Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Chapter 11: Willing Ignorance

The next evening Sakura was pleased to return to the clinic and discover that Itachi was starting to tolerate his treatment. The daytime staff got him to drink some broth and he kept it down. They also got him out of bed and sitting in his chair again. Sakura saw it as a huge victory and a turning point on the road to his recovery. Only once during the night did she have to administer an antiemetic, and by the next night he didn't need a single dose. Sakura helped him walk a couple of laps around his room and he was surprisingly steady on his feet considering how weak he'd been the night before. She was thankful he did not fall like the previous time and they were spared another embarrassing moment.

In order to placate his fear of her potentially catching his illness, she donned all her appropriate gear each time she entered his room. She often thought about his hand on her wrist and that look of anxiety on his face. It warmed her to know he did not wish for her to succumb to the same fate, even if what she said was true and the chances of her contracting it were highly unlikely. The poor guy had enough to worry about. If wearing the gown and mask made him feel more at ease then she'd gladly do so. She did not dwell on the other emotions that moment had sparked within her.

Two mornings later, Sakura was leaning against the nurse's station, looking over his latest lab results as they monitored how his body was handling the treatment. Three nurses sat talking quietly amongst themselves behind her, but she tuned them out. She was usually long gone by then but she had stayed to do a few last minute tasks since Yanagi was all but forcing her to take the night off. She hadn't had one since Itachi's arrival, not that she had really minded all that much. Accustomed to her new routine, she was trying to use the time to build a rapport with Itachi, but she couldn't deny she looked forward to having a little break.

Fortunately all Itachi's labs were within normal limits considering his condition. He was doing so well that she wanted him to eat a regular diet and get up out of bed more frequently. She glanced up at the closed door of his room and smiled. Perhaps she'd pop in before leaving and tell him herself if he wasn't asleep. Sakura's concentration was broken when she heard the nurses all but giggling like school girls behind her.

"I think he's single," one of them whispered. That caused Sakura to glance over her shoulder.

"Who's single?" she asked curiously before she could stop herself. They made shushing noises at her, and three pairs of eyes swept up to Sakura. Each looked mischievous, and each wore a knowing look as if they believed Sakura to be playing innocent about something. She couldn't hazard what.

"Really, Haruno-sama, who do you think?" Sakura figured they were talking about one of the village men, as they often did.

"Uhhhhm," she pondered as she turned and leaned her forearms on the tall top counter, her mind going down the list of available Hougyoku bachelors. One nurse made a frustrated noise and rolled her eyes.

"Not a villager, Sakura-sama," she said with a pointed look. Sakura just stared at her owlishly until another nurse scoffed.

"Why our newest patient, of course," she answered as if it was obvious. Sakura's eyebrows hiked up on her forehead until her byakugou seal almost reached her hairline.

"Oh," was all she could think to say at that moment.

"You can't be that blind, Haruno-sama," a nurse said around a devious smile. "He is the best looking man to ever set foot in the valley."

"He's the best looking man to ever set foot in the country," another corrected.

No, not blind, she thought to herself. Sakura had been trying to avoid thinking about Itachi in any way that was unprofessional. She should have known that the nurses would have no such qualms contemplating the relationship status of their ridiculously handsome patient. It wasn't as if they even knew who he was so she couldn't really blame them.

She'd hear some of the staff whisper that he might be a shinobi like herself, though. Why else would he have shown up in Hougyoku the way he had? Of course neither Sakura or Itachi confirmed such suspicions. Itachi told the clinic staff that he was from a city south of Kahan. He'd been traveling to Tenshu to see family and was attacked by highway bandits. Hougyoku simply happened to be the closest settlement. As far as his occupation, he said he was a carpenter that built tables, chairs, cabinets and the like. It would explain his scarred and calloused hands and his pale skin if he worked indoors in a shop rather than out in the elements. The thought of Uchiha Itachi as a carpenter always made her laugh to herself as she imagined him wielding saws and planers rather than kunai and shuriken. Sakura knew some of the staff were skeptical, but thankfully they never pried and left it be. She wondered what they'd think of him if they knew the things she did, but that was neither here nor there. With a serious look, Sakura shook her head at the three women.

