Hello, dear readers. New chapter today - longer than the last one, at least, which is a plus. Thanks for your patience - it's been a busy summer thus far. As usual, I want to thank you all for reading and reviewing. Now, without further ado, on with the chapter!
43. Yes, the Worst is Over Now
Kakashi stared at the form before him, the pen in his hand shaking. He had read the document three times from top to bottom, but he still couldn't believe what he was about to do. Glancing up, he found Jiraiya's soft smile staring back at him. Beside him was Iruka, looking on with full support. Above them, the single light in the otherwise bland room of the police station buzzed faintly.
The teacher stared back down at the form. "All I have to do is sign here?"
Jiraiya nodded. "That's right. Then the state will hand over custody of Sasuke and name you his adoptive father. I can give you a minute if you're not sure…"
"No, I've already made my decision," Kakashi interrupted hurriedly. "It just feels so strange. To think that it's actually happening…"
"I know what you mean. It's a shame it's come down to this, really, but I think it'll be for the best. You'll be there for Sasuke more than Itachi ever was."
Kakashi shook his head solemnly. He truly did wish that this could be a happier occasion, especially for Sasuke. He appeared to be taking it well, but Kakashi suspected that this was because Sasuke wasn't confronting the issue head on. With all the other recent events in his life, the Uchiha was able to push the matter with his brother off to the side. It would all come to a head soon enough, though, and Kakashi feared how Sasuke would react when it did.
No… I can't think like that. I'll be there for him when that time comes. We all will.
With a deep breath, Kakashi scrawled his name along the bottom of the page. Jiraiya pulled the form back to his side of the table and extended his hand. "Congratulations, Kakashi."
The teacher sighed in relief as he set down his pen. It hadn't been nearly as difficult as he'd expected. Just a quick signature, and that was it: Sasuke was now his son. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt such a strange combination of anxiety and excitement.
Wait… yes I can. It was right after I met Iruka. I was so conflicted, fearing the changes that might occur, but eager to see what those changes might bring…
And, when he thought about it, the past few weeks had been rather eventful. Sasuke had made friends. He'd fallen in love – or, at the very least, he had a boyfriend. As for Kakashi, he'd found someone himself, someone to fill that whole left by Obito's death. Then, just now, he'd gained a son. More than that, he'd gained something he could call a family.
Before Kakashi could even begin to think about a simple, domestic life, though, he knew there was still plenty of business to attend to. Clearly, Jiraiya knew this as well, a serious look crossing his features as he leaned forward across the table.
"All right, Kakashi – I couldn't talk about this until the adoption was complete, but now, as Sasuke's father, there are some things you need to know."
Kakashi's grim looked matched the officer's. "This is about Akatsuki, isn't it?"
Jiraiya nodded, chuckling at the silver-haired man's response. "You're a sharp one, as usual. As I'm sure you've heard by now, it wasn't just Itachi who we arrested the other day. Everyone at the top of Akatsuki – the people behind the merger – they were all involved in some rather nasty business. Murder, blackmail, fraud, identity theft – you name it, they did it. Apparently, it was organized by Tobi – an elaborate plot to create a sort of weapon manufacturing superpower."
"So I've heard, yes."
"Well, needless to say, they've all been arrested, and the Akatuski Corporation has been left in shambles. The individual branches have been scrambling to find replacements for their respective leaders, and their stock has been plummeting all the while. Now, Sasuke was named the heir to the Uchiha Corporation long ago by Itachi, meaning that particular section of the Akatuski conglomerate is currently in his hands. As his father, though, it's ultimately you who has to sign the papers."
"How much have we lost already?" Kakashi asked, already dreading where this conversation was heading.
"Akatsuki is facing bankruptcy," Jiraiya muttered, taking a sip of the coffee beside him. "Consumer confidence has plummeted without any leadership. The Uchiha branch alone has lost hundreds of millions of dollars in just the past few days."
"And Sasuke?"
"He personally stands to lose 50 million dollars."
Kakashi's face went pale. "50 million? But… that's almost his entire fortune!"
"Like I said, the different branches of Akatsuki have been scrambling the past few days to try and salvage their business. It's clear that their reign as the kings of the weapon-manufacturing world is over, though."
