Title: Train

Authoress: Mistress Krane

Summary: Two strangers. One comes from a rural home, the other a more urban setting. A small train, running at an unusual hour, brings them together. AU, ItaSaku

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, it belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.

A/N: I apologize, once again, for the delay in posting War, but this oneshot came to be over the weekend, and I decided that it would be a little treat to my readers for the wait. Hope you like it!

Side note: This fic was inspired by the song, 'Don't Stop Believing' by Journey. Though it is technically not mentioned in the story, I do not own any rights to the song.

The muted shush of the metal doors escaped into the cool night air as a figure boarded the midnight train, its destination unknown.

Gender indiscernible underneath the thick black coat and stylish black hat, the person sat gracefully beside the far window seat, failing to notice the quietly curious onyx eyes watching them from a distance.

Removing the garment covering her cranium, the stranger shook her head, allowing long pink locks of hair to cascade down her back and settle naturally, the ends fanning around the seat of her cushioned chair.

Immediately setting to work on her coat, the young woman—likely no older than seventeen—slipped the fabric smoothly off of her shoulders to reveal a slim body and flawless pale skin.

Even from a distance, the dark-haired man could pick up her scent without effort: a powerful mix of apples and cinnamon. It was an unusual combination, but pleasant nonetheless.

Sharp but soft emerald eyes slid calmly in his direction, and when they landed on the man, only a spark of surprise became noticeable before it faded into polite speculation.

She seemed to deliberate for a few moments, observing the completely empty section of the train sans herself and the young man, before gathering her few belongings and approaching him.

Interest shone in her bright eyes, though the way she moved suggested caution. The man inwardly praised her awareness of the potential danger of the situation.

"May I sit?" the girl asked quietly, a hint of a foreign accent that he did not recognize mixed into her girlish soprano.

He felt his lips twitch slightly at the sound, and he inclined his head slightly.

"Certainly," his rich, dark voice said quietly.

She smiled in thanks, setting herself beside him. Propping her elbow on the armrest and her chin on her fist, she appeared to think briefly about something before training her gaze onto him.

"Pardon my asking," she stated politely. "But what reason does one such as yourself have for traveling at this hour? Some consider the notion to be unpleasant."

Restraining the urge to raise a brow in amusement at the latter statement, he replied evenly, "I have… personal matters to attend to. I do not mind the late hour."

"I see," she nodded. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Haruno Sakura."

"Uchiha Itachi," he replied.

"An Uchiha?" asked Sakura, a small smile on her lips. He was unable to understand the underlying emotion beneath the gesture.

"Does something trouble you regarding my surname, Haruno-san?" Itachi questioned softly. To be honest, he really would not be surprised if that were the case.

"Just 'Sakura' is fine, Uchiha-san," she insisted. "And no. I have nothing against a member of the Uchiha family. I was merely curious."

"Sakura-san. I believe that my own first name will suffice as well," Itachi said, unyielding.

"I suppose I must agree," sighed Sakura, though it was lighthearted. "Well Itachi-san, would you like an apple? If I recall correctly, I brought quite a few with me when I left."

"Aa."

As she looked through her small bag in search of the fruit, Itachi turned to stare out the window. The trees and flat plains informed him that they were still in the countryside, and because he had taken this particular route various times, he knew that his destination was still a fair distance away.

Well, he decided, looking at the smiling pinkette beside him, a small red apple in her hands, perhaps this girl would keep him sufficiently occupied for a good portion of the trip.

{}{}{}{}

Uchiha Itachi. The name sounded vaguely familiar to her, though she was unable to tell why.

Uchiha was the name of a large business company if she wasn't mistaken, but coming from a small town in the country, she had never really paid attention to the details.

As she watched him, Sakura noticed that Itachi was formal and proper, even when he was in the presence of someone unimportant such as herself.

"Itachi-san?" she asked, licking the apple juice off of her lips. His eyes seemed to stray down at the movement, though she was sure that she had just been seeing things due to the fact that they had just met.

"Hn."

"Where is it that you are from?"

Something flickered in his eyes, though they quickly became impassive once more. Sakura was curious as to how and why he hid his emotions so skillfully.

"I was raised in a metropolitan area, always surrounded by large buildings and businesses," he replied blankly.

It did not escape her notice that he had failed to mention the specific name of the city, and at that she smiled smally. "That explains the part of the reason to your family's success, if not vaguely," she said.

"I suppose one could say that," Itachi murmured, shrugging one shoulder faintly and taking a careful bite of the apple.

"I, myself, come from a small community. Very rural," Sakura supplied. "Many make their living on agriculture as opposed to stocks and such." Her tone suggested no ill opinion of her way of life.

"I assume that these particular apples are of your own labor," stated Itachi, no doubt in his voice.

"Of course," chuckled Sakura kindly. "I have brought quite a few, for a reason that is lost on me. Perhaps I was subconsciously aware of our encounter?"

