something to nibble on.

"So you don't puke all over the floor," the blonde informs.

Sakura can only laugh at the insinuation but accepts the kindness nonetheless.

Two jugs of sake later, both of them have taken to laying on the floor. Their conversation is light. Itachi comes up every once in a while and Sakura skillfully avoids having any in-depth conversation about him. Every cup after that brings on a new topic, a new reason to drink, a new distraction until the original subject of conversation gets lost to inebriation.

Until her former teacher asks a surprisingly sober question.

Tsunade asks, "After all of this is over, what's your plan?"

Sakura is a second away from blurting out a curious 'what', when critical thinking kicks in. What will she do when this is done? She leans back on her elbows, legs outstretched and crossed. Looking up at the latticework of wooden beams decorating the high ceiling, the feeling of being out of place comes back to mind. Sakura bites her lip and blurts out the first thing that comes to mind.

"Probably walk around naked for once." They both laugh. "Not a bad idea right?"

Sakura looks over at her mentor with gleeful tears in her eyes and a healthy flush on her face. Tsunade's continence is not that far off, even if she claims to hold her drink better. Thankfully for both of them, Tsunade sealed their room with a privacy seal while both of them were relatively sober. Plus the noise from the dining area makes it nearly impossible for anyone to hear their merriment at such a late hour.

"That's the best you can come up with?" Tsunade teases.

Sakura pushes hair from her face, wrinkling her nose. "I haven't done that in so long. I remember when I could just walk around my house in a shirt. These days I'm basically wearing a bra twenty-four seven. It's torturous."

Tsunade smacks her teeth in disbelief, shifting in her seat as well.

"Nothing's stopping you from doing that now." the blonde wages, tossing back another cup.

Sakura glares even though the harshness is lost when her efforts are ignored. She huffs instead then straightens her arms to lay flat on the ground.

Everything is stopping me from doing that. It's bad enough we have to share a bed. Well. Her brows wrinkle. He's not the worst bed partner in the world. At least he doesn't hog the sheets. He smells nice too so there's that…

Sakura rubs her ankles together, thinking of her living arrangements and how Itachi's separation will change everything. How Honoka will change everything.

That's what I wanted. That's what I've been fighting for all this time. Ack! That's what I did stupid stuff for too.

"No way I'm going down that road again!" she declares, grimacing at her own thoughts, eyes wide after realizing those words actually come out of her mouth.

Tsunade's fingernail taps the table. Sakura looks away, cursing the sake to high heaven for giving her loose lips.

" Again? " she hears her question, shivers at the inflection and implications in her tone.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid! Why did I say that?

Sakura nervously chuckles and covers her face. "It wasn't like that, Shishou. We never...I mean, we share a bed but that's all."

Tsunade tuts. "Share a bed and talk about you walking around naked."

"No!"

"It's what you said."

"That's not what I meant!" Sakura quickly defends, complaining into her hands. "It was more of a...last resort tactic on my part. It was stupid and childish and, no, I never paraded my body around to...to…"

She can't find the words to say because the truth is she kind of did. Not naked of course, because she still had enough sensibilities to maintain some modesty. But she'd offered romantic affection, demanding it in return, hoping he was male enough to stay hooked on it. It was all about dominance and control. She did not know how to subdue a man who willingly slaughtered his entire family except by appealing to his most basic instinct.

"Tempt him? Arouse him?" Tsunade fills in the blanks she's too afraid to admit

Sakura pulls her knees closer as the sake in her stomach turns sour. "I was trying to get a handle on the situation and was grabbing at straws..."

"By seducing him?" Even if it's not meant to, Tsuande's words sound accusatory. "I never expected that reaction from you. I thought I taught you how to think?"

Sakura, already folded in on her, blinks at tears because Tsuande is right. I knew better. I know I knew better, Shishou.

Itachi never really seemed upset when she'd caress his arm or smile at him or pay him extra attention that day. He'd kissed her when she initiated the action. When she hugged him for the first time, he gasped but relaxed just as quickly. Every hug after that came as natural as breathing, to the point where he knew when she was considering the action or when she genuinely needed one. Itachi complied with no complaint. For a time she thought she'd succeeded until the plan backfired on her horribly.

I never loved him but...I had my own desires that had nothing to do with him. He was the closest I could get to being married to an Uchiha. Maybe that's why I don't want...maybe I'm being selfish now too?

Feeling embarrassed all over again, she presses her eyes closed and answers her Shishou in whispers. "I was young. I was foolish."

Her teacher's reprimand switches gears and after another go of sake, Tsunade drops the cup on the table and says. "That's the shitty excuse you're using? Fair enough. You should be in a good spot then, yeah? You did exactly what Kakashi and the Elders expected. I'm starting to question why you're pushing so hard if you were already halfway there."

Sakura uncurls to sit up on her elbow. "It wasn't like that! The furthest we ever got was kissing but it hardly compares to what they want from us now. I don't see Itachi that way..." she looks away, "I...we're past that phase now and I don't want to go back."

The blonde snorts then smirk. "For your pride or Itachi's sake?"

Sakura frowns then wipes her eyes. "Both?"

Besides, Itachi's already decided.

With a grumble, she mimics her former teacher and pours another drink. Sitting on her knees again, Sakura stares intently at her sake, idly rubbing her fingers against the rim.

"What's wrong?" Tsunade asks.

If I knew the answer to that, I wouldn't be here right now.

Sakura shrugs her shoulders then shakes her head, not willing to go into her emotions at the moment. "Everything? That whole situation was messed up."

"You were young. You were foolish." Tsunade echoes her words.

It makes her smile a bit but the flush on her face only deepens. "Not just that, I mean everything. The mission. Itachi's physical and mental state. The girl. Honestly, I'm just...overwhelmed right now."

She takes a tentative sip of sake then slouches over the low table, chin resting on stained wood. Tsunade does the honor of moving the sake bottle out of the way, pouring more for herself in the process.

"Let's start simple," Tsunade encourages, "What's the problem with the girl he's chosen?"

Sakura flinches at the question. I wouldn't say Honoka is a problem. Sort of.

"I'm just not so sure about her," Sakura whispers, gauging Tsunade's reaction to the news. "There's so much going into this. There are so many things to consider."

"Naturally," the former Hokage assures. "You're talking about comparing a political decision with a personal one. Politically speaking, even if I don't agree with these kinds of missions, you are the best fit for what needs to happen. But you guys aren't looking at the politics of it all. You're looking for something else."

That isn't exactly what she means, but Sakura goes with it. "Someone to override the politics."

"You've already done that." Tsunade teases.

"Okay, fine." The medical ninja says, "What I mean is, someone who fulfills the political role and then some. Right now she's just really..."

"Well, well," Tsunade laughs then leans in so they are almost nose to nose. "Are you trying to find somebody to love him?"

Green eyes cross and Sakura blinks several times. "Not...necessarily. Someone who could learn to love him would do as well."

