A/N:

This story has been rated M for a reason - you have been warned.

Happy Reading! ^^

Chapter 14. Bittersweet

It's been god-knows-how-many days since she awakened in this place. Her strength recovered; she was ready to go home. She knew he wasn't going to use her to bait Naruto. He seemed like the Itachi she remembered. Perhaps it was an act. Perhaps it was not. She needed to know the truth and he wasn't hiding his secrets any longer.

"Why am I here?"

"Because … you're the only person I can trust," he replied as he entered the room.

"Itachi …"

The tall man sat down on the bed next to her. He did not wear the Akatsuki cloak. Instead, he was dressed in a simple mesh shirt and black pants, his mother's necklace hung around his neck. His long raven hair was scooped in the back in a low hanging ponytail. Her eyes wandered to his face, noting the dark circles under his eyes, his pale skin … he seemed unwell. She watched him bring a handkerchief to his mouth and cough viciously into it. After a moment it subsided, and she noticed the blood in the cloth before he quickly tucked it away. She was alarmed. Hemoptysis. He needed medical attention. Her hands moved on their own as she reached for him, looking at his face. She was examining him more closely, searching his dark eyes. He deactivated his Sharingan.

"I am going to die soon but I still need to face Sasuke before I do," Itachi said as he let her touch his face.

"What do you mean?" Nami asked as she placed two fingers to his neck, measuring his pulse.

"I'm ill … no … there's nothing you or anyone else can do," he added.

"I will tell you everything," Itachi said as he gently took a hold of her hand.

He brought her hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to the back of the hand. Nami let him, her heart softening as she was seeing before her eyes her old Itachi. He never lied to her. He wasn't about to start now.

Later.

"DANZO?! SHIMURA DANZO?!

"Hai," he confirmed, his voice remaining calm and steady while Nami's anger burst open.

She was pacing around the room angrily, like a predator wanting to sink its teeth and claws into its prey. Both of her hands were forming tight fists – she really wanted to get her hands on the ones responsible. She wanted them to bleed, to suffer for causing so much. The thought of returning home suddenly felt different. It didn't bring her a sense of calm, instead it filled her with anticipation for justice. How could she return to Konoha without letting loose on the Konoha council?

"Are you ….. Are you FUCKING KIDDING ME?! WHY?! WHY IS THAT … THAT FUCK STILL ALIVE?!"

"Calm down," Itachi said, attempting to ease her killing intent.

"CALM DOWN?! HOW CAN I CALM DOWN?!"

"It's done," he stated simply.

Nami looked at him and her anger ceased. She walked over to him, and she sat back down next to him.

"Itachi … I … "

"It's alright. I did it. I killed them along with the masked Uchiha. I did it so Sasuke would be spared. I deserve punishment for my sins," Itachi said softly.

"What about Sasuke?"

"I did it to protect Sasuke."

"Why doesn't Sasuke know the truth?"

Itachi only shook his head as he answered, "He will never know."

"Itachi … no … you … no … this …"

Nami did not know what to do. Her heart ached. She was angry and she wanted to hurt the one responsible for the pain. There has been so pain and so much turmoil. When does it end? He sacrificed everything. What if it never happened? What if Danzo was dealt with earlier? What if the Uchiha never threatened to declare a coup? What if they were allowed to stay together side by side as shinobi? As friends? As lovers? She looked at the man before her and her gaze softened. She gently touched his hair, pushing it back to see his face more clearly. He met her gaze — black met green. Nami gently wrapped her arms around the older Uchiha, embracing him warmly. He returned the embrace, wrapping his arms around her tightly.

"It's fine," Itachi said softly.

"Why did you bring me here?" Nami asked again, still holding onto him.

"I need your help with something," he replied, his hand gently running through her blonde hair.

"What is it?" Nami asked as she pulled away.

"I'll show you. Take your things. You'll be leaving afterwards," he said.

Nami reached for her belongings, retying her kunai pouch against her hip and she then followed him. He took her hand, prolonging their contact as he led her through the base. He brought her to the grand room. It resembled a throne room.

"Wait for me here. I'll be right back. I promise," he said, and he disappeared behind a set of doors.

Nami sat down on the stairs that led to the throne-like chair and waited for the Uchiha to return. She could have left. She was not a hostage. And yet, she remained in place, waiting for her old friend to return. She believed him. A few minutes passed and Itachi returned. On his shoulder he carried a grey backpack and, in his arms, he held something wrapped in a blanket. He had it close to his chest, protecting it from any harm that may befall it. He came forward to Nami and let her take a look. There in his arms was a baby, with whisps of black hair and black eyes with a pacifier in its mouth. Nami was stunned to see the child — it looked so much like him.

"Her name is Uchiha Sachiko."

"Itachi …" Nami started, still processing the image in front of her.

"I met her mother in the Rain country," he paused for a moment to take a bigger breath before he continued, "She was a civilian, working in a shabby bar. She looked so much like you that I couldn't help myself and I gave in. She passed away in childbirth and she had no prior family. I am not going to be here much longer myself. I need to ensure that my child is in good hands and I will die peacefully knowing that you have her."

