Note:

Long time no see! I was very depressed for the past few months after my grandmother's passing and some more difficult life events that had happened, but I've finally found some motivation to write. I feel like after the results this past week, I need to escape reality.

Thank you DeeDee for proofreading!

I would have preferred to speak with Obito in private before the rest of the family arrived for dinner, but as it has been for a while now, nothing ever goes the way I wish it to.

Everyone gathers around the table as per usual; however, instead of the normal mutters of chitchat around the table before grandfather arrives, everyone simply watches as I lead Sakura to her seat.

Sakura, to her credit, masks her earlier unease surprisingly well by opting to focus her attention on me rather than the unabashed staring my family is doing.

Father feigns a cough when I take my seat, gaining the full attention of the table.

"It's wonderful that you could make it tonight, Shisui," he says.

Shisui responds with a small smile. "I mean, when grandfather says we'll be meeting someone important tonight, how can I not?"

Sakura leans in closer to whisper in my ear. "I thought you said your grandfather told your family the news?"

"That's what he told me. Apparently, he didn't tell them the specifics."

"Great," she sighs.

Shisui nods at Sakura. "Nice to see you again."

Obito's head swivels between Shisui and the woman next to me. "Wait! You've met?"

He chuckles, a hint of embarrassment seeping through. "Ah. She works at SNO. He was in her office when I was meaning to speak with her."

"In her office?" There's an obvious insinuation in Obito's words. "Damn, Sasuke. I didn't even know you knew how to talk to women."

"That's what I said!" Shisui laughs.

Assholes.

Sakura laughs, too. She fails at trying to suppress it, and I glare at her. Though, it only amuses her more.

"Oh, don't look at me like that," she says. "You have to admit that it's kind of funny."

"To you."

She grins, rubbing a hand on my upper arm to placate me. "Well, to be fair, your reputation precedes you. I didn't even think you had friends when we first met."

Obito explodes into a cackle.

"Not helping." I sigh.

"Sorry, dear." She doesn't look the least bit apologetic.

"I like her," Obito says. "Nice to meet you. I'm Obito."

He stands and reaches across the table with an outstretched hand. She shakes his hand, introduces herself, and sits back down, nerves seemingly absent now. My shoulders relax at the sight.

"I never thought I'd live to see the day Sasuke brings a girlfriend home."

"Shut up, Obito."

"You'd think he'd mention it first, but here we are," father says as he sips his tea. "If your mother and I hadn't accidentally run into you during your date that day, would you even have mentioned you were romantically involved with someone?"

"You all speak about me like this, and you want me to introduce you to people?" I cross my arms.

It's odd.

We haven't spoken to each other like this in a long time. Conversation, while using me as a target of constant teasing, is flowing. I don't feel quite as stifled as I have during our recent dinners.

Perhaps it's because of the company I brought. The surprise is enough for even my father to comment on, and he's the type to sit quietly during dinners and let my mother do the talking, waiting until the two are alone to discuss his thoughts with her. While my mother is quite observant, my father may be more so. She is just one to be more upfront with her opinions. Father prefers to do the analyzing quietly, stealthily, until the need arises to let his findings be known.

I cannot bring myself to blame him, though. As much as I dislike all this attention, it's not unwarranted. There's not even a handful of people within my inner circle.

I turn to Sakura briefly. She's engaging in conversation with the family, though only responding when there's a question for her. She's mostly nodding and listening along, still trying to figure out the family dynamic.

She notices my gaze. "You told me dinners here are usually pretty stiff," she whispers.

"Usually, yes."

"It doesn't seem that way to me."

"They're just surprised."

"Obviously." She bumps her shoulder to mine. "This is nice, though. I don't have a lot of family, so this is entirely new to me."

"You're an only child," I recall our conversation on the drive here.

"Yeah. An only child from two parents that were also the only child in their families."

"You don't talk about your parents much."

In the time I've spent with her, there's more mention of her godmother than her parents. I hadn't given it much thought until now.

"There's not much to talk about. They raised me well. Taught me important lessons for me to live well, and once I turned eighteen, I became the staunchly independent daughter they wanted me to be."

"You liked your childhood, then?"

