Ah yes, because the saga that is Akemi's love life has just began.

Chapter 69: Ripples II

Home, Akemi mentally sighed in relief as they stepped into Konoha because home meant comfort zone.

Chie had always believed that the reason behind the rejection was work-related and not because Akemi had a girlfriend until she saw a girl hugging the shinobi in a very affectionate way.

"You're home," Miki said as she hugged her brother and with wide blue eyes, she asked, "Did you get something for me?"

Akemi chuckled something which Chie never heard before. "Unlike Shouhei, I can't bring you presents from every mission. But…" his eyes twinkled as he continued, "I got a gash you can experiment later on."

Miki was ecstatic to hear and her hands were working on his flak jacket.

"Miki, I said later besides I can't go half-naked in public."

The girl pouted, "But imagine the cash I'll reap from your fan girls if you did… the clothes I could buy…"

The older Uchiha rolled his eyes because Miki never paid for her clothes even though she was receiving salary. Her clothes, toiletries… everything she needed and wanted were paid by their parents, or him or Kisho but most of the time their parents.

"Who is she?" Miki asked, finally noticing the other girl, a step behind her brother. She also noticed that she was grimacing.

It was only then did, Akemi remember that he had a companion. "This is Lady Chie- Lord Sakuma's daughter.

"I'm Miki," the girl said and Chie wished she has the speed of a shinobi so she could poke her smiling blue eyes while not being apprehended.

"I'll see you later," Akemi said to his sister. "I'm sorry for my rudeness, Chie-sama," he then bowed, "please allow me to guide you to the hokage tower."

-SasuNaru is love-

Naruto hummed a tune as he wrote something small on one of the scrolls spread out on his table. Today, he was working on his project he had started three years ago because there was nothing else to do. Well, there were documents stack in the side of his table that needed to be signed but the pile was just one inch thick so he decided to put it off. In his opinion, it was better if he do all things at once.

At the soft rap on his door, Naruto quickly dumped on scrolls into one his drawers and snap it shut so when Akemi came in, his table was empty except for the documents on one side. The younger Uchiha arched an eyebrow when he saw the hokage grinning widely and innocently, his hands clasped together on the top of his spotless table.

"Welcome home," Rokudaime greeted.

The ANBU member bowed respectfully. "Mission accomplished. Report will be turned in two hours from now."

The leader waved his hand in dismissal, "You can turn it in tomorrow if you like. There's no need to hurry."

The lad nodded. "Lord Hokage, let me introduce to you Lady Chie."

Naruto stood up and bowed. Chie too bowed. He may not be a royal member but she understood that in this village, the hokage was on the top of the village social structure. When they straightened, she couldn't help but blush. The man was beautiful. He may be past his 30s or early 40s she couldn't tell but he had a very boyish smile and his blue eyes shined with warmness. His blue eyes were familiar and when she glanced at her escort, she knew why. Akemi had the same blue eyes… the exact color and she immediately believed that they were related. But wait, Akemi had raven hair and not blond hair… the same golden strands his girlfriend had. Then it finally dawned on her as her brain made an association- the girl was Akemi's sister. She was stupid. Really stupid.

"Chie-sama, are you okay?" a concerned Naruto asked.

She nodded, "Just a bit tired. And please call me Chie."

"I know you're tired but it is best to tell you now," Naruto started. "I received a letter from Lord Miura yesterday informing me that they would be arriving this Saturday instead of Thursday because a situation arise that needed his immediate attention."

"I see."

"But no need to worry. He asked me to treat you with utmost kindness and hospitality which I would certainly do so without him even asking." He looked at the wall clock and said, "Why don't you stay at our residence until Lord Miura's arrival? And since its past 6 now, why don't we all go home together?"

She bowed. "I'd be honored."

All throughout, Akemi was emotionless especially when his father invited the lady into their house. As much as he wanted to stay somewhere else, he wouldn't do so because it might alert his family and curious family members were never a good thing especially if one family member would be his chichiue.

-SasuNaru is love-

When they got home, everything was normal as expected from any family. Miki and Yukina were cooking dinner with their light conversation and laughter drifting away from the kitchen. Kisho was the perfect baby sitter. He entertained his two nephews with his narration of the Kyuubi's attack. With the way he was narrating the event, it was as if he was one of the witnesses and he had the boys' undivided interest and until Akemi walked in and Haruo jumped to greet his very favorite uncle.

