"What Life Has To Offer"
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Chapter 3: Aching
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"If you love someone more than anything then distance only matters to the mind not to the heart."
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*****RECAP*****
"Yes. The rumors were true, and I am seeing someone".
There was no need for her to read what was in the paper for she already knows what written. The one he had consulted with had come to her days ago telling her what may come in her future. He did not know that the woman he had consulted was one of the few who had great debt from her. The woman herself stayed silently and wished her the strength and to prepare for the inevitable. Yet two sort of 'why' questions above all others came to her mind as she first read the title of the document loudly.
Why was is it so hard for her to let go of him?
And why was he able to let go of her so easily?
"Divorce Agreement"
*****End of RECAP*****
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"Sakura what is this?" Sasuke asked after reading the white paper on his hand. He was fully aware of what the contents tells, yet it was too simple than the one he wrote for her.
"You know how to read, Sasuke-kun" Sakura answered as she stared at her husband who once again ruffled his hair with his free hand.
Sasuke inhaled a lungful of breath before he answered her again as his eyes reconnect with her emerald orbs "I fully understand what I read"
"Good" Sakura answered as her voice held with no waver yet her eyes failed to return the same concept. She was crumbling... inside.
"Sakura" Sasuke brows furrowed as he tries to recapture her attention. He fully knew that the Sakura in front of him was hiding from a mask that was starting to fall off.
"Please" She pleaded that was now evident on her voice "For Itachi... and nothing more" she told as her eyes was now shimmering due to her unshed tears.
Sasuke sighed, then nodded as he read again the paper at his hands. It was true that their son would be going in a months' time for his chuunin exam in Suna, and within the confines of their home her request was simple - to act who they were before everything that led to their current situation. The small ritual they took like newlyweds - him carrying her around the house, as she go to the kitchen and prepare their meal, him sitting in the dining room reading the papers, Itachi stumbling across the hallway with a big smile as he greeted his parents, as they ate for a great meal, and as he carries her again to the door waving a simple goodbye to them as he and Itachi left to the Academy and him in the Hokage tower.
The idea was a bit loony, but bearable compared to the crazy fangirls screaming and giggling during their early years in the academy. The request was something he could do at least with the request he had given her - divorce. After a month he would now be in the arms of the woman he now chooses.
He was frustrated and angry that the property he would like to provide to her and their son was discarded. It was true that she could manage on her own and for his son's future with all the wealth she accumulated with her kunoichi years, the share she received with the death of her parents and the late Godaime, yet why does he feel confused with the small pang of guilt he was feeling. He reread her cursive writing and tried to understand more...
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Sasuke and Itachi bid goodbye to her as they brought her to the hospital for her week's shift. Sasuke had shook his thought realizing that the past few months, Sakura's shifts had been lessening, her life was not his care any longer as he reminded himself before he thought deeper of the situation.
After bringing Itachi to the academy, his son surprisingly hugged him like old times. Alienated by the action, he stood still and never returned the hug. Itachi did not question his father's action as he walked inside the academy door.
As his eyes no longer see his son in sight, he went to his next destination: Karin's apartment.
He went and told Karin about the conditions his wife had offered. Karin laughed loudly after hearing a second time around with the pathetic conditions that Sakura had given. Knowing fully well it was a pitiful attempt on Sakura's part to get back with her husband. Right now, her only focus was to get back what was truly hers.
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It was the first the day of the agreement.
Both Sasuke and Sakura woke up early that day. Knowing fully well it was high time to get on their acts for their son. Both looked clumsy as they went out from their bedroom hand in hand, as it has been a long time since they have contact.
Itachi who had witnessed the act, simply smiled and felt a little relieved
Once his back was faced to his parents, Sakura whispered softly and reminded Sasuke not to tell Itachi about the divorce, as Sasuke simply nodded.
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On the next day, both Sasuke and Sakura acted more naturally, rather than the awkward holding of hands yesterday. Sakura leaned on his chest as they send off their child to the academy, as Itachi waved happily and bid goodbye.
Sasuke on his part, could smell the cherry blossom and vanilla scent of his wife whom he could tell that he had missed. It's been a long time since he looked at her carefully. He realized she was no longer that young any more, of which he had asked her hand on that special day. There were fine wrinkles adoring her face, and her hair is duller than it should be.
The guilt that he felt as he read her terms came avenging back to him. Their marriage was already taking toll on his wife, who had nothing but loyal to him since day one.
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On the seventh day, Sasuke had tried to do what he always does when during their first month in their house: he carried her into his arms. The intimacy could be felt by the two parties but was never talked about. He never told Karin about the mornings he spent with Sakura.
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Days slipped by, as their routine went back to normal. The uneasiness that Itachi felt was gone, as he sees his mother full of smiles. It was good that their family is coming back together, as his father could always be seen at home and spends time with either him or his mother.
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All rookie nine remained oblivious of the arrangement. Few still have suspicion on what may have cause the change of heart from Sasuke. It's not because they don't believe the sudden change of heart from the man, but also became suspicious of Sakura who have remained quiet. They knew of the situation that Itachi would be attending the chuunin exams who needed the full support of his parents. They never acted, but simply watched over the pink haired kunoichi and prayed that whatever the cause of the return of Sasuke would not change even after the chuunin exams, and would always remain beside Sakura.
They know in their hearts that in time they would forgive him as well, as Sakura have done all the time.
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"I don't mind waiting for my whole life if finally I can find someone like you who really love me as I am and show me how to be loved. You have everything that I want, everything that I need. Thanks God I found you..."
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AN: I know this chapter is short, but I swear the next one isn't. Story would be completed before the end of the month. Thanks for supporting!
