Chapter 2: Glad You Came


"B-But Sakura-chan... You live all alone. Who is going to protect you?"

Sakura was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to answer Setsu's question. She certainly couldn't tell him that she did indeed feel lonely sometimes. Forcing a smile, the pinkette leaned forwards to look at Setsu.

"I am a strong girl Setsu-chan, I can live all by myself!" she said, trying her best to sound really cheerful so he'd drop the matter. Unfortunately for her, her faux cheer had been seen right through by both Uchihas, and though both of them responded similarly, it was for two very different reasons.

"So what?" Setsu demanded, pouting. "Just because you can... doesn't mean you have to," he grumbled. He just wanted to spend more time with her, without the distraction of the other kids at the daycare centre. Sakura hated his above par reasoning at the moment.

"You should stay with us. Something might happen and you should not be alone," the elder Uchiha stated. However, he only wanted her to come to stave off the guilt he would likely feel if he dropped her home and Setsu whined the entire night. Plus, he would have the added benefit of seeing Sakura-chan uncomfortable... and he was curious as to what 'peaches and the sun' smelled like. This would be a prime opportunity.

"...And 'Tou-san is always lonely at home too..." Setsu added quietly. Not quietly enough that all the occupants of the car didn't hear though... Sakura felt her face heat up instantly. She was running out of arguments.

"B-But... I don't want to intrude on your space," she said, scrambling for something to say. The Uchihas teamed up on her now, relentless in their pursuit of their desires... which was to get Sakura to their house.

"But I want you there, Sakura-chan. Don't you want to be around me anymore?" Setsu asked, eyes wide and glassy with tears. Sakura was not exactly sure if these were real or fake, so it made her uncomfortable.

"I can simply refuse to take you home," Uchiha-san said, his voice low and bland. Sakura thought it was a random threat. It wasn't. He simply slowed the car, turned it around in the wet roadway, and went in the opposite direction. Sakura's mouth fell open in sheer shock, while Setsu cheered happily in the back of the car.

"U-Uchiha-san what are you doing?!" Sakura protested after she'd gotten over her initial shock. "You can't just not take me home! You barely know me! Plus I don't have any clothing or anything..." Reaching over Sakura grabbed Itachi's hand off of the steering wheel in an attempt to stop him from driving. The Uchiha gave her a pointed glare that said 'You are putting my son in danger', and even though he didn't say a word, Sakura felt rather rebuked. She felt even worse when he calmly removed her hand from his arm and turned his attention back to the road, effectively dismissing her.

"Tou-san, you're so smart!" he giggled. "Sakura-chan, I hope you like my house. I have a room to sleep in all by myself... even though I sometimes share Tou-san's... but you can share with me tonight! And I have lots of toys, will you play with me? Tou-san never gets to play with me a lot 'cause he's always busy. Can we watch Animal Planet together? Will you read me a bedtime story? Tou-san reads bedtime stories for me sometimes and when he makes up voices for the people he sounds so funny! And if Sakura-chan gets lonely in the night you can sleep in my bed our Tou-san's 'cause his own is bigger!" Setsu chattered exuberantly.


Itachi scowled. He liked when Setsu came to his room and curled up against his chest. He liked watching Animal Planet with Setsu, and reading him stories that would advance his vocabulary and reasoning... And now she was going to be in on that? Peaches and the sun had better smell good, and he was intending to make Sakura as uncomfortable as was possible -

What was Setsu saying now? Was he actually inviting this pink-haired... creature to his bed? His, meaning Itachi's! Itachi frowned imperceptibly, and his fists tightened on the steering wheel of the car. Well, she was quite beautiful, and not at all stick thin or boney looking... nor was she too plump... she looked quite soft and - What was he thinking?

Forcing himself away from such preposterous thoughts, Itachi overtook a car, his jaw set and his teeth clenched.

"Uh..." Sakura muttered, finally able, it seemed, to speak. "I somehow don't think that your father would appreciate that, Setsu," she said with a rather discomfited chuckle. "I would much rather... sleep on a couch, or something."

"We have a lot of beds," Setsu giggled, as if Sakura's suggestion was positively ludicrous, which, of course, it was.

"It would be uncivilized if we let you sleep on the couch Sakura-san. We are not uncivilized." Itachi bit out, his face as impassive as ever, when he was really rather insulted by her suggestion.

