Trigger Warning: There are acts of domestic abuse within this chapter.

Chapter 3, Fool, Fool, Fool

Itachi gently shook her awake once the jet finally landed at Konoha airport. Sakura, admittedly still slightly hungover and feeling more than exhausted, groggily stirred. With a yawn, she rubbed one eye before opening both of them, almost unwillingly. "Sakura, we're here," Itachi practically whispered. Sakura blinked, first looking out the jet's window to see darkness, and then finally noticing Itachi in front of her. He was squatting before her, kind dark brown eyes peering at her earnestly as she fully came to.

"What?" she asked, not quite registering what he said. "We're here," he offered again. She yawned while blinking, then began to pout as she registered his words. "I didn't stay awake during my first private jet experience." He chuckled while righting himself. "Maybe you'll get another chance."

Sakura stretched. "Promise?" He grabbed his carry-on bag from where he sat across from her, "Promise." She nodded slowly, satisfied. He checked his wristwatch to look at the time, then back at her. "I have some time before I have to get to the office. Did you need a ride back home too?"

She smiled sheepishly, "If you wouldn't mind." "Not at all."

"Let's get you home."

Logically, Sakura knew that Itachi, like most of the Uchiha, was rich. But knowing and seeing were very different things. Sure, she had seen Sasuke's designer clothes and his beautiful apartment. She had been to the Uchiha manor, where his parents lived. But riding Itachi's firm's private jet and then riding a limo truly made her realize just how fortunate they were. Sasuke downplayed his wealth, for the most part. And while Itachi certainly didn't flaunt his money, he wasn't as reserved as her best friend or his other family. Allowing for her to see just how well off he, in particular, really was.

She looked around the limo with wide eyes.

"If you don't blink soon, I'm going to assume you're in shock."

She blinked.

"Sorry, this is the fanciest ride I've ever had."

"Stick with me, kiddo; you'll see some pretty fancy things."

She poked his arm, "You might be joking, but I'll take you up on your offer. If I can get at least one more ride on the jet, awake, I'll be content."

He swept a luscious black lock of hair out of his eyes. "Of course. I'll take you on a trip to a city I'm working in one day. Plan around it as a vacation for yourself. Sasuke certainly does it enough, can't see why you can't jump in on the action."

Her lips spread into a cheery smile, to suddenly drop as her surroundings became more and more familiar from outside the limo's windows.

She was close to home.

Some part of her, a scared part of her, wished the ride could go on forever, that she could stay with Itachi. Her boys were a city away while she faced this doom. Being with Itachi was so simple, and maybe it helped that he and Sasuke looked like. She felt safe... But she came back home for a reason, to face Shikamaru and her broken engagement.

Even if it scared her to do it alone.

Soon, the driver had the car parked in front of her house. As she exited the vehicle, she looked at the driveway to notice Shikamaru's car was present. He was home. Though, what did she expect? He lived there too. And soon she, along with her luggage, was in front of her front door. Itachi good-naturedly patted her head, like how he often did when they were young. She peered at him at first, a bit irritated. Somewhat from the action and a bit because of the task that lay at hand. And because of her irritation, she was going to tell him to stop "petting" her. But the movement suddenly felt somewhat comforting at that moment. If anything, she wished he wouldn't stop. She nervously bit the inside of her cheek as she thought about him leaving.

If only he didn't have to go.

Now that she was home, she didn't feel so brave anymore; if she ever did, to begin with, it was debatable. She didn't want to face Shikamaru alone. She wanted to go back with her friends and family to the wedding, now a city away! Hell, she wanted to go back in the car and with Itachi, damned if he was busy, damned if he couldn't entertain her. So long as she wasn't here…

"Call me if you need anything?" he asked, suddenly bringing her out of her thoughts.

"Yea…"

"Sakura, are you okay?"

She swallowed and forced a smile upon her lips. "Yes."

He didn't seem convinced, but he took her word. "I mean it," he urged, "if you need something, anything, reach out to me." His hand left her head, and it felt so awful and cold, she almost reached out to him.

She almost asked for him to stay.

But that was a ridiculous request. He had done so much already in the last twenty-four hours alone. Sakura couldn't burden him more than she already had.

"I'll call you later," she said, forcing strength in her voice.

"I'll hold you to it."

And then he walked away.

Gradually, rain began to fall until a swift downpour was upon them. Itachi's retreating car was lost in the sudden sheet of rain.

Knowing she couldn't stand outside all night, especially with the terrible weather, she turned around and put her key within the lock of her home's front door. Holding her breath, she took the first step in.

