Disclaimer: I do not own these characters they belong to Rumiko Takahashi and Masashi Kishimoto.
The next few days flew by for the repairing family. Sasuke spent most of the time catching up on Sukayu's life in any way that he could. He found out the boy loved tomatoes as much as he did, but he'd also developed a taste for ramen from his mother. He learned that Sukayu was very intelligent; he had legible writing and could read quite well for his age.
Sasuke spent the other bit of his time with Kagome. He spent the hours of the night with her relearning her habits, her interests, and reacquainting himself with her lovely body.
It was the fifth day of his leave and the day before he had to go back. They were all seated around the small table in the kitchen, eating a simple meal of grilled fish, rice, and umeboshi (1) with Chimaki (2) as a special treat for Sasuke's last day.
The family was quiet; the only noise at the table came from the clinking of dishes and chopsticks. Sasuke glanced up and around the table as he finished his meal. Sukayu wasn't really eating, instead he was picking at his food, and Kagome had finished her food as well.
"Daddy?" Sukayu spoke as he placed his chopsticks down.
"Hn? What is it Sukayu?" The Uchiha asked, slightly perturbed at the put-out look on his son's innocent face.
"Why are you leaving? Don't you like it here with us?" The younger replied, tears gathering in his obsidian eyes and threatening to spill over.
'Shit.' The raven cursed in his mind, he had been wondering when this question would come up. "Of course not, Sukayu. Why would you think that? I love it here with you and your mother, but I have to go home."
"But why? You could just stay here with us! This could be your new home!" Sukayu jumped up from his spot at the table, his small hands clenched into fists.
"Sukayu!" Kagome scolded, unsure of whether to comfort the boy or scold him further.
The small boy blinked back his tears and dashed from the room. "Sukayu!" Kagome called, bolting up from the table.
"No, let me." The older Uchiha insisted, standing up slowly and gently squeezing her shoulder. "I think I might need to explain a few things to him."
Kagome nodded in gratitude.
-change-
"Sukayu? Will you come out from under the blankets and talk for a moment?" Sasuke quipped, trying to portray a sense of comfort and warmth in his normally impassive voice.
"Nu-uh." Sukayu shook his head and drew the blankets tighter around himself.
Sasuke sighed inwardly and sat down on the bed next to his son. "Sukayu, I have to leave. I have duties and obligations to my village and my Hokage."
The younger raven squirmed in his hiding spot, but refused to speak.
"I would love to stay here with you, Sukayu, but I can't. Not yet, anyway."
Sukayu stilled, his curiosity peaked.
"As soon as I can, I'm resigning from my duties to the Land of Fire and the Hokage. I'll come here with you and take on independent missions instead."
"But daddy, will you be okay with that? What about your friends?" Sukayu's raven hair and obsidian eyes were suddenly visible from underneath the blankets.
Sasuke chuckled, a low throaty noise, and glanced slyly at his son. "You didn't seem too worried about my friends earlier, son."
Sukayu reddened, slightly embarrassed that he didn't take his father's feelings and friends into consideration. "I'm sorry…" He frowned.
The older Uchiha placed his calloused palm on his son's head and carded his fingers through his hair. "Hn, do not worry so much, Sukayu. I was very much like you when I was your age."
"Really?" The younger looked up at him, a large grin on his face and pride shining in his eyes.
"Really." Sasuke nodded, remembering when he only worried about himself as a child, especially when he wanted to spend time with his father or brother.
-change-
The next morning dawned bright and early for the recovering family. Currently, Sukayu had his arms wrapped tightly around the older sharingan user. Sasuke was kneeling in front of the home's wooden door, his arms around his son. Beside him, Kagome stood with his freshly packed bag.
"I have to go now, Sukayu." Sasuke whispered even though in all actuality he didn't want to go.
Sukayu nodded sadly, but didn't release his arms. Sasuke sighed and gently pried the small arms from his shoulders. He carefully let them go at the hanyou's sides. "I'll be back as soon as I can be."
He nodded again, resigned to his father's departure.
Sasuke stood and took his bag from Kagome. She shivered when his hand ghosted over hers, remembering the events of the night before. He smirked and tugged her to him. "I'm going to miss you both." He breathed in her ear. She shivered again, this time because his breath tickled her sensitive ear.
He kissed her forcefully, trying to pour his desires and feelings into one show of affection.
She pulled back after several long moments, panting slightly. "Go, before I refuse to let you leave." She whispered back. He grinned slightly, kissed her once more, patted Sukayu's head, and left quickly.
'Come back soon.' Kagome thought, wondering exactly what would happen when he returned to the village.
End Chapter. The next chapter will be about Sasuke and his talk with Tsunade. I think many of you will be surprised at exactly how that conversation goes. Thanks for reading and don't forget to review!
(1) Umeboshi - pickled ume or Japanese aricots.
(2) Chimaki - a steamed sweet rice cake generally served on Tango no Sekku (Children's Day) and the Gion Festival.