Depression was slowly overwhelming me each day, I could barely sleep and I'm sure I had bags under my eyes. I realized that I lived, literally lived on Kushina's spitfire attitude; it was what made my life complicated and unique, something I hadn't had the luxury of feeling for a while now. She continued to be polite, to everyone (but mostly myself), never raised her voice, no witty comebacks, her laughter had lost its sadistic touch, and she always had her hair in a ponytail or in a bun, never down. That tattoo she had below her left shoulder, an intricate design of a butterfly that she use to cover with her hair, was now in full view due to her refusal to put it down, and everyone had the urge to touch it. Her being really sensitive to touch, ignored the discomfort and let her friends do whatever, saddening me even more. She had even given me her laptop to use while she helped her mom cook lunch, and I bit down hard on my tongue to refrain from yelling at her to quit acting. Usually, her laptop was full of stuff she hadn't used for decades, which I clean up after her (with her supervision of course) and update her software and programs, so I decided to do it then. And what do I find?

An old email from Sakura, dated just after Naruto had ended stuff between them, in the recycle bin.

"Sasuke!" she called as I grabbed my jacket and ran out the door, "Where-"

"I'LL BE BACK!"

Kushina sighed at his retreating figure and closed the door, dismissing it.

Later-

"Afternoon, Sasuke-kun," she smiled, not bothered by the abandoned alleyway I chose to have this conversation in.

"What is wrong with you?"

The smile became coy and innocent, mocking in a way as she slowly muttered "Nothing,"

"I saw the message,"

She laughed humorlessly, "Now she has you fighting for her?!"

I glared at her, "Of course I-"

"What does she have that I don't huh! I've known you longer, I chased you for a decade, I did everything I possibly could just to get your attention and she swoops in and has you eating at her palm in a few months!"

I rolled my eyes at her sob story, "Nice version,"

"What?"

"I remember you had this method; scare everyone and blackmail them into leaving me alone," Her eyes widened, "And she just so happens to scare you without even trying, unintentionally, so I suggest you back off, because she doesn't know who exactly caused our first fight and there will be bloodshed if I told her, which I will soon, and what would you do then?"

I kicked off the wall and walked past her with folded arms, "My very last warning Sakura," I was headed for the Uzumaki residence, mentally preparing myself for the argument I was sure I was going to get myself in, either she would respond with tears, or break up with me completely, a risk I'm going to take.

How's the food coming along?

We're already done, why did you storm out like that?

I sighed; she would've made a snappy remark along the lines of 'I'm thinking of duck stew'.

I just had to take care of a few things, I'm already at the backdoor and could you come out? We need to talk.

"Sasuke?"

I faced her with determined eyes, "Stop it."

"Stop...what exactly?"

"I saw Sakura's email, and, don't interrupt me, I want you to know she was the one who caused our first fight," her facial expression though was of surprise, she remained calm. "Who did I fall for Kushina?"

"Sasuke don't-"

I narrowed my eyes, "Tell me."

"Me.."

"No. No I did not."

A tear streaked down her cheek, and she balled her fists while looking down.

"I fell for Uzumaki Kushina," she looked up as I stood two inches from her, "the annoying little harpy who's about this tall," I held my palm above her head with a small smile, "short, though she's extremely cute," her cheeks redenned but I was sure it wasn't because she was crying, "and I know I'm out of my mind, but the most thing I love about her is her honesty and violence, her stubbornness, the way she makes me earn every single thing, and especially doing everything her own way,"

"Sasuke-"

"I love Uzumaki, what happened to her?"

"I can't - Sakura is right, I am very harsh,"

"Dammit Uzumaki! Do you know you have the same figure as Ino, am I dating her right now? And you have Sakura's exotic look, and I think she's a sick human being, and now you're acting like Hinata, do you see us together?"

"What do you mean-"

"I could've had any of them, but why in the world would I settle for you?! You're loud, temperamental, lazy, sinisterous, stubborn, a troublemaker, rejecting and that's just skimming the surface. Why did I fall for you then?!"

I ran my fingers through my hair and noticed her clutching her sweatpants, a sure sign she wanted me to embrace her, so I pulled her into my chest for her to immediately hold onto me for dear life.

"I wouldn't mind you dropping by every once in a while, and doing something for me too but, I expect a witty remark following suit."

"I'm sorry Sasuke," she pushed off me and kissed my cheek with a small smile, "But I'm hungry."

I captured her lips with my own, "I love you,"

And she, with a loving and sincere smile whispered, "I freaking hate you," before stocking off. I pocketed my hands and followed her inside, smirking when she pulled off her hair tie and flung it at my face.

Kushina is officially back.

"Yeah, what was that about Haruno?"

I bent down and pulled her chin to the side before licking her cheek quickly. Her lovely blue eyes darkened, and for once I didn't fear its effect, because I was content.

"YOU FUCKING-"

"I missed you."