YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Chapter 4
Sakura hadn't been coming over for days. He had tried contacting her but she seldom answered right away. When they were together, she was always saying that she wasn't feeling good or she was really tired. When he would try to surprise her by showing up at her apartment, it was him who would be surprised. He would either catch her asleep on the couch or passed out on the bed.
Itachi couldn't understand what was wrong with her. He couldn't understand why she was tired all the time. She didn't like to eat much of her favorite foods and she didn't feel like being intimate. She was becoming different and he couldn't understand why.
Itachi was at a bar with his friends. He didn't want to be there but his friends had insisted that he come. It had been days since he went out with them, worrying about Sakura. He wasn't given the chance to say no, especially when his cousin dragged him out.
It still annoyed him that he found himself at a bar filled with loud music, people grinding against each other. He parked himself at the bar, letting his friends and cousin do their thing. Women would come and try to seduce him but he always pushed them away. He simply wasn't interested. His thoughts were of Sakura.
XxXxXx
It was already dark when Itachi was driving his family back. It had been a perfect family outing. Takeshi had immensely enjoyed himself, especially when he got to swim with the dolphins.
Itachi and Sakura patiently taught Takeshi all the things he wanted to learn about the different animals that they saw. The little boy absorbed everything that he was being taught. Both parents were proud about his inquisitive nature. Itachi was left amazed with every thing that he was learning about his son.
Watching Sakura laugh and be the perfect mother to their son, made Itachi feel warm inside. He knew that he was falling in love with her more, if not again. He couldn't think of a better person to be the mother of his son. She was the main reason why their son was the way he was.
That moment of clarity came to him when he was taking pictures of Sakura and Takeshi, petting the dolphin. As he watched, Sakura looked up at him. He saw her eyes become softer and her smile widen. He was so captivated that it took awhile for him to register what she was telling him.
Laughing, Sakura had been beckoning him to join them by the water. "Come on, Itachi. You've taken enough pictures. Join us!"
"Yes, daddy! Join us! Join us! Look I made a dolphin friend!"
Itachi couldn't resist the smile that blossomed as he walked over. He sat beside Sakura, laying a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Thank you, Itachi." Sakura's soft whisper surprised him, making him look over at her. She met his gaze and offered a soft smile. Breaking eye contact to look back at their son, she continued, "Takeshi is taking things well, especially now that he knows that he has you. This trip has been truly amazing."
"He is a wonderful little boy. You have brought him up well. I apologize-"
Sakura laid her hand over his to stop his speech. "Enough of that. We both agreed to a fresh start. Besides, you are here now. That is what's important for him and you can start with kendo."
The Uchiha turned his hand around and held on to Sakura. "Ah, kendo." He then turned towards Sakura again, "How about you?"
"How about me, what?"
"Are you enjoying yourself on this trip?"
"I've been waiting for years for this to happen, Itachi. I have always wanted you to meet our son and for him to get to know you. So, yes, I am enjoying this."
"I am glad. I know we have a lot of things to work out on but I am glad that this is truly a fresh start."
Takeshi then came running towards them. He ran straight into Itachi's arms. The little boy then looked up at his father's face and smiled. "Daddy, did you see? I made friends with a dolphin!"
Itachi returned the smile and laid a hand on his son's little head. "Yes, I saw. What is your new friend's name?"
"Onii-san said his name is Enzo. Daddy, can we come here again, please?"
"Yes. But on your next vacation."
"That's a long time…"
Sakura then answered for Itachi, "Sweetie, you will be busy until then. There's school and kendo. Your daddy's going to help you with kendo. Time will pass very fast."
"Daddy, are you really going to help me with kendo?"
"Of course, buddy. If you want me to."
"Yes! I want daddy to help!" Takeshi replied excitedly but added, "But I don't want to disturb daddy with his work. Mommy said that we must not im…im…mommy, what's the word again?"
Sakura chuckled while Itachi grinned. "Impose, sweetheart."
