Halfway through packing, Sakura realizes what she is doing is immature and childish. What was her plan? To pack her belongings and just leave, without even talking to Itachi? She owed him a talk, at least.
With a sigh, she dropped the shirt in her hand and climbed into the bed. She and Itachi had things to discuss, about their relationship, about their future together. And she wouldn't leave without talking to him. She waited for about half an hour for Itachi to get home before sleep overtook her.
A few hours later, she was woken up by a gentle hand on her shoulder. She opened her eyes and looked up at Itachi who was peering at her with concerned eyes.
"Sakura, what is going on? Why are your clothes and bags out?" Itachi asked, gesturing at the mess in the room.
She sat up, rubbing her eyes. "I was waiting for you, but then I fell asleep." She mumbled.
"What is the matter?" He asked again, sitting beside her on the bed.
Sakura sighed and ran a hand through her hair. Where to begin?
"I- I don't..." She sighed again and thought to herself. She needed to be articulate and express herself. Enduring silently over the past two years hadn't gotten her anywhere.
"Why don't you freshen up and I make coffee? We can talk then," Itachi said gently. Sakura smiled, her heart melting. "Okay. Thanks."
Sakura took a shower and got dressed. She came to the living room where Itachi had prepared coffee and some fresh toast. He had also changed out of his suit into comfortable clothing.
They both settled down on the couch and sipped coffee silently. Itachi waited patiently for Sakura to begin, while she tried to think of the best place to start.
"So," she began, "you were out pretty late. Is everything okay?" She asked. She knew Itachi didn't talk much about his work and hoped he wouldn't brush off her question. Surprisingly, he didn't.
"It's okay now," Itachi replied, setting down his coffee, "but something happened last night." Then he went on to explain what transpired at the warehouse. Sakura's hand went to her mouth when he told her about the gunshot.
"Itachi! You almost got shot!" Sakura exclaimed, horrified. Doctor's instincts took over and, without thinking, she ran her hands over his face and body to check for wounds. Itachi smiled and took her hands in his.
"I'm fine, Sakura. I fought him off and he is in the custody of the police."
"But- why? Why would he try to shoot you? Try to-" her lips trembled, "to kill you?"
Itachi's eyes softened and he took her into his arms. He explained in detail about what was happening at work.
"I don't know the details yet, but my theory is that Mr. Inoue is conspiring to take my father's position at the corporation, and he plans to sabotage my business, prove my failure as the heir, and put his son at the pedestal. After handing the perp to the police, I went to talk to my father, and we discussed possible ways to take him down without harming the company in the long run. That's why I came in so late."
"How are you going to do that?"
Itachi sighed, his arms still wrapped around Sakura. "It's a delicate situation. We need to gather evidence against Mr. Inoue without causing a public scandal that could harm the company's reputation. My father suggested that I work from the inside, gaining his trust while discreetly investigating his activities. It's risky, but it's the best option we have for now."
"I wish you would've told me about this earlier," Sakura said, a hint of hurt in her voice.
"I didn't want you to worry unnecessarily," Itachi replied, his gaze softening. "Now, tell me what's been bothering you. I can see it in your eyes, Sakura."
Sakura pulled away and wiped her cheeks.
"Just that, Itachi! That's what's bothering me. We barely talk, we barely see each other, and we keep things from each other."
Itachi sighed, a mixture of understanding and regret in his eyes. "I know, Sakura. Believe me; I have felt it too. And you're right. We need to communicate more, share our burdens and joys, and face everything together."
Sakura nodded, her eyes softening. "I miss us, Itachi. I miss the connection we used to have. I want to be there for you, but I also want you to be there for me. It feels like we've been drifting apart."
Itachi gently took her hand, his thumb caressing her knuckles. "I'm sorry. I never wanted us to become strangers in our own home. Let's change that. From now on, we'll make an effort to be more open with each other. No more secrets. Deal?"
Sakura managed a small smile. "Deal. But Itachi, it's not just about work. We've been together for two years, and-" she swallowed, mustering the courage, "I mean, where are we going, Itachi? What's our future?"
"Our future is together, Sakura," Itachi said firmly, squeezing her hand. "I just need to get some things in order first. It won't be long. I need you to trust me, okay?"
Sakura pressed her lips together and then nodded. "Okay," she gave him another smile, "I trust you."
Sasuke was arranging plates in the sink when there was a knock at the door. He wiped his hands on the towel and strolled toward the door. He was surprised to see Sakura standing there, looking intent yet oddly nervous. They hadn't talked to each other ever since that night over a week ago. She hadn't contacted him and he wasn't sure where they stood so he hadn't contacted her either. Silence hung between them for a few moments. Sakura was the first to break the silence.
