NOTES:

I'm so so so grateful to all of you for reading this story. I read all your reviews. I hope to keep it up with good chapters. I'm only sorry for not updating as soon as I want to do it. Job keeps me away! He, he. At least I have all the story in general till the end.

I'm amazed how it's divided here the support towards Sasuke and Sakura. Some of you want him to be with Miyu and her and others don't. Wow. I'm happy that the story can do things like this in all of you who read it. Thank you for that.

Sasuke will wake up. This sickness of him gives me the opportunity to say "Hey he was a jerk to Sakura and his daughter but he's now sick. He deserves to be forgiven just because of it? Or not? Does he deserve what's happening to him?" Something like that. But I hope that he'll come around. After all he's a ninja. We'll see him more active in the next chapters. Sorry to keep him under the influence of his sickness.

And talking about what I put on chapter 11 in the note, I just put the possibility of the NaruSaku because I have read about it and it really upset me. I was just wondering about the future love life of Sasuke. I want the SasuSaku. I hope for it to happen. But I'm glad I put it because some of you told me interesting and good things about it! I haven't read the lates of the manga. And yes Sennyu Megami I'm at peace after reading your review, thanks! I would love to see that essays of you and your support will be welcome very well. I would love to receive that chapter. I know Karin is beyond crazy and I even afraid of Sasuke because of her.

Hey xx-tenshi-xx I got an idea of one of your saying there in the review. I hope you can catch it in the next chapter! I love your intense dislike against Sasuke in this story. Really . Especially after reading that you're the huggest SasuSaku fan!

I never thought that this story would be good enough to be read and commented. Really. I'm really happy and grateful for that.

Laury I'm glad that this story, quite different of what you like, have been liked by you. Thank you for your words about my writting! (I must say that I would love to write better and longer). About his illness... well I think language and my lack of medicine hadn't done good to explain it (geez... how troublesome ). But I can say this: the symptoms were first his slowing pace and movements, his weakness, his inhability to show pain and cry, his inhability to write or read and get lost easily, then his hallucinations, then his migraine and well there's another one that will appear later. His "catatonic" moments and muteness are another too but they related more to his emotional part than physical (comparing it with other symptoms described before). I creating this sickness by the way . His brain is damaged but the damage it's very hidden and difficult to study to them. His sickness has physical basis and emotional basis too. They can't find out yet who did it and why they cannot understand it because there's a reason (what a mean person I am). Thank you for loving my way of writing.

Thanks to all of you who said that this is one of the best SasuSaku fanfics you could read. Thanks from the bottom of my heart. Thanks to: sasusaku779, luna estrlla, nekyonkichi, sneaky08, C.A.M.E.O.1 and Only, Shinobi of life, Sennyu Megami, xx-tenshi-xx, laury and goukashi. I read new ones and I'm happy to see old ones still .

I rated this story with "M" for mature or something like that because I always do that when I put a story (well now I'm only focused in this one ). I do it if in the future the situations go high in violence or whatever and then I don't have to worry about it. And well a friend of one of my friends is pregnant just because one time she and her boyfriend did it without birth control. Just once. So well I think there's a high chance to end up knocked up if you do it without taking care of getting pregnant and I think is different to every woman in this planet. Some could get pregnant easily and others not. There are women of 40 or more that could never had babies until they do it with boys much younger than them. My point is that every body and every woman is different. Sakura ended pregnant after having sex with Sasuke more than one time and she, being a medical ninja, somehow had the idea in her mind of the certain possibility. She considered herself maybe very fertile or Sasuke very effective... (Hmm) ha, ha, don't listen to me anyway. Thanks to all of you! I'll try to update soon. Mata nee!

Chapter 12

Rejecting

Naruto POV

When Miyu reached the eleventh month of her young life Sasuke was having a very hard time with his strange illness. His body couldn't adjust yet to the pills for his migraine and because of it he couldn't take all the pills to keep his hallucinations at bay like always till Tsunade and Shizune could discover what the perfect dose was to each one to work properly in him.

And the worst of all was that this morning he had one of his catatonic days. When I woke up and didn't see him in the kitchen or heard him in his room I knew it. I went preoccupied and sad to see him and I found him lying in bed still and with his dead and onyx gaze fixed in the empty space in front of him. His face was a perfect mask of not expression at all. He was just lying there on his left side without moving and with his breathing so calm that you could think he was dead anyway.

The last time I had seen him like this was six weeks ago.