The teacher couldn't even speak. What had he gotten himself into? Sasuke had just gone from having everything to nothing overnight. As if the Uchiha didn't have enough to deal with, now he was going broke. Kakashi's hands trembled as he stared down at the table, trying to think of how to deal with this situation. He felt a hand land on his shoulder, however, causing him to look up in surprise. There was Iruka's face, smiling warmly as he clasped Kakashi's hand.
"It'll be all right, Kakashi. We can figure something out."
"But… it's so much money…"
"And since when does money matter? You never talked about it before, and Sasuke doesn't seem like the money-grubbing kind. He may be used to a richer lifestyle, but I think he knows what's truly important in life."
"He's right, you know," Jiraiya chimed in, setting down his coffee mug with a thud. "Sasuke will understand. Even if he loses his fortune, he'll be happy as long as he's not left alone again. That's why I picked you personally, Kakashi – I figured you'd understand that more than anyone else."
Kakashi felt ashamed. Of course Sasuke wouldn't care about the money. There was once a time when he'd worried about taking over the family business, but Kakashi had always detected reluctance in the teen. He didn't want to take over Itachi's role in Akatsuki, but he didn't feel like he had a choice. If anything, losing the business and the money that came with it would be like a clean slate for Sasuke – a chance to start fresh doing what he wanted.
"All right," Kakashi said with renewed determination. "What's the plan, then?"
"The best option I can think of is to dissolve Akatsuki and sell off the individual branches. The government has put in an offer to buy up the different businesses and use them as their own personal military supplier. Obviously, the offer isn't great, but considering the circumstances, I think it's the best you're going to get. The workers for the Uchiha branch would all hold on to their jobs, and with the money from the buyout, Sasuke would be able to pay off his debts."
"Something tells me there's a catch," Iruka added skeptically.
"You're right. The problem is, with the amount the government is offering for Akatsuki's individual branches, Sasuke would only receive enough money to pay off most of his debts. With the way their stock has been plunging, the only way Sasuke can break even is if he sells some of his personal assets."
"Such as…?" Kakashi asked tentatively.
"The Uchiha mansion, and the property that goes with it," Jiraiya concluded as he finished off his coffee. "The way I see it, that would leave him with a couple hundred grand to his name. It would be enough to start a new life in a new house…"
Kakashi sat back in his chair and stared up at the flickering light above. "Well… it's a lot to consider. I'll have to talk it over with Sasuke."
"Of course. I understand," Jiraiya replied as he rose from his chair. "Just remember, if you need any help through this ordeal, all you have to do is call."
"Thanks, Jiraiya. I'll keep that in mind."
XXXXX
Sasuke found himself walking down a seemingly endless corridor blanketed in darkness, with only the occasional flash of lightning illuminating the path before him. It occurred to him as he stepped past a familiar, gothic window that he had been there before – not only that place, but that very time, that moment. To call it déjà vu would belittle it – this was more like Sasuke was reliving an experience. Yet, as familiar as it wall was, Sasuke couldn't remember why he recognized this scene.
That is, until he reached the door at the end of the hallway. There, his heart seemed to stop. He knew what was on the other side of that door. He knew what he'd see as soon as he pushed it open, yet he had to move on. With his palms sweating Sasuke turned the knob and swung the door open. There, just as he'd expected, Sasuke found two bodies lying in the center of the room. Another flash of lightning revealed the blood covering the carpet, as well as the gaping wounds in the bodies.
He was by no means surprised at this sight, nor was he appalled. This was simply the way it should have been. He would've been more astonished if he'd walked in to find his parents alive and well. But something was wrong, and Sasuke knew it. He had relived this night time and again in his dreams, and he'd always felt overwhelming terror at seeing his parents lying dead on the floor, the shock causing him to wake with a scream of abject horror.
But not this time. Now, as he stood in the entryway to his parents' bedroom, staring down at their bloodied corpses, he felt absolutely nothing – only acceptance. This was how things were. At least, that's what Sasuke thought, but somewhere inside he knew there was something else going on here.
Another flash of lightning revealed the bodies once more. It was then that Sasuke realized just what was amiss – both of the bodies were men.
What's going on here?
Tiptoeing over to the bodies, Sasuke felt sweat run down his face. This wasn't how the dream was supposed to go. Where were his parents? Where was his brother, stolid as always, even under such horrific circumstances? Kneeling down beside the bodies, Sasuke couldn't even breathe as he tried to identify the victims.
Flash.
Sasuke backed up as thunder rattled the windows. He gagged.