"Itachi, I can't…" Nami said, her eyes not leaving the young infant.

"As my child, she will be provided for. I am still the heir of the main Uchiha family and she's my heir. I need you to sign the clan birth certificate so I can seal it with my blood. When you can, present the certificate in the archives at the village. Once it is filed, you will have access to the Uchiha vaults. Use the funds as you see fit," he continued.

"Itachi… I don't know how to be a mother," Nami said.

"Love her, tend to her needs, watch her grow, I know you can do it Nami, you're the only one who can. I wish everything was different, I do. I wish that the Uchiha clan never planned a coup d'etat. I wish that the massacre never happened. I wish I could have married you; I wish we truly had a child of our own. I … I loved you. I always will. Please, take care of her, you are the only one I can trust," Itachi pleaded.

Nami looked down at the raven-haired bundle of joy. The youngest Uchiha, appeared happily snug in her father' arms as she closed her eyes and fell asleep. He sacrificed so much for Konohagakure — he was a loyal shinobi and he was punished with exile. If this was all she could do for her friend, she would do it.

"She's beautiful Itachi," Nami noted.

"Yes, she is."

Nami gently touched his cheek, caressing it. She closed her eyes for a moment. Her hand remained on his cheek, and then she moved to the strap of the backpack, removing it from him. Itachi let her do so while he still cradled his daughter.

"Where's the certificate?" she asked

"The front pocket," he replied.

She fished out the birth certificate scroll along with a from and unraveled it quickly. Her eyes fell onto the blank space where the name of the mother should be. She exhaled as she took the old black ink and signed her name, using the old throne as a makeshift desk.

"I will raise her as my own. I will protect her with my own life. I swear!" Nami claimed as she met his black eyes once more.

She slipped the backpack firmly onto her back, tightening the straps so it would not sway from side to side on the journey home. She wiped away the tears that slipped down her cheeks, knowing this would be the last time she'd be with her friend.

"Arigatou Nami," Itachi said as a small smile appeared on his lips.

"In another life, we will be together again Itachi-kun," Nami said as a few more tears slid down her face.

Nami stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his, mindful of the infant between them as she gently cupped Itachi's cheek. For a moment, she felt like she was that fourteen-year-old girl once again. Itachi returned the gentle kiss. Her lips parted, as if letting him experience more of what could have been as she deepened the kiss. He returned the passion, pouring his love for her into the kiss. As Itachi once said, no regrets. After a moment, Nami pulled away.

"Arigatou," he whispered softly.

Nami's eyes transferred from his onto the young infant. If she were to be a mother to his child, she would need all the protection she could get. She took a step back and completed the hand signs for the summoning technique.

"Kuchiyose no jutsu," Nami said as she concentrated a large amount of chakra into the release.

From a cloud of smoke, a large leopard emerged. It turned its head towards the summoner.

"Why have you summoned me little one?" Shiori questioned.

"I need your protection for my child so that we may return safely to Konohagakure," Nami replied to the leopard.

The leopard looked at the bundle in Itachi's arms, noting the innocent infant sleeping soundly.

"I will walk with you," the leopard said simply.

"Arigatou Shiori," Nami replied.

Itachi then took a step forward towards Nami and he gently placed his newborn daughter into her arms. Then he turned towards the certificate, signing his name rightfully in the place of the father and then biting his thumb to seal the Uchiha birth certificate with his blood. He quickly rolled it and placed it back into the front pocket of the backpack.

"Go. Sasuke is near and I don't want you to be here once I … just go…" Itachi said.

He leaned down gently placing a soft kiss on the child's forehead and then he looked at Nami once more.

"Itachi?"

"Yes?"

"I love you. I'm so sorry," Nami cried out.

She was sorry for so many things. She felt robbed of their friendship, their connection. How many years she believed him to be nothing more than a criminal? A murderer? If she had stayed true and believed in him… would things have turned out differently? Would she be with Kakashi? The thought of the silver-haired copy-nin brought forth a fear. Would he be alright with her becoming a mother to someone else's child? She loved Kakashi deeply, but she loved Itachi too. This was a different type of love. This was her Itachi, the kind and gentle friend who always had her back.

"You have nothing to be sorry for Nami. I love you too," he said warmly as his hand gently caressed her cheek.

"I…"

"Sayōnara Nami-chan. Thank you for being my friend," Itachi said and he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Little Sachiko stirred awake and began to cry as Itachi took a step back from them. Nami held the infant close as tears slipped down her cheeks and she took a deep breath. She didn't care what it took, but she'd make damn sure that this child would live a life surrounded with love. She would ensure that this little girl would know her daddy. Nami took one more look at the older Uchiha, carving his image into her memory.

"Sayōnara Itachi," she replied softly.

She looked away and made her way out of the Uchiha compound, Shiori walking closely by her, shielding her and the child from any harm.