A/N: You guys shocked? I'm updating again!! Yepee!! Thank you for everyone who reads and updates this story, I owe much to all of you. This is a little long compared to the other chapters but I know that it won't be enough for some fo you to forgive me for being gone for a long time. I just have…troubles sometimes. And it's a little hard to handle.

Please enjoy.

Chapter 9

Somehow, Sasuke managed to not run away as he saw his brother nearing him. His courage had already abandoned him the moment he had seen his brother with his nephew. It felt like a rock had fallen at the bottom of his stomach, a very heavy rock.

The only thing keeping him there was the inquisitive glint in his brother's eyes. That was a good sign. It meant his brother still didn't figure out that he had TWO kids right there. Fuck, he dug his own grave the moment he had agreed with his mother in getting close to his brother's children.

But there was still hope, since his brother still didn't know the truth he could pull out a believable lie in about…

5 seconds

Goddamned fucking idiot

He didn't have much time.

What would he say if his bother asked on why he was called an uncle by the cute little ignorant girl beside him?

He didn't know why? Very unlikely, his brother would just raise an eyebrow and give him a witty comeback, most probably about something humiliating.

4 seconds

He met the child and thought it was cute for him to be called an uncle? His brother would send him to the nearest mental hospital and have him checked in.

3 seconds

He really was their uncle? If his brother didn't kill him, Sakura surely would, and he could already feel the pain.

2 seconds

May God have mercy on him, may his sins be forgiven and the gate to heaven open for him after his brother was finished with him?

1 second

Shit. Out of time. Was that the sounds of heaven's gate opening?

Maybe it was just hell's pit opening up.

"Little brother, how nice to see that you have a cute little date with you." the velvety voice made Sasuke cringe.

Sasuke met his brother's eyes and still saw the inquisitive glint on his eyes. There was still hope. He kept reminding himself, but somehow he knew that this would not end well, his gut feeling had been on overdrive for a few minutes now, it surely hasn't failed him, but just once, he wished he was wrong.

"I-I'm j-just-" he was what? He couldn't just tell him a complete lie. Itachi knew how to detect the most subtle of lies. He'd have to settle for half-truths.

"Just what, little brother?" Now he could definitely detect the interest hinting on his brother's voice.

"I'I'm-" Sasuke took a deep breath. He was good at telling lies and half-truths, just not to his brother's face like this, and goddamit, Uchihas did not stutter. "I'm just helping out their mother." for his ears it came out just like a badly memorized line for a play. And he knew that that was the way his brother had heard it as well.

"Oh really?" Itachi inched closer so that the other people around them couldn't hear their conversation. "And since when did you get to be such a helpful person?"

Sasuke would have shouted in indignation at his brother's sarcastic jab, but he really wasn't in any position to make his brother accumulate more interest in him and his charges. The wise thing to do was to leave the place and not turn back…

Itachi looked down at Kioko and something unreadable flashed in his eyes which made Sasuke even more nervous, if his brother suspected anything, he'd be dead. This wasn't good; he had to get the kids out ASAP.

Where the hell was the dobe when you needed him, he just disappeared when Itachi came to him.

"Is your uncle Sasuke being nice to you?" Itachi asked, kindly, well, almost.

Kioko giggled and looked at Itachi as if he was a confused person asking the answer to an obvious question. "Of course he is, that's why mommy let us come with him."

Now Itachi was just puzzled. What kind of insane person would entrust their children with an irresponsible person like his younger brother? It was definitely not from their little gang since he knew all their children. They were the only close friends his brother had, to his knowledge at least.

Maybe his brother had new friends without him knowing? That was quite possible, though quite unlike Sasuke.

He'd just have his fun and leave them alone. This was the first time he saw his brother act so expressively, though he didn't know why. Probably something he ate.

"Oh? Well, that's good; it's nice to see that my younger brother is being nice to such a pretty-looking young lady."

Kioko giggled again and stopped when he caught sight of his brother, who she almost forgot. He was there, rooted at the same spot she saw her before, not even making a move to them, his mouth slightly open as he watched them. Kioko waved enthusiastically to him and beckoned him to them. "Big brother!"

