A/N:
I'm so sorry for the late update!! I had been very busy with job and we moved to a new office and a lot of stuff happened! But I was dying for updating and writing this story so bad!
My major apologies to all of you who are still out there liking, reading and following this story and thank you from the bottom of my heart for reviewing, putting it on alert or favorite story or author. Thanks to all of you for the waiting.
This chapter is some sort of intermediate I think knowing what will come now... I don't know :).
Now I'll go to the reviews from the past chapter :)
LauryUchiha: Yeah you were the one who reviewed first :), if you want to know when I'll update I think you put it in alert or something like that, hmm... sorry for not being able to help you, upps, I think you can do it in the same menu where you put that you want to review. Thank you for taking time to e-mail me, it's ok so don't worry :)! I'm glad that you liked the chapter! Yeah I absolutely adore Sasuke-Kun too!! You'll have your answer about why he left this time in this new chapter. I wonder why will happen to Sakura's father, hmm. I know, he, he. I want you to be aware that in doing all that Sasuke in fact didn't show how he felt about Sakura. You'll see in this chapter how she sees it. And about letting him die... well I don't know still how this is going to end, well I know but let's hope for the best :) (I am so evil, he, he). About the seal well it will probably be a failure just like Hiashi-Sama said since the beginning. I think you soon will have two of your petitions coming true. I'm looking forward to it :)! And yes, expect more turnings and I hope to maintain it interesting. Thanks for your best wishes and greetings to you too. Without thinking it you'll have what you were hoping in this chapter, ha, ha. Good luck with in your school :). Thanks a lot really really!!
sasusaku779: I'm glad I made you cry from relief this time and made your day! Ha, ha! I'm sorry for writing long chapters but I cannot hold me back!! So sorry, really, I hope you can understand :). Thank you for everything really!!
Delione: Hmm... does Sasuke truly love her? Hmm... you'll see how Sakura and he are taking this act he did to protect her and Miyu. Well you'll have your answer in this chapter, he, he, oh yeah, I'm so glad when I made you cry because that means that I'm doing my work well :)!! You'll have your answer in this chapter, believe me, I think this new chapter it not as sad as the last one but I don't know, upps, you can tell me :)! Thank you for saying it's a great story! Thanks a lot!!
lunaestrlla: Thank you for loving it!! :) :) :)!! I promise to update soon from now!! Thanks, thanks thanks!!
jay-alexis: I'm so happy that you like it so much! And that it's one of your favorites!! :) But I don't want you to have your hopes so high... (evil me, evil me) he, he, sorry for making you sob under the covers :)! I'm proud of having made your week!! Thanks a lot for your great words, thank you :)!!
minniemousemom: Thank you :) :) :)!! I hope you like this one too :)!!
liljapangrl03: Sorry for Miyu's slip... upps, you're right! It's just that I practically don't know about little kids, he, he, I corrected it by the way (I think). You'll have your answer in this chapter! And yes, she forgave him but... you'll have to read if you want to know :) how she really feels about all. Thank you so much and sorry for that slip :) Thanks a lot really!!
C.A.M.E.O.1 and Only: Yes, he loves Miyu, that's clear but about Sakura... I don't know if you should be assuming so soon that... (evil me, evil me) :)! Thank you for liking it and finding it sweet!! Thanks a lot! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
xx-tenshi-xx: I'm sorry for putting him changing her name!! I'm sorry really :)! You have said something very interesting there, hmm... Yeah, he's worth of your opinion. I'm sorry if everything is all about Miyu, but somehow Sakura thinks she's the only reason connecting her to Sasuke. Now that they are in peace about their daughter the real thing begins, I think. Sorry for upsetting you so much! And thank you for your words and opinion :)!! Thanks a lot really!!
missyserena214: Well you'll know why he left this time. He, he :) and about what he's thinking... well we'll see pieces out there from chapter to chapter :) :) :). Thanks really for your review!!
Massu Chan: Thank you for saying that this chapter is the best so far!! I didn't mean it to be sad and sweet in fact but I'm glad because it finished like that to all of you and that means I am doing well!! Sorry for making you cry (it seems it caused that) :)! What you say about Mr. Haruno is very right but right now he's not seeing it like that. Your hope will be accomplished in this chapter, don't worry :)! And I hope I could give you that scene you want of them in this chapter (kinda of)! :) Thank you for your review and for saying that about me :), thanks a lot really for everything!!
Now we'll go on in the chapter!!
Chapter 18
Kissing
Sakura POV
By the next day I had left Konoha behind me accompanied by Kakashi-Sensei, Naruto and Shikamaru. Early morning we had reunited with Tsunade-Sensei who gave us permission to take the assignment of finding Sasuke-Kun as soon as possible. She had met the Council yesterday after the conversation we had had with my mother and she was using all her power to delay a severe punishment over him taking his strange illness in his favor even if it wasn't completely true. She even dared to suggest that the sealing had been a worse answer to the problem and that its creating and imposing even against the wise opinion of Hiashi-Sama had been quite the contrary of what they had wanted and had lessened her own treatment designed for Sasuke-Kun. We didn't know exactly if she was saying the truth or just the half or just lying to help and support him. She ended with the upper hand by the moment and gained time to handle his situation but only if he appeared soon and was controlled in some way to prevent future situations like this one. If her decision didn't function well providing Konoha and his government security and peace they were ready to take the matter in their hands and put a definitive end to the situation called Sasuke Uchiha.
Even with that freedom Tsunade-Sama didn't feel confident and wasn't entirely at peace. She knew the manage of the Council and she took it as a warning of future problems for Sasuke-Kun. The only plain and undeniable truth was that the government of Konoha wasn't very happy and calm in the matters of the father of my child. It was totally otherwise. They were freaked out, angered, frustrated and desperate to not be able to contain him in a secure and controllable way.
After what my mother had told me about Sasuke-Kun's secret arrangements for Miyu and for me it didn't take long for me to decide to go myself in his search as a part of a team. Before I would had lectured me for deciding this and I would had disappointed me but now it was different. Before I was doing all in my might to avoid him and reject him and run away from him and little by little the circumstances had brought us together till this moment when I had received real proof of his care and love for our little girl. That was what I had always hoped, waited and wished for, that was what I wanted with all my aching heart and broken soul. Well, I'm lying about that. Because I had always hoped, waited and wished for him to love me, that was what I wanted with all my aching heart and broken soul too besides his care and love for Miyu. I wanted us three to be a happy and united family. I wanted him to love me and not maybe as I loved him since long time ago, but a little spark of sincere and pure love from his part could make me the happiest woman in the world.
But I know I am dreaming like always.
Now I know that Sasuke-Kun cared about and loved the little girl that had grew inside of me and that was my joy and pride. I know he really acknowledged her and worried for her sake and wanted to protect her and give her all he could give. That was the reality I had discovered thanks to mom and that was for what I had prayed since I had known of Miyu being little inside of my belly. I was certain and sure and he had given me real proof of all of that. My little child had her father and he had recognized her given her his last name. I couldn't stop to smile happy and rejoiced in joy when I told myself this fact, I couldn't stop the rebel tears to fill my eyes and feel relief that Miyu didn't count only with me and more if in a near or far away future something bad happened to me. She had her father who would take her under his wing and I felt calm and glad for that. I knew she can count with mom and my friends and sensei but it wasn't the same and I didn't want to burden them with that knowing that one fine day they will have their own priorities and life if they didn't have it now. And besides and more important, I always felt sad and crushed imaging how Miyu would feel when she were older and she knew that her father was there in the village too but he didn't care a bit about her.
So yes, I was feeling a bittersweet sensation and I couldn't hide it or deny it to myself. I wanted to be part of the whole picture but I know I would never be. Sasuke-Kun had thought in me too and had tried to protect me and acknowledge me because I was the mother of his child and just for that and I knew it, yes, even with my heart breaking at it and I was forcing myself to accept it as a undeniable and unchangeable truth forever since a long time ago, even before I had gotten knocked up by him. Every day I had a personal and secret and hurtful battle inwardly when I had in one side my useless hope and in the other my harsh reality and this last one had to win time after time. I had gotten used to accept it day by day but that didn't mean I couldn't feel in some moments depressed suffering for the hard result. For the brutally honest and expected truth. And I know, I really know and force myself to remember that I will never be loved as a woman for him and that he will always just see me and treat me as the mother of his heiress and possibly as a friend or companion.
And I loved him so much and I craved so much to be near him and enjoy just his presence that I had come to the conclusion of accepting whatever part he wanted me to play in his life and future. I had been so utterly miserable and completely unhappy and I had ached terribly since I had tried so hard and pointlessly to stay away from him and his life that now I had reached my limits and I don't want anymore to be out of his life and presence. I love him with a force that I cannot measure and so I'll find happiness just being beside him, nearer or not, frequently or not, just beside him enough that it is all that counts.
Do I still feel hurt for the words that unforgettable night he said to me, about me?
Yes. It hurt to recall them and it hurt so much more to think that he still could think that about me. He had changed his opinion over Miyu and had compensated his cruel words about her with what he had done for her now. In his way he had said that he regretted them and that he was sorry for saying all that about his unborn daughter. But I didn't have the same for me and yes, it hurts me and pains me and makes me cry when I remember the words directed at me and it is so devastating to recall them that I prefer to imagine that he had changed them a little and that maybe one fine that I would know he doesn't think like that about me and it scares the hell out of me to just think in asking him straight about it. I'm so scared of his answer that I prefer to numb myself and leave it just like that, like an open wound that will be not healed ever. I know I was wrong in sleeping with him and giving him the idea that he could treat me that way. But I can't forget it completely even if I had forgiven him just due of my immense and undying love. I cannot believe he doubted about my love for him in that way. But this love is bigger than that and was demanding me to put peace between us and give our daughter the care and love of his father no matter the problems he and her mother have going on.
So I had accepted finally that I had lost my battle, that battle I had started that fateful day in the hospital when I had come to say goodbye to him aching and angry and sad and somehow I didn't feel defeated or crushed by it. He was part of my life forever through our link with Miyu and it was time to find the way to handle that. If I was destined to only be some sort of friend to him well, so be it. Perhaps one fine day I would have to say goodbye finally to him if he found someone who he really could love and I will have to apart myself in his happiness' sake even with my being totally destroyed by it. So I had to work in expecting that sad outcome and prepare myself to let him go and hope to find another love in my path. I have to work hard in that. I have to prepare myself. Because he's not mine and he never was and he will never be. He doesn't love me even now that he has protected me with his secrets.
But I doubt I can find someone who I can love like I love him. With this intensity and certainty that burns me from inside. There's no one else in this world who can loves him as I do. And there's no one in this world that I can love as much as I love him.
That was why I decided to go in his search. My little girl needed him here in the village and I wanted him beside her and beside me even just as something that comes and goes but it will never be at my side forever. I wanted him here because he is sick and I dreaded the possibility of him dying away from all of us, I dread the possibility of him dying. Only thinking in that kills me instantly and blackens my world. I'm not going to let him die. I won't.
I didn't feel good and I didn't want to take part in the heritage of his clan. I never wanted that from him. I knew Miyu has all the right to take it and be proclaimed as an owner and I'm proud and relieved to have her recognized. She's an Uchiha too. But me? I feel awkward and wrong in taking part of it. I know Sasuke-Kun did it to guarantee protection and security for his daughter through me but that doesn't lessen my sincere feelings. I feel worst knowing that I'm not even married with him and so on I don't have any right to take part of his possessions and all that. I wanted his heart. Just that. He had stolen mine even if I had tried uselessly to take it back or freeze it in his hands.
After receiving the permission of the Hokage-Sama and leaving the village we run through the forest in silence. I was quiet trying to not think in the worst scenario, trying to not picture him injured, wounded, dead. I cleared my head from that awful thoughts relying on my hope and the smile of my child when she finally could see her father at last. I couldn't help to smile happily at imaging Sasuke-Kun's reaction at it. Kakashi-Sensei, Naruto and Shikamaru were silent too probably trying to respect my turmoil of feelings or being swept by their own. In fact we had only talked when we were still in Tsunade-Sensei's office and they had discussed something that had worried me deeply and clutched my chest and throbbing heart filling me with unbearable dread and pain.
