Hello. Here's another chapter. Enjoy. I woke up six in the morning to get this ready because my sister and I have the same rest days. .
Standard disclaimer applies.
Thanks to XKunoichiofthePaintbrushX for the few grammar corrections.
Chapter 76: Arashi II
"It's okay," Miki murmured as she rubbed her belly. "Nobody would take you away from me." She stared at the sky. The clear blue sky was a complete contrast of what she was feeling inside.
After leaving her house, her feet carried to the deeper part of the forest. She still had no idea what to do after taking a rest in the forest. Leaving Konoha was not an option because she had no scroll that had the hokage's approval of her departure and guards could easily tell a fake one from an authentic. She had no idea where to go. With the absolute power and jurisdiction in her chichiue's hands, her parents' reach was far. She had no place to run and she could hide for just a little while. She was trap but at least she won't go down without a fight. Her instincts had brought her to her element.
Sasuke, Naruto and Akemi fervently searched for Miki and anyone who saw and heard them asking if saw the blond female had immediately assumed that another fight had erupted between fiery daughter and protective parents. Nobody thought anything other than that and they didn't bother correcting it.
Naruto met Sasuke in the forest and the two nodded at each other. This was their last place to look and if their daughter wasn't there then she must be in one of the areas Akemi was patrolling.
Miki's eyes snapped open when she heard her name being breathed. It was her otousan standing few meters from her together with her chichiue. They had come to get her and take the growing life inside her. She stood up with a dangerous look on her face. Threatened more than ever she attacked. She no longer had a friend in her family.
"Miki," Naruto called out while striding towards her.
Sasuke knew Naruto felt more than saw the sharp vine that shot out beneath the ground he stood. He also knew that the blonde could handle it but he moved to save Naruto out of condition response.
"Come closer and I wouldn't hesitate to hurt you… kill you even," Miki said coldly. Otousan, chichiue, please stop this. Don't make me do this.
Both parents frowned.
"Miki, stop this foolishness," Sasuke said while his hand hovered above his weapon pouch.
"I'm not going to abort my child even if you beg me to."
"You heard… But Miki," the Uchiha leader trailed off as vines grew around Miki, forming a thick and monstrous barrier.
Mommy's going to protect you, love, she mentally said. They will never get close to us.
Naruto looked at his bleeding right hand and cursed. He looked at Sasuke who had an arm injured. They were in trouble knowing they could never go all out against their girl. In fact all they did was a close combat and they didn't use any ninjutsu afraid that they would hurt Miki indirectly or directly.
"Damn fucking plants," Sasuke said as he moved forward and slice the vines over and over again but they just kept on growing, only giving them a glimpse of their girl with her sharingan activated. She was crying while looking at them rebelliously. Then he frowned as he noticed something. Before he could look over his shoulder to ask if his blonde notice it too, he heard the latter shouting his name telling him to get ready.
Naruto pushed himself into the air, twisted his body and landed upside down on his hands on Sasuke's shoulders. "Be careful, bastard," he said as he unsheathed Sasuke's sword which was plastered on the man's back.
And the dark-haired shinobi knew Naruto also noticed as he heard those whispered words. He watched as Naruto in one swing, trimmed the vines way too short giving Sasuke the time he needed.
Using the four seconds Miki's vines would need to grow, Sasuke with his speed jumped over the vines.
Miki let out a gasp as her otousan stood in front of her.
Sasuke gripped her wrist making her grimace. "If you intend to eavesdrop then you should have stayed longer to finish the rest of our conversation. We promised to Sakura to take you to her."
"NO!" she screamed, too weak to struggle. She focused her tearful blue eyes to her otousan. "Please don't take my child."
Sasuke frowned.
Miki leaned forward, pushing her face against his kimono. "I beg you. Please grant me this wish." She took a sharp breath as a hand hit her nape and she found herself falling into oblivion again.
Please don't.
-SasuNaru is love-
Miki tensed the moment she opened her eyes and what greeted her was the ceiling of her bedroom. Had she fallen asleep longer than they had moved her from the hospital to her bedroom after they took her baby.
"You're awake?"
She turned her head to the left and saw Sakura. "My baby… where is my baby?"
The pink-haired medic-nin gave her a funny look. "Your baby is inside you, Miki-chan." She watched as the girl placed a hand on her belly and smiled realizing that she still had her treasure.
