Holy ravioli! I can't believe I got so many reviews on just one chapter! Thank you everyone! I wasn't too sure how this story would be received at first, but I think everyone's enthusiasm speaks for itself, eh? I'm excited to be doing my first SakuxUchiha AU harem and I hope it goes well! I still haven't decided on Izuna and Obito yet…but the other Uchiha— Shisui, Itachi, Sasuke and Madara will definitely play a big role. And the Akatsuki will definitely be in it too, but let me know if I should include some SakuxAka or just leave it an Uchiha centric/multi.
Some nice ItaxSaku fluff in this chapter as well as some ShixSaku. ;) Itachi is honestly my favorite Uchiha of all time, but everyone will get a chance with Saku. They'll be kids for a while, so any romance will happen gradually, and I probably won't get into the heavy drama and angst and stuff until then. I wanna keep it light while I still can.
P.S. Guys, if I don't update for a while, it doesn't mean I'm not continuing! I am a full time college student. I get really tied up because let me tell you, the work load is no joke...so please be patient because I promise I always work on chapters every spare moment I get, and I understand the anticipation (remember, I read fanfiction as well as write it...) but don't freak out if the updates aren't always prompt. XD I always seem to have problems with people thinking I'll quit my popular stories. If there isn't a "discontinued/hiatus" message in the story's summary box, no matter how long it's been, it's not discontinued. Odds are, I'm brainstorming to bring you the best chapters possible.
Ch.2- Tickled Pink
"Sakura-chan! Where am I?" Shisui cooed, trying to play peek-a-boo with the little girl.
Sakura stared at him questioningly behind her ever present fringe and Sasuke watched dully from nearby. It had been two weeks since Sakura had joined the family and she still had yet to utter a sound.
Even after Mikoto had whisked her to the store and gotten her a whole new wardrobe, she still seemed as un-Uchiha-ish as they came to Sasuke. When someone spoke to her, she stared shyly at the floor, fidgeting, overgrown bangs still shielding her eyes.
No one had been able to trim the bangs. When Mikoto had attempted to take her for an appointment at the salon, Sakura had writhed and fought and convulsed with silent screams the minute the scissors came near her.
So the annoyingly long bangs stayed. She looked like a sheepdog that had gotten into some bubblegum hair-dye, but it was obvious something about having her eyes covered brought her security.
But Sasuke still found the most unnerving thing about her was her silence. It wasn't like he had anything against quietness. It was nice for relaxation and Itachi had never been much of a talker, but she never said anything. Even her sneezes were silent; it was ridiculous.
When she fell down and scraped her knee several days earlier, despite cringing at the sight of her own blood and the steady teardrops that leaked from her eyes, she had wordlessly showed the cut to his mother with trembling lips.
Itachi explained that their new sister was what was called mute. She didn't speak because she was probably scared by something that made her stop using her voice.
At least that was how he'd explained it. Sasuke just thought it made her even weirder, but he tried to make an effort to get to know her all the same. It was obvious to him by now that however uncomfortable she made him, Sakura was there to stay.
He talked to her about simple things like his likes and dislikes and what he did in school—even if it was awkward to constantly have one-sided conversations.
At first he was sure it was a wasted effort, until he noticed she seemed to be absorbing everything he said silently. It was then that he decided that she wasn't all bad.
Today they were at their cousin's house, and Sakura had met Shisui for the first time. He had smiled, introduced himself and tried to get closer, when she had bolted to hide behind Itachi. Shisui looked down at the little girl clinging to Itachi's pants leg and breathing heavily, in confusion.
"Don't take it personally." Itachi said, "She's like this with everyone. It takes a while for her to open up even slightly."
Shisui had frowned, before smiling in understanding. He had decided it was his personal mission of the day to get Sakura to at least smile. So far, it was proving no easy task. She sat, watching curiously and playing with her fingers as he told her jokes and made funny faces. It seemed like she didn't quite get the concept of what he was trying to do.
Shisui sighed, running a hand through his mussed hair. "Ok, so maybe this isn't working…" he muttered.
'Duh!' Sasuke wanted to say.
Itachi placed a gentle hand on his friend's shoulder, "If you would allow me…" he said calmly.
Shisui stared at his cousin, not sure what he had in mind, but it couldn't be any worse than his attempt, which had only gotten Sakura to look at him as if he were a strange, performing circus animal. "Yeah, sure…" he shrugged.