This… this isn't right at all! Why?
O. Itachi. These were not the faces Sasuke expected. They were not the faces that belonged on those bodies. Sasuke knew this scene so well – it the most horrifying experience of his life – yet, here it was completely perverted. Sasuke wished he could just wake up from whatever terrible nightmare he was having, he wished just the knowledge that it was a dream would be enough to bring him back to reality. As much as he tried, though, the bodies remained there, the dull eyes of O and Itachi staring at him in a ghoulish manner.
"I'm sorry, Sasuke."
The Uchiha's heart jumped as a hand landed on his shoulder. His eyes glistening with horrified tears, Sasuke glanced back to find Naruto staring down at him. To Sasuke's surprise, the blond was crying as well. It wasn't just Naruto standing behind him, either, but Kakashi and Iruka, Shikamaru and Temari, Gaara and Lee, Kiba and Choji – they had all come to comfort him.
Without a word, everyone gathered around Sasuke and knelt down, embracing their Uchiha in a great group hug. At first Sasuke resisted, not wanting their pity, but eventually their warmth overwhelmed him, and he simply let his tears flow. Before him, the bodies of Itachi and O disappeared as he closed his eyes.
I'm not alone…
XXXXX
When Sasuke opened his eyes once more, his house had vanished, replaced by the bright, white interior of the Konoha Hospital. His friends were gone. The sun was out. O and Itachi's bodies had vanished. He was awake.
But he was not alone.
Sitting in a chair on the opposite side of the room was Sakura Haruna, who held a pink flower in her hands. She stared down at the petals as she rotated it slowly. How long had she been sitting there, Sasuke wondered, waiting for him to wake up? More importantly, how long had he been asleep? He glanced up at the clock on the wall. It was five o'clock: school was out – that would explain Sakura's presence – and he'd clearly been zonked out for the past 18 hours.
Better say something before she thinks I'm a zombie or something…
"Sakura? What are you doing here?"
The girl looked up in surprise, nearly dropping her flower. "Oh! Sasuke! You're awake!" When the Uchiha didn't respond, she glanced down awkwardly again, murmuring, "I… I wanted to apologize."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow quizzically. "Apologize?"
"Yeah," she admitted, biting her lip. "I was the one that told Naruto and the others where you were. Even though you told me to keep it a secret, I just… I thought they needed to know. I didn't mean to betray your trust, Sasuke…"
Of course… so that's what this is about. I should've known…
"It's all right, Sakura. That's why I told you to begin with – I thought you'd tell them eventually."
"So… you used me?" Sakura asked, looking quite hurt by this revelation.
"No, it's not like that. I guess I trusted you to do the right thing and tell the others. I wasn't really thinking straight at the time… there was a lot on my mind. The whole thing with Naruto, problems with Kakashi… my brother."
Sakura flinched visibly. Clearly she had heard the news. "I… I see…"
"The truth is, Sakura, I couldn't do it myself. I knew the others had to find out where I was, but I couldn't bear to tell them directly. My brain wanted to, but I didn't have the willpower. I used you as a crutch, because I knew that if I told you where I was going, then the others would find out when they needed to," Sasuke continued, watching as the girl's hurt turned into a look of confusion.
"Then I'm a blabbermouth?"
Damn… why is it she thinks I'm complimenting her when I'm trying to make fun of her, but when I'm trying to thank her, she thinks I'm a douche?
"You're an expert at communicating. You could spread the message the fastest, and I knew how you felt about me… I knew you wouldn't hesitate to tell Naruto where I went if you knew it would help me. You didn't disappoint me, Sakura," Sasuke said, trying his best to salvage the train wreck of a conversation. Though Sakura still looked both irked and perplexed, the Uchiha pressed on with sincerity. "To put it simply, Sakura… thank you."
Sakura blinked. "Th-thank you? But why?"
"If you hadn't done what you did, I would've died, Sakura. It might've taken Kabuto an hour to find help, and by then it might've been too late. Since you told Naruto where I went, though – since you did what I was too weak to do myself – I didn't end up bleeding to death out in the middle of nowhere. You saved my life."
That did it. Immediately, Sakura switched from looking somewhat angry to bawling openly as she rushed over to Sasuke, pulling him into a tight embrace. Sasuke didn't even try to push her away this time, because she had earned this moment – she deserved to be close to the boy she had admired for so long. It made Sasuke feel incredibly guilty, knowing that all it took for Sakura to finally get close to him was to save him from an early death.
