Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Shinachiku was excited. 

He was going to be put onto his team today. Shino-sensei would announce who his father had decided to put him with. Sighing, his cousin, Kirā was sitting to his right, and the Inuzuka girl, Faitā, was seated to his left. 

Kirā looked positively annoyed. But, if Shinachiku had to deal with a father like Sasuke, who did not love his wife, he’d be irritated too.

Kirā had one older sister, one younger sister, and one younger brother. 

Her older sister, Bōryoku, was the Heiress to the Uchiha Clan and was an ANBU captain, much like Sasuke was before he became the Shadow Hokage for Shinachiku’s father, Naruto. If Shinachiku had to guess, she was her father’s favorite. She was fierce, annoyed at everything, and wanted nothing more than to smack the shit out of whoever had the balls to put up with her. She was a badass but hated pretty much everyone. She’s tall as shit, sitting at 6’1 at 18, and is also stupidly strong as well. She’s got long black hair, that she usually keeps in pigtails, and dark, red eyes like her mother. She uses this as her example; when her Sharingan awakens, no one can tell. Her father trains her, and is trying to help her awaken her MS, but tells her to not push herself, as there are consequences (Shinachiku has eavesdropped when he’s spending time with Kirā, sue him). Also, he’s pretty sure she was born out of wedlock, but don’t ask him how he knows that (the math ain’t adding up).

Then there was Kirā. His stupid ass cousin, cause Aunt Karin and his father were related in some fucked up way, so to keep Sasuke “tied to the village” as his parents like to stay, they encourage the two families to get along. He can tell Sasuke hates it. Kirā is the same age as him but has the same outline as her older sister with black hair and red eyes. She keeps her hair down but has been trying different hairstyles as of late because his mother gave her a lecture on hair. Kirā looks up to his mother, so she listens to Kirā, like her sister Bōryoku, hates people, and nand hates anything without a use. But, it seems Shinachiku is the exception to that rule for Kirā, and they are quite good friends because of it. The two of them got up to quite a lot of mischief until their respective younger siblings were born, and they decided they needed to get their shit together. They’ve been inseparable since. 

Her younger brother, Nisei, is also a dick, like all Uchiha. He’s about Hanami’s age, so Shinachiku has a soft spot for him. He’s just trying to prove to his parents his worth— which tends to lead to burnout, from Shinachiku’s perspective, especially watching Bōryoku for the past several years (becoming an ANBU captain just to get a nod from her father, and even that ). He seems to look up to Kirā though, and the two of them are quite close. He’s got short black hair and annoyed red eyes. Yes, annoyed is the correct term. 

Lastly, Kyōi Uchiha is probably the odd one out. She’s loud and quite chirpy, if that were the right word. His mother said she probably got it from Aunt Karin. Shinachiku thinks it's a dumb explanation. She’s short, with red hair and red eyes like her mum. She hasn’t awoken the sharingan, unsurprising to everyone else, and an annoyance to her father. 

After his inner monologue, he focused back on the present, where people were getting listed off into groups.

“Shinachiku Uzumaki…”

Everyone was sitting up straight, wondering who’d be on his team. It was annoying, being the son of the Hokage, from time to time. He was grateful, of course, but that didn’t mean he didn’t understand the logistics of people wanting to take advantage of that fact. 

“Kirā Uchiha…”

Groans erupted from the room. But, Kirā looked at him with a shit-eating grin, elbowing him in the side, “Told ya.”

“Fuck off,” he grumbled quietly so no one would hear his annoyance.

“And Faitā Inuzuka.”

Hm, interesting, he glanced over to the shy girl in the class. She had light brown hair and blue eyes, but it was more accurate to describe them as pale white, as they reflected her Hyuuga heritage. She wore a lot of pink, but it didn’t seem to bother her that people were leveling looks at her.

Tou-san is going to be the death of me, he thought with a sigh, at least dinner will have an interesting conversation tonight.

Even though his parents were endlessly busy, they still always came home at the same time. 8 o’clock, on the dot, without fail.

His father, Naruto Uzumaki, the 7th Hokage, and the Hero of his Generation, probably the strongest shinobi in existence as of now, was a legend. He spent entire lessons learning about him in school, along with Sasuke (but, they always seemed to skip out on where he was from 13-16), and his mother, Haruno Sakura. 

His mother, Haruno-Uzumaki Sakura, was the Head Medical Ninja in Konoha, possibly the world since she had surpassed Tsunade Senju. She was also regarded as the strongest Kunoichi of her era and the Heroine of her generation. 

They made quite the pair.

They were also disgustingly in love.

“Tou-san, Kaa-san, I’m— oh gross,” he grumbled as he walked in after the academy classes were over with Hanami on one side and Arashi on the other, his parents cuddled up on the couch, pressing caste kisses to each other, “Gross.”

They didn’t jump apart or huff at them, they just looked over at him with a grin, “Oh come on, hun, we know you wanna cuddle!”

The three kids ran over, jumping into their parent's arms. He was half expecting his mother to yell at them lovingly about ruining her couch.

She did not, and the five of them fell asleep until dinner time when Shinachiku snuck off and prepared dinner for them.

“Alrighty, now that everyone has been assigned their teams, wait here, and your new sensei will come and get you,” Shino-sensei smiled, “It’s been a pleasure teaching all of you,” he looked a little teary-eyed, “I’m immensely proud of all of you and I know you’ll do great things.”

“Ew, getting sentimental on us, huh?” Shikadai, the son of Shikamaru and Temari Nara, gruffed, but there was amusement in his eyes. 

Shikamaru Nara was his father’s oldest friend and his closest advisor. Shikachiku had a lot of respect for him, putting up with his rambunctious father, but everyone loved his father, even him, of course.

Shikadai had been assigned to the traditional Ino-Shika-Cho combination. Inojin, the middle child of Ino and Sai Yamanaka, Cho-Cho, the only daughter of Choji and Karui, and Shikadai, the youngest of the Naras.

Ino and Sai had two daughters and a son. The oldest daughter, Shinsetsu Yamanaka, isn’t much for combat but makes an excellent Heiress as she’s extremely well-versed in clan politics. She’s got long, blonde hair like her mother, but dark eyes like her father. She often dresses like a civilian, because she’s only achieved chunin status. Inojin is the middle child and the only son, also Shinachiku’s age, who is as pale as his father, but has his mother’s characteristics. The youngest daughter is Hotaru, and she’s about Arashi’s age, with blue eyes and blonde hair. She's also very good at political skills but is also quite perceptive. 

Shikadai’s older brother’s name is Tonoshī, and he’s also an ANBU captain. He’s good friends with Bōryoku Uchiha, and they worked quite well together. He declined wanting to be the Head of the Nara Clan, leaving it to Shikadai. 

Everyone had eventually left, and Shinachiku was getting a vague sense of deja vu.

Then, someone came crashing in.

“Hey! So sorry I’m late. Hokage-sama was just talking and talking and I felt bad cutting him off,” the voice explained as their sensei walked in. Shinachuki raised an eyebrow as Konohamru walked in with a sweaty look at him, “Now then kids, walk with me.”

Shinachiku didn’t like being referred to as a kid, but whatever, it doesn’t matter . The three of them followed him outside. 

“Alright!” He grinned, turning around to face them, and hummed when they were looking at him expectantly, “Just sit, and we’re going to do introductions.”

Oh brother, Shinachiku moaned inwardly, “Yes, sensei.”

The other two glanced at him and followed his lead.

“Shouldn’t you go first, sensei ,” Kirā sneered, “Since you’re our sensei and everything.”

Shinachiku threw a glare at her, telling her silently to shut the fuck up , “That would be appreciated, Konohamaru-sensei.”

The older man laughed, but sat down so he was at equal stature with his new students, “Well, I get you’re irritated I’m late, so I’ll let that slide,” he smiled at Kirā, eerily giving something that reminded Shinachiku of his mother, “My name is Konohamaru Sarutobi. I like my friends, Moegi-chan and Udon. I dislike people who disrespect those who’ve earned my respect. My future goal is to be Hokage. Shinachiku, how about you go next?”

Shinachiku huffed, “My name is Shinachiku Uzumaki. I like training, sweet things, and my family. I dislike people who look down on Medical Ninjutsu. My future goal is to be like my mother.”

“Excellent, Uchiha?”

“Well it seems you’ve already got a good read on me—“

“Kirā, for the love of the gods will you please just do it?”

Kirā scoffed, but crossed her arms and looked away, “My name is Kirā Uchiha. I like tomatoes and training ,” she grinned, “I dislike simpletons and idiots. My goal is to be like my father, a shadow Hokage.”

Shinachiku felt bad for Faitā, as he was 90% sure that Kirā was implying she was an idiot. This was up for a rough start.

“Alright then, Inuzuka?”

Faitā straightened up, blushing and glancing at Shinachiku, who bit back a sigh.

“U-um! My name is Faitā Inuzuka. I-I like cats and dancing. I dislike unnecessarily loud sounds, I’m aware it’s unavoidable, but I still dislike it. My future goal is to be a shinobi my parents can be proud of.”

Shinachiku raised an eyebrow. That was something he could agree with. Sometimes his parents felt so… big that it was hard for him to see himself as someone outside himself. 

The four of them continued to talk for another hour, before Konohamaru released them, telling him to meet them at the bridge at 6 am tomorrow.

Shinachiku had heard the stories of the bells from when Uncle Sasuke came over to visit with Grand Uncle Kakashi. He looked embarrassed because those three were the first three he’d ever taught. 

And the only since.

Shinachiku waved the two girls off, before making his way towards his house. 

He opened the door, and his two younger siblings came running towards the door to greet him.

“Shina!” Hanami jumped into his arms, and he easily held her up, Arashi looked up with wide green eyes that reminded him of his mother, “You’re home late!”

“Yes well Konohamaru-sensei decided he had a lot of things to do before coming to meet us,” Shinachiku huffed a laugh, “Calm down, are mom and dad home yet?”

“No,” Arashi frowned, “But mama told me she’d be home soon.”

Shinachiku hummed, “Cool, well I’ll get started on cooking, you guys play.”

“Let us help!”

Shinachiku raised an eyebrow, “I don’t think Mom and Dad would appreciate the entire building burning down…”

“HEY!” Arashi and Hanami yelled in unison, causing a smile on Shinachiku’s lips. 

Chapter Text

Shinachiku rose early the next day, obviously, but he made sure he quietly made his way around the house, careful to not wake his siblings. It was nice getting to see his parents last night. They were busy, of course, considering they were high-ranking members of Konoha; Shinachiku understood, he wasn’t a brat. When Shinachiku turned five, Sakura returned to work. Before that, she stayed home with her babies, making sure everything was okay. 

But, she brought them with her to work, keeping them in her office while she ran off to do surgeries, before returning to their sides, keeping them entertained while also doing paperwork. Sometimes their father would join them, offering to watch them for a little bit when she had a particularly important surgery or meeting. 

His parents both made sacrifices to make it work. Shinachiku looked up to his parents more than anyone. They loved each other and their kids more than anyone. 

“Aw, what are you doing awake this early?” His mother’s voice came from the kitchen, causing him to flinch, she tsked him, “Shina, you should be able to sense me! Remember it’s important to be able to recognize others when being a shinobi! I don’t need some idiot ninja coming up and hurting my baby!”

Shinachiku blushed, even though she was getting onto him, his mother always made her make it known to her family how much she loved them, “Mama, calm down.”

Sakura waved him off, “Now then, I assume Konohamaru requested you meet with him?”

“Yep,” he bit back a yawn, “Hopefully Kirā and Faitā come on time or we’re going to have a problem.”

“Oh be nice to Faitā, if I had a father like Kiba…”

“Mama, that’s mean!”

She winked, “As long as it stays between us, no harm done!”

Shinachiku laughed, this is why he’d been getting up this early. He noticed his mother was a very early riser. He didn’t mention her dark circles or the frazzled look in her eyes when he came down to have breakfast with her before her shift. But, Shinachiku knows she does this shift so she can come home and be with the kids while they’re awake. She works very hard, and he hopes to have the shinobi she is when he grows up.

“Now, how is your chakra training going?”

He blushed. His mother had very careful chakra control from a very young age due to her being a civilian-born ninja. There wasn’t a lot of room there for a lot of natural chakra reserves. His father, on the other hand, was a jinjuriki and therefore had a lot of chakra. It made it much more difficult to have careful chakra control as he inherited his father’s large reserves. However, he’d told his mother he wanted to learn medical ninjutsu and hopefully acquire the Byakugou seal when he was a soldier. He’d never admit to it, but the way it made his mother’s eyes shine was enough to make his entire world shine. She immediately set to start training him properly. 

This started about two years ago.

Although he was his mother’s son, it didn’t come as easy to him as it did to her. 

She explained they were in a time of peace, and told him there was no rush.

The thought calmed him, of course, it’s not as if he wished to live through a Ninja War like his parents did. Even though they came back heroes, they were also traumatized. 

On days he woke up before his mother, he’d peek into his parent's room and see them holding each other, tears rolling down his mother’s eyes or his father shaking so terribly he’d think he was dying.

They never talked about it though.

“It’s going well. I’ve been reading up on the new material,” he nodded, “You wrote some interesting works in your time under Tsunade-sama.”

Sakura waved him off again, “Nah, she just encouraged journaling. I thought maybe it’d help you. I know with Naruto’s chakra reserves it makes the actual control of it difficult… so, I’m not sure if that’s why you’re struggling so much or if it’s something else… at least you got my smarts—“

His father snuck behind her, wrapping his arms around her and pressing a kiss to the side of her head, “Are you calling me dumb , Sakura-chan? Right in front of my son?”

Sakura giggled (Shinachiku knew that was a good sign because he’d started doing his rigging into the Uchiha history— apparently his mother had been in love with Sasuke of all people. That’s a story he’d never pry from her lips). And she turned to face him with amusement dancing on her facial expressions.

“Gross, did you guys forget I’m still here?” He yawned, “Maybe waking up this early was a bad idea…”

His father laughed, pressing a kiss to Sakura’s forehead, right on the rhombus on her forehead, and turned to look at Shinachiku, “So, I heard you two talking about training?”

Shinachiku sat up straight. His father had never pressured him to do anything, more so wanting him to have a happy home life. But, he expected that he set for himself, that did him in. He supposed it was from his mother if Ino-san’s drunk storytimes were anything to go off of.

“Er, yes. I’m having trouble with controlling my chakra… Mama is helping though. I should start practicing on real fish soon,” he grinned nervously.

Naruto’s eyes softened and he just pulled him into a hug, “You could take forever and I’d still be proud of you. I’m just impressed you’re still at it! When I had to do the graduation exam…”

Sakura snorted, like remembering a fond memory.

Shinachiku smiled fondly, “Oh. I do need to go. I might stop by the hospital after the assessment, Mama, if that’s okay?”

Sakura beamed, “You know I always love to see you! I’ll be visiting the Academy around 2 pm today to start scouting for more students interested in medical ninjutsu. Konoha’s main problem is the lack of medics! It’s a good skill to have,” she smiled, “and maybe one day you’ll get to learn the art of punching the entire floor open!”

Naruto paled, patting his wife on the shoulder, still standing behind her with his head resting on hers, “Maybe, don’t teach your monster techniques to—“

“My what ?!”

“Nothing, dear!”

Shinachiku snorted, it never ceased to amaze him that the strongest shinobi in the world was scared of one thing— his wife.

-

Thankfully, he was the first to arrive, but Kirā was a close second.

“Fucking hell, Shina. Must you get everywhere twenty minutes early?” She yawned, walking up to him with that annoying, cocky smirk that was the Uchiha trademark.

“Being early is on time, and being on time is late,” he repeated what Shino-sensei drilled into them their first year, “It’s not the end of the world. I like to be on time.”

Kirā groaned, “You’re annoying , that’s what you are.”

“Aw, careful, you’re gonna turn into your dad,” Shinachiku winked, “Oh here comes Inuzuka.”

