Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.

AN: Thank you very much for the follows, favorites and especially the you for reading and your continuous support to my story. I have no experience with babies or any type of babysitting. Information pertaining to such is from google or other fanfic

"Speech"
'Thoughts'

Chapter 7: Morning with Ino Yamanaka

—oOo—

Itachi's POV

—oOo—

"Sakura is not my ex-girlfriend and I don't know how it was an issue." Sasuke said

"We don't keep secrets to each other. I thought that you'll trust me with the information about your girlfriend." He replied.

"I trust you and I would tell you if she really was my girlfriend. Where did you hear about it? I thought you're above village gossips." Sasuke refuted.

"Are you sure she's never been your girlfriend even years ago? Ino told me that she saw and heard the both of you. She even saw the both of you in a date." He asked.

"You believed in Ino more than your brother." Sasuke answered with trace of hurt in the revelation.

"Not really but there's something with the way she told me. She really believed that you were dating Sakura. You never denied about the date nor answered if she's been your girlfriend years ago." He explained his reasoning.

"I did not take…" Sasuke paused as if remembering something. "I think I understand what happened." Sasuke said.

"Then start explaining and enlighten me." He demanded.

"I'm beginning to see Ino's influence in you. You're becoming bossy." Sasuke teased.

"I'm not bossy and stop stalling and explain." He contested.

"It's 2 or 3 years ago and Mother was on her matchmaking ways. I asked Sakura to pretend to be my girlfriend. She knows it was a pretend relationship and to convince Mother we did go to a few dates that we knew Mother can spot us. I guess Ino was nearby when I introduced Sakura to Mother and that probably explained why she was distant whenever Mother forced a date between us. She's not interested with her bestfriend's ex-boyfriend." Sasuke said.

"I think it was more than that. She believed that you toy with her bestfriend's heart since you probably stop the pretend dating within a month thus no one took notice since Sakura is also your teammate." He added.

"I also don't remember seeing much of Ino last 2 or 3 years ago. Did she tell you where she went? Since I clarified the ex-boyfriend news, I would like to know since when did you become good friends with her? You don't really have the same circle of friends." Sasuke said.

"No need to be threatened Sasuke; I won't steal Itachi from you." Ino said.

"Eavesdropping is unbecoming of a lady Ino." He chastised Ino.

"Hush Itachi, I did not mean to eavesdrop. I can hear you from the hallway then I heard Sasuke's explanation on his pretend relationship with Sakura." Ino replied.

"So when did you become good friends?" Sasuke asked.

"It's around the time he returned from Suna." Ino answered.

"Seeing as you've pretty much heard everything in our conversation, would you mind telling me where you've been 2 or 3 years ago?" Sasuke asked.

"I was in Suna for a year. Now if the both of you are done with your questions and gossiping I'll just give Boruto another feeding." Ino replied.

—oOo—

He was greeted by melodious singing in the kitchen when he woke up. Hearing the voice of a girl, he deduced that it was Ino. 'She's probably preparing breakfast.'

"We're done making breakfast Boruto. Who should we wake up first? Sasuke or Itachi?" Ino asked Boruto.

Boruto gurgled when Ino mentioned Sasuke

"I agree with you. Itachi probably had a rough night sleeping in the sofa. Let's wake up Sasuke." Ino said.

—oOo—

Ino entered the guest bedroom and placed Boruto on the other side of the bed. She began shaking Sasuke to wake him up.

"Sasuke… Sasuke… Sasuke… Wake up Sasuke." Ino continuously repeated.

Ino still continued her shaking and calling Sasuke until an arm draped in her waist and brought her in the bed with Sasuke. A reverberating slap echoed in the house.

"What the hell Ino." Sasuke cursed.

Another slap was heard

"Stop hurting me abusive woman." Sasuke said.

"I'm not abusive. You both deserve those slaps. The first one is for *mumble* embracing *mumble* and dragging me in the bed and the second is for cursing in front of Boruto." Ino sniffed.

"A mild shove would have been enough." Sasuke grumbled.

—oOo—

Ino went to the living room with Boruto. She stood near him.

"I'm pretty sure you were awakened by the commotion earlier Itachi stop feigning sleep." Ino said.

He made no reaction.

"Shikamaru is my teammate. I know when someone is feigning sleep. You'll get the morning greeting that Sasuke received if you don't get up." Ino continued.

"I knew you are attracted to me but there is no need to steal hugs when I'm sleeping. I'll give you one for free." He teased.

"Keep talking and you'll join Sasuke on the rosy cheeks club and it's not because he's blushing." Ino warned.

"Forgive me Ino but you should not set violence as an example for Boruto." He smirked knowing she can't argue with that.

"Let's just have breakfast." Ino said.

—oOo—

The three of them are seated in the dining room. There're cabbage salad, fruits, milk and mixed fruit juice prepared in the table. He and Ino began serving themselves their breakfast.

"I'm a man." Sasuke said.

"No one is saying otherwise but if you're having sexual orientation crisis, kindly discuss it elsewhere and not at the dining table." Ino advised.

