Letting Go
By : HikariMaiden
Chapter 2 : Life : Pure and Simple
-- Mid June --
-- Sakura is Seven months pregnant --
"This is unacceptable, Neji Hyuuga!" Hiashi yelled at his nephew. Neji's eyes narrowed at his uncle when he started yelling at him . Ever since two hours ago he had been here waiting for Hiashi to come, only for him to come in and start screaming at him for no reason.
"You are trying to escape your responsibilities, and I will not allow that. By now you should already know that you are to wed a strong, capable and an untouched woman." Hiashi hissed, thoroughly pissed. Neji scoffed, untouched, within the lives of the kunoichi and male nins, they lived their lives to the fullest, they had no time to regret on being with someone. To find someone like that would only be in the clans where women are watched over carefully, heck even Hinata, who was a kunoichi had not been 'untainted' due to her guards keeping their eyes on her and her dignity.
A ninja's life could end any minute so they did what they did.
Strong woman, please the kunoichis are strong in this village. Capable, all woman were, then again why bring this sudden issue up since they have already discussed it two weeks ago. They had come to some reasoning, he would find his own woman, so why the sudden change? He was surely capable of finding her, eventually.
"That Uchiha woman is not suitable." Hiashi continued.
Uchiha woman? Who? There weren't anymore Uchiha's left, for Sasuke had passed away four month s ago.
Hiashi seeing his confusion narrowed his eyes and then sighed. " Neji, Uchiha Sakura shouldn't even be taking time in your schedule or in your mind for that matter." For some reason Neji's slow burning patience ignited and exploded in an amazing speed, his aura darkened, and with speed that Hiashi had never seen stood up and glared at him.
"How dare you bring her into this, that woman has suffered enough and I am not willing to let you harm her emotional state further than it already is. That 'woman' is strong and capable of many things. She is not an Uchiha she is a Haruno, and I will do what I will please and with whom I please, I will be the one to choose my wife!" he snapped, still glaring at his uncle, who stared at him with a surprised look at the sudden defense of that woman. Then he stalked off, not paying much attention.
Hiashi growled not liking being disobeyed. Then again he couldn't actually force Neji into marrying someone, no he didn't want to make Neji's life even more difficult. He just didn't want him to get hurt. Sighing he knew that he couldn't exactly help it, but he had already made his choice.
---
Neji's anger slowly disappeared as he walked down the streets of Konoha. How dare his uncle insinuate that Sakura is not good enough or worth his time. Pfft.
Like hell was he marrying a snobbish and money digging heir. They were so annoyingly helpless, and pathetic that he cringed at the thought of marrying one of them.
He let out a long sigh as he suddenly remembered Sakura's child movement under his touch, the feelings he had were bittersweet, he felt both pride and happiness at being able to feel the life within her. It felt bittersweet because he knew that he was not the father of such a child and it made him feel a foreboding about it.
Then without thinking twice about it, he walked towards her apartment, as he reached to knock the door, once again Sakura surprised him by opening the door, then they stared at each other.
Sakura smiled after seeing him and then he let a ghost of a smile show.
" Ah Neji-san, what are you doing here?" she asked looking behind him as if looking for something or someone else to spring up.
"Well, I was just around and -" he was cut off by a wobbly Sakura, who leaned against the door's frame. " Are you okay?" he asked resting his hand on her fair complex cheek, she un-expectantly leaned into his touch and then briefly closed her eyes.
" I'm just a bit tired" she said softly enjoying the warmth radiating from Neji's touch. Neji made a disapproving sound " In your state you shouldn't push yourself too much." he half heartedly scolded, removing his hand from her face. Sakura missed the warmth but then straightened up when Neji place a hand on her waist and led her inside the apartment, closing the door with his free hand.
He took her to her room and he gently led her to her bed, where he laid her down and covered her with her comforter. "Sleep" he said, Sakura blinked and then he began to protest but a yawn broke through, and then she soon fell asleep.
He stared at her face for a while and then he headed out the room, and into the kitchen, where he noticed that she was just about to make dinner.
