Disclaimer: i do not own Naruto are any of its characters, just the plot. And the OC's.
Title: Bearing an Hourglass Author:fourthfireshadow
Language:English Form:Multi-Chaptered Genre:Romance/Adventue Rating:T Warning:swearing and lemons(later chapters) Pairing: Sakura Haruno/Sasuke Uchiha, Kushina Uzumaki/Minato Namikaze
Summary: What would you do if you found out you are one of the only two people exclusively chosen to trade your existing time line for another one to fix past mistakes, so that the entire fate of the ninja word effectively lies on your shoulders in just a single minute? That's what Sakura and Sasuke have to figure out.
Dedicated to: Chiruka Nyght elf, Mystery Day Dreamer, treavellergirl, Darth Lelouch, Anon, angel897, Freefan1412, Opalalchemy ,jcbat21, littlepocky, BethZ, beast, guest, tikaorangefan, the-clumsy-one, The Golden Lilys Secret, guest, damn, guest, SasuSaku Fan, Koya, Xoxo, Black Mirror, cloudless-sky926, guest, Princess Ren, experiment15, Foxy3000Kitty, LeAvE FiRe, Bad-Kitty-Kill—for all your wonderful, awesome, fantastical reviews!
As for the poll, right now it is—Kushina-15, Sakura-10—so, last chapter for the voting. Im keeping the voting on for this chapter too so please tell me who you'd like to see as the Kyuubi's jinchuuriki!
Bearing an Hourglass
by fourthfireshadow
Chapter 4-A Timeline settled
"Ugh..."
"Don't be so lazy. Get up, child!"
"Ugh..."
"Up."
It's not that easy, you old hag.
"It's not that easy, you old hag!"
Wow. I am starting to think like Kushina. That's not good.
"Does it seem like I care, exactly? No. So up."
Sakura glared balefully at her tormentor. Even if the face was all wrinkly and deceiving, the glinting grey eyes spoke volumes. Mito Uzumaki was a sadistic slave driver, that much she was absolutely sure of. It's funny how much history edits things out.
She also finally learnt from where Tsunade's psychotic tendencies came from.
Groaning slightly, Sakura pushed herself up, her limbs aching all the way in protest. She grimaced at the third degree burns littering her pale skin. It truly was cruel to subject an eight year old to such forms of torment. She supposed she could look at the positive of this, but she simply didn't want to. It was too much, even for her. Both Kushina and herself were running on pure willpower alone.
"Focus! Focus on the chakra seals. Even the smallest of seals should be sniffed out by seal masters. The slightest overlooking would prove to be fatal. Or insignificant. It's all really a play of chance." Mito said wisely, the sadistic pleasure not really seen but evident from the quirk of her lips.
"Tch."
Mito Uzumaki was an enigma to her. While she did see some traits of Kushina and Naruto in her, most of it was different. Maybe it was her age, maybe it was her true personality. She didn't really know. She hated that.
The first time Sakura had had the pleasure to meet her was when the old lady scared the living crap out of her and Kushina by sitting in the dark, unannounced, in their apartment. Mito said she was only waiting for them, but Sakura suspected the old lady somewhat wanted to instil fear in them.
Were all Uzumaki's such pranksters? She just had to wonder.
She distinctly remembered being awestruck in that encounter, however bad the first impression had been. It was Mito Uzumaki in the flesh! The first Lady! A Legend!
Suffice to say, that impression certainly didn't last very long.
After finding out the woman was a blood relative, Kushina had literally run into her arms. Since then, both of them had been making regular trips to the Hokage tower to meet with her. Suddenly, she had taken them both under her wing to teach them the Uzumaki clan techniques. It was rushed and fast, but the decision had been made, and from the next day at 6:00 am sharp, hell had begun.
But Sakura couldn't deny that the training was useful. There were many small intricacies or minute loops and twists that she had been missing in fuuinjutsu from the beginning—Her speed wasn't adequate, her brush strokes weren't precise, her timing was never right. But slowly, day by day, she was improving. It was making a difference. She could feel it singing in her blood, the anticipation tingling under her skin. She really couldn't wait to try these moves in a real battle, but according to Mito, that battle wouldn't be for a very long time considering her timing and control still needed a lot of work.