Introductions were made between the Uchiha family members and the lady. If there was anything that Chie immediately observed it was that only Miki had blond hair. The rest excluding Yukina had dark-hair and she concluded that the dark locks were inherited from Naruto's wife.

Just a minute before dinner was prepared the two remaining Uchiha members arrived together. Naruto immediately offered them a lukewarm towel to wipe their hands and faces. While Yuuzuki immediately went to greet his children, Sasuke took the offered glass of water from Naruto. Chie immediately labeled Sasuke as Naruto's brother-in-law.

"How was your day, bastard?" Naruto asked quietly.

"Could have been better. Yours?"

"Same old. Same old."

"Really?" Sasuke dipped his head to whisper something to his spouse but before he could say one word, they heard Miki saying in reprimanding voice, "Otousan, don't do that in front of a guest."

Chie owlishly blinked. Did she hear it right? Did Miki really called the dark-haired man 'otousan'?

"What?" Sasuke said in defense. "Can't I whisper something to chichiue?"

"You look like you're…" she trailed off.

"What, Miki?" Yuuzuki asked teasingly.

"Let me introduce you to our guest," Naruto announced. "This is Lady Chie," he said never noticing the wide-eyed expression the lady was wearing. "And this is Yuuzuki my eldest son and Sasuke, my husband."

What? Her mind screamed while her consciousness seemed to drift away from her. It was only then that they noticed her pole-axed expression.

"Your lady," came Akemi's calm voice, "are you okay?"

She snapped out from her state, gave a faltering smile and bowed, "Nice to meet you." She was still so shock that she didn't notice the displeasure that seemed to flow from everyone but the Uchiha grandchildren and Naruto.

Dinner took place and if Chie had still doubts of what she heard, the seating arrangement blew it away. Sasuke was sitting on the head of the table just as any head of the family should and Naruto was on his right- the position of all wives.

After meal, Miki offered to lead Chie to the guestroom.

"How did Naruto-san manage to give birth to you?" she asked, unable to comprehend.

"Chichiue is special," she said, never bothering to expound what made him special because it wasn't the lady's business. "Does it bother you so much?" she asked kindly although her gaze was cold as ice.

"I'm just surprise. For a male to be pregnant…"

"You're not disgusted?"

"No!" she immediately said as she followed Miki inside the room. "I heard about homosexual marriage before but male pregnancy…" she trailed off as it hit her. "Do I look like I was disgusted back there?"

Miki nodded. "But you're not the only one. Some people are disgusted when they see my parents or Yukina's parents. That's why it always irritates us."

Chie immediately made a note to apologize to the couple as soon as possible. "I am just really surprised. And besides I heard about the sole Uchiha survivor getting married but I didn't know who his bride was. I was too engaged with my goals and stuffs that I ignored anything that happened outside my country that doesn't affect my country."

"I see," the girl said. "I'm glad to hear that you aren't because…" she trailed off. "Everything you needed even the towel are in the closet. If you need clothes though, you can borrow from Yukina."

"Thank you."

"Good night."

Chie looked around the huge guest room still in the process of accepting that her love's parents were homosexuals. They were homosexuals and yet they loved each other very much unlike her parents who were forced to marry one another and could only developed a tendré for each other. And recalling at the dinner, the two looked cute when they started calling each other names in an affection laced with irritation and amusement. And for them to raise four kids… to build a very warm and happy family… She sighed, wishing her family was as happy as Akemi's or wishing that she was part of his family. What a wishful thinking.

-SasuNaru is love-

Since her arrival in Konoha, Chie didn't see Akemi again even his shadow. It was as if he disappeared but sometimes she would hear snatches of conversation about Akemi with everyone else and she wondered if he was avoiding her. It was such a sad thought and it became depressing when she learned that Akemi was popular with the village girls. She wanted to see him and that want intensified even more when her fiancé reached the village. But of course, he immediately went to see the hokage for their meeting, giving Chie the time she needed to prepare because after the meeting they would leave immediately. But there was nothing to prepare so she spent the time walking along the Uchiha gardens.

"Chie," she heard a familiar voice say and she whirled around. It was Akemi and she blushed a bit realizing that the lad called her by her name and without any suffix.

"What?" she asked. And she wished she could tell him she loved him. She wished she would hear him say that he loved her but all he said was, "good luck and congratulations."

She nodded and with a calm composure which she thought was gone said, "Thank you."

"Here's your wedding present," he said, offering a paper bag.

"Lovely!" she said. "You're the first person to give me a wedding present." And she smiled although her heart was aching. She had to smile because she didn't want him to remember her crying.