- Three hours later -
Sakura's eyelashes fluttered, then abruptly looked around, and to her surprise, she saw Neji leaning against the door's frame. "Finally awake" he said walking up to her, and she nodded, he helped her up and she took his hand , and both made their way towards the kitchen table.
Sakura was amazed at what she saw, she saw food ready, the kitchen was clean and the trash was thrown away already. She then glanced at him who seemed waiting for her answer, she smiled at him and then gave him a, well the best hug that she could without damaging her stomach. It felt kind of awkward but the sentiment was there none the less.
Smirking in self-satisfaction, he led her to the seat and then he served her dinner, and when he just stood there, she hesitated, and then stood up surprising him and took his hand and sat him on the opposite chair of hers.
"Come on Neji-san you didn't actually expected me to eat everything, did you?" she asked laughing a little at his sort of embarrassed face.
In truth she couldn't actually imagine Neji being in the kitchen, ever, much less know that he could actually cook unlike Sasuke who usually ended up burning practically everything.
When she took her first bite, her taste buds tingled at its taste, and her eyes widened in amazement, but Neji not being the very perceptive guy, with women, anyways, he was lost.
Did she liked it? Did it tasted horrible? Was he really that bad of a cook? He frowned a bit, truly he was not sure what to expect.
" It's okay if you-" " Wow Neji, I never would have thought of you to be such a great cook" she said her eyes glinting in awe at this new discovery.
Seriously her appraisal made him feel light headed and his heart soar. He shyly smiled as he took in a bite for himself and enjoy this dinner, with her.
------------ 2 months later -------------
Walking down the street of Konoha were both Sakura and Neji, who was carrying bags full of clothes for the baby and herself.
According to Sakura, what he told her was had happened to him during one of his latest missions, was so funny that she couldn't stop laughing. Sakura cracked up so fast when he started telling her about it, because he had actually talked with a serious face., he only stared at her with amusement in his eyes. It was days like this that he liked, he enjoyed making her laugh and talk to her about anything. She was his confident, his best girl friend he had after Tenten.
Memories he had, memories he did not wanted to let go, but he understood that he had to move on. It hadn't been all that easy, but Sakura had been there for him and he would do the same for her.
As she brushed off the tear of laughter from the corner of her eyes, she then gasped and dropped the bread bag she carried in hand. Her eyes widened and in an instant Neji's was grabbing her shoulders.
" Sakura, what happened? " he asked concern evident in his eyes.
"Neji…my….my water broke" she gasped again. Neji blinked, and he hesitated. So he may be great at martial arts, and the jutsus, and the Byakugan, and training, and education, but he sure was lacking the pregnancy experience. In conclusion he had no idea as to what to do.
" What?" he asked, Sakura gripped his hand so tight it made him wince inwardly.
" The baby…it's coming" she gasped once again. Neji's eyes widened and then as fast as he could, he took her in his arms bridal style and did the transportation jutsu.
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
He paced the floor, his head buzzing and his ears ready to hear the screams. Seriously to people he seemed calmed enough while he paced the floor, but in truth he was cringing and was a nervous wreck just thinking about it.
With a ruckus that would put babies to shame in came Naruto, Kakashi, Lee, Ino, Shikamaru, Hinata, Kureina, Gai, and many others burst in through the doors, annoying and earning glares from medic nins.
As they hushed up, Naruto yelled. " Oi Neji, what happened?" he asked the very nervous Neji, who was about to rip off his beautiful hair.
Neji blinked shaking off most of his nervousness, and then as coherently as he could he spoke. " Sakura. Baby. Here." he mumbled, rubbing his temples.
Naruto barely understood, but when things finally filtered in his brain, his eyes widened and then he let out a hearty laugh, everyone turned to him, well the guys, they didn't actually knew what the hell was going on. The girls all squealed and then laughed, while the men just gave them awkward stares, until Kureina decided to explain to the clueless men. Then their eyes widened and some smirked and others were now looking quite nervous themselves, though not as nervous as Neji.
Neji ignored all their ruckus and turned his gaze back to the doors were Sakura had been taken through. This though didn't go unnoticed by the ever perceptive nins. They could actually see his worry and his nervousness, well those that knew him well enough.
