19

The sight of her swaying shape approaching him didn't alarm Itachi. She had been following him for a while now—ever since his departure from Shisato. However, in the drunken state she was, he was surprised to see she had survived the stiff hellish path leading down to the Naka River. The determination of one's drunken soul could almost be enviable if it wasn't for the chaos that constantly surrounded them.

When she stopped by his feet, with her hand on her hips, standing over him like an overconfident bully, his eyes paused on the sake bottle she held firmly like a weapon. He had heard rumors about her thirst for strong beverages. It was starting to become obvious how true they were.

Even in the darkness, he noticed the wretched state of her attire, her torn and dirty clothes, her naked legs, and her barren feet.

She wasn't supposed to be here.

Alone with him.

"Did you—did you follow me?"

Itachi averted her angry eyes. Engaging with her when she wasn't in control of herself was the least prolific thing one could do. He had learned this the hard way.

"Oi!" she shouted. She nudged his leg with her feet. "I'm talking to you!"

Like an annoying bug, she kept nudging him until he had enough. On the fifth time, Itachi grabbed her left foot and pulled it forward abruptly, making the young woman lose her balance and fall unceremoniously on her bum.

She groaned while holding her bottle against her chest, like it was a fragile infant. "Kami-sama! It better—it better not be broken!" she said while examining her precious treasure. She raised her face. "You! What did you…what did you do this for?"

"Go home."

Her eyes widened. "Why is everyone so mean to me tonight? So put on ruining my night! Do you—do you know what this jerk said to me after I—"

"Your stories don't interest me. Keep them to your friends," he suggested, still looking at the tranquil river in front of them.

"Liar!" she shouted. "I saw you look at us."

"Plenty of eyes stared at both of us tonight."

"You…don't speak in riddles! It's all your fault anyway! You've ruined everything!"

"I didn't ruin your night. You've brought this upon yourself."

"You really don't want me here, do you?" she muttered. "Fine! I'll leave on one condition."

Itachi turned to her this time, finding her awkward smile worrying.

She lifted her bottle. "If you taste the pleasure of the sea, I'll leave!"

Itachi had never snatched someone else's beverage this fast. He tasted the sour, yet sugary sake under Sakura's focused eyes—as focused as one drunk could be. Even as an inexperienced drinker, he could tell this drink was one of a kind. He closed the bottle slowly, still aware of the kunoichi's eyes watching each of his moves. No matter the taste, this delight always poisoned the mind. And thus, instead of returning the sake to its owner, Itachi threw the bottle into the river.

Sakura gasped as she followed the curved trajectory of her holy treasure. She jumped on her feet, as if she could stop the inevitable, but quickly stopped, still halfway through the riverbanks.

"What an idiot!" she hissed between her teeth. "I should've known. Why don't I ever learn from my mistakes? S—Silly! Silly me!"

She kept cursing at herself until the heavy fabric of her dress fell around her knees. What was she doing? Itachi thought, unable to look away from her form. She wasn't naked, but from the distance she stood, her tight undergarments made it look like she was. Though he had always been indifferent to nakedness, seeing more of her skin made him feel uneasy.

She's dangerous.

When she entered the cold water, Itachi took it as his cue to leave. Someone had to—before he jeopardized his promise. No sooner had he started gathering his clothes than he felt the need to look again. But instead of seeing a pink-haired head in his field of view, he saw nothing. He couldn't feel her presence anymore. She was simply gone.

She must have drowned, he thought while gazing at the quiet river. Sakura Haruno might not be his problem, but she was without doubt the Godaime's. Abandoning his belongings, Itachi returned inside the cold water he had enjoyed earlier. Retrieving the pleasure of the sea took him two dives; as for the kunoichi, she was still nowhere in sight.

Not drowned then.

He abandoned the bottle on the bank and swam upstream the river, quickly reaching a small basin disturbed by the waterfall. There were plenty of boulders where she could have found refuge, but his eyes ended up on the crevice behind the waterfall, wide enough for a human to squeeze through.

A cave.

The last place where a drunkard should be.

