Thank you for the reviews Pixie07, ZeldaForever777, grandshadowseal, JohnPeacekeeper, Otakugal , Hikary Sanoko, Silent Hero 13.
Also thanks to everyone who added Road to Parenthood as favorite story, story alert and added me under author alert, favorite author. I really appreciate it!
Warning : Long chapter ahead. Meet you at the long authors note in the end!
Disclaimer : I do not own Naruto.
Road to Parenthood : ...Maybe next time
"Daddy!"
Sasuke's eyes shot open by the sound of his daughter crying out for him.
"DADDY!"
Sakura slowly opened her eyes, her mind not being able to fathom what was happening. Sasuke quickly leapt on his feet and reached besides Sarada before she could breathe enough air to scream out again.
"Daddy is here. It's okay." Sasuke tried to console Sarada as he cuddled and cradled her tiny stature back and forth comfortingly on her bed.
"What's wrong?" Sakura said as she raced to the room at the best speed she could. She knelt down at Sarada who had her face buried inside Sasuke arms hugging his chest. Fat tears rolled down her face and soiled Sasuke's shorts.
Sakura took Sarada's hand in her own and rubbed it gently, "What happened Sarada?"
Sarada responded by heavy sniffing. A frown formed on Sakura's forehead in worry and she looked at Sasuke for answers. Sasuke just looked back at her with the same expression still continuing to cradle his daughter.
Suddenly Sasuke heard some sound outside. His head shot up in alert and he tried to make his way towards the window. But Sarada held him tight, "No no daddy don't leave! Don't leave me! Please!"
"Sarada…" Sakura said as she held her hand tight. "Daddy isn't going anywhere. He is just going to see where that noise is coming from." Sakura released Sarada's grip on Sasuke's waist and she brought Sarada closer to herself. Sasuke got up and made his way towards the window. Sarada continued to cry out to him as her vision was blurred without her glasses, she couldn't see where he was headed. Sakura picked up her glasses from the side table and secured it in between her ears. Sarada finally calmed down when she saw her dad was just looking out the window.
"What happened Sarada, did you have a bad dream?" Sakura tried to ask.
"Daddy will leave, daddy is going to leave." Sarada repeated, sobbing.
"Daddy is not going anywhere." Sakura consoled.
Meanwhile Sasuke looked out the window trying to detect where the sound was coming from. Something didn't feel right to him. The pitch black darkness of the night along with the trees outside the window weakened his vision. He placed his right foot onto the window sill to jump out to investigate further.
"Daddy! NO NO!" Sarada screamed out noticing he was about to jump.
Sasuke turned around and saw his daughter's terrified face and Sakura trying to hold her back. He pulled his leg back onto the floor without a second thought. Sarada pushed herself free from her mother's clutches and raced towards her dad. Sasuke dutifully picked her up and Sarada tightened her hands around his neck, almost choking him. Sakura made her way next to her family.
"She had a nightmare." Sakura informed Sasuke as she patted her hair.
But Sasuke's attention was outside. He could hear crows cawing in a distance. 'That can't be a good sign' he said to himself, superstition clouding his judgment.
"What's wrong?" Sakura asked noticing the look on Sasuke's face.
The faint sound of crows cawing was getting louder. It grew loud enough for Sakura and Sarada to take notice.
"What's happening?" Sakura asked to no one in particular.
Sasuke's eyes opened wide and he quickly placed a hand over Sakura's head and pushed it down with him. "DUCK!"
The three of them hid their heads under the window sill as a murder of crows flew inside the window into the room. The crows filled the room and started flying around haphazardly.
"Daddy.." Sarada said as she watched the crows in horror. Sakura searched for Sasuke's hand without taking her eyes off the birds, "Sasuke-kun…these crows.."
"I know." Sasuke said as he realized his wife noticed the crows flying with a red eye. It was unquestionable, but how?
Before he could comprehend a crow flew right past their faces, close enough for all three to confirm it was the Sharingan. And for two to confirm it was the Mangekyo Sharingan. If they took a direct look at the sharingan it was evident all three were cast in a genjutsu by now. The only person strong enough to disperse it is Sasuke, which he did successfully even before he could be caste in the genjutsu. He looked over at Sakura and Sarada, they were both unconscious. The usually swift Sasuke was not being himself. His mind was all over the place, completely scattered. His thoughts were preoccupied with how this was happening more than how to counter it. Instead of helping Sakura he looked around to find some answers – these crows with the sharingan shaped like a wheel. There is no doubt about it, but how! His throat was drying at the thought of it all. Before he knew it, few crows gathered at a spot next to the door forming a hand, a hand he knew far too well. Sasuke took notice of the hand making a hand sign after which he couldn't move. He couldn't disperse this genjutsu, but why? His eye shifted to see his wife and daughter, still unconscious. Sasuke tried to close his eyes to focus his mind to distort the genjutsu but before he knew it a crow took its flight back straight towards Sasuke's face. Sasuke could hear his heart thump loudly in his ears. It grew louder and louder till he was grasping for breathe. His vision was slowly fading away. It was getting white. His ears which were filled with chaotic instructions from his brain to react were suddenly replaced with a flatline. But his brain didn't quite give up. Breathe. Breathe! BREATHE!
Suddenly Sasuke shot up from his bed panting heavily, sweat dripping from his forehead. The morning sun shone brightly on his face and cast his shadow on the wall. Sakura felt the sudden movement on the bed and looked over. "Sasuke-kun?" she got up and placed her hand over his shoulder. "Are you okay?"