Once Shisui moved aside, Itachi took his place crouching near Sakura's seat. She stared at him, shifting slightly, and Itachi could almost swear she seemed to be watching curiously behind her bangs. In all honesty he wasn't sure if his approach would work, but it always had with Sasuke when he was younger.
He gingerly tapped Sakura just above her belly button, and she squirmed, though not altogether in discomfort. She seemed more surprised than scared. He poked her stomach again and this time she sucked it in, clutching it firmly as if to guard against his poking, although for the first time since Shisui had met the girl, she didn't seem nervous.
He poked her nose, and the flicker of a shy smile appeared. Shisui watched, dumbfounded as the little girl's face shone with a cute grin the more Itachi poked her.
It became a game between the two, Sakura would try to protect the spot she thought Itachi would poke next, only to have him tickle her (which she now understood is what he was really doing, though he disguised it in a way that made the contact lighter, so she wouldn't be uncomfortable) somewhere else: hands, knees, stomach and underarms were all fair game.
Shisui had been trying to get her to crack so much as a half smile for over an hour and nothing had worked! Then Itachi comes along and within five minutes, she's wriggling around, and...and looking like a normal kid. He ran a hand through his messy hair and huffed. Huh.
No matter what age, Itachi always got the girl. Sasuke watched his brother playing their old game with Sakura, feeling slightly...left out. Though he'd never say it. He'd sworn off that game almost a year ago, and told his brother he was too old for tickling.
Itachi had given him an amused smile, poking his forehead. "I see," he'd said. Sasuke had been really proud of himself, taking a step closer to maturity. He wanted his father to see how hard he was trying to grow up, so much. He wanted his brother to treat him as an equal.
He had thought giving up the Poking Game meant he was getting closer to that. He'd never missed it per say, because he got to do other things with his brother, like play catch at the park, practice archery and darts and have races. He never really won...but it was fun, and they still bonded.
Sasuke hadn't really gotten to bond with Sakura much since that night. She was still cautious and tip-toed around the house like a shadow. He didn't really know what she liked, but he was getting better at figuring out what she didn't like.
Thunderstorms, sudden loud noises, strangers towering over her all seemed to make her uneasy. And he noticed that the entire family was very careful about touching too. They spoke softly to her, holding her hand, patting her head or touching her shoulder. Like constant physical reminders of safety.
It was surprising, really, how much physical contact she had allowed during the night of the thunderstorm. Sasuke rationalized that her fear for being alone had outweighed her fear of him.
She seemed to warm to Itachi well enough. Everyone liked Itachi though, or at least admired him, so it shouldn't have stung the way it did. Sasuke couldn't tell if he was jealous of Itachi, for being able to bond with Sakura better than anyone else in the family, or annoyed with Sakura for taking Itachi's attention away.
He sidled closer to Sakura while she was distracted. The bright lime green dress his mother put her in complimented her hair. Her cheeks were rosy, and though her eyes were still hidden behind a curtain of pink, the happy grin transformed her whole gloomy aura.
Huffing, he looked at Shisui who was busy marveling over Sakura's change in mood. "I wanna show Sakura the secret base now." he stated impatiently.
Shisui's brow arched and he scratched his head, nodding slowly. "Oh yeah, I guess we could show her...Itachi?" he looked at his friend for permission, seeing as he clearly took responsibility for the two younger children when their parents weren't present.
Itachi adjusted Sakura on the couch, helping her sit up straight. He patted down the flyaway hairs and addressed her smoothly, "Would you like to play outside, Sakura?" Of course the little girl didn't verbally respond; her shoulders hunched slightly in apparent thought before she peeked up at him shyly as if seeking his approval. "It's alright, we can stay here. No one is going to make you," he said, directing a firm glance in Sasuke's direction when he saw his brother's annoyed pout from the corner of his eyes.
"But aniki," he whined.
"Sasuke," Itachi turned to look at his brother in the eye now. "If Sakura is uncomfortable, we are not going to make her do something against her will, understand?"
Sasuke sighed sulkily before nodding. Suddenly he was back to remembering why he didn't like her much in the first place. Talk about a buzz-kill...
