000

" Loss Love "

August 20th, 982

It was a cold night in Konohagakure. Yet, it didn't stop a man named Asuka. On the roof of his small house, he sat and pondered the recent change in his life.

A week ago, on his birthday, Asuka had been given the greatest gift of his life in exchange for someone else's. That someone was his world, his happiness, and the person who trapped him on this cruel planet. Unfortunately, that someone was his wife.

"Promise me, Asuka…" Tears stung Asuka's eyes. He hated thinking of her. "That you'll stay strong. For me."

And he made the mistake of agreeing. Now, he was stuck on this planet once more, unable to escape. He had no one to keep him company and he couldn't, he DIDN'T, have the will to break his wife's last wish and only promise. He'd regret, no doubt.

So here he was. Sitting on his roof as he mourned the death of his wife.

"WAHHHHHH!!!"

That was until the sound of crying snapped him out of it. Wiping his tears, he slid down his roof until he hung on the edge. He swung into his open window and quickly closed it before the crying could wake any of his neighbors.

Beside Asuka, was a crib. And inside that crib, was a baby. An upset one, at that.

"Hey, hey, sweetheart, why are you crying?" He asked the infant, scooping her up into his arms.

She would've said the same thing, Asuka thought. He choked back an army as tears as his daughter's cries came to a stop.

The baby in his arms opened her eyes and Asuka almost broke down right then and there.

Ruby red eyes, just like her mother. Asuka smiled painfully, trying to hide his emotions and the pain. Unfortunately, he couldn't help, but let one tear fall.

The runaway tear fell straight onto the infant's forehead. On contact, she flinched before giving Asuka a look.

"Oh no," Her face scrunched up. "I'm sorry. Please don't cry." He started swinging her gently in his arms until her expression went back to normal. "I'm sorry. Can you forgive me?"

She didn't respond. Instead, her attention was focused outside, where Asuka had came from. Curious, he approached it and stared outside too. It seems she was focused on the moon.

The infant yawned, and so did Asuka. It wasn't until he finished his stargazing to realize his daughter had fallen asleep in his eyes.

Just like… He paused in his thoughts and quickly, but carefully put the baby back in her crib.

Asuka left and headed straight towards his room. Tears slid down his face as all the memories of his wife resurfaced.

She's just like her…

October 24th, 982

"She was amazing, you know? Me and your mother fought in the second and third great wars. She wasn't the strongest, but damn… She was certainly smart. A genius, even. Not only that, everyone loved her. I did too, and I still do. You know, you're not as bad as I thought…" Asuka said, his rambling finally ceasing.

Asuka sat on his bed as his daughter sat up against some pillows, listening. She had this big smile on that lit up the room and Asuka's mood.

"Ahbdaha!" She said cutely. Despite having no idea what she was trying to say, Asuka nodded his head and smiled.

"Exactly! You know just what to say." As a reward, he booped her nose. She didn't like it that much, and made sure to show it, too. "Don't be like that."

Just as her face scrunched up, the doorbell rang. It shocked the infant and Asuka, since they almost never get visitors.

Curious, Asuka picked up his child and walked to the front door. Hesitantly, he opened it to see a friend of his wife.

"Mikoto?" He said, obviously shocked. She waved nervously. "Uhm, come in!" He stepped to the side as he widened the door.

Mikoto Uchiha, a friend of his wife and who Asuka saw as a little sister, was a young woman with the common Uchiha black hair and eyes.

"Hello, Asuka. How have you been recently? Have you two been getting along?" She asked, referring to Asuka and his daughter.

The man glanced at his daughter before returning his sights to Mikoto. "Well, it's definitely better than the first week. I have someone to vent too, at least, and she is a good listener. Just… Just like her.." He said. The atmosphere saddened, but Mikoto's smile didn't let the air feel tense.

"I'm glad you're doing okay. I came by to deliver you some news. And don't worry, it's good."

The two sat around a small table. Asuka sat with his legs crossed so he could settle his daughter in the middle. Mikoto smiled at the infant and she smiled back.

