Shades of Grey

Chapter 47

The next two weeks passed by peacefully. Within just a few days Sakura's chakra levels had returned to normal and the three had begun enjoying afternoon spars. Sakura was like a sponge absorbing everything that she could from the powerful men. Itachi allowed her to go back to healing his eyes once he was confident that she would not be harmed by the demanding nature of the sessions.

She and Itachi began taking walks in the woods that surrounded the cabin. She enjoyed both the companionable silence and the easy conversations that they shared. Generally, they would prepare dinner together and sometimes follow their nightly healing session by setting and watching the stars. Tonight, though was different she was oddly quiet. She knew by the time that she was done she would have completely healed all the damage Itachi had done to them.

"How is your vision?" She asked once she had withdrawn her chakra.

"As clear as it was before I ever began using my sharingan." He rewarded her with a smile that melted her heart.

"Well it looks like my work here is done." She quietly remarked. "I guess that it was about time for me to leave anyways; I am sure that you two will have another mission soon."

Before Sakura could stand from her chair Itachi was right in her face with one arm on each of the hand rests effectively keeping her in place.

"Do you wish to leave Sakura?" He asked, his sharingan spinning from the emotions that raged within him when she said that she would be leaving.

"Do you want me to leave Itachi?" She answered with a question unnerved by his proximity.

He lifted his right hand up and gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. The next thing that Sakura knew his eyes were closed and he was leaning in closing what little space that remained between them. Itachi Uchiha was about to kiss her, and god how she wanted him to, but before he could she felt a warm sensation coming from his hand and he quickly withdrew.

"Pein is summoning me." He whispered. "You must leave before I make contact."

"Alright." Sakura breathed out and stood on shaky legs.

She crossed the room before silently closing the door and making her way downstairs.

"Where are you going kid?" Kisame asked when he saw her stop at the door and put on the cloak that she used for travel.

"Pein summoned Itachi." She replied.

"That still doesn't tell me where you are off to." He grinned at the faraway look on the girl's face.

"I need a drink." Sakura declared once it looked as though she had come back to reality.

"Sounds great let's go." The large man proclaimed.

"Should we leave a note for Itachi?" She paused at the door.

"Please kid, it won't take him too long to figure out where we are once he sees that we are both gone." Kisame assured her.

The walk to town turned into more of a run, and a silent one at that. Kisame could not help but to wonder just what the hell she was running so hard from. Once they set at the bar Sakura signaled the bartender over.

"Sake for me and my friend." She told the man. "Keep them coming. We drink a lot and we drink fast, but we tip well."

"What's eating at you kid?" Kisame asked once the bartender had given them their first round and walked away.

"Itachi tried to kiss me." Sakura blurted after a few minutes of silence.

"Tried to." He laughed. "Don't tell me you hit him, and we left him lying there unconscious."