Tsunade chuckles smugly, making the pinkette pull back enough to see her grin. "Aw, Sakura, I never knew you were so sentimental."

"Huh?"

"It seems you want Itachi's happiness, don't you?" she presses.

"...I mean, I…" Sakura struggles for words and squeaks when Tsunade moves closer to tap her forehead, smiling a little too hard for her comfort.

"After everything you did, maybe he deserves someone genuine? Someone who will think of the Uchiha legacy."

Sakura clenches her sake glass while trying to keep up with Tsuande's line of thinking. "That's not exactly how I would put…"

"She should be pretty."

Sparkling blue eyes and a wide bright smile comes to mind.

"...Well…"

"Good with kids. Honest. Able to keep secrets."

"Shishou I think you might be getting ahead of…"

The blonde slaps her hands on the table, making Sakura jerk up, shoulders back and at attention. "If Itachi's found someone already, maybe she checks all of the boxes. The question is, how are you going to convince her to do it? People don't just fall in love, Sakura. They need something to hold on to. To fall in love with."

Her heart jumps nervously. She knows all these things. That's what Itachi's been training her for this whole time. It doesn't mean Honoka will take the bait. If she does, then that's the best outcome for both of them. If she doesn't, then what?

Kakashi jumps in. I'm not sure if I want to think about what that means.

Sakura watches her former teacher for several long seconds before quietly admitting her thoughts.

"I'm not sure…"

Tsunade smacks her teeth, looking away casually as she settles back down on her cushion.

"You can always tell her he has soft lips," the blonde says offhandedly.

"Shishou I swear!" Sakura growls.

Tsunade just laughs and then laughs even harder when Sakura wordlessly reaches for another drink.

"Am I lying though?" her teacher probes.

Sakura slams the cup down on the table, covers her ears then throws herself back onto the floor cushions. None of her childish antics effectively block Tsunade's teasing. Even when she grabs a cushion and presses it on the side of her face. Tsunade just laughs even louder, hitting the table even in the process. While Sakura is a tad bit annoyed at being the butt of jokes tonight, deep down she knows her former teacher is right. Her position in this whole courtship thing basically means she has to sell Itachi to Honoka.

Easing the pressure of the pillow, Sakura stares at the floorboards.

I'm going to have to find some good qualities eventually. Or make them up as I go.

She turns on her side, pulling the pillow to cuddle it in her arms. "Itachi isn't a bad person. I think the person he chose knows that much. She just needs to know everything else."

The Fifth Hokage's legs move and Sakura furrows her brows when blonde hair peeks at her from under the table.

"Maybe start with something like committed, long-suffering, patient, understanding. If I'd been him in that position and you tried that shit with me after I damn near saved you and everybody else is this god damn village, that would've been your ass."

"Are you going to berate me all night?" the pinkette whines, squeezing the pillow to her chest. "I feel like crap if that's what you were going for."

Tsunade tsks but moves to lay on her cushions as well. "Partially, yes. A good berating is necessary now and again. Now, everything else. You mean things about him barring the classified stuff?"

"...Sure.." Sakura laments.

Tsunade turns sideways and stretches out in the opposite direction to Sakura. Although she does indeed feel like crap, Sakura cannot deny the twinge of happiness. She's harbored the secret of her bad behavior for years. Too ashamed to tell Kakashi or Naruto and unable to talk to Ino who would not have understood. Tsunade has always been straight with her, never taking her crap or excuses. It's been a long time since she and Tsuande spent any considerable time doing something as meaningful as this.

The blonde woman yawns then cough a little before getting the words. "Don't worry too much about the small things. Keep Itachi alive long enough to be a father. That's the goal. Now, if you want to warn her about a possible early death, go ahead. If she's a kunoichi, she won't be fazed. Being widowed young is the risk of every shinobi spouse. Itachi isn't special in that way. You got me?

"Yeah," Sakura agrees.

"Now," Tsunade snickers, "About those redeeming qualities you mentioned early…"

Sakura tries to find a jumping-off point that never comes. In their drunken stupor, both women fall asleep. It's the hostess who wakes her up first. The gentle nudge startles her and Sakura hits her elbow on the low table in the process.

"Ouch. Ouch!" she hisses, blinking at the dense foggy post alcoholic bliss.

"Sorry Uchiha-sama," the hostess apologizes. "We are closed now so…"

Sakura nods in understanding, rubbing her face to dispel sleep.

"Should I, um…" the hostess points to the other female in the room.

"I can get her," Sakura states, "Thanks for waking us."

Tsunade grumbles and snores, turning out on her back with arms outstretched. Sakura leans over the table, grinning to herself at the disheveled woman. Their line of conversation is lost to drowsiness. She forces herself to stand and, using a bit of chakra for reinforcement, manages to get Tsunade off the ground and mostly over her shoulder. Using the early morning or late night hours depending on perception slips out through the window because it's closet.

Once outside, the cool air does a good job at keeping her sober. She gets Tsuande home with good timing and makes it to her place with the speed of one desperate for bed. Too exhausted to climb the stairs, Sakura finds the couch instead. Kicking off her shoes, she forgoes a blanket, choosing to plop down on the cushions and let nature do its thing.

I should get a blanket...just to block out the sun when it comes. Sakura thinks but falls asleep despite the dangers.

There isn't much difference between the time she closes her eyes and the time Itachi wakes. Sakura is at the cusp of deep sleep when she feels a blanket laid over her. Half-awake, she mumbles a thank you and pulls the blanket up high enough to hide her face. Whatever he does after that is extremely quiet as she dozes off again with ease. When she finally wakes up for real, a note informs her of several things.

Itachi is at the training grounds. He left medicine for her on the table and bathing essentials in the bathroom. She blinks twice at the last bit, looking up to the ceiling wondering what 'bathing essentials' means and if it is any of her personal items. Turning her eyes back to the note written in penmanship much neater than hers, there's ochazuke mostly prepped and instructions for adding the green tea.

Sakura rubs her head, moving her hair away to sit up fully.

It's gotten so long lately. She thinks, pulling her hand through strands.

Getting to her feet, she checks the kitchen for the supposed items left then ventures upstairs to the bathroom. A bath towel, drying towel, her bubble bath, favorite shampoo, and bathrobe lay neatly arranged and waiting for her to use.

Sakura grins a little, then shakes her head.

"I'll add consideration and thoughtfulness to the list," she tells herself then goes through the motions of fighting off a hangover, starting with a nice warm bath. Since she is home alone for once, Sakura keeps her bathrobe on and goes downstairs to finish assembling breakfast. She readies the table then changes her mind with one look at the clear blue sky outside.

Itachi's almost always doing something in the backyard. I don't think I've ever just sat there since we've been here.

Forgoing shoes, Sakura steps out into the open spring air, crisp and fresh with a tray of ochazuke and water to drink. It's almost afternoon and the sun is high in the sky. After sitting the tray down, she goes back inside to get a sheet and Mikoto's journal for an impromptu little picnic with herself. Sakura settles down near the stairs, right by the garden. The tray holds the sheet in place and she sits with outstretched legs, grass under her feet.