Sakura and the older boys watched the clearly disappointed little boy trail to the window and stare out across the backyard at a large tree situated in one far corner, tire swing hanging from a strong lower branch and in its leafy roof, a very well-built looking tree-house. At the home, she remembered that there had been a treehouse, not nearly as nice as the one in Shisui's yard though.
She was never allowed in it. In fact, one of the other children had actually pushed her off the ladder when she had tried to climb up and join them, earning her a concussion and a split skull that needed fifteen stitches.
That experience alone should have made her fear going anywhere near the Uchiha's play fort but, against her better judgment, she slowly slid off the couch, her dress rustling and quietly crept closer to the window.
Sakura didn't dare go directly to Sasuke's side, having learned the hard way to keep her distance from people when they were moody.
She made sure to maintain a well-measured berth and carefully placed a hand on the ledge. Sasuke pretended not to notice her, even as he watched her curiously. She stared at the treehouse, at least as far as he could tell. Her small lips were pursed, her fingers were tight on the ledge, and her rose-tinted cheeks caught a stream of sunlight that shone in through the gauzy curtains.
Sasuke wondered what was going through her head in that moment. She was watching the yard intently, but she wasn't panicking. Not yet at least. Itachi stood, Shisui following, and they both carefully stepped over to Sakura, crouching to her height, careful not to startle her. The little pink haired child turned to them slowly, her lips still pursed.
Itachi very gently stroked her bangs, and for just a second her glassy apple green eyes were revealed before the hair fell back into place. Even in her damaged state, Itachi knew that Sakura was not as uncomprehending as most would probably believe her to be because of her condition. She may not have spoken once, but she was always observing.
He had noticed that shortly after her arrival. It made him ache for her, for the chance to shine that whatever trauma she'd endured had robbed her of. Sakura would be, was, a bright child, underneath the cracked surface of fragility. "If you want to go outside, I'll be with you." Itachi promised soothingly, "If you get scared, it's alright. No one will ever force you to do something that scares you,"
Shisui watched his friend handle Sakura the way a glassmaker would handle a fancy bobble made of crystal. It was obvious that the newest addition to the Uchiha family was not exactly...a typical little girl.
Everything about Sakura, even without her physical abnormalities, told him she had experienced more than any young child ever should. Something terrifying that had taken hold of her little soul and shook it viciously. What should have been a bright, inquisitive child was a mere shell of what she probably once was.
Shisui found it heartbreaking. Kids were supposed to be obnoxious, carefree, and...and happy! Little Sakura was like a phantom, clinging to existence by a thread. When she took Itachi's extended hand ever so softly, she felt like it had taken everything in her to squeeze her small fingers around his larger ones. But she did.
He grinned to himself. Baby steps. She was coming around in baby steps. He got up and opened the door to the backyard, Sasuke watched in surprise as Itachi guided her out into the open air and sunshine, trailing closely as Shisui shut the door behind them.
The breathless, nearly inaudible yelp made him glance down at the child clinging to his cousin's arm like a lifeline. The pink locks moved softly in the gentle breeze blowing through the yard, and the small head glanced this way and that. Shisui hid his chuckle behind a fist, imagining that underneath that pink hair of hers, Sakura's little eyes were probably round in wonder. When was the last time she had been outdoors like this? Enjoying the sunshine and cloudless sky?
Sasuke glanced at his brother and Sakura before deciding he was bored and running full pelt for the treehouse. Itachi and Shisui ignored him, waiting on Sakura to make her next move.
It was important that they did things at Sakura's pace. Sakura stared at the grass underneath her feet thoughtfully before taking tentative steps toward the tire swing hanging from the big, old tree Sasuke was currently climbing.
The Uchiha boys followed her wordlessly as she let go of Itachi's hand to head toward the tire swing. Sakura stopped to admire the odd contraption for several long minutes before patting the rubber as if she was testing its sturdiness. When she was satisfied that it seemed tough enough to maintain her weight, her tiny fingers clasps the chains as she attempted to haul herself up and into the tire.
The boys gave her space to try on her own, and even Sasuke watched from the tree-house window. Sakura managed to pull herself halfway onto the tire before her arms grew tired and she flopped, belly down across the swing awkwardly, huffing tiredly.
Shisui grinned at her cute pout before slowly walking behind her, gently situating his hands underneath her arms and pulling her onto the tire swing properly before she had time to squeal. Sakura quickly squirmed to adjust to sitting atop the swing.
