I want to thank the following reviewers:

itachimeri1989

rukia death kuchiki

udhinasasa

Chapter Ten

Sasuke pov.

I looked around the rest of the homes that had once belonged to the Uchiha families. It was easier to look at them than I imagined. Most of them were in bad shape because of the time and bad weather.

I was so deep in thought that I almost tripped with the raspberry twerp who was standing in front of me. A panther was not far watching us.

"Dōmo sumimasen!" bowed Sakuya; "I didn't know that you would get hurt because of me. I'll stay away"

The raspberry kid was apologizing and she was…crying. Was she this sad because of what happened? How did she find out? I am sure that Sakura would not tell what happened to her daughter.

I reached towards her and she backed away shaking her head. She looked up with her eyes closed, tear stains on her face.

"No, I don't want you to get hurt again…Sayōnara Uchi-san"

Sakuya smiled. She turned away and ran for the panther. Getting on it; the panther jumped into the roofs and disappeared.

I suppose this was for the best.

T_T T_T

Chiyoko ran and ran. She didn't know if Sakuya wanted her to stop at all. But when she spotted Sakuya's best friend she stopped in front of him.

"What happened to her?"

"Let her tell you" said Chiyoko dropping off Sakuya to Shikako

Shikako led Sakuya by the hand to their grass hill. He sat her down and faced her. "What happened to you Sakuya?"

"I got in…(hiccup)…an argument…(hiccup)…with oka-chan"

"What was the argument about?" asked Shikako giving her a handkerchief

"Uchiha-san, she hurt him because I went to talk to him"

Shikako jerked up; "You went to talk to him after I told you all he has done? All he has caused and the people he has injured?"

Sakuya nodded and turned to look at the ground. "Are you mad at me too?" whispered Sakuya

"What do you think?" Shikako asked sarcastically

"You're wrong about Uchiha-san" whispered Sakuya

"Wrong about what? It's all in the research Sakuya"

"Those papers can tell you what he was feeling! What he was going through! The decision he made wasn't the right one but neither was it wrong. He did what he thought was right. He might have gotten side tracked but it doesn't mean he doesn't regret it!"

Sakuya stood up. Shikako followed suit and took hold of her arms.

"Sakuya that man is dangerous. He can kill you before you even have the chance to blink. For all we know he is here to destroy the village"

"No!" Sakuya freed herself from Shikako and stepped away; "He's good. If you gave him a chance and spoke with him you would see. He's hurt and needs to know he is not alone"

Shikako glared at Sakuya. He truly cared for her. They grew up together. He protected her from bullies from getting injured. But her naïve-ness was blinding her from the truth. The truth he believed was true.

"Then do whatever you want" Shikako turned away

Sakuya cringed at his tone. She thought that he was going to agree with her, like always, and give Sasuke a chance. What hurt the most was that Shikako was going to turn his back on her.

Sakuya didn't want to say good bye to her best friend, she didn't want to lose him. A cry escaped as she turned away and ran.

Shikako cringed as she heard Sakuya's muffled cry. His hand turned into a fist and told his body to stay put. But his head and something else he could not place told him to go after her. That he would regret his words and actions. Shikako shook his head and turned to go home.

Sakura pov.

Sakura barely made it throughout the rest of her day. She had never had to raise her voice or yell at Sakuya. It really was eating her up. Sakura ran home and rushed up to her daughters' room.

"Sakuya honey, I'm home"

I knocked on her door but she would not answer. After my tenth knock I turned the door knob breaking it in the process and went in. I found a huge bump on the bed covered in sheets. I went over and slowly sat down. Removing the blankets I found Sakuya curled up with her cub curled next to her.

"Sakuya honey, are you still mad at me?"

