Debt

Chapter 18: Marshmallow Monster

"Thank you Sakura-nee, Itachi-nii, Kisame-nii." Somagari bowed as they bid them goodbye. With that, the trio returned to their warm house and started their everyday life, yet again. "Dangos." Itachi said as he read a book, making Sakura twitch. "Alright, fine." She said, sighing as she went to the kitchen to make Itachi's favorite, making Kisame laugh. "You don't forget about your favorites, do you 'tachi?" He said, grinning. "Hn." Itachi replied, smiling slightly.

A few days after...

Sakura threw away the alarm clock as it started ringing. 'I feel so bad today.' She thought to herself as she stood up with much effort. She washed her face and walked out of the room and into the kitchen. "Good morning, Sakura-chan." Touka greeted as he made breakfast. "'Morning, Touka-san." Sakura groggily said, taking a seat.

"Sakura-chan, is something wrong?" He asked as he started setting the table. "Nothing's wrong, Touka-san." Sakura said, smiling. "Good morning, Itachi-kun." Touka said. "Hn." Itachi replied, taking a seat beside Sakura. A few minutes later, everyone finished eating.

Sakura panted as she walked on the sidewalk towards the café. She entered through the back door and changed into her uniform. "Welcome, master." Sakira weakly said, bowing. She looked up and only saw Kisame stating at her. She twitched and said, "please don't stare." Kisame pulled her towards the staff office and made her sit on a chair. "Kisame, you're not allowed in here." She said as Temari entered.

"Woah, who's the guy?" She asked. "Kisame, Itachi's close friend." Sakura said as Kisame pulled out his phone. "Yeah, hello, Itachi? Can you pick Sakura up? Something's wrong with her. Yeah, right now please. At the maid café. Ok, bye." Kisame said as Sakura and Temari stared at him in confusion.

"Alright, Sakura, why did you go to work even though you have a fever?" Kisame asked as he put his phone back in his pocket and crossed his arms over his chest. "What? You have a fever?!" Temari asked, putting a hand over Sakura's forehead. "Ino and Karin are going to nag if they found out." Temari said, smirking. "So that's why you were late." Tsunade said as she entered the room.

"Thanks for informing Itachi about this." Tsunade said, turning to Kisame. Just then, a knock was heard from the back door. Temari walked towards it and opened, only to reveal an emotionless Itachi. "Make sure Sakura doesn't do anything strenuous." Tsunade said. Itachi nodded at this and pulled Sakura by her wrist. "I-itachi, wait." She said, stumbling and nearly falling on her knees.

Itachi turned to her and carried her bridal style. Temari quickly pulled out her phone and took a picture. Kisame closed the door as he followed Itachi towards his car. "I'll drive." Kisame said. Itachi nodded and entered the car with Sakura. Sakura leaned back and panted heavily. "Kisame, open the windows." Itachi monotonously said as he layed Sakura's head on his shoulder.

Itachi layed Sakura on the bed as Kisame took a thermometer. A few seconds later, they heard the thermometer beep. Itachi took it from Sakura's mouth and stared at it with Kisame. "(Hn,) we told you not to play in that heavy rain for too long yesterday." Kisame and Itachi said, sweat dropping. "It was fun." Sakura weakly said, pouting as she looked away.

A knock was heard. Kisame opened the door and revealed Touka with a baisin of cold water and a towel at hand. "What's Sakura-chan's temperature?" He asked. "39°C" They both bluntly said. Touka sighed and put the cold towel on Sakura's forehead. "Sleep first, Sakura-chan. I'll make you something to eat." Touka said, smiling as Sakura nodded and closed her eyes.

Itachi took out a thick blanket from his room and gently layed it over at Sakura, careful not to wake her up. Kisame went out and bought Sakura fruits, as per Touka's request. An hour later, Touka brought a tray of food towards Sakura's room. He opened the door and sighed. "Itachi-kun, I thought you brought her a blanket?" Touka said, laying the tray on her drawer. "Hn. I did." Itachi monotonously said, peeking from his door.

"Where is it-- oh wait never mind, I found it." Touka said, sweat dropping as he found the blanket on the floor on the other side of the bed. "She's a messy sleeper." Touka whispered to himself as he got the blanket back on Sakura's figure. "Sakura-chan. Wake up, Sakura-chan, it's time to eat." Touka said. Sakura's eyes fluttered open. "Itachi." She whispered.

"Hm?" Touka asked. "Itachi. I had a nightmare." Sakura said, tears forming in her eyes. "Where is he?" She asked, standing up as her tears started falling. She weakly made her way towards the door. Her knees gave out, causing Touka to rush to her side. "Itachi-kun. Come here for a minute." Touka shouted. Not a minute later, Itachi walked towards Sakura. "What?" He asked, looking at Touka. "Itachi. I'm so glad you're safe." Sakura said, hugging Itachi's waist as she let her tears fall.

"Sakura. Why would I not be safe?" Itachi asked monotonously, kneeling infront of Sakura as she let go. "She had a nightmare." Touka said. "Hn." Itachi answered. Sakura let out more tears as she hugged Itachi again.

"Sakura, tell me about the nightmare." Itachi said. "You were eaten by a marshmallow monster." Sakura said, gripping his shirt. Touka let out a muffled laugh as he made Sakura's bed. Itachi twitched at this and sighed. He carried Sakura back on the bed and gave her the tray. "Marshmallow monster will really eat me if you don't get better soon." Itachi monotonously said, causing Sakura to stiffen.

Itachi sighed and turned to go back to his room. He was stopped when something gripped the hem of his shirt from behind. "I'll get better so that marshmallow monster won't eat you." Sakura said, fire burning in her eyes. Itachi gave her a tiny smile and turned to pat her head. "Good luck." He said, walking back to his room. Touka sat on the side of the bed, blushing as he witnessed the scene before him.

The following day...

Sakura woke up and found a towel on her forehead. She washed her face and went to the kitchen. "Oh, I see you're better now, Sakura-chan." Touka said, smiling. "Mhmm, thank you for taking care of me, Touka-san." Sakura said, bowing. "Not at all." Touka replied.

Itachi entered the room just as Sakura sat down. "Good morning, Itachi-kun." Touka said. "Hn." Itachi replied as he looked at Sakura. "You're better now. Marshmallow monster won't eat me anymore." Itachi monotonously said, smirking at Sakura's blushing face.

To Be Continued...