Notes: Non-massacre AU
Memories Once Forgotten
"This is Sakura," Sasuke said stiffly. He was standing very straight, pale face solemn for only fifteen. Sakura took his prompt and bowed low.
"It is an honor to meet you," she said quickly, catching her own stammer. There was a pause, and she dared look up. Sasuke was glaring at his parents, face all hostile challenge and she had to bite her lip. Across the table, his parents surveyed her. His father was looking at Sasuke sternly, his mother seemingly torn between bursting into laughter or tears.
"You're on Sasuke's team, correct?" his father asked her after another second, and Sakura almost tripped over herself in her haste to answer.
"Yes, sir!" she squeaked, and then added, "I've been training under Tsunade. I usually act as the team's medic."
"But you can fight?" his father pressed. Sakura opened her mouth to answer, but Sasuke had already beaten her to it.
"She's the strongest kunoichi of our generation," he said almost defensively, "She could crack this house in half with her finger."
Sakura ducked her face to the floor, blushing furiously. She couldn't remember ever receiving so much praise from him.
Sasuke's parents were mingling their looks. Mikoto was smiling slightly, her eyes very warm.
"Dinner will be ready in half an hour," Mikoto announced, and left them, towing her husband behind her.
Sakura sat in wide-eyed silence, "Did I…do okay?"
"You were fine." Sasuke replied calmly, and she let out a great sigh of relief, catching sight of another young man as she did so.
He padded silently across the room, setting a leather book in front of her.
"Welcome to the family," he said almost tonelessly, and slid a sly glance towards Sasuke she couldn't begin to understand, before leaving the room rather hastily.
Curious, Sakura flipped open the cover, and choked. For there, naked and wailing in front of his wet sheets, stood toddler Sasuke.
Apparently alarmed by her enormous grin, Sasuke peered over her shoulder.
"…Itachi!"