"I'm not having a sexual orientation crisis. I'm confident with my masculinity." Sasuke said.

"Denial is the first symptom of one experiencing the crisis." Ino pointed out.

"You're infuriating. I'm not gay. I only meant to say that I am human." Sasuke replied.

"Now you're wondering what specie you are. It's not healthy Sasuke." Ino said with mock concern.

"I know that I am human. I'm emphasizing it because everything for breakfast is either leafy or fruits." Sasuke said exasperated.

'I should invite Ino for breakfast with Sasuke more often. They are entertaining to watch. This cabbage salad is so good.'

"There's nothing wrong with cabbage salad and fruits. They are not poisoned. Look at Itachi" Ino said while motioning her head towards him. "He's enjoying his breakfast like a true human should. You're annoying in the morning Sasuke. I think I need my tomatoes to cheer me up." Ino continued.

Ino left the dining area to get a bowl of cherry tomatoes. Sasuke seemingly understood that Ino will continue to annoy him if he did not eat the breakfast she prepared served himself a healthy portion of the cabbage salad.

'She looks cute in my clothes.'

They continued to enjoy their meal when a smack was heard in the table.

"What did I do now?" Sasuke complained.

"Stop eating my cherry tomatoes. Get your own. These are mine." Ino said while placing the bowl of cherry tomatoes to the side farthest away from Sasuke.

"Don't be stingy and those are Itachi's tomatoes. Seeing as I am his brother, I have more ownership rights for those tomatoes." Sasuke declared.

"I'm not being stingy. You already ate 7 cherry tomatoes from my bowl. I've been counting. Itachi is not like you. He will share his cherry tomatoes to his good friend right Itachi." Ino said while urging him with her eyes to agree with her.

He laughed. He'll definitely invite Ino for another breakfast with Sasuke.

"Don't be lazy Sasuke. Ino helped you with Boruto and made us breakfast. The least you can do is spare her cherry tomatoes." He decided.

"Thank you Itachi." Ino smiled brightly as she relished her cherry tomatoes.

"Hn" Sasuke grunted while leaving the table to get his own cherry tomatoes.

—oOo—

After eating breakfast and cleaning the apartment, He started to prepare for the day. When he returned at the living room, he could not see any trace of Ino and Boruto. As if reading his mind Sasuke told him that Ino took Boruto to her apartment and she'll be back after lunch.

—oOo—

He was reading The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi that Shisui lent him. He liked the protagonist. He now understood the reason of the Fourth Hokage in naming his son. Don't get him wrong. He adored the Fourth Hokage but Fish cake is not really an intimidating name for a shinobi nor was weasel.

"Are you dating someone?" Sasuke asked.

"I'm still single Sasuke. Why did you ask?" He questioned.

"Mother is not pestering you. After seeing you with Ino, it made me wonder if you already have someone." Sasuke explained.

"I am not dating someone but I am interested in one." He shared.

"I think you should inform Mother about your interest in Ino. It would stop her from scheduling surprise dates between Ino and I." Sasuke said.

"Ino's not that bad but I'm not talking about Ino. It's someone else." He explained.

"You do know that girls are complicated creatures. Your special one might get the wrong idea." Sasuke commented.

"She won't. Now stop finding ways that you can use me to stop Mother in setting you up." He said.

"Hn" Sasuke grunted.

He continued reading the book.

—oOo—

Ino returned with Boruto and a bento.

"Thank you for the onigiri Ino." He said.

"Hn" Sasuke grunted as he took an onigiri from the bento.

"I was thinking that at last you can finally talk but then you dashed my faith in miracles just by being you." Ino said to Sasuke.

Before Sasuke can retaliate, an incessant knocking was heard. When he opened the door, he was greeted by an orange blur who rushed to Ino.

"Boruto I miss you. I have lots of gifts for you." Naruto said as he snatched Boruto from Ino. "I bought you a mobile that produces flowing water sound which I think will relax you, a limited edition Yugakure plushy which I think you will find cute, a onesie with hot spring logo…" Naruto continued to ramble but Hinata interrupted him.

"You should thank the people who look after Boruto before you barged in. Also you can save explaining your gifts to Boruto at home." Hinata said to Naruto. "I apologize for our sudden intrusion Itachi-san and thank you for looking after him." Hinata continued as she bowed towards them.

"It's fine Hinata-san." He answered.

Naruto made 10 clones to help in moving the baby furniture and to pack Boruto's things.

"Sorry for barging as soon as you opened the door Itachi and thanks for looking after Boruto." Naruto said after he calmed down from missing his son.

"I did not do much in looking after Boruto. Ino-san did most of the work. Boruto seems to be attached to her." He replied.

"Thank you Ino." Naruto addressed Ino.

"You're welcome Naruto." Ino replied.

His mother and Aunt Kushina arrived when Naruto was finishing collecting Boruto's things. After some exchanging of pleasantries and gratitude, Mother began distributing gifts for us. After finishing the tale of Naruto's enthusiasm to see Boruto, everyone left to return to their homes.

—oOo—

AN: Hope you like the story. I would love to hear your thoughts on the story.