moor

Content Warning: Allusions to A/B/O

Part One - The Senju and the Uchiha

Part Two - The Battle [first battle]

Part Three - The Battle [continued]

Part Four - The Secret [first secret]

Part Five - The Secret [continued]

Part Six - The Secret [continued]

Part Seven - The Secret [continued]

Part Eight - The Underground

Part Nine - The Underground [continued]

Gorgeous fanart by tumblr users sarcastic-mommy and sayurinomoe!

The Underground [continued]:

The next day, Sakura was not surprised at all to find Jiraiya and Naruto on her doorstep, smiling but serious.

“We have a few friends already at building 4,” said Jiraiya as she, Kakashi, Naruto and Yu locked up and began their way over that morning.

“Is this turning into a turf war?” asked Sakura. She carried Yu that morning. She needed to hold him close to her. His jumpy legs and baby wiggles were all that were keeping her present in the moment. She adjusted his cap, ensuring as always that his head was covered.

“Not at all,” assured Jiraiya, patting her shoulder.

“It’s a show of force and solidarity to make it clear you’re Senju and they can fuck right off,” said Naruto.
The glint in his eyes went well with the way he rubbed his fist into his other palm, and Sakura really hoped the Uchihas behaved themselves because Naruto was obviously spoiling for a fight.

“No one is doing anything wrong. This is normal when a highly ranked member of the Underground meets another of like status,” said Kakashi lightly from Sakura’s side.

Kakashi was completely relaxed, Sakura noticed, and she appreciated that he was so level-headed. His calm settled her nerves enough for her to keep going.

Sakura wasn’t afraid of the Uchihas, per se. But she knew enough about Itachi from Kakashi now to mind herself. He was too close to the King for her liking.

But something in Kakashi’s words had Sakura looking up at him suspiciously.

“What do you mean by ‘of like status’,” she asked.

“You do understand your rank in the Underground?” said Naruto. “Right?”

Sakura shook her head. She’d only been working in the Underground for a few months.

Jiraiya snorted.

“You’re Tsunade’s personal apprentice. You can heal or hurt any member of any Clan. You’re protected by Tsunade’s own personal guard. The Uchihas sent their top representatives to speak to you personally, on several occasions,” explained Jiraiya, enumerating each item on his large, scarred fingers.

“You’re a princess, but of criminals,” said Naruto with a shrug.

“And the top opposing criminals also know you have the strongest bond to the Uchiha,” added Jiraiya very, very quietly, leaning into whisper to Sakura so the other two wouldn’t hear. “And throne. Which only the top Senju are aware of.”

Sakura’s eyes widened with panic as she looked from Jiraiya over to Kakashi and Naruto, her brows furrowing tightly.

Jiraiya shook his head, giving her a meaningful look.

Naruto and Kakashi didn’t know the details; or at least, didn’t know for sure. Sakura had a feeling Kakashi strongly suspected something, but perhaps not the specifics—like who Yu’s father was, exactly. Even Sakura was… still in denial.

“Four Uchiha hanging around the confectionary stand,” noted Naruto casually.

“Two more have been following us since the last intersection,” said Kakashi, unconcerned.

Sakura swallowed as they approached the steps of building 4, and the two tall, handsome, dark-haired noblemen waiting for them at the door.

“Good morning,” greeted the one with the sleek ponytail politely. “My name is Itachi, and this is my brother Sasuke. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Sakura. And associated Senjus,” added Itachi. His dark eyes settled on Yu intently. “And who is this?”

“My son,” said Kakashi, offering his hand to Itachi. “We met at the market, if you recall.”

Itachi’s eyes met Kakashi’s as he shook his hand.

“Ah, you did say that,” said Itachi.

Sakura’s stomach clenched. So, Itachi knew, too. But why would Kakashi say that? It put him directly in the line of fire…

“I’ll get the door,” said Kakashi, gently putting an arm around Sakura, putting himself between her and the Uchiha.

“Thank you,” said Sakura, unable to look away from the Uchiha before her. They were exceptionally calm and very well dressed, with their tailored robes and the royal insignia on each of their collars. The other Uchiha behind Itachi, Sasuke, if Sakura remembered Kakashi’s words correctly from the night before, seemed almost bored. But there was an intelligence in both their eyes that cautioned Sakura not to underestimate them.

“Please go ahead,” said Kakashi to the Uchiha, and they entered building 4 a moment later. He opened the door wide.

While Naruto started the fire in the fireplace in the ‘staff’ room, Sakura laid out a blanket for Yu to play on on the floor in front of the window seat. Jiraiya stayed with her while Kakashi busied himself with making tea. Across the room, Itachi and Sasuke took seats near each other, folding their cloaks neatly over the back of them instead of asking Sakura to hang them with their own in the closet.

“What brings you to our neck of the woods,” asked Jiraiya, as Kakashi set a tray of tea and cup on the table between the Uchihas before pouring more for himself and the other Senju from a separate pot.

“The poisonings,” said Itachi, lifting his cup to his lips and taking a sip.

Sakura thought it quite brave of him to say that and drink from his cup when Kakashi had made a production of serving them with a different tea set.

