Missing Piece

(Part two)

~Love~


A hero's not afraid to give his life
A hero's gonna save me just in time


Sakura moved through the hospital with ease, she only started work today and it felt like she had worked here her while life. After the accident, she was given an extra week to recuperate before she started her work here as a nurse. Tsunade was very nice. She had even managed to get Sasuke out a few times this past week, even if he was a little reluctant. But he couldn't seek to say no to her son, and that sent so much joy through her.

Sasuke really was a sweet and decent man, and there weren't that many out there in the world. His life had been touched by tragedy and yet he still showed kindness to others. But there was still a darkness within his heart, a deep sadness filled with so much pain. And in that moment as her thoughts plagued her.

She really wanted to kick the ass of his ex.

How could that woman be so selfish?

Shaking her head, she headed back to her nurses station to fill out her report on a patient. She had gone to college to be a nurse, and that was where she had met her husband. She thought she was going to have the happily ever after she had dreamt of as a girl. But it wasn't until recently that her husband, no ex, had walked out on both of them. He claimed they had ruined his career as an accountant and left. He didn't want anything to do with Keiji anymore.

After a nasty divorce, she let him have the house since she didn't want it, but she did take one of his cars, the one he had prided himself in buying. Which was now, unfortunately, in pieces at the junkyard. Thankfully her insurance was there to back her up and the guy that ran the elderly woman off the road came forward and apologized, his insurance would now be paying for her new car.

With a deep sigh, Sakura glanced at the clock. It was two in the afternoon, her shift was over in thirty minutes. Tsunade had given her the morning shifts, so that she could be at home at night with Keiji, she only asked that she worked a night shift at least twice a month. She agreed immediately, since Keiji wouldn't be going to school for the next two weeks, since they were on their winter break, she wanted to be home as much as possible. Especially at night.

Sakura's parents were currently babysitting for her, so she didn't have to worry about finding somebody right now.

Thirty minutes later, Sakura was clocked out and had said goodbye to her co-workers. She waited at the front doors until she spotted a red truck pull up.

"Hi mommy!" Keiji yelled through the back window that the driver had opened.

Smiling she walked over and pulled the passenger door open. "Hi dad." She greeted happily. "Thank you for picking me up, but where's mom?"

"She got called into work unfortunately." The older man said as he scratched at his pale pink hair.

"Aww, and she was looking forward to her day with Keiji."

"I know sweetie." Kizashi looked to his daughter and smiled. "But she does what she can, they need her for the 911 operators today."

"I know they do." Sakura smiled and sat back in the seat as she shut the door. "Hey, think we can swing by my friends house real quickly?"

"It wouldn't happen to be that Sasuke fellow you introduced to us last week would it?"

Sakura blushed and laughed nervously. "Uh haha, well yeah, I just need to talk to him about something, that's all."

"Suuurrrrree." Her father drawled out.

With that they drove away.


Sasuke scratched his head before he continued to chop wood in his back yard. He would need it for the fireplace later on, sure he had a heater, but he felt at home whenever the fireplace was lit and warming the house. He paused when he heard footsteps crunching over the snow and lowered the axe before he turned around.

His whole body went ridged as he spotted the last person he wanted to ever see again.

"Hi Sasuke."

His eyes revealed anger at the female before him. "What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you."

He turned away and chopped another block of wood. "There's nothing to talk about."

"I'm serious Sasuke, I'm going on my final trial here next week."

"Hn, I'm surprised they even let you out of jail."

"I'm out on bail, no thanks to you, my dad had to pay it."

"I'm not trying to earn thanks from you." He paused again and turned to her. "And how dare you show up at my house without an invitation."

"I need you Sasuke." She pleaded. "I can't face this alone."

He stared Mariana in the eyes. "I don't care."

She stalked over to him as she began to grow angry. "You don't think I'm upset?" She scolded him. "Our daughter is gone, the least you could do is be there for me when I go on trial." Hot tears had already began forming in her eyes.

"I don't want to be there." Sasuke deadpanned. "You made your choice and I made mine."

She clenched her teeth and grabbed the front of his jacket before she laid her forehead against his chest as she cried and pleaded. Sasuke made no move to hug or even comfort her as she cried into his chest.

"Sasuke please!" She sobbed. "I can't face this alone, I still love you, don't you love me?" She looked up at him as he stared back at her, the hope she had in her eyes angered him. Was she serious?

"I did love you, but that's in the past." Sasuke grabbed her hands and gently removed himself from her grasp. "You killed Eri." He didn't sugar coat how he felt. "You took her from me. How can I ever love someone who chose alcohol over their own daughter?"