“She’ll have a heart attack if she hears you call me by my first name and her by her last name,” she snorted.

“You’re my cousin,” Shinachiku raised an eyebrow, “She’s just a girl in my class, and now a teammate. I’m not my parents.”

“Or mine, if that’s what we’re doing!” 

“Kirā, shut the hell up,” Shinachiku groaned, before turning to Faitā, who walked up nervously, “Good morning.”

“Y-yes! It is, isn’t it? Is Konohamaru-sensei here yet?”

“Nope,” snarled Kirā, grinning, “We’ve just been here twiddling our thumbs.”

Shinachiku glanced at his cousin with an eye roll before turning back to Faitā who looked about ready to jump off the bridge. What has my father gotten me into this time…

The three of them waited an hour.

Then two hours. 

Then three hours.

Finally, Konohamaru-sensei came strolling to the bridge, a shit-eating grin on his face. Kirā glared at him. Shinachiku raised an eyebrow. Faitā didn’t say anything, she just looked away from them.

“Well! Glad you all decided to show up early,” Konohamaru grinned, mirth dancing in his eyes, “Now—“

“You’re late,” Kirā raised an eyebrow, putting her hands on her hips, “You got a date this morning or something?”

Konohamaru raised an eyebrow, “Are you questioning your superior officer?”

Shinachiku snorted loudly before covering it with a cough, “She’s sorry,” Shinachiku puts a hand behind her back and pulls her hair to tell her to shut the fuck up , “If you don’t mind, can you tell us what happened?”

Konohamaru raised his eyebrows even further, “Taking advantage of that last name, huh?”

Shinachiku’s jaw dropped before he quickly pulled himself together. He straightens up and didn't say anything else.

Konohamaru frowned, like he said something he didn’t mean to, but continued, “Anyways, come with me. We’re going to do your real test to become genin.”

“I-I thought we already were genin?”

“Nah, we do that so we can decide who gets the chance to be genin. This next test is what decides if it happens,” their sensei led them to the “Team Seven” training grounds. Shinachiku tried not to snort at the fissures in the ground, no doubt from his mother’s training she did— she had to keep in shape somehow . 

“Alright!” He grinned, turning to them, “You guys have a special surprise today. Former Hokage Kakashi Hatake has offered to lead this exercise!”

Shinachiku paled. Everyone knew about Kakashi Hatake, the Copy Ninja. Even if you didn’t know him from that, he was the first sensei to the legendary team seven that saved the world. The man stepped out of the shadows, holding three bells— well that’s different from the tales that his parents had told them.

“Maa, maa, you are just the spitting image of Naruto and Sakura, Shinchiku-kun,” Kakashi grinned under his mask, making Shinchiku puff his chest out a little bit, “Now, now— oh, and Kirā I was wondering what team you’d be assigned to!”

Kirā’s eyes darted to the shinobi’s in front of hers. Everyone knew Kakashi was the only non-Uchiha ever to have used the Sharingan. Her eyes gleamed . 

So much for annoyance, Shinachiku raised an eyebrow, guess she’s got more of an admiration thing going on. 

“And little Inuzuka Faitā! I’ve heard your Byakugan is quite strong for your age, and you’ve got quite a nose on you, but no dog?”

Faitā froze, and it looked for a moment like she was biting back tears. As if remembering herself, she frowned, “Y-yes, Kakashi-sama.”

“Kakashi-sensei is fine,” he grinned, “Now, I’m sure you two have heard the tales of the bell test from your parents,” he pointed towards Kirā and himself, “Hm?”

“Yes,” Shinachiku nodded, “Mostly about how meddlesome you are.”

Kakashi looked as if he were biting back a snort, “Kirā?”

Her eyes narrowed, a flash of little black tomatoes in her eyes before they returned to their normal red, and she smiled tightly at the Former Hokage, “No sir, my father tends to not stick around long enough for some family stories.”

Shinachiku didn’t think she’d say it but it caused quite the reaction from Faitā which made him want to roll his eyes. It’s not that big of a surprise. When Sasuke-san does come home, he stops by the Uzumaki household to report to Naruto his findings and talk to his parents about his travels, then vanishes to supposedly go to his family. From the sound of it, it doesn’t look like he stays very long. 

“Maa, sounds like Sasuke,” he frowned under the mask, “Well then, Shinachiku-kun would you like to explain my little game-“

“Kakashi-sama, don’t tell them it’s a game— “Konohamaru protested, causing Kirā to smirk.

“We’re supposed to get the bells,” Shinachiku interrupted, “It’s what my grandfather did for his team. What Kakashi-sensei did for his team with my parents. And presumably what he’s going to do for us. However, it seems there’s a difference. Because those teams only had two bells— but Kakashi-sensei is holding three ,” he looked upon them, “There’s a trick.”

“Excellent observation,” Kakashi-sensei smiled, but it felt as if he were congratulating a child on naming the sky blue, and it made his skin crawl. He hated when people were condescending, “The goal is to get the bells before lunch! Good luck.”

He vanished. 

Shinachiku ground his teeth and glanced at Kirā who was glaring between Faitā and Konohamaru. He sighed, pulling the two girls away from their potential sensei, and told them to get their heads out of their ass. 

“Shinachiku-kun, I-I didn’t do anything—“

“Yeah, you need to do something,” he snapped, before taking a deep breath. He could be his mother’s child if he wasn’t careful, “Look. The goal in the stories isn’t about getting all of them. It’s about working together. He might’ve changed it, he might not. We should work together. Kirā already awakened her first tomoe sharingan, which means low-level genjutsu won’t work, so he won’t go after her, most likely. As for taijutsu, he’ll likely go after me, as I’ve been training at it with Lee-sensei and my mom. As for ninjutsu, he’ll likely go after you, Faitā cause of your eyes. We need to figure out how to stay together and play to our strengths, even when he’s trying to separate us like the troll he is.”

“You should talk about your elders like that, Shina,” Kirā grinned, “Think you can keep up, Inuzuka?”

She glared at the girl, “Hmph. You’re not the only one with impressive eyes.”

Kirā grinned, “Oh look at you, I didn’t think you had any bite to you.”

Shinachiku deadpanned, “If you could stop the flirting, that’d be great.”

“W-we’re not!” Kirā snapped, and Faitā paled.

“You don’t have to worry about that , Shinachiku-kun!”

Oh brother, Shinachiku scoffed, “Let’s go.”

-

Shinachiku collapsed, holding all three bells, looking up at Kakashi, whose eyes were gleaming and Konohamaru-sensei grinned with equal enthusiasm.

“Well then! It’s decided. You’ve passed.”

“Fuck yeah!” Kirā screamed, “Shina, we did it!”

Kirā tackled Shinachiku to the ground, and then stood and spun in a circle.

Goddess above I forgot how much like Aunt Karin she is, Shinachiku groaned inwardly, but just stood and looked at his new sensei and his teammates.

Faitā was glaring at Kirā and then glanced back over to Shinachiku with wide eyes. She looked away in embarrassment. Shinachiku inwardly grumbled this is going to be a serious problem.

“Great! Tomorrow we will meet around 7 am for our first mission! We’ll go speak to Hokage-sama about it since it’s our first mission as a team. Congratulations on officially making genin.”

“Like there was any doubt, right Shina-chan?”

“Kirā, I will kill you ,” a snap of his mother’s temper flaring before he took a deep breath, “Don’t call me that.”

Kirā giggled, “You’re so easy to rile up though! Any plans to celebrate?”

“I’m going to see my mom, then I’m going to check in with Dad. And then see if—“

“We should celebrate as a team!” Faitā interrupted, “Maybe…”

Kirā glanced at her with raised eyebrows, “That’s the first good idea I’ve heard from you all day!”

Faitā glared at her, “W-we could meet after you see your parents? For… dinner?”

Shinachiku grumbled, “Fine! Fine! I’m going to see my mom, I’ll see you two later at Chojis.”

He stalked off before those two could push his buttons even more. He swore those two were going to drive him insane .

-

He didn’t bother knocking as he walked into his mother’s office. She was sitting at her desk, bent over some paperwork. Her dark circles indicated a lack of sleep and Shinchiku, for not the first time, was worried. 

“Mama.”

She snapped her head up, “Shina!” She stood, walking over to him, grabbing his face and turning it over in her hands, making sure he was okay, “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, did you know Kakashi-sensei was going to show up?”

“Oh goodness, I didn’t think the old geezer had it in him—“

“Rude, Sakura-chan, to call me a geezer after I showed up at the wretched hospital for you! Hello, Shina-chan .”

“Kakashi-sensei, I thought you made it a point to avoid hospitals?”

“Yes, well, Sakura-chan here will personally kill me if I don’t come and get my check-ups and also refuse to come to my home anymore… also, Naruto would probably kill me if I did show up to the Uzumaki home,” he winks, “Congratulations on passing the bell test!”

He glared at him, “He had three bells, mama.”

Sakura laughed, “Yes well, you’d practically had it spoiled for you otherwise.”

“I guess that’s true. Kirā didn’t remember the stories though, she said Sasuke wasn’t around enough.”

Something dimmed in her eyes, but Shinachiku knew he’d never get the answer. It wasn’t longing or want— just sadness. 

“Yes, well, Sasuke does a lot of that.”

Chapter Text

Shinachiku glared at Kirā for not the first time. They were waiting outside of the Hokage‘s office for Konohamaru-sensei for their first mission. He was excited, of course, but was also nervous about how low of a mission they‘d have to start with. His parents told them their first mission was just chasing runaway dogs because that‘s what was needed. 

They also told them when Naruto practically begged for a C-Rank mission and how it turned into an A-Rank mission.

Shinachiku was enamored, of course, it always seemed like their life was filled with adventure. 

“Good to know you guys know what it means to be on time!” Konohamaru turned the corner, his hair a little messed up and his lips bruised. Shinachiku resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

“Perhaps you should make yourself more presentable,” Kirā whispered to Konohamaru before turning on her heel and heading inside. 

Shinachiku didn’t bother apologizing to her— she was right after all. He followed after her and heard Faitā following after him. They made their way inside, finding the Hokage’s office and when Konohamaru opened the door, Shinachiku was unsurprised to see his mother in there. What he was surprised to see was her yelling at him.

“Naruto, what have I told you about getting proper rest ?! This has been the same problem on your check-up on years !” She growled, standing in front of his desk, both hands on the desk in front of her, her back to the door. On her back was the Uzumaki symbol in the center of her red outfit she always wore, but on the outside was a white circle that represented her Haruno heritage, “And I swear to all that’s holy I will— Shina-chan, Kirā and uh… Inuzuka! It’s so good to see you,” she turned to smile at the genin team before turning back around and whispering, “I will find you later.” 

The threat real on her tongue, and Shinachiku knew he was in for some amusement tonight if they decided to argue at home. It was less of arguing, and more of his mother lecturing, which was equally as amusing. 

“Yes Sakura-chan,” he stood, pressing a kiss to her cheek, all fear flooding from his eyes when her cheeks flushed red, “Do you mind not scolding me in front of these impressionable genin—“

“No offense, Dad, but Mom scolds you all the time—“

“I cannot believe my son betrayed me!” 

Shinachiku rolled his eyes in amusement, his parents were adorably the worst, “Dad we’re here for a mission?”

“Ah yes!” He kissed Sakura’s cheek again, who flipped him off and left, “Bye, my love!” He winked cheekily at her, but she just rolled her eyes, blushing and stalking out the door, with her fists at her side, a small, amused smile on her lips as she left. He turned back to the three with his eyes relaxing, “Alrighty, let’s check and see what needs to be done.”

“You’re a giant softie, Uncle Naruto,” Kirā nodded as she’d just made a huge observation, “A huge softie.”

Konohamaru snorted, then coughed like he was trying to cover it up. Naruto threw his student a look before sighing and turning to his list. 

“Ah, this will be amusing— you’re going to be catching some wild dogs for the Inuzuka clan.”

Faitā flinched at the mention of her family’s name. 

Kirā just snorted, “Looks like we got an inside man . What, they not teach you about chores, Faitā?”

Faitā glared at the Uchiha and in turn Shinachiku glared at his father, raising an eyebrow as if to say, see what you got me into? 

His father, like the jackass he is, simply smirked.

Shinachiku should tattle on him to his mother so his father can get beat up.

“You have your mission. If you don’t mind, Shina, stay behind for a minute.”

“That’s not very professional Hokage-sama,” grinned Kirā, “Seriously, what are you, a weirdo?”

Naruto smiled, “Sure, now as your Hokage , I’m ordering you to leave for a couple of minutes. Good luck with your first mission!”

Both Kirā and Konohamaru blanched but walked out, the other two following. Naruto waited for them to leave before turning to his son.

“Everything going well so far?”

“You’re coming home tonight, you can ask me then.” He raised an eyebrow, “I’m still basically an employee, dad.”

“You’re my son first and foremost ,” he grinned, “But seriously… I was having doubts about who to put you with, but of course, I couldn’t resist putting you with Kirā, the two of you work together so well, that it’d be an asset. With Inuzuka, I was thinking you could be a recon group?”

“You’re the Hokage, Dad, we’d do whatever you requested,” he deadpanned, “But yes. That makes sense to me with Kirā’s developing sharingan. I haven’t talked to Inuzuka much yet, but I’m sure she can use the Byakugan…”

“Well, just keep an eye on it, Shina,” he ruffled his head, “You’re the smartest kid I know. You can handle this.”

Shinachiku grinned, “You’re showing favoritism.”

“I love all my kids equally.”

“I meant with my squad.”

“No shit, I love my kids more than anything.”

Shinachiku rolled his eyes, hiding a smile, “Alright, Dad, thanks for the assignment. I gotta get out of here before I hold up my squad.”

Naruto nodded, “Remember your training with Sakura-chan, just be careful.”

“Yes, Dad,” he whined a little before bringing his dad’s personality back down, “I’ll see you later, Hokage-sama—“

“Oh none of that,” Naruto scoffed, “Okay, you better be off. I have a lot of paperwork to finish if I’m going to be home on time.”

“Okay, bye Dad!”

He walked out of the Hokage’s office, his three teammates waiting for him.

“Everything okay, Daddy’s boy?” Kirā grinned, winking at her cousin in a way that made him want to clobber her before he recognized a twinkle of real concern.

“Yup, Uchiha,” he rolled his eyes, knowing that’d get under her skin, “Konohamaru-sensei, are we ready to go?”

He grinned, “Yup! Time for your very first mission!”

-

At the end of the day, Shinachiku was annoyed . 

He was from top to bottom covered in dog shit. Faitā had been trying to coax out the dogs like they’d come running to her, and Kirā was scaring them away with her Sharingan. She did a good job finding them, as did Faitā, but it was getting them that was the trouble. He’s 90% sure Faitā’s mother only put this mission on the board, so she didn't have to do it. 

Hinata Inuzuka was a sweet lady. She used to have a crush on his father, as he learned from drunken stories with Aunt Ino (yes, that happens… a lot…). She was also the Heiress to the Hyuuga clan for a long time before she married Kiba Inuzuka, a boy on her team she fell in love with once Sakura and Naruto began going out. Shinachiku would feel bad for her if she didn’t seem like she was still trying to get with his father. The new Heir being a man from the second branch, Neji Hyuuga, who had married a woman named Tenten. 

But, that was neither here nor there. 

Naruto was nothing if not a loyal man. Hence the whole being in love with his mother since they were like thirteen.

“Oi! Shina! Stop fucking zoning out!”

Konohamaru smacked her behind the head, “Watch your language, Uchiha, I’m serious,” he growled, “Uzumaki, please stay with us now. I know we’re not amazing company compared to the Hokage—“

Oh gods this is going to be a hassle, he inwardly groaned, “I never said that. Don’t put words into my mouth, Konohamaru-sensei. Have we completed the mission, Faitā?”

She straightened up, as if not expecting the attention to suddenly be on her, “Hai! We’ve completed it. I cannot see anymore with my Byuakugan. Mother says we’ve gotten all the dogs.”