She thinks about it. "I used to complain a lot back then. My mother and I would butt heads a lot. My father cracked really bad jokes at the table to ease some of the tension sometimes when we'd have our arguments. Sometimes the jokes were cringe inducing, but as I got older, I can't really complain about it. It was our normal."

"That's not an answer."

She raises a brow at me. "I'm pretty sure it is."

"You're good at giving non-answers."

She stares, silent, then shrugs. "Comes with the degree. Also, I'm pretty sure this is what they call the pot calling the kettle black."

A smirk lifts my lips. "Still a non-answer."

"Just because you're my fiancé right now doesn't mean you get to know all my secrets," she says. "Besides, now you know what it feels like."

I let out a soundless chuckle. She's right about that.

"So, Sakura," Obito starts. "Why Shrimp? He's not exactly the friendliest guy these days."

Just like that, the jokes at my expense return. I can only sigh.

While it is slightly irritating, I know it's just how Obito is. Truthfully, he reminds me of Naruto in that regard. Out of everyone in the family, he may be the most outgoing of us all.

Him being this way has its merits, and though it may seem like he's the family's friendly face, he's as scrupulous as the rest of us. He may seem harmless, but when needed, he can be just as ruthless as my father is in business.

"Oh, believe me, I didn't see this coming."

"Taking jabs at me now, too, Sakura?"

She shakes her head. "No, I'm serious! Who thinks they could just date someone like you."

"Still sounds like an insult."

She punches my forearm. I wince. For someone so tiny, she does pack a punch. "Oops, sorry!"

Clearing her throat, she elaborates. "What I meant was that you're the CEO of the company I work for. It sounds like a romance novel premise."

Mikoto laughs at this. "When you put it that way, it is quite preposterous."

"Plus, I work for SNO. Sasuke never really came to the SNO offices either, so it's kind of crazy that we ended up meeting."

"How did you two meet anyway?"

We share a look.

"We have a mutual friend," I say.

"Naruto," Sakura admits.

"Uzumaki?" Obito laughs. " He was your matchmaker?"

"He was not the matchmaker."

"How do you know Naruto, Sakura?"

"We went to high school together. We've been close ever since. I even introduced him to Hinata in college, so technically, I was, inadvertently, his matchmaker."

"You've got quite the connections," father comments. "The Uzumaki, the Hyuuga, and the Senju."

Sakura's smile remains despite the barely noticeable twitch of her brow at his statement. I'm unsure if my father meant it any sort of way, but it's clear to me that what he had just said kind of struck a nerve for her.

"Senju?" Shisui regards Sakura with interest.

"She is Tsunade Senju's goddaughter."

The familiar voice has everyone around the table stand at his arrival. Sakura follows our lead and is on her feet and watches as my grandfather makes his way to the table.

But he's not alone.

With him is Tsunade Senju herself.

I look at Sakura, and she is surprised by her godmother's appearance.

"Good evening, family."

Everyone responds in kind, mild confusion on my cousins' faces.

"Welcome, Ms. Senju," mother greets.

Tsunade nods. "Mikoto, it's been a while. I hear event planning is going well."

"Yes, it's all going swimmingly, surprisingly. You know how hectic these things can be."

Grandfather sits at the head of the table with Tsunade on the seat to his right. Everyone else follows suit.

"Aunt T, I thought you were supposed to be on a flight to Kumo?" Sakura asks, unable to hide her shock.

"And miss this? I rescheduled everything and took a flight back here."

There's a challenge in the way Tsunade raises her brow. Sakura doesn't take it, opting not to respond.

From the phone call we'd had right after she figured out our plans, she sounded very protective of Sakura. While her presence comes at a surprise, it's not something completely unreasonable.

The Senju evaluates me from where she sits, not at all concerned when I sense her judgment and meet her eyes. She only narrows her gaze, as if trying to catch me at a bluff.

"Besides, this is far more important. My only goddaughter is engaged, and I've yet to speak with her fiancé's family."

"Woah, woah, woah," Obito raises his hands. " Engaged ? Shrimp's engaged?"

"You only got that now?" I ask, choosing to ignore Tsunade Senju's ferocious calculation of my worth.

