Ello! New chapter for you! Special thanks to all those who are reviewing! Spread the word, tell people about my story/stories haha =) Enjoy!
Sakura leafed through the file cabinet, not really looking for what she had opened the drawer for in the first place. She had just given the Hokage a complete update of her current situation and now, as the older woman's hazel eyes pierced through her back Sakura felt her face flush with rage and she jerked out the needed folder and slammed the drawer shut.
"I know Sasuke," Sakura continued, swirling around with troubled eyes, "and I know good and damn well that it's not Shunsuke he really cares about, it's rebuilding his clan. He doesn't care if he hurts Shunsuke or not."
"And I know you good and damn well, Sakura, and I know it's not Shunsuke's feelings you're concerned with right now- it's yours. You don't want to let Sasuke back into your life because you're afraid of the risk. You're afraid that he's going to hurt you. Again…Look Sakura, I know this isn't what you want to hear, but the fact is, Sasuke's right- he does have every right to Shunsuke as you do."
"But what about his past?"
"It's in the past; none of his past actions jeopardize the life and safety of Shunsuke, despite how bad they were."
"And the fact that he hasn't had a hand in raising Shunsuke for nearly the past six years?" Sakura was desperate and near tears.
"Well Sakura, it's not like he knew about him."
"There's nothing I can do…" Sakura looked sadly at the wall.
Lady Tsunade sighed. The fan overhead swirled the thick air in the room. "Other than letting Sasuke in the kid's life?-No. Sakura, you're like my daughter, but I have to be fair on this; that jackass hasn't done anything worth taking parental rights to Shunsuke away from him. You guys are gonna have to work this out. Besides, he might surprise both of us. Your son's a spitting image of Sasuke; it's only a matter of time before Shunsuke finds out anyway. I mean everyone else either knows or has suspicions so you're only trying to hide this from two people- Shunsuke and yourself. And I know you don't want to hurt Shunsuke, but that's what'll happen."
Sakura repeatedly slapped the folder she held against the palm of her hand. Her unsettled eyes focused absently on the floor and her teeth sunk into her lower lip. Slowly, she began to shake her head and sigh.
"I have to go give Kiro-san an update on his condition. Thank you Lady Tsunade." Sakura's voice was low and subdued. She kept her eyes cast down in thought and dismissed herself from the room as she went to tend to her patient.
Sakura ran into Sasuke on her way home, and based on the urgency of his walk, it was evident he was headed to her home. Sakura was glad that she'd caught him before he'd arrived at the house; she already knew that she would be running late, so Shunsuke was home while Hinata graciously watched him. Sakura jogged to meet Sasuke- surprised that he wasn't leaping rooftops to get to her home.
"Sasuke, can I talk to you for a moment?" She asked, stopping in front of him. Grudgingly, Sasuke stopped as well. "Look, maybe we shouldn't tell Shunsuke right now-"
"Hell no. He's been fatherless for long enou-"
"I know that Sasuke," Sakura said with a roll of her eyes. "But think about it rationally and bluntly: right now, Shunsuke hates you. I know him- if you tell him the truth, he won't just hate you as you, he'll hate you as his father too. Look, why don't you come over and I'll introduce you properly. You two can talk and spend time together. It may take some days or seconds or weeks, but give him time to warm up to you. Once he does…we'll tell him." The hard, hateful look was still on Sasuke's face. Sakura sighed heavily.
"I know you're pissed off at me Sasuke and you think I'm nothing but a liar-"
"I think you're more than that."
Sakura's jaw tightened and she continued, not taking the bait. "But I'm honestly suggesting what I think would be best for you and Shunsuke's relationship."
"In whose eyes?" He shot back accusingly.
"Unbiased ones. Now, can you just take my word on this?" Sasuke continued to lock eyes with Sakura as he thought. He started off down the sidewalk and Sakura exasperatedly trailed behind him. At the turnoff for Sakura's street, Sasuke wheel around and spoke lowly.
"One week. By next Wednesday, Shunsuke'd better know the truth."
"And if he doesn't warm up to you by then?"
"One week." Sasuke reiterated and continued towards Sakura's house, as Sakura just rolled her eyes at the stubborn man.
"If he wants to damage their relationship, then fine! I warned him."
The walk was tense and silent and as they approached the front door, Sakura shot out her hand, and pulled Sasuke back violently.
"Sorry," she apologized after seeing his facial expression. "But Shunsuke's in there and when we see him, we've got to give off positive vibes. Otherwise, he won't buy a word we say." Sasuke said nothing, but obliged as Sakura took the lead. She opened the front door, linked their arms, and let out a convincing laugh.
"Sakura, hey," Hinata smiled standing up. She paused when she saw who accompanied her. "H-hello," she nodded in confusion.
"Thanks for watching Shunsuke for me Hinata." Sakura hugged Hinata and whispered in her friend's ear, "I'll explain later, may you excuse us?"
Hinata pulled back with a smile, "It's fine. Well I'll see you guys later. Goodbye Shunsuke!" Hinata called and closed the door behind her.
