Author's Note: This is a story taken place in the future of Naruto…maybe 15 years later or so. I hope you like it…different from the rest of the stories I wrote…but I was inspired to write this.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Information –
Uchiha Sasuke & Haruno Sakura: In 15 years, they have married and both are twenty-seven years-old. Married for 10 years now, the couple has a son and daughter; Yami and Hikari, both resembling their parents. Their around 9 years old, both twins; probably Yami is a few minutes older. Yami looks just like his father, as to Hikari is like her mother. It is rather hard as because Sasuke is in ANBU and Sakura is a Jounin; trained by the 5th Hokage to become an ANBU Medical-nin. Yami has increasable amount knowledge and has become a Chuunin at the age of eight while Hikari has brains; though still in the Ninja Academy.
Nara Shikamaru & Yamanaka Ino: The two have a sturdy rough relationship. Being married two times and divorce once, though that was where the second marriage came in. They have a son, Haru…which is very similar to his father other then he has blonde hair. Haru is a very smart boy, having an IQ maybe beyond his own father at the age of 9. Ino and Shikamaru have been married a year earlier then Sakura and Sasuke, meaning they were together for 11 years.
Hyuuga Neji & TenTen: TenTen's last name is unknown This couple has just gotten together, though they've had their relationship longer then the rest. Neji had become an ANBU and also the head of his clan, seeing Hinata had declined her position and the main house needed someone to take over. TenTen taught at the Ninja Academy, so they didn't have time for each other until five years ago; and then Neji finally put himself ahead of this stubbornness and proposed to his girlfriend. They have a 3-year old daughter; Yukari, which received the Hyuuga's hidden bloodline and eyes. Her silver eyes and black hair made her look a bit like her aunt, Hinata.
Uzumaki Naruto & Hyuuga Hinata: A little slower then a few of the couples above, who would've known these two would ever get together. Hinata was too shy to say anything, and as her timid self, she hardly spoke with Naruto as well, even at age 21. Naruto; being dense as he was, kept on chasing Sakura, until a year later when she had married Sasuke. Though it didn't stop him from harboring feelings for her…even Sasuke's threats didn't stop him. And then, when news spread that the kunoichi was pregnant with twins, Naruto finally stopped himself from liking his ex-comrade. It took awhile for Naruto to realize that Hinata had liked him for so long, and by then he had moved on with his feelings for Sakura. It took the dense blonde some time to even ask the girl out and by then, the two shinobi's were 23. They married just a year ago, making them 26; having no children as of yet.
Rock Lee: Lee is the same age as the rest of the group, though he has been married once and after that, divorced. He was lucky enough to keep custody of his daughter; Lin. She is around nine-years old, luckily not having the thick-eye brow trait from her father. She as well, was trained by her father to be a Taijutsu-specialist. Her mother is unknown, and is rarely brought up by Lee.
Akimichi Chouji: Chouji, never been married before lived quite a lonely life. At first, he roomed with Shikamaru until he began to date Ino…afterwards, Shikamaru moved out years later when he married his comrade. It was hard for Chouji living alone, until his best-friend recommended that he adopted a kid for himself. Chouji, being the guy he is, agreed and took in a cute daughter. By now, she is nine and adores her father – except for his eating habit, which she does not follow. The girl's name is Taiyaki, named after a food; so typical of Chouji.
Growing Pains
o n e
"'tou-san…" The boy frowned and inched toward his father. "Will you at least show me how the Chidori works?" It was in the afternoon that the heir of the Uchiha clan felt urged to know a knew jutsu…and the only technique he couldn't master was Chidori. The nine-year old waited for his father to reply…he couldn't ask anyone else except that old man his parents hung around with to teach him the special ninjutsu. The guy was what? Hokage?
Yami sighed, his eyes resembling the person in front of him. The man just stood there, looking down at his young son. 'It seems like he's learning fast…better then when I was his age…' Sasuke shook his head and sighed, "Why do you want to learn it?"
It was a dumb question to both the father and son. "I want to be stronger," the boy answered simply. "I want to be like you, and defeat all those weak shinobi's out there."
Such strong and cocky words for someone at his age, it made Sasuke smirk. "Heh, and you think learning the Chidori will help you?" He crossed his arms over his chest and watched his wife play with their daughter Hikari. "Do you think life is all about being the strongest?"