“This tea is quite bracing,” said Itachi. Beside him, Sasuke coughed and set down his cup, glaring openly at Kakashi.

Sakura looked at Kakashi’s beatific smile and sighed.

“Sorry, I’ll make more,” said Sakura, getting up and shaking her head.

“No, please stay. You are the reason we’re here today,” interrupted Itachi kindly.

Sakura froze, staring at Itachi and Sasuke. A drop of sweat rolled slowly down her spine.

Naruto and Jiraiya, meanwhile, had shifted, openly displaying their weapons and closing in.

“We don’t think you’re the poisoner,” corrected Itachi, as beside him Sasuke put a hand to his own short sword. Itachi lifted a finger and Sasuke pulled back with a heavy, dark exhale, obviously reluctant. But he listened to him, and Sakura appreciated that.

“Then why are you here?” asked Sakura carefully.

“We know you’ve had the fastest, most efficient success at treating all the patients, regardless of which poison was used,” explained Itachi. “On top of that, the Senju track where such outbreaks occur. We would like access to your data.”

Looking down at Yu and adjusting him in his sitting position slightly to give herself something to do, Sakura considered the request. What they said was true, but why were they interested in it?

“What’s in it for you?” asked Sakura.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes at her, but Sakura stared him down.

“You remember the attack a year ago,” began Itachi, leaning forward.

Sakura nodded, turning her attention back to him.

“There was a rash of poisonings before the attack, to weaken Konoha’s defences,” said Sakura. “It was… unusually well coordinated. Even the helpers were affected,” she said vaguely, not wanting to give too much away that the Senju had also been targeted, or how.

Itachi nodded. “When there is a series of poisonings, similar to the previous year’s breakout, we all take a closer look at it.”

“Mmm,” murmured Sakura. She could understand that very well.

“We would like to hire you, on a temporary basis, to provide information to the Uchiha about the poisonings. Names, locations, dates, professions, and data about the poisons and victims,” said Itachi. “So that we can investigate further.”

“That’s a great deal of information,” said Jiraiya thoughtfully.

Sakura nodded in agreement.

“Why are the Uchiha interested in the info rather than the Crown?” asked Naruto.

Sakura looked at Naruto more carefully; it was an excellent question. It wasn’t the first time he had surprised her with his shrewdness, and she had to remind herself that he was also one of Tsunade’s personal guards. He wouldn’t be there if he was stupid.

To Sakura’s surprise, Sasuke looked at his brother for an answer, too.

“After the battle, there was a report from a trusted source that the attackers were still operating in Konoha,” said Itachi, holding Sakura’s gaze. “Releasing this information in conjunction with the new round of poisonings to the castle will have undesirable effects on the population’s trust in the Kingdom.”

Welp, there it was. Itachi knew she was part of the original mess. It was official.

“We thought you may have more information to provide,” said Itachi, still speaking directly to Sakura.

“We looked over the pattern of poisonings last night,” said Sakura, looking at Kakashi and nodding. As much as she did not want to play the Uchiha’s games, Itachi had a point that this affected more than just Senju-Uchiha relations. This affected innocent people in the Kingdom.

From inside his robes, Kakashi pulled out a series of scrolls and unravelled them, laying them one on top of each other on the floor between the Uchiha and Senju.

“You made maps?” said Itachi, as he and Sasuke leaned forward.

Sakura nodded. “Yes, of the dwellings,” Kakashi lifted a page to the next map, “and workplaces,” Kakashi lifted the next page, “and suspected poisoning locations of the victims.”

“Hn,” murmured Itachi, studying the first map as Kakashi lay them down again. “What is the legend?”

“The large red dots indicate known Uchiha victims, the large blue dots indicate known Senju victims, and the large yellow dots indicate known Crown victims,” said Sakura. “The Crown victims could be soldiers, castle staff, that kind of thing.”

Itachi and Sasuke nodded.
“And the smaller dots?” asked Sasuke.

“This is a theory,” said Sakura. “The smaller dots are the ‘innocent’ victims, the ones not associated with the Underground or castle as operatives… but we coloured them when we noticed some of them recognized each other here in triage.”

“So the smaller red dots are people who you think had contact with the Uchiha Underground,” said Itachi aloud.

“Exactly. It’s a theory only,” said Sakura. “We’re still examining other possibilities.”

Itachi looked at Kakashi. “May I see the other maps again for a moment, please? Is the legend consistent for each map?”

“Yes,” said Sakura.

One at a time, Kakashi lifted and displayed each map, returning back and forth between them as Itachi requested.

“Have you noticed a pattern?” asked Itachi.

“Probably the same one you did,” said Sakura. “But, may I ask first how many victims the Uchiha treated, that aren’t on the map?”

She held his gaze when he looked at her, lifting an eyebrow at the directness of her question.

To her surprise, Itachi’s face softened with kindness.

“You did show us yours first,” he admitted.

“I think we’ve been quite generous,” said Sakura.

“So you have more to share?”

“You first.” Sakura smiled at Itachi.

