hana-akari

[hana-akari]

My love, mine, all mine

[hana-akari]

Sakura knew there was no greater gift she could ever give Sasuke than when she gave him Sarada. 

She still remembers when they found out she was pregnant. They were out traveling, far from the village. They were both so nervous and unsure. Sasuke tried to insist that she should go back to the village but she refused. She wanted her time with him. He seemed to realize the only way she’d go back is if he went with her. After some back and forth, he relented and ended his mission early to be with her. Naruto understood, and didn’t send Sasuke on any long missions that might keep him away from home for too long. (He also feared Sakura’s wrath if he even suggested Sasuke be away for a long period of time.)

It was an emotional time for both of them. They both continued to be unsure about it. It really didn’t set in for Sakura until she started showing. Then she had the physical proof that they were, in fact, having a baby. Sakura has always been an emotional person, but she cried a lot more during the pregnancy. It was cute how protective Sasuke was of her. Hovering over her all the time and tending to her needs. 

When she finally went into labor, it was the first time in a very long time she actually saw a small level of panic on his face. Sasuke was quick to get her to the hospital. Not taking any risks. There was zero complications with the birth but she could tell the whole time Sasuke was on edge. Sakura knew he hated seeing her in pain like that but it was all worth it in the end. The second happiest moment in her life after her marriage to Sasuke was hearing Sarada cry for the first time. To be able to hold her tiny form against her chest. In Sakura’s eyes, she was perfect. Sarada looked so much like Sasuke with her dark hair and eyes. Though Sakura would be lying if she said she wasn’t a small bit disappointed that Sarada didn’t come out with her pink hair. 

It would have been a bit funny to have the new generation of Uchiha to have pink hair but Sakura wouldn’t change a single thing about Sarada.

Sakura will never forget the moment Sasuke held Sarada for the first time. He looked so uncertain, held her against himself like she was the most fragile thing in the world. It filled Sakura with such warmth to see the red tent in his eyes as he committed the moment to memory. 

Despite all the uncertainty, there they were, a couple years later, sitting around a christmas tree as Sarada happily tossed wrapping paper in the air, letting out happy sounds. Sasuke looked so content, there was an ever so slight smile on his lips. His eyes once again red tented as he covered old, painful memories, with new, happier ones. Sakura was happy she was able to give him this peace, and happiness. Even if it didn’t make all the hurt in his life go away. It was still an aid to the healing process,

“I know. You tell me that every time I give you something but I don’t do it because I have to, I do it because I love you and want to.”

Sakura looked overjoyed as he put on the necklace. It looked so perfect on him, and she knew he would always wear it. He still used the sword she got him all those years ago. Keeping it always sharpened and taken care of. She was leaning forward, gearing up for the kiss he was about to place on her lips when he stopped short, making her pout a small bit but then look surprised when he leaned over the couch to pull out a present of his own. She almost said he didn’t have to but at this point, it was a tired phrase, they both got each other things regardless.

Gently, Sakura took the box from him and carefully unwrapped it. Not tearing it open in the same chaotic manner their daughter did. She let out a small gasp as it revealed the contents inside. Sakura picked up the headband, fingers tracing over the clan symbols. She remembered how she made the passing comment that her current headband was getting old, and she needed to replace it. It was such a small comment, she didn’t think Sasuke would even remember it. 

Placing the headband down for a moment, she pulled off the one she was wearing, causing her long hair to fall into her face. Then she put on the new one. Sliding her bangs back out of her face. It slid a small bit but otherwise fit perfectly, “Oh Sasuke, I love it! I’m going to wear it all the time now!” It was then she pulled out the second object in the box. A picture hand drawn by their daughter of their little family. The picture was just so heartfelt it made her tear up a small bit, as she smiled,

“She’s already turning into a little artist just like her papa. This one is definitely getting framed and hung up.” Sakura carefully placed the drawing in the box again to keep it safe as she wiped the small amount of tears from her eyes,

“I love you both so much… I couldn’t imagine a life without our family.” This time, Sakura was the one to lean in and claim the kiss she was denied before. Giving Sasuke a soft, loving kiss on the lips. That is until the kiss was interrupted by a small hand pulling on Sasuke’s pants leg. Sarada stood there, looking up at them with her large, dark eyes. One of her arms was wrapped tight around a dinosaur stuffed animal Sasuke must have got her while the other hand made a grabbing motion up at Sasuke,

“Papa, up, pwease?” She asked innocently, wanting to be picked up and placed in his lap. Sakura had her all dressed up cutely in a red dress and a big red bow on top of her head to pull the hair from her face. Sarada’s hair was already getting so long. She was probably due for a small hair cut. 