Of course, along with all the appreciation also came the suspicion.
Why would the Shodai's wife want to take them both under her wing, just like that? Sakura whole-heartedly believed that Mito wanted to pass on the techniques to the future generation, but she was sure there was something more. She did have a foreboding feeling about all this though. Something relating to a certain nine-tailed fox.
But what?
.
.
.
"—and then the ground goes boom! But I'm smart, so I narrowly dodge it by jumping to the side and then ka-boom! Another one! That time, it caught me a little in the leg but then i do my super awesome high jump a d release my focal chakra to disrupt the flow and then—"
Sigh. "When will your sister be out, exactly?" Sasuke grumbles, interrupting the animated one-sided, mostly exaggerated conversation about the Uzumaki's training session. Doesn't the redhead need air, for Kami's sake?
Minato's internal alarm rings as he spots the tell-tale sign of Kushina's explosion. "Uh, he doesn't mean it like that, Kushina! You know how he is, grouchy and all..."
Kushina huffs loudly as she crosses her arms and looks away from the boys, "Whatever. Just because he doesn't have any cool stories himself..."
"I have no interest in boring people with fake bedtime stories anyway—"
"Shut up, teme! It's not a bedtime story, it's true!"
"Right. And by the way, learn how a full stop works. Though I'm not sure you even know what it is."
"Okay, that's it! I've had it with you and your chicken hair!"
"As if you can talk, tomato."
Minato glances from one to another, in half nervousness and half exasperation, not sure if he should intrude or not. He didn't know what it was about them that just made their personalities clash, but right from their first meeting, it had always been like this. But oddly, this was how they were. This was how their tentative friendship—if it could even be called that—worked. Sometimes, more often than not, it was just better to duke it out until they run out of comebacks. He rolled his blue eyes upwards; where was Sakura when you need her?
Minato turns at a tap on his shoulder and sighs in relief to see the girl in question. Sakura raises an eyebrow in the squabbling pair's direction. "How longs this been going on now?"
"From the moment we got here." Minato says, annoyance practically dripping from each word. Sakura's green eyes snap to the blond as her lips twist in sympathy. At least she had had time to get used to petty arguments like these between Naruto and Sasuke; this was all new for poor Minato, and he was too nice, too kind to even do anything about it.
Fortunately, she wasn't.
Minato followed Sakura, picking up his school bag in the process and winced when Sakura slapped the backs of both their heads on her way to the door without looking back.
"You two idiots better stop or else you both can walk together to the academy." Sakura called out before stepping out the door. She smiled as the bright rays warmed her face, before continuing on her pace.
"But Sakura-chan! Why do we even hang out with this guy—!" Kushina whines as she ran to catch up to her sister.
"This is what I get after waiting for her for hours...annoying." Sasuke mumbles, a scowl forming as he stuffs his hands in his pockets and follows at a more sedate pace, falling in step with the blond boy.
Minato shakes his head, an amused smile curling at his lips, "it wasn't hours though..."
"Hn. I said felt...," he mutters petulantly.
Minato really wants to laugh, knowing the pink-haired girl always brought out sides in his grouchy friend that he never even knew about. He clears his throat, "Right..."
Sasuke glared. Somehow, he knew the blond was mocking him. But that was the hardest thing with Minato; you just never knew when he was. The boy was just so kind to everyone, that no one realizes whenever he's ever mocking anyone. Maybe that was his plan—kill with kindness. It seems to work in his favour.
Was that better than straight-forward mocking, which was more his style?
Sasuke tried to imagine how it'd be if he ever talked to anyone kindly. He scowled at the mental image. Nope, he was better off with his glare. Rolling his eyes, he set his sights on Sakura.
He still remembered how surprised he had been when he's seen Sakura waiting with the redhead outside the Uchiha compound on one morning. They had not talked, nor even approached each other after their spar for a few days, even though he did want to. He just didn't know how to go about it. She took the first step waiting for him so that they could walk to the academy together. It was awkward, and the walk was full of tension and the redhead's constant chatter didn't really help matters much. But it had effectively started to thaw the ice between them.
Since then, it had become a sort of a ritual to walk together to the academy, all four of them.