Itachi turned to the kid he was talking with earlier and saw how he reluctantly made his way to them, his eyes on the floor the whole way, avoiding their gazes, his back as stiff as a wall of bricks. His hands which were clenched in tight fists on his sides only added more to the nervous image he was currently portraying. When Itachi looked closer, he saw that they were shaking.

"Well, you didn't tell me that your chaperone was my brother, I would have helped you look for him." as an afterthought he added. "You did know that he was my younger brother, right?"

Yukio stiffened but he didn't dare look at Itachi's eyes. "Yes" he mumbled.

Itachi sighed; he was just getting downright befuddled with how they were reacting to him. Some would think he was a pariah. He'd just head home and have fun there even though he did just arrive. "I'll just go, I could see that you guys will be busy for a while." he didn't know why he wanted to leave just like that, he enjoyed seeing people squirm, but somehow, though he loathe to admit it, the way the boy was uncomfortable with his presence made him uncomfortable as well.

Well, maybe he'd have more fun if he was tormenting grown-ups, but not children.

He looked down at the young boy that was looking at the floor and gave him a small smirk, something that could almost be considered as a smile by his standards. "It was nice seeing you here." he turned to the boy's younger sister. "You too. My name's Uchiha Itachi by the way." he said offering his hand. He knew that little girls liked to be treated like young ladies and as such, he treated her like one.

Kioko took his hand and smiled. "My name's Kioko Haruno mister."

So many things happened at once. Sasuke eyes grew wider and he pulled the little girl behind him, a pathetic attempt to hide her from his brother's view.

Yukio's head instantly shot to his uncle.

Hana stood by clueless as to what was happening.

And Itachi's eyes snapped to the little girl, and then to the boy he met earlier. All of a sudden the color of his hair was no longer a mystery to him as his eyes turned menacing.

Sakura was feeling very anxious. How could she not be? Her children where in a party being hosted by the Uzumakis of all people, they were close to her and would definitely freak out if they found out that she was back.

She rubbed her temples tiredly, she hadn't been able to concentrate at her work ever since she arrived and she was getting some quirked eyebrows all over the hospital with her inattentiveness, particularly from her boss. Her boss who was going to give her hell if she didn't concentrate. Now.

The door to her cramped office opened without so much as a knock and her boss strode inside, several stacks of papers were in her arms.

Speak of the devil

"Dr. Haruno, I think you already know why I'm here." her tone was very curt and businesslike that Sakura cringed "You may have some problems outside the hospital but please don't bring them to my hospital." The meaning was clear, 'You're only an employee, act like one.' though Sakura wished she was more subtle. "You have made countless of mistakes which were either stopped by nurses or your fellow doctors. I will give you five more minutes to pull yourself together, after it, I want you to get out there and do your job." The snarl in the last words was painstakingly obvious that Sakura almost wanted to cower from the woman.

She was quite blunt and straight to the point; Sakura had to give her that. But five minutes won't be enough for her to calm down. So many things could be happening to her children right now.

She sighed, she had no choice but to call it a day and hope that Shizune won't be too angry at her.

"Dr. Shizune, with all due respect I'd like to go home" before her boss had time to retaliate from her bold request Sakura immediately added. "I'm afraid I'm not feeling too well. I promise by the time I comeback tomorrow everything will be back to normal and I'll work harder for missing today."

Shizune narrowed her eyes at Sakura which made her want to squirm more. But she stood her ground firmly, she won't be getting any job done even if she did stay. Hopefully Shizune could see that.

Finally Shizune answered after a heavy sigh. "Fine. But this will be cut from your pay."

Sakura heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you. I'll be leaving now." she had already started taking off her white coat and replaced it with a light yellow trench coat.

"I want you back tomorrow, God knows the hospital needs more help."

Sakura grimaced guiltily. "I'm sure everything will be fine by tomorrow, don't worry."

