Since it's been so long I wanted to add yet another chapter on top of chapter 21. It's all coming together for me here! I can't wait to share the ending with y'all. We're not quite there yet but we're getting to it!
Neither one of them wanted to be there. But Yamato suddenly appeared in the apartment, blushing profusely for reasons the ANBU ninja wouldn't voice. Sasuke rolled his eyes, and Naruto chuckled despite his persistent dour mood. He passed on Kakashi's message that the pair needed to report to the training fields in the late evening. Sakura would be there waiting for them, and they had to hash out their issues with their former teammate, per the command of the Hokage.
Sure enough, the pink-haired kunoichi was there, seated upon the grass of the same field they once came together as a team on.
"You had to run to Kakashi, didn't you," Sasuke said bitterly as soon as they were within earshot of her.
"Sasuke -" Sakura started, but the dark-haired ninja wouldn't let her get a word in.
"Where do you get off?" Sasuke seethed. "Haven't you done enough to us? Why can't you leave us the hell alone?"
Sakura couldn't find her voice after the hostility Sasuke dealt her. She seized up and looked down at the ground before them.
"I just wanted to say I was sorry," she said quietly.
"I could give a fuck if you're sorry," Sasuke spat at her.
A wind blew between them as they stood quietly and uncomfortable around each other.
"Why did you do it?" Naruto spoke up.
"Naruto," Sakura said, "I-"
"Why? Why would you do that to us?" Naruto repeated. "Did you feel lonely? Jealous? Just what was it that made you so that to us? Why did you hurt us like this, Sakura? Why did you do this to me?"
"I was jealous, and I was lonely," Sakura answered earnestly. "I couldn't take it anymore! After everything we'd been through, I was the one who ended up alone! It hurts; it hurts in ways I can't even believe!"
"So, you wanted to drag us down with you, is that it?" Sasuke rounded on her.
"No, I figured if Naruto went to Hinata, they could settle down together and be happy," Sakura told them. "No one had to get; not, no one was meant to!"
"And if he was with her, I was free for the taking," Sasuke continued with disgust coating his voice. His onyx eyes burned Sakura with resentment.
"Is the thought of being with me so fucking horrible?" she shot back.
"Yes, it is," Sasuke retorted.
"So that's why you did it?" Naruto asked her. "You wanted to get me out of the way so you could get Sasuke?"
"The way you say it makes me sound diabolical!" Sakura said.
"What can I say? You're a selfish bitch," Sasuke sassed at her.
"That's not fair!" Sakura cried.
"You were being selfish, Sakura," Naruto said, "but calling her a bitch was too far, Sasuke."
Sasuke scoffed. "Whatever."
"It's not like I was only thinking of myself," Sakura pleaded. "I thought that in a couple of years, Naruto would become a husband and a father and have the family he always wanted. And that if you had given me a chance, Sasuke, I could have tried to make you happy. Because what I wanted was just that, to make you happy!" Sakura exclaimed desperately.
"That wasn't your choice to make," Naruto said firmly. "Couldn't you respect us enough to make our own choices? Why couldn't you just tell us plainly how you felt rather than do all this shit behind our backs?"
"I'm really, really sorry," Sakura sobbed.
"I don't forgive you," Sasuke said harshly.
Naruto looked at his former teammate, his old crush.
"You know, in another world," Naruto said to her. "You and I would've been together. And the only reason you rejected me was out of shallowness. But it's okay, I thought, because who you wanted instead was Sasuke. And sure, that pissed me off, too but hey, who didn't want Sasuke? He was perfect – handsome, brave, strong, and smart. The total package. But then he left and started doing all this crazy stuff, and you threw yourself at me, telling me you loved me when we both knew it was a lie. All to distract me from the fact that everyone was going to kill Sasuke. It broke my heart, you know."
"I knew then we could never be together because you and I want different things. We always had; I just didn't want to see it. Didn't want to accept it, but if you care for someone, you gotta see them as they are and accept it. And I did; I saw you exactly as you are. And I learned that no matter how much love I could give you, it would never be enough because it wasn't what you needed. And you know what? Sasuke can't give you that either. I hope you find it someday, really; I do. But you have to let Sas. Otherwise, you'll never be happy."
Sakura was visibly hurt by Naruto's words. The blonde knew the words were hard to say, but they needed to be said. He hoped they would reach her.