"You won't take my baby, will you?" She asked as he sat up on her bed.
Sakura took a seat on the nearby chair. "I'm here to inform you of your condition. As a medic-nin, you know that at your age your reproductive system hasn't fully developed. Being pregnancy at such age means complications."
"I know."
"And the possibility of complications arising is increased with the fact that you were born one-month early. Your chances of dying is high."
"But even still… even if I would die… I wanted to give birth."
"Miki…" Sakura looked desperate now.
"If chichiue could give birth to us all then why can't I? I'm a female." She was closed to shouting now.
"…"
"Ne, Aunt Sakura, is it a crime to be pregnant at this early age? Is it a crime to give birth?"
The older woman shook her head. "No but it is a crime if you put your and your baby's lives in danger. Can you raise the child, Miki? Motherhood doesn't end when you give birth. It starts from there. You give everything up for your child. Your baby is the first priority. Sacrifices on your part will be made. Can you go through all of that? Can you give up your dreams?"
"I will… I'll try."
The girl was stubborn, Sakura realized. She held her hand and looked at her blue eyes. "You're a minor and as such your parents are responsible of you and your child. I want you to talk with them. They have the right to have a say on this matter just as Shouhei-kun. Understand?"
"But they wanted me to abort… Can't you convince them?"
"As a doctor, Miki, abortion is a recommendation when it comes to your case." Sakura inwardly cringe as tears started falling like rain from those blue eyes.
Don't I have an ally? Why do I feel so alone? Why doesn't anybody love my child? Why? WHY?
-SasuNaru is love-
Shouhei took a stepped backward when Mao interrupted his walk with his team towards the hokage tower.
"A word, Shouhei-san. This is important. It's about Miki, " she hissed seriously before she disappeared. At the mention of his girl's name, he waved at his teammates and followed the sadistic kunoichi.
"What about Miki?" Shouhei asked while wondering why they were at the most discreet of all discreet places. It was as if they were hiding.
"She is carrying your child."
"Excuse me?" he whispered. Did he hear it right? No, he must be mistaken. He was certain that the explosion that happened during his latest mission had damaged his hearing or the lack of sleep had made his brain short-circuit.
"Your girlfriend is pregnant," Mao repeated slowly as if she dealing with a moron.
No, he realized he was wrong. He heard it correct and understood it well. Weak-kneed and with blood rushing through his body like some flash flood, he leaned against the nearest tree and took a deep breath trying to remain calm.
A lot of questions came to his mind. Stupid questions of when, how and why floated and sickeningly flashed before his eyes in loud colors. It was silly actually because he knew the answers to those.
And then like a bolt of lightning, the consequences of that night reality hit him. Suddenly, he was scared for Miki, for himself, for them and for their - at this he gulped, baby. What a single Uchiha could achieve with their temper... Hell hath no fury like that of an Uchiha.
Miki...
"WHAT?!" he shouted belatedly.
"She's pregnant. Or are you saying that you're not the father of her child?"
Shouhei took a deep breath. Everything was happening so fast. Miki was pregnant? With his child? But didn't she say that it… My god! He had impregnated his fifteen-year-old girlfriend who happened to be the daughter and sisters of powerful and elite ninjas.
"How is she?"
"You're in deep shit, man," Mao said but there was a sadistic glee in her voice. "Her parents are after your blood and so are his two brothers. Kisho still doesn't know. You should be glad about but Miki told me to tell you to avoid the Uchihas for now."
"Where is she?" He had a perfect idea how mad her family members were and she would feel so lonely.
"Didn't you hear what I say?"
"She's suffering. I need to get to her."
"She'd suffer more if you'd end up dead. Better go to your house and think of a better plan rather than barging into the Uchiha compound." When the lad was about to protest, she added, "That is Miki's desire so you better follow it."
-SasuNaru is love-
Miki was in the family den again together with her tensed parents.
"Aunt Sakura had asked me to inform you that I decided to give birth to this child," she started.
Sasuke scowled and clenched his fists while Naruto gripped the edge of the table.
"You can't be serious, Miki. Didn't Sakura tell you the risk-" Naruto was cut off as their daughter interrupted him.
"I'm serious. If you risk your life for us then I could do the same. This child is a proof of my love for Shouhei-kun."
The two males cringed. Loss was too much for them to accept at that moment.
"Can't you accept that?" Miki asked pitifully. "That I want to be a mother at this age for this child."
