Nanny or Mommy

Chapter 13: An Awkward Dinner

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Dinner now served and everyone seated in their chosen spots Sakura was kind of a nervous mess as she watched as everyone tried their food. She saw the food enter their mouths and shifted her gaze to her own food. She couldn't watch their reactions afraid that they'll be disgusted by it.

Naruto noticed Sakura's intense glare on her meal and suspected she was afraid they wouldn't like it. Admittedly he's had way better what with having one of the best chefs in Japan cook for him almost every day. But it wasn't bad, and he made sure to voice it in order to ease Sakura's nerves.

"This is pretty good Sakura-chan. Thank you" Sakura sighed and sent Naruto a thankful smile. Her eyes wandered to the younger Hyuga who was glaring at seemingly nothing but was still eating. Sakura took that as a good sign since Hanabi seemed like the type to say something if they don't enjoy something. And the kids seemed to not mind the food.

"I'm glad. To be honest, I'm not much of a cooker more of a baker thanks to the bakery I worked at." Hanabi scoffed no longer staring down at anything but looking directly at Sakura who was just across from her.

"Problem?" She understood why Hanabi was so angry but to be angry at her was inexcusable.

Just as she opened her mouth, Naruto cleared his throat loudly interrupting whatever she was going to say. "Hanabi why don't you tell the kids the news." Hanabi's harsh expression turned into one of peace and slight happiness.

"News?" Bolt asked looking at the woman beside him.

"Yes well, you kids will be hanging out with me and ojiisan soon." She wasn't expecting silence when she gave them the news. She looked at Bolt who seemed to be thinking about something Himawari just tilted her head and furrowed her eyebrows.

Sakura silently exchanged concerned glances with the Naruto who was also confused at their lack of reaction. "Bolt Hime, what's the matter?"

"I don't wanna go." Bolt said firmly getting a nod in agreement from his sister.

"Wha—why?!" He wasn't sure how to react it's not like Hiashi didn't spoil them rotten whenever he saw them which was a rare occurrence. They don't dislike Hiashi and Hiashi certainly acted like the loving grandpa when they're around it's a creepy site that he really could have went his whole life without seeing.

"Stay with Sakura-chan," Himawari said causing Sakura to almost choke on the food that she was in the midst of swallowing. Once she looked like she wasn't going to die from choking Hime wrapped her arms around Sakura and buried her face in her shirt. Sakura looked from the littlest Uzumaki to Naruto silently panicking. Hanabi already hated her and the kids choosing her over their blood-related family would push that hatred to a whole new level.

"I'm sure they don't mean that." She laughed nervously stuffing more food into her mouth to avoid talking again.

The sound of scraping from the chair being pushed back on the floor turned everyone's attention to the noise. "I think I overstayed my welcome I'll inform my father about this." Hanabi threw the napkin she had on her lap on her plate and quickly left.

"W-wait!" Sakura got up once Himawari released her and chased after her. "Wait please!"

Surprisingly Hanabi did once she was at the front door and away from the Uzumakis. "What?" She snapped at the pinkette.

Sakura flinched slightly she sighed and looked down at the floor. "I'm sorry it seems like I'm just one big problem for you and I don't mean to be."

"Why are you here?" Sakura reeled from how angry she sounded.

"I—Naruto offered me the job, and I took it...also the kids really needed someone to be there for them in ways their father couldn't." Hanabi finally met Sakura eye to eye and saw that she was being honest. "I overheard what you and Naruto were talking about, and I get it you loved your sister and to see me take the job that she once had is probably heartbreaking. I'm definitely not trying to take your sister's spot I'm ju—"

"Shut. Up." Her eyes widened confusion and shock swimming in her green orbs. "You're an idiot it's not just about Himawari and Bolt it's also about that baka."

Realization dawned on her. "Do you li—"

"God no but Hinata loved him to death and when she comes back...I...I want her to be able to come back to the way things were before she left." Hanabi was a little emotional thinking about her elder sister. A part of her felt it in her soul that Hinata was still out there, but the other part of her felt doubtful.

"I thought she was...gone and I'm sure Naruto still feels strongly for her if she's still around."

"Presumed." she quickly answered. "I can see the way he looks at you a sort of longing..."

Sakura's heart beat a little faster then she would have liked. "We're just friends." Barely that, she thought to herself.