"A little but…(hiccup)…but I had the same argument with Shikako and…(hiccup)…he's really mad at me and I don't think he will ever talk to me again" said Sakuya as tears rolled down her face

"You have to see it through our eyes Sakuya. Uchiha just left, his motivation was revenge. While Naruto fought to get him back Sasuke kept hurting him if not emotionally it was physical. There were multiple times he could have killed Naruto or me"

"I know that too Oka-chan, Natsuhana-nee-chan told me everything Naruto-oji told her"

"Then why are you fighting me in this Sakuya? I know what's right and wrong for you, please listen to me" whispered Sakura not wanting to raise her voice again

"Oka-chan…don't you think Uchi-san regrets at least some of his actions?"

"No I don't think so"

"But you haven't asked him, have you?"

Sakura glared at her daughter. Her daughter was right. She had not spoken to Sasuke.

"Sakuya…"

"I want to be alone oka-chan"

"Okay, are you going to eat dinner?"

"No"

Sakura ran her hands through her daughter's hair before standing up. She covered her daughter and the young cub. Sakura walked to the backyard were most of the panther were still awake. Sakura took a cigarette and lit it.

"Something wrong Sakura-sama?" asked Chiyo

"Uchiha is what's wrong? Made me get in an argument with Sakuya and then she got in an argument with Shikako-kun. After all those years he still is causing problems"

"How is Sakuya-hime?" asked Chiyoko

"Upset and in bed, keep an eye on her. She has your cub Cho"

Chiyoko nodded and called for her mate, Dai. They walked up to Sakuya's room and lay down next to her bed. Sakura kept smoking until the cigarette was turned to ashes.

"Why didn't you drop dead Sasuke?" whispered Sakura but she was thinking differently

Maybe I should listen to my daughter. Maybe I should go and talk to Sasuke. Yeah maybe…

A WEEK LATER

Sakuya ran towards the back yard. She was going to be late but she knew Konohamaru-sensei would not be mad.

"I need to do a few missions with my team but after I'm done I'll come and take you to the training grounds"

The panthers were going to take a ninja exam. They wanted to train some more before the big day.

"Should I go with you Sakura-hime?" asked Chiyoko

"No, they're little missions nothing big. I'm taking Cho." smiled Sakuya; "Jā ne"

"Be careful Sakuya-hime"

Sakuya picked up her little cub Cho and waved before leaving.

"Why are you so worried about her Chiyoko?" asked her mate Dai

"Because when she's troubled or upset she tends to be clumsier and hurts herself"

Sakuya ran towards her team; "Sorry I'm late"

"You're not late, Konohamaru-sensei is still not here" said Teiji Hyuga

"I bet Moegi-san is beating the tart out of him" snickered Ryozo

"What was that Ryozo?"

Sakuya giggled and Teiji smirked. Ryozo slowly turned around and tried to smile as he scratched the back of his head.

"Hello Sensei" greeted Ryozo

Konohamaru just shook his head and turned to look at his team; "Now team Konohamaru we have three missions today"

"What are they Sensei?" asked Sakuya as Cho played with her long hair

"Help garden an elders front yard, paint a house and find a cat" read Konohamaru from the list

"Well that shouldn't be too hard" stated Sakuya

"It's going to take forever" complained her teammate Ryozo

"Keep whining and it's going to take longer" proclaimed Teiji

"Let's go team Konohamaru!" cheered their Sensei

They went to paint the house which was done in a half an hour when the team used Kage Bushin. They proceeded with gardening which took them longer because Ryozo didn't know how to plant flowers or put soil.

"Here Sakuya-chan" said Ryozo giving Sakuya seeds to plant

"Thanks Ryozo-kun, don't be upset okay" Sakuya patted his hand then laughed when she noticed he had dirt on his face

"What's so funny?"

"You have dirt on your face, let me clean it off"

As Sakuya cleaned his face she thought she saw a shadow on the roof of the next house. She turned to it and looked up but found no one on it.

"Something the matter Sakuya-chan?" asked Ryozo

"I thought I saw something, it must have been a bird"

"Let's go, we are done" said Teiji

Teiji with Sakuya, Cho and Ryozo walked towards their sensei.