"If you ever cared for either one of us, you'll leave us be, and you won't interfere with our relationship ever again," Sasuke added. He had nothing further to say, so he turned to make his leave. Naruto stayed behind, his gaze transfixed on Sakura, who had started to cry.
"Goodbye, Sakura," Naruto turned away to follow Sasuke out of the fields.
"Naruto," Sakura called out to him, making him pause. "I'm also sorry about how I treated you when we were kids. It wasn't fair to you, any of it. I should have been more patient and kinder with you. I never should have hit you."
Naruto looked at her one last time. "Thank you. I appreciate that." He smiled sadly and went on his way, leaving his old teammate behind.
Much later in the day, when Naruto returned to the Hokage tower to report to work, Sasuke took a little detour towards the Inuzuka compound, now conveniently nestled by the police department building. It was always bizarre for Sasuke to look at the edifice when it once was adorned with the Uchiha symbol. Yet another harmful reminder of what he lost more than ten years ago.
But he wasn't here to reflect on the past. He was here to prepare for the future. Never one to wait for an enemy's attack, Sasuke opted to try and resolve the pressing matter of the scorned Hyuga with as little bloodshed as possible, for Naruto's sake. He came up with the idea a while back, and the more he mulled it over, the better an idea it sounded.
What did he have to lose?
"The fuck are you doing here?" groused out Kiba Inuzuka. Sasuke supposed it was the guy's idea of being intimidating, but considering the likes of Orochimaru and the Akatsuki, Sasuke fought the small impulse of scoffing at his old classmate.
"I came to talk to you," Sasuke managed his best to be cordial. Kiba's eyes narrowed.
"What could you possibly have to say to me?" Kiba asked suspiciously.
"Are you in love with the Hyuga heiress?" Sasuke questioned plainly.
Kiba blushed profusely at the question, whipping his head around to see if anyone overheard Sasuke's query. When confirming they were alone, Kiba rounded on Sasuke.
"What the hell!"
"I'm sorry, was it supposed to be a secret?" Sasuke feigned innocence, yet his eyes teased the Inuzuka. "Given how much you stare at her and how much you hang around her, I figured it was common knowledge."
"It's not of your fucking business," Kiba growled at him.
"No, and as little as I care, I'll be damned if I let your little teammate ruin Naruto's life because of some misunderstanding."
"Is that what you call betrayal?"
"He never loved her, and he never made her any such promises of staying with her forever. I won't apologize for my feelings as I can't help them any more than you can help yours. Now, why don't you step up and take what you want instead of quibbling like a loser."
"You don't give a damn about what I want or Hinata," Kiba shot at the Uchiha.
"No, but I care about Naruto, and everything would be much easier if she just let go of her ridiculous attachment towards him and got on with her life."
"What the hell is wrong with you? She was in love with him her whole life, and you expect her to forget all that! She laid down for him, you son of a bitch!"
"He shouldn't have to be expected to marry a girl just because she's obsessed with him. He didn't ask her to risk her life for his sake, and he would never do that either because Naruto is as selfless and honorable as they come, and none of that should be forgotten because of one mistake. And to be clear, sleeping with me wasn't the mistake. Not communicating with his ex-girlfriend in time was the mistake! Now tell the Hyuga girl about your feelings, or I will!"
And with that, Sasuke sped off without another word.
"Dick," Kiba muttered as the Uchiha disappeared.
"What is this now?"
"As I just finished explaining to you, my Lord daimyo, Naruto Uzumaki, was found to have engaged in relations with the former missing-nin Sasuke Uchiha -"
"And these two are men?"
"Yes, Sire -"
"Naruto Uzumaki, where have I heard that name?"
"He is the young shinobi that stopped the Infinite Tsukuyomi unleashed during the end of the Fourth Shinobi War, my Lord daimyo."
"Didn't that the Uchiha fellow also help with that?"
"Yes, I have been told he was also critical to neutralizing the enemy despite his prior egregious criminal acts."
"Ah."
It wasn't often that the daimyo of the Fire Country stopped by Konoha. That was ideal, as it would mean some significant upheaval that would affect the lives of shinobi and civilians alike in the Village Hidden in the Leaves.
"And what would you have me do about this?"
"Naruto Uzumaki was a likely candidate for the position of Hokage, intended to succeed the current Sixth Hokage to lead our noble village, my Lord daimyo," Homura answered, his head bowed slightly. It was all he could do in his old age. Koharu was beside him, her head also bowed out of respect. "Given his ties with a criminal who's shown great contempt for the village, we respectfully ask he be disqualified as a contender for the title of Hokage."