"Otou-san, I want to become the strongest Uchiha and shinobi in this whole village." The small shinobi's tone was serious. As Sasuke stared down at his son's eyes, he could tell that this was his son. 'He'll be able to control the sharigan soon as well…' the ANBU-member thought.
Yami…was so similar to…Itachi.
"So will you teach me 'tou-san?"
It only made Sasuke smile. "Sure," he agreed, "When you can beat me in a spar."
"Nani?" Yami scowled, "but if I'm able to, then what's the point of learning it then?" He muttered a few words and walked away, back to his training area near-by. It surprised Sasuke that his son chose the training area he had chose when he was younger. As the Uchiha estate was surrounded by trees, there were only two training spots that were on the Uchiha property. One had turned into a semi-playground for the children…but it wasn't like Yami ever bothered to play.
Sakura had become worried through-out the year as to when Yami never bothered to play like normal children or hung around with his sister. The boy was very much like his father…but was that a bad thing? It took some time to get used to her son's behavior, and she let Sasuke take over with their son while she played with Hikari.
"Otou-san!" A little girl called out smiling at her father. She had jumped off her swing and ran to him in a scurry, grinning. "Okaa-san taught me the sign of the rabbit! It's so cute Otou-san!" Hikari began to make that sign by her small fingers and she giggled, "I'm going to show this to Sensei tomorrow at school!"
Sasuke smiled slightly and picked up his daughter, "You should learn more of these rather then playing, Hikari. Be like your brother, don't fool around too much."
She frowned in disappointment and nodded, "H-hai…Otou-san."
He put her down and let her run off again. Realization shot him, he was a man with two kids and a wife…but he had made a mistake. All of these were too familiar…for nine years he never doubted his fatherly abilities. He rarely had the time for his family really. After killing Itachi, Sasuke had moved on being a Jounin and then ANBU member. When he began to start a family, missions came up and some took more then months.
The longest mission the Uchiha had was a whole year…and by then, he came back realizing Sakura had birthed two children without him knowing. Sasuke had felt bad for awhile, but then it slowly faded as time took place for him to take care of the children. The head of the Uchiha clan now wouldn't say he was excited about this…but he was glad that he had now was able to reassure the clan to his heirs if anything ever happened to him.
Sasuke hadn't changed very much through-out the years he had with Sakura…other then he opened up to her more then anyone else. He also didn't say much to his children, and the only time he did was hang out with them was through meals or training. Yami had improved very much though, and 1/3 of this strength was not by his father's help.
'Am I…acting like my father…?' Sasuke pondered as he stared at his daughter's form walking away from him.
The look of disappointment was very familiar to the time he had told his father that he had learned a new technique. It had made him feel not good enough compared to Itachi…was this what was happening with Yami and Hikari? By telling Hikari to be like her brother, did it make her feel sad that she wasn't good enough?
Sasuke shook his head…he didn't want to be like his father. Nor did he want his family to be like the one he had in the past. Yami and Hikari were being too alike as of Itachi and him. What was going to happen in the future then?
'I always wanted my father to acknowledge me…is that what Hikari's feeling then?' her disappointed expression formed in his mind again, 'But that's why Sakura's here. She's their mother…she's able to give them the comfort they need.' He stuffed his hands in his pocket and walked inside the house. Having a family meant a long existing clan…but what else?
---
"Itai! 'Tou-san, why does girl's have to be so bothersome?" Shikamaru's son looked up at him, giving his father an arrogant face. "I mean, their so annoying. At school yesterday, Taiyaki was all over Yami as if she was his fan girl or slave! And then Lin scratched me when I insulted him." Haru revealed his injury, "now I'm scared of them."
"Mou…why does this sound all too similar? I told you Haru…never say anything to girls…or insult ones they worship."
A cough was heard and Ino appeared; spatula in one hand. "Ooh? And why do you say that? It's really common to worship the one you love ya know Shika-kun."
"Yeah…yeah…" the man sighed and patted his son on the head. "I warned you."