"Impose. Mommy said that we must always see if someone is busy and if it's not important, we must not disturb. So, it's okay daddy if you are busy."
"Takeshi," Itachi started as he stood his son in front of him. Making sure that he has complete eye contact with his son, Itachi then said, "You are my son. Now that I am here, nothing is more important than you," Itachi then glanced at his side, "and your mother."
Sakura was stunned. She saw the sincerity in Itach's eyes. She wanted to fully believe him but there was this little imp inside of her saying that he was still a fraud. After what they have been through, even though they had agreed that they would start afresh, Sakura couldn't help guarding her heart a little bit. She was willing to give him a chance, especially after witnessing that weekend. But he was right. They still have a long way to go.
Their little man gave Itachi a hug. "Thank you, daddy." Itachi was all too happy to oblige as he engulfed his son in his embrace. "Daddy, I'm hungry."
At this, Itachi couldn't help the small laugh he gave out as he turned to Sakura and said, "Okay, let us go then. Why don't you go to your mommy so she can dry you a little bit?"
The little boy followed without any fuss. As Sakura dried Takeshi and Itachi was gathering their things, Sakura commented, "I saw a set of showers not too far from here. Let's freshen up there first before we choose where to eat. How does that sound?"
"Mommy, can we have pasta?"
"Let's check if there's a good restaurant for pasta, sweetie."
It didn't take them long for the three of them to reach the shower area. Itachi handed a bag to Sakura. "I will stay out here if you need anything."
With a nod, Sakura ushered Takeshi into one cubicle. "We won't be long, Itachi. Come on, Takeshi. Let's not keep your father waiting."
As Itachi was waiting, his cell phone rang. Even before he left his apartment to pick Sakura and Takeshi up, he had every intention to ignore any work related calls. Any social calls he planned to also ignore unless it was important.
Seeing his mother's name on the phone, Itachi immediately accepted the call, "Mother,"
"Hello, Itachi. Did I call at a bad time?"
"No, of course not, mother. Sakura is giving Takeshi a bath after his swim."
"How is the little man?"
"He is great. He is simple amazing."
Itachi could hear his mother's laughter from the other end of the line. "If you hadn't been foolish, my son, you would have known him even before he had been born."
"Ah," It was the truth. He wasn't one who would deny it.
"Anyway, I called to let you know that Akiko has been calling. She is looking for you."
Itachi couldn't help but pinch the bridge of his nose in frustration. "I have wiped my hands clean of that woman. She is not going to have the chance to be near my son or Sakura again."
"You must know that that woman isn't going to stop just because you said so. You might have washed your hands clean but she will stop at nothing to regain what she lost."
"I know."
"Do you, my son? She wanted you enough to go between you and Sakura years ago. She will do that again. It will be harsher this time."
"I have anticipated that, mother. I will protect them."
"Be careful, Itachi. I have never trusted that woman. I most certainly don't trust that she will simply go away."
At that moment, the door behind Itachi opened and Takeshi ran towards him. The little boy attached himself on his father's leg. Itachi turned and saw Sakura looking at them, "Buddy, grandma is on the phone. Would you like to talk to her?"
Without waiting for his son's answer, Itachi passed the phone to Takeshi, which the boy gladly took and started talking with his grandmother.
"I'll be out in a minute, Itachi. Is everything okay?" Sakura asked.
"Yes. Everything is fine. You have nothing to worry about."
Sakura's eyes narrowed a bit. "You have that look in your eyes, Itachi. It hasn't changed through the years. What's going on?"
Without shifting his gaze from Sakura, Itachi took Takeshi's hand and gently ushered him towards Sakura. The little boy followed, still on the phone with Mikoto. Itachi reached his other hand towards Sakura, cupping her cheek, "I swear to you, you have nothing to worry about. This time, let me take care of you and Takeshi."
Silence settled on both adults, while Takeshi continued to animatedly relay to Mikoto what they had experienced over the past days. After a few moments, Sakura let out a breath and closed her eyes. She reopened them and gave Itachi a small smile and a nod.