He glanced at the full moon above him, finding its brightness and size threatening. It was said that many abnormal events took place under such a moon. Some said it was just the work of a powerful god. Itachi believed there was little truth in both stories, for he remembered not having felt a single thing during the night of the crimson moon. He had killed dozens of his kinsmen. It had had nothing to do with maniacal killings under the influence of forces greater than his own. Instead, he had been on a calculated and cold-blooded killing spree, no different from everything he had done as an ANBU. But tonight, he wished these stories were true, for he didn't feel like himself at all. They would make it so much easier for him to justify his actions.

To justify going inside this cave.

Darkness soon surrounded him, except for a tiny bit of light glistening far within the cave. Itachi followed the light until the sound of the waterfall became distant. The sight of the full moon suddenly blinded him. There was a large hole going up the surface, big enough to let all the grandeur of the moon shine through the cave. And here she was, right down the large beam illuminating her, with both arms holding on a rock and her head lying on it. From where he was, he couldn't tell whether she was just resting or stranded, trying not to let her body drown in the abyss.

The widened eyes that welcomed him when he joined her made it clear she wasn't in any difficulty. He neither missed the flash of lucidity in her eyes. But what made him turn away was the satisfied smile she gave him before she hid her face again. He found the sight of the full moon easier to deal with than anything involving Sakura Haruno.

"If you were anyone else, I…I'd think you were worried about me," she said while holding back a snort. "I'm sorry to disappoint you."

"You're drunk."

"Not as drunk as I look."

"Enough to be a liability. I would not have someone like you in my squad."

She lets out an aggravated snort. "Lucky for you, I'll never be a member of your squad, Captain."

No, not with how reckless and unruly she was.

"Don't worry about me," she said after a short silence. "I'm a pretty good swimmer. Even drunk. But… what do you know about it, hm? You tasted the infamous Pleasure of the Sea, and you still look as stuck up as ever."

Itachi paused at her words. He had completely forgotten about it. Could it be why his actions were going against reason tonight? The full moon had nothing to do with this madness, after all. But sake or not, no matter how much it bothered him to admit it, it was just her. Her fierce gaze lingering on him.

He was almost about to leave when her soft voice rang again. "Needy and overbearing. That's what Ino's cousin called me. Do you think there is some truth in his words?"

He turned to her, noticing an uncharacteristic glint in her eyes.

Abandoning her refuge, she swam to him, her long, untied hair floating on the water like a creature of the sea. She came closer and closer, until she was right in front of him, her fiery emerald eyes never leaving him. Only his forearm, laid over the cold rock, prevented him from sinking, and thus, when her wet hands reached for his chest, he couldn't push her away. Why was she this close, when all she had wished for was for him to leave her be? But the alluring eyes and playful smile on her face were nothing like the expression of disappointment she had shown in Ginza.

This isn't good.

"You shouldn't have come back, Captain," she whispered, before she leaned upward and kissed him.

Itachi barely had time to feel the gentle pressure on his lips—to taste her—that she was gone. She just sank into the water like one of those mysterious creatures from sailors' tales, like she had just been all but a dream.


In the scorching heat of this particularly warm summer night, Sakura was regretting the cold air of the cave. If it wasn't for the intoxicating scent that permeated the black, abandoned yukata on which she had taken refuge, she would have left already. It was dangerous to be here—to let herself succumb to the tingling sensation in her body.

The sound of his footsteps approaching her made her body shudder with trepidation and excitement. She was curled up on his yukata, and so, from the direction he was coming, all he could see was his back. He might believe she had fallen asleep on his belongings, but she was very much awake. Her mind struggled to remember how she had ended up here in the first place.

She felt drunk.

She was drunk.

She heard him sit beside her; she could picture him weighing out his options. He wanted to get his clothes back, of course—or else he'd need to return to Konoha half-naked. But this man. He was afraid of her. He was scared of touching her, and she knew why; she had not forgotten that eye-opening night, his fierce kiss, his body holding her, and his lust.

Even her drunken mind recognized the truth.

He desires me. He's the only one who does.

When she felt the fabric shift under her body weight, she tightened her hold on the yukata. He wasn't going to get it back just by pulling on it, not when she was as determined as she was.

Do it, she pleaded in her mind. Touch me.