He still didn't know what to make of her behaviour. She wasn't the most friendly, nor was she the most distant. She was somewhere in the middle, somewhat lukewarm. Unfortunately, it just made him feel as they both were floating in limbo, a never ending space he didn't know how to get out of.
He was loathe to admit it, but sometimes he felt a bit unnerved at this new Sakura. Of course, he was not so naive to think of her to be the same as she was all those years ago, but there was still that selfish part of him active, that wanted a glimpse of the old, familiar girl he used to be annoyed with. He didn't look at the world through rose tinted glasses to believe that coming back in the war would make everything better. But still...
It would've made thing a lot easier.
They had a lot to talk about. Many grounds to cover, a lot of truths to reveal. Sasuke knew that if they didn't do it soon, it would just explode out of them, making them say things they don't necessarily mean. However, how could he when it was just so difficult to.
"Hey slowpoke! You coming or you gonna get lost in your dream world again?" Sakura called out, looking back at him with a hint of a teasing smile on her face.
His eyes snapped to hers, a little too proud to acknowledge that he was immersed in his thoughts, before a small smirk appeared as he picked his pace.
Maybe the road to forgiveness doesn't have to be that hard.
.
.
.
Kushina quietly walked away from the scurrying crowd of children as they excitedly chattered about their day and their assignments, the sounds of happy laughter and gleeful shrieks filling the air. Right now, Kushina wasn't really looking forward to the rest of her days here. At least, not with the kind of day she had. She hurried over to the lone swing under the large tree, it was the perfect spot for a little alone time.
She thought that maybe the teasing and the bullying would stop after the first few days, so she had patiently—or not so patiently—waited for it to go away.
But it hadn't. It'd only persisted. Moreover, there was only so much Sakura could do for her, but for some reason, she always stopped herself from lashing out. She didn't know why she was the butt of all their jokes, and it was making her far more recluse than she liked. She didn't need to deal with this so soon after...!
She shut her eyes tightly, not wanting the tell-tale sting in her eyes to progress into tears. She was stronger than that! She's never this weak, was she...?
"Hey..."
Her eyes instantly opened to see flaky boy in front of her with a face that looked pretty much like pity to her. She could feel a petty scowl forming on her face as she looked away from him.
"...You okay?"
"Of course I'm okay! Why wouldn't I be okay?! I'm super okay!" Kushina snapped, feeling the tears emerging again. She was pretty sure her cheeks were glowing red from the restraint it took to keep them at bay. Couldn't blondie see she wanted to be alone?
"Oh...," Minato mumbled, looking around awkwardly and stuffing his hands in his pockets. He really didn't know what to do in this situation, but he knew he had to try to see what was wrong when he saw her looking like she was about to cry.
But maybe she was fine. But then he caught sight of her glassy eyes and his own softened. He couldn't ever imagine how it was for her—the new girl who had just lost her home and the recipient of cruel teasing.
He didn't know why he felt such an irrational concern over this one particular girl. All he knew was she was his—albeit reluctant—friend.
"Wipe that look off your face."
Startled, Minato blinked twice before a confused expression wiped away his previous one, "E-Excuse me?"
"I said wipe that look off your face! I don't need anyone lookin' at me in pity! I'm not pitiful, got it?" Kushina yelled, before huffing loudly and glaring at him.
The blond looked genuinely surprised and a little bit offended at the hostile reaction from the redhead. What did he do that garnered such an effect? He hadn't even known he had a look of pity on his face. Clearly, this girl wouldn't take nicely to sympathy.
"I'm sorry...I didn't realize that I was..." he started genuinely before he was cut off.
"Save it." Kushina said curtly before crossing her arms and swinging lightly, going back to ignoring his presence. He clearly wasn't doing any good to her mood.
Minato sighed, taking a step back. Maybe it was better to leave her alone when she's in such a mood. He glanced back again, his blue eyes running over hunched figure, feeling as if he should say something before leaving.
"Kushina-san, just know that...you're not as alone as you'd like to think. A person is only as alone as they want to be." He gave a long look before leaving the shaded spot.
Kushina's eyes had widened at his words. She couldn't help but think he sounded so much older than he was. She felt as if the words did have an impact on her, and that maybe her opinion on flaky boy was somewhat changing. Her grip on the metal chains tightened as she closed her eyes against the breeze.
