Kaira felt bad having to leave Shunsuke and Kazu at the house, but she simply couldn't stand being there anymore. Not when Sasuke was also there. She knew that he wouldn't leave his own children alone without having someone to look after them, so Sasuke wouldn't follow her. Not now.

People looked at Kaira in a strange manner as she ran by as if the devil himself was chasing after her. She felt sick, and the feeling in her stomach told her to get as far away as possible, so she kept running, but not aimlessly.

The moment she left the house, Kaira already had a destination in mind; a person she could always rely on, who'd always listen to her and be there for her.

She purposely decided to go to Yuuji. Troubling her sister or Sayuri with this was something she absolutely could not do. They were already going through a hard time, and Kaira herself too. With Izuna in the hospital, the Uchiha household had gotten dreary. How could she possibly bother them with her troubles at a time like this?

Besides, Yuuji was up to date with what was going on in her head, while her family wasn't. Her struggles, waking up alone every day and sleeping in an empty bed at night, having an incomplete family.

She had told only Yuuji how painful it was.

Kaira didn't want to cry. She didn't want to shed tears for a man like Sasuke, but the moment she saw Yuuji in front of his house,  she broke down. 

 He was holding a bag in one hand while unlocking the door with the other. Just when he opened the door, he heard the Uchiha approaching him, and he looked over his shoulder. His eyes went wide at the sight of a sobbing Kaira, and he quickly put the bag in the hallway before he turned back to her, taking her shoulders firmly. ''Kaira?'' He asked carefully, looking away from her for only a second to see if she wasn't drawing too much attention from onlookers. ''Let's go inside, okay?"

Kaira simply nodded, not able to get any words out of her sore throat as she continued to cover her face with her hands, trying to stop the tears from falling down.

Yuuji had never seen her like this before, so vulnerable and weak. It shocked him, and he wondered what happened to make her feel this way. After letting Kaira in, Yuuji closed the door and followed her into the living room, where she came to a halt.

Yuuji walked around her, taking her trembling shoulders in his hands once again. With his eyebrows furrowed in concern, he tried to take a look at her face, but Kaira wouldn't let him. He pursed his lips, gently rubbing her arms. ''What's wrong, Kaira?'' He asked softly. ''What happened?''

He heard her breathe shakily, as if she was preparing to give him an answer. Her quivering hands gripped Yuuji's shirt as she let her head fall on his shoulder.

''..He's back..''

It was a mere whisper, but Yuuji heard it very clearly. Unconsciously, he squeezed her arms, thinking to know what she was going through, while he didn't even dare to assume in how much pain she was.

She was in a period of doubt. Her mind was clouded, flooded with thoughts which kept her awake at night. Being selfish was impossible for her. The decision she'd make would not only influence her own life, but also those of her children and the rest of her family.

Sasuke was the reason for all her suffering.

And Yuuji knew that Kaira wouldn't be able to make a decision as long as he'd be here. Sasuke would only confuse her more, make it more difficult for her. So many mixed emotions, yet Kaira had no idea what she felt.

Mostly anger and sadness, but she couldn't deny that her heart fluttered the moment she saw him again.

It was frustrating.

How was she supposed to make a decision if she didn't even understand her own feelings?

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

''Can I help?''

Yuuji put down the knife and turned his head to face Kaira.

Her eyes were red, and so were her cheeks. It was very obvious that she had been rubbing them. Yuuji had let her rest for a while, lending her his couch to lie on. She had been quiet most of the time, so he was surprised to her hoarse voice.

''You can continue to cut the vegetables,'' Yuuji said, stepping aside to let her take the knife and finish what he started. ''I'll warm up some soup.''

Kaira nodded and took the knife in her hand, wrapping her fingers around the handle. ''Where is Aki?''

Yuuji hummed as he turned on the stove. ''She was at my mother's house. I was supposed to pick her up after coming back from work, but I asked if she could stay there for the night.''

Asami pressed her lips together, guilt building up inside her. ''Because of me?''

Yuuji didn't reply, which was already enough of an answer to Kaira.

''I'm sorry.'' She murmured, continuing to chop the ingredients on the cutting board. 

''Don't apologize,'' Yuuji spoke, taking some cutlery out of one of the drawers. ''I can spend my whole life with Aki, caring for her, watching her grow up, but you need looking after now, so that's exactly what I am going to do.''

Kaira clenched her jaw, trying to suppress the tears which were threatening to fall. Yuuji pursed his lips when he saw her shoulders shake and walked at her. He stood right behind her, hearing her cry quietly. ''Turn around.'' He murmured.

Kaira felt warm streams go down her cheeks and she put down the knife, doing as Yuuji said. Burying her face in his shoulder, she once again cried her eyes out as Yuuji held her tightly, not knowing what else to do to comfort her.

''I don't know what to do anymore.'' Kaira slurred, her voice muffled by the fabric of his shirt as she clutched it firmly. ''I don't even have the courage to go back.''

Yuuji stroked her back. ''You don't need to go back.'' He whispered. ''Stay here as long as you want and think about it as long as you need. You can go back when you're ready.''

''I can't leave Kazu and Shunsuke in Sasuke's care for that long.'' Kaira murmured as she started to fumble with Yuuji's shirt. ''As their mother, it'd be irresponsible to neglect them like this.''

Yuuji sighed and put his chin on top of her head. ''You're not neglecting them, Kaira. I'll visit them tomorrow and try to explain it to them.'' He suggested. ''They are also welcome here, you know that. And what about Daichi?''

Kaira took a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself down, wanting to speak more clearly. ''If you see him, just tell him where I am.'' She mumbled, rubbing her eyes with one of her hands. ''He won't go home, but he'll be fine. I think I already know where he is.''

''Kayo?'' Yuuji asked.

Kaira nodded. ''Either at the hospital with Kayo or at her house with her parents.''

Yuuji looked down, and saw that she had already stopped crying. Seeing her like this made him feel powerless. They had been friends for so long, yet he couldn't do anything for her while she needed him the most besides giving her a place to sleep.

Kaira heaved a sigh and leaned her head against his chest, letting his warmth soothe her.

All the frustration, pain and sadness she was bottling up for such a long time was now finally showing. Maybe now that she had let it out, it would help her clear her head and make a decision.

Yuuji knew that it was very difficult for her, perhaps even the toughest choice she'd ever take in her whole life. 

But after this pain, after this suffering, she'd heal.

Only then she'll be able to find happiness again.

Yuuji pressed a kiss against the side of her head.

''You'll be fine.''