Authors note: I have gone back and edited chapter 16, 17, and 18. It isn't necessary to go back and read it, but you can if you wish. I just added a few more tidbits that would maybe help clarify some things about the characters thoughts on the current happenings. I understand that this chapter is going to get a mixed reaction, but what I ask if for you guys to please be open minded as you read. Where I'm headed with the events in this chapter may appear one way, but trust me when what I have planned will not go in the direction it appears to be. That might be a bit of a spoiler, but whatever. Just keep an open mind and as always. I love to hear your thoughts. Thank you all for the support and readings!

Itachi hadn't let her know anything about what he had planned and for once the unknown wasn't an unpleasant feeling in her stomach. There were many things that they could do, the possibilities endless and it incited an abundance of excitement.

As she looked out the window, she watched the houses and trees fade into an endless sea. They were going further along the coastline and she was filled with trepidation and excitement. It was an odd combination but it made her body pulse all the same.

Turning towards him, she absently traces lines on his leg. He usually drives with both hands on the steering wheel, as he should, but every now and then he would hold her hand while driving. This was due to an anxiety of driving she knew he developed after her. Sakura understands and she would never trouble him about it, but she likes touching his thigh to remind him that she's there and they will be fine. The way his face relaxes when she does it everytime causes a smile to bloom on her face.

They had come a long way in a short time.

As they get closer to their destination, Sakura spots streams of light and the distant thrum of music accompanied with the waves. Interested, she turns her attention back to her window but Itachi lets out a "tsk."

"Close your eyes."

She raises her eyebrows and looks at him in surprise. "I'm sorry, what?"

"It's a surprise, please close your eyes." He reasons and she rolls her eyes. She would give in just this once.

She feels the car being put into park and her heart picks up pace. She was nervous and excited all the same. The soft chuckle that comes from Itachi painted a picture of him smiling and shaking his head, the distant sound of a door opening and closing filling her ears. At this time she had to squeeze her eyes shut very tightly, but oh how she wanted to peek.

The smell of salt and the soft caress of the wind were the first things she noticed when she heard him open her door. The second was the gentle guidance of his hands as he led her out of the car. The third was how much closer the thrum of music sounded and the fourth was the quietness of the sea. It was nice and with the gentle reminders of him being right next to her, she felt relaxed in the presence of the unknown.

He was gently guiding her and with every step, her heart was leaping out of her throat in anticipation. She couldn't wait to be able to open her eyes and when they finally stopped, she took in a big breath of anticipation.

"Alright, go ahead."

It was beautiful.

A radio was softly playing music, there were candles lit, and a blanket that looked softer than even Itachi's hair was spread out on the sand with a basket sat in the middle. With the gentle waves lapping at the nearby rocks and the soft touches of the wind against her face, Sakura drank it all in. Turning towards Itachi, she leant up and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. She was speechless and even more so when he deepened her kiss before pulling away.

"Come on," he said softly and guided her to the blanket. They sat down and she was still drinking in the scenery. Behind Itachi the stars twinkled brightly and made the water look enchanting with the moon. It painted the most serene picture in her mind.

"It all looks so beautiful.." Sakura says softly. "When did you have time to set this all up?"

"I had some help," he answers and Sakura smiles. "I'm glad you like it though."

They sit there, chatting and flirting. They relaxed and allowed themselves to go with the flow. The air was light and it was nice compared to how hectic the last few years had been.

Resting her head on his shoulder, she closed her eyes as she listened to his breathing and the gentle lull of the ocean and the music. She felt comfortable being that close to the water for the first time in a long while and it was nice. She missed the comforting waves and the smell of salt.

"I love this song," Sakura breathes out and she could feel Itachi moving his head. Looking up curiously, she meets his gaze and she struggles catching her breath. His eyes had trapped her and she was drowning in his gaze.

"Would you like to dance?" He asked her softly and distantly she remembers a time she had asked the same thing but to a different pair of dark eyes. A colder stare compared to the gentle and warm one being directed towards her. She couldn't resist giving in to the way he gently helped her up.

As she wrapped her arms around his neck loosely, she gave in. Sakura swayed along with him to the sounds of the wind, water, and music. It all felt perfect and so right. Everything was as it should be and she couldn't believe that it ever hadn't been. She couldn't imagine being anywhere else but in his arms.

