Chapter 6: Shopping With An Uchiha

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Claudette14

Evil-Chibi-Tiffy

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You guys got it right! and thanks for reviewing!

As for the rest, read to find out who! And I've answered your call people! I decided to include Sakura in this chapter (at last). I akways have trouble trying to involve Sakura in stories that I format like this because I usually lean toward focusing on how Sasuke is on romance. I know it's not much, but I hope this works for now! I'll try my best from now on to include Sakura in more, because she's vital to the SasuSaku romance too!

Okay, guys, just read in you're interested. Thanks!


"Oh come on, okaasan," Kimiko whined to her mother. "You gotta want something from us!"

Sakura sighed from her desk, scribbling the notes away on the various medical forms that lay before her. "Don't worry, Kimiko. I don't need much."

Her two children, Kimiko and Kenji, along with Naruto's daughter Nanako had visited her at work for that afternoon At first, Sakura was confused as it was rare for her kids (considering they were teenagers now) to visit her at work. Usually, Sousuke was always going on missions or Kimiko was always training or Kenji was wandering around the village.

Kimiko responded with a snort. "Demo, okaasan! Just ask us for it, and we'll get it! Niisan's got tons of money from his missions, so we don't have borrow from you guys! Besides, do you really think otousan actually has good things planned?"

"Of course he does," Sakura laughed warmly. "He just likes to surprise me-Ah, Kenji, don't touch those pills." Sakura immediately reached for the bottle and placed them at a higher shelf, away from her youngest son. He looked at her curiously, but dropped it instantly when he returned to staring a skeleton model in his mother's office.

"But okaasan! He doesn't even look like he cares about it! And don't say sex is a surprise!" Kimiko yelled desperately. "Just please tell us what you want from us! Breakfast in bed? No, I don't want to ruin your 'routine.' Bake a cake? Perform a skit? Or-"

"Kimiko, don't worry! Whatever you give to us will be perfect for me. Plus, I actually like my 'routine' with your father," Sakura replied, grinning.

"UGH PLEASE DON'T TURN INTO OTOUSAN!" Kimiko screeched, closing her ears immediately.

"Ah, okaachan! Is it okay if I draw a picture for you?" Kenji asked innocently. "I wanna draw a picture of you and otouchan together but it's okay if I have Chihiro-chan to help me, right? Because I dunno how to color inside the lines but she said she'll help me. I'm giving her tomatoes as a present because otousan said that's how you can say 'thank you' and I don't like tomatoes and she's never had them before back where's she from, but I don't remember where's she from because the name's too long and weird but but-"

"Hai, hai, Kenji," Sakura giggled, patting her son on the head. "Your father and I would love a picture from you."

"Yay!" Kenji cheered.

"Ne, ne, Sakura-bachan, tell us how Sasuke-jichan proposed to you!" Nanako exclaimed, taking a seat on the corner of Sakura's desk.

"Yeah, I would like to know that too!" Kimiko backed up. "When I asked otousan, he just went 'Oh, I bought a ring and asked your mother and she said yes and we got married.' I mean, what the hell?"

Sakura laughed. "First, Kimiko: Don't cuss in front of your little brother. Second: even I know never to ask your father for a story; he's horrible at them. Its weird how worked up you are about my anniversary more than I am."

Kimiko made a strangling noise. However, she stopped upon glancing at the clock, realizing the time. She squeaked.

"Ah, Nanako-chan! The mall's already open! Let's go drop Kenji off fast then head there! I wanna get to that sale before that Ami-bitch takes what I like!" Kimiko exclaimed.

"Sou ya! I forgot all about that!" Nanako gasped. She leaned over the desk to hug Sakura. "Bye, Sakura-bachan!"

Kimiko and Kenji followed suit, hugging their mother tightly for a few seconds before saying their goodbye, closing the door behind them quickly. Sakura smiled, her jade eyes looking at all the spots where the children used to be just a moment ago.

She really did spend a lot of time at the hospital. Sakura couldn't help it; it was very busy lately. It was only right for her as the head to stay behind a bit longer to keep everything in check. In time she will get her break.