Sakura had her camera in hand, taking pictures as their young daughter sat on the floor opening different presents. Looking happy with each one. Sasuke managed to outdo her in terms of gift giving. Not that she minded. It was cute that he put so much thought into it when it came to their daughter. To think, before she was born, he was worrying about not being a good parent to Sarada but in the end, he ended up being the best dad Sarada could have asked for. Sarada was just so attached to him. From the moment she could walk, she followed him everywhere around the house, and constantly wanted to be held by him. Sometimes she refused to take a nap unless she could sleep on Sasuke’s chest. Sakura was a small bit jealous that Sarada was so attached to him over her but still found it cute.  Sasuke and Sakura were sitting on the couch with Sarada on the floor practically swimming in wrapping paper. As Sasuke sat his coffee down on the table next to him, Sakura grinned, scooting in close to him. So she could lean on him, “Sarada wasn’t the only one I got gifts for.” Sakura pulled out a long box that she kept hidden at her side waiting for the right time to present it to him, “I had this made just for you.” Inside the box was a silver locket on a sturdy chain. On the front of the locket, the Uchiha crest was neatly burned into it. Inside the locket was a family picture of the three of them. One Sakura was insistent on them taking. In the picture, Sakura had her arms around him, while one arm was around her, and in his other was Sarada’s small form, clinging to his shirt. The three of them looking happy, “This is so, no matter how far you are from home, your family is always with you.” It was a bit cheesy, and it made Sakura blush but she always went out of her way to give Sasuke meaningful gifts or something he could use. She knew he wasn’t much for jewelry. Really the only thing he wore was his wedding ring but the necklace small enough he could tuck under his shirt so it wouldn’t get in his way. || @hana-akari

Sarada was finally old enough to pick her tiny fingers through the firmly wrapped boxes; just enough strength in those forming bones to tear through the paper. Sasuke watched her with such a great intensity, his dark eye spun with red threads, replacing old, hurtful memories with the momentous occasion of his pride and joy giggling at him each time she revealed the cardboard skeleton of her gifts.

She was so small, yet held within her was this happiness that washed the room out, even the incandescent lights. Old-fashion veteran coldness no longer lingered within Sasuke's heart, but nevertheless, his scowling features would peel away to a smile, much like hers, with all the maturity that aged it.

" Hm? " he called to attention when Sakura spoke, squaring his shoulders to her as if it did anything to hear her better. " Oh, you didn't have to. "

For years he's said that tired line. The usual insistence that he never really wanted Sakura to waste her time nor her money on him, yet she did, unrelenting in her want to embellish him with love woven into items he'd never imagine he'd possess ( a custom scabbard, a painting set, the sweater that fails to fit his broaden shoulders, but remains in the center of his closet smashed between several dress shirts ).

Lifting the lid, the silver shined with Christmas spirit, reflecting the primary colors of the string lights along the links down to the sparkling heart, still-beating at the bottom. Sasuke pulls it from its necklace-shaped casket, clicking open the locket, and seeing that picture Sakura clamored fretfully over for weeks. He could hear her frowning disproval over not picking the right outfit ( it had to have a level of cohesion with her and Sarada, to which he argued, if it's for his family, he should wear what represents him best ). It took some fine tuning to re-engineer what participating in ' family ' meant for Sasuke, but the picture came out perfect to him. Looked even better in the small heart where Sarada sat in the center like she did in their worlds.

Wordlessly, he went ahead to fasten it around his neck, allowing it to drop with a gentle chime, dangling at the base of his throat, imprinting the beating of his heart into it.