Konohamaru nods in appreciation, “Thank you, Inuzuka. Let’s go see your parents then we can report back to the Hokage. Excellent job team.”

The four of them walked through the forest with the dogs on leashes to the household, where Hinata stood with her eyes looking longingly over the mountain pass.

“Oh! Hello, dears!” She smiled, her eyes lingering on Shinachiku for a moment, and he resisted the urge to shudder, “Thank you for taking care of this for me,” she smiled, a little hum in her voice.

Konohamaru nodded, “Of course, Inuzuka-san. Thank you for the opportunity. Hokage-sama sends his regards.”

See this? This is what Shinachiku was talking about. 

Hinata grasped her hands at her chest, her eyes blown wide, a little blush on her cheeks— although they were always present— as she smiled softly, “D-did he now?”

Kirā groaned beside him, leaning in to whisper, “Does she have to react like that every time? It’s a little sad, don’t ya think?”

“It’s not polite to shit talk about customers, Kirā.”

“She’s simping after your dad !”

“Don’t ever use that word with me ever again, Kirā or I will kill you.”

Faitā squirmed from the other side of Konohamaru, looking like she desperately wanted to know what the two of them were talking about. 

Shinachiku would rather die than tell her what the two of them were gossiping about. Because if it got back to his parents… Shinachiku shuttered. Sakura wasn’t a jealous woman, of course, but Naruto was more than ready to announce all over again that he was a married man.

By publicly making out with her in the Hokage Tower where everyone could see. 

It was quite embarrassing. The two didn’t know decorum. 

Well, his mother did, but his father made her forget sometimes. 

Anyways, that’s enough bad-mouthing for one day. He was starting to remind himself of Hanabi.

Chapter Text

[Sakura’s POV]

Sakura leaned back against her chair, listening to her assistants talk about the reports for the day. They were competing with trying to tell her the most information. That, of course, wasn’t going to be useful. She was getting more and more annoyed by this every minute. She glanced over at the clock— 7:30 pm. That meant Shinachiku and the others were likely home already. She tried to get home every day around 8 pm, so even if Naruto was busy with work, she was there. 

The door slammed open, “Uzumaki-sama! We have an emergency surgery! We need your help immediately,

“Okay, this is going to have to wait till later, follow me,” she grumbled, putting her scrubs and gloves on effortlessly like she hadn’t been half-ready to fall asleep at the drop of a hat. 

Well, so much for going home early tonight.

-

[ time - 2:00 am ]

-

When Sakura sneaks into the house that night, she’s not sure what time it is. She’d rather not. 

The patient’s blood is soaked into her very skin— her very soul— as she glances around the house. It’s dark, quiet even. Thankfully she has the day off tomorrow. She’s going to stay home with the kids, be present, or something like that. Tsunade-shisou insisted— something about how time flies. Sakura swears the old hag was getting more sentimental with age. She does not want to complain, however, as she stalks into the hallway, peeking into Arashi’s room first. 

Her youngest is cuddled up in bed, his red hair splayed all over his pillows, and his eyes are shut tight. His arms are wrapped around a fox stuffed animal Sasuke got him for his ninth birthday. Naruto blanched and Sakura had a sneaking suspicion Kurama was having a laughing fit inside. But, Arashi adored Sasuke, to Naruto’s chagrin, and treasured the little fox as if it was a little brother. 

(Sakura had baby-checked it before. She’d be damned if she’d blindly trust that man ever again.)

After that, she carefully shut the door and went to Hanabi’s room. Unsurprisingly, the girl was up, reading a book about how her parents and Sasuke saved the world— how Team Seven saved the world. Sakura had tried to get those printed correctly or better yet not at all, but unfortunately Kakashi-sensei had gotten them out before she’d even had a say.

“Hanabi-chan?” Her voice came out softer than she was sure her children were used to when she caught them up late. She was a medic, after all, and always taught them about proper ways to take care of their bodies.

“Mama!” The little eleven-year-old was up before Sakura’s tired mind could process it, running to her arms before fear flooded her expression, “You’re bleeding!”

“No baby,” she pressed a kiss to her forehead, “There was an emergency surgery…”

“That lasted six hours?!”

“Five, then paperwork for two. He survived, but not without a couple of newbies passing out from chakra exhaustion…”

Hanabi giggled, “You think Shina-nii is going to be like you someday?”

“Shina can be however or whoever he likes. Just like you, Princess,” she huffed, picking her up easily, “Now sweet girl, it’s time for bed!”

“Read me a bedtime story mama!”

“Oh all right…”

By the time Hanabi had finally gone to bed, she was stalking out the room to shower and hopefully get into bed with her loving husband. But first, she opened the last door to see her oldest bent over paperwork.

“You are too damn young for paperwork, love,” she huffed, walking in with a raised eyebrow, “From what I heard you have missions with team seven tomorrow? You should be asleep, my love!”

“Mama! You’re home late,” he raised an eyebrow, “Is everything okay?”

She rolled her eyes, sweet and caring, just like his papa, “I was hoping your father would be competent enough to tell you where I was—“

“I just didn’t think a surgery would be six hours, mama.”

She rolled her eyes, “Don’t interrupt when I’m giving you a lesson, Uzumaki Shinachiku!” She growled at her boy, sleep aggravation taking over for a moment before she took a deep breath, “There are lots of points besides the actual surgery, like paperwork, for example.”

“You and Dad are always talking about paperwork.”

“Yes well gods couldn’t kill us, so paperwork will,” she picked him up, careful to keep the blood off of him, and plopped him in his bed, glad to smell he wasn’t dirty, “Now. Go to bed. Konohamaru won’t take it easy on you just because you’re sleep-deprived. I swear, Uzumakis and their reliance on the god-awful amount of chakra the goddess gave them…”

“ You’re an Uzumaki, Mama.”

“Shinachiku I will remind you who you're speaking to if you don’t go to bed, right now .”

He grinned, twirling onto his other side, “‘Night mama!”

She kissed his forehead, “Goodnight, Shina. Hopefully, your father doesn’t give me this much trouble.”

“Knowing him…”

“You are my son, after all,” a voice from the hallway came, and she turned around and all the worries in the world floated away, “There she is.”

“Goodnight, Shina,” she whispered, standing straight up and walking to the door, taking Naruto’s hands and leading him back to their shared room within the Hokage’s mansion. 

When they entered, Naruto shut the door before turning around quickly and taking her face in his hands. 

“Are you okay?”

“It’s not my blood.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

Goddess above she could melt when he did things like that. 

“Here, let me take care of you,” he whispered, picking her up easily and it made her feel young and made her stomach fill with butterflies. 

She giggled, kissing him on the cheek lovingly, “You spoil me.”

“You gave me everything,” he whispered into her hair, “I’ve always loved your hair, Sakura-chan.”

“Oh yeah?” She laughed, flicking it back a little as it was starting to get longer, “It’s not getting in the way of my work, I think I’ll let it grow out longer again.”

“If you want to,” he grinned, placing her down. She smirked. She knew he loved her long hair, even if he never said anything about it. He helped her undress, and then placed her carefully into the bathtub.

“What did I do to deserve you?” She whimpered as he massaged her hair with soapy water in the tub, giving her a spa day, “You’ve had a long day too, love.”

Naruto snorted, “You’ve never had to do anything to deserve me, Sakura-chan. I loved you even when you didn’t love me. The fact I get this? You? That’s all the ‘thanks’ I could ever need.”

She turned to face him, green eyes sparkling with tears, when she grabbed his face, pulling his tan skin into hers to a kiss, lovingly telling him he was all there would ever be, “I’m sorry I didn’t realize sooner. We could have had so much time.”

His eyes softened, “But it wouldn’t have been us. This? Us falling in love after the war? That was perfect. Seriously, Sakura, when you told me you couldn't stand the Teme… there wasn’t a better feeling. It felt like… I finally had a chance.”

Her cheeks blushed, “I guess I just don’t understand why you would wanna be with me, after all this time. I wasn’t the nicest to you. I thought you would want to be with someone like—“ Hinata — “quieter…”

His eyes darkened, “Maybe there is a world where we aren’t together, Sakura. But, there isn’t a world where I’m not deeply, irrevocably in love with you.”

Sakura giggled, “I wasn’t sure you knew what that word meant until I remembered Ino gave you a dictionary of adjectives for your birthday.”

Naruto smirked, and it turned her insides into goo, “Oh yeah?”

“For the record, idiot, I love you too,” she pressed a soft kiss to his nose, “There isn’t a world where I don’t fall in love with you or your loving eyes or your kind smile or your thoughtful ears or your wonderous nose or—“

“Okay!” He grinned like she was making him the happiest man in the world, “Let me take care of you, Mrs. Uzumaki.”

She rolled her eyes, “I swear you’ll never get over that.”

“Never .”

-

Later that night, the two cuddled into bed for the first time in ages and it felt as if she were home. She loved the hospital dearly and all it had given her. But, at the end of the day, when she got to come home, this is where she wanted to be. Naruto’s arms rested on her hips, his head sitting on top of her own, and her face was in the crook of his neck. It was unlikely they’d stay like that, of course, but maybe they’d go into spooning or some other kind of cuddling.

All she knew was that she was the luckiest woman in the world. 

-

[ Naruto’s POV ]

-

Naruto hated having to leave his wife, especially when she looked all sexy lying in bed like she had nowhere else to be. Sakura was the hardest working woman he knew— and he’d loved her because of it for a long, long time. He knows there’s never been anyone else. She had been the love of his life since he was 6 years old when she first yelled at him instead of ignoring him.

“Naruto! You’re an idiot!”

She talked to him! She talked to him!

“Ah! Sorry, Sakura-chan!”

Her cheeks erupted into this gorgeous red, as she sputtered about indecency, before waving him off, “Do you know w-what propriety is, Naruto? Gah!”

“Good to see you’re awake, papa,” Hanabi whispered from the door, peeking in, “Shina-nii is about to walk Arashi-nii to school and then head to work.”

Naruto looked down at his beloved daughter, the whiskers that he shared with her on her cheeks making his gaze soften, “Hey, how about I walk you guys to the academy today?”

“Really?! You promise?”

“Of course, just give me a few moments to get dressed and leave a note for your mama. She got home late and has the day off today, so when you get home it’s mom time!”

Her eyes lit up and she nodded her head excitedly before going off to tell her brothers. 

The three of them walked down the streets, people waving and saying hello. Bōryoku stalked from behind in the shadows, as if annoyed he were doing this thing. As his Captain of the Guard, Bōryoku Uchiha usually took his hardest missions but had taken the week off to celebrate with Kirā for passing her entrance exam to becoming a genin, so while she was working, Bōryoku was on “guarding-the-Hokage” duty, which anyone else would be thrilled for the job. But, Bōryoku was the spitting image of her father's personality and looks-wise.

When they arrived at the academy, Shino raised his eyebrows in surprise. 

“Hokage-sama, to what do we owe the pleasure?”

“Being a dad,” he grinned, not bothering to hide the cloak that read “Seventh Hokage” on it. He could be both. He was being both. 

“Ah, Hanami-chan, Arashi-kun, come on in. Are you staying at all, Hokage-sama? I’m sure the Academy students would be very glad to have you here. They’re very big fans, you see.”

“Aw yeah! You should stay, dad!” Arashi begged, holding onto his sleeve, “Please!”

There’s no way I’m saying no to those eyes. 

Yeah, Sakura’s eyes. 

-

[Sakura’s POV]

-

When Sakura awoke, she was irritated, if unsurprised to feel her husband missing. Rolling over, she felt a crunch under her skin. Groaning, she pulled it out.

Sakura, 

Had to go to work, being the Hokage and all. Come see me whenever! Always a joy to have my favorite pillar with me ;) 

Hope to see you soon

Forever and eternally yours, 

- N

Her cheeks blushed. 

Well, she might as well go see her husband! 

Once she was dressed, she stalked towards the Hokage’s tower, waving to others, stopping by Ino’s shop and talking to her and her daughters. 

Shinsetsu was her oldest at about 18 and was being raised to be the Yamanaka Clan Heiress. She did a good job with clan politics from what she could tell, and knew Ino was extremely proud of her. She was usually seen talking with Tanoshī, the Nara’s first-born (not the heir though, as he’d turned it down), but they seemed to be nothing other than good friends.

She was also aware her eldest had a crush on the oldest Yamanaka. He was much too young for anything to happen, of course, but she had a keen eye for romance. 

Ino’s youngest, Hotaru, was expected to be a relatively good shinobi, but nothing extraordinary. She’d also shown interest in being a medical ninja, so Sakura had begun giving her lessons. 

“Sakura-sama!” Hotaru rushed to her side once she entered the store, “Where have you been?!”

“It’s my day off, and I’m off to see my husband,” she smiled down at her, “Where’s your mother?”

“Giving Shinsetsu lessons. She put me in charge of the store! I’m only 11!”

“Spreading lies, are we?” Ino snapped when she came out, “I was checking inventory and teaching Hotaru here the ropes of running the store!”

Sakura laughed, “Well Ino-pig, can’t let our guard down, can we?”

“Oh, shut it, forehead. So, what’s this I hear about you taking a day off?”

“Yup, there was an emergency surgery last night that didn’t get off till like 2 am.”

“Jesus girl, I didn’t think you were still pulling the hours you did at 17!”

Sakura rolls her eyes, “I’m only 30. Tsunade-shisou ran the Hospital till she was nearly 50!”

“Yeah, after, respectfully, taking a twenty-year break! She went MIA for like twenty years. She only came back when…” she glanced down at her daughters, “You know what? Nevermind. Are you getting some flowers for Naruto?”

“Obviously. Gotta keep the gender stereotypes at bay, and all that,” she winked at Hotaru and Shinsetsu, “Not that there's anything wrong with being ‘girly’ just remember it’s your choice. Do what makes you happy.”

Shinsetsu smiled tight-lipped, “Hm.”

Hotaru’s eyes gleamed .

-

She knocked on the Hokage’s door, if only to make him least expect it was her. She waited a few moments before the door was swung open, supposedly by a hidden ANBU operative. She raised an eyebrow until she saw who it was. 

“Kazekage-sama,” she dropped into a deep, to the waist bow, “Lee-san!”

Lee was jumping up and down from Gaara’s side, a pretty ring decorating the consort’s finger as he grinned in response to seeing his old training partner. 

“Please, we’re among friends,” Gaara smiled softly, “Lee, you—“

Lee bounced over to her, pulling her into a hug and spinning her. She’d forgotten how strong he was! She dropped the flowers, which were caught by one of Naruto’s clones, and then she abashedly grinned at her husband. 

“Here I am,” she smiled, “Here’s some flowers.”

She took in the office, as she always did, gleaming at the pictures of the old Hokages, but the numerous pictures of her surrounding the room, as well as the family pictures, and the two team photos they had. One with Sasuke, and one with Sai. 

“Aw,” he looked at her with the same love he did when they fell in love all those years ago, “You’re the best, love.”

She scoffed because when he said things like that, she wanted to curl up into their bed and go anywhere. 

“Anyways,” he turned back to Gaara, after kissing Sakura’s cheek, “Would you guys like to have dinner tonight?”

“Yep, sounds good for both our friendship and village community,” Gaara smiled softly, just like he always did at Naruto, his first friend, “Lee?”

“Sounds good to me, Gaara!” He cuddled up to his side, before standing up straight.

Sakura giggled, their relationship was the cutest. 

“Well, I suppose I’ll need to let the kids know…” she trailed off, looking out the window, “Is Shina with his team?”

“Yup. It’s an easy one. Kira keeps asking for a C-Rank mission, but I keep telling her no. They aren’t ready.”

“Reminds me of someone I know…” Sakura snorted, “Alright, well, I’ll let them know to come straight home. It’s my day off and my bed is calling.”

Naruto pouted, “You don’t wanna stay here with me?”

She rolled her eyes, “I guess I could stay for a little longer…”

Naruto grinned. 

Gaara coughed, “Still here?”