"I'll pretend you ladies aren't talking about this. He's a patient," she chastised as she turned back around. She heard someone make a scoff.

"He's a patient now, but he won't be forever." Sakura looked over her shoulder at them again, but they just watched her unashamedly. Each nurse looked like a grinning vixen. Sakura shook her head again as she walked towards Itachi's room. They knew better than to involve themselves thusly with patients, but a girl could dream, Sakura supposed.

Sorry, ladies. I don't think you'd know how to handle that one. Sakura was only just learning to handle him in a professional sense. She wondered, unable to help her wandering thoughts, if he had ever had a relationship. He made no mention of having one in his youth before he left Konoha, or even during his time as a member of the Akatsuki. Not that she expected him to share something so personal with her. Lucky would be the woman to win his heart if he were as loyal in a relationship as he was to Konoha. And it didn't hurt that he was immaculately attractive. Halting those thoughts, Sakura cringed as she stopped at the door, scrunching up her face and closing her eyes as she shoved those thoughts out of her mind.

Nope. Stop, Sakura. Just stop. He's Uchiha Itachi, not eye candy. Geez. Taking a steadying breath, she opened her eyes and reached for a pair of gloves. She had a feeling he'd be sleeping still, so she didn't bother with a gown or mask, and hoped he wouldn't give her another one of those stares if he was awake. Laughing nervously at the thought, she knocked lightly on the door before opening it and peeked inside.

Sakura was stunned to see Itachi out of bed in nothing but a pair of light blue scrub pants they had given him to wear. He was paused mid squat, midnight eyes meeting jade, and they stared at the other for a few moments. His exposed torso had a sheen of sweat betraying he'd been training - something she hadn't expected him to be doing so soon. Something she had hoped he wouldn't try doing so soon now that he was feeling better. He looked a tad nervous, but he held her surprised eyes solidly. Unable to help her herself, her own eyes flicked down to the pale skin of his defined chest and abdomen, then to the swirling tattoo on his left shoulder. She quickly caught herself and pulled her gaze back to his face.

"Itachi-san," she said, her voice sounding a bit strangled as her throat felt thick. Heat began to smolder to life in her middle. Clearing her throat, she watched as he rose back up to his full height, tracking the movement with her eyes. Trying to jostle her foggy brain, she came into the room and shut the door behind her, allowing them privacy.

"Sakura-san." His look said, 'you're still here,' but he didn't say it aloud. She also didn't fail to notice the worry there when he realized she wasn't wearing a gown or mask again, and he did indeed give her that look that silently begged her to be cautious. "I'm sorry, but I was getting restless." While it did please her that he was feeling well enough to train, her concern for his well-being made her fret. How often was he doing this sort of thing when the staff wasn't looking?

"I'm happy to see you're feeling better," she said, intently trying not to let her eyes stray from his face. "I just don't want you to push yourself, is all. I'd hate to come in here and see you passed out on the floor." She tried to say it lightly with humor to dispel the awkward tension in the air. A bit of guilt clouded his eyes, but he nodded as he reached for the matching blue top to his pants. Sakura looked away as casually as she could as he pulled it on, thankful when he was fully dressed once more.

"I appreciate your concern. I don't want to be reckless after everything you've done for me. I just…" he trailed off, his expression conflicted as that stoic mask cracked a little. Sakura's own expression turned to understanding.

"I know. I know you want to train and get stronger. I do, too, but we gotta be careful. Take it easy. Yeah?"

"Yeah," he sighed out as he sat down in the chair next to him.