He pauses halfway into giving her a kiss of gratitude before he remembers between all the excitement, he had something to give to her as well. " One moment, " he bows away to his side of the couch, reaching over the armrest into the convenient hiding spot that he was sure Sarada would not sneak around in. Out came a smaller box that he passed along, tightly bound in green and blue wrapping paper ( the spare that he didn't use for Sarada's ). Within contained a red hairband, much like the one she had, but it was wrapped in a finer silk and embroidered with their inter-linked clan symbol on each tip. Beneath that, in the box, was also a small drawing the Sarada insisted on giving to her mama: a heartful depiction of Sakura holding their daughter with Sasuke holding the both of them up with some freeform decoration of rainbows and a sun in each corner shining on them.

" I hope it is to your liking, though I'm afraid it may be too soft to stay in your hair. "

[hana-akari]

Sorell was painfully aware of Sasori’s bias towards his sister. For a long while, it made him pretty bitter. It felt like Sasori cared more about Saori and Ame than he did about him and Sarada. It was entirely Sasori’s fault that Sorell started to act out. Bullying his sister, and being overly mean to Ame. He just wanted the same level of attention from Sasori that they got. Even if it was negative attention. It just made him feel worse when he heard Sasori state that Sorell’s behavior was from Sakura’s genes, not his. It only drove a deeper wedge between them.

After a while, Sorell just gave up. Accepting that nothing he did would change the fact that Sasori loved his sister more than him. It still hurt but he should just be grateful he had a dad that stuck around, unlike Sarada’s who left. 

Being called boy made Sorell’s brow twitch, knowing had it been Saori sitting here, Sasori would be calling her fond names like princess. 

He was a little surprised that Sasori was giving him a heart to heart rather than brushing him off. It did give him things to think about. Sorell rolled around what Sasori said in his mind. Rocking his chair off it’s front legs as he did. A habit that annoyed the hell out of his mother. He could hear her fussing at him to stop. Worrying he was going to lean too far back and hurt himself. As if that would happen. He would just use chakra strings to prevent the chair from hitting the floor. She worried about them too much. Sarada said that was normal and Sakura was the same way with her. 

“I’m going to dedicate my life to my art, even if people fear me for it.” Even at a young age, Sorell had an amazing talent and love for it, “Already have the perfect building picked out for my future studio. That one creepy abandoned one two streets over. Just hope they don’t knock it down before I have a chance to claim it.” He already marked it in his own way. Spray painting a masterpiece on the side of it. He’s taken a fondness for using red butterflies as his mark. Even if they were seen as omens. 

There were quite a few places in the village he had left his art on in the middle of the night. More often than not, people found the pieces too beautiful to paint over and left them. Unknown to either of his parents, he was the one that spray painted ‘Idiot Office’ under the Hokage’s window. All written in elegant writing. Sorell has had it out for Naruto since the moment Sasuke decided to take on Naruto’s son over his sister Sarada. He saw how hurt to made Sarada, and so, he made both Naruto and Boruto’s lives miserable. Even if Sakura referred to Naruto as their uncle, he refused to see him as that. Deidara was more of an uncle to him than Naruto was and he rarely saw Deidara,

“One day, I’ll surpass you, just without turning humans into puppets. Don’t know why you chose that as a medium. Humans make terrible material for art. Too leathery after death.” The only reason he knew that was because his mother was a doctor, and he read all her medical books, and grew up around her odd collection of human body parts in her room. Including some leathered human skin. Couldn’t imagine working with that all the time,

“Did you do that just because it scared people or was it an aesthetic thing?” He was genuinely curious about his father’s thought process there. Sorell let out a soft chuckle,

“Don’t have to worry about Saori ever running off and becoming evil. She has too much of a soft heart. Couldn’t hurt a fly if she wanted to.” At least not intentionally. There were a few times she accidentally hurt other kids with her strength, but it made her feel so bad all she could do was cry and apologize. She’s gotten much better at controlling her power now,

“No offense to her, and I’ll support her if she does go that route, but I’m not sure being a medic would be a good fit for her. First sight of blood or heavy gore and she’s going to pass out.” Saori couldn’t even handle the sight of a scraped knee or a bloody nose without feeling light headed,

“I have too much of mom’s stubbornness to let the world change me into something I don’t want to be. I’ll take being an asshole, I know I am, but I’m not evil.” Sorell let out another small laugh, “Even if I attempted to be mom would make my face look like yours and I’d rather not fuck up my good looks. I may not have any friends but I have plenty of chicks into me.~” He stated with a prideful grin. Sorell was already showing signs of becoming a little playboy much like Sasori used to be.

