The Black Leaf (Part 2)

Chapter 25: Ichiro Uchiha

Three days later, after talking to Kakashi about bring Itachi's body back to the Leaf. Sasuke and Naruto went to dig Itachi out of his grave in the Hidden Wood. Kakashi stayed and helped dig a grave for Itachi in front of the Uchiha stone tablet. I waited seating on a trunk sewing the Uchiha crest on baby clothes that I had bought for Ichiro.

Once Kakashi was done, he came and sat next to me and I put everything away. "Are you okay?" he asked as I just stared at the hole on the ground.

"I'll be okay after this, I know I will," I said looking at him.

"Hello," I heard Sakura come from behind us, "Sasuke asked me to come, I don't know why but,"  she stopped and stared at the hole on the ground, "who died?"

"No one," Kakashi said, "Sasuke is bringing his brother home."

"Oh, I see," she said looking at me.

At that same moment the portal opened and Sasuke walked out followed by Naruto and four of his shadow clones carrying a dirty wooden box. He is in there, I thought, everyone looked at me but my eyes were set on the box. I started trembling and clenched my fists tight, as stood up. I slowly made my way towards them and Kakashi followed closely.

Sasuke walked towards me and gave me Itachi's headband, "you should keep this," he said placing it in my hands. I stared at it and I could feel my heart sink deep in my stomach. I looked at the box and slowly made my way to it. I stood in front of it staring at it for a while. I wanted to touch it to feel his presence once again, but I couldn't bring my self to do it, I wasn't ready. 

At that same moment, I felt Ichiro kicking and moving inside me, like if he could sense Itachi's presence in front of us. I held my stomach and with a trembling hand, I leaned down and touched the box. He was in there, I felt him. I knelt in front of the box and pressed my forehead against it. I ran my hand on the surface as the tears streamed down my cheeks.

"Itachi, you are home now," I whispered. "You are finally back home, where you belong. I'm sorry it took a while but now you're here and you can rest." I felt sadness and sorrow, but I also felt peace. I held his headband tight in my chest, with every tear and every sob, I felt relieved. I knew Itachi was going to be at peace and I knew where ever he was, he was going to be happy. "Until we meet again, my love," I whispered into the box and pulled away from it. I ran my hands on it's surface one more time and tried to stand up. 

Immediately, Sasuke came and held my arm, helping me up. He held my hand tight as Naruto's clones placed Itachi down on the grave. They started burying him and with each shovel, more tears ran down my face. Once Itachi was buried completely, Kakashi walked near me and place his hand on my shoulder, "Izumi, are you okay?"

I wiped my tears and looked at him "I'm good, now." Then looked at Sasuke, "thank you," I told him and he nodded. Kakashi offered me his hand and I took it as we walked back to the house. Everyone insisted for Sakura to check me and Ichiro and after she did and I went straight to bed. Kakashi followed me and he laid next to me, he just looked at me but didn't say anything. I could tell he was worried, "Kakashi, I'm fine," I whispered and he moved over to hug me. I hugged him back and buried my head on his chest until I fell asleep.

A few weeks passed since we buried Itachi and it was the second week of June. I woke up in the morning and headed downstairs. Kakashi and Sasuke were already awake discussing the number of shinobi from all the nations that went missing after the war. I said good morning and went to the kitchen to make breakfast. I took out a carton of eggs when suddenly a sharp pain went from my stomach to my lower back. I dropped the carton of eggs and before the eggs hit the ground, Sasuke was already by my side followed by Kakashi.