Chapter 37 Passive Authority

"Yeah, because you're a mama's boy."

"Say that again and I'll-"

"What? You'll tell your mommy?"

Sasuke and Sakura were walking up the stairs to Sasuke's house. Sasuke would have given anything to shut her up already. She was more talkative than usual. What was her problem?

The maids and butlers bowed their heads in greeting as they passed the hall.

"You should've talked to her and told her you didn't want to come," Sasuke said in almost a whisper so only Sakura heard it.

"I don't understand why you couldn't have told her yourself," replied Sakura in the same tone.

"Sakura, dear!" Mikoto materialized in the hall on their right. She went over to where Sakura was and embraced her gently but firmly. "It's really nice to see you again. How are you?"

"I'm fine. And you, Mikoto-san?" Sakura awkwardly tapped Mikoto's back with one hand.

"I'm very happy that you decided to visit."

Sakura glared at Sasuke over Mikoto's shoulder before uttering "Me, too." Mikoto leaned back to study her face.

She saw the ugly bruise that was starting to show on the side of her face. "Oh my, what happened to you?"

"I, uh…" Sakura didn't know if telling her a big dude bumped her, effectively throwing her to the cement face down was something she should have said. "I fell and hit my face. But I'm okay, it just tingles a little bit now." She put ice compress on it on their way. Good thing her shoulder wasn't broken and just felt numb at the moment.

"It still looks painful, though. We should get it treated." Sakura was about to decline but Mikoto had moved on to Sasuke. "And how's my Sasuke?" Before Sasuke could respond, Mikoto planted a kiss on one cheek and pinched the other one. Sasuke glared at Sakura, who was clearly trying not to laugh and tears were welling in her eyes.

"Stop doing that, Mom," Sasuke said, his voice cool but his face was somewhat flustered.

"Why? You're still my baby, aren't you?"

An ugly snort came from where Sakura stood, her back now facing them.

Worried, Mikoto gracefully made her way to her, ready to offer assistance if she was in pain. Sasuke took the chance to quietly go up to his room, hands in his pockets, face set in an annoyed scowl.

A few minutes later, Mikoto, Sasuke and Sakura were sitting around the dinner table waiting for Fugaku. Sasuke, still annoyed, tried not to make eye contact with either woman. Meanwhile, Mikoto seemed to be enjoying a one-sided conversation with Sakura, who just supplied enough nods, head shakes and smiles.

"I see dinner's ready," Fugaku said as he made his way to his seat at the head of the table. "Let's not make the food wait any longer." With that, the maids started serving adequate amounts of everything on the table to each of them.

For a while, they ate in silence until Mikoto noticed his husband rubbing his temples for the third time.

"You look exhausted. Did something happen?"

"No," he answered. It was a simple word but the tone made Sakura think he didn't want to talk about whatever happened. Just then, Fugaku looked at her. "It's nice of you to join us, Haruno-san."

"I'm sorry to intrude," Sakura said, lowering her gaze back to the food. "And thank you for inviting me."

"You don't have to thank us, dear," Mikoto said. "We're family now, aren't we? It's natural that we should do some things together." Mikoto wiped the side of her mouth. "Oh, speaking of which, why don't you and Tsunade-sama come with us during the holidays. We're going to France to visit my sister's family. What do you say?"

Sakura knew Mikoto was waiting for an answer so she tried to gulp down her food with some water. "I'm sorry, Mikoto-san. Tsunade-sama and I already agreed to spend the holidays with Naruto's family villa."

The hopeful look in her eyes was replaced by disappointment. "Oh, maybe next time, then?" Sakura nodded.

Sakura was relieved that Mikoto didn't push the subject further. It wasn't exactly a lie. She and Tsunade really spent Christmas with Naruto's family and Jiraiya-sama every year and she was simply assuming that was what they planned to do this year, too… or something along those lines. She just wanted to finish this sumptuous dinner – she completely forgot she was starving while she was bickering with Naruto and Sasuke – and go back to school before curfew. But of course, much like her hair caught everyone's attention, it seemed like being the guest, she was the center of attention tonight.

"Haruno-san," Fugaku addressed her again. Good thing she hasn't eaten anything yet. "I heard you're doing really well in school. Top of the class."

It wasn't a question but she felt obligated to speak when spoken to. "Uh, well, not really top of the class but I do study well, sir."