She hadn't noticed then that her cheeks had turned a distinct pink.
.
.
.
"So, sensei said my tai-jutsu's become better! But then he threatened to forbid me from buying ramen if my test scores don't come up." Kushina whined to the other three and pouted at the thought of not having ramen anymore. The four eight year old ninja-in-training were having lunch during break time, sitting under the shelter of a large oak tree by the edge of the academy's training grounds and sharing a home-made bento Sasuke had brought, even if he was reluctant to. That could be seen from the childish scowl on his face as the others stole his food. Food stealing idiots.
"So, pull up your test scores. What's the problem?" Minato asked, his eyes widening in confusion. After all, the solution was simple enough. Sasuke rolled his eyes. The solution was simple, but unfortunately, common sense wasn't the redhead's forte.
The redhead directed a death glare at the silent boy, somehow knowing he was making fun of her in his twisted little head, before looking at the blond, " I don't like studying." The obviously was added to the end of that sentence in everyone's head.
"Yeah. That is actually true. It's not that she won't study, it's just that she has the attention span of a six month old baby. Maybe even less." Sakura contributed to the conversation in between chewing on a piece of chikuwa, resembling a chipmunk with a stuffed mouth, "This is delicious, by the way."
"I wouldn't know, now would I?" Sasuke muttered under his breath.
"Yeah, well, not everybody can be like you, know-it-all! You just have to look at a page and it stays in your head, like your some kind of alien! Not all normal eight year olds are like that!" Kushina yelled, her face e red before looking at the boys as realisation dawned, "...actually, both of you are like that too! You know what, that settles it! You all are aliens an-and I need to go hang out with normal people right away!" she finished by crossing her arms, finally stopping her pacing.
"But you're not normal, so what's the use anyway?" Sasuke asked with a raised eyebrow, as if not understanding the concept of it.
"Oh, shut up!" Kushina groaned as she leaned back on the trunk of the tree and clutched her long hair in frustration, "What do I do?"
"...Fail? Like usual?" Sasuke said, already bored of this conversation. It wasn't any new news anyway.
Kushina glared as she felt her temper rising. "You know, I really want to punch—?!"
"Study group. We could help you study for the next test." Minato suddenly interrupted, but became a more quiet as everyone's eyes turned to him, "er, that is, if you all don't mind? And anyway, it won't only be for her benefit, we could all learn too."
Kushina turned her big doe eyes on Minato, who now looked a little bit flustered at the sudden attention, "Really Minato, you'd really do that for me?!"
He glanced sideways for a quick escape route, but unfortunately found no such thing. Minato glanced back at the girl who just looked so full of gratitude. He pulled at his jacket sleeve to concentrate on something else and to wish that she'd just move her face away. "...yeah, why not? We're all friends, and friends help other friends pass, right?"
Sakura watched the proceedings with amusement. She wondered why these both took so much time to get together in the previous timeline if this puppy love started as early as this. But then again, this could've have happened because of her and Sasuke. After all, it was only because she became close to Sasuke that they both talked properly.
Sakura snorted in amusement when Minato's face became as red as the hair of the girl who was now hugging him and squealing like a pig. "Okay, Kushina, let the poor boy breathe now. We still have to decide on whose house."
Kushina abruptly released him but the grin didn't falter. Sasuke raised a sceptic eyebrow at how the girl didn't even take note of the blonds' flustered appearance. He couldn't help the small amused smirk that appeared on his face; it seemed that the girl's going to be as obtuse as her son was. He looked at Sakura to answer her question, "We'll do it at my house." He knew she understood the implications of inviting her to his new home. She smiled.
She was finally going to meet his new family.
.
.
.
She had never ever seen these streets so full of life before.
Sakura really hoped the look of awe on her face was properly disguised; she didn't want to be looking like an idiot. Especially so since both Minato and Kushina looked all unaffected. Of course, they didn't really have a reason to be affected, after all, the Uchiha's were alive in their time—her current time.
Obviously, she had noticed the Uchiwa fans decorating the backs of some people in the market place or the small insignia stitched on the uniforms of the Uchiha police officers. But it was just a different setting for her. A setting so vastly different from the memory she had of this particular area of the village—there was no eerie silence, no invisible weight of the poor souls murdered, no imaginary stench of metallic blood in the cold air, none of that. All of that never existed, only the blurry memories remained.
