REMEMBER
A/N: Before anything else, thanks CatalinaG for pointing out that the last chapter has spelling errors. I'll look into it next time. I know it's no excuse but I'm sorry guys for it. I was writing this in between work like literally during the few minutes of break and I posted it right away since I was already behind my personal deadline for chapter update. Anyway, I'll be editing this from chapter 1 and of course, I'll be editing Remember to Choose Me as well. Like I hinted the previous chapter, it will only be a few chapters left. I'm thinking 2 or 3 chapters more.
Michiko
Chapter 6
That evening, Itachi had been the one to cook dinner. When their families left and the twins were still in their nap, he had encouraged her to nap along with them. It didn't take too much convincing.
As dinner was approaching, Itachi had let his wife sleep in. He carefully got up from their bed. He checked the twins down the hall before heading to the kitchen.
The kids had already started eating solid food. The twins' pediatrician has already given the go signal to start introducing solid food, even if Sakura was still breastfeeding them. For that week, they had introduced carrots.
No one knew it aside from his wife and his family but Itachi loved to cook. On the first White Day he and Sakura celebrated as a couple, he had rented a cottage near a camping trail by the lake and prepared her a 3-course meal as a surprise. He had prepared kani salad, assorted tempura with rice and miso soup, and, a very chocolate cake.
Sakura had been immensely impressed. Once the chocolate cake was served, she had playfully pouted at him and commented, "You cook better than me."
Itachi smirked, "Hn," He was pleased that Sakura enjoyed his food.
From then on, he would cook for her whenever he got the chance. He loved it more when it was the two of them in the kitchen. Once Sakura learned Itachi's skills in the kitchen, the two of them started a tradition where they would find new places and food to eat. If they liked it, they would spend hours in the kitchen trying to re-create it.
When they moved in together for the first time, it was a silent agreement between the two that the kitchen was the center of their home. They talked about anything and everything there.
Before the twins were born, the both of them had agreed that from the moment the twins were old enough, they would encourage them to be a part of the tradition.
As Itachi started their dinner, his thoughts went back to the time when Sakura had left for America.
XxXxXx
Itachi got Sakura's number from his little brother after much prodding. His brother finally relented with a parting message, "Don't expect her to answer, aniki. If she does…"
To be honest, he didn't really understand what he did to offend his brother and Sakura greatly. He had nothing but good intentions. He realized that perhaps he should have coursed it in another way. He was man enough to admit that he did wrong. He wouldn't stop until he made sure that Sakura knew his remorse.
In the confines of his room, Itachi sat by his window sill and dialed. It rang a couple of times and just when he thought that she wasn't going to answer, "Hello?" Sakura's voice sounded like she had been running.
"Hello, Sakura."
There was a pause. "Itachi-san?"
"Ah,"
"Hi. How'd you get my number? Wait! Don't answer that. I know."
"Hn,"
"So, what can I do for you, Itachi-san?"
"I want to apologize, Sakura. I did not mean to-"
"There is no need, Itachi-san. I'm sorry but I am in the middle of something. I have to go. Bye, Itachi-san."
He didn't have a chance to answer as the line suddenly went dead. Itachi looked at his phone, not clearly believing that Sakura had hung up on him. Although she had said that she forgave him, her actions told him otherwise. He tried calling again but was met with, "...the number you are calling is either currently unavailable or out of coverage area. Please try your call again later." Her voicemail then activated and asked him to leave a message.
A sigh escaped his lips as he tried several more times, only to have the same results.
Over the next days, Itachi kept trying but still had the same results. On Monday, Itachi came over to her house early in the morning, hoping to catch her before she left for school. He had every intention on taking her to school and using that time to talk with her. When he arrived though, he was disappointed to find out once Mebuki opened the door for him that Sakura had already left for school. He didn't have any choice but to head back to university without talking with her.
XxXxXx
"Oi teme!" Naruto bounded as Sasuke was about to take his seat.
"Dobe,"
Naruto sat on top of Sakura's desk and looked at Sasuke. "Can I copy your math homework?"
"Hn," Sasuke answered, sitting down. "No."
"Oh come on, teme!"
Before their argument could continue, they both turned when they heard Sakura greet "Good morning" as she was entering their class room. Both watched her walk towards them.
Sasuke gave her a nod, silently observing her. He knew that she was affected with what happened over the weekend. He also knew his brother would have made contact with her already.
"Morning, Sakura-chan! Listen, listen, I was wondering if I could borrow your math homework-"
Sakura let out an exasperated sigh. One of her eyebrows went up. "You forgot to do it again."
Naruto suddenly brought his hands together in prayer and bowed his head a little in pleading, "Please, please, Sakura-chan. This is the last time I promise."
"That's what you said the last time, dobe." Sasuke commented.
"Shut up, teme! Don't corrupt Sakura-chan with your jackassiness."
Sakura started laughing. "Jackassiness? Is that even a word? I think all that ramen has finally started burning your brain."
Naruto looked aghast. "Sakura-chan," he said quite appalled.
It sent Sakura into more laughter while Sasuke smirked. Naruto pouted, sending more laughs his way.