Sasuke looked up and side-glanced Sakura, eyebrows slightly raised in inquiry of her sudden formality. However, Sakura seemed to busy herself with the peas on her plate in a futile attempt to catch one with her fork.

"I see. Do you have any idea on what you want to do after graduation?"

"I will enter the medical school branch under Tsunade-sama's tutelage, sir." Sakura took another spoonful of rice. Maybe that way, he would refrain from asking her more questions. But he just continued anyway.

"Yes. I heard you show exceptional knowledge in that area as well. However, I would like to ask," Fugaku said before finishing the last of his meal. "Why not join the intelligence or tactics unit?"

Sakura thought she might suffer from indigestion later. "I'm not really good in either field, sir."

Sasuke remembered the bit of coaching she did earlier before brushing off the thought. Basketball and war were clearly two different things.

"Then what about R&D or weapons development?" Fugaku inquired. "Do you have background in those?"

"No, not really. I'm… only familiar with the ones currently in use but I haven't really…" Sakura thought of a better word, but can't. "Got myself interested in those."

Sasuke thought of the sensor gloves. It clearly wasn't a weapon but the level of knowledge and skill utilized to make it was comparable to weapons development. But she wanted him to hide that fact. And as if confirming his thoughts, Sakura glanced at him and tipped her head minutely to one side.

"I see," Fugaku said. He drank his wine, wiped his lips and finally stood up.

"What about dessert, dear?" Mikoto offered.

"I'll have it in my office." Fugaku turned back to Sakura. "Some members of the Uchiha clan pride themselves for developing technology useful in the battlefield or recon missions. Drop by sometime so we can talk about it."

Sakura concluded that Sasuke's father had that tone of passive authority to his voice as if whatever he said was final and was not open for negotiation or opposition. Thus, she nodded once.

Seemingly satisfied, Fugaku turned to Sasuke. "Come to my office once you're finished."

"I am," Sasuke said as he, too, rose from his seat and followed his father out of the dining room.

Naruto sat on the edge of his bed, drying his hair with a towel after a nice shower to rid himself of the stink and sweat from the game.

The game.

His mind wandered back to the last few minutes of it.

"I'm sorry, I really didn't see you. I didn't mean it," Ryuu said.

However, it looked to Naruto like Sakura still hadn't regained her balance completely. From the corner of his eye, Naruto saw Ryuu extend his arm, wanting to help in case she fell. Almost at the same time, Sasuke's left arm slipped around Sakura's waist and held her against him before his best friend slapped Ryuu's hand away.

The sound was so loud it seemed like Ryuu's arm snapped. Naruto's wide eyes darted to Sasuke's and, although the rest of his face remained stoic, his eyes were burning through the boy beside him, who now had an angry red mark on his arm.

Naruto had seen Sasuke get angry a lot of times before. In fact, most of the time, he was the reason behind that anger. During those times, he and Sasuke would just brawl it out like that one time they fought in the school garage. Angry, violent Sasuke he could easily deal with. Silent, furious Sasuke was another thing entirely and Naruto was sure he saw him like this only once. Way back when they were kids.

After that, he and Sasuke led Sakura to the bench. Naruto poured a small amount of water on his handkerchief and dabbed it on Sakura's face – too hard, it seemed, because Sakura hissed and snatched the handkerchief from him to do it herself.

"Naruto," Sasuke said in a calm and quiet tone. The fact that Sasuke called out to him using his name was alarming for him. He tipped his head to the side and Naruto followed. "She can't play like that. It's just you and me now. Whatever you do, make sure you give the ball to me."

"What?"

Sasuke ignored him and went back to the court. After a heavy sigh, Naruto followed.

But Naruto didn't even have to do anything when Sasuke acted like this. Barely two minutes in, they won the game with Sasuke's two three-point shots.

Naruto plopped down his bed, only wearing cotton pants.

Sasuke got a phone call which, according to him, was from his mom. After the call, he pulled Sakura aside and they have been whispering a few feet away from him for five minutes. When they went back to where he was, Sakura told him Mikoto invited her for dinner and that they should get going.

"Dinner, huh," Naruto mused, eyes closed. "So much for breaking that stupid engagement."

"Sit down," Fugaku said, motioning toward the seat across his desk. Sasuke obeyed and Fugaku sat as well. "So? Have you gotten to know her better?"