She sensed his arm over her body, trying to reach his yukata from the other side, but just as he did so, Sakura decided to turn around, and instead of meeting the firm fabric of his black attire, his fingers met the naked flesh of her waist and her very awakened eyes.

Sakura's impatience got the better of her then. She gripped his arm for support and straddled him in one go, like one would tackle an enemy. Itachi wasn't the kind to be fazed. However, his eyes told a different story, evoking wariness and hostility.

"Get off me."

Sakura shook her head while squeezing her thighs harder against him. "No."

Running curious hands on his firm chest, she stared at him. The more she observed him, from his lean body, the muscles chiseling it, to his handsome face, the more she felt a growing desire within her. A deep-buried need she had forgotten.

His long, pitch-black hair, still wet from the river, made him look like a wild and unpredictable Yokai—a demon not of this world. He was barely wearing anything except for his black undershorts. The fabric was so thin that she could almost feel the shape of his manhood under her. Just the thought of grinding against him, of stirring him from his slumber, excited her to no end.

And so she started shifting on him slowly, pressing their pelvis together and fueling the heat between their covered sexes. She groaned deeply when a spike of pleasure hit her, making her body feel suddenly heavy.

Sakura then leaned against him, forcing him to lie down completely as her head nudged itself against his naked chest. She tasted and kissed his skin like she had so many times before, going up his shoulder and neck, until the scorching heat between their bodies became too much.

Struggling to breathe, she got rid of the thin, tight white top constricting her breasts. She let him feast on her nakedness for a short instant before she lay on him again, moaning at the feeling of their bare bodies finally touching. This sensation was everything.

More.

I need more of this.

Consumed by lust, Sakura grabbed each side of his face in urgency and pressed her lips against him. Unlike before, it wasn't an innocent peck, but a kiss charged with need and promises. She parted his lips with hers, and tasted him for the first time, her tongue probing his mouth gently, conveying the need consuming her. All logical thoughts had vanished from her mind. All she recognized was this deep ache within her, this want. She wanted this body. She wanted him. Alas, he refused to give in, which was starting to frustrate her.

Straightening her back, she let go of his lips with reluctance and focused on the heat between their loins, slowly shifting her pelvis back and forth, feeling his unmistakable erection under her. It felt good. Each motion delighted her even more, making her moan softly every time pleasure hit her.

She found a rhythm as she sought that spot that would bring her closer to the edge. The heat, the pressure—everything was increasing tenfold. Sakura bites her lower lips, clenching her fingers on his chest, and let pleasure take over her body. But just as she was about to find her release, her breath got knocked out of her.

What—!

Pain flared on her skin as her back hit hard pebbles.

Eyes alert and wide-opened, her initial instinct made her want to kick him for preventing her from reaching her climax. Instead, she felt her heart hammer quickly in her chest at the sight of his body towering over her, almost lying on her. The hand grasping her shoulder firmly, forcing her to stay down, angered her. Not giving him a chance to win, she trapped his waist around her legs and bucked against his erection. She moaned deeply and rejoiced in victory when she felt him push back against her. His resolution had faltered, and he was at last seeking the same thing as Sakura.

Pleasure.

His motions became more erratic little by little, mirroring his loss of control. Yet he was the one trapping her under him, breathing in her neck, rocking against her roughly, using her selfishly the same way she had done. Sakura trembled when he tilted her jaw and claimed her lips. He kissed her with hunger, without holding back his desire, muffling each moan of pleasure.

When she gasped for air, she draped her hands behind his back, bringing their bodies even closer, moaning and shaking with pleasure every time his sex rubbed against hers. She gazed upon the bright moon above them, wishing time would just stop to let her feel this euphoria forever. If they weren't already in this carnal frenzy, nearing release, Sakura would've tried getting rid of her tight black shorts to let their bodies truly become one.

The friction almost felt like a burning sensation on her very sensitive parts, yet she undulated against him, seeking the right angle, the right spot that would bring her to the edge. She was so close. So close to finding it again. Itachi's firm body rocking on her, his scent, his rough thrusting. Everything soon became too much, and suddenly, her body shook and jolted with pleasure as she reached climax.

Finally.

Sakura's mind went completely blank as waves of her orgasm rippled through her. She soon felt Itachi bucked harder against her until he reached his own release, joining her in this maddening bliss.