"Hi! Can I come in?" She asked politely.
Sasuke nodded and stepped aside, granting her entrance. Once inside, Sakura placed her purse on the kitchen counter, turning to face him. He casually pocketed his hands and waited for her to speak.
"I guess you're wondering why I'm here," Sakura said.
Sasuke raised one shoulder. "It's fine. Would you like some coffee?"
"No, I won't be staying long," Sakura said, "I just wanted to talk to you about something."
"Okay," Sasuke said, dreading what she would say.
"The night when you dropped me off, your words really disturbed me. What you said about my relationship with Itachi, it stung because it was true. So when I got home, I contemplated leaving him."
"What?" Sasuke started but Sakura cut him off.
"I didn't, though. It was a hasty and childish impulse on my part, and I realized that it was better to talk to Itachi and share my feelings. So we did, and that's what I'm here to tell you. I think we're going to make it. And," she swallowed, "I need your blessing."
"Why?" Sasuke said bluntly, bitterness taking control of him again. "It's your relationship. Why should I have any say in this?"
Sakura furrowed her brow, "You had a lot to say the other night so I figured you were invested."
"And," she said, looking nervous once again, "I want you to be okay with this. I value your opinion, you know."
Sasuke softened at her words. His anger vanished, replaced by a sense of defeat.
"Thank you, Sakura. For telling me this." He took a step toward her and looked into her eyes. She stared back at him, not breaking eye contact.
"If this is what makes you happy, then I'm happy for you," he murmured, realizing the truth in those words. Is that what love really was? He thought. Knowing someone could never be yours and letting them go? Drowning in your sorrows yet wishing your beloved nothing but good? What bullshit.
Sakura smiled at him, looking relieved. "It does make me happy. I really love him."
She reached out and squeezed his hand. "Thank you, Sasuke."
Then she left. Sasuke stood there for a moment, clenching the hand she had touched, holding onto the sensation for as long as possible. Something was breaking inside him and he didn't like this feeling.
The bathroom door of the living room opened and Naruto stepped out, looking sympathetically at his friend.
"How much of that did you hear?" Sasuke asked, wearily.
"I was stuck in that bathroom the entire time, and had no choice but to hear all of it," Naruto replied, "I'm sorry, man."
"Don't be," Sasuke grumbled, "I don't need your sympathy."
Naruto sighed. "Look, I know it hurts. But you did the right thing by supporting her decision. Sometimes love is about letting go, even if it feels like you're losing a part of yourself."
Sasuke shot a sharp look at Naruto. "Don't feed me that philosophical nonsense, Naruto. What do you know about it, anyway? Love came effortlessly for you. You found a woman who loved you back." He remarked.
Although Sasuke wasn't jealous of Naruto, at that moment, he felt an overwhelming urge to vent his emotions. "You don't understand how it feels to witness the woman of your dreams in the arms of another man, even if that man happens to be my brother. It's not fucking easy!"
Naruto let his comments slide patiently, knowing him well enough to understand his frustration. "I know man. I mean, sure, it didn't happen to me, and I may not know exactly how it feels, but it's happening to you, and I care about it. Seeing you like this is breaking my heart too."
Sasuke closed his eyes, feeling ashamed, the weight of his emotions bearing down on him. "I appreciate it, Naruto," Sasuke muttered, "I just... I need time to process this."
Naruto nodded. "Take all the time you need, Sasuke. But don't shut yourself off from everyone. We're here for you."
After Naruto left the room, pulled out a bottle of tequila from the cabinet and collapsed onto the couch. He took a sip, the sharp burn offering a momentary distraction as he stared blankly at the wall. The silence in the apartment seemed deafening, amplifying the echoes of Sakura's departure.
After sitting there for what seemed like hours, his phone chimed on the kitchen counter. Forcing himself off the couch he moved to pick it up. It was a text from Naruto.
"Come join us at the bar, Sasuke. We're all here."
Sasuke wasn't in the mood, and he was about to dismiss the message when another text popped up on his screen.
"I miss you, Sasuke." It said, followed by three kissing emojis. Karin.
She often reached out to Sasuke, trying to get him back. Typically, he ignored her messages, but this time, feeling vulnerable and despondent, he found himself typing a response.
The next morning, the light filtered through his bedroom windows. Sasuke groaned as he slowly became aware of his surroundings. His eyes widened in disbelief as he noticed the disheveled sheets and the unfamiliar warmth beside him.
Naked and exposed, he realized Karin's arms and legs were entwined around him, a reminder of the impulsive decision made in the fog of his own emotional storm.
"No," he moaned to himself, a sense of regret washing over him like a cold shower. He was in trouble. So, so much trouble.