"I thought she was your girlfriend! You didn't say you were engaged. And none of you corrected me, either. How am I the only one who didn't know?"

"Well, now you know," mother simply says, her tone urging Obito to quiet down in front of the newly arrived company.

"To think Shrimp's going to be the first of us to get married." Obito leans back on his chair, stupefied. "If only Itachi could see this."

At the mention of my absent brother's name, it feels as if the air in the room has just been sucked out.

I look around the room and mother's serene smile remains unmoved. Father is expressionless. Shisui, too. Grandfather's eyes seem to narrow at his flub.

Obito clears his throat, realizing his mistake.

"Ms. Senju, I hope your flight was smooth," mother says, effectively swerving away from the topic of my brother.

I clench my fist, stopping myself from adding anything that could only get me reprimanded just like when Itachi first disappeared without a trace.

The once familiar familial atmosphere dissipates, replaced by careful and polite conversation. All of which is a farce, a way to ignore the elephant that's been present in every room where this family gathers.

Warmth covers my hand, and I look to see Sakura's fingers gently squeeze onto my fist. She doesn't look at me, directing her focus on my mother as she converses with her godmother.

It's at this moment I allow myself to take a long, calming breath. Making a scene now would only put grandfather on edge. If we want to get the answers we seek, it wouldn't do us any good if we have a bigger target on our backs than we already do.

Grandfather is undoubtedly suspicious of us, but instead of making it a point for us to sit and do as he says, he's somehow allowing us to go about as we are. If this were any other situation, we'd be sitting down in an office somewhere with NDAs being shoved in our faces and a legal team telling us how exactly we'll be dealt with if we don't do as he says.

I know a nondisclosure agreement will have to be signed eventually, but the fact that it hasn't already been done is baffling. He's usually excruciatingly meticulous when it comes to his plans.

Why not now?

Even if in the future the fact that this situation was premeditated, no one would really bat an eye. Contract marriages in families like ours aren't unusual. It's typical, even.

I watch as grandfather listens in on the active conversations occurring. He and I are the only ones not speaking, it seems, until, in my periphery, I notice that Shisui is quiet, as well.

The food is served as the conversation swings from the topic of business to family. Tsunade makes a point to mention Sakura's many achievements in her field, all of which solely achieved by her own hard work, which gains praise from my parents.

Bashful, a pink hue tints her cheeks.

"You should be very proud of yourself, Sakura," mother says.

"Thank you, Mrs. Uchiha."

"Oh, please." Mother waves a hand. "I told you to call me mom. You'll be part of the family now, anyway."

"Speaking of," Obito chimes in. "Where are your parents? Do they live in Konoha?"

"No, they don't. They live in Suna." Her voice tightens.

"I can't wait to meet them. They must be proud to have raised such an incredible young woman," mother says. "If you don't mind, I'd love to reach out to them to schedule a meeting between the parents before we formally announce your engagement."

"Sure, I can text you their information later tonight."

I study Sakura's expression. Nothing appears off in her visage. In fact, she's serenely pleasant.

And I can tell it's a front.

Briefly, I watch Tsunade. She shares the same look Sakura has put on.

"When's the public announcement happening?"

Sakura and I share a look. "We haven't really thought about it yet."

"Well, your mother is hosting the annual Uchiha Foundation charity event this year," Tsunade says. "Perhaps that could be an option."

"Can't they just announce it on social media or something?" Obito asks.

"It's customary," grandfather responds. "It's a union between the Uchiha and the Senju. An announcement fitting for both family names is necessary."

"Won't an announcement during a charity event feel improper?" Sakura asks. "It's a little out of place to do it at a time like that."

Father assesses her statement. "Yes , ; however, it wouldn't be the first time an announcement like this would be made during the event. If I recall correctly, the Uzumaki and Hyuuga engagement announcement was done in a similar fashion."

And they are your close friends, is the silent addition to his statement that Sakura no doubt catches.

"And it would cause a stir. Where else are the biggest names of Konoha City elite going to be in attendance?" Tsunade adds, avoiding Sakura's gaze.

Sakura's discomfort radiates through her as she bites her tongue and simply smiles, that same put on smile that she donned a few moments ago.