I went to his side feeling terrible sad and just stand looking at him with my eyes watering. I couldn't help to feel so affected at seeing him like that and even when I had witnessed this state of him before five times already since his last return, I couldn't get used to it. I sighed concerned and moved and just pulled the sheets to cover him all. I knew I couldn't do anything; nobody could, when he was in this state. It resembled so much that time when his brother had attacked him before my eyes and he ended like dead with his look lost and his eyes open. Quiet and still as a statue, or more precisely, limp as a doll.

I shocked my head trying to disperse that moment in my mind. I half smiled kindly and put my right hand on top on his in a reassuring way.

"Good morning Sasuke."

And then I left him to have breakfast and take my daily shower. That day I had to go on a mission and it was the first time in all the times when he was like this. I always managed to take care of him in days like this one but now I had a duty to perform. I felt torn at leaving him like that but I knew he would be angry at me if I didn't accomplish my obligation as a ninja. So when I went out of the bathroom I dialed Tsunade's number to ask her who was free to stay with him instead of me. Then I went to his room again and stayed there just talking about trivial and common things, like the mission I had now with Tenten and Chouji and I laughed and pretended to hear his responses and comments about it. But inside my heart ached at perceiving that maybe he couldn't even listen to me lost in his inner world.

"Just leave him in bed till you see a reaction of him. Don't worry; he eventually gets out of it. And when he's out of it please feed him and make him to take a shower to clear his mind."

"You don't have to worry Naruto. Shino and I will be fine."

"In any case if something comes up we'll call Tsunade-Sama."

I nodded grateful and thoughtful at them. My friends hadn't been there in moments like this to watch all day him like that, that's why I explained them everything with sadness flowing in my voice and face.

"It's just that it's the first time that I won't be here in one of his episodes. But thank for coming. I feared that all of you were busy with missions too!"

"Not this time. We returned to Konoha last night precisely."

Neji answered with his calm and collected expression. Hinata was out too for this day with Lee and Shikamaru. Shino looked serious as always at me.

"Well Kiba wanted to come but he was hurt in the mission and he said that he would come by lunch time with some food and snacks. And Ino had training with Sakura."

"Thank God you were free! I thought that I would have to take Sasuke to the hospital to not let him by himself being like this!"

"Well, you don't have to worry about that now. Be careful and come back safely with Tenten and Chouji. Don't let my teammate to be hurt or I'll be upset."

I gulped at Neji's warning and Shino just chuckled behind his high coat's neck. Geez. I didn't know that he had something formal with Tenten. I looked wide eyed and surprised at him. Then I laughed mocking him. Neji just furrowed his brow somehow embarrassed and trying to kill me with his mere stare. Shino chuckled again softly.

"YOU AND TENTEN?! Wow I didn't know!"

"You are so dense sometimes Naruto."

Shino just said now mocking me. I looked at him with narrowed eyes feeling offended.

"That's not true. I don't know how all of you could say that!"

"You're telling me. You the one who didn't see before for many years that Hinata was in love with you. Man you need to be blind or fool to not had seen the signals."

"Stop picking on me Shino! We are supposed to pick on Neji and Tenten!"

"Didn't you have to hurry up Naruto?"

Neji said finally with serious voice indicating that the mocking was over if it had existed anyway. I was being killed by his clear eyes on me and menace and I just sighed disappointed. They were right. When the clock's alarm sounded I got panicked and left running without even closing the door. They just smirked at me and I knew that Sasuke was going to be fine.

Neji POV

When Naruto asked us to cover him in taking care of Sasuke we said yes immediately. We did it because after all, Sasuke Uchiha was once our comrade, he was once in the Academy with us, he was once a ninja from Konoha and for some of us was a friend. He was once an ally. We said yes because we thought that it would be easy to take care of someone who just lies in bed all day without doing anything, without saying anything. Naruto lived with him day after day, night after night, and had learnt how to treat him and recognize his mood swings and mute signals and when he wasn't feeling well. But when he told us that Sasuke had woken up in a catatonic state this day we didn't doubt in being capable of taking care of him. We only had to watch him. Just watch till Naruto was able to return home.

But we never thought that watching was so difficult to do.

Especially if you're watching someone you knew since your childhood and if it's someone who once was so different from now. Someone with life in his eyes. Someone who was called talented and skillful and great.

When you're watching someone you knew since the both of you were mere kids you don't expect normally to see that one lying like a limp doll in bed with his eyes open and fixed in some lost point. You don't expect to find his silence so unnerving and heavy after spending minutes with his quiet company and with the anxiety of wanting to run away from the room. You don't expect yourself wondering if he could see you, or hear you. You don't expect to face his indifferent and unchangeable expression second after second. You don't expect to be with that one in this situation ever.