It's so nice out here.

Sakura eats, then reads, occasionally bending her knees to feel the grass between her toes. Surrounded by ferns and flowering plants, the smell of spring promising a new start. Flipping past the numerous dog ears, she opens up towards the back of the book. What's left to read isn't much. She makes notes in her own book and finishes the last few pages in a matter of minutes. She spends the rest of her time eating, admiring the view until her breakfast is done.

Looking over to the garden, Sakura reaches out and flicks the fern leaf. Just as she withdraws her hand a thought dawns she widens her eyes in remembrance.

"...I was supposed to give the crocus a meaning wasn't I…"

The wind carries her words and she looks down at the mulch where the late winter flower once bloomed. A flower that singles the start of a new thing.

Nails dig into the grass. Sakura fixated on the idea of newness.

There's already a flower to start courtship. So maybe a flower to signal a new start, a transition in life. I know I am at one now. People face many in any type of relationship.

It's a rough idea with no real meaning in the grand scheme of courtship. But courtship itself is full of so many nuances that it may well fit in perfectly.

"I'll run it by Itachi when the time is right."

With breakfast finished and the rest of the day left to her, Sakura chooses to stretch her legs with a walk. The village is already abuzz with preparation for the Haru festival. There's plenty to see. Sakura takes her time meandering through the streets, looking at the many kimono vendors offering traditional garb for the three-day event. She turns down several offers to buy before deciding to visit Hinata.

It's a whim decision that is met with open arms and three children.

Hinata just smiles, holding her stomach out of habit as she opens the door.

"Are you sure…?" Sakura asks.

Hinata waves her inside. "It's fine, Sakura. Inojin, Shikadai, and Boruto are just having a playdate. Temari is here as well. I sometimes keep Inojin when Sai is busy."

Sakura steps inside remove her shoes and join Temari in the living room watching the children in the play area.

Temari's mild surprise comes and goes in a moment. "Here to help babysit?"

"More to check on Hinata but I guess I'm a third set of eyes now."

The blonde laughs and looks at the group of young ones again. When Hinata joins them, Sakura inquires about her health. Things have only improved a little since the last time they've chatted.

"Can I have a look?" she asks, hoping to extend a hand despite Clan regulations.

As usual, Hinata meets her request with politeness. Several carefully placed reassurances later, she agrees to Sakura's benevolence.

"It'll be our little secret," Sakura jest and winks teasingly at both women in the room, "Keep the clan doctors guessing as to why you're slowly getting better."

Hinata's chimey giggle keeps the mood light. Even as she tries to focus on making sure mom and baby are doing okay, Sakura's mind wanders back to Itachi and Honoka. Would she be their medic too? What if Honoka has the same complications as Hinata and needs constant supervision? Does the Uchiha Clan follow the same practices as the Hyuuga when it comes to midwifery? If so, would she by extension have to take that role? What if one of Itachi's children developed the same illness as their father? Who would take care of them?

Question after question comes and goes with increasing trepidation at the idea of being gone by not really. Itachi doesn't have many people to trust. And would probably trust the wellbeing of his children to those with whom he already has established relationships.

Even if he does marry her and I can walk away, I can't really walk away.

It's an idea that she hasn't considered until now. Something that leaves a sour taste in her mouth. But she forces a smile when Hinata asks if everything is okay.

"You are fine, no worries," she says even though she knows Hinata's question isn't about herself and the baby.

Sakura plays it off as such and gives her belly a gentle pat once her examination is done. "Please stay hydrated, okay? I know it's hard for you to keep things down these days but fluids are vital for both of you."

They all settle into casual conversation occasionally interrupted by cries and silliness.

Sakura eases around questions about when she and Itachi will have children of their own. Ironically hinting that there may be little Uchiha in the future. She turns the conversation to the Haru festival, explaining how busy Itachi is with getting the wall ready for demolition. Temari agrees, going from that to the shadow puppet show the Nara clan puts on every year. Hinata chimes in about the Hyuuga dance and Sakura manages to bypass the topic of her relationship.

Her visit is meant to be short but in the end, Sakura stays well after Sai gets Inojin and Temari takes Shikadai home. She offers to watch Boruto while Hinata gets some much-needed rest and ends up staying until Naruto returns well into the night.

It's quiet when she gets home, clean and settled for the night. The things she left from earlier are all put away and Mikoto's journal is missing from the table. The only thing left on is a living room lamp, giving the entire room a soft orange glow.

Easing up the stairs, Sakura carefully opens the bedroom door, hoping not to wake Itachi just in case. Her bedside lamp is on. Itachi's undercovers on his side. She can't see his face but the fact that he's in bed is enough for her to walk on tiptoes in and out of the room. She even makes a little game of it, hopping moderate distances from the dresser to the door while remaining light on her feet.

Her quiet escapades go as smoothly as one might hope. Itachi doesn't stir from her jumping around the room. Holding her breath to get in bed, she drags out each movement as if the slightest rustle of fabric may put her life at risk. It's not until she's fully snuggled in with the sheets up to her nose does Itachi decides to move around. Then the sheets tug and she stills until the movements stop.

Instituacally she pulls the cover back her way then wiggles down until it's up to her chin. He grunts and mutters something, pulling the covers back to her shock.

Eh?

Sakura turns his way, prepared for a full-on tug of war match over the covers. But Itachi's already asleep again, facing her with his eyes closed and mouth slightly open. Her protest dies on her lips and she sighs then settles down on her pillow. The barrier between them makes it hard for her to see anything other than the rise and fall of his shoulder.

"Good night, Itachi," she whispers in the dark, closing her eyes to try and sleep.

It doesn't come easy for her. Sakura wakes feeling exceptionally groggy. Several days of poor sleep catching up with her. Itachi is already gone, again. There's no lunch to bring with her, Only a cornflower and a note explaining where he wants her to meet him.

Sakura tries her best to keep her focus at work and not on what he wants. If it has something to do with her new mission.

Or if it has to do with one bubbly brunette currently laughing and joking with the nurses.

Honoka is like a breath of fresh air wherever she goes. Always smiling and laughing and making those around her happy.

'After everything you did, maybe he deserves someone genuine'. I know, Shishou. Honoka is about as genuine as it gets. She cares about him too.

Sakura folds her arms atop the reception desk, watching Honoka obliviously chat away. All wide smiles and kindness and crystal blue eyes that water when she laughs too hard.

She really is young.

She huffs gruffly, hoping to rid the uncomfortable feeling in his chest. Looking down at the marble countertop, Sakura bites her tongue at her own hypocrisy. She'd told Tsunade the other day that she was fine with doing this. Even reassured herself that her resolve is final. But seeing Honoka face to face forces Sakura to realize that her pep talk may have only been for the moment. She stares at her former apprentice, analyzing without knowing exactly what she is looking for. Subconsciously dissecting every time Honoka slides her hands in her pockets or laughs and removes them again. It's not as if she's doing anything important, just talking to one of the nurses. But Sakura's green eyes watch her with shinobi precision until it dawns on her that she's frowning and staring.

