The most painful days and sorrowful nights

27. Forgiveness

Uzume was in darkness once more. Standing before the younger version in her mind. The girl looked so beautiful, and happy. So much light filled her delicate face. It made the older girl's heart smile. Through all the pain this heart has endured, from when she was fragile and innocent to now as a strong young woman, she was still able to look on with such pride and beauty.

"So, " the little girl said, walking closer. "Did you make a decision?"

Uzume shook her head. "Not quite."

The little Uzume smiled. "Good, I guess there's still time. To help you make your decision."

And with that, two pairs of footsteps had entered her mind. Uzume could see a white robe walking towards them, as well as long dark hair.

Just the sight of them in their funeral robes made her eyes water.

"Itachi... Shisui... ~ " Uzume whispered. Itachi grinned at her before holding the little girl's hands. Shisui walked up to the older girl and hugged her tight.

"I'm proud of you, Uzu-hime." Shusui said, Uzume's head was on Shusui's shoulder. She was crying. All of her tears was now pouring out like a waterfall. "You held yourself together even when Sasuke couldn't. You deserve to have all the things you back in your life."

Uzume's eyes were looking at Itachi, who was silent.

"But please, just let us rest peacefully. Don't bring us back to life," Uzume closed her eyes. Before meeting a tight hug from Itachi.

"I'm sorry, Uzume." Itachi apologized. His lips meeting her forehead. "For hurting you, and making you cry. For changing my mind about your decision, and bringing something so unexpected into your life."

Uzume shook her head. " it's fine. All of this is fine. I can take care of Saizo myself."

Itachi frowned before poking her forehead. "You have to forgive Sasuke at some point. He loves you too."

"I need time to do it." She whispers. "He's not going to be there for me,anymore."

There was silence, before Uzume had seen Koi. He looked so different now. His hair was darker, and his famous idiotic smile was forever gone. Uzume knew Chen was as handsome as him. She can now understand what those girls were so crazy about.

But this was the same guy who almost killed her.

"Yo." He greeted. Uzume marched up to the man and right hooked him in his face. Koi was wincing while trying to laugh. " I rightfully deserve that. "

Uzume glared at him. Koi slid onto his knees and and lowered his head to the ground. "I'm sorry, Uzu-chan. For betraying you, and trying to kill you. I now know how you truly feel about my brother and I . how special we are in your heart. "

"You were more than just a comrade to me, Koi. " Uzume's eyes softened. " You were my best friend. Someone different from Sasuke. Someone I knew I could rely on if I fell from the sky. "

"Chen always caught you, he wanted to be the first one to hold you. Because he didn't want to see another person he loved die in front of him."

Uzume's eyes widened. She knew he loved her, she saw the way he looked at her and how beautiful she was in his eyes. How amazing she was to him.

"I see." He nods.

"He knew you still loved Sasuke, but didn't push it. She'll come around, he'd say ,I know she will. She'll notice me and my heart." Uzume felt her face blush.

"I need you to take care of Akimaru. He needs you more than ever. It can help you focus on you and your son, because Saizo already loves him like a father."

Akimaru. That was Chen's real name. Akimaru Senju. Grandchild of Tobirama Senju. Uzume knew the hatred between both her clan and his, but that was years ago. When Madara - her father - had started this hatred between them.

But now was a different time. This present day, was a day that will end the rivalry between Uchiha and Senju in more ways than just one.

"You have my word, Koi."She says, while holding her best friend's hand. "I will give him my life if I have to."

Koi grinned. "I loved you too, ya know? But I never loved you like he does."

Uzume nods. Before feeling someone hug her from behind. "Ohayo Gozaimasu,Uzu-hime. ~"

Uzume's eyes were glistening when she listened to a voice whisper in her ear. "Do you miss me?"

She nods. before turning around and seeing Saizo holding her into a tight hug.

"You look so beautiful now. It's a shame I wasn't able to see you grow." Saizo said, but Uzume shook her head. Her fist against her chest.

"You were here. Everyone belong there. That center of my growth started here." She says. "I've learned how to fight mostly from you ,Onii-chan."

"And you've fought well,Uzume. Being able to hold off against your father like that, I'm proud of you. Even little Saizo is proud of you."

Uzume was smiling. A bright beautiful smile that made the others smile also. A smile Itachi wanted to see more than anything.

A smile filled with freedom and happiness.

"And speaking of Saizo," Itachi said, before gripping Uzume's hands. Pulling her away from older  Saizo. Itachi tilted her head towards him and leaned in towards her. "I do believe you have to go back to him. He gets lonely without mama and her cooking. "

Uzume smiled, before meeting Itachi's lips. His loving lips pressing against her own, and their past had shown when she looked into his eyes. The blushing girl and the popular boy. The little princess who had loved her dark knight. The first kiss. The way he held her when she slept in his room.

"One day, we will all reunite. And I'll be waiting for you then. " Itachi mumbles while holding Uzume's cheeks. She nods, before feeling the hand of her little self.

"Now shall we go? " She asks. " Sasuke is waiting for us. "

Uzume was fighting her tears. Sasuke wasn't waiting. He did need her anymore. He was going home now, and that meant not seeing Uzume nor Saizo.

Something Uzume probably wanted now.

Sasuke stared down at his best friend and saw that she was sleeping. He had always admired the way she slept. He found her beautiful and at peace, even if she was sleeping over her dead father's body. Hoping as if he'll come back to life.

" She used up too much chakra in that last jutsu. " Sakura said,while watching Sasuke kneel in front of his clansman.

I hate you...for taking Saizo away from me.! For taking Itachi away from us.

He had remembered her scolding him. Letting him have all of her anger that was killing her.

" I want to protect you, Uzume. So much that I'll give up everything now, just to see your smile again. " He whispered. his hands were shaking before balling into fists. "Even if I can't see you anymore. "

He realized it now, that his dream had everything to do with that girl. That he loved that girl more than life it's self. He wanted her safe and free, even if he couldn't hold her hands and hug her tight. Sasuke was going to go through hell, just to make sure Uzume makes it to heaven.

The boy stood up and watched his friend stir, before leaving. Knowing that he has so much to think about when it came to this revolution.