It felt right. So incredibly right in a way she couldn't comprehend.

"I've missed this so much," she breathed in his ear, speaking a truth they both knew and felt.

They remained stuck together for a short time, catching their breath, until their loosened muscles gave out and forced them to entangle their warm bodies.

Panic took hold of her when she saw him roll over. "Don't—don't leave me," she cried in a whisper. She was surprised to still be able to form coherent thoughts in the euphoric state she was in.

But her fears eased at once. Indeed, Itachi was just lying right next to her, close enough for her to feel his skin and warmth. He wasn't leaving. He wasn't leaving her like everyone else did. It shouldn't bring her comfort, yet it did.

She was so lost.

And so was he.

There would be a time to reflect on what she had done, on how she had just rutted against her enemy like an animal in heat. But for now, Sakura just closed her eyes to enjoy the remnants of the shattering pleasure she had experienced.

As one would guess, years of hardship and training made it difficult for shinobis to ignore their instinct, and so when they heard distant laughter, they were both brought back to the real world. Sakura barely had time to get rid of the sweat and mess on her body before she darted away through the trees, her red dress tucked under her arm.

She never once thought of the precious Pleasure of the Sea bottle, which still lay untouched on the banks of the Naka River, already seeking its new victims.


"…Sensei! Sensei!"

Sakura was taken out of her reveries by Emi's cries. "What—what is it, Emi? You can't be done with the book I've just given you already?"

"How did the Shogun Togunawa die?"

Sakura blinked in confusion. "You will find this out on your own if you keep reading. I reckon half of the first volume of Tales of Old recoiled the story of Togunawa."

"I'm not done yet, Sensei," she protested. "I was about to start the fourth chapter. But—they stole it from me!"

Sakura rose from her chair. "Who?"

Emi pointed toward one of the alleys. Sakura jumped over the circular desk to win time and darted in the direction she had indicated, having a bad feeling about this. Standing still at the beginning of the alley, her eyes widened when she recognized the punks from the last week. They were sitting comfortably at one of the tables, like they owned the place.

She felt a hand on her shoulder. "Sakura-san, I don't want you to get into unnecessary trouble."

"They are trouble," Sakura corrected, touched by the librarian's concern. "If I double down now, they'll take advantage of us. They only understand power and authority."

"Sakura-san—"

"I'll be fine."

With that said, Sakura darted to the young Uchihas. She met the anxious gaze of the youngest one—possibly the cleverest one of the three. "Oi, kids! Didn't I make myself clear the last time?"

Except for the young one, they all ignored her, feigning being absorbed in their reading. She noted how the first volume of Tales of Old was in the hands of their little chief. Nobody ever read such books, except for a few scholars who were fascinated by myths. Most often, they ended up in the hands of children like Emi. This was all power play again.

"Ten seconds. That's how much time I give you to leave."

Still no reaction.

In a burst of anger, Sakura grabbed the small vase of glass and smashed it on the table, gaining at last the attention of the little bastards. "I'm not going to say it again, kids."

"You're truly nuts!"

Not being done with her demonstration, Sakura abruptly pulled the chair occupied by the little rascal. "You have no idea how much worse I can get when people piss me off," she hissed, watching with satisfaction the widened eyes of the kid, who almost fell on his bottom.

"You'll pay for this."

"This again," Sakura sighed.

The youngest rose up from his chair. "Kazuma. Perhaps we should leave—"

"No! We have every right to be here," he turned to her, his spiky hair making him look like an angry cat. "You can't keep us from entering a public place."

"Not when you bully little girls."

"You're the one bullying us here, noumin."

Sakura burst out laughing, finding it impossible to contain herself in the face of such an absurdity. The Uchiha seemed to become more and more offended by her mocking laughs, squeezing his fist like he was about to do something reckless. But he did none of that, for an unexpected shadow made their backs stiffen. And just like that, they flew like death was on them.

Sakura ignored how the power structure worked within the Uchiha Clan. She had one conviction: everyone respected their elders. The adult standing by the alley certainly looked intimidating enough to inspire respect and fear.

Nobura, the man who couldn't handle having failed kidnapping Emi Nuzura.