"Bye Auntie Hinata!" Shunsuke called as he began running from his bedroom. "Hey Mama, you're home! How-" Shunsuke's eyes narrowed and he stopped immediately when he saw Sasuke. Sakura was still smiling as she waved Shunsuke over to the couch to sit down with her. His glare lingered on Sasuke for a while, then he went to his mother and greeted her with bright, loving eyes.
"Shunsuke, baby," Sakura smiled. "I know things got off to a bad start, but Sasuke's not a bad guy. He's actually an old friend of mine and Uncle Naruto's. We were teammates when we first graduated from the Academy."
"But Mama," Shunsuke said in confusion. "I thought you and Uncle Naruto were on a team with Sasuke Uchiha." Sakura nodded.
Shunsuke's eyes opened so wide that they covered half his face. "So you're…" He pointed an incredulous finger at Sasuke. Sasuke nodded, hiding the pleasure it brought him to see Shunsuke respond to him in a manner other than hostility.
A smile spread across the mini-Sasuke's face. "Wow! Oh wow! Woah! You're Sasuke Uchiha? Woah! This is so cool! I thought it was cool having you as a mama but now Sasuke Uchiha is in my house! This is so cool- I'm telling all the people in my class!"
A small, genuine smile tugged at the corner of Sasuke's mouth and this time, he didn't fight to hide it. Sakura looked at Sasuke hesitantly then back at Shunsuke who had begun speaking. "Hey Mama, can we go over to Uncle Naruto's and show him Sasuke-sama."
"Father, not Sasuke-sama, Father." Sasuke wanted to scream out, but as much as he hated to admit it, Sakura probably knew what was best to do in this situation. Sakura stole a glance at Sasuke who gave a slight shrug. She nodded, then pointed to the toys he had brought up front.
"Sure thing, go put your toys back in your room and then we'll go." Shunsuke smiled.
"Yessss! Alright!"
While Shunsuke was in his room, Sakura spoke quietly. "No one in his generation know about…the incident."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly. He knew she was talking about when he left the village. "Same way Naruto's Nine-Tailed Fox was taboo…so was your leave. I don't know if Lady Tsunade did that for me and Shunsuke or what, but I'm glad she did. Either way, you're still like a hero I guess to them…" Sakura trailed off, and Sasuke let her words sink in. "He's a really sweet kid…" Sakura began absently, then her voice regained its life.
"Sasuke," the young man's attention turned to her, "answer honestly, are you really interested in being a father to Shunsuke or is he just another step in rebuilding your clan?"
Sasuke's eyes turned hot. He started for Sakura, caught himself, and stopped. Dangerously eyeing her, he spat, "Don't you ever ask me that again. Ever."
Sakura's eyes glassed fiercely and she continued searching Sasuke's hateful eyes before she looked down at her hands and whispered, hurt and barely audible, "You didn't answer my question."
Sasuke opened his mouth angrily when Shunsuke came running down the hall. "Ready! Can we go now Mama?...Mama?" Shunsuke caught sight of Sakura wiping her face and his accusatory eyes immediately flew on Sasuke. "I don't care who you are, you can't hurt my Mama-"
"Shunsuke it's okay, it's okay, I'm fine. Sasuke didn't do anything, I was just thinking about something that happened at work." Shunsuke gave Sakura an unfooled look. The pink haired lady pushed off the chair, and went for the child whom she scooped up in her arms. "I promise you I'm fine Shunsuke."
Sasuke looked on. Secretly, he was grateful to Sakura and actually proud of her. She could have easily had Shunsuke hating Sasuke again, but instead, she kept the peace. As much as it pained him, he figured maybe he and Shunsuke had enough interacting for the day. As Sakura playfully gummed Shunsuke's neck to make the young boy laugh, Sasuke silently moved to the front door to leave.
"Hey, where are you going?" Sakura asked upon noticing him.
"I need to go home," Sasuke responded without stopping.
"Not before you come with us to Naruto's." Sasuke stopped and turned to face her. He could see the struggle and pain swirling within her green eyes as she spoke the words and the painted smile she so expertly held.
He shook his head. "No."
As Sasuke opened the front door, Sakura looked at her son and jerked her head towards Sasuke. Shunsuke looked at her hesitantly and Sakura smiled and nodded. With a small smile, Shunsuke nodded as well and jumped down and ran for Sasuke. "Sasuke-sama! Wait!" Sasuke paused outside the door.
"Can you please come with us to Uncle Naruto's? You don't have t' stay long. Promise!" Sasuke's eyes held with the young child's. Eyes that matched his. A face that matched his long before when he remembered how to laugh. Shunsuke had just obtained complete control of Sasuke; his actions more powerful than even the strongest genjutsu. Sasuke found himself nodding with his mouth slightly open, but saying nothing. Shunsuke laughed and Sasuke felt an airy, swelling sensation in his chest.
"Great! C'mon Mama!" And the three of them headed off to Naruto's apartment.
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