The clock read 5:00 a.m. when Sakura stirred from her sleep. The sun had just begun to peek through the curtains, casting soft rays of light over her room. With a groan, she threw the covers off and dragged herself to the bathroom for a quick shower, the warm water helping her wake up. The nerves from last night's interview still lingered, but she had a long day ahead, and she couldn't afford to dwell on it.

After getting dressed in her usual work attire, she hurried downstairs. Her parents were already at the kitchen table, chatting over breakfast. Her mother looked up and gave her a smile.

"Sakura, you're up early today. Why don't you sit down and eat with us? We made your favorite," her mother said warmly, gesturing toward the spread of toast, eggs, and fruit.

Sakura paused, glancing at the food for a second. Her stomach growled, but she shook her head. "Sorry, I can't. I've got to head to the hospital early today. Tons of work to catch up on." She grabbed a cookie off the counter, quickly stuffing it in her pocket before hurrying to the door.

Her mother frowned slightly, a concerned look crossing her face. "Sakura, you shouldn't skip meals."

"I'll be fine, Mom, I promise. I'll grab something later."

"My dear, people in love don't ask for food. The adrenaline of love is what keeps them going," Kizashi said, looking at Sakura and smiling at her.

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Dad, it's too early to be making fun of me."

"Why are you saying I'm making fun of you, sweetie? This is reality. Especially in loves that start at a young age."

"Okay bye now!" With that, she waved and dashed out the door, already mentally preparing herself for the inevitable bombardment of questions and teasing she would face about her relationship with Sasuke.

As she walked down the street, lost in thought, she was greeted by the familiar voice of her neighbor from across the street.

"Well, well, if it isn't Konoha's latest power couple," the neighbor called out, grinning mischievously. "Congrats, Sakura! I hear you're with the sexiest shinobi in the village now."

Sakura froze, her heart skipping a beat. That phrase—the one the journalist had used last night—echoed in her mind. 'Sexiest shinobi...' She swallowed hard, trying to hide the blush creeping up her neck. "Oh, uh, thanks," she said, laughing awkwardly. "Hope you have a great day!"

With a wave, she quickly continued walking, trying to push the uncomfortable feeling aside. She had to focus on getting to work. The day hadn't even started, and it was already proving to be... awkward.

As she walked further down the street, she suddenly heard a voice shouting from above.

"Sakura-chan!"

She looked up to see Naruto leaning over the balcony of his house, grinning ear to ear.

"Hey, Naruto! What's up? You never wake up this early. " she called back.

"Ah, nothing much, I have a mission with Hinata and Kiba later in the evening. I want to prepare some thing," he replied, scratching the back of his head. "Guess you're up early too. Or is that your way of getting away from the crowd?"

Sakura shot him a look, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips despite herself. "You know, I don't think anyone will be giving me a moment of peace today."

Naruto just laughed, shrugging. "Hey, that's not bad . At least you won't be hiding and you'll be more free, don't you think that's a good thing?"

Before Sakura could respond, Kushina, Naruto's ever-energetic mother, stepped out onto the balcony beside him, hands on her hips and a mischievous smile plastered across her face.

"Good morning sexy doctor," Kushina teased, winking at Sakura. "Looks like you're getting a taste of what it's like being with the sexiest shinobi in Konoha, huh?"

Sakura's cheeks turned bright red. She had been dreading this exact moment—Kushina had a way of turning every innocent comment into a full-blown teasing session.

"Aunt Kushina, please..." Sakura groaned, covering her face with her hands in embarrassment. "Even you?"

Kushina just laughed louder, enjoying every bit of Sakura's reaction. "Oh, come on, Sakura! I've been waiting for this since the three of you became a team. Can you give me the pleasure of enjoying it?"

"Okay, I'll do it for you. But only for you," Sakura said, laughing.

Kushina laughed and extended her hand, raising her thumb. "Thank you very much, miss."

"Mom, what are these Might Guy poses ! Oh my god!" Naruto said, hitting his forehead with his hand.

Sakura laughed at them, it was impossible not to have fun with a duo like Naruto and Kushina. "I have to go, bye!"

As she walked away, she couldn't help but laugh softly to herself. It wasn't easy being in a relationship with Sasuke, but she wouldn't trade it for anything. And if it meant dealing with the teasing from her friends and family? Well, that was just another part of the package.

