A Large Mansion and A Nerve-Wracking Meeting

"Relax, Naruto," Sasuke muttered underneath Emi's chattering.

Naruto, who had been staring out the window dazedly, shoulders tense and fingers fiddling incessantly, jumped a little and turned to him. Sasuke glanced in his direction before focusing on the road again.

They were in the car on their way to his parents' house. They had left about an hour ago and it was already close to noon. Sasuke and Itachi were supposed to be there to help prepare before the rest of the family came but they were running a bit late because Emi hadn't wanted to wash her hair, for whatever reason Sasuke simply couldn't fathom. It had taken both him and Naruto about half an hour to coax her into the bathtub and then another half an hour to actually get her washed and dried.

"I'm relaxed," Naruto murmured back.

Sasuke pointedly glanced down at his hands.

"Hn," was the only thing he let out.

Naruto narrowed his eyes.

"Okay, maybe I am a bit nervous," he said and crossed his arms instead. "What's so weird about that?"

Sasuke shook his head, catching sight of Emi in the rearview mirror now watching their exchange silently.

"There's still about an hour before we actually arrive," he said. "Are you going to be tense the entire ride there? You'll be exhausted before the barbeque even begins."

Naruto bit his lip and looked away.

"Naruto–," Sasuke began but was interrupted by Emi.

"Daddy!" she exclaimed as if a thought had just struck her. "Our family is not bad people, right?"

Sasuke frowned.

"No, they're not, princess," he answered. "Why?"

"Because I can tell them about papa then," she said, as if it were obvious.

Out of the corner of his eye, Sasuke saw Naruto's head whip around, his mouth open and his cheeks growing pink. He smiled a little to himself and looked at his daughter in the rearview mirror.

For Sasuke it really didn't matter if his family knew or not. No one had objected to the relationship of his father's uncle, he doubted they'd make a fuss now. Although, they might be a little nervous about it because of what had happened in the past. But they could either handle it or mind their own business, Sasuke reasoned.

Which meant it was up to Naruto really, if he would feel comfortable letting everyone know or not. Their relationship was fairly new, so it would be understandable if Naruto weren't ready to let his family know yet.

"Well… Naruto?" he asked.

Naruto looked at him and hesitated.

"Won't they think it's weird?" he asked.

"No," Sasuke said at the same time Emi asked: "Why?"

Naruto smiled a little at her and turned back to the front.

"Nothing, baby," he said. "You tell your family whatever you want."

"Okay," she said.

Apparently she deemed that discussion over because she launched into a detailed explanation of exactly how the barbeque was going to be, what would be served and grilled and all the food she was going to eat. Sasuke had no idea where his daughter got her love for food from, but he certainly didn't mind. It meant she was eating most everything, including vegetables children usually despised, and it was rather amusing as well to see how her face would light up at the sight or mention of food.

He glanced at Naruto again and saw his hands were now wringing together in agitation and he was also chewing on his lip so relentlessly Sasuke was afraid it might bleed. He reached over and let his fingertips gently touch his cheek which made Naruto release his lip and look at him. Then he smiled softly and grabbed Sasuke's hand with both of his only to lower them to his lap and interlace their fingers.

It seemed enough to calm him down some and the air in the car became somewhat peaceful. After about twenty minutes they realized some of it was due to Emi being quiet and Sasuke looked in the rearview mirror again to find her sleeping with her head hanging forward. Naruto laughed quietly and let go of Sasuke's hand in order to reach back and move her head to lean against the headrest of her car seat so her neck wouldn't hurt.

They spent the rest of the ride in comfortable silence. Sasuke would occasionally catch Naruto's eye and receive a small smile, which he returned with one of his own, but otherwise they both simply watched the scenery outside turn from skyscrapers to fields, trees and the occasional villa.

"Emi," Sasuke said as he turned onto the road his parents lived on. She didn't stir so he raised his voice a little. "Emi. We're here."

She mumbled something but didn't seem to have woken up and Sasuke sighed.

"Let her sleep until we've actually parked," Naruto murmured. "It can't hurt. She'll be rested for the party at least."

Sasuke gave a nod just as he turned onto the beginning of his parents' driveway. He stopped at the iron gates leading to the grounds of their home and waited for the gatekeeper to check his license plate through the camera on top of it. Soon the gates opened and he drove up the redbrick driveway. Naruto drew in a small breath as they drove along the lush, green stretches of lawn and gardens visible through the trees lining the road.

"What do you do with all this space?" he asked, sounding incredulous.

Sasuke shrugged.

"Most of it are gardens," he said. "My father loves gardens. There are also a few bungalows for guests in the back. And a pool."

Naruto gaped at him.

"Is this a hotel?"

Sasuke snorted.

"No," he said. "It's just a house."

