Note: Sorry that this is like, almost 12 hours later than I usually publish. I was reading and fell asleep just before 11:30. Anywho, I love Mikoto. She's great.
Itachi started walking towards his house, then stopped, turning back to look at Sakura, who was not following him like he thought. Instead, she was staring at the trees in the direction of her house.
"I have to tell my parents. They'll worry if I'm not home before dark." She frowned and Itachi sulked a bit.
"Don't worry Sakura, I can take you home so you can ask, then take you to Itachi's if you want." Shisui smiled at her before patting Itachi on the head. "So can you tell Auntie Mikoto she'll be having guests over?"
Itachi grinned, batting away Shisui's hand with his own. He began to make his way to his house, then stopped, turning towards Shisui in an almost accusing way. "Guests? Shisui, are you trying to stay for dinner again?"
He put his hands up, "You got me, Itachi, I can't stay away. Your mom's cooking is just too good." Itachi's blank look made his smile widen before he turned to Sakura. "So, what do you say squirt, dinner at Itachi's?"
And that's how Sakura ended up leading an Uchiha boy to her parents house under the darkening sky. She leapt from the rooftops, chakra preventing her from damaging her legs and falling. Shisui ran beside her, watching as the girl made minute adjustments to her chakra exertion with every jump, ensuring her safe landing. The sheer control she would need over her chakra to do such a feat, it was impressive, especially for a six year old.
When she stopped abruptly, it was only Shisui's quick reflexes that prevented him from running into her. She jumped down from the roof, landing quietly on the street below. Shisui followed, confused, as she wove her way through the alleys and backstreets.
"We're here." She stopped in front of a small house, civilian in appearance, complete with window gardens and floral blinds.
She lead him to the back, stripping herself of her weapons and stashing them behind a flowerpot. Shisui waited for an explanation.
"My dad doesn't like shinobi. I know that he agreed put me in the academy to humor me and my mother, but he expects me to be a proper lady and marry rich when I'm older." She scrunched up her face. "As if. That'd be super boring."
She stepped into the house. Sighing in relief as she only felt the chakra signature of her mother. "Mother, I'm back." Mebuki appeared in an instant, taking in the appearance of her daughter, and the boy behind her.
"Sakura! Do you have any idea how late it is?" Sakura grimaced and pulled Shisui front and center.
"Mother, this is Shisui. His cousin invited me to dinner and I couldn't refuse. May I go?"
Mebuki scanned the boy, taking note of the Uchiha features that he possessed. "Very well. Be respectful to them."
"Thank you mother."
Shisui followed Sakura as she made her way to her room, grunting indignantly as he was shoved head first through the doorway before she shut it quickly.
"Father. How are you?" Shisui heard the shuffling of feet as she walked towards the front of the house again.
"Fine." Heavier footsteps made their way to the back of the house. "Tell your mother to bring me something to eat."
"Yes, father." A door shut and Sakura made her way back to her room and the ever so patient Shisui.
"Well, he seems nice."
"He's better drunk."
"Should you tell your mother?"
"She probably heard." Sakura nodded towards the window. "After you?"
The pair jumped out the window, and Shisui took the lead, guiding Sakura to the outskirts of the Uchiha Compound. Inside, the streets bustled with life, despite the late hour, and several small children ran about, tripping people up as they sprinted by. It was like a second village hidden in konoha, and it was beautiful. She was lead to the front of a large, well maintained, house.
As if she had sensed their arrival -and by all means she probably did- Mikoto Uchiha opened the door.
"Hey Auntie!" Shisui smiled at the black haired woman.
"Shisui! It's good to see you again." She looked down at Sakura. "And you must be Sakura! Come in, dinner will be ready soon."
Sakura took a step outside, following the two Uchihas into the house, placing her sandals next to the others that lined the entryway. Mikoto left to the kitchen, so Sakura followed Shisui to the dining room, where he pulled up a chair and gestured for her to sit down. When she did, he got up to head to the kitchen.
"Can I assume you are going to stay for dinner?" Mikoto said, tending to a pot on the stove.
"Yep!"
"Honestly Shisui, you should have dinner with your family more."
"What can I say Auntie, your food is the best."
Several minutes passed, and someone entered the dining room. Sakura flickered her gaze to the man who had entered, watching as she took in her presence with slight disapproval. She shifted awkwardly before saying a quiet 'hello'. The only acknowledgement she got was a slight nod and a quiet grunt. Thankfully, Mikoto entered the room, followed by Itachi and Shisui, carrying various dishes of food.
Mikoto sat across from Sakura, Itachi taking up the seat next to his mother and Shisui across from him. They all mumbled a small prayer before taking up their chopsticks and digging into the meal. Fugaku was silent as Shisui talked about the various things he and Itachi had done. Mikoto laughed at her eldest son, before turning to Sakura.
"So, Sakura, how is dinner?"
"It's delicious!" She said, swallowing the bite she had just taken.
"That's great. I was worried letting Shisui help cook might ruin at least part of the meal."
Sakura laughed quietly as Shisui gave her a look of betrayal.
"You said my food was amazing." He shot out accusingly, staring at Itachi.
"I said it was amazing that you could make food."
Sakura broke out laughing, and suddenly, she didn't feel so awkward sitting at a table with the Uchiha clan head staring her down. Without the awkwardness about her, dinner seemed to pass on by much faster. In what seemed like moments, but was probably more than half an hour, plates were empty, and Mikoto began to grab dishes to take to the kitchen. Sakura grabbed her own, and followed dutifully after, ducking into the kitchen and making her way to the kitchen.
"Oh Sakura, you didn't have to do that dear, you're the guest." Sakura shrugged.
"It's no trouble. Besides, it's always nice to have a hand in these kinds of things." Sakura stuck her dishes into the sink, moving to get the sponge.
"Now none of that." Mikoto brushed her hand away. "You are a guest." With those words, Fugaku made his way into the kitchen, holding the rest of the dishes from the table. This, Sakura noted, was the time for her to leave.
She thanked Mikoto and Fugaku before heading towards the entryway, where Shisui sat with Itachi, pulling their shoes on. Once Sakura had done the same, Shisui called out a goodbye, and motioned for Sakura to follow him out the door.
After a good 10 minutes, they were at Sakura's house. She waved them a goodbye, gave Itachi a quick thank you, and jumped on the roof and out of sight. The Uchiha boys waited a few moments before she appeared again, holding her weapon pouch in her hand.
"I'll see you tomorrow. Same place?"
"Yeah! Goodnight Sakura!" Shisui called, watching as she slipped into the open window of her room with a practiced grace.
"I like her. She needs to come over more often."
Fugaku stared at his wife in confusion.
"Oh don't be like that." She pointed the soapy knife at her husband. "You know I'm right."
At his nod, she turned back towards the sink, plotting.