"Oh my, that is a serious request -"
Suddenly, Kakashi burst into the room. Despite the majority of his face obscured by his mask, his one visible eye seemed entirely irate.
"You spineless," Kakashi muttered with venom but calmed himself to acknowledge the daimyo. He bowed and greeted him humbly. "My Lord daimyo, I trust your journey here was well. Are you comfortable?"
"I am quite well and thank you for asking. The journey here was quite pleasant for this time of year." The daimyo responded pleasantly. "How have you been, my dear Kakashi!" The daimyo was always glad to see the former ANBU turned village leader.
"Busy as usual in this position, but I don't need to tell you that," Kakashi answered politely as he could muster. "I hope I'm not too late."
"Oh no, we were just discussing your future successor after your time as Hokage," the daimyo said. "Though I'm not sure why you're far from retirement."
"That is true, my Lord daimyo," Kakashi replied, "though it is always best to account for the future just in case. While I am formidable and have no intentions of leaving my position vacant, one may never know what the future holds. After all, my old sensei Minato met an early death."
"Yes, such a shame, too," the daimyo remarked. "So young and full of promise."
"Yes, he was," Kakashi repeated. "But on to the future. I heard the elders have concerns about my protégé, Naruto Uzumaki. I'm sure they brought up his affair with Sasuke Uchiha."
"Oh yes, quite," the daimyo confirmed. "Is it really true?"
"Yes, it is. They seemed to have fallen in love with each other. It explains quite a few things. I was their sensei, back when they were just prepubescent genin fresh out of the academy." Kakashi elaborated.
"But they're two young men!" the daimyo commented.
"True, it is not such a common thing to be seen, two men engaging in such a relationship," Kakashi said. "But it does not mean it is malicious or wrong. I don't see it that way. And perhaps part of the reason it is so uncommon is that there has not been much support for those types of bonds, or when they happen, the couple is demonized, even harmed because of it."
"As for the reason why, who could explain or anticipate love[MD2] and all its wonders," Kakashi said cheekily. "It can hit someone when they least expect it or weren't even looking for it. That applies in this particular case. Personal affairs aside, though, I think you should meet Naruto. I don't believe you ever have before."
"I never have met him," the daimyo acknowledged. "Perhaps it would be beneficial to meet him in person, especially if you consider him your successor."
"I am, despite his personal relationships," Kakashi said.
"I should like to meet the Uchiha as well," the Fire Lord noted. "I found his story fascinating; most rogue ninjas don't get the chance to reintegrate into the village they defected from. Usually, they're just killed off or tucked away."
"Sasuke is a unique case," Kakashi stated.
"So I see," the daimyo said. "You were his sensei. What do you think of him?" The daimyo stared at him, patiently waiting for an honest answer as the elders looked on with bated breath.
"For a time, I believed Sasuke to be lost, as the pain of his loss haunted him for many years," Kakashi answered. "And while he did some questionable things, he wasn't beyond redemption. He could have chosen to do nothing when the world was endangered during the end of the war. But he stepped up and helped us. We would not have won without him. Hell, none of us would even be here as we are now without Sasuke's help. He's also complied with us since the war's end," Kakashi said, referring to the Uchiha's imprisonment and the probationary period that followed. "He hasn't caused any trouble since, and there is no evidence to show he means the village harm."
"Now, I will note that I was proud of the young man he was becoming under my tutelage, and it hurt to see him leave, especially under the circumstances he did. I saw much of myself in the boy he was then, before his defection. I tried to reach out to him, but not as soon as I should have. I underestimated his suffering. But I figured with such a strong will, he wouldn't listen to anything I had to say. He would have to find his way on his own time, and he did. Now, it's a little bittersweet. I'm relieved that he stopped walking down the dark path he was on and that he's back home. I just hope he's found peace, as I did."
The daimyo nodded at Kakashi's words, taking them in, digesting them, and seemed to have come to a decision. "Summon them now. I shall meet with them individually."
A kunai burst through the window of Naruto's apartment, but Sasuke caught it effortlessly with his right hand. Given the chakra he sensed nearby, he wasn't alarmed but slightly surprised at who threw it.
"Suigetsu?"
"Yo," the ninja said in greeting. He squatted on the window pane in the kitchen, looking around at the interior of Naruto's apartment. He nodded, his left canine tooth protruding over his lips like always, "so this is where you hang your hat nowadays."
