DISCLAIMER: All characters from Naruto belong to Masashi Kishimoto. Miyuki, her mom and their family were original characters I created for this fanfic. Also, happy birthday to Sasuke.

FIVE YEARS LATER

It is a beautiful day. The sun is shining brightly as I walk down the path, trying not to spill the bucket of water I'm carrying on my left hand and trying not to crush the flowers clutched on my right hand.

I stop then smile as I reach my parents' gravestones.

"Hi, Mama and Papa," I greet cheerfully. "Whattup? Oops. I'm not supposed to say whattup. Uncle Sasuke doesn't like that. I don't know why. He doesn't like anything, really. Except maybe Aunt Hinata. He likes staring at her. Uncle Neji said that's creepy," I ramble as I pour water on each gravestone. "Anyway! It's been a while. Sorry, I've been busy. Uncle Sasuke and Aunt Hinata got married last week. They're now on their honeymoon in Iceland. It's like their favorite place. They always go there. And it's so funny how Aunt Hinata always goes red whenever Iceland is mentioned, but Uncle Sasuke would look like super happy about it. They're so weird."

After cleaning their gravestones, I place the flowers I brought on its stand. I wanted to light an incense, but Uncle Sasuke would not let me. Said I was too young and I might burn myself. Like, duh. I'm 10 and I know how to light an incense, thank you very much.

I plop myself in front of their gravestones after saying a little prayer. The ground's a bit dirty, but that's okay. But I'll definitely get scolded by Grandma Ayame for getting my dress dirty again. She always told me not to wear my expensive clothes when I wanted to play outside and that I should wear the clothes she bought me 'cause those are cheap. Well, how am I supposed to know which ones are expensive and which ones are cheap?

"Anyway, where was I? Oh, yeah. Uncle Sasuke and Aunt Hinata's wedding. Aunt Hanabi said it was a long time coming. Whatever that means. What I do know is that it was beautiful! Much more beautiful than Uncle Neji's wedding. There were lots of flowers and Aunt Hinata was wearing this really pretty white kimono. My kimono was pretty, too! I have pictures, but it's on my phone which I can't use if there's no school, so I didn't bring it with me. Sorry. When I come back next time, I'll show you the pictures. Hmm, what else… Oh, right! Uncle Gaara caught the bouquet. Aunt Sakura said that means he will get married next. Everyone was laughing. It was so funny."

I pluck at some wayward weeds for a while.

"Grandpa Hiashi cried when Aunt Hinata got married… Papa, would you cry when I get married? 'Cause I… I'd like to get married when I grow up. Aunt Hinata said you would definitely cry. All fathers do, she said… Well, I guess I'll never see that… Anyway, I'm sure Uncle Sasuke will do all the crying for you, Papa. He already cried when Ichigo-chan said he'll marry me when he turns five. Uncle Naruto was very proud, though…"

I wipe my tears away and smile brightly at their gravestones. "Don't worry, Mama. It's okay to cry. I'm doing well. I'm top of the class again. I eat my vegetables. I sleep early. I have friends. Not a lot, but that's okay too. I listen to Grandma Ayame and Grandma Mikoto and Grandpa Hiashi… and Grandpa Fugaku, I guess. You know he can be really annoying sometimes. Anyway, I gotta go. Uncle Juugo's waiting. I'll visit again next week with the pictures," I get to my feet, dust off my dress, and wave goodbye at their gravestones. "See you!"

xXx

"I'm home!" I exclaim the moment I enter our house. It's a big house, so I gotta raise my voice a little.

Grandma Ayame appears from the kitchen, smiling. "Welcome home!"

I skip my way there. It smells delicious. "Are you making cookies?" I ask as I give her a hug.

"Yes, I am."

"Can I help?"

"Sure."

I love having Grandma Ayame over. She's staying with me here while Aunt Hinata and Uncle Sasuke are on their honeymoon. My mama's sister, Aunt Tomoyo, is busy with school so she stayed behind in Nagano. Uncle Gaara's off on one of his trips again. And so, Uncle Juugo was asked to stay with us and look after us. Uncle Sasuke said it was dangerous for an old woman and a little girl to be home alone. I don't exactly know what that means. I guess maybe in case there's a fire or something and I have to carry Grandma Ayame down the stairs. I can't, of course. I'm 10.