And without a word and in a blink of an eye, Akemi disappeared. And she knew she'd never see him again. Good bye, Akemi.

-SasuNaru is love-

Yuuzuki was a very patient man. Everybody knew that and others believed that his patience knew no limit and right now he was proving them correct. He was drinking with Akemi in the study room of his house. Yuuzuki knew Akemi was not one to drink so when he dropped by and invited his brother to drink with him, the Uchiha heir knew something was off. He became even worried when his brother consumed the alcohol like a very thirsty man drinking water.

But instead of asking directly, he just waited for his little brother to open up. He was going to wait even if it would take him the whole night besides he was just sipping his drink because he had to stay sober when Akemi would start talking.

"Y'know…" Akemi slurred, "Do you think I'm asexual?"

"Yeah, I think you're asexual. All of us think so, I think."

"I think I'm asexual too. I thought I was… until her."

That confession made Yuuzuki sat straighter on his chair. Her? He watched as Akemi poured himself another glass and his hand reached up to tip the bottle back when his glass overflowed. He grabbed some tissue to wipe the table dry.

"But y'know… I hated her. She was snob… arrogant like all her counterparts. But she was hiding a lot… She paints…"

Yuuzuki tapped his chin. He knew few of the girls who liked to paint and some of them were arrogant but who was the one who affected his brother this much? To send him to a drinking session?

"She is talented and intelligent. She is close to being jack of all trades master of none. She knows about farming, husbandry, medicine and so on and so forth."

Yuuzuki frowned wondering if such girl was existing in Konoha or was Akemi too drunk that the girl's talents became muddled with his qualifications and fantasies?

"She even knows archery and naginata."

Okay, there was no one, be it a girl or a boy whose weapon was naginata. He took a gulp from his glass just to stop himself from asking the identity of this person.

"She is strong."

I need someone who I can fight with, not fight for. In other words, I need someone whom I don't need to protect.

Yuuzuki remembered that statement that had been whispered from one fan girl to fan girl.

Akemi tightened his hold on his cup. "She is strong. She even recklessly fought against one bandit. She is strong and I hated her because…" He sucked a breath before he continued, "I wanted to fight for her… to protect her… to know that I was the one who save her… I wanted her to feel indebted to me. I w-wanted her to r-remember… the reason why she's still breathing… w-w-why she still sees her reflection in the mirr… mirror." Gazing at his brother with pained-filled and confused eyes, he whispered so softly that Yuuzuki had to lean forward to catch his next words. "I wanted her. I want her… I like her so much. I like Chie, aniki." That confession made things easier for him to bear; easier to understand. He now understood why he had been so mad when he saw her fighting the bandit or why he looked pained when he learned about her fiancé.

And then it finally hit Yuuzuki. All this time he thought it was a local girl but he was wrong. Definitely wrong.

"Aniki, what should I do?" he continued as he buried his face against his arms on the table. "Tell me, aniki," he said because his older brother always helped him even when they were still kids.

But Yuuzuki was at loss of words. Akemi's situation was too hard. He placed a hand on his shoulder and called out quietly, "Akemi. Akemi?"

But the younger boy had already fallen asleep, pain etched on his countenance. "I'm sorry, Akemi. I'm sorry it had to be like this."

-SasuNaru is love-

Lord Miura stopped in his talk when he noticed that his fiancée was staring up ahead lifelessly and his heart clenched of that memory long buried in his mind. Her expression reminded him too much of his dearest sister who was always staring through the window with an empty smile and sad eyes. The look was the same…

His father was selfish to begin with and never bothered to consider anybody's feelings. He didn't even minded when he broke his daughter's heart after giving her to someone 25 years older than her. In a way, his father killed his sister. And in a way, he too was selfish like his father.

"Did you say something, my lord?" Chie asked, smiling happily causing for the lord to cup her face.

"Forcing yourself to smile would make the pain intensify" he said. He then gave her the reigns of her horse.

-SasuNaru is love-

Akemi woke up in an unfamiliar bedroom and looking around he realized it was one of the rooms of his brother's house. Sighing and holding his head, he stumbled to the kitchen where a note was plastered on the table beside his breakfast or lunch. It said that Yukina was in the day dare center together with her sons and that he should eat before leaving.

But having no appetite with his headache, he decided to prepare himself a tea. While absent-mindedly sipping his drink, Chie's voice drifted in his head.

Lord Miura is my ticket away from my father. As much as I wanted to run away I'm fully aware of my father's power. He could even hire someone like you to bring me back to him.