Mariana looked down as her anger got the better of her. "You'll never find someone better than me Sasuke!" She screeched wildly. "You can go to hell!" With that she stormed off, but not before she caught sight of another set of visitors who had witnessed their little spat. "You left me for this whore!" She turned angrily toward him again while pointing at Sakura who had arrived with Keiji and her father

"That's enough." Sasuke growled and the tone of his voice made all of them step back a bit. "Get off my property. If I ever see you here again I will make sure you are also charged with trespassing." Sasuke said seriously and with a commanding voice. "You are not welcome here."

Mariana stormed off with angry tears in her eyes, but not before purposely shoving Sakura aside with her shoulder. If not for her son being with her, she would have called out the bitch for that. Sakura turned to Sasuke and noticed how pale he had become before he sat down on a tree log he had laid out.

"You guys are welcome to go inside if you want, I know it's cold out here."

"Dad, can you take Keiji inside, please?" Sakura looked to her father as he nodded in understanding.

She looked back to Sasuke who had let his head rest in his hands. "Sasuke? Are you okay?"

"Who the hell does she think she is?" He angrily stood and began pacing the yard. "Did she really think I'd want to have anything to do with her after what she did?"

"I-" Sakura couldn't even get a word past his ranting.

"Seriously, why the fuck did she even bother coming over here? Why the hell is she even allowed to walk the streets after what she did?!" With all the anger he had built up over the months he punched the large oak tree that rested next to his home. Part of the bark split, but so did his knuckles. Blood trickled down his fingers as Sakura hesitantly sauntered over to him.

"Sasuke." She placed her hand on his arm.

He hung his head in sadness as he allowed her to hold up his hand to examine the damage. "I know you're angry, but punching something and hurting yourself isn't going to make you feel better." Looking to him, she smiled softly.

"What do I have left that will?" He said weakly.

"Well, I know we just met, but you'll always have me." Sasuke's eyes burned at her words.

She reached into her purse and grabbed a roll of gauze so she could wrap his hand. She kept it handy, since her little boy always managed to scrape his knee or arm whenever he played outside. After she finished Sasuke looked to her, his eyes giving her a glimpse into his broken soul. Her eyes widened as he grabbed her, and pulled her to him in a tight hug, as his head rested on her shoulder.

She felt her face heat up with a blush as her heart picked up in pace. She had to swallow past the embarrassment she felt at being held so intimately like this. She had to strain her ears to hear the words he spoke.

Thank you.


"So when are you guys going to go out on an actual date?" Naruto asked his best friend while grinning from ear to ear.

"Wh-what?" Sasuke slightly stuttered.

"Oh come on Sasuke, you can't tell me you hug her the way you did and not want to go out with her." Naruto pressed his hand to his head and sighed, feigning annoyance.

"But I don't…honestly I don't know why I hugged her." Sasuke lied, he knew why he had hugged her. He was getting attached to the female in a way he didn't think he was ready for. Ever since she came into his life, she has slowly been bringing down his walls. Sure they had just barely met, but there was something about her. The way she smiled. How much love she had for her son. The way she smelled. Like Cherry blossoms. He felt his face heating up at the thought of how her lips tasted.

Whoa, where did that come from?!

Naruto glanced at his friend and noticed the blush before a wicked smile spread across his lips. "I don't think I've ever seen you blush before Sasuke."

"I'm not blushing." He quickly turned away from the blond, who had started laughing.

"Yes you are!" Naruto moved to stand in front of him. "You do like her!"

Growling with embarrassment, Sasuke brought his fist back and punched Naruto. He didn't hit him very hard, but it was enough to make the male yelp out in pain.

"Grrr." Sasuke stalked away from him with clenched fists. His heart was racing wildly.

Shit. What if he's right?

Am I ready for that?

Once Sasuke was in a relationship, he was committed without a doubt, unless certain circumstances arose otherwise.

Can I put my heart out there again?


Sakura browsed around her parents kitchen, trying to make something for herself to eat as her parent's St. Bernard followed her at a leisurely pace. She opted for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She loved peanut butter alone, but combined with jelly, it was pure heaven in her eyes, and to her test buds.

Her parents had taken Keiji to the small winter festival downtown. Since she had to call and talk with the insurance company about getting her car replaced, she decided to stay home. After grabbing two slices of bread and spreading jelly on one and peanut butter on the other, she headed to the counter to sit on one of the high stools her parents had.

Looking over her insurance papers, she took a bite of her sandwich just as the door bell rang. She muttered under her breath at being interrupted already, she hopped off the stool and went to answer the door. She glanced through the peephole and her eyes widened. Opening it quickly, she spotted Sasuke at her parents doorstep.