"That still doesn't mean that you are off the hook. Even if you are already taking care of it, I'd still like to know. Don't leave me in the dark, Itachi, please."
"Alright," At that, Sakura's smile grew, making his insides jump knowing that he said the right thing. "We will talk later. Let's finish freshening up first and get this little guy something to eat."
"I will be out in a minute."
Itachi turned back to his son. As he was watching the little boy, a part of him still couldn't believe that he had helped create this amazing boy. Sakura and Sasuke did a great job in raising him so far. Itachi was determined to not miss another of his son's milestones.
Then, from the corner of his eyes, Itachi could see women looking at their direction. He knew that it was only a matter of time before one of them got the courage to approach them.
Not to be conceited, Itachi knew that his name is known in the business world. Every now and then the tabloids would write something about him. With his recent split with Akiko, he knew that he was media magnet. It wouldn't be long before his new world with Sakura and Takeshi would be invaded.
"Daddy," Takeshi's voice brought him out of his reverie. Itachi looked down and saw his son handing his phone back. "Gramma wants to talk to you."
Itachi ruffled Takeshi's onyx hair and answered his mother, "Mother,"
Mikoto gave out a pleased sigh from the other end, "I'm glad that Takeshi is enjoying himself. Just remember what I said, Itachi. You have been given not many people get. Be careful. Fate is not as forgiving the next time."
With that Mikoto ended the call. Itachi pondered on his mother's words. He knew that she spoke the truth. People would kill for what he had again.
"You have a very handsome little boy." A female voice came from beside them. Both Itachi and Takeshi looked towards her. "He looks just like you."
He felt Takeshi attach himself to his leg. Itachi laid a hand on Takeshi's shoulder and pulled him protectively to his side. He then addressed the woman and her group, "Thank you. Now, if you will excuse us, we are waiting for his mother."
"You are Uchiha, Itachi right?" Another said.
Itachi's eyes narrowed. He wasn't liking the situation. He bent and scooped up Takeshi up into his arms. The little boy wrapped his arms around his father's neck tightly. Sure, he was used to people coming up to him when he was his mother or uncle Sasuke, but Takeshi didn't like the feeling of these people who approached at that moment.
Before anything more could happen, Sakura opened the door. She blinked at what she saw. It didn't take long for her to assess the situation. Itachi had looked back at her. She seemed to understand what he was trying to tell her. She opened her arms and Takeshi went to her willingly.
"Would you like to freshen up?" She asked.
"I won't take long." Itachi answered and bent to kiss Takeshi on his forehead and didn't think twice to kiss Sakura on the lips.
Sakura was shocked. It was still too early into their renewed relationship but she couldn't help her heart beat a little faster.
XxXxXx
Mikoto walked towards the table and sat in front of her husband. "I have just spoken to both Itachi and Takeshi." Mikoto couldn't help the pleased smile that crossed her lips as she took a sip of her tea. "Takeshi was so animated. He is truly having a great time with both his parents."
"Ah," Fugaku replied, quite pleased himself with the news. A comfortable silence settled on the both of them.
"Fugaku," Mikoto started, putting down her teacup. Her husband didn't say anything but she knew that he was listening. "I am worried about this thing with Akiko. Something tells me that something is going to happen."
"Ah,"Fugaku laid his tea cup back down and looked at his wife. "I am sure that Itachi will do his best to protect both Sakura and Takeshi. I have already commissioned a private investigator to check on Akiko's true identity. I believe there is more to what we know."
XxXxXx
It was a quiet ride. Takeshi had fallen asleep a long time ago, just as they were about to leave to head back home. Sakura had offered to split the driving back but Itachi was adamant in doing so himself.
Sakura took a quick look at Takeshi sleeping at the back seat. Her eyes softened and smiled. Her heart always beat more with so much love whenever she saw her son, especially when he slept. He simply looked like a little angel.
As any mother, she couldn't believe how fast her son was growing. A part of her wished that he would remain as the sweet baby that he was.