She was small and her feet dangled far off the ground. She whined slightly, her small fingers digging for purchase in the thick rubber. A gentle hand on her shoulder caused her to look over with a start as Itachi nodded reassuringly at her, silently letting her know he wouldn't let her be injured.
"You know what comes next, right Sakura-chan?" Shisui asked cheerfully. She inclined her head in his direction curiously.
The older boy rubbed his neck sheepishly, realizing she probably didn't know a lot about playing that most kids her age did. "Well, normally you'd kick your legs to get going, but since this is a tire swing, I'll help you." He gave her back a gentle push and Sakura made a startled noise when the swing moved, just barely rocking back and forth. "And that's all there really is to it. Although it's usually more fun the faster you go." he told her, still smiling. "I remember when I was a kid, I'd swing as fast as I could and then try to jump out-" he stopped when he noticed Itachi's disapproving look and Sakura's slightly paler face. "No worries, I wouldn't make you do that. Just hold onto the chains, ok?"
Shisui gave the side of the swing another careful push and this time, Sakura seemed more prepared and didn't yelp. Feeling encouraged, he began pushing repeatedly as Itachi stood on the other side of the tire swing, pushing back as he pushed forward.
Sakura found the sweet breeze that tickled her ears and the gentle pace relaxing, and decided that swinging wasn't so bad. Her grip relaxed and she let herself be comforted by the rocking motion lulling her eyes closed. She was even starting to trust that Itachi would keep her from falling off.
"Heey! No fair!"
The sudden weight that crashed into her and ruined the moment of serenity was enough to make her jerk violently. "Sasuke!" she heard Itachi bark as she opened her eyes to see Sasuke finish scrambling onto the tire swing.
Apparently he'd gotten bored up in the treehouse all by himself and had come down to take advantage of the opportunity to be pushed on the tire swing. He'd completely forgotten about how jumpy Sakura was.
"Sorry," he mumbled, looking apologetic.
"You're one pushy kid," Shisui grumbled, sighing. Nevertheless he continued pushing the two young children on the swing and Itachi's stern countenance slowly melted into the more open expression only a select few ever got to see.
He stuck his tongue out at Shisui before turning to Sakura, "It really is more fun if you spin, ya know." he informed her. Then to Shisui and Itachi, "C'mon, let's show her how it works!"
Shisui sighed looking to his younger cousin for permission. Itachi shrugged, began to change the trajectory of the swing. It wasn't long before the two kids were being spun around from Itachi to Shisui instead of just pushed back and forth. Sasuke was absolutely gleeful, now draped over the swing on his stomach, feet dangling down. Sakura, though slightly dizzy, was also beginning to feel a little more at ease.
The tiny flicker of a grin spoke volumes for the older Uchiha boys, encouraging them to keep pushing the kids until Sasuke slid through the hole of the tire swing and flopped onto the grass, giggling on his back blissfully.
Sakura looked up at Itachi and he slowed the swing down enough for her to climb off safely. Shisui helped her to the ground and carefully squatted beside Sasuke, arms hugging her knees as she looked at his flushed face in curiosity.
Sasuke squinted at the face directly above his. At this angle, her bangs hung loosely away from her eyes, so the round green orbs were completely visible. She appeared concerned, and he waved a hand to signal he was ok.
"See," he huffed between dying laughter. "Told ya so." The young Uchiha grinned at her, and Sakura slowly returned the gesture, happy Sasuke no longer seemed as distant toward her. She scooted back so he could sit up.
"That was fun." Sasuke said, "What's next?" Sakura blinked, pointing to herself.
Sasuke made an exasperated face and stood to brush himself off. "Yes, I'm asking you. You've gotta learn how to have some fun, don't cha? C'mon!" The noise the pink-haired girl made at the sudden tug on her wrist could only be described as a startled yip.
"Hey Sasuke, careful!" Shisui called as he watched his little cousin tow Sakura across the yard without pausing. He put both hands on his waist, shaking his head with a sigh. "Like I said, that kid's like a motorboat once he gets going. No stopping him. No slowing down." Itachi didn't respond and he glanced behind him to see his cousin was heading back toward the house. "Eh, where ya going?"