"S-Sasuke." She stammered.

"Hey." He gave an unsure smile.

"What are you doing here?" She questioned. "Wait, let me guess, Ino."

"Actually, you're dad called me, although I'm still not sure how he got my number." He supplied looking confused himself. "He said you needed a ride to go look at a new car?"

"What?"

She did need to go look at a new car, but she had specifically told her dad she would be fine taking the bus. Besides that, she was going until two hours from now.

"I told him I was going to be taking the bus, I hope he hasn't caused you any trouble."

"It's no trouble, it gets me out of the house since I'm still on vacation for another week and a half." Sasuke smirked.

"Oh, okay. I just feel like I'm bothering you." She stepped aside and invited him in.

"It's no bother. Really." He reassured her.

She walked back to the kitchen with him right behind her. And as she looked to the counter she noticed her sandwich was gone and there were a set of jelly foot prints left behind.

"Mika!" She yelled with laughter in her tone.

"What happened?"

"My parents dog Mika, she stole my sandwich."

Sasuke actually chuckled. And it warmed her heart to see him smile and laugh even if it was just a little bit.

"Oh, you think it's so funny!" Sakura dipped her finger in the peanut butter jar that she had left open and playfully plopped it right on his nose.

Eye twitching, and mischievous smirk spread over his lips as he grabbed her and rubbed his nose on her face. "You can have it back."

"Ew." She laughed as she pushed him away and grabbed a napkin to wipe it off her cheek.

"You brought that on yourself." Sasuke smirked as he also grabbed a napkin to wipe any remains from his nose.

After they were cleaned up, she offered him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He looked at her accusingly.

"You're not going to shove it in my face are you?"

"Haha, no I promise."

He agreed and she made two more sandwich before offering him a seat and a glass of milk. They madebsmall talk while they finished their food, and it wasn't until an hour later that her parents had returned with Keiji.

Confused she turned to see them enter the kitchen and Keiji ran into her arms with tears in his eyes. She picked him up and glanced to her parents who had sad expressions.

"What happened?"

Her mother, Mebuki, was the first to respond.

"Well there's a section at the festival that is dedicated to a father and son tournament."

Sakura understood immediately, and Sasuke did as well. Sakura squeezed her son tightly as the door bell rang through the house. Mebuki excused herself to go get it.

"You shouldn't be here."

Sakura and her father looked at each other before a man, came waltzing into the kitchen like he owned the place. His blue business suit had no wrinkles, and his dark hair was neatly styled upon his head. His smirk just pissed Sakura off.

"Hello Sakura."

Anger tore through her as she handed Keiji to Sasuke without even thinking. She marched over to him with fire in her eyes.

"How dare you show up here Mick?!"

"I didn't come for you or that little brat." Mick crossed his arms. "I came to get my car back."

"Well too bad, it was mine after the divorce you scum."

"I'm here to buy it from you."

"What?!"

"You heard me, you knew I would be back for that car, it was my most prized possession." Mick smirked at her again. "I'm offering you $10,000 in exchange for it."

Sakura shook her head as a smile came to her lips. "Too bad for you, it was in a car accident."

"Are you fucking kidding me?"

"Nope, you can thank the man that caused the accident for that." Sakura made a face. "In fact I think I will personally thank him on your behalf."

Keiji glanced away from Sasuke's hold and spotted his father. Jumping from Sasuke's arms he ran over to the man and grabbed his hand and kept tugging him. Desperately trying to get his attention.

"Why did you leave daddy?" Keiji asked with tears in his eyes. "Why don't you want me and mommy?"

Mick grew irritated with the boy and shoved him away, he raised his hand and slapped him. Sasuke's eyes widened as Keiji fell to the floor with a terrified expression and tears in his eyes. Before he could make a move, a powerful right hook met Mick's jaw, he swore he heard a crack before the man stumbled back against a wall.

"Don't you ever, touch my son again!" Sakura growled with hatred and anger laced in her tone.

"You little bitch." He stood and rubbed at his throbbing jaw. "I'm charging you with assault."

"Good luck with that." Sasuke stepped forward to stand in front of Sakura. "You just hit her child, you should be glad she didn't castrate you." Mick glared at Sasuke with anger. "If you even dare try to press charges for her hitting you, I will make sure you get charged with child abuse. There are three witnesses here that will back her up, but I don't think you're business would appreciate a child abuser in their company."

Mick was speechless. Before he could think of a retort, Kizashi grabbed him to escort him from his home after making it clear that if he ever showed himself here again he would face jail time for what he did to his grandson.

Sasuke turned to see Sakura had started crying. He picked Keiji up and held him close with one arm, then quickly wrapped his other arm around her shoulders to pull her to his chest. He rested his head on top of hers and held them both tight.

