Part Fourteen

AN: (Updated previous chapters, feel free to reread. No drastic changes, small changes and fixed some grammar and wording.)

SAKURA'S POV

Finally, it's Sunday, I didn't think the weekend could go by so slow I have literally almost lost my mind to boredom. When you have a rowdy little boy that follows you around like a baby duck there is never a dull moment, but this weekend has made me realize that I desperately need a life of my own.

Friday night was the only excitement I had, before that it's been years don't get me wrong I love my life, I love being a mother but Shoda has consumed my entire being, I can't remember the last time I read a book for myself, a book that didn't have giant words and pictures between the pages.

That was something I loved to do a lot.

Hearing his little voice through the phone last night bought me comfort from my frazzled thoughts, I had all the time in world, well, 48 hours more or less to rediscover myself but I could not stop the lingering thoughts.

Shoda mentioned that he met Itachi that afternoon; I smiled when he spoke about him being the better opponent at board games than Sasuke. I could only imagine the sour look on Sasuke's face; he has always had a rivalry with his older brother.

When he mentioned Naruto and Hinata, I had to swallow the lump in my throat – I missed them dearly, my closest friends. I laughed along with Shoda when he said that Naruto kept getting in trouble with Hinata at the dinner table. I loved the fact that so many different people loved Shoda, it didn't make up for lying about his father but it brought me peace that everyone could see how amazing he was. Despite what I have done, he is innocent in this big mess and I simply just want him to be happy, including Sasuke – he didn't deserve it at times but he didn't deserve to be left in the dark so long. He is not the only one that needs to be forgiven; I have caused him pain as well.

I managed to unglue myself from my bed, I started on laundry and cleaned up Shoda's bedroom, it would at least be clean until he got home this afternoon. After that, I caught on emails and paperwork that Tsunade needed filed away on Monday morning. I was two hours deep in the Titanic when Sai called, I paused the movie because I'm a sucker for Leo and I didn't want to miss their moment.

"Hello, you."

"Hello Sakura, am I interrupting anything?" He asked, probably wondering about Shoda.

"Nope, I'm all alone watching the Titanic for the fiftieth time."

He laughed, "really?"

"It's sad, I know."

"I don't think I've ever seen that movie."

I gasped, "it's practically a rite of passage Sai, how'd you miss that?"

"I'm not big on romance movies."

What man is?

I frowned, "I simply cannot accept that answer, we will just have to watch it together."

I could tell he was smiling, "For you I'd watch it."

My heart did a little happy dance. "It's three hours and thirty minutes."

"So, three hours and thirty minutes of not watching the movie, I can handle that." He was flirting with me.

I gasped dramatically, "why Sai are you suggesting you'd get lucky? What kind of woman do you think I am?"

"A very attractive woman, I don't think I could sit next to you for three hours and not be tempted."

My cheeks warmed, "you naughty man."

My heart raced in my chest, I have had my fair share of insecurities and having a child increased those feelings so hearing that I'm desirable from this man eased my discomfort.

"Sakura, I wanted to talk about Friday after dinner back in your apartment."

Heat crawled up my neck to my cheeks as I remembered where he touched me, "w- what about it?" Geez, I sound like Hinata.

"I'm sorry if I moved to fast, it's only because I've wanted you for so long. I should not have –"

"Stop." I interrupted, "it's not something that I planned to happen but I don't regret it, Sai. I'm a grown woman; I know what I want from you."

My eyes widened, way to go Sakura!

"What is that exactly?" His voice had this playful tone.

"Patience sir, patience." I teased; however, part of it was true.

I have not been intimate with man in five years, five – I might as well label myself celibate except for the secret stashed away at the very bottom of my underwear drawer.

A gift from Tsunade, of course, she does not need to know that I put it to good use; she thinks I trashed it a long time ago.

The rest of our conversation was work related until I heard a small knock on my apartment door; I had to end our phone call because another little man needed my undivided attention.

As soon I opened my door, Shoda wrapped around my waist in a bear hug. His little face tucked into my midsection as his little hands gripped my shirt.

"Hello too you to." I giggled, his little face smiled back up at me. "I missed you."

He squeezed me tighter, resting his cheek against my stomach, "I missed you too mommy."

I forgot we had an audience, Sasuke allowed us our moment; he had Shoda's bags and very familiar looking soccer ball in his hands.

I did not comment on it, soccer balls are everywhere and in a variety of colors.

"Hello, Sasuke."