Sakura sighed in apparent defeat. He knew she just didn't have the heart to let Setsu down especially when she knew how much he feared people leaving him, like he was assuming she did. But then, no one could really refuse Setsu for long anyway...

"Okay I'll go..." the pinkette sighed as though she even had a choice. Apparently remembering that she needed a change of clothing Sakura, turned to Itachi.

"Uchiha-san could you turn back so I can get a change of clothing from my house?"

"No." Itachi deadpanned feeling extremely satisfied when Sakura's eyes widened in disbelief and then narrowed. He was succeeding in making her uncomfortable so she'd soon see that she didn't belong with them and that he was able to take care of Setsu by himself; or so he thought. She seemed to get over his reaction, and much to Itachi's chagrin, she shrugged nonchalantly.

"Well I guess I'll just have to make do with the extras in my bag that I usually carry to the daycare."

What? He had not seen that coming. That made the situation slightly different, then. Well, he could come up with something better anyway. He was determined to make her back off from his son.


Roughly fifteen minutes later, the Uchihas and guest pulled up in front of the Uchiha house. While it was not inordinately large, as per Sakura's expectations, it was impressive nonetheless. Painted a tasteful cream, the house was sprawled across a large lot and had a wide, lush lawn in the front, that was illuminated by garden lamps. The driveway that separated the house from the lawn was wide and smoothly paved, and was edged by perfectly kept shrubbery and flowering bushes.

The house had a traditional entrance area, as well as a modern four car garage with an automatic door. Sakura was rather relieved to see the garage with the automatic door, as that meant she would not get wet in the rain since they could easily drive into the sheltered area. She was definitely surprised when Uchiha-san drove up to the traditional entrance rather than the garage.

"Why..." she began, but then clamped her mouth shut. Who was she to question him, really? Most likely he had a really logical explanation for his choice. Sakura never really got to find out, because as soon as the car rolled to a stop by the front door, Uchiha-san slid out and moved around to Setsu's door. During the ride, the four year old had drifted off to sleep again, leaving Sakura and his father in a rather stuffy silence.

Sakura watched as Setsu's father removed him from his car seat and gently folded him into his arms, taking care to hunch over so as to block most of the rain.

"Stay," he commanded her without even looking in her direction. Sakura scowled immediately. What did he think she was? A dog? Feeling a belligerent streak rise up in her, and knowing fully that it would do her no good, Sakura opened her door as soon as Uchiha-san disappeared into his house. She clambered not-so-gracefully from the car, grabbed her bag, and jogged around the car, pausing at the front door of the house, just as Itachi appeared with an umbrella in hand.

Well, she would have paused if she hadn't collided with a wall... an Uchiha wall.

"Why did you not stay?" Itachi asked as he took a thoroughly wet Sakura by the elbow and helped her inside the warm house.

"I thought you might have been speaking to your pet, Uchiha-san," she said sweetly, even though there was a steel glint in her eye. She knew he didn't like her, and figured he only allowed her to be here for Setsu's sake. But no matter how good-looking he was, Sakura refused to be treated without respect, and therefore, she would show him exactly what his son would be missing if she was no longer in his life. Then he would have no choice but to let her stay around Setsu, because Setsu was all she cared about here.

She didn't really give two hoots about him... but Setsu was her favorite, and, truth be told, she'd wanted this opportunity to be able to focus on him without dividing her attention among the other children at the daycare centre.

It was not until Uchiha-san shifted that she realized that they had been standing there, glaring at one another for at least fifteen seconds.


Itachi scowled inwardly feeling his back stiffen at her tone. Who did she think she was? 'Your son's well needed babysitter,' a little voice said in the back of his head and Itachi forced himself to ignore it so that he wouldn't feel the stab of guilt that threatened to sway his determination to drive her away.

"Hn," he answered coldly, his tone indicating that the matter was over. Turning he motioned for Sakura to follow him. He pushed open the front door and paused to hold it open for her then without even looking at her he continued walking.

"Avoid the carpet," Itachi said coldly a little smirk curling his lips when he noticed Sakura bristle in indignation. He also noticed that she was wet enough for her white top to- He would not think such thoughts!