We were wrong thinking this was easier than taking care of him if he was in a normal day. We were wrong.

Kiba, Shino and I had gotten to that conclusion after spending time in taking turns to watch him in his room. We always find him in the same condition. Lying in his left side and covered with the sheets. Still and frozen by time like some sort of tragical photograph. Not even after all he had done and all he could have done, I wanted to see him like this. Even after my dislike of him because he had hurt Sakura deeply and had abandoned his own daughter I didn't want him to see him like this. Did he deserve it? Everyone could give a different opinion on this. But I reserved mine. I didn't like him because of his late behavior like all of us but I didn't specially hate him. And I felt true concern about his behalf like I think normally a person in my position could felt.

But I could understand now how this situation affected Naruto specially so badly. I had heard his complaining and talking sadly about Sasuke's catatonic days and I knew he was barely strong enough to see him like this and less stay with him, taking care of him. Now I understand it. Because I had found myself staring affected and sad at Sasuke Uchiha lying in that bed.

I could understand Naruto's desperation now.

And when Sasuke finally woke up from his daze and stared blinking first slowly and trying to focus his black stare I sighed with relief and feeling the heavy air around the room disappearing. I came closer watching him (Naruto was specific in this) and let him to get out of his inner world and reverie at his own pace.

Sasuke stayed blinking from time to time and letting his onyx eyes wondering in what was in front of him and then he shifted slightly in bed. He sensed my presence and observance minutes later and then slowly he put his blurry gaze in my fixed one and didn't change the indifferent expression in his pale face.

"I'm glad you're back. Naruto went away from today. He had a mission with Chouji and Tenten. He will go back at midnight. Kiba, Shino and I are here."

He just nodded letting me know that he could understand my explanation and I saw him still concerned slowly and hardly sitting and looking at the clock hanging on the wall. The sunset was near.

"Are you hungry? Naruto asked specially to feed you. Like if you were so kind of pet."

My comment made him to glare at me but I could see a hint of amusement in his cold face. I think I even saw him trying to roll his eyes in a knowing way of his best friend' words.

After that brief moment of interaction between the both of us I helped him to get up from bed (he was stiff and tense) and then I left him to get dressed. First the food, then the shower. Those were Naruto's orders. I went to the kitchen and started to prepare the food Kiba had brought earlier. He was playing a game and eating snacks and Shino was reading a book with a very complicated title with words like "how to bring out the bug in you and not die in the trying or end up eaten grossly by it" or something like that. When they saw me coming back from the room and preparing the food the two left what they were doing and looked hopefully and worriedly at me.

"He's awake. Right?"

I nodded at Shino more relaxed.

"He's getting dressed to eat something."

"Does he keep collecting the toys and dolls he buys every time he goes out?"

Kiba asked in low voice and curious while Akamaru was eating his snacks without his master knowing.

"Naruto said yes. I didn't saw any in his room."

"Naruto said he kept them in a box somewhere."

Shino said seriously returning his gaze to his book very interested. Kiba just murmured an "hmm" and then, again in low voice, talked with a funny expression in his face.

"The metal box is inside his closet. On the right corner. I saw it and open it!"

I put the dish with food on the table and a glass with juice and I looked surprised and weirdly at him.

"Were you checking his room while you were supposed to be watching him?"

"I was watching him! I was! But you know…"

"I assure you Kiba Inuzuka that I would never let you in my own room even if I'm dying of diarrhea."

I smirked at Shino's serious words and the offended and shocked face of Kiba.

"Oh great mock me then! I was just curious that's all. And besides he didn't even know what I did."

"Are you sure about that?"

I asked him letting him in silence and a little worried. I knew that Sasuke didn't know it. Probably. But I couldn't help to feel good at the panicked expression Kiba had put on his face after hearing me. I didn't laugh openly. But that didn't mean I could not get a little of fun from time to time and enjoy it. Shino chuckled behind his high collar still reading his book.

Our "funny" moment ended when Sasuke came to the kitchen and sat down in front of his food and started to eat without even looking at us or giving a clue of our presence noticed by him. But after he ended almost all of his food and drink in silence (Kiba playing his game, Shino reading his book and I looking through the window at the sunset) he glanced quickly and knowingly at us, one by one, nodding in a thankful gesture. Then he went to the bathroom to take his shower after Shino said him to do it.

Kiba sent Akamaru to watch him when he was taking his shower and we discovered that Sasuke didn't mind his presence and even let him in the bathroom. I went to his room to clean it a little and remembering Kiba's words I opened the closet carefully and look at the metal box with curiosity. I was, like all of us, still wondering what that collection could mean to him. Thoughtful I kneeled down and opened it without making any sound and peeped inside. I stared longingly at the small stuffed toys and dolls.

