At this rate, he really was going to die before being able to confess himself to her. 

Itachi sat in a comfortable thrum of quiet with a cup of tea in his hands. Kabuto was sat in seat beside him and Kakuzu, the owner of such a pristine apartment took up the love seat. It was the first time in a long while where he had such companionable silence with other people. The past few weeks were filled with nothing but boisterous blather and traumatizing episodes of Kunoichi Diaries. Honestly, what did they see in that trash?

Not to mention the horrible attempts he made at trying to express feelings he was far from used to.

"Why is it that you haven't tried talking to her?"

Itachi glanced at Kabuto.

"Pardon?" he questioned. The man pushed up his glasses, light glinting off them the tiniest bit.

"Talking. What normal people do," he said. "It's one of the simplest means of communication and honestly, you can't mess up speaking if you truly want to get your point across to her. Sakura-sama isn't a person entranced by extravagant displays. Women have the stigma of wanting to be swept off their feet or being materialistic. You know that's not the truth, don't you?"

Kakuzu flipped a page of his accounting book as he added his two cents.

"Half the world's problems could be solved if people just talked to each other. Besides, Sakura-sama is a Kage. She built this village with her own sweat and blood-- I doubt she'd care for clever messages hidden in coding or chocolates on Valentine's Day. If she knows you love her, that's bound to be enough."

The Uchiha was rooted to his seat.

It was literally that simple.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and allowed himself a sigh. Becoming an Otogakure shinobi must have tampered with his logical thinking if he chose to listen to his dumbass friends over reason. Well, friends was stretching it.

"And you didn't think to remind me of this because...?"

Kabuto gave him a blank stare.

"I need to entertain myself somehow, don't I? Not all my pleasure in life derives from giving Sakura-sama paperwork," he said. His lips quirked up at Itachi's wholly unamused demeanor, "But even I think this has gotten sad enough. Take a look at this."

He held out a mission scroll to the prodigy who took it with a raised brow.

"Sakura-sama is going to Nadeshiko Village for diplomatic reasons in a few days. Kisame-san's not able to take it up like he normally is, and Kakuzu-san and I have to stay here and maintain office. I was generous enough to slate you for the duty of being her escort on a mission that will, in fact, be finished well after her birthday. She'll have no one to celebrate the day with but yourself," Kabuto explained. Itachi didn't have to strain his ears to hear the underlying message of 'don't screw this up' in his instruction.

He stood and pocketed the scroll.

"I will prepare for the assignment. I appreciate the help, Kabuto-san. Kakuzu-san."

Before he could make a move out of the apartment, Kabuto set his pen on his clipboard as he placed it on the low table.

"Itachi-san," he called. The man turned. "If you truly love her, I hope you love her scars as well."

His brow furrowed. Scars? He was sure Sakura had plenty of them. She was an able-bodied shinobi who had rigorous training sessions with Kisame and Kakuzu every other weekend and had scared the village when she and her right-hand were abducted to be tortured in the name of revenge. He'd be surprised if she had none whatsoever even if she was a talented medic.

But, to him, she was the epitome of beauty. He'd never see her as any less no matter what she looked like.

"Her physical appearance is of very little importance," Itachi replied. And it was the truth. Kabuto shook his head, his eyes losing their teasing gleam and falling into a shallow melancholy.

"Not those scars."

Kakuzu's gaze flickered up. He too had no idea what his associate was speaking of-- perhaps a traumatic experience or the emotional turmoil she suffered months ago. That was wholly justifiable considering what she had to do to cement her position the time before she officially became a Kage. Restoring Oto, gathering allies, faking her death for six or seven years...

"It will not matter," he said. "My feelings will never change."

::

"You're going on a mission?! So close to your birthday?! But we have to celebrate it, Sakura-chan! Take me and bastard with you!" Naruto exploded. He planted his hands onto the desk and leaned forward, sending some of her papers fluttering to the ground. Sakura breathed out a sigh and lightly slapped at his face to push him back.

"These are official Otogakure matters, Naruto. I don't know if you've forgotten, but you're a Konoha shinobi and can't come with me."