Sasuke just took a deep breath in response.
"Nightmare?" Sakura asked as she wiped off the sweat with her hand.
"I'm not sure…" Sasuke responded.
"It's okay." She patted his back in consolation. "Whatever it was its over. Also.." She placed her hand under his jaw and shifted his head to face her. "..it's Sarada's Birthday today." Sakura reminded him and smiled. She leaned in and kissed his cheek. "I better freshen up and make her favorite breakfast before she wakes up."
"Hn." Sasuke said. As Sakura got off the bed and made her way inside the bathroom, Sasuke was left behind pondering over his nightmare. But could he really call it that? A nightmare? After all crows with a Mangekyo Sharingan could only mean one thing. He shook his head and shrugged the thought off his mind. He could not afford to spoil his mood today. It is his daughter's birthday and he will not let anything ruin it, not even him. He took a deep breath. 'Just a dream' he convinced himself.
'Sarada's birthday' he reminded himself. The thought of his daughter drew a smile on his face. And he confirmed his resolve to be the most cheerful he has been, just for Sarada. He slid himself off the bed and knocked on the bathroom door. He could hear the water gushing out of the shower.
"I'm taking a shower, give me some time." Sakura shouted from inside.
"I know. Can I join?" Sasuke asked cheekily. He waited for his wife to throw some snarky remark at him but not much to his surprise the door opened slightly. The hot vapor from the shower withdrew itself from the space, carrying with it the sweet scent of strawberry scented shampoo. Sasuke smirked in triumph and made his way inside the bathroom and shut the door after him. The resolve is definitely working in his favor so far, very unlike him but maybe he should try it more often.
xxx
After thoroughly helping each other freshen up that morning, Sasuke was as usual sipping on his morning tea as he read his newspaper. Sakura was preparing their special breakfast with all of Sarada's favorite dishes, after all it was her birthday.
Suddenly they heard a knock on the door.
Sakura looked over at Sasuke and tilted her head over to the door gesturing for him to answer to it. He in return rose his tea cup gesturing he was busy and gave her an air kiss. Sakura narrowed her eyes and grunted her way towards the door. Sasuke smiled and thought he was being rather cute to be himself.
His attention went back to his newspaper till he heard Sakura give out a happy screech. He placed the newspaper on the table and tried to see who it was. 'Couldn't be Naruto, she wouldn't be this happy to see him. Oh no..what if it is her hyperactive parents! Dear lord it had to be, it is Sarada's birthday.' He thought to himself as a fake smile plastered on to his face to greet his in-laws.
"Sasuke-kun, guess who is finally back!" Sakura said as she walked back to the room as a figure slowly emerged from behind her.
Sakura moved aside for Sasuke to get a full view of the person in question. Sasuke's fake smile dripped off his face. His eyes widened in disbelief when they met with his beloved..
"Nii-san…" Sasuke said under his breath.
"You are just in time Itachi nii-san. I was just about to make breakfast!" Sakura said beaming at her brother in-law. But she was thoroughly ignored as Sasuke and Itachi didn't break their eye contact.
"Hmm well, why don't you have a seat, I'm sure you're tired. 6 years is a long time for you to be gone away. Was the mission successful?" Sakura asked trying to grab Itachi's attention.
"Aaa" Itachi looked at Sakura absent mindedly. "Well yes. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't" he smiled back.
"Ofcourse ofcourse." Sakura said awkwardly. She looked at Sasuke who looked baffled at what was going on.
"Sasuke-kun I know this is a bit of a surprise but at least greet your brother." Sakura complained.
Sasuke gave that a deaf ear and continued to stare at the said brother. Sakura sighed at the lack of reaction.
"He tends to zone out sometimes. Have a seat nii-san. I will get Sarada, she is going to be stunned when he sees you. Hopefully not as much as her father." She said as she made her way towards to go upstairs.
Itachi walked in and sat on the other side of the table Sasuke was seated. He looked at Sasuke who was examining Itachi from head to toe. Same face, same hair, same attire he would wear when he was working as an ANBU, same necklace, everything looked the same. Whoever this was had replicated Itachi to the dot.
Itachi looked at Sasuke and smiled, "So how have you been Sasuke?"
Sasuke said nothing.
"Mad at me for being away for so long are you?" Itachi continued.
Silence.
"Well I am here now, aren't .."
"Who are you." Sasuke cut him off.
"What are you talking about?" Itachi asked confused.
"Tell me before I slit your throat off." Sasuke said in all seriousness.
Itachi was taken aback by the reaction. "Hot headed as always I see. I was hoping you would lose that in time." He said smiling.
"I'm giving you a last chance." Sasuke said.
"We both know who I am. I am Ita.." Itachi said matter of factly.
"SHUT UP!" Sasuke said as he pounced on him from the other side of the table. He sat over Itachi and landed a punch across his face in anger, breathing heavily. Itachi adjusted his jaw and collected the blood from under his lip and examined it. "Not too hard for your standards." Itachi mocked back.
"You bastard!" Sasuke said as he raced his clenched right fist for another punch which was swiftly stopped by Itachi's left palm. "Sasuke, calm down."
"Shut up!" Sasuke responded and pushed Itachi's hand off of his and got off of him. Itachi stood up as well quickly enough to defend against the series of mild attacks Sasuke was charging at him.
"Sasuke-kun!" a shocked Sakura shouted upon seeing the two brothers fighting. Sasuke didn't respond and continued attacking Itachi.
"It's okay Sakura. Just brotherly love." Itachi said and gave back a wary smile.
