Sasuke's P.O.V.
Christmas shopping was a drag. Especially on Christmas Eve. People acted like animals. Sasuke hated it. And this was his first time Christmas shopping. He was at the mall out of all places. He had to go alone. Sakura and Riri couldn't know what he was buying for them. He already bought Riri a bunch of toys but he had picked up something he had custom made for her. It was a life sized doll in a pure white dress with a lace bonnet. It was made to look exactly like Riri. He knew that she would love it. Sasuke couldn't really figure out what special gift to get Sakura. He bought her a few outfits to go into her wardrobe but he went to give her something she could never get rid of.
'Sakura is far from picky so she would be satisfied with anything. But I don't want to get her just anything.'
Completely focused on his thoughts Sasuke ended up inside of a jewelry store and was greeted by a clerk. "Welcome to Kinjirareta Ai(Forbidden Love) How may I help- oh Sasuke hey!" The redhead woman said smiling.
"Mrs. Kushina…" Sasuke said.
"I haven't seen you in a while. How are you?" She asked giving him a tight squeeze.
"I've been fine. What about you?"
"I've been great. How's your brother and Izumi? Naruto told me she came home until the pregnancy is over with."
"They are both fine. The pregnancy is getting the best of Izumi though."
"It's her first one. I'm not surprised. So I'm guessing you're in here for Sakura?"
"Actually-"
"Don't be shy Sasuke. Here. Let's that a look around."
Sasuke followed behind the redhead. There were so many beautiful pieces of jewelry. Everything was locked up securely. And the light shined brightly upon the jewelry.
Kushina stopped in front of some bracelets. "How about this one?" She stepped behind the counter and pulled out a golden bracelet with white diamonds.
"I'm not sure if Sakura's the bracelet type. It is beautiful though."
"Well, what does the cherry blossom like?" Kushina asked as she placed the bracelet back on the stand.
"To be honest she isn't picky at all. But I want to get her something meaningful."
"I see. You want it to be special."
"Hn." Sasuke looked around the jewelry store. He stopped in his tracks as he saw a section filled with beautiful sapphire. He walked over and examined each piece.
"I see Vera Wang caught your attention."
"Vera Wang?"
"She's the designer of everything in this section."
"She must love sapphire."
"She uses sapphire in all her designs for the meaning of eternity forever love."
'Eternity forever love huh?' Sasuke looked over each piece of jewelry. Everything was beautiful. Amazingly designed as well but one thing made Sasuke's eyes stay focused. It was a simple necklace with a single sapphire jewel hanging from the chain. It was shaped into a heart with a silver thin line going across. "Can I see this one?" Sasuke asked pointing at the necklace.
"Sure." Kushina said unlocking the case. She took out the necklace and handed it to Sasuke. He imagined this necklace around Sakura's neck. Sitting nicely on her creamy skin. 'It's perfect.'
"How much?" He asked handing the necklace back to her.
"$3,000"
Sasuke took out his wallet and handed her his card. Once the transaction went through she handed him his card back.
"We do free gift wrapping and plain bags incase you didn't want her to find out what it got her."
"Even better." Sasuke watched as Kushina put the necklace in a gray box and started to wrap it in Christmas paper then finally placed it in a plain white shopping bag.
"Here you go." She said exchanging the bag with him.
"Thank you Mrs. Kushina."
"Anytime. You befriended my son when people treated him like he was trash. Thank you for not leaving his side."
"No problem." He said walking out of the store. He was done Christmas shopping. He pulled out his phone to check the time. He smiled as he looked at his lock screen. A picture of Sakura, Riri and him. Sasuke had a blank expression as always. Sakura had smiled showing her straight pearly white teeth and Riri had that big cheesy grin. He loved them so much.
Sasuke felt his stomach growling. It was actually empty and hollow. The Uchiha made his way over to the food court and ordered him a meal.
"Would you like this for here or to go?"
Sasuke was about to answer but long red hair caught his attention. Karin. She was walking his way.
"Definitely to go."
"Give us a few minutes please and we will call you when it's done."
"Hn." Sasuke moved out of the way so that the line would move. His day was going fine until he spotted her.