"I don't wear hats," Sasuke said. Suigetsu shrugged. "What are you doing here?"
"Got a job awhile back working for the Fire Lord of the country," the former Mist ninja responded. "It's been a pretty nice gig, I gotta say."
"Pays well, I imagine."
"You don't know the half of it," Suigetsu smiled.
"So he's here then," Sasuke said.
"Yup," Suigetsu nodded in affirmative. "He wants to see you, actually."
Sasuke's eyebrow arched in confusion.
"Just following orders, man," Suigetsu said.
"Is he up there or not, Suigetsu?" shouted a feminine voice from below. Suigetsu rolled his eyes and jumped down from the window he was perched on.
Sasuke exited the apartment and found Karin and Jugo waiting downstairs outside of the complex.
"Sasuke!" Karin perked up at the sight of the Uchiha, flushing a bit. "It's nice to see you."
"Hello, Sasuke," Jugo said, "I hope you've been well."
"I have, actually," he told them.
"You sound chipper," Suigetsu commented. "What's new?"
"Tch, I don't have to tell you anything," Sasuke scoffed at him.
"Oh, ho, ho, you wanna be mysterious now? As if the gossip isn't all over town?"
Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"What gossip?" Karin asked.
"You don't know?" Suigetsu teased. "You really haven't heard what Sasuke's been up to. The new special someone in his life?"
"What special someone?!" Karin squeaked.
"If it is indeed true, I am glad you have found someone to share your life with," Jugo offered.
Sasuke nodded in gratitude, "Thanks."
"So you have, you found someone?!" sputtered Karin. Suigetsu howled in glee.
"I heard he found two someones," Suigetsu told her, knowing it would set her off into further heartbreak and dismay. "How will all of your fangirls move on with their lives?"
"Is it really true, Sasuke?" Karin asked him desperately. Gone was the ambivalent Karin who'd teeter between standoffishness and coquettishness.
"The best part is, one of them is a guy," Suigetsu added.
"You said I had to go to the daimyo," Sasuke said, trying to change the subject. "Where is he?"
"That uh Hokage tower where your village leader is at," Suigetsu pointed towards the building. They started heading over there as a group.
"So, you are the famous Naruto Uzumaki," said the daimyo when faced with the hero of the Hidden Leaf. Naruto was brought in after Shikamaru tracked him down.
"Hi," Naruto squeaked out awkwardly. Kakashi deadpanned, weighing the likelihood of this meeting going downhill fast.
"I must admit, you are not what I expected. I've heard such stories about you," the daimyo commented, surveying the Hidden Leaf's young hero.
"Uh," Naruto sweated a bit, wondering what kind of stories would have been told to the Fire Lord. "I'm not really used to the famous thing. I mean, sure, I helped a few times and did my duty. I mean, anyone would have done the same, ya know?"
"Not everyone is so brave, strong, or selfless," said the daimyo.
"Everyone's got their flaws, I guess," Naruto replied. He took advantage of the fact there was water served and gulped some down before he said something stupid.
"So, what have you heard about me?" Naruto asked.
"In your youth, you were a rabble-rouser, a troublemaker."
"He-he, I kinda just did all that to get attention. I didn't really have friends back then."
"Why not? It's abnormal for a small boy to not have at least one little friend."
"Parents told their kids to avoid me because I was a monster."
"Because you're a jinchuriki."
"Well, the nine-tails was set loose. He feels awful about that, by the way."
The daimyo arched an eyebrow. "He does?"
"Oh yeah, he didn't want to do any of those things. The bad guy made him do it."
"Obito Uchiha," the daimyo said.
"Yeah, but he got better in the end," Naruto explained, referring to the war's end.
"Hm, you certainly seem lenient towards the Uchiha," remarked the daimyo.
"I mean, they're not perfect —"
"I heard you had an affair with the last one living," the daimyo went on.
"His name is Sasuke," Naruto told him calmly. This had to be a test, right? All he had to do was not lose his cool. Then again, Sasuke was always the cool one. "And yeah, we got together. So what?"
"So what? It's unheard of."
"I don't think me and Sasuke are the only guys in the history of time to get together like this. We didn't plan it. It kinda just happened."
"Really –"
"But I shouldn't have to apologize for it. Who I – decide to spend time with on my own time is my business so long as it doesn't endanger the village." Naruto said diplomatically.