"Don't cry." He assured both of them ."He brings shame to the male gender and you don't need his negativity in your life."

Sakura nodded before pulling away slightly to wipe her eyes.

"And you have one hell of a punch." That succeeded in making her laugh. Her mother brought over a box of tissues, and let both Keiji and Sakura wipe their eyes and noses.

Sasuke looked to the little boy in his arms. "You okay buddy?"

He nodded before he threw his arms around Sasuke's neck and cried into his shoulder. "Please don't leave me and my mommy." He shed tears as held Sasuke's neck tighter.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm not going anywhere." Sasuke rubbed his back, trying to calm his cries. His gaze met Sakura's, and he felt something inside him shift at that moment.

I am falling for her.

"Thank you Sasuke."

Sakura smiled at him as Keiji pulled away slightly. Sasuke reached up to wipe away his tears while Sakura grabbed another tissue for his nose.

"Sakura, do you still want to go look at that car?" Sasuke asked her.

"Oh shoot, yeah I need to."

"And after that we can all go out for dinner, my treat." Sasuke offered and looked to her parents.

"We'd love to, but we don't want you spending your money on us." Kizashi smiled.

"Hey, it's no problem." Sasuke smiled at them. "Besides, I offered right?"

Kizashi laughed before he and Mebuki agreed.

"You two go look at the car, we'll clean Keiji up and meet you at the restaurant when you're finished." Sasuke and Sakura both nodded as Mebuki took Keiji from his arms, or attempted to anyway. Sasuke chuckled softly.

"We won't be gone for long okay?" Keiji nodded and let him go as Sasuke pulled out his keys. Sakura grabbed her dark pink jacket and put on her black boots.

She glanced at Sasuke with a smile, letting him know she was ready to go. With a nod, he opened the door for her as they bid farewell to her son and her parents.


"Finally!" Sakura grinned as she followed Sasuke outside to his truck with a small stack of paperwork in her arms "That was the longest three hours of my life!"

He smiled and shook his head at her. She finally signed off for a car and she was picking it up next week. Despite the salesman's suggestions on different models, she chose a four door jeep. It was black with gray interior. She had picked it for its four wheel drive for the long snowy months here in town. Sasuke had smiled, meaning she was planning on sticking around here for awhile. Maybe, just maybe, they could have something together.

"Hey, um-" Sasuke paused as he felt a blush crawling across his face.

"What's up?"

"Nevermind." He quickly glanced away from her.

"Come on tell me, please?"

"Well, I was wondering if you had an plans tomorrow after work?"

It was her turn to blush at his question.

"I mean it's fine if you do, I just, I guess I-"

"Are you asking me on a date?" Sakura smiled playfully.

"Well, if you want to call it that, yeah I guess I am." Sasuke raked his hand nervously through his hair. "If you want to say no, I understand." He bit his lip but soon a pair of soft lips met his cheek.

She kissed him.

She giggled at his shy nature. "I'd love to."

Sasuke smiled at her. "Shall we go meet your parents then?"

With a nod, they hopped into his truck. Sasuke drove with expertise through the snow filled streets until they came to a stop outside a restaurant. The sign on the outside of the building read, Olive Garden. This was her favorite restaurant!

"Hope you don't mind this place." Sasuke pulled into a parking space and switched the engine off.

"I love it, but you shouldn't be spending so much on us."

"Please don't, I invited you guys." Sasuke smirked at her.

"Okay fine, but tomorrow, I'm buying dinner."

"Haha, alright, you're so stubborn!" Sasuke opened the door to get out. Quickly shutting his, he went to her aide and opened it for her. She thanked him with a kind smile before a small body collided with hers.

"Mommy!"

Sakura giggled as she ruffled his hair, which he protested at while laughing. He pulled away and tugged at the blue denim of Sasuke's pants. Sasuke looked down to him and Keiji lifted his arms towards Sasuke. He wanted him to pick him up, which Sasuke obliged to immediately. He bent forward and lifted Keiji up into his arms. The little boy wrapped his arms around Sasuke's neck and both of Sakura's parents smiled as they walked over.

"Better watch it Sakura." Her father playfully grinned. "Sasuke might steal your sons heart from you."

"Haha, very funny daddy." Sakura giggled at her father.

Her father looked to his wife and pushed away some of the blond hair that was in her face. "What do you think dear?"

"I'd say you've got some competition, that's for sure." Mebuki commented jokingly.

"No matter who comes into his life, no one will ever replace his mother's love." Sasuke smiled as he hugged Keiji tighter. "Of course, unless he in fact likes me better than you."

