chapter 26

"You're really a good wife" he whispered and tightened his hug even more.

At that time, my heart and my brain just stopped functioning.

I returned his hug for a moment then pulled away. I know he's just teasing me, but somehow I feel uncomfortable. No, it's not like I don't like calling me a good wife. I just don't want him to say things that make me wish for more.

"Right" Itachi smiled, then his eyes caught my bandaged leg. "What's wrong with your leg? Are you hurt?? Are you okay??" he frowned.

"Oh, I'm fine. It's just a small cut" I told him. "I didn't concentrate during my practice with Deidara"

Itachi looked at me worriedly and I gave him a reassuring smile. "It's fine, really. You know that I can heal myself"

"Still, I don't like seeing you hurt"

I cupped his face. "It hurts more if you keep delaying eating the dango I've made"

He chuckled and placed his hand over mine. "Okay, okay"Itachi followed Kisame who had gone ahead to the kitchen and I prepared warm water for him. This has become a new habit for me and I can't help myself to take care of him.

I rechecked the temperature of the water before returning to my room and opened a book about disease and medicine. Itachi's condition has gotten worse lately. I concluded that he had a very rare auto-immune disease. This disease causes antibodies to attack blood cells causing them to bleed as they become damaged and inflamed. It's also attacks the vital organs of the body and causing bleeding, coughing and fatigue.

All this time, Itachi was using the most potent and very addictive drugs known as saigenzai, which keep him alive. I know that those drugs didn't cure his illness, they were keeping him from dying of sickness but were shortening his life span.

I tried to make a medicine that could cure his illness, but it turned out to be very difficult because it was an internal disease. It's not easy.

My forehead creased as I sank into my reading. My hand moved to write small notes of information that I found useful. I tried desperately to find any informationabout Itachi's disease and how to cure it.

"Why haven't you slept yet??"

My concentration broke when I heard Itachi's voice. I turned and saw him leaning against the door frame of my room. His hair was loose and still dripping with water.I gave him a small smile. "I'm not sleepy yet"

Itachi came in and sat on my bed. I stood up, took a towel and started drying his hair gently. He closed his eyes, enjoying himself.

"Itachi, do you know about Rikumaru?' I asked.

"It's a special deer, isn't it??"

"Yeah. It's a special deer owned by the Nara clan. I heard a special drug that works on all diseases can be made from its majestic antlers. We have to get it to heal you"

"...It's uncertain" Itachi said in hushed tone.

"At least we try" I insisted. "This is an opportunity and we must take it"

"It's not that easy, Sarah" Itachi opened his eyes and looked at me. "The deer is in the Nara Clan Forest and only members of the clan are allowed inside without the deer attacking unless an outsider is given permission"

I didn't say anything at Itachi's explanation. I have to think up a plan to be able to take the deer antlers. How toget in there? I've never been to Konoha before. I have to study the village first. My head was filled with dizzying new thoughts. Not to mention about Sasuke who needs to learn the truth about Itachi.

"You look really tired lately" Itachi said. "Are you okay?"

I took a deep breath. "...Yeah. It's just that I keep having nightmares lately"

Itachi wrapped his arms around me. Surprised at first, I tensed up, but slowly sank into his embrace.

"Wanna talk about it?" Itachi asked softly.

"...I prefer not to talk about it"

"Okay then" Itachi stroked my back and we parted after a bit. "It's late, time to rest. Lay down" he said.

I obeyed and laid down, looking up at him. He just smiled softly and pulled the blanket over me.

"Itachi?"

"Yes?"

"Will you please stay here with me tonight?" I asked shyly. "I would feel a lot safer if you did"Of course, I'll stay with you". Itachi walked over to the other side of the bed, kicking off his shoes before getting under the blanket. "Safe from nightmares??"

"Yeah..."

Itachi laughed a bit before pulling me close, resting my head on his chest. "Goodnight, Sarah"

I closed my eyes, butterflies in my stomach. I cuddled up to him and held onto him tight. "Goodnight, Itachi"

I didn't know how long we laid there before I fell asleep, but when I finally did, I dreamed about him. And it wasn't a bad dream this time.

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