And Akemi came up with a perfect idea that would solve both of their problems. He grabbed a sheet of paper and pen and started writing.

Yuuzuki had left the training area earlier because he was worried of his brother. He stepped inside through the back door just as Akemi closed the front door. He wouldn't have noticed the note on the table if not for the hitae-ate that laid with it.

With slightly trembling fingers, he grabbed three sheets and read it. The first was a resignation letter. One sheet contained Akemi's resignation, the other was a form for a change of residence and the last one was a letter addressed to everyone.

Everyone,

I know this is sudden and would come as a shock to you but I decided to chase after my dreams. Forgive me for the pain that would cause you. Forgive me for the humiliation.

From this day forth, I am not a ninja, a Konoha civilian or an Uchiha. Forget me.

Yuuzuki stood rooted to the floor. For Akemi to give up everything… for him to throw everything away without a second thought…

Akemi…

Akemi hurriedly walked the ground. The earlier he leave the better. He would chase Lord Miura's party and if needed be kidnap her. He'd tell her that he could be her ticket and more. He'd protect her from the ninjas her father would hire and together they would hide and escape. He knew it would be full of troubles and difficulties but if he had her then it won't matter.

He looked up at the sound of horse hooves and watched in surprise to find Chie jumping from her brown horse and running towards him before collapsing in his arms. She weakly grabbed his shoulders while tears gently flowing on her cheeks. Slowly, they slid to the ground.

"Please… let me stay by your side."

And Akemi embraced her. His chest was so full with a lot of emotions that he could only managed to choke a reply. "Stay as long as you want to." And he never bothered to greet the three guards of Lord Miura who bowed to the lady before leaving to catch up with their lord. Their escort duty was over. They had accompanied Lady Chie to the place she wanted to be as was ordered from them by their master.

The moment Yuuzuki snapped from his shock, he immediately created one clone to inform the hokage while he would run after his foolish brother. He and his clone skidded to a stop when they saw Akemi embracing Chie just few steps away from the gate of the Uchiha compound. Yuuzuki looked at the note he was clutching tightly and smiled.

"I guess this meant nothing," he muttered before he burned it with his flame.

-SasuNaru is love-

Naruto looked surprised to see Chie in his office with Akemi and Yuuzuki. "What's going on? Did something happened to Lord Miura?" he asked when he saw her tear-stained face.

Chie shook her head. "He cancelled our engagement knowing that I couldn't love him not when…" she trailed off blushing. Naruto looked confused until he noticed Akemi's cheeks tainted with light red.

"What about your father?"

"Lord Miura would inform him as soon as possible. For now, Lord Hokage, please extend your hospitality. I'd leave home as soon as my sister… she'd definitely come here or would send word if it's safe to go back…"

"I don't mind. Please make yourself feel at home," Naruto said. "Yuuzuki, please take Chie back to the house." The captain nodded and led her out.

Akemi uncomfortably shifted his weight from one to another while the silence stretched longer than he wanted to.

"Chichiue…" he pleaded looking at the man who was gazing at him silently.

"Akemi… I'm happy for you but do you know what you guys are stirring up? Lord Sakuma never like a ninja and to know that his daughter is in love with one… to know that she won't be married to a royal blood…"

"I know but… I don't know what I feel for her but I don't want her to go. Surely you understand that." Determination flared in his eyes, "If Lord Sakuma would declare a war against Konoha because of me then I'd leave here but I'd take her with me. I won't give her up."

Naruto leaned back. "Lord Sakuma won't be declaring war against Konoha because he's scared but he might do something else. We should get ready for that. Akemi-"

"I know, chichiue. If anything happens you'll do anything for me even from resigning from your office just to kick somebody's ass."

Naruto nodded and Akemi smiled. "Thank you, chichiue."

-SasuNaru is love-

Sasuke sat on the hokage's desk while tracing the character etched on the hokage's hat. Naruto had immediately summoned his spouse to his office and Sasuke knew it was a personal matter when the blonde placed his hat on the table.

"I see… Trouble is brewing then," he said. He was happy that Akemi was finally interested in someone but… "We have to expect a visit from the lord himself then?"

Naruto nodded. "What worries me would be his actions. It might not only affect our family but the whole Konoha. That would suck big time."

"I know."

"Sasuke… I'm scared for them," he confessed and settled his head on Sasuke's lap. "Very scared. Sometimes, I wish I could just get rid of anything or anyone that would threaten them and their happiness. Do you feel like that too?"