Sakura pouted. "You guys are awful."

"Don't worry mommy, I will always love you." Keiji let go if Sasuke's neck and looked at his mother who had smiled and pinched his cheeks lovingly.

That struck something inside Sasuke's chest. His breath left him in an instant as he remembered Eri saying something similar to him.

I know you have to work to save people, but I will always love you wherever you are daddy.

She was so young, but she spoke like she was growing up way too fast. He swallowed slowly passed the lump that formed in his throat as he held Keiji in his arms. He didn't know how it happened but the two of them had swooped into his life and latched onto his heart.

I can't bear to let them go.


"Alright thank you for staying longer tonight, five should be the latest." Sakura looked to the clock. One-thirty. "Yes, it's okay if you take him to the park."

Sakura looked up when she spotted Sasuke walking over to her nurses station. With a smile she bid her babysitter a farewell. The girl was young, being only twenty-one, Sakura had her doubts about hiring her to babysit Keiji while she was at work and for when her and Sasuke went out today. Her parents both had to work late today, so they couldn't take Keiji.

Originally their plan was to go out for dinner, but since her babysitter wasn't able to stay passed five, they had agreed to go for a late lunch instead. Which was fine by her, but she wondered how Sasuke felt about that. Going on a date should be at night, or that's what most guys had told her in the past. She hoped he didn't get upset over Keiji sort of being in the way of their plans.

"You okay?" Sasuke asked her.

"Yeah, just wondering how your taking not having dinner tonight because I couldn't get someone to watch Keiji that late."

"Don't worry about that, we're going for lunch, meaning you can spend your night with Keiji."

Sakura smiled at him. What was she thinking, of course Sasuke wouldn't get mad. He had a daughter…

She stopped herself in her thoughts.

Had.

She couldn't imagine how he felt day after day. She couldn't bare the thought of losing Keiji. But the day of the accident, she almost had. She was torn inside at the memory alone. But Eri didn't have a chance. His precious little girl was taken from him. She didn't think twice when she stood up to wrap her arms around his torso. He froze inwardly.

"I'm sorry." She murmured into his chest. Sasuke being as smart as he was couldn't for the life of him, figure out what she had to be sorry about.

"Why are you sorry?" He slowly wrapped his arms around her.

"Eri."

His eyes widened as she uttered his daughters name. And in that moment he understood, not entirely, but he got the hint.

"Are you ready to go?" He inquired after he cleared his throat.

"Yeah, let me just get changed really quick."

He nodded, as she grabbed a small duffel bag and headed into the bathroom. He stared at her as she sauntered away.

"You keep breaking my walls." He uttered to himself.

"Sasuke!"

Sasuke turned and spotted Naruto with Hinata by his side. Naruto was wearing his navy blue paramedic shirt and cargo pants while Hinata was dressed in a pair of light lavender scrubs. They stopped by his side and Naruto couldn't hold back a grin.

"What are you doing here?"

"Waiting for Sakura."

"Oh, got some fancy date?" Naruto asked eyeing his best friends clothes. A pair of blue jeans and a black button up shirt, which he assumed was long sleeved which was hidden under his jacket.

"Not fancy but yeah."

"Haha, yeah- wait you and Sakura?"

Sasuke sighed at his friend. "Yes, Naruto."

"Finally!" Naruto said as he whooped with joy.

"What are you so happy about?"

Sasuke flinched and turned around. His breath left him swiftly. He stared at the beautiful woman before him as a blush came to his face. Sakura sported a pair of blue jeans, the shirt she wore flowed out attractively, letting the purple fabric sway gently as she walked. The sleeves ended at her elbows as she crossed her arms bashfully at everyone's attention on her.

The snow was beginning to let up the last few days, but she still decided to where the black boots with a small heel to add to the outfit.

"Haha, Sasuke is speechless." Naruto laughed as Hinata elbowed him. She was happy for them both since they've each had such shitty exes.

Ignoring his friends comment he decided to compliment the woman before him.

"You look beautiful."

A blush heated her cheeks, even Mick had never complimented her as he did. She smiled and grabbed her jacket from her chair at the nurses station. After they said their goodbyes, they waved at their friends and made their way out of the hospital. Of course Naruto had to throw in a stupid comment at the end, which promised retribution from both Sasuke and Sakura.

"Don't go do anything naughty now!"


They decided to eat at a small diner down from the hospital. It wasn't fancy unlike Olive Garden but it wasn't just a fast food joint either. It was decent for a first date, even though Sasuke would have preferred to take her to something a little more appropriate, she deserved it.

