Disclaimer: I do not own these characters they belong to Rumiko Takahashi and Masashi Kishimoto.

"Mission completed successfully, Lady Hokage." Sasuke reported, his voice a monotone of syllables.

The Fifth Hokage nodded her blonde head and took the paperwork from the young Uchiha. "Very well, you're pay will be transferred to your bank accounts and you will be assigned a new mission after a two-day resting period."

Naruto grinned and nodded his head. Then, he noticed his best friend's hesitation and looked at him curiously.

"If I may, Lady Hokage, I would like to request a longer leave." The raven-haired young man spoke. "There is something that I need to attend to."

The blonde Hokage blinked and scribbled slightly on a piece of paper in front of her. "Fine, but I can only grant you four extra days, we are stretched tightly on our available ninja for higher ranking missions as it is."

Sasuke nodded his thanks.

"However, what could be so important that you would request a leave of absence?" Tsunade folded her hands together in front of her and stared at the Uchiha with dark brown eyes.

"I…" He paused for a moment and looked at Naruto, who nodded his head. "I have made a severe mistake with someone very dear to me. I need the leave to correct my mistake." He answered vaguely.

Tsunade looked suspiciously between the two before sighing inaudibly and nodding her head, dismissing them silently.

-scene change-

The woods surrounding him were quiet as he carefully retraced his steps back to the small cabin. Every bit of him was wound tightly with anxiety. He clenched and unclenched his fists a few times to regain his calm exterior.

It didn't take him long to find it. It was still as picturesque as he remembered with it's wooden picket fence and handmade chimney.

Sasuke steeled his resolve and his way up the cobblestone path to the door. He closed his eyes briefly and knocked once.

Mere moments seemed like ages to Sasuke as he waited for someone to open the door.

The door creaked slightly as it was pulled open by Kagome. "What do you want?" Her voice was laced with venom.

He inwardly flinched. "I came back to apologize and to get to know my son a little more." The Uchiha shoved away his pride and confessed. "I was irrational and I panicked. I'm sorry for the things that I said." He forced himself to look into her steely eyes and tried to covey his feelings.

Kagome hesitated. From behind her, Sukayu peaked around her legs. "Mommy, is that Daddy?"

Sasuke's heart skipped a beat and practically melted at being called that. It made everything seem more real.

Kagome sighed and dug her fingers into the door. "Yes, baby. He's come to visit you." She opened the door all the way and moved aside to allow him to come inside.

Sukayu's dark eyes flashed happily. "Really, mommy?" He grinned up at his mother and then turned to face his father. He mellowed slightly after his father had stepped in and shut the door behind him. What if his father said something hurtful again?

Noticing his son's pained expression, Sasuke knelt down. "I'm sorry about what I said last time, I was just afraid."

Sukayu's eyes widened. "Really? You were afraid?"

Sasuke nodded. "Yes, I was." He jerked slightly in surprise when his son wrapped is small arms around him.

"It's okay, daddy. I get scared sometimes, too." Sukayu smiled up at him.

The Uchiha's eyes softened and he hugged his son tightly.

Kagome watched the scene with guarded eyes, her head filled with a wave of conflicting emotions. "Sukayu, why don't you take your father to you room and show him your drawings?"

Sukayu beamed. "Great idea, Mommy! This way, Daddy!" He giggled and ran down the small hallway leading further into the house.

Sasuke chuckled slightly and rose. Awkwardly, he walked beside Kagome as he followed Sukayu down the hallway.

Outside the door, he stopped and turned to face her. "You picked a good name for him." He whispered, "And you've raised him well. I only wish that you had told me about him sooner."

Kagome flinched slightly and opened her mouth to speak.

"Come on, Daddy! In here!" Sukayu appeared and tugged his father's hand.

"Later." She whispered to him as Sasuke allowed himself to be pulled by his hand.