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"I'm back, mama!"
"Welcome home, sweetie! Hurry up and wash your hands, dinner is ready. Me and your dad will be waiting for you in the kitchen."
The teenager was tired after today's mission. She had to train a genin team for few days while their teacher was gone, and that was the last time, fortunately. They were quite loud and obnoxious for some 12 year old kids.

Ever since the Otstutsuki attack in Konoha, Sasuke stayed home more and more. Family meals were now a normal thing but the Uchiha family really valued them.

"These days as a teacher made me realize that I am not mentally fit for that. The job was, indeed, a success, but I could've snapped anytime. Those two little brats were only bragging about how they are better than the other. Even though the girl on the team wanted them to stop, she was only yelling at them and that wasn't helping me at all!"
Her mother chuckled at Sarada's words. That quite remembered of her own team. It didn't actually seem like long ago, but time sure has passed. There she was, married to the man she had always loved, talking to their daughter that was soon going to become an adult.

"I never thought I would say that, but I miss Boruto. ChouChou, Inojin and Shikadai have some work in Sunagakure with helping out the Kazekage, hanging out with Sumire and the other girls can get a bit monotonous."
"How about Himawari?"
"She is training very hard with Hinata-san and Hanabi-san every day. But I've heard she... kinda got bored. Not sure what she really meant, though."
It was not surprising to her parents; the female Hyuuga and Uzumaki descendant has always been particularly talented, and it was no exaggeration when people said she would surpass her father easier than anyone else. But then again, the Uchiha princess, as the villagers called her, was a favourite candidate for a future Hokage.

"Honestly, Metal Lee would've been an option, too, but he is a similar case to Hima. And Mitsuki had to leave for one year to Ryuchi cave and Otogakure, so he could master the Sage Mode. As if he wasn't already good enough... He was the only person I could talk to and not get in an argument with. Sort of."
Sarada was right; Mitsuki was a mature person, despite being almost one year younger than everyone in his group of friends.

"And when is Boruto returning?"
"Probably soon enough."
"Uh, well, that'd better be true. I think he can barely make it through without you near him-"
"MOM!"
Sakura had a dorky face on, while Sarada turned red immediately. Sasuke tried his best to ignore his wife's remark. Even though he didn't want to admit it, their feelings for each other were rather obvious and after all, there was no reason for him to get worked up about it. He knew that Boruto was a good and caring person, capable of appreciating his daughter.

"Mom, dad, how's like going on a mission that actually requires fighting other people?" Sarada found herself asking out of the blue. "I mean, I am glad that nowadays everything is peaceful and I am thankful we are not at war, but I can't help wonder how everything was like back in your days. For example, what mission did you go on together before the war?" she paused of a bit thoughtfully, then carried on with a bit of uncertainty, "Come think of it... you barely told me anything about your teenage years."

Sakura and Sasuke looked at each other for a second, not knowing what to answer her.
The two of them agreed that Sasuke would be the one telling Sarada about their past, mostly about his. She barely asked anything like that before, and when she did, Sakura would only give vague answers and change the subject smoothly and fast. However, the last time was over one year ago and it just felt like right then, there was no way the subject could be avoided. Her father was there, the key to all her unspoken and unanswered questions.
Sakura closed her eyes, took a deep breath and started:
"You see, Sarada, your father and I-"
"Sarada! Aunt Sakura! Uncle Sasuke! I am finally back!"

A tall, blond boy appeared out of nowhere in the kitchen, through the window. Obviously, it was no other than Boruto. Apparently, he returned from his two month trip to Kumogakure with Kakashi. This sudden visit, though, angered the pink haired woman at first, but then she realized the boy just saved her and her husband from a delicate moment.
"Boruto, idiot! You don't just come into someone's house uninvited, by the windo-"
"Boruto, kiddo, no time no see! Great to see you back! I hope Kakashi didn't turn you into a full pervert during this trip. Come in, have some food!" Sakura put an arm around the boy's neck and dragged him to the table, near Sarada. Sasuke smirked at her as she grinned back, with some relief in her eyes only he could spot. Boruto saved the married couple from a conversation with their daughter that they still wanted to avoid.

"Uncle Sasuke, Kumogakure is great! It was amazing and I had a good time with Kakashi-sensei; he let me read the Icha-Icha trilogy and I gotta say, it's without a doubt the best treasure Jiraiya-sama could leave as legacy to all the next generatio-" he got lightly smacked in the head by the young Uchiha, who looked quite angry.
"How ignorant! Jiraiya-sama, one of the Sannin, who tried so hard to bring peace and wrote actual masterpieces about the life of a ninja, will have to be remembered because of those books? Dad, I thought training someone was supposed to include some disciplining, too."
"Hn. Can't help it," he shrugged. "Two months with Kakashi can nullify the years spent with me. Also, genes are a thing, after all." Sasuke couldn't help but remember all the times Naruto and Kakashi tried to corrupt him read those novels. It was only obvious Boruto would turn out to be more or less just like his dad.

"Anyway, Sarada, I have great news! Kakashi-sensei and I stopped yesterday in Otogakure, at aunt Karin's place. She told me Mitsuki would be back by tomorrow!" The joy on their faces could be easily noticed. After all, they were best friends, for better and worse. Mitsuki would visit them on their birthdays and he would call them over at Karin's on his birthday, where everything at the hideout looked... more socially acceptable.
Sarada's parents couldn't help but smile at the two of them. They could only be glad that their daughter got along well with her teammates who could also call her second family, thing which took some time for Team Seven to accomplish.

