-With Hinata's pregnancy behind them, Team 7 is finally reunited, but things are definitely not the same anymore. Naruto's a dad, Sasuke finally falls for Sakura, and Sakura . . . well, her real mom's come to take her back! Oh no! What's going to happen? And what's this about an engagement? Oh, and just when the family reunion was over… -Sequel to Passion-


Yay, a new chapter! Sorry I haven't updated this in a long while, but I was busy, and I got back from vacation just a few days ago (actually, a week now, I actually started this a while ago but couldn't finish it) and yeah… Here's the chapter! It's short, but I couldn't come up with much for it. It's kind of rushed, too. Sorry . . . again. I really hope you guys like it… This chapter is named after the song in Thumbelina. I just named it this because a lot of things are going to be happening soon, and blah, blah, blah. Please enjoy!


Chapter Three

Soon…

As Sakura glanced over the golden Gwansik she held in her hands, she couldn't help but recall the events that had taken place in the field earlier today.

"I don't care!" C.C. shrieked. "Whatever position she holds now doesn't make up for what she did to us! So, pass along this message to her: 'I haven't forgiven her, and I never will. If she expects my forgiveness then she better be willing to beg for it.'"

Sakura herself had been frightened by her sister's anger. And when she had asked C.C. for an explanation, the green-haired witch just gave a plain "You shouldn't get involved, Sweetie. It'll just stress you out."

That had left Sakura with even more questions. Just exactly who was this Empress? And what had she done to wrong her sister so?

"How long have you been there?"

"Only a few minutes," the Uchiha answered, jumping into her room from an opened window. "What did your sister tell you?"

"Nothing much," the kunoichi answered. "Just for me to mind my own business."

"…?" which translated to "She said that?" in Uchiha language.

"No… She told me not to get involved because it'd stress me out." She sighed. "You know, sometimes . . . I think she just worries a bit too much about me."

"Well, she is your sister. Isn't that her job?"

"Yes… But sometimes I think she's stressed out more than I am."

"You shouldn't worry about it too much," the Uchiha told her. "Your sister will tell you what's on her mind in time."

Sakura sighed again. "You know… For some reason, I find that very hard to believe. C.C.'s not as easy as Hinata or Ino. She's hard to read… And it only gets harder from there. If she doesn't want anyone poking into her business then it'll stay that way…"

"Then you're forgetting something."

"Oh?" Sakura raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"

"You're a kunoichi. Stealing secrets is what you're supposed to be good at."

"You obviously don't know C.C.. She—"

"Sakura! Oh, Sasuke, I didn't know you were here too."

Speaking of her… "Eonni, waegurae? Why are you here? Is something the matter?"

"They're back!"

Sakura just stared at her sister. "Wh-who's back, C.C.?"

"Eomma and Appa! And they've brought Chii and Freya with them!"

"Really?" Sakura stood from her seat, happiness clearly written on her face. She ran out of the room seconds later.

C.C. smiled. "She may be eighteen (A/N: if I had said anything about Sakura's age being a different number, forget it. She's eighteen), but she's still a child in so many ways." However, her smile fell when she saw the Gwansik. She didn't know how long she was staring at that thing or even the face she had on. Her hands rolled into fists, and her eyes narrowed.

"You're hiding something…"

"Mwo-rago?" C.C. scoffed at the Uchiha's accusation. "What makes you say that?"

Sasuke didn't answer her question. "Say what you will and deny all that you want, but I will get to the bottom of this."

"Fine, I just have one request."

The Uchiha didn't reply.

"Just don't tell Sakura if you find out the truth. I don't want to see that hurt look on her face, and I'm willing to bet neither do you."

✿。.:**:.。✿

"Appa! Eomma! You're back!" Sakura exclaimed as she threw her parents into a bear hug.

"Aigu…" Chitose tsked. "We were only gone for a few weeks. Did you really miss us that much?"

"Ye, Eomeoni…" Sakura smiled.

"Lao-bo, why are you scolding Sakura for that?" Ichiro asked. "Weren't you the one who wanted to hurry home to see her?"

Chitose playfully slapped her husband's shoulder. "Aigu, aigu. You always side with her."

Ichiro chuckled.

"How have you been, Sakura-chan?" Freya asked.

"Just fine, Oneesama." Sakura answered. "And you and Chii?"

"Chii and Freya have been just fine." the other Chobits twin said.

Sakura giggled. "That's good." She turned to her parents. "But I think there's something you need to hear first."

