Watashi no Kodomo

Chapter Seventeen

Mōichido au

Rin fluttered her eyes open and felt confusion hit her as she took in her surroundings. Why was she in a hospital room? What happened? The last thing she remembered was heading home from work. How did she end up here?

"Rin-chan, you're awake!" At the familiar voice, Rin tuned her chocolate brown eyes over to find Sakura sitting in a chair near her. Her peppermint green eyes were filled with relief and her hair was damped from a recent shower.

"Sakura-chan, what's going on? The last thing I remembered I was leaving work and then nothing." Rin started as she tried to piece together the events leading up to now, but she had no memory whatsoever. Everything was a blur. Rin groaned suddenly at the soreness that hit her body. She immediately wrapped her arm around her swollen belly. She couldn't explain the feeling, but she felt empty. Hallow almost. The familiar weight of the baby was no longer there.

Sakura's eyes grew somber at the motion. She gritted her teeth and inhaled deeply in preparation of delivering the bad news to the brown haired woman.

"Rin-chan, you were kidnapped by the Hyuuga Twins, people who wanted the Uchiha Project to end, and they performed an illegal D&C to terminate the pregnancy. I'm so sorry I wasn't there in time to stop it!" Sakura expressed with regret. Rin's eyes widen in surprise at the news. A cold shock rocked through her body. She felt her heart ache and she grabbed at her racing heart tightly through her hospital gown. Tears began to well up in her eyes. She didn't understand why she was so emotional over this. The plan was to always terminate the pregnancy before the second trimester. She understood her assignment and what her role was in this mission. So, why was she so sad over this?

Sakura sat at the edge of the bed and placed a comforting hand over Rin's. "This wasn't your fault." Sakura stated gently. Rin dried her tears away. "I'm guessing you're the one who got me out?" Rin questioned with a small, thankful smile. Sakura nodded. "I was kidnapped too, but I wasn't about to leave you alone back there." Rin smiled at the pink haired woman's words. "Thanks." Rin uttered softly before laying back down to rest. She will contact HQ when she woke up. Right now she was exhausted in more ways than one.

Sakura nodded before standing back up and running a hand through her wet locks. It felt great to take a shower and have food in her belly, but it was time to go back home and check on Ino and her baby.

~0~

Sakura returned home and found police officers still investigating her home. She took in the scenery of her once immaculate condo. She would definitely have to move now. There was no way she was staying here anymore. Not after the attempt on her life. Sakura heard a familiar bark and she smiled when she saw her pup.

"Hachiko! Come here boy!" She called out to and the brown pup immediately ran to her direction, pulling the officer who was holding on to his leash in the process. The officer let go and watched as the dog reunited with its owner, who was previously missing for three days. There goes their missing person case. He turned to inform his chief about this new development.

Sakura hugged her pup tightly. "I'm sorry I left for so long." Sakura apologized as she snuggled her fur baby. "Excuse me, Dr. Haruno, but the house is still not ready to be occupied. We're still gathering evidence and forensic needs everything in place as is." The officer informed her. "Can I grab some of my things at least?" The doctor asked softly and at the officer's nod she went inside to gather some clothes and toiletries.

While she was gathering her items together, she saw the state of her room. It was a disaster. The living room was even worse with glass scattered everywhere. There was blood stains on the floor and Sakura winced painfully at the memories of that night. She would have to check on Neji and see how he was recovering. Sakura threw her book bag over her shoulder and proceeded to grab the leash on Hachiko's collar. Just before she was about to leave, one of the officer's stopped her. "Dr. Haruno, there was a video call on your laptop from your guardian. She was really worried about you. You should give her a call back." Sakura's eye widen at the information. She quickly grabbed her laptop and saw all the missed calls from her Shishou.

Sakura lost her phone during the whole kidnapping and didn't have time to get one today. She tried calling Tsunade back but the busty woman wasn't available. The last call was three days ago. That meant her Shishou was already in Konoha by now waiting for her at the hotel. Sakura closed her laptop and placed it inside her bag.

"Come on Hachiko, Shishou is waiting for us."

~0~

Sakura arrived to her Shishou's preferred hotel. She knew exactly where the blonde will be waiting for her. The doctor checked in with the front desk and requested to meet with Senju-sama in the conference room. "Of course, Dr. Haruno. Dr. Senju is waiting for you." The receptionist stated and proceeded to direct Sakura to the meeting room. Upon her arrival Sakura saw the busty woman at the table looking over some files. From the concentrated look on her face they were important.