Shikako cursed. He was almost caught. Yet he wished he had been that way he could have had the chance to glare at Ryozo. That boy was getting too friendly around Sakuya. Before he could catch what he had just thought, he followed Sakuya and her teammates.

"How does the cat look Konohamaru-sensei?" asked Ryozo

"White and fluffy"

"Now where to look?" debated Sakuya as she picked up Cho

"How about up there?" said Teiji pointing to the tree next to them

There was a white fluffy cat wagging its tail. It looked down at them after they called to it but it didn't look like it was coming down any time soon.

"I'll climb up and get it" said Sakuya giving Ryozo Cho and climbing before any of her teammates protested

Sakuya climbed from tree branch to tree branch until she reached the cat; "Hey there kitty"

Sasuke pov.

I was taking a walk to get away from Suigetsu and Karin. They were louder then usual. It meant that Karin was on her damn cycle thing. I stopped my walking when I saw the raspberry shrimp with what seemed her team. I saw her climb up a tree.

She grabbed a cat and slowly took at step down to the tree branch below her. As she stepped to the next branch it cracked and broke off from the tree.

"Eeeeeeep!" she shrieked

"Sakuya-chan!!!!" screamed a boy with red hair who had her cub

"Grab a tree branch Sakuya" yelled the brunette

I saw her hesitate. She looked down to see if she could land on a tree branch then get a hold of one. Instead she looked up and grabbed a tree branch. The fall had startled the cat and was scratching her arm to get free but she wouldn't let it go.

"Ryozo make a clone go up and take the cat" screamed the brunette

The one named Ryozo nodded, placed the cub on the ground and made a clone that climbed up the tree until it reached her. The other boy was right behind him and helped her get down. Their Sensei rushed to the shrimp and checked her bleeding arm.

"What happened up there?" asked their Sensei which I recognized as Konohamaru

"I couldn't see, my hair was blocking my vision"

"We better take you to the hospital" said Konohamaru looking at her arm

"No, I can go on my own. The three of you should go finish the mission" she argued

"It doesn't work like that Sakuya. When a team member is down we don't just abandoned it. We stick together."

"I will take her" I said

"Well if it isn't you! I heard Naruto-nii rambling about you. Nice to know you're back to our side" greeted Konohamaru

"Hn"

"Hello Uchi-san" greeted Sakuya

"Come on" I said pushing her forward and the cub followed

"I should be the one taking her" growled Ryozo

"What was that Ryozo?" asked Teiji trying to tease him

"That I should…"

Konohamaru cut off Ryozo and led him and Teiji away; "Make sure to cut your hair and rest Sakuya"

"I will sensei" Sakuya waved and picked up Cho with her uninjured arm

"Let's go" I carried her and rushed towards the hospital

Next to the reception was none other than Ino herself. She looked horrified when she looked at Sakuya and glared up at me.

"You better have good reason Sasuke because if Sakura…"

Ino was cut off when I heard a growl and then a yell; "Uchiha! What did you do to my daughter?!"

"Wait oka-chan! Wait!" Sakuya repeated as she wrapped her legs around Sakura's trying to stop her; "Uchi-san didn't do anything! I got hurt climbing a tree and Uchi-san offered to take me here while my teammates finished the assignment"

"Okay just calm down, let me take a look at your arm…your losing blood, come on" Sakura pulled her daughter to a nearby room and the cub ran behind them

"Uchi-san don't go, I still have to thank you!" yelled the shrimp from the room

"It seems that Sakuya-chan has taken a like to you" said Ino

"Hn"

"Well at least you haven't change" Ino chuckled; "See you soon!" she waved as she left

I gave single nod and waited for the twerp. I saw her come out with a bandage covering her injured arm. She smiled when she saw me. I guess she thought I was going to leave.

"Now don't make too much force. When I come home, I will fully heal it"

"Ok Oka-chan, can I talk to Uchi-san?"

"Um, you see Sakuya…"

"You can make him promise not to hurt me to put you at ease oka-chan" Sakuya looked pleading at Sakura and I couldn't understand why I was still standing here

Sakura looked at her daughter and then at me and glared; "Uchiha, do you promise not to harm my little girl?"