"Wasn't he a former missing-nin?"
"Only because of everything he went through as a kid. Imagine someone taking everyone you loved away from you permanently in the most hurtful way possible."
The daimyo weighed Naruto's words.
"That may be, but it doesn't excuse the crimes he's committed."
"He atoned for his crimes, spent time in prison, and was under probation, AND he hasn't done anything wrong since!" Naruto argued in turn.
"So you're in love with this Uchiha?" the daimyo asked him then.
"I am," Naruto answered.
The daimyo asked, "And why do you want to become the Hokage?"
"You know, I would have given you a different answer some years ago," Naruto commented, "I would have said, so people respect me and treat me like someone important, someone who matters, because for my whole life up to those days when I started out as a genin, I didn't matter to anyone. But today, I want to become Hokage to improve things, especially for kids like me. The ones who don't have a family to fall back on. Being on your own at any age is hard, especially for small kids. During the war, I learned how this village came to be, that Lord First and his generation wanted to keep kids off the battlefields, and I think that's a noble goal. I want to contribute to that and carry their will of fire by going one step further so that no one's clan has to be slaughtered or any kid has to harbor a monster for the sake of a village." Naruto patted his belly then, "No offense, buddy," he said to Kurama. The tailed beast huffed.
"Those are noble goals," the daimyo said.
"Noble, but attainable, because I never give up, and I never give in," It had been so long since Naruto spoke with such conviction and drive. He had just been stumbling around in depressive darkness for weeks and months. This moment was the first time in weeks that he felt like himself, the Naruto he used to be before this whole mess.
"And what will you do about the Hyūga and their heiress?" the daimyo challenged.
Naruto inhaled, thinking quickly, "I will meet with the Hyūga, and I will plead my case to them, restoring relations with the Hyūga, not for my sake but for the village's sake. Everyone's got to get along with each other if we want to keep being the best village in the world!"
The daimyo smiled at the young hero's enthusiasm. "Don't go saying that to outside parties."
"Of course," Naruto grinned back.
"Alright," Kakashi spoke then, clapping his hands together, pleased at the conversation's direction. "Naruto has other matters to attend to, so if there is nothing else?"
"Ah yes," the daimyo said, "you are free to go, Naruto Uzumaki. I wish you luck for your redemption in the eyes of the people. As of today, you are still the next in line for the Hokage position, but understand that is always subject to change.
"I understand. Thank you, Lord Daimyo," Naruto bowed his head sharply. Then he exited the room.
Not much longer, Sasuke Uchiha entered the room, face to face with the fire lord of his country.
"You must be Sasuke Uchiha," the daimyo said, taking in the young man. He gestured to the seat across from him. "Please, sit." Sasuke noticed Kakashi in the room, and the Hokage nodded in encouragement.
"You summoned me?" Sasuke asked the fire lord. He nodded in confirmation.
"I did. I've heard quite a bit about you," he remarked.
"Have you now?"
"Your exploits are infamous," the daimyo commented. "As is your association with Naruto Uzumaki." Sasuke grimaced.
"Don't take it away from him," Sasuke said.
"I'm sorry?"
"The Hokage title," Sasuke explained. "He's been after it all his life. Before when he was just a kid, I myself would have thought the idea of him becoming Hokage was ludicrous, but somewhere along the way, he changed and grew into someone who inspires others. Like a true leader. He cares about this village and its people. He's done so much for them. He's more than earned the title. He deserves this."
"You're not what I expected," the daimyo said to the Uchiha.
"Yeah, I'm not usually one to speak for others. But I imagine the elders have it out for him because of what happened."
"You mean the affair."
"Yes, the affair," Sasuke fought the impulse to roll his eyes. "I mean, doesn't the concept of an affair only apply to marriages? They weren't married to each other. You know what? It doesn't matter. Just give him a chance."
The daimyo stared at the Uchiha. "I have no intention of going against Kakashi's wishes. He intends to pass on the title to Uzumaki when the time comes. Given how powerful he is and how much he's protected the village and, by extension, the country, it would be unwise to disqualify him for one slight transgression. But he needs to clear up the issue with the Hyūga immediately. They're not one to be trifled with."
"I have a plan to remedy that. It's already underway. This little dispute with the clan will be a matter of the past," Sasuke said confidently.
"I'm glad to hear it," the daimyo responded. "But run it by Kakashi first. I don't want any more problems to arise."
