DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ITACHI OR ANYTHING FROM 'NARUTO'.

Phew! I would have updated sooner, like last night, but our borrowed internet wasn't working. xD I just thought of something... I usually update in the early hours of the morning, don't I? Oh, well.

Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed my last chapter! They were awesome. I ate them right up. =D YUMMM!!!

It has been brought to my attention that some of you may be desiring Itachi to warm up to Akiko. And yes, I know it seems like it is taking FOR-E-VER(!!!), but don't worry, my friends! :D It is coming! Not for a couple more chapters, but I believe it will be well worth the wait, and I hope you do to, when it finally comes to that point. ^_^ So take heart, my friends! It'll happen in a few more chapters in the most epicly awesome way I have thought of thus far. ^__^

NOW, ON WITH CHAPTER 13! Hope you enjoy! 3

Chapter 13

And so it was between the couple for many moons. They slept and lived together as brother and sister would. Each night, Akiko slept on her side of the bed, and Itachi on his. Each night, Itachi felt more guilt than the last. The only emotion surpassing the guilt was his sorrow. He knew not how to overcome such heart-rending pain, nor did he wish to. Itachi desperately clung to thoughts of his sweet little brother when they were younger. Desperately clung to tender, fond memories of growing up as Sasuke's cool big brother. Desperately clung to the past, to… Sasuke.

The former Akatsuki member wanted to hold all that was cherished, all that was left, of his former good life. He was so caught up in the past, that Itachi forgot that it was the present that was important. But how could he? It simply was not that easy. Since Sasuke was born, it seemed his entire life revolved around his beloved little brother. Especially so when he took the lives of the entire Uchiha Clan, aside from Sasuke. Then it was all about making Sasuke stronger… Securing his place in the world as a hero… The legendary hero who killed his mass murder older brother, Itachi.

That life had consumed him entirely. It felt impossible to give it up. Sasuke was… so precious to him. He was… everything. And now he was dead. Been dead for over four years now. Itachi still could not let it go, and didn't think he ever would.

But Akiko was ever patient with him. Every night when they crawled into bed, each on their own side, Akiko would put a hand on Itachi's back and tell him that she was there for him when he was ready to open up to her. Every night for the next seven months Akiko told Itachi, her husband, that. Every night, he said nothing.

One day while Itachi was out working, Akiko was with her father. He had become completely dependent on Akiko and Itachi after their marriage. His health steadily declined day by day. Takao was so frail he hadn't the strength to hold his own chopsticks. Lovingly, Akiko took care of her father's every need, while Itachi took care of all the outside work around Takao's home. Before putting him into bed, the two would hold conversations with the sick, elderly doctor.

It was during this one particular visit that Takao broached a topic he had feared would come.

"My darling daughter... Akiko-chan." He said, reaching a hand out for hers.

"Yes, father, what is it?" She asked, taking his hand gently in hers and grasping it firmly, but softly.

"I have a favor to ask of you."

"Anything father, please, tell me so I can do as you wish without hesitation." She said, feeling a sense of sadness come over her. Woman's intuition told her that her father was about to tell her something she didn't want to hear. Something that was inevitable for all living things.

"You are so devoted to your old father… I hate to burden you."

"You have never been a burden to me father, please don't think that way." She pleaded with him, her eyes becoming wet, dreading what she feared he would say.

Takao smiled softly, looking into his daughters face. "I… I don't have many days left. Will you, and Itachi-san, please, prepare a room for me at your home? I would like… very much to be as close to you in my last days. I-I don't want to die alone." He squeezed her hand, trying to give her comfort.

A steady stream of tears were pouring down Akiko's face, fear gripping her heart. She placed her free hand on her father's shoulder and gripped the cloth covering it. "You can't die on me, father!"

"I don't want to leave you… my child… but I don't have a choice in the matter." He rasped, tears glistening in his own eyes. He paused for a long moment before continuing. "Will you…. Let me stay with you, Akiko-chan?"

Akiko gulped a couple of times, struggling to swallow the tears and nodded her head rapidly up and down, the woman's hair swinging in her face. "Yes, father. Yes." She managed.

Takao picked up a hand and rested it on Akiko's head, patting it gently. "My girl… " He whispered nostalgically.

- - - - - - - - -

Later that day, Akiko approached Itachi and told him about her father. The corners of his mouth creased downward slightly, his brow furrowing faintly.

"Yes, it is a good idea that he move in with us. We'll be able to take better care of him there." He agreed instantly, hesitantly putting a hand on Akiko's shoulder in an attempt to console her.

Akiko looked at the ground for a moment, and then before Itachi could remove his hand, she looked up into his face, smiling softly, resting her hand on his wrist, and gently moved it up and down his wrist 3 times.