The four looked at her as if she had grown two heads.

Sakura's giggles filled the room again. "Daijōbu!" she said. "It's nothing really bad. Appa and Eomma just have to give their blessings."

The four exchanged glances. Whatever on earth was Sakura talking about?

✿。.:**:.。✿

"Nani? Kon'in?" Chitose asked.

"Hai, Okaasan…" Kagome said, unable to meet her mother's eyes.

Ichiro cleared his throat, still recovering from the shock. "Kagome and—Inuyasha, was it?"

"Hai." Inuyasha answered.

"Are you two sure about this? Marriage isn't a small matter. It's a very big one. You two need to be ready for the commitment."

"Otousan," Kagome said. "I promise you it won't end in a divorce. You have my word."

"I'm not worried about that," Ichiro explained. "This man used to be your cousin's boyfriend. You can see where this is going, no?"

Kagome had nothing to say on that matter.

✿。.:**:.。✿

Sakura paced around the living room, biting her finger, while Kikyo fidgeted in her seat.

"Oh, quit it, you two." Ryoma said. "Whether or not Daibo and Daifu give Kagome and Inuyasha their blessings, it won't help it if you two fret so much."

The two cousins just glared at the boy for making such a comment before returning to what they were doing.

"Why is it taking so long?" Kikyo asked.

"You don't think my parents—"

"Oh, Sakura, please stop worrying." C.C. said. "If Kagome doesn't get their blessings, it's not your fault. Sooner or later, they would have found out Inuyasha used to be Kikyo's boyfriend. It's better to let the skeletons out of the closet before they are discovered."

"Right…" But still, if I hadn't told Eomma about that, would this have been easier for Kagome?

It was then that Kagome and Inuyasha came out of the room.

"How did it go?" Kikyo asked, standing from her seat.

They didn't answer.

Sakura walked up to her adopted sister, holding her hands. "Kagome . . . naze anata wa nai teiru no desu ka?" she asked.

The girl wiped away her tears. "Naka . . . naide hai rarenai…"

"Why?" C.C. asked. "Did our parents not accept your marriage?"

Kagome didn't answer. She just continued to wipe away her tears.

Sakuno gasped. (A/N: I didn't make a spelling error there. Sakuno is Ryoma's girlfriend, just in case you were wondering.)

"Daijōbu, Kagome." Kikyo said. "I'll go talk to them. I'll make sure they—"

But Kagome grabbed Kikyo's arm before she could walk out of the room. "That won't be necessary, Kikyo…"

"But Kagome…"

"Girls, you better get your bridesmaid dresses ready."

Everyone just looked at Kagome funny. What was she saying? Was she giving up so early?

"We're going to have a wedding!"

And soon, the room was filled with squeals and congratulations.

"I'm so happy for you, Kagome!" Sakura yelled.

"Aigu!" Chitose came into the room then, followed by her husband. "Must you all make so much noise? It's nothing to get so worked up about."

Sakura hugged her mother. "Gomawoyo, Eomma!"

"Aigu… It's not like you're the one getting married." Chitose said. "Besides, you guys already had everything planned out. How could I let all of your troubles go to waste?"

Ichiro chuckled. "Stop making excuses, Lao-bo… I know you must be happy, too. I still remember when Kagome was such a small girl… That was years ago, but it still feels like yesterday."

"Yes… Yes, it does…" Chitose said, wiping away a tear that had rolled down her face and stroking Sakura's hand. Even if she had so many adopted children, Sakura was her most precious. Even though it was Kagome was the one getting married, Chitose's first thought was always her pink-haired girl.

"So!" Sakura said. "When's the wedding?"

✿。.:**:.。✿

Sakura couldn't help but smile. Her family reunion was tomorrow, and Kagome's wedding would be the day after. Not to mention, Hinata's pregnancy was behind them now, and Sasuke was back in Konoha… Oh, my… It would seem like this month was a time of happiness for the kunoichi.

"Could you stop your giggling?"

Sakura sat up, still smiling. "Well, sorry! But it's not every day when I hear my sister is getting married in two days… I'm just so happy!"

"Yeah, I could tell that just from the look on your face."

"Sasuke-kun, stop cramping my mood! It's not nice, you know!"

The Uchiha just smirked. "So," he said, "When are you going to introduce me to your parents?"

Sakura's smile disappeared, being replaced by confusion. "What . . . what do you mean? They already know you…"

"I mean, when are you going to introduce me as your boyfriend?"