Later on, after Sasuke was dismissed and his former Team Taka squad members escorted him back home, he returned home to find none other than Yumi inside, waiting for him on the couch.
"Yumi," Sasuke spoke as he saw her, "you're back." He inwardly cringed as he stated the obvious.
"Hi," Yumi said, a little weary from her journey. She wore a poncho, which covered most of her body, making her seem shorter than she was. It was an odd choice of clothing for the woman since, in the time since Sasuke saw her, he had known her to dress in cloth that flattered her feminine form rather than obscuring it.
"I'm pregnant," Yumi spoke directly. There was uncertainty on her face as if waiting to see how Sasuke would react if he became distressed or insulted her. After a beat, Sasuke nodded slowly, ingesting the news.
"How far along are you?" Sasuke asked.
"A little over a month now," Yumi answered. "I'm planning on going to the doctor soon. It's actually why I came back."
"You didn't come back for me?"
Yumi smiled ruefully, "I didn't think there was anything to come back for in that regard."
Sasuke smirked, "I see."
"Though, I thought I should tell you," Yumi said.
"Because I'm the father," Sasuke replied. Yumi stood there as Sasuke said the words, but her face changed. Where there should have been acknowledgment or confirmation was doubt.
"Well," Yumi said reluctantly, "that's the other part I thought I should tell you."
Sasuke arched his eyebrow, somehow dreading what she was about to say.
"WHAT?" Naruto bellowed.
"Yup," Sasuke said calmly.
"No, no, no, nononononono," was all Naruto could manage to sputter out. He felt his mind breaking. This was impossible; it couldn't happen.
"Maybe no one took the time to tell you this, but sex makes babies," Sasuke rebuked, losing patience with Naruto's conduct. "You and I both had sex with her on the night the baby was conceived, so –"
"FUCK!" the blonde shouted hopelessly.
"Oh, stop being a drama queen," Sasuke said. "It's not as if you're the one having the baby. She is. It's more likely the child is mine anyway." Sasuke reminded him.
After Naruto succeeded in composing himself, he asked, "But if she's pregnant, does that mean –?"
"I'll marry her?" Sasuke finished for him, "No."
"No?" Naruto repeated, confused.
"It was a mutual agreement," Sasuke explained. "I'll support her, attend appointments with her, do anything she needs me to do on the understanding that I won't be anything more than the baby's father."
"Oh," Naruto remarked. "Why would she –"
"She's not Sakura or any other girl who likes to cling to a man she claims to love," Sasuke said. "She knows about us and has accepted the reality of how things are."
"She knows? You told her?" Naruto pronounced.
"I didn't have to. Yumi figured it out," Sasuke said. "I think she even engineered that little threesome to confirm it."
Naruto scoffed. "Wow."
"All things considered, if I did have to have a child, I'm glad it's with her. She's tough, smart, and resourceful. She'll make a great mother," Sasuke said of Yumi.
"No, I meant wow, as in you're gonna be a dad," Naruto said.
"Yes, I suppose I am," Sasuke agreed.
"How do you feel about it?"
There was an odd expression on the Uchiha's face. "I never thought this would happen. It's bizarre that it is actually going to happen."
"You said you wanted to rebuild your clan," Naruto reminded him, recalling the raven's proclamation years ago, on the very day Team 7 was formed.
"I was twelve then," Sasuke said. "I said it without truly comprehending the weight of its meaning."
"'The weight of its meaning,'" Naruto mimicked. "You would say something like that."
"I'm not going to discuss this with you if you're going to be churlish," Sasuke got up, but Naruto stopped him.
"No," the blonde appealed. "Tell me."
Sasuke exhaled, relenting for the moment and obliging the blonde. "For years, I thought I would die someday after killing my brother and getting vengeance in my clan's name. In my wildest dreams, I never thought I would ever have children. It was the last thing I thought about. But soon, when the baby is born, for the first in a long time, I won't be the last Uchiha anymore," Sasuke said with a bit of optimism in his voice.
Naruto smiled despite himself. "That'd be the silver lining, wouldn't it."
"Yes, it would," Sasuke said, a ghost of a smile on his face.
"I suppose, as your best slash only friend, I should toast you on impending fatherhood," Naruto said.
"Unless it's yours," Sasuke brought up with a smirk.
"Really? You're going to tease me about it?"
"I like to watch you squirm," Sasuke confessed.
"Asshole," Naruto grumbled.