Itachi gently unwrapped her arms from his neck and twirled her. He felt so intune to her and they moved so fluidly together. She took his breath away but gave him a will to live all in one look. As he dipped her down, he couldn't help the loving gaze he gave her or the way he greedily stole a kiss from her.

She was the finest creation and he was a starved man.

Sakura couldn't tell when the night bled into the morning. Everything from the night had blurred together and their dance at the beach merged with the dance in their sheets. She couldn't figure out if she had forgotten how to breathe or if he had simply just stolen her ability to do so. Her hair was all matted and their fingers locked almost as intensely as their eyes had been.

With her free hand she runs her fingers through his short locks absentmindedly as she looks down at his relaxed face. He was passed out cold and he looked so peaceful from where he was asleep on her chest. Removing her hand from his hair, she traces his facial features lightly.

Smiling to herself lightly, she notes that his eye bags were less noticeable now and she was glad. She knew he didn't get much sleep outside of when she stayed over. Last night was the exception, of course. She stops her movements when he groans softly, eyes blinking open slowly.

He lazily looks up at her, only moving his head ever so slightly.

"Mornin'," he lets out drowsily and she melted all over again. There was just something about the way the words came out and his voice coupled with his messy hair and drowsy stare that caused her to become a puddle once more underneath him.

"Good morning," she breathes out shakily. Sakura knew her eyes were probably reflecting her arousal just as he lightly squeezing her thighs together gave it away, too. She thanked the stars that he read her mood instantly because his eyes were matching hers as he captured her lips.

It was all over for her, but holding onto him as he poured his all into her was exactly what she needed. Her nails left marks, she was sure, and she was glad they were the only ones in the house now because there wasn't a damn thing she could have done to keep quiet. He was everywhere and everything she needed and wanted.

Tangled up in the sheets, sweaty and exhausted, with the two of them clutching onto one another. This time, she was sure, was the feeling she had been longing for all of her life. A man that cared and showed it with every breath, someone who understood.

Someone who loved.

They carried on that high for a few days. Everything was going perfectly and neither of them could complain. Everyone around them saw that they seemed happier and that was enough. The downside to it all was that, as always, time passed. They were both getting a little antsy about keeping it all a secret.

"Maybe we should tell others?" Sakura suggests as she sets her book down. She looked over at Itachi who was cutting some tomatoes and she took in his expression. She didn't want to rush it, but she also didn't want to hide it anymore. Especially since she was sure everyone had an idea of it. It's not like they were trying too hard.

"We could invite my parents over for dinner," Itachi replies and Sakura hums in response. Dinner was always a great way to break things. "I'll call them, do you mind taking over?" He asks as he pauses, wiping off his hands.

"Of course," Sakura says as she stands up. She kisses his cheek and he walks off. Quickly washing her hands, she sets to work.

"My, my, it is so nice having you back around, dear," Mikoto coos as she smiles at Sakura. A warm feeling blossomed in the pinkettes chest at the older woman's words. It felt great to be back around, too. "It's also great to see such a happy look on my sons face."

Sakura blushes a little, meeting Itachi's gaze to share a look.

"Ah, actually, mother.." Itachi starts and he could feel both of his parents look at him knowingly. He could feel Sakura squeezing his hand comfortably. "I'm sure you've noticed that we, uh, have been spending quite a lot of time together.." Sakura gives him a reassuring smile. "We have entered a relationship."

"Finally," sighs Fugaku.

"We already knew, but thank you for officially sharing the news," Mikoto smiles.

Itachi sagged slightly but he was glad to have the cat out of the bag, officially.

"Does Sasuke know?" Mikoto asks after a moment and she could see the tension rise in the younger couples. She could accurately guess that much and if she really thought about it, she was sure she could figure out a couple reasons to go with it. One was already on the forefront of her mind.

"We haven't told him yet," Sakura answers and she gives Itachi another comforting squeeze of the hand but this time for herself. "We didn't know how he would react. He wasn't very open to the idea of Itachi and me as friends years ago and.. Given the incident at the cliff.. I don't think his reaction is very predictable, not in a way that we feel comfortable just laying it on him just yet," she explains.