"I was so scared, Sasuke. When I heard about what happened, I just… I didn't know what to think. What if I had waited too long? I prayed you'd pull through… I didn't want to let you go. I know you'll never love me like I love you, but the truth is I do love you, and I couldn't bear to see anything happen to you and I–"
"Sakura," Sasuke said abruptly, cutting off the girl's ramblings. "I don't understand. Why are you so upset? I'm thanking you."
Do girls make any sense at all?
The pink-haired teen sniffled as she pulled herself away from Sasuke, not even daring to look the Uchiha in the eyes. "Because I wasn't going to tell Naruto. I thought if I kept it to myself, then he couldn't have him. I thought, if I couldn't have you, then Naruto shouldn't, either. It… it just hurt so much, knowing that I could never be happy with you like he is. I know I told you I'd accepted it before, but even if I didn't tell anyone about you two, I still couldn't help but feel jealous. I couldn't let him have you!"
"But the important thing is that you did tell him…"
"Only because I was afraid of what might happen if I didn't! When I finally called Naruto yesterday, I thought for sure you were long gone. That we'd never see you again," Sakura explained with a hiccup. "And even then, I wasn't doing it for Naruto. I still resented him… but I knew it would be best for you. I'd rather sacrifice my own feelings for you than let you live the rest of your life sad and alone. Even though I'll never be the one happy with you… well, at least you can be happy with Naruto."
Sasuke's heart sunk as he stared into the girl's sorrowful green eyes. Clearly those were the hardest words she had ever said, and Sasuke realized for the first time that the girl's infatuation with him was more than mere puppy love. She truly did love him – she loved him enough to help reunite him with Naruto, just so he could be happy while she remained sad and alone. That took strength. Even though Sasuke wished he could say that he'd do the same for Naruto if he had to, he wasn't so sure deep down inside. Heneeded Naruto – Sakura only wanted Sasuke. She could get on without him, but his absence would be felt in her heart for some time to come.
"I was wrong about you, Sakura. I… I thought you were just another one of those fangirls, but I can see I misjudged you. I should never have put you in that kind of situation – it wasn't fair of me," Sasuke said finally, staring at the monitor beside his bed, lest he felt that sharp pang of regret at the sight of Sakura's mournful eyes. "I can't love you."
"I know… you told me before."
"But I want you to know that it's nothing against you. I meant what I said the other day - you'll make someone very happy one day. I just hope that we can be friends, so I can meet him when that time comes."
Sakura suddenly turned her head to the side, meeting Sasuke's eyes with a look of resolution. "I'm sorry, Sasuke, but I can't do that."
"W-what? Why not?" the Uchiha asked in astonishment.
"Because next time I might not be able to stop myself. I should've known after you came to my house the other day… even though I said I wanted to do what would make you happy, I hesitated on calling Naruto. I let my selfish emotions get in the way, and I know now that I can't stop that. When I think about the mere possibility of being with you, I lose all rational thought. I'd do anything for you, Sasuke – things that I know I'd regret later. That's why I can't be your friend," Sakura concluded with a sigh. "I love you too much to let myself weasel my way into your life."
I take that back – I was really wrong about her…
"I see… so that's it, then?" Sasuke asked, watching in awe as the girl set her flower down on the Uchiha's bedspread.
"That's it," she said, turning away as tears leaked from the corners of her eyes. "But… if I should pass you in the halls… could you say 'hi?'"
"I promise."
With that, Sakura left the raven-haired teen's room, determined never to see her love again. Meanwhile, Sasuke simply stared at the flower before him as a petal fell onto the sheets.
Another time, another place… maybe it would've worked out, Sakura. I can only hope fate will be more kind to you from now on…
xxxxxxxxxxx
And, there you have it! Sakura has made her confession and made peace with Sasuke, knowing that she'll never be able to have the boy of her dreams. So sad, but then again, she hardly deserved him after her underhanded tactics earlier in the story. Hopefully she'll find happiness one day. As for Kakashi, he's now officially Sasuke's father, but what changes will this bring? And what about the situation with Akatsuki? Sasuke's in for some serious changes, something that's never gone over particularly well with the Uchiha. How will he handle this new situation? Find out in the next chapter of For Naruto, Whenever I May Find Him!