"To get a first aid kit. Keep an eye on them," Shisui couldn't help but grin. Not many people knew, but Itachi was a thoughtful guy, especially when it came to Sasuke and now Sakura.
The Uchiha turned to see Sasuke once again climbing the steps to the tree house, this time turning back to beckon a hesitant Sakura to follow him.
He sprinted up to the base of the tree and looked down at Sakura, who had turned at the sound of his feet shifting across the grass. Shisui carefully leaned closer to her eye level, smiling kindly. "Hey...don't let Sasuke push you around. You don't have to plunge head first into things just because he does. There's nothing wrong with not being reckless."
Sakura tilted her head and he caught a glimpse of jade green eyes through the mess of bubblegum pink hair. Shisui was just as taken aback and simultaneously drawn to the unique shade of her eyes as the other Uchiha had been when they'd first seen them.
Hesitantly, he lifted a hand and extended it toward her face, stopping a few inches short of her forehead. Sakura shifted awkwardly, but didn't immediately draw away. Shisui realized it may be more uncomfortable for her if he just left his hand hovering in the air in front of her face than if he actually did something with it.
He thought better of making contact and quickly retracted his hand, his cheeks slightly pink. "Er, y-your eyes really are pretty, ya know. Um, maybe you should consider moving your bangs back or cu-" Sakura's hands flew to her head and she shook it vehemently.
"Okay, no haircuts for you." Shisui quickly placated, lifting his palms to show her he meant no harm. "It's just something to think about in the future. Maybe you'll decide to tie your hair back or something when you feel more comfortable." he smiled encouragingly when she slowly brought her little hands down from her head. Sakura peeked at him and then stared at the grass between her feet, shrugging.
Her head lifted when Shisui continued, rubbing his chin in thought, "Huh, but you know something? Maybe it's not such a good idea to let everybody see how cute you are." He inwardly chuckled when he saw Sakura stared at him in what he assumed to be curiosity. "It might cause problems, ya know? You'd have all the boys chasing after you when you grow up, and then me and Itachi would have to fight them off with a stick." A shy smile slowly appeared on her face, and Shisui practically beamed with pride. At least he was breaking through to her, even if only a little.
Sakura didn't exactly understand everything he said, but she could since his sincerity to connect with her. This boy had a kind, earnest heart.
"Hey, hurry and come up already Sakura!" They looked up to see Sasuke poking his head out of one of the tree house's windows, hands cupped around his mouth. Sakura looked up at the wooden steps nailed into the tree's large trunk warily.
Shisui noticed she seemed unsure and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Here, let me help." Sakura watched in confusion as he crouched at her feet, waiting patiently.
"Hop on," he encouraged. "It's ok, promise." Sakura nervously placed a hand on his right shoulder, then another. It felt odd to press herself so close to someone willingly, but she managed to wrap her legs around his waist. Sakura frowned, wiggling to adjust.
Once she stopped moving, Shisui began standing slowly, then noticed her unsteady grip. "You may need to hold on a little tighter...like this, see?" He guided her arms around his neck, making sure she had a firm hold. There was a surprising amount of strength in those tiny arms if the tightness around his neck meant anything. Satisfied, he turned his head slightly to give her a small grin. "Ready?"
Sakura nodded slowly. Shisui made sure he got a good footing and hoisted himself up onto the second plank nailed into the bark. They were oval, half-steps, more like foot holds than stairs really. Sakura shut her eyes, suddenly hit with fear as Shisui began scaling the tree with ease.
Halfway up she bravely cracked an eye open to see she had buried her face in the back of his neck. Sheepishly, she withdrew, but didn't loosen her grip. The tree house, which actually had it's own front deck, was getting ever closer, and Sakura was relieved when Shisui was finished climbing and he let her down. No sooner had they stepped onto the mat in front of the little house's front door than it was flung open suddenly, causing Sakura to jump back.
"Finally!" Sasuke exclaimed, moving aside. Sakura looked up at the older Uchiha and he nodded reassuringly, holding his arm out in a welcoming gesture.
"After you, pretty lady." she shuffled inside and her hands instantly flew to her mouth as she took in the interior. It wasn't like she'd seen many, but it was definitely a step above the usual tree house. Actually, calling it a fort would've probably been more appropriate. It was an actual house!
