Chapter 3
For the first time in my life, I felt as if I didn't care if I belonged in the group or not. Sasuke taught me to be proud of myself.
At recess, we stayed at the school playground, by the swings. He had gotten in trouble with the teacher because of me. He didn't blame me or seemed to mind though. After awhile, he shared with me something his older brother had said.
Sasuke said, "You can't live the life others want for you."
I remember tilting my head to the side and had sent him a questioning gaze. He looked back at me and smiled. He then started to laugh. I frowned. It was annoying and I ended up hitting him in his arm a little, "Hey! That isn't nice, Sasuke!"
All he did was laugh some more. The nerve of that guy! I pouted and crossed my arms, looking at him. After awhile he stopped laughing and turned back to me. What he said next was something totally unlike him. "I don't understand it either, Sakura. I had the same reaction when he said that."
I was stunned to say the least. A beat passed and I started laughing. Sasuke joined in my laughter. I felt light. It felt as if I was flying because for once, I knew that even if we didn't understand what those words actually meant, we were in the same boat.
I truly felt that I could care less if the other kids would accept me or not, to belong with them or not…because I had the greatest best friend ever and he went by the name of Uchiha Sasuke.
XxXxXx
The trio was riding the elevator down to the basement parking when Sakura said, "You're still taking me home, right Naruto?"
"Yup. It's my day off. I'm here just to assist." Naruto commented.
Sakura smiled and reached for Naruto. When she knew she had his cheek, she pinched him and cooed, "Aww! That's so cute but that's not going to work in roping us in with trying to help you get the nerve and finally asking Hinata on a date. I'm so not keeping Neji from killing you either."
Naruto pouted and replied, "Nah, you do know that I love you, Sakura-chan. I love Ino too to some extent."
Ino smacked him on the head. "Cool it, lover boy. I'm with shortstop with this. You're on your own with Hinata. Don't worry I'll send flowers if you manage to get lucky and Neji only manages to send you to the hospital."
"Aww come on guys, pretty please?" Naruto begged as he dramatically got on both his knees and pleaded to the girls. Ino and Sakura started laughing. Naruto sighed and smiled instead.
"Don't worry about what happened back there. It doesn't change things." Sakura finally said to clear the air of the tension that she felt was very heavy at the moment.
Ino sighed and leaned back on the elevator wall. "It's unfair, you know. People tend to judge you without giving you a chance to prove yourself."
"But I have proven myself, Ino. We have a flourishing business to boast. But I do have a question though. Is Uchiha Itachi the brother of Sasuke? I can't seem to remember the name, only the stories Sasuke said. Plus, him calling his brother 'brother' all the time didn't help."
Ino thought for a moment. "You know what, come to think of it…he does seem to resemble Sasuke in the pictures your mom has but then again a lot of families have traits like the black hair and eyes. But I don't know…perhaps…what do you think, Naruto?"
"Oh! Yeah, he's Sasuke's older brother."
"What? And you didn't tell us because?" Ino glowered as she placed her hands on her hips.
Naruto shrunk back a bit and replied, "Because I didn't think it was necessary?"
"Why you-"
"Chill, Ino-pig. He's right. It doesn't matter. We were here to talk about business, not some reunion. Although, I must say that you should have at least given us a heads-up, Naruto. And he's totally not like Sasuke."
"You've got that right. In his own, weird way, Sasuke was more approachable than that guy." Naruto answered.
XxXxXx
Itachi leaned back on his chair. After the fiasco that had occurred earlier, he headed back to his office to continue his work of re-evaluating every single staff he had, aside from attending to other of his priorities.
He pushed his chair back a little and loosened his tie. He turned the chair towards the expansive window his office had. His office was high enough to have him get to view most of the city in all its glory.
He stood and continued looking out. The sun was starting to set. The orange and red of the sky was prominent. It won't be long before all darkness broke and the stars would be painting the sky.
Without him realizing it, his thoughts drew back to what happened earlier that day.
A blind girl doing and heading the project?
