Hey guys I'm baaack with the sequel to Together. Please please enjoy this!
The corridor was dark and silent as he crept along pressed against the wall. His heart pounded loudly in his ears and he took a deep breath to steady his nerves. "I can't chicken out now!" he thought. He glanced back the way he'd come from then continued onward.
As he neared the end of the hall faint voices floated up to him. He crouched low and carefully moved forward minding every step. After what seemed like ages he reached the staircase. He could see the flickering of a flame and the voices were louder.
Closing his eyes he leaned as close as he dared and concentrated on the voices. There were unmistakably two people speaking calmly to each other in soft tones. He opened his eyes and looked back at the flickering light coming from below. With one more steadying breath he placed his foot down on the first step. As he cautiously put his weight on the step he held his breath in anticipation. When he was confident there would be no squeak he slowly made his way down the rest of the stairs.
When he was on the last step he looked back to where the light was flickering and saw two figures silhouetted. He stepped off the stairs silently and began walking towards the door.
"Get back in bed, Haro" Ino called from the couch. The young boy stopped and turned back towards the living room. He frowned and shuffled over to the back of the couch. Sasuke and Ino turned their head to look at their son.
"How'd you know I was downstairs?" Haro asked. This earned him a grin from his mother.
"Because I'm your mother, and I always know where you are" she replied. He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at her. Sasuke smiled and lifted his arm off her shoulders to pat the child on the head.
"Nice try, kiddo" he said. Haro grumbled and whacked his father's hand away causing the man to laugh. "I think you need some more training." Suddenly Ino smacked Sasuke upside the head.
"Don't say that to him! He's eight years old, do you want him to turn into you?" she asked angrily. Sasuke just shook his head. She turned back to her son. "Just go back to bed, Haro."
"Fine. But one day I'll be able to get past you without you even knowing!" he declared grandly then turned and walked back up the stairs.
"Are you sure he's not Naruto's kid?" Sasuke joked. Ino punched him in the arm and he laughed.
Early in the morning, before the dawn almost everyone in the Uchiha house was asleep. Ino rolled on her side, away from the warmth radiating from her husband. As she readjusted her pillow she felt a tiny, gentle tap on her arm. She opened her eyes and found herself starring into a mirror. Then she realized they were her daughter's bright blue eyes gazing up at her.
"Mama" the little girl said quietly. Ino could hear the fear in that small voice and it caused her pain.
"Come here baby" she said pulling the girl into the bed with her. She wrapped her arms around the child and Mikoto snuggled into the embrace. Almost immediately she fell asleep and Ino relaxed. Beside her Sasuke stirred then rolled over.
"Miki have another nightmare?" he asked groggily.
"Yes" Ino replied. Sasuke rolled back over and fell back asleep. She sighed and caressed her daughter's dark hair. Finally she closed her eyes and tried to get back to sleep.
Later Ino woke up alone in the bed. She sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes, then set her feet on the ground and stood up. "Still not used to living in such a big house" she thought as she walked down the hall towards the stairs.
Before Mikoto was born Sasuke and Ino realized they would need a bigger house for their growing family and after nearly two years of saving they were able to afford an estate near what was once the Uchiha compound. It was painful for Sasuke but he wanted his children to grow up around their heritage.
Ino the kitchen Ino found her family sitting at the table getting ready for breakfast. Sasuke smiled at his wife.
"I was just about to send them to wake you" he explained.
"Are you sure you weren't about to eat without me?" she inquired with a grin.
"Wouldn't dream of it, dear" he replied.
"I told him we couldn't start until you got here!" Haro exclaimed. Sasuke threw a piece of toast at the boy who caught it with little effort then took a bite out of the corner. Ino rolled her eyes and Mikoto giggled.
"All right, enough silliness," Ino instructed as she sat in her chair. "Let's eat!"