After four hours of waiting Tsunade, who had actually decided to take charge of bringing Sakura's child, came out in a rush, and then ordered Neji to come closer to her. " Sakura is having difficulties with the deliverance, come" she said not giving him a chance to question her and led him into the room.
The room smelled like blood and medicine. He walked straight to where Sakura was and took her hand in which she took in a death like grip making him grunt at the grip.
"Come on Sakura, you can do it." Tsunade encouraged her, Sakura glared at her but Tsunade ignored it. "Crap! I'm pushing as hard as I can and yet it won't come out!" Sakura yelled her hand shaking within Neji's one.
Neji blinked at her, then again he remembered that she had been more violent when she was younger, he sighed and took in the pain in his hand that she was giving him.
"Come on Neji, at least encourage her" Tsunade snapped, not raising her head. Neji stared at her then at Sakura's face which was scrunched up in both pain and force, and he decided on what to do.
He lowered his forehead only to rest on her sweaty one " Come on Sakura, just a little bit more, you can do it" instantly she nodded when she heard his voice and pushed harder. " That's my girl" he whispered and then rested his cheek against her, nuzzling her.
Finally they heard a baby's cry fill the tense hospital room. Sakura let out a tired sigh and then laid her head further in the pillow, Neji's face next to hers, their hands still resting intertwined on the bed.
Tsunade cut off the umbilical chord and then stood straight and with her a now cleaned child. " Congratulations Sakura, it's a baby boy!" she exclaimed handing her the child. Neji helped her sit up a little and then moved away for her to carry the child. Then Tsunade excused herself as she went to clean herself and then tell the others about it. Leaving behind the three alone.
Both Sakura and Neji stared at the child, both with a smile. " My baby" she said kissing its forehead, then she glanced at Neji's white orbs, and he smirked.
Neji hands twitched, really how he wanted to be able carry the child, he had never carried one in his entire life. Knowingly Sakura made motion to give him the child, and Neji was surprised, but he moved closer to her. Slowly he took him in his arms, careful not to shake him or hurt him. How could it be that he was so fragile and small within his embrace. He stared at him and smiled warmly at him.
"Welcome home Sasuke Uchiha" Sakura said surprising Neji, who held the child, he was actually surprised because it had been almost a year since she had said that name.
Smiling he shot her a glance and she stared at her child, then he smirked. Sasuke Uchiha, it suits him so, since he had a mop of ebony tresses, with barely noticeable pink streaks of hair, and when he opened his eyes, Neji could see the forest green eye color within them.
He deserved that much. After a while, Sakura yawned and fell asleep, and soon Sasuke followed, leaving Neji with the child in hands. Sighing, he carried the baby to the already baby basinet on the other side of the bed. Thankful, he took Sasuke to it and laid him down gently as to not actually wake him. Silently he made his way out of the room to leave the resting new mother and newborn.
----
As soon as he was out the door, he was bombarded by questions, heck even Naruto pushed him in order to go in, but with his quick reflexes, Neji stopped him by holding his neck like and pulled him back. " I don't think so Naruto, they need to rest" he said smirking.
Naruto pouted and sighed, guess he had to wait up until they woke up again.
"What's it's name?" asked Naruto, obviously if he couldn't see them, he could at least find out certain things.
"It's' Naruto, seriously, the baby boy is named Sasuke. Uchiha Sasuke." Neji said giving Naruto the look at the mention of the child. Everyone stared at him as if he had same some type of joke, but when he just gave them the stare, they knew it was true.
A new life was born, in their ever changing world, and this time it was Sasuke Uchiha.
---One year and seven months later ---
"Mama!" said a small squeaky voice. A small baby boy wobbly made his way to his pink haired mother, who was currently washing the baby bottles. His ebony hair with light pink highlights bounced up and down as he walked towards her. His forest green eyes glittering with joy and excitement.
Sakura stared at her son smiling as he made his way to her. " Mama, Nawu, foosh!" he explained as he expanded his hands his eyes widened in pure amazement and fascination. What Sasuke was trying to say was that Naruto showed him the frog summoning jutsu. With a small one, but bigger then Sasuke.