"I thought you loved me, asshole," Sasuke teased with a laugh.
Naruto growled.
There was a sharp knock at the door. Sasuke went to answer it. Team Taka had returned again, and they had bags with them, appearing to be groceries.
"Hello, Sasuke," Jugo greeted him. "Since we're still in town, we were wondering if we could have some dinner together."
Before Sasuke could speak, Naruto shouted from inside the apartment. "Oi, Sasuke! Who's at the door?"
"Is that your lover?" Suigetsu jested.
"Hiya there!" Naruto recognized Karin instantly but couldn't remember her name. "Oh, you!" He pointed at her.
Karin, in turn, recognized Naruto. "Oh, hi!" She replied awkwardly.
"Do you not remember her name?" Suigetsu said, calling him out.
"What?" Sputtered Naruto. "I know her name! It's," he blanked as he stared into her bespectacled face. "It's uh…"
"Karin," Sasuke offered.
"Karin! Yeah, right, hi!" Naruto attempted zealously.
"Her last name is Uzumaki, like yours," Sasuke added.
Naruto did a double-take, "What?"
"Yeah, for all we know, you might be cousins or something," Suigetsu quipped.
Naruto's lip startled to wobble a bit, eyes brimming with hope. "Are we?"
"Oh, I don't know about that," Karin said doubtfully.
"Cousin!" Exclaimed Naruto, pulling her into a bruising hug.
"Help me," she wheezed out. Sasuke separated them.
"Awesome, you brought food!" Naruto noticed the groceries in Jugo's hands. "Did you happen to bring some instant ramen?"
"No, but I suppose we can make some ramen. We have the ingredients for it," Jugo told him.
"You know I've never tried to make ramen myself," Naruto remarked.
"Between the five of us, we should be able to work it out," Jugo said with some confidence.
"Well, come on in!" Naruto gestured for the members of Team Taka further inside. Naruto scrambled around t get them some chairs, but they were many as Naruto usually didn't receive any guests into his home.
There was another knock at the door. It was Yumi, and she came bearing food as well.
"Oh, you have company," Yumi saw the people in the apartment, "I can leave."
"You're not intruding," Sasuke said, "did you need something?"
"Well, I just wanted to stop by and talk over a few more things," Yumi said.
"About the baby," Sasuke added.
"Baby?!" Karin exclaimed. Yumi jumped at the voluminous shock from Karin. Suigetsu smirked, and Jugo blinked. Naruto groaned mildly, unable to look Yumi in the eyes.
"Yes, Karin," Sasuke said, "a baby."
"But it's not yours, right?"
"It is likely to be my child, but there is a slim chance it could also be Naruto's."
"Woah," Suigetsu chuckled. "You trying to take Sasuke's girl?"
"I'm not his girl, and no one was trying to steal anyone from anybody," Yumi answered simply. "We were merely enjoying each other's company." She gazed between Naruto and Sasuke. Naruto blushed intensely, and Sasuke failed to conceal the slight redness across his cheeks.
"Holy shit! You guys had a threesome!" Suigetsu shouted, causing Jūgo to jump. Karin fumbled with her glasses. Suigetsu couldn't resist bowling over the scandal of it all.
"Suigetsu," Sasuke said, irritated.
"It's just, I didn't figure you for the type," Suigetsu said, struggling to speak in between laughs. "You always seemed so cold, with a stick up your ass the size of a mountain."
Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"He was like that with you guys too?" Said Naruto, setting aside his mortification for a moment.
"Oh yeah, total, Mr. Cool, all the time. Even when he was getting his ass kicked."
"And bossy, he's always so bossy!"
"Definitely bossy, like he was God's gift to the universe of somethin'."
"Yeah!" Naruto smiled cheekily, perking up. "You know I was on his squad when we were starting out as genin. We were Team 7!"
"Oh yeah? Betcha you got tons of Sasuke stories to tell us about. I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours."
"Okay!" Sasuke ran a hand over his face as Suigetsu, and Naruto huddled off into a corner to dish about what it was like having Sasuke Uchiha as a teammate. Without further ado, Jūgo went into the kitchen, busying himself with preparing the food and setting the groceries as if this apartment was his own domicile and it was just another day.
"Were you his teammate too?" Yumi chanced to ask Karin. Karin was startled by her approach.
"Yeah, what's it to ya!"
"Sasuke mentioned you before. He said you were a smart and essential teammate."
