A/N: I know I'm extremely late in sharing this fic for the SS Twit Fest 2020, but finally, here it is! I had this idea of writing SS as old people from this Marukome commercial I've watched on Twitter. Not to mention, who can ever deny Sasuke telling his Sakura that he doesn't mind her having wrinkles in Sasuke Retsuden? :D

Disclaimer: I do not have any ownership over Naruto & it's characters. They rightfully belong to Masashi Kishimoto. I write fan-fictions solely for entertainment.


Chapter 1: Departure

On one fine, blissful day of spring, Sarada observed through her crimson-framed spectacles on her parents' countenances as they stood by the entrance to the village. The current Hokage had never felt so happy regarding the two legendary retired shinobi setting foot outside Konoha for their upcoming wedding anniversary. Before herself stood her two children as they were not ready to bid farewell to their beloved grandparents.

"When will you be back?" asked the younger one of the grandchildren, whom appeared to be a young girl with luscious, jet black hair reaching down to her small shoulders, having the tips of her hair waved in different directions and hued naturally in pale rose. Her large, doe-like emerald green eyes were subdued with sadness. She hadn't hit the age of ten yet.

"Soon before you know it, Sayuri." answered a platinum-haired Sakura, wrinkles adorned her soft facial features. Her pale silver, shoulder-length hair was loosely knotted in a bun. She wore a light dusky kimono with a grey obi bound around her waist. An uchiwa fan was proudly stitched onto the back of her crimson haori, which she had worn on top on her kimono.

The older of the grandchildren who was a boy recently became a genin several months ago. He had a wavy ebony hair with a fringe that parted in the middle, framing his sharp features. Sakura and Sarada could not help themselves, but feel that the boy had certainly resembled Sasuke very much. But his grandfather, on the contrary, thought that his first grandchild had immensely reminded him of his late brother, Itachi. Though, not in appearances, but in the way the dark-haired boy would treat his younger sibling, especially when it came to spending time with her.

"I really hope so." The first grandchild replied glumly as he lowered his fierce, dark eyes to the ground.

Sasuke's hair was gunmetal grey that reached to the nape of his neck, and his handsome profile was timeworn with wrinkles. His left eye was covered with a black eye patch. He donned a charcoal grey yukata and a navy blue haori earlier this morning for his travels. The silver fox carried a long strapped shoulder bag.

The elder man peered onto his first grandchild's head, and had felt a twinge of sadness within his chest. This moment made him recall that period of time, where he had to resume his mission after staying for the night in Konoha. He met his daughter's gaze whom tilted her head slightly towards her son. Sasuke briefly closed his eyes, and gave a curt nod before he proceeded to a close a few gaps between himself and the young boy. The silver fox placed his right hand on his grandchild's small shoulder.

"Be there for your mother and your sister, Sachihiro." came his stern voice.

A few years ago, Sarada's spouse was infected with an incurable disease and had met his untimely fate months hereafter. The current hokage, along with her children, did not know how to cope with their loss. Nevertheless, Sasuke and Sakura had always made sure to be there for their beloved grandchildren whereas Naruto happily assisted the Scarlet Spring whenever help was needed. Thus, her father would occasionally visit her in the office to check on the village's performance as he couldn't help himself; even though, he reluctantly retired from performing his missions. Even when it came to leaving his responsibilities to Boruto, his former student, to fulfill them.

The young Uchiha boy had lost his father before his registration into the academy had occurred. Sasuke took it upon himself to look after his grandchildren due to the guilt crushed upon his shoulders as he couldn't be there to spend time with his own daughter, watching her bloom into a fine kunoichi. His wife was more than happy to assist him each and every time her aid was required.

The young boy lifted his chin to look into his grandfather's facial expression and slightly caught his breath. For a moment, Sasuke was looking at him with vulnerability, where his eyebrows were slightly drawn together and the corners of his determined lips were tugged downwards, as though he felt a weighed ache within his heart. He was bestowing his grandson this responsibility due to him having the faith in the dark-haired boy being able to do so at this very moment.

Sachihiro understood the unspoken words, and nodded, but not without uttering the words "I will, Ojii-san."

Sakura prodded with a few steps to embrace both of her beloved grandchildren, and said "We'll make sure to keep in touch from time to time."

They both beamed at their grandmother upon hearing this after she separated from their embrace.

Sasuke approached his own daughter and gave her a warm hug for a moment, followed by his own wife embracing the current Hokage and withdrew after a few moments. In their eyes, she will always be their little girl no matter what.

"Protect the village, Sarada." said her father, his dark eyes never leaving his daughter's.

"Will do so, Papa." replied the bespectacled woman with a smile on her rosy lips, regarding him warmly.

"We should get going now, Anata." the platinum haired woman gently instructed, placing her hand lightly on her husband's arm. With that, Sasuke slightly turned his head to his right, signalling that he had heard his spouse.

"Take care of yourselves, Jii-chan and Baa-chan," Sayuri chirped, her petite hands clasped behind her back.

Sasuke reached out and lightly tapped two fingers on each of the children's foreheads. A smirk grazed his lips as he witnessed their surprised expressions on their adorable facial features.

"I'll see you two, soon," the silver fox promised.

Sarada felt her heart melted at the sight of her father bestowing such a subtle affection to her children. She was always aware that he was the man of actions, but never was he the man of words. Thus, the young siblings understood what that gesture meant. The Spring Scarlet simply smiled to herself while their reactions were observed, because she knew that gesture. A gesture that had been passed down from her late uncle to her father; then to her mother and eventually to herself. There were occasions in which she affectionately poked their young foreheads, where duties called her.

The elderly couple parted away from their family members and emerged along the path towards the north-eastern forests in the Land of Fire.


As they paced through the forest, Sakura slipped a surreptitious glance towards her spouse within her peripheral vision, and wondered whether it was a good idea for their accompaniment not to join them on their travels. She recalled the current Hokage's suggestion for a jounin to go along with them for the sake of her parents' safety over a week ago. However, Sasuke, being stubborn as ever, had refused right away. He found it hard to let his guard down and be vulnerable when it came to dealing with strangers. The retired medic contemplated if it had to with more than just letting her husband's guard down for a period of time.

Perhaps it was the intimacy he sought after during their upcoming wedding anniversary.

'It's probably for the best,' she thought to herself with a small smile.

"What?" Sasuke enquired, raising his right eyebrow.

"Nothing," answered his wife and added with a sly grin "Just thinking about why you refused Denki to accompany us in our travels, Anata."

The silver fox didn't need to ask his wife what it was, for he already knew the answer as he caught sight of her slight beaming facial expression.

With that, Sasuke merely smirked to himself and snorted "Hn."

Only silence was met with them strolling into the woods. Dried leaves and twigs crunched under their feet, as their long journey awaited before them. After all, great minds think alike.


A/N: I might start working on the next chapter of "Under the Hem of Emerald". Or I might start planning the new prompt(s) & begin writing them for the upcoming #MySasuSakuMonth. I really can't wait to participate in this new SS event!

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed reading this 1st chapter. Till next time & stay safe, everyone! ^-^

With love,

Raineya

P.S: Alright, I edited Sayuri's appearance. I'd like you all to imagine Sachihiro looking like a mini Muzan Kubutsuji(from KnY) with his wavy black hair while Sayuri looks like CJ's Sakura from her "ProfessorxStudent!AU" fan-art except that her hair's black with pale pink balayage.