Suddenly, she felt a familiar chakra perched on the window sill behind her. Sakura chuckled.

"Can't you ever just use the front door, Sasuke-kun?"

"Hn, it's faster this way."

Sasuke stepped down from the window, standing tall and proud in full ANBU uniform. Sakura noticed the red sash he wore around his waist every day, signifying his high status as the captain of a powerful group of ninjas in Konohagakure. In his hands was a sack with two bento boxes inside. He laid it gently on the desk, bending down to scoop his wife for a quick kiss.

"Why was booger girl annoying you about our anniversary?" Sasuke asked, leaning his forehead against Sakura's before recapturing her lips for another kiss.

"Does Kimiko have a reason to be worried?" Sakura shot back, grinning suspiciously in between kisses. "And stop caling our kids stupid names."

"Never," Sasuke chuckled darkly, wrapping his arms around Sakura's waist.

"Did you finish Kenji's Academy registration forms?" Sakura asked, another kiss coming.

"Almost."

"So you haven't started. Can you pick up the groceries today? There's been a change of date for somebody's surgery tonight."

"Fine. Same list or anything new?"

"Same list. Actually, Kimiko wants coconut water bottles." Another kiss.

"Is that little snot on a diet or something? That shit is expensive."

"Stop making fun of the kids. Besides, coconut water is good for exercise."

"I'll have dobe send her on a 6-month mission in the desert and see if she begs for coconut water then."

"Stop that, Sasuke-kun. Lunch smells good. What did you bring this time?"

"Got it at Naruto's. What's-her-name made extra for us."

"It's Hinata for the last time Sasuke-kun..."

"Hn."

"Honestly. how do you keep forgetting the name of your best friend's wife-Don't roll your eyes."

"I can't stay long for lunch; I arranged a meeting with Shikamaru's daughter and knowing her, she's bound to come by my office in a few minutes."

"She likes to be early. Is it about the ANBU exam?"

"And our idiotic son."

"She comes up in his nightmares, doesn't she?" Sakura asked, her voice taking a worried turn.

Sasuke nodded darkly.


"No signs of any ninjas in the northern barrier, Uchiha."

"Neither the eastern forest."

"Understood. Makoto, rebound to the southern areas. Shisido, concentrate on the forest; check for any signs of destroying evidence," Sousuke spoke through the radio.

His dark orbs glanced around his surroundings, double-checking for any possible enemy. When he sensed no nearby chakra, he jumped off the branch from tree to tree. His eyes never stopped scanning.

Something was definitely strange. There had been reports from previous missions of sightings of spies, even some captives, for the last few months. But right now...it was too quiet. Much too calm for Sousuke. Even if Konohagakure was a peaceful village and hadn't been in war for over twenty years, spies were always around. Sure, they were from the smaller villages, but the fact that there were none today worried Sousuke.

Suddenly, Sousuke paused at a branch. There was ruffling within the bushes underneath him. Sousuke's hands reached for the hit of his sword, hoping he wouldn't have to use it.

Sousuke relaxed instantly upon realizing it was just a snake. He sighed, withdrawing his hand from his sword. Just as Sousuke was about to patrol again, he noticed something very strange about the snake: It was white. A pure white, albino snake. And deadly, yellow eyes. Sousuke stared at it curiously. He had never seen white snakes around here, let alone during springtime.

And yet for some reason, Sousuke felt like this was not the first time he had seen a white snake before. A chill was sent to his spine, though he was unsure why.

"There had been sightings of Sound-nins around," Sousuke recalled Shikamaru mentioning to him.

"One of Orochimaru's followers is now their Otokage, stirring up some trouble again. It's best not to interfere with Sound until we have a good idea what they're up to."

Okaasan said that Orochimaru's summoning were snakes...that his true form was a giant white snake because he experimented with his body for immortality. But otousan killed him; no one else uses white snakes. So what has Sound been up to?


"AHA! I knew that Ami-bitch would take all the outfits I wanted!" Kimiko screamed angrily through the mob of women at the shopping mall.