With a nod to his brother, Itachi agreed.

A few minutes later, Sasuke had added black dots to all the maps for the victims they had treated. There were not nearly as many dots to be added, as displayed on her maps. Following the original colour legend, Sasuke added coloured circles around his dots: one circle for a ‘bystander’, double concentric circles around confirmed Uchiha, Senju and castle marks.

“Did they all live?” asked Sakura, studying the maps again.

“No,” answered Itachi softly. He nodded at Sasuke, who then put ‘X’s through the individuals who had passed away.

Sasuke had a very detailed memory, Sakura noticed, impressed. So, Sasuke was the memory bank, she thought, understanding why he may have been joining Itachi. He wasn’t purely a backup, he held much information in mind and could pull it up immediately when requested. He even added dates, sometimes approximate, to each of the dots he added to the map. Seeing Itachi and Sasuke in action made Sakura realise just how seriously the Uchiha viewed the information and put her on guard for how much information she chose to release, in turn.

Sakura’s gaze flickered to Itachi’s before she went back to the maps. There were more than a few ‘X’s; often on specific Uchiha targets.

“My condolences,” she said quietly, and he nodded.

“Yours?” he asked. “Did all your patients live?”

There was a slight hesitation before Sakura nodded, admitting, “Yes.”

Itachi sighed very softly.

“Did you save any samples of the poison? Perhaps they were different ones,” suggested Sakura.

“Perhaps,” said Itachi. “Unfortunately, we were not able to collect samples.”

That was a significant admission. It proved that the Uchiha did not have the medical prowess required to tackle the poisoning epidemic, if it continued.

No wonder they reached out to us, thought Sakura.

Treading carefully, Sakura looked at Kakashi to gauge the situation by his body language. Over the months they had been living together, she had come to learn many of his ticks and quirks. She didn’t doubt that he had let some slip intentionally, to provide her with a way for them to communicate silently in just these types of situations, and she appreciated it then more than ever. Kakashi was relaxed but wary, but not feeling overtly threatened. He relaxed with her on the floor, on the other side of Yu, as Yu climbed on his forearm or bit on his fingers, slobbering all over Kakashi’s hands (not that Kakashi ever seemed to mind). But he hadn’t shifted much at all over the last few minutes, other than to play with Yu. Feeling somewhat more confident and at ease, Sakura looked back at Itachi again.

“Did you try the castle healers?” she asked evenly.

Itachi’s brows furrowed as he studied Sakura.

“Do the Uchiha have their own healers, or do you use the castle healers?” asked Kakashi more directly, picking up on Sakura’s question.

“We aren’t trying to get inside information; we’re trying to figure out who would know how to successfully treat the poisoned victims,” explained Sakura.

“The Uchiha have their own healers; they are not as specialised as the Senju,” admitted Itachi. “We reached out to the castle and community clinics for assistance for the more serious cases, but they were unsuccessful in treating some patients.”

“With the additional information on the map,” said Sakura, “Do you feel more confident in the situation?”

“No,” admitted Itachi after a moment of quiet deliberation.

“Do you feel like there is something more to the situation?” asked Sakura leadingly.

Itachi’s look was slow and calculating, though a hint of a smirk pulled at the corners of his lips. Sakura thanked her stars that she didn’t have room for more handsome men in her life, for that look would have devastated her over a year before.

“You already know the answer to that,” said Itachi.

Sakura smiled at him.

Then, she looked at Kakashi and nodded.

From inside his robe, Kakashi produced another scroll and laid it out over the others. It was a larger, more detailed map of the city—and unlike the other two, it displayed the outlines of the main Underground tunnels, colour-coded to represent which ones were primarily used by the Senju, the Uchiha, and the other minor controlling entities in the Underground. It had more dots on it than the previous maps, and included all the dots that Sasuke had just added. The individuals she had treated personally were circled in green. There were no strikes through those dots.

Itachi raised a brow as he looked at Sakura, his lips curved wryly.

“Don’t be mad,” she said. “We needed to know what was going on, too.”

With a low chuckle that Sakura told herself did not affect her insides at all, Itachi nodded. “You deal in medicine and medical information,” he admitted.

“It’s how we know when we’re dealing with a deliberate attack versus a pandemic,” said Sakura, confident in her knowledge. “If you look at the dates and the bolder dots, you’ll see they all correlate with certain specific tunnels; someone released or served or provided something in these specific tunnels, on these specific dates that sickened these individuals. Then, somehow, it was either shared with, sold to or stolen by the secondary individuals who had weaker symptoms, usually showing up a day or so later,” said Sakura, pointing to several areas where the spread became more obvious. But two members of the same business, family or job were rarely both sick at the same time; which tells me this is not something contagious. Also, because the ‘bystanders’ more often than not had weaker symptoms, this tells me the poison itself loses potency over time. It’s meant to be a quick-acting poison with low traceability after it’s done its job. It’s something that’s somehow administered or ingested. This is not a pandemic. This is a group of people organising poisonings to test our response time and reaction,” said Sakura firmly.

“How can you tell?” challenged Sasuke. “How do you know that’s what they’re doing, or that it’s more than one person?”