"So you'll go and I really hope that you can find him the sooner you can for everyone's sake." The honey eyed Hokage said seriously worried and sincere. "I'll send Gai with a team to help you out taking another path to cover other territories."
"Thank you Hokage-Sama."
Kakashi said doing a reverence that she accepted with a nod. Before saying them to go she laid eyes on Sakura who was concerned and quiet hearing everything with a frown full on seriousness.
"There's something that it's bothering me tough. And it's the reason behind Sasuke's actions in putting legally all his possessions under Miyu's name like some sort of Last Will. I fear he didn't do it only to prove himself as her father but if was a way of saying goodbye too."
Naruto was shocked and preoccupied seeing her with wide eyes while Sakura was stunned paralyzed and staring openly at the blond woman. Shikamaru just dropped his head in thoughtfulness. Kakashi-Sensei was just serious and meditative.
"What... what are you meaning?"
The blond boy asked her with stuttering caused by dread. Sakura clutched her hands lowering her watering emerald look. But Shikamaru was the one who spoke then.
"We think Sasuke did all this not only because he wanted to left Miyu protected and secure and under his wing with his last name. He didn't have to go to do all that and proclaim he was indeed her father. He could let that be public being here. Sooner or later we would had known about the necklace and about the Uchiha's heritage. He seemed to have prepared everything to be known by us when he wasn't here anymore. In some sort of saying goodbye forever to the village and to all of us, especially Miyu and you Sakura."
"He prepared himself in his fleeing like he had never done it before in his runaways. He searched for information of an specific mission. He left like if he was somehow prepared to fight... or die."
Tsunade added carefully and concerned. Sakura covered her shaking chin and lips by instinct with her right hand shocked and with crystal eyes.
"It seems he was planning to never return. Not matter if he found himself in the middle of a mission we don't know or if he just decided to go away from Konoha. I see your point. He indeed did his Last Will. But what worries me more is the information he wanted so bad that made him so decided to leave forever in any way."
Kakashi-Sensei sighed preoccupied and pondering his own words. Naruto was confused and trembling in despair and concern. Sakura's eyes let fall some tears awakening her in her stunned state and she shocked her head and blinked away the rest from her emerald eyes with firm expression.
"Even if he was planning something like that I won't let him go. Not matter what path he wants to follow." She said decisive and serious and avoiding the words "run away forever" or "die". She had promised her daughter and herself to bring him back and she wouldn't give up till there was hope still. "I'll find him."
"Sakura-Chan is right! That fool won't go just like that! I won't let him either!"
Naruto said cheerful and dead serious smiling with confidence. Tsunade smirked proud and knowingly at him. Sakura nodded at her best friend hopeful and with determination while Kakashi smiled warmly and Shikamaru just sighed with a crooked smile.
"Well said then. Go and find Sasuke and bring him home."
And with that final words the four of them left the Hokage's office and begun their quest in search of the only love of the pink haired lady that were with them with a promise she wasn't willing to break.
Sakura POV
I had been so scared hearing them saying that. Was Sasuke-Kun really saying goodbye to everything? He indeed didn't want any of us to know about his plans over Miyu and me while he was still in the village. Eventually like Shikamaru had said sooner or later we would have known the truth but he seemed to want to be out of the picture when that moment was going to happen. And besides, if he was still alive, why would he let everything in Miyu's and my hands? People usually do that when they are about to die. Doesn't he have plans for the territories the Uchiha Clan owns till now and the money and all that? Didn't he feel that he would have a future with any of it?
Again, the fear possessed me imaging the only answer to all this. A definitive goodbye... or death.
And either of them destroyed my hurting soul and desperate heart that prayed incessantly to find him quickly and safe.
Please Sasuke-Kun... let us find you... Miyu needs you... and I... I...
"We'll separate ways here. There are several traces of fighting and footprints. I know we're not prepared and designed for this job but now that we had encountered it we cannot turn our back on it. Let's hope we could contact the team that is handling it so we can go on in our search of Sasuke."
I was violently pulled out from my lost thought and scared reverie that I hadn't notice that we had stopped our tracks and that Kakashi-Sensei with my two friends had studied the spot while I was daydreaming nightmares. Still neither of them acknowledged my distraction feeling empathy at my state of mind but I went back at the ninja inside of me and put all my attention and seriousness analyzing everything around me trying to not think in the worst. My chest hurt painfully at the mere thought of his death. I shocked inwardly at myself trying to clear my head from that horrible and killing possibility and I tried hard to concentrate and help my team. We had encountered some strange spot when it seemed that some sort of battle had happened and Kakashi-Sensei was right. We couldn't turn our back on this being the class of ninjas we were. Just seeing the spot it gave you the idea that something really terrible had happened not so long ago and there was blood in some places around us. That only meant that there was injured people that needed my help. I frowned worried and serious and when we took different paths like Kakashi-Sensei had told us previously to verify the near area and return then to the spot with news I did my job pretty attentive and observant. The thought of my Sasuke-Kun, yes, my Sasuke-Kun because he was mine before anyone else who could come after me, was still inside my mind and heart like a bittersweet reminder of the real reason of me being there in the middle of the forest but it was in the back of my head for the time being. I walked carefully and ready to fight if the situation required it and I had been examining my surrounding when I stopped suddenly hearing and seeing people trying to hide behind some trees.
My green eyes quickly scanned them and I noticed that they were wounded and pretty scared.
I rushed my way to them and immediately when they sensed me they were shocked and afraid but I spoke to them calmly and worried explaining my intentions. They seemed pretty relieved when they heard me and saw me and the woman and the child were crying from stress and tension. They were a small family, the parents and a little boy. They were quite well dressed and seemed to be people with resources and money. I put myself to work and I preferred to attend them and their state before contacting any of the members of my team. Between tears and shaking voice they explained to me that they had been ambushed with the ninjas that accompanied them in their travel for protection by some sort of masked shinobi that wanted to kidnap the little boy that was hugging tightly and afraid her mother crying terrified. The poor kid was a couple of years older than Miyu and I felt moved imaging the pain they had felt when that nasty ninjas had tried to take him away. I was angered too, I could understand them pretty well now that I had my own child. But I had to focus myself and maintain my head cold and collected and do my job the best I could. They told me that the ones protecting them had gone to fight them but they had been killed or badly injured and they didn't have any idea of what had happened after they disappeared chasing the kidnappers and the appearance of the boy.
"The boy?"
I asked while I was bandaging a very awful wound in the man's right arm. He was calmer with me there in total control.
"Yes, the boy. If it wasn't for him we would had died and our son would have been kidnapped by that monsters. When our protectors didn't returned and they killed the ones who stayed with us we run until we stopped near here thinking we had lost them. Our protectors died trying to give us a chance to run and we took it. But some of that monsters followed us and they were ready to kill me and my wife if we didn't let them take Akira. It was then that the boy appeared and defended us fighting them. In fact he was a pretty good ninja. It was thanks to him that we're only injured and not dead and that Akira is with us."
"He protected us and then left chasing the two who run away after seeing him defeating their other partners in crime. We wanted to thank him for saving our life!"
The woman said sincerely shaken and sobbing stressed out. Her husband hugged her and the little boy in her arms supportive and caring. I smiled encouraging them and put myself to finish my work and when I had finally done it I was left just taking care of them and watching their sweet family portrait with melancholy. I reached Kakashi-Sensei by radio and soon he and my other teammates and friends will come after finishing their own investigation. The little boy had just a few scratches and now he was sleeping securely in his father arms. The mother was still hugging her husband resting her head against his left shoulder and she was still stiff and rigid from the tension originated from the attack. The man was calmer and more confident having me there and now he had a fierce look in his eyes while his stance was protecting his family.
I sighed nostalgic and worried thinking in Sasuke-Kun. I needed to find him desperately and truly. I just needed him near me even if he wasn't destined for me. And seeing the love that couple shared and had grown with their son's birth just gripped my heart in sorrow and sad happiness. I just wanted that simple thing. I just desired that for me. Why I don't have it? Why he doesn't love me? Why he couldn't love me? Why he had chosen me then to be the mother of his child unexpectedly? Why he had sex with me?
I dropped my head resignated and with crystal eyes and my distraction caused my ignorance at the sudden attack that fell upon us without any kind of warning. Five men appeared from behind the trees around us, dressed in black and with masks and started to attack us immediately. I was so infuriated hearing the little boy crying and the woman screaming in panic and looking at the man ready to die defending them that I fought them with precision and velocity putting myself between the kidnappers and the family.
Still with all my training and might they were quite good and there was a little moment when they caused me to hesitate when two approached dangerously the parents and the child without me expecting it. I was angrier by then and when I had prepared myself to do a major technique to protect them even exposing myself something happened that I wasn't expecting and took me by surprise freezing me in my spot. Someone dressed similar to them appeared from nowhere in front of me and defended me from an attack skillfully. I was shocked seeing that person just a mere inches protecting me, protecting us, with mouth gaping and eyes wide opened looking seriously and confused when I heard the woman behind me screaming "It's him, it's the boy, he returned!". The men put all the attention to him and started attacking him without giving him any chance to run. I watched the scene paralyzed by unexpected confusion and when one of them tried to hurt me the mysterious boy took me in his arms and stepped back with a perfect jump to the spot where the family was watching terrified the battle. I felt so shocked being there in that strange boy's arms like a stupid and defenseless little girl that I had to shock my head to get out from my unexplained and stunned reverie. Something about his warmth and presence warned my amazed mind. I looked up at the face of the person protecting me and my surprise and mental paralysis were so unexpected, so big and stunning that I lost my voice and my serious and observant frown and I blinked slowly my emerald eyes staring shocked and frozen at that pale face of black eyes.
It was him. My Sasuke-Kun.
He was the so called "boy".
He just locked his dark eyes with mine for seconds before lowering me from his arms. That eyes had worn the former fire of him and had spoken of his skill and talent as a shinobi and the representative of the famous and recalled Uchiha Clan. I had seen in his face and his stance, his stare and limited force, the old Sasuke-Kun I remember from before, the one that was so damn good in battle, so strong and bright, so resourceful that made my heart to quiver in girlish passion, in that sweet crush that was still inside of my trembling soul. I knew that he wasn't exactly the same as he was when his health was good and complete, but still the same old spark of elegant power and natural training was in every part of his being. I had to let out a deep sigh of adoring watching and I could felt the soft red covering my pale cheeks but I was staring serious and concerned at him, so glad of seeing him so soon and well, and so worried for encountering him in such bad situation. I wanted to hug him tight crying of happiness for finding him finally. But I was shocked too by the unexpected encounter we were facing right now and his attitude and his near presence shaking me from inside.
He had looked briefly at me with his cold and indifferent mask matching perfectly that beautiful face of him but I didn't care. He had protected me. He had taken me away from the danger even knowing I could now defend myself. Even if he had done it just thinking in Miyu's behalf, I found it touching and my hope grown a little bit against my reality. I was sure that even if we hadn't had a daughter he still had done the same. Something in the way he embraced me told me about it and just remembering the feelings that had spread through me being there in his arms caused me to melt inwardly at it.
I had forgotten how good and marvelous it felt to be so close to him.
He was fighting them while I was just like a little girl watching him enchanted by his presence, stupid and useless and that made me angrier especially at me and I quickly run to help him ready to show him and to me, that I was not the same weak girl I was before. I had fought against me so bad in the past trying to leave that behind me, trying to improve myself that it still affected me sometimes. I wanted to be strong to help everyone but I wanted it especially to one fine day protect the one I love with all my soul. Sasuke-Kun turned around at me with a frown that told me of his disapprove of my actions and I found it so damn cute that I just smiled daring him honestly with amusement while I was punching hard one of the masked ninjas. I saw amazed and proud how my attitude had surprised him and a little frown of embarrassment and disagreed marked his face making him even cuter in his own disgruntled and fierce expression.