It had passed weeks after the dinner we had with Sakura when Naruto brought up the matter to her. She had said "no" when he told her about Sasuke's possibility to want to see his daughter. I had seen the hurt and pain in her green eyes when she was hearing it and thinking it and when her answer came out of her mouth.

So when I closed the metal box, then the closet and then his room's door and went back to the small living room and I saw Shino hunging up the phone I could not believe what was the purpose of the call. I had looked questioningly at him and Kiba was the one who explained it to me.

"It was Ino. She said that Sakura had decided to let Sasuke near Miyu. She will send her with Naruto tomorrow to let Sasuke to see her and know her."

Kiba and Shino were surprised at it like me. We were thoughtful and concerned by the news. We never thought that Sakura would take that decision so soon and specially after knowing she was still hurting and suffering because of Sasuke. We knew it even if she put on a front and smiled and acted natural around us. We didn't say anything moved and preoccupied at her immense effort. She had decided it. After she swore she would never let him to see her, be near her o know his own daughter, the little Miyu. It was unexpected.

"Why do you think she decided that?"

Kiba asked worried and confused. He, like Shino and I, was thinking in the consequences of this change of events. If wasn't that we were against it, after all it was Sakura's daughter and decision, and after all, Sasuke was his father. That would never change not matter what. But we were uneasy about the situation and I feared to see the both more hurt at the end by it.

"Who knows? Women are sometimes understandable and complicated. She had had her reasons. We only could support their decisions."

"You're right Shino. But still there's a little girl in the middle. If Sakura had decided this then she had thought it very carefully. She only wants the best for Miyu. Even if it isn't the best for herself."

Kiba nodded still thinking and after minutes in silence he asked something we had been wondering about.

"Who will tell him? Or Naruto simply will pop up with Miyu in arms tomorrow?

"That's a good question."

"Let's wait for Naruto. Later we could decide how to tell it to Sasuke."

I proposed and my two companions and friends nodded at me. I just watched at the clock hung up in the wall above the stove. Naruto would arrive soon and we'll decide then. After all, it wasn't as difficult and painful as the decision Sakura had to take.

Sakura POV

Everyone wondered how I had taken the decision so soon. I had been thinking in Naruto's words since that night he told me about the presumed interest of Sasuke-Kun in our daughter. I had wondered. I had thought it. I hadn't slept some nights pondering about and feeling my doubts messing with my mind and the reality fighting my little and weak hope. I had cried remembering that fateful night when I told him I was pregnant with his child. I had meditated it. I had fought with myself minute after minute in my free time looking for truths and lies and proofs and consequences.

I had done a deep search inside of me trying to know how to respond to this unexpected, lost and painful fact.

Sasuke-Kun had been buying presents to Miyu (there was no doubt in this, all of they told me even Tsunade-Sensei) and he had done it to prove that he was interested in her. At least he acknowledged her existence.

But I was not happy or pleased at this. Even when I knew that he would stay in Konoha I couldn't help to think that this could happen one fine day. I had get to used to it little by little until I considered a possibility in the deep room of my mind and heart and I learnt how to ignore it because it seemed impossible. Till now.

And the reason was simply: I didn't believe it till I saw it with my own eyes. I wasn't planning in doing it anyway. First I would let others to witness it. Then I would witness it by myself. When I could be sure about his true interest in my little girl. Because you know, I had the sad feeling of knowing that this wasn't true and I knew that I would end up destroyed and pained if I had been right. I cannot still face him, be near him and breathe the same air as him, looking at his adored eyes that swept over me and less talk to him. I was still shaken at his presence. I couldn't take the risk. Not yet.

I had decided it for the simple reason of wanting the reassurance of my choice. I wanted to have proof that I had done right in walking away from him and trying to rebuild my life without him. I wanted to know certainly that I had taken the correct choice even if it was still tearing me apart. I wanted another reason to stop me loving him even little by little. I wanted another reason to move on and go on and start to get over him and just live in peace and focused in my life. I wanted the security of my chosen path. And I didn't want more doubts or wondering in me.

That's what I decided to tell Ino to call Naruto and ask him to come over to pick up Miyu and take her to Sasuke-Kun. I had known from my mother that she even sent a photograph with Hinata to give it to Sasuke-Kun and Naruto had discovered that he indeed took it and had it near him.

