Author's note:
Finally... To make things short, this is the final chapter of Petals of Hope:) Also, this chapter isn't like Chapter 23 or 24... Maybe because I finished this chapter first before those two which is kind of... weird.
Anyways, please enjoy...
Disclaimer:
Seriously? I own nothing but my pen name, my ideas, my OCs… Besides, we, I mean the whole FanFic authors, make no profit writing these stories. It is for our own and someone else's personal enjoyment and what if scenarios of our beloved anime…
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"Talking" 'Thinking'
Flashback "Talking"
["Talking" in mindscape]
"Biju speaking" "Jutsu"
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Petals of Hope
Chapter 25
By: Zelga Lim Li
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He may have found at last some small measure of the peace that we all seek, but few of us ever find. – The Last Samurai
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"Itachi!"
"…"
"Onii-sama!"
Silence.
Thankfully, his brother stopped walking. But he never had the guts to face him though.
'Stupid older brother.'
"Are you running away from me again?" Sasuke asks while gritting his teeth in frustration. His fingers drawing blood as it clenches tightly. Sakura is right. His brother is a coward.
"Why? Why didn't you tell me everything? Why did you let me believe that you are a monster? Why did you make me hate you? Damn it, Itachi, answer me…" Sasuke shouted angrily. His body shook uncontrollably.
From where Itachi is standing, the older Uchiha could feel Sasuke's emotions. It was leaking out of him. He never really understood why Lady Kagura did those things, telling his younger brother everything.
Itachi sighed wearily. "I'm sorry…"
"Don't you dare apologize to me…" Sasuke bellowed madly.
"I did those things to protect you." Itachi said as he faced his brother. His eyes stared impassively at him. An attempt to control his raging emotions that was hidden from Sasuke's scrutinizing gaze.
"Even… if…"
The older Uchiha smiled. "Even if you hate me, I will always protect you… little brother."
XoXoXoXoX
Sasuke woke up startled. Twin blazing red eyes glared furiously at the ceiling. Clutching his head, the young Uchiha cursed mentally. His head hurting for the onslaught of mixed memories and flamboyant emotions.
"Damn you Itachi. Damn you to hell, you crazy son of a bitch!" As if predicting his brother's possible reaction, he almost swears that he heard Itachi's chuckle and his stupid poking fingers that always targeted his forehead.
The dark haired raven sighed. He rose from the bed and sit awkwardly on the edge. Looking at random places, Sasuke observed and concluded that the room belonged to a woman. Surprisingly, the color hues of the furniture would definitely suit his taste.
Red and black.
Blood and darkness.
"Whoever she is," Sasuke thought to himself. "I guess we'll get along just fine." He cringed internally, a slight blush on his cheeks. Hoping that the idiot wouldn't know this comment or Naruto would tease him to death. He stands steadily, clutching the top edge of the chair beside the bed. His legs felt wobbly.
"Death must be furious right now," Sasuke said while smirking to himself. "How many times did I escape him already? Hn."
"Many times, I think… I already lost count." A familiar voice resounded from the corner. Slitted and mercurial eyes looked intently at the Uchiha.
"How long have you been in there?" Sasuke asks.
"A couple of minutes, I guess." Kirara answered while approaching the young man and carefully throw his arms around her slender form ignoring Sasuke's irritating huff.
"Will you quit squirming? Honestly, after all the fighting, you still have the energy to glare and sulk? Come on… Aren't you getting tired or something? You and chibi-Naruto are quite bothersome… Idiots…" Kirara ranted as she responds to Sasuke's scowl with a frown of her own.
"Tch. That dobe… I am nothing like him." The Uchiha rolled his eyes irritatingly.
Kirara muttered incoherently as she set the man on the bed, literally pushing him by force just to make Sasuke sit. Another angry look came from her dark haired patient. She sticks her tongue out and tried to ruffle his hair. Sasuke swatted her arm away from his head and crossed his arms annoyingly.
"Chill and relax old man." Kirara said cheerfully. A fond smile on her face for the Uchiha who glared repulsively at her.
"Shut up, little girl… I have no time for your… hrmmph…" The girl immediately covered his mouth with her hands, stopping him from uttering another word, her eyes glinting mischievously. Just like Naruto when he learned that the idiot plans to prank the whole village during the old times. Sasuke gulped slightly.