It was a laughable joke that he had no time to indulge in. He didn't have time doing such childish frivolities. But he must admit. The girl seemed confident in her abilities, not to mention her business partner shared the same sentiment.
Itachi was able to catch a glimpse on some of the papers the girl had while he picked some up. They were impressive. It made it all the more doubtful that the girl did it herself with her non-existent sight.
The designs of the glass sculptures that were on the paper were so intricate and detail oriented that it was impossible for any blind person to make it.
Itachi was considered a protégé. He prided himself with his sharp intellect. His logic was always never flawed. He knew that that girl, Haruno Sakura, had skills that she could boast off but he was definite it wasn't anywhere near what he needed for the banquet. He wasn't going to take the chance in letting someone fall short.
Even if Itachi wasn't necessarily fond of attending banquets, he was aware of their necessity, especially this upcoming one. It would be his first as CEO. A lot of important people will be coming. A lot of his father's business partners would be coming to see if he, Itachi, was worth continuing business with.
Itachi was aware that behind the glamour and fancy dresses during that banquet, his performance in maintaining the business was going to be scrutinized with much blood lust involved. He grew up learning the ins and outs of business so he wasn't ignorant to the cut-throat way some businesses are run.
With that thought in mind, Itachi gave out a sigh and returned to his desk to continue reading the reports. Hopefully before he headed home that evening, he would have at least finished a quarter of the pile on his desk.
He was aware his father had been the perfect CEO, having brought the company up from scratch but never in his wildest dreams that he would face a lot of problems when he took over.
Yes, the transition hadn't been as smooth as he and his father had anticipated. With Itachi being himself, he had been prepared for the worst and so he had swiftly implemented his damage control.
In the course of 24 hours, all departments have given him detailed reports based on everything he had asked. So far, he was satisfied with the decision and cuts he had made. But he still had a long way to go before things ran as smoothly as he liked.
XxXxXx
"Naruto," Sakura suddenly said. She knew by the turns that Naruto took, they were nearing her apartment.
Naruto simply glanced at her a bit before turning back on the road. He waited for her to continue. "Do you mind if I just got Aki and then drop me off at the bus station?"
"Sure, Sakura. Where are you going?"
"To visit my mother."
Naruto's eyes softened a bit. "How is she doing?"
"She's stable. It's more to be thankful for. She said that the doctors have told her that she still has a long way to go but at least she is stable."
Naruto had been there with Sakura when they visited her mother at their old home only to find her on the floor.
Of course Sakura was distraught. It was heartbreaking to watch her want to help her mother so much but she didn't know how.
Images of how she reached out to her mother, calling out to her and trying to feel her way towards the phone while not letting go will forever burn in his memory.
Naruto had made the decision then and there that waiting for help to arrive wasn't an option…if only for one of his best friend's sake.
He laid a hand on Sakura's shoulder before he proceeded to scoop up her mother in his arms gently.
Aki seemed to understand what Naruto's intentions were because he went to assist Sakura in standing and guided her to where Naruto disappeared to.
The drive to the hospital, even if it was a 20-minute drive, was a long one. Once they got to the hospital, everything was a blur.
Later that day after Sakura's mother was in her room, the doctor explained to them that she had suffered a stroke. He said that it was a good thing that they brought her in when they did or else she wouldn't have made it.
Once Sakura opened her apartment door, Aki immediately jumped at her and started to lick her. Sakura giggled as they entered. She then turned to Naruto and said, "I forgot! Naruto, there's some sticky note paper in the drawer by the phone. Do you mind writing a note while I get Aki ready? Kakashi might arrive while I'm out. Just write that we went to see Mom and 'look underneath the underneath'."
Naruto's eyebrows furrowed. "Huh? Look underneath the underneath?"
"Yeah. It's his favorite lesson. He will get it when he reads it."
"I still don't get it." He commented as he wrote down a quick note.
Sakura walked out with Aki beside her and sighed. "It's for the key. He will know where to look once he reads it."
"Oh."