"Good," she said with a grin. "You can train to your heart's content soon enough." A moment of silence passed as so many long ago memories flooded her mind, until she suddenly started to laugh. Itachi raised a brow in question and Sakura brought up a hand in apology as her laughter abated. "Sorry," she chuckled. "I feel like every time I look at you I get hit with deja vu. You and your brother… you're so much alike." She sighed and smiled, that bittersweet nostalgia on her face once more. "I'm still getting used to it." His mask cracked a bit more.

"Ah… Yes," he acknowledged, that little twinkle filling his eyes again as they danced between her own. As he watched her, she could tell he wanted to ask her something. It made her hold her breath. "He was hopelessly stubborn, wasn't he?" he eventually said. Sakura blinked and exhaled softly. She knew without a doubt he wanted to say something else, but she just smiled again and laughed.

"Hopelessly," she agreed.

"I'm afraid I'm equally stubborn," he told her with humor edging his voice. "But I will endeavor to heed your advice, Sakura-san. I promise you." She felt that strange sensation in her gut she'd sometimes feel when he looked at her the way he currently was - direct and intense and… and then it was gone as fast as it came, his expression back to his aloof facade. "May I ask why you're still here?"

"Oh," Sakura stuffed down the jittery feelings trying to infest her body. "I was doing a few last minute things. Figured I'd tell you your latest lab results all look great. Also, I'd like to advance your diet and activity status, but you already took the latter into your own hands," she teased. Itachi's mouth flicked down into a tiny frown of apology.

"When will I be ready to leave?" The flustered emotions inside of her sizzled away at the weight of that question.

"Let's focus on one thing at a time," she suggested, trying to keep the smile on her face. "You need to recover more of your strength, first." Although he was making leaps and bounds, just a handful of days ago he struggled to bring a spoon to his mouth. How would he manage to fight off a Hakumei ninja, let alone multiple squads, if he couldn't hold a kunai without his hands trembling from fatigue?

"Of course," he answered, flawlessly hiding the disappointment she was sure he felt. Be patient a little longer, Itachi, she silently begged him. You're not ready yet. I'm not ready yet. At the look of hesitance on her own face, a serious edge began to shroud him, his eyes piercing as he looked up at her, intense in an entirely different way.

"I know this must be difficult for you, but we should not stay much longer. These people are in danger, Sakura-san," he said, referring to the clinic. To the village. "We are in danger. We're sitting ducks, waiting for Hakumei to ambush us." Sakura's eyes widened and her heart dropped. She didn't want to believe him even though she knew he was right. It was still too soon, and sentiment made it difficult to accept their inevitable departure. She didn't want to leave Hougyoku, but neither did she want her friends to suffer because of her weakness.

"There's a chance they already know we're here," Itachi added ominously. Sakura tensed. With her trip into Tenshu the chances of her being recognized were a grim possibility. Perhaps she should have used transformation jutsu after all? And if Itachi had heard rumors of her being there, then it wasn't too hard to believe that Hakumei had also heard them. If Hakumei discovered their whereabouts and planned to ransack the village, she and Itachi would be hard pressed to keep everyone safe. She wasn't about to create havoc and tell the villagers, either, not without knowing for sure. Not without solid evidence. If she could leave Hougyoku in secrecy and peace rather than on bad, troubling terms, she'd rather face the pain of having to leave without saying goodbye than leave with panic in her wake, and pray that Hakumei would never know of their affiliation to the village and leave it be.

"I know," she finally muttered out, obviously heartbroken. Her first home had already been destroyed; she didn't want her second home to meet the same fate. For a moment she wondered how Itachi felt that fateful night, having to say goodbye to Konoha after killing his brethren and her heart wrenched for him. If he managed to do that then she could certainly manage to do this. "I know," she echoed, her voice louder and more firm. "Where are we going to stay? We can't sleep out in the cold each night, not when you're in this state. I'm not the richest person in the world, though," she admitted with grimace. Itachi didn't seem concerned.