"Thank you." She whispered.

Her touch caught Itachi off guard and he started ever so slightly. A placid breeze blew his bangs, one corner of his mouth turning up just a tiny bit into a smile. He looked into her beautiful sky blue eyes, feeling warmth spread through his body that was almost entirely unrecognizable. Itachi suddenly felt over-whelmed by the love radiating from Akiko. Emotionally unable to tolerate, or accept, such love, he turned away from her, removing his hand.

"I must return to work… Akiko-san."

Akiko's hand slowly fell back to her side, her head slumping forward. She was sure she had made a break-through just then. But just like that, it was gone. Akiko crossed her arms over her chest, rubbing her arms in a sudden breeze. Cold. It was so cold… A single tear formed in one eye, growing till it slid down her cheek. A gust of wind blew it off her cheek and carried it away. Akiko turned and ran back to her father's home.

Something wet hit Itachi in the back of the neck. He started, feeling for it with his hand. Itachi looked at it, then up at the sky. Will it rain? Doesn't look like it… He thought. Seeing no clouds in the late afternoon sun, he turned to look behind him. He could see his wife running away from him to his father-in-laws home.

Was she… ? He raised one eye brow a little, a bit of guilt and curiosity easing its way in his gut.

- - - - - - - - - - -

That night, when Takao was all moved into his daughter's new home, Akiko sat with him in front of the fire place in his room. She started to prepare him for bed.

"Father, may I talk to you?" She asked, tucking him into bed and sitting on the edge of it. Akiko rested a hand on his leg near his ankle.

"Of course, of course, my child. Now, what is it? You can tell your father." He patted her hand on his leg and waited patiently for her to speak.

She hesitated, not knowing how to start.

"Come my child, you can tell your father anything. What is this about?" He asked, becoming concerned.

"Itachi-kun." She whispered softly.

"What's that? Itachi-san? Why, what's wrong with 'em?" He asked, more concerned.

"I don't know what to do about him anymore. I just... don't know! I've tried everything to get him to open up to me, but nothing works! What do I do, father?" She pleaded with him, gripping the blanket on his lap tightly. She broke down crying, laying her head on her father's lap.

"Now, now, now, sh sh sh, Akiko-chan, stop crying, stop crying." He said, bringing a finger up to his lips, and patting her head with the other.

Sniffling, Akiko nodded her head up and down on the blanket. Getting her crying under control, she looked up at her father, her chin on his leg.

"Now, tell me, what is this about Itachi-san? Speak clearly, dear." Takao spoke softly, his hand still on her head.

"I don't know why. He is... distant from me. Itachi-kun doesn't... talk to me. Sometimes he seems almost cold, but not quite. It's hard to explain. We have conversations about our day sometimes, but not always. He never speaks openly about himself though. He's as tight-lipped about his past as I have ever seen in a person. I just can't get him to open up to me, father! Please. Tell me what to do. I need your help, please, father."

"Oooh, baby, my baby girl. I can't TELL him to open up to you. I know he's your husband, but until he is ready, it is his business. When he is ready, if that time should come, he will tell you. Not a moment before."

"I can't even tell if he loves me. Can't you help me at all? Give me some advice... any tips... anything?" She pleaded, urgently.

"Of course he loves you! You saved his life. That is reason enough. Just give him some time. He'll come around." Takao said, confidently.

"Not once has he ever told me that he loves me, or has he ever done anything to show me that he cares for me at all. How much time do you expect me to give him? How much longer can I possibly hold out before I can't take it anymore? How much time does he need? It's already been almost a year since we married! It feels like it's been much longer than that. "

"Akiko-chaan, don't talk like that! As far as you know he is used to keeping things inside. It may take him longer than usual to reveal his feelings for you. To show you what is in his heart. Don't forget that he was also on the brink of death when you found him. Whatever happened days before you found him, could have profoundly changed Itachi-san, emotionally, or otherwise."

Akiko continued to sniffle as she listened to her father intently. A few tears still escape when she blinked, but she held back her sobs as he continued.

"A man needs the support of his wife, Akiko-chan, never forget that. Just be there for him. Don't lose heart. Promise me you won't give up on him, Akiko-chan. Promise me." He whispered weakly, his energy nearly spent.

Akiko gulp hard, wiping her eyes. "I-I promise you, father. I won't give up." She whispered weakly back.

"That's my girl." Takao approvingly spoke soft, patting her head, a tired smile on his face. He sighed, leaning back, eyes closed.

Thank you so much for reading it, hope you enjoyed the chapter! And thanks in advance for reviewing. ^_^

Preview for the next chapter: Mugen returns!!! DUN dun dunnnnnn *dramatic reveeerb*!

XD