"Sakura." His voice is deeper, smooth even; it is different than I remembered. It has been awhile since I have seen that rare color that paints his eyes, dark and brooding. I have to catch myself because I can see that 12- year old little boy except he is a man now; it seems the progress I made when we were young was in vain.

"Mommy?" I glanced down at the little boy wrapped around me; his green-eyes shine with impatience. "I told daddy he could see my room."

My eyes snapped back to Sasuke's, "I don't have to Sakura, I already explained to Sho –"

"You have too daddy." He pouted, it was very cute but I was not sure I wanted Sasuke in my apartment, at least not yet.

"Shoda, maybe next time." I found the words that lodged in my throat.

"No. Now!" He shouted and his little hands turned into fists as he glared up at me.

"Shoda, don't yell at your mother." Sasuke did not scold him; he was simply talking to him. "I can see your room another time, all right?" He offered.

I could feel the uncertainty radiating from Shoda's little body, "No, I want to show you now not next time."

"Shoda, you will stop acting this way." I scolded, "we said next time and that's final."

I hated using that tone with him, he only ever acted out on rare occasions, and this is has rare as any, I could not blame him for being upset.

His little face scrunched together in anger, "fine." He pushed passed me; his little stomps cracked my heart. I did not want him upset with me but I was not ready to be that close to Sasuke.

I was not entirely comfortable in his presence.

Sasuke moved forward and I stepped back, he frowned but he simply placed the suitcase and Shoda's backpack at my feet.

"I'm sorry Sakura. I tried to explain to him that it wasn't a good idea." He rubbed the back of neck; I noticed that his raven-colored hair was longer. I vaguely wondered if he wanted it that way or if he simply put off getting a haircut.

"Yeah, well he's quite the stubborn one." I sighed and wrapped my arms around myself.

Sasuke smirked, "reminds me of someone I know."

I glared at him, but it did not faze him. "I wanted to talk to you about something."

I tried not to sound more upset than I already was, "okay."

"Does Shoda play sports?" He asked and my brows knitted together; I did not expect that.

"No. He's never mentioned anything about a sport."

Shoda was inside a majority of the time, he did not participate in sports because it was difficult enough shuffling him back and forth.

"I'd like to sign him up for soccer, if that's all right with you." He held the black and red soccer ball in his hands.

I small smile played at my lips, of course, it had to be soccer – Sasuke loved the sport and he was rather good. I remember watching from the stands, his number painted on my cheek; do not go there Sakura. I quickly shook that thought away.

"I don't know Sasuke, that's a lot of commitment and with my job –"

"I would be there to help you."

It irked my nerves that he interrupted me but his face, shit, his face; practically a spinning image of little boy that is in the next room. Sasuke has never been good with facial expressions but I can see it in his eyes, he really wants this.

"I'll pay for everything." He quickly rushed, and I rubbed my temples.

"It's not that I can't afford it Sasuke." I countered.

"I just want to have something in common with him." I could not help but feel a tiny ounce of guilt. "He's all you Sakura."

Our eyes locked, I could not look away – something was troubling him.

"He's kind and smart; he loves movies and board games. He is easy to please and has this little way about him that mimics you." My eyes softened at words, I could not stop the warmth that bloomed in my chest because all it took was two days for Sasuke to prove that would be a great father too Shoda.

He was frustrated; I could tell as he ran a hand through his hair. "I want to make up for lost time. Something we can do together."

"Sasuke, I –"

"Please mommy." This little voice caught me off guard; he was hiding in the kitchen when I spotted him, his shaggy hair poked out of the entryway.

"Would you two stop interrupting me?" I exclaimed. Shoda merely smiled as Sasuke smirked.

I sighed, this was a losing battle. "Shoda, are you sure? Because this is serious, there's practices and games you'll have to attend."

"Daddy already told me that." He smiled; his little dimples melted any rejection I had toward the idea.

"You'll have to be there, Sasuke." I glanced back at him, "this was your idea, and if my baby gets hurt. You'll be hurt next." I threatened.

"I know, Sakura. Don't worry." His lips lifted in a small smile.

I released a deep breathe, "fine, you can sign him up."

"COOL!" Shoda shouted at the top of his lungs. He passed me and collided with Sasuke instead, I was a little jealous but I would let him have this one. The soccer ball was knocked to the ground, it rolled toward me and I picked up. I examined it closely; it really did look so similar to the one that I gave Sasuke back on his fifteenth birthday.