Jiraiya chuckled softly, and even Naruto smirked. Across the blanket from Sakura, Kakashi looked at Sakura and shook his head, grinning beneath his mask.

“You don’t know who you’re talking to, do you?” said Naruto, his smirk widening as he looked proudly at Sakura.

Itachi looked between the Senju, before focusing back on Sakura. New understanding dawned on him.

“You’re the lead poisoner for the Senju,” he realised aloud. “You recognize someone performing an exercise that’s drilled into you.”

“I also have a head for numbers,” said Sakura, glancing at Sasuke before focusing on the new map. “It’s physically impossible for one person to be at all these locations on the same day, to poison this many people, and to not have been caught. We’re looking for someone who has experience creating poisons, who has the means to track some of the victims, and who is organised and powerful enough to control other people to spread it amongst the population—without getting caught.”

Itachi and Sasuke looked at each other for a long, quiet moment, before they leaned back in their seats, keeping their thoughts to themselves.

Several minutes passed in silence, with Yu’s baby babbling the only sound to break it. Sakura looked down, playing with Yu as the Uchiha decided on their next plan of attack. It was exactly as she anticipated when Sasuke said,

“It doesn’t look good that all your patients lived,” he said. “If you were the poisoner, you would likely have the antidote to your own poison, to save lives. It would make you the preferred choice to bring patients to, if they got ill. You would make a lot of money off a situation you created.”

“It would look that way,” agreed Sakura. “But wouldn’t it make more sense for me to target my enemy and reduce their numbers, instead? I’m not only the lead Senju poisoner, I’m a master poisoner. If I wanted to, I would know exactly how to do it. I would not use trial and error, leaving this many victims and scattering evidence of my pending attack. This person has plans, but lacks confidence in their skills. And they’re gauging how we would react to determine our threat management capacity. As demonstrated,” said Sakura, leaning toward the map, “the Uchiha are not well prepared. If I’d been doing the poisoning, you’d already be dead.”

Immediately standing, Sasuke grabbed for his sword, his lips pressed in a tight white line while Sakura sat on the floor, unbothered, playing with Yu. On either side of Sakura, Naruto and Jiraiya leapt to their feet, swords drawn, while Kakashi placed himself directly between the Uchiha and Yu and Sakura. The tension in the air was palpable. Sakura knew she’d poked a hornet’s nest, but it was necessary. The Uchiha sniffing around her area of business, potentially scaring her customers away when the real threat was elsewhere, meant both sides were losing against the real poisoner.

It was Itachi who scoffed softly, lifting his hand to recall Sasuke and thus defused the situation. The Senju sat only once Sasuke had retaken his seat and put away his sword. Even then, Kakashi remained where he was, watching Sasuke attentively.

“You would never risk your son,” Itachi said, as relaxed as Sakura was. “He would be the easiest way to retaliate against you.”

“Exactly,” said Sakura. “That’s why I always do my best.”

She looked up at Kakashi and raised her hand to gently touch the back of his shirt, calling him back without a word. He glanced back at her, his visible eye concerned, but Sakura smiled at him, nodding to the seat beside her again. When Kakashi knelt, he was just a bit closer to Sakura and Yu.

Satisfied that the air was cleared enough for them to continue, Sakura shifted, stretching to relax her tense muscles.

“This attack was a distraction,” explained Sakura coldly, speaking the obvious, but it looked like at least Sasuke needed to hear this, possibly her side, too. “Someone wants us at each other. Someone knows there’s a rift between the Uchiha and Senju Underground. Going by how many Senju and Uchiha were attacked, my guess is someone in the castle.”

“Why?” asked Sasuke.

“Because I believe someone with a healer’s background did this,” said Sakura.

“Why?” pushed Sasuke, his eyes narrowing at her in suspicion.

This was the part Sakura had been hoping to avoid; but avoiding it would only make things look worse for her and the Senju.

“Because every healer worth their salt goes through a poisoning unit during their apprenticeship phase,” said Sakura, revealing a little-known Senju secret. “And this is exactly how they do it. Usually with animals, though.”

“So you’re saying this was orchestrated by a Senju,” said Sasuke.

Her shoulders straightening, Sakura glared at him. “No, I’m saying anyone who apprenticed to a proper healer would have had the opportunity to learn this. Herbalist, surgeon, laboratory technician, diagnostics, they all follow this format so the apprentice learns exactly how to recognize the symptoms of the ailment, poison or disease and then learns and follows the correct course of treatment. Students remember far better what they see with their own eyes and treat with their own hands.”

Sasuke scoffed derisively at Sakura and her explanation.

“So it was a Senju.”

Carefully extracting herself from Yu, Sakura turned hard eyes on Sasuke, her hands fisting. Unbeknownst to her, her fists began to glow with chakra.

“The Senju are the best healers in Konoha, possibly the world,” said Jiraiya from the side, his patience calm and friendly.

Hearing his voice, Sakura realised his attempt to pacify the situation, and she took a breath, leaning back again.