Sakura's day at the hospital had been a whirlwind of mundane check-ups, but there was a noticeable difference in the questions she received. Most patients had come for routine visits, but instead of focusing on their health, they seemed far more interested in her and Sasuke. Curiosity swirled in the air, and every other person wanted to know more about her relationship with him. They asked questions ranging from the innocent—how old they were, when they planned to marry, and how many children they might have—to the probing—what it was like to be with someone from the Uchiha clan, and if she'd been accepted by the clan. Sakura tried to maintain a professional smile, but the constant onslaught of questions made her feel like a walking rumor mill, her personal life laid bare for all to examine.

Sasuke, too, had faced a day filled with unexpected attention. He had received his fair share of congratulations, though he was far less tolerant of the probing questions. What surprised him, however, was the overwhelming positive reaction from his own clan. For the first time, he'd seen his family and relatives react to a relationship outside the Uchiha bloodline with genuine warmth. They were inquisitive, yes, but there was no trace of disdain or doubt, only an open curiosity that made Sasuke pause.

What also struck Sasuke was how many of the clan members were familiar with Sakura. She had been treating them for years, after all. More than half of them were her patients, and they had grown fond of her over the course of her work in the village. It made sense that her connection to him would be met with such support—they had already seen her strength, kindness, and intelligence.

It was lunch hour, and Sasuke, Naruto, and Sai found themselves walking toward their usual lunch spot in the village. The warm sun filtered through the trees, but Sasuke couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in his chest. He didn't have to think long to figure out why—tonight was the night he'd be meeting Sakura's parents for dinner. He had met them a few times before, but always in a casual, team setting, never as her boyfriend.

Sasuke was not like Naruto, he could have made Sakura's house his second home by now. Sasuke was a shy guy and had a hard time going in and out of his friends' houses. The idea of appearing before them tonight as something more, as someone important to their daughter, made him feel... out of place, even though he knew it shouldn't.

Naruto, ever the observant one, glanced over at Sasuke with a grin. "Hey Teme, you've been quieter than usual today. What's up? You seem a little... off."

"I'm just thinking about tonight," Sasuke admitted, his voice a little more restrained than usual. "I am invited for dinner at Sakura's house... with her parents. It's... not the first time I've met them, but it's the first time it's just the three of us. It's different."

Naruto's grin widened, clearly amused by Sasuke's obvious discomfort. "Ah, so it's the whole 'meeting the parents' thing, huh? Don't sweat it, Teme! You're practically family already. Sakura's parents are chill. They won't bite."

Sasuke couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed, his nerves growing at the thought of facing them without the buffer of a mission or their usual casual dinner get-togethers as teammates. "It's just... weird. I'm nervous, I hope it goes well... I don't want to upset Sakura or her parents."

Naruto slapped Sasuke on the back in an exaggerated manner, causing him to flinch slightly. "Don't overthink it, man. You've got this! Sakura's parents are super welcoming. You'll be fine. If you're nervous, just ask them about their favorite foods or something. It'll take the edge off." He gave Sasuke a wink, clearly not taking his nerves as seriously as Sasuke felt them.

Sasuke muttered under his breath, "I'm not sure asking about their favorite food will do much for me. But thanks, I guess."

Sai, who had been quietly staying alongside them, finally spoke up. He had been mostly quiet since joining their group, still getting used to their dynamic, but he seemed to be fitting in, especially with the usual banter between Naruto and Sasuke.

"From what I've seen of Sakura's parents, I'd say you could easily call her mother your second mother," Sai commented, his voice oddly perceptive for someone who didn't always pick up on the subtleties of social interactions. "Her father, on the other hand... he's not quite what I expected. He's... funny."

Naruto laughed loudly, clearly enjoying the fact that Sai was jumping into the conversation with his usual blunt observations. "That's the understatement of the year, Sai! Sakura's dad is hilarious. He's always joking around, making everyone laugh. Just don't let him tease you too much."

Sasuke sighed. He still remembered one of the dinners where Sakura's father had talked for 2 hours about how Sakura had cut her eyelashes when she was young because she wanted them longer. And with this fact he had laughed non-stop and had made fun of her daughter all evening. While Sasuke did not understand what was so humorous about this incident where Sakura could have possibly damaged her eye with scissors.

"I'm sure it'll be fine," Sasuke replied, though his tone was still uncertain.

