Inferno (A Naruto Fanfic Book 4)

Chapter 21

When I returned, Itachi was moving restlessly in the bed. I dropped the groceries and felt his skin. He's not hot anymore... I stroked his hair, and he grimaced. "Don't... go..."

I blinked at him and pulled him into my lap until he calmed down. He took a deep breath, wrapping his arms around my waist. "Kunoichi..." I felt a pang in my chest. It's just a bad dream, but...

I unraveled myself from him and went to the kitchen. I felt troubled by what I had witnessed and sighed. I started to make soup when I heard the door next to us open and close. Turning down the stove, I hopped off the stool and dashed out.

Mikoto looked up at me and smiled. "Kunoichi, how are you?"

I smiled, relieved. "I'm fine, but I need your help." I pulled her into the apartment to Itachi. "I'm not a sick people person, and I don't want to kill him."

She gingerly touched his forehead. "He'll be okay, just let him rest."

I rocked on my feet. "That's good." She smiled at me and started to leave, so I started to panic. "Wait, you're not going to leave me here alone, are you?"

She looked at me and giggled. "You've done well. Just stay with him until he wakes up."

I gaped as the door closed behind her. "That was no help at all." I went back to the stove and tasted the soup. "Well, that's good, at least." I let the pot simmer a bit as I read a book on the counter.

I heard a rustling, and Itachi rushed out of the room. I looked at him and saw him relax. "You're here."

I frowned at him. "Where else would I be?"

He looked down at his clothes. "Uh..."

I went to the stove and turned it off. "You had a fever and sweat through your clothes."

He sat at the counter and watched as I filled bowls and set it in front of him. "Who..."

I pouted and looked away from him. "It was me. Please don't get sick anymore. That was traumatic."

He chuckled. "Was it the dressing or undressing part?"

I blushed. "Both, but lucky me, I didn't see anything." I pulled his medicine out of my pocket. "I'll have to get some more. Is it helping?"

He nodded and looked at the clock. "I used too much chakra." He popped open the bottle and took a pill.

I thought for a moment. "Come with me so Sasori can evaluate you."

He looked at me curiously. "Sasori?" I nodded, and he drank some broth. "If you think it'll help."

I smiled. "I make no guarantees, but he'll point me in the right direction if he can't." He nodded. "I need a timeline on these exams."

He raised an eyebrow.  "The first two parts are maybe a week long. Then, a month or so before the third part begins."

I looked at the calendar. "So, we go after when the second part ends, but I have other things to do as well during that time..."

He watched me as he spoke. "I'll go with you."

I pursed my lips. "We won't be back until right before the exams start." He shrugged. "Fine, then you can come, but you have to be on your best behavior." He smiled into his bowl but said nothing more. Now, to get in contact with Sasori... and find a decent payment.

I saw some tension leave Itachi's body. "What were you dreaming about?"

He looked at me curiously. "What do you mean?"

I balanced my chin on my fingers. "I went to get some things, and you were... restless when I got back."

He blanched. "It was nothing."

I continued to watch him. "Liar... who was leaving."

He frowned. "It doesn't matter."

I blinked. "Liar." He averted his gaze. "You seemed panicked when you woke up."

He sighed. "I thought you left..." I waited. "In my dream, you were leaving again..."

I lowered my gaze. "Itachi, I can't promise you that I can be by your side at all times. Sometimes, I need to leave you behind to make sure you're safe."

He looked up at me. "I don't care if I'm safe."

I met his gaze. "I do."

He came to my side of the counter. "And if I follow?"

My eyes tracked him. "I have ways to ensure that doesn't happen."

He stood over me. "I know, but I'll follow when I come to."

I faced him. "Why?"

He used a finger to tilt my face up. "Maybe I don't want to wait here anymore."

He softly kissed my lips, making me lose my train of thought. "The Leaf is safe."

He kissed me again. "I don't care."

I tried to back up but was blocked by the counter. "If something were to hap-" He kissed me harder this time, pressing my back into the hard surface. I turned my head, and his lips trailed down to my neck. "Itachi..."

He paused. "Hmmm?"

I blushed. "I can't focus when you do this." I felt his smile as he pulled back. "I... don't know anymore." He chuckled and leaned in again, but I pushed him away. "This we can't keep doing."

He looked confused and took a step back. "What?"

I gaped at him. "You don't feel awkward when people ask what we are doing?"

He shrugged. "Never cared."

I threw my hands up, frustrated. "I'm going home."

He rubbed the back of his neck. "So... what do you want?"

I glared at him. "I don't know, I've never done this before."

He blinked at me. "In this life."

I lowered my gaze. "In any life, Itachi. All marriages were arranged for the good of my clan, which no longer exists."

He pursed his lips. "Do you really want to go home, though?"

I looked at him. "I... don't want marriage..."

He blinked. "That's not what I asked."

I gestured around. "Isn't this..."

He sighed. "No." I looked at him curiously. "Marriage is more than this."

I looked at the bedroom, and lowered my gaze. "I don't want that either."

He hugged me from behind. "I know. Stay, we'll figure it out tomorrow."

I sighed. "The Chunin exams start tomorrow."

He shrugged. "Which means we have to meet our students early. Let's sleep." I nodded and turned to face him when in bed. "I won't hurt you, Kunoichi."

I closed my eyes. "I know." I can't say the same for me...