To our good luck suddenly my teammates appeared finally and they helped us quickly to submit the kidnappers. I had to admit to myself that I didn't care about anything when I knew everything was going to be fine and I fixed my shivering emerald glance in his silhouette. Kakashi-Sensei, Naruto and Shikamaru had been so damn shocked and surprised to see him there but I saw after they seized the dangerous situation around us that they felt the same relief I was feeling for finding him safe and fine. Sasuke-Kun was fighting too not able to lose his status of a great shinobi in front of any of us. I knew how proud he could be and that only made him cuter to me and made me to giggle dreamily still with a stupid fallen in love and childish stare. I was left to see everything in slow motion while I was taking care of the family who were now calmer with all of my team there and their savior. It was the first time that I really knew that I had been fighting uselessly against my love and yearning to be near him all this long months. I had tried, yes, I had done it, I had done everything in my power to run away from him and have a life without him but I had failed and now I was accepting the fact. Why would I do if he do something hurtful again to me?
Probably I would not put distance and time again between us like I had done it for more than a year in spite of my grudge and suffering.
When my teammates and Sasuke-Kun finished battling the masked shinobis, they come to me and the family and Kakashi-Sensei started to ask questions to me and them and take decisions. I forgot for a moment that Sasuke-Kun's was in front of me a little away looking at us cold and with a strange resignation painting his dark beautiful eyes.
"Well I guess it was lucky that we encountered this situation. We resolved two missions." Kakashi-Sensei smiled openly at the still Uchiha who frowned and averted his black gaze. "Anyway I had contacted the team that was tracking this group of criminals. We need to show them where we left the other members of the gang and to put you in custody." He said to the family and they nodded relieved and smiling shyly. "So, Naruto, Shikamaru and I are barely hurt and you Sakura had treated perfectly these three persons so the only injured one here is Sasuke."
I turned to him worried and serious just scanning him immediately. I hadn't realized before that he was hurt and I smacked myself for that. I was so lost in watching him and basking in the feelings I had tried to buried deep inside of me that I hadn't seen that in the last fightings he had gotten hurt. Sasuke narrowed his intense stare annoyed at our former sensei who just smiled awkwardly.
"So were going to take care of the things while you treat him Sakura. When you're ready contact me to tell you what's next."
I just nodded speechless at the meaning of his order. The family thanked us, and especially Sasuke-Kun sincerely and he just nodded calm and collected. Then they left after Shikamaru and Kakashi-Sensei and Naruto took another path into the forest. But before going, Naruto came over Sasuke-Kun and pointed at him with his right eyebrow twitching and with freaky serious voice that it didn't quite go with our always cheerful and optimistic blond friend.
"I'm glad we found you again idiot! And don't dare to leave again because all this fighting left me hungry and tired and annoyed and you know me! Sakura-Chan can knock you down if you try it again, you hear me fool?"
Kakashi-Sensei and I giggled in secret seeing Sasuke-Kun glaring caught off guard at Naruto's words and attitude. He had narrowed his eyes somehow embarrassed. I thought he was going to do something against Naruto in response but my two teammates left immediately and then my amusement died when I knew that I had been left alone with him. My body froze from expectation and tension but I put on my disguise of medic nin and I confronted him with my serious and controlled face. I took a deep breathe and I approached him who was just waiting for me indifferent and observant and I saw that he was only injured in the head, in his forehead to be more precisely. I wanted to punch Kakashi-Sensei for giving me the idea of him being more injured but I knew he had wanted to leave me alone with him to properly talk. In his forehead was a deep and bleeding cut marking his pale skin just above the crimson Hyuuga seal. That focused me more than the last time when we had found ourselves in a similar situation and even when I still feel like that time, so nervous, shy and awkward with him all by myself, shaking inwardly at his nearness, I concentrated in healing him and watching the seal that I had not examinated before.
I had seen it but I didn't dare to stay watching it thinking that it was rude. I didn't want to make him feel uncomfortable so the last time I didn't put the least attention to that part of his face and I pretended that there wasn't anything there. But know I had the opportunity and I took it while I cleaned and healed the wound with the major carefulness and care I could reunite in my curative hands and warm chakra. We were standing just in front of the other alone in that part of the forest just with the quiet company of the trees and the wind making them dance with grace and I was so close to him that I felt my heart ringing wildly in my ears and pounding hard in my chest and I had to do a lot of effort to control my uneven breathing. I frowned trying to focus in my work. Sasuke-Kun was taller than me, probably just a head above but even that didn't put a limit to my chance of steal him the kiss I wanted so bad but I didn't dare to take it. He was just standing still indifferent and cold, glancing at me with freezing calm. Since he had stayed with Orochimaru he had changed to that wintered version of himself. So cold, so unreachable, so indifferent, so serious, so proud, so arrogant. But before when we had been kids he had been more impulsive and talkative. He smirked much more in that past times. Later when we had encountered him later after his first fleeing from Konoha years ago we had found this frozen Sasuke-Kun who was so calm and collected in every circumstance we could think of.
But I don't care. I love him no matter how he is because I love every part of him. I love him just who he is. I love him if he's fire or if he's ice. I love him.
And I just wanted one day to see him smile and laugh openly like he had never really done it since I had met him.
I watched sad and concerned at the red tattooed seal after healing him. It was beautiful but so damn cruel. I had heard about what had caused in my Sasuke-Kun that day at the picnic and I had been so enraged for it and intensely worried. I didn't have the chance to go see him because he left before I could do it.
I, lost in my thoughts and preoccupation, let my right hand to trace its crimson lines with my fingertips delicately and slowly without caring if he could apart me or get angry at me for doing it. I even dared to brush away some strands of his jet black hair from his handsome face while he was just like before in front of me scanning my actions with that deep eyes of him. My green eyes lowered from his hair basking in every small detail of his face till they reached his perfect mouth and I felt the urgency of kissing just once that lips and I reddened instantly embarrassed for my thought. I shocked inwardly trying to get hold of myself again and I tried to rise my look at his eyes and forget his lips but I caught him barely smirking and putting his mouth in such position that it was begging me to kiss it.
My face burned in fire of embarrassment at him actually knowing what I wanted to do.
I frowned serious and put all my will in control me, erase the red from my warm cheeks and I turned my gaze just for seconds before knowing what I have to say to him. I was there for a reason, I had gone on mission for a reason and I couldn't let my powerful feelings to overtake me now. I'll always want to take that kiss from him but I know I'll never have it anyway. Sad and serious I took some steps back and spun around to face him again. He was like before, cold, calm and indifferent staring at me like studying my actions.
Calm down fool. You can't be overpowered by that beautiful black eyes of him! He cannot know how much it affects you to be near him! He cannot know how deep he shakes your world even worst than before and after having sex with him!
"Listen" I said first firm and deadly serious and concerned. Inner Sakura was right. I cannot show him all the love he took out from the inside of my heart. It's pointless. I don't want to force him to anything and force myself to him. We only shared our lives for Miyu, our daughter. Just that. But only seeing him there swept me completely leaving me defenseless and at his disposal. "Mother told me all about the necklace and the Uchiha heritage... I was so surprised and shocked at discovering what you have done.." He averted his black stare and focused it in a tree in front of us. I knew he was listening to me but he really didn't want to discuss it. He actually had thought probably that I wouldn't be able to see him again to talk about it and he had been mistaken. Now we were here and I was ready to chat it. He was feeling like me, just that I was in another matter in fact, feeling it due to the strange reaction my being let show when we were in normal situations like this one. "I know you expect to go away without me, without us talking it... but I'm glad we found you... I have to say that I didn't expect you doing all that for Miyu but I'm so happy and relieved. Really. I know now without a doubt and against all odds that you care deeply and really about her and that you love her truly."
I smiled sincerely moved and locked my green eyes in his pale face. He saw me by the corner of his black stare which seemed exhausted. The intensity in his look forced me to lower my gaze and put it in the green grass beneath our feet.
"So I was never trying to take her away from you. You're her father. You can be with her any time you want and I'll let you see her any time you want. If it is what you really want, you can be her father and I won't forbid you to be it. Really, I just want her to have her dad and be happy. I just want you to be her dad and be happy. I want happiness for the both of you. I won't get in the middle. I can never do that."
I sighed honestly smiling softly with my eyes lost in the ground. I knew he had his dark glance fixed in the truck of the tree. I turned to him slowly searching for a reaction to my words. He sensed me watching and waiting patiently with serenity and seriousness and a kind invitation and nodded afterwards locking his secretive eyes in my pale face for seconds before returning them to the front. I could sense that he wasn't expecting this, he wasn't expecting to be confronted about his last actions in favor of our daughter and least hearing me saying all that. I nodded too smiling glad. He couldn't go on denying the true love he felt for our little girl and he had accepted it finally.
"Sasuke-Kun... you should return to Konoha with us. There's not point in going away, the village is your home, it has been always... so please, come back with us, Miyu misses you, you know... she keeps calling for you to come to see her. Konoha is our home, is your home... you cannot change that even after everything that had happened... so come back, I promised her to bring you to her and you know a mother can't break her promises."
I said playfully sincere and smiling melancholic. I didn't say anything else but I caught he had taken my words seriously and he was meditating them deeply in his stillness, muteness and always present control of his imaginary world. I looked him serious and concerned, wondering how was his world now, how he perceived it and how strong he must be to live in a atmosphere mixing reality and fiction. I never forgot, and all of us either, that his hallucinations were present in every moment in his life, just sometimes they were fewer and weaker than others. I wanted so bad to hug him and make them go and leave him in peace.
Suddenly my reverie was cut off when I heard the voice of our former sensei through the radio in my ear and I went in alarm after listening his voice in a middle of a big fight. I lost communication with him and Sasuke-Kun and I knew what it meant and we look at each other after I tried uselessly to contact any of them again. We fixed looks in the other's just seconds before nodding and agreeing in what we had to do and we run together, side by side, like two teammates in a mission, like the past times, searching desperately and worriedly our friends. When we found them we noticed immediately that they had been ambushed by new masked shinobi and the family was again panicked and scared seeing the battles with profound dread and shock. Sasuke-Kun and I approached our three friends quickly and started to fight back and help out. For long minutes everything was balanced till we noticed that they seemed pretty interested in Sasuke-Kun and some of them had encircled him looking to hurt him badly or even kill him. I could almost hear how one of them demanded him to give them what he had stolen from them or else they were going to finish him. I didn't exactly know of what they were talking about because I had my own enemies to knock down but my heart leaped in painful concern at seeing the young man I love in such a danger. He could sense my preoccupied and constant stare over him and for one time he turned quickly to me looking intensely and serious.
"GIVE US THE LIST!"
One of the men shouted at Sasuke-Kun but he continued fighting without stepping back. Of what list they were talking about? My pounding heart was then crushed when I saw in slow motion how they almost had submitted him and were ready to kill him without a doubt. My world was stopped and I was paralyzed even wanting to move faster, I got deaf and my voice cried out his name damn worried and desperately and I extended my hand trying to reach him knowing that I was very far away to save him. Tears stung my wide opened eyes when I saw surprised that Naruto had approached him suddenly putting himself in the middle of Sasuke-Kun and the masked ninjas receiving him the powerful strike of their attack. I screamed surprised and intensely concerned at seeing Naruto's body falling to the ground badly injured unconscious and I forced my body to move faster until I got to the both of them like Shikamaru but we were contained by more enemies making us angry and desperate to reach our fallen friend. Kakashi-Sensei too was trying to get the upper hand in battle but the masked kidnappers seemed to be part of a pretty damn big army. When one fell three more appeared from nowhere to replace him. I was dreading that if I couldn't help Naruto in time he could get worst or even die. I shocked my head enraged and trying not to cry from anger and desperation. Suddenly I saw a black fire starting from nothing in the middle of the battlefield scaring the hell out of the criminals and even catching some of them in its powerful and mysterious dark flames engulfing their bodies. I got stunned seeing that with my heart gripping in hurt and worry.
Amaterasu.
I looked quickly at Sasuke-Kun seeing the red liquid coming from his left eye staining his cheek and falling down his pale face. The Mangekyou Sharingan was active and put his black eyes in that marvelous and dangerous pattern I had seen before with dread. Now I was just staring worriedly at him using his power. I knew what the consequences were. He stopped it when Shikamaru and Kakashi-Sensei could finish off the rest of the masked criminals using his ability again. The effort had been bigger and exhausting than when he used it totally healthy in the past and he was gasping for air and fell to his knees totally worn out. His black eyes wore a truly shade of tiredness. He had made an extreme effort to brought out the Amaterasu in his state and that touched and crushed my loving heart.