"Don't worry about money. I've got plenty. And I know of suitable places we can stay." Sakura had to remember that during his time with the Akatsuki, Itachi had extensively traveled the lands and surely knew them well. He also probably saved up money over the years, or simply knew of stashes that had been abandoned after the war. That put her at ease. Yes she was a shinobi and could handle rough conditions, but she'd bet anyone would prefer to have plumbing and hot, running water, and she sure as hell wasn't going to allow Itachi to stay cold and uncomfortable during his recovery with winter practically upon them. His rehabilitation was the utmost priority. Sakura hoped that he had someplace good in mind for them to stay. He seemed to read her thoughts again. "For now we'll go to where I've been living as of late. It's not too far from the waterfall hideout, but don't worry, it's a secure location." He said it in such a way that she didn't second guess his choice.

"Alright… Alright, but it's too soon to leave now. You need more time to recover. You're only about to finish your first week of your treatment. You're progressing well and it seems the worst of it is over, but straining yourself isn't going to help. We can't risk that. Let's give it a few more days and see how you're doing and then we'll decide." Itachi didn't argue with her though she was sure he wanted to. Sakura would be damned if all her hard work went to waste. She risked a lot for him, and she knew he wanted to show her that he was thankful for her time and energy and not squander all of her efforts. Putting himself back into his previous state wouldn't be a good way to repay her. Sakura knew he was ready to be rid of this disease for good, so that meant trusting in her judgement.

"I'll make a point of setting up perimeters around the village just in case," she informed. That seemed to put him at ease. Taking a deep breath, her demeanor turned more serious. Pointing at him, she shook her finger. "You can train, but nothing too strenuous, okay?" He shook his head yes in understanding. Her stern expression cracked and she grinned. "Just don't let the staff see you or they'll blow a gasket."

"Of course."

"Okay. See you tomorrow night. Be nice to Hisaki," she teased, referring to the nurse Yanagi asked to cover for Sakura.

"I will," he assured her. "Enjoy your night off, Sakura-san," he said with a tiny smile. She gave him another grin in return, thinking about how such an embarrassing situation could turn so serious at the drop of a hat as she left his room and closed the door behind her. Pretending not to notice the three nurses' curious smiles as she gathered her things up, she said her farewells. As soon as she walked away she heard their whispering voices.

"So, did you know that Hisaki is covering for Sakura-sensei tonight," one of them said.

"What? Really?" lamented another. "I'd be willing to pull a double shift."

"I tried to ask him to switch, but Yanagi-sensei wouldn't let me," the first nurse whined quietly. Sakura shook her head as she opened the exit and stepped out into the cold, early November morning. Mr. Popular, Sakura laughed to herself, certain Itachi would be grateful for Hisaki, one of their two male nurses, getting asked to come in over those three voracious women. That little voice in the back of her mind whispered that if she had been in their shoes, she'd probably be no better. Not wanting to give her inner monologue the time of day, she ignored the thought and enjoyed the crisp morning air as she made her way home, wondering when the first snowfall would finally drop on the village.

After stopping by her house to drop off her things, Sakura stayed true to her word and took much of the morning to circle about Hougyoku, setting up traps and other similar perimeter jutsu. Connected to her own chakra, she'd be able to feel if anyone came past the invisible line if they too were using chakra, or if it sensed a void. It was a very nostalgic task, and she recalled many previous missions in which she and Team 7 did these very strategic measures. When she finally returned home she was a bit taxed but it felt good to move around. The last week saw little action for her limbs other than sitting in a chair or standing over Itachi to do her assessments or administer medications.

Kinshou greeted her with a mewl and rather than be glad at the sight of him she felt sad. Her impending departure from the village meant she'd more than likely never see the cat again. He was her buddy, a source of entertainment, and she had grown extremely fond of him. The cat briskly walked over and started to rub against her legs, crying out as if questioning again why her normal routine was flipped around. At least she'd have a night off to spend time with him.

"Sorry, Love," she said, crouching over to scratch at his ears. Almost instantly he began to purr like a motor coming to life. He eventually walked over to a large bowl that housed his food and was currently empty save but a few little kernels. She filled it up for him and then proceeded to walk about her little home, that sadness growing.