They had arrived at the local mall for a huge sale but unfortunately, half the female population in Konohagakure was also here. Kimiko had been a dangerous missions before, but they were nothing compared to women at a shopping mall.

Next to her, Nanako pouted and crossed her arms against her chest. "If only I could Rasengan that evil witch. We seriously need more time off from missions so we can go shopping when there's nobody here."

Kimiko scowled. "Now I'll never get what I want unless freakin' Ami suddenly has a change of heart and buys them for me-"

"Looking for this?" interrupted a familiar voice.

Both teenage girls turned around, eyes widening. Kimiko gasped at the sight of the clothes that she had been searching everywhere for. The clothes were in the hands of a blond woman whose hair was tied neatly in a bun. She had brilliant blue eyes and pale skin, wearing a purple kimono. Nara Ino smiled at them mischievously.

"Ino-bachan!" Nanako squealed, immediately hugging her. Kimiko followed suit.

"Oh my god, Ino-basan thank you, thank you, thank you! How did you do it?" Kimiko asked loudly. Ino laughed as the two girls released her from their bear hug.

"Don't underestimate my Mind techniques, Kimiko," Ino chuckled wickedly. Kimiko grinned. Her Aunt Ino probably had seen Ami with the clothes and possessed her. It was amazing how store security never caught Ino, considering this was a ninja village.

Ino handed the bag of clothes to Kimiko while giving a thumbs up. " I saw you eyeing for this a week ago. Don't worry, it's my treat. Actually, who wants some smoothies?" She suggested delightfully.

"Oh my god, why are you so cool, Ino-basan?" Kimiko was more than ready to burst in tears of happiness as they three walked over to the nearest cafe and sat down at an empty table.

"What else can I do for my best friend's beautiful daughter? Plus, Shikana's so busy lately with missions it's so hard to spend time with her," Ino sighed. "I regret letting her become a jonin, no time with me anymore. And I have nobody to talk to now that Chomaru is in the Academy and Shikamaru's always working. Mou, Nanako, tell your stupid father to stop making my husband work like crazy!"

"But Shikana-senpai gets more time with Sousuke-niichan," Nanako suggested slyly. "They go on a lot of missions together..."

"I KNOW!" Ino squealed in delight. "Imagine that, my daughter with the Uchiha Sousuke-Don't take it too much, Kimiko-but can you believe that? I mean, between you and me, I used to have this huge crush on your father back in the day before I realized your parents were perfect for each other! Embarassing, right? I mean, I love your Uncle Shikamaru and all, but Shikana is my REDEMPTION to getting an Uchiha! And your mother and I can finally be sisters! Oh my god, I just can't wait until they get married!"

Kimiko and Nanako laughed. They knew their Aunt Ino was obsessed with Shikana's love life, especially since it concerned a certain Uchiha.

"Ne, Ino-bachan, what do Sakura-bachan and Sasuke-jichan like?" Nanako asked.

"That's right! I asked my mom what she wanted for her anniversary, but she tells me anything's fine when I know it's not!" Kimiko exclaimed in an exasperated tone. "Obviously, the old man isn't going to make much of an effort!"

At this, Ino laughed loudly. Kimiko and Nanako exchanged odd looks, noticing that Ino was laughing harder than usually. The waiter came by with their smoothies, which Ino sipped gently. She laid it down, her hands clasped together as she smiled widely.

"Oh I should have expected this, Kimiko!" Ino said. "But don't worry! I hear your father's been doing a splendid job lately! At least, he's a lot better than their first anniversary. God, that man was so stupid when it came to love! I swear, for their first anniversary, if he didn't come ask me for help on what to get for your mother, they would have NEVER lasted!"

Both Kimiko and Nanako had their jaws practically drop to the floor. They stood up simultaneously, slamming their fists on the table, nearly causing their smoothies to fall.

"TELL US! NOW! IMMEDIATELY!" Nanako demanded.

"I KNEW HE WAS PATHETIC IN THIS!" Kimiko hollered.

