Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.

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"Speech"
'Thoughts'

Chapter 29: Pains of raising Shisui


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Mikoto's POV


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Being head of the Uchiha clan has its perks; she wondered why Itachi is not interested in taking over since he's already past the required age. She did not pass the leadership to Itachi when he was 18 because she thought that her son wanted to enjoy his bachelorhood and the freedom from clan matters but 8 years had already passed and her son remained his successful bachelor self with no woman in his arms. She'll definitely schedule a private chat with Sakura. The girl could have been worried that she'll be dating the elder brother of her ex. Now that she thought about it, Sasuke's and Sakura's break up was a little vague. Who broke up with whom? She hoped that Sakura already moved on from Sasuke since Sasuke is very happy in pursuing Karin. She checked the clock. It was time for her to secure her spying spot. She already discussed to the manager that Sasuke and his date should be seated in the window seat near the restaurant's garden. She was about to leave when she remembered that she should bring a pen and a notepad. Sasuke was not experienced in dating. She should take note of Sasuke's performance so that she could help him improve but then again Sasuke pretty much ignored the female population yet his popularity remains the same.

She was locking her door when Shisui made an appearance.

"Aunt Mikoto I am so happy that I found you. I really need your help. Come with me." Shisui said as he grabbed her hand and lead her to the unknown destination.

"I have plans for this evening Shisui." She replied as she tried to set her hand free.

"I'm sure it isn't as urgent as my business. It could wait." Shisui responded.

"It is a very important business. I must hurry before I am late." She replied and tried to set herself free.

"But you're the only one who could help me. I was an orphan. I only have you and Uncle Fugaku as my parental figures. Uncle Fugaku was long dead. I can only count on you Aunt Mikoto who stayed by my side and acted as my mother." Shisui said.

She sighed. How could she deny her nephew especially if he's wearing that pitiful and pleading look? "Fine. How could I help?" She resigned. She hoped that Shisui's business would finish early.

"Umm… Well… Ummm… You see…" Shisui started.

'Stop dilly-dallying' were the words she wanted to tell her nephew but her nephew seemed so distraughtthat she wasn't able to voice her opinion. She tried to be patient and waited for her nephew to state his business. Ten minutes has passed and Shisui still has not stated his business. She decided to change her approach on the subject.

"Calm yourself Shisui. Take a deep breath." She said. As soon as she saw Shisui relaxing a little, she asked, "Can you tell me the situation and the part where I come in?"

Shisui took another deep breath. "There was this woman. She and her family are from the civilian community though they're not really from Konoha but they would be staying here from now on. I've seen their migration papers. She's very beautiful and even if she's a civilian, she doesn't easily cower to shinobis. She's also single and I am interested in her." Shisui explained.

She does not understand the emergency. Among the cousins, Shisui was the most experienced in dating thus she does not understand why her nephew asked for her assistance for such a trivial matter. She cleared her throat. "Well, I am glad you found yourself a woman. I do hope she's the one for you. I am not sure how this could be an urgent business. You're well experienced in dating. If all goes well, I think she would be your 28th girlfriend. As your foster mother, I am glad that you have plans for the future more than your shinobi career but I must be off I have an urgent business to finish." She said as she tried to leave Shisui but Shisui had other plans. Shisui grabbed the sleeve of her Kimono thus preventing her escape.

"It's not the same as the usual Aunt Mikoto." Shisui replied.

She stared at Shisui incredulously. 'How could it not be the same? Courting does not differ much.' She needed for this conversation to be over immediately. She needed to be near Red Dragon immediately thus instead of lecturing Shisui about how courting could not differ much, she waited for the explanation.

"She's an only child and her father was fiercely protective of her. Her father does not trust my intention to her daughter because I am a shinobi. I need you to talk to her father and explained that I am not going to toy with his daughter's feelings." Shisui explained.

She was about to point out that she's sure there could be others who could give him a character reference but Shisui continued her explanation. "Being a shinobi means that I have a lot of enemies. Even if we're comrades there are some who are envious of my quick advancement in my shinobi career. I know I could trust Itachi and in different circumstances I may have asked Itachi to do this for me but Itachi is a good guy. I mean he's really a good guy, almost perfect to be precise. I know that he would not dare to make a move on the woman that I am interested because that was his personality. He's generous and kind to fault. But I can't ask for Itachi because he's way too good that the Father would prefer Itachi over me without giving me a chance. I can only entrust this task to someone I really trust. Someone who knows me very well, someone who is like my mother, someone like you Aunt Mikoto." Shisui continued.

Shisui definitely had his way with words. "I'll give you character reference. So who's the father and where could I meet him?" She asked.

"Perfect. You don't have to search for him Aunt Mikoto. I've already arranged a meeting with their family in a few hours." Shisui informed her.

"How could you schedule something so soon? I could have been really busy." She replied.

"You may be busy but I don't think you'll be busy enough to abandon your nephew who looked up to you as if you're his mother." Shisui responded.

She wanted to smack her forehead. How could she forget that Shisui could be shameless at times? She sighed and resigned herself to her fate. "So what time was this meeting and where?" She asked.

"Are you going somewhere Aunt Mikoto? I also need you to help me in picking up presents for Shimako and her family." Shisui asked.

She looked at the sun. She's pretty sure that she would not be able to make it in her spying spot but then again, the meeting could finish early. She could still make it before Sasuke's date ended. "You haven't mentioned the time and venue of the meeting." She reminded.

"It's 7pm at the recently open tea shop at the North of the village. Her family lived near the area so I decided not to inconvenient them and have them travel all the way to the business district of the village for introductions. " Shisui answered.

'The Red Dragon was on the Southern part of the village. I definitely won't be able to spy Sasuke's date.' She thought. She was busy lamenting on the wasted chance to spy on Sasuke when Shisui interrupted her thoughts.

"We only have an hour before 7pm. We need to hurry in finding the proper gifts for Shimako and her family. I think Shimako's parents were around your age Aunt Mikoto . Her father was a merchant so I am not really sure what kind of gift is appropriate since almost everything is part of their trade." Shisui worriedly stated.

She sighed. It would be a long night. The good news was that Shisui would not be a rival of her sons. She'll just try to squeeze details from Kushina. She hoped Karin would be open enough to discuss the date to Kushina as well as her opinion about Sasuke during the date.


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AN: Thank you for reading my story. I would love to hear your opinions. I am still looking for a beta reader.