"Okay then" with that Shizune left without as much as a goodbye. Not that Sakura was asking for it, but it was only polite, though she should have expected it, from what she'd gathered from her short stay there her boss was never one for niceties.

Once Sakura was near the exit of the hospital she immediately noticed the pending rain. Thankful that she brought her umbrella with her for once, she went out. Sakura left the hospital in a more cheerful mood than when she arrived. The heavy rain did nothing to dampen her mood. At least now she wouldn't have to worry about work while she worried at her home.

It took a while for the car to start up but she managed it. Driving the car out was more of a hassle though, the rain had reduced the visibility of the road, but she'd be damned if she waited for the rain to stop.

Traffic on the main road was unavoidable, an accident had occurred and it was too late to turn back now, Sakura cursed her luck. She was freezing inside her own car since the car's heater wasn't working and away from home with her kids in a place where people could easily identify them. This was so an unlucky day.

The songs from her car radio were doing nothing to lighten up her mood, it just annoyed her even more.

Without anything else to do she took out her phone and scrolled down, looking for someone to call to pass some time. She stopped at Kabuto's number, suddenly remembering her questions for him she pressed the call button. After a few rings he picked up.

"Hello"

"Hi Kabuto, how're you doing?"

"Oh, Sakura it's you."

Was that disappointment she heard? "Of course it's me, who else were you expecting?" she asked, trying to sound teasing.

"Ah, it's nothing, I was just surprised by your call, that's all." Aquick recovery, but it wasn't good enough to fool her considering that she had known him for years now. "So, what's up?"

"I was actually just going to inquire about that old friend of yours, Shizune, my new boss."

"What about her?" he asked, his voice defensive.

"I'll be straight to the point, has she always been hard on everybody or is it just me?"

A laugh resounded from the other line. "Oh you needn't worry about that, it's just her way of treating people. Is it too much for you?" he asked teasingly. "And here I thought your old teacher Tsunade had a more frightening reputation."

Sakura sighed, well it was true, Shizune, though very strict and scary could never compare to her old teacher. Though the style wasn't that much different, she could tell that experience was on Tsunade's side. "True, but you have to admit she's a nasty piece of work herself."

"This coming from Tsunad's protégé?" The amusement behind his words were evident now.

"Ha ha, laugh it all up, but may I remind you that I have stopped being a temperament woman ever since I returned home to Suna?" Sakura countered sarcastically

"Touché, but the sarcasm still remains."

Sakura blushed profusely and was greatly thankful that he couldn't see her or she wouldn't hear the end of it.

"So, how are the kids taking the change over there?"

Sakura perked up at the sudden change of topic. "They're taking it quite well actually, they've made some new friends, even Yukio, though if what I'm guessing is true he's having some trouble with a boy at school." she said, recalling what her daughter had said the particular night that Mikoto and Sasuke visited and couldn't stop the worry that filled he chest all of a sudden.

As if sensing her apprehension on the other line Kabuto gently comforted her. "Don't worry about him too much, he still needs to get adjusted, I'm sure that he'll do well there."

"I'm a mom, I have the right to worry." she said a little too quickly.

"Sakura" he said in that soothing voice that made her wasn't to spill her guts out to him. "What's bothering you?"

"God, I love him so much but I know he's different from the other kids, he act and reacts differently to almost everything and I know he's special but it's worrying sometimes. I don't know if it's because of how I raised him or because he doesn't have a-"

"A father?" Kabuto cut in. "Sakura, for your and your children's sake don't let them hear you say such things. You have done a wonderful job in raising two adorable kids, even as a single parent you have worked hard and given them the love and care that kids need while growing up." he said sincerely.

"Then what is it?" Sakura was nearly hysterical by now and she just wanted to bang her head on the steering wheel. If Kabuto was in front of her she would have sobbed at his chest.

"There are things that we just can't change." he answered quietly. "And there's nothing wrong with Yukio, he's a fine boy. And if my memory serves right I'd say he takes after his father on more than just the looks department."

"He does." Sakura said slightly calming down with the compliment.