"That's reasonable. He has always been hot headed and not much of a thinker, it was what drew him and Itachi apart," Fugaku says quietly and Mikoto shares a look with her husband. "That being said, I think that it is important for you to know, Sakura, that Sasuke is being watched very carefully. If he ever makes a wrong move, it will be dealt with accordingly." He is looking right at her now and she feels uncomfortable. She didn't want to think about the implications of this conversation. It was easy to move away and forget that the whole thing happened, but with Sasuke coming back around, it was bound to come up sooner or later. Not many people knew about it at all and sometimes she forgets that some people know about it entirely.

It's messed up, but she feels responsible and guilty for it. If she hadn't gone or if she would have been a little quicker, then it wouldn't have even been an issue in the first place. Maybe then she wouldn't have fallen off the cliff or moved away from Konoha. Logically, she knew what she was going through mentally to be ridiculous and not right. Why should she feel guilty for another's actions? Her thoughts were going rampant and she was grounded once more by the feeling of Itachi's hand in hers. Taking in a deep breath, she tuned back into the conversation. She knew she was being ridiculous, she wasn't the one who should be feeling shame or guilt for what happened or could have happened.

That was Sasuke's spot to be in and it was a tough one to be in.

"He gets one chance to clean up," Fugaku says firmly and Sakura bites her lip gently. "He shouldn't even get this one chance, but for the sake of our granddaughter, he is getting one." Fugaku, from what Sakura had heard, was absolutely furious when he found out. The normally stoic and calm man was exactly where Sasuke had inherited his temper from. By the time the Uchiha family had found out, Sakura had already skipped town.

Sakura felt a little overwhelmed.

On one hand, she believed that Sasuke was a cold-hearted jerk. On the other hand, she knew that he had a softness in him and that his path in the last years had gotten unbelievably skewered. It didn't excuse what had happened and it would need to be addressed between the two of them, but she felt that he was stopped before he could do something further damaging. She wouldn't forgive him, no one would. That didn't mean she had to literally damn him for eternity though.

Itachi wanted his brother back, but he didn't want that Sasuke back.

Images of a younger Sasuke looking up at Itachi with adoration meshed with looks of hatred and scowls given in passing. Punches passed to one another. Their relationship had always been a mess but it hadn't been as messy as it had been until Sakura came into the picture.

He wanted him back, but he didn't want him back at the cost of Sakura.

Sasuke did wrong and he ran away when he realized.

That didn't excuse it, it never will.

Everyone was giving Sasuke another chance, but if he slipped, that was it. Itachi was at peace with that, he could never forget the fear stricken face that Sakura had or the way Sasuke's face had been twisted into an ugly snarl. When he had engaged him into combat, he could smell alcohol and his eyes were blown out wide. At that time, he hadn't given it much thought, but he knew he had already begun his battle that ultimately got him to where he is now.

It and Hana were the only reason.

"I'm not sure how comfortable I am after learning this.." Karin said and she looked over at where Mikoto was playing blocks with Hana. "It is a lot to take in and I feel bad for even letting him touch her."

"I don't think he would ever harm Hana," Itachi answers honestly and his eyes soften as they watch Hana topple the stack of blocks over. Her giggles and the sound of his mothers laughter filled the room. "Even so, you are her mother and it is your call."

Karin bit her lip and she let out a sigh as she took a small drink from her coffee cup. It was early morning in the Uchiha house and Karin was anything but a morning person on a normal day. Throw in the whole thing about Sakura and it was a rough one.

"I still can't believe it.. He got a little much but," she sighs out and looks at Itachi, defeated. "It's awful, this whole situation. I wanted so badly for Hana to know her father and for everyone to have Sasuke back as the person we all know he could have been." She messes with the hole in her jeans slightly. "I just don't know anymore. I really don't think its right, as a woman, that he has gotten away with the bit that he has, but the part of me that cared for him is still shaken up just from the whole near death thing. I have no doubt in my mind that he had a rough couple of years. I just want him to be okay but this whole thing is fucked and I can't believe I didn't know."

Silence washes over them and Itachi didn't really know what to say in response.

It was difficult and every step would have to be calculated. At first, it was easy, because the goal was to stabilize him but now.. He was stable and getting help. It threw a wrench in trying to figure out the right way to go about things. He loved his brother, but he wasn't sure if the brother he knew would ever come back no matter how hard this Sasuke tried.

It would all be trial and error.