Oh, the pleasure of having a son whose brain wasn't just a decoration in his fat head. Of course, once Sorell figured out Sasori's true identity, he'd be investigating everything else. But it was like Sasori was trying to hide who he was. Like Sorell said, most people were too stupid to figure it out despite the fact he was using his real name and walking around with his real face. Most were easily convinced that Sasori was a common name in Suna and that red hair was also common. Which wasn't all a lie. Sasori wasn't happy, but he was just glad it was Sorell to learn it and not Saori.

However, what did surprise Sasori was when Sorell said, "I love you." Like his father, he wasn't one to state his love for others. Even his mother was begrudging because Sakura often said she loved Sorell and then needle him until he said it back. Sasori, on the other hand, had never told his son he loved him, which wouldn't be so bad if he didn't say it every day to Saori. Yes, his favouritism was that obvious. But, he was glad that despite how much Sasori favoured Saori or was the Akasuna-no-Sasori, Sorell still loved and appreciated him. If he was a weaker man, it may've been enough to make him tear it.

Sasori went back to cooking their dinner. It wasn't that he wasn't listening; he just didn't want to interrupt while Sorell talked. This is the most his son had ever said to him. Again, like Sasori, he had a habit of bottling up his emotions. Because of this, he had no idea Sorell had issues with making friends. Being the class clown--for better and for worse--Sasori reckoned he would have a lot of friends. But then again, his son could be a little...obnoxious. Not that Sasori was one to talk, having no friends growing up, either. Except...

"Don't say that, boy," Sasori finally said as he removed the chicken from the stove and put the pan into the pre-heated oven before grabbing an onion to chop. "You remind me of myself more than ya know, Sorell. The world tends to judge harshly when it doesn’t understand—whether it’s your looks, your talents, or even your silence. It’s easy for people to label what they don’t bother to know. That doesn’t mean their judgment defines you."

"You’re not responsible for their ignorance or their fear. You’re responsible for what ya do with your own talents, your own mind, n' your own heart. Ya said ya wouldn’t hurt your family—n' that matters. Hold onto that. If you want to protect them, then don’t let the world twist you into something you’re not. Not like it did with me. Use your skills to prove them wrong, not with words, but with actions."

Sasori paused in his slicing to chuckle to himself. "Ya know, ya hear about the parents that talk about how they want their kids to be like them when they grow up. But I can confidently say that I don't. I don't want you n' Saori to be like me. I want you two to be better."

[hana-akari]

/reading kakasaku fics/

[hana-akari]

Listen I love Shippuden but why would you eliminate the political criticism from Naruto personality and erase so much of Sakura as a character by not furthering her friendships outside of Team 7 and why would you keep them for improving in both aspects so they can met again Sasuke under better terms, effectively increasing his agony.

Why not allow Sakura and Naruto to grow as their own people with their own opinions and relationships, so when they find Sasuke they can treat him as the person/individual he is and not the ghost of their memory that they want back. What is the point of making them physically stronger if you don't allow neither of them to progress in terms of personality.

It's not even the characters fault. The Classic left you with the impression that Naruto was on his way to cause a big political change (he was part of the mission to convince Tsunade to be their new Hokage, wasn't he) and that Sakura was on her shinobi breakthrough, but then none of it happened.

At some point wanting to become Hokage to change the system became and obsession to bring a lost childhood back. At some point Sakura's strength became merely physical, a mere performance, because any relationship outside of Team 7 had to be short lived or superficial in the story, her entire worth as a shinobi based on a competition with Sasuke and Naruto, which was rigged from the very beginning because they are overpowered to no end and she is only there to heal them and cry for their suffering or request them to go back because she misses/loves them.

It's insane. What the hell happened.