Sasuke twisted the pasta onto his fork and took a bite, this food was delicious. Sakura smiled at him as she took a bite of her salad. It wasn't her main course, it was just a side salad she had gotten with the roasted turkey sandwich.

"Sasuke, I've been curious, I hope I don't upset you though."

"What's up?"

"What was your daughter like?

Sasuke paused and placed his fork on his plate. Her question took him by surprise and he only realized now that she had probably never seen a picture of Eri. Not on close inspection anyway. He was sure she had seen the pictures in his home the few times she had been there. But she asked what she was like.

"Well, she had a big and overactive imagination." Sasuke began and Sakura noticed the fond smile that appeared on his lips. "Which usually led to her and I playing space pirates or robot invaders, and even a princess and her knight on occasions."

"Did you have different outfits she'd make you wear?" Sakura questioned.

"Yeah, she had a box filled with different outfits, she was very fond of the robot costumes we made out of boxes and tin foil." Sasuke laughed as he pulled out his phone to show Sakura a picture of Eri and himself wearing the robot costumes he mentioned.

"Aw, you guys look so cute."

"And this was one of her other favorites." He scrolled passed a few pictures and stopped at one of them dressed as Zombies, their faces were painted green and had fake scars and fake rotten flesh on their skin.

"Halloween?" Sasuke nodded at her question.

"She was a ball of energy all the time, the only way I could get her to sleep was reading her bedtime stories, which of course were ones I had to make up on my own since she wasn't interested in any of the story books we had."

"How old was she?"

"Six." Sasuke took a shaky breath. "She would have been seven, her birthday was a week after the accident."

"I'm sorry." Sakura apologized.

"It's okay, I know I need to talk about it, it's going to sting no matter how many months or years pass." He found it easier and easier to talk about his daughter, but it would always bring a pain to his heart. But lately after saving Keiji, he kept having nightmares here and there. Maybe seeing him brought back the pain he ignored the first few months after the accident happened.

Sakura reached out for his hand let a smile wander to her lips. "I'm here for you if you need someone to talk to."


They finished their meal while making small talk, and Sasuke felt like he had known her for years. He still wanted to beat the shit out of her ex, especially after she explained how and why he left. Mick was an idiot for leaving her and Keiji.

"Are you ready to go?" Sasuke asked her, it was already three in the afternoon, they had been sitting in the restaurant for the last hour just talking and enjoying the others company.

"Yeah." She let a goofy grin come to her lips as she quickly grabbed the little black book that housed their check, before he could snatch it up. "I told you, I'm buying."

"And here I thought I was going to be quicker than you." Sasuke chuckled.

"Nope." They stood as Sakura left the cash inside the booklet along with a tip for their waiter who had taken care of them.

Stepping out into the crisp cold air, Sakura breathed deeply and sighed contentedly before she shivered regretting leaving her jacket in Sasuke's truck. Sasuke took note at her shivering before he removed his jacket and placed it around her shoulders.

"Thank you Sasuke." Sakura gratefully stated as she eyed the long sleeve shirt he wore. At least he wouldn't get too cold too fast.

Sakura stepped closer to his side and linked her arm with his, taking him by surprise. He shifted his gaze to her. "Care for a small walk?"

"Sure." Deciding to be bold, Sakura laced her hand with his this time and grinned when he didn't make a move to pull away.

They walked until they paused by a railing along the sidewalk. Sasuke rested his forearms on the metal surface as Sakura mimicked his actions. She noticed he was lost in thought. "Are you okay?"

"I want to be."

"What's on your mind?"

"Is it wrong of me to want to be happy while my daughter is six feet under?"

She was taken aback at his words. Her heart wrenched for him and she wondered how many times he had run away from the chance at happiness since Eri's death.

"There's no shame in wanting to find happiness for yourself." Sakura touched his arm. "Your daughter would want you to be happy, our children can sense our sadness, how do you think Eri would feel seeing you now?"

"She'd feel sad." Sasuke stated. "Then she'd tell me that seeing me happy would make her happy. Everything would be okay in the end because we had each other." Sasuke shook his head. "But I don't have her."

"No, but you have me and Keiji. And we'll be here for you no matter what."

Sasuke shifted his gaze to hers. Her green eyes captivated him, and he wanted her, wanted her and Keiji by his side. Because honestly, he never felt this happy in months. Their energetic personalities made him smile most days, her little boy was adorable, and she made him feel like evrything would be okay.

His heart pounding, he placed his hand against her cheek as a blush appeared on her face.

"Sasuke…"

His lips met hers in a soft kiss which she happily returned. Her eyes closed as she savored the feel of his lips against hers. The softness of them, the taste of them. As he pulled away, she pouted slightly at the shortness of the kiss.

"Did I go too far?"