“But they take in anyone who wishes to learn,” said Jiraiya. “The castle hires the best healers from around the world, including but not limited to the Senju. The Senju are also responsible for the healers and medics around the village, at the community health clinics. The Senju will provide medical personnel, but they aren’t the only ones, and they do hire from outside Konoha and from other Clans. They aren’t the only Clan in the business—just the best in the business,” said Jiraiya. “Sakura, for example, is not a born Senju, but she is on par with her master. She even outdoes her in some forms of medicine.”

Unable to help herself, Sakura twisted to look incredulously at the large, wild man who was Tsunade’s oldest friend. He winked at her and nodded proudly.

“Trust me, she’s both impressed and pissed,” said Jiraiya at Sakura’s unasked question.

At the heat rising along the back of her neck, Sakura turned back to Itachi, forcing herself to remain calm. Such praise was rare from Tsunade and she wanted to break out in a huge grin, but shoved the urge down. To the side of her, though, Kakashi looked at her, as fond and proud as a peacock.

“Told you she was good,” said Naruto, voicing all their thoughts.

To Sakura’s surprise, Itachi actually breathed a soft chuckle and lifted a hand in submission.

“Duly noted,” Itachi said, his usually cold voice warm. “So, what are your thoughts, Sakura?”

The occupants of the room all turned to Sakura, then, and Sakura realised she was, technically, the expert in the situation.

“I think we’re asking the wrong questions,” she admitted honestly.

“What do you mean?” asked Itachi.

“Maybe this is going too far out on a limb, or looking for connections that aren’t there,” began Sakura. “But we need to figure out why this person is poisoning people; and we need to know if they’re related to last year’s attack, or if they’re acting independently from it.” She looked at the Uchiha and the Senju. “Intel is your specialty, not mine. But I would recommend setting up more guards in the tunnels and having them report each day on who’s using what sections so we can track possible suspects. I think we must also look at what other means the poisoner may use to distribute poison, if they stop using the tunnels for distribution—which they will do immediately if they suspect we’re onto them. I suggest setting up controlled access to the water supply, for starters, and also the food and medicine supply,” continued Sakura. “We know these were all compromised prior to last year’s Battle. If safeguards haven’t already been implemented, we need them immediately. We can’t do this in fractured groups, either. We must work more consistently together, and with the castle, but also not obviously, because if the poisoner was able to get to the Royal Guard last year, and the soldiers, then that tells me they have contacts in the castle. Were any arrests made last year of castle employees after the battle?” asked Sakura, looking directly at Itachi.

He blinked once before answering, “No.”

Sakura sighed angrily. “And that’s a major problem,” she said tersely. “We haven’t fixed what was wrong before and now they’re playing with us in preparation for round two.”

“How do you know a member of the Royal Guard was treated last year?” asked Itachi.

Shit.

Tucking her hair beneath her head wrap as she avoided his gaze, Sakura admitted, “Because I treated him personally.”

“Interesting,” said Itachi quietly, saying nothing more.

Unsettled, Sakura shifted again under the guise of tending to Yu. He had been pulling himself up by grabbing her shirt for the last few minutes, and was bobbing his head against her chest, making “ba ba ba” sounds. Supporting him, Sakura pulled him closer.

“I can provide you with medical help,” said Sakura, looking at the assembled people around her. “But I can’t advise you on how to root out your traitor,” she said, shaking her head. “Maybe look at who would profit from the King falling?”

“That again points to certain very specific parties,” said Sasuke, looking straight at Sakura. “Are you suggesting the Crown Prince is trying to off his brother?”

“I don’t think Prince Izuna had anything to do with this,” said Sakura firmly. “From what I have seen of him, he supports his brother and the Kingdom. What about around the Kingdom,” suggested Sakura. “In different roles? Is there anyone who has been trying to rise in rank?”

“Constantly,” said Itachi.

“But what are their motivations?” asked Sakura, looking between him and Sasuke.

At that, Sasuke looked at his brother; then Itachi looked at Sakura with a curious light in his eyes.

“You make a very good point, Sakura,” said Itachi slowly.

From her seat upon the floor, Sakura fought the urge to squirm under the blatant appreciation in Itachi’s gaze.

Yu took care of the awkwardness by promptly letting out a loud screech, then bobbing his head against Sakura’s chest again.

“Is this where we take a break and eat?” asked Naruto from the sidelines, when the silence stretched uncomfortably.

“Ah,” agreed Itachi and Kakashi at the same time.

They looked at each other, and Sakura took the opportunity to scoop up Yu.
“Would you excuse us,” she said, looking pointedly at the door.

“My apologies, we’ll go to the next room,” said Itachi graciously, leaving with Sasuke, Naruto and Jiraiya.

When they disappeared through the door, Kakashi stayed, touching Sakura’s elbow. She still bounced Yu in her arms while he rooted around the front of her shirt, anxious, hungry and sensing the change in position.

“You’re okay?” Kakashi asked softly, his hand warm against her arm as he bent down. Their foreheads nearly touched, and Sakura’s breath caught.

“It was a little tense at times but I think we’re doing okay,” said Sakura, clearing her suddenly dry throat.