Then there was a knock at the door and she turned off the faucet, picked up Sasuke and placed him on her hip, then she went to answer the door. His curious eyes took in the height and everything surrounding him. Then when she opened the door, Sasuke's mouth opened up to show his two top teeth and the two lower ones as well. A giggle escaped him and his little chubby arms were already stretched out.
"Hi" said Neji who had a small box in hand. When he saw Sasuke stretch his hands towards him, he too mirrored him and extended his arms reaching for him. Sakura easily let go of Sasuke once she was sure Neji had him.
It really befuddled her seeing Neji acting all sweet and protective of Sasuke, and her. She let him come inside and then went towards the kitchen to get Neji and herself a cup of juice, while she brought his baby cup with some apple juice. Sasuke was really a bright boy, and it sometimes it amazed her at his intelligence.
Before she reached them, she saw what was in the box and so did Sasuke, it was a small box full of ABC's blocks, which he displayed in order and then he shuffled them only to leave a very giggly Sasuke.
Then he ruffled his hair, smiling all the while. Sakura handed him his cup and then she sat there in their small triangle.
Sasuke played and giggled and made other baby sounds every once in a while, once in a while he would glance at them, stare for a moment and then go back to his previous actions.
Then suddenly Sasuke left his cup on the floor, he made the efforts of standing up, first placing both hands against the floor, then placing both feet flat on it as well, raised his diapered bottom up and straight he went to stand up.
Then he walked barely up to where they were seated and then he placed one hand on Neji's leg, while the other he placed it on his mother. "Mama," he said staring at her and then he stared at Neji "Papa" he said then he started making other baby sounds, beaming at them and giving them his smile, while both Sakura's and Neji's hearts were racing, heck some beats skipped. Their eyes widened as well when he had made that innocent remark.
Sasuke feeling the tension building between his 'papa' and 'mama' pouted and then he looked as if he was about to cry. Sakura stared at him and then picked him up reassuring him that he hadn't done anything wrong. Neji was confused, he really was, he didn't know what he was feeling right now, but not waning to hurt Sasuke, he ruffled his hair and then gently caressed his cheek, making Sasuke giggle at the feathery touch.
Neji knew that he had to think, so he excused himself, leaving behind both hurt and confused Sakura and Sasuke.
-
A month later and Sakura still had not seen any glimpse of Neji. Truth was that Sasuke was asking for him, he was hell bent on thinking that Neji was his father, not like she could blame him, since Neji had been the male that he had spent more time with.
Was he really disturbed with the idea of Sasuke calling him his father? She actually felt anger and hurt at him pushing them away like that, but then again she reasoned with herself that he had not made any promises to her or to Sasuke, even if he had spent a lot of time with them. She came to a realization, and that realization made her heart ache even more at his rejection, she was in love with him. She had fallen so easily in love with him that she didn't even noticed. But he sure as hell didn't seem to like her that way. So she decided to resign herself. She would live alone with Sasuke.
She sighed, here she was cleaning Sasuke's room, which was the one that she had use when Neji first brought her when after Sasuke died.
She bit her lip at the memory, but then she remembered the dream she smiled. She was shuffling through Sasuke's papers when she felt his hand resting on her knee, which was visible due to her shorts, after all it was mid March, when the hot weather began. She smiled down at him and then she saw that he was carrying something in his hands.
"Mama" he said handing it to her, he stared at her curiously. His not so eyes mesmerized her, Sasuke had indeed had black colored eyes, while her green eyes gave Sasuke his forest green with streaks of black. His hair though he got from his father.
She tilted her head and Sasuke copied and giggled. She tickled him and he laughed, then he took the opportunity to leave and play once again with his blocks, the blocks that Neji had given him.
A present, this reminded her of her first Christmas with her son, and to her surprise Neji had joined that party Ino did. How he played with Sasuke and gave him shapes games and Sasuke had loved them. To her he had given a silver necklace wit a small cherry bud, which she always wore.