"No cursing, you teme. Those brats might hear. I am trying to train them to be the finest shinobi slash kunoichi of this generation." Kirara smiled dreamily and then her face fell. "Well, I am really trying… Sad to say, I was the one who broke the rules…" The red head grinned impishly. "It really sucks to be me at most days."
"Hn." The Uchiha grunted annoyingly.
"Hey! Stop that…" Kirara sighed. "You and Itachi-kun are so much alike." The girl walked away from the raven and stared outside the window. "I still don't understand why you wanted to kill him in the first place."
Sasuke stilled. "How did you…?"
"I know everything, Uchiha-san. Everything that is needed to know in this Kami forsaken world." Kirara told him. For once, her usual cheerful self gone from her facade. This is the half demon half human being who lived a lot longer than the man before her.
"What Lady Kagura told you is the truth. The man you wanted to kill sacrificed everything for you. His dreams, his honour, his life… everything he had thrown away just for the sake of his beloved little brother."
"Stop it!" Sasuke shouted, covering his ears with his hands. Gritting his teeth in utter agony and shame.
"I took it upon myself to ensure that his sacrifice won't be in vain. After all, he deserves the happiness he had today with Lady Sakura." Kirara said as she turned to face him.
"If you lay one vengeful finger on him… Well, since I couldn't kill you because it will make him sad and everything… I will make you suffer for all eternity, Uchiha Sasuke." Kirara warned the raven with all the seriousness she can muster for herself. Her eyes turned red, conviction and promise to protect her most precious people.
The Uchiha glared furiously at her. He clenches his hand in frustration, knowing that what he did was unforgiveable, yet he couldn't fathom her reason why she was doing this for his brother. He asks. "Why? Why would you go this far to protect that man? I don't understand." Confusion etched on his tired face.
Kirara was considerate for a moment. "Please follow me..."
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The Raven followed Kirara while shuffling slightly. The fox wanted to offer her help but knowing his enormous ego, she decided against it. Kirara sighed wearily.
Sasuke's eyes strained at his sudden appearance under the rays of the sun. It was bright and warm. Then he heard scurrying sounds around him. Whispers and stares. When his eyes adjusted, he looks around and sucked his breath, astounded.
He saw people, not older than him or even Itachi, some of them where of the same age, and others were younger.
They have the same dark hair. They have the same dark eyes. Sasuke found the Uchiha clans' symbol in their clothing. Some were etched on the walls. It was everywhere.
"Welcome to the new Uchiha village, Sasuke-teme."
Sasuke turned to face the red haired and grabbed her shoulders, menacingly. "What is the meaning of this? Is this a genjutsu? Are you trying to fuck me up?"
Kirara winced with Sasuke's choice of words but shrugged uncomfortably, feeling the conflicting emotions the guy is experiencing right now. "If I wanted to fuck you up, we'll be locked inside my room all day…" The fox heard someone from the audience groaned, she grinned as Sasuke blushed at the implication of her words but didn't let go. "Unfortunately, I am not shitting you, Sasuke. Now, will you please removed your hands or do I have to force them away. I tell you, it isn't pleasant. Probably, you'll get more bruises than ever." The fox said as calmly as possible. Irritation starting to build up inside her chest. Her nails grew long and sharp like claws.
Sasuke released her immediately. He was about to say something in retort when he felt a tiny tugged at the bottom of his pants.
"Are you an Uchiha as well?" A small boy asks. "Well, you look like one." Nodding knowingly to himself, the boy still smiled showing two front teeth that were missing. "Do you know where Itachi-sama is right now? He told me he would come by one of these days with his little brother. And then we will all play ninja." He added while giggling.
Another boy approached him while holding the hand of a little girl in a pigtail. Probably his sister since they look so alike. "Yes. Itachi-sama said that his brother is a ninja and that he will come here to visit us and then he will stay with us… like… like forever."
"Kids…" Kirara called their attention and they ran to her in delight.
"Kirara-chan is back!"
"Yay!"
"We'll talk about Itachi-kun later, okay. Now don't disturb the cranky old man. Go to your parents or something. Better yet, pester someone else. I heard that Hirue-san made a new sets of wooden shurikens for you to play with…"
"Yipee!" The brats ran on the opposite direction while laughing playfully. Kirara looked at the others and nod. The onlookers finally decided it was time to continue their chores and left the two alone.