"I'm sure you have a vacuum Uchiha-san" the pinkette smiled politely, making Itachi feel even more aggravated by her calm and rather mature response.

'Why is she determined not to feel uncomfortable?' Itachi thought feeling unusually frustrated, but he wasn't ready to give up just yet. Stopping in front of a white door he opened it and inclined his head towards Sakura, leaning closer than he needed to in hopes of catching a whiff of 'peaches and the sun' as Setsu called it. He didn't smell anything. He must not be close enough. Setsu had mentioned her smell along with being hugged, so most likely it was a subtle scent that he would have to get really close to identify. He would find a way.

"Use that. A towel should be on the heated rack." The pink haired woman moved to enter the bathroom but was stalled when Itachi gently grabbed her elbow. "Wait," he grunted then turned and stalked off down the hall and up the stairs. He returned a few seconds later with a white button down shirt in his hands and thrust it into her arms, making sure to lean forward closer than necessary while giving Sakura the shirt. He still didn't smell much of anything... Damn.

"You may use my shirt," Itachi smirked, there was no way she could resist feeling uncomfortable while wearing his shirt.


Sakura's green eyes widened with surprise. Uchiha-san was utterly puzzling. One minute he was gentle and the next he was being a total asshole with his words. And why did he keep trying to get close to her? It wasn't in a lecherous way or anything and at first she hadn't even noticed it. But then the pinkette realized that it wasn't just her mind playing tricks on her and that he was indeed casually leaning close to her every now and then.

"Oh thank you Uchiha-san! Now I won't catch a cold!" Sakura said gratefully, because the top she was currently wearing was soaking wet, and clutched the garment as closely to her chest as she could without getting it wet as well. An amused smile curved the pinkette's lips when she noticed a frustrated expression flicker across Itachi's usually impassive features.

She was determined to make him see that he couldn't get a rise out of her no matter what he did. She wasn't going to blow her chance at getting to spend more time with Setsu; she loved the toddler too much for that to happen. Sakura entered the bathroom and gently shut the door behind her, effectively but politely dismissing Itachi, leaving him standing outside the door feeling rather deflated that she wouldn't take the bait.

Sakura was no idiot. She knew he would try again, but she was not a weakling, and she would prove to him and herself that she would do anything to get more time with Setsu. The boy was too adorable for his own good, and she loved him just as much as he loved her, or even more.


Setsu stumbled into Itachi's room, eyes wide and desperate.

"Tou-san! Tou-san," he called, clearly on the verge of tears. Itachi, who was sitting at his desk actively failing to concentrate on the documents before him, scrambled from his chair and rushed over to envelope his son in his arms.

"What is the matter?" he asked, trying to calm his son down, but worry had his heart racing, even as he ran his hands over his son's body to check for any injuries.

"I-I" Setsu hiccupped. "I can't f-find S-Sakura-chan!" he exclaimed, his large eyes peering up into his father's face. His little arms began flapping around in childish stress. "I looked everywhere! Sh-She's gone! D-Did she leave? B-But it's raining and there is th-thunder and... I want to h-hug S-Sakura-chan, but I c-can't find her!" he wailed, succumbing to his tears, even though he tried to hide them as best he could behind his tiny fists.

Itachi did not know what to do with himself. He could feel himself becoming incredibly annoyed.

"It's okay," he attempted. "I'm here." He pulled Setsu's quivering body closer, in an attempt to soothe him.

"I-I wan't S-Sakura," Setsu sniffled quietly. Itachi almost jerked away from his own son. Was Setsu... rejecting him? Itachi did not like rejection.

"Am I no longer good enough for you, Setsu?" Itachi asked, trying his best to mask his pain and... and jealousy. Setsu stopped sniffling in favor of jerking his tearful gaze to meet his father.

"I love you the most a'ways, Daddy, b-but... b-but I want to hug Sakura-chan..." the four year old said quietly, his voice riddled with guilt. Itachi felt a small smirk twist his lips.

"Do you promise?" he asked before he could stop himself. Before he could feel sufficiently disgusted with his weakness, Setsu flung his arms around his father's neck and giggled childishly.

"I promise Daddy, promise f'rever an' ever!"

"Forever and ever," Itachi repeated. It could have been a correction of his son's grammar, but this time he meant it as an agreement.

