Part Eight
SAKURA'S POV
I knocked fanatically on Sasuke's hotel door, when he didn't answer my calls I came to only place he could have gone too; but no one was answering the damn door!
"Sasuke you asshole." I harshly whispered to myself as I tried to rub away a headache that was building, he can't take Shoda without at least letting me know where he's taking him and for how long.
"What'd I do now?" I heard his deep voice from behind me, when I turned around he had Shoda in his arms, asleep and a couple of bags in the other hand. Relief, I could breathe easier now that I could see my son with my own eyes; I glared hard at the older Uchiha.
"What do you think you're doing, Sasuke. You can't just take him when you feel like it." His mouth set in a firm line.
"He's my son too Sakura." He said quietly, trying not to wake Shoda. If it wasn't for Shoda being in his arms I swear to everything that is Holy I would have already punched him in the fucking face.
My nails dig into the palm of my hands as I squeezed them into a tight fist, "You still can't take him without telling me first." I seethed.
He sighed, "Sakura, let's discuss this inside. I don't wish to fight with you." I should just take Shoda and leave; I have no reason to follow him into that room.
"We did need to talk about Shoda right?" He was trying to convince me. "Now is the perfect time, since he's napping." He shifted him higher on his shoulder; his little arms are wrapped around Sasuke's neck like a baby koala.
"No." I said firmly, "I think we need to involve our lawyers, this way there is no confusion between us."
"Is that what you want?" He asked, looking a little shocked by my request. It was a dangerous game, going to court against Sasuke or an Uchiha in general, their lawyer didn't fuck around.
"Yes."
"I'll do whatever you want, Sakura…" His onyx eyes held no fight in them; he looked so torn between something. "I'll call Shisui tonight."
"Good." I reached for Shoda; I didn't want to spend no more time here. Shoda groaned a little as Sasuke passed him over to me; he latched onto me much like he had with Sasuke.
"Good-bye Sasuke." I quickly turned on my heel, but he called out for me before I could make my escape.
"Sakura." I turned around, he had one hand in his jeans and he looked defeated. "I meant what I said; I'll do whatever you want."
I couldn't give into him, even as he looked at me with those soft puppy eyes I refuse to give in; if it wasn't for Shoda we wouldn't even be having this conversation – or any for that matter.
"My lawyer will be in touch." I held Shoda firmly against my chest as I walked away from him, I had to be strong, I can't let Sasuke back in that easy – I don't know if we'll ever be okay but right now I feel like it's best that we have as little contact as possible.
SASUKE'S POV
"You can't tell Itachi, Shisui." I repeated again, for the umpteenth time. "Itachi can't know about this, not yet."
"Not even a hint?" Shisui asked. "He's my best friend, Sasuke, this is big secret to keep from him and you know how your brother is. He can sniff out a lie."
"You're not technically lying. You're not to mention Shoda to anyone, or you're fired." I threatened.
His laughter rang through the phone. "Oh foolish Sasuke you can't fire me, I'm the family lawyer. Fire me and your brother will definitely investigate." I rolled my eyes.
"How are you a fucking lawyer again?" If Shisui wasn't insanely great at his job, you'd think he was knucklehead like Naruto.
"Don't worry, Sasuke, I won't tell Itachi about Shoda or your baby mama drama." He joked and I felt my eye twitch.
"Don't ever say that again."
"Alright. Alright." Shisui surrendered. "But, does Sakura know what she's getting herself into? If we can't keep this civil, I know for a fact I can get the judge to rule in your favor because she didn't tell you about Shoda."
"Sakura isn't stupid; Shoda is a Haruno - not an Uchiha." I informed him.
"Ah, so she gave him her name instead – um, are you sure he's really yours, Sasuke?"
"Of course he's mine." I spat.
"All I'm saying is that she kept this from you, what else could she be keeping from you." He questioned.
"Sakura isn't a whore, if that's what you're getting at. He's mine, trust me."