Sakura's eyes widened, and her face turned horribly red. "W-w-well . . . that . . . I . . . I . . . I haven't figured it out yet."

"How about tomorrow?"

"What? At the reunion? But . . . I . . ."

Sasuke's smirk seemed to have grown. "Don't worry. I'm not going to put the spotlight on you. You already have to perform a few songs for your relatives. I won't put any extra pressure on you."

Sakura smiled and hugged the Uchiha. "Arigato, Sasuke-kun!"

"So . . . what are you going to be performing?"

"Oh, just a few songs and a few dances here and there… Nothing much, really…"

"Well, you do know that all of Konoha 11 is going to be watching, right? And that Tsunade is going to be recording it?"

"I . . . I . . . that—" Sakura stammered, unable to find the correct words.

The Uchiha kissed her on the forehead. "Don't worry, you'll do fine."

"Do you really think so?"

"Yes, that's why I'm leaving early so that you can get an early rest."

"Sasuke-kun!"

✿。.:**:.。✿

Knock! Knock!

"Come in."

The door opened then closed.

"C.C.? What is it? Is something wrong?"

"Eomma…" C.C. sat on the bed. "Nadeshiko . . . she's sent her elite guards to Konoha."

Chitose's eyes widened, and she trembled. "Mwa-rago?"

"They came today, and they've already seen Sakura. Eomma, what is that woman up to?"

Chitose shook her head. "I don't know… I don't know…"

"I want my daughter back, Chitose…"

She almost fell backwards if C.C. hadn't caught her. "Eomma!"

"She . . . she wants to take Sakura back!" Chitose gasped.

"WHAT?" C.C. almost shrieked. "Oh, Kami-sama… Are you sure about this?"

Chitose didn't say anymore on the matter. "C.C., you need to promise me… Promise me you won't let your sister know about this… She can't know about that woman…"

"Eomma!" C.C. was in tears. She hated seeing Chitose like this.

"Promise me!" Chitose pleaded. "Sakura can't know about Nadeshiko! If she does, I'm afraid she'll be hurt… I don't want to see that, C.C.! You need to promise me that you'll protect her, C.C.!"

"Eomma…"

"I won't give Sakura to that woman! I just won't let that happen! Sakura's my daughter! I won't let her feel that kind of pain ever again!"

And outside of the window, Sasuke had seen enough. Just exactly who was this Nadeshiko person?


Aigu = damn; ah; my god (Korean)

Daibo = godmother

Daifu = godfather

Eomeoni = Mother (Korean)

Eonni = older sister (Korean)

Gomawoyo = thanks (Korean)

Kon'in = marriage

Mwo-rago = what (Korean)

Naka naide hai rarenai = I can't help but cry

Naze anata wa nai teiru no desuka = why are you crying?

Okaasan = mother

Oneesama = older sister

Waegurae = what's wrong; why; what's the matter; what are you doing? (Korean)

Ye = Yes (Korean)

Whew, it's done, but it's really short, isn't it? I'm so sorry, peoples! I'm going to do better on the next chapter! I promise! And I'd like to take this time to promote my oneshots.

Always with you: In which, fate plays its hand and Sasuke and Sakura need to part once more. This is somewhat based on the ending of Spirited Away. My sisters think it's good, but I want to hear you guys' opinions on it, 'kay?

APPEARS: In which, Hinata sees Naruto all alone at the ramen stand. A NaruHina fanfic with major SasuSaku and minor Saino and ShikaTema, 'kay? I already have a few reviews on that one, but I want to get more.

Momentum: In which, Calcifer's days have gotten tedious. A fanfic after the plot of Howl's Moving Castle. I tried to make it as funny as possible, but I also tried to keep it as if the author had wrote it. Please tell me what you think of it!

Real Emotion: In which, Yubaba's true feelings are shown. This is truly the shortest thing you'll ever read on this website. My sisters had actually come up with the idea, I just expanded it.

Unable to Stay, Unwilling to Leave: In which, the title tells you how Chihiro feels. This is just something I wrote about the ending of Spirited Away. It's a bit sad…

Thank you, you guys! I hope those oneshots will keep you busy until my next chapter!


POLLS!

Okay, here's the thing. My sisters were watching Spirited Away again and realized that they loved the couple Chihiro and Haku, and now they want me to put Chihiro and Haku into this fanfic. Would you guys like that?