Itachi smirked at her then, sending a small rush of pink to her cheeks. She chided herself for allowing such a reaction at the sight of an attractive stranger's facial expression.

"Perhaps," he repeated thoughtfully.

Itachi's eyes left her then, moving back to the window. It was raining, she noted dully.

The train's soft hum and smooth movements lulled her into a state of drowsiness, and as she felt her eyes begin to close, the smell of freshly brewed coffee alerted her senses. It was mixed with an array of fairly sweet scents as well, and when Sakura turned her head to the left, toward the middle aisle, she caught sight of a metal cart.

"Would you like something, miss?" a man, who sounded around his mid-twenties, asked.

She looked up at his face and noticed his hungry eyes running over her figure hungrily. A vein throbbed at her temple, though she knew that introducing a certain part of his anatomy to her foot would not be good; it would distract the train's director from his job.

Acting instinctively, Sakura grabbed Itachi's hand, shooting him a glance that she hoped that he would interpret correctly.

"May I have a cup of green tea, please?" she asked sweetly, mentally cursing her sudden urge for a warm drink. Turning her head fully toward Itachi, she almost sighed in relief at the understanding light in his eyes. "Would you like anything, Itachi-kun?"

"No, I am fine... Sakura," replied Itachi, her name sounding almost sinful on his tongue. His features were soft and tender, and for a moment her heart stopped.

But when Itachi looked up at the other man, his face became rigid and cold, his eyes becoming sharp and decidedly intimidating. "That will be all, thank you," he said stonily, tone cutting.

Obviously frightened, the server scrambled to get the drink over to Sakura before rushing out of sight and into the neighboring car.

Sakura burst into a fit of bubbly laughter then, forgetting her weary state.

{}{}{}{}

The sight of Sakura's brightened face as well as the sound of her laughter made Itachi's lips curve up slightly.

Considering the situation, he supposed that it was rather humorous to see the previously smirking and flirtatious young male be reduced to such a frightful state.

But that did not explain his earlier reactions to Sakura's ministrations.

A jolt of electricity had passed through him when her hand had suddenly taken his, and he had had to physically suppress a shiver at the loving way that she had said his name.

Most odd was the illogical rush of protectiveness and... irritation that had surged at the look that the other male had given her.

Sakura was just a girl. A girl that had happened to board the same train as he at approximately the same hour. She was of no particular importance to him.

So why...

"Itachi-san?"

His face unreadable, he turned toward Sakura. He was mildly surprised to find her looking rather bashful when just moments ago she had been very lively.

He nodded.

"I apologize for dragging you into the situation like that," she apologized, not meeting his eyes. She looked needlessly guilty over something of this nature. "It was unnecessary."

Still, he thought, he could understand perfectly her reason for doing so. She was feeling uncomfortable with the man and so she had acted. He could find no fault in her actions.

"There is no need to apologize, Sakura-san," said Itachi quietly. "You have done no wrong."

Sakura looked up at him slowly and offered him a tentative smile before turning to grab her drink.

"Thank you," she mumbled around the rim of her cup. "Your kindness is noted."

He smirked at the almost teasing edge to her words. After all, he could not remember a time when someone had graced him with that particular comment; his disposition definitely suggested otherwise. He suspected that she knew that as well.

A few moments of companionable silence passed between the two.

"Why are you traveling?" Itachi asked softly, a little unused to being the one breaking the silence. But he was curious as to why someone would travel a moderate distance with only a purse-sized bag at such an unusual hour, let alone a teenage girl with pink hair.

"Ah, forgive me for not telling you earlier," she said sheepishly. "My reason for traveling is... undetermined as of yet."

Itachi raised a brow.

"I suppose I travel whenever it is convenient. Whenever I am not needed at home," Sakura tried to explain. "The train is inexpensive, and I do not care for the destination so long as I may return back."

Her answer intrigued him, but he said nothing more. If she wished to tell him, she would continue, at least according to her previous actions.

She did not disappoint.

"I am actually fond of this type of transportation. The stars are normally visible, and the view of the rain is beautiful," she continued thoughtfully. "The quiet is also comfortable, though with someone as taciturn as yourself, it is not broken in the least."

Pausing to grin warmly at him, she added, "And I mean that in the kindest of ways, Itachi-san. One does not meet many like you."

Itachi blinked once at the sincerity in which Sakura had voiced her compliment. He could not recall the last time that someone other than his mother, cousin, and occasionally his little brother, had said anything remotely close to the things that she had said in the last few minutes, and for that he could not help but be slightly grateful.

"I believe that the same may be said about you," Itachi responded, his voice very quiet.

Sakura laughed then, though he could see the faint mark of red across her cheeks. "You are very right about that. Not many have pink hair, green eyes, and a large forehead, after all."

His eyes strayed to her forehead, and though it was slightly larger than average, he knew that she would grow into it very soon.