When I heard that my rebuild life trembled and I thought deeply in the consideration of his interest in Miyu. Could it be true? If it was true I would be very happy. After all he was his father and I do want him in my little girl's life. Even if I couldn't have him with me, loving me, at least Miyu could have him loving her and caring about her life and existence. I had wanted him to recognize her, and not with his name, no, just accepting the fact that she was indeed her daughter. I was so angry and hurt by his mistrust and cruel words still but if he felt true sorry about it and was able to protect her, and love her and take care of her as the father he was, I could let him do it. It was for Miyu's sake. Even if the memories still stung inside me when he told me that she wasn't his and I couldn't forget or forgive so easily.

But our daughter doesn't have to pay for our mistakes. If she could have her mom and her dad at her side, even in separate ways, then so be it and I would suck up my pride and pain and fury. My eternal sadness. Just because I want the best for her. Even if it's not the best for me.

And if it wasn't true… then I only have another proof of how sincere he was that time. Another proof of how right I was when I talked to him in the hospital. And I will have my little girl only to me. And he would never see her, be near her, or know her. This was the one and last time I would try to believe in him. This was his last opportunity to show me otherwise.

This was my last hope.

But inwardly, I knew that I was right, even if I was praying to be the other way around.

Naruto POV

"Whatever happens… take her to me even if I'm at the clinic please."

I nodded worried at Sakura-Chan. She was so fragile and tense with all this. I knew she was nervous and fighting her vulnerable hope. She was shaken to her core with what was going to happen. Whatever the way the things went, for better or for worse.

She gave me Miyu who was playing with her hands and making strange and funny sounds and then hung up a big bag on my left shoulder with her things. She let her eyes wander in her little girl longingly and concerned. The love in her eyes was so big and intense that I regretted the fact of not having a mother ever. Miyu was giggling and smiling at me with her beautiful and dark eyes full of innocence and ignorance at the things happening around her.

"Don't worry Sakura-Chan. I will not let anything to harm her. Not even him."

I said seriously meaning it. She nodded with a half smile sad and thoughtful. I knew how difficult this was for her. It was obvious in her posture, in the way she rubbed her hands one against the other. In the way she couldn't lock her emerald eyes with my blue ones. I put my free hand in her shoulder bringing her attention to me and I smiled warmly and kindly at her collected mask.

"Everything will be fine, Sakura-Chan. Whatever happens."

"Thank you Naruto."

She honestly smiled widely at me trying to believe in my support. Then she waved goodbye smiling happily at Miyu who was calm and watchful and I let her behind taking a deep breath and furrowing my brow at the event I was going to witness.

Naruto POV

The notice that Sasuke was going to see Miyu caught the attention of all of us and the Sensei and Hokage. I arrived with my adopted niece at the Academy sooner that I had expected it. I was so preoccupied and thoughtful that I didn't notice my own way. Last night I had told him about it and when he didn't react badly at the notice I thought he wanted it and was looking forward to it. We decided to meet in the Academy just to have a different environment. Neji, Lee and Tenten accepted even when they were one year older than us.

What happened when I opened the door of our old classroom and then entered with her in my arms was so shocking and expected at the same time, so unexpected and overwhelming, that I'm still recovering from it and wondering about it with strangled confusion and deep concern and intense frustration and real fury. I could not comprehend what happened and it had saddened me and disappointed me so bad that I had ended leaving him behind and alone in my own apartment.

I had opened the door of our classroom feeling hopeful and happy for this. I really wanted Sasuke to see Miyu. I wanted him to hold her and carry her. I wanted her to have his father by her side. All my friends were there excepting Sakura-Chan of course. That day we decided to reunite to train together in our old school, it was one of the fewer days that all of us were at the same time in the village and not busy with some mission. It had matched casually with the fact that Sasuke was going to meet Miyu in a proper way; after all he had seen her in the hospital when Sakura-Chan had pushed him through that window, and we decided to have breakfast together. Lee was going to make his "special" breakfast to all of us even when Neji and Tenten had seemed a little scared by it.

And to be completely honest all of us wanted to see the event we had hoped inwardly to happen.

So I sighed profound before entering the classroom and then I let my feet to guide me. I was counting the steps like if I was a major actor in this play. I was glad and smiling when I saw my friends one by one sitting or standing around the empty classroom. I was saying their names inside my mind nervous but excited and when I finally saw Sasuke's silhouette standing by the end of the classroom and supporting himself in one desk I took control of my legs and went directly to him. Miyu was looking at everyone smiling sweetly because she had known all of us. But she was somehow curious at the mysterious boy with black-bluish hair and black eyes who was now staring at her and me with some kind of dread and shock in his stoic face.