"Now, now, Kimiko, you're father is actually a very romantic man to your mother," Ino reminded with a smile. "But you know, he wasn't always like that..."


You can only imagine my surprise when I was out shopping at this very mall over twenty years ago when your father approached me and bluntly said in his coldest but very desperate voice:

"I need your help finding an anniversary gift for Sakura."

Trust me: I was drinking a nice glass of iced lemon tea and nearly choked on it when your father asked me for help. At first, I was like "OMG UCHIHA SASUKE NEEDS MY HELP?" I really wanted to embarrass his reputation. At the same time, I felt very honored that he came to me-yes, me, your mother's best friend-for help on their love life. It was SUPER sweet (only if you cut out the fact that he actually asked help from Hinata, Tenten, Tsunade, and even that blockhead Naruto first because that's petty information).

Anyway, I decided to drag your father along on my shopping trip since, well, I was looking for clothes and might as well take him along to look for anniversary stuff. Plus, he made a reluctant but excellent bag holder since Shikamaru was away at a mission during that time. Now, girls, I'm all for finding your true love and all when you get a boyfriend but let me just say that it's okay to get boyfriends just so they can hold your bags, give up their jackets to you, and pay for dinner every time. True love can wait; experiment with a few boys first to just hold your purse. You'll get married eventually.

Now, I thought that Sasuke would have a pretty damn good idea of what he wanted to get. Or at least, a theme for it. But goodness, he was DREADFUL. I took him to the jewelry store that was super popular for couples. It had the prettiest, sparkly rings and necklaces and earrings everywhere. Basically, it was a girl's heaven for jewelry. But your father didn't see it. Because we only lasted in that store for two minutes because he didn't understand the concept of why girls like jewelry.

I seriously wanted to whack your father in the face because he sounded so dumb.

I mean, I would pull up a random necklace and he would just make a face and go "...why?" Awful, Sasuke, awful. I couldn't believe I used to have fantasies of having your father as my boyfriend and he would take my shopping and he would say everything was beautiful. Now that I did, I never wanted to go shopping with him again. Not even to find anniversary presents for your mother.

That was the first and last time I would go shopping with Uchiha Sasuke. The only thing your father was good for was carrying all my shopping bags (Okay, so we spent half the time looking for my needs, but hey, I needed my moment so I wouldn't crack under your father's lack of knowing how to romance your poor mother).

And just convincing him to buy anything was a horrible experience. I mean, after shopping with your father, I started to appreciate Shikamaru more because Sasuke made him look fun.

No joke: this was what our typical conversation every moment I tried to convince him something was going to be the perfect present for Sakura.

I pull up a fabulous dress. "Look, Sasuke! Wouldn't Sakura be super sexy in this dress? Oh, she could be the hottest girl in the village with this number!"

Sasuke: "...How?"

I show him a figurine of two doves. "Oh my god, you have to get this for Sakura! The doves are a symbol of love!"

Sasuke: "...That's dumb."

We go to the craft store. "Hey, Sasuke! You should make a bouquet of origami flowers! It's original and sweet!"

Sasuke: "...That's pathetic."

I show him a super, expensive ring. "You know what would make her super happy? Propose her with this gorgeous ring! It matches her eyes super well!"

Sasuke: "...No."

I even managed to drag him to a lingerie store and pulled up the riskiest costume I could find that would suit Sakura. "Ne, ne, Sasuke, wouldn't you love to see Sakura in this? It could stir up so good nights..."

Sasuke: "...What a waste of money."

"THIS IS NOT A WASTE OF MONEY! AND YOU'RE RICH!"

Your father's excuse? "I'm just gonna rip it off of her anyway."

"OH MY GOD I CAN'T EVEN-"

At the time, I had no idea your father had perverted imaginations.