"He's so precious," She couldn't help but comment as she reached over and made sure that he was covered by the blanket properly. "I hope he doesn't grow up too fast."
Itachi looked through the rearview mirror. His eyes softened too. "Ah," He couldn't help but agree.
Sakura then looked at Itachi. "Thank you again, Itachi. I have a feeling that even if Take-chan will be busy with school and kendo, he will ask over and over again to go back and see the dolphins."
"Maybe we can stay longer next time,"Itachi suggested.
"Perhaps," Sakura then sat back on her seat properly. "His vacation will start on April 25th and he has 2 weeks of vacation for Golden Week."
"Let me make the reservations now then. Do you want to leave on the evening of the 24th or on the 25th?"
"Are you sure that is okay, Itachi? I mean you also have work to consider."
Itachi reached across the consul and held Sakura's hand. "I have five years to make up for, Sakura. I meant what I said that you and Takeshi are my priority. If you don't mind, I wish to use the entire of two weeks with you two."
"The entire two weeks?"
"Ah," He then took a quick glance at her, "Will you be okay with your work?"
"I will make arrangements tomorrow. This will be our first Golden Week as a family. I don't mind making the effort. But I will let you know as soon as I've talked with Shishou."
Sakura tightened her hold on Itachi's hand just as he squeezed hers. "Do you really mean it?" Itachi asked.
She wasn't sure what he was asking but before she could ask him to clarify he added, "Do you consider us…me a part of your family?"
"Itachi, pull over."
Without any exchange of words, Itachi complied with Sakura's request. He parked at the first shoulder that they encountered. Sakura took off her seatbelt. She wanted him to understand fully what she was about to say. She wanted to be facing him when she answered.
Itachi followed suit and waited for what fate Sakura was going to give him. It was pride that allowed him to face her.
"You are the father of my child. You will forever be a part of his life, no matter what our decisions will be. You were my world, Itachi, before Takeshi was born. We have an awful falling out but we also have a lot of wonderful memories together."
Sakura reached out to him, laying a hand on his left cheek, "You have always been a part of our little family. I may have let you go but I never hated you. You're my first in almost everything plus you gave me a son. I can't exactly disregard your memory."
Unable to resist, Itachi pulled Sakura forward and took possession of her lips. The one earlier didn't compare to that one. It was a searing kiss that was a form of reclaiming. Itachi wasn't going to give Sakura any chance to have an impression that he wasn't serious in wanting her back in his life aside from their son.
Sakura had almost forgotten how powerful Itachi's kisses were. She felt being swept away towards the feelings long set aside, hoped to be forgotten. As if suddenly remembering the long void that grew between them in the last years, Sakura started to pull away.
When Itachi felt her pull away, he knew he had to rein in his desires as well. He did not want to make any mistakes. He couldn't afford to made mistakes.
"I'm sorry," Sakura said, rather breathless.
Itachi stole a kiss before he replied, "No, I apologize."
Sakura sat back and cleared her throat. "You have to understand. You just came from an engagement. No matter our past and present circumstances, please don't use me as a rebound."
"You aren't and will never be a rebound for me."
"Let's just take it slow, please. I don't want to pessimistic but if something happens again this time, it won't be just us who will suffer."
"Ah,"
It was silent for the rest of the trip back to Sakura's apartment.
XxXxXx
Sakura opened Takeshi's bedroom door and opened his night light. She was followed by Itachi, who was carrying Takeshi. The little boy didn't do much as stir as his father gathered him from the car.
His mother pulled down his covers before removing his shoes. Very gently, Itachi laid his son and pulled back the covers up. Sakura got his beloved stuffed toy and placed it in his arms.
Both parents kissed his forehead as good night. A small smile settled on the little boy's face as he settled in for a deeper sleep. He drifted off to a land of dreams filled with swimming with dolphins again and surrounded by his parents' love.
Itachi headed to the living room while Sakura prepared them tea. He had already removed his coat. He took out his phone. As he checked the messages, he noticed that he had a lot of miss calls and messages from Akiko. Without scrolling through to read any of the messages, he clicked delete and went to his phone book and blocked her number.
