It has been five years since Uchiha Itachi returned to Konoha and, yet, the whole thing still remains a marvel to him. Only a scant handful of people balk at the sight of him now and, even then, they school their instinctive reaction into something more polite. A part of him does feel bad for the lie, but he only needs to look in the mirror and see the Sharingan of his best friend staring back to be reminded he was not the only one involved within that incident. If Shisui has been able to complete his task, if he hadn't been accosted by Danzō... things could have been very different.

Things could have been very different if he didn't have a time travelling brother.

As one of the few propel in on the secret of Uchiha Indra and Uzumaki Asura, there are some days where Itachi does not know how to feel. He's an elder brother, a younger brother. He's a member of the Uchiha Clan again and welcomed home by Sasuke after a hard day's work. Even if he's still on desk duty as an 'advisor' to their new Hokage. He's still unsure if he's really qualified for the role, but Itachi continues to try his best.

He would never wish for another clan to reach the stage his own had, would never wish the blatant distrust on anyone.

"Itachi-san, you wouldn't be considering skipping out on your check-up, would you?"

Itachi stiffens, as if the standard reaction of all ninja to the sugary sweet tones of a medic-nin. Even if he'd had exactly zero intentions of fleeing the hospital. This is, after all, for his health. And he has so much more to live for now than he did five years ago.

"Of course not, Sakura-san." He offers her a gentle smile afterwards, hoping to smooth over the rough edges.

Tsunade's apprentice smiles back, a coy little thing that doesn't match with her action of pulling a needle from her pack.

"Sorry. Instinctive reaction to ninja who're in hospital and staring into the distance. Most aren't as wide as you." Itachi continues to smile back, offering up his left arm for the mandatory blood sample.

They're so close to a cure for him, have managed to prolong his life for at least a decade without it but... he has never dared to dream of a cure, of being healthy, until recently.

.

He goes through the standard check-up, answering all of Sakura's questions honestly. He doesn't fail to notice how her fingers linger a little longer than they should on his arm. He does allow his rigid self control to slip just the slightest so that he may lean towards her. She's come a long way from the little genin that'd been placed upon his brother's team. Her puppy crush on Sasuke has been rather cute, though destined for failure. Even if he hadn't known the secret, it was impossible to miss how Naruto and Sasuke had orbited each other, no matter how explosively.

Still, Sakura doesn't seem upset that the duo began dating a week ago. In all honesty, he'd assume she'd moved on, we're it not for his own conflicting feelings-

"Itachi." They both pause, turning to look at the intruder that has walked into Sakura's office.

Indra (his time-travelling 'elder' brother) stands by the door frame with a frown on his face and a tiny child in his arms.

Itachi can feel himself brightening at the sight of the baby, abandoning his seat to make his way over. When he holds his hands out, Indra shifts the child until Itachi can take a gentle hold of him, allowing the baby to nestle into his arms. He's careful to support the head, despite the fact the child is six months old and technically have the neck strength to do it himself.

Little Uchiha Inari peers up at him with deep blue eyes, a stubborn little pout decorating his baby lips. His cheeks are round with youth, graced with the same whisker-line markings that his mother boasts.

He's adorable. Itachi has thought he'd peaked with big-brother status, but uncle has topped even that.

"Are you still on for baby-sitting?" Indra asks, as if he doesn't already know that presenting Itachi with his nephew is a sure-fire way to gain a confirmation for any request. "It's date night."

How this boy grew into the most romantic Uchiha to ever walk the earth, Itachi has no clue. But he's clearly doing something right, what with the fact he's been married for near five years and no wife ever looks happier than Asura. Were it any other couple, the grand romantic gestures would be considered cheesy, excessive an unnecessary. But, they just make it work. They may be some of the busiest people in the village, but they make time for each other. Aggressively so. A lot of couples could learn from them; their own parents could have learnt from Indra, and Itachi only feels a little guilt for thinking it.

"Of course, Indra." Watching little Inari is no chore. More a pleasure.

The little boy yawns, leaning against his chest, baby fine dark hair a sharp contrast to the light purple of his shirt.

"Don't look so glum," Indra grunts and Itachi lifts his head to see his 'elder' brother staring at Sakura. "He doesn't have baby sitting duty tomorrow".

Oh.

Itachi turns back to his blushing medic, a soft smile slowly gracing his lips at the thought that maybe, just maybe, these blossoming feelings that have been growing within his chest during their past year of interactions may be returned.

"Itachi-san, would you like to go out and get some tea with me tomorrow?"

"I would enjoy that, Sakura-san."

OMG it's finished *flaps arms like a chicken* I'm kinda in shock? It's been so long since I finished anything.

Anyway, there's an AU of this up for those who haven't noticed 'Hand Holding, Damnation of the Bloodline, and Other Splendid Pastimes' in which Sasuke and Naruto overshoot the runway on the timetravel front... just a little bit.

So, yeah, enjoy.

Tsume
xxx