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.

15. Line 14: White Chrysanthemum

Line 14: White Chrysanthemum

"In time of daffodils (who know the goal of living is to grow)

forgetting why, remember how"

'In times of Daffodils'

Line 1, Stanaza 1

-E.E Cummings

---

It's purposefully late when Itachi welcomes Honoka inside their home.

Sakura is too busy arranging bedding to be presently hospitable though she offers a distracted hello from her vantage near the backdoor.

"Can you hold this?" Honoka asks.

Even before the words are spoken, items pass between them. Itachi asks questions while Honoka gets herself comfortable. Sakura can't exactly hear what he says just the sound of his voice. She notices the way the younger medic smiles and shakes her head while changing out of her shoes. The way Itachi returns the gesture, attentive to her words and responding to her inquiries in kind. There's nothing scandalous about their interaction. Nothing overtly or even covertly suggestive about their dialogue from what Sakura can tell. Yet. She can't help but read into things that may actually mean nothing.

Suddenly uncomfortable, Sakura looks away from them.

She grabs the sheets from the open downstairs closet and shakes them out while her meandering thoughts stray to things that have absolutely nothing to do with their procedure tonight. Seeing the two of them together, she can't help where her mind goes. At what point will they talk to Honoka about their plan?

How much more time do I have to prepare? What else is left?

"Can we bring this upstairs?"

She hears Itachi ask but assumes he's still conversing with her assistant. With her mind on courtship, she doesn't bother giving her attention to things that may fuel an already slow-growing fire. Focusing instead on smoothing out pillows, Sakura keeps herself busy until Itachi's sock feet come into view. She lifts her head to him crouching down, dangling the bag between his legs to meet her where she is.

She looks at him. He looks at her. For the briefest second, Sakura forgets where her train of thought starts from. Or, why she fixated on his previous interactions at all. Up close and right there, Sakura blinks once, raises a brow questioning his inquisitive look.

He holds up the bag slightly for her to get a better view. "Can we start setting up?"

We? She cuts her gaze to an ever eager Honoka then back to Itachi who waits for her reply.

"Sure." she gets to her feet, and her partner mimics her movements. "I'm almost done down here."

He nods and signals for Honoka to follow him.

Neither of them seems to notice her assessing them. Sakura catches herself from reading too much into that. Not when Honoka says something that makes Itachi chuckle. Not when he tells her he'll go first up the stairs to show her the way. Definitely not when she hears her bedroom door open.

She takes a breath, reminds herself to take things one at a time, then heads to the kitchen.

I have to put him back together again and ensure he stays that way before I can even think about courtship.

She flips the faucet as high as it will go, grabs a sponge and empty bowl to clean. Partly to give her hands something to do. Mostly to keep her mind from going back to the night on the Hokage Monument. Everything said rides on her skills tonight.

I can't afford to wonder whether or not Itachi and Honoka have chemistry. If he damn near dies on the operating table that won't matter.

She sticks the bowl under rushing water as if it were possible for her anxiety to wash away with it. Though mild by comparison to much more distressing situations, the weight of responsibility tripled when she saw Honoka in her house. Bags in hand, loaded with supplies in secret to conduct a surgery that will hopefully make Itachi a full-fledged member of the Konoha and the land of the living. One miscalculation can be the difference between her partner dying.

The very idea makes her stomach turn. Sakura meticulously eliminates any speck of lingering food particles on a spoon and the six other dishes in the sink. When there is nothing left to clean, she takes her time drying the dishes. A task that puts her in a relaxed but hyper-focused state of mind. For the second time that night, Itachi manages to get close enough that his presence registers too late. Invading her peripheral vision, she reflexively jerks her hand away before he can grab it. Not wanting to be touched. Or wanting to be?

It's a fleeting thought that perhaps he senses her distress. There in the kitchen between dishes and soap suds, Itachi will do what he always does. Show up at the exact moment she needs a hug. Whispered encouragement while being embraced would be even better. Like he did that night in the cemetery, telling her that she is enough, toying with her hair. Sakura stares at him with wide eyes and hope. Tell me I can do this.

When Itachi withdraws his hand, a trickle of doubt and realization set in. She had, in fact, flinched away from him at the start, clutching the towel for all of her worth. Despite her facial expression, everything else about her body language must read the exact opposite. She swallows against the hollow feeling in her chest, chiding herself for foolish thinking. Especially when he watches her in a way that she has not seen in a long time. Itachi's eyes lull to one side, thinking, assessing her initial reaction. Coming to both the right and the wrong conclusion.

Wait. Sakura wants to tell him it's fine but it's already too late. He moves a bit to give her more space. I didn't mean it like that!

"Let me help you," Itachi requests and holds his hand instead, waiting for her to oblige.

The situation is already out of control because she is not in control of anything. Sakura tries to relax, tries to smile, tries to communicate that she doesn't mean for him to go.

"I'm okay," she reassures, tossing the towel over her shoulder, "I just have a few more to dry, clean the counters then sweep and maybe mop."

Itachi's eyes narrow just enough for her to self-consciously look away, getting on her tiptoes to put the bowl in the cupboard and resume where she leaves off. As she does so, she feels the towel being pulled away. Presumably by the person whom she just refused help from. She doesn't feel even a fingernail, just the towel dragging across her shoulder.

"Itachi, I-" Sakura's complaint is cut short when he turns his back to her and takes the cups with him.

"You shouldn't waste your energy on something I can do," he declares.

"I'm not," Sakura watches his back and frowns. "It's just a little bit of dishes."

"Yes," Itachi concedes, turning to her with the dried cups in his hand. "A little can be a lot when you're doing something strenuous afterward on very little sleep. This procedure requires all of your strength and focus."

She crosses her arms, bothered by the truth. "What makes you think I haven't slept?"

"Because I sleep next to you. Your restlessness doesn't just affect you."

"Sorry," Sakura quickly apologizes.

"Don't be," Itachi answers her guilty look by tapping the bottom of a cup on top of her head. "Go with Honoka. I'll finish this."

Her head hangs, resigned to the truth and the fact that her partner has put all of the dishes away regardless of her protest. Preparing to leave, she gets to the doorway separating the two spaces when Itachi offers his final piece of advice.

"Everything will be fine, Sakura." he gently advises while rearranging items on the counter.

Gripping the doorpost, she watches him thoughtfully over her shoulder. He noticed.

Not only her current trepidation but her restlessness over the past few days. It isn't a hug. He doesn't give any more of his attention to her after that. But he noticed. She tries to shake it off as nothing, resuming her trek up the stairs but the smallest of smiles slips through. Sakura drums her fingers against the wall and goes to the bedroom where Honoka is nearly finished assembling a blue field tarp.

Unlike his previous surgery, this one will be almost three times as long with a longer recovery time. Sakura considers this and sets up a medical-grade futon instead of relying on Honoka's lap. The tarp will keep contaminants out of their workspace and their patient's eyes.

The anesthetic, a mixing bowl, fresh syringes, and antibacterial eye drops lay unopened on stainless steel trays. Along with turning on the bedroom light, Sakura affixes a medical field light to the inside of the tarp for added brightness. She hands Honoka a portable oxygen tank under the tarp and secures the space around them. Once their set-up is complete, both women take turns washing their hands.

Itachi enters the room then, all cleaned and prepared. "Should I wait here?" he asks.

"Honoka is inside."

"Hnn."

She hears the rustle of blue plastic and hurries to meet the two of them in the confined space. Itachi's already sitting on the uncovered futon with Honoka working the anesthetic.

"It's supposed to be stronger," Honoka says, making casual conversation.

Itachi takes a cautious sniff of the bowl and wrinkles his nose. The brunette chuckles and shakes her head.

"It's literally the same stuff," she reassures him. "Lucky you won't have to taste it. Two injections, neck and shoulder, and you'll be out like a light for the next twelve hours."

Her partner's skepticism rises. He looks at Sakura and then goes back to Honoka. "Why is it so long? This shouldn't take twelve hours to complete."

The young woman exhales, closes her eyes then opens them again with a resolve for no-nonsense.

"The twelve hours include pre-op and post-op care," she starts to explain while sticking the syringe into the liquid. "Moving around immediately after eye surgery is a big no-no. Blood vessels in the eyes are very delicate. The slightest bit of pressure can make things go awry."

Honoka takes his arm. Itachi helps her by rolling up his sleeve. She gets up on her knees and rubs the injection site with an iodine patch. "The more stationery you are, the better for all of us. You'll feel a sting, okay."

For all of his questioning, Itachi doesn't even wince when she sticks him with the needle. He does move to lay down, placing his head near Honoka's knees.

"Are you comfortable?" Sakura moves to his side, turning his writs over to check his pulse.

"As comfortable as one can get considering," he tells her.

"Just like before, keep your eyes on the ceiling. We'll keep them once the medicine kicks in."

She updates the numbers next to the information Honoka already took down. His pulse drops slightly. Sakura watches the time and listens to the nonsensical conversation between Honoka and Itachi until his words start to slur. The oxygen machine boots up and Sakura unwraps the oxygen mask while Honoka readies the ophthalmic forceps. Just like before, two forceps are placed on each eye then hooked to clamps underneath his futon. Sakura hands over the oxygen mask for Honoka to hold over his face. Green chakra lights up the tarp. Sakura leans over him and starts to work on the eye closest to her.

