A/N: Hello there! No, you are not delusional and no your computer is not broken. Yes, this is an update. I have returned to finally finish this story. It has been a very long time.

In all honesty, this story was discontinued in my mind a long time ago from a lack of inspiration but due to a recent influx of messages about this story, I decided to come back to this story.I reread it and absolutely hated my previous writing of this fic. But, I wanted to go ahead and finish it so here we are. Many of you may notice that my writing style has changed quite a bit from the beginning and for that I apologize. Maybe someday I will come back and rewrite it but for now this story is finished in my mind. Thank you to everyone who may have read, stalked, or even glanced at this story. It has been a long ride. As always, I value your input and reviews but it is no longer necessary. But, you can leave one if you want :). As I said before, I am a bit rusty so please forgive the many mistakes or inconsistencies. Thanks again for everything and enjoy. Also, Don't forget tissues. This one might be a tear-jerker.

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Eighteen years one hundred and forty days ago...

She could only stare in mild shock at the pictures that arrived in the mail a few moments prior.

Somewhere inside, she could feel herself crumble, break, and deteriorate all at the same time.

'How was that possible?'

There was a strange sense of isolation as she continued to look at the pictures...of her husband...in bed with another woman.

In her minds' eye, she kicked herself for not noticing the change earlier.

Fugaku had been acting strange for months but she never paid it any mind. She had figured he was stressed from running the company.

She had never imagined it had been due to another woman.

Bitter tears filled her eyes as she finally stood up from the floor. She had just brushed the dust off her skirt when she turned and met the eyes of her thirteen year old son.

She could only kick herself for being seen as weak as Itachi continued to stare with her with something akin to sadness in his dark eyes.

She knew her son was particularly sensitive to other's emotions. She would even go far enough to call him insanely perceptive.

She quickly swiped at the tears accumulating in her eyes as she smiled at her son in sadness.

"Mother, I am sorry."

She tilted her head in minor confusion as she continued to stare back at her son.

'What on Earth did her son do in which he needed to apologize for?'

"There is no need to apologize Itachi. I do not even know what you are apologizing for."

She continued to eye her son before a flash of something crossed his dark eyes. She had never seen her son so serious before.

In all honesty, it scared her.

"Itachi-chan, what is going on?"

Silence lingered in the shadows as Mikoto Uchiha finally took a seat.

She could see the tears in her son's eyes as his eyes moved down to the pictures in her hands.

For a moment, she forgot she had them in her hands.

A look of resignation crossed Itachi's features before his eyes hardened once again. It was only during this moment where Mikoto finally noticed the change in her once silent teenaged son.

"Mother...there is something I need to tell you..."

Little did anyone know just how much those words would demolish everything the Uchiha clan once stood for.

Torn: Redux

Chapter 19

Whenever, Wherever, Whatever

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Sakura considered herself a reasonable person.

She believed in logic.

She lived by logic.

She breathed logic.

She truly believed that logic was the only way to handle a situation.

In her profession, she was called a "woman of science." She couldn't accept things without the cold, hard facts right in front of her eyes.

It was with this reason why her mind refused to believe what her shishou was telling her. Her mind seemed to be blocking things out. Or rather, she chose to block such things out.

She gazed at the envelope that graced her hands before gazing out of the window once again.

Inside, she could feel her heart cracking. The blood from her broken heart seemed to rush to her ears with such a velocity that she was almost not able to breathe.

She had rushed into the hospital in a panic as she finally located her shishou. After everything that happened with Sasuke, she was finally able to move on with Itachi at her side. She had rushed to Tsuande with every intent of coming up with a medical plan to help him in every single way possible.

She had located Tsuande just in time for Tsuande to give her the brush off and the assurance of not having to worry about Itachi's case ever again.

It wasn't until Tsuande recounted her previous visit with Itachi only an hour before did she understand the severity of the situation.

Her shishou, her mentor, her friend, her second mother was telling her that Itachi was leaving Konoha with every intention of never returning.

She couldn't fault him for it after the way she treated him but her heart screamed for its release.

Why couldn't she accept this?

Was it because she finally figured out that she loved him?

After everything she had been through.

Why did shitty things continue to happen to her?

Was she cursed?

First Sasuke. Now Itachi.

Was she destined to be attached to attractive, emotionally unavailable guys for the rest of her days?

"Sakura? Are you listening to me?" Tsuande blurted out in annoyance, as she continued to eye the young woman who she saw as a second daughter.

She could see the shock in her young apprentices' eyes but there was nothing she could do. She had sworn to Itachi that she would not reveal his location to Sakura...at least not until that fateful moment.

He wanted her to find him when she was ready to accept him.

Not because he was ill but because she cared for him the way he cared for her.