She shook her head and smiled at him with relief. Why was it so warm in the room? Had it been like that for some time and she hadn’t noticed? They really had needed the break.

“You?” she asked, her voice faint.

Stroking Sakura’s arm tenderly, Kakashi nodded.

“Do you need help?” he asked, glancing at the window seat and then down to Yu, nestled between them.

Sakura grinned at Kakashi, her insides twisting at the warmth that spread through her at his touch. And then she remembered the way another pair of dark eyes had looked at her, and she froze.

Arousal. Intensity. Submission. Fear. Longing.

The emotions flashed through Sakura’s memory in quick succession, confusing her as her pulse raced out of control. For a moment Sakura forgot where she was; she was plunged back into that night, over a year ago, where she was pushed to her limits, beyond them, scratching her nails down a different man’s back, her head thrown back as he sank his teeth into her throat. Her eyes dilated, Sakura’s breathing caught and she was back in her body again, gripping Kakashi’s shirt in her fist, her legs shaking, adrenaline only beginning to retreat from her flashback.

Still so close they shared the same breath, Kakashi held Sakura to him, his brow furrowed.

“Sakura?” he asked quietly, holding her more firmly. “What happened?”

Swallowing, Sakura wondered what had just happened, too, but realised exactly why when she saw how close her lips were to Kakashi’s. It was too much.

Her omega nature was confused and it was transferring her needs into her emotions and reactions. She needed to separate them again. So she clenched her jaw, taking a breath and smiling up at Kakashi.

“You just want to see my boobs again. Go, you pervert,” she teased.

And then she playfully pushed him away.

There was a flash of pain behind Kakashi’s charcoal eye, and Sakura hated herself to Hell and back in that moment. She really, truly hated herself and her circumstances. But it was necessary, and had the intended effect.

Chuckling, Kakashi released Sakura reluctantly and reached back to rub at the back of his head.

“You got me,” he said gruffly, giving her an eye crease grin. Before, his voice would have been light and teasing. “I'll guard the door.”

“Thank you,” sighed Sakura, releasing some of the tension that had built up, from… everything.

When she was alone in the room, nursing Yu a few minutes later, she allowed herself one, just one, tear, and rubbed it away as soon as it appeared.

She would not toy with others. She would not drag them into her chaos. She would not live her life at the expense of theirs.

She knew Itachi had been watching the interactions between herself and each of her guards. Favouring any of them put them directly in the path of the Uchiha’s potential wrath should the meeting go awry.

But Kakashi put himself there, a part of her reminded herself. He was the one calling himself her husband, calling Yu his son.

He didn’t understand, the sensible part of herself retorted. He didn’t… he doesn’t understand.

She herself still rejected the reality of the situation. So, there was no way he understood.

That’s what Sakura kept repeating to herself as the rest of the group returned half an hour later. Kakashi set a flask of fresh water down beside Sakura, as he always did when she nursed Yu, before he took his seat in the same place as before.

He doesn’t understand, she told herself firmly, one last time.

Or did he understand and just not care, returned a small voice in the back of Sakura’s mind as Itachi began his next round of questions.

Sakura focused on Itachi’s words and the conversations around her for the rest of the afternoon. She did not miss the way the Uchihas studied her, but she hoped it was only a passing interest. They were there, as the Senju were, to solve a common problem.

“If there’s anything else that comes up,” said Itachi as the group rose from their seats at the end of the day. “Please… kindly share the information. You can send a messenger to Sasuke or myself directly at any time.”

“Likewise,” said Jiraiya. “But please forward the information to myself or Tsunade. We’ll see that it gets to Sakura.”

In the middle of gently swaying with a sleeping Yu in her arms, Sakura’s eyes shot to Jiraiya’s, then Kakashi’s, but she said nothing. This wasn’t her battle; it wasn’t up to her what they did to find the poisoner. She was only involved as a healer, not as a member of their investigation or counter-intelligence team.

Itachi, however, frowned. He folded his cloak over his arm before speaking again. His brother did the same.

“If time is of the essence,” said Itachi carefully. “We would appreciate directing our information directly to the intended.”

Jiraiya’s expression was calm and open, but he shook his head. “No.”

“If there is a patient in need of Sakura’s particular skills,” said Itachi as he faced Jiraiya. “It would be best if we could contact her directly. We must reduce the loss of life as much as possible.”

Jiraiya was about to refuse again when Kakashi lifted a hand and turned to Sakura.

“This affects you more than the rest of us,” Kakashi said, bringing her directly into the conversation.

“If someone is ill, they can follow the usual channels to request assistance,” said Sakura.

Both Jiraiya and Itachi opened their mouths to retort, but Sakura continued.

“But,” she said. “I am sensitive to the situation and understand that there is delicacy and diplomacy to be observed. Also, due to the gravity of the situation and severity of the poison used, speed of effective treatment delivery is an important factor in our decision making. Itachi, what percentage of your cases do you estimate will require additional assistance?”

Beside Sasuke, Itachi looked at his brother.