"Kakashi-sensei asked me to give you this. He said it is very important," Boruto addressed to Sasuke. The brunet raised an eyebrow. The Uzumaki handed him an envelope and so, Sasuke left the room to read it, with Sakura following him.

"Remember those hideouts similar to the Akatsuki ones, placed near Kumogakure and Otogakure? I think they started making their moves. However, there are small chances that Orochimaru is involved with them. I can't believe I am saying this but at least if it was him, we would've known our enemy very well. I will report this information directly to the Fifth and the Seventh. Also, it would be great if you could keep tabs on what Orochimaru is up to these days in general. Having an eye on him is still recommended. You can only tell Sakura about it, leave the kids out of this. They don't know enough, yet."

After he finished reading it, Sasuke burned the message with his ocular power. Sakura had a worried face on but it was justified. The case seemed way too important if the information was required to be delivered immediately. Still, both of them were hoping for the best.

"So you are finally leaving."
Log has always been a decent brother. He cared enough to bother remember Mitsuki's friends' names, which one are his closest and what matters most to him. It would have been so much easier for Log if Mitsuki stayed in Otogakure, helping him around, but he knew better than that: Mitsuki wanted to go back in Konoha. He went to Ryuchi cave to get stronger and better, to be sure that he woud always stand alongside Boruto and Sarada.
"Well, Log, it's not like there's much for me to do here at all. All the current experiments were successful, I've saved the ones that seemed a lost cause and no one died. Dad said he will take a break, as he seemed satisfied with all the outcomes and I really miss the people in the village. Not to mention that my main goal, mastering the Sage Mode, was completed some time ago."
"That's true. You'll be missed here, brother," they hugged and patted each other brotherly on their backs. These moments were nice to have from time to time, since Log was not necessarily the first person to show his affection with physical gestures.

"I have a feeling we will see each other soon," smiled Mitsuki.
He broke away the hug slowly and picked up his phone, headphones and backpack from his room and said his goodbyes to Log.

Back in Konoha, he learned from Tsunade almost everything he knew. From ninjutsu, taijutsu and medical skills. The woman was not only and aunt to him but also his master. Mitsuki lost the count of the times he chose to sleep at her as he really enjoyed her presence but also because he had to finish the training as well. He sure was an excellent student
He improved everything in Otogakure with Karin's and Orochimaru's help. Even for someone like him, who easily passed the Chunin Exams, the training was really hard, but no one ever said that it had to be easy.

Mitsuki missed Konoha so much, he would almost call it home.
Almost.
Rumours started going around regarding his background, more exactly that Orochimaru was his parent. Some kids in the neighbour started avoiding him and sometimes even call him names. However, for two years he stayed silent and no one was aware of his situation. in his opinion, it was for the best not to make a huge deal out of it, as he knew better. It was quite frustrating, he couldn't deny it; he did nothing wrong and his dad had no intention of attacking the village, that chapter ended long ago.

"Dad, I'm off to the village. Do I have to do anything else before I leave?"
"Just help me clean up here and you're free to go." They were in the main lab. The boy left everything at the entrance of the room and started helping him out. It was no big deal, just washing the equipment and disinfecting everything. He washed his hands, put his gloves and lab coat on and started doing his job.
"So you're actually going back, huh? Who would've thought?"
"You knew too well already that it was about time. Also, I miss them, what can I say. My friends, my team, my first teachers, they're all there. Also, I think she would be really happy to see this," he pointed to his forehead, where his rhombus-like marking for the Yin Seal was placed. "I am her second apprentice who was able to acquire it, and even earlier than Sakura-san."
"And she will curse my name forever just because," the Sannin spoke on a fake innocent tone, which made Mitsuki chuckle. "But without a doubt, she will be pleased; you're not even 17 yet. Not to mention that your ninjutsu skills nearly surpass mine and hers, and we're still the Sannin, after all."
"You make it sound like you're preparing me for war."
"Can't I just be proud of my son?"
"Yeah, I guess," he hesitated before he could reply. It was a bit too flattering.

Mitsuki took off his lab clothing and made his way to the exit of the hideout, with Orochimaru leading the way. It was already 9 o'clock and the moon was already up. That was it. It almost felt like that time when he was going to move in Konoha for the first time, to attend the Academy, to make it as a Chuunin and make his family proud. But a lot of things changed since then, and a lot more were to come.
They just stood there at the entrance for some time without saying anything, staring at the starry sky. There was a rather uncomfortable silence between them, or at least that's how Mitsuki felt it like. On Orochimaru's lips a typical grin of his started forming. Without waiting for a remark coming from his youngest son, he started speaking his mind:
"I'll be coming to Konoha as well. And I'll stay for a bit or more."

Mitsuki had no idea how to respond to such affirmation. At first his mind went blank then he started feeling anxious in the worst way possible.
"Don't worry, I am not leaving right now with you-"
"But why do you have to come?! It's risky and you know it! You don't even have Lord Seventh's approval! What about Yamato?" His son was really revolted about Orochimaru's intention.
"I assure you, Mitsuki, I have a feeling I am an expected guest and Naruto couldn't be happier to have me there. And don't get me started with that. He's probably sleeping somewhere around here. I almost pity him."
Mitsuki still had a confused look on his face but Orochimaru just smiled at him and waved him goodbye before disappearing back in his cave.