Sakura didn't stand a chance against this bond. Itachi hugged his son, enjoying the moment. Setsu didn't stay still for long, though.

"Tou-san?" he called.

"Hn?" Itachi murmured, still holding the little boy close.

"Where is Sakura-chan?"

Damn.


Sakura stepped out of the shower, her feet hitting the warm floor of the bathroom. She quickly dressed in a pair of extra leggings which she retrieved from her bag and shrugged on Itachi's shirt. It was unfortunate that she had no underwear, but this was far better than nothing. Noticing that it was rather long she tied up the front of the shirt so it was long enough to just cover her stomach. Pushing the bathroom door open Sakura swiveled her head from side to side feeling rather lost as she didn't know where Itachi or Setsu had gone. Her problem was solved almost immediately however as Itachi descended the stairs a bit after she exited the bathroom, Setsu cuddled in his arms.

"Setsu-chan!" Sakura said happily, purposely ignoring Itachi's presence. Hearing Sakura's voice Setsu turned around in his father's arms and waved happily at the pinkette.

"Sakura-chan, Sakura-chan I couldn't find you an' I thought you were gone an' I was scared but then Tou-san came and helped but I still want a hug, can I have a hug please?" Setsu finally stopped to take a breath after rattling off in his excitement at finally finding Sakura once again...not that she was lost.

"Of course, Setsu-chan, you can always get a hug from me," Sakura smiled warmly and held out her arms for the toddler to leap into them. He did so, clearly shocking his father, and Sakura caught him. He giggled, burying his face in the crook of her neck. Noticing a slight frown on Itachi's face Sakura giggled inwardly, she could tell that the young father felt left out and maybe even jealous.

"Uchiha-san you look tired. Why don't you go and take a shower or something and I'll get Setsu ready for bed and make something for both of you to eat, if that would be okay."

Uchiha-san looked ready to protest in some way, but Setsu interrupted him by squealing and bouncing excitedly in Sakura's arms.

"Yeah!" he exclaimed. "Make us dango! Pleeasse, Sakura-chan? Dango is Tou-san's favorite, and mine too! Sakura-chan makes the best dango, Tou-san!" he squealed.

"Okay, okay, I will make you some dango," Sakura chuckled, amused by Setsu's excitement. "Show me where to go. Would you like to help me make it?"

"Can I? You will show me how?" Setsu asked, clasping Sakura's face between his palms and staring adoringly into her eyes.

"Of course! You are my favorite little helper, remember?" Sakura teased, rubbing her nose against Setsu's cheek. He giggled and wrapped his arms around her neck.

"I remember! I remember!" Setsu squealed happily before showing Sakura the way to the kitchen.


A little scowl flickered across Itachi's face when Setsu blurted out his 'secret'. He hadn't wanted Sakura of all people to find out his most un-Uchiha like utter craving for Dango.

Clenching his jaw, Itachi's chest squeezed uncomfortably when Sakura walked away with Setsu in her arms. He knew he was being ridiculous and even though he didn't want to admit it, he felt kind of relieved that she'd taken Setsu. He was just so tired but he had neglected his son enough already for the day while at work.

Fifteen minutes later Itachi was showered and dressed and heading back down the stairs to the kitchen from which he could hear Sakura and Setsu's happy laughter. He'd showered incredibly fast considering he never usually took shorter than twenty minutes, especially after he came home from work feeling utterly exhausted. But he hadn't wanted to miss anymore time with Setsu as Sakura was already taking away huge chunks.

Itachi was about to stalk into the kitchen and make a snarky comment when the sight of Sakura and Setsu playing with flour hit him head on. The pinkette had flour on her nose and forehead along with a few sprinkles in her hair while Setsu was almost covered with the white powder. Itachi's intense obsidian gaze watched Sakura as she reached over to help Setsu roll the dough into a ball.

"No, use both hands, like this," she was saying, gently guiding Setsu in the correct methods of rolling the dango.

"Like this one?" Setsu inquired, shoving his hand with a slightly lopsided dango ball in it for Sakura's inspection.

