Disclaimer: Naruto is the property of Kishimoto Masashi!

A/N: Hello guys! Hakujou-no-sakeme here with the next chapter of Yokoso! I'm very sorry for the two-year delay (avoids paper balls being thrown by the readers)! I almost declared this story under hiatus since my beta reader and I have parted on our own ways (teary-eyed) but our tandem will not be broken. So, please enjoy this humble offering of yours truly.

Don't forget to leave a review! Much appreciated!

Chapter 27: Daddy or no Daddy?

"DADDEEE! DAAADDEEE!"

Huge eyes stared back at the wiggling infant simulator. Sakura regained her consciousness and couldn't believe what she was seeing. Even Sasuke was stunned as he supported her. More like carrying her.

Koichi was in the arms of the great Uchiha Itachi.

Along with the lines of…

"DAADDDEEEEE! DDDAAAADDDEEEEE!"

Ye Gods, Koichi was a fickle child! The little midget chose another daddy!

Which makes Sakura…A two-timing mom? NO! Koichi also called Sasuke his daddy too. Would that mean she cheated on Suke-san with two men?

KYAAAHHHH!

"K-Kami-sama…how did this happen?" she mumbled.

On the other hand, Sasuke was fuming. What in the hell's going on? Even though it was only a school project, he couldn't afford his kid to have another daddy. It was no longer a simple case of bad parenting.

But Sakura had other ideas…

"How am I going to explain this to Suke-san? He's not going to forgive me if I tell him this!" she cried out.

Sasuke stared at her annoyingly. "What are you mumbling about?"

His eyebrow twitched as he saw her watery eyes and puffy face. His fetish of seeing her weird reaction was acting up again. He coughed. "What's wrong, Haruno?"

She bawled. "Sasuke-san! If Koichi thinks that you and Itachi-san are his daddies then that would mean…"

If she's going to mention the big F because of this mishap, he would definitely kill his brother. "Haruno," he choked on the words. Okay, he was also panicking. Kuso, why did it have to happen now? "…Your husband is not here. Tell me."

Sakura looked at his eyes wearily. "If Koichi-kun called you and Itachi-san his daddies then, that would mean I cheated on Suke-san. I three-timed my husband! I'm doomed!"

Sasuke felt he was going to have a headache. So that was all she was so worked up about? The only thing she cared about was her STATUS and not their GRADE? This girl is so…never mind. "I don't think so. My brother and I are not included in your little project. It's your evil toy's fault, he called us his daddies."

"That's impossible! He only responds to me and my partner. How did that happen?"

He didn't think twice. "Accident. Or worse a malfunction."

Her eyes went as wide as saucers. She grabbed his sleeve and demanded, "Are you saying that Koichi-kun malfunctioned?"

Uh-oh. He wasn't supposed to say that! "It's...um, a possibility," he swallowed.

The poor girl went hysterical, flailing her arms. If Sasuke wasn't able to duck in time she would've smacked her arm on his face. "No! A malfunction shouldn't happen! I don't want that to happen! I can't show my face to Suke-san once he finds out Koichi-kun got broken!"

"I told you it was only a possibility! Stop crying, you stupid onna!"

"Waaaiiihhhh! Sasuke-san, so mean!"

Itachi stepped in. "If you keep this up, I'm gonna think you're in some sort of a lovers' quarrel."

Both teens blushed furiously. Immediately, they looked away from one another. Satisfied by their reactions, he smirked. "That's better. For now, I want you guys to listen carefully." His younger brother glared at him and he added a matter-of-factly, "Aw, don't give me that look, ototou. You're already involved in this case."

Sasuke huffed. "Just get to the point already."

"Foolish little brother." Itachi flipped his ponytail. Little Sasuke was sooo uptight for his own good. "As I was saying, there might be something inside Koichi's body that hampers with the programming. Rest assured, Sakura-san. We'll figure something out."

Pinky swallowed nervously. "I can't tell Suke-san that Koichi suddenly malfunctioned. Who knows what he'll do to me once he finds out."

'Oh, I know exactly what he'll do to you,' Itachi cackled inwardly, seeing Sasuke's irritated look. "The only way out of this mess is to fix Koichi-kun. Don't worry, I won't tinker inside his precious little body."

Sakura heaved a sigh of relief while Sasuke raked his fingers through his hair. He was unconvinced. "How are you going to fix it? The problem is definitely in his system. If you're not going to pry it open, we won't be able to find out the cause."

His brother gave him a sinister grin. "Exactly. Which is why I'm taking Koichi to Sasori's place."