Sasuke frowned. 'Are we still talking about Sakura?' This thought must have been too apparent on his face because Fugaku narrowed his eyes.

"She will be your wife, Sasuke. Nothing you can say or do will change the fact that she will be an Uchiha." Sasuke thought that the pause that followed this statement was so it would sink in him. Sasuke almost laughed. Nothing he said ever sunk into him. Again, as if reading him like a book, his father continued, "In five months' time, there will be another Gathering and you will have to introduce her as your fiancée."

Sasuke opened his mouth to retort but Fugaku held up his index finger to silence him. "You will tell them she is an elegant and proper young woman who, although not one of ours, possess qualities we, Uchihas, are proud of." Sasuke frowned. "That after graduation, both of you will enter the military and serve your country."

"She wants to go to med school," Sasuke said nonchalantly. "That's what she said earlier."

"Women are very fickle. I'm sure she'll change her mind in time." Fugaku leaned back on his chair. "But it wouldn't hurt to hasten the process."

At this point, Sasuke was sure he was lost. What exactly was the point of this conversation?

Fugaku stood up and paced the room. "I heard she is adept in handling and innovating technology, is she not?" Sasuke neither affirmed nor denied it. "As you know, it has been a while since we last had an Uchiha head the weapons development branch of the Military Research facility. It would be an honor to secure that spot again."

Still not getting a response from his son, Fugaku stared at him hard. "Do you remember when I told you to take this as a mission?" Sasuke nodded. "But you don't seem to obey orders as well as I should have trained you." Fugaku sat back down behind his desk. "I'll make it clear for you, so listen very carefully." He leaned forward, his fingers entwined in front of his face. "Tell her everything she needs to know about the family and make sure she understands what it means to be an Uchiha before the Gathering. Do you understand?"

Sakura was still giggling as Mikoto turned the page.

"And this here," Mikoto said with a loving smile on her face. "Is when he was 3 years old."

For the past 10 minutes, Sakura was trying so hard to hold back another laughter as she looked at an innocent, diaper-clad Sasuke hugging a teddy bear almost as big as him.

"He's so adorable, isn't he?" cooed Mikoto. Sakura only nodded to keep herself from laughing. So far, she saw toddler Sasuke playing with a rubber duck in the tub; a Sasuke with his whole body smeared with watery red liquid, which Mikoto identified as tomato juice and a bawling Sasuke holding a broken toy robot, among many others.

Sakura couldn't wait to tease, er, tell him about this. Yes. She was an adult and she should treat these embarrassing childhood pictures like the priceless treasure Mikoto seemed to think they were. That was until they got to the last page.

And she couldn't have possibly held it in any longer.

No matter how much Sasuke mulled over what his father told him, he couldn't help but think what a waste of time it was. One, the engagement was bound to be called off. He and Sakura agreed to that. Two, even if they were going to get married, why would it matter what she wanted to do? He had been in a lot of Gatherings before and he couldn't remember any of the guys saying those kinds of things. For most, the girl's name, family belonging to, business involved in and military rank of her relatives sufficed the curiosity of the clan members. There were a few times, however, when Sasuke had to listen to very long speeches made while the guy looked… fondly at the girl he was introducing. During these times, he always heard Itachi and Shisui snickering behind him.

This was probably why Itachi hated being set up with some random girl and did everything to have an alibi not to see her. Once, Shisui even remarked that the obligatory speech was the only reason why he would never get married.

"Ah, Sasuke," said a voice in front of him. Sasuke looked at Shisui, still clad in his military uniform. "Been a long time, kid."

Sasuke nodded in greeting. Itachi and Shisui were in the same department, directly under Naruto's father. However, Itachi said he had a mission to attend to. "Isn't Itachi with you?

Shisui ruffled Sasuke's hair, to the latter's dismay. "Why? You miss your aniki?"

The hair ruffling and the emphasis on the endearment he used to call Itachi when he was a child made him wince in annoyance. People seemed to get to his nerves all day today. First, it was Naruto, then Sakura, his mother, his father and now his brother's best friend. If Itachi came home, he'll surely make the list, too.

"Hey," Shisui said, arms raised in surrender. "I was kidding, alright? No need to go all evil eye on me." He chuckled before continuing, "Anyway, I've been transferred to another department and I'm here to see Fugaku-sama."