"You may believe that but does he?" With that Hanabi opened the door and left slamming the door behind her. The pinkette sighed feeling like she didn't get through to Hanabi at all. Her thoughts quickly went to her final words and what she overheard them talking about.

She knew that he liked her ever since the beach but longed for her? She just couldn't process it.

Sakura sighed she would have to confront him about his feelings for her sooner or later. Turning back and walking into the dining room she saw everyone picking at their food. "What's wrong?"

"Just a very awkward dinner." As he thought would happen.

"Tell me about it." She went back to her spot to pick at her own food her appetite now ruined thanks to that encounter. She felt kind of bad since she could tell Hanabi wasn't a bad person just hurt. Her sister's gone, and now her niece and nephew don't even want to spend a few days with her talk about tragic. So at that moment, she decided she would at least help Hanabi with the one thing she can help her with.

"Bolt Hime I think you two should go with Hanabi." The two looked over at her in surprise. "I know you two want to spend time with me but she's your family and family is everything. You two really hurt her feelings when you chose me, your nanny over her, your aunt. I'm not forcing you two to go because it's your decisions but simply suggesting." She gave them both a tense smile awaiting their final decision.

Bolt tapped his chin with his finger thinking about it closely well as closely as a five year old would. "Ok Sakura-chan anything for you." She giggled and got up to hug the blonde who snuggled closely into her warm embrace.

"Me too Sakura-chan!" Himawari said also joining the hug. They really loved her a lot that they would do anything she said.

Naruto watched with conflicted feelings as his kids hugged the pinkette like if they let go, she would leave them. He isn't sure where their lives are going to go from here on out, but as long as they stick together, he knew that nothing could break them apart. They're like family.

.x.

Once the kids were settled in after having dessert, of course, Naruto and Sakura went back downstairs to clean up. "You know you don't have to help me right?"

"Please you probably never washed dishes a day in your life I have to make sure you're doing it right." She said as she dried off a freshly cleaned plate.

"That's what dishwashers are for." Sakura rolled her eyes she was always taught to hand wash dishes even though they had a dishwasher. Her mother claimed that washing it by hand was a much cleaner and effective method.

"So you haven't is what I'm getting from that reply." She smirked when he playfully glared at her from the corner of his eye.

"If you must know I have too washed dishes bef—shit!" Naruto took his hands out of the soapy water filled sink and went to dry his hands with a towel. Sakura looked and noticed his shirt had a big wet spot on it.

"Oh no, your silk shirt imported all the way from wherever. By the way that's a dollar in the swear jar." Naruto grunted taking a dollar from his pocket and begrudgingly putting it in the jar.

He couldn't believe that he messed up his shirt maybe he should remove it. Suddenly an idea ran through Naruto's mind. With an evil grin, Naruto started unbuttoning his shirt with his back to Sakura. Naruto removed the shirt once he unbuttoned all of the buttons.

"N-Naruto what are you doing?!" She put her hands over her eyes but wasn't quite using them to cover them from the sight in front of her they were on her face, but her fingers were far apart. She could clearly see all that he had to offer even with a tank top on.

"What? My shirt is wet so I took it off." He feigned confused. Sakura cleared her throat and removed her hands from her face.

"Let's just hurry up and finish this." She said as her eyes stared almost hungrily at his muscular arms and how lovely the tank top clung to him.

"You know Sakura-chan any time you wanna just see me without the tank just tell me." He winked once her eyes finally met his. A whole new color engulfed her face. She couldn't believe the Baka would say something so suggestive to her. Then again she does know he has a thing for her.

"Just for that have fun doing this by yourself." With that, she placed the dried dish on the rack and stormed away with a blush still clearly on her face.

Naruto chuckled while watching her go. He knew he probably shouldn't be suggesting anything like that, but she technically started it when they were upstairs. He's just giving her a taste of her own medicine.

He couldn't wait for tomorrow he already had plans for them. If his parents somehow distracted the kids, then he would be able to take Sakura to his favorite restaurant and the waterfall springs. There's a lot of things that could ruin his plans one being her not wanting to go. Naruto wondered how he was going to ask her to go with him without it sounding like a date.

Tomorrow's going to be a hectic but exciting day. His big grin didn't last long since his thoughts took a turn for the worst. The worst being his and Hanabi's fight.