Basically, it was just a miserable experience. Not because I thought shopping alone was ten times better than with your father, but because I started to grow worried whether my best friend's anniversary will actually go well. I mean, your mother had waited years to be with your father. She had loved him when nobody else could. She loved him when everybody thought it was impossible. Sure, girls fantasized over him, but they really just wanted him for a one-night stand or whatever skanky thing they're up to. Your mother truly wanted to be with him for the rest of her life. And the fact that your father wasn't putting much of an effort in it...Well, it disappointed me greatly.

I mean, every time I showed him something, he just looked really irritated. Seriously, he should appreciate that I'm actually helping him when I shouldn't because I rather be testing makeup or even playing shogi with Shikamaru if he was here, but NO. It was my commitment as Sakura's best friend to help her stupid boyfriend find something good for their first anniversary.

Because frankly, your father sucked.

When I thought all hope was lost, your father stopped us at a book store. At first, I imitated him and was like "Why?" but he really insisted. Sure, your mother liked reading books, but I think that's something for her birthday, not for their first anniversary. But when I saw that Sasuke was actually taking an initiative in the store, I just had to follow. Now, where did he head to?

The cookbook section.

I have to admit: I was really puzzled. I mean, why would Sasuke, out of all the things he could get, buy a freaking cookbook for Sakura? She already knows how to cook. Really well, I should add. I was about to scream that it was the dumbest present for your mother until I saw him grab a beginner's cookbook and flip through it. And actually read a few pages. And stare at the pictures.

Then, realization hit me: Your father was trying to cook for your mother. For the first time. On their first anniversary.

And I just remember how I wanted to beat up myself a little bit for not even thinking about something like that. I mean, here I was, dragging your father around to find material things for your mother because I didn't think he could do any better. During that whole time, I thought he saw it mainly as a duty or something forced on him, like he rather not be dealing with the anniversary.

I should have known my best friend better; your mother didn't want material things from your father. She wanted him to express his love for her, even if it was only once a year. Your mother was so strong, being able to withstand the Uchiha Sasuke as a boyfriend.

And here he was, trying to make her the happiest girl. Even if he had to suck up his stupid pride and resort to a cookbook.

Okay, like seriously, there were people snickering at your father because it's the Uchiha Sasuke.

At a bookstore.

Staring at a cookbook.

Because even if he could kill at the super bad ninjas around the world, he couldn't cook for his life.

But your father should thank me, because I did save his damn pride. I snatched that cookbook away from him, told him not to buy it, and insisted that Choji and I teach him how to make eggs for breakfast.

Actually, the way he was glaring at me, I thought he wanted to deal with the expensive cookbook than with me. It's no secret that he hated me during that whole shopping trip.

And to this day because, well...let's just say I put him in an awkward situation 17 years ago. ANYHOO!

He obliged because he actually spent four whole days with me and Choji, learning how to make eggs. I know your father's so amazing at being an ANBU Captain and a super ninja with his scary Sharingan. But he should just stay in the battlefield.

Because he sucks in the kitchen. I mean, it's not very hard to crack eggs, but he makes it look like you need a high IQ. He didn't just crack the egg; he shattered the shell into millions of pieces and the yolk splattered all over the sink. God he was horrible. And you don't even want to know what happens when we turn on the gas for the stove.

But it wasn't hard to clean since Choji was brave enough to eat all the failed attempts (they were horrible. I thought it was poison).

I'm sure that during those four days in the kitchen, he rather be on a deadly mission. But I think the only reason he actually dealt with his was because he was doing this for your mother. I mean, I think he thought that this was the most meaningful way to show that he cared about her. That maybe it was okay for your mother to sleep in while he made her breakfast instead of vice versa. She had always been there for him. This was probably the closest way he can prove he'll be there for her too. That she could count on him.

Well, count on him to be capable of doing nice things. Not executing a brilliant breakfast. The day of their first anniversary together, Sakura had told our whole gang that Sasuke made an amazing breakfast and only confessed that it was tasted horrible when your father left the girls alone. But I'm sure the gesture satisfied your mother, because that whole day, she was smiling like never before. She practically glowed. I thought she was the happiest person in the world.

So it was final: The only reason you, Kimiko, and the rest of your siblings exist is because I attempted to teach your father how to make eggs. Just call me their relationship savior.