"Hmm okay." Sakura wasn't sure what to make out of it. One minute Sasuke wasn't even taking notice of his brothers' arrival and the next he was beating him up. She wasn't exactly surprised either. Sasuke and Naruto who consider each other as brothers do this all the time too. She could never put her finger around this disturbing act of brotherliness.
"Sarada is taking a bath. I haven't told her you are here yet." Sakura said out loud still witnessing the brothers showing their "love" to each other. " I will just go upstairs and help her dress up. Maybe you could ..hmm..act normal by then?"
"Sure thing." Itachi said giving out a smile as he ducked to avoid a fist at the same time.
Sakura gave a wary smile and went back upstairs.
"Okay that's enough." He said and caught hold of Sasuke's hands. "Just sit down now."
Sasuke looked at him grumpily but quietly complied. He fixed the table back to its position and sat on one side and Itachi made his way to the other.
"I guess it didn't work on you." Itachi said and he sighed.
"How..how are you back?" Sasuke asked in disbelief.
"You attacking me with those mild moves, you knew it was me from the beginning didn't you? Then why.."
"But how!" Sasuke said exasperated.
"You know how.." Itachi responded.
"Genjutsu." Sasuke said under his breathe.
"Yes, you are currently trapped in a genjutsu. All three of you are. Ever since you saw the crows. But you dispersed it once. You knew that didn't you?"
"Hn." Sasuke agreed.
"Then you saw my hand sign, but you didn't disperse it that time. Why not?"
"I tried. I couldn't."
"You couldn't or didn't want to?"
Sasuke looked at Itachi and then looked away. He couldn't or didn't want to? Could it be that he subconsciously wanted to be stuck even if it meant he could see Itachi just one more time, even if it's just an illusion? Looks like he did.
"I'm not really sure what's going on." Sasuke said.
"Yesterday when Sarada had a nightmare and called out to you, that actually happened. I wasn't anticipating her to wake up in the middle of the night, that's when I moved and you heard something outside, which was me. I wanted to capture you all in the same genjutsu and luckily you were all present at the same time there. I took my chance. Obviously I wasn't expecting you to be easy, unlike the other two. When you broke off the first try, I knew you wouldn't look directly at the sharingan that's when I had to grab your attention towards my hand. But I was expecting you to break that off too. But you didn't. After which you panicked. And then to calm you down I made it look like it was a dream. That's where it all started."
Sasuke tried to comprehend it all.
"As to why I am here, I wanted to see my niece. And I chose her birthday."
"So we are all in a genjutsu right now?"
"Yes."
"Wait..that means you are with us right now in reality?"
"Well yes."
"Then.." Sasuke was about to make a hand sign to disperse it, but Itachi caught hold of his hand.
"Don't." Itachi instructed.
"But..but if you are there in reality why do this! You could meet us for real!"
"Sasuke I am still dead. I am here only for a day. After which I will have to leave again."
Sasuke was stunned. Just for a day. "Even.. even then. Why can't you spend it with us for real?!"
"And how do you explain that to Sarada? That I magically came back from the dead and spent a day with her and then I have to leave? You really think a five year old can fathom that, or should fathom that. I don't want to bring about such abnormality in her life just for a selfish wish to spend time with her." Itachi said.
Sasuke looked away and relaxed his hand. Itachi let go.
"Once I leave this will be like a dream to her and Sakura as well. Only you could detect the genjutsu. If you disperse it I will not be there when you wake up. " Itachi continued.
Sasuke pouted in disapproval. Itachi smiled at the childish behavior. He placed his hand over Sasuke's head. "I know this is selfish of me to put you all in this condition but is it possible for you to let me spend some time with my niece?"
Sasuke looked at Itachi and gave a faint smile. Itachi took that as a yes and withdrew his hand. "Thank you. Also things aren't exactly the same here. I wanted you all to believe this is just a dream when I disperse the genjutsu and as precautionary measure I have changed the plot a bit."
"Been away on a mission for 6 years? Really? That's the best you could think of?" Sasuke mocked.
"I had you fooled when I said I let you live to test your vessel didn't I?" Itachi shot back.
"Cheapshot nii-san." Sasuke chuckled.
Itachi gave out a laugh and continued, "You all will continue the day as usual, besides having caste you all in the genjutsu and changing my background a bit I haven't scripted anything."
"Wanted to keep the spontaneity alive?" Sasuke joked.
"Well something like that." Itachi joined.
"While you were at it, couldn't you have also aged a bit? You look the same since you..well died..you look the same age as me or younger." Sasuke complained.
"Sorry, jealous much?" Itachi mocked smiling.
"Delusional much?" Sasuke shot back.
"I doesn't make a difference. It's supposed to be a dream. Sarada remembers me by the photos she has seen. In her dream people will only look like the memory she has about them. So if I remain the same she will identify with me better." Itachi explaind.
"Well thought out." Sasuke complimented.
"Now if I have your permission can I meet your daughter?"
"Granted."
"Thank you."
The brothers hear footsteps descending from the stairways. Sakura guided Sarada down the stairs as she had her eyes covered for her big surprise.
"OKAY SO SARADA I AM GOING TO TAKE YOU DOWN THE STAIRS SO YOU CAN SEE THE BIG SURPRISE!" Sakura said out loud so she could warn the other two hoping they could quit their brotherly display of affection.
"Why are you shouting?" Sarada asked confused. Sakura didn't respond.
"Is it that book I wanted Mama?" Sarada asked.
"No it's not sweetheart." Sakura replied.