Tsuande sighed as she continued to watch the young woman gaze out the window in complete heartbreak.

It was a long time since she seen such a look on Sakura's face.

And she hated every single moment of it.

An idea began to take shape in her mind as she pushed away the nagging thought that she should reveal Itachi's location just so the two could find some closure.

Despite her many drinking binges and some bouts of dementia, Tsuande wasn't stupid.

She knew her apprentice had fallen for the dark haired man the minute they walked into the charity ball together.

A person would have to be either blind, deaf, or dumb to not notice the sparks between the two.

Obviously, Sasuke had been a factor but not too much of a factor if Itachi had fallen for Sakura anyway.

"Shishou…" A quiet voice inquired. "Did he at least look healthy?"

A bitter burst of laughter almost exploded from her throat, as she continued to eye her former student.

"Would you really like to know, Sakura? Or would you rather forget about him for a month again while you pull yourself together? Did you forget that he was dealing with a death sentence or were you too busy shagging him to care?"

She watched in silent glee as bright emerald eyes lit up with such fire that she had to turn away to keep from laughing.

Itachi was correct.

Sakura eyes gave away any and everything she was thinking.

Whether she wanted them to or not.

A beat of silence continued before a growl of anger erupted from the woman behind her.

"How dare you?" A furious utter burst forward from the pink haired doctor.

An infuriated screech filled the room as the sound of clacking heels moved in front of her. She could only watch in amusement as her former student glared at her.

She looked absolutely furious which in turn was a good thing.

"How dare you stand here and imply that I did not care for Itachi? He was my patient. My responsibility! Sure, I may have been a shitty doctor for a while but I realize that I had to get myself together! How could I be his doctor when I almost married his brother? Do you realize how crazy that made me?"

Tsuande continued to watch the young woman as she began to pace the floor in front of her eyes.

Of course she knew how crazy this situation made her.

She had front row seats to her self-destruction.

Inwardly, Tsuande sighed.

Sakura could really over think things when she put her mind to it.

Sakura continued to pace until Tsuande noticed the indent developing in her very expensive carpet.

Tsunade rolled her eyes in minor irritation.

The two obviously had things to work on if Sakura was feeling this way about his departure.

With a groan, she did the one thing she shouldn't have done.

She decided to intervene and play the role she was destined to play.

Drunken matchmaker.

There was something comforting about the idea of packing.

When one looked closer, they could see the tick of absolute frustration on his face as he continued to help his younger cousin pack.

Sure, he knew Itachi was doing it to avoid a woman but there was nothing he could do about that.

At the age of 34, the fresh-faced, curly haired Uchiha ran a hand over his unruly locks as he continued to add things to the box of personal items Itachi possessed.

He was lucky that he was his favorite cousin otherwise he would have told him to stick a senbon up his ass.

The sound of a door closing was the only indication he had before his pale cousin entered the doorway of the half empty home.

He noted the bags under his baby cousin's eyes and filed it away for later.

He hated seeing Itachi in such pain, whether it was physical or mental.

Even though he never actually said the words, he knew Itachi hated himself for the death of his parents.

If he hadn't revealed his father's secret to his mother, then things probably wouldn't have happened the way it did.

He knew Itachi saw his death as a way to atone for his sins but he knew Itachi did not want to hear such things.

He simply continued to live his life on borrowed time even though he had the capacity to be happy someday.

The beginnings of a headache entered the cusp of his mind as he watched Itachi peel off his suit jacket and move to the edge of the bed.

He knew something was wrong before Itachi began to cough.

He could only watch in sadness as Itachi almost doubled over in coughs and the blood dribbled from his lips. With a sigh, he rose to his feet, to get a cup of water.

It was something he was used to.

With a sad sigh, he realized that it was something he never should have been used to.

"Maybe you should tell her that you love her." Shisui blurted as he handed his younger cousin the small glass of water.

He could see the pool of blood at his cousin lips before turning away in sorrow.

He hated to be around when Itachi had one of his coughing fits. It only made it harder and harder to accept that his cousin was dying.

Or rather he was allowing himself to die.

He had thought a month ago when Sakura had forced her way into his life, Itachi was beginning to live again but when he asked about the young woman once again, he was hurt to hear that she did not share his feelings.

He was puzzled at first because he recalled seeing her at Sasuke's wedding to that blond chick.

He could see the attraction oozing off them the minute they hit the dance floor.

He never understood the appeal but that was something he kept to himself.

"She does not share my feelings." A soft voice said quietly as he set that glass onto the small dressing table.

A small frowned lined Itachi's face as he was reminded of his conversation with Tsunade. He had specifically asked her not to reveal his location to Sakura.

He wanted her to be with him because she wanted to be.

