Chapter 20~

Feather like touches ran down her side, waking her from slumber. Her sleep induced mind comprehended a pair of soft lips trailing down the side of her neck, and back up. She murmured something; she had no idea what, enjoying the caresses. The lips found her own, gently kissing her. Saya could only mumble something in return. She heard a low chuckle, and felt the touches return, running down her face and sides. At the whisper of her name, her eyes fluttered open, blurry with sleep.

"Love?" She saw Itachi, who had a smile on his lips as he stared down at her."Good morning." He said softly.

"Hmm," A smile came to her lips at the sight of him. "You too."

"You're such a heavy sleeper." He teased.

"Am not!" She shot back, "I'm just not a morning person!"

A grin broke out on his face, "I know. But you're too cute to resist teasing."

"You're so mean…" She pouted.

"Forgive me." Itachi erased her pout by kissing her deeply.

"Okay…" She said a bit breathless when he pulled away.

"Hm," He shifted his position so he would wrap his arms around her and pull her closer to his chest.

She tucked her head under his chin and listened to the strong beating of his heart. "Did Tenshi wake up yet?" She asked quietly.

"No, he's enjoying his new room."

Saya smiled at that.

"And Sasuke?"

"He left early in the morning."

"Hmm…"

He ran his hand through her midnight hair lovingly, inhaling the flowered aroma that solely belonged to her. "What would you like to do today?"

"Nothing really." She sighed peacefully, "Maybe just finally settle in, you know, fill the fridge… add some finishing touches..." She trailed off.

"Sounds good." Itachi smirked, "How bout' in an hour."

Saya laughed, recalling all the similar moments they've had before. "It's a date."

"What are you up to, Tenshi?"

Itachi heard Saya's voice and Tenshi's giggles as he walked into the nursery. Saya turned her head in his direction and gave him a wide smile. His heart fluttered in his chest in response. She held out a hand to him from where she was sitting, which he took and sat down beside her. She pecked him on the lips before saying, "Look at what Tenshi's doing."

They turned their attention on their eight months old son, who was teaching himself how to walk atop the futon she had rolled out. Occasionally, he would lose his balance and fall onto his back, but he would just laugh and get back on his feet and try again. Already, he was staring to get the hang of walking, with a huge smile plastered on his face.

Saya swore a tear came to her eye. "He's such a fast learner."

Itachi wrapped an arm around her waist, offering comfort. At the same time, he was immensely proud of their son. Tenshi had a look of pure happiness when he looked at them. With his arms outstretched he wobbled over to them, giggling all the while. Saya pulled him into her arms when he was close enough, cooing words of love and praise. Itachi watched, a smile blossoming on his face. She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with love for both him and their son. He leaned in and captured her lips with his. She smiled against his lips, kissing him back passionately.

"I love you, Itachi." Saya smiled softly when they pulled away.

"I love you, Saya." Itachi responded back with a smile of his own.

She looked down at the child in her arms and cooed, "Love you too, my angel."

Tenshi just giggled cutely.

Having woken up alone in bed in the middle of night, Itachi got up and searched for his lover. He found her in the nursery, curled up on the rocking chair with a sleeping Tenshi in her arms. She was staring out of the window at the full moon, a look of distress on her face. He approached her slowly, worry gnawing at his heart.

"Saya, darling?" Itachi asked softly, kneeling down beside her.

She continued to stare out into dark for a few more seconds, with the moonlight lighting her features and making her look almost angelic, before turning to him.

"What's wrong?" He took her hand in his while he cupped the side of her face with his other hand. She closed her eyes tightly and tears slid down her face. He wiped them away with the pad of his thumb. "It's okay… I'm right here." He reassured her.

"I'm just worried," Her eyes opened, and once brilliant eyes looked at him, now dulled with her sadness. "I wonder if the rest of the Akatsuki are still alive, and whether everyone from Konoha are too…" Her voice quivered as she was on the edge of tears.

"Here," Itachi rose and took Tenshi from her so he could put him back in his crib where he could sleep peacefully. He returned to Saya and gathered her in his arms. She immediately wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face into the crook of his neck to hide her tears. He carried her back to their room and settled the both of them under the safety of the covers with Saya lying on top of him.