"I-I'll go get us something to drink," Naruto said and hurriedly stood up. He went to the kitchen and with a blurry vision, started preparing what he promised to get.
Awkward and heavy silence fell on father and daughter. Miki fidgeted while Sasuke remained frozen in his seat.
"Otousan, won't you say anything?" Miki asked. Since her secret was revealed, the Uchiha leader hadn't spoken to her except that time at the forest. "Otousan-" She was interrupted as a hand slapped her cheek.
"You're a fool," Sasuke said. "I'm a fool too because I couldn't do anything. I couldn't even save you."
The blond girl shook her head. "I'm sorry for being this kind of daughter, otousan but I-" She stopped when the door slammed shut. "I'm sorry for being selfish."
Sasuke stormed into the library and leaned against the door. It wasn't supposed to be this way. He wasn't supposed to feel anger nor dread. He wasn't supposed to feel murderous towards the father of his unborn grandchild. He wasn't supposed to feel frustrated that he couldn't kill that man because then Miki's child would have no father.
Don't you understand, Miki? It isn't supposed to be this way.
He and Naruto would have been happy. There won't be secrets to hide. There won't be any life-threatening complications. There won't be… There won't be pain…
-SasuNaru is love-
A Hyuuga member arched an eyebrow when she saw a dazed Shouhei walking along the hallway.
"Did parents arrive already?" Shouhei asked.
"Yes, thirty minutes ago. They're in your house now."
The man nodded. "Can you tell our leader then that I'm home for me?" he asked. It was a standard operating procedure in the clan for members to report to the clan leader when they arrived from the mission. "I have something important to discuss with parents." Without waiting for his cousin's reply, he proceeded to their house.
Shouhei took a shuddering breath as two pairs of eyes looked at him, waiting for his announcement.
"I just received news that my girlfriend is pregnant."
Neji frowned while the mug between Tenten's hands slipped few inches.
"What?" Tenten demanded. She didn't know their son dated someone long enough to bed her. Who was the girl?
"And?" Neji asked monotonously.
"I don't know. I haven't talked with her."
"What I'm asking is, are you planning to marry her?" his father asked. He'd kill his own son if he won't take responsibility of the child and of his woman.
Shouhei looked away.
"Are you saying you won't marry her?" Tenten asked.
Shouhei shook his head. It was more like Miki would refuse to marry him. Marriage and Miki never fit in the same sentence. The girl was too ambitious and according to her during one of their casual conversation, she didn't want to marry not until she accomplished her dream.
"I do but she doesn't… Miki-" he cut off, realizing his mistake.
"Miki?" his parents echoed owlishly. "Are you saying your girlfriend is Uchiha, Miki?" Neji inquired. His left fist landed on the table harshly as he boomed, "What foolishness is this, Shouhei?"
Shouhei cringed. He was twenty-one years old but his father's angry voice still made him cringed like a child.
"Son, what mess had you gotten yourself into?" Tenten whispered softly. Suddenly, she was scared of her son's life. She then looked at her husband when he coldly said her name. "We're going to visit the Uchiha compound first thing in the morning." He glared at his second son, "we're going to settle this matter with her parents."
Tenten nodded. Neji then turned around to leave, his black hair flowing after him.
Shouhei sighed then coughed, doubling over as his father's fist connected with his abdomen. He had let his guard down. "What the hell were you thinking? You should have known better than to touch a fifteen-year-old girl much more an Uchiha at that," Neji hissed before he distanced away and this time he left the room.
Shouhei kneeled on the floor wheezing at the pain. Damn it, it hurt.
-SasuNaru is love-
Kisho had arrived just on time for dinner. And he knew something was wrong when he entered the dining room and could feel the heavy tension. Hell, nobody was speaking and all of them were staring at their own meal.
"So how was the training so far, Kisho?" Naruto asked trying to look interested. He was but his youngest son couldn't help but notice a lot of emotions filling his suddenly dark blue eyes. What the hell was wrong with everybody?
The boy waved his hand. "Fine. It was challenging. Harder than I expected which was cool. If I qualify for the next part, I'd then learn about burning corpses and creating poisons. Learning the hunter-nins' tricks- it's what I'm looking forward."
"That's good."
"So how is everyone?" The atmosphere became heavier.
"Everything is fine," Akemi said.