"Listen, I'll be visiting Konoha for an assembly in a few days, someone insisted on coming with me, and I daresay that you'd appreciate this person's company more than mine."

"Who?"

"Just wait and be surprised."

Sakura could just feel the smirk that was obviously on the man's lips. This didn't sound too good…

"Hey, listen I've gotta hang up, there's an emergency downstairs, Call you later?"

"Sure, thanks for the conversation Kabuto, I mean it."

He chuckled. "It's nothing, and anyway it's nice to hear from you. Bye"

"Bye"

When Sakura arrived home she was surprised to see Sasuke's blue Jaguar already outside. A limo was parked right beside it.

Was Mikoto there as well? The Uchiha matriarch didn't mention anything about arriving today.

Curiosity piqued, Sakura went out of her car, umbrella in hand she went straight for the door, taking her house-keys from her purse.

"Sasuke" the whispered voice was dangerously low and cold.

Sasuke looked up at his brother's dark face and right then and there, he knew that he wouldn't answer whatever question his brother was going to ask him. Assuming that his brother asked questions and not just bash his face on the wall that is.

He tried to tell himself that his brother wouldn't attempt that in a room crowded with people, but if it involved Sakura he didn't know what to expect of his brother.

"What is the meaning of this?"

The hissed words were almost drowned out by the chatter around them but not to Sasuke. Somehow it seemed amplified to his ears, menacing, and cold. Unconsciously, he took a step back. He saw the way his brother's eyes flickered at his sudden movement and his face, his guilt-ridden face.

"Uncle Sasuke?" Kiyoko's soft voice inquired.

Yukio hissed in displeasure and looked warningly at his sister.

Sasuke held his hands up. "Look, I know this looks bad but can't we talk somewhere else? Some place where people won't stare?"

Itachi looked like he wasn't about to listen, but a quick glance around the staring people made him change his mind. With a venomous glare he hissed at his brother. "Ask Naruto for a private room. And don't dare try to escape."

Sasuke nodded and motioned for Naruto to come over. Though it was obvious that Naruto was curious, he held his tongue, something Sasuke was grateful for. He wouldn't be able to bear any more embarrassment for the night.

Once inside the room offered by Naruto, with Yukio and Kioko by his side, Sauke started to explain. "Listen, I know this looks bad but just wait for me to finish explaining, okay?"

"One minute" the glare his brother held made Sasuke think that there were less than a minute, but he didn't voice his thoughts out, afraid of what his brother would do if he was angered more.

"You remember Sakura, right?"

Stupid question. Sasuke wanted to drown himself for asking that question, of course his brother remembered, but he was just so fucking nervous.

Surprisingly, his brother just nodded stiffly, though his hands were tightened into fists on his side.

"I guess you already figured out that these are her children." he gestured awkwardly at Yukio and Kioko.

"I figured." Itachi said sarcastically. "I want to know why they're with you and-" Itachi seemed to contemplate before asking. "And what about her? Where is she?" the pain that flashed in his brother's eyes were unmistakable, somehow it made Sasuke more comfortable, knowing that his brother wouldn't kill him until the information that he needed still wasn't given to him.

"This is a favor for her, she just moved back here in Konoha-" making a hasty decision, Sasuke voiced out. "I think that's all I can tell you."

The fierce look his brother had made Sasuke want to take back what he said but he knew that if he ran his mouth more he'd be dead.

"Who is their father?"

"I don't know, she didn't tell me." Sasuke cringed at his lie, it was so damn obvious, but his brother wasn't looking at him anymore, his focus was now on the children. He was visibly trying to see who the children resembled aside from their mother. When he studied Yukio, Sasuke could just see the wheels turning in his brother's head.

And then he looked up, and Sasuke knew that his brother had figured it out. His hard face was a testament to that, there was no longer any flicker of emotion in his eyes, just a determined gaze which Sasuke tried not to step away from.

"We're going to their house. Now" Itachi had already started walking towards the door.

Sasuke tried to get in the way of his brother. "I don't think this is the right time to go to her. She's not ready. I think we should warn her first and give her a few days to think about it."