Itachi's eye seals differ from the seals inside of his body. Originally, there were five seals, two done by a fuinjutsu specialist. A punishment given to all criminals. Out of the abundance of caution, Kakashi commissioned two medical seals placed in front and behind Itachi's chakra receptors. Medics have a special kind of fuinjutsu that mimics the effects of the Hyuuga Clan's Gentle Fist technique. While not as fatal, it redirects the chakra to other areas of the body that may need it. Or to temporarily immobilize a patient, similar to a tranquilizer. Sakura was tasked with redirecting chakra from three of the millions of receptors, ensuring the chakra flow in his eyes would be interrupted and unstable.

It was an arduous procedure then as it is now. Sakura opts to do it first while her mind is still alert in the middle of the night. A nearly five-hour job that demands the utmost concentration. Even though Honoka has no chakra, and her medical skills are still developing, Sakura cannot finish the surgery without her helping hand. Monitoring and adjusting Itachi's oxygen. Applying drops to keep his eyes moist and sterilized. They work together so much that Sakura doesn't have to say much when adjustments need to be made.

It makes for an incredibly smooth if exhausting five hours.

Honoka volunteers to do the bandages, giving Sakura a small break to get something to eat and use the toilet.

Back upstairs, the two women divide tasks: Sakura cleaning equipment while Honoka takes apart their workstation. By the time she finishes, Honoka already has most of the things in bags and put away.

"Could you help me with one more thing before you go?" Sakura asks.

"Isn't there more stuff?' Honoka asks, gesturing at her body then to their patient, "I thought he had more...stuff everywhere?"

Sakura passes the rest of the equipment along for Honoka to put away, then moves around her to check on Itachi. "He does but only I can do that. There's no medical aspect to it at all so you can get some rest."

"Is he doing okay?" Honoka asks behind a yawn.

Sakura smiles softly, nods and answers quietly. "Yeah, I'm just reassuring myself that nothing is wrong."

The older medic grabs the set of scrolls on the nightstand, laying them next to her on the floor.

"Hold his oxygen mask for a moment," Sakura requests.

Honoka does as she is asked, watching while Sakura carefully takes off his shirt. Respectfully looking elsewhere when she forces his pants legs up to his thighs. Oxygen replaced, Honoka cautions her not to work too hard and to call if she needs anything.

"I'll keep that in mind,"

Sakura waits until she is sure Honoka is in the living room to get started. The blank scrolls Kakashi gives her correspond to specific sealing points. One of each shoulder, ankles, and one on his lower back, all infused with chakra to aid in her unsealing him. She places each in its respective spot. Immediately black ink manifests across his body, connecting lattice lines of sealing chakra incantations all the way up to his eyes.

Back at his side, she closes her eyes to center her thoughts. Concentrating on the scrolls until the beat of her chakra matches the chakra radiating from them. As soon as she feels the pulse of cohesion, Sakura quickly weaves the signs then smacks her hand against his stomach.

"Release!"

With her command the words rush down his sides, pooling into the scroll underneath Itachi's body. She keeps her hand flush against his stomach while everything from his abdominal area, back, and hips get sucked in. The pull of the seal pulls chakra from her. Sakura grits her teeth, resisting the urge to move away from the intense heat of chakra being sucked from her body through her arm.

A few moments feel like an eternity, and she nearly collapses on top of him once the scroll disappears in a puff of smoke.

Sakura repeats the process three more times, opting to do both ankles at the same time. A painful, risky move that pays off once the last of Itachi's seals vanishes in a poof of smoke.

"Finished," she declares with a weak smile, resisting the urge to collapse on the floor. "No resting. Gotta get him to the bed."

Sakura moves quickly but carefully to ensure his oxygen levels don't drop. She removes his mask then straddles him just above the waist. Leaning forward, she tucks her head in the crook of his neck. She eases his head over to her opposite shoulder, then hooks her other arm around his shoulder again. Tucking her toes, she presses them and her knees into the floor and in one smooth motion pulls them both to a sitting position. Sakura plops down on his thigh as all of Itachi's upper body weight rests on her shoulder.

"Almost there," she takes a breath then gathers her strength to get to her feet.

Itachi is surprisingly heavier than she first thought. He is all lean muscle which is usually deceptively hidden under high collared shirts with wide sleeves. Now that he's shirtless and she has to touch him to get him up, Sakura feels more than she expects and uses more force to get him off the floor. From there it's a scramble to the bed.

His legs drag slightly in her rush, but it takes her less than two seconds to get his upper body down on the mattress. She makes sure his head lays on the pillow before adding the rest of his body to the bed. With a little extra situating, Sakura gets him under the cover. She replaces the oxygen masks and checks his pulse once more.

"Maybe another hour or so of oxygen and he should be fine to breathe on his own."

She ventures downstairs to check on Honoka, but the brunette is already asleep. Going back upstairs, Sakura skips a bath and decides on a shower, sets the alarm for four hours from then, and pulls her pillow next to Itachi so she can monitor his breathing.

Sleep comes hard and fast for her, having used a substantial amount of chakra to treat him. When her alarm goes off again, she groggily turns over to check his pulse. It's back to normal levels, indicating the anesthesia is wearing off. With half-opened eyes, she changes Itachi's bandages, removes the oxygen mask, and adds a cold compress sleeping mask and cream to aid with swelling. After a quick body scan for abnormalities, Sakura lays back down, with no alarm and no intentions of waking any time soon.

Blindfolded as he is, Itachi can't tell whether it is really early or really late when he finally wakes up. His head, around his eyes, and down the sides of his neck behind his ears pulse with pain. It's burdensome to turn on his side but he does, hoping to relieve some of the pain without actually getting up. It lasts a few seconds as the pressure of the cold compress being forced against the pillow adds to the tension. He considers laying on his stomach but realizes that will only produce the same results. Out of options, Itachi goes against his wishes and eases to a sitting position.

A hiss of pain breaks the silence in the room. He moans quietly, grabbing his shoulders with both hands, pressing his fingers against the base of his neck then upwards. Itachi slowly rotates his head until a very satisfying crack offers mild relief, then does the same in the opposite direction. Sakura must have tied his hair up, for which he is grateful. His face feels a bit swollen, something she told him to expect. It explains the headache and perhaps the pain going down his neck. In assessing his pain, he takes inventory of the rest of himself post-surgery. Spreading his fingers in front of his face, he wiggles and flexes them, amazed. There's no pull. Nothing jerks in his core or his neck. No instant clamp on his power. Chakra flows down to the tips of his nails.

Five years of being shackled in an unseen prison for saving the village he loves so much. This is what freedom feels like. Itachi would furrow his brows if he could, but the once cold compress makes it difficult.

My eyes.

He has no intention of fully unleashing his Sharingan but he does try. Sitting up a bit straighter, the Uchiha concentrates his chakra. The familiar pulse of pressure follows a warning signal of pain. His eyes are not ready just yet, but chakra is there. And so is Itachi's will. Pushing just a bit further, his doujutsu in reach. The nerves in his eyes start to twitch. Itachi inhales sharply, gripping a fistful of bedsheets as he pulls himself back from overdoing it. It is enough for him to tell that he can use his Sharingan at the very least. Satisfied, Itachi contemplates getting out of bed and even moves to do so until the covers start moving.

A low hum vibrates the air around him, ringing ever so subtly in his ear.

Hm?

Much like the last time, the buzzing catches him off-guard. He knows without knowing that Sakura is slowly waking from a deep sleep. Leaning back into bed, Itachi follows the feeling across to her side. The hum turns to a tiny ringing, not bothersome by any means. Just calling. He responds, moving until his hand touches the shoulder closest to him. Fascinating.

Sakura mumbles in her sleep. The arm closest to him reaches back, fumbling across the sheets. Itachi draws nearer on some whimsical notion that it is him she's searching for. He makes himself relatively easy to find but stays at what he thinks is a respectable distance. Her hand touches his hip. She pats around, grumbling incoherently.

"Sakura," Itachi whispers, "Are you awake?"

It's a different sort of hum when she has some semblance of wakefulness. Sakura leans into him at the sound of his voice. Momentary content with feeling his nearness only to shift positions again, forcing him to move his hand to the other side of her pillow. This new thing, this new sensation has Itachi holding still. Focused and concentrated.

"Itachi?" Drowsiness makes her voice rough. Curious fingers inspect their current position, leaving a trail of sensations with every inquisitive touch.

Sensations that temporarily distract him from his initial investigation.

"Yes?"

Sakura's hands glide upward, finally resting against the arms caging her in.

"Are you leaning over me?"

"Hn."

"Oh."

Itachi expects a negative reaction, but Sakura does the exact opposite. She squeezes his biceps, sending a jolt of something coursing through his arms. Itachi loses breath the moment his entire body responds to her sleepy concern. A sudden, jarring shift that consumes any other thought that may cross his mind. Sakura has done nothing, yet the only thing he can focus on is her.

Sakura gingerly pats his arms. "Are you hurt?"

His fingers dig into the sheets, unsure of how to answer that question. Hurt is not the exact term that comes to mind. Every tingle and sting he's felt before he feels again but on a completely different level. Something as innate as his dojutsu. Deeper than thoughts. Sakura wants him to be okay. Itachi wants to be okay as well, not for himself but her. It doesn't override his will as far as he can tell. But he is equally comfortable and uncomfortable with how fixated on her his thoughts become.

The tingles don't help. Their proximity also makes it much harder to ignore.

"I have a headache," Itachi admits.

Sakura cups his face and gently pulls. "C'mere."

