prompt: passion
warning: semi-au; takes place a year after the uchiha massacre
note: the plan for this is a bunch of drabbles in the same universe. hopefully i get around to writing more of them. and you may have read this before on my writing journal. sigh. i have a soft spot for those post-massacre-itachi-finds-little-sakura-and-takes-her-with-him. also, to be clear, the relationship between itachi and sakura in this is strictly platonic. enjoy!
disclaimer: i do not own naruto

"Do you think Sasuke-kun is taller than me?"

Sakura develops almost an obsession with his younger brother. That is, of course, his own fault, Itachi realizes, but he still finds her constant questions about a boy she's never met rather amusing, and to another extent, painful. Not only does she talk about him constantly, but Sakura reminds Itachi too much of Sasuke with her curiosity—natural for a girl her age. She, like Sasuke, also shows clear devotion to him. She hangs on his every word, his every order. Do not walk at the edge of the dock, Sakura-chan, you might fall is obeyed immediately, as is Eat your vegetables—they do not smell—eat them—Sakura-chan, they are good for you, or Don't jump in the puddles, sometimes shinobi use certain jutsu to make hiding places.

Eventually she can tell what she should and should not be doing just by looking at him, which almost makes him weary. How could a little girl read him so easily? He lets it go, however. Little Sakura only wishes to please him, so understanding him wouldn't be harmful; perhaps it would even be beneficial. Still, he's only fourteen. He shouldn't be raising a child.

"Itachi-sensei?"

He remembers her question and thinks about it for a moment.

"Yes."

She pouts. "Are you sure? I'm pretty tall!" Itachi puts a hand on her head and raises an eyebrow. The gesture alone tells her plenty and her frown only deepens. "Okay, okay, fine. I'm not that tall, but..."

"There is nothing wrong with being small, Sakura-chan," Itachi says.

"Sensei!" she whines. "I'm not small!"

He thinks her childish, but really, what else should he expect? Sakura didn't grow up in a shinobi village. He only allowed her to follow him because... Itachi frowns. He still isn't quite sure why he keeps her with him. It isn't necessarily pity. Perhaps he feels connected to her. He does see potential in her, though. While she may not be physically trained (yet), it is clear she had an aptitude for gathering information, a trait that will certainly prove useful for him later. After he trains her, Sakura will become a great asset.

But for now, she is simply good company.

"Very well," Itachi agrees. He decides to humour her. "Perhaps you may be the same size. Sasuke did not like milk," he says.

"Huh?" Sakura looks shocked. "But milk is yummy!"

Itachi smiles fondly, remembering how his younger brother would pour the drink in potted plants when he thought no one was looking. "Sasuke disagreed."

"But..." Sakura remains deep in thought during their walk. "But, Itachi-sensei..."

Her silence is prodding. "Yes?"

"You said I need to drink lots of milk because it makes my bones strong!" she says speedily, loudly. "If Sasuke-kun doesn't drink his milk then his bones won't be strong! Then he might get hurt!" Suddenly, she stops walking and tugs at his hand. "Itachi-sensei, we need to go to Konoha!"

Mildly amused, Itachi asks, "Whatever for, Sakura-chan?"

"We have to tell Sasuke-kun to drink his milk!" Sakura tells him frantically. "Or he won't be as strong as Itachi-sensei! We have to go now, sensei!"

Itachi catches the edge of her cloak before she could run off in the Fire Country's direction. "We have a mission right now, Sakura-chan. We must go to Kiri, remember?"

She looks down at her sandals with a pout. "But... what about the other mission?" she whispers.

Itachi pauses. He wonders if he should reprimand her for saying that. What Sakura liked to call her other mission meant protecting Sasuke. Itachi sighs, regretting the obsession he clearly created.

"That mission," he begins calmly, "is to always remain unmentioned, Sakura-chan. It is our little secret."

Her eyes widen when she realizes her mistake. She slaps her hands to her mouth and shakes her head. "I—I—I'm so sorry, Itachi-sensei!" she blurts out. "I—"

Itachi holds a hand up to silence her. "Sakura-chan, it is of no consequence."

"But—"

He places the hand on her head, smiling a bit at its immediate effect. She calms down and keeps quiet. "Right now, we can only protect Sasuke from afar," he explains gravely.

Slowly, she nods, accepting. "Okay, Itachi-sensei."