Sasuke's eyes grew twice its sizes. Oh no, certainly not those maniacal toy aficionados! Sasori and Deidara were avid collectors of toys-any kind. Dolls, figurines, model kits, stuffed toys, puppets, clay models...and so on. What sets them apart from other toy collectors is that they transform the collectibles into plastic zombies. He shuddered a thought when he remembered a particular incident with his stuffed penguin, Binky. He left it lying on his bed, and the next thing he knew, it was slithering after him.

He wouldn't want that to happen to Koichi. Who knows what diabolical plans the two are going to have for him. "Are you out of your mind? You're going to leave him under the care of those lunatics?" He stomped his foot angrily on the floor. "I won't allow it!"

Itachi poked him on the forehead. "Shut your trap. Sasori and Deidara may be doll-loving sissies but they're the best when it comes to electric thingamajig. And Sasori worked on these kinds for a long time. He can solve this mystery."

"But…"

He poked him on the forehead again. "No buts. You guys should take a break while I take Koichi-kun to the doctor." Itachi cuddled the simulator, earning a squeal in response. "Oh, and little brother, could you please pretend that you're both married while I'm out?"

"Hell no!" Sasuke snarled. Surely his vile brother didn't lose his nuts during panic mode earlier. He couldn't afford to blow his cover right in front of Sakura! Things were already complicated because of their silly electrical toy. What's even worse, he grew fond of the little guy.

"Hold your arms up dear brother."

He raised them up. Itachi handed the baby to him.

"DAAAADDDEEEEEEEEE!"

Itachi smirked, knowing the immature twit finally got the point. "See what I mean? As of this very moment, you're now Koichi-kun's daddy. So please, set a good example. Not only as a father but also," he gave Sakura a warm look. "As a husband to your wife as well."

Sasuke squeaked. How can he fulfill his part in the project if he was stuck to his normal self? Easier said than done! "B-But I'm not…her husband. Why don't we give the midget back to his daddy? He can help."

Itachi gave him the look that says, 'And how are you going to do that, huh?'

The troubled lad acknowledged his defeat. There was no way he would be able to pull that stunt. On top of that, he acted immaturely in front of Haruno. His brother was right all along even if he was such a vile person. He made a mental note to stab Itachi later in his sleep.

His brother leaned closer to him. "You don't want your other nerdy self to fail in this project now, do you? Remember what happened last time at your school festival? And right now in your school project? You might not have noticed Sasuke, but you guys got married twice. Imagine that."

He smirked evilly as he saw Sasuke's horrified expression.

It was so nice to see his little brother in agony.

Uchiha household

11:00 PM

'Shit, what's taking him so long?'

Sasuke grimaced. Itachi was surely taking his time. It made him nervous because it was his school project. If something bad happened to Koichi, it's all over. They would fail.

His ink-black eyes wandered to his partner who was sitting on the bed, knees tucked under her chin. From the way her bottom lip quivered, she was afraid. Why wouldn't she? She was waiting in agony in a boy's bedroom. In addition to that, her partner was supposed to be waiting for her return back in their dorm.

Ironically, her partner ended up in the same situation as her.

Waiting, but in normal clothes.

Duh.

Sasuke ran a hand through his spiky hair. The silence was deafening. It wasn't good. He wanted to scream but he couldn't do that while she's around. He glanced at her again. The guilt settled heavily on his stomach. He shouldn't have blurted out that Koichi could've malfunctioned. Otherwise, they wouldn't be in this kind of situation.

Ten negative points for making a girl lose her mind.

At least he should attempt to fix it, right?

He made his way carefully towards the pink-haired girl. She neither look up nor move as he sat next to her. She was too caught up in her thoughts of failing and Suke-san's wrath.

"Don't you suffer headaches from doing that?"

She blinked. "D-Doing what?"

"Thinking."

She blinked. "No."

He raised a brow. "No?"

"No. Will you please stop asking me?" She was in no mood for heated arguments. Not after Koichi has been declared cured.

He sighed. Striking up a conversation with her was a no-no. But it's better than the silence surrounding them. "I couldn't stand being quiet and all. Not after earlier." She didn't say anything. She only stared. He flicked her on the forehead then added, "It'll be okay Haruno. Itachi's eccentric but he'll be able to fix Koichi in no time."

She winced, rubbing her forehead. "That hurts."

He only looked at her. "You're annoying. Try smiling."

She quirked the side of her mouth upwards. Sasuke pinched her hard on the cheeks.

"Ow!"

He stuck his tongue out at her. "That's what happens when you fake a smile. Lighten up, will you? The supermarket incident was purely coincidental, ok? My brother and I just happened to be there."

"But you guys saved me!" she protested.