Sasuke's eyes fell on the folder Shisui was holding. "I see you're becoming a messenger lately." It was true. The few times he went home, Shisui was almost always there in his house.

Shisui chuckled again, however, judging from the tense set of his shoulders, not as carefree as before. "Do you think so? I'm pretty sure Itachi will say the same thing." Shisui took a few steps to stand just beside Sasuke and tapped his shoulder. "Anyway, I have to go. See you later."

The older male walked past him without looking back as Sasuke turned his head just enough to see him disappear behind his father's oak doors. When the door clicked shut, Sasuke resumed walking.

Only a few steps ahead, he was stopped in his tracks by obnoxious laughter coming from the living room.

He looked at his watch. He might as well get her so they could go back. He went to the living room and the sight of a doubled over Sakura, almost breathless from laughing too hard, clutching the fabric of the couch, was the first thing he saw. Concluding she was incoherent at the moment, he looked at his mother… and the abominable thing lying open on her lap.

Sasuke's jaw went slack when he saw a picture of himself in a pink dress, holding a frilly white umbrella over his head. He dashed for the album, snatched it away and closed it. "Mom."

"What?" Mikoto said. "That's my favorite picture of you, you know."

Sasuke strode to the nearest cabinet and flung the poor object on top of it. He was taller than his mother. At least for now, she wasn't able to do damage. He told himself he must get rid of that thing in whatever possible way before heading to the front door.

Taking a deep breath, he said, "I'm going back to the dorm."

"Hey, wait!" Sakura tried to keep up with Sasuke but he was ridiculously faster even when he was just walking. "Sasuke!"

She finally caught up with him when he stopped beside his motorcycle. Sasuke tossed her his helmet again and put on Itachi's. "If you say anything about it to anyone, I'll shut you up for good."

Sakura chuckled. "You have to admit that last one was priceless, though. Who'd have thought you had a knack for cross-dressing and you'd look good in it?"

"I was three," Sasuke retorted. "I couldn't have done anything about it when my mom put me in a dress for a Halloween party with her family."

"It looked more like a gown, but you still looked good in it either way. You really looked like a girl."

Sasuke got on the bike. "Stop talking about it and get on."

Sakura did as she was told. "I only saw the first three albums, though. Your mom said you have albums up until you were seven. I wonder what kind of pictures you have in there."

Sasuke frowned. He really needed to destroy those things… if only he could find where his mother stashed them. Itachi had a similar set too but his mother said they just miraculously disappeared without a trace. Sasuke knew Itachi got rid of them and asked him where he found them but he never told him. The bastard. He should have destroyed his set, too.

Sasuke was pulled out of his thoughts when he felt Sakura tug the sides of his shirt. "C'mon, be a good sport. All this frowning will really make your skin look bad."

"Hn. What would you do if someone showed your embarrassing pictures everytime you had guests?" He turned to her and green eyes looked straight back at him, all laughter gone. They each held their gazes for a while before Sakura broke the silence.

"I… I wouldn't know," she said with a small smile. "I don't have childhood pictures at home, you see. Not before I was twelve."

Somehow, he wanted to kick himself, especially when Sakura averted her eyes from his, eyes darting to nothing in particular.

It took a while of uncomfortable silence on Sasuke's part before muttering, "I didn't-," before he turned back to the winding path before him. He felt Sakura shift behind him.

"It's fine," Sakura said, trying to sound as jolly as before. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone about it. I promise."

"Hn." Sasuke revved the engine. "Put your helmet on." Again, he felt Sakura move behind him before both her hands held onto his shirt again.

With another rev of the engine, Sasuke stepped on the pedal and went as fast as he could to get back before curfew. It was a very quiet ride home.

A/N: Hey, how was it? I know you still waited a long time for this chapter but it's a relatively shorter wait, right?

Thank you to all those who reviewed, subscribed and favorited! Please keep on reviewing. Reviews always motivate me to type more chapters as quickly as I can. Anyway, we're getting close to the climax. The key points are all planned out in my head but I get distracted by other stuff so let's all hang on, okay?

Anyway, I've been reading fanfics again recently and I came across one that's really good. It's really long so read it if you have time. It's entitled "The Curse." Very well-written. So much so that I thought I still have a looooong way to go.

Thank you for reading!