I frowned at the memory, back then, he said that he did not like mine because of the colors. The sport's store was out of blue, but I had this suspicion that Sasuke liked the color red more, apparently, I was wrong.

At least I thought I was.

"Mommy." Shoda cut my reminiscing short; he was pulling at my arm, "when's dinner? I'm starving."

"I should get going." Sasuke grabbed both of our attentions, "I'll let you know the details."

I nodded, "all right."

Shoda waved good-bye and helped with his bags when Sasuke turned away, we left his bags by the door and started with dinner.

"Ramen!" Shoda cheered, how my son developed a love for salty noodles is beyond me. Naruto had one hell of an influence.

I placed the bowl in front of him before taking my own seat at the dinner table, "so how was your weekend? I want to hear everything."

He dug straight in, he chewed and swallowed, "it was fun. We played games and ate pizza with extra tomato sauce."

"Wow that sounds awesome." I started in on my own noodles. "How was Itachi?" If I remembered correctly, Sasuke's older brother could be very difficult in his own way.

His little eyes lit up, "uncle Tachi is the best, even though he beat me at Candyland once." He sulked a little but that did not last long, "he's the boss of a very big company." He admired Itachi. "He said that he gets to boss people around and they have to listen."

"Did he now?" I prayed Itachi didn't turn my son into a bossy pants.

"Mm." He had a mouthful.

"Shoda, manners." I tried to scold him but he was adorable with his little chipmunk cheeks puffed out filled with noodles.

He gulped them down, "finished?" I asked before I took away his bowl.

He nodded, "dessert?"

I chuckled at his fake little pout; those puppy dog eyes are lethal. I held up one finger. "Only one mister."

"You're the best mommy." He hopped off his chair and I handled him a Popsicle from the freezer.

"And you're the best little boy a mommy could have." I ruffled his hair, "now go play before it's time for bed."

"K." He was faster than lightening, not wanting to miss a second of playtime before bedtime.

After I cleaned up the kitchen, I called Shoda for a bath and soon it was time for lights out. I tucked him in his bed and sat next to him.

"So what shall we read tonight?" I asked. He had a ton of different storybooks; it was the one thing I allowed him to have plenty of.

Shoda sat up and reached under his pillow, he pulled that godforsaken photo out from under his dinosaur pillowcase.

"I want to hear the story of this." He held the photo out toward me.

I hesitant for a second, but soon the plastic frame was in my hands. I brushed raven-locks out of his green-eyes. "Please, mommy."

"This was taken at our Prom." He laid back down and snuggled into the sheets. "Naruto took the picture; your father was caught off guard."

"What was he looking at? I've never seen him smile like that before."

I cleared my throat, "uh, I believe it was me. He was staring at me." I tried not to give Shoda a sad smile but this was hard for me.

"What's a Prom?" He asked.

"It's a dance that high school students attend with a date or alone, it's filled with decorations, food and music. It's supposed to be fun."

"Did you have fun?" His little head tilted slightly.

I gripped the photo in my hands; I could almost snap it in half. "I did, it was a very nice night." My voice sounded strained.

An unforgettable night was more like it.

"Did you and daddy dance?" He yawned.

I nodded, "only once."

His little nose scrunched up, "why?"

I shrugged, "sometimes it's enough to just be close to someone."

I could tell he did not understand, the way his eyebrows knitted together. "Mommy." His voice sounded drowsy and it was more prominent in his eyes.

"Yes." I tucked his blanket under his chin, his eyes fought to stay open a little while longer.

"I'm ready to be an Uchiha now." He whispered.

My heart jumped in my throat, "daddy's not so bad." He was close to sleep.

Tears filled my eyes but I quickly blinked them away before he could see, "okay baby." I sniffed before placing a small kiss on his forehead, "sleep." I whispered against his skin, his eyes fluttered closed.

He simply turned over and I stood up from his bed, my eyes lingering on his small body. I placed the photo back underneath his pillow and quietly left his room. I rested my back against his bedroom door, I tried to reign in the tears but they continued to fall.

I allowed myself this small moment of weakness; only in this moment would I wish that things turned out differently for Shoda, and myself.

I pulled myself together and decided that I would shower in the morning because all I wanted was to fall into bed.

Tomorrow was a new day and I was going to try my hardest to let go of the past, to let go of that little piece of me that is still holding on Sasuke Uchiha.

I buried those feelings so deep; I prayed that they never escaped, it was harder said than done but I ignored that small part of me that yearned for him. I felt so pathetic, crying over a man that did the unspeakable, he caused a hurt so deep in my heart that I will love with caution now.