"Shh…It's okay," Itachi cooed, rubbing her side comfortingly. "I can almost promise you that everyone from Konoha are alive and are already rebuilding the village."

"How do you know?" She asked quietly.

"Nagato's only goal was peace."

"Who?" She lifted her head and cocked it to the side, giving him quizzical look.

"I'll tell you in the morning." Was Itachi's mysterious answer.

"What about the Akatsuki?" She urged.

"In the morning, I promise." He dismissed, closing his eyes.

Saya pouted, and resumed to stare out of the window, continuing to pray.

Itachi cracked an eye opened and frowned when he still saw the saddened look on her face. "Saya, love," He rolled them over so she was under him and he was able to reach her lips without trouble. "Everything is fine. If you so wish, we can visit Konoha."

"Really?" A small smile came to her lips at the idea.

"Yes," He kissed her again, giving her a smile.

"Okay," Itachi was thankful when the pain and worry left her eyes. "Thank you, Itachi."

"I love you, Saya." He buried his face in her hair with his arms around her, holding her close.

"I love you too, Itachi." She laid her head against his chest, comforted by his touch. The rhythmic sound of his beating heart lulled her into the depths sleep.

"Naruto!"

The blonde haired Shinobi turned at the call of his name. His eyes widened before a grin broke out on his face, "SAYA!"

He met her halfway and enveloped her in a bear hug. "It's been so long!"

Saya laughed and returned the hug. "I heard you saved the village! You're a hero, Naruto!"

He set her down and pointed his thumb at his chest, "Yep, and soon I'll be Hokage!"

She smiled at his exuberant attitude, "I can't wait."

She felt his presence even before she felt his hand wrap around hers, "This is Damien." She introduced.

"Nice to meet you." Damien dipped his head in greeting.

"Same here," Naruto didn't miss their intertwined hands, and a sly grin spread across his face, which Saya rolled her eyes at.

"Hey, where's Tenshi?"

"Oh, he's back home being taken care of by one of our neighbors. We're just out here for the weekend." She informed.

Naruto nodded.

Moving onto a serious topic, her eyes saddened, "I heard Tsunade was the only one injured… I'm sorry."

Naruto's face fell at the mentioned of the unconscious fifth Hokage. "Yeah… She tried so hard to protect us."

"With luck, she'll be up and ordering you all around in no time." Saya gave him a small smile.

"Yeah, you're probably right," He laughed, "The old granny is way too tough for her age."

"Keep talking like that, and the first thing she does when she wakes up is knock you unconscious." They both laughed, and Naruto gave her a grateful smile.

"But for now we have to deal with Danzo." His face darkened.

"What?" Damien hissed, surprising Saya.

Naruto didn't seem fazed. "Yeah, I know. I still can't believe it."

Saya's brows furrowed. She had no idea what they were talking about. "Uhh, so… what are you up to?"

"Well," Naruto gave Damien a pointed look before looking to Saya, "Can I talk to you in private?"

Saya turned to Damien, and he nodded, releasing her hand. She gave him a small smile before she followed Naruto further to the side and far enough away that Damien wouldn't hear them. Even so, Naruto kept his voice low so only she could hear, "I'm going to look for Sasuke."

"Really? Is something up?"

"Since Danzo's Hokage, he's uplifted Granny Tsunade's protection over Sasuke and classified him as a Missing-Nin. He's given orders to kill Sasuke!" Naruto hissed out the last part.

Saya's eyes widened as her hands rose to cover her mouth to prevent her from cussing out loud. "So what are you going to do?" She asked through her fingers.

"Kakashi, and Yamato and I are going to find Sasuke, and well… I'm not exactly sure what we're going to do…" He scratched the back of his head with a nervous chuckle.

"As long as you're not alone…" She commented, slightly skeptical.

"Heh, we'll be fine!"

She nodded, "Good luck, then."

"Don't worry!" Naruto assured, grinning. "We'll make sure Sasuke doesn't get his ass kicked!"

"Itachi, love," Saya murmured when he joined her in bed. He crawled up beside her, entwining their legs together as he spooned her from behind. His lips found the side of his neck and he lavished the sensitive skin there. "Hm?"

