63 Confession and Reaction 3

"I do, Sakiko. I don't just know. I just feel like we shouldn't rush things."

She blinked several times. Was she hearing him right? Sakiko couldn't believe what she was listening to right now.

"Rush things? Sasuke, are you seriously telling me not to rush things? You feel it's rushed, what happened to fifteen years of our lives being apart, huh?"

She pulled her hand away from his. Her anger was rising by the moment. She spoke again, her voice increasing.

"Isn't that too long for you to be telling me not to rush things? Rushing things would be calling incessantly the night we found out or the next morning and not after some days."

"Sakiko, please listen. It feels a little bit too rushed for me. I know you do not want to be apart, I do not want that too, but consider my feelings please."

Her face softened at his saddened expression. She didn't mean on making him sad, she just wanted to be with him.

She shifted closer to him, she felt hurt that he thought she wasn't considering his feelings.

"Sasuke, it is because I am considering your feelings, that I am doing this."

"I just lost the woman I knew to be my mom all mu life. Just because I don't show it often, doesn't mean I am not hurt by it."

"I'm so sorry Sasuke, I didn't mean to…"

"You should now I am not mad at you. I understand you. All I need is for you to understand me."

"I will, I promise to be a better listener."

"For you Sakiko, it is not rushed, but for me it is. Sometimes it is hard to come to terms with the fact that all this is real. Mother is gone, but you are here to feel in the void."

He held her hand in his and caressed the back of her palm softly, "And for that I am grateful. I have to prepare myself. I would be living with my biological family soon. At first I was eager, but it's all happening too fast and I am nervous about it," Sasuke finally confessed.

"Y–You are?" She asked looking all stunned.

This was a first. She remembered how nervous she was on the day of her welcoming party. He was the one who gave her courage and stood by her.

Who would have thought that such a thing could make him nervous?

He looked so fragile, strong, and handsome showing his fear to her. She made up her mind, she hadn't thought it through before, but this time was different. She was going to give him the strength and courage he needed.

'Itachi was right all along. What we needed was a better understanding of each other.'

Sakiko flashed him her most charming heart-warming smile.

"Sasuke, it was insignificant of me to behave like a spoilt child. I understand what you mean, there is no rush. For now, the most important thing is for you to get well and come back to school."

"Sakiko, I promise it wouldn't be long. Soon, we would tell them and be together for sure. Just bear a while longer, okay?"

"Thank you."

"No, thank you."

He half smiled, returning her warm smile as he rubbed her palm with his.

Retracting her hands, she stood up. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I am famished. I haven't eaten anything all day."

"Why? What is wrong? Are you sick?"

He reached for her hand and pulled her close to him. With his free hand, he reached up and touched her neck, checking her temperature.

"I am fine, Sasuke. I was just distracted today worrying about you. My appetite went for sick leave because of my brother."

"You shouldn't be doing that. Don't starve yourself because of me. What would you have me do if you fell ill too?"

"Simple then, don't fall ill!" She said and arched a brow at him. "Aren't you going to let me go?"

He let go of her hand and apologized, "Sorry, my bad. Bring the snacks here, let's eat together."

"Aye, aye, captain," she jokingly said and picked up the train.

They spent time chatting, eating and having fun. After their snacks, she brought out her books to show him what was taught for that day.

"So care to explain to me this topic, Sensei Sakiko?"

"Umm, I would do my best based on what I have studied beforehand."

"How about what the teacher taught?"

"Well…"

"Well…?"

"I–I, You know what, I can just teach you, why do you need what the teacher said to learn?"

"Sounds to me like, someone wasn't paying any attention in class."

She couldn't respond to him, he caught her with ease. She really was pretty bad at hiding things from him. When it came to him, she was an open book.