They finally made it down the stairs. Itachi got a view of his niece. His eyes grew wide as he took a deep breath, a tear slowly escaping his eye. Itachi quickly wiped any trace of them and cleared his blurred waterlogged vision. Sasuke looked over at Itachi and could feel the overwhelming feeling his brother was going through. It was close to what he felt when he first held Sarada in his hands at the delivery room.
Itachi looked at Sarada, she was dressed in a beautiful blue kimono with pink flowers on them. Her shoulder length black hair perfectly parted from the side. Sarada looked like a miniature version of her grandmother. Itachi looked over at Sasuke wondering if he ever noticed that. When Sasuke just looked at him blankly Itachi just turned his attention back to Sarada smiling.
"Oh oh is it a cat!" Sarada asked her hands waving in excitement.
"No it's not Sarada." Sakura said.
"Oh." Sarada said disappointment evident on her face. "Well I guess it's for the best. Dad would kill it anyway." Sarada said referring to the picture from the album.
Itachi looked at Sasuke in confusion. His eyebrow raised in question as to ask why he was killing innocent cats. Sasuke shook his head in disapproval with both his hands up defensively.
"Okay are you ready?" Sakura asked as she bent over, her head reaching Sarada's shoulder.
Sarada shook her head in agreement. Sakura withdrew her palm from Sarada's eyes.
Sarada blinked a few times before her eyes could adjust with the sudden brightness. She looked around, vaguely seeing two figures seated.
Everyone present in the room looked at her expectedly for some reaction. But they failed to get any.
'Oh lord, she is her father's daughter alright.' Sakura said to herself.
"Mom?" Sarada asked.
"Yes dear?" Sakura responded. "Do you not recognize who that is?"
"Well..no." Sarada said.
Sasuke could feel the disappointment in the air.
"Sarada this is.." Sasuke began.
"I can't see without my glasses." Sarada cut her father off.
"Oh..OH!" Sakura said and hurried upstairs to collect the glasses.
Itachi's tense lips broke into a smile.
"Looks like there was no need to cover your eyes all the way downstairs." Itachi said.
"I don't know what it looks like because I can't see." Sarada joked, unable to recognize the voice.
Itachi was taken aback by the remark. "You've got a clever one here." He said looking at Sasuke.
Sakura quickly rushed downstairs with Sarada's glasses in her hand.
"Ready?" Sakura asked and placed the glasses in-between her ears. Sarada adjusted them as per her comfort. Her eyes first spotted her dad who smiled as she looked at him. Sasuke jerked his head towards his right to gesture at the person beside him. Sarada's eyes followed his movement. Her eyes widened at who she say in front of her. Without missing a second she said out loud, "OJI-SAN!"
Itachi smiled at the response and held out his arms for her. Sarada quickly ran over and leaped into them. "It's really you!" she said in excitement. Sakura stood close to Sasuke and placed her hands on his shoulder in support as they witnessed a scene Sasuke long desired.
"I came to wish my favorite niece a very Happy Birthday." Itachi said.
Sarada gave a wide smile and then withdrew it as quickly. "But I am your only niece." She said matter of factly.
"And you have excelled in that too." He said and picked her up and placed her on his lap as he looked at Sasuke giving him a look that Sarada is quite the sharp one.
"I will get everyone breakfast." Sakura said and made her way to the dishes.
Sarada examined Itachi's face and ran her hand over it. "Wow Oji-san, you still look so young." She turned her head towards Sasuke. "Younger than dad."
"Ahh well I've inherited the power of youth." Itachi said trying to cover up the issue.
"Oh just like Lee oji-san!" Sarada noticed. Sasuke sighed at the observation.
"Who is Lee?" Itachi asked.
"Mama's eternal lover!" Sarada said. Sakura coughed uncontrollably.
"Sorry?" Itachi asked confused.
"Nii-san here." Sakura said placing the dishes on the table trying to brush away the topic.
"Oh wow so many things to eat." Itachi said. "Shall we begin?"
"Hai!" Sakura and Sarada responded while Sasuke nodded.
"ITADAKIMASU!" They all said very melodically before breaking their glued chopsticks into two.
xxx
After a hearty breakfast the Uchiha's made their way towards the training ground.
"Oji-san Daddy told me you are the strongest shinobi this village has!" Sarada said as she swung both her hands, one held by her dad and the other by her uncle.
"Your dad is just being sweet." Itachi said.
"That's unusual." Sarada said as she looked over at her Dad.
"True. Guess this is just the exception to the rule." Itachi said mockingly.
"Are you both ganging up against me?" Sasuke asked.
"Oji-san do you have the Rinnegan too?" Sarada asked.
"Does it look like I do?" Itachi said rhetorically widening his eyes towards her to see.
"Oh good. So the eye mismatch defect is not hereditary." Sarada said.
"Don't you want to awaken the Sharingan?" Itachi asked.
"I do, even the Mangekyo sharigan!" Sarada said confidently.
Itachi looked at Sasuke surprise evident on his face.
"Sarada do you know how one awakens the Mangekyo?" Itachi asked concerned.
"Daddy said I should just maintain a strong friendship with Bolt for now." Sarada explained.
"Bolt?"
"Bolt is Naruto oji-chan's son."
Itachi's expression widened as he looked as Sasuke.
"Seriously?" Itachi said in disapproval.
"What?" Sasuke smirked.
Sarada looked at both of them confused.
"You know Sarada you look a lot like your grandmother. Like a little version of her, minus the glasses." Itachi said.
"Really?!" Sarada said her face beaming. "O bāchan was so beautiful!"