Without a moment's hesitation, Itachi obediently gets down on his elbows to make it easier for her to reach. Healing chakra streams from her fingers, adding another layer of complexity to an already precarious situation. Itachi focuses on taking slow, shallow, silent breaths as the combination of feeling heightens his state of delirium. He needs to calm down. He needs to breathe. But his actions only make her worry more. Sakura presses fingers into his hair and draws small but soothing circles to put him at ease though it does no such thing.

This is bad. Sakura has no idea. She seems completely unaffected. I need to tell her.

"Saku-," he falters, words and reason abandoned when she moves her hands down his face and neck to the center of his chest. Itachi tenses, clenching teeth and flexing his jaw to hold back a gasp. Every touch reverb with a mentally whispered demand. It wants something from him. Itachi tries to keep himself from giving in to what feels dangerously like an unnaturally natural impulse.

Sakura does nothing special. Such exams are routine at this point. But he twitches when she reaches around to get a better scan of his lungs. His shoulder blades press together. Itachi resists, holding on to the sheets for support. He keeps himself in check for as long as he can, but an overwhelming sense of dread undoes every effort. His stomach turns. Itachi hitches, causing Sakura to fully wake.

"Hey." Her panic is the final push. "Itachi? Hey!"

He loses strength in his arms. Sakura catches him when he falls on her, wrapping her arms around his body while trying to sit up. He tries to move but the muscles in his body do not listen. He tries to tell her to relax but it comes out as a mumbling noise.

"No. No. No. No. No!" Sakura's scrambling to get them both up. Falling several times as he's jostled in different directions.

Finally, she rolls from under him. Itachi plops lifeless onto the bed, feeling unbearably lightheaded and faint. He hears the flick of the light switch, feels when Sakura dash back into the bed and flips him on his back.

"What's wrong?" her hands grab his face, "Can you talk? Are you in pain?"

Itachi tries to speak again but words slur, and he ends up biting his tongue.

"Okay, okay. Don't say anything. I get it. Just. Shit!" Sakura frankly examines his entire body and as his mind drifts in and out of consciousness.

The world narrows in his blindfolded darkness. Itachi can hear Sakura whispering to him but loses his ability to respond. The last thing he feels is being lifted from bed, at which point he promptly loses consciousness.

Sakura has no time to explain to Honoka or any other staff at the hospital why she carries a shirtless, unconscious Itachi on her back into the hospital barefoot and still wearing pajamas. There is no time for explanation, only orders.

Nurses are ready to help but Sakura dismisses all of them in favor of finding the nearest Anbu on site.

"Is the floor clear?" She demands, knowing the person behind the mask will understand.

There's a beat before the person makes a move. Anbu presses a finger to their ear, whispering codes then awaiting a response.

"Cleared," the Anbu nods behind him and adds, "And the message?"

"Blackbird," Sakura says, stalking towards the hidden elevator.

She feels more than sees the poof of smoke, disappearing around the corner to get to the back of the hospital.

The ride up to the hidden rooms takes too long. She hunches a bit, pushing Itachi's weight further up her shoulder. The elevator doors reflect a blurred, slightly obscured picture of her current predicament. Itachi's unresponsive form hangs lifeless. Her eyes divert to the ground, watching her bare feet. Sakura keeps dreadful thoughts at bay, focusing on the fact that Itachi is still breathing.

There is no time for questions.

There is no time for panic.

There is no time for her to think.

There is only Itachi's life.

The elevator door opens, two Anbu flank her as she steps off and scans for the closes room.

"Uchiha-san," one starts but Sakura bypasses whatever he intends to say to get her message across.

"I need an EEG machine sent here now," she declares, sliding the door open. "Get Honoka. She's at my house. Other than the Hokage, she is the only one permitted to be up here. Get Honoka and get me my EEG."

Sakura doesn't stop to check if the Anbu does as she says, closing the door behind her then easing Itachi's unconscious form onto the bed. Gathering pillows from the closet, she flips him in his side and gives his head extra support. She makes sure his mouth is open to avoid choking and adds a blanket over him to keep him warm. After he's down, she cleans her hands in the skin. Working mechanically but swiftly, Sakura moves equipment around the room, starting with the heart monitor. She kicks it to life and adds several patches to her patient's chest. There are several seconds between the moments she adds the patches and the monitor gets an accurate reading. Those seconds force her to slow down and breathe. Sakura watches the machine as the first lines of life flicker across the screen.

The room fills with the rhythm of Itachi's heartbeat.

She attaches the pulse oximeter to his finger and watches the screen with Itachi's hand still in hers.

"Not great but not bad either," she mutters to herself, carefully placing his hand back on the bed. Itachi's deceptively calm expression hides something more sinister occurring within his body.

She purses her lips, touching the side of his face. "You better not die on me. Do you hear me, Uchiha?"

Sakura squeezes his jaw, hoping that he will stir from this false dream. Itachi stays motionless. The monitor is the only indication that he can respond.

She pulls her bottom lip up to her top lip. A shaky inhale rattles her chest. Sakura blinks back tears and wipes her eyes quickly before they can give away any more of her anxiety.

"You said this was going to be fine," she reminds him, "I thought you never lied? I thought lies were beneath you. Don't make yourself out of a liar now. You better wake up, Itachi. Or I swear I'll beat you back to consciousness."

She moves away when the door slides open. Honoka rushes in with the portable EEG machine. Though she says nothing, Sakura can tell she is just as tense. They work quickly with getting him hooked up to the machine. After a long night of restoring his chakra to him, she and Honoka spend the worse of half an early morning hour charting his brain function. The EEG confirms her fears, revealing that Itachi may have had at least two seizures before the one that registers on their equipment. Sakura forces him into a coma, hoping to minimize as much brain function and damage as possible. She watches the readings, relaxing ever so slightly when things start to stabilize.

"Should I get you anything?" Honoka quietly inquires.

Sakura presses the button at the bottom of the trashcan with her bare feet, disposing of her used gloves.

"No, I'm fine." She answers curtly.

Honoka clears her throat, inching closer to where Sakura washes her hands. "Maybe a change of clothes?"

"I have clothes in the lab."

"Shoes?"

Sakura cuts her eyes to her former assistant. "Honoka, I'm fine. I'm just going to wait here for now and watch what happens."

Honoka flinches at the sharpness in her tone, looking away. Sakura bites her tongue, feeling bad for yelling.

The brunette only nods, taking her diverted gaze as a queue to leave. Sakura folds her arms on top of the bed and waits for when Kakashi comes.

It's a brief initial meeting through a letter, much to her gratitude. Kakashi doesn't ask too many questions, only requesting Itachi be moved to the main hospital when she is able. Partly for appearance's sake. Itachi is not a prisoner nor a traitor. He has every right to have access to civilian facilities. The other reason is to ensure he gets the best care in a room equipped for someone in his condition. They gurney him to a more isolated room on the main patient floor. Throughout the process, Sakura stays close. It's the way her former sensei finds her when he does make an appearance. Though Sakura hears the moment he enters the room, she pretends otherwise, hoping he will leave if he assumes she is sleeping.

"Sakura," Kakashi's hand lay heavily on her shoulder, squeezing far too hard to be ignored, "Go home. Take a shower and come back in the morning."

Sakura buries her face further into her folded arms until her nose touches the bedsheets.

"I'm trying to sleep."

"You're doing a terrible job at it," he tugs hard, forcing the young medic to sit up.

Sakura turns, glaring into cool but stern gray-colored eyes. Kakashi doesn't waver, bearing the weight of his strength down to prove a point.

"Are you going to fight me over this? What's the point in staying up three nights in a row if you're going to be passed out by the time he wakes up?"

She fists the sheets, scoffing at him and turning away.

"Itachi is my partner." She tells her former sensei.

"An undisputed fact."

She fiddles with the thin hospital blanket, looking at the IV tubing on the backs of Itachi's hand, a painful reminder that three full days have gone by without her partner being able to utter a word.

"I'm not going to leave him here. Wasn't it you who said the mission isn't as important if your teammates suffer?"

The Hokage lets go and move to stand next to her. "Teamwork is important. I'll gladly take credit for that. What you're doing isn't good for either of you."

Green eyes widen slightly. Sakura's face curls in distaste, taking offense to the words as soon as they hit her ears.

"I have my reasons," she whispers, wondering if Itachi can still hear them.

"I know you do, unfortunate as that may be," Kakashi agrees, sighs then shove his hands in his pockets. "If you can find a way, do it. Don't sweat the small stuff in the meantime. Remember that we anticipated something like this. Don't overthink it. Or overdo it."

Kakashi's words only stir annoyance. He speaks as if the pressure of this situation isn't partly his fault. Her throat tightens and Sakura fights the urge to raise her voice. "You make it sound as if my entire life isn't hinged upon Itachi being alive and well. Like I have time to have small stuff just happen and not feel the pressure."

"Are you waving the white flag?" Kakashi coaxes.

She recoils, jerks her face up, meeting Kakashi's blank gaze, "Is that what you're hoping for? You want me to give up?"

"Sakura," Kakashi pauses, sighing and rubbing a hand through his hair, "I'm not against you. I never was. I believe in your ability to make solutions. Find the possible in impossibilities. I'm on your side."

She turns away from him towards Itachi, twisting her lips. "So, what now?"

"Hopefully the greatest medic in the world can get one of Konoha's greatest individuals back to full health. She has a mission to complete."

Sakura wants to ask if that's all they are to him, tools for missions, but she doesn't. Keeping her eyes on her partner instead. It's a fair and unfair question. She knows that. They are tools for missions but so are all shinobi. Shinobi villages are what they are because of people like her. But Kakashi wouldn't have let them get this far in their view of the mission if he doesn't see them as more than just cogs in a machine.