"Shishou!" Sakura exclaimed before rushing over to the blonde woman and hugging her tightly. With Tsunade she never had to hold back her strength. It's been a very long time since she's seen her. Happy tears welled up in her eyes.

Tsunade couldn't help but smile, bemused at her pupil's reaction. She swore Sakura was a dog in her past life. She was so affectionate and open with her emotions. Sakura was an open book.

"I missed you too, Sakura." Tsunade stated as she hugged the pink haired woman in return. Once the reunion passed, Tsunade got down to business.

"I want a full report on what you've been up to." At the sight of Sakura about to protest, Tsunade narrowed her eyes sharply. "I don't care about NDA's. I need to know what Orochimaru is planning to do with an Uchiha child." She bit out sternly.

Sakura's mouth gaped slightly. She signed before telling her Shishou the entire truth, including who the true surrogate was and what she had done.

"I used my oocyte and the Uchiha specimen to create the embryo. Then I transferred the embryo to Ino whose currently carrying the baby. She's 10 weeks along." Sakura confessed somberly. She felt embarrassed having to reveal her mistake to her. She could feel the waves of disappointment flowing from the blonde.

"I didn't think things through. I was so desperate and I didn't even think it would work!" Sakura protested almost childishly.

Tsunade furrowed her brows at Sakura's confession.

This complicated things now.

Sakura had no idea she just created a child between her and her ex-boyfriend who ghosted her twelve years ago.

This was going to be awkward.

The drama that was about to ensue spiked Tsunade's interest.

"I guess this is what happens when I introduce you to my old friend. This is partly my fault. I shouldn't have trusted him." Tsunade gritted out unhappily.

"I have someone I want you to meet again." Tsunade said suddenly, and from the smirk on her face Sakura felt some trepidition.

"Again?" The young doctor questioned and a sudden knock at the door caught her attention. The door opened and a man she thought she would never see again walked in. Sakura's heart dropped and a gasped left her lips.

There was no way!

The shock left her body quickly as he stood there, staring at her in surprise as well. The sudden rush of anger burned through her blood and she swiftly left her chair to greet her long lost ex.

"Tsukino-san, Senju-sama is requesting you in the conference room." He announced before directing the way. Itachi nodded and followed. The walk was short and sweet. The conference room was one floor below. The attendant held the door open for him and he walked in without a word.

He heard a gasp, a surprised one, and he brought his dark eyes up to the shock woman.

Itachi's heart nearly stopped at the sight of pink hair and green eyes.

~0~

Itachi felt his breath hitch and his heart race at the sight of Sakura. She was staring at him in just as much shock as he was at the moment. He was not expecting to meet her this soon. She was sitting besides Tsunade with cups of tea in front of them. Sakura looked confused and frazzled. Her peppermint green eyes started to swell with tears, but they didn't fall. They refused to. Her cheeks were flushed red, either from embarrassment, surprise, or maybe anger?

Itachi was afraid to step forward or even move for that matter.

The dark haired man almost flinched as Sakura rushed at him. She was quick, too quick from what he had remembered. His senses kicked in and he swiftly caught her left fist in mid air. The force behind her fist was abnormal for a woman of her stature, and it didn't seem like she was done with her rage.

Itachi had to block the knee that was aimed for his abdomen. Again the force behind the potential blow was staggering.

"Sakura, please calm down." He stated as he grabbed both her arms tightly and brought her close to him to prevent her from targeting any of his other organs. He wasn't in the best condition to fend her off for long seeing as he was just recently healed by Tsunade.

Itachi could feel her breathing heavily against his chest and the smell of her perfume. He stared down at her and saw the anger in her eyes. "You have some nerve telling me to calm down." She gritted out angrily, and at that point he saw the hurt starting to brew beneath all that anger.

Sakura felt her anger starting to dissipate while in his arms.

It's been so long.

The young doctor tried to release her hands from his grip, but the will was slowly fading. She didn't want to move. Even after all these years her body betrayed her the moment he touched her. She stared intensely at his face, and from this close angle she was taking in all the changes from the years they've been apart. He was slimmer than what she remembered. His eyes were more tired. Hair longer and somewhat duller than before. It looked like he was taking her in with his dark eyes as well.

"What are you doing here, Itachi?" She questioned quietly.

He was silent for a moment before softening his eyes at her.

"I came to protect you, Sakura." He replied sincerely and her heart felt like exploding then and there.

Why was she such a romantic fool for this man?

A/N: I know...it's been a long time. Don't judge me! lol I hope you guys enjoyed this small chapter.

Mōichido au translate to we meet once again

Lady Manami