Naruto clapped him on the back again, grinning. "Sasuke, I can't believe you're still nervous. You've fought the toughest shinobi, been through crazy missions, and yet meeting Sakura's parents is what's making you nervous? You're tougher than that!"

Sasuke shot him a look that was a mixture of annoyance and mild disbelief. "This isn't the same thing as a mission, Naruto. This is... personal."

Sai, ever the observant one, added in his usual calm tone, "It's different. But it'll be over before you know it. Just be yourself. I'm sure they'll appreciate it."

"Well," Sasuke muttered, trying to shake off his nerves, "I guess I'll just have to make it through the evening." He glanced up at Naruto, then at Sai, who were both clearly enjoying his discomfort. "I'm not sure I'll survive the teasing, though."

Naruto laughed, completely unbothered by Sasuke's unease. "You'll survive. I know you will. And hey, at least you won't be alone. You've got Sakura by your side, right?"

Sasuke nodded, though his mind was still buzzing with the thought of what tonight would bring. "Yeah, I'll survive," he said quietly, trying to convince himself.

"You know, Teme," Naruto began, leaning across the table with a mischievous grin, "you should just relax tonight. Maybe try having a little fun with it. Join in on the jokes! Laugh! Make a few yourself!"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow, looking completely unimpressed. "Laugh? Joke? Do you seriously think I'm the kind of guy who can do that?"

Naruto just shrugged as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Well, yeah! Everyone loves a good laugh at dinner, especially when you're with family. You don't want to look like a robot, do you?"

Sasuke glared at Naruto. "I'm not a robot."

"Right, right," Naruto said, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "But look, Sasuke, you've got to loosen up. If you can joke around, the whole night will feel a lot less... awkward."

Sasuke considered this for a moment, but it wasn't long before he shot back. "Joking around isn't really my style, Dobe."

Before Naruto could respond, a new voice piped up from across the table. Sai, who had been oddly quiet until now, pulled out a thick book from his bag and placed it on the table with a flourish. The title of the book was written in bold letters: Advice on How to Behave with Your Girlfriend, Her Family, and Friends.

Naruto blinked in confusion. "What the heck is that?"

Sai, with his usual calm demeanor, looked at the two of them, completely unfazed. "I bought this book to improve my relationship with Ino. I thought it would be useful."

Sasuke and Naruto both stared at him for a beat. "Wait… what?" Naruto finally said, his eyes wide in surprise. "You and Ino?"

Sai nodded, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "Yes. We have been spending more time together recently. She suggested that I read it, so I did. It's filled with practical tips."

Sasuke's brow furrowed. "Since when did you two have a thing?"

Sai looked at them like they were the ones being strange. "Since a few weeks ago. We've been keeping it... private. It's complicated, but this book has been helping me understand how to behave properly."

Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a glance. This was news to both of them. "Wow," Naruto said slowly, still processing the information. "Sai... and Ino? I never saw that coming."

Sai didn't seem the least bit embarrassed. He opened the book and began flipping through the pages, his tone as casual as ever. "Chapter three is about how to handle stressful situations, such as meeting your girlfriend's family for the first time. It says here that humor is important, so I'll give Sasuke a few tips."

Naruto and Sasuke both looked at Sai, intrigued despite themselves.

Sai read aloud from the book with complete seriousness. "Tip number one: When meeting your girlfriend's parents, always make them feel at ease. To do this, start by telling them a funny story about your childhood. If possible, make it an embarrassing one. It shows vulnerability."

Sasuke's eyebrow twitched. "An embarrassing childhood story?"

"This is genius! " Naruto said, completely deadpan. "You could talk about the time you were five and you were caught crying in the rain because your favorite toy broke. That would definitely make her parents feel more comfortable."

Sasuke just stared at him, wondering if them were being serious. "Are you... kidding?"

Sai turned a page, unfazed by Sasuke's skepticism. "Tip number two: Be affectionate. Hold hands with her in front of her parents to establish dominance. This will signal that you are in control of the relationship and not afraid to show it."

Naruto nearly choked on his food, laughing loudly. "Dominance? With holding hands? Dude, you're making this sound like some sort of power struggle."

Sai glanced up from the book and shrugged. "It's what the book says. But if you want to make a bigger impression, you should try kissing her forehead in front of everyone. It demonstrates confidence."

