3rd chapter finally up,

sorry if it took forever,

chapter 4 will be up soon, considering the circumstances,

thnx for all who waited,

DISCLAIMER: irayumi no himtsu does NOT own Naruto, she owns the OCs

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Hanabi stared at the sign hanging above her, it wrote, in bold letters, 'Hyuuga residence'. She gulped and slowly went inside, sighing softly. It had been a long time. Her heart pounded in her ears. She summed up all her courage and walked to the main house, her house. She raised her fist and knocked on the door.

"I'll get it kaa-san!" Hanabi heard a voice from inside, one she did not recognize at all. Hanabi rapidly blinked her eyes in confusion. Interrupted from her thoughts, the door was opened by a girl of about 13; she had blonde hair that was tied up in two ponytails, on either side of her head, she had white eyes which in turn, had a blue tint to them, showing that she was indeed of the Hyuuga family. She was wearing an orange short-sleeved jacket that went to her mid-thigh and dark blue leggings, on her hands she had finger-less gloves and she had the standard blue nin sandals on her feet while lastly, she had a leaf hitai-ate tied around her neck. The girl's soft blue eyes widened in shock.

"Natsuki, who is it?" Hanabi heard another voice from one inside the house. She recognized the soft, then timid voice well enough.

"Nee-san!" Hanabi called.

True enough, her kimono-clad sister appeared in front of her, blue hair in a neat bun. The sight of her older sister caused Hanabi to break into sobs. Hinata dropped the tray she was carrying, never mind the fact that it was ceramic thus it broke on the floor. The loud sound alerted the sixth and current Hokage to rush to his wife's aid.

Things meanwhile, happened in a blur. Hinata ran to embrace her younger sister, one she had not seen for six long years. Naruto dragged his daughter away from his running wife and at that split moment, Haru, Naruto and Hinata's four-year-old son started crying because the loud noise had awakened him from his otherwise peaceful sleep.

Deciding not to disturb the sisters' reunion, he went to fetch Haru while Natsuki, his daughter, looked in pure shock. The few memories she had of her aunt were vague, considering that Hanabi left when she was only six, not much of Natsuki's time was spent with Hanabi, and therefore, she did not remember her aunt well. But, Natsuki remember one other small detail about her aunt, the night she disappeared, Natsuki lost a great friend.

Natsuki walked to Hanabi, who had stopped hugging Hinata and shook her aunt, demanding, "Where is Uchiha Saki?" Hanabi only smiled, "don't worry, she is back." Hanabi then turned slowly to face the window.

*****

Saki gasped and ducked behind her window again. Sensei had seen her! Saki cursed her luck and sighed, deciding to go back home. She left the Hyuuga compound and started towards the Uchiha compound, constantly on alert. She couldn't risk anyone finding her or seeing her, though she doubted that anyone would recognize her at all. Still, she couldn't take any risks.

After jumping a few rooftops, she reached the Uchiha compound and halted abruptly, unsure whether or not to go back. Her instinct told her to run, run faster and further than she had ever run, but her heart told her to go home. She followed her heart, because for so long, Uchiha Saki just wanted to go home after being separated from her family for so long, especially Shiki. He was her twin and she couldn't stand being away from him for long.

Saki saw the door and swallowed. She slowly opened the door. She knew that her brothers and father didn't lock the door. After all, who would dare to sneak into the house of Uchiha Sasuke, Uchiha Ryuu and Uchiha Shiki? Among three of the strongest and most feared shinobi in the country. She felt her heart pound in her ears when she sneaked in. Softly, she closed the mahogany door.

The Uchiha household was shrouded in darkness but Saki could see very well. Her travels led her to the most desolate of countries and most times, she had to travel and or battle in the night. She made her way to her room, their room. The one that Saki and Shiki had shared when they were younger. Tears rolled down her soft cheeks as she looked at her sleeping brother.

Shiki immediately sat upright, "Saki?"

~Saki's POV:

His smooth calm voice was all it took. I broke into uncontrollable sobs. I couldn't stop crying, because I missed him so much, I missed him so much I didn't realize it. It was as if I bottled up all my emotions for him those six years and now, each and every minute detail was released, in the form of tears. Shiki got up and faced me. Slowly, his arms encircled me and he hugged me.

For the first time in six years, I felt protected, I felt safe, in his arms, my twin brother's. For the first time in six years, I felt complete because we were so different, yet so alike. He was kind and caring, while I was cold-hearted and ruthless. We were two halves of the same coin.

The door opened and otou-san was in the door way, with aniki right behind him. I felt fear. Fear because I was afraid of what otou-san would do to me for running away. Shiki saw otou-san and let go of me. The feeling of warmth had disappeared and soon, I was drenched in a thin sheet of cold sweat.

I noticed otou-san was glaring at me and it scared me. For once, I, Uchiha Saki, was scared of something. Otou-san stretched out his hand and it happened. The burning red mark on my cheek signified the spot. Yes, I was slapped by my very own father. I braved myself to look at him, only to see he wasn't glaring anymore, in fact, he was calm and looked as if nothing happened.

"Did that hurt?" he asked, soft and plain. Taken aback by the tone of his voice, I brought my hand to my cheek, the red mark gone. I let out a small laugh. This caused Shiki and aniki's eyes to widen in surprise while otou-san tried his best to refrain himself from showing any emotion at all.

Slowly, I shook my head, "physically, no. All I felt was this small jolt and that was it. When you spend so many days around strong shinobi who kill and have tasted near death, you don't feel that much pain. It hurt because, it felt like you served me six years worth of sin. Those six years I left you."

~Normal POV:

Sasuke only stared at his daughter, his only daughter. He was at a loss for words; after all, what Saki had said was very true but that didn't tell him anything. He looked into his daughter's expressionless eyes and sighed heavily. He slowly moved forward and hugged her. For so long had Saki wished to be in the embrace of those who loved her. Sasuke hugged her tighter, not wanting to ever lose her again. Saki just sobbed into his shoulder while Ryuu and Shiki looked in content.

When Sasuke finally let go, he kissed her forehead and told her silently but firmly, "don't ever do that again. People forget Saki and no matter how much you try, it's impossible to be perfect." Saki nodded dumbly and looked in the direction of her aniki who had a small smile. Ryuu then hugged Saki and pat her carefully on her head.

Sasuke then told his boys that Saki wanted to rest so they should let her sleep but Saki declined, saying she had already rested. They, of course, insisted so Saki had no choice and lay down on her old bed and slept a safe slumber, one she rightfully deserved, one she knew she wouldn't have any worries sleeping. She was finally home, finally among people who loved her.

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