"Yes, I know," Sakura says instead, "I'm well aware of what I need to do and what needs to be done."

"Are you?" Kakashi questions. Sakura turns to him, confused.

"Yes?" she says, slightly uncertain, "What do you mean?"

Well,"

Kakashi drags the word far longer than necessary, leaving Sakura on edge until a nurse knocks at the door. They both turn towards the sliding doors. The young man smiles kindly at them and moves aside to reveal a waiting Minami.

"Uchiha-san has a visitor if that's alright." The man says.

"Yes, yes, of course," Sakura forces a smile, moving the stool back to stand. "Come in, please."

Kakashi's gruff chuckle keeps her from moving towards the door. He walks up beside her instead, bumping elbows in the process.

"I want you to properly assess and consider what you're trying to do." He leans down towards her ear, "A fruit stand lady felt Itachi was important enough to pay a visit. Do you have time to overthink small things in light of what you've already done?"

He walks away before Sakura can get a word in, forcing her to bite her tongue as Minami comes in carrying a basket and a plastic bag.

"I hope I'm not intruding."

"Not at all," Sakura reassures, "I'm sure Itachi is happy you came by."

"Word travels fast around the booths," Minami says, "When Itachi didn't come by Oji-san was worried."

She sits the produce basket down by his bedside and holds two bags up for Sakura to take. "Then someone told him he was in the hospital, and you know how old people get. Oji-san put together all kinds of juices to help with ailments and stuff."

"Thank you," Sakura says, holding the confections tight against her chest.

Minami's fleeting smile holds back concern as she looks at Itachi. "I passed by the teahouse too. Daichi sent her regards and wanted to know if she could bring some dango. Apparently, she's got something new again. Not sure how sweets would help him but…"

"Daichi can come whenever she wants. Itachi will probably wake up just from the smell of dango."

They share a laugh. Minami pats her shoulder. Sakura ducks her head. The pats turn into a gentle rub. Sakura doesn't notice her own tension until Minami touches her.

"I hope Daichi gets her soon…" Minami soothes.

It's a small gesture that she doesn't realize she needs until she gets it. A small sense of normalcy in her crazy, hectic life. A pat on the shoulder from someone who sees their friend in the hospital. Not an agenda. Not a mission. Just Itachi and Sakura and pure concern.

Sakura holds on tightly to the home remedies. Minami keeps her company a while longer, offering tips on how to use the basketed fruits and vegetables. Sakura takes notes on recipes that will be easy for her to make, thanks to her visitor for considering them.

She would have been content with Minami passing by, having no expectation for others to do the same. But several crew members from the Compound pass by. All unexpected. All bearing good wishes for her husband to return to health. Some nursing staff brings flowers, perhaps because they've had eyes on Sakura from Itachi's initial intake. Other shinobi send greetings well. Namely one Weasel who, in the middle of the night, silently sits an arrangement of flowers on the bedside table. He gives Sakura a halfhearted salute, then leaves the room but not their side.

On a run for ice, Sakura spots him standing centimeters from the door, idly reading. She passes him by, gets her ice, then crosses his direction again. Weasel says nothing but she catches the slight tilt in his head when she moves from one end of the hall to the next. A small comfort.

Sakura nods to him once she gets by the door. Weasel doesn't acknowledge her directly, only turning the page and his head away. She smiles to herself, going back inside, thinking perhaps he wants to remain the silent fly on the wall. A short time later, a swift knock at the door draws her attention from rearranging flowers.

"Yes?"

Weasel cracks open the door, peaking inside then jetting his thumb behind him. Choji attempts to step inside but Weasel blocks him.

"It's fine Weasel," Sakura assures, "You can let him in."

He removes himself, pats Choji on the shoulder then disappears. A truly unexpected visit since she and her childhood classmate do not interact much these days.

Sakura wipes her hands, meeting him by the door with a tense smile. She discreetly checks behind him, causing him to chuckle.

"Karui didn't come," Choji supplies.

Sakura blinks placidly at him. "I didn't think she would, or that you would."

"I have something for Itachi," Choji holds up an official-looking scroll, "We were supposed to meet about the Museum this week."

Sakura sidesteps him, closing the door and ushering him further into the room. "I don't think he can give you any input about that right now. Maybe you can reschedule?"

"No, I," Choji exhales, posting up near the window, "I agree to do it. This is a list of things I'm willing to contribute. Here."

Her lips part in genuine surprise. "You're serious?"

"Of course," Choji offers a big laugh, "Here, come on, take it. I wouldn't play with you like that."

She takes it from him, holding the scroll tightly in her palm. "Karui agreed to this?"

"She did," he nods solemnly, "I was convinced when I heard Shikamaru and Ino were involved but it was Kiba who pushed Karui."

"Kiba?" Sakura gently lays the scroll next to her partner's bedside table. Lingering near him while watching Choji, "What did Kiba do to get her to come around? I didn't think anyone could get her to change her view."

Choji's good nature keeps a smile on his face while he scratches his beard. "She's not the biggest fan of Itachi. We both know why."

Sakura nods and adds. "Or of me."

"She's not unreasonable just passionate. With everything that happened with Killer Bee, I think she has a right to look at Itachi with a little skepticism. Karui isn't the type of person who can't separate business from personal. Itachi's proven to be coming from a place of honesty."

"Kiba told her that?"

"He bragged about it. When news about the museum got back to the clans, we all assumed he'd start with the noble clans. Hyuga first and then me and Shino. Karui had words to say about that, assuming he'd leverage you and Naruto's friendship to get in the Hyuga clan leader's ear. He didn't even look our way. Kiba was shocked to get the first meeting invite and made a big show of being on your husband's radar."

"Typical Kiba."

"Typical geniuses," Choji praises, "Itachi sure is smart. Kiba's got a big mouth, but he also has one of Konoha's best lie detector systems. It's hard to argue integrity with a man who can pass Inuzuka's lie detector dogs. Plus, Kiba doesn't have any special connections to you, Naruto, or Itachi. Karui couldn't argue with that. Probably the same for other clans that may doubt him. Plus, Kiba's loud."

Sakura giggles, knowing exactly what he means. "It explains the massive get-well bouquet."

Choji takes a survey of the room. "There are quite a few."

"Not everyone despises him, I guess."

Her friend's smile falters a bit. "You know I don't have anything against you two, right. The people that I trust him. That's enough for me. But the well-being of my family comes first."

"I know," Sakura somberly answers. "Happy wife. Happy life."

"Give her more time."

"I'm not holding my breath," Sakura tells him honestly, "People still look at Itachi as if he's going to slaughter the village at any moment. Karui has plenty of company, trust me. We can't focus on changing the minds of people who haven't in five years. It was it is at this point. I don't hold it against her or you."

Choji nods. Sakura smiles, trying to shift the mood. "How's the little one?"

His face physically brightens, and Sakura happily listens to him recount everything from the moment she was born to the words she said the day before. Because she and Choji do not see much of each other anymore, she soaks up every minute of their conversation. They don't schedule a time to see each other again, knowing that outside of business meetings, it may never happen. They agree to set an official clan meeting to hash out particulars once Itachi is well again.

After he leaves, Sakura goes home for the first time, showering and cleaning before going back to the hospital. Several scans of his brain come back normal with evidence of previous disturbances. Any linger inflammation is dealt with quickly. Sakura keeps a close eye on his care. An extra cot is set up in Itachi's room for her to sleep in. It's not a practice that they often do. For her, the nurses make an exception. Not only does it give her a place to sleep for the night but also somewhere to wait out the effects of slowly taking Itachi off of the medicine keeping him sedated. Sakura brings several books with her to ride out the time, checking on him every so often. She cleans his face and changes out his IV fluids. She checks his vitals and gets food. Never gone for too long. Settled in with a hot cup of coffee and a book on poisons, she reclines on the cot, watching the heart monitor every so often for a change in rhythm that comes late in the afternoon. Sakura is sitting at his side the moment his eyes squint open.

Itachi's heartrate monitor spikes, but Sakura keeps her gaze on him, trying not to draw attention to it and add unnecessary stress to him. He tries to blink, and she smiles genuinely at his efforts.

Keeping her voice soft, she leans into his field of vision. "Hello there. Look who decided to rejoin us. Welcome back."

"Hnn."

"You were out for a while, nearly a week," Sakura informs him, "Do you know where you are?"

He takes a cursory glance around the room before fixing his gaze on her again.

"It's you," Itachi whispers.

Sakura's lips twist into a frown, unsure of what he means or where he is coming from. "Can you see me, okay?"

"Yes."

"Do you know who I am?"

Itachi takes a long pause, closing his eyes and sighing. "This is the third time I've woken up to you at my hospital bed asking if I know who you are. A terrible habit you've formed."

"The third time..." Sakura trails off, thinking back to every other moment they've been in this situation. Indeed it has been three times, with each a little different from the last. This time is the second time she's excited to have his eyes open.

Sakura laughs and offers a hand when he tries to sit up.

"Wait for a second," she instructs, leaving his bedside to get more pillows for him to rest against.

As she digs through cupboards, she hears his light gasp. Sakura quickly looks over her shoulder to see what's wrong. Only to find something actually quite right.

"Oh yeah," she calls, "Forgot to mention those."

"What is all of this?" Itachi questions, leaning forward on her shoulder while she adds some extra fluff to rest on.