Sighing she lowered her head to focus on the item that Sasuke had given her. Her eyes widened when she saw what it was. It was the heart shaped letter that Tsunade had give her and it came from her Sasuke. Tears gathered in her eyes and then she slowly opened it, she had actually forgotten about the whole letter.
As she opened it, another letter in a square fell out. She slowly picked it up. It was addressed to her son, though not in name, but it said from who. Glancing at Sasuke she noticed him staring at her with mild curiosity, and then he giggled going back to his game. She stared at him curiously and surprised, he seemed to actually understand what she was doing and why. Shaking her head, she placed his letter inside his important paper folder and closed it, placed the folder inside its box and closed it. Then she stood up and put away the box on top of the shelve of the closet. Sasuke once again stared at her and then resumed his games.
Sakura was really interesting in her son's antics, he was just too smart, just like his father.
She than sat back on the floor and read the letter.
Sakura ,
If you are reading this, then I guess you have finally moved on. If you have finally let go and moved on, I am happy for you, the truth is that I don't want you regretting it. If your heart desires something then go after it, don't ignore it, it will only hurt you. I almost did that and I almost lost you once. I am so grateful to having had the opportunity of making you happy, something I had always wanted to do so since we were children. I am thankful that you had given me a second chance.
You know, the day when I was found I thought that I wouldn't have made it, Neji had actually almost ended up without chakra trying to bring me to you. He said some thing, and it made me wonder, but he should say them to you. I almost laughed, you know, but with you in mind, I actually did not wanted to piss him off, I wanted to live, if only to see you once again. You know I once thought of him being such an ass, really I did, and sometimes I felt jealous when I saw you with him, but you were always surrounded by men, something I did not like, but had to deal with to be with you. It amused me you know, to some level anyways, but sometimes I felt like killing any male that came close to you.
You were the one that made me feel, the one that taught me that love wasn't a weakness rather it was a line that was tied to strength, wisdom, unity, and peace. I loved your beautiful sea foam eyes, your mouth, and just everything about you. You drove me crazy until the point that I couldn't actually imagine my life without you. Then you made me the happiest man on earth by accepting to be my wife, and most of all when you actually got pregnant, you gave me another reason to live. For that I am so grateful and regretful at the same time. As I sit here writing this letter, I remember all the times that I took you, how you made me want to never leave you, to always stay by your side and grow up old with you and see our children grow and have kids. Cheesy, I know, but that was how you made me feel. Every time we made love you made me fall in love with you all over again. You probably are still bashful as ever, your probably blushing right now. Hehe, well sorry, but it was the truth.
Anyways Tsunade is hurrying me and with reason, she said you were coming, probably at full speed too. I don't want you to see this letter before you were ready. I know that it probably hurt, more than normal, but you being the strong woman that you are probably overcame it. I am happy and would be happy if you didn't blamed yourself. Life is life and I don't regret it, well except this, the idea of leaving you. You have blessed me with your presence and the new life growing or grown within you depending. You know the Uchiha Compound , Tsunade- sama know what to do with it.
Don't let this unnecessary guilt and my once presence hold you back from being happy, I may be gone but in your heart I will be there, I would never abandon you completely. Be happy and don't let the child grow up like I did, full of sadness and regret. Make him live the happiness that we once had.
I will always love you , Sasuke Uchiha
Sakura's throat clogged and silent tears made their way down her cheeks. Sasuke sensing his mother's distressed, as fast as he could ran to her, his face contorted in a pout as if ready to cry. Sakura took him in her arms and nuzzled his neck reassuring him that everything was okay. She then let him go and she folded the letter and placed it inside the small music box that she found in that room.
Then once again she picked up Sasuke and placed him on her hip, he was more than happy being within his mother's embrace, and just a they made their way towards the kitchen, there was a knock, and she raised her eyebrows at it. It was three, and she usually didn't get this type of visits. Then shrugging, which Sasuke mimicked, she headed towards the door and opened the door.
White eyes stared at her, and the long brown hair mesmerized her, it looked so soft and delicate. She blinked, why would she be here, she didn't even talk to her. Sakura was confused.
" Um, hello Sakura-san" she said smiling a bit.