"Sasuke love!" She yelled out. She was wearing a tight fitted black sweater dress that stopped above her thighs with thigh high boots. Karin's body was slender yet curvy and she was far from ugly. Karin was very beautiful but even Lucifer was once God's most beautiful angel.
Sasuke didn't even acknowledge her presence. He didn't have time to deal with her.
"Don't be like that with me Sasuke. If anything I wanted to see if I could buy you a gift."
"The only gift I would of accepted from you was my dead baby that you murdered."
"It was a fetus that didn't even have a heartbeat yet."
"That's what you think. Stay away from me."
"Sasuke!" The cashier called out. Sasuke grabbed a hold of his food and walked away from Karin. She took out her phone and dialed a number as she started to walk a different direction from Sasuke. "He's on the move. I hope you're ready."
Sasuke finally made it to the parking lot. He walked over to his car. He pressed the key to pop open his trunk. Sasuke put all the bags in then slammed the trunk shut. He hated the fact he saw Karin. He wish he never gotten involved with her. Sasuke entered inside the mustang. He put the keys in the ignition and started the car.
Before he had a chance to switch the gear he felt someone grab his hair and slam it into the steering wheel. He felt the blood creep down the side of his face. Then he felt something rope like tighten around his neck, pressing his head against the head of the seat. Sasuke grabbed the rope from his neck and managed to elbow whoever it was behind him. He felt a pair of hands try to scratch at his eyes but Sasuke took aim and punched the second intruder dead in the face. In a quick second he reached over to his glove compartment and took out his Ruger P89 pointing it at the two intruders. Both of them put their hands up.
"Karin? Tayuya?"
"Don't shoot!" Tayuya yelled.
"I have every reason too. Who you think the cops are going to believe?"
"Let us go!" Karin said. Sasuke could sense the fear in her voice.
"I could kill you both right now. Say it was self defense."
"You're bluffing." Tayuya said. She tried her best to remain tough but really she was terrified.
"Why would I be? You guys harass my girlfriend. Made up a rumor about her best friend who's still recovering her reputation. You broke into my car and attacked me. I could kill you both and walk free. At least Sakura and I won't have to deal with you two anymore."
"Alright! Gosh! I'll leave you alone! You aren't worth losing my life!" Karin exclaimed. Sasuke looked at both of them. He suddenly smelled a strong odor in his car. Sasuke looked over at Tayuya. Her jeans were wet.
"Did you just PISS in my car?"
She didn't say anything. She didn't even look at Sasuke.
Sasuke put down the passenger seat and opened the door with one hand while still pointing the gun at the two girls. "GET THE HELL OUT!"
The girls didn't hesitate a second. They got out immediately. Once so Sasuke slammed the car door and drove off in a hurry. Sasuke had to be driving at least 90 mph. He needed to get home. He was beyond pissed off. His day was ruined. He needed to see Sakura and Riri. They would fix everything.
Sasuke walked in the house. He was so frustrated he forgot the bags in the trunk of the car. Izumi was the first on to see Sasuke. He spotted Riri sleeping on the sofa next to her. Izumi's smiling face dropped. "Itachi!" She yelled out. She got up from the sofa and made her way over to Sasuke.
"What happened to your face?!"
"Izumi I'm fine. Calm down."
"You are not fine! You're bleeding!" She exclaimed. She grabbed Sasuke's hand and made him sit down in the sofa. He kept trying to tell her to relax but she couldn't. "ITACHI!" She screamed.
Itachi rushed in the front room. Sakura and Riri followed behind.
"What's wrong Izumi?" He asked with a worried face.
"Go get the first aid kit for Sasuke."
"What happened?" He walked over to his younger brother and saw his face. Blood was coming down his temple. His face was scratched up. He had a bruise that was forming around his throat.
His worried face now turned into anger. "What happened to you?"
"It's complicated."
"Sakura. Go in the kitchen and get the first aid kit from under the counter."
"Okay." Within seconds Sakura came back from the kitchen with the kit. She seen Sasuke's face and gasp. "I'm alright. This is nothing."
"What happened to you?" She said walking up to him. She grabbed his chin and examined him. "Someone did this to you. Can tell." Sakura said opening up the first aid kit. She took out a few alcohol pads and started to clean the blood on his temple.