"All right, no paternity test." I knew he was taking notes. "So, we want his last name changed – correct?"
That was a tricky question, of course, I want him to bear my last name; he is my only son and I want him to carry on the Uchiha name. However, I promised Sakura I would do whatever she wanted when it came to Shoda.
"Yes, but if Sakura refuses than I will not force it on her."
"Ok. What about visitations? Or are you seeking full custody? It will be difficult especially since she is a very involved parent, she has no police record and Shoda is well taken care of. However, she failed to provide you with the information that you had a child out there, we could play the sympathy card."
I didn't want that, that was the last thing on the earth that I wanted, I didn't want to take Shoda away from Sakura. He would hate me and Sakura would never ever forgive me; I am already on thin ice with her to begin with, I wouldn't dare cause her anymore pain.
"No, I will not seek full custody." That was my final answer.
Shisui sighed, "What exactly are you after Sasuke?"
"I'll do whatever Sakura wants but I have one request." I said, this was very important to me.
"What is it?"
"I want one day – a family day where it's all of us; together."
"Sasuke, I don't think Sakura would agree to that; she asked you to involve lawyers so she wouldn't have to deal with you, personally."
"Do it, Shisui." I pleaded silently.
"I'll see what I can do but don't be upset when it falls through. I'll fly in tomorrow morning, I'll contact Sakura's lawyer tonight."
"Are you nervous?" Shisui poured himself a glass of water as we waited for Sakura and her lawyer. Today is our mediation between us with our attorneys present to help get our wants across in a fair setting.
"Hn."
"Sasuke, befo-" Shisui was interrupted by this beautiful women who walked through the double doors in a sexy high-waisted pencil skirt and a white blouse tucked neatly inside, giving her body the perfect shape.
I nudged Shisui with my elbow as we stood up from our chairs. "Ah, Sakura Haruno; you look lovely." I didn't like Shisui's wandering eyes. She must be heading to work after this, or she wanted to torture me, slowly. Her luscious pink locks are styled in an up-do with her bangs framing her face, giving us a glimpse at her graceful neck; I wanted nothing more than to sink my teeth into her soft skin.
Fuck, focus Sasuke.
"Thank you. It has been a long time, Shisui. It's nice to see you again." He lightly shook her hand, I noticed a man with long brown hair and lavender eyes close behind her.
Hyuga.
"Neji's your lawyer?" I asked in disbelief.
"Is that a problem?" Her bright green eyes narrowed. I gulped.
"Of course not!" Shisui covered for me. I have not seen Hyuga since high school; I never cared to wander about his whereabouts.
"Sasuke. Shisui." He greeted, as Sakura took a seat across from us; the table was wide and long. "Shall we get started?" Neji asked, as we all sat down.
"Aa." Shisui started. "My client is choosing to follow the rules set by Ms. Haruno; he's willing to cooperate with her demands so long as that involves seeing Shoda. It is in my client's best interest that if she refuses to let Sasuke see Shoda then we will fight this in an actual courtroom."
"Sasuke, is that true?" Sakura asked, I could tell that she was expecting that.
"Aa." I agreed, as she pulled that soft pink bottom lip between her teeth.
"Ms. Haruno is allowing you visitations, every other weekend and she would like to split the holidays between the two of you." Neji opened up a file, and pushed it toward Shisui.
"The problem we have is that Mr. Uchiha doesn't live here." Neji added. "It's a plane ride every other weekend, is that going to be suitable for your client."
Shisui turned toward me, "Would you like Sakura to fly him out, alone, or will you accompany him each plane ride?" He whispered in my ear.
"Neither." I told everyone in the room. "I'll be moving here, at least until Shoda gets older and then we can discuss it again."
Sakura's eyes widened, "What about your job?"