Quickly she looks off again and manages to turn her head in time to not be seen, covering her mouth in slight embarrassment.

What is wrong with me?

Sakura searches for a distraction, pushing away from the counter to find something else to do. I think I'll go to the lab and run some herb tests.

As she steps towards the stairs, prepared to leave Honoka and the nurses to their conversation, the air around her shifts alerting her to someone's sudden entrance.

The non-threatening chakra signature stops her quick reaction but Sakura's face is no less reprimanding as she turns to look at Konohamaru.

"Did you just run here?" she questions.

The young man raises his hand and waves a paper. "I have a delivery."

Sighing, Sakura walks up to him to take whatever he is offering. "Doesn't matter. Unless you are seriously injured or dying, remember that this is a hospital, okay. We have all kinds of people here. You have to be respectful of them."

As she expects, the nurses and Honoka come a bit closer and Konohamaru blushes as they gather around them.

"Is everything okay?" Honoka questions, moving to stand closer to Sakura. "Is that a shinobi medical input?"

"It is but only for Sakura-san," Konohamaru instructs, "Hokage's orders, ladies."

Sakura's eyes narrow towards her envoy and then to the folded, sealed paper in her hands. "Hono-"

"I'm on it, boss," Honoka gently skips a few steps in front of her and nods. "The girls and I will wait over here. Should we clear a surgery room or just get a regular observation room ready?"

That's not what Sakura means but the sincerity in her voice, eagerness in her eyes to be of use is more than a little overwhelming. Unsure of what to say, Sakura turns to Konohamaru for confirmation.

"How serious is it?" she asks.

"Not sure," Konohamaru replies, "I wasn't given any details other than to make the delivery."

Top secret with no Anbu escort?

An odd occurrence but Anbu members are fewer in number these days. Taking control of the situation, she turns her gaze to the nurses. "Prep surgery and observation. If all else fails, we'll just have two clean rooms for patients tomorrow. Be on standby in case it's a scene. Honoka, stay with me."

"Yes, Sakura-san!" All of them say in unison then leave to do as she says.

Sakura thanks Konohmaru for the delivery and beckons Honoka to follow her to her office. Neither of them waits to go to the desk. Sakura closes the door and immediately opens the input form.

A poof of smoke indicates the deactivation of a protective seal, that only quickens her pulse in anticipation. Green eyes scan over the official document for pertinent details but the message is relatively short and to the point.

"Release blackbird. Work restrictions lifted for future assignment"

Her face twitches in instant recognition. They won't need any medical space. At least not here.

"Is it bad?" Honoka questions, while stretching her eyes to look over the top of the page. "You looked stunned. Is it that bad?"

Sakura closes her mouth and forces a smile. "That depends on how you look at it. Here."

The message may have been for her eyes only, but she can't do Itachi's eye surgery without Honoka present. Removing all of the seals will take twice as long as before. She will need someone else there to keep him steady and stable.

"This is awesome!" Honoka gasps in awe and claps in excitement.

"You think so?"

"Well, yeah. Itachi-san is going on a mission, right? That means he's finally a full-fledged shinobi, I think." Honoka gestures towards the input form. "He's not on probation anymore."

"I don't think that's what this is," Sakura informs Honoka with more confidence than she feels. Reassured by the fact that she is privy to information that the brunette is not. "The Hokage must have something special he needs Itachi to do that can be done while still on probation."

"Oh," Honoka's disappointment catches Sakura off guard. She sighs, twisting her mouth and folding her hands behind her back. "That's unfortunate. I thought maybe he was finally getting the recognition he deserved."

"Huh?" Sakura's gaze sharpens with shock and more curiosity than she cares to admit. "What recognition are you talking about?"

The brunette laughs nervously, but the look in her eyes holds such conviction. "You know, for everything he's done and what you guys have been fighting for."

"Fighting for…?" Sakura's panic rises and she blurts the first thing that comes to mind. "You knew?"

Honoka looks away. "I guessed. I mean, there were all kinds of rumors. About you. About Itachi-san. I knew Itachi-san was good all along but even I had moments of questioning whether he could be some mass murder or whatever. Sorry if that's mean. But you guys seemed so above all of the gossips. Being happy together and carrying on with your lives as if you knew better. Now other people are seeing what you saw and taking the right steps forward."

Sakura watches her, speechless.

Honoka has been by both of their sides from the beginning, being a silent but steady help. At that time, Sakura never thought to ask what her views were. It isn't hard to guess since the woman before her wears her heart on her sleeve. Not once did she ever slander Itachi or fear him. Instead, Honoka dove headfirst into her role as Sakura's assistant and then as his physician. Always willing, always with a smile.

She's been cheering him on in her own way.

The uncomfortable feeling tugs at her core. Sakura tries not to fidget against her inner unrest. "Honoka does…" her voice cracks and she curses internally with her own hesitation. Clenching the paper and her fist, Sakura turns her full attention towards the only other person in the room. "What do you think of Itachi?"

The gasp that follows says a lot but not enough for Sakura to let up. She takes a step forward, holding her breath in the process.

Honoka seems to pick up on the fact that no answer is not an acceptable answer. The young medic shifts her weight, puts her hands together then steeples her fingers in front of her lips.

"I think Itachi-san is a good person with a really big heart." she starts, "He saved us and helped me plenty of times when I was feeling out of sorts. I mean, I don't know if I could have killed my only brother like that. He's basically everybody's hero. And was punished for it. I...think Lord Kakashi is great but I wouldn't have put all of these restrictions on him. So, I guess I'm as happy as you are that we can take them off. One, because he doesn't deserve it. Two...because he's my friend."

As happy as me? That's not it at all…

Sakura chuckles before she realizes, closing her eyes and running a hand through her hair.

"I'm relieved that you think that way," she tells her, "Itachi has sacrificed a lot for a lot of people for a long time.."

"Right!" Honoka thumps her fist against her hand, "He deserves to be set free. It's about time the Hokage got it together. So when are we doing the thing? The girls are prepping rooms right now.."

Right. Sakura forgot that she'd requested them to do that. "Not today and not here. I'd prefer to do it at home like we did the last time. I'm sure the Hokage wants to keep this as quiet as possible."

Honoka nods in understanding. "That makes sense. If he's still on probation then this might cause a stir. I'll tell the girls not to worry about it. I can make up something to get them off of our backs."

"Thank you, Honoka."

"No problem, boss. I can clear my schedule tomorrow if that works better."

Sakura shakes her head, folding the paper in the process. "I'd be better if we did it after both of our shifts tomorrow. Get the tools for eye surgery prepped today and move them to my lab. I'll take care of the rest. We'll be working into the night so I'll have some other doctors to take your rotation for the day after tomorrow."