Not because of obligation.

Not out of some twisted sense of loyalty but because she loved him.

Just like he loved her.

Sure, he was hesitant of his feelings for her because he never allowed himself to feel these type of things but there was something about her that called to his inner soul.

That night, after they had made love countless times, he held her in his arms and just stared at her until he eventually fell asleep.

He had never done that before.

Fell in love.

All in one night.

Who was he to force his feelings upon her?

He knew she was still confused about her feelings for Sauce...so he was giving her all the time she needed even if he ran out of time while waiting for her.

It was a risky move but it was one he was willing to take.

She was worth it.

His cousin, Shisui, did not understand his reasoning but it was not one for him to explain. It was rather one he wanted to live with for the rest of his days.

As he continued to sit, an overwhelming feeling of fatigue began to overtake him as he looked over at this cousin who seemed to be eyeing him in concern.

"Shisui, I would like to rest for a bit before my flight. Thank you for your assistance." He said formally before laying back into the soft bed.

His cousins' look of concern was the last face he saw before he closed his eyes.

His last thought was Sakura.

As always.

It had took her less than 15 minutes to reach his home when she drove at top speed.

She knew her car was considered by many a sports car, but she knew never the meaning of the term as she sped through the streets at 115mph.

It took some begging, some groveling, and many tears before her Shishou broke down and gave her Itachi's home address.

She had finally allowed it to slip that she was pregnant during the conversation that finally broke Tsuande down.

Her mentor knew how much she wanted a baby especially after the circumstances surrounding her last pregnancy.

As the large estate came into view, she finally began to slow down to a reasonable pace.

She knew she had broken many traffic laws to get there but she no longer cared.

This was something she needed to do for herself as well as her unborn child.

She no longer cared about Sasuke or Ino.

'Fuck them.'

She just wanted Itachi.

She just wanted him.

As she finally came to complete stop and shut off the engine, she continued to look at the estate in awe.

His home was beautiful.

She could easily imagine their future pink haired, onyx eyed son running around in the front yard.

She gathered her dwindling courage as best as she could before opening the car door.

This was something she needed to do and she needed to do it before it was too late.

She wasn't going to allow this opportunity to slide from her clutches once again.

She squared her shoulders and said a silent prayer before she walked up to the front step, it was now or never.

Before she could ring the doorbell, she recalled the small envelope Tsuande had given her when she told her that Itachi was leaving.

She had forgotten to open it.

As she stood on the quiet doorstep, she finally opened the letter Tsuande had claimed Itachi to be given to her.

With a sigh, she opened the letter and began to read.

Within moments, tears sprang to her eyes.

The three words jumped out at her before their meaning could take effect. Did he really mean such a thing?

She had to find out.

With newfound confidence, she rang the doorbell. She had never been so sure of anything in her entire life.

She had finally accepted what her mind had been telling her since the day she met him.

She was in love with Itachi Uchiha.

Now all she had to do was tell him….only if he would still have her.

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The sound of the doorbell awakened him from his position on the sofa as he began to move towards the door.

As he began to wipe the sleep from his eyes, he tried to remember the last visitor Itachi had.

'Was it that stalker Tobi again?'

The restraining order was enforced for 1000 feet!

He peered through the peep hole before his dark eyes widened to the size of saucers.

A cheesy grin began to cover his features as he wondered how quickly he could reach his Iphone 7 plus in time.

He was sure this would be a joyous reunion.

Now all he had to do was sit back and record.

With his smirk planted firmly in place, he finally answered the sound of the ringing door.

He knew that somewhere in heaven Mikoto Uchiha was smiling down with a smile.

'I feel refreshed' was the first thought that entered his mind as he finally opened his sleep deprived eyes.

It only took a moment to reorient himself as he began to sit up.

He could see the sun starting to set out of his far right window as he used his left hand to remove his dark locks from his eyes.

"It's quite beautiful, isn't it?" A soft female voice asked in satisfaction.

He stiffened at the sound of her voice.

Her voice was the one he longed for and dreaded all at the same time.

"Why are you here, Haruno Sakura?" He questioned as he stood to turn toward the young woman who sat on the bed where he had just occupied.

'How long had she been here?' He wondered.

Silence lingered before she began to speak. When she did, it was not the words he was expecting to hear.

"I love you, Itachi Uchiha." She cut into his thoughts boldly.

His mind screeched to an abrupt stop as he watched her.

He could see the confidence in her eyes as she continued to stare at him boldly. He raised an eyebrow in mild amusement.

"Why?"

She gulped.

"Why what?"

Hn. I do not like to repeat myself. Why do you love me? Is it because you pity me?"

Tears began to fill her bright emerald orbs. She held up her hand in an attempt to cut off his hurtful words.