[hana-akari]

[hana-akari]

@reddawnmultimuse continued xXx

Saori grinned at the kiss he left of her head, returning his hug excitedly. Making sure not to hug him too hard, “Sorell did most of the work. He’s better at wood crafting than me. A lot better at making weapons too. But I sewed Hiruko a new cloak! That was all my doing! And I did his hair!” Saori grinned up at him proudly, but gave most of the credit over to her brother.

Sorell did, in fact, notice the questionable parts that made up Hiruko but chose to ignore them. He was aware of who his father was and what he used to do. Just it was a little messed up to think about how both him and his sister used to happily play on a corpse for a lot of their childhood. Sorell was so glad Saori didn’t know about any of that. He quite liked her being innocent of that fact. He didn’t want her childhood ruined from knowing that. Saori had a much softer heart than he did. Saori may be Sasori’s obvious favorite but Sorell was the one most like him. 

“Puttin’ him back together was a little difficult. I only had some old pictures to work with but I made do.” Sorell has to admit this was some of his best work yet. He really put his all into rebuilding his old puppet. 

With a small twitch of Sorell’s fingers, Hiruko stood up on his feet, flexing all the new joints and work that was done. His movements were completely smooth, “All his weapons have been returned to him. His jaw gave me a bit of trouble. For a while there the slightest touch would result in him firing off needles. Hit me a few times, that hurt like a bitch.” Sorell was pretty glad there was no poison on any of the weapons. He didn’t think it was necessary to go that far in. If Sasori decided to add poison, that was on him,

“I thhiinkkk I worked out the kinks?” Hiruko was not loaded for a reason. Didn’t want to test fate and have the puppet accidentally firing off on them,

“We rode him all the way here! It was so cool! We scared everyone! Sorell is getting so good with puppets!” Saori said with a pleased manner, finding humor in how the public was made overly uncomfortable by seeing the beastly puppet up and moving again.  People finding out Sorell was the one piloting it did not help his reputation of being the “new” Sasori. But he didn’t care. It was the best gift he could think of giving to his dad and he liked the challenge,

“Seeing that thing up and moving again sure brings back memories.” Not good ones, but Sakura was happy because her kids were happy. Even if looking at that bastard puppet’s face reminded her of her fight with Sasori. The whole thing was a bit weird, going from assuming she killed him to raising a family with him. She often questioned her sanity.

[hana-akari]

i need to be choked until i either cum or die i have no preference..surprise me

[hana-akari]

“Says you, who can’t even eat her cooking.”

Sorell let out a huff, finally closing the textbook he was using as a prop until now. He was, in fact, just as smart as his sister just unlike Saori, Sorell struggled with concentration and being motivated enough to put the work in to show he was just as smart. He only really dedicated that level of focus to his art and even then he was moving around while he did it. Had he not been so invested in the conversation, he wouldn’t had been sitting this long,

“That’s true, I’m just… Surprised I guess.”

They were enemies in the past and yet his mother went ahead and had children with Sasori and had a questionable relationship with him. They weren’t overly loving towards each other like most parents he’s seen but he could tell that they cared about each other. He doubted they would have stayed together this long if there wasn’t some level of care between them,

“So? Sarada-onnesan’s dad is a criminal too.” His mother seemed to have a type, “And both Ame-kun’s parents are criminals. I looked into both of them too.” Deidara wasn’t around often him and Ame were always invited to family get-togethers and holidays. As far as his mother was concerned, they were family. They were. Even if Ame was only technically blood related to Sarada. Once he figured out that the real Sasori was his dad, it was easy to figure out that Deidara was his former partner. It was a little harder to figure out who Ame’s dad was without asking questions. The subject of sperm donors was a common sore spot between Sarada and Ame. And he didn’t actually want to upset anyone.

It was insane to think of how many former Akatsuki members were either connected to, or a part of his family. Even Sarada’s father was a former Akatsuki member.

“None of this changes my view of you. You’re still my dad, and I know I don’t say this a lot, but I love you. You’ve always been there for us through everything. Even when I’m being a little shit. Just because you used to be a criminal doesn’t take away the fact you’ve been the best dad I could have ever asked for.” Sorell had the same issue as Sasori when it came to openly stating his love for people. He did it more through actions than saying it. To him, it was more meaningful.

