I had to sit out of making the lunch after about thirty seconds of starting the preparations.

"Are you Ok, Hitomi? Do you want some more tissue, or are you going to be Ok?" Sasuke asked, looking into my emerald eyes with deep concern.

Putting on a brave smile I shook my head, "I'll be fine." I replied, applying more pressure to the gash on my finger.

Mother sighed, shaking her head so her waist length hair bobbed from side to side, "Honestly, Hitomi. I ask you to go and cut up the herbs for the soup and you cut your finger on the first attempt. I would have thought you would have been capable by now."

My face turned an embarrassing pink again as I examined the cut. As soon as the tissue left my finger, the blood oozed out and tricked down to the tip of my finger.

Mother gave out a cry of alarm and snatched the tissue out of my hand to catch a drop of blood that fell from my finger nail, "Hitomi! Keep applying pressure! If that gets on the panels, so will the rest of it! And blood stains are a nightmare to clean up."

I said nothing as Mother gave me a stern look before continuing with the cooking, along with Auntie Mikoto. But throughout all of this, Sasuke always gave me a comforting smile, always reminding me not to take Mother's words to heart. She may be strict and proper, rather unlike her older sister, but she is as warm and as kind as you can get, and I will always love her for it.

"Hey, Hitomi. I was wondering...when is Uncle Hideki coming back?" Sasuke asked, looking a little embarrassed about asking.

Auntie Mikoto turned around her face etched with a slight scorn, "Sasuke, you shouldn't ask such questions. You know it's rude to be nosey."

Mother put on a brave smile and held up her hand, "No it's Ok. He can ask." she gave a slight laugh before turning back towards the hob.

I took in a deep breath. Father had been away for a long time and there has not been a word from him since he left. Apparently he left for a mission to take down a rogue ninja, but he hasn't come back. Mother has been getting really distressed and panicky about it, but she refuses to show it. She always tells me you should never find short cuts to your goal, and clearly that is exactly what Father is doing.

Smiling brightly I replied, "He will be back as soon as he has found the correct route to victory. You know what they say, you should never find short cuts to your goal."

Sasuke, at first, looked a little confused, but then he smiled, "Yeah, I guess that is true."

"Alright, I think that has been enough time to simmer." Mother said, reaching for the upper cupboard and bringing down a few bowls to serve lunch in.

But I noticed something, "Mother. Why have you got down six bowls. Is Itachi-san and Uncle Fugaku coming after all?" my hopes rose slightly, but when mother shook her head, they dropped back down again.

"Not today, Hitomi. But we are having guests today. One of my friends is coming round shortly. It's been a while since I last spoke to her properly, I think it was when you were around four, so I thought it would be nice to catch up for once."

My legs turned to jelly at that point. I am not a huge fan of new people, especially since I am a bit of a laughing stock amongst the Uchihas. That gives plenty for people to talk about. The Uchiha who cannot perform a single jutsu.

"And she has a daughter too. Very pretty. Her name is Kaze and she is around your age." Mother added, pulling her home made bread out of the oven and leaving it on the counter to cool down.

Even better, I thought to myself, another kid who can laugh at me for my embarrassing ways. I look forward to it...But I have never heard of 'Kaze' before. Does she even go to the academy?

But there was no time to dwell on it, because at that precise moment there was a gentle knocking on the door.

"Ah! That's them. Mikoto-san, could you start dishing up while I see to my guests. Hitomi come and greet them as well." Mother put an arm around my shoulder and bustled me out of the kitchen and to the front door, where she keenly opened the door and swung it open.

And the sight that stood before me...I could have sworn I felt sparks leave my eyes at what I saw.