"I don't pity you, Itachi. It's the way you make me feel."

A scoff escaped his lips before he took another step in her direction. She could only stare into his emotionless eyes as he continued to stare at her as if peering into her soul.

"Is it because of the way I make you scream and moan or because I remind you of Sasuke?" He asked quietly.

She growled in anger as if he has struck her.

"I don't love you because of Sasuke or the fantastic fuck we had!" She screeched.

His face remained emotionless as he continued to stare. There was so many things running through his mind at the moment. A part of him was proud and somewhat annoyed that she called their one night in his office "A fantastic fuck." He had not thought of it as such.

He had considered it a connection of their mind, their bodies, their souls...

He inwardly sighed.

Unfortunately, she still didn't get it.

How unfortunate.

A nagging voice in his mind, which ironically sounded like Shisui, voiced the question he wanted to ask the minute he realized she was next to him in his bed.

"You opened the envelope….did you?"

Silence.

A soft, defeated sigh reached his ears as her face fell.

"I did."

"You do realize that I asked Tsuande to hold on to that envelope until after my death."

He could only watch as the delicious green fire lit up her bright eyes once again.

That was the one thing he loved about her most.

Her eyes.

"I think that is unfair Itachi!"

Instead of answering her statement, he decided to go for the obvious question.

"How did you enter my home? Did my annoying cousin allow you in?"

An angry glare was his anger as he continued to stare at her in silence.

"In fact, he did!"

"Hn."

He could only watched in amusement as her face morphed into something akin to a horror movie.

He knew she despised one syllabled expressions.

"Do not try to change the subject! Your letter….you stated that you loved me. Was it true?"

Silence continued to linger as the man in question continued to battle with his thoughts.

As much as he wanted to love her, he did not want to plague her with his ill health.

"Ah."

A sad smile crossed her features before her green eyes filled with tears. A small pang filled his heart as he recalled her sad smile at his brother's wedding.

It was the same one she was giving him now.

One filled with absolute heartbreak.

Inwardly, he cringed. There was no sense of putting her through misery for no reason.

"I am in love with you, Haruno Sakura."

Silence lingered before a loud thump exploded outside of his bedroom door. He was fairly sure his cousin had just fainted.

Silence.

"Itachi...I...I'm pregnant" She whispered softly as she began to stare down at her hands as if it was the most fascinating thing in existence.

Somewhere inside, he felt his heart burst with bittersweet happiness. The woman he loved had just told him that she was pregnant and carrying his future child.

Even though his body was dying, he knew had to somehow to keep fighting for preserve their love.

Their product of their creation.

Their child.

"If you would have me, I would like to be allowed to become your husband." He said tenderly before cupping her soft cheek.

He could see the tears pool and glisten in her bright apple orbs before she finally looked up.

He could see the hesitation but he understood.

She was not yet prepared for marriage but someday she would be.

He only hoped his body would make it until that moment.

He watched as tears slipped from her cheeks as she wrapped her arms around him in the tightest hug. He could barely breathe but he knew this was the only way she knew how to express what she was feeling.

Understood it all.

Most of all...he understood her...

"I love you, Itachi." She whispered as she laid her head against his lean shoulder.

An overwhelming since of fatigue and vertigo began to overtake him again as he finally sat down with the love of his life in his arms.

"Haruno, you are making a mess of things." He chided as he wiped the salty tears from her eyes.

She gave a soft smile before pressing her lips to his.

The kiss was sweet and lighthearted as Itachi began to lay back. The fatigue he had been feeling a few moments prior began to press down on his body. With a soft smile to the woman in his arms, he kissed her head in preparation of another nap even though he had just awakened.

"Come now...let us sleep. Things would be better tomorrow." He whispered in contentment.

The woman in his arms muttered her consent as he began to fall into the splintering world of darkness...

Her soft but beautiful smile was the last thing...he remembered...

To him, it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

A shock of cold during the night awakened her from her slumber as she looked up at the man who was now the center of her world. Even though they hadn't talked much, she knew without a doubt he felt the same way about her as she did about him.

It made her blissfully happy.

A small laugh left her lips as she leaned down to kiss her sleeping prince.

It was the cold skin of his lips that startled her awake.

Her mind flew into over-drive as she finally began to shake him.

Her heart began to tumble as she felt for the pulse at his neck.

Her heart froze in her chest as she realized that she could not feel a thing.

It was her worst fear.

Itachi wasn't breathing...

A/N: Yes, I know this is a terrible way to end this fic so I am debating on an epilogue. I know we can pretty much assume what happens next but as you all know I like to keep people on their toes with might be an epilogue posted very soon if I can find the time. Thank you again for sticking with me throughout this story.