I knelt in front of my blond friend almost crying but I got serious and put my medic nin to work without losing a minute examinating him. Sasuke-Kun was looking at our falling friend with somehow shocked expression hiding behind his coldness and seriousness. But I had seen how he had been surprised at watching Naruto protecting him and in his own secretive way he was completely worried for him.
Shikamaru returned to the family calming them down and I attended Naruto's injuries the fastest and best I could while Kakashi-Sensei contacted the team in charge of the mission related to the kidnappers. With my effort and experience soon I healed Naruto and got him in an stable state. I dried my sweating forehead with the back of my hands after attending him sighing tired and glad of being there to help my blue eyed friend. He needed to be hospitalized but I was pretty sure that in some days he would be fine again. I stayed at his side checking his vitals in case they had changed but I focused too in Sasuke-Kun knowing how the Amaterasu had gotten the best of him at the moment. He was near us still in the same position looking distracted at the lying and unconscious silhouette of Naruto. He was shivering and seemed to have a little fever.
"Are you alright Sasuke-Kun?"
I asked him worried and he nodded at me. Still I did a quick checkup on him in spite of his rejection at it and I was glad that he didn't have severe injuries and tried to heal in him what I could. He was affected badly by the using of his Mangekyou Sharingan but that was natural in him even being healthy or not. I heard concerned and with teary eyes how his breathing evened slowly and he seemed a little recovered. The seal should had done something to prevent and limit his power over the Amaterasu and had sickened him a little. But I could sense like the medic nin I was that he was weak and exhausted from everything, especially the using of his black fire. We were silent just watching our best friend preoccupied while Shikamaru and Kakashi-Sensei took charge of everything without might to say anything more and being quiet comfortable with it. I still blushed with his nearness and hypnotizing stare but I have been finding a some sort of strange acceptation little by little. I didn't care if he could make me feel forever shy, nervous or awkward. I knew that the love I feel for him caused it and gladly I could feel always like that if I could have him beside me. I wonder how he felt with me near him. Sadly I had to remember and realize the truth.
"Hey guys... what with the long... faces?"
Naruto's weak and slow voice called my attention and I took his hand in mine smiling relieved and happy at seeing him conscious with watery emerald glance. Sasuke-Kun narrowed his eyes serious at him but I could almost see the sigh of relief he let out secretive at hearing Naruto talking.
"Don't do that again to us Naruto! What I could have said to Hinata you stupid fool?!"
I lectured jokingly at him and he chuckled barely wincing from pain. I smiled sincerely relieved when he smiled back softly and cheerfully. We got interrupted when Anko, Chouji, Tenten and Neji arrived finally claiming to be the team in search of the masked criminals. They took charge of everything thanking us for our help and testifying the state of Naruto forced us to return quickly to Konoha. They were pretty strong and sure to be able to take care of the rest and we obeyed them grateful knowing pretty well that the four of us were tired from the entire episode. Chouji, Tenten and Neji were very worried for Naruto and surprised and relieved to see Sasuke-Kun with us. They greeted the both happily and then got to do their job in assisting the qualified Anbu.
Kakashi-Sensei carried Naruto on his back while this one was almost falling unconscious again and we took our path back to the village. A good thing was that we weren't far from reaching it and I kept beside the two watching over my blond friend incessantly with detailed observance. Sasuke-Kun was following us closely and I kept him in check in case he decided to run away or if he fell sick suddenly. But somehow I knew that after my little speech he had taken the decision to return with us and stay in Konoha again and hopefully forever. I smiled sad and happy at the same time inwardly at noticing that I hadn't failed to my little girl. I had kept my promise of bringing him back to us and I felt proud and in a melancholic state of bliss. Now I was pretty sure that Sasuke-Kun indeed worried about any of his former friends and sensei not matter who he was now and in his actual situation, either physical, mental or emotional. I had always wondered if he truly thought in us and in the pain he caused when he acted so erratic and mysterious and I had a pretty sure idea that he indeed did. He had showed it when he had saved Shino in that mission and now in worrying for Naruto's sake. He could show always that he was a soft freezing winter inside of a person but I know better now. He could be trapped in his ill world with reality and fiction but I know better now. Sasuke-Kun at the end had remembered his links to us and feelings, whatever they were, and he had proved it when he had sided with Konoha even in spite of his own desire of revenge and grudge against what we represented with the village in his pained heart.
Probably he would never accept it in public or much less to other but it was there inside of him. Perhaps he would never say anything about it. Maybe he would never accept it even to himself.
But I knew better now.
And I was content to know it even just for myself.
Kakashi POV
I'm not surprised a lot seeing Sasuke beside Naruto's bed in hospital.
When we arrived Konoha immediately we took him to Tsunade-Sama and Shizune and they took care of him without losing a second. I ordered Sakura, Shikamaru and Sasuke to go to rest, take a shower and eat. I was going to do it too, after all we all need it desperately. I accompanied the Uchiha (we lived one beside the other anyway) and we didn't return to the hospital till hours later after we were ready and strong again. Shizune had told us to return till that time after Naruto had been treated and the Hokage had received Anko's team report to talk to us about all. The two experienced in medicine women were so glad and relieved to see that we had returned with Sasuke too. He had been a little confused of everyone's well intentioned reaction for his coming back and he had been a little more introspective than always. In my observance I blamed it in his strange disbelief of our good feeling towards him and the discovery of his love for his daughter. He had accepted finally his parenthood and care for Miyu and he couldn't take it back even by any secret reason he could have.
I had left my room ready to go to visit Naruto and see Tsunade-Sama and he was out of his room already waiting drifting in thought for me. We were in silence all the time that took the both of us to return to the hospital because I know him and I wasn't going to put in obvious that he had intended to leave the village forever and he had been dragged back without him wanting it completely. I acted like if nothing had happened and let him be with his quietness and lost black stare. I knew that Sakura had talked to him about their situation of being parents of a child and I had seen that they seemed calmer and able to connect with the other even if it was just for that. At least they were acting mature this time but I couldn't help to feel sad knowing of the suffering of my former pink haired student loving him so much that it had hurt her so badly months ago and still does.
When we arrived at Naruto's white room he was awake and Hinata and Sakura were there laughing with him. He seemed still pale and weak but his humor was cheerful and optimistic like always. Like I had noticed before, Sakura and Sasuke just greeted the other, she with a simple smile and he with a simple nod but they were in peace now. A sorrowful one, but at least peace. We joked about Naruto's state and laughed and talked about how all of his friends had come to visit him already. Iruka-Sensei had come earlier with Konohamaru and his two little friends too. Hinata never let go of his right hand that was clutched lovingly between hers and she looked relieved and happily, and yes, completely loving at him. Sometimes I know that Naruto doesn't know exactly how much she loves him even when he loves her deeply. We got interrupted by Shizune who told us to go to talk to Tsunade-Sama about the mission but Sasuke didn't want to go. We respected his wishes, besides, the honey eyed Hokage had talked before with him in company of Hiashi-Sama after we arrived to the hospital. Sakura and Hinata stood up following me, Naruto had asked his dark haired girlfriend to go in his place pouting and begging like a little flirting boy. She just giggled blushed and cheerful and left the room with me and Sakura in tow. Before going out of the white place I casted a last glance at the lying Naruto who was talking optimistic and happy looking at his quiet black eyed friend who was sitting in a chair beside the right side of the bed. I smiled warmly seeing Sasuke there like Naruto had been other times when the places were changed between the two. And sadly I knew deeply that it was going to be the Uchiha who would be in a near future more times in the place of the bed instead of the blond heir of the Fourth Hokage.
While we were walking in direction of Tsunade-Sama I recalled the reunion she had had with Hiashi-Sama, Sasuke and me. She had wanted the Hyuuga Head of the Clan to check Sasuke up due to his forced intervention with the seal. The wise and powerful man did it and was pretty amazed for the skill showed by Sasuke to meddle with the seal created by him. But he was in major part worried about him and the consequences that his meddling could cause, if they existed however, in a near or far away future. But for now everything seemed fine with the Uchiha and he had only tried to reduce the power the red design had over him when it was directed at stopping him leaving Konoha. We didn't exactly know how the seal still could stop him anyway but Hiashi-Sama said that probably it caused high fever and extreme weakness in Sasuke due to his fighting against the pulling effect showed before. I was relieved after hearing from the Head of the Hyuuga Clan that Sasuke hadn't done a lot of damage or worsen the crimson seal. The Council had ordered Hiashi-Sama to reinforce the seal to limit Sasuke even more than before and he had done it previously being alone with the Uchiha. Tsunade-Sama and I weren't thrilled with it like the Hyuuga Clan Head but we couldn't do anything about it. Now it was less possible that Sasuke could even use his normal Sharingan or the more powerful Jutsus he knew. They couldn't force him again to not leave Konoha without them knowing, that part of the seal was damaged thanks to my former student but they took revenge in limiting him so much that now he could scarcely be considered as an Uchiha in fact. But I know Sasuke and I know how much this is maddening him and with reason and how much he will try to regain control over his abilities and powers flooding in his blood and I will be there to help him not matter what the Council could say about it. They can't take away from him what it is a part of himself. I can't allow it not matter what. It's not right and not logical to me.
Then Tsunade-Sama had checked him up to know if he needed to be hospitalized and was glad to see that he had tried to keep his treatments in check. She only gave him his required shots and test about his seizures being really relieved of not seeing him suffering from any right now. After all the medical stuff she asked him about something we had been wondering about very interested, curious and guessing. We had discussed his past kidnapping of Miyu, now knowing how he had tried to protect her with the necklace, and we thought that probably he had prepared it and done it when he had taken her with him that time. When the Hokage asked him directly and serious about it Sasuke hadn't reacted in a way we could consider a straight answer anyway. He just glared coldly and tiredly at us and then turned his black gaze to one side and we knew that he was seeing invisible things in the room. His pale face shadowed suddenly and there was a flash of pain in that onyx eyes of his. All of us knew that he wasn't going to answer her question in any possible way he could do it. He didn't want us to know what had happened that hours when he had taken his daughter with him outside Konoha. He didn't want us to know how he had achieved that impressive protection for her and in consequence for Sakura herself. We still didn't have a clue about a lot of things happening with the Uchiha and it wasn't a surprise anyway. Sasuke could be very secretive and mysterious with his own life. But Tsunade-Sama and I had in mind that it was probably that reason which drove him to kidnap the little girl and nothing else. He had returned afterwards to the village and everything seemed working in that direction. We really thought and felt that he had taken her to someone who could perform that incredible kind of jutsu but we probably would never know exactly what he had planned.
I still wonder why he chose to protect her in that way but I guess he had decided by then to leave forever Konoha or possibly die. I wonder somehow interested and worried in this last thing. Did he really think that he could possibly die fighting back that men? And if he wouldn't have died then... would he leave forever the village?
Then the blond and exuberant Hokage asked him before letting him go about his interest in the information of that specific mission. Now we knew why Sasuke had entered and searched in Tsunade-Sama's office before deciding to go. We knew why he had prepared himself like if he had been sent in some sort of mission but we still couldn't figure out why he had chosen that mission specifically. The only clue was the list Sasuke had with him when we arrived Konoha and was the thing the kidnappers had wanted to take away from him without caring if they have to kill him. The list had been written in some sort of codification and Tsunade-Sama had asked someone to take it and decipher the contain. We knew Sasuke wouldn't communicate in any possible way what this was all about. He still was trying to have some sort of control and mystery and we wondered the reason behind his impressive rejection to share that information.
We couldn't get nothing more from my former student so the Hokage let him go knowing that she would find this time the real reason behind all his secret behavior. But she couldn't help to thank him and praise him for his participation in the completing of the mission with a certain success. The kidnappers, all of them, were now in jail and they'll spend their life there without doubt about it. They had committed a lot of crimes related with kidnappings to obtain riches and money in another villages and countries.