Sakuya looked up at me and smiled, I could see she was pleading with her eyes; "Yes, I…promise"

"See that wasn't so hard"

Sakura just nodded and kissed her daughters forehead and the twerp kissed Sakura's cheek. She waved good bye to her mother with her uninjured arm. I saw Ino approach Sakura before we left the hospital.

"They will be okay Sakura. If he does anything you can always break his bones"

"I suppose" she mumbled

Break my bones well that didn't sound like something I would like to experience. Sakuya smiled up at me and skipped and twirled in front of me, her cub trying to imitate her every move.

"I'm so happy I can talk to you again Uchi-san, I missed you!"

"Why would you miss me?"

"Because I there's a bunches of things I want to ask you"

"Ask me what?"

What more did this girl want to know? Was there more to know? She knew all of my past. What I wanted to ask her was how she knew it?

"I want to ask you your favorite color, your favorite flower, your favorite everything and what you don't like"

"Oh"

I heard her giggle as we neared her home; "Wait here okay"

She didn't move, what was she waiting for? Then I understood. She was waiting for me to give her reassurance that I would wait for her.

"Go"

Sakuya ran to the back yard and let a small gate open. I saw her pack of panther come out. The herd growled and was ready to pounce when they saw me. The twerp stood in front of me.

"Oka-chan said it was okay and he promised her he wouldn't hurt me"

"He has promised but if he turns on his word we will attack" said the black panther at front

"Ok Hisashi-sama"

"So Uchi-san, what kind of candy do you like?"

"I do not know"

"How can you not know?" she tilted her head side ways

"I have not eaten a sweet in years"

"Really? Wow. Here try this one" she handed me a candy

I took it from her hand and ate it. I must have done some weird facial expression because she started to laugh.

"Too sweet?"

"Yes"

Sakuya stopped as all the panther ran up to a beaten part of the forest.

"Cho, do you want to go with the rest?"

The cub whined and cuddle into her arms. Sakuya walked towards a tall tree with no leaves. She tried to climb it only to remember she had an injured arm. I walked over and helped her up as I sat on a branch to.

She asked about everything her mind could come up with. She asked from my childhood about what Team 7 was like. Missions we went to. If I had any crushes, if I had a girlfriend and if Karin was my girlfriend. She laughed at my facial expression to that one.

"Why could you not stay here and find a way to fulfill your goal?" she asked sugar-coating some words

"I could not find what I needed to defeat my brother."

"Really? Naruto-oji and Oka-chan became very powerful here in Konoha. How come you couldn't?"

"I had my reasons"

"Reasons that would give your friends the chance to forgive you. You never really told them did you? You never told them everything in your own words did you? Had you done that in the beginning you would not have people look at you with fear or hate."

I looked at her. She was not looking at me, she was looking at the village. How could some one at her age make you feel like you did so many things wrong that you could have done right? She must be hanging way too much with the dobe.

"I left because I needed to do it alone. Why drag down the dobe and Sakura with me? They might as well be saying farewell to their lives and any future"

"You were trying to protect them. Had they known that they would have understood and not taken your leave as a betrayal. I'm not going to judge you, what has happened, happened. But you forgot two main things that would have served you as weapons and not as weaknesses."

"What would that be?" What could this child know about weapons and weaknesses? After all she was still a kid.

"Love and friendship. Those two simple things bring a thousand reasons to live, fight and protect while hate and revenge can only bring you loneliness and the feeling of emptiness."

That sounded something the dobe or Sakura would say. This little girl knew much more than she let on.

"Who told you that?"

"Otou-chan told me. I believe it's true"

Her father had told her. How old was she when he passed away? I needed to get out of here before this girl could get anything more out of me.

"I need to head back. Will you be fine on your own?"

"Hai! I have them after all."

I gave a single nod. As I jumped to the next tree she yelled to me a good bye. That girl must have been raised with the dobe and his daughter.

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