Chapter Text

[Shinachiku’s POV]

So, if you had told Shinachiku he’d be sitting across the son of the Kazekage when he got home, he’d tell you were bonkers. 

But yes, his parents had not told him that they’d be visited by one of the world leaders. Rock Lee and his mother happily talked about training while his father and the Kazekage spoke about politics. His siblings and he stared blankly at Shinki— whom they’d never met. 

“So…”

Hanami glared over at him before blinking at Shinki with the eyes of a girl who just met their first crush. Oh hell no, Shinachiku thought.

“Thank you for having us in your home,” he smiled at Hanami, a twinkle of softness before turning back to him, “My fathers appreciate it.”

“You’re the Kazekage’s son? That’s so cool!” Arashi said from Shinki’s left, “Wow! So you’re from Suna?”

Shinachiku half-expected the jerk to be, well, a jerk, but he just glanced at the younger one with surprise. 

“Yes, as my father is the Kazekage,” but it wasn’t unkind, “Kaze represents “Suna” like how when you talk about the Hokage you’re talking about your father, Naruto Uzumaki.”

“Oh! That does make sense,” Arashi raised an eyebrow as if he’d just solved the world’s greatest mystery and Shinachiku coughed back a laugh. Shinki grinned at him. 

Oh. 

-

His mother hugged Rock Lee, lifting him off the ground before turning to bow to the Kazekage. Shinachiku never understood how she handled changes like that so easily. 

Naruto glanced down at her, his eyes softening into something Shinachiku knew only to exist when he was with her. Sure, around others he was kind, bright even, but with Sakura? Shina’s mother? He was soft .

“Mama! When are they coming back?” whined Hanami, eyes glistening as she stared at the back of Shinki, and Arashi, in response, nodded eagerly. 

Shinachiku was going to have a field day when he told Kirā she wasn’t their favorite anymore.

Sakura giggles, “Well, I don’t know. Naruto, when is your friend coming over again?”

He rolls his eyes, “Chunin exams should be coming up in the next year,” he glances down at Shinachiku, “So… probably then.”

Shinachiku straightened up. He’d need to train, so he could be promoted. Sakura frowned as if reliving a bad memory.

He wondered about that. 

-

[ Sakura’s POV ]

-

“Would you choose Naruto over me?”

Her eyes watered as she looked at the man she thought she loved. He was standing there with a kunai, eyes red with anger— what did he have to be angry at her for? At the world, sure. But she’d done nothing but love him even when he treated her like the bottom of her shoe.

“I would choose Naruto over the world, Sasuke,” she whispered reverently, “Naruto’s a good person.”

Sasuke’s eyes narrowed as if to ask, and I’m not? 

They both knew the answer to that. 

She rushed at him, throwing a chakra-filled punch, sending him flying back. He coughed up some blood, and she hated to admit it, but pride flooded her system.

He glared at her, “Well, glad to see you weren’t fucking around while I was gone.”

“If you think for a second I did this for you, you're sorely mistaken,” anger is taking over where grief had been moments before. The Sasuke she’d loved was gone. She knew it the second he summoned Chidori. But what he didn’t seem to know was Sakura was excellent at medical ninjutsu— which meant there was very little she couldn’t heal.

By the time Naruto and Kakashi arrived, the valley was covered in holes, from Chidori's indentions, from her fits, and both of them breathing heavily.

“Sakura-chan!” Naruto rushed to her side, “Are you insane?”

For you? Likely. She thought to herself before turning her glare back to Sasuke— but he was gone.

“Fuck, Naruto! He left!”

He rolled his eyes, “I don’t give a fuck, frankly. Are you okay?”

She turned to look at him fully. Concern laced his eyes, real fear teetering in his eyes as she sighed, feeling the wheeze.

“I’m alive. Idiot forgot I’m phenomenal at medical ninjutsu. Why are you two here?”

Naruto huffed, “Was worried about you.”

Her eyes softened, and before she could think about it any better, she pulled him into a hug. This time though it was private. The entire village wasn't watching. This was her telling him how much he meant to her.

That’s when Sakura realized she was in love with him for the first time.

-

[ Shinachiku’s POV ]

-

“Oh fuck off, no they didn’t!” Kirā groaned, “I’ve always been their favorite!”

He scoffed, “Nah, that was Bōryoku-san for sure.”

Kirā glared at him. Everyone knew Sasuke’s favorite child was his first daughter. She was ruthless, and fierce, and had risen to the top of her class, proving to be the prodigy of their generation. She rivaled Kakashi in speed and agility when he was her age. She rivaled Karin’s ability to sense people when she was 12. She had inherited both of her parents’ prime abilities. The Sharingan and Uzumaki chains. She didn’t use the chains as much as her mother did, but she was proficient enough to use them when needed. 

She was a legend for people his age. Kirā despised her oldest sister (and also looked up to her. It was complicated.) 

“I’m telling you. My dad also dropped when the next Chunin exams are.”

“Oh fuck yeah. We gotta participate!”

“Since we're still on a genin team, that’s up to Konohamaru-sensei. The only thing we can do is train like a mofo.”

“Ugh fine. Training at the Team Seven grounds after missions? I heard Hokage-sama is finally giving us a C-Rank!”

“Where d-did you hear that, Uchiha-san?” Faitā walked up from over the bridge, tucking her brown hair behind her ear. 

She needs a lesson in hair care, he deadpanned, “Inuzuka-san. Glad to see you’re here.”

“R-really?”

Kirā mumbled, “Reminds me of her ma.”

He glared at her from the side, turning back to her, “Aa.”

“No need to pretend to be my dad in a good mood—“

“Wow, all of you are on time!”

He turned to glare at Konohamaru, “You know, it’s almost as if you’re the one who’s late every time! Faitā here is the smartest of us since she always seems to get here right before you.”

Konohamaru raised an eyebrow at the girl, who simply blushed and looked the other way. 

Creepy ass, and he simply deadpanned again, “Can we go see Dad now?”

“Yes, yes, daddy's boy, let’s go,” sang Kirā, but he knew she was jealous her dad didn’t love her . That’s an inside thought, he inwardly grimaced. Sometimes, his mother told him about this inner personality of hers she just affectionately called “ Inner” and sometimes he wondered if he had a version of that. 

Smart boy!

Fuck this shit.

-

[Naruto’s POV]

-

When the new Team 7 walked in, all he felt in his heart was affection. 

He loved Sakura with his entire being, and nothing would ever change that. He’d spent his entire life chasing two things: being Hokage and being with Sakura-chan. To succeed in one thing would have been amazing, but to get both? It made his heart soar. 

Shinachiku, his oldest, was the epitome of calm. But, even Naruto could tell something was off. There was the glazed look in his eye he recognized from his early dating days with Sakura— where she’d look off and just be… gone . 

She’s passed on an Inner, impressive.

Oh shut it, like you didn’t pass some of your chakra when Sakura and I…

Don’t be a prude— you fucked at least three times.

This is my damn head, ass!

Then, if you’ll believe it, Kurama stuck his tongue out.

“Hey guys, thanks for coming so quickly,” Naruto said from his seat, looking over the four of them carefully, “This is going to be your first C-Class mission. I’ve made extra sure there is no lying about this being an A-Rank or anything, so no worries there. Despite that, remain on your guard. People will do anything to attack a Uchiha,” he pointed at Kirā, “A Clan Heiress,” his finger turned to Faitā, “Or the Hokage’s son.”

Shinachiku raises an eyebrow, and Naruto swears he gets a flash of Sakura. Her fierce anger, her unending loyalty, and her huge heart. He snorts like he knows what he’s thinking.

Probably does, you aren’t exactly quiet about how much you love your wife. 

Shut it, fox.

“As I was saying, do you accept this mission?”

“Yes, we do,” Konohamaru nods, “What are the details?”

“You’re going to be escorting the Kazekage and his entourage back—“

“That’s gotta be at least an A-rank,” Shinachiku deadpanned.

Naruto waved it off, “He requested, it is labeled as a C-rank… and unfortunately requested this group to do it.”

-

[ later that day ]

“Excuse me, Uzumaki Naruto? I don’t think I heard you clearly,” Sakura growled, standing across from his desk and dammit if she didn’t look as beautiful as ever, we gotta talk about your lack of survival skills, “I am going to… Gaara-sama requested a genin team with Konohamaru to lead them back home?!”

“Uh… yes, my dear, beautiful, sexy, love of my life, wife?” He grinned, standing up and going to her side so he could look down at her because fuck if he didn’t want to take her right here on this desk.

“Don’t look at me like that, Uzumaki Naruto! We are in a time of peace ! Our baby has barely graduated!”

Naruto’s eyes softened, “That’s why he’ll be fine. It’s an era of peace . Besides, Kirā will be there to back him up. Konohamaru would never let anything happen to those kids. Inuzuka seems like she’d die before something happens to him,” he took a deep breath, “Trust me, please?”

Sakura relaxed, “I know… I’m sorry,” she leaned her head on his chest, and he collected her into his arms like a treasure, “I know he’s… technically a soldier of Konoha… but, that’s my baby you know?”

“I know,” he whispered, “I worry. I know they’re working it out, but… what if they end up like us? Bōryoku works herself ragged to impress her father. Sasuke is always gone. Karin is… we need to check on her.”

Sakura snorts, “Anyone insane enough to marry Uchiha Sasuke deserves… I’m kidding, don’t look at me like that,” she scowled, “Sure. I’ll invite the Uchihas over for dinner.”

Naruto seemed to relax, “Thank you, love,” he pressed a kiss to her forehead, “They’re leaving in a couple of hours. I told them to make sure they were ready by this afternoon. I can summon him to say bye?”

“Do you mind?” Her voice was quiet. He hated that. He hated when Sakura felt quiet because it usually meant she was upset. He frowned, turning to one of the ANBU operatives.

“Bring me my son.”

“Yes, Hokage-sama.”

-

[Shinachiku POV]

-

“Uzumaki Shinachiku. You are summoned to the Hokage’s office.”

He knew that voice. Only one Uchiha was annoying enough to fight their way through the prejudice of being “the traitor’s firstborn” to being named ANBU captain.

“Well Bōryoku-nee-san, I wasn’t expecting a visit while with my team,” he turned, before cringing, realizing he’d said that in front of Kirā. He called all his cousins -nii or -nee of some kind, but he knew it always bothered Kirā that he was close with her, “Er… you said my dad summoned me? Lazy ass.”

“Don’t talk about the Hokage that way, kid or not,” Konohamaru lectured, “He should be with his team.”

Shinachiku couldn’t see behind her mask, but he was sure she was glaring bullets at the man who dared to talk back to her. She didn’t give a fuck who he was, just that she was of higher rank— technically.

“Hokage-sama requested Shinachiku-sama ,” the honorific annoying for her to say. She only added it when she was in uniform. Most ANBU operatives referred to Shinachiku and his siblings with the -sama honorific because they were the Hokage’s children. He wasn’t sure if they did the same for his mother because she was the wife of the Hokage or a beast in the hospital— probably a little of both.

Konohamaru raised an eyebrow, “We have a mission.”

“I don’t know why you’re arguing with me, jounin. I’m here to receive the kid, then I’ll send him back,” she grabbed his wrist, and they vanished. 

When he came to, they were standing in the Hokage’s office, his parents sitting at the desk with worried looks. Oh, brother.

“Honey, why didn’t you tell me you were hearing an Inner?” his mother had always been straight to the point, “I could have helped!”

“You still can, love,” his dad deadpanned, “He’s not dead or anything.”

Shinachiku would never get over the way when she smacked him, he went flying into the wall.

Shinachiku knew the ANBU operatives were hesitant about letting that happen, but also knew they were no match for his mother, who was a Sanin in her own right. Above a league from even them. It was their job to protect the Hokage, though, so he understood. 

But, Naruto always seemed to grin when she got angry at him.

Shinachiku just thought his father was a masochist.

“As wonderful as it is to see the both of you, I’m supposed to be with my team. What’s going on?”

Sakura turned back to him, “Well your dumbass father told me you were leaving on a mission. Did you even think to tell anyone goodbye?!” If her hand wasn’t wrapped around Naruto’s hand, Shinachiku might’ve thought she was about to smack him again, but he knew she’d never actually hurt him. If she did, she’d just heal it. His mama was aggressive, but she was more loving and loyal than anyone he’d ever met. 

“Yeah well, I didn’t want you to worry,” and it wasn’t exactly a lie. He also just didn’t want to do this big thing where he left and the entire family made a big deal, “I’ll be back before you even realize I’m gone!”

Sakura frowned, and he wanted to comfort his mother, but he wasn’t sure he could. He glanced to his father for support. 

“Sakura, love, you’ve trained him,” he assured her, grabbing her hand lovingly, “Shinachiku. There is nothing more we can teach you. Lean on your teammates and come home to us.”

Shinachiku knew he should have remained calm, held himself in higher decorum, but he launched at them, pulling them into a hug.

“Oh my baby,” Sakura whispered, holding him so lovingly he could cry. But, once he felt the teardrop onto his shoulder he knew he needed not to.

He hugged her tightly, “You’ll blink and I’ll be back, mama.”

She scoffed, “I’d certainly hope not! Be safe, be thorough. You’re an Uzumaki for goodness sake.”

He grinned, “More importantly, I’m your kid. You trained me. If that wasn’t enough, dad gave me his chakra. I’ll be okay. I’ll make sure it goes smoothly.”

Sakura huffed, standing up straight, “Good riddance. You’re going to do wonderfully,” she presses a kiss to his forehead, “Go and be great. Remember your training exercises for chakra control while you’re out on the field!”

“Yes mama,” he rolled his eyes, before hugging his father, “Bye, dad.”

He ruffled his hair, “You’re going to do amazing, Shina. I put you on this team for a reason.”

“To keep Kirā in line?”

Naruto snorted, “Sure, we’ll go with that.”

Leave it to your father to leave us on a cliffhanger.

Chapter Text

[ Sasuke Uchiha’s POV ] 

Sasuke Uchiha had a very hard life. 

It started okay. He was the second son of the Uchiha Head. His older brother, Itachi, would have been the Heir, leaving Sasuke to do whatever he wanted as long as he was great at it. If Itachi hadn’t been forced to do the unthinkable, perhaps he’d have pursued being a part of the military force, or maybe he’d have been an ANBU operative. But, things went the worst possible way. Itachi was forced to kill everyone in his clan, and in exchange, Sasuke got to live. Maybe it was out of the goodness of his heart, or maybe it was because Itachi would have eventually gone blind because of his Mangekyo Sharingan. Maybe he let him live because of his eyes. 

But, he likes to think Itachi loved him enough to find a way to save him. Then, gave him a purpose, keeping him from spiraling into depression. He was given the curse and gift of revenge. 

He chased revenge like it was a lifeline for his entire life. 

When he was about sixteen, he noticed the two lights chasing after him. He tried desperately to ignore them.

There was the sun, of course, who shone brightly in the sky, beckoning him home, chasing him across the continent as one of his only equals. He grabbed him and fought him and beat the shit out of him. Crying and begging. 

Was it only for the second light he did that?

The second light was the stars. She shone so bright when she decided to work her ass off. When he woke up in the Forest of Death, she was fighting the Sound Ninjas even though she was woefully underprepared  (which may or may not have been Kakashi’s fault). She hurt to protect him (and the sun). She loved them both with her entire being.

They say a team is the closest thing you’ll ever get to knowing someone with your entire soul. 

Sasuke lost his soul. 

He knew that when he tried to kill the stars. He grabbed her by the neck, Chidori in hand, but when she kicked him in the stomach, sending him flying back, something cracked. He looked the stars in the eyes and knew there was no going back.

He’d crossed a line that couldn’t be uncrossed. 

The sun knew it too. 

The sun was angry. 

Sasuke hadn’t really left after the battle. He watched as the sun looked over the stars and made sure she was alright. He watched as the stars’ eyes softened, a look that used to be directed towards him and he knew. 

He’d ruined everything. 