"Anyway," Sakura said as she calmed down, "here you go." She handed her notebook to Naruto.
Naruto beamed down at her and said, "How was the weekend with Ino?"
"Oh!" Sakura got the keychain she promised to Sasuke and handed it to him, "I almost forgot."
"Aww, that's so sweet." Naruto teased.
Sasuke glared at Naruto and smacked the back of his head, "Dobe,"
Sakura couldn't help but smile. She was going to miss them and their banter. "I'm going to miss this." She didn't notice she had said it aloud until she saw the two boys freeze and turn to her.
"What do you mean, Sakura-chan?" Naruto questioned.
It was Sakura's turn to freeze. "Well um,"
"Sakura," This time it was Sasuke.
She took a deep breath. She was going to break the news to them later that day but might as well tell them at that moment. "I was offered the opportunity to participate in an exchange student program. I accepted this morning."
"Wh-" Before Naruto could finished what he was going to say, Sasuke had already stood and had grabbed Sakura by her arm and was dragging her outside the classroom, leaving their classmates to silently watch and speculate about what was happening.
XxXxXx
Sasuke pulled Sakura until they were standing by the windows outside their classroom door.
Sakura had a feeling he was going to confront her about what happened with the phone call with Itachi last time. She wasn't about to lie to her best friend.
"Sakura,"
She let out a breath. They both knew part of the reason why she had accepted that morning.
"What do you want me to say, Sasuke?"
He didn't answer for awhile. "Are you sure?"
Sakura offered him a small smile. "It's unfair, don't you think? Your brother can actually think that I am using you to forget about him."
Sasuke frowned. He couldn't agree more. "Hn,"
"You know that I love you, right?"
"Ah,"
"I would never hurt you like that. You are the brother I never had. You're a pain in the ass but I would never have you any other way."
Sasuke smirked. "It is a great opportunity."
"Yes, it is."
After a moment of silence between the two, Sasuke smirked and said, "Come back and prove my brother just what a fool he is."
Sakura couldn't help but giggle. "You'll write to me while I'm gone right?"
"No," Sasuke saw her face fall a little and her eyes narrow. He couldn't help but smirk. "That's what Skype and LINE are for, idiot."
She started laughing again as she shook her head. Sasuke opened his arms as she walked towards him, "Thanks, Sasuke. Demo, do you think this is enough to make sure your fan club stays away from you while I'm gone?"
Their position was very compromising and they knew rumors were about to fly about. Neither of them cared.
"Hn, those rabid girl never learn." It brought about another bout of giggles from the pink-haired girl.
XxXxXx
As Sakura sat on the plane taking her to California, her thoughts went to the people she left behind. Sasuke, Ino, and Naruto had brought her to the airport with her parents.
When Sakura's parents left them by the gate, Ino took Sakura's hands and said, "There's a surprise waiting for you when you get there."
"Surprise?" Sakura's eyebrow went up. "What are you talking about?"
"Come on, Forehead. It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you." Ino retorted.
Sasuke approached and laid a hand on Sakura's shoulder. When she turned to look at him, he gave her a card. "For emergencies."
Sakura opened the envelop and was surprised to see a credit card with her name on it. Her mouth hung open. "What-"
"When my mother learned about your exchange student program and it's duration, she went to the bank and got one for you."
"But this is too much," Sakura still couldn't believe what she had been given.
Sasuke snorted. "My mother likes you more than us, her children."
Sakura frowned and pouted. "That's an exaggeration. You know it."
"It's no secret that, 'kaa-san longed to have a daughter but got two sons instead."
"Okay. Please thank your mom for me. I'll call you once I get settled so I can thank her properly. It is only for emergencies so it wouldn't be too bad." Sakura said. The last part was more to convince herself to accept the generous gift. No one would ever do it but Mikoto was part of the wealthy and noble Uchiha family. She shouldn't have been too surprised.
"You'll be back before graduation, right?" Naruto asked.
"Yes, I'll be back by the start of summer next year."
"…JAL flight 741 from Narita International to Los Angeles is now boarding on Gate 3…"
"That's me," Sakura said as she hoisted her backpack higher. She saw her parents approaching.
"You got everything you need, sweetheart?" Her father asked.
Sakura nodded as she took a step and hugged her parents one more time. It would be her first time to be away from her parents for a very long time. It was a bit scary and the little girl in her wanted to change her mind and stay within her mother's warm embrace and her father's protective arms. But she had made this decision on her own. She made it for her. She knew she had to do it.
XxXxXx
Itachi threw his keys on the table as he entered his dark apartment. Pulling at his necktie, he then shrugged his suit jacket off and laid it at the back of his couch.
He headed to the kitchen and turned on his coffee maker. As he waited for his coffee, he hit the answering machine nearby. He noticed that he had at least 5 messages. He held some hope that one of those would be from Sakura. He had tried calling her but she never seemed to answer. He had left messages and had only received one text message from her, "I'm sorry, Itachi-san. I can't really answer right now. A lot of things are going on. Hope you are well "
It had been more than a week already. He hadn't heard from her since.
That simple message had caused a huge fight between Itachi and Risa.