"But-"

"No buts."

He pouted and sunk into the seat beside her. With Sasuke at the clinic and Jiraiya messing around at the red light district, he bounded through his best friend's office window despite the protests of the guards down below. He was about to go on and on about her turning twenty-five until she hit him square in the stomach with her Kage business: "the people before me" she'd said.

"Well, who're you going with? You're the Otokage and all and you need someone to go with you."

She smiled.

"Of course. Normally, I'd take Kisame--"

He paled.

"--but he's out assessing new ANBU recruits with Suzume-san. I'm leaving Kakuzu and Kabuto in charge, so... I think I'm bringing Itachi-san."

Naruto paled further. Kami, that was even worse! The Akatsuki might have sworn their allegiance to her a long time ago (he still was a bit iffy on that), but why didn't she just take the blonde one? Or-Or the doctor! The one with the silver hair!

"Him? But Sakura-chan!"

"What did I say about the buts?" she questioned, "I'll be gone three weeks tops. When we get back, we can do all those things you talked about, okay?"

Naruto grumbled. 

"Okay. But when you get back, you're gonna have the best birthday, dattebayo!"

::

Itachi enjoyed Nadeshiko just as much as Kisame did. The kunoichi who saw him recognized him instantly, and, calculating how powerful he was, hounded him like no tomorrow. He heard some things about their culture and matriarchy, but never fathomed the extent of it. Amongst the swarm of women demanding a battle, he spotted Sakura just outside the ring.

She took one look at him and burst into laughter before making her way to meet with Shizuka with the wave of her hand, leaving him to fend off the kunoichi himself. That left him hours of time to meditate in the shadows-- and no, he was definitely not hiding-- and think about how to bring the conversation to light.

He couldn't just jump the gun... could he? Sakura was always straightforward like that and she wouldn't mind talking when they made their way back to the village. It was a two day journey by foot then a five day journey by water, ample time to say what he needed to say. It should be simple enough for him.

Approach her, wish her Happy Birthday, gift her a flower or two, then say it? That's what Kakuzu and Kabuto meant, didn't it?

He was far into his musings that he didn't notice it was midday when Sakura came up to the tree he was taking refuge in and called him down.

"We're off, Itachi-san! You don't have to run away from those lovely ladies anymore!"

Itachi appeared in front of her, lips formed into a thin line.

"I was not running."

"Sure, and my hair isn't pink," she grinned, "Come on. We'll travel to Port City and stay the night before sailing back to the mainland."

She punched his shoulder as she started to walk towards the village exit. He opened his mouth to say something in return, maybe an assent or a retort to her poking fun at him, but he shut it. There was nothing more he wanted to say to her than how she shone as bright as sun overhead or how the way she smiled at him gave him hope for a better future.

So he merely followed after with a nod of his head. He could always tell her tomorrow on her birthday.

Port City lay a few hours ahead of them. Their journey was filled with the soothing songs of birds and a companionable silence. About a kilometer out from the bustling civilian city, Sakura turned her head with a sheepish smile.

"Just to let you know, Itachi-san, there's a place Kisame and I always go coming from Nadeshiko. It's, uh, I don't think you'll like it too much. We usually drink there and I know you don't really take to alcohol."

Itachi bobbed his head.

"I'll escort you there and find us a place to stay for the night," he informed. She was just like her master in that sense; drinking for peace and comfort between their political duties. It had never been a problem with her before and he wasn't about to stray her away from it. But he was curious to see the types of places she like to frequent.

"Is it a local bar?" he questioned. Her face pinkened.

"Uh, not exactly... it's kinda a club- but Kisame and I are friends with the workers and the owner, so..."

A club. A club where both Kisame and Sakura drank until the early morning with entertainment-- what kind of entertainment? And workers? Considering his long time friend's and his Kage's taste... Itachi straightened.

"I'm going with you."

"What? You don't have to if you don't want to. Besides, I think you'll need the break from what happened back at Nadeshiko with your new fan club."

"I'm positive I can handle my ground, Sakura-sama."

She shrugged as the two of them entered the city and made their way towards the club.