It was time to start my healing process.

My alarm went off at 5:45 a.m. I almost hit the snooze but remembered I needed a shower before work. I dragged myself from the bed, I hate mornings in all honesty – it is too early for this.

The warm steam filled the bathroom, heating up my body before I dipped behind the curtain and sighed as the hot water ran over my body. I live for hot showers.

After my lovely shower, I wrapped myself in my robe and started on breakfast for Shoda; bacon and eggs with toast, a good breakfast was the key to a great day and fuck did I need it because I remembered Sasuke would be walking the same halls as me.

Once that was ready, I walked into Shoda's bedroom; his little foot was dangling out from the covers.

I smiled and ran my fingers under his foot, "Shooodaaa."

He groaned, his little foot jerked away so fast, back to the safety of his blankets. I laughed, I wasn't the only one that hated mornings expect while I hated mornings all around, Shoda only hated them Monday-Thursday, never Friday because it was the start of his weekend.

"It's time to wake up, sweetie."

He groaned and rolled away from me, his head tucked under the blanket; all I could see was a little hump in his sheets.

"Five more minutes."

He always tried to negotiate with me.

"I don't know … your eggs will get cold."

"I can live with that." He sounded more awake.

"What about the bacon?" I taunted, "I guess there would be more for me."

"I'm up!" He swung back his covers and his little feet zoomed past me and straight into the kitchen.

I smirked and followed him.

"Are you ready for school?" I glanced back in the rearview mirror; Shoda was sitting in his booster seat.

He nodded, "we have show and tell today."

I turned down the school's street and parked, "really. What'd you bring?"

"It's a surprise." He enjoyed being sneaky, I however was very curious as to what he bought.

I lifted one fine brow, "a surprise, huh? Nothing that will get you into trouble, right?"

He could not contain his giggling, "right."

I sighed; little boys are full of mischievous.

I helped Shoda out of his seat, he placed his backpack straps over his shoulders and I reached for his hand once he was finished, we walked up the school steps and down his hall.

My breathing hitched, Sasuke was here; he was leaning against the yellow lockers across from Shoda's classroom. He did not mention anything about meeting us this morning, before I could ask Shoda if he knew anything; he let go of my hand and rushed toward his father.

"Daddy, you made it." Sasuke ruffled his hair as I slowly caught up.

"I said I'd be here."

Shoda's face split into a grin.

Once again, it is too early for this shit.

"Sasuke." I greeted, politely even. "What are you doing here?"

His brows knitted together, "I thought Shoda told you?"

"Told me what?" I replied. I glanced back and forth between both Uchihas.

"Shoda you were supposed to tell your mother, that was the deal." Sasuke said.

"Tell me what?" I repeated a little more annoyed now.

"He's my show and tell." Shoda smiled up at me, "I'm going to introduce my friends to my daddy."

"I – " I closed my mouth. "If you'll excuse us for one minute."

Sasuke didn't protest.

I grabbed Shoda's hand, we walked out of earshot from Sasuke, "Shoda, you couldn't have bought your soccer ball?" I asked.

"I did." He said. His little innocent face is so confused.

I face palmed, "so you're going to show your dad off to your class. All right, that's fine." I breathed.

"I also have to tell them a story about him—"

"What story did you choose?" I rubbed my temples, this can't get any worse.

He tapped his chin, "I haven't thought of anything yet."

I released a breath I didn't know I was holding, "how about when I runaway."

I tensed, "let's not tell that story."

My smile strained, "tell them how he's going to teach you soccer."

"Um." He tapped his chin, clearing thinking it over. "That's a good one."

Relief, "yup, mhm. Don't mention the runaway story to anyone okay?"

"Okay mommy."

Crisis adverted.

"He's all yours." Sasuke was texting on his cell when we appeared from our little meeting.

"You're okay with this." He asked and he raised a dark brow.

"I would have liked a heads up, but it is fine."

The bell rang a second later, and students flooded the halls along with their teachers. "You two better get going."

Shoda held Sasuke's hand and dragged him along, "bye mommy." He called from over his shoulder. He didn't even look back once the classroom door closed behind them, I frowned the jealousy was back.

I shook away the feeling, I had to be fair and I could not blame Shoda for his fascination with his father I would have to accept the fact that Sasuke is the new shiny toy but that is okay because Shoda is a mommy's boy for sure and I know he would not forget about me.

Thanks so much again for reading and the reviews!