"All the time," Sasuke answered while combing his blond locks. "Naruto, I know you're scared. I'm scared too but let's not act recklessly, okay?" he said quietly and Naruto just nodded.

-SasuNaru is love-

Just as Sasuke and Naruto predicted, a very angry Lord Sakuma and his eldest daughter came to Konoha two days later. Naruto immediately summoned Chie who, the moment she stepped inside was slap by her father.

"What kind of foolishness is this?" the lord asked in a loud voice. "You bring nothing but shame to your family."

Chie just looked at him proudly. She never explained… She didn't want to explain because her father would never understand much less listen. "You choose a ninja over Lord Miura? How low could you go down?"

At this statement, Naruto and Sasuke frowned.

"Don't judge me by your standards," Chie hissed. "I'll live by my own rules even if it would bring you shame. I wanted to be your daughter not your puppet."

"You could never be my daughter. You'll never be one. From here on, I disown you."

"Otousama!" His eldest daughter exclaimed in surprise. Slight pain flickered on golden hazel eyes but Chie answered, "You just voice out what you had been doing since I was five years old. It wouldn't mean anything to me."

"Wait a minute," Naruto said because it hurt him to see a family being broken. "Please don't do that. Take it back," he calmly said to the lord.

"This isn't your business."

"But you're in front of me… inside my office so anything that happens here is my business and disowning your daughter in front of me is an insult to someone who always believes in family and encourage everyone to cherish their loved ones."

Lord Sakuma sneered. "Forgive my rudeness then but I would never take it back."

"Otousama, can I have a word with Chie, please?"

He would have declined if not for the dark aura the hokage was giving him and if that didn't scare him then it was the glare the Uchiha leader was sending to his direction. "Just hurry up."

Chie led her outside where they could talk without the lord hearing anything.

"Chie… what have you done?" her elder sister asked.

"Something that made your father anger. But that's not something new," she answered with a smile. Her sister smiled sadly.

"I never hated you. Just dislike you because of the strength you have for creating your own path. I wish I have the same strength."

"But aren't you happy, neesan? Or should I say, my lady?"

The older girl slapped her shoulder, "Hearing you addressing me like that is strange. Don't ever call me that. I'll be your sister forever and yes I'm happy. I have to force myself to be happy."

"Do you think okaasan is happy with what I'm doing?"

She nodded, "Yes. If she isn't, that is because she is like me. She doesn't have the same strength that you do." Then she pressed a kiss on her forehead. "I'll try to write and hope father wouldn't interfere."

"He'd probably do," Chie replied laughing and crying at the same time.

"Then I'll leave it to you to trick him."

The younger girl nodded and grinned, "Leave it to me."

-SasuNaru is love-

"Ino, please guide Chie to the registration office after she fills in this form of transfer and registration," Naruto said.

The blonde nodded and looked over the girl's shoulders to see what she was writing. "You should write your family name."

"I don't have one. I got disowned."

"Oh," Ino's face fell for a second before brightening, "but that gives you the privilege to come up with one."

"Hmm… Do you think Shirakawa is okay?"

"Perfect." Ino then let out a screeched when the girl started copying the address of the Uchiha compound Naruto had written for her. Naruto leaned back when Ino slammed her palms on the desk and leaned forward.

"Are you trying to ruin a girl's reputation by letting her stay in your house?" she demanded.

"Huh?"

"What would people say if they find out that Chie is living together with four men?"

"Nothing is said against Miki," Naruto replied which caused Ino to lean closer while glaring at him for his stupidity.

"Miki is your daughter. Chie isn't." Ino straightened up and waved her hand in the air in a dismissive manner, "Chie, how about you live with us? My husband won't mind and my daughter would be ecstatic."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course," Ino assured, "But in exchange you have to work at my mother's flower shop."

"Sounds good to me," she said.

Ino victoriously grinned at Naruto and snatched the pen from his hand causing the hokage to mumble about disrespect.

"Let me write the address for you then."

TBC

The scene with Miki and Akemi shows how much he adores his sister to the point that he even forget his ward who was a royal. A brother and sister bond. I also showed a bond between Akemi and Yuuzuki but no Akemi and Kisho. I just realized that now. Anyway I'll have some Kisho and Akemi moments some time later on.

Akemi now realized his love for Chie but he has not yet made any decision so this sage is not yet ending. However, in the next chapter, I will shift the focus on Kisho and Miki and other things so don't be surprise if you won't see Chie's or Akemi's shadow in the next chapter or two, okay?