"Karin and Tayuya."
"What?"
"You're ex and her friend?" Itachi asked.
"Yeah. I bumped into Karin when I was leaving the mall. I brushed her off and she and Tayuya must have snuck in my car before I made it to the parking lot. When I got in the car, I'm guessing it was Tayuya because Karin isn't strong, bashed my head into the steering wheel then wrapped a rope around my throat."
"They were already watching you before you even noticed Karin was there." Itachi said.
"What were they even planning?" Izumi asked.
"No clue." Sasuke answered. He felt the stinging pain of the alcohol against his cut. He watched Sakura as she looked at his wound. She put some cream on it then placed a piece of gauze and started to wrap a bandage around his head.
"I elbowed Tayuya and broke away from the rope. Karin tried to claw at my face so I punched her. I reached in the glove compartment and took out father's gun. And Tayuya pissed in the car so now the back seats have to get cleaned." Sasuke added.
"Why not get a restraining order?" Izumi asked.
"Because that's just a sheet of paper." Sakura added.
Everyone turned at looked at her.
"What? Just being honest."
"Sakura's right. Besides, I highly doubt she's going to try anything again since I had her at gunpoint. Don't worry about it."
Sasuke saw the pregnant woman start to cry. "All of this happening right before Christmas." She said in between sniffles.
"Izumi don't cry." Sakura said going over to her comforting her.
Itachi handed his crying wife a handkerchief to wipe her face. "Sasuke's here. It's okay. Let's go eat dinner."
"Okay…" she said getting up from the sofa.
"We'll come join you guys in a second." Sakura told them as they walked out. She looked over at Sasuke with a serious yet worried face. "Sasuke are you sure Karin isn't going to bother you again?"
"I'm positive. She's not that crazy."
Sakura jumped towards Sasuke. She wrapped her arms around him and held him tight. He heard her sniffle in his ear. "I'm just glad you're okay. It could have been worse."
Sasuke softly pushed her away from him. He kissed her on the lips and looked her in the eyes. "The Karin thing is over with. You have nothing to worry about anymore." He looked over and saw big green orbs looking at him. "Come on Riri." He said. The small child stood up from the sofa and walked over to the two teens. Sakura picked up up and watched as her daughter rubbed her eyes.
"Come on. Let's go eat dinner." Sakura said the small child.
The three of them joined the Uchiha couple with a family dinner. It was too close to Christmas for it to be ruined over a failed robbery or whatever it was Karin and Tayuya had in mind. He refused to let Karin ruin any part of his life again.
Even if it meant that he had to take her out.
He needed to cool down and relax. He was home with his family. Sakura and Riri were his new addition to the family as well. He forgot what it felt like to actually sit around the dinner table and eat and talk with one another. Once dinner was over Izumi, Sakura and Riri went into the kitchen to bake cookies. Riri was excited. Santa Claus was coming to bring her presents. The Uchiha brothers watched as the three females bonded. Itachi took out his phone and started taking pictures.
"I think I'm going to make a family photo album." He said looking over at the pictures he captured. Sasuke looked over and watched with him. He took pictures of all the decorations inside the house, the Christmas tree and the few pictures of Izumi and the girls baking cookies.
"Riri's autism. When she's around us it's as if she doesn't even have it." Itachi said.
"You think so?" Sasuke asked.
"Well autistic children don't socialize. They barely speak. Some also throw the worst tantrums in the world. But Riri acts normal around us. Now since she has a specialist that can help her."
"When she's out in public or even when she was still in daycare Riri wouldn't interact with other children. That's what Sakura told me. Actually, she was quite shocked when Riri interacted with us when we first met."
"Children have the tendency to sense the good and the bad in people, regardless of their condition. Sakura and Riri were surrounded by a lot of darkness. Riri being so innocent she can easily tell." The older Uchiha said.
"Her mother can still get in trouble for everything that happened to them."
"But is Sakura willing to testify against her own mother?"
"I can talk to her about it."
"Sasuke think for a second here. Sakura will have to relive every single thing that happened to her and Riri in that house. Do you want that to happen?"
Sasuke let out a heavy sigh. He didn't say anything. Itachi was right. It's too painful for what Sakura and Riri went through.
