FLASHBACK

"C'mon Baby-Girl, come to Daddy! You can do it baby! Come on!"

The head of the Taisho household was crouching on the floor of the den. He cooed encouragingly to his six-month-old daughter. She just sat on the carpet, fiddling with her tiny hands. At the sound of her father's voice she turned and smiled her goofy baby smile at Inuyasha…and then went back to examining her hands.

"Ugh…" Inuyasha groaned and slumped down in defeat. His forehead hit the plush flooring with a muffled thud. Kagome walked into the den and kneeled beside her husband, a comforting hand rubbing his back. Beautiful blue-black hair fell from behind her ear as she leaned to whisper into his ear, a tranquil smile gracing her features.

"Sweetheart, she's only six months old. She won't be walking for at least another 4 or 5." A chuckle escaped her lips. "Besides, you don't want your little princess to grow up to fast do you?" A muffled whimper came from the carpet where the Demon Lord had his face buried. "What did you say hon?"

Inuyasha lifted his face from the floor, his voice clear, but still tinged with an exasperated whine. "I said I know that already! But still! I mean come on, look who her parents are! Don't you think she should be at least like, I dunno, running or something by now?!" He turned his attention from his wife and back to his daughter across the floor. "C'mon Kura-Chan! Just a couple of steps for Daddy! Please? Please?!" Said baby just cocked her head and flopped onto her stomach and scuttled over to her father.

Kagome wrapped her arms around her husband's neck and watched as he picked up their baby girl and held her at arm's length, as though examining her like a show dog. Kagome loosened her grip around Inuyasha's neck and leaned back to look at him. "Just why do you want her up and walking so bad anyway?" She asked as she peered at him questioningly.

"I just want to make sure that she has something from me, besides looks. You know? I just want to be sure that when the time comes, she'll be ready for what ever the world throws at her. But I can't be sure unless I know she has my physical qualities too." Kagome looked at him with a knowing smile on her face. "She's going to be amazing, isn't she? You'll make sure of that."

"But that's where you're wrong Tenshi," He turned his gaze to his daughter.

"She already IS amazing."

An audible gasp rang throughout the group of Nin. All of a sudden, Asuma flickered out of view and reappeared behind Miroku, a kunai against the raven-haired man's throat. And not a second later, Sango was behind the Jounin, her tanto aimed right at the base of his skull.

"What the hell are you doing Asuma?!" Kurenai shouted, wide-eyed and panicked. "If Sakura-san is telling the truth about her father, and if this man claims to be her uncle, then the blood of the Howaido-Kiba Katsu runs through his veins. This man is a criminal!"

Kakashi's calm exterior crumbled in an instant. "Asuma!" He yelled angrily. Asuma was taken aback and loosened his grip on his weapon. He stared at his best friend. "W-What? Kakashi…"

"Even if this man was in any way blood-related to the Ripper, it doesn't mean he's a criminal! Use your brain! You let fear take priority over reason!" Miroku grunted in agreement. "Besides," the monk cut in. "I am Sakura's uncle by blood, that is irrefutable. I am also related to Howaido-Kiba Katsu, but in marriage, not blood."


"Huh?" Asuma thought.

"It means he's her mother's brother! Not her father's! Kami!" An until-now silent Neji cut in. "And how would you come to possess this bit of info Hyuuga?" Sasuke also cut in, a hostile tone in his voice. "Because! Now shut your trap jackass!" The two of them got into it with no intention of stopping, as the rest of the group was lost with a look of bewilderment on their faces. Tenten, Shikamaru, Temari, and Kiba all looked bored, albeit uncomfortable during this whole mess.

"EVERYONE SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!!" Yelled Sakura. Her tone oozed with irritation and exasperation. "Neji is right. He's my mother's brother, not my father's. But I'll get to the rest of that when we get to my house. It'll be much easier to explain once we get my aunt and uncle settled."

With that, Sakura turned on her heel and started to make her way back to town. Her stance and gait showed she was walking with a purpose. And that purpose was to show the world that she was more than the weak little pink-haired dead-weight that everyone knew her by.

She was shedding the mask and showing her true colors, letting her REAL hair down. Because, with all those years wearing a metaphoric "mask" (and hat rather) it was getting uncomfortable for one of the most prominent quirks she had. She smiled determinedly on the inside, not noticing it showed externally as well. With her back to the group she couldn't see their disbelieving stares of shock…and humor.

Atop Sakura's white head, perched two very soft, very real…

Dog ears…

Oh yes…it was going to be an extremely long night. Yes indeed.

omg i am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sorry it has taken so long to update!!!!

gomen nasai! gamoen nasai! a thousand times gomen nasai!!!!!!!! gah, i've just had so much shit going on and haven't had ANY time to focus on this.

A million thanks to all of you reviewers :) really, reading those at the end of the day makes me smile the rest of the night :) i love u all! until next time, peace.

Love Lipstick,
Sakuyasha-Chan