Now that was replaced with the sounds of laughter, proud arrogant alive looks and gazes, noises going on in the background. It was filled with life.
Sakura sighed as she glanced around again. Her gaze finally fell on the eight year old Uchiha in front of her. She smiled faintly at the image; this was the exact situation she always hated. To always keep on watching his back, never side by side. But now, it wasn't because she was weak and he was strong. It wasn't because he was so close yet so far away. This time it was because he was willingly guiding her to understand him more. Not in the way that she'll never understand, but in the sense that normal friends get to know each other. And meeting his family, his new chance at redemption, was one step closer to achieving that.
She may never come close to understanding how Sasuke felt when all this was taken from him in a split second and how all of it was given back to him in another. Maybe she could start to accept the fact that she never would. But maybe she's getting another chance to.
"So, what d'you think grumpy's family's gonna be like, huh?" Kushina asked in a conspirational a-little-too-loud-whisper as she glanced around the Uchiha's looking at them suspiciously. Sakura glanced at her before shrugging. She honestly didn't know how they'd be. Would they be proud and arrogant? Or would they be kind and quiet? Maybe they'd be loud and rambunctious. Sakura internally laughed; wouldn't that be a sight to see.
She was aware of how odd this looked. Three children with distinctively odd hair colouring in between a sea of dark locks would be certain to catch attention, no matter how subtle they tried to be. And they weren't even trying to be at the moment.
She didn't exactly know what the rules were to enter into the Uchiha compound; could no name ninja-in training even enter the private grounds? Sure, it wasn't a problem now, since Sasuke was with them, but what about later when they're alone? Also, in this time-line, Sasuke was not the son of the head and according to him, he's not even kind of close to the head family. Could an Uchiha so down the hierarchical line bring outsiders inside?
Her mouth curved in distaste at the looks being directed at the three of them; she couldn't deny the condescending looks weren't getting to her. Even Kushina was trying to talk quietly, which for her meant reducing her voice decibel just a little bit, but even so it was something she only did when she was extremely uncomfortable. Minato's face was impassive and controlled, which Sakura found impressive on a eight year old that was not an Uchiha. But then again, he always was rather god at reading situations. And this was a situation where it was best to stay low, even if they can't really accomplish it. Her eyes met Minato's, both pair wide and irritated.
Were all Uchiha's such arrogant people? She didn't even know what they did to warrant such stares and looks. She could feel the distaste for these old conceited geezers growing.
"Hey grumpy, are we there yet? Cuz' these people are kinda freakin' me out here." Kushina said, nervousness lining her voice. Even Sakura's reassuring smile didn't exactly reassure her. She just wanted to get the heck out of this place and find somewhere to hide from the stares.
"Stop complaining. We're here."
Sakura couldn't stop the involuntary widening of eyes as she clearly saw Sasuke's house. It was simply...ordinary. Middle-class. Average. If her memory served her right, his house in the previous time-line was large, ostentatious with its size with its long corridors and high roofs. This one looked just like any other house that would line the streets. She realized his house was in the deeper part of the compound, a little bit farther inside.
Removing her sandals and placing it next it the others, she entered the house behind Kushina. The inside looked warm with the various photographs lining the walls and the splashes of colour—colours she'd have never associated with Sasuke—here and there, like the bright red carpet or the sunny yellow walls. The bamboo plant and the rice paper doors added life. Somehow, all this made the house look that much more comforting.
"Wow, you were actually really cute as a baby," Kushina said and then turned with a look of genuine bewilderment on her face, "...what happened?"
Sasuke rolled his eyes in annoyance, "I don't feel that comment important enough to even retort back."
Kushina snickered, "You got nothin'."
The soft noise of rushed footsteps was the only warning they got as a small bundle of smiles and enthusiasm crashed into Sasuke, latching onto him with affection. The bundle—which by now everyone realised was a small girl—looked up at Sasuke with large, dark doe eyes and a big delighted grin.