The driveway expanded into a cul de sac with a fountain in the middle and his parents' house looming three stories high behind it. Naruto's mouth opened even further.

"That… that's not a house," he stuttered as he stared up at the light-grey and white stone house. All the windows were dark, but it wasn't surprising as it was the middle of the day. "I think you need to re-evaluate your use of language. That's a mansion. Or should it be called a small castle?"

Sasuke laughed lightly and parked beside Itachi's car, which was the only other one in front of the house. His parents must have put their own cars in the garage to make room for all the others that would arrive during the day.

He got out of the car and looked over to the small patio by the front door, trying to see through the pillars holding up the roof over it if his mother had noticed their arrival and come out. There was no one there, however, so he opened Emi's door, gently shaking her awake just as Naruto got out of the car as well.

"We've arrived, Emi," he said and she blinked her eyes open blearily.

Naruto came to stand beside him and look over his shoulder.

"Hey sleepyhead," he greeted her. Sasuke straightened again to move to the trunk and take out the food and utensils he had brought. "Can you unbuckle your seatbelt?"

Sasuke didn't hear her respond, but he guessed she had nodded because Naruto didn't make a move to help her.

"Sasuke!" came a voice from the direction of the house and both he and Naruto looked up.

"Mother," Sasuke greeted back as his mother, a black-haired, fair skinned woman, gracefully descended the white stone steps leading from the patio and approached them. So, she had noticed them.

Once she was close enough she pulled him into a bone crushing hug before pulling back and reaching up to straighten out his hair.

Sasuke sighed but allowed her to fuss for a second. He had learned long ago that she wouldn't stop fussing until she was satisfied, and that it was easier to just let her do it instead of putting up a fight that would end up consuming more time and still give the same outcome.

When she was satisfied with his appearance she turned to a now extremely nervous looking Naruto and appraised him for a second, face blank but eyes intent.

Sasuke knew she was scrutinizing him, just like Itachi usually did with new people. They both had that uncanny ability to make people feel as if they were being x-rayed and they both were extremely good at reading them as well, which made meeting them even more nerve-wracking for new people.

He was about to introduce her to end Naruto's torment, when a smile finally stretched her lips.

"You must be Naruto," she said. "It is nice to finally put a face to the name my husband and oldest son keep mentioning."

A small smile made it onto Naruto's lips as well and he glanced at Sasuke, who gave him a tiny nod.

"It's very nice to meet you too, Mrs. Uchiha," he replied politely and bowed.

Sasuke's mother gave a tinkling laugh and put a hand on Naruto's shoulder to push him up straight again.

"Mikoto is fine," she said before she pulled him into a hug as well.

"Nana," Emi said and his mother let go of Naruto to turn to her.

"Hello, honey," she picked her up and pressed kisses all over her face. "I don't see you enough."

She put Emi on her hip and looked at Sasuke, who was in the process of handing some bags from the trunk over to Naruto.

"Or you. You should call more often Sasuke," she chided. "And invite us to dinner, too. I know you're busier than Itachi, with Emi and everything, but your father and I miss you."

Sasuke took the remaining bags out of the trunk and closed it.

"I know," he said. "I'm sorry."

His mother smiled but didn't push it further and turned to lead the way to the house, asking Emi about kindergarten and what new things she had learned as they walked. Sasuke fell into step beside Naruto, who was once again chewing on his lip, gaze far away. He relocated all the bags to one hand and reached over to let his thumb gently press to his bottom lip. Naruto threw him a startled look but released his lip with a sigh.

"If you don't stop it's going to bleed," Sasuke murmured just as they made their way up the three stairs to the patio and to the still open front doors.

Naruto nodded.

"Fugaku! Itachi! They're here!" his mother called into the house before they even made it past the threshold.

There was no answer and his mother sighed before she put Emi down.

"They're probably already out back," she said. "You can come with me and put all those things in the kitchen first."

She turned to Emi and caressed her hair.

"You go play, honey," she said. "Your uncle has installed a new swing for you in the cherry tree."

Emi's eyes lit up and she took off running deeper into the house on her way out to the back without another word.

"Don't forget to say thank you, Emi!" Sasuke called after her. "And be careful!"

His mother laughed.

"Let her have fun," she said and motioned them to follow her. "Now, come."

Sasuke's parents' house was massive. Naruto had never seen anything like it and, god, was it intimidating. How did they ever find things in there? How did they ever find each other in there? He was sure that if he didn't have someone to guide him wherever he needed to go in the giant mansion he'd get lost and starve to death before anyone even found him.

He didn't have much time to freak out though, which might have been a good thing because he was sure he wouldn't have been able to get out of the car if he had the chance to fully panic.

Instead he focused on Emi and Sasuke. They were safe and familiar and if he just stuck with them he'd make it out alive.