"Despite everything that has happened, Itachi loved your clan... Just as he loves you." Kirara said softly. "They are one of the many reasons why I cannot allow you to hurt him. Because if you kill him, not only will it destroy my princess, but it will destroy them as well." The red haired fox spoke solemnly, looking straight into Sasuke's eyes. "Besides, I'm his best friend. And friends do stick together at all times… Despite his own stupidity and selflessness…" Sighing as the girl folded her hands behind her back.
"But I thought…"
"He didn't kill everyone that night, despite what the masked man and the council had wanted. You. This children…" Kirara scratched her head. "He knew that Konoha isn't the ideal place for them to start over, so Lady Kagura offered this village to be their temporary home." The girl was thoughtful for a moment.
"Until the right time… for all of you to come to your real home…"
Sasuke felt himself breaking. And for the nth time in his life. He ran.
Kirara shook her head, knowing that a little distance would benefit the both of them for now. Besides, she is tired as well. Amegakure is still in a complete mess. But those macho feeling men in Akatsuki would wring her neck if she set one paw on that place. Most probably, they would be exasperated at her for going on her monthly tantrums as she might wreck havoc or destroy something because she doesn't get the attention she wanted for herself.
"But where can I go to rest… Jeez…" She thought as she stared up. "At least the sky is clear… The storm has passed. Everyone can finally relax now…" Kirara smiled to herself. "I wonder what they are doing right now?" The fox mumbled thinking of her newfound friends in Konoha. "Oh well… Have to find that teme… I did promise Itachi-kun that I'd look after his little brother." Kirara sighed. "He might probably jump off to a cliff or something… Have to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid… And reckless." She added as she clasps her hands behind her head and walks towards the direction where Sasuke ran. "It's going to be a long day… I guess…"
Her tail swishing in a lazy manner, the fox muttered a couple of profanities in annoyance. A very Shikamaru-like expression she'd grown to like so much. "So troublesome…"
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Konoha…
Itachi stood before the stone obelisk. Remembering his fallen kin.
At long last, they are finally acknowledged. He smiled sadly.
"Father… Mother… Everyone…" Itachi whispered.
"I am so sorry…" A single tear drops from his eyes.
Remorse…
Grief…
"They've already forgiven you, you know…" Sakura walks behind him, taking his hand.
"I know… But I still feel that I have to say something." Itachi told her, smiling sadly. Sakura held his hand caringly.
"Perhaps… But is there someone you must ask for forgiveness first? One that is much more important than the rest?" The pink haired asked.
Itachi didn't answer and gazed at the opposite direction. Sakura sighed.
"Konan send me a letter. She said that my nephew is doing fine. That they will be coming to Konoha for a visit once Amegakure is back on her tracks." Sakura chuckled lightly. "She also said she would bring some of the guys along. They missed us you know…"
"Well, if you ask me, I don't miss them at all…" Itachi said impassively.
Sakura rolled her eyes in amusement. "Kisame sends his regards. He said he couldn't wait to see you again." Itachi groaned in annoyance.
Sakura smiled cradling Itachi's face, gently. "I know him… He'll come around…" She said thoughtfully. "He will forgive you… I know he will…"
"I wished I had the same optimism as you have…" Itachi said. "I planted a seed that destroyed him. It caused him so much pain. I don't know if he will ever forgive…" Sakura put one finger on his lips, stopping him from muttering any more words.
Sakura embraced her Uchiha, placed one hand on top of his heart. Feeling his pain… and his fears.
"Everything will be alright, Itachi… Trust me…" Sakura whispered.
Itachi sighed as he returned her embrace. Somehow, Sakura eased some of his sufferings. As long as she is beside him, he will try to live for her and survive one day at a time.
She is his salvation.
His own petal of hope.
"Yes, I do trust you…"
And maybe, just maybe, Sasuke would be able to forgive him… somehow…
Someday…
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New Uchiha Village, a couple of months later
"Well? Are you done moping?" An irritated voice asks.
"I am not moping, dobe." Replied by a very dull voice.
"Wow. I am honored…" The fox smiled widely. "I thought that word is reserved for your most precious people." Kirara playfully nudge the Uchiha.
"Tch. Go away…" Sasuke glared at her.
"Why would I?"