"They're safe now. As long as they have us they will be okay." He said putting his shoulder on his younger brother.
"Papa! Unc!" The small child yelled as she made her way to them. She had a cookie in each hand. She handed it to both of them. Itachi took his cookie but Sasuke didn't take his.
"I'm okay Riri. You can have it." He said trying to talk her out of giving him the cookies. He hated sweets.
"Papa…" she said stretching out his name as she shook the cookie in front of him.
Sasuke gave in. He couldn't reject Riri. He took the cookie in defeat. Sakura and Izumi came out of the kitchen with a plate of cookies and a glass of milk. "Come on Riri. Let's go put this out for Santa Claus then it's bed time." Sakura told her. The small child ran over to her mother.
They placed the plate and glass on the coffee table. Riri clapped her hands in joy. Sasuke saw the look on her face. She was happy. So was Sakura. Her child wasn't in danger anymore. He was happy that they were happy.
Riri was soon put to bed. Once that happened everyone started to wrap presents together. It was going to take a while since everyone spoiled Riri with so many presents. Nearly two hours passed by and they were finally done with wrapping every last gift. Sasuke and Sakura stacked them under the tree in a neat and clean way. All that was left was to clean up the mess.
"Itachi." Izumi started. "Can you help me clean up the kitchen? I still have a few pans I need to clean."
"Yeah." He said helping her up from the sofa.
"We'll clean up in here." Sasuke told them as they walked into kitchen. He watched as Sakura started picking up the pieces of wrapping paper and place it into an empty box. He started to help her out picking up the leftover tubes of wrapping paper.
"I'll be right back. I'm going check on Riri." She said walking away. Sasuke watched her as she walked. She was so slim but thick at the same time. Those legging she was wearing just brought out her thickness even more. He couldn't help but lust over her.
Sasuke started to finish cleaning up but stopped when he heard a sound. He thought he was just hearing things but then heard it again. Like someone was opening and closing a window. He went to go investigate. He walked down the dark hallway, creeping lightly so he wouldn't make a sound. It was pitch dark in the hallway to the point where Sasuke had to rely on the wall for guidance. After creeping a few more steps he stopped. He could feel someone else there. Sasuke slowly pulled out his phone from his pocket. Without hesitation he flashed its light out in front of him. Sasuke was crazy. There the intruder was dressed up in a Santa Claus suit and fake beard. He shoved Sasuke out of the way and dashed towards the front room. Sasuke charged after him.
Once Sasuke caught up with him he tackled him to the floor. They struggled for a moment. He flipped him over to deliver a punch to the face but Santa kicked him in the abdomen pushing him off of him making him hit an end table knocking and breaking a vase. Sasuke stood up and so did Santa. They both charged at each other delivering blows to one another. The way this guy fought was way too familiar. Both of them swung and punched each other at the same time but Sasuke was able to rip the fake white beard off of the intruder. He looked over at his blue eyed friend in shock.
"Naruto! What are you doing here?" He yelled.
"I'm being Santa Claus to surprise Riri Teme! Duh! How can you forget?!"
The two teens started the argue with one another until they both felt a sharp blow to the head. It was a pregnant Izumi and she struck them with the broom handle. "What is wrong with you two?! Fighting on Christmas Eve?!"
"Dang Izumi you sure do hit hard to say you're on the heavy side." The blonde said. Izumi delivered two more blows to the head. He had it coming.
"Naruto you were suppose to come in through the front door! Not break in." Itachi exclaimed.
"Santa Claus does not come in through the front door. I was on the roof for about 45 minutes looking for the chimney. I was going to come in through there. But nooooo. You guys wanna roast chestnuts on an open fire so Santa couldn't come in down the chimney so I had to come in through a window!"
Itachi shook his head. Sasuke did the same. Naruto was an idiot.
Sakura came back downstairs with the small child half asleep.
"What was all that commotion down here? It woke up Riri." She said.
Naruto quickly found his beard and put it back on. He walked over to Sakura acting jolly yelling out ho ho ho. Riri looked at him with now opened eyes. "Hello there little girl. You must be Riri." He said mimicking the best Santa voice he could. The small child picked up her head and stared at him.
"I came all the way from the North Pole just to see you."