"There you have it! Your welcome for leading your parents to becoming married," Ino joked. "I would do anything for your mother's happiness, even if your father never thanked me for wasting four days of my precious life to teach him how to make stupid eggs and all the times I helped him for anything dealing with your mother..."

Kimiko and Nanako giggled. Of course their Aunt Ino would say such things about Sasuke.

"But, Ino-bachan, I think it was sweet that he tried, right Kimi-chan?" Nanako faced her best friend.

Kimiko stiffened. "I guess..." She was reluctant to believe any of it. "Okay, so the old man actually tries. Why doesn't he do it in front of us? I mean, isn't it healthy for kids to see some romance between their parents?"

"Considering that your father has been tainted and does naughty things according to your mother..." Ino began, sipping her smoothie. "...I think it's better for you guys not to witness it."

There was an awkward silence. For a while.

"True that."

"I'm with you."

Kimiko sighed loudly. "Still, this doesn't tell me what I should get for them. Sure, I'm starting to believe otousan will do something, but niisan, Kenji, and I wanna do something special for them too. I just don't know..."

Ino smiled warmly. "You'll figure it out. I know you will, Kimiko. It'll come before you'll even know it."

Kimiko hoped Ino was telling the truth.


Sasuke stared lazily at the papers that laid before him on the desk, the sentence repeating in his head over and over again.

List any medical conditions or diseases your child currently has. Sasuke was extremely tempted to list "extremely loud," "hyperactive like a certain Hokage," "possible insanity without his stupid bunny," and "unable to shut up" underneath. It matched Kenji perfectly.

"Stupid Academy forms," Sasuke mumbled.

He had no idea that it took over 20 pages work of registration forms just so his youngest could go to Konoha Academy. He had done this twice with Sousuke and Kimiko; however, Sasuke swore that each time, there were more forms to sign. Even joining ANBU required less than this.

His eyes swayed from the forms for a bit when he heard a knock on the door.

"Enter," he stated sternly.

The door opened and a brunette teenage girl entered. She closed the door gently behind her and bowed before him.

"Good afternoon, Uchiha-taichou," Shikana greeted politely.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Am I not your godfather anymore or something?"

Shikana giggled. "Iie, Sasuke-jisan. I just hear stories of how scary you can be when people don't call you that."

"You're one of the exceptions," Sasuke reminded in a bored tone, his eyes returning to the forms again.

Shikana smiled and took a seat in front of him. "Ano, Sasuke-jisan? Can you tell me how you became my godfather?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes and scowled, earning him a chuckle from the girl in front of him. "Again?"

"It's funny when you tell it," Shikana said. "Because you're so grumpy about it."

Sasuke glared at her, but she wasn't scared. In fact, Sasuke was always impressed that Nara Shikana was the only child from all his friends that wasn't scared of it. He sighed in defeat.

"I had come back from a tiring one-week mission in ANBU and all I wanted to do was go home to my wife and that brat Sousuke who was only a few months old," Sasuke began in an annoyed tone, his eyebrows cringing.

"I was the only unlucky bastard nearby when your mother's water decided to explode and forced me to take her to the stupid hospital. Then my wife forced me to stay in the labor room with your mother until we found your father taking a nap or watching clouds or something idiotic. Then she forces me to be your godfather because I went through one of the worst 6 hours of my life helping your obnoxious mother and I couldn't say 'no' or else your Aunt Sakura would have been pissed. Happy?"

Shikana nodded, but couldn't hold back from snickering. Sasuke raised an eyebrow, his eyes darkening immediately.

"I don't see how this is funny," he muttered.

"Sorry," Shikana apologized lightly, smiling. "It's just...you sound pissed at becoming my godfather yet you lecture me when I don't treat you like one."

Sasuke frowned. "You're weirder than my own daughter."

Shikana was unsure of how to respond to that. Sasuke took advantage of the silence.

"So, what's this I've been hearing about Sousuke getting you pregnant with my future grandchild-"

"Sasuke-jisan!" Shikana yelled, her face blushing madly. "T-T-That's n-n-n-not t-t-true!"