"You are invading my personal space. Leave me alone…"
"Ow come on… You are not doing anything at all but brood all day…" The red haired vixen complained. Her tails wiggling playfully. "Come train with us… The kids wanted someone to teach them that great fireball thingy… My knowledge is basic and it sucks…" Sasuke smirked earning a feral snarl from the girl. "My element happens to be wind, that is why, Mr. Genius… Besides it would deeply benefit them if you'll teach them the proper ways of the Uchiha…" Kirara explained while poking her fingers together.
"Whatever…" Sasuke turned his back and walks away. There are still some untouched landscapes in this forest surrounding the village that he wanted to explore by himself.
Kirara sighed. "They needed someone to look up to once I'm gone…" The Uchiha stopped and turned to look back at her.
"What do you mean?" Sasuke asks seriously without looking directly at her. Instead, he stared at her pointed fox-like ears.
"Winter is coming…" Kiara noted absently, her ears twitching knowing that the Raven is looking at it. The red head walked to the edge of the cliff, a contemplating look on her face as she looks at the village below them. "I'll be gone for a while. You know… to sleep… hibernation or something like that…" The fox mumbled incoherently but Sasuke heard it loud and clear. "Once I leave, the defenses I created for the village will weaken. And they would be vulnerable." She looks back at the man in front of her.
"I cannot trouble Itachi for this… He is…" Kirara cleared her throat. Sasuke raised a brow, a questioning look on his face at the fox's gesture. "Well, technically, since you are the next available kin of the head family, it is your duty to ensure the safety of your own clan." The girl grinned impishly. "I cannot protect them forever you know… I have my own life to live…"
"Don't I have a say in these… things." Sasuke scowled. He doesn't like where this conversation is going.
"Nope…" Kirara could feel the Uchiha's conflicting emotion. He is wavering, that's for sure. But knowing the devotion he felt for his clan, he'll come around. Just like Itachi. The fox gingerly took his hand and led themselves back to the village. "Everything will be just fine… Trust me…" The red haired smiled.
The former avenger sneered mentally. 'Trust? Now you're telling me that?' Sasuke sighed but looks ahead. "Just make sure you'll come back. Or I'll forcefully drag your tail from wherever you are currently stuffing your fur and…"
"Eh?" Kirara looks at the raven weirdly; tilting her head in an angle like a bird questioning her trainer for a trick he wants her to do.
The Uchiha glances at the fox with a slight blush on his cheeks. "They will definitely miss you…"
Kirara's ears twitched again, hearing more than what his words imply. "Of course…" The fox smiled pleasantly. "You and everyone will definitely miss me…" The girl purred, clutching his arms to herself, squealing like a crazed fan girl. Sasuke shifts uncomfortably.
"Now then… Will you please stop groping me…" The raven commented.
"Tch… Such a bastard…" Kirara pouted.
"Whatever dobe."
XoXoXoXoX
Two years later, Konoha
"Are you sure you can handle yourself alone?" Sakura asks her husband.
"Positive." Itachi smiled.
The pink haired sighed. "Very well…" Sakura adjusted her coat and secured her weapons pouch behind her back.
"If something… bad happens, just call for me, okay? Or better yet, summon the crows… They already know what to do…" Sakura waved her hand to her husband in farewell.
"Yeah right…" Itachi nodded indulgently. She kisses him and ruffled his hair. The Uchiha pouted and pats her hand.
"Be safe…"
"I will."
Sakura turns to leave but was surprised to see cloaked figure waiting outside the gates of the Uchiha manor. She immediately went outside to greet their guest but was surprised to see a familiar face. Someone that she didn't expected to see for quite some time. Guessing what would possibly happen next, she discreetly maneuvers her stance in a defensive position just in case he decided to accomplish his long awaited vengeance. She hasn't seen him since that day.
Sasuke smirked nonchalantly. "Don't even bother, Sakura. We both know who will win."
"Maybe… But I've changed… drastically. You do not know what I am capable of…" The pink haired hissed as she pushed chakra into her eyes.
"Ah yes… So I've heard." The raven said in a mock tone, dropping his hood to reveal his face. "A child of the Rain, descendant of the great Sage of the Six Paths, bearer of the most powerful kekkei genkai the world has ever known." Sasuke commented in a bored voice looking at her Rinnegan. "Did I miss something?"
Sakura's brow twitched. The Uchiha sighed. "Relax, Sakura… I didn't come here to fight."
"So what brought you here?" She asks sullenly. "How did you get pass our defenses?"
"Hn."