I sighed tired but glad for knowing that they couldn't hurt or kill another innocent person and harm families in their ambition and cruelty. When I arrived at the honey eyed Sannin's office with the two girls ahead of me, Shizune was already there with her boss and Sai. Hinata and Sakura greeted and talked a little with him really happy for seeing him. I did my part too smiling sincerely at the young man before the Hokage ended giving her orders to Shizune who was writing quickly in a paper her words. We hadn't seen him since a long time ago, Sai had been away so long ago doing some missions far away Konoha under Ibiki's orders. Sakura was asking him cheerfully how had been his life till now away from Konoha and about his job while Hinata asked him sweetly to go and visit Naruto before going again. Even after all that had happened Sai still was a somehow weird person and unexperienced with people and his social skills needed development for some time to come but he wasn't just as before at least. Sometimes watching him I got reminded of Sasuke and viceversa. I always found that freakishly strange.
Sakura had asked him something quite interesting with teasing green glaze and a cocky smile and Hinata was giggling softly at his blank expression till a light red appeared in his pale cheeks and I could straight see his confusion painted in his questioning eyes. But we got interrupted by Tsunade-Sama who had finished with Shizune and the two were waiting for us. We then gathered in front of her big desk and she was serious like always when the matter needed it, but now she seemed calm and even apprehensive in spite of her tiredness too. Shizune was staring at us seriously too.
"Sai deciphered the list's code and gave me the transcription. Now we had answers to the questions we had at least concerning our Uchiha boy."
She motioned her honey eyes towards Sakura and then nodded at her surprising my former pink haired student. Hinata was clueless as her and I was really interested in what the famous female Sannin could say about it.
"The list contains the names of people they had planned to kidnap. There were their locations and family ties and how much they were thinking in ask for the rescue for each one. The name of Miyu Haruno was in it, by the way."
Sakura flinched surprised and shocked at hearing her words. Tsunade-Sama had suddenly got worried and emphatic at the feelings of the young mother that had surfaced with the real meaning behind that words. Hinata supported Sakura with a soft embrace concerned at the whole significance of all. I knew it too, the little now called Uchiha had been in a constant and unknown danger and nobody of us could even imagine it or expect it. That was the true. What could have happened if they would had success in kidnapping Miyu? I didn't even want to think about it. Sakura's pale face and big open, shocked and afflicted emerald eyes reflected it already. Shizune smiled sad and supportive at her who was being soothed by the dark haired Heiress of the Hyuuga Clan.
"They didn't know of her change of name of course when they listed her so her former last name appeared instead of the new one but they knew already of her kinship with Sasuke Uchiha and that was what mattered to them in the end. It 's not a secret that he came from an antique, distinguished and resourceful clan. Her kidnapping was programmed to take place this week. They were planning it still. We were totally clueless at it unfortunately. But I guess Sasuke wasn't." She paused without taking his eyes off us, specially the young pink haired mother who was shaking in realization and suffering at the possible danger her daughter could have suffered. "I don't have still any idea of how Sasuke got the information about them and how he took that list from them but seeing his attire when he arrived with you I guess he disguised himself as one of them to do it. But how he knew about the danger Miyu was facing in her innocent world, I don't know. Probably he heard about it in one of his runaways, after all the kidnappers had time with their business going on from some time ago but they hadn't been imprisoned before. Well they say what they know now being in our hands. Many people is thankful to Konoha for it."
"So this resumes to the way he still protects his daughter in his own way."
My words made Sakura to lower her still pale face to the floor thoughtful and moved. I could see the happiness shining in her emerald gaze but I could see sadness in the soft smile she wore. She seemed a little surprised and it didn't amazed me anymore, Sasuke had proved before how much he cared and loved their little girl. Hinata was smiling sadly and content still embracing her in support. Tsunade closed her wise eyes just a moment with a little smirk painting her face. Shizune was glazing preoccupied at the Haruno heir.
"You could say that. All of you did a wonderful job confronting and capturing that men. You have my compliments. And about our savior I guess he'll stay in the village now permanently. Or not?"
She asked straight at Sakura and she, now calmer after hearing of the potential danger Miyu was facing and now knowing it had dissipated, nodded still with a slight sad distraction masking her features.
"I think he will. There's not a reason not to anyway. I'll make sure Miyu can keep him here forever."
She laughed a little trying to be cheerful but I could sense the pain in that faked laugh and the sadness in that green eyes. Hinata looked at her worried and understanding by the corner of her pearl eyes. Tsunade-Sama just gazed longingly calm at her. Shizune and Sai were serious.
"That's good to hear. I hope for it."
The blond Hokage smiled widely moved at my former student making her to nod again and pretending behind her own thoughts and feelings. Then there was a sharp silence in which all of us were attentive and concerned at her real state of mind and heart but luckily for her the door opened with a loud bang and a young and blond blue eyed woman entered with quick steps and extended arms that went straight to Sai's neck and she clung for it with all her might smiling happily.
"I heard you came back! Why the hell you didn't go to see me Sai?!"
She punched him playfully in his right arm fluttering her long and curved eyelashes with a hint of a cute pouting in her lips. Sakura and Hinata giggled entertained. Shizune, Tsunade and I were only watching amused the scene. Sai was staring at her somehow embarrassed and confused.
"Should I have done it before coming here? I'm sorry Ino."
He said sincerely confused being under the annoyed blue gaze of the serious blond medic nin.
"Hmm..."
She murmured staring seemingly hurt but then just laughed openly clung to him now by her right arm entangled with his left.
"I'm just joking! Don't worry dear. You did well coming here like the good and great shinobi you are."
"That's true Sai. Yamanaka it's only joking. Good job. And for that and all you have been doing you deserve to stay in Konoha some days before going again with Ibiki."
Sai nodded respectful at Tsunade-Sama who was still smiling amused by the couple. Ino was shining in utter bliss.
"Thank you Hokage-Sama! I missed my boyfriend so much in all this time! I didn't have enough time to enjoy him and parade with him in front of my friends and people."
"If I were you Sai I would take that as being a trophy to feel envious at."
"Should I be upset or angry?"
He asked to any of us confused but Ino laughed again dismissing me playfully.
"Kakashi-Sensei you know I'm just joking around. Of course I want him too to be just the both of us, completely and romantically alone."
She rested her head smiling devilishly and coquettish while the boy in question just looked ignorant and tense at her.
"Ino-San please!"
Shizune was scandalized and red while I just chuckled like Tsunade. Sakura and Hinata were thrilled at all, the first one smiling cheerfully and the second smiling sweetly. I was happy to see Sakura enjoying it and just laughing for a moment in peace. Ino dismissed Shizune's panic shrugging and smiling relaxed.
"Then you all can go and do with your time whatever you want and your youth requires."
"Tsunade-Sama!"
Shizune screamed scandalized and embarrassed. We all laughed (except the poor Sai who was clueless and attentive at his blond and outgoing girlfriend) and left leaving the Sannin and her assistant lecturing her for her words while the blond woman just laughed trying to defend herself.
Sai had to go to attend something before taking his little vacations and promised a menacing Ino to come to see her later at her flower shop to talk and go out. I walked ahead the three friends who were talking cheerfully and laughing feeling myself in their own mood by the recent events I had been present. I felt like maybe we all could have some time in peace and live an ordinary life and I wanted, really really wanted it to last forever, but inwardly I knew I was lying to myself. Things never stay the same and it's a thing of life and nature even if we wished it with all our might but that doesn't mean we cannot dream otherwise and hope against it.
That's why it's called hope I guess at the mere end.
Sakura POV
"Ino you didn't have to be so specific back there!"
"Ha, ha, come on Sakura! You're the one who doesn't have any say about it!"
She laughed wickedly at me and I blushed immediately knowing what she meant. Oh yeah. Sometimes I forgot that I'm the one who had the experience now and I have a daughter to prove it. Hinata was just smiling blushed too. Of course all of us knew what Ino meant with her words but I don't know how many of them are joke and how many are not. She then sighed somehow mockingly disappointed and dreamily.
"I wish it could be like that. I pray for Sai to take advantage over me. I'm the one who has to assault him instead! Why he doesn't do it?"
I turned my shocked, embarrassed and red face to her like Hinata had done but more blushed than me.
"Wha... what?"
I asked Ino stuttering. She just smirked shrugging completely normal.
"That's what I like him anyway. He's so cute for being so clueless. My my... I think I had fallen in love with him. I wouldn't mind if he could be sometimes a little more active, romantically active I must say. I don't know, a moment of make out would be nice."
She laughed sincere and with a spark of bliss in her blue eyes. Hinata and I just looked at each other smiling happily and forgetting about the things she had said honestly about her relationship with Sai. Remembering I could understand what she meant and wanted sometimes. She was always the one who took his hand or kissed him or hugged him. Only then he answered but he was very respectful and somehow a strange kind of gentleman due mainly to his past. But it was plainly clear that he was enchanted and liked her a lot and he acted very different with her comparing it with his behavior with Hinata, Tenten or me or even any other girl in Konoha. Besides, Naruto had told us that he had been lately questioning him about how to treat and deal with girls and specifically girlfriends. He had asked Neji and Shikamaru too and "The four hottest young bachelors in Konoha" (the name Kiba had set for the group Chouji, Shino, Lee and himself formed) had given him advices too (some good others somehow... suggestive in a joking way).
"I didn't want to hear that by the way."
Kakashi-Sensei's voice made us flinch and he sighed looking back at my friends and me with a slightly red shade of embarrassment tainting his half masked face. Hinata and I were like him red in shame for the meaning of our joyful talk but Ino shrugged and dismissed him smiling with joking malice.
"Ha, ha, sorry Kakashi-Sensei. I didn't remember you were ahead us. Just girl's talk."
"I'll have nightmares."
He said mocking us smiling and shuddering. We laughed openly.
"So don't go gossiping to mother and father, please, Kakashi-Sensei."
Ino said fluttering her beautiful eyelashes and pouting and begging like a little girl. He just chuckled amused.
"Why would I gossip? I don't know what I could gossip anyway."
After that wonderful moment of release and fun thanks to the outgoing blond friend of mine, we went again to Naruto's room to say goodbye for today. Kakashi-Sensei, Ino and Hinata entered but I stopped hearing someone calling me so I turned around looking for the source of the voice confused and interested. When I noticed who it was I smiled wide and happy and extended my arms in utter delight.
Kakashi POV
I wondered why Sakura didn't come after us to see Naruto while Hinata took seat on the other side of his bed and clutched sweetly and smiling his hand in hers and Ino was at the end of the bed standing and gesturing while she was telling Naruto about Sai's comeback. Sasuke was still there beside him sitting in his chair calm and collected, with that common by now lost look in his pale face. I glanced back at the half opened door and caught what Sakura was doing outside the white room. I smiled glad and turned my gaze to Sasuke fixing my stare in him and that was when the door opened completely and my pink haired former student entered with Miyu in her arms and her mother was behind her. The two Haruno women were smiling sincere and happy but the young one seemed melancholic like always. The little girl, by the way, was quiet and watching at her surrounding pretty curious and observant with that black and kind eyes of her. I turned around to face them and greet them with a nod and a smile and Naruto, Hinata and Ino watching me immediately turned around too smiling happily. But it wasn't until Miyu saw the back of his father sitting on the chair that she giggled sweetly and extended her little arms at him calling for his attention that Sasuke himself turned to see what was happening.
"Dada! Dada!"
Sakura was smiling with a heartbreaking mixture of sadness and happiness and approached Sasuke who in turn had stood up with a hint of a smile in his silent lips. His face softened a little and even his obsidian eyes were less lost and empty. Sakura gave Miyu to him and he took her in his arms without doubting or showing any sort of rejection and hugged her with moving care and true love. Sakura just stayed there smiling glad with that emerald gaze shining from emotion and from the pain she tried to hide desperately inside her heart. I looked sadly at her knowing how she was feeling in fact. Sakura's mother was like me, looking at her concerned and touched. The only sound in the room for a couple of minutes was Miyu's voice saying "dada" over and over and "here". She was definitely delighted to see his father after so long ago.
"She wanted to see you so bad Sasuke! Don't make her wait for you anymore, you idiot!"
"And you idiot have to stay quiet in bed! Shizune said that at this hour you cannot have visits."
"What?! But it's still early!"
Naruto reclaimed to Ino who just nodded and smirked like if she was in command of him. This one turned begging and playing around to plead at his girlfriend who looked sweetly at him.