" um, uh hello to you too Hanabi - chan" Sakura said hesitantly and then Sasuke spoke " Papa" he said outstretching his chubby little arms out, Hanabi stared at him and then smiled, but when she reached to take him, Sasuke suddenly noticed the differences and lowered his arms immediately frowning while he looked around.
Hanabi understanding retreated her arms and then smiled at him, she then took out a letter. " It 's from cousin Neji" she said handing it to her.
Sakura was confused but took it none the less. " Don't worry, I don't think that there is anything to worry about." she said almost instantly calming Sakura's inner troubles.
With that done, Hanabi bid goodbye and then left a very confused Sakura and a curious Sasuke, who gurgled and flapped his hands around. Clearly he was not happy at being deceived into believing that his father was there.
Sasuke stared at her waiting for her next move and then when she was about to close the door, Neji stepped in, his presence clearly surprising the two residents, well not for long though, because as soon as Sasuke processed it he was giggling and reaching for him calling him papa. Sakura was seriously confused, hadn't Hanabi just came to deliver a letter from him. She blinked, when Neji took Sasuke in his arms, and Sasuke wrapped his arms around his neck, clearly happy that he finally saw his father.
" Neji wha-" she was cut off when Neji kissed her full on the lips, and she found herself blushing, as she trembling so returned it. Sasuke giggled and clapped his hands happily. Then Neji step back giving them a chance to the both of them to catch their breath.
Sakura's eyes were dilated, her face flushed and her lips red. She was blinking receiving another kiss from him.
Then just a breath away from her mouth he spoke." I'm sorry, I didn't mean to leave you so abruptly, I actually couldn't tell you about this mission" he said looking her straight in her eyes. She stared at him, and then she smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist, and giving him a full fledged kiss, making his stomach knot and their bodies tingle.
Sasuke stared at them and when Sakura paid more attention to his father, he gurgled not happy, they laughed and she gave him a kiss on his forehead making him beam at her.
Right now they were currently sitting on the couch, the three of them, Sakura was leaning against his left side, while Sasuke laid there asleep. Neji groaned at the letter. " I clearly told her to give it to you a month ago." he said, not happy at his cousin's lapse. He rolled his eyes when she told him that she had just received it a few seconds before he appeared, and in returned he received a kiss from her. So he started explaining everything.
" It wasn't easy and I was sure that I wasn't going to make it." he said looking at the wall with a blank look, Sakura's breath hitched and buried her face in his chest. " but then I thought of you, and Sasuke" he said softly laying his chin on her head and hugging a now sleeping Sasuke, who was snuggled between the two. " I thought of how you were going to move on, I even was delirious, heck I even saw Sasuke grown up and he looked like his father." he said smiling a little at the memory. " then I thought to myself, that I actually wanted to be there, to see him grow, to see him change, to be with the both of you." he said kissing the top of her head, as she snuggled closer to him, and he sighed.
" Do you remember, the day that he actually called me papa?" he asked her, both smiling at the memory. She nodded and raised her head to see his face. " It got me thinking, it really did and it also made me realize some things." he said, and she stared at him curiously " what were they?" she asked really wanting to know.
" One" he said and then he leaned into her and planted a kiss in her mouth "that I love you" then he smiled, " and two, that I want to be Sasuke's father" he said smiling warmly at her. Her eyes widened and then welled up in tears. Neji hesitated, he thought that he had said something wrong and that she did not wanted to be with him.
Then Sakura hugged him tighter and nodded her face buried deep within his chest. " I love you too." she mumbled, Neji did not understood her for her words were muffled by his clothing. " What?" he asked
She raised her face and planted a fierce kiss surprising him, then like he did to her she whispered a breath away from his mouth the words that he wanted to hear. " I love you too" she giggled at his expression, but soon he gave her one of his fiery kiss of his own, and tightened his wrapped arm around her. Both their hands intertwined embracing Sasuke, who was sleeping soundly and happily , his face was grazed by a small smile.
----
Okay so what do you guys think? Probably not what you were expecting, huh? Oh well I really hope that at least some of you enjoyed this short tale. I've been having the idea of actually considering of making a small sequel to this short story. Let me know what you guys think about it.