"Sounds like a plan," Honoka happily agrees, smiling once again as she turns towards the door. "I'll get on it right now."

Sakura offers a smile that's matched by an even brighter one as Honoka leaves the room. She watches the door for several seconds, then exhales low and slow.

As happy as I am huh?

Happy isn't the term she would use to describe her reaction a moment ago. Walking towards the desk, she tosses the input next to other papers that require her attention. Pulling her seat back, Sakura startles, verbally yelping at several purple hyacinths tumbling onto the floor.

"What the heck…" she whispers, bending down to gather what looks like a loose bouquet. "Why would he put them here of all places?"

Six hyacinths in all, only one has a small note attached to the stem by a red ribbon. She turns the paper over to read the apology and explanation. They were supposed to meet this afternoon but based on this note and the request for her forgiveness in his absence, Itachi will not be able to make their appointment. He offers for her to meet him at the Compound once her shift is finished that evening. An odd request, she thinks, considering the fact they will see each other at home anyway.

Probably mission-related if that's the case. What the hell kind of excuse did Kakashi give him to not raise his suspicion about this whole thing?

Curiosity keeps her busy. Sakura skips lunch that day and works her way all the way through to the evening. With one emergency taking up most of her time, she gives her all until she is too exhausted to be angry at herself. Sakura contemplates going straight home and changes her mind because that would be cowardice. Instead, she takes the hyacinths and input with the rest of her belongings, and goes to the place Itachi requests.

She expects to meet him there or at least at the gate but the place is locked up, construction concluded for the day. There's no genjutsu or any other barrier that she can feel. Perhaps because she is expected here. The only way is up. Bracing her things against her side, Sakura hopes to the top of the wall, looking out over the construction site for any sign of life. Finding none, she hopes down to the nearest path and starts in the direction of her partner's former home.

If Itachi is here, he's most likely waiting for me there.

Even at a normal pace, it takes her a few minutes to get around the detour signs and manmade paths. The closer she gets the fewer yellow tape blocking areas. Until the tallest and most sprawling of the abodes come into view. Sakura knows almost in an instant that she beat Itachi to this place. She doesn't pick up any other chakra signatures as she nears the home.

Frowning to herself, Sakura takes a few steps up to the entrance and pulls the lock just in case. As she expects, it doesn't budge. She smacks her teeth in annoyance, looking around for the best place to wait for him to make an appearance. Sakura walks around the outer porch for as long as the veranda would allow before circling back to the front. She takes a seat right next to the front door, looking out towards a dilapidated wall and a suspicious cut straight through one of the Uchiha symbols.

Oh right. Sakura shimmies out of her bag and places it and the flowers on the wooden floor before walking over to investigate.

Her fingers graze over the cut. Definitely made from a kunai. I wonder if this happened that night.

Had Itachi killed someone on this wall? Scared them away? Based on the size and feel of the grooves, the kunai clearly went in all the way. This means whoever threw it, had to throw it with enough force to break through the concert and continue to do so for the weapon to embed itself that deep.

"Whoever threw this must have done so intentionally or accidentally while trying to hit something...or someone."

Neither thought sits well with her and Sakura backs away from the wall and its tragic history.

Sakura goes back to her things, placing the bag and flowers in her lap. Softening her gaze at the cluster of blossoms, she eases back until she's flush against the wall. The flower that is supposed to discern the heart of the giver stares back at her. Could it do the same for the receiver? Would it spot any deception she has?

Holding them up higher, Sakura watches her hand and wonders if she lied to Itachi that night in the cemetery. If she truly trusts him or was it something convenient to say at the moment.

"I think I do. Or at least I want to," she declares to no one, tucks them between her bag and rib cage. Leaning her head back, she closes her eyes against the evening sun and focuses her attention on other things. It's not such a hard transition. Something about feeling the evening and the waning sunshine reminds her of many missions outside in open country.

I haven't been outside of Konoha's walls in years. Not since the war. It's true not only for her but for other shinobi as well. Most of their missions were concentrated inside, rebuilding their village. I kind of miss it.

Hugging her bag to her chest, she smiles a small smile to herself, reminiscing on old times. Of being young and brash and foolish. A little girl with nothing to lose and so much to gain if only she had more confidence.

I'd like to think I'm a little better now. Sakura grunts, letting her head lull to the side. I still have a long way to go.

She lets her memories take her to happier times, daydreaming to the point of drowsiness. Or maybe it's the cool evening and the setting sun relaxing her enough to doze off. Half asleep, dreaming of open country and falling tree leaves, she leans into the gentleness brush against her cheek. Her name whispered in the wind. Sakura's fingers dig into the material of her bag. She stirs gently, a content hum in her throat.

"Sakura," her eyes flutter at the sound and the gentle caress from her cheek to her chin.

Itachi squeezes her face just enough to get her to wake up. Her head lulls as he comes into focus.

Sakura blinks several times before sitting upright. Her lack of violent response is a testament to a subconscious registration of his chakra signature. Despite internally knowing who he is, the man kneeling before her looks almost nothing like her partner.

"Itachi?" Sakura's quiet gasp is met with a veneer of patience.

"Yes," he murmurs to her.

He doesn't move away even when she sizes him up. Green eyes freely roam over the Uchiha blue haori, white Mulan magnolias, and branches adorning the right side of his shoulder. The left blazes the Uchiha crest. The inky black kimono does wonders for his eyes. Equally, the deep red underlayer recalling the hidden power the clans possess matches the red of the Uchiha crest. His hair is the same, pulled back with just enough left out to frame his face, it somehow looks even better in combination with everything else.

Sakura isn't sure where to look. Caught between holding eye contact and taking in everything else. Both options leave her somewhat fluster but wide awake.

"Did you wait long?" Itachi breaks the silence, moving his hand away from her face, and takes hold of her wrist instead.

He gently pries her coiled arms from around the bag. Sakura lets him do as he pleases if only so she can pull it together. Her pulse is so loud that she barely hears his question. The last time Itachi dressed as such was on their wedding day and she hardly remembers anything other than the feeling of misery.

Did he always look so...

Itachi pulls her bag away, revealing the cluster of hyacinths from earlier. He goes to reach for them but Sakura reacts first, gathering the flowers splayed across her legs. He snorts quietly, nods then lean away from her, taking her bag with him.

"They are yours to keep," he reassures.

Sakura's fingers squeeze the steams. "I know that. I accepted them."

"Hn." Itachi turns his face away but she catches the corner of his smirk before he stands up. "Did you wait long?"

Her surroundings finally come into view. It's already dusk, the sun barely above the horizon.

"I don't think so…" she trails off while taking in the fullness of his attire. The magnolia pattern continues on the left hem of his haori. Little flowers and branches adorn the sleeves, leading up to the larger design.

She stares without blinking, watching him pull the sleeves between her bag strap. Unable to keep her thoughts to herself, Sakura points out the obvious.

"What are you wearing?"

Without missing a beat, Itachi eases her bag up to his shoulders and extends his hand to pull her up. "This is the traditional Uchiha montsuki for formal meetings."