"I don't give a damn, Haruno. Don't prolong the subject," he replied curtly. He didn't want to dwell on the fact that he saved her from Neji. Not to mention the little incident on the kitchen. That would mean he was stepping on someone else's territory. Especially if that territory has been branded by Hyuga Neji.

It was complete madness.

He raised a brow. Her puffed-out cheeks are distracting him again. There goes the attraction. He shook his head.

Stupid pheromones!

Stop it. Stop it!

STOP IT!

"STOP IT!" He yelled.

Sakura was taken aback by his outburst. "W-What?"

He raised a hand. "No! It's not you." Then blinked in reaction to what he said. "Wait, it is your fault!"

"My fault? I don't even understand why you're so harsh towards me!" Sakura stood up from the bed. "Sometimes I wonder how others managed to put up with your attitude. I don't. And I think it's about time I leave for school. My partner must be worried sick about me."

She headed for the door. Sasuke grabbed her by the arm. "I don't think your partner's going to be worried about you."

"How sure are you?"

"Because," he trailed off for awhile then added, "Itachi made a call at your school. He already informed your partner that you'll be spending the night here." Sasuke triumphantly smirked at the look of defeat in her eyes. The hapless girl turned pale, she sagged against the door. He then leaned towards her, a hand touching one delicate cheek.

"You know what that means don't you?" he whispered huskily.

She shook her head. Her heart and instincts were saying something else. Plus, there were too many what ifs, and what nots. She wasn't ready to ponder on them. Without warning, tears began to leak out. Neji, Koichi's breakdown and the week-long stress finally caught up to her.

"Hey! You don't have to cry!" Sasuke didn't intend to scare her…he was just, oh damn. He immediately fished out a handkerchief from his jeans. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry. Here," he muttered, offering the handkerchief.

"T-Thank you." Sakura said. She blew her nose loudly then wiped some excess mucus. Afterwards, she handed the handkerchief back to him.

Sasuke cringed at the thought of holding a snot-covered hanky. "Keep it. Anyways, care to explain why you broke down all of a sudden? I know I'm such a bastard, but I never ever thought of making a girl cry."

"It's not you, Sasuke-san." she hiccupped. "The entire week was nerve-wracking. No, let me correct that. It's my life that's completely messed up. Neji and I fought. Then Koichi malfunctioned. To top it off, Suke-san must be terribly worried that we're not yet home from the mall."

"I'm sure your husband wouldn't mind that you're here. He's a wimp, he wouldn't be able to do anything about it," he retorted. He had to badmouth his alter ego in order to avoid his cover being blown. It seemed to work as Sakura sighed in defeat.

"You're right. I'm just worrying over non-trivial matters. I hope that Itachi-san will be able to find a way to bring Koichi to normal," she agreed. The two of them sighed as they waited for the older Uchiha to come back with the simulator.

Sasori's workshop

11:30 PM

"This is remarkable, Itachi. I must say, the parts are highly maintained. But, I'm sure you've set your eyes upon this," the red-haired gadget master held up a tiny blue microchip. Itachi smirked as the tiny object was dropped on his palm.

Deidara, Sasori's assistant sighed as he closed the simulator's body shut. "They've rigged it with a voice recognition code. Once this baby will be returned to the facility, the microchips will be extracted and observed for further data. Your brother will be toast once the old geezer recognizes his voice from the records."

Itachi nodded as he laid the chip in his handkerchief, folded it neatly then tucked it inside his pocket. "Otosan is finally showing his aggressive side. He's dead-set in making Sasuke his heir apparent. Ototo may be strong but when it comes to our father, he becomes undone. Mother on the other hand, wouldn't do anything that would upset our father." He gave his two friends a creepy smirk. "Of course, I love my brother too much to take care of that huge burden, am I not?"

Deidara sweatdropped. "Uh…yeah."

"Anyways," Sasori cut in, "Are you going to tell Sasuke about this little discovery you made? This is serious, I mean, it can blow his cover up in school."

"Hmm…" Itachi tapped one well-manicured nail under his chin. If he's going to tell his little brother about the chip, he will seriously have a fit. Sasuke will never forgive their father once he finds out. He was dead serious when he said that he would not go back to their parents' home. Their father wanted nothing more but perfection. He sighed. Even if he didn't like the old man's ways, he still felt compassion for him. "No, I'm not going to tell him about the chip. It's better if we leave him out of this. I don't want him flunking in his exams because of our father's devious little play."

His two friends nodded in approval. Itachi went to where the simulator was and picked him up. It was time for him to bring the baby back to where his parents are.

A/N: So there you have it! The much-delayed but hopefully still awaited chapter! Like I said earlier, the story will go on! With more laughs, more tears, and more torment for our favorite main character! Cheerios!