“It’s just… Been driving me crazy for a while. It brings me a small level of peace knowing.” Sorell admits softly, “Even before we started learning about the Akatsuki, the kids in my class kept saying I looked like you, and I’m creepy. All because of that stupid ass card game everyone plays.” Saori collected only the cards of her mother and people she knew but didn’t actually play the game. If she knew who Sasori and Deidara were, Sorell was sure she’d collect cards of them too,

“Everyone keeps saying they should lock me up now before it’s too late. Like I’m going to go off and become a criminal too. I have no interest in that. I wouldn’t do that to Saori, or mom, or even you. The puppets I made to train with, are just in case there was ever a time I needed to defend my family.” Sorell and Saori may not be ninjas but Sakura made sure they knew basic stuff so they could defend themselves in case of emergency. And Sasori taught them some puppet work, and Sorell built what he learned from there. He really did take a lot after Sasori. He could control multiple puppets at once just unlike Sasori, he didn’t even need to use his hands to do so,

“I’m a bit jealous of Saori… She makes friends so easily. I’m pretty alienated from the rest of the class. And they don’t even know I’m actually related to you. They just base it all on my looks.” Which has led to Sorell acting up often. He was frustrated no one would give him a chance. Saori was blessed to take after her mom in terms of looks. Had her soft features and large, innocent looking eyes. That she totally took full advantage of, and it worked on everyone. Especially Sasori.

“I don’t blame you for any of that either. It just feels better that they’re justified in their distrust of me rather than me happening to look like you with no ties to you. Might be easier to cope with now.”

Sasori was silent as Sorell showed them the textbook and listed all the reasons why his father was Akasuna-no-Sasori...and he was correct. Sasori knew this day was coming, but that didn't make it any easier. And it was Sorell who figured it out.

No offense to his son, but Sasori always recommended it'd be Saori to learn it. She was the smart one out of the two, not to say Sorell was dumb. He just didn't use his brain very often. Well, he did. But only to cause shit.

Finally, Sasori spoke up. "Your mum's cookin' ain't that bad." Granted, he had never eaten it, and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't a little thankful he didn't require nutrition. Sakura was a great medic and a better mother, but that woman could burn cereal--and had!

Leaning over, he grabbed the chicken breast off the ground and washed it off in the sink. "Of course, your mum knows. Ya think she wouldn't recognize the bloke she punched in the face?" He threw the chicken back into the pan. That was still going to be for Sorell. If just because Sasori was a petty bastard.

"I'm glad you ain't gonna tell Saori. Don't need both my children knowin' their old man's a criminal." Just thinking of Saori finding out made his heartache. Sorell knowing sucked, but Saori was his little princess. He'd done everything to be the best father he could to her. Not just her but both his children. Hell, Sarada, too!

They were what kept him going everyday. Ok, Sakura, too. But he wasn't going to tell her that. She'd never let him live it down. Like the napping thing when the twins were babies. He kept telling her it was the only way to get them to sleep. And not because he liked snuggling with them because it reminded him of sleeping with his own parents when he was their age. Nope.

[hana-akari]

Mogu mogu~! もぐもぐ

✉ ChojiSaku request : I think the message lost somewhere in the inbox or I delete it by accident– Anywho, have some ChojiSaku enjoying their snack 😋

[hana-akari]

*art by ALIAHH

[hana-akari]

"I'd be more hurt if it was Saori trying to kill me than mom." As much as they fought, he loved his sister dearly. And has and will cut down anyone that upsets her. Only he was allowed to upset her,

"Maybe emotionally he is but physically, Akasuna-no-Sasori, is my dad."

Sorell turned the textbook he was holding towards Sasori, it being a picture of his younger self on the pages, "I have yours and mom's brains. You really think I'd be stupid enough to not put the pieces together?" He placed the book on the table and leaned back in his chair with a smirk on his face,

"I can't believe other people haven't figured it out either. But then again, this village is full of idiots, run by an idiot." Sorell started listing things off,

"You share his name, you have his red hair and the same colored eyes, Hiruko looks exactly like the puppet we played in growing up, and--" He pointed to his face where Sasori's face was replaced with puppet parts,

"You have a damaged face right where mom punched the real Sasori. Not to mention, you don't eat, or breathe. I've napped on you enough growing up to notice." Laying on Sasori sounded much different than when he fell asleep on his mom.