"So that she could run away?" he asked in his steely voice.

"My mother doesn't want to see you!!"

Both Itachi and Sasuke's shocked gaze shifted to Yukio. The young boy's face was red and he was heaving heavily. "She doesn't want to se you" he repeated. "You should just leave her along." he whispered brokenly.

Sasuke's chest hurt. Since when had the boy known? He was about to got to the boy but his brother's mocking voice stopped him on his tracks.

"You should have more respect for your father." Itachi said sardonically, he obviously didn't care if her hurt the boy's feelings, Sasuke could see that.

Yukio's eyes started to shine and Sasuke took a step near him for support.

"We don't have a father." Kioko said in a low and confused voice. She looked up at the three males in the room. "Mommy didn't say anything."

In a venomous voice Itachi mumbled so that only Sasuke and Yukio would hear. "I can see that she's still a liar."

Yukio lashed out at Itachi. "My mother isn't a liar!" he shouted. "Take it back!"

Itachi looked pointedly at his brother. "Get them in your car, were sending them home. I'll follow your ride."

Sasuke looked powerless and he just nodded weakly. He bent down and whispered something in Yukio's ear to make the boy calm down. Itachi felt a pang of jealousy, he should be the one doing that.

They managed to sneak out at the back, thanks to Naruto. He didn't voice out anything about the two crying children with him but his eyes were narrowed at Itachi and Sasuke.

In the car Sasuke strapped the two children in their seatbelts and went to the front to drive. He felt numb, what was he going to tell Sakura?

The drive there had gone by quickly and Sasuke felt even more nervous, he was already sweating bullets. When they were parked in front of the house Sasuke turned to the two kids at the back. "I want you two to listen, when you get inside, go to your rooms and stay there, okay? We're going to wait for your mother and we'll talk to her."

Kioko nodded. Yukio on the other hand, looked undecided.

Sasuke patted the young boy's head. "It'll be fine, I'm on your mother's side."

Yukio finally nodded and they all went out, Itachi on their tail. Ringo had let them in quickly, her eyes taking time to study Itachi, the appreciation in her eyes were not lost to Sasuke.

"When will Sakura be back?" Itachi asked when they were finally in the living room and the kids were upstairs.

"I don't know, but I reckon she'll be late." Sasuke answered, hoping.

Unluckily, it was at that same moment that someone entered the room. Sasuke looked up and saw Sakura stare at them, horrified.

Sakura stood there, unable to say anything as she watched Sasuke and…Itachi in her living room. She let her eyes study Itachi, fom his face to his body, he looked just as good as when she left, no, maybe even better.

"So nice of you to join us." Itachi said in a deep voice.

"W-What are you doing here?" she asked. She didn't even have the strength to glare at Sasuke for bringing his brother there. She was just focused on Itachi and his beautiful eyes, his angry eyes.

He threw her a disdainful glance. "Really, Sakura, aren't you smarter than that? I'm sure you know exactly why I'm here." his velvety voice deceitfully seductive, it sent a shiver down Sakura's spine.

After realizing his implication, Sakura became rigid. Could it be? Had he found out? Had he? From his face she could tell that, yes, he knew.

Her first reaction was shock.

Then fear followed.

Calm.

Lastly, Anger.

How dare her appear here in her home as if he owned it? He had left her alone all those years ago, and he didn't have a shred of right to be here. He had to leave! He didn't belong here! She didn't need him!

The violence of her reaction shocked Sakura, almost sending her reeling away from the two men in front of her. Was this what she was repressing all this time? Anger? Was that it?

Maybe it would help her face him and not appear weak, like the last time, when she had taken in everything without a word of protest. That wasn't going to be the case now. There was no way she would let him step all over her again. She wouldn't be left alone to lick her wounds in a corner of her home like before.

"What are you doing here?" Sakura repeated bitterly, her eyes boring into Itachi. Her moment of anger had given her the courage to do something that she wouldn't have had the normal strength to do; she glared at him, hatefully.