He was staring at her like he had just witnessed a terrible crime. Despite their poker faces, Uchihas sure were quick to become offended by the slightest thing. Was it so alien to them to berate nasty children? They had such a hard time being told no. They were spoiled children, born with the conviction they were better than anyone else. And who could blame them when they had been fed such lies all their lives?

Sakura pitied them.

She especially pitied this man, so full of hatred.

"Sensei."

Sakura shifted her gaze to her student. She had completely forgotten her.

"Here," she said, giving her the book while keeping an eye on the rabid man. He was looking at Emi with even more contempt. Instinctively, Sakura put herself forward, hiding the young Soma from his line of sight.

This couldn't keep going. Sakura couldn't be the one watching her every time she escaped her clan's neighborhood. Emi should be at the Academy, under the establishment's protection. But above all, she should be learning ninjutsu properly in the right environment.

She wished Shun Nuzura hadn't left on a mission. Being the sharpest of his clan, only he would listen to reason.

Contemplating confronting the nasty Uchiha, Sakura endured his judging stare until someone else more worthy of his attention came into the picture. Sakura's body tensed at the sight of Itachi Uchiha.

Not him.

Not right now.

She wasn't ready to face him this soon. Sakura felt like she was backed into a corner with no way to escape, but she had no choice but to stand still and wait. She remained on edge while she observed them, and surprisingly, after a short exchange, both Uchihas left without making a fuss.

I won't get anything done if this keeps happening.

Sakura glanced at Emi, who was sitting quietly, and had now returned to the gripping story of the Daimyo Togunawa. She was so innocent and oblivious. At least she wasn't in danger anymore.

Sakura made her way back to the circular reception desk in the center of the library. Now was the time to resume counting overdue books and forget about the damn members of the Uchiha clan.

Every single one of them.

"Sakura."

Her heart missed a bit at the sound of his voice, but she dared not look at his face.

"I didn't need your assistance," she said coldly. "I can handle him myself."

"I didn't come for him."

"Then leave," she murmured before noisy eyes saw them.

"Make arrangements to get relieved of your duty tomorrow," he said quickly. "I'll meet you at the Hotaru's bridge shortly after dawn."

She snorted, wondering if she was dreaming.

Who did he take her for? Someone who could just ignore her obligations and go wherever she wanted? But most importantly, did he seriously believe she was going to follow him to Kami-sama knew where?

When she mustered up enough courage to ignore her embarrassment and shame, she looked up, only to find herself alone.

Good.


Among the foolish, she must be the most foolish one, for she had followed Itachi's instructions faithfully and had met him at the closest bridge from Konoha's gates. Rationality had simply left her mind, replaced by curiosity and a strong impulse to follow her doom.

They spent the next five hours traveling in complete silence, running to their destination without rest like they were on a mission, until the breathtaking view of the Enshiri village greeted them.

Sakura gasped at the sight of countless rice field terraces covering the slope going downhill. The flamboyant green and geometrical shapes made it look like a work of art, but what completed this beautiful scenery was the large lake far ahead and the infamous harbor village of Enshiri in its way.

She had never had the opportunity to visit this place. Enshiri, somewhere in the south of the Fire Country, was a famous place for traders, especially for those going up the river Toho from the South and continuing their way deep into the River Land. Spotting one of those long boats approaching the harbor made her wish she could just jump inside one of them and explore the vast world.

Sadly, she wasn't here for leisure.

What was she here for already?

She narrowed her eyes at the stern figure of her lovely, traveling companion, who was walking way ahead of her. Though the purpose of this little expedition remained unknown, she prayed that this place's food was as grandiose as the scenery. Whatever Itachi had planned for her, she had every intention of making the best of her journey—which would start with dealing with her poor, empty stomach.

Driven by this prospect, Sakura descended the hill joyfully, her hair swinging with the light wind, her skin warmed by the bright sunlight. Joining the trail of travelers and merchants, she rushed into the village and ended up in the market area bordering the wharf and docks.

"Oi! Young lady! Young lady!"

Sakura turned to the familiar voice and was welcomed by a large stall of pearls, rocks, and gems—one that she had seen before in Konoha.

"It isn't often that I meet a customer twice. Did the rock end up fixing your ghost problem?"