"Please Hinata don't go! Don't leave me alone!"
Naruto said clinging from the dark haired girl's waist making her blush immediately. He was just doing a childish tantrum and she caressed his blond hair lovingly saying that orders were orders. Naruto finally gave up in his amusing joke and we then said goodbye to him knowing he had to rest and sleep and left him alone with Hinata who lingered with him some minutes probably to tell him about the reunion with Tsunade-Sama. Naruto had been very considerate to not ask anything while Sasuke was there with us in the room. Ino waved goodbye saying that she had to make herself prettier for her date with Sai and I was left with Sakura and Sasuke and their little daughter like a specter in company of Ms. Haruno.
"Well for now we have to go. But you can go to visit her whenever you want. And if you want to take her with you to take a walk or whatever, you can do it, just tell me, ok?"
Sakura said honestly calm and glad. I could sense the awkwardness in the atmosphere between the two and specifically emitting from Sakura. Sasuke was to collected to let slip anything that he could be feeling at the moment and was stoic and calm. He wasn't indifferent and was very attentive at the dark haired little lady in his arms quiet and staring marveled at him with big and curious black eyes. He had listened Sakura fixing his glance over her and nodded without any sign of contradiction to her words. Sakura seemed a little shy and nervous being under his deep stare but didn't quiver in her resolution and will. It almost break my soul seeing the intense, pure and definitive love she felt for him. And that love clashed against the wall of indifference he raised towards her that was standing behind his onyx eyes.
"See you later then Sasuke-Kun. Take care and rest, please."
She said preoccupied and sincere and he just nodded again giving Miyu a soft and sweet kiss in her little forehead making her to giggle before surrendering her to her mother. When Sakura followed her mother to the hospital's main exit she spun around with her daughter in arms and waved goodbye gesturing Miyu to imitate her. I was beside Sasuke who was watching them go in his cold demeanor but longing gaze.
"Say bye bye to dad and Kakashi-Sensei. Bye bye dad! Bye bye Kakashi-Sensei!"
Sakura waved with her right hand while she bounced Miyu in her left arm and hip smiling in utter bliss and love. The little Uchiha imitated her soon waving with her little left hand to us smiling kind and quite happy. With sweet voice she followed her mother suggestion.
"Bay bay dada! Bay bay Kashisei!"
I smiled wide waving to her in response and saying goodbye too while Sakura's mom stared at us smiling somehow nostalgic. Sasuke waved goodbye to her too with a soft smirk painting life in that almost frozen expression of him. For one moment he locked eyes with Sakura and I could see something going on there but I didn't know what it was. She just smiled with courtesy and then turned her back at us leaving with her mother. I glanced back by the corner of my uncovered eye to the boy next to me still somehow wondering about what I had seen but maybe I was seeing things just out of worry for the pink haired medic nin. Sasuke was calm, controlled, stoic and indifferent again, with his onyx eyes lost and his inner expression empty.
Yeah. Perhaps I was seeing things were there was unfortunately nothing to see.
Sakura POV
Days had passed since Sasuke-Kun's last returning and his life has been going better with it. I'm so happy that he's improving in his training with Kakashi-Sensei and that he's becoming a great asset to Konoha like he had been meant to be since he born in this land. I know he's sick and he will be till the end of his life that I pray to be far away but in his current state he's doing excellent. I wanted the best for him in every matter concerning his life. I know how important is for him to be a shinobi so I'm glad that he can have it not mattering the circumstances he could endure like how he has been daring the damn seal and the council in his attempts of recovering his limited abilities.
I had let him to come to my new home and see Miyu and take her with him whenever he wants. Sometimes I'm the one who is here waiting for him to come and pick her up and even when we don't share a lot of time I have been getting used to his nearness and presence and how it affects me deeply. I still feel the shyness, nervousness and awkwardness but I have been practicing to not show it like before and I had succeed. I act normal when he's around even just for minutes and I treat him with courtesy and good manners with my inner self melting at just observing him behind that mask of normalcy I wear. Other times mother is the one who stays waiting for him to come for Miyu and I'm glad and at peace seeing her treating him with education at least. I haven't dared to ask her how she feels and thinks about him now but I can see really acceptance and even true care for his well being in mom. Sasuke-Kun on his own way is respectful and educated with mother but in basics he acts the same way he does with any of us. On the other hand I hadn't seen father but I'm pretty sure what he might be thinking about me and my decision of letting Sasuke-Kun be a father for her granddaughter and it pains me a lot and makes me cry how the things are between us and I want him to be the grandfather he is to my little girl but I know it's useless. He doesn't even want to see me or Miyu and I accept it feeling torn and sad.
I know Sasuke-Kun really really loves Miyu. I don't have any doubt left about it anymore like I don't have it in believing that he will never love me back.
He's sweeter when he's with her even in his calm and seriousness. When he picks her up or returns her to me or mom he always gives her a kiss on her forehead as a gesture of "see you later". I had caught him looking melancholic at her with such sadness and black glance lost in a past that still haunts him. I know it even when he doesn't say anything about it. The way he looks at her is like if she was bringing back to him memories that he holds close to his heart. Kakashi-Sensei or Naruto are the ones who call me to notice me about him coming to spend time with our little girl. I know he takes her for a walk by the side of the river or to the park or to have lunch or dinner with one or more of our friends. They had told me how good he is in taking care of her and that even in his coldness and stoicism there's always a hint of softness towards Miyu. He sometimes hugs her like if he was scared of never seeing her again or lose her and his obsidian eyes show hidden worry and pain. I know why he feels like that, we all know.
He doesn't want to lose his family again.
Of course we are subjects of gossip around Konoha but Sasuke-Kun simply doesn't care or give it importance and me either. I know that our situation (having a daughter at this early age and not being married and not even being together) raises a lot of gossip and murmurs with bad intentions. But we're fine having people who cares about us and loves us. Some day they would get used to see us separated and sharing a link only for our past friendship and teamwork and Miyu like I do day after day. Because there won't be a change in it at all.
I know Sasuke-Kun doesn't feel anything for me not even after all this time and he won't feel it ever. It's sad and cruel and devastating but I have come to accept it with resignation and a heart crying and suffering in pain. Now that I have been sharing some time with him I think that probably he just slept with me due to desire and attraction. At least he was attracted to me physically enough to have sex with me in that two times and get me pregnant. I bask in that thought sad and ironic, laughing at myself having that certainty. I know it's hurtful but with it I have he security that he noticed me in some way even if it wasn't how I would have wanted. Sharing time with him and fighting myself inwardly and acting normal had gave me some strange resignation and acceptance at my unreturned love. I have him near me thanks to Miyu mainly and I wanted at least that. It's the most nearness I can get to him and I'm glad at having it in its littleness and insignificance. I have preparing myself so much that the normalcy I have found being near him makes me think that maybe my love had gone stable in some nostalgic way. I fight with myself in thinking that probably my love cannot grow more and that I'm protecting myself behind that and the worst part is that I felt terrified of knowing that some day I could get so used to this situation I had created for me to handle this deep and true feelings that I could stop loving him and then just don't love him anymore. I don't want to lose this feeling, I don't want to stop loving him and I, in my youth, fear to be like some persons who lost their love with the pass of time. I have forgiven him the hurt he caused me even when I hadn't forgotten it and I had done everything thinking mainly in my daughter's behalf and I got stronger thinking solely in that.
So I'm in the middle of my needed protection making me believe that my love will lose its power with time and useless hope and harsh reality, knowing perfectly well inside of my soul what I'm doing and the firm and rebel desire of letting this love out not mattering if he could see it or not, if he could want it or not, if I could get more hurt and knowing perfectly well inside of my heart what could mean in the end.
But just a glance at him or a thought directed towards his memory inside my mind remembers me the inevitable and I had to brace myself in my solitude thankful of having him near me and being in peace with me. And after all that's what survives in my daily struggle at the end. And I smile knowing that I won't be like that people ever because what I feel will last forever not matter what happens. Come what may.
Naruto POV
I had been sharing time with Sasuke like before to restore our always it seems shaking friendship and I am very happy to see him accepting it without a lot of rejection from his part. When he invites me in his silence to spend time with him and Miyu I accept delighted and moved to see him act like a father. I never had one, I only had Iruka-Sensei and I'm thrilled and nostalgic to see my best friend acting similar as my adoptive father because that means he's a good dad and he's trying. Sasuke had been accepting more invitations from me or our other friends or sensei and that makes us truly happy indeed. He was always a proclaimed loner, a somehow sort of antisocial person and introspective as a deep abyss. I know he won't be as outgoing as me or at least serious but at disposal like Neji and that it's just part of who he really is but he's a little more open to show his social skills. Sometimes I want to see the impulsive, arrogant and smirking brat I saw in him in younger years but I met his frozen present and at least I'm glad that his anger had dismissed little by little like his hate and desire of revenge. Sometimes I do wonder if losing them took away too his former way of be and just left the being that was created since he spent time with Orochimaru.
Now that I am recovered I remember fondly and quite glad how he always went to see me day after day to the hospital. He at least spent a couple of hours just to accompany me when Hina-San couldn't be there. Even with all and his persistent and mysterious silence I really enjoy his company and presence. It makes me remember old times and gives me hope for a better future. But that hope had been put in trial after what I had witnessed all these days that had passed since his last return and had created sadness and worry in me concerning my two teammates and friends. I had testified how Sakura-Chan's and Sasuke's paths go to different directions and that puts honest sorrow and intense concern in my mind and heart. They act polite to each other and I know they only are connecting thanks to the parenthood they share because of Miyu and that breaks me. Hina-San and I had discussed this very afflicted and melancholic seeing how their life is going separate ways and they're letting it to happen. Sakura-Chan due to her belief of never having his love and Sasuke due to his stupid inability to really see the love of his life in front of him. I do wonder sometimes why he hadn't showed interest to any other girl and I got to the conclusion that he probably doesn't look for that now that he has a child on his own. Hina-San told me sadly that Sasuke possibly thought in girls just to have children and a family and revive his almost extinguished clan. I think she's right and my friend doesn't even have interest in having a woman in home to take care of him. Now having Miyu with Sakura who is an excellent mother, his desire was fulfilled and he didn't have to look for a girl or wife. But will he spent his life without a woman at his side? He's still young and I cannot imagine myself without Hina-San at my side and I don't want him to be isolated and lonely the rest of his life. Just having a kid out there doesn't give you a family and a home. And I know Sasuke wants that even if he cannot accept it himself and I know that he needs it even more than the wanting.
There had been times when I'm with Sakura-Chan and Sasuke and I could swear there's something strange and unexplainable going between the two. I know that from her the love is there even hidden behind resignation, acceptance and not hope at all, but from Sasuke I cannot get a vibe about it but there's something there even if it isn't exactly love. I know that a sole feeling of any kind different from his coldness and indifference could make her utterly and completely happy. So that's why I'm not going to give up in my hope. I know there's something between the two and that if it's proven between them there's a high probability to put them together as the family they can be. I know it even when everyone says sadly and lecturing me that I am crazy and that I cannot and shouldn't meddle with their life. I know they are as worried and sorrowful for them as I am and that they don't mean to be harsh on me but they can't see why I see clearly from some spot of my inner eyes. I don't want to hurt them but I cannot go on living if I don't do something to erase the slightest tiny possibility of happiness meant for them. For as long I could sense that strange vibe between them in their normalcy and politeness, in that jade loving and contained eyes and that onyx lost and cold pools I won't give up. For as long as I could catch how sometimes Sasuke looks secretly at her with intensity and somehow confusion and how Sakura-Chan stares discrete at him with deepness and adoration I won't give up.
So that's why even against the opinion of everyone I know I had been planning something to force things between them or at least have a clue to know that I'm not actually crazy or just plainly fool for hope the impossible. Perhaps my two friends just need an opportunity to see really see what's going on between them and in their heart. The only one in who I can count is of course my beloved Hina-San who accepted to support me and help in my scheme. She warned me about the possible consequences of it like a good friend and girlfriend would do but at the end she said yes. She believes in what I can sense and see and even before me she had thought about it but didn't dare to share it with anyone thinking she could do more harm than good. So I planned to reunite Sakura-Chan and Sasuke in some place away from everyone and everything to just spend time together and see what happens from there.
