"No."

Itachi stood up leaning over the table resting on his fists that he placed on the edge of the table. The whole scene was intimidating. He was strong, he oozed of power and anger. He could easily take out each and everyone in the room if he wanted to. Even Kakashi knew he wouldn't stand a chance against Itachi.

Yet Itachi had a weakness. The one he had been given as a child. The biggest joy in his life. His reason for everything. What had become his humanity in a time where he had to put his own to sleep. His conscience. His only light. His happiness. His everything. His only weakness.

"If you don't give us your child you have faulted on our agreement. If you don't give us your child we will be forced to revoke our pardon on Uchiha Sasuke and have him killed before morning."

I was afraid the table he was leaning on would crack I could hear it creaking as he put more weight on his fists. This was the first time since the war that I was really afraid of Itachi. I know he didn't pose a direct threat to me but I was afraid of what he would do. They were forcing him up a corner and threatening to kill the one thing he cares about in life. It's not a good idea and the elders should know better.

"The deal was that I should father a child within five years! I have eight months left and I will father a child within the timeframe! Never once was the word Uchiha heir uttered or specified. Lay a finger on Sasuke I will have each and every one of you killed off in the worst possible way and it'll exceed every fantasy you could ever muster. Lay a finger on my child and I'm sure Ino would do the same, don't forget she's the most wicked ninja in this town and I don't think her malevolence will have any limits if she's out for vengeance. If she doesn't follow through I will, and I'll do the same if you ever hurt her."

He stood up and walked over to the door. He turned his head flashing red eyes furry apparent on his face.

"Like I said. I owe no one a thing."

I knew that was as much directed to me as the elders. I knew he hadn't gotten over our fight. It had changed everything between us.

"If you're supposed to be such a mind reader, why can't you see what's on mine?"

I didn't understand what he was meaning. I could see him perfectly well. He was cunning and manipulative but there was no vice about it. Deep down he was a caring and probably more considerate person than me. He just knew how to play people to get just what he wanted but he never harmed anyone to gain it, not anymore.

I had always seen him for what he was. I seemed to be the only one. He was a broken man and I had avoided him because of it, because I knew too well.

"I do, I see you for everything you are!"

I was glad the bystanders were quiet. I knew they wouldn't leave us and I knew we couldn't leave. This was something we could only do there and then. It was something that had to be done and hopefully it would clear the fog that was ever present separating us.

"Ino, you're probably the most selfish and conceited person to ever walk the streets of Konoha."

I couldn't understand where this was coming from. I wasn't selfish. I couldn't believe he was saying that and I couldn't believe that people started whispering.

"It's only fair that I can go out with other girls so that I can get over you!"

He left the room without another sound leaving the elders baffled reading through their copies of the contract. Kakashi had already read the copy and knew very well that it said child and not heir. Itachi was in the clear. He would father a child within a few months and Sasuke would be safe from the elders.

Me and the child was just a ploy to keep Sasuke safe. This child wasn't a mistake. It was a pawn in Itachi's game to get Sasuke. It didn't mean anything to him.

Then why had he been so mad because I hadn't wanted to tell him about the baby?

Because he needed to know he had fathered a child to fulfill his part of the deal.

Then why had he cared so much about my health and well being?

He needed the child to be healthy.

Then why had he admitted to have feelings for me?

It didn't make sense. I doubled over in my seat. I was feeling light headed. Was this how it was going to be having a child with Itachi?

I got up and staggered out to find the closest thrash can. I was hurling, and rather loudly I assume as someone came over to hold my hair. The acid was burning in my throat and tears stinging my eyes. I hated being weak. I hated having to sit there while they were trying to take control of my life and my child.

They were still in there. I knew they were talking. I knew they were mad and I knew that this wasn't over.

My hair was pulled aside shielding it from the flood that was coming up. I was handed a paper towel from a rather pale hand once I was done. I wiped my mouth and tossed the paper. A single tear rolled down my face as I let go of the trash can.

I found Sai smiling next to me. He didn't say anything first so I muttered a small thank you.

"Kiba have taught me that this is what you're supposed to do with girls when they've drank too much but you still want to go home with them for sex. Not that I would want that from you, again, right now."

I almost threw up again but I rather started laughing. I laughed. I laughed a good minute and then some. I couldn't help but to laugh at the image of Kiba and Sai teaming up to hit on women.

"He has taught me the joys of the bachelor life."

He said it in such a nonchalant fashion. He was oblivious to the fact that things like these you should never tell your ex, especially "the ex you asked to marry you but she broke it off because she cheated and became pregnant with another man and this is the first time you see her since and she's vomiting her guts out publicly".

I realized that I had never once felt bad because I had cheated on Sai. I had only felt bad that I had cheated on Sai and gotten pregnant. I wondered if I would have felt bad, if I would have told him if I hadn't gotten pregnant.

Perhaps I was a bad person.

Perhaps I was selfish.

"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself."

He nodded. And he did actually look better. I had saved us from a disaster but it didn't make what I did right. It didn't change anything. Unless I had cheated because I knew deep down that we would have been a disaster. No, still not right. He hadn't been in my mind once since I had entered Itachi's mansion.

"I liked spending time with you, but I didn't like you that way."

I nodded. The poor fellow didn't know what that way meant but neither did I. I hadn't liked anyone that way either.

"I'm happier now and cheap girls put out more than you. At least for me."

I punched his shoulder, not hard but enough to give him a little sway. I didn't put out for strangers, though all my sexual history was with all almost strangers besides Sai as the golden exception. Okay, so I hadn't known him that well the first time. I wasn't like those girls who got drunk at clubs and went home with the likes of Kiba and now Sai.

"I still have respect for you."

I didn't know what he meant by that but it made me happy. I was glad that he for some reason still had respect for me.

"Thank you, but I've lost all respect for you and your womanizing ways."

He didn't take the joke until I laughed and his face went through more emotions than it did the whole period we were going out. Who would have guessed that Kiba and his lifestyle would make someone more emotional?

"It was good seeing you and be able to confirm to Kiba that I won the breakup. He said that if you didn't get a better boyfriend, started dating someone before me, turned fat, turned ugly or looked like shit I had won the break up and it looks like I won it all."

Trying to chase Sai was a bad idea. I had should have known I would never catch that slender man being in my condition. Only he would have the nerve to say something like that to someone's face and Kiba was the only one who was disgusting enough to teach him something like that. They must be the worst couple ever.

My poor innocent Sai, ignoring the constant parade of dick jokes.

COCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCOCO

Who wants a spin-off series with Kiba and Sai picking up ladies at shady clubs and general "bro-ing" it out? I don't think I would ever be able to write it, but I'd read it over and over again.

Guest: There's always a way when you're Uchiha Itachi! We don't know if they're in the clear yet, but for now it's good.

EmoPrincess21: Grumpy, spiteful Itachi with malice and an agenda but at the same time cocky was really hard until I came into it, sort of if you understand. Hope it came off believable. Downright angry Itachi in this chapter was much harder to write. Ino is not having a good time, poor thing.

Sweetlilly90: Haha, I like how your review took up basically all the issues answered in this chapter. Well, beside the baby. That's still a surprise to come.