"Farewells can be shattering, but returns are surely worse. Solid flesh can never live up to the bright shadow cast by its absence. Time and distance blur the edges; then suddenly the beloved has arrived, and it's noon with its merciless light, and every spot and pore and wrinkle and bristle stands clear." - Margaret Atwood, The Blind Assasin

*

**One week later***
Sakura was currently out with Ino, Sai, Naruto, Shikamaru and Choji. They were sitting in a booth somewhere at the back of the bar for intimacy. The pikette sat between Shikamaru and her boyfriend, while the others were on the opposite side. Ino was all over Sai, her lips never leaving his cheek. Choji kept drinking sake after sake mumbling something about everybody getting a partner but him.

"What a drag." Shikamaru commented, supporting his cheek on his palm.

Naruto put a hand around Sakura's shoulders, grinning down at her. She gave him a fake smile and moved her gaze back to the table. Sure, she wasn't alone either, but why ahe felt like that? Why Naruto's presence wasn't enough? Despite all of the things that they've been through as a couple, she still felt like he was a brother to her. Not a lover. She thought at first that she will grow to love him, now that Sasuke wasn't in her heart anymore but she couldn't be more wrong. But the question was why? Why she couldn't love him like he wanted her to?

She often thought about breaking up with him and stopping leading him on but she would break his heart and there would be no one to fill that emptiness.

"I'm going home, tomorrow I have to wait for Temari early in the morning. Troublesome woman." Shikamaru got up from his seat, yawning. "See you!" he waved and exited the bar. Ino dragged a finger across Sai's chest in a seductive way.

"What do you say, shall we go to my place too?" she asked, blushing. He just smiled at his girlfriend.

"Anything you want, beautiful."

They got up from their seats as well and said their goodbyes. Sakura looked outside, through the window, and observed that it was already dark. They were here laughing and chatting since 3 pm.

"They are right, Naruto. We should go too. Choji, thank's for coming. We'll hang out again soon, I hope." she smiled kindly at the chubby man. He nodded.

"Don't worry. I had fun."

The pinkette giggled and got up, taking Naruto's hand and making him blush as always.

***

As they entered her living room, Sakura pushed Naruto on the couch, on his back. Her sudden naughtiness took him aback and made him gasp.

"Sakura-chan?" he asked blushing as she got on top of him, with each leg on  his sides, pulling his collar. Her lips found his and kissed him hungrily like she wanted to get something from that kiss. She needed that spark and she desperately tried to get it but it was futile. It frustrated her. Where was that damned spark? They pulled apart as she ran out of breath. Naruto's eyes avoided hers, being embarassed. Her disappointed look moved to his chest.

"I'm sorry... I don't know what's gotten into me." she said with her voice cracking. Naruto's eyes widened, looking at her tears.

"It's alright, Sakura-chan." he just wrapped his arms tight around her, buring his head into her hair, trying to comfort her. He traced imaginary lines on her back using his fingertips.

The doorbell rang, making them both jump sightly. Naruto put a hand on his chest and exhaled. Sakura used the back of her hand to wipe her tears even though her eyes were puffy. She tried to straighten her clothes and went to open the door.

In front of her stood Hinata, smiling kindly at the pink haired kunoichi.

"Ohayo, Sakura-chan. Sorry for disturbing you..." her voice faded as she saw Naruto coming from behind with his big grin. Her gaze moved to the ground. It hurt seeing him happy with another person. She always hoped that it would be her the source of his happiness. It was hard to move on or even ignore that feeling that ate her alive.

"Hello, Hinata!" he greeted her, making her blush sightly. Sakura's eyes moved from her face to Naruto's face who had no idea of what was happening. She grinned, a brilliant idea poping into her mind.

"Naruto-kun..." she whispered. "Oh, Sakura, lady Tsunade called you in her office." Hinata said, still avoiding their gaze and fidgeting.

"At this hour?"

"Y-yes, she said that it's pretty important." her gentle voice echoed.

"Alright. Naruto, you should walk Hinata home. For her safety." Sakura grinned as Hinata jumped in embarassment.

***

Sakura knocked twice on the Hokage's office door and heard Tsunade's strong voice booming through it. She hesitantly twisted the handle and pushed the door open gently. As soon as the blonde's honey eyes fell upon Sakura, her stern expression changed into a smile.