In order to achieve this first I asked Hina-San to handle Sakura-Chan and get her out of Konoha and into the forest for some false pretense. I handled Sasuke but first I got sure about his free permission to leave Konoha (after what he did to the seal he can come and go easily wherever he wants) and I prepared myself to face the side effects that the Hyuuga Seal could still have on him. Gladly I saw that he just was weakened when we crossed the limits of Konoha (I had, just for precaution, asked Tsunade-Baachan to give him permission to leave the village just in case) and even when I had had a hard time convincing him to follow me (I told him that I wanted to train with his help a new and amazing technique and dared him like in old times saying that I was going to impress him so much that he would end with his jaw hitting the ground) I was hopeful and trying to conceal my nervousness for all. Sasuke could be very instinctive even in his current state to notice my somehow weird intentions and I had to be very careful to not let slip anything. I don't have idea what Hina-San could have said to Sakura-Chan to convince her to come with her to the forest. But I'm praying for everything to go fine.
Or I would end pushed through a window or beaten up.
And either possibility is very scaring right now coming from any of the two.
Everything occurred as I had expected it and I went on in my pretending in a special and perfect spot in the forest and I started to babble and presume and train and show off in front of my silent, still and serious friend. I had gotten a little tense and nervous as minutes passed and I hadn't seen Sakura-Chan appearing like Hina-San and I had planned and that caused me to be more hyperactive and fool. Sasuke was now staring at me somehow confused and annoyed like if I was some sort of freak but I didn't care and went on even doing movements from Gai-Sensei and Lee just in an unconscious way. That was when Sasuke's expression filled with a lot of annoyance and incomprehension at my strange behavior and seemed ready to go so I had to think in a new way to make him stay and be interested in me. And I went on then apologizing and saying and faking that in fact I had invited him there to talk to him about my relationship with Hina-San and how I felt inferior to her and her clan and bla, bla, bla. Of course that words held some truth inside my heart, soul and mind but in that moment I just used them to help me and I didn't gave them the credit they really had in my inner self. I even put a saddened face and hopeless and shining eyes and voice cracking and I did it so good that Sasuke soon approached me with softer look in his onyx eyes and light concern. I was glad that he still considered me his friend and was acting like that towards me but right in that moment I was more worried at the late appearance of my pink haired friend.
When I almost cried my heart out in front of him she appeared from nowhere walking thoughtful and slightly worried carrying a basket with what it seemed food and drinks. I turned quickly at her calling her and greeting her with a wide and relieved smile and she just stopped seeing us first surprised and happy and returned my salute, but then she seemed somehow tense. Her jade eyes had gone nervous when she spotted Sasuke beside me but she immediately seemed to control herself and her smile, before sincere and big, was now just considerate and educated and came to us looking completely normal.
"What are you doing here Naruto?"
She asked me somehow suspicious and surprised. I scratched my head smiling and with a roller coaster of thoughts inside my head.
"Well I came with Sasuke to train and show him a new technique, he, he. And you?"
She seemed caught off guard after my question and I wondered what Hina-San had told her.
"Well Hinata and I were going to have a picnic and talk of some things but then she got a message from her sister and it seemed and emergency so she had to go. She apologized to me and said that we could do it other time."
The way she was staring at me, somehow worried and like wanting to ask something unnerved and preoccupied me but I just nodded being the less nervous and tense I could. I noticed how she didn't try to cast a single glance to Sasuke after the nod of recognition and greeting she had given him first.
"I thought Hinata had a mission today! Oh well, he, he."
She just sighed now seeing me seriously and concerned.
"Naruto stop being so stupid and distracted! How could you be her boyfriend and not know when she's on mission or not?"
Now she was lecturing me and I got worried at thinking in her strange worry and behavior. Sasuke was staring at me too confused and suspiciously but somehow concerned still. I know, in my heart of hearts, that Hina-San and I were perfectly now and we shared everything so it was quite weird how Sakura-Chan seemed specially worried for us. Hmm... maybe all this scheme could backfire on me.
Suddenly a voice (apparently very similar to Shikamaru's voice) smacked me inwardly and an idea crossed my mind like a thunder. And speaking of which, the sky was getting darker and there were lightnings and thunders and there were gray clouds over our heads and the wind had gotten stronger suddenly. Hmm...
Shikamaru's voice smacked me again dragging me back to the present and I finally got what it could be possibly happening. It was probable that Hina-San had done the same as me to convince Sakura to stay and had used me as an excuse. That had to be. We were happy together. Even when I had other matters rounding my head concerning my relationship and love for her.
"You're right Sakura-Chan! What kind of moron boyfriend I am to not have an idea of what is my girl doing?! I'm such an idiot!"
I acted again even gesturing suffering. The two of them were staring worriedly at me and I smiled inwardly proud of my acting skill and accomplished goal. There was only one thing left to do before leaving them alone.
"Oh what an ass I am! I deserve to be punched till death! Sorry Sasuke, Sakura-Chan, but my love is at stake right now! Sorry for having to go like this!"
I directed my definitive words glancing at one and then the other and Sakura-Chan flinched after getting the real meaning of them and turned quickly surprised and shy to Sasuke who just closed his black eyes stoic. I was beyond happiness and proud thinking I had done it perfectly when I didn't count with something unexpected as the weather. After the words had left my mouth it started to rain heavily and there were thunders and lightings and my bliss and proud were gone with the first drops of the cold rain that had fallen.
"You cannot go with this rain! We have to take shelter till it finish Naruto! And Sasuke-Kun is not in shape to get ill!"
Sakura-Chan said screaming over the thundering and I just nodded disappointed and sighting upset.
Why this happens to me? Why the things never go as I planned them? Ahh...
"Come, I remember I saw a cave when I was coming here!"
She screamed again worried and when I had thought that probably I would not get what I had wanted today for the two I saw her extending her left hand to Sasuke-Kun really concerned and sincere while she carried the basket with the other. She didn't wait him to react or take her offering and just clutched his right hand and started running to the direction of the cave she had spoken of before and motioned me to come quickly. I nodded slightly smiling at seeing them like that and I thought that perhaps this day wasn't going to be lost like I had thought it after my failure due to the damn weather.
When we reached the cave we entered just as the rain turned worst. We were soaked and shaking and immediately I started fire to get us warm remembering Sakura-Chan's words about Sasuke knowing she was right. We stayed in silence sitting around the fire and I was sighting upset at seeing them deepened in that tension and awkwardness. Crap. I had to do something!
"There's almost lunch time. The rain it seems to go on longer. At least Hina-San had brought this."
My pink haired friend said gratefully starting at the basket in her arms and then started to unpack it taking out the contains. I send all my love in a thought to my beloved Hina-San for this and suddenly the three of us were eating again in silence staring at the entrance of the cave the falling and heavy curtain of rain. It wasn't that the atmosphere was uncomfortable at most, just that I could sense the tension and sadness in the emerald eyes of my best female friend and that pained me. I felt like if she was always asking herself, whenever she was with Sasuke, if he wasn't bothered with her presence or if he didn't want her near him more than necessary. He, on the other hand, was just like himself and without giving a lot of importance to the situation.
"Hina-San must be feeling very bad to have put this here." Sakura-Chan said somehow sad and firing blame on me while she put on the ground some sort of strange vegetable. "This isn't eatable anymore."
We continued eating and while I was seeing more and more the sorrow and hope filling her pale face whenever she casted a single secretive glance at the indifferent dark haired friend of us my mind got set in accomplish this not matter what. But how? When I suddenly saw that the damn weather was getting better and the rain submitting, panic rose inside of me and I dared myself to not let go this golden opportunity. I saw her preparing everything to go back to the village and I took a resolution. I knew it was going to hurt but my friends needed it, they needed a sacrifice from my part. Sasuke had taken out from his belt the bottle that contained his pills for the control of his hallucinations and he was checking the hour. Sakura-Chan seemed to understand.
"Let's go Naruto. Sasuke needs to take his pills and it will be better if he's in home. He had to sleep after taking them."
But I had taken my choice by then and I just nodded chewing that stuff in my mouth. She stared at me first surprised and confused and then with opened wide eyes, shocked and horrified.
"Naruto! You ate that thing you shouldn't you idiot!"
"Wh... what?!"
I asked innocent after eating the whole stuff. She almost hit me worried for me and lecturing me like a mother does it.
"I told you that that wasn't for eating fool! You'll have an stomachache!"
Sasuke was now putting attention to us concerned and serious and rolling his eyes at my stupid action. Sakura-Chan didn't have to be a medic nin to give her diagnose anyway and I started to feel very sick and I started to shiver and couldn't even get up. I wasn't dying but I felt bad. But I pretend the first, of course due to the final purpose of all this mad plan.
Forgive me Sakura-Chan, Sasuke... but this is for you... damn it, I shouldn't have let Hanabi-San to help us in this crazy plan...
Sakura POV
Naruto was very sick in question of minutes and even when it wasn't raining as hard as before I didn't dare to suggest again to return to the village. He was shivering and was pale and had a slight fever and seemed unable to stand up or move without screaming in pain. I was so damn confused and petrified at his different symptoms that I started to wonder if the thing he had eaten wasn't some sort of complicated poison but it seemed impossible. Hinata would never want to poison him! She loved him! But why she put that thing there?... Then I remembered that she had told me that her little sister was going to have a picnic too with some friends and that they were going to train too and she had prepared something special for the occasion as a weapon. So it was probably that Hinata had gotten confused at the two baskets and took the one that belonged to Hanabi instead.
I sighed deeply worried and in full medic nic disguise now attending my fallen friend with a still Sasuke-Kun at my side. He was so quiet and out of my way that I forgot about him for some minutes being deeply concerned for Naruto's health. I knew he was preoccupied for our blond and noisy friend too in his muteness and when the rain again turned heavy and the thunders and lightings appeared crossing the gray sky, I had finally soothed the blue eyed friend of mine with my healing chakra and he was now resting and sleeping calmer and looking a little better. I had been completely attentive and observant at him for almost an hour but now having calming him I had to admit that I had to attend the other person there in that cave. I sighed saddened but glad at having this moment with Sasuke-Kun again and left Naruto's side and his recovering and sat down beside the father of my child at the entrance of the cave staring worried and kindly at him.
"He seems to be better now. Just him eats something without noticing what it is."
I smiled sincerely and he slightly chuckled a little amused by my words. Then there was silence again. And there was the normal calm I had been finding being with him like this and the common and less intense shyness, awkwardness and nervousness, just enough to make me feel inwardly quiver and break for him but not enough to show myself weakened to him. After sharing silence for long minutes and gazes fixed in the outside and the rain, I spun at him concerned at serious.
"Sasuke-Kun, you need to take your pills. Now that Naruto is sick and sleeping you should take them and rest too. I'll keep watching till you wake up and he gets better."
He turned at me cold and calm and I just nodded swept by the power that beautiful eyes have on me always. I smiled honestly proud and decisive motioning him to do what I was saying. While he opened the bottle and took the pills I got him water and saw him glad that he had obeyed me without a question. Inwardly I saddened thinking how important it was for him to follow his treatment if he had so easily accepted my suggestion. He leaned back on the ground of the cave and I saw him going sleepy by the pills, as the side effect they had on him. They made him sleep for a couple of hours after taking them. I kept watching Naruto even knowing he didn't need it just because I didn't let myself to stay just staring like hypnotized at the still silhouette of Sasuke-Kun lying in front of me. He was somehow glazing at me and at the same time not with his tired eyes still opened and that thoughtfulness and seriousness that goes so naturally with him. I was sitting across him delighting and basking in every single thing of his being and his attire.
"Miyu has been very happy these days. Thank you." I blurted out just in spite of not letting silence again to swallow us and let me fixed in his presence. He was listening to me. "I had wanted to tell you something since your return but I had been kind of forgetting it. Sasuke-Kun, I want you to remove me from your Last Will and the benefits of the Uchiha's heritage and possessions." I told him pleading and honest staring straight at him feeling uneasy at the feeling the talk provoked in me. "Just Miyu has the right to that. So please, can you do it? Can you arrange it and do the change?"