"That she was." Itachi said.
"Hn." Sasuke agreed.
"But Ino oji-chan tells me I look a lot like Karin oji-chan." Sarada said. "So much so that I might just be her daughter, right daddy?" Sarada said smiling at her father.
"Ino does that..umm..just to tease Sakura." Sasuke tried to cover up.
"But I'm glad that's not true. Or else I would be an Uzumaki like that Bolt. Urgh!" Sarada said making a disgusted face.
"Who is Karin?" Itachi asked confused.
"Daddy's eternal lover!" Sarada said.
Sasuke coughed uncontrollably. Itachi looked at Sasuke perplexed. 'What the hell is going on here' Itachi thought to himself.
They reached the training ground and Itachi guided them further inside. They reached a spot with a huge boulder in the center and dart boards placed on the trees surrounding it. One dart board placed ahead of the boulder.
Itachi left Sarada's hand and walked behind the boulder.
"I can't believe you." Sasuke said sighing as he looked around the familiar place.
"What?" Itachi asked.
"You got us here just to show off your shuriken skills, didn't you?" Sasuke asked looking at Itachi disapprovingly.
"Well at least I succeeded in showing off. Unlike someone else." Itachi said smirking as he pointed a kunai at Sasuke.
"What do you mean oji-san!" Sarada said grinning as she knew there was story behind that.
"Well your dad here tried to show off too, only to end up with a twisted ankle because of which I had to carry him home." Itachi narrated.
Sarada turned around and looked at Sasuke in disbelief her mouth and eyes wide open.
"I was six!" Sasuke said folding his hands defensively.
"tsk tsk tsk not cool daddy." Sarada said shaking her head in disappointment. "Oji-san can you really hit the center on the board?"
"Why don't we try? Stand back."
Sarada quietly complied.
Itachi took a deep breath and sprung himself in the air. He turned upside down and closed his eyes. His hands crossed his face, a kunai in between each finger. He flung his right hand letting go of one kunai at a time. He then flung his left hand with the kunais more forcefully making it swiftly cut the previous kunai mid air making them shift direction. Each kunai hit bull's eye of every board and Itachi made a gentle landing on the ground. He lifted his head, sharingan activated.
"Wow Oji-san you are so good! You even nailed the mark on the blind spot right in the middle!" Sarada said as she looked around. She ran towards the boards and grabbed the kunai. "Alright. Here I go!" she placed both her hands holding the kunai crossing her face.
"No, you are not going anywhere. Lets head back, it's almost time for lunch." Sasuke said.
"But…but we just reached! And I want to learn some shuriken moves from Oji-san!" Sarada said puffing up her face grumpily.
"I can teach you that later Sarada." Sasuke said.
"But oji-san is better at it. I may still be a kid but even I know that." She argued.
"Sarada." Sasuke said in a stern voice.
Sarada looked down pouting and looked at Itachi. He smiled at her sympathetically and waved his hand at her calling her towards him. She ran towards him as he held out two fingers which gently tapped her forehead.
"Sorry Sarada. Maybe next time." Itachi said as he smiled at her benevolently.
Sarada pouted and quickly returned to her stance, "Watch this Oji-san!" Sarada said as she raced ahead to throw the kunai.
"Sarada no! Not in that Kimino, you're not rea.." Sasuke tried to warn, but in no vain.
xxx
"This seems too uncanny. Deja-vu would be an understatement." Sasuke said as he watched his daughter gleefully swinging her legs while Itachi gave her a piggy back ride since she bruised her leg.
"Like Father like daughter." Itachi said with a smile. Sasuke scoffed in defeat.
xxx
"And what happened to you young lady?" Sakura said as she saw Sarada enter majestically on her uncle's back.
"She bruised her leg." Sasuke explained.
"What! How?" Sakura asked.
"Like father like daughter." Sarada said grinning.
"Sorry?" Sakura asked confused.
"I don't like how you are influencing her." Sasuke told Itachi, sighing.
"I will take her." Sakura said carrying her off Itachi's back.
Before Itachi could follow them Sasuke pulled him by the hand, "hmm nii-san, just do me a favor and not mention anything about Karin would you?"
Itachi raised an eyebrow with a smirk plastered on his face, "And why is that?"
"Just ..Sakura gets all paranoid just hearing her name." Sasuke explained.
"Umm well I'll think about it." Itachi said mischievously.
Sasuke sighed and started walking ahead, "Well you think hard, or else you won't get any cake to eat. It will all be smashed on my face."
Itachi gave out a laugh and walked behind Sasuke to join the other two.
"Well aren't you being treated like a princess." Sakura said as she placed Sarada on the table and examined her bruise. She placed her palm over the bruise and green soothing chakra gently healed the area. Itachi watched in astonishment.
"You are a medic Sakura?" Itachi asked.
"Hai." She said looking at Itachi.
"Impressive. That is one field I couldn't grab my head around." Itachi said. Sakura could feel her cheeks turning a faint pink.
"Mama is the head medic at the hospital! Ever since she replaced Tsunade O bāchan, you know.." Sarada hushed her voice. "..since the drinking problem."
"Sarada!" Sakura exclaimed disapprovingly.
"You were under Tsunade-sama's guidance?" Itachi asked.
"Hai. I was her apprentice." Sakura said.
"So the whole team turned out to be prodigies of the legendary sanin's." Itachi said. "Whatever was Kakashi-san doing?" Itachi asked baffled.
"Ichi Ichi Paradise!" Sarada yelped.