"Wow, Setsu, that one looks really good," Sakura encouraged, grinning proudly at Itachi's son. The scene made Itachi's insides ache a little. This was what he had always wanted. He'd never wanted to... Akane wasn't... Itachi clenched his jaw, missing his late wife more than ever. He hadn't really loved her the way a man loved a woman, but his parents had forced his hand... and then he'd gotten her pregnant... and then she'd been gone before he could really have a chance to love her the right way. She'd never been meant to be his wife, because he loved her his closest friend, apart from Shisui, but it didn't make him miss her any less.

And he wouldn't have changed anything in his history with her, because that would have meant that Setsu would not exist, and Itachi couldn't imagine a world without his little boy. He was about to back away to get his thoughts in order, but apparently he couldn't have even that.

"Tou-san! Tou-san! Come and help us make dango!" Setsu called out happily. Itachi hesitated, his gaze flickering involuntarily to Sakura. She gave him a soft, guileless smile, and he caved, moving into the kitchen to join the actions of Setsu and his beloved baby-sitter.

Sakura slid over to make space for Itachi and he leaned against the counter feeling a little out of place. The pinkette smiled politely then pinched off a piece of dough from the large mound on the counter. Leaning over she placed the fraction into Itachi's palm.

"Roll it into a ball Uchiha-san," she directed then easily turned back to Setsu to help him unstick a piece of dough from his chin.

"I know," Itachi said curtly; he couldn't however, sound as icy as he wanted to because he finally smelt it. Peaches and sunshine. He had to agree with Setsu there, even though, as a man with actual hormones, he would not have been focused enough to actually pinpoint the scent so well.

This was the very reason why it took him a small moment to gather his thoughts enough to roll the simple ball. To his credit, his dango looked much better than either Setsu's or Sakura's, and Itachi felt a streak of juvenile pride when Sakura looked over, obviously impressed.

"Wow, Uchiha-san-"

"Itachi," he interrupted, quickly growing tired of hearing her call his name so politely while Setsu got to be called 'Setsu' or 'Setsu-chan'.

"Erm... Itachi-san, your dango looks professional! Just like the pictures in the book, right Setsu?" she went on, looking a little flustered, much to Itachi's satisfaction.

"That's because my daddy is the best at everything," Setsu declared proudly. Itachi smirked at them both and leaned across the counter to take off another piece of the dough. It surely didn't hurt that he got another whiff of Sakura's rather wonderful and intriguing scent.

Wait. Had she snuck past his defences? Wasn't he supposed to be reclaiming his rightful place as Setsu's one and only cherished person? Itachi's hand clenched into a fist over the unsuspecting, innocent dough as he refreshed his earlier objective of pissing her off until she left.


Sakura easily caught the gleam in Itachi's eyes as the dark orbs scanned the steaming dango. He looked like he'd eat all of them by himself without having to think twice about it. They had already had a platter of tempura that she'd whipped up as a more wholesome dish than just dango, and now all three of them were sitting around the kitchen counter for dessert.

"Sakura-chan can you feed me?" Setsu asked his dark eyes wide with hope.

Smiling, Sakura returned, "Only if you feed me," while wiggling her pink brows. To her delight, Setsu giggled happily.

"Okay!" he agreed immediately, reaching for one of the sticks of dango.

"Me first," Itachi said solemnly, opening his mouth and staring directly at Setsu. Setsu giggled again, pushing the stick of dango against his father's mouth.

"Tou-san... you're silly like Sakura-chan," he said, his eyes shining happily. Sakura clasped her hands over her mouth to stop the laughter that threatened to burst out at Uchi- Itachi-san's antics.

"It's good, isn't it, Tou-san?" Setsu urged, nodding his head in agreement even though Itachi had not yet responded. "Sakura-chan is the best cook in the whoollllee world!" he exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air and getting the sticky mitarashi sauce in Sakura's hair.

"Oops!" he giggled a little too innocently as Sakura began laughing. She didn't mind in the least.

"Oh, you naughty Setsu," Sakura teased with a faux frown. "I shall punish you by making you wash my hair," she declared with a comical growl. Setsu dissolved into laughter, but when he heard his 'punishment', he stopped, and stared at Sakura with wide eyes.


Who was she to punish his son? It had clearly been a mistake, and by Setsu's wide eyed stare, it was obvious that the little boy was just as shocked as he was. Itachi was about to seize the moment (Carpe Diem and all that), when Setsu spoke, cutting off his father's plans for the umpteenth time that night.