Haru nodded obediently and Ino began to get irritated, sighing: "Like father like son. Why oh why couldn't I get a daughter? Then we'd be able to fan girl over cute boys and talk about girl stuff…" the wife pouted, "It's your entire fault Shikamaru!"
'And there she goes again.'
Shikamaru had become an ANBU member just a year ago, just for his brains and his strategist mind. But for some reason, his knowledge towards woman was always confusing. Seriously, he never understood Ino, and he was sure his son was never going to surpass him on woman.
"Demo…Okaa-san," Haru poked his mother, "I don't think having a daughter would be a good idea. You know…expense for diapers, make-up, magazines, clothes, that would really cut your income. Sure, 'tou-san is an ANBU member and you own a flower shop but just think about-,"
"Okay, okay," his mother sweat dropped, "I understand. Now Haru-kun, why don'cha go and train or get your father off his lazy ass and take ya somewhere?" Ino grinned, trying to drop the subject. It was so disturbing having two genius males in the same house-hold. It just made it impossible to make a smart remark at them.
"Do you think that would be a good idea…? Because I know that 'tou-san will-," yet again Haru was cut off his statement as Shikamaru dragged him out of the house. "Sure! We're gonna go somewhere! Having some…err – fatherly-son bonding time!"
"Alright! Be home by dinner though!" Ino called before her husband shut the door – sighing in relief.
As the two shinobi's left the house, Haru rolled his eyes. "You know, 'tou-san…that was lame."
"Eh…we needed to get out of the house sometime. You know how your mother is…she hasn't changed at all, how annoying." The genius began to walk away, not caring if his son followed. "Might as well visit Chouji…"
"Eh?!" the blonde blinked and shook his head, "'Tou-san! No way am I going to see Taiyaki…she's so mean!"
"You have to deal with girls sometime in your life ya know," Shikamaru lectured. "And I'm sure she's not at home…girls don't tend to like to be home…especially with their father unless they had to. Chouji's probably at his shop anyways."
"Who knows though…that Taiyaki could be there…and probably Lin too!" Haru scowled, "Girl's are so scary…they can really hurt you when you didn't do anything wrong!"
"Baka…" Shikamaru chuckled, "who knows. You have to confront your fears sometime, right?"
As they approached Chouji's 'All You can Eat – BBQ' restaurant, the two members of the Nara family could smell hot food. It was typical of Chouji to own a restaurant like this…he did know his tastes. But never in woman, which was pretty sad. Shikamaru didn't know what he would do with his daughter…being too busy to eat, did he take care of his child properly? Who knows…maybe?
"Yo," the man waved as he entered the restaurant. His hair still tied in a short ponytail, and his ears pierced. Ino said that was what she liked about him: his 'cool' and 'collected' look while giving in with the 'punk' taste. Shikamaru though just ignored Ino's comment. He was glad that his son liked his style though…as to the limit of imitating his father and tying his hair and piercing his ears as well. They were like twins, except with different hair color and size different.
"Eh? Shikamaru!" the fat man grinned and hugged his long-time friend. "It's good to see you here…and there's Haru!" the man laughed and patted Shikamaru's son. "Look just like your father…he and Taiyaki have told me plenty of stories about you!"
'She probably comes crying to him about how bad I am…which are all lies.' Haru sighed, 'Girl's are so troublesome…why do we have to deal with them? Poor me…'
"That's good to hear…Ino kicked us out of the house so I thought we'd visit you," Shika explained and grinned. "Better then walking off anyways…knowing her, she'd give out a tantrum when I get back."
"That sounds such like Ino," Chouji laughed. "I hope her cooking style has changed though…"
Haru played a 'choke' scene; having his hands choke his neck and gagging. "Yup…that's my boy. That's how bad her cooking is."
"Aww…then how do you guys survive?"
"I had to force myself to learn how to cook," he sighed. "Better then nothing…and because of Haru, there was no other way to escape the house. Ino seems to find a way to locate me…we're lucky enough to annoy her so she can kick us out of the house personally. It just makes things easier and no suspicion."
"'Tou-san is just afraid of mother's screams…" the little kid stated and Chouji laughed; "Haha…now that's so Shikamaru." The father gave an irritated face, "Who wouldn't be?"
---
"The baby's crying…"
"Her names Yukari," TenTen stated and held the baby girl to his face.