There was a sitting room with a wooden table and chair set, in front of a sleek TV mounted on one wall. The windows weren't just crude openings cut into the side of the house, but normal glass windows that opened and everything. "Isn't it awesome?!" Sasuke practically shouted in her ear, flinging his arms up. "You have to see the rest."
He didn't wait as he pulled her in further, showing her the bunk beds where they slept when they had sleepovers, the small kitchenette which actually had a juice bar and mini fridge included, the desk with a computer, and the closet where they kept everything from archery equipment to summer swimming gear.
There was even a spacious back porch, where two folding lawn chairs and several potted plants made their home. "And it's even got a bathroom too!" Sasuke rambled on. Sakura felt her head spin, trying to grasp the fact that she had been adopted by a family that owned such nice things.
Not that it hadn't been obvious with the fancy clothes Mikoto bought her and the nice car they brought her home fact that they had been so kind to her already seemed too good to be true. But now they were willing to share everything with her.
Tears bubbled up at the corners of her eyes and her lower lip wobbled. Shisui noticed the silent shakes and hissed at Sasuke to stop talking. He paused mid-sentence and watched incredulously as Sakura began silently sobbing into Shisui's consoling arms. The tears came rapidly, making audible little plop's on the floorboards.
"I suppose I should have also brought tissues." Sasuke jumped, whirling around to see his older brother walking through the door with a first aid kit tucked under one arm.
"Itachi!" he cried, rushing to him frantically. "I didn't do anything! I mean, I didn't mean to, I was just showin' her how cool the tree house is and I, I-"
"I know Sasuke," Itachi interrupted calmly. "You meant well. It's possible this was too much too soon, and she's simply overwhelmed. This is enough for today." he nodded at Shisui, he silently picked Sakura up to cradle in his arms. Sasuke glanced at his older cousin holding his new sister and nodded glumly.
Itachi followed him out onto the front porch. "Anyway, it's time for lunch. Oba-san is waiting in the kitchen. Why don't you head inside? We'll be right down."
"Okay." Sasuke agreed, heading for the side and beginning to climb down. He paused suddenly, "Um, sorry..." he added quietly, before disappearing from sight.
Itachi turned back around to see Shisui coming out with Sakura in arms. "Will you be alright?" he asked.
Shisui nodded. "I can manage."
"I will head down first and wait for you at the bottom, in case you need help." Itachi started to climb down without waiting for a response.
Shisui chuckled under his breath, looking down at Sakura. "Can you believe what a worrywart that guy is?" he shifted her to one arm, securely holding her to him. "He actually thinks I might drop you." Sakura tensed in his arms and he wanted to slap himself. "Of course there's no chance of that happening." he backtracked. "I've been climbing trees since I was just a kid. You can say I'm kind of a master at it," he winked, backing down the footholds gingerly.
Nevertheless, Sakura didn't dare open her eyes or loosen her grip until she felt Shisui plant both feet on the ground again. She listened to the steady sound of his heartbeat as he walked inside his house. He set her down like she was made of glass, and Sakura took a wobbly step forward.
By now, she had calmed down and realized she'd probably freaked them out, bursting into tears like that. There was just no way to express the amount of gratitude she'd felt after realizing all the Uchiha's had done to welcome her into their lives so far, and of course all the emotions came out as tears. Sakura rubbed at her puffy eyes, noticing the wonderful aroma flooding the room for the first time. "Oh! Well if you aren't just the cutest little thing." a warm voice exclaimed.
Sakura looked up in surprise to see a dark-haired woman smiling at her. Her dark black hair was wavy "Hi, we haven't met yet, but I'm Yuu Uchiha, Shisui's mother. I was out shopping when your parents dropped you off." she came closer, bending down to pull Sakura into a hug. Surprised as she was by the forward greeting, she didn't pull away. "I'm so excited to finally meet you, Sakura-chan."
Sakura's head bobbed in understand, and she managed a shy wave. "Adorable!" Yuu cooed. She turned to gesture to a tray sitting on the counter, leering as Sasuke sneakily stood on tiptoe in an attempt to reach. "I made you all lunch, come sit down Sakura-chan! Dig in before these boys demolish it all." She underscored this by swatting Sasuke's hand away. Itachi helped Sakura wash her hands before guiding her to an empty seat at the table beside his. Sasuke quickly ran to the one on his brother's other side, intercepting Shisui.