"I'm joking," Sasuke replied in a monotone. "You don't even have the signs."

Shikana had a sweat drop.

"You're scary when you make jokes, Sasuke-jisan."

"Hn."

Shikana's face still burned red, her eyes unable to look at her godfather. Sasuke only studied the girl's reaction carefully, noticing something very strange about the way she immediately covered herself up in her arms. As if protecting herself from something. Or anything really. Sasuke's face hardened.

"So the nightmares were true."

Shikana's eyes widened, looking at the ANBU Captain in front of her immediately. She looked slightly frantic.

"N-Nightmares? Y-Y-You mean, S-S-Sousuke-k-kun-" Shikana was at a loss of words. Sasuke nodded, understanding what she was trying to figure out.

It was at this point that Sasuke sat up straighter in his chair. He crossed his arms against his chest, looking more demanding than his position called him for.

"I know what happened to you and Sousuke," Sasuke started in a stern voice. To Shikana, he suddenly looked as frightening as a demon. "And honestly, it was very immature of you two to keep it a secret from us, especially considering the emotional toll it's taking on you and my son. Sousuke refuses to tell me anything about it and he's paying the price. Can you live with that, knowing very well how he is with nightmares?"

Shikana suddenly felt frozen at the spot, unable to bear her godfather's hard glare on her. The worst part was that she was waiting for any moment for his Sharingan to appear any moment, as if to frighten her more. But he didn't. There was something about his eyes that although they were harsh and cold, they had a deep need to help his son, Sousuke, in need. Sasuke resumed.

"I don't care how it happened or whose fault it is; all I want is the whole story and why you two kept it a secret. This is not something you should hide, especially from your parents knowing how worried your mother can be. I don't believe that a man like your father would raise you to keep these things to yourself."

Shikana stared at him, wide-eyed, hesitating to open her mouth. She fiddled with her fingers, hoping to release some of the tension. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, reliving the incident in her mind.

With her eyes threatening to spill tears, Nara Shikana nodded and recited everything to him.


AHHH DRAMA WITHIN A HAPPY STORY? WHAT? Yeah, I'm not sure how I led to it either, but I'm glad you guys like it! The responses to the subplot have been really positive, which makes me happy! I think it's becoming a scene stealer since all you guys can only obsess about the kids' story now haha. It's actually going to get even bigger and more important than you think as the story progresses. Actually, I think you guys are more into the kids' story because you don't know what's going to happen to them. For Sasuke and Sakura, you know they end up happily ever after; you're just curious how it happened.

Commentary for the SasuSaku romance (if anybody is still paying attention to it LOL):

Good job to those who figured out it was Ino! I think I made it obvious because the couples tend to get right after each other. I made it a shopping story because I always pictured Ino as this girly-girl but does anything in her power to help her friends. Also, it's funny imagining Sasuke being really irritated with Ino. I don't think she's afraid to tell Sasuke what he's doing wrong, especially since he's dating her best friend. I wrote it this way because I thought Ino would dedicate the most time to helping Sasuke make her best friend happy. That's why I found it fitting for Sasuke to become the godfather to Ino's daughter; I think that was Sasuke's way of saying "thank you" to Ino for all the help. Sure, the story climating to him being godfather is somewhat silly and he's grumpy about it, but I think Sasuke knows what it means to pay back the respect and that's how he does it.

Kimiko still acts close to a typical teenage girl, but I didn't want her to be outrageous like all about training or being a ninja. I mean, she's a teenage girl. Being an Uchiha shouldn't change anything. Maybe she doesn't obsess about clothes and boys as much as other girls, but she does care to a certain limit. I think that's how most girls are. Plus, at least she's strong.

Damn, I need to stop neglecting "Stubborn." I think that ended up as the side-project instead of this :O

That's all I have to say. So let's continue the game! Can you guess who's the next to tell the tale? Once again, shoutouts to those who guess it correctly!

Here's a hint: Jeet Kune Do