"This?" Sakura gestures out towards the room, "Is what people would normally call 'get well' presents? Apparently, news of one Uchiha Itachi being hospitalized spread across Konoha, and people wanted to let him know that they were on his side."

She walks over to a small vase of pink camellias, "I know in Uchiha courtship speak, some of these are a bit questionable. Like this person who apparently misses you a lot. Fair enough. And this person,"

She plucks a hanging orchid bud. "They are either extremely optimistic or they are on to our plan. Best not to think about it too much. Point is, after this guy, I gave instructions on appropriate flowers to send without giving away family secrets. Or having someone else express their interest in your baby-making abilities."

Sakura goes back to him, taking a seat in the space he makes for her. "Minami came by and brought goodies that I brought home. Daichi wanted you to know that free dango and tea are waiting for you when you are better."

"What about you?" Itachi asks with ease.

"Oh. I don't eat dango like that to need a free one."

"I worried you," Itachi states as a fact, "You haven't been sleeping again."

Sakura touches her face, eyes panning to his heart rate monitor when it fluctuates again. "I was going to ask about your eyes but they seem to be seeing just fine. Of course, I haven't been sleeping. I've been here with you."

"I worried you."

"Obviously."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be," she looks away from him towards the closed window blinds. "You're awake now. That's the most important thing for both of us."

Sakura hesitates, cautious of her disposition that seems to be affecting him. If I get worked up, he just might too. "Do you…remember what happened?"

"Vividly," Itachi's reply is immediate and surprising. "I think it would be best to explain when you are better rested."

Her suspicion immediately raises, making her calm demeanor slip, and Itachi sigh. He tries to move but Sakura stops him as his heart rhythm increases again.

"Don't," she soothes, trying to relax him, "Don't worry about the reason. We can talk about it later."

Although she cannot say for sure what could have been the reason, she has theories about the cause of his seizures. Some outside of his control and some within. While she could not check for chakra use while he was in a coma, there is a chance that Itachi did this to himself. Either way, when juxtaposed against his health, Sakura rather him alive than trying to defend speculations. The less stress on both of them, the better. His recovery is more important to her at the moment. She pushes his comments aside to focus on his recovery.

The next day, she checks him out of the hospital after clearing his room of gifts. A trip home that she's been looking forward to. Sakura makes it a priority to keep his movements to a minimum. She feeds him and helps him clean himself despite protests that he does not need such help.

"You don't have to do this," Itachi tries but Sakura forces him down into a wheelchair as they prepare to leave the hospital.

"I most definitely do."

"I can walk on my own."

Sakura opens the hospital door for the cleaning crew to come in, takes his chart, and starts wheeling him down the hall.

"You know, most men would be ecstatic that their wife is willingly giving up time to take care of their every need. Yet here you are complaining."

"...you bath me."

Sakura nods. "Standard practice for patients who need not overexert themselves."

Itachi tugs at his blindfold. "I don't see the point in using this if you've already addressed the problem."

"Addressing the problem," Sakura corrects and wheels him towards the ramp next to the stairs. "Don't be such a baby and don't be in such a rush. I told you I needed to monitor you anyway. This is exactly what I was talking about."

"I can sense my surroundings just fine."

Sakura snorts, "Exactly. That's why you passed out on the bed. Now, what I need you to do is recognize the fact that your body isn't quite used to that yet. It's still adjusting to this sudden influx of chakra. The last thing you need is to add visuals to a brain that's overstimulated enough as it is. Give your brain time to catch up to where your mind is. I know you want to jump into the fray right away, but two days of waiting won't kill you. Two days of being in a rash just might."

Itachi has the good sense to stop putting up any more resistance as they make their way to the reception. Sakura signs his discharge paperwork and adds the final touches of her report for Kakashi with copies of Itachi's medical treatment since his time in the hospital.

He's already halfway out of the wheelchair before she makes it to him. Sakura rolls her eyes at his eagerness but lets him get up on his own so they can exit together.

He walks straight to her without missing a beat. Unsurprisingly a simple blindfold doesn't hinder honed skills that all shinobi possess. He comes alongside her once they get outside. Sakura opens her palm for him and he's already in the motion of grabbing her hand. She expects a simple hold and startles when Itachi starts to interlace their fingers. He takes the lead in their walk, pulling Sakura along ever so slightly.

"Erm.." she hesitates, wondering if it's even worth asking why he's decided to switch up their pattern.

Itachi's arm twitches, drawing her gaze downward. He squeezes her hand, quietly hastening her steps.

She looks at him looking ahead, weaving seamlessly between pedestrians around them. He's not visually hindered at all. But that twitch raises concern even if he's able to walk around people. Sakura moves behind them as they pass by a small group of teenagers. She smiles at them while silently chiding them for staring. They look away from Itachi, bowing their heads to them as they quickly move on.

She takes her place next to him again then tugs their interlocked fingers to get his attention. Itachi leans his ear her way, eyes still forward but listening.

"Don't overdo it." Sakura warns, leaning in a bit to let a woman walk by, "I'm right here and can see for the both of us."

"Thank you," Itachi says loud enough for only them to hear, "I'll keep that in mind."

Without seeing his face, Sakura can't quite tell if he's being serious or sarcastic.

"I mean it," she says for emphasis.

Itachi, much to her surprise, smirks and leans away. "I am well aware of your seriousness. I won't do any more than I need to. Don't worry. It's going to rain soon, and I'd rather be close to home when it happens."

"Huh?" Sakura looks up into clear blue skies. "There's not a cloud out here."

"Years of living in the wilderness will teach you how to read weather changes. It will rain."

They make it home to visitors waiting by the door. The way Temari preens and Shikamaru sighs, Sakura can only deduce that the former won some debate that took place long before they arrived.

"We brought food," Shikamaru says.

"And drinks!" Temari adds.

"And a kid," Shikamaru nods towards Shikadai clinging to his mother's side.

Sakura fishes out keys and opens the door for their friends. "I don't think Itachi should have any alcohol right now."

"I tried to tell her," Shikamaru grumbles, "he just got out of the hospital. That stuff is only going to send him right back there."

"Just say that it's too strong for you, Nara, and stop making excuses as to why you can't drink."

"...It's also the middle of the morning."

"It's also the middle of the morning," Temari mocks her husband while removing her shoes. "Fine. Sakura and I can enjoy it as after lunch refreshers while you and Itachi do your strategy games thing."

Itachi turns towards the blonde. "Shogi?"

Temari waves a dismissive hand and goes towards the kitchen. "That one. Shika, bring the food in here. I need to get the meat ready."

"Yes, dear…"

Sakura watches as their houseguest makes themselves comfortable, then turns her attention to her partner. "Itachi, can you keep them company while I freshen up a bit?"

"Of course."

"Get an extra seat cushion for Shikadai. I think I have some in the closet."

He nods and she ventures upstairs to get cleaned. Days at Itachi's side, meant days away from basic needs. She leaves Itachi in the hands of people she knows will look after him while she takes a moment of reprieve.

By the time Sakura is done, the whole of the house smells of grilled meat seasoned with spices. They've gathered at the dining table with drinks of the non-alcoholic variety. Shikadai busies himself with blocks while the two men discuss in detail plans for the Uchiha District.

"Did I miss much?" she asks Temari, grabbing the large bowl of rice to bring to the table.

Temari also grabs the rack of meat with oven mitts, walking beside her. "Only the babble of two equally matched shogi players trying to out strategize each other. Somewhere along the line, that conversation turned to work. Which I absolutely told Shikamaru not to do!"

She sits it down in the center of the table, causing Shikamaru to flinch.

"I didn't start it!" he defends.

Sakura returns her attention to Itachi. "So it was you?"

"I did nothing," Itachi states, then taking a sip of water.

"Well, somebody did," Temari states, crossing her arms to look at both of them. "Quite frankly I don't care which one of you it was. Work is over. Dinner is ready."

Shikamaru tuts at her, rolling his shoulders back before slouching again.

"I got Kakashi at my back and this guy in my ear. What did you expect?"

"I expect to eat." Temari counters.

"So do I!" he says. Sakura waits for his signature line of how everything is a drag, but Shikamaru only sighs and rubs his neck. "We were only talking about how to expedite certain parts of the process."

When her friend looks away, Sakura narrows her eyes then looks over at Itachi who looks equally interested in facing every other direction but hers.

Oh, I see what this is!

"I think you guys are doing a fine job just the way things are now." she opines.

Shikamaru nods. "Don't disagree with you. We've made tons of progress from months ago. That doesn't mean we can't make more. Right, Itachi?"

Her eyes swing towards her partner, waiting to see if he will say what she thinks he will. If he does, she has her retort ready because he knows exactly why things can't move faster.

Itachi turns to her and then away. He huffs softly and mutters just loud enough to be heard. "You're already poised to disagree."

"I haven't said anything yet." Sakura states, "Neither have you for that matter."

"You would agree to longer work hours, then?" Itachi questions.

Ah-ha!

Her flat look turns to a smile and Sakura rocks back on her heels. "That's absolutely fine so long as you don't mind me being there for every minute of every day."

Shikamaru cuts in, "Are those your only conditions?"

"Itachi doesn't have work restrictions per the Hokage's order. However, I don't need that to impose medical restrictions on him to monitor his health. I can't exactly do that from my room in the hospital, right Itachi?"

Her partner opens his mouth to retort but a looming shadow shut everybody up. Even Shikadai, who's been wisely quiet, gets quieter still as Temari stands over all of them.