Risa had turned heated eyes to him. They had been lounging at her apartment It had been more than a week since they had gotten back from Konoha. Ever since the incident with Sasuke, Itachi never felt the urge to touch Risa sexually or otherwise. He had silently been observing her actions since then.
She didn't act any different from when she was before when she was with him. But Itachi noticed that she was different when she was with other people. He wondered why he didn't notice sooner.
Shisui's words echoed through his head after they had a candid talk one afternoon after class. "Risa is great, sure. I'm even sure she's great in bed. If you are only looking for a physical outlet, Itachi, she's perfect. Had a one-night stand with her once. Imagine my surprise when I found out a couple of days later that she's your girl friend. She's driven and smart with business from what I heard but I believe she loves playing the field too much."
"What is this, Itachi?" She asked.
Itachi looked towards her, not saying anything. Risa showed him his phone screen, clearly showing the message from Sakura and the list of calls he had. Not saying anything, Itachi simply took his phone from her.
"Is she your brother's girl friend?"
"Hn," After what happened the previous weekend, he wasn't sure anymore what relationship his brother and Sakura had.
"What's her business sending you messages then? Why all the phone calls?" Risa asked. She couldn't help the jealousy that was coursing through her veins.
"Hn," Itachi wasn't really in the mood to answer. As far as he was concerned, Risa didn't have anything to do with Sakura's relationship to him and his family.
Risa's eyes narrowed. "Oh I get it. She isn't content with one Uchiha brother so she's trying her luck with the older one."
This time, it was Itachi's turn to narrow his eyes. He didn't like what Risa was implying. Sakura was like a sister to him. He cared about her as much as he did his little brother.
"Watch what you are saying, Risa. Jealousy is unbecoming."
Risa gave a mirthless laugh. "You're in love with her too, aren't you Itachi? Must be great to be that little whore, catching the Uchiha brothers."
Itachi had stood up, angry. He trapped Risa against the couch and said in a low, serious voice that had a hint of steel to it, "You are not to call her a whore. Sakura is worth more than you ever will be. I should have done this a long time ago. Don't bother contacting me. From this moment, I will have nothing to do with you."
As he spoke, Itachi could see the emotions that played in Risa's expression. From fear to annoyance to desperation. He ignored it all as he straightened and left without a backward glance.
"Itachi!" Risa called out when she finally found her voice. She knew that she was going to lose him if she let him walk out her door. She scrambled from the couch and attached herself to his arm, "Itachi, please. Don't."
Itachi firmly, while trying to be gentle, removed her hands from his person. He didn't acknowledge her plea. He simply continued on his way. That was the last time he talked with her.
The aroma of coffee started to permeate the air in his kitchen. The first message started to playback.
"Hey Itachi. There's a new bar-" Hearing Shisui's opening message, he already knew what was coming next. He immediately pressed delete.
"10: 35 a.m. Good day to you. I am calling in behalf of the L.S. Corporation. We are pleased to inform you that you have been shortlisted for the internship program. Details for the schedule have been sent to you via email. Please confirm as soon as possible. Thank you."
"11:30 a.m. Are you looking for a good and stable cable service? We-" He didn't even bother to finish the recording. He never did like telemarketing, even though he understood from a business marketing point of view.
"2:45 p.m. Itachi, how are you, my dear? With Silver week next month, will you be free? Your father and I have been talking and it would be nice if we could have a family trip. We are thinking of having a trip outside the country. Please call me when you are free so we can talk about it some more." His mother's voice always brought a smile to his face. No matter what age he and Sasuke got, his mother always made sure that they still had family time.
The plan did sound good. If he talked with his boss, he could have a break from his part-time job at the same time school breaks for Silver week.
"5:00 p.m. Aniki, I just brought Sakura to the airport. Her plane had just left. She wanted me to tell you that she's sorry that she couldn't say goodbye to you properly."
Itachi couldn't help but feel stunned at Sasuke's message. Sakura left? Without another thought, Itachi got retrieved his cell phone from his suit jacket and dialed his brother's number.
It rang twice, thrice before Sasuke picked up. "I got your message." He said without preamble.
"Ah,"
"Where is she going?"
"She was chosen to be part of an exchange student program to California. She will be there for a year." Sasuke answered. He knew that Sakura didn't mind if he told Itachi the reason why se left.
Itachi was silent for a while. He couldn't understand why he felt a tug at his heart. Sakura usually those kinds of news to him at the first opportunity she got. Now, he was finding out the new things about her from his brother.
"That is a great opportunity for her."
"Ah," Sasuke had a feeling his brother was confused. He knew the older man will never admit it though. Following his gut, he said, "She doesn't hate you, you know. She never did."
Itachi contemplated on what his brother had said. Before he could say anything, his brother added, "She promised to stay in touch during her stay there. She will talk with you when she is ready."
"Ah," Itachi paused. "I also got a message from mother saying that she and father are planning an out-of-country trip next month for Silver week."
"Hn, knowing 'kaa-san, it could be anywhere. But I have a feeling that she will want to go to the US." Sasuke smirked. "Are you coming?"
"Ah,"
(to be continued…)