Formal indeed. She is almost certain that an uchiwa fan takes up the back half of his haori. She lets him help her to her feet "I guess I should ask, why are you wearing that?"

"I met with the Inuzuka Clan today regarding their participation in the museum." Itachi tucks his hands inside of his haori sleeves. "This is the same garment my father wore when meeting other clan leaders."

Sakura takes a step towards him. Itachi isn't any bigger than he was this morning. It may just be her imagination getting ahead of itself. But she feels a lot smaller the closer she gets. It doesn't help when he has to tilt his head down a bit for them to make eye contact.

"Is that where you've been all day?" she questions and gestures around them. "It's practically night."

Itachi shakes his head, then nods the door behind them. "No. We finished about two hours ago but you weren't here."

"Had a bit of an emergency at work. Where are you coming from now?"

"I went to see someone," Itachi answers allusively.

Sakura creases her brow in confusion. There aren't many people to see that he hasn't seen already. "Who?"

"Shisui."

The name halts her steps. Gasping quietly at the implication of his confession, she watches his back as Itachi goes behind her and digs a key from inside of his sleeves. He doesn't wait for her to follow, perhaps expecting her to do so regardless. But his admission only makes her question why Kakashi is commissioning her to lift his restrictions.

Or maybe it is because of it.

"Come in, Sakura," Itachi calls out to her, removing his shoes before disappearing into the house.

She grits her teeth, quickly taking off her heels before following behind him. "Mind explaining to me why you purposely went to see a ghost?"

"The same reason I always go. To seek a second opinion." Itachi flicks on the nearest light and deposits her things near the door.

It's quite dim in comparison to the lights in their home, warm and homey. She follows him into the horigotatsu room, a pinch of jealousy at being left out of the loop again.

"What was so important that you needed a ghost instead of someone else?"

Sakura has her guesses. The input form and Itachi's behavior basically confirm that he and Kakashi had conversations about this.

Much to her surprise, Itachi sighs and turns to face her. She matches his stare, noting the crease in his brow and frown at the corner of his lips.

"Shisui has always held this position in my life," Itachi informs her, "It is no insult to you or anyone else in the land of the living. I am simply used to seeking his advice."

Sakura opens her mouth then closes it, grabbing her arm self consciously at his confession and her transparency.

"You didn't answer my question," she whispers.

"I will," Itachi assures. "Wait here."

He turns as if he is going to leave, opening a set of fusuma doors before stopping and looking over his shoulder.

"Are you upset with me?" Itachi asks her. Sakura wrinkles her nose at his assumption, that isn't wrong but isn't exactly right either.

She's too embarrassed to tell him the real reason for her ire. And too transparent to completely lie to him.

I have to be calm, Kakashi said. I can't give away anything before anything actually starts!

"I'm not upset," she tells him honestly, "Not happy about it either."

Itachi nods. "The smaller tatami room is through the doors on your left. Wait for me there."

Sakura exhales when he leaves, pats her cheeks for reassurance, and tries to call herself down.

Her feelings about the situation should be of far less concern than the situation itself. There is this new mission and Itachi's seals. This is where her focus shifts and Sakura forces her face into a professional mask.

While Itachi busies himself upstairs, Sakura follows his instructions towards their meeting place.

For only four people, the place is incredibly spacious. The genkan opens to the horigotatsu, one of the largest she's seen in any home. The back wall is covered in shoji doors, made with just enough glass to let light in from outside.

She goes left, opening her own fusuma, leading to the first of three tatami rooms. She's been this way before but the other fusuma doors were closed when Itachi led her to the back garden. Now, with all of the adjourning doors open, she walks through the largest, the second-largest, and finally the smallest one off to the right.

Itachi's already set up the low table, a lantern, and teacups waiting to be used. The shogi doors open to the engawa, letting in the evening light and stonewall and floral views. Sakura takes a seat facing outside. As the evening waxes on into the night, her mood mellows with the lighting. She imagines the ambiance of the room was factored into the design. The hum of spring insects mixed with the ever-darkening night sky, swaying greenery and cool winds amplify and even encourages relaxation.

Sakura folds her arms on the table then lays her head down. The house is old but not that nosy. She can barely hear Itachi moving around upstairs. She thinks of his mission and what it could mean for them. She thinks of Honoka and what that could mean for her. When thinking becomes too much, she watches outside through glass doors until Itachi comes.

His steps are almost muted on the tatami floors. Itachi doesn't do anything extra to make his presence known but Sakura just knows the moment she's no longer alone. She doesn't lift her head to acknowledge him, only inhaling the refreshingly clean scent he carries with him to the shoji doors.

She watches him open them to their full capacity. His hair is down. Every time he moves, the smell of him drifts back to her. A surprisingly light smell that is both warm and floral at the same time. It's not his usual but she quietly admits to herself that she prefers whatever this. Sakura watches his hair sway as he works, then sits up slightly when he steps into the hall to further open the outer doors, fully letting the outside in.

She quells her disappointment at the wind, laying her head back down.

Itachi doesn't join her at the table, keeping his distance by leaning against the doorpost, hands in his pockets while looking up at the sky.

Sakura waits for him to open the floor but her partner seems content with stargazing. Reminds me of a certain Nara I know.

"This is a nice room," Sakura extends him a bone, not wanting to ruin the calm by diving in too deep.

Itachi leans his head in her direction while still looking away. "Otosan used these rooms for meetings. The largest can house up to forty people. All three can easily fit one hundred. But this room was reserved for those he trusted most. Ten people could fit but I've only seen three people here, excluding him."

"Did you ever sit in on these meetings?"

"Sometimes," Itachi answers, "When I was very young, I would sit right here while they spoke at the table."

Sakura pictures a young Itachi sitting in the spot he's currently standing in and smiles to herself. That's his spot, I guess.

She sits up a bit. "You can sit at the table now. Soon enough, you'll be the one calling the meetings and maybe your son or daughter can sit where you did."

Itachi turns his head away, hair falling over his shoulder, hiding him from her view. Sakura's smile slowly wanes when he doesn't answer her.

Did I say something wrong?

The silence stretches on. Sakura turns away from him and looks at the lantern light next to her. She isn't sure what part of her statement set him off. Plucking at the downturned teacups, she tries to change the subject.

"Your new mission…" Sakura ventures, "It must be big."

Itachi huffs. "Not particularly."

When he doesn't elaborate, Sakura sighs. Alright. Down to curt sentences. Something is definitely wrong. "Kakashi already told you about it?"

"A few days ago, yes."

"Thought you'd be more excited," she hedges, plucking the cup again, "Seems like a lot of good things in there for you."

Itachi withholds his response again. Sakura turns to him, only to meet his back.

"By all accounts, you're practically free," Sakura presses. "No more seals. You get all of your chakras back. Your full Sharingan. You can work as long or as late as you want. Whatever your new mission is, the perks seem to make it all worth it…"

Her words fizzle out when he offers her nothing. Sakura quietly exhales, pulls back from the table, and stands. She walks up behind him, keeping a few feet away but close enough that she can smell him again.