"Let's hear what I think." she starts then puts a hand of Shikamaru back, causing him to immediately sit up straight. "I think I spent two hours making this food and I will be damned if I hear anything else other than Itachi complimenting my new recipe. And all of us laugh about nonsensical things that have absolutely nothing to do with codes or planning or conversations that definitely can and will wait until another time. Right, Itachi?"

Whatever sway Temari has over her partner is enough to get him to comply immediately. Sakura has to cover her mouth to hold back her laugh.

Temari is kind enough to prepare a separate, milder batch of grilled meats for her. Not as heavy on the spices but flavorful, nonetheless. The dessert wine that often accompanies their meals is diluted with water per Shikamaru's insistence. It pairs well with the barbecued meats and rice, but Sakura makes sure the water content is much higher than the alcohol itself. Having experienced the drink firsthand, she's learned enough to know it's much stronger than sake.

Food and laughter pass around the table in generous amounts. Sakura allows herself to relax. It's the clashing of thunder that brings the gathering to a close. Itachi offers one of their umbrellas to the family, walking them all the way to the mailbox.

Sakura hangs back in the doorway, watching the exchange and waving them off. The rain begins to fall, but Itachi turns his face up to it with the insouciant joy of someone who doesn't mind forgoing an umbrella. He smiles, sending Sakura's chest aflutter.

I wonder if the world feels different now that he isn't sealed...

Itachi leans his head towards her. Sakura has the good sense to close her mouth and stop staring. Spine pressed against the door, she looks out at the living room and its remnants of merriment. Rainy mist occasionally brushes against her face.

At this rate, I'm sure Hinata will bring some chocolate confection by the end of the week.

She wonders if it's a coincidence that all of them seem hellbent on feeding him something. Temari's recipes. Hinata's chocolate tart. Daichi's dango. And whatever it is that Minami and her uncle whip up with fresh produce. Itachi eats. He will eat it if it's placed in front of him.

She chuckles knowingly and quietly to herself, thinking of their very first meal together. It was not a joyous experience by any means. That evening was coated with negative feelings, distance, and mistrust from two people who barely knew each other. Itachi only added fuel to the blazing fire by blatantly asking her if she was trying to poison him with dinner. Back then, Sakura's response was charged with anger. She threw the food, told him to cook whatever the hell he wanted, and left.

Too quick to anger and offense, easy to manipulate. Sakura grimaces at her former self, seeing now how immature and childish she must have seemed to him. But Itachi was not without his faults. A wandering soul with no place to anchor. They were both broken in a lot of ways.

She looks back at him as Itachi slowly makes his way up the path back to their home.

"Are you finished daydreaming?" she calls out over the torrential rainfall. "You can't come into the house dripping water all over the floor."

She doesn't give him time to respond, pushing off the door seal to grab some towels from the bathroom. Itachi makes his perch on the step between their genkan and living room, a small puddle of water at his feet. She smacks her teeth, dumps one of the towels over his head then drops a new blindfold to replace his now soaking wet one.

"You clean that up," she juts her thumb towards the living even though he can't see. "I'll clean this while you do that."

Itachi seems to understand despite his visual limitations. Sakura starts with replacing cushions and gathering used cups. She catches a glimpse of him shirtless going towards the stairs, presumably to dry himself the rest of the way. She doesn't dwell on it, bringing dishes into the kitchen to wash with the rest of them.

The rain is off and on throughout the night. By midday an unexpected storm sweeps through, carrying several inches of rain and interrupting Sakura's inspection of his vision.

"The lights are flickering," She observes.

"Do we have candles?" he asks.

"The power isn't out y-," another flicker followed by a quiet fizzle of decreased electricity. "Never mind. Power's gone."

Sakura resumes her work on removing his final bindings. "I'm sure we have some somewhere but let's not light them. It is just dark enough to be easy on your eyes. No peeking yet."

Sakura scrambles off the sofa. Itachi sits back with his eyes closed, listening as she rushes to the kitchen and then back again. She takes his hand then drops his medication into his palm.

"I know we did the injection earlier but take these just in case," she instructs. "I'll add some drops too. It should lessen the tension you might experience. You've been avoiding direct light for some time now. Eyes need to adjust so keep them on me."

Itachi takes his second dose of medicine for the day as instructed. "Yes."

"If anything feels off, say something." She continues.

"Of course."

"Don't push it."

"I remember."

Sakura fidgets next to him, unusually antsy for something so simple. "Absolutely no chakra unless I-"

He turns his body to face her, knowing that his full attention will stop the jitters in her aura. "I will be cautious. Can I open my eyes now?"

It works. She huffs, slightly closed off but less anxious. Despite her gruff tone, Itachi knows that there is genuine concern behind her words. Albeit unnecessary in his opinion. He feels fine and is sure that seeing the world won't change that. But he waits for her to give him the green light. When she does, he doesn't hesitate.

After days of being deprived of sight, Itachi opens his eyes to a much sharper world. Perhaps because he hasn't seen much of anything does the intense desire to see everything steer him away from looking at his partner. His eye movements feel jerky and stiff, no doubt from the strain Sakura mentioned might happen. The pain is similar to using the base level Sharingan for too long. Minor and bearable.

In fact, the main source of his discomfort is not his eyes at all but the subconscious tizzy the woman across from him is in. Itachi looks down at Sakura's crossed legs on the sofa. Fingers tap her bent knees anxiously waiting to jump in at any moment. Her chakra is much the same. She's on edge and it's distracting. If the goal is not to overstimulate him then she's the one who needs to calm down.

Itachi finds it strange that there is no rebound for her. She doesn't notice the pull. She doesn't react to him responding to her mental demands. Sakura appears completely oblivious.

A flash of lighting steals Sakura's attention. She glances over her shoulder at the sound of thunder, offering him momentary relief. I have to find a way to get this under control. Slowly the soft pitter-patter of rainfall infiltrates the quiet. Itachi uses her distraction to his advantage, lifting his head just as she turns back to him. Vivid green meets deep gray. Sakura's eyes are even more radiant after not seeing them for more than a week. With her pink hair pulled back, her eyes take center stage. Concentration only sharpens her expression, deepening the color from a bright green to a rich emerald.

"How do you feel? She asks, taking his face in both hands.

Itachi exhales, trying to adjust to feelings converging in and around him. "I feel fine."

"No pinching? Pressure? Strain? Anything like that?"

"No."

Sakura turns his head from the right then to the left. "Do your eyes feel tired?"

"Not at the moment."

She brings his head back to eye level and uses her thumb to lift his lids just a little. "Headache? Nausea?"

"From my eyes or from you squeezing my chin and manipulating my movements?"

Sakura pauses. Itachi raises a brow. She smacks her teeth but lets him go.

"If you have time to be sarcastic, I guess you're not dying." she pulls back from him, uncurling her legs to reach for the eye drops on the table.

"I don't think that is how death works."

Itachi repositions himself so his back is against the sofa. He leans his head towards the ceiling to make it easier for Sakura to administer his drops.

To his surprise, she comes up behind him, filling his field of vision with an upside-down version of her face.

"You'd know that wouldn't you." Sakura squeezes the viscous liquid into his eyes before he can process her quick-witted retort.

Itachi's eyes close instinctually. His partner lays a cool towel across his face.

"Stay like that for about a minute. It should relieve any tension you may or may not realize you have. If you're still okay after ten minutes, we'll add another fifteen and see how you do."

Twenty minutes later, Itachi still feels fine. With the rain intensifying they use the remainder of daylight to deep clean the house. Sakura insists on checking his eyes every few hours. Several body scans are conducted before she allows him to cook once their electricity returns. The blindfold is reapplied after dinner to give his eyes time to rest.

The next day follows much of the same pattern. When the rain slows, they venture outside to test his eyes against the sun. Itachi requests to pass by the Uchiha Compound, to which Sakura agrees and allows him to remove his blindfold long enough to survey the project.

"How are you feeling?" she asks him.

"My eyes are okay," Itachi answers honestly, panning around the area closest to the middle of the site only to be stopped by another puddle of mud. "This is not."

His partner carefully hops over a bout of standing water and onto old cement pathways. Sakura walks a little more towards the interior, eyeing the wet equipment and soaked terrain.

"What else needs to be done before the festival starts?" She asks.

Itachi frowns, mentally listing off the security measures and fanfare they'd planned weeks ago. His time in the hospital did not stop all of it. Blue tarps cover business fronts. Leftover equipment from contractors lets him know that they continued with the remodeling even while he was away. The clearing seems to have slowed down. The construction zone sign hasn't moved back a few houses as their timeline predicted. This means that Itachi will have to choose what place requires his Sharinigan the most. If we catalog everything, it will take twice as much time...

"There's no way you guys are going to finish this entire compound in two weeks." Sakura asserts.

"That was never the plan, "Itachi corrects and walks nearer to her side. "Converting this entire thing will take years. The main objective is to get businesses running to generate attention, familiarize people with the area. The museum and Peace Gardens will be the main draw. As desirability increases, so will the demand for housing."

"You guys aren't even worried about the housing at this point?"

Itachi turns towards the western side of the wall, "Only mine."

He takes her by the hand, leading her along the path of the construction tape. "Once the businesses have been fully gutted, a contractor will take over the leasing, freeing up the construction crew to concentrate on the museum. This area where we are will be temporarily paved to lead people from the businesses to the gardens."

They walk around the mud, getting right up against the wall that separates the buildings from the pond directly behind it.