Neji sighed and held his daughter, cradling her. He was glad that no one was here to witness this, because it would be the end of him going out in public. He had to muster every amount of pride he had to hold this baby – his baby. The girl seemed to love it when her father had cradled her to sleep; even though she was already three.
Neji had expected a boy, so they would have a heir to the Hyuuga's clan…but TenTen didn't care; she was happy with the daughter she had now. The small girl was their first child, and it held proof that TenTen and Neji held an undeniable love for each other. Though…Neji would never admit that to anyone, even his wife.
"Good, she's asleep." TenTen smiled and withdrawal the baby back from the man she loved. "If she cries again then you know what to do."
"What do you mean…if? Where are you going?" He eyed her suspiciously.
"I'm meeting up with Sakura-san and Ino-san…probably Hinata would be there too." TenTen put on her coat and pecked a kiss on her husband's cheek. "I'll be back some time soon…just makes sure that Yukari eats something when she wakes up."
How come TenTen didn't say anything about her meeting with the other women's sooner? This wasn't like her, he thought. '…or maybe I'm just paying too much attention on this…' he grunted and watched at she departed. A wave was seen and the black haired kunoichi disappeared.
A worried feeling surfaced…what was he going to do when Yukari was going to wake up? This wasn't Neji's first time being alone with his daughter…but he just never really paid attention on taking care of children. Yukari had come unexpected anyways…and she was just like her mother. Whining all the time, spoiled, but same thing from him though…he loved them both.
Neji wasn't sure if he was going to be the right father. He sure didn't want to be like Sasuke though, damn sure. He had seen how that man treated his children…it was just like how he treated his wife so many years ago.
Neji didn't know why that Haruno girl even stayed with Sasuke for this long; all she was to him was a tool, plus their children were only a measly existent of the clan. At a part, Neji had learned from Sasuke and that man taught him that the Hyuuga leader didn't want to be like the Uchiha. He didn't want his clan to fall apart, not now…not ever. He wasn't going to pick over favoritism on who was the strongest, although he had one child right now so it didn't matter.
Neji had softened a lot now…he was going to take care of his family. By Sasuke's actions, the Byakugan heir didn't want his wife to feel lonely – ever. And their child, he didn't want them to be cold like Yami, that Uchiha son. He wanted his family to be normal, though that would be impossible.
He just had to make sure that his family was all right, nothing wrong had happened. In his life, all the man had to do was take care of his family, clan, and reputation. The shinobi nodded but then sighed as he heard a deep cry. Here it goes…
---
The table was seated by four female shinobi's. Each one smiled at one another, though they didn't know what to really say. The meeting was held at the Uchiha household, Sakura had suggested so. At this time of day, Sasuke was outside training probably and the children were might've been with him.
Ino passed cups containing tea around to each one of the woman's, "I hope you guys like Jasmine Tea…that tea-lady told me it was suppose to be good…"
TenTen took a sip and nodded, "It is. Bittersweet really, can I have more sugar though? I'm not the bitter-tea type."
Sakura seated down again as Ino scooped a spoonful of sugar and poured it in the other shinobi's cup. "Much better," she said and sipped more.
"Un, it's good to have tea once and awhile." The pink-haired kunoichi agreed. "Holding this once a week was a good idea, ne?"
"H-hai…" Hinata nodded, fidgeting with her fingers. It seemed uncomfortable for the timid-ninja to be here…especially with Sakura and TenTen.
"Aw…don't be shy around us!" Ino grinned, "We're practically friends, ne? All four of us are house-wives, so it's common for us to start a group like this!" It was always Ino who tried to cheer the atmosphere up. That was what she was for anyways, trying to make people feel more relaxed. Though…except for her husband.
"Ino-chan's right," Sakura agreed. "It hasn't been too long that we've been having a meeting like this."
TenTen nodded but sighed, "I wish Neji-kun would stop pestering me about this though. He seems surprised every time I'm off to see you guys. I'm lucky that he'd at least take care of Yukari-chan for me though. That man needs to stop training and going on missions…can you believe it? He's missed out on Christmas last year just because of his mission!"