"Nii-chan! You're back! Are you free? Can you play now, huh? I was so bored, nii-chan and kaa-chan didn't allow me to go out and play and then I was sad but then—"
"Breath, Sayu, I'm not alone today." Sasuke interrupted the rambling girl in what most would perceive as his usual monotone voice, but Sakura—who practically knew all about the various facets of his tone—could see how his tone had become gentler. In fact, his whole posture had relaxed and if it wasn't the light playing tricks on her, she was certain it was a smile pulling at his lips.
"Wow...grumpy can actually smile...he's human..." Kushina stated, looking at the siblings in awe. That snapped the older Uchiha out of his bubble and made him glare at the redhead. Minato shook his head, but smiled in amusement. Trust Kushina to break up a once-in-a-blue moon occurrence.
The girl—Sayu—finally looked to the other occupants in the room but still didn't release the death grip she had on Sasuke's clothes. Curious eyes blinked twice before her head cocked to one side and a hesitant grin appeared on her face. "Um...hello."
"Hi there," Minato said, an easy smile on his face as he spoke to the clearly nervous girl, "My name's Minato, this is Kushina and the pink haired one's Sakura. What's your name?"
"...Sayuri." she said shyly, hiding a bit more behind her older brother.
"Kawaii!" Kushina squealed, "how can such a cutie be related to that teme over there?!"
"Don't say words like that in front of such small children, Kushina." Minato chastised, looking at her with annoyed blue eyes as he crossed his arms.
"Well, it's not like she'll know what it means! And anyway, i was just asking a truly confusing question, ttebane!"
Sakura ignored their argument and looked at the tiny girl who really did have tiny hints of Sasuke on her face. This girl was Sasuke's little sister in this world, and from the soft look in his eyes, she's starting to become aware how much this girl means to him. Maybe, he's finally realizing how Itachi felt about him all those years...
She walked towards the siblings and knelt down to Sayu's level, ignoring Sasuke's surprised look. She looked into the innocent doe dark brown eyes with a small teasing smile.
"You know, Kushina is somewhat right; it really is surprising how a girl as cute as you is related to a grump like your big brother." She said in a mock-serious face, poking her tongue out at the end.
Sayu giggled, her nose scrunching up cutely as she shook her head, "My brothers not a grump, he's the sweetest."
Sakura raised an eyebrow at that and grinned mischievously at the embarrassed flush and narrowed eyes on Sasuke's face, "Well, isn't that news to me," then looked at her and winked, "but then, maybe you're his weakness."
Sayu reached up to touch Sakura's hair, looking at the rosy strands in awe and childish fascination, "...How's your hair pink? And that girl's red? And that boy's gold? It's so cool."
"That's one of the mysteries of the world, Sayu-chan! Cool, huh? At least a normal Uchiha understands its coolness." Kushina jumped into the conversation, placing an elbow on Minato's shoulder and acting all high and mighty with a smug grin on her face.
Sasuke sneered in her direction, "Of course a four year olds the only one who's going to agree with you, seeing as your mental capacity is of one. Or is it less?"
Kushina growled, "Oh yeah?! Then you must be—"
"Ok-ay, I think it's time to go study, don't you?" Minato interrupted again—"Why do you always stop me from insulting him?! I'm not gonna say anythin' bad. Much."—and looked at Sasuke with a get-on-with-it face.
Sasuke sighed before looking at Sayu with an apologetic look, "Sorry, imouto. Maybe next time. I'm busy now."
"Oh...okay."
He frowned when he saw the dejected look on her face; he truly was sorry. He knew how it felt to be neglected by an older sibling, but he really didn't have a choice. He vowed to make it up to her. Sasuke internally shook his head in exasperation; he really was at his imouto's mercy.
"Tell you what Sayu, i promise you that right after we finish studying, all of us will play with you, whatever you want. What do you say?" Sakura asked, a smile playing on her lips.
"...really?" her voice was tinged with hope.
"Yeah! Of course, we'll play with ya, Sayu-chan! And when we play I'll prove to you that your brother's not so great. In fact, he's kind of a loser." Kushina said enthusiastically, a big grin on her face as she whispered the last part loudly.
"Not even in your dreams, tomato." Sasuke retorted with narrow eyes, his lips twitching.
Kushina's own eyes narrowed comically, "Yeah, we'll see wont we, grumpy?"