"Yeah and I failed my qualification exam." Kisho looked at everyone else and then sighed. The tension was quite familiar. He crossed his arms over his chest. "Okay, who fought who? Or who is sick?"
"Nobody," Sasuke said.
"I am," Miki said.
"You're sick."
"No, pregnant."
Kisho gaped at him. "What? I think I misheard you."
"I'm pregnant, Kisho. I'm carrying Shouhei's child," his sister repeated clearly and slowly.
All eyes stared at him waiting for his violent outburst. But much to their surprise, a grin broke through that emotionless face.
"Really? Congratulations, Miki!" he said while taking her hands between his.
"Y-you're not mad?" the girl stuttered. She thought Kisho would be furious more than words but here he was congratulating her… being happy for her and she felt lighter. One thorn had been taken from her heart. Finally, somebody was supporting her.
"Me, mad? If my sister is happy then I am. But you have to give me the honor to name your firstborn."
"Hey! Naming is one of the responsibilities of being parents."
"Says who?"
"It doesn't matter. I don't want you giving my child a perverted name."
"Hey! That's an insult."
The three men suspiciously looked at Kisho but he was jovially and sincerely conversing with Miki asking about her pregnancy and all while wolfing down his food.
-SasuNaru is love-
Shouhei sat on the edge of his bed. At midnight, he still couldn't sleep even when he was tired with his mission. There were so many jumbled thoughts in his mind and his emotions were going haywire. What should he do? What could he do? What would he do if-
He blinked at a certain curtain flapping showing his mother's garden. Was it just him or did he really see Kisho outside standing near the pond looking at him emotionlessly? No, it must be his eyes playing a trick on him. No non-Hyuuga could sneak into the compound without triggering the traps the finest of the Hyuuga shinobis set up for security measures. But then again, Kisho was close to being uncanny and with him training for becoming hunter-nin… He stood up and slipped outside. For whatever reason, it seemed Kisho left trails of his chakra for him to follow and follow he did.
Kisho was waiting at the small park near the Hyuuga compound.
"I half-expected you to not come here," Kisho said after he nodded his head in greeting.
"I think you have something important to tell me." For the second time around, he doubled over as his abdomen got hit. Kisho had kneed him quicker than his instincts could react.
"That was for touching my sister and ruining her dreams," he said coldly.
Shouhei spit the blood that had risen up. "I'll be responsible."
"That's not enough for me."
The older shinobi couldn't help but shiver at how murderous those red eyes were. "Kill me if you wish but it would only hurt Miki more and her child will have no father." He smirked knowing Kisho also knew that. He knew the boy could kill him if he wishes to. He could and yet he had just kneed him in the stomach.
"If there will be a child," Kisho said and Shouhei looked up at him, his blood turning cold.
"You aren't going to-"
"I'd kill anyone who poses a threat to my family especially my sister. Whether it will be an innocent life or not, it doesn't matter. Hesitation isn't something that was born into me."
And before the man could plead or could do anything, Kisho had disappeared in the darkness as if he wasn't there.
-SasuNaru is love-
Morning came too early for Shouhei who could never fall asleep. He felt burdened with his emotions which ranged from happiness to fear.
He became even more scared when he saw his father looking grim and his mother looking way too serious. Worse, they were wearing formal kimono carrying the Hyuuga symbol.
"Shouldn't you be wearing kimono, Shouhei?" Tenten asked in her motherly voice - gentle but demanding for complete obedience.
"I- I didn't know-"
"Are you thinking of going there in that uniform?" Neji snapped coldly. "Are you going to humiliate me more?"
Shouhei stiffened then bowed respectfully, "Excuse me then, father."
-SasuNaru is love-
The three were relieved when it was Naruto who answered the door and not Sasuke nor their sons. Tenten stepped forward as if to protect their son when Naruto's angry gaze focused on Shouhei.
"Hyuuga," a deep voice said behind Naruto.
"Uchiha," Neji replied before he and his family bowed.
"Naruto," Sasuke said as he turned around.
The blonde nodded and stepped aside to let them in.
The Hyuugas sat on one side of the table while the Uchihas on the other. Tenten and Naruto sat on the right side of their respective spouse and a few centimeters behind them while Shouhei and Miki sat on their left and totally behind them.
For a brief second, Neji wondered what to say to get things back the way they used to be then stopped. It was foolish thinking. There was no way things would go back. It had been done and all they could do was to perform damage control.