It wasn't much, but for the past two years it had been hers. After long days of work it was her safe haven to relax. There were no screaming children here. No frantic wives and battered husbands, or harsh scents and perpetual beeps. She collected a mix of furniture and painted the walls to her liking. Knick-knacks adorned her tables and shelves and she let her eyes roam over the possessions she had acquired. The house belonged to Yanagi, a gift to his son and new bride who moved to Tenshu not long before Sakura arrived. Needing a place to stay, Yanagi rented it to her for next to nothing. She remembered the first day she moved in and how excited she had been to have a stable home when the previous three years had seen her staying at cheap inns, someone's home or toughing it out in the wilds, always feeling displaced. She was going to miss it terribly.

Sakura wished that she could take all her things with her, but that was out of the question. Only certain necessities would be accompanying her and Itachi. In his condition she didn't expect him to carry anything of hers anyway. Luckily she had a few storage scrolls in her possession, but she didn't want to fill those with useless junk. Walking into her bedroom and going to her closet, she looked through her wardrobe.

"What a shame," she moaned as she ran her fingers over the nice silk of a festive kimono she owned. Definitely something that would have to stay behind. Tucked away in the back she found items she had not used in some time. Clothes she wore when she was roaming the lands, when she was still a shinobi of true caliber. Clutching the fabric in her fingers, she schooled her expression. She was still a shinobi of caliber. She was still strong, still able. These clothes would be worn with pride and confidence. She would make Itachi proud to have her as his partner. Doubting herself wouldn't help. Lingering on materialistic items would only get in her way. But it was difficult to look at her possessions and know she'd have to leave most of them behind. Her life for the past two years had been there in the village, not out in the wilds fighting and killing and surviving. She had been happy with her civilian role. It was a good life.

But it was a lie of a life.

That little voice in her head made her pause. Sitting down on her bed she sighed heavily. The last few weeks had been troubling and dangerous and exhausting and emotional, but it dawned on her that for the first time in a long time she actually felt alive. Running for miles on end to enemy hideouts. Learning about the secrets of her homeland. Stealing medicine to heal a former fugitive who was now her ally. It all made her blood course. She felt like she had accomplished more in the past few weeks than she had in the past few years, and the thought made her laugh harshly at that truth. She was a shinobi, not a civilian.

While it was nice to take a break and make new friends and family, it wasn't who she was. Of course she wanted peace. Of course she didn't want war again. But she missed being around other ninja and people like her that weren't frightened at the sight of her jutsu, at her strength, but marveled and matched it with their own. She missed sparring. She missed the thrill of throwing punches with the full strength of her prowess. She missed being Tsunade's Legacy. She missed being a shinobi.

Though she didn't want to admit it, thoughts of the coming plights not only worried her, they excited her. She wondered how Itachi felt? Did he miss the same things she did? She recalled him telling her that the great ninja war during his youth made him loathe violence and turned him into a pacifist. It contradicted his extreme strength and skills, and she had to truly wonder if that was all true. But even if it was, didn't he too miss his former comrades at least? Miss his beloved homeland and all the things she too longed for? Enjoy at least some aspects of his upbringing? Sakura couldn't help but believe that he did, if only a little.

Standing up once more, she fished out her old, heavy backpack and began the chore of deciding what she would and would not take with her on this new journey to come.

When he heard a knock on his door later that evening, Itachi told himself he wasn't disappointed to see Hisaki's face peek into his room. He actually liked Hisaki quite a bit. The laid-back nurse was only a year older than himself, and his lackadaisical demeanor was well matched to Itachi's own reserved nature. Itachi gave him a small smile in greeting.