Riri got down from her mother. She went over to the table and brought the plate of cookies over to Naruto. He took the plate and started to eat the cookies. Oh thank you! You're such a sweet girl. That's why I brought you all these presents." He said pointing at the tree.
Riri looked over and gasped at the Christmas tree in awe. She clapped in excitement. "Thank you Santa!" The young child said followed by a yawn.
"You can open your presents in the morning Riri. Right now you need to get some rest." Sakura told her.
Riri laid her head on her mother's bosom and closed her green orbs. She began to head upstairs with her young child.
Naruto let out a yawn as well. "Well Santa here is about to hit the road."
"Naruto why don't you stay the night? It's already late." Izumi offered.
"I would but see my parents don't know I'm here. I kinda just left." He said chuckling.
Itachi shook his head. "Kushina is going to kill you."
"Believe it! She will. You beating me with the broom ain't nothing compared to what my mom would do." Naruto said taking off the fake beard.
"Be safe on the road." The pregnant woman said. She met Naruto halfway and they gave each other a hug. Once they pulled apart from each other the blonde turned towards Itachi with open arms. The older Uchiha glared at him with his red eyes.
"Sheesh. Lighten up Itachi. It's Christmas!" Naruto turned towards Sasuke. "Bring it in!" He ran towards the younger Uchiha. The only thing Sasuke opened up to Naruto was the palm of his hand. "Teme you are rude!"
"And your point?"
The blonde stuck his tongue out at his raven haired friend. "Welp see you later guys. Happy Holidays!"
Everyone said goodbye to Naruto as he walked out. It was close to 12AM. Everyone was tired so they retired to their chambers. Sasuke made it up to his room and smiled softly as he saw Sakura and Riri sound asleep in his bed. He slipped off his shirt and crawled in right behind Sakura. Sasuke closed his eyes and soon fell asleep as well.
.
.
.
.
.
.
It was finally Christmas Day. Everyone was basically in their sleep wear still. No one was leaving and they weren't expecting any visitor so there was no point dressing up. Sakura and Riri were both sitting next to the tree. He watched as the small child kept pointing at every decoration telling her mother each color. Riri was in a fuzzy red sleeper that looked like a santa suit. Sakura was in a My Chemical Romance t-shirt and a pair of Sasuke's joggers. He had to admit they looked way better on her than on him. Her long pink hair was a bit messy but it was magnificent. It hung down her back so elegantly.
The Christmas tree was filled with presents underneath. Of course 95% of it all was for Riri. She had toys and clothes for years. Itachi and Izumi was sitting on the couch snuggling while Itachi rubbed her big round belly. Sasuke sipped on his hot chocolate as he listened to the Christmas music play. Itachi was interrupted when his phone started to ring. He reached in his pocket and took it out. He looked at the screen surprised before answering. "Hello. Merry Christmas to you too. It's been awhile since we heard from you."
Sasuke slightly eavesdropped on the conversation. He couldn't help but be nosey.
"Yes. Uh-huh. I will let them know. Same to you." He said hanging up the phone.
"Who was that darling?" Izumi asked.
"That was my grandpa."
Sasuke turned his way. "That was grandpa?"
"Yeah. Shockingly." He said putting his phone back in his pocket.
"Well, how come he didn't come down for Christmas? He can't be that busy?" Sakura added.
Itachi looked over at her. "If you met him the first thing he'll say is how the color of your hair annoyed him."
"Huh?"
"Our grandfather is so blunt he's rude. We don't really get along with him." Sasuke said.
"Is he really?" Izumi asked. "As long as I've known you two I've never met him. Not even at your parent's funeral."
"Trust me. He was there." Itachi said. "No one knew he was though. And it's best that you don't meet Madara Uchiha." He said kissing her forehead. He stood up from the couch and offered Izumi a helping hand. "How about we let Riri open up some of her presents?" He said taking out his phone getting ready to take pictures.
"Yay!" The small child yelled in excitement as she went over to the other side of the tree and started stacking the presents in a line. She once she was done lining up the presents she sat in front of them.