"Well…at least you have a husband that does something. I have to practically kick Shikamaru out of the house. And then Haru-kun 'n him pick on me, which makes me go crazy." She scowled, "I swear those two enjoy doing that…thinking their better with brains."
Sakura giggled, "Well…they are two of the smartest shinobi's in this village though. I'm just worried about Yami and Hikari…"
"Aww…why? Those two seem so perfect!" Ino complimented, "I mean…they're so polite…they at least have manners and they do stuff. They are smart too! I wish Haru was like Yami…" the blonde girl pouted.
She placed the tea cup to her lips as the woman shook her head. "But the thing is…Yami trains all day…like Sasuke…and I swear; there's something going on between Sasuke-kun and Hikari. She came to me crying after she said that she wanted to tell her father that she had learned the rabbit-seal. It was so…sad. I know that Sasuke has his own way of showing that he cares for his children but…you should've seen the look on Hikari's face!" Sakura sniffed, "I don't even know what's going on in my family…as much as I try and spend time with them."
"I guess we've all have problems…" TenTen stated and glanced at her cousin in-law. "What about you…Hinata?"
"Well…ano…" the violet-haired female looked down. "I'm not sure…Naruto is still on his mission so nothing has really happened between us…"
"At least you don't need to stress over these things then…" Ino sighed enviously.
Hinata just kept her eyes down, staring at the table. She didn't feel lucky though…she wanted to go through the things these shinobi-wives were going through. She wanted a child…at least something to hold on to. Her life was so boring…Hinata scratched her finger against the hem of the dress she was wearing. Naruto had been gone for weeks, and no sign…letter of him or anything telling him of his safety or well-being.
Like the other three's husbands, hers' was also an ANBU member. His life was in jeopardy and Hinata felt scared that she might lose the person she loved most. "I'm…not lucky…"
The others stared at her as she said this. "I miss…him."
Tears escaped her eyes as she cried…making the rest rush to her and try and comfort the depressed shinobi.
"Hinata-chan…"
It took quite a few minutes for Hinata to stop crying. TenTen had passed the tissues while Sakura handed tea to the girl. It was the only thing she could think of to cheer up her friend. Ino just said some comforting words to Hinata, trying to make her feel better.
"I'm sure he's alright."
"But…he hasn't even tried to contact me!" Hinata sniffed into the tissue, not able to open her eyes.
"I'm sure he has his difficulties…" Sakura explained, "He's not the type to give up that easily. And when Sasuke is on a mission…he doesn't contact me at all either…" The end was turned into a murmur; it was hard to keep her self from getting emotional. Living with Sasuke had gotten to her. He hated seeing her cry, so she had stopped because she was afraid he would hate her. The only time she was able to spill her tears out was when Sasuke was on a mission or she was alone in a room.
"Plus…it's only been a few weeks…I'm sure he'll contact later."
"Yeah," TenTen agreed; "Now cheer up! We're all here for ya and we don't want you to cry over this. Save your tears for something important." Her words got to Hinata and the timid shinobi nodded. "A-arigatou minna-chan…" It took awhile as Hinata rubbed her blood-shot eyes, scaring Sakura and Ino a bit. 'She looks like a vampire…'
"Look at the time…" Sakura announced, "It's a quarter 'til six…do you want to stay for dinner?"
"That'd be a great idea!" Ino chirped, "I haven't seen Neji or Sasuke in like – forever!"
"Yeah…but what about the kids?" TenTen questioned, knowing that Yukari would be crying through-out the dinner.
"Well…they could play in the living room," the wife of the Uchiha clan recommended. "So they won't be too loud…and I'm sure the kids would love spending time together." Sakura knew though that her children – or one of them wouldn't appreciate other kids over his house. Yami seemed to despise the children, only spending his free time either sparring with a poor soul or training him self to be stronger.
A bit worried, Sakura also thought how Sasuke would act. He didn't appreciate other people over at their house either…but maybe it would do some good, seeing his ANBU comrades. It had been awhile that Sasuke had been on a mission – Sakura had thanked god for that – but he needed to communicate to other people other then his family. She swore Yami and Sasuke were dedicated to training…but why? The boy was only nine, and the man was twenty-seven, counting that he had a family as well.
Hinata just stood there, quiet but listening. "I guess…I'll stay. There's no one home anyways…"
"Then it's perfect!" Ino grinned, "Party at Sakura's house!"