"Hey, Itachi," the nurse said as he opened the door all the way. "Bet you're sorry to see my ugly mug instead of Sakura-sensei's, eh?" Hisaki gave a leisurely laugh at the blink Itachi made. He was anything but ugly, even Itachi could tell, never failing to notice how the female staff gave Hisaki playful looks, always teasing and flirting with him. Hisaki would laugh and jest, but nothing more, his heart wholly taken by his wife, Itachi had come to discover. Those same female staff tried to do the same with Itachi, but he wore his indifference like a shield, settling on civility and subdued smiles, much to their disappointment. Scratching at the dark brown scruff on his strong jawline, Hisaki's hazel grey eyes squinted as he yawned widely.

"Boy, I haven't pulled an all-nighter since Yui-chan was little," he admitted, referring to his daughter. Itachi made him an apologetic frown.

"I'm sorry, Hisaki-san." The nurse just smirked as his hand moved to scratch the back of his neck.

"S'all good," he said around another yawn. "The night differential Yanagi-sensei is gonna give me will be well worth it. Poor Sakura-sensei deserved a night off, anyway. Works herself to the bone, that one." Itachi could not argue with him. The last nurse still there from the day came over, interrupting him.

"Hisaki," she greeted with a little smirk. Hisaki leaned against the door frame and gave his signature easy grin. As he always did, Itachi silently laughed at the man who looked nothing like a nurse. If anything, he looked more like a woodcutter or a blacksmith with his strong build and scruffy, masculine appearance.

"Hello, Noriko-chan." Noriko blushed faintly as she proceeded to give Hisaki a quick report. When she was done, she smiled at Itachi and he pretended not to notice the hopeful, longing look in their amber depths.

"Have a good night, Itachi," she said a little too sweetly to be innocent as she brushed her ginger bangs out of her eyes. She'd always been exceptionally informal with him for obvious reasons he ignored from the start.

"Thank you, Noriko-san," he politely returned.

"I'll be back tomorrow morning. Can I bring you anything? Make you something?" It was well known that Sakura brought him food from town or Yanagi's wife cooked him meals. This hadn't been the first time she, or some of the other staff, had offered to do the same. While some had been harmless, simply wanting to be hospitable, the rest were anything but. It was plain to all which group Noriko fell into.

"No, that's quite alright. Yanagi-sama told me his wife is going to prepare me something, so there's no need to trouble yourself." Even with his hazy vision he could make out the small pout she couldn't manage to hide as he once again shot down any attempts to reciprocate her advances, no matter how big or small she made them. Itachi purposefully pretended not to notice the knowing grin Hisaki was failing to hide at Noriko's chagrined expression.

"Oh. Okay," she said, trying to keep up a cheerful facade. "See you tomorrow." Itachi could not make out the small frown and glare she gave Hisaki before she walked away, but he saw him raise his eyebrows innocently as he too pretended not to notice her latest rejection. Itachi was ever so thankful it was Hisaki staying with him tonight.

Later that evening, Hisaki sat in the doorway of his room as the two chatted and ate. Taking out another small container from his bag, Hisaki smiled and laughed a bit exasperatedly at what he saw inside when he opened the lid.

"Do you like sweets, Itachi?" he asked as he lifted out a skewer of tri-colored dumplings. "My daughter always insists on putting them in my lunch and I don't have the heart to tell her no." Itachi stared at the hanami dango. A long ago memory flashed in his mind, making him smile.

"Sure," he answered, a bubbling joy rising up within him at the thought of eating it. Hisaki brought him the two dumpling skewers on a piece of paper towel, carefully setting them on his bedside table without touching it with his bare hands. Itachi plucked up one skewer, admiring the craftsmanship of the seemingly simple dessert. Biting off the top pink dumpling he savored the sweetness as he chewed. He looked up to Hisaki when the nurse chuckled.

"Let me guess: those were your favorite growing up?" Itachi blinked, a little surprise flashing in his eyes. Hisaki laughed again. "The look on your face when you saw it was a dead giveaway," he grinned. Itachi breathed out a laugh of his own. Had his mask cracked that much?

"I've had a sweet tooth since I was a child. These have always been my favorite," he said a bit ruefully. He twirled the skewer between his fingers, watching it spin.