"Oh. Did he now?" Karin turned to Sasuke then. Yumi gave Sasuke a playful shove, encouraging him to say kind words.
"I meant what I said," Sasuke said curtly, going into the bedroom. He slammed the door behind himself. Everyone looked to the door, but Jūgo went back to cooking and the other boys returned to their gossiping.
"I'm going to go check on Sasuke. Why don't you help Jūgo in the kitchen?" Yumi said as she marched over into the bedroom.
"I will!" Karin said a little too loudly and petulantly went over to the kitchen area.
Yumi entered the room without hesitation. "Hey," she greeted Sasuke as he sat fuming on his bed. Sasuke moved his eyebrows upward in acknowledgment of her presence.
"Did I embarrass you too much?"
"You did nothing wrong," Sasuke told her. "I just have to get used to this. People gawking like idiots over the baby."
"The baby," she repeated. "It feels more real now that I've told you. How'd Naruto take it?"
"About as well as a buffoon like him would. When's your next appointment?"
"Two days from now."
Sasuke nodded. "Are you really okay with this?" Yumi asked him.
"Of course I am. It surprised me, but I'm okay with this," Sasuke gestured to her womb, where the fetus grew in wait. "I just didn't expect to actually father any children. But if I had to have anyone bare my children, I'm glad it's with you."
"There was a time when you were horrified at the idea," Yumi stuck her tongue at him.
"I was a boy," Sasuke defended himself with a wry grin. "I just didn't want anything to ever change."
"Life is change, I'm afraid," Yumi said wistfully.
"Yes, for better or for worse," Sasuke said in kind.
"You ready to go back out there?"
"Ugh, must I?"
"They're your friends and want to spend time with you. Is such a prospect so terrible to endure?"
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Fine." He let Yumi pull him off the bed and back to the others.
Naruto and Suigetsu continued to exchange stories about the Uchiha, and Jūgo continued to cook with Karin's help. Yumi and Sasuke sat together and listened calmly to all the stories, and Naruto ran over to help the others with the meal as he knew where everything was by heart despite the place being Sasuke's own apartment. Everything was prepared in what seemed a matter of minutes, and all six people gathered around, sitting crossed-legged around the tiny living room table to eat their freshly cooked meal.
Naruto cleared his throat, suddenly compelled to speak. "So, uh, before we eat, I, uh, wanted to say something." Everyone looked at him curiously. Nerves were getting the better of him. "Shit, I'm blanking right now."
"You know if you want to be Hokage, you're going to have to get a hang on public speaking," Sasuke admonished cheekily.
"Yeah, yeah, I know," Naruto said, swatting his hand dismissively. "Cut me some slack. I've never done this before!"
He cleared his throat again. "I've never really gotten to do something like this before. I know it's not my apartment, but I've never really been over to anyone's house for dinner or any meal. And it's rare when I get to eat a home-cooked meal. So this is special to me, and it feels doubly so since we're all Sasuke's friends. Who knew you were so friendly?" Naruto made a face at Sasuke, causing Yumi and Suigestu to snigger while Jugo remained passive, and Karin blushed somewhat. Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"This wasn't planned, but I'm glad it's happening. Maybe we can make a regular thing of it, ya know?"
"Considering all of us don't have any family of our own," Suigestsu posed.
"Yet," Yumi interjected with a smirk, patting her belly.
"We could call this an orphan dinner?" Suigetsu joked darkly. Everyone exchanged glances at that.
"Only you would suggest such a thing," Karin rolled her eyes.
"I mean, sure?" Naruto said. "Sure, calling it that is a little morbid, but in a way, it means we can become family to each other."
"Wow, you're really a glass-half-full kinda guy, huh," Suigetsu remarked. "To each their own."
"To Sasuke," Jugo toasted, "May his child be born healthy, strong, and resilient like him." The others joined in the toast. "To Sasuke!"
Sasuke nodded in thanks. The Uchiha, usually a passive individual, almost seemed moved by his friends. But none of them were fooled, they knew how Sasuke felt by their sentiments, and it gladdened them all. They continued to dine, sharing in each other's company as time went away from them. If an onlooker peeked in through the window, one would have sworn it was family in the midst of their evening meal.
And that's chapter 22! I have the dinner between the former Team Taka, Naruto & Yumi in my head for quite some time. And it came blaring back into my mind as Thanksgiving passed by this year. I hope everyone is having a great time during this holiday season!
Not much longer now...