"Hold on Riri. Let's make sure these are all of yours okay?" Sakura said looking at the presents. "Here. This one is from Uncle Itachi." This was sort of a small box and it was wrapped in paper that had elves working in Santa's Workshop. Riri ripped through the paper and Sakura opened the box for her. Riri gasped as she picked up her gift. It was a white ballet tutu and shoes with stockings and a bunch of ribbons. "Cooooooool." She said in excitement. "Thank you." She said going over to Itachi and giving him a hug. He patted the small child on the head. She went back over to her presents and opened the next one that was from Aunt Izumi. It was a small box. Riri opened it and smiled. It was a small wooden jewelry box with a cherry blossom tree carved in black on the lid. She opened it and looked at the beautiful silver and gold studs and small hoop earrings in there. She went over and hugged Izumi and thanked her. Next was her gift from her mother. She opened it up and saw a bunch of outfits and shoes. She gave her mother a hug. "Thank you Mimi."
Next was a present from Sasuke. It was a big box. About the same size as her. The wrapping paper was light blue with snow falling down from the sky and snowmen lined up with smiles. Riri opened up her gift. She gasped as she started jumping in a circle. "Cool cool cool!" She kept saying. It was the custom made doll Sasuke had made for her. Sakura took it out of the box for her and handed it to her. "It's me!" She exclaimed.
"That's right Riri. It is you." Sasuke said.
The small child ran over to Sasuke and hugged him tightly. "Thank you Papa…"
"What happened to dada? I kind of miss hearing that."
"No. You Papa. You Mimi." She said pointing at Sakura. "You Aunt. You Unc!" She pointed at Itachi and Izumi.
"I guess her mind is made up." Itachi said.
"Riri do you want to open up more gifts." Izumi asked.
"No! I want doll." She said still playing with her doll.
"She'll come back to them." Sakura said. She went back over to the tree and spotted some gifts that weren't for Riri. Itachi went over to Sakura. She handed him two gifts that were for him and Izumi. He walked back over to his pregnant wife and handed her her gift. She opened it up and smiled. It was a fetal doppler and transmission gel.
"Itachi thank you!" She said almost in tears. She handed him his gift. It was a rectangular sized present and was light. Itachi torn off the wrapping paper and froze. His red eyes studied the ultrasound picture. It was two babies. And the gender was written next to each baby. "We're having a boy and a girl?" He asked looking up at his wife.
"Two is better than one." Izumi said smiling.
Itachi pulled Izumi close to him and held her in a tight embrace. He was so overwhelmed that he wasn't too sure on how to react.
Sasuke turned his direction towards Sakura. He had her gift sitting above the fireplace. He went over and picked it up. He walked over and sat next to his girlfriend. "Merry Christmas." He said handing it to her.
"Sasuke you didn't have to get me anything. I was satisfied with you getting Riri presents." She said. She started to unwrap her gift. She stopped when she saw the dark gray case. "What is this?" She asked.
"Well I guess you'll have to open the case to find out."
Sakura opened it and gasped. Her eyes were fixed on the single sapphire necklace. SHe took it out the case. "Sasuke this is beautiful! How much did you spend on this?"
"Don't worry about that." He said taking the necklace from her. He reached over her neck and hooked the chain together. His fingers rubbed against her smooth skin and came towards her collar bone. The jewel hung right in the center of her chest.
"No jewel could never be more beautiful than you." He commented.
"Sasuke…" She blushed.
Sasuke heard a soft melody play from the radio. It was slow but beautiful and peaceful.
He sat up and grabbed Sakura's hand. "Come dance with me."
Sakura shook her head. "Oh no. I can't dance."
"I'll show you." He said pulling Sakura up. He brought a few feet away closer to the radio. Sasuke intertwined one hand with Sakura's and wrapped the other around her waist as she place her other hand on his shoulder. "It's a simple two-step with a small rock."
I've walked among the shadows
You wiped my tears away
And I've felt the pain of heartbreak
And I've seen the brighter days
And I've prayed prayers to Heaven
From my lowest place
And I have held Your blessings
God, You give and take away
Sakura was avoiding eye contact with Sasuke. Her face was red. He guessed that she was slightly embarrassed because they were alone. "Are you going to be this shy during prom?"
"You dance?" Sakura asked.
"No. I'm only slow dancing with you. That's it."
Sakura chuckled.