-

[ Hinata Inuzuka’s POV ]

-

Hinata had never been confident in anything. 

She’d known two truths the day that she found out Sakura loved Naruto back: she’d love Naruto till the day she died, and that there was no universe where Naruto didn’t love Sakura. 

Even if Naruto wasn’t bound to her by marriage, he loved her. He loved her braveness and loudness. He loved her abashed way of loving. She wasn’t quiet once she loved. With Sasuke, she had always used her words. But with Naruto, she used her whole self. 

She visited him during the day, bringing him food and flowers, something about how a funeral shouldn’t be the first time a man gets flowers. She’d write notes and leave them in his office. 

She knew because she was Sakura’s friend. 

Sakura had hesitated, at first, not wanting to make Hinata feel bad because Sakura was good . 

That was the worst part of Hinata-- if Sakura had been mean and cruel, perhaps Hinata could hate her for taking the sun, but she was kind and good and loving. 

She loved Naruto with her whole self.

 And worst of all? Naruto loved her with his whole self too.

-

[ Uzumaki Shinachiku’s POV]

-

Shinachiku bowed low, “Thank you for the opportunity, Kazekage-sama.”

Gaara waved his hands, “You are the son of Naruto and Sakura, I expect nothing but the best,” he smiled. Shinachiku was sure the man meant it to be kind and reassuring, but in reality, it just made him want to tear the world outside and cry.

Shinki seemed to notice this-- which set him on edge if he was being completely honest because what do you mean someone saw through his persona he kept up at all times? This was odd. 

This is kinda gay.

You shut up. 

Shinachiku turned to his squadmates, who were also looking at Konohamaru for instruction.

“Great,” he grumbled, “So this is technically a C-rank mission but is an A-Rank or an S-Rank mission. So, we’re going to need to be on our guard. We’re going to be going through the Land of Waves and then taking a ship from there.” 

Kira groaned, of course, his cousin hated ships. Or water. Or anything blue. 

Faita seemed on edge, but other than that, she didn’t seem to care much. 

Rock Lee, the Royal Consort for Sunagakure, was an extremely talented Shinobi, as was the Kazekage himself. Shinachiku didn’t understand why they were being sent with them in the first place! All he knew was he couldn’t mess this up and if he did…? Well, his father would probably not be that upset, except for the fact they’re friends… 

You’re overthinking this. I promise it ain’t that deep. 

Mama was right, you Inners are dicks.

That’s ‘cause your mother’s Inner is insane. I’m perfectly normal, thanks! 

Someone PLEASE release me from this madness. 

-

[ time skip ]

-

The group was sitting by a bank. They had somehow made it to the Land of Waves by moving quickly. Turns out the Kazekage didn’t mind moving quickly- in fact, it was quite obvious that he preferred it. They were staying with a man who claimed to know both of his parents. His name was Inari and he was at least 10 years younger than his parents. He claimed Naruto had done some remarkable things for his little village and any of Naruto’s family was welcomed here. 

Then, he took him back out to the bridge, and Shinachiku’s eyes widened. 

Naruto Bridge

“Did you know about this?” Kira grumbled from his left, and Faita looked silently over the bridge as if examining how it must have changed over the decade. 

“I mean, I’d heard the stories about their time here. But, never that he was given a bridge,” he admitted, “I don’t know why you expect me to know everything about my parents' past. They lived in wartime, it’s not exactly a fun thing to talk about. I can go to the library if I want to know the gist of it, anywho. There’s probably a section on this anyway.”

“So snappy,” Kira rolled her eyes but continued to listen to Inari talk about the great battle with Zabuza and how Team Seven took them down. Kakashi had fought Zabuza the first time, so he was down for the count. 

Faita was attached to his side, and he was wondering if there was any way to escape this nonsense. 

Once he had finally finished talking and served them dinner, most went to sleep. Except Shinachiku, who was on the  first watch. He sat outside, on the roof, looking over the small, but flourishing town. 

It was a good place to be if you like architecture and fishing. 

Yawning, he continued to look over when there was a rustle beside him. In a panic, he grabbed his kunai, standing and putting it on the throat of whoever decided to be brave enough to sneak up on him.

“Woah, calm down,” Shinki huffed from in front of him, and Shinachiku relaxed. 

Before he realized one of his clients was out here with him , trained to be a shinobi or not, Shinachiku was not fucking this up, “Shinki-sama, you should be in bed. It’s not safe out here.”

Shinki laughed, and for some reason, Shinachiku knew that didn’t happen very often, “That’s okay. My fathers make sure I am adequately trained before letting me leave the country. If not my fathers, then my uncle.”

Shinachiku narrowed his eyes, “Fine then. What are you doing out here?”

“I wanted to get to know you better, Uzumaki-san.”

It’s been a while since I heard that one, he inwardly grumbled to himself, not liking the feeling. 

Then tell him, it’s crazy what communication can do.

Ignoring Inner, he kept his eyes on the village around them but did not fight it when Shinki sat next to him and certainly did not flinch when he felt Shinki’s eyes on him.

“How’s watch?”

Fucking end me. 

I get the impression you don’t mean that! 

“It’s boring, which is good. Boring is good. If we can get your guys home safely, that would be the goal.”

Shinki smiles like that is obvious, but doesn’t say it, instead ,he looks out. He shivers. If this were different, maybe Shinachiku might have given him his coat. 

But this was a mission and Shinki was from another village. 

Chapter Text

“Konohamaru-sensei,” he whispered the next day, “Someone’s following us.”

Konohamaru nodded, “We cannot alert the customers. I’m sure they’re already aware, but it’s against protocol. We need to scout the area and see what’s going on.”

Shinachiku nodded, already glancing over the area with ease, “Kirā likely knows, Faitā too, considering her eyes.”

“Converge with them. You and Faitā need to scout the area and Kirā needs to remain here with the customers.”

He nods, before calmly walking over to Kirā, whispering the directions. The others hadn’t noticed their scheming, and if they had, hadn’t mentioned it yet. 

He looked at Faitā and nodded, she followed after him quickly. Shinki raised an eyebrow, moving to follow them before Kirā was at his side, calming him down and keeping them there. 

The two ran off into the woods, taking a look around. Shinachiku knew they were there. He couldn’t sense who it was quite yet but—

“Oh goody,” a slimy voice came from the shadows, “We were wondering when you’d come out to play, Uzumaki Shinachiku.”

Fuck, I didn’t sense them, he snapped his head, pulling Faitā behind him, “Faitā!”

“Yes!” She activated her Byakugan and pointed to the left, where three men walked out. He couldn’t tell which village they used to be from, but there were marks through their village hiates— or lack thereof, if semantics played a role.

Not the time.

Shut up.

“What do you want?” He raised an eyebrow, trying to push Faitā away, to go get Konohamaru because they don’t want the Kazekage, they want him. 

“You’re a smart boy if your mother had anything to do with your creation,” the second voice is soft, unkind, but he couldn’t place it no matter what he did, “You know we’re here for you . Too bad you’re not alone or we’d have taken you already.”

The third hisses, “First we’ll kill the girl unless you come with us, Uzumaki. You have something we want .”

Fucking christ, I didn’t think people were brave enough to fight my dad. 

Certainly seems like they are. 

No shit.

“Let her go, and I’ll come willingly,” he stood in front of her, a single kunai held from his hand because fuck he didn’t have enough time to learn under Konohamaru-sensei. His mother had taught him a bit, but was that really enough to fight rouge-ninjas who were of what kind of—

“Smart kid,” the third said, “Get outta here, girl.”

“Shina—“

“Get Konohamaru-sensei,” he growled lowly, “Don’t be stupid. We aren’t strong enough to deal with them yet, but you need to get them here now.”

“F-fine, but be careful, Shinachiku-kun.”

He nodded, walking over to them, and then poof. He was gone. 

-

[ Kirā’s POV ]

-

“WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN HE’S GONE?!” Shrieked Kirā, glaring at her soft-spoken teammate, “What the hell do you mean he’s— “

“Kirā, stand down,” Konohamaru-sensei slammed his hand into her shoulder, causing her to step back from Faitā, who’s fear was echoing in her eyes, “Faitā, what the hell happened?”

“These three people appeared, t-they were wearing Land of the Mist Hiates, but they were crossed out. They knew exactly who h-he was and said they w-were going to kill m-me and he told me to run, to tell you, Konohamaru-sensei and I was useless and couldn’t d-do anything ,” tears started to form at her eyes, “They took him before I could do anything .”

Kirā's anger flared— that selfless, arrogant bastard! I am going to kill him! She turned, sharingan activated, and slammed a chakra-infused punch into the tree, just like she’d see Sakura-sama do, and watched it fall to the ground. 

Sakura-sama… Naruto-sama… they’re going to be heartbroken. Father is going to be so disappointed in me. Heavens knows he cares more about the Uzumaki kids than the rest of us.

She growled when someone approached her, and saw it was the Kazekage. Fuck we’re still on a mission for fucks sake.

“Kazekage-sama,” she bowed.

“Uchiha-san, is it?”

She noticed everyone else had gone elsewhere, leaving her alone with the Kazekage.

“Yes,” she nodded again, and had learned a long time ago respect got you a long way. She’d never felt it in her soul to be disrespectful unless someone truly earned it.

“It is not your fault he was taken. The Sand Village will do everything in its power to assist in the search,” Gaara promised with a softness in his eyes, “It is going to be okay.”

Kirā was an Uchiha. Uchiha were strong, brave and fearless. Uchihas didn't yield, even when everything was crumbling around them. But, Uchihas also loved more than anyone in the world. Shinachiku was like a brother. They’d grown up together. She’d kick the asses of the people who made fun of him as a kid for being a nepo baby. He’d proved them wrong, of course, by being top of the grade, and was extremely intelligent. He never gave up on her. He didn’t see her as a shadow to Bōryoku. She was her own person to him.

“I am sorry this happened, Kazekage-sama,” her voice was softer than it had been in a very long time.

“Kirā! Come here!” 

She bowed again, “Thank you for your wisdom, Kazekage-sama.”

She rushed off to her team. Although, there was a hatred in her heart brewing from when Faita had taken her best friend away from her.

-

[ Sakura’s POV ]

-

It was not often she was summoned to her husband’s office in the middle of her workday. But, along with the other pillars of the village and Kakashi-sensei. She gave all her assignments to Haru and Fumi, heavens knows those two are looking for ways to keep up with each other, and who would she be to deny them that? Especially with a direct order from her Hokage (aka super hot husband)? 

She opened the door and raised her eyebrows in question.

“As much as I love to see you my love, I do have work. Is everything okay?” She asked, walking up to her husband, practically ignoring everyone. Only when she was next to him did she notice Sasuke was there.

And Hinata, Kiba, and Karin.

Oh hell no.

“Something… went wrong,” he grimaced, and she could tell he was fighting the urge to run out the door and handle it himself, “Shinachiku was… kidnapped.”

Something in Sakura snapped.

She knew that being the mother of shinobi came with a lot of risks. Risks her parents had to deal with when she was growing up. Risks that every single one of their parents went through. Somehow, through everything, her parents survived. They loved Naruto, and their grandkids. They were great grandparents, better than they were parents, that’s for sure. 

But, she was glad to give Naruto a family, so she shut up and let it happen. 

“What did you just say to me?” Her head turned slowly towards her husband. She’d have been angrier if there wasn’t a fire in his eyes, “Fine. Okay. We need a team to find him.”

Naruto nodded, “Only the best—“

“I’m going,” Sakura interrupted, “I’m the strongest kunoichi we have, and the best at medical ninjutsu. I’d be an extreme asset to the team. Fumi and Haru would be fine until Shinachiku is safe and sound.”

Naruto cringed because he knew she was right. Sakura was the strongest kunoichi, a sanin, and the best medical ninja they had. She was also the smartest with an exception to Shikamaru— the two went hand in hand with intelligence. 

“Fine,” he grumbled, “Sakura’s the head of the team. I don’t want to hear any complaints. Kirā, Faitā and Konohamaru are finishing the mission and then will return here where they will be questioned— especially Faitā as she was the last one to see him—“

“Is she okay?” Hinata snapped, her eyes wide with worry, “Is she hurt?”

Kiba nodded along, “She’s fine, ain’t she?!”

Naruto nodded, “There were no other casualties. Shinachiku sacrificed himself so Faitā could escape,” and he glared at Kiba and Hinata before regaining his professionalism, “Kakashi-sensei, would you be up for being on this team? You’re one of the best trackers we have.”

Kakashi nodded, “Of course, Sakura-chan and I haven’t hung out in so long.”

Naruto stared at Sasuke for a long time. Everyone knew what he was thinking.

“How is Kirā?” Karin asked before anyone else could say anything.

“She is angry, but fine,” Naruto sighed, as if letting out a breath of fresh air, “I… am worried.”

“Oh?”

“From what Konohamaru said, she blames Faitā. I am worried this will cause… problems.”

“Yes, well,” Shikamaru drawled, “Uchihas certainly know how to make a scene.”

Sasuke’s eyes snapped to Shikamaru, red flaring in his eyes before snapping back to Naruto and Sakura, his eyes never leaving them. 

Naruto sighed, “That tension is something we’re going to have to deal with later. My son… my son is missing and I have no fucking idea who took him. Sasuke, it is your job to know what’s out there. What the fuck is going on?”

He grimaced, before bowing his head, “I may have a clue.”

Naruto’s eyes lit up, “Oh?”

“There is an old acquaintance… who was not happy with my marrying Karin…”

Karin froze.

“Sure, then why didn’t he go after Kira?” Kiba growled.

“Because Sasuke has always cared for our kids as well. Shinachiku…” Sakura trailed off, looking out the windows, “I am going to find the man who took you and I swear there will be no mercy,” the last sentence was whispered, like a promise.

-

Sakura was the last to leave the Hokage’s office.

The team had been decided on. With Sakura as their captain, Hinata, Kakashi, Kiba, Karin and Sasuke would go. They were the parents of the children on the mission, but they were also their best tracking team. Naruto trusted them completely. 

She turned to her husband, tears threatening to fall when he approached her quickly and earnestly, grabbing her face in his hands, wiping the tears as they fell. 

“Sakura-chan…”

“I know you want to come with us, Naruto, but someone has to stay here. Guard the village. With all of us gone… we’d be at our weakest.”

“That is the only reason I’m allowing that bastard to be alone with you.”

Sasuke.

Sasuke and Sakura hadn’t been alone in over a decade. She’d spoken to him at family gatherings with Karin and Naruto, who had begun to exchange Uzumaki stories— she’d never seen him so excited. That’s the only reason she tolerated Sasuke. They’d spoken about their adventures. Sakura doing more of the talking. Sasuke seemed impressed when she told him of her defeat of Sasori. She didn’t really care .

Naruto had spent time with Sasuke, their friendship healing. But even Naruto could barely forgive Sasuke for hurting Sakura like that— for hurting his wife. 

“It’s going to be okay,” she tilted her head, pressing a kiss to the palm of his hand, “I love you. I am going to save our son with the strongest tracking team we have within the Leaf. Gaara-sama said he would aid us however we needed.”

“Well shit I fucking hope so,” he grumbled, red flashing, “Labling his shit as a c-rank was bullshit— for what it’s worth, I love you too.”

“I know, but we cannot fester,” she begged, “I need you on your a-game here, so I can be on my a-game out there. I am a Jounin— a Sanin. I trained under Tsunade-shishou. I am strong, that’s why you love me—“

“One of the many reasons actually.”

She snorted, standing up on her tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek before plopping back down onto her heels, “Now… What are we going to do about the kids?”

“Fuck… I’d been thinking about that. With you gone… Do you think we should as your parents?”

She nods, “I was going to suggest that… they’d keep them safe, but they’re still just civilians.”

“We’ll assign an ANBU guard for both of them,” he decides, “And have them stay and the Haruno’s in case I need to work overnights.”

“Kakashi would have been my first—“

“Please don’t make me laugh, Sakura-chan.”