Sarada's remark was followed by an awkward silence in the room, Itachi could feel his cheeks heating all wandered off in different directions, while Sarada tried to understand what caused this reaction.
xxx
After lunch Itachi and Sarada were going through the photo albums together. Sarada was comfortably seated in between the space of her uncles folded legs. Itachi searched for a few albums but he was particularly interested in the pink album titled Team 7. Since he missed out on that part of Sasuke's life he wanted to make up for it. The first page he was expecting to have Team 7 photograph but to his surprise he could see photos of Sasuke.
"Umm when was this taken?" Itachi asked.
Sakura walked over to them and had a look at the said photo. It had Sasuke standing triumphantly after having thrown shuriken at a wood slab at a distance as other students watched on in awe.
"This was during our academy years. We must be 7-8 years old I guess." Sakura said smiling.
"Oh. How did you manage to take a photo? Were you allowed to carry camera then?" Itachi asked.
"Well umm I umm didn't particularly ask for permission." Sakura said laughing sheepishly. "How about we turn to more approved pictures? Huh? Okay let's do that." She continued laughing awkwardly.
Itachi was alarmed when she started flipping page after page with single shots of Sasuke which were probably taken without his knowledge, Sakura continuing to laugh hysterically. They finally reached the page with more appropriate photos. There it was, Team 7.
"This was our Team 7 photo." She said smiling and ran her hand over the photo to wipe off any dust. Sasuke walked in the room and made himself comfortable next to his family.
"What is with Naruto's face?" Itachi asked laughing.
"He wasn't pleased to be taking a photo with me and clearly I shared the feeling." Sasuke said.
"Here there is mom who would take your photo all the time and then there is this usuratonkachi." Sarada said weighing her head down and dramatically shaking it in exasperation.
They browsed through the other photos, one taken at The Great Naruto Bridge, one before and after every round of the Chunin exam, some during the final battle, the cat paw photo, one with an ostrich and many more. They slowly proceeded to the time where Sasuke was no more part of any photos. Some photos needed explanation while others were self-explanatory like a photo of Sai's painting of team 7 which Sasuke wasn't part of.
"He draws really well." Itachi complimented.
"Yeah he is quite the artist." Sakura added.
The last photo was of Naruto and Sasuke on their respective bed in the hospital, both missing an arm. With a smiling Sakura posing besides Sasuke wrapping her arms around his shoulder, while Sasuke made a frowned face. Sai was imitating Sakura's action too, only he was applying it on Naruto. Naruto was pushing off Sai's face as it was getting too close to his own, while Sai had a smile plastered on his face looking quite indifferent to Naruto's reaction. And there was Kakashi right at the center, in between the two beds unable to pick sides, laughing awkwardly with his hand scratching his head.
Itachi couldn't help but laugh at the photo. His eyes narrowed down to Naruto, 'The kid kept his promise. He saved his brother.' He thought shifting his eyes to Sasuke . A smile across his face.
xxx
It was early evening and Sakura was preparing for the get together which will be beginning in an about two hours. She called over relatives and all her friends along with their children all of whom were Sarada's age.
Meanwhile Itachi, Sasuke and Sarada went over to the lake where Sasuke was first taught to use the Goukakyuu no Jutsu (Fireball Jutsu) by his father.
"This brings back memories." Sasuke said as they walked on the wooden walkway.
They reached the edge where Itachi looked at Sarada, "Your dad tells me you know the Goukakyuu no Jutsu?"
"Hmm well not entirely. Mom forbid Dad from teaching me any further ever since I was almost about to blow up the house." Sarada confessed.
"Can I have a look?" Itachi asked.
"I only know the hand signs. And I haven't tried using it besides once." Sarada said.
"Let me see." Itachi insisted.
"Well okay." Sarada walked ahead reluctantly while the other two stepped back a bit.
She made the hand signs snake – sheep – monkey – pig – horse – tiger, she then took a deep breath and exhaled a small ball of fire out of her mouth. She looked at the fire extinguishing quickly in disappointment. She wiped her mouth of any residue from the smoke and hesitantly looked at her dad. Sasuke gave a noble smile and looked over at Itachi for guidance.
"Well that was better than what Sasuke did for the first time." Itachi said.
"You didn't even teach me this!" Sasuke said defensively.
"Exactly my point." Itachi said, smirking. Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"Sarada you are only five so it will be hard for you to master it, but you are already doing better than Sasuke when he learned it at the age of seven. So firstly, never be disheartened. Secondly I'll teach you a trick." Itachi said kneeling down to reach her height.
Sarada looked at Itachi all bright eyed. Itachi looked at Sasuke and turned his head back to Sarada whispering in her ears, "Do not tell it to anyone okay? Not even your father."
Sarada giggled. Sasuke looked on with a raised eyebrow unable to hear Itachi.
"When you inhale you are taking the air only till your chest, instead take it all the way inside your belly." Itachi said as he breathed in and pointed at his puffed up stomach. "In that way you get much more air which you then push out with full force. And with practice you will learn to make the signs faster. Watch."
Itachi got up, weaved the signs with lightning fast speed, breathed in and demonstrated the jutsu. A huge fire cannonball heated up the surface of the lake. Sarada watched on wide eyed. "Amazing." she said under her breath.
"Why don't you try." Itachi said.
Sarada complied and did as she was told. The hand weaving signs were at the same speed but she breathed in all the way down her stomach and blew the air with full force. The fireball was reasonably bigger in size this time and Sarada was happy about it too.
"You are a fast learner. Now all you need to do is pester your dad to train you, how he would pester me." Itachi said winking at Sarada as she smiled on.