And I knew that something was going wrong. When I saw him looking at her with a shadow of intense rejection I knew it. But I kept myself getting near him until I was merely a few steps from him. My friends were watching too and I could sense their confusion at Sasuke's expression.

Nevertheless I, now serious and daring him, extended my arms holding Miyu who was now looking innocently and welcoming at him. She was dressed in white and yellow and had two tiny ponytails on top of her head. I didn't say anything. I couldn't. I felt the air heavy and wanting to suffocate us in that still silence and uneasy feeling. Sasuke had the same face at before and was just narrowing his eyes looking coldly at her.

I was about to tell him something, to make him react; I even wanted to force him to take her in his arms and just hold her and maybe kiss her small forehead. I just wanted a damn reaction, good and sincere reaction, from him. I got angry while the minutes passed one after another and then Miyu in her innocent and understanding way extended her little arms at him making sounds kindly.

That got a reaction of him.

Sasuke blinked and got pretty serious and indifferent. I glared at him angrily and before I was able to speak and scream at him, he stepped back several times without tearing his cold and dark gaze from her. I looked at him wide eyed and with my mouth full open and immensely confused. Sasuke was staring at his little girl with total and true rejection and then he turned around and trying to speed up his slow pace went out of the classroom without looking at any of our friends. I was left speechless and infuriated but I collected myself after noticing that Miyu was feeling uneasy with the whole experience. I held her smiling sadly and saying that everything was fine and I try to reassure my eternal love and protection for her kissing her forehead while she just looked serious and watchful at me with her curious eyes. His same eyes.

When I turned to face my quiet friends I found the same confusion, hurt and angriness I felt. I remember that I gave her to Ino who took Miyu preoccupied at my angry and upset face and I went out of the classroom looking for him. I knew some of our friends followed me worried at my reaction. I found him in the backyard by the old tree. He was supporting himself at it and he didn't sense me coming to him with quick and heavy steps. When I got near him I let the fury in me to concentrate in my fist and I punched him with all my force trembling in confusion, despair and anger. He fell to the ground easily and stayed sitting there without looking up and being totally indifferent at me. I was so caught up by everything that I couldn't still speak.

"Naruto"

I heard Shikamaru calling me. I turned serious at him and faced his contemplative eyes.

"Take him home. I'll bring back Miyu to Sakura. I promised it to her."

Then I turned again at my fallen friend and screamed hurt.

"I supported you with this even knowing that I hurt her! And all for this! You deserved that punch since you run away the last time. Why this has to surprise me now? You always run away anyway! Why you came along then today if you didn't have the intention of meeting your own daughter?!"

I felt some calm after venting out that and I just glared sadly and upset at him.

"It doesn't surprise me that you can still hurt Sakura-Chan. But your own daughter! Do you think that because she's still little she's not affected by this?"

And I turned my back at him and just let him there without gazing back at him once.

Sakura POV

I felt so worried and sympathetic at Naruto. I had been preparing myself for this result since I knew of his "presumed" interest in Miyu. I had considered it to end this way and that's why I didn't felt so crushed and hurt by it. But still it pained and burned and made my eyes to fill up with unshed tears and fill up my throat with silenced screams of agony and frustration.

When I was turn in a person who lost all hope and optimism?

When he had said all that mean things about me and my little girl.

The anger he showed now in his blue eyes were the same I had still inside my aching heart. He had come earlier that I had expected to my job with Hinata by his side and Miyu sleeping in her arms and just looking at his guilty and confused expression and the worried and sad face of her I knew that I had been right all along.

But I didn't felt good knowing I was right. I didn't felt relief or pride on it. I only felt deep and controlled anger and heartbreaking sadness.

"Sakura-Chan… I'm so sorry… you were right… he doesn't… care at all…"

He couldn't bring himself to see me straight in the eyes. I just nodded before asking Hinata what had happened. She explained to me and while I was listening I couldn't help to cry and felt infuriated and depressive. He had hurt my daughter with his rejection even if she couldn't understand it now. He had done that to her twice and now, after he had wasted his last chance, he won't do it ever again in his life.

I knew that this was going to happen. I knew he didn't care a bit about her or about me. I knew it like I knew that he would keep going over and over without saying anything and ignoring the pain he left behind with his runaway. He was like that. He wasn't going to change. I have known it since I slept with him but I had tried to ignore it and believe in a false and fragile dream.

Now I had a strong proof of the useless meaning and existence of that hopeless dream.

