_CHAPTER 16_

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So, everything was her plan. She prepared a surprise party to celebrate my birthday that even I forgot. I was touched, and I bet that anyone at my position also felt the same. Filled with happiness, I was nearly deaf to not hear that she said…

"Oh, and there is one last thing that is gonna happen soon…"

I cut it, by a kiss, on the lips.

It was not that my body moved on its own. It was my mind, and my heart which was controlling my body. And I kissed her, when the fireworks started to fire outside. But I didn't care, because I already had the best birthday present already.

Author's POV

Itachi has done with the work at the company. He's heading to the hospital to visit his parents. Still, he doesn't forget what date it is, and what he has been planning with Sakura. "They must be having a good time by now." He thinks, and smiles, "I hope everything is going swiftly."

But apparently, things might not go the way he hopes…

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.

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He arrives at the hospital, and then his parents' room. After he has opened the door, he sees his mother packing their stuffs, while his father is still resting on the bed.

"Mother, father, what are you doing ? You're going somewhere ?" Itachi asks, though he might have had his answer.

"Yes, we are going home." His mother says, "I don't feel secure to leave my son living alone with…that girl."

What ? Go home ? But it is the best moment for the two of them to bloom their feelings for each other. It can be a waste of effort if mother and father are home, especially mother. She will totally go against their affair.

"Mother, why so sudden ? Father is still…" Itachi tries to find some excuses to delay the discharging.

"Your father is totally fine now, there's no need to be worried. Besides, I can find him a doctor to take care of him at home." Her voice is as sure as egg is egg.

Then Itachi finally resigns. When father doesn't speak, mother's word is supreme. But it seems like Fugaku doesn't refuse.

Knowing that there's no way to stop his mother Mikoto, Itachi says, "I understand, I'll help you packing things."

Sasu's POV

We've arrived home. It is indeed my greatest birthday I have ever had in my life. We're even holding hands. To speak the truth, I have never felt any happier in my whole life.

Sakura said she had prepared a birthday cake for me already. I'm yearning to have some. Not waiting until we arrive at the kitchen, I raise my voice when we're just at the door to the living room.

"Sarutobi-san, where's my birthday cake, I'm starving to death."

I can notice Sakura is giggling at my childish action. I fillip her forehead. She is surprised and hit me back. I dodge and laugh. At the time, we completely don't notice the presence of my whole family in the living room.

"Look how happy you are." It is my mother's voice which makes me realize that we are not the only ones who are in the room, "It seems like you don't care about your mother and father at all. Oh, and even holding hands, how far have you two gone ?"

I am so surprised, but I still have the mind to think what to answer, "Mother, father, why are you here ? I…I thought you were still in the hospital."

"Sounds like you don't like us around." My mother says.

I denied, "No, I didn't mean that way."

It's a little awkward in the room. Then mother comes closer to us, or I should say to Sakura.

"Such a perfect opportunity o seize, right, Haruno-san ?" She said, "While his parents are away, you try to seduce my Sasuke, don't you ?"

I step forward, leave Sakura behind my back, "Mother, please don't say something like that to her."

"Oh now you're opposing your mother."

I'm planning to talk back, but my father cuts me off, "Enough." He says with a strong voice, "I'm not home to hear arguments."

Both my mother and me stay silent, but she still gives me a glare afterward.

"I'm tired now, I want to rest." Father said, and he stands up, heavily. By his movements, I can tell that he is still weak, and needs rest for a few more days.

"Let me help you." Aniki takes father's arm and helps him walk.

Mother sighs, but then she glares at Sakura, "We're not finish.", she threatens.

After that, she joins aniki, helps father go to the room.

I turn to look at Sakura. The little figure is slightly shivering. I take her hand and reassure her.

"Sakura, don't worry, I'm here, no one can harm you."

She nods, but says nothing. I then slip my hand underneath her hair and kiss her forehead, "I think you need some rest now, I'll see you tomorrow."

Before I can let go of my hand, I feel her arms around my waist. She's scared, maybe she just can't take mother's cruel words. But she doesn't cry, whine or blame anything or anyone. She just hugs me, and I hug her back.

Saku's POV

It was a wonderful day for me, until we arrived at Sasuke's house. I can still remember when he kissed me, and…

-FLASHBACK—

Huh ? He kissed me. What on earth was going on ? However, I couldn't resist nor push him away, something kept me stay still.

After a while, the kiss was over. I mumbled,

"Sasuke-san ?"

"Don't say anything. I know it's sudden, but I couldn't help hold myself anymore." He said, "Thank you, for everything you've done for me."

"Why do you thank me ? It's me who should say that." I said, "You've helped me so many times, so I thought that I should do something in retur…"

Once again, he crashed his lips against mine, and I went with the flow. His kiss was soft and gentle, and I liked it really much.

"I don't want you to do anything in return, now I want YOU in return." He said.

I was surprised, I was not sure if I got what he meant, "Huh ? Wha-what do you mean by that ?" I asked.

Then I felt his warm breath on my ear, he whispered, "I love you Sakura.".

-END OF FLASHBACK—

He said he loved me. Waa, I have never had anyone saying that to me before. It feels…wonderful. Furthermore, it was the one I love who said it.

-FLASHBACK—

"You've got to be kidding me, right ?" I said.

"No, I'm completely serious. I felt this some times when I was with you, but I wasn't sure what it was. Now it's all clear, and…err…" He sounds a little confused, or should I say…embarrassed ?

I giggled.

"Wha…what are you laughing at ? I'm serious." I could imagine that he was blushing at that moment.

"Iie, I didn't mean to laugh at you or anything. I'm just…so happy that…I didn't expect it…" I was really confused.

Then he took my hand, and held it in his warm hand, very gently that I just wanted him to hold my hand like that forever.

"Sakura…" He called my name, "Will you…"

He stammered, but I didn't say anything, I let him finish.

"Will you…be my girlfriend ?" He finally asked.

I smiled slightly, and then turned my back to him, "Why don't you just…figure the answer out yourself ?"

I turned my back to him just to cover my red blushing face.

"Huh ? … I … don't quite understand." He was nonplussed

"Baka…" Then it was my time to be nonplussed, "No girl will ever let the one she doesn't like kiss her."

He stayed silent for a short while. And when he had figured out the answer, he hugged me from behind, the thing that every girl would want, at least that what I thought.

Then the ferris wheel started rolling again, the firework was also at the final stage.

-END OF FLASHBACK—

I think I'm so lucky to have Sasuke love me. Then I go to the balcony. The wind breezes through my hair. It feels great and refreshing.

I raise my head up, to where I know that it is the sky, and think.

Mom, dad, are you living ok up there ? I really hope you can rest in peace. I'm such an undutiful daughter. I can't serve you to the very end. I can't let you hold your grandchildren. And many other things. Please forgive me, ok ? And don't worry about me, I'm living just fine, and… I have found the one I love, he also really cares for me. Though I can't see his face at the moment, but I can feel clearly his feeling towards me. So, please support me, ok ?

Before I notice, tears are streaming down my face. I miss them. I miss my parents. But I'm not supposed to be sad, I know that mom and dad are always following me from up high. They will support me whenever I need help like they always did. I shouldn't cry anymore, because now I have found a shoulder to lean on.