Sasuke nearly spat out his drink. "No way. There's no way I'm doing that."

"It says here that you should exchange as many kisses as possible with your girlfriend in front of her parents. This shows that you love her and value her very much as a person," Sai said as he read his book.

"Absolutely not!" Sasuke said, rubbing his forehead. A migraine was starting to set in.

"Teme, if the book says so, you have to think about it. The people who wrote it have analyzed every situation and come to a conclusion. You have to trust them."

Ignoring them, Sai continued flipping through the book with a focused expression. "Tip number three: Ask her father about his career, but do so in a way that makes it sound like you're genuinely interested. Pretend to have read all of his work and praise it. This will flatter him."

Sasuke rubbed his temples, exhausted from trying to keep up with the ridiculous advice. "I know what her father does. What's the point of asking him again?"

"Well, be more curious about this topic then. Does her father have a herbal medicine shop? Ask more about them." Sai said.

Naruto leaned over, peering at the book. "This stuff is wild, Sai. You really think it's all true?"

Sasuke turned his head towards Naruto. "You just said that the people who wrote it have analyzed every situation and come to a conclusion. Now you doubt it?"

Naruto swallowed. "Well…."

"Of course it is true. Do not doubt books." Sai said, without even looking up from the book.

Naruto laughed. "What's next? A dance-off with her parents?"

Sai paused for a moment, glancing up at Naruto. "That's actually a good idea," he said seriously. "A well-timed dance-off would show you're not only confident but also in touch with your emotions. Maybe after dinner, you should challenge them to one."

Sasuke and Naruto stared at him. "A... dance-off?" Sasuke said incredulously.

Sai nodded thoughtfully. "Yes. I will have to try that with Ino next time. Thank you for the suggestion, Naruto."

Sasuke, now fully regretting his decision to even listen to this, pushed his plate away. "I think I'll pass on the dance-off. And the kisses. I'll stick to being myself. Whatever that means."

Naruto laughed loudly, slapping Sasuke on the back. "Yeah but don't completely rule out a joke or two. I mean, you've got to laugh at something, right?"

Sasuke shot him a look that said, I don't joke.

"Don't worry, Sasuke. You'll figure it out," Naruto said, still chuckling. "Just don't start any dance-offs, alright?"

Sasuke sighed deeply, shaking his head. "Maybe I will just kill myself….easy."

Naruto kicked him in the back of the neck with all his might. "Don't talk about suicide in a public place, not even jokingly!"

"Don't worry," said Sai, "trust this book and act. Everything will be fine."

The boys finished lunch and each returned to their things. After a long day at work, Sasuke couldn't help but feel the weight of the evening ahead. The time had flown by, but now it was time for the real challenge. He walked into his apartment and immediately headed for the bathroom to shower, trying to shake off his nerves. His thoughts kept drifting back to the dinner.

As he stepped out of the shower and stared into his closet, Sasuke was struck with a sudden, overwhelming indecision. 'What the hell am I supposed to wear for this?'

His eyes skimmed over his options: his usual black attire, a few formal shirts he rarely wore, and some old, faded sportswear. He couldn't decide whether to go casual, formal, or somewhere in between. He was supposed to look good, but not too good, right? Not like he was going to an important meeting or anything.

Just then, the door to his room creaked open, and Itachi stepped inside. Sasuke gave him a look of quiet desperation. "Itachi... what should I wear?"

Itachi, ever the calm and collected older brother, glanced at the assortment of clothes scattered across the bed and the floor. He raised an eyebrow at Sasuke's predicament. "I thought you'd be more prepared for something like this," he said dryly.

"I don't know what I'm doing," Sasuke muttered, already regretting how much attention he was giving this dinner. "Should I wear a suit? Is that a thing for dinner with her parents?"

Itachi stepped closer, inspecting the pile of clothing with a critical eye. He picked up a simple blue shirt and tossed it in Sasuke's direction. "This will be fine. You're not going to a mission meeting, Sasuke. You're going to a normal dinner. You don't need to look like you're about to make a presentation."

Sasuke sighed, taking the shirt and pulling it on. He still felt a little lost. "Are you sure this is enough? Should I wear a collared shirt? Something more formal?"

Itachi looked at him with a blank expression. "Sasuke, you're not trying to impress them by looking like a businessman. They're your girlfriend's parents, not a board of directors."