"My little Yui-chan loves them, too. She always wants to make them for Sakura-sensei because they match her hair and eyes," Hisaki told him with an amused shake of his head.

"They do, don't they?" Itachi agreed as he stared thoughtfully at the dango. Spinning it again, his mind jumped to the pink-haired medic, and he wondered what she was doing on her night off as he ate the white dumpling next. Suddenly changing topics, Hisaki gave him a curious look.

"So, what's the plan for when you're discharged? Still headed to Tenshu to see your family? Or are you headed back home?"

"Home," he easily lied. "As soon as I'm able to." Though Hisaki often assisted Itachi, there wasn't a lot of time to sit and talk at length as the clinic was often busy during the day. He seemed to be making up for that tonight.

"I'm sure they miss you," Hisaki said as he leaned back in his chair. "No letter back yet?" Itachi, to help keep up his lie, had told the staff that he'd written letters to his family, both in Tenshu and his 'home', which Sakura supposedly dropped off at their small post office.

"Not yet," Itachi answered, putting on an air of disappointment, "but hopefully soon."

"So what about back home? No doubt you got a pretty gal waitin' there for you." But the look in his eyes seemed to know the answer without Itachi having to tell him.

"No, just some of my immediate family," Itachi answered with a little smile. Hisaki raised his brows.

"Oh? I thought you must. Now I see that you're just plain stupid." Itachi blinked at the insult but Hisaki just grinned wolfishly at him. For the briefest of moments, he doubted Hisaki would speak to him thusly if he knew the things he was capable of. Continuing his ruse, Itachi only smiled.

"Ah. You mean Noriko-san?" Itachi answered with a bemused chuckle. "She is nice, but she's not quite my type."

"What is your type?" He did not miss how Hisaki's eyes flicked down to the second skewer of dango for a moment as he asked that, leaning even further back into his chair. He crossed his arms and brought up his right leg to rest his ankle on his left knee as he got more comfortable, the picture of innocent curiosity. Itachi took back his earlier thought of being relieved that Hisaki was there to look after him. The man had no shame. Hisaki watched him patiently, that knowing look still in his eyes. Itachi suddenly felt inclined to punch the man in his ruggedly handsome face and wished he had lied.

"Brunettes," he answered, thinking of Izumi with a small pang of grief he quickly pushed aside.

"I'm flattered, Itachi," Hisaki teased as he batted his eyelashes at him. Itachi couldn't help the amused sound that formed in the back of his throat, the reaction not at all an act. "As for me, I love busty blondes like my Naomi." Hisaki grinned like a fool. Itachi couldn't help but think that Tsunade Hime would probably give his wife a run for her money if Hisaki had ever clapped eyes on her. "Although, there's something about the athletic ones with a strong will and a bit of a temper that's equally appealing," he mused with that astute look of his. "A sweet wife that dotes on you is a dream, don't get me wrong, but the feisty ones…" he sighed with a sublime smile. Itachi feigned ignorance.

"Is that so?" he just said with a little laugh.

"Anyway, I sure hope Sakura-sensei is enjoying her night off," he drawled.

"As do I," Itachi agreed. He knew all too well the game Hisaki was playing at. A game he'd been trying not to play himself. Indulgences like those could not be afforded, no matter how tempting they might be. Itachi had long since convinced himself that he deserved no such fantasies ever since the cold, sharp metal of his blade had taken the life of one of the few people he had loved as fiercely as his brother. Yet, a little piece of his soul yearned for that affection Hisaki spoke of no matter how hard he tried to ignore it. He was only human, afterall.

Burning away that thought like the black flames of his doujutsu burnt away everything in its path, he told himself that comradery was more than sufficient. Even that was more than he deserved. His life and deeds and failures did not warrant himself anything more than that. He did not deserve such happiness. But as he looked back down at the dumplings, he knew a slippery slope he neither anticipated nor intended had slowly formed before him over the last few weeks. He'd been carefully trying not to fall victim to it, because the bottom of that fall and all the consequences that awaited him there terrified him more than he wanted to admit. So he turned his back to it, ignored it, and told himself that he would not succumb.