It was long before Sakura came into the room carrying a tray of tea. After serving both Itachi and herself, she sat beside him.
Itachi handed her his phone. Sakura lifted an eyebrow in question. "I do not have your number."
"Oh," Sakura replied sheepishly as she set down her cup before taking the phone into her hands.
After pressing her digits, she pressed call. "There we go. Now, I have your number too."
Before Sakura could fully pass the phone, Itachi pulled her to his side. "You forgot the picture."
"Picture? Seriously?" Sakura raised an eyebrow in question.
"You were the one who insisted that our contact information have photos, Sakura."
Sakura couldn't help the blush. She could feel her face grow warm. Indeed she had been the one who insisted that they put pictures on each other's contact information when they started to go steady.
In all honestly, Sakura wasn't one to be really sentimental or clingy as other girls were. Of course she loved being romantic every now and then but she never expected Itachi to be spending every second together. She understood that they both had separate lives too and they did have to finish school back then.
But with regards to their contacts in their phones, Sakura had wanted his picture. A part of her had a hard time believing that she was together with Uchiha Itachi. Even before they got together, she had always admired the older Uchiha.
Being best friends with Sasuke, she was aware of his older brother's accomplishments and skills. Mikoto also didn't fail to express her pride in her oldest son.
Sakura had never told him about it. She never told him that the reason for having his picture in her phone was to serve as a reminder that he was hers as she was his.
Without another word, Itachi took a picture of both of them. When they both looked at it, Sakura said, "Erase that please." Her blush was pretty much seen in the picture.
"I like this one. I am saving this."
Sakura shook her head and stood from the couch. She headed towards a bookshelf, ignoring Itachi's inquisitive stare. She took out Takeshi's baby book as well as her tablet from the drawer.
"I'm sure you would like to see pictures of Takeshi growing up." She said as she took her seat beside him.
It was as if all the fatigue left Itachi's body. It was replaced with this eagerness to learn. He was very much awake at that point.
Opening the baby book, Itachi saw a picture of a newborn Takeshi wrapped in a baby blue blanket.
Name: Uchiha Takeshi
Born: December 24, 2010
Time of birth: 5:15 a.m.
Length: 21.1 inches
Weight: 8.5 pounds
Mother: Haruno Sakura
Father: Uchiha Itachi
Itachi froze. Father: Uchiha Itachi. A copy of Takeshi's birth certificate was inserted there and his name was also there, acknowledging his right as a father. His eyes immediately sought Sakura.
She smiled. She knew what caused his surprise. "Sasuke only took on the role of father informally, so Takeshi could call someone father. Even legally, Itachi, Takeshi is your son."
"Why?" Itachi couldn't stop the emotion from coloring his voice. He couldn't even put out more words to express what he meant. Why…after everything I did to you…for turning you away…
It seemed that Sakura didn't need them anyway as she understood what he wanted to ask. "Months after we separated, I was sitting in the nursery, rocking myself because I couldn't sleep. I was almost 9 months pregnant then. I was thinking if I was strong enough to do it, to bring my son into this world and raise him. I wanted him to have what I did, to have parents who loved him unconditionally, to have what every little boy could ever need. I asked myself if I could fill in your shoes too in his life."
"Then, I asked myself…do I want him to know you? I was still very much angry with you. I couldn't forget how cold you were. But as I was rubbing my stomach, he kicked." Sakura's eyes softened as she recalled the fond memory. "I was so overwhelmed with love for the little life that was growing inside of me. I knew I could never hate any part of him. So, I decided to give him your name. I want him to reach his full potential and for him to do that, he must know who he is. By denying him you, I knew that if he grows and finds out, he will resent you and ultimately, he will resent that part of him. I cannot allow him to do that."
Sakura reached out to him for the first time. She set a gentle hand on his arm and said, "I was at fault too. I'm sorry, Itachi. I'm sorry that I didn't fight for us. I should have made you listen to me. I should have fought really hard instead of letting you go. You aren't the only one who is to blame why we have lost years, why you lost years of your son's life."