"We apologize for the trouble," Neji said the first thing that came to his mind. He bowed deeply, his forehead almost brushing against the tatami. Tenten followed suit and so did Shouhei albeit hesitatingly. He wasn't sorry. It had been his wish for Miki to be the mother of his children and the fact that it had came true earlier than planned wasn't something to regret. Ever.
Naruto and Sasuke remained stoic. They watched as the three straightened.
"We came here to offer marriage to Miki-san," Neji continued. Shouhei and Miki were surprised. The Uchiha couple stiffened. It was only Tenten who didn't react to his announcement." If this is the only way to save your family's honor as well as ours then so be it."
Miki clenched her hands. When did marriage become a business proposal especially hers?
"Would your son really wish to marry my daughter?" Sasuke asked.
Gathering his courage, Shouhei moved forward, bowed and beseeched, "Will you please let me talk with your daughter alone?"
The plea would have been ignored if not for Tenten who bowed and pleaded too. When Sasuke made no inclination, the Hyuuga female turned to Naruto.
"Sasuke..." the blond male whispered.
"Very well," the clan leader acquiesced. "Across this room is an unoccupied one. You may go there."
Shouhei leaned against the door the second he closed the door. "Miki, I-"
The girl who had her back turned against him shook her head. "It's okay. I'm fine so you don't have to do this. But I want you to believe that I didn't trick you."
An elegant brow rose up. Not once did he believe much less think that Miki had tricked him. She didn't have to resort to that. She could have anything. He would give her anything... everything.
"You don't have to feel obligated. I can be a single mother. I can-"
She stopped as Shouhei encased her in his arms. "Don't be ridiculous, Miki," he said almost harshly. "I'm going to marry you but not because I feel obligated or forced. Those would never be the reasons." He turned her around and wiped her tears. "I love you so marry me." He kissed her forehead. "Please."
Miki buried her face against his chest before nodding.
-SasuNaru is love-
Although Miki's family was more than displeased with the marriage, they had no other choice but to agree.
On the other hand, the Hyuuga clan especially the elders who knew of the irritation and embarrassment that their ancestors had suffered after the Uchiha clan which originated from them had surpassed them in superiority, had joyously welcomed the announcement. An Uchiha member was returning to them and to top it off, it was a member who inherited few of Kyuubi's skills. Without a doubt, the unborn child would be the strongest of them all.
The villagers -shinobis and non-shinobis who were outside the inner circle of both families were surprised at the sudden news. Others assumed that it was an arranged marriage between two powerful clans to unite their bloodline limit; few believed it was an agreement between two friends and few guessed that Shouhei had a one-night stand with Miki and made a mistake. None of them were told of the truth nor were corrected. They had been left to assume, guess, gossip, speculate and make snide comments.
And because, Miki was marrying into the Hyuuga clan, all preparations and expenses were made by the Hyuugas themselves.
A month later all family friends were gathered together inside the ceremonial hall of the Hyuuga manor.
Miki who was dressed in elegant wedding kimono looked up when the door slid open. She gave a pained smile when she saw her parents clad in ceremonial kimono with the Uchiha symbol. She was going to miss that symbol no, she already did but she wasn't going to cry. She was going to be a mother soon and she must be stronger.
Sasuke and Naruto sat in front of her.
Miki placed her hands in front of her and bowed deeply. "Thank you for everything," she said in a trembling voice.
Those words clenched the couple's hearts. It was the words they had dreaded to hear. The statement finalized her leaving. They had lost their daughter to someone else.
"You're very beautiful," Naruto said what he first thought the moment he stepped inside. "Please be happy, Miki. We want you to be happy." He took something out from his coat; placed it between them and opened it, revealing his gift to her.
Miki's eyes widened at the expensive-looking hair ornaments made of tortoise shell and jade.
Her lips trembled when her otousan also placed something in front of her. She had never expected to receive something from him other than the customary dowry and gifts because even now her otousan wasn't speaking a word to her.
"Chichiue," she pleaded when Sasuke left the room the second he presented his present.
Naruto could only shake his head. "Give him time, Miki." The whole thing had affected Sasuke more than anybody else in the family although he wasn't showing it very much.