"Not party, Sasuke-kun would kill me;" Sakura stuck her tongue out, "though maybe a bottle of champagne would be nice…"
"- but keep away from the children, ne?" The Yamanaka flower laughed, "Oh; I'll call Shikamaru right away and tell him to come here and to bring Haru. Surely he'll be home by now."
"I'll do the same," TenTen exclaimed. "I wonder how Neji's doing with Yukari…" the second phrase was said in a murmur. Hopefully he didn't wake her up…and if she did awake up, hopefully Neji knew how to feed his own daughter. Slightly worried, TenTen couldn't wait until her husband would come over. 'Can't leave him alone with Yukari…ne?' She narrowed her eyes at the thought, 'I hope nothing bad happened…'
---
"'Tou-san…Is it the bird seal…?"
Sasuke nodded, and showed his son an example of the Chidori jutsu. "You have to focus your chakra at your right hand though…make sure you can control that amount…if you can't, then hold onto your hand with your other one."
For some reason, Sasuke was actually teaching Yami the Chidori. It suddenly came through and the father and son spent some time reviewing the move. Hikari, feeling left out just sat at the swings watching her father teach her brother how to use the powerful attack.
'I wish I was like 'nii-chan…' The twin sighed. They were twins after all. They were the same height, had the same features…in the outside, Hikari and Yami were the same. The only thing separating the closeness was that her eye color and hair color were different from his.
But why were the two siblings so…different in many ways anyone could imagine? Sure…Yami was born a minute earlier…but could that really change to something big? Why was he so smart…? Strong…? Hikari was jealous that Yami was so good at everything…was it because he was a boy and she was a girl? The nine-year old thought, it wasn't fair one bit.
Her brother was so cold, distant, but everyone looked up to him and liked him. All the Genins and the kids in her academy adored him. Why? Because he was nine years-old and yet, he was already a Chuunin rank. Did strength and position matter that much? Enough to have their own father acknowledge her brother more than her?
'Otou-san…'
The door slid open and their mother had stepped out. The only person that bothered to care about the small girl was her mother – Uchiha Sakura. She envied her mother, always with her daddy and able to talk to him. He never yelled at her…well, Sasuke never yelled at Hikari either…but he never said anything that would make Mommy sad…or so Hikari thought.
The girl wanted to be like her mother, she was beautiful with shiny pink-hair. It was short, Hikari didn't know why but it suited her. Also, she loved how her mother was able to gracefully walk to her father like that…it made Hikari want to practice on being more girly then a tomboy-ish shinobi. Did Otou-san like little girls that were pretty? Or did he like them strong like her twin brother?
"Ano…Sasuke-kun, I've invited Ino, TenTen and Hinata's family over…okay?"
Hikari stared at the scene before her eyes. So the Hyuuga's and Nara's were staying over for dinner. She knew that Daddy didn't like them very much, although they had a past together. Maybe he would tell her mother that he didn't want them to stay…that would be normal of her father.
"Hn…do as you wish."
"Ah…hai." Sakura nodded, "oh…and Sasuke-kun, can you wash the children up for me…onegai?"
Sasuke smirked slightly, "Sakura…their nine-years old. Surely they'll be able to clean themselves up."
"'Tou-san's right," Yami stopped training and slid his hands in his pocket, just like his father. "I'll wash myself up then, and stay in the living room. Tell me when dinner begins," he told his mother casually and walked in the house.
'Oh, 'nii-chan always acts as if he's better and cooler!' Hikari pouted, 'I'll show him!' the pink-haired child jumped off her swing and approached her parents. "Hai…Okaa-san, Otou-san; I'm able to take care of myself." She nodded and skipped along in the house, 'You won't win 'nii-chan!'
Tsuzuku…
Author's Note: So what did you think my dear readers? I tried to imagine what it would be like in the future of Naruto…for some reason; it was really different for me to focus on Sasuke without getting OC. All these male characters make it difficult for me pinpoint their exact characteristic, so sorry readers.
And also…about the children's…don't they resemble their parents so much? I would say it has become amusing for me to write this fic. Please review readers! It'll really cheer me up and I'll be able to write another chapter.