"The temporary walkway will follow along the path of this wall, leading all the way around to the museum. Those who don't want to take the long way can always access the museum directly. We're going to put up some trees and fences to separate that space from the rest of the unfinished houses. Shikamaru and I believe we can have all of that done by the end of the year if I can focus my time on getting that space done."

He looks down at Sakura. His partner keeps her gaze in the distance towards his old home. Her thoughts seem to be on several things at once. Her expression gives away her distraction. Itachi doesn't need to rely on her chakra to recognize that she is concentrating on something other than building plans. Uncertainty seeps into her thoughts, making him feel uneasy. Itachi takes a tentative step closer, and Sakura seems to put herself back into the moment. She looks up at him then away, the same sensation creeping up again.

"What?" Itachi quietly asks.

She curls her lip, squeezing his hand for reassurance perhaps. "I feel like we're running out of time..."

"In what way?" he moves to stand in front of her, but she keeps her face away from him.

Sakura sighs heavily, "We have nine months left to get Honoka to marry you. You're going to be leaving in two weeks for an unspecified amount of time. We still have to clear your old place and clear you medically. I just…"

She cuts herself off and pulls her hand away. Itachi frowns when she purposefully moves away from him, turning her back and walking in the opposite direction. Sakura wipes at her face as she widens the gap between them. His desire to comfort her distress conflicts with her desire for space. Itachi is unsure which impulse to give in to or if he should do nothing at all. Sakura's already trying to move on. He isn't sure how he feels knowing she will not open up to him at this moment.

But Sakura's forcing a smile that doesn't reach her eyes. "When are we going to start working on your childhood home?"

Itachi has half a mind to tell her everything about their chakra link just to get her to stop pretending. But he thinks better of it. There is a high chance Sakura will react negatively at this moment to knowing her inner thoughts are partially known to him.

Another time. He thinks and plays along with her diversion. "As soon as you allow."

"I think we can start at the end of this week. It would be a great way to ease you back into work."

"Hn,"

"Was that all you wanted to see here?"

Itachi changes the topic back to her. "Are you in a hurry to leave?'

Sakura catches her words, fumbling in reply. "I was just asking."

"I've seen what I came to see."

"Okay, well," Sakura starts towards the gate. "Lunch? We still have so much from Minami and Oji-san. We could make something."

The question doesn't really require an answer. Sakura is already walking away from him. Itachi follows her all the way home. They settle on a simple vegetable curry, something Itachi can easily teach without seeing, and Sakura can easily learn. He starts the rice cooker while Sakura takes over peeling and slicing vegetables with his silent direction.

"Is this too thick?" Sakura passes a carrot disk to him for him to feel.

It's a quick assessment, one that yields similar results to her previous attempt. Similar but slightly better.

"It's smaller than the last one. Cut them in half," Itachi encourages, "Add the larger pieces to the pot first, then the smaller ones. They will cook eventually. It's fine."

"It's too big. Again." She complains, taking it from him, presumably to toss aside with the others.

"Yes...but that won't matter once you start cooking. They will be soft enough to break in half."

She grumbles to herself "I should have diced them in the first place."

Itachi shakes his head, "We don't want carrot soup. Only cut the big ones."

"All of them are big ones."

"I could show you how," Itachi mutters, "If you took off this blindfold."

Her warning comes like lighting doing his spine, "Absolutely not."

"My eyes are fine." he tries to argue but she ignores him.

She hums lightly, not even bothering to let him check if her pieces are good enough. "Yes, they are fine. They will continue to be fine. Covered. For the next hour."

He turns away, leaning his back against the sink and folding his arms. "At this rate, we will be eating curry around the same time."

Sakura gasps at his audacity, then shoves him in the shoulder, tipping him just slightly enough off-balance that he has to uncross his arms to stay upright.

"Get out," she commands.

Itachi pushes off the sink, "Do you abuse all of your recovering patients in this way?"

"Abuse would be me pushing you to the floor, which I was one second away from doing. Get out of my kitchen."

Itachi does as she asks, resigning himself to watery curry with odd chunks of carrots, potatoes, and forgotten onions. He isn't sure at which point she adds peas or why when it is not a listed ingredient. But there they are. Sakura practically dares him to complain, something he has no intention of doing. He eats what she sits before him, grateful for something other than hospital food.

"I was hoping for clearer weather, but I think we have more rain this evening," Sakura whines, folds her arms on the living room table the puts her head down, "Which sucks because I wanted to go kimono shopping."

Itachi shakes out the throw blanket from the couch, walking around the table to where Sakura lays. "The ones you have aren't good?"

She raises her head when he lays the blanket over her shoulders, grabbing the ends and snuggling in. "I wanted something different."

"There is always tomorrow," Itachi gets down on the floor next to her with a low grunt, resting his back against the table, "You will look fine in whatever you have."

Sakura grumbles, going to laying her head on the table. "It's not about that. I had plans."

"We can do something else," Itachi suggests.

"Such as?"

He turns his head, looking down at her watching him through her lashes. Watching and waiting. "Courtship stuff."

Pink brows furrow along with a sway in her chakra. "Courtship stuff? Is this going to involve you doing something you shouldn't be considering you're on 'bed rest'?"

A small grin plays on his lips at her accusation. "There's some flower arranging involved," he admits.

She hums, looking off and around the room. "Like actual gardening?"

"I need to make a bouquet. But we can take from arrangements we have here."

Without a word she stands. Itachi twists around, leaning against the table to watch her peruse their living room, dragging the blanket behind her. Sakura inspects the many get-well arrangements strategically placed around their living room.

"How many do I need?"

He blinks slowly, curiously at her sudden eagerness to participate. But also, at the implication of her actions.

She is…He huffs, amused, turning around and letting her do as she pleases. "Three flowers will be fine."

"Only three?" Sakura gainfully leads the charge, plucking a white chrysanthemum from the center of one bouquet. "Does it matter which ones?"

Knowing what they will be doing and how Sakura has already messed up and started the process all at the same time, Itachi goes with it.

"Choose whichever you like," he informs her.

She nods, surveying a different set of flowers and greenery at her disposal. Sakura returns to the table with a cluster of chrysanthemums, sweet peas, and fern leaves.

"There," Sakura kneels next to him, a victorious grin on her face, and thumps the flowers against his chest for him to take, "Bouquet arranged without you having to do unnecessary bending."

She settles back down into her former position. Itachi lays the flowers on the table in front of her.

"If this is a lesson on meaning, I know these already," Sakura explains, point at each thing, "Food, shelter, and truth."

"Is that why you chose them?" Itachi asks, turning so he can see her better.

Sakura shakes her head, "I wasn't really considering the meaning. Although the ferns are my favorite. I think your mom really sold me on how important they are."

She picks up the sweet pea and Itachi thoughtfully watches as she holds it up to her nose.

"This smells nice. This one," she lays down the sweet pea and picks up the chrysanthemum, "It's pretty."

Itachi nods, "Hypothetically speaking, would you say those things were important to you?"

"Um," Sakura looks at the ceiling, "I guess. I mean. Home for sure. Truth, yeah. Food is good. It depends on the context, really."

"In terms of courtship," Itachi corrects, pointing at the flowers splayed on the table, "If you were presented with a bouquet containing these things, would it be adequate?"

"Like from a suitor?"

"Yes."

Sakura turns to him, brows together, eyes open and curious, "Like a courtship bouquet?"

"Yes," Itachi answers.

Her skepticism raises. "Is that what we're learning?"

"Hnn,"

"So…I just arranged my own bouquet?"

His thoughts exactly. Itachi nods. Sakura laughs, turning away and leaning her chin in her hands. Green eyes watch the flowers. Itachi watches the way her face softens. She picks up each flower one by one, arranging and rearranging them in no particular order that he can see. Her ruminations are clear on her face but also in the way her aura mellows. Itachi feels the serene little tug tickle the atmosphere. The way his partner snorts quietly, tucking the flowers together then sighs. Whatever thoughts cross her mind must be extremely pleasant. Itachi looks away, unsure of how to interrupt what could be said.

Women often enjoy this part of courtship. I suppose Sakura would be no exception. Being showered with promises. Having those promises fulfilled for months. To be the sole focus of someone's attention, actions, and efforts.

"Well," Sakura says lightly, "I wouldn't be mad. There are other things I think I would want. I'd still appreciate all of these."

"Courtship bouquets are the suitor's way of showing his hand and his intended's way of making her desires known." Itachi explains, "Do you remember how courtship starts?"

"Daffodils. One daffodil." Sakura corrects herself.

He affirms her answer.

"While daffodils communicate preference, courtship bouquets start the correspondence. It is when courtship, in the literal sense, starts. It represents what the suitor has to offer and is usually given in the presence of the go-between, the intended and the intended's family. The woman can accept the bouquet, reject the bouquet, make amendments, or postpone the courtship for a later time."

"Okay," Sakura says, "Accept, reject, amend, postpone. Got it."

"It is important to be clear before courtship starts. Otherwise, grievances about things not being met may fall on deaf ears."

"What happens if the man can't fulfill her amendments?"

I see. Itachi thinks, hoping to put her mind at ease. "The woman can postpone the courtship until he is able or reject his offer if it is something that cannot be changed."

"Sounds about right," Sakura taps the table, "I think your mom said something about that too. If the guy can't fulfill the vow, he shouldn't present it. Also, the woman can't complain if they don't get what they want. They have a chance to change it."

"And what about you, Sakura?" Itachi insists.

"Me?"

"Hnn."

She looks curiously at him. "I don't understand."

Itachi shifts in his seat. He reaches across her arm and slides the bundle of flowers closer to her. "Bouquets are personal for both the man presenting and the woman receiving. I'd prefer to practice the right way. I can't present you with everything."