Sakura sighed and relaxed her posture. "I should have a word with the Hokage about this…"
"Yes, please do that. The dobe should be more aware now than ever. It's like an open invitation for your enemies to attack the Leaf. All of you shouldn't be too comfortable."
The pink haired kunoichi frowned. "Why the sudden interest in the welfare of the village, Sasuke? Did Kirara rub you some of her anxiety related hormones?"
"How did you…? Tch, never mind… I don't want to know…" Sasuke retreated and turn his heels to the other direction.
"Are you forgetting something?"
"None of your business…" The raven scoffed at the pinkette.
"Sasuke…"
The Uchiha shrugged his shoulders dismissively. "Those brats wanted him to have these things." Sasuke tossed a scroll at his former teammate.
"A storage scroll? Whose brats are you referring to?"
"Didn't he tell you?"
"I wouldn't ask if I know, you bastard."
Sasuke was contemplating for a moment. But knowing her, Sakura will stop at nothing to get any information about his brother; it may be too bothersome or otherwise to fight her now. Besides, she is practically part of the family now that Itachi married her. He knew he was invited to the wedding as the brother of the groom. Kirara insisted that they should come because he is supposed to be the best man but he declined, as he wasn't ready to face his brother and everyone else at the time. Instead the dobe filled in for his shoes. He and Itachi happened to form a bond of some sort as they share the same love for the village. "It is not my secret to tell. Ask him." He told her instead.
Sakura grumbled to herself, a glower on her face. She was about to make her reply when an ANBU appeared on her side.
"Lady Uchiha." Glancing at Sasuke, the sparrow mask ANBU put itself in a defensive position between the two, a tanto at one hand. Another ANBU appeared in a shunshin, its hands forming a series of seals for a summon.
"This is starting to get irritating…" Sasuke muttered.
Sakura chuckled. "That's what you get when you decided to appear out of the blue." The pink haired reprimanded the ANBUs. "It's alright. He is my brother-in-law and..."
"But my Lady, HE is Uchiha Sasuke, a missing nin…"
"You must have been mistaken. Uchiha Sasuke is NOT a missing nin. Didn't the Hokage inform you of the real reasons why he left the village years ago?" Sakura scolded the ANBU in the front, both of her hands on her hips.
Sasuke squinted his eyes in confusion. 'What the hell is she saying…?'
"Anyways… I've been delayed long enough. Let's get going, ANBU-san." Sakura started to walk away towards the Hokage tower with the second ANBU on her trail. "We don't want to make the Hokage wait any further, you know how cranky he is nowadays." Leaving Sasuke a devious wink. "You already know your way around, right, little brother?" She tossed him the scroll he gave her earlier.
The Uchiha smirked, feeling the other presences that seem to tighten up the moment the pink haired kunoichi leave him on his own. 'Damn… What am I going to do now?' He thought glumly.
A minute later, he performed a set of hand seals and appeared inside his old house. Feeling nostalgic he immediately went outside to get some fresh air. Clasping his knees for a few moments, he tried to search for his brother and found him in the Nakano shrine. He then decided to walk to the temple to buy some time.
'Maybe I am the coward here…' Sasuke shook his head in annoyance, clutching the scroll in one hand.
"How many times do I have to tell the Hokage that I can perfectly take care of myself? He is as bad as Sakura. I'm not a little child anymore…" He heard his brothers voice complained to someone.
One Hatake Kakashi chuckled. "You know how hard headed Naruto is. So suck it up…" The silver haired Jonin wave his hand in amusement. His face still buried in that ridiculous orange little book.
"But Kakashi-senpai…"
Kakashi turns around as he heard someone enter the temple. "Hmmm… Well, would you look at that…" Kakashi's visible eye crinkled into a smile as he saw him. Sasuke noticed his brother sitting near the main altar while the Hatake stood up and turned to face his brother. "I'll be taking a walk. You don't mind me leaving you with another 'friend' of mine… don't you, Uchiha-sama?"
"Even if I refuse, you wouldn't even bother to listen." Itachi grumbled annoyingly.
"That's right. I don't want the Hokage to know I am slacking off my job." He patted Itachi's head as the elder Uchiha slapped his hand away.
"Back off, Hatake. I'm not in the mood." Itachi threatened, honorifics forgotten.
Kakashi is obviously enjoying himself as he laughs and saluted the young Uchiha before disappearing in a puff of smoke.
Itachi finally sighed in relief and stares at his direction, his eyes wandering aimlessly… like he was having a difficulty seeing. 'What is wrong with him?'