"What's wrong, Itachi?" Sakura lowers her voice. "Why did you go see Shisui?"

The silence stretches and Sakura wonders if she will get anything out of him tonight.

Itachi clears his throat and, finally, starts to explain. "Kakashi wants me to represent Konoha to the other shinobi villages."

Sakura's shock is more to do with Kakashi's approach than the news itself. "He's giving you a mission outside of the village?"

"Yes," Itachi calmly responds.

It makes sense to her now why Kakashi keeps this part from her. Otherwise, her reaction would have been wasted on them.

"What kind of mission is it? I thought he was going to wait until after your probation to do anything like that."

Itachi leans his head against the doorpost. "I assumed he explained it to you the way you questioned me a moment ago."

Sakura's heart skips a beat and she quickly gathers herself to stay on task. "I got an input form about your seals and assumed it was something within the Village. I never picture you leaving."

"Nor did I. The mission is the final step in the Peace Garden project. I am acting as Konoha's diplomat and envoy to convey our gratitude for their cooperation."

"Kind of like what you're doing with the clans here?"

"It's very similar, yes."

Sakura nods as pieces start to come together. "You'll need your chakra to travel for that long."

Itachi concurs with her observation. "Also to make sure I can defend myself."

"You're traveling alone?" Sakura questions.

"Yamanaka will join me for the first trip to Suna," he explains, "I will be on my own after that."

A solo trip in open country as his first mission? I'm sure Itachi can handle it but… Sakura looks at his back and wearily amends her thoughts. He's not really handling it. Or he's not handling something. Am I going to have to pull it out of him? I wonder if Shisui has to go through all of this just to get to the truth.

Thoughts aside, she takes a cautious step towards him. "Would you prefer to travel with someone?"

He shrugs a shoulder. "I have no preference."

"You trust yourself enough to travel alone, then?"

This seems to catch his attention and Itachi turns just enough for her to see the pensive look on his face. "Why would you ask that?"

It's her turn to shrug. "I don't know. Maybe you're worried about reliving your Akatsuki days? You're going to be wandering around by yourself for the first time in years. Maybe you're afraid that you'll be tempted to desert us and leave."

"I wouldn't," Itachi asserts offended, "The fact that you think I would,"

"I don't!" Sakura quickly defends. "I'm just trying to think of reasons that would send you to a ghost."

"You don't think I would betray the Leaf?" Itachi challenges.

Sakura swallows her words, feeling defensive. "Not now."

"You did before?"

"I did. We all did because that's what we were told to do, what you wanted us to believe."

"That has somehow changed?"

Sakura gestures with her hands, unsure of exactly what he's fishing for. "Obviously, when I realized that it wasn't the Village that you betrayed."

"Who, then?"

She snorts. "Probably Sasuke."

"Hnn." Itachi turns away again.

Sakura bites her tongue and chides herself for getting carried away with her words. Itachi kept pressing her and she blurted out the first thing that came to mind. The tension in Itachi's shoulders lets her know she gave the right answer for the wrong reason.

Calming herself, the medical jounin takes another step forward. Mere inches away from him, Sakura can reach out and touch his hair like he did that night in the cemetery.

"That's not quite right," she amends, "I don't think you betrayed Sasuke. Not anymore. Not like that."

"Your feelings about me change often," Itachi whispers.

She almost laughs at the truth of his words. "Maybe that's true. This situation wasn't just a sudden switch. I changed my mind about this over time. It took years to learn the truth, then longer for me to accept the facts for what they were."

She gazes intently at his back, uncertain if her tidbit of information is helping or hurting the situation. What did it matter if she took a long time to get over everything? How would that help Itachi with missing his brother?

Shisui would probably know the best way to comfort him...

A pinch of jealousy rises, the feeling she had the night she found out about Shisui and the ghost. Sakura tries forcing it down and focusing on the fact that he is here with her now. If Itachi doesn't want to share with her, he won't. The fact he does has to mean something about her and what she can do.

I may not be able to do much, but I can do something. Unlike Shisui, she is a real person. Who is really there with Itachi at this moment? I can do lots of things for Itachi that a ghost can't.

Her fingers flex and she, without thinking, reaches out to grab the back of Itachi's shirt. Knowing that the undead could never touch him. As soon as she pinches the fabric in her fingers and Itachi looks over his shoulder to see what she is doing, does Tsuande's voice call her back to reason.

'I never expected that reaction from you. I thought I taught you how to think'.

Sakura squeezes Itachi's shirt as her moment of arrogance quickly disseminates into shame and regret. I did it again!

"Sakura, are you okay?" Itachi tries to turn around but she pushes her fist into his back to keep him facing forward.

"I'm fine," she says.

"You seem distressed…"

She tries to mask her mixed emotions by turning the focus back to where it belongs. "You're the distressed one! Still thinking about Sasuke and not moving on from him!"

It clicks then and his words from early steal her breath and her concentration.

Softening her tone, she leans over to look at his face. "You haven't changed your mind...?"

Itachi's head dips down, looking away from her inquiring eyes. Sakura's heart clenches with empathy over words that don't need to be said. Mentally slapping herself for being so selfish, only considering what she can do and not what Itachi wants her to see. Sakura tugs on his shirt, hoping he would turn his head. When he doesn't she says what she thinks needs to be said.

"It's...it's okay to feel regret, Itachi," she encourages but he shakes his head.

"I don't regret," he whispers, "there are truths that make changing my view difficult."

Twice in the same moment, Sakura reacts to him without thinking. Sliding her arms between the space at his side, Sakura lays her head on the slightly damp hair against his back. The smell of warmth and flowers, filling her nostrils. Itachi relaxes almost immediately. Her eyes close and she holds him tight, supporting all of the weight he carries.

"It's hard living life without him," Sakura whispers into his back. "But it's okay to do it. I think, on some level, even Sasuke realized what I realized over time. Hopefully, he forgave you because of it."

"And if I haven't?" Itachi mutters back.

Sakura's nails grip the front of his shirt. "Then you should. That's the only way you'll find the strength to move forward."

"If I can't?"

The vulnerability in the way he leans into her embrace. She knows too well how it feels to find such a situation impossible. She too knows that hurt feels endless. That guilt is ruthless. Unforgiveness is the easiest thing to fall into.

She tries to find a way to say as much without invaliding his feelings. She takes a deep breath and a thought comes to mind, something she is sure he will understand.

"Keep going until you find your own edelweiss." Itachi's sharp inhale lets her know she's on the right track. "That kind of strength doesn't come easy. You have to push and preserve to attain it. You'll never get it if you stop."

Much to her surprise, her partner chuckles briefly. "Edelweiss is given to those who show strength, determination, and perseverance for others' sake. Not their own."

Sakura nods. "Then give me a reason to give you two in the future."