Summer was going by too fast for Sakura's liking. She missed Konoha so much, it was going to be difficult leaving, she knew.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just thinking," Sakura murmurs out as she leans her head against Itachi's chest. She has gotten so used to sharing a bed with him that she wasn't sure how she was going to go back to sleeping alone. "I don't want summer to end. I feel like time is moving at ultra speed and I want it to slow down," she laughs softly.

"I know the feeling," Itachi murmurs and presses a kiss to her forehead. Closing her eyes, she lets out a soft breath. They relaxed against one another and it was just fine for them. After a moment though, Itachi broke the silence. "He keeps asking about you."

"What does he ask?" Sakura wasn't sure she wanted to know, but she figured it was better to know than to wonder about it later on.

"Just about how you're doing. You know, you were one of the first people he asked about when he got out of the hospital," Itachi says quietly. It wasn't comforting for her to hear and she opened her eyes to stare at the ceiling. His arms around her tightened a little once he noticed her shift in mood. "You know I would never let anything happen to you," he says after a moment. "Brother or not, he won't lay another finger on you."

"I know," Sakura says softly and turns around to face him. She climbs into his lap and places her hands on either side of his face. "This whole thing is just a little daunting to me. I never thought I would have to think about or see him again. It's a little much, if I'm honest, but I want to give him the benefit of the doubt." No matter how unlikely it may be that he has gotten better, she wanted to hope for his daughter. "I want to so badly forget the entire thing that happened, to wish that it never happened, so that this wouldn't even be a thing to worry about, but I can't." She says quietly and Itachi wraps his arms around her, pulling her close.

"I'm scared," she says after a moment in a voice that's so quiet, he almost didn't hear it. "I ran away so that I wouldn't have to deal with any of this. So that I wouldn't have to even think about it outside of my nightmares," she says into the crook of his neck. He rubs her back, pressing a kiss to her head, as he listens. "I hate it, I hate this whole thing.. I just want to wake up and hope it was all a bad dream, but it's not," she admits quietly. "Most of all, I hate how weak I am about it all."

Itachi rests his head against hers as she talks. He knew that she had been carrying this all on her shoulders for years. He had no doubt she had been bottling it all up, trying to sweep it under the rug. It was unfortunately something many women do in cases like this. They feel guilt about it, like they somehow were at fault. It made him feel bad about how insensitive him and his family must be to Sakura, allowing him to walk free and into their lives, pretty much.

"I hate that I did nothing but run away," Sakura says softly and a spot on his neck feels wet. "I hate how I couldn't fight back. I hate that if it weren't for you being there, I have no idea what would have happened next. He could have stopped himself or he could have continued, I don't know and that is the most frustrating part. How could I stop someone from living the rest of their life when I don't know how those next few moments could have really played out?" She was crying now and Itachi's heartbroke. "The worst part is that a part of me thinks he has been through enough," she whispers.

He felt selfish for having Sakura go through this. He wanted his brother back and to give his heartbroken mother her son, but he didn't want this. He didn't want to torture Sakura. He didn't want her to live in fear and cry at the expense of what could have happened.

She was clinging to him and he felt he was clinging just as tightly as she.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she cries out shakily and that was it.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," Itachi says firmly and he lifts her chin up, wiping away her tears. "You haven't done anything. It is I who should be apologizing for putting you into a position like this in the first place," he looks her in the eyes as he speaks. "I'm so sorry for bringing you into all of this and for not trying to be there for you sooner," he presses a firm kiss to her cheeks. "You aren't alone in any of this. We are all with you every step of the way and believe me when I say, we are with you." Itachi was speaking determinedly. "As soon as you feel unsafe or threatened, or if any of us feel he is going to cause harm, he is gone and if you feel like he is too much of a risk to start, just say the words." He wipes away a few more of her tears, "You are my everything and my priority above all else. I would give you the world and so much more if you desired it."

Sakura takes a deep breath and she presses a kiss to his lips.

"I want to give him a chance to be normal," she whispers against his lips, "Well, as normal as he could be. I'm not sure he'll ever be Sasuke again, but maybe that's a good thing.."

They stay there for a while in the dark, her on his lap and his arms around her. He would hold onto her for as long as she let him. God knows how he longed for this and god knows what he would do for her.

The faire was coming up soon, Itachi knew.

Things had been looking up for him and Sakura now that things had been said between them. Hope was lifted among the Uchiha family and it fell in with the normal joyfulness that the summer faire brought. It was the perfect way to end the summer with her.