"Your choice. Don't say I didn't warn you, though," she said. She led the two of them down the side streets and alleyways until they were in front of a building with a glowing blue sign. A sign that, Itachi noted, didn't just say 'club' on it.

It said 'Hostess Club'.

"So," Sakura started, facing him with both hands on her hips, "Still want to come with me?"

He squared his shoulders and narrowed his eyes in determination.

"Yes, ma'am."

He survived Nadeshiko. Round two wouldn't have shit on him.

::

But it did. It was about ten time worse than the kunoichi. Their job was to tend to their patrons in their more than revealing outfits, their attitudes more teasing and cozy that those women who were carved by weapons and chakra. There were just as many hostesses on him than there were on Sakura. He was surprised that she actually seemed to enjoy their company like old companions catching up.

"Arisu-chan loves new guests," Sakura laughed the morning after, "She'll take it easy on you next time, I promise."

He gave her a pointed look.

"Next time," he repeated. She laughed harder.

"Okay, so maybe not next time. But I told you wouldn't like it, but what did you go off to do? Exactly the opposite of what I said. I'm almost tempted to say you deserved it, but that's mean."

Itachi huffed silently and walked a step behind her as they walked towards the ports for their ship back. With her back facing him, he reached into his pack and pulled out a single pink and white amaryllis. He saw it growing alone on the edges of the city when he was taking a breath of air-- certainly not escaping-- from the clutches of the hostesses.

"Sakura-sama."

She turned.

"What is- oh!" she exclaimed, one of the prettiest flowers she'd ever seen being set into her hand, "What's this?"

He glanced up to the steadily rising sun.

"... It reminded me of you. You're both beautiful."

Sakura flushed and smiled to hide her embarrassment.

"First you can cook then you say one of the sweetest things I've ever heard? You're mushy on the inside, aren't you? But thank you."

Their boat's horn sounded in the distance, causing Sakura's head to jerk to the side. She was about to start off when Itachi took hold of her upper arm. It was a gentle touch with seemingly no amount of force behind it. She looked up.

"Our ship's going to set off soon. We might have to run to catch up with it."

"May I... say something first? I assure you it won't take long at all," he spoke. Itachi looked a little different today with his eyes black and softer than he'd ever had them-- hiding the culmination of words he wanted to say. She nodded slowly.

"What is it?"

The streets were quiet this early in the morning. People that could be seen were the fisherman loading up for the day's trip and the vendors setting up for when they opened in an hour or so. Itachi let his hand drop to his side.

"Six years ago, you gave me a second chance we both know I didn't deserve, especially after all I've done. I didn't know someone could be strong and have a heart as big as yours. I don't know how you could stand me knowing fully about what I did to become a missing-nin, but you stood up for me. You stood up for me in front of Sasuke."

She blinked. He was there?

"Three years after I met you I realized how selfless you were. You truly care for your people and your friends while being one of the bravest people I've seen. And for that, I..."

He searched her eyes for a moment and noted her unmasked surprise.

"...I wish I could tell you how much you mean to me, but there aren't enough words to express it. There are only three that are suitable for you. I love you, Sakura. I have for a long time."

The horn echoed once more, but Sakura didn't move. Not after being frozen to her spot. Of all the things he could've told her, she never thought it would be this.

"I'm not in the position for asking things of you, but I would like to show you just what that means to me. It's your birthday and I'd like so see you enjoy it, then we can take the first ship back to the mainland. If I may?"

Itachi extended his hand. She eyed with warily as she held the flower she was gifted close to her chest. She was still the same old Sakura with that same forehead and that same inability to tell close shades apart. She used her free hand to point to herself.

"M-Me?"

He let a tender smile take his lips.

"You."

Reluctantly, she grasped his hand and let herself be led down the street. She cursed the red that swirled on her cheeks. Nagato made jokes about this sort of thing before, and she went along with it for the sake of his unbelieving humor. She never imagined he was being serious about it.

Then a thought crossed her mind.

"So does that mean you don't love yon?"

::

Here are three covers from two fabulous people!

@TheInfinityOfMaybe

@CleverMeCCHI