"No. It was perfect."

He smiled again and it made her heart flutter against her chest. Before she could steal another kiss her phone started ringing. She bit her lip and quickly apologized to Sasuke before answering the one who called her, the babysitter.

"Hello?"

Sakura's eyes widened suddenly. "What do you mean Keiji ran off?!"

Sasuke felt his heart stop beating. Sakura gave him a panicked look before she began breathing heavily. She was going to start hyperventilating.

"Sakura, where is she?"

"She took Keiji to the park." Sakura cried out. "She got distracted and he ran off." She felt faint. "Oh god Sasuke!" Her eyes burned and he quickly grabbed her shoulders. "Hey, we'll find him." He pulled her to his chest as she let out a cry. "We'll find him."

They ran to his truck and hopped in, not caring that others had given them questioning looks as Sasuke sped off down the road, ignoring all traffic laws. He kept himself alert and glanced around the streets as they neared the park, hoping to catch sight of Keiji. He pulled his phone from his pocket and attempted to call Shikamaru and Naruto but they didn't answer.

Pulling into the lot near the park, he slammed on the brakes. Ditching the vehicle, he threw his phone onto the seat and followed Sakura, who had already spotted the babysitter.

"Sakura, I'm so sorry." The young girl cried. Her blond hair thrown into a messy ponytail.

"How could you get distracted?!" Sakura scolded. " I trusted you with my son!"

Sasuke took a run through the park and didn't see Keiji anywhere. He sprinted to Sakura's side and paused to catch his breath. "He's not in the park, he could have wondered down the streets."

Sakura flinched at his words. Her baby was out by himself, there's no telling what could happen to him. Sasuke tossed his keys to Sakura. "Get my phone out of the truck. I have Shikamaru on speed dial try calling him again."

He took off running, glancing around nervously as he scanned the perimeter of the park again and then to the sidewalks. No sign of Keiji anywhere. Shit. That babysitter was beyond fired, in his opinion, how could she let a little boy out of her sight?

"Keiji!" He turned at Sakura's scream and spotted Keiji across the street looking in the window of an ice cream shop.

Slight relief went through him as he and Sakura raced towards the crosswalk. But at that moment Keiji turned and spotted him and his mother, and the happiest look brightened his face.

"Mommy! Sasuke!" He grinned and walked into the street.

A car was approaching quickly and Sakura screamed for him again, pleading for him to stay on the sidewalk. Sasuke stepped off the curb and took off at a dead run. Sakura didn't have the stamina to keep up with him as Sasuke ran into the street after dodging another car.

"Keiji!" He yelled and the little boys eyes widened as he stopped mid step as another car was merely feet away.

I can't save us both.

Making an executive decision he dived forward, barely managing to push Keiji away before everything went black.


Naruto and Juugo were heading to the building next to the hospital where they parked the ambulances. Tsunade had wanted them to check and make sure they were running one hundred percent. He didn't get far when Hinata came running over to him, his eyes widened when he saw she had tears running down her cheeks.

"Hinata what's wrong?" He met her half way and placed his hands on her shoulders.

"There's been a hit and run involving a pedestrian." Naruto looked confused, why would she be crying?

Shaking those thoughts from his head, he nodded and made a move to run towards the ambulance but she caught his arm.

"Naruto." She began. "It was Sasuke."

His breath left him in an instant.

No!


"Sasuke!"

Blink.

Sasuke heard nothing but screaming as he tried his hardest to keep his eyes open, only to have them shut again.

"Send an ambulance immediately!"

Blink.

He caught sight of Sakura as his vision faded, she was on the phone, pleading for an ambulance. Pain erupted from every part of his body, his pain sensory telling him to shut down, but he continued fighting it. His breathing heavy he shifted his head as his vision stabled slightly and he could see both her and Keiji kneeling next to him.

"Sa-Sakura?" He croaked.

She looked to him as her tears fell. "Mom, please hurry!" Her mother was the one that took the call since she was a 911 operator, Sakura heard her mother asking questions about Sasuke's condition, but she could barely speak through the tears.

"Just hang on Sasuke, please." She cried. "Try not to move okay?"

He managed to reach up with his right arm, since he couldn't really feel any pain there, and touched her face. Brushing the tears away, he tried his best to smile at her. She placed her hand over his as he looked to the sky.

"Please don't cry." He whispered painfully.

He could feel blood pooling beneath him, as Sakura pulled Keiji to her with her other hand. Trying to shield him from the sight. But it was too late for that. He saw Sasuke get hit, he saw the way the male had rolled on top of the cars hood before being thrown off as the vehicle stopped suddenly. Nothing she did will ever erase those images or Sasuke's scream of pain, from his little mind. Or hers.

