Not So Long-lost Daddy

Chapter 12 - Supporting Sasuke

"Where's my brother?" Itachi asked the driver when he reached to their pickup truck at the basement parking.
"He's already at home, sir," the driver replied and started the engine.

When they arrived home, Itachi went straight to the dining room, he was just in time for dinner. Mikoto was setting the table.
"How come your brother arrived earlier than expected?" She asked.

"He asked for a half day today."

"Why?"

"I honestly don't know, mom."

"Well then, can you tell him to come down now, dinner's almost ready," she ordered.

Itachi went upstairs, knocked at Sasuke's room.
"It's me," he said.
"I'm not eating dinner, please tell mom," Itachi heard from inside Sasuke's room, not even bothering to open the door for him.

He just acknowledged Sasuke, went to his room and took a quick shower. When he went down, his parents were almost halfway done with their dinner.

"What took you so long? Where's Sasuke?" Mikoto asked as Itachi joined them.

"I took a shower, and uhm, he said he's not eating."

"Again? He didn't eat dinner yesterday as well. What is going on with your brother?"

"I don't know, mom."

Mikoto looked at her husband.
"Fugaku, dear. I'm starting to get worried about him," Mikoto said.
"Brace yourself," was the only thing Fugaku replied to her.

"Itachi, after dinner, help me clean up, so your father and I can talk to Sasuke afterwards."

"Mom, he doesn't even want to leave his room."

"I don't care."

"Don't you think he needs some space? Even I don't know what he's been up to lately, he's also not telling me, which he normally does by the way. If that's the case, I think we should just, you know, give him all the time he needs."

Mikoto was silent. Her being worried for Sasuke was still there, but she can't help but think of how mature his eldest son had become. She's proud of him. And she thought about her husband said, whatever bad news may Sasuke tell her, she should brace herself, and just give the support her son needs no matter what. And right now, she will support him by giving him time and space.

After dinner, Itachi still helped her clean up the table and dishes before going to bed. They didn't disturb Sasuke inside his room. But she still wanted to let him know that she's here for him, so she just left a text message instead.
"If you already feel like talking, let me know. Mom's here."

***

"I heard what happened," Naruto was on the other line, he called up Sasuke.
"Naruto, I don't need your lectures right now," Sasuke replied, he was seated on his bed, back against the headboard, he laid his head on top of it, his eyes closed and fingers from his right hand on his nose bridge, while his left hand held his phone close to his left ear.

"I'm not planning on doing that. I just wanna know if there's something I can do, I can actually help, since I'm also Sarada's godfather."

"Thanks, but I don't even know what to do right now. I'll let you know if I figured something out. Okay, bye—"

"Do not hang up the phone, Sasuke!"

"What now?!"

"If Sakura wants you involved, I can help you."

"I know that. Thanks."

"That's it? Thanks? You're not even gonna ask how I can help?"

"Nope. I already know you can handle that."

"Damn you, Sasuke. But fine, if there's something you like to give to Sarada, or even tell her, just let me know. Alright, I'll let you sleep now, bye."

"Bye."

Sasuke stared the wall across his bed. It never occurred to him that if he'll become a parent, he would only see his kid on a limited time with a godfather supervising them, not being able to talk to his co-parent regarding their kid's future, not being able to bring her to amusement parks, to the toy stores, to the movies, or just by simply driving her to school.

During his college years, he only saw himself loving one girl, and that's Sakura. Deep down inside, he liked the idea that the mother of his child is her, but not with this kind of arrangement.

If only his grandfather wasn't so greedy, if only his uncle wasn't easily manipulated, he and Sakura might be happily married now, he would've given Sakura the kind of wedding she'd always been dreaming of as he already gave her the most romantic proposal with a hell of an expensive diamond ring. Sarada would probably be calling him dad instead of uncle. If only.

He knew to himself that he was just doing the right thing, he needed to man up for his family, but how come things like these still happen to him? There were a lot of things going on in Sasuke's mind, it felt like his head may explode anytime soon. Finally a buzz from his phone distracted him, and saw a text message from his mom.
"If you already feel like talking, let me know. Mom's here."

It made him smile. He kind of wanted to talk to his parents already. But he knew if he talked to them already—first, his mom will cry. Second, his dad will scold him for being "irresponsible." Third, both his parents would want him to marry Sakura, no grandchild of them will end up having a broken family. Fourth, his dad would want Sakura and Sarada to be staying there with them. Fifth, for sure Sakura will oppose to his parents wishes. Sixth, so will her parents.

He pictured Sakura's parents in his mind, he remembered the day when Kizashi, Sakura's father, gave him his blessing to propose to her. After everything that happened, it was obvious that her parents want him dead. Between his parents and Sakura's parents wishes, the outcome will just be chaos, and there was just too much of it already, he doesn't think he can still take everything in. He doesn't know what the fuck he will do now.

He glimpsed at his alarm clock on his night stand, it was already past midnight. He just sat on his bed the moment he arrived home after his trip to the hospital, until now. All he did was think, but he never came up with a solution on how he's going to fix this situation he's in.