"I'll get straight into it. What if I told you that Itachi could be getting a little sibling?"

It took Asuka to process the sudden information, but it soon clicked.

"Wait, wait, you're pregnant!?" He asked loudly. Mikoto nodded. "That's…! That's…" Asuka surprised happiness had disappeared slowly and Mikoto knew why.

She sighed as her kind smile fell. "Oh, Asuka.."

"Baaaaah." Asuka instantly looked down into his lap to see his daughter looking around the room. "Ahhhhhhh." She said again.

Asuka chuckled. "She's bored. She does this when she gets bored, when it's too quiet, or when she's by herself." Mikoto covered the bottom half of her face, trying not to laugh.

"Wow.. Hey, Asu, you never did tell me her name?"

"Ah, well, you see…" Asuka looked away, scratching the back of his head. Mikoto gave a curious look. "I haven't actually given her a name yet."

"Asuka!" Mikoto said in a gasp. She sounded like a shocked mother. "It's been two months and you haven't named her yet?!"

"I'm sorry, I know I have no excuse! It's just… I don't have any idea what to name her. And when I try, all I can think of is her.. And I don't want to name her after my wife, the woman I loved all my life. I feel bad at the thought of it! I don't want to replace her."

"It's okay, Asuka! We'll think of one today. It doesn't have to be named after her."

"I also don't want to forget about my wife. So I also want to name her something that will always remind me of her mother."

"Well, what is one thing you'll never forget about your wife?"

Asuka sat in silence. "She… She always managed to attract butterflies…"

"I remember that she loved flowers. She was obsessed with them."

"Hm… I think I have an idea.."

August 13th, 983

Chouka Gushiken, the daughter of Asuka, was officially a year old. Mikoto, her two sons, her best friend, and Asuka's best friend, had visited.

The toddler, who was just starting to walk, was overjoyed at all the new people to stare at and play with.

Chouka enjoyed Mikoto's motherly presence. When she had introduced her to Sasuke, Chouka started babbling to him and Mikoto. After that, Mikoto had steered her towards Itachi, who seemed lonely. Chouka approached the young boy and started talking to him. Mikoto was happy to watch Chouka and Itachi have a nice conversation, even if they couldn't understand each other.

Meanwhile, Asuka, Kushina, and Minato watched from afar. They didn't need to say anything or make any conversation because they were all thinking the same thing.

She's just like her mother…

"Uncle Asuka," Itachi approached the three, nervously holding Chouka in his arms. "she wants you.."

Asuka watched his daughter outstretch her hands out to him and he gladly picked her up.

"She really loves you, doesn't she?" Kushina asked.

Asuka couldn't help, but feel a little proud.

October 10th, 983

Loss. It was an experience Asuka had felt many times throughout his life. He had lost friends, family, and the love of his life. It had been the most recurring feeling he had ever felt throughout all fifty-six years of his life. And now it was happening again.

First, he had been outcasted by his very own clan the moment they found out his love for her…

Second, he had lost friends during the Second and Third Shinobi World War. He was lucky to be alive today.

And Lastly, he had lost her… His beautiful, strong, wife named Namie. Without her, he would've been long gone. She was his blessing and curse. Everything he did was for her. For love. And he regretted it, but if he had the chance to go back and change things, he wouldn't.

Tonight would be his fourth major loss. Something had gone terribly wrong during Kushina's birth. The Nine-Tailed Beast had been let loose and caused a rampage. It costed the lives of many ninja, including Kushina and Minato.

After years of holding back, Asuka had broke. He cried his eyes out when he heard of the news along with his daughter.

And just like before, he was left with a child.

Mikoto was going to adopt Naruto, the child of Kushina and Minato, if it wasn't for her husband. She didn't want to abandon him, so her only other option was Asuka.

He wanted to say no. He really did. But he didn't have the heart to abandon the child of his dead friends, so he said yes. He would burden himself even more for someone who was long gone. It wasn't the first time, after all. He had done this plenty of times before…