He was just about to help Emi get out of the car when the voice of a woman called out a happy 'Sasuke!' and he turned to watch a beautiful lady gracefully descend the steps leading up to the patio of the house.

"Mother," Sasuke answered and Naruto's heart skipped a beat.

He watched nervously as she steadily came closer and pulled Sasuke into a tight hug. He couldn't help but smile when she pulled back to fix Sasuke's hair, and it widened as Sasuke allowed it with a sigh. Then she turned to him and the amusement slipped away, leaving place for nervousness.

Had he brushed his hair today? Or even washed it? Was his shirt buttoned properly? Oh god, he hadn't forgotten pants, had he?

Her previous smile had disappeared and she was now moving her eyes all over his face and clothes as if she were seeing right through him and was deciding if she liked what she saw or not. Naruto decided to stand his ground and meet her gaze. He was sure his nervousness was showing in every cell of his body, but he could at least be honest about it and admit he was intimidated.

Then suddenly Sasuke's mother smiled.

"You must be Naruto," she said. "It is nice to finally put a face to the name my husband and oldest son keep mentioning."

There was a feeling of déjà-vu and Naruto could have laughed. He was pretty sure his first encounter with Itachi had gone in a similar fashion, though this was a lot more nerve-wracking since it was Sasuke's mother. He could definitely see the resemblance between her and Itachi though.

He gave her a small smile back and glanced at Sasuke who gave a nod before he spoke.

"It's very nice to meet you too, Mrs. Uchiha," he said and bowed.

There was a tinkling laugh and a hand pushing him up straight again.

"Mikoto is fine," she said and pulled him into a hug as well.

Naruto barely had time to register what was happening before Emi seemed to want attention from her grandmother, which she easily gained.

He relaxed a little as Mikoto picked her up and it wasn't long before they made their way to the house.

He was still high on nerves though, because he had a lot more people to meet and greet. What if they thought he wasn't good enough to be part of Sasuke and Emi's little family? Maybe Itachi, Fugaku and Mikoto would change their minds after being with him the entire day today.

A thumb pressing to his lower lip brought him out of his thoughts and he looked at Sasuke, who raised his eyebrows a little. He realized he had been chewing on it again and sighed.

"If you don't stop it's going to bleed," Sasuke said.

Naruto nodded and it was all he managed to do before they entered the house and Mikoto was calling for her husband and oldest son.

The interior was as extravagant as the exterior. The front doors opened up to a foyer with dark wooden floor and cream-colored walls. There was a round table in the middle with a flower arrangement on it and a plush, dark red carpet underneath. Behind it was a grand staircase leading up to a halfway point before splitting into two. The foyer's ceiling was open to the second floor and a banister ran along the walkway, which circled a large crystal chandelier.

There were two doorways on either side of the staircase and through the one to the left Naruto could see what looked like a sitting room with cream-colored armchairs and sofas. He also spotted a bookcase filled with books and trinkets. Through the other one he saw a hallway, which he assumed led all the way to the back of the mansion and the gardens.

The door to Naruto's right was open as well and revealed what seemed to be a dining room, judging by the long table and the glass cabinet with plates and glasses in the far left corner. There was another door in the wall beside the cabinet, which was closed.

To his left was a door as well, though it was closed. His inspection was cut off as Emi took off running down the hallway Naruto had seen through he doorway to the right of the stairs and he realized he apparently had missed a piece of conversation.

"Don't forget to say thank you, Emi!" Sasuke called but she was already long gone. "And be careful!"

Mikoto laughed.

"Let her have fun," she said and motioned them to follow her. "Now, come."

Naruto followed dazedly as she led the way across the dining room and through the closed door beside the cabinet. It led to a large kitchen, where every surface was spotless and shiny. The room held all the latest technology as well and Naruto was almost afraid of putting his bags on the kitchen island in fear of soiling it.

"Sasuke, take Naruto to the garden," Mikoto said as she began sorting through the bags. "Then come help me cut vegetables."

A thought seemed to hit her and she looked up at Naruto.

"Don't let Itachi bully you into doing work for him," she said. "You're a guest so you just relax."

Warmth spread through Naruto and he smiled.

"Are you sure?" he asked. "I wouldn't want to be in the way."

Mikoto waved a hand.

"Nonsense," she huffed and turned to open the fridge. "Now go."

Naruto looked at Sasuke, who shrugged and grabbed his hand. He was led out to the foyer again and down the hallway Emi had disappeared. There were paintings and portraits of what he assumed was ancestors along the walls and they passed four closed doors before the hall opened into a small round room. There were two glass doors right in front of them – both open – and Naruto could see a large cement, back patio, flat stones artistically placed in it. There was a long table set up on it with at least twenty chairs surrounding it and Itachi vas visible fiddling with a large grill a little further away through the white, stone fence lining the patio.