He was just looking intensely at me with coldness and somehow I knew he wasn't going to change anything at all of what I had asked. But I wasn't going to drop it now and I approached him feeling bolder and with determination and pleading and confused eyes. He saw me coming over and narrowed his eyes in such a way that I stopped my approaching flinching from the deep look in his eyes. A look that envisioned the hard and clear rejection towards me and my nearness, a look that hurt me like a sword going through my throbbing heart and that had saddened me to the point of filling my eyes with unshed and controlled tears. The pain and hurt were so deep inside my soul that almost made me lose control over myself and the situation. The reality struck me in the face clutching my throat and gripping my heart for seconds that seemed minutes.
He doesn't want me near him. He doesn't want me close to him. I'm just the mother of his daughter. Nothing more. I'm not even a dear friend or a needed companion.
And that almost destroyed me in front of him and I wanted to burst into tears but I collected myself from the pieces shattered inside of me and I just smiled with sorrow and melancholy.
"You're not going to do it, right?" I didn't receive any kind of reaction meaning a response. "Sorry for bothering you."
I smiled again widely and faking and doing a great effort to not cry in front of him. I retrieved to my former spot and his face relaxed and his gaze averted to another point of the space and I found myself again in love with him. I love him so much even if he had acted like that with me just minutes before. I love him damn it! And I can't get rid off that love... I cannot stop myself from loving him not matter how cold and rejective he's towards me. Not mattering anything, not even the damage he had inflicted in me since Miyu' conception and even before. Am I so stupid or so addicted to pain so much that I'm trapped in this damned and unreturned love? What can I think of someone as me who goes on loving the person who doesn't give a damn about it or doesn't think or feel anything about it? What can I say to myself? What can I do for myself? How I conceal and contain this immense and pure love that it's eating me alive from inside?
Don't cry fool... don't cry... you know it since the beginning, stop hoping and believing, you have started to find resignation and acceptance! Go back to that before he could crush you again! Before you end more hurt and pained...
Yes, that was right. I blinked my tears away trying to not fix my green and crystal stare with him and I knew that I had to go on in my own path without expecting and waiting to share it with him ever. That was the true, always. I sensed that he started to fall sleep finally and then after long minutes of not wanting still to meet his pale face and black hair I heard his breathing submitted at the rhythm of the deep sleep. I turned then to him smiling sadly at seeing him lying so peaceful and some tears came down my cheeks without my permission but immediately I dried them away and blinked the rest from my hurt eyes breathing deeply. I wasn't going to cry.
Knowing that he was slept I approached him carefully and in silence till I was close to his sleeping figure. He was lying on his back and I gazed adoringly and nostalgic at his face. My eyes ended again like some times before in those lips of him that brought me back loved memories inside my head. I had wanted to touch them, to kiss them so badly in that times and I hadn't done it till now. I smirked thinking that probably this was going to be the last time I could have to dare to take that damn kiss I wanted so bad since long ago and I had to take the chance before it slipped before my eyes. I dared to lie my right hand on his left cheek and caressed it with softness and delicacy fearing to wake him up even when I know that the pills were very strong. I let my fingers to cover up all his face and jet black bluish hair with loving and slow pace while I rejoiced in every detail I couldn't forget from it. Finally and still smiling a little and sadly, I touched his lips with my fingertips while I leaned forward slowly.
"I love you Sasuke-Kun. I cannot deny it. I love you so much...!"
My lower and soft and pained voice cracked and I just go silent and leaned over him till my lips caressed his first and then touched them softly and caring, kissing him sweetly and being some sort of caste kiss. I marveled at the feeling that the kiss stirred in me, from my heart exploding like a tide and I trapped in the wave of my love pouring itself in that robbed kiss, dared to deepened it now in a surrendered and passionate kiss that tasted those wanted lips over and over forgetting for a moment everything and specially what could had happened if he woke up suddenly. But now it didn't matter anything and I kept kissing him without stopping and realizing in the back of my mind that this kiss was going to be the last thing probably that I would have from him and then I felt the tears again running through my face and the shaking of the restrained cries and feelings and that was what it made me to stop and stand up suddenly retreating my eager lips from his.
I was slightly shaking and sobbing quietly and I had been scared of crying out my heart over him and wake him up. I controlled myself breathing hard and deep and saw that it wasn't raining anymore. I glanced back at his lying and sleeping figure smiling happily sad and sincere and with glassy green eyes. I touched my fervent lips still feeling the warm of that stolen kiss and I closed my eyes calmer before going out the cave.
This was the moment when everyone could have been lecturing the blond and cheerful shinobi for meddling with his friends' life. And he knew it and almost felt like crap seeing his pink haired friend going out the cave after that private moment he had witnessed. But almost was the key word when he from his spot and being discrete in his observance saw his dark haired friend opening his black and sleepy eyes and averted them to the still silhouette of the mother of his child outside the cave. He had risen his right hand to his lips and had laid his fingers over them while his stare became softer and somehow intense.
And then again, almost was the key word when he saw the dark haired boy lying on his left side and facing the cave's wall with meditative and melancholic gaze till the sleep won over him again.
And the blond haired witness watched that and smiled in spite of the pain he physically was feeling right now.
Hinata POV
I had been worried for Naruto-Kun. We had planned to meet each other after leaving Sakura and Sasuke in the forest but he never appeared and then it was raining hard and I was more concerned. Probably he couldn't get out from the situation like he had planned and I sighed fearing the consequences of all this scheme we plan.
I had been worried for Naruto-Kun till hours later, almost at the sunset, he appeared with our two friends who were carrying him. I could have immediately gone nuts from worry and shock but Naruto just smiled secretive and coquettish at me and by the look in his blue and perfect eyes I knew he was telling me to not worry. So I followed his act with mine feeling slightly guilty at the deeply concern Sakura and Sasuke were showing for him and accompanied the three to the hospital. Naruto-Kun entered wailing and howling in fake pretense (observing him for so many years I had come to know him and know more being his girlfriend) and Tsunade and Shizune soon took him in their hands to attend him and heal him after Sakura explained what had happened. The notice of him being poisoned run quickly in the village and all our friends appeared there asking about his state. Some of them had heard that he was dying. I was so ashamed and feeling guilty for all this but I have to take this to the end supporting him. They came to me reassuring me that he was going to be fine and held me and I felt shocked and worst. But my gaze was mainly fixed in the parents of Miyu who were sitting on a pair of chairs outside the room the Hokage and her assistant had taken him and they were pretty close and calm with the other. Sakura was explaining to Ino about Naruto's poisoning.
"I don't know why I couldn't heal him properly! He has very weird symptoms! He even was hallucinating and calling for Hinata! Oh God let him be fine! Damn! I still need training and practice and improving!"
She was very tense and worried and serious and really alarmed. I saw her even grabbing Sasuke's right hand without noticing what she was doing just for instinct and support. But even when that had surprised me it didn't match the amaze I felt at not seeing Sasuke rejecting her gesture. He was kind of listening her attentive but with his black gaze fixed in the wall in front of them. All of our other friends noticed the nearness and gesture between the both but didn't say anything about it being shocked, surprised and moved.
Our attention was now pulled out at the vision of the door opening and Tsunade-Sama and Shizune going out with Naruto lying in a stretcher and covered by a white sheet that was moving thanks to the two skilled medic nins. We all reacted and approached them but I was the one, being the girlfriend, who got closer and took his hand smiling sweetly and touching at him and his still acting. Sakura and Sasuke had gotten up too and she had left go of his hand reddened and sad saying sorry to him who didn't react at all at her apology.
"He'll be fine. We're going to take him to his room."
The blond Hokage said somehow amused and with a eyebrow twitching. Shizune was relieved and somehow surprised. Sakura looked worried at him feeling guilty.
"Thanks to heaven! Naruto, how you're feeling?
"Better... Sakura-Chan... don't worry..."
I tried to control my amaze at how good Naruto-Kun was acting. And I couldn't help to feel bad at seeing our pink haired medic nin so concerned. My blue eyed boyfriend glanced grateful and like a partner in crime at me making me to smile shyly.
"What happened Naruto?"
Kiba asked still pale. I gulped knowing I was the one who had to explain (or more precisely, lie about it).
"I didn't notice that Hanabi had prepared another basket for her and I took it. She had put some sort of special vegetable there and Naruto-Kun ate it for mistake. She says sorry by the way."
I told Naruto-Kun feeling blame sincerely but I caught him feeling guilty and I got confused at it.
"Sakura, Sasuke, you two have to go home and rest. You were under the rain too like this fool and I don't want you to fall sick for it. Either of you. It's an order."
Tsunade-Sama said seriously and the two of them nodded still concerned by their friend's state. He just gestured them to go smiling widely. Sakura just casted a last glad smile to Naruto-Kun at seeing him better and recovering and Sasuke just looked at him straight for some seconds intensely like trying to read his mind. He had a fierce looking and I saw Naruto-Kun holding it somehow tense and nervous but smiling sincere and open and I wondered if he had discovered everything while I was holding my uneven breathing nervous too. Finally he turned around just nodding at him and the Hokage and when all of us thought that he was going to go before Sakura who was now lost in thought and sorrow behind a kind face he did something that surprised and shocked us immensely.
He extended his right hand to Sakura in a peaceful and comforting offer indicating her that he was going to walk her home.
Our green eyed friend stared widely petrified and unbelieving at his open gesture and it took her only seconds till she reacted with a glimmer in her eyes and a sad and grateful smile and took his hand in response holding it softly and shy.
They then left and Sakura waved goodbye at us without force left, due to the impact of that gesture, to talk. I saw them walking to the exit, he ahead of her pulling softly her by their entangled hands and she just following him. Tsunade-Sama sighed tired and amused at Naruto.
"Can you explain me why you faked symptoms? You only had a simple stomachache. But you displayed marvelously a tirade of symptoms that weren't suppose to go together. You really scared them and all of us, young fool man."
Before he could answer somehow nervous at the demanding face of our talented Hokage I understand everything he had done in spite even himself for his two friends and I found myself falling in love deeply and truly with him again. In all this day I had had an idea of what he was doing to help them and got them nearer but I had received the information little by little. Piece by piece. And it was till now that I had the big picture in front of my eyes and sinking in my head. I smiled touched and proud, sweetly with crystal eyes at knowing what kind of boyfriend I had and how true was his heart and I leaned forward and kissed him deeply and affectionately showering all my love in it. I heard them gasping at my sudden behavior, shocked and surprised again but I didn't care till I had finished kissing Naruto-Kun's first paralyzed and then submitted lips. It was the first time we kissed in that way and it didn't matter that it had happened with so many people watching us. I recovered my posture smiling sweet and loving at him with red cheeks and he was staring somehow confused, blushed and marveled at me with adoring eyes.
"You're a great friend."
I said with shining eyes and he just smiled at me still blushed.
"It was worth it. Do you see it?"
"I did. I'm proud."
I nodded loving at him clutching his hand between mine. Then I explained what we had planned for Sakura and Sasuke still a little guilty but glad for the results and all of them, after lecturing us for our meddling, seemed quite glad in fact. Naruto-Kun spoke then serious and meditative.
"I know that probably nothing will change now but some day I hope to see it. There's hope still. I believe it. I want to believe it. Even if they go separate ways... I know."
No one dared to said otherwise even thinking that the hope was very little and fragile. I know it because I saw it in their looks saddened and worried. Anyway, Naruto-Kun looked suspiciously at me.
"How did you convince Sakura-Chan to go with you?"
"I invited her to a picnic saying that I wanted to talk with her about you. I told her that you were acting different with me. Just a little lie."
I smiled guilty and pleading forgiveness with my pearl eyes. He just snorted amused.
"I ended with a story similar when mine failed. I almost cry. I think I freaked out Sasuke."
It was my turn to giggle amused. He suddenly got serious and guilty.
"I asked Hanabi for help in case everything failed... she told me that she would put the last resort in the basket. I never knew what it was. He, he. Smart little sister you have and I will get a brilliant sister in law."
I nodded caressing his blond hair enchanted by his voice and eyes. Then we knew everyone was staring strangely at us and we got redder and they started to mock us and pick on us. Still we laughed while Tsunade-Sama gestured Naruto to get up and slapped playfully him on the back laughing.