A series of sneezes interrupted Sakura as she sprawled on her couch watching television. Wiping her nose on her sleeve, she made a sound of annoyance.

"Hisaki better not be talking shit about me," she mumbled to herself with a scowl, but then she laughed. Hisaki was the least likely person to talk about her negatively behind her back, and she couldn't imagine Itachi badmouthing her. "Probably those vixens," she chuckled. "They're still mad at me for not asking them to cover my shift, no matter that it was Yanagi-sama's choice." Laughing again, she shook her head. Sitting up with a grunt, she stifled a yawn. She stayed up going through her things for about an hour as she started the process of packing. Wanting to sleep the afternoon and evening away, her slumber was a bit short lived when Kinshou planted himself on her and meowed until she woke up. It was admittedly strange not having to go to the clinic, and for a brief moment she had panicked, thinking she had overslept until she remembered she had the night off.

After her breakfast, she'd gone into her backyard and did a session of her own training, hoping to scrape some of the rust off that had accumulated over the last two years. She'd been tempted to go out into the nearby wilderness to utilize her superhuman strength and brush up on her chakra control, but knew it would be too risky. It'd be like a beacon for any shinobi in the area, particularly sensors, so she stuck to what she could do at home. Her efforts left her dripping with sweat, as well as a strained hamstring she had to heal. She better understood Itachi and his own efforts to train, even in the confined space of his room at the clinic. Wondering how his night was faring with Hisaki, she hoped he was doing well and eating more. A little smile pulled at her mouth as she thought about what lies Itachi might be telling the nurse to keep up his cover. At least he wouldn't have to keep it up for much longer, she thought, her smile turning pensive.

Sakura knew leaving the village sooner than later would be their best option to keep it safe. Even though it grieved her, as her day went on her resolve had grown stronger. Itachi was right: they were sitting ducks staying there. His serious expression that morning had stayed with her all day and even as she slept, fueling that desire in her to get out and train. Get out and prepare herself for the coming storm, just as he himself was doing.

Without warning, the image of his sleek physique wormed its way back into her mind, and Sakura felt that same annoying heat stir inside her at the sudden memory. It kept popping into her head when she least expected it to. A frustrated sound left her as she brought her hands to her face and smacked her cheeks with a satisfying slap!

Nope, nope, nope, she repeated to herself as she shook the image from her mind. It worked for a moment until the swirling ANBU tattoo contrasting against his pale skin tormented her next. How fluid his movements had been even doing something as simple as putting a shirt back on. How-

"Gah!" she belted out, covering her eyes with the heels of her hands, trying to rub the thoughts away. Stop, stop, stop. Letting out another exasperated groan, she leaned back into her couch and stared up at the ceiling. Sakura highly doubted Itachi would appreciate her ogling over him like the love-struck pre-teen she'd been in her youth. He only needed her prowess as a medical-ninja, her reputation as a former Leaf shinobi, and her comradery. Nothing more. She had vowed to help him as a teammate. Vowed to help him as a friend because he so desperately needed one.

Above all else, Sakura did not want to use him as a replacement for Sasuke just because they looked so similar. She convinced herself the flustered emotions he caused within her were because of that and that alone. That any action on his part that made her feel any type of way that wasn't professional, wasn't that of a new comrade, was entirely not his fault. Itachi hardly thought of her as anything more than his doctor, Sakura was certain. To think he might was comical. As if Uchiha Itachi looked at her and got butterflies. The mere notion of it made a strangled laugh escape her. Shaking her head and rolling her eyes at herself, Sakura breathed out a sigh at her silly mental ramblings. Laying back down on her couch, she flipped through the few channels of her television and shooed thoughts of Itachi and the clinic from her mind so she could continue to enjoy her night off.

Author's Notes: I love these two awkward dorks so much -u- ;u; Hope you guys are doing well. 3