Sakura smiled at the vendor. "I've yet to see them. I guess it…scared them off!"

"I'm pleased to hear it. Since you're here, look at my newest addition!" he said as he offered her a small greenish stone. "It's as remarkable as your eyes, isn't it?"

She took the gem carefully in her hands and said without hesitation, "Emerald."

The vendor gave her a nod of approval.

This was one of the most beautiful stones she had ever seen. It looks pure, ethereal, and powerful. It was the kind of stone her father would have loved to have in his collection.

"I can see you're beguiled. I'll cut off the price for you. Thirty-five thousand ryos for the stone of prosperity and luck."

Sakura returned the rare stone. "I'm afraid that even this emerald couldn't make me renounce all the delicious dishes waiting for me here."

In a moment of deja-vu, one swift motion to her side made a bunch of bills appear on the stand, which the vendor welcomed with a pleased smile. Another act of benevolence from her guardian.

Speechless, Sakura barely had time to protest that her benefactor had already left.

"You're always surrounded by generous friends, my dear. See, the emerald is already at work. Even more luck and prosperity will come to you from now on."

She hesitated before she took back the stone. "Trust me, this man is anything but luck."

Yet she had followed him half a thousand miles to the south, ignoring what awaited her. And now she was doing the same thing again. Sakura darted through the crowd of civilians and travelers, her eyes focused on the black-haired shape in the distance. After seeing him enter a small restaurant, Sakura found him seated at a table.

"I'm not spending the rest of the day with you in silence," she said once she was seated in front of him.

"I never forbid you to speak."

"Don't patronize me."

Sakura showed him the small emerald. "I intend to pay you back for this."

"This is a gift."

"A gift?" Sakura repeated, dumbstruck.

"I assume you've been given gifts from your friends before."

"My friends, not my enemies."

A short silence passed between them as their eyes gauged each other like they had so many times before. Her statement might be an exaggeration of the truth; however, she had not forgotten how much time he had spent antagonizing her.

I've yet to see him apologize for his actions.

"You're paranoid."

"I guess that's what we have in common, then."

Sakura was stunned when a server, dressed in a greenish kimono, broke the tension by dumping adorned plates with an array of exquisite food. The air was filled with plenty of aromas that pleased her senses, making her forget everything about her anger.

The first fish roll felt like a sudden epiphany as the velvety taste of the tender salmon hit her senses. She savored each bite, feeling multiple flavors ravish her palate. She hummed in pleasure, hardly concerned about the onyx eyes on her. "This is… the best thing I've ever eaten—the taste, the texture…"

"I never knew you were such a gourmet, Sakura."

Sakura froze, a bunch of food almost getting stuck in her throat as she coughed violently. "K— Kakashi-sensei! What—what are you doing here?"

"Diplomacy," he said, as he stole her new acquisition, only to study it carefully. "A fine work of nature you've found here. I wonder how much it cost you…"

"N—not as much as it looks."

He placed the emerald back on the table. "But—I should be the one asking what my favorite student is doing with my—" He stared at Itachi, "least favorite student."

Her heart skipped a bit as she turned to Itachi for help. "I—We are—"

She was the worst liar. Everyone knew this. Especially Kakashi.

I can't let him know.

"Organizing a surprise for Sasuke's birthday."

She paused and considered Itachi's unexpected words. Clever. Very clever. "Yes! We're planning something…something grandiose for him!" she blurted out, nodding furiously.

"Oh! It's coming this soon already?"

"Erm—"

What day was it already?

"In sixteen days," Itachi said, perfectly composed.

Kakashi clapped his hands slowly. "Mah, mah! I'm impressed by your dedication. A brother and a strong-willed childhood friend, teaming together for their loved one! Although I'm disappointed that you failed to invite me. I've been told I'm an excellent adviser."

"A busy one."

He smiled beneath his mask. "I promise I'll make time for you, Sakura. Be patient. But let's not digress! Tell me, how long will you be staying here?"

Sakura's anxious eyes shifted to Itachi again.

"We'll be in Konoha by nightfall."

"A shame. You'll miss the infamous onsen of Enshiri. I'm sure this place would be to your liking."

Sakura's eyes widened in fear.

What—? What did he just say?