Her vibrant pink hair, which he knew without a doubt was natural, looked soft and silky to the touch. It added a large splash of definition to her appearance, and did not detract from her appeal in the slightest.

Wide emerald eyes stared back at him without apprehension, instead shimmering with unveiled curiosity bathed in an unusual collection of warmth, directed specifically toward him. It confused him.

"You seem confused," said Sakura suddenly, tilting her head slightly to the side. "Why?"

How could she see his befuddlement? He was not giving any indication of his confusion to her. He responded to her question with one of his own. "Why are you concerned?

A furrow appeared between her eyebrows, and confusion almost mirroring his own entered her eyes. "Why would I not be? Though we have only known one another for a limited amount of time, you are my… friend." She seemed to be struggling to find the correct words. "Perhaps another term would be more adequate; I apologize."

Ah. He was her… 'friend.' It certainly explained the way in which she regarded him: with such warmth and kindness. He could only wonder how she had come to that particular impression of him.

"Hn," he grunted noncommittally, turning his head toward the outside once more.

The silence following the conversation stretched, though it was comfortable. Itachi's onyx eyes remained impassive and unwavering as they watched the empty fields become more populated with small buildings.

The moon was moving slowly but surely across the night sky, casting shadows along the roads and skimming the swaying grass. The Uchiha glanced briefly toward Sakura, and smirked faintly at the sight of her closed eyes and flushed cheeks. Her breathing was deep and even.

Already used to many sleepless nights, Itachi resumed his observation of the train's progress, noting all of the small changes in the landscape. Clear lakes became large, empty fields, most likely just harvested, the plains were replaced with steadily growing buildings, and the barely noticeable lightening of the sky's colors, from deep black to dark blue, occurred during his watch.

The amount of time that had passed was unimportant to Itachi, though after a while, Sakura began to stir. Sometime during the trip her head had landed on his shoulder without his knowledge, but he did not mind enough to move her.

The train was almost to his destination, and he idly wondered if Sakura was going to be stepping off at this point as well. She had said that her drop-off point was insignificant so long as she was able to return to her hometown, and some small, irrational part of him hoped that she would be joining him in the city.

"Will you be getting off at this next stop, Itachi-san?" asked Sakura, voice slightly hoarse from sleep. She rubbed her eyes groggily, sneaking a glance at him.

"Yes, I will be in town on business for a while," he replied blandly. His job was growing rather tedious, he supposed, but who was he to voice his uncomfort?

She was silent for a few moments, and he could practically feel the hesitation radiating off of her in waves. It soon turned into resolution and awkwardness, something that he found strange.

Though when he heard her next statement, he understood perfectly.

"I know this may sound abrupt," she began unsurely. "But I suppose I will also depart the train at this upcoming stop; okaasan wishes for me to pick up a few supplies on my trip in town. And I was wondering, if it would not be too much of a burden, that I may have a way of contacting you?"

Her request had him stiffened in surprise, but he soon recovered himself and stared back at her calmly. She looked very uncomfortable.

"I will give you my number," Itachi said after a while. Her eyes widened in surprise. "You may contact me at any time if you require anything."

Sakura's anxiety disappeared for the most part, a bright smile stretching across her face. "That would be much appreciated, Itachi-san."

A hint of doubt still laced into her voice, she asked once more, "Are you sure that this is alright?"

The train pulled to a stop, and the sound of multiple doors opening at once sounded throughout the compartment. The duo stood together.

Itachi gently caught her chin in his hands, ensuring eye contact, before saying firmly, "Sakura. It is fine. As you said, we are… friends, are we not?"

The pinkette nodded shyly, face becoming warmer under his touch.

"Then I will assist you if you ask," he said resolutely, releasing her slowly.

Sakura, still red in the face, grinned at him as they walked off of the train together.

The sky was a myriad of colors, hues of red, orange, purple, and all of the colors in between, and the air was crisp and cold. Buildings surrounded them as the train departed from the station, and the occasional car drove by in the street.

"Don't worry, I brought enough money with me to stay comfortable for a while," assured Sakura lightly. "At least you do not have to worry about that."

The two exchanged numbers in their respective phones, Sakura inwardly cringing away at the thought of how expensive Itachi's phone must have been. If she had wanted to buy a phone like his, she would have had to work a month or more's worth of labor.

"I will see you around then, Itachi," smiled Sakura, dropping the honorific and punching him playfully in the arm. "Good luck with your business meetings and such."

As she sauntered down the street away from him, pink curls flowing behind her, Itachi allowed the tiniest of chuckles to escape from his lips, turning in the opposite direction and making his way to his designated hotel.

A/N: It isn't the longest of oneshots, but I am fairly satisfied with it. :)

As you can tell, I left the ending pretty wide open just in case I may want to get back to this particular story later. Please be nice to me: I just got back into my muse!

Mistress Krane