"Sarada!"
The trio looked back to notice Sakura calling out to them. She walked towards them.
"Sarada its time for you to come back home, don't you want to get ready before your friends come over?" Saying so Sakura lifted her hand so Sarada could grab it.
"Hai! Come oji-san." Sarada said lifting her hand for Itachi to hold.
"Hmm how about you two go ahead and we join you in sometime?" Itachi asked.
"But why.." Sarada said disappointment evident on her face.
"Sarada they will join us in sometime." Sakura said.
Itachi smiled and knelt down on his knees to reach Sarada's height and widened his arms. Sarada let go of Sakura's hand and embraced her uncle.
"You be good okay? I wish your grandparents could see how beautiful and talented you are, just like your parents." Saying so Itachi kissed Sarada's forehead. "That goes for you too Sakura, thank you for not giving up on Sasuke. I know how difficult he can get sometimes but you and Naruto always made sure you made up for the absence of family in his life. For that I can never thank you enough."
"Nii-san please…" Sakura started feeling a lump in her throat.
"Thankfully Sarada has gotten your beauty and brains. God alone knows what would happen if things would go the other way around." Itachi said trying to lighten the mood. "You both go on ahead, we will join you."
Sakura smiled and pulled Sarada by the hand and started to take their leave as Sasuke and Itachi watched on . Sarada looked around getting confused as to why they were having this talk here. But smart as she was she started getting a clue, she screamed out on the way "You will join us right oji-san?"
Itachi smiled and called her over, Sarada forced her hand out of her mother's grasp and rushed to Itachi. Itachi held out two fingers and gently tapped her forehead, "I love you."
Sarada cupped her forehead with her palm and said, "I love you too."
Itachi smiled and said, "Get going now, you don't want to be late."
"Hai!" Sarada said and rushed to her Mom.
The brothers waited till the ladies were out of sight and made themselves comfortable on the edge of the walkway. They watched the reflection of their feet on the clear blue water. The sun rays gently hit their face. They didn't speak for a minute as they enjoyed the view, until Sasuke finally broke the silence.
"It's time for you to go isn't it?" Sasuke said.
"Until sun set." Itachi confirmed.
Sasuke just responded with a deep breathe.
"I thought we could catch up with a few things before I leave." Itachi said.
"Hn."
"Most importantly I really want to know…"
Sasuke looked at Itachi in all seriousness.
Itachi continued, "…Why on earth did you name your child Salad?"
It took Sasuke a few minutes before he broke into a chuckle. "That's your most important question?"
"Well Mom is really upset, she said she took a lot more effort while naming us than picking out names from a restaurant menu."
"Your name means a weasel."
"So are you taking my revenge on your daughter?"
"Sarada is an unusual name."
"For a reason."
Sasuke looked at Itachi for a second before accepting defeat, "Touché."
Itachi smiled and looked back at the view, "But she is quite something. She will grow to be stronger and smarter than you and I."
"Hn." Sasuke agreed and continued, "So I didn't get a chance to ask, how are you here exactly?"
"Sage of Six paths."
"Aaa old man, thought so. So are you like residing in heaven or something? What's the afterlife like?"
"Yeah heaven. Just imagine my state having to go there to be greeted by the whole clan who are there thanks to me."
"Oh yeah."
"Not a good feeling. But thankfully over the years mom and dad made them understand the circumstances. 10 years was a long time for them to recuperate."
"So you settled down without any problems."
"Oh..oh no. When I went the first time after you defeated me, I wasn't allowed back in heaven. I was loitering around until Kabuto revived me."
"Loitering around? Why?"
"Yuki."
Sasuke frowned unable to recollect that name. Until it struck him, "Yuki-san! Your girlfriend!"
"Mom and dad could talk the whole clan into forgiving me, but Yuki found me killing her days before our anniversary to be a very unromantic gesture."
Sasuke couldn't help but laugh. "So what did you do?"
"Well when I was revived by Kabuto here on earth, back in heaven Shisui convinced her that I was asked to go to Hell since she wouldn't let me pass, so when I went back after the war she let me in. But it's pretty odd.."
"What is?"
"I mean I love her and everything but you know people don't age in heaven, so it's strange when a 21 year old is holding a 13 year olds hand."
"I can imagine."
"Trust me you can't."
After a hearty laugh, Sasuke continued, "So how did the Sage let you here."
"He acknowledged the sacrifices I made for the shinobi world and granted me a visit, I wanted to wait for the right moment. I was thinking Sarada's wedding but I couldn't take it anymore."
"So you guys get updates about everything here?"
"Yeah just the important news."
"Mom and Dad weren't upset with..me?"
"They were worried about you. They were upset with me, they left trusting I would take care of you. And I don't question their disappointment."
"Nii-san…"
"Sasuke I can't take back what I did or didn't do but I am proud about your final choices. But don't even for a minute think you did it alone. If it wasn't for your teammates I don't think you could make it this far."
Sasuke's silence was an indication that he agreed.
"No matter what you do don't ever forget that, and that you will never get anywhere doing things alone. You need people around. And you are lucky to have people like Sakura and Naruto who have stuck around for as long as they have even after everything you put them through. But you need to constantly remind yourself how lucky you are and also show the other person how much you appreciate it."
"I try.."
"Try harder. Sakura is a smart beautiful strong woman, she doesn't need you around. Yet she wants you around. Try reciprocating those feelings more, don't be so reserved."
