The room was silent for a while and Mikoto walked closer to Sakura. She sat at her side and held her gaze.

"You're Sakura-chan?"

Sakura nodded. Mikoto's eyes looked sad and she extended her hand to Sakura. Sakura eyed the hand and held it, feeling confused at the turn of events.

"I heard about what happened to your parents last month."

Sakura's eyes widened slightly, realization dawned on her. She looked down on their joined hands and nodded slowly. The massacre at the eatery was indeed a big news for the village. Everyone was talking about it for the whole month, and even now some whispered gossips could still be heard around the village's market. Apparently the perpetrators were still not caught yet.

Mikoto squeezed her hand gently, "Anyway, thank you so much for bringing Sasuke's book home."

Sakura raised her head and saw a gentle smile on Mikoto's face. She gave her own small smile back at her.

"Sasu-chan, have you said your thank you to Sakura-chan?" Mikoto turned her head to her son.

Sasuke looked like he was about to protest but after considering the look on his mother's face, he decided to simply say, "Thank you," while looking into Sakura's eyes.

Sakura was pleasantly surprised and smiled at him. It turned out he could be a decent boy if he wanted to. Mikoto was glad to see the both of them getting along well. She clasped her hands together and raised from her spot.

"I'll finish making lunch quickly. You all can chat among yourselves for now."

The lunch at Sasuke's home turned out to be one of the greatest experiences Sakura had after the big incident that changed her life forever. Mikoto's foods were easily rated as delicious as any famous restaurant would be. Even the rice that she ate tasted so yummy. She didn't know it was because of the variety of the rice itself or the way Mikoto cooked it, or both. Probably both.

They ate with a light chat about Sakura and Sasuke's academy life. Sasuke's family learnt that the both of them sat at the same table in class, with another boy named Uzumaki Naruto, who they knew to be the Jinchuriki. Sasuke repeatedly referred to Naruto as Dobe, and Sakura repeatedly corrected him afterwards.

"Dobe is always so loud and... "

"Naruto."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes at Sakura. Her unrelenting correction at Naruto's nickname started to annoy him. He would call Naruto whatever nickname he wanted. It wasn't like the nickname was thoroughly wrong anyway. Naruto was indeed an idiot in Sasuke's eyes - always so boisterous at whatever's happening, who other than an idiot would do that? Yeah, Sasuke nodded inwardly - his logic was always on point.

"Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that Dobe," he purposefully emphasized the nickname, "...is too loud for his own good and it annoys me."

"Everything seems to annoy you, little shrimp." Shisui chipped in.

Sakura laughed at the nickname, and the atmosphere became brighter. Sasuke just pouted at Shisui, and Itachi patted his little brother's head to comfort him. The house seemed to be so lively and Mikoto wouldn't have it any other way.

After they were done with lunch, the middle-aged man who Sakura came to know as Fugaku excused himself out of the dining room. He seemed to be a busy man and had to finish several other tasks right after his lunch.

Sakura also tried to excuse herself, but Mikoto stopped her, saying she made chocolate brownies yesterday and would like for Sakura to taste it. Sakura, being the sweet tooth girl that she was, eagerly nodded at her suggestion.

Boy, was that the best decision of her entire young life or what. That brownie easily sent her flying to the seventh heaven and back. It was that good. What was it with these Uchiha people? Their sweet foods were all delicious, first the anpan then the brownies. If that dango that Itachi gave her was from the Uchiha district as well, she'd officially name this place heaven on earth.

Sasuke just scrunched up his nose at the sight before him. He couldn't understand what it was about sweet foods that attracted most of his family members. He could tolerate naturally sweet fruits, but desserts like that brownie? A big no-no. He chewed his cherry tomatoes and contemplated that only his father and him had normal taste palate in his home.

"So, Saku-chan, do you like the brownie?" Mikoto asked her.

"Yes, Mikoto Oba-san! Everything you make tastes so yummy!"

Mikoto's eyes rounded happily, "I'm glad you like them, Saku-can. You know what? You can always come here whenever you want to and enjoy yummy foods with us."

Sasuke looked absolutely astounded at the offer that his mother made for the pinky. She just met his classmate today, but why did it feel like she favoured her already? Sasuke looked at Sakura with narrowed eyes, trying to decipher the mystery behind everyone's favouritism towards the girl.

Sakura took Sasuke's staring the wrong way, as per usual, and decided to decline the offer politely.

"Thank you for the offer, Mikoto Oba-san. But, I don't think Sasuke would like to have a classmate he's not close with to frequent his home for food."

Mikoto waved her hand in front of her, "Nonsense. I'm sure Sasu-chan would be more than happy to have his friend coming over and play with him frequently."

Sasuke took offense at the word 'play' and proceeded to correct his mother, "I don't play, Okaa-san. I train to be a great shinobi!"

Mikoto smiled at his rebuttal, "Well, then you can have Saku-chan join your training!"

His mother's suggestion baffled Sasuke. Before he could voice out his protest further, Shisui butted in the conversation.

"It's okay, Oba-chan. If our little Sasu-chan refuses to train with Saku-chan, I can train her. Itachi can join us too, right 'Tachi?" He said while giving an eye signal for the older brother to follow along.

Itachi just raised his eyebrows at the little scheme his cousin was playing. His cousin was three years older than him, but somehow with all the schemes and pranks he had done all this time, Itachi felt like he was the older and more mature one between the two. Shisui himself was still thirteen years old, but Itachi was sure no other thirteen years old was such a prankster as his cousin.

"No! Itachi-nii is supposed to train me, not her!" Sasuke refused aggressively while pointing a finger at Sakura.

"Well, your Itachi-nii likes to hang out with me, so wherever I go, he follows. If I say I'm going to train Saku-chan, I'm sure he'll tag along." Shisui said, trying to contain his laughter at the incredulous look Sasuke gave him.

Sasuke huffed and crossed his little arms. Things were looking to be not in his favour. He racked his brain trying to come up with a solution but found none, other than agreeing with his cousin's insufferable idea. Great. Now he'd have even less time with his older brother. Or, was it more, now that he'd accompany Shisui to these training sessions?

A light bulb seemed to turn on at the thought and Sasuke deemed his cousin's idea might not be that insufferable. He reluctantly nodded his head, making sure to keep his pride intact even if he surrendered.

Shisui smiled at how easy it was to influence his cute little cousin. Just mention Itachi's involvement, and bam! He would do whatever it was for his older brother like a loyal follower.

Sakura listened to the conversation between the cousins quietly while finishing her portion of chocolate brownies. It was clear for her that Sasuke was attached to the older brother. And from the looks and gestures that Itachi gave Sasuke, it was clear that the attachment was reciprocated.

Whatever. She was simply glad somebody wanted to train her. Ever since she witnessed the dead bodies of her parents, Sakura had promised herself to become stronger so that later on she'd be able to protect anyone dear to her.

She didn't want to lose any more precious people in her life and unable to do anything to help them. Ino and Naruto were her best friends, and Sasuke along with his family had won some brownie points in her eyes. She'd let nothing take this away from her.

Author's Note:

Hi, there! It's the first time I greet you all in my fanfiction! A little author's note to celebrate the 7th chapter in honour of Team Seven. :D

Thank you so much for the kind words in your reviews. I appreciate each and every one of you who has reviewed, favourited, or followed this story. Stay safe and enjoy the story! SasuSaku for the win! Haha :3