When I'm standing on the mountain
I didn't get there on my own
When I'm walking through the valley
I know I am not alone!
You're God of the hi-hi-hills and valleys
Hi-hi-hills and valleys
God of the hi-hi-hills and valleys
And I am not alone
"I never really danced. Except for at the club. But not slow danced." She said.
"Let's keep going. You're doing pretty good."
"How did you learn how to do simple dancing?"
"My mom use to put Itachi and I in different classes. When she figured I hated it our father put me in Mixed Martial Arts. Itachi was in MMA since he was five." He said.
"At least you guys don't have to worry if someone tries to beat you up or something." Sakura said.
"We were boys. We didn't have a choice. Too much testosterone."
Father, You give and take away
Every joy and every pain
Through it all, You will remain
Over it all
Father, You give and take away
Every joy and every pain
Through it all, You will remain
Over it all
On the mountains, I will bow my life, yeah
In the valley, I will lift my eyes, yeah!
Sasuke listened to how the melody changed and twirled Sakura around then brought her back to him. Her backside was to him. He wrapped his arms around her. Sakura looked back out him. Those beautiful emerald eyes. The windows to her soul. It was pure.
Sasuke leaned closer to her and kissed her gently. "I love you Sakura."
"I love you too Sasuke." she said returning the kiss.
The faded away and then a christmas song started to play. She was his. Only his. And he was glad.
The day went on. It was now evening. The Christmas was now naked for not a single present was underneath. Riri had toys scattered everywhere. The small child had fallen asleep holding onto the doll that Sasuke had bought her. Sasuke took a blanket and covered her so she wouldn't get cold. Sakura was picking up her toys and putting them in the custom made wooden toy box Itachi had gave her. It was pink with flowers all around it and had her name written in cursive right on the front. He went over and started to help Sakura out with cleaning.
"You don't have to help. I'm almost done."
Sasuke ignored her and continued to pick up toys from the floor. Once they were finished they sat down on the sofa. Itachi and Izumi went upstairs already and Riri was fast asleep so it was just Sasuke and Sakura. It was silent in between the two for a while. Sakura laid her head on Sasuke's shoulder as she closed her eyes.
"Don't tell me you're going to sleep."
"I'm not. Just thinking of how should I thank you."
"What do you mean?" Sasuke questioned.
"For giving Riri a great Christmas." She said.
"Don't thank me."
"I need to. Christmas always sucked for us."
"I could imagine."
There was a slight pause. "No." Sakura added. "You couldn't." She wrapped her arms around his arm while her head still remained on his shoulder. "Last year I was only able to afford one toy for Riri. My mom didn't make the day any better. She went on a rampage for no reason. She was drunk and high as well. She took Riri from me and tossed her in the oven and locked me in the cellar. I started to smell something burn. She finally let me out and I ran to the kitchen and opened the oven. She burned a chicken and made me think it was Riri."
Sasuke could feel her tears go through his shirt. He looked down at her and tucked her bangs behind her ear.
"My mother is so cruel. She did such evil things to Riri and I. We were her family."
"Don't worry about her anymore. She just caused you pain and agony to your life. I don't see why you still care."
"Because at the end of the day she's still my mom. I still love her regardless. I just wished she loved me too. Riri and I are all she have." She said sniffling.
"I love you guys. And so does my family."
Sakura buried her face into Sasuke's chest. "I just wished my mother loved me." She let out her cries. Sasuke held onto her. He knew that she was still hurt from her mother's actions. She never received closure. She didn't know why she blamed her. She just wanted the love a mother was suppose to show a child. Sasuke could never relate or know how she feel. His mother loved Itachi and him. She never put one above the other or loved one more.
All he could do was comfort her.
Hold her tight. Kiss her. Let her know she was loved.
That was all he could do.
They sat there on the couch and watched the fireplace in silence until the fire started to die down and then finally went out.
The room was dark.
Sasuke sat there just thinking to himself. He wished he could help Sakura more.
Understand her pain more.
But he couldn't.
And he never would.
Okay. Before it seems like I'm going ghost like I did before. My laptop has a virus and it's going to shop to be fixed. Maimid17 will be helping me out with uploading and all. Thanks in advance :) Please review.