"Kakashi-san," called an unknown voice behind them.

"Ah! Duty calls, duty calls," Kakashi said. He rose to his feet to greet a tall jōnin, without doubt assuring his protection. It wouldn't be a surprise to see a few anbus accompanying them. "We'll see each other soon, Sakura."

And at last, he was gone, leaving Sakura alone with the deepest mortification she had ever experienced. Her companion seemed utterly unaffected by what had just transpired; not once had he looked at Kakashi, all his attention had remained on his food throughout the whole conversation.

Sakura stared at her plate, feeling like she was becoming sick. "He—he knows. I don't know how it's possible," she said, defeated.

"No, he doesn't."

"The words he spoke—" she carried on in a hollow voice. "It—it can't be a coincidence. He saw us. Somehow. I—I should've never come here."

"Not him."

"What?"

"Someone else saw you, someone answering to Kakashi."

"Like an Anbu?"

"Correct."

Sakura stayed quiet for a while, letting his words sink in. His theory didn't seem too far-fetched, seeing as she recalled being observed before she had even started visiting the onsen. Kakashi and Tsunade could definitely be nosy. Still, even if they did send someone to keep an eye on her, there was no way they could have known where she was going.

"I was careful," she said firmly.

"Not as much as you think."

"My henge was—"

"Imperfect."

She hated his condescending tone. "Do you always have to say it like I'm the worst at it?"

"Not the worst. Just the best at failing to hide your most incriminating features."

"Thanks. I feel so much better," she said while glaring at him. "So, I gather there isn't a world where someone might have recognized you—because your henge had no flaws."

"Correct."

She scoffed. "How can you be so sure it was an anbu sent by Kakashi?"

"I confronted them, and they told me of their assignation."

"They just…told you?"

Itachi remained quiet long enough to make Sakura blush when she realized her mistake. To everyone else, he was known for his name and position within the ANBU organization. But to Sakura, he was just a man she wished she had never met, and…Sasuke's brother. How could she ever forget it?

"I initially assumed he was here for me," he continued. "He came back three times before he stopped coming altogether."

Sakura felt a sudden throbbing pain in her temples and began rubbing her face. Her panic had lessened with his well-thought-out and compelling points. She felt like she could breathe again. But how long until another close call happened?

I'm so foolish.

She stood up abruptly. "I'm leaving."

"There's still food left."

Her eyes flared up with anger. "Is it really what's concerning you right now?"

"I paid for it."

"Kami-sama!"

"If you leave by yourself, Kakashi may truly become suspicious of you," Itachi warned her.

"And you called me paranoid."

"See for yourself. Look outside."

She shook her head in disbelief, nonetheless doing as he told, as she drew the windows' curtains open, only to see her Sensei standing on the street, waving at her with enthusiasm. This was a nightmare. Plastering a smile on her face, she waved back timidly, hoping he would soon go away with his men.

She glared at Itachi. "Couldn't you have foreseen his coming here?"

"Kakashi isn't known for being predictable."

She knew this all too well.

Sakura groaned and sat back, understanding she was stuck here with him. For now. She truly didn't feel hungry anymore. However, what else was there to do? Sliding her sticks between her fingers, she figured eating might ease her anxieties. Despite everything, the food still tasted phenomenally good. Just a quick look around at other customers enjoying themselves—families, husbands, and wives—was enough to tell her how cherished and precious this place was.

And that was where he had chosen to bring her.

What were they doing here, putting themselves in the spotlight instead of remaining in the shadows?

"Are we here for Sasuke's birthday?"


Next chapter: Sakura and Itachi encounter an old enemy, and Itachi makes an offer to Sakura.

I hope people who we've been waiting for a bit of ItaSaku are happy! As you can see, the tension between them is slowly lessening, though they both remain wary of each other. What do you think Itachi is planning? What of Kakashi? Does he suspect something?

Chapter 20 will be the last chapter before the new big mission/arc starts.

Let me know if you enjoyed this! Thanks for reading!

(By the way, I published two chapters of a short NaruHina story that takes place in the same settings as Merankoria. It's a follow-up of their meeting at Ichiraku ramen (chapter 15). So check it out if you fancy NaruHina and if you wonder what Naruto is up to.)