The back yard was a large and open piece of land dotted with trees and flower patches in different patterns. There were small bungalows visible further back and a pool was situated between them and the house, lined by cushioned sun chairs on one side.

"It's a nice house, but I really don't understand what you do with all this space," Naruto mumbled and Sasuke snorted.

"Well, it's handy when we have a lot of guests," he said before he pulled Naruto out onto the patio and down the few steps to the lawn.

Fugaku was sitting in one of the two sun chairs pulled up just beside the stairs, watching Itachi, and Emi was swinging on a swing in the tree to the right.

"Oh, Naruto," Fugaku said and stood up to take his hand before gesturing for him to sit down in the sun chair beside his. "Welcome."

Naruto smiled at him and took a seat.

"Thank you," he said. "You have a beautiful home."

Fugaku looked back at the house and sighed.

"We do," he said. "Though it is far too big, which leaves some rooms unused and dusty. Especially since Itachi and Sasuke moved out some years ago."

Naruto and Sasuke exchanged looks before Sasuke chuckled and shook his head. Fugaku looked between them curiously.

"I'm going to go help mother," Sasuke said and disappeared back into the house.

Fugaku sat down again and resumed watching his oldest son. Silence fell for a moment and Naruto took up watching Emi swing back and forth, back and forth, a wide grin on her face. After a moment, Fugaku broke the silence with a hum.

"They never let me help," he said.

Naruto blinked with the sudden confession and moved his eyes from Emi to him.

"Why?"

"Because they think the way I cut the vegetables are horrible and I always burn whatever I put on the grill," he sighed.

Naruto bit his lip to not laugh but Fugaku glanced at him with a small smile.

"You may laugh," he said.

Naruto smiled back.

"Well, I see my brother was here," a voice called.

Naruto and Fugaku looked up at Itachi, who was now approaching them.

"And he didn't even bother to say hello," he sighed dramatically to his father. "When will he learn to respect his elders?"

Fugaku simply gave him a blank look.

"Anyway, how are you Naruto?" Itachi asked.

"I'm good, thank you," Naruto answered.

Itachi nodded.

"That's good to hear," he said and looked at Emi who was still swinging happily. "I have a question for you though."

A sense of trepidation came over Naruto at the intent look in Itachi's eyes as he turned them back to him.

"Itachi," Fugaku said. "Let the poor boy relax a little before you pester him."

Itachi smiled sweetly at his father, which both Naruto and Fugaku clearly didn't trust if their exchanged rise of eyebrows were any indication.

"I was just curious," Itachi said. "Emi mentioned she came here with daddy and papa. Now, I wonder, who might this papa be?"

Naruto swallowed, his fingers fiddling with the cuff of his shirt.

"Um, well…" he glanced at Fugaku who was shaking his head at Itachi, who in turn was looking highly amused by the entire thing.

He hadn't really been prepared to face this so soon so he couldn't form a single good sentence in his head. He had never been in this situation before. Sure he had dated, but he had never met the family of his lovers. And he had never been this anxious to be accepted and good enough either.

It turned out he didn't have to say anything, as just then Emi must have noticed his presence because she shouted, at the top of her lungs;

"Papa! Can you push me?"

Naruto blushed a little and Itachi was now shaking with poorly concealed laughter. Fugaku's lips twitched as well and Naruto sighed.

"Sure!" he called back. "Just a second!"

He looked back to Itachi and Fugaku and opened his mouth to begin to explain when Fugaku held up a hand.

"Itachi already told me and my wife about you and my son," he said. "And it does seem as if Sasuke and Emi are happy, if what Itachi has said is true, which I don't doubt. I couldn't ask for anything else."

Though Naruto's face felt warm yet again, he smiled.

"Papa!" Emi hollered at the top of her lungs.

Naruto jumped which made Itachi and Fugaku chuckle.

"You should probably go to her," Itachi advised. "Unless you want her to burst our eardrums."

Naruto nodded and stood up.

"Thank you," he said to the both of them with a small bow before he hurried over to Emi.

As he pushed her on the swing, he thought to himself that it was a relief Sasuke's parents and brother at least seemed to approve of him at the moment. He could feel the first tendrils of hope for the chance to see what a large family gathering was like, and be part of it, stir in his chest and he could only hope the rest of Sasuke's family would approve of him too.

Hello~!

So this update was a little faster than usual, right? :)

I really have nothing to say except that you all are awesome! And your comments too!

Oh! And also! You know that angst tag I have on the story? Yeah, it hasn't happened yet... Just in case you think this story is going to be fluffy indefinitely. So if you don't like angst, you have been warned. It's not going to be super angsty though, at least I don't think, but yeah... Ye 'ave been warned!

See you in the next chapter!

Bye!