"You must be another ANBU my wife had sent to look after me. I didn't even felt your presence. Impressive." Itachi smiled complimenting him.
Sasuke walked towards his brother and stops a few yards away. Kirara said that his brother was really sick when he met him that day and seeing him right now makes him want to kiss Sakura for helping his brother recover. 'They are really good for each other.' He thought.
"She must have told you about my condition huh." Itachi said suddenly, probably starting a conversation. He reached for the teapot that was strategically placed within his brother's reach. Gently, he poured two steaming cups of tea, which was placed at the left side of the tray. He handed Sasuke a cup, missing by a couple of inches from his outstretched hand.
'What the hell!' As Sasuke took the cup from his brothers' hand as he grabs him by the shoulder and deliberately forced the elder Uchiha to look at him in the face.
"Is there something wrong?" Itachi asks.
"Are…" Sasuke cleared his throat. He didn't even recognize his own words as he tried to voice out his suspicion. "Are you blind, Itachi?"
Itachi's eyes widen, he reached for Sasuke's face, touching him hesitantly. "Sasuke…" The elder Uchiha breathes his name reverently.
"Answer me, damn it!"
Uchiha Itachi sighed in surrender as he stared right back at his brother. His shrugged his shoulders in a detached way. The light that sneak inside the temple shot through the elder Uchiha's features and Sasuke gasp in shock seeing his brother's eyes.
Itachi's sightless eyes.
XoXoXoXoX
Sasuke didn't even bother to hide his snicker. Itachi raised his face to question his brother's sudden amusement. The older Uchiha smiled. His little brother had changed so much. He wasn't the same boy from before, a revenge obsessed young man. "May I know what interests you at this moment?" Itachi asks his brother.
"Naruto is overreacting, sending so many ANBUs to make sure I didn't kill you or something." Sasuke spoke in a serious voice. Itachi tilted his head, an attempt to follow his voice, perhaps to look at him. The raven sighed. "I've changed, Itachi. I have no more reason to kill you anymore." He said while avoiding his gaze even though his brother couldn't see; he can feel the embarrassment eating him from the inside. 'You are such an idiot, Sasuke-teme.' He tried to imitate Kirara and Naruto's favorite expression inside his head just for good measure.
"I know…" Itachi smiled.
"Hn."
"So…" The black haired Uchiha stood and walks steadily. Sasuke follows his brother's steps. "How are they?"
"They are bothering me with endless questions." Sasuke said in an uninteresting tone. "After I thought them the clan's fire jutsus, they want to know when you will drop by to see them so they can show you their current accomplishments."
Itachi grimaced, troubled, he took one wrong step and fall on his knees. Sasuke appeared in an instant to help his brother up but Itachi held one hand to stop him.
"Even if I wanted to, you of all people should know that what they want isn't possible anymore." Itachi said somberly.
"Why don't you tell them yourself?" Sasuke asks.
"I can't…"
"Don't tell me you are running away again… Itachi?" The younger Uchih growled in between his teeth.
"Yes, Itachi-kun… You are sooo lame…" Kirara interjected in a lazy tone, appearing from Sasuke's side in a form of cherry blossoms.
"Do you always have to appear so dramatically?" Sasuke asks sullenly. "It hurts my eyes." Itachi laughs earning a glare from the fox.
"Suck it up, you teme. Now, out of my way." The fox answered as she flexed her muscles. "I need to put some sense into your big brother's stubborn head."
Sasuke scoop the fox before she could even grab his brother and heave her over his shoulders like a sack of rice. Kirara shouted in surprise while kicking her legs. "Don't make me drop you Kirara. Now stop wriggling." Itachi snorted in amusement.
"Itachi-kun, you are half blind, but can still see despite the blurry images. I know Sakura-chan have healed your eyes, somehow. So will you stop pretending to be one?" Kirara shrieked in an unladylike voice crossing her arms in an upside down manner.
"Tch." Sasuke smirked. 'I see…' The raven noted. Dropping Kirara to her feet, Sasuke patted her head. "Go find Sakura. You do have the scroll right. Make sure the dobe has it. Only him, okay, not anyone else, got it?"
Kirara snarled indignantly. She sticks her tongue out at the two of them before she changed to her fox form and ran off.
'So she shed her red fur to silver. Interesting?' Sasuke thought while staring at Kirara's retreating figure. She was so graceful in her fox form.