“Yeah… he’d introduce Arashi to Icha Icha,” she deadpanned, “I need to make sure once we get Shina back he stays away from Kakashi-sensei.”

Naruto’s face softened at the admission, “Good plan.”

“He’s an Uzumaki. He’ll be okay. I’ve… taught him some techniques that should work.”

“You taught our son torture resistence techniques?!”

“I’m a medic! Worst case scenarios are my thing!”

“Having Sasuke and I on your team really stressed you out, didn’t it?”

She deadpanned, “I literally opened a Children’s Clinic for Mental Health because of you guys… and Kakashi-sensei… and Sai… and Yamato too, I guess. Wow, I can’t believe I was the—“

He pressed a passionate kiss to her lips. He needed to kiss her before she left. He didn’t know when she’d be back. The mission was undecidedly long and was officially ranked S-Class.

“Sakura-chan, I’ve grown so accustomed to you in my life,” he whispered reverently, “I don’t know what I’m going to do while you’re gone.”

“Righty tighty—“

He snorts, “That’s not what I mean, Sakura,” he kisses her nose, “Waking up to you and the kids. Getting to visit you during the day. Having… intimate time in the Hokage’s office… All of it is special because it’s with you. I rush home from work because I miss you all the time. I miss the kids all the time. I can’t even imagine—"

She smacked him over the head, before pulling him down for another kiss, and looking at him, “I’m not going to die. With a team like ours, it’ll be weeks maximum. Trust me. There will be casualties, and it won’t be on our side.”

“You’re so sexy when you’re assertive, Sakura-chan.”

She rolled her eyes, but kissed his forehead, “I love you.”

He sighed in contentment, “I love you too.”

Before she left to officially get ready, they summoned their best ANBU Captains.

Uchiha Boryoku and Nara Tanoshi. 

“Hokage-sama,” they said in unison, “You called?”

“I have an S-class mission for the both of you. You are to keep this under wraps and no mission comes before this one— period.”

They nodded in understanding under their respective masks. 

“Dog. Boar. You are to watch our children, Arashi and Hanami. No harm will come to them— unless you wish to face my wrath.”

“Yes, Hokage-sama. We won’t disappoint.”

“I should hope not. Dismissed.”

Sakura let out a breath of relief, “Well… at least I don’t have that to worry about,” she grins.

Chapter Text

[ Shinachiku’s POV ]

When he woke up, he was uncomfortable. Which was to be expected, considering what happened. The last thing he remembered was him sacrificing himself so Faitā could escape— hopefully she did or he’s going to be here a lot longer before they realize he’s gone. 

As for the tools he had under his belt, his mother had given him techniques to resist torture, but he didn’t know anything about them. 

He glanced around his surroundings. From what he could tell, he was in a cave. He looked towards the left, and saw an entrance. They, whoever they were, would probably be coming in to check on him soon. He’d need a plan. He needed to figure out what he wanted. 

His dad was right when he said people would be going after the son of the Hokage the moment he left the confines of the Leaf. 

“Aw, Sui—“

“Don’t say my name in front of the kid, idiot,” he growled, walking in. This time though, he didn’t have a hood. He was tall, with white hair and purple eyes. He might have asked who even has purple eyes but it didn’t seem like the right time.

You’re at least a little smart, I suppose.

At least I won’t be alone.

That’s the spirit! 

“Ah, he’s awake,” Sui said with raised eyebrows. He wondered what the guy's full name was. He also had interesting shaped teeth. There was a very large man to his left, with orange hair, orange eyes, and a bored expression on his face— but there was something else: guilt. Like he didn’t want to be a part of this.

The last was a woman. She had red hair and dark eyes, like her eyes were black for the iris and even blacker for the pupil. What jutsu was that again…? 

Endo Tensei.

This Sui guy must be serious if he resorted to bringing people back to life. She looks young though, like my age. That’s kinda depressing.

Don’t think too hard about it.

Shinachiku just looked at the three in apprehension. He didn’t really care, just as long as he was alive to return to his family. He just needed to wait it out. His mother or father would come for him. He just knows it.

Or worse, maybe Uncle Sasuke would come.

-

He wasn’t sure how long he had been there. But, it felt like far too long. He’d been sitting in this dark room— if you could even call it that— for who knows how long when he feels a shift. 

No… it couldn’t be.

They might have sent Aunt Karin— she can sense chakra so she was able to search for you.

That’s a good point. Aunt Karin really is overpowered sometimes.

That’s the understatement of the century.

The walls exploded around him and he saw the coolest thing ever. His mother was fighting hand to hand with one of the cloaked people. She was absolutely beating their ass. Until, there was a knife in her shoulder. But, unluckily for them, she had the Byakugou, which allowed her to heal any and every injury on her body. 

“Get up, Uzumaki.”

He looked up to see Sasuke Uchiha standing in front of him, with Karin at his side, looking around to make sure she didn’t run into someone. Like she knew who attacked him. 

His eyes narrowed. 

“Shina-kun, get out of here!” His mother’s voice echoed across the cave, “Go with Sasuke. He’ll keep you safe. He owes me that.”

Sasuke’s eyes flashed red, but he grabbed Shinachiku and dragged him to his feet, making sure the boy was in one piece. 

Yeah, so, what the hell does she mean by that?

I’m you, why the hell would I know?

So you’re useless then?

Fuck off!

Shinachiku glanced at his mother, who was absolutely beating the shit out of the “main” guy from what he could tell. But then the most surprising thing happened— he turned into water.

“Fuck,” Sasuke cursed, grabbing Karin and the boy and teleporting them outside of the cave.

“My mom! We can’t—“

“Sakura is not a weak woman, Uzumaki,” Sasuke didn’t bother looking at him, keeping his eyes trained on the exit as Hinata and Kiba exited, coming to his side. 

Hinata hugged him.

Girl… if you don’t get your hands off of me…

You are too sassy for this damn.

“Are you alright?” She asked, pulling back.

Before anything else could be said, the cave collapsed in on itself. 

Leaving Kakashi and Sakura trapped within.

-

“Naruto will never forgive you if you leave her in there, Uchiha,” Kiba growled, “If you leave his wife in there, he will find every single way to make your life hell.”

He turned, sharingan turned aflame, “You think I want to leave her there? Leave her with that useless old man Kakashi?”

“I’d watch what you say about him, Sasuke-kun,” Karin frowned, “He’s the sixth Hokage and has always been a formidable match.”

Sasuke growled, eyes flashing to his wife. She flinched, looking away. Hinata’s eyes widened and Kiba stepped in front of her, as if ready to defend his wife. Shinachiku’s eyes narrowed at his uncle.

“So why is this an argument? My mother doesn’t need help, but we shouldn’t—“

Karin’s eyes flared, “Shina-kun, as you are the son of the Hokage, we must get you home,” she stood straight, “Like it’s been previously discussed. Sakura is the strongest kunoichi and Kakashi is a past Hokage. I believe they will be fine. Let us get him home, then we can converge with the Hokage and have him tell us what he’d like us to do next.”

Sasuke glanced down at him, and Shinachiku, for not the first time, felt as if all eyes were on him.

“Yes,” Sasuke stood, “Let’s get the boy home. Then we can see what the dope wants us to do.”

-

[ a few hours later ]

Shinachiku had never seen his father this angry before.

Sasuke looked uncomfortable.

“So… let me get this straight…” His father was sitting in the chair behind the desk, a dangerous aura radiating off of him, Shikamaru-san stood at his side, eyes darting from the group back to the Hokage, “You left the Hokage’s wife and the Sixth Hokage alone? Not that I am not glad you are home safe, Shinachiku,” he turned to his son seriously, “We’ll have a discussion with your team later tonight. I need you to go check on your siblings, okay? You’re staying with Grandma and Grandpa for the time being.”

Shinachiku nodded, but before he walked off, Naruto hugged him tightly, and for the first time since his kidnapping, he just laid his head against his dad, letting a couple of drops fall. Naruto’s grip tightened against his son.

“Look. I’ll take care of this. Shikamaru, you’re in charge until my return—“

“With all—“

“That is my wife, I do not care who you think you are trying to tell me how to act. I am strong enough to level cities and can and will talk down gods. I will go where Sakura goes. For now, I need someone to make sure Shinachiku gets home safe,” he glared at the group, “You are dismissed. Thank you for bringing my son home. Next time, I prefer the entire team intact first.”

For the first time, he saw them bow, “Yes, Hokage-sama.”

-

[ Sakura’s POV ]

“We fucked up,” Kakashi-sensei whispered, his back against hers, “We’re getting too old for this.”

“ You’re maybe getting too old for this,” she whispered, “I’m in my prime.”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night, Sakura-chan,” he huffs and she knows he’d have winked at her if he could see her. Thanks to the Byakugou, she can feel the effects of the torture not too much. She knows Kakashi has proper training from the ANNU, but she knows that it’s only a matter of time before her husband comes knocking. She’d been strategic about who she’d allowed to leave. They’d need Karin to bring Naruto back here, and Sasuke’s teleportation through the Rinnegan was needed to help Shinachiku escape at all. As for Hinata and Kiba, she just needed them out of the way, to be completely honest. Kakashi-sensei is who she trusted the most out of her team she’d brought. Sure, she was pissed at him from time to time, but he hadn’t stabbed her in the back, married the man who stabbed her in the back, was obsessed with her husband or completely useless. 

But, they may have underestimated the extent of how many individuals Suigetsu had managed to bring to his cause. 

It started out petty, just because he was angry Karin actually married Sasuke— he had thought that Sasuke would marry her, giving him time to actually make a move (ew). However, with the rush of power to his head, he’d managed to gather people angry at the Five Great Nations to come together to dismantle them— great, just what she needed. More political unrest when her baby was just starting out shinobi work!

Taking a deep breath, she allowed herself to lean against Kakashi-sensei, who had the sleep schedule of a middle-aged man with no life. 

“Sakura-chan, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I don’t think now is the time to sleep.”

“I’m more useful, well-rested, ass, not all of us can be prodigies.”

“Will I always have that thrown in my face?”

“It’s my theory for why you’re so bad at the whole teaching thing.”

She could feel him rolling his eyes, “Such a—“

The door slammed open. At some point they had moved locations. Which would make them harder to track. Hopefully, Naruto was smart— oh who was she kidding.

He’ll find you. Trust him.

I trust him more than anyone in the world. That’s why I sacrificed myself to let them escape.

Selfless idiot. And you wonder where Shinachiku gets it.

She decided she would not dignify that with a response. Instead, focusing on the new player who had entered the room. They were obviously a lackey— given they had no memorable appearances and were wearing the standard uniform it seemed everyone but Suigetsu and his right hand, Jugo, wore. She felt bad for Jugo, it seemed obvious to her the man wanted to retire with a cup of tea, but got dragged into his friend’s nonsense. She cursed her civilian background not for the first time, because even with her extensive reserves, these chains were draining her chakra.

“It seems the two of you are having a grand ol’ time!” The lackey grinned, as if trying to exude confidence, “Too bad you aren’t who we really want. We wanted the Uzumaki children, not the Wife or the old Hokage.”

Her stomach twisted. As much as she adored Naruto, she hated it when people referred to her as simply Naruto’s wife. She was Uzumaki Sakura— wife to the Hokage and a pillar of Konoha, founder of the Mental Health clinic, Head of Hospital, Strongest Kunoichi of her Generation (and more), the best medical ninja of her generation, and mother to three beautiful children.

She was more than just his wife.

Naruto knew that and that’s why he loved her.

That’s part of why she fell in love with him. She was never just an extension of Naruto, she was her own person with him.

She was angry.

Use it.

Unfortunately for everyone involved, her chakra was drained, which was very irritating, considering how much time she had put into making sure she never had to worry about this shit again.

It was some consolation it seemed Kakashi-sensei was struggling too.

“Cat got your tongue? Too bad…” they grinned, teeth jagged and creepy, “Don’t worry, he’ll be visiting you soon enough.”

Sakura resisted the urge to sock them in the mouth. It really was annoying, not being able to punch someone when they were being a dick. Then, as if they got off on some sick use of fake power, Sakura felt a kick to the face, and even more surprising, it felt her jaw out of place. With the little chakra remaining, she managed to keep it in place, fixing it messily— self-mending was always a lot harder than healing someone else, she’d learned. 

Kakashi struggled against the chains, “Leave her alone,” he muttered, “Me instead.”

Her heart clenched. She didn’t need protection, but it still warmed her heart. Kakashi cared enough to want to protect her. It made her happy, in some fucked up way. But, the lackey didn’t take the bait, instead focusing on her. Scowling, she tried to ignore him. She’d dealt with worse.

Nothing, after all, could compare to when she woke up from the genjutsu Sasuke put her under to discover the idiots had nearly ripped themselves apart after fighting a Goddess to fight each other. That pain? That panic? This was nothing compared to that. 

So dramatic. 

It’s what I do best.

-

[ Naruto’s POV ]

-

Red. 

In manga, the main character is always described to see red whenever they’re angry. Naruto likes to take that a little too literally. Even since befriending Kurama, the giant fox likes to get into fights. It’s like he enjoys proving his enormous power over the others around him.

Karin, his cousin- distant as she may be, was at his side, using her sensor abilities to her mass usage. He’d decided on it being a two-man team. He barely trusted Karin as he’d barely met her before she left and married Sasuke. Anyone who married Sasuke had bad taste. (And I mean it.)

Naruto was known to be a very forgiving man. There were few exceptions. One of which would be hurting Sakura and his children. Hence, why even though he dragged Sasuke back to the village with his bare hands. Naruto never let him be alone with Sakura, especially because she insisted she didn’t want to be anywhere near the Uchiha. 

Someone had taken his child.

Then, the team he’d sent after his child, left his wife and sensei.

He was fuming. 

One of these days he might just kill Sasuke. 

The idiot would deserve it,that’s for sure.

Kurama egging on his murderous intentions was not the best idea ever, but he was in no mood to disappoint. 

When they arrived at where they were keeping Shinachiku, Karin’s face pulled into a tight, anxious expression, looking over at him nervously.

“Report?”

“They aren’t here. They must have moved them…” she trailed off, “And I can’t sense them.”

Chapter Text

[ Sakura’s POV]

[ Time Skip - Two Weeks]

“Kaka-sensei, stop fucking moving you’re going to give me a rash,” she growled, still leaning against Kakashi, who was tied to her back, “Seriously, where is Naruto? I’m getting sick of you, Kaka-sensei.”

“That’s just rude, Sakura-chan, I’m delightful company.”

She snorted, “I never said that, I just miss my husband.”

Kakashi snorted, “Yes, we know that you have a happy home to go home to.”

Sakura sighs against him, “Yes, well, you know you’re always invited over.”

Kakashi was silent, but he huffed, leaning against her so they were using each other to keep their bodies up. 

“How much longer do you think they’re going to keep us here? If they want Sasuke or Shinachiku, then do you think they’re using us to draw them in? If so, do you think it’s going to work?”

Kakashi hummed, “I… am not sure. I am relatively known across the nations and after the war, as are you. There is no reason that we would not be good hostages. I’m more impressed they’ve managed to keep us here for so long— so long in fact I don’t know if it’s been that long at all—“

The door slammed open and the wrath of a god stood before them in the form of Naruto Uzumaki. He glanced around the room before looking down and pure fury was in his eyes as he came to his wife’s side, practically melting the chains off with Kurama’s chakra. He grabbed Sakura, intent to leave before turning back to Kakashi.

“Can you walk?” His voice was full of anger, nothing like the husband she knew. He held her carefully— not because he thought her weak, but because he loved her. He held her so lovingly it broke her heart. 

Kakashi stood, “Mhm, I don’t need the current Hokage to carry me out,” he winked at his favorite couple, “Now then, off we go! Finally, got those goodness damned chakra restraints off!”

Karin peaked her head in, “Oh good. He took care of things here. We need to go before the reinforcements arrive. I had no doubt our Hokage can handle things, but we should leave to get them back. Tsunade-sama will be wanting to get their chakra reserves checked.”