He was happy happier then he's been in a long time, and Hanabi didn't want that. He understood why she'd think that he's trying to replace Hinata, but he's not. It's just that instead of wasting time fighting his attraction for Sakura he was going to give them a chance well if she allowed it of course. That was what he decided after the whole Beach vacation.

He had nothing against Hanabi she was just always looking out for her older shy/quiet sister. From the start of Hinata and his relationship, she was against it. He dryly chuckled to himself. She was right of course all he did was ruin such a kind-hearted innocent person. They weren't ready for kids hell they weren't even ready for marriage, but everyone seemed to push it on to them. He knew back then that Hinata was more then happy to marry him, but he still questioned if he was or was everyone's opinions clouding his own judgment. He could tell she needed more from him as their relationship continued on after marriage. She wasn't happy, so instead of talking to her he just gave her a baby they weren't ready for hoping that'll help. He failed as a friend, husband, and a father looking back, but he wasn't going to make that same mistake he made with Hinata with Sakura.

With a determined look, he finished washing the last dish and put it in the drying rack making a promise to himself to not mess this up.

.x.

"Is everyone ready!?" Naruto shouted from downstairs with the bags. Bolt came running down the stairs making Naruto extremely nervous that he would fall. "Careful Bolt the car isn't going anywhere." Bolt looked sheepish all while bouncing on the balls of his feet. How the child had so much energy so early in the morning, Naruto would never know.

"Sorry dad I'm so excited to see grandma and grandpa!" Naruto couldn't blame him he hasn't seen his parents in a year or so. His attention was turned elsewhere when he heard the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs, and he could never get sick of the sight before him.

A sleepy Himawari in the arms of Sakura who was also carrying her bag and Himawari's favorite doll.

"Sorry it took so long this one was too tired to put on her clothes so I had to dress her myself." Naruto eyed his daughter who was currently sucking on her thumb with half-lidded eyes.

"It's fine Sakura-chan I know how she can get." Once she reached the bottom of the stairs, he took the bags from her to lighten her load.

"So why are we leaving so early?" She asked as they both walked out of the house.

"Well, traffic is terrible out there so I'm hoping we'll make it to at least lunch." Sakura nodded she got it; you had to go through the busiest part of the city which was never clear of traffic and if there's an accident and one lane was closed then the usual time is tripled.

"Just put me out of my misery." She groaned strapping both Bolt and Himawari in their booster seats.

"I think I'm supposed to be saying that since I'm driving." She put her hands on her hips and playfully glared at him. He looked her up and down eyeing what she decided to wear which was a red skirt thigh high black socks brown ankle length boots and a simple flowered patterned black sleeveless button up shirt tucked in her skirt. She looked stunning and he was tempted to tell her.

"You're staring pretty hard there Baka do you think I look good?" She twirled and struck a pose damn near causing his heart to explode. Unfortunately, the only thing that did explode was his face. His blush burned through his cheeks rivaling the red of her skirt.

"I'm kidding hurry up or traffic will probably be worst." She quickly turned away and got into the passenger side of the car. She shakily raised her hands to feel her face it felt hot, and she's sure that if she looked in the mirror her face would be a shade of red as well. It was embarrassing how red he could make her face go without even being aware of it.

Finally taking a deep breath and the color now fading she turned to see what the kids were doing. Hanabi was asleep at a weird angle while Bolt was playing with his favorite toy car. All in all, they were fine.

The door to the driver side opened snapping her out of her trance. "Ready?" She nodded watching as he started the car. She was feeling anxious and tense and hoped that Naruto's parents liked her. For the kid's sake of course.

"So any tips on how to deal with your parents?" Naruto chuckled as he drove out of the gates to his home. He could tell she was nervous who wouldn't be?

"Don't worry Sakura-chan I'm a hundred percent sure they'll love you." She looked out the window biting her bottom lip.

"Yeah..." She had about 3 more hours to mentally prepare herself and gain some confidence. Why am I even stressing I'm just the nanny meeting my boss's parents no big deal.

Right?

End

Whoop chapter 13 is done working on chapter 14 now I got my motivation back.

Naruto's starting to make his move it's just up to Sakura.

Soooo Mission: Baby I've sort of hit a wall with that story I know where I want to go, but I'm not sure how to go about it. Sooo for now it's on a small hiatus. I also think that I'll be rereading this story and doing some corrections.

Revised: 12/15/18