Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Enjoy Lovelies!

- NuteWelt01

Reflection could mean many things to one person. Some might say it is the growth in a person's life. Another would have recollections of their misgivings. However, it is required, growth comes from unexpected places. A person does not need something they will eventually receive at the right time. This philosophy uttered in the absence of the grave Itachi stood taller, older, and unprepared. There wouldn't be a body to fill it nor a funeral to attend. In the cemetery, he reflected on the last year in complete silence—his left palm-held one carnation easing the green stem into a slow bend.

Do you ever look at the world and wonder what else is out there? Beyond the continent of ninjas and wars?

Never.

He could hear the conversation replay in front of him—two teenagers sitting under the trees in the training grounds after a spar. One born of spring, the essence of soft cherry blossom's wafting in the air from a justu Itachi had never seen before. The dimple in one cheek creased from laughter; he couldn't think of her name. It was painful. Bending to a crouch, he laid the flower on top of a flat stone with two carved initials.

"I'll wait just a little longer."

As a young adult, Itachi was tired. He lived through the atrocities of his people and the break of war. Rewriting history was no easy feat. Unlike many in the village that have moved on with their lives, discovered new hobbies and people to make them happy, Itachi could not. The past hunted his every footstep. Living in the Uchiha manor was a constant memory dancing at the edge of his vision. In simple terms, living in the new future wasn't worth it to Itachi, not without her.

Five Years Earlier

Itachi's back hit the ground, rustling the black fabric of his shirt. He rolled into a flip, stable heels launched the teen forward, striking the attacker with a kunai. Sakura blocked the projectile with a sword, sweeping it in a downwards angle to cut across his face. The male ducked, dropping to a crouch that swept his foot outwards. It knocked the assailant from her place, crashing to the grass with a grunt. Itachi pounced with newly reinvigorated stealth, and another kunai found his palm before pressing to the jugular of the ninja behind him.

"Yield." Slight puffs of airbrushed the woman's flushed cheeks. His heartbeat thumped loudly, rubbing the swell of her bosom. Her sword pressed the bridge of his Adam's apple producing a sliver of blood. Itachi's kunai pressed again, emphasizing his point. Swallowing her pride, Sakura dropped the sword just enough. Itachi inched closer, raising a single brow.

She huffed with a sigh looking anywhere but at him.

"I yield, oh great one."

Both exhausted from the spar stayed in that position. Afterward, Itachi rolled off Sakura to lay at her side. For the last seven weeks, their training regime has grown into a daily activity. When Itachi was in the village, he and Sakura would get together to hone their skills. Under the scrutiny of the Hokage, an agreement between the Uchiha and the council came to fortune. No one would watch Sakura within the compound unless authorized. With this apparent law in place, both teens felt at ease speaking openly about Madara's plans.

While Itachi was out of the village scouting the Akatsuki, he would take detours picking up any hints of Madara's location or information weaving through the grapevine. Sakura found refuge in the library most days. Sneaking into the Uchiha archives presented itself a challenge since she did not know where it was precisely, and Itachi had yet to tell her. It was a conversation delayed by unexpected interruptions in the form of Sasuke, Shisui, or some other Ambu popping up for missions. It didn't affect the amount of research she would find, but rather the select time frame. Having access to the archives would answer many questions history books failed to provide.

Glancing to her left, Sakura backtracked, startled by probing ebony eyes. He hadn't said anything, something she had grown used to in a short amount of time. She realized Itachi relied on action rather than words in many cases.

"Tell me about the archives."

The probing gaze was searching for something inherently ignoring the question, Itachi looked away. He didn't stare at the sky like Sakura but sighed deeply.

"How will this help our search?"

A light gasp then a rustle of clothes. Itachi could feel the weight of lilies and vanilla invade his space. The pressure of a kunai rubbing the place of his adam's apple was back again. Veridian glared at his closed-off expression, willing his eyes to open and look at her. He did with caution.

"You know we need more information on Madara and where he went. He left the village, and I'm sure the Uchiha recorded every second of it." The whisper came out, a hiss against his ears. His gaze narrowed, unable to stop a frown from displaying.

"The Uchiha archives are meant for the clan's eyes only." Replying sharply, Itachi set up intending to push Sakura off. Planting both knees in the ground, Sakura pushed Itachi backward to cut his throat if he moved again. Another hand gripped his shoulder while he glared at the girl who dared defy him. Sakura knew Itachi could overpower her but took the chance to make a statement before he did.

"Tell me the truth! For the last couple of weeks, you've kept information about Madara." Her grip tightened. The realization she never wanted but was blatantly obvious about their dynamic. She would give any information found, and he would act like there was none to share. Disappointment after disappointment, Sakura was unsure where they stood as partners that could rely on each other. Calling them friends would be a stretch - Itachi hadn't specified the relationship. The easygoing atmosphere they established was hard to break.

"I have not lied to you, Sakura."

"I never said you lied- I said you are withholding information."