Sasuke grumbled, but didn't argue. He got dressed and moved on to the next phase of preparation—his cologne. He wasn't sure how much was too much, but he had heard people say that you couldn't go wrong with a lot of scent. So, naturally, he went a little overboard.

As he sprayed a heavy cloud of cologne into the air and began to walk through it, Itachi wrinkled his nose and immediately started coughing. "Sasuke, what the hell?" he croaked, fanning the air in front of his face. "Enough with the perfume. It's supposed to smell good, not like a toxic cloud."

Sasuke, trying to look nonchalant, continued to spritz more into the air. "It's fine. I want to smell good for tonight."

"It's for your smell, not for you to drink," Itachi said with a smirk, stepping back as if to avoid being engulfed by the cloud of fragrance. "You might want to tone it down before you end up in the hospital for cologne poisoning."

Sasuke ignored him, focusing on getting the scent just right. But Itachi wasn't letting up. "Seriously, Sasuke," he added, "they're not going to remember your cologne. They're going to remember how you act. Maybe stop smelling like a perfume factory and focus on... you know, being yourself."

Sasuke shot his brother a glare. "You're no help."

Itachi laughed softly, clearly entertained by his younger brother's distress. "Fine, fine. Just don't spray yourself into oblivion. Trust me, it'll be fine."

Sasuke, now feeling like he'd done everything wrong, pulled on his shoes and made his way to the door. He looked at Itachi, who was still leaning casually against the wall, watching him.

There was a moment of silence before Sasuke spoke again, voice low. "I don't know, Itachi... What if I say something wrong."

Itachi's expression softened for just a moment. Then, without missing a beat, he raised his index and middle fingers to lightly tap Sasuke's forehead. "You'll be fine, little brother," he said with a reassuring smile. "Just don't overthink it. Everything will work out."

Sasuke, momentarily surprised by his brother's gesture, looked at him with something like a mixture of confusion and gratitude. "Thanks..." he muttered, still unsure, but feeling a little better.

"Good luck, Sasuke," Itachi called after him.

Sakura glanced at the clock, the small tick of time feeling like it was moving too fast. 8:00 PM. Sasuke should be here any moment. She hurried around the kitchen, setting the last of the plates on the table, making sure everything was in place. The evening had arrived, and the dinner that had felt like a distant concept earlier in the day was now right on top of her.

'Stay calm. It's just dinner with your parents, Sasuke, and you... no big deal,' she thought to herself, though the excitement bubbling up in her chest suggested otherwise.

The doorbell rang suddenly, breaking her thoughts. "I'll get it!" she called out, her voice louder than usual. "Mom, Dad, I'll open the door!"

She heard her mom shout something in return, but Sakura didn't quite catch it. She quickly rushed out of the kitchen and into the hallway, her heart racing. She stopped in front of the full-length mirror hanging on the wall, taking a brief moment to check herself over. She was wearing a short green dress with long sleeves, fitted tightly at the waist with a subtle cutout along the sides, showing just a hint of skin. The dress ended a little above her knees, giving her a perfect mix of elegance and youthful flair.

Her makeup was subtle, just a touch of foundation to even out her skin and a little more emphasis on her eyes—thanks to Ino's advice, which she was still trying to decide if she regretted. Ino had insisted that this was the perfect moment to make Sasuke lose his cool with her beauty, and Sakura figured a little extra attention to herself wouldn't hurt. Giving her hair a final shake, she brushed out the loose strands that had fallen from the neat updo she had originally styled, letting her pink locks cascade gently over her shoulders.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door.

There, standing on the doorstep, was Sasuke.

And if she didn't know any better, she could swear that a deep pink blush had spread across his face as he stood frozen in front of her. His attire was simple—dark jeans and a button-up blue shirt—but he was still undeniably striking, his usual cool demeanor slightly shaken. His eyes widened when they met hers, and he quickly looked down, as if trying to hide the color creeping up his neck.

"Uh—Sakura," Sasuke said, his voice almost a little hoarse. "You look... great."

Sakura's own cheeks flushed at the compliment. She had known he'd say something, but hearing it made her feel unexpectedly shy. She offered him a bright smile, trying to play it cool despite her heart pounding in her chest. "Thanks, Sasuke," she replied, her voice lighter than usual. "You look... good yourself. Not bad for a guy who always wears black."