"Ah, Sakura. You're here. Sorry for disturbing you at this late hour." she aplogized. "Please, have a sit."

Her eyes fell upon the two chairs in front of her desk, one of it being occupied.

THUMP THUMP THUMP

She heard her heart beating in her eardrums at an abnormal rate. Her knees went weak like jelly and she felt like she would fall. Her entire body started to tremble sightly from excitement. The pinkette felt a lump in her throat and something burning in her belly. The heat raised to her head, making her nearly pass out. She couldn't speak. She was lost of words.

The man from the chair turned his face towards her, smiling kindly. "Hello, Sakura-sama!" his familiar voice greeted her. She found support on the empty chair, trying to keep herself on her legs. Tsunade watched closely her reaction to Itachi.

Sakura's breath quickened. This can't be happening. She didn't think it would be so soon or that... She will feel this way. Why was she feeling this way? Why couldn't she control her body? It was like seeing Sasuke all over again.

She finally managed to sit down and inhale deeply, trying not to look in his direction and look unbothered by his presence. Tsunade cleared her throat.

"Right. As you can see, we've managed to bring him back thank's to you." she looked at the Uchiha. "He will be treated as he should be treated, like a hero and not a criminal. But the people might have a tough time trusting him so your next mission is to help him and them get used to each other." she finished her shocking speech. Sakura clentched her fists in her lap.

"Why me?" she whispered.

"Because you played a big role in this and I know that you are soft hearted."

Sakura looked up at her master's face. She had a legit point.

"Ok..." she whispered.

"Perfect. Now you could start by walking him home. I brought a nice house with enough space for a family, just in case." she giggled. Itachi's eyes moved to the pinkette.

"Arigato, Hokage-sama!"

***

They walked in silence, neither of them daring to say anything. Sakura was too shocked and he was too overwhelmed to see her again. None of them could pinpoint why they felt that warmth in their chests whenever they looked at each other and why they felt that electricity running through every vein whenever they touched. That's why, they were walking at a good distance from one another.

They finally reached his home and Sakura analyzed every detail. The Hokage wasn't kidding. It was huge and looked better than any house from Konoha. Perhaps she really felt guilty too.

"Sakura, arigato... For helping me come back home." her eyes moved to his. That intense stare of his made her want to pass out again.

"It was nothing, really." she blushed and smiled softly, moving her eyes to her feet.

"It means more to me than you will ever understand. I can finally be close to the only person that actually awakes something in me." his hand grabbed her chin gently, making her look into his eyes. She felt a thousad butterflies in her stomach at the sight in front of her. His angelic face was contoured by the moonlight, making it even more mesmerizing.

His lips got closer to hers, brushing sightlty against hers. She felt his hot breath on her face and it excited her. There was it! The electricity, the spark. She wanted to shout in happiness that she found the source, finally. She closed her eyes, waiting impatiently for the sweet embrace of paradise but a familiar voice snapped her from her dream.

"Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked confused. Itachi pulled apart, clearing his throat like nothing happened. Sakura just stood there, blinking a few times. The blond looked at both of them confused. The pinkette put on a fake smile and turned her gaze towards him.

"Naruto... I... Um... I can explain." she stuttered.

"It's alright Sakura-chan. The old hag told me about the scroll and that she needed you for something that has to do with it." he grinned. "I mean... I pressured her to tell me since I was bored with no missions. Good to see you, Itachi." he extended his hand politely. Sakura just blinked again. He was really stupid, wasn't he? But on the other hand, she exhaled, relaxing.

They shook hands and smiled at each other. "Good to see you too, Naruto! Now, if you'll excuse me, it's been a tough day. Goodnight Sakura-sama, Naruto." he turned around, heading for the door while Naruto put an arm around her waist and gave her temple a quick kiss. She watched his every step until he disappeared inside.

Itachi slammed the door shut and hit it with his fist, looking at the ground with his bangs falling on each side of his face.

"Could this be... Am I falling in love?"

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Felt like I should share this with you: THIS IS CURRENTLY MY FAVORITE WORK.

By the way, as you may see, they won't get together that easly, but that's the beauty of it. #SorryNotSorry