This time, I place my hand atop hers, rubbing soothing circles on her skin with my thumb. I'm unsure of how helpful it is to her as she swivels her head in my direction, a question in her eyes.

"I know this is uncomfortable for you, but bear with it."

She sighs. "It just feels weird."

"I know."

We don't say anything more at the table as everyone else overtakes the conversation. Instead, we sit there, the only comfort we can take is the increasingly familiar warmth of each other's hand.

After dinner, people splinter into smaller groups of conversations. Mother and father speak with grandfather. Sakura strays from my side to speak to her godmother. Shisui had excused himself to his room in the manor saying he needed to retrieve something.

That leaves Obito by his lonesome as he types something on his phone with one hand and nurses a drink with the other. He stands by the large sliding doors that lead to the garden.

Sensing me approach, he looks up and puts his phone back into his pocket.

"I didn't get to say it until now, but congratulations, Shrimp."

"Let that nickname die."

He grins. "Never."

Taking a sip of his drink, he looks out to the well-lit garden. The roses are in full bloom, hues of red and white in the midst of the sea of green. The fountain water glimmers as it reflects the moonlight.

"I can't believe you're the first one getting hitched."

"You've said that already."

"Can you believe it?"

"No," I answer truthfully.

"See!" He laughs. "Honestly, if you can get your head out your ass about love, then shit, I should be able to do that, too."

I raise a brow at him. "Having problems in that regard?"

"You can say that." He takes another long sip of his drink. "Ah, shit. I can't believe I'm talking to you about my love life."

"I was unaware you had one."

"Right back at you, Shrimp." He punches my arm. It's as if my arm is the primary punching bag for tonight. "Ah, I feel like going out to drink."

"I thought you've been holding back on the drinking."

"I was. It just seems like something worth drinking to."

"My engagement or your lack of love life?"

He tries to punch my arm again, but I move before contact can be made.

"Shit, Shrimp. Both? I don't know. I guess it'll stop me from calling her. Should I call her?"

Is he drunk already? He shouldn't be. He's been nursing the same drink since dinner began. "I don't know who you're talking about, but sure, I guess."

"You know, what? I should go to Club Gutsy and talk to her in person instead."

"She works at a club?" Of all clubs. It appears trying to get answers won't be as hard as I thought. "Of course , you'd fall in love with a bartender."

"You'd think, but no. She's the accountant."

"Is that a euphemism for something?"

"No, you dick." I once again step aside before I can be hit. "She really is. It's a cushier job than it sounds. Club Gutsy's popular. The owner's kind of notorious. Hell, it took me a long time to get a meeting with the guy."

I'd say it was strange for him to be so talkative, but it isn't. What is strange is that I can tell for a fact he isn't as drunk as he's making himself out to be. The glint in his eye is all the confirmation I need.

I furrow my brow, trying to gauge the entirety of this hidden conversation he's trying to start. "I'll go tomorrow night."

"As opposed to tonight?"

He shakes his head. "You need to get out more, Shrimp. Everyone knows Club Gutsy is closed on Sundays."

"For religious purposes?" My tone is laced with incredulity. To own a club and be closed on a weekend is an insane business model.

He shrugs, then pats my shoulder. "Who knows? He never tells anyone why."

In a whisper, Obito adds, "I would be more careful about walking around the manor. It may be home, but you got to watch your movements. You're lucky it was me that caught you and not dear old granddad."

He grins again, his drunken act back on. "See you there Friday night, then?"

Furrowing my brow, I nod, accepting his invitation.

"What's going on Friday night?"

Sakura chooses this to be the moment to walk up. Curiosity drowning in her tone.

"I owe you two some drinks." With that, he walks away to where Shisui now stands by the doorway that leads to the living room.

Shisui only gives us a customary smile before the two depart to another room.

It all feels quite unsettling.

End Notes:

Recent real life events has brought me back to one of my favorite ways to cope and escape reality, so hopefully, this chapter can help and be a respite for everyone after this week. I know I needed to run back into my little worlds I've created.

If there's anyone reading this and is also a critter, I may also be posting a percahlia oneshot because I got really into The Legend of Vox Machina animated series, and subsequently, got into Critical Role lol