"Really, Sakura-chan? Can I really wash you hair?" the little boy asked, hope screaming in his childishly high pitched voice. While Sakura nodded her confirmation with a firm (and now obviously fake) scowl on her face, Setsu continued, turning to his father.

"Sakura-chan's hair is so pretty isn't it, Daddy? It is really soft too, see?" he exclaimed, grabbing Itachi's hand and shoving it into Sakura's hair. Itachi's hand spasmed.

Okay, fine, he moved his fingers a little... voluntarily. Her hair was soft. Incredibly soft. He'd actually never felt hair that soft before... Itachi snatched his hand away from Sakura and her ridiculous soft pink hair and reached for another stick of dango.

"Isn't it soft, Daddy?" Setsu pressed. Itachi felt uncommon heat warming the skin of his chest. A cautious glance in Sakura's direction told him that her cheeks were pinker than even her hair.

"It is. Surprisingly." He answered, not because Setsu asked, because his son would have been satisfied with his customary 'Hn', but because he was feeling a little vindictive and wanted to see how much more uncomfortable he could make her without actually being disrespectful... as that would be below him.


Sakura cleared her throat to push the feeling of Itachi's warm finger on her scalp away and turned to Setsu forcing a cheery smile.

"Setsu-chan it's getting late; you need to take your bath now."

"Okay!" Setsu chirped and held out his arms for the pinkette to lift him up, totally oblivious to the awkward atmosphere between his father and his babysitter. Sakura found herself looking to Itachi-san for confirmation, even as she stretched for Setsu. He looked positively pissed off.

She was saved from getting herself into a situation more sticky than their late night snack had been when her cell phone rang. Giving the two males a sheepish grin, Sakura excused herself and moved to take her phone from her bag.

"Haruno Sakura," Tsunade's voice yelled before Sakura could even say hello. "I never thought I would see the day where I would get numerous complaints about you from the parents of the children we take care of," Sakura's boss went on.

"Have there been complaints, Tsunade-san?" Sakura asked, her brows raising, and an uncomfortable feeling welling up in the pit of her stomach, causing her to feel slightly nauseous.

"I would not be bothering you if there weren't," Tsunade snapped irritably. "Listen, you're my best girl, but there have been too many complaints to let you off or ignore them."

"Wh-What nature do these complaints come under?" Sakura asked softly, feeling as if she knew the answer to that already.

"It turns out, you're being accused of favoritism. We can't have that at the KCCF, Sakura," Tsunade said grimly. "Several of the parents complained, saying that you paid noticeably more attention to one child than to theirs. This type of thing can be really dangerous, Sakura," Tsunade continued.

"Will I get a chance to speak for myself?" Sakura asked, the words rasping over her throat. She had nothing to say in her defence, but, what else could she say to her boss?

"You don't need to, Sakura," Tsunade said tiredly. "I've seen your attachment to that little Uchiha boy with my own eyes. I've heard you call him your 'favorite little helper' and while I know that he is the sweetest little boy in our care, I cannot condone your actions. You will either cease this favoritism or... or look for another position," Tsunade said.

"B-But, Tsunade-san," Sakura cried out. "I c-can't... I..."

"I cannot back down on this, Sakura. Either you distance yourself or you find another job. I cannot lose half my client base because of this, Sakura. Think about it, and call me tomorrow."


Itachi watched as Sakura answered her cell phone and her expression instantly changed to one of concern. Was something wrong? He didn't have to wait long for his answer as he could easily overhear the blasting tone of the person on the other end of the call. The Uchiha's eyes widened slightly when he heard the subject of the conversation. Guilt jabbed at his heart once again.

Sakura really did love his son after all, so much so to the point where it was beginning to affect her job and he was sure that she didn't work because she wanted to, but because she had to. Sneaking a glance at Setsu out of the corner of his eye Itachi felt increasingly conflicted. He didn't want to share his bundle of joy with anyone...because what if they left? It wouldn't only affect Setsu but him as well. He hadn't wanted to admit that fact, but he could no longer skirt around it. But his son's happiness did matter most to him and Setsu's attachment to Sakura made it obviously clear that this situation would be a lose-lose situation for Setsu if he didn't do something about it. On one hand, Sakura could agree to back away from Setsu, but that would break the four year old's heart. On the other hand, she could lose her job, and Setsu would hate going to the KCCF without Sakura there.