"It's not important right now; I'll manage by working from here." I told her. Sakura didn't look so well, I guess the shock of me moving here is more than she bargained for but a plane ride to and from was too much Shoda, I'll do it if I have no other option but I hoped Sakura would let it slide.
"Itachi is going to kill you." Shisui whispered harshly in my ear.
"It'll be fine." I told him.
Neji cleared his throat. "So, Sasuke you're willing to move here to be closer?" He questioned, as if he knew I was up too something.
"Aa. I will find an apartment next week. It'll give me time to sort through my things and discuss this change with Itachi."
"Alright. Is there is anything you'd like to add?" Neji asked as he scribbled some notes on a pad. I looked over at Shisui, "Yes. We have two requests actually. Mr. Uchiha would like Ms. Haruno to consider changing Shoda's name to Uchiha."
Neji looked over at Sakura, everyone seemed to be looking at Sakura; our persistent staring caused a blush to grace her cheeks.
"I can ask Shoda what he wants. If he agrees to change it, then we will."
Shisui smiled, "Of course, and there's no pressure."
"What's the second request?" Neji asked.
"Mr. Uchiha would like a day, any day out of the week reserved for just the three of you."
"The three of us?" Sakura questioned, her eyes darted from Shisui's to mine.
"A family day, if you will." Shisui treaded very lightly, Sakura didn't look to pleased with the request – at all.
"No." Sakura's voice shook with bitterness. "No. We are not a family, Sasuke. For you to suggest that is ludicrous."
I know she is right but how else am I supposed to win her back if she will not spare me the time of day.
"No." She spat, her green eyes darkened from anger as she glared back at me. "Request denied."
"Fine." I pouted before I schooled my reaction. I was going to have to do things the hard way, Sakura has never been easy – I should have known.
"I will talk to Shoda about changing his name tonight; I'll let Neji know when he's comes to a decision."
Silence set over the room for a moment, Sakura would not look at me anymore and Shisui was giving me that 'I told you so' smug look.
"If there's nothing else, Mr. Uchiha your weekend starts Friday; you'll be responsible for picking up Shoda from school and having him home by seven that Sunday afternoon."
I nodded my head.
"Also, Ms. Haruno doesn't object to you picking up Shoda on certain days from school so long as you contact her first and bring him home in a timely manner." Neji finished.
"Aa."
Thank you, Sakura.
I signed on the dotted line, agreeing to everything that Sakura wanted.
"I'll mail you the final copies." Neji shook our hands on his way out, Shisui followed quickly behind him claiming that he had a very important question for the Hyuga but I knew he was trying to give Sakura and me a moment, alone.
"Sakura."
"Hm." She didn't sound the slightest interested in what I had to say as she moved toward the double doors.
"Are we ever going to talk about what happened between us?" I needed to know, she needs to know that I'm not over her, and it's not because of Shoda but because despite everything – she's everything to me, I ruined our relationship but if she'd give me the chance I'd make it up to her.
No matter how long it takes her to forgive me.
I will wait.
Her hand stilled on the handle, "There's nothing left to talk about." I approached her, but did not get to close.
"Sakura, tell me what I have to do? I'm trying-"
"You're trying? Trying to what 'trap' me." She mocked with no humor in her voice. "It's been like a week and half, Sasuke." She turned the handle and swung open the door, she gave me one last look.
"You can try all you want; you can give in all you want; you can be the most perfect father in all of Japan but I will not forgive you that easily." Her words are as cold as ice and she slams the door in her wake.
I gripped the edge of the table. "FUCK!" I growled. I tried to compose myself as Shisui poked his head in a second later, I ran my hand through my hair. "Damn it." I said harshly to myself.
"Are you alright?" Shisui stepped into the room. "Is she really worth all this grief?" I calmed myself down before I answered.
"Yes."
She is.
"You're a masochist, aren't you?" He asked in a deadpanned tone.
"Shut up, asshole." I told him as I walked out of the room before him.
Thanks for reading! Sakura and Sai's date is in the works!