Sasuke nodded and it suddenly struck him, "Wait it was you..you put the thought of me joining her in the bathroom! And fooling around with her before you came home!"
Itachi nodded triumphantly.
"No wonder I was being abnormally chirpy." Sasuke noticed.
"Well that's how it should be. I know your family and friends mean the world to you, I can see it. But you need to show it them too Sasuke."
Sasuke nodded.
"And one more thing, don't let Sarada kill Naruto's son." Itachi said in all seriousness.
Sasuke laughed looking at the worry on Itachi's face.
xxx
They watched the sun as it was about to set. The sky was filled with hues of orange and red merging itself with the fading blue. They watched the view in silence, before Sasuke could sense Itachi uncomfortably adjusting where he was seated.
"Time to go?" Sasuke asked.
"Almost. Before I do.." Itachi put both his hands under his ponytail and unlocked the necklace around his neck. "..I couldn't really get anything for Sarada for her birthday but maybe she will like this." Itachi said handing over the necklace that had three silver rings with red gems inside them. Sasuke dutifully held it in his right hand.
"You will have the necklace in your hand when you wake up. I carried you three to your room and placed you'll on your bed. Once the sun sets I will disappear and when you close your eyes the genjutsu will wear off, once you open them again you will get back to reality."
"Is there no way you can stay.." Sasuke pleaded.
"I am lucky enough to be given this opportunity, wouldn't want to piss off the God of shinobi now would I?" Itachi joked.
Sasuke just looked down in disappointment. Itachi gently poked Sasuke's forehead, making him look at Itachi wide eyed, "Forgive me Sasuke, hopefully next time."
The sun completely sunk into the horizon as the darkness filled the sky. Itachi slowly faded away with a smile on his face. Sasuke looked on at the empty space next to him and tried hard to hold a brave face. Hot tears rolled down his face involuntarily. He slowly closed his eyes.
xxx
Sasuke opened his eyes, blinking a few times to try and adjust with the brightness of the morning. His eyes met with the ceiling fan rotating slowly. He looked around, it was their room and Sarada was sleeping next to him with Sakura on her side. He could feel the dried trail of tear from the corner of his eyes.
Slowly Sakura and Sarada both opened their eyes. Sarada looked around and rubbed her eyes, it took her a few seconds to fathom where she was.
Sasuke looked at Sarada and smiled, "Happy Birthday my angel." He said and kissed her forehead.
Sakura looked at Sarada and kissed her cheek, "Happy birthday baby."
Sarada smiled and looked at Sasuke, "Daddy I had the most amazing dream!"
"Really what happened?" Sasuke asked trying to act oblivious. Sakura smiled at the excitement Sarada was showing.
"Itachi oji-san was here! On my birthday! He came home after his mission and had breakfast with us and and he showed me his shuriken moves. Daddy you were right he is the best shinobi in the world. He is so good! And and he carried me home when I fell down.."
Sakura's smiling face was slowly turning into a frown, she found it strange that they both had the exact same dream.
"..and and we had lunch and then we checked the photo albums and then he taught me Goukakyuu no Jutsu and told me a trick..but I can't tell you what it is. And and then.." her face turned into a pout, "and then he said he will come home for the party but then I woke up."
"Well looks like you got to spend an entire day with him." Sasuke said.
"And he said I looked like O bāchan." Sarada said her cheeks turning a faint pink.
"That you do." Sasuke said and kissed her head.
Sakura looked at Sasuke. Sasuke blinked his eyes and shook his head to confirm her suspicion. Her eyes grew wide and she smiled. Sasuke got closed to her and kissed her forehead. Sakura recollected the words Itachi told her and her eyes were beginning to water at the thought. She quickly put on a brave face, not wanting to cry in front of Sarada and got up.
"Come on Sarada, let's freshen you up." Sakura said. Sarada got off the bed and joined her mom in the bathroom.
Sasuke looked at them walk away and after the bathroom door shut he got his clenched right hand in front of his face. He slowly relaxed it and opened his hand. The necklace shone brightly as the light hit the gem in the center. Sasuke smiled looking at it, as a hushed "Thank you" escaped his lips.
A.N : Wow that was a LONG chapter! I have to be honest here it took me forever to write this, I had to be so careful to keep Itachi in character which was so difficult to do because here is a fun fact : Itachi has never had one comical moment ever in the entire manga. Not one! Unless you consider shoving a crow inside Naruto's mouth funny, Itachi had no funny moments. So how do I get humor is this story when Itachi is the most humble sweetheart there is, well I tried. I know it wasn't ROFL kinda humor but this is the best I could do if I had to keep him in character.
I did so much research for this chapter! I literally re-read the entire manga hoping I would find something somewhere to make this chapter convincing. And I sincerely hope it paid off.
Now here are a few facts that I have used in the chapter;
1. Itachi being able to caste a genjutsu with just his finger - Chapter 259 : Itachi's Power : Page 6
2. Itachi had a girlfriend (Who I named Yuki which means snow in Japanese – cute ne?) - Chapter 401: Illusion : Page 11.
I hope you realized story typed in Italic is reality and typed normally is when they are caste in the genjutsu.
Just a poll: If the same 'visit from the dead' scenario were to happen with the Uzumaki's who would you prefer paid a visit:
1. Minato and Kushina
2. Jiraiya
3. Neji
Do let me know!
I hope you guys liked this chapter and it wasn't confusing. Do share your thoughts, views, recommendations. I will sincerely appreciate it!
Also enough of the Uchiha's! Next chapter the Uzumaki's take over! Dattebayo!
REVIEW PLEASE!