Hinata's gaze lowered to the precious bundle cradled in her arms, a tender smile gracing her lips. Her hair, damp with perspiration, seemed to shimmer in the soft light, and her glistening skin mirrored the radiant joy that filled the room. "Ren," she murmured, her voice a gentle caress, as her fingertips lovingly traced the contours of his tiny cheek. "RenUchiha-Hyuga. Welcome to this world."

The nurse's presence felt like a distant echo amidst the overwhelming emotions of the moment. Her voice cut through the air, a harmonious addition to the profound stillness that enveloped Hinata and her newborn son. "Ren Uchiha-Hyuga," the nurse echoed, her words carrying a weight of significance that only a birth could bestow.

Another nurse appeared, her head peering through the doorway, a cautious interruption that momentarily disrupted the serenity. "Sorry to disturb, but there's a man claiming to be your brother," she informed, her voice apologetic yet respectful of the moment.

Hinata's gaze remained locked onto her son, the bond between them unbreakable as she responded to the nurse. Her voice held a quiet determination, a reflection of the newfound strength that motherhood had gifted her. "You can allow him in," she replied, her words a gentle affirmation that held the promise of shared family moments to come.

Neji burst into the room, the urgency of his entrance softened by the tender tableau that met his eyes. His stride came to an abrupt halt at the doorway, his gaze arrested by the heartwarming scene that unfolded before him. There they were — his family. His emotions swelled, and his eyes, despite his efforts, welled with unshed tears.

The significance of the moment wasn't lost on him, even though the baby in Hinata's arms wasn't his own, but his nephew's. It was as if another beacon of the Hyuga lineage had come into existence, beyond their immediate circle, transcending distance and rekindling a sense of pride that had been buried by the years of searching for their lost sister, who Neji had recently discovered was living in America.

Hinata, her gaze lifting from the newborn in her arms, met Neji's eyes with a soft smile that spoke of shared emotion. "Would you like to see him before they take him to the NICU?" She gently inquired, extending an unspoken invitation to him.

With measured steps, Neji approached, each footfall an echo of his heart's rhythm. He stood by Hinata's side, his gaze initially resting on her — a silent acknowledgment of her strength and the remarkable journey they had been through. Gradually, his attention shifted to the tiny, fragile being in her arms, a new life in this world.

"He's beautiful," Neji finally whispered, his voice tinged with reverence, his words carrying a mixture of awe and appreciation for the miracle that lay before them. In that moment, as their eyes met, a shared understanding passed between them — a testament to the enduring bond of their family and the profound significance of this new addition to their lineage.

A flicker of pain marred Hinata's serene expression as she emitted another groan. "Mm, something doesn't feel right," she muttered, her voice strained by discomfort. Her brow furrowed, and her grip on the bedsheet tightened as she grappled with the intensity of the sensation.

The nurse, her attention momentarily drawn away from the monitor she was monitoring, offered reassurance. "It's just the placenta, dear. Nothing to worry about too much," she said with a comforting smile, her words carrying a soothing touch meant to alleviate Hinata's concerns.

Hinata's brows knitted further as another wave of pain washed over her. "Is it supposed to hurt this much?" She asked, her voice tinged with a mixture of concern and uncertainty. The discomfort was undeniable, and her anxiety seemed to seep into her words.

Sensing Hinata's discomfort, the nurse's demeanor shifted to one of professional attentiveness. With gentle efficiency, she reached over to carefully cradle the baby in her arms, momentarily relieving Hinata of her motherly burden.

"Let's push out this placenta shall we!"

He sat in the home-office, his eyes moving around the room quickly as he listened to the sound of papers being flipped. A chair swiveled over to his side before a woman cleared her throat and offered him a smile.

"Hello, Sasuke, your brother talks a lot about you." Her deep honey orange eyes crinkled with playfulness. "I'm Konan."

"Itachi has been here?"

"A few times; I was his therapist back in university. His visits became sparse but we still keep in touch. He told me that you might be calling a few months back, but I didn't hear a word. I'm glad that he managed to convince you to make that first step. And I'm proud that you did so when you were ready." She nodded. "I assume you know how these things work?"

"I talk, you listen, and you provide advice."

"You've summed it up quite nicely, yes. I will ask you some questions if need be, but you can just start talking whenever you're ready. It could be about anything you like, we move at your own time."

"How long do I have?" Sasuke leaned back against the couch, trying to make himself as comfortable as possible. He kept avoiding her eyes, but that did nothing in calming his nerves.

Konan looked at her watch. "You're the last person in for today, so we can go for as long as you'd like. We're doing this at my house, so you don't have to worry about anyone barging in. Itachi mentioned that it would be better for you if we weren't in an office."

He nodded in agreement. "Alright."

So they sat there in silence.

He didn't know how to start, or what to talk about, and she didn't want to push him to do so either. He kept looking between the clock and the window every few minutes, mentally preparing himself to say something, but the words never came out.

"I lost my mother." He blurted out.

"Mhm." She didn't write anything down but she made note of it mentally.

"You probably already knew that if Itachi came to you for help."

"I do."

"Then there's no need for me to tell you."

"Everyone remembers events differently, Sasuke, and they feel different as well. Whatever Itachi told me doesn't matter, what do you want to tell me about losing your mother? Is that why you're struggling?"

"Struggling?"