Naruto nodded, “Then by all means, lead the way Karin.”

As they walked out, Sakura tried not to gasp at the bloody scene that led to their cave. 

She tried not to throw up. Her husband wasn’t known to be violent. He preferred to deal with his problems by talking them down— mostly after befriending Kurama. But this? Something had made their anger merge. There were dead shinobi everywhere. It was obvious Karin had helped, by the bloodstains in her Jonin vest, but you couldn’t even tell the difference between the red lines of the Hokage symbols and the previously white cloak.

Sakura turned her head into her husband, and for the first time in days, allowed herself to relax.

-

When they reached the hospital, she was immediately brought to Tsunade.

“I would ask you what the hell you were thinking, but this is precisely what I trained you for, I suppose…” 

Sakura snorted, when three little ones managed to break into the door, rushing to her side.

“Mama! You’re home!” Arashi was crying, standing to her left, holding her hand with the utmost care.

Hanami’s eyes were wide with inspection as she looked over the entirety of her mother’s body. Her eldest, Shinachiku, stood at the foot of her bed, a guilt ridden expression easily slipping onto his face. No matter how mature he tried to be, he was still his mother’s son. Every emotion he had showed on his face.

“My babies,” she whispered lovingly, “How did the three of you get here?”

“Their father is the Hokage, they can get away with this,” Naruto’s voice came from the hall he entered, giving his wife a smile and turning to Tsuande, “How is everything baa-chan?”

Tsunade tried to look annoyed, but these kids were basically her grandkids, and she had a soft spot for them, as one does. She settled on giving her irritation to Naruto, as he was an easy target, “Unfortunately, I haven’t gotten a chance to check because you decided to let these cute rambunctious children of yours come in. I will get started now.”

“You aren’t going to kick us out?”

“Not even I am that cruel.”

Tsunade went on to give the standard procedures, looking for chakra-sickness, something that had been known to impact civilian-born shinobi especially. Naruto anxiously sat with the children to the side, ignoring the side eyes from Shikamaru as he passed the hallways. When Shikamaru did bring him some paperwork, Naruto looked over it in the hospital room with his wife and children. 

Thankfully it seemed she was alright. The Byakugou had done its job in reserving chakra for dire situations. If she had not accomplished this feat, it might have been different. She was given one day of bed rest, then she would be allowed to return to work if she wished. As soon as she was announced to be okay, the two youngest children tackled her, showering her with love. Shinachiku stood off to the side, eyes dark as he looked out the window in shame. 

It was his fault that she’d been hurt.

She is your mother, it is her duty to protect you. She would not wish you to wallow in guilt.

What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her.

Sakura is arguably the smartest kunoichi (maybe shinobi due to hard work, Shikamaru is smart on talent alone, but Sakura is naturally smart and she works hard) and thus she will notice.

Shinachiku ignored his Inner, continuing to look out the window until he felt a hand on his shoulder. His father was looking at him with soft eyes.

Sakura looked at him,  “It wasn’t your fault,” she smiled, “I’d have done anything to get you out of there safely, even at the risk of my own life,” which caused a strained expression on Naruto’s face, “Blaming yourself does nothing. If you really feel bad, continue training so I don’t have to worry, my love,” she beckons him over, and presses a kiss to his forehead, “You are my first born, and I will always love you just as much as your siblings.”

Shinachiku tried to bite back tears, but it felt like he was ten again, his sister had just turned eight and he had scraped his knee, running to his mom, crying. She hushed him, even though she had exhausted chakra at the hospital all day, and healed him, reminding him how loved he was and how much he deserved. That he was okay.

“Mama,” he wrapped his arms around his mom, tears falling from his green eyes at a great speed. 

She didn’t tell him to hide his tears, as she never did. She was a strong believer that there is a place for emotions in the shinobi world, as long as it is kept hidden from enemies. When he asked why, she just smiled sadly and told him someday she’d share the story of why her tears mattered.

His father always looked away, like he too was remembering a harder time.

-

[Sakura’s pov]

Sakura could not believe she had actually agreed to go on a date with Sasuke Uchiha.

She must have gone mad, it’s the only explanation. A tiny part of her, probably, believed that maybe there was a part of him left, from when she did love him. A part of her fell out of love with him the first time he tried to kill her. The second part fell out of love after he put her under the genjutsu. But, she needed to know. If she didn’t know, it would haunt her for the rest of her life.

So she dressed up and met the last Uchiha at a quiet part of town, where not many people went. He paid, and made sure they had a private booth, away from prying eyes and they talked.

She asked questions about his time away, and he only answered because he owed it to her. It was obvious he was trying to please her, make her want to be with him. Maybe it was for his clan’s sake, maybe it was some twisted version of love…

But, when he walked her home she turned around and said, “This was the last time, Uchiha.”

-

[ Shinachiku’s POV ]

There was something about the meeting afterwards that was trippy.

Kira had run up and hugged him. He knew it must have been scary. 

I was scared. 

You survived. The longer you dwell in sadness and fear, the longer it controls you. 

The thought was meant to be comforting, but Shinachiku wasn’t sure there was anything comforting if coming from his Inner.

Rude. I have been nothing but kind to you!

“Where the hell have you been? You didn’t come to see us until after the Hokage returned!” Kira growled, “Where have you been. ”

That was the thing about Kira. She never questioned. She never begged. She simply demanded. Any other time, Shinachiku could deal with it. But, he couldn’t today. He just looked at her blankly, nothing in his eyes as he shoved her off lightly, turning to Konohamaru-sensei, who nodded as they left to go see the Hokage and report.

-

“Report?”

Shinachiku stood behind Konohamaru-sensei, who was quite literally shaking in his boots and it definitely wasn’t amusing. 

He looked at his father in blatant nothingness. He hadn’t really felt the need to talk since his mother’s return. She’d spent her days in the hospital, throwing herself into her work. He didn’t blame her. He’s heard stories from Kakashi-ojiisan and how she hated feeling useless. Although, he also hadn’t seen Kakashi-ojiisan since the two had been brought home. He’d never stepped foot into the hospital, and no one could locate him.

Kakashi doesn’t do hospitals and only lets your mom heal him.

Odd, that’s the entirety of team seven it feels like. 

Smart boy.

Ignoring that snide remark, he focused back on his father. Konohamaru-sensei filled his father in to the best of his ability until his dad’s blue eyes were on him.

“Shina, do you mind telling me what happened? We gave you alone time and if you need more time we don’t mind…”

Shinachiku shook his head, walking up to the spot where Konohamaru-sensei had previously stood, “I was with Faitā, and we were checking out the perimeter because I could sense someone following us. They wanted me and were threatening Faitā’s death if I didn’t go willingly. They seem to want Sasuke’s attention,” he winced at Kirā’s grunt. He could feel the temperature in the air drop five degrees, “To which he kidnapped me because he thought that would bring him in. Then, like he predicted, Sasuke came. But, so did the rest of the team, and then mom and Kakashi-nee-san got stuck.”

Naruto’s eyes darkened as he turned to Faita, “Inuzuka, tell your side of the story.”

Faitā’s eyes flashed as she walked to Shinachiku’s side, eyes darting to his face before nodding, “That’s w-what happened. I didn’t want t-to leave Shinachiku-kun as m-my teammate but Shinachiku-kun suggested I get Konohamaru, even with training with our parents… we were in over our heads. I thought I was doing the right thing.”

Naruto grunted, “I… suppose you did. Unfortunately, leaving was the right choice. If you had died, a) that would have been a political nightmare and b) we wouldn’t have known he was gone till much later when his chakra scent had worn off. You did fine, Inuzuka. Now then, go to Shikamaru’s office and give the rest of the report, I need to have a conversation with that bastard Sasuke.”

Chapter Text

[ Hinata’s POV ]

She supposes that it would always end like this.

”I’m sorry, Hinata…” Naruto trailed off, looking anywhere but her. He glanced out the window. She followed his glance and there she was.

Sakura Haruno. The only woman Naruto had ever loved. She guesses she should have known. Sakura had always been the pinnacle of Naruto’s attention. With her confidence and power, and her hair and eyes. Hinata knew Naruto had always loved her eyes.

Apparently he will always love them.

-

[ 6 months later ]

[ Shinachiku’s POV ]

Chunin Exam Arc 

Shinachiku had been training his ass off for the last couple months through the extensive and careful eyes of Kakashi Hatake. He’d offered to train Kirā as well, who had jumped at the opportunity to learn without her sister’s help. The two of them naturally, invited Faitā since they were a team and his father preached about team loyalty constantly.

He does talk about it quite a bit.

That is the understatement of the godsdamned year.

If I could snort, I would just so you know.

Shut up.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow, “Shinachiku you’ve been staring off into the corner for a couple minutes now. Are you alright?”

“Aa.”

Kirā glared at him. They had been drifting apart, much to his own chagrin. There was something about how she was trying to get him to talk about the whole deal that made him uncomfortable. He knows it’s not fair, but he can’t begin to comprehend the whole thing right now. To be completely honest, since getting home, he had shoved the entire ordeal in his ass and forgotten about it.

That’s a… interesting way to talk about it. 

Opting to ignore Inner, he looked over to Faitā, who was meditating under a tree. She was working more on chakra control, much like Shinachiku she struggled with having too much chakra because she was from two prominent clans. 

Gods above, I don’t even want to imagine shifting through that chakra.

You don’t have to. You feel all that leftover Kurama chakra Naruto basically dumped into your DNA when he had you? It balances out Sakura’s civilian DNA. The reason she’s so good at chakra control is because of her lack of extensive chakra. However, she also did a lot of training to make sure she deepened her reserves, so that isn't genetic. That was hard work. Sure, your mom is naturally the smartest kunoichi to date, but she worked her ass off to be the strongest as well as the best medical-nin. 

Moving on from getting lectured in my own damn head…

“Excellent, then have a spar with Kirā. Heavens knows she’s been itching for training with someone other than me or her younger siblings.”

“Gisei is barely old enough to start training, at least to me. He’s in the Academy and should be graduating within the next two years— but like me, he’s no Bōryoku-nee-san. And don’t even get me started on Kyoi.”

“S-she’s Arashi-san’s age right?” Faitā asked from under the tree, standing up to come join the conversation because that girl could not stand to be left out.

Kirā ignored her, which caused Shinachiku to roll his eyes and nod towards Faitā, who perked up at the eye contact, but then frowned when he still didn’t say anything. 

Shinachiku looked at Kirā, grabbing a kunai from his pouch and raised an eyebrow, silently challenging her to come and face him.

You’ll have to speak again someday.

Why would I? I’ve got you to keep me company.

Fuck off with that shit

Shinachiku takes the first move, crouching low before kicking his legs out causing her to dodge as well, her sharingan lighting up her dark, red eyes. Shinachiku narrowed his green eyes and used his chakra to throw an enhanced punch. She jumped out of the way in time and the ground shattered. 

Elsewhere, Shinachiku heard Kakashi-ojiisan say, “Wow, Sakura-chan’s teaching them young.”

Focusing on his opponent, he looked around and quickly checked to make sure she wasn’t doing some genjutsu shit. The cheater had been going to his mom about genjutsu tactics, because his mother was actually a genjutsu type and had learned more on her own than anything. Kakashi-ojiisan had started helping her when they were older, but she did most of it on her own. 

The fight continued to go back and forth until the two of them were breathing heavily, with fissures in the ground and burned trees all over the place. The two of them were glaring at each other, although Shinachiku was much more apathetic.

“Well, I’m gonna call it. Konohamaru says he has something to talk to you three about so I’m gonna need you two to be alive for that.”

Shinachiku nodded, moving to make the symbol of peace, but Kirā was there first, making it appear as though she won, even though it was clearly a tie.

-

[ at the same time elsewhere ]

[ Sakura’s POV ]

Moegi, Konohamaru and Udon stood tall as the three Jonin senseis who had trained their genin enough to participate in the exams. She was proud of all they had accomplished. 

She was sitting beside Naruto, mostly because he had asked her to be, but also because she wanted to hear for herself if Konohamaru thought her baby was ready for the exams.

Udon stood tall, “I recommend Hyuuga Takeda, Otake Kamiko, and Nishiyama Hikaru.”

Naruto nodded, “Accepted.”

Tenten and Neji’s son, huh? I forgot that he was participating this year…

They got a lot of kids, be for real.

Moegi went next, “I recommend Nara Shikadai, Yamanaka Inojin, and Amajiki Cho-Cho for the chunin exams.”

Naruto nodded, “Accepted. Konohamaru?”

He gulped, “I also recommend Uzumaki Shinachiku, Uchiha Kirā, and Inuzuka Faitā for the chunin exams.”

Her husband looked at her and she nodded. She had seen how hard he had been training. Both with his team and Kakashi, and with her. She’d begun to teach him the techniques involving chakra-infused punches. She reminded him most of it was pure muscle, so he would need to continuously keep in shape in order to avoid hurting himself with chakra strain. He was a quick learner, and had inherited her smarts— or even perhaps his grandfather's smarts as well— from what she heard and seen during the war, Lord Fourth was an extremely intelligent man. 

Kinda makes you think about the nature vs. nurture issue, huh?

That was a thought she had not wanted to share with the class.

“Accepted,” Naruto finally nodded, “Good luck to both of your teams. There will be people coming from around the world to participate. Ensure that they are representing Konoha well.”

“Yes, Hokage-sama!”

-

Later that night, Sakura had come home to see Shinachiku waiting on the couch. He was reading a chakra-control manual she’d gifted him for his graduation over six months ago. She had gotten home late because of an especially violent patient. She had been working on an aggressive ninja that had attempted to assassinate Shikamaru. She had only been trying to save him for answers, but the man had forced their hand. Naruto allowed them to put the man into Ibiki’s care.

It made Sakura think… Was Suigetsu becoming a bigger problem than they first realized? Was the political unrest already becoming so they would need to send people to assassinate the Hokage’s assistant ? What she did know was Temari was stressed . 

She hadn’t seen her friend like that in a very long time.

Once the three jonin left, Naruto looked at her, “You really think he’s gonna be okay?”

“Even if he is our kid, he is still a shinobi. I trained him to the best of my abilities. Kakashi trained him to the best of his abilities. Hell, he trained himself! The only time he talks is at home with his siblings and us. Konohamaru reports to me that he doesn't speak with the others.”

Naruto frowned, “Sasuke’s influence… I was worried that might happen.”

“We haven’t seen him in months—“

“He’s coming back to watch the chunin exams, to watch to see how Kirā does. He did it for Bōryoku, so I can only assume he’ll do it for the rest of his kids.”

“He’s a shit person, and an even shittier husband, but he’s a decent dad. I doubt the kids see it though,” Sakura deadpanned, “Well, my love, I should be off. You’ve got work, and I want to make sure I can get home to see Shina before the chunin exams start in the next couple days.”

“Hm, yeah,” he sighs, looking off to the side, “I’ll try to be home soon too.”

She presses a kiss to his forehead, “You better not be late or I’ll come and drag your ass home.”

He grinned, pulling her down into a kiss, “Yeah I know, that’s why I love you.”

-

Sakura gasped, sitting up, her eyes glancing down at Naruto. He was still here… 

Where else would he be…?

Sakura just stared at him for a moment. It was a surprise, when she woke up and opened the door, and there stood Uzumaki Naruto, blue eyes wide in panic. As soon as the door opened enough, his hands were on her face and blue eyes were searching her face like it was a puzzle he wanted to solve. 

“Sakura-chan,” he breathed out, rubbing her cheeks under his finger and her skin burned where he was touching. It made her want to lean into it. Considering it was the middle of the night and she was sleep deprived, she decided to give into that thought. She decided to be selfish. She leaned into the touch and she heard a tiny gasp. She didn’t move for a moment before she whispered. 

“Do… do you want to come in?”

“ Please,” he begged.

Chapter Text

[Sakura’s POV]

Now, Sakura knew better than to be caught letting her husband make out with her on the Hokage’s desk. Under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t care much, because her husband was the Hokage, so who was going to tell them to stop?