Minato rolled his eyes, "you guys will never actually get along will you?"
Kushina and Sasuke snorted before glaring at each other, "Never."
"At least you agree on something, even if it is on...not agreeing." Minato sighed.
.
.
.
She could practically feel the drool slipping from her lips at the sight before her. It looked like heaven—a very delicious, tasty bit of heaven.
Kushina hastily dragged her sleeve across her mouth, disgusted but not really surprised that there really was drool present. Her eyes widened in awe at the various dishes plattered on the table—onigiri, various sushi, Sashimi, Soba, Ramen and broth and so many others that it was practically impossible to choose.
But then again, she never planned to just eat one. Her hands were practically rubbing together in glee.
"Itadakimasu!"
She let out a squeal of pleasure; the food was yummy! When was the last time she ate such awesome food, other than from Ichiraku Ramen? She turned to the chef, grinning widely with her mouth full, "fis ish awshome, Mumha-shaaan!"
"Don't talk with your mouth full, Shina. But the food really is delicious, Mameha-san." Sakura chastised Kushina with a look of annoyance on her face before complimenting Sasuke's mother on the food.
Kushina made a face at Sakura—the resident miss priss, before digging in, stuffing whatever she grabs first into her mouth. She never realised she was this hungry, maybe the mock spar with Sasuke—which he undoubtedly won, that teme, showing off in front of Sayu-chan!—really did tire her out.
"Yes, Thank you for letting us stay for dinner, Mameha-san. We really appreciate it." Minato said courteously. Kushina rolled her eyes, sometimes Sakura and Minato both acted so old. Which kid actually talks that formally? And with such big words? Well, except for grumpy, but he's just a lost case.
"It's really no problem, " Mameha said, smiling kindly at the group of kids, "I'm just glad I'm finally meeting Sasuke's group of friends."
Uchiha Mameha was a truly beautiful woman, with long deep brown tresses, a perfect oval face and wide expressive dark blue, almost black eyes. She didn't look a day over thirty but in truth was almost thirty eight and from the moment she had seen them, she had been nothing but the kindest, most lovable host ever. She was truly one of the kindest people Kushina had met in Konoha. She just exuded a warm, loving, maternal vibe that instantly made all of them comfortable. She didn't seem like any of the Uchihas she'd seen outside. Thank Kami for that.
The rest of the dinner passes by smoothly, with everyone laughing and eating and teasing Sasuke, which was her favourite pastime. She didn't like to think of herself as vindictive, per say. However, she couldn't deny the strange pleasure she got when Sasuke blushed or squirmed with unease, glaring at anything in his way.
She smirked; all right, maybe just a little. The teme had it coming, calling her a tomato...
"Thank a lot for the food, Mameha-san! It really was amazing, ttebane!" Kushina said, waving gleefully, still thinking of the food. She wished she could eat some more, even if her belly looked oddly bloated like a ball...
"Hai. Thank you again." Minato also said with a smile although not as enthusiastically as the redhead, following Kushina out the door.
Mameha smiled at them, and even Sasuke didn't look so sulky. "I'll walk you guys out."
"I think I must thank you for including Sasuke in your activities. Sakura-chan, "The older woman said softly as Sakura, who was the last one to leave, stood at the doorway. The pinkette blinked at the woman.
"Sasuke has never wanted to make friends with anyone, inside or outside the clan, save for Minato-kun. But even then, he wasn't the boy he has been for the past few weeks. I'm glad both you and your sister are trying to be friends with him, even if he is...difficult," her smile is rueful as she says this, "it is nice to know he's making more friends his own age. He's starting to act his age more."
Sakura stares at her, wondering if the Uchiha mother feels like she shared a bit more than necessary, but she just smiles back warmly at her, if a little strained.
"It wasn't just me who included Sasuke, Mameha-san. And anyway, Kushina and I were the new people. If anything, he made me feel welcome." Sakura said haltingly, feeling a bit awkward at the gratitude flashing in her eyes. After all, she didn't really do anything to warrant that. "But don't worry, we'll never let go of Sasuke. He's gonna be stuck with us."
Mameha just smiles an amused smile and ruffles Sakura's hair before ushering her out and Sakura thinks maybe she like Sasuke's new mother in this timeline.
.
.
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