"Earlier today, when we were talking with Naruto… He mentioned someone named Danzo? Who is he?"

She felt his lips still at her question. He placed one last kiss on her neck before speaking, "I guess it's about time I told you."

"Itachi?" Saya tried to turn around so she could face him, but a hand on her waist reframed her from doing so.

"I just… can't look you in the eyes…" He whispered, sounding torn.

"It's okay…" She soothed, her hand found his and she intertwined their fingers together.

He exhaled slowly, finding comfort with her in his arms, "You were right… I didn't kill for power… I was ordered to." Itachi heard her sharp intake of breath, and felt her hand tighten around his. He continued, "The Uchiha Clan at the time were staring to plan to overthrow Konoha, and as an ANBU, I was tasked to spy on the village. But… I knew it would only lead to another Ninja War, so I spied on the Uchiha instead, passing on information to the Third Hokage and Elders."

He held her closer, his forehead falling on her shoulder, "The Third tried so hard to negotiate… but nothing worked… So, against the Hokage's wishes, Danzo and the Konoha Council ordered me to annihilate the Uchiha Clan. Before that night arrived however, I found Uchiha Marada, who was attempting to start war in Konoha once again. I made him an offer, in return for not attacking Konoha, that I would help him claim his revenge over the Uchiha Clan for turning their backs on him…

"So… I killed the entire clan… but… not Sasuke… I couldn't kill him… not my little brother…."

Speaking of his painful past left Itachi emotionally and physically drained, allowing Saya to turn around to face him. She leaned up to his face to kiss away the stray tear that had escaped his eye. Her hand came around to the back of his neck and she pulled his head down to rest on her shoulder. She whispered words of love in his ear as she gently ran her fingers through his hair, offering comfort.

Itachi took a deep breath, his arms wrapping around her once more. He basked in Saya's love for a moment, finding the means to continue talking. "I made the excuse that I killed to test my true abilities, so that one day Sasuke would take his revenge and become a hero to Konoha, redeeming the Uchiha name… I pleaded with the Third to keep Sasuke under protection, and threatened Danzo to not harm him. When I was sure Sasuke would be safe, I left Konoha. I joined the Akatsuki so I could keep on eye on the organization, along with Madara, incase either acted against Konoha…

"I just didn't expect for Sasuke to go so far to seek his revenge… He was never supposed to join with Orochimaru or the Akatsuki. And he was never supposed to know the real reason…" Itachi whispered the last part, his eyes shutting tight. "Damn you, Madara…"

Saya listened Itachi's tragic past, her heart breaking for the man she loved. In the back of her mind, she wondered what reason God had to do this to him. What good did He see would come out of this?

"I'm so sorry." She held him tighter, unsure of what words to say to him. "But… thank you for telling me."

"Yet, it isn't a complete lost." Itachi removed his head from her shoulder to stare at her with love so devoted, it made her breath catch. His hand came up to cup her cheek to wipe away the tears that had slid down her face, unknown to her. "I have you, and Tenshi, and another chance with my little brother."

The smile that graced his lips, one of pure happiness, caused more tears to fall from her eyes. "I love you so much, Itachi." Saya was able to confess before his lips were on hers. She fell onto her back as their lips danced and tongues tangled. Her arms were still around his neck, her hands treading through his dark locks. One of his hands found the back of her neck, pulling her even closer while his other hand slipped under her tank top to rub her side.

When they felt like their chests were about to explode, they parted, panting for air. Itachi removed the hand behind her head to cup her cheek. His thumb stroked the skin under her eyes as he rested his forehead against hers.

"And I love you, my Saya."

Saya tilted her head up slightly to kiss him, smiling against his lips. He smiled too and kissed her back before pulling away slowly. He settled beside her, cradling her to his chest.

"Goodnight, love." He whispered into her hair.

"Goodnight, darling."

Itachi closed his eyes, letting out a deep breath.

"And Itachi… I forgive you." He heard her say as she placed a kiss over where his heart was.

His heart warmed and he felt the guilt disappear with her words. "Thank you." He sighed, to both his lover and to the Heavenly Father up above.