But, when Tsunade-shisou and Kakashi-sensei (her two parental figures) came barging in without knocking, she felt the shame of a thousand suns.

She gasped as Naruto’s lips left hers, his eyes flashing red to see who would dare interrupt his favorite meal of the day, but then he realized it was the last two hokages before Naruto, who were standing with their eyes wide and gaping at the promiscuous situation they’d walked in on. Sakura was now apprehensively aware of her position, her medical coat was tossed on the floor, her legs were wrapped around Naruto who was thankfully hiding the most embarrassing thing of all, her opened shirt.

“Maa, maa,” Kakashi-sensei giggled with his book brought over his already masked face, but Sakura could practically smell the teasing smile under it. 

Naruto let something akin to a growl escape his lips before Sakura regained herself and smacked his chest lightly. She buttoned her shirt back up and hopped off the desk and began to straighten herself out in the mirror Naruto kept by his desk, especially for this reason. Naruto grumbled something about interrupting before actually asking them why they were here.

“You should be glad we came in here first! The Kazekage will be here within the hour!” Tsunade growled, a light blush on her cheeks, indicating she had already broken into the sake this morning, “And Sakura? Do you mind not—“

“Nope!” Naruto grinned, taking her hand out of Sakura’s face, “I know you’re her master but while in my presence you will not disrespect my wife, understand, Tsunade-baa-chan?”

That was something else Sakura had tried to get used to over the years. The sheer amount of respect and adoration Naruto had and always had for her. She adored her husband for his kindness and loving words, but she doesn’t know if there’s anyone who loves anyone like Naruto loves her.

Hey this is gonna sound crazy but you actually deserved to get loved like this!!!

I know that, fuck off, it’s just an observation.

“Calm down, Naruto,” she snorted as she reached for his hand, kissing a loving peck on his cheek, where she could barely reach, “I can protect myself.”

“I never said ya couldn’t, dattebayo! I just like to defend ya, Sakura-chan!” 

He will never grow out of that nickname and I love that for you.

Tsunade looked like she was thinking the same thing, because she just huffed in amusement, “Okay lovebirds, Hokage-sama here has to get back to work,” Tsunade shoved them apart, “As do you, Head of Hospital?”

Sakura huffed, “My two assistants were taking care of it. They are very capable.”

Tsunade chuffed, “Sure, my dear. Now! As much as I love you Sakura, shoo! Matters with—“

“Uzumaki-sama!” A nurse ran into the Hokage’s office, blood running down their jacket, “There’s an emergency!”

Sakura’s eyes widened, and she quickly teleported to her office, where Naruto had helped her plant something that allowed her to jump there quickly if needed. She exited the room and saw Fumi, “Well?”

“It’s an ANBU black-op. They refuse to take their mask off for anyone but you.”

Of course, it’s likely Bōryoku. She was always entitled like her father. Maybe it’s genetic.

Wouldn’t surprise me. We should ask Shina how Kira is.

Now is not the time for thought experiments.

“Sounds about right,” she grumbled, “Grab me Haru please.”

Fumi practically deflated, “Yes, Uzumaki-sama.”

-

Once Bōryoku was stable again, Sakura helped her sit up and shooed the rest of her team out to get back to work. Boryoku was looking everywhere but at her eyes.

“Uchiha Bōryoku, stop avoiding eye contact. Do I need to call your mother and tell her you’re acting reckless again?”

“See if I care, she’s so obsessed with father she wouldn’t care unless father did, which he doesn’t, he cares more about you and Uncle Naruto than his own kids,” she grumbled, before deflating, “That was mean, I’m sorry, Aunt Sakura.”

Sakura softened, grabbing her hand as she sat at a bench near the bed Boryoku was laying on, “It’s okay to be mad at Sasuke-san. He’s a real dick.”

Boryoku snorted, “I forget you knew him at his prime dickheadness.”

“That’s certainly one way to put it,” she huffed, “It took me a very long time to forgive him, Bōru. It’s okay if you never do. They’re your parents, they’re supposed to love you unconditionally.”

Bōryoku groaned, “Gods, don’t remind me. Fuckin’ Kirā is devestated everytime I check on her and I’m not father.”

“Yes, well, Kirā just experienced the loss of her best friend and cousin for a couple weeks. That was terrifying, you know.”

Bōryoku sagged, “I know. I felt like I failed my job as an ANBU captain, letting you as the Hokage’s wife put yourself in danger. I’m more than aware you could kick any of our asses, but… it’s the principle of it!”

Sakura sighed, that had also been something she’d gotten used to. The constant protection as the Hokage’s wife. She told them to fuck off most times, because she really couldn’t be bothered, and then proceeded to wipe their asses on the floor to prove she would be fine, and went on her day. But, on hard nights, when she was exhausted, she was happy they were there. 

“Look, we’re having dinner at the Uchihas tonight. It will be good for you to be there. I know you’ve been avoiding home, but don’t make me drag you to the Mental Health facility.”

“Not that shit again, I spent all the damn time I needed there when I was 13.”

When Sasuke left. 

“You know, I was the one who designed that place. I could change things if you think they need to be changed.”

Bōryoku huffed, “There’s a portrait of you in the entrance, per Hokage’s orders, I’m sure, I know you made the damn place. It’s not that it’s bad, and it worked for what I needed. I made friends with people who grew up like me— clan kids who needed help, but whose parents weren’t even… together.”

Sakura hummed. I can’t believe Sasuke got Karin pregnant before putting a ring on it. There is no ring, just the symbol on her back. It’s kinda wack. You just say that because Naruto proposed to you with an Emerald ring and then a cherry blossom-themed one was for the official marriage. Not my fault I came to my senses

“You promise you’ll be there tonight?”

Sakura squeezed her hand, “Of course, even if I’m late, I’ll be there.”

“Okay. Fine.”

-

[Kira’s POV]

Mom

Bōryoku will be at dinner tonight.

Kirā’s eyes widened. She looked blankly at her phone, almost in shock. She glanced over to Shinachiku who was talking to Faitā about some new technique he was learning. She was listening intently. She’s so pretty. She makes me want to tear her hair out. It’s not like she was protective of her cousin since his return, but they had always been together. 

Always. 

So yes, when she lost Shinachiku to those freaks, and then the Hokage wouldn’t let her leave the village to go after him, she was angry . Furious even— especially at Faitā. But, apparently, she’d just done what Shinachiku told her to do. 

So on top of that betrayal, she has to deal with her perfect, prodigy sister who joined the ANBU black-ops at 14 like Kakashi-sensei. Her sister who became a captain four years later. Her sister who mastered the three-tomoe sharingan without the help of their father because their father vanished when she turned thirteen, right before she joined the ANBU. Kira had been eight. Gisei was six. Kyoi had barely turned one and their father had vanished. Uncle Naruto had always said he was just on a long mission, to keep everyone safe, but Kirā thinks it’s a bunch of bullshit. As much as she despises her sister, Bōryoku is the Uchiha who keeps everyone safe in Konoha. Bōryoku is the ANBU captain who goes on long, S-Class missions to keep her family safe. Bōryoku is the one who sacrificed her childhood to make sure the other Uchiha siblings grew up decently because their mother decided she was nothing without Sasuke. After Bōryoku'z one mental crashout, Kirā has never seen her falter again since.

But, she wonders why Bōryoku is coming to dinner with the Uzumakis. 

Aunt Sakura probably said something.

That was the other thing. Bōryoku adored Uzumaki Sakura. Sometimes, Kirā thinks that Bōryoku sees Sakura more of a mother figure than Karin. Even when Sakura was with her own children, making sure they were loved and cared for, after she tucked them to sleep, she would come by the Uchiha compound and spend time with Bōryoku, after everyone was asleep, to give her some semblance of a childhood.

Or maybe it was to make sure she didn’t end up like their father.

“Oi, is it true Bōryoku-nee-san is coming tonight?” Shinachiku came over to her, speaking for the first time in weeks to her. 

“Yeah, that’s what kaa-san said. No idea if it’s true. She might flake.”

“It’s not flaking if she’s on a mission.”

“Your dad is the one who assigns the missions. Hell, Bōryoku-nee-san is the one who assigns them to the specific ANBU. Don’t fucking play with me,” she grumbled, “We shouldn’t be talking about her out loud or,” she makes air quotations, “enemy-nin will know about our elite service.”

Shinachiku snorted, like he did when they were kids and for a moment Kirā could pretend. She could pretend nothing changed when he disappeared. She could pretend she didn’t know about her mother’s addictions. She could pretend her father’s lack of appearance wasn’t crushing her. She could pretend her sister’s lack of presence wasn’t killing her. She could pretend she was 8, when everything was perfect.

Chapter Text

[ Sakura’s POV ]

If Naruto doesn’t get here soon… I will go up to Hokage Mountain and kill him myself! 

He’s the love of your life AND the Hokage, doesn’t seem like good reasoning—

“Sakura-chan! Day-dreaming about me?” Giggled a  voice from behind her and if she wasn’t so worked up about him finally being home, she might have thrown him into the wall, “Now, now, Sakura-chan no need to get violent!”

Then to their utter surprise, they felt an odd presence. Sakura immediately put her hands into making a genjutsu sign when they noticed it was just their very emo, very grumpy teammate.

“Sakura, dope,” he nodded his head, “I heard there was a dinner tonight?” 

Sakura tried not to scream. Bōryoku was going to kill her.

-

Sakura was right. And wrong, in a sense. Bōryoku was sitting next to Sakura, her eyes trained on her father with malice dripping from every pore. Sasuke had chosen to sit in the middle of Karin and Naruto, and with Naruto at the head of the table, Boryoku was his diagonal. Naruto was nervously glancing between the two, but Sasuke kept his eyes on his plate. Thankfully, Kirā and Shina were back to talking about all sorts of things— jutsu they wanted to learn, things they wanted to do, people they wanted to see… dreams of a future. Sakura still remembers when she’d dreamt of that— traveling, but there was work to be done, and maybe when Naruto and her retired and the kids were grown, then they could travel the world together. 

Gisei and Hanami were talking about how excited to go into the Academy they were while Arashi and Kyoi were talking about how annoying people were. She didn’t understand how two nine year olds were already at that point of view… but she supposed that with Kyoi’s father…

“So,” Sasuke grunted, “How’s work?”

The question wasn’t directed to anyone. Karin’s eyes were trained on Sasuke, for even an inkling it was directed towards her, but Sakura knew that look. It was one of desperation and adoration. Her heart broke for her friend. For her family members. 

Naruto answered first, to break the ice, “It’s going as well as usual.”

“I see you monthly, I don’t care how you’re doing dope,” Sasuke scowled at his friend, but Sakura’s eyes darkened at the confession— this was going to crush them. She knew Sasuke came back to check in with the Hokage, but she also knew he was basically being absent without paying child-support (The Uchiha Fortune basically was the child support at this point). 

Bōryoku didn’t move. Her face was expressionless as she chewed a spring roll. Her black eyes glazed over as she stared at her mother. Karin wasn’t even looking at her— Sasuke had always been Karin’s drug, and she couldn’t quit, even if she wanted to. Bōryoku stared at her mother before she realized her father’s attention turned to her.

“Confidential.”

Her voice was ice cold, and it reminded her of a younger Sasuke, which broke her heart. Sakura couldn’t save Sasuke, but maybe she could save her niece. Sakura grabbed her hand under the table and squeezed. Bōryoku's expression revealed nothing, but Sakura noticed the way her shoulders relaxed a fraction.

Naruto waved her off, either purposely ignoring the tension or not aware of it, “You can tell him some of your accomplishments, Bōru-chan! We’re a family.”

A snort from the other end of the table came from Kira, who carefully covered it up by pretending Shina said something funny. Sakura frowned. 

Boryoku hesitated but nodded, “I became an ANBU captain this year.”

She was silent. He nodded his head in approval, “Nothing less than I expected.”

Others might have taken this as pressure or something to be despised… but Bōryoku— who was her father’s daughter— relished in it. 

Sakura hums, before offering her comments about work, “The usual. I keep busy but I make sure I have enough time for my kids ,” she smiled venomously, and she swore she heard Bōryoku snorted softly under her breath.

Karin grumbled something unintelligible.

Naruto prompted, “And how’s the work uncovering the Uzumaki files, Karin?”

Karin straightened up, “I-it’s good! Uzumaki Mito was one of the first to achieve the Byakugou and as far as we know there’s only three people who’ve ever accomplished it— and Sakura is one of them.”

Ah yes, Tsunade-shisou had made her read about her predecessor. She was Tsunade-shisou’s grandmother, but she hadn’t been taught by her of course. Also interestingly enough, she had also been the Ninetails jinjuriki before Kushina, Naruto’s mother, and then eventually Naruto. Red hair and Kurama must really be the trademarks of being an Uzumaki.

Hardy-har-har, next you’re gonna tell me Arashi will get some of Kurama’s chakra and be the next jinjuriki because Naruto laid a dump in you.

Don’t refer to his semen as dump ever again.

Well don’t just say semen you fucking wack doctor!

Before Sakura knew it, there was yelling.

“I mean, I don’t know what you fucking expect, tou-san ,” Bōryoku's voice was laced with lethal venom, “But I don’t have to fucking listen to you because you just vanished for five years? Then you come back for what? To rescue a kid that isn’t even yours ?

Guess they’re talking about the mission…

“You’re lucky mom loves you so much because otherwise I-“

“What? I’m still the strongest Uchiha, Bōryoku, don’t forget who trained you.”

Bōryoku stepped back like she was slapped, “Yeah? Congrats, you aren’t the only one. What happened once you decided to leave huh? People started telling me I was some kind of prodigy and I had to raise the fucking three other kids you left behind because mom was so out of it when you were gone. Face it, you might be a good shinobi, one of the best besides Uncle Naruto and Aunt Sakura, but you are a shit father. I wish you had never come home.”

Sasuke’s eyes hardened, and he turned, “Well, I won’t stay where I’m not welcome. I will see you, Naruto, Sakura.”

Then he vanishes.

“See what I fucking mean?! ”

-

[ 19 years Ago ]

“You’re pregnant,” Sakura whispers in shock as she glances back between the ultrasound and Karin, where there is a distinctive lack of ring on her finger. Grimacing, she sits back and raises an eyebrow, “Is it his?”

Karin’s eyes softened, “It could be no one else's,” but her eyes glaze over, like she’s remembering something else— someone else.

Sakura wonders if there’s another world where… This is happening to her. Where she’s imagining the pain and frustration that is Sasuke Uchiha. Where is she imagining what would have happened if she hadn’t pushed Naruto into Hinata— successfully? Her heart was full of Naruto and she would forever be grateful for that. 

“Look, do you want to keep it?” Her voice is as soft as it can be, because she is about to offer something people haven’t done in a long time. 

Karin snorted, like what Sakura asked as a joke, “You know Sasuke-kun. The only thing he’s ever wanted was to kill Itachi and to restore his clan. I won’t take that away from him.”

Sakura pursed her lips, but didn’t say anything else. 

-

[ current]

Sakura sat down on the chair in the corner of her room. Bōryoku, who had retreated into the back of her old room, was pacing back and forth, and her sharingan flared. 

“Aunt Sakura--”

“Sasuke has disappointed me more than anyone, with an exception of maybe Naruto,” Sakura smiled at her niece, “You know that. But, I know he hurt you. I will never tell you that you have to forgive him. There’s a part of me that will never, ever forgive him… there’s something that is never on the record but he tried to kill me--”

Bōryoku whirled on her aunt, eyes widening by the moment. The tomoe's vanishing, and it was just her dark red eyes. Her mother’s eyes. She went to Sakura, grabbed her hand and sat, looking like she wanted to hear, “What did he do to you?”

Sakura snorted, “It’s okay. It’s past. He was in a dark time-”

“That excuses nothing .”

Sakura hums, “Yes, but forgiveness is so much more freeing than anger.”