“Approximately 35 percent,” answered Sasuke. “Potentially 40 to 50 percent, if the numbers increase. We do not have the capacity or skills necessary when it comes to poison control.”

It was a close thing, but Sakura withheld the urge to wince physically. They had lost nearly a third of the patients they tried to treat? She had hoped that her numbers were incorrect...

With the numbers in mind, Sakura paced slowly around the room, still bouncing Yu gently in her arms.

“We need a better system,” said Sakura, thinking aloud. “We need specialised poison centers, or a central location to treat everyone by poison specialists.”

“Should we arrange this with Tsunade?” asked Jiraiya. “She knows her people best.”
Sakura nodded, but didn’t entirely agree.

“She needs to be brought in,” said Sakura. “But she won’t want her apprentices put deliberately in harm’s way. The better poisoners are usually behind several layers of protection, as I am, so that others cannot get to them directly. Bringing them out into healer roles exposes their identities and risks them being targeted,” said Sakura.

“You’re out,” said Sasuke pointedly.

“I am a healer,” said Sakura. “The only people who know I am a poisoner are in this room, plus Tsunade and Shizune.”

“So if something happens to Sakura and it’s related to poisoning, it will be very obvious who talked,” said Naruto, his eyes on Sasuke.

Sasuke glared right back at Naruto.

Itachi, however, looked at Sakura and nodded.
“We will keep that information highly confidential,” said Itachi seriously. “So your business is coming to you because you are a renowned healer, not because it is widely known that you are a poisoner.”

“Exactly,” said Sakura.

“Is it possible for others to deduce that you are a poisoner from your success rate in treating poisoned patients?” asked Itachi, still looking at Sakura.

“If they know the Senju’s healer training methods, it’s possible,” said Sakura, thinking it over. “But outwardly, I specialise in chakra-related healing, not poisons or herbs, so it would be a leap in logic. Not impossible, but I likely wouldn’t be the first person they would go for if they were looking to remove the best anti-toxin developper.”

Sakura and her words slowed as she looked up at Jiraiya, her eyes widening in concern as she came to a terrifying conclusion.

“I’ll cover it,” said Jiraiya patiently, patting Sakura on the shoulder. They both understood her concerns: Tsunade and Shizune would be targeted.

Nearly wilting under his confidence, Sakura smiled at him in relief. “Thank you.”

“Skill-wise,” interrupted Itachi gently, cognizant of the unspoken communication between Sakura and her protector. “Who would reasonably be able to handle the care of the poisoning victims?”

“Besides you,” said Sasuke rudely, folding his arms in front of him.

“You are an asshole,” snapped Naruto, stepping forward. “And I’m gonna make you eat that comment.”

“Easy,” sighed Kakashi, pinching the back of Naruto’s shirt. He gave Sakura a tired look that nearly made Sakura laugh.

“Tsunade, obviously. Her longest-serving assistant, Shizune, has probably also absorbed plenty of knowledge about poisons. Hashirama, possibly, but I don’t know for sure,” said Sakura. “I believe Karin would have been given the training, and she was hired in the castle, so she is skilled. You could ask her for her thoughts.”

There was a very distinct stiffening of both Uchiha’s spines at the mention of Karin.

“Is something wrong?” asked Sakura, confused. “Karin can be a bit abrasive, but she was a very good healer.”

“That’s not it,” said Sasuke with tight lips, and Itachi nodded his head once, as if reluctant or in pain.

“Why do you look so constipated?” asked Naruto glibly, staring at Sasuke again.

Recovering the swifter of the two Uchihas, Itachi distracted Naruto by putting on his cloak, drawing his attention from Sasuke. He also placed himself between Sasuke and Naruto, neatly cutting off their access to each other.

A smooth move, Sakura had to admit.

“I understand your concerns,” said Itachi, turning to Sakura again as he fastened his cloak. He took in Yu as he slept peacefully in his mother’s arms. His dark eyes, so cunning and sharp, softened minutely, as did the line of his shoulders. “And I know we have more to discuss,” he said, holding her gaze.

Sakura returned it, unflinching.

“But I ask again. To save a life, may we reach out to you directly, Sakura?” asked Itachi, coming to stand directly in front of her and holding out his hand.

It was a dangerous move, and a powerful one. The Uchiha wanted access to her directly. Not just the Uchiha Underground, but the Uchiha Underground’s top representative with direct ties to the Royal family. And said representative had just manoeuvred neatly around Sakura’s security detail to confront her face to face and ask her personal permission to bypass their mutual clans’ rules. He’d even spoken her given name, instead of her clan affiliation, “Senju”.

Itachi could be both delicate and bold, thought Sakura.

This was the question he’d been wanting to ask all day.

“Will you be looking into poison training for your own healers?” asked Sakura, slowing her swaying to a halt. Yu’s kitten snores against her ear calmed and strengthened her resolve.

“Immediately,” said Itachi, lowering his hand. “Sasuke will speak to Karin tonight.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Sakura saw Sasuke flinch again, then whirl and glare daggers at Itachi’s back.

Interesting. Sakura tucked that tidbit away for future reflection.