It definitely wasn't the reaction Itachi was expecting, from the way his eyebrows drew together, but only just slightly. "Are you going to pretend to be daft? I told you, you already know why I'm here."

It was obvious that neither of them was going to open the topic of their children. Sasuke decided to intervene.

"Maybe we should all sit down first."

Though begrudgingly, the two accepted hi suggestion, only they sat down on different sides, not even daring to come close to each other. Sasuke sighed; this was going to be harder than he thought. They all sat down there, silent, each absorbed with their own thoughts.

After almost five minutes of just sitting there, Sasuke grew more apprehensive. He could handle shouting, cursing and death threats, but this silence was just too much. He stood up. "I'll leave you two here to talk" he looked pointedly at Sakura. "Just holler if you need me." then he left.

Sakura and Itachi were finally alone, and the air felt heavier without Sasuke around.

Finally, Itachi spoke up. "Why didn't you tell me?" his voice sounded angry, betrayed…hurt.

Sakura squared her shoulders stiffly. "I wasn't aware that you wanted to be informed. After all, anything that came from me was obviously detestable."

Itachi winced. "You know that I would have wanted to know. They're mine."

Sakura let out a dark laugh, her voice devoid of any humor. "Really? Do you really think that? You had accused me of cheating on you. What would you have thought if I told you that I was pregnant?"

"I would have taken you in."

That simple sentence made Sakura snap. "Oh really?" she hissed. "Would you have? Are you sure? Maybe you would have left me alone anyways. After all, you obviously didn't care enough for me to even listen to me before." She was provoking him, she knew. She was riding a strange high that made her reckless, that made her want to anger him. To let him feel even a sliver of her pain. She wanted to hurt him.

Sakura's chest heaved heavily, her cheeks rosy from her anger. It made Itachi want to ravage her. Even in this situation he could still feel that stirring down his loin. It hurt to think that she still had that effect on her. She still dazzled him.

"Don't think like that." he said, finally getting him emotions under control. "I know you're hurt" she snorted inelegantly. "But I just want to-" he broke off suddenly.

What did he want? To be with her again? Could he say that to her so straightforwardly? What if she rejected him? Or did he want to know the children? The little angels that had his blood running in their veins upstairs, did he want them?

"What do you really want Itachi?" Sakura asked. Her voice vulnerable, when Itachi looked up, he saw that her face was also unguarded. "Why did you come here?"

Itachi didn't answer, what brought him here in the first place was his fury. But now that the woman he thought he was angry at was in front of him, he didn't know what to think.

"I want to know them." that was the only thing he could tell her now, with his feelings so confused it wouldn't do well to blurt out more things that he would regret later on. He had to get a better grip on himself and organize his thoughts. "And I have to leave"

Sakura nodded, her eyes already sparkling with unshed tears. Itachi wanted so much to hold her, to tell her that they would be okay. But he couldn't...no, wouldn't . He wouldn't lie to her like that.

He held her hand briefly, she looked up. "We'll talk more tomorrow, we have to settle this properly, just not tonight."

Sakura closed her eyes, her mouth forming a grim line on her face. He didn't like seeing that expression on her beautiful face.

"Sasuke will pick you up tomorrow morning-"

"I have work."

That had Itachi pause, he forgot that she already had a life of her own now, one that didn't include him. Maybe he had already moved on with someone else, like that man who had caused all of this in the first place. Just the thought of him sent a bloodlust in his system so strong that it was a wonder that he was still able to keep a straight face. "After work then."

Sakura watched as Itachi eased out of the living room; she didn't bother to send them off. She just stood there, rooted to the spot when her tears started to flow.

It was the same.

Being with him had given her great pleasure. It was also painful, so painful. But he had been careful with her, well, for his standards anyway. She didn't dare hope though, she didn't know if her heart would be able to sustain another heartbreak from that man.

A/N: This isn't a cliffhanger. At least I don't thin it is…I wonder. Reviews are very much appreciated. For those reading Dawns are New Beginnings, no, I won't be posting anything yet. I'm taking more care with that story.