Miki parted the black silk to find a dagger with its black lacquered scabbard painted with a moonlight scene of the Uchiha pond Miki loved so much. Seeing this, Miki couldn't stop the tears coursing down her cheeks erasing her white facial powder. With trembling hands, she unsheathed the dagger which glistened under the light with its sharpness. On one side of the blade, 'Uchiha Miki' was engraved in calligraphy text. On the other side was the word 'Saiai'. Miki understood what her otousan was saying- she would always be a part of the Uchiha even if legally she wasn't anymore. She cried harder so when her make-up artist came to her room, the old woman shrieked at the mess. She quickly tried to redo her makeup but the child kept on crying so she finally settled on Miki not having white powder on her face.
"Ma'am, will you tuck this dagger into my obi?" she asked between sniffs.
"But you already had one and to top it off, it's a family heirloom."
"I prefer this one." Because to her, the weapon emanated the giver's warmth.
-SasuNaru is love-
Naruto broke his and Sasuke's deep and slow kiss to whisper, "The ceremony is about to start." In fact, he was certain that somebody was sent to look for them. When he had left Miki, he searched for his husband and found him standing against a shack, brooding. Making sure that they were hidden from view, Naruto comforted his spouse with kisses.
"I don't want to go," Sasuke replied, his lips gently moving against the blonde's hickey-littered neck.
"Me too but Miki gets married only once so I don't want to miss this."
"Remind me again why I can't kill that dickhead." He wondered if it was just him or do all fathers feel passionate animosity towards their soon-to-be-son-in-law?
"Sasuke," Naruto warned which came out as a gasp as his husband added another hickey. Damn hickey freak. Naruto crashed their mouths together and when Sasuke was daze and breathless he dragged him to the ceremonial hall. Their sons could only arch an eyebrow when their otousan was glaring at their smug chichiue.
All guests were seated in the center of the room and across the altar. The Uchihas were seated on the left side of the platform. Sasuke and Naruto were in the first row, Yuuzuki and his family on the second and Akemi and Kisho made up the third.
Across from them was the Hyuuga clan. Kiba and Hinata seated ahead of them all, directly behind them were their children who were all unmarried yet. From the third to the sixth rows were all the elders. The seventh row was where Neji and his family were but there were two cushions which were unoccupied and reserved for Shouhei and his young wife.
The door behind the Hyuuga clan slid open and Shouhei dressed in wedding kimono stepped inside. His presence immediately filled the room and the chatting voices had decreased into buzzes. He bowed to the village elder who would officiate their marriage then to his soon-to-be family-in-law who he knew wanted to feast on his dead body rather than celebrate with him in this moment of triumph then to his clan who proudly approved of his choice for a wife before sitting in front of the marriage official. Everybody applauded him for his calmness never knowing the jittery he felt that made him wonder if he could remember everything that should transpire in his clan's traditional marriage.
A moment later, Miki, in her bridal and pregnant glory stepped inside, completely captivating everyone.
Shouhei's eyes dilated and his heart leapt out from his chest. He never felt this triumphant before knowing within that beautiful body a new life was growing; knowing she was his... all his. He stifled the urge to throw his head back and laughed and settled for a reassuring smile to his bride who blushed.
Miki's family on the other hand wanted nothing more to snatch her away but curb their urge seeing how happy she seemed to be. She looked too much of a bridal doll more than anything.
This can't be happening, their thoughts screamed in protest.
Like Shouhei, Miki bowed before taking her seat beside her husband in front of the village elder.
The elder after saying few words, pushed the lacquered tray to the couple. Miki bowed before taking the porcelain bottle in her slightly trembling hands and poured the warm rice wine into the small porcelain cup.
Service.
She bowed to Shouhei.
Submission.
Shouhei took the cup and sipped from it twice.
Acceptance.
He then offered the half-empty cup to his bride who gracefully drank the remaining contents.
Surrender.
At the nod of the officiating elder, Shouhei and Miki slid their wedding ring into each others' fingers cementing their union. The new couple stood up as Kiba approached them.
Sasuke wished he was on a mission rather than watched as the Hyuuga leader draped a coat bearing the clan's symbol on his daughter's shoulders. His grip on his knees tightened. And the thunder of applause cheering the young couple was faint on his ears as his eyes trained on Miki's back as it grew farther. When did his view become blurry? Why were his eyes hot and itchy?
All Hyuuga bowed to welcome Miki as Shouhei led her to her rightful place then they bowed deeply to the Uchiha family to thank them for raising the girl well.
The reception that followed was a blur to Sasuke who was mourning for his inevitable loss. All he could remember was the comforting presence of Naruto by his side.