Immediately, several options sprung into Itachi's mind, but he kept his face straight and his mouth closed.

He did notice, though, that she had a remarkably crestfallen expression on her face when she hung up. He watched her struggle to put her smile back on for Setsu. It barely reached her eyes, and fought to stay there, as if clinging for dear life.


"Will I still get to wash you hair, Sakura-chan?" Setsu asked eagerly when he noticed that Sakura was off her call. Feeling the need to curl up in a ball and just think, Sakura had a bit of a hard time smiling, but because it was Setsu, it was possible.

"Yes, of course," she agreed. "You can take care of it while I give you a bath," she said softly, giving him the most genuine smile she could manage. Setsu eyed her contemplatively for a moment before reaching out for her. Sakura knew the little boy was rather insightful, so she did her best to mask her inner turmoil as much as she could. She lifted the boy into her arms, absently walking past his father, and taking the small boy to the bathroom she had used.

She loved Setsu. From the moment the sobbing child had first been brought to the day care centre, clinging fiercely to his tired, sunken-eyed father, Sakura had loved the small child. When she found out that he had no mother, her heart had broken, and she'd dedicated herself to making him smile. After she'd broken through his three-year old barriers, and he'd smiled for her, it became something she could not give up. Every day, Setsu's presence was the highlight of her day.

How could she push him away for the sake of her job? But how could she leave him and the day care by continuing the way she was. Something had to give.

All throughout bathing Setsu, Sakura's mind was working overtime, against her best intentions. She could see that Setsu was confused and a little disheartened by her absent expressions, but every time she looked at his sweet face she was assailed by pain brought on by the thoughts of having to leave him or be faced by his disappointment.

She bowed her head, obligingly, allowing Setsu to happily wash her hair, but she was far from present enough to enjoy the exchange, and he was far too confused by her distantness to fully enjoy the task of washing his beloved Sakura-chan's hair. In a daze, Sakura dried the small boy, wrapped him snugly in a big fluffy towel and helped him to brush his teeth. She then lifted him and carried him to his room to help him get dressed for bed.

"S-Sakura-chan..." he said sleepily as she helped him onto his mattress.

"Hmmm, Setsu-chan?" Sakura murmured, smoothing his hair from his forehead as he settled against his pillows.

"I'm glad you stayed with Daddy and me. D-Don't leave..." he murmured, his eyelids drooping shut and his long black eyelashes fanning out over his cheeks. Sakura bit back a cry, thankful that he was too tired to stay awake and see the extent of her turmoil. Whatever was she going to do?

She pulled Setsu's covers up to his chin, still in a mental fog, kissed him on the cheek and then went off in search of his father.


Itachi's eyes snapped open when he heard a slight shuffling sound. Quickly gathering his bearings he realized that'd he'd fallen asleep at his desk, again. He was pulled from his thoughts however when he heard the sound once more. Keeping his body still and his eyes lidded, Itachi watched as the familiar long and shapely legs of his son's babysitter moved towards him.

'What is she doing in my office?' he thought feeling slightly miffed that she'd invaded his 'privacy', even though he'd left the door wide open.

She paused and he could see her shift her weight to one foot and felt her gaze caress his frame. She reached over to the beanbag in the left hand corner of the office, which he'd placed there so that Setsu could accompany him while he worked, and picked up the navy blue fleece blanket which was neatly folded in the chair.

But before Itachi could begin to ponder what the pinkette was going to do with the blanket, she leaned over him and placed the blanket over his shoulders, oblivious to the fact that he was not actually sleeping any longer. As she tucked the soft blanket snugly around his shoulders Itachi felt the base of his throat warm and his chest squeezed tightly for the second time that night. Why was she going so far for him and his son? Watching from between a space in the folds of the blanket Itachi saw the pink haired baby sitter straighten, sigh tiredly, a soft smile turning her lips upwards. She turned and made her way out of the office, a soft sniffle rending the air in the quiet room. She wasn't but half way across of the room before Itachi knew that he'd made his decision. He desperately hoped she'd find it suitable because Setsu needed her and maybe just maybe he might need her too.


AN: Here is the second chappie!

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