"Sasuke?"
"What is it…?" Sasuke turns to face his brother and accompanied him back to the house. Itachi's hold on his arms tightens unintentionally.
"Are you mad at me?"
"I did… before…" Sasuke answered his brother indulgently.
"And now…?"
"Perhaps I still am… But that doesn't concern you anymore…" Sasuke smiled to himself. Humor clearly visible in his voice.
"Why is that?" Itachi asks. His brother helps him seat comfortably in the lanai. He could smell Sakura's potted plants in the garden.
"I'm not the pathetic little brother you left years ago, Itachi." The raven said. He shoved his hands into his pockets and stared up in the clouds. The sky was clear. Sasuke never thought that he would face his brother without hatred in his heart. Kirara and those brats did change him for the better. And don't forget the blonde idiot who always believed in him. Perhaps, he needs to thank someone in particular as well. Looks like the only way for him to do that is to accompany Kirara in her search for her mother.
"I have changed." Sasuke declared with a serene expression as he looks at his brother. "Besides, I want to make sure that your son would have my trait as punishment for your over protectiveness." He chuckled seeing his brother's shocked expression. "An added bonus if Naruto will be the other godfather… Imagine all the pranks he can teach to your brat… I also heard that Kisame set good examples to be followed…"
"W-what?!" Itachi paled considerably.
The raven couldn't stop himself but laugh. His brother's expression is hilarious.
'This is going to be so much fun…'
XoXoXoXoX
"Congratulations Sakura." Hinata greeted the pink haired.
Sakura smiled cheekily as she gently touched her womb.
"When will you tell him?" Naruto asks.
"Maybe later, that is… if Sasuke didn't kill him."
"Yet you leave them alone." The blonde frowned in confusion.
"You worry too much, Naruto. Let them settle their own issues." Sakura said to her Hokage.
"But…" Naruto wailed. Hinata shook her head in warning but the Uzumaki never saw it. Instead he clutched his head in worry. The Hyuga sighed in submission. Naruto and Itachi became really good friends much to Sakura's amusement.
The pink haired chuckled. "So… when will the two of you tie the knot?" Sakura asks, changing the topic. "I did overheard what the council had said to you during the last meeting. Shizune confirmed it as well."
"Uh…" Hinata blushed ten times than her usual shade while Naruto drops from his seat, an undignified fall from the Hokage himself. "Aww… Sakura-chan…" He had the same reddish color as Hinata.
"No wonder Neji wanted to beat you to a pulp, Naruto. You should know by now that the mantle you are wearing is what's keeping you alive. I saw Hanabi and Konohamaru earlier plotting ways to make the two of you procreate and be more…" Sakura coughed. "…Productive."
'Why do I have the feeling that something bad is going to happen to these two?' Sakura thought to herself, feeling slight uneasy. She fanned herself. "I'm going home… I had this urgent need to see my husband. I miss him already." The pink haired smiled and bows to her Hokage. "See you later, fishcake… You too, Hinata-chan."
"Hey! Don't call me that." Naruto shouted in annoyance. Hinata giggled. The Hokage turns to his girlfriend, frowning. "Not you too, Hina-chan…"
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"I'm home…" Sakura called out. The ANBUs that was stationed around the Uchiha district already left the moment she came inside the main house. So far, the place is still intact. That's good; his brother-in-law didn't kill her husband. The pinkette smiled gratefully. She then felt her former teammate's chakra signature with another familiar one at the porch. Peeking slightly, she saw Sasuke sitting while rubbing Kirara's right ear. Her niece is in her fox form. They look so cozy together.
"Oh…" The pink haired hummed in appreciation. "Interesting…"
"Sakura?"
Sakura jumped in surprise from Itachi's sudden appearance. "Shh… Don't make too much noise, we might disturb them…" Sakura whispered.
Itachi smiled. "They already know we are here."
"Eh…?"
"So…" Itachi started as he pulls his wife along to leave the two on their own. "Sasuke told me something… out of the ordinary…"
Sakura flushed slightly. "Oh really…?"
"Well?" Itachi's brows furrowed. Sakura smiled at his reaction and kissed him instead.
"It was supposed to be a surprise. But your idiotic brother killed all the fun. Fantastic." The pink haired whined as she pouts while crossing her arms.