When Sakura stepped into her house, it was eerily quiet and dark. Meaning, Shikamaru was probably upstairs. She pulled her two bags into the entryway, kicked off her shoes, and climbed the dark stairway that led to the second floor.

A small part of her hoped her ex-fiancé was in bed already and asleep. Another aspect of her was hoping he was awake and miraculously wanted to talk about how he changed his mind about the canceled engagement. She knew that their relationship needed work, but they could still mend things, right? In fact… Maybe she could be a mother. Perhaps she could want to have kids? If he wanted them, maybe she could try for him?

A shiver of displeasure ran up her spine at the mere thought of children.

She was lying to herself.

Even within her own mind, she couldn't digest the thought of motherhood. Still, if she were to allow herself to daydream, a part of her wondered if maybe his wants could change instead? Did he legitimately want to end a seven-year relationship over something as small as having kids?

Sakura mentally laughed.

Now she was honestly kidding herself. It was no small desire for Shikamaru. This was not a minor matter to overcome.

And yet, a part of her clung to her delusion as she trailed the stairs to the second floor.

She couldn't help herself from praying for the impossible.

Passing his study on the second floor, she immediately noticed that the lights were off. Meaning, Shikamaru was likely in their bedroom. She crossed her fingers, praying that he was asleep. While she couldn't physically run away, a few more hours to think while at home might do her some good. She would have time to push their conversation later. And maybe in the process, center herself some more. Because she knew there was no saving for their relationship, so what was the point of her thoughts of him changing his mind?

However, it more likely that he wasn't asleep. He typically went to bed late, and it was barely nine.

Within no time, she was standing in front of the closed door of their bedroom. She could tell from the lack of glow of light beneath the door, it was dark in the room. But, he could still be awake-maybe looking at his phone, slowly drifting, but not quite asleep.

Biting her lip nervously, she opened her door. She peered within the darkness, half expecting his face to be aglow with his cellular device, to see something entirely opposite.

He was passed out. His arm hung off the side of the mattress, and his hair fanned his broad shoulders. She almost smiled at how relaxed and beautiful he looked. She took a step forward, wanting to pull the blanket further up his body and then maybe thank the Gods for him being asleep and buying her more time when something else, or someone else, caught her attention.

With her eyes adjusting to the darkness of the room, she saw her.

There, in the bed where Sakura typically slept, was a beautiful blonde woman. The blanket was covering her buttocks slightly but revealing her perfect milky naked back. The pink-haired woman suddenly couldn't breathe; her outstretched hand was frozen in place. She simply gawked, her eyes wide and heart rate accelerating as she took quick steps away from the couple and the bed.

And then, she screamed.

The blonde woman, panicked, pulled the blanket upright suddenly to cover her chest as she moved into a sitting position. While Shikamaru, on the other hand, kicked off the sheet in a panic, to then show confusion when he suddenly faced her, his ex-fiancé. He furrowed his brow, "Sakura? I-you-you weren't supposed to be back till tomorrow." "I-I thought I'd come home early." "Shikamaru," the blonde woman hissed, what is she doing in your house?"

Hishouse? Sakura felt her horror and confusion morph into anger. "First of all, this is our house. We bought it together. Who are you?"

The blue-eyed beauty boredly stated, "I am his girlfriend. And I guess you are the dumped fiancé?" "G-Girlfriend? Shikamaru?" Sakura asked, feeling her anger fade to pained awe. "When? H-how long has this been going on?" "For four months," the woman answered smugly before he could respond.

Four months.

Four months!

"Shimakaru," Sakura shouted while finally turning on the light, "What the hell!?" She hated how the woman was even more beautiful now that the light was on; she hated how much more attractive she was than her. Turning to face Shikamaru, he didn't look the least bit sorry. Instead, he looked bothered having been woken up.

Sakura felt her anger intensify. With his betrayal was so stark before her, everything suddenly made sense.

How could she not have seen what was going on sooner? The nights he stayed at work later and later, sometimes not coming home at all. Their sex life completely fizzling into nothing. The new clothes and distance when they spoke or spent time together-she thought he was going through some kind of quarter-life crisis; she assumed the stress at work was making him change. But no, it was the desire for another woman. The change occurred because of the stranger in her bed.

"Sakura, I didn't want you to find out this way. I was going to talk to you tomorrow when you came back." "Oh, I should thank you for your sensible consideration." Shikamaru bent forward to put on his discarded boxers from the floor. "Listen, I wasn't looking to hurt you. This is all coming out wrong. You have to believe me in that, at least." He reached for her.