Once they got to the car, Naruto said, "Do you want to stop by your shop for some flowers?"
"There is one nearer to the hospital. I called in for a bouquet of yarrow. We are currently out of it according to Ino-pig."
XxXxXx
The phone started ringing. Itachi didn't have any intentions of answering it. But after eighth ring and it still wasn't lightening up, he took the receiver and answered.
"Itachi," came his mother's voice.
"Mother," He answered.
"I knew you would be there. Anyway, we are going to have a small lunch get-together tomorrow. It is just the family to celebrate Sasuke's birthday. I would be expecting you here at home."
"I have a lunch appointment tomorrow. I will have my secretary re-schedule it. Although, I might be a little late, mother. I will be coming from Kobe for a short inspection on our branch there."
"Of course, my dear. I will see you tomorrow then. Oh and Itachi," His mother paused. He didn't utter a reply knowing that cutting his mother was out of the question. "Don't go home too late. I don't want you sacrificing your health, you hear."
"Yes, mother. Good night."
XxXxXx
After the quick visit to her mother, Sakura and Aki headed home. Just as she was about to put the key through the keyhole, the door opened. She felt the sudden wind that indicated the movement and she involuntarily gasped. It only meant one thing.
The man by the door smiled, his eyes wrinkling. He opened his arms and engulfed the young woman in a warm hug. "Sakura," He said.
His voice brought this warmth and happiness to her soul as Sakura immediately wrapped her arms around him.
"Kakashi-nii," she then closed her eyes and buried her face in his chest. She felt him tighten his embrace. She felt his facial muscles pull into the soft smile he always gave her ever since they were younger. "I missed you." She murmured against his chest.
Kakashi gave out a chuckle. Sakura could feel his chest vibrate against her. She couldn't help but smile as a few tears escaped her eyes. He then pulled her inside and petted Aki.
Aki then went and sat in the living room with Pakkun. He knew that Kakashi wouldn't be leaving his mistress any time soon.
Kakashi then sat Sakura by her kitchen table and immediately went to warm up dinner for her. "I got your note. Although the writing has gotten worse." He commented.
Sakura laughed. She then tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Well, that's to be expected since it was Naruto who wrote the note. I was in a hurry and it would have taken me ages to write anything so I had him write it."
"I figured as much." Kakashi then gave off a laugh of his own as he set a plate in front of Sakura and handed her a pair of chopsticks. "Naruto's writing is leaving much to be desired."
As if on cue, Sakura started laughing. It was a good thing that she didn't have any food inside her mouth. She took the first bite. She savored the bite. "Yum. Your cooking is getting excellent, Kakashi-nii. This is the first time I've tasted this. What is it? Please describe it for me."
Kakashi's eyes softened. He sat across the table from her. "It's smoked paprika chicken. I've already cut the chicken for you. Can you smell the spices?"
Sakura nodded as she took another bite. She smiled in delight. Her cousin was always known to be late and somewhat lazy but when it comes down to it, he's a really amazing guy. He always took care of her. He was the one who taught her how to cook for herself without hurting herself. He was one of the people who taught her how to be independent.
"Its juices are a little orange because of the paprika. But like any other stirred fried prepared food, it has some charred parts with butter. It gave it its coloring and some of its taste."
"Yes. I can taste the smoky, tangy bits of it. The paprika isn't over powering. From the taste of it, I think you used olive oil."
Kakashi laughed. Sakura's senses haven't changed. It seemed to improve over time. Who would have guessed that his little cousin was blind?
"Very good. I'll teach you how to cook it. It's pretty easy."
"I'd like that very much!"
For the rest of the meal, the two talked a lot to catch up.
XxXxXx
Itachi was in front of Sasuke's grave late in the afternoon. After the family lunch, he decided to visit his younger brother.
It had been years since he died. He still missed him. He would have turned out into a great man.
Itachi didn't notice time pass but then he felt as if someone else was there. He turned and was surprised when his eyes fell on the pink-haired woman he met the day before.
(to be continued...)