"Oi, you brat!" the older boy protested.
Sasuke gave his cousin a smug look, sticking his tongue out.
Shisui scoffed."Like I said: brat."
"No fighting boys." Yuu sang, coming over with a tray piled high with deli-style sandwiches. "I don't want your bad ways to rub off on Sakura-chan."
Shisui and Sasuke both hung their heads in a truce.
"Yes kaa-san."
"Yes oba-chan." they chimed in unison.
"I'm trusting you to handle this, Itachi-kun." Itachi nodded as he accepted the tray from his aunt and began rationing sandwiches between two plates, Sasuke's and Sakura's. Yuu left to retrieve the rest of the lunch from the counter, and Itachi set the tray in the middle, gesturing for Shisui to go first. "Thanks Itachi," he grinned, eagerly piling sandwiches onto his plate.
Itachi sighed at his friend's appetite, attempting to slide the tray away. "Leave something on the plate besides crumbs." he mumbled, snatching up the rest of the sandwiches before Shisui could add them to his stack.
Yuu returned with a large bowl of chips, a smaller bowl of dip, and a plate of celery sticks. Sasuke looked up at his aunt with big, disappointed eyes, "No twamamows?" he asked around a mouthful.
Yuu gave him a knowing look and placed a small bowl of cherry tomatoes beside his plate. "Just for you, Sasuke-kun," she smirked. "That good?" Sasuke's eyes lit up with glee and Yuu laughed at her nephew. By the time Yuu had returned with the pitcher of lemonande, Sasuke's cheeks were bulging and juice dribbled down the side of his stuffed mouth.
"Sasuke," Itachi sighed, "don't eat so fast. You'll give yourself a stomachache...and wipe your mouth."
Sasuke swallowed with a large gulp before wiping his mouth on the back of his arm with a contented sigh. Shisui shook his head. "This kid..." he turned to Sakura, watching her take dainty bites from the edge of the sandwich. One half looked so large in her little hands. She reminded Shisui of a mouse as she ate. "What's wrong Sakura-chan? Is it good?" Yuu asked in concern.
Sakura nodded instantly. "You may eat as much as you like." Itachi told her.
Sakura eyed him critically, as if silently wondering if that was truly the case. For as long as she could remember, she had only been given a meager amount of food, and sometimes, she didn't get that. After it was gone, she was never allowed to eat more, no matter how hungry she still was. As a result, she'd grown used to taking tiny bites, nibbling slowly, no matter how her stomach gurgled in an attempt to make it last.
"It's true sweetie." Yuu reassured her. "Even if this runs out, I can always make more." Sakura stilled, the sandwich gripped loosely in her small fingers, before setting it back down on her plate with utmost care. The Uchiha's watched in surprise as Sakura pushed herself away from the table and slid down from her chair. "Sakura?" Shisui called.
No one expected her to walk right up to Yuu and hug her legs tightly. Yuu smiled sadly, patting her head over and over as Sakura gave her the most heartbreakingly humble smile she'd ever seen. 'What this poor child must have endured...'
"It's alright Sakura-chan. We're family now. Family cares for each other; that's what we're here for."
Sakura happily returned to her seat and resumed eating, this time with gusto to rival Sasuke's. So this was what a family was like... The boys watched in satisfaction, each feeling glad that the strange little girl was family.
I wanted to stop holding out on this chapter sooo bad, cuz trust me, I am as excited to see where this goes for all of you. But I got stuck and it took me a while to decide where I wanted to go with it, and really, everything is kind of thought of as I go and conceptualized on the spur of the moment (like most great stories lol) so I hope you guys enjoyed this and will keep reading! I didn't enjoy this chapter too much though...The story is still young. No definite end pairing in mind as of yet, and lots of gradual development to come.
Sakura will probably remain mute for most if not all of the childhood chapters, which will be the first half of the story, for those of you anxious for her to talk. But I made her mute for a reason...so, keep waiting. ^.^ Haha I hope I haven't moved too fast with this...I kind of feel like I have... :/
Also, pleeease check out my new story Before the Dawn if you haven't yet. It has no reviews at all and I'm working so hard on the idea for it. D: It's gonna be a TobiramaxOC. Possibly a MadaraxOC. We'll see. But yeah, just wanted to say that...