She stepped back.

"Don't touch me."

Hurt flashed across his face. "Sakura, don't be like that. This isn't about you. It never was." "Then what is it about!? I come home to find you with a woman in OUR bed! And now I'm learning that you've been in a relationship for months. You can't tell me this isn't about me when you've been cheating on me!" "I wasn't cheating," Shikamaru dismissed seriously.

"We've been in a relationship until four days ago. This," Sakura said, waving a hand towards the woman who was now yawning and settling back into her bed, "Is cheating."

He shook his head and sighed. "Come on, let's go downstairs. Let's talk." Sakura pulled back from him once more. "No, don't touch me." Anger burned in his face, "Don't be like this. Let's talk downstairs, Sakura." She stared at Shikamaru as if seeing him for the first time. And all she saw was a heartless bastard. "I'm not doing anything with you. In fact, I'm leaving."

She turned to do just that to have him grab her wrist. "No, we're going to talk. I don't need you getting funny ideas and telling people about this." She laughed.

"Oh, that's what you're worried about? Your reputation?!" What the hell was wrong with Shikamaru? He wasn't acting like himself. Where was the sweet man she'd been with for seven years? Where was one of her closest friends and confidants? Because this wasn't him.

She attempted to yank her arm back to have him painfully tighten his hold upon her.

She winced.

"At least I have a career and reputation to care about, Sakura."

Her eyes widened.

He was saying so much while saying so little. He was telling her what they both knew; she was nothing compared to him. He was saying that he was better than her. He was trying to belittle her. And Gods, did it hurt.

She thought she knew everything there was to know about the man before her. But now, she realized, she never knew him at all. How could she, when he showed just how willing he was to hurt her?

She felt like a fool.

"Don't be an idiot and do something you'll regret. Just listen to me; I know what's best for you."

Her nostrils flared. How dare he patronize her? How dare he-he- She slapped him.

She can't remember ever slapping anyone before, so it felt wrong to smack Shikamaru. Even if he did deserve it. But it shocked her to do it at all. She looked at her stinging hand in surprise as if it acted on its own. She was angry, but she hadn't meant to hit him.

The pink-haired pediatrician was readying herself to apologize, to only have him slap her back before she had the chance. She felt the wind knocked out of her as she slammed sideways into the door, then rolled onto her back within the dark hallway. Pressing a tentative hand on her burning cheek, she looked upright at her ex-fiancé in shock, then alarm. "We're going to talk downstairs. Now."

Sakura felt herself edging backward as he took one angry step towards her. His dark eyes admitted that he wouldn't mind hurting her more if he had to. She believed in those eyes, promising the pain he would inflict.

And it was for that reason she knew she couldn't take any chances.

While she knew Shikamaru, this man before her, she knew nothing about. She wouldn't risk seeing what else he had in mind for her, whether he simply wanted to talk or not.

Her body shook as she stood upright, knowing what she had to do. And with one steadying breath, when she saw him slightly relax, thinking she was going to comply, she bolted.

She jumped down the flight of stairs and grabbed her purse at the doorway, not bothering with shoes. She ignored the shouting she heard from Shikamaru from close behind her and opened the door to have him suddenly slam it back shut.

"Stop acting this way!"

He yanked her shirt's sleeve back to pull her away from the door, and she jutted her elbow by reflex to make him let go. She felt the impact of her bone meeting his chest and felt his grip loosen on her. Sensing this was her one chance, she didn't bother waiting for a second more. She ran out the door and down the street, immediately feeling herself become soaked as her bare feet slapped against the asphalt.

She didn't stop running till her chest ached, and she was in the depths of a nearby park.

Only once she caught her breath, and she was sure he hadn't followed her, did she finally allow for herself to cry.

Shikamaru had never yelled at her, let alone hit her. To have him slap, pull, yank, and scream at her felt foreign and terrifying. Who was that man in her home? Who was that woman? What was happening?

She pulled out her phone, ready to call a friend for help, or maybe to console her and calm her down, to realize that most of her friends and family were still a city away, celebrating Naruto and Sasuke's wedding. She didn't want to ruin anything… Also, she didn't know what to say. She could barely articulate the encounter that happened ten minutes ago in her own mind, let alone to someone else.

But she knew that she needed someone.

Itachi.

Itachi is in the city.

But he was busy, wasn't he? She couldn't go to his office now, right? Especially with how disheveled she likely looked. She didn't want to cause a scene.

She peered at her bare dirty feet and suddenly felt so pitiful.

What was she going to do?