Sorell looked so calm listing all those things off. Not looking bothered in the least bit, "Fine by me. I've eaten mom's cooking, eating chicken off the floor is an upgrade." He laughed, curling his arms behind his head as he continued to lean back in his chair,

"Don't worry, I'm not going to tell Saori. She thinks the world of you and I'm not takin' that from her." That and he wanted her to just stay innocent from things,

"I take it mom is aware too?"

Sasori stared up at that chicken and sighed. Damn it all, he only got four chicken breasts for dinner. Now, he was going to have to ration the last three between four people. He hated his life sometimes. He went and grabbed the broom as Sorell said.

"It was his grandmother, boy. You'd have a weak spot, too, if it was your own mum tryin' to kill ya. N' yes, Akasuna-no-Sasori is dead..." Or wished he was dead instead of listening to his own son badmouth him and using a broom to free a grilled chicken from the ceiling!

Speaking of which, all it took was one solid poke for the poultry breast to fall down and hit the kitchen floor with a nasty slap. Sasori stared at it for a second before looking up at his son.

"That one is yours."

[hana-akari]

Sorell was finding it hard not to let out the fit of laughter that was bubbling up in his throat. His lips twitched a small bit but he managed to keep the innocent look he was holding on his face. Not yet revealing what he knew. Why pass up the chance to keep pressing his father's buttons like this? It was clear he was getting to him.

He was sitting at the kitchen table, keeping his father company in the worst way possible. Sakura and Saori had yet to come home yet, so it was just the two of them,

"Oh? So he got taken out by an old hag. That's even more embarrassing than being taken out by mom." Sorell kept prodding, finding all the reactions he was getting humorous. They were also confirming what he already suspected.

His father was, in fact, Sasori of the Red Sand.

"If he was so much better, stronger, and smarter than her, why is he dead? Unless you're implying he's not dead." His eyes watched carefully at Sasori's every reaction. Letting out a playful whistle as he watched Sasori flip the chicken against the ceiling,

"Mom not gonna like that. Bet ya could knock it down with the broom or something. She won't notice."

@reddawnmultimuse continued xXx

[hana-akari]

Ino casually slides in. "Sooo? Got any plans for the holidays?"

"Not really, might hang out with Sasuke. Might get shitfaced and stay home. Why, do you have somethin' in mind?"

[hana-akari]

With everyone running away from him thanks to the mistletoe dangling in front of him, Shino is profitting of the holiday sales in peace until he turns a corner and comes face to face with Sakura, the mistletoe right between them. "Sakura." He greets, arms full of items on sale.

Sakura nearly ran right into him not paying attention. Her mouth opened to say something but she noticed the mistletoe first, "Oh." Without warning, she grabbed the front of Shino's shirt, without knocking what he had out of his hands and pulled him into a kiss. Allowing him to taste her cherry lip gloss, and also leaving it smeared on his lips a bit as she pulled back.

Casually, she pulled out a compact mirror from her bag and fixed her lip gloss a bit so it wasn't a mess, and then grinned at him, "If ya wanted a kiss so bad, you shoulda' just asked.~" It appears she was also taking advantage of the sales, having a bag hanging at her side stuffed full of sweets that weren't going to last long once they got home,

"I see you're sales hunting too. Love this time of year. So many sweets to try!"

[hana-akari]

How Sasuke might have proposed to Sakura if he'd done it in his own time.

Sasuke: Hey, do you know what this is? *he took Sakura's hand, placing it on his chest* It's not boyfriend material... it's husband material~

She still would have cried! But also laugh at how cheesy that was. Of course she would say yes. How could she not with such a smooth proposal like that? Completely catches her off guard. Would have no idea he was planning to propose. Not that the way he actually proposed wasn't any less special to her. The fact he asked, makes her feel so lucky and happy to have him.~

[hana-akari]

Mdr also time-traveled