Sasuke had a severe head wound, his temple had been cut up pretty bad and she bandaged it as best she could with the first aid kit another bystander had. She tried wrapping the huge gash that he had in his side but she didn't have enough gauze to stop it. That didn't even include the internal injuries he may have suffered.

"Sasuke, stay with us. Your daughter wouldn't want you to give up like this."

"I'm trying." Sasuke glanced at her. "But everything hurts."

Sakura's heart dropped, as she saw tears sliding down the sides of his eyes. Breaking her heart even more.

"I can't help but think this is how Eri felt before she died." Sasuke flinched from the pain. "They say she didn't suffer, but I don't buy that."

Sakura squeezed his hand tighter as Keiji looked to the male laying before them. Sasuke took a shaky breath as more tears fell from his eyes.

"I kept telling myself that, maybe if I had been a better dad, she'd still be here." He spoke weakly and with deep sadness.

"No Sasuke you are a wonderful parent. The way you are with Keiji is proof enough for that."

He smiled sadly. "How could I be? I couldn't save my own daughter." He cried out softly. "I couldn't save her."

"You're not the one that killed her Sasuke." Sakura scolded sadly. "You have to stop blaming yourself."

"I never thought I could find happiness again after that." Sasuke looked to her again. "But, then you and Keiji pop into my life and you made me believe in it again."

Sakura smiled as she desperately wiped away tears that didn't seem to end. "I need you with us Sasuke, please."

"Sakura I-"

Sakura's eyes widened as his hand fell from her face, his eyes closed before panic washed over her. His body went limp, it couldn't end this way!

"No!"

She pulled Keiji back, and ripped Sasuke's shirt more than it already was. She leaned down, no pulse, no heartbeat, nothing.

"Don't you do this to me!"

She began chest compressions, the same thing that had saved her son had to save him too right? Over and over she tried, but still nothing. The ambulance arrived with loud sirens echoing through the streets, she turned and spotted Naruto.

"Naruto, hurry!"

The blond grabbed a defibrillator and rushed to his best friends side. He felt his own tears choke him as he saw the blood. Kneeling down, he set up the machine and rubbed the paddles together. Sakura moved herself and Keiji away.

"Clear!"

No change.

"Come on Sasuke!"

Again.

"Come on you stubborn bastard!" Naruto cried as Juugo came over with a stretcher and an oxygen tank with a mask.

Shikamaru had arrived and rushed over, nearly plowing through the crowd that had gathered. The driver of the car was crying. "Oh god, please don't take him, please." The young man barely saw them, he couldn't stop in time when the male dove in front of his car.

"Shit!" He cursed.

"Get up!" Naruto screamed to his friend, but there was nothing. "Please Sasuke!" Tears were falling down Naruto's face as he struggled to get his friend to come back to them. "Don't leave us, please, my kids need their Uncle Sasuke, please, I need my brother."

Shikamaru stopped as his eyes widened. The blood, so much blood. He grabbed his radio and called back to the station. Temari, his wife answered immediately since she was a detective there. "Temari, I need you to contact Sasuke's parents." The brown haired male explained the situation and Temari didn't hesitate and hung up to call the Uchiha family.

Keiji stared at Sasuke with sad eyes, he was young, but he still understood what happened. His own tears left small trails down his face as he crawled over to the man he wanted with him and his mother. "Sasuke, please wake up, I want you to stay with us. I want you to be my daddy!"

Sakura's heart stopped beating for a moment as she grabbed her son and held him close. "Mommy, tell him to wake up. He promised he wouldn't leave." He sobbed into his mother's chest as she looked back to Sasuke's still form.

Naruto ditched the defibrillator and began chest compressions again, desperately trying to get Sasuke's heart started, or even just a pulse that would signal he was still alive. "Don't do this to me! Don't do this to us! We need you Sasuke, Eri needs you to live for her, please."

A small flicker of a pulse sparked in his body as Juugo pressed his finger to the males neck. "I've got a pulse but its weak, we need to go now!"

Naruto nodded as they lifted him on a backboard before they placed him on the stretcher, blood was already staining the white fabric. Juugo held the mask to Sasuke's face as they loaded him up in the ambulance. Sakura picked Keiji up and watched as they drove off with the man she had fallen for. The sirens blaring throughout the streets.

Sakura looked at the keys she had set on the ground. His truck. She picked them up and ran back to the vehicle in the parking lot. Shikamaru tried to call her attention but she didn't listen, if he needed to talk to her, he could meet her at the hospital.

Please. Don't take him.


A/N: Hope you guys like this second part :)

The next one will be the the conclusion/epilogue.