"Are you ready to go?" Sakura asks, lifting an eyebrow as she watches Itachi come out of their room for the upteenth time. "I'm pretty sure everyone else is already at the restaurant," she joked and Itachi shook his head as he opened the door for her.

As they slip into her car, Sakura turns to look at him as she starts the bug up. "What's on your mind? You've been quiet.. Well, more quiet than normal," she laughs softly.

"I'm just thinking about how the summer is closing," he hums out. "The faire is almost here," Itachi comments and Sakura hums in thought. "Would you like to go?"

"Mmmm, I don't know," She teases before giving him a big smile. "I love the faire, you know that. I could never say no."

Itachi ignores the slight pang in his heart at the reminder of the time she said nothing at all and didn't show up. They were together now and that was what mattered, he reminded himself.

"Sounds like a plan, then."

The faire ended up turning into a family function and one that, by extension, included Naruto and his little family.

Little Boruto was the cutest thing, Sakura would fawn over him, and Itachi had to admit the sight of her so entranced by a baby did things to his heart. Still, he knew it was much too soon. They had a lot of time to continue to grow and learn about each other before they even thought about adding a little bundle of joy into the mix.

Taking a final drag of his cigarette, he puts it out in the ashtray in the designated smokers section. He knew he should quit this habit of his, both his mother and Sakura were keen to give him disapproving stares and comments, but he hadn't found his strength to give it up just yet.

One day, but not today.

"Hey guys, sorry we're late," Karin breathes out as she approaches where Itachi had joined the rest of his family. "We got a little caught up in our visit," she admits. Her and Hana had gone up to talk to Sasuke. Ideally, a rehab center was not a great place for Daddy-daughter visits, but Karin wanted to try and connect the two in a more controlled environment before he was let out. If he kept up, then he would be out by spring or maybe as soon as new years. His sponsor and the facility said he was making good progress.

They all hoped that was actually the case.

"Come on! Let's go have fun!" Cheered Naruto , Itachi linked his arm in Sakura's before she could be dragged off by the blond.

And fun they had.

It was amusing to see the way Hana lit up every time she played a game. It was also heartwarming to see her try and lift the huge shark that Itachi Sakura won her. The stuffed shark completely dwarfed her, but she demanded to be able to carry it. It was interesting to see Fugaku, his strict and unmoving father, willingly holding up the heavier part of the stuffed animal so that Hana could hold onto the fins of the shark triumphantly. Perhaps he was a shitty father in some aspects, but he was turning out to be a damned good grandpa.

"Hey," Sakura tugs on his arm and he meets her gaze. "It's getting late and we haven't even rode the ferris wheel, yet," she says softly. Looking ahead he could spot said ride and the growing line for it. He also knew that the faire would be closing soon, but with the hopeful look in her eyes, he couldn't possibly say anything to go against her wishes.

"You guys go on ahead," Mikoto says and she gives them a smile. "It's getting late for us older folks and kiddos, we're going to go ahead and go. Y'all have fun!" She chirps and Itachi had to stop from rolling his eyes. He and Sakura could both see Naruto about to protest but Hinata shook her head at him gently, gesturing to Boruto who was out cold in her arms. She was worn out and so was the baby, the blond deflating.

"I'll come over before I leave tomorrow," Sakura says as she waves bye to the small Uzumaki family. "And you all be careful getting home," she says to the Uchiha's.

Once all of the goodbyes were said, they were in line for the ferris wheel.

It was almost nostalgic. This was where they had their first true interaction as friends and really got to know one another. It was easy to slip into conversation, holding hands, and giving each other little flirts. It easily overpowered the faint memory of when Itachi had waited here for hours for her to come. As they stepped into their seats, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"You know, I've been thinking.." Sakura says softly and Itachi tears his gaze away where he was overlooking the town. "I feel terrible for when I never answered you all those years ago."

"Don't, I understand," he says softly and she shakes her head.

"No, I should have at least said something when I decided not to come. It wasn't fair or right of me to keep you waiting," she says and Itachi's eyes softened.

"The wait was worth it," he says softly and as the ferris wheel came to a stop with them at the top, he leaned forward and captured her lips in a kiss. He would wait forever for her if he had to. She would always be worth it.

While he was unsure of a lot of things, Sasuke being number one on that list, he was sure of this one hundred percent.

This was the feeling he had been longing for all of those years.