Itachi turned his hand over and intertwined his fingers with her. An understanding settled between the both of them that finally settled that part of their past.
"How was your pregnancy after we separated?"
"It was actually good. I didn't need to be on bed rest or something. Both of us were healthy, no sickness whatsoever. I had a normal delivery. It was a little long though. I started feeling regular contractions at around 10:50 in the evening of the 23rd. I was alone here in the apartment. I was concerned that I might give birth here because some of the friends I ended up calling were either out of town or at a party. I finally called your mother. She answered after the first few rings. She became wide-awake when I told her what was going on. It was her and your father who brought me to the hospital. They stayed with me through the entire labor. Sasuke showed up at around 3 in the morning."
Itachi took in all what Sakura was saying, hungry to know everything that he had missed. It might not bring back the time but at least, he knew.
"I would have been there too if I knew."
Sakura gave his hand another squeeze and replied, "Yes. I know that now. I should have given you the opportunity to decide by telling you."
A moment of silence passed between the two before Sakura took out her tablet and opened the earliest album there of Takeshi.
Itachi was enthralled as his son's life unfolded in front of his eyes. Sakura enthusiastically shared the story behind every picture, answered all of his questions.
"And this was after I passed the medical licensure exam," Sakura explained as she brought up a picture of her and Takeshi is Disneyland.
"Sasuke had a business trip to Canada and America. I wanted to bring Takeshi to Disneyland. I thought since it was special, what better way to bring him to where Disney started? Sasuke and I decided that since he was already going to Miami, Takeshi and I would meet him there. Well that was the plan…"
Itachi started shifting through the pictures and saw his parents. "I was surprised when Mikoto-san and Fugaku-san met us there as well and prepared for us to have a cruise on the Caribbean. That was where we celebrated Takeshi's second birthday."
His heart both ached and beat in happiness at how his family had embraced and stepped up to love both Sakura and Takeshi. But he knew he was the only one to blame.
Countless times through the years, his mother had invited him to join in family gatherings. He could remember when his mother called him and asked him to go with them to Florida years back. He had rejected it and said that he was busy when in fact he wasn't and had only spent it with a female he can't even remember the name of.
It was the same at the countless invites after that. No wonder he was subjected to disappointed looks from both his parents, anger from his brother, especially when he brought Akiko home as his fiancée.
If he had only accepted, Itachi would have known the existence of his son earlier. He could have been there for him sooner. He also would have settled the past between him and Sakura. He didn't though.
"Well, that's it so far. I hope to upload the pictures we took this vacation." Sakura exclaimed with a smile. She then looked at him. "Itachi?"
Itachi gentle took the tablet and placed it on the coffee table before turning towards Sakura and gathered her into his arms. He just needed to hold her. She allowed herself to relax as she buried deeper in his arms.
It had been years since she was held the way Itachi was holding her at that moment. She knew that if she wasn't careful, she risked her heart to him again. In that moment though, she didn't care.
"Why don't you stay the night, Itachi? I'm sorry I don't have a guess bedroom though. If you don't mind the couch, you are welcome to stay." Sakura offered.
"Ah," Itachi tightened his embrace. "I will stay."
XxXxXx
(A week later…)
"Itachi! No!" Sakura shouted as she threw herself in front of him just as the gun shot rang off.
"Sakura!" Itachi said as he caught her in his arms. "Idiot! Why?"
"Because…I love you…" Sakura answered as she succumbed to the numbing pain and the darkness that enveloped her vision.
(To be continued…)
With all the things that had been going on in my life, I'm so sorry for the late update. I had some serious things to deal with, including a death in the family.
Anyway, I deliberately limited the story in this chapter to Itachi and Sakura's relationship. All the scenes to explain in the in between plus the climax and conclusion will be in the next chapter. Plans, past happenings, as well as how the characters' lives intertwine will be in the next chapter. I hope that you guys will see it until the end.
Please review. Thank you
Michiko