"Why two?"

Sakura tightens her hold on him. "One of them you deserved a long time ago."

Itachi responds with a gruff rumble in his chest. Sakura dismisses the notion that her actions are purely self-serving. She hugs him because Itachi seems like he needs a hug. If he doesn't want it, he will tell her to let go. Until then, Sakura holds onto him until the tension in his posture melts away.

They lapse into silence and Sakura slowly lets the peacefulness of their surroundings settle into her soul. She is sure that Itachi can stand on his own and she considers letting him go when he speaks up again.

"Do you trust me?" Itachi asks softly.

Sakura blinks at the seeming randomness of his statement and tries to recall where their conversation had left off. "I trust that you can do this," she answers.

Itachi pulls away from her then turns, forcing Sakura to drop her arms and look at him.

The clouded look in his eyes is gone but his gaze is no less determined. "Do you trust me with you?"

"As in…?

"Do you trust me enough with your feelings, vulnerabilities, and insecurities? Would you share with me until you had the strength to hold it on your own?"

Her eyes say more than her mouth can, wide and panicked with the feeling of being exposed. Can he tell her internal struggle? Does he know?

Sakura scrabbles with where he is going with this. How had her vulnerabilities and insecurities factored into this at all? Why is he asking her for something so...intimate.

"I could," She finally admits and looks at everything but his face. "With time, maybe."

"When you're ready," Itachi instructs, "You can tell me."

Sakura nods, unsure of what to say. Itachi turns towards the door again and she watches long enough for the confusion to get the best of her.

"Tell you what exactly?" Sakura questions.

Itachi shrugs. "When you're ready, you'll know."

She doesn't have a response and keeps his words close for if ever a time like that occurs. Her main concern is his well-being. Judging by his expression, Sakura reasons that he is feeling a bit better. The fleeting thought of whether he really needed Shisui to do what she'd just done in a matter of minutes comes to mind. But Sakura dismisses the notion almost as soon as it comes. Everyone needs a safe person. Even she has Ino. Itachi's options are extremely limited with those he can trust.

At least I helped a little bit.

Prepared to walk away, Sakura turns to the table when Itachi grabs her arm.

"Stay," he asks.

She does, standing next to his side as they watch the sway of garden bushes. She thinks about what he says about trust. Remembers what Kakashi asks from her and uses the situation presented to her in her favor.

"Hey," she calls quietly.

"Hmm?"

Sakura tilts her head up to him. "Can I be honest about something since you were honest with me?

"If you want."

She takes her chance and launches into what she hopes will help Kakashi achieve his goal. "I'm not comfortable with this mission. I don't think leaving the Village for weeks on end by yourself is a good idea. Especially because we just got everything under control."

"I've already accepted the mission," Itachi reminds her, "You would be hard-pressed to get him to change his mind with the shortage of the staff he has at the moment."

She snorts at him. "I have ways. Look, it's not that I don't want you to go. I want to make sure you are ready for when you do go. How much time do you have before you need to leave?"

"Three weeks," he supplies.

"More than enough time for me to get the stats I need. If I feel like you are clear for duty, I will let Kakashi know."

Itachi turns his body to her completely. "Explain."

She tries to fold her arm but he still has it in his hand. When she tries to move he squeezes it for her to stay.

Sakura rolls her eyes. "I wasn't leaving! What I mean is, I'm going to monitor you every day for the next three weeks."

"You already do that."

"All day," Sakura clarifies. "I need to see your work with your new level of chakra. Cook. Train. Sleep. All of it. That's the only way I will know if everything works properly."

Itachi blinks then, after several moments, sighs deeply and questions her. "Are you that concerned for my safety?"

"Obviously," Sakura remarks, "You are still my top priority patient. Unless someone is having a life-threatening emergency that only I can fix, you come first. This new 'mission' could potentially put you in a life-threatening situation. So all of my attention is on you for the better half of a month. I'll deal with Kakashi if he has something to say and remind him that these were his parameters, not mine."

Itachi's facial expression leaves a lot to the imagination but his questioning of her choices conveys his displeasure.

"Are you making this decision based on our conversation from a moment ago?" Itachi challenges.

"I…" Sakura stutters for an excuse and curses Kakashi for putting her in this position. "Partially. I'm making this decision more so for my own reassurance. So I'm not worried about you in the middle of the night while you are gone."

"It is normal to have some doubts about a mission," he explains, "You don't have to rearrange your schedule for me."

Sakura finds herself smiling at his words. Itachi is always trying to make things easy for her. Always puts her before himself. Her needs before his. Her comforts before his own.

She tugs her arm and his hand to move him just a bit closer. "Lucky for you, I'm doing this for me. It just so happens to concern you."

Before he can say any rebuttal, Sakura maneuvers out of Itachi's grip. Then takes his arm in her hands and hugs it to her side. She turns to the garden again, leaning against him in the process.

"Honoka and I have already prepared for your surgery. The staff at the hospital can handle my caseload just fine for the timeframe we have. I've been on call for emergencies only before. This won't be anything new for them."

Sakura pauses, narrowing her eyes at the reality that comes to her so easily. She takes a deep breath and with a little discretionary wording, gives him the truth.

"You're always doing something for everyone else's sake, Itachi. Let someone do something for you for once."

Itachi stops putting up a fight.

---

A/N: Ahem. Sorry! This took a while longer than expected but here we are! Things are moving and I am happy! Tsunade is skeptical about Itachi. Sakura is skpetical about Honoka. Itachi is having a new life crisis (as always). Honoka is too pure for this world! Sometimes situations force us to act even when we aren't prepared. What that means for our wayward protagonist has yet to be seen.

-future Cece enters the atmosphere-This is future Cece responding to several messages I've gotten about some info in this chapter after posting it. Let me clarify for those who may have missed it. Yes, Sakura did try to seduce Itachi a long time ago when their mission first started. This was all covered in the story Allusions Illusion in a Love Song. You can go back and read how that hot mess went! lol. Let me make it clear that they WERE NOT in love. Sakura was bitter and controlling. Itachi was repentant and, for lack of better words, depressed. They both took advantage of each other in one way or another because both of them were hurting. This is why Sakura is so adamant about 'not doing that again'. It's a secret they (and now Tsunade) share and never wish to repeat. It is also a major reason their relationship is what it is now. You don't go from usury to friendship over night. They are LEARNING to trust each other. Trust takes time. -future Cece, away!-

I will say this though, I am sooo excited for the next three weeks in this story! I have been DYING to get these ideas on paper and just, eck! I haven't decided on the flower for Line 14 yet. I'm between two that technically both apply. But I'll see. I will give you this hint. Sakura's finished studying all of Mikoto's lure. Now Itachi will teach her his preferences. And, well, yes. :D

-CeCe ^^

Word Count: 17,974

Musical Inspiration: "One of one"- Durentia, "My Whole Life (slowed+reverb)"- Alina Baraz, "Want you Around (slowed+reverb)"-Omar Apollo