"He was deliberately mocking me." Itachi sighed. "He wanted our son to have his temper and requests for the Hokage to be the Godfather… And Kisame…" The weasel shivered involuntarily. In Amegakure, a certain shark like creature sneezed much to Deidara's curiosity knowing that cold-blooded beings like this particular person doesn't get cold or the likes.
"He said what?!" Sakura screeched.
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Outside the house…
["I think it's time to go back… I can feel her temper rising from here…" Kirara noted mentally.
"Hn." Sasuke huffed.
"Your funeral, teme…" The fox sneered at the raven.]
"Whatever…" Sasuke blankly stated. The young Uchiha chuckled slightly as he heard Sakura's screeching.
"I guess, it is time…" Sasuke said.
"Are you sure?" Kirara asks aloud.
"I want to see how anxious and panic my brother would be as he faces Sakura's pregnancy." Chuckling lightly, Sasuke stared at the fox on his lap. "Besides, I know how eager you are to travel around the world to find your mother. Those brats would be safe here under Itachi's care. And that dobe owes me a favor so he couldn't refuse my request. Also, I deserve a break…"
"Perhaps." The fox nuzzled his hand and stretched comfortably. The Uchiha smiled warmly. "Let's tell those brats the good news…"
"Yes… Good news indeed…" Sasuke noted. Looking at the house, the young Uchiha raised his hand in farewell. "See you soon, big brother…"
Petals of cherry blossoms scatter in the wind as it signaled their departure.
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Feeling his brother disappear with the fox, Itachi smiled.
"What are you smiling at?" Sakura asks sullenly. "I can't believe you're actually indulging that good for nothing brother of yours to this crazy idea…" Itachi pulls the pinkette closer and plants a soft kiss on her forehead while embracing his wife tightly.
"Don't… It's all right. You do know that I love spoiling my younger brother in more ways than one. It's no big deal…" He calms her in an assuring manner. "Besides, the Hokage really is part of our lives, remember? So making him the godfather isn't such a bad idea…" Itachi frowned slightly. "…and I am having second thoughts about Kisame…"
"Maybe… But Naruto is…" Sakura pouts as she stared at her husband. Noticing the changes, she couldn't stop herself but smile as well.
"You… you look different, my love… Did something happen while I was gone?" Sakura asks. Itachi shook his head but gave her the sweetest smile she ever saw from him since the day of their marriage.
"It's nothing, princess…" Itachi told her, grasping her hand. "A little of this and some of that…"
"Itachi…" Sakura whined. The Uchiha chuckled as he led her inside the kitchen. "I asked Kirara-chan to help me cook our dinner. Hope you'll like it…" That night, the two shared a wonderful dinner.
A start of many beginnings for all.
That day, Sakura learned that she would never be alone. With Itachi and their child by her side, she will always be happy. After all the hardships that both of them has encountered, finally, Itachi is at peace. Sasuke had forgiven his brother.
Time really did heal all the wounds.
She was able to reunite with her family. If only her parents and Nagato was here.
'Onee-san, I hope you are here. I can't wait to tell you the good news… You're going to be a new aunt, again…' Grinning, Sakura turned to her husband and kissed him lovingly.
"I love you so much, Itachi…" Sakura whispered.
Itachi closed his eyes, feeling contented and at peace. "As I love you, my sweet Sakura…"
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From afar, a cloaked figure smiled serenely as it heard the whispers of the wind, reaching out to someone.
"Hmmm… Is that so… Very… Interesting…" The figure said as it took off its mask and stared at it for a long time, revealing a beautiful face. Dropping the cloak and the mask she wore, the figure showed its voluptuous form and stares at the magnificent scene before her.
Her right eye shows the Rinnegan and the other left eye has the Sharingan… Her rose-colored hair blown soothingly by the gushes of the northern wind.
Another storm has yet to pass.
"Interesting indeed…" Kagura said as she steps over the mask, crushing it.
The End~
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Author's other note:
Would any of you believe that I finished writing this final chapter during the times I was conceptualizing Chapter 12 to 16?
Hehehe… My bad^^ Sorry about that.
Hope all of you enjoyed reading this story as I enjoyed manipulating them. Harhar.
Ah yes, please try to read my other children. They're somewhat boring; if you tell the lack of reviews they are receiving. T_T
Anyways, just typed your comments, suggestions, just about anything in the space/ text box below for the review I was always craving about.
Till next time, everyone…
Ja ne!
Zelga Lim Li signing out…
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