Sasuke's blush deepened, and he scratched the back of his head awkwardly, clearly not used to compliments himself. "I... uh, yeah. I wasn't sure what to wear, but Itachi said this would be fine."

Sakura chuckled, letting her smile widen. "Itachi's right. You look great."

There was a beat of silence as they both stood there, somewhat unsure of what to do next. Then, just as if to break the tension, Sasuke shifted slightly on his feet, still a little pink in the face. "Shall we go inside?" he asked quietly, his gaze now fixed on the floor.

Sakura nodded, stepping back to let him in. "Yeah, my parents are waiting."

As Sasuke walked past her, the small, subtle shift of his body language made her smile to herself. He was trying to act calm, but he was just as nervous as she was. It felt oddly comforting to know they were in the same boat, even if the boat was a little awkward and creaky tonight.

Sakura smiled at him, a playful glint in her eye. "You're nervous, aren't you?"

"Am not," Sasuke replied immediately, though it was clear from his slightly stiff posture that he was anything but calm.

Sakura let out a small, soft laugh, the kind that only made him blush more. "You are, Sasuke-kun."

"Ah, Sasuke! You made it!" Mebuki's voice was warm and full of affection as she stepped forward, her hands clasped together. "You look so handsome tonight. I'm so happy you could join us for dinner." Her words were accompanied by a soft chuckle, as if she was just pleased to see him there.

Sasuke gave her a small, almost awkward nod, his usual gruff demeanor softening slightly. "Thank you," he replied, his voice deep but tinged with a slight blush on his cheeks.

Meanwhile, Kizashi, walked up to Sasuke with a more boisterous energy. He was grinning from ear to ear, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "Sasuke, good to see you! You're looking sharp tonight, huh?" He patted Sasuke's shoulder in an exaggerated, almost comically friendly way, making Sasuke stiffen a little in surprise.

Sasuke gave him a polite but reserved smile, nodding again. "Thank you, Haruno-san."

"Oh please, just call us Kizashi and Mebuki." Kizashi said.

But Kizashi wasn't done. He eyed Sasuke's hair, the spiky black strands sticking out in all directions. With a grin, he remarked, "I gotta say, though, I never really understood why you style your hair like that. Looks like a chicken's butt if you ask me!"

Sakura, standing beside the entrance, immediately frowned and shot her father a disapproving look. 'Seriously, Dad?' she thought, trying to hide the embarrassment creeping up her neck.

Sasuke, however, seemed unfazed by the remark. He remembered Sai and Naruto's advice, tell jokes too. Without missing a beat, he shot back with, "And I never understood why you style your hair like a star?" His tone was dry, but there was a subtle amusement behind his words.

Mebuki burst out laughing immediately, her voice ringing out with genuine amusement, while Kizashi's hearty chuckle echoed through the room. "Ah! Sasuke, you've got some humor after all!" Kizashi chuckled, slapping Sasuke's back again with a grin.

Sakura blinked, completely taken aback. 'Did Sasuke just make a joke?' She looked at him in disbelief, her head tilting slightly to the side. Her usual, serious, stoic boyfriend was actually joking with her dad. This was... new.

Sasuke, still not sure if he was allowed to laugh at himself, let out a small, awkward cough, clearly trying to play off his own joke. "It was... just a joke," he muttered, feeling the warmth of his earlier embarrassment creep back into his face.

Sakura's confusion was written all over her face, her brow furrowing as she tried to process what just happened. This is the same guy who barely speaks to anyone, and now he's throwing jokes left and right? She shook her head, not sure whether to be impressed or just plain surprised.

Mebuki, still giggling, nudged Kizashi. "Looks like Sasuke's warming up to us, huh?"

"Definitely," Kizashi replied, his voice full of pride. "I always liked you. A bit of humor, huh?" He winked at Sasuke. "This is gonna be a long night, Sasuke. Hope you're ready!"

Sasuke swallowed, the awkwardness creeping back in. He forced a nervous laugh, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Uh, yeah... looking forward to it," he replied, his voice betraying a hint of discomfort.

'Long night?' he thought to himself. He could already feel the weight of the conversation ahead. This wasn't going to be just another dinner, and he could tell it was going to take a while to get through the next few hours.

Sasuke sighed and sat down at the table. 'God help me.' Sasuke said to himself ready for the long night.