Naruto didn't miss the murderous aura Sasuke emanated at the last part of the wedding ceremony and felt sympathetic towards his husband. Whatever he felt he knew Sasuke felt it ten times worse and it was amazing that he managed to hold onto his stoic mask.
Few minutes before the reception would end, Shouhei found himself brilliantly cornered by his brother-in-laws. Not wanting to provoke them, he remained quiet and cool. He knew who was the most dangerous; the cruelest and the most manipulative among them and briefly wondered who would attack him first.
Coincidentally, the three smiled at him but to Shouhei who had a rooted fear for them since this incident started, thought they were baring their canines. The next thing he knew, Kisho shook his hand; Akemi pat his back and Yuuzuki tousled his well-styled hair. Their camaraderie and acknowledgement gestures were sudden that it made the Hyuuga member feel that he was part of play of which he had no idea he was starring in.
"I'm absolutely certain that Shouhei will look after her," Yuuzuki declared with confidence between chuckles. The two seconded his belief.
"Right, Shouhei?" the three chorus melodiously. The poor guy could swear that this time they were baring their fangs. But they didn't remind him of foxes because they looked more like hungry hyenas as they waited for his assurance.
"Of-" Shouhei cut himself off realizing that his voice came out as a squeak. Damn. How embarrassing. He cleared his throat first before repeating himself. "Of course. Definitely."
Pleased, the three escorted them back to his smiling wife who was waiting for him.
"How did it go?" Miki whispered as they clasped their hands together.
"Wonderful," he replied. Just then a solemn music started playing signaling the end of the reception. But instead of leaving, everyone gathered in front of a newly constructed house. They parted and murmured their wishes as the newly-wed moved hand in hand towards the house.
Fear of abandonment flared inside Shouhei when Miki snatched her hand from his and fled just one step away the main door.
Miki flung herself against Sasuke whose breath was knocked out at the sudden collision. She was happy all right but it would never be complete without her talking with her otousan.
She pulled his head lower to whisper something that was for his ears only.
"I'm still an Uchiha at heart. Forever will." And she pressed her lips against a smooth cheek and smiled when her embrace was returned.
Everybody who was there wondered what the bride had whispered to make the Uchiha leader chuckle melodiously.
-SasuNaru is love-
Standing by one of the windows of their bedroom, Miki fought the pang of loneliness she felt as she saw the roof of the Uchiha manor.
"Are you regretting, Miki?" Shouhei asked quietly never missing the longing that darkened her blue eyes.
The blonde turned around and shook her head. "No. Never."
He briefly wondered if he had been fair to ask her that. She had left her family and threw away her dreams for their baby. He should have been happy with her reply but uncertainty and fear welled up in him as he saw something in her eyes. He stepped forward and embraced her tight.
-SasuNaru is love-
"Hey," a voice said softly from the door making Sasuke looked up from his hands.
He just nodded never moving from the floor, his back against Miki's bed.
Naruto quietly moved to sit on their daughter's bed, his legs on either side of Sasuke. He dropped a kiss on a mop of black hair streaked with white strands while draping his arms over his husband's shoulders.
"You did a good job in restraining yourself," he said. "I thought you would go wild back there."
"I won't stoop to that level," Sasuke replied too quick making the blonde chuckle. "Really."
"I believe you," was the mocking answer making the Uchiha leader growl before leaning his head back to glare at his amused wife.
Naruto leaned down to brush their noses. "Do you remember the time when Miki..."
The rest of the night faded as they reminisced together.
-SasuNaru is love-
Early morning, Akemi walked towards Miki's bedroom just to make sure that the wedding really happened and to kill his foolish hope that Miki was still with them. He softly rapped against the door before opening it. And what greeted him wasn't what he expected- his parents cuddling while sleeping on his sister's bed. His otousan was childishly clinging on his chichiue who was holding the former comfortingly... protectively.
Knowing the emotional ride they went and were going through, he closed the door quietly deciding to let them sleep.
As he walked away to train, he let the reality settle on his heart. He stepped outside and gazed up at the clear sky. Tucking the strands of hair that were gently whipping against his face as the morning breeze blew, he made a wish.
Please make her happy.
See? Kisho is evil... LOL. I like his being sinister. Just few hours after marriage and Shouhei is scared... What did he see in Miki's eyes? For the next chapter, things will be light... I promise.