Chapter 27 – Mikoto's Chapter (Part 2)

I was not spying, snooping or anything else that could be deemed an activity where I would be purposely listening to my son's conversation with Sakura. I was merely passing his cracked door when I heard them talking.

"This is really hard and awkward for me to say but I know you kissed me when I was in the hospital," Sakura's statement made my jaw drop. Itachi had kissed Sakura?

"I wasn't asleep when you came in. I was pretending so I could still have a reason to hold Sasuke-kun's hand should he have woken up. Why did you kiss me?" She asked. Itachi kissed her when she was sleeping? Sasuke was holding Sakura's hand? What?

"Sakura, I kissed you because…" He admitted to kissing her!

"I kissed you because I love you," Itachi left me dumbfounded. I had never seen any signs that he liked her. It was too weird. He was…Itachi.

"I've love you and I don't know what came over me that night but I had to kiss you. I just had to. I know you love Sasuke and I'm not asking you to stop loving him. God knows he needs your love more than I. But I love you and I guess you know now. I don't want our relationship to change because of this."

"Itachi," She had dropped the affectionate 'nii-san', "The moment you put your mouth on mine, our relationship changed. I've always trusted you and I feel like you've betrayed my trust."

"I never meant to betray your trust, Sakura."

"But you have, Itachi," She was crying, "I trusted you more than anyone else and you ruined it."

"Sakura, if I could I would go back and stop myself from kissing you. I never wanted to ruin anything between us."

"I know you didn't but I just don't feel comfortable around you anymore. Maybe one day I will but for now I don't want to be around you."

"I understand," I heard his voice crack. He was trying not to cry. My poor baby was having his heart broken but I was conflicted. Sakura was like a daughter to me and I wanted her to be with Sasuke but I wanted Itachi to be happy. I saw Sakura move and so I had to go before they saw me.

I felt terrible for them both. Sakura had had another kiss stolen by one she did not love and had her trust broken while Itachi had his heart broken after confessing his love. My poor babies were hurting and I couldn't do anything or they'd know I had heard them. I could only confide in Fugaku who was just as surprised as I was about Itachi's confession of love and his actions. Itachi surprised us again when we had dinner the next day when Sakura was gone.

"I'm moving out."

I dropped my chopsticks at Itachi's announcement.

"What?" Sasuke was the only one to speak.

"I'm moving out. I'm almost twenty-four years old and I should start living on my own. I have enough money and I found an apartment near the hospital. I'll have all my belongings moved out by next Wednesday if not before," He was so calm. I knew why he was really leaving as did Fugaku.

"Okay," was all that Fugaku said. It probably was for the best. Itachi wouldn't have to see Sakura all the time and vice versa.

"Okay?" Sasuke stood up angrily, "You can't move out! It's pointless! You're only ten minutes away from the hospital now."

Sasuke was obviously upset but he didn't know the true reasoning.

"It's not pointless, Sasuke. Itachi is a grown man and may make whatever decision he pleases. If he wants to move out he can," Fugaku defended Itachi. Sasuke gave us an awful look then left the tale to go upstairs. We all sighed.

"Thank you for being understanding," Itachi said. We nodded.

Before we knew it, Itachi had moved everything into his new apartment but came back just to say good-bye. I hugged him tightly. It was hard having my firstborn leave the nest. Fugaku gave Itachi a firm handshake as did Kizashi. Mebuki hugged him as well. Sakura stood there awkwardly. They exchanged some friendly words but they did not touch. Sasuke was not pleased at all with Itachi's leaving.

"You can always come visit me, Sasuke," Itachi reminded his brother.

"Hn."

"Maybe one day you can move in with me," Itachi smiled.

"I could move in with you now," Sasuke muttered.

"Want to?" Itachi asked.

"You'd let me move in with you?" Sasuke didn't believe him. Itachi raised his hand and waved Sasuke over. Sasuke came forward slightly but only received a poke to the forehead.

"May next time, Sasuke," Itachi smiled and then left us.

It was different with Itachi gone. Laundry was lighter, there were less dishes to clean and his voice didn't fill the halls. I was a little sad without him but he made sure to call me whenever he could. I knew it was for the best that he was gone but I missed him and I knew Sasuke did too.