Me, Grandma Ayame, and Uncle Juugo eat our dinner in the kitchen. We have cookies for dessert. Uncle Juugo, after eating like a lot of cookies, does the dishes. Him and Grandma Ayame are telling stories while he does that. I excuse myself and go to my bedroom. On my there, I pause on the wall by the staircase. Opposite the floor-to-ceiling emblem of the Uchiha crest is a wall of pictures and magnets and other memorabilia of Aunt Hinata's trip around the world. I smile at a picture of us three with the pandas when we went to China last year. I wonder what they're doing on this honeymoon thing. I tried asking what a honeymoon is, of course, but they all say the same thing: adult stuff. What other adult stuff are they doing in Iceland? I know they like looking at the northern lights, but I like looking at them too and I'm not even an adult. But like I said, Uncle Sasuke and Aunt Hinata are weird.

I've taken a liking to painting. One day, when me and Uncle Gaara were playing hide-and-seek, I went into the garage and did a little exploring. That was when I saw Papa's paints and brushes and canvasses. I picked them up, started painting, and never stopped painting since then. I'm painting something when there's a knock on my door. Grandma Ayame comes in with the laptop.

"Finish up soon and get ready for bed," she says as she puts the laptop on my bed. "Your uncle is calling at 9."

I look at the clock. I still have time to wash up. "Okay!"

"Well, I'm going to bed," she says, kissing me goodnight.

"Goodnight, Grandma. I love you."

She doesn't say it back, but it's okay. I know she loves me. And so, I clean up and get ready for bed. I set the laptop and a few moments later, a call comes thru. I accept it. Aunt Hinata and Uncle Sasuke appear on the screen, both smiling brightly.

"Hello!" I greet them.

We catch up and then Uncle Sasuke says quietly, "We're going to tell you something. But you must promise not to tell anyone. Not your grandmas. Especially not Grandpa Hiashi."

I frown. "What is it? Why can't I tell anyone?"

"You have to promise first," Uncle Sasuke says sternly.

"But why?"

"Because your Grandpa Hiashi will kill me," Uncle Sasuke grumbles then flinches as Aunt Hinata gives him a look. "What? We just got married last week and you're already – "

"Why would Grandpa Hiashi kill you? Aunt Hinata, is he being dramatic again?"

"Hey, I'm not dramatic."

"Are you telling me to lie? I'm not supposed to lie. Lying is bad."

"No, we're not telling you to lie. Just don't tell them what we're going to tell you."

"Why?"

"We just want to tell them ourselves when we get back," Aunt Hinata mutters. "It's a surprise."

"And I get to know first before anyone else?" I ask eagerly. They nod and I clap my hands in excitement. I love surprises. "Okay, okay! I promise I won't tell anyone."

Uncle Sasuke and Aunt Hinata look at each other first. They're both smiling.

"You're going to be a big sister," Aunt Hinata tells me, going red in the face.

"Eh?"

"Aunt Hinata's going to have a baby," Uncle Sasuke says proudly.

I squeal in excitement. A baby! Best surprise ever!

END.

July 23, 2020 – Finally. After almost ten years (10, what?!) and after all the shits that went down in life, it's done. It feels amazing to be able to finish a story…

Thought it's only fitting to end it on a positive note. An epilogue from Miyuki's point of view is what I always planned. At first, I wanted her to be 18, but that's a long time skip so.

I named Naruto and Sakura's son Ichigo. I'm so creative, lol! Yeah, Sasuke and Hinata popped the cherry as they watched the northern lights on that trip Sasuke was planning for them. Neji got married to – well, it's a secret. I'll let you guys decide who. Gaara's still the same because he's awesome just as he is.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the support these past years. To everyone who took their time to review – in English and in Spanish (and other languages). I don't understand Spanish, so I don't know if I'm being trolled or what, but still thank you. By the way, I gave my permission to someone (I forgot her name, sorry) to have this story translated in Spanish, so it's cool. To everyone who read and followed this story, thank you. To everyone who gave their words of encouragement, thank you.

Stay safe. Practice social distancing. Wash your hands. Wear a mask.