Sakura's mouth drops, "This is really for me?"

He gestures towards the flowers in his hand. "If you wish it to be."

"These are your vows...for me?" she asks differently.

He thinks on the question for a second, "Technically, these are your vows, chosen by you for yourself that I am offering. In essence, you've amended my bouquet without seeing the original, creating what you want."

She glances at the flowers and then at his face. "You plan on proving these to me…?"

"I will try, unless you have more objections or amendments" Itachi nods down to his hand, "You need to give me an answer before I can continue. There is no go-between, but I would hope you trust that I am capable of this much. Do you accept it?"

"Can I ask a question first?" Sakura counters.

"Of course."

"Would you have these in your courtship bouquet?"

"Yes," Itachi says without hesitation, "Along with a few other things."

She laughs though it doesn't quite reach her eyes. The feeling of her chakra has him inclining slightly closer.

"I guess I know you better than I thought," Sakura mumbles.

"Perhaps," Itachi keeps his eyes on her, wondering why she's gone from pleasant to reserved.

"What am I supposed to do in this hypothetical scenario where I accept your courtship bouquet?"

"It's not hypothetical," Itachi corrects, "We are acting out all of these."

"I meant," Sakura stresses the words, refusing to make eye contact, "What should your 'intended' do?"

"Be honest. If you are displeased, say so." Itachi informs.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You decide what will happen first," Itachi instructions, "As the suitor, I don't get to choose which vows to go in what order. I am following whatever lead you set. These are my vows that you have accepted. What would you like me to prove first?"

There's a shift in her mood. Something that piques his interest and intrigue. Sakura tucks her hair behind her ear, then slowly moves the ferns to the side. He gazes on in silence, feeling and assessing where she is going. Slowly the sweet peas are pushed to the side as well. Sakura sits up a bit straighter. One lone white chrysanthemum remains in the middle of the table.

Itachi grins softly to himself, having a feeling she would reach for this one first. Home is good. Food is desirable. Fewer things are more important to his partner than truth.

Itachi turns away, looking at the wall in front of him.

"Ask me anything," he tells her, "Tell me where you want my opinion."

"Okay,"

He braces for an onslaught of chakra tugs and pulls like earlier but as she toys with the white chrysanthemum, Itachi feels the opposite.

Physically speaking, she is quite close to him. So close in fact that Itachi can reach out his hand and touch her. Her chakra though is all tight coils, no longer dancing around capriciously. Adamant in whatever she resolves but distant from him in a way that makes her very presence feel absent.

Sakura sighs quietly, "Anything?"

"Anything." He reiterates firmly.

"Why did you choose Honoka?" she whispers.

As the words leave her mouth, the nuisance in her aura keeps him silent. Aloof but curious. There but not. Distant but…waiting. These sensations do not say words. It only gives clues, but Sakura could be thinking anything.

I don't know what this means. Itachi flexes his jaw, resisting conflicting thoughts to rectify the situation. These impulses, these desires to follow Sakura's lead make deciphering the issue more complicated. Closing his eyes, Itachi tries to focus.

If it is only feelings, then they can be subdued. If chakra, then it can be controlled.

If the jutsu makes him susceptible to Sakura's desires, then he only needs to control them. But even in his introspection, nothing quite stands out, not even his chakra. Sakura is just there, like a seventh sense. No amount of concentration changes the knowledge. Itachi tries, frustratingly so. Losing his focus several times with every change of her thought process. The only thing he reasonably concludes is that his partner is utterly distracting. Like a second consciousness that won't listen to him when he tells it to focus.

He sits up straighter. Not because she's trying to keep him at bay. No. It's the other more subtle thing buried behind the façade. Sakura is asking about Honoka because it matters. She is guarded because it matters. Because both matters, he needs to attend to both before he can feel himself.

I cannot fumble about the day at the expense of Sakura's whims. I'll end up just as volatile as she can be.

"There were several reasons that went into my decision," Itachi starts, "Time. Convenience. Connection. I chose Honoka because I know her."

"That's your only reason?" There's edgy to her voice and her aura.

Itachi furrows his brows, not understanding her disagreeable demeanor. "No. There were others I considered as well. Daichi being one of them. In the end, I considered all the things we needed and wanted. There are qualities I want in a wife and Honoka has enough of them."

His partner nods several times, playing with the flower in her hands.

"So," she hesitates, "Honoka has qualities of the ideal woman you would marry?"

Itachi ponders the question and truths. He ponders secrets and scents, things Sakura doesn't know and wouldn't know to ask about. It's his turn to sigh. Itachi laces his fingers together, then rests his elbows on his legs.

I supposed this is the best time. After thinking on it for mere moments, he lays them bare for her. Because if this were true courtship, such things would be important.

"Honoka reminds me of the person I had every intention of marrying," Itachi admits.

The way Sakura's eyes widen and chakra dances, offering the briefest window into her soul hits him in the chest. Silence permeates the atmosphere. She wrestles with thoughts before offering a low and disheveled question.

"Excuse me? You were...marriage? When?" Sakura opens her mouth then closes it, dropping her hands in her lap. "You were engaged?"

"Not in the traditional sense," Itachi explains, "Once I was of age, I had every intention of courting her."

Sakura dramatically throws her hands up, "Who was she? Where is she?"

Memories come while he thinks of ways to answer her inquires. Who was she? Where is she? Itachi rubs his thumb along the side of his finger, remembering, feeling. His eyes watch the floor, wondering where to start and how far he should go.

Who was she?

His mouth opens automatically. He says her name to another person for the first time in years, "Uchiha Izumi."

"An Uchiha?"

Itachi can't hold his smile at her animated display of disbelief. A welcomed relief from her stony façade from earlier. "Why are you so shocked?"

"Because" Sakura gestures with her hands, "I never pictured you being with anyone, let alone planning for marriage."

"She is the reason we can do all of this. Without her, I would not have asked mother about courtship and rituals."

"But then…the Massacre."

His fingers press together. Itachi answers quietly, knowingly. "Her death was a peaceful one."

Sakura's bravo faults. She inches a bit closer to him. "How so?"

"By genjutsu," Itachi explains, "The last few seconds of her life were filled with years of things we both wanted. In her mind, she died of old age with her husband and children by her bedside. In truth, it was just us, in the middle of the street."

"Do you…miss her?"

Itachi looks at Sakura, "Yes. If you asked her, she would say that I am being far too sentimental."

He catches the moment it clicks. Sakura purses her lips. "Is she the…?"

"The other ghost? Yes. Both Izumi and Shisui visit often." Itachi tells her, "Would you like to know more about her?"

Sakura slowly nods. Itachi spins the tale of a young girl and a young boy. Of dango and sweet orange blossoms. Of lakes and bridges, secret conversations, and lockets. Of two people who, if fate had cared for them at all, would have shared their lives, made their own gardens, said their own vows, had their own children. Two people who would have loved.

By the time he finishes the story of their flickering, bittersweet romance, he gathers tissues to wipe away his partner's tears.

"She would be flattered knowing you cried for her," Itachi pulls Sakura into a hug, tucking her head under his chin.

"Could you tell her I'm so sorry?" Sakura says into his shoulder, dabbing her eyes.

"She won't accept it."

"Why not?"

Itachi keeps his eyes on the backdoor, soothing his hands through Sakura's hair until her sniffles stop. He pictures a soft smile and kind brown eyes that hide fieriness. "Izumi lived and died as an Uchiha. Her clan was her pride. To die for it is an honor. Your apology would invalidate everything she fought for."

Sakura squirms in his arms, "That's not at all what I meant. You Uchiha and your stupid pride."

Itachi hums in agreement, whispering into her hair, "It is a dangerous thing."

Sakura goes quiet but the warmth and pull of her chakra let him know that her thoughts are on him. He inhales slowly, closing his eyes.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that, Itachi." She squeezes his shirt, "I know how it feels to play a major part in losing the love of your life. It hurts."

"Hnn."

"But it gets better," she assures him. "It will get better. I'm sure of it."

"Is that a promise?" Sakura pulls away but doesn't go far. Redness under her eyes and the tip of her nose. Questions on her tongue. He clarifies. "You would be within your right to make promises of your own though my vows are the only ones that require fulfilling."

"I wouldn't even know what flower that would be," Sakura confesses.

"Peonies, perhaps."

Her nose crinkles in confusion. "Remind me of what that is again."

"Peonies can be used in several ways," Itachi explains, "In this context, it means that you will be my happiness."

"Me?"

Itachi leans until his forehead touches hers. Sakura has nowhere else to look but directly at him.

"You," he reiterates, "All of the happiness I gain in this life will be because of you."

---

A/N: Hello loves! The long-awaited next chapter is finally here and, oh, I love her. I love seeing our two protagonists just be, you know. Their lives sort of slow down, which really allows them to focus on one another. Communication? Working on it. I think it's better. Sakura finally knows about Izumi. She took it a lot better than I originally thought she would. Our girl is growing up, getting better at those intense emotions. Itachi is still a work in progress...but progressing! I just love them fumbling about trying to figure out their lives and themselves and it's just great.

I won't make chapter promises because clearly I never keep those. But Line 15: Tulip is in the works (hint: there will be more fluff).

-Cece ^^

Word Count: 16,004

Musical Inspiration: "All the King's Horses"- Karima, "My Whole Life (slowed+reverb)"- Alina Baraz, "Oceane"-AINI, "Complicated"-Nivea