Rubbing Yu’s back, Sakura considered Itachi’s request.

“What’s in it for me?” she asked, turning it back on him. Not for the Senju; what benefit was there for her personally.

“Full funding for a poison clinic, including rent, supplies, support staff and security, paid for by myself,” said Itachi immediately.

“Who chooses the staff?” asked Sakura.

The appreciation in Itachi’s eyes shone, making them glitter.

“We share input,” he said magnanimously.

“What else do you want out of this arrangement?” asked Sakura shrewdly.

At that, Itachi smirked, huffing a short laugh.

“You are not to be underestimated, are you?” said Itachi smoothly.

Sakura smiled at him enigmatically. She had not been raised at Tsunade’s elbow only to forget her lessons now, when they were most important.

“For the staff, I would like you to take on two Uchihas as apprentice poisoners—not to create poisons, but to learn how to analyse, identify and create antidotes for poisons,” said Itachi, when Sakura opened her mouth to object outright.

Sakura’s eyes narrowed on Itachi.

“What else?” she asked, neither agreeing nor refusing.

“Why would there be anything else?”

“Because you spent all day here to ask me for permission for direct contact, and I know poison would not bring you here for that,” said Sakura evenly, holding his glittering gaze with her hard one. “Another envoy could have handled the poisonings, and they would have gone to Tsunade, who has, as you know, the true authority over the Senju and its resources.”

If Sakura could have painted the look on Itachi’s face at that moment to save it for the rest of her life, she would have done so.

“Why did Mikoto’s sons come looking for me?” asked Sakura quietly, coming to stand in front of Itachi. “And I recommend honesty, as my fellows can be quite… discerning when it comes to untruths.”

Around Sakura, Naruto, Kakashi and Jiraiya closed in on either side of her, with Kakashi once again moving slightly in front of her and Yu. He did not obstruct her view of Itachi by any means, but he made it clear that Itachi and Sasuke would need to go through him to get to her.

“There is no need for a show of force,” promised Itachi. “Our intentions are peaceful.”

“And yet,” said Sakura. “You have given nothing but false pretence from the moment you stalked us at the market.”

Looking between Kakashi and Sakura, Itachi huffed in faint amusement, shaking his head.

“All right,” sighed Itachi. “But are you sure you want me to speak of such a sensitive matter in front of your company?”

Immediately Sakura’s jaw clenched shut, and she glared at Itachi.

Anger, embarrassment and shame flooded her. Anything else she could have handled, but that was a low blow and she mentally wished a very cruel fate upon the man looking at her so innocently. How dare he summon that moment? That night?

Her chest rising and falling sharply as her body reacted to her sharp spike in anger, Sakura heard her own harsh breathing.

“You dare bring up my rape as a bargaining tool,” she breathed, struggling to control her anger, her absolute fury that he would bring up such a topic.

The Senju’s reaction was immediate and Kakashi did step fully in front of Sakura then, saying,
“Take Yu out of here,” over his shoulders as he stepped toward Itachi. And Sakura did, turning on her heel. She needed to get out, she needed air.

“No deal,” declared Sakura as she turned to push the door open, shooting Itachi a toxic glare. “Send just enough of them back to Mikoto so she knows she raised piss for sons.”

To her surprise, Itachi’s eyes widened and he looked at the Senju in surprise.

“What—NO,” said Itachi loudly, horror filling him as he understood what Sakura had mistaken his words for.

Itachi took a step back, lifting up both his hands. From behind Itachi, Sasuke moved to his side.

“That’s not what he was going to say,” said Sasuke, defending his brother. “He’s sorry!”

“I would never behave that way,” said Itachi, holding his ground with Sasuke. “No Uchiha w—” His eyes took in Sakura’s furious, hurt expression, the way she protected Yu with her entire body. He stopped speaking immediately, his countenance contrite.

“I’m sorry,” said Itachi softly. Then he knelt on the floor in penitence. “That was never my intention, and not what I was going to say,” he promised. Beside him, Sasuke knelt, too.

“We would never treat a member of our Clan that way, or anyone else,” added Sasuke respectfully. He glanced at his brother and Sakura a moment, before adding, “Itachi is the one who is sent to… handle the members of the Clan who need reminding of that fact.”

“You’re the Eunuch Maker?” asked Naruto in surprise.

Itachi sighed, still holding up his hands.

Sasuke bumped his brother with his elbow and gave him a look.

“Please don’t share that information,” said Itachi. “But...yes.”

“Dude, that’s cold. You do that to your own family?” said Naruto, his shoulders cringing.

“An unfortunate necessity,” said Itachi tiredly. “Mother is very particular about gentlemanly manners.” He looked up at Sakura, genuinely remorseful. “It’s true.”

But the damage was done.

From the doorway, Sakura shook her head, scoffing under her breath.

“She missed one,” said Sakura darkly, quietly.

Her words silenced the fraught room.

“No deal,” repeated Sakura as she left.

Kakashi would follow her while Jiraiya and Naruto would escort the Uchiha away, Sakura knew. They didn’t need her for anything further, but she added a final order as she left.

“Get out.”

TBC