"You wouldn't be here if you didn't need help."

"I suppose."

"Then tell me."

"Mom, what was dad like?" Sasuke blurted out as he sat on the couch, his eyes were trained on the television, but he enjoyed the clattering sounds that came from the kitchen as his mother made lunch.

"What's with the sudden question, Sasuke?" Mikoto poked her head out of the kitchen for a brief moment. She smiled at him, yet that warmth did not reach her eyes in any way.

He shrugged, "I was just thinking." He muttered, his eyes downcast, feeling ashamed at bringing up the topic again.

He wasn't at fault; he was just a young boy who envied seeing his friends get picked up by their fathers while he had to wait for his brother to finish class. Sasuke flipped around on the couch and closed his eyes.

"He was very strong, and flirty when he was younger." She spoke up, already saddened that her mood had managed to affect him. "He worked late at night, and came home very tired sometimes. When I was pregnant with you, he would buy me all sorts of sweets, I guess that's why you're not a fan of candy."

"Did he love you and Itachi?"

"Very much. He would have loved you too, Sasuke. He would spoil you and brag about you, maybe you two would have been inseparable."

"Does it hurt, mom? When you think about dad, does it hurt you?" He could feel his eyes well up with tears.

Her voice broke, her mouth opened and closed as she looked down at her hands. "A lot, Sasuke…But I'm okay because I have you and your brother, you know that, right? I just miss him."

"Then who are those men who keep coming around here?"

The solemn atmosphere turned cold at his question. The sounds in the kitchen stopped; the television sounded far away as he awaited an answer.

"Mom?"

"You're too young to understand."

The door opened.

"I'm home!"

"Itachi!" Sasuke got off of the couch and ran to the entrance of the house. "You're home early."

"It's Half Day, so school ended early." Itachi smiled and ruffled his younger brother's hair. "I bought you something."

"Itachi, what did I tell you about spending money?" Mikoto approached the boys, her hands were dripping wet, and the wrinkles on her face were prominent. Her age was catching up to her.

"It was just a gift for Sasuke…"

"What is it?" Sasuke perked up.

"A dinosaur." He took his bag off of his back and looked through it for a second. He pulled out the stuffed toy and showed it to him. "Isn't it cute?"

Sasuke grinned and reached for it.

"Promise you'll take care of it?"

"I promise."

"Mom please! Stop!" Sasuke yelled as he picked up the bottle of whiskey that lay on the table. His eyes stung from unshed tears as he tried to get her to stop drinking. "You'll die, please."

Itachi wasn't home for the weekend, he was on a school trip and won't return until Monday. Sasuke was alone and he had no one to call for help. All those men who his mother entertained were nowhere in sight. They left her alone to drink herself into a stupor.

"Come on, Sasuke." Her words were slurred as she stared at him with a happy smile. "Just one more."

"No! It's finished, there's nothing left." He dumped the remainder into the sink. His hair was a mess and his school uniform was disorganized.

Today was supposed to be spent watching movies with his mother.

"Why do you keep doing this?" He said angrily as he wiped the table clean with a wet paper towel. "Don't you know you're hurting yourself?"

"Hm." She rested her forehead on the table and closed her eyes. "I miss him."

Sasuke stopped what he was doing. He stared at his mother in sadness, pulling out a chair to sit across from her. "I know you do."

"You won't leave me too, would you, Sasu?"

"Never. Itachi and I are going to stay with you forever."

"I'll stay with you too, okay?" She stood up and stumbled slightly as she walked towards him. "You will always be my little boy." She hugged him. "My pretty little boy."

He didn't move even as the smell of alcohol made his nose sting. Sasuke nodded and closed his eyes. "Always."

They stood shoulder to shoulder as they stared at the display in front of them. His eyes were widened, his skin felt numb as his feet remained planted in their spot. His older brother at his side didn't say anything, not for a while at least.

"Let's get her down." Itachi said monotonously. He dropped his bag and walked into the room without a care. His eyes were as hard as steel, there was no emotion on his face as he picked up the discarded stool.

"No!" Sasuke ran into the room and pushed his brother. "No, you'll hurt her!" He cried, trying to stop him from moving. "Mom is only hurting, she's just missing him, it's a joke."

"Sasuke."

"No! It's a silly joke! If you touch her, she'll start crying again. Leave her alone. She just needs another glass of whiskey and we should call Uncle."

"He's not our uncle! And she's dead, Sasuke. She left us."

"You're lying."

"She's hanging there for you to see!"

Sasuke froze, his tears fell as he hiccuped. He turned around slowly; her feet came into view first, and then her lifeless arms that would wrap around him whenever he was scared. Finally, her black hair was nothing but a curtain for her face.

Itachi picked up the stool angrily and stood on it. Pulling at the cords impatiently, he finally let out a yell as he got down and started crying. He couldn't get her down, he couldn't untie the cord.

"Mom, you promised you would stay." Sasuke's shoulder's shook. "You promised!"

Konan handed him a box of tissues as she closed the notebook she was writing in. She watched as he turned away and wiped his face before he cleared his throat.

"Is that why you do what you do?"

"Drinking and sex. Over and over and over again until she felt numb. That's how you show you miss someone, isn't it?"

"That's not—"

"I know that! I…I…"

"You miss her."

He didn't know whether she meant Hinata or his mother.