He reached for her wrist, wrenching the kunai from his throat. Sitting up fully, he grabbed the back of her neck, holding the volatile kunoichi in place. Sakura gasped from the cool of his fingers, stretching themselves into a firm embrace. She felt the soft breath caress the whole of her lips. Itachi's Sharingan blazed with simmering anger lazily spinning counterclockwise.

"Do you want to know why I've kept parts of the past from you? Hidden away in the archives where you can not find it?" A sharp tone made Sakura ease back, but Itachi tightened his hold. His gaze spun before evaporating into weary ebony orbs from their constant argument. It is not the first time they've argued over the plan and where it would lead them though it is a first that both felt on edge. It was a step that could make or break them.

"You matter, Sakura." He started slowly deciding his next words. Despite enabling himself to calm down, it was harder with every mission. His increased surveillance of Madara's whereabouts has become abundant with the information he has refused to tell Sakura. Itachi realized someone was tailing him across the border back to Fire nation on his last mission. A man with a white spiral mask approached Itachi intending to carry out the massacre Sakura's memories burned into his skull. The stranger knew more about Itachi's intentions to approach the Hokage about the coup that steadily grew underneath the surface. Everything she feared was coming true, and Itachi was sure of his action. How far he would fall to escape the horrors of another war.

He was concerned about the upcoming days within the Uchiha compound. So far, nothing has happened except the masked man approaching him with help. Shisui is still alive thanks to Sakura's observant skills, and his parents are pushing for a marriage bound to cause more problems within Itachi's solitude called life. All these thoughts heightened the anxiety he kept at bay wrapped under the pretense that feelings were a weakness. Although he understood this to be a lie, Itachi admired Sakura for it. She felt even when it seemed inappropriate or when the time was right.

He gazed at her, relinquishing the strength he had on her wrist. She had set there silently. Despite knowing their partnership was unique, Sakura had felt something was amiss. A swell of emotion between them swept under the rug; the more they got to know each other and spend time together. She waited, albeit impatient, tired of all the secrets.

"And I realize with time our partnership will end," Itachi confessed, wondering what Sakura thought of this moment. He hadn't promised her anything but honesty though it was the one thing he broke.

Her gaze was wide, unblinking while the hunch of her shoulders inched downwards, releasing their stress shook. Her hand slipped from Itachi's shoulder, resting between them on his stomach curled in a ball. Pastel hair swept in her vision while her head bowed forward with a sigh.

" We have to focus on the present, Itachi. What happens in the next few weeks will either change the future or let it continue on its current path."

Working out the next few steps in her mind, Sakura chanced a glance at him. She didn't know where to draw the line between them. Itachi found the answer unsatisfactory. He didn't dare imagine what would become of them afterward. Fingers pressed the edge of Sakura's cheek, curling under her jawline. Plump cheeks yet to thin out plagued him, harassed him in moments of rest as did the full image it conjured.

" We can't." Sakura's fingers wrapped around his easing it away. Itachi couldn't describe the expression on her face. He wanted to pry at the restraints shielding Sakura from him. If he didn't know better, the tables had turned on both of them. She was the stoic shinobi, and he was the emotional one.

"Itachi! Hey man, you have to come and see this!"

The loud voice of his cousin, Shisui, was heard not that far from the training grounds. Before the loud shinobi could reach the clearing, Sakura stood on the other side of the field with her arms crossed. Training with Itachi had increased her speed, and he couldn't help but be impressed. He sat on the ground, looking up when his cousin busted through the bushes skidding to a stop. Shisui didn't realize what he stepped in, missing the silent suffering in Sakura's eyes—pulling Itachi up from the ground a sense of urgency surrounding the older boy. He was covered in soot and smelled of smoke. Itachi straightened himself, not sensing anything out of the ordinary. Maybe Sakura was distracting him is all.

"This couldn't wait?"

"Of course not! Auntie Mikoto burned down the manor!"

The accusation caught Sakura's attention as well as Itachi's from the tick in his fingers. Sakura took a step towards them.

" She..what?"

With an aspirated sigh, Shisui tugged on his younger cousin's hand. He proceeds to drag him towards the Uchiha side of the village. Sakura trailed after them while Shisui dived into his story, walking after with each word.

" I didn't arrive in time, but Fugaku received the brunt of the fireball. Good thing, Sasuke wasn't there."

Itachi breathed a sigh of relief, wiggling his wrist from his cousin's grip. They reached the edge of the training grounds; the hill overlooked the village. Indeed to there right on the far side, a fire was brewing, causing the sky to become grey.

A/N: All will be explained very soon in the next chapter. Just enjoy a little peak at the end of the story. It won't be all what you think. ;)

Leave a review and tell me what you think happened after Sasuke saw Fugaku hit his mom? Plus, do you think Itachi will tell the Hokage or will he tell Sakura?

I love a good fest when people are stewing and wondering how everything is related. Don't worry! The wait is over.

- NuteWelt01