I felt so sad. So ridiculous sad. Sadness lived with me all day darkening my life even if I pretended otherwise. I held Naruto giving and receiving at the same time support. I let my tears to fall but I felt intense resignation at this that I didn't felt so desperate and mad as I had felt before. Perhaps my lost of faith and hope had endured me or froze my heart little by little to not feel the extreme and bare truth trying to suffocate me. I got a little worried at noticing this inside my soul, mind and heart. I didn't want to feel like this. I didn't want to lose them in my life. I didn't want to end up being someone coldhearted like him.

I tried to calm myself noticing that this was happening only when I thought about him and only in matters related to him. It was a self defense and I was going to use it all I could to get over this unbearable love.

"It's ok Naruto. I knew this was going to happen. I had expected it. I just wanted to know if there was a small chance before going on. Now I had it. So… you don't' have to worry, right?"

I smiled sincerely at him without crying anymore and he nodded sadly. Then Hinata handed me my sleeping daughter and just looked reassuring me her support and friendship. I nodded grateful at her for her concern and all my friends' worry. I looked at Miyu feeling strong and secure and I bowed to love her and protect her on my own and with my mere hands and life. Like in the beginning it was just me. And I was enough to do it.

Naruto POV

I couldn't face Sasuke in home for some days. Finally I had to do it eventually because we lived together after all. He seemed to understand my anger and confusion at his actions and stayed in his room all day and night just painting unrecognizable things with his gaze lost and empty.

That fatal afternoon I returned at home late and checked him up in his room but he was slept. I verified that he was fine and went to my room feeling so bad for Sakura-Chan and Miyu. I left early and came back home late to not see him. In spite of my fury and frustration I kept taking care of him and leaving him food and drinks prepared. I checked up that he was eating and doing well. But I couldn't see him or talk to him. Tsunade, Kakashi-Sensei, Gai-Sensei, Kurenai-Sensei and Anko and even Shizune knew about all and they were worried at me and him living under the same roof. They couldn't understand him either but they seemed to try to find an explanation that I couldn't look or believe it existed because I was still mad at Sasuke. But eventually I went back at sharing time with him and trying to rebuild the friendship when I talked to Kakashi-Sensei who had witnessed the entire scene (I don't know how he did it by the way). He was pretty sure of something going on in Sasuke's mind related with Miyu and he assured that he indeed was interested in his daughter. My soft part tried to believe and started to give me a little of hope that I didn't share with Sakura-Chan anymore. She had had enough pain already.

When Miyu was finally 1 year old and we were preparing her first birthday party I had the same relationship I had with Sasuke before that incident. He at first seemed amazed and distrustful at my attempt of getting closer again after that scene and I caught him looking at me somehow confused and angered. Like if he was trying to understand me and couldn't do it. But eventually he accepted my effort and the things went back as before. To increase my confusion and frustration Sasuke kept buying toys and hiding them in the metal box inside his closet. I found this unnerving after knowing that he didn't want to see Miyu or have the slight interest in her but I let him do it just out of curiosity.

I had asked Shizune to take care of him to be able to go at my niece's party. She wasn't thrilled but she had a lot of work to do to attend the party anyway and accepted it. Miyu was walking and talking now by her own and she could say complete words and names and even phrases. We all were happy and excited about it. Sakura-Chan had cried the first time she called her "momma". I have to buy a good gift for her. Yeah. I have to do that. I will take Sasuke just to see his reaction. I will talk about Miyu even with him there like if it doesn't matter. Just to see him reacting somehow again.

Kakashi POV

I met Naruto, Hinata and Sasuke just for casualty. I had been invited to Miyu's party and I, being a famous sensei and almost a grandfather of the little girl, had to buy something spectacular and good. Not all days you have 1 year old anyway.

We ended going shopping together and looking for our definition of the "perfect gift". Hinata being a girl gave us pretty good advices by the way even when I ended up exhausted at Naruto's excitement and stamina. I noticed that Naruto talked about Miyu and her party without caring Sasuke was there and I knew he did it on purpose. But for Sasuke was the same as Naruto just babbling about anything. He just followed us silent and stoic, with ice in his obsidian eyes. He only showed interest when we went to the shop when he bought all the toys he had been collecting. But after that… he was distant and indifferent like always at us and the mention of her daughter's name in Naruto's and Hinata's voices.

When we were deciding where to eat something and rest still looking for the "perfect gift" (Naruto called our quest that way) we surprisingly met Sakura's mother and Miyu by casualty. We saw her coming our way with Miyu in her arms giggling happily and eating a vanilla ice cream. She had taken her for a walk. The woman was so content just laughing and talking to the little girl like if she could understand her. The weird thing in fact it wasn't that we met her without planning it.

The strange thing was that Sasuke was the first to notice them in the middle of the crowd at noon.

We saw him standing still and looking in a straight direction at something or someone and when we followed his intense gaze we were very amazed and somehow confused at his reaction. We didn't say anything and just let him there, watching him with interest and concern. But when he saw that he woman was coming our way and Miyu turned her black eyes to us and said "Nachan" (she called Naruto like that) Sasuke flinched so obviously that we flinched in instinct after him and he turned around and walked the fast he could leaving us there. I could see his face filled with thoughtfulness and fragile coldness. He tried to disguise the intensity his eyes wore in that moment with distance and indifference but I had seen it. Naruto worried tried to run after him and I stopped him.

"Go to say hi to them. Your nice is calling you. Go the both of you. I would handle Sasuke, don't worry."

Naruto just nodded somehow ambivalent at what to do. He was worried for Sasuke, deeply worried. It amazed me and moved me how he still could felt like that about Sasuke even after all that had happened between the two. Hinata took his hand and nodding smiling kindly at me started to walk in Miyu's direction. Naruto left after her looking back at me still concerned and serious and I just smiled openly reassuring him.

Then I went looking for my former student and found him in a park sitting in a bench under a big and old tree. I got near him and sat down noticing that he had sensed my presence and was staring at a point in front of him with lost gaze. He somehow looked defeated and tired. I couldn't help to feel true sadness at looking at him.

"Sasuke, why do you run away every time your daughter is near?"

I knew that he would not answer at me but I continue talking without caring about this true fact. I fixed my gaze in front of me like him just looking at the playground.

"I know that you care about Miyu. I know you are interested in her. I know you felt something for her. I know all that even against all the proofs that could prove me wrong. The only doubt I have is why you keep running away from her. I don't know if you do it because Sakura forbid you to get near her or see her. I don't know if you do it because you feel unworthy of trying to be her father after what you did to Sakura and your little girl. I don't know if it is another reason strong and big enough to keep you reacting like this. But I hope is a good reason. A reason that will not hurt Sakura or Miyu."

I paused sighing exhausted still and I looked at him by the corner of my good eye. He was still and by the spark in his eyes I knew he was listening to me even with his face cold and stoic.

"She's your daughter. I know you know it. You don't have doubts about it and you didn't have to look at her to prove it. Sakura had always only loved you. Just you. Miyu is your daughter and she needs her father. You are her father. You must be there for her. Not matter what problems you could have with her mother or your own problems. She needs you, she needs your protection and love and care. You once had a big family and lost it by unfortunate circumstances."

I saw him shifting his body at the mention of the last. True and sincere sadness filled his black eyes. He was still affected by the past as I had known always.

"You should value more that, and I know you do it, the importance of family. Because you lost all in minutes and by unexpected and confusing facts. So please don't lose this again. Try to grab it and hold into it. You have a chance here. Don't lose it, please Sasuke. You don't have to be alone and trapped in past still thinking in a family that is long ago away. They wouldn't like that for you. Any of them. Trust me on this."

I stopped and saw him shifting and turning his gaze to the other side that I couldn't see. I saw that his breathing was harsh and uneven and that he was blinking and slightly trembling. I heard him gasping and his shoulders went up and down suddenly like if he was crying.

But I knew that he couldn't cry for his sickness.

And I just stared sadly at him understanding that he was trying to cry without success. His body knew the motions about it and his heart and soul wanted the release the cry could bring. But his mind wasn't connecting all this points and he was just left with his intent that was obviously frustrating and angering him.

I felt useless and heartbroken at seeing him like that. I never thought how overwhelming sad could be to watch someone unable to express pain and suffering through something as natural as tears. He curled his fingers in balls of fury and just hit the bench giving up in his failed attempt hurting his hands. Small drops of blood poured out of his cuts but he couldn't show pain even when I knew he felt it. I tried to hold him but he jerked away without looking straight at me still gasping in desperation. I tried to do it again but he stood up so fast that he almost lost his balance. He tried to walk away from me with slow and heavy steps still trying to control his failed attempt of crying.

I sighed knowing that he was going to be difficult but I didn't give up and got up and trapped him in my arms with a supporting embrace without caring for his attempts to let him go. I contained his weak force fighting against mine till he couldn't fight me anymore and went relaxed and calmer in my arms. I rubbed my hands on his back trying to reassuring him my honest words. He didn't hold me back but didn't try to break away from my gesture either. He just stayed there with his head against my right shoulder breathing hard and blinking several times while I kept silent just accompanied him in his frustration until he finally let himself to trust a little and slightly held